Ex-United States Marine Corps Scout Sniper and Vietnam war veteran Jim Hanson lives along the Arizona-Mexico border, reporting attempted illegal crossings. One day, while on patrol, he encounters Rosa and her son Miguel, Mexican citizens on the run from the cartel.
Hanson calls border patrol on them before he sees the cartel coming up. He ends the call and gets involved in a shootout with the cartel led by Mauricio. Hanson shoots and kills Mauricio’s brother; Rosa is fatally wounded by one of the cartel members. Before she passes, she gave Hanson a note that listed her family’s address in Chicago. Hanson reluctantly agrees to take Miguel to her family in Chicago.
Border patrol show up after her passing and take in Miguel. One of the cartel members comes in and claims that he’s the father of Miguel. Hanson happens to see their car there and sneaks Miguel out to go to Chicago.
The cartel use fake passports to get into America to follow Hanson and Miguel. A corrupt border patrol officer sees their gang tattoos, recognizes that the passports are fake, and allows them in America anyway.
After Hanson uses his credit card to repair his truck, Mauricio tracks the pair to Route 66 in Oklahoma. A corrupt cop follows Hanson and Miguel and pulls them over after they found out where they were. The cop tells Hanson to get in the police vehicle while he “goes and talks to the boy”. The cop takes Hanson’s driver’s license and keys and searches his pickup truck, but never actually talks to Miguel. Realizing the officer is corrupt, Hanson escapes from the police car, subdues the officer and retrieves his keys. A short while later, Mauricio and the rest of the cartel catch up with the corrupt officer and execute him while Hanson and Miguel watch from a distance.
Hanson and Miguel continue to make their way north. Despite Hanson’s personal lack of faith, they stop at a church so that Miguel can have a proper send off for Rosa.
The patch on the truck’s radiator fails while attempting to get away from the cartel and they are forced to stop. Eventually Mauricio and his men catch up to Hanson and a firefight breaks out on a nearby farm. Hanson manages to kill three of the cartel members, but Mauricio captures Miguel.
After a skirmish in which Hanson is stabbed, he manages to get the upper-hand on Mauricio, and leaves him with a single bullet in his gun with the choice to kill himself or return home to Mexico. As Hanson and Miguel leave the farm, they hear a gunshot.
The pair eventually reach Miguel’s family in Chicago, and ends with Hanson getting on a city bus and resting.
* * *
(FLY BUZZING)
(GOAT BLEATING)
(BOY SPEAKING SPANISH) You’re too young for my sister, Miguel.
She doesn’t even know your name.
She will.
(ROSA SPEAKING SPANISH) What are you doing? Finish your homework.
Dinner’s almost ready.
Complete.
(CELL PHONE RINGING)
Hello?
(SPEAKING SPANISH) Rosa.
You have to leave.
ROSA: What?
(CARLOS SPEAKING SPANISH) Take Miguel and go, now.
Wait, wait. What’s going on?
(CARLOS SPEAKING SPANISH) The Cartel is after me. You have to go.
What about you?
Don’t worry about me.
Just follow the plan.
Carlos, wait, what happened?
They’ll want to set an example.
They’ll come for you next.
(LINE DISCONNECTS)
Who was that, mama?
It was your uncle Carlos.
Bring your stuff. We need to leave.
(WHISTLES)
(SPEAKING SPANISH) If we don’t find it…
What do we tell Angel?
(SPEAKING SPANISH) We’ll find it.
Mmm-hmm. (SPEAKS SPANISH)
You cross the Cartel Carlos, your family well pay.
Come on, Jackson.
(JACKSON BARKS)
(SIGHS) Sorry, girl.
BP, this is Jim Hanson.
I’ve got four or five IAs heading north out near my ranch, about a half-mile from the fence.
Over.
(RADIO CRACKLES)
BORDER PATROL OFFICER ON RADIO: Copy that, Jim.
Agents on the way.
(RADIO BEEPS)
(BIRDS SCREECHING, SQUAWKING)
MAN: (FEEBLY) Water.
Easy. Easy.
Hanson here. Better send a medic out.
Found one left behind. Over.
(COWS MOOING)
(CALLING OUT)
You James Hanson?
