I know I shall meet you on that final day Water Walkin' Jesus take me away . . . first night in tent second night in tent. El Capitán and Signal Peak Mr. Ennis Del Mar Genral Delivery Riverton Wy. Friend this letter is long over due. Coming thru on the 24th. Drop me a line if your there. Jack You bet Ennis Del Mar Riverton Wy. Jack Twist RFD 2 Childress Texas. Ennis See you in a couple weeks fish should be jumping Jack Ennis Del Mar 80 Pershing street Apt. #2 Riverton Wy 82501 VERSATILE Come on in Alvin. I've been trying to call you for hours. King of the Road. hi Capriccio espagnol Hello Ennis bring some fish home. Love Alma. no. D-I-V-O-R-C-E Jack. How about november 7 for you. I can meet you at pine creek. Ennis Del Mar. Ennis Del Mar I'm gonna bring him up here one of these days and we'll lick this damn ranch into shape. I love you JACK pulls up in a rattletrap pickup that dies just as he stops. He gets out and kicks the back tire while ENNIS (who's leaning against trailer waiting for AGUIRRE) looks on. Shit! Scene at door of (AGUIRRE down JACK): AGUIRRE If you two pair deuces are lookin' work I suggest get your scrawny asses here pronto. trailer: Up on Brokeback Forest Service got designated campsites allotments. Them camps can be 3 4 miles from where we pasture woollies. Bad predator loss if there's nobody after them night. Now what want is camp tender to stay main says but herder he's gonna pitch pup tent Q.T. with sheep sleep there. You eat supper breakfast camp hundred percent no fire don't leave sign. roll every mornin' case snoops around. (indicates herder) (on phone) Yeah? No. Not fuckin' life. dogs 30/30 Last summer had goddamn near 25% loss. again. ENNIS) . Fridays noon bridge grocery list mules. Somebody supplies will there pickup. (tosses watch Tomorrow we'll truck jump-off. front Jack Twist. Ennis. Your folks stop Ennis? Del Mar. Nice know you Ennis bar: My second year here. one storm lightnin' killed 42 sheep. Thought I'd asphyxiate smell. Aguirre all over my ass like was supposed control weather. But beats workin' old man. Can't please man way. That's why took rodeoin'. Do ever rodeo? mean once while when entry fee pocket. Yeah. Are ranch people? Yeah was. run off? No they themselves off. There curve road 43 miles missed it. The bank ranch brother sister raised me mostly. Shit. hard. (reaches lighter) Can I? Thank you. trailhead: BASQUE Don't let stray. Joe'll have do. One thing never order soup. soup boxes hard pack. Well (Sees jumpy horse.) wanna it That horse has low startle point. Doubt filly throw me. Let's get 'less sit around tyin' knots day. camp: Oh shit. wait till own spread won't put Joe Aguirre's crap more. I'm savin' place myself. Alma gettin' married come off this mountain. Shit fire bullshit. right makin' us do somethin' rules. (riding Friday) No more beans. herd: (shooting coyote missing) Dammit! bridge: know. Something wrong? Yeah so didn't powdered milk 'n spuds? got. (handing list) Well here's next week's. sick Too early (to horses coaxing walk) Come trail: mules) (thrown horse startled by bear mules running off) Hold it--whoa whoa. Whoa. here! horse) Whoa there All right. Fuck Okay bastard. Where hell been? Been sheep day here hungry find (ENNIS mumbles walks past sees head wound.) What happened bear happened. Goddamn spooked off scattered food everywhere. Beans about left. (JACK tries hand water canteen ENNIS.) Got whiskey or somethin'? (Takes drink whiskey.) Dumbass mule. can't believe that. Goddamn. (wets bandana dab ENNIS's head). Let me see. gotta 'bout situation. Maybe I'll shoot finds out huh? We're guard not 'em. What's matter you? There's thousand stick won't. meadow: shoots an elk.) Woowee! Gettin' tired dumbass missin'. move Game Fish catch elk. (returning (Dismounts.) commutin' four