Brutal Season (2023) Movie Script

1
- [Nathan] We'd like to thank
you for attending our show,
for allowing us to tell
you our modest story.
Before we begin, I want
to tell you a few things
you probably already know.
This film, everything
you are about to see,
is entirely and utterly
artificial.
It's untrue.
We discuss this seemingly
unnecessary detail
for the simple reason that our
production is quite modest.
So I'll ask you to fill in the
gaps, to imagine the details,
to decide which untruths should
be true
and which untruths should be
untrue.
Imagine that this is not a
soundstage
but the apartment of
Louis and Gayle Trouth,
located in the Red Hook
neighborhood of Brooklyn, New
York.
We are now not in the 21st
century
but, instead, the summer of
World War II is now over,
writers around the world
relishing their own ennui,
Jimmy Stewart is quite
famous, and so on and so on.
Now, with this bit of
business out of the way,
I'd like to introduce to you our
players.
Luke Keeglan is Officer Lutz.
(gentle music)
Danny Sumatro is Officer Ray.
Greg Lewis is Ivan Barnett.
(gentle music continues)
Mike Glowell is Agent Randy
Hawkes.
Liz Lowry is Marianne Trouth.
(gentle music continues)
Ike Davis is Charles Trouth.
(match scratches)
Justin Horde is Louis Trouth Jr.
(gentle music continues)
Jim Dustin is Louis Trouth Sr.
(gentle music continues)
Finally, Linda Barnett plays
Gayle Trouth.
My name is Nathan Adaloo.
I'm your narrator, but this is
the last you'll hear from me.
(mysterious music)
(light clicks)
(mysterious music continues)
(light clicks)
(door opens)
(door closes)
(mysterious music continues)
- I swear, it's getting closer.
Only just a little, too.
You could hardly notice it..
..but I do.
Every year, it creeps
in just a bit closer.
Soon, it'll be right at our
stoop.
It'll be like, (chuckles) it'll
be like we live in Venice.
(Gayle chuckles)
Wouldn't that be something?
Oh, I suppose it would take
centuries.
I wonder, though, did
the seamen notice it?
Does it matter?
Ugh, to think of the noise
they'll bring..
..can't bear it.
(ship horn blaring)
Louis.
- I've said it before. It
doesn't move.
You just think it does, but it
doesn't.
It, well, it just simply can't.
It's all a matter of
perspective, I suppose.
- Oh, you hardly notice a thing.
You'd starve before you
remembered breakfast.
No, for years, I've stood by
this window with my cup of tea
and watched as it moved in.
It moves in the summer, and I
notice.
- It's a fixed structure,
Gayle. It doesn't move.
It isn't a beach or a shore
or anything like that.
It's a harbor. It doesn't move.
In a hundred years, it
wouldn't move an inch.
- [Gayle] Oh, what do you know
about it?
- Christ, Gayle, would you move
away
from the window, already?
You're blocking the breeze.
(ship horn blaring)
(newspaper rustling)
(newspaper clatters)
I can't stand it.
(Louis groans)
Is Charles still asleep?
- [Gayle] Mm, suppose so.
- I don't know how he can do it.
That side of the apartment,
it's insufferable.
- [Gayle] He's a young
man, heat can't lick him.
- Ah. It's an ole bum, that one.
If I can't stand it, I'm afraid
the boy's a puddle by now.
- [Charlie] A bum, huh?
- [Louis] That's right. An ole
bum!
There may be rain or darkness
too
I won't complain, I'll see it
through
Poverty, may come to me, it's
true
- [Charlie] Morning, Ma.
But what care, I say, I'll get
by
As long as I have you
- And yet what another
beautiful morning serenade
from Wilma and Stoney.
Hey, you're off routine.
Shouldn't you be in the pictures
by now?
- Ah, I missed the early
afternoon show.
- [Louis] Missed your show, huh?
- Mm.
- So, now you're stuck
with the old folks.
(Louis grunting)
- Get outta here.
- Hey, hey, hey, hey, watch it,
Charles.
(Louis coughing)
- I'm fine, Ma.
I mean, you worry about
me while the old man
over here's on his last, dyin'
breath.
(Louis continues coughing)
Jeez, Pop, are you all right?
- You need a glass of water,
dear?
- Ah, I'm fine.
Must've been some (clears
throat)
steam from a ship I caught at
the window.
Damned ships get bigger every
year.
- Where's Marianne?
- Ah, she frisked off with
that boy again this morning.
About an hour ago. She'll be
home soon.
- Who's ever heard of a
breakfast date?
- Oh, I'm surprised you've
heard of a date at all.
(Charlie and Gayle chuckling)
What's to know?
- Ah, says here, the
crime rate's been risin'.
Says it's 'cause of the heat.
- Crime? What kinda crime?
- Violent ones.
- Oh, God.
Who would do such a thing?
- [Louis] Charles, hand me the
listings, will you, please?
- Hmm, dunno. Says here,
"crimes of passion."
Guess 'cause of the heat and
all.
People get, you know, cooked up.
- Any luck, dear?
- [Louis] Huh? What was that?
- [Gayle] I said, "Any luck?"
- Oh.
Ah, nah.
Nothin' lines up.
See, here's a place, good
people, a good cause,
chief sanitations position
for a school district.
You see, that's something
I could find value in,
but 30 bucks a week.
Shows the importance we place on
kids.
Here's another place for $45 a
week,
but I'd be mopping up
after some bigwig bum
and his hoard of "yes, sirs."
They list it here as
"maintenance."
(Gayle chuckles)
Can you believe that?
Nah, there's no spirit in that.
Ah, nothin' lines up.
- Oh, something will come,
Pop. You can be sure of it.
- [Gayle] That's right.
- Ah. The position's
not what it used to be.
It's changed. There's no soul in
it.
You'll find that,
Charles, as you get older.
People will try to tear your
body from your soul, you hear?
You have to be strong.
Our bodies, well, they're
depreciating investments.
You value your soul carefully.
(door opens)
I'm just glad I realized that
before-
(door closes)
- Ah, there she is.
- Marianne! Is that you, girl?
- Who else would it be?
Christ, it's hotter in
here than it is outside.
- [Gayle] It's not so bad in the
kitchen.
- [Louis] Oh, you didn't
ask the boy to come in?
- [Marianne] Nah, he had work.
- You know, we'd like to meet
him.
- That is, if the bigwig doctor
has time.
- [Marianne] He's going to be a
doctor.
He still has a couple
of months before he-
- Well, maybe he'll get
to meet us first.
I thought by now-
- [Marianne] Christ, we've
only been going together
a couple of months.
What's the rush, huh?
Christ, I'm sick of this city.
- [Gayle] Don't say that.
- It's the best city in the
world.
- Yeah?
I'd hate to see what it's
like to find a decent job
in your average American city.
- It's just a bad week for
it, dear. Somethin' will come.
Louis, ham or liverwurst?
- Nothing for me.
I'm gonna stretch my legs.
Take a walk by the docks.
Later, I'm supposed to see an
old friend over at Eddie's.
Maybe he knows of something's
come up.
- You have to eat.
- Nah, I've got no stomach this
morning.
Don't know what it is.
Something feels...
(Louis chuckles)
- [Charlie] Need an asprin, Pop?
- Nah, a little fresh air will
do me good.
I'll be back soon.
- Put a decent shirt on first.
You know, in case somethin' does
come up.
- Right.
And you. Quit hoggin' that
breeze.
And stop lookin' at those
sailors.
- [Gayle] Really, Marianne.
- Oh, what's it to you?
There's nothin' else to do
around here.
Besides, it's not a bad view,
either.
- [Gayle] They're filthy.
Cut it out, have a seat.
- You know, I've begun to
suspect
that some of 'em aren't
exactly on the level, you know?
I mean, all sorts of characters
go in and outta that harbor.
Have you seen 'em?
Who knows what they're pullin'?
- You gotta stop going
to the pictures, Charles.
What do you expect? The kid
lives off bread and movies.
- Yeah, I'm gonna get a job
this summer. Help out Pop.
- [Gayle] Don't rush it. You
can start lookin' next year.
Your father will find somethin'.
- [Charlie] I ain't made of
glass, Ma, I-
- [Marianne] Ha!
- He didn't eat a bite of
cereal, either.
(ship horn blares)
Something's on his mind.
- [Charlie] Ah, he's just
getting older.
- [Marianne] He's stressed about
work.
- He knows you want to go to
college.
You should just tell him
you don't stand a chance
and save him the stress.
- Maybe it's the heat.
(suspenseful music)
- So, how do I look now?
(chuckles)
You'd hire me, wouldn't you,
boy?
- Oh, sure, Pop. I'd hire you in
a second.
(Louis chuckles)
- Sure you would.
I'm off.
(gentle music)
(tongue clicks)
(door closes)
- Mm. Look at that man go.
I wouldn't be surprised
if he had 10 job offers
by the end of the week.
Still, something about your
father not having an appetite...
Now where are you goin'?
- There's a one o'clock at the
Apollo.
It's the new Jimmy Stewart
flick, it's about a murder.
I think I can make it.
- Dark, cool theater does
sound nice right now.
- [Gayle] Why don't you join
him?
- Nah.
Say, if Pop's really stressed
about money,
why don't we just move out
of this God forsaken city?
It's so expensive.
Ah, it's no use.
- [Gayle] He's tryin' as hard as
he can.
It's a decent living he's
lookin' for.
- Yeah, well, no one's
dolin' out those around here.
- You suppose Charles is
right, about the cargo?
Never thought about it,
but it could be true.
Anything could be in those
ships.
I've read about life on sea-
- You've read about it?
- Yeah, I've read about it.
Yes.
- What have you read?
- That's what I was trying to
tell you.
Many of them, the sailors and
all,
many of them are on the lamb.
From the police or, or
foreign governments.
- Foreign governments?
- Of course. Oh, Marianne,
most of them aren't American.
You can hear them.
I don't know what it is.
Swahili?
All summer long, miles of docks
wait
for the strangest cargo
and even stranger men.
- [Marianne] Yeah, well,
they seem fine to me.
- Marianne, don't tell me
you actually speak to them?
- A few of 'em say hi now and
then.
What's it to ya? They're nice.
- Don't tell your father.
- You kiddin'? What would he
care?
Sometimes, I swear, you
don't even know the man.
- Mm.
- Hearts.
- You want to put on some music?
(record player clacking)
(static crackling)
(record player clicks)
(lively samba music)
Does it always have to
be this world music?
Can you not find something
everyone likes to listen to?
What about Frank Sinatra?
- He's part of the world too,
no?
What suite?
- Uh, spades. You know what I
mean.
Something normal.
- When was the last
time you left Red Hook?
How would you know normal?
- Oh, I saw the cutest thing
today. Mm.
- Spades.
- Someone opened up a fire
hydrant
on the corner over in King
Street.
(children chattering)
Kids went nuts.
Reminded me of you three some
years ago.
- [Marianne] Hearts.
- You remember those days?
Mm. Summers didn't seem so hot
then.
- Not really.
(lively samba music continues)
- Goodness. You're gaining on
me.
You know what'd be swell?
If we made a big pitcher of
fresh lemonade
for when your father and brother
get home.
Wouldn't that be nice? Your
father would love that.
- Fine.
(lively samba music continues)
(water running)
(water sloshing)
(lemon juice splashing)
(ice cubes crackling)
(ice cubes clattering)
(Marianne humming)
- I swear, the racket gets
louder as the harbor gets...
(Gayle gasps)
- [Marianne] Ma?
What is it?
(gentle music)
Jeez, Ma, you're white as a
wedding cake.
What the matter?
(door opens)
Who is it?
(door closes)
- [Junior] Hey, Ma.
(gentle music continues)
- Junior.
Oh, my God, Junior.
I was so afraid.
- Here I am.
(Gayle laughs)
You look great, Ma.
Like the day I left.
- You're so, oh, you're so big.
You're like, like, like
your father. (laughs)
- I don't know about that.
By God, I thought it
would've changed more.
By God.
Little Mary?
Holy cow, I can't believe it.
Look at you. Oh, my God,
you were just a child!
But I suppose you don't
remember me too much, huh?
- Oh sure she does. Sure she
does.
She talks about you all the
time. We all do, Junior.
- Do you, Little Mary?
Do you talk about me?
- I guess so. I don't know.
- Well, you were so young, I
suppose.
Well, should we still call
you Little Mary, then?
Yeah, I think it still fits.
- You're here to stay, right,
Junior?
You aren't, you aren't,
you aren't leaving us again, are
you?
Oh! Please sit.
(Gayle chuckles)
We have so much to discuss.
Where have you been?
Why did you leave us, Junior?
Oh, I'm sure you have your
reasons.
It's just, it's been so hard
without you.
There's nothing-
- We'll get to it, Ma.
We'll get to it.
Yeah, you know, I figured it
would be a bit of a shock.
I considered writing,
but I guess I didn't
know what I would say.
It's been so long, after all.
Say, where's everybody else?
I thought I would make
some grand entrance.
Is Pop at work?
- Oh, no, no.
Not at work.
Your father is sort of
in-between jobs at the moment.
You know how he is. He's never
satisfied.
He led a strike at his
last place, in fact.
13 people quit at once.
Oh, I'd like to see the floors
of that slaughterhouse now.
I bet they're filthy.
- [Junior] So it's still
maintenance, is it?
- Sanitations, yes.
- So, if he isn't at work-
- Oh, he just went out to get
some air,
collect his thoughts.
- Then if I know my father,
he must be by the docks.
I'm surprised I didn't
pass him on my way in.
- That's right, though he did
say
he was gonna meet a
friend at Eddie's after.
- Of course. Of course.
And Charlie?
- He's at the pictures.
- Eights, huh?
(Gayle chuckles)
Is that still your game?
(Gayle laughs)
I'll have to play you later.
- [Gayle] Sure, Junior.
Anything you'd like.
- You play her?
That's good.
Charlie never could.
We'd lick him every time.
(Gayle and Junior laughing)
- I do all right.
- So what about you, Junior?
Where have you been all these
years?
I mean, what've you been doing?
- First, I went West.
Then I went South.
I picked up a lot of jobs. You
know, things here and there.
I was a bit nomadic before the
war.
- The war?
You went-
- Ah, well, for a time.
But before then, let's see...
San Bernardino. Yuma.
I was digging irrigation
ditches for a while.
I did a little bit of work on a
ranch.
My God, it is hot in here.
Is that...
May I have a glass?
- Oh, of course.
You have as much as you would
like.
Oh. Are you hungry?
I forgot to ask. I'm so shocked.
You must be hungry.
(lemonade splashes)
What can I get you?
- Ma, honestly, really,
I couldn't ask for anything more
than a glass of homemade
lemonade.
- Help yourself.
Just make sure you save
a bit for your father.
- Ah, don't worry, Ma.
Let's see, where was I?
Mm, that's right.
Irrigation ditches in Yuma.
Those were tough. A hard
day's work, but rewarding.
Then it was, then it was Mexico.
- [Marianne] Mexico?
- Mary is fascinated with
foreign things.
Music, people...
- Are you, now?
Well, I was a prospector
down there for a year or so.
Can you imagine that?
- Prospector? Don't tell
me you've come with gold.
- Well, unfortunately, the well
ran dry,
and what are you gonna do?
(door opens)
- Can you believe it?
(door closes)
Forgot my billfold.
Went all the way down to...
Junior.
- [Junior] Charlie.
(gentle music)
- [Charlie] But why?
(Charlie mumbles)
- [Junior] Sorry to show up
unannounced.
Something was telling me
it was time to come home.
- Don't be sorry. Don't
be sorry for nothin'.
We've been so worried about you,
Junior.
Why-
- Come on.
Look, I feel rotten,
leaving the way that I did.
(gentle music continues)
- [Charlie] You're here now.
- That's right.
- I can't believe Marianne
got to see you before I did.
- Marianne?
Go by Marianne now?
- Yes.
(Junior chuckles)
- Wow.
That's just so regal.
(Gayle laughs)
It's so high-class.
- I just like the way it sounds
is all.
- She wants to go to college.
- Ha! The Trouths don't go to
college.
It isn't worth the money,
anyway.
And what about you?
Should I call you Sir Charles
now?
- Oh, I (chuckles) like Charlie
just fine.
- That's my baby brother.
- I guess Pop hasn't seen you
yet.
- No, he hasn't.
(Gayle clapping)
- I know.
I'll go to the store
and get all the workings for a
big meal.
We'll sit at the table and have
a feast,
like we used to when it was a
birthday.
We'll make your favorite,
Junior.
- You remember?
- Don't be ridiculous.
Of course I remember.
Come on, Mary, we'll go
together, okay?
Oh, this will be fun.
You two can catch up.
Um, we won't be long.