Who’s asking?
Carl Neeham, from Pima County Merchants Bank.
It’s a Notice of Trustee’s sale.
Let you know that the ranch is to be sold at auction in 90 days.
What?
Law requires you be notified.
I’d have called, but I couldn’t find a phone listing for you.
I was in last month, explained my situation to Ned Fremont.
He assured me…
Yes, well, Ned’s no longer with us.
Not sure why he didn’t follow it, but bank policy is to take action if there hasn’t been a payment in over six months.
(SIGHS SOFTLY)
You should also know, Mr. Hanson, that the bank has the right to sell the property before those 90 days if it receives a reasonable offer from a third party.
Uh…
Mr. Hanson?
That hill over there…
Spread my wife’s ashes on top of it last year.
I’m sorry for your loss.
Look, Mister…
Neeham.
I’m no deadbeat.
I just a need a little time to sort things out, get back on track.
Yeah, like I said, you’ve got 90 days, you know, most likely.
Um, my number’s on there if you have any questions.
You have yourself a good evening.
(CAR ENGINE STARTING)
Frame’s almost built, and I got to watch my budget and all.
Anyway, don’t you have a ranch to run?
Sold most of it off.
Down to the last few head of cattle.
Christine’s medical bills wiped me out.
Well, I’m sorry to hear that.
(SIGHS)
I can dig that hole for you. It’ll be done by sundown.
I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t need the job.
Look, Jim, that kind of work is not for someone…
Someone my age? Come on, Randall.
You know I can outwork any man here.
Listen, I got a new project starting next month.
Come see me then, I’ll see what I can find for you, okay?
Yeah. Okay.
(MOOING)
MAN: I was out your way last week.
Things are looking mighty lean.
JIM: Tell me about it.
At 70 cents per pound, we’re talking 17 grand.
Ah.
Could you make it 20?
There’s not a lot of profit selling underweight cattle, you know.
I’m sorry, Jim.
Let me know what you decide, buddy.
(FOLK SONG PLAYING ON BAR SPEAKERS)
(SONG CONTINUES PLAYING)
Sorry to bother you, Sarah. I thought you’d want to know.
I appreciate it, Angie.
Yeah. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him here.
Hey, there, stranger.
Hey, Sarah.
This seat taken?
It’s for you.
Drink?
Mmm-mmm. No, thanks.
Thanks for the call yesterday.
Mmm.
A few more hours, that fella would’ve been one for the coroner.
His lucky day, I guess.
Not sure he sees it that way.
Walked all the way from Honduras, spent his life savings on a coyote who left him in the middle of nowhere.
All for naught.
Yeah, it’s a cruel world.
That pass has kept us busy all week.
The cartels are running everything through there.
Drugs, people, guns.
What else is new?
I worry about you,
out there on the front lines, all by yourself.
It would be fine if the government would get its shit together and figure that mess out.
What is going on?
What are you doing back here?
Been wondering that myself.
(CHUCKLING) What the hell am I doing?
I guess I’m trying to understand how you work your whole life, serve your country, pay your taxes, and end up without a pot to piss in.
Lost my home, my livelihood, and the only person that made any of it worthwhile.
Come on, let’s… let’s get you back.
Come on.
There we go.
(SIGHS)
(EXHALES)
(BOTTLES CLINKING)
Leave it, Sarah. Just leave it.
Ah.
I like to remember her like this.
Smiling, laughing.
I’ve never seen my mom so happy as the day she married you.
Wasn’t right, her going out the way she did.
Watching her suffer like that.
I couldn’t imagine anything worse.
Now I know.
Come on.
Let’s get you to bed.
(GRUNTS)
Come on, Pops.
Rest these old bones.
It wasn’t right, Sarah.
I miss her, too.
Yeah?
Rest up.
Yeah.
(DOOR OPENS, CLOSES)
(SPEAKING SPANISH) Get down!
It’s the Cartel.
They control this area.
We have to turn back.
We just got here! We’re almost there!
If they find us here, I’m dead.
Let’s go back and we’ll try on another day.
Look, I’ll pay more.
It’s not worth it.
Please! Please, get us across.
I beg of you, get us across.
Alright.
Just left of that bush there’s a break in the fence.
