The Stepdaughter (2000) Movie Script
(triumphant music)
(tense music)
- [Driver] See you guys later.
- [Rancher] See you.
(tense music)
- [Woman] There are over 270
million people in this country.
35 million in California alone.
That's why it's taken
so long, Cheryl-Ann.
That's why it's been like trying
to find a needle in a haystack.
They could have been
anywhere, but we did it.
After all this
time, we found them.
And now we're finally
gonna make things right.
(tense music)
(upbeat country music)
(chattering)
I've got a brand new she
that I never get to see
- Beer.
Got a lot of things to do
I got too many people
taking up my time
I just can't
make love to you
Now she's a mean little mama
from her top to her bottom
Wearing three
hundred dollar shoes
She drives a beat up truck
and my heart goes pop
Talking 'bout the
things we used to do
That was yesterday,
now we're all grown up
We see each other if we can
I ain't got time to tell
her just how much I love her
And I want to be her one
and only rockabilly man
She's a sight for sore eyes
when I get a chance to see her
When she calls,
I'm never home
I'm a hardworking man trying
to make myself a living
But it means working if
you're living all alone
She told me that
she loved me
And I got so doggone happy
That I went and
told my mom and dad
That's the last
time I seen her
Let me tell you, girl, that
I'm going all out of my head
- Hi.
Because I ain't got
time to love her
- (chuckles) I was just
sitting over there and I was-
- Now you're standing over here.
- Yeah, right (chuckles).
I was just thinking that maybe-
- That maybe you'd
like to buy me a beer.
- Anything you want.
Yeah, so?
What do you think?
(tense music)
(chuckles) Hey, good looking.
You ever go riding?
- Sometimes.
- I got just the filly for you.
- I can ride anything you got.
(tense music)
- There you were,
like one of them angels
in a museum painting.
Boy, you sure are a pretty one.
Had a feeling about tonight.
- Yeah?
- You know, that something
special was gonna happen.
Somethin' real special.
- I know.
I had that exact same feeling.
You a real cowboy, Will?
- Yes, ma'am.
- I wanna do
somethin' bad, Will.
Somethin' really, really bad.
(moans) I can feel
your heart, Will.
Right here.
It's racing.
I think that you
want me to be bad.
(moans)
Say it.
- (chuckles) I
want you to be bad.
- If I'm really,
really bad, Will
(Will groans)
(exciting music)
(Will sighs)
and if I say I'm sorry
I hope you'll forgive me.
(tense music)
(engine revs)
- [Woman] Don't hide
from me, Karen Mills!
You're a bad,
wicked little girl!
But you're gonna be
good from now on.
Know why?
'Cause I've got Cheryl-Ann,
and I just might rip her
pretty little head off!
- She's mine!
(car horn honking)
- Fucking asshole!
(tense music)
It's all right, Cheryl-Ann.
(dog barking)
(knocking)
(clock ticking)
(knocking continues)
- Dad, there's
somebody at the door.
- I know.
Now, hold on, hold on, son.
We'll see who it is.
- I am so sorry.
I've had a car accident.
Could I please use your phone?
- Oh, please, come
in, please, please.
- Thank you.
- You okay?
What, what?
- Yeah, I'm all
right, thank you.
- Well, here put this down.
- Thanks.
- What happened?
- I was on the freeway and
I got off to get some food.
I got lost and this deer
jumps out in front of me.
I swerved to avoid it and
my car ends up in the ditch.
And I am so so
sorry for imposing.
- No, no.
Don't worry about it.
I'm Jesse Conner.
- Susan Heller.
- Susan, this is my son, Buddy.
- Nice to meet you.
- Would you like a glass
of water or anything?
Buddy, get her a class of water.
- [Buddy] I'll get it.
- [Jesse] Okay.
- [Susan] Thank you.
I'm so sorry.
- [Jesse] No, please.
Don't worry about it.
(tense music)
Do you have any idea
where the car is?
- I think it's just a
mile or so up the road.
- Hi.
I saw the lights and
I heard all the dogs.
- Yeah.
- Susan Heller, right?
- Yeah.
- Susan, this is
my daughter Linda.
Linda, Susan.
She just had an
accident up the road.
- Oh no!
- Dad, Mom's up.
- Oh, yeah.
Susan, excuse me.
- My wife's been a little
under the weather lately, so...
- That means she's been
feelin' kind of sick.
But, she's getting'
better, right, Dad?
- Yes, she is.
She's gonna be fine, son.
- Fine.
- If I could just use
the phone to call a cab.
- A cab?
They, they stop
running at seven.
- Oh.
- Listen, it's gonna be a
lot easier to find your car
in the morning then it is
in the middle of the night,
and we have a fine
guest room here.
You're welcome to use it.
- No, no, no.
I couldn't impose.
- Please, just say yes.
- Yes.
- All right, well, here it is.
So, where were
you headed, Susan?
- Oh, outside of San Diego.
I was working horses
up in Vallejo,
and needed a change of scenery.
- Oh, you work horses, huh?
- Mm-hmm, last seven years.
- Great.
Well, okay, listen, we'll
get your car taken care of
in the morning
first thing, okay?
- Thank you, Mr. Conner.
- Jesse.
- Thank you, Jesse.
- Great. Okay.
Sleep tight.
(tense music)
- We're gonna fit
right in, Cheryl-Ann.
Right in.
Just like I promised.
And they don't suspect a thing.
(scary music)
- Why did you come?
You don't belong here.
- Yes, I do!
- Nobody wants you.
(screaming)
(gun shots booming)
(sobbing)
- You're better off dead.
- Please, please don't, please.
(sobbing)
(wicked cackling)
Please don't, please.
- Susan?
- Please, don't, please.
(sobbing)
- Susan?
- Stay away from me!
- It's me, it's Buddy.
It's okay.
(panting)
Susan?
You okay?
Come here, come here.
(panting)
- Are you okay?
- Yeah, I just had a
horrible nightmare.
- I had one of those once.
- It must be the strange bed.
- Okay.
- Thank you for
coming to my rescue.
- Nightmares, they
can be scarier than
real life sometimes.
- Oh, yeah.
- Huh?
- They sure can, Buddy.
- Do you want a glass of water?
- Uh-uh, I'm okay.
You go to bed.
- Good night.
(tense music)
- Couple of holes
in the radiator.
Well, it doesn't really
look all that serious.
We oughta get this
thing fixed in no time.
- Great.
- Susan, meet our
resident mechanic.
- I'm also Jesse's trainer.
Name's Paris.
- France?
- Texas.
- Ah.
- Sheriff Tom!
- Excuse me.
- [Buddy] Sheriff Tom, hey!
- How you doin', Buddy?
- Good!
- Good to see you!
How you been?
- Good.
- Why don't you give me a
second with your dad real quick.
Jump on in.
- [Buddy] Yeah?
(Buddy chuckles)
- What's up, huh?
- Don't know how I'm gonna
sugar-coat this, Jesse.
Will's dead.
He was murdered last night.
- My God!
How'd it happen?
- Do you think she'll live?
- [Paris] When a car
overheats like this,
it's most likely a
hole in the radiator,
but you can never tell for sure.
You know what I'd like to do?
- What's that?
- Take her to the barn.
Stretch out on my
back and take a good,
long hard look underneath.
You know, I'm sure in the right
hands, she'll be just fine.
- Well, I can't wait to
tell her the good news.
- Found him down
there in a hotel room.
Los Angeles.
- Oh, man.
God, how am I
gonna tell the kid?
Jesus.
- I don't mean to sound
hard-hearted, Jesse,
but this thing with Will
leaves us a hand short.
The timing couldn't
have been worse.
- Tell me about it.
I warned Will about going
to those kind of places.
- Will gave me this.
He told me if I
was ever in trouble
I should just blow on this real
hard and he'd come running.
- Aw, Buddy, I know Will
was your best friend,
and you miss him
real bad right now.
But you're gonna find a new
best friend to come running.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
- The girl says
she works horses.
- You thinking of hiring her?
- You like that
idea, do you, huh?
- Well, like you say,
the girl works horses.
Get her unhitched, Buddy.
- Okay.
- Listen, you mentioned
last night that you
had experience working
with horses, right?
- Yeah.
- Well, as you know, we're a
little short-handed, and...
- If that's a job
offer, the answer's yes.
- All right, well, I'm gonna
go on over to the office
and when you finish
here, come on over, okay?
- Yeah.
- What do we got here, Buddy?
- Okay Jeff, just let
us know when you can.
- [Jeff] I'll call you back.
- [Linda] Okay.
- [Jeff] Bye.
- Hey, Dad.
- Did you hear about Will?
- Yeah.
Tommy Gitlin was here about
ten minutes after Paris left.
Can't believe it.
Been checking around trying
to find a replacement.
Jeff Artemis, he's a maybe.
- I offered the girl the job.
- You what?
- Well, I don't understand.
I mean, we lost a man,
and I replaced him.
What's the problem?
- The problem is that we were
supposed to be a team here.
Here I am, trying to
repair the damage Ned did
with no end in sight, Dad!
- Ned Bunting was my
accountant for 28 years.
- Ned was sick.
He did not do the job.
- Well, he was my best friend.
What was I supposed to do?
- You didn't check
her out, did you, Dad?
- (chuckles) That's right.
You know what your problem is?
Hmm?
- Hmm?
- You've been reading too many
of those detective stories.
Now, lighten up a little, okay?
- Oh, Dad
- And you'll be fortunate enough
to be working with
me most of the time.
- How lucky can a girl get?
- Susan, Linda's got some
papers for you to sign back
in the office, soon as you can.
Right up there.
(knocking)
- You wanted to see me?
- I've got an application
for you to fill out.
- Your dad seemed upset.
It wasn't because of me, was it?
- No, of course not.
You can start tomorrow, Susan.
Take today to settle in.
- Okay.
(tense music)
When am I gonna get
to meet your mom?
- Well, sometimes when
her hip is hurting,
she likes to keep to herself.
Says her medicine makes
her feel kinda wacky.
So this used to be Linda's room.
Now it's Susan's.
- If it's okay with you,
I want to be alone and
put away my things.
- Okay.
I'll see you at lunch.
Bye.
- Bye.
Did you hear what he said?
This is Susan's room.
I think I'm gonna
go see what the rest
of our castle looks like.
(tense music)
- That's Victoria.
She is a Bird of Paradise.
Isn't she gorgeous?
- Yeah.
I'm Susan Heller.
- Yes, I know.
