Palmetto

They're not as bad as you might think.

In fact, sometimes they're pretty good company.

Cuff up!

You can get used to just about anything in prison. Even a Palmetto bug.

I tried writing again.

Nothing came out that didn't sound bitter and cynical.

There's nothing worse than a writer who doesn't have anything to say.

That's me.

Harry Barber.

Hey, Harry.

I've got some good news. I mean some real good news.

You know what this is? This is your ticket out of here.

- Here's the judge. - Right here, Barber.

Mr. Barber, your conviction has been overturned by a federal judge.

Flipped like a buttermilk pancake.

Testimony in a related case contradicted key evidence presented at your trial.

What he's saying is someone's turned states and 'fessed up.

You were framed.

Your sentence has been commuted, effective immediately.

Don't thank me. Not much, anyway.

The paperwork has been filed. You'll be released within 24 hours.

All right!

All right.

What's wrong? You're free.

Your Honor...

I don't want to be ungrateful.

That's it, I'm done. I'm free.

This is justice. What about the two years of my life?

Two years of my life wasted because I was honest.

Because I wasn't dirty like everybody else. What about that?

You can take that up with your attorney.

No, I'm taking it up with you!

You're the justice system!

What about my... Don't turn me off!

Don't turn me off! You bastard!

I want my two years back!

I want it back!

I want it back! I want my two years!

Oh, my goodness, Harry Barber, as I live and breathe.

John Renick. Aren't you a little out of your jurisdiction?

- Maybe. - Got a cig?

Let me give you a lift.

- It'll be 105 today. - I can take a little heat.

Come on. Hop in.

I'm heading right back to Palmetto.

I ain't going to Palmetto.

Is that right? Where are you going?

Miami.

It's all over with, Harry.

Palmetto's cleaned up top to bottom. Trust me.

Yeah, I'll just bet it squeaks.

Thanks for the cig.

Wait. You're really going to Miami?

Miami, Atlanta, Houston, San Francisco. As long as it ain't Palmetto.

- What's Nina say about that? - I didn't ask.

Maybe you should.

You smell good, Harry.

Nina, I am not going back to Palmetto.

Oh, you taste good.

Nina, it's been a couple of years.

I know.

I'm going to Miami.

Shut up, Harry.

- 'Morning. - 'Morning.

Is it morning?

I don't know. I think so.

Thanks for making the coffee.

Pretty good, huh?

Strong?

Weak?

Bad.

It's been a couple years. I was looking at your...

...piece there.

The marquet?

Marquet. I don't understand how you make any money.

If you sell it for 12 bucks...

...the metal itself has gotta be worth more than that.

Well, actually...

...it's $1,200, Harry.

It's $1,200.

This is what I do now.

Yeah, I don't blame you.

Find anything?

Sure.

There's nothing I'm good at.

It'll be tough for you in this town, Mr. Barber.

Think so?

- Don't you like my bourbon? - I do.

Why don't you take it?

I don't drink.

Maybe tomorrow I'll ask why you ordered it if you don't drink.

Maybe tomorrow I'll tell you.

How'd it go today?

Humiliating.

Listen, baby, you can't expect something good just to happen overnight.

I've got my exhibition coming up.

If you want to, I have so much work to do...

I don't know how I'll ever finish. I have deliveries, I have to figure out the space...

We can maybe do it together. It might be fun.

- I could make some deliveries for you? - That'd be great.

I'd be your fucking errand boy.

I didn't mean it that way. I just thought that...

Don't think!

You worry about your scrap metal, I'll worry about Harry Barber.

I need to make a phone call.

Right over there.

Thank you.

Oh, God!

I left my handbag in there.

I was just gonna hand it in to the bartender.

How thoughtful of you.

Is there a problem, lady?

No, I left my handbag in the phone booth...

...and this gentleman was going to turn it in.

Make sure everything's there.

Yes, it's all here.

Thank you.

And thank you.

Can I buy you a drink?

- It's not necessary. - But it's customary.

Excuse me.

Another round for the gentleman.

I'll have a vodka martini with a twist.

You...

...Iost?

Do I seem lost?

No, just a little...

...out of place.

I'll take that as a compliment.

Take it any way you like it. My name's Harry Barber.

So, Mr. Barber...

How do you spend your time?

What do you mean?

I mean, what do you do?

I don't smoke.

Well, what do I do? What does anybody do? I just...

...try to survive, I guess.

Maybe you'd like to do more than just survive?

Who wouldn't?

I may know of something.

Would you be interested?

I'm interested now.

The money's good.

It's very good.

But, in exchange, there's an element of...

...risk.

Risk?

Does that worry you?

Question is, does it worry you?

If I could, I would do the job myself.

What is this job exactly?

Call me tomorrow and we'll talk some more.

I'm gonna settle the check.

I almost forgot.

I didn't.

Until tomorrow then?

I noticed your sign there.

It said help was wanted.

What kind of...

...help do you need?

The $6 an hour kind: to pump gas, cut bait...

Wow, look at that boat. "Rhea M."

Who owns that?

Fella by the name of Malroux.

Got an "x" on the end of it.

- "X" on the end of what? - His name. It's French or some such.

Oh, yeah, French.

His Christian name is Felix.

That's got an "x" on the end of it, too, by the way.

I bet you were a spelling bee champion in school.

He owns that boat and he owns that big house out on Cranleigh Key.

He bought that place?

What's a fella with all that money doing in a one-horse town like Palmetto?

Sorry.

He's a lung cancer case.

He's here for his health.

He ain't got that much longer left to live, I hear.

- And the blonde? - Mrs. Malroux.

Boat's named after her. Got another boat named Odette.

That's named after his daughter.

- Two "t's"? - Yeah.

But he don't keep her here. The boat, I mean.

Malroux.

Must be worth a fortune.

I wouldn't trade places with him for all the tea in Chinee.

He's a lung cancer case.

You still interested in this job?

No thanks, old-timer.

I think I might have a better offer.

Hi, baby.

I'll see you in about an hour.

- Where are you going? - I've got a delivery to make.

- Let me do it for you. - No, after yesterday, no way.

Let that go, first of all.

It'll make me feel like I'm contributing.

- Are you sure? - I'm sure.

Here.

Can I help you?

- Special delivery for Mrs. Malrow. - I'll take it.

She has to sign for this herself. It's a telephone order.