Big Love (2006) s05e06 Episode Script
D.I.V.O.R.C.E.
I've got to move on from the polygamy sideshow.
I'm in? You need money, and I have projects that need tending.
( Both grunt ) Dad! I was wondering what's going on with Cara Lynn's adoption.
For us to adopt, we have to legally marry.
I'm moving in with your father.
Mom's ill.
She has dementia.
She can't take care of herself any longer.
Our request that you make no more associations between you and the church.
I am the mormon church.
You're poking at a sleeping giant.
Don't push me.
I need to talk to you.
This is inappropriate.
Cara Lynn needs the care and protection of this family.
It's a problem that needs a solution.
So what are you gonna do about it, Mrs.
Priesthood? I'm trying find out why my wife is suddenly questioning the prophets.
The priesthood is calling me.
I can't give you what you're asking for.
We need to get divorced.
( Theme music playing ) Home, is this my home? been starting over bathe in the water home, is this my home? been starting over bathe in the water home, is this my home? been starting over bathe in the water.
It's a special "short notice free expression" permit, so we can go forward with the rally next weekend.
I love Salt Lake city.
They were so willing to play ball.
Make sure to put down "the new assembly of mormon pioneers" as the sponsor.
We want to get our church's name out there.
We can have up to 500 people.
We just need to reimburse the city for porta potties and security.
I love you for this idea.
A pro-polygamy children's rally right in the heart of downtown - it's perfect.
- We have to leave in an hour.
Where are you going? French toast is almost ready.
Lee called and can squeeze us in before I go see my father.
Oh right.
You have that divorce to finalize.
Really, Marge, it's no big deal.
Maybe it's not such a great time for a divorce.
There's so many problems between you.
Anyone ever think of that? A marriage always changes and evolves.
And it's not always easy, right? You know that.
Barb and I are gonna work things out.
I just want to take this moment to express my deep gratitude to you, Barb, for giving up your marriage to Bill.
I know it wasn't easy.
But it demonstrates the kind of selfless generosity that made me fall in love with you in the first place.
Ms.
Clayton.
Barb Henrickson.
Oh, it's so nice to meet you.
I thought I had time to fill my kettle before you got here.
Come in.
Have a seat.
You know, it was the practice of polygamy that emancipated mormon women from the many constraints of victorian family life.
They were the first feminists.
Well, I don't think of myself as a feminist.
You feel you have a calling for the priesthood though? Yes, I do.
Well, you're not alone.
I'm terrified of the division it's sowing in my family.
I don't want it to compromise my marriage.
Well, why should it? You've started a dialogue with them.
You're Miles ahead of where I was when I was in your exact same shoes.
But you got divorced.
Not over the priesthood.
It was over trying to deny it and hide it.
That's what made things so unbearable.
Do you think you could help me explain it to them, to help me show them that there is nothing in this that has to tear us asunder? I think you're a very brave woman, Barb.
And I'll do whatever I can to help you, even if it means being an object lesson in how to get it wrong.
( Chuckles ) ( Distant dog barking ) Dad.
Dad.
Get out of my house and leave me alone.
I'm not here by choice.
I'm here for mom.
You're gonna take her in and you're gonna take care of her.
I'm not taking care of anything.
In case you hadn't noticed, my wives are gone and disappeared.
Of course they've disappeared.
My wife Barb called them - and told them to get themselves checked out.
- Checked out for what? The same venereal disease you gave mom that caused her dementia.
Your wife is a stinking, filthy liar and ought to have her mouth washed out with soap.
- ( Dishes clatter ) - Watch your mouth.
I never gave anything to anybody.
If you've got problems down here, it has absolutely nothing to do with the problems up here.
Look, if Lois got herself v.
D.
, then give her some medicine and fix her up.
It's too late for that.
You want someone to stand in judgment over you? 'Cause I'm ready.
Is that really what you want? You're gonna take care of her.
Not by myself, I'm not.
Clean this dump up, 'cause I'm bringing her to you.
I'm ranging for a home nurse to come and make sure you take good care of her, because for reasons I will never understand, she's forgiven you.
She's determined to be here.
Is something wrong? No.
Not at all.
Did I do something wrong? I skipped breakfast, so I have a headache is all.
( Door opens ) Hi.
I'm not too early, am I? We were just finishing up.
I'm ready.
I just need to use the restroom.
I haven't really thanked you yet for taking her on.
It's very important to me that I'm the best mother I can be.
She's doing well.
I'd like to understand what she's learning.
Sometimes I get on the computer and look up things about math, but I didn't have much of a formal education.
Well, it can be all Greek if you don't have the foundation for it.
I was wondering if you had something a book that could teach me something about it.
Why don't you take this home, look it over? It's not quantitative.
It's more of a philosophy.
I bet you'd really enjoy it.
Thank you.
We could talk more about it whenever you have the time, Ms.
grant.
Nicolette.
Please call me Nicolette.
And we'll start in front of the city and county building.
Now this whole rally depends on you.
And we don't want anyone to feel forced into this.
I don't feel forced.
I want to stand up and say that I love my family, that we're not freaks.
That we actually have thoughts and opinions.
What was it like growing up in your family? We're just like any other family.
There's been good and bad.
Well, I want to tell people what's truly in my heart about all my four moms.
We can constitute ourselves any way we want, but I lean toward small a quorum of four.
And you gentlemen and I are it.
Should I use the template of what your grandfather did at juniper creek to frame the charter and bylaws? No, we want no prophets and no u.
E.
B.
This is a new day, Kevin.
I don't know how much exactly we have in the coffers until tithing kicks in, but it's not much.
Well, here's 40.
That should cover supplies and program costs.
Bill, what about legal church status and exemptions? Want to proceed with that now? The sooner the better.
Take a look around, gentlemen.
This is where it starts in this storefront.
I just want to say, Bill, you make me proud.
This church isn't about me, Kevin.
I mean proud of myself.
No, thank you.
Wait, can I talk to you a second? I downloaded this and I want you guys to read it.
It's about problem-solving in a marriage.
Honey, we understand this maybe is uncomfortable for you, but these things happen in a marriage.
No, mom.
Divorce doesn't happen in a marriage.
It ends a marriage.
Benny, it's not a real divorce.
- Well, what the heck is it then? - Careful of your tone, son.
You're fighting about most everything.
Last year it was about the election.
Now it's about the priesthood.
Ben, that's enough.
We're okay.
No, dad.
We're having an ongoing dialogue.
Okay? All right? Did you get character references for your Navy application? Can we talk about my plans another time? We are concerned about your plans and want to help.
How's Heather? You seem to be spending a lot of time together.
Heather's fine.
And I put in my application for the Navy.
I know what I'm doing in my life.
( Phone ringing ) Dad.
Look, I'm worried too.
- Barb: Hello.
- Your mother's restless.
She's dissatisfied with things in her life.
I don't know how deep it goes, or will go.
She refused to take sacrament.
I'm aware of that.
I'm worrying so you don't have to, okay? Stay focused on your own life, because that's what I want you to do.
That's what your mother wants too.
Oh, Barb, this is what was read in every ward of the 318 stakes in the Salt Lake area, including Provo and Orem.
Pam, just slow down.
I can't even understand what you're saying.
"From the office of the church president.
" The church maintains that the intentional conflation of the word 'mormon' with the word 'polygamy' is an oxymoron as well as a Provocation.
The church is unequivocal in urging its members to repudiate such confusion when encountered "and to decry those who would assert otherwise.
" I have absolutely no idea what they're saying.
Maybe you don't, but it's a code everyone in the church speaks.
They might as well come out and ask for your head on a platter.
They're retaliating because we didn't give in.
They hate not getting their own way.
We pushed them beyond the limits of what they'll allow.
Fine, let them go ahead and shun us.
What else is new? It gives any zealot in Salt Lake city the license to stab you in the back, and I'm talking literally.
Barb, don't overstate it.
It's bad enough as it is.
Bill, the church rarely goes out on a limb like this.
Sure, they suggest subtly to its membership that they might want to get involved in certain causes.
We've been calling ourselves mormon polygamists for years on the compound.
I don't understand what the big deal is.
Let's everyone just take a deep breath.
There'll be more protests.
We'll survive.
No.
There will be blockades.
