Ed Kemper (2025) Movie Script
1
I am an American
and I killed Americans.
I am a human being
and I killed human beings
and I did it in my society.
Edmund! Edmund!
How about a little help
out here?
Edmund?
Hey, Ma.
I hope you're happy now.
Because I've gone
and just killed them both.
I killed grandma and grandpa.
Edmund.
I should think that you'd be
beside yourself with excitement.
Here, you float daydreaming.
I was just thinking.
You're going to have
to refrain from that
when you're in a conversation
with people.
It can be very unnerving.
Okay, you're right. Sorry.
It's neither here nor there
any longer.
Your chariot awaits you, my boy.
Now, then...
just remember all the things
that we've talked about
and you're going to be fine.
You're going to be just fine.
And if you happen
to find yourself
in an awkward situation,
please phone me.
Oh, I won't.
I mean, I will, Doctor.
I'll call. I mean...
I catch you drift, son.
You came here a boy.
You're leaving a man.
A man?
Yes.
You're going to find a world
outside that has moved forward.
The worst thing that you can do
is try to catch up to it.
You've got to get your debt.
You don't owe
the world anything.
You understand?
Sure, Doctor.
Good luck, Edmund.
Oh, Edmund...
one more thing.
For the sake of all the hard
work that we've done,
please, stay away
from your mother.
...the overriding issues
of war and peace,
unless they know the truth
about that policy.
Hey, Ma.
You put on weight.
...to answer some
of the questions that I know...
Nothing to do in that place,
except eat.
What about getting
your mind fixed?
Yeah, and that.
...how has
this administration...
Are you hungry?
There is beer in the fridge.
What has really happened
in the negotiations...
Actually,
I need to use the can.
Oh. It's just over there.
Guest room is next to it.
What are the prospects
of peace?
- That's where you sleep.
- Now, let me begin...
You get hungry?
Kitchen is through there.
When I was inaugurated...
Don't expect me
to fix you anything.
The war had been going on
for four years.
31,000 Americans
had been killed in action.
The training program...
My bedroom has a bathroom,
but it's off limits to you.
Got it? Mm.
540,000 Americans
were in Vietnam
with no plans
to reduce the number.
No progress...
The war was causing deep
division at home
and criticism
from many of our friends
as well as our enemies abroad.
In view of these circumstances
there were some
who urged that I end the war
at once...
You probably noticed
there's no toilet paper.
You've got to go
number two then.
From a political standpoint,
this would
have been a popular
and easy course to follow.
After all...
Well, Pilgrim, I reckon we
got us some rough trail ahead.
Uh-huh.
Hallelujah.
Boy learned to wash his paws
in the joint.
Yeah, if only I had a towel
to dry him.
End of the hall
in the cabinet, genius.
Oh, listen,
I made plans for tonight.
So, I'm sure you'd probably
have to stay here,
you know, get settled.
Yeah. First night
after five years of lockdown,
why would I want
to do anything special?
It's not my fault,
you getting let out on Saturday
and all.
Right. I should have
gotten released
on a more convenient day
for you.
Wise ass.
Shit, she's here.
Let her in.
Tell her I'm getting dressed.
You're already dressed.
Don't get smart.
And don't tell her
you're in that goddamn
nuthouse. Just, uh...
I told people you were just
staying with your grandparents.
Symbolically,
I guess you could say I was.
Just don't embarrass me
in front of people.
Hi, is Clarnell here?
She... told me to tell you
she's getting dressed.
Oh. Ah...
Well, may I come in?
Oh, please. Sorry.
I'm Sally.
Oh, I'm Ed.
Pleasure to meet you.
I know.
I've heard a lot about you.
Really?
Well, she's mentioned you.
Mentioned what?
Nothing. Ready to go?
You bet.
Nice meeting you, Ed.
Oh, good to meet you too,
Sally.
Christ, let's go.
And you...
Don't you burn down
the friggin' house, okay?
Dad?
Please, don't go.
Come on. Come here.
Hey.
Soldiers don't cry, right?
Especially big ones like you.
Salute?
Look...
your mom and I, we just...
We can't get along anymore.
But she hates me.
No, no. She doesn't hate you.
Hell, you're special.
And one day, one day,
your mom and the whole world
will know that.
You'll show them.
Remember that.
Tell your sisters...
I love them and...
and I'll call
when I get settled.
I love you, son.
Dad, wait!
You forgot your records.
Dad, dad.
Where do you think
you're going?
Dad forgot his records.
Come here.
I'll be good, mom.
- Get down there!
- Please!
Please! I'll be good, Mom.
Please!
Don't leave me alone down here!
Eddie.
Come on, guy. Up and kill him.
Up and at 'em. Come on, guy.
Come on, get up.
Come on.
No free rides around here.
Free rides?
I've been here
less than 24 hours.
You tell me, smarty pants,
how long is it
I should let you lie around
before you get off your fat ass
and find a damn job?
More than 24 hours.
I'm up. I'm up.
I got you a present.
Really?
You don't gotta act
like I said the moon
is made of green cheese.
What'd you get me?
It's a university sticker.
I get to work in the drama
department with you?
No way you're dragging
your lumbering self
inside where I work.
Seeing you on stage
in "Death of a Salesman,"
you was Willie Lohman.
That's too funny.
So what's this for, then?
It'll let you drive me
on and off campus
without having to embarrass me
when they ask
what the heck
you're doing there.
You just said you didn't want me
near your work.
No, I said inside.
Besides, I might need
a ride sometime
and you're a notch above a bus.
You are buying a car.
I kinda figured I had to.
Damn right. Only people who
don't have cars in California
are bums and damn hippies.
You don't have a car.
It got wrecked.
Okay, so what's your deal
with hippies?
You heard about that Manson
thing in LA, right?
Hippies. The lot of them.
That's kind of a generalization,
isn't it?
I don't like any of it.
There's, uh...
cereal in the kitchen
if you want some.
Edmund! It's dinner time!
Oh, God, help me.
Edmund.
Edmund, what did you do?
What the hell are you
staring at?
Whose cat is that?
You just forget
about that damn cat.
I just want to know
who it belongs to.
Just forget about it, okay?
All right.
Geez.
Make sure you wash that.
I will.
Up against some of
the worst drivers in the world.
I wrote my number down at work
if you need it
and there's cold cuts
in the fridge
if you get hungry for lunch.
Thanks, Ma.
What about that cereal bowl?
I said I'd wash it, didn't I?
Don't you get smart with me.
Say you're going to do something
and then do nothing at all?
I'm curious how you know
so much about me
when you haven't seen me
in six years.
Don't you go blaming me
for that.
It's not my fault you got
put away in that damn place.
Isn't it, Mom? Isn't it?
Oh, you son of a bitch.
That's me, Ma,
a real son of a bitch.
What kind of mouth is that
talking that way in here?
You can't respect me
or this house,
you just goddamn leave,
you hear me?
You awake?
Yeah, Ma.
You clean that pigsty yet?
The helicopter
hovers over the jungle.
In the midst of the firefight,
his buddies
put Hero on the rescue chopper,
and he's pulled up 100 feet.
100 feet to a hospital bed...
I'll do it when I get home.
I'm going to be late for work.
I can't believe somebody's
so hard up
they're willing to pay you
to work for them.
One mine less one man...
That's... real supportive, Ma.
Clean that goddamn room!
Rehearsals will go
long and late tonight.
The kids are as bad
as you are ugly.
Don't wait up.
Ha! And I'll fix you
a lunch. Enjoy.
P.S. Clean that goddamn room!
Ma?
Mom?
- You're late.
- Same as she's having.
Sorry. The meeting
with the Johnson boys' parents
went long.
It just bites
into our time, is all.
- Forget about it.
- Mm.
Here you go, sweets.
Thanks, Jazz.
We'll have the usual over here.
And some peanuts.
Do you know them?
He said that Santa Cruz
was the murder capital
of the world.
Mm.
Hold on.
Sally.
Sally.
Ta-da.
So do you know them?
Seen them around.
- Where?
- Here.
I think they work
over at the courthouse.
Don't be so paranoid.
Look, I don't need
to lose my job
over accusations about us.
Relax.
So, how's the meathead?
Got a car, a job.
Where?
Highway Department.
Probably picks up trash.
That must help ease the stress.
Not really.
Seems worse, actually.
Kick him out then.
Now, look, I wish I could have
a normal relationship
with the kid,
but every time I look at him,
I just see his old man,
I remember the things
he did as a child.
