♪♪ -Next on "Great Performances"... -♪ "Here comes the story of the Hurricane" ♪ -Bob Dylan's classic songs take on a new life in "Girl from the North Country."

-♪ But how does it feel ♪ -♪ How does it feel ♪ -Set in Depression-era Duluth, Minnesota, travelers from all walks of life cross paths in a guesthouse and share their hopes, sorrows, and dreams.

-You in Duluth for long?

-Nah, coupla days, then I head down to Chicago.

-Well, I've never been to Chicago.

♪ You're the one I've been lookin' for ♪ ♪ You're the one that's got the key ♪ ♪ But I can't figure out whether I'm too good for you ♪ ♪ Or you're too good for me ♪ -Equally uplifting and heartbreaking, wholly universal, yet unique.

-♪ I could make you happy, make your dreams come true ♪ ♪ There is nothing that I wouldn't do ♪ ♪ Go to the ends of the earth for you ♪ -A tale steeped in the American Dream.

-Something's wrong somewhere when a fine young man like you ain't got two damn dollars.

-Written and directed by celebrated playwright Conor McPherson... -♪ Oh, listen to that Duquesne whistle blowing ♪ -The Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical "Girl from the North Country" is next.

♪♪ Major funding for "Great Performances" is provided by... ...and by contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you.

Thank you.

♪ Sign on the window says "Lonely" ♪ ♪ Sign on the door said "No Company Allowed" ♪ ♪ Sign on the street says "You Don't Own Me" ♪ ♪ Sign on the porch says "Three's A Crowd" ♪ ♪ Sign on the porch says "Three's A Crowd" ♪ -♪ Oo oo oo ooh ♪ ♪ Oo oo oo ooh ♪ ♪ Oo oo oo ooh, oo oo oo ooh ♪ ♪ Oo oo oo ooh ♪ ♪ Oo oo oo ooh ♪ ♪ Oo oo oo ooh, oo oo oo ooh ♪ ♪♪ -♪ Looks like nothing but rain ♪ ♪ Sure gonna be wet tonight on Main Street ♪ ♪ Hope that it don't sleet ♪ ♪♪ -Good Evening.

Tonight's story begins and ends at a guesthouse in Duluth, Minnesota, in November/December 1934.

Duluth is an iron-ore shipping town built on a rocky cliff that tumbles down into Lake Superior where each and every winter feels seven months long.

Back here, some of the guests we'll meet along the way.

This is Nick Laine.

That's his wife there, Elizabeth.

Nick inherited this house from his granddaddy, but he never had no head for business.

First, he lost the stables and stud, then all the stocks.

Managed to remortgage the house long enough for Elizabeth to turn it into decent boarding rooms.

But she hasn't been so good lately.

Nick's tryna take care of everything.

Trying real hard.

Like a man tryna to run through a wall tries real hard.

But the bank has only given him two months grace.

My name is George Arthur Walker.

I'm a doctor.

At least, I was.

Back when this was our world.

I healed some bodies in pain.

But as we know, pain comes in all kinds.

Physical, spiritual.

Indescribable.

I'll come in the story later, but right now, all you need to know is, Nick's made some chicken stew for his family, for the guests.

Keep everybody alive another day.

♪♪ ♪ Oo oo oo ooh ♪ ♪ Oo oo oo ooh ♪ ♪ Oo oo oo ooh, oo oo oo ooh ♪ -Elizabeth.

Elizabeth.

[ Piano tinkling ] Elizabeth.

Elizabeth, sit down.

I'll give you something to eat.

Sit down.

Come on.

Supper.

Alright.

Alright!

Alright -- Alright.

-I can hear it.

-What?

-The girl down the hole.

-What?

-Girl down the hole.

[ Slam! ]

-Hello?

-What?

-Oh.

What are you doing scratching around like that?

-What?

I'm hungry!

-You know what time it is?

You only coming in?

-I was working late.

-Working, my ass.

-I was working!

-You were drinking.

-Yeah, well, you have to drink if you want to sit at the bar.

-Who works in a bar?

You can't write in your room?

-No, I can't write in my room.

-Why?

-Too stultifying.

-Oh, excuse me, Mr. Hemingway!

-[ Chuckles ] -Saw you got a letter, huh?

-Yeah.

-New York postmark.

-Yeah, it was nothing.

-Yeah?

-Yeah, nothing, you know.

-You should let me read, you know, some of your short stories, sometime.

-Yeah?

-Hey, I been around.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, I've lived.

You can't see it 'cause as far as you're concerned, I'm just the old dumbbell around here.

I could read 'em, tell ya where you might need a little -- you know, a little life.

A little real life.

Maybe we could turn some a those rejection slips into pay checks, huh?

Yeah, well, now I know you're desperate.

-Desperate?

Well... -Two minutes ago, it wasn't even work, and now you wanna do it for me?

-Hey, don't ambush me with my own double standards.

You don't even know what work is.

You get a job, you'll know all about it, what it does to you.

-Get a job where?

-Scribbling in a book isn't work.

-Get a job where?

-What?

-Get a job where?!

-What are you asking me for?

The Twin Cities!

I don't know!

You and your sister are too damn spoiled.

You wanna give me some help here?

-What do you want?

-Set the table.

Feed your mother.

-She doesn't want me feeding her.

-You do it too fast.

Let her chew, for Christ's sake!

You let it all go down her chin, of course she doesn't like it.

-She doesn't like me doing it, she doesn't like... -It's because you don't pay attention.

-What's up your nose, all of a sudden?

-What?

-Why you so on edge?

-I'm not on edge.

-Oh, no, huh?

-♪ I went to see the gypsy ♪ ♪ Stayin' in a big hotel ♪ ♪ He smiled when he saw me coming ♪ ♪ And he said, "Well, well, well" ♪ ♪ The room was dark and crowded ♪ ♪ Lights were low and dim ♪ ♪ "How are you?"

he said to me ♪ ♪ And I said it back to him ♪ ♪ I went down to the lobby ♪ ♪ To make a small call out ♪ ♪ A pretty dancing girl was there ♪ ♪ And she began to shout ♪ ♪ "Go on back to see the gypsy ♪ ♪ He can move you from the rear ♪ ♪ Drive you from your fear ♪ ♪ Bring you through the mirror ♪ ♪ He did it in Las Vegas ♪ ♪ And he can do it here."

♪ ♪ Outside the lights were shining ♪ -Hey, hey, hey!

-♪ On the river of tears ♪ ♪ I watched them from a distance ♪ ♪ With a music in my ears ♪ -Mrs. Neilsen.

-Mr. Laine.

How are you all this evening?

-Oh, fine, thanks.

-Gene.

-Mrs. Neilsen.

-We have chicken stew, if you're hungry.

-Ooh, smells very good.

-Oh, I fixed that window was banging in your room.

-I saw that.

Thank you.

Wind's picking up.

-Yeah, there's a storm due.

-It's making it rattle a little.

-Oh?

-You want to come fix it tonight?

-I don't know.

I'm... -Fix it again?

-No, no, no, not in front of Elizabeth, alright?

-Oh, she's not watching.

-Yeah... -You see this one?

-You could afford that?

-Depends, I guess.

But look at it.

It's got a real restaurant, 22 rooms -- we can whip this into shape.

-22 rooms?

-We can handle it.

With your experience and my charisma and my good looks... -Yeah, up in Bismark... -You don't like Bismark?

-Three guys I knew from Bismark always cheated at cards.

-Oh, right.

What was I thinking?

-Hey, don't get sore!

It's a great idea.

I just wish I could think straight.

-What is there to think about?

You got some other plan?

-Your money comes through, I'll be full of plans.

-It'll come through.

Don't be so pessimistic.

-Yeah, I know.

Just...Bismark... -You're such a knucklehead, Nick.

-And you got it all going on... -What are you up to?

-I'm not up to nothing.

-Why do you keep looking at your watch?

-Do I?

-Yes.

-Just wondering where Marianne is.

-She's a grown woman.

-She has a baby inside her!

She can't be traipsing up and down the streets, in the cold.

Mr. Perry's calling by.

-Mm, the shoe mender?

-Mm-hmm.

-For what?

-He's a good man, Mr. Perry.

-So?

-So... -He must be 70 years old, if he's a day!

-He's not 70!

-So what is he, 69 3/4?

The girl is 19.

-She needs a husband!

-What for?

-Take care of her.

-Father of the baby jumped on a damn lake boat, probably down in Toledo by now.

-Maybe she doesn't need a husband.

-Oh, yeah?

Well, where's she gonna go?

-Why does she have to go anywhere?

-'Cause the bank's gonna foreclose on my ass here.

-They're sayin' that to everyone.

Just tell them I got money coming.

Let me get 'em a letter.

-Oh, you'd invest in this place?

-Sure.

-Yeah, sure.

When your probate comes through, you know what you'll do?

You'll just get back on the train and go back to Minneapolis -- and why shouldn't you?

-Well, I can't live in a boarding house forever, can I?

With your wife!

-With my what?

She was finished with me anyway!

-So you say.

-'Fore she got sick!

She told me straight out.

-Oh, yeah... -Now she's just forgotten.

[ Bell jingles ] -When someone turns around and just says, "I don't love you anymore," you know what the shock is?

There ain't nothing you can do!

That's it.

You can't make 'em love ya.

People love dirtbags all over the world.

-Mm, tell me about it.

-Even name the damn children after 'em.

-Marriage is a sacrament.

-Doesn't mean anyone's gotta love you.

-Well, maybe someone does, Nick.

You ever thought of that?

♪♪ ♪ I went back to see the gypsy ♪ ♪ It was nearly early dawn ♪ ♪ The gypsy's door was open wide ♪ ♪ But the gypsy was gone ♪ ♪ And that pretty dancing girl ♪ ♪ She could not be found ♪ ♪ So I watched the sun come rising ♪ ♪ From that little Minnesota town ♪ ♪ From that little Minnesota... ♪ You ain't done with her yet, Nick.

-Yeah?

-You don't know it.

-I don't know nothing no more.

-Behold!

And an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.

-Mr. Perry!

-Mr. Laine.

-Come in, come in!

-Why, thank you.

-You know Mrs. Neilsen.

-Yes, we've... -Mrs. Neilsen is a guest here.

She has business here.

When her business is done she'll be... -Well, I hope you find Duluth to be as hospitable as we suppose it to be.

-It's a fine, beautiful city.

-Yes, well, we like to think so.

-Gene, of course, you know.

And Elizabeth.

-Of course.

How are you this evening, Mrs. Laine?

-And I, uh -- Gene, where's Marianne?

-I don't know.

-Will you see if maybe she came in, please?

Will you look in her room?

Such a great kid.

Well, there's a stormy night, huh?

-Yes.

I swore I'd make it up that hill.

[ Chuckles ] -Good one, Popeye.

-It's a blowin'!

-You take a drink?

Glass of beer?

-A glass of milk would be... -Glass of milk, right!

-I'll get it.

-Not too cold.

-Not too cold.

-You want me to warm it up?

-No, room temperature's fine.

-Room temperature.

-Any particular room?

-This one's okay.

-Alright.

-How's the -- How's things in the shoe-mending business?

If that's not a personal question.

-Not at all.

My store is full of shoes.

I'm occupied from daybreak till dark, thank the Lord.

-You're occupied.

-Yes, sir.

-And how long has it been since your wife passed?

-12 years.

-12 years.

-That's right.

-Whoa, that's, uh... -Yeah, it's a long time, I guess.

-12 years is a long time.

That's a chunk of change.

-Well -- Oh, Jesus!

-What are you doing!?

-What?

It's room temperature.

-Thank you.

-[ Claps ] You're welcome.

-Now, you know how Marianne came to be our, uh... how she came to live here, right?

-I heard something.

-This couple checked out, left a bag in the room, and you know what was inside?

-Marianne!

-Marianne!

-She was only a baby, tiny little thing.

I mean, we tried to find the parents, but... -Nick stuck her in an orphanage while I was sleepin', didn't ya?

-Well, I... -Stuck her in a home.

20 little kids in cots in one room.

There was no glass in the window, no one taking care of 'em... -Shh.

-I went straight down there, I took her back out.

I had to.

-There was glass in the windows.

-He'd already lost one baby girl.

-Ah, it seemed the best thing was to let her stay and work here, right?

No one ever came back.

I mean, she works here.

-You're good people.

-She works here.

So, uh, Mrs. Neilsen's a widow.

-Oh, I am sorry.

-Her husband's dead.

-Thank you.

-She was down in St. Paul.

Her husband died.

-I see.

-Husband died three years ago, left her $10,000 in the bank account.

She's still waiting on his will to be cleared!

Charles St. Clair, here in Duluth, he's doing the paper-- -Yes, thank you, Nick.

-Your husband have ties here?

-He was in the railroad business.

He had shares in the line.

