LONG AGO, WHEN I WAS A YOUNG MAN
MY FATHER SAID TO ME
"NORMAN, YOU LIKE TO WRITE STORIES."
AND I SAID, "YES, I DO."
THEN HE SAID, "SOMEDAY, WHEN YOU'RE READY
"YOU MIGHT TELL OUR FAMILY STORY.
ONLY THEN WILL YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED AND WHY."
IN OUR FAMILY
THERE WAS NO CLEAR LINE
BETWEEN RELIGION AND FLY-FISHING.
WE LIVED AT THE JUNCTION OF GREAT TROUT RIVERS
IN MISSOULA, MONTANA
WHERE INDIANS STILL APPEARED OUT OF THE WILDERNESS
TO WALK THE HONKY-TONKS AND BROTHELS OF FRONT STREET.
MY FATHER WAS A PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER
AND A FLY FISHERMAN.
AND THOUGH IT WAS TRUE THAT ONE DAY A WEEK
WAS GIVEN OVER WHOLLY TO RELIGION
EVEN THEN, HE TOLD US
ABOUT CHRIST'S DISCIPLES BEING FISHERMEN.
AND WE WERE LEFT TO ASSUME
AS MY YOUNGER BROTHER PAUL AND I DID
THAT ALL FIRST-CLASS FISHERMEN ON THE SEA OF GALILEE
WERE FLY FISHERMEN
AND THAT JOHN, THE FAVORITE
WAS A DRY-FLY FISHERMAN.
THE POOR WITHOUT CHRIST
ARE OF ALL MEN THE MOST MISERABLE.
BUT THE POOR WITH CHRIST
ARE PRINCES AND KINGS OF THE EARTH.
IN THE AFTERNOON WE WOULD WALK WITH HIM
WHILE HE UNWOUND BETWEEN SERVICES.
HE ALMOST ALWAYS CHOSE A PATH ALONG THE BIG BLACKFOOT
WHICH WE CONSIDERED OUR FAMILY RIVER.
AND IT WAS THERE HE FELT HIS SOUL RESTORED
AND HIS IMAGINATION STIRRED.
LONG AGO RAIN FELL ON MUD AND BECAME ROCK
HALF A BILLION YEARS AGO.
BUT EVEN BEFORE THAT, BENEATH THE ROCKS...
ARE THE WORDS OF GOD.
LISTEN.
AND IF PAUL AND I LISTENED VERY CAREFULLY ALL OUR LIVES
WE MIGHT HEAR THOSE WORDS.
EVEN SO, PAUL AND I
PROBABLY RECEIVED AS MANY HOURS OF INSTRUCTION IN FLY-FISHING
AS WE DID IN ALL OTHER SPIRITUAL MATTERS.
AS A PRESBYTERIAN, MY FATHER BELIEVED
THAT MAN BY NATURE WAS A DAMNED MESS
AND THAT ONLY BY PICKING UP GOD'S RHYTHMS
WERE WE ABLE TO REGAIN POWER AND BEAUTY.
TEN...
TO HIM, ALL GOOD THINGS--
TROUT AS WELL AS ETERNAL SALVATION--
COME BY GRACE
AND GRACE COMES BY ART
AND ART DOES NOT COME EASY.
NORMAN.
SO MY BROTHER AND I LEARNED TO CAST PRESBYTERIAN STYLE--
ON A METRONOME.
HE BEGAN EACH SESSION WITH THE SAME INSTRUCTION:
CASTING IS AN ART
THAT IS PERFORMED ON A FOUR-COUNT RHYTHM
BETWEEN 10:00 AND 2:00.
IF HE HAD HAD HIS WAY
NOBODY WHO DID NOT KNOW HOW TO CATCH A FISH
WOULD BE ALLOWED TO DISGRACE A FISH
BY CATCHING IT.
SO IT WAS WITH MY FORMAL EDUCATION AS WELL.
EACH WEEKDAY, WHILE MY FATHER WORKED ON HIS SUNDAY SERMON
I ATTENDED THE SCHOOL OF THE REVEREND MACLEAN.
HE TAUGHT NOTHING BUT READING AND WRITING
AND, BEING A SCOT
BELIEVED THAT THE ART OF WRITING LAY IN THRIFT.
HALF AS LONG.
SO WHILE MY FRIENDS
SPENT THEIR DAYS AT MISSOULA ELEMENTARY
I STAYED HOME AND LEARNED TO WRITE THE AMERICAN LANGUAGE.
AGAIN... HALF AS LONG.
GOOD.
NOW THROW IT AWAY.
NORMAN! NORMAN!
WAIT FOR YOUR BROTHER.
HOWEVER, THERE WAS A BALANCE TO MY FATHER'S SYSTEM.
EVERY AFTERNOON I WAS SET FREE
UNTUTORED AND UNTOUCHED TILL SUPPER
TO LEARN ON MY OWN THE NATURAL SIDE OF GOD'S ORDER.
AND THERE COULD BE NO BETTER PLACE TO LEARN
THAN THE MONTANA OF MY YOUTH.
IT WAS A WORLD WITH DEW STILL ON IT
MORE TOUCHED BY WONDER AND POSSIBILITY
THAN ANY I HAVE SINCE KNOWN.
(horn honking)
GODDAMN IT, OPEN UP THE DOOR!
(boys giggle)
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?
WHERE ARE YOU GUYS GOING?
CHICKENS!
(ragtime music playing)
COME ON, MOVE OUT OF THE WAY.
(women hooting)
(women laughing and shouting)
(men grunting)
BUT IT WAS A TOUGH WORLD TOO.
EVEN AS CHILDREN, WE UNDERSTOOD THAT
AND ADMIRED IT.
AND OF COURSE, WE HAD TO TEST IT.
I KNEW I WAS TOUGH
BECAUSE I HAD BEEN BLOODIED IN BATTLE.
GET HIM, GET HIM!
DON'T BE A SISSY.
COME ON.
YEAH, COME ON.
LET'S SEE SOME BLOOD HERE.
LOTS OF BLOOD.
PAUL WAS DIFFERENT.
HIS TOUGHNESS CAME
FROM SOME SECRET PLACE INSIDE OF HIM.
HE SIMPLY KNEW HE WAS TOUGHER THAN ANYONE ALIVE.
Reverend Maclean: GRACE WILL NOT BE SET UNTIL THAT BOWL IS CLEAN.
MAN HAS BEEN EATING GOD'S OATS FOR A THOUSAND YEARS.
IT'S NOT THE PLACE OF AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD BOY
TO CHANGE THAT TRADITION.
(clears throat)
GRACE.
OH, GOD
GOD RICH IN FORGIVENESS
GRANT THAT WE MAY HOLD FAST
THE GOOD THINGS WE RECEIVE FROM THEE.
AND AS OFTEN AS WE'VE FALLEN TO SIN
BE LIFTED BY REPENTANCE THROUGH THY GRACE.
AMEN.
NORM, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
A MINISTER, I GUESS.
OR A PROFESSIONAL BOXER.
YOU THINK YOU COULD BEAT JACK JOHNSON?
I DON'T KNOW.
I THINK YOU COULD.
I'D LAY A BET ON IT.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BE?
A PROFESSIONAL FLY FISHERMAN.
THERE'S NO SUCH THING.
THERE ISN'T?
NO.
HMM.
I GUESS... A BOXER.
NOT A MINISTER?
(laughs)
IN 1917, WORLD WAR I CAME TO MISSOULA
TAKING WITH IT EVERY ABLE-BODIED LUMBERJACK
LEAVING THE WOODS TO OLD MEN AND BOYS.
SO AT 16 I DID MY DUTY
AND STARTED WORKING FOR THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE.
IT WAS A LIFE OF TIMBER AND TOIL
WITH MEN AS TOUGH AS THEIR AXE HANDLES
AND MORE MOUNTAINS IN ALL DIRECTIONS
THAN I WOULD EVER SEE AGAIN.
BEING TOO YOUNG TO JOIN ME
PAUL TOOK A JOB AS LIFEGUARD AT THE MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL
SO THAT DURING THE DAY HE COULD LOOK OVER THE GIRLS
AND IN THE EVENINGS
HE COULD PURSUE HIS OTHER PURPOSE IN LIFE-- FISHING.