They'll put you out of business.
We could end up destitute and on the street.
Now you're getting hysterical.
I have been a member of this church my entire life and I have never seen them put out a statement as personal and as brazen as this before never.
The Murray store's the most vulnerable.
Its demographic is hugely l.
D.
S.
That's where it'll hit the hardest.
Murray has huge accounts receivable.
We can lean on collections to get payments moving to help ride this out.
But even here in Sandy we've lost three big commercial accounts already in one day.
- We'll replace them.
- How? Well, I don't know how, don, but we'll figure that out too.
And call the landlord about an easement to get rid of the g.
D.
Protesters out front.
I called them three times.
They're in the middle of a deal selling the building to some Nevada holding company.
To whom? And what are they asking? $2.
5 million, in this economy.
Well, did you hear me? Bill.
Bill.
I'm listening.
It's just I'm getting divorced; My son's adrift; My daughters have left home; And the church is out to destroy me.
Someone came along and tried to kill me.
The cops have no evidence except a couple chunks of melted ice.
Well, I just discovered I married an underage girl and my soon-to-be ex thinks she'd make a better priesthood holder than me.
- She said that? - No, she said she already holds the priesthood, don.
Well, that's just not right.
What's going on with us here, Bill? No one's ever tried to kill me before.
I'm having nightmares over it.
Don, we're gonna get through this.
I paid you for a job and you failed.
You're a failure.
Do you understand what I'm saying? It's not my fault he lived.
I did the best job I could.
You led me to believe you weren't some kind of amateur.
Where's the rest of it? - I paid you $2200.
- It's all I have left.
Don't be petulant with me.
You're not only a failure.
You're a fool.
Aren't you? Aren't you? Say it.
How do you plan to redeem yourself? Tell me.
Tell me.
Show me.
You failed at your first assignment, but with some supervision and attention to the details of your education, you may be able to overcome your natural and inbred character deficiencies.
You said I was a fool.
Even a fool can be useful to a man who knows how to use him well.
Look, I need money.
I'll stay, but you gotta give me money.
Go to your room.
I have meetings with lawyers and real estate advisors.
Leave now.
( Exhales ) I appreciate your continued participation in safety net, and I'm hopeful we'll have the funds to send some housing assistance your way soon.
Well, that's not why we're here.
What is it? What's on your mind? Albert grant is making a grab for power.
He's exerting his purity campaign over us all.
He has a new program for us too a program of "moral toil.
" "Moral toil"? At the last safety net meeting he spoke of abolishing any further cooperation with the state.
He spoke about abolishing you too.
Abolishing me? He said you y not be around much longer.
You have a target on your back.
He actually made a threat? Mm-hmm.
Should we kill him? No, bud.
Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
Did he say anything about my business partner? Not to me.
( Knocks ) Why won't you talk to me? - Why are you rejecting me? - I'm not angry with you.
Is this because we kissed? Well, big deal.
I'm not sorry about it.
Come in.
I I got some bad news.
It's not you.
It's me.
Um, it's my granddad.
He got cancer and it's probably inoperable.
I'm so sorry.
It's not your problem.
In fact, it's it's kind of the opposite of your problem.
You came here in the first place and you were upset about your father and the adoption.
And I comforted you.
And then we kissed.
Greg.
I'm falling in love with you.
You said you had the money.
You said you were going to be back two days ago.
There were complications.
What complications? Are you going to get it or not? Yes.
Babe, I've got him where I want him.
I'm making progress.
Trust me.
I can't stand staying at crystal's house.
She keeps the heat too low.
I miss you.
And we'll probably get pneumonia there.
I left you that $100, honey.
Go check into a nice motel.
I'll have us back in Vegas before you know it, and with cash to burn.
You tell him if he doesn't pay up now, he'll have to pay us double later.
That's exactly what I'll tell him.
I really love you.
Just hold on to that.
I love you too.
I've got blankets and a space heater.
Is there anything else you could use? Do you think you could get me some French fries? I really should eat something before I nurse the baby.
I think you should eat more than that.
I'm gonna make you a hamburger.
You could use the protein.
Thank you, Ben, for watching out for me like this.
I used to think you were a dope.
I used to think you were pretty awful too.
Where are all the sisterwives, Frank? I told 'em all to get the hell out and go stay with their relatives.
But when are they coming back? Who knows? They can go stay in a fleabag motel for all I care, or sleep on the street.
You and I we're gonna have some quality time, just you and me.
You okay over there? I'm just thinking about the radio.
Well, you want me to turn the radio on? No.
I was thinking about something on the radio an old show.
Well, tell me the name of it.
Maybe I can help you remember it.
I don't need help remembering it, Frank.
It was "the cisco kid.
" And it always ended the same way.
Yeah, I remember "the cisco kid.
" No, you don't.
You didn't listen to it with me.
Lois, everybody remembers "the cisco kid.
" Then how did it end? Cisco or Pancho would tell this corny joke about the adventure they'd just had.
And then they'd laugh.
Then cisco would say, "oh, Pancho.
" And Pancho would say, "oh, cisco.
" And they'd gallop away laughing.
And that was it? That's how it ended.
Well, Louis, that don't sound all that great to me.
I didn't say it was great, Frank.
I just said that's how it ended.
I would like some water.
Water? We're battening down the hatches at the stores.
We've lost some large commercial accounts.
We need to find non-l.
D.
S.
Replacements.
I was looking over the divorce petitions.
There are riders on financial arrangements, alimony and child support.
Well, we can initial them as not applicable.
Oh, I don't think so, Bill.
What, you've come to doubt me in such a fundamental way? Oh, no.
Not you.
I know the can of worms that this will open, but I can't allow Nicki to take over the finances of the family.
God forbid, but if anything happened to you, Nicki would be in control of a significant part of your estate.
And given her history, that's not something I'm very comfortable with.
I think I've earned the right to stay in charge in that department.
I don't know.
Nicki's changed.
Maybe taking on the financial duties may help her confidence.
What are you saying? I'm saying sharing that with you was a part of sharing everything else.
But now it feels like we're sharing less and less.
Are you taking those responsibilities away from me? I'm asking why you didn't take sacrament in church today.
I felt it wasn't right.
I am experimenting with my actions and my thoughts.
And I can't have you judging me for it.
I'm not judging you, but it's wrong for you to be in our church and refuse sacrament.
- What are the children supposed to think? - I'll explain it to them.
- We, I'd appreciate it if you didn't.
- Why? Because they're too young to understand these issues.
I am not going to turn the children against their father, Bill.
And I can't help but think underneath everything there's a small part of you that wants this divorce because you're mad at me.
I would never be that small-minded.
For the first time in our marriage, I'm worried about us.
Without a shared faith, this paper divorce feels like it's becoming a real divorce.
I don't want it to be that, Bill.
What would the priesthood give you that you don't already have? The power to grant blessings, to comfort through the laying on of hands, a powerful, direct connection to heavenly father and the generations of prophets and priests who came before, to be saved and to be able to save others and lead them into the celestial kingdom on my own.
And you know that.
( Door slams ) Hi.
This is Michael Sainte.
I just want to update my Goji Blast army on the amazing job you have all been doing.
You have helped take this last month's sales and recruitment and reach the highest numbers this company has ever seen.
Hi, Margene.
I like you.
No, I really do, Margene.
You are very special.
People who are deeply religious do have sex a lot.
And actually it's it's hotter, because it is deeper.
When you let down your barriers and truly let the love of heavenly father flow through you - ( knocks ) - We are getting the message out - hi.
- Cara Lynn.
What are you doing here? It's almost midnight.
I was out with Gary.
Have you seen my mom in the last couple of hours? No.
Why? Well, we lost track of time.
And mom started calling me at 11:00 on the dot and I didn't answer.
Could I say that I was with you? Oh, I can see you are just about to burst with gooey lovesick lovey love.
- Is that what this is? - Mm-hmm.
It's kind of a terrible feeling.
Mm-hmm.
How do you know? I mean, how do you know if it's real, if it's love? I guess you just know.
How did you know with Bill? He was so much older than you.
Did that make a difference? No no, I don't think his age made a difference in knowing.
Girls on the compound used to say that older men were better, more experienced.
You didn't have to teach them anything.
They could teach you, make you feel safer.
