4 4 4 4 (seabirds squawking) (men shouting) (man shouts) (indistinct announcement over P.A.) (men shouting) All good. -(over radio): All good. -How'd you pull that off, Cole? -Just a roughneck who got lucky. -I see that. -(horn blowing) -(indistinct chatter) (seabirds squawking) (man speaking indistinctly over P.A.) YOUNG MAN: Hey, Mom. What are you doing? Thinking. Avoiding the dishes. Nice out. It's beautiful. Yeah, it is. How are you doing? Uh, just thinking about next fall. About leaving. What's gonna happen to me. Just the rest of my life. No big deal. You know, there are whole civilizations that used to believe they could see their destiny in the stars. (men chatting indistinctly) (low rumbling) (rumbling growing louder) Oh, hey, feel that kick? -(excited chatter) -(rumbling continues) Mom, are you okay? (men shouting) (rumbling continues) (shouting, yelling) Hey, get them off of there! (explosion) (groans) (siren blaring) Hey, buddy! Come here. Come on. We're got to get you out of here. (siren continues blaring) Hey! Hey! Get him up on deck. (explosion) -That's an... -(explosion thunders) (heart beating) MAN: You're the company's hero, Mr. Cole. Those two men you saved are gonna be just fine. If your vitals stay stable, you can go home tonight. It's incredible. You were in the water almost four hours, and no evidence of hypothermia. The fall alone should have killed you. It's a miracle that you're alive, Mr. Cole. There's just no other word for it. Is there anyone we can call to come get you? Uh, no, I'm-I'm good. (voice-over): When I was young, I looked for a shape to things, a reason or a design. So much of what happened to me, though, felt like an accident. So I guess I lost faith in all that. When I survived my fall, I began to wonder if there wasn't some purpose to my life. Maybe I was on a destined path... even if I couldn't see it yet. - -(lively chatter) YOUNG MAN: Come on! Come on! Go, go, go, go! PEOPLE (chanting): Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! (clapping, whooping) (playful shouting) (chatter, laughter) MAN: Hey, looking good in there, Michael Phelps. Hey, hey, have you decided on a major yet? -Uh, not really. -He's thinking about finance. What? I didn't say anything. Look, it's tough out there, and it's getting tougher. Finance makes the most sense. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. -Grab me a Bud? -Yeah. All I said was he's thinking about it. -Jared, come back in! -Here. You know, Pop, honestly, the only think I'm thinking about is the beach and what girls on the beach will or will not be wearing this summer. (friends cheering) (phone ringing) Reynolds' residence. MAN: Amanda Collier, please. Uh, Amanda Reynolds now, but Amanda Collier, yeah, you found her. Amanda, my name is Morgan Dupree, and I'm the estate attorney for Tuck Hostetler. Oh, God. (ship's horn blowing) (phone ringing) Hello? MORGAN: Dawson Cole, please. Yeah, this is he. My name is Morgan Dupree. I'm the estate attorney for Tuck Hostetler. I'm afraid I have some bad news. Mr. Hostetler died in his sleep last night. He was 92. Look, I'm sorry about your friend. I really, I am, but we've got stuff going on here. I-I got to be at Tulane on Saturday for the Sigma Nu thing. Monday night we've got the dinner with the guy from Chase and his wife. You know, next time someone I know dies, I'll call your secretary first. I'm sorry. Yeah. (crying quietly) (car approaching) (car door closes) Amanda? Dawson? Hey, Amanda. Hi. Man, I'm sorry I'm all, uh, messed up. (chuckles) (sighs) How did you find out? I got a call from a lawyer. Something in Tuck's will. I'm supposed to meet with him tomorrow. 10:00 a.m.? -Yeah. -Yeah. Me, too. Oh. It's been a long time. 20 years. Uh, well, 21, but... I mean, who's counting? (chuckles) You look amazing. I got to go. (chuckles) I'm... I'm late. Meeting my mom. I'm gonna meet her. Oh, all right. At her house. Yeah. Good to see you. Yeah, you, too. Oh, I'll see you tomorrow. Tomorrow? Yeah, the lawyer. The lawyer. 10:00 a.m. That's right. Okay. (car door opens, closes) (engine starting) ("All I Want" by Toad the Wet Sprocket playing) (laughter, lively conversation) SERVER: Hey, Dawson. Hey, Dawson. Food's here. Thanks, April. How you feeling? -She was throwing up a lot. -But I'm not now. So that's good. She's so pretty. She sure is. You okay? It's gonna be tough, but... her parents are really good to us. They don't judge us. They just want a Bible name for the kid. (chuckles) What do you think about Aaron? I think it's better than Moses. I know it's crazy, and we're young, but... the other day when I felt that little heartbeat, I don't know. It made me feel happy. That's good, Bobby. That's real good. (laughs) -(horns blaring) -It just stalled, I think... -(engine grinding) -But it's not... (indistinct shouting) BOBBY: Just try again, try again. April, it's fine, okay? Put it in neutral. We'll push you out of the way. Come on, Bobby. RICH KID: What's the matter? Somebody forget how to drive?! (honking continues) Your dad take your learner's permit? Come on! Move your car! Let's go! (taunting laughter) You guys want to get out and help us push? Or you just gonna sit there and keep honking? It won't happen again. Yeah, sorry. Thank you. Ma'am. -(horns honking) -(laughter) Hey, we could be friends! What? Let's go. Will you boys grow up? Where are you going? Over to the right, April. Stop. Good. Okay. Should I, uh... Should I call a tow truck? Nah, it's all right, I got it. I'm sorry about my friends. They try to be funny but only succeed at being idiots. -Amanda, let's go. -Yeah, come on! -Let's get out of here. -Okay! -("Whoomp! (There It Is") plays) -Come on! -Amanda. -Seriously. It's all right. You don't have to wait around. Oh. -Okay. -Yeah, come on! -Let's get out of here! -Thanks for your help. Yeah. -Anytime. -Amanda! -You're wasting your time. -Dude, come on. Thank you. Later! BOBBY: I don't want you to take this the wrong way, 'cause you're my cousin, and I love you, but you are a jackass. Did you not see the beautiful girl who just pushed a car to try to talk to you? She was being nice, all right? She's nice. Yeah, she is. She's also hot. She is hot. Start her up. She'll be fine now. Thanks, Dawson. See you later. (car doors closing) (engine starts) (school bell ringing) -(bus engine starts) -(cheerleaders practicing) I turned the key, and nothing happens. What do you think? Karmic payback for being party to the honking? I think the universe dispenses swift justice. (laughs): Oh-ho-ho! He speaks! He's sort of