Journal One
Screenplay titled “The Misfit”
FADE IN:
EXT. A RIVER CLEARING - DAY -- PAST
A SOUTHERN BAPTIST BAPTISM in progress. GOSPEL CHOIR MUSIC PLAYS. A ROW OF CHILDREN wait to be baptized in the river. People sing, dance and sway to the music - hypnotized, feverish.
We zero in on: A BOY, 10 or 11, as he moves up the line toward the water. He looks over at--
A MAN in his late fifties. It is the boy's FATHER, singing proudly with the choir. He gives the boy a big wink and nod.
The boy returns a timid smile. He then looks over at his MOTHER, who is singing with her eyes closed - totally enraptured.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE TOWER DANCE HALL - DAY -- FLASHFOREWARD
A slowly decaying edifice with a counter on one side, tables on the other and a spacious dance floor in the middle. The place is dark and empty, except for...
THREE MEN at the counter. THE MISFIT, nmid-thirties, coarse and sweaty, wearing a white T-shirt with a pack of MARLBORO'S rolled up in the sleeve. Hair slicked back, clean shaven, heavy eye - the kind that say "not too close." Next to him is BOBBY LEE, a handsome but corrupted looking soul in his late twenties, and HIRAM, a dumb-looking okie also in his late twenties.
The three men eat sandwiches in silence - old static filled Souhtern Music plays - BILLIE HOLIDAY.
HIRAM
These sure are good barbecues.
BOBBY LEE
Shut up Hiram.
Hiram and Bobby Lee look over at the Misfit as if they asked him a question. The Misfit stares placidly ahead.
MISFIT
They have a car?
BOBBY LEE
They have a broken down rust bucket out back.
MISFIT
We're going to need to get ourselves another one then.
HIRAM
What do you want to do with THEM?
MISFIT
Finish eating, then take'em out back.
BOBBY LEE
(smiling)
You want to hang around this dump and do some dancing tonight?
HIRAM
Yes sirree, that would be a dandy time! Get us some women!
MISFIT
Just finish your damn lunch and get busy before it's too late.
The Misfit plops the last bite of sandwich into his mouth, walks back into the kitchen.
INT. THE TOWER RESTAURANT KITCHEN - DAY -- PRESENT
RED SAMMY, over-weight and bald in his late fifties, and his wife, DAISY, a skinny, unattractive woman in her mid-forties, sit gagged and tied to a chair. Both are sweating profusely, scared and intense.
The Misfit walks methodically up to them. He squints - his face pressed against Daisy's.
MISFIT
Tell me something.
(beat)
How does it feel to know this is the last few moments of your life?
I mean, did you all live yourselves a decent life? Some things you would have done differently?
The couple stare back wide-eyed and panicky.
MISFIT
(continuing)
I thought as much.
Bobby Lee and Hiram come from behind the Misfit and drag Red Sammy and Daisy outside.
The Misfit looks around the kitchen. He picks up a PLAQUE that hangs from the wall.
CUT TO:
EXT. A RIVER CLEARING - DAY
The baptismal ceremony continues. The boy is submerged under the water.
Silence as he views the world from underneath the river, the sun staring down at him. His calm is interrupted as he is dragged out of the water by the Preacher.
PREACHER
Can you say Amen brothers and sisters - can you say Amen!
CUT TO:
EXT. THE BACKYARD OF THE TOWER - DAY
Red Sammy and Daisy struggle in vain, their screams muffled by the rags in their mouths. Bobby Lee and Hiram load their guns.
BOBBY LEE
Which one you want to shoot Hiram?
HIRAM
Give me the woman!
BOBBY LEE
You got her.
Hiram puts his gun to Daisy's temple. Bobby Lee does the same to Red Sammy.
BOBBY LEE
(continuing)
On three.
Red Sammy and Daisy squirm in their chairs - mute screams.
HIRAM
One...
BOBBY LEE
Two...
CUT TO:
INT. THE TOWER KITCHEN - DAY
Misfit picks up the plaque.