It just makes me sick.
There's something
seriously wrong with him.
Looks he gives.
Hmm.
Maybe the shrinks
didn't fix him after all.
Why not send him back there?
No, no, I couldn't do that.
Look, when we leave for Europe,
I'll tell him to find
a place of his own,
and when you and I get back,
he'll be gone.
Six weeks to find the place is
plenty of time, even for him.
I mean, I feel guilty
as his mother, but...
he's just not right.
Speaking of the trip...
I don't think that I can come.
What?
Sorry.
Sally, we planned
this holiday for months.
I know, I know.
It's not too late for you
to get your money back.
I got mine yesterday.
In full.
I'm going.
No matter what.
Clarnell.
Jazz, give me a shot of whiskey.
- Thanks.
- What about our peanuts?
Sorry about that.
Coming right up.
Every time.
Like clockwork.
Hey, one more
with your name on it, Big Ed.
Thanks.
Here you go.
Hey, leave it there.
You want to hear this shit?
Yeah, man,
I got a cousin over there.
He kill any gooks?
He sent me this letter
saying he killed
over 50 people so far.
He had a picture of him
holding this dude's
severed head.
Gook's ain't people.
Well, their opinion
might differ.
Mm-hmm.
I wrote him back asking him
how it feels.
You could have just asked me.
So that shit be true?
I knew it!
Okay.
Why?
I wanted to see what
it felt like to kill grandma.
Good for you, Big Ed.
Crazy motherfucker.
Everything's going too fast.
Not fast enough.
What the hell
are you staring at?
What are you eating
for lunch, man?
Is that egg salad?
Oh, yeah.
It doesn't smell out here
in the heat, does it?
You're too crazy for me, man.
Well, it ain't contagious.
Eddie.
Eddie.
Let me out, please!
Please, let me out.
Fuck your mother's ass.
Help!
Susan, help me!
Eddie?
Should I let him out?
- Please, mom! I'll be good!
- Shut up!
Oh, you useless little shit!
Stop it!
Let me out!
There's something down here.
Let me out!
I know so little, I...
I didn't know it could happen
to one and not the other.
I thought it always
happened to both.
That isn't it.
- Well, I...
- So you do feel...?
Look, Penny...
I'm not that kind of guy
who does things suddenly.
Another goddamn Western.
Don't you get tired
of watching these things?
Get tired of the Duke?
No way.
Grab your ma a beer, guy.
Why are you like
watching him so much?
A lot of guys like the Duke.
Most guys got no reason to be
made to feel less than a man.
Look, I...
I'll change the channel.
I mean, John Wayne's like
the definition of manhood.
That's hardly you.
Just lay off, would you?
I mean, it's got to make you
feel bad
watching a man like that,
doing manly things.
How do you feel knowing
a man like that
wouldn't give you
the time of day?
Could you ride
past my schoolhouse with me?
'Cause a lot of boys
will not believe
that I know Quirt Evans.
What did you say?
Oh, gosh.
Everybody says
you're the fastest man
in the territory.
You already went through
three husbands
you couldn't keep.
What makes you think
he'd be interested in you?
You miserable little...
They all left because of you.
You didn't even meet
the last fella
until after I was sent away.
I doubt you even
told him about me.
I declare, Penny,
I don't know...
Yeah, yeah, figures.
What'd you think about that?
Someday...
you're going to have
to get over yourself
and accept I'm not the cause
of all your problems.
Good night.
You're not the cause
of my problems.
You are my problems.
Yeah, run away.
Don't see your precious Duke
running away from a woman.
Surely you can walk
to the barn without that.
- What?
- The gun.
Debbie, leave the baby alone.
You're not coming home
for dinner?
Okay.
Billy, put down those matches.
Nervine is a simple
mild relaxer
for simple nervous tension.
It won't put you
in another world.
It'll just make it easier
for you to function in this one.
Open this door, Duke!
Open this goddamn door!
Open this door, Duke!
Open this goddamn door!
I want to show you something.
Show you why he'd give me
the time of day.
He'd fuck me.
Fuck me hard.
While a pansy like you
and your daddy
yank yer tiny puds.
He would fuck me!
Fuck me hard!
Should have seen me
in "Streetcar"...
Deliberate cruelty
is unforgivable,
and it's the one thing I have
never, ever been guilty of.
Open this fucking door!
You excited?
I am so excited.
Oh, my gosh.
I need a party.
I need a weekend off school.
I'm nervous to see him.
- Really? Why?
- Yeah.
I'm just nervous.
I don't know.
Hmm. You're going to have
so much fun.
- Yeah?
- I promise.
- Yeah.
- Okay.
Just like try to be cool
when we get there.
Yeah. Okay.
You know, I swear to God,
though, it gives me a complex.
Like how anytime,
whenever we go out somewhere,
you always tell me
how I gotta be cool.
What? Do not.
Do too.
It's like every time
when we go out anywhere,
it's like you're afraid
I'm going to embarrass you
or something.
You are totally stoned.
I think you use it as your own
little coping device.
Like you set me up
to be a square,
and you get to come off
and be the bomb.
See?
You're wrong.
You're genuinely square.
Whatever.
How about a ride?
Where are you guys headed?
Stanford.
See our boyfriends.
Stanford, huh?
It's a little out of my way.
Well, as far as you can take us,
we really appreciate it.
Yes, thanks a lot, mister.
Hey, what's with the plastic?
For my work.
What do you do?
Well, I like to drive.
Oh, uh, the Department
of Highways. I'm a flag man.
You know, one of those dudes
who controls traffic.
That's cool.
You get to work outside.
It's all right.
You know,
I don't mean to be a pain,
but are you sure
this is the right way?
It'll never last, will it?
I'm sorry?
We were having such a nice time.
You can just, uh,
let us out here.
Seriously, here is fine.
Mister, you're freaking us out.
Just pull over. We really...
We can get out here.
Would you please...?
Please, right here is fine.
Please, mister, stop.
Here is fine.
Just pull over. We really...
We can get out here.
Please, man, just stop.
Goddamn! Bitch, shut the fuck up
or I'm gonna shoot you
in the face!
You two behave
and before you know it,
this will all be over.
What do you want with us?
You know what I want.
When he opens the door...
Shut up.
Okay.
Get out.
Try anything,
I'll blow your friend's
tits off.
You'll be okay.
It's gonna be okay.
You wait here.
Come on.
Come on.
Get in.
We won't tell anything
to anybody.
I'll shoot you
and your friend in the gut
and leave you here
to bleed to death slowly.
Now get in!
Watch your head.
Please!
Get in the back seat!
Uh...
Lie down.
Turn on your stomach.
Leave her alone, you asshole!
Mister, you're hurting me.
No! No!
What are you looking at?
Mom, what are you doing here?
I took a cab home
seeing you weren't there
to pick me up like you promised.
Numbnuts.
But that was today.
What are those?
- Just some pictures.
- Of what?
Just me and some friends.
You've got friends?
How was your trip?
Like you care.
Yeah, that's why I asked.
You really are a damn ninny.
I don't know why I bother.
Grab my other suitcase.
I need a beer.
If you have a trunk at all.
And why didn't you answer
the telephone?
Christ, I let it ring
a hundred times.
You owe me five
for the damn cab.
Shit for brains.
Welcome home, Ma.
Oh, you big jerk.
Why'd you pretend
you didn't remember?
I guess I was afraid.
If you thought I did
something nice,
you'd have a heart attack.
Here's a fin for the cab.
Oh, you big oaf.
Oh, that's not all.
I made us reservations
for dinner.
Oh, no can do kiddo.
I made plans with Sally.
She said she's gonna
make it up to me
for not coming on the trip.
Give me a rain check.
Okay?
Sure.
I'm gonna take a soak.
Don't forget my suitcase.
I told you to let me die.
Security hassle you?
No. Didn't even see them.
Good.
Fuck you, narc.
Hey, make love not war,
you capitalist pig.
Yeah, man, suck it.
What, you're leaving?
Stinkin' hippies.
I hope they get drafted
and shot over there.
Hope in one hand,
shit in the other,
see which fills up first.
That's classy.
Yep, wishing death is?
Wise ass.
There is a house
in New Orleans
They call
the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin
of many a poor boy
And, God, I know I'm one
My mother was a tailor
She sewed
my new blue jeans
- Hey, there!
- What?
Sorry.
Kinda out here all by yourself,
aren't you?