Yeah.
I mean, maybe.
Cara Lynn, I've been meaning to talk to you about something.
I guess you know that I'm having a hard time with Bill and Barb's divorce.
I don't want you to take it personally.
It has nothing to do with you.
I'm fine.
I know that.
It's okay.
Okay.
Go on, go to bed.
Don't worry.
We were playing scrabble.
Thank you.
I'm worried about this rally.
I know your heart's in the right place and that's why I forgive you your impulsiveness, but I'm not being impulsive.
You just don't want me speaking out in public, do you? I don't mind you speaking.
But I was looking over the program, the order of speeches and the songs.
What is this "bridge over troubled water"? It's a very popular song, Nicki.
It's moving.
It's about reaching out from loneliness.
Wouldn't something a bit uplifting be more suitable a hymn I have a few in mind.
It's gonna be "bridge over troubled water," Nicki.
Look, if you're using my daughter in the rally, I think I should have some say.
If this is about you being jealous because I have a life outside the houses, - I can help you get one too.
- This isn't about jealousy.
It's about sharing.
Things are going to change.
I'm going to finally be a full partner in this marriage, Margene, and I expect my voice to be heard.
Maybe this isn't the right time for a rally.
Oh, so now because you can't get your way, you want to shut it all down.
No, I just said maybe it wasn't the right time.
Well, I completely disagree.
I'm proud of our family.
And I'm proud of our faith.
When is it ever wrong to say we're all decent people? This is gonna make a situation better, not worse.
There's something I need to tell you all.
There's gonna be an unmarked car out front in a couple of hours.
- Why? - For protection.
I hired them.
Somebody made an attempt on don's life while he was at the lake.
I thought it was an accident.
- Who was it? - We don't know.
It may be something in don's personal life, or it may be something larger.
"Larger" meaning involving us? Something involving the stores, the casino? Or anything you're not telling us? Absolutely not.
It may turn out to be nothing at all.
It probably is nothing.
We go about our normal lives the same rules as when we visited Disneyland: Be aware, be alert.
That's all.
Mr.
speaker, I move that this Bill to institutionalize funding for safety net be reported out of committee.
Senator Henrickson, there are insufficient votes in the chamber to constitute a voting quorum.
- Personal privilege? - Senator Covellis.
I take leave to note hearings on joint house-senate Bill 114 will convene at 2:00.
- Personal privilege? - Senator Forderer.
That Bill is entitled "amendment to penal code chapter 27, recriminalizing polygamy, bigamy and plural marriage," otherwise known as the "impeach Bill Henrickson" Bill.
Objection.
Senator Covellis and Forderer have usurped my allotted time.
I ask that their comments be stricken.
Object all you want, but in one half hour the "impeach Bill Henrickson" legislation will be formally reintroduced.
Then for that one half hour you will sit there and respectfully listen to what I have to say or leave the chamber.
Look, you and I haven't seen eye to eye on a thing for 20 years.
You and Barbara have only been in polygamy for nine years.
Nancy, with due respect, we had our issues well before that.
True.
I'm deeply concerned.
Well, you should be.
Thank you.
You've got 12 million angry mormons after you.
Technically, I think it was only read here in the city.
Actually I'm referring to Barbara.
Yeah, well, I'm worried about my daughter too.
What she's experimenting with jeopardizes our family and our values.
That whole thing.
I know.
She's started drinking, and then there's these priesthood ideas.
She's insisted on a divorce that has to do with adopting Nicki's daughter.
She won't listen to me alone and she won't listen to you, but well, I wish I could scrape these ideas out of her head.
If I could, I would.
Well, maybe we could together.
No, I don't think that'd work.
She'd balk.
She's stubborn as a mule.
But she has such a full heart.
Yeah, but that independent streak no, I don't think it'd work.
No, I think we should just let it be.
But now there's this Renee Clayton thing.
Renee Clayton? What about her? Barb's struck up a friendship with her and has asked us to meet her.
Not with Renee Clayton.
Why, that woman's a she's a flake.
Now she's she's dangerous.
Barb said you used to be friends.
Yeah, before she turned into what she is now.
So when I heard that missive being read in church, I said to Cindy, "we have got to get over to your sister right now and show her our support.
" Mother.
So, Barbie, how are you holding up? Is there anything we can do for you? Well, I think we're doing as well as can be expected.
Anything personal any other personal problems that we could help you with? No.
Bill told mommy that you were getting a divorce.
We finalize the papers and file them in Nevada in one week, but yes.
When did you speak with Bill? This afternoon.
All right, why is she doing all the talking? Bill says that you're the one who wanted this divorce and that you're drinking just a little bit.
I enjoy a glass of wine now and then.
I'm exploring new things.
Would you like to talk about Renee Clayton? Well, as a matter of fact, she's becoming kind of a mentor to me.
Well, she understands me in ways no one else does.
All right, what is this all about? Oh for Pete's sake.
Look me in the eye.
Are you and Renee Clayton being lesbians together? Mother! Heavens no.
Is that what this is all about? Of course it is.
And, Barbara, I just want to tell you that Renee Clayton is a lonely, unhappy, bitter woman.
You think I'm a lesbian? I don't know.
Maybe.
Why not? I mean, it's exactly the kind of thing that you would do.
You've done everything else you can think of to complicate your life.
Following my conscience does not necessarily complicate my life.
Why does Bill have to say the word "mormon"? Why do you have to say the word "priesthood"? You have these children.
You have three houses.
Why do you have to be so unhappy? I am working through this with Bill.
And Renee Clayton is your friend.
She was before she started spouting off about priesthood and sex and gender and became a lesbian.
Well, I didn't know she was a lesbian, but it seems totally beside the point.
- Really? - Yes, really.
It's a children of polygamy rally.
And you want Goji to sponsor it? Yes.
I know that Goji Blast is a heavily l.
D.
S.
Company, but this rally is about reaching out and transcending divisions.
You know, the church has issued a statement against your husband.
Is this his idea? Actually, it's mine.
I'm organizing it.
And since you support kids in Malaysia and Nicaragua and Guatemala you know, Margene, I was a missionary for two years.
In a way, it's where I learned sales.
You've become a bit of a missionary for your faith.
So sell me.
Convert me.
I'm not really into pushing my beliefs on others.
I came into my marriage with nothing a bit of hand-me-down catholicism and a need to be loved.
And I couldn't have cared less about our religion.
But that's changed.
I've begun to feel something deeper.
And I think that's why I'm here, why I've been brought to Goji.
And you're a really really respected member of the l.
D.
S.
Community.
And if you didn't follow the church's unfair shunning of us, maybe others wouldn't either.
I see.
So why don't you pony up a little something for the cause? I tell you what I'm not entirely sold on the message yet, but I think I'll put a little something down on the messenger.
You will leave the other groups alone to follow their own path.
Your attempts to coerce others with your program of moral toil is unacceptable.
I am a uniter like your grandfather, Bill.
I want to bring the wandering tribes of polygamy together.
And you are not pulling out of safety net.
I will do exactly as I see fit.
Try it.
I'm in the senate, Alby.
I can remove juniper creek's municipal certification and stop the flow of state money.
"Money" I'm sure you know that word.
Did you really come all the way down here to juniper creek to talk about the safety net? And why have you brought your sidekick? You keep looking at him like you're surprised to see him.
Bud Mayberry tells me you've been speaking off the cuff about your feelings for me.
Bud Mayberry with his ridiculous "doctrine of multiple mortal probations"? His wife Francy is a necrophiliac.
She has a pink altar and she communes with the dead.
If that's the company you keep or maybe bud is a double agent.
You ever think of that? Listen to me, you creep.
You come after me again, you do it to my face, you pathetic, subhuman scum! You'll leave now, before night falls, before someone drops a house on you.
You think you're unpopular with the apostates of the l.
D.
S.
Church? You should only know how dangerous it is for you here.
Let's go.
How are your hardware shops doing, Bill? I hear you've had a few protests.
( Gasps, chuckles ) Hey Carl.
I didn't see you there.
- How are you doing? - I'm fine, Bill.
Yeah? What's wrong? They read a statement in church yesterday about you.
What I don't understand is why you can't have your religion and leave us alone.
Carl, that's all I want.
Then why are you rubbing our noses in it? Why do you have to have your special rights and attack us? No one's attacking anyone there.
I think you need to get your facts straight, my friend.
What about that car your private security? That's gonna be here for the duration? Just for a f days.
I'm sorry I even have to say this stuff.
Yeah, Carl, I'm sorry too.
( Seagulls cawing ) ( Coughing ) Where are we? We're at the ocean.
I drove us here.
I got us a motel.
I thought you might like it.
You've been out of it since yesterday.
Look at that water.
That is very pretty.
What color blue do you think it is? Just blue.
I don't want to make small talk, Frank.
I need every bit of will I still have in me just to make sure I'm really where I think I am.
Well, you're with me, babe.
You are with me.
What are you doing in here? Nothing.
Really, I wasn't snooping, I swear.
I was just trying to see if I could understand any of these.
Mr.
Ivey gave me a book.
And I was hoping it could help me understand what you do, but it didn't.
I thought I might find something you had that was a simpler.
You can't start with advanced calculus, mama.
What? Nothing.
Just the way you said that it was I never thanked you for helping me escape the compound.
You gave me a chance to pursue my education.
You protected me from a forced marriage.
I owe you so much more.
I know how hard it's been.
We've been tested.
But things are gonna be better now for both of us.
I admit this marriage does mean a lot to me.
We're gonna have everything we ever dreamed of.
We'll be happy.
I already am happy, mom.
You should be happy too.
I am.
I am happy.
Hi.
You wanted to talk to me about something? Hon, pull up a stool.
Barb and I want to run something by you.
Fire away.
Bill and I both feel after the finalization of the divorce it will be for the best if we keep doing certain things the way we are now.
What certain things? Preserving our existing financial structure.
For instance? Well, I've assumed the burden of the books and accounts for years, so I told Bill I'd be perfectly comfortable continuing to do so.
Oh, you did? And the estate Nicki, as a legal wife, you have an automatic claim to a large part of its disposition.
So we have a couple of agreements we'd like you to take a look at.
Who, may I ask, suggested this? Lee.
Lee said it was a legal thing.
- Lee Hatcher? - Mm-hmm.
Lee Hatcher said just be sure to x Nicki out of all the financial obligations and privileges that come with being your legal wife? I know this must seem like a blow.
Right now I want to punch you in the face.
Nicki! Let's just sign the documents and move on.
It's not about Barb.
You were shamed into agreeing to this divorce and now you're lashing back.
Oh, for heaven's sake, Nicki.
Let's see You only rang up $50,000 in debt and kept it hidden for as long as you possibly could.
Maybe we should just forget about that and just see how it all works out.
- So I have no choice in this? - Oh, you do, but I need these prenups signed before I grant any divorce.
You say the priesthood is held by everyone, - but it certainly doesn't seem to apply to me.
- Come with me, please.
You'll go to your grave to keep me from having my rightful place in this marriage.
No, once I'm in my grave, Nicki, you can have it all.
Shame on you.
On me? Did you hear what she just said to me? You're being hypersensitive and inconsiderate.
This is a paper divorce and a paper marriage.
- I know that.
- Do you? Because it sounds to me like you have a different idea about it.
Nothing changes.
Barb relinquishes nothing.
There's a divorce and a wedding and everything stays the same.
Stays the same? She's in open rebellion to your position in this family and now in obvious contempt of mine.
You're doing this and giving in because you're afraid of losing her, and you're taking it out on me.
Well it isn't fair, Bill, and you know it.
Thanks for the ride and for the blankets.
I appreciate it.
You're welcome.
Let us know if we can do anything else to help.
Can you lend me $30? Sure.
I got it.
I can pay you back after my shift tomorrow night.
Just come by and I'll give you your money.
You got a job? That was fast.
- Where? - The golden fleece.
It's a bar.
I'm a hostess.
I tell them I'm a librarian and everyone protects me.
It's funny.
She makes me so sad.
She's such a dead-end kid, you know.
I don't think she's gonna live to see 20.
I feel so bad for her.
I don't think we need to worry about her.
She's gonna be okay.
In what way, Ben, is she okay? She has a life.
She has a husband.
They have each other.
I turned in my deferred applications for the Navy yesterday.
I've got four months before I report for duty.
I didn't tell you that I was seeing someone at b.
Y.
U.
He started school for a year and then he took his mission.
Ben, don't.
So you have plans with him? Huh? No.
I mean, I write to him.
And m gonna see him again when he gets back.
Heather, I thought we were okay.
I'm really sorry, Ben.
I am about this, about everything that the church is doing to your family.
You all mean so much to me.
Great.
Thanks for telling me.
It's about communication.
Couples need to be able to express their views with each other, no matter how controversial they seem to be.
Oh, I'm sorry, Renee.
I forgot to mention that you've been a tenured university Professor for 20 years and that you lecture across the country on mormon studies.
I think we have to start by recognizing that women have an innate and inherent priesthood authority.
Based on what? Well, Joseph Smith certainly implied it.
He left no written record of it.
No, but there were many witnesses.
By well-known dissenters.
Quite apart from any record, it shows itself in women's instincts.
They are priestly in the way they care for their babies as soon as they are delivered from their wombs.
What is she talking about? There is a female archetype that I would like to call heavenly mother.
It is a goddess figure that is imbued with the same power and mystery as the male godhead.
Oh, Renee.
You mean like the virgin Mary? She means like don't even think about it.
You know, there are four people in this marriage.
Nicki, where do you stand with your sisterwife's feelings? Me? Well, I think she's gone off the reservation is what I think.
Do you? Well, this is something I wrote for "the Western historical quarterly" "lesbian female bonding as resistance to frontier mormon patriarchy.
" And it would be well worth remembering that many other churches are facing up to the fundamental role of women in their church.
Lesbian pioneers, Barb? Yes, everyone, Renee is a lesbian.
( Laughing ) Yeah.
But it has nothing to do with my marriage falling apart.
I met Judy long after that.
Yes, some of us remember your swooping down and taking her away from Paul.
Oh, you know, Nancy, you have no right to judge my life when you have lived yours in the shadow of your husband's.
Look, the fact is either you believe in the book of mormon or not.
Either you believe in Joseph Smith and the restoration of the priesthood or not.
And if you do, then I don't know what we're talking about.
Barbara, listen to me.
You can have a place in my home where you can come and sort through all these issues without all this pressure.
So the leopard doesn't really change its spots after all.
No, no one's leaving anyone.
Doesn't anyone get that? Honey, I know you have faith in what you're saying, but religion is divinely inspired.
It's not just "I feel" or "I'd like.
" The woods are full of kooks wandering around in robes saying, "this is what God wants.
" Without a divinely inspired gospel to ground a religion, anyone can say anything they want, and that's why I'm having a real hard time with all this.
What is it you want? What do you have to have? I have never asked for anything for myself in all these years.
This is an opportunity for us, for our church, for a church that we can grow together.
That would destroy a church that's barely establishing its roots.
Even the l.
D.
S.
Church has evolved on present-day revelation.
And that's how they manipulated the truth to cut off the principle.
What's left the church divided and bleeding all these years.
Barb, I can be moved to make many compromises.
But this is one thing I just will not do.
Then I can't go to your church anymore.
Excuse me.
I'll be there when all your dreams are broken to answer your unspoken prayer when the little things you're doing don't turn out right don't you worry, darling I'll be there so if your new love isn't a true love don't your worry, darling I'll be there don't you worry, darling I'll be there.
( Applause, whistling ) Frank.
I don't forgive you, Frank.
But I'm not gonna kill you.
I need you to promise to put me out of my misery when the time comes.
I can't do that.
I'm gone for two days at a time now.
When it gets to three do it.
I don't want to be stuck in some putrid old people's home wearing diapers and not knowing who I am.
Please, Frank.
I'm gonna take care of you.
Take care of me? You're older than I am.
You're half-cooked yourself.
I got wives, your sisterwives.
They're coming back.
They're gone because of you.
You'll have no one to wipe your own behind or clip your dirty old toenails.
You'll be alone, all alone with your miserable old self.
At this particular moment, Frank, we're all we got.
We've got to be able to count on each other.
We gotta go.