You want to risk it, you’re on your own.
No, no.
(SPEAKING SPANISH)
Let’s go.
Let’s go, let’s go.
Who’s the best dog in the world?
(CHUCKLES)
Mom.
Help me.
Hurry! Help me find the opening.
Here!
(SPEAKING SPANISH)
(SCREAMS)
Who’s a good boy?
Jackson is. Jackie…
Jeez.
Hey, hey! Wait, wait!
You’re never going to make it through there like that.
It’s miles to the nearest road.
Do you understand?
You… You will help us?
I’ll call the Border Patrol.
No! Sir, sir, sir, please! Please!
No. No Border Patrol.
I pay you.
What?
To help us, I pay you.
I’m not a smuggler, lady.
Border Patrol will help you out.
No!
Listen, get you to a doctor.
Please, sir! No, no!
Please. Please!
Please!
Dispatch, this is Jim Hanson.
(CRYING)
MAN ON RADIO: Go ahead, Jim.
I’ve got two IAs, about a klick south of Stone Ridge.
MAN ON RADIO: Copy that.
We’re spread thin right now.
It’ll be a few.
(RADIO BEEPS)
Ten-four.
I’ll get you some water.
Mom.
Jackson, stay.
(BREATH TREMBLING)
(CARTEL MEMBER WHISTLES)
(SPEAKING SPANISH) Old man!
I am here for the women and the boy.
JIM: Speak in English.
(CHUCKLES)
(IN ENGLISH) I come here to take the woman and the boy.
Sorry, Pancho. These illegals are mine.
You are Border Patrol?
Marine Corps.
(MAN LAUGHS)
So you are keeping your country safe
all by yourself, huh, Marine Corps?
Something like that.
I am a soldier, too.
My orders are to take them back with me.
(CHUCKLES)
You’re no soldier.
And I don’t scare easy.
Now I’ve already called the cavalry, so I suggest y’all just turn around and adiós.
I am not going to ask again.
The woman and the boy.
Hand them over.
This ain’t worth it, boys.
Give them to me!
(GRUNTS)
(SCREAMS)
Get in the truck. Move.
(GUN CLICKS)
(YELLS)
MIGUEL: Mom! Mom!
(JACKSON WHINES)
Oh, shit.
Stay down.
(BARKING)
Jackson, quiet.
Jackson! (SHUSHING)
Dispatch, this is Hanson.
I’ve just taken heavy fire.
I’ve got a wounded…
(STATIC CRACKLING)
(BARKING CONTINUES)
(MUTTERS)
(GRUNTS)
(GRUNTS)
CARTEL MEMBER: Boss.
Your brother… He’s dead.
(BREATHING SHAKILY)
JIM: Okay, let’s…
Nice and easy.
Sir…
They take him, they kill him.
No, look, those guys are gone. They’re gone.
No, please.
All I have…
It’s yours… To help him.
(SNIFFLES)
This…
My cousin…
In Chicago.
Please.
MIGUEL: Mamá.
My love.
My love.
Come here.
(BREATH SHUDDERING)
You’re going to stay with this man, OK?
Take this.
(MIGUEL SOBBING)
Sir…
Please.
Please.
MIGUEL: (CRYING) Mamá.
Mamá.
(SOBBING)
(SIGHS)
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
It doesn’t make sense.
No point trying to understand the cartels.
Better just to avoid them.
What’s going to happen to the kid?
Unaccompanied minors are sent to holding in Nogales.
He most likely will end up in foster care.
Diaz.
What was the boy talking about?
He said if you hadn’t stopped them, his mother would still be alive.
Hey, he’s just a kid.
Jim, I need you to come by the station and make a statement.
(JACKSON BARKS)
Good boy, Jackson.
(VEHICLE HONKING)
(PEOPLE SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS CONTINUE)
Good morning, babe.
Get some grub, huh?
Let’s get some grub.
Good boy.
(ENGINE STARTING)
(INDISTINCT)
(ROSA’S VOICE DISTORTED)
ROSA: All I have is yours.
They take him, they kill him.
Please. Please.
God damn it!
Denny, that kid whose mother died last night, has he been sent on to Nogales yet?
No, he’s being deported.
