Fattenin' Frogs For Snakes (2023)

[bunniefuu]

(jungle sounds play)

(cinematic music plays)

Good morning,

Did you have a dream?

(dramatic music plays)

(furniture moving)

(birds chirping)

(men sing in the distance)

(digging sounds)

(men singing continues)

(ground impact)

What the f*ck y'all lookin' at?

You ain't never seen a dead man before?

Get your ass back to work!

(men start back singing)

(snoring)

Lenny!

Lenny.

Lenny!

(snoring continues)

Lenny.

(snoring continues)

Hey, Lenny.

Lenny.

Lenny.

Lenny.

What the f*ck?

What?

What the f*ck, white boy?

What I tell you about waking me up?

I can't sleep.

Oh, you m*therf*cker.

Go to sleep, Jake.

I keep thinking about Thomas.

He was only 23 years old.

He d*ed from his exhaustion.

He only had two years left.

I can't die in here, Lenny.

Shh, I can't, I'm innocent. I won't.

Thomas!

Was a f*cking drug addict

and a no good pedophile.

Worst of all, he ain't

never drink no water neither.

You ain't gonna die in here, white boy.

You gonna get out here,

Make it back to that there woman of yours.

And that's that.

You understand?

Go to sleep, Jake.

Lenny!

Oh, you m*therf*cker.

Just hear me out, okay?

I know you got loose from here a

couple years back and the way I see it...

(Laughs) Yeah.

Yeah, I got out.

It wasn't easy.

They found me.

They put a whooping on me so

bad, worse than my own mama.

I spent two months in the hole.

sh*t.

Help you.

I tell you though.

(laughing)

That was the best 126 hours I

ever spent my g*dd*mn life, man.

I would gladly sell my soul.

And the souls of my own

children to feel like that again.

Forget about it, Jake.

It's too hard. It ain't

worth getting caught.

Having all your dreams

shattered all over again.

How do you know what I was fixing to say?

I know you, Jacob.

I know what you thinking.

What if I don't get caught?

I mean, they never

caught Billy Earl back in 29.

Billy Earl!

Okay.

But last I heard,

they found his body floating up the Coosa.

Said he tried to swim across.

Dumb son of a bitch.

Oh, well, he forgot

he couldn't swim a lick.

Let that be a lesson to you, Jake.

You do dumb sh*t...

Then you get dumb sh*t happen to you.

(laughing) Oh, my goodness.

He forgot he couldn't swim.

Thats some...

Hey, Lenny.

Can..?

Can I have some of this?

Boy.

You don't want none of that.

Oh, I think I do.

You know what that there is?

Gone.

(laughing)

That's toilet molasses, boy.

You sip on it.

It's gonna put your dumb ass back to sleep.

(coughing)

When you wake up...

You be done forget all about

trying to leave this place.

Gone. Sip on it.

(Cough)

(Cough)

Go head.

Gone.

Be a man.

Yeah.

That'll do it for you.

Go to sleep, Jake.

I'm begging you, Lenny.

Please give me the map.

The map, please, give me the map.

What map?

The what?

Ain't no map.

Sure there is.

It's in your head.

We just...

We just gotta get it out.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Go to sleep, Jake.

(Bass drops)

I was thinking about

what you said last night.

What I said last night.

What did I say last night?

You was talking about

busting out this place.

I was just talking.

Ha, No. You wasn't just talking.

You're right.

There's a way out.

Unless you're gonna change

your mind and get scared.

I mean, sh*t I'd go with you.

Them crackers hadn't

f*cked my leg so bad...

Last time I busted out.

I can't run from here...

Far as that side walk over there.

So, yeah.

I got the map in my head.

And...

I'd be happy to help you...

Go through them doors...

And through the...

Pearly gates of white p*ssy heaven.

Ha.

Cause you know I been there.

Hmm.

But uh..I'm gonna need something from you.

Well, Lenny, I'm gonna tell you like I told

that big colored fellow in the shower...

the first week I got here.

My hind parts is off limits.

What?

What?

Jacob!

I'm talking about, I can

help you get out of here.

Cause I need you to do

something for me on the outside.

That's gonna help me get out here myself.

Oh, okay.

Ha.

I ain't studying your

f*cking hind parts, boy.

All right.

Well, in that case, I'm listening.

So, there's this family.

See?

La-la-la-la-la-la

la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...

la-la-la-la-la-la-la...

-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-...

la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...

la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...

(Melodic music continues)

(Dog barking in the distance)

(Knocking)

(Dog continues to bark)

Can I help you?

Oh, hey sir. My name's Jacob. Jacob Banks.

I'm just looking for-

-We done told you a hundred times,

and I'll tell you a hundred times more...

We ain't for sale. Now get off my property.

(Door slams)

(Banging on door)

You've got three seconds to get off my

property before I load this here r*fle up.

Sir, I think there's been some kind

of mix up. So, I don't want your land.

I'm just looking for

work and a friend of mine

told me that you might be hiring a helper.

We ain't hiring no white folks.

Sir, look, judging by

your perennials, you're

in need of a good

landscaper and your gutters

they haven't been cleaned out in ages.

Did you know that clogged gutters can cause

water damage on the inside of your home?

No kidding.

Trapped water can ruin

the wooden fascia boards

that your gutters are mounted to,

causing moisture to leak inside your home.

Listen,

One minute, you're sitting down next to

a nice piece of fried chicken, and the next

minute you're up to your

ass and elbows in flood water.

