No, Dolores!
Leave me be!
Let go of me, Dolores!
Let me go!
please, Dolores.
Dolores, got a certified letter here.
You'd never believe what happened at the knot.
Dolores Claiborne, what the hell are you--
Oh, my god.
What have you done?
Put it down, Dolores. Do you hear me? Just put it down!
Jesus, Dolores.
Oh, god.
Oh, my god.
You killed her.
So you lose the picture. Not happening.
- It's half a page. - I'll let you write the caption.
- Come on, Peter. It's crucial. - It's salad.
- I'm setting up the whole campaign. - It's a better piece without it.
You already said it was brilliant.
- I said it was wonderful. - Oh, there's a difference?
Yeah, half a page.
Fine. I only left it in so you'd cut it out anyway.
Okay, I'm ready for Arizona.
Wait 'til you see what I got lined up for the malpractice piece-- the surgeon's ex-wife?
- Wait a minute. - Had her on the phone for 20 minutes last night.
- I haven't assigned you that story. - You will.
- Slow down. - Come on, Peter.
There's a book here. I deserve this.
Why does every story have to be do-or-die with you?
Selena, you're not the only writer here.
I've got a dozen people to keep happy, you know that.
Right. so now you're not only not fucking me anymore,
you're fucking me.
- What is it, Helen? - There's a fax here for Selena.
From Phoenix? No, it's a clipping from the Bangor Daily News.
"Socialite dead, housekeeper held for questioning.
Mrs. Dolores St. George of little tall island, Maine--" where's the cover sheet?
Fax? Forget it.
They're hardly out of the 19th century up here.
Are you kidding? No, there's no motel. One restaurant.
They got me sleeping on a cot in the town hall.
No, tell him to relax. This is no vacation.
I'll be back on the mainland as soon as I wrap this up.
He was in for a fishing license today.
He was just in to talk yesterday.
Can I help you? Yes, I'm looking for Dolores Claiborne.
And you are?
I'm her daughter.
I'm John Mackey, detective, Maine state police.
Hello.
Will you please call Constable Stamshaw...
- And get him to come right up. - Yes, sir.
I'm sorry. No smoking.
Public building.
- We've met before, miss St. George. - Have we?
You were about 13.
What year was that, the eclipse?
Must've been, what, '75?
I was the investigator when your father died.
We met at the hearing.
What's up, John?
Miss St. George is here.
Selena?
Oh, my gravy. Frank Stamshaw.
Marshall's brother? Jonesport High. Right. Of course.
How are you? Ah, yeah, it's been quite a while, I guess.
It certainly has.
To be honest, I'm kinda surprised to see you here.
Your Mom's been pretty firm about us not trying to contact you.
John, I didn't know Dolores made any calls.
She didn't call. I saw the Bangor paper. It was faxed to my office.
- And where's that? - I came up from New York.
Look, is she here or not?
- Sh-she's right upstairs. - Thank you.
Uh, but, uh, John--
Um-- Is she under arrest?
Uh, technically no.
Detective Mackey came out last night and we're just getting started.
Started? On what? We've scheduled an inquest for Monday morning.
We'll take the weekend, try and sort things out.
If she's not under arrest, why are you keeping her in custody?
Right, okay. Vera Donovan is dead.
There was an autopsy in Machias this morning...
And, you know, she died from a fall.
Your mother was the only person with Mrs. Donovan at the time.
Well, that was her job, wasn't it?
I'm afraid, miss St. George,
there's a little more to this than what you may have read in the paper.
Dolores?
Dolores, what are you doin'?
Straightenin' up this friggin' mess, is what I'm doin'.
Gorry, but this place is a dump.
Jesus, Dolores, you're a suspect, not a maid.
Now, just leave that be.
Th-there's someone to see you here.
I told you, I don't want no lawyer.
Uh, Dolores, uh--
I-It's your daughter.
S-Selena?
My god! Look at ya.
You cut your hair.
Oh.
I didn't--
You call her? Is that what you did?
Jeezly-crow, you got some nerve.
She's here on her own.
Look at ya. Selena.
I'm just--
My god.
Is it really you?
Look!
Hey, miss Claiborne. Kill anyone else today?
Not just yet. When I change my mind, I know where I'm gonna start.
Go on, Matt, or I'm gonna call your mama. Where's the car?
- Right there across the street. - Dolores?
I know you've been living at the Donovan house, but it's a crime scene now.
I got my own house and you know it.
Selena, we'd like her to stay on the island for the next four days.
I decide to make my grand escape to south America, I'll be sure to let you know first.
- I'd appreciate it. - Uh, one last thing, Mrs. St. George.
The name is Claiborne. I changed it back after Joe died.
And you know it. Oh, I'm very sorry. Miss Claiborne.
Good mornin', Pam.
I'm sorry, but it's for the best if you got yourself some legal representation.
You're sorry, are ya?
I bet the last time you were sorry was when you needed to use the pay toilet...
And the string on your pet dime broke.
I'm just muzzy here, trying to think what to say.
All grown up, looking so--
You turned out a beautiful woman, Selena.
- Just can't believe you're here. - Oh.
That makes two of us.
I'm sure there's a very good reason for why you'd go out of your way...
To antagonize them like that.
Sometimes bein' a bitch is all a woman has to hold onto.
Nice car. It's a rental.
You pay by the day or by the week?
I assume that's your way of asking how long I'm staying.
Gorry, you're more nervous than I am.
I have to be in Phoenix on Monday.
It's a big story; I'm trying to get out of it,
but it may not be possible, all right?
I didn't kill her.
I didn't push her down that friggin' staircase.
That's what you want to know, ain't it?
Well, I'm tellin' ya, I did not murder that bitch...
Any more than I'm wearing a diamond tiara.
He's got an eyewitness...
Who puts you standing over a dead body with a rolling pin.
- Since when did you start smokin'? - Are you not listening to me?
They're talking murder here.
You're lucky I didn't have to post bail.
Spooky, ain't it?
Can't stand out here all day.
What a mess.
A regular bunch of artistes.
Look at this mess.
Cheese and crackers!
Friggin' little bastards.
Got an idea who they are too.
Let me try.
Go further out!
Check that over there.
He might be drunk,
and if he is, we'll still find him.
It don't matter if he's drunk or asleep, we'll find him.
Selena.
Selena!
Get in the house.
Selena, I said get in the house right now!
I am in the house.
It's cold, I know.
It's a dust bowl.
Oh, thank god I kept the electric up.
I got some wood. We'll have hot water pretty quick.
Clean linens upstairs, last I looked.
Longer you stand there, the more boogery it's gonna feel.
It's dead.
Gorry, it's off three years at least.
I'd know that if I called more often, right?
You called Vera's last Christmas.
The lines go both ways, mother.
Look, this isn't gonna work. I need a phone.
I'm going to stay at the motel.
It's closed.
It's off-season.
What about, um, Riner's Inn?
He's gone.
It burned down, must be five years ago by now.
Shit.
There's phones in town.
- We gotta go shoppin' anyway. - I'll go.
Alone.