funny. -Hey, Amanda! -Hey. Uh, try it now. Okay. (engine starts) (laughs) Thank you. Your battery got disconnected. It's not major. It happens. All right. Are you actually about to say something else? My cousin thinks you were trying to talk to me the other day. I was. He thinks I blew it. You did. You don't know how to flirt, do you? I guess not. Well, what are you gonna do about it? Okay. This isn't working. Okay, I'll tell you what, uh... I want you to think about it, and, uh, meet me at Squeals Saturday night at 6:00? Maybe? Is that a yes? Yeah. Okay. Maybe you'll figure out how to flirt with me by then. (engine starts) Thank you. You're welcome. YOUNG MAN: Sheila, you going to study tonight? # I know a place # Where I can go # When I'm alone # Into your arms # I run to your arms # I can go # I know a place # That's safe and warm... (man shouting) # Into your arms # I run to your arms # I can go... (engine stops) -(guns firing) -(men conversing indistinctly) (dogs barking) (barking) TOMMY: 13, 14... (Tommy laughs) Where you running off to, Dawson? I expect you to say hello. Hello. -You're cute. -He is cute. Looks like his daddy. (laughs) Come on in here, sit down. Let's play a hand of cards or something. No, I'm... I got stuff to do. -I got homework. -Thinks he's smarter than us. Abee, why don't you take that stupid goddamn hat off in the house. -Yes, sir. -Is that true? You think you're smarter than us? -No, sir. -You're too good for this family? No, sir. That's good. 'Cause this is where you belong. Here. Why don't you go out back and tune up the Merc. (laughs) We got a delivery upriver tomorrow night, and you're going with us. I can't go tomorrow night. I-I got something to do. You didn't listen to a goddamn thing I said, did you? ABEE: Hey, hey, come on, Pop, let's play some cards. I swear to God, Dawson, you are a slow learner. That's a bad thing to be. You still got someplace to be Saturday night? (quietly): Yes, sir. -Hit him again, Papa. -Ted, shut the hell up. You want to hit me? You hit me, you see where that'll get you. You hit me, you see where that'll get you. 4 TOMMY: Hormones. That's what his problem is. (others laughing) (thunder rumbling) (thunder crashes) (thunder crashes) (thunder crashes) (thunder crashing) (thunder crashes) (thunder booming) (rooster crows, birds chirping) You are either the worst car thief in the history of the world, or you have a story to tell. What's your name? Dawson Cole. Tommy Cole's boy? Yes, sir. Well, that is unfortunate. (sniffs, sighs) What happened to your eye? I just ran into a tree. A tree with a mean right cross. You got any place to stay? Friends? Anything like that? No, sir. Aw,... shit. (man sighs) Where you going? That cot over yonder ought to be more comfortable than this car. Water out of the hose is good to drink. If there's any trouble, anything goes missing, anything like that, the next one to wake you up will be a sheriff's deputy, you understand that? -Yes, sir. -Do you understand that? Yes, sir. All right, then. YOUNG WOMAN: Good night, Amanda. - # Little miss, little miss -(indistinct conversation) Where is he? (vehicle approaching) (door shuts) I decided not to come. Mm, yeah, I got that. -I didn't know how to get ahold of you. -Oh, well, I was at Squeals-- you could've gotten ahold of me there. Do you live out here? Is this some kind of game you're playing? Huh? With your friends? A little science experiment you got going on? What is it? -(laughs): That's crazy. -That's crazy, is it? Or maybe you just like strays? Or maybe I like smart guys who haven't had it handed to them. Right. God, you just don't get it, do you? -I guess I don't. -(Amanda sighs) (car door opens, closes) You know, I just wanted a date. I wanted to go somewhere and maybe have some coffee, or some ice cream. Come on, you know, you ask me questions, I ask you questions, and if we just so happen to like the answer, Dawson, then maybe we'll go on another one. And if we don't, then we won't. (laughs): But, God, I mean, if that's just too much to ask, then fine. Forget it. I'm... exhausted. I'm done. (sighs wearily) (car door opens, closes) This is why I didn't want to go out in public. Well, then take me somewhere private. AMANDA: So, what are you gonna do after high school? DAWSON: Uh... (laughs) Okay, I'll go first. I'm going to Tulane in the fall. Double majoring in child psychology and public policy. I'm hoping to intern at a law firm while I'm there. And then, after law school, I'd like to work for a non-profit, maybe in another country, that deals with children's issues. -You want to work with children? -Mm-hmm. You want to have a family of your own? (laughs): Yeah, I would. I'd like to have a little girl. Maybe name her Bea. That's a real nice name. It's really beautiful out here. I've never seen so many stars. I've always loved the stars. I feel closer to them up here. When I was a kid, I built my own telescope. (laughs): Wow. Ah, no, it's pretty easy. Yeah, for you, maybe. DAWSON: Humans have always looked to the stars. Construct their way of life, consult them. AMANDA: You were gone for a while. Yeah, my dad made me quit school when I was 16. He said he needed me around the home. How do you feel about that? I don't know. I... guess I didn't like it much. It was a hell of a fight to come back. Is it weird to be there now? Kind of. I mean, I just want to finish. Get out. Where do you want to go to college? Do you think everyone goes to college? People who build their own telescopes usually do. I don't know, it's just... it's not something I can do right now. Is it something you want to do? Why do you care? Why won't you answer? (laughs softly) You are gonna be a really good lawyer someday. Do you want to go, yes or no? No. You're a bad liar. I like that. I'd like to do this again sometime. I'd even shower and show up-- how about that? (laughs) You promise? Yeah, I promise. Guess I wanted to do that. I wanted to do that, too. Good to know. I wouldn't mind doing that again. Then do it. MORGAN: Now, the first thing that Tuck stipulated was for me to apologize on his behalf for any inconvenience. He asked that I pass on his gratitude for your being here, and... your friendship always. His words. He would like you to spread his ashes together, outside the Cottage at Vandemere. There is to be no funeral, no reception, nor store-bought bouquets. Not a dime is to be spent on frivolities. Again... AMANDA and DAWSON: His words. (chuckles): That's right. He asked that you pack up his things, and he would like you to go through and take whatever you want. He left instructions that his assets be liquidated and that the proceeds be donated to the American Paediatric Cancer Society. The only asset not to be sold is the Cottage at Vandemere, which he left to you both. Now, typically, in situations like this, one party will buy the other out, unless you're interested in joint ownership. -Uh... -W-We're not. Uh, no. No. When he was in the hospital, he wrote these. MORGAN: Mm-hmm. (clears throat) Excuse me. He-he would like you to read them on your own. Well, you still living around here? -Baton Rouge. -Yeah? I see you got married. 