I'm Maggie.
That was me last
night in the hall,
skulking around like
Ophelia's ghost.
Certain painkillers bring
out the dramatic in me.
You're quite a looker, Susan.
- Thank you.
- Watch out for Paris.
My plants remind
me of what a big
and exciting place
our planet is.
- You have the whole
world right here, Maggie.
- It's the closest I'll
ever get to seeing it.
- Don't ever listen to a man
when he tells you he's going
to retire from what he loves.
If you want to do something,
really need to, just do it.
Otherwise you'll be like...
Anyway, end of lecture.
- So, no matter
what it is, Maggie?
- Yes, no matter what it is.
- I promise.
- Good.
Come on.
I'll show you the rest.
- Yeah, I'll get right on
it this afternoon, Jesse.
- Mom, do you spell
Vallejo with one L or two?
- Two, I think.
- [Jesse] Yep, two, absolutely.
- Mm-hmm. Two.
- Thought so.
You spelled it with one L
on your job application.
I figured I was wrong,
but I guess not.
- Oh.
I'm gonna have to be
more careful next time.
- So what kind of stock
you working up there?
- Pretty much the
same as you have here.
- A lot of ranches
up north are starting
to switch over to standardbreds.
- You know, I would really
love to work with trotters
and pacers some day.
Are you guys thinking of
bringing them down here?
- I don't know.
I don't know.
What do you think, Maggie?
- I think it's your call, Jesse.
- So do you have a lot of
family up north, Susan?
- No, I lost my family
in a car accident.
They'd just dropped
me off at summer camp.
I was eight.
- That's terrible.
- Sorry.
- Thank you.
- [Maggie] The Sheriff's here.
- It's about Will, I suppose.
- Susan, can I
show you something?
- What?
- Mom, may I please be
excused from the table?
- Yes, dear.
- Thanks.
It's a secret.
- Excuse me.
- [Paris] Maggie,
pass me that juice.
She seems to know what
she's talking about.
Is something bothering
you about her?
- I don't know.
You've got friends up north.
Ask around.
- You know me.
Never could say no
to a pretty lady.
- [Susan] What are you
gonna show me, Buddy?
- It's a secret.
A best friend's secret.
You know, Susan,
I been thinking.
- About what?
- Best friends.
I was thinking maybe you would
wanna be my new best friend?
It's a really easy job.
- I'd like that.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
- Okay.
Girls are slow.
Come on!
- Oh, dammit!
- Here, here, watch your head.
- Okay.
(tense music)
Oh, Buddy, this is so cool!
- You like it?
- Yeah!
- Yeah?
Wait.
There's more.
- Okay
- Let's make a wish.
- Okay.
- I think it goes to China.
- So who else knows about this?
- Maybe some people in China.
(laughing)
- [Paris] Two words?
Two syllables?
- [Maggie and Paris]
Second word, second word.
- Sounds like...
- Sounds like...
- [Maggie] You're
throwing something.
You're fishing.
Your line, hooked.
- This is quite the
collection, huh?
Are these all whodunits?
- Mostly.
- Frustrated detective, huh?
- Yeah, sort of.
- [Buddy] Smile, Linda!
- Buddy, okay (chuckles).
Thank you
- You gonna play
the next one, Susan?
- You know, maybe later.
- Smile!
- [Maggie] The
great, great, great!
Not the great.
Great, no, get outta here!
- Damned painkillers.
- Yeah.
Maggie said they brought
out the dramatic in her.
- She said that?
- Mm-hmm.
Yeah, maybe she should
switch medication.
Something like Dropadine
might work better for her.
- She tried it.
You seem to know a
lot about the subject.
- My mom was a nurse.
- Thought you said you lost
your mom when you were a child.
- Yeah?
- Dropadine didn't come out
until the last couple of years.
- I must have read it somewhere.
Listen, Linda I would really
like for us to be friends,
but I feel, well, that I have
to explain myself to you.
- Am I interrupting
something here?
- No.
- Linda
Susan, hold up!
What happened back there?
- Oh, it's no big deal.
Linda and I just had a
little communication problem.
That's all.
- Yeah.
- All right, we'll work
it out, don't worry.
- [Susan] I think I'm gonna
head on back up to the house.
- Thanks for the work.
- I'll see you tomorrow.
- I'm glad you could join us.
We got a lot of work to do
tomorrow, so get a little rest.
- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
- So we've had people who
didn't like us before.
And we just have to learn
to get along with everybody.
Even nosy Linda.
- Well, Buttercup's
looking good.
- Yeah, I like working her.
- You ever run into
a guy in Vallejo
by the name of Alan Volk?
Raises Tennessee Walkers?
- Yeah.
- Alan Volk raises
thoroughbreds, not
Tennessee Walkers.
You ever spent any time in
Vallejo, you'd know that.
- Oh, yeah, Alan Volk.
Thoroughbreds.
- Why are you lying?
- Uh.
- Hmm?
- My previous employer was
powerful and vindictive.
And when he tried to
force himself on me,
well, he regretted it.
So that left a giant
hole in my resume.
Well, I got creative.
But, uh, I did pass through
Vallejo with two L's
on my way south.
Okay, just give me the saddle.
- There you go.
By the way, Alan Volk,
he raises quarter horses.
- You know, it's not
that I don't like sex.
I just like to choose
who I have it with.
(tense music)
- Hi.
- Hey, Linda.
- (sighs) Damn deposit slips.
(tense music)
- [Susan] Last
year's tax return.
$3.8 million gross.
$900,000 net.
(clattering)
- Luis, why is Big
Bill in his stall?
- [Luis] I'm taking him out now.
- [Linda] Okay.
- You just saved me a truckload
of pain and humiliation.
Thank you.
- You're welcome.
- I was just about to call
an ex-boyfriend in L.A.
I was in love with
him, and unfortunately,
he was in love with himself
and he broke my heart.
I don't know what
I was thinking.
I owe you one.
Thanks.
(scoffs)
(gentle strumming)
- I was talking to Will and
he told me I wasn't dumb.
It just takes me a little while
to think things in my head.
(chuckles)
- Will told you that?
- Mm-hmm, today.
- What else did Will say?
- Well, that we'll always
figure things out together,
and I'll always do
the right thing.
- Sounds like he's
pretty right to me.
- Yeah?
- It's time you get to
bed, though, I think.
- Thanks, Linda.
- I'll see you tomorrow, Buddy.
I love you.
Sleep tight.
- (groans) You need a bath.
(water spritzing)
Oh, I haven't named you.
- Okay.
Let's see.
(water spritzing)
(screaming)
- Is Paris working
you hard enough?
- I like working hard.
(Jesse chuckles)
- [Buddy] Dad, Dad!
Come on, come on, come on!
- [P.A Announcer] Doctor
Sumpman to the O.R. post-op.
Doctor Sumpman to
the O.R. post-op.
- Don't you die on me, old lady.
(chattering)
- Think they're gonna
give her a shot?
- Oh, I dunno, Buddy.
- Shots hurt, but they're
for your own good.
That's what Mom always tells me.
Mom?
Mom, you all right?
- [Maggie] Yeah, honey.
- Well, she's got a few bruises
but Doctor Miller says the
replacement's doing just fine.
She's gonna be okay.
- You hear that, Susan?
Mom's gonna be a-okay!
- Yeah, that's great.
Oh, you had us worried, Maggie.
- [Jesse] Let's get her
home, what do you say?
- Yeah.
- So there's this guy,
and he's wearing a bow tie
and he wants to buy an E.
- [P.A Announcer] Wheelchair
to cardiology checkout.
- [Buddy] Did they
give you a shot, Mom?
- [Nurse] I'll see you later.
- Karen?
- Mom, are you okay?
Paris told me what happened!
- I'm okay.
- Never should have
been on the damn ladder
in the first place.
- Oh, Mom.
- Buddy, go get the door.
- You can't let your
anger control you, Karen.
That's why you're here.
- My anger's the only damn thing
they can take away from me.
- Karen!
- [P.A Announcer]
Code blue, room 128
- See you back at the ranch.
- [P.A Announcer]
Code blue, room 128
(engine whirs)
- See you at home.
- Okay.
All right, here we go.
Easy.
Don't push it.
There we go.
Susan, could you
help her, please?
Thank you.
- Hey, can I help?
- No, really, honey.
We got it all under
control, but thanks.
- Susan's gonna put mom to bed.
- Night, Buddy.
- Oh, thank you
- You feeling better?
- Yeah.
Susan, would you be a dear
and get me my moisturizer.
- Yeah.
- Thanks.
It's the big white jar
on the vanity there.
(tense music)
- Gimme your hand.
(Maggie moans)
It's some night, huh?
- We could do with a little
less excitement around here.
Want some juice?
- Yeah, thank you.
It's been rough, hasn't it?
Since Maggie broke her hip?
- Well, what with the drugs,
the pain, sometimes I
hardly recognize her.
- So what happened, Jesse?
- Well, she was going
through a spell.
You know how women get
when they get itchy
and they wanna go
everywhere, see everything?
I bought her a horse to
take her mind off of it.
It's a beauty too,
a big Palomino.
- And she fell?
- Yeah.
First time she rode him.
I'm really worried about her.
- She'll be fine.
You shouldn't worry.
- Well, I mean, now
she can't go anywhere.
- You know, bad things happen.
It's nobody's fault.
Life goes on.
- Thank you.
We really oughta call it
a day, what do you think?
- Yeah.
Oh, he wanted to.
I know it.
He likes me.
He knows I belong here.
He just doesn't know why.
- Luis needs Buddy today, so
why don't we split things up.
You take Mom this morning.
I'll take her this afternoon.
Paris says we oughta
be back sometime
between 1:30 and 2:00, so-
- No, I can't.
I gotta fax '96, '97
to Sacramento by 2:00.
There's no way I'm
gonna be ready.
- I'd love to stay with Maggie.
- Great.
Problem solved (chuckles).
- Problem solved
- Well, who rained
on your parade?
- Have you talked to your
friends up north yet?
- Let me guess.
Susan.
- You didn't answer my question.
- I got some calls out.
Nothing yet.
- How's her work?
- She seems to
know her business.
- Keep calling.
- Love them, just never
try to understand them.
- Listen, I am eternally
grateful to you.
- Oh, I'm happy to do it.
About last night
- Oh, look, forget about it.
Nothing really happened anyway,
so don't worry
about it, all right?
- Good. Thank you.
- See you later this afternoon.
- Okay.
