Adam the First (2024) Movie Script
1
(cicadas buzzing)
(birds chirping)
- I said I want to
take you out here
to tell you something
important, right?
So here it is.
I'm not your father.
Well, that, that
don't mean that I,
I ain't gonna be
here for you or,
or I'm not gonna care
for you like I was.
It's just, it ain't
anything like that.
I just feel better with
you knowing that, that,
that I'm not your father,
but I'm gonna care for you
like I was,
promise you that.
- So who are you?
- I'm still me.
Just not your father.
- And mama?
- Same as me.
- Who is my real father?
- I don't really
know that, Adam.
Now, all I know of him is,
is right here.
This was, this was on you
when, when I found you.
I guessing he wanted
you to have it.
- Where'd he go?
- [James] I don't know, Adam.
- Is he bad? He does bad things.
- Maybe.
Something like that.
But you, you're different.
You, you're smart,
you're curious,
you're always asking questions.
You know, you're good.
And you can, you can
swim, you can fish.
Pretty soon, I'm gonna teach
you how to ride a horse,
how to shoot a pistol.
Gonna teach you how to
survive in this world.
(emotional music begins)
(cicadas buzzing)
(birds chirping)
- Hey.
(crickets chirping)
(twigs snapping)
You lost?
- Are you...
- You need something?
What are you looking for?
- Are they...
Are you okay, kid?
- What?
- You live with 'em and
they treat you good?
- I ain't in any trouble.
I'm gonna ask you once, what
are you doing around here?
Sir, you best be getting
on out of this forest.
- Okay.
Okay.
I'm sorry.
(cicadas buzzing)
(Adam whistles)
- What you got, kid?
- Rabbits.
- That'd be fine.
Mary's got a stool cooking.
Tell me, not 10 minutes ago,
she had a craving for chicken.
(trailer door slams)
Rabbits will do just fine.
- You want me to go back?
- No, it's late. You did good.
Besides, you wanna
borrow a chicken
from one of these
farms around here,
best wait till after midnight.
You get into any trouble
when you was out there?
- No, sir.
- You talk to anyone?
- I just stayed
here in the forest.
- It's better that way.
Some of these locals
will drive you nuts,
you know, shut down their first
question or two just right.
Where you going? Where you from?
They want the whole story.
- Just mind my own business
when I'm out there.
- You got your head on straight.
How you doing for ammo? I
just got a delivery from Rex.
- Well, I think I'm-
- James?
- [Mary] Is Adam here yet?
- He's coming, Mary,
but he got rabbits.
I told him to get rabbits.
- [Mary] Rabbits
will do just fine.
- Go on inside.
Help your mother.
Gonna wash up.
(trailer door slams)
- Okay, but hurry up.
- Should I butcher these now?
- Oh, love, you can
just leave them out.
We'll skin 'em after supper.
- Hey, Mary, what,
was that hot water
when, when you took a shower?
- Yes,
there was for a minute,
but then I forgot to
tell you that it stopped.
- Just lemme know next time.
- I will.
- Oh, James?
- Yeah.
- I got a fire on the stove,
so how's that supposed
to make sense?
- I don't know.
- Is it connected?
- Mary, you're asking
questions I don't understand.
I'm just a man, you
know? Just a man.
- How was it today, Adam?
- Same as usual, I guess.
- Same as usual.
Well, the last time
you had that tone,
you walked in this
house with a black eye.
Now you can "same as
usual" me all you want,
but I know my Adam.
- Telling him how it
was, all my traps work.
- Well, that's good.
Father taught you good then?
- Yeah.
What's your reason
for coming in here
without a proper hello?
That's better.
- Hey, I'm sorry I couldn't
get you a chicken tonight.
- Don't be sorry about
something like that, Adam.
Rabbits will do just fine.
- I think the McKibben's
might have seen me last time.
- Did you tell your father?
- No.
- Okay.
- Well, don't mention it to him.
And if he asks you
to go there again,
you just tell him that you will.
I'll tell you where
another farm is.
- Okay, sir.
- Okay. James?
- Coming.
- Oh, can't you wear
a shirt to the table?
Next time.
- Best there is.
- Hmm, thanks, love.
- How's yours then?
- Perfect.
- Too hot?
- Nope.
- [James] What'd
you use to catch it?
- You know, just a carrot
trail in the boxes.
- Full bag of carrots?
- Oh no, just a few of 'em
cut up across the path.
I think the mother
rabbit was there
when I came for
the cage this time.
- [James] Oh yeah.
She was waiting.
- Yeah. Yeah.
Sort of staring through to
the kid and then she just ran.
But I let that one go
free, you know, I felt bad.
- She'll have plenty
more of that bunny.
Don't feel bad next
time, you gotta eat.
- Mom?
- Yeah?
- Been thinking about something.
- Hmm, what's that?
- Well, I was wondering...
- You was wondering?
- If, I was wondering if maybe
you could tell me about my dad?
My first dad.
- What exactly you want to know?
- No, there's nothing to know.
- Well, I...
- No, your mother died
and then your father
left you in these woods.
- Just wanna know why.
- He left an infant in a basket.
Is that a father? Is that
a man you wanna meet?
- I'm sorry.
- This is your father.
This is the man that raised you.
We'll have rabbits tomorrow.
(gun firing on TV)
(tense music playing on TV)
- [Man on TV] Go
around the other side.
Try to sneak up behind
him. I'll cover you.
(gun firing on TV)
(tense music playing on TV)
(orchestral music playing on TV)
(gun firing on TV)
(cicadas buzzing)
(owl hooting)
- What you doing?
- Just making your favorites.
You're being all sweet.
- I'm always sweet.
- Mm, hmm.
(owl hooting in the distance)
(trailer door slams)
- Flashlights!
- Get in there, now. Now!
- This is private property!
Y'all are trespassing!
- [The Bounty Hunter] You're
wanted for violent crimes
across three states.
We got a warrant and we
know you got a boy in there.
So let's not do
nothing stupid, James.
(gun fires)
Here's a warning shot.
- Mary, no!
(gun fires)
(guns firing)
- Dad.
(guns firing)
Dad.
(guns firing)
(gun fires)
(guns firing)
(gun fires)
- [The Bounty Hunter] Damn.
Go ahead.
(cicadas buzzing)
Let's see, is this
the kid's room?
He's gone. Must have ran away.
All right, that's it, boys,
he said dead or alive.
Let's take what we can.
Get the car and the ammo.
Promised Rex's guns back.
(cicadas buzzing)
All right, come on, let's get.
Get them bodies outta here.
Yeah.
(cicadas buzzing)
(emotional music begins)
(birds chirping)
(leaves rustling)
(easy mood guitar music begins)
(train horn blaring)
(easy mood guitar
music continues)
(bell chiming)
- [Rex] How can I help you, kid?
- I need a pistol.
- [Rex] A pistol?
- [Adam] The Ruger Blackhawk.
- You got cash for
a pistol like that?
- [Adam] Can I see
that Schofield?
- Got a good eye, kid.
- Now it's loaded.
Empty the register, Rex.
Now where's the car?
(dog barking in the distance)
(train horn blaring
in the distance)
(dogs barking)
(rock music begins)
(car door slams)
(dogs barking)
(rock music continues)
(car door slams)
(disco music playing)
- [Adam] Hey, is
there a manager here?
- Who are you? And what
are you doing in here?
- [Adam] I'm, I'm
looking for someone.
- Who are you looking for?
- [Adam] Jacob Waterson.
- What about him?
- Does he own this place?
- [Bartender] What
is this about?
- It's private.
- Private?
- He doesn't like
people coming here
asking questions
about what happened.
- Listen, I don't think I know
what you're talking about.
I'm, I'm here for
something different.
- You're not here to
help some journalists?
- No, no, no, no, no, no
way, I'm not, I promise, I,
I just need to talk with him.
