All language subtitles for [English] A Woman of Independent Means (1995) _ Part 2 _ Sally Field _ Ron Silver _ Tony Goldwyn [DownSub.com]

(soft melodic music)

(soft orchestral music)

- [Bess] "Dear Rob, I
just asked Miss Appleton

to put us on the same
team for the spelling bee,

since we're the only two
people in the fourth grade,

who can spell perspicacious,
our team is sure to win."

(soft orchestral music)

"Dearest Mama, I have
seen enough of the world

or at least the world without Rob,

I'm coming home and will
be married this summer.

Please don't say anything to him

as I want to be the first to tell him."

(soft orchestral music)

"Dear Rob, Eleanor's finally asleep.

The physical therapy tires her so

and yet she fights every
night to stay awake,

afraid of missing anything.
(thunder rumbling)

She sat up today for the
first time since the accident

and wished you could be here to hold her.

I know the company requires

all your time and energy right now,

but I must admit, I wish the same."

(lightning cracking)
(thunder rumbling)

"Dear Papa and Mavis, I feel
as if I have just been born,

cut apart from the
presence that sustained me,

widow, my hand cramps with pain.

I'm terrified of tomorrow,

all the tomorrows I must face alone.

Please love me."
(melodic piano music)

"Dear Mr. Fineman, in
response to your telegram,

I do want you to sell all stock,

which you purchased in my name.

In the wake of my husband's death,

his company, Midwestern Life

has been brought to the
brink of bankruptcy.

I must prevent this at all costs.

The company was Rob's life
and I cannot stand back

and watch him die a second time.

(soft melodic music)

♪ I lost the sunshine and roses ♪

♪ I lost the heavens of blue ♪

♪ I lost the gladness
that turned into sadness ♪

♪ When I lost you ♪

(match striking)

(lightning cracking)
(thunder rumbling)

- Goodness!
(rain pattering)

- I don't wanna sleep on the floor.

- Well, it's just for tonight.

- But it's dirty.

- Well, we'll gather together your coats

and Aunt Totsie's quilt.
(thunder rumbling)

- I wanna go back to the farm.

- Daddy wouldn't make
us sleep on the floor.

- Darn it.
- Mama, let me try.

- Oh, goodness, my gosh, saints alive!

- I'm scared.

- Well, it's alright, it's gonna be fine,

I swear to you, it's gonna be fine.

There's nothing to be scared of.

Thank you.

Alright.

(Annie knocking)

Don't.
(thunder rumbling)

I'll get it, everything's fine, alright,

everything is fine.

(thunder rumbling)

Who's there?
(Annie knocking)

Who's there?

- [Annie] Mrs. Steed, it's Annie.

- Annie.
(lock clicking)

Annie.
(door clicking)

Annie, come in, oh, look!
(rain pouring)

- Annie!
- Annie!

- Annie!
- Oh, it's a baby.

Oh, look, it's a girl.

Annie, how did you know where we?

- Well, I heard from Mrs. Perkins' cook,

that Mrs. Banks told Mrs.

- Children, you go on
in to make your beds.

- Yes, Mama.

- Come in, Annie.

(thunder rumbling)

- Walls, well, a good scrub
with vinegar and Borax.

The floors too, huh?

Where's the kitchen?
- Annie.

I appreciate you coming,
but my financial situation,

(lightning cracking)
(thunder rumbling)

I can't afford to pay you or Matthew.

- Matthew's gone to California.

He doesn't like to have us now.

We're inconvenient, you know,

I'm not done.

- I'm sorry.

- Good riddance.

(rain pouring)
(children chattering)

Tomorrow I'll make this
place shine for you,

floorboard to rafter.

No money, ma'am, it's my house warming.

The kitchen?

(rain pouring)
(thunder rumbling)

(birds chirping)

- [Bess] "Dear Totsie,
I miss you desperately.

Was it only a week ago

I was in paradise with you on the farm?

My arrangement with Annie
seems to be working well,

she runs the household while
I provide food and shelter.

Beyond what we need to live,

I am committing every cent I
have to saving the company,

I must preserve Rob's dream,
it's all I have left of him."

- [Arthur] Mrs. Steed?

- Yes.

- Arthur Fineman.

- Mr. Fineman.

Oh, my goodness.

Mr. Fineman,

well, it's so good of you to...

Can I get you anything?

- No, thank you.

I sold your stock as you directed.

- This is everything?

- Yeah, I'm afraid so,
I did advise against it.

However, if you, ah, if
you wanna reinvest, you-

- No.
(children chattering)

(birds chirping)

Come and meet her.

- No, no, thanks.

- Mr. Fineman, Eleanor remembers only,

that once a long time ago,

she was struck by an automobile,

not a person, an automobile.

Children, come on over here.

Come on, hurry up,

I want you to meet a friend of the family.

This is Mr. Fineman, this is
Drew and Eleanor and Robin.

- Robert.

- Robert.

- How do you do?

- Oh, I'm very well, thank you.

- [Drew] Can you hammer?

- Ha-hammer? No.

- You can't hammer?

- No, so you all go on
back and hammer, go on.

Can't hammer.

- Well, it's very odd

to finally be speaking
with you face to face.

- Would you care for some lemonade?

- No, I, ah, I have to
get back to the office.

If I can help you in any way.

- No, I have everything under control.

- That's good.

- Bye.

(car rumbling quietly)

(birds chirping)
(children chattering)

- Now the employees have
tended to only agree

to a reduction in salaries
in return for stock options.

