Eve's Bayou

1

Woman:
Memory is

a selection of images,

some elusive,

others printed indelibly

on the brain.

The summer I killed my father,

I was 10 years old.

My brother Poe

was nine,

and my sister Cisely

had just turned 14.

The town we lived in

was named after a slave.

It's said that when

General Jean Paul Batiste

was stricken with cholera,

his life was saved by the medicine

of a slave woman called Eve.

In return for his life,

he freed her and gave her

this piece of land by the bayou.

Perhaps in gratitude,

she bore him 16 children.

We are the descendants of

Eve and Jean Paul Batiste.

I was named for her.

(Cajun music playing)

He'd better grab it now

while it still fits in his hands.

From what I hear,

it ain't just him giving it.

Do tell.

Don't let nothing fall out,

or I might have to catch you.

Don't hurt yourself

with that thing.

Harry...

why do you always do that

when we're drunk?

Put down the camera,

darling.

My baby Mozelle thinks

pictures make her look fat.

Put down the damn camera.

Harry. Here's

your favorite niece.

Oh, there she goes.

Hold on, sweetness.

Hey, Red.

What you got for me, baby?

A kiss and a chocolate...

for a price.

Well...

what do I get for this?

Two kisses and all

the chocolates you can eat.

That's my baby.

Here you go, sweetie.

- Thank you.

- Eve?

Where did you get those

delicious-looking chocolates?

You told me

to help serve, Mama.

This tastes kind of good.

Crunchy.

Well, don't just stand here

and let Harry eat them all.

Mama:

There's my baby boy.

Are you having

a good time, honey?

Chocolates, Poe?

They're beans.

Chocolate-covered beans.

Eve Batiste!

"Tybalt, Mercutio,

the prince expressly hath forbidden

bandying in Verona streets."

Really, make yourselves useful.

Help me with the champagne.

- Vive les Batiste!

- Bonne chance et bonne sant.

Merde!

Oh, you in trouble now.

Look at Daddy.

You must be so proud.

Your son is the best colored

doctor in all of Louisiana.

Every goddamn woman

in the parish

thinks Louis's

the Second Coming.

I used to be able

to keep up with you.

You're just out of practice,

that's all.

Come on, baby doll,

let's show them how to dance.

Hey, can't

my daughter dance?

Louis:

Elle sait danser, eh?

Hey, Red. Red?

Do you want to dance?

No, thanks.

(squeaking)

- Woman:
I can't see a thing.

- Louis:
Just hold on to my hand.

(moans and kisses)

(clinking)

(Eve sobs)

Come here.

Shh...

Breathe, come on.

Breathe deeply.

Deep breaths.

Deep breaths.

That's right.

- That's right.

- (Eve sobs)

Sorry.

I was asleep.

It's okay, baby.

You scared us too.

You remember

Mrs. Mereaux?

Almost gave me

a heart attack.

Sorry I scared you,

Mrs. Mereaux.

Matty, would you mind going

inside and fixing me a drink

while I talk to my daughter?

Of course not.

Good night, Eve.

Good night, Mrs. Mereaux.

Would you like

to go outside?

- Hey, Willie.

- Bonsoir, Louis.

Daddy loves you so much.

I know.

I know you know.

Do you love Mama?

Your mama...

is the most beautiful...

perfect woman

I ever met.

Your mama's a lady.

And I'll always love her.

Always. Understand?

Daddy?

Yes, baby.

How come you never

dance with me?

How can you say your daddy

never dances with you?

When we're alone and stuff.

But not at parties.

You always dance with Cisely.

Tell you what.

From now on...

we'll dance at every party.

All right?

(Louis chuckles)

Mama:

There you are.

I was looking for you two.

Eve...

it is past midnight.

Your cohorts are

already in pajamas.

I was talking to Daddy.

Well, I guess

that's legal.

Hey, you.

Are you sober?

Yes, Ma'am.

Just barely.

Did you have fun tonight?

I bet you did.

Go say good night to Uncle Tommy

before I put him down.

- I have to?

- Yes, Ma'am.

Then, straight to bed. And don't

forget to say your prayers.

Never cheat

the man upstairs.

Good night, Mama.

Good night, Daddy.

Good night, baby.

Night night.

What's wrong with her?

Oh, she'll be all right.

- And what about you?

- What about me?

You sober?

Barely.

- You're coming in?

- In a minute.

Hey, Uncle Tommy,

I came to say good night.

Hi.

Hi.

Oui, une grande party.

Cocktails...

you didn't miss anything.

It was boring.

Boring...

Yeah...

well, good night.

Boring...

Hey.

Where were you?

- I looked all over.

- (Eve sniffles)

I was outside with Daddy. Then

I said good night to the croaker.

Before that.

I was in the carriage house.

You was in there a long time.

(Eve sobs)

I fell asleep.

What's wrong, rabbit?

What's the matter?

What?

- What is it?

- Nothing.

Hey, don't tell me

it's nothing. What's wrong?

I saw Daddy.

I was asleep

and I woke up...

and Daddy...

- What?

- Daddy and Mrs. Mereaux.

What about Daddy

and Mrs. Mereaux?

I saw them kissing.

Don't be stupid.

Daddy wouldn't touch that cow.

It's true, I saw them.

He had his hands on her.

It's true.

He was all up against her,

and her dress was...

- That's a lie!

- I saw them!

He was all up against her

and her dress was up

- and they were rubbing.

- Shh!

Stop it.

Just stop it.

I'm going to tell you

what happened.

- What?

- I can't see a thing.

Just hold on to my hand.

Cisely:
They came in to get

some more wine...

and Daddy told her a joke.

And she fell

against him laughing.

- And they woke you up.

- (glass clinking)

You sure?

I'm certain.

What would Daddy want

with Matty Mereaux?

Mama's the most beautiful

woman in the world.

Go to bed.

It's late.

You scared me.

Louis:
God damn it,

Harry, wait.

Harry:
I'm leaving, I'm driving,

I'm taking my damn wife...

- No, no, no.

- Mozelle.

You'll either let

Mozelle drive...

or you'll stay here tonight,

or I'll whip your ass.

Sh*t, get your hands off me.

I may be drunk,

but I'll whip your butt.

- Come on!

- Stop it, a**holes!

Now, what is your monkey ass

gonna do, huh?

Just because you're a doctor,

you think you know everything?

- You don't know everything.

- God damn it, Harry!

Cisely:

Daddy, Uncle Harry.

Stop it. It's late.

You want to raise the dead?

Go back to bed. You're not dressed

and it's bedtime.

Not till Daddy

comes in.

Toi, t'es un vrai

cochon parfois.

F*** you, doc,

I'm sick of your sh*t.

- Come here. Come on!

- Give me the damn keys!

Now get into the goddamn car

before I kill you.

(Louis laughs)

Mozelle:

Dis bonsoir, Harry.

- Good night.

- Good night, slugger.

Bonsoir, Mozelle.

- Nighty, Mozelle.

- Nighty, Mozelle. Night, Harry.

Good night, y'all.

Be good.

Good night, Red.

Good night, Cisely.

- F*** you, Doc.

- Shut the hell up.

What do I get for this?

Woman:
I don't know why

the Lord sees fit...

Good night, Red.

(phone rings in the distance)

Mama:
Mozelle, are you...

Oh, my God.

Louis, Louis, wake up!

Red:

God bless Uncle Harry...

May God bless

Uncle Maynard...

and Uncle Anderson.

(knock on door)

(whispering)

Aunt Mozelle, wake up.

What for?

You got clients coming.

Harry's voice:
Mozelle.

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