When you're weary and feeling small and tears are in your eyes I'll dry them all I'm on your side when times get rough THE NEW ASSEMBLY OF MORMON PIONEERS
I'm in? You need money, and I have projects that need tending.
( Both grunt ) Dad! I was wondering what's going on with Cara Lynn's adoption.
For us to adopt, we have to legally marry.
I'm moving in with your father.
Mom's ill.
She has dementia.
She can't take care of herself any longer.
Our request that you make no more associations between you and the church.
I am the mormon church.
You're poking at a sleeping giant.
Don't push me.
I need to talk to you.
This is inappropriate.
Cara Lynn needs the care and protection of this family.
It's a problem that needs a solution.
So what are you gonna do about it, Mrs.
Priesthood? I'm trying find out why my wife is suddenly questioning the prophets.
The priesthood is calling me.
I can't give you what you're asking for.
We need to get divorced.
( Theme music playing ) Home, is this my home? been starting over bathe in the water home, is this my home? been starting over bathe in the water home, is this my home? been starting over bathe in the water.
It's a special "short notice free expression" permit, so we can go forward with the rally next weekend.
I love Salt Lake city.
They were so willing to play ball.
Make sure to put down "the new assembly of mormon pioneers" as the sponsor.
We want to get our church's name out there.
We can have up to 500 people.
We just need to reimburse the city for porta potties and security.
I love you for this idea.
A pro-polygamy children's rally right in the heart of downtown - it's perfect.
- We have to leave in an hour.
Where are you going? French toast is almost ready.
Lee called and can squeeze us in before I go see my father.
Oh right.
You have that divorce to finalize.
Really, Marge, it's no big deal.
Maybe it's not such a great time for a divorce.
There's so many problems between you.
Anyone ever think of that? A marriage always changes and evolves.
And it's not always easy, right? You know that.
Barb and I are gonna work things out.
I just want to take this moment to express my deep gratitude to you, Barb, for giving up your marriage to Bill.
I know it wasn't easy.
But it demonstrates the kind of selfless generosity that made me fall in love with you in the first place.
Ms.
Clayton.
Barb Henrickson.
Oh, it's so nice to meet you.
I thought I had time to fill my kettle before you got here.
Come in.
Have a seat.
You know, it was the practice of polygamy that emancipated mormon women from the many constraints of victorian family life.
They were the first feminists.
Well, I don't think of myself as a feminist.
You feel you have a calling for the priesthood though? Yes, I do.
Well, you're not alone.
I'm terrified of the division it's sowing in my family.
I don't want it to compromise my marriage.
Well, why should it? You've started a dialogue with them.
You're Miles ahead of where I was when I was in your exact same shoes.
But you got divorced.
Not over the priesthood.
It was over trying to deny it and hide it.
That's what made things so unbearable.
Do you think you could help me explain it to them, to help me show them that there is nothing in this that has to tear us asunder? I think you're a very brave woman, Barb.
And I'll do whatever I can to help you, even if it means being an object lesson in how to get it wrong.
( Chuckles ) ( Distant dog barking ) Dad.
Dad.
Get out of my house and leave me alone.
I'm not here by choice.
I'm here for mom.
You're gonna take her in and you're gonna take care of her.
I'm not taking care of anything.
In case you hadn't noticed, my wives are gone and disappeared.
Of course they've disappeared.
My wife Barb called them - and told them to get themselves checked out.
- Checked out for what? The same venereal disease you gave mom that caused her dementia.
Your wife is a stinking, filthy liar and ought to have her mouth washed out with soap.
- ( Dishes clatter ) - Watch your mouth.
I never gave anything to anybody.
If you've got problems down here, it has absolutely nothing to do with the problems up here.
Look, if Lois got herself v.
D.
, then give her some medicine and fix her up.
It's too late for that.
You want someone to stand in judgment over you? 'Cause I'm ready.
Is that really what you want? You're gonna take care of her.
Not by myself, I'm not.
Clean this dump up, 'cause I'm bringing her to you.
I'm ranging for a home nurse to come and make sure you take good care of her, because for reasons I will never understand, she's forgiven you.
She's determined to be here.
Is something wrong? No.
Not at all.
Did I do something wrong? I skipped breakfast, so I have a headache is all.
( Door opens ) Hi.
I'm not too early, am I? We were just finishing up.
I'm ready.
I just need to use the restroom.
I haven't really thanked you yet for taking her on.
It's very important to me that I'm the best mother I can be.
She's doing well.
I'd like to understand what she's learning.
Sometimes I get on the computer and look up things about math, but I didn't have much of a formal education.
Well, it can be all Greek if you don't have the foundation for it.
I was wondering if you had something a book that could teach me something about it.
Why don't you take this home, look it over? It's not quantitative.
It's more of a philosophy.
I bet you'd really enjoy it.
Thank you.
We could talk more about it whenever you have the time, Ms.
grant.
Nicolette.
Please call me Nicolette.
And we'll start in front of the city and county building.
Now this whole rally depends on you.
And we don't want anyone to feel forced into this.
I don't feel forced.
I want to stand up and say that I love my family, that we're not freaks.
That we actually have thoughts and opinions.
What was it like growing up in your family? We're just like any other family.
There's been good and bad.
Well, I want to tell people what's truly in my heart about all my four moms.
We can constitute ourselves any way we want, but I lean toward small a quorum of four.
And you gentlemen and I are it.
Should I use the template of what your grandfather did at juniper creek to frame the charter and bylaws? No, we want no prophets and no u.
E.
B.
This is a new day, Kevin.
I don't know how much exactly we have in the coffers until tithing kicks in, but it's not much.
Well, here's 40.
That should cover supplies and program costs.
Bill, what about legal church status and exemptions? Want to proceed with that now? The sooner the better.
Take a look around, gentlemen.
This is where it starts in this storefront.
I just want to say, Bill, you make me proud.
This church isn't about me, Kevin.
I mean proud of myself.
No, thank you.
Wait, can I talk to you a second? I downloaded this and I want you guys to read it.
It's about problem-solving in a marriage.
Honey, we understand this maybe is uncomfortable for you, but these things happen in a marriage.
No, mom.
Divorce doesn't happen in a marriage.
It ends a marriage.
Benny, it's not a real divorce.
- Well, what the heck is it then? - Careful of your tone, son.
You're fighting about most everything.
Last year it was about the election.
Now it's about the priesthood.
Ben, that's enough.
We're okay.
No, dad.
We're having an ongoing dialogue.
Okay? All right? Did you get character references for your Navy application? Can we talk about my plans another time? We are concerned about your plans and want to help.
How's Heather? You seem to be spending a lot of time together.
Heather's fine.
And I put in my application for the Navy.
I know what I'm doing in my life.
( Phone ringing ) Dad.
Look, I'm worried too.
- Barb: Hello.
- Your mother's restless.
She's dissatisfied with things in her life.
I don't know how deep it goes, or will go.
She refused to take sacrament.
I'm aware of that.
I'm worrying so you don't have to, okay? Stay focused on your own life, because that's what I want you to do.
That's what your mother wants too.
Oh, Barb, this is what was read in every ward of the 318 stakes in the Salt Lake area, including Provo and Orem.
Pam, just slow down.
I can't even understand what you're saying.
"From the office of the church president.
" The church maintains that the intentional conflation of the word 'mormon' with the word 'polygamy' is an oxymoron as well as a Provocation.
The church is unequivocal in urging its members to repudiate such confusion when encountered "and to decry those who would assert otherwise.
" I have absolutely no idea what they're saying.
Maybe you don't, but it's a code everyone in the church speaks.
They might as well come out and ask for your head on a platter.
They're retaliating because we didn't give in.
They hate not getting their own way.
We pushed them beyond the limits of what they'll allow.
Fine, let them go ahead and shun us.
What else is new? It gives any zealot in Salt Lake city the license to stab you in the back, and I'm talking literally.
Barb, don't overstate it.
It's bad enough as it is.
Bill, the church rarely goes out on a limb like this.
Sure, they suggest subtly to its membership that they might want to get involved in certain causes.
We've been calling ourselves mormon polygamists for years on the compound.
I don't understand what the big deal is.
Let's everyone just take a deep breath.
There'll be more protests.
We'll survive.
No.
There will be blockades.
They'll put you out of business.
We could end up destitute and on the street.
