[ Man ] What are... What are your plans? Are you busy later or...
[ Woman On Phone ] You should stop by my place.
Are you there right now?
Yeah, I'm at my apartment right now.
I just got off work like 30 minutes ago.
So, uh, what'd you do today?
I actually went out with this guy.
Was he cool? Yeah. I mean, he was cool. He was pretty funny, I guess.
I didn't have anything else to do, so...
So is that the only reason you're here? No, I didn't mean it like that.
Do you know a guy named Wesley Kent?
He was kind of a funny guy I went...
So, where you from? [ Laughs ]
All over the place, really.
My parents are separated and my father was in the military,
so we kind of traveled everywhere.
I've been to Australia, Denver, Brazil, Chicago.
I've been to so many places.
What are you studying? Um...
Well, if I'm not famous by the time I'm 40, as a singer...
I'm studying medicine. Cardiology.
Mending broken hearts. [ Laughs ] Yeah.
All right, Wes, it's my turn for interrogation.
Describe yourself in one word.
Ask one of my friends. [ Laughs ] That's five.
Well, one word's not enough.
All right, what's your favorite kind of music?
Uh, anything. Everything.
Everything but Country. How about you?
Nothing but.
[ Laughs ]
[ No Audible Dialogue ]
[ Wes Narrating ] Time is like a fistful of sand.
It seems like the tighter you grasp,
the faster it runs through your fingers.
In my profession, however, time is limited,
and every minute is calculated...
because midnight knows what noon never saw coming.
[ Ticking ]
[ Chattering, Faint ]
[ Monitor Beeping ]
[ Man On TV, Faint ]
Historians will look back and say...
not only was this the greatest fighting force...
in the history of the world,
but all of you also represented the values of America...
in an exemplary way.
[ Man, Faint ]
I could not be prouder.
I want you to understand I know it's still tough,
know the battle's not yet over.
Some of your buddies are gonna get injured.
[ Beeping ]
Some of your buddies may get killed.
Welcome back, soldier.
There's gonna be heartbreak and pain and difficulty ahead.
[ Beeps ]
But there's a light on the horizon...
because of the sacrifices you've made.
And that's the reason why...
for Michelle and me, nothing's more important...
than looking after your families while you're here.
And I want everybody here to know that when you get home,
we are gonna be there for you when you're in uniform,
and we will stay there for you when you're out of uniform...
because you've earned it.
You've earned a special place in our hearts.
So as your commander in chief,
and on behalf of a grateful nation,
I'm proud to finally say these two words...
and I know your families agree...
welcome home.
[ Audience Cheering ] Welcome home!
Welcome home.
[ Water Running ]
[ Water Stops ]
[ Chattering, Faint ]
[ Radio Chatter ]
♪ [ Speakers: Rap ]
[ Brakes Screech ]
Did it overheat? We need to get this truck running right now.
[ Speaking Foreign Language ]
[ Man Shouting ]
Here's the thing, man. We just got a quick, H.V.-standard hop-and-pop.
Okay? Per S.O.P. Nothin' big.
Is this gonna be like the last time, at Haditha?
- [ Man Laughs ] - I hope not.
Boy almost lost his beans on that.
Damn. You hear that?
We need to get in cover now.
[ Men Shouting ]
[ Machine Guns Firing ]
Get down. Get down!
There's a lot of fire going down in there.
Hey, boss, is there anything on the radio going?
Roger that. We got a convoy less than a klick away under heavy fire.
All right, I'll tell ya what. Change of mission.
We'll go help these guys out first.
Let's get 'em out of there. Same way we always do it.
Rock and roll, boys. Let's go!
[ Man ] Let's go.
[ Shouting ] [ Gunfire Continues ]
[ Shouting ]
Give me cover fire!
We got one down! We got one down!
Captain, judging from linguistics,
these guys are definitely not Afghani.
I think we got pirates. Weapon malfunction.
[ Indistinct ] All right. I'll tell you what...
Man down! Man down!
- Man down! Man down! - We got a man down!
[ Shouting ]
[ Groaning ]
I need that medevac now!
Dust-off 32, this is Viking 12. Over.
Now!
[ Captain ] How's he doing? Talk to me.
He's not doing to well. Come on, A.J. Hang in there.
Hang in there. Come on. You hang in there, buddy.
This is Dust-off 32.
We have danger close. I repeat, danger close.
[ Chattering ]
Dust-off 23, this is Viking 13. Over.
A.J., hold on, man.
Hold on, A.J.
[ Shouting ]
Another man down! Get 'em up here. Get 'em up here.
You get up. You get up now!
Come on, babe. You're all right.
You got this. Get back in the fight.
[ Groans ]
[ Gunfire Continues ]
[ No Audible Dialogue ]
[ Chattering, Faint ]
[ Whinnying ]
♪ [ Radio: Country, Faint ]
[ No Audible Dialogue ]
[ Clopping Hooves ]
Oh!
Hey there, Kent.
Well, hey there, Kent.
[ Chuckles ]
You got taller.