-Right... -They have all the right paperwork now.

It won't take long.

And then I'll... -You'll buy a house here in Duluth.

-No, I'm actually thinking of investing in this -- -She'll spread her wings.

-Are those flowers for me?

-Oh, now, Elizabeth... -They're pretty.

-Well, they're for, uh... Why, well, yes, they're -- they're for you.

-Can you remember when you asked me and asked me and asked me to come with you to the Cook County Fair?

-Well, now Elizabeth, I'm sure that wasn't Mr. Perry... -Do you remember, hmm?

The lights?

And how dark it was afterwards walking home together and what you said to me, begging me to touch it?

-Elizabeth, now, please!

-"For the love of mercy, please just hold it, Elizabeth," you said.

-Well, now, I -- -"Just hold it.

Just touch it.

I'm begging you."

Do you remember?

-For Christ's sake, Elizabeth...

I'm sorry, Mr. Perry.

-And I said, "Why, it's just like a tiny Vienna sausage!"

-I am so sorry.

-How I cried afterwards!

I was only a girl.

Good night.

-Good night, honey.

-Ohh!

-Oh!

Elizabeth!

Elizabeth!

Elizabeth!

No, no, no, drop the knife.

Drop the knife, drop the knife.

Drop the knife.

Elizabeth, drop it.

[ Knife clatters ] Marianne!

You're -- Oh, look who's here.

-Good evening, Marianne.

-Mr. Perry.

-We should really start getting Elizabeth to bed.

Mrs. Neilsen, would you mind?

I hate to impinge.

-Not at all.

Come on, Elizabeth, I'll brush your teeth.

-And sing?

-Sure.

-Okay.

Then that's fine, then, yes.

-Goodnight, honey.

-Goodnight, Elizabeth.

-Good night, Ding-Dong!

-Marianne, you'll... -Would you like some supper?

-No, I'm fine, thank you.

I gotta go fix the commode.

-He broke it.

-[ Chuckles ] -Are you sure?

-Yeah.

-Do you mind if I eat?

-No.

Is it good?

-My Pa can't cook for... -I can cook.

-I'll bet.

-You are finished your schooling now, I believe.

-Yes, sir.

-Marianne, I'm going to be frank with you.

Your father has spoken with me, and I'm aware of your condition.

My house is warm, it's centrally located.

My habits are regular.

I know we can't do it legally, but in word and deed, I will wed you, Marianne, and parent the child.

-What?

-I will marry you.

Mr. Perry, your offer is very -- -I'm a good deal older than you.

I may not look it, but it's true.

The doctor says I won't be around forever.

Time comes, you'll have the whole place.

Child'll be reared, and you'll be free and still a relatively young woman.

Now there's a deal, and if I ever heard better, it's gone from my mind.

-Mr. Perry, I can't -- -It's a lot to take in, I get it, I really do, but you sleep on it.

-Mr. Perry -- -You sleep on it!

Inspiration comes in dreams.

♪♪ -♪ Well, I had to move fast ♪ ♪ And I couldn't with you around my neck ♪ ♪ You said you'd send for him and you did ♪ ♪ What did I expect?

♪ ♪ My hands are sweating ♪ ♪ And we haven't even started yet ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I'll go along with the charade ♪ ♪ Until I can think my way out ♪ ♪ I know it was all a big joke, whatever it was about ♪ ♪ Someday maybe I'll remember to forget ♪ ♪ I'm gonna get my coat ♪ ♪ I feel the breath of a storm ♪ ♪There's something I've gotta do tonight ♪ ♪ You go inside and stay warm ♪ ♪ Has anybody seen my love ♪ -♪ Anybody seen my love ♪ -♪ Has anybody seen my love ♪ -♪ Anybody seen my love ♪ -♪ Has anybody seen my love ♪ ♪ I don't know ♪ ♪ Oooh, ooh, ooh, ooh ooh ♪ ♪ Has anybody seen my love?

♪ ♪ My love ♪ ♪ You want to talk to me ♪ ♪ Go ahead and talk ♪ ♪ Whatever you got to say to me ♪ ♪ Won't come as any shock ♪ ♪ I must be guilty of something ♪ ♪ You just whisper it into my ear ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh oh ♪ ♪ Madame Butterfly, she lulled me to sleep ♪ ♪ In a town without pity ♪ ♪ Where the water runs deep ♪ ♪ She said, "Be easy, baby ♪ There ain't nothin' worth stealin' in here" ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ You're the one I been lookin' for ♪ ♪ You're the one that's got the key ♪ ♪ But I can't figure out whether I'm too good for you ♪ ♪ Or you're too good for me ♪ ♪ Has anybody seen my love ♪ ♪ Has anybody seen my love, oh, no ♪ -♪ Anybody seen my love ♪ -♪ Has anybody seen my love ♪ -♪ I don't know ♪ -♪ I don't know ♪ -♪ Anybody seen my love ♪ -♪ My love, my love ♪ ♪ Oooh, ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ♪ ♪ Has anybody seen my love?

♪ [ Thunder crashes ] -Sir!

I am the Reverend James Marlowe.

This young man is Joseph Scott, esquire.

The Spalding has no vacancies.

They recommended your fine house.

-Well, come in out of the rain.

Let's see what we can do.

Come on.

-Thank you.

-I have a small room.

It'll do one of you.

Someone can bunk on -- that settle in here would make a decent cot, if you don't mind.

-I'll sleep anywhere.

A chair is fine for me, sir.

-Oh, no, you can stretch on out there.

I'll charge you half dollar.

Let's say a dollar fifty for the room in back for yourself.

-Dollar fifty?

-That's right.

It's normally $2, but considering it's 3:30 in the morning, I'll give you a discount.

And a half a dollar for the settle there.

And there's your change.

Now, what do you say you gents have a glass of whiskey?

-Well, that would be a godsend.

-Thank you, sir.

-You can hang those wet coats up yonder.

So, no room at the inn over at the Spalding, huh?

-That's correct, sir.

-Hmm.

-The 11:00 from St. Paul was delayed.

-You boys traveling together?

-No, sir.

We are thrown together by circumstance.

Decided to walk on up here together.

-You say you're a reverend?

-That's correct, sir.

-You planning to preach the word?

-I don't preach the word, sir.

I sell it.

A devil pursues me.

His name is commerce.

-Oh, you're a bible salesman.

-In its crudest terms, yes.

-Been selling much?

-If I sell two bibles a day, three, I can live.

-Mind if you don't go selling 'em in here?

-Beneath your roof, the word is free.

-That's two bits for the whiskey.

You'll find it's the highest quality.

-As the price suggests.

-What's the most you ever owed anybody?

-Excuse me?

-What is the most money you ever had to pay back to someone?

$20,000?

-No, sir!

I have made it a principle never to borrow money.

-You try walking around with that kind of money, you see what it's like.

You try it for a day, see what it's like.

You try it for a lifetime?

-Sir, I just told you that -- -Never ever invest in the fairground business.

Those people are -- -Clowns.

[ Laughs ] -Yeah.

-How about you?

-Sir?

-What's your business?

-I have an appointment here.

-An appointment?

Well, alright.

There's more blankets in the box.

Come on, Reverend, I'll show you.

Good night.

-Good night, sir.

-Good night, Mr. Scott.

-Good night, Reverend.

[ Rain pattering outside ] [ Coughs ] [ Crashing ] -Oh!

-Who's there?

-What?

-Who's there?

-What?!

-Are you alright?

What'd you do?

-I don't know!

Who is that?

-I'm Joseph P. Scott, sir.

-You asking me who I am?

Who are you, boy?

-I'm Joe Scott, sir.

-Uh-huh.

-Easy, my man.

What are you doing in here, boy?

-I'm just stayin' the night.

The boss man admitted me himself.

-Oh.

[ Chuckles ] Did he, did he, did he?

You tryna start something?

-No, sir, I just want a night's sleep.

I paid for it.

-You think something's funny?!

-No, sir.

-Well, you sound like you had some schooling.

-Yes, sir.

-Where?

Harvard?

-No, sir.

Miss Hemming's schoolhouse, sir.

219 Washington Street, in Brainerd.

-You come on, you hit me now.

-Sir?

-Hit me.

I said hit me.

-No, sir.

-You get your Black ass up outta that bed, you stand up, and you hit me now.

You get up and you hit me!

Come on!

-I ain't gonna hit you.

-It's alright.

You can do it.

-I ain't gonna do it!

-Now, I said -- I said you come on and you hit me now... or I'm gonna -- I'm gonna take this poker and I'm gonna stick it through your...damn eye.

[ Poker clatters ] -I said I ain't gonna hit you.

-I say - I say you do as you're told, boy, or you give me one good reason why I don't make you do it.

-If I hit you, I'll likely kill you.

-What you say?

-You heard me.

-Well, you done it now.

Unh!

-Yeah, you want me to hit you?

-No, no!

-You want me to hit you some more, boy?!

No what?!

-No, sir!

-No what?!

-No, I don't want you to hit me anymore!

-Now there's a man looks like he could use a bible.

James Marlowe.

Reverend Jim they call me.

-Right.

-You live here?

-[ Chuckling ] I try.

-Where's the convenience?

-Oh, it's -- it's... -Damn, man!

What the hell?

-[ Groaning ] Oh, God.

-I just saw you stroke a cat out there on your way in through the backyard.

Cat rubbed its fur round your legs like he's the only friend you've got in the world.

And you know what I thought to myself?

What are you gonna do when that cat dies?

Have you thought about it?

Have you considered death?

-What you say?

You're a reverend, huh?

-Yes, sir.

Word of God sir.

Cloth-bound, gold-embossed, extra fine print for a mere $2.

Jesus makes his lifetime of light eminently affordable.

There's a big storm coming, my boy.

Here, Europe...

Everywhere.

You ever wonder what woulda happened if the Vikings met the Jews?

Huh?

The Vikings!

You know what they woulda done to the Jews?

-I ain't got $2.

-A fine young man like you?

Something's wrong somewhere when a fine young man like you ain't got two damn dollars.

Don'tcha feel it?

♪♪ ♪ Sometimes I feel so low-down and disgusted ♪ ♪ I can't help but wonder ♪ ♪ What's happenin' to my companions ♪ ♪ Are they lost or, are they found ♪ ♪ Have they counted the cost it'll take to bring down ♪ ♪ All their earthly principles they're gonna have to abandon?

♪ ♪ 'Cause there's a slow ♪ -♪ Slow... ♪ -♪ A slow train comin' ♪ -♪ Train... ♪ -♪ Up around the bend ♪ -♪ Coming... ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I had a woman down in Alabama ♪ ♪ She was a backwoods girl, but she sure was realistic ♪ ♪ She said, "Boy, without a doubt ♪ ♪ Have to quit your mess and straighten out ♪ ♪ You could die down here ♪ ♪ Be just another accident statistic" ♪ ♪ 'Cause there's a slow ♪ -♪ Slow... ♪ -♪ Slow train comin' ♪ -♪ Train... ♪ -♪ Up around the bend ♪ -♪ Coming... ♪ ♪ A slow train coming ♪ ♪ Well, my baby went to Illinois ♪ ♪ With some bad-talkin' boy she could destroy ♪ ♪ A real suicide case ♪ ♪ But there was nothin' I could do to stop it ♪ -♪ Hey!

♪ -♪ I don't care about economy ♪ ♪ I don't care about astronomy ♪ ♪ But it sure do bother me ♪ ♪ To see my loved ones turning into puppets ♪ -♪ Whoa ♪ -♪ 'Cause there's a slow ♪ -♪ Slow... ♪ -♪ Slow train comin' ♪ -♪ Train... ♪ -♪ Up around the bend ♪ -♪ Coming... ♪ -♪ A slow train coming ♪ -♪ There's a slow ♪ -♪ Slow... ♪ -♪ Slow train comin' ♪ -♪ Train... ♪ -♪ Up around the bend ♪ -♪ Coming... ♪ -♪ Yeah ♪ -♪ A slow train coming ♪ -♪ There's a woman ♪ -♪ Slow... ♪ -♪ On my block ♪ -♪ Train... ♪ -♪ She just sit there ♪ -♪ Slow... ♪ -♪ As the night grows still ♪ -♪ Train... ♪ -♪ She say who gonna take away his license to kill?

♪ ♪♪ -♪ Now, they take him and they teach him ♪ ♪ And they groom him for life ♪ -♪ And they set him on a path ♪ ♪ Where he's bound to get ill ♪ -♪ Hey, hey!

♪ -♪ Then they bury him with stars ♪ ♪ Sell his body like they do used cars ♪ ♪ There's a woman ♪ -♪ Slow ♪ -♪ On my block ♪ -♪ Train... ♪ -♪ She just sit there ♪ -♪ Slow... ♪ -♪ Facin' the hill ♪ -♪ Train... ♪ -♪ She say who gonna take away his license to kill?

