Sonny

Okay, okay, I'm coming, god dammit!

Sonny?

Hey, Mama. Open the door.

My baby, Sonny!

Why didn't you let me know you was coming?

My papers got processed yesterday. I caught the first bus I could.

Let me look at you.

-Mama, I got your favorite. -Why, you haven't changed a bit.

Let's get out of the sun, okay?

Carol, come here right now and meet my boy.

I want you to meet my new girl. You're gonna love her to death.

Here, sit yourself down.

I'm so glad you came home.

You've no idea how crazy things have been here without you.

Old Henry. He don't make as much money as he used to.

Not that he ever made much anyway.

And naturally, your poor mama can't work no more.

But Carol, she does pretty good.

Carol, I said get your ass in here right now and meet my boy!

Like I said, she does pretty good now.

But with you to teach her, she'll make a fine deal of money.

Mom, please. Just slow down, okay?

Slow down.

Her last old man beat her half to death, left her in the hospital.

I paid the bill, brought her home.

I knew when I saw her that she was gonna make a good one.

I said to myself, "Yes, sir...

"she'll make a fine little partner for Sonny when he gets home.

"These two are gonna make a lot of money together."

Carol, God damn it! What're you doing sneaking up on me like that?

Get over here and meet my boy.

Carol Lees, my boy Sonny, the best there ever was.

I know because I trained him myself.

Glad to meet you. Heard a great deal about you.

Mama talks a lot more than she should.

Come into the kitchen. I'll fix you something to eat.

Now you go get ready. You've got a 10:30 date with Troy.

And don't let him have no more half-and-half for $100.

He either pays $200 or he gets it straight. Same as everybody else.

Damn stupid girl.

She'd give it away if I didn't stay on top of her all the time.

How do you like Carol?

-She's a nice girl. -She's a moneymaker, too.

You teach her a few things, she's gonna be the best around here.

I'll get your nice, white suit cleaned and pressed.

You'll be right back where you was before you left.

I'm not gonna do that kind of work anymore.

What you talking about?

There's this guy I know.

His father owns a bookstore in Texas City...

and I was thinking about going there for a job.

You only just got home. You're thinking about leaving again already?

I'll send you money.

Selling books? You?

What the hell you know about books? You ain't never read nothing.

Mama, those days are over.

-I'm too old for that now. -Old?

You're better-looking than you ever was.

You ain't aged a day since you've been away.

I gave you the best training there was since you was a boy.

You want to throw all that away when you're in the prime of your life?

I won't hear of it.

I'm 26 years old.

I don't want to screw all night anymore. I don't have the stomach for it.

I gave up my best years so you could have everything you needed.

You listen to your mama. You could work for your dates.

People still talk about you.

You can make three times the money you used to, for the same amount of time.

And if you work doubles with Carol, you're gonna make $5,000 a week, easy.

Mama, I'm going down to get that job in Texas City, all right?

So just get used to the idea.

I'm sorry, Mama. It's just....

I learned there's more to life than hustling tricks.

I wanna find something to do so I don't end up....

End up like what?

So you don't have to end up like me? Is that what you're trying to say?

I'm sorry, Mama.

You ungrateful son of a bitch!

Go ahead! You go try be a square.

But they don't want you either.

You think you're the first one who's ever tried to quit?

Oh, man.

Finish it, damn you. Finish it!

I want the Pontiac, Troy.

That's a $5,000 automobile, darling.

I want it for a month till Sonny can buy one for himself.

Just finish it. And then, we'll talk about it, all right?

You're not listening. I said I want the Pontiac, Troy.

All right. Just finish it.

One of my tricks decided to let you use his car until you get on your feet.

There's $100, too.

You need some clothes.

I know this used to be your room, so I'll move out if you don't want me here.

No, you can stay.

You still need some money until you can earn some.

You want any help?

Do I have to fuck for it?

Yeah.

There's $100 and a new car outside. I don't think I got it all paid for yet.

It's funny. I've never paid for it before.

It's crazy like this.

Come on, Sonny. Now, baby.

Patience.

You said you wanted to get what you paid for.

I'm telling you what I want.

I'm afraid your time is up.

But we haven't done anything yet.

A conversation is all you get from me for $100.

Now I know why your mother calls you a natural-born whore.

That's not the reason.

Oh, God.

I'll be gentle.

Boo.

Old thieves never die. They just never die.

Damn, boy, where do you get off joining the Army and being gone so long?

Just trying to get away from Mama for a while.

Which is more than I can say you've ever been able to do.

Old Jewel would go out of her mind if she didn't have me to look after her.

Making any money?

I pay my rent and have a drink now and then. I don't need much.

That little gal in there any good?

What do you mean? She's been living here three months and you don't know?

I don't lie, boy. Your mama would feed me to the chickens...

if she found me messing with one of her girls.

I just like to do a little speculating now and then. You know what I mean.

Breakfast is ready. You two get in here before it gets cold.

All right, hold your horses, woman. We're coming.

-You hungry? -Yeah.

Wake up, you fine little outlaw from Arkansas.

Henry Wade, you lecherous old cocksucker. I told you not to do that anymore.

I'm gonna take it in a little bit right here.

Give it a nice taper through the shoulders and the back.

That's great.

I like a nice tight fit in the back.

Listen, Walter, I figured since I was in here...

I'd ask you if there's any work here available in the store.

I mean, I've got some other options...

but I thought I might ask.

I really like this material.

I'll think about it, Sonny.

Time for a career change?

Oh, my God, Sonny?

When did you get in town?

-Mr. Phillips, will there be anything else? -No, that's it.

This will be ready in a couple of days...

and I'll wrap up those other items you wanted.

Okay, thank you.

Yeah, I just got back yesterday.

It's been so many years since I've seen you. Where did you go?

I was in the Army.

Yes, I remember now. Somebody told me.

Sonny, what in the world would you wanna go join the Army for?

I don't think you'd understand.

I'm terribly sorry.

Sonny Phillips, this is Catherine Putnam.

Hi. Nice to meet you, Catherine. It's a pleasure.

Sonny is a dear old friend of mine.

-I'm sorry. It's Meg. -How's your husband, Meg?

I traded that old dud in for a new one, since I've seen you.

I met a very nice, quiet little surgeon...

who's an absolute dear. He really is.

The only trouble is he watches how much money I'm spending too closely.

I'm sure you'll manage.

I see you still have your taste in clothes.

Are you still...

working?

No.

I'm just here spending some of my discharge money.

That's a real shame.

What happened? Did the Army break you?

Yeah, I guess.

That'll be $432.82.

Can I help you?

Sonny is the young man I was telling you about...

who used to spend so much time with me at the lake.

This is an occasion.

Would you have a drink with us?

-Just a drink. -A drink, right now?

-Just a drink, you dirty youngster, you. -Come on.

-Catherine's all right, we can talk. -No doubt about that.

It's tempting.

Your change. And I'll let you know if anything changes...

but I don't foresee any openings in the near future.

Okay, thanks a lot.

Please, just one drink?

-A small drink. -Come on, be a sport.

I don't know if I can pass this up.

Come on, honey. It's so nice to see you.

Baby, I'm so glad you're home.

Henry is in jail. He called me about an hour ago.

-What's he in jail for? -Shoplifting.

Why are you getting upset? He's been in jail for that more times than I can count.

I know.

I just get so worried sometimes.

Henry's getting too old to be going to jail every week.

He's all I got. Anything happens to him, I don't know what I'd do.

All right. Did you call the bondsman?

He's gonna meet us down at the jail...

as soon as Carol gets back.

Why when Carol gets back?