Population 436 Page #2

Thank you.

You know, it could use

a little more garlic.

[###]

Good morning, Mr. Kady.

Morning.

Careful, Mr. Kady!

Morning, Mr. Kady.

[###]

Wow, that's the low-cal special?

[CHUCKLING]

What's the fuss?

Ruby Flynn was picked

last night to be festival host.

It's, like, the biggest honor

anyone can have.

You ever been chosen?

No.

Someday maybe,

but hopefully I won't be around.

What's Chicago like, Steve?

You've never been?

No. I've never been anywhere.

The weather's rough.

The four seasons are

winter, winter, winter

and the Fourth of July.

But when the snow is blowing

horizontally

across the Michigan Avenue Bridge,

you can slip into these little bars,

Courtney?

Hear the most amazing jazz...

I'm really sorry.

I have to get back to work.

[###]

How's it going, Mr. Kady?

All right.

You know, my office

thought there was an error.

I still have a lot to go,

but the first two list

the population at exactly 436.

Does that sound right

to you?

Everything tends to stay

the same around here.

Like Pythagoras said,

"Numbers rule the universe."

I ran into Belma.

She told me what

you said at dinner.

And I thought it was pretty.

Uh, Harmony.

One more question.

In this final survey I have

the Hillenbock family of four.

Do you know where they live?

That poor family.

They fell ill,

but they're doing

much better now.

Oh. That's great.

Do you know where I can find them?

You'll have to ask the mayor.

So you don't know?

A family can't go missing

in a town this size, can it?

You'll have to ask

the mayor.

I'll have to ask the mayor.

Ah...

Ah...

Wonderful.

Why won't anyone give me

a straight answer?

Well, where they're staying

really isn't fit for a family.

And knowing Mac,

he wouldn't take kindly

to visitors. Matter of pride.

You understand that,

don't you?

You understand, mayor,

I'm gonna have to

interview these people.

Well, you can interview

them after the festival.

Very sweet people.

And the missus,

she makes the best blueberry

muffins this side

of the Mississippi.

Relax, Mr. Kady.

Have some apple pie.

You have plenty

of time for working.

People, you'd think

this was the first festival

we ever had.

[###]

CAINE:

So, how'd it go today?

STEVE:

Good. Yeah, everyone was

really friendly.

CAINE:

You know what they say.

Welcome all newcomers as family

and they become family.

They don't say that in Chicago.

[###]

[CROWD SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

[###]

To Steve-O.

Our new friend.

And to Rockwell Falls.

The most perfect place

on earth.

ALL:

All right.

Aames and his brother Kip

make this fine whiskey

themselves.

Smooth.

[STEVE CLEARING THROAT]

Attaboy.

[###]

I'll get rid of them boils.

[###]

[GASPS]

GREAVER:

We're gonna help you through this,

Amanda.

No. I just had a bad dream.

That's how the fever always starts.

You're coming face to face

with your own death.

Our treatment is the only way

No! No, please! Stop it!

To keep you from getting worse.

No! Please, no!

What was that?

This old town's got

some electrical problems.

Don't worry about it.

Just something

we live with.

[###]

SYDE:
Out of the way, deputy.

I can't do that.

What's on your mind, Farmer?

We were fine, just fine,

until he came along.

Come on, now.

We welcome all newcomers

like family, remember?

It's the prophecy.

Don't take another step.

I'll kill you. I swear.

You're not gonna do that.

Hand me the gun.

Go on home.

I'll hold on to this for you.

I thought there wasn't ever

any crime in Rockwell Falls.

He wasn't gonna shoot.

His wife's sick and

he's temporarily lost

his senses.

Besides, he's a lousy shot.

Well, he didn't have to be great.

He was 10 feet away.

What was all that about anyway?

What prophecy?

Just some local superstition.

Trust me, Steve,

he wasn't gonna shoot.

There's never been a murder

in Rockwell Falls. Never.

Well, statistically speaking,

you're due.

[WHIRRING]

[###]

I'm 51, born here like most,

never married and no children.

That is about it.

Ever skinned an apple, Mr. Kady?

No, I can't say that I have.

Take this and, gently,

with your thumb

near the blade,

in a circular motion...

I have a listing for your neighbor,

Ray Jacobs, and his

daughter Amanda.

Do you know where I can reach them?

Oh, dear.

I'm afraid Ray

is not coming back.

He passed away a couple

of days ago.

Terrible car accident.

Was his daughter in the accident?

No, thank the Lord.

But that doesn't mean

she isn't hurting.

Though the good doctor

is doing everything he can.

Well, it's not quite

as good as yours but...

Very nice.

All right.

Please, take one

for the road.

Oh, thank you very much.

And thanks for your cooperation.

If everyone's as quick

as you, I'll be out of here

in a couple days.

Oh, I doubt it, Mr. Kady.

Have a nice day.

[###]

CHILDREN:

Solidarity and steadfastness.

We are the union of the divine,

and we shall cherish

equilibrium and peace.

WOMAN:

Very good. And who would like

to lead us in the holy words

as they were passed down?

[###]

[SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGU AGE]

[###]

Easy, Steve-O, it's just me.

I didn't mean to scare you.

Just came to give you

the good news.

Farmer's wife is fine.

She just had some spoiled milk

and he wanted me to pass

on his apologies.

Well, that's good news. Thanks.

So where you headed?

Oh, the Greaver residence.

I'll give you a ride.

Oh, no. Ms. Dresden was

just teaching the kids

a little local history

as it was laid down

by Seymour Grateman.

Well, it's no wonder people

grow up with crazy thoughts

around here.

Easy, Steve-O. I was raised

the same way and it

didn't screw me up, did it?

It's a little early to tell.

Dr. Greaver?

Inside.

Thank you.

Mr. Kady, of course.

Nice to meet you.

Please come in.

Ernie, she'll be right with you.

ERNIE:
Thank you.

Now, just give me a moment.

You rest easy, Betsy.

Call me if you need anything.

Thank you, doctor.

[###]

There.

What happened to her?

Oh, doctor-patient privilege,

Mr. Kady.

I'm sure you understand.

Please follow me.

My name is Dr. Harold

James Greaver.

I'm 64 years old.

Married to Mildred, my wife,

who acts also as

my nurse. She's 63.

And Amanda Jacobs,

is she here? I heard you've

been treating her.

Yeah, well, technically she doesn't

live here, but, yes, she is under

our care as a patient.

Her mother died years ago.

After her father died recently

she started to exhibit

symptoms of schizophrenia,

paranoia and depression.

An emotional fever

of sorts.

[PHONE RINGING]

Excuse me. Hello?

I'll be right over.

My apologies, Mr. Kady.

I have urgent business

to attend to.

If you need more from me,

well, my wife will be happy

to arrange an appointment.

She'll be down in a moment.

Thank you.

[###]

[AMANDA SCREAMING]

AMANDA:

Help me. Help! Help me!

[###]

I assure you, Mr. Kady,

she's perfectly fine.

She knows you're here.

And she did it because

she likes to make

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