(tense music)
- Small with thick eyeglasses.
- [Woman] Oh, you must be
talking about Callista Davis.
- Callista Davis?
- [Woman] She's gone on
a three-week vacation.
- [Linda] A three week vacation?
You're kidding.
- [Woman] Would you
like to leave word?
- I'll just call back.
Thanks.
Hello, Callista Davis.
(telephone ringing)
- [Callista] This is Callista.
Leave a message.
- Hi, my name is Linda Conner.
I need to discuss a mutual
acquaintance with you.
Please if you could call
me back, it is important.
My number here is 555-0145.
Thank you.
(knocking)
(tense music)
- Karen, I had to make sure.
You look great.
You haven't changed a bit.
You have no idea how many
times I've thought about you.
- What are you doing here?
- I called out to you the
other day, at the hospital.
Didn't you hear me?
- No.
- [Maggie] Susan!
- This is a bad time
so you'll have to go.
- [Maggie] Susan, you there?
- Who's Susan?
- Will you just
give me a minute,
and I'll be right back, okay?
- [Maggie] Susan,
can you hear me?
Hello?
Hello?
- I'll be there in
a minute, Maggie.
- [Maggie] I haven't
eaten all morning!
- [Susan] I'm making
lunch right now.
I'll bring it to you in
about ten minutes, okay?
- [Maggie] You know what?
Don't bother with that.
I feel like eating in the
kitchen with you today, Susan.
- Maggie, I promised Jesse I'd
make sure you stayed in bed.
- Why is she calling you Susan?
- Because that's who I am now.
(tense music)
Why are you always poking your
nose in other people's lives?
Why don't you mind
your own business?
- Calm down, Karen.
I didn't mean to upset you.
- [Maggie] Hello? Susan?
- I'm your friend, Karen.
I've always been your friend.
Why are you doing this to me?
- I never asked you
to be my friend!
And I told you to leave
me alone back then.
- Karen, no!
(clattering)
My glasses!
- You won't be needing those.
- [Maggie] Susan?
- You should have listened.
- Please.
(Callista grunts and moans)
- [Maggie] Susan?
Susan, where are you?
- I'll be right there, Maggie.
I have to clean up
something first.
- [Maggie] Well, all right.
Just hurry.
Susan?
Susan, are you in here?
Why didn't you answer me?
- You're not supposed to be up.
- Well, I'm tired of staring
at the same four walls.
Is my lunch ready?
- I'm just about to
make you a sandwich.
But you're gonna
get me in trouble.
- I know, but I'm hungry.
- Well, okay, but let's
get you back in your room.
- Was somebody here?
- No.
- Could have sworn
I heard something.
(telephone ringing)
- Oh, this is great.
Hello?
- Hi, it's Linda.
- Yeah, Maggie's up.
I just brought her a sandwich.
- Well, I'm gonna be a
little late for lunch.
I'm running a bit behind here.
- I tell you what.
Why don't I make you a
sandwich and bring it down?
And then you can
just keep working.
- Well, I don't want you to go
out of your way or anything.
- No, no, no, no, no.
It's no bother, really.
I insist.
- Okay.
Okay, bye.
(tense music)
(water sloshes)
All ran after
the farmer's wife
Who cut off their tails
with a carving knife
Have you ever seen such
a sight in your life
As three blind mice
(laughing)
- Luis gets real mad at
me when I forget my lunch.
He says, "A man's gotta eat."
But I don't got a lot of time.
It's a real rat race out there.
- [Susan] A ham sandwich.
- Can I have some cranberry
juice, please, to drink?
- Mm-hmm.
- Thank you.
- What does Linda like?
- Diet Coke.
- Okay
- My Mom, she said I gotta
chew each bite ten times
before I swallow.
One.
Three.
Four.
Five.
Six.
(door creaking)
- Seven, eight, nine.
- Seven, eight.
- [Both] Nine.
(door creaking)
- One, two.
- What are you doing?
- Oh, I was just
checking to make sure
that the intercom was on.
- Oh.
- Yeah.
- Three, four, five
Six.
- Listen, I promised Linda
that I would make her a
sandwich and take it to her.
Could you do me a big
favor and do it for me?
- Okay.
- Okay.
Yeah?
So Linda's waiting,
so you better hurry.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Okay.
- Okay.
Bye.
- Bye bye.
(tense music)
(Susan grunts)
(engine whirs)
(tense music)
(water splashing)
You should never drop in on
somebody without calling first.
(tense music)
(horses whinnying)
(tense music)
- Hey, Mom.
- Hey.
- You seen Susan around?
- Uh-uh.
Afternoon TV stinks.
- You're supposed to be
taking care of Maggie.
Where have you been?
- Oh, I was just bringing a
little color to Maggie's life.
- So how you feeling, Maggie?
(tense music)
- What you doin', son?
- Bluegrass afternoons,
starlit nights, you and me
- Stranger things have happened.
- Say cheese.
Cheese!
- So who's for pecan pie?
- I'll have a piece.
- Oh, God I shouldn't,
but, all right, I will
- Linda?
- No, thank you.
Anything you can
find out about her,
I'd really appreciate it.
- No problem.
Linda, you're
probably gonna say no,
but you wanna have
dinner one night?
- I'll give you an
answer on one condition.
You take off those
ridiculous sunglasses.
- Well, what's the answer?
- Not yes yet.
Ask me again later.
Susan really worries me, Tom.
- Well, just give
me a couple days.
- Hey, we just got an invite
from Perry Hanks
down near Louisville.
He says toward the
end of the month,
he's gonna have some
real winners for us.
You wanna go?
- I'll never be
finished by then.
- I'd love to go.
- [Jesse] Well, sure.
That'd be great.
I could use the company.
(tense music)
(telephone ringing)
- Hello?
- It all checks out.
Susan is who she says she is.
- No, she isn't, dammit.
She could have
faked an identity.
I mean, there are
books and websites
that could tell
her how to do that.
- Anything's possible.
- Well, you gave
it your best shot.
Thanks.
- [Tom] You're welcome.
- Listen, I was wondering
if maybe you wanted
to get together to discuss
that dinner date
we talked about?
- Okay.
- Okay.
So I'll just, I'll
talk to you later.
- [Tom] All right. Bye.
- Bye.
- Listen, Bill Tutt's got
some new breeding stock
over at his ranch.
We're gonna go over on
Tuesday and take a look at it.
You wanna come with us?
- Oh, that's my day off, Jesse.
I can't.
I've made plans.
- Okay.
Have a goodnight.
- [Susan] Goodnight.
This Tuesday belongs
to us, Cheryl-Ann.
It's the day our
pain finally stops.
I swear to you, no one's
taking that away from us.
No one.
- You sure you're gonna
be okay, sweetheart?
- Of course I'm gonna be okay.
- I feel like I'm
deserting the ship.
- You got a day off.
Enjoy it.
The rules of the ranch.
- [Buddy] Come on, Dad!
Paris is waiting.
- All right, Sweetie.
- [Maggie] Goodbye.
- [Jesse] I'll see you
this afternoon, sweetie.
- Okay.
- Mom, I'm going to be in
the office all morning,
so I'm just a phone call away.
- Please, would
everyone stop this!
I had a fall.
I'm a little black and blue.
I'm not an invalid.
Actually, I'm looking
forward to having a nice,
hot bath without the entire
family hovering over me.
- Hovering?
- Yes, dear.
You, you do hover
sometimes (laughs).
But I love you anyway.
- I love you too, Mom.
- Would you like me to
tidy up here before I go?
- Oh no, dear. I
can take care of it.
Thanks.
- You sure?
- I'm sure.
Go, go.
Have fun!
- Have a good day.
- I will.
(water dribbling)
(gentle music)
(tense music)
(gentle music)
(door clicks)
- They lined us up
according to height.
- Susan, I thought you left.
- Everybody praying like
there was no tomorrow.
Dear sweet Jesus, please
let the smiling fat lady
and her skinny husband pick me.
I promise I'll never
be a bad girl again
if only I can have a real
mommy and daddy to love me.
- What are you talking about?
- They never picked me.
The best that I could have
was foster moms and dads
'cause you see, Maggie,
I was a problem child
and problem children
need special attention.
Let's not forget about
the foster mothers,
who were convinced
that the foster kids
weren't good enough to eat
with the rest of the family.
Or the foster dads who knew
just what the
little girls wanted.
Or the social workers
who turned the other way.
Sit down!
- Stop it.
You're scaring me.
- Did you have any clue
what I'm talking about?
So let me paint you
a picture, Maggie.
It's a small, red brick hospital
on the outskirts of Wichita.
She's in labor.
She's not married to
the father of the child,
and she never will
be because he's dead.
Got himself killed in Vietnam.
So she's agreed to
give the baby up.
I mean, can you imagine
a mother giving up
her own flesh and blood?
And guess who that
girl is, Maggie?
- Oh my God.
- Yeah, oh my God!
You let them take me away.
Why?
- Times were different then.
My parents, they were very,
were very, very religious.
They forced me to do it.
They forced me to give you
up. I wanted you very much.
Do you know?
Do you know what it's like
being completely alone?
Do you know?
- Do you know what day today is?
- It's Tuesday, the...
- Oh, that's right, Maggie.
It's my birthday.
And we are gonna celebrate.
- What are you doing?
Oh, God, you have to believe me.
I tried to find you, but
the records were sealed.
- Do you remember
what you named me?
- Yes.
- Say it.
- Karen.
- Say, "Happy Birthday, Karen."
Say it.
- Happy-
- Happy birthday, Karen!
- Happy birthday, Karen
- Now, I want you to look at me
so you can see what the next
Mrs. Jesse Conner looks like.
- [Maggie] (gasps) No!
Don't!
Karen!
Stop, stop!
Stop, don't, please, Karen!
I'm your mother.
Please don't.
- I've waited for
this my entire life.
- [Maggie] No!
(electricity zapping)
(Maggie moaning)
- The party's over, Mom.
(scoffs)
(horse neighing)
(speed dial beeping)
(telephone ringing)
(knocking)
- [Linda] Hey, Mom, you in here?
(gasps)
- She called this
her magic place
and when I'm missing her a
lot this is where I'm gonna be
'cause Mom always said we're
all together here on the ranch.
And when somethin' bad
happens to one of us,
it happens to all of us.
I miss you, Mom.
I love you.
Amen.
- Amen.
- [Paris] Tough day.
- I know it's hard to lose
your mom at any age, Buddy,
but at least you had
her all these years.