Sir.

What you say your name was?

Jacob.

Jacob.

Jacob.

Quimby Banks.

Hm.

Landscaper, huh?

Yes, sir.

Well the property's been around a

long time, since the early 1700s, they say.

Around mid-1800s, Andrew Jackson,

old sharp Kn*fe, as the people called him

said he was tired of looking

at the Injuns round here.

Said it was too many of us, and

not enough of them in the south.

So they ran us out.

Well, most of us.

Some stayed behind.

Got sold into sl*very.

And some got reclassified.

But the Lakely family has

managed to retain their heritage.

Ma Mary, she's an Arawak elder

an a direct

descendant of the chief Holata Outina.

And her husband, Mr. James

Lakely, we call him Pa,

He's also of native blood

Creek.

He just shy of 100 years old.

And Ma, she's rumored to be

But nobody really knows.

A lady never tells her age.

Pa James ain't spoke not one word

Since 1902.

That's when they k*lled

his oldest boy, Samuel.

Since then, we've been distributing cotton.

A heap of vegetables,

and even gasoline, believe it or not.

(Frogs chirp)

Everybody been trying to figure out

the family secret for many, many years.

sh**t.

It took me some time

to figure it out myself.

Yeah.

This old place has seen a

lot of souls come and go.

The house was partially

b*rned down once before.

And was rebuilt in the nineties.

Since then, we've made

a few new renovations,

including the basement.

Well, this is it.

Bathroom's just right

down the hall to your left

and we'll be serving

breakfast at 5:30 each morning.

So don't hesitate to hollar

if you need something.

Well, I'ma leave you to it.

Oh.

I almost forgot,

They call me Sissy.

Oh, I'm-

-Jacob.

I overheard you and

Mr. Solomon talking earlier.

Well, have a great night, Mr. Jacob.

All right.

Well, goodnight.

(Door closes)

Ahh.

(banging sound)

(banging sound)

(banging sound)

(bird hitting window)

(bird hitting window)

(bird hits window)

(bird hitting window)

(bird hits window)

(bird hitting window)

(bird hits window)

(bird hits window)

(rooster crowing)

(melodic music plays)

Ah, Jacob.

How'd you sleep?

Not too good.

Dang birds kept flying at

my window all night long.

Hmm.

It's the strangest thing.

Jacob.

This is John Otis.

My brother-in-law.

John Otis.

This is Jacob Banks.

It's nice to meet you, Jacob.

I'm the overseer on this here, plantation.

You understand?

The H-N-I-C.

Head n*gga in charge.

Basically, I own your ass.

While you on this here farm.

All right, all right.

Ain't nobody owning nobody here.

Now, Jacob, as long as you work

hard, do a good job, you can stay.

But you start falling behind and

getting lazy, your ass is out of here.

Now, you say you know your

way around this landscape.

You familiar with digging ditches?

(shoveling sound)

What the hell is this, Lenny?

I mean, I could just stay on the

g*dd*mn chain g*ng for this sh*t.

Uh, what's wrong?

They got me busted down ditches

from the sun up to the sun down.

That's what's wrong.

I didn't sign up to be

nobody's g*dd*mn sl*ve.

You signed up for whatever take.

Look, what you just gonna give up now?

You want to be rich or what?

Because you can bust your ass back

in here just as easily as you busted out.

No, I ain't giving up.

And I sure as hell ain't

coming back to that place.

I'm thinking maybe I should have

thought this thing out better first.

Yeah Jacob, you're gonna be all right.

I don't know about John Otis.

He can't stand your ass.

Yeah, well he don't trust me, I get it.

I wouldn't neither.

All the things that my

people did to your people.

Jacob, stop.

No, Solomon. I mean it.

No, stop, look.

(Dark music plays)

(Laughing)

Ah, the cow done gone and got her rag!

(Laughing)

Yeah, I ain't never seen no

milk cow bleed like that before.

You ain't f*cking my cow

is you white man?

(Laughing hysterically)

I mean, what is this?

Who are these people?

Where'd they get all this

g*dd*mn money from?

I mean, you ain't got me in

nothing I'm gone regret is you?

Just relax.

You just got the jitters, that's all.

Look, this is me talking to you.

You think I would put you in harm's way?

Me?

Just get in there, get what

you came for, and get out.

We don't want nobody getting

wise to who you really is.

Start asking questions.

Hey, look buddy, I agreed to do

this with the utmost confidence in you.

I just want to know more

about what it is I'm getting into.

That's all.

Like I said, you in

For the jackpot of your life.

The jackpot of your

m*therf*cking life, man.

(phone hangs up)

(exhales)

Ugh.

Lazing m*therf*cker.

No, you did good today

Don't stay out here too long.

Might miss supper. Food so

good you ain't gone wanna leave.

Hey, Solomon.

Wait a second.

Before you go inside, there's

just something I want to tell you.

I probably should have

said something before, but...

Go head now.

Spit it out.

Well, I should have mentioned

this before, like I said.

But the truth of it is that uh...

Well, I just got released from

Folsom state prison a few days ago.

For a crime, I didn't commit.

Why you didn't say that last night?

Well, because I didn't do nothing.

I was wrongfully accused.

And when my lawyer, man by the name of John

Henry Adams, when he

found out, he come down there.

I was out in 45 minutes.

Jacob..

I'm watching you.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Ohhh.

You in for the jackpot of your life. The

jackpot of your m*therf*cking life man.