I'll take care of it.
You don't know what we need.
I'm assuming it's everything.
You know what? I've got a game.
- You can count by fives? - No.
You don't know? Well, let me teach ya.
I know you are. You're smart.
Let's count by fives. You wanna play hide and seek? Ready?
Five, ten, fifteen, twenty,
twenty-five, thirty.
Five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, thirty.
Where is she? Where did she go?
I can't find Selena anywhere. Where is she?
I hear an awful lot of thunder upstairs, but I can't find Selena anywhere.
- Where is she? Is she lost? - No.
What was that I heard?
What did I hear? I don't know, I think I heard something.
There you are.
Huh, let me help ya. That's my job.
You must be starving. Oh, these calls.
It ended up longer than I thought.
Water's warm. You'll want a nice, hot bath. I got this.
I spent an hour tracking down this goddamned radiologist...
Just so he can tell me he won't go on record.
That your new story?
You say there's hot water?
Oh, yeah. Why don't you go on up and get yourself fresh.
Go on. It won't bite ya.
Must be a lot of pressure.
All them famous people, talkin' to 'em.
Oh, I framed the picture.
- You and Richard Nixon. - He was selling a book, ma.
I got a scrapbook. Saved all your articles.
Drugstore in Jonesport puts 'em aside for me.
I used to read them to Vera.
When she was clear enough to listen.
You've done so well for yourself.
Is that what you think? How well I've done?
Hell, even miss Vera kiss-my-back-cheeks Donovan...
Couldn't help but be impressed.
The look on her face the day you wrote that first picture-on-the-cover story?
You would've thought she passed a brick.
Maybe you oughta slow down.
Believe me, I know my limit.
Yeah. Don't that sound familiar.
I'd leave it alone if I were you.
I've seen my share of drunks, is all.
That's all I'm sayin'.
What did he have to be happy about?
I suppose making sure everyone else was as miserable as he was.
Is that why you killed him?
Oh, tough question, I guess.
Occupational hazard.
Don't feel too bad, ma.
I asked Jean Harris the same thing once.
Look,
let's face it, mother: We barely know each other.
We haven't spoken in years and that's as much your doing as mine.
You didn't kill Vera? Great. You've got nothing to worry about.
You did? Then you deserve whatever comes.
Just let's not pretend we're in some goddamn Norman Rockwell family reunion here.
I'm sorry, ma, but that's where we are.
And as for dad,
the few memories I have of him,
I'd like to keep.
Are you listening to me?
Daddy!
Hey! We made tapioca.
Get out! We did!
And it's not instant either.
And with real cream.
And the next thing you tell me is you made it just for me. Right?
There's that St. George smile.
Don't you look just like my mother! That's enough foolin' around.
Tell her she's got homework to do. Better do your homework.
Theo called about the chain winch.
He's got them parts just sittin' there. He'll go as high as 250.
I changed my mind. I ain't sellin'.
It's not worth a hundred. You said so yourself.
He's got those boats sittin' there in dry dock. He needs the damn thing.
Ain't that the point in a.A.-- Helpin' out your buddies?
"Helpin' out."
Shit!
Besides, I get that thing runnin', it's worth 250 a month.
Goddamn it, Dee, soda's warm!
I only got home a half hour ago. It went in first thing.
It's hard enough drinkin' this stuff cold.
What's so fuckin' funny?
Your pants!
They're split clear the way up!
Well, ain't that a scream.
Well, you're pretty goddamn frisky all of a sudden, Dolores.
Let me take a wild guess. Vera Donovan's got a whole freezer full of soda.
Take 'em off. I'll mend 'em after supper.
What's the deal?
You kiss that rich summer ass all day long, you got nothin' left for me.
- Ohh. - Just remember.
Your father used to scrape my old man's boat,
so don't be gettin' high and mighty with me.
You still had the boats, we wouldn't need the extra money.
Hey, Dee.
Lookee here.
Huh?
Big ol' smiley moon. It's just for you.
You wanna see the dark side?
Yeah, I guess it is pretty funny.
Yeah.
I hope you haven't been walking around all day like that.
Why the hell you make me do it?
Oh!
Fourteen times four equals twenty-eight?
Yeah. Come on.
Sure it is. It's 14. No, it's not.
Well, you take 14, you bend it 'til it snaps in half.
One of them pieces in there--
Can I have another with raisins? Not 'til after dinner.
You're right about that real cream. He loved the raisins.
He said it's my best ever.
Mom, the cabbage.
Move it off the heat for me, will ya?
I'm just-- I'm just restin' here a minute.
That's right.
She run her mouth off 'til she got tuckered out.
She got plumb tuckered out.
Mom?
D-do you want me to set the table?
Yeah, that'd be nice. Thank you, dear.
Each weeknight at 6:00 for the channel 3 news hour.
Stay tuned now for Walter Cronkite.
each one of these girls are representing...
A lifeguard station up the length of "Anquinid" beach.
It's "Algonquin," you goddamned flatlander.
Goddamn it, that better not be one of my mother's dishes.
You oughta take a look at this, Dee.
You might want to see what an ass is supposed to look like.
The guys on the boat, always talkin'.
Everybody sayin'...
What a looker you are.
You know what I do? I come right to your defense.
I say, "shit, she may be ugly now,
but you should've seen her when I was drinkin'."
My mother warned me you'd let yourself go.
Fat ass.
Lousy cookin'.
Runnin' that goddamned mouth--
Guess what, Joe? I ain't tired anymore.
You better sit back down, Joe, if you don't want this in your head.
Mommy?
Go on back to bed, honey. Your father and I are havin' a little discussion here.
Is everything all right? Ayuh.
Isn't it, Joe?
Yeah. Right as rain.
You go ahead, honey. Go on back to bed now.
- Daddy? - Go on!
Oh, bitch.
Ain't you gonna get a payback.
Go on. All I ask is that you do it quick.
And don't let Selena see the mess once it's over.
You wanna run me down? You go right ahead.
You can be as mean and hurtful as you want.
But this is the last time you will ever hit me.
You do it again,
one of us is goin' to the boneyard.
Make yourself useful, woman.
And bring me a towel for my head!
I'm bleedin' all over my goddamned shirt!
That was one lesson he got the first time.
Maybe the only one.
It's been a long day.
You must be tired.
What do you want me to say?
Thanks for sharing?
Selena!
Been lookin' all over for ya.
It's cold as Christmas.
What are you doin'?
I couldn't sleep.
Catch your death out here.
Tell me about plan "B." I want you to tell me you've got a plan, mother.
If it's about money, it shouldn't be.
I got my "sociable" security.
I can still work. I don't need much. What you need is a lawyer.
These guys, they don't say "get an attorney" unless they mean it.
It's you I'm worried about, Selena.
Let's not get off the track here.
You're my daughter.
I know that probably feels like somethin' better left alone, but it's true.
You're still my Selena.
You're still my good girl.
I can't help but be worried for ya. My god, your hands.
Scary.
Yeah, I guess you want to know somebody's life,
you look at their hands.
Hmm.
Yeah.
