1 (film projector rattling) 1 1 1 (whistle blows, crowd cheers) (film projector whirring) (wind whistling, slowly fades out) (chirping birds fade in) (lively country music playing faintly over radio) (phone chimes) (clicks tongue) Corn's up three cents. You sold for less last week, didn't you? We shouldn't be doing this. It's not right. Not right?! Let me remind you what Dad always says: "When a man stops wanting, a man stops living." Now, when your brother Grant gets here next week, he'll be ABC-ing, "Always Be Closing." You know, he used to keep his suit in his gym locker just in case a funeral needed a trumpet player? Actually, I did know that, because we went to the same high school. Well, you're too dark, son. You know, that's always been your problem. People like winners, people with good attitudes. Okay, here we come. (door alarm chiming) (door closes) -(knocks) -Dean? These people are bereaved, and they need condolences from a family, and that family is you and me. I don't want to be a part of this family. Well, I would love to talk with you about that at some later date, but right now, I want you to get out of this car, and we're gonna go over there, and you're gonna shake this family's hand. Let's go. MAN (voice-over): On behalf of David's family, I'd like to thank you all for attending this service of respect and dedication for their beloved father and farmer. Death, in a number of ways, unites us all. And David's demands that each of us put aside our toil to unite ourselves in his honour. Today, we share the bond of love and friendship for David. And the farmer who depends directly on rain and sunshine and climate must be a person of faith. He has faith in the Creator every time he plants a seed. MOURNER: Sorry for your loss. HENRY: Mr. Pritchard. Elizabeth. I'm Henry Whipple. This is my son Dean. Hey, Henry. Hey, Dean. Thanks for coming. Dean and myself, really our whole family-- we want to extend our sympathies to your family. Did you know Dad? Oh, surely I knew of him. We belonged to the same co-op. And I know your dad owned 200 acres that he rented out. What are you getting at? Well, seeing as how that you live down in the big city of St. Louis, I know it's gonna be a terrible hassle for you to oversee that property, and I just wanted to let you know that I'm prepared -to take it off your hands. -Get out of here. -Well, you don't have to decide now. -Dad... But when the time is right, you can have time to talk it over. I said go away. You're sick! All right. I know that you're in grief, sir. You do have my card. Sorry. Sharks. What? I've been renting and farming Pritchard's land for ten years. Stay away from it, hoss. Okay. Well, I guess Grant would've closed it. ABC, right? That's not funny. That land was gonna be his "welcome home" gift. (knocks) -Sir, I am so sorry... -I can't stand you kind of people. But Elizabeth can't deal with this, and I don't ever want to come back to Iowa after today. Going price is 8,000 an acre. Where do we sign? (Henry groans loudly) The cool kids have graced us with their presence. Rolling out the "welcome home" carpet for Grant. Are these enough cookies? No. More. -HENRY: You again. -Why do you always eat standing up? Because, Cadence... who does time wait for? I don't know. No man. Time waits for no man. (groans) Oh, no, no, I wouldn't want to trouble you. (grunts) Grant's gonna flip when he sees the 200 acres I got him. Here? (chuckles) He's finally coming home. Yes, he is. MAN: Expand or die, gentlemen. Get big or get out. We all know this is what it takes to make it in modern agriculture. Grain prices are at an all-time high, and traders are betting on corn like it's the new gold. Corn alone is a $2 trillion market, gentlemen. And you, you are responsible for that money. Now, I've got a Ph.D in microbiology, and I've been working very closely with local farmers from your own community-- farmers like the award-winning Liberty Seed salesman Jim Johnson and Sons. -Jim, thanks very much. -(chuckles) And we've had a chance to sit down and actually talk about how AgriWarrior can create a nutrient explosion in your soil. Now, if your soil's like most, -(groans softly) you've got an abundance of insoluble nutrients that aren't available... We should just rotate our crops and avoid the effects of glyphosate. How'd you know that? I've been on a farm my whole life. Kind of picked a few things up. He's right. Rotating them hurts. -Hey, where you going? -Going to the bathroom. MAN: Iron is up over 54%. University testing... ...bringing a whole another tractor into the field. About gave us a heart attack, but it was exciting. Hey. Don't these look like bloody fingers? Sounds appetizing. Let's go. Hi, Mr. Richardson. How are you? Saw your race last weekend. That foot is made of lead. It's gonna get you to NASCAR. Thank you. I said the same thing to Chuck Young back in '88. Have I told you that story? Yes, sir, yes, sir, you did. Actually, we just got to get going, though. Whoa, whoa, hold on, son. You and Chuck Young are not the same. You use your head. And Chuck, I'm sorry to say, wasn't long on brainpower. Thank you very much, Mr. Richardson. We got to get going, though. Thank you, I appreciate it. -Very nice sitting next to you. -Thank you. Dean, the whole town's behind you. -Thank you, sir. -(doorbells jingle) -Oh, come on! -(rock music playing) I thought it was just me and you tonight. Ah, Torgeson, we can still hold hands, baby. Fuck, no! What's up, brother? Let's do it. (engine revving) (turns up volume, music blares) (tyres screeching) TORGESON: Dude, you're not listening to me. You are Figure 8 point leader, two years running. DEAN: Figure 8's amateur hour, dude. Got to move up to asphalt tracks, man. Asphalt is for getting to the dirt tracks, son. ARCA'S got that big sponsorship money, man. That big money, big money. Yeah, you're gonna have to make some pretty big changes if you're gonna make it to ARCA. I'm doing ARCA. (can crackles) It's the next step to NASCAR. You got your nine mill in here? Hell, yeah, man, all day. It's for the thugs. It's a pretty little bitch, ain't it? DEAN: You're driving to Rippey, man. There ain't nothing in Rippey but ditch water and herpes. That's, like, two hours away. What else were you gonna do with that two hours of your life in Iowa? -Let's go. -(engine revving) MAN (voice-over): I got to ask you something. I need a job. Uh-oh. What happened to your seed cleaning business? After 42 years, I have to close my doors. Nobody uses natural seeds any more. Look around. 