?? BE THOU MY VISION ??
?? OH, LORD OF MY HEART ??
?? NAUGHT BE ALL ELSE TO ME SAVE THAT THOU ART ??
?? THOU MIGHT PRESS ON ??
?? BY DAY OR BY NIGHT ??
?? WAKING OR SLEEPING ??
? ?? THY PRESENCE, MY LIGHT. ?
WHOO!
(boys laughing)
(whistles)
PREACHER, COME ON.
SHUT UP.
(laughing)
DID I EVER TELL YOU GUYS
WHAT A FOREST FIRE SOUNDS LIKE
COMING DOWN A MOUNTAIN AT 60 MILES...
SHUT UP.
DAMN IT, THE FOREST FIRE.
I'VE GOT A GREAT IDEA.
I KNOW HOW WE CAN GO DOWN IN HISTORY.
HOW'S THAT?
WE BORROW OLD MAN SEIFERT'S ROWBOAT
AND WE SHOOT THE CHUTES.
YOU CAN'T SHOOT THE CHUTES, PAULY.
YOU CAN TRY.
YOU CAN DIE TRYING.
THEY'D BURY YOU WITH FULL HONORS.
TELL THEM, NORM.
WE WOULD BE THE KINGS OF MISSOULA.
Paul: YEAH, KINGS.
YOU WOULD GET YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS
IN THE PAPER.
I'M DOING IT.
I AM.
YOU'LL DIE.
NO.
LET'S DO IT.
COME ON.
I'M WITH YOU.
LET'S GO.
WHAT?
ALL RIGHT.
YEAH!
WHOO!
?? ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT, GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM... ??
LET'S GO.
I'LL GET THE OARS.
WHOSE IDEA WAS THIS ANYWAY?
WHERE WE GOING, PAULY?
THIS WAY.
(shouting and laughing)
DON'T WORK TOO HARD, CHUB.
(singing)
(water rushing)
JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH.
OKAY, WE'LL PUT IN UPSTREAM.
OKAY.
FLIP IT.
OKAY, HOP IN.
COME ON
WE CAN ALL FIT.
I DON'T THINK SO.
NO, I...
(clucking like a chicken)
HEY.
ALL RIGHT.
JUST ME, NORM, AND CHUB.
JEEZ, PAULY...
OKAY.
THEN I GUESS IT'S JUST THE MACLEANS.
YOU GUYS BE CAREFUL.
(laughing)
YOU AIN'T GOING OVER, PAULY.
THEY'LL PULL TO SHORE.
SEE YOU IN HEAVEN.
I GOT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING.
COME ON, GUYS.
SEE YOU LATER, BOYS.
HEAVY ON THE RIGHT.
ON YOUR RIGHT, WATCH THE RIGHT.
����(laughing)
RIGHT.
WATCH IT.
ON YOUR RIGHT, ON YOUR RIGHT.
RIGHT.
HANG ON.
OH, JEEZ.
MACLEAN!
HEY!
MACLEAN.
PAULY!
HEY, CHUB.
MACLEAN!
(shouting)
WHAT THE HELL?
(laughing)
SON OF A...
CRAZY SON OF A...
CRAZY SON OF A BITCH.
YOU GUYS OKAY?
WHERE'S...
PREACH, YOU OKAY?
SURE.
(door creaking)
YOU WILL GO TO CHURCH THIS DAY
AND PRAY FOR FORGIVENESS.
YOUR MOTHER SPENT THE NIGHT SICK WITH WORRY.
DID YOU THINK ABOUT HER FEELINGS?
Mrs. Maclean: MRS. CAMPBELL CALLED.
WHO GAVE YOU THE BOAT?
WE, UM...
BORROWED IT.
BORROWED?
BOYS, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
WELL, YOU WILL WORK OFF EVERY CENT OF ITS VALUE.
YES, SIR.
I'LL WORK IT OFF, FATHER.
IT WAS MY IDEA.
(whistles)
WHOO!
WHAT YOU MAKING?
KNOW WHAT YOU NEED ON THAT?
HAM, CHEESE, AND SARDINES.
I DON'T WANT SARDINES.
I'LL SHOW YOU.
BOY, CAN YOU BELIEVE THOSE GUYS?
THEY'LL BE TELLING EVERYONE THE CLASS OF '19 DID IT.
I SHOULD WRITE AN ARTICLE.
"MACLEANS CONQUER SHOOTS."
I DON'T LIKE SARDINES.
AND YOU COULD GET IT IN THE SCHOOL PAPER, I BET.
CHUB.
"JEEZ, PAULY."
WHAT A SKEEZITS.
I DON'T WANT ANY GODDAMN SARDINES.
(glass shattering)
(groaning)
NO, STOP IT.
STOP IT, STOP IT.
STOP IT!
(screams)
YOU HIT HER, YOU SON OF A BITCH.
YOU KNOCKED HER DOWN, YOU BASTARD.
SON OF A BITCH.
PLEASE, I SLIPPED, I SLIPPED, I SLIPPED.
I JUST SLIPPED, THAT'S ALL.
THAT WAS THE ONLY TIME WE EVER FOUGHT.
PERHAPS WE WONDERED AFTERWARDS WHICH ONE OF US WAS TOUGHER
BUT IF BOYHOOD QUESTIONS AREN'T ANSWERED BEFORE A CERTAIN POINT
THEY CAN'T BE RAISED AGAIN.
SO WE RETURNED TO BEING GRACIOUS TO ONE ANOTHER
AS THE CHURCH WALL SUGGESTED.
I THEN SAW SOMETHING REMARKABLE.
FOR THE FIRST TIME
PAUL BROKE FREE OF OUR FATHER'S INSTRUCTIONS
INTO A RHYTHM ALL HIS OWN.
OKAY.
THEY'RE BOTH MARVELOUS.
I'D SAY THE LORD
HAS BLESSED US ALL TODAY.
(clears throat)
IT'S JUST THAT HE'S BEEN PARTICULARLY GOOD TO ME.
(laughs)
THE YEAR ENDED
WITH MY ACCEPTANCE INTO DARTMOUTH COLLEGE.
SOMETIME BEFORE
FATHER HAD TOLD ME I WAS ALLOWED TO ATTEND
ANY COLLEGE IN THE WORLD I COULD GET INTO.
I KNEW HE EARNED NO MORE THAN $1,800 A YEAR
SO HIS OFFER MEANT MORE THAN ANYTHING IN MY LIFE.
WELL, DO YOUR BEST.
I WILL.
(clears throat)
Man: ALL ABOARD.
HEY, NORMAN, NORM.
SO IN THE AUTUMN OF 1919, I BOARDED THE NORTHERN PACIFIC
FOR A 3,000-MILE TRIP EAST TO THE UNKNOWN.
TO THE SON OF A MONTANA MINISTER
DARTMOUTH WAS MORE THAN AN EDUCATION.
IT WAS A REVELATION
EXPOSING ME TO A WORLD I HAD ONLY GUESSED AT.
AS PART OF MY DEGREE
I WAS REQUIRED TO ENLIGHTEN INCOMING FRESHMEN
ON THE WONDERS OF THE ROMANTIC POETS
AND ALTHOUGH I WAS UNAWARE OF IT THEN
TEACHING FIT ME.
BUT MOST OF THE TIME
I SAT IN THE CARD ROOM OF MY FRATERNITY HOUSE
GIVING MY BLUENOSE BROTHERS A LESSON IN FRONT STREET POKER.
IN ALL, I SPENT SIX YEARS AT DARTMOUTH--
AWAY FROM HOME NEARLY ALL THAT TIME.
ON THE OTHER HAND
PAUL STAYED HOME FOR COLLEGE
UNWILLING TO LEAVE THE FISH HE HAD NOT YET CAUGHT.
AFTER GRADUATION
HE TOOK A JOB AS A REPORTER FOR A HELENA NEWSPAPER
AND MOVED TO THAT TOWN--
HIS CONNECTION WITH THE FAMILY GROWING AS SLIGHT AS MY OWN.
IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE SPRING OF 1926
THAT I FINALLY DID COME HOME.
DINNER IS IN HALF AN HOUR.
YOU HAVE TIME FOR A BATH.
DO I LOOK THIN, MOTHER?
DO I LOOK OLD, NORMAN?
NO.
YOU LOOK, UH...
WISH PAUL COULD HAVE BEEN HERE TONIGHT.
HE'S WORKING LATE.
NORMAN?
WOULD YOU COME IN?
I'M SORRY PAUL WON'T BE HERE.
THE LIFE OF A NEWSPAPERMAN.
WELL, YOU KNOW HOW PAUL LIKES TO...
I DO.
SIT.
I ALSO HEAR THAT HE...
WELL, I HEAR EVERYTHING, DON'T I?
GOD FORBID MY FLOCK KEEP ME IN IGNORANCE.
YES.
YOU CAN BET EVERYONE FROM HERE TO HELENA
KNOWS THE DETAILS OF YOUR EDUCATION, NORMAN.
THAT IS AN ACHIEVEMENT.
TO WHAT USE SHALL YOU PUT THIS ACHIEVEMENT?
(clears throat)
WELL, I'VE BEEN CONSIDERING THE FOREST SERVICE.
AS A CAREER?
NO.
NO, FOR THE SUMMER.
AH.
AS A BREAK.
WELL, THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.
THE BODY FUELS THE MIND.
THAT'S WHAT I WAS THINKING.
AND AFTER?
I'M NOT ABSOLUTELY SURE YET.
WELL, YOU'VE HAD SIX YEARS TO BECOME SURE, NORMAN.
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED AN ADVANCED DEGREE?
THE LAW?
MEDICINE?
NO.
THE MINISTRY.
I'VE APPLIED FOR SEVERAL TEACHING POSITIONS AND, UM...
HAVE YOU?
YES, COLLEGE LEVEL.
I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING YET.
NO, IT'S EARLY, BUT...
NOW, YOU HAVE TAUGHT CLASSES ALREADY, HAVEN'T YOU?
YES.
AND DID YOU FIND THAT EXPERIENCE REWARDING?
THAT IS TO SAY
DO YOU FEEL THIS COULD BE YOUR CALLING?
MY CALLING?
��Mrs. Maclean: ������DINNER, GENTLEMEN.
��Paul: ������IF IT'S SO FUNNY, ������HOW COME I'M NOT LAUGHING?
YES, PEE IN THEIR PANTS.
PAUL MACLEAN?
IN THERE.
Paul: THE ANACONDA MINE RULES
SAY NO BREAKS, SO THEY HAVE TO PEE IN THEIR PANTS.
Man: WHAT ABOUT THE LATE GEORGE MASTERSON?
Man #2: OOH, THE GRIEVING WIDOW.
Man #1: I'LL TAKE THAT ONE.
YOU TAKE THE ANACONDA.
BUT I'M THE BOSS, MACLEAN.
FINE BY ME, BOSS.
BROTHER.
LOOK AT YOU.
BOYS, THIS IS MY BIG BROTHER, THE PROFESSOR.
GENTLEMEN.
COME ON.
Editor: WE GO WITH IT.
THANKS FOR COMING TO SEE ME LAST NIGHT.
I AM SORRY ABOUT THAT.
WANTED TO BE THERE.
WANTED TO HEAR THE OLD MAN SAY
"NORMAN, COULD YOU COME INTO MY STUDY, PLEASE?"
(laughing)
JEEZ, THE PROFESSOR.
WE SHOULD CELEBRATE.
YEAH.
A LITTLE EARLY FOR ME.
OH, THE EAST IS MAKING YOU SOFT.
IS THAT RIGHT?
DO MUCH FISHING OUT EAST?
NONE.
NONE?
WELL, WHAT DO YOU SAY?
BIG BLACKFOOT.
YOU SET?
YEAH.
WHY DON'T YOU TAKE THIS HOLE?
NO, THAT'S ALL RIGHT.
NO, NO, IT'S A GOOD HOLE.
(casts line)
TOO TIGHT.
TRY A ROLL CAST.
(disgusted grunt)
THE FISH ARE OUT FURTHER.
JUST A LITTLE... FURTHER.
CAST YOUR LINE INTO THE CURRENT.
IT'LL GIVE YOU A BETTER BASE.
ADD SOME DISTANCE.
YOU'RE JUST RUSTY, THAT'S ALL.
HE CALLED IT SHADOW CASTING--
KEEPING HIS LINE ABOVE WATER LONG ENOUGH AND LOW ENOUGH
TO MAKE A RAINBOW RISE.
AND I REALIZED THAT IN THE TIME I WAS AWAY
MY BROTHER HAD BECOME AN ARTIST.
AND ONE DAY MY COACH COMES UP TO ME AND SAYS
"MAC, HOW'D YOU LIKE TO MEET JOHN L. SULLIVAN?"
NO.
YES, THE JOHN L. SULLIVAN.
THE LAST BARE-KNUCKLE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD.
IT WAS THEN I KNEW I WAS HOME.
STANDING ON THE STEPS OF THE MISSOULA LIBRARY ONCE AGAIN
LATE AT NIGHT
TELLING STORIES TO THE SAME BOYS WHO HAD SAT THERE
AND LISTENED A HUNDRED TIMES BEFORE.
AND WHO HAD, IN MY ABSENCE, BECOME MEN.
IT JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU, THE WORLD IS FULL OF BASTARDS.
Both: THE NUMBER INCREASING RAPIDLY
THE FURTHER ONE GETS FROM MISSOULA, MONTANA.
AMEN.
THAT'S WHY YOU NEED TO STICK AROUND HERE.
HEY, WHERE'S THE GARGLE?
YES, PASS THIS WAY.
I'M TAKING YOU TO THE FOURTH OF JULY DANCE.
EVERY GIRL YOU NEED TO KNOW WILL BE THERE.
WITHOUT MAMA.
FIND YOU A LITTLE SHEBA.
WELL, GENTLEMEN, IT'S BEEN SWELL.
WHERE YOU GOING?
HEAVY DATE, PAULY?
WITH A POKER TABLE.
YOU SEE THEM NEW SIGNS ON THE WAY DOWN, PAULY?
"DOES YOUR HUSBAND MISBEHAVE
"GRUNT AND GRUMBLE, RANT AND RAVE?
WELL, SHOOT THAT BRUTE SOME BURMA SHAVE."
(guys laughing)
THE ROAD TO WHERE?
LOLO.
BEING BACK IN MY FATHER'S CHURCH SEEMED TO COMPLETE MY RETURN.
MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE
I REALIZED IT WAS MY FATHER'S WORDS
THAT MADE ME FEEL MOST AT HOME.
...AND IN THE GLOW OF AWAKENED MEMORIES
WHEN THE DEEPEST FEELINGS OF THE HEART ARE ALL ASTIR
WE ARE REMINDED OF THE POET WHO SINGS
"BACKWARD, TURN BACKWARD, OH, TIME, OH, FLIGHT
MAKE ME A CHILD AGAIN, JUST FOR TONIGHT."
('20s dance music playing)
WHOO!
OOH!
RECOGNIZE ANYBODY?
WELL, UH...
OH, YOU BEEN GONE TOO LONG, SON.
Man: OH, JESSIE.
WHO'S THAT?
WHO?
THERE.
YEAH?
LITTLE INFATUATION?
CHUB, WHO IS THAT?
JESSIE BURNS.
FROM WOLF CREEK.
GOT A BROTHER WHO WENT TO HOLLYWOOD.
JESSIE BURNS.
EXCUSE ME, WOULD YOU LIKE TO DANCE?
OH, GOD, WOULD YOU BE A DOLL
AND GET US A DRINK?
JESSIE, WHO'S THAT?
HERE YOU ARE.
HERE YOU GO.
OH, GREAT.
YOU'RE A LIFESAVER.
OOP.
HOW LADYLIKE.
I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL
OR I'LL WIPE OFF ALL THE POWDER.
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.
? ?? PACK UP ALL MY CARE AND WOE ?
?? HERE I GO, SINGING LOW ??