♪ ♪ Ya' may be a noisemaker, spirit maker ♪ ♪ Heartbreaker, backbreaker ♪ ♪ Leave no stone unturned ♪ ♪ You may be an actor in a plot, that might be all that you got ♪ ♪ Till your error you clearly learned ♪ -♪ There's a slow ♪ -♪ Slow... ♪ -♪ Slow train comin' ♪ -♪ Train... ♪ -♪ Up around the bend ♪ -♪ Coming... ♪ ♪ A slow train coming ♪ -♪ There's a slow ♪ -♪ Slow... ♪ -♪ Slow train comin' ♪ -♪ Train... ♪ -♪ Up around the bend, yeah ♪ -♪ Coming... ♪ ♪ A slow train coming ♪ ♪ There's a slow, there's a slow ♪ -♪ There's a slow, there's s slow train comin' ♪ -♪ A slow train comin' ♪ -♪ There's a slow ♪ -♪ Slow... ♪ -♪ Slow train comin' ♪ -♪ Train... ♪ -♪ Up around the bend, yeah ♪ -♪ Coming... ♪ ♪ Slow train coming ♪ -Would you like some breakfast?

-Look what's under the Christmas tree!

-I see it.

The guests like oatmeal.

You like it?

-Y-yes, ma'am.

-Coffee's on the way.

Come on, Mama.

-What's your name?

-Marianne Laine.

-[ Grunts ] I'm -- I'm Joe Scott.

Joe Scott, ma'am.

-Uh, this is my mama.

She might say something.

She mightn't.

She's, uh -- Oh, ma!

-Pleased to meet you, ma'am.

-Mama.

Hey.

♪♪ You in Duluth for long?

-Uh, no.

Couple of days, then I head down to Chicago.

-Chicago, huh?

-You been there?

-No, I've never been anywhere except Pelican Rapids.

-Pelican Rapids?

-Yeah, you know, over there, by the dam.

It's fun.

You can swim.

-Yeah, I might do that.

When the ice melts.

-[ Chuckles ] -Well, I've never been to Chicago.

-Well, you should go someday.

It's worth seeing.

-I will.

-Oof!

Morning, Nick.

How are you?

-You're the doctor.

You tell me, right?

-You're okay.

-Look who it is, Elizabeth.

Doc coming by to see you.

-[ Humming ] -Well, there's a welcome you don't get every day.

-She can still spot a good 'un.

Breakfast?

-No, thank you.

-Come on down for coffee.

-No, I just wanted to drop in Elizabeth's prescription.

-I'd-a come by to get it.

You didn't need to do that.

Come in have a coffee.

-Well, alright.

-Good morning, good morning, good morning!

-Good morning.

-Good morning, Marianne.

-Good morning, Elias.

-Morning, Doc.

-Folks.

-Morning, sir.

-Uh, morning.

-Franklin W.H.

Burke II.

You can call me Frank.

-Uh, I'm Joe Scott...the first.

-Well, this is my wife, Laura, my son, Elias.

-Joe Scott.

Pleased to meet you.

-Good morning.

-Dr. Walker, Mrs. Neilsen.

-Mommy, my scarecrow, ah, ah, oh... My scarecrow, ah, ah, my scarecrow wears a hat.

-What the...is wrong with him?

-Marianne, get some coffee for Dr. Walker.

-Now, Mr. Laine, you hear that?

Elias's scarecrow wears a hat, no less.

-I did hear that, yes.

And I saw your scarecrow this morning, Elias.

He's looking fine and hardy.

-Correct me if I'm wrong, sir.

Haven't I seen you fight?

-Oh?

-Yeah, I saw you knock out Frazier Fitch, Hubertsville, May 1928, am I right?

-Yeah, that's correct, sir.

-You are quite a talent.

I lost a lot of money that night.

-Now, Francis, that's your own fault.

-I'm paying the man a compliment, my dear.

-Thank you, sir.

-You fighting much?

-Not so much.

-And God said to Abraham, "You kill me a son."

-Good morning, all.

Good morning.

James Marlowe.

Franklin William Horace Burke II.

You can call me Frank.

-Pleased to meet you.

-My wife, Laura, my son, Elias.

And this young man is "Jungle Jug" Joe Jones.

You know who he is?

-Why, yes!

We've been acquainted since last night.

-Very talented young man.

-Oh?

Not that I'm surprised.

-Rising young man of the pugilistic arts.

-Been fighting much?

-Not so much.

-Oh, that's a shame.

You really should.

-I wasn't really able to.

-You injured?- -Uh, no, I -- -'Cause a talent like yours shouldn't go to waste.

-No talent should.

-Well, a man can lose his nerve.

-Well, that is true.

You travel round, you lose your bearings, you lose the hunger.

-You lose the hunger, Mr. Scott?

-No, I was -- -You get hurt?

-No.

-It's alright to run away.

-I don't wanna pry.

I admire you, sir.

-No, it's alright.

I can tell you.

I was incarcerated... down in the Stillwater penitentiary for three years.

-Oh, well, that's, uh... -A convicted con artist, name of Rudolph St. James, claimed he saw me running from a felony there April 15, 1929.

I was asked to walk up and down a courtroom, and he said I had the same walk as the man he'd seen.

-The same walk?

-However, his testimony was withdrawn in January this year before a court who declared my conviction to be unsound.

-Well, congratulations.

-Thank you, sir.

-Well, Hallelujah!

-Well, Hallelujah.

-What an ordeal.

-Yes ma'am.

For a man who never smoked, to be stuck inside with men who just burned cigarettes all night, beat up on each other over nothin'.

I saw a man get killed in there.

For nothin'.

That was maybe the worst part.

And the shame, of course, for my family was -- -It's terrible.

-You must be itching to get back in the game.

You get compensation?

-No, sir.

I been living under a bridge down in St. Paul.

A newspaper gentleman named Mose McCabe forwarded me a little money, recommended I get in touch with a man out here named Mr. Murphy, might invest in a comeback.

But now I hear he's down in Chicago, so I'll make my way down there.

-Sir, I admire your initiative and your tenacity and...damn if it doesn't bring a tear to my eye.

Now, I don't know who this Mr. Murphy is, but I would like to offer you, right here, right now, my services as a manager - or a partner -- -Francis.

-What?

It's business.

If there's one thing I know, it's business.

-Yes, you know it too well.

-What's that supposed to mean?

-Well, let's just say it's an acquaintanceship that has not treated you and business equally.

-[ Chuckles ] Woman, a man walks in here and I decide to discuss an opportunity, you cannot wait two moments before you deride me!

-You can't manage your own son or provide for your wife and you want to tell a stranger you're gonna manage his affairs?

With what?

From where?

Working out of a closet in a two-bit flophouse?!

-An operation like this?

That's the beauty of it!

-Beauty's in the eye of the beholder.

-It is beautiful!

It is beautiful!

Elias!

Jesus... Not at the table!

-[ Cries ] ♪♪ -Marianne had a lonely upbringing.

To say it wasn't fashionable in Minnesota to raise a Black child in a white family would be an understatement.

The Ku Klux Klan had a healthy resurgence right across the state after The Great War.

Tensions in Duluth were running particularly high when Southern Blacks were trucked in to remind the unions that cheap labor was always an option.

In 1920, when Marianne was just 5 years old, three Black men named Isaac McGhie, Elmer Jackson, and Elias Clayton were lynched by a mob who broke into the jail, right here in the middle of Duluth.

Hanged 'em down on the corner of First Street for a crime they hadn't committed.

10,000 people crowded in the street to watch, and no one was ever even prosecuted for it.

Nick didn't want to be seen holding a little Black girl's hand going down to school, so Elizabeth taught her everything she knew right here in the house.

Nick didn't like it one bit when Marianne grew up a little and started going around other parts of the town, looking for music, for life.

When Nick was 10 years old, he was asked to mind his little sister for the day.

She was 6.

Her name was Leonora.

This was up in Rocheleau.

Lotta mining up there.

Nick had arranged with his friends to fight another gang of boys up in the woods.

He took Leonora with him.

She fell down a taconite hole.

Fell 40 feet.

The boys could hear her down there, calling out for Nick.

But by the time help came... Nick was sent down here to live with his granddaddy.

It was one of those stories you hear about people you think about it every time you look in their face.

♪♪ -Hey.

-Hey.

-Whatcha doin'?

-Watchin' the birds?

-What birds?

-The mama and the baby.

-There ain't no babies in November.

-She's got one.

-Maybe it never grew.

-[ Scoffs ] Maybe.

-No, that is good.

That is very good.

-T"he Bird That Never Grew"?

-Yeah, "The Bird That Never Grew."

-Just call it "The Egg."

You wanna see a movie?

You know, those things you should be writing.

-Eh, movies.

They're so commercial.

-Right.

Not like those poems, I guess, huh?

-I don't write poems.

-What do you write?

-I write short stories and novellas.

--What's a novella?

-It's an extremely long short story.

-Right.

-What's on?

-You see "It Happened One Night"?

-Who's in it?

-Claudette Colbert.

-Ooh!

-It's goofy.

This guy is trying to help this girl run away from getting married.

-You'd go see it again?

-Sure, if you wanna.

I got nothin to wear.

-You can wear my sweater.

-Oh, right.

-Who's lookin' at you?

-Nobody, I guess.

-Ow!

I'm -- I'm kidding!

God... Hey.

-What?

-You ever gonna tell me?

-What?

-You know.

-Don't ask me, Gene.

Alright?

-Okay.

-Here, take this down to Maroutha's.

-I can't.

He says you owe him $90.

-Jesus... Alright, here.

So, Gene -- -This is $7.

-I'll get him the rest later.

Jesus.

The hell happened to your face?

-Someone thought I had their lottery ticket.

-Did ya?

-I wish!

What's this?

-Read it!

-What is it?

-Appointment for an interview!

-Interview for what?

-Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad.

Right here.

-Yeah, what is it?

Punching tickets?

-What do you care?

You know what other guys'd do just to get in the door?

Just to sweep the damn platform?

I ain't gonna tell you the favors I had to pull.

Had to sweet talk an old girlfriend.

-I don't wanna hear that!

-Ugh, Pa!

-You kids don't think I was young once?

You think I was born like this?

Like an old man!

-I never even considered it.

-Of course.

Well, you have no idea, my friends.

-Yeah, well, that's got nothin' to do with me.

-No, huh?

And I got nothin' to do with you?

-Yeah, mostly you don't.

-I don't have nothing to do with you?

-Why the sudden interest?

-I can't take an interest in you?

-Yeah, sure, I guess.

-Well, there you go.

-What are you up to?

-I'm not up to nothin'.

-I don't get it.

-I want for you to make money!

-Alright.

-Now you get it?

-Yeah, kinda.

-You do this for me, okay?

You do it for your mother, you do it for your sister, you do it for your writing.

-Do it for your poems.

-What?

-Nothing.

-Huh?

-Nothing.

-What?

-Nothing!

-What?

-Nothing!

You go to that interview.

Morning, Kate.

-Morning, Mr. Laine.

Morning, Marianne.

-Morning.

-How's your mother?

-Well, thank you.

-And how's your father?

-Not so good.

-Oh, I'm sorry -- I'm sorry to hear that.

Uh, you excuse me one moment?

Do it for Kate!

-Do it for Kate.

-[ Laughing ] Okay.

-Do what?

-Nothin'.

Kate -- -I hope it's alright, calling by like this.

-No!

Hey, come in.

-Oh, I can't stay.

-Hey, that's alright.

You want some breakfast?

-No, thank you, I'm fine.

-Cup of coffee?

-I can't.

I have a ticket for the 9:00 Greyhound to Boston.

-You going to Boston?

-I got a job.

Teaching.

For a family.

It's kind of a governess.

-Great!

-Three girls.

And they have goats.

-Wow!

That's terrific.

-Jed Simons has asked me to marry him, Gene.

I've said yes.

-Wow.

Wow, that's, uh... That's great.

-I wanted to tell you myself.

You know how these things -- -Yeah, I-I know.

That's -- That can be really...

Thank you.

-Are you okay?

-I'm great.

Yeah, why wouldn't I -- -What happened to your face?

-This?

Oh, no, um, I...

Damn branch on that sycamore tree sprung back and hit me while was tryna... chop it down.

-It looks so rugged.

Did you clean it?

-No, no, no, I know, I'll -- -If I had time, I'd -- -No, no, I know.

I'll do it, I know.

So, uh, Boston!

-Yeah.

-That's -- that's great.

-Yeah, you know, Jed's gonna be working out there, so... -Yeah, yeah, I heard something... -Gene, I'm sorry about what I said to you.

When?

-You know.

-Hey, no.

Don't.

I deserved it.

-I do admire you, Gene.

I always have.