hours breakfast go evenin' 'em bedded down supper spend half night checkin' damn coyotes. make this. switch? wouldn't mind sleepin' ain't point is both oughta camp. smells cat piss worse. bein' happy switch warn cook worth damn. am pretty good opener though. worse than then. (Dishes Jack.) Here go. ready ride off.) much sleep tell Yup. (To opens beans scrubs his shirt Shot It's big son bitch balls him size apples. looked could himself camel. some hot water? yours. takes edge finishes beans.) Mmm. taps rodeo belt buckle.) what's ridin' piece stock eight seconds? Money's True enough stomped winnin' it pours cup.) ol' man bull rider well known though kept secrets himself. Never taught see ride. They did best gone considerin' nothin' 24 dollars coffee can. high school before transmission went sis She roughneck moved Casper. Me brother ourselves work Worland until 19 then married. room how end (Notices smiling.) Whut? Friend that's words you've spoke past weeks. Hell most I've year. dad fine roper. Didn't much thought cowboys fuck-ups. are! (Gets into face whoops.) Yee-haw! continues whoop carry on.) spurrin' guts wavin' girls stands! He's kickin' heaven dashboard way! (Stumbles collapses laughter.) (also laughing) think dad new Tent look (Works it.) goin' nowhere. be. (Plays harmonica.) harmonica sound quite either. 'cause kinda flattened mare threw yeah? said couldn't Ah she lucky. well lucky would've broke two. (singing) (taps rhythm song out) Very good. yeah. mama believes Pentecost. Exactly Pentecost? folks Methodist. Pentecost is. Mom explained guess it's world ends fellas march hell. Speak yourself. may sinner yet opportunity. (takes whiskey) (dead night): (drunk) now. Give hardly stand. too late extra blanket? grab 40 winks first light. throws blanket.) You'll freeze down. You're better tent. (Ignores JACK) tent: wakes up sighs. Hears outside teeth chattering.) Ennis! Wha Just quit hammerin' staggers tent.) (As develops little dialogue exchanged.) on What're doin'? getting out.) (walks up) See supper. (ignores him talks Yah. (Rides overlooking This one-shot thing nobody's business ours. queer. neither. later night: tent slowly comes embrace.) sorry. Lie back. Twist Uncle Harold's hospital pneumonia. Docs expect he'll ma sent So am. news. guess. unless cure (reaction hail storm) Goddamn! Jesus! (both tent) sheep'll drift tonight. pitched mount wish hadn't tried cold! Close up! mountain blended herds sheep: what're now Get untangle Chilean ours (looking color markings sheep) Oh it? God paint brands wore We try least count Aguirre. yeah fuck need again that? Jack. herding retrieved (responding JACK's playing smiling) again quiet stows came Said uncle die all. Says bring Bring down? Why middle August. comin' movin' Pacific. Worse one. snow barely stuck hour Besides sonofabitch cutting whole month's pay. It right! spare loan bud you're short cash. Signal. money know poorhouse. (approaches sitting outside camp) Time goin' cowboy. trips lariat throw. yanks rope feet onto him.) rodeo accidently elbows face nose spurts blood. reaches wipes blood sleeve shirt.) Ennis okay? knocks punch face.) trail head pens: (talking Some these hoped for stiffs parking lot AGUIRRE's (under hood truck) give gas? (Car starts closes hood.) left summer? maybe not. Like said Alma's November. try And Might daddy's place through winter. Or might Army guess around Right. drives walking town. Stops side road wretching punching wall.) God damn god (A COWBOY over.) at (COWBOY church Riverton: CONGREGATION (led MINISTER) forgive our trespasses those who trespass us. Lead temptation deliver evil. For thine kingdom power glory forever. ALMA Amen. MINISTER Under powers vested now pronounce & wife. kiss bride don't will. hill winter's day: toboggan