?? BYE-BYE, BLACKBIRD... ??
YOU KNOW, I HEARD LOUIS ARMSTRONG SING THIS SONG
IN A LITTLE SPEAK IN GREENWICH VILLAGE, NEW YORK.
REALLY?
BEST JAZZ IN THE WORLD.
COLORED JAZZ, YOU KNOW.
THE REAL McCOY.
NOT LIKE PAUL WHITEMAN OR THE KLIQUOT CLUB ESKIMOS.
MY MOTHER LOVES THE KLIQUOT CLUB ESKIMOS.
DOES SHE?
?? ?? ...BLACKBIRD, BYE-BYE...
DANCE?
YEAH.
Man: YOWSA, YOWSA, YOWSA.
LET THE FIREWORKS BEGIN.
(fireworks exploding)
GUYS, COME ON.
JESSIE, COME ON.
JESSIE.
LOOK AT THAT.
WOW!
SWELL.
WHAT A WONDERFUL IDEA.
WHAT BETTER LESSON FOR THOSE GIRLS
THAN A TRIP TO THE RESERVATION
TO LEARN A REAL CHRISTIAN MESSAGE OF GIVING.
DON'T YOU THINK?
I'LL ORGANIZE IT. DON'T LIFT A FINGER.
OH, THANK YOU, EVA.
THIS IS THE MOST CHARITABLE IDEA
I'VE HEARD IN YEARS.
DO YOU KNOW THOSE INDIAN CHILDREN
DON'T EVEN HAVE SHOES, NORMAN?
YOU WAITING FOR THE PHONE?
I DON'T HAVE TO.
NO, GO AHEAD.
OKAY.
IF YOU NEED TO USE IT.
NO, NO, NO, I'VE WORK TO DO.
HELLO, MRS. HATCHER.
HELLO, MRS. HATCHER, I'D LIKE...
OH, SHE'S FINE.
I'D LIKE...
YES, THEY'RE FINE, EVERYBODY'S FINE.
THEY'RE ALL FINE, MRS. HATCHER.
I'D LIKE THE BURNS RESIDENCE IN WOLF CREEK, PLEASE.
YES, MRS. HATCHER, I KNOW IT'S LONG DISTANCE.
THANK YOU.
HELLO.
IS JESSIE THERE?
OH, THIS IS NORMAN MACLEAN, BUT I DON'T THINK SHE...
HELLO.
NO, I'M THE ONE WHO BROUGHT YOU THE DRINK.
MM-HMM.
NO, WE DIDN'T GET A CHANCE.
THE FIREWORKS STARTED AND, WELL...
WE TALKED ABOUT MUSIC?
AND I SAID I HEARD LOUIS ARMSTRONG SING THE...
YEAH, THAT'S ME.
YEAH, I WAS JUST A LITTLE NERVOUS, HMM?
WELL, BECAUSE... YOU WERE SO JE NE SAIS QUOI.
AND I THOUGHT MAYBE I COULD COME OVER
AND LISTEN TO THE KLIQUOT CLUB ESKIMOS WITH YOUR MOTHER.
YES.
UH-HUH.
WELL, ACTUALLY, I CALLED BECAUSE I WANTED TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
WELL, UM, HOW ABOUT SATURDAY?
UH, 8:00?
OKAY.
THEN I'LL SEE YOU THEN.
BYE.
(drunken singing)
I'D LIKE TO DO THAT AGAIN.
Paul: HEY, HERE THEY ARE.
BROTHER.
HI.
JESSIE, THIS IS MY BABY BROTHER PAUL.
AND THIS IS MONASITA.
MABEL.
HI.
SHALL WE?
WHAT DO YOU SAY, PAULY?
HEY, PAULY.
MURPH.
PREACHER.
PREACHER?
HOW ARE YOU, MURPH?
LONG TIME, LONG TIME.
GOOD TO SEE YOU.
UH, YOU KNOW THE HOUSE RULES
AS GOOD AS I DO, PAUL.
NO INJUNS.
PERIOD.
I JUST FLAT DON'T LIKE THE HOUSE RULES, MURPH.
ME NEITHER.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE ME DO HERE, PAULY?
JUST GET US A TABLE FOR FOUR.
LAST TIME, PAUL.
HELLO, JUDGE.
PAUL.
YOU CAN GET HIM BACK.
GET DRUNK AND DANCE NAKED ON HIS TABLE.
I'LL BEAT THE HELL OUT OF THE SON OF A BITCH.
(music playing)
MOLLY, MY DARLING.
HI, PAUL.
THEY'VE GOT SOME SWELL HOOTCH HERE.
THEY EVEN WASH THE GLASSES.
Woman: DRINK?
WHAT'LL IT BE, JESSIE? JESSIE.
I'LL HAVE A MARTINI, PAUL.
IT IS PAUL?
RIGHTY-O.
THE USUAL FOR NORM, GIN AND PRUNE JUICE.
MAKE THAT A DOUBLE.
Mabel: EXCUSE ME.
I'D LIKE TO ORDER A DRINK TOO.
WHISKEY, DOUBLE.
SO, WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW, MABEL?
I SELL BAIT.
YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HAIR
I'VE EVER SEEN.
YOU THINK I SHOULD GET IT BOBBED?
NO, NO, NOT IN A MILLION YEARS.
AH, WELL...
"THE CANDLE BURNS AT BOTH ENDS.
"IT WILL NOT LAST THE NIGHT.
"BUT, AH, MY FOES, AND, OH, MY FRIENDS
IT GIVES A LOVELY LIGHT."
THAT'S NICE.
HOW ABOUT TO MY EDITOR, THE OLD F...
THE OLD CURMUDGEON, EXCUSE ME.
HE TOOK ME OFF THE ANACONDA STORY TODAY.
I'M A REPORTER ATTHE BEE.
I KNOW.
HOW?
OH, I'M FAMOUS.
FISHING NEWSPAPERMAN.
YOU KNOW HE FISHES TOO?
I THOUGHT EVERYBODY KNEW.
BROTHER, YOU BEEN AWAY A LONG TIME.
I'D SAY SO.
ANYWAY, IT SEEMS MY EDITOR...
THE OLD CURMUDGEON.
YES, EXACTLY.
HAS BEEN GETTING CALLS.
NO NAMES, JUST THREATS.
REAL THREATS?
WELL, IT'S NICE TO KNOW
YOU'RE TOUCHING A NERVE BUTTON.
WELL, WHAT DID THEY SAY?
HMM?
WHAT DID THEY SAY?
HMM?
WHAT DID THEY SAY?
YOU'LL HAVE TO CUT IT OUT OF HIM.
THE USUAL.
SOME OF THE BOYS WILL COME DOWN
AND PAY ME A LITTLE VISIT.
FIT YOU WITH A PAIR OF CONCRETE GALOSHES, SEE?
EXACTLY.
I HAVE TO DANCE.
Man: HEY, HEY.
WATCH OUT.
WOW.
AND NOW "THE MUSKRAT RAMBLE."
(music starts)
(glasses clatter)
HEY!
(slow music starts)
I'M NOWHERE NEAR AS GOOD AS MY BROTHER, BUT...
WOULD YOU DO ME THE HONOR?
I'D LOVE TO.
Norman: "DEAR JESSIE
"AS THE MOON LINGERS A MOMENT OVER THE BITTERROOTS
"BEFORE ITS DESCENT INTO THE INVISIBLE
"MY MIND IS FILLED WITH SONG.
"I FIND I AM HUMMING, SOFTLY
"NOT TO THE MUSIC, BUT SOMETHING ELSE...
"SOMEPLACE ELSE...
"A PLACE REMEMBERED...
"A FIELD OF GRASS WHERE NO ONE SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN
"EXCEPT THE DEER
"AND THE MEMORY IS STRENGTHENED BY THE FEELING OF YOU
"DANCING IN MY AWKWARD ARMS.
NORMAN."
(telephone rings)
YES?
WHAT'S WRONG?
Mrs. Maclean: NORMAN?
IT'S OKAY, MOTHER.
WHO IS THIS?
I'M NORMAN MACLEAN.
NAH, HE DOESN'T HAVE TO POST BOND.
HE HAS FRIENDS HERE.
JUST TAKE HIM HOME.
WHAT DID HE DO?
HE HIT A GUY
AND THE GUY'S MISSING A COUPLE TEETH.
WHY DID HE HIT HIM?
IT SAYS HERE
A REMARK WAS PASSED CONCERNING
THE INDIAN WOMAN HE WAS WITH.
THE GUY DESERVED IT.
WE'RE PICKING YOUR BROTHER UP TOO MUCH LATELY.
IS THAT RIGHT?
BESIDES, HE'S BEHIND
ON THE POKER GAME AT LOLO.
IT'S NOT HEALTHY TO GET BEHIND AT LOLO.
IS HE HURT?
HE'S NOT HURT. HE'S JUST SICK.
HE DRINKS TOO MUCH.
DOWN AT LOLO
THEY DON'T DRINK TOO MUCH.
YOU BETTER GO IN AND GET YOUR BROTHER.
THANKS.
Man: ?? I'M TIRED AND I WANT TO GO TO BED ??
?? I JUST HAD A DRINK ABOUT AN HOUR AGO ??
?? ?? IT WENT RIGHT TO MY HEAD
?? NO MATTER WHERE I GO ??
?? BY LAND OR SEA OR BOAT ??
?? YOU CAN ALWAYS HEAR ME SINGING THIS SONG ??
? ?? SHOW ME THE WAY TO GO HOME. ?
(groans)
IF YOU NEED ANY MONEY, PAUL
OR ANYTHING ELSE
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT...
SHE LIVES PAST THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE.
I CAN HELP.
TURN HERE.
(fiddle, banjo, and guitar playing)
(starter's gun fires)
Girl: COME HERE, JEANNIE, COME HERE.
I GOT IT.
Man: OH, HO, HO
LOOK AT THAT.
WELL, CHICKENS HAVEN'T
COME HOME TO ROOST YET, AL.
NOT BAD.
ARE YOU ALL RIGHT, NORMAN?
CLARA, WAS THAT YOUR JELLY?
YES, IT WAS.
IT WAS WONDERFUL.
AND IS THIS NORMAN?
MY GOODNESS.
WE'RE VERY PROUD.
NICE TO HAVE YOU BACK.
HER DAUGHTER'S QUITE A BEAUTY.
THERE SHE IS, OVER THERE.
Mrs. Maclean: 20 ONLY A WEEK AGO.
SHE'S BRIGHT AS A LIGHT.
MOTHER.
MR. MURCHISON, HOW ARE YOU?
(louder:) HOW ARE YOU?
QUITE WELL, THANK YOU.
GOOD, GOOD.
AND THIS IS PAUL?
NO, THIS IS NORMAN.
NORMAN.
OH, NORMAN.
YOU'RE LOOKING GOOD.
YES, HASN'T HE GROWN UP?
Mr. Murchison: OH, YES.
Mrs. Maclean: PAUL'S HERE, COME ON.
I'M MEETING JESSIE BURNS' FAMILY AT THE STATION.
HER BROTHER NEAL'S COMING IN FROM CALIFORNIA.
OH, WELL, NOW.
SO I'M LATE.
SHOULD WE HAVE HER TO DINNER?
PERHAPS, MOTHER.
HELLO.
HOWDY.
MOTHER.
(shrieking:) STOP!
(giggling)
COME ON.
Man: HI, PAUL.
WELL, WELL.
HELLO, PAUL.
HI, SAM.
LET ME BORROW THOSE.
HELLO, FATHER.
WHOO!
Man: FIRST SHOT
AND HE BANGS IT RIGHT UP THERE.
THE BURNS FAMILY
RAN A GENERAL STORE IN A ONE-STORE TOWN
AND STILL MANAGED TO DO BADLY.
THIS IS NORMAN.
THEY WERE METHODISTS--
A DENOMINATION MY FATHER REFERRED TO
AS "BAPTISTS WHO COULD READ."
POP.
IT'S A PLEASURE.
MY MOTHER.
JESSIE TELLS ME YOU'RE A POET.
ARE YOU RELATED TO THE FISHING NEWSPAPERMAN?
THAT'S MY BROTHER.
JESSIE SAYS YOU JUST GOT YOUR DEGREE.
JESSIE WAS MAJORING IN...
FLAPPERISM.
SCIENCE, WASN'T IT?
BUT SHE DROPPED OUT.
Jessie: AUNT SALLY!
SHE COULD LEARN FROM YOU. STICK-TOIT-TIVITY.
LET THE YOUNG MAN BREATHE.
HE'S NOT USED TO THIS.
HE'S A PRESBYTERIAN.
Mrs. Burns: OOH, NEAL.
HE'S HERE, HE'S HERE!
LET'S GO.
(laughs)
JESSIE'S BROTHER, NEAL, STEPPED OFF THE TRAIN
TRYING TO REMEMBER
WHAT A DAVIS CUP TENNIS PLAYER LOOKED LIKE.
YOU LOOK SO GOOD.
HOW YOU DOING?
YOU LOOK GREAT.
OH, NEAL
THIS IS NORMAN.
MY BROTHER NEAL.
HELLO, BOY.
DID YOU SIT UP ALL NIGHT?
I MET SOME NICE PEOPLE.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS TIE?
COME ON, LET HIM BREATHE.
LET'S GO EAT.
OH, GREAT IDEA.
Mrs. Burns: I'VE GOT BAKING CHICKENS AT HOME.
MRS. MILLER GAVE US SOME CHERRIES.
Neal: MRS. MILLER'S STILL ALIVE?
Mrs. Burns: OH, NOT THE HOMEMADE BEER.
BOY, WAS A GOOD YEAR.
OVER THE LIPS, PAST THE GUMS
LOOK OUT STOMACH, HERE SHE COMES.
WHAT'S THE FIRST STATION OUT THERE?
WHEN I TRAVELED, SAN BERDOO WAS THERE.
AND A LOT OF SAND
AND A HELL OF A LOT OF DESERT.
WE CAME BACK TO SALT LAKE CITY
AND HAD TO CHANGE THERE.
THERE WAS A HOTEL THAT...
SERVED OYSTERS.
SERVED OYSTERS, YEAH.
NORMAN, DO YOU DRINK?
DOES HE DRINK?
A LITTLE BIT.
HERE'S TO THE OLE FAM-DAMN-ILY.
Boy: THE FAM-DAMN-ILY.
Mr. Burns: DOWN THE TRENCHES.
IT'S NICE TO HAVE HIM BACK.
Jessie: HE'S FINE, AUNT SALLY.
HE'S JUST TIRED.
Mrs. Burns: AT LEAST HE STILL HAS HIS APPETITE.
SO, HOW LONG DO YOU PLAN TO STAY, NEAL?
SPORT.
SPORT, COME HERE.
I DON'T KNOW.
I MISS THE OCEAN.
WHAT'S IT LIKE?
IT'S BIG AND BLUE.
PEOPLE RIDE ON THE WAVES.
I WAS GETTING GOOD AT IT.
OW!
DAMN IT!
BAD DOG!
JEEZ, MA.
WELL, YOU GET HIM SO EXCITED.
ANYWHO, WHAT WAS I TALKING ABOUT?
THE WATER.
THE OCEAN.
OH, OH, YEAH, YEAH.
WE'D RIDE THOSE WAVES ALL DAY LONG.
RAMON, ME, RONNIE COLMAN.
RONALD COLMAN?
I LOVE RONALD COLMAN.
I LOOK LIKE RONALD COLMAN.
YEAH.
I CAN'T PICTURE RONALD COLMAN RIDING ON WAVES.
(laughing)
SOME KODAK, HUH?
WELL, MA
IT'S BEEN A LONG TRIP.
MAYBE YOU COULD GO FISHING WITH NORMAN.
HMM?
Jessie: THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.
YEAH.
WONDERFUL, WOULDN'T IT BE?
FISHING.
YOU DO FISH?
OF COURSE.
HE HAS A POLE AND EVERYTHING.
OH, YES, EVERYBODY DOES.
YOU BETCHA.