Hey, Jacob.

I'm sorry we didn't get the

chance of properly meet earlier.

I'm Lindy Lakely, but

everybody call me Peaniney.

Solomon my husband.

Oh, well, nice to meet you.

I'm Jacob.

Jacob Banks at your service, man.

Oh.

I am at your service.

Anything you need to make

your stay more pleasant.

Don't be afraid to give me a holla.

Oh, I appreciate that.

Ouch.

What's wrong?

Oh.

You got a little sunburn rash on your neck.

Hold on.

Here, put that on there.

It helped ease the pain a bit.

Oh God.

That's hot.

Yeah.

It's a spurge leaf.

It's good for rashes and

burns and things like that.

It'll sting a little bit at first, but

then it'll feel a whole lot better.

Actually, now that you mention

it, it does feel a lot better.

Gee, thanks.

Don't mention it.

Y'all just letting him be up in here?

Mm hmm.

Just letting him be free.

No.

Where this white boy come from?

Solomon.

You got to answer that question for Janey.

Cause, just, well yeah.

(Clears throat)

Hey, Jacob.

Hey.

So, Jacob, tell us.

How you end up down here in Boley?

Well, that's an interin' question.

That's an interesting question.

Kind of funny and a little embarrassing.

It's probably not too polite to

talk about at the dinner table.

Nonsense.

We all family around here.

Hey, Ma.

Alright.

Janey, take your pocketbook

off the table, darling.

Hey, Ma.

Hey Papa.

Hey, Ma.

Our new helper Jacob here

was just telling us a funny

story about how he end up here.

Go on.

Finish your story, Jacob.

Mm hmm.

Okay.

Well, here it is, huh.

The truth is, I was just

released from Folsom-

(clears throat)

- Farm. Up in Chattanooga.

Ain't that right, Jacob?

Yeah.

Yeah, that's what I was fixing to say.

Folsom farm.

Up in Chattanooga.

He lost his job.

Due to the depression

that the country's seeing.

Old Franklin

He's going to run this

country right into a hell hole.

I tell ya.

What's so funny about that?

Solomon, no politics at the table.

You're going to go ahead

and get Mama started.

Get me started?

Nah, you about to get me started.

Y'all don't know the first

thing about no dog on politics.

I know politics.

Politics is what them white devils did when

they b*rned down Tulsa

out there in Oklahoma.

Politics is what k*lled Mama and Daddy.

Before them White folks here

we had no need for money.

We had politics and laws and then we

grew and only k*lled what we needed.

Sho did.

My big mama used to make her own quilts,

Ketchup,

and mustard.

We know Mama.

And she used to drag all 12 of

her children to work every day.

Girl I should have swallowed you.

(Throats clear)

I told y'all don't get Mama started up.

Emma Jean.

Settle down. Settle down, now.

Boy.

When I told you to find me some help

I thought I said the colored man.

Colored.

This boy right here?

He's pale as a dog on whale.

Jacob's a good worker, Ma.

Should've seen him out there.

Ain't that right, John Otis?

Besides,

We need a good, hard

working white man round here.

Help turn this place right around.

I think we can do better.

No offense, Jacob.

None taken.

As truth is, I don't

get into politics much.

Or religion for that matter.

I'm just a simple man

who lives a simple life.

I'm grateful to be here.

I'm curious, though.

How happens you own this house?

I mean, no offense, but

this is the heart of Dixie.

I mean, y'all being colored and all.

They used to hang folks

in them trees, out yonder.

They would run into their house at night.

Drag them out of bed and string em' up

Round their neck.

You walk under them

trees on the right night.

And you can hear the

spirits talking to you.

First you hear the cool breeze.

The hair stands up on

the back of your neck.

Then you feel the warm, hot breath

in your ear, speaking in tongues.

If your heart is pure,

they leave you alone.

But if you're wicked, they'll

tell you to k*ll yourself.

I don't mind them too much.

That's one of the reasons

we bought this place.

Ain't that right, James.

The vibrations here are unbelievable.

Can you feel them?

Places like this means good

fortune for folks like me.

But not so much for you.

My parents acquired this

land shortly after the Civil w*r.

You gone have to excuse my mother.

She has a vivid imagination.

Mama, did you take your medicine today?

Girl, shut your doggone mouth!

You hear?

Janey, leave your mama alone.

You leave me alone.

Emma Jean.

Calm down, calm down.

Let's just enjoy this beautiful feast

that my wife and sisters

have prepared here.

Jacob, I want to be the first to thank you

for what you're doing round here.

We sure appreciate what

you're doing round here.

Hear, hear.

(Glasses clank)

Speak for yourself.

So, Ma, Sissy tells me that

you're over 100 years old.

What?

Say what?

Ma.

I'm sorry.

I didn't.

I didn't mean to.

You ever had your fortune told?

You mean like someone looking

in my future or something like that?

Exactly.

No.

I don't really get anything

that kind of mumbo jumbo but

Once I didn't have a lady at the carnival,

tell me I was gonna be rich and famous.

And I'm still waiting for that to happen.

But uh

sh**t, I'll play along.

Sissy, would you get me an egg ou the-

Mama.

Sissy, can you get me an egg, please?

Yes Ma.

(Omnious music plays)

What am I supposed to drink this?

Look.

What?

What kind of? What?

What did you just...?

What did you see?

I don't see nothing.

I see an egg yoke.