18 years. Nice. You guys got kids? -Two. -Boys? Girls? You know, we don't... have to do this-- ask the questions, tell our stories, pretend to want to know about each other's lives. Well, I do want to know. We're not here for a reunion, we're here for Tuck, so... How about this-- you go to the house today, and I'll come out tomorrow, and we'll meet out at Vandemere tomorrow afternoon and say our good-byes. Does that work for you? -Yeah. -Bye. (quietly): I'm sorry. TUCK (voice-over): You remember that thistle problem I had in the garden last year. Thistle is one tough weed. You can't pull it or mow it. You have to dig it out by the root. While I was digging, I got to thinking about you and Dawson. You have wounds that have never healed. You've lived with them so long you don't even know they're there anymore. Pain has deep roots. The only way to dig it out is to forgive him and forgive yourself. DAWSON (voice-over): Don't you get bored out here? AMANDA: Completely. When are you gonna let me get my hands dirty? (chuckles) You want to get your hands dirty? Absolutely. What? Oh, this dirty? Huh? No... Dawson, you're not gonna do this. -'Cause I'm the grease monster from the Bayou! -Dawson... AMANDA (laughing): Dawson! Dawson, don't! You're gonna get me all dirty, you little punk! (Amanda squeals, laughs) DAWSON: Y-You got to leave. -I'm filthy. -You got to get out of here. -What? -No, no, please, just-just get out of here now. -Who's that? -Get of here. Please leave. -Dawson! Ow! You're hurting me! -Leave! -Why do I have to go? -Don't ask any questions. Get out! Now, go! -Go, go! -Okay, Dawson. -Go! Please. -Okay. Go! Okay! TOMMY: Time to come home, Dawson. You didn't introduce us to your girlfriend. Oh, that's that Collier girl, Pop-- you know her. -Collier girl? -Yes, sir. (chuckles) All right, now, get your stuff, put it in the truck-- you're coming home with us. No, I'm not. I ain't gonna tell you again, boy. I have had it with you, Dawson! You're all puffed up. You're thinking that you're special? Well, let me ask you something-- do you really believe that that girl is gonna have anything to do with a white trash piece of shit like you? Come on. Get your stuff, put it in the truck, and let's go. -(gunshot booms) -TUCK: You touch him again, the next one'll kill you. Now, I come here for my boy, and I ain't leavin' without him, so... I guess you're gonna have to shoot me. All right. That windshield is gonna cost you about a thousand dollars. And those floods run about $500 each. Do you want me to keep going? Go on, now. This is nice. What you've done here. Your wife plant these? Get in the truck, Ted. If I stay, they'll come back. Ha. I just shot up a $17,000 pickup truck. About broke my heart to do it. They'll be back whether you're here or not. Not safe for you to sleep out here anymore. I'll fix you a place inside. Well, come on. (sniffling) (sighs) (knocking) (rain falling) Dawson? -What are you doing? -I had to see you. -Well, come in. -That's not a good idea. I need to talk to you. -Okay. -Wait-wait, what are you doing? Well, I mean, if you're not gonna come in... (laughs) My parents think you're dangerous. They're right. Sooner or later, I'm gonna have to pay for what happened today, and I can't have you standing next to me when I do, okay? -I can't have you getting hurt. -I'm not gonna get hurt. You hang around with me long enough and you will. I don't... care. I don't care. I mean, Dawson, do you want this? Do you want me? I do. I do. (both laugh) (Amanda laughs) All right. Just give me one second? Sure thing. Hey, you work here? No, sir. Just picking up some stuff for my uncles. You look a lot like an old friend of mine. People tell me I look like my dad. Yeah? Bobby Cole? You knew him? TED: Goddamn it, Aaron, how many times I got to tell you... Well, as I live and breathe. -ABEE: The Prodigal Son returns. -TED: Mm-hmm. You might want to stay away from that shit. Good talking to you. ABEE: It's been a long time, Dawson. -About 20 years? -DAWSON: Thank you. Thank you. You know who that is, Aaron? That's Dawson Cole. TED: Mm. Come on. 5 (paper rustling) I thought maybe you'd need a hand. Hey. I thought you might want this. -You can take it. -I... I just didn't want to pack things away if you might want to keep them. It's okay. I don't want much. -I'll make my own box. -Okay. (train horn blowing) What? What is it? No. Nothing. Is there something you want to say? No. I guess I just want to know if you're happy. You want facts? (sighs): I... went to Tulane... as planned. Got pregnant sophomore year; not planned. Got married. Moved to Baton Rouge. Bought a house. Had another baby. Did some volunteer work. Bought a bigger house. Law school? I didn't finish college. I had so many plans, and... I don't know what happened. Life? (sighs): I guess. Anyway... am I happy? Being a mother makes me happy. Look what I found. Oh, wow. I forgot he had this. She's a real beauty. Thanks. DAWSON: # What'll I do when you AMANDA: So if you're not going to college, then why do you study so much, huh? Oh. Oh, wait, I know why. Because you are going to college. You'll definitely get in; you'll probably get a scholarship. -Can you grab the stuff from the back, please? -I got it. All right, these... are applications. I know what they are. I've seen 'em. All right, well, then get started on them. -DAWSON: There's a problem. -Already? You haven't even started yet. They want a home address. You live with Tuck-- why don't you ask him? No, no, don't ask Tuck. Please. -Why? -Ju... He's private. He won't like you snooping around and stuff. -Plea... Amanda... -Okay. Amanda... -Tuck? -In here. Oh, hi. -Hey. -Wow, you look handsome. Here, I got you these. They're chocolate- covered pralines. I hope you like them. Can I ask you a couple questions? Okay. Do you have an onion? I do. Good. 