- You got shorter. - Yeah, well.
What are you doing here?
I just got home.
[ Laughs ] You seem shocked.
It's... I know. It's so good to see you.
It's good to be home.
So how's Memphis doing?
He's riding well. And you?
I'm riding well.
Good. Yeah.
So where's old man Miller?
What, are you assuming that you still have a room here?
Well, you know, I was hoping.
[ Laughs ] That's if you guys didn't turn it into a sauna yet, so...
Plus, I'm sort of looking for another job now.
Oh. Yeah.
That is, of course, if you still need me.
So why the sad face?
No, it's... it's just weird...
seeing you sitting there.
I'm very... happy.
It's just in a weird way, you're sitting there, but it's like...
you shouldn't be sitting there.
It almost is like...
It's really hard to explain.
So why... why are you back? Why are you...
You didn't call.
Have you talked to Mom?
Last Christmas.
What about Dad?
Last Christmas.
You know, there's not really much of an opportunity.
They're doing well though.
Yeah? Yeah.
That's good. Yeah.
It's been really hard.
I can imagine.
Yeah. Um...
It's like I haven't even had a brother at all...
for the last five years,
and now you're sitting right across from me.
Now you're sitting right across from me.
[ Voice Breaking ] I'm just not used to seeing you here.
[ Sniffles ] It's okay though.
We, um...
Well, let's... let's throw you a coming-home party.
Sounds good.
[ Footsteps ]
[ Bag Unzips ]
[ Birds Twittering ]
[ Vehicle Approaching ]
[ Gunfire ]
[ Explosion ]
Mommy, there's a man in army clothes standing at the door.
Hey, Crystal.
I, uh...
I know it's been a long time.
I just wanted to apologize.
I know...
It felt like it should have been me...
being the one to tell you.
And, uh, I just wanted to come here and give my condolences.
And I had some of A.J.'s stuff.
You know, just locker-room things.
I'm sure that he'd want you to have them, so...
[ Sighs ]
You know, I can't even imagine what... No.
No, you can't imagine.
Wesley Kent.
You come down here with a war of words...
that hit me from the floor to the ceiling,
and you don't have the decency...
to show some emotion about A.J.?
Just tell me you're sorry he's dead.
You know damn well he went over there for you.
Nah, he went there for... [ Slapping ]
That's a damn lie!
He went over there to look after you.
You're the one who dragged him...
into the middle of that mess with you a million miles away.
Don't you get it, Kent?
He wasn't just your friend, you know.
[ Voice Breaking ] That man was my man.
He was my husband and he was her father.
Why couldn't it have been you?
Huh?
I see you standing here, Kent.
Why couldn't it have been you?
Why aren't you dead?
You're so messed up you couldn't even be there for your own woman...
because I was the one who buried her.
It was me who was there...
when Aspen died in that car accident.
I was the one who buried her.
I was the one who had to go identify the body.
A month has gone by,
and you don't even have the civility to make a phone call?
You don't have the dignity to show up at her funeral.
Look at you.
Standing here all righteous in your camouflage suit.
Army man.
And you know I have to bury him.
You've gone, and left me to be the pallbearer and the repiner...
while you just stand here all virtuous.
Well, let me ask you something, Kent.
Who the hell is gonna bury me when I die?
Just who the hell is gonna bury me?
Mommy, why are you yelling?
[ Exhales ]
Mommy's okay, sweetheart.
Go in, okay? I'll be right there.
You don't even know.
Come on.
Aspen? Yeah.
[ Continues, Indistinct ]
Jessie. Why don't you introduce me?
Aspen is it? My name is Kent. Hi.
[ Overlapping Voices ]
Aspen. Yeah.
You stole my parking spot.
Oh. Sorry. I thought you gave it up.
I think you stole it. Well, then, maybe I did.
Nice to meet you, Wes.
So you knew my dad?
Yeah.
Your dad and I were good friends.
My daddy gave me this before he died.
It must be very special.
[ Glass Taps Table ]
Happened about four weeks ago.
[ Liquid Pouring ]
She was driving on Lafayette and her car rolled over.
Happened around 2:00 a.m.
That's really all I know.
I mean, that's all they're saying.
You know her old man is running for governor,
so some people think he's trying to cover up the details.
You seem to be implying that there's some sort of conspiracy...
behind the traffic accident.
Well, a couple of people said there was another car involved,
like it looked like her vehicle was hit head-on,
but the cops said it was just a rollover.
Some of the locals who support Bud Rowe...
think that Mayor Malverne is up to something dirty.
Paying off the cops or whatever.
Malverne was always a little tricky.
And I assume that...
Sheriff Thompson is still sitting in that leather seat.
Of course.
He was never a straight shooter.
I remember this one.
That's because you took it.
Freshman year?
It was good times.
Where is she?
She's buried at the Main cemetery.
She always wanted to be cremated.
Ashes to ashes,
dust to dust.
Her sister puts flowers on the grave every Sunday.
If you go by there today, you might catch up with her.
I've probably overstayed my welcome,
but, uh...