- You should've sold the damn operation,

while we could still get
50 cents on the dollar.

- Well, Gene, we thought
we could weather it,

that's why we closed the St. Louis office

and canceled Kansas City and
let go half the sales force.

- You still don't know
come here from sic them.

I move for a vote,

all those in favor of
declaring bankruptcy.

- Wait a minute.

Wait a minute, please.

This is not just about salvaging
our income, our investment.

- [Gene] The hell it isn't.

- But a policy to Rob was a promise.

You remember him, you
remember what he said?

He said we were gonna give the working man

a little peace of mind

and keep a widow and his
children off, off the streets.

Lydia, you remember that?

If Rob were here, he would
do everything in his power

to keep his promises.

Well, I pledge all of my assets

to help pay these claims.
- Bess.

My son would no more want
us to waste time and money

- This is not the way.
- On a failing concern,

than he would've wanted
us to take the bread

out of the mouth of his own children.

- These are not-
- to put into the mouths

of others, so yes, I want a vote.

All those in favor of
declaring bankruptcy.

(background people chattering)
- How could you do this?

The company was his life.

- His life is over, we must go on.

- [Gene] Are we gonna vote or not?

- [Chairman] Secret ballot.

(background people chattering)

- I didn't know what I was gonna say,

I just stood up and started talking.

Move around this way, sweetie.

- Mrs. Steed, the wings are all wrong.

- Oh, well, I'll, okay,
well, I'll do it up.

Wait a minute, I'm sorry,
I'll do it this way.

And my hands were shaking, Annie,

my hands were shaking
so much all the time,

I was hoping nobody would see them

and I still can't believe
it, I cannot believe it,

yes, one vote, we saved
the company with one vote.

I don't know whether Rob would be pleased

or disgusted about it.

Annie,

sit down, you've been
on your feet all day.

I wish you'd talk to me.

- Yes, Mrs. Steed.

- Annie.

- Sorry, Bess.

- Bess.

I can understand the stockholders
wanting to jump ship,

but Mother Steed of all people,

she is the one that should realize

how much that company meant to Rob.

(Matthew knocking)

Oh, I'll do it, I know what it is now.

Come on, this way, sweetie, alright.

(door clicking)
(Annie screaming)

Matthew, you should have sent a telegram.

- I wanted to see my wife and baby.

- Tell him I don't want to see him.

(teacups clattering)
He can rot in California.

Ask him why does he want
to see us now anyway,

we're inconvenient, remember.

- I miss you.

- I'm not speaking to you.

- I miss her and the baby

and there was no work
in California for me,

so I hurried back.

- Matthew, there is no work
for you here in this household.

- I'll do anything, I'll fix up the place,

the garden, anything at all.

- I can't pay you, I-I have
no money to pay you, Matthew.

- But you-you pay Annie.
- No, I don't.

Annie and I live together here as friends,

we are helping each other out.

I have no money to pay you.

- You have friends, you could
talk to them, find me a job.

- Why on Earth would I
wanna find you a job?

- Because you don't pay Annie

and she and the baby need money,

so I must work, now mustn't I?

- [Bess] "Dear Totsie, I
can no longer close my eyes

and imagine Rob beside me within reach,

it's like a second loss.

Our sacrifices on behalf
of Midwestern Life

seem to be working.

The company is making a
slow, but steady recovery

and yet as much as I have
struggled and prayed for this,

it leaves me empty somehow.

I thought I felt lonely in
adversity, that was nothing

compared to the isolation
I feel in triumph.

Unseemly as it may be
for a widow of one year,

I must admit that I long for more."

We haven't seen everything
in here yet, which one?

- [Eleanor] The doll next
to the sand, the tree

and behind the train.

- Well, yes, she's very
pretty, I like her a lot,

but sweetie, have you seen the little one

down there in the white dress?

I think she's very pretty.
- Yes, she is, still-

- Can we get a train,
can we get that train?

- Mrs. Steed.
- I don't.

- Please, Mama.
- Mr. Fineman, how are you?

- I'm fine.
- I'm fine too. (laughing)

Children, you remember Mr. Fineman?

- [Drew] He can't hammer.

- Why didn't you say hello?

- I'm sorry, that was very
rude of me, hello, Eleanor.

- No, I meant when you drove
by our house yesterday.

- I wanted to speak with you
about your financial affairs.

I was thinking we might
have a business dinner.

(gentle piano music)
(man singing in Italian)

- But this is so good.

Last time I had scallopini,
when was the last, I,

I guess it was this little
trattoria in Forenza.

My, my, this is just as good though.

- I eat here quite often,
the noodles are kosher.

- Oh.

- That was a joke.

(gentle piano music)
(man singing in Italian)

- Oh. (laughing)

- I wanna apologize for
neglecting your financial affairs

over the last few months,

I've been in Boston almost constantly.

- Mr. Fineman, there's
no need to apologize.

You sold my stocks, I'm in
no position to reinvest,

as far as I can see, there's
nothing here to neglect.

- Well, um, last summer, when
you asked me to sell them,

the timing was terrible.

The market was just beginning to move,

your stocks were just
starting to gain and, ah,

I didn't sell them.

- What about the money?

- That was a personal
loan, Longhorn Petroleum.

Last August, you would've
realized 40 cents on the dollar,

I sold them last week for four times

the amount that you paid

and the rest of your stocks
are still earning for you.

I have your portfolio here.

- No.