'Cause we forgot one. Second thing. We were just going over Dawson's college applications, and we were wondering, can we use your address as his home address? That'll be fine. Great. Let's get cooking. Maybe you should set the table. (laughs): Maybe I should set the table. Wow, -those are beautiful. -Yeah, they came in real good this year. It was a wet spring. These were my wife's favourite. Oh, yeah? How long were y'all married? Oh, we're still married. We're just on different schedules. She had a stroke four years ago this May. I'm sorry. There's still times that I'll... step outside there at night and have a little chat with Clara. Isn't that foolish. AMANDA (voice-over): All I'm saying is, when two cars break down on consecutive days that bring two people together that fall in love, -that's destiny. -Destiny?! Oh, no, Destiny is the name the fortunate give -to their fortunes, Amanda. -What is that supposed to mean? That means that people never call bad things destiny. You are actually impossible. Why can't you just agree with anything that I have to say, Dawson? Why? (laughs): Tuck, please... please help me out here. -Come on, Tuck. -What? -What do you think? I never did believe in any of that... stuff. But I will tell you one thing, now. Uh, back in the war... I was in the Navy, I'm serving aboard a destroyer. And at the Leyte Gulf, we... we took a Jap torpedo-- blew me right off the deck. Broke my back. There I am... bobbing around in the water like a fishing cork, all hell breaking loose all around me, and I... I started singing. -(Dawson and Amanda laughing) -This old Irving Berlin song, "What'll I do with just a photograph "to tell my troubles to? What'll I do? What'll I do...?" "What'll I do?" (Tuck chuckles) Well, after a few verses of this, this-this... this calm just-- poof-- came over me, and... I knew right then I was gonna be all right, that I was gonna go home, I was gonna... ...I was gonna hold my wife again. Well, a few years passed by, and we built that little cottage at Vandemere, and I... I walked outside one day, and Clara was out there in the garden, singing... "What'll I do?" (sighs) (chuckles): Now, she saw the look on my face, and so I told her the story. And then she told me hers. It seems like right about that same time, she'd had a dream... a dream where I was singing to her. Now, you care to take a guess at the name of the song? Come on. Get out of here, Tuck. Well, now, I don't know exactly what you'd call that, but... whatever you call it, it got me home. - -(chuckles) Would you dance with me? -You can dance? -(laughs): No. But I figured you'd make me learn sooner or later. # What'll I do... Guess you have a good point. -(Amanda laughs) -# When you # Are far away Now, don't step on my feet. I'll try not to. - # And I'm so blue -AMANDA (whispers): Hey. Look at me. # What'll I do? # What'll I do # When I # Am wondering who # Is kissing you # What'll I do? # What'll I do # With just... AMANDA: Dawson? I'd like to talk to you. Four years after Jared was born, Frank and I had another child. A wonderful little girl. She was so full of joy. Tuck loved her. "She shines with her own light," he said. He was right about that. She was diagnosed with leukaemia a few weeks after that picture was taken. She'd just turned two. And I remember that day. You know, it was just a day. And you want so much to go back to just a... not so special day like that, you know. But you never can. (sighs) I can't imagine how difficult that must have been for your family. We both started drinking too much. I quit; he never did. I wish I'd have been there for you. Yeah. That didn't happen. That's life. What was her name? Bea. Her name was Bea. Bea. Mm. You've gotten better at that. (chuckles) Yeah, 20 years later, I can chop an onion. -DAWSON: Sorry. -Sorry. I bet you're the smartest guy on the rig, huh? Well, of course I am. (Amanda sighs) Yeah, you know, I got pretty good at computer, actually, and, uh, the boss wanted me to go back to school, get certified as a I.T. specialist. And let me guess-- you don't want to do that. I like my job. But you might like the new one more-- I don't know why you just don't go to college and get the piece... Piece of paper. -Well, I don't. -Yeah, that's her. That's the girl who just... wouldn't let me settle. Yeah, well... I haven't seen much of her lately, so... Yeah, but there she is. To her. (glasses clink) AMANDA (voice-over): Does it ever get lonely out there? DAWSON: I mean, are you asking me if I'm single? Are you? (laughs softly) Um... well, I've had... you know, relationships, I guess, um... and things, and... I mean... nothing... Yeah, no, n-not right now. You ever been in love? With you. That was 20 years ago. Twenty-one. Well, what I'm really saying, I mean... you set a high bar. (laughs): Seriously? Are you saying that I'm the reason that you're alone? Don't ask questions if you don't want any answers. That's ridiculous. (laughs): I mean, honest to God. (Dawson chuckling) What? Why are you laughing? I don't know, I guess I just... I miss this. I miss... you getting all mad at me. I'm not mad. You're being a little pushy. I'm not pushy. You just care so much, Amanda. You just can't help yourself. I should go. What? This is dangerous. We've had wine, and... and somehow you have gotten better looking, which is so annoying. You couldn't have gotten bald or fat or something? Jesus! 4 You know, it kind of seems a little silly to take two cars to Vandemere tomorrow. You know, I have a confession to make. Okay. It wasn't destiny when my car broke down at school. I disconnected the battery myself, so you could save me. I know. -Wha...? -I know. I knew the minute I saw your battery line yanked out. (laughs): Oh, my God. Why didn't you tell me? How often is the mechanic the hero of the story? (car door opens, closes) (engine starts) DAWSON (voice-over): Oh, I gotta go to Vandemere. Uh, Tuck's been putting it off for weeks. Now his back's out, he's worried about the garden. -I'm sorry. -No, it's okay. You go take care of Tuck's garden. AMANDA: He needs you. I just want you. Maybe next weekend. Can't wait. (sighs) -Be good. -I will. Don't write. I won't. I love you. Love you, too. -I love you! -(Dawson laughs) All right. (creaking, thump) (creaking) (door creaks) I told you I couldn't wait. Well? Just kiss me. # I'm still comin' for you # Hold on # Hold just a little longer # Hold on # Hold just a little longer # Hold on. # -Good morning. -Good morning. # I can swear I feel you # Every time I lay my head down # Nothing but restless, sleepless, long nights now # Don't lose hope, darlin' Eat. Dig in. # The stars may be fallin' # I'm still coming for you... DAWSON: "...and you think of