turns right? (He roughhouses her.) Stop! Please don't. highway construction crew: TIMMY lady's tryin' job. says breakin' shoveling asphalt. told her strong backs weak minds runs family. funny. her keeps fit. drive-in movie playing SURF PARTY: (We hear following film watch. pregnant.) HE Morning. SHE Pulled last wake up. sergeant showed Parking beach illegal. (looks in) wind blew in. Hi Mr. wonderin' needin' any help summer. wasting time What nothin'? Ain't (starting turning around) Mar been he? boys sure found way pass guys wasn't paid dogs baby-sit stemmed rose. trailer. house DEL MAR family lives now: (comes approaches sink) How Jenny's still runny nose. bedroom children squall.) wipe Jr.'s nose? three hands could. Oh! (picks bedroom: Girls Jenny stopped coughin'. should take town weekend. ice cream. Somethin'. town? lonesome ranches. Jr. play with. scared Jenny another bad asthma spells. rent high. cheap Riverton laundomat. bet fix real nice. nice wanted to. Hmm? you'd too. Real home other kids lonely were raised. (They kiss.) lonely asleep? flips Texas arena: ANNOUNCER 'er rip snort boys! hangin' dear life! goes! Watch fella! comin' ya! Send clowns! Four seconds him. hand very clowns. (speaks during ANNOUNCER's spiel) At redneck bar rodeo: JIMBO (the clown) beer Doug. money counter) buy Jimbo beer. Best clown worked thanks pulled liquor alcoholic long ago. Pulling bulls buckaroos save fee (Gives bartender raised-eyebrow group pool table.) BARTENDER calf-roping? afford ropin' horse? (leaves bar) Riverton July 4th fireworks celebration: Shouldn't closer? let's Jenny'll scared. (Two drunk BIKERS behind them.) BIKER 1 Wooeee. Look crowd! Bound pussy hoof crowd 2 swelled patriotic feeling humped frog. figure pussy's at--Las Vegas California? between Wyoming Montana pick minute. Hey keep you! Asshole. friend) Probably givin' wife born. like? move trouble shut slop-bucket mouths me? listen lady Is Move somewhere else. (kicks knocking lose teeth? Huh? tonight bud. rather Childress comes ladies gentlemen! boy fly. Lureen Newsome Childress Texas. she's hand! She's turnin' two! three! home! on! 16 9! Here's Cheyenne Hodson Cody Wyoming! girl! headed anybody Wyoming? (LUREEN rides JACK holding hat which flew Ma'am. (Hands hat. gives eye Cheyenne! 17 2. arena (later): Scotty Griffiths Lubbock Scotty! Damn it! Griffiths folks. Better luck time Boy heck living! Next up-and-comer Twist Lightning Flat Wyoming. onboard Sleepy today. hope not! Okay. (JACK gate released arena.) go boy. free today folks! spin spin! dance club: BARTENDER) girl? (Points LUREEN looking Newsome. Her sells farm equipment. mean Hundred-thousand-dollar tractors shit LUREEN (walking cowboy? A mating call? live performance woman singing lyrics: one's love else see one sometimes feel felt sad blue .) country LUREEN's red sportscar: seat back top JACK. Making wait hold fast brakes Fast slow direction going undoes completely) hurry! hurry. expects home car midnight. store: (hurrying girls) Hey Monroe. MONROE here? condiments aisle. what? Uh ketchup. Thanks. wife.) honey. ya'll doing In boss called wants ranch. heifers must've decided calve same time. figured drop million things leave. hours. JR. Mama crayons. Alma. please promised calve. It'll job job? call sister round steak JR.) (Kisses JR. leaves. promptly entire display peanuts shattering several jars scattering peanuts everywhere.) Monroe okay clean soon girls. Really Alma okay. feet. Alma! (Holds room: (holding baby BOBBY comparing his) hand. Honey surprise (LUREEN's parents L.D. FAYETTE enter.) Ah! Hey! FAYETTE formula twenty cans. L.D.) 'em? twenty? hell backseat Rodeo (Throws keys contemptuously Jack misses L.D.! already Bobby like! Good job girl. spittin' image grandpa. Isn't grandpa? nothing smiling stiffly.) apartment 2 laundromat: work. stove. underfoot.) Hey. ya (Goes sink.) somebody name Jack? Maybe. why? 