What?
Mexican authorities say he’s got a relative waiting for him on the other side.
Uh, I need to see him.
Sorry, Jim, can’t do that.
Just a few minutes.
I already cleared it with Sarah.
Call her and check.
(DOOR LOCK KEYPAD BEEPING)
Make it quick.
Thanks.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
(SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
(WHISPERS) Psst! Hey, come on.
You’re not safe here, comprende?
Let’s go, come on.
(MAN AND WOMAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
(SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
Come on.
Hey.
(ENGINE STARTING)
Tell the others, we’re crossing.
Stay here, understand?
Come on, Jackson. Come on.
God damn it.
Gentlemen.
(WHISTLES) Passports and visas, please.
Open the back, please.
FEMALE GUARD: All clear!
Go ahead.
(ENGINE STARTING)
What the hell you doing?
Let me go.
Listen to me or you’re going to get yourself killed.
They send you back, those men are there waiting for you.
Understand?
(SIGHS) Come on.
What?
I’m doing what your mother asked.
I’m taking you to your family in Chicago.
You know, Chicago?
Family.
Hell, you don’t understand a damn word I’m saying.
Hey, you hungry?
Thirsty?
Food. Uh…
Comida.
Yeah?
Mmm…
(POP SONG PLAYING ON SPEAKERS)
Hey. What’s the matter? You got to be hungry.
That’s what I thought.
(POP SONG PLAYING ON STEREO)
Hey.
Hello.
I need to buy an atlas.
A what?
An atlas.
Like a map book. With all the states.
Uh, you could try looking on that bottom left shelf over there.
We don’t really sell maps much anymore.
Everyone pretty much just googles it on their phone.
Hey, hey!
Huh!
My lucky day.
How about that?
You going on a road trip?
Yeah, something like that.
There’s no price on this.
It’s probably outdated.
You can have it on the house.
Thanks.
Yeah.
(COINS CLATTER)
Thank you.
Have a good one.
You, too.
Find this guy.
(SPEAKS SPANISH) OK.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
Sarah Reynolds.
Sarah, it’s Jim.
Thank God.
You all right?
Yeah, I’m fine.
Just called to tell you not to worry.
What the hell were you thinking, taking that kid?
They were going to kill him, the ones who killed his mother.
They were waiting for him at the border.
So you don’t come to me with that information?
You just take him and leave?
Christ, Jim, you put my ass on the line here.
I can only keep this thing quiet for so long.
I need you to bring back that kid.
Now.
I… I can’t do that.
Why not?
His mom, she… (STAMMERS, SIGHS)
We made, like, a deal.
(SIGHS) Jim…
Listen.
We sent agents up to your house.
It was burned to the ground.
Whoever these guys were at the border, they’re not messing around.
Now tell me where the hell you are.
I’ll call you later.
Jim…
JIM: God damn it!
Why the hell did you have to cross my property?
You damn well ought to appreciate what I’m doing for you.
(IN ENGLISH) I don’t even want to be in your stupid country.
Well, well, well. He speaks.
Hey, Jackson, you hear that?
(SPEAKING SPANISH) Hey, got something.
He just used his card at a gas station in New Mexico
half an hour ago.
Load the gear, let’s go.
(IN ENGLISH) I want to go home.
Look, it’s not safe for you there.
Why are you doing this?
Because your mother asked me to help.
Why did you call the Border Patrol on us?
Because I didn’t want to find your bodies on my land.
If you want to help me, you could take me back.
I’ll find my own way home.
I’m taking you to your family in Chicago.
After that, I don’t give a shit what you do.
Look…
It may not seem like it right now, but this is what’s best.
And I’m sorry.
I’m sorry what happened to your mom and all.
(ENGINE HISSING)
(ALARM CHIMING)
Shit.
(HISSING)
(R&B SONG PLAYING ON STEREO)
I gotta go, Mom. Bye.
Do you speak Spanish, queen?
No, sorry.
Mmm.
(IN ENGLISH) I come here looking for a man and a boy.
And they drive a, uh…
Truck… Tsk!
A pickup truck.
Yeah, he was here.
He was on a road trip.
You know where?
No, sorry.
Do you know, um, which direction he go?