I had to transfer,
but the stupid bus is late.
You know what? I don't want
to scare you or anything,
but, you know,
some pretty horrible things
have been happening.
Young girls
getting themselves killed?
Yeah, I know,
it's kind of all over the news,
but I gotta get into the city.
Look, I got some place
I gotta be,
but I don't like the idea of
leaving you out here like this.
There's another bus stop, like
a couple miles away from here.
It's in front of gas station.
At least I won't be
in the middle of nowhere.
Well, sounds perfect.
Hop in.
We all gotta work together
to keep safe.
I'm Ed, by the way.
You've got friends.
There's a roll of medical tape
in my glove compartment.
Hand it to me.
Who's nervous now?
My mouth's not that big.
Move your jaw.
See if you can loosen it.
Good.
Hop in the backseat.
Damn it.
You left them in the car.
John Wayne is like
the definition of manhood.
That's hardly you.
God, can you believe
I wore that?
Yeah. Who shot the couch?
Well, if you
would've come along.
I don't want to hear about that.
Just want to know
your reason, is all.
Drop it, Clara.
Water under the bridge.
So, did you get any dick
over there?
Guys are shit.
Hmm.
Gals can be shit too.
Hmm.
Don't I know it?
Average woman didn't have
to deal with a no-count man,
she'd be a goddamn president.
That's an awful lot
of presidents.
- You know what I mean.
- Hmm.
Hey, why don't we go
into your bedroom?
In case you haven't noticed,
I still have
my goddamn worthless son
living here.
Next time you're tossing
innuendos around,
maybe you'll realize
that little microscope you use
to judge everyone else.
If it were turned back on you,
it would be twice as ugly.
What the hell are you
talking about?
I wasn't making innuendos.
I just thought we should
move the party
to your room
before he gets home.
Oh, so now I need to walk
on eggshells at my own house?
I am not playing
your game this time.
What goddamn game?
Not again.
You blew off our vacation.
Left me alone over there.
You get drunk. You get hateful.
You pick a fight.
I am not playing this time.
Fuck you, I get hateful.
Don't you turn your back.
Oh!
Eddie. You scared me.
Sorry, Miss Hallett.
I wasn't paying attention.
Please, I told you
a hundred times. Call me Sally.
Right. I'm sorry.
Your mother's in another one
of her damn moods.
She's been in one
of her moods for 15 years.
Take my advice.
Grab a beer, go to your room,
shut the door,
and ride out the storm.
I'll try.
Oh, hey, your trunk is open.
Oh, thanks. I'll get it.
It won't close like that.
You have to lift it up first.
Jesus, Eddie.
Sorry.
You could have hurt me.
Sorry. Sorry. Forgive me.
Okay.
I'm gonna go home
and get some sleep.
I've had enough
of this craziness for one night.
Keep going.
Well, well, well.
The prodigal bum returns.
See you ran off Sally.
She's got a smart tongue.
She does, huh?
What the hell
is that supposed to mean?
Nothing, Ma.
The hell it was nothing.
You were insinuating something.
No, Ma, I really wasn't.
I just... want to take a shower.
How can you need a shower?
God knows you didn't do
any damn work today.
I raped and murdered
a girl today.
I got her stink all over me.
You smell it?
That's...
How can you possibly think
that's funny?
So then, I shot her.
Edmund, what happened next?
You know, she, um...
died.
Grandma?
Grandma?
Grandma!
Excuse the interruption,
Mr. Kemper, but...
you make the killing
of your grandmother accidental.
Well, it's not like I did it
on purpose.
Well, then how might you explain
the stab wounds?
I was...
You know, I panicked.
I, you know,
wasn't exactly thinking
logically at that point.
I had a sort of vague idea
that maybe I could make it
look like some wacko
had broken in and killed her,
and then, you know,
I wouldn't have to explain
to Grandpa what had happened.
Edmund!
Edmund! How 'bout a little help
out here!
Edmund?
That's how that happened.
It occurs to me, Edmund,
that you relate
the details of your
grandparent's killing
almost passively, as...
as if you were merely
a spectator.
During our time together,
I told Edmund
that focusing on the past
was counterproductive,
that it would be better for him
to concentrate
on the here and now.
Mr. Kemper,
I'm sure you must understand
this board is charged
with the responsibility
of judging your mental fitness.
To adequately do so...
...without speculating
on the therapeutic
validity of...
There's a lot
of fooling around
nonsense have to go with it.
I'm not going to stand
for a lot of dressed up
and jabber up people
looking at me,
just 'cause I'm getting married.
Mr. Kemper.
I remember a moment,
as a child, where I saw...
my m-mother
smiling upon me,
a joyous smile.
Smile.
One that I've never seen again.
We're all the sum total
of our experiences, and...
though it's unhealthy
to dwell in the past,
nor is it healthy to deny it,
to grow and develop.
As human beings,
we must embrace
and study what we've done.
The only way
to truly know ourselves
is to know what we've done.
Hmm.
This concludes
the final psychiatric
re-evaluation
of Mr. Edmund Kemper.
The progress he has made
since release,
and the remarkable clarity
and perception
with which he views his crimes.
It is the opinion of this board
that Edmund Kemper III
be deemed mentally fit
and healthy,
not a threat to society,
and accorded the freedom
and independence that follows.
It is our recommendation
his juvenile records be sealed
so that Mr. Kemper
may be afforded
the fresh start
he so obviously deserves.
Hey, where you headed?
Cabrillo, I got class
at community college.
Class, huh?
Professor been on my ass.
Don't you pay attention
to the news?
You mean the shit
that's happening in Vietnam?
I don't know, man.
Just need a ride.
- No, the Co-Ed killer.
- What?
Please, no.
God.
Clarnell,
you can tell me anything.
I'm here for you.
I'm worried about Edmund.
Your son?
Yes.
It's something he said
the other night,
along with what the newspapers
have said about those girls.
Nothing said between us and God
leaves his house.
That he... raped a woman
and needed to shower
her smell off of himself.
I see.
And I think
he was joking, but...
with what's been happening
and his past, I'm worried.
His past should not taint
your opinion of him.
Those words are unsettling.
You wouldn't want to jump
to conclusions
that may put an innocent boy
back behind bars.
I know. I just...
I just wanted to get it
off my chest and...
and see if there's
an alternative.
The fact that you opened
your heart
and home to the boy
after his unspeakable act
is truly commendable.
And I feel, if you were
to speak with him...
Hmm.
That's difficult, Father.
See, it's hard for me
to communicate with him.
As soon as I try,
horrible things come at me.
Things I'm ashamed to say,
especially to my own son.
Oh.
Perhaps you should
bring him here,
so that we may
discuss this together.
Sort of neutral territory.
Thank you, Father.
I'll try that.
I want to be
a good mother.
...so much whiter
since you came my way
Colors are brighter...
So I sing what I say
I've been lonely
I've been waiting
I'm looking for someone
Someone like you
- Hi.
- Hey! Thanks for the lift.
Where you headed?
Downtown.
Oh, me too.
Oh.
Wait...
You two aren't together?
Nope.
I'm hitching just like you.
I've been hungry
I've been cold
- Hello, sir.
- Is there a problem, officer?
Because of the war protests
and recent homicides,
I'm making sure
everyone on campus
is supposed to be here.
Oh, I totally understand.
That's why I got the sticker
on the back
for when I pick up my sisters.
Please, back up.
- You did say, sisters?
- Correct.
Great. Have a nice day, ladies.
Gentleman, have a nice day.
Knock it off! Knock it off!
Whoa, whoa, whoa!
Shit, would you look
at that pig?
What? Where?
Oh, my God! Oh, my God!
Please, don't!
Oh, my God! Please, stop!
Stop, stop, stop, stop!
Edmund?
Edmund?
I'm gonna get that boy
a piece of my damn mind.
Edmund!
Edmund, open this damn door!
Edmund!
What the hell, Ma?
What the hell yourself?
What are you doing in there?
Sleeping.
What the shit did I hear before?
Me crying in my sleep, I guess.
Good morning, Ma.
No wonder you can't get a woman.
That's the way you greet her
in the morning.
It's not the morning so much.
It's more what happens
the night before.
Oh! Like mud!
Men like their coffee strong.
Call me a big girl
and pass me the milk.
You're just gonna have
to deal with it, you big girl.
What's so funny?
Okay, okay, okay, what?
What's so funny?
It's your underwear,
son of mine.