good days preparing for you, "Not believe it. "You could never be so. Nothing could bring you peace but yourself." -Pull it... -I am. -Pull it! -I am! -(shrieks) -(Dawson laughing) # I'm holdin' on... You're such a jerk! Aah! No! No! Stop it! Stop it! -Come here! -No! (Amanda shrieking) -DAWSON: Whoo! -Wait! # Hold just a little longer It's cold! # Hold on # Hold just a little longer # Hold on # Hold just a little longer # Hold on. # What happened here? That was for talking back. And that was for not answering. That was for disrespect. I don't remember what that was for. It's okay. They don't hurt anymore. AMANDA: We need a song. In case one of us gets deployed in World War III? No. I'm serious. Something we can keep forever. Then pick one. There's nothing romantic about picking one. Here. First song that comes on clearly. We're in the middle of nowhere. We're not gonna get anything. -(tuning through radio stations) -And even if you do get something, it's gonna be a public broadcast on fly-fishing. # But anyone who's ever had a heart Why are you always right? I guess it's just a gift. # And anyone who's ever played the part... Oh-ho. Look at you. I've been practising. With who? Tuck. (laughs) # Sweet Jane # Sweet Jane... (children laughing) (jazzy drum solo playing) (Dixieland jazz playing) AMANDA: Dawson! (squeals, laughs) So, Dawson, tell me, what are your plans for the future? Well, I hope to go to college next year, sir. He is going to college. He got a 4.0, and a 1520 on his S.A.T.'s. Well, that's good, son. -Where did you apply? -I applied to Tulane, Loyola and LSU. I mean, I'll probably end up at LSU. It's the most realistic. AMANDA: Yeah, and it's not too far from New Orleans-- that way we could still see each other, right? I take it you know a few things about cars. -A little, I guess. -Well, I got a bunch -of 'em in the back. -Amanda said you... -you have a collection. -Mm. How many cars do you own? Too many. A few. Would you like to see 'em? -Recognize that one? -It's a '71 Oldsmobile 442. You know why they call it that? Yeah. Four-barrel carb, four-speed gearbox, dual exhaust. It's... it's a beautiful car, sir. Smart boy. I can see why she likes you. Go on, take a look underneath. Yeah, I know you want to. I'd love to. Wow. HARVEY: Say, have you given any thought to how you'll pay for college? There's, uh... there's scholarships, financial aid, loans, stuff like that. No. Tuition's a killer. And you need money for books, room and board. It's expensive. It can be prohibitive for kids like you. Kids like me? You're a nice guy, Dawson. I'd like to help you, if you'll let me. Well, how's that, sir? Well... four years of school, say, uh... $15,000 a year for tuition. Another $5,000 to... live comfortably. You want to give me $80,000? If you'll let me. To stay away from Amanda, right? (sets glass and bottle down) You'll come out debt-free, with a real chance to make something of yourself. This isn't personal, son. I just want what's best for my daughter, and I can't have her anywhere near your family. It's gonna end anyway. This way... you get something out of it. (Dixieland jazz continues in distance) I don't want your money. -What's that? -I don't want your money. You think about it. I don't have to. (glass shatters) You know what you can do with that 80 grand, sir? Shove it up your ass. You think about it. (Dixieland jazz playing) (pickup truck rumbling) I'm sorry. (sighs) My dad's an asshole. He's right, though. You got a big life ahead of you. You're gonna do great things. I don't want to get in the way of that. Dawson, what would you risk for me? Everything. Then let me love you like that. Please. (softly): Okay. Okay. How much did he offer? There's not enough money in the world. But, I mean, if he was gonna throw in that Cobra, I'd have to think about it. (laughs): You're so mean! -AMANDA (voice-over): Nice car. -DAWSON: Tuck's policy. AMANDA: All rebuilds must be test-driven before... DAWSON: Before they're returned. AMANDA: Are you gonna let me drive? DAWSON: You've learned how to drive a stick? -Really? -Kind of. -DAWSON: All right. -All right. (engine idling) -DAWSON: "Kind of"? -Mm-hmm. God help me. -Now, easy on the clutch. -(engine revving) -(laughs): Easy. All right... -(imitates engine revving) -go to first gear. Up. -Okay. There we go. Now, slow. Slowly let the clutch out. Okay, there you go. There you go. -(Amanda whoops, laughs) -Slow down! Slow down! # So help me now # I'm fallin', I'm fallin' # Just lay me down # And steal my heart tonight # So hold me now # I'm fallin', I'm fallin' # For you. # (turns engine off) (birds chirping) God, it used to be so beautiful. I just... this is how we're supposed to do this? I mean, uh, yeah, I don't... I don't know. This is where he scattered Clara's ashes, so... Right. Seems all right to me. Well, we should say something. Not like a... a long-winded eulogy or anything like that. -Just... -No, no, he'd hate that. -Right. No fuss. -No. Okay. We love you. We do. -Oh! Oh. Oh! -Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa. (laughs softly) Just-just scatter it. -Yeah? -Yeah. Just... AMANDA (sniffs): Oh. Okay. Well... maybe we throw it... That was much better. Yeah. Okay. -Here. -All right. AMANDA: Mm. DAWSON (voice-over): To Tuck. To Tuck. (Amanda sighs) Sure you don't want another one? No. No, I better not. When are you going home? Uh, tomorrow. Last time I was out, there was this explosion. Wait, that was your rig? You were on it? Yeah. I fell a hundred feet into the water. Still have no idea why I didn't drown. I wasn't wearing a vest. Doctors couldn't figure it out, either. God, you were... lucky. Maybe. I saw you. I had, like, a... It wasn't a dream. You were there with me. And it was strange, 'cause I hadn't seen you in so long. And then I get out of the hospital and I get this call about Tuck. Then I come here and I see you. And it's like... I don't know. It's strange. I'm glad you're okay. (bottles clinking) What are you gonna do, Amanda? What do you mean? If you're unhappy. Wait. Y-You got all this advice for me, you know? Wha... What are you gonna do? You know what this feels like to me? Fate. That's what it feels like to me. I'm trying to get my head around it since it all happened. Why the hell am I still here? And maybe it's 'cause of this, you know? Maybe it's... (sighs) a chance to see you again and... a chance to tell you how sorry I am... and tell you how much I still love you. You want me to fall back in love with you? How do I do that if I haven't ever stopped? -Tuck? -Yeah? I... I got