(gentle piano music)
(man singing in Italian)

I-I don't know how to thank you.

- I have been in your debt for years.

Since Eleanor's accident,
you have treated me

with nothing but kindness
and consideration,

not one word of blame.

Nothing I can do would ever repay that.

(Annie singing in foreign language)

(toys rattling)

(Annie singing in foreign language)

- [Eleanor] What is Daddy doing right now?

- What do you mean?

- [Eleanor] Do they
celebrate Christmas in Heaven

or is it always Christmas?

- He's not doing anything, he's dead.

- Robin.

- First people are sorry for a while

and then they go out to
dinner with other people.

- He's celebrating Christmas

just the way we're celebrating Christmas

and he's here with us right now.

He's here with us because
we think about him

and we love him and always will,

whether we go out or not.

"Darling Totsie, how
wonderful that while the world

is celebrating the Christ child's birth,

you and Dwight are
welcoming into your home

a little miracle of your own.

Give my love to Dwight Jr.,

he's blessed to have been
chosen by such dear people

and with a baby in the house,

I know Dwight will warm to fatherhood.

Although in retrospect, I
must admit that even Rob

seemed to enjoy the idea of his children

more than their actual company.

(car engine starting)

(car horn tooting)

- I thought you loved the opera.

- I do, I can't leave
the children at night.

(car door thudding)
- Why is that?

- Arthur, I have nothing to wear.

- This is very pretty.

- You think?

Well, the truth of the matter
is I can't bear the thought

of trying to make chit chat

with all the fair weather friends,

who've been gossiping
about me for the last year.

- That's okay, you won't have to.

We'll get there during the overture,

we'll stay in the box at intermission

and then we will slip out
during the curtain call.

- Genuine leather upholstery,
four-cylinder engine,

40 miles an hour on a country
road and etched glass.

- How much is it again?

- 200.

- It's 15,000 miles

plus the tires are gonna
have to be changed.

There's a hiss in the radiator.

- There's no hiss.

- Why don't you turn it on again?

- Alright, 175.

(Arthur humming)

(Bess laughing)

(Arthur singing in foreign language)

(Bess laughing)

- "The Pearl Fishers" closes in two weeks.

- Arthur, I'm not ready yet.

- Not ready for opera?

- And the good news is Nurse Jones said

I did the third best on
my entrance examination.

- Third?
(Matthew laughing)

Oh, well.

- And that I have a pleasing
manner with the patients.

- That's true, that's true.

- Well, happy Saint
Valentine's Day for everyone.

- And a lovely one it is. (chuckling)

- And I can pay my way
through nursing school

by cleaning at the hospital

and I've always wanted to be
a nurse, Matthew knows that.

- [Matthew] Right.

- [Annie] So I should do
it, shouldn't I, Mrs. Steed?

- What?

- [Annie] I should do
it, shouldn't I, Bess?

- Yes.
(Lydia knocking)

I'll get it, Annie, I can get it.

- Well, who would like some cake?

- Me!
- I know I would.

(door clicking)

(dog barking)

- I shouldn't be here.

Mother would just...

It was a year ago today that he passed on

and nobody will talk to me,
I can't, nobody will talk.

(background children chattering)

I go weeks feeling fine.
(train horn tooting)

Rob's gone, but I've accepted it

and then I'm making
soup or hanging laundry

and suddenly I can't stop crying,

hurts so much, I can hardly breathe.

- I know.

- I know he was my little brother,

but he always made me feel safe.

I'm not safe anymore.

I was glad that you stood
up to Mother like that

at the meeting, I thought you were right,

Rob would want to keep the company alive

and that's why I voted
against the bankruptcy.

- You did?

- [Lydia] Swear you'll never tell Mother.

- I won't.

- You never really move on, do you?

- I don't know.

(birds chirping)

(men singing opera in foreign language)

(melodic orchestral music)

(men singing opera in foreign language)

(melodic piano music)
(Bess laughing)

- "La Traviata."

- Not "Atelier" or "La
Bohee," I love "La Boheme."

- "La Traviata."
- Why?

Why was that your favorite
opera the entire season?

- Because of the way
you looked that night.

- Oh.
- And how you hummed along.

- I didn't hum.
- Yes, you did.

- No, I did not.
- Oh yes, you did.

- I did not hum.

(melodic piano music)

- I'm gonna miss you, Bess.

- Why don't you come and visit?

It's a beautiful spot, I've
rented it for the entire summer.

- Me on a farm in the country?

- Yeah.

- Although I will be in Boston
over the July 4th Weekend.

Now perhaps you could drive me?

(man singing opera in foreign language)

- [Bess] "Dear Totsie,

congratulations on
surviving Dwight Jr's colic,

after six months of whining
and crying, you need a respite.

Even though Mother Steed
still is not speaking to me,

Lydia and Manning are visiting
us this summer on the Cape.

I will leave the children with them,

so we can meet in Boston
for the 4th of July

and we can catch up on each other's lives

and you can catch up on your sleep.

PS, I thought you might be amused

by the mention of Mrs.
Bess Steed regularly seen

on the arm of financier, Arthur Fineman,

last page, bottom corner,

but at least I'm back
in the society section."

(goat bleating)

(birds chirping)

(chickens clucking)

- Look at me, Manning,
you wanna play baseball?

- No, thanks, Drew.

- You wanna hear what happened
when my house caught on fire?

- Oh, I-I've heard all about it.

- Drew, we're reading.

- Just let me finish this paragraph, okay.

- Okay.