INSERT: THE PLAGUE:
BLESS THIS KITCHEN AND ALL WHO ENTER
TWO SIMULTANEOUS PISTOL SHOTS ring out.
The Misfit gives a little smile and calmly places the plaque back on the wall.
MISFIT
Amen.
CUT TO:
INT. BAILEY'S HOME - NIGHT
A simple Southern home. GRANDMA, an elderly but energetic white woman in her mid-seventies, sits on a couch reading the paper. She has the basic tight grey hair in a bun and leather wrinkled face.
Her son, BAILEY, a balding, skinny man with glasses in his early forties, sits in his easy chair reading the sports section. Bailey's wife, MARY BETH, a plain but attractive woman in her forties, sews.
Their nine-month enfant, BARBARA JEAN, sleeps in the crib next to Mary Beth, while two children, JOHN WESLEY, eight and JUNE STARR, six, play board games on the floor.
GRANDMA
Now look here, Bailey, see here and read this!
Grandma gets up and rattles the paper over Bailey. Bailey continues to read his paper, avoiding his mother.
GRANDMA
(continuing)
Here this fellow that calls himself "The Misfit" is aloose from the Federal Pen and headed toward Florida.
You read here what it says he did to these people. Just you read it! I wouldn't take MY children in any direction with a criminal like that loose in it. I couldn't answer to my conscience if I did.
Bailey ruffles his paper and holds it up higher in front of him.
Mary Beth picks up BARBARA JEAN from the crib and sits on the sofa. She begins to feed the baby apricots out of a jar.
MARY BETH
If you don't want to go to Florida Ma, why don't you just stay at home?
GRANDMA
It's just that the children have been to Florida before. You ought to take them somewhere else for a change so they would see different parts of the world and be broad.
Bailey speaks from behind his newspaper.
BAILEY
And where would that be mother?
GRANDMA
Well, they never saw east Tennessee.
The children look up from their board game.
JUNE STARR
Who wants to see east Tennessee?
JOHN WESLEY
Like Ma said, if you don't want to go to Florida Grandma, why don't you just stay at home?
JUNE STARR
She wouldn't stay at home for a million bucks. Afraid she'd miss something.
JUNE STARR
(continuing)
She has to go everywhere we go!
GRANDMA
All right, Miss. Just remember that the next time you want me to curl your hair.
JUNE STARR
My hair is naturally curly thank you very much.
GRANDMA
Yes, and what would you do if this fellow, the MISFIT, caught YOU?
John Wesley raises his arms in fight position.
JOHN WESLEY
I'd smack him in the face!
JUNE STARR
Yeah, I'd poke his eyes out with a sewing needle!
MARY BETH
That's enough of that talk you two. And Ma, that's enough talk of this Misfit character. No need in scaring the children.
Bailey puts down his newspaper and gets up, stretching.
BAILEY
I don't want to hear anymore about it! We're going to Florida in the morning and if you don't wish to go Ma then stay here.
GRANDMA
Well, maybe I just will! I don't see no need in going to any place twice that's all. Truth is I'm just not appreciated around here.
Maybe I'll just stay at home where I belong.
CUT TO:
EXT. BAILEY'S DRIVEWAY - MORNING
Grandma sits by herself in the backseat of Baily's car, a rusted Chevy station wagon. In her lap is A LARGE PICNIC BASKET. She opens it and lifts PITTY SING, THE HOUSEHOLD CAT, out of the basket.
GRANDMA
You be quiet now, I'm not supposed to be bringing you on this here vacation.
The family comes out of the house.
JOHN WESLEY
See! I told you Grandma would be the first one out!
John Wesley gets on one side of Grandma, June Starr gets on the other. Bailey and Mary Beth climb in front, Mary Beth holding the baby.
GRANDMA
Well, it just so happens that I got up this morning and I saw it was going to be a a good day for driving. Neither too hot or too cold. Now Bailey, just remember the speed limit is fifty-five.
Those patrolmen sit themselves behind billboards and speed out at you before you have a chance to slow down!
MARY BETH
Bailey is a good driver Ma.
GRANDMA
I know he is, but I'm just warnin him.