you something. I mean, it's... it's not much at all, but... I didn't want you to have to worry about a dry spring anymore. (quietly): Yeah. She'll need one of these. Tuck, no one's ever treated me like you have. No one's ever shown me this kind of dignity -and respect... -Your tie is crooked. (camera clicks, whirrs) (click, whirr) -BOBBY: How about a smile, Tuck? -This is a smile. (laughs) (engine starts) (train horn blowing) Oh. Shit. (grunting) (whoops) Get down there! Get on down there! -Come on, g-up, mule! -Smile pretty. I want you to see this. Now... lookie there. (engine revs) -TOMMY: There it go! Oh! -(Ted whoops) No, you get a good look. Get a good look. (indistinct chatter) DAWSON: Oh, hey, uh, I forgot-- Amanda's flower thing. -Can we turn around? -APRIL: Oh, yeah. -Oh, yeah. APRIL: It's just right here. (indistinct chatter) DAWSON: It's Tuck! Stop it, April! Stop, stop...! Get out. Get out. Tuck! Tuck. Call 911! Go! Now! Bobby, you go help. Go help, go help, go help. Tuck... Tuck, wh-what happened? I ran into a tree. (weak chuckle) Bobby, you... you stay with him. You help him. (panting): Tuck... Someone's on their way, Tuck, okay? APRIL: You're gonna be okay. -Dawson! -TUCK: Go on, stop him, now. -What are you gonna do? -Dawson, don't do this! BOBBY: Just talk to me! Give me the gun. APRIL: Just give him the gun, Dawson. DAWSON: Get out of the truck, Bobby. Don't do this. It's what he wants. -Get out of the truck, Bobby! -No. -APRIL: Bobby... -Stay with Tuck. -Stay... It's gonna be okay. -No! Bobby! -Bobby! -It's gonna be okay! BOBBY: Dawson... -Bobby! -Stay here. BOBBY: Cool down. Cool down. Cool down. BOBBY: Just think! Dawson, come on. Just turn the car around. Come on! Stop! This is stupid. Dawson, you don't want to do this. Told you he'd come back. -Stay back, Bobby. -Dawson... -Stay there! -TOMMY: Uh-oh. Hm. You know, the last person who pointed that rifle at me, -he had an accident. -(Ted laughs) He tripped down his wheelchair ramp. (laughing, snorting) Look at him. Look at you, you're all dressed to kill. Is that what you are? You're a killer now? What are you gonna do, you gonna kill all three of us? No. Just you. Why don't you go on and do it, then? BOBBY: Put down the gun, Dawson. Oh, he will. Don't worry, Bobby. I know this one. He ain't no killer. You're not a killer, son. Here. You ain't nothin'. -TED: Hell, no. -ABEE: Ted! Ted! -Get up! -(groans, coughs) -Get up! -I got to tell you... (sniffs) I didn't see that coming. TED: Yeah, Papa! -Ha-ha! -(Abee whoops) TED: Hit him! TED: Get up, Papa. You got this. (grunting) BOBBY: Dawson, that's enough! You're gonna kill him! Come on! Come on, Dawson. Dawson, look out! (grunting) -(gunshot booms) -Aah! Bobby. Bobby. (groans) Bobby, Bobby, Bobby! No, Bob... Bobby... (groaning weakly) (Dawson crying) DAWSON (voice-over): Bobby was getting out. He was gonna be a dad. Tuck, he was gonna be such a good dad. He's the only family I ever had. TUCK: Look at me, son. I said, look at me. The D.A. doesn't want you. He wants Tommy. If you help them, then they will help you. I killed him, Tuck. -I deserve to be here. -Yeah, you showed up there with a loaded gun, and-and, and... (sighs) ...you're gonna have to do some time for that. But, son, there is a reason that you are here. You have a life to live, and you're gonna fight back, and you're gonna keep fighting back. 'Cause no matter what you think, you are not just your father's son. Dawson... you are not like them other boys. You're a good boy. (crying quietly) (crying): And you're my boy. (sniffles) -(Dawson sobbing) -You hear me? Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. 4 (helicopter whirring) (over speaker): This is the DEA! We have the house surrounded! -This is the DEA! -DEA! -(siren chirps) -(indistinct radio chatter) Ted! (yells) (indistinct radio chatter) MAN: Do you see any of those individuals present -in the courtroom at this time? -DAWSON: I do. Can you point out Abee Cole at this time? Can you also point out Theodore "Ted" Cole at this time? DAWSON: Yes. Can you also point out Thomas "Tommy" Cole at this time, please? (buzzer blares) -Hey. -Hey. I, uh... I brought you some books and things. Thanks. Y-You just let me know if I need to bring anything else for you, and I'll bring it next time, all right? There can't be a next time. What do you mean? I got eight years. I mean, it's what, four before I'm even eligible for parole? I'll-I'll, I'll wait. No, I can't let you do that. You don't get to make that choice. If this was the last time you were gonna see me, what would you say? Please don't do this. I'd say thank you. I'm not walking away. I'd say I love you. Dawson... I always will. Dawson, please don't do this. Please. (crying): I love you. (sniffles) Plea... Dawson! Dawson! (buzzer blaring) Dawson! Dawson! (panting) Ma'am, I need you to come with me. -Okay, okay. -Please. Oh, God. Please come with me. Just come with me. -Right this way. -Okay. Thank you. Excuse me. (clears throat) MAN (over P.A.): Brentwood, please come to the front. (door opening) GUARD: He's not taking any visitors. (knocking on glass) Collier? I'm sorry, Miss Collier. He doesn't want to see you. Okay. (buzzer blaring) (crying quietly) (sobbing) Man, back again, huh? Yeah. AMANDA (voice-over): I went every day for a month, and then every week for a year. Did they tell you that I came? They told me. I guess maybe I hoped they didn't. Do you even know that I went when Frank and I started dating? I told him I was going to see my parents. They told me every time. And you didn't want to see me? That's the only thing I did want. I never stopped loving you, Amanda, not once. Then why didn't you? Because I... -I know this doesn't make sense. -It doesn't. All right, Amanda. Listen to me. I wanted to do something good. And I wanted to save you from some of the pain. You didn't save me from anything. I've lived with the pain every day of my life, Dawson, and I blame you. I blame you for thinking you knew what was best for me, when it was you that was best for me. I know. I couldn't have you wait for me. There was so much you wanted to do. But I wanted to do it with you, and I would've waited for as long as it took. I didn't deserve you, Amanda. Oh, you didn't deserve me? Jesus, Dawson. Don't you understand? When I had Jared-- and I know this is wrong-- but do you know that when I had him, I wanted to... I wanted to tell you. And when I lost Bea, (sobbing): I wanted you to hold me. And when... I was alone at night, I wanted... (sniffling) I wanted you and I cried for you, and I hated