- Anybody seen Crystal?
- I hear my name.
- Hey, Crystal.
- Tell me love, what's up?
- Who's the kid?
- [Bartender] This is, um...
- I'm Adam.
- Hello, Adam.
- [Crystal] What are you doing
in a stripper dressing room?
- [Bartender] He's
looking for Jake.
- Hell's he want with Jake?
- I don't, he's saying-
- [Crystal] You know, he
don't want no riff-raff
coming around here.
- He's my father.
- [Adam] Just need
to talk to him.
- He's in prison.
- What'd he do?
- Head down there.
And you ask him whatever
you need to ask him.
And give him this.
Give him a drink.
- [Adam] Thank you.
(car engine roaring)
- Don't touch the glass.
- I was, was wondering if
maybe you could help me.
- I'm wondering that too.
You're on the visitors list?
- Probably not.
I'm looking for my, my father.
I think he might be
staying here, this prison.
- You think your father may
be staying here. Like a hotel?
Okay, what's your father's name?
- Jacob Waterson.
- Jacob Waterson?
Jacob Waterson. Jacob Waterson.
Wakowski, Watson,
Jacob Waterson.
Hey, Charles?
- Yes, dear?
This kid wants to talk
to Jacob Waterson.
- Who you here to see again?
- Jacob Waterson. Didn't
that lady just tell you?
- Just wondering if you
was a relative or whatnot.
- I'm not sure.
- Not sure? Okay.
(cell door slams)
(violin music begins)
(cell door slams)
(violin music continues)
- Do I know you?
- Just wanna ask you
a couple questions?
- Questions about what?
- About you?
- Charles, is this for real?
- [Charles] What do
I know, Waterson,
I just bring you
where they tell me.
- Crystal said you'd be here.
- Crystal?
- Yeah, Crystal from the club.
She, she said to
bring you a kiss.
- You messing with me, kid?
- No I'm not.
- Why were you in my club?
- Looking for you?
- [Jacob 1] What do
you want with me?
What the hell did I do?
- Are you married?
- Charles, what is this?
- [Charles] Hey kid, do
you wanna hurry it up?
- [Adam] Come on, just
answer the question.
- I was married, but
I'm not married now.
What about it?
- To Crystal?
- To Crystal. Yeah.
- And did you have children?
- No.
- Why not?
- Look, you're wearing
out my patience here.
Be straight with me.
- I'm looking for my father.
- You serious?
Hey look, I'm not
your guy, kid. Sorry.
Definitely not.
- And how do I know
you're telling the truth?
You didn't sleep with someone
and didn't know what happened.
- How old are you? Twelve?
- [Adam] I'm 14.
- I've been locked
up for 17 years.
Look, I was raised
by a single mother,
I know what it's like.
And if I could find my
father now and meet him,
I'd put a bullet between
his teeth, believe me.
I'll tell you one thing,
when you find that
prick that left you,
you don't let him off easy.
You let him have it.
Takes a real piece of trash
to leave a kid like that.
I'd come with you to
find him if I could.
- Thanks.
- [Jacob 1] Where's
your mom in all this?
- Dead.
- Oh geez.
So what's the idea? You
got a name and that's it?
- Yep, Jacob Waterson.
- [Jacob 1] How many
more on the list?
- I got two more.
- Well, you gotta
be glad it ain't me.
Not the ideal place
to meet your father.
- I don't know.
What'd you do to go to jail?
- Doesn't matter, kid.
Just go find the guy
you're looking for.
Hey, you make sure
he explains himself.
- You done?
- Yep.
- Hey.
We were supposed to have a kin,
but we lost it.
(somber music playing)
- Come on!
Come-
(car door slams)
Hey!
Open the door!
(pickup door slams)
Drive.
I, I promise I got good reason
coming in here like this, okay?
- What? What is that?
- Immigrants.
- Immigrants?
- Immigrants.
(conversing in Spanish)
- What, what is he saying?
- They need to...
- What?
- They need to pee.
- Hey man, look, I'm,
I'm sorry about the gun.
I just, I...
My car broke down and I
need to get where I'm going.
Is it far?
- It's very far.
Don't worry, I take you.
- Do you travel across the
border with these guys?
- No, they come
over by themself.
Then I help on the other side.
- Must be a crazy trip for them.
- You have no idea, my friend.
It's a one-way ticket.
You go in and you have no
idea if you're gonna come out.
When I did it, they told us
we're gonna be walking four,
five hours, six, maximum.
Five days later, we
still in the desert.
You gotta climb up
and down those hills.
It's so hard to be
climbing those hills.
If I could tell people back
home, I would tell 'em,
"Don't even try it,
don't even dare try it."
These people, they
just totally naive.
That's why I'm helping
these guys in the truck.
- Yeah, well, 'cause
you know what it's like.
- 'Cause I know what it's like.
So who are you
visiting in this place?
- Oh, trying to meet my father.
Never met him.
- Oh wow. Not even a picture?
- Nope. Not even a picture.
Sometimes, I think, everyone
I meet could be my mom or dad
if they're old enough.
But I know it's stupid
'cause she's dead.
But even, you know, younger
people could be my brother
or sister.
You never know.
- Here it is.
I hope you find your father.
- Thanks.
- Hey, kid?
- Yeah?
- Listen, here's
what you're gonna do.
You're gonna go in there
and you're gonna
say you're traveling
and you need a place
to stay and some food.
And when you see they
liken you, you say,
"Hey, I think you're my father."
You know what I'm saying?
- Yeah, yeah. That makes sense.
- Yeah, 'cause they're gonna
like you. So it's gonna work.
(chain rattling)
- Oh Lord, goodness.
- I'm sorry, I didn't
mean to frighten you.
- Well, hello, young man. You
certainly did frighten me.
- Hi there, I'm, I'm Adam.
- Rebecca Waterson.
How are you?
Do you need some help?
- Well, yeah, I've
been been traveling
and I was wondering if
maybe I could stay here
for the night.
You know, I haven't had a
good meal in a long time.
I'd be willing to
help out on the farm.
- So you've been
traveling all alone?
Your mother must
be worried sick.
- Yeah, I, I guess so.
- Adam, I think you've
come to the right place.
My daughters are about to
pick some supper any minute.
And you look like you
could use a good bath.
Oh my, you really did
frighten me there.
My heart is still pounding.
Hey children, come on over
here, come and say hello.
This here is Adam.
- Hello, Adam.
- Hello, Adam.
- Hi there. Nice to meet you.
- All right, it's time
to prepare for supper.
Go on.
Come on, Adam, I'll
show you where Jacob is.
You can ask him if you
can stay the night.
- Yeah. Yes, please.
(peaceful music begins)
- There he is.
Well, go on, go
introduce yourself.
I'll be in the kitchen.
- Okay. Thanks
Sir?
- [Jacob 2] Hello
there, young man.
- Jacob Waterson?
- That's me.
- I'm Adam, very nice
to meet you, sir.
- [Jacob 2] Adam, what?
- I'm sorry?
- [Jacob 2] Adam, what?
Do you have a last name?
- Johnson.
- [Jacob 2] Well, what
brings you out here, Adam?
- Well, you see, I, I was
traveling and, and Rebecca,
your wife, Mrs. Waterson,
she, she said it'd be all
right if I stayed the night.
- [Jacob 2] Where
are you headed to?
- My father's house.
- I see.
Well, if it's okay by
Rebecca, it's fine by me.
- Thank you very much, sir.
Were you always a farmer?
- My whole life. Born
and raised on this farm.
- Is your family always here?
- My father was just a
boy when Black Sunday hit
and he watched his daddy
work through a cloud of dust,
cloud of darkness, just
trying to make ends meet.
It was like a plague.
Nothing short of the wrath
of God pushing that dust.
When he got older,
he bought this place
with all the money he had
and he worked hard to fix it up.
