Dad quotes from Frailty (2002)

Dad

I'm just yolkin' with ya, egghead.

Dad

Get down there. It has to be done. It's God's will. Come on, do it like I showed you, the neck first, Fenton.

Dad

You didn't think anyone knew about that, did you? But God saw you! [Dad picks up his axe] And you can't escape God's wrath!

Dad

What has to be done has to be done. So kiddo, does it have to be done?

Dad

Fenton, wake up.

Dad?

Dad

I've got something to tell you.

What's wrong?

Dad

It's okay. Adam, wake up and listen. I need you both to listen to me very carefully. Something's happened.

He said he'd had a vision that night. A vision from God. An angel came to him and told him the truth of this world and revealed God's special purpose for our family.

Dad

The end of the world is coming. It's near. The angel showed me. There are demons among us. The devil has released them for the final battle. It's being fought right now. But nobody knows it except us and others like us.

I'm scared, Dad.

Dad

There's nothing to be afraid of. We've been chosen by God. He will protect us. He's given us special jobs to do. We don't fear these demons, we destroy them. We pick them up one by one, and we pitch them out of this world. That's God's purpose for us. The angel called us "God's Hands."

So we're like superheroes?

Dad

That's right. We're a family of superheroes that are gonna help save the world.

But, Dad, that doesn't make any sense.

Dad

I know it sounds that way, son, but it's the truth.

So what are our superpowers?

Dad

Well...we can see the demons while other people can't. The angel told me God would send us 7 weapons to destroy them with.

Magical weapons?

Dad

I imagine so.

When do we get them?

Dad

I don't know. The angel just said soon. That's all I was told, except we're not supposed to tell anybody. Absolutely no-one. If we do, we put them and ourselves in danger. Fenton? Don't worry, it's okay. It's a lot to understand. I waited to tell you until I had a chance to figure it out myself. But the angel said I had to do it now. Fenton?

I didn't know what to say or how to feel.

Dad

Do you understand what I told you? Judgment Day is here.

It was too messed up to understand or even acknowledge.

Dad

Soon we'll all be in Heaven. You, me, Adam. With Mommy.

I didn't realize it at the moment, at least not consciously...

Dad

She's waiting to see us in Heaven.

But my happy and mostly secure world had just been flipped over. And there were dark things there.

Dad

Judgment Day is here.

Very dark things.

Dad

We've been chosen by God.

And my little boy's mind just couldn't take it.

Dad

I know you've had some trouble adjusting to everything. And I'm sorry. But God has willed this and we must obey God.

Maybe you just dreamed it.

Dad

I didn't dream it. I wouldn't make up something like that, son.

Maybe...Maybe you're not right in the head.

Dad

It happened, Fenton. It's true. You'll see that soon. That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I got the first list.

Dad, these are people's names!

Dad

That's right. And they'll look like people too. But they're not. The angel said when I lay my hands on them I'll reveal them for what they truly are.

Dad, look, I got a list too.

Dad

Where did you get this, Adam?

God gave it to me.

Dad

Isn't Travis Shed that boy that was picking on you at school last week?

He's a demon.

Dad

Tell the truth, Adam. You made this list up yourself, didn't you?

No, God did.

Dad

Adam? Come on, right here. Now, listen to me, son. You can't make stuff like that up. We destroy demons. If we were to use your list, we'd be killing people. And we can never do that. Now, destroying demons is a good thing. Killing people is bad. You understand?

I'm sorry, Dad.

Dad

That's all right. It's okay. You just got to have a little patience. Don't worry. God will send you your own list when you're older.

What is that, Dad?

Dad

That's a demon, son.

Dad

Don't cry for her, Fenton. She wasn't human. Didn't you see when I touched her?

I saw it, Dad.

You killed her.

Dad

I didn't kill her, son. I destroyed her. She was a demon. You know, I wasn't so sure I could do it myself. I mean, she looked like a woman to me too. But after I touched her, all I could see was the evil. And I had to do it. I'm sorry you didn't see it too. You will next time.

You... you're gonna do it again?

Dad

This is our job now, son. You've got to accept that.

I won't let you.

Dad

We are doing God's work here.

I'll tell.

Dad

If you do, someone will die. The angel was clear on that. Do you understand? Answer me, Fenton. Do you understand?

Dad

Are you afraid?

Dad

Of who?

You

Dad

Only demons should fear me... and you're not a demon are you? The angel said you were. But I can't believe that. I won't. You're my son. And I love you more than my own life. You know what's funny about all this, Fenton? I'm afraid of you.

Dad

Do you see what you made me do? You made me commit murder...

I didn't make you do anything. You did! You're crazy!

Dad

I never committed murder before.

I seen you murder lots of people.

Dad

Those weren't people, son. They were demons.

No they weren't!

Dad

That man is dead, and it's your fault. You killed him because you have no faith.

The days came and went. I counted them by the light through the hatch door and Adam's visits. I only slept when I passed out from exhaustion.

Agent Doyle

What about your dad? Didn't he ever come back to at least check on you?

On the seventh day.

Dad

Has God spoken to you yet?

There is no God. I lost count of the days after that. It felt like weeks. I finally went beyond fear into total insanity. I saw God. He had finally sent me a vision. It was then that I understood my destiny just like Dad said I would.

Dad

You know, Fenton, I've been waiting for this moment since this all started.

I'm ready to fulfill my destiny.

Dad

I'm proud of you, son.

Dad?

Dad

Come on out here, Adam. [turns to Fenton] Shine that light over here.

Hey dad, who is that?

Dad

That's a demon, son. Come on in here, boys, it's all right. Come on, don't be afraid. [closes them in the shed as the boys stare, frightened and stunned]

God had come to Dad earlier that day and told him that the time had come. After work he drove down to Jacksonville, about forty-five minutes or so southwest of Thurman. He said he had never been there before but he had no trouble finding it, God was leading him.

Dad

Cynthia Harbridge?

Yes?

Dad don't! Please don't!

Dad

Fenton, if I could spare you of this I would. But we are God's servants, and his will must be served! Don't be afraid, son.

Dad

I still can't believe you didn't see it. He was a murderer of little children, Fenton. Babies... babies.

He's the murderer. We got to get out of here, Adam.

What do you mean?

We gotta run away. I told you we were gonna have to.

I don't want to run away.

We have to.

Why?

Listen to me, Adam... Dad kills people.

No he doesn't! He's a demon slayer.

That's all lies, Adam.

No, it's not, I see it when he touches them.

No, you don't. Dad's brainwashed you, it's all a big lie. He's a murderer and you help him.

Nuh-uh! We're just serving God's will. I'm telling Dad on you!

Dad

I want you to know, I've never killed anything in my whole life.

That's a lie and you know it.

Dad

I did a lot of thinking and praying after you went to bed. I asked the Angel to visit you, instead he visited me. He told me something... that I don't want to believe.

What?

Dad

It doesn't matter, because together you and I are going to prove him wrong. You just don't have any faith, that's why you can't see the truth. But we're going to change that.

Dad

I want you to dig a hole right here. It needs to be about ten feet deep, fifteen feet wide on both sides. The length and width should form a perfect square.

What?

Dad

You heard me.

Why?

Dad

Because I'm your father and you do what I tell you. Understand? Do you?

Yes sir.

Dad

Alright then, I expect half that to be done by the time I get home from work tonight.

Dad, I can't do that.

Dad

Pray!

I started digging that goddamn hole, but I did not pray. I would not. I hated God, I despised him. My hatred helped me dig, kept me going. Dad's, or God's, or the Angel's or whoever's plan it was would not work on me. I knew what Dad was doing was wrong, and nothing was gonna change that.