- [Junior] Sounds swell, Ma.
- [Marianne] Get your purse.
- It's hotter than it was in San
Marcos.
- Oh, look at you two.
Frank and Jesse James together
again.
(gentle music)
(door opens)
- San Marcos?
- It's Mexico, Charlie.
- [Charlie] What were you doing
in Mexico?
- [Junior] I was there for the
gold rush.
(lemonade splashes)
- [Charlie] You're pullin'
one on me. Get outta here.
(Junior chuckles)
- I was, Charlie.
See, I would hike along the
Balsas River
with a pack of dynamite
strapped to my shoulder
and a mule tied to my waist.
For days, I'd be like that.
It's all fun until you hear the
spit
of a Mauser whiz past your
shoulder.
- [Charlie] You were shot at?
- Mm, that's the least of it.
- My God, Junior.
You're like the star
of one of those movies.
Have you seen "The
Treasure of Sierra Madre"?
- Seen it?
Oh, Charlie, I lived it.
Really, you should come with me
sometime.
I'll show you what the world's
made of.
Where does Pop keep the booze?
Oh, don't tell me.
(cupboard door closes)
I remember.
(cabinet door opens)
(cabinet door closes)
Doesn't look like it's
been touched in ages.
- [Charlie] Ah, well, none
of us really drink it.
- You're kiddin' me.
The old man didn't give it up,
did he?
- Yeah. Can't remember the
last time I saw him on a drink.
- Now that's something.
A cruel drunk, that one.
How much do you want?
- Oh, I don't know.
I don't really-
- Oh, come on.
Have a drink with your long-lost
brother.
- Okay, Junior. Just a bit.
- [Junior] Say, did you,
um, did you ship out?
- Ship out?
Oh, um, no.
It's my damned back, you see.
It kept me in bed for
a few years, actually.
Mom still treats me like I'm
bone china.
- Hate to hear that, Charlie.
- Yeah. Kept me from going
to work with Pop, too.
- [Junior] You never got to go?
- [Charlie] Nah.
- That's too bad.
Those were some of the most
interesting days of my
childhood.
- [Charlie] Is that so? You
liked it?
- Maybe maintenance is in the
blood.
- Sanitations.
- Sure, Charlie. Sanitations.
Say, I don't remember the
harbor being so close.
I can throw a stone to
the boat I came in on.
(ship horn blaring)
- Say, Junior, why did you
leave?
Didn't you like it here?
- [Junior] I hated it here.
- Strange, that's not how I
remember it.
- [Junior] How is the old man,
anyway?
- Oh, fine, I suppose.
- [Junior] And Ma?
When I heard about her parents,
it killed me I wasn't here for
her.
- [Charlie] You heard?
- Charlie, just because
I've been outta the picture,
doesn't mean I stopped
keeping tabs on family.
So, when did the old
folks kick the bucket?
- Oh, Grandma, two years
ago. Papa was last winter.
- And did you all, or
you and Mary, rather...
You know, well, after he died,
was there-
- [Charlie] Was there what?
- Ah, forget it.
- Hey, come on, Junior, you
can tell me. Was there what?
- Well, I don't mean to be
crass.
I loved those folks.
I just remember hearing about a
will.
- A will?
- Yeah, you know, like an
inheritance.
- Oh. Well, I wouldn't
know anything about that.
- Yeah, I figured.
- But he did leave me his knife.
- His knife?
- Yeah, that beautiful, old war
knife.
The one with the patterned
elephant head
and the golden inscription.
I used to love that knife as a
kid.
I'd pretend I was Lew Ayres
from "All Quiet on the Western
Front,"
sneaking through the trenches.
Anyway, he left it to me.
- Say, you remember going
up to their place upstate?
- [Charlie] Of course I do.
- Ah, that was a beautiful
estate, I tell you.
Yeah, I remember that's where I
decided
I was going to be rich when I
grew up.
- [Charlie] You're kidding me.
- I'm not, Charlie.
Honest, I wonder what
happened to all that dough.
- What do you mean?
- Well, the huge house, the car.
They had quite the stash, don't
you think?
- Well, they stopped working on
it.
I suppose they used it all up.
- Just seems funny,
two old-timers running
through all that dough.
I mean, they had quite a lot.
It just seems funny, that's all.
- [Charlie] Hey, do you wanna
see it?
- See what?
- The knife.
- [Junior] Ah, sure, I suppose.
Why not?
- [Charlie] Wait right
here. I keep it in my safe.
- [Junior] Mm. I'm sure you do.
(door opens)
(lemonade splashing)
(ice cubes clattering)
(gentle music)
(cupboard door opens)
(cupboard door closes)
(gentle music continues)
(door opens)
- [Louis] I'll tell you what,
I must have a sixth sense!
Something was tellin' me
to go on down to Eddie's.
It was eaten away at me,
and boy, was it right.
I...
- Hey, Pop.
- My God, son.
I didn't know if I'd ever see
you again.
- Here I am.
- That's right.
Here you are.
(Louis laughs)
It's quite-
- [Junior] Yes?
- It's quite surreal to see you
here.
I'm so...
I'm happy to-
- Yes.
Get yourself some
lemonade and have a seat.
We have so much to...
But what a dunce am I.
I must've had the last glass.
- No, no, no, that's all right,
Junior.
- But it's not. I know how
much you love Mom's lemonade.
I could just kill myself.
- No, Junior. Now that would be
extreme.
(Louis chuckles)
- Ah, you know me, Pop. I
can be a little extreme.
- Should we sit?
- [Junior] Sure.
So, what were you right about?
- What?
- Here it is!
I missed it! Pop, I
wanted to see your face!
(Louis chuckles)
- Well, I guess I'm,
hell, I guess I'm just so
overwhelmed.
- You all right, Pop?
You look pale. Thinner than I
remember.
- Yeah.
Yeah, those damned stairs
seem to get steeper every day.
And then, of course, I wasn't
expecting to see you, Junior.
I'm damn glad about it. Damn
glad.
- I was just showing Junior my
knife.
You know, the one I got from
Papa?
See here?
Isn't she beautiful?
Oh, here, can you read it?
It's Turkish. It's in gold.
(Junior speaking Turkish)
- [Junior] What is that? Agrim?
(Charlie chuckles)
- [Charlie] That's funny.
It's not how I pronounce it at
all.
Anyway, looked it up, and it's
Turkish
for "The first pain in my eye."
Whatever that means.
- [Junior] Funny.
- [Charlie] Do you get it?
- I'm not so sure.
Well, it seems Pop was about
to share some good news.
- [Charlie] What's that?
- As you came in.
- Oh, it's nothing.
(Louis sighs)
I was over at Eddie's.
Do you remember Eddie's?
- Do I remember Eddie's?
You should know that, Pop.
You should know that I remember
Eddie's.
- Of course you do.
Uh, well, it's nothing, really.
But it seems as if he knows of
something, or someone rather,
a friend of mine, well,
an acquaintance, really,
has opened up a door for me.
A position in Clinton.
Chief sanitations.
Everything from 40th to 50th.
I interview Monday.
- Dad, that's swell.
(Louis chuckles)
- It would be quite the lucky
break.
- Well, Pop, that's quite
something.
(door opens)
- We're going out!
(door closes)
Oh! What did I tell you,
Marianne?
We missed the father and son
reunion.
Can you believe it, dear? Our
baby's back.
- I can't believe it. Truly.
- Eggs. Would you believe it?
I was on the stoop when I
realized we forgot the eggs!
But then I thought, "Well, why
not?"
We'll all go out. We'll
make a big to-do out of it.
What do you say? Can we do that,
Louis?
- Yes. Yes, I think we should.
(Louis chuckles)
- Yes.
We should celebrate.
- Of course, the prodigal son
returns.
- I suppose you're right, Little
Mary.
But that's not what I mean.
- Dad's got a job offer.
Chief sanitations.
- You're kiddin'.
- [Junior] In Hell's Kitchen.
- Oh, my God, what a day!
- Yeah, I don't have an offer.
It's an opportunity. An
interview.
- Ah, he's a shoe-in.
- Yeah, we'll see.
- Well, of course! (chuckles)
We'll celebrate.
Come on! We're going out.
(Junior chuckles)
We'll take a long walk
through the neighborhood.
A stroll through memory lane.
We'll build a a mighty
hunger. And then Gino's.
You remember Gino's, don't you,
Junior?
- Can I have a bath first?
- Don't be ridiculous, Marianne,
bathing before a summer stroll.