(tense music)
- [Nurse] Nurses' station.
- Yeah, I'm calling to see
if Callista Davis
will be in tonight.
- [Nurse] Yes, ma'am.
- She's back from vacation?
- [Nurse] Yes.
Her shift starts
at eight o'clock.
- [Nurse] Eight o'clock?
- [Nurse] Mm-hmm. Eight o'clock.
- Great. Thank you.
It's really important that
I talk to Nurse Davis.
- You see this face?
This is the face
of a tired woman.
- They said she'd be
back from vacation today.
- No call, no nothing,
and that ain't like her.
Maybe she found the
man of her dreams.
- The night before
she went on vacation,
she thought she
recognized somebody.
She called her Karen.
Did she say anything
about that to you?
- Yeah.
Really shook her up.
Somebody from a
previous job, she said.
- Oh, what was her previous job?
- An institution.
I don't remember.
In L.A., I think
Look, sweetie, I
really have to go.
Why don't you call human
resources in the morning?
I don't know if you can
get anything from them,
but you can try.
- Thank you.
- [P.A Announcer] Doctor
Simon, report to Emergency.
Doctor Simon,
report to Emergency.
(tense music)
Dr. Johnson, please
pick up extension 400.
Dr. Johnson, please
pick up extension 400.
(rattling)
- Oh my God, it actually works.
(tense music)
(rattling)
(tense music)
(exhales)
Let's see.
Carson Correctional Facility.
(beeping)
(telephone ringing)
- [Man] Carson Correctional.
- Hi.
Can you tell me when I can speak
to someone in administration?
- [Man] They'll be
here at 8:00 tomorrow.
- 8:00 a.m.?
- [Man] Yes.
- Thank you.
- [Man] You're welcome.
(exciting music)
- There we go.
Linda left about an hour ago.
Where was she headin' so early?
- Women are a
mysterious breed, Paris.
I've never been able
to figure 'em out.
- (chuckles) It's
fun tryin', though.
You're lookin' good
there, Mr. Commissioner.
- Oh, thank you very much.
Somebody's gotta keep an
eye on these politicians.
They'd zone us out of
existence if they could.
Oh, I just got off the
phone with Perry Hanks.
- Oh, good.
Is Kentucky still on?
- Two weeks from tomorrow.
- I'm ready.
- I'll see you later.
(engine revs)
(exciting music)
- [Woman] You're aware she
hasn't worked here in years?
- [Linda] She was
last seen talking
to a woman she called Karen.
A woman she identified
to a colleague
as having know when
she was employed here.
- [Woman] Any idea
how many Karens
have come through this place?
- She'd be in her
early thirties.
- Look, we have 623 inmates
and almost 150 in staff.
Yes, I remember Calllista Davis.
No, I don't remember if she
had a special relationship
with someone named
Karen, inmate or staff.
- Maybe you could
check your files.
- Are you kidding?
Channels, sweetie.
That's the way you do it.
You go to the police, you
report your aunt missing,
you tell 'em all
about this Karen.
Then they may or
may not come here
and look through my records.
Now, if you'll excuse me.
- (scoffs) God.
- Psst.
Nurse Davis, she
took an interest.
She cared about
what happened to us.
She, she tried to
help Karen Mills.
- Karen Mills?
What was she in here for?
- She claimed her stepfather
was doing things to her
so one night, while he
was sleeping off a drunk,
she torched the house.
Burned him to a crisp.
- Is this, is this Karen Mills?
- I don't know.
I can't tell.
I'm not sure.
Sorry.
Does this Karen of yours,
does she have a doll with one
of those pull rings in the back?
You know, it says the
name Mary Ann, I think.
- Thank you.
(exciting music)
(telephone ringing)
- Conner residence.
- Buddy, it's Linda.
- Hi, Linda.
- I want you to do
me a favor, okay?
- [Buddy] Yeah.
- [Linda] I want you
to take the phone
and go into Susan's room.
- What if her door's closed?
- It's okay, Buddy.
It's a game.
- Oh, it's like one of
those detective games?
- That's right, and
you're Sherlock Holmes.
- Okay, I'm going.
I'm inside, Watson.
- Okay, Sherlock.
I want you to go
over to the closet.
There should be a
black duffel bag.
Do you see it?
- [Buddy] Mm-hmm.
- Okay, I want you
to look inside.
See if there's a doll
with blonde hair.
- Okay.
- [Linda] Is it there?
- Yeah!
- Does she have a pull-ring
on her back, Buddy?
- Uh huh.
- Pull it, Buddy.
Pull the ring.
- [Doll] Hi.
My name is Cheryl-Ann,
and I love you.
- Give back my fucking doll!
Didn't they teach you about
privacy in your moron school?
- It wasn't a moron school.
It was a special school!
- Hello?
Linda?
Is that you?
(dial tone beeps)
Buddy?
I know I said a terrible thing!
(telephone ringing)
- All right.
- [Operator] Good afternoon.
City Hall.
- [Linda] Can I speak to
someone in Zoning, please?
- [Operator] Just a moment.
(telephone ringing)
- [Clerk] Zoning.
Can I help you?
- [Linda] Yes, I'm
looking for Jesse Conner.
Is he still there?
- No, ma'am, they're gone.
Left about, oh,
five minutes ago.
- Do you know where they
went? Did they go to lunch?
- I don't know, ma'am.
They just went.
- Okay. Thank you.
- You're welcome.
- Buddy!
Olly-olly oxen free
(exciting music)
Buddy?
- Mm-mm.
- You seen Buddy?
What are you doing?
- Fantasizing.
Don't you wanna know what
I'm fantasizing about?
- Okay, Paris, please.
I just had a serious
misunderstanding with Buddy,
and I need to see him.
- Uh, uh, I'm fantasizing
about you and me.
In Kentucky.
- So do you want
sex right here, now,
with the mud and the horseshit?
- I prefer a bed with clean
sheets, but this'll do.
Sweetheart, I've been your
friend since the get-go.
I've backed you up, I've
lied to Linda for you
and I get the feeling
that you're playing me.
I'm getting real sick of it!
- Fuck you!
(Paris chuckles)
(tense music)
Buddy?
Buddy?
Are you in here?
Okay, I know that you're
mad at me and you should be.
Come on, Buddy!
Best friends talk things out.
They forgive each other.
- [Paris] Oh, I forgive you.
- What do you want?
- I don't like being dismissed.
This is a cozy little
place you got here.
- It's Buddy's.
- (chuckles) Well,
thank you, Buddy.
- I told you once.
I choose who I have sex with.
- I was hoping you'd choose me.
(Susan chuckles)
See, you musta forgot you're
the one with something to lose.
(Paris grunts)
(clattering)
Buddy?
(Paris grunts)
- You're a problem, Paris,
and I got more problems
than I need right now.
We never stood a
chance, the two of us.
I think it has something
to do with your name.
I mean, Paris?
Give me a break!
- (moaning) Susan, Susan, Susan.
For God's sake, help me!
I'm slipping!
- You should just let go.
- What?
- Be much less painful.
- [Paris] For God's sake, help!
I swear to God, I won't, I
won't tell anybody anything.
Just, help me out
of here, please?
- You know, we're a lot alike.
- Come on.
- I can't trust you.
- [Paris] Help me out here!
God, don't just,
just get me out.
(Susan grunts)
(Paris screams)
- What should I do, Will?
Will?
(whistle tooting)
- Buddy?
Buddy?
You saw what Paris
tried to do to me!
(exciting music)
- Conrad, what are
you doing here?
- Clogged drain in
your folks' tub.
Yeah, here's the culprit.
- Have you seen Buddy?
- Nope.
- [Linda] Buddy?
- Just keep it together.
Keep the eye on the donut.
Dammit, focus!
- Buddy?
Buddy?
Buddy, are you in here?
(horse whinnying)
Buddy, if you're here, come out.
Susan can't hurt you!
- [Susan] I don't
want to hurt him.
I caught him snooping
through my things,
and I lost it for a second,
and I said things
that I shouldn't have.
- Yeah, he gets upset when
people call him a moron.
Where is he?
- I don't know.
Linda, something
terrible just happened.
He tried to rape me.
Paris.
God, I was looking for Buddy
up at our secret place.
Up in the hill and Paris
must have followed me there.
- Guess where I just came from?
- We fought, and oh,
God, I went crazy.
And I hit him.
And he fell, and poor
Buddy saw the whole thing.
- Carson Correctional
Institution.
- Listen, Linda, I can explain.
I was young, I got into trouble,
and they put me in there.
When I got out, and people
found out where I'd been,
they wouldn't hire me,
so I changed my name.
- Left Karen Mills behind.
- Yeah.
- Quite a girl, that Karen.
Heard she torched
her foster father.
- That fire was an accident.
- You're gonna pack
your bags and leave.
- So does Jesse know about this?
In case you haven't
noticed, your dad likes me.
- Well, he doesn't
know the truth about...
Did you ever use my
parents' bathroom?
- No.
- When you were
taking care of Maggie,
you never helped
her with her bath?
- No.
She wouldn't let
anybody help her.
You know that.
What are you getting at?
- How did this get in the
drain of my parents' bathtub?
You killed my mother.
- Quicker and with more mercy
than when she killed me.
- What are you talking about?
- Reality, Linda.
Reality.
You see this?
The horses, the stables.
It's as much mine
as it is yours.
And I've as much right
to be here as you do.
You're my sister, Linda.
- Maggie was your mother?
- In name only.
The state was my real mother.
Well, you've ruined
everything, Linda.
I should have done you first.
You know, when I first
found Conner Ranch,
I thought of burning it down,
but I've grown since
my days at Carson.
I've learned things like
anger management now.
And you people just live your
picture-book life up here.
- Oh, God, you're crazy.
- You didn't know my fucking
name until this morning!
(exciting music)
Here I am, sis.
(grunting and panting)
Because of you I
have no place to go!
Nowhere!
Say goodbye, Linda!
(Susan grunting)
(Linda coughing)
- Linda, are you okay?
Sheriff Tom's gonna be mad.
Come on, come on, Linda.
You're okay.
- Good God almighty!
What happened?
- It's a long story.
You'll never believe it.
- Susan tried to kill Linda.
- What?
- Buddy saved my life.
- Oh, baby.
If I had listened to you,
maybe this wouldn't
have happened.
You okay?
- Yeah. Yeah.
Hey, hey, hey.
(gentle music)
(tense music)
(exciting music)
(tense music)
(triumphant music)
(tense music)
- [Driver] See you guys later.
- [Rancher] See you.
(tense music)
- [Woman] There are over 270
million people in this country.
35 million in California alone.
That's why it's taken
so long, Cheryl-Ann.
That's why it's been like trying
to find a needle in a haystack.
They could have been
anywhere, but we did it.
After all this
time, we found them.
And now we're finally
gonna make things right.
(tense music)
(upbeat country music)
(chattering)
I've got a brand new she
that I never get to see
- Beer.
Got a lot of things to do
I got too many people
taking up my time
I just can't
make love to you
Now she's a mean little mama
from her top to her bottom
Wearing three
hundred dollar shoes
She drives a beat up truck
and my heart goes pop
Talking 'bout the
things we used to do
That was yesterday,
now we're all grown up
We see each other if we can
I ain't got time to tell
her just how much I love her
And I want to be her one
and only rockabilly man
She's a sight for sore eyes
when I get a chance to see her
When she calls,
I'm never home
I'm a hardworking man trying
to make myself a living
But it means working if
you're living all alone
She told me that
she loved me
And I got so doggone happy
That I went and
told my mom and dad
That's the last
time I seen her
Let me tell you, girl, that
I'm going all out of my head
- Hi.
Because I ain't got
time to love her
- (chuckles) I was just
sitting over there and I was-
- Now you're standing over here.
- Yeah, right (chuckles).
I was just thinking that maybe-
- That maybe you'd
like to buy me a beer.
- Anything you want.
Yeah, so?
What do you think?
(tense music)
(chuckles) Hey, good looking.
You ever go riding?
- Sometimes.
- I got just the filly for you.
- I can ride anything you got.
(tense music)
- There you were,
like one of them angels
in a museum painting.
Boy, you sure are a pretty one.
Had a feeling about tonight.
- Yeah?
- You know, that something
special was gonna happen.
Somethin' real special.
- I know.
I had that exact same feeling.
You a real cowboy, Will?
- Yes, ma'am.
- I wanna do
somethin' bad, Will.
Somethin' really, really bad.
(moans) I can feel
your heart, Will.
Right here.
It's racing.
I think that you
want me to be bad.
(moans)
Say it.
- (chuckles) I
want you to be bad.
- If I'm really,
really bad, Will
(Will groans)
(exciting music)
(Will sighs)
and if I say I'm sorry
I hope you'll forgive me.
(tense music)
(engine revs)
- [Woman] Don't hide
from me, Karen Mills!
You're a bad,
wicked little girl!
But you're gonna be
good from now on.
Know why?
'Cause I've got Cheryl-Ann,
and I just might rip her
pretty little head off!
- She's mine!
(car horn honking)
- Fucking asshole!
(tense music)
It's all right, Cheryl-Ann.
(dog barking)
(knocking)
(clock ticking)
(knocking continues)
- Dad, there's
somebody at the door.
- I know.
Now, hold on, hold on, son.
We'll see who it is.
- I am so sorry.
I've had a car accident.
Could I please use your phone?
- Oh, please, come
in, please, please.
- Thank you.
- You okay?
What, what?
- Yeah, I'm all
right, thank you.
- Well, here put this down.
- Thanks.
- What happened?
- I was on the freeway and
I got off to get some food.
I got lost and this deer
jumps out in front of me.
I swerved to avoid it and
my car ends up in the ditch.
And I am so so
sorry for imposing.
- No, no.
Don't worry about it.
I'm Jesse Conner.
- Susan Heller.
- Susan, this is my son, Buddy.
- Nice to meet you.
- Would you like a glass
of water or anything?
Buddy, get her a class of water.
- [Buddy] I'll get it.
- [Jesse] Okay.
- [Susan] Thank you.
I'm so sorry.
- [Jesse] No, please.
Don't worry about it.
(tense music)
Do you have any idea
where the car is?
- I think it's just a
mile or so up the road.
- Hi.
I saw the lights and
I heard all the dogs.
- Yeah.
- Susan Heller, right?
- Yeah.
- Susan, this is
my daughter Linda.
Linda, Susan.
She just had an
accident up the road.
- Oh no!
- Dad, Mom's up.
- Oh, yeah.
Susan, excuse me.
- My wife's been a little
under the weather lately, so...
- That means she's been
feelin' kind of sick.
But, she's getting'
better, right, Dad?
- Yes, she is.
She's gonna be fine, son.
- Fine.
- If I could just use
the phone to call a cab.
- A cab?
They, they stop
running at seven.
- Oh.
- Listen, it's gonna be a
lot easier to find your car
in the morning then it is
in the middle of the night,
and we have a fine
guest room here.
You're welcome to use it.
- No, no, no.
I couldn't impose.
- Please, just say yes.
- Yes.
- All right, well, here it is.
So, where were
you headed, Susan?
- Oh, outside of San Diego.
I was working horses
up in Vallejo,
and needed a change of scenery.
- Oh, you work horses, huh?
- Mm-hmm, last seven years.
- Great.
Well, okay, listen, we'll
get your car taken care of
in the morning
first thing, okay?
- Thank you, Mr. Conner.
- Jesse.
- Thank you, Jesse.
- Great. Okay.
Sleep tight.
(tense music)
- We're gonna fit
right in, Cheryl-Ann.
Right in.
Just like I promised.
And they don't suspect a thing.
(scary music)
- Why did you come?
You don't belong here.
- Yes, I do!
- Nobody wants you.
(screaming)
(gun shots booming)
(sobbing)
- You're better off dead.
- Please, please don't, please.
(sobbing)
(wicked cackling)
Please don't, please.
- Susan?
- Please, don't, please.
(sobbing)
- Susan?
- Stay away from me!
- It's me, it's Buddy.
It's okay.
(panting)
Susan?
You okay?
Come here, come here.
(panting)
- Are you okay?
- Yeah, I just had a
horrible nightmare.
- I had one of those once.
- It must be the strange bed.
- Okay.
- Thank you for
coming to my rescue.
- Nightmares, they
can be scarier than
real life sometimes.
- Oh, yeah.
- Huh?
- They sure can, Buddy.
- Do you want a glass of water?
- Uh-uh, I'm okay.
You go to bed.
- Good night.
(tense music)
- Couple of holes
in the radiator.
Well, it doesn't really
look all that serious.
We oughta get this
thing fixed in no time.
- Great.
- Susan, meet our
resident mechanic.
- I'm also Jesse's trainer.
Name's Paris.
- France?
- Texas.
- Ah.
- Sheriff Tom!
- Excuse me.
- [Buddy] Sheriff Tom, hey!
- How you doin', Buddy?
- Good!
- Good to see you!
How you been?
- Good.
- Why don't you give me a
second with your dad real quick.
Jump on in.
- [Buddy] Yeah?
(Buddy chuckles)
- What's up, huh?
- Don't know how I'm gonna
sugar-coat this, Jesse.
Will's dead.
He was murdered last night.
- My God!
How'd it happen?
- Do you think she'll live?
- [Paris] When a car
overheats like this,
it's most likely a
hole in the radiator,
but you can never tell for sure.
You know what I'd like to do?
- What's that?
- Take her to the barn.
Stretch out on my
back and take a good,
long hard look underneath.
You know, I'm sure in the right
hands, she'll be just fine.
- Well, I can't wait to
tell her the good news.
- Found him down
there in a hotel room.
Los Angeles.
- Oh, man.
God, how am I
gonna tell the kid?
Jesus.
- I don't mean to sound
hard-hearted, Jesse,
but this thing with Will
leaves us a hand short.
The timing couldn't
have been worse.
- Tell me about it.
I warned Will about going
to those kind of places.
- Will gave me this.
He told me if I
was ever in trouble
I should just blow on this real
hard and he'd come running.
- Aw, Buddy, I know Will
was your best friend,
and you miss him
real bad right now.
But you're gonna find a new
best friend to come running.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
- The girl says
she works horses.
- You thinking of hiring her?
- You like that
idea, do you, huh?
- Well, like you say,
the girl works horses.
Get her unhitched, Buddy.
- Okay.
- Listen, you mentioned
last night that you
had experience working
with horses, right?
- Yeah.
- Well, as you know, we're a
little short-handed, and...
- If that's a job
offer, the answer's yes.
- All right, well, I'm gonna
go on over to the office
and when you finish
here, come on over, okay?
- Yeah.
- What do we got here, Buddy?
- Okay Jeff, just let
us know when you can.
- [Jeff] I'll call you back.
- [Linda] Okay.
- [Jeff] Bye.
- Hey, Dad.
- Did you hear about Will?
- Yeah.
Tommy Gitlin was here about
ten minutes after Paris left.
Can't believe it.
Been checking around trying
to find a replacement.
Jeff Artemis, he's a maybe.
- I offered the girl the job.
- You what?
- Well, I don't understand.
I mean, we lost a man,
and I replaced him.
What's the problem?
- The problem is that we were
supposed to be a team here.
Here I am, trying to
repair the damage Ned did
with no end in sight, Dad!
- Ned Bunting was my
accountant for 28 years.
- Ned was sick.
He did not do the job.
- Well, he was my best friend.
What was I supposed to do?
- You didn't check
her out, did you, Dad?
- (chuckles) That's right.
You know what your problem is?
Hmm?
- Hmm?
- You've been reading too many
of those detective stories.
Now, lighten up a little, okay?
- Oh, Dad
- And you'll be fortunate enough
to be working with
me most of the time.
- How lucky can a girl get?
- Susan, Linda's got some
papers for you to sign back
in the office, soon as you can.
Right up there.
(knocking)
- You wanted to see me?
- I've got an application
for you to fill out.
- Your dad seemed upset.
It wasn't because of me, was it?
- No, of course not.
You can start tomorrow, Susan.
Take today to settle in.
- Okay.
(tense music)
When am I gonna get
to meet your mom?
- Well, sometimes when
her hip is hurting,
she likes to keep to herself.
Says her medicine makes
her feel kinda wacky.
So this used to be Linda's room.
Now it's Susan's.
- If it's okay with you,
I want to be alone and
put away my things.
- Okay.
I'll see you at lunch.
Bye.
- Bye.
Did you hear what he said?
This is Susan's room.
I think I'm gonna
go see what the rest
of our castle looks like.
(tense music)
- That's Victoria.
She is a Bird of Paradise.
Isn't she gorgeous?
- Yeah.
I'm Susan Heller.
- Yes, I know.
I'm Maggie.