A.J. wanted me to look after you, so...
if you need anything, just...
I'll be around.
There's a tape over there for you.
Videotape. Found it up in the closet.
I remember this too.
I'm not sure much of us have use for, uh,
VHS cassettes though.
I'll see you around, Crystal.
[ Birds Twittering ]
It's good to see you.
Is it?
It's been a long time. [ Chuckles ]
Must have been, what, five years?
I, uh, have to admit, I heard you were coming back.
[ Chuckles ]
It was a proper benediction.
So do you need anything?
No. I'll... I'll be all right.
Well,
if anything comes up, you know, let me know.
Well, I...
I wouldn't even know how to get ahold of you if I did.
Well, I'm staying at the old Miller farm.
Oh.
See you around, Wesley Kent.
Wes? [ Laughs ]
Oh. Hey, what's up?
Hey. It's been like one day,
and I seem to bump into you everywhere.
Yeah. Yeah.
So are you watching a movie or... Yeah.
I actually work here, so... Oh, cool. Cool.
I just came out the renaissance one. It was pretty good.
That was good. I saw that one. Did you?
Look it, I gotta go. Oh. All right.
She's waiting. So I'll see you around?
Yeah. Hopefully, yeah. [ Woman ] Stop hitting on greasy movie guys.
Okay, Jess. Sorry. [ Laughs ]
You're not greasy. I was just trying to... I try to wash, but...
[ Laughs ] I'll see you around.
See you around.
♪ [ Brass Band: "Stars And Stripes Forever" ]
♪ [ Continues ]
[ No Audible Dialogue ]
[ Man On P.A. ] Thank you all for coming out this Memorial Day.
I wish my beautiful wife Danielle were here,
but she's off cooking up a bunch of barbecued ribs...
for the Children's Literacy Foundation over at the park.
Afterwards you're all welcome to come by and raise some money...
for children's literacy.
It is never over.
Missions may end, but the legacies last...
and the pain of their absence remains.
By the time the last remaining troops returned from Iraq,
December 2011,
4,500 of their comrades had lost their lives...
fighting for their country.
Scripture tells us, "Greater love hath no man than this:".
That a man lay down his life for his friends."
[ Bell Jingles ]
[ Cheering, Applause ]
[ Chattering ] Hello, everybody.
[ Chattering ]
Thank you all for coming down.
Hope you're having a good time. [ Man ] Oh, yeah.
This here is our table of honor...
for vets from various wars...
that fought in defense of our country.
This table... free drinks for the rest of the night.
[ Cheering, Applause ]
[ Chattering ]
Everyone, I'd like you to meet, um,
Staff Sergeant Wesley Kent.
Just got back from Iraq.
Afghanistan.
Ah, same thing. Yeah.
Sergeant.
It's good to see you. He used to, uh, date my daughter,
but I've forgiven him.
Captain. Good to see a friendly face.
I don't know how good it is, but... [ Chuckles ]
I can be friendly for you, buddy.
Hey, I'll be there tomorrow... For A.J.? Yeah.
I know... I know you guys were tight, man. Yeah.
Do this thing. Hey, we'll have a beer later.
We'll talk about it. Absolutely.
Also, uh, going a little lax on the uniform these days, are we?
[ Laughs ] Sorry, Captain.
Oh, you want another beer?
Looks like you and Aspen's dad are getting awfully close.
It was just a publicity shot.
Just be careful.
A wrong photo can end up on the front page or even worse... Facebook.
Yeah.
How'd that guy become so likable anyhow?
Jobs.
He brought jobs to this city...
by literally investing in eight businesses on Main Street.
Then he brings jobs to the county with his munitions company.
Now that same sentence is gonna be stamped...
on jobs being brought to the state.
What do you mean, munitions?
This bullet literally holds every secret and truth to the Malverne campaign.
♪ [ Woman Singing Ballad ]
Hey, soldier.
Hey there.
Looking kind of lax in your uniform today, aren't you?
[ Chuckles ] I've been hearing that a lot lately.
[ Chuckles ]
And how would you know?
My brother's in the army too. Is that right?
And he'd have your butt if he saw the way you're dressed today.
Well, your brother strikes me as a serious man.
And you?
I lack on the "seriosity." [ Chuckles ]
You lost a friend.
Yes.
Corporal Culpepper.
That's right.
I read about it in the newspaper today.
His funeral is tomorrow.
The mayor was hoping to be there. [ Chuckles ]
Doesn't cease to amaze me.
Mayor Malverne.
You know, I heard you chanting his name in the corner.
You work with the mayor. I do.
Well...
Well, the man needs to get his face straight.
Maybe hire a P.R. rep.
I'm a P.R. rep. [ Laughs ]
And what would that advice be?
Oh, they don't solicit that advice from me.
They hire high-level consultants like you.
I'm curious.
All right, for starters,
you have proper Christian politicians cheating on their wives...
and fathering children with their nannies.
You've got firemen, schoolteachers and policemen...
all watching their pensions disappear...
in bad statewide investments.