And you know nobody loves your stories like I do.

It's just, when I read that really long one and the thing about the girl, I guess I got angry, and I said something I didn't really mean.

And when nobody could find you, I thought you were... -Kate, I was drunk.

-Okay.

-I was drunk, and I... [ Laughs ] You know what?

When we're old, and we're like 50 years old, and we look back at this whole thing, you know what?

I bet we're just gonna laugh our damn asses off about the whole thing.

I'm even laughing right now.

It's funny.

-I better go, Eugene.

-Yeah, you better go, Kate.

And you know what?

-Yeah?

-Nothin'.

-Oh.

I wanted to give you back this, Gene.

I nearly forgot.

It's your mother's St. Christopher medal.

-Ah, keep it.

-I couldn't.

-Really.

-It's your mother's.

-No, really, keep it.

She won't care.

-No.

-I said keep it!

I said keep it!

I don't want it.

Do you understand me?

[ Laughs ] I don't -- I don't want it.

[ "I Want You" plays ] I'll see you, Kate.

You take care.

-Okay.

-I have an interview.

-Oh?

-Yeah, Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad.

-Oh, that's wonderful.

-Yeah.

Yeah.

They say I should be making $3,000 by this time next year.

-Really?

-Sure.

You wanna see the letter?

-No, that's fine.

-You tell Jed.

-I will.

♪♪ -♪ The guilty undertaker sighs ♪ ♪ The lonesome organ grinder cries ♪ ♪ The silver saxophones say I should refuse you ♪ ♪ The cracked bells and the washed-out horns ♪ ♪ Blow into my face with scorn ♪ ♪ But it's not that way ♪ ♪ I wasn't born to lose you ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I want you ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I want you ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I want you so bad ♪ ♪ Honey, I want you ♪ ♪♪ ♪ The drunken politician leaps ♪ ♪ Upon the street where mothers weep ♪ ♪ And the saviors who are fast asleep, they wait for you ♪ ♪ And while I wait for them to interrupt ♪ ♪ Drinkin' from my broken cup ♪ ♪ And ask me to open up the gate for you ♪ ♪ I want you ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I want you ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I want you so bad ♪ ♪ Honey, I want you ♪ ♪♪ -♪ How all my fathers, they've gone down ♪ ♪ True love, they've been without it ♪ ♪ But all their daughters put me down ♪ ♪ Cause I don't think about it ♪ ♪ Well, I return to the queen of spades ♪ ♪ And I talk with my chambermaid ♪ ♪ She knows that I'm not afraid to look at her ♪ ♪ She is good to me ♪ -♪ Good to me ♪ -♪ And there's nothing she doesn't see ♪ ♪ She knows where I'd like to be ♪ ♪ But it doesn't matter ♪ ♪ I want you ♪ -♪I want you ♪ -♪I want you ♪ -♪ I want you ♪ -♪ I want you so bad ♪ ♪ Honey, I want you ♪ -♪ I want you ♪ -♪ I want you ♪ -♪ I want you ♪ -♪ I want you so bad ♪ ♪ Honey, I want you ♪ ♪♪ -♪ I want you ♪ -♪ I want you ♪ -♪ I want you so bad ♪ -♪ I want you so bad ♪ -♪ Honey, I want you ♪ -♪ Honey, I want you ♪ -♪ I want you ♪ -♪ I want you ♪ -♪ I want you ♪ -So you're God's representative on Earth, huh?

-Oh, no.

I'm a mere servant of the servant.

Can I serve you?

-[ Scoffs ] You can't scratch this itch, Padre.

I been a long time on the prairie.

-Well, you let me know.

Say, what do you keep all down in here, huh?

Under your seat there?

-It's an escape hatch.

-I see.

-A day's gonna come we all gotta blow.

-Well, maybe you'll show me the way out.

-Everybody gotta go a different door, Monsignor.

-Maybe that's so.

-You get a wash this morning?

-Of course.

-You might need to go another rinse.

It don't smell so sweet down here in the downwind.

-Perhaps I need to find a laundry.

-Yeah, well, you find a good one.

'Cause I don't need no louses.

I seen one, walking down the parting in my hair when I was fixing myself one day.

There he was, just strolling along the white line parting like it was a nice country lane, as peaceful and serene...

I knew it then, Lord Jesus, I knew it then, I wasn't coming back.

I can see a louse.

I can see 'em.

-[ Laughs ] Can you now?

-Why, yes, I can.

-Let me show you something.

Hello, Elias.

I farm out where the crippled voices heal.

Watch this now.

[ Ship horn blares in distance ] -[ Chuckles ] -You're makin' me nervous.

Sweet Jesus... sweet Jesus... -♪ When we see Jesus ♪ -Sweet, sweet Jesus.

-♪ Coming in, glory ♪ -Sweet Lord Jesus.

-♪ When he comes down ♪ -Lord Jesus!

-♪ From his home ♪ -Give it to me, Jesus!

-♪ His home in the sky ♪ -Sweet Lord Jesus!

Give it to me, Jesus!

-Are you doing me?

-No!

-Yeah, you were doing me!

I don't need doing!

I don't need your stinky Jesus!

-Alright, Elias, come on.

Those fish are jumpin'.

-What, are you going fishing?

Looks cold out there!

-Well, Elias likes to try.

We hardly ever catch anything.

Once or twice, we had some supper out of it.

-That's a fine boy you got there, Mr. Burke!

-Oh, thank you.

He's a handful, aren't you?

-You gotta ah, ah, ah, put seaweed in the jar so the fish can breathe.

-That's what we do, anyway.

-[ Laughs ] -Bits of grass, you know.

-That is sweet!

That is.

That is very sweet.

So, you putting roots down here or just passing through?

-I guess we'll be moving on.

Come down chasing a debtor, gave me the run-around.

You know how it is.

Everybody chasing everybody else.

-You've got creditors on your heels, too?

-Everybody got to get in line, just like everybody else.

-What direction you blowin' in from?

-North.

-North?

-Northwest.

-Lotta nice places up there -- Wolf Point, "Muh-dee-na."

-"Muh-die-na."

-"Muh-die-na."

-Medina, Medina... -Up in Vagina.

-Vageena, Vageena.

Spent time up in that neck of the woods.

Wasn't much hunger for the word, but, by Christ, they were ravenous for something just the same!

-I guess.

-Yes.

That was last spring.

Was a terrible story goin' around about a poor girl getting attacked up in the woods.

[ "Blind Willie McTell" plays ] Suspicion fell here and there.

Some said this, some said that.

Someone even said maybe it was a man or child didn't know his own strength.

Maybe a little feeble in his mind.

Who can say?

But... [ Sighs ] You know how it is with rumors.

Family by the name of Shepherd.

You hear anything about that?

-Can't say I have.

-Well, these things can happen so easily.

I once officiated at a funeral for an infant whose own mother had crushed him to death with an overly fervent embrace.

Can you imagine?

-That's terrible.

-Life is terrible.

-Sure can be.

-But you and your wife seem united.

That's the main thing, I guess.

-What are you driving at?

-I ain't out to cause trouble.

World's already full of trouble.

But, like they say, a man's going around with his wife and his grown son, saying he lost his business, well, maybe that's just what he's saying.

Maybe he's been moving around because he's got something to hide.

-You're in the wrong garden, Preacher.

-That might be, but I got to be where I am just like the next man.

-Train's about to leave, Elias.

Couple up.

Whoo-whoo!

-$500 should do it.

Let's say 12:00 tomorrow.

You meet me here, fine.

If not, I'll just... call by the precinct, tell 'em what I know.

Look at that!

Hey, the sun's coming out.

♪♪ -Now you listen to me, you son of a bitch.

You want to threaten people, get your due, I'll give it to you.

You so much as say a...damn word about me to anyone, I will cut your...throat.

Now, you keep your lies to yourself.

I don't know a damn thing -- -Aah!

-Hey!

-What you getting so riled up for, huh?

-[ Cries ] -Good day.

Man, I'm famished.

12:00 tomorrow.

May your catch be bountiful, Elias.

-Alright, come on.

Come on, Elias, let's go.

What did you do, huh?

You pulled 'em all off!

...damn it!

-Aaaah!

-Hey!

Hey!

Hey!

[ Chokes ] -[ Cries ] -[ Gasps ] It's okay, it's okay.

Fishing!

Fishing!

Daddy didn't mean to yell.

Daddy didn't mean to yell.

I love you, I love you.

I love you.

Come on.

We'll go fishing.

We'll go fishing.

[ Grunts ] -♪ Once upon a time, you dressed so fine ♪ ♪ You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?

♪ ♪ People'd call, say, "Beware, doll ♪ ♪ You're bound to fall" ♪ ♪ You thought they were all kiddin' you ♪ ♪ You used to laugh about ♪ ♪ Everybody that was hangin' out ♪ ♪ And now you don't talk so loud ♪ ♪ Now you don't seem so proud ♪ ♪ About having to be scroungin' for your next meal ♪ [ Music stops ] ♪ How does it feel ♪ ♪♪ ♪ How does it feel ♪ ♪♪ ♪ To be without a home ♪ ♪♪ ♪ A complete unknown ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Like a rolling stone ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ You've gone to the finest schools, all right ♪ ♪ Miss Lonely, but you know you only used to get juiced in it ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Nobody has ever taught you how to live out on the street ♪ ♪ And now you find out you're gonna have to get used to it ♪ ♪♪ ♪ You said you'd never compromise ♪ ♪ With the mystery tramp, but now you realize ♪ ♪ He's not selling any alibis ♪ ♪ As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes ♪ ♪ And ask him do you want to make a deal?

♪ ♪ Oh, but how does it feel?

♪ -♪ How does it feel?

♪ -♪ How does it feel?

♪ -♪ How does it feel?

♪ -♪ To be on your own ♪ -♪ How does it feel?

♪ -♪ With no direction home ♪ -♪ How does it feel?

♪ -♪ A complete unknown ♪ -♪ How does it feel?

♪ -♪ Like a rolling stone ♪ ♪ You're like a rolling stone ♪ ♪ Just like a rolling stone ♪ ♪ Like a rolling stone ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ The storms are raging on the rollin' sea ♪ ♪ And on the highway of regret ♪ ♪♪ ♪ The winds of change are blowing wild and free ♪ ♪ You ain't seen nothing like me yet ♪ ♪ I could make you happy, make your dreams come true ♪ ♪ There is nothing that I wouldn't do ♪ ♪ Go to the ends of the earth for you ♪ ♪ To make you feel my... ♪ -Hey, tough guy.

I saw you fighting.

-You saw me get beat.

-I thought you had him.

-Me too.

That's how he got me.

-At least you got beat by a gentleman.

He shook your hand after.

-That handshake hurt me more than all the times he hit me.

He knew it, too.

-[ Chuckles ] -How'd you know about the fight?

-My friend Ria.

She saw a poster, but you had a different name.

They let us stand in the back.

-I wish you hadn't.

-Look at you.

Boxing is so foolish.

They say that in the Bible, you know.

-Yeah?

-Leviticus, chapter 3, verse 4.

-What?

-I'm making it up.

You can say anything is in Leviticus.

-I like boxing.

-Ma.

-I like boxers.

I like you.

This might sting a little.

-Aah!

-Oh, stop fussing!

I'm nursing you back to health...damn it.

-...damn it.

-How far are you along?

-4 1/2 months.

Say 5.

-Where's the daddy?

-Working the boats.

-You gonna get married?

-[ Scoffs ] You believe in marriage?

-Sure.

You don't?

-You either love somebody or you don't.

Marriage ain't got nothing to do with it.

-It's not too late.

I mean, you don't have to have it.

-At five months?

-Depends on who you ask, where you go.

-No.

-Well, you raise it, somebody else raise -- -When you going to Chicago?

-Tomorrow.

Or the day after.

Soon as I get me some dough.

You do a deal with the pier man, he'll find you somewhere on board.

You just -- you stay out of the way.

It's alright.

You think I'd like Chicago, huh?

-Chicago rises up off the plain like a magical kingdom when you see it first, I swear.

-[ Chuckles ] And then, you go inside, and they'll rob you, kill you, if you don't mind your business, but... You stay with somebody who knows what they're doing... [ Grunts ] -[ Scoffs ] Like you?

-Yeah.

That's how you box?

-I don't box!

I never had to fight.

-Oh, you always get everything you ask for.

-It's better than looking like you.

-Well, come here.

Yeah, come on.

Stand right here.

-Okay.

-Give me a nice wide stance like this.

-Alright.

-Nah, a little bit wider.

Get grounded.

There you go.

Arms up, chin down, close the barn doors.

-I can't see.

-You gotta protect your face.

You right-handed?

-Uh-huh.

-You twist the right foot, you come from the hip.

Gimme one jab, right here.

-[ Grunts ] What?

-That's amazing.

That's really good.

