The Execution

(clap) (beep) (upbeat music) (train rumbles on tracks) What's she waiting for?

Maxine: Lunch?

Musician: Yeah, I could use a burger.

Just be thankful that you don't have to clean it up.

Radio Announcer: We're back little Salem for 60-minute commercial-free listen.

East Main Street is still closed for cleaning.

more updates on that later.

That later was a damn good shot.

I wasn't lookin' to make him suffer.

No worries there.

It was a clean hit.

It's just a shame, is all.

I don't see that.

It was a matter of town safety.

Thanks, Max.

No one else seemed up to it.

I know it had to be done, but I'm really going to miss him.

Every Friday night, you know..

I didn't mind his begging either.

Oh, I didn't...I didn't mean... it's it's not like I meant that you're...

I need a drinking partner.

And I'm more than happy to.... Hi, Miss Annie.

Hi, Miss Annie.

Jerky, please.

Maxine: You weren't out there this morning, where you?

Sure was.

Do me!

Do me!

Maxine (off screen): Bam!

BANG!

These kids sure can stomach anything.

Radio Announcer: Well, that's a little h eady maybe for some of you out there...

I don't think I got a a wink of sleep last night.

Still too cold?

No, really bad dreams.

Horrible, awful, bloody stuff.

It's probably all the violence on TV these days.

No, I can't stop thinking about yesterday.

Do you think we should be worried about the kids?

What?

You mean like grief counseling?

(laughing) (guitar music) Nash Can I help you find something?

A particular hymn?

I don't believe it.

It's still here.

I stashed this when I quit.

If you need anything else... faith related...

This should do it.

(upbeat music) (guitar music) Annie: Back before the streets were paved And gas lamps lit their way A litter of puppies bore the fluffiest pup In her early years she had a wild spirit And ran with the wolves in the thick of the wilderness But when the wolves exiled the dog She wandered into the warmly lit town With a pat here.

And a tender word there... She came to call it home.

In an instant...

The metallic clang of a shotgun shell ripped the last breath from her lungs.

Who's to say how many more centuries she might have roamed the forest or sauntered the town streets No more.

An unexceptional stray On the dirty streets she lay Radio Announcer: And we're back to taking callers.

Some are now calling it an execution.

How are we feeling about it just now?

Caller: Who here got the right to take a life, Hun?

I mean, who's next?

Now that we're killing willy-nilly...

I've got kids!

Woman Caller: What does she mean, who?

Maxine's who!

Judge, jury and executioner.

Old Man Caller: Down right, murderer I don't remember taking no vote!

Doubt anyone could have stopped her.

Radio Announcer: Oh... people are certainly indignant about what's going on.

I haven't heard people come out this way...

Even calling up my show... Radio Announcer: I guess this has really ruffled some feathers.

People are taking sides, for sure.

Hi, Jessie.

Hop up.

I'll buy you a coke.

Okay, sure.

Hey, Max.

Can I have a piece of jerky?

I didn't know you liked the stuff.

This is great.

You hearing this stuff on the radio?

They're throwing around words like murder.

I mean, Max.

It's just because you're the one that pulled the trigger.

We all agreed.

Yeah, but you gotta see why we're so freaked out.

We?

Max, you should have seen the kids at school today.

They were so upset.

Fine, but they're kids...

The full grown adults in this town need to grow a pair.

Well, excuse me for having some feelings about it.

You know, Max... We're not all rocks like you.

Forgive me Father, for I have sinned.

How long since your last confession, my child?

Long enough.

Maxine?

Is that you?

I didn't know you were Catholic.

Yeah, I don't think I remember my act of contrition.

You know, there's another Church in Springfield.

It's only a 30-minute drive... Parson, can you confess the way murder?

Now really, I don't think \that's necessary...

I mean, the way people are talking...

If you mean the other day... Thou shalt not kill!

Well yes, but....

It's a mortal sin!

I've always interpreted it....

Your soul goes to hell.

...to mean, people.

People, Maxine.

Are you sure dogs don't count?

Fairly sure.

Without a mortal soul dogs don't have to worry about heaven or hell.

Jesus Christ.

I didn't even send the poor thing to heaven.

We never knew his name... but we knew him as a friend.

The town won't be the same.

But we'll learn to live again.

We never knew his name.

But we knew him as a friend.

The town won't be the same.

But we'll learn to live again.

We never knew his name...

But we knew him as a friend.

The town won't be the same...

But we'll learn to live again.

'Cause all dogs go to heaven... even with rabies.

Standing ovation.

(forlorn music) Frick...

It's real fine craftsmanship.

Yeah, he's still in there.

On ice until we know what to do with him.

This deserves a toast.

Please, I'm really not in the mood.

Radio Announcer: Thanks to a generous donation...

It'll be on the hill overlooking East Main Street.

Everyone's favorite dog watching over the town, from here on in.

Radio Announcer: The funeral, courtesy of event organizer schoolteacher, Annie...

Doesn't mean I'm gonna go.

Radio Announcer: Father Percy will be presiding.

Remember to dress warmly now.

Radio Announcer: For everyone walking over to the hill, it's gonna be a cold one.

We are gathered here...

Preacher: We are gathered here today... We are gathered here today we are gathered here today to pay tribute to the passing of a dear friend.

He was loyal.

He was brave.

He was compassionate.

Man Off Screen: SHE!

Sorry?

I was just singing he.

The dog...

The dog was definitely a she.

Man off screen: She was a bitch alright.

Who of you would know!

Come on!

You didn't want him in your precious homes.

And yeah.

That's right.

HE.

Have we decided on a pronoun then?

Amen.

RADIO ANNOUNCER: Now that our furry friend's soul is laid to rest, You'll find a reception of sorts at Maxine's.

Radio Announcer: Coming up traffic and the weather.

But first, our new local tune.

A Bark at the Door.

(guitar music and singing) Life's not so ordinary... when someone extraordinary barks at your door.

It might be that smile.

Or the stories we tell.

Of how our lives mattered... when we just open the door.

And he might not have done that much.

But in the end it was just enough.

(upbeat music)