Come on, Gordie.

- Uncle Manning.

I'm glad you're here.

- I am too, Robin.

- Manning's like a little boy,

he's practically jumping
out of bed in the morning.

I start teaching in a
few more weeks (sighing)

and it's such a lovely, little campus.

We'll all be able to
walk to school together,

since Marion's elementary's

just right across the street from college.

- Sounds perfect.

- I hope you don't feel,

that we're abandoning the company, Bess.

- No, Lydia, I don't.

I know that Manning was with the company

for so long because of Rob,

Rob knew that, he was always grateful.

I know how you wanna
move on with your lives

and move out of Dallas, I understand.

I'm grateful to you both.

That's the new recipe you have?

- As a matter of fact.
(both laughing)

- Does Manny know?

Oh!
(both laughing)

Lydia.

- [Lydia] Yeah?

- I was wondering

if I might ask you for a
really, really tremendous favor.

- Ah-huh.
- You see.

"Dear Arthur, I accept with
pleasure your invitation

to join you in Boston
for the July 4th Weekend.

The children cannot be
coaxed into leaving the farm

for even one day, but I'm so excited,

I have already reserved theater tickets

and hotel accommodations for us."

Oh, I'm so glad you could make it.

- It wasn't easy.
- You look wonderful.

- Well, Dwight didn't approve
of me coming here at all.

- Why not?

- Well, you know, leaving the baby.

- Oh, for goodness sake,
you could, why, Arthur.

Look, Totsie, it's my good friend,

Arthur Fineman from Dallas.

Arthur, what are you doing here?

♪ Let's misbehave ♪

- I'm, I'm here on business.

- Oh, well, what a coincidence.

This is my good friend, Totsie Davis,

we're here for the weekend
just renewing ourselves.

- It's a pleasure to meet you.

- Pleasure's mine.

- You aren't staying here
at the Plaza, are you?

- Yes.
(melodic jazz music)

- What a coincidence, so are we.

Perhaps you'd like to join us,

if it's alright with Totsie.

♪ Let's misbehave ♪

(fireworks exploding)

♪ When Adam won Eve's hand ♪

♪ He wouldn't stand for teasing ♪

♪ He didn't care about
those apples out of season ♪

♪ They say that Spring
means just one thing ♪

♪ To little lovebirds ♪

♪ We're not above birds ♪

♪ Let's misbehave ♪

♪ Let's misbehave ♪

♪ Let's misbehave ♪

♪ Let's misbehave ♪

(background people chattering)

- (laughing) Something to drink?

- Oh, maybe a glass of champagne?

- Totsie?
- No, thanks.

- Well, excuse me a moment.

- I quite like the way
he looks in a tuxedo,

don't you think?

- I'm sorry, I'm such an idiot.

- [Bess] Totsie, what's the matter?

- Just the way that he looks
at you and touches your arm,

he treats you like gold.

I thought that the baby would
bring us closer together,

but all we do is fight,

we're like strangers.

Sometimes I look at Dwight

and I can't even remember why I love him.

- Totsie.

Leave him.

- What?

- If things are as bad as you say,

you've got to change
it for your own sanity.

Totsie, Dwight takes you
for granted, he always has

and he will continue to
do so, until you show him

you're not dependent on
his love or his money.

- But that's way too drastic.

- Well, I know it is,
but you have to do it.

- I-I've got a child to think of.

- [Arthur] Bess, here you are.

- Thank you.

(cars rumbling quietly)

(melodic piano music)

No, Arthur.

- Sorry.

- It's my fault.

- No, no, I misunderstood, I presumed.

- I should have said something.

- Well, Bess, ah, perhaps
we, we should get going now.

- Why?

Arthur, we still have half
a bottle of champagne left.

- Well, you'll forgive me, if
I don't feel like celebrating.

- Now you are misunderstanding.

I turned down your proposal

not because I don't have
strong feelings about you,

but because I do,

there are moments I'd
rather share with you

than anyone else.

- As a friend?

- More than a friend,

you and I have something very special,

why conventionalize it
with a wedding ceremony?

- Conventionalize?

- You and I are a man and a
woman leading separate lives,

except for the precious moments
we freely choose to share.

How could marriage make us any happier?

- Well, I suppose that depends

on exactly which moments we're sharing.

- I always assumed that
decision would be mutual.

(water lapping)

(door thudding quietly)

- I wrote something.

- I thought you might.

- Would you like to hear it?

- Yes.

- Ah, don't look at me while I read.

"It was hot, so hot outside
that his shirt stuck to his back

and even the dune bugs were quiet,

but still, he could close his eyes

and remember how cold it had been

(door clicking)

the day his mother told him
that his father was dead."

(door thudding)

- Bess.

- Totsie.

(Totsie sobbing)

Totsie.

- I did it.
(baby fussing)

- Oh, Totsie.

Oh, Dwight.
- It's okay.

- [Bess] Oh, Totsie,
what are you gonna do?

- [Totsie] Move to Boston.

- [Bess] You don't know anyone in Boston,

isn't that a little drastic?

- [Totsie] Well, you told me to leave.

- -Bess] Yes, I did, but I
didn't think you'd do it.

- I was, I was sitting
at the breakfast table

watching him go tap, tap,
tap around the circumference

of his soft-boiled egg
before beheading it,

like he does each and
every day of his life

and suddenly I couldn't breathe.

I felt like he was tap,
tap, tapping on, on my head

and if I stayed one more
minute in that room,

I-I was gonna explode or, or commit murder

or I don't know what.