90% are genetically modified. 93% GMOs and rising. Yeah, well, whatever. But, um, that place of yours, that's got to be worth at least three million. Well, that's tied up in equipment mostly. And besides, what if we have another dust bowl? That's a mighty disappointing thing to say to a friend. Well... Especially after the not-so-legal job I did for you in the past. Hey, whoa! (nervous laugh) Can you keep your voice down? I paid you then, remember? I'm just reminding you, that's all. That's all. Well, I don't like it. All I'm saying... begging... -is even one or two days a week of honest work would help me. -(sighs) I'm sorry, buddy, I can't give you a job. I hope it doesn't come between us. -Congratulations on a fine talk, sir. -Uh, thanks very much. -Henry Whipple. -Yeah. You probably heard of me; I'm the number one Liberty Seed salesman in seven counties of Southwestern Iowa, including Greene, Union, Ringgold, Decatur... -Is that right? -Sure is. -(both laugh) And I have a nice-size farm up in Churdan. Family-owned for four generations. 3,700 acres, as of today. Now, if I could be personally certain of your product, give it the Whipple seal of approval, maybe there's something that I could do to help you. Are you asking for free samples? 'Cause I... Oh, sir, I never ask anything from a man other than respect, trust and loyalty. Jim. Jim. Thank you so much for letting me use your name. Oh, no, no, no. My pleasure, my pleasure. What you said about the glyphosate locking up the nutrients like manganese and iron, that struck a chord with me. We'll spread the word; count on it. -Henry. -Jim. -Everything good? -Hunky-dory. -(Jim chuckles) Well, I can see that you're all tied up here. -We'll talk later. -Yes. Um, just remember, I am number one in seven counties, including Boone, Garrison, Decatur... -BOY: Dad's got Decatur. -Brad. What are you talking about? -Sorry, Henry. -(chuckles) There's no apologies needed. I know Brad's kidding about Decatur, right, Brad? No. Dad took it last week. We're number one in 24 counties now. "Took" is a strong word, Henry. You know, gentlemen, if this is a bad time... No, no, no, not at all, Roger, not at all. Just a meeting of the minds of a couple Liberty men, that's all. Right, Henry? So, what customer did you take? -Just some people. -"Some people"? Wanted to try a new tactic on their farms, that's all. I'm sure they'll be back with you next year. -Oh. -Now, if you'll excuse me, I wanted to introduce Roger to the boys here. -ROGER: Oh, hello there. -This is my oldest Brad. I think you've met him before. -How are you, Brad? Good to see you again. -Pleasure, pleasure. -My goodness, been years, hasn't it? -My second son Brett. -How you doing? -How are you, Brett? Pleasure. Look at you two. (rock music playing) What the hell are you acting like some sort of cyborg assassin for all of a sudden? I'm making some changes. Guns are for thugs, not farmers. (laughs) (alarm wailing) Oh! TORGESON: Fucking A! Jesus Christ! -(alarm continues wailing) -Whore! Whorey whore! Holy shit! A Vortech supercharger! -Dean! Oh, my God! -Come on, go, go, go. -Get in the car. -You're insane! -(laughs) -Oh, my God! TORGESON: You are fucking insane! Look, I got you an air freshener. DEAN: Let's go! (engine revving, tyres screeching) (Torgeson whooping) (store alarm continues wailing) (grunting) (banging) (glass breaking) (grunting and moaning) (distant train whistle blows) You weren't kidding when you said you always finish first. Should have gotten you out of my system a long time ago. (panting softly) HENRY: What am I going to tell Dad? About what? About Decatur, the county. It's gone. Harvested away. Jim Johnson, that shark... he passes half his sales commissions under the table, in cash, to bribe my customers. Sounds like the Mafia. Ugh. Dad gave me everything. Granddad before him. I can't let 'em down. HENRY: Come on in here. Somebody, I'm sure, wants to see you. Hey, Dad, George Naylor's here. Well, hey, Cliff. It's been a while. Yeah. You know it's Customer Appreciation Day and not the Fourth of July. It's called marketing, Dad. And you're the first invitee, George. End of summer-- be there. You lose any more counties, there won't be any customers to appreciate. -You know that. -We got it covered. (engine idling) (engine revs) (birds chirping) HENRY: So, what I'm going to do is I'm going to load you up with a tote of Liberty 780R seeds, see how that does for you. Knock, knock. I brought barbecue sands and some pop. -From Tater's? -You betcha. I didn't have time to make them on my own. And I know you like extra bacon, so I got an extra side for you. CLIFF: Now you're talking. Slaw in there? Yeah, slaw. IRENE: There's that. CLIFF: Oh, yeah. What is it, honey? "Dear Mom and Dad: "Greetings from Mount Aconcagua in the Andes." (clears throat) "Tallest mountain in South America. "Guess what? I'm going to climb it. "The people