That's what 22 years of Vera Donovan will do to ya.
Oh, Mrs. Donovan, I promise there won't be any boys.
You're excused, Susan.
- But Mrs. Donovan, please-- - look on the bright side, dear.
You may not have gotten the job,
But think what fun you'll have telling your friends...
What a bitch Vera Donovan is.
Next!
I've been workin' since I was 13 years old.
Started out at the Devereaux Hotel, housekeepin'.
By the time I left there in high school,
I was cleanin' three floors all by myself.
I took care of my father's house after my mother passed on.
I'm married and have a daughter.
This is a big house, but I'm a big woman and I think I can do a good job.
I do not pretend to be an easy woman to work for,
Dolores.
This house has a number of rules.
I'm sure you've heard them secondhand,
but I'll tell you in person...
So we can avoid a teary scene later on.
I like all the windows open every day for at least two hours.
she did have her ways, did she ever.
I don't know where she got her ideas, but I do know she was a prisoner of 'em.
The silver has to be checked and, of course, cleaned every week.
It may look clean to you, but I like to see my face in it.
the tubs had to be scrubbed out every day...
With vinegar and bakin' soda.
The tablecloths, napkins, handkerchiefs--
Everything hand-washed, ironed and starched.
Mildew was grounds for firin'.
The sheets, now--
That was one thing you didn't ever want to get wrong.
You could've cut off her high-flown, snobbish nose...
And she still would've been able to smell a sheet that had hung outside...
From one baked in the dryer.
Excuse me, Mr. Donovan. Sorry.
You have to do that now? Uh, talk to the missus.
Her husband, Jack--
He only came up once all summer,
most of which he spent ignorin' her anyway.
She could've just as easy had the clothesline beside the house,
but not Vera Donovan, no, ma'am.
She had to have the south winds blowin' through her linens.
And that meant trampin' up and down that hill twice a day when it was fair.
Isn't this glorious, Jack?
Six pins, Dolores!
You know that's the way I like it.
Six pins, not five.
Jack? It's 4:30.
Don't you want a cocktail?
It was three square meals of bitchery all summer long,
but I kept my head down and my mouth shut 'cause every week that $40 went in the bank.
And there wasn't a damn thing she could say about it.
Thanks, Annette. As much as she crabbed that whole summer,
I must've done somethin' right 'cause come labor day--
Dolores, I'm sure your winter schedule is rather hectic,
but I need someone to touch up the house once a week.
Dusting, keeping the mice company.
I could do that for ya.
Twelve dollars a week was what I had in mind.
That'd be fine.
Then I'll see you next Memorial Day.
That winter, Jack Donovan passed on.
He died in a car crash in Maryland.
I wasn't sure what to expect from Vera,
but Gorry if she didn't show up in high spirits. Dolores!
I believe I've told you more than once...
I want the welcome mats with the letters facing out and not in.
Yes, ma'am. She'd sold her place in Baltimore.
She was movin' up permanent. Hand me that doily.
Oh, get that out of here and put that there.
And take away this disgusting sofa.
It took 'em two days to load in her majesty's palace.
She offered me full-time and I took it.
I took it; I knew what kind of hell it would be.
And hell ain't somethin' you get thrown into overnight.
Nope, real hell comes on ya slow and steady...
As a line of wet winter sheets--
Snot leakin' off your nose,
your hands so cold and raw, you start wishin' they'd go numb.
It's only December and you know by February,
that skin's gonna be cracked so bad it'll break open and bleed...
If you clench a fist.
But you go on to the next and the next.
Before you know it, those sheets stretch out 20 years.
Nobody made you stay there.
- I needed the money. - Not in the beginning, not $40 a week.
When I needed it the most.
Not for me, for you.
Oh, that's perfect. So it's my fault?
You think your father cared whether you ever got off this befrigged island?
Here we go.
I put that money every week--
I put it away in your account. For school.
Get you out of this place, once and for all.
- Well, it worked like a charm. - Hello, ladies!
Little mornin' walk?
Nope. Just packin' up the speedboat so's I can make my big escape.
Something we can help you with?
Dolores, uh--
- We need a hair sample. - How's that?
We need a piece of your hair, miss Claiborne. We're running some tests.
- Are you now? - Just a strand.
- I think we'll take a pass on that. - Look, Dolores--
Right now it's voluntary. I'd appreciate it, is all.
- Bring your scissors, did ya? - I said we'll pass.
I'll have a warrant here this afternoon.
You want it?
You cut it.
Actually, I need to pull it.
We need the root.
Go on. Take what you want.
I ain't doin' any beauty pageants this week.
- Anythin' else? - Mother, enough!
We spoke to Sheila Jolander last night.
She told us she heard you on more than one occasion...
Threaten to kill Vera Donovan.
Is that true? Ayuh.
If she'd have been there every day, she'd have heard plenty more than that.
Okay, get in the house. Vera, in the end, the way she got,
it's a wonder I didn't say it every hour.
You go ahead, Mr. Mackey.
You scribble that down in your pad there.
You make a note on that.
Long as you write down that sayin' a thing and doin' it...
Are two separate things.
- But then your wife probably already told you that. - Dolores!
That's enough.
My wife,
miss Claiborne,
died 12 years ago, bone cancer.
Natural... causes.
Okay. Guess we'll press on here.
Frank! I want to get into Vera's.
I got things up there I need. Clothes and my personals.
We can go over tomorrow. We're shipping out Vera's body this afternoon.
Fine by me.
What the hell did I just see?
That is the last guy in the world you want to make an enemy out of.
I ain't makin' one, I'm keepin' one.
Oh, what is that supposed to mean?
You gonna tell me you don't remember him?
That's all well and good, miss St. George,
but you told me that at the time of your father's death...
You were working as a maid in a hotel?
- At Jonesport? - Yes.
Well, Mrs. Devereaux...
At the hotel--
Remember?
Mrs. Devereaux said...
She was surprised to see you.
She said your Mom was pretty strict about not letting you...
Spend the night there.
Isn't that true?
I guess.
So why did she let you stay on that particular weekend?
Selena.
Problems at home perhaps?
Your Mom and dad--
That a happy situation? Miss St. George!
The eclipse.
Because of the eclipse, the hotel was full.
So the money--
They said that we'd make twice as much.
So this was all about money?
My Mom let me stay.
They said that we'd make twice as much.
So your father-- that was just a coincidence, was it?
My god, how long are you gonna let this go on?
The sooner this girl starts telling the truth, the sooner we'll be done here.
If he's out to torture somebody, I'd be happy to get back in the hot seat.
Mrs. St. George-- anybody who's gonna accuse me of killin' my husband,
go right ahead and call me Dolores.
Det. Mackey, you understand, he's just doin' his job.
Well, if tryin' to turn an accident into a murder...
And makin' a young girl who just lost her father cry her eyes out every night,
if that's just doin' his job, you better put him down for overtime.
All right. Let's split 'em up.
- Slow down, John. - Five minutes, alone.
Without her.
- Enough, John. - I only need five minutes. Come on!
I said, enough.
So don't be talkin' to me about makin' enemies. No, sir and no, ma'am.
That son of a bitch has been waitin' a long time to pick over my bones.
Hand me that ax.
Just look at this window. Little piss-squirts!
I oughta call their parents and have them pay for it.
Now I gotta go buy glass and putty and god knows what else.
Could've burned down the whole goddamn house.
I thought the malpractice piece was your most important story.
- If you left your number, I would have called you back. - Yeah, right.
Look, the radiologist I told you about?
He got cold feet.
But the intern Levitt? He's a talker.
I thought you were going up there to see your mother.
It's a small domestic drama up here, Peter.
I can be in Phoenix Tuesday. It'll be over Monday.
These family things-- I've been through it. They take a lot out of you.
I am telling you it's not a problem.
Look, we both want me to do this story, Peter.
I'm telling you I'm out of here Monday at the latest.
Hey, you want a wet dream? Wait 'til I tell you what Levitt said.
Are you there?
I gave the piece to Maureen.
I'm sorry, I couldn't wait. The magazine has to be first on this.
I-- it has nothing to do with you. You know that.
So I guess you're fucking Maureen now.
Nice try. Come on, Selena.
- You couldn't tell me to my face, could you? - Look.
- I never promised you-- - You goddamned pimp!
Careful. I need this story, Peter.
Selena, there are other stories.
- Better stories. - Bullshit! This was the one.
- Selena. - It's over.
Selena, it doesn't have to be--
I'll do this again.
Shouldn't you be off somewhere analyzing my mother's hair?
I was thinking how hard it must be for you.
Protecting her, that is.
She's a Hardy soul, isn't she?
Might just live another 50 years.
Next eclipse is due in '96.
She gets away with it this time,
she might actually have another chance...
To kill again before she's through.
Is that something you want on your conscience?
Yeah, I had a problem with that myself.
You know, we're probably more alike...
Than you'd care to believe.
No, we-- we live alone, no children.
And we have our work.
My cases are my family.
In 30 years, I've handled 86 homicides.
I've closed 85 of them to my satisfaction.
I underestimated your mother.
It won't happen again.
You sent that fax to my office.
Didn't you?
"For god shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing,
whether it be good or evil."
You son of a bitch.
Vera Donovan's on my head.
The next one's on yours!
You know, Selena.
I can't help rememberin'.
You were a wonderful cook.
- Please. - You were.
I can't even defrost.
You put supper on the table three nights out of five.
I was workin', I'd come back,
you'd have the house clean, your homework done and food on the table.
You're just out of practice, that's all.
You find someone to look after, you'll see.
It'll all come back to you.
Someone to look after?
You must have boyfriends, beautiful girl like you.
Smart and out in the world.
You're tellin' me there's nobody?
I'm telling you there's a lot of nobodies.
Dolores!
Friggin' yahoos! Dolores!
Come on out here, Dolores!
Stinkin' little bastards!
Get off little tall island, you goddamn murderin' bitch!
Come on down here, ya little ass-pickin' squirts!
How many people you gonna kill before they put you away?
Come on! Come on, ya little chickens!
You're goin' to jail this time, Dolores!
I know who you are! Chester Lavelier and the rest of ya!
Come on down here, you got somethin' to say to me!
They're gonna put you in the chair, Dolores!
Bye-bye, Dolores!
What are you doin'?
What does it look like I'm doin'?
Selena, you been drinkin'.
No shit.
I wish you wouldn't.
Look at me.
You see how I am right now?
Honey, what good is that gonna do?
Because in ten minutes...
I'm gonna be fine.
Just... give me ten minutes.
- Selena-- - Just give me ten minutes!
- Hello? - Selena, I saw your father last night!
Did you help your ma kill your dad, Selena?
Huh? Or did that fat bitch do it all herself? Murderer!
Huh, Selena?
- Did you help her push him down that well? Huh? - Who is this?
I find out who this is, I'll hang your privates from Battiscan light!
Selena, stop that!
Honey, it's gonna be all right.
It won't!
- Oww! - Selena!
My god! Aah! Get away!
It was a bad patch.
You had a bad patch, and now you're feeling it all over again.
"A bad patch"? Ohh!
I had a fucking nervous breakdown, mother!
Don't say words like that!
I-it was a hard time and you got through it.
Oh, what am I doing?
- You just needed a rest, that's all. - Right.
You snapped out of it just fine!
You can't have one of those things and get a full scholarship to Vassar College!
- It was just a bad patch! - I must've been out of my mind to come back here!
Sheriff!
Over here! Jesus!
- What did you do to him, mommy? - Nothin' baby. I promise.
Shit! Look at this!
Come on.
Fuck!
Goddamn it!
Selena, let me take these from you here.
Dolores, I'll take you upstairs.
I'm going to ask you to step very carefully on the way up.
Still taking blood samples here.
If you feel more comfortable, miss Claiborne,
you can always use the back stairs.
John, is it all right if we go upstairs and get her things?
Yeah, go on.
I'm sorry.
Yup, h-he got a search warrant, so, uh,
had to go through it for evidence, yup.
It's pretty routine.
Okay, let's get this over with.
So, uh, you can pack up and take anything that's not...
Bagged or tagged.
That doesn't leave much.
I'm sorry, Dolores.
I'll g-give you a hand here.
Dolores, is that it then?
No. I got somethin' in Vera's room.
This room's off-limits.
I'm still going through things here.
Uh, miss Claiborne.
What's this then? It's my scrapbook.
Selena's articles.
I'd read 'em to Vera.
Oh.
Oh. Jean Harris.
Almost got away with it, didn't she?
Nixon! yes, I-I read that. That was good stuff.
You really got him to open up there.
Ahh. Scholarship?
Vassar. Very impressive.
Ivan Boesky, Norman mailer, Nancy Reagan, John Gotti.
Jeezly-crow.
Couldn't ya even clean up after her? What kind of people are you?
- Put that back where it was! - You gonna tell me this is evidence?
That's exactly what I'm telling you. Put that down.
- Jesus! - Goddamn it!
Tryin' to do you a favor and that's the way you act?
I ain't leavin' here without my scrapbook.
I'm sorry, John.
So, Dolores, see you day after tomorrow, 9:00 A.M. at town hall.
Don't put your fur up, frank; I'll be there.
I have a feeling we could wrap this up right now, miss Claiborne.
Not gonna be like last time.
Is that so?
Mother, let's just go, okay?
Now, you listen to me, Mr. grand high pooh-bah of upper butt crack,
I'm just about half past give a shit with your fun and games.
My husband's death was ruled an accident, and you know it better than anyone.
Death by misadventure, to be exact.
I'm sure there's people who'd tell you I had plenty of reasons to kill Joe.
But Vera? Why the hell would I kill her?
All I am is out of a job and a nice room to sleep in.
You don't need a job, do you?
Motive?
I'd say one million, six hundred thousand dollars...
Is quite a motive.
- What? - your mother's a wealthy woman, Selena.
What the hell are you talkin' about?
I spoke to Vera's lawyer in Baltimore last night.
- John-- - She left you everything.
