It hurts, it hurts.
You're doing fine, Kathy. Keep breathing.
In, out.
That's it.
Ray, pull over.
Ray! Pull over!
We have had a healthy baby boy.
Let Ray's life be a lesson.
The fever still threatens but will not harm us...
...if we live according to God's law.
Solidarity and steadfastness.
We are the union of the divine...
...and shall cherish equilibrium and peace.
Let us pray.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...
...I shall fear no evil, for thou art with me.
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
-I want him back. I want him back. -Thou preparest a table before me....
-Amanda. -This didn't have to happen!
Can't you see? It's all a lie.
Poor girl. You're ill. You need help.
-I'm not sick! -Amanda.
She'll be fine. The doctor will take care of her.
-All right. -That's all right.
It's all right. It's gonna be okay.
Just before the Civil War, there was a mission of--
Get you some gas?
No, thanks, but maybe you can help me. I'm a little lost.
I'm looking for Rockwell Falls.
I know I'm close. I must've missed a turn.
According to my map....
Well, Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.
Damn.
You okay?
Yeah, I'm fine. Looks like you're not.
You got a couple flats.
Yeah.
No reception. I think I could use some help.
I can't help you. Head back to Bromine. It's the last town that you passed.
That's 50 miles back.
If I was you, I'd start walking.
Afternoon.
Howdy.
Looks like I need some help. I have a couple of flat tires.
That's quite a pothole back there.
No problem. I'll call you a tow truck from Bromine.
Actually, I need to get to Rockwell Falls.
I'm with the Census Bureau on assignment. Steve Kady.
Hold on a second. Let me see what I can do.
Sheriff, we got a guy with a couple flats inside the line.
You know what to do, deputy.
Yeah, well, he's with the Census Bureau.
We'll meet you at the mayor's.
Come on, deputy.
So put on your happy face. We'll go join the welcome wagon.
Mr. Kady...
...Deputy Bobby Caine.
Sorry, we don't get too many visitors around here.
When we do, it's like the Second Coming.
Come on, I'll give you a lift. Grab your suitcase.
-ls my car gonna be all right? -Tow truck will be by here in a bit.
Don't worry about your things. We're real honest around here.
Never any crime in Rockwell Falls.
Must be nice.
You ever worry about a collision?
Except for a few delivery trucks, no one goes in the other direction.
There's no reason to.
Everything we need is right here.
Where are we headed?
To meet the mayor.
There's no motel in town, but he'll know where to put you up.
What's with the dogs?
Man's best friend. You can never have too many friends in this town.
Welcome. Welcome. Mayor Gus Grateman.
Sheriff Jim Calcutt and Deputy Christian Hecker.
-Steve Kady. Nice to meet you. -What brings you to town, Mr. Kady?
Surveys for the Census Bureau.
Updating our computers in Washington.
Shouldn't be more than a few days. I hope it's not too much trouble.
No. No trouble at all. Stay as long as you like.
Enjoy everything our little town has to offer.
If you need anything, you just ask.
It would help to have access to old surveys.
Oh, Harmony Evans keeps track of the records.
I'll arrange it for you to drop by any time.
Bobby, why don't we take Mr. Kady here over to Belma's.
She's sure to take good care of you.
-All right. -Sheriff.
It's Wanda Syde. Woke up with marks on her.
-She's real sick. -We're headed that way.
Just a slight detour, Mr. Kady. Only be a few minutes.
We'll be right back, Mr. Kady.
This ain't no coincidence.
Mr. Kady. Mrs. Syde just came down with a bad set of boils.
She'll be fine soon enough.
Deputy Caine will take you up to Belma's now.
Oh, Mr. Kady, one more thing.
Our traditions are very important in the community.
Do your best to mind them.
Of course.
Belma's got a daughter, mind you. I'm gonna marry her one day.
Congratulations.
And it's not true what they say about the mother-daughter thing either.
Bobby.
You must be Mr. Kady.
-Nice to meet you. -News travels fast in this town.
It doesn't have far to go. Come in, come in.
It's not fancy, but it's filled with TLC.
-It's beautiful. -Wait till you see the garden out back.
Hey. I thought I told you to keep walking.
Courtney, this is Mr. Kady from Chicago.
He's in town for some overnight business.
I know. We've met. Sort of.
Gentlemen.
I take it you know that we have a friend from the Census Bureau...
...staying at the Lovett's till we can find something more permanent.
He's very nice, so do your best to make him feel at home.
Henry...
...it's your wife, Ruby.
