The Bondsman (2025) s01e02 Episode Script

1
-[Christina Aguilera: "Vanity"]
-Bitch ♪
Mirror, mirror, on the wall ♪
Who's the flyest bitch of them all? ♪
Never mind, I am ♪
That bitch is so fucking pretty ♪
Yeah, I am ♪
If I were her, I would kiss me ♪
-Mwah ♪
-Hey! ♪
-Hallelujah.
-Mirror, mirror on the wall ♪
[slow, distorted] Hit up Prince
Charming, tell him give me a call
[lights crackling]
Aw, come on.
[whooshing]
-[crackling]
-[glass pops]
[eerie voice whispering]
[rustling, crackling]
[hissing, popping]
[eerie voice whispering]
[eerie growl]
The Lord is my shepherd.
I shall not want.
He maketh me lie down in green pastures
and leadeth me beside the still waters.
[eerie screaming]
Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil, for thou art--
-[high-pitched whirring]
-[grunts]
[screaming]
[spooky organ music playing]
So, are you
officially refusing the position?
-Hub
-It's B.S., Mom.
She's about to ask for your credit card
and Social Security number.
[chuckles] If you really think so,
then I'll just need
to get verbal confirmation
for corporate
so I can start your paperwork.
They'll want to send
someone else right away
and, of course, um, process your return.
[suspenseful music playing]
Oh, where are my manners?
Forgive me.
I can see you've had quite a night.
Let us get you something for the road.
Just give us a couple of minutes to--
Mr. Halloran?
How do you take your coffee?
[recorder clicks off]
Hot.
I just don't understand
why my boy would get sent to Hell.
That part you'd have to
ask your son about. Though
a lot of people
have trouble admitting it,
in my experience.
I just know what's on the intake form.
What I can tell you
is we haven't had a jailbreak
in the Southeast region since
since I started
working for the company,
which is longer than I'd care to admit.
A jailbreak?
Imagine Hell is a sort of prison.
Right? And sometimes inmates bust out.
This time, one of 'em busted out here.
-In Landry?
-Last time was in Pascagoula.
The point is, if one got out,
more might be coming.
Warden wants 'em found and sent back.
Find 'em how?
Oh. Um [mutters]
The basics are in this manual here,
though, frankly,
the company hasn't updated it since '73,
so I'd go online if I were you.
But I'm guessing
you may have already had an encounter.
So, you get the gist.
Demons can possess people
and pass as human in our world.
Since you came back from Hell,
you'll be able to see demons
and they'll know you're a threat.
Watch yourself.
[Kitty] What do you mean, "Send 'em back"?
Kill 'em. Oh, no.
Technically, they're already dead.
Well, at least the person
that they used to be is.
Demons nowadays first kill their victim,
then possess them.
Helps 'em work around any kind
of exorcism wrinkles.
You just put one in the brain, and
[chuckles]
You'll see, hopefully, for all of us.
I mean, I'm willing to concede
that Hub is nobody's idea of perfect.
Anybody can see he has flaws.
But Hell?
Exactly. Thank you.
Everybody has flaws. Christ.
-Hub.
-Look, he was dead,
the boss tapped him to come back,
and now that is the only reason
that he is standing here now
and not wailing and gnashing his teeth
next to the lake of fire.
I don't know what else to tell you.
[Kitty] Well, is there some way out?
There must be.
At the end of his assignment?
[Midge] Like
a "get out of jail free" card?
-[Kitty] Mm-hmm.
-This is his "get out of jail free" card.
But it doesn't last forever, okay?
When it's over, you
How long do I have?
[Midge] Well, it depends
how many demons get loose.
But I'd plan to be busy. Now,
the real issue is how good you are
at sending 'em back.
How's that?
Because if you fail to process
any demons assigned to you,
you will be terminated.
Immediately.
I know.
So, my advice is
just make the most of it.
You know, I have found
that it is the employees
that can find the silver lining
in all of this
that have the best experience.
What silver lining?
Well, it's up to you.
Anyway, thank you for the coffee.
It was delicious. [chuckles]
[quietly] I like your mom.
-[door opens]
-[vehicle engine starts]
[Kitty] How do we get
in touch with you?
You don't.
-What a crock.
-Right?
I was sure she was gonna
whip out the Mary Kay at first.
I'll be out back.
-[organ music playing on radio]
-[man on radio] In the shadow of David,
when harm bears down on our kin.
[engine chugging loudly]
We're stewards of God's love.
-Yet, in his wisdom
-Hey.
-He knows our mortal coil is bound
-Hey.
-in sinew and blood.
-Hey.
Breaking our deal, fellas? Where I'm from?
-Charged with safeguarding His gifts--
our families.
-But praise the Lord.
I'm a changed man now.
Praise the Lo-- Praise--
Praise the Lord, I'm a changed man now.