I didn’t notice.
Sorry.
Oh.
Was he here?
That’s not… That’s not really what that’s for…
(GASPS, WHIMPERS)
Show me.
(GUNSHOTS)
(SPEAKING SPANISH) We’re heading Northeast.
This is just about dry.
You’re lucky the block didn’t crack.
You see, it’s leaking around the core. Hmm.
There’s something lodged in here.
Looks like a slug.
Someone using your truck for target practice?
Yeah, something like that. Can you replace the radiator?
Yeah, sure.
Take a day or two to get the part.
We can’t wait around that long.
I wouldn’t drive it the way it is. You could blow your engine.
I suppose I could probably patch it temporarily so that you could get where you are going.
Great.
See you tomorrow.
What?
It’s after 6:00. We’re closed.
WOMAN ON PHONE: Pima County Merchants Bank.
You may enter an extension at any time.
(KEYPAD BEEPING)
You’ve reached the voicemail of Carl Neeham.
Please leave a message.
Yeah, Mr. Neeham…
(VOICEMAIL BEEPS)
Uh, Mr. Neeham, it’s Jim Hanson here.
Listen, I was able to work something out.
Uh, if you can give me just a few more days, I can come in and make things current on my loan.
Uh, thanks.
(FOLK SONG PLAYING ON SPEAKERS)
Okay. Double whiskey and a Coke.
You boys ready to order?
I’ll have the steak. Rare.
And for the young man?
Can I have a hamburger?
Mmm-hmm.
Thank you.
Thanks.
Where’d you learn to speak English?
School.
Must have been a good student.
My mom, she made me study a lot.
Those men at the border, you know why they were after you?
My Uncle Carlos.
He did something that made the cartel mad.
Called my mom and said we had to leave.
What about your dad?
He’s dead.
Died before I was born.
Your name is Miguel?
Yes.
Jim.
(COUNTRY SONG PLAYING ON SPEAKERS)
I need to go.
Huh?
Oh, yeah. Go on.
(SLOW POP SONG PLAYING ON SPEAKERS)
Jim.
Jim.
(SIGHS)
Jackson.
Good boy.
Jackson?
Little shit!
I’ll do the shopping from here on.
Yeah, no guarantees on that, yeah?
If I were you, I’d get the whole thing replaced when you get back home, wherever home is.
Yeah, will do.
(CHUCKLES) How old’s your boy?
He’s not my kid.
You know how to read that thing?
We’re, uh…
We’re around here someplace.
(COMPUTER BEEPS)
(CELL PHONE RINGING)
Hello.
(IN ENGLISH) Can I help you?
CARTEL MEMBER: Boss.
Boss.
The card was used 20 miles west of here.
MIGUEL: (IN ENGLISH) If you had a phone, we could have looked up the fastest way.
So I hear.
Why do you not have one? Is it because you’re old?
What?
Some old people don’t like phones.
No, that’s not it.
Nobody needs to call me, and I like it that way.
Do you think I’ll like it in Chicago?
Don’t know why not.
I spent some time there one summer when I was about your age.
I remember… I remember how green it was.
Oh! And the hot dogs.
You like hot dogs?
You’ll like these.
Chicago’s famous for them.
No ketchup, though. Uh-uh.
Mustard, pickles, that sort of thing.
Never had one as good anywhere else.
What the hell?
(SIREN WAILING)
(INDICATOR CLICKING)
Stay calm and be quiet.
Your license, please.
Looks like you had a little incident.
(CHUCKLES) Yeah.
How are you there today, young man?
Okay.
Any weapons on you, sir?
I’ve got a .45 under the seat and a rifle in the back.
Both registered.
Step out of the vehicle, please.
I didn’t think I was speeding.
Is there a problem?
I just want to have a word with the boy.
It’ll only take a minute.
(JACKSON BARKS)
JIM: Jackson, stay.
Walk back to my vehicle, please.
Go ahead and have a seat in the back.
(RADIO BEEPS)
MAN ON RADIO: Conley, you out there?
I got tired of waiting and ate without you.
Go ahead and have a seat in your truck while I run your information.
Can I have my keys so I can run the A/C?
It’ll only take a minute.
Jackson… Come on.