Not to mention gun-walking scandals,
where we lose track of firearms across the border...
in an attempt to find high-level gun traffickers.
And the one that gets me the most.
In this town?
Farm owners, landowners all struggling with hydraulic fracturing...
as they sit there at the dinner table...
drinking their contaminated water...
and wonder, "What does fracking even mean?" [ Laughs ]
Sure hope that's not contaminated water.
Is that an insult or an inquiry?
Forgive me. It was an inquiry.
No, it's just water. [ Chuckles ]
Bartender?
Could we get a couple of beers over here for...
I'm sorry. I didn't get your name.
Kent. Staff Sergeant Wesley Kent.
I'm Natalie.
Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you.
♪ Keep the night Midnight ♪
Is that your real hair color?
There are some things you should never ask a woman.
[ Applause ]
Like age.
Exactly.
How about political standing? Obviously.
Mm.
Natalie, why don't you let me get this one?
[ Chuckles ]
Yeah, I know.
I don't think the bartender's gonna take Iraqi dinars.
I don't think so either. Why don't you let me pick this one up?
Watch out there, buddy.
This woman is dangerous.
She's a Democrat.
I take it you two know each other. Yeah.
Yeah. She's my sister. He's my brother.
[ Chuckles ]
Captain, you never told me you had a sister.
What?
So I'll assume that it's Ms. Church.
Yes. Ms.
Yeah, that's good to know.
So, are you coming to the fund-raiser this weekend?
I was not made aware of any fund-raisers.
I'd love to see you there.
And maybe you could show us...
some of those concerns that you had earlier.
Nah. I'm much more of a quiet guy.
Plus, hanging out with the mayor's pets...
Nah, I don't think so.
Hey, you know what? Come on, Wes.
Take the invite.
Besides, I'm gonna need somebody with a little common sense,
you know, from the conservative point of view.
[ Chuckling ]
[ Laughs ] Yeah.
[ Church ] All right, maybe.
All right. Enough.
Enough!
♪ [ Singer Continues ]
[ Thunder Rumbling ]
Arms.
[ Thunderclap ]
Eternal Lord, let your presence rest upon us...
as we come here to give thanks...
for the life of Arthur James.
Arthur... as you all affectionately knew him as A.J...
had a short, but rich and meaningful life.
He was a friend, a brother,
a neighbor, a leader, husband and father.
But closest to my heart, he was my youngest son.
God could not have granted me a more precious gift...
than A.J.
A.J. was the kind of man who stood by his family.
He was the kind of soldier who loved and served his country.
But more than that, A.J. was a man...
who stood upon his principles.
He will be greatly missed by his wife Crystal,
his daughter Asia Jean,
his family... and his closest friends.
May the spirit of his compassion...
and the memory of his heartfelt life...
live on within each and every one of us.
So as a final word,
I'd like to leave you with a short poem...
written by A.J. when he was young.
"May the sun and sky..."
rise by your command ever so high,
and may you live in peace with the earth.
May you hopefully come as eager, courageous and innocent...
as in death...
as you came to this beautiful world...
"in birth."
Now, as you exit this place,
may God bless you and keep you,
my God make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you...
for all the days of your life.
[ Mourners ] Amen.
[ Man ] Honor guard, attention!
Port arms!
Ready! Aim!
Fire!
Aim!
Fire!
Aim! Fire!
Attention!
♪ [ "Taps" ]
♪ [ Ends ]
Crystal, on behalf of the president of the United States,
the United States Army...
the Special Operations community...
and a grateful nation,
please accept this flag...
as a symbol of our appreciation...
for your husband's honorable and faithful service.
Kent.
Listen to me.
I know it's been a tough day.
I understand about you and A.J. All right?
It's been tough on me and the team too.
Here's the thing, man.
You're not doing yourself any service,
the team and especially A.J.,
showin' up like this.
This is unacceptable.
Come on, buddy.
[ Birds Chirping ]
[ Boy ] I'm getting new footage within a couple of weeks.
Before school ends.
[ Mouthing Words ]
But if I bring it and it... All right.
What are you doing...
♪ [ Static ]
So, um... What's it like... taking a life?
I don't know. I've never done it before.
Are you lying?
What's it like lying?
I don't know. I've never done it.
Are you telling the truth?
Only when I whisper.
[ Laughs ]
So what is that, a play on words or something? I don't know.
Tell me a truth, Kent. Just tell me something.
Truth.
And I've been searching for truth all my life.
I don't got no truth.
I know you got secrets though. Why don't you tell me a secret?
In a town of 1,000 people,
this little town's got tons of secrets.
What have I been missing for the last four years?
I don't know anything.
Actually...
Remember fifth grade? Oh, man.
Fifth grade. That was a survival course.
I can get through the Middle East, but... [ Laughs ]
The fifth grade was something else.
I can't believe I'm telling you this.
I had a crush on you in fifth grade.
No way. Yeah.
No. No. Don't get too excited.
I remember Valentine's Day. I remember those cards.
I remember you wrote "I hate you" on my little square.