here are so friendly. "Hope this postcard finds you in time. "Say hi to Dean. Love, Grant." GEORGE: It looks romantic. CLIFF: Oh, that's a bunch of hogwash. That kid's so off the grid, he doesn't even bother to call. Henry, make yourself useful. Take me out of here. GEORGE: I think I got to get going, too. Well, hold on there, now, George. I mean, we haven't even had a chance to talk turkey here. Or barbecue, as it were. (chuckles) I mean, am I losing a customer here? -Well, of course not, Henry. -Well, then... sit down, take a load off. CLIFF: Oh, cut the bull. First Decatur, and now Grant? You lost him, Henry. You never should have let him go. (whooping) (squealing) (whooping) (hollers) -(laughing) -DEAN: Come on. -No. -(grunts) -No, I can't drive. -Yes, you can. Yes, you can. -(laughing): No! -(screams) -There you go. Straighten out. Whoa! (whooping) I like the sound your car makes with its new part. Don't point that at people. It's dangerous. (breathing heavily) Promise not to do what you did at the auto shop again? Yeah. Okay. 'Cause I kind of really like you. MAN (voice-over): Oh, congratulations. must be proud. Thanks. What for? Well, your son's a real-life hero. "Grant Whipple to climb tallest mountain in Americas." Geez! -The whole county already knows. -Relax, Henry. You're going to sprain something. (sighs) Why are my own children sabotaging me? Does Grant not care one iota about the 200 acres I got him? -And Dean? -Oh, he's a lost cause. Why does he consistently disrespect me? Every man wants something to call his own. (grunts, sighs) What's wrong with the farm? -(laughing): That's yours. -No, it's the family's. Same difference. Maybe not to Dean. Breathe out. (exhales) (rock music blaring) Dean! Hey, Dean Whipple! You mind taking that off for a minute? -Hey. So... -(turns music volume down) ...my eyes have been opened, and you know what I saw when I looked around? -Corn? -No. I saw you. I now know that every man wants something to call his own. And, with that in mind, I'm going to give you the 200 acres we got from the Pritchards. It'll be your own stake in the family farm. One of these days, your kids will farm that land. Thought you got that for Grant. Well, Grant is out getting God knows what kind of STDs from Argentinean girls. -You're here. -I'm not staying here, Dad. I'm racing cars. Racing cars is a great hobby. You don't even sponsor me. You sponsor that Arthur Link kid. The Links have been buying seeds from me for ten years. Besides, you can't make any money racing. Yeah, you can make good money racing ARCA. (clank, machine whirring) Nick Elliott's recruiter is coming to my next race. What? Nick Elliott's coming to see you? Yeah. Me. When they hand out that big cheque in the winner's circle, guess whose name's going to be on it. Mine. You're not going to make it in the big leagues. Just take the land. It's in your blood. And the sooner you understand that, the better. Dad, I can't even hear you, okay? I got to get this grain to the elevator before they close. Honey! I'm paying a visit to the Decatur traitors. Oh, Henry... why don't you ask Cadence to join you? HENRY: Because she's a feral child. IRENE: She's a good kid, and Dean likes her. Besides, she could use a father figure. Hmm. Do your parents care that you lounge around here all day? My mom makes meth in Jefferson. My dad will be out in 10 to 20. They're busy. Well, okay. Do you want to come sell seeds with me? -Why don't you ask Dean? -I'm not asking Dean. I'm offering you an opportunity to do something worthwhile. So put some clothes on, for God sakes, and I will see you in the car. HENRY (voice-over): This business is teeming with life lessons for the next generation of Iowa, Cadence. First lesson: loyalty. I have customers in the seed-selling business that have been with me since Dad was in charge, and you know why? Because they're loyal. And I listen. -Listening... -(horn honks) ...is another great life lesson, Cadence. I listen to what my customers have to say, and in the end, we'll find a solution for their next planting season. And this paves the road to success. And who doesn't want to be successful? So you have three L's: loyalty, listening equals solution. It's the key to happiness. So, what am I supposed to do today? Your job is to sit back and learn. There's another "L" for you. See? Hey, have you had your breakfast today? Most important meal of the day. Thanks, Henry. -Is Kevin around? -Yep. He's out on the field. 'Cause I was wanting to talk to him about his yields. You know, growing strong, living long. Maybe, uh, talk about some purchases for next season. -That's not necessary. -Well, I know it's not necessary, but it's just something that I like to do. (music playing over stereo) WOMAN: I got to break it to you-- we're going with Jim Johnson and Sons this time around. Right, right, but I thought maybe, if I could just talk to Kevin in person... Yeah, but he's out in the field right now. Hey, say hi to Irene, though. -And, uh, we read about Grant in the paper, the... -Mmm. -mountain thing, it's... -The mountain thing. That boy is a real adventure seeker. We're really proud of him. Ah, so are we. Bye, now. You have a good day. (dog whimpers) You in the mood for a Butterfinger? Give me one. Well, I'm glad you're happy 'cause, uh, I wanted to come over here, I wanted to check in with you. It seems like there's been some sort of a... switcheroo over here in Decatur. Yeah, I switched-eroo. People say you're losing it, hoss. Actually, Henry was bringing some bad news but didn't know how to break it to you. -Oh, yeah? -Oh, yeah? Yeah, you see, farms in this area have had some switches in temperature, and Henry wanted to walk the fields with you to