- [Junior] Say, you guys go
down.
I need to use the restroom.
I've been traveling for quite
some time
and I sure have had a
lot of that lemonade.
(Gayle chuckles)
- We'll meet you downstairs.
(Gayle humming)
(door closes)
(mysterious music)
(mysterious music continues)
(mysterious music continues)
(mysterious music continues)
(knife rasps)
(knife rasps)
(sheet rustles)
- [Junior] Hearts.
- Pass.
- Now, it's gonna get noisy
in the morning.
Those damn sailors start
clanging to bring in the sun.
- [Junior] It's fine, Ma.
- There's no cooler room in
the house. You can bet on that.
- Spades.
- I feel just rotten,
you not gettin' your own room
and all.
- I quite like it, actually.
Spades.
I get to keep watch, you know?
No one comes in and goes out
without seein' Junior first.
- Ah, you licked me again.
I'm wiped. Another round
tomorrow?
- You're done already? Come
on, we're just gettin' started.
Have another drink.
- Ah, my heads swimmin' already.
Plus, I can't afford it.
- You two aren't playin'
for money, are you?
- Tomorrow.
Yikes!
Little Mary, don't move.
There's something on your face.
- [Marianne] Ah, knock it off.
(water running)
- Come on, Little Mary.
Come play cards with me.
- Marianne.
- Quite contrary.
Come on. There's real money in
it.
- You two are playing for money?
How much he get from you,
Charles?
- [Charlie] Ah, I'm hittin' it.
- Come on. Have a go at it.
You too, Ma.
You don't have to do that.
Come play cards with your kids.
- We don't usually play for
money.
- We're celebrating.
- Okay.
I'll take your money.
- That's the spirit. Ma?
- [Gayle] Well, I guess.
(Junior chuckles)
- It's a regular Red Hook bucket
shop.
All right, so we all know the
house rules?
- Yes, yes, we know the rules.
- Spitfire, this one.
(Gayle chuckles)
All right, I'll shut my
trap, so we can play.
But let's agree on a buy-in.
Let's say $4?
- $4?! I don't know, Junior,
that's a lot of money.
- Come on, you guys have the
upper hand.
I've been outta the game 12
years.
- I don't believe that.
- What do you say?
- Okay. Yeah.
Let's do it.
(Junior chuckles)
- Ma?
- Well, I...
Now you put me on the spot,
I suppose. Let's do $4.
- Now we're talkin'.
All right, Mary-Quite-Contrary,
the honors.
(Marianne clears throat)
Spades.
- Oh, gosh, I don't know.
Uh, we've taken all the
fun out of it. I'm nervous.
Uh, okay, okay. Hearts.
Does this remind you of
the old days, Junior?
You and me and your father
all sitting around the table?
Sometimes, we'd let Charlie
join.
- Where is the ole man, anyway?
You know, he can smell whether
a card game has stakes?
He would always say
they "reek with value."
But I'm sure you know.
- I don't know what you mean.
- Oh, don't tell me he
keeps his only daughter
away from the buckets?
Why, I was only six-
- He's changed a lot
these 12 years, Junior.
He doesn't gamble anymore. Not
ever.
Not since Charlie-
- Doesn't gamble, doesn't drink.
I'll believe it when I see it.
Spades.
- He's changed.
Plus, I don't remember your
father drinking all that often.
- [Junior] Ha!
- [Marianne] Hearts.
- I remember carrying his
big lug up those stairs.
- What's with this chatter? I
can't think.
I'm gonna put on some music.
- [Junior] Quite contrary.
Come on.
- No.
(gentle music)
(record player clicks)
(Junior clears throat)
(lively music)
Clubs.
- Ugh. Pass.
- Clubs.
- Christ!
- Mary!
- It's Marianne.
- Clubs.
(lively music continues)
Well, that's it for me.
I guess I'm the winner. Ha-ha.
- I'm going to bed.
- Now don't be a sore loser.
Hey, aren't you gonna put the
record back?
Oh, I feel like a villain.
I can't believe you had me do
that.
Say, that's not how you
and your father used
to beat us, is it?!
- Well, Pop always has something
up his sleeve, doesn't he?
(record player clicks)
Now, here's your six.
- [Gayle] $6?
- Yeah. Six for you, six for me.
How else are you supposed to
keep your accomplice quiet?
- Quiet?
Well, I guess that's fair.
Say, I like our little team.
(Junior chuckles)
- [Junior] Me too, Ma.
- I am so happy you're here.
You're gonna bring new
life in this family.
We're gonna be like we were,
when everything was just right.
- Yeah, it was swell.
(gentle music)
- Want me to shut off the
lights?
- That would be nice.
(light switch clicks)
(Junior sighs)
(knife rasps)
(gentle music continues)
(light switch clicks)
(knife rasps)
(cupboard door opens)
(cupboard door closes)
(water running)
Pop?
- [Louis] I didn't mean to wake
you.
- Ah, you didn't wake me.
I'm not too good at sleeping,
anyway. What about you?
- [Louis] I sleep just fine.
- Yeah, I bet.
You goin' already?
Feel like we didn't get
a chance to catch up.
Come on.
(light switch clicks)
Sit down.
Can I get you a drink?
Oh, wait, that's right. You
quit the stuff, didn't you?
Do you mind if I pour myself
one?
- Go ahead.
- Must've been real tough,
givin' it up.
I know how much you liked it.
I tell ya, I have a thirst for
it myself.
Yeah, they have this
stuff, Mexico,
aguardiente.
Means "fire water."
(ship horn blares)
You don't look the same, Pop.
You look frail.
- [Louis] Yeah, I don't feel the
same.
I suppose, in a lot of ways,
I'm not really the same person.
- That's nice.
- [Louis] What?
- I didn't know you could do
that.
I didn't know you could just
decide not to be who you were.
Heck, somebody should've
told me that a long time ago
that that's how it works.
- Well, it's a mindset, really-
- Because the way that I see it
is
that you are the things that
you've done.
No two ways about it.
What's done has been done,
and what's done is, well, the
truth.
- Well, people change,
Louis. I'm sorry to tell you.
- People don't change.
See, I reckon everyone carries
a bit of their former selves
around with them all their
lives.
Take, for example, a souse.
You know, once you're a souse,
no matter what you do and no
matter how much you give it up,
there's still a souse somewhere
inside ya.
If you were once a philanderer
or a cheat,
if you were once a child-beater,
well...
Though it did shock me to hear
that you had given up gambling.
And drinking.
Heck, I admire you for that.
Must've taken a lot of guts,
Pop. Did it?
How are your guts these days?
- I don't know what you mean.
- So what happened? To get
you from quittin' cards?
Did the well run dry?
Because at a time, we
had quite a deep well.
Or, Gayle did, didn't she?
Her parents did.
Did you gamble it away before
they died?
Is that why Papa was
buried in a shipping crate?
Is that why Charlie was left
with nothing but a lousy knife?
(Junior speaking Turkish)
(Junior chuckles)
Heck, I'm afraid to
ask what's left for me.
- Look, Louis.
- Call me Junior.
- Junior..
I don't need to tell
you
that I made quite a few
mistakes in the day.
It kills me.
Do you know that? It kills me.
- What mistakes did you make?
Do you remember?
Do you remember the mistakes?
Do you remember the shit
you'd gamble down at Eddie's?
I remember.
I was there.
- Sure.
Sure, I remember a lot of those
things.
Hell, it woulda been a lot
easier if I had forgotten.
But I can own up to it.
I can face up to the way
I was, the wrongs I did.
I lost myself there for a while,
and it terrifies me to think
that you might be the one
who has to deal with it,
that I might've passed the cards
to you.
It haunts me.
But, you see, Junior, a
person can't go so far
that they can't turn themselves
around and come back again.
Regain their footing, I mean.
- "Regain their footing"?
- The past can just be
the past, don't you see?
God, son, why can't you see it?
We've started new again.
It's as easy as that.
(Junior chuckles)
- What's easy about it?
Christ, you sound like Gayle.
Come on, Pop, you used to
say things the way they were.
You were a son of a bitch,
but at least you were
telling me straight up.
"The past can be the past,"
Jesus, what kinda movie are you
living in?
- It's just a part of growin'
up.
Just part of change.
As I said, I've changed.
- [Junior] Well, maybe not so
much.
- No?
- Look at this place.
I don't think it's
changed since the morning
I stepped out that door.
And I would I remember that
morning well.
Don't you?
- It all seems so hazy...
We probably have different
recollections.
