PROMISE

“ In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."

But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.

We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.”

[BELL TOLLING, MAD SWEENEY GASPING] 

SHADOW MOON : 

You spend that $20 yet? 

MAD SWEENEY :

Thinking about using it now.
Don't let her near him.
Your wife.
Don't let her near Grimnir.
Grimnir's nothin' but rot.
 

SHADOW MOON : 

Why do you even care? 

MAD SWEENEY :

I warned you.
Let's just leave it at that.
 

SHADOW MOON : 

Fine.
Well, don't worry about me.
I'm good.
Wednesday even gave me his magic stick to guard, so –

MAD SWEENEY :

Gungnir.

You think you earned it.
 

SHADOW MOON : 

Mm-hmm.
 

MAD SWEENEY :

You have the All-father's favor today and it feels good.
Doesn't it? Like the sun is shining on your fuckin' face.
Like you did something to deserve it. 

Tomorrow you'll be me, Shadow.
The Dog He Kicks.
There's always a cost with him.
Just haven't paid it yet.
 

SHADOW MOON : 

Why do you let him treat you like that? 

MAD SWEENEY :

You think you're not his bitch? Hm? 

I watched you sign your life away.
Right there in front of me in Jack's Crocodile Bar.
You're His Man now.
You're his bodyguard.
And when he dies, you're the punk that's gonna have to hold his vigil.
You're fucked, man.
 

SHADOW MOON : 

Spoken like The Dog He Just Kicked.
 

MAD SWEENEY :

You remember how I did that little coin trick? Huh? 

SHADOW MOON : 

Figured you just took the coins out of nowhere.
 

MAD SWEENEY :

Not outta nowhere.
I take 'em from the Hoard.
You just have to hold it in your mind and you can take whatever you want from it.
The Sun's Treasure.
You can keep Whatever's Precious to You.

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC] 

SHADOW MOON : 

Bring it back.
 

MAD SWEENEY :

How's it feel to lose your lucky coin? 

SHADOW MOON : 

I'm not gonna ask you again.
 

MAD SWEENEY :

You're not My Battle, Moon Shadow.
Promise me something and I promise I'll give it back.
 

SHADOW MOON : 

What do you want? 

[SHRIEKING IN THE DISTANCE] 

MAD SWEENEY :

You hear that wailing outside? 

Do you know what it means? 

SHADOW MOON : 

People get sad at a funeral home.

MAD SWEENEY :

Means Death is coming to This House.
Someone here is gonna die soon.
When the Time comes, don't get in the fucking way.
 

SHADOW MOON : 

What the fuck does that even mean? 

MAD SWEENEY :

You'll know.

[COIN TINKLING] 

Deal? 

SHADOW MOON : 

Yeah. Whatever.

MAD SWEENEY :

Wednesday — Me  — Fuck all the gods.
We're not The Heroes, Shadow.