WHEN WOULD BE A GOOD TIME?
FRIDAY.
FRIDAY'S GOOD.
YEAH, WHAT TIME?
6:00.
A.M.?
(all laughing)
YES, HE'LL BE THERE.
WON'T YOU, HONEY?
THANK YOU, NORMAN.
MY PLEASURE.
MAYBE PAUL COULD COME TOO?
Mrs. Burns: THAT WOULD BE NICE.
I'M SURE PAUL WOULD LOVE TO GO FISHING.
CAN I COME?
NOT THIS TIME, HONEY.
NEXT TIME.
WHY DON'T YOU GO WITH NEAL, NORMAN?
HMM?
YOU KNOW, MAKE YOUR PLANS.
OH, YEAH.
THE ONLY PLAN NEAL HAD
WAS A TRIP TO BLACK JACK'S BAR, AN OLD FREIGHT CAR
SET IN THE WOODS
WHERE ANY HONEST POLICEMAN WOULDN'T FIND IT.
Neal: IT WAS THIS OTTER AND HER PUPS.
I HAD A HELL OF A TIME TRACKING THEM.
AFTER A FEW SHOTS OF VILE WHISKEY
BREWED BY BLACK JACK HIMSELF
NEAL BEGAN TO HOLD FORTH.
HE'D CHOSEN MONTANA SUBJECTS TO SPIN LIES
ABOUT SHOOTING, HIKING, TRAPPING
TO IMPRESS THE ONLY OTHER CLIENT AT THE BAR--
A PLOY THAT WAS PAYING OFF.
SHE TRIED TO LOSE ME
AGAIN AND AGAIN...
SHE WENT BY THE NAME OF OLD RAWHIDE.
TEN YEARS BEFORE, SHE'D BEEN ELECTED BEAUTY QUEEN.
SHE HAD RIDDEN BAREBACK, STANDING UP.
HER SKIRTS FLEW HIGH AND SHE WON THE CONTEST.
I COULDN'T FEEL MY HANDS.
I'M THINKING ABOUT MY DOG, SPORT.
IF IT GETS ANY COLDER
I MAY HAVE TO SLIT HIM OPEN
AND STICK MY HANDS IN
TO KEEP THEM FROM FREEZING.
HELL, I DID IT BEFORE UP AT THE YUKON.
GOD KNOWS I LOVE THAT DOG...
SHE STILL WORE A HORSEWOMAN'S DIVIDED SKIRTS
A HARDSHIP IN HER NEW PROFESSION.
AND THERE ON A BRANCH
WAITING TO JUMP ON THE FIRST DEER
IS THE GODDAMN OTTER.
HEY, BUSTER
WHAT'S AN OTTER DOING
ON THE TOP OF ROGER'S PASS?
THEY SWIM DOWN IN THE CRICKS.
JACK
BRING THIS LADY A WHISKEY.
I GOT TO SHOVE OFF.
AND DON'T FORGET
FRIDAY, FISHING.
WHAT?
WHAT SAY?
THEY SAID I'D FIND YOU AT YOUR OTHER OFFICE.
YEAH, DEADLINE.
CAN'T WORK THERE.
HMM.
YOU COME FOR A DRINK?
UM, A FAVOR.
UH-OH.
GO FISHING WITH ME?
SURE.
WELL, THAT'S MARVY
BECAUSE JESSIE'S GOT A BROTHER
IN FROM CALIFORNIA, AND, UH...
I WON'T LIE--
HE'S A WORLD CHAMPION PECKERWOOD.
BAIT FISHERMAN?
HE DIDN'T SAY.
GOOD LORD.
GEORGE!
HE'LL SHOW UP
WITH A COFFEE CAN FULL OF WORMS.
RED CAN, HILLS BROTHERS.
I PROMISED JESSIE.
ARE YOU GETTING SERIOUS?
WHAT?
YOU SON OF A BITCH
YOU'RE GETTING SERIOUS.
WELL?
I DON'T KNOW.
THEN I GUESS WE GOT TO DO IT.
(car horn honking)
WHOA, WHOA, WHOA.
Paul: AS I LIVE AND BREATHE.
BUSTER HERE WANTS TO FISH.
YOU'RE LATE, NEAL.
YEAH, I DIDN'T GET IN TILL LATE.
I DIDN'T GET IN AT ALL.
Norman: NEAL, PAUL.
PAUL, NEAL.
IN MONTANA, WE'RE NEVER LATE
FOR CHURCH, WORK, AND FISHING.
RIGHTY-O.
ANYWHO, THIS IS...
WE'VE MET. WE'VE MET.
DON'T GO AWAY.
WATCH THE FIRST STEP.
IT'S A LULU.
SO.
YOU READY TO..?
NEAL.
NEAL!
WHAT?
FISHING.
BUSTER WANTS TO FISH.
OH, NEAL, WHAT ABOUT THE BAIT?
DUMB DORA.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO CATCH ANYTHING.
IT'S TOO DAMN HOT.
MAY HE CATCH THREE DOSES OF CLAP.
SURE GLAD I DIDN'T GET SOME SLEEP.
AW!
WHERE IS HE?
JEEZ.
I'LL CATCH UP.
YEAH.
I KNOW, YOU GOT 20.
COULDN'T YOU FIND HIM?
THE HELL WITH HIM.
I THOUGHT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO HELP HIM.
HOW DO YOU HELP THAT SON OF A BITCH?
BY TAKING HIM FISHING.
HE DOESN'T LIKE FISHING, DOESN'T LIKE MONTANA.
SURE AS HELL DOESN'T LIKE ME.
WELL, MAYBE WHAT HE LIKES IS SOMEBODY TRYING TO HELP HIM.
YOU SANK THE BEER, YEAH?
YOU BET YOUR LIFE.
YEAH.
OKAY, LET'S GO.
OH, JEEZ, I CAN TASTE IT.
Paul: SHOULD WE KILL HIM?
Norman: SHIT.
GODDAMN IT.
HOLY CHRIST.
Norman: THIS IS NOT GOOD.
SHE'S GOT A TATTOO.
INITIALS?
NO.
"LOVE."
I CAN GET IN MYSELF.
I DON'T NEED HELP.
(groaning)
YOU GOT ANYTHING TO DRINK, BUSTER?
BUSTER'S THE ONE WITH THE RED ASS.
(grunts)
I'M IN DEEP TROUBLE.
YOU WANT ME TO COME AND PROTECT YOU?
MRS. BURNS WOULD LOVE TO MEET HER.
I AIN'T BURNED.
THE SUN DON'T BOTHER ME.
YEAH.
NORM, WHAT ABOUT ME SPENDING THE NIGHT?
WE COME BACK HERE TOMORROW, WIPE THIS DAY OFF THE BOOKS.
IT'S A DEAL.
COME ON, BUSTER.
I'M AS DRY AS DIRT.
HARK, FAIR JULIET SPEAKS.
GOOD LUCK.
(groans)
OW!
SWEET JESUS.
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE
TO MY BOY?
NO, OW!
HE FELL ASLEEP IN THE SUN.
Mrs. Burns: MY LORD IN HEAVEN.
IT'S ALL RIGHT.
IT'S ALL RIGHT, HONEY.
WE'LL FIX IT.
YOU LEFT HIM ALONE, NORMAN?
HE BROUGHT SOMEONE AND, UH...
I THINK YOU BETTER GO HOME.
(knocks on door)
I NEED A RIDE HOME.
BETTER HANG ON.
WHAT ARE YOU DO..?
I DON'T THINK YOU, UH...
THEY SEND TRAINS DOWN HERE ALL THE TIME
WITHOUT A SCHEDULE.
THEY'RE NOT, UH...
I DON'T THINK THEY CAN SEE US IN HERE.
WELL, THANKS FOR THE FLIGHT.
YOU KNOW, YOU'RE FUNNY.
OH, HOW AM I FUNNY?
YOU, UH, YOU DON'T LIKE MY BROTHER, DO YOU?
NO, I DO NOT LIKE YOUR BROTHER.
I DON'T KNOW ANY CARD TRICKS, JESS
BUT I LIKE YOU.
AND I WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
(car horn honking)
HEY!