- Don't get too excited. - You used an "8."
I was... I had a thing for dorks.
All right?
So, what are you trying to say?
I'm a dork?
I'll have you know I'm... I'm like a hometown hero now.
It's funny that you ended up with her.
'Cause I would have... Would've what?
What?
I would've...
Wait.
Listen, uh... I'm sorry.
I got to go.
[ Sighs ]
[ Groans ]
[ Chattering ]
Hey, girls, I'm gonna wait here.
Pick me up?
[ Tires Screech ]
So, is anyone sitting here? Not yet.
So you're expecting someone?
More like un-expecting someone.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be... No, no. It's...
I thought I was waiting for you instead. I thought I'd ask first.
Can I sing something? I don't think so.
Like directions or...
I figure I'd just follow you.
So ask me. Maybe you got... Yeah. Maybe.
♪ [ Classical ]
I'd like you to meet three of our most generous...
It's a pleasure to meet you. It's a pleasure.
Mrs. Mayor, I'd like you to meet Mr. and Mrs. Tanner of Tanner Building.
Oh. It is such a pleasure to meet you. Nice to meet you.
May I have your attention, everyone?
I would like to introduce my beautiful wife, Danielle.
Thank you.
I wanna thank all of you so much for your generous donations...
to Temperance and our entire state.
We've been able to rebuild libraries and to buy books...
for those school districts less fortunate when it comes to funding.
And we never could have done all that without your generosity.
So thank you so much.
And now I would like to introduce a man...
that I am very proud to call my husband and my life partner...
and to all of you known as Mr. Mayor.
Thank you, Danielle.
And with your help, before too long...
you'll be able to call me Mr. Governor.
[ Applause ]
I would also like to acknowledge my husband...
for all of his hard work with the Children's Literacy Foundation.
And I'm excited because we have two very special guests here today...
to help me do just that.
We have Joey and Annabeth from Meyore Middle School.
I am proud to give you, Mr. and Mrs. Mayor, this award...
on behalf of the Children's Literacy Foundation,
Meyore Middle School and this great state.
Thank you.
It's without a doubt that you are the best candidate for governor.
And it's without a doubt...
that you are a smart fellow. [ Laughing ]
Um, are you old enough to vote?
Uh, he's old enough to make a difference, Steven.
That's true. That's true.
I appreciate it.
I'd like to introduce you to one of our soldiers. This is...
Staff... Staff Sergeant Kent, one of our hometown heroes.
How are you, Wesley? Mrs. Mayor.
Danielle, please.
[ Chattering ]
Thank you for your support today.
Vote Mayor Malverne.
So I see you took my invitation.
It was accepted. Yes.
I asked to see the mayor's wife, Danielle.
She used to be a real good friend.
The wife of a politician is always a good friend to have, I guess.
Really?
What about their campaign managers?
We make even better friends.
So why don't you let me return the favor and buy you that drink?
Drinks here are free.
Okay.
Thank you.
Cheers. [ Glasses Clink ]
So you knew Aspen Malverne?
We were the big thing back in high school, I assume.
You assume?
That's what I'm told.
You attended her funeral?
No.
She had passed away by the time I joined the mayor's campaign.
Before I moved here from Chicago.
Big city girl, huh?
Well, you're a small-town girl now. [ Chuckles ]
Yeah. Maybe.
I was wondering if you had any details...
with regarding the accident.
I can't.
Why?
Uh, I feel like this conversation would lead somewhere awkward...
between us.
Considering I had no idea...
that you had been in a relationship with the mayor's daughter.
It's been nearly half a decade.
Don't worry. I won't push you about the quarterbacks you dated in high school.
Okay.
All I know is what I heard.
Which is?
I am the mayor's campaign manager, and I'm paid not to talk.
No, you are paid to advise plausible deniability.
That's an interesting definition of my remuneration.
Please, continue.
A little whisper came into my ear,
saying that, uh, there was a second car involved...
two vehicles involved, not one.
But by the time the authorities and the sheriff had arrived at the scene,
most of the fragments and the debris had sort of disappeared.
Nothing on the pavement. It was clean.
Well, I do know that the sheriff was here in attendance this evening.
Hmm. Why don't you ask him yourself?
That is interesting, though, isn't it? [ Chuckles ]
How did I get in here again?
I invited you.
That's right.
Natalie? May I speak with you for a moment?
You gonna attend to that?
I don't want to.
You're paid to. [ Chuckles ]
Okay.
Well, don't stray too far, Sergeant.
Sheriff?
Kent, Kent, Kent.
I've always liked you, son.
Yeah? That's good.
How you doing there, sport? I'm doing all right.
Now,
if my memory serves me right,
the last time I seen you,
I give you a traffic ticket for going over 30 on Sheridan.
Yeah, that would sound about right too.
I always had a heavy foot.
And a big ego.
[ Chuckles ] Well, trust me.
Neither has changed, so... So? Yeah.
Wes.
I guess I'll be seeing you real soon here in court.
[ Chuckles ] Yeah, if nature would have its way,
I'd say I'd assume so.