- Look, John-- - Every last cent.
She can't do that.
- You're lyin'. - You're a millionaire, miss Claiborne.
John, wait a minute.
- This ain't hardly the place to be bringin' all this-- - back off, frank.
It's crazy. It's plain crazy.
She'd never do that.
She keep it a secret from you too, Selena?
Or maybe you knew about it.
Because this will, uh--
I mean, hell, it's only eight years old.
Frank!
You wanna wait for the district attorney Monday morning?
Or should we go take care of this now?
Get in the car, mother.
Get in the goddamn car!
Fine.
You had no idea she left you the money?
I swear it.
- Over a million dollars, mother. - That bitch.
- That malicious, high-flown, harpin' bitch! - Oh, cut the bullshit!
You can afford a lawyer now.
- Car trouble? - We're quite fine, thank you.
I wish I had killed her.
Leaving me that money!
I wish I had!
I wish I had killed her.
What happened in that house?
Dolores.
Hell's bells.
Look who's up.
I'm wet.
What else is new?
How long this time?
Since ya last made sense? 'Bout two days, I guess.
Just leave me wet, don't you?
- Oh, phhh! - When I'm not thinking straight enough...
To keep on you,
that's what you do!
Isn't it?
Ayuh, it's a regular party around here when you're snoozin'.
Where's my China pig?
Well, there's only 200 of 'em around. Which one you want?
Are you being smart?
No, if I'd been smart, I'd gotten done workin' for you a long time ago.
Let's see what you got left.
Vera! Goddamn it! You gonna sit here and marinate in it? Come on.
You're gonna get on this Fanny pan, one way or another.
Come on.
There we go.
your chariot awaits, your highness.
Now, hold on with your good arm, Vera.
Hold on this time.
Push with your good leg.
Oh, I don't know why you make me do this.
Ohh.
I hate this nightgown.
Well, your days of silk and satin are over, Vera.
From now on, it's wash and wear.
You're poisoning me. Aren't you, Dolores?
Slow, but sure.
That's what you're doing.
No, ma'am, when I get ready to settle your hash, I won't bother with poison.
I'll just shove you out the window; There'll be one less smelly bitch in the world.
Well,
Don't we have a hair...
Across our ass today,
Dolores Claiborne?
I want my China pig!
Then get off your royal duff and go get it; We both know you can do it.
Do you good. You need the exercise.
What I need...
Is someone who'll do as they're told!
Don't go too far, Vera.
I'll go as far...
As I damn well want!
Yes, I will.
If this...
Is what's going to pass as living,
I'll damn well say what I want!
- Ah, this little piggy had champagne. - Yes, I will!
This little piggy ate beans.
- I'll fix you some tea; You'll feel better. - No!
I won't.
I won't feel better.
I never will.
I'll never feel better again.
My god.
Vera?
Vera!
Vera.
What-- what the hell are you doin'?
Vera. Out of my way, Dolores.
Vera, where do you think you're goin'?
Vera, what in god's name has gotten into you?
Vera! Vera-- let go of me, Dolores!
Vera-- Let go!
Let me go!
Oh, my god.
Vera.
Vera?
Oh, my god.
- Dolores. - Don't try to talk.
I'm gonna go call the doctor.
No doctor. No hospital.
You're gonna be all right, Vera.
You just lie still, don't move.
You're gonna be fine.
Dolores Claiborne says I'm gonna be fine.
What a relief it is...
To have a professional opinion.
Why?
Why'd you do this, Vera? Why?
Because I hate...
The smell of being old.
I'm tired...
And I wanna be done.
Will you help me, Dolores?
Will you please...
Help me die?
Don't let me die...
In some hospital.
- Vera-- - Kill me now.
Please.
Dolores.
If you really want to help me,
please hurry.
Dolores, I got a certified letter here.
You won't believe what-- Dolores Claiborne!
You don't believe me, do ya?
You think I killed her.
What I think doesn't mean shit.
It's the rest of the world you'd better start worrying about.
I made a list of attorneys.
These are all the big muscle firms in New York.
It could take a couple days. That's why on Monday you're not gonna say a word.
Take it.
In case you missed it, I'm trying to help you.
You think I give a Fiddler's fuck what anybody else says about me?
Jesus.
It's you, what you think; It's the only thing left that's important.
I can't send you to prison.
You think that's the end of the world?
Gorry, might be a relief.
Sit and sleep; Three meals served up every day.
Maybe you're just happier being miserable. Is that it? Is that it, mother?
- If it makes it easier for ya. - Vera's a bitch.
She's abusive, she's mean, she's cheap.
Why not leave? Why not just walk?
Is that what they do in New York?
If someone hurts me, I leave.
And believe me, I learned that a long time before I got to New York.
I'm not the one that hurt ya.
What is that supposed to mean?
You're blaming him?
Is that what we're into now?
He was a drunk.
He could barely get out of his own way.
Fine.
Maybe he hit you. I don't remember it.
You don't seem to remember much of anything.
But then he's not exactly around to defend himself, is he?
You honest to god don't remember, do ya?
Look.
Here's the goddamn list.
You do what you want with it.
That's why you're so unsettled, ain't it?
"Unsettled"? don't you mean "boogery," mother?
If you're attempting some sort of meaningful analysis, perhaps we'd best define our terms.
Selena-- it's the cornerstone of critical thinking:
- The ability to communicate with an agreed-upon vocabulary. - We'll have another drink.
No. I've had my fun for the night.
No!
You sit down right this minute,
and you can just stow that Vassar shit!
We're gonna sit down at this table, you and me,
and we're gonna have us a drink.
And when we're through-- When I'm through--
You can run upstairs and take whichever of those little pills makes you feel the best.
Don't say a goddamn word.
Before you get too deep in that, I was wonderin' if you took a look at her report card.
I saw it.
So what?
- Everybody slips now and then. - May I be excused?
Tell me how an honor roll student...
Who skips the whole 7th grade can go from A's to C's and D's in two semesters?
Leave her alone already!
It's not like you were some great genius at school.
Claibornes. Wasn't one of ya even born in a hospital, for Christ's sake.
May I please be excused?
- No, you may not. - Yes, you may. You go right ahead, dear.
Thanks a lot.
You'd better learn to stow it; Gonna drive her right out the door.
Mom, what are you doing here?
Thought you and I might ride back on the ferry together. Do you mind company?
Beautiful, ain't it?
You used to be beautiful too, Selena.
Why ain't you anymore?
When's the last time you washed your hair?
It's drugs, ain't it?
You've changed.
You're 13 years old, you're smokin' pot.
I wanna know where you're gettin' it from and how long it's been goin' on.
I don't do drugs, mother.
Whatever trouble you're in won't change my love for ya, Selena.
But I can't begin to help you out of it 'til you tell me the truth.
- Are you pregnant? Get real.
You wanna end up like me, dumb and stuck?
Think I been pushing you so hard in school...
So you can stay in a uniform cleanin' up after people your whole life?
- Is that what you want? - I'm not pregnant.
- Well, then, what is it? What's goin' on with you? - Just leave me alone!
