The Power of the Dog

When my father passed,

I wanted nothing more than my mother's happiness.

For what kind of man would I be if I did not help my mother?

If I did not save her?

You're not eating?

No.

Have you figured it out yet, fatso?

What?

How many years since we took over the ranch

from the Old Gent and Old Lady?

Why?

Oh hell, think about it.

You ever try the house bath, Phil?

No, I have not.

Early up tomorrow, brother. Big old drive.

There's a dead cow. Keep our cattle away.

- What happened? - Anthrax. Don't touch.

Well, guess this is it.

What's "it," Phil?

What's "it"? All right, fatso, I'll tell you what "it" is.

Twenty-five years since our first run together.

Nineteen hundred and nothing.

That's a long time.

Well, not too damn long.

Know what we should do?

What's that?

Go camping again in the mountains and shoot ourselves some fresh elk liver.

Cook it right there on the coals like Bronco Henry taught us.

You got a sore gut?

No.

You act like it pains you to hitch two words together.

There'll be 12 for tonight.

Do you what they'd prefer to eat?

They like the fried chicken dinner.

Yes?

I'm going to need your room.

All right.

What are you doing?

Nothing.

Is that an album?

Not really.

- May I? - Sure.

- Do you like the mansion? - Too much to clean.

You wouldn't have to clean it. There would be cleaners.

Oh, she's beautiful.

I like her flowers.

Oh! That's clever, Peter.

They're so lovely.

Thanks.

For the tables?

Sure.

- I need three chickens. Can you do them? - All right.

You're gonna have to move your stuff to the shed.

I'll make a bed for you on the floor.

Jake.

- He there? - Nope.

Well, we can't wait forever. The cattle are in the yards, so drink up.

- You gonna say something? - Nope.

Not without my brother.

Where were you?

I couldn't make the boys hold back forever.

That's fine.

Uh…

Checked the power, and it's held up. Not coming till morning.

Oh, no, thanks. Phil, they're ready for us next door at the Red Mill.

Dinnertime, boys.

Let's get a move on.

Twenty-five years ago, where were you, Georgie Boy?

Hmm?

- With you. - I'll tell you.

A chubby know-nothing too dumb to get through college.

People helped you, fatso.

One person in particular taught you and me ranching

so we damn well succeeded.

- Bronco Henry. - Hmm.

So…

So, to us brothers, Romulus and Remus, and the wolf who raised us.

- Bronco Henry. - Bronco.

- Il Lupo. - Bronco.

- Bronco Henry. - Bronco Henry.

- Boss is Ieavin'. - Dinner, boys.

Much obliged.

Rose? Rose, play piano for us please.

I can't!

- Play! Play! Play! - Come on!

- Is everything all right? - Yes, ma'am. Fine.

I can play the piano.

Well, well…

Ain't them purdy.

"I've never seen a woman behind the wheel of a car."

I said, "Have you never seen a lady drive a car before?"

He thought the dog was driving.

No. No.

No!

Oh, yeah.

Well…

I wonder what little lady made these.

Actually, I did, sir.

My mother was a florist.

So I made them to look like the ones in our garden.

Oh, well, do pardon me.

They're just as real as possible.

Mmm.

All right. Now, gentlemen, look. See, that's what you do with the cloth.

- It's really just for wine drips. - Ooh, you got that, boys?

Only for the drips.

Now get us some food.

- Did Bronco ever eat here? - No, he did not.

So where did you eat?

Uh, back then we had herring at the saloon and a whole lot of alcohol.

Oh.

I remember this one time, Bronco made this wager that he could jump any horse

over the tables and chairs of the saloon piled up in the street.

Well, we chose him a nag all right.

It didn't bother him.

He took off his saddle,

walked the horse up to the tables and chairs,

talking to him all the while,

stroking his big, ugly head while the horse sniffed.

And then he swung on and rode him back and…

What?

Flew over.

He jumped it?

But to get a nag to jump… ain't heard of.

Put it down to amour.

What do you say, George?

Amour?

What… I don't know what you're talking about.

Do you mind quietening? We're eating.

Shut that down, or I will!

Are you all right, Peter?

Where are you going?

Go on over. I'll settle up.

Settle in the morning.

I'll be along.

Shall I settle up now, Mrs. Gordon, or…

Please, you can…

Send the bill, and I'll post a check.

Come over here. I love you.

George?

George?

Brother.

Where have you been?

What you said about her boy tonight, Phil…

Made her cry.

She had her ear to the door?

She was crying, Phil.

What the hell?

I said her boy needed to snap out of it and get human.

Pointed it out, that's all.

She should damn well know.

Hold it.

He's got it!

He was better before.

He's getting there.

Is that how Bronco Henry learned it?

I never saw him out on a lunge, that's a fact.

What is it you see up there, Phil?

Are animals up there?

Has anyone else seen what you've seen, Phil?

George?

Nah, not him.

Come on, Phil. What is it?

There is something there, right?

Not if you can't see it, there ain't.

Gotta be an animal.

Hello, Mr. Burbank.

Hello, Mrs. Gordon.

How can I help you?

I really just came to see you.

Oh.

I'm quite busy.

"This most wholesome sauce is excellent

with meats, fish, and cheese."

They have wine with them.

I wish they wouldn't do that.

I don't like drinking.

I'd say they have more in them than wine. Sounds like booze.

They're early.

I should have never put the pianola in there.

Here's the water.

I see… I see the Herndon doctor and the undertaker, Mr. Weltz.

Oh, goodness. I wish Peter were here.

He should be serving the salad, and I need to fry the chicken.

Sometimes if you get food on the table…

Um, Mr. Burbank,

I'm gonna run and get Peter.

Afternoon!

Uh, looks like I'm the new waiter.

Doctor.

Mr. Burbank.

Mr. Weltz.

Run into any snow down below?

None to speak of.

Well, I guess I'll roll me a smoke since I'm woke up.

How far did you get?

Beech. That's where I aimed for.

Beech?

Whatcha doin' down there, Georgie Boy?

Little tomcatting?