BAILEY
Thanks for the warnin Ma.
Everyone ready?
JOHN WESLEY/JUNE STARR
READY!
Bailey backs the car out of the driveway.
CUT TO:
EXT. GEORGIA HIGHWAY - DAY
A BLACK HEARSE drives down a dusty highway. The Misfit drives, Bobby Lee and Hiram sit beside.
CUT TO:
EXT. GEORGIA HIGHWAY - DAY
Bailey's car rolls down the highway. As the car gets closer we can see it is the Misfit, Hiram and Bobby inside.
CUT TO:
INT. BAILEY'S CAR - DAY
Mary Beth is dosing off with the baby in her arms. Bailey calmly turns the radio dial, hearing various music and chatter. June Starr and John Wesley are wide awake with Grandma.
JOHN WESLEY
Let's go through Georgia so we won't have to look at it much!
GRANDMA
If I were a little boy, I wouldn't talk about my native state that way. Tennessee has the mountains and Georgia has the hills!
JOHN WESLEY
Tennessee is just a hillbilly dumping ground, and Georgia stinks too!
JUNE STARR
You said it John Wesley!
GRANDMA
In my time, children were more respectful of their native states and their parents and everything else. People did right then.
Nowadays it's all gone down hill.
It's getting so bad. God-awful bad.
Grandma notices a BLACK CHILD standing at the door of A SHACK.
GRANDMA
(continuing)
Look at that cute little pickaninny! Wouldn't that make a picture now?
They look at the child out the back window. The child waves at the car.
JUNE STARR
He didn't have any britches on!
GRANDMA
He probably didn't have any.
Little negroes in the country don't have things like we do. If I could paint, I'd paint that picture all right.
Grandma taps Mary Beth on the shoulder and gestures to take the baby. Mary Beth hands over the baby and goes back to napping. Grandma bounces the kid on her lap.
GRANDMA
(continuing)
What's the world going to be like when YOU get older Jessie May?
Just remember if you meet a man like Bailey you marry him right away, because a good man is hard to find child, a good man is hard to find!
MARY BETH
(mumbling, half asleep)
Amen.
CUT TO:
EXT. GEORGIA HIGHWAY - DAY
The HEARSE is shown again. The camera leaves them and skies
OVER TO:
INT. BAILEY'S CAR - DAY
The conversation has died, STATIC FILLED MUSIC plays on the car radio.
JUNE STARR
Tell us a story Grandma!
JOHN WESLEY
Yeah, a story!
GRANDMA
A story huh? Alrighty then.
There once was a scorpion.
JUNE STARR
What's a scorpion?
JOHN WESLEY
A mean, slimy ol thing that stings you to death!
JUNE STARR
Ickk!
GRANDMA
Now y'all be quiet and listen.
This scorpion needed a lift across a river, seeing scorpions don't swim. Along came this big ol frog named freddie. The scorpion asked freddie real nice, "mr. Frog, would you give me a lift across the river?" Freddie said, "no way mr. Scorpion, you'll sting me!" To which the Scorpion replied, "Now why would I do a thing like that? You know damn right well that if I sting you, we would both go down under the water. Then I would die with you!
JUNE STARR
Freddie the Frog, I like that!
JOHN WESLEY
I tell ta' you wouldn't like this scorpion thing.
GRANDMA
Sssh! Now Freddie thinks about it a minute or two and then figures it be okay. The scorpion jumps on Freddie's back and Freddie begins to hop across the river on all these lillipads! Now he almost makes it to the other side when the scorpion suddenly stings Freddie.
JOHN WESLEY
What? How come Grandma?
JUNE STARR
Yeah, does Freddie DIE?
GRANDMA
I'm getting there. Freddie says to the scorpion, "How come you stung me? You Promised you wouldn't! Now we'll BOTH drown" to which the scorpion replies, "I am sorry Freddie, but it is my NATURE to sting and one can't ask another to go against his nature!"
JOHN WESLEY
I don't understand that story at all!
JUNE STARR
Me neither. Does Freddie die?
BAILEY
Can't you tell the children something a little more HAPPY Ma?