HELLO, JESS.
HEY, PAUL.
HOW'S YOUR BROTHER?
YOU BOTH LEFT HIM ALONE.
I'M SORRY, THAT WAS MY FAULT.
WELL, YOU'RE NOT FORGIVEN.
WAS NORMAN FORGIVEN?
NORMAN'S NOT FUNNY.
OOH.
Mrs. Maclean: AND I HUNG FRESH TOWELS ON THE WASHSTAND FOR YOU.
DID YOU POWDER MY TOOTHBRUSH?
OH.
LET PAUL TELL HIS LATEST STORY.
OH, YES, WHICH ONE?
THE MURDER OR THE FIRE?
THEY SHOULD PUT YOU ON THE CHURCH BEAT.
QUOTE, THE REVEREND MACLEAN
HAD A NICE ROAST
WHILE DINING WITH HIS FAMILY.
ALL EXCEPT THE POOR, ELDER SON
ENJOYED IT IMMENSELY.
NORMAN, WHAT'S THE MATTER?
HE'S NOT FUNNY.
PARDON ME?
(whispering:) HE'S NOT FUNNY.
THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
IT'S ALL RIGHT IF YOU'RE DULL.
Mrs. Maclean: NO.
WE'RE VERY PROUD OF YOU.
YES.
I DO HAVE ONE STORY.
I INTERVIEWED THE PRESIDENT.
CALVIN COOLIDGE?
MR. COOLIDGE?
YEAH. UH-HUH. WHEN?
HE WAS IN DAKOTA.
FLY-FISHING.
FLY-FISHING!
IN A SUIT AND TIE
WHITE GLOVES AND PATENT LEATHER SHOES.
SO I ASKED HIM
I SAID, "EXCUSE ME, SIR
WHAT ARE THEY BITING ON?"
HE SAYS, "THE END OF MY LINE."
"THE END OF MY LINE."
THEN THE LOCALS CAME OVER
TIED ON SOME FLY THE SIZE OF A CHICKEN.
OLD CAL HEAVES IT OUT.
FIGURES IF HE CAN'T CATCH A TROUT, HE'LL SCARE ONE TO DEATH.
DID YOU GET A PICTURE?
BE IN THE SUNDAY PAPER.
"CLOSED-MOUTH CAL COMMUNES WITH THE CRAPPIES."
UGH.
OH, MOTHER, THAT WAS AMAZING.
HE USUALLY EATS WHAT HE HITS ON THE ROAD.
NOW THAT WAS FUNNY.
YOU KNOW, I DO WORRY...
I'M GOING TO RUN...
WHAT?
OH, I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY...
THOUGHT I'D GO MEET SOME OLD PALS
BEING IN TOWN AND ALL.
DON'T YOU WAIT UP.
I PLAN ON EATING THE REST WHEN NOBODY'S LOOKING.
I UNDERSTAND HE'S CHANGED THE SPELLING OF OUR NAME.
MacLean, WITH A CAPITAL "L."
NOW EVERYONE WILL THINK WE'RE LOWLAND SCOTS.
HOWDY, NORMAN.
HI THERE, MR. SWEENEY.
WHO DO YOU KNOW
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO?
CHICKEN IN A CAR, CAR WON'T GO.
THAT'S HOW YOU SPELL CHICAGO.
(Reverend Maclean murmuring)
"THOUGH NOTHING CAN BRING BACK THE HOUR
"OF SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS
"OF GLORY IN THE FLOWER, WE WILL GRIEVE NOT
RATHER FIND STRENGTH IN WHAT REMAINS BEHIND."
"IN THE PRIMAL SYMPATHY
WHICH HAVING BEEN MUST EVER BE."
"IN THE SOOTHING THOUGHTS
THAT SPRING OUT OF HUMAN SUFFERING"
"IN THE FAITH THAT LOOKS THROUGH DEATH."
"THANKS TO THE HUMAN HEART BY WHICH WE LIVE.
"THANKS TO ITS TENDERNESS, ITS JOYS, ITS FEARS.
"TO ME
"THE MEANEST FLOWER THAT GROWS
Both: "CAN GIVE THOUGHTS
THAT DO OFTEN LIE TOO DEEP FOR TEARS."
GOOD LUCK, SON.
THERE'S SANDWICHES IN HERE.
IT WAS ONE WEEK BEFORE I SPOKE TO JESSIE AGAIN.
SHE TOLD ME THAT NEAL WAS GOING BACK TO CALIFORNIA
AND THAT HE WOULD APPRECIATE MESEEING HIM OFF.
THOUGH I WAS SURPRISED BY THE INVITATION
I ASKED ONLY ONE QUESTION:
DIDSHEWANT ME TO COME?
AND SHE ANSWERED YES.
DON'T FORGET TO WRITE.
Jessie: IF HE CAME BACK NEXT SUMMER, WOULD YOU TRY AND HELP HIM?
Norman: IF YOU WANTED ME TO, I WOULD TRY.
HE'S NOT COMING BACK.
AT LEAST HE'S GOT FRIENDS THERE.
WHO, RONALD COLMAN?
WHY IS IT THE PEOPLE WHO NEED THE MOST HELP
WON'T TAKE IT?
I DON'T KNOW, JESS.
OH, GOD.
I DON'T...
I DON'T CRY, NORMAN.
CAN I SHOW YOU SOMETHING?
ONLY IF IT'S SOMETHING GOOD.
READ.
SO WHAT DO YOU THINK?
WHAT DO I THINK?!
I THINK IT'S THE BERRIES.
YOU DO?
YEAH, TO GET AWAY, CHICAGO.
GOD, IT'S HEAVEN.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN?
NO, NOT ANYWHERE.
HELENA.
(laughing)
GOD, CONGRATULATIONS, NORMAN.
TRUTH IS, I'M NOT SURE I WANT TO LEAVE.
MONTANA? WHY?
IT'LL ALWAYS BE HERE.
NOT MONTANA.
THEN WHAT?
WHAT?
I'M NOT SURE I WANT TO LEAVE YOU.
Paul: WATCH IT, FRED.
THEY'RE AFTER YOU.
WELL, NOW.
GIVE US A COUPLE BOILERMAKERS, FRED.
Fred: TWO UP.
WELL, HERE'S TO THE HEART, GODDAMN IT.
OH, LORDY.
I'M IN LOVE WITH JESSIE BURNS.
JESUS CHRIST, NORM.
WITH ALL THE FISH IN THE RIVER.
NOT LIKE HER.
OH, RIGHT.
NOT LIKE HER.
CONGRATULATIONS.
I'M REAL HAPPY FOR YOU.
WELL, GODDAMN IT, LET'S GO CELEBRATE.
DONE.
?? ...BANANAS TODAY ??
?? WE'VE GOT HOME-GROWN POTATOES ??
?? ?? AND VINE-RIPENED TOMATOES...
IT'S A STINKER.
WHAT?
IT STINKS.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
IT'S A CLASSIC.
OH, REALLY?
YES.
?? WE HAVE NO BANANAS ??
?? WE HAVE NO BANANAS TODAY. ??
Norman: WHERE ARE WE?
WHERE WE GOING?
LOLO.
YUP.
WELL.
FIGURED YOU FELT LUCKY TONIGHT.
I COULD USE SOME OF THE LUCK.
JESUS CHRIST.
DON'T, NO, DON'T.
DON'T BE THE PROFESSOR TONIGHT.
NORM.
PREACHER.
Paul: HELLO, FRANK.
WELL, MY GAL SAL.
SAL, HEY, SAL?
GET A DRINK FOR MY BROTHER.
BOURBON.
IN FACT, HOW ABOUT A ROUND ON ME?
HE'S IN LOVE.
HANG ON.
TAKE CARE OF HIM, SAL.
NOT A GOOD IDEA, PAUL.
(talking quietly)
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
WHAT?
CARDS? WHAT?
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
NOTHING.
A BUCK.
PAUL SAYS HE'S PAYING
BUT...
Paul: OKAY!
YEAH, OKAY, OKAY.
NO, NO.
NO.
JUST GAMES.
ONLY GAMES.
LET'S GO, NOW.