No, it hasn't changed much, this
place.
- I guess you never could get
the family
outta Red Hook, could you, Pop?
But still, I can't shake this
feeling
that you're sitting on
some sort of inheritance.
- Look, son, when your
grandparents died,
they were no more rich than you
or me,
that I can promise you.
- Yet you managed
to float around unemployed.
- Look, I'm in a tough industry.
If you're not careful, you can
lose your place. Your honor.
- Honor?
(Junior chuckles)
I never looked at your work
ethic as honorable, Pop.
Nah, that's not the right way to
put it.
- No?
- No.
It's this black inability
to find purpose in it.
In any of it.
You just don't have the courage.
My God. Look at you.
You've had 12 years to think of
something.
(gentle music)
- I want to show you I'm
not a terrible man anymore.
- To be honest, Pop, it doesn't
seem like
you're much of a man at all.
- You can't see it, son, but
the past is eatin' me up.
It's eatin' me from the inside
out.
- Come on, Pop, you couldnt've
gambled
away all that dough.
You know, when I left here,
when I left this city,
it took me years to allow
myself to feel hatred for you.
For years, I just kept it
all dammed up, right here.
Just making me sick.
I guess it was somewhere between
San Bernardino and El Paso
that I just let it go.
And here we are,
and I feel much better now.
- [Louis] Look, you can hate
your family if you would like.
(table bangs)
- No, no, no.
I hate you.
I don't give a damn about them.
- Well, then, you are really...
(Louis groans)
- What's wrong with you?
(Louis groaning)
Christ, maybe you have changed.
See, I woulda never gotten
away with talkin' to you
like this without a good
thrashing.
- Junior, please-
- Come on, Pop.
(hand slaps)
Put up a fight.
Come on.
(Louis panting)
(Junior grunts)
(Louis whimpers)
There used to be marrow in your
bones.
Acid in your gut. And fire in
your heart.
(Louis groaning)
Come on.
Let some of that hate go.
(Louis coughing)
Christ, there's blood on your
lips.
(Louis gasping)
- [Louis] Jesus.
(Louis groans)
(door opens)
- Where are you going?
(dramatic music)
(dramatic music continues)
- Ha! You have to be kidding.
- [Charlie] Marianne, cut it
out.
- I'm gonna have to
start writing these down,
lest we forget.
- [Charlie] Why do you
have to be like this?
What a cynic you've become.
- Now, how should I keep track?
Alphabetically? Chronologically?
- Mary, Mary, quite contrary.
- [Marianne] Now, what did you
say it was?
The bullet of a Muster?
- A Mauser.
- A Mauser. That's right.
And the brush of death that
whizzed past your shoulder.
And what did you tell us
about last night at dinner?
The explosion? You were
smuggling explosives?
- It was Nytroglycerine. And
we weren't smuggling nothin'.
We were paid to transport it to
Chihuahua.
- Right, to extinguish the fire.
- I had two friends die.
- Right. Right, they exploded.
And the knife fight in Del Rio-
- [Charlie] Ah, quit it.
- Ah, don't mind her, Charlie.
You're just havin' a gas, aren't
you?
You know, there's a whole wide
world
outside this city, Little Mary?
- Marianne. What's wrong with
you?
- You know, we had a way of
doing things
long before you came.
- Exactly, that was a long time
ago.
- [Gayle] Louis?
- Good mornin', Sleeping Beauty.
Come have a seat.
We have some coffee for you.
- [Gayle] Oh.
- [Junior] We were wonderin'
when you would be up.
- [Gayle] Your father's
alarm didn't go off.
When I finally woke up
myself, I was all alone.
Oh, the old man's run off.
- [Marianne] He must've
gotten up real early.
- [Gayle] Oh, thanks, dear.
You didn't see when he
left, did you, Junior?
- Ah, with all the racket
between
the gulls and the sailors,
sorry, Ma, I must've missed him.
(siren wailing)
(dog barking)
- [Charlie] What you see, Lil
Mary?
- [Gayle] Mary, is something...
- [Charlie] Christ, what a
racket.
(car doors opening)
(car doors closing)
(dog barking)
- What's out there, boys?
Who is it?
(door knocking)
(mysterious music)
(door knocking)
I'll get that.
(door banging)
(door opens)
Oh.
Hello, officers, how can I...
Is something wrong?
- [Officer Lutz] Hello, ma'am.
Is your name Mrs. Truth?
- It's Trouth. Yes, I'm Mrs.
Trouth.
- [Officer Ray] Wife of Mr.
Louis Trouth?
- Um, please, come inside.
Um, everyone to the kitchen.
It's just down the hallway
there on your right.
Uh, kids, you'll never believe
it,
but (chuckles) the police are at
the door.
Um, would you like coffee?
I have hot coffee. Please sit
down.
Um-
- No, ma'am.
No thank you. We're okay.
Is, uh...
Are you the Trouth family?
- Yes. What's wrong, Officer?
- What's the matter with me?
I seem to have forgotten
where we keep the cups.
Oh, can you imagine that?
Um, do you prefer milk and
sugar?
- Ma'am, would you mind having a
seat?
- [Gayle] Of course.
Um, of course.
- So what is it, officers?
- Uh, seems as though
your father, Louis, he...
- Last night, Louis was a
victim of a brutal attack.
He was stabbed somewhere near
the docks.
- Yes. But he's okay? He's okay?
- [Officer Ray] No, he,
uh, he didn't make it.
- [Officer Lutz] He died, Mrs.
Trouth.
- He had half his stomach
sittin'
in the palms of his hands.
- Christ.
- [Gayle] I see.
(gentle piano music)
- Mrs. Trouth, we want to
offer you our deepest...
(somber music)
- I'm so sorry. I didn't offer
you coffee.
Uh, would you like coffee?
Um, I-
- [Officer Ray] Uh, no, Mrs.
Trouth.
Truly, you've been so kind.
It's not necessary.
- Thank you, officers.
I think we'd like to be alone
now.
- Uh, well, typically,
you know, we offer a ride
to the coroner's office.
Just in case you'd like to
probably-
- That won't be necessary.
Really, I think we'd like to be
alone.
- I can see him?
- Ma, listen, you don't want
that
to be your last memory of him.
Thank you.
(door opens)
- [Officer Lutz] We're
sorry for your loss.
(somber music)
(door closes)
- Now, Junior, I think you
should take
your father and my room.
Um, that bed is too large for
just me,
and you've grown so much bigger
now.
- [Junior] Uh, I...
- Plus, that room is just
too, um, it's just too...
- [Junior] Water! Get some
water!
Mom? Ma?
- Ma, can you hear me?
- You all right?
There you are. Look, you're all
right.
You're all right.
- Louis?
- [Junior] Look, everything's
gonna be all right now.
- [Gayle] Louis?
- [Junior] Everything's gonna be
fine.
(Gayle crying)
(ship horn blaring)
(water dripping)
(door opens)
- I'm beat.
I'm gonna shut my eyes for a
bit.
- All right, dear.
(door opens)
(door closes)
Um, I might rest in
Junior's room for a bit.
You don't think he'd mind, do
you?
I'm just exhausted from all of
this,
(chuckles) all of this grieving.
- Ma, go rest.
- [Gayle] Thank you for coming,
dear.
- [Ivan] Thank you, Mrs. Trouth.
- Mm. All of a sudden, it all
feels real.
- What can I do for you?
- [Marianne] I'm okay,
I just need some water.
- Let me get it for you,
Marianne.
Sit down.
- Mm, right.
(Ivan sighs)
- Tell me, what are you
thinking?
- It's my mother.
She seems, I don't know.
(water running)
Broken.
- Well, people deal with
trauma in unexpected ways.
It's remarkable how quickly
people pass through denial.
- You don't know my mother.
And the way she's latched on to
Junior,
like he's been here all along,
like he knows anything about my
father...
- Well, it's an emotional
void. She's trying to fill it.
- Oh, well, I'm so pleased you
have
a logical explanation for
everything.
- [Ivan] I suppose it
isn't that comforting.
- It's okay.
(tense music)
- We didn't get a chance to
formally meet.
- Ivan.
- They call me Junior.
No, I'm sorry that I couldn't
stay and visit with you all.
It's just these damn
investigators.
I doubt they'd get anything done
if I wasn't there to bug them.
- Don't apologize at all.
- [Junior] Well, I am beat.
- Yes. I should be going.
- No, please stay a bit longer.
- No, Ivan, really, you should
stay.
- Thank you, Junior.
