Population 436 Page #3

a first impression.

Well, tell her she made one.

I understand.

It can be a little unsettling.

Please see yourself out.

[###]

STEVE:

It was strange, like she was

trying to get my attention.

CALCUTT:

Well, of course she was. I mean,

that poor girl, she's suffering

from schizophrenia, paranoia,

thinking everyone is out

to get her.

And that's why she's

in the hospital.

What? You mean, Dr. Greaver's?

Yeah.

All I saw on his wall were

"good doctor"

certificates from the town.

Where did he go to medical school?

He's a good doctor, Mr. Kady.

Greaver family's been taking

care of us for over 100 years.

The knowledge passed down

generations to generations,

much like it has across

the world for centuries.

If he didn't go to medical school,

it's against the law.

You know, around here,

the law is my business.

And before you judge, you should

know it's always worked for us.

Just because we do things

different than in the city,

it doesn't mean that it's wrong.

And those outside laws.

They don't apply to us.

We're better off for it.

And that's the way

it's always been.

Now, you two, you have

a good afternoon.

Steve-O, don't let this bother you.

It's not right, Bobby.

Lord knows what kind of

mistakes a guy like that

can make.

I don't care how long

his family's been practicing.

It's not the 1800s.

To some around here,

it still is.

Well, that's not good enough.

Come on, I know what will

take your mind off this stuff.

[GUNSHOT]

Well, this goes without saying,

but I'm gonna say it anyway.

Don't point it at your face.

This here is your aim.

Just step up,

take a good look,

and squeeze.

Don't pull the trigger.

Squeeze it.

[STEVE CLEARS THROAT]

Try it again,

but this time

aim for the bottles.

Whoa!

So you're

not married, huh?

I was.

She passed away.

I'm so sorry.

I bet she was amazing.

Yeah, she was.

That's how I feel about Courtney.

We were meant to be together.

I know it more

than I know anything.

But sometimes she looks

at me as that dopey kid

she grew up with.

Just makes it

hard sometimes,

you know, to ask her

to marry me.

Just be yourself, Bobby.

If it's meant to be,

it will be.

Thanks for listening.

You're a good friend.

You too.

What do you say

we go shooting again

tomorrow evening?

Sure thing.

Now that's the spirit

that beat the Germans.

And when we get back

to the Lovett's, check the barn.

I bet your ride's done.

[###]

[LIGHT BULB POPS]

What are you doing?

You look like you've seen

a ghost.

There was somebody

standing in here,

just staring.

You must be talking about Curly.

He takes walks like everyone else.

Just ends up in stranger places.

What's wrong with him?

He had the fever,

but he's one of

the lucky ones.

It passed, and thanks to Dr. Greaver,

he lost only a little spunk.

It looks like you have

a short here. I'm gonna fix

that for you, okay?

[###]

[WOOD CREAKING]

[GIRL SCREAMING]

[###]

DRESDEN:

Now let us repeat God's law.

CHILDREN:

Solidarity and steadfastness.

Solidarity and steadfastness.

We are the union of the divine.

We are the union of the divine.

And we shall cherish

equilibrium and peace.

And we shall cherish

equilibrium and peace.

Learn to love it here.

[###]

Maybe you can help me.

I'm a little lost.

I'm looking for Rockwell Falls.

Excuse me. Hello?

Sir. Hey, wait!

Hello, sir,

wait a minute. Please.

MAN:
There you go, fellas.

Take it easy,

don't work too hard.

Howdy! Mr. Kady. Edgar Smalls.

Well, what can I do for you?

Um, I need a new fuse

for Belma's barn.

Let's see what I got.

By the way,

that delivery guy that just left.

Yeah. Red?

Yeah, when I was outside town,

I asked to find Rockwell Falls.

And he didn't help me.

Strange fellow. Comes in a few

times a week, depending.

The delivery guys come

in and out and mind

their own business.

But that's how we like it.

Where are your manners,

Curly?

Can't you see we

have a new friend?

Say hello to Mr. Kady.

He's moved here

from Chicago.

Actually, I'm just passing through.

Oh, sure, my apologies.

[BABBLING]

We've already met, Curly.

You were in Belma's barn.

You remember?

He's not 100 percent, Mr. Kady.

He probably won't remember.

Hasn't been the same

since his brush

with the fever.

[BUZZING]

[###]

Run! Run!

Curly!

I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Kady.

He's never acted up like this.

I'm terribly, terribly sorry.

It's okay.

It's fine.

[COUGHING]

You all right, mister?

Yeah. Obie...

You know Amanda Jacobs?

I guess. As much as anybody.

Why is she at Dr. Greaver's?

Because she has the fever.

That's the only reason

anyone goes there.

Watch. She'll be different

when she gets out.

How will she be different?

She'll be happy.

What's the fever?

Obie, what's the fever?

I don't know.

But they all look the same

when they get it.

What do they look like?

Like you.

[###]

Never any crime, huh?

[###]

STEVE:

Hello, Amanda.

My name is Steve.

I saw you in the window.

I wanted to talk to you.

You talk to everybody,

don't you?

That's right. I work with

the Census Bureau.

Not anymore.

What do you mean?

They'll find you a new job.

And if you want to leave,

you're sick

and they'll save you,

just like they're trying

to save me.

They're watching you.

Who is? Who's watching?

Everyone.

Can't you see it?

Okay, Amanda.

Do you know what

happened to your father?

He tried to leave.

And they killed him?

They say God did.

What happened here?

I'm just gonna look,

okay?

Did Dr. Greaver

do this to you?

I'm scared.

I'm gonna get you out of here, okay?

Come on. Here we go.

AMANDA:
We should go back.

It's all right.

Help! Help, he's taking me. Help!

It's all right. Okay? Please.

Mr. Kady, let go of the child.

Sheriff, they're abusing her.

She's got marks on her face.

Mr. Kady, let go of the child.

She's been through enough,

and she's unstable.

You can see that for yourself.

Help me! Help me.

There, there, child. It's all right now.

Help me.

STEVE:

Sheriff, you can't let

this happen.

I'm not.

Take the child inside,

Mildred.

I have to speak with Mr. Kady.

[SOBBING]

Mr. Kady, Amanda Jacobs

may only be 12 years old,

but she has the fever.

What fever?

The only kind that matters.

Like I said before:

Talking crazy, thinking

everyone's out to get you.

And that our little town

isn't as perfect as it is.

GREAVER:
No one knows

exactly why it happens,

but it's easy to spot.

It's a look in the eye,

like an animal backed

into a corner.

Eventually they try to run,

but we try to stop them

before God does.

What are you talking about?

As long as we can remember,

Mr. Kady, God punishes

those that try to leave.

Are you saying

that everyone that wants

to leave Rockwell Falls

has this fever?

It's a sickness, Mr. Kady,

born from a lack of faith,

and my methods

are the only

successful means

to bring them back

into the population.

We have to try to help.

That's insane.

CALCUTT:
What's insane is why anyone

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