Look, I told you, I don't

really get into all this stuff.

It's silly.

Peanine, will you pass

the potatoes, please?

(blues music plays)

Hey, boy.

Run down there to the basement.

And fetch us a jar of that hooch.

It's in the pantry.

As soon as you look to your right,

it's in a crate on the bottom shelf.

Got it?

Yes, sir.

In the basement to the right top shelf.

I said bottom shelf.

You ain't too bright, is you, boy.

Look, don't lose my keys.

Now, go on, hurry up.

I'm thirsty.

(blues music continues)

Well, looks like you ain't

too smart neither, is you, boy.

(Glass breaks)

(stomping on floor)

Sorry! Everything's okay.

It's the gold.

(picking lock)

(stomping on floor)

Alright, I'm coming back!

Now, all you gotta

do is let the sink fill up

Then we're gonna get to cleaning them.

Mrs. Emma don't play about her vegetables.

How are you liking it here so far?

It's taking me a little getting

use too, but I like it so far.

So, are you the head house...

Uh..

Uh..

Runner, excuse me.

Yeah, something like that.

Janey and Solomon, they both moved away.

I stayed back tending to Mama and Papa

Raising a family, living the dream.

You know, we're not so

different, you and me.

I too, long to live the American dream.

That's all some of us ever had, was dreams.

Not everybody can run

off and live, they life

Like Janey and Solomon.

Some folks got to live in reality.

You know what I mean?

Mrs. Emma Jean,

What's in the basement?

How's that?

Well, I saw his door down there

when I went to get the booze.

Some kind of light on in there, or

something but I couldn't tell what it was

cause the door was locked.

Now don't you go

meddlin' around in things,

you ain't got no business

meddlin' around in,

You hear?

Yes ma'am, of course. I

was just curious, that's all.

You know they say curiosity

k*lled the cat, don't you?

Yes ma'am.

Mama and Papa worked hard all

they lives to afford a place like this.

When people look like us work that

hard, they ain't so quick to part with it.

These old southern woods hold

thousands of years of secrets.

And the one thing they never do, is

tell what they saw, but they see it all.

Ooh! Run chills up my spine.

Just pay no never mind to what

you saw down there in their basement.

Some things is better

locked up for a reason.

Yes ma'am.

No, that's not how you do it.

Like this.

See, there's a rhythm to it.

Ah yeah, I see, I see.

(Whispers)

Jacob. Jacob wake up...

Okay, when you get to here.

You gone run into a railroad track,

Then a creek,

You gone run up it.

Okay. Old railroad, run up it.

The creek dummy, run up the creek.

Don't call me dumb, I got held back.

Okay, well listen with your g*dd*mn ears

and not your f*cking assh*le!

(whispers continue)

(camera flash)

(Jacob screaming)

Ahh!

(Jacob screaming)

Howdy.

Hello Jacob.

You need a hand?

No, I don't.

I can do it myself, I don't

need some big strong white

man like yourself to

come help me, I got it.

Okay.

Ohh, I got ya.

Unhand me!

Look what you made me do to my pears.

I was just trying to help.

I didn't need your help.

I was tilting my chair, so I could reach.

A pear that was higher up.

But you were fallen.

Well, gee, man, I didn't mean no harm.

I was just trying to make

sure you didn't hurt yourself.

Hurt myself?

Chile, find somebody else to play with.

I have a degree in physical education.

And I've run

five miles a day.

Don't you ever do that again!

Okay, well, I'm sorry.

I accept your apology.

Okay.

Well go!

Alright, well, I was just trying to help.

Howdy.

Hey Judge. How are you?

Oh, mighty fine. Mighty

fine. Hot. But fine.

So what do we owe the

pleasure of your presence, Judge?

Well, just to sh**t straight with you.

Well, honey it ain't the best of business.

Do you, you mind if I come in to talk?

Sure thing. Come on in.

John Otis. Uh, Judge Moore

is here. He want to talk to you.

Well, as I was saying before, I

got some just really awful news.

And I know that's not what folks in this

county want to hear

right now, but here it is.

We gonna need y'all to sell some

of this beautiful land you got here.

Say what?

(laughing)

I'm sorry, Judge. This

land is not for sale.

Well, that I do understand, but if you

would just give me a chance to continue.

Go ahead.

As y'all are aware, this county has

been in real bad shape since the w*r.

(sips tea)

I mean, the majority of families, they're

dealing with horrible living conditions.

You, I mean, you and your

family have found a way

to remain prosperous

through these times, somehow.

And not only just to

survival but to thrive.

Well, we here in Coosa County, we like

to think of ourselves as one big family.

And we're all in this together,

you know, depression and all.

So what we want to do is

we want to make you an offer.

How you say it, a uh..

A per diem.

What is it?

It's a check for $500.

And there's plenty more

where that came from.

Like I said, we want you to

think of it as a, a per diem.

Per what?

It's a per diem.

Why y'all want our land?

Ain't y'all got enough land?

We heard you just bought the Bailey place.

Finally made it round to us, huh?

I'll be damned.

Well,

turns out your land sits right in

the geographical center of this town.

I mean dead center.

So we feel it's vital

for the, the growth and

development of this town that we call...

Wonderville.

You see?

Land's not for sale.

Calm down, baby.

Well, I mean how come?

Why y'all so attached to it?

You can take that money I gave you

and buy a piece of property twice as big.

This land has been in

our family for generations.

We couldn't sell it even if we wanted to.