No. You and I are gonna ride the ferry all day until you tell me what's got you this way.
Leave me be!
- Why won't you talk to me? - Don't touch me!
- What? Selena-- - stop touching me-- aaah!
Selena! I got you!
- Oh, god! - Get off of me!
What is the matter with you?
Talk to me!
Where did you get this?
What are you doin'--
This is your grandma St. George's cameo.
It's mine. What did you do?
Did you go in your father's closet? Please, Mom, please.
Selena, did you steal this?
No! It's mine!
Selena, did he--
Oh, my god.
As you can see, Mrs. St. George,
this account's been closed out by your husband and--
How can that be?
That's my life savings. How can that be when I got the passbook right here?
Well, you see, Mrs. St. George, that is--was--
What we call a custodial savings account.
That means either parent can countersign, make a withdrawal.
But this doesn't show any withdrawals.
How'd he get the money without the goddamn passbook?
Mrs. St. George, if I could ask you to keep your voice down.
According to this, your husband stated that the passbook was lost.
He asked to be issued a new one. It's common enough.
Common be damned! I opened this account!
Who the hell you think put the money in the bank to begin with?
Please, Mrs. St. George.
I'm sorry, but I assure you what we did was not only legal,
but standard bank practice.
Maybe it's legal, maybe it ain't.
What I can't believe is that "standard bank practice" means...
You don't even make one goddamn phone call to the person whose name is on this account.
I'm very sorry, but--
Say you're sorry one more time, I'll kick your butt up so high you'll look like a hunchback.
Lydia.
It's 'cause I'm a woman, ain't it?
If I'd been passin' off a fairy story...
How I'd lost a passbook and asked for a new one,
if I'd been the one who started drawin' out what took 11 years to put in,
you woulda called Joe.
Well,
suppose it's one of two things.
Either he's buried it in a Mason jar in the backyard...
Or else he's opened up a new account.
Mr. Pease,
I know you don't have to tell me, but I'm hopin' you'll think for just one moment...
About the grief and heartache you coulda saved me by makin' just one phone call.
I'm askin' you to please tell me whether he's opened a new account here...
Or if I gotta start diggin' holes around my house.
As soon as the luncheon silver is clean,
I want the guest rooms aired out.
I'll want to go over the linens for the daybeds in the study and sun room.
No, joy, I don't like those colors together. Change them.
Dolores, did you check on the flowers?
Oh, must you look so trod upon, Dolores?
In 36 hours, you will have the uniquely thrilling experience...
Of standing at the epicenter of a total solar eclipse.
I've got guests travelling 800 miles for something all you need do is look--
Dolores! Pamela, have you seen Dolores?
Dolores, as soon as the caterers arrive,
I want you to make sure they have everything they need.
I've made a list; I want no last-minute, frantic runs to Jonesport.
Do you hear me?
Pamela,
Would you put on some tea?
Are we quite finished?
I'm sorry, Mrs. Donovan. I truly am.
Vera.
I insist that all women who have hysterics in my drawing room...
Call me by my Christian name.
So, enlighten me, Dolores.
What turns a stone-hard woman like yourself...
Into the blubbering mess I see before me?
I--
Joe stole my money.
I went to close out my account--
It was money I'd been saving for Selena.
Three thousand dollars.
I went to get it out and it was gone.
Well, don't look to me, Dolores.
All my money's tied up in cash.
Planning on playing the stock market, were you?
I was gonna leave!
I was gonna take Selena away with me tonight, before he gets back.
Well.
Isn't that dramatic.
And why, exactly, are we running away?
Well, go on, Dolores.
Perhaps it's not as bad as it seems.
Give it to me! It's mine!
Oh, my god.
- It's your father, ain't it? He's been at you, hasn't he? - What are you talking about?
- What's he done to you? - Nothing!
- He's been touchin' ya, hasn't he? - No!
- What's he done to ya, Selena? - Nothing!
You gotta tell me the truth. It's important.
- No! Leave me alone! - Selena, you've got to tell me what's happening!
- Aah! - You bitch!
- You crazy, old, lying bitch! - Selena!
You're fucking psychotic. Do you know how insane that is?
- You think I'd make this up? - Did this actually come to you or did you work on it?
- How can you not remember-- - I remember you hitting him! That I remember!
I remember the blood coming down his face!
- I remember the drinking, the fighting, but this? - You're not responsible!
- Mackey's right; You are dangerous. Fuck you! - Selena, please.
- You gotta believe me! - No, I don't.
Selena!
Selena?
Don't try and stop me. I'm going to the hotel.
Mrs. Devereaux needs extra help for the eclipse.
Selena! I'll be back in a few days!
- Selena, we talked about this! - Look, I don't care what we talked about!
- Selena! - I don't wanna be here...
When you talk to dad about your crazy ideas!
- You come back here right now! - Leave me alone!
Selena!
Ohh!
Oww!
Ohh.
For 12 hours sleep, you don't look so good.
I need to be in Arizona.
It's a big story, and I need it.
I know.
I packed your things.
You had stuff lyin' around.
Coffee's on the stove.
What is it?
It's Detective Mackey's report.
- Here. - I don't want it.
How remarkably brave, mother.
I'll make some calls.
You will have your phone turned on tomorrow.
I'll take the report; I'm gonna fax it to a lawyer.
You can expect a call tomorrow.
And when you talk to that lawyer,
you damn well better do what he tells you.
You'll miss your ferry.
You wanna hang yourself,
go into that inquest tomorrow and start shooting your mouth off.
I'm sorry, mother.
Sometimes being a bitch is the only thing a woman has to hold onto.
Shit.
I hope I'm doin' this right; I never worked one of these before.
Gorry, don't these Japanese make the cunningest little gadgets?
You're sleepin' now, Selena,
but I know when you get up you're gonna leave.
By the time you hear this I figure you're in Arizona.
By now it's all been said and done.
Forget about the lawyer; I'm gonna go down tomorrow and talk to those people.
I ain't makin' a stink about it no more.
I'm tellin' you now what I'm gonna tell them.
I just thought you oughta hear it firsthand is all.
How far has he gone, Dolores?
She says it ain't never happened.
And she screamed and cried, denied it so bad, I know it's true.
I shoulda--
The way she's been actin' around him, I shoulda known it sooner.
- My god! - How far has he gone?
We weren't always like this. We started out-- it weren't a dream come true, but--
Has he fucked her?
I don't know.
But if he hasn't, he's gonna soon enough.
He's workin' the boats.
He'll be back tomorrow.
That money--
I was gonna use that $3,000 to get us as far away from here as possible.
And how far is that, Dolores?
Jonesport? Bangor?
You've never been more than 50 miles away from this island...
In your life.
How long do you think it will take him to find you?
It's a depressingly masculine world we live in, Dolores.
Maybe I'm wrong.
What if you're right?
Husbands die every day, Dolores.
Why, one is probably dying right now while you're sitting here weeping.
They die...
And leave their wives their money.
I should know, shouldn't I?
Sometimes they're driving home from their mistress' apartment...
And their brakes suddenly fail.