GRANDMA
That is an important story Bailey Boy.
JOHN WESLEY
Yeah, but what does it MEAN?
GRANDMA
The story means that in this day and age you have to know who the scorpion's are and stay away from them. They'll never change!
JOHN WESLEY
I don't like that story Grandma!
JUNE STARR
Me neither!
GRANDMA
Well, someday you will. Someday you'll know exactly what I mean.
JOHN WESLEY
Maybe someday, but it won't be today!
CUT TO:
EXT. THE TOWER DANCE HALL - DAY
A MONKEY, tied to a tree, runs around in circles. He stops and begins to pick fleas off himself and eat them. He hears a car approaching and leaps as high in the tree as his leash will allow.
Red Sammy is lying near the tree underneath AN OLD RUSTY PICKUP-TRUCK. He sticks his sweaty head out and sees Bailey's car pull up. He gets up and approaches the car, wiping his greasy hands with a rag.
RED SAMMY
Howdy.
The car door opens and the children run out to the tree to get a glimpse of the monkey.
GRANDMA
You wait for the adults now!
RED SAMMY
Oh that's ok Mam, Sherman likes children.
BAILEY
Are you open for lunch?
RED SAMMY
Well, not exactly, but I can make an exception. Let me get the wife.
Red Sammy walks into the adjoining house next to the Tower. Bailey, Mary Beth and Grandma get out of the car and stretch.
MARY BETH
C'mon kids, we're going inside to have some food!
JUNE STARR
The monkey won't come down Ma!
GRANDMA
I wouldn't either, y'all go running over there like some sort of bandits. Scare'em half to death!
Red Sammy comes out his house with Daisy lagging behind.
RED SAMMY
This'ers my wife Daisy. She'd be more than happy to make you an early lunch.
DAISY
Sure will, y'all come into the hall.
John Wesley stops throwing stones at the monkey and follows Daisy and the others inside.
CUT TO:
INT. THE TOWER DANCE HALL - DAY
John Wesley and June Starr run around. Grandma walks over to the jukebox and puts a dime in. Bailey and Mary Beth sit at a table.
"THE TENNESSEE WALTZ" begins to play from the jukebox.
Grandma does a little dance over to the table.
GRANDMA
This song always makes me want to dance. Bailey Boy, would you like to dance with your Ma?
Bailey gives her a frustrated look. After the tune ends, a quick dance number begins. June Starr steps out on the dance floor and begins doing a TAP.
Daisy comes out of the kitchen with drinks.
DAISY
Ain't she cute! Would you like to come and be my little girl?
JUNE STARR
No, I certainly would not! I wouldn't live in a broken down place like this for a million bucks!
DAISY
(with less energy)
Aint she cute?
GRANDMA
(to Daisy looking around)
Aren't you ashamed?
Red Sammy comes out from the kitchen.
RED SAMMY
(to Daisy)
Quit lounging around and take these people's orders! They're probably awfully hungry.
JUNE STARR
I want barbecue!
JOHN WESLEY
Me too!
MARY BETH
Looks like barbecues for the house.
DAISY
Coming right up.
Daisy goes in the back. Red Sammy wipes his sweaty face with a handkerchief and rests his elbows on the counter. He flashes his yellow teeth with a big smile.
RED SAMMY
You can't win. These days, you just don't know who to trust.
GRANDMA
Ain't that the truth. People certainly are not as nice as they used to be. It's getting so bad, God awful bad.
RED SAMMY
Two fellas came in here last week.
Said they worked at the junk yard and would bring me a part for my truck if I let'em charge gas. I obliged. Now why do you think I did that?
GRANDMA
Because you're a nice man.
RED SAMMY
Yes, I suppose I am. Anyway, now I can't fix my truck right because I been waiten on the part.
Daisy returns from the kitchen.
DAISY
It isn't a soul in this green world of God's that you can trust, and I don't count nobody out of that, not nobody. We have to lock up this place at night like a prison.
GRANDMA
Did you read about that criminal who escaped from the federal prison - The Misfit?