Come on.
You, uh… You didn’t talk to the boy.
What?
You said you wanted a word with the boy, but you didn’t speak to him.
Get in the truck.
How much?
Excuse me?
How much are they paying you to betray that badge?
Get in the truck.
You turn us over to them, they’ll kill us.
(JACKSON BARKS)
Get in the fucking truck!
(GRUNTS)
Miguel, back in the truck! Now!
Wait here.
What’s up?
(SHUSHING)
Stay down.
(SPEAKS IN SPANISH) Where is he?
Hey!
(YELLS IN SPANISH) Where is he?
I don’t… What? I don’t understand…
Where is he?
Where? Where? Where?
I don’t know!
Don’t look.
(GUNSHOT)
CARTEL MEMBER: Let’s go.
(HUFFS)
Come on.
JIM: I’ll be right back.
That’ll be fine.
If you’re paying cash, I can do 900 for both.
Ammo is on the house.
Sounds fair enough.
Need some ID.
Devil Dog, huh?
‘Nam?
Two tours.
Hmm. I had a brother over there.
He didn’t make it back.
Sorry to hear that.
We lost some good men.
We did.
Got to run a background check.
Normally doesn’t take too long, but the computer’s down.
Might be a few hours, tomorrow at the latest.
I… I can’t wait.
You see, I’m just passing through, and… I’m sorry, I can’t risk losing my license.
Look, I’m no criminal, but someone’s after me, and I need to watch my back.
The police can’t help me.
I know it’s asking a lot, but…
It’s life or death.
Something bad happens, these end up in the wrong hands…
I’ll report them stolen.
I understand. Thanks.
This trouble you’re in…
That your own doing?
Not exactly, but I made a choice, and I got to live with it.
So long as it’s for the right reasons.
Sarah, Jim’s on the phone.
Listen, the DEA says the man you saw at the border is Mauricio Guerrero.
Recruited as a kid, soldiering for the cartel ever since.
And the man that you shot? That was his brother.
(SIGHS) Jeez.
Mexican police have a source that said that kid’s uncle stole money from the Vasquez Cartel.
Found him hanging from an overpass.
I don’t know exactly what you’ve got going on here, but it is not worth it.
This Mauricio will find you, and when he does, he will kill you and that boy.
It’s time to let this go.
Jim?
Yeah, yeah, all right.
I’ll bring him in.
Where are you?
Uh, in the Texas Panhandle somewhere.
A town called Weyburn.
Okay, find the local sheriff’s office. They’ll get you back here.
No, I can’t trust them.
Fine.
Then I’ll come myself.
Just…
Just stay off the streets, and lay low till I get there.
Can you please do that for me?
Yeah.
What do you think?
Okay.
Yeah?
Here you go.
Why are we parking here?
JIM: I think it best we stay out of sight.
Come on, take your bag.
(ROCK SONG PLAYING ON STEREO)
I’d like a room, please.
$39 plus tax.
Credit card and ID, please.
Will this do?
(WATER RUNNING)
Go on, get yourself cleaned up.
(MACHINE WHIRRING)
(ICE CUBES CLATTER)
You’re welcome.
Um… Oh, I’ll get some salt for the eggs.
Forget the salt.
(MOVIE CONTINUES PLAYING INDISTINCTLY)
Do you think they’ll marry?
I don’t know.
I suppose they might.
I have a girlfriend at home.
Someday, I’ll marry her.
Do you have a wife?
Not anymore.
What happened?
She died.
Cancer. Shitty disease.
They say you get used to being alone after a while.
That’s just crap.
You could get a girlfriend.
(CHUCKLES)
I don’t think so.
I’m not young and handsome like you.
(CHUCKLES)
When we get to Chicago, the first thing I want to do is eat a hot dog.
Look, Miguel…
(TV TURNS OFF)
It’s late. Maybe you ought to get some sleep, huh?
(JACKSON WHINES)
(GRUNTS)
Want to go out, boy?
(THUDDING)
(THUDDING)
(MOTEL CLERK GRUNTS)
Jackson. Jackson!
Miguel, wake up. We have to go.
(DIALING)
WOMAN ON PHONE: 911, what’s your emergency?