'Cause postcard. General Delivery. picks postcard kitchen table. picture Guadalupe Peak postmarked TX Sept. 1967 addressed : ) cowboy'd rodeos fishing buddies. post office: fills 4c printed Lincoln counter. writes message side reveal address filled out: Drops mail slot.) September 24th: cleaned shirt paces swills smokes nervously.) baby-sitter? Take friend Knife Fork. restaurant type. We'll more'n likely drunk. shows. (hours later): slumped sofa empty beer bottles full ashtray nearby.) (at table bite finished dinner. There bite. excused. (ALMA races (The spoken herself.) Please thank below apartment: white truck. stands window hurries standing stairs truck.) Twist! Son bitch. men kiss observed screen door retreats inside shock. Finally goes stairs. now.) wife Howdy. Hullo. (JENNY babbles herself room.) kid? girls: Jenny. Eight months old. Well! Smiles lot. Married prettiest gal Lureen. ALMA) we're drink. Sure enough. Pleased meet ma'am. drinkin' talkin' (following would pack smokes they're pocket bedroom. (he's now) motel curled together smoking.) years. Damn. sore punch. summer drove talked Went met Made bullridin' nearly starved. Lureen's makes serious machine business. 'Course hates guts Hmm. busted rodeoin' walk. Swear yes did. red-lined way fast Me? Old Brokeback good now? doubt Makin' livin's table miserable. drive becomes alert.) (rushing Jack's heading mountains day fishin'. inside cup coffee. Texans coffee? throwing together trip.) foreman taking Ya foreman owes blizzard Christmas remember only coupla days. (coming fish Daddy ALMA.) (hugs daughter her) (embraces ALMA child) Sunday latest. (getting driver's passenger side) starvin'. Wanna eat? (weeping mountains: (Both jump truck parked cliff lake.) in! disrobe leap cliff falling water. Both exclaim hit water audible words.) campfire: anything interesting heaven? sending prayer thanks. forgettin' harmonica. enjoyin' peace quiet. this always. somewhere cow-and-calf operation it'd sweet he'd payment lost. less baby Texas life Riverton. so? life? fault. bottom line each grabs wrong dead. Flashback scene 1952 ditch: ranched Earl Rich. joke town even tough birds. Anyway dead irrigation ditch. tire iron him spurred drug dick young K.E. lower their father's body man.) campfire present time: seen this? was what nine years old? daddy made done Two livin' together? Now nowhere Once while? Ever' years? stand long? As reins later swing set: (Arguing voices above them. swinging parents arguing.) suppertime. goin'? To off! wrong! fed. pushes heads stairs.) care follows Supper's stove! eatin' servin' shift. Fuckin' mistake then! ignores corner moving sight.) girls.) push GIRLS start bucket tripped NEWSOME Childress: large farmers ranchers demonstrating oversized air-conditioned tractor) Listen purr Caddy! do show business: sits desk overhears exchange demonstration window.) FARMER Say pissant use bulls? used try. (Glances heard brings bag in postcard 6c Eisenhower stamp 1972 reading: folds circular ads hears outside.) office parka? adding machine) Um Day storm. swore Why buddy fish? Big Horn Mountains' anyway. New model coming week remember. combine salesman salesman fact. week. death parka. losin' stuff. speaking Bobby tutor? call. complain much. teacher turn. fine later. Fine. 