DAISY
Yes mam, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he showed his face around here. He'd probably shoot us for the two cents in the register. I wouldn't be surprised if he...
RED SAMMY
That'll be enough of that talk.
Go get these kids more coca-cola. Daisy nods and retreats to the kitchen.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE GEORGIA HIGHWAY - DAY
The big, black hearse drives down the dusty road heading toward:
EXT. THE TOWER DANCE HALL - DAY
The Monkey plays in the yard. He suddenly stops and looks down the road there is nothing there but his intuition. He scurries up the tree.
CUT TO:
INT. THE TOWER DANCE HALL - DAY
Red Sammy leans over the counter talking to Grandma. The children run around the hall. Bailey and Mary Beth read maps.
RED SAMMY
Yes mam, a good man is hard to find these days. Everything is getting terrible. I remember the day you could go off and leave your screen door unlatched. Not no more.
GRANDMA
It's bad, real bad. But you're a good man, Sammy, I can feel it.
RED SAMMY
Thank you, mam. You all stop by again anytime you're in the area.
We welcome everyone here at Sammy's.
GRANDMA
Well that's too bad.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE TOWER DANCE HALL - DAY
The family gets in the car. Red Sammy and Daisy stand in the doorway.
DAISY
You all come back anytime!
BAILEY
Thank you.
MARY BETH
You been most kind.
GRANDMA
You're a good man Sammy, and I know these things.
RED SAMMY
Bye now.
Just as Red Sammy and Daisy head back in, they see another car entering in the horizon - the HEARSE.
RED SAMMY
(continuing)
More early birds.
As the car pulls out Bailey passes the hearse, Grandma gets a good look inside. The Misfit pulls into the driveway.
CUT TO:
INT. BAILEY'S CAR - DAY
The family is back on the road. Grandma naps on and off as the local radio station plays soft ballads. The music stops, everyone is silent.
RADIO ANNOUNCER
We interrupt this broadcast for a very important announcement.
Georgia officials are issuing a warning to all citizens to be on the look out for three men considered to be armed and dangerous. They are believed to be traveling South from Norcross.
Any information on the whereabouts of these criminals would be greatly appreciated.
Bailey turns off the radio.
JOHN WESLEY
Are they talking about the Misfit?
BAILEY
Yes.
JUNE STARR
Do you think we'll see him?
MARY BETH
No darlin'. Not a chance.
JUNE STARR
That's good, cause he scares me.
MARY BETH
No need to be scared child, no one is going to hurt you.
CUT TO:
EXT. GEORGIA FIELD - DAY - GRANDMA'S DREAM
GRANDMA AS A CHILD, a young girl of 10 or 11 sneaks through tall grass toward a GATHERING OF PEOPLE. She moves slowly, unsure of what the gathering is.
A GROUP OF WHITE MEN are beating A BLACK MAN. Grandma watches in horror. HENNY, a hard looking man in his mid-thirties, throws a rope around a tree and puts the other end around the black man's neck.
WHITE MAN
String'em up Henny! String that nigger up!
BLACK MAN
You can do what you want with me.
I know God is waiting for me.
HENNY
God is waiting for you. God doesn't wait for niggers! God made you to serve us boy!
BLACK MAN
You're a good man deep down sir, you just been blinded. Y'all been blinded.
HENNY
Blinded! I'll show you who's been blinded, nigger!
Grandma watches in horror. The men HANG the black man. She turns and runs. As she runs through the field she hears the black man talking again.
BLACK MAN (V.O.)
You're a good man deep down sir, you just been blinded. Y'all been blinded!
A BLACK HEARSE drives down a dusty road. Grandma looks in and sees HENNY driving. He gives her a big WAVE AND SMILE.
END OF DREAM
CUT TO:
INT. BAILEY'S CAR - DAY
Grandma jumps awake. She looks around confused.
JOHN WESLEY
What's the matter Grandma! Did you have a nightmare!
JUNE STARR
It's a day-mare, it's day dummy.
JOHN WESLEY
Shut up.
JUNE STARR
You shut up!
MARY BETH
That will be enough of that.