make sure everything was okay with your crops. Who's this? I'm his intern, Cadence Farrow. Jim Johnson and Sons aren't here walking the crops with you? Is that any way to treat a customer? No, Cadence, it isn't. Well, baby sister, around here, we don't walk the crops; we ride them. Troy, get the Mud Hogs. (Cadence whooping) You were good today, Cadence. Your job is like a game. You know, I used to think like that, too, when I was starting out. -(phone blipping) -Oh, can you actually drop me off at Third Street? I'm meeting Dean. I guess he's got a lot going on right now, with his racing. What? Aren't you going to ask me to help you save Decatur again? Well, I thought you already signed up. Yee-hoo. Cyclones' star quarterback, Henry Whipple, up against head cheerleader, Meredith Crown. He takes the ball. And he looks left, he fakes right, and then he scores a touchdown right up the middle. (chuckles) Stoli-O. That's my favourite. Mmm. We need to go back inside and celebrate the demise of Jim Johnson. I need two more customers, and then Decatur will be mine. -Oh, not so fast. -Come on. -We have some negotiations. -Oh, yeah, fast. -MEREDITH: Let's get some ice. -HENRY: Okay. RICK STEVES: Wide Parisian boulevards lead to famous landmarks: the Pantheon, -the old opera, and the Arc de Triomphe. -(door opens) HENRY: Evening, honey. Wouldn't it be nice to finally see Paris? We could visit the wine vineyards. Maybe we should take a vacation, just you and me. That would be nice. We can't. Work calls. We could go during the slow part of the season. Uh, something might happen. Usually does. I'm going to bed. -(turns off TV) -But you have time to take off work for Meredith. I know you've been sleeping with her. I don't know who's been telling you what, but that is an out-and-out lie, and it's probably by people who are jealous of us. I love you, Henry. And you make me feel like an idiot for it every day. (crickets chirping in distance) 1 (spectators whooping) Brian... Donna... How are you? You got the whole family out today? You having a good time? Are you eating a dog? Well... -Hey, Jonathan. -Well, we need you to come out, because it's that time of year again for Customer Appreciation Day for being such a great customer. -Bring the whole family. -IRENE: Yeah, you betcha. -All our family will be there. -IRENE: The more, the merrier. It's good to see you again. Thanks for being such a great customer. IRENE: Have fun. Root for number 25. (chuckling) -Good luck, man. I'll see you out there. -Thank you. GIRL: Hey. Sorry to bother you. Would you mind getting a photo with my brother? No. Come here, buddy. -He's a little shy. -That's all right. -What's your name? -Keith. -Keith, I'm Dean. -Hi. -DEAN: What's up, man? -Really, he's, like, obsessed with you. One... GIRL: Um... -(camera clicks) -Got it. Thank you, and, um, good luck today. -Yeah. Nice to meet you, buddy. -Come on, Keith. (clicks tongue) Henry. -Oh, hi, Jim. -I got a surprise call this morning, from Alex Murphy out in Decatur. -Oh. -Told me that he wanted to switch back to buying his seeds from you. Well, switched back's a strong word, Jim. He just wanted to try a little different strategy in his fields. You'll have to get that paperwork approved from the Liberty district manager for a mid-purchase switch, you know. Oh, worry not, for approval I shall get. Now, if you'll pardon me, fine sir. Have a good day. -MAN: Dean, this is Kyle. He's the recruiter for Elliott Racing. -Thanks for coming. He said you're figure-eight champion two years running. -If I like what I see today, we'll give you one and only one shot. -Sounds interesting. The race will be at the end of the month, and it'll cost you $15,000 to rent a ride. -$15,000, huh? -Oh, yeah, boy. I'm talking ten-person pit crew, trailers, tires, entrance fees and a whole mess of pussy. -Good luck today. I'll be watching you. -Thanks, man. PETE: Come on, let's grab some beers. You want to indulge me as to how you can get $15,000? I got that saved in prize money. Dean, that is beer, beer and abortion money. You know it. Sorry, Cadence. ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen, please rise and remove your hats for the singing of the national anthem. WOMAN and CROWD: # O say can you see # # By the dawn's early light # # What so proudly we hailed # # At the twilight's last gleaming # # Whose broad stripes and bright stars # # Through the perilous fight # # O'er the ramparts we watched # # Were so gallantly streaming? # # And the rockets' red glare # # The bombs bursting in air # # Gave proof through the night # # That our flag was still there # # O say does that star-spangled # # Banner yet wave # # O'er the land of the free # # And the home of the brave? # (cheering and applause) (whooping) (engines revving) ANNOUNCER: Then let's get started. Let's give our drivers a round of applause. (cheering and applause) (engines revving) Let's keep our eyes on number 25, Dean Whipple, today. He's been dominating on this track all season. -Whoa, whoa! Geez, Dean! -ANNOUNCER: Whoa, whoa! God, this is insanity, Irene. Nobody would come watch if there wasn't a crash. ANNOUNCER: Brad Johnson, number 12, pulls ahead of number 25. They've had a rivalry all season! ANNOUNCER: These boys are going neck and neck. ANNOUNCER: Oh, what a rumble! Did you see that? -Did you see that?! -I saw it. -The kid's a driver. -(laughing): I know. He really is a driver. ANNOUNCER: Brad Johnson, number 12, is pulling up on Whipple. Oh! That's no love tap! ANNOUNCER: Brad Johnson gets the inside line on Whipple. -Going down, you fucking shit! -Hey, fuck you! (yells) ANNOUNCER: Ouch! Number 12 takes a tumble. Whipple pulls ahead. Hope that Johnson boy is all right in