Dead Man Walking Page #7

"If anyone sheds the blood of man...

...by man, shall his blood be shed."

Are you familiar

with the New Testament...

...where Jesus talks

about grace and reconciliation?

Poncelet has to understand

that Jesus died for his sins.

If he accepts that...

...reconciliation is his

and his soul shall have eternal life.

One's opinion of the death penalty

is not the issue here.

Look at Romans.

"Let every person be subordinate

to the higher authorities.

For there is no authority,

except from God.

And those who oppose it

will bring judgment upon themselves."

What happened?

- She collapsed.

- She had a heart attack.

- I'm okay. I think I just fainted.

- No, don't you move.

I'm hungry. I just need to eat.

I told Matt I'd be back.

Could you tell him what happened?

- When we're finished here.

- I've gotta tell him now.

I'll take care of it, Sister.

- Thank you.

- This isn't a heart attack.

I'm just hungry.

They don't let visitors eat here.

They must think we're some kind of

ferns that feed on air or something.

Is that the machine

that they use after an execution?

Yes, ma'am.

Just have to be official

about the whole thing.

Thank God we're off the chair.

It's a bit easier to take the needle.

Just part of the job.

Let's get some food in your stomach.

Who puts the needle in?

That's private information.

Is it you?

We cannot disclose any specifics

regarding execution procedure.

Let me get you a tray of food

and then we'll send you on home.

- I've gotta get back to Matt.

- I'm sorry, Sister.

This is warden's orders.

You're through for the day.

- Where'd you go?

- I couldn't come back.

- You all right?

- I'm fine.

I kept asking what happened.

I thought you had a heart attack.

- They said they'd tell you.

- They took me into that room.

- They was weighing me.

- What for?

To see how big a coffin I need.

Then I come back and you were gone.

I spent the whole day alone.

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

- You ever get lonely?

- Yeah. Sure.

Sometimes when I smell the smoke

from the neighborhood barbecues...

...and I hear all the kids laughing...

...and I'm sitting in my room,

I feel like a fool.

What I miss most being here? Women.

You know, I used to sit at the bar,

just drinking and listening to music.

I'd dance till 3:00 in the morning.

I ain't gonna lie.

I believe in doing it.

My lady and I'd grab

a bottle, blanket, some weed...

...go out in the woods,

and we'd do it.

It's something you miss, ma'am.

Let's face it, Matt.

If I had a family...

...chances are I'd be with them now

instead of visiting with you.

True enough.

I'm glad you're here.

You want me to get a message

to your daughter?

Let her be.

Those things will kill you.

I won't let them break me.

I just pray God holds up my legs

on my last walk.

It's the wait.

It's the countdown that gets to you.

We'll know soon

about the federal appeal.

Hilton and I got an appointment

with the governor this evening.

Fat chance he'll do anything.

Risk his political butt for me?

I wish I hadn't said all that sh*t

about Hitler and being a terrorist.

Stupid!

Hartman says there won't be

any more media interviews.

Good. Keep my stupid mouth shut.

I was able to arrange a lie detector

test for tomorrow morning.

All right. There's some good news.

The man that's gonna give the test...

...doubts they'll get

an accurate reading of the truth.

- Why?

- Tomorrow's the day of your execution.

You'll be stressed. The test

often mistakes stress for dishonesty.

No problem. I'm home free.

You been reading your Bible?

I tried to last night.

Makes me want to sleep.

I'm trying to stay conscious.

I appreciate you trying to save me...

...but me and God,

we got our thing squared away.

Jesus died on the cross for us.

And I hold He'll take care of me when

I appear before God on Judgment Day.

Matt, redemption isn't some

kind of free admission ticket...

...you get because

Jesus paid the price.

You gotta participate

in your own redemption.

You got some work to do.

I think maybe you should look

at John, chapter 8, where Jesus said:

"You shall know the truth...

...and the truth shall make you free."

I'll check it out. I like that.

"The truth shall make you free."

I like that.

So I pass that lie detector test,

I'm home free.

If you do die...

...I want to help you die

with dignity.

You can't do that...

...unless you own up to the part you

played in Walter and Hope's death.

- Hilton Barber, Bishop Norwich.

- Hello.

Pleasure, Bishop.

Here's the situation.

Governor Benedict is a reluctant

supporter of capital punishment.

He has the power to stop

this execution and save a life.

It's the last vestige

of the divine right of kings.

The trick is, we have

to appeal to him...

...on a personal level,

without any fanfare.

So I requested a private meeting.

You must understand. In representing

the State, I must carry out the laws...

...and must submerge

my own personal views...

...to carry out the will

of the people.

I'll look at this case.

But unless there's some clear,

striking evidence for innocence...

...I will not interfere

with the process.

We still got the court, Sister.

We might hit pay dirt

on one of the legal issues.

Helen.

Helen, come to dinner.

You're looking for a love

that's so big, it takes in all evil.

Annunciations are common.

Incarnations are rare.

You're not a saint, Helen.

Helen. Helen.

Oh, Mama.

Are you okay?

Oh, yes. I was just dreaming.

What time do you have to be there?

Did you set a clock?

Yeah.

Oh, it's so bizarre.

A man's gonna be killed

in front of me tomorrow.

Has he admitted anything?

Oh, no.

He's so full of hate,

he doesn't trust anybody. He just--

He keeps pushing me away.

You're in deep water, kid.

Do you remember

when you gave me a black eye?

I had a fever.

You were delirious,

hysterical, screaming.

You were trying to get up

and run into the street.

You socked me in the eye

and you said you hated me.

You screamed, but I held you.

I held you tight.

Because a mother's arms are strong...

...when her child's in danger.

I didn't sleep at all last night.

I didn't take that nerve medicine

they wanted to give me.

I'm looking death in the eyes.

I mean, I'm getting ready to go.

Listen, Matt, I want you to know

that I respect your need for privacy.

If you want to be alone or want

to be just with your family today...

...I won't be offended.

Be there, if it won't put you out.

I want somebody to talk to

and be there to the end.

I'll be there.

If only I knew I'd die right away

with the first shot.

I mean, will I feel it?

The lungs go first. Like a...

...fast choke.

That's gotta hurt.

They say that...

...the body doesn't move.

Doesn't shake.

My poor mama.

Any word from the 5th Circuit?

None yet. But that's a good sign.

Maybe that means they see

something substantive in the petition.

- Gotta go. I'll call later.

- Thanks, Hilton.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes