"Tenderness" movie script
Text / [United States] Howard Foote
Translated by Xiao Mo
Fade in
exterior. A motel in a rural area. night
A five-room suite inhabited by hotel owner Rosa Lee and her son and younger brother, and three other shabby huts she rented out to temporary passers-by. From one of the rooms came the drunken shouts of two men - Mike Sledge and the other resident. Through the curtains, the two arguing could be seen.
Guest: By the way, give me the bottle.
Mike: Get off!
Guest: Damn it!
Mike: Get your own bottle!
Guest: Give me the bottle!
(The younger brother walks out of the door and stands to listen to their shouting.)
Guest: Give it to me!
exterior. guest room
The two figures moved behind the window again, and one of them stopped suddenly and started drinking with a bottle. Their loud quarrels came from time to time from the house.
Mike: I'm not going to give you anything.
Guest: Give me the bottle.
Mike: I'm not going to give you anything.
(Rosa Lee comes out of her house to check what happened.)
Guest: Put the bottle...
(Rosa Lee puts a hand on the boy's shoulder. The boy looks at her.)
Guest: Give me the bottle.
(Rosa Lee glances down at the younger brother.)
Mike: I'm not going to give you anything.
(Little brother and Rosa Lee stand and listen.)
Guest: Give me the bottle!
(Mike competes with his roommate.)
Mike: Come on, you...
Guest: Give me the bottle! Give me the bottle!
interior. room. night
Mike fell to the floor.
exterior. motel. night
The figure of the guest left the hut. The younger brother and Rosa Lee returned to their house.
interior. room. daytime
Mike slowly got up from the ground, leaned against the bed first, and then moved his body hard onto the bed.
Mike (voiceover, singing):
Look at the clouds in the sky
float leisurely
Oh, that's what she is
estranged from me.
(Mike struggles to the window. He draws the curtains and looks out and sees Rosa Lee rounding the front of a van, pumping oil.)
I have deceived myself...
Woman (in the van): Good morning.
Mike (voiceover, singing): ...too long.
Rosa Lee: Hi, how much do you want me to give?
Man (in the van): I guess five dollars is enough.
(Mike continues to watch Rosa Lee and her customer through the curtains.)
Mike (voiceover, singing):
I know someone else,
Woman: The pile is so high, isn't it?
Rosa Lee: Yes, very tall.
Man: I should have kept it for myself, not shipped it all the way to...
(Rosa Lee inserts the hose into the van's gas tank; the man stands watching.)
Mike (voiceover, singing):
It's just, oh, it's so frustrating to face reality...
Man: . . . the Yankees are there for them to splurge.
(Michael draws the curtains and leaves the window.)
Mike (voiceover, singing):
……sad.
Children, whether male or female, have dreams.
Play games in their own dream world...
(Mike goes to a mirror and looks at himself.)
exterior. motel. daytime
Mike (voiceover, singing):
when they play
They pretended to believe it was pretending to be true.
Man (pays Rosa`Lee for gasoline): Four cents short. (turns to woman) Do you have forty cents in your wallet?
Women: Let me see. (opens wallet) Here you go. (Give the four cents to Rosa Lee)
Rosa Lee: Thank you.
interior. room. daytime
Mike (voiceover, singing):
oh i'm not a kid
But sometimes it does...
(Mike picks up his hat from the table, puts it on, and walks to the door.)
exterior. motel. daytime
Mike (voiceover, singing):
I also pretend not to...
(Mike steps out of the guest room as Rosa Lee is walking towards the back of the van.)
……Losing you
because face the reality
(Rosa Lee goes to her house.)
...is so impressive...
(Mike goes to Rosa Lee, who is already at the door of her room.)
……sad.
Rosa Lee: Your friend asked me to tell you that he must get out of here and go somewhere else.
Mike: How long have I been here?
Rosa Lee: Two days.
Mike: How far is this from the nearest town?
Rosa Lee: Four miles.
(He turns to look behind him.)
Mike: Did my friend pay you for the room before leaving?
Rosa Lee (standing on the porch of her house): No.
(Mike walks back to his room.)
Mike (voiceover, singing):
...I will continue as always...
(Rosa Lee enters her house.)
……loving You
interior. room. daytime
Mike enters the room. (Sing)
love you forever
But oh, let's face it
It's so sad.
(Mike picks up his jacket from the bed, searches all the pockets, and throws the jacket back on the bed. Then he grabs a bottle next to him, gulps it down, and throws the bottle on the bed too , out the door.)
exterior. motel. daytime
The younger brother was playing on the grass with his toys when Mike passed behind him and slowly approached Rosa Lee who was standing on the porch.
Mike: Madam, I don't have any money right now. But I'm happy to work for you and earn the money I owe.
Rosa Lee: Okay, but you're not allowed to drink while you work here.
Mike: All right, ma'am.
Rosa Lee: Are you hungry?
Mike: Oh, I—I might have to eat something.
(Rosa Lee enters her house; Mike comes over and sits silently on the edge of the porch.)
exterior. roadside. daytime
Mike picked up the rubbish and debris from the roadside and put them in plastic bags.
interior. room. daytime
Rosa Lee cleaned up the clutter left by Mike and his roommate. The screen has the sound of a program playing on the radio.
exterior. motel. daytime
Mike is repairing the door of a cabin, and his little brother is playing behind him.
exterior. motel. later
The younger brother helped Rosa Lee to collect the clothes on the clothesline.
Rosa Lee: It's a fine day, isn't it, bro?
Brother: Yes, ma'am.
Rosa Lee: It would be nice to spend more time in this yard and enjoy it.
(Mike sits alone on the porch of Rosa Lee's house, watching them.)
Brother: Why not?
Rosa Lee: Cough, no, darling. I have so much to do today.
Brother: I will help you.
Rosa Lee: Oh, I knew you'd help me.
interior. Rosa Lee's house. daytime
Rosa Lee is sorting clothes. My brother is doing homework. Mike walked to the door, stopped, and knocked on the door. Rosa Lee looked up.
Rosa Lee: Is something wrong?
Mike: If you need help tomorrow or the day after, I'm willing to continue working.
Rosa Lee (glancing at his younger brother): Okay. I can feed you, and pay you two yuan an hour.
Mike. thanks.
(Mike nods, turns to leave. Rosa Lee continues to fold clothes, then turns his attention to Little Brother. Little Brother continues to do his homework.)
exterior. motel. daytime
A car is refueling there. Mike is operating the oil pump. Mike put the fuel hose back into the fuel pump and walked over to the driver to collect the money. He was counting the money as the car drove away. There is country music playing on the radio. Rosa Lee came out of the room. Mike stood, thought for a moment, then walked to Rosa Lee and handed her the money.
interior. Rosa Lee's kitchen. night
Rosa Lee, brother and Mike sat at the table for dinner.
Younger brother: Sir, what do you call you?
Mike: Mike.
exterior. field. daytime
The younger brother walked towards Mike while throwing stones. Mike sat on a log.
Mike: Don't throw rocks at me, boy. (The younger brother is now playing with a stone in his hand, and doesn't seem to want to throw it anymore) How is your study?
Brother: Very good.
Mike: Did you learn anything?
Brother: Not much. what are you doing here?
Mike: Thinking about it.
Brother: What do you think?
Mike: Think about things.
Younger brother: Do you want good things or bad things?
Mike: Think about good and bad things.
(The younger brother throws a stone.)
Little brother: You don't know my dad at all, do you?
Mike: I don't know him at all.
Little brother: If you knew him, do you think you would like him?
Mike: Of course. what do you say?
Brother: I think so.
exterior. motel. night
A trailerable mobile home is parked outside the hotel. Mike lives inside now. He played guitar and sang songs in the room.
Mike (singing):
I'm going to learn to live alone again
interior. Mobile housing. night
Mike held his guitar and continued to play and sing.
Mike (singing):
I'm going to learn to love again, I don't know why
I even want to learn to be a fool again.
interior. Rosa Lee's living room. night
Rosa Lee sat listening to Mike sing, then got up and walked to the door.
Mike (singing):
No, I never intended
The woman I've known for so long
say goodbye
exterior. the way. daytime
Mike, the younger brother, and Rosa Lee sat silently in the van: the car was heading into the distance.
interior. church. daytime
Rosa Lee and the rest of the choir sing along with the choirmaster.
Choir and church members (singing):
we heard happy voices
Jesus saves the world Jesus saves the world
Send the message to all directions
Jesus saves the world Jesus saves the world
Spread the news to every land
Climb the stairs, cross the waves...
exterior. church. daytime
Choir and church members (off camera, singing):
... the Lord's rule is being fulfilled
interior. church. daytime
The faithful in the church continued to chant.
Angle shot: Mike and his younger brother sing with the choir and church members.
Mike and little brother (singing):
Jesus saves the world Jesus saves the world
Sing, your islands at sea
Sing back, your deep palace under the ocean
The whole world will celebrate
Jesus saves the world, Jesus saves the world.
Angle shot: Pastor Hotchkiss, church pastor and choirmaster.
Choir and parishioners (sing):
Cry out loud for the savior
high mountains deep sea
This is our victory song
Jesus saves the world, Jesus saves the world...
exterior. Church steps. daytime
Pastor Hotchkiss greeted those who came out of the church.
Man: It's an honor to meet you, sir.
Another man: Great.
Hotchkiss: See you on Wednesday. (Rosa Lee, brother and Mike come to Hotchkiss.) Hi, brother.
Little brother: Hi.
Hotchkiss (shaking hands with Rosa Lee): How are you?
Rosa Lee: Pastor, I want you to meet Mike Sledge. He works for me now.
Mike: Hello, sir.
Hotchkiss: Hello, Mr. Sledge. (Turns to Rosa Lee) Little brother wants me to baptize him. I know this will make you proud, Rosa Lee.
Rosa Lee: Yes, it does.
Hotchkiss: You were baptized in this church, weren't you?
Rosa Lee: Yes, sir, I was baptized here.
Hotchkiss: So where were you baptized, Mr. Sledge?
Mike: I haven't been baptized yet.
Hotchkiss (laughs): Oh, then we have to baptize you!
Mike: Yes, sir.
(Little brother, Rosa Lee and Mike leave.)
Hotchkiss: Goodbye, bro, see you next time.
exterior. motel. night
The sound of a TV broadcast came from Rosa Lee's house.
interior. Rosa Lee's living room. night
Mike and Rosa Lee were sitting on the couch, and the younger brother was lying on the floor, watching TV together.
Rosa Lee: Brother, turn off the TV and go to bed. You have to go to school tomorrow.
Brother: Can I talk to you all about something first?
Rosa Lee: No, sir.
(The younger brother turned off the TV helplessly and walked towards his bedroom.)
Brother: Good night.
Rosa Lee: Good night.
Mike: Good night. He's such a good boy.
Rosa Lee: He's growing so fast, it won't be long before he'll be out of the house.
Mike: Is there anyone else in your family?
Rosa Lee: No, I'm the only child of Mom and Dad. They give birth later. My dad passed away... oh, he passed away two years after my husband died, and my mom passed away in the spring a year and a half ago.
Mike: My mom and dad are gone too. But I have a brother somewhere in California. But we lost touch. I have a daughter.
Rosa Lee: Really?
Mike: She's seven or eight years older than your boy.
Rosa Lee: Where is she?
Mike: With her mother. My mother and I are divorced. We don't get along well. I……
INT: BROTHER'S BEDROOM. night
The younger brother lay on the bed with his eyes open and heard the conversation between the two.