So I left.

(Bess sighing)

(melodic piano music)

(man singing in foreign language)

(bell dinging)
(steam hissing)

- [Conductor] Dallas, this is Dallas.

(man singing in foreign language)

- I wasn't sure I would see you again.

- Oh yes, you were. (laughing)

Look at you, three days on a
train, you're as fresh as ever.

- (laughing) I missed you.

- Well, the feeling was mutual.

Hello, how was your trip?

- I threw up.
- Drew!

- He came and vomited.
- Oh, I'm sorry.

- Oh, my Lord, come along,
come along. (laughing)

Totsie has left her husband.

- Oh.
- Yes, yes, I know, I know.

She's living in some miserable,
little flat in Boston

all by herself with the baby

subsisting on bouillon
and toast, I suspect.

Arthur, I want you to help her.

- Me?
- Yes,

she has a little income from her family,

but she knows nothing
whatsoever about investment.

Give her some of your
expert advice, will you?

Take her to lunch next
time you're in Boston.

See to it she eats something.

- (chuckling) Why not you?

- I can't, I can't do
anything, I'm her friend.

Do it for me, Arthur, please.

(melodic piano music)

Arthur.
(Arthur laughing)

(man singing in foreign language)

"Dear Totsie, the one nice
thing about having money again

is rediscovering the
pleasure of spending it,

not that I have become profligate.

My new house is lovely,
but not ostentatious,

not for this neighborhood anyway.

I have begun to buy acreage around town,

Arthur says real estate
is a waste of time,

especially considering how
much there is to be made

on Wall Street at the
moment, but I don't care.

Anyway, I find that I
prefer my investments

solid and fertilized and close
enough to keep my eye on."

(background people chattering)

♪ Sing we joyous, all together ♪

♪ Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la ♪

♪ Heedless of the wind and weather ♪

♪ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪

- Thank you.

♪ Silent night ♪

♪ Holy night ♪

♪ All is calm ♪

♪ All is bright ♪

♪ Round yon Virgin ♪

♪ Mother and Child ♪

♪ Holy Infant ♪

- So, I completely agree
with you, hold that thought.

Marthareen, the plum.

♪ God rest ye merry gentlemen ♪

(door thudding)

♪ Let nothing you dismay ♪

You're not enjoying dinner?

- It's just I like my vegetables right.

♪ Remember, Christ, our Savior
was born on Christmas Day ♪

- I don't believe I know you.

- Sam Garner, I came with the Townsends.

- Well, help yourself, Mr. Garner,

if those aren't fresh enough,
there's a garden out back.

- Wait a minute.

♪ O tidings of comfort and joy ♪

How do you do?
- How do you do?

- Good grip.

♪ Let nothing you dismay ♪

Play golf?

- No.

- Would you like to?

- No.

(melodic jazz music)
(ball thudding)

Blast!

- Need to listen.

- Just practice, I know the game.

- The game's changed now,
just right in here, elbows up.

- How did you happen to
land in Dallas, Mr. Garner?

- Well, it's always been the destination.

- For an engineer, I would've
thought Boston or New York.

- They're already built, this
is where the future lies,

(chuckles) my future anyways.

- I hear you leave
somewhat of a past behind.

Come on, ooh!

- Something like that.

- Not that divorce shocks me.

They say she's a very fine doctor,

by the way, very successful.

Grace Townsend says you're just not fond

of professional women.

(golf ball thudding)

- I'm not that fond of anybody.

- My husband got along with everyone.

Everyone just loved him.

- Guess I don't see much point in that.

I would much rather be
loved by just one person.

- Well, good luck, I hope
you get what you want.

- So do I.

- That's enough practice,
let's play this game.

"Dearest Totsie,

Arthur spends so much
time in Boston lately,

that I worry he's
driving himself too hard.

Next time you two go to dinner,

remind him that there's
more to life than work.

He doesn't listen when I tell him.

I'm glad he has your company,

when his business takes him to
Boston and that you have his.

You might remind him that
my birthday is coming up

(Arthur knocking)

on the 17th and that I adore rubies."

(door clicking)

- [Marthareen] Why, Mr.
Fineman, how are you?

- How are you today, Marthareen?

- Fine, thank you, sir.

Is Mrs. Steed expecting you?

- No, I just thought I'd stop by.

- [Marthareen] Yes,
sir, would you come in?

(melodic piano music)

(door thudding)

- How's the market?

- Good, very good. How's the golf game?

I'm surprised she's taken to it actually,

she doesn't much like physical exertion

unless it's on the dance floor.

- That's interesting.

I find Bess pretty much
gives herself over completely

to whatever physical
challenge presents itself.

♪ When Adam won Eve's hand ♪

♪ He wouldn't stand for teasing ♪

♪ He didn't care about
those apples out of season ♪

♪ They say the spring
means just one thing ♪

♪ To little lovebirds ♪

♪ We're not above birds ♪

♪ Let's misbehave ♪

(car rumbling quietly)

- If you marry Mr. Fineman,

do I still get to be Eleanor Steed?

- [Bess] What?

- Eleanor Fineman, no, I don't like it.

- Eleanor, I'm not going
to marry Mr. Fineman.

- What about Mr. Garner?

Eleanor Garner, hm.

- I'm not gonna marry anyone.

- But you have to.
- Why?

- Because you're always with them

and they think that you're going to.

- Eleanor, I enjoy their company,

it does not mean I have to marry them.

