Honkytonk Man Page #5

Besides, you need the sleep

more than I do.

I ain't gonna argue with you.

Sorry to bother you,

but I have to go pee. Is he...

Sleeping.

You all right in there?

It's a sore trial, I can tell you...

but if that's what it takes to be with him,

it's not for me to complain.

With him? I thought you were just trying

to get to Nashville.

Yes, my heart is set on Nashville.

That's where I wanted to go even

before I met him. Now I have to go.

See, it's just this feeling I have...

that somehow our destinies

will be intertwined...

his and mine, like vines.

Vines?

I don't expect you'd understand

what I mean. It's just that...

when I saw him, something happened,

and I knew.

Look, if I was you, I wouldn't mention

anything about that...

"intertwined destinies" stuff to Uncle Red.

It wouldn't make your chances

of getting to Nashville any better.

Thank you.

I sure do appreciate

what you're doing for me.

What's your name?

Uncle Red calls me Hoss.

Do you mind very much

if I call you Hoss, too?

I'm Marlene. Marlene Moonglow.

Well, it's not my real name.

Real name's Mooney,

but Marlene Mooney...

It's just too plain for a singing star,

don't you think?

But, Moonglow...

Marlene Moonglow. Don't you think

that's a wonderful stage name?

I think you'd better get back in the car.

You've gotta get back inside.

What's that sound?

It's the rear end.

We're gonna have to stop in Fayetteville,

and get a mechanic to check on it.

Oh, God.

Just pull over here and stop, Hoss.

Don't worry about a thing.

- I'll take care of everything.

- That's what I was afraid of.

Howdy.

Against the law to drive with

one headlight. Let's see your license.

It's against the law

to drive without a license.

This here's my nephew.

I'm teaching him how to drive.

This is his grandpa, Mr. Wagoner.

I'm Red Stovall.

We're headed down to Nashville...

You got a license?

Well, Officer, I lost my wallet

about three days ago...

- and my license was in it.

- You own this car?

- I sure do.

- Let me see your registration.

There you go again.

When I lost that wallet,

I lost just about everything else in it.

It's against the law

to drive without a registration slip.

I'll get it fixed up

when we get to Nashville...

where I'm supposed to appear

on the Grand Ole Opry.

You a musician?

I play guitar and sing some.

Maybe you heard of me? Red Stovall?

I used to appear on the Louisiana Hayride

down out of Shreveport.

- Where's your guitar?

- Right here in back.

Got it right back here.

Beautiful brand new Gibson.

I put her there!

She wanted to go to Nashville with us...

and Uncle Red wouldn't let her.

- She's my sister.

- What are you doing in there, girl?

- I put her there. She's my sister.

- I didn't ask you, boy.

Well, it's just like he says, sir.

Uncle Red there,

he won't take me to Nashville...

Get out of there.

It's against the law to ride in a trunk.

I don't suppose you got any ID either?

Idee? Idee about what?

Look, Officer, these little devils

did play a trick on me.

But it's something we can settle

among ourselves.

I have to take you in.

Please, Officer! Please

don't take us to jail!

- I'm begging you. I'll just do anything...

- Shut up!

Have to take in all out-of-state cars.

Out-of-state cars never come back

to pay their fines.

If it's the money you're worried about,

I could give you the money.

You trying to bribe me?

No. You could tell me how much

the judge charges in these matters...

and I give you the money, and you give it

to the judge. How's that sound?

$10.

If I was you, I'd get another headlight

before dark.

I'll get that done as

soon as we get down to Westville.

I'd rather you didn't do it

in Adair County, okay?

You let your uncle drive, boy.

You ain't old enough to be driving.

Well, I'm waiting.

Uncle Red, keep your eyes on the road.

- Can't you drive no better than that?

- I ain't had a lot of practice lately.

Let the boy drive.

Well? I'm still waiting.

She was hiding behind the seat

when we left Arnspringer's...

and we couldn't just send her

back to Arnspringer, could we?

I mean, after all,

she didn't go to the cops when we...

How old are you, girl?

- Eighteen.

- You're a liar.

- Seventeen, almost eighteen.

- You're still probably lying.

Probably 16.

What's a girl like you gonna do

in Nashville?

You got any money or friends?

What are you gonna do,

live on the streets?

The Lord will provide.

He better provide you a way

of getting there, too.

The next town we come to

with a bus stop, you're getting on it.

I'll give you enough money to get to Tulsa,

but that's it.

Mr. Stovall, please don't send me back!

I won't be any trouble. Honest, I won't.

- No.

- Please!

Please, I beg you!

Please don't send me back!

Stop that begging crap now, or I'll

kick your ass right out of this car!

Gasket's gone.

Won't go much further like this.

It's leaking oil.

How long would it take to fix it?

Two or three days. I have to

send to Little Rock for the parts.

Think it'll make it into Memphis

the way it is?

It might. It might not.

Let's chance it.

I don't think I wanna spend two days

in this town.

I'd rather be in Philadelphia.

- Are you gonna eat this?

- Put it down.

Mr. Stovall...

I wish there was something I could do

to make you like me a little.

If you only knew.

If only you'd let me...

Let you what?

Do something.

Sing.

Well, sing! That's it!

If you'd only let me sing...

maybe you'd want me

to go to Nashville with you.

Sing? Here?

Sure! I'd be glad to!

I'd be more than glad!

All right. Sing, then.

You really want to hear me?

Well, would it be okay for me

to borrow your guitar?

Hoss, give her the guitar.

Thank you, Mr. Stovall.

You won't regret this.

Some folks said I'm gonna be

great someday.

That's what Madame Zora said.

- Madame who?

- She was a clairvoyant.

Just a minute.

Get right up on this log.

We gotta have a stage for you...

and give Miss Moonbeam here

every professional advantage.

- It's Moonglow.

- Whatever.

Well, the first song I'd like to sing...

is My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean.

Give me that damn guitar!

What's the matter? You didn't like it?

Maybe in an amateur contest

with a braying jackass...

you might stand a chance.

You'd better give up the idea

of ever being a singer.

I do Red River Valley a lot better.

Uncle Red, I don't think we can risk

going any further.

Good God. So this is where

it gives out on us!

Noxpater!

- How long to get it fixed?

- Two days.

I have to send to Little Rock

to get the parts.

Take one day to get them.

Fix it in another day.

Two days.

Is there a bus that goes through here

to Memphis?

Sholy. Ozark Stage.

Leaves from right here at 6:00 sharp.

- What the hell's "rat-chere"?

- Right here!

If you fellows don't mind,

I think I'll just go on by bus.

No sense in me sitting around here

for two days.

If I take the bus,

I could be in Murfreesboro...

before you get the car fixed.

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