Younger brother (interrupting the conversation): You all stop talking, okay? I can't sleep!
interior. Rosa Lee's living room. night
Rosa Lee and Mike on the couch. Mike laughed after listening to his younger brother's request.
exterior. The motel's vegetable garden. daytime
Mike and Rosa. Li was hoeing the ground in the vegetable garden, and she was weeding.
Mike: I haven't had a drink in two months. I think I've fixed this bug.
Rosa Lee: Really? I am very happy. I don't think drinking will do you any good.
Mike: Have you ever considered remarrying?
Rosa Lee: Yes, thought about it. How about you?
Mike: Recently, I thought about it. I don't think there's any need to hide my feelings for you. Blind people can see it. (Leaning on the hoe) Would you consider marrying me?
Rosa Lee: Yes, I will consider it.
(Mike continues to work, and so does Rosa Lee.)
exterior. school playground. daytime
The younger brother meets a group of older kids when he goes to retrieve his baseball.
Boy: Hi, your dad is dead.
Brother: I know he is dead. I know this. He died in Vietnam.
Boy: What's his name?
Younger Brother: Carl Herbert Wadsworth. I got my name from him. I am Carl Herbert Wadsworth Jr.
Boy: Then why do people call you little brother?
Brother: I don't know. Everyone calls it that.
Boy: The man your mother married was not your father.
Brother: I know, idiot. I know who he is. He is my stepfather.
Boy: Is he still an alcoholic?
(The younger brother raises his hand to beat the talking boy.)
exterior. motel. daytime
When the school bus came, the younger brother got off and walked past Rosa Lee, who was filling customers with oil.
Rosa Lee: Hi, how's school going?
Little brother: Very good. Did my dad go to that school then?
Rosa Lee: Yes.
Little brother: Do I look alike to my father?
exterior. cemetery. daytime
Rosa Lee's van was parked there. Mike, brother and Rosa Lee were in the car. Little brother and Rosa Lee got off the bus.
Rosa Lee: Come with us, Mike?
Mike: You go. I'm waiting here.
(Rosa Lee and her younger brother walk towards his father's grave.)
Rosa Lee: Right here. I can't even engrave the day he died because the troops don't know.
Younger brother: How many people came during the funeral?
Rosa Lee: Yes, a lot of people.
Brother: Did I go?
Rosa Lee: No.
Brother: Why?
Rosa Ji: Because you are too young.
Brother: Did everyone cry during the funeral?
Rosa Lee: Yes, everyone cried.
Brother: Are you crying?
Rosa Lee: Yes, I cried.
(Little brother stares at the inscription:)
Carl Herbert Wadsworth
February 12, 1951
May 1971
exterior. motel. daytime
A man got out of the car, and Mike came over to greet the customer.
Mike: Good morning.
Reporter: Fill it up.
(Mike picks up the hose, ready to fill.)
Reporter: Is that Mr. Sledge?
Mike: Yes, sir.
Reporter: Are you the singer Mike Sledge?
Mike: Yes. I should say I used to be. I'm Mike Sledge.
Reporter: You were married to Dixie Scott, weren't you?
Mike: I have nothing to say about this.
Reporter: She never remarried, did she? Are you married again? (He sees the little brother next to the hotel) Is that your child? No, right? Mr. Sledge, it took me quite a while to find you. I would love to make a visit.
Mike: I have nothing to say to anyone. (Put the hose back and walk towards the house)
Reporter (following Mike): Hey, do you still sing or write songs? Heard your new wife is in the Baptist choir. (radio on screen) I think your daughter from your first wife is almost eighteen now, right? Hi, I'm going to write a story, Mr. Sledge. You should talk to me, at least to ensure that my reporting is accurate. Just two minutes. Wouldn't it be nice to sit down and talk?
Mike: No, sir. (calling) little brother!
interior. Rosa Lee's house. daytime
Mike walked into the living room, followed by reporters.
Reporter: Does everyone in this area know who you are? Your ex-wife is going to be singing in Austin these nights, you know? Are you going up there to see her? Maybe your daughter is by her side too. Maybe she will come here to visit you. Does she know you are here? Hi, Dixie told me a lot about you. Don't you want to tell me something about her? She said that alcoholism killed you. Are you still drinking?
exterior. motel. daytime
The reporter left the house and walked towards his car. Mike walked into the backyard as the reporter drove away. Mike continued to walk forward, looking at the fields that had not been ploughed.
interior. Rosa Lee's kitchen. night
Mike and his younger brother sat at the table; Mike fiddled with the guitar. Rosa Lee is cleaning up the kitchen.
Younger brother: They say you used to be lavish.
Mike: Who said that?
Little brother: The kids at school said they learned about it from the newspaper.
Mike: I don't know if I'm as lavish as you say, but I did have some money.
Brother: How did you do it?
Mike: Write songs.
Younger brother: Hey, how did you get money for writing that?
Mike: Hey, people get hooked and they pay for songs, that's what these people are.
Brother: Where did your money go?
Mike: All lost.
Little brother: how did you lose it?
Mike: How did you lose it? Too much apple cider.
Younger brother: Do you think you will still be lavish?
Mike: Hey, let me tell you, buddy. I'm not going to lie awake at night over this. (He starts plucking on the guitar) Look, that's the "D" string, understand? It's the letter "D" in the word "dog". OK, pay attention to me. I'll use them. (He sings and plays to his little brother and shows those strings)
I have decided to leave forever.
(He looks at Rosa Lee and smiles.)
Not really.
(His eyes return to the guitar and the little brother, and he continues to sing.)
Let me know if you stay here.
(To the younger brother) That is the "A-7" chord.
Otherwise I will leave in the morning.
(To the younger brother) The "D" string, like the "D" in the word "dog".
Let me know if you stay here.
(to my brother) Then you can play decorative chords or rhythmic chords. (Sing.)
let me know--
(to younger brother) That's the "G" string—
will you always need me
Or that you want to cast other people's feelings.