COME ON, WE'RE GETTING OUT OF HERE.
RIGHTY-O, HO, HO.
Man: BYE-BYE, SONNY.
(keys jangle)
I'M NOT LEAVING.
WHAT?
THESE HANDS ARE HOT, NORM.
I CAN FEEL IT.
YOU CAN'T GO BACK IN THERE.
NORM, IT'S FINE.
I'LL BE FINE.
THEY WON'T LET YOU PLAY.
OH, YES, THEY WILL.
YOU ARE IN DEBT UP TO YOUR NECK!
NORM, IT'S MY DEBT.
OKAY? IT'S MY DEBT.
JESUS CHRIST!
(car starts)
NORM!
HEY, NORM!
NORM.
HEY.
WE NEVER GOT TO GO FISHING AGAIN.
MAYBE WE COULD GO TOMORROW.
WE COULD GET DAD TO COME.
OKAY?
YOU ASK HIM.
OKAY.
6:30.
(car approaching)
BOY, SOMETHING SMELLS GOOD.
MORNING, EVERYBODY.
Mrs. Maclean: IT'S THE MUFFINS.
WE'RE SO GLAD YOU COULD MAKE IT.
I WOULDN'T MISS IT.
Reverend Maclean: DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW STORIES?
A STORY? HMM...
ALL RIGHTY.
OH, JEEZ.
I HAVE ONE.
WHAT?
I'VE BEEN OFFERED A JOB AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.
YES?
TEACHING LITERATURE.
WHAT?
STARTING FALL TERM.
I'M GOING TO TAKE IT.
Mrs. Maclean: NORMAN.
I AM PLEASED.
YES, I AM PLEASED.
WELL...
A PROFESSOR.
A REAL PROFESSOR.
DAMNATION.
I'M PROUD OF YOU.
(giggling)
NOW, TAKE PICTURES.
WE'LL CATCH SOME BIG FISH.
YES, WE ARE.
LET'S GO!
REMEMBER THOSE ROCKS WE BUILT OUR FIREPLACE NEAR?
THOSE WERE BIG ROCKS.
NEARLY A BILLION YEARS OLD.
HALF A BILLION, NORMAN.
COME ON.
WELL, I BELIEVE THE HIGH ROAD
WILL SUIT ME BETTER.
OH.
TRUE.
THERE WAS A TIME.
YOU'LL MAKE A KILLING.
HE'LL MAKE A KILLING.
LET'S FISH TOGETHER TODAY.
GOOD.
WHAT ARE THEY BITING ON?
WHAT?
WHAT ARE THEY BITING ON?
LOUDER!
I SAID...
(no audio)
BUNYON BUGS!
WANT ME TO BRING YOU ONE?
NO, I'LL COME AND GET IT.
BUNYON BUGS
STONE FLY NUMBER TWO.
THANK YOU, OH, MERCIFUL PROFESSOR
OF POETRY AND TROUT.
I'M GOING TO ASK JESSIE TO MARRY ME.
YES...
QUITE A DAY.
WHY DON'T YOU COME WITH US TO CHICAGO ?
IT'S 2,000 MILES AWAY.
THEY GOT MORE THAN A DOZEN PAPERS THERE.
YOU'D BE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THINGS.
WHAT DO YOU SAY?
COME WITH US.
OH, I'LL NEVER LEAVE MONTANA, BROTHER.
(laughs)
(clears throat)
THERE!
(whooping)
OH, ME, OH, MY.
Norman: LOOK AT THAT FISH!
Reverend Maclean: OH, MY.
WHOA.
UNBELIEVABLE.
AT THAT MOMENT, I KNEW, SURELY AND CLEARLY
THAT I WAS WITNESSING PERFECTION.
YOU...
YOU ARE A FINE FISHERMAN.
ONLY THREE MORE YEARS
BEFORE I CAN THINK LIKE A FISH.
YOU'RE ALREADY THINKING LIKE A DEADSTONE FLY.
HERE, PICTURES.
MOTHER'S PICTURES.
HURRY UP.
ONE.
TWO.
MY BROTHER STOOD BEFORE US
NOT ON A BANK OF THE BIG BLACKFOOT RIVER
BUT SUSPENDED, ABOVE THE EARTH
FREE FROM ALL ITS LAWS LIKE A WORK OF ART.
THREE.
(no audio)
AND I KNEW JUST AS SURELY AND JUST AS CLEARLY
THAT LIFE IS NOT A WORK OF ART
AND THAT THE MOMENT COULD NOT LAST.
AND SO, WHEN THE POLICE SERGEANT AWAKENED ME ONE MORNING
JUST BEFORE JESSIE AND I LEFT FOR CHICAGO
I ROSE AND ASKED NO QUESTIONS.
HE DROVE ME BACK HOME DOWN THE LENGTH OF THE RIVER
SO THAT I COULD TELL MY FATHER AND MOTHER
THAT PAUL HAD BEEN BEATEN TO DEATH
BY THE BUTT OF A REVOLVER
AND HIS BODY DUMPED IN AN ALLEY.
(door closes)
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU CAN TELL ME?
NEARLY ALL THE BONES IN HIS HAND WERE BROKEN.
WHICH HAND?
HIS RIGHT HAND.
AS TIME PASSED, MY FATHER STRUGGLED FOR MORE TO HOLD ONTO
ASKING ME AGAIN AND AGAIN
HAD I TOLD HIM EVERYTHING?
AND FINALLY I SAID TO HIM
"MAYBE ALL I REALLY KNOW ABOUT PAUL
IS THAT HE WAS A FINE FISHERMAN."
"YOU KNOW MORE THAN THAT," MY FATHER SAID.
"HE WAS BEAUTIFUL."
AND THAT WAS THE LAST TIME
WE EVER SPOKE OF MY BROTHER'S DEATH.
INDIRECTLY THOUGH
PAUL WAS ALWAYS PRESENT IN MY FATHER'S THOUGHTS.
I REMEMBER THE LAST SERMON I HEARD HIM GIVE
NOT LONG BEFORE HIS OWN DEATH.
EACH ONE OF US HERE TODAY WILL, AT ONE TIME IN OUR LIVES
LOOK UPON A LOVED ONE WHO IS IN NEED
AND ASK THE SAME QUESTION.
"WE ARE WILLING TO HELP, LORD
BUT WHAT, IF ANYTHING, IS NEEDED?"
IT IS TRUE WE CAN SELDOM HELP THOSE CLOSEST TO US.
EITHER WE DON'T KNOW WHAT PART OF OURSELVES TO GIVE
OR, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THE PART WE HAVE TO GIVE
IS NOT WANTED.
AND SO IT IS THOSE WE LIVE WITH AND SHOULD KNOW, WHO ELUDE US
BUT WE CAN STILL LOVE THEM.
WE CAN LOVE COMPLETELY
WITHOUT COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING.
NOW NEARLY ALL THOSE I LOVED
AND DID NOT UNDERSTAND IN MY YOUTH ARE DEAD
EVEN JESSIE
BUT I STILL REACH OUT TO THEM.
OF COURSE, NOW I'M TOO OLD TO BE MUCH OF A FISHERMAN
AND NOW I USUALLY FISH THE BIG WATERS ALONE
ALTHOUGH SOME FRIENDS THINK I SHOULDN'T.
BUT WHEN I AM ALONE IN THE HALF-LIGHT OF THE CANYON
ALL EXISTENCE SEEMS TO FADE TO A BEING WITH MY SOUL
AND MEMORIES
AND THE SOUNDS OF THE BIG BLACKFOOT RIVER
AND A FOUR-COUNT RHYTHM
AND THE HOPE THAT A FISH WILL RISE.
EVENTUALLY, ALL THINGS MERGE INTO ONE
AND A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT.
THE RIVER WAS CUT BY THE WORLD'S GREAT FLOOD
AND RUNS OVER ROCKS FROM THE BASEMENT OF TIME.
ON SOME OF THE ROCKS ARE TIMELESS RAINDROPS.
UNDER THE ROCKS ARE THE WORDS
AND SOME OF THE WORDS ARE THEIRS.
I AM HAUNTED BY WATERS.