Mama and Papa wouldn't have it.

Look, I'm prepared to offer y'all

up to $10,000 for this property.

You can get that by check or cash.

However you like by Friday.

Friday?

This Friday.

Janey, Mm mm. Don't even think about it.

You can't tell me how to think.

Yeah we know. Little Miss Janey

going to do whatever she want to do.

Yeah, you got dern right.

It ain't easy waking up

every day looking this good.

Or worked out.

Now, you know where you can go.

I done had way more than

enough of you for the day.

This land ain't for sale.

I've been fighting you

white folks all my life.

Even watched my oldest

son die because of it.

And that's the only way you're gonna get it

over my dead body.

Mrs. Lakely,

I think I would love to

ask you to reconsider.

I mean, without this deal going through

this town, we don't know

whether it's going to sink or sail.

Let it sink.

I think it's time you be going.

Now your answer is no.

Not maybe.

Not we going to think about it.

Just no.

You understand?

Yeah.

I understand.

You know what?

My daddy was right about you people.

Y'all are selfish.

Now we could live in harmony in this town,

but y'all decided to play it the hard way.

Well, so be it.

I just want you to know that

you're making a grave mistake.

Not everybody is afraid of you around here.

You better be afraid.

We don't take too kindly to threats.

John Otis.

Judge, he's just

passionate about this land,

That's all.

Baby, that's Judge Moore.

He's our friend.

He wouldn't do anything to

hurt us, would you, Judge?

Best of luck to you folks.

(axe chopping)

Hey, boy.

Why that axe ain't swinging?

Hmm?

I said, why that axe sitting on that

ground, and not on your shoulder?

Well, I was just taking a break.

Never mind.

Step aside.

Always got to show y'all

ass how to do something.

sh*t.

(Axe chopping)

I think I got the hang of it now.

Boy, you think you something.

You ain't nothing.

You hear me?

Just a nothing-ass po-ass cr*cker.

That so?

Mm hm.

Tell me something, Jake.

How do it feel...

To work..

For some rich...

n*gg*r*s?

Okay, all right, that's enough.

John Otis.

Why don't you follow me into the house?

I got some better for you

to release that aggression on.

(Axe chopping)

What's all that about?

Beats me.

You can't win em' all.

Can't win em' all.

You really letting that wood have it.

You alright, Jacob?

I'll be alright.

Guess we'll leave you to it.

Peanine.

What's the matter with you?

You all right?

So did you find anything new?

Yeah.

It's in the basement.

Just like you said.

Now, I just gotta figure a way in.

You sure?

Yeah, of course I'm sure.

I've done this enough time to

know where X marks the spot is.

Okay, so what's the holdup?

The sooner you get in, the

sooner I can work on getting out.

You ain't changing up on me, is you?

No, I ain't changing up.

It's just, you know, they practically

rolled out the red carpet for me.

And how come they... So friendly strangers.

I mean, they ain't no kind of psychopaths.

Is they?

Lenny, you there?

Yeah, yeah.

I'm here Jacob.

Look, Jake.

There's something I forgot to

tell you about the Lakelys, man.

Well what's that?

They witches, man.

They witches.

(laughs)

Ain't no such thing as witches, man.

You just be careful up there.

A whole lot of folks that go messing

around the Lakelys don't prosper well.

Well, it's a fine f*cking time to

tell me that now, ain't it, Lenny?

I'm knee deep in the sh*t now.

Yeah,

You know what, I'm sorry forgive me, Jake.

I'm sorry, man.

Well, that's it.

I gotta get the f*ck out of here, then.

No, no, no.

No, Jacob.

I need you to complete the task at hand.

Because I really need this.

Are you f*cking serious?

After I tell you, I got a bad

feeling and you want me to stay?

Even after you tell me

that the people I'm robbing

are a bunch of devil

worshipping sons of b*tches?

That's exactly right.

Look.

I'm letting you in on a

real big score here, man.

The least you could do

is come through for me.

You are already there, man.

Seventy percent.

Excuse me.

You said seventy percent?

You kidding, right?

Seventy percent.

Or I walk out that f*cking door right now.

I can't believe you're

doing this to me, Jake.

Alright.

Well, I guess I'll see you in

twenty years to life then pal.

Alright, alright.

Okay.

Seventy percent.

You son of a bitch.

Ha ha. Deal.

Son of a bitch.

Look.

Just make sure you get it done

before the next full moon, ya hear.

Why is that?

It's a southern thing.

It's good luck.

I'll tell you what, you

colored folks are real

silly with your superstitions, but

you got yourself a g*dd*mn deal.

(Phone hangs up)

(whispers)

Jacob.

Jacob. Jacob!

(Breathing heavy)

Well, is ya coming?

(door slams)

Come on in and have a seat.

While I get my things together,

you can have a seat right here.

Go on.

Have a seat.

Is that alright?

That's right.

Don't be nervous.

Come on.

I want you to lay down.

Okay.

Why don't you tell me a

little bit about yourself?

Ain't nothing really to tell.

I was born down Mississippi Way.

Family was sharecroppers.

Been poor.

All my life.

Ain't we all now.

Ain't we all.

I don't know.

Y'all seem to be fairing pretty well here.

So they say?

Yeah.

That's what they say.

You like to sing, don't you?

Yeah, I like to sing, yeah.

I started singing in the church.

Folks used to tell me

I had the voice of an angel.

Hmm.

Sadly, I got injured in the w*r.

