The Legend of Bagger Vance Page #7

---

...it wasn't as unbearable...

...as a woman waiting|with no end in sight...

...wondering if she's remembered|or forgotten by the man she loves.

You never even said you were sorry.

Now I'm supposed to run into your arms|and melt like butter on a hot muffin?

I'm sorry, Adele. I am truly sorry.

It's too late for "I'm sorry", Junuh!

Then tell me what to say.|It was too long ago.

No, it wasn't.

It was just a moment ago.

Did something happen since|we talked last night?

No.

Not that I can think of.

Well, this is barely the place|to talk about it.

You've got to go back to your game.

This town's gonna give you|the biggest parade you've ever seen!

Junuh was playing|a fierce fourth round.

A wild thought began to percolate:

Junuh could win.

To the clouds, Junie!

- I think the driver.|- Give us a smile!

He smiled!

Got water on the left, why not put|your spoon out there and play smart?

I'm gonna hug the left, get there|in two and close the door on them.

Hold on, we've got four more holes|to go. You can settle down a bit.

I've never been more settled.|An eagle and this thing is over.

That's 300 yards if it's an inch.

Longest drive of the day, Mr. Junuh.

I'm getting there in two.

Two-twenty-five, into the wind,|out the bunker.

Jeez, the lifts too high.|So much for an eagle.

Says who? Where's that|driving iron, Bagger?

There's a time to hit that shot and|there's a time to leave it in the bag.

Which one of them times|you feel this is?

Tell him. Tell him it's a mashie...

...so he can have one easy shot...|- That's amazing.

Man's gonna go for the green|with that clinky thing?

- He's got the guts of a Greek god.|- I don't care if he's son of Zeus...

...that ball won't clear the water.

I hope you're all paying customers.

- Junuh...|- Hush yourself, Hardy.

If at first you don't succeed...

Which would make your spot...

...right here, Junuh.

Give it to him, move.

When Junuh dropped that ball...

... it was as if every heart|in Savannah dropped with it.

None landing harder than his own.

You gonna be wanting|a different club, Junuh?

I can't do this.

Just loose your grip up a smidge.

- A man's grip is like a...|- That's not what I'm talking about.

- I know.|- No, you don't.

What I'm talking about is a game...

...a game that can't be won...

...only played.|- You don't understand.

I don't need to understand.

Ain't a soul who ain't got a burden|to carry he don't understand.

You ain't alone in that.

But you've been carrying|this one long enough.

Time to go on, lay it down.

I don't know how.

You got a choice.

You can stop...

...or you could start.|- Start?

- Walking.|- Where?

Back to where you've been|and then stand there.

Still.

Real still, and remember.

- It was too long ago.|- No, sir, it was just a moment ago.

Time to come on out|the shadows, Junuh.

Time for you to choose.

- I can't.|- You can.

You ain't alone.

I'm right here with you.

I've been here all along.

Now play the game.

Your game. The one that only you|was meant to play.

The one given to you|when you was born.

You ready?

Come on, take your stance.

Strike that ball, Junuh.|Don't hold nothing back.

Now's the time.

Let yourself remember.

Remember your swing.

That's right, Junuh.|Settle yourself, that's good.

Now is the time, Junuh.

Let's go, Hardy.

Hey, Bagger.

- You are one hell of a caddy.|- I do the best with what I got.

We ain't done yet.

By the 17th,|Junuh got his swing back.

You have the right to call the game|on account of darkness.

That crowd will string us up|by our thumbs if we do.

All right! Play will continue!

This is when I need pals|in the mermaids' union.

Cars! Get your cars, boys!

I want every car on this property|lined up with lights blazing!

I don't care if you're kitchen help|or Savannah police, get your car!

Does he have a shot?

Then Hagen came back from the dead.

You got a smoke?

Tell Spec to hold the flag|in case I make it.

I want a three iron.

Get my shoes, will you?

- What's going on?|- Hagen wants Spec to hold the flag.

I'm gonna miss playing Walter.

Don't hold nothing back.

The ball moved.

No.

It moved.

I have to call a stroke on myself.

No!

No, don't do it! Please don't do it.

Only you and me seen it,|and I won't tell a soul. I promise.

Nobody will know.

I will, Hardy.

So will you.

You've got to tell him not to do it.

It's a stupid rule|that don't mean nothing.

That's a choice for Mr. Junuh.

No one wanted the penalty assessed,|not even Jones and Hagen.

This was no way to win a match.

Maybe you're mistaken, Junuh.

It moved before you touched|the impediment.

Might not have moved at all.|The light plays tricks.

"A ball is deemed to have moved if it|leaves its original position...

...but not if it merely oscillates|and returns to its original position."

Is she different?

Can you be certain?

Sometimes a ball will shudder|and then settle back again, Junuh.

The ball was here,|and it rolled to here.

Hit it quick,|before you have time to think.

You're leaving.

Yes, sir. Yes, I am.

I need you.

No.

No, you don't.

Not no more.

There is a small matter,|around about $5.

It was guaranteed.

Yes, it was.

You won't need these shoes back now|that I broke them in to my foot.

Thank you, sir.

This man is yours, Hardy.

Take him on in.

You want me...

...to take over for you?

You leaving me?

Only for a little while.

You pick up Mr. Junuh's bag.

You tote it real straight.

But what if something comes up...

...and I don't know what to do?

I got a feeling you'll figure it out.

I'll be seeing you.

Wait. What's going on?

You can't leave him now, he needs you.|You're the only chance he's got.

You go, and you'll never caddy|in Georgia again!

You hear?!

Where's Junuh lie?

Two and a penalty. This is three.

I can't hit it any better than that.

Judging from the sound, I think|I knocked your ball in the cup.

Interesting match.

I always thought so.

Out of the way. Step back.

Hagen and Jones both lay two,|a shot ahead of Junuh.

If either of them sank their putts,|Junuh would lose.

What do you think, Hardy?

The night air's gotten colder.

My guess is it's put a layer of dew|on the warmer grass...

...which will slow your ball down.

Why don't you go stand|with your father?

- Are you sure?|- Go ahead.

Go on.

That is one tough shot.

Make it.

Rannulph Junuh of Savannah, Georgia,|has tied Mr. Jones and Mr. Hagen...

...in the greatest golf match|the world has ever seen!

That was the last match in competition|Bobby Jones ever played.

From that time on, Walter Hagen|played only exhibition matches.

As for Captain Rannulph Junuh|and Adele Invergordon...

... they did have that dance.

And me?

Seems like yesterday I used to see|old guys like me...

... and wonder why they still bothered|with this crazy game.

But it doesn't matter.

As Bagger once said, "It's a game|that can't be won, only played."

And so I play.

I play on.

I play for the moments yet to come...

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes