Cynthia

Kids! Lunch!

BURT

Y'all listen to your Momma, now!

The kids start this way. Burt turns back to Paul.

BURT

Tell you something. You listen

close, too, because it might be

something you need to know.

PAUL

I'm listening.

BURT

We had us a dog. No particular

breed, but gentle. Ready to lick

your hand or fetch a stick. Just

a sweet mongrel, you know the kind.

(Paul nods)

In many way, a good mongrel dog is

like you negro. You get to know

it, and often you get to love it.

It is of no particular use, but

you keep it around because you

think it loves you. If you're

lucky, Mr. Edgecomb, you never

have to find out any different. My

wife and I were not so lucky.

Caleb. Come here for a second.

The little boy comes to him, staring at his feet. Burt tires

to raise the boy's chin. The boy resists for a moment...

BURT

Please, son.

...and then his face comes around. He's horribly scarred on

that side, the eye missing.

BURT

He has the one eye. I suppose he's

lucky not to be blind. We get down

on our knees and thank God for

that much at least. Right Caleb?

(the boy nods shyly)

Okay, go on in now.

The boy races inside after his sister. Paul follows Burt's

gaze off toward the rear of the property, where an unoccupied

doghouse stands weathered and sad in the weeds.

BURT

That dog attacked my boy for no

reason. Just got it into his mind

one day. Same with John Coffey. He

was sorry afterwards, of that I

have no doubt...but those little

girls stayed raped and murdered

nonetheless. Maybe he's never done

it before--my dog never bit

before, but I didn't concern

myself with that. I went out there

with my rifle and grabbed his

collar and blew his brains out.

PAUL

I'm sorry for your trouble.

Burt acknowledges the condolence with a gracious nod.

BURT

I'm as enlightened as the next

man, Mr. Edgecomb. I would not

bring back slavery for all the tea

in China. I believe we have to be

humane and generous in our efforts

to solve the race problem. But we

have to remember that the negro

will bite if he gets the chance,

just like a mongrel dog will bite

if it crosses its mind to do so.

(beat)

Is Coffey guilty? Yes, he is.

Don't you doubt it, and don't you

turn your back on him. You might

get away with it once or even a

hundred times...but in the end...

He raises his hand, making biting motions with his fingers.

BURT

You understand?

Paul says nothing. Burt gazes out again. Softly:

BURT

I'm gonna have to tear that old

doghouse down one of these days.

CUT TO:

INT. PAUL'S MODEL T - DAY

Paul drives back to Cold Mountain, his heart conflicted...