Let's try your left.

Gimme two, right here.

-Mnh!

-Yep.

Oh!

Oh!

[ Both laugh ] Do it like you hate me.

-That won't be very hard.

Mnh!

-Ohh!

-Ha ha!

That's how you got beat, Mr. Chicago!

You're too nice.

-You're dangerous.

-She is.

She was born dangerous.

[ Both click tongues ] -Ah.

[ Chuckles ] I'll show you who to talk to down on the pier, you want to go.

Think about it.

You let me know.

-Are you married, Joe?

-Ma.

-Excuse me, ma'am?

-It's a simple question.

It's my life, and if I want to spend it with him, I will spend it with him.

-Alright, alright, Mom, okay.

-What -- What'd she say?

-Are you married, Mr. Scott?

-Yes, I am.

I got me a wife and two children, but I ain't seen 'em in a long time.

My wife is with another man.

I don't want to cause 'em all no trouble.

-Alright.

You know, you wouldn't believe me if I told you the truth.

-About what?

-About my baby.

-You don't have to tell me a damn thing.

-Whatcha doin'?

-Cleaning up.

-Get your mama some supper.

-Come on, mama.

-We going to the movies?

-Sure.

-You okay?

-Yes, sir.

-Huh?

-I'm fine!

-Alright.

You speak with Mr. Perry last night?

You know, he came all the way up here for that talk.

You talk with him?

-Sure.

-What'd he say?

He say anything?

-Sure.

-Well, that -- Did you?

What did you say?

-Nothin'.

-Nothin'?

What do you mean, nothin'?

He brought you up them nice flowers.

You didn't say nothing to him?

-Were those flowers for me?

-Yeah.

-Well, he took 'em with him.

-What you mean?

-If they were for me, he never said.

He took them with him.

-Well, that -- Were you civil to him?

-What do you think I am?

-That's a question I'm not sure I rightly know.

You stand still for one second!

What'd you discuss?

You didn't discuss nothing?

-Looks like all the discussin's already been done.

-What are you talkin' about?

-He told me that you and him already got it all planned out.

-Oh, we may -- we may have spoke-- I may have answered some -- I spoke with him, but it's... No one is saying you ain't got to want this for yourself.

-What could possibly make you think that this is something that I want?!

What you want make me go for, huh?!

-You think this is what I want?

-Ma, hey.

-When I went down to Burnsville for my uncle's funeral?

People living in tents, Marianne.

Kids with no clothes on.

-Mama... -All along the whole street into the town.

People lining up for a bowl of soup, sittin' out in the rain.

There ain't no net to catch us!

-Then why don't you let me help you?!

It'll be fine.

We'll figure it out.

-When I needed your help was when I needed you to be a -- -Oh, Daddy, I didn't do anything -- -Don't give me that cock-and-bull story!

You gotta go carrying on with some...damn boatman, like some little...!

The hell are you doing wasting your life in here for?

-I gotta waste it somewhere.

-♪ How does it feel ♪ ♪♪ ♪ How does it feel ♪ ♪♪ ♪ How does it feel ♪ -♪ I want you ♪ ♪♪ -♪ I want you ♪ -♪ How does it feel ♪ -♪ So bad ♪ -♪ How does it feel ♪ -♪ I want you ♪ ♪♪ -♪ To be on your own ♪ -♪ I want you ♪ ♪ So bad ♪ -♪ Like a rolling stone ♪ -♪ Oooh, oooh, oooh ♪ ♪ Oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh ♪ ♪ Ahhhhh ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -♪ You have given everything to me ♪ ♪ What can I do for you?

♪ You have given me eyes to see ♪ ♪ What can I ♪ -♪ Do for you?

♪ ♪♪ -♪ Ooh ♪ -♪ Pulled me out of bondage ♪ ♪ Made me renewed inside ♪ ♪ You filled up a hunger ♪ ♪ That had always been denied ♪ ♪ You opened up a door no man can shut ♪ ♪ And you opened it up so wide ♪ ♪ You've chosen me ♪ ♪ To be among the few ♪ -♪ What can I do for you?

♪ -♪ I know all about poison ♪ ♪ I know all about fiery darts ♪ ♪ I don't care how rough the road is ♪ ♪ Show me where it starts ♪ -♪ Ahh ♪ -♪ Whatever pleases you ♪ ♪ Tell it to my heart ♪ ♪ I don't deserve it, but I sure did make it through ♪ -♪ Ah-ah, what can I do for you?

♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ [ Harmonica solo ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Fiddle solo ] [ Cheering and laughter ] ♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ Clouds so swift, rain won't lift ♪ ♪ Gate won't close, the railings froze ♪ ♪ Get your mind off wintertime ♪ ♪ You ain't goin' nowhere ♪ -♪ Whoo-ee, ride me high ♪ ♪ Tomorrow's the day my bride's gonna come ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, are we gonna fly ♪ ♪ Down in the easy chair ♪ -♪ I don't care how many letters they sent ♪ ♪ Morning came and morning went ♪ ♪ Pick up your money and pack up your tent ♪ ♪ You ain't goin' nowhere ♪ -♪ Whoo-ee, ride me high ♪ ♪ Tomorrow's the day my bride's gonna come ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, are we gonna fly ♪ ♪ Down in the easy chair ♪ -♪ Well, Genghis Khan, he could not keep ♪ ♪ All of his kings supplied with sleep ♪ ♪ We'll climb that hill no matter how steep ♪ ♪ When we get up to it ♪ -♪ Whoo-ee, ride me high ♪ ♪ Tomorrow's the day my bride's gonna come ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, are we gonna fly ♪ ♪ Down in the easy chair ♪ ♪ Whoo-ee, ride me high ♪ ♪ Tomorrow's the day my bride's gonna come ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, are we gonna fly ♪ ♪ Down in the easy chair ♪ -♪ Standing on the waters casting your bread ♪ ♪ While the eyes of the idol with the iron head ♪ ♪ Are glowing ♪ ♪♪ -♪ Distant ships sailing into the mist ♪ ♪ You were born with a snake in both of your fists ♪ ♪ While a hurricane was blowing ♪ -♪ Freedom just around the corner for you ♪ ♪ But with the truth so far off, what good will it do?

♪ ♪♪ ♪ Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune ♪ ♪ Bird fly high by the light of the moon ♪ ♪ Woah, woah ♪ ♪ Woah ♪ ♪ Woah... ♪ -It's Wednesday, November 28, 1934, the night before Thanksgiving!

The last one we ever celebrated together.

-You got any more drops?

-Mrs. B!

You used up all that other bottle?

-Oh!

I can't relax!

-You can't relax?!

Well, let me see what I can do!

-Ooh!

Magic!

-♪ When we were young and foolish ♪ ♪ We had no need for gold ♪ ♪ The treasure of our tender love ♪ ♪ Could not be -- ♪ No.

Keep it.

-You sure?

-Well, happy Thanksgiving.

Six drops a day maximum.

-Thank you!

-You don't want to become addicted.

-Too late!

I'm only kidding!

Of course not.

Six drops.

You must have a nice house, Doctor.

-I have a nice house, but I only live in two rooms.

I eat in one.

I sleep in the other.

-You what in the other?

-I sleep.

I sleep!

-We had a house bigger than this one, you know.

-I'm sure you did.

-Oh how would it be, do you think, if I came to your house one day and you gave me a tour of those two rooms?

Oh, I only say this for conversation.

-Well, I'm sure that would be very...pleasant.

-Ya think?

You know what I think?

I think it would be really sad.

-Oh?

-If we coupled, I mean.

We'd be like two lonely beasts in the field!

And yet... -Yes!

Well, we wouldn't be lonely!

-No.

You'd still be lonely.

You'll always be lonely.

But you should still do it.

-This time of year, a lost soul could always find a welcome up here.

Suicides had increased 100% in the years after the Crash.

Single men led the way, followed closely by divorced women.

Uh, my own marriage had failed in the years before.

I say "it" failed, but really I failed.

A little morphine helped.

Until it didn't.

I weaned myself off of it.

-Mostly.

-Mostly.

-Hey, Doc!

I heard your good buddy Franklin Ding-a-ling Roosevelt on the wireless this evening.

-I thought you might!

-You do know what it is what we need, dontcha?

In the White House?

A strong man.

-Yes.

Like FDR.

-Ha!

-FDR.

I am so sick of hearing FDR is a good man this, FDR is a good man that.

-Sorry to hear that Frank.

-I couldn't care less if he's yay, nay, or rollin' in the hay.

As long as the head man is strong, I couldn't care two sausages if he's any good or not.

'Cause what we need is energy.

-Energy!

-Energy!

That's right, Mrs. Laine.

Not morals.

-Whoo-hoo!

-That's my hand!

Two dollars.

You want another game?

Double or nothing.

-Jesus, no.

-Energy!

-Energy!

That's right!

Somebody doin' something, even if it's the wrong thing!

You know, that and you got people gettin' ideas and then putting those ideas to work.

That's -- That's what you need to get things rollin'!

-I don't know about that.

People say there can't be no more wars now because we all know it's no good.

We don't know... if you ask me.

Excuse my language.

-I like your language.

-Everybody's gotta make their own mistakes.

And anyone who thinks we don't is a...banana.

-"Anyone who thinks we don't is a...banana."

-You're a...banana!

-Ow!

Geez!

Elias!

Come on!

-Well, how are you this evening, Mrs. Burke?

-Nick, I have to ask you if we can extend our credit.

-In which direction?

-Oh, Francis has got an old partner down in Rush City who's got $600 that he's just waiting to pay him.

And it's just a question of the weather, you see?

It's really tricky getting down there.

-The weather, huh?

And when do you think it's gonna... -Oh, Nick.

I know we owe you.

-Eh.

It's alright.

-Oh, if my mother saw me here now, she'd die!

She'd be so ashamed.

-Come on, now.

You can't be worried about your mother.

-Is your mother still alive, Nick?

-I hope not.

-Why?

-'Cause we buried her 15 years ago.

-Hey, Doc.

Doc.

-Yeah, yeah.

-The latest is she says she hears stuff.

-Hears what?

-A girl down a hole.

-O...kay.

-And you know who it is.

And that's the... That's the... -Nick, look at me!

You were a kid!

You were just a kid!

Oh!

-Sorry.

-Nick!

You know what pseudocyesis is?

-Pseudo what?

-Cyesis.

-What is it?

-Well, sometimes if a girl feels an intense need to... connect or to -- well, to have a baby, her body can manifest all the signs of a real pregnancy.

-Dr. Walker.

-Mr. Perry.

Right.

Uh, well, I'll, uh -- -What?

-I didn't say anything.

-What?!

Nothing.

-I can feel it!

What?!

-No!

[ Fireworks popping ] -Yeah?

-I just feel like I'm...

It's almost like I'm getting to where you're making me beg.

-Beg?

-Yet I'm the one doing you a favor!

-I'm not asking you to do a damn thing!

What do you want me to do?

-Maybe ask her to come down to my store, will ya?

-But she won't go down to your store!

-Then what am I doing here?!

-No, wait, wait, wait.

You know.

You just say -- You just say, "Let's go and talk."

-We've talked.

I've talked to her.

-Well, talk to her again!

Lay it out!

-You lay it out.

-I've laid it out!

Now you lay it out!

-Jesus!

What the... is happening to me?

How do we ever think any of the crazy...we do is a good idea?

I mean, how does that happen?

Who's pulling the strings?!

-Then find someone your own age, you old goat.

-You don't think I've tried?

You don't think I want that?

How do you do it?

Where do you go?

I talk to women who come in my store -- in that way -- what would people say?

-Just be friendly.

-I'm friendly!

I'm friendly, Nick.

I'm too friendly.

People always take it the wrong way.

-Well, that's why this gives you an advantage.

-How?

-'Cause you're helping her!

You're helping me.

Feel good, Mr. Perry.

Joe.

Can I call you Joe?

-No.

-Feel good, Mr. Perry.

-May I use your water closet?

-My what?

-Water closet.

Your honey bucket.

-Oh, sure.

Yeah.

Right around there.

Through the kitchen.

-Thank you.

-Just be careful.

-You know what?

I'm... gonna go for a walk and look at the fireworks.

-Yeah, you do that, Mr. Perry!

And don't hurry back.

Alright?

-Well, Nick... Well, Nick!

-What?

-Just "Well, Nick."

-Uh-huh.

-You think I don't see?

[ Scoffs ] You think I don't give a good...damn?

You don't think I give a good wocky-woo?

-Elizabeth, I don't know what you give or what you get.

-Yeah.

Whadya, whadya, whadya, whadya, whadya.

-What?

-Shut up!

-You have to be rude?

-You think this is rude?

You ain't seen rude.

You think I care?

Huh?

About your little lady woman up in your attic?

It's alright, Nicky Wicky.

Animals got to feel the warm, huh?