Severed my vocal chords.

But uh..

I know if I could just get my voice back.

I could really be somebody.

Make my family proud.

They..

They say you the lady that

could do that for me.

That what they say?

That's what they say.

Did they tell you how it works?

Yes, ma'am.

They said,

you do a favor for me.

For me.

And

I do one for you in return.

So what you got for me?

This here.

This is my granddaddy's.

He was a sl*ve.

He a..

He d*ed in the Civil w*r.

Fighting for the Confederates.

Mhm.

This all we got left of him though.

I don't even know what he looked like.

But my mama always say,

if you know what time it is,

God's still got some use for you.

This is beautiful.

You sure you wanna part with it?

Yeah.

If, if it'll get my voice back.

They say, when a person dies,

a little bit of their soul remains here,

attached to their things.

Yes ma'am.

I tell you what I'm gonna do.

I'm gonna let you hold on

to your granddaddy's watch.

As long..

As you can promise me something.

If it'll get me my voice back,

whatever you say.

(blues music plays)

Hey Jacob.

How'd you sleep?

I didn't get much sleep last night.

What's wrong? You sick?

No.

You been having bad dreams?

Yeah, how'd you guess?

People been known to have

bad dreams round this place.

Get in.

Oh, man, wow, I ain't never

seen a car this nice before.

You wanna know what the

town folks say about this place.

What?

They say this place built

on top a Indian burial ground.

Say this place haunted.

You ain't know that?

I, I heard those horror

stories about this place.

I want you to know something.

Don't scare me none.

Shouldn't scare you none neither.

That's just a bunch of silly people

making up scary stories about this place.

You think so?

I know so.

So, what did you see?

The other night at dinner

When Ma showed you your fortune.

What did you see?

You know, Ma once showed

me my fortune, one time.

And, I was

sitting in a field of dandelions,

Old and grey,

drifting away.

Now go on.

Tell me what you saw.

You know, when I first come here,

Only thing I knew to read was the bible..

Only book I ever needed

my mama used to say it.

I was 14 when I met my husband.

He learned me everything I know now.

Never knew not much but him,

and this family.

A lot of unbelievable

things happen here, Jacob.

Things you couldn't even imagine.

Things that would give anybody nightmares.

You get you some rest now, Jacob, you hear.

(urinating)

Just what in the hell you

think you're doing here, boy?

Don't you know those

is n*gg*r*s in that house?

Huh?

You some kind of f*cking

n*gg*r lover, is that what it is?

Answer me, dammit!

I just got out of Folsom

County Prison a few days ago.

I come here for work,

and they hired me as the help.

I'm gonna cut you in

on a little secret, though.

Them c*ons in that house is loaded.

They got a ton of gold,

and God knows what else

in that basement down there.

Now, I intend to work

for them just long as I can,

but I'll get my hands

on it, then I'm gonna go

down to Florida, and I'm

gonna start me a new life.

Me and you supposed to be on the same team.

Why don't you put that g*n down?

I'm thinking maybe I can cut you in.

My name's Jacob.

Jacob Banks.

Who might you be?

Well, Jacob.

Name's Billy Gunn.

It's nice to have one

of our own on the inside

The Lord is gonna truly

bless you for your service.

Now, how much gold are we talking?

I'm not really sure, but it's a heap of it.

Enough to go around and

come back again, that's for sure.

Now, let's say I cut you in for 20%.

How does that sound?

Does that sound good?

I'm thinking more like 50%.

50%? Now, that's...

That's..

50% sounds good.

All right.

Now,

I want you to do me a favor, Jacob.

I want you to give those f*cking n*gg*r

c*ons in that f*cking house a message.

All right.

I want you to tell them.

They're gonna settle this f*cking land.

And get their black...

(g*n sh*ts rings)

Jake!

That's you?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Don't sh**t me.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Gotcha,

didn't I son of a bitch.

Who sent you?

Hmm, you wanna give the silent treatment?

Who sent you?

(Blunt force)

Who sent you?

Ha ha ha. You k*ll him.

You take him for every g*dd*mn...

(g*n fire)

Ahhh

I wasn't through questioning him goddamnit.

I'm sorry.

He a...

Well, he moved.

(car motor in distance)

Good evening, ma'am.

It's the home owner about?

Just a minute.

Wait, right here.

Would you like to sit in the living room?

(Piano plays)

Yeah, we just gonna

stand if that's all right.

Wait here.

I'll be damned.

Can you believe this sh*t?

These n*gg*r*s up here living like this,

When we on the other side of

town sleeping in filth and poverty.

Officers?

I'm Janey Lakely. This is

my brother Solomon Lakely.

How can we help you?

Is, uh...

All of this yours?

It sure is.

Not bad for some n*gg*s.

Right?

What is that?

Is that a picture camera?

You filming this?

Yes well, Solomon's a filmmaker.

I hope you don't mind.

Amatuer filmmaker.

A white man escaped from

Folsom Prison a few weeks ago.

We have reason to

believe that he's in the area.

Name's Bennett.

He may or may not have another alias.

Why heavens no.

We ain't got no white

prisoners running around here.

Do you have a picture?

What does he look like?

Y'all seen him?

Have you?

No, we ain't seen no white men except

the two standing right here in front of us.

Are you sure about that boy?

Cause you know,

harboring a fugitive is a federal offense.

Punishable by hanging.

Now, uh...

You wouldn't want to do anything

to get yourself hang now, would you boy?