(To the younger brother) "A" chord or "A-7" chord. "G" string --
let me know your decision darling,
Give my mind a moment of peace.
I've decided to get out of here forever--
(To the younger brother) The "D" string, like the "D" in the word "dog".
Let me know if you are traveling.
Otherwise, I will leave in the morning--
Let me know if you stay here.
exterior. motel. daytime
A van pulled into the hotel parking lot and stopped in front of Mike and Rosa Lee's house. Stepping out of the car was a chorus called "The Young Slatermere". Among them were Jack, Robert, Henry, Steve and Bertie. They stood by the car; Rosa Lee came out of the house.
Robert: Hi.
Rosa Lee: Hi. What do you want me to do?
Robert: Oh, please add gas for about five dollars.
(Rosa Lee begins to refuel the van. The young men look at each other. Finally Robert goes to the back of the car and acts as their spokesman. The others gather behind him.)
Robert: Sorry. Is this where Mike Sledge lives?
Rosa Lee: Yes.
Robert: Is he there?
Rosa Lee: Yes.
Robert: So can we talk to him?
Rosa Lee: Talk about what?
Robert: We just wanted to meet him.
Henry: We are all his admirers.
Robert: We saw the story in the paper this morning. We have a band.
Henry: We just wanted to greet him and show our respect.
Jack: We have all his records.
Henry: We grew up listening to his music.
Bertie: He's amazing.
Rosa Lee: That's five dollars for gasoline.
STEVE (to Jack) Quick, pay.
Bertie: I bought beer.
Henry: I paid my last gas bill. This time it's your time to pay.
Robert: He should pay. Jack, give her the money.
Bertie: Pay.
(Jack pays for gas.)
Robert: Hi, can we meet him?
Rosa Lee: Let me ask.
"Young Slatermere" (in unison) Good!
(Rosa Lee returns to the hotel office in her house. Mike soon comes out, followed by Rosa Lee.)
Mike: Hello, young man.
Robert: Hello, sir.
Steve, Bertie and Henry: Hello.
Robert: I just told this lady...
Mike: Oh, this is my wife Rosa Lee.
Robert: Nice to meet you, ma'am.
Steve, Jack and Henry: Hello, ma'am.
Bertie: Nice to meet you, ma'am.
Robert: We just said, we put together a band, you know, and...
Mike: You five young men?
Robert: Yes, sir. I am a manager. I play guitar; Bertie plays double bass; Steve plays violin; Henry plays Hawaiian guitar; Jack is drummer.
Mike: Who sings for you?
Robert: Hi, we're all taking turns.
Bertie: You are a real inspiration to us all.
Mike: Glad to hear you say that.
Jack: When will you sing again, sir?
Mike: I'm not going to sing anymore, little brother. I don't sing anymore.
Jack: Don't you miss singing?
Mike: I don't care. Oh, there are some things I miss, but I don't really miss singing. So maybe some night we'll come and hear you sing. (turns around and walks back to the hotel office)
Robert: Of course we welcome you. Hi, we don't know if you can give us some pointers.
Mike: Nothing, not really any advice. The only thing you can say, you know, is that you can sing how you want to sing. Very happy to meet all of you.
"Young Slatermere" (leaving): Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you. goodbye. See you next time.
exterior. Vine Theater. night
Happy country music came from the venue.
interior. Vine Theater. night
The theater was full. Dixie and her band perform on stage.
Dixie (singing):
In sleepy nights, it's a nest of comfort
I close the door to get a little peace
but the best place
It's the room across the hall.
there you and me
Arrange everything to your liking
We can't afford fine wine and pale red champagne
We don't have a thriving fire
But every night we celebrate the happiness we find
In the nicest bedroom in town
In the nicest bedroom in town...
(Angle shot: The audience applauds in the auditorium. Mike is in the auditorium, his attitude is cold.)
Dixie: Thank you. Thank you so much.
(Dixie begins to sing another song.)
(Angle shot: Dixie singing.)
Fools know that love has no eyes
I'm here to prove again that this is true
forget my pride
I didn't mean to overwhelm you
I hope there is no mercy in your eyes
I've tried so hard not to be near you anymore, not to miss you anymore
i know i should do it
But what's the use of this
Time goes by, I still can't forget you
I would like to be a lover again
(Angle shot: Mike is getting up to leave while Dixie continues to sing.)
If you can still see me
Then hurt me, love me, always need me,
Because I'm still infatuated with you.
I know I will never forget you.
interior. Entrance hall of the theater. night
As Mike walked to the exit, the two women were standing there talking to a man at the box office.
Woman: What a long night!
man: is it?
Woman: Yes, you should believe it.
man: do you like it?
interior. Auditorium in the theater. night
Dixie (singing):
Have another coffee and I'll go
But there is one more thing
I think you should know
Time goes by, everything stays the same
I'm still here, still belong to you
your momentary touch
for the brokenhearted
What a relief...
exterior. Street. Backstage door leading to the auditorium. night
Mike is there.
Dixie's manager Harry Silver came out the back door to meet Mike. Dixie's faint singing could still be heard.
Harry: Mike.
Mike: Hello, Harry. Nice to meet you.
Harry: What are you doing here?
Mike: Oh, I live in this area.
Harry: Really? How are you doing?
Mike: Not bad.
(A security guard comes out and stands beside them with arms crossed.)
Harry: Do you want to see the show? It's already started, but I can get you on the field.
Mike: No, thank you. (He takes an envelope from his jacket pocket) I have a song here, Harry. I thought maybe you could give it to Dixie and show her. If she likes the song, maybe she can record it.
HARRY (takes the envelope and puts it away): All right, Mike. It surprised me that. I thought you might have left the industry.
Mike: I have left. I just wrote this song. You should know, I think...
Harry: I'll give this song to her. are you working?
Mike: Working in a motel.
(Dixie's singing stops.)
Dixie (outside, in a weak voice): Thank you very much. Thank you... thank you.