'Bye. (giving perfunctory kiss) fourteen driving ahead seem fair times year waves remark door.) banging trip radio background going) right great guy big hairy monstrous worker life bitty fellow (becomes inaudible) (reading newspaper) openin' company. clumsy am probably electrocuted. (in JENNY) picnic's Will fishin' weekend? Daddy? Please? JENNY us sing hmm? Daddy! without approaching tackle box mutters something inaudible campsite: rod hand.) late. brought. (Further inaudible under swelling music. More outdoor scenes horseback shot stream.) (with BOBBY lap steers tractor brand circles) go! hands! (Tractor move.) yours buddy. ranch: hay handfuls cattle eat) lying couch stomach. bored dolls floor. KOJAK TV progress: points gun head. MAN: Saturday night smarten social. brimstone crowd? (Crushed.) doesn't answer.) making love.) far bills nervous precaution. (pulls back) kids alone. support turn another.) divorce court: JUDGE Custody minor children Jennifer Mar awarded plaintiff. Defendant ordered pay child plaintiff sum $125 per month reach age 18 Divorce granted 6th November 1975. bitter determined. miserable.) Wyoming: sings along lyrics Roger Miller's (ENNIS's daughters up.) doin' divorce. daughters) girls GIRLS) Say Hi. card through. Had ask ten different people means say. Uh See jeez month. because roundup well. month (Leaves south: weeps eyes determined something. sign: EL PASO 65 / JUAREZ-MEXICO BORDER 68.) Juárez street: (Babble Spanish especially swarming place. dangerous part finally alley hustlers wall sides. Approaches HUSTLER Señor. nods. walk darkness.) TWIST Thanksgiving: (bringing bowl) Comin' turkey) are. Rodeo. stud duck carvin' bet saving trouble. (noticing watching TV football broadcast) dinner television. Mama? mama. finish meal game. stops carving turkey eyes. grow daughter? Boys football. mama fix. (L.D. again.) bitch! house child guest! knock ignorant smile face. turkey.) Thanksgiving 1977: former pregnant husband MONROE DAUGHTERS.) rode broncs rodeo. story bronc. knew flyin' air. Only angel wings. story saddle bronc career. Monroe (later competitive skating MONROE.) moment 12th (Rimsky-Korsakov's plates sink scraping ought worry alone burned. Twist? Hmm often. wonder brought trouts home. always caught plenty fish. creel open -- price tag five tied note line. perky bunch brownies ate remember? chance touched its nothin' fool more means. Nasty. (grabs wrist twists it) yell (screaming) out! too! Mar! storms room grabbing jacket scream hysterical kitchen.) Alma? slams snowy hurry porch rushes 'Bye Daddy. across street causing pulling break sharply avoid hitting DRIVER asshole goin'! DRIVER's window stupid fuck. fight starts.) damn! God! (Finally ENNIS falls ground stomped.) stomping continues.) washing metal dishes towards visibly older moustache) saying taxes inflation eats Lureen punchin' numbers machine huntin' zeros smaller smaller watchin' rabbit squeeze snakehole tail. high-class entertainment worth. normal all? Sure. suspect? shakes feelin' uh someone suspicious knows. pavement everyone's too? yourself someplace different. Texas? Sure convince adopt Then it'll rain Newsome whiskey'll flow streams. smart. Go miserable ahead. thinkin' loud. (Storms Yep thinker (Loses containers washing floats away chases voices. drinking beers MAN background unseen) hon. bathroom. jukebox arm.) CASSIE Cassie. Cassie Cartwright. (Pulls floor currently dancers.) dance dancing (falling chair) dancin' hope. (sitting him) safe. hurt. shoes drunks demanding smokin'. Gets tiresome. Mar? Mmm earlier today castratin' calves. (CASSIE disgusted. Suddenly puts lap.) Tryin' foot rub dummy. (Rubs feet.) good? Uhuh. hall: LASHAWN RANDALL. babbling saying.) pledged Tri Delt SMU poky Randall Aggie animal husbandry major Roy Taylor's not am! Was Delt? Kappa Phi sorority sisters ourselves Our husbands bit interested dancin' smidgen funny isn't Husbands wives. thought. (Turns LASHAWN.) dance? Yes RANDALL) mind? RANDALL (LUREEN clearly miffed nothing.) Pardon asking really appreciate that does. did wedding. happened else we'd durn car. Of course listens deaf tomorrow. chewing gum baling wire mechanical (most dancing) hall bench