I'm-a not care one way or tother nother.

-You don't think I do enough?

You don't think I couldn't get you put away in some old lady's home like that?!

-You're too cheap!

-They'd take you away.

And nobody would say I haven't put up with enough...crap.

Off of you.

Off of everybody!

-Oh, boo boo boo, boo boo boo boo.

-Ooh, Elizabeth, I swear to God.

I'll knock your damn teeth in.

-Oh, knock my teeth in.

You'll knock my teeth in.

How much money you gonna get, huh?

-Money?!

Where?

-Off of the -- the money man.

The shoe man.

-What money?!

He's sick!

He ain't gonna last a year!

-Why'd you have to stick her in his old dirty bed for?

-The girl needs help.

Whatcha want?

You want her goin' round the roads?

Dragging her baby?

Tramping in the dirt?

I ain't got nothin' for her!

-It'd be like sleeping in a damn grave.

His cold feet like clay comin' round her.

At least in a whorehouse she can name her own price.

-Yeah.

-You hear the girl down the hole?

-What?

-I know you hear it.

-Why don't you shut your...mouth?

-I know you do!

You hear it more than me!

Yeah, you do!

Yeah, you do!

-Will you shut up?!

Do you hear me?

You shut up!

-[ Screams and sobs ] -I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

[ Fireworks popping ] ♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ Well, the pressure's down, the boss ain't here ♪ ♪ He went north, he ain't around ♪ ♪ They say vanity got the best of him ♪ ♪ But he sure left here in style ♪ -♪ Ooh ♪ -♪ By the way ♪ ♪ That's a cute hat ♪ ♪ And that smile's so hard to resist ♪ ♪ What's a sweetheart like you ♪ ♪ Doin' in a dump like this?

♪ ♪♪ ♪ Well, I once knew a woman who looked like you ♪ ♪ She wanted a whole man, not just a half ♪ ♪ She used to call me sweet daddy when I was just a child ♪ ♪ You remind me of her when you laugh ♪ ♪ In order to deal in this game ♪ ♪ You gotta make the queen disappear ♪ ♪ Done with a flick of the wrist ♪ ♪ What's a sweetheart like you ♪ ♪ Doin' in a dump like this?

♪ ♪♪ -♪ You know you can make a name for yourself ♪ ♪ You can hear them tires squeal ♪ ♪ You can be known as the most beautiful woman ♪ ♪ Who ever crawled across cut glass to make a deal ♪ -♪ I'm getting weary ♪ ♪ Looking in my baby's eyes ♪ ♪ When he's near me ♪ ♪ He's so hard to recognize ♪ ♪ And I finally realize ♪ ♪ That there's no room for regret ♪ -♪ True love ♪ ♪ True love ♪ ♪ True love tends to forget ♪ -♪ Hold me ♪ ♪ Baby, be near ♪ ♪ You told me ♪ ♪ That you'd be sincere ♪ ♪ And every day of the year's ♪ ♪ Like playin' Russian roulette, oooh ♪ -♪ True love ♪ ♪ True love ♪ ♪ True love tends to forget ♪ -♪ I was lyin' down in the reeds ♪ ♪ Without any oxygen ♪ ♪ I saw you in the wilderness among the men ♪ ♪ I saw you drift into infinity ♪ ♪ And come back again ♪ ♪ All you gotta do is wait ♪ ♪ And I'll tell you when ♪ I'm gonna go, Nick.

I can't pay you no more.

-What are you talking about?

-I went to see Mr. St. Clair about signing all the forms.

-When?

-Today.

-Yeah?

-Turns out I owe him money.

-You'll pay him when you get your inheritance.

-The legal fees ate it all up.

There's nothing left for me or anyone else.

-You're kidding!

That...damn crook!

I'm gonna go down there myself, and I'll -- -He showed me the figures, Nick.

It was all there in black-and-white.

Says if I want, I can take it up with the judge.

-You're kidding me.

-I know you need the room.

I'll clear out.

-What?

W-Where?

-My sister.

-In Minneapolis?

-No.

My twin sister in Oklahoma.

-Oklahoma?!

Are you nuts?!

-Oklahoma City.

She's married to a schoolteacher.

-Oh.

Right.

-She can put me up for a while.

-Right.

-Maybe find me some work out there.

-Uh-huh.

-We ain't gonna buy no hotel, Nick!

-Yes.

It's all over, I guess.

-Do you love me?

-What?!

-Can you love me?

-What kind of question is that?!

-I can take it either way.

But you gotta tell me the truth.

-You just said it's all bull... -Yeah, it's all bull... but it's still all I got!

-oh, we ain't spring chickens.

-What's does that have to do with it?

-You live too long, you see too much... it chips away at you.

How can you love someone who ain't got a soul?

-You have a soul.

-Oh, I don't feel it.

-I feel it.

Just say it!

Just say it to me.

-I can't love anybody.

There it is!

There's the truth!

-Can't?

Or won't?

♪♪ ♪ I was lyin' down in the reeds without any oxygen ♪ ♪ I saw you in the wilderness among the men ♪ ♪ I saw you drift into infinity and come back again ♪ ♪♪ ♪ All you gotta do is wait ♪ ♪ And I'll tell you when ♪ ♪ You belong to me, baby ♪ ♪ Without any doubt ♪ ♪ Don't forsake me, baby ♪ ♪ Don't sell me out ♪ ♪ Don't keep me knocking about ♪ ♪ From Mexico to Tibet, ohh ♪ -♪ True love ♪ -♪ Mmm ♪ -♪ True love ♪ -♪ Mmm-mmm-mmm ♪ -♪ True love ♪ -♪ Tends to forget ♪ -♪ They say that patriotism is the last refuge ♪ ♪ To which a scoundrel clings ♪ ♪ Listen, steal a little, and they throw you in jail ♪ ♪ Steal a lot, and they make you the king ♪ ♪ There's only one step down from here, baby ♪ ♪ Called the land of permanent bliss ♪ ♪ What's a sweetheart like you ♪ ♪ Doin' in a dump like this?

♪ ♪ What's a sweetheart like you ♪ ♪ Doin' in a dump like this?

♪ -Happy Thanksgiving, Nick!

-Yeah!

-Happy Thanksgiving, Mr. Perry.

Jesus... You been out there all night?

Look at you!

You're freezing!

Get inside.

-No, I'm perfect.

Happy Thanksgiving, Elizabeth!

-Come on.

Get in here.

Oh, look who's here.

Let me, uh -- -Well, Happy Thanksgiving, Marianne!

-Happy Thanksgiving, Mr. Perry.

-How are you?

-Pretty much as well as I was when you saw me yesterday.

-I can worry about you, can't I?

-I guess.

But you don't know me all that much.

-Would you believe me if I said I feel I do know you?

-How?

-I guess God's goodness shines down, and it makes things happen.

Things you couldn't dream of, I guess.

-I guess.

-Mmm.

-Maybe my whole life's been leading me right here to give you and your child shelter.

Who can say?

[ Laughs ] I mean, that makes about as much sense as anything else, as far as I can make out!

-Maybe you're just a predator.

-A predator?

-Sure.

-I don't think so.

-Well, how would you know?

-I think I'd know if I was a predator, Marianne.

-Maybe you wouldn't.

Maybe you have to believe you're going around doing good deeds so as to enable you to go on the hunt.

You know?

On the prowl?

-I don't think so.

-No, huh?

My pa didn't say nothing about all the trouble we've had here?

-Trouble is everywhere.

I know.

-Aw.

I'm talking about trouble no one can explain.

-Explain what?

-That night.

The night I... Well, the night the wind came into my room.

I woke up.

All I knew then was somebody was there.

-A man came in your room?

-It was deeper than a man!

Older than a man.

When I pressed my face in his tunic and I breathed in, I could smell, like... like, ancient water.

You know that smell like water under the ground?

Like stone?

And when I breathed in more and more, it was like I was breathing through him.

And I could see through him... into an ancient past.

A figure in a boat.

Somebody was singing, and I... ♪♪ That's how it happened.

-Marianne, however it happened, you got yourself in trouble.

All your daddy wants is to look at our options here.

-You look like a weak man, Mr. Perry.

But you got some steel buried in there keeps you cutting through the woods!

-Hey!

I don't need to come down here and be told I'm weak!

You don't know what I've been going through every day since your daddy came to me!

What would you know about it?

You haven't got a damn pot to...in, and you subject me to this?

Let me tell you something!

Your daddy can't take care of you!

This house.

It's gonna all be taken by the bank.

Your daddy's too old to work on a farm or a factory... even if there was work.

Bottle's got your brother.

Who knows where your mama's gone?!

Where you gonna go?

A Black girl with a Black baby.

You want me to tell you?

You're gonna be made give that baby away.

And then you can whistle your way down to St. Louis or somewhere, work as a maid.

That's all you are.

Now you and me both got a chance.

My wife came and told me in a dream, Marianne.

My wife!

You just get in under my roof, girl, and I won't never touch you!

That's a promise!

Nobody chooses to get old.

Everybody fights it.

But it kicks your ass!

You can't win.

You move slower and slower.

'Cause you can't go quicker!

It hurts!

Pain's got ya surrounded.

Your back and your legs and your hands in here, in your gut!

You wake in the night, there's no one there.

Only the cold.

And one way down.

You remember a warm light and a smile from long ago.

But it doesn't help.

It only hurts.

'Cause in here, you're still only a -- -So, how we doin', huh?

-Oh, he's just been showing everybody his Vienna sausage.

-Give me a date, and I'll write you a check.

-How about Christmas Eve?

Stay for lunch.

♪♪ How you doing?

-Huh?

-You go down the -- -Yeah.

Yeah.

-We're talking about the interview.

-Yeah, I know.

-It's all good?

-Yeah, yeah, all good.

Yeah.

He says the railroad's gonna lift all the boats around here.

Bright guy like me, start in the office, working my way up.

-That's right -Yeah, said it was just what he wanted to see.

-Didn't I tell ya?!

Huh?

-Yeah.

Yeah.

-You're a good boy.

-Yeah.

Yeah.

I'm a good boy.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ Pistol shots ring out in the barroom night ♪ ♪ Enter Patty Valentine from the upper hall ♪ ♪ She sees the bartender in a pool of blood ♪ ♪ Cries out, "My God, they've killed them all!"

♪ -♪ Here comes the story of the Hurricane ♪ ♪ The man the authorities came to blame ♪ -♪ For somethin' that he never done ♪ ♪ Put in a prison cell ♪ ♪ But one time he could've been ♪ ♪ The champion of the world ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Three bodies lyin' there does Patty see ♪ ♪ And another man named Bello, movin' around mysteriously ♪ ♪ "I didn't do it," he says, and he throws up his hands ♪ ♪ "I was only robbin' the register ♪ ♪ I hope you understand" ♪ -♪ "I saw them leavin'," he says, and he stops ♪ -♪ "One of us had better call up the cops" ♪ -♪ And so Patty calls the cops ♪ ♪ And they arrive on the scene ♪ ♪ With their red lights flashin' ♪ ♪ In the hot New Jersey night ♪ -♪ Ahh, ohh ♪ ♪♪ ♪ All along the watchtower ♪ ♪ Princes kept the view ♪ ♪ All the women came and went ♪ ♪ Barefoot servants, too ♪ ♪ Outside in the distance ♪ ♪ A wildcat did growl ♪ ♪ Two riders were approaching, ohh ♪ ♪ The wind began to howl ♪ -♪ When a cop pulled him over to the side of the road ♪ ♪ Just like the time before and the time before that ♪ -♪ In Paterson, that's just the way things go ♪ ♪ If you're Black, you might as well not show up on the street ♪ ♪ 'Less you wanna draw the heat ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ It was gravity which pulled us down ♪ ♪ And destiny which broke us apart ♪ ♪ You tamed the lion in my cage ♪ ♪ But it just wasn't enough ♪ ♪ To change my heart ♪ ♪ Now everything's a little upside down ♪ ♪ As a matter of fact, the wheels have stopped ♪ ♪ What's good is bad, what's bad is good ♪ ♪ You'll find out when you reach the top ♪ ♪ You're on the bottom ♪ ♪ Idiot wind ♪ -♪ Blowing every time you move your mouth ♪ ♪ Blowing down the backroads headin' south ♪ -♪ Idiot wind ♪ -♪ Blowing every time you move your teeth ♪ -♪ You're an idiot, babe ♪ -♪ It's a wonder that you still know ♪ ♪ How to breathe ♪ -♪ Idiot wind ♪ -♪ Blowing through the flowers on your tomb ♪ ♪ Blowing through the curtains in your room ♪ -♪ Idiot wind ♪ -♪ Blowing every time you move your teeth ♪ -♪ I'm an idiot, babe ♪ -♪ It's a wonder that I still know how to breathe ♪ -Happy Thanksgiving, Nick!