An accident, Dolores,
can be an unhappy woman's best friend.
Don't you just love the Bossa Nova?
- I found them in New York; I just had to have them. - They're marvelous.
Hi! How are you?
There's a buzzer goin' off in the kitchen; You'd better check it.
Dolores!
I'm sorry, Mrs. Donovan. We're goin' as fast as we can.
Oh, please!
Everything's... charming.
- I heard on the radio they're callin' for rain. - Oh, don't worry.
I'll have my eclipse.
I'm sending you home, Dolores.
You've done a wonderful job and it's all under control.
I want you to go and share this remarkable experience...
With your husband.
He will be back, won't he?
I suppose so.
I've got you two eclipse viewers and two reflector boxes.
I thought you and Joe might like them.
I can't.
Sometimes, Dolores,
sometimes you have to be a high-riding bitch...
To survive.
Sometimes...
Being a bitch...
Is all a woman has to hang onto.
Thank you, Vera.
Now, go on home.
Pam and Sheila can clean up.
Remember, eclipse at 5:00.
Bring that over here.
I wouldn't miss this for the world.
I got my binoculars, gonna find myself a good spot.
Yeah. Come on. Come on!
Ha! Get, get going! All right!
Yeah!
You stupid-- shit--
You sorry piece of shit!
What the hell are you doin' back?
Got the afternoon off.
Welcome home to you too.
Ah, don't start with me, Dolores.
Where's Selena?
She's workin' at the hotel.
Looks like you bought out the whole store.
Well, what's all this? It's a present, to celebrate the eclipse.
Eclipse. Shit.
I been feeling so good lately, I just thought I'd share some of my happiness.
What do you got to feel happy about?
Huh.
Well, Jesus Christ.
- You don't want it? I can pour it down the sink. - Yeah, right.
Vera sent us some, uh,
thingamajigs to watch the eclipse.
Yeah, like I give a shit.
- Ohh, I don't wanna fight with ya, Joe. - Yeah.
Let's just try to enjoy the day.
That won't be hard.
Looks like D day!
Hey, Dee, look at 'em!
Whole goddamn island's out there!
Ah, I hope it rains.
Hope it comes down so hard it drowns 'em all.
What the hell's got into you?
Ain't nothin' gonna happen any more'n a thunderhead goin' across the sun.
Eat up, Joe, before the flies beat you to it.
Ah, up for air we go!
Hey, Dee!
Isn't this what you and all the rest of them fools been waitin' for?
Better get your butt out here!
Oh, goddamn--
Yeah, she's disappearin', all right.
I got another surprise for ya, Joe.
Oh, yeah?
What, did somebody invent a pill to cure ugly?
You know the money in Selena's bank account?
Yeah, well, what about it?
You took it.
Mm-hmm.
Well, don't you look sour.
Yeah, I guess it is pretty funny, isn't it?
I fooled you right and proper, didn't I?
You fooled me about a lot of things, but I guess I finally caught up with ya.
You already spent five hundred of it.
What'd it go for, Joe? Poker?
Beer?
There you go, sellin' me short.
It was set aside for school.
Maybe you figured you blown all our money, you might as well run through hers.
Ah, school. Shit!
Can't even wipe your ass for three grand these days.
I spent the day with the people at the bank.
Turns out you weren't supposed to do that--
- lie to 'em, make 'em break their rules. - What?
What did you go and do?
I got all that money given right back to me in cash.
All but the five hundred you pissed away.
So you can just go fuck yourself,
that is if you can get that limp noodle of yours to stand up.
I told you what'd happen...
If you didn't leave off bein' fresh with me, didn't I? Huh?
You believe me now, do ya?
Huh? Yes-- yes! Joe!
Oh... my-- my god.
Look at that.
A star.
A star!
Well, you'll see plenty o' them,
you don't start tellin' me where that money is right now!
I buried it... In the yard.
- Out by the field. - Let's go get it back where it belongs, why don't we?
Oww! God!
Believe you me, there'd better be every last cent of it!
You better save the big talk...
For your pals at the barber shop!
I wonder if they'll think you're such a stud...
When they find out the only ass you can get your hands on...
Belongs to your 13-year-old daughter!
I don't know what you're talkin' about. Really?
Then how come you look like the devil just reached in...
And grabbed them little raisins you call balls?
She's a liar. She's a little liar! She's a goddamn tease!
How could ya do it, Joe?
After everything I did for her,
she's... mouthin' off like that, tellin' lies like--
When she gets back, I'm gonna get my belt.
I'm gonna-- I'm gonna-- I'm gonna get my belt!
The only thing you're gonna get...
Is a long stretch in Shawshank prison for child molestin'!
You goddamn bitch!
The more you run, the worse it's gonna be!
You're gonna get your payback now, bitch.
It's gonna cost you more than money!
You're mine now, you little--
Dee! Give me a hand before I fall all the way in!
Dee! Help me before I fall all the way in, goddamn it!
Goddamn it, what are you doing?
Dee, where are you goin'?
What the hell are ya doin'? Dee, come on!
Dee, don't go nowhere! Where are you going? What are you doing?
Dee. Dee.
What are you--
Oh, you bitch! Oh, you're gonna die!
Help, somebody!
Oh, god, somebody help me, please!
Help! Y-- help!
Help, somebody! Oh, goddamn it.
Nobody can hear you, Joe.
You bitch! You'd just better hope I don't get outta here.
The eclipse lasted six-and-a-half minutes.
They said it was some kind of record.
It was a helluva lot more than a thunderhead passin' across the sun.
It was beautiful.
I burned my dress.
I dropped the whisky bottle out near the well...
And started askin' folks if they'd seen Joe off on a bender somewhere.
Other than Detective Mackey showin' up and makin' trouble, it was easier than I thought.
That's what happened, plain and true,
and I don't care no more who knows it.
Guess all I do care about,
all I ever cared about,
is that you're safe and sound.
I lied to ya.
And I lied to myself.
Now it's time to pay the Piper.
Here we go.
One coffee, one dollar.
Out of five.
Okay, one coffee, one hot cocoa.
That'll be 60 cents.
Ah, my credit ain't worth half that.
There you go.
You look cold enough to climb inside a clam shell.
Here. This'll warm you up.
What's the matter? You don't want it?
It's hot chocolate, just for you.
Come on, let's take the top off.
Hey, you got that little thing I give ya?
Let's have a look at it.
You know, this is very special, Selena.
My mother got it from her mother...
And I'm not gonna give it to just anybody.
It's very special for you, okay, sweetheart?
Here, take that.
It's a very special thing for you, sweetheart.
Your hands cold?
I'm okay.
Here, give me your hand. I'm fine!
Nobody's gonna see us, sweetheart.
Here, come on. Gimme your hand.
- My cocoa will spill! - Oh, gosh.
Well-- well, I'll buy you another one.
Come on, let me dry your hands off. I'm all right.
Oh, gosh, your hands are cold.
I can't get my hand--
damn it.
Daddy, please.
No!
Now, come on now, you know how to do it; I showed ya.
You remember how I showed you?