you, and I hated you because-because I would've chosen you no matter what, and you took that away from me. I made a mistake. -Yes, you did. -I did. I hurt you. But see, I still love you. I still love you. (voice-over): Do you remember the last time we were here, and I turned on the radio? -"Sweet Jane." -(chuckles) Yeah. God, I knew a song would come in, and then it did, clear as day. I know. As if it was cued up for us. Do you know I used to feel that way about everything? I'd just blindly trust in life to work out. And then it would. I don't feel that way anymore. What? Where you going? (Cowboy Junkies' "Sweet Jane" begins) (chuckles) # Anyone who's ever had a heart Anymore, I don't like to leave things to chance. (chuckles) # Wouldn't turn around and break it # And anyone who's ever played a part (chuckles) Wow. (laughter) # Wouldn't turn around and hate it You're not stepping on my feet anymore. # - Sweet Jane -Well, not yet. (laughter) # Sweet Jane # Oh, sweet, sweet Jane # You waiting for Jimmy # Down in the alley # You're waiting there for him to come back home # Waiting down on the corner # And thinking of ways to get back home # Sweet Jane. # Would you do one thing for me? Would you forgive yourself? You're a good man, Dawson. Believe it. That shirt looks a lot better on you. (whooping) So cold! You remember it being so cold? Nah, don't be a baby. I am not a baby. Come here. # Fireworks through my veins # Into my heart... Lie back. # Remember the nights # Dancing under the sky # I got lost in the moonlight # Found in your dark eyes # Oh, I want to fall in love again # But this time # But this time with no regrets # I want to give it all again # But this time # But this time with no secrets... Happy? Yeah. # Not anyone new... (phone ringing) I'm sorry. That's okay. Hi, Jared. Yeah, I'm doing okay. How are you? Are his parents going? I just don't want you to get in the car, you know, if anyone's been drinking. I know, but Mike can barely drive if he's sober. All right, well, just ask your dad. I miss you, too. All right, I'll see you in a couple of days. Okay. Be careful. Bye. Sorry. -That's okay. -It's Jared. We can't do this, can we? I know you, Amanda. I know your heart. You're the girl who came every day for a month and every week for a year. You have a husband. And you have a son that you love very much. You won't give up easy. These past few days have been so good. A chance to see you and to talk to you. To heal a little. To love you again. People spend their whole life looking for that, and they never find it. But we did. We're the lucky ones. (sighs) No matter what happens, Amanda, I want you to know how grateful I am. 'Cause at the end of it all, I get to say I know what it's like to have loved someone. (trembling breath) Truly love someone. Because I've loved you. (voice breaking): I have to go back. I don't know how I'm gonna say good-bye to you. I'll always be here. And I'll always love you. I'm gonna trust in the stars. (sobbing) 5 Hello? -(TV playing indistinctly) -Hey. I'm home. Uh, you just get back? I did. How was it? Nice. Sad. How's your mom? She missed us at Easter. It's a busy time of year. I said. I got to, uh... I'll get dinner started. Wow. (phone ringing) -Cheers. -Sorry. Hello, Chas. (chuckles) Uh-huh, right, pal. No, Brooksie already told me you shot eight over par, so... Oh. Eat. You're busted. What the hell are you doing out there? Man, I saw you hacking away like a... like it was a... (Frank laughs) Oh, yeah, okay, no. Blame it on the partner. That's good. Is that what you said about me last week, you son of a bitch? (crying quietly) TUCK (voice-over): Dawson, over the years, I've come to know Amanda pretty well. She's got a lot of good inside her. A lot of pain, too, about the past, about you. I got you together here because I don't want either of you living with regret. You two were meant to love each other. You needed a chance to remember that. I'm not saying you're gonna be together. I don't know that. And if it doesn't work out, you'll miss her so much you'll barely be able to move. You'll feel you have no purpose, no... reason to go on. But there's nothing to do but wait. Wait and it'll get clear to you. You'll get on with your life, and gifts will come into it. I was lost when Clara died. Then one day, this kid walks into my garage. I want you to know the gift you were to me. I thank you for it. I knew you were back. I saw the flowers on Bobby's grave. I haven't had a chance to do that in a while, April. We've been getting the money. You don't have to send that. You don't owe us anything. What... How'd you know it was me? (chuckles) Who else would it be? Who-who else would send cash through the mail? I guess I figured if I wrote you a cheque with my name on it, you wouldn't cash it. You told him to get out of the truck. We both did. It wasn't your fault. It's just something that lives in my head, you know? I play it over and over and... Look at me. Look at me! Dawson, you didn't kill him. They killed him. And now it's Aaron. What do you mean? Ted and Abee started coming around when he was about 14. They took him out. (sniffles) Eased him in. (voice-over): You know, girls and cars and booze and... DAWSON (voice-over): So he's been hanging around out there? APRIL (voice-over): All the time. He didn't get into any real trouble until your father took him under his wing. And now he's running errands for them and making deliveries. He's a good kid. He's not like them. (crying): He's like his dad. He just doesn't know it. AARON: What are you doing here? Aaron? I want you to come with me. Why the hell would I do that? Dawson. They told me you were here. What a surprise. It's not even my birthday. What line of bullshit is he feeding you, son? He lives here now. With family. This is no family. It never was. Well, not to you, maybe. But you never figured that blood counted for much, did you? I'll tell you what I do know. There was never an ounce of love in this house. Ooh... love. You're a weak piece of shit, Dawson, you know that? You always were, you always will be. I'm weak? -Mm. -(Dawson scoffs) You were my father, and you treated me like an animal. I tried to make a man out of you. But you didn't appreciate a goddamn thing I gave you. And what'd you give me? These? You are weak, and you're not worth it. And I'm not gonna let you ruin another person's life like you tried to ruin mine. I'm taking the boy, if he'll go. And there's nothing you can do to stop me, because you're just a scared old man who doesn't want to go back to prison. Don't