All right, it's done. Ruby is our new festival host.
And if you haven't done so already, remember to stop your clocks.
Solidarity and steadfastness.
We are the union of the divine...
...and we shall cherish equilibrium and peace.
Thank you, gentlemen.
Smile.
That's a good one.
I don't know how anyone can look at numbers all day.
Well, if you look at them as just numbers, I guess it can get pretty dry.
The numbers I work with represent people, reveal the world they live in...
...what their community has, what it needs.
You'd be surprised how much you can learn.
They are the only thing in life...
...that always make sense.
Like Pythagoras says, "Numbers rule the universe."
You speak the truth, Mr. Kady.
I'm just surprised such a smart man like yourself is still without a family.
But that will change soon, I'm sure.
There is nothing more important around here.
Gosh, it's been 1 2 summers since our Lyle passed.
I'm just sorry that Courtney didn't get to spend more time with him.
Died from the fever. And he was as strong as an ox.
And no one saw it coming.
Thank you.
Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to surprise you.
-I couldn't sleep. -Yeah, I couldn't either.
Let me make you something.
I was sorry to hear about your father.
-Were you close? -Yes. Very.
What about you? You lost someone.
I saw it in your eyes at dinnertime.
My wife and daughter.
They died in an accident two years ago.
Oh, my God. You must miss them very much.
Sorry.
Well....
-This is gonna help you sleep tonight. -Thank you.
You know, it could use a little more garlic.
-Good morning, Mr. Kady. -Morning.
Careful, Mr. Kady!
Morning, Mr. Kady.
Wow, that's the low-cal special?
What's the fuss?
Ruby Flynn was picked last night to be festival host.
It's, like, the biggest honor anyone can have.
-You ever been chosen? -No.
Someday maybe...
...but hopefully I won't be around.
What's Chicago like, Steve?
-You've never been? -No. I've never been anywhere.
The weather's rough.
The four seasons are winter, winter, winter and the Fourth of July.
But when the snow is blowing, horizontally...
...across the Michigan Avenue Bridge, you can slip into these little bars...
-Courtney? -...hear amazing jazz--
I'm really sorry. I have to get back to work.
How's it going, Mr. Kady?
All right.
You know, my office thought there was an error.
I still have a lot to go, but the first two list the population at exactly 436.
Does that sound right to you?
Everything tends to stay the same around here.
Like Pythagoras said, "Numbers rule the universe."
I ran into Belma. She told me what you said at dinner.
And I thought it was pretty.
Harmony.
One question. In this survey I have the Hillenbock family of four.
-Do you know where they live? -That poor family.
They fell ill, but they're doing much better now.
That's great.
-Do you know where I can find them? -You'll have to ask the mayor.
So you don't know?
A family can't go missing in a town this size, can it?
You'll have to ask the mayor.
I'll have to ask the mayor.
Wonderful.
Why won't anyone give me a straight answer?
Well, where they're staying really isn't fit for a family.
And knowing Mac, he wouldn't take kindly to visitors. Matter of pride.
You understand that, don't you?
You understand, mayor, I'm gonna have to interview these people.
Well, you can interview them after the festival. Very sweet people.
And the missus...
...she makes the best blueberry muffins this side of the Mississippi.
Relax, Mr. Kady. Have some apple pie.
You have plenty of time for working.
People, you'd think this was the first festival we ever had.
-How'd it go today? -Good. Everyone was really friendly.
You know what they say. Welcome all newcomers as family...
-...and they become family. -They don't say that in Chicago.
To Steve-O. Our new friend.
And to Rockwell Falls. The most perfect place on earth.
Aames and his brother Kip make this fine whiskey themselves.
Smooth.
Attaboy.
I'll get rid of them boils.
We're gonna help you through this, Amanda.
-No. I just had a bad dream. -That's how the fever always starts.
You're coming face to face with your own death.
-Our treatment is the only way... -Please! Stop it!
-...to keep you from getting worse. -No! Please, no!
-What was that? -This old town's got...
...some electrical problems.
Don't worry about it. Just something we live with.
-Out of the way, deputy. -I can't do that.
-What's on your mind, Farmer? -We were fine...
...until he came along.
Come on, now.
We welcome all newcomers like family, remember?
It's the prophecy.
Don't take another step.
-I'll kill you. I swear. -You're not gonna do that.
Hand me the gun.
Go on home.
I'll hold on to this for you.
I thought there wasn't ever any crime in Rockwell Falls.
He wasn't gonna shoot.