Grandma is sweating. Her eyes widen as she jumps in her seat.
GRANDMA
Holy sweet Jesus! That was HIM back there - THE MISFIT!
Grandma moves quickly and the top of the basket comes off. THE CAT jumps out of the basket onto Bailey's shoulder. Startled, Baily loses control of the car.
CUT TO:
EXT. BAILEY'S CAR - DAY
Everyone SCREAMS as the car hits an embankment and turns over. The car comes to a rest right-side-up in a gulch off the side of the road. Mary Beth is thrown from the car with the baby in her arms.
CUT TO:
EXT./INT. BAILEY'S CAR - DAY
Bailey takes the cat off his lap and throws it out of the car. Everyone scrambles out onto the road.
JUNE STARR
We had an accident! We had an accident!
JOHN WESLEY
Cool! But nobody's killed so it's not a real accident.
Grandma is the last one to come out of the car. Bailey is holding Mary Beth as they try to calm down the baby.
GRANDMA
Is everyone all right?
BAILEY
No, not everyone is all right. Mary Beth has broken her shoulder protecting the baby. Ma how could you? Of all the stupidest things you have ever done!
GRANDMA
It was an accident Bailey Boy!
JUNE STARR
Yeah an accident! We had an accident!
JOHN WESLEY
Wait until I tell everyone at school!
MARY BETH
(grimacing in pain)
Maybe someone will be along.
GRANDMA
I believe I have ruined an organ.
BAILEY
That's not all you have ruined you foolish...
Bailey sees a car approaching.
BAILEY
(continuing)
Thank you God.
Bailey flags the car over. It is the BLACK HEARSE. Grandma does not notice as she is sitting with Mary Beth and the baby. The car stops and the three men get out.
The Misfit, sweaty and shirtless, surveys the scene as Hiram and Bobby Lee come around and stand behind him.
MISFIT
Good afternoon. I see you had an accident.
JOHN WESLEY
We turned over twice!
BOBBY LEE
Once, we watched yus.
MISFIT
Try their car and see if it will run, Hiram.
The Misfit takes out a gun. Bobby Lee takes out his and loads it. Bailey looks at them nervously, as Grandma leaves Mary Beth and walks over to the men.
JOHN WESLEY
Why do you have a gun?
JUNE STARR
Yeah, whatcha going to do with that gun?
MISFIT
(to Mary Beth)
Lady, would you call your children over there and have them sit with you? I'm afraid children make me nervous. I want all of them to sit over there with you.
JUNE STARR
Why are you telling us what to do?
Grandma comes up and stands next to Bailey. She stares in disbelief.
MARY BETH
Children, over here now!
JOHN WESLEY
Hey ma these men have guns, real guns!
BAILEY
Look here now, we're in a predicament here. We're in...
GRANDMA
You're the Misfit! I recognized you at once. You were going into Red Sammy's place!
MISFIT
Yes'm, but it would have been better for y'all if you hadn't recognized me.
Baily stares at his mother in disgust.
BAILEY
You stupid bitch! You know what you've done?
Grandma starts to cry.
MISFIT
Now now. Sometimes a man says things he don't mean. I don't reckon he meant to talk to you that way.
GRANDMA
You wouldn't shoot an innocent family would you?
MISFIT
I would hate to have to.
Bobby Lee is sitting with Mary Beth and the children.
BOBBY LEE
You know you sure are purty.
MARY BETH
Please. I believe I have broken my shoulder!
BOBBY LEE
I know how you can feel better right now.
Hiram walks over to the Misfit, wiping his oily hands on a rag.
HIRAM
It will take about a half an hour to fix this here car. It's better than what we got.
GRANDMA
Please sir, I know you're a good man, please let us go! We'll never say a word to no...
BAILEY
Hush! Everyone shut up and let me handle this!
Mary Beth screams and Bobby Lee slaps her.
MISFIT
(oblivious)
Ain't a cloud in the sky. Love these Georgia clear days. Don't see no sun, but don't see no clouds either.
(beat)
You and Bobby Lee get him and that little boy to step over yonder with you.