Nobody's gonna see us.
Come on, baby. Do you remember? Huh?
Selena?
You remember how I showed ya?
Selena, please. Come on.
That's it.
Ohh, that's it. Ohh, you're my good girl.
I love you, Selena.
You're my good girl.
You want your change or what?
No. You keep it.
I was gonna kill her, your honor.
She tried to do it herself, but she was still alive.
She begged me to finish what she started.
I didn't know if I could do it or not.
By the time I got back from the kitchen, she was dead.
Just your good luck, I guess.
They tell me you've waived your right to counsel.
Yes, sir.
I can tell you I've married people who brought lawyers with them.
Let's just get this over with.
Before I sign Det. Mackey's report,
there are a few things I'd like him to clarify for me. John?
Uh, miss Claiborne,
I have several witnesses who say they were present...
When you threatened the life of Vera Donovan.
Now, that's true, is it not?
Why don't you ask me what you really want to know?
In due time, miss Claiborne.
In due time.
- Is it true you made those threats? - Of course, it's true.
She told you herself on Saturday.
I'm sorry, miss. This is a closed hearing.
The woman sitting over there, the one without a lawyer? That's my mother.
This isn't a trial. I have every right to be here with her.
John?
Selena St. George. Let's just wrap this up and get back to the mainland.
This report is incomplete. Maybe before you sign off on this--
We're in the middle of a questioning, miss St. George.
My mother did not kill Vera Donovan.
Oh, that's funny. I've got 30 pages here that says she did.
This thing is totally circumstantial.
Excuse me, but I've covered enough courtrooms to know he's got no hard evidence.
Circumstantial? Samuel Marchant, page six.
Why don't you tell him what's not in the report?
You've had a whole weekend to get yourself a lawyer. John!
What is it, miss, that's not in the report?
These two women loved each other.
Oh, really?
Well, that's something we'd like to hear.
That's something we definitely missed...
In our investigation.
Isn't it, frank?
Why don't you tell us about this great... Mutual affection.
Your personal observations.
How they'd get along when you'd visit.
Christmas, birthdays, holidays.
Whenever you could tear yourself away from your judicial reportage.
Why don't you tell us, miss St. George?
When was your last visit?
Miss?
Fifteen years ago.
You must have some memory.
These women were together for 22 years.
My mother spent the last ten years caring for Vera 24 hours a day,
365 days a year...
For $80 a week.
Maybe you oughta quit while you're ahead.
He says they hated each other.
I want to know, if you hated each other, why you stayed together.
There were other jobs, better jobs.
Why go through 20 years of hell?
- Why, mother? - Please, miss St. George. This is embarrassing.
You're supposed to be a professional, aren't you?
We know I never visited.
Who did?
In the past few years, who else has been in that house?
- Doc Cullen came once a month. - Let's not forget Sammy Marchant.
Nobody else gave a damn whether they lived or died.
All they had was each other.
That's why you stayed together.
I mean, really, is that what you do when you hate someone?
You trade off your life for--
What is it, twenty cents an hour just to keep them going?
Ah, please, all this is very touching.
But one million, six hundred thousand dollars...
Is a little more than 20 cents an hour.
- My mother never knew about the will. - Oh, come on.
Miss St. George, the will is eight years old!
You were there, frank.
You were there when Det. Mackey told her about the will.
- Do you think she knew about it? - The constable's not on trial.
Neither is my mother!
Constable?
Sh-she seemed pretty surprised, I guess.
To me.
That's how I saw it.
You want us to believe that they were best friends...
And alone for eight years, and they never even talked about it?
I think people can keep secrets a lot longer than eight years.
A $1.6 million secret?
Ah, come on!
Did you know about the will, miss Claiborne?
No, sir.
Vera made it pretty damn clear she was takin' it all with her when she went.
I figured when she passed on, there'd be some laundry to do and a fare-thee-well.
- Isn't that convenient? - You don't believe her.
Then I tell you what, detective.
We may be in the presence of a truly gifted criminal mind.
For eight years, she's a heartbeat away from being the richest woman on the island.
So what does she do?
Does she wait one year and let Vera drown in the tub, spend three years starving her?
- You're only digging yourself in deeper. - Smother her in her sleep?
Drug her? No.
No, my mother's "plan" is far more brilliant than that.
Howard, please!
She waits through eight years of bed pans and sponge baths...
And diapers and bedsores.
She waits eight years until Vera's got one foot in the grave.
- Then what does she do? - We know what she did.
That's your theory. She waited eight years to throw her down the stairs.
Yes! To make it look like an accident.
An accident? She ransacked the kitchen for a rolling pin!
- Calm down! - Is beating Vera to death going to look like an accident?
She panicked, just as you're doing now.
Sammy Marchant brought the mail every day at noon. Why not wait 'til midnight?
She panicked! She knew she had to finish her off!
- How do you know what she knew? - Forty years experience!
- And you've never been wrong. - Not when it counted.
Oh, that's right. You're 85 for 86, aren't you?
- Yes, I am. - One case away from a perfect record.
- This report is the truth! - Truth? Bullshit!
Why don't you tell him why we're really here.
Go on.
Tell him.
- Because she's done it before. - Wait a minute!
Is there some prior felony here, John?
No. No, there's not.
They wouldn't indict her.
Eighteen years ago,
my father drank a bottle of scotch and fell down a well.
Det. Mackey didn't think it was an accident, which is...
Why we're here today.
And what do you think, Selena?
I think I owe you an apology.
I called you a son of a bitch.
You said you thought we were a lot alike? And you are right.
We both spent the past 18 years prosecuting this woman.
We came out here--
I know I did--
Believing she was guilty.
We forgot this case is about Vera Donovan.
Not my father. And what if it wasn't an accident?
Look.
It's been 18 years.
I don't know what this has done to you,
but let me tell you, it's consumed me.
I have lived with this every day of my life.
Every day.
I was wrong and I won't do it anymore.
And if I can say that, my god,
can't you?
She didn't kill Vera Donovan.
You've been out here all weekend looking for a smoking gun.
There isn't one.
All you've got is a 30-page description of a suicide.
I'm asking you as an honorable man.
In all your experience,
all that you've seen,
would we be here right now if this was anyone other than Dolores Claiborne?
This report's the truth!
I'd like you to know that if you go to trial with this,
you'll fail again.
You better ask yourself how you want to finish your career.
Because I've got a long list of New York lawyers...
Who would just love to take you and this case apart in front of a jury.
Mother.
Come on, let's go.
He can't hurt you anymore.
John? This is your ball game.
I'm gonna leave this up to you.
Come on.
It's time.
Even when it's warm here, it's cold.
Yeah. It won't be like that in Arizona.
There is no Arizona.
I don't have to go.
It was a lie.
My editor--
The story, the book-- It's all over.
Do I still have to worry about you?
I don't know how to feel about what you did.
Maybe I never will.
But I know you did it for me.
- Hey, let's go! - I don't want to lose you again.
Go on.
You're not gonna lose me.
You go on.
Closed-captioned by captions, inc. Los Angeles