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God created mankind out of dirt and filth. Our curse is that we glimpse the divine, yet remain mired in the mud worthless and corrupt until death liberates us. That may be true for some people, but until that day comes What'd you hear this week? Nothing spectacular. Little Bud Lewiston stole a football. Next. Jen Gardner kissed her husband's boss good night. - Good for her. - Husband's going out of town. Father, this is all very pedestrian. You're not holding back on me now, are you? When fire swept this block, people called it a miracle how the flames parted and spared your church. Now, I wanna hear something I can use. Erica Cooper thinks she may be pregnant. - So now what? You destroy her life? - No. Think I'll let the kid do that. Move on. Barbara Hudson still hates where she lives. Puts nails in the street to keep cars from speeding by the house. This Bryan's wife? There you go, Father. I knew we had a pony in here someplace. - That you can use? - In strange and mysterious ways. Caleb Temple come here lately? He tells me that the spirit of his dead sister, Merlyn, is talking to him again. Really? And what did she say? Oh, God! Take me, Father, I am ready! I repent my sins, receive my body. - Shut up! - He has sent a message. You're barking up the wrong tree, Tilden. This ain't his style. Caleb may be born of your genes, but you will never raise him. Because I have come for you. AMERICAN GOTHIC "So, for the second time" "the Pharisees summoned the man" "who had been blind" "and said, Speak the truth before God!" "We know this fellow is a sinner." "Whether or not he is a sinner" "I do not know, the man replied." "All I know" "is that once I was blind" "but now I can see." Come on in, Bryan. Thanks for coming down. - Client of mine in trouble? - No. No trouble. How's the Jenkins boy doing? Enjoying my money? - Someone had to represent him, Lucas. - Hey, I understand. His arm was broken during the arrest and it was your duty to go after all you could, right? I would have preferred an out-of-court settlement. But instead you sued my department for $600,000 and won. But I respect the hell out of you. So, what's up? My street? Woodlake Avenue. With an industrial park quarter mile away. Traffic must be *** on your block. Oh. So you heard about Barbara throwing tacks in the road. Multiple flat tires tend to get people's attention. Have you considered moving to a quieter neighborhood? We've talked about it, but How much is your place worth now? $280,000. Maybe $300,000 if we spruced it up. What say I offer you $500,000 for it right now? What? A French automotive firm wants to build a design center down by the water. Trinity's expanding, Bryan. And guess whose land they're willing to pay top dollar for? Lucas I made a promise to my daddy before he died that - I wouldn't sell that land until - I know all about that but I seriously doubt any covenants he made down here matter much to him now. What the hell! They're They're doing some construction nearby. We've been seeing a lot of this. You just think about my offer, Bryan before they start building in your neighborhood. Thanks. Gracie! - Tough call? - I don't see why. I'd be breaking my word, Barbara. You do it in court all the time. - Thanks a lot - Honey. I can't sell. I promised Daddy I'd never throw Bertie out of that house for as long as he lived. Your father's dead. You don't have to answer to him anymore. There he is. It's only the living we have to worry about now. Come on, girl. Come in. - You a cop? - No. So you really are a priest. You gonna try and save me? I was hoping you could save me. That's my specialty. I didn't call you here for sex. Let me guess, you just want to talk, right? The price is gonna be the same. I need to find someone to burn down my church. I thought maybe a person in your profession might know someone. I'm willing to pay. You're joking, right? I promise I will be the only person in the building. I don't expect you to understand. You're right. Could you help me? The church is a refuge, Father. It's a place where people go to escape evil, not to find it. The evil that grips my soul has invaded my church. Then drive it out. I can't. It's too strong. That's because you lack purpose. Let me give you one. A boy needs sanctuary and I'd like you to take him in. Why? Because he needs protection from Lucas Buck. His name is Caleb Temple. How do you know Caleb? You baptized us both, Father. Merlyn. God has not abandoned you, Father. Please, don't let it be the other way around. Hi, Caleb. Caleb! Why ain't you been to see me? You think everybody's dead sister comes to visit them? - I've been worried about you. - I've been worried about you, too. Things are never gonna be the same again. There are other people who need my help. Then maybe I'll just start listening to Sheriff Buck. - Caleb. - Maybe you got him wrong, Merly. He's been nice to me. Like a father. - He is my daddy, ain't he? - He *** our mother, Caleb. So, who are these other people you're gonna be helping? Ones who aren't as strong as you. They all know it's Merlyn helping them? People see me as they want to, Caleb. You're the only one who's looking for Merlyn. Then maybe I'll just stop! Caleb. Where are you off to? You think you're the only woman I have to service tonight? I certainly hope not. I'd hate to think that you weren't constantly being reminded of how special I am. Leave the light on for me, will you, darling? I may want to tempt fate. Lucas! What the hell's going on, Lucas? The *** is back. You like that, huh? Mr. Bryan! What would you do if I got new shoes, Bertie? Not your shoes. It's the way you