The Frontier

You been out here all night?

You're blocking the driveway.

Are you here by yourself'?

Mostly.

More coffee?

Please.

No milk.

Headed out west'?

East.

Away from...

Yeah.

He's probably reading my note about now.

"By the time I get to Phoenix"?

More or less.

Nice place you got.

You're kidding, right'?

Oh, no, no. First one's on me.

Thanks.

You okay?

I could really use a shower.

I'd rather not use one of the rooms right now, but...

Good morning.

Good morning.

Sleep okay?

I slept fine.

Eggs?

You know, why don't you use my shower.

Soap's nicer than in the rooms.

Make your skin pretty.

Prettier.

This your car?

Can't drive like that. Tire's flat.

It was driving fine last night.

Well, probably was a slow leak.

Got a spare'?

That was my spare.

Well, miss, lucky I'm here.

Where you headed'?

Twin Cities.

Taking the back roads, huh? Yeah.

I always feel like the semis are gonna drive me off the freeway.

You spend any time in Flagstaff? Passed through.

Seems like a nice town.

On the surface maybe.

Most towns seem nice on the surface.

In the day, on Main Street.

But at night, in the bars, motel rooms,

it's a whole nother story.

Yeah.

The nicer the town, the dirtier the crime.

Spousal abuse.

Molestation.

Drugs. Prostitution. Murder. Every town's got 'em.

Everyone's guilty of something.

Not a nail after all.

Looks like your tire got screwed.

Surprised to see you here.

On my way home from Flagstaff. Long night.

Flagstaff?

Yeah, they wanted all hands on deck.

Gruesome scene.

You'll hear about it on the evening news, I'm sure. Mm-hmm.

You mind fetching Officer Gault some coffee?

Sure. To-go cups are in the back.

Well, that's my name, Miss... Laine.

Laine. I'd like it light and sweet.

You find everything you're looking for'?

Yeah, I think so.

This place is a dive.

There's plenty of nicer motels off the freeway.

Maybe I don't like the freeway.

Here you go.

Thanks.

Sweet, but not too sweet.

Just the way I like it. This one's a keeper.

WOMAN (on police radio): Officer Gault. Are you there'? Hold on a minute.

How about it'? How about what'?

Hey, gotta run. Just need to finish the air.

But it should hold up till you get where you're going.

Thank you. My pleasure.

How about staying on?

This place could use a fresh face.

Free room and board.

I would, um, but my mother's expecting me up in Minneapolis.

Suit yourself.

Luanne.

I sure would appreciate a room though.

- Just for the night? - You can have 3.

But if I get any paying customers, you're gonna need to clear out.

Okay.

Flynn, baby, you better be waiting for me. MAN: Indeed I am, my darling.

I just thought my momentum might help get you out the door.

Christ.

This dump is deserted. What did I tell you'?

But I love my diamonds.

You need to wear them while eating a cheeseburger'?

They don't have steak'? Gloria, please.

Kidding. Okay, okay.

Ooh, Jesus Christ.

Piece of junk!

Gloria, open the door.

Will you take that out to the car for me'?

Gloria, you're not leaving. The hell I'm not!

- And where will you go'? - The closest hotel.

Don't be unreasonable.

Did you hear the way she was talking to me'?

And that place.

Ten minutes in there, and I feel like there's grease all over me.

And what about your brother?

Eddie can visit me at the hotel.

Where's my jacket'?

Gloria, please.

Have you forgotten the reason as to why we are here'?

I have not. Then for God's sake,

will you please try and be sensible?

Look, after tomorrow night,

we're not going to have to worry about money for a very long time.

Gloria, Mr. Dunbar was good to us.

Two big ones.

So tomorrow night we leave'?

Yes.

After they make the drop-off.

Okay?

Oh, come on.

Darling, why don't you take one of your little pills

and get ready for bed?

Where are your pills?

Should be in there.

Well, I don't see them.

There's a new bottle in the bathroom.

Here, darling.

I never wanna come back to this rotten place.

Of course not.

Good morning. Morning.

I slept very well last night. Happy to hear.

- I woke up this morning, and I was thinking... - It's too late.

I've changed my mind. I don't need you anymore.

I really do need a job.

Then why did you turn it down'?

See, that's why you sleep in a car.

Are you going to order something?

Because if you're not, we do reserve the stools for customers.

Well'? I'm sorry, Luanne.

I was wrong.

I was hurting and... and tired.

I couldn't think past getting some rest.

It was very kind of you to make the offer. I'll say.

Please.

I'm afraid if I don't have something to cling to right now,

I'll run back to him all over again.

You're not missing him, are you'?

It's a vicious cycle.

What about your mother in Minneapolis?

To be honest, she doesn't have much.

She drinks.

I suppose I'll just be a burden.

You sure have an odd way of showing gratitude.

Is that the blouse you wore yesterday'?

Yeah. I washed it in the sink.

Well, we'll have to do something about that.

Where should I start'? Well...

Who put the noose around your neck'?

Hey, goddamn it, Lee! Leave her alone.

She's a good kid.

Good morning. Morning.

Hi. Would you like some coffee?

If you're pouring, I shall drink whatever you've got.

Good morning.

Morning.

On vacation'?

Headed for Palm Springs.

My wife likes to think that she can golf.

Can't she'? She can swing.