That's how I was taught, if
it's daylight out, we work.
This year's been tough, though.
And I can't help but wonder why
what it is we're doing wrong.
Are we being foolish
in the fields?
If I sin in some way,
made some mistake,
or if I could just understand
it a little bit better,
if I could just understand
what's making God
change his mind.
- You think he's mad at you
for something you
did a long time ago?
- I don't know,
Adam. I wish I knew.
Now cursed is the
ground because of you,
through suffering,
shall you eat it
all the days of your life.
Thorns and thistles
shall it sprout for you
and you shall eat the
herb of the field.
By the sweat of your brow,
shall you eat bread until
you return to the ground
from which you were taken,
or you are dust and to
dust you shall return.
- What's your favorite
Bible verse, Adam?
- I've never read the Bible.
- [Abraham] Then what do
they teach you in school?
- I don't go to school.
- I didn't go to school either.
- Like to learn, though.
- It's never too late.
Do you know who that Bible
passage was about, Adam?
- No.
- [Rebecca] It was about Adam,
the very first
man in this world.
- He didn't have parents?
- No, he didn't.
- He came first.
- Thank you so much
for all of this.
I really appreciate it.
I hope I haven't been
too much of a burden.
You see, I...
- Our pleasure, Adam.
(knocking at the door)
All right, here you go.
If you need anything
else, let me know.
- Perfect. This is straight.
Thanks Dad.
Oh, I'm sorry.
- You're welcome, Adam.
- Mr. Waterson?
- Yes, Adam?
- Did you ever have
any other children?
- [Jacob 2] No. No one else?
- Okay. Yeah.
- Sleep well.
- [Adam] Good night.
- Just curious,
why you asked me that?
- I'm just looking for
someone, that's all.
- Goodnight, Adam.
- Good night.
- [Jacob 2] Good night,
Abraham, say your prayers.
- Good night.
Please, God, help me to
be stronger tomorrow.
Help me to be good in your eyes.
Help me to be useful to
my father on his farm.
And help me more tomorrow
than you did today.
And I'll do my best.
(peaceful music begins)
- Please, God,
thank you so that this Jacob
really is my father.
Make it so that he had a
good reason to leave me.
Wasn't his fault.
Please, I, I won't ever
use my pistol ever again.
Just, please.
- Good morning, Adam,
this is Sheriff Daniels.
- Nice to meet you.
- Likewise.
Now, Adam, I was wondering if
we could have a word with you
about a few things.
- Okay, sure. You need
me to come with you?
- Think that would be best.
- Okay. Can I at
least grab my things?
- Go ahead. We'll
meet you out front.
- Okay, thanks.
- Sheriff, I'll walk you out.
(birds chirping)
Sheriff, y'all get
calls like this often?
- Yeah, we do, quite often.
- [Jacob 2] Where
does he go from here?
- I don't know, we'll
take him down to county.
(birds chirping)
(upbeat guitar music begins)
- Come on, man, come on!
Stop!
(upbeat guitar music continues)
(cicadas buzzing)
(birds chirping)
(birds chirping)
(gentle guitar music begins)
(easy mood music playing)
(upbeat music begins)
- Oh my.
- You Jacob Waterson?
- Yes, I am. And
who might you be?
- I'm Adam Waterson.
I think I'm your son.
- No.
No, you're not my son.
- I'm not?
I only have three
Jacob, ah, here.
Ah, I already met the other two.
Thank you.
- Oh.
- Come on inside. Let's
get you something to eat.
Oh, you're missing one?
- I am?
- Yep.
His name is...
Jacob Waterson Jr.
I know that,
because he's my son.
That's my compass, you know.
I've been wondering
where the hell it went.
So,
my Jacob left you behind,
is that right?
- Yeah, yeah. Long time ago.
- That's a damn shame.
Foolish thing to do.
And the chickens always
come home to roost.
- Yeah.
- Well, I take it
you've got personality,
coming all the way out here.
That's one thing
you got from me.
- What's that?
- You're restless until you
find what you're looking for.
You know, this world
isn't settling yet.
I promise you that.
There is no settling down.
I ran away from home years ago,
but I took my home with me.
That's my weakness.
I love my things.
- And this house is beautiful.
- Mm, yeah. I built it with
my bare hands for my wife.
But where we lived,
well, we just didn't fit.
We were different, I suppose.
But this was my home and I said,
"Honey, I'm taking it with me."
And so we spent the rest of
our time together on the move,
looking for a place to settle,
looking for a place to
set down some roots.
- Is she the, the
one in the paintings?
- Yes, she is.
That's your grandmother.
Painted these when I had
steadier hands. She was special.
I had my eye on her a long time.
She was a good looking gal.
Had a hard time
winning her over.
She was, she was tough.
Very popular. Always
10 minutes late.
Oh, I miss her always.
- When did she die?
- She'd been gone 14 years.
But I miss her like
the first day she died.
And after that, I didn't
feel like traveling much.
Just set the house
down right here.
Haven't moved since.
That's when I started
making the paintings.
But memory mostly.
Each one is from another
time I looked at her.
So yeah, I miss her, but
I know where she's at.
I'll probably be there soon.
- Grandpa?
Could you tell me
things about my dad?
- I have a picture.
The story of the world
is in this room, Adam.
This is the only one I have.
- He looks like me.
- He does.
This was right
before he ran away.
- He ran away?
- Yeah, I upset him.
It was my fault.
But he never came back.
I finally found out
where he's been living,
but I haven't had the
courage to show up,
114 East Avenue.
- You should come with me.
- Come with you?
- Yeah, we should go together.
- I don't know.
(upbeat cheerful music begins)
(glass shattering)
I wish I knew more about heaven.
What could come
after all of this?
How could it be any better?
I mean, look at these
paintings. Look at these books.
Listen to this music.
Well, I get to take
it all with me.
(banjo strumming)
I like that note.
You know, on the other side
of this canyon is a stream,
and at the end of that stream,
there's some train tracks,
and those tracks lead to a
nice little neighborhood.
That's where your father
will be, 114 East Avenue.
- You think he'll like me?
- Well, he's a lot like me.
I like you very much.
- Do you have any, do you
have any stories about him?
- I got some.
It hurts my heart a little
too much to think about him.
Maybe once he and I make
things right between us,
then I can tell you a whole lot.
- Just a little
confused, I guess.
- [Jacob 3] What about?
- Everyone has their
own way of, of living,
but no one really knows
anything for sure.
And everyone's struggling
one way or another.
- I should have taken
this trip a long time ago.
In the Big Rock
Candy Mountains
There's a land that's
fair and bright
Oh, the handouts
grow on bushes
And you sleep
out every night
Oh, the boxcars
all are empty
And the sun shines every day
I'm going to go where
the rain, no snow
Where they hung the
jerk who invented work
In the Big Rock
Candy Mountain
Alice, is there music in heaven?
(peaceful music playing)
- Right here in the
middle of nowhere.
I just had an
accident, but I'm okay.
I just want to come home.
- Every man...
- I did a lot, Adam.
- Deserves to know who
he is in this world.
- [Prisoner] It's easy
to think you're king
when you take
things from people.
- [James] Where you come
from, where he's going.
- And then one day you
realize that you're not happy.
- [James] So there it is.
- And do something you regret
for the rest of your life.
- I'm not real your father.
- They cuff your hands.
- [James] Mary's not
your real mother.
- [Prisoner] Then
the party's over.
(cell door slams)
- You shall not taunt
or oppress a stranger.
For you are strangers
in the land of Egypt.
For if he shall cry out to me,
I shall surely hear his outcry.
- Find something beautiful,
Adam, and hold it tight.
(peaceful music playing)
(birds chirping)
- I don't remember
falling asleep.
We should, we should get going.
Hey, grandpa?