smoking. steps hall.) (voice fades) notice woman'll powder party. she'll party's over? bed? Even word Lashawn enough ask. Woman streak. Lively gal. (clears throat) working Taylor. solid Roy. Roy (pause) cabin Lake Kemp. croppie boat. nods.) whenever want. Drink whiskey fish some. know? (LASHAWN steps.) When SMU coulda North Dallas Neiman Marcus disaster honey clothes concerned resistance spending made make. thinking ranching hats Marlboros boy times. MONROE's house: does Junior. Ready? works: jukebox Tammy Wynette's (across table) think? daddy fit settle again? marrying kind. him? (smiles) say across. Sorry. rude. down) stayin' feet Excuse darlin'. watches distressed.) truck: weekend church. Yes. sure? thinking Ma awful strict even. help would. set sayin' understand. (gets car) sweetheart. Gonna tonight sure. marry. puttin' blocks good-lookin' waitress nursing somethin'. Lureen? sharply) deals business marriage goes phone. foreman's Rutters. What? (laughs) bound slip her. deserve Tell Truth miss answer. cuts asleep together.) trailhead morning trucks packed leave: Flat. meanin' November After ship winter feedin' August? (slams door flinches) Christ week why's friggin' cold? south warm Mexico. Mexico? About travelin' coffeepot handle. (No response.) Lighten hunt kill Don Wroe's we? friend bitch unsatisfactory away easy. seein' Pope. days forget support? tradeoff idea? once. (Approaches Mexico Mexico Hell yes problem? foolin'. jokin'. (Walks away.) own. Mountain. Everything's built got all rest. few 20 Measure leash you'll get. idea gets. high-altitude fucks twice whoreson (stricken weeping) be nothin'. attempts hug pushed me! (hugging sinks ground sobbing) anymore flashback 1963 Mountain daybreak: wraps arms rocks horse. sing (hums song) mornin'. nods slightly lets leaves expression longing.) trailhead present: loaded Cut appears disillusioned bitter hope.) Greyhound bus station: dining eating apple pie breezes CARL notices Carl) (approaching Steve notes Looks message case. (his glance indicates CARL) Carl? Carl's talks. fun anyways tears) fall fun. (Flees station dragging sorting returned: Stamped DECEASED letters. stunned tracks.) Scenes phone booth crosscut: Hello? Hello I uh Who? Who An Jack's. mention hunting buddy Woulda address. friends' addresses callin' pumping flat rim slammed jaw knocked unconscious By along drowned 39 flashes images being attacked beaten death iron.) buried there? stone cremated wanted ashes interred rest Mountain grew Knowing pretend bluebirds spring. ma'am herdin' '63. (gives involuntary moan together) favorite meant drank Lightnin' Flat? They'll die. friends. (winces remark) touch Suppose they'd wishes carried out. ashes mean. (Abruptly hangs leaving stricken receiver homestead: pickup JACK'S MOTHER evidently expecting home's kitchen: JOHN TWIST father stands.) Want coffee Piece cherry cake? cake (JACK'S continuing stand.) JOHN) begin feel. to glances husband.) special plot. say half-baked notion build cabin (spitting cup) spring fella neighbor split says. ideas pass. shocked news plans touches shoulder.) appreciated welcome (barely able speak) boyhood upstairs: (After stairs locates shirts hidden closet bloody sleeves outside. hanger hook cradles weeping. breathes shirts exhales directly shirts.) homestead's rolled visible. signals nods paper bag. what. sir. (She sack (whispering MOTHER) shuts peel-off 1 7 mailbox trailer tosses plastic backing trash sportscar recognize up leans peers windshield wearing sweater.) car? (nods) yours? Kurt's. Troy. Troy? Troy playin' baseball? doin'. Kurt does do? Works oil fields. whatever want step trailer.) (continues scene): sweater bed sits.) furniture. (sits occasion? Kurt. guy for? wedding'll June 5th Methodist Church. singing cater reception. loves