Harry (shaking hands with Mike): Mike, it's great to meet you. You look good, and...
Mike: Thank you.
Harry: Good luck to you. (back to the theater)
Dixie (voice-over): Ladies and gentlemen, thank you. A big, warm welcome from Texas to Billy Bob Anderson and his "Blue-backed Chrysalis"!
(Voiceover: The song "One Night's Sensation" begins.)
interior. Backstage part of the theater. night
Mike walked slowly down the backstage passage, where there were many portraits of famous country and western singers, including Mike's. He stopped to look at his picture. Then he went on, stopping for a moment at the door of Dixie's dressing room, and then he went to the room opposite. At this point Dixie walked into the aisle and stopped when she saw Mike. She was followed by Ada, Dixie's dresser.
Dixie: What are you doing here?
Mike: I want to say hi to Hugh Anne.
interior. Dixie's Makeup Choke
Dixie enters, followed by Ada and Mike.
Dixie (to Ada) Get Harry right away.
Ada leaves.
Dixie: Stay away from her, do you hear me? You stay away from her, otherwise, I warn you, I'm going to sue you. In her memory, you were just a humble drunk who always wanted to beat her mother. To her, you are dead, Mike.
(Ada returns.)
Mike: How are you doing?
Dixie: She never misses you. She is happy. So you don't go to her.
(Harry enters.)
Mike: Miss, don't give me orders. You didn't have it in the past, and you won't be able to give me orders in the future.
Dixie: Harry, kick him out! I don't want him to stay here!
Mike: What does she think she's amazing about? She yelled at me as soon as she came here.
Dixie: He was jealous of me because I made it and he didn't. Put it bluntly, that's it.
Mike: Nonsense!
Dixie (as Mike leaves): Bullshit! (to Harry) You must tell him to go, and don't let him go to Hugh Anne, okay?
Harry: OK.
Dixie: Just can't let him see Hugh Anne, you know what I'm saying? it's OK?
Harry: OK, OK. Calm down.
Dixie: "Calm down"! How calm? How calm? You know sometimes it can't be done! ……Jesus Christ!
exterior. motel. night
Mike came over in the van, parked the car, and walked into the room.
interior. Rosa Lee's living room. night
Rosa Lee is ironing. Mike came in.
Rosa Lee: You got home early.
Mike (goes into their bedroom): Hmm.
Rosa Lee: The concert is definitely not long.
Mike (from bedroom): Time as usual. I left early.
Rosa Lee (as Mike walks in again): Why?
Mike: I don't appreciate it very much.
Rosa Lee: Why not appreciate it?
Mike (looking towards my brother's room): Did my brother sleep?
Rosa Lee: Well, asleep.
Mike: What are you doing?
Rosa Lee: Nothing.
Mike: Did you watch TV?
Rosa Lee: No.
Mike: Why are you so dull? Is there something you can't think of? My God, you woman, are you jealous! Rosa Lee, are you jealous of Dixie Scott!
Rosa Lee: Maybe,
Mike: Why?
Rosa Lee: Because, you know...
Mike: No, I don't know.
Rosa Lee: Because she's rich and famous, and you two used to be husband and wife.
Mike: My God, don't be jealous of her, Rosa Lee. To me, she is a poisonous bug. She's a complete worm.
Rosa Lee: Then why did you go to hear her sing?
Mike: I'll tell you later.
Rosa Lee: Why can't you tell me now?
Mike: Because I can't.
Rosa Lee: Why not.
Mike: Because I can't.
Rosa Lee: Why?
Mike: Because I can't. Damn, don't you understand English?
Rosa Lee: I understand English. You don't have to yell at me. You will wake up little brother. I said, Mike, if you're there to see your daughter, I understand. I mean, you can tell me this straight out of the box.
Mike: If I tell you that's why I'm there, I'll be someone who doesn't tell you the truth.
Rosa Lee: Don't you want to see her?
Mike: Of course I want to see her. And I've tried to meet her, but Dixie sees me. She lost her temper.
Rosa Lee: How long has it been since you last saw her?
Mike: It's been seven or eight years since before the divorce.
exterior. motel. daytime
Mike and Harry are talking. Rosa Lee stood and listened.
HARRY (hands the envelope to Mike): Mike, Dixie wants me to hand this back to you myself and tell you that this song sucks. She also wanted me to tell: she wouldn't sing a song even if it wasn't bad; she didn't want anything to do with you.
Mike: I said wait. I don't want to have anything to do with her either. I just wrote this song. I thought she would sing properly. It seems my thinking is wrong. So have you watched this song?
Harry: Yes, I saw it.
Mike: Oh, what do you think?
Harry: I said, I also don't think the song is good. The style is different now, Mike.
Mike: Oh, that's fine.
Harry: How are you doing now?
Mike: I'm fine.
Harry: You make a living here?
Mike: We're just scraping by. (looking at Rosa Lee) Rosa Lee, this is my old friend Harry Silver.
Harry: Nice to meet you.
Rosa Lee: Thank you. Nice to meet you.
Harry: I'm sorry Dixie had such a bad attitude about you wanting to see Hugh Anne. If only you had asked me beforehand. I might be able to think of a way. I still think I can figure out a way, if you still want to see Dixie after she gets into trouble.
Mike: How is Hugh Anne now?
Harry: She's grown up. Of course, Dixie was really obedient to her. But it's not her fault. You know, she is everything to her. Hi, it's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Sledge.
Rosa Lee: Thank you. It's an honor to meet you.
Harry: Goodbye, Mike. Good luck.
Mike: Good luck. (Harry gets into the car, starts it, and leaves) I've been fine with all this, but what's wrong now? Damn it!
(Rosa Lee touches his hand.)
I think it's because I heard that Hugh Anne was grown up and coddling her and being obedient to her or something. Damn it!
Rosa Lee: It's hard enough that you can't see her. To know that I love you. Every night as I pray and thank God for his blessings and tenderness, the first thing that comes to my mind is you and my little brother.