(birds chirping)
(birds chirping)
(peaceful guitar music begins)
(peaceful guitar
music continues)
(knocking at the door)
- Hi.
- Hello. Is this Jacob
Waterson Jr's house?
- Yes it is. I'm
sorry, have we met?
- I don't, I don't
think we have.
- [Linda] What is this about?
- Is Jacob home?
- He's not. Are you sure
you have the right person?
- He's my father.
- I'm sorry, I think
you're mistaken.
Boys, this is....
- Um, I'm Adam.
- Adam, meet Dylan.
And this is baby Adam.
Why don't we go
talk in the kitchen?
- He ever mention me?
- No.
- So this is a surprise
for you too then?
- You could say that.
- I came a very long
way to get here.
- I'm sorry.
I guess he owes me a big
explanation when he gets home.
- Not before I get one.
(peaceful music begins)
(upbeat music begins)
(crowd chattering)
(trumpet playing begins)
- See a lot of new faces in
the room here this evening.
Nothing makes me happier.
Nothing makes me prouder.
In fact, I look forward to
meeting every one of you
during our young professionals
meet experienced entrepreneurs
cocktail mixer later tonight.
Because as I look around
this room here today,
as I look around,
I see nothing but talent.
But what I wonder about is,
how many of you
see the same thing?
How many of you
think of yourselves
when I say there is nothing
but talent in this room?
How many of you are
saying to yourselves,
"No, not me, he
must be mistaken.
This is a room full
of talent, minus one."
Ladies and gentlemen,
as you may know,
I, myself, have been a
victim of discouragement.
I, myself, have been there.
I, myself, have been down,
have been about as
low as a man can get.
Served my country,
lost some good friends,
and was badly injured.
I was told I would
never walk again.
But I wouldn't accept that.
(audience clapping)
You see, there's a reason why
I'm not currently being visited
by several elementary
schoolers in a hospital room.
There's a reason
why I am not pitied.
And that reason is
because I have never
and will never back down.
I will never surrender.
Another day comes and I say,
here I am.
Let's hear it. Here I am!
- Here I am!
(audience clapping and cheering)
- Okay now, now we're gonna play
a little speed networking game,
and then we can talk
about confidence,
about being assertive,
and how to get what
you want out of life,
and how to make the sale no
matter what life throws at you.
Let's get started.
(upbeat music begins)
Okay, guys, now here's
how this is gonna work.
Each of you is a professional.
Each of you has a business
or service to pitch to a
potential client or customer.
You better have your
business pitch ready,
because when the buzzer sounds,
you're gonna have 60 seconds
to introduce yourself
to the person across from you
without mentioning your name,
and explain what it is
you do for a living.
Then when the
buzzer sounds again,
you're gonna scoot your
butts over one seat
and start over to the left.
I'm gonna keep going
this way around the table
until each of you has met
every person in this room.
Does it sound good?
Okay, let's do this.
And 3, 2, 1.
(buzzer beeps)
(upbeat music continues)
- [Adam] I guess you're right.
- Right. Okay, well,
I'm in real estate.
Been doing that for
about six months,
and I'm currently studying
to take my broker's license.
- Nice. So what does that mean?
- Right. Well, I help people
find homes, basically.
Mainly apartments and
emerging markets. But-
- You make a decent
living doing that?
- Yeah. It could definitely
be better though.
My girlfriend's been bugging
me to propose for a while,
and I'm just not ready
to go near that subject
without the right income.
- So you're not married?
You, you don't have kids?
- No. No wife yet.
No kids. But I definitely
want kids one day.
What about you?
Why are you here?
What do you do?
- Oh, I'm actually not
a businessman at all.
I'm just here to find my father.
He abandoned me
when my mother died.
And now I'd like to
have a word with him.
- My goodness.
- Yeah.
- You, you think he's, he's
here at this conference?
- Yeah, he's in here somewhere.
(buzzer beeps)
It's nice to meet you.
- Good luck with that.
- Thank you.
- Well, hello there.
This is fun, isn't it?
- Sure is.
- So do you want to pitch first?
- Oh, no, no, go ahead.
- Well, I've been hired
as a representative
for a bridge lending platform.
Now what that means is
I work for a company
that lends people money
and then charges
interest on that amount.
People that, say, want to
buy a house or a property
but can't get a
loan from the bank
because they've got bad
credit or that sort of thing.
- Right, well, I'm
definitely not in the market
to buy a house,
but I'd, I'd love to hear
more about you personally.
- Sure. What would
you like to know?
- Well, what's your name?
- I, I, I thought we're
not supposed to...
- Oh, yeah.
(buzzer beeps)
- Well, it was nice to meet you.
- Thank you, nice
to meet you too.
- Good luck with that.
- Thank you.
- Hey there, kid.
- So, tell me about yourself.
- Well, I am
independent sales rep,
which means I travel the
country selling products
on behalf of all
kinds of companies.
- Sounds like a great
way to support a family.
- I do my best to pay the bills.
- So what are you hoping to
get out of this conference?
- Oh, that is a good question.
I suppose like network
and potentially meet
new business partners.
You know, you never know
who you're gonna meet
at one of these things, right?
- Right.
- Couldn't agree more.
So, do you have children?
- I do.
And, and what are their names?
- Oh, well, Dylan, she's four.
And then there's, then
there's my little one, Adam.
- Hmm, that's it. There's,
there's no one else.
- I'm sorry, I don't understand.
- I've been looking for
you for a very long time.
(crowd chattering
in the background)
- Adam?
- Why did you leave me?
- What?
- Why did you leave me?
- I didn't leave you.
You were taken from us.
- What do you mean?
- Adam, you were taken
from us, the hospital.
There was a note.
I remember every word.
"There's no forgiving
what I've done,
but I did it so that my
wife could be a mother.
I promise you this,
I will raise your
boy to be strong,
so that one day
he'll do whatever it
takes to find you.
I'll forever be in pain
so long as your
son is in my house.
But I will sleep at
night knowing that
one day
he will be home again.
And when that day comes,
tell him that I love him,
and that I will miss him
all the days of my life.
But a man can't know
where he's going
until he knows
where he is from."
Adam,
I've been carrying that
around for 14 years.
- What am I supposed to do?
Who am I supposed to be?
- I don't know. I don't know.
Your mother and I,
we did our best to
survive what happened,
but we could never look
each other in the eyes,
pretend to smile after that.
We didn't want it to be.
But after that, things
were just different.
Your mother wanted to
be on Broadway once,
but not anymore.
It just wasn't the same,
and seemed like the best thing
was to go our separate ways.
Try to start over.
I moved to another town, took
whatever job I could find.
She got a job at
an amusement park.
She works long days,
and on weekends,
she's a waitress,
karaoke restaurant.
And every night at the
start of her shift,
she sings the same song.
And she's never late.
I don't iron his shirts
I don't sew on his buttons
I don't know all
the jokes he tells
Or the songs he knows
Oh, I may hold him
All through the night
He may not be here
When the morning comes
I don't pick out his ties
Or expect his tomorrows
But I feel he's in my arms
He's where he wants to be
We have enough memories
Bitter sweet with time
And I doubt if he spends
New Years Eve with me
I don't share his name
I don't wear his ring
There's no piece of paper
Saying that he's mine
But he says he loves me
And I believe it's true
Doesn't that make someone
Belong to you
So I don't share his name
So I don't wear his ring
So there's no piece of paper
Saying that he's mine
So we don't have
the memories
I have enough memories
I've washed enough mornings
I've dried enough evenings
I've had enough birthdays
to know what I want
Life is anyone's guess
It's a constant surprise
Though you don't
plan to fall in love
When you falling far
I'd rather have
fifty percent of him
Or any percent of him
Than all of anybody else
At all
(patrons clapping)
- All right, what
are you looking for?