No, sir.

Especially not for housing

no running away cra-

-Solomon!

You got something on your mind, boy?

I think we have answered

all of your questions.

So we would like it if y'all

two would just be on your way.

Mm-hmm.

Well, yes, ma'am, we're

gonna be on our way.

But during the meantime,

I want you to keep

them eyes real wide open.

And if you see anything at all,

I want you to make sure

you call me right away.

Cause I sure would hate to have to come

back out here with any ropes and chains,

for any...

uppity n*gg*r types.

Sure officer.

The door's down there.

(deep breathing)

Hey, Solomon.

How you doing?

Jacob.

What was that all about?

Oh, nothing.

Just the local, low-down law enforcement,

harassing us colored folks.

The usual.

Mm-hmm.

All right, well, I guess I

better be getting back to work.

Oh, oh, Jacob.

There was one thing.

It's magnificent, ain't it?

What?

To live in this great country of ours.

On top of that, to be born white in it.

I guess so.

Better than being colored, I guess.

Exactly my point.

Much better than being colored.

They seem tothink we might

know the whereabouts of

Some escaped prisoner.

We live in the dominant society.

Cream of the crop.

Top of the heap.

Ain't democracy grand.

Democra what?

Democracy, my dear boy.

That's what allows us to live

on top with so many beneath us.

We live in a world full

of endless possibilities.

Funny thing.

Y'all even got the same name.

Name's, Jacob.

Except..

His last name's Bennett or some nother.

No, no thanks.

I got my own.

To being a white man.

Being a white man.

So you're telling me there's an

escaped prisoner with my name?

Ha Well, I'll make sure

to keep my eyes peeled

just in case I see something strange.

Speaking of being a white

man with endless possibilities.

See this house right here?

Which one?

What's going here?

Yeah, so?

Would you like to rob it?

You know, I used to go down to-

-Jacob.

You ain't in no kind

of trouble, are you...?

Jacob.

Funny thing.

Him escaping.

You showing up here

out the clear blue skies.

If you m*rder*d a couple.

Which is two.

How come they say they found three bodies?

(g*n sh*t)

(g*n sh*t)

I guess they got lucky.

You sh*t me.

(coughing)

Well..

I told you to be quiet.

Ahhh!

Funny thing.

Funny thing.

Don't work too hard, Jacob.

Well...

Nice knowing you, Edwin.

(g*n sh*t)

(g*n sh*t)

Hello?

Who's there?

Elsie?

No, no.

(More g*n sh*ts)

(body drops)

(Glass breaks)

(dark melody plays)

(Wind blowing heavy)

Lets go.

One more time.

(Laughter)

Hmm.

Jacob, honey.

You all right?

You ain't looking too well.

Oh, Emma Jean, you really

outdid yourself this time.

But...

Having said that.

I'm going to have to go, family.

I got another obligation

that calls me and uh..

I must make haste.

(Hard impact on table)

Jacob,

Where did you get that?

Oh, Janey.

Will you quit with the ignorant act?

All right.

Well, who wants to die first?

(Emma Jean screams)

It going to be you?

Or is it going to be you?

You know, I never really

did like your black ass.

No, I don't really want to k*ll nobody.

sh*t, give me that p*stol then.

I said I don't want to k*ll

nobody, but g*dd*mn it, I will.

I'll k*ll every single one

of you black bastards.

Except for you.

You know, I'ma impregnate you.

(Peanine screams)

Just calm down.

Solomon,

Shut the f*ck up.

Now, which one of you..

Wants to get up and help me get that

thousand pounds of gold out the

basement and put it in the truck outside?

John Otis...

you don't mind if I borrow

your truck now, do you?

No, I guess you don't now.

Let's take a little walk.

How about that?

Big man.

All right, Solomon.

You make sure you pack the last of

that gold real tight in the back there.

I don't want it falling around

when I hurry the f*ck up out of here.

Don't drop it now, put it back in there.

I know you think I betrayed you.

Well, I did, but here's the thing...

I'm a poor, poor white man.

And up there gold right there, that's

going to help me start a new life.

When I broke out of prison,

I only had two things on my mind.

One, I had to come find

you and get that gold.

Number two, I ain't

never going back to prison.

Ever.

No hard feelings, okay?

You ain't sh*t white boy.

Big, bad John Otis.

You look like you want

to do something to me.

Why don't you try it, boy?

Oh!

m*therf*cker!

(g*n sh*t)

(g*n sh*t)

(creepy music plays)

Hey!

You come out!

I'll take it easy on you, I swear.

But you make me look for you.

Oh I'm going to make you

suffer, I promise you that.

Hey, Solomon?

You know that old couple

they said I k*lled up in Nashville?

Well, I lied.

I cut that bitch up in little pieces and I

sh*t that old man in the g*dd*mn face.

Solomon!

Where are you?

(multiple g*n sh*ts)

Solomon!

Where are you?

(flies buzzing)

(dark ambience)

(g*n sh*t)

(g*n clicking)

Uh oh, you out of rounds

ain't you, Mr. Jacob?

(Blunt force)

Now, you just hold still.

(creepy music plays)

Wakey, wakey, jakey, jakey.

What the hell?

Sorry Ma.

How's that head, Jacob?

It should be pounding right about now.

You untie me right f*cking now!

You let me loose, or I swear

to God, I'll k*ll all of you!

Ain't nobody gonna

hear you out here, Jacob.