Mike: Thank you.
Rosa Lee: Can you sing the song you wrote for me?
Mike: That song is not good.
Rosa Lee: I'll definitely enjoy listening to it.
Mike (following her into the room): Well, it's a bit old-fashioned.
Rosa Lee: I don't care.
Mike: Well, you brought it up yourself anyway.
interior. Rosa Lee's room. daytime
Mike and Rosa Lee came in.
Rosa Lee: I'll get you a guitar.
(Rosa Lee brings the guitar. Mike takes it.)
Mike: Let's try. (He begins to pluck a few strings on the violin, and then sings.)
Baby, you are the only dream I have now
With you, there are still so many things I look forward to doing
Before this, I only knew myself...
(puts down guitar) I don't have a good voice. I don't like this song anyway. I have never liked it and will never like it in the future.
Rosa Lee: Mike.
Mike: Don't feel sorry for me, though, Rosa Lee. You know, I'm not dead yet.
Rosa Lee: I don't feel sorry for you. (He goes out, she calls after him) Mike!
exterior. motel. daytime
Mike got into their van from the hotel and drove away; Rosa Lee followed him to the porch and watched him speed away.
exterior. highway. daytime
Mike's truck was speeding down the road.
exterior. bar. daytime.
Mike drove over and parked outside the bar. He went into the bar.
interior. bar. daytime
Mike enters the bar. Music from the jukebox could be vaguely heard. He went to the counter. The waiter came over. There were several other people sitting at the counter.
Waiter: What would you like?
Mike: I don't know.
Waiter: Would you like a beer, something to eat, or a hard drink?
Mike: I can't say what I want. I'll tell you when I figure it out.
Customer A: Please pass the candy.
(Mike shoves the sugar bowl hard in front of him.)
Customer A: Thank you.
(Customer B walks to the jukebox and puts money into the slot.)
Mike: Please don't listen to that damn music, okay?
Customer B: Asshole! No, I want to listen.
(Mike stands up and walks out of the bar.)
Customer B: What's wrong with him?
Waiter: I don't know.
exterior. highway. daytime
Mike drove his van behind another van. He honked his horn angrily and weaved around, finally trying to overtake.
Mike (shouting to the truck driver): Go away, you nasty hillbilly. (Speeding forward, nearly colliding with a car at the intersection. At the driver) What are you doing, you son of a bitch?
Driver (shouting tit for tat): Are you crazy? What's wrong?
exterior. motel. daytime
Rosa Lee came out to say hello to the "Young Slatermere" in the van.
ROBERT (gets out of the van) Hi, is Mr. Sledge there?
Rosa Lee: No, he's not here right now. To tell you the truth, I don't know where he is, and I can't tell when he'll be back.
Robert: Hi, if he's here, I'd like to say hi to him. This Saturday night, we'll be playing at a nearby dance party. I was thinking maybe we could leave you with one of our posters. (takes poster from Jack) Give that to me. (hands the poster to her)
Rosa Lee: Oh, of course.
Robert: Thank you.
exterior. hotel. night
Mike parked the van outside the store.
Mike (voiceover, singing):
Sometimes things are hard to...
EXT: Motel. night
Rosa Lee went to the curb.
Mike (voiceover, singing):
……face
Tell me that's the reality
From now on, someone else will replace me
And I will still love you...
exterior. highway. night
Mike (voiceover, singing):
……love you forever
exterior. hotel. night
(Mike leaves the store with a bottle and walks to his van.)
Mike (voiceover, singing):
But, oh, it's so sad to face the reality.
exterior. motel. night
The younger brother opened the curtain and looked out, all he saw was the desolate road.
interior. Rosa Lee's house. night
The younger brother looked out again, and what he saw was the desolate road.
interior. Rosa Lee's kitchen. night
Rosa Lee is reading sheet music. The younger brother came to the kitchen.
Little brother: It's weird, I don't know where Mike went.
Rosa Lee: I don't know, brother.
Little brother: He is older than you. He is fifteen years older than you.
Rosa Lee: Hey, that's no secret. Everyone knows that.
Younger brother: They told me at school that I only found out later.
Rosa Lee: Hi, if you ask me, I'll tell you.
Little brother: Is my father older than you?
Rosa Lee: Yes. Two years older. Let me think, I got married when I was sixteen and got pregnant with you when I was seventeen. She became a widow at the age of eighteen.
Younger brother: How did he go to Vietnam after that?
(A car passes on the outside road. They both listen carefully.)
Rosa Lee: He was drafted into the army. He didn't know I was pregnant until after enlisting.
Younger brother: A classmate said that his father told him that what they learned in Vietnam was drug use. Do you think so?
Rosa Lee: I don't know, brother. I hope this isn't true.
Little brother: Do you think my dad is also on drugs?
Rosa Lee: No! He won't.
Younger brother: My classmates at school are taking drugs.
Rosa Lee: Hey, I don't want to hear that you're on drugs, do you hear me? If you're drugged, I'll skin you!
Brother: Why are you so excited?
Rosa Lee: You don't mind that. Just listen to me about narcotics.
(The younger brother gets up from the table to go.)
Rosa Lee: Where are you going?
Younger Brother (stops at the door): I don't know. I don't want to be with you.
Rosa Lee: All right. I said, boy, I'm so sorry. (towards little brother) Come here. I said, I don't want to yell at you. I'm just a little nervous tonight, okay?
Brother (points to sheet music); what song is that?
Rosa Lee: That was written by Mike. (Looking at the sheet music and humming)
Little brother: It would be great if he came home. Where do you think he went?
Rosa Ji: I don't know, brother. You and I know a lot.
exterior. Motel hotel. night
You can hear the sound of the TV playing in the house.
interior. Rosa Lee's house. night
Rosa Lee is watching TV. She turned off the TV.
Younger Brother (outside the picture, shouting from his bedroom): Is he there?