HIRAM
Hey Bobby Lee! Over here now!
The Misfit whispers in Bailey's ear.
MISFIT
The boys want to ask you something. Would you mind stepping back into the woods with them?
BAILEY
Listen! We're in a terrible predicament. Nobody realizes what this is!
Hiram pulls Bailey away slowly.
BAILEY
(continuing; to the Misfit)
You bastard.
John Wesley grabs Bailey's hand and the two walk slowly with Hiram and Bobby Lee toward the woods. Grandma goes to join them.
MISFIT
You wait here with us mam.
BAILEY
I'll be back in a minute Mamma, wait on me!
GRANDMA
Come back here this minute!
Bailey Boy!
Mary Beth, her eyes closed as she prays, rocks the baby as June Star sits quietly next to her.
MARY BETH
Please lord save us! Save us!
GRANDMA
I know you're a good man. You don't look a bit like you have common blood. I know you must come from nice people! You're a Christian I know it!
MISFIT
I was baptized, but I ain't no longer. Y'all be saved here today though. Y'all be saved from this miserable world.
GRANDMA
I know you're a good man. You're not a bit common!
MISFIT
Nome, I ain't a good man, but I ain't the worst either. My daddy used to say I was a different breed of dog from my brothers and sisters. Daddy said, "You know it's some that can live their whole life out without asking about IT and it's others has to know why IT is, and this boy is one of the latters. He's going to be into everything. I always want to know why...why...why...I'm sorry I don't have a shirt on before you ladies. My t-shirt got a little dirty.
GRANDMA
That's all right, Bailey has an extra one in his suitcase. When he comes back he'll give you one.
MISFIT
Thank you mam, I'll look and see terrectly.
MARY BETH
Where are you taking them!
MISFIT
My Daddy was a card himself. You couldn't put anything over on him.
CUT TO:
INT. THE MISFIT'S ROOM - FLASHBACK
The Misfit at 12 or 13, is being whipped by his father. The Misfit's mother watches serenely from a rocking chair in the corner.
FATHER
You will be saved from your evil thoughts, boy!
MOTHER
It's for your own good honey!
END OF FLASHBACK
CUT TO:
EXT. GEORGIA HIGHWAY - DAY
The Misfit squats in front of Grandma, making circles in the dirt with a stick.
MISFIT
He never got in trouble, though.
Just had a knack of handling things.
GRANDMA
Well, you could be honest too if you'd only try. Think how wonderful it would be to settle down and live a comfortable life without worrying about folks chasing you all the time.
MISFIT
Somebody is always after you no matter what.
GRANDMA
Do you ever pray child?
MISFIT
Don't see much point to it no more. You get what you get anyway regardless.
TWO PISTOL SHOTS are heard in the distance. Mary Beth starts to sob. June Starr hugs her tight. Grandma stares off into the distance.
GRANDMA
Bailey Boy! You come back this instant.
MISFIT
I was a gospel singer for a while, like Daddy. It seems to me that a lot of people are singing and waiting and waiting and singing.
Nothing to wait for. This is it.
GRANDMA
Pray! Pray!
MISFIT
Somewhere along the line I got myself in trouble and was sent to the penitentiary. I was buried alive in there. Jesus won't save you, not in this life.
GRANDMA
That's when you should have started to pray. The first time you went in.
MISFIT
There was no room in there for praying. Turn to the left there was a wall. Turn to the right there was a wall. The ceiling was cold, grey. I sat there and forgot what I had done. I set there and set there trying to remember what I had done. To this day it never came to me.
GRANDMA
You must have done something.
MISFIT
That dumb ol head doctor at the penitentiary said I had killed my Daddy but I didn't believe him.
CUT TO:
INT. THE MISFIT'S HOUSE - FLASHBACK
A SOUTHERN SHACK. A SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD MISFIT, approaches his father, passed out in the rocking chair. The boy holds a SHOT GUN. Father slowly comes to and chuckles.
FATHER
You're going to hell boy.
MISFIT
See you there.