Should you face that harrowing juncture
[laughing] Praise the Lord,
I'm a changed man now.
act with a heart
-seeking righteousness.
-Praise the Lord,
I'm a changed man now.
The Lord, in his boundless grace
Inbred hillbilly fucktards!
Cling to Him,
-for His mercy flows
-One, two
-even through our most troubled waters.
-three, four,
five.
[eerie music playing]
[flies buzzing]
Oh, fuck.
Oh fuck.
Oh, fuck me.
♪
-[thumping]
-[muffled shouts]
Mm-mmm.
[groans]
It was Hub Halloran.
[panting]
-[engine growling]
-[wood crunching, snapping]
[muffled] Hub!
-Hub!
-What?
We need to talk.
About what?
-[engine shuts off]
-Hey.
I was using that.
Stump's been here a dang decade.
It can wait.
Tell me the truth and don't lie,
or I'll know it.
Did you die?
Yeah, I think maybe I did.
-How?
-Lucky Callahan.
Well, then how come
he's not the one got tapped for Hell?
I expect it's 'cause
nobody's sent him there yet,
but I sure as shit plan to.
Oh, Lord, I was afraid
it was something like that.
Well, we're gonna deal
with that man later.
Hey. Hey.
Hub, did you or did you not
-see a demon?
-Well, I don't know about a demon, but
Yeah, I did.
Well, then what are you out here
being a stick in the mud for?
Mama, if I squint, sure, I can see
the first part of what she's selling.
Dying and coming back-- fine.
But it's the whole
"bounty hunter for the Devil" bit
that I don't like.
Well, nobody asked if you like it.
The question is
what are you fixin' to do about it?
'Cause I heard "terminated immediately."
So the consequences
of dillydallying here are steep.
And you sure as shit
ain't gonna find no answers
digging up my backyard.
Or demons, if it does come to that.
[eerie music playing]
[door opens]
"Val-a-cor."
Well, that's got an ominous ring to it.
Type of demon. Plus, a location.
Longitude, latitude.
I'm guessing that
that's where it made its jailbreak.
[Kitty gasps]
Oh, no.
Hub, that's my church.
Now, Mama, don't have kittens yet,
but you're right about the stakes,
so I'm-I'm gonna check this out.
I'm not signing up for the whole
lifetime supply of Mary Kay yet,
but I'm gonna find out what's going on,
make sure that nobody gets hurt.
Well, that's more like it. Let's go.
I really think you should stay here.
Absolutely not.
If this Valacor demon could in any way
endanger Pastor Ron
or the congregation
This is our town, Hub.
We need to let them know, now.
Okay. First of all,
if you're coming,
you have to wait in the car.
Say it. Come on.
-I promise.
-And second,
before we do anything,
I need to tell you something
about your pastor.
[eerie music playing]
[engine shuts off]
-Are you sure?
-Yep.
-Like, 1,000% sure?
-Yep, I'm sure.
'Cause I did hear rumors
about a drinking problem.
He wasn't drunk, Ma.
Made a guy levitate right in front of me.
[groans softly] Well
I hope he's feeling better this morning.
Wait in the car.
[whimpers softly]
[ominous music playing]
[door squeaks]
[door closes]
[gasps]
[whispering] Mom!
You you promised.
[normal volume] I know, but then
I thought, "This is hallowed ground."
We're safe.
Ron?
R-Ron, it's Kitty Halloran.
Ooh, Lord, what is that smell?
[groans]
[gasps]
Is that his face?
[Hub] Well
it ain't pizza.
Oh
You know this means
that it's all true, right?
Starting to look that way.
I mean all of it.
You, Lucky, Hell-- the whole deal.
-Yep.
-And God.
Maybe.
Oh, Hub
Does add a point to your argument,
I'll give you that.
Oh, please.
You know it now.
What I do know
is if I'm gonna go hunt down
a demon pastor
that kicked my mama out of church,
I want Maryanne and Cade out of here.
It leaves nothing
but darkness behind
Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?
Mm-hmm. But I'm kind of busy.
Been short-staffed around here
since Cheryl went missing.
You think those lazy-ass cops
are really looking for her?
Yeah, they said they would.
Hand me that Allen wrench, would you?
[Hub] I changed my mind.
I want you to go to Nashville with Cade.
You could even go early,
show him around a bit.
Wow.
-What?
-Nothing, just this is a first.
Well, come on, I know I got my flaws,
but I'm not the absolute worst, right?
I'm just surprised is all, but thank you.
This means a lot.
Maybe you could take him by Rosie's
for a slice of the key lime.
Old times' sake.
You have cancer, don't you?
What? No.
-Prostate?
-Hey, I'm just
trying to do something nice here. Shit.
-Right.
-[Lucky] You done with that
pool table yet, babe? I--
[dramatic music playing]
Hub signed the form.
We're good for Nashville.
Yeah, y'all have a great trip.
And I'll catch you later.