(peaceful music playing)
(peaceful music continues)
(easy mood guitar music playing)
(cicadas buzzing)
(birds chirping)
- I said I want to
take you out here
to tell you something
important, right?
So here it is.
I'm not your father.
Well, that, that
don't mean that I,
I ain't gonna be
here for you or,
or I'm not gonna care
for you like I was.
It's just, it ain't
anything like that.
I just feel better with
you knowing that, that,
that I'm not your father,
but I'm gonna care for you
like I was,
promise you that.
- So who are you?
- I'm still me.
Just not your father.
- And mama?
- Same as me.
- Who is my real father?
- I don't really
know that, Adam.
Now, all I know of him is,
is right here.
This was, this was on you
when, when I found you.
I guessing he wanted
you to have it.
- Where'd he go?
- [James] I don't know, Adam.
- Is he bad? He does bad things.
- Maybe.
Something like that.
But you, you're different.
You, you're smart,
you're curious,
you're always asking questions.
You know, you're good.
And you can, you can
swim, you can fish.
Pretty soon, I'm gonna teach
you how to ride a horse,
how to shoot a pistol.
Gonna teach you how to
survive in this world.
(emotional music begins)
(cicadas buzzing)
(birds chirping)
- Hey.
(crickets chirping)
(twigs snapping)
You lost?
- Are you...
- You need something?
What are you looking for?
- Are they...
Are you okay, kid?
- What?
- You live with 'em and
they treat you good?
- I ain't in any trouble.
I'm gonna ask you once, what
are you doing around here?
Sir, you best be getting
on out of this forest.
- Okay.
Okay.
I'm sorry.
(cicadas buzzing)
(Adam whistles)
- What you got, kid?
- Rabbits.
- That'd be fine.
Mary's got a stool cooking.
Tell me, not 10 minutes ago,
she had a craving for chicken.
(trailer door slams)
Rabbits will do just fine.
- You want me to go back?
- No, it's late. You did good.
Besides, you wanna
borrow a chicken
from one of these
farms around here,
best wait till after midnight.
You get into any trouble
when you was out there?
- No, sir.
- You talk to anyone?
- I just stayed
here in the forest.
- It's better that way.
Some of these locals
will drive you nuts,
you know, shut down their first
question or two just right.
Where you going? Where you from?
They want the whole story.
- Just mind my own business
when I'm out there.
- You got your head on straight.
How you doing for ammo? I
just got a delivery from Rex.
- Well, I think I'm-
- James?
- [Mary] Is Adam here yet?
- He's coming, Mary,
but he got rabbits.
I told him to get rabbits.
- [Mary] Rabbits
will do just fine.
- Go on inside.
Help your mother.
Gonna wash up.
(trailer door slams)
- Okay, but hurry up.
- Should I butcher these now?
- Oh, love, you can
just leave them out.
We'll skin 'em after supper.
- Hey, Mary, what,
was that hot water
when, when you took a shower?
- Yes,
there was for a minute,
but then I forgot to
tell you that it stopped.
- Just lemme know next time.
- I will.
- Oh, James?
- Yeah.
- I got a fire on the stove,
so how's that supposed
to make sense?
- I don't know.
- Is it connected?
- Mary, you're asking
questions I don't understand.
I'm just a man, you
know? Just a man.
- How was it today, Adam?
- Same as usual, I guess.
- Same as usual.
Well, the last time
you had that tone,
you walked in this
house with a black eye.
Now you can "same as
usual" me all you want,
but I know my Adam.
- Telling him how it
was, all my traps work.
- Well, that's good.
Father taught you good then?
- Yeah.
What's your reason
for coming in here
without a proper hello?
That's better.
- Hey, I'm sorry I couldn't
get you a chicken tonight.
- Don't be sorry about
something like that, Adam.
Rabbits will do just fine.
- I think the McKibben's
might have seen me last time.
- Did you tell your father?
- No.
- Okay.
- Well, don't mention it to him.
And if he asks you
to go there again,
you just tell him that you will.
I'll tell you where
another farm is.
- Okay, sir.
- Okay. James?
- Coming.
- Oh, can't you wear
a shirt to the table?
Next time.
- Best there is.
- Hmm, thanks, love.
- How's yours then?
- Perfect.
- Too hot?
- Nope.
- [James] What'd
you use to catch it?
- You know, just a carrot
trail in the boxes.
- Full bag of carrots?
- Oh no, just a few of 'em
cut up across the path.
I think the mother
rabbit was there
when I came for
the cage this time.
- [James] Oh yeah.
She was waiting.
- Yeah. Yeah.
Sort of staring through to
the kid and then she just ran.
But I let that one go
free, you know, I felt bad.
- She'll have plenty
more of that bunny.
Don't feel bad next
time, you gotta eat.
- Mom?
- Yeah?
- Been thinking about something.
- Hmm, what's that?
- Well, I was wondering...
- You was wondering?
- If, I was wondering if maybe
you could tell me about my dad?
My first dad.
- What exactly you want to know?
- No, there's nothing to know.
- Well, I...
- No, your mother died
and then your father
left you in these woods.
- Just wanna know why.
- He left an infant in a basket.
Is that a father? Is that
a man you wanna meet?
- I'm sorry.
- This is your father.
This is the man that raised you.
We'll have rabbits tomorrow.
(gun firing on TV)
(tense music playing on TV)
- [Man on TV] Go
around the other side.
Try to sneak up behind
him. I'll cover you.
(gun firing on TV)
(tense music playing on TV)
(orchestral music playing on TV)
(gun firing on TV)
(cicadas buzzing)
(owl hooting)
- What you doing?
- Just making your favorites.
You're being all sweet.
- I'm always sweet.
- Mm, hmm.
(owl hooting in the distance)
(trailer door slams)
- Flashlights!
- Get in there, now. Now!
- This is private property!
Y'all are trespassing!
- [The Bounty Hunter] You're
wanted for violent crimes
across three states.
We got a warrant and we
know you got a boy in there.
So let's not do
nothing stupid, James.
(gun fires)
Here's a warning shot.
- Mary, no!
(gun fires)
(guns firing)
- Dad.
(guns firing)
Dad.
(guns firing)
(gun fires)
(guns firing)
(gun fires)
- [The Bounty Hunter] Damn.
Go ahead.
(cicadas buzzing)
Let's see, is this
the kid's room?
He's gone. Must have ran away.
All right, that's it, boys,
he said dead or alive.
Let's take what we can.
Get the car and the ammo.
Promised Rex's guns back.
(cicadas buzzing)
All right, come on, let's get.
Get them bodies outta here.
Yeah.
(cicadas buzzing)
(emotional music begins)
(birds chirping)
(leaves rustling)
(easy mood guitar music begins)
(train horn blaring)
(easy mood guitar
music continues)
(bell chiming)
- [Rex] How can I help you, kid?
- I need a pistol.
- [Rex] A pistol?
- [Adam] The Ruger Blackhawk.
- You got cash for
a pistol like that?
- [Adam] Can I see
that Schofield?
- Got a good eye, kid.
- Now it's loaded.
Empty the register, Rex.
Now where's the car?
(dog barking in the distance)
(train horn blaring
in the distance)
(dogs barking)
(rock music begins)
(car door slams)
(dogs barking)
(rock music continues)
(car door slams)
(disco music playing)
- [Adam] Hey, is
there a manager here?
- Who are you? And what
are you doing in here?
- [Adam] I'm, I'm
looking for someone.
- Who are you looking for?
- [Adam] Jacob Waterson.
- What about him?
- Does he own this place?
- [Bartender] What
is this about?
- It's private.
- Private?
- He doesn't like
people coming here
asking questions
about what happened.
- Listen, I don't think I know
what you're talking about.
I'm, I'm here for
something different.
- You're not here to
help some journalists?
- No, no, no, no, no, no
way, I'm not, I promise, I,
I just need to talk with him.