There’s a robbery in progress here at the Blackwood Motel on Route 12.
There’s at least three men with guns.
WOMAN: Three men, sir? Can you describe these men?
Hello?
Go.
WOMAN: Hello, sir? Hello?
Sir, are you okay?
(YELLING) Marine Corps!
You killed my brother!
You can’t hide forever, Marine Corps!
(SIRENS WAILING IN DISTANCE)
(SPEAKING SPANISH) We better go, boss.
(SPEAKING SPANISH) I will kill you.
The truck is right through there.
Go get in it and wait for me.
Okay?
Where are you going?
I got to get my dog.
Go now. I’ll be there in a minute.
(SIRENS APPROACHING)
(CAR DOORS CLOSING)
(JACKSON BARKING)
Jackson, no.
(JACKSON WHIMPERS)
(ENGINE STARTING)
He’s in heaven now.
No such thing.
Just something people tell you to make you feel better.
My dog’s nowhere but buried, and that ain’t where he belongs.
You might as well get that heaven crap out of your head right now.
You are wrong.
The only thing I was wrong about was driving your ass across the country.
I’m taking you back.
I know about the money.
I looked in the bag.
Get in the truck!
Miguel!
Miguel!
(MIGUEL SOBBING, PANTING)
(SNIFFLES)
(POLICEMEN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
911 got a call on a robbery in progress.
We showed up, the owner’s neck was broken.
Still money in the drawer, though.
A guest says he saw a man and a boy enter this room last night.
Seems they left here in a hurry.
Maybe you can explain what the hell is going on.
(SOFTLY) Where are you, Jim?
Look, maybe I should have said something about the money.
It doesn’t matter now, but… I made a mistake thinking I could help you.
We’re not going to Chicago?
I’m sorry about Jackson.
He was a great dog.
Yeah. Yeah, he was.
Thanks, um, for helping give him a proper burial.
I hope someday there’s a funeral for my mother.
(ENGINE STARTING)
Come on.
JIM: Excuse me, sir.
Um…
I was wondering if you could help…
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.
May the perpetual light shine upon Rosa.
And may her soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
MIGUEL: Amen.
Thanks.
It’s a lonely experience to lose someone so close, especially for a child.
He’s your, what? Grandson?
No. Um, I knew his mother.
She asked me to look after him.
That’s no small request.
She must have had a lot of faith in you.
(CELL PHONE RINGING)
Jim?
Yeah, it’s me.
Tell me you’re safe.
We’re okay.
Is that him?
Find out where he is.
Good. Now tell me exactly where you are.
I got the sheriff with me.
Sarah…
I got plenty of firepower. I just need to know…
Sarah.
Listen, the kid’s not going back.
That’s what I’m calling to tell you.
I’m doing what his mother asked.
I’m taking him to her family.
That is not up to you.
And what kind of life’s he going to have back in Mexico?
In protection forever, if he even lasts a week?
He can apply for asylum here.
With what happened to his mother, he’d have a strong case.
Can you guarantee he’ll get it?
Especially the way things are now?
Tell me what’s going on with you here.
Let me help you while I still can.
This kid, he…
He didn’t bring any of this on himself.
He just needs someone to give him a chance.
I can’t shake the feeling that your mom is somehow guiding me through this.
She’d want me to help this kid.
If you do this, there’s nothing more I can do to help you.
I know.
You do what you’ve got to do.
We’re heading to Chicago.
Give me a few hours if you can.
See you around, Sarah.
AGENT: So? What’d he say?
Where’s he headed?
I don’t know.
MALE NEWSCASTER ON RADIO: the killer of a highway patrol officer yesterday.
Officer Jay Conley was found murdered along Highway 40, west of Amarillo.
Police say they have little to go on, and are asking for the public’s help.
Anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious is asked to contact the Texas authorities or the FBI.
In other news, closing arguments are expected to begin…
I guess we’d better buy another map.
Figure out how to get you to Chicago.
(NEWS ON RADIO CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY)
Boss.
(CELL PHONE VIBRATING)
Hello?
Yeah.
No problem.
(GUNSHOTS CONTINUE)
Miguel, come here.
Want to try?
Look, stand here.
Now, your finger here.
There you go.