get in my way. It's all right, then. 5 Amanda! Yes? I didn't know you were there. Did you see my golf glove? -Can I talk to you? -Nothing is where I left it. Jesus, Frank. What? What do you want to talk about? Us. Oh, come on, Amanda. I'm 20 minutes late for my tee time with Hal. I can't do marriage counselling. I've lied to you, Frank. About what? For a long time, I have lied, but I want to tell you the truth. Okay. I saw someone this weekend. Someone I fell in love with a long time ago. What, you mean the guy, the kid... -Dawson. -Cole? Yes. Yeah? I'm still in love with him. (scoffs) I didn't know I was going to see him. I didn't expect to, but I'm glad I did because it made me realize how completely lost I have been. You sound a little crazy. I don't expect you to understand. But when I lost him, I lost who I was. Right. I lied to you, Frank. I have lied to you, and I have lied to myself. And I've tried to make it work; we both have. But I can't do it anymore. So, what, you want me to stop drinking? Is that what you want? What I want is to stop sleepwalking through my life. Then stop! I mean, just... listen to yourself. Get over it. No. Look, this is my life, too. You don't just get to choose. Yes, I do. And I am done pretending. (chuckles) Okay. Good. What are you doing? Does it matter? (buzzing) AMANDA (over voicemail): Hi, it's me. It's Amanda. I was hoping maybe we could talk. A lot of things have changed since I last saw you, and... and, well, I just, I wanted to say I love you. I do, Dawson. And I always have. Call me if you have a moment. (phone rings) Hello? Yes, this is his mother. Frank, it's the fourth time I've called. Jared's at Delta West. I need you to come as soon as you get this. (sighs) DOCTOR: Mrs. Reynolds? How's my son? Post-op. We went in, had a look around. -He's stable for now. -Wh-What happened? His car hit a tree, and he was thrown -from the vehicle. -Oh, my God. The blunt trauma from the accident has resulted in serious damage to his heart. -What does that mean? -FRANK: Amanda! Sorry. -Frank. -I was... I was... What's happened? -What's going on? -Frank, just-just listen. -Where's my son? -Just listen. It means one of the valves (voice-over): of his heart is torn. It's my determination that we can't repair it. AMANDA (voice-over): What does that mean, exactly? DOCTOR (voice-over): He needs a transplant, and very soon. AMANDA: Doctor, I have lost one child already. I cannot lose another. DOCTOR: I understand. 5 (engine starts) # When the sky turns to grey # Don't let the dark blind... (train horn blaring) # Love is light, love is day # There's always beauty... # Rain from heaven # Roll on through... # Go on, wait... (tyres squealing, engine revving) (engine roaring) # Wind and lightning (sighs) (crossing bells dinging) (phone chimes) # Rain from heaven # Wash over me and you. AMANDA (over voicemail): Hi, it's me. It's Amanda. I was hoping maybe we could talk. A lot of things have changed since I last saw you. I wanted to say I love you. I do, Dawson. (crashing) (engine revving) (metal song playing) (grunts) (tyres squealing) (grunts) (train passing) Abee! -Abee! -(groaning) Ted! Where is he? (screaming continues) What's going on? What happened? They're prepping him for surgery. They found a heart. He's got a chance now. Amanda. Dawson? What are you doing here? (doorbell ringing) (ringing continues) Oh, Mom, I overslept. I got to get back to the hospital. Jared's all right, sweetheart. I just spoke with Frank. All right, let me get dressed. You'll come with me, right? Jared will want to see you. Um, Amanda. Yeah, Ted and Abee, both down. All right, thanks, Sheriff. No, I can bring it down, that's all right. I got nothing but time. I can bring it to you. That sounds good. -You got it. -Dawson Cole! (distorted gunshot) I'm so sorry. (gasping) (sobs): No... (sobbing) Oh, God. Oh, God! MINISTER: I commend the soul of Dawson Cole to God. Amen. (phone rings) Children's Legal Defence fund. Yes, of course, hold please. Hi, Doll. Your ex called. Thanks, Jamie. MAN: Hey. -Hi. -So, what'd you figure out? Well, after weighing everything that we discussed, it is my recommendation that we go all the way back to 1959. We can look at the UN's Declaration of the Rights of the Child, and we can structure our argument from there. Good. Thank God for paralegals. But if we do that, we have to make sure that we keep in mind... (phone buzzing) Sorry. It's my, uh, son. Well, we are the Children's Defence Fund. (both chuckle) Hi, Jared. Hey, Mom. (over phone): Everything okay? Um, yeah. Why wouldn't it be? AMANDA: Well, this is your third phone call in two days. That's a record for you. Very funny. JARED: No, I'm actually calling because there's something that I wanted you to know. You remember how Dr. Charboneau told me that if I waited a year, I could file a request to find out who donated my heart? Yeah, did you, uh, decide to go ahead with it? JARED: Well, actually, I did go ahead with it. AMANDA: Oh. And I got the information yesterday. So, um, here, give me one second. JARED: Yeah, it, um, it says he was 39 years old when he died... Get this, he was actually from St. Olivia, so I thought that maybe you knew him: Dawson Cole. Mom, you there? Yeah. I'm here. So, did you know him? Yes. I knew Dawson. Great, so when I'm home for spring break, maybe you can tell me a bit about him. I would love that. JARED: Well, hey, Mom, I gotta go. I'm meeting this girl for lunch. Uh, she's in my English class. Okay. JARED: I'm totally loving it here. All right, I love you, Mom. Bye. LAWYER: Everything all right? Yes. It is. Good. So, like I was saying, if we start in, uh, 1959 we can... DAWSON (voice-over): Dear Amanda, when I was young, I looked for a shape to things. A reason or a design. So much of what happened to me, though, felt like an accident. So I guess I lost faith in all that. When I survived my fall, I began to wonder if there wasn't some purpose to my life. Maybe I was on a destined path, even if I couldn't see it yet. When I saw you again, I believe we'd been given a second chance. That the universe had decided to give us that. You have commitments. I understand. And you want to keep them. I can only love you more for that. I hope to see you again someday. But if I don't, just know that these last days have been the best of my life. I love who I am when I'm with you, Amanda. You are my dearest friend, my deepest love. -(squeals) -(both laughing) You are the very best of me. Forever, Dawson. www.able.co.nz Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Able 2016