- Anybody seen Crystal?
- I hear my name.
- Hey, Crystal.
- Tell me love, what's up?
- Who's the kid?
- [Bartender] This is, um...
- I'm Adam.
- Hello, Adam.
- [Crystal] What are you doing
in a stripper dressing room?
- [Bartender] He's
looking for Jake.
- Hell's he want with Jake?
- I don't, he's saying-
- [Crystal] You know, he
don't want no riff-raff
coming around here.
- He's my father.
- [Adam] Just need
to talk to him.
- He's in prison.
- What'd he do?
- Head down there.
And you ask him whatever
you need to ask him.
And give him this.
Give him a drink.
- [Adam] Thank you.
(car engine roaring)
- Don't touch the glass.
- I was, was wondering if
maybe you could help me.
- I'm wondering that too.
You're on the visitors list?
- Probably not.
I'm looking for my, my father.
I think he might be
staying here, this prison.
- You think your father may
be staying here. Like a hotel?
Okay, what's your father's name?
- Jacob Waterson.
- Jacob Waterson?
Jacob Waterson. Jacob Waterson.
Wakowski, Watson,
Jacob Waterson.
Hey, Charles?
- Yes, dear?
This kid wants to talk
to Jacob Waterson.
- Who you here to see again?
- Jacob Waterson. Didn't
that lady just tell you?
- Just wondering if you
was a relative or whatnot.
- I'm not sure.
- Not sure? Okay.
(cell door slams)
(violin music begins)
(cell door slams)
(violin music continues)
- Do I know you?
- Just wanna ask you
a couple questions?
- Questions about what?
- About you?
- Charles, is this for real?
- [Charles] What do
I know, Waterson,
I just bring you
where they tell me.
- Crystal said you'd be here.
- Crystal?
- Yeah, Crystal from the club.
She, she said to
bring you a kiss.
- You messing with me, kid?
- No I'm not.
- Why were you in my club?
- Looking for you?
- [Jacob 1] What do
you want with me?
What the hell did I do?
- Are you married?
- Charles, what is this?
- [Charles] Hey kid, do
you wanna hurry it up?
- [Adam] Come on, just
answer the question.
- I was married, but
I'm not married now.
What about it?
- To Crystal?
- To Crystal. Yeah.
- And did you have children?
- No.
- Why not?
- Look, you're wearing
out my patience here.
Be straight with me.
- I'm looking for my father.
- You serious?
Hey look, I'm not
your guy, kid. Sorry.
Definitely not.
- And how do I know
you're telling the truth?
You didn't sleep with someone
and didn't know what happened.
- How old are you? Twelve?
- [Adam] I'm 14.
- I've been locked
up for 17 years.
Look, I was raised
by a single mother,
I know what it's like.
And if I could find my
father now and meet him,
I'd put a bullet between
his teeth, believe me.
I'll tell you one thing,
when you find that
prick that left you,
you don't let him off easy.
You let him have it.
Takes a real piece of trash
to leave a kid like that.
I'd come with you to
find him if I could.
- Thanks.
- [Jacob 1] Where's
your mom in all this?
- Dead.
- Oh geez.
So what's the idea? You
got a name and that's it?
- Yep, Jacob Waterson.
- [Jacob 1] How many
more on the list?
- I got two more.
- Well, you gotta
be glad it ain't me.
Not the ideal place
to meet your father.
- I don't know.
What'd you do to go to jail?
- Doesn't matter, kid.
Just go find the guy
you're looking for.
Hey, you make sure
he explains himself.
- You done?
- Yep.
- Hey.
We were supposed to have a kin,
but we lost it.
(somber music playing)
- Come on!
Come-
(car door slams)
Hey!
Open the door!
(pickup door slams)
Drive.
I, I promise I got good reason
coming in here like this, okay?
- What? What is that?
- Immigrants.
- Immigrants?
- Immigrants.
(conversing in Spanish)
- What, what is he saying?
- They need to...
- What?
- They need to pee.
- Hey man, look, I'm,
I'm sorry about the gun.
I just, I...
My car broke down and I
need to get where I'm going.
Is it far?
- It's very far.
Don't worry, I take you.
- Do you travel across the
border with these guys?
- No, they come
over by themself.
Then I help on the other side.
- Must be a crazy trip for them.
- You have no idea, my friend.
It's a one-way ticket.
You go in and you have no
idea if you're gonna come out.
When I did it, they told us
we're gonna be walking four,
five hours, six, maximum.
Five days later, we
still in the desert.
You gotta climb up
and down those hills.
It's so hard to be
climbing those hills.
If I could tell people back
home, I would tell 'em,
"Don't even try it,
don't even dare try it."
These people, they
just totally naive.
That's why I'm helping
these guys in the truck.
- Yeah, well, 'cause
you know what it's like.
- 'Cause I know what it's like.
So who are you
visiting in this place?
- Oh, trying to meet my father.
Never met him.
- Oh wow. Not even a picture?
- Nope. Not even a picture.
Sometimes, I think, everyone
I meet could be my mom or dad
if they're old enough.
But I know it's stupid
'cause she's dead.
But even, you know, younger
people could be my brother
or sister.
You never know.
- Here it is.
I hope you find your father.
- Thanks.
- Hey, kid?
- Yeah?
- Listen, here's
what you're gonna do.
You're gonna go in there
and you're gonna
say you're traveling
and you need a place
to stay and some food.
And when you see they
liken you, you say,
"Hey, I think you're my father."
You know what I'm saying?
- Yeah, yeah. That makes sense.
- Yeah, 'cause they're gonna
like you. So it's gonna work.
(chain rattling)
- Oh Lord, goodness.
- I'm sorry, I didn't
mean to frighten you.
- Well, hello, young man. You
certainly did frighten me.
- Hi there, I'm, I'm Adam.
- Rebecca Waterson.
How are you?
Do you need some help?
- Well, yeah, I've
been been traveling
and I was wondering if
maybe I could stay here
for the night.
You know, I haven't had a
good meal in a long time.
I'd be willing to
help out on the farm.
- So you've been
traveling all alone?
Your mother must
be worried sick.
- Yeah, I, I guess so.
- Adam, I think you've
come to the right place.
My daughters are about to
pick some supper any minute.
And you look like you
could use a good bath.
Oh my, you really did
frighten me there.
My heart is still pounding.
Hey children, come on over
here, come and say hello.
This here is Adam.
- Hello, Adam.
- Hello, Adam.
- Hi there. Nice to meet you.
- All right, it's time
to prepare for supper.
Go on.
Come on, Adam, I'll
show you where Jacob is.
You can ask him if you
can stay the night.
- Yeah. Yes, please.
(peaceful music begins)
- There he is.
Well, go on, go
introduce yourself.
I'll be in the kitchen.
- Okay. Thanks
Sir?
- [Jacob 2] Hello
there, young man.
- Jacob Waterson?
- That's me.
- I'm Adam, very nice
to meet you, sir.
- [Jacob 2] Adam, what?
- I'm sorry?
- [Jacob 2] Adam, what?
Do you have a last name?
- Johnson.
- [Jacob 2] Well, what
brings you out here, Adam?
- Well, you see, I, I was
traveling and, and Rebecca,
your wife, Mrs. Waterson,
she, she said it'd be all
right if I stayed the night.
- [Jacob 2] Where
are you headed to?
- My father's house.
- I see.
Well, if it's okay by
Rebecca, it's fine by me.
- Thank you very much, sir.
Were you always a farmer?
- My whole life. Born
and raised on this farm.
- Is your family always here?
- My father was just a
boy when Black Sunday hit
and he watched his daddy
work through a cloud of dust,
cloud of darkness, just
trying to make ends meet.
It was like a plague.
Nothing short of the wrath
of God pushing that dust.
When he got older,
he bought this place
with all the money he had
and he worked hard to fix it up.