He pulls the trigger. A SHOT RINGS OUT
END OF FLASHBACK
CUT TO:
EXT. GEORGIA HIGHWAY - DAY
Hiram and Bobby Lee come strolling out of the woods. Bobby Lee carries Bailey's shirt.
MISFIT
My Daddy died of the flu epidemic in 1919 and you can go see for yourself. He's buried at the Mount Hopewell Baptist churchyard.
GRANDMA
If you pray, Jesus will help you!
MISFIT
You been lied to, lady. You been lied to like everyone else.
Bobby Lee comes over to the Misfit and hands him Bailey's shirt. Hiram heads over to the car.
MISFIT
(continuing)
No, lady, I found out the truth.
The crime doesn't matter.
Kill your Daddy or steal a hub cap. Sooner or later you'll forget the crime and just be punished for it.
GRANDMA
Pray with me now!
Bobby Lee goes over to Mary Beth, who is sobbing.
MISFIT
Lady, would you and that beautiful little girl like to step off yonder with Bobby Lee and Hiram and join your husband?
MARY BETH
(in shock)
Yes, thank you.
Bobby Lee helps Mary Beth to her feet. Hiram walks over and offers a hand to June Starr.
JUNE STARR
I don't want to hold hands with him. He reminds me of a pig!
Wait until my Daddy gets back!
He's going to beat you silly!
Hiram pulls the little girl and the four walk toward the woods.
JUNE STARR
(continuing)
Grandma, you coming?
GRANDMA
I'll be there soon child! Pray now! Pray!
MISFIT
Pray to Jesus. I believe in Jesus, but I believe he don't help us down here any. You see, mam, I said a long time ago that you get a signature and sign everything you do and keep a copy of it. Then you'll always know what you've done and you can hold up the crime to the punishment and see if they match. Which they won't.
Mary Beth's horrific SCREAM is heard, followed by PISTOL SHOTS. Grandma looks toward the woods. She begins to sob.
MISFIT
(continuing)
In the end you'll have proof that you weren't taking care of down here. I call myself the Misfit because I can't make what all I done wrong fit what all I gone through in punishment. Does it seem right to you lady that the punishments of life aren't handed out equally?
GRANDMA
I know you're not a scorpion, boy, I know you're not a scorpion!
Pray! Y'all been blinded! I'll give you all the money I got!
MISFIT
Lady, there was never a body that gave the undertaker a tip.
More PISTOL SHOTS come from the woods.
GRANDMA
Bailey Boy! You come back here now!
MISFIT
They'll be alright mam. The way I reckon it, we're doing y'all a favor. No one is going to be saved around this place. It just ain't going to happen.
GRANDMA
YOU can be saved Boy!
Grandma looks at Bailey's shirt.
GRANDMA
(continuing)
You..well you are one of my very own children! Pray with me son!
You are one of my own!
Grandma walks toward the Misfit, who is looking down at the ground. She touches his shoulder.
The Misfit recoils back, FIRING THREE ROUNDS INTO HER CHEST.
Grandma plummets into the ditch.
MISFIT
(dryly)
No, mam, no saving in this place.
Not here.
Bobby Lee and Hiram join The Misfit. The three stare down into the ditch.
MISFIT
(continuing)
Take her off and throw her where you thrown the others.
The cat rubs against the Misfit's leg. He picks her up and pets her.
BOBBY LEE
She was a talker wasn't she!
YeeHaw!
MISFIT
She would have been a good woman, if it had been somebody to shoot her every minute of her life.
HIRAM
Some fun!
MISFIT
Shut up, Bobby Lee, it's no real pleasure in life! I'd be down there with her if I had the courage.
Grandma stares up from the ditch, a gentle smile on her face.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. THE TOWER DANCE HALL
THE TENNESSEE WALTZ PLAYS. Grandma is leading a slow dance with Bailey. Mary Beth, baby in arms, dances with John Wesley and June Starr, Red Sammy dances with Daisy.
DISSOLVE TO:
A CLOSE-UP OF GRANDMA'S FACE with her gentle smile as she lies dead in the ditch.
FINAL FADE OUT.