You know, I've been meaning to ask about some details...
with regards to Aspen's car accident.
I see.
If you have inquiry with me or my office,
do like ordinary people do.
See, they call me during business hours.
How would that be?
Yeah, that sounds about right.
I thought so.
This house has eyes.
If you want the truth, look in the files.
What's in the files defines the truth.
Not what you think, not what your opinion is...
and not what you feel.
You know, I'm not challenging your mayoral responsibility, Mr. Mayor.
But I am claiming foul your fatherly duties.
Kent, how many people have you lost under your command?
One doesn't command their daughter into battle, sir.
Do you spend much time in Central Asia, sir?
Get out of my house.
No travel, no exports.
No exports, no factory.
No factory, no jobs.
No jobs, no town.
Here's my two cents.
Consider it a donation.
Felony home invasion won't get you a medal...
like getting your best friend killed did.
Now you have no idea what you're talking about.
Oh, I think I do.
Keep going.
[ Thompson ] What's going on here?
Ah, Sheriff Thompson.
I believe Sergeant Kent is leaving town.
Okay.
Good day.
Why don't you, uh, show the mayor out?
Secure the door. Yes, sir.
What the hell do you think you're doing?
Staff Sergeant Wesley Kent, sit down.
Sit down!
Staff Sergeant Wesley Kent.
I like you, son,
but you're getting under my skin.
I don't know where in the world you're at across the pond over there...
fighting your war with your license to kill by the U.S. government.
But you're here, and you're a war hero.
And... Hey, that's great.
In this town, though, that rule don't apply.
It's me that's in charge.
You see, I keep the peace at all costs.
You kind of remind me of a...
a curious cat.
I get it.
Curiosity kills the cat, right?
Yeah.
So, let me give you an analogy.
Now, listen close.
Cat wakes up in the morning, comes outside.
He looks across the street.
I'm curious. I wanna see what that is.
So he goes and he crosses the street.
About halfway across the street...
He gets clipped.
You catch my meaning?
Yeah, I got you.
You sure?
All good. Okay. I thought so.
Hey. Hi.
You know, I wanted to talk to you about the other day.
But, um, I also wanted to inquire about something else, actually.
I know you're close with your father,
and I understand your commitment to him.
I know my dad is a good man.
My sister Aspen was absolute.
I know you weren't around the last few years,
but she wasn't the straight-laced honor student...
you remember taking to the senior prom.
After you left... after you deserted her...
she got into some heavy stuff...
and she was killed by a drunk driver.
It's as simple as that. That is all there is to it.
So why don't you stop digging up dirt on my family...
just 'cause you're filled with regret or something.
What would I have to regret? I don't know.
Maybe that's the problem. You don't regret anything.
You don't regret what you did to her. You don't regret leaving.
Maybe there's some things you should regret.
I got to go.
You know, Wes, you have a mind...
that your mouth is just too slow to follow behind sometimes.
So any more theories or philosophies?
Or... what are you thinking right now?
Why do you choose things that simple?
Actually, I am thinking about something.
Aspen, I need to take responsibility for a few things.
It's something that you taught me.
You made me a better person that way,
and now I feel like I need to give something back.
I know what I'm about to say,
and I know that you'd respond by telling me that I'm naive...
and that I haven't thought it over, but I have.
And I want you to know that I'm also doing this for you, for both of us.
I'm joining the army.
They need more experienced specialists.
And I'm heading to my Reception Battalion in a month.
[ Natalie ] Mr. Mayor, sir? [ Malverne ] What is it?
There's been a change in schedule.
Oh, not again.
We'll have to cut our meeting short in Shreveport today.
It's a boring meeting.
And we'll have to head back early for the debate with Boudreaux.
Yeah. That's okay.
On a more personal note, sir.
What is it?
The other evening at the charity event...
Yeah, go ahead.
Sergeant Wesley Kent brought to my attention...
a question about Aspen's death.
And might I add some advice, sir?
You're gonna give it to me anyway.
I think you need some closure.
Why don't you talk to him?
I need to close the door behind this guy on his way out of town.
Maybe we need to talk to the sheriff.
Yes, sir. Let's get going.
Hey. Hey.
So, I heard you caused a big ruckus the other night.
Is that right?
That's what I hear. Yeah.
Hey. Think fast.
You baked. You shouldn't have.
Yeah. Well, when I was a kid, my dad was in the army.
He used to send those home to Shane and I.
Is that right?
Well, there's nothing like a good shortbread M.R.E.
cookie to start the day.
I guess.
Say, let's go for a little ride.
Yeah? Yeah.
I've been thinking about the question you asked me the other night...
about Aspen's accident.
Yeah?
I think I might have something for you.
[ Malverne ] Thompson, we got a problem.
Yeah.
Kent's been talking to Natalie.
We better make darn sure that neither one of them finds out...
Aspen was on the way to visit the governor when it happened.
You look like the cat that caught the canary.
You have no idea.
Need some tips?
Why did you come back, Kent?