You in the middle of nowhere.

I'm sure right now you've been

wondering what this all about.

Huh?

(laughing)

They ain't tell you nothing about us?

They've been talking about

us for years around town,

saying that we was voodooers and witches.

They even tried to cleanse

us of the devil, they say.

They sent missionaries

from time to time to talk to us,

but they stopped short.

And once they realized,

everybody came back

with visions, bad dreams,

and all kinds of ailments.

They just didn't know how spiritual we was.

That's all.

Everything was fine at first.

We stayed on our side, they stayed on us.

Till one day,

my older brother got

caught stealing a peppermint.

Out the local store in town.

Said Sammy was going

to answer for stealing.

So they come up here.

White sheets and

pillowcases, armed to the teeth.

It just so happened,

my brother was down at the end of the road,

picking muscadines when they seen him.

They chased him all through the yard.

Caught up with him over yonder by the well.

He was 11 years old.

When they tossed him down that well.

Life was hard when Mama

and Papa first got here.

Crops was slow to grow,

livestock d*ed of disease.

They thought this land to be cursed.

Who'd have knew though?

Slaughtering all

them white folks,

was just a thing,

this little old piece of land needed.

(giggles)

(cameras flash)

That first year,

Crops was bountiful.

Made so much money didn't

know what to do with it all.

So...

as it goes,

every year or so,

we find a low life loser like yourself.

And well...

Good thing,

You m*rder*d them all folks, right Jacob?

Or else we might feel bad...

What's about to happen to you.

Alright, alright.

I'll give you the gold back. Just,

Let me go!

I'd rather die with my

boots on then rot in a jail cell.

(Laughing)

Oh Jacob.

You're not gonna rot in a jail cell.

What you gonna do with me?

Didn't I tell you when you came here,

you ain't gonna wanna leave.

I meant you can't leave.

Emma Jean, is this?

It's gold!

Well, I'll be its...

Gold.

See it's what you've been hunting.

Right?

It's what this land is built on.

It keeps churning up year after year.

As long as we provide it

with the minerals it needs.

Hey.

Hey!

Behold.

A pale horse.

And it's rider was,

Death.

May your soul burn in the fire, Jacob.

Oh.

Hey!

Hey!

Will you stop all that and be calm Jacob!

Being b*rned alive ain't the worst thing.

It ain't that bad.

I mean yes.

First the fire makes

the soft tissues contract.

And then the skin tears away from

your muscles and your internal organs

and your soft tissue and starts to shrink.

And that's when the heat turns to cold.

Then, your muscles start to contract.

In a sort of dance like.

But after that, it's all over.

And then your soul is cleansed.

I mean hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

(car door slams)

Alright you bunch of sick bastards.

Put your hands up.

Now mean it damn it.

Put your hands up.

First one of your moves

gets a b*llet right in his eyes.

I knew there was something

strange about you people.

What in the hell have

you got going on here?

Hey!

Strickland,

Huhh!

You want to put that poor bastard out?

Hey boy.

This might be a good time to start talking.

They're trying to burn me alive.

(laughing)

I can see that.

You Jacob Bennett?

Yeah.

You were arrested for the m*rder

of Elsa Pittman. Did you do it?

What does it matter?

Just get me out of here!

Did you do it?

Yeah!

I did it alright!

Just take me to jail!

Take me to jail!

No I don't think I will.

Come on Bates.

Let's get out of here.

Well now,

You all be careful with that fire.

I sure would hate to see anybody get...

b*rned alive.

(Jacob screams)

No!

(jacob screaming)

No!

Did I do good, mama?

Yes, baby.

Move out the way a little.

I wanna see his soul

Burn out of his body.

(Jacob screaming) (People laughing)

Praise him!

Praise him!

(Fire blazing) (Jacob

screams) (Family laughing)

Uh huh.

Uh huh.

Yeah, I'm a miss, old Jacob.

But you know, life goes on.

It sure does, don't it?

Now that crazy f*ck you sent us

caused quiet a scare amongst the family,

Really caused us some problems,

So your pay might be a little light now.

I trust you got it though, right?

Yeah.

Sure did.

It's a pleasure doing business with you.

No hard feelings though, right?

Oh, of course not.

Nothing we can't get past anyway.

The crops are growing

twice as big as before.

You enjoy those cigarettes now.

I will.

Thank you.

When I'm calling you.

Well, you answer too.

That means I offer my love to you.

To be your own.

If you refuse me, I will be blue.

And waiting all along.

But if when you hear my love call,

ring and play.

And I hear your answering echo so dear.

Then I will know.

I will come true.

You'll belong to me.

I'll belong to you.

It's a pleasure.

To me, I'll belong to you.

Hey, Lenny.

Lenny.

I was thinking, it ain't

so bad here after all.

Two square meals a day.

I'm a bed to sleep on.

I'm,

I'm actually excited for

ditch digging tomorrow.

Lenny.

Now you can't read out your hymnbook.

Reach out, you pout.

Now,

you'll fall down on your knees and pray if

that Lord will help you cause you gon' do.

You gon' do.

My help someday.

Mom, if you can't quit your sin

please quit your Lord our way.

Here's our walk-up this morning

and I looked out and drove.

There's a note my mamless milk car

put in mama Lord, but I wish you love.

Lord, if you see my milk car put in.

I said, please drive a home.

Since I had no milk in but a mama.

Lord, since my car's been gone.

Good morning.

Could you have a dream?