Now you're getting hysterical.
I have been a member of this church my entire life and I have never seen them put out a statement as personal and as brazen as this before never.
The Murray store's the most vulnerable.
Its demographic is hugely l.
D.
S.
That's where it'll hit the hardest.
Murray has huge accounts receivable.
We can lean on collections to get payments moving to help ride this out.
But even here in Sandy we've lost three big commercial accounts already in one day.
- We'll replace them.
- How? Well, I don't know how, don, but we'll figure that out too.
And call the landlord about an easement to get rid of the g.
D.
Protesters out front.
I called them three times.
They're in the middle of a deal selling the building to some Nevada holding company.
To whom? And what are they asking? $2.
5 million, in this economy.
Well, did you hear me? Bill.
Bill.
I'm listening.
It's just I'm getting divorced; My son's adrift; My daughters have left home; And the church is out to destroy me.
Someone came along and tried to kill me.
The cops have no evidence except a couple chunks of melted ice.
Well, I just discovered I married an underage girl and my soon-to-be ex thinks she'd make a better priesthood holder than me.
- She said that? - No, she said she already holds the priesthood, don.
Well, that's just not right.
What's going on with us here, Bill? No one's ever tried to kill me before.
I'm having nightmares over it.
Don, we're gonna get through this.
I paid you for a job and you failed.
You're a failure.
Do you understand what I'm saying? It's not my fault he lived.
I did the best job I could.
You led me to believe you weren't some kind of amateur.
Where's the rest of it? - I paid you $2200.
- It's all I have left.
Don't be petulant with me.
You're not only a failure.
You're a fool.
Aren't you? Aren't you? Say it.
How do you plan to redeem yourself? Tell me.
Tell me.
Show me.
You failed at your first assignment, but with some supervision and attention to the details of your education, you may be able to overcome your natural and inbred character deficiencies.
You said I was a fool.
Even a fool can be useful to a man who knows how to use him well.
Look, I need money.
I'll stay, but you gotta give me money.
Go to your room.
I have meetings with lawyers and real estate advisors.
Leave now.
( Exhales ) I appreciate your continued participation in safety net, and I'm hopeful we'll have the funds to send some housing assistance your way soon.
Well, that's not why we're here.
What is it? What's on your mind? Albert grant is making a grab for power.
He's exerting his purity campaign over us all.
He has a new program for us too a program of "moral toil.
" "Moral toil"? At the last safety net meeting he spoke of abolishing any further cooperation with the state.
He spoke about abolishing you too.
Abolishing me? He said you y not be around much longer.
You have a target on your back.
He actually made a threat? Mm-hmm.
Should we kill him? No, bud.
Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
Did he say anything about my business partner? Not to me.
( Knocks ) Why won't you talk to me? - Why are you rejecting me? - I'm not angry with you.
Is this because we kissed? Well, big deal.
I'm not sorry about it.
Come in.
I I got some bad news.
It's not you.
It's me.
Um, it's my granddad.
He got cancer and it's probably inoperable.
I'm so sorry.
It's not your problem.
In fact, it's it's kind of the opposite of your problem.
You came here in the first place and you were upset about your father and the adoption.
And I comforted you.
And then we kissed.
Greg.
I'm falling in love with you.
You said you had the money.
You said you were going to be back two days ago.
There were complications.
What complications? Are you going to get it or not? Yes.
Babe, I've got him where I want him.
I'm making progress.
Trust me.
I can't stand staying at crystal's house.
She keeps the heat too low.
I miss you.
And we'll probably get pneumonia there.
I left you that $100, honey.
Go check into a nice motel.
I'll have us back in Vegas before you know it, and with cash to burn.
You tell him if he doesn't pay up now, he'll have to pay us double later.
That's exactly what I'll tell him.
I really love you.
Just hold on to that.
I love you too.
I've got blankets and a space heater.
Is there anything else you could use? Do you think you could get me some French fries? I really should eat something before I nurse the baby.
I think you should eat more than that.
I'm gonna make you a hamburger.
You could use the protein.
Thank you, Ben, for watching out for me like this.
I used to think you were a dope.
I used to think you were pretty awful too.
Where are all the sisterwives, Frank? I told 'em all to get the hell out and go stay with their relatives.
But when are they coming back? Who knows? They can go stay in a fleabag motel for all I care, or sleep on the street.
You and I we're gonna have some quality time, just you and me.
You okay over there? I'm just thinking about the radio.
Well, you want me to turn the radio on? No.
I was thinking about something on the radio an old show.
Well, tell me the name of it.
Maybe I can help you remember it.
I don't need help remembering it, Frank.
It was "the cisco kid.
" And it always ended the same way.
Yeah, I remember "the cisco kid.
" No, you don't.
You didn't listen to it with me.
Lois, everybody remembers "the cisco kid.
" Then how did it end? Cisco or Pancho would tell this corny joke about the adventure they'd just had.
And then they'd laugh.
Then cisco would say, "oh, Pancho.
" And Pancho would say, "oh, cisco.
" And they'd gallop away laughing.
And that was it? That's how it ended.
Well, Louis, that don't sound all that great to me.
I didn't say it was great, Frank.
I just said that's how it ended.
I would like some water.
Water? We're battening down the hatches at the stores.
We've lost some large commercial accounts.
We need to find non-l.
D.
S.
Replacements.
I was looking over the divorce petitions.
There are riders on financial arrangements, alimony and child support.
Well, we can initial them as not applicable.
Oh, I don't think so, Bill.
What, you've come to doubt me in such a fundamental way? Oh, no.
Not you.
I know the can of worms that this will open, but I can't allow Nicki to take over the finances of the family.
God forbid, but if anything happened to you, Nicki would be in control of a significant part of your estate.
And given her history, that's not something I'm very comfortable with.
I think I've earned the right to stay in charge in that department.
I don't know.
Nicki's changed.
Maybe taking on the financial duties may help her confidence.
What are you saying? I'm saying sharing that with you was a part of sharing everything else.
But now it feels like we're sharing less and less.
Are you taking those responsibilities away from me? I'm asking why you didn't take sacrament in church today.
I felt it wasn't right.
I am experimenting with my actions and my thoughts.
And I can't have you judging me for it.
I'm not judging you, but it's wrong for you to be in our church and refuse sacrament.
- What are the children supposed to think? - I'll explain it to them.
- We, I'd appreciate it if you didn't.
- Why? Because they're too young to understand these issues.
I am not going to turn the children against their father, Bill.
And I can't help but think underneath everything there's a small part of you that wants this divorce because you're mad at me.
I would never be that small-minded.
For the first time in our marriage, I'm worried about us.
Without a shared faith, this paper divorce feels like it's becoming a real divorce.
I don't want it to be that, Bill.
What would the priesthood give you that you don't already have? The power to grant blessings, to comfort through the laying on of hands, a powerful, direct connection to heavenly father and the generations of prophets and priests who came before, to be saved and to be able to save others and lead them into the celestial kingdom on my own.
And you know that.
( Door slams ) Hi.
This is Michael Sainte.
I just want to update my Goji Blast army on the amazing job you have all been doing.
You have helped take this last month's sales and recruitment and reach the highest numbers this company has ever seen.
Hi, Margene.
I like you.
No, I really do, Margene.
You are very special.
People who are deeply religious do have sex a lot.
And actually it's it's hotter, because it is deeper.
When you let down your barriers and truly let the love of heavenly father flow through you - ( knocks ) - We are getting the message out - hi.
- Cara Lynn.
What are you doing here? It's almost midnight.
I was out with Gary.
Have you seen my mom in the last couple of hours? No.
Why? Well, we lost track of time.
And mom started calling me at 11:00 on the dot and I didn't answer.
Could I say that I was with you? Oh, I can see you are just about to burst with gooey lovesick lovey love.
- Is that what this is? - Mm-hmm.
It's kind of a terrible feeling.
Mm-hmm.
How do you know? I mean, how do you know if it's real, if it's love? I guess you just know.
How did you know with Bill? He was so much older than you.
Did that make a difference? No no, I don't think his age made a difference in knowing.
Girls on the compound used to say that older men were better, more experienced.
You didn't have to teach them anything.
They could teach you, make you feel safer.
Yeah.
I mean, maybe.