That was me last
night in the hall,
skulking around like
Ophelia's ghost.
Certain painkillers bring
out the dramatic in me.
You're quite a looker, Susan.
- Thank you.
- Watch out for Paris.
My plants remind
me of what a big
and exciting place
our planet is.
- You have the whole
world right here, Maggie.
- It's the closest I'll
ever get to seeing it.
- Don't ever listen to a man
when he tells you he's going
to retire from what he loves.
If you want to do something,
really need to, just do it.
Otherwise you'll be like...
Anyway, end of lecture.
- So, no matter
what it is, Maggie?
- Yes, no matter what it is.
- I promise.
- Good.
Come on.
I'll show you the rest.
- Yeah, I'll get right on
it this afternoon, Jesse.
- Mom, do you spell
Vallejo with one L or two?
- Two, I think.
- [Jesse] Yep, two, absolutely.
- Mm-hmm. Two.
- Thought so.
You spelled it with one L
on your job application.
I figured I was wrong,
but I guess not.
- Oh.
I'm gonna have to be
more careful next time.
- So what kind of stock
you working up there?
- Pretty much the
same as you have here.
- A lot of ranches
up north are starting
to switch over to standardbreds.
- You know, I would really
love to work with trotters
and pacers some day.
Are you guys thinking of
bringing them down here?
- I don't know.
I don't know.
What do you think, Maggie?
- I think it's your call, Jesse.
- So do you have a lot of
family up north, Susan?
- No, I lost my family
in a car accident.
They'd just dropped
me off at summer camp.
I was eight.
- That's terrible.
- Sorry.
- Thank you.
- [Maggie] The Sheriff's here.
- It's about Will, I suppose.
- Susan, can I
show you something?
- What?
- Mom, may I please be
excused from the table?
- Yes, dear.
- Thanks.
It's a secret.
- Excuse me.
- [Paris] Maggie,
pass me that juice.
She seems to know what
she's talking about.
Is something bothering
you about her?
- I don't know.
You've got friends up north.
Ask around.
- You know me.
Never could say no
to a pretty lady.
- [Susan] What are you
gonna show me, Buddy?
- It's a secret.
A best friend's secret.
You know, Susan,
I been thinking.
- About what?
- Best friends.
I was thinking maybe you would
wanna be my new best friend?
It's a really easy job.
- I'd like that.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
- Okay.
Girls are slow.
Come on!
- Oh, dammit!
- Here, here, watch your head.
- Okay.
(tense music)
Oh, Buddy, this is so cool!
- You like it?
- Yeah!
- Yeah?
Wait.
There's more.
- Okay
- Let's make a wish.
- Okay.
- I think it goes to China.
- So who else knows about this?
- Maybe some people in China.
(laughing)
- [Paris] Two words?
Two syllables?
- [Maggie and Paris]
Second word, second word.
- Sounds like...
- Sounds like...
- [Maggie] You're
throwing something.
You're fishing.
Your line, hooked.
- This is quite the
collection, huh?
Are these all whodunits?
- Mostly.
- Frustrated detective, huh?
- Yeah, sort of.
- [Buddy] Smile, Linda!
- Buddy, okay (chuckles).
Thank you
- You gonna play
the next one, Susan?
- You know, maybe later.
- Smile!
- [Maggie] The
great, great, great!
Not the great.
Great, no, get outta here!
- Damned painkillers.
- Yeah.
Maggie said they brought
out the dramatic in her.
- She said that?
- Mm-hmm.
Yeah, maybe she should
switch medication.
Something like Dropadine
might work better for her.
- She tried it.
You seem to know a
lot about the subject.
- My mom was a nurse.
- Thought you said you lost
your mom when you were a child.
- Yeah?
- Dropadine didn't come out
until the last couple of years.
- I must have read it somewhere.
Listen, Linda I would really
like for us to be friends,
but I feel, well, that I have
to explain myself to you.
- Am I interrupting
something here?
- No.
- Linda
Susan, hold up!
What happened back there?
- Oh, it's no big deal.
Linda and I just had a
little communication problem.
That's all.
- Yeah.
- All right, we'll work
it out, don't worry.
- [Susan] I think I'm gonna
head on back up to the house.
- Thanks for the work.
- I'll see you tomorrow.
- I'm glad you could join us.
We got a lot of work to do
tomorrow, so get a little rest.
- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
- So we've had people who
didn't like us before.
And we just have to learn
to get along with everybody.
Even nosy Linda.
- Well, Buttercup's
looking good.
- Yeah, I like working her.
- You ever run into
a guy in Vallejo
by the name of Alan Volk?
Raises Tennessee Walkers?
- Yeah.
- Alan Volk raises
thoroughbreds, not
Tennessee Walkers.
You ever spent any time in
Vallejo, you'd know that.
- Oh, yeah, Alan Volk.
Thoroughbreds.
- Why are you lying?
- Uh.
- Hmm?
- My previous employer was
powerful and vindictive.
And when he tried to
force himself on me,
well, he regretted it.
So that left a giant
hole in my resume.
Well, I got creative.
But, uh, I did pass through
Vallejo with two L's
on my way south.
Okay, just give me the saddle.
- There you go.
By the way, Alan Volk,
he raises quarter horses.
- You know, it's not
that I don't like sex.
I just like to choose
who I have it with.
(tense music)
- Hi.
- Hey, Linda.
- (sighs) Damn deposit slips.
(tense music)
- [Susan] Last
year's tax return.
$3.8 million gross.
$900,000 net.
(clattering)
- Luis, why is Big
Bill in his stall?
- [Luis] I'm taking him out now.
- [Linda] Okay.
- You just saved me a truckload
of pain and humiliation.
Thank you.
- You're welcome.
- I was just about to call
an ex-boyfriend in L.A.
I was in love with
him, and unfortunately,
he was in love with himself
and he broke my heart.
I don't know what
I was thinking.
I owe you one.
Thanks.
(scoffs)
(gentle strumming)
- I was talking to Will and
he told me I wasn't dumb.
It just takes me a little while
to think things in my head.
(chuckles)
- Will told you that?
- Mm-hmm, today.
- What else did Will say?
- Well, that we'll always
figure things out together,
and I'll always do
the right thing.
- Sounds like he's
pretty right to me.
- Yeah?
- It's time you get to
bed, though, I think.
- Thanks, Linda.
- I'll see you tomorrow, Buddy.
I love you.
Sleep tight.
- (groans) You need a bath.
(water spritzing)
Oh, I haven't named you.
- Okay.
Let's see.
(water spritzing)
(screaming)
- Is Paris working
you hard enough?
- I like working hard.
(Jesse chuckles)
- [Buddy] Dad, Dad!
Come on, come on, come on!
- [P.A Announcer] Doctor
Sumpman to the O.R. post-op.
Doctor Sumpman to
the O.R. post-op.
- Don't you die on me, old lady.
(chattering)
- Think they're gonna
give her a shot?
- Oh, I dunno, Buddy.
- Shots hurt, but they're
for your own good.
That's what Mom always tells me.
Mom?
Mom, you all right?
- [Maggie] Yeah, honey.
- Well, she's got a few bruises
but Doctor Miller says the
replacement's doing just fine.
She's gonna be okay.
- You hear that, Susan?
Mom's gonna be a-okay!
- Yeah, that's great.
Oh, you had us worried, Maggie.
- [Jesse] Let's get her
home, what do you say?
- Yeah.
- So there's this guy,
and he's wearing a bow tie
and he wants to buy an E.
- [P.A Announcer] Wheelchair
to cardiology checkout.
- [Buddy] Did they
give you a shot, Mom?
- [Nurse] I'll see you later.
- Karen?
- Mom, are you okay?
Paris told me what happened!
- I'm okay.
- Never should have
been on the damn ladder
in the first place.
- Oh, Mom.
- Buddy, go get the door.
- You can't let your
anger control you, Karen.
That's why you're here.
- My anger's the only damn thing
they can take away from me.
- Karen!
- [P.A Announcer]
Code blue, room 128
- See you back at the ranch.
- [P.A Announcer]
Code blue, room 128
(engine whirs)
- See you at home.
- Okay.
All right, here we go.
Easy.
Don't push it.
There we go.
Susan, could you
help her, please?
Thank you.
- Hey, can I help?
- No, really, honey.
We got it all under
control, but thanks.
- Susan's gonna put mom to bed.
- Night, Buddy.
- Oh, thank you
- You feeling better?
- Yeah.
Susan, would you be a dear
and get me my moisturizer.
- Yeah.
- Thanks.
It's the big white jar
on the vanity there.
(tense music)
- Gimme your hand.
(Maggie moans)
It's some night, huh?
- We could do with a little
less excitement around here.
Want some juice?
- Yeah, thank you.
It's been rough, hasn't it?
Since Maggie broke her hip?
- Well, what with the drugs,
the pain, sometimes I
hardly recognize her.
- So what happened, Jesse?
- Well, she was going
through a spell.
You know how women get
when they get itchy
and they wanna go
everywhere, see everything?
I bought her a horse to
take her mind off of it.
It's a beauty too,
a big Palomino.
- And she fell?
- Yeah.
First time she rode him.
I'm really worried about her.
- She'll be fine.
You shouldn't worry.
- Well, I mean, now
she can't go anywhere.
- You know, bad things happen.
It's nobody's fault.
Life goes on.
- Thank you.
We really oughta call it
a day, what do you think?
- Yeah.
Oh, he wanted to.
I know it.
He likes me.
He knows I belong here.
He just doesn't know why.
- Luis needs Buddy today, so
why don't we split things up.
You take Mom this morning.
I'll take her this afternoon.
Paris says we oughta
be back sometime
between 1:30 and 2:00, so-
- No, I can't.
I gotta fax '96, '97
to Sacramento by 2:00.
There's no way I'm
gonna be ready.
- I'd love to stay with Maggie.
- Great.
Problem solved (chuckles).
- Problem solved
- Well, who rained
on your parade?
- Have you talked to your
friends up north yet?
- Let me guess.
Susan.
- You didn't answer my question.
- I got some calls out.
Nothing yet.
- How's her work?
- She seems to
know her business.
- Keep calling.
- Love them, just never
try to understand them.
- Listen, I am eternally
grateful to you.
- Oh, I'm happy to do it.
About last night
- Oh, look, forget about it.
Nothing really happened anyway,
so don't worry
about it, all right?
- Good. Thank you.
- See you later this afternoon.
- Okay.
(tense music)
- Small with thick eyeglasses.
