All Quotes

"Larry: First recess. [Then the entire class files out of the classroom]"

"[Anna watches with dismay as her students fill the schoolyard and break apart into small groups. Polly sits with her goat, Ernie, which she takes everywhere, including school. Sophia sits by herself leafing through a magazine. Sue and Lou braid each other's hair, and Tak fries ants with the help of a big magnifying glass. The rest of the children just mope around]"

"[As Anna watches her class, Bomma Cole emerges from the building, followed by her class of grade-schoolers]"

"Bomma: How's it going, darling?"

"Anna: I don't think they like school."

"[Bomma tries reassuring her]"

"Bomma: Don't take it personal. They don't like anything. Not even each other."

"[After school, Kate and Sophia wait on the steps while Polly unties Ernie from the stair railing. Their classroom window is right next to the stairs, and the girls can see the new teacher inside collecting her stuff]"

"Sophia: Then whaddya think?"

"Kate: She'll never last."

"[Polly walks up with Ernie in tow, and the three girls hike the short distance from school to Mrs. Holland's gas station. Polly's mum gives the girls a free bottle of Coke, which they pass back and forth as they sit on the stoop in front of the station]"

"[A few moments later, a station wagon pulls up to the gas pump. It is an old, beat-up car that looks as if it either hasn't been washed in years or has been on the road for a very long time. Or perhaps both. A woman and a boy are up front. Probably a mother and son. The back of the car is crowded with boxes and suitcases, and the girls figure the two of them are moving somewhere. No fashion can they be moving to Elma. After all, no one is that desperate]"

"[The woman gets out of the car and goes inside the store. She hands some money to Polly's mum. Then she returns to the car. The boy climbs out and goes to the gas pump and begins filling the tank]"

"[Kate watches the boy. She decides he may be Mexican, since Elma is so close to the border. He looks to be about her age, she thinks. And not hard-looking, either]"

"[After a moment, the boy feels Kate's eyes on him and returns her gaze. Their eyes lock]"

"[A battered pickup truck drives into the gas station. The truck comes to a sharp stop, and a man steps out]"

"[Kate's face flushes red. The man is her father. And he is drunk]"

"Man: Kate, warn her to turn it on!"

"[Kate sighs, but gets up and goes into the store. Sophia and Polly follow behind]"

"Kate: My dad wants gas."

"Mrs. Holland: I'm sorry, Kate. But this isn't the United Road. I can't keep giving it away."

"Kate: Hey, it's alright. I understand."

"Polly: I hope your dad does. He sure looks like he's in a worst mood."

"Kate: Now a days, he doesn't have any other mood."

"Mr. Mullaney: Brenda! Get this stuff going! BRENDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [echoes]"

"[Polly's mother goes outside, followed by the girls. Kate's father is holding a gas nozzle in his hand, and Kate winces as she sees him staggering. Even by his standards, he appears drunker than normal]"

"Polly's Mother: What's your problem?"

"Mrs. Holland: My problem is you owe me too much money for anymore gas to be going in that truck."

"Kate's Father: I'll pay. I just don't have it right now."

"Brenda: And you won't have it tomorrow. Or the next day. I have to draw the line, Ed."

"Ed: Then I'm short on cash! Big deal. Perhaps you never heard, but the factory closed!"

"Mrs. Holland: And my husband hasn't worked since, either. How dare you act like I don't know what the plant's closing means!"

"Ed: Then how come you're willing to turn against people who are hurting?"

"Mrs. Holland: I have my own bills to pay. My own mouths to feed!"

"[Ed looks over to where the boy is pumping gas and his face becomes red with frustration]"

"Ed: My family's lived in this town for years. But suddenly, I'm nothing and they're something!"

"[The boy is about to get back in the car until Ed steps in front of him]"

"Boy: Excuse me."

"[Ed shoves the boy hard, pushing him down]"

"Ed: Get out of my face!"

"[The boy's mother races to her son, but grabs Kate's father by the arm, afraid he may strike her boy again]"

"Kate: Dad! [She runs to her father and holds him back]"

"[Tom Palmer has just driven side-by-side in his patrol car until he sees the scuffle. He turns into the gas station and gets out of the car]"

"Tom: We have a problem here?"

"Kate: No, sir. My dad was just leaving."

"Ed: Have ourselves a hot-tempered boy as is all."

"Tom: Emotion's over. Let's get back to our own business."

"[Then Tom hears the boy and his mother speak to each other in Spanish. He has lived in this border town long enough to learn the language]"

"Boy: Why did he do that? I didn't do anything."

"Mother: Of course not. But we're different. That's enough for some people."