But, no, I really should be
going.
(Ivan clears throat)
I don't work tomorrow,
though. Can I see you then?
- Please.
- Tomorrow, then.
(door opens)
(door closes)
- Ivan's nice.
- [Marianne] Yep.
- So, he's a doctor?
- [Marianne] Going to be.
- [Junior] Interesting.
- What?
- Well, you don't see
many colored doctors.
Don't get me wrong,
I think it's great to
give them the opportunity.
- Nobody gave Ivan anything.
Well, what'd they say?
- Hmm?
- Come on.
Do they know anything
yet? What'd you tell 'em?
- Well, I told them what
everyone's already thinking.
No telling how much bad
money that man owed.
And he owed it to the wrong
people.
- What?
That's what you told them? That
wasn't it!
How could you possibly...
What are you doing? We
don't smoke in here.
(Junior chuckles)
Pop wouldn't allow it.
- Pop smoked enough cigarettes
in here for a lifetime.
- Not for a long time.
(match cracks)
- Trust me, Lil Mary, nothing
better to mask the smell
of stale cigarettes than with
fresh ones.
- You know, I think I'd like to
speak
to these investigators
next time they come around.
- Say, Marianne, Ivan's
a swell guy and all,
but maybe you should meet
him in town from now on.
Now, I know what you're
thinking,
but I'm just tryin' to keep
the peace around the
neighborhood.
Keep our name out of all that
talk.
Ma's been through already, you
hear?
- [Gayle] Is somebody smoking?
- It's Junior, Ma.
- Now, Junior, if you are not
the splitting image of your
father.
- Junior was just tellin' me how
I shouldn't bring Ivan around.
You know, 'cause he's colored
and all.
- [Junior] Ma, Ivan's a swell
guy and all,
but just imagine what Pop would
think.
I'd hate for people to
disrespect him.
You know, now that he's
not here to defend himself.
- Junior, I had the same
feeling.
The exact same.
Marianne, you and Ivan
should meet at his place.
- No, you can't be serious.
(door knocking)
- [Gayle] Who could that be?
(door opens)
- [Randy] Good evening, Mrs.
Trouth.
- [Gayle] Oh, good evening-
- [Randy] I'm sorry, do
you mind if I come in?
This is...
It's all quite heavy.
- [Gayle] This way.
(door closes)
- Where can I put this?
- [Junior] Oh, you...
- Thank you, sir. (grunts)
(Randy sighs)
My God, it is blistering out
there.
- [Junior] I'm sorry, can we
help you?
- Oh, I apologize.
Randy Hawkes, Vantage Life.
Vantage Life, insurance.
Our office must've called.
Talked to somebody, left several
messages?
- Our phone's been disconnected
for weeks.
- I'm sorry, this must be
dreadfully inconvenient.
Had I known, I-
- How can we help you, Randy?
- Well, you must be Gayle.
And you're Marianne.
- [Marianne] That's right.
- And Charles, if I'm not
mistaken?
- [Junior] You are.
- [Randy] I'm sorry?
- You are mistaken. The name's
Junior.
Louis Trouth Jr.
- [Randy] I apologize. I don't
think you were mentioned.
- Mentioned?
- Look, please, would you
three have a seat?
I have some very
important news to discuss.
- [Junior] I'd offer you some,
but I'm afraid we take it
mighty bitter in this house.
- I'm fine, thank you.
All right, as I said,
it seems that we have-
- Who's the suit?
- Charles, have a seat.
This is, um-
- Randy Hawkes.
Vantage Life.
- Oh. Pleasure.
- As I was telling the
rest of your family,
I'm here on rather significant
business.
Louis, before his untimely
death, had invested
in a rather substantial
policy with Vantage Life.
- Policy?
- [Randy] Life insurance.
Quite substantial, in fact.
(Junior chuckles)
- [Junior] You gotta be shittin'
me.
- And not long ago, either, in
fact.
It was two weeks and five days
ago.
- So, the old man made
one last big gamble?
- Jesus, Junior.
- At least, this time,
he bet against himself.
- Sir, with this policy,
just how substantial do you
mean?
- Well, with the policy
that your husband took out,
the payout would be
somewhere north of $50,000.
- $50,000?
- [Randy] Uh, but, of course,
in the case of untimely death,
a murder, it would activate
the triple indemnity.
- Triple?
- Correct.
So, in this particular
case, it would be $150,000.
- And this would be paid out
among those who survived him,
equally?
- Not exactly. There is a will,
of course.
In the case of Louis's death,
all financial payouts go to
Gayle directly
who can then decide what
to do with the money.
- [Junior] So, Ma's rich?
- Well, theoretically.
- Theoretically?
- Well, there has to be an
investigation, of course.
It's all procedural, you see?
- Investigation?
- Yeah, well, Vantage has to
determine
the exact cause of his untimely
death
before we can, well, write a
check.
- What's there to investigate?
- With such an untimely death
after such a timely investment,
there are some questions
surrounding his death
that are suspect.
- What do you mean?
- Well, for example,
how long had Louis known
that he had been battling
with stomach cancer?
Oh, dear.
I do believe there is much to
discuss.
- [Junior] What is this, stomach
cancer?
- Strangely, Louis had
medical examinations
after he took out the policy.
They, of course, proved that
he was perfectly healthy.
But, of course, it isn't unheard
of
that people find a way to cheat.
Doctors are human too, they make
mistakes.
It's just that after the
autopsy,
it was clear that he had been
battling
with this severe disease for
months.
He must've known that he was
very sick.
Well, look, please, believe me,
I am just a representative of
the company.
It gives me no pleasure in
stirring up traumatic moments
or trying to keep what's
rightfully yours.
As I said, this is all
procedural.
Now, I will need to interview
you,
get some more information
about the events surrounding his
death
so that we can rule out
suspicions
and we can get you your
money, Mrs. Trouth.
- I don't understand.
Suspicions?
- Well, to insure that his
death wasn't..
..intentional.
A suicide.
(Junior chuckles)
- That's ridiculous.
(match cracks)
- [Randy] Well, maybe so,
but there's no other way
to receive the payout.
- Okay. Well, I guess
we have no other choice.
- Yes. So, I would like to
interview you all individually.
Alone, if that's all right?
- [Gayle] You can call me Gayle.
- [Randy] Okay, Gayle.
I'm gonna go ahead and get
started. Is that all right?
- [Gayle] That's fine.
(recorder clicks)
- [Randy] Okay.
We're recording.
Let me start by saying how
sorry I am for your loss.
I will try to make this quick.
Can you tell me about Louis's
behavior
in the days leading up to his
death?
- Oh, he was perfectly normal.
Even better than normal, really.
He had his family with him. All
of us.
- [Randy] So, nothing
was out of the ordinary?
- No, I wouldn't say that.
It's just that things
were finally looking up.
He got a job-
- A job? I have here that
he was in maintenance.
- Sanitations. Yes.
He would say, "Maintenance?
We don't maintain nothin'. We
improve."
(Gayle chuckles)
He was a sanitations officer
at the slaughterhouse on 3rd,
but the conditions were,
well, he would say they were
unjust.
He led a strike.
- A strike?
- That's right.
He fought for better hours,
better conditions. Respect.
(gentle music)
The whole lot quit all at once.
One after the other,
starting with my husband.
That's the kinda man he was, you
see.
Once he made up his
mind, he was immovable.
He could be graceless,
abrupt, but ..
..he was reliable.
(gentle music continues)
You see, the way I figure it,
I was the only person who
knew Louis inside and out.
He was the only person who knew
me, too.
Inside-out.
We'd been married for 31 years.
- [Randy] Mm.
- Can you imagine that?
It seems to me, everything
that's good in this world is
old.
It's proven.
And it's our last line of
defense
against the filth and the
rot that's closing in.
(ship horn blaring)
- That must be overwhelmingly
stressful, losing his job.
- Oh, no, he was used to
floating around here and there.
And like I said, he got a job.
- How long was he there?
- Um, he wasn't there yet. Not
officially.
He had an interview.
- Ah.
- Oh, no, but he was a shoe-in.
- And how long was he
unemployed?
- A few months, I suppose.
- Before May 1st?
- I suppose so. Why do you ask?
- May 1st is when he took out
the policy,
paid for the entire year, all at
once.
- You mind if I open the window?
It's so hot.
- Oh, no, allow me.
(Randy grunts)
(Randy groans)
(window opens)
(Randy sighs)
Seems peculiar for him to pay
for it all at once like that
and being out of the job.