- [Woman] Oh, you must be
talking about Callista Davis.
- Callista Davis?
- [Woman] She's gone on
a three-week vacation.
- [Linda] A three week vacation?
You're kidding.
- [Woman] Would you
like to leave word?
- I'll just call back.
Thanks.
Hello, Callista Davis.
(telephone ringing)
- [Callista] This is Callista.
Leave a message.
- Hi, my name is Linda Conner.
I need to discuss a mutual
acquaintance with you.
Please if you could call
me back, it is important.
My number here is 555-0145.
Thank you.
(knocking)
(tense music)
- Karen, I had to make sure.
You look great.
You haven't changed a bit.
You have no idea how many
times I've thought about you.
- What are you doing here?
- I called out to you the
other day, at the hospital.
Didn't you hear me?
- No.
- [Maggie] Susan!
- This is a bad time
so you'll have to go.
- [Maggie] Susan, you there?
- Who's Susan?
- Will you just
give me a minute,
and I'll be right back, okay?
- [Maggie] Susan,
can you hear me?
Hello?
Hello?
- I'll be there in
a minute, Maggie.
- [Maggie] I haven't
eaten all morning!
- [Susan] I'm making
lunch right now.
I'll bring it to you in
about ten minutes, okay?
- [Maggie] You know what?
Don't bother with that.
I feel like eating in the
kitchen with you today, Susan.
- Maggie, I promised Jesse I'd
make sure you stayed in bed.
- Why is she calling you Susan?
- Because that's who I am now.
(tense music)
Why are you always poking your
nose in other people's lives?
Why don't you mind
your own business?
- Calm down, Karen.
I didn't mean to upset you.
- [Maggie] Hello? Susan?
- I'm your friend, Karen.
I've always been your friend.
Why are you doing this to me?
- I never asked you
to be my friend!
And I told you to leave
me alone back then.
- Karen, no!
(clattering)
My glasses!
- You won't be needing those.
- [Maggie] Susan?
- You should have listened.
- Please.
(Callista grunts and moans)
- [Maggie] Susan?
Susan, where are you?
- I'll be right there, Maggie.
I have to clean up
something first.
- [Maggie] Well, all right.
Just hurry.
Susan?
Susan, are you in here?
Why didn't you answer me?
- You're not supposed to be up.
- Well, I'm tired of staring
at the same four walls.
Is my lunch ready?
- I'm just about to
make you a sandwich.
But you're gonna
get me in trouble.
- I know, but I'm hungry.
- Well, okay, but let's
get you back in your room.
- Was somebody here?
- No.
- Could have sworn
I heard something.
(telephone ringing)
- Oh, this is great.
Hello?
- Hi, it's Linda.
- Yeah, Maggie's up.
I just brought her a sandwich.
- Well, I'm gonna be a
little late for lunch.
I'm running a bit behind here.
- I tell you what.
Why don't I make you a
sandwich and bring it down?
And then you can
just keep working.
- Well, I don't want you to go
out of your way or anything.
- No, no, no, no, no.
It's no bother, really.
I insist.
- Okay.
Okay, bye.
(tense music)
(water sloshes)
All ran after
the farmer's wife
Who cut off their tails
with a carving knife
Have you ever seen such
a sight in your life
As three blind mice
(laughing)
- Luis gets real mad at
me when I forget my lunch.
He says, "A man's gotta eat."
But I don't got a lot of time.
It's a real rat race out there.
- [Susan] A ham sandwich.
- Can I have some cranberry
juice, please, to drink?
- Mm-hmm.
- Thank you.
- What does Linda like?
- Diet Coke.
- Okay
- My Mom, she said I gotta
chew each bite ten times
before I swallow.
One.
Three.
Four.
Five.
Six.
(door creaking)
- Seven, eight, nine.
- Seven, eight.
- [Both] Nine.
(door creaking)
- One, two.
- What are you doing?
- Oh, I was just
checking to make sure
that the intercom was on.
- Oh.
- Yeah.
- Three, four, five
Six.
- Listen, I promised Linda
that I would make her a
sandwich and take it to her.
Could you do me a big
favor and do it for me?
- Okay.
- Okay.
Yeah?
So Linda's waiting,
so you better hurry.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Okay.
- Okay.
Bye.
- Bye bye.
(tense music)
(Susan grunts)
(engine whirs)
(tense music)
(water splashing)
You should never drop in on
somebody without calling first.
(tense music)
(horses whinnying)
(tense music)
- Hey, Mom.
- Hey.
- You seen Susan around?
- Uh-uh.
Afternoon TV stinks.
- You're supposed to be
taking care of Maggie.
Where have you been?
- Oh, I was just bringing a
little color to Maggie's life.
- So how you feeling, Maggie?
(tense music)
- What you doin', son?
- Bluegrass afternoons,
starlit nights, you and me
- Stranger things have happened.
- Say cheese.
Cheese!
- So who's for pecan pie?
- I'll have a piece.
- Oh, God I shouldn't,
but, all right, I will
- Linda?
- No, thank you.
Anything you can
find out about her,
I'd really appreciate it.
- No problem.
Linda, you're
probably gonna say no,
but you wanna have
dinner one night?
- I'll give you an
answer on one condition.
You take off those
ridiculous sunglasses.
- Well, what's the answer?
- Not yes yet.
Ask me again later.
Susan really worries me, Tom.
- Well, just give
me a couple days.
- Hey, we just got an invite
from Perry Hanks
down near Louisville.
He says toward the
end of the month,
he's gonna have some
real winners for us.
You wanna go?
- I'll never be
finished by then.
- I'd love to go.
- [Jesse] Well, sure.
That'd be great.
I could use the company.
(tense music)
(telephone ringing)
- Hello?
- It all checks out.
Susan is who she says she is.
- No, she isn't, dammit.
She could have
faked an identity.
I mean, there are
books and websites
that could tell
her how to do that.
- Anything's possible.
- Well, you gave
it your best shot.
Thanks.
- [Tom] You're welcome.
- Listen, I was wondering
if maybe you wanted
to get together to discuss
that dinner date
we talked about?
- Okay.
- Okay.
So I'll just, I'll
talk to you later.
- [Tom] All right. Bye.
- Bye.
- Listen, Bill Tutt's got
some new breeding stock
over at his ranch.
We're gonna go over on
Tuesday and take a look at it.
You wanna come with us?
- Oh, that's my day off, Jesse.
I can't.
I've made plans.
- Okay.
Have a goodnight.
- [Susan] Goodnight.
This Tuesday belongs
to us, Cheryl-Ann.
It's the day our
pain finally stops.
I swear to you, no one's
taking that away from us.
No one.
- You sure you're gonna
be okay, sweetheart?
- Of course I'm gonna be okay.
- I feel like I'm
deserting the ship.
- You got a day off.
Enjoy it.
The rules of the ranch.
- [Buddy] Come on, Dad!
Paris is waiting.
- All right, Sweetie.
- [Maggie] Goodbye.
- [Jesse] I'll see you
this afternoon, sweetie.
- Okay.
- Mom, I'm going to be in
the office all morning,
so I'm just a phone call away.
- Please, would
everyone stop this!
I had a fall.
I'm a little black and blue.
I'm not an invalid.
Actually, I'm looking
forward to having a nice,
hot bath without the entire
family hovering over me.
- Hovering?
- Yes, dear.
You, you do hover
sometimes (laughs).
But I love you anyway.
- I love you too, Mom.
- Would you like me to
tidy up here before I go?
- Oh no, dear. I
can take care of it.
Thanks.
- You sure?
- I'm sure.
Go, go.
Have fun!
- Have a good day.
- I will.
(water dribbling)
(gentle music)
(tense music)
(gentle music)
(door clicks)
- They lined us up
according to height.
- Susan, I thought you left.
- Everybody praying like
there was no tomorrow.
Dear sweet Jesus, please
let the smiling fat lady
and her skinny husband pick me.
I promise I'll never
be a bad girl again
if only I can have a real
mommy and daddy to love me.
- What are you talking about?
- They never picked me.
The best that I could have
was foster moms and dads
'cause you see, Maggie,
I was a problem child
and problem children
need special attention.
Let's not forget about
the foster mothers,
who were convinced
that the foster kids
weren't good enough to eat
with the rest of the family.
Or the foster dads who knew
just what the
little girls wanted.
Or the social workers
who turned the other way.
Sit down!
- Stop it.
You're scaring me.
- Did you have any clue
what I'm talking about?
So let me paint you
a picture, Maggie.
It's a small, red brick hospital
on the outskirts of Wichita.
She's in labor.
She's not married to
the father of the child,
and she never will
be because he's dead.
Got himself killed in Vietnam.
So she's agreed to
give the baby up.
I mean, can you imagine
a mother giving up
her own flesh and blood?
And guess who that
girl is, Maggie?
- Oh my God.
- Yeah, oh my God!
You let them take me away.
Why?
- Times were different then.
My parents, they were very,
were very, very religious.
They forced me to do it.
They forced me to give you
up. I wanted you very much.
Do you know?
Do you know what it's like
being completely alone?
Do you know?
- Do you know what day today is?
- It's Tuesday, the...
- Oh, that's right, Maggie.
It's my birthday.
And we are gonna celebrate.
- What are you doing?
Oh, God, you have to believe me.
I tried to find you, but
the records were sealed.
- Do you remember
what you named me?
- Yes.
- Say it.
- Karen.
- Say, "Happy Birthday, Karen."
Say it.
- Happy-
- Happy birthday, Karen!
- Happy birthday, Karen
- Now, I want you to look at me
so you can see what the next
Mrs. Jesse Conner looks like.
- [Maggie] (gasps) No!
Don't!
Karen!
Stop, stop!
Stop, don't, please, Karen!
I'm your mother.
Please don't.
- I've waited for
this my entire life.
- [Maggie] No!
(electricity zapping)
(Maggie moaning)
- The party's over, Mom.
(scoffs)
(horse neighing)
(speed dial beeping)
(telephone ringing)
(knocking)
- [Linda] Hey, Mom, you in here?
(gasps)
- She called this
her magic place
and when I'm missing her a
lot this is where I'm gonna be
'cause Mom always said we're
all together here on the ranch.
And when somethin' bad
happens to one of us,
it happens to all of us.
I miss you, Mom.
I love you.
Amen.
- Amen.
- [Paris] Tough day.
- I know it's hard to lose
your mom at any age, Buddy,
but at least you had
her all these years.