there. -(crowd gasping and groaning, Henry laughing) -Did you see that? What a move! (Henry laughing) ANNOUNCER: Dean Whipple straightens out and sails through his final lap. (cheering and applause) ANNOUNCER: No surprise here, fans. The winner is Dean Whipple! It's official. (cheering and applause) Yeah! ANNOUNCER: Brad's up and walking, but it doesn't look like he's a happy camper. Where the fuck is that motherfucker? Hey! What the fuck, man? -Look at that shit. -Go flip your car over. -That was some unjust shit you pulled out there, dickwad. -What the fuck's your problem? -What the fuck's your problem? What the fuck? -ANNOUNCER: Oh! It just got serious. You piece of shit. -Fuck you! -(crowd cheering, whistling) (grunting) -Get him, Dean! -Hey, hey, hey. -Come on. (grunting) -Hey, hey, hey, hey! -Fucking asshole! Fuck you! -Come on, man! -You piece of shit! That's why the Whipples are a bunch of pussies! -Fuck you! -Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on, man! Piece of shit! It's my track! We know who won. We know who won. -We know who won. -Yeah! -Number one! -Dean! Dean! Dean! Dean! Dean! Dean! Dean! Dean! Dean! Dean! Dean! -That's right. -ANNOUNCER: Number 25, Dean Whipple! (crowd cheering wildly) ANNOUNCER: Congratulations, Dean Whipple! Thank you, man. Appreciate that. Thank you very much. -Good job. -Hang out and ride with us. No, I want to, man. Count me in. ...garage sale. There were some great finds there. DEAN: I could try, man. Thanks. My sister, Mrs. Linville, was your high school teacher. -Remember her? -Was she...? Yeah, I remember her. -Yeah, thank you, ma'am. That was really impressive on the track today. -You're Henry Whipple's son, right? -Yeah, don't remind me. -I'm Meredith. -And I'm his girlfriend. Hi. We're going to meet some people at Slipper's for drinks. Do you want to join us? Oh, how old are you? Actually, don't tell me. I don't want to feel old. You wouldn't want to leave your little girl all alone on this big night. -(laughs) All right. -Another time. Cool. All right. She was pretty. I didn't notice. -There he is. -Yep. Hey. Dean. Hey, Dean! That was amazing. Just amazing! -Wow! -Uh, it's no big deal. -Oh... -(laughs) No big deal? Hey, get changed, and we'll... let's all go out and celebrate. Oh, thanks. I got plans. Well... well, break them. Heck, this is important. Dad, I can't. I mean, I get these every weekend. Here, you can have this one. -Bye, Mom. -Bye. Good job. Hey, Dean. I was proud of you out there. Thanks, Dad. (Torgeson whoops) Going to ARCA, baby! IRENE: Come on, Henry. (laughing): Look at that. Hey, man. Here. Here. -Cheers, bro. -Cheers. (sighs) 1 Mr. Whipple, would you ever cheat on your wife? No! No, ma'am! I don't think I'm glamorous enough for Dean. Sometimes guys... get distracted by girls with big... -Racks? -Personalities. Geez. Do you think that's what Dean wants? No. That car... was behind us last time. (birds chirping) HENRY: Good afternoon. I couldn't help but notice that you fine gentlemen have been tailing me. Henry Whipple? That's me. Don't wear it out. (laughs) Are you aware that, by purchasing Liberty seeds, you signed a grower agreement that gives us the right to inspect your crops? What's this all about? Let's cut to the chase. We've been investigating you on their behalf. What? And we got a tip that you've been cleaning and reusing their seeds. Well, who gave you this tip? We need to visit your fields and take samples. When would be a good time? (sighs, chuckling) No time's a good time. You gave up that right, Mr. Whipple. Now, when would be a good time? Um... Saturday? Saturday it is. You make sure you're there. (engine starts) I didn't know Publishers Clearing House was so eager to find you. How much did you win? Not now, Cadence. What is it? (sighs) Here's another life lesson for you. Farmers used to save and clean natural seeds after each harvest, and then they'd plant them again the next season. So? Well, it's illegal to do that with genetically modified seeds, like Liberty. You have to buy new seeds each year. Why? (sighs) Because companies like Liberty pay scientists big money to develop these GMOs, uh, to make them stronger so they'll produce bigger yields, and Liberty has patented these seeds. So, kind of like bootlegging DVDs? Yes. But there's a lot more money at stake here. These guys didn't just copyright movies. They copyrighted life. And you reused Liberty seeds, didn't you? (door closes) -Hey, Janet. -Hey, Henry. -Byron around? -He's over there. HENRY: If they find out, I'll lose everything. You said you had two ways to go: stay the same or get bigger. You needed cash to buy more land, and reselling GMO seeds was your only option. You didn't talk, did you? Of course not. I'm in this with you. Byron... I cleaned natural seeds for your father on this machine that I built with my own hands. I was at your high school football games, Henry, and your son's, too. I know. I'm sorry. Just... Who could have done this? You didn't reuse seeds in your own fields, did you? Do I look like a fool? And the agents are only checking your fields, right? Right. So they won't find anything there. You'll be fine. It'll blow over like most storms. Ah, come on. (heavy metal music playing) (music stops) What? What's this? It's for you. $15,000 to "Nick Elliott Racing," Mom? No. It's from my account, so Dad doesn't have to know about it. Mom, what are you doing? It'll be our secret. (laughing): $15,000. Thanks, Mom. Thank you. (engines revving) (indistinct chatter) This track is seven-eighths of a mile, and the compound banking on the turns makes it damn fast. Now, that right there, they call that the SAFER barrier, but I promise you, it's going to hurt like hell when you