- I don't know about peculiar.
- Where did the money come from,
if you don't mind me askin'?
I mean, for the policy. Savings?
- Well, my parents died a few
years back.
They left him some money, him
being the man of the house.
Although, by the time they died,
it was hardly much left at all.
- Mm-hmm.
I see. I didn't mean to stop you
before.
(Randy sighs)
You were saying that
things were looking up,
with his job and all-
- Oh, no, that wasn't the half
of it.
- No?
- No. Junior returned.
Returned home, I mean.
He had been gone, you
see. 12 years almost.
We hadn't heard from him
until...
Oh, my God.
My God, if he wasn't here with
me now-
- How was their relationship?
Your husband and Louis Jr.?
I ask because they were
estranged
for so long, why is that?
- Junior is a bit nomadic is
all.
- When was the last time
you saw your husband?
- I'm sorry.
Um, I was in bed, he got
up to get a glass of water.
(Gayle chuckles)
I must've fallen asleep.
- Do you have any idea what he
was doing
by the dock at night?
- He would go there.
That was his place to go.
- May I ask who the cot is for?
- [Gayle] Oh, that's for me.
- You don't have a room?
- No, of course. (chuckles)
It's just that after Louis died,
I just couldn't bear sleeping
in that big bed all by myself.
So, Junior's there now.
- And where was he before?
- [Gayle] The cot.
- He was staying on the cot
the night Mr. Trouth died?
- [Gayle] Yeah.
- And he didn't see Louis leave
at all?
He didn't talk to him?
- He was asleep.
He said that the last time he
saw him was
when we got home from dinner.
The last time he got to see his
father.
- Was Mr. Trouth right or left
handed?
- What? Excuse me?
- Just a formality.
- Oh, okay. He was left handed.
(gentle music)
- Thank you, Mrs. Trouth.
(recorder clicks)
Now, is it Charles or Charlie?
I have hear Charles, but
I heard your mother say-
- I uh..
- I guess Charlie is what I
prefer.
- Thanks.
Let's start. Charles, what do
you do?
- I go to the pictures. Pretty
good at eights, I guess.
- I mean, as an occupation.
- Oh, I don't work. Not yet.
It's my back, you see.
I gotta bad back, and...
Look here, Mr. Hawkes, I get
that you didn't know my father,
but this whole effort is
pointless.
- Is that so?
- That's so.
He didn't kill himself. I know
that.
That, I know for a fact.
- Why's that?
- [Charlie] It was against his
beliefs.
- His beliefs.
- His principles.
Look, that's what you people
won't have here in your files.
That was my father,
and if there's somebody
who knows my father,
knows his principles, well, it's
me.
He had honor.
He always talked about how
a man should have honor.
- [Randy] Well, honor is
a complicated subject.
- Not the way I see it.
Jeez, I need a drink.
(cupboard door closes)
You know, it's a pretty far leap
to say
a man like my pop went
and bumped himself off.
Hell, you'll flap your lips all
day
without a lick of evidence-
- Charles, could you
come and sit back down?
I'm afraid the mic can't
pick up your voice.
(cabinet door closes)
Thank you.
Now, speaking of evidence,
I'd like to talk to you about
the knife that was found.
- Knife?
Hey. That's my knife.
What are you doin' with it?
- Your knife?
Charles, are you sure that's
your knife?
- Says here, (speaking Turkish).
"First pain in my eye."
Why do you have it?
- It's the knife the
investigators found.
- Investigators?
- I'm sure you've had your fair
share of investigators here.
Police officers.
- Okay.
- Charles, you did talk to
investigators?
- Yeah. A few.
Some...
Junior usually just talked to
everybody.
Nobody seemed to mind.
- Junior spoke with everybody.
I ask because the investigators
told me
nobody in this family
recognized this knife.
Charles, this was the knife
they found in the bay,
not but a few yards from where
the body,
your father, was found.
Oh, Christ, Charlie.
I don't mean to be the one
to bring on all the trouble,
honest.
Hell, I thought you knew so
much.
Charlie, when was the last
time you saw this knife?
- Um, I got it out.
It was out to show Junior...
I must've left it on the table-
- To show Junior?
So last time you saw this
knife, it was with Junior?
- I must've left it here, you
see?
I must've left it on the table.
I must've left it
on the table.
- I see, on the table.
Look, I don't mean to be
makin' any conclusions here,
but anybody could've taken this
knife.
- I don't believe a second of
it.
You can show me my own knife,
you can say my father had it on
him,
hell, his mitts could still be
attached,
I still won't believe he did it.
- Charles-
- No!
You see here, you can take the
money away,
I don't give a damn, I don't
give a damn about that,
but you're tryin' to rip
my father's honor out.
His body's not good enough for
you?
You wanna kill his soul, too?
- Charlie, you're not listening-
- Oh, oh, I heard. I heard.
You can hear this: I'm
through talkin' to you.
I'm done helping you
kill my father's soul.
- Charles.
(gentle music)
Okay, let's start by you telling
me a bit about your father.
- Um, I don't know.
He was strict but fair.
He had a penchant for the truth
despite what anyone else
had to say about it.
(gentle music continues)
I think my father and I
saw the world similarly.
- [Randy] How's that?
- We'd both get tired
of the same ole thing.
We need change.
I think my father was always
changing. Improving, maybe.
- How was your father in the
days leading up to his death?
- What do you mean?
- Well, earlier, you said,
"Despite what anyone else
has to say about it."
I believe you were talking about
your father's integrity or
honesty.
- Yes.
- Well, that just suggests that
maybe
he had a falling out with
somebody?
Or maybe just a disagreement?
- Oh, it wasn't anything like
that.
It was just something Junior
said.
- Yes. That's your brother.
Been gone for such a long time.
Why come home now?
Charles said something
interesting to me.
Do you know what he said?
He said that Junior talked
to all the investigators, police
officers.
Junior talked to them all,
alone.
- Yes, that's about right, he-
- Well, that's convenient
that he's here to help
after your father's death.
- I wouldn't say "convenient."
- No?
- You could say it's unwelcome.
- Because Junior-
- 'Cause, well, I don't think
Junior is particularly fond
of my father, Mr. Hawkes.
No, I don't think he
liked my father at all.
- When was the last you saw your
father?
- The night Junior came home.
We all had dinner. It was a fine
night.
He went to bed as soon as we got
home.
- He died the night
your brother came home?
- Yes.
- And after dinner was
the last you saw him.
- Yeah, except-
- Except?
- It was late.
I could hear him in the kitchen
as I was trying to fall
asleep, which is strange.
My room is furthest from the
kitchen.
He must've been talking loudly.
- Like an argument?
- Maybe.
- With whom?
- Well, it must've been Junior.
- Your father was very sick.
You must've seen that.
- I didn't even notice.
I didn't-
- Okay, okay, okay.
That's quite enough.
(recorder clicks)
Marianne, you did good.
- [Junior] How much is that
contraption of yours cost?
- Oh, this? Quite a penny.
I'd say three months' salary.
- And you paid for it yourself?
- You know, the equipment
they give us, it's garbage.
Between you and me, this
is like the next step
to me starting out on my own
as an independent investigator.
(Junior chuckles)
- Look at you, Randy ole boy.
Quite the entrepreneur.
(chuckles)
Good for you, you know,
you can be proud of those kinds
of things.
It's something that you own.
It's yours.
You know, men like us,
truth is, we don't own much.
Need to hold on to what you
got, clutch it in your fist.
Like this, you see?
You know, I can count on this
hand
the things in my life that are
truly mine.
Talking about ownership, you
hear?
Heck, even my name isn't mine.
No, I borrowed that from my
father.
Hell of a debt.
- I'm gonna start the recording,
if you don't mind, Louis.
- Call me Junior.
- Junior.
Now, I didn't mean to offend
anybody.
- Well, heck, one minute, we're
rich.
The next, you're trying to take
it away.
You know, that money's our
birthright.
- Well, I wasn't trying to-
- But here's the thing, Randy.
I know my father didn't kill
himself.
I suppose I'm the only one
who knows that for a fact.
- How's that?
- Because I've got my father
figured out.
See, I know who that man is.
Was.
And if you're implying
that he killed himself
as some sort of, what,
self-sacrifice,
so that we can get the dough,
ah, that doesn't line up.
You see, that would be selfless.
And my father was incapable
of acting selflessly.
It just wasn't who he was.
Nah, doesn't line up.
- You seem to have an idea
of what could've happened.