-Happy Thanksgiving, Mrs. Burke, Mr. Scott.

-Same to you, sir.

-Where's Elias?

-We had a walk.

He's asleep.

Hey, look at all this!

Happy Thanksgiving, Nick!

-To you, too.

Marianne cooked the turkey, so... -Well, Marianne, you are a genius.

-I wouldn't say all that.

You can make yourself a sandwich, cranberry's all in the bowl.

-Holy shamoly.

-We always do a sandwich.

Then you don't have to do all that, you know, sitting at the same table, right?

-I know.

Everybody looking at each other.

I get it.

I am the king of the sandwiches.

-Here, let me make you one.

-Oh, I always dd like you, Mrs. Neilsen.

You've got a way about you.

Don't you think she's got a way about her?

-What kind of a way?!

-A way!

A way!

Well, Nick knows!

Right?

Am I right?

-You just ignore him, Mrs. Neilsen.

You think Elias wants a sandwich?

-He's asleep.

Leave him alone.

I dunno what it is -- it's the confluence between your eyes and your eyebrow that somehow suggests a gateway to the eternal.

-I'm just making you a sandwich!

-What in God's name you talking about?

-You better watch yourself, Joe, she's got them talons.

She digs them into you, you'll never get away.

-I don't know about that, but she sure can dance.

-You mind not talking about me like I'm not here?

-I'm sorry.

Excuse me.

-Only saying good things.

We're only saying nice things!

-No, no, no, no!

-Better watch it.

-How much has she had to drink?

-Not as much as you, clearly.

-Well, I never felt shoulders like these.

-Thank you, ma'am.

-I mean it.

Hey, Nick!

You ever feel shoulders like that?

-Not lately.

-How are you, Marianne?

-I'm fine, thank you.

-You want to call by next week?

-Sure.

-Unless you want to see someone else.

-No, that's fine.

-Should I go get Elias?

He's missing everything.

-Leave him alone.

-Anyone been outside?

Man, it's cold!

-It sure is!

-You see the snow?

-Mm-hmm.

-That's how it starts.

Those dry flakes like that?

That's North Pole air.

Hey, Frank, Franke?

Sit down.

-Oh, no, no, no, I'm good.

I like to stand.

It's like swaying around on a ship.

-You want to go easy?

-Hmm?

-A sick child gets inside of you somehow, Nick.

-What's that?

-I guess you can't help it.

Just gets down there underneath everything.

-Happy Thanksgiving, all!

-Whoa!

-Hey!

It's like a knife!

-Reverend!

Just the fella.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Have a sandwich.

I was just saying, a sick child.

-Oh, but of course.

-There you are, you know, in the middle of your own life, kind of a child yourself.

-Oh, where is he?

-Sure, you've got worries, and you've got responsibilities, mainly to yourself, you know, your wife, your intended, you know, coupla dollars in your pocket, the normal stuff.

And you're thinkin', when that baby comes, oh, how complete things will be.

What they don't tell you is, Jesus... a child is hard work.

For sure.

-For sure.

Oh-ho-ho-ho.

I'm -- brr.

I'm not saying I was there for the hardest part.

You know, I had my office to escape to, find peace in my own dreams, in the hurly burly and the fights and the arguments which all men truly enjoy.

-Where'd you say he was?

-He -- [ Stammering ] Pbht!

[ Laughs ] -Well, you need to lie down.

I apologize.

-She'll tell you.

I tried to put in the hours.

But the thing -- Well, it'll -- It'll drive you crazy because a child is only learning.

They wanna do the same mundane thing over and over again.

It's torture!

And if you're not in the mood, well, ha ha ha!

And you think to yourself, "Well, it'll get easier when he's older," but he never got any older.

-He's a good boy.

-Right!

He just got bigger and bigger!

Oh, the nights I stood on that landing outside his door, listening to the strange noises he made.

And, gee, Laura was inside in there with him.

I was afraid to go inside.

I could stand up to 80 men threatening to strike.

Righteous anger, lifting me up in a chariot of hatred.

-Hey, hey!

-But a child's cries?

A big grown child crying in the night, it'll rip the floor from right out underneath you.

And then, the Crash, and the money's gone, and the business is gone, and then they say, "Hey!

We're coming for your house!"

And, well, there you are.

You're naked.

You're a father.

That's all you are.

That's all that's left.

But you're a father to this -- this helpless... creature, full of strength and -- and... -Francis!

-...and drives that he doesn't understand.

-Francis!

-So if you turn your back for one second and he gets away, and you're frantically searching up and down the neighbors' yards for him... -Francis!

-And if the unthinkable should happen, and he does something, to someone, well, it's beyond a nightmare, because a nightmare ends.

-Francis, where's Elias?

-I told you.

He's asleep.

We went for a walk is all.

We -- We went for one of our long ones.

We were down by the water.

I took -- -Where is he, Francis?

-I told you.

-He's not here!

Elias!

-Where is he, Frank?

-Elias!

-The water was like iron.

[ Knocks on table ] -God!

Elias!

-Where is he?!

-It was an accident.

-Oh, where is he?!

-It was an accident.

-Where is he?!

-It was an accident!

I couldn't stop it!

-What happened, Frank?

-He's on the shore, Nick.

He's asleep... [ All murmuring ] -What?

-Oh, Mrs. Burke... -I need your help.

-Where's your God now, Reverend?

-He's everywhere.

-[ Laughing maniacally ] -Oh!

Are you crazy?!

-[ Laughing maniacally ] -Are you all...crazy?!

-Frank, what happened?

[ Bangs table ] -The water was like iron.

-Are you kidding me?

Are you...kidding me?

Oh, you... Oh, you... You didn't even say nothing!

-No, no, no, no, no!

-You didn't even say anything!

You never said a thing, you bastard!

-♪ Listen to that Duquesne whistle ♪ ♪ Blo-o-o-o-win' ♪ ♪ Blowin' like it's gonna sweep my world away ♪ ♪ I'm gonna stop at Carbondale ♪ ♪ And keep on going ♪ ♪ That Duquesne train ♪ ♪ Gonna rock me night and day ♪ ♪ You say I'm a gambler ♪ ♪ You say I'm a pimp ♪ ♪ But I ain't neither one, no, no, no, no!

♪ ♪ Listen to that Duquesne whistle blowin' ♪ ♪ Sounding like it's on ♪ ♪ A final ru-u-u-u-n ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Listen to that Duquesne whistle blowing blowin' ♪ ♪ Blowin' like she never blowed before ♪ ♪ Little blue light blinking, red light glowin' ♪ ♪ Blowin' like she's at my chamber door ♪ ♪ You smiling through the fence at me, oh, yeah ♪ ♪ Just like you always smiled before!

♪ ♪ Oh, listen to that Duquesne whistle blowin' ♪ ♪ Blowin' like she ain't gonna blow no more ♪ ♪ Hey!

♪ [ All murmuring ] ♪ Oh, can't you hear that Duquesne whistle blowin'?

♪ ♪ Blowin' like the sky's gonna blow apart ♪ ♪ You're the only thing alive that keeps me going ♪ ♪ You're like a time bomb in my heart!

♪ ♪ And I, I can hear that sweet voice steadily a-callin' ♪ ♪ Must be the mother of our Lord ♪ ♪ Lord, Lord, Lo-o-o-o-rd!

♪ ♪ Listen to that Duquesne whistle blowing blowin' ♪ ♪ Blowin' like my woman's on board!

♪ ♪♪ [ Tempo decreases ] -♪ Señor ♪ ♪ Señor ♪ -♪ Can you tell me where we're headin'?

♪ ♪ Lincoln County Road or Armageddon?

♪ ♪ Seems like I been down this way before ♪ ♪♪ -♪ Is there any truth in that, Señor?

♪ ♪ There's a wicked wind still blowin' on that upper deck ♪ -♪ There's an iron cross still hangin' down ♪ ♪ From around her neck ♪ -♪ There's a marchin' band still playin' ♪ ♪ In that vacant lot ♪ -♪ Where she held me in her arms one time ♪ ♪ And said forget me not ♪ -♪ Well, the last thing I remember ♪ ♪ Before I stripped and kneeled ♪ -♪ Was that trainload of fools ♪ ♪ Bogged down in a magnetic field ♪ -♪ A Gypsy with a broken flag and a flashing ring ♪ ♪ He said, "Son, this ain't a dream no more ♪ ♪ It's the real thing" ♪ -♪ Señor ♪ ♪ Señor ♪ ♪ Let's disconnect these cables ♪ ♪ Overturn these tables ♪ ♪ This place don't make sense to me no more ♪ ♪ Can you tell me what we're waiting for?

♪ -♪ Do you love me?

♪ ♪ Or are you just extending goodwill?

♪ ♪ Do you need me half as much as you say ♪ ♪ Or are you just feeling guilt?

♪ ♪ I've been burned before, and I know the score ♪ ♪ So you won't hear me complain ♪ ♪ Are you willing to risk it all?

♪ ♪ Or is your love in vain?

♪ -♪ Are you so fast you cannot see ♪ ♪ I must have solitude?

♪ When I am in the darkness ♪ ♪ Why do you intrude?

♪ -♪ Do you know my world, do you know my kind?

♪ -♪ Or must I explain?

♪ -♪ Will you let me be myself?

♪ -♪ Or is your love in vain?

♪ -♪ Well, I've been to the mountain ♪ ♪ And I've been in the wind ♪ ♪ I've been in and out of happiness ♪ ♪ I have dined with kings ♪ ♪ I've been offered wings ♪ ♪ But I've never been too impressed ♪ -♪ I've been a noisemaker, spirit-maker ♪ ♪ Heartbreaker, back-breaker ♪ ♪ Left no stone unturned ♪ ♪ Maybe an actor in a plot, that might be all that you got ♪ ♪ Till your error you clearly learned ♪ -♪ Can you cook and sew, make flowers grow?

♪ ♪ Can you understand my pain?

♪ ♪ Are you willing to risk it all?

♪ ♪ Or is your love in vain?

♪ -♪ Can you cook and sew, make flowers grow?

♪ ♪ Do you understand my pain?

♪ ♪ Are you willing to risk it all?

♪ ♪ Or is your love in vain?

♪ -You given any more thought to what I said?

[ Thunder rumbling ] You hear that storm?

I gotta be on that boat.

Leaves at 10:00.

Else nobody'll be going anywhere.

[ Piano plays ] Are you gonna dignify me with an answer?

[ Music plays on radio ] ♪♪ -What do you care where I go?

-I don't know.

Just feels like I got to take you.

-And I just got to go along?

♪♪ -I know you don't know me.

I know this is crazy.

But I keep waking up from these dreams.

I saw us and your baby, and we had a life.

I know this is nuts, right, but there's crazier things have happened.

In this house, far as I can see.

[ Laughter ] -It's a bad time, Mr. Scott.

-It's always bad times.

-You know some coloreds tried to rob a store in town last night.

-I don't know a damn thing about that.

-No, huh?

-No.

I just told you.

What am I -- the only colored you ever seen?

-You're the only colored I ever saw says he's no money.

Next day, he's all for jumping on a boat, take along a woman with him he only just met.

-I'm tryna do you a good turn.

You want to whip around, put this crap in my face?

-Oh!

-Don't you walk away from me.

Don't you walk away from me like that, alright?

If we're gonna go down this road together, even for a short while, you best be able to look me in my eyes and know what I am.

At least give me that.

I ain't got nothing else in it taking you on.

-No, huh?!

I ain't stupid!

-I never said you was!

-I can read a paper!

-So what?!

-So I see two convicts escaped out of Peytonville a week ago!

Who's the other one, huh?!

That preacher?!

♪♪ Goodbye, Mr. Scott.

♪♪ ♪♪ -Maybe I ain't never been no savior, but I ain't never killed no one neither.

And if I'm walking the streets right now when some judge says I got to rot my life away in some rathole, maybe he's wrong.

You think I was the only... in the joint serving somebody else's stretch?!

Just look in my eyes!

If you don't believe me, then that's alright.

I'll go.

But if you can see me...

I'm saying... [ Door slams ] -♪ A love in my heart... ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ -Hey!

Fix me, Marianne.

Fix me, will you?

Oh, I'm such a...damn mess.

What happened?

I was outside.

I was in the water.

-Yeah.

-And what -- what time are we going home?

-Hey.

Hey, Mama.

Hey.

What if I told you I was going away?

-You're not going away.

You're not going away.

You just got here.

-No, Mama, listen.

I'm going away.

-Well, alright.

Just don't play with knives.

[ Laughter ] You know, the Devil's only tryna be your friend 'cause you give him your blood.

-Evening.

-Well, here he is, the word of the Lord.

The walkin' word of Jesus Christ.

[ Laughter ] Hey!

You ready for the parade, Padre?

-The parade?

