SYNOPSIS:
Myrtice Holt, a somewhat eccentric, retired waitress who has never realized her dream of owning property, decides to buy a cemetery plot, deeming it “my very own land, at last!” Before long, she plants flowers, brings a lawn chair and her lunch, and settles in, getting friendly with all the people who come and go - particularly with one woman who discovered her husbands infidelity after his death and comes regularly to whack his tombstone with her large pocketbook.
Myrtice and Mr. Hunnicut, the cemetery manager spar continually, especially when she begins to jog all around the area, and to sun bathe regularly on her plot. When she uses the plot address, “Meditation Lane,” for her mail, it threatens to be the last straw.
At one point, Myrtice catches flower thieves and gets her picture in the paper. The front page again beckons when she later pickets and marches to bring attention to the outdated rule of corporate good-old-boys who have allowed the cemetery to remain all white. When people read her sign, they begin to get in line behind her and join the march.
She is endlessly fascinated by the happenings at the cemetery, and endears herself to the caretaker and others who come to her for advice.
Throughout, Mr. Hunnicut has found Myrtice completely exasperating, but gradually comes under her spell like everyone else, and even finds himself fatally charmed. |