Maybe a theory?
I'd like to know what you think.
- Well, let me make it more
clear.
(ship horn blaring)
Say a man spends his life
racking up
a hell of an unpayable debt.
I'm talking a gambling
debt, the worst kind.
If he spends his life acting
like
the nastiest son of a bitch in
Brooklyn,
and then that son of a bitch
ends up dead,
well, would you suspect suicide?
- Perhaps not.
- And let me ask you this.
Let's say this man cleans
himself up.
Stops drinking. Stops gambling.
Becomes a good man, good father.
Well, that's all well and good,
but that's not paying off
any debts, now is it, Randy?
- Well-
- Because the men
that my father knew, the
men that I used to know,
they could give a damn about
your parental capabilities.
- So, you're saying
your father was murdered
because of his gamblin' debt?
- Well...
- [Randy] Look, could you
sit back down, Junior?
- [Junior] I'm just saying that,
you know, it makes a
hell of a lot more sense
than a man choosing to
slice up his own gut.
- It makes sense to me.
Seems to make perfect sense.
- [Junior] It seems
pretty straight-forward.
- Well, almost suspiciously
straight-forward.
(Junior chuckles)
- Randy, I think you lost me.
- Have I? (chuckles)
No. I don't think I have.
You're too smart for that. Too
cunning.
You know way more than you
imply.
Someone as worldly as you should
know not
to dance with such a convenient
crime.
- Crime? What are you even-
- You spoke your peace,
Junior. Now let me speak mine.
I've been in this business
a long time, Junior.
It's instinctual to me now.
I've seen it all. You can't even
imagine.
I've poured through the
actuarial tables. Read them all.
Do you know how long it would
take you
to read each and every volume?
Murder. Suicide.
Untimely death.
They have them all broken down
and carefully categorized.
Categorized by race,
gender, by occupation,
genetic makeup, by season.
And, of course, extensively,
death inflicted by knife wounds.
I know when something
doesn't seem right, Junior,
and, well, this whole "gamblin'
debt murder" you imply,
that doesn't feel right.
I didn't believe it for a
second.
Now, I'm gonna talk this through
with you,
and I'm gonna talk facts.
You hear me? Facts.
Facts are all I care about. The
truth.
Fact one, this was found in the
water,
not but a few yards from where
your father was found dead.
- I've never seen-
- Fact two, your brother said
the last time he saw that
knife, it was in your hands.
Is that correct?
- Well, I must've-
- Let me finish.
Fact, your father was a
dying man. A very sick man.
He knew his time was limited.
And four, there was a big payout
once he was out of the way.
- Well, who coulda known-
- Another fact,
he was stabbed the very day
you came home after a 12-year
absence.
The very day. Now, that seems
like quite a coincidence.
- Well, I-
- Fact, you were sleeping
in here the night he left.
Now, he couldn't have left
without walking through the
kitchen, no?
Now, your sister said she
heard loud voices coming from
in here that very night.
Yours and your father's.
Yet you claim you never saw him.
Now, why would you lie about
that?
You know what I think?
Tell you what I think.
I think your father knew
that something terrible
was growing inside of him.
Maybe he didn't know what,
but he knew his days were
numbered.
So he took out a policy with
Vantage Life
for when the big day came.
Does that sound about right so
far?
Then, one day, his
long-lost son comes home,
his missing treasure,
and that's when Louis sees an
opportunity.
You can take care of them.
You can be the man of the
house, can't you, Junior?
Maybe the pain became
too much for him to bear,
or maybe he remembered the
triple indemnity clause
in the policy contract, but
either way,
he's gonna end his own life
so his family could cash in.
But he had to make it
look like an accident,
and he couldn't let his family
find him.
So he waited until it was dark.
He remembered the knife
that Charles left out,
and he sneaks in to take it.
But you're awake, aren't you,
Junior?
Aren't you, Junior? You're
awake.
Now, you're a traveled man.
Nomadic, I believe is
how your mother put it.
You're naturally suspicious,
so you begin to question him.
And the questioning takes a
turn and you begin to argue.
And he tells you, he tells
you he's gonna end his life
and he's not gonna change
his mind for anyone,
not even his most cherished son.
So he storms out.
You go looking for him
maybe, but it's too late.
That's the last time you
saw him, isn't it, Junior?
That's why you resent
your father right now,
for what he put you through.
His wound was made like this,
from the bottom right stomach
up to the lower left chest.
Your father's left
handed, no? That's a fact.
I'm so sorry for your loss,
Junior,
and for what he put you through,
but you don't wanna get
tangled up in insurance fraud.
You don't want to go down that
path.
I can tell that you're an honest
boy.
(suspenseful music)
- I, uh,
I tried to stop him.
I told him, "Pop, it's not worth
it.
We need you."
- He told you he was gonna end
his life?
- [Junior] He said,
"Son, my time has come.
I'm going to take this knife,
and I'm gonna plunge it into my
gut."
See, I tried to stop him, Mr.
Hawkes.
- I know, Junior.
Mr. Trouth, I'm afraid we're
unable to honor this policy.
We can refund the money your
father paid.
- [Junior] I understand.
- If you don't mind,
I would like to break it to your
mother.
- No. I think I should do it.
I've been keeping it in for so
long.
It's been eating me up.
- I understand.
(recorder clicks)
Okay, then.
To keep this all inside must've
been really hard for you.
Must really love your father.
(tense music)
(door opens)
(door closes)
- Absurd.
This place is absurd.
(gentle music)
(gentle music continues)
(footsteps clicking)
- [Marianne] Well, that's the
last of it.
It's been in there
collecting dust for years.
Can I drag you away from that
window
long enough to give you a hug?
- Oh, I can't bear it.
- [Marianne] Oh, it won't be so
different.
- [Gayle] When people
leave, they don't return.
- Not family.
- Especially family.
- Ma, it's Jersey.
- There's an entire ocean
between us.
- Well, with our car, it's
like we're still in the city.
(door opens)
(door closes)
- Ivan.
My pal!
I thought you two woulda split
by now.
- Hey there, Charles.
No, you're actually just in
time.
We were just sayin' bye.
- Drats.
We got enough space here.
- I'm glad we got to see you,
Charles.
- Ah, me too, baby sister. Damn
glad.
(alcohol pouring)
Damn glad.
Ivan, have you seen that new
picture, "Blackboard Jungle"?
You would love it. I know you
would.
- Haven't got a chance to catch
it.
- Ah, it's got that kid,
Portier, in it.
I know you like him, don't you?
- Marianne, I'll wait in the
car.
Take care, Charles.
- Yeah, yeah.
(gentle music)
(door opens)
(door closes)
- Charles, will you listen?
- Oh, come off it, Lil Mary.
- No, Charles. I won't.
Now, hear this.
The world is out there for us.
For young people like
you and me, do you hear?
I feel it deep inside me.
There's not much we can do
from this little apartment,
but there's a whole world
right outside of it.
You should see it, Charles.
You should see all you can do.
I don't think you believe
you're truly broken.
(gentle music continues)
- Mary, Mary, quite contrary.
- I love you, Charles. And I
know you.
I believe you'll find your way
yet.
You're a good one.
I love you, Ma.
- [Gayle] Don't disappear.
(door opens)
(door closes)
- Say, Ma.
They didn't happen to
leave us any dough, huh?
I swear, I almost came away
with the jackpot this time.
I did.
Ole Eddie, ole Eddie, had
him shakin' in his boots,
would you believe it?
It was so close.
- We'll be okay, Charlie. Don't
you worry.
It's days like these,
when the fog rests low over the
bay,
and I can't see the lights from
Jersey,
these are the days
where I feel most alone.
And the days I remember..
Louis, Junior.
- Oh, my back hurts.
Oh, Christ, my back hurts.
- Can you believe it's been so
long?
And these are the days that I
remember
that this little family is all
we have.
It's like, it's like us
against the world, Charlie.
The harbor is closing in-
- Oh, that's better.
- [Gayle] But they won't
come for my family.
- It feels better when I'm on
the floor.
(ship horn blaring)
There may be rain or darkness
too
I won't complain, I'll see it
through
Poverty may come to me, it's
true
Poverty may come to me, it's
true
But what care, I say, I'll get
by
As long as I have you
(gentle piano music)
(gentle piano music continues)
(gentle piano music continues)
(light clicks)
(gentle piano music continues)
(gentle piano music continues)
(gentle piano music)
(gentle piano music continues)
(gentle piano music continues)
(gentle piano music continues)