Now, line up this with this notch with that can on the left.
Spread your legs a little.
Now, put your finger on the trigger.
The gun’s going to kick back hard, so brace yourself.
And when you’re ready, just squeeze.
Try it again.
Hold it steady, relax your shoulders.
Keep them loose.
Now, take a deep breath, let half of it out…
And squeeze that trigger.
You’re a natural.
Press this button here to remove the magazine.
Pull the slide back to clear it.
Now the gun’s empty and safe.
You were a soldier?
Yeah. Marine.
You fought in a war?
Mmm-hmm.
You killed other soldiers?
Someday, I will kill those men.
There’s absolutely nothing that feels good about killing another man.
Your mother died to give you a chance at a better life.
Don’t waste it.
This is the spot.
(SCANNER BEEPS)
Do you still get sad when you think about your wife?
I miss that woman every day.
Life doesn’t always play out the way you expect.
There are good times ahead for you, Miguel.
Your mom’s watching over.
She’ll make sure of that.
(SNIFFLES)
This belongs to you.
I don’t want it.
It’s cartel’s money.
Then I guess we’ve got no use for this.
You know something?
It’s not bad.
Ready?
(LAUGHS)
(INDICATOR CLICKING)
Where are we going?
Let’s take some side roads for a while.
(CELL PHONE VIBRATING)
Hello.
(IN ENGLISH) Exit 209?
You sure?
OK, thank you.
(SPEAKS SPANISH) Five miles back.
(SPEAKING SPANISH) Look! It’s him.
(SPEAKING SPANISH) Go ahead! Go ahead! Go ahead!
Is that him?
Hold on tight.
(TIRES SQUEALING)
(MEN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)
(HISSING)
Shit!
Get out.
We should run. He’ll kill us.
Not if I get him first.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
(GRUNTS)
Miguel, let’s go.
Come on.
Boss, boss.
(SPEAKS SPANISH) Where is that bastard?
Come on.
Stay down. Here.
If anything happens to me, you get out of here, and you run as far away as you can.
Understand?
(GUNSHOT)
Miguel, come over here.
I need you to create a distraction.
(GUN COCKS)
Count to 30, then fire two quick shots out there.
It’s ready.
Start counting. Now.
(SPEAKS SPANISH) I’m going around.
(COUNTING IN SPANISH) 10, 11…
(CONTINUES COUNTING) 14, 15…
(CONTINUES COUNTING) 28, 29…
(GRUNTS)
(WHISPERS) Miguel?
(DOOR RATTLING)
(DOOR OPENING)
(MAURICIO WHISTLING)
MAURICIO: (IN ENGLISH) Marine Corps!
Get in here and let’s finish this!
MAURICIO: Drop your gun!
Drop it!
Let him go, you bastard.
Let him go?
Why?
He’s going to make a good soldier one day.
He’s going to be trained by the best.
He will never kill for you.
No?
You know, I was… I was just like him one day.
We all learn to do what we must do to survive.
Just like you and me, soldier.
We made our choices.
Let him make his.
Do you think I had a choice?
Huh?
I never had a choice!
Miguel.
Now he’s going to kill his first man today.
Same as…
Miguel.
Look at me.
(SPEAKING SPANISH)
(WHIMPERING)
(GRUNTS)
Yeah!
(GROANS)
(GROANS)
(MAURICIO SPEAKING SPANISH) Shoot!
Shoot!
Avenge your mother.
JIM: Miguel, don’t listen to him.
Don’t do it.
(MAURICIO SPEAKING SPANISH) Kill me.
Kill me.
JIM: Give me the gun.
Give me the gun.
MAURICIO: (IN SPANISH) Kill me.
(STRAINED BREATHING)
JIM: Miguel, walk away.
Walk away. Now.
(MAURICIO GROANING)
(IN ENGLISH) Wait.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(SIGHS)
(KNIFE CLATTERS)
(BREATH SHUDDERING)
Now you have a choice.
(GUNSHOT)
(INAUDIBLE)
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)
This is for you.
(GASPS)
Miguel!
(SPEAKING SPANISH) Thank God you’re OK, son.
Come here.
Come here.
Everyone come here!
It’s Miguel.
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)