Cara Lynn, I've been meaning to talk to you about something.
I guess you know that I'm having a hard time with Bill and Barb's divorce.
I don't want you to take it personally.
It has nothing to do with you.
I'm fine.
I know that.
It's okay.
Okay.
Go on, go to bed.
Don't worry.
We were playing scrabble.
Thank you.
I'm worried about this rally.
I know your heart's in the right place and that's why I forgive you your impulsiveness, but I'm not being impulsive.
You just don't want me speaking out in public, do you? I don't mind you speaking.
But I was looking over the program, the order of speeches and the songs.
What is this "bridge over troubled water"? It's a very popular song, Nicki.
It's moving.
It's about reaching out from loneliness.
Wouldn't something a bit uplifting be more suitable a hymn I have a few in mind.
It's gonna be "bridge over troubled water," Nicki.
Look, if you're using my daughter in the rally, I think I should have some say.
If this is about you being jealous because I have a life outside the houses, - I can help you get one too.
- This isn't about jealousy.
It's about sharing.
Things are going to change.
I'm going to finally be a full partner in this marriage, Margene, and I expect my voice to be heard.
Maybe this isn't the right time for a rally.
Oh, so now because you can't get your way, you want to shut it all down.
No, I just said maybe it wasn't the right time.
Well, I completely disagree.
I'm proud of our family.
And I'm proud of our faith.
When is it ever wrong to say we're all decent people? This is gonna make a situation better, not worse.
There's something I need to tell you all.
There's gonna be an unmarked car out front in a couple of hours.
- Why? - For protection.
I hired them.
Somebody made an attempt on don's life while he was at the lake.
I thought it was an accident.
- Who was it? - We don't know.
It may be something in don's personal life, or it may be something larger.
"Larger" meaning involving us? Something involving the stores, the casino? Or anything you're not telling us? Absolutely not.
It may turn out to be nothing at all.
It probably is nothing.
We go about our normal lives the same rules as when we visited Disneyland: Be aware, be alert.
That's all.
Mr.
speaker, I move that this Bill to institutionalize funding for safety net be reported out of committee.
Senator Henrickson, there are insufficient votes in the chamber to constitute a voting quorum.
- Personal privilege? - Senator Covellis.
I take leave to note hearings on joint house-senate Bill 114 will convene at 2:00.
- Personal privilege? - Senator Forderer.
That Bill is entitled "amendment to penal code chapter 27, recriminalizing polygamy, bigamy and plural marriage," otherwise known as the "impeach Bill Henrickson" Bill.
Objection.
Senator Covellis and Forderer have usurped my allotted time.
I ask that their comments be stricken.
Object all you want, but in one half hour the "impeach Bill Henrickson" legislation will be formally reintroduced.
Then for that one half hour you will sit there and respectfully listen to what I have to say or leave the chamber.
Look, you and I haven't seen eye to eye on a thing for 20 years.
You and Barbara have only been in polygamy for nine years.
Nancy, with due respect, we had our issues well before that.
True.
I'm deeply concerned.
Well, you should be.
Thank you.
You've got 12 million angry mormons after you.
Technically, I think it was only read here in the city.
Actually I'm referring to Barbara.
Yeah, well, I'm worried about my daughter too.
What she's experimenting with jeopardizes our family and our values.
That whole thing.
I know.
She's started drinking, and then there's these priesthood ideas.
She's insisted on a divorce that has to do with adopting Nicki's daughter.
She won't listen to me alone and she won't listen to you, but well, I wish I could scrape these ideas out of her head.
If I could, I would.
Well, maybe we could together.
No, I don't think that'd work.
She'd balk.
She's stubborn as a mule.
But she has such a full heart.
Yeah, but that independent streak no, I don't think it'd work.
No, I think we should just let it be.
But now there's this Renee Clayton thing.
Renee Clayton? What about her? Barb's struck up a friendship with her and has asked us to meet her.
Not with Renee Clayton.
Why, that woman's a she's a flake.
Now she's she's dangerous.
Barb said you used to be friends.
Yeah, before she turned into what she is now.
So when I heard that missive being read in church, I said to Cindy, "we have got to get over to your sister right now and show her our support.
" Mother.
So, Barbie, how are you holding up? Is there anything we can do for you? Well, I think we're doing as well as can be expected.
Anything personal any other personal problems that we could help you with? No.
Bill told mommy that you were getting a divorce.
We finalize the papers and file them in Nevada in one week, but yes.
When did you speak with Bill? This afternoon.
All right, why is she doing all the talking? Bill says that you're the one who wanted this divorce and that you're drinking just a little bit.
I enjoy a glass of wine now and then.
I'm exploring new things.
Would you like to talk about Renee Clayton? Well, as a matter of fact, she's becoming kind of a mentor to me.
Well, she understands me in ways no one else does.
All right, what is this all about? Oh for Pete's sake.
Look me in the eye.
Are you and Renee Clayton being lesbians together? Mother! Heavens no.
Is that what this is all about? Of course it is.
And, Barbara, I just want to tell you that Renee Clayton is a lonely, unhappy, bitter woman.
You think I'm a lesbian? I don't know.
Maybe.
Why not? I mean, it's exactly the kind of thing that you would do.
You've done everything else you can think of to complicate your life.
Following my conscience does not necessarily complicate my life.
Why does Bill have to say the word "mormon"? Why do you have to say the word "priesthood"? You have these children.
You have three houses.
Why do you have to be so unhappy? I am working through this with Bill.
And Renee Clayton is your friend.
She was before she started spouting off about priesthood and sex and gender and became a lesbian.
Well, I didn't know she was a lesbian, but it seems totally beside the point.
- Really? - Yes, really.
It's a children of polygamy rally.
And you want Goji to sponsor it? Yes.
I know that Goji Blast is a heavily l.
D.
S.
Company, but this rally is about reaching out and transcending divisions.
You know, the church has issued a statement against your husband.
Is this his idea? Actually, it's mine.
I'm organizing it.
And since you support kids in Malaysia and Nicaragua and Guatemala you know, Margene, I was a missionary for two years.
In a way, it's where I learned sales.
You've become a bit of a missionary for your faith.
So sell me.
Convert me.
I'm not really into pushing my beliefs on others.
I came into my marriage with nothing a bit of hand-me-down catholicism and a need to be loved.
And I couldn't have cared less about our religion.
But that's changed.
I've begun to feel something deeper.
And I think that's why I'm here, why I've been brought to Goji.
And you're a really really respected member of the l.
D.
S.
Community.
And if you didn't follow the church's unfair shunning of us, maybe others wouldn't either.
I see.
So why don't you pony up a little something for the cause? I tell you what I'm not entirely sold on the message yet, but I think I'll put a little something down on the messenger.
You will leave the other groups alone to follow their own path.
Your attempts to coerce others with your program of moral toil is unacceptable.
I am a uniter like your grandfather, Bill.
I want to bring the wandering tribes of polygamy together.
And you are not pulling out of safety net.
I will do exactly as I see fit.
Try it.
I'm in the senate, Alby.
I can remove juniper creek's municipal certification and stop the flow of state money.
"Money" I'm sure you know that word.
Did you really come all the way down here to juniper creek to talk about the safety net? And why have you brought your sidekick? You keep looking at him like you're surprised to see him.
Bud Mayberry tells me you've been speaking off the cuff about your feelings for me.
Bud Mayberry with his ridiculous "doctrine of multiple mortal probations"? His wife Francy is a necrophiliac.
She has a pink altar and she communes with the dead.
If that's the company you keep or maybe bud is a double agent.
You ever think of that? Listen to me, you creep.
You come after me again, you do it to my face, you pathetic, subhuman scum! You'll leave now, before night falls, before someone drops a house on you.
You think you're unpopular with the apostates of the l.
D.
S.
Church? You should only know how dangerous it is for you here.
Let's go.
How are your hardware shops doing, Bill? I hear you've had a few protests.
( Gasps, chuckles ) Hey Carl.
I didn't see you there.
- How are you doing? - I'm fine, Bill.
Yeah? What's wrong? They read a statement in church yesterday about you.
What I don't understand is why you can't have your religion and leave us alone.
Carl, that's all I want.
Then why are you rubbing our noses in it? Why do you have to have your special rights and attack us? No one's attacking anyone there.