My underwear?
It's got a winking eye,
you naughty boy.
Wow.
All those warnings growing up
about needing
to keep them clean,
I guess I needed
to keep them whole.
Can't blame this one on me,
sonny boy.
So I gotta drink
this mud without milk?
We can pick up milk
after church.
Church?
Yes.
What for?
Father Artis
wants to speak with us.
Do it, Eddie.
What's wrong?
Oh. N-nothing.
Just... sweaty palms, is all.
Look, we can, uh...
pick up some milk
on the way back, okay?
Speak with us about what?
Our...
Our relationship.
What relationship?
Exactly.
And about what you said
the other day.
That was just a joke
to--to get you off my back.
No. Joke or not, I...
I--I can't today.
Maybe tomorrow...
Ma?
My cup runneth over.
Surely, goodness and mercy
shall follow me
all the days of my life.
And I will dwell in the house
of the Lord forever.
Amen.
Edmund!
Haven't you got
some real important business
to attend to...
someplace else?
Why don't you kick up that horse
and move on?
Kids are as bad
as you are ugly.
No!
Fastest gun in the house.
You know, among other things,
a kid needs a lot of iron
to come out right.
When he's three, he needs
as much as a full grown man.
At six, 20% more.
Now, if you're not sure
he's getting enough iron
from the food he eats,
you can always give him one
of these Chocks Plus
iron tablets every day.
They're cherry-flavored.
By the time he's 12,
you'll find you've built
yourself a pretty good kid.
There is love. There is loss.
I've known one of them.
Connection
with death does not involve
the cutting up of the victims.
And this, apparently,
was the grisly pattern
set in the death of the girl
whose body parts were found
scattered from here
in Santa Cruz to Big Sur.
And an even more horrible
possibility has come to light
with the findings of the two
girls in Castro Valley.
All the blood was pumped
from their bodies,
indicating that they
may have been
butchered while
they were still alive.
Peter Burns, Eyewitness News,
Santa Cruz.
When did you stop hitchhiking?
Well, about a week ago.
And that's about last Monday,
because that's when the report
came out that
the girls were missing.
Did you do much
hitchhiking before that?
Well, I went down to town a lot.
Not very much back up.
I'd always take the bus.
Because I thought
it was safe on campus.
Do you ever have
a bad experience?
No.
Cameron Smith,
a UC Santa Cruz student,
has organized the rape hotline.
Come on, ma.
I raped and murdered
a girl today.
I got her stink all over me.
You smell it?
And then they'll say,
I've been assaulted
or I've been raped.
And they will say,
"Well, do you want to talk?"
At this very moment
Mommy! Mommy!
Ma, hat the hell are you
doing in here?
I--I was just looking around.
In my room?
Well, it's my house.
No, no.
Let go of me, you big bastard.
You're my mother.
We both know who my dad is,
so let's not have
any of that crap.
After all I have given you...
Are you serious?
Fear and hate?
Locking me away in the basement,
pounding into my head
the idea I'm less,
constantly telling me
nobody wants to be my friend?
Telling me
during my worst moments...
Telling me I'm not good enough.
For all those pretty co-eds
you talk to on a daily basis,
like I'm some cancerous tumor
to be hidden away.
That what you're talking
about, Ma?
'Cause if that's
what you're talking about,
that makes me weep
for the country's children.
That's unfair.
Unfair is being born to a mother
who never wanted you.
Unfair is being treated
as an unwanted nuisance.
Unfair is when your mother
treats your scabbed knee
like it's something you've
done to ruin her fucking day!
I wasn't the best mother.
But I've never done anything
but good to you.
Good is for other people.
Ma, you're supposed to treat
your own son better than good.
Hell, if you treated me
half as good
as you did Allyn and Susan...
I never knew...
that I made you feel that way.
I just thought
we couldn't talk, is all.
And as for Allyn and Susan...
I have the same love for you
all inside.
Love.
First time I've heard that word
spill out of your lips.
My whole life,
you've been caught up
in your own shit.
I guess I do that, don't I?
All I want...
is for you
to be proud of me.
Oh, Edmund.
Oh, Edmund...
What's proud?
Good God, turn me loose.
You want me to be proud?
Proud of what?
Your only accomplishment in life
is getting turned loose
from that goddamn booby hatch.
I ought to go back.
I must be crazy buying...
you having a maternal moment.
You're scaring me.
Yeah, you ought to go back.
It's the only place you aren't
the biggest loser in the room.
Hell with this.
I'm going for a drive.
I missed you
more than words can say.
I know we have
our ups and downs,
but I love you
with all my heart.
Your son, Guy.
I'm sorry, Guy.
I'm so sorry.
Do it. Do it, Eddie.
What have you done?
It's not natural.
Do it, Eddie.
Stick your cock in her mouth.
Pull it out and stick it
in her ass.
Stab her in the pussy.
Go ahead, Eddie.
Do it.
Do it.
Fuck her face.
Fuck her mouth.
Kill her.
Run away!
Run away, little boy,
like your goddamn father!
No, it... It's okay.
I--I'm okay.
Pilgrim, I don't reckon
there's a single little thing
okay with a grown man crying.
Duke.
Son, I reckon it's time.
- Time?
- To shit
or exit the outhouse.
You've been building up
to something,
and I reckon we both know
what it is.
It's time to get on outta here
and get it done.
Edmund?
It's over.
Something else you
screwed up, huh, George?
Just like your goddamn father.
If you're referring
to "Of Mice and Men",
I would be Lenny, Ma.
I know, you dumb moose.
I played Mae on the fucking
stage with Lon Chaney Jr.
But seeing I'm a severed head
now, pardon the confusion.
Ugh!
This oughta shut you up
for good.
You pervert.
I'm going to make you
smile, Mammy.
Clarnell?
Eddie.
Where are you?
Happy Easter.
Oh, my God.
I didn't
deserve this.
...severing a human head.
Two of them...
He cut off their heads.
30 seconds of hell
in the sack with you
and your tiny pud, big man.
Hello,
Santa Cruz Police Department.
Malone speaking.
Hello?
Anybody there?
Santa Cruz Police Department.
She's dead.
I--I killed her.
Hello?
Hello?
Ah...
Santa Cruz Police Department.
Look, if you're playing
a game, it is--
This is Edmund Kemper.
Don't hang up.
Look, send somebody
out here now.
I killed her and them co-eds.
I'll give you
the number here and wait.
Okay, hold on.
What's the number?
Pueblo, I think.
Colorado?
Yeah, Colorado.
Okay, just stay there
and wait, okay?
I'll wait here.
I'm all finished now.
Are you still there?
I need to put a trace
on line three right now.
Hello.
Ed, can you hear me?
And that's how
that happened.
You don't seem
particularly remorseful.
What's that?
I can say I'm sorry,
and I suppose I am,
but what does that mean?
Sorrow.
For the people you caused harm.
Harm?
I fucking slaughtered people.
The only people
I ever harmed were maybe
friends and loved ones.
Well, then you do recognize
that you've caused pain.
Of course I caused pain.
Pain was my currency.
The point I'm trying
to make is
maybe I'm not enough
of a hypocrite to try
and alleviate my own guilt
saying, "Remorse this,
and I'm sorry that."
I mean, you know.
I know who I am.
I certainly know
what I'm capable of.
Okay.
I guess that's it.
Thank you, Ed.
I mean, I appreciate your time.
Relax.
They're changing the shift.
They're feeding the guys
in the secure area.
It might be 15, 20 minutes
before they come and get you.
You know...
If I went apeshit in here,
you'd be in a lot of trouble,
wouldn't you?
I could screw off your head
and place it
on the table to greet the guard.
And there's not a damn thing
you can do about it.
Ed.
You don't think
I came in here
without some method
of defending myself, do you?
Don't shit me, Ressler.
They wouldn't let you up here
if you had any weapons on you.
What have you got, then?
I'm not about to tell you
what I may or may not have.
What is it, a poison pen?
Maybe.
But those aren't the only
weapons one might have.
Karate.
Got your black belt?
You think you can take me?
Ed.
You're a smart guy.
If you were to do
anything to me,
you'd be in a lot of trouble.
What are they going to do,
take away
my television privileges?
Nothing compared
to the delectable memory
popping your head like a grape
might provide.
- Agent Ressler?
- Yep.
- Thank you.
- Thanks.
You know I was just kidding,
don't you?
Yeah.
Sure, Ed.
Bye now.