(tense music)
- [Nurse] Nurses' station.
- Yeah, I'm calling to see
if Callista Davis
will be in tonight.
- [Nurse] Yes, ma'am.
- She's back from vacation?
- [Nurse] Yes.
Her shift starts
at eight o'clock.
- [Nurse] Eight o'clock?
- [Nurse] Mm-hmm. Eight o'clock.
- Great. Thank you.
It's really important that
I talk to Nurse Davis.
- You see this face?
This is the face
of a tired woman.
- They said she'd be
back from vacation today.
- No call, no nothing,
and that ain't like her.
Maybe she found the
man of her dreams.
- The night before
she went on vacation,
she thought she
recognized somebody.
She called her Karen.
Did she say anything
about that to you?
- Yeah.
Really shook her up.
Somebody from a
previous job, she said.
- Oh, what was her previous job?
- An institution.
I don't remember.
In L.A., I think
Look, sweetie, I
really have to go.
Why don't you call human
resources in the morning?
I don't know if you can
get anything from them,
but you can try.
- Thank you.
- [P.A Announcer] Doctor
Simon, report to Emergency.
Doctor Simon,
report to Emergency.
(tense music)
Dr. Johnson, please
pick up extension 400.
Dr. Johnson, please
pick up extension 400.
(rattling)
- Oh my God, it actually works.
(tense music)
(rattling)
(tense music)
(exhales)
Let's see.
Carson Correctional Facility.
(beeping)
(telephone ringing)
- [Man] Carson Correctional.
- Hi.
Can you tell me when I can speak
to someone in administration?
- [Man] They'll be
here at 8:00 tomorrow.
- 8:00 a.m.?
- [Man] Yes.
- Thank you.
- [Man] You're welcome.
(exciting music)
- There we go.
Linda left about an hour ago.
Where was she headin' so early?
- Women are a
mysterious breed, Paris.
I've never been able
to figure 'em out.
- (chuckles) It's
fun tryin', though.
You're lookin' good
there, Mr. Commissioner.
- Oh, thank you very much.
Somebody's gotta keep an
eye on these politicians.
They'd zone us out of
existence if they could.
Oh, I just got off the
phone with Perry Hanks.
- Oh, good.
Is Kentucky still on?
- Two weeks from tomorrow.
- I'm ready.
- I'll see you later.
(engine revs)
(exciting music)
- [Woman] You're aware she
hasn't worked here in years?
- [Linda] She was
last seen talking
to a woman she called Karen.
A woman she identified
to a colleague
as having know when
she was employed here.
- [Woman] Any idea
how many Karens
have come through this place?
- She'd be in her
early thirties.
- Look, we have 623 inmates
and almost 150 in staff.
Yes, I remember Calllista Davis.
No, I don't remember if she
had a special relationship
with someone named
Karen, inmate or staff.
- Maybe you could
check your files.
- Are you kidding?
Channels, sweetie.
That's the way you do it.
You go to the police, you
report your aunt missing,
you tell 'em all
about this Karen.
Then they may or
may not come here
and look through my records.
Now, if you'll excuse me.
- (scoffs) God.
- Psst.
Nurse Davis, she
took an interest.
She cared about
what happened to us.
She, she tried to
help Karen Mills.
- Karen Mills?
What was she in here for?
- She claimed her stepfather
was doing things to her
so one night, while he
was sleeping off a drunk,
she torched the house.
Burned him to a crisp.
- Is this, is this Karen Mills?
- I don't know.
I can't tell.
I'm not sure.
Sorry.
Does this Karen of yours,
does she have a doll with one
of those pull rings in the back?
You know, it says the
name Mary Ann, I think.
- Thank you.
(exciting music)
(telephone ringing)
- Conner residence.
- Buddy, it's Linda.
- Hi, Linda.
- I want you to do
me a favor, okay?
- [Buddy] Yeah.
- [Linda] I want you
to take the phone
and go into Susan's room.
- What if her door's closed?
- It's okay, Buddy.
It's a game.
- Oh, it's like one of
those detective games?
- That's right, and
you're Sherlock Holmes.
- Okay, I'm going.
I'm inside, Watson.
- Okay, Sherlock.
I want you to go
over to the closet.
There should be a
black duffel bag.
Do you see it?
- [Buddy] Mm-hmm.
- Okay, I want you
to look inside.
See if there's a doll
with blonde hair.
- Okay.
- [Linda] Is it there?
- Yeah!
- Does she have a pull-ring
on her back, Buddy?
- Uh huh.
- Pull it, Buddy.
Pull the ring.
- [Doll] Hi.
My name is Cheryl-Ann,
and I love you.
- Give back my fucking doll!
Didn't they teach you about
privacy in your moron school?
- It wasn't a moron school.
It was a special school!
- Hello?
Linda?
Is that you?
(dial tone beeps)
Buddy?
I know I said a terrible thing!
(telephone ringing)
- All right.
- [Operator] Good afternoon.
City Hall.
- [Linda] Can I speak to
someone in Zoning, please?
- [Operator] Just a moment.
(telephone ringing)
- [Clerk] Zoning.
Can I help you?
- [Linda] Yes, I'm
looking for Jesse Conner.
Is he still there?
- No, ma'am, they're gone.
Left about, oh,
five minutes ago.
- Do you know where they
went? Did they go to lunch?
- I don't know, ma'am.
They just went.
- Okay. Thank you.
- You're welcome.
- Buddy!
Olly-olly oxen free
(exciting music)
Buddy?
- Mm-mm.
- You seen Buddy?
What are you doing?
- Fantasizing.
Don't you wanna know what
I'm fantasizing about?
- Okay, Paris, please.
I just had a serious
misunderstanding with Buddy,
and I need to see him.
- Uh, uh, I'm fantasizing
about you and me.
In Kentucky.
- So do you want
sex right here, now,
with the mud and the horseshit?
- I prefer a bed with clean
sheets, but this'll do.
Sweetheart, I've been your
friend since the get-go.
I've backed you up, I've
lied to Linda for you
and I get the feeling
that you're playing me.
I'm getting real sick of it!
- Fuck you!
(Paris chuckles)
(tense music)
Buddy?
Buddy?
Are you in here?
Okay, I know that you're
mad at me and you should be.
Come on, Buddy!
Best friends talk things out.
They forgive each other.
- [Paris] Oh, I forgive you.
- What do you want?
- I don't like being dismissed.
This is a cozy little
place you got here.
- It's Buddy's.
- (chuckles) Well,
thank you, Buddy.
- I told you once.
I choose who I have sex with.
- I was hoping you'd choose me.
(Susan chuckles)
See, you musta forgot you're
the one with something to lose.
(Paris grunts)
(clattering)
Buddy?
(Paris grunts)
- You're a problem, Paris,
and I got more problems
than I need right now.
We never stood a
chance, the two of us.
I think it has something
to do with your name.
I mean, Paris?
Give me a break!
- (moaning) Susan, Susan, Susan.
For God's sake, help me!
I'm slipping!
- You should just let go.
- What?
- Be much less painful.
- [Paris] For God's sake, help!
I swear to God, I won't, I
won't tell anybody anything.
Just, help me out
of here, please?
- You know, we're a lot alike.
- Come on.
- I can't trust you.
- [Paris] Help me out here!
God, don't just,
just get me out.
(Susan grunts)
(Paris screams)
- What should I do, Will?
Will?
(whistle tooting)
- Buddy?
Buddy?
You saw what Paris
tried to do to me!
(exciting music)
- Conrad, what are
you doing here?
- Clogged drain in
your folks' tub.
Yeah, here's the culprit.
- Have you seen Buddy?
- Nope.
- [Linda] Buddy?
- Just keep it together.
Keep the eye on the donut.
Dammit, focus!
- Buddy?
Buddy?
Buddy, are you in here?
(horse whinnying)
Buddy, if you're here, come out.
Susan can't hurt you!
- [Susan] I don't
want to hurt him.
I caught him snooping
through my things,
and I lost it for a second,
and I said things
that I shouldn't have.
- Yeah, he gets upset when
people call him a moron.
Where is he?
- I don't know.
Linda, something
terrible just happened.
He tried to rape me.
Paris.
God, I was looking for Buddy
up at our secret place.
Up in the hill and Paris
must have followed me there.
- Guess where I just came from?
- We fought, and oh,
God, I went crazy.
And I hit him.
And he fell, and poor
Buddy saw the whole thing.
- Carson Correctional
Institution.
- Listen, Linda, I can explain.
I was young, I got into trouble,
and they put me in there.
When I got out, and people
found out where I'd been,
they wouldn't hire me,
so I changed my name.
- Left Karen Mills behind.
- Yeah.
- Quite a girl, that Karen.
Heard she torched
her foster father.
- That fire was an accident.
- You're gonna pack
your bags and leave.
- So does Jesse know about this?
In case you haven't
noticed, your dad likes me.
- Well, he doesn't
know the truth about...
Did you ever use my
parents' bathroom?
- No.
- When you were
taking care of Maggie,
you never helped
her with her bath?
- No.
She wouldn't let
anybody help her.
You know that.
What are you getting at?
- How did this get in the
drain of my parents' bathtub?
You killed my mother.
- Quicker and with more mercy
than when she killed me.
- What are you talking about?
- Reality, Linda.
Reality.
You see this?
The horses, the stables.
It's as much mine
as it is yours.
And I've as much right
to be here as you do.
You're my sister, Linda.
- Maggie was your mother?
- In name only.
The state was my real mother.
Well, you've ruined
everything, Linda.
I should have done you first.
You know, when I first
found Conner Ranch,
I thought of burning it down,
but I've grown since
my days at Carson.
I've learned things like
anger management now.
And you people just live your
picture-book life up here.
- Oh, God, you're crazy.
- You didn't know my fucking
name until this morning!
(exciting music)
Here I am, sis.
(grunting and panting)
Because of you I
have no place to go!
Nowhere!
Say goodbye, Linda!
(Susan grunting)
(Linda coughing)
- Linda, are you okay?
Sheriff Tom's gonna be mad.
Come on, come on, Linda.
You're okay.
- Good God almighty!
What happened?
- It's a long story.
You'll never believe it.
- Susan tried to kill Linda.
- What?
- Buddy saved my life.
- Oh, baby.
If I had listened to you,
maybe this wouldn't
have happened.
You okay?
- Yeah. Yeah.
Hey, hey, hey.
(gentle music)
(tense music)
(exciting music)
(tense music)
(triumphant music)