The Death of Dick Long

The film opens with Dick Long, Zeke Olsen, and Earl Wyeth having a thrilling night filled with loud rock music, pranks, and fireworks. Their excitement sets a carefree tone, but this soon shifts dramatically.

The festive atmosphere crumbles when Dick suffers severe injuries under mysterious circumstances. The seriousness of his condition escalates as his friends make the shocking decision to dump him at an emergency room without revealing the truth.

Following the traumatic event, Earl returns home and tells Lake, his casual love interest, that he must leave town due to a family emergency. However, he postpones his departure to complete a brief shift at his job, further complicating matters.

Zeke wakes up and tries to deceive his wife, Lydia, into believing he's been asleep all night. The tension rises when he accidentally reveals Dick's wallet, leading to discoveries about their tumultuous night.

While rushing to get his daughter Cynthia to school, Zeke notices blood stains in the back seat of the car, which instantly fills him with panic. He hastily covers the evidence, showing the lengths he will go to maintain the facade.

Dr. Richter discovers Dick's lifeless body outside the hospital and rushes to notify the police. The doctors' initial conclusion regarding the cause of death raises serious concerns about foul play.

At a gas station, Cynthia innocently chats with Officer Dudley about her father's wallet. This chance encounter adds a layer of complexity to the investigation, increasing the tension for Zeke and Earl.

In a frantic attempt to cover up their tracks, Zeke urgently summons Earl to his home. Together, they work to clean the blood from the vehicle, revealing their growing desperation as the police close in on the truth.

Earl drives Cynthia to school, inadvertently crossing paths with Jane, Dick's oblivious widow. Their interactions illustrate the growing web of deceit that surrounds them, as they struggle to maintain normalcy.

The police, led by Sheriff Spenser and Officer Dudley, ramp up their investigation as rumors of a homicide spread through the community. Meanwhile, Lydia, sensing something amiss, tries to reach Zeke, increasing the stakes.

When confronted during questioning, Zeke finally breaks down and reveals to Lydia the shocking truth about Dick's death. This revelation dramatically alters their relationship as dark secrets come to light.

Zeke, overwhelmed by guilt, confronts the reality of their actions at Jane's stables. His emotional state leads to chaotic decisions, resulting in him attempting to release Comet, the horse involved in Dick's demise.

During the escalating confrontation at the stables, Zeke is confronted and arrested by Officer Dudley. The situation spirals out of control, resulting in heightened drama and tension among all characters involved.

After a sleepless night, Zeke receives unexpected news of his release which confuses Dudley. He tries to reconnect with his daughter at school but is met with hostility from Lydia, who demands he leave their lives.

As night descends, Zeke meets Earl and Lake at a motel to reflect on their troubled situation. Resigned to the uncertainty ahead, Earl strums a guitar, and they contemplate the heavy burden of their secrets.