Rosa Lee: Not at all.
Younger Brother (Voiceover): Why did you turn off the TV?
Rosa Lee: Because I hate it.
Younger brother (voiceover): Going to bed?
Rosa Lee: Yes.
Younger brother (voice-over): When are you going?
Rosa Lee: Going soon. go to sleep!
(Rosa Lee hears another car pass by.)
exterior. motel. night
Rosa Lee opened the door and looked out, then closed the front door.
interior. Rosa Lee's house. night
Rosa Lee turned off the lights in the living room and walked into her younger brother's room.
interior. Brother's room. night
He has fallen asleep. Rosa Lee came in, walked up to the younger brother, and began to stroke his hair. She was about to turn off the lights, but was stunned when she saw a picture of her ex-husband on the table. One of them is of him in civilian clothes, and the other is of him in soldier's overalls. She glanced at her little brother, then turned off the light.
interior. Rosa Lee and Mike's bedroom. night
Rosa Lee was lying in bed praying.
Rosa Lee: Show me the way, Lord, teach me how to go. Let me get your truth and give me your teaching. Because you are my savior. I follow you all day long. (Pauses her prayers when she hears a van stop outside. Then she hears someone enter the house past the office) Mike? (to sit up from the bed) Is that you? (She turns on the lamp when Mike comes to the door)
Mike: I didn't drink. I bought a bottle but emptied it all and I didn't drink it.
Rosa Lee: Have you eaten yet?
Mike: No.
Rosa Lee: Are you hungry?
Mike: I think so.
Rosa Lee: Let me get you something to eat. (gets up and puts on dressing gown) What would you like to eat? I made some soup today. Want me to warm it up?
Mike: A little soup will do.
interior. kitchen. night
Rosa Lee and Mike were there, Rosa Lee was hot soup.
Mike: I've driven past here six or seven times. I can see you all sitting here watching TV. Did you see me driving past?
Rosa Lee: No.
Mike: I turned the whole city around tonight. I stayed in St. Anton twice, turned the car twice, and came back again. Drive again toward Austin, then toward Dallas, then turn around and come back.
Rosa Lee: Do you remember that song you gave to the guy in Austin?
Mike: Remember, ma'am.
Rosa Lee: Hey, do you remember the young man from the band that visited you the other day? Two of them came here again today. They left a poster. Later, I asked them if they could read the sheet music. One of them could understand, so I asked him to teach me that song you wrote because I...I think I can sing that song when you get home and surprise you. (Mike smiles first, then laughs out loud) I thought that was a good song, Mike. And he thought so too. He had another idea: to get his band to sing that song. I said I have a hard time deciding, I have to ask you. I said I was going to ask you, but I said you probably wouldn't mind. It's an old song, it's one thing to ask or not.
Mike: But that's not an old song, Rosa Lee. I - I just wrote it last week. That's why I was so pissed when Harry said he didn't like that song. (goes to the bedroom) I mean I've been writing. I have more here.
interior. Rosa Lee and Mike's bedroom. night
Mike entered the room and took out more songs from under the bed. Rosa Lee followed him into the room. Mike sat on the bed.
Mike: Which song do you think the guy likes?
Rosa Lee: He said he liked it. Of course I like it.
(Mike pulls out some songs.)
Rosa Lee: What's the title of your other songs?
Mike: Hi, one of them is called "The Affair Is Gone" and the other is called "God Can Forgive Me, Why Can't You?" (laughs) Did you learn the song?
Rosa Lee: Not yet. I don't understand sheet music. How did you learn to read sheet music, Mike?
Mike: My aunt used to teach me. She had an old piano, and one summer she let me sit next to it whenever I came back from the fields. She taught me.
(Mike starts playing guitar; Rosa Lee is sitting on the bed.)
Mike: I've been thinking about music. Maybe I don't do anything anymore, but that doesn't stop me from thinking about it.
(Little brother looks into their room. He is half asleep.)
Brother: When did you go home?
Rosa Lee: He just got back a while.
Brother: You said you would wake me up.
Mike: Hi...
Rosa Lee: I forgot.
Brother: Good night. (leaves)
Rosa Lee: Good night.
Mike: I wouldn't mind if you gave that song to those young people to sing.
Rosa Lee: That's good.
Mike: Come on, sing with me. (Sing)
Baby, you are what I have achieved so far
only dream.
(pause)
come on……
As long as you hold on to the ladder,
baby. I will climb to the top.
(pause)
Sing!
Rosa Lee: I won't.
Mike: Why? (pushes the song aside) Come here. Come over here.
Rosa Lee: You just left here?
(They hug each other.)
interior. club. night
The "Slatermere Young" chorus sings.
Henry (singing):
Since my woman left me
I'm almost out of "Canadian" wine
Yeah, I'm cold in the highlands
I'm going home,
But forget it, I'd rather stay in the highlands
Once the couples leave
I'll raise a toast to another lonely city
This bottle is everything to me
until she comes back to me
I'm almost out of "Canadian" wine.
exterior. city street. daytime
Mike and the "Slatermere Young" lads walked down the street.
Robert: I went to all the radio stations and tried to get them to play our recordings. I've gotten to know some of the boys there quite well. You know, I talked to them about the "Song of the Ladder" that you asked us to sing, and they said, it's time to convince you to let us record it.
Mike (to a man sitting on a bench as they pass) Good afternoon.
Robert: Of course, in their opinion, it's better to get you to give us another song. But my friends say...
Mike: Hi, I do have another song,
interior. Fred store. daytime
Mike and the lads from "Young Slatermere" enter the store.
Mike: If you go to my house, I'll ask you to listen to that song, okay?
Robert: Thank you very much.
Mike (to the salesperson) Good morning!
Salesperson: Good morning.
Mike: Sir. I want……
Salesperson: What do you want?
Mike: A bag of feed.
Salesperson: OK.