His wife's sick and he's temporarily lost his senses.
Besides, he's a lousy shot.
Well, he didn't have to be great. He was 1 0 feet away.
What was all that about anyway? What prophecy?
Just some local superstition. Trust me, Steve, he wasn't gonna shoot.
There's never been a murder in Rockwell Falls. Never.
Well, statistically speaking, you're due.
I'm 51, born here like most, never married and no children.
-That is about it. -Ever skinned an apple, Mr. Kady?
No, I can't say that I have.
Take this and, gently, with your thumb near the blade...
...in a circular motion....
I have a listing for your neighbor, Ray Jacobs, and his daughter Amanda.
-Do you know where I can reach them? -Oh, dear.
I'm afraid Ray is not coming back.
He passed away a couple of days ago. Terrible car accident.
-Was his daughter in the accident? -No, thank the Lord.
But that doesn't mean she isn't hurting.
Though the good doctor is doing everything he can.
Well, it's not quite as good as yours but....
Very nice.
All right.
Please, take one for the road.
Thanks very much. And thanks for your cooperation.
If everyone's as quick as you I'll be out of here in a couple days.
I doubt it, Mr. Kady. Have a nice day.
Solidarity and steadfastness.
We are the union of the divine...
...and we shall cherish equilibrium and peace.
Very good. And who would like to lead us in the holy words...
...as they were passed down?
Easy, Steve-O, it's just me. I didn't mean to scare you.
Just came to give you the good news. Farmer's wife is fine.
She just had some spoiled milk and he wanted me to pass on his apologies.
-Well, that's good news. Thanks. -So where you headed?
-The Greaver residence. -I'll give you a ride.
Ms. Dresden was just teaching the kids a little local history...
...as it was laid down by Seymour Grateman.
It's no wonder people grow up with crazy thoughts around here.
Easy, Steve-O. I was raised the same way and it didn't screw me up, did it?
It's a little early to tell.
Dr. Greaver?
-lnside. -Thank you.
Mr. Kady, of course.
Nice to meet you. Please come in.
-Ernie, she'll be right with you. -Thank you.
Just give me a moment.
You rest easy, Betsy. Call me if you need anything.
Thank you, doctor.
-There. -What happened to her?
Doctor-patient privilege, Mr. Kady.
I'm sure you understand. Please follow me.
My name is Dr. Harold James Greaver. I'm 64 years old.
Married to Mildred, my wife, who acts also as my nurse. She's 63.
And Amanda Jacobs, is she here? I heard you've been treating her.
Technically she doesn't live here, but, yes, she is under our care as a patient.
Her mother died years ago.
After her father died recently she started to exhibit...
...symptoms of schizophrenia, paranoia and depression.
An emotional fever of sorts.
Excuse me. Hello?
I'll be right over.
My apologies. I have urgent business to attend to.
If you need more from me, my wife will be happy to arrange an appointment.
-She'll be down in a moment. -Thank you.
Help me. Help! Help me!
I assure you, Mr. Kady, she's perfectly fine.
She knows you're here.
And she did it because she likes to make a first impression.
Well, tell her she made one.
I understand. It can be a little unsettling.
Please see yourself out.
It was strange, like she was trying to get my attention.
Of course she was. That poor girl, she's suffering from...
...schizophrenia, paranoia, thinking everyone is out to get her.
And that's why she's in the hospital.
-What? You mean, Dr. Greaver's? -Yeah.
All I saw on his wall were "good doctor" certificates from the town.
-Where did he go to medical school? -He's a good doctor, Mr. Kady.
Greaver family's been taking care of us for over 1 00 years.
Knowledge passed down generations to generations...
...much like it has across the world for centuries.
If he didn't go to medical school, it's against the law.
You know, around here, the law is my business.
And before you judge, you should know it's always worked for us.
Just because we do things different than in the city doesn't mean it's wrong.
Those outside laws. They don't apply to us.
We're better off for it. And that's the way it's always been.
Now, you two, you have a good afternoon.
-Steve-O, don't let this bother you. -It's not right.
Lord knows what mistakes a guy like that can make.
I don't care how long his family's been practicing.
It's not the 1 800s.
To some around here, it still is.
Well, that's not good enough.
Come on, I know what will take your mind off this stuff.
Well, this goes without saying, but I'm gonna say it anyway.
Don't point it at your face.
This here is your aim.
Just step up, take a good look...
...and squeeze. Don't pull the trigger. Squeeze it.
Try it again, but this time...