I think you need to get your facts straight, my friend.
What about that car your private security? That's gonna be here for the duration? Just for a f days.
I'm sorry I even have to say this stuff.
Yeah, Carl, I'm sorry too.
( Seagulls cawing ) ( Coughing ) Where are we? We're at the ocean.
I drove us here.
I got us a motel.
I thought you might like it.
You've been out of it since yesterday.
Look at that water.
That is very pretty.
What color blue do you think it is? Just blue.
I don't want to make small talk, Frank.
I need every bit of will I still have in me just to make sure I'm really where I think I am.
Well, you're with me, babe.
You are with me.
What are you doing in here? Nothing.
Really, I wasn't snooping, I swear.
I was just trying to see if I could understand any of these.
Mr.
Ivey gave me a book.
And I was hoping it could help me understand what you do, but it didn't.
I thought I might find something you had that was a simpler.
You can't start with advanced calculus, mama.
What? Nothing.
Just the way you said that it was I never thanked you for helping me escape the compound.
You gave me a chance to pursue my education.
You protected me from a forced marriage.
I owe you so much more.
I know how hard it's been.
We've been tested.
But things are gonna be better now for both of us.
I admit this marriage does mean a lot to me.
We're gonna have everything we ever dreamed of.
We'll be happy.
I already am happy, mom.
You should be happy too.
I am.
I am happy.
Hi.
You wanted to talk to me about something? Hon, pull up a stool.
Barb and I want to run something by you.
Fire away.
Bill and I both feel after the finalization of the divorce it will be for the best if we keep doing certain things the way we are now.
What certain things? Preserving our existing financial structure.
For instance? Well, I've assumed the burden of the books and accounts for years, so I told Bill I'd be perfectly comfortable continuing to do so.
Oh, you did? And the estate Nicki, as a legal wife, you have an automatic claim to a large part of its disposition.
So we have a couple of agreements we'd like you to take a look at.
Who, may I ask, suggested this? Lee.
Lee said it was a legal thing.
- Lee Hatcher? - Mm-hmm.
Lee Hatcher said just be sure to x Nicki out of all the financial obligations and privileges that come with being your legal wife? I know this must seem like a blow.
Right now I want to punch you in the face.
Nicki! Let's just sign the documents and move on.
It's not about Barb.
You were shamed into agreeing to this divorce and now you're lashing back.
Oh, for heaven's sake, Nicki.
Let's see You only rang up $50,000 in debt and kept it hidden for as long as you possibly could.
Maybe we should just forget about that and just see how it all works out.
- So I have no choice in this? - Oh, you do, but I need these prenups signed before I grant any divorce.
You say the priesthood is held by everyone, - but it certainly doesn't seem to apply to me.
- Come with me, please.
You'll go to your grave to keep me from having my rightful place in this marriage.
No, once I'm in my grave, Nicki, you can have it all.
Shame on you.
On me? Did you hear what she just said to me? You're being hypersensitive and inconsiderate.
This is a paper divorce and a paper marriage.
- I know that.
- Do you? Because it sounds to me like you have a different idea about it.
Nothing changes.
Barb relinquishes nothing.
There's a divorce and a wedding and everything stays the same.
Stays the same? She's in open rebellion to your position in this family and now in obvious contempt of mine.
You're doing this and giving in because you're afraid of losing her, and you're taking it out on me.
Well it isn't fair, Bill, and you know it.
Thanks for the ride and for the blankets.
I appreciate it.
You're welcome.
Let us know if we can do anything else to help.
Can you lend me $30? Sure.
I got it.
I can pay you back after my shift tomorrow night.
Just come by and I'll give you your money.
You got a job? That was fast.
- Where? - The golden fleece.
It's a bar.
I'm a hostess.
I tell them I'm a librarian and everyone protects me.
It's funny.
She makes me so sad.
She's such a dead-end kid, you know.
I don't think she's gonna live to see 20.
I feel so bad for her.
I don't think we need to worry about her.
She's gonna be okay.
In what way, Ben, is she okay? She has a life.
She has a husband.
They have each other.
I turned in my deferred applications for the Navy yesterday.
I've got four months before I report for duty.
I didn't tell you that I was seeing someone at b.
Y.
U.
He started school for a year and then he took his mission.
Ben, don't.
So you have plans with him? Huh? No.
I mean, I write to him.
And m gonna see him again when he gets back.
Heather, I thought we were okay.
I'm really sorry, Ben.
I am about this, about everything that the church is doing to your family.
You all mean so much to me.
Great.
Thanks for telling me.
It's about communication.
Couples need to be able to express their views with each other, no matter how controversial they seem to be.
Oh, I'm sorry, Renee.
I forgot to mention that you've been a tenured university Professor for 20 years and that you lecture across the country on mormon studies.
I think we have to start by recognizing that women have an innate and inherent priesthood authority.
Based on what? Well, Joseph Smith certainly implied it.
He left no written record of it.
No, but there were many witnesses.
By well-known dissenters.
Quite apart from any record, it shows itself in women's instincts.
They are priestly in the way they care for their babies as soon as they are delivered from their wombs.
What is she talking about? There is a female archetype that I would like to call heavenly mother.
It is a goddess figure that is imbued with the same power and mystery as the male godhead.
Oh, Renee.
You mean like the virgin Mary? She means like don't even think about it.
You know, there are four people in this marriage.
Nicki, where do you stand with your sisterwife's feelings? Me? Well, I think she's gone off the reservation is what I think.
Do you? Well, this is something I wrote for "the Western historical quarterly" "lesbian female bonding as resistance to frontier mormon patriarchy.
" And it would be well worth remembering that many other churches are facing up to the fundamental role of women in their church.
Lesbian pioneers, Barb? Yes, everyone, Renee is a lesbian.
( Laughing ) Yeah.
But it has nothing to do with my marriage falling apart.
I met Judy long after that.
Yes, some of us remember your swooping down and taking her away from Paul.
Oh, you know, Nancy, you have no right to judge my life when you have lived yours in the shadow of your husband's.
Look, the fact is either you believe in the book of mormon or not.
Either you believe in Joseph Smith and the restoration of the priesthood or not.
And if you do, then I don't know what we're talking about.
Barbara, listen to me.
You can have a place in my home where you can come and sort through all these issues without all this pressure.
So the leopard doesn't really change its spots after all.
No, no one's leaving anyone.
Doesn't anyone get that? Honey, I know you have faith in what you're saying, but religion is divinely inspired.
It's not just "I feel" or "I'd like.
" The woods are full of kooks wandering around in robes saying, "this is what God wants.
" Without a divinely inspired gospel to ground a religion, anyone can say anything they want, and that's why I'm having a real hard time with all this.
What is it you want? What do you have to have? I have never asked for anything for myself in all these years.
This is an opportunity for us, for our church, for a church that we can grow together.
That would destroy a church that's barely establishing its roots.
Even the l.
D.
S.
Church has evolved on present-day revelation.
And that's how they manipulated the truth to cut off the principle.
What's left the church divided and bleeding all these years.
Barb, I can be moved to make many compromises.
But this is one thing I just will not do.
Then I can't go to your church anymore.
Excuse me.
I'll be there when all your dreams are broken to answer your unspoken prayer when the little things you're doing don't turn out right don't you worry, darling I'll be there so if your new love isn't a true love don't your worry, darling I'll be there don't you worry, darling I'll be there.
( Applause, whistling ) Frank.
I don't forgive you, Frank.
But I'm not gonna kill you.
I need you to promise to put me out of my misery when the time comes.
I can't do that.
I'm gone for two days at a time now.
When it gets to three do it.
I don't want to be stuck in some putrid old people's home wearing diapers and not knowing who I am.
Please, Frank.
I'm gonna take care of you.
Take care of me? You're older than I am.
You're half-cooked yourself.
I got wives, your sisterwives.
They're coming back.
They're gone because of you.
You'll have no one to wipe your own behind or clip your dirty old toenails.
You'll be alone, all alone with your miserable old self.
At this particular moment, Frank, we're all we got.
We've got to be able to count on each other.
We gotta go.
When you're weary and feeling small and tears are in your eyes I'll dry them all I'm on your side when times get rough THE NEW ASSEMBLY OF MORMON PIONEERS