Don't forget me.
Good night.
I am an American
and I killed Americans.
I am a human being
and I killed human beings
and I did it in my society.
Edmund! Edmund!
How about a little help
out here?
Edmund?
Hey, Ma.
I hope you're happy now.
Because I've gone
and just killed them both.
I killed grandma and grandpa.
Edmund.
I should think that you'd be
beside yourself with excitement.
Here, you float daydreaming.
I was just thinking.
You're going to have
to refrain from that
when you're in a conversation
with people.
It can be very unnerving.
Okay, you're right. Sorry.
It's neither here nor there
any longer.
Your chariot awaits you, my boy.
Now, then...
just remember all the things
that we've talked about
and you're going to be fine.
You're going to be just fine.
And if you happen
to find yourself
in an awkward situation,
please phone me.
Oh, I won't.
I mean, I will, Doctor.
I'll call. I mean...
I catch you drift, son.
You came here a boy.
You're leaving a man.
A man?
Yes.
You're going to find a world
outside that has moved forward.
The worst thing that you can do
is try to catch up to it.
You've got to get your debt.
You don't owe
the world anything.
You understand?
Sure, Doctor.
Good luck, Edmund.
Oh, Edmund...
one more thing.
For the sake of all the hard
work that we've done,
please, stay away
from your mother.
...the overriding issues
of war and peace,
unless they know the truth
about that policy.
Hey, Ma.
You put on weight.
...to answer some
of the questions that I know...
Nothing to do in that place,
except eat.
What about getting
your mind fixed?
Yeah, and that.
...how has
this administration...
Are you hungry?
There is beer in the fridge.
What has really happened
in the negotiations...
Actually,
I need to use the can.
Oh. It's just over there.
Guest room is next to it.
What are the prospects
of peace?
- That's where you sleep.
- Now, let me begin...
You get hungry?
Kitchen is through there.
When I was inaugurated...
Don't expect me
to fix you anything.
The war had been going on
for four years.
31,000 Americans
had been killed in action.
The training program...
My bedroom has a bathroom,
but it's off limits to you.
Got it? Mm.
540,000 Americans
were in Vietnam
with no plans
to reduce the number.
No progress...
The war was causing deep
division at home
and criticism
from many of our friends
as well as our enemies abroad.
In view of these circumstances
there were some
who urged that I end the war
at once...
You probably noticed
there's no toilet paper.
You've got to go
number two then.
From a political standpoint,
this would
have been a popular
and easy course to follow.
After all...
Well, Pilgrim, I reckon we
got us some rough trail ahead.
Uh-huh.
Hallelujah.
Boy learned to wash his paws
in the joint.
Yeah, if only I had a towel
to dry him.
End of the hall
in the cabinet, genius.
Oh, listen,
I made plans for tonight.
So, I'm sure you'd probably
have to stay here,
you know, get settled.
Yeah. First night
after five years of lockdown,
why would I want
to do anything special?
It's not my fault,
you getting let out on Saturday
and all.
Right. I should have
gotten released
on a more convenient day
for you.
Wise ass.
Shit, she's here.
Let her in.
Tell her I'm getting dressed.
You're already dressed.
Don't get smart.
And don't tell her
you're in that goddamn
nuthouse. Just, uh...
I told people you were just
staying with your grandparents.
Symbolically,
I guess you could say I was.
Just don't embarrass me
in front of people.
Hi, is Clarnell here?
She... told me to tell you
she's getting dressed.
Oh. Ah...
Well, may I come in?
Oh, please. Sorry.
I'm Sally.
Oh, I'm Ed.
Pleasure to meet you.
I know.
I've heard a lot about you.
Really?
Well, she's mentioned you.
Mentioned what?
Nothing. Ready to go?
You bet.
Nice meeting you, Ed.
Oh, good to meet you too,
Sally.
Christ, let's go.
And you...
Don't you burn down
the friggin' house, okay?
Dad?
Please, don't go.
Come on. Come here.
Hey.
Soldiers don't cry, right?
Especially big ones like you.
Salute?
Look...
your mom and I, we just...
We can't get along anymore.
But she hates me.
No, no. She doesn't hate you.
Hell, you're special.
And one day, one day,
your mom and the whole world
will know that.
You'll show them.
Remember that.
Tell your sisters...
I love them and...
and I'll call
when I get settled.
I love you, son.
Dad, wait!
You forgot your records.
Dad, dad.
Where do you think
you're going?
Dad forgot his records.
Come here.
I'll be good, mom.
- Get down there!
- Please!
Please! I'll be good, Mom.
Please!
Don't leave me alone down here!
Eddie.
Come on, guy. Up and kill him.
Up and at 'em. Come on, guy.
Come on, get up.
Come on.
No free rides around here.
Free rides?
I've been here
less than 24 hours.
You tell me, smarty pants,
how long is it
I should let you lie around
before you get off your fat ass
and find a damn job?
More than 24 hours.
I'm up. I'm up.
I got you a present.
Really?
You don't gotta act
like I said the moon
is made of green cheese.
What'd you get me?
It's a university sticker.
I get to work in the drama
department with you?
No way you're dragging
your lumbering self
inside where I work.
Seeing you on stage
in "Death of a Salesman,"
you was Willie Lohman.
That's too funny.
So what's this for, then?
It'll let you drive me
on and off campus
without having to embarrass me
when they ask
what the heck
you're doing there.
You just said you didn't want me
near your work.
No, I said inside.
Besides, I might need
a ride sometime
and you're a notch above a bus.
You are buying a car.
I kinda figured I had to.
Damn right. Only people who
don't have cars in California
are bums and damn hippies.
You don't have a car.
It got wrecked.
Okay, so what's your deal
with hippies?
You heard about that Manson
thing in LA, right?
Hippies. The lot of them.
That's kind of a generalization,
isn't it?
I don't like any of it.
There's, uh...
cereal in the kitchen
if you want some.
Edmund! It's dinner time!
Oh, God, help me.
Edmund.
Edmund, what did you do?
What the hell are you
staring at?
Whose cat is that?
You just forget
about that damn cat.
I just want to know
who it belongs to.
Just forget about it, okay?
All right.
Geez.
Make sure you wash that.
I will.
Up against some of
the worst drivers in the world.
I wrote my number down at work
if you need it
and there's cold cuts
in the fridge
if you get hungry for lunch.
Thanks, Ma.
What about that cereal bowl?
I said I'd wash it, didn't I?
Don't you get smart with me.
Say you're going to do something
and then do nothing at all?
I'm curious how you know
so much about me
when you haven't seen me
in six years.
Don't you go blaming me
for that.
It's not my fault you got
put away in that damn place.
Isn't it, Mom? Isn't it?
Oh, you son of a bitch.
That's me, Ma,
a real son of a bitch.
What kind of mouth is that
talking that way in here?
You can't respect me
or this house,
you just goddamn leave,
you hear me?
You awake?
Yeah, Ma.
You clean that pigsty yet?
The helicopter
hovers over the jungle.
In the midst of the firefight,
his buddies
put Hero on the rescue chopper,
and he's pulled up 100 feet.
100 feet to a hospital bed...
I'll do it when I get home.
I'm going to be late for work.
I can't believe somebody's
so hard up
they're willing to pay you
to work for them.
One mine less one man...
That's... real supportive, Ma.
Clean that goddamn room!
Rehearsals will go
long and late tonight.
The kids are as bad
as you are ugly.
Don't wait up.
Ha! And I'll fix you
a lunch. Enjoy.
P.S. Clean that goddamn room!
Ma?
Mom?
- You're late.
- Same as she's having.
Sorry. The meeting
with the Johnson boys' parents
went long.
It just bites
into our time, is all.
- Forget about it.
- Mm.
Here you go, sweets.
Thanks, Jazz.
We'll have the usual over here.
And some peanuts.
Do you know them?
He said that Santa Cruz
was the murder capital
of the world.
Mm.
Hold on.
Sally.
Sally.
Ta-da.
So do you know them?
Seen them around.
- Where?
- Here.
I think they work
over at the courthouse.
Don't be so paranoid.
Look, I don't need
to lose my job
over accusations about us.
Relax.
So, how's the meathead?
Got a car, a job.
Where?
Highway Department.
Probably picks up trash.
That must help ease the stress.
Not really.
Seems worse, actually.
Kick him out then.
Now, look, I wish I could have
a normal relationship
with the kid,
but every time I look at him,
I just see his old man,
I remember the things
he did as a child.