...aim for the bottles.
So you're not married, huh?
I was.
She passed away.
I'm so sorry.
I bet she was amazing.
Yeah, she was.
That's how I feel about Courtney. We were meant to be together.
I know it more than I know anything.
But sometimes she looks at me as that dopey kid she grew up with.
Just makes it hard sometimes...
...you know, to ask her to marry me.
Just be yourself, Bobby.
If it's meant to be, it will be.
Thanks for listening.
You're a good friend.
You too.
What do you say we go shooting again tomorrow?
-Sure thing. -Now that's the spirit...
...that beat the Germans.
And when we get back to the Lovett's, check the barn. I bet your ride's done.
What are you doing? You look like you've seen a ghost.
There was somebody standing in here, just staring.
You must be talking about Curly. He takes walks like everyone else.
-Just ends up in stranger places. -What's wrong with him?
He had the fever, but he's one of the lucky ones.
It passed, and thanks to Dr. Greaver, he lost only a little spunk.
It looks like you have a short here. I'm gonna fix that for you, okay?
Now let us repeat God's law.
Solidarity and steadfastness.
We are the union of the divine.
And we shall cherish equilibrium and peace.
Learn to love it here.
Maybe you can help me. I'm a little lost. I'm looking for Rockwell Falls.
Excuse me. Hello? Sir. Hey, wait!
Hello, sir, wait a minute. Please.
There you go, fellas. Take it easy, don't work too hard.
Howdy! Mr. Kady. Edgar Smalls. Well, what can I do for you?
I need a new fuse for Belma's barn.
Let's see what I got.
That delivery guy that just left.
-Yeah. Red? -Yeah, when I was outside town...
...I asked to find Rockwell Falls. He didn't help me.
Strange fellow. Comes in a few times a week, depending.
The delivery guys mind their own business.
But that's how we like it.
Where are your manners, Curly?
Can't you see we have a new friend?
Say hello to Mr. Kady. He's moved here from Chicago.
-Actually, I'm just passing through. -Oh, sure, my apologies.
We've already met, Curly.
You were in Belma's barn.
You remember?
He's not 1 00 percent, Mr. Kady. He probably won't remember.
Hasn't been the same since his brush with the fever.
-Run! Run! -Curly!
I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Kady. He's never acted up like this.
-I'm terribly, terribly sorry. -It's okay.
It's fine.
You all right, mister?
Yeah. Obie....
-You know Amanda Jacobs? -I guess. As much as anybody.
-Why is she at Dr. Greaver's? -She has the fever.
That's the only reason anyone goes there.
Watch. She'll be different when she gets out.
How will she be different?
-She'll be happy. -What's the fever?
Obie, what's the fever?
I don't know.
But they all look the same when they get it.
What do they look like?
Like you.
Never any crime, huh?
Hello, Amanda.
My name is Steve.
I saw you in the window. I wanted to talk to you.
You talk to everybody, don't you?
Right. I work with the Census Bureau.
Not anymore.
-What do you mean? -They'll find you a new job.
And if you want to leave, you're sick...
...and they'll save you, just like they're trying to save me.
-They're watching you. -Who is? Who's watching?
Everyone. Can't you see it?
Okay, Amanda.
Do you know what happened to your father?
He tried to leave.
And they killed him?
They say God did.
What happened here?
I'm just going to look, okay?
Did Dr. Greaver do this to you?
-I'm scared. -I'm gonna get you out of here, okay?
Come on. Here we go.
-We should go back. -It's all right.
Help! Help, he's taking me. Help!
-It's all right. Okay? Please. -Mr. Kady, let go of the child.
They're abusing her. She's got marks on her face.
Mr. Kady, let go of the child. She's been through enough.
-You can see that for yourself. -Help me! Help me.
-There, there, child. It's all right now. -Help me.
-Sheriff, you can't let this happen. -I'm not.
Take the child inside, Mildred.
I have to speak with Mr. Kady.
Mr. Kady, Amanda Jacobs may only be 1 2 years old...
...but she has the fever.
-What fever? -The only kind that matters.
Like I said before: talking crazy, thinking everyone's out to get you.
That our little town isn't as perfect as it is.
No one knows exactly why it happens, but it's easy to spot.
A look in the eye, like an animal backed into a corner.
Eventually they try to run, but we try to stop them before God does.
-What are you talking about? -As long as we can remember...
...Mr. Kady, God punishes those that try to leave.
Are you saying...
...that everyone that wants to leave Rockwell Falls has this fever?