walk, your weight. - What if I lost weight? - You're past doing that. Thanks a lot, Bertie. - You hungry, Mr. Bryan? - No. Thanks. You're always welcome. Hey, Gracie. - She's never barked at me before. - She never had no reason to. Her eyesight going, too, but she can still read the room. What's on your mind, Mr. Bryan? Well We're thinking about selling the house, Bertie. Now your daddy said I could live in this house till the day I die. Something happen to me that I don't know about? Of course we'd get you another place to stay. A better place, a nicer house. We just wanted to see how you felt about it. Let me tell you, Mr. Bryan. I don't have no pension, don't have no Medicare don't have no savings. All I got: that dog and this house and your daddy's word. Now, you said you was gonna honor his wish. I think I'm going to hold you to that promise. Lost, Father? Confession was very illuminating this morning, Lucas. Something I'm sure you'd want to hear. - Which tortured soul found salvation today? - Me. Deal's a deal, Father. For as long as the church escapes the ravages of fire. - I don't hear any sirens. - Caleb Temple. - Come again? - I know who he is and I know what he means to you. And who gave you this little tidbit of information? Well, let's just say I had a vision. The point is, I haven't been keeping secrets too well lately. I think it's about time I started. Don't you? Our deal is done, Lucas. You should have lit that match. You're late. And up until now, you were still on my good side. - Talk to Bertie? - Yes. - He's not gonna make it easy for me. - Push. Barbara want to sell? You want to? But you're feeling dirty. Like morality's slipping through your fingers. - Yes. - Good. - That's what I told the French. - What? They've already bought two parcels bordering you and they've upped their offer to $750,000. $750,000? For my place? Don't screw this up, Bryan. I got a finder's fee coming. What about Bertie? Well You could dismember him and bury him in the cellar. Or What's that? My official request to the department of social services. Blind man, living alone, possibly deranged. For his safety, it is recommended that he be picked up and evaluated for the mandatory 48-hour period. And what about when he comes back? By that time you'll have sold the property, the locks will be changed. Bye-bye, Bertie. I wanna buy him a place. - A real nice place. - Yeah. Your money, your letter. All you got to do is mail it. Can I get you anything else, sir? Keep your money, you ***! Can I help you with anything else, sir? No, thank you. - Catch anything yet? - Nope. Me either. - And what were you fishing for? - A man's future. I tried to steer him in the right direction but he went the wrong way. Maybe you were using the wrong bait. - How do I keep from losing you, Caleb? - I ain't going nowhere. Lucas is gonna try to do everything in his power to get you to turn against me. Merly, I didn't really mean what I said last night. - Then would you do something for me? - Sure. Father Tilden's got a shelter in his church and I'd like you to go there for a couple days. Why? Because things are going to get ugly and I want you to be protected. What's gonna happen? Lucas Buck is finally gonna pay for his sins. Divine retribution. An eye for an eye. Bertie, can I come in? Bertie, wait! Listen, we're going to get you a new house. It's gonna be all yours. Deed in your name. It's gonna be a lot nicer than what you're used to. Behind you over on the right there is a giant oak tree. Got a limb almost touching the ground. I can remember when you could barely reach it. Over there, is a three-rail fence got two posts missing out of it. Your football did that. My eyes were just starting to go. 1971. And the ground we're standing on has a depression in it from when I built you a sandbox more than 30 years ago. You can buy me the White House, Bryan. Put 10,000 servants in there it still won't be my home. Nothing stays the same, Bertie. Not even a man's word? It used to count for something. It defined who you were. Daddy is gone now. I have to do what's best for my family. Funny. I thought I was your family. Father, Miss Holt'll be calling you about this. - She's the lady that looks after me. - What did you tell her? Told her that the Sunday school was having a sleepover. Is that okay with you? Under the circumstances I think I can accept that. It's not pretty, but it's clean. Father? Was me coming here your idea? No, Caleb. It was your sister's. - She talked to you? - I believe she did. - She's dead, you know. - Not to me. No, guess not to me neither. So, what's gonna happen, Father? Something bad? Caleb I made a wrong decision. I surrendered my soul to protect this church. Ain't that what you're supposed to do? For the faith maybe, but not for the building. I made a mistake, Caleb, and tomorrow I'm going to atone for it. Does Lucas want to raise you in his image, too? No. Lucas is a very dangerous man. That's why your sister wants you here. She's afraid of what his reaction might be. - You afraid? - Not anymore. Why do you think they call them "southern belles"? It's French, Ben. It means "beautiful." Yeah, I knew that. Four alarm bells. You've been single too long. It don't hurt to look. Not bad, huh? Lucas? Watch your step. - You all right? - Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. They're here awfully fast. Yeah, the letter was just a formality. Lucas made some calls. It's for the best, Bryan. Yeah. That's what they say when you put your dog to sleep. And you'll finally get the sheriff off your back. I won $600,000 for that Jenkins boy. I'm not sure he considers this a quid pro quo. It'll work out. Evening, Miss