That's how I was taught, if
it's daylight out, we work.
This year's been tough, though.
And I can't help but wonder why
what it is we're doing wrong.
Are we being foolish
in the fields?
If I sin in some way,
made some mistake,
or if I could just understand
it a little bit better,
if I could just understand
what's making God
change his mind.
- You think he's mad at you
for something you
did a long time ago?
- I don't know,
Adam. I wish I knew.
Now cursed is the
ground because of you,
through suffering,
shall you eat it
all the days of your life.
Thorns and thistles
shall it sprout for you
and you shall eat the
herb of the field.
By the sweat of your brow,
shall you eat bread until
you return to the ground
from which you were taken,
or you are dust and to
dust you shall return.
- What's your favorite
Bible verse, Adam?
- I've never read the Bible.
- [Abraham] Then what do
they teach you in school?
- I don't go to school.
- I didn't go to school either.
- Like to learn, though.
- It's never too late.
Do you know who that Bible
passage was about, Adam?
- No.
- [Rebecca] It was about Adam,
the very first
man in this world.
- He didn't have parents?
- No, he didn't.
- He came first.
- Thank you so much
for all of this.
I really appreciate it.
I hope I haven't been
too much of a burden.
You see, I...
- Our pleasure, Adam.
(knocking at the door)
All right, here you go.
If you need anything
else, let me know.
- Perfect. This is straight.
Thanks Dad.
Oh, I'm sorry.
- You're welcome, Adam.
- Mr. Waterson?
- Yes, Adam?
- Did you ever have
any other children?
- [Jacob 2] No. No one else?
- Okay. Yeah.
- Sleep well.
- [Adam] Good night.
- Just curious,
why you asked me that?
- I'm just looking for
someone, that's all.
- Goodnight, Adam.
- Good night.
- [Jacob 2] Good night,
Abraham, say your prayers.
- Good night.
Please, God, help me to
be stronger tomorrow.
Help me to be good in your eyes.
Help me to be useful to
my father on his farm.
And help me more tomorrow
than you did today.
And I'll do my best.
(peaceful music begins)
- Please, God,
thank you so that this Jacob
really is my father.
Make it so that he had a
good reason to leave me.
Wasn't his fault.
Please, I, I won't ever
use my pistol ever again.
Just, please.
- Good morning, Adam,
this is Sheriff Daniels.
- Nice to meet you.
- Likewise.
Now, Adam, I was wondering if
we could have a word with you
about a few things.
- Okay, sure. You need
me to come with you?
- Think that would be best.
- Okay. Can I at
least grab my things?
- Go ahead. We'll
meet you out front.
- Okay, thanks.
- Sheriff, I'll walk you out.
(birds chirping)
Sheriff, y'all get
calls like this often?
- Yeah, we do, quite often.
- [Jacob 2] Where
does he go from here?
- I don't know, we'll
take him down to county.
(birds chirping)
(upbeat guitar music begins)
- Come on, man, come on!
Stop!
(upbeat guitar music continues)
(cicadas buzzing)
(birds chirping)
(birds chirping)
(gentle guitar music begins)
(easy mood music playing)
(upbeat music begins)
- Oh my.
- You Jacob Waterson?
- Yes, I am. And
who might you be?
- I'm Adam Waterson.
I think I'm your son.
- No.
No, you're not my son.
- I'm not?
I only have three
Jacob, ah, here.
Ah, I already met the other two.
Thank you.
- Oh.
- Come on inside. Let's
get you something to eat.
Oh, you're missing one?
- I am?
- Yep.
His name is...
Jacob Waterson Jr.
I know that,
because he's my son.
That's my compass, you know.
I've been wondering
where the hell it went.
So,
my Jacob left you behind,
is that right?
- Yeah, yeah. Long time ago.
- That's a damn shame.
Foolish thing to do.
And the chickens always
come home to roost.
- Yeah.
- Well, I take it
you've got personality,
coming all the way out here.
That's one thing
you got from me.
- What's that?
- You're restless until you
find what you're looking for.
You know, this world
isn't settling yet.
I promise you that.
There is no settling down.
I ran away from home years ago,
but I took my home with me.
That's my weakness.
I love my things.
- And this house is beautiful.
- Mm, yeah. I built it with
my bare hands for my wife.
But where we lived,
well, we just didn't fit.
We were different, I suppose.
But this was my home and I said,
"Honey, I'm taking it with me."
And so we spent the rest of
our time together on the move,
looking for a place to settle,
looking for a place to
set down some roots.
- Is she the, the
one in the paintings?
- Yes, she is.
That's your grandmother.
Painted these when I had
steadier hands. She was special.
I had my eye on her a long time.
She was a good looking gal.
Had a hard time
winning her over.
She was, she was tough.
Very popular. Always
10 minutes late.
Oh, I miss her always.
- When did she die?
- She'd been gone 14 years.
But I miss her like
the first day she died.
And after that, I didn't
feel like traveling much.
Just set the house
down right here.
Haven't moved since.
That's when I started
making the paintings.
But memory mostly.
Each one is from another
time I looked at her.
So yeah, I miss her, but
I know where she's at.
I'll probably be there soon.
- Grandpa?
Could you tell me
things about my dad?
- I have a picture.
The story of the world
is in this room, Adam.
This is the only one I have.
- He looks like me.
- He does.
This was right
before he ran away.
- He ran away?
- Yeah, I upset him.
It was my fault.
But he never came back.
I finally found out
where he's been living,
but I haven't had the
courage to show up,
114 East Avenue.
- You should come with me.
- Come with you?
- Yeah, we should go together.
- I don't know.
(upbeat cheerful music begins)
(glass shattering)
I wish I knew more about heaven.
What could come
after all of this?
How could it be any better?
I mean, look at these
paintings. Look at these books.
Listen to this music.
Well, I get to take
it all with me.
(banjo strumming)
I like that note.
You know, on the other side
of this canyon is a stream,
and at the end of that stream,
there's some train tracks,
and those tracks lead to a
nice little neighborhood.
That's where your father
will be, 114 East Avenue.
- You think he'll like me?
- Well, he's a lot like me.
I like you very much.
- Do you have any, do you
have any stories about him?
- I got some.
It hurts my heart a little
too much to think about him.
Maybe once he and I make
things right between us,
then I can tell you a whole lot.
- Just a little
confused, I guess.
- [Jacob 3] What about?
- Everyone has their
own way of, of living,
but no one really knows
anything for sure.
And everyone's struggling
one way or another.
- I should have taken
this trip a long time ago.
In the Big Rock
Candy Mountains
There's a land that's
fair and bright
Oh, the handouts
grow on bushes
And you sleep
out every night
Oh, the boxcars
all are empty
And the sun shines every day
I'm going to go where
the rain, no snow
Where they hung the
jerk who invented work
In the Big Rock
Candy Mountain
Alice, is there music in heaven?
(peaceful music playing)
- Right here in the
middle of nowhere.
I just had an
accident, but I'm okay.
I just want to come home.
- Every man...
- I did a lot, Adam.
- Deserves to know who
he is in this world.
- [Prisoner] It's easy
to think you're king
when you take
things from people.
- [James] Where you come
from, where he's going.
- And then one day you
realize that you're not happy.
- [James] So there it is.
- And do something you regret
for the rest of your life.
- I'm not real your father.
- They cuff your hands.
- [James] Mary's not
your real mother.
- [Prisoner] Then
the party's over.
(cell door slams)
- You shall not taunt
or oppress a stranger.
For you are strangers
in the land of Egypt.
For if he shall cry out to me,
I shall surely hear his outcry.
- Find something beautiful,
Adam, and hold it tight.
(peaceful music playing)
(birds chirping)
- I don't remember
falling asleep.
We should, we should get going.
Hey, grandpa?