ROBERT (as Steve grabs a bag of feed): You know, we've been doing this for four years. Unless I'm all married. Jack also found a little girl. We also had to travel all over the state to make sure of the performances.
Bertie: Yeah, we only got a hundred dollars last week.
(They leave the store together.)
Henry: We went to Goliath one night to play, and another band was already playing there.
Mike: How many recordings have you made?
Robert: Three. But I haven't told you the truth yet. They have neither profit nor loss for our recording programs.
Mike: Is it?
Robert: But even then, they're not going to record our songs.
Mike: Hey, that's mean, maybe you can only get to this point now. I can tell you that the sky won't fall if you stop playing and recording.
exterior. Street. daytime
Mike and the "Slattermere Young" lads came to a corner. Steve is carrying the bag of feed.
Robert: I think so, but, as I said, we -- we heard last week that if we use two of your songs, they record us.
Mike: I have agreed to your request. I told you.
Robert: Yes. But not just your songs. They want you to sing.
Mike: Who wants me to sing?
Robert: The record company.
Mike: Which record company?
Robert: It's called "Aztec".
Mike: Never heard of it, how can you live on a hundred dollars a week?
Robert: Hi, we all have other jobs. Jack is in the building department and I'm a substitute teacher.
Mike (goes to his van): Oh, I don't know.
(Steve threw the bag of feed into the car afterward.)
Mike: Thank you.
Bertie: Of course.
Mike: Let me think about it, okay?
Robert: Of course it's very important to us. You know, that's going to be a real motivation for all of us.
Mike: But, let me explain. I don't want to promise anything, understand? I just want to try. If I don't think it's appropriate, let's just forget about it.
Robert: Alright.
Mike: Give me two days to think about it.
(A woman emerges from the grocery store with a bag of groceries.)
Robert: Thank you.
(The woman sees Mike and walks towards him.)
Women: Hi, sir! Are you really Mike Sledge?
Mike: Yes ma'am. I think I am.
exterior. main road. daytime
Mike: (Driving the van by the way; voiceover, singing):
Look at the clouds in the sky
exterior. motel. daytime
Mike (drives up, then stops, voices over, sings):
float leisurely
Oh, that's what she is
away from me
(He goes to the back of the house.)
I lied to myself too long
i know someone else
But, oh, let's face it...
interior. Rosa Lee's kitchen. daytime
Mike enters the kitchen. Little brother and Rosa Lee are inside.
Mike (voiceover, singing):
It's so sad.
(to Rosa Lee) How are you?
Rosa Lee: Hi, Mike.
Younger brother: Someone came to see you.
Mike (putting groceries on the table): Where are the people?
Little brother: In the living room.
Mike (enters the living room): Who is it?
interior. living room. daytime
His daughter Hugh Anne is in the living room. Mike enters.
Hugh Anne: Do you know who I am?
Mike: Yes, I know.
Hugh Anne: How did you recognize me?
Mike: I recognized it right away.
(Little brother and Rosa Lee enter.)
Rosa Lee: Please forgive us.
(She and her little brother leave the living room and walk outside.)
Hugh Anne: You've changed. You are not what you look like in the photo.
Mike: Really? Hi, God knows when was the last time I took a photo. But it doesn't matter. I have tried to contact you. I wrote several letters. Did you receive it?
Hugh Anne: No.
Mike: Hi, your mother can leave it to you. The court gave her power. There's nothing wrong with that, considering my circumstances.
Hugh Anne: I told Mom I was coming here. She said if I came she would arrest me. Harry reminded her later that I was eighteen and could make my own decisions. Ma said one time you wanted to put her to death.
Mike: Yes.
Hugh Anne: Why did you kill her?
Mike: Oh, she pissed me off somehow. I was drunk at the time...I can't tell. This is what happened when I was drunk.
Hugh Anne: Someone told my mom one night that you were the best country and western singer they'd ever heard.
Mike: Oh.
Hugh Anne: Ma threw a glass of whiskey in her face. She said they were saying this to piss her off. Do you think you'll ever sing again?
Mike: Oh, I think about it sometimes. Sometimes I also want to make a little money to make life here a little more comfortable, or to help you with some problems, if you need it.
Hugh Anne: I don't need money. Ma got royalties from singing the songs you wrote, and she set up a trust fund for me. I can buy whatever I want. Everything I get is from your music.
Mike: Oh, I'm glad. But it's not just because of my music. It has to be sung by your mother. So, can't forget this.
Hugh Anne: I know.
Mike: Okay...will you have dinner with us?
Hugh Anne: No, thank you. I can not. I have an appointment tonight. He's in my mom's band. We had to do it in secret because Mom didn't like him. Do you want to see him? He wants to see you.
Mike: Oh, but I don't think it's good. I really don't want your mom to get the impression that we're doing something together behind her back.
Hugh Anne: Hey, I can tell her I'm the one who brought him here.
Mike: Okay, that's it.
Hugh Anne: How about tomorrow afternoon?
Mike: Good.
Hugh Anne: Two o'clock?
Mike: Any time. I'll just stay here.
Hugh Anne: You know, you haven't called me by my name once since I got here. Don't you know my name?
Mike: Of course I know your name. I've been thinking about how I should call you. I always called you little sister when you were young. I just wanted to call you that as soon as I saw you, but I don't know if that means anything to you. I hope you remember how I called you back then.
Hugh Anne: I remember when I was a kid you always sang a song to me. It's a song about a pigeon. Ma said she never heard you sing that song to me. I remember a sentence..."A snow-white flying dove, sending his love of something."
Mike: I can't remember, I can't remember.
(Hugh Anne walks to the door, Mike follows.)
exterior. motel. daytime
Rosa Lee and her younger brother were walking in the fields outside the hotel.
Rosa Lee: So who else has a good science project besides you?
Little brother: Sai Henderson.
(Hugh Anne comes out of the house and gets into the car.)
View more about Tender Mercies reviews