Coombs. Feeling suicidal? What? Care to join me in a little masochistic nihilism? Nothing like the smell of burning flesh. Are you drunk? Sober. Sober as a judge! If you're gonna scream, why don't you come into the bedroom? Tell me, teacher, who do you think you're ordering around? - Lucas. - We got a cozy relationship, don't we? We can always count on each other in a pinch. But do you really know who you're doing? What's wrong with you? I got a son who wants nothing to do with me. I got people in this town searching for miracles when they don't realize the only miracle they're ever going to need is right here! And now on top of everything else, I got the dead breathing down my neck! - So? - So I'm Scared? Is this what scared feels like? I wouldn't know. I want to hurt somebody for this feeling. I want to hurt you. Just as long as I get to hurt you back. I'm not going to let her destroy me. Of course not, honey. And you ain't scared you're just congested. I love you, Caleb. No matter what happens I will always love you. What's gonna happen to Bertie's stuff, Mama? Same as ours, honey. The moving van's gonna take it wherever it needs to go. - Yeah, but where's that? - Why don't you go in and play? Henri's very happy. This is just what they've been looking for. And they agree to all terms as stipulated by Sheriff Buck. $750,000? Oui. Mr. Hudson, if you'd just sign right here. Oui. Offer made and accepted. We have a deal. Congratulations. - This is it? - That's it. $150,000? What is this? A down payment? No, that's the full amount. What're you talking about? You said $750,000. She said it! Right, 750,000 francs. What? Exchange rate's about five-to-one. Works out to $150,000. Come on, Lucas. You don't think I'm going to accept this. You signed the paper, Bryan. It's a done deal. Lucas! You son of a ***! You're not cheating me out of $600,000! That number has a familiar ring. Isn't that the amount you won from my department in court? Oh, my God! Bryan, is this legal? Hello, Bertie. Bertie, what are you doing here? Seems like I'm saying goodbye. Sorry to see you all go. What do you mean? Aren't you Aren't you leaving, too? Afraid not. Seems the buyers were quite moved by Bryan's deathbed promise to his daddy. They're gonna knock down the main house but they've agreed to let Bertie stay in his place as long as he likes. The French have a keen sense of honor. Lucas! - Why can't I go to your sermon? - Because Lucas might show up. Your sister wants you as far from him as possible. Listen to me. I want you to stay right here until I come get you for dinner. - Do you have any books? - Any books? Yeah. I got a book right here. Might do both of us a world of good. Okay? Say a prayer for me, will you? - Good morning. - Morning. If you look at your program you'll see that I've prepared a very powerful sermon for today. The subject is fear. The fear of taking control of your own lives. I worked on it all week long and it's very moving, I think. The only problem is that until yesterday I didn't believe one word of it. Sheriff Buck. Welcome. Would you have a seat, Sheriff? Taking control of your life means facing your fear. My deepest regret is that I never had the courage to do that. Instead, I allowed myself to be intimidated in the vain hope that somehow I was benefiting this congregation. And that was a terrible, terrible mistake. Friends, I have broken my vows to you. The sanctity of the confessional has been compromised. Voluntarily, by my own hand I have shared all of your darkest secrets. And I have no excuse for my transgression. Consequently, I am resigning as pastor of your church. I beg you to pray for my forgiveness. Father? Perhaps you'd like to tell us with whom you shared those terrible revelations? We demand the truth, Father. And God will give it to you. Seeing another vision? - How did you get in here? - Faith. - Where do you think you're going? - To a better place. You'll be lucky to make it to the corner. I understand you're boarding my son here. Where is he? Where is he? "The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want." "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures" "he restoreth my soul" "he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness" "for his name's sake." "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death " "I will fear no evil, for thou art with me." Good night, Father. Caleb? Caleb! I know you're here. - I'm coming for you, boy. - And I've come for you. Did you think I'd forgotten my promise? - That's my trick. - Someone's at the door. Someone's at the door. Someone's at the door. Scared? You should be. And you really should learn your place. - You can't kill me twice, Lucas. - Maybe not. But I can make your afterlife a living hell. - Kiss me. - What? You're not afraid of a little kiss now, are you? And as you took my life I will now have yours. Merlyn! Father Tilden's dead. Get out of here, Caleb. Now! - Go ahead. Do it. - What? - Kill the ***. - No. You can destroy the body but the spirit moves on. - Leave us, Caleb. - Merly? Go! You're starting to get the picture, angel face? He's his father's son. He's my brother. A blip in the gene pool. He's my son. He carries my spirit. And if you kill me, the child becomes the man. - I would kill him before I let that happen. - Do that and you kill yourself. You only exist because of that child's faith. That too will pass when he learns his full potential. He is more powerful than you can imagine. - You can't destroy me, Lucas. - And you won't destroy me. Don't be so sure. See, I've already figured out your weak spot, Lucas. I know how to get to you. And when I come back you're mine.