(birds chirping)
(birds chirping)
(peaceful guitar music begins)
(peaceful guitar
music continues)
(knocking at the door)
- Hi.
- Hello. Is this Jacob
Waterson Jr's house?
- Yes it is. I'm
sorry, have we met?
- I don't, I don't
think we have.
- [Linda] What is this about?
- Is Jacob home?
- He's not. Are you sure
you have the right person?
- He's my father.
- I'm sorry, I think
you're mistaken.
Boys, this is....
- Um, I'm Adam.
- Adam, meet Dylan.
And this is baby Adam.
Why don't we go
talk in the kitchen?
- He ever mention me?
- No.
- So this is a surprise
for you too then?
- You could say that.
- I came a very long
way to get here.
- I'm sorry.
I guess he owes me a big
explanation when he gets home.
- Not before I get one.
(peaceful music begins)
(upbeat music begins)
(crowd chattering)
(trumpet playing begins)
- See a lot of new faces in
the room here this evening.
Nothing makes me happier.
Nothing makes me prouder.
In fact, I look forward to
meeting every one of you
during our young professionals
meet experienced entrepreneurs
cocktail mixer later tonight.
Because as I look around
this room here today,
as I look around,
I see nothing but talent.
But what I wonder about is,
how many of you
see the same thing?
How many of you
think of yourselves
when I say there is nothing
but talent in this room?
How many of you are
saying to yourselves,
"No, not me, he
must be mistaken.
This is a room full
of talent, minus one."
Ladies and gentlemen,
as you may know,
I, myself, have been a
victim of discouragement.
I, myself, have been there.
I, myself, have been down,
have been about as
low as a man can get.
Served my country,
lost some good friends,
and was badly injured.
I was told I would
never walk again.
But I wouldn't accept that.
(audience clapping)
You see, there's a reason why
I'm not currently being visited
by several elementary
schoolers in a hospital room.
There's a reason
why I am not pitied.
And that reason is
because I have never
and will never back down.
I will never surrender.
Another day comes and I say,
here I am.
Let's hear it. Here I am!
- Here I am!
(audience clapping and cheering)
- Okay now, now we're gonna play
a little speed networking game,
and then we can talk
about confidence,
about being assertive,
and how to get what
you want out of life,
and how to make the sale no
matter what life throws at you.
Let's get started.
(upbeat music begins)
Okay, guys, now here's
how this is gonna work.
Each of you is a professional.
Each of you has a business
or service to pitch to a
potential client or customer.
You better have your
business pitch ready,
because when the buzzer sounds,
you're gonna have 60 seconds
to introduce yourself
to the person across from you
without mentioning your name,
and explain what it is
you do for a living.
Then when the
buzzer sounds again,
you're gonna scoot your
butts over one seat
and start over to the left.
I'm gonna keep going
this way around the table
until each of you has met
every person in this room.
Does it sound good?
Okay, let's do this.
And 3, 2, 1.
(buzzer beeps)
(upbeat music continues)
- [Adam] I guess you're right.
- Right. Okay, well,
I'm in real estate.
Been doing that for
about six months,
and I'm currently studying
to take my broker's license.
- Nice. So what does that mean?
- Right. Well, I help people
find homes, basically.
Mainly apartments and
emerging markets. But-
- You make a decent
living doing that?
- Yeah. It could definitely
be better though.
My girlfriend's been bugging
me to propose for a while,
and I'm just not ready
to go near that subject
without the right income.
- So you're not married?
You, you don't have kids?
- No. No wife yet.
No kids. But I definitely
want kids one day.
What about you?
Why are you here?
What do you do?
- Oh, I'm actually not
a businessman at all.
I'm just here to find my father.
He abandoned me
when my mother died.
And now I'd like to
have a word with him.
- My goodness.
- Yeah.
- You, you think he's, he's
here at this conference?
- Yeah, he's in here somewhere.
(buzzer beeps)
It's nice to meet you.
- Good luck with that.
- Thank you.
- Well, hello there.
This is fun, isn't it?
- Sure is.
- So do you want to pitch first?
- Oh, no, no, go ahead.
- Well, I've been hired
as a representative
for a bridge lending platform.
Now what that means is
I work for a company
that lends people money
and then charges
interest on that amount.
People that, say, want to
buy a house or a property
but can't get a
loan from the bank
because they've got bad
credit or that sort of thing.
- Right, well, I'm
definitely not in the market
to buy a house,
but I'd, I'd love to hear
more about you personally.
- Sure. What would
you like to know?
- Well, what's your name?
- I, I, I thought we're
not supposed to...
- Oh, yeah.
(buzzer beeps)
- Well, it was nice to meet you.
- Thank you, nice
to meet you too.
- Good luck with that.
- Thank you.
- Hey there, kid.
- So, tell me about yourself.
- Well, I am
independent sales rep,
which means I travel the
country selling products
on behalf of all
kinds of companies.
- Sounds like a great
way to support a family.
- I do my best to pay the bills.
- So what are you hoping to
get out of this conference?
- Oh, that is a good question.
I suppose like network
and potentially meet
new business partners.
You know, you never know
who you're gonna meet
at one of these things, right?
- Right.
- Couldn't agree more.
So, do you have children?
- I do.
And, and what are their names?
- Oh, well, Dylan, she's four.
And then there's, then
there's my little one, Adam.
- Hmm, that's it. There's,
there's no one else.
- I'm sorry, I don't understand.
- I've been looking for
you for a very long time.
(crowd chattering
in the background)
- Adam?
- Why did you leave me?
- What?
- Why did you leave me?
- I didn't leave you.
You were taken from us.
- What do you mean?
- Adam, you were taken
from us, the hospital.
There was a note.
I remember every word.
"There's no forgiving
what I've done,
but I did it so that my
wife could be a mother.
I promise you this,
I will raise your
boy to be strong,
so that one day
he'll do whatever it
takes to find you.
I'll forever be in pain
so long as your
son is in my house.
But I will sleep at
night knowing that
one day
he will be home again.
And when that day comes,
tell him that I love him,
and that I will miss him
all the days of my life.
But a man can't know
where he's going
until he knows
where he is from."
Adam,
I've been carrying that
around for 14 years.
- What am I supposed to do?
Who am I supposed to be?
- I don't know. I don't know.
Your mother and I,
we did our best to
survive what happened,
but we could never look
each other in the eyes,
pretend to smile after that.
We didn't want it to be.
But after that, things
were just different.
Your mother wanted to
be on Broadway once,
but not anymore.
It just wasn't the same,
and seemed like the best thing
was to go our separate ways.
Try to start over.
I moved to another town, took
whatever job I could find.
She got a job at
an amusement park.
She works long days,
and on weekends,
she's a waitress,
karaoke restaurant.
And every night at the
start of her shift,
she sings the same song.
And she's never late.
I don't iron his shirts
I don't sew on his buttons
I don't know all
the jokes he tells
Or the songs he knows
Oh, I may hold him
All through the night
He may not be here
When the morning comes
I don't pick out his ties
Or expect his tomorrows
But I feel he's in my arms
He's where he wants to be
We have enough memories
Bitter sweet with time
And I doubt if he spends
New Years Eve with me
I don't share his name
I don't wear his ring
There's no piece of paper
Saying that he's mine
But he says he loves me
And I believe it's true
Doesn't that make someone
Belong to you
So I don't share his name
So I don't wear his ring
So there's no piece of paper
Saying that he's mine
So we don't have
the memories
I have enough memories
I've washed enough mornings
I've dried enough evenings
I've had enough birthdays
to know what I want
Life is anyone's guess
It's a constant surprise
Though you don't
plan to fall in love
When you falling far
I'd rather have
fifty percent of him
Or any percent of him
Than all of anybody else
At all
(patrons clapping)
- All right, what
are you looking for?
(peaceful music playing)
(peaceful music continues)
(easy mood guitar music playing)