It just makes me sick.
There's something
seriously wrong with him.
Looks he gives.
Hmm.
Maybe the shrinks
didn't fix him after all.
Why not send him back there?
No, no, I couldn't do that.
Look, when we leave for Europe,
I'll tell him to find
a place of his own,
and when you and I get back,
he'll be gone.
Six weeks to find the place is
plenty of time, even for him.
I mean, I feel guilty
as his mother, but...
he's just not right.
Speaking of the trip...
I don't think that I can come.
What?
Sorry.
Sally, we planned
this holiday for months.
I know, I know.
It's not too late for you
to get your money back.
I got mine yesterday.
In full.
I'm going.
No matter what.
Clarnell.
Jazz, give me a shot of whiskey.
- Thanks.
- What about our peanuts?
Sorry about that.
Coming right up.
Every time.
Like clockwork.
Hey, one more
with your name on it, Big Ed.
Thanks.
Here you go.
Hey, leave it there.
You want to hear this shit?
Yeah, man,
I got a cousin over there.
He kill any gooks?
He sent me this letter
saying he killed
over 50 people so far.
He had a picture of him
holding this dude's
severed head.
Gook's ain't people.
Well, their opinion
might differ.
Mm-hmm.
I wrote him back asking him
how it feels.
You could have just asked me.
So that shit be true?
I knew it!
Okay.
Why?
I wanted to see what
it felt like to kill grandma.
Good for you, Big Ed.
Crazy motherfucker.
Everything's going too fast.
Not fast enough.
What the hell
are you staring at?
What are you eating
for lunch, man?
Is that egg salad?
Oh, yeah.
It doesn't smell out here
in the heat, does it?
You're too crazy for me, man.
Well, it ain't contagious.
Eddie.
Eddie.
Let me out, please!
Please, let me out.
Fuck your mother's ass.
Help!
Susan, help me!
Eddie?
Should I let him out?
- Please, mom! I'll be good!
- Shut up!
Oh, you useless little shit!
Stop it!
Let me out!
There's something down here.
Let me out!
I know so little, I...
I didn't know it could happen
to one and not the other.
I thought it always
happened to both.
That isn't it.
- Well, I...
- So you do feel...?
Look, Penny...
I'm not that kind of guy
who does things suddenly.
Another goddamn Western.
Don't you get tired
of watching these things?
Get tired of the Duke?
No way.
Grab your ma a beer, guy.
Why are you like
watching him so much?
A lot of guys like the Duke.
Most guys got no reason to be
made to feel less than a man.
Look, I...
I'll change the channel.
I mean, John Wayne's like
the definition of manhood.
That's hardly you.
Just lay off, would you?
I mean, it's got to make you
feel bad
watching a man like that,
doing manly things.
How do you feel knowing
a man like that
wouldn't give you
the time of day?
Could you ride
past my schoolhouse with me?
'Cause a lot of boys
will not believe
that I know Quirt Evans.
What did you say?
Oh, gosh.
Everybody says
you're the fastest man
in the territory.
You already went through
three husbands
you couldn't keep.
What makes you think
he'd be interested in you?
You miserable little...
They all left because of you.
You didn't even meet
the last fella
until after I was sent away.
I doubt you even
told him about me.
I declare, Penny,
I don't know...
Yeah, yeah, figures.
What'd you think about that?
Someday...
you're going to have
to get over yourself
and accept I'm not the cause
of all your problems.
Good night.
You're not the cause
of my problems.
You are my problems.
Yeah, run away.
Don't see your precious Duke
running away from a woman.
Surely you can walk
to the barn without that.
- What?
- The gun.
Debbie, leave the baby alone.
You're not coming home
for dinner?
Okay.
Billy, put down those matches.
Nervine is a simple
mild relaxer
for simple nervous tension.
It won't put you
in another world.
It'll just make it easier
for you to function in this one.
Open this door, Duke!
Open this goddamn door!
Open this door, Duke!
Open this goddamn door!
I want to show you something.
Show you why he'd give me
the time of day.
He'd fuck me.
Fuck me hard.
While a pansy like you
and your daddy
yank yer tiny puds.
He would fuck me!
Fuck me hard!
Should have seen me
in "Streetcar"...
Deliberate cruelty
is unforgivable,
and it's the one thing I have
never, ever been guilty of.
Open this fucking door!
You excited?
I am so excited.
Oh, my gosh.
I need a party.
I need a weekend off school.
I'm nervous to see him.
- Really? Why?
- Yeah.
I'm just nervous.
I don't know.
Hmm. You're going to have
so much fun.
- Yeah?
- I promise.
- Yeah.
- Okay.
Just like try to be cool
when we get there.
Yeah. Okay.
You know, I swear to God,
though, it gives me a complex.
Like how anytime,
whenever we go out somewhere,
you always tell me
how I gotta be cool.
What? Do not.
Do too.
It's like every time
when we go out anywhere,
it's like you're afraid
I'm going to embarrass you
or something.
You are totally stoned.
I think you use it as your own
little coping device.
Like you set me up
to be a square,
and you get to come off
and be the bomb.
See?
You're wrong.
You're genuinely square.
Whatever.
How about a ride?
Where are you guys headed?
Stanford.
See our boyfriends.
Stanford, huh?
It's a little out of my way.
Well, as far as you can take us,
we really appreciate it.
Yes, thanks a lot, mister.
Hey, what's with the plastic?
For my work.
What do you do?
Well, I like to drive.
Oh, uh, the Department
of Highways. I'm a flag man.
You know, one of those dudes
who controls traffic.
That's cool.
You get to work outside.
It's all right.
You know,
I don't mean to be a pain,
but are you sure
this is the right way?
It'll never last, will it?
I'm sorry?
We were having such a nice time.
You can just, uh,
let us out here.
Seriously, here is fine.
Mister, you're freaking us out.
Just pull over. We really...
We can get out here.
Would you please...?
Please, right here is fine.
Please, mister, stop.
Here is fine.
Just pull over. We really...
We can get out here.
Please, man, just stop.
Goddamn! Bitch, shut the fuck up
or I'm gonna shoot you
in the face!
You two behave
and before you know it,
this will all be over.
What do you want with us?
You know what I want.
When he opens the door...
Shut up.
Okay.
Get out.
Try anything,
I'll blow your friend's
tits off.
You'll be okay.
It's gonna be okay.
You wait here.
Come on.
Come on.
Get in.
We won't tell anything
to anybody.
I'll shoot you
and your friend in the gut
and leave you here
to bleed to death slowly.
Now get in!
Watch your head.
Please!
Get in the back seat!
Uh...
Lie down.
Turn on your stomach.
Leave her alone, you asshole!
Mister, you're hurting me.
No! No!
What are you looking at?
Mom, what are you doing here?
I took a cab home
seeing you weren't there
to pick me up like you promised.
Numbnuts.
But that was today.
What are those?
- Just some pictures.
- Of what?
Just me and some friends.
You've got friends?
How was your trip?
Like you care.
Yeah, that's why I asked.
You really are a damn ninny.
I don't know why I bother.
Grab my other suitcase.
I need a beer.
If you have a trunk at all.
And why didn't you answer
the telephone?
Christ, I let it ring
a hundred times.
You owe me five
for the damn cab.
Shit for brains.
Welcome home, Ma.
Oh, you big jerk.
Why'd you pretend
you didn't remember?
I guess I was afraid.
If you thought I did
something nice,
you'd have a heart attack.
Here's a fin for the cab.
Oh, you big oaf.
Oh, that's not all.
I made us reservations
for dinner.
Oh, no can do kiddo.
I made plans with Sally.
She said she's gonna
make it up to me
for not coming on the trip.
Give me a rain check.
Okay?
Sure.
I'm gonna take a soak.
Don't forget my suitcase.
I told you to let me die.
Security hassle you?
No. Didn't even see them.
Good.
Fuck you, narc.
Hey, make love not war,
you capitalist pig.
Yeah, man, suck it.
What, you're leaving?
Stinkin' hippies.
I hope they get drafted
and shot over there.
Hope in one hand,
shit in the other,
see which fills up first.
That's classy.
Yep, wishing death is?
Wise ass.
There is a house
in New Orleans
They call
the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin
of many a poor boy
And, God, I know I'm one
My mother was a tailor
She sewed
my new blue jeans
- Hey, there!
- What?
Sorry.
Kinda out here all by yourself,
aren't you?
I had to transfer,
but the stupid bus is late.
You know what? I don't want
to scare you or anything,
but, you know,
some pretty horrible things
have been happening.
Young girls
getting themselves killed?
Yeah, I know,
it's kind of all over the news,
but I gotta get into the city.
Look, I got some place
I gotta be,
but I don't like the idea of
leaving you out here like this.
There's another bus stop, like
a couple miles away from here.
It's in front of gas station.
At least I won't be
in the middle of nowhere.
Well, sounds perfect.
Hop in.
We all gotta work together
to keep safe.
I'm Ed, by the way.
You've got friends.
There's a roll of medical tape
in my glove compartment.
Hand it to me.
Who's nervous now?
My mouth's not that big.
Move your jaw.
See if you can loosen it.
Good.
Hop in the backseat.
Damn it.
You left them in the car.
John Wayne is like
the definition of manhood.
That's hardly you.
God, can you believe
I wore that?
Yeah. Who shot the couch?
Well, if you
would've come along.
I don't want to hear about that.
Just want to know
your reason, is all.
Drop it, Clara.
Water under the bridge.
So, did you get any dick
over there?
Guys are shit.
Hmm.
Gals can be shit too.
Hmm.
Don't I know it?
Average woman didn't have
to deal with a no-count man,
she'd be a goddamn president.
That's an awful lot
of presidents.
- You know what I mean.
- Hmm.
Hey, why don't we go
into your bedroom?
In case you haven't noticed,
I still have
my goddamn worthless son
living here.
Next time you're tossing
innuendos around,
maybe you'll realize
that little microscope you use
to judge everyone else.
If it were turned back on you,
it would be twice as ugly.
What the hell are you
talking about?
I wasn't making innuendos.
I just thought we should
move the party
to your room
before he gets home.
Oh, so now I need to walk
on eggshells at my own house?
I am not playing
your game this time.
What goddamn game?
Not again.
You blew off our vacation.
Left me alone over there.
You get drunk. You get hateful.
You pick a fight.
I am not playing this time.
Fuck you, I get hateful.
Don't you turn your back.
Oh!
Eddie. You scared me.
Sorry, Miss Hallett.
I wasn't paying attention.
Please, I told you
a hundred times. Call me Sally.
Right. I'm sorry.
Your mother's in another one
of her damn moods.
She's been in one
of her moods for 15 years.
Take my advice.
Grab a beer, go to your room,
shut the door,
and ride out the storm.
I'll try.
Oh, hey, your trunk is open.
Oh, thanks. I'll get it.
It won't close like that.
You have to lift it up first.
Jesus, Eddie.
Sorry.
You could have hurt me.
Sorry. Sorry. Forgive me.
Okay.
I'm gonna go home
and get some sleep.
I've had enough
of this craziness for one night.
Keep going.
Well, well, well.
The prodigal bum returns.
See you ran off Sally.
She's got a smart tongue.
She does, huh?
What the hell
is that supposed to mean?
Nothing, Ma.
The hell it was nothing.
You were insinuating something.
No, Ma, I really wasn't.
I just... want to take a shower.
How can you need a shower?
God knows you didn't do
any damn work today.
I raped and murdered
a girl today.
I got her stink all over me.
You smell it?
That's...
How can you possibly think
that's funny?
So then, I shot her.
Edmund, what happened next?
You know, she, um...
died.
Grandma?
Grandma?
Grandma!
Excuse the interruption,
Mr. Kemper, but...
you make the killing
of your grandmother accidental.
Well, it's not like I did it
on purpose.
Well, then how might you explain
the stab wounds?
I was...
You know, I panicked.
I, you know,
wasn't exactly thinking
logically at that point.
I had a sort of vague idea
that maybe I could make it
look like some wacko
had broken in and killed her,
and then, you know,
I wouldn't have to explain
to Grandpa what had happened.
Edmund!
Edmund! How 'bout a little help
out here!
Edmund?
That's how that happened.
It occurs to me, Edmund,
that you relate
the details of your
grandparent's killing
almost passively, as...
as if you were merely
a spectator.
During our time together,
I told Edmund
that focusing on the past
was counterproductive,
that it would be better for him
to concentrate
on the here and now.
Mr. Kemper,
I'm sure you must understand
this board is charged
with the responsibility
of judging your mental fitness.
To adequately do so...
...without speculating
on the therapeutic
validity of...
There's a lot
of fooling around
nonsense have to go with it.
I'm not going to stand
for a lot of dressed up
and jabber up people
looking at me,
just 'cause I'm getting married.
Mr. Kemper.
I remember a moment,
as a child, where I saw...
my m-mother
smiling upon me,
a joyous smile.
Smile.
One that I've never seen again.
We're all the sum total
of our experiences, and...
though it's unhealthy
to dwell in the past,
nor is it healthy to deny it,
to grow and develop.
As human beings,
we must embrace
and study what we've done.
The only way
to truly know ourselves
is to know what we've done.
Hmm.
This concludes
the final psychiatric
re-evaluation
of Mr. Edmund Kemper.
The progress he has made
since release,
and the remarkable clarity
and perception
with which he views his crimes.
It is the opinion of this board
that Edmund Kemper III
be deemed mentally fit
and healthy,
not a threat to society,
and accorded the freedom
and independence that follows.
It is our recommendation
his juvenile records be sealed
so that Mr. Kemper
may be afforded
the fresh start
he so obviously deserves.
Hey, where you headed?
Cabrillo, I got class
at community college.
Class, huh?
Professor been on my ass.
Don't you pay attention
to the news?
You mean the shit
that's happening in Vietnam?
I don't know, man.
Just need a ride.
- No, the Co-Ed killer.
- What?
Please, no.
God.
Clarnell,
you can tell me anything.
I'm here for you.
I'm worried about Edmund.
Your son?
Yes.
It's something he said
the other night,
along with what the newspapers
have said about those girls.
Nothing said between us and God
leaves his house.
That he... raped a woman
and needed to shower
her smell off of himself.
I see.
And I think
he was joking, but...
with what's been happening
and his past, I'm worried.
His past should not taint
your opinion of him.
Those words are unsettling.
You wouldn't want to jump
to conclusions
that may put an innocent boy
back behind bars.
I know. I just...
I just wanted to get it
off my chest and...
and see if there's
an alternative.
The fact that you opened
your heart
and home to the boy
after his unspeakable act
is truly commendable.
And I feel, if you were
to speak with him...
Hmm.
That's difficult, Father.
See, it's hard for me
to communicate with him.
As soon as I try,
horrible things come at me.
Things I'm ashamed to say,
especially to my own son.
Oh.
Perhaps you should
bring him here,
so that we may
discuss this together.
Sort of neutral territory.
Thank you, Father.
I'll try that.
I want to be
a good mother.
...so much whiter
since you came my way
Colors are brighter...
So I sing what I say
I've been lonely
I've been waiting
I'm looking for someone
Someone like you
- Hi.
- Hey! Thanks for the lift.
Where you headed?
Downtown.
Oh, me too.
Oh.
Wait...
You two aren't together?
Nope.
I'm hitching just like you.
I've been hungry
I've been cold
- Hello, sir.
- Is there a problem, officer?
Because of the war protests
and recent homicides,
I'm making sure
everyone on campus
is supposed to be here.
Oh, I totally understand.
That's why I got the sticker
on the back
for when I pick up my sisters.
Please, back up.
- You did say, sisters?
- Correct.
Great. Have a nice day, ladies.
Gentleman, have a nice day.
Knock it off! Knock it off!
Whoa, whoa, whoa!
Shit, would you look
at that pig?
What? Where?
Oh, my God! Oh, my God!
Please, don't!
Oh, my God! Please, stop!
Stop, stop, stop, stop!
Edmund?
Edmund?
I'm gonna get that boy
a piece of my damn mind.
Edmund!
Edmund, open this damn door!
Edmund!
What the hell, Ma?
What the hell yourself?
What are you doing in there?
Sleeping.
What the shit did I hear before?
Me crying in my sleep, I guess.
Good morning, Ma.
No wonder you can't get a woman.
That's the way you greet her
in the morning.
It's not the morning so much.
It's more what happens
the night before.
Oh! Like mud!
Men like their coffee strong.
Call me a big girl
and pass me the milk.
You're just gonna have
to deal with it, you big girl.
What's so funny?
Okay, okay, okay, what?
What's so funny?
It's your underwear,
son of mine.
My underwear?
