Nothing But a Man Page #9

UNDERTAKER:

And his age?

DUFF:

I don't know. Forty-eight, I guess.

UNDERTAKER:

Any other family?

DUFF:

No. Just me.

(he includes Lee)

Me an' her.

UNDERTAKER:

Well, I guess that's all till tomorrow.

DUFF:

Okay, thanks very much.

URBAN CEMETERY, BIRMINGHAM

The mechanical arm of a backhoe opens up a new grave.

Duff and Lee walk away from the burial site. The camera moves with them.

LEE:

What're you going to do?

Duff says nothing.

LEE:

Want to come up the house? You can stay there

till you get on your feet. There's no point

paying a hotel.

DUFF:

No thanks, Lee.

LEE:

It's just that I hate empty rooms.

DUFF:

Sure.

LEE:

Well, what're you going to do?

DUFF:

I guess I'll make me some trouble in that town.

LEE:

Going back, huh?

DUFF:

That's right.

LEE:

They'll run you out.

DUFF:

No, they won't.

LEE:

How 'you gonna live?

DUFF:

I can always chop cotton if I have to.

(he stops)

If you want a ride, I'll take you home.

LEE:

No, thanks. I'll take the bus.

DUFF:

Okay.

LEE:

Don't be too hard on him.

DUFF:

Hell, I'm just like him.

LEE:

I know he wasn't much of a father.

DUFF:

Who is?!

LEE:

Good-bye, Duff.

She walks away.

BIRMINGHAM ALLEYWAY (Night)

From the interior of Duff's car we see Duff come out of Effie Simms' house,

carrying James Lee through the rain. He deposits the scared-looking boy in the

front seat and gets in on the driver's side. James Lee shrinks as far away

from Duff as the seat allows.

DUFF:

(with a kindly grin)

That window's broke, boy. You stay over there,

you're gonna get awful wet.

INT. MOVING CAR (Dawn)

The sun is coming up through the trees. James Lee is asleep on the front seat.

DUFF AND JOSIE'S LIVING ROOM

Duff brings in the sleeping boy and puts him down on the sofa. Then he leaves

to get his belongings.

Josie has woken up and comes in from the bedroom in her nightgown. She sees

James Lee and leans over him.

JOSIE:

(softly)

Hi.

James Lee opens his eyes.

Josie hears Duff enter and turns to him. They come together and hold each

other for a long moment.

DUFF:

Ain't gonna be easy, baby - but it's gonna be

all right.

Josie is weeping.

DUFF:

Baby I feel so free inside.

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