oh yeah, from the college?
my name's jerry woolridge.
y'all have a seat. is this all of you?
i think there must have been a little mix up. i told your sponsor or teacher or whatever he is, there couldn't be any pictures. it's s'posed to be just a little story or article or something, isn't that right?
karl's real sensitive about having his picture made. he wouldn't even be on the bulletin board for the easter collage. melvin, would you get me a good hot cup with two sugar substitutes? you girls want some coffee?
the other thing is i told your boss on the phone to send a man. karl won't talk to women.
i don't know what to tell you. i'm sorry. i made myself pretty clear i thought. he probably got busy and wasn't thinking. i know how that is. i used to teach shop and eighth grade science.
he has problems. you know. with all that. he won't hardly talk to anybody really. just certain people. he's very troubled.
i don't think he's talked to a woman in twenty-five or so years. that i know of anyway. that's why i said to send a man. at least maybe he'd answer a question or two for a man. i'm all for helping the college out, believe me. it might be a real good article or story.
melvin, go get karl and take him down to the old classroom.
i'll talk to him and see what we can do.
you see, karl, growing up, only knew that sex was wrong and that people who did it should be killed for it. he couldn't really read but, well, neither could his mother. but, his father made sure that his mother knew what the bible said. and she made sure karl knew. you know he slept in a hole in the ground under a toolshed, right?
his mother told him that he was their punishment. hers and his father's; from god, for having sex--
i don't think so. just period, i think. she told him.  god gave them the ugliest creation he could think of. karl has an entire book -- a notebook. on every page it says "franklin chapter 1 verse number 1." he wrote that a few years ago after he'd learned to write. his father's name was franklin.
one of his daddy's bible lessons i imagine. y'all pull up a chair. i'll go out and talk to him.
karl, you know, do you remember when i told you about those people from that newspaper? they want to ask you some questions about your release. they think it would make an interesting story. will you talk to 'em? get interviewed. now, they're women. i think it might be good for you to. you're gonna be seein' all kinds of people when you go on the outside. this'll help you i believe.
well, it surprised the dickens out of me. he said he'll talk to you.
but, here's the thing. he'll only talk to you. he doesn't want you to ask him anything. and you shouldn't stare at him.
it's the best you're gonna get. i'm sorry.
he's free. his time's up. that's the rules. he's been treated and reevaluated. he doesn't show any signs any more.
homicidal signs. oh, we're gonna change the light in here for karl. i hope you can see to write.
you'll have to step outside.
please.
we've got some paperwork to take care of. pretty soon. don't worry, you won't run into him in the parking lot.
i hope the best for you, miss dwiggins, with your school and your paper and all.
wherever he wants to. i think he's going back to millsburg where he's from. it's just about twenty miles from here.
as much as anybody else is, i guess. y'all have a good rest of the day now.
yes, i guess you are.
you better go get your things.
you better go get 'em.
karl, what in the world are you doing here?
well, you can't do that. you're a free man. you've been let out to do as you please.
well, you have to learn. it'll take some time. don't you know anybody down there to help you out?
your daddy's still livin' down there from what you told me. i guess he wouldn't help you any, would he? i wasn't thinking. you don't know anybody?
listen, karl, the truth is i don't know where they expect you to go or what they expect you to do. if it was up to me, i'd let you stay here if that's what you wanted. i'm just doin' my job. you follow me? listen, i know an old boy that runs a fix-it shop deal down in millsburg. he used to go to church with me. you're good workin' on small engines and things. if i put my neck out for you with him, will you work at it if he'll hire you?
i know, i've seen it myself. would you give that a try?
i can't promise he'll hire you. i'll have to tell him about your history.
no, i mean your past. about why you were in here. i'll take you first thing in the mornin'. you have anyplace you can stay tonight at all? i just can't let you stay here. it's the rules. if something happened well, i'd be liable.
she's talkin' about me, karl. that's my first name.
sure, honey. you sleep with mama tonight. i'll sleep with your brother and karl can take your room.
we have company. now you go on.
well, karl, there's plenty of blankets and things there. bathroom's right there in the hall. we'll leave first thing tomorrow.
yeah, i thought about that. no sense in moving him now i guess.
why, hell no, son. what's wrong with you?
karl, you up?
didn't you go to sleep at all, karl? you been sittin' there like that all night?
well, i guess we better hit the road.
good to see you, bill. how's everybody doin'?
no, don't guess i do. scooter, good to meet you. this is him, the one i talked to you about on the phone. now like i said, i'll understand if you get nervous about it. i'm not gonna lie to you now, he did get in that trouble but then he was real young.
well, he seems pretty well-adjusted these days. i don't think he'd ever hurt anybody.
he's a regular whiz at it. that's all he did when he was a kid.
oh yeah. listen i really appreciate it. he needs the job. i don't know what to do with him. he don't have anybody really.
he won't have anything to do with him. now you say it's all right for him to stay out here in the back?
he won't steal. i'm tellin' you he's a pretty good ol' boy. keeps to himself.
karl, come over here. i want you to meet your new boss. this is bill cox, runs this place. says you can work here and stay in the back.
that'll be fine. karl, i'll go to the car and get your books.
how are you, bill?
just thought i'd check on karl and see if everything's working out.
is him stayin' here workin' out?
can i see him?
are you sure you're okay staying with that woman and boy?
do they know about you?
yeah.
i'll be.
i knew you'd do all right. well, i just wanted to check on you. i'll say bye to bill and get on back.
i'll see you, bill.