hit that thing at 180 miles an hour, so keep it straight, all right? Okay? Pay attention to your pit boards! -Right. -Look for them in your warm-up laps. Memorise it and hit your mark at every stop. I'm dead serious. One screw-up in the pits, and you can kiss your chance good-bye. This ain't no Figure 8 race, boy. AGENT: Okay. That finishes that. What'd you get for that side? -12. -12. From this side? -AGENT 2: About eight. -Is that enough? What are those? Is that the last of them? -AGENT 2: Yes, sir. -AGENT: All right, you're done. You done over there? All right, that's it. Let's go. Wrap it up. We're done. You two, let's go! Oh, and, uh, Mr. Whipple? -Yeah. -There's one other thing. We're broadening this case to include the possibility of you reselling Liberty seeds. We're going to need to access your invoices for the past three years. Okay. My wife, she does the books, so you're going to have to give us a little time to get that together. -How about... -Next week. Oh, and good luck to your son. I understand he's quite the driver. 1 ANNOUNCER: Starting in the 26th position, in the black number 11, from Fast Track Racing, from southern Iowa, Dean Whipple! (cheering and applause) Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. -Nice to have you, Dean. -Thank you, sir. (applause, whistling) (low, indistinct chatter) (sniffs) -Let's go, son! -Go, Dean! -Oh, there you are. -(quiet, indistinct chatter) HENRY: Hey! Yee-hoo! Go get 'em. You can do it, son. (crowd cheering) ANNOUNCER: Gentlemen, start your engines! (engines revving) (engines roaring, crowd cheering) Come on! Get inside! (laughing) HENRY: Look at him! -(Cadence whooping) -Let's go, son! -Go, son! Let's do it! Come on! All right, you're looking good, kid. Just hit your mark. (engines roaring) -Dean! Push him out of the way! -Let's go! Come on! -DEAN: What's up with this guy? -Goddamn it, kid! Focus! You knock the fender off that thing, you're going to have a bad day. What the fuck, man? Did you see that? Did you see that? (tyres squealing) Come on, man! Come on! You got to pick it up now! (tyres squealing) (banging, rattling) Goddamn you, kid. (panting) IRENE: Hey, son. HENRY: Hey. You should be proud. You ran a good race. -Don't say that. -You did. You held your own. -I'm going to get on the phone tomorrow... -Goddamn it, Dad! What are you trying to do, come back into my life now because I lose? I put myself in those cars every day so I don't have to talk to you. Grant's the lucky one. He left because he couldn't stand to be around you. Shut up. Shut up. -It's not true. -Yeah, why do you think he's on top of a mountain and never calls? Dean...! -Forget it. -Yeah, forget it. It's not worth it. Don't you have your own family? TORGESON: Hey. Fuck it, right? Let's kick rocks. HENRY: Irene? How long were you going to wait before you told me about the $15,000? Cadence, this is addressed to Dean. Will you run and give it to him? Okay, but I'm not sure he wants any company. I'm sure he does. He's out at the second farm. My son has always wanted to be a race car driver, and that was my money. HENRY: That was family money. No, it's mine-- from my personal account-- so I used it for him. (sighs) Why can't you be happy with what's right in front of you? (Henry sighs) -Need a hand? -No, kid. I got to do this myself. All right, well, um, see you later. See you later. (insects trilling) (Meredith groans) (yells) (water splashing) (door creaking) (unzipping) (panting softly) (grunting, panting) (grunting, panting) (laughing): Oh, my God. I lost my shoe. (Meredith laughing) (car door closes, engine starts) (birds squawking) (can clattering) GRANT (voice-over): Hi, Dean, from base camp. Headed for the summit tomorrow. Freezing winds and tons of snow. Wish me luck. Hope you're tearing up the tracks. We'll race for beers at Archie's when I get back. Love ya. Grant. (engine roaring) (engine rumbling) (engine rumbling) (engine rumbling) (loud thumping) (steam hissing) (birds chirping) 1 (monitor beeping) Cadence brought these flowers. Don't they look pretty? DEAN: Can you ask her not to come any more? You're just tired. I'm not tired; I'm thinking. You need anything? (monitor beeping continues) You want to explain to me what's going on? I don't know where I went wrong with Dean. No, no, no, no. Not Dean. Dean's a kid; he'll bounce back. I'm talking about the farm. What about it? I don't know what shit you're trodding through with these agents, but you better get out of it. Now, don't you lose what my daddy started. Dad, do you remember when we had chickens and cattle? -No. -Oh, come on. During the harvest, the neighbour kids would come over and we'd bale hay on wagons and... Yes. Of course I remember. I remember it was back-breaking work. Things like this wouldn't happen back then. Those times, they were so simple. Let me tell you what simple is. It's a 48-row planter with air-conditioning that drives itself with GPS. Oh, yeah, things are better now. And how you got into this mess is beyond me. You better get off your ass and make things right. Do you hear me? Yes, sir. (monitor beeping steadily) Welcome home, son. Found this baby parked in the driveway this morning. It's got your name on it. The Dean Whipple Red Mean Machine. Torgeson helped me find this thing. It's got a 421 Chevy engine in it. It's got a 350 turbo transmission. It's got a Ford nine-inch rear end and a whole bunch of other stuff I don't even know anything about. What do you think? You like it? Thanks, Dad. Could you take it back, please? Take it back? I thought that you and I could work on this together. No, I'm not racing any more. HENRY: Dean, when you fall off a horse, -the best thing to do is just get right back on it. -Look, I politely asked you-- please take it back. -Hey. -Hey. Thanks, Mom. You need anything else? No. DEAN: Those the guys Grandad was talking about? IRENE: I don't know. -Are you kidding me? -Hey, hey, let Dad handle it. -Hey, there. I wasn't expecting you guys here today. -Well, we thought we'd surprise you. -DEAN: What do you want? -Dean, just go back inside. -Who is this? -Who am I? Who the hell are you, asshole? -Better watch your mouth. -Dean... -IRENE: Hey. -What, do you think you can push us around? We're here to examine your invoices. -Do you have a warrant? -Mr. Whipple's fully aware of our legal rights. Gentlemen, why don't we go inside and we'll handle this in... -They don't have a warrant, Dad. Fuck 'em. -Dean, come on. -Mr. Whipple, can you ask this person to leave? Dean, that's enough. Dean, go in... Hey! Dean! Dean, stop it! Stop it! "This person" is telling you to take a hike, rent-a-cop. -Hey. -What is wrong with you? You cannot behave like this. We can handle this another time. Just give me a call. We don't... Uh, we can handle it with no trouble. -Easier way to do this, Mr. Whipple. -All right? -There's an easier way to do this. -HENRY: I'm listed. I don't know why we keep bending over backwards for these assholes. Will you just calm down? I'll handle this. IRENE: You can't do things like that, Dean. (crickets chirping) (thud) (boy laughing) Come on. Why? I don't know. It's fun. All right. (both grunt) -(glass breaks) -Shit. -(dogs barking) Go. Go, go, go, go, go. MEREDITH: Hey, come here. Hey. You're a real gem, you know that? I'm going to get the cops on you so you can join your dad in jail. -(slapping) -(Meredith gasps) Find your own boyfriend, you old whore. Cadence, come on! (dogs barking in distance) (truck door opens and closes) Told him never to come here. DEAN: Why am I getting calls from Meredith at 4:00 a.m. saying you're tearing up her house? I don't know. Ask her. I want this to work out-- I do-- but if Meredith is somehow... Maybe she's telling you to go fuck her in a cornfield somewhere. I don't want this to work out. I don't need anybody to take care of me or ask me where I am at night. I'm not sad about it. I don't think it's good any more. I didn't do anything wrong. I got bigger holes in my shoes to be dealing with right now. Go fix your holes, then. Wait-- do you even know what's happening right now? Dad won't get a lawyer about these agents. Your dad is guilty of cleaning those seeds. -He didn't want to tell you before your big race. -Wait, what? Sorry, what? He didn't want to tell you before your big race. We'll lose everything. I've got coffee in the microwave. It's getting cold. Cadence, wait. It's Byron, isn't it? Go help your dad out. He loves you a lot. Hi, Dean. What's up? Call the agents off. -Hey. -Right now. Do you hear me? Look, let... let's go talk in the barn. It's okay, dear. Everything's all right. DEAN: Call Liberty Seeds right now and tell them that you made a mistake. But I didn't... Henry and I are both guilty. If I reported him, I'd be in trouble, too. -Well, who reported us? -I don't know. -Who was it? -I... I don't know. Tell me who it was! Look, b-big farmers are very aggressive, and your dad made a lot of enemies, -and-and there's this guy... -Jim Johnson. It was Jim Johnson, wasn't it? (truck door opens and closes) What is it? -Dean knows. He just left my place. -Did he say where he was going? -Henry... -Oh, goddamn, Dean. I know what he's going through, but if Grant was here... Will you shut up about Grant! Those days are gone. I'm the one to blame. It was me, Henry. (blows nose) (sighs) I've been a seed cleaner my whole life, and now my own kids have to send me money so I can make it through each month. Well, why didn't you ask me? I did. I asked you for work, remember? You wouldn't listen. So you went and made a deal with Liberty Seeds, is that it? No. -I didn't report you. -Well, you just said... Some guy came snooping around a few weeks back, and we got to talking... about you, and... he offered me money. Who? I... I just couldn't refuse. Who was it? (sighs) Larry Brown. (wind gusting) What do you want, man? Tell your dad to call off the agents. -What are you talking about? -Call them off! What's your problem? (grunting) Call them off! (grunting) (grunting) Come on! (grunting) (grunting and panting) Is that what it felt like to lose ARCA, pussy? Is that what it felt like to lose? (grunting) Come on, get up! Get up! Come on! (windmills whooshing quietly) (panting softly) (whooshing grows louder) 1 (birds chirping) Afternoon. LARRY'S WIFE: Hi. Heat getting to you? -LARRY'S WIFE: Doing all right. Thanks. -(Henry chuckling) Hi, there. Are you Larry Brown? I thought I'd be too small a farmer for a shark like you to remember. Well, I don't know about that. I'm... I'm Henry Whipple. I know who you are. "Whipple wants you." Impossible not to smell your shit from a mile away. Uh, look, uh... I-I just came over here to talk things over with you. You're in trouble, aren't you? Listen, Larry... uh, Mr. Brown. Uh, Mr. Brown... I need you to call off those Liberty agents. You ruined me. I... I don't even know what I've done to you. Well, let me refresh your memory. You bought my land at the Pritchards' funeral. I'd been renting that land for ten years-- me, Larry Brown-- and you took it away from me and my family. Well, I bought that land fair and square, legally, and you've got... I've got nothing! I had 480 acres, and you took 200 of them. You're smart enough to know what you've done. You put me out of business. "Expand or die," they say. Well, you killed me off good. But I still own this land you're standing on, and I suggest you leave. Afternoon, ma'am. LARRY (whispering): Hey, boy. (ringtone playing) Hello. Dean? What? (engine starts) Where are you? Dean! Dean! Dean! Dean, God. Dean, you all right? What happened? (windmills whooshing quietly) (insects trilling) DEAN: Is he dead? It was an accident. (sighs) (buttons beeping) (wind whistling, insects trilling) (wind whistling, corn stalks rustling) (rumbling, clanking) (bird squawking) (Henry grunting) (grunting) (hammer clunking, echoing) (chain clinking, rattling) (bird squawking in distance) (Irene sighs, groans quietly) (engine running in distance) (door creaks) You notice Dad's been out three mornings in a row? No, I didn't notice. (door opens) Henry. Hi. I'm leaving, Whipple. Going out west. I might put you as a job reference, if that's okay, so be expecting some calls. Of course. Give them my number, I'll sing your praises. Henry... um, I just want to thank you. Well, it was fun. I had fun, you know? Oh, and make sure and get Decatur back. You still have a month before Customer Appreciation Day. 1 PASTOR: It is important to have hope. As lost sheep in the eyes of our Lord, we need guidance in the face of the unknown and-and uncertain future. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9. The agents have examined and cleared my invoices, and they say that it's all up to you. This contract has everything that you asked for. You can rent and work the land free of charge, as a tenant, for life. Now, will you call off the agents? God may not answer immediately, but we will all be given that which we are due in the eyes of the Lord. (voice-over): For better or for worse. But when the time is right, God will act. He will hold His hand out to you. So keep hope... Is he all right? (voice-over): ...close to your heart. And now please rise and join me in the Lord's Prayer. CONGREGANTS (voice-over): Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses... Brad! (voice-over): ...as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. DEAN: This is Iowa. Look right here, you can see Greene County. This right here-- you recognise this? That's your property. That's your farm. Zoom in... Right here are your soil temperatures. Very specific, up to the minute, very cutting-edge. Only your property... (Dean continues talking in distance) This is us, right here... HENRY: Jim? Jim? I am so sorry. I, uh... I want to tell you something. No, there's nothing to say, Henry. We're still hopeful. But I know that-that each day that goes by, it's less likely... (sniffles) When he was little, I would tell him... as long as I was alive, (voice breaking): nothing could happen to him. (stifled crying) (Jim sighs heavily) WOMAN: Jim, we're so sorry to hear about your son. That's very kind of you, Bobbie. You're in our prayers, Jim. JIM (whispers): Okay. I want to say that, um... (sighs) What I want to say is that I just got back from Decatur with Dean, and he took an order f-for next season from a customer of yours, Wilbur Bastian. Oh, well... Right, Wilbur. He-He-He's called me a couple of times. Just haven't been able to get down there. It means that Decatur is my territory again. And I want to apologise. I'm gonna make sure that Dean transfers that sale to you. Why, Henry? Business is business. No, Dean-Dean-Dean's done right. You should be proud of him. (sniffles) Jim... isn't there something more? I'll see you at the next Liberty meeting, Henry. IRENE: Henry, did you eat? I left your dinner in the fridge. Henry? It's Brad Johnson, isn't it? Did Dean do it? No. It was me. It, uh... It was an accident. I... I didn't know what to do. (voice breaking): I... I don't know what to do. (sobbing softly) We're a team. We're a team. And you and I are gonna pick ourselves up by our bootstraps. We're gonna keep a smile on our face. we're gonna work real hard. In less than a month, it's Customer Appreciation Day. And after that's the harvest. (whispers): It's gonna be a great harvest. GRANT (voice-over): Dear Mom and Dad, I made it to the top. The sky is so clear, I can see all the way to Iowa. I wonder if this is how God feels. Inside are some earrings for you, Mom. You always looked beautiful in this colour. Dad, I hope you'll be proud of me. I'll be home soon. Love, Grant. (people chattering, upbeat music playing) Thank you, sir. I think that one's cooked. How are you doing, sweetheart? Yeah, of course. Thanks for coming out, guys. Hi. Is he still up? (back cracks) (Henry sighs) Oh, that's wonderful. You're making your family very proud, sonny boy. -That's what I'm supposed to do, right? -You damn right. All right. -Keep it up. -Thanks. -Hello, everybody. -CROWD: Hello. And welcome to Whipple's 12th annual Customer Appreciation Day. (applause) I hope everybody here is enjoying the Hickory Park barbecue and the Picket Fence ice cream. Some of us love it a little bit more than others. Hee-hoo! (crowd chuckles) Now, this summer, we won back Decatur, making us number one in seven counties again. But more importantly, I got a son to inherit the family farm. It's what I always wanted. So, am I a happy man? MAN: Yeah. Am I a happy man? CROWD: Yeah. How could I not be? But today, I choose to value you, each and every one of you. Thank you. And happy Customer Appreciation Day. Yeah! Now I'd like to get my son up here. The future of Whipple & Sons, Dean Whipple! Dean, come on up here. Thank you, Dad. So, he mentioned Decatur and winning. In my years as a racer, before I was injured, I won just about every trophy that Figure 8 racing had to offer. So I know what it takes to be number one. And that is the level of success that I will bring each and every one of you here. (Dean's voice fades out) (wind whistling softly) www.able.co.nz Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Able 2016