Because of the living, we owe respect.
But to the dead, we owe the truth.
Exactly what was your business in Afghanistan, sir?
Is this remedy meant to demolish the reputation of the people in this town?
You think you know something.
Because of what?
Because of a few papers you found in my office?
Giving the locations away of our military caravans?
So that you can put your bullets into the hands of pirates.
And now you're pissed...
because you think my bullets found their way...
into your best friend's chest.
Some collateral damage always trails behind...
a successful financial opportunity.
Trust me, Kent.
I know the expenditures.
And if Aspen hadn't gotten in the way,
she would've followed in my footsteps.
It all comes full circle, doesn't it?
If you're gonna apply those standards to me,
you need to apply them to the entire legal arms industry.
It's hypocrisy.
The monetary institutions...
that Ricochet Manufacturing has allowed me to create...
has benefited our community.
Aspen and A.J. were soldiers who died for a reason.
[ Gun Pops ]
I don't have anything to threaten you with but yourself.
Remember, Mr. Mayor,
after the game, the king and pawn go into the same box.
[ Man ] Staff Sergeant.
What is it I can help you with?
Mr. Governor.
The night Aspen Malverne passed away,
I was informed that she was headed here to see you.
What is that to you?
She was someone that meant a lot to me.
I assumed you knew, which was why you took this meeting.
I took the meeting because I have trouble saying no to veterans.
Let me make something clear.
Malverne's girl seemed troubled.
When she sought your help,
what was she looking for?
Staff Sergeant, may I first say that it would be ill considered...
for me to take a stance on the way you are looking for me to stand.
Now, what if I voted for you?
[ Chuckles ]
Did you?
Mr. Governor, let me make something clear as well.
I understand that you would be held accountable...
for anything you might say, and therefore...
hesitant to speak.
Aspen Malverne called my office,
and we spoke briefly about her father's campaign.
She mentioned, with hesitation, that she felt...
and I stress, she felt...
that her father had blood on his hands.
She said she needed to speak to someone she trusted,
someone who was detached...
and who would behave evenhandedly...
with the information that she knew.
Why not contact the police?
She was a scared little girl.
And technically speaking, Malverne does indeed hold a stake...
in Ricochet Manufacturing.
It's my thesis...
that Mayor Steven Malverne, of Temperance Parish,
is the owner and facilitator...
and undertaker...
of a multinational, multimillion-dollar arms-dealing franchise.
Even going as far as utilizing campaign finances...
to fund his outfit.
[ Footsteps Approaching ]
I came across some... documents. Thank you.
[ Footsteps Departing ]
What type of documents?
Governor.
Maps. Very detailed maps...
that outline top secret caravan routes,
known only to the highest members of the department of defense.
You see, it seems as though...
every vote in town...
comes down to a tiny bullet. [ Chuckles ]
Son, things like these are complicated.
And the funny thing is Aspen had no interest in politics.
She wanted to be a country music singer.
Kent, I'll tell you what.
You get me something that I can even protest against Mayor Malverne,
and I will personally test the boundaries of your theories.
Otherwise, my hands are tied.
What if I were to give you substantial evidence?
[ Wes's Voice ] Malverne's hired hands were made of ex-military.
It's the kind of thing that doesn't stem too well for buddies of mine...
who believe that true American soldiers turn out to be mercenaries,
especially if it's for a corrupt politician...
who's gotten numerous violations of the Arms Export Control Act.
According to these documents, Malverne set up shop just south of the line...
in order to avoid detection by our authorities.
Mr. Kent, how did you come to obtain evidence...
that had been presented against the operations at Ricochet Manufacturing?
A friend gave it to me.
As I understand, Malverne's stake in Ricochet Manufacturing...
is perfectly legal.
There's nothing wrong with owning the majority
stake in a company that sells bullets.
But I do find something wrong with an American
politician endeavoring to become a warlord.
Welcome.
Get this right.
I believe that the cause for Aspen Malverne's death is contemptible.
The premise that I'm pursuing identifies her father,
Mayor Steven Malverne of Ricochet Manufacturing,
as the financial successor of the dealings...
of their underground illegal arms trade.
I believe that Aspen knew this,
and I believe that in an effort to reach the governor,
there was a manipulated vehicle collision.
Now, no, I don't think...
that Mayor Malverne intended to kill his own daughter,
but I do think that he intended to slow her down.
Of course, I'm sure if you open the case files,
you'll see signs of manipulated evidence...
that could only happen at the top of the law enforcement chain.
And our local law enforcement...
is run by none other than Sheriff Thompson.
I didn't know who to trust.
This is Natalie Church, calling for Lieutenant Genette.
Lieutenant, I need some help.
[ Wes ] I took it to a higher law,
and I put in a phone call to Lieutenant Genette, state police.
Based on a hunch, he decided to check it out for himself.
It's gonna be a long day, boys.
Upon reviewing some of the travel documents...
with regards to Ricochet's stock,
he found that there were some inconsistencies in the paperwork.
Lieutenant Genette. Uh-huh.
We've checked the shipping labels.
None of these labels are matching up with the records.
What do you mean? This place is piled with ammunition,
and none of it's going to our boys.
Police! [ Woman ] Oh, my God!
[ Shouting ]
Now, I would guess that he had enough money, of course,
to tie this whole case full of allegations up in court...
for the next 10 years.
Mr. Mayor, can I ask you your whereabouts...
on the evening that your daughter passed?
In our notes, you state that you were at home.
You made a phone call to Sheriff Merrill Thompson.
I do not recall making such a phone call.
Do you care at all what happened to your daughter?
Your Honor, I object to this irrelevant line of questioning.
This is purely ridiculous.
Sit down, Counselor.
Since her death, I've had no life at all.
Like most fathers who care about their families,
I probably spent too much time away from home.
Doing things that...
well, sometimes I shouldn't have been doing.
Some people interpret this...
to think I didn't care about her.
But Aspen was everything to me.
Does that answer your question, sir?
Were you the first officer on the scene of the accident...
that took the life of Aspen Malverne?
It's been reported that she was on her way to speak with Governor Boudreaux...
in regards to her father's involvement with Ricochet Manufacturing.
Ricochet Manufacturing. I don't know anything about that.
You-You-Your que... These questions are ridiculous.
I'm not gonna answer that.
Sheriff, let me remind you this is a court of law.
I would like to...
I'd like to address the court. Objection!
I object! Objection!
I object! Order!
Order in my court.
Now, this man is the sheriff, and I wanna hear what he has to say.
[ Thompson ] Y'all make me sick.
You stand there with your Harvard law degrees, and you come into this town...
and you wanna question me and the mayor.
You wanna take his life and just ruin it,
make him relive what he just went through,
put his family through living hell.
Well, you guys are out-of-towners, but I'll tell you this.
In this town here,
when the mayor was elected,
our economy began to flourish.
We had jobs.
Sixty percent of the jobs in this town...
were created by that man,
and the people sitting out there all have family members...
who work because of his efforts.
You come in and you sit in judgment.
You're gonna tear this town apart.
Our whole economy is just gonna go right back to what it was 10 years ago.
And you wanna roast me with him? Go ahead.
You're gonna have crime on the rise and no jobs. That's fine.
[ Hands Hit Table ] Well, let me remind you of this one thing.
This proceeding keeps going...
and you pursue the mayor and myself,
this town will implode.
And... the whole lot of you...
are gonna burn.
[ No Audible Dialogue ]
[ Man ] Yeah!
[ Laughs ]
Hey, Kent.
Church.
Looks like you finally got that closure, huh?
Town needed a reprieve.
I guess.
Why don't you hop in, take you for a ride.
Yeah?
Well, maybe you'd let me buy you that drink.
Maybe.
So this is you, huh?
Yeah, not too shabby for an ex-campaign manager, huh?
Ah. I always liked the Ford Thunderbird.
Me too.
[ Engine Starts ]
Staff Sergeant, what do you know about Operation Approaching Midnight?
I knew our convoys took a lot of heavy hits.
It was as though someone was giving out some intelligence.
We've been watching you very closely.
You're a very promising young man.
How's your Persian?
[ Speaking Persian ]
We're working with the Iranians, kind of like the old days.
We here at the Agency have a legacy...
of recruiting those with particular acuity.
Well, nothing's as good as good old-fashioned hard work.
Work smart, not hard, Kent. You have what it takes to be a legend.
A legend? It's merely a lie...
that gains dignity with age.
Rest assured, there are heroes in this world, Staff Sergeant,
and you are one of them.
I found peace.
You may have found peace, Staff Sergeant,
but the rest of the world hasn't.
[ Helicopter Blades Whirring ]
♪ [ Guitar: Ballad ]
[ Woman ] ♪ Midnight ♪ Knows your lies
♪ Knows your dreams and knows your fight ♪
♪ Midnight ♪ Knows the light
♪ Holds the stars shining so bright ♪
♪ But it can't escape the night ♪
♪ Midnight ♪ Midnight
♪ Midnight clears ♪ And daylight breaks
♪ And all your hopes
♪ Keep awake You're coming home ♪
♪ To life I know You're coming home ♪
♪ Shadows ♪ Midnight ♪ Knows your lies
♪ Knows your dreams and knows your fight ♪
♪ Midnight ♪ Knows the light
♪ Holds the stars shining so bright ♪
♪ But it can't escape the night ♪
♪ Midnight Don't wanna be a shadow, shadow ♪
♪ Don't wanna live a lie of a life ♪
♪ Don't wanna be a shadow, shadow ♪
♪ Don't wanna live a lie, no
♪ No, don't wanna be a shadow, shadow ♪
♪ Don't wanna live a lie, no
♪ Don't wanna be a shadow
♪ And midnight falls ♪ Midnight
♪ Knows your lies, knows your dreams and knows your fight ♪
♪ Midnight ♪ Knows the light
♪ Holds the stars shining so bright ♪
♪ But you can't escape the night ♪
♪ Midnight