Oh, here, oh, well, I couldn't
marry them both, could I?

I-I'd have to choose.

- [Eleanor] Well then, pick one.

- Why should I?

- Because it's not nice.

- Oh.

(siren wailing)

Oh, my goodness!

- Afternoon, ma'am.

- Afternoon.

- Did you know you were
going seven miles an hour?

♪ Let's misbehave ♪

- Oh, my.

Sorry.

"Dear Totsie, sometimes I think the world

would be a more interesting
place, if on coming of age,

everyone moved into a house of his own

and shared his life with
a variety of other people

at mutually arranged times and places."

(door clicking)
Arthur.

"That seems much more realistic to me

than the monogamy thrust
upon us by convention."

You have been spending
so much time in Boston,

I feel neglected, how
was Totsie and the baby?

I hear he's saying your name now.

Knowing how fond you are of children,

that must just terrify you.

- Bess, I need to talk to you.

- Before I forget, I want
you to go over the menu

for Saturday night's dinner party.

You still think it's too
early for lobster bisque?

- Totsie and I are getting married.

- What are you talking about?

- I know, I know this is a shock to you,

it's a shock to us as well,
we never intended for this.

- I don't believe you.

How could you take advantage
of her like that, Arthur?

- I want her to be my wife.

I came to ask you to be
a witness at our wedding,

we want your blessing.

- My blessing?

- Bess.

- Arthur,

Arthur,

oh, Arthur, I never, ever
should have asked you

to visit Totsie in Boston.

- I love you, Bess and I
always will, you know that,

but I want a wife, you want, God knows,

I-I could never figure
out what you wanted.

(both laughing)

- Well, right now, I
want your handkerchief.

(Bess sobbing)

I'm so angry at you.

- I know.

- [Bess] "Dear Lydia and Manning,

my dearest friends, Arthur
Fineman and Totsie Davis

have decided to join
their lives in marriage.

I had no idea their friendship was heading

towards such a conventional conclusion,

it was only a year ago
that I introduced them.

In fact, Arthur proposed to me

during that same trip to Boston.

I never realized that
rejecting his proposal

would push him into the
arms of my oldest friend,

although I suppose not a man
alive can remain oblivious

to the charms of a damsel in distress."

Do you think he'll be well
enough to travel, Doctor?

Goodness knows, we could
cancel this whole trip.

- Let's see here, he'll be alright.

101, he's fine, just
a little virus is all.

- Are you sure?
- Yeah.

- Well, thank you very much
for coming out, Doctor.

Maria, would you show him out?

"I must celebrate their wedding,

if I am to maintain their friendship.

Since you have rented
the Cape Cod farmhouse

for the summer, I hope you
will let the children visit,

while I attend the ceremony in Boston."

Put your pajamas on now.

(train horn tooting)

(train rumbling)

(bell dinging)

(footsteps tapping)

Manning, help me, it's Robin, it's Robin!

(gentle orchestral music)

(ice cubes clanking)

(gentle orchestral music)

(ice cubes clanking)

(gentle orchestral music)

- No, I can't.

I can't, it's too hot outside.

- [Bess] Take this.

(water sloshing)

- I love you, Mama.

- I love you, Robin.

Take it, Robin, good boy.

Oh, God.

- [Manning] We appreciate
your help, Doctor.

- [Doctor] We've made him
as comfortable as we can.

- [Bess] But it was nothing when we left,

the doctor said it was
just a little virus.

- [Doctor] I'm sorry, Mrs. Steed,

your son has spinal meningitis.

- Mama, make him give it back.

Mama.
- It's alright, sweetie,

it's alright, Mama's here.

Go back to sleep, Robin, go back to sleep.

(Bess gasping awake)

Oh, Totsie. (sobbing)

Arthur.

I can't believe you're here.

- [Totsie] Bess, where else would we be?

- [Bess] Well, on your honeymoon.

You're gonna miss your cruise.

- [Arthur] There'll be another.

- [Totsie] Where are Eleanor and Drew?

- Manning took them to the farmhouse,

I thought that would be better.

It might be a while before Robin recovers.

- [Robin] Mama!

Could I sleep outside all summer, please?

- We'll have to talk to the doctor.

- All I need is a pillow,
not even a blanket.

- Sweetie, maybe, maybe one blanket.

- I don't mind if the others are afraid.

Drew, I didn't call you a chicken.

Mama, I didn't call Drew a chicken.

- Arthur, get the doctor.
- But I wanna sleep outside.

- [Bess] Lay down, Robin.

- Mama, you promised.
- Sweetie, lay down.

- [Robin] I wanna sleep outside.

- Robin.

You are outside.

(gentle orchestral music)

- I am?

- [Bess] Yes, you are.

- I'll sleep outside all summer.

I'm not afraid.

(gentle orchestral music)

- I know you're not.

(Bess sobbing)
(gentle orchestral music)

You're my Robin.

(traffic rumbling quietly)
(typewriter keys tapping)

- I need to send several telegrams.

The first one goes to
Lydia and Manning Shepherd.

(gentle orchestral music)

- [Lydia] God. (sobbing)

- You can't get me, you can't get me!

(Lydia sobbing)

(gentle orchestral music)

- Oh, Drew, sweetheart, come here.

- No!

- Drew, son.
(door thudding)

(bell dinging)

(train rumbling quietly)

- [Conductor] St. Louis,
St. Louis, Missouri.

- [Arthur] This is St. Louis,

so I'll go find the
conductor and make sure

that Rob's coffin is loaded
onto the baggage car.

- Who is your friend, Bess,

the one who's supposed
to be meeting us here,

the one who's got Rob's coffin
ready, is that Mrs. Maxwell?

(steam hissing)

- [Arthur] We'll make certain

that everything's been arranged.

(steam hissing)

(door clicking)

- Bess, can I get you anything?

(door thudding)

- [Conductor] Next train now departing.

- There.

- [Conductor] Wichita,
Oklahoma City and Dallas.

(door clicking)

- I-
- Mrs. Maxwell?

- I don't know what to say,

except I'm so sorry.

I can't imagine anything more horrible.

Your poor heart must be absolutely broken.

First your husband and now
your first born, my God,

how much is one woman expected to take?

- [Totsie] Thank you very
much for your sympathy,

Mrs. Maxwell, but I don't think that Bess-

- At least father and son
can sleep side by side

eternally in Dallas, there's a comfort.

Oh, I brought some friends, Bess,

do you remember the Jessamine sisters?

They just want to pay their last respects.

- God bless you, dear and remember,

he never gives you more
than you can abide.

- We brought you a little something.

- Yea, though I walk through the valley-

- I'll take that.
- Of the shadow of death.

- Thank you very much.
- I will fear no evil,

for thou art with me.
- Of course,

we support prohibition.
- Thy rod and thy staff.

- Of course.
- They comfort me.

- Psalms are from spirit.
(train horn tooting)

- Thou anointest my head with
oil, my cup runneth over.

- Ladies, Mrs. Steed is very appreciative

of your kindnesses.
- I'm so sorry.

- But we are about to go.
- Write when you can.

- [Arthur] The train is about to leave,

thank you so much, thank you.

- [Mrs. Maxwell] And do
take care of yourself.

(bell dinging)
- No, no.

Rob, Rob, Rob!
- They've put Rob's coffin's

on the wrong side!
- Rob, Rob, no, Rob, God!

- Bess, it's okay.
- Rob's coffin!

- Go tell them it's on the wrong train.

- Rob's coffin, Totsie,
Rob's coffin. (sobbing)

- Arthur's gonna take care
of it, he'll be here soon.

(train rumbling)

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

(waves lapping)
(birds chirping)

(gentle orchestral music)

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

- [Totsie] Well, thank you,
Sam, this was very thoughtful.

- They're fresh, very sweet.

- Would you like to come in for a visit?

- No, thank you. Is she gonna be okay?

- I don't know, but I'll
tell her you were by.

(gentle orchestral music)

- Chin up, darling,

you must eat.

You are my heart, kid.

(Andrew singing very softly)

Get well please.

- Hello, Mavis.

- Annie, you needn't come
every day, Bess won't mind.

- I would.

- Thank you.

(crow cawing)
(gentle orchestral music)

- Afternoon, Mavis.

- [Mavis] Oh, they're beautiful.

- How is she?

- [Mavis] Same.

(gentle orchestral music)

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

- "And there would be more
chicks, if Uncle Manning

didn't always have to
have eggs for breakfast.

When are you coming, Mama?

Eleanor spends all day in the tree.

Sometimes I think I
see Robin in the field,

but when I get there, I'm alone.

I miss you, Mama, please
come soon, love Drew."

- Did you see what a beautiful
day it was today, Bess?

- What's that?

- Oranges,

Mr. Garner brought them for you.

(door clicking)

- Bess Steed.

Oh, come on, get out of that bed.

Bess, believe me, I know
exactly what you are feeling.

- I'm sorry, madam, but you must leave.

(blind rattling)

- And perhaps now you will not be so smug

as to deny me my right
to see my grandchildren.

- I didn't.

- Bess, you have two children out there,

who need you desperately
and that's more than I had!

- Mother, Mother,

Mother, how dare you, how dare you!

(door thudding)

(birds chirping)

(soft piano music)

(teacup rattling)

(soft piano music)

- Kitchen.

Very best produce I've
seen, Texas has, very best

and according to the farmer I buy from,

they're changing the entire
Texas agriculture diversity,

introducing all kinds of
new crops, new technologies.

They're bringing in it.

(birds chirping)

Bess,

I'm so damn sorry.

- [Bess] "Dear Lydia and Manning,

today I left the house for the first time

since attempting to turn it
into my own tomb months ago.

Sam Garner arrived at my
door with a picnic basket

he had packed himself,
I couldn't refuse him,

he's been so kind and solicitous to me.

- [Sam] Beautiful, isn't it?

- Perfect day.

(gentle orchestral music)

I used to have to chase Robin outside

on a day like this to play.

- I remember, always had
his nose stuck in a book.

- Ever since he was little,

he'd always carry a book around

like a blanket, a comfort.

- You know, he asked me once,

would I rather be eaten by a
crocodile or walk the plank.

(both laughing)

- He did?

Ah, he loved those adventure stories

and I, I laid him to rest

with his copy of "Kidnapped."

You think that's silly?

- No.

(gentle orchestral music)

(birds chirping)

(Dwight Jr. laughing)

- Robin.

- Bess,

look at you.

- Bess, you look good.

(object clattering)
- Dwight.

- Isn't it wonderful how
independent they are at this age?

- Wonderful, yes.

- I got up, Totsie.

- I've got good news, we
just had our bid accepted

on that house just three blocks away,

so we finally get to be neighbor ladies.

- Mama.
- Sweetheart,

he is old enough to listen now.

