I Saw the Light Page #7

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Hank, how are you?

I'm all right, Mr. Schary.

I'm all right.

Well, take your hat off.

Sit down. Just relax.

How was the flight in?

Uh, it was all right.

A little bumpy over Wichita.

Yeah?

Yeah, always is.

Hank, I'm very sorry to hear about

you and Audrey having troubles,

I mean, you know.

The business, it's tough on marriage.

Well, marriage is tough on marriage.

- Yep.

- Yeah.

Yeah.

What do you say

we just cut to the chase?

All right.

I saw your press release

announcing our deals.

You fellas played it up nicely.

We were generally pleased

with the response.

Well, we're thinking of a part

for Hank in Small Town Girls,

with Farley Granger and Jane Powell.

My wife loves Jane Powell.

Perfect.

So does America.

Yeah.

And as we discussed, Fred,

it would be no more than four weeks' work.

Right.

And a salary of $4,500 a week.

That's quite a lot of money, isn't it?

Well, it's not as much cash

as I can make on the road.

Is it, Pappy?

Well, I'm sure between Fred and I,

we can come to an arrangement,

if we're all serious.

So, Hank, how tall are you?

About the same as my mother.

Six feet, six-one, thereabout.

Is that with or without the hat?

Because I don't think

I've ever seen you without it.

Well, me neither.

Would you mind?

I'd like to see, well,

your general look.

Your hair.

You do have hair, right?

Oh, yes, sir.

I got a whole drawer full of it.

I'm serious, Hank.

Me, too.

You know, I read something today.

It said I was a genius.

Why do you figure that makes me fearful?

Probably the load.

I miss them so much, Mama.

So damn much.

I know you do.

- I know.

- Ladies and gentlemen,

let me just give you the lowdown

on this next fella's...

But you are better off without her, son.

She was never worth a half of you.

I got a little boy I worry about, too.

...he's got a new song out there

that he wrote for us.

Ha.

Yes, sir.

I got a brand-new song,

ain't never been aired.

Ain't never been aired?

No, but it just might need it.

Doggone it, Hank!

All right, boys, let it roll.

Well, why don't you love me

like you used to do?

How come you treat me

like a worn-out shoe?

My hair's still curly and

my eyes are still blue

Why don't you love me like you used to do?

I ain't had no lovin'

like a-huggin' and a-kissin'

In a long, long while

We don't get nearer or further

Or closer than a country mile

Why don't you spark me like you used to do?

And say sweet nothings

like you used to coo

I'm the same old trouble

That you've always been through

Why don't you love me like you used to do?

Don Helms.

Burt Hale.

Well, why don't you be

just like you used to be?

How come you find so many faults with me?

Somebody's changed

so let me give you a clue

Why don't you love me like you used to do?

I ain't had no lovin'

Like a-huggin' and a-kissin'

in a long, long while

I just laughed it off.

I don't know.

Hey, girl.

You here with anybody?

Faron Young.

Boy guesting up in Shreveport?

That's him.

And that's him right over there behind you.

Hey, Faron.

Hank.

- Good to meet you.

- Good to meet you.

Billie?

You gonna marry this girl?

Well, are you?

Well, not likely.

She's far too good-looking for a wife.

Well, if you ain't gonna marry her,

ol' Hank just might.

- Is that right?

- That's right.

Oh, Son.

I hope I ain't causing you any pain.

Don't worry about it.

You're like an angel.

My two boys over there,

Alton and Sonny, big fans of yours.

Pregnant at 16.

So, Jeri Lynn there.

Married and pregnant, Mr. Jones.

Well, I'm not selling her short.

She is pretty tough.

Oh, I bet she is.

Nineteen years old,

what the hell do you know?

Yeah, I could barely tie my own shoes then.

Well, heck, I wasn't even wearin' them.

I like children a lot.

I got one of my own,

and my former wife had one, too.

Well, you're handsome,

talented and love kids.

How about that, Daddy?

- Hi.

- Hi.

- Hey, Ray.

- Hank.

Bobbie.

Hank.

You with him?

Nope.

You with him?

Bobbie, what are you doing here?

What do you think, Hank?

- Oh, that's nice.

- Thank you.

Billie, let me handle this, please.

Bobbie, we got to talk.

Talk?

Get her out of here.

Oh, I'm sorry, darling.

But who do you think you are?

Well, I was the woman he was gonna marry.

- Really? Lucky him.

- Billie.

Maybe you should have told some

of your other girls that, Hank.

- Bobbie.

- Well, you are right about that, honey.

Bobbie.

Billie. Billie!

Billie!

Billie, there isn't anybody else,

I swear to God!

She got it wrong about us, okay?

They get it that way sometimes.

"They"?

Boy, you're a real piece of work,

Hank Williams.

You know, I may just be a Bossier City kid,

but I got enough sense

to know you're trouble,

and you're gonna tear me up.

Billie.

Billie!

We're gonna have a big ol' time

at the Grand Ole Opry tonight!

That's right. We got quite a lineup.

We've got Bob Mayfield,

we've got Minnie Pearl,

and Hank Williams!

So, let's put our hands together.

Let's do a live and lively rousing welcome.

Hank?

Hank.

Hey, Jim.

Hank.

You want something? Cup of coffee?

No, thanks.

Where's Ray?

He moved out.

I don't want to know where you were

or why you weren't at the show.

- I'm sorry, J.D.

- I'm sure.

But sorry don't mean sh*t.

We're grown men.

Oh, I see.

Should I be taking notes on this lesson?

Opry's a brand

and you're pissing on it, Hank.

It means something to a lot of people.

Music, family.

Money?

You want to play the artist on me?

All right, then.

An artist like you,

a man who can make folks

forget their troubles,

you have an obligation.

You been working me pretty hard, J.D.

I mean, 100 out of 119 days on the road.

I don't really need any more obligations.

Nobody does.

I'm not trying to be disrespectful, Hank.

I'm not trying to put you down.

Don't you worry.

I gave up giving a sh*t

about what other people think

a long time ago.

All right, then.

Here's the deal.

August 9th in your regular Opry spot,

and August 10th

an Opry-sponsored show in Knoxville.

Sure, all right, okay.

I'm imploring you.

Don't let me down.

They'll get their money's worth, sir.

Okay.

Of course I mean, Cousin Minnie Pearl!

Howdy!

Jambalaya hit number one today,

you know that?

I had to do it, Red.

I had to let Hank go.

Hello?

Oh, hey, it's Hank.

Hey, Hank, it's Sonny.

Oh, hey, Sonny.

Uh, is your sister around?

No, I don't know where she is.

Hey, Sonny, help me out, will you?

Sure.

Thanks, man.

Hello.

Bobbie, it's me.

Hey, Hank.

Hey.

Listen, I was thinking,

why don't you pack a bag,

and I'll come by in about a half-hour?

Where are we going?

Uh, Lake Martin.

A lodge at Kowaliga Bay.

It belongs to a pal of mine.

What do you say?

Make it an hour.

Bobbie?

Oh, Bobbie.

You're drunker than ol' Hank.

Hank...

I'm not drunk.

- No?

- No.

I'm pregnant.

What?

What is it with me?

Every woman in my life has kids.

Every one of them.

Before I even got to them.

Man.

You're obviously very

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