It's got a winking eye,
you naughty boy.
Wow.
All those warnings growing up
about needing
to keep them clean,
I guess I needed
to keep them whole.
Can't blame this one on me,
sonny boy.
So I gotta drink
this mud without milk?
We can pick up milk
after church.
Church?
Yes.
What for?
Father Artis
wants to speak with us.
Do it, Eddie.
What's wrong?
Oh. N-nothing.
Just... sweaty palms, is all.
Look, we can, uh...
pick up some milk
on the way back, okay?
Speak with us about what?
Our...
Our relationship.
What relationship?
Exactly.
And about what you said
the other day.
That was just a joke
to--to get you off my back.
No. Joke or not, I...
I--I can't today.
Maybe tomorrow...
Ma?
My cup runneth over.
Surely, goodness and mercy
shall follow me
all the days of my life.
And I will dwell in the house
of the Lord forever.
Amen.
Edmund!
Haven't you got
some real important business
to attend to...
someplace else?
Why don't you kick up that horse
and move on?
Kids are as bad
as you are ugly.
No!
Fastest gun in the house.
You know, among other things,
a kid needs a lot of iron
to come out right.
When he's three, he needs
as much as a full grown man.
At six, 20% more.
Now, if you're not sure
he's getting enough iron
from the food he eats,
you can always give him one
of these Chocks Plus
iron tablets every day.
They're cherry-flavored.
By the time he's 12,
you'll find you've built
yourself a pretty good kid.
There is love. There is loss.
I've known one of them.
Connection
with death does not involve
the cutting up of the victims.
And this, apparently,
was the grisly pattern
set in the death of the girl
whose body parts were found
scattered from here
in Santa Cruz to Big Sur.
And an even more horrible
possibility has come to light
with the findings of the two
girls in Castro Valley.
All the blood was pumped
from their bodies,
indicating that they
may have been
butchered while
they were still alive.
Peter Burns, Eyewitness News,
Santa Cruz.
When did you stop hitchhiking?
Well, about a week ago.
And that's about last Monday,
because that's when the report
came out that
the girls were missing.
Did you do much
hitchhiking before that?
Well, I went down to town a lot.
Not very much back up.
I'd always take the bus.
Because I thought
it was safe on campus.
Do you ever have
a bad experience?
No.
Cameron Smith,
a UC Santa Cruz student,
has organized the rape hotline.
Come on, ma.
I raped and murdered
a girl today.
I got her stink all over me.
You smell it?
And then they'll say,
I've been assaulted
or I've been raped.
And they will say,
"Well, do you want to talk?"
At this very moment
Mommy! Mommy!
Ma, hat the hell are you
doing in here?
I--I was just looking around.
In my room?
Well, it's my house.
No, no.
Let go of me, you big bastard.
You're my mother.
We both know who my dad is,
so let's not have
any of that crap.
After all I have given you...
Are you serious?
Fear and hate?
Locking me away in the basement,
pounding into my head
the idea I'm less,
constantly telling me
nobody wants to be my friend?
Telling me
during my worst moments...
Telling me I'm not good enough.
For all those pretty co-eds
you talk to on a daily basis,
like I'm some cancerous tumor
to be hidden away.
That what you're talking
about, Ma?
'Cause if that's
what you're talking about,
that makes me weep
for the country's children.
That's unfair.
Unfair is being born to a mother
who never wanted you.
Unfair is being treated
as an unwanted nuisance.
Unfair is when your mother
treats your scabbed knee
like it's something you've
done to ruin her fucking day!
I wasn't the best mother.
But I've never done anything
but good to you.
Good is for other people.
Ma, you're supposed to treat
your own son better than good.
Hell, if you treated me
half as good
as you did Allyn and Susan...
I never knew...
that I made you feel that way.
I just thought
we couldn't talk, is all.
And as for Allyn and Susan...
I have the same love for you
all inside.
Love.
First time I've heard that word
spill out of your lips.
My whole life,
you've been caught up
in your own shit.
I guess I do that, don't I?
All I want...
is for you
to be proud of me.
Oh, Edmund.
Oh, Edmund...
What's proud?
Good God, turn me loose.
You want me to be proud?
Proud of what?
Your only accomplishment in life
is getting turned loose
from that goddamn booby hatch.
I ought to go back.
I must be crazy buying...
you having a maternal moment.
You're scaring me.
Yeah, you ought to go back.
It's the only place you aren't
the biggest loser in the room.
Hell with this.
I'm going for a drive.
I missed you
more than words can say.
I know we have
our ups and downs,
but I love you
with all my heart.
Your son, Guy.
I'm sorry, Guy.
I'm so sorry.
Do it. Do it, Eddie.
What have you done?
It's not natural.
Do it, Eddie.
Stick your cock in her mouth.
Pull it out and stick it
in her ass.
Stab her in the pussy.
Go ahead, Eddie.
Do it.
Do it.
Fuck her face.
Fuck her mouth.
Kill her.
Run away!
Run away, little boy,
like your goddamn father!
No, it... It's okay.
I--I'm okay.
Pilgrim, I don't reckon
there's a single little thing
okay with a grown man crying.
Duke.
Son, I reckon it's time.
- Time?
- To shit
or exit the outhouse.
You've been building up
to something,
and I reckon we both know
what it is.
It's time to get on outta here
and get it done.
Edmund?
It's over.
Something else you
screwed up, huh, George?
Just like your goddamn father.
If you're referring
to "Of Mice and Men",
I would be Lenny, Ma.
I know, you dumb moose.
I played Mae on the fucking
stage with Lon Chaney Jr.
But seeing I'm a severed head
now, pardon the confusion.
Ugh!
This oughta shut you up
for good.
You pervert.
I'm going to make you
smile, Mammy.
Clarnell?
Eddie.
Where are you?
Happy Easter.
Oh, my God.
I didn't
deserve this.
...severing a human head.
Two of them...
He cut off their heads.
30 seconds of hell
in the sack with you
and your tiny pud, big man.
Hello,
Santa Cruz Police Department.
Malone speaking.
Hello?
Anybody there?
Santa Cruz Police Department.
She's dead.
I--I killed her.
Hello?
Hello?
Ah...
Santa Cruz Police Department.
Look, if you're playing
a game, it is--
This is Edmund Kemper.
Don't hang up.
Look, send somebody
out here now.
I killed her and them co-eds.
I'll give you
the number here and wait.
Okay, hold on.
What's the number?
Pueblo, I think.
Colorado?
Yeah, Colorado.
Okay, just stay there
and wait, okay?
I'll wait here.
I'm all finished now.
Are you still there?
I need to put a trace
on line three right now.
Hello.
Ed, can you hear me?
And that's how
that happened.
You don't seem
particularly remorseful.
What's that?
I can say I'm sorry,
and I suppose I am,
but what does that mean?
Sorrow.
For the people you caused harm.
Harm?
I fucking slaughtered people.
The only people
I ever harmed were maybe
friends and loved ones.
Well, then you do recognize
that you've caused pain.
Of course I caused pain.
Pain was my currency.
The point I'm trying
to make is
maybe I'm not enough
of a hypocrite to try
and alleviate my own guilt
saying, "Remorse this,
and I'm sorry that."
I mean, you know.
I know who I am.
I certainly know
what I'm capable of.
Okay.
I guess that's it.
Thank you, Ed.
I mean, I appreciate your time.
Relax.
They're changing the shift.
They're feeding the guys
in the secure area.
It might be 15, 20 minutes
before they come and get you.
You know...
If I went apeshit in here,
you'd be in a lot of trouble,
wouldn't you?
I could screw off your head
and place it
on the table to greet the guard.
And there's not a damn thing
you can do about it.
Ed.
You don't think
I came in here
without some method
of defending myself, do you?
Don't shit me, Ressler.
They wouldn't let you up here
if you had any weapons on you.
What have you got, then?
I'm not about to tell you
what I may or may not have.
What is it, a poison pen?
Maybe.
But those aren't the only
weapons one might have.
Karate.
Got your black belt?
You think you can take me?
Ed.
You're a smart guy.
If you were to do
anything to me,
you'd be in a lot of trouble.
What are they going to do,
take away
my television privileges?
Nothing compared
to the delectable memory
popping your head like a grape
might provide.
- Agent Ressler?
- Yep.
- Thank you.
- Thanks.
You know I was just kidding,
don't you?
Yeah.
Sure, Ed.
Bye now.
Don't forget me.
Good night.