-The parade!

The parade!

All the holy saints, parading up and down.

The nuns showed us at Jesus camp last summer, up at Camp Jesus.

They had all the children doing it.

Head up and shoulders back, parading up and down all night long.

You go up, up, up, up.

Wave, turn 'round.

And you go down, hmm?

Up, up, up, up, wave, and turn.

Then parade over this way and acknowledge the saints.

And, then, this way and acknowledge the damned, Look at them all there.

God help them.

[ Laughter ] And this way, and you acknowledge all the babies who died unbaptized.

And then this way and...

Wait a minute!

Now, you just wait one...damn minute.

You give me that!

-Hey!

Get your hands off me!

Hey!

Take your hands off me!

-You give me that!

-What are you doing?!

-This woman is trying to rob me!

-He took my dollars!

You give them back!

-I will call the police!

I'll not stay in this madhouse a moment longer!

-He put my dollars in his pocket!

-Where are her dollars?

-I have no idea.

-They're in his pocket, Aggie!

-Oh come on!

-You can see them through the material.

Look at them there.

They're bulging in his pants.

-I have never been so insulted!

-Calm down.

-This woman is so clearly unwell, I'd fetch a lawman and have a case!

-Ohh!

-Only I am a gentleman, and I believe in God's grace.

Therefore, I will allow the matter lie and be about my way.

-Did you take her dollars?

-Madam, I am warning you, do not join this accusation.

Good day.

-Did you take her dollars, you panhandling son of a bitch?!

-Madam -- -You best give her something from the church.

-I have no church.

-What a shocker.

Then give her some alms, then.

Ain't that what the Bible says?

-I'm a poor man myself.

-Show me your pockets.

-I beg your pardon?

-Show me your pockets.

-What would that prove?

-Humor me.

-Why don't you give her some alms, huh?

I know you're coming into some money.

What's in your pockets?

-You stay off of me!

-You want to get into this?!

What's in your pockets, huh?!

-Don't touch me!

-What's in your pockets?!

How's that probate story working out for you?

-Hey, Preacher!

You gonna get what you need?

-That's right!

[ Gunshot ] -Aah!

[ Laughter ] -I don't have your money!

I don't!

Okay.

Here.

You want some of my dollars?

Here.

I'll give you some of my money.

Here.

Okay?!

Alright?!

There!

Okay?!

There you go.

-Thank you!

You see?

Good manners will always trump a scoundrel.

What about you, huh?

You want to get paid?!

This is a...madhouse!

-Well, then, get out, right?

-I'm getting out.

-Well, then, go.

-I am.

-Well, go, then.

-I'm going!

-Mom!

-What the hell is going on?!

What happened?

-Ask him!

-I have been accused and degraded, sir, here in this very room.

-We've all been degraded in this very room.

Who was shooting?

-It doesn't matter.

-With thy last prayers will ye seek ye repentance!

-Aw...off.

[ Laughter ] -With pleasure!

-Get a broom.

See to your mother.

-Okay.

Come on, Ma.

Let's go, let's go.

-Aah!

-You can't -- -What?

-She's gonna kill someone.

-Eh!

Water's pouring in up there.

...damn pipes have burst.

Only hope now is they'll freeze.

-Right.

You gonna go down the pier?

-For what?

-Well, Marianne just told me that's where she's going.

You have any opinion about that?

-That guy seems like a... -Like a what?

-He seems strong.

-Oh.

[ Chuckles ] Well, that's alright, then.

Too bad she didn't feel like saying goodbye, I guess.

-Well, that's -- -It's what?

-That's a pity.

-Oh, it's a pity, huh?

-I think so.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

-You don't give a damn.

-I did my best.

-Yeah, you did your best.

What did you want me to do?

What would you do?

Kick her in the street?

-Well, she's in the street now.

Why couldn't you just let her stay here?

-There is no here!

I don't own a "here"!

I only ever borrowed it, Gene!

You got a job, and that -- It's gonna be okay.

-I don't have a job.

-But you had the letter.

-I was too late.

Job was gone.

-And you just took that?!

-What else could I do?

-You coulda said something!

Jesus... You should have said something to -- What are you doing?

Instead, you lie to me about it?

-I didn't want to embarrass you!

-Embarrass me?

-Yeah, 'cause you were all, "This guy is my buddy.

She's my old girlfriend.

This is all gonna be terrific."

-That's great, Gene.

-[ Chuckling ] What are you so worried about?

My plans don't work out, they don't work out.

What do you care?

-Because... Because me and your mother... -What?

-We're not gonna be here.

-What?

When?

-I figured a way out.

-What?

What is it?

-We're not going to be here.

-Where are you going?

-We're going... all the way.

-All the way where?

-All the way.

-[ Chuckling ] Don't joke like that, Dad.

-It's no joke.

Your mother will go first.

-Don't joke like that.

-It's alright.

It's okay.

It would happen sometime, right?

I been flailing around, Gene.

I got to stop.

-Dad, don't -- Don't do that.

I'll -- I'll get a job.

I'll get one.

-Yeah, get a job.

A few dollars ain't gonna get us out of this one.

-Give me a chance.

-What you gonna do -- Suddenly write a masterpiece all of a sudden?

-Maybe.

Maybe I will.

-You've got to go, Gene.

-I'm sorry, son.

-What?

-Yeah.

[ Down-tempo music plays ] ♪♪ ♪♪ -Where am I gonna go?

-Go wherever you... ♪♪ This is $22.

It's everything I got.

♪♪ Get yourself a drink.

♪♪ -♪ So swiftly the sun sets in the sky ♪ ♪ You rise up and say goodbye to no one ♪ ♪ Fools rush in where angels fear to tread ♪ ♪ Both of their futures so full of dread ♪ ♪ You don't show why ♪ ♪ Shedding off one more layer of skin ♪ ♪ Keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune ♪ ♪ Bird fly high by the light of the moon ♪ ♪ Whoa, whoa ♪ ♪ Whoa, whoa ♪ -Last time I saw Nick Laine was the morning of Friday, December 7, 1934.

Why'd I call by?

Christ knows.

Just a feeling somewhere.

He seemed good when I saw him.

He seemed alright.

That's the... That's something I've come to recognize.

Once the decision is made... Well, the hardest thing in life, right?

Making up your mind?

-Your taxi's outside.

-Thank you, Mrs. Neilsen.

-Oh, Mrs. Neilsen, we are going to miss you, you know?

-Oh, I will miss you.

I'm only sorry I won't be able to be with you for the ceremony.

-Oh, we wouldn't ask you to come all the way back east with us.

We wouldn't expect it.

-Is there anything I can do?

-No, no.

Once we get home, we'll, um...

It's only going to be small, of necessity, but we'll, uh...

It's a pretty cemetery, Mrs. Neilsen.

It's, um... Good and evil -- it's all beyond them, isn't it?

-Oh, entirely.

-I was talking to a friend of the coroner's assistant last night, and he said that slipway is notorious where he, uh... Well, you just turn round, someone's gone.

And the current just -- -It's not the first time.

-They really need to, uh, fix -- -It's crazy.

-Yes.

It's terrible.

-You've been a good friend to us, Mrs. Neilsen.

You make sure to write.

We should stay in touch.

-Absolutely.

Let me walk you out.

-You okay, Doc?

-Yeah.

-You want some coffee?

-No.

I better go.

I've always admired you, Nick.

-Are you...crazy?

[ Laughter ] -No!

I... Well, you just keep on that road, alright?

-W-What time is the bus?

-11:00.

-Want something to eat?

You look very pretty.

-I got a child inside me, Nick.

-What?

How did that happen?

[ Laughter ] -The way it usually happens.

-I thought you was too old.

-Why, thank you.

[ Laughter ] I guess not.

-Jesus.

Well, you can't go now.

-Why not?

Goodbye, Elizabeth.

-You're too good for him, Mrs. Neilsen.

Well, Mister, you done it.

You got them all out.

I don't know how, but you did it.

I know.

You start out, it's a love story, huh?

You wait outside the drugstore where you said you'd meet her, searching in the eyes of everyone passing by.

You can't believe it when she steps out of the crowd.

Her face, perhaps plain to everybody else -- Well, it uncloaks its beauty just for you, and you know you're gone.

You're her hostage.

And she takes you down into a world of plans and dreams you could never have sustained on your own.

And, then, one day, in the midst of the exhilaration... and the worry and the children and the fighting and the whole damn shebang, you look up, and you see her again, and you may as well be looking at a baby giraffe in the zoo.

She's alive, and she sees you, but... her world is not your world.

You don't want to live in her world, and she doesn't want you there anyhow.

But you know you're too weak on your own.

The children look to you.

"What are you looking at me for?

", you say.

And they hate you, and you're glad they hate you, 'cause they stop coming to you.

And one day, she turns 'round and says, "I don't love you anymore either."

And you think, "What the...does that have to do with anything?"

Except you know she's just knocked you out cold.

And you realize, "Oh...

I'm really on my own here now.

Okay.

Okay.

That's alright.

I can drink myself to death in some room somewhere.

It's alright."

Until she loses her mind.

And then you have her forever.

[ Down-tempo music plays ] ♪♪ You have her forever.

♪♪ ♪ May God bless and keep you always ♪ ♪ May your wishes all come true ♪ ♪ May you always do for others ♪ ♪ And let others do for you ♪ ♪♪ ♪ May you build a ladder to the stars ♪ ♪ And climb on every rung ♪ ♪ And may you sta-a-a-a-a-y ♪ ♪ Forever young ♪ ♪♪ ♪ May you grow up to be righteous ♪ ♪ May you grow up to be true ♪ ♪ May you always know the truth ♪ ♪ And see the lights surrounding you ♪ ♪♪ ♪ May you always be courageous ♪ ♪ Stand upright and be strong ♪ ♪ And may you sta-a-a-a-a-y ♪ ♪ Forever young ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Forever young ♪ ♪ Forever young ♪ ♪ May you sta-a-a-a-a-y ♪ -♪ May you stay ♪ -♪ Forever young ♪ -When the bank foreclosed, Nick headed south and took Elizabeth with him, took care of her best he could.

Made it down as far as Sioux City till bronchitis got her in a flophouse down there.

They took her into a home for women on the banks of the Missouri.

Nick stayed nearby in a hostel for men.

Came down to see her every day.

He was with her the morning she passed.

Held her hand at the end, I heard.

I don't know where he went after that.

Word was he kept on heading south, maybe down towards Oklahoma.

But nobody really knew.

Old Mr. Perry gave Gene a place to stay and a job working in his store.

He tried his hand at reporting for a local paper, then took the plunge and moved down to New York City.

He met a girl there.

It didn't work out.

When the war came, he enlisted in the Marines and saw action in Italy and then at Okinawa, where he stood on a mine and was declared missing in action June of '45.

But I had already left this world 11 years earlier, on Christmas Eve, 1934.

Set it all up.

It was just like stepping through a glass wall.

I could still see everything.

Saw the time come and go.

Saw Marianne and her Joseph come by the following winter.

And damn if she didn't have a baby in her arms.

Yes, she had a baby.

They were well-dressed, in warm coats.

Came up and stood outside the old inn with that baby in their arms.

They looked up at the windows a while.

Then I watched them walk away.

I looked out on the water.

Then I closed my eyes.

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Down-tempo music plays ] ♪♪ -♪ Well, I'm pressing on ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Yes I'm pressing on ♪ ♪ Well, I'm pressing on ♪ ♪ To the higher calling of my Lord ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Well, I'm pressing o-o-o-on ♪ -♪ Pressing on ♪ -♪ Well, I am... ♪ -♪ Pressing on ♪ -♪ To the higher calling of my Lord ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Many try to stop me ♪ ♪ Shake me up in my mind ♪ ♪ Say, "Prove to me that he is Lord ♪ ♪ Show me a sign" ♪ -♪ A sign ♪ ♪ What kind of sign they need when it all comes from within?

♪ ♪ When what's lost has been found ♪ -♪ Has been found ♪ -♪ What's to come has already been ♪ ♪ And I just... -♪ Keep pressing on ♪ ♪ On and on and on and on ♪ -♪ I keep on movin' on ♪ -♪ Pressing on ♪ -♪ I-I-I-I-I-I am... ♪ -♪ Pressing on ♪ -♪ Oohhhhhh ♪ -♪ To the higher calling of my Lord ♪ -♪ Pressing on ♪ ♪ On and on and on and on ♪ ♪ Pressing o-o-o-o-on ♪ ♪ I keep on pressing on ♪ ♪ To the higher calling ♪ ♪ And of my Lord ♪ ♪ And on and on and on and on ♪ -♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Ee-e-e-e-e-e-h ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] [ Down-tempo music plays ] ♪♪ -To find out more about this and other "Great Performances" programs, visit... Find us on Facebook and follow us on X.

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