Water's Edge Page #4

I keep waiting for a story | to fall in my lap

and now I'm looking | at this big black bag of cash.

Kind of cuts out the middleman | with you and me, don't you think?

It's not ours to take, Robert.

It's not hers either. | Think about it, Molly.

Even an even split | could pull us out from under.

We need to get rid of it. I don't know | why you took it in the first place.

You don't know why I took it?

Jesus, there hasn't been a day since | Ashley died you haven't reminded me

that we are broke | and life isn't worth living anymore.

That's not fair.

No, I spent every penny we had | keeping her on life support.

- Don't say that. | - 'Cause you couldn't let go.

- They said that there was a chance-- | - There was no chance, Molly!

Jesus, you had it built up | in your head

that she was coming home. | She was never, ever coming home.

She was brain dead, Molly.

The machine was making her breathe, | and making her heart beat.

Do you think if there was a chance, | I wouldn't hack off my right arm?

I'd have done anything.

Anything.

She was my world too.

I don't think you believe that.

I can't do this anymore, Molly.

I don't have the strength | for both of us.

I just, I-- | I tried, but...

I don't know | what you want.

I want you. | I want to be a family again.

What do you want?

I want to stop fixing things.

I want to stop | taking responsibility

for everything that goes wrong | around me.

- I want my life back. | - Then let me help you.

- Yeah. | - Please?

You know what | will help me, Molly?

A big black bag.

A bit too hot for a campfire, | don't you think?

Is that one of your stories?

Yeah, I think it makes | a better campfire, though.

You've been hiding something | from me.

I found this under the couch.

Yeah.

My dad's secret love affair | with cut scotch.

I'm sure my mother would have preferred | another woman.

It's not like you can threaten | a bottle to leave your man alone.

My daddy drank. | He wasn't a sad drunk though,

he was more happy, | like me.

How about you?

Happy or sad?

Where's Molly?

Asleep.

So... let's have our talk.

I think it's best for us | not to think about morality,

- more so, justice. | - Justice?

In relation to what we got | going on in the shed?

That's what we're talking about here. | That's the issue.

You're talking pretty fancy. | I'll try to keep up.

Civil Court is between two people,

or two parties

who don't have to prove | beyond reasonable doubt

because they're not after blood. | What are they after?

- Money? | - Money.

You're just taking the long way | around the pond, huh?

In Civil Court you just need | a preponderance of evidence.

Less to prove, right?

It's easier to convict.

- Cigarette? | - Nah, I'm burning up already.

So in our situation...

I mean, it's not like we can depend | on the sovereign city of Reedsville

to punish the guilty | and protect the innocent.

One of their own already tried | to kill you. How can justice prevail?

( sighs )

You sure sound like you know | what you're talking about.

Well...

this is between | us and them, right?

This is a civil matter.

And since the guilty party has already | paid with his life, I mean...

I don't think you and I should hesitate | in seeking punitive damages

to the sum of 200,000--

I'm sorry. There's just a lot | of hot air blowing around.

It's wonderful in here. | You should come in too.

What about our talk?

Our talk? If I was even a part | of that conversation

I wouldn't have gotten | in a word edgewise.

We split it.

Not three ways, two.

For the last few days it's been about | you and me. Nobody else.

Agreed.

See what straight shooting | can accomplish?

You saved my life. | I'll agree to anything you want.

You want to take the money? | Take it.

If you want me...

No.

That's not gonna happen.

Looking in your eyes I can see | you've been without tenderness,

just like me.

Besides, you said we shouldn't | think about morality.

- I ca-- I can't... | - Just relax.

My head.

- No, I feel dizzy, I can't-- | - Just close your eyes.

You don't need | to see a thing.

No, no, no, | no, no, no.

I may be a little | old-fashioned

but we don't allow our ladies | to pump their gas around here.

Well, where were you | when I needed you?

Oh! A kiss from a pretty lady | so early in the day.

Is Robert with you?

I think he's out on a walk. | He must have gotten up before me.

Ah. Peculiar fellows, | these writers.

A little bit.

Say, would you mind | stopping by the library for a bit?

Ruth has a gift for you.

I think she feels bad | about not coming up to visit you.

- Oh, she doesn't have to do that. | - I know, but, you know,

she's an old woman, and once | she gets something in her mind,

it's her way | or there's hell to pay.

I understand.

Thank you.

Hey there.

I was knocking on your door | but I guess you weren't in.

- I was down by the lake. | - They biting?

I wasn't fishing.

I'm Abe Campbell.

You must be Robert Graves, | our writer-in-residence.

I was wondering if I could | have a talk with you.

Can we go inside?

- Yeah, okay. | - All right.

You live here | with your wife, right?

Molly. Right.

Where is she | at the moment?

She's in town | getting groceries.

I'm sorry I missed her.

Do you hunt?

Uh... a little bit | when I was a kid.

That's my dad's old shotgun.

Well, it's old but it's big | enough to drop a buck.

'Course most of our deer | have gone up north

because of the urban sprawl.

Price you pay | for progress, I suppose.

It's been a wicked season | if you're into killing.

I'm sorry, Mr. Graves, | I'm gonna have to ask you

to come into town with me.

Why is that?

Well, I'm kind of hoping | we can catch up with your wife.

See, there has been an incident | up the lake from here.

Something pretty bad.

My orders are to bring the two of you | in for questioning.

You're not the only ones | we've been talking to,

it's just you're | the last two on my list.

Well, you know, she should be home | any second now.

It's important, sir. | I'd appreciate your cooperation.

Anything to help.

Let me just grab | a clean shirt.

All right then.

All right. | You ready?

I'm ready.

Well, I thought whenever | you decided to move back east,

you might want something | to remember us by, so, here you go.

It's just a collection of pictures. | I thought you'd like 'em.

This is very thoughtful. | Thank you, Ruth.

Let me get that | recipe for you.

Ruth? This woman on the swing, | who is she?

If you mean | that black and white one...

that'd be Rae Butler. | She works over at the mayor's office.

on the thigh for my taste,

from across the lake,

husband of hers.

He sure does take a good picture, | don't you think?

- Her husband is a photographer? | - Oh, he's our black sheep,

always scamming | and stealing.

a job at the photo lab

like a duck to water.

finds their true calling in life,

even of they are | a little shifty.

Oh, I found it!

Molly?

- You want any of this? | - Uh, no thanks.

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