♪
[Hub] Hey, Mom?
Does Berta McKee still work
down at Georgia Power?
Mama. Berta McKee.
Last I spoke to her.
Last night at Earle's,
when the demon came near,
lights started going crazy.
And-and that fuse box
down at the church
Son, why did you get sent to Hell?
I've been too afraid to ask,
but now I've got to know.
-Absolutely no idea.
-Hub.
It was a mistake, Mom,
but I think there may be a way to fix it.
A loophole, maybe.
There's always a loophole.
Was I a bad mother?
What? No.
Because I was supposed
to keep you on the path.
That was my job.
And I failed.
[Kitty sobbing]
[knocking at door]
[Hub] Hey, Mama,
Berta says they've been getting calls
about power surges
up at the Jessup Pines recycling center.
Okay.
[Hub] Yeah, so I'm thinking that
maybe wherever this thing goes,
it spikes the power.
Mama?
We can't kill him, Hub.
Ron's still a man of God,
no matter what happened to him.
I won't do it.
Promise me.
-[Garrison Star & The Gospel Truth:
"Ain't No Grave"]
-There ain't no grave ♪
Can hold my body down ♪
No, there ain't no grave ♪
Can hold my body down ♪
And when I hear that trumpet sound ♪
Gonna rise right out of the ground ♪
There ain't no grave ♪
Can hold my body down ♪
[Hub] Hey, why don't you sit this one out?
Aren't you supposed to be
retired from this part?
I will not sit at home
wondering if my boy's
run off and got himself killed again.
I won't do it.
Yeah, it's not like
we're running down a drunk.
This is dangerous. No.
He was my pastor.
And now he's possessed by a demon.
I will not fail him like I failed you.
And if you're right,
and I get to help save your immortal soul
by ridding my hometown of--
well, whatever he is-- well, I can think
of worse ways to meet my maker.
Meet me, Mother and Father ♪
Meet me down the river run ♪
And, Mama, you know that I'll be there
when I check in my loan ♪
'Cause there ain't no grave
can hold my body down ♪♪
[electricity crackling]
[Hub] She says that I'm the only one
that can see demons.
So this is my problem, Mom.
You stay in the car.
Don't be a fool.
It was your pride.
-Mom
-The thing that got you
sent down. Your cardinal sin.
I told you it was a mistake.
And we're gonna find a way out of it.
That's pride.
Thinking you're smarter than Him upstairs
who don't exactly have a reputation
for making mistakes like that.
It was pride
that got between you and Maryanne
when you refused to compromise
with your music.
And it was pride when you turned down
that perfectly good
studio job to come work for me.
And damn if it ain't still pride now.
They wanted me
to pay me like an intern, Mom.
Oh, and here you are
with no career at all.
Haven't touched a guitar in a decade.
Living in my garage, basically.
I guess you showed them.
I have my principles.
Please.
Your wife ran off with a man
from Boston.
Jiminy Christmas, boy.
If that ain't a sign that you've lost
your way, well, I don't know what is.
Are you done?
No.
I was doing this job before you knew
your ass from a hole in the ground,
so the only fool here is you
if you don't let me help.
[sighs]
Fine.
How you want to play it?
Remember that skip we caught
up on Springer Mountain?
[electricity crackling]
[Kitty] Glad I'm not paying
their power bill.
[Hub] Ma, just set the darn trap,
would you?
[crows cawing]
[bats screeching]
[footfalls echo]
[liquid dripping]
[tense music playing]
♪
[clanking, creaking]
[Hub] What the fuck?
No. Whoa, whoa, whoa.
No, no, no, no, no, no. Oh, shit.
[grunts]
[groans]
[radio stations changing]
What in the heavens?
[The Consolers: "My Soul's Salvation"]
Watch the bear trap.
I got to work on my soul's salvation
[Hub] Mom, get back in the car.
Because I may not have
this chance anymore ♪
Whoa, whoa…
[Kitty] Now tranq him.
While I have the chance ♪
Yeah, I got to work
on my soul's salvation ♪
While I have the chance ♪
By the power of God
and our Lord Jesus Christ.
While I have the chance
[roars]
No!
Ooh!
[grunting]
[gasps]
[groans]
[straining]
Anymore ♪
Yes, I got to tell ♪
The world about Jesus
while I have the chance ♪
I got to tell the world about Jesus ♪
While I have the chance
-I got to tell the world about Jesus ♪
-[whooshing]
-Oh, yeah ♪
-Gonna need a new bear trap.
And I got to find a new church.
You okay?
No. You?
Nope.
Okay. Let's go.
Yeah, took my feet out the miry clay ♪
Set 'em on a rock this day
[engine revs loudly]
Oh, yeah, thinking about testifying
[Kitty] No denying it now.
So you gonna take the job with Mary Kay?
Feels like I just did.
[dramatic music playing]
♪
♪
♪