- Oh, he's just two years old.

- But we spend all day chasing after him.

- Oh, can we not talk about
this right now, please?

- Oh, you two are going on your honeymoon.

- [Totsie] What?

- I'll take care of Dwight Jr.

- Oh, but Bess, he's so much work

and you're all by yourself.

- No, I'm not, the
children are coming home.

- [Totsie] They are? That's wonderful.

- Why didn't you tell us?

- I didn't know, 'til right now.

(train rumbling quietly)

"Dearest Papa and Mavis, I know now

that I should have rushed right
to my two precious children

instead of staying away so long.

Somehow I thought it would
be easier for all of us,

if we remained apart
until I found the strength

to go on living, how
foolish of me not to realize

that they are the source of
any strength I may have."

(soft orchestral music)

- Here we go.

(electricity crackling)

(soft orchestral music)

- Magic!
- No, it's electricity,

the wind turns the wheel
and that turns the dial

and that makes-
- Current.

- [Drew] Yeah, current.

- [Eleanor] Oh, Drew, don't spoil it.

(soft orchestral music)

- [Sam] May I have this dance?

- I don't know if you're
safe after that shock.

(soft orchestral music)

(all laughing)

Oh, did I, did I step on your foot, oh?

Oh, oh, don't do that now.

(soft orchestral music)

- Something wrong?
- No,

no, Eleanor, Drew, come on,

we have to go in for supper now.

- No!
- Yes, yes.

- But what about our invention?

- Well, we will come back out tomorrow

and we'll take it down.
- Is something wrong?

It's really very safe there holding-

- No, no, Sam, nothing is wrong.

Thank you very much for coming,
we'll see it another time.

- Bye, Sam.

- Bye, bye, darling.

(children chattering in distance)

- [Bess] "Dear Rob, who else
can I confide in but you?

Not even Totsie could
understand the turmoil I feel,

I hardly understand it myself.

When we joined our lives, I
could give my heart and did,

it shattered the day you died

and time and necessity mended it somewhat.

And I found solace in
Arthur, but he left me too

and Robin followed you.

And now it seems that if my
heart breaks one more time,

it won't survive the
damage, so it terrifies me,

when this heart leaps at the sight of Sam,

that my first instinct is to run to him

makes me frantic to run from him.

He is kind and sincere,
he adores our children

and he can soothe me
and make my blood rush,

but I don't want that.

I have lost too many, I
feel just strong enough

to love the few I have left and no more."

(birds chirping)

(cicadas chirping)

(door clicking)

- He's here.

- Ah.

- Don't you wanna go?

- Not particularly.

- Good, I'll tell him you're sick.

- No, you won't, no, you won't.

- We can make hot chocolate
and play Checkers.

Why go if you don't want to?

- People are expecting me.

- [Eleanor] What are you expecting?

- Don't you look charming?

- And you, my dear, are no
mean accessory yourself.

(Bess laughing softly)

- Say goodnight to Mr. Blackstone.

- Goodnight, Mr. Blackstone.

- Goodnight, Emily.

(soft orchestral music)

(melodic orchestral music)

- I must admit I was surprised,

when you accepted my invitation.

I was under the impression
that, you'll laugh at this,

that you didn't like me.

- Oh.
(Howard laughing)

- Here all this time,

after stomping you and
Garner on the links,

I was under the impression
you were hiding from me.

You did call me a lying cheat, you recall

and said I was common as pig trash.

(Bess laughing)

(melodic orchestral music)

- I said that?

- Yes, you did and a number
of other things as well.

Oh, Garner, looks as though
you've lost your partner,

can't seem to win on the course or off.

- You look thirsty to me, Howard.

- Why, no, I don't...

- Howard Blackstone, that
pathetic little trust fund weasel?

You despise him, Bess.

- Sam, you're making a scene.

- Then dance with me.

(melodic orchestral music)

Ever noticed how we get on best,

when you don't actually speak?

- Sam.

You're making a scene.

Totsie, Totsie.

I have been just dying to dance
with this husband of yours.

- What?

- May I at least lead?

- Yes, lead, of course.

- Well, are you just
gonna let me stand here

with my teeth in my mouth?

(melodic orchestral music)

(Drew roaring)

- Master Andrew, you scared me to death.

- How did you know it was me?

- Alright, Margareen
we're almost ready to go.

Now we might need-
- How come Drew

gets to wear face paint when I don't?

- Andrew, look, oh, I
dearly hope the blood stains

on your face have not been
made with my lip rouge.

- Trick or treat!

- I'm sorry, Sam, we're just leaving.

- [Drew] Sam!

- Can we carve it with Sam, Mama, please?

- Oh, you have already
carved 100 pumpkins.

- But he's good at it.
- We'll be late for the party.

Alright, I'll take off my damn gloves.

- And our feet were burning,
I could feel the skin melting.

The fireman came and had this big net,

me and Robin wrapped our
arms around each other

and we jumped!

- [Eleanor] Drew, we've
heard this 1000 times.

(light melodic music)

- [Drew] Do you think
Robin was afraid to die?

- I don't know, Drew.

- Think he was mad at me?

- I don't think Robin was mad at you, son.

- Is Robin a ghost now or an angel?

- I'm not the person you
should ask that sort of thing.

Your mother would know better.

- I can't ask Mama, it would make her sad.

- You know what I think?

I think that if you was to talk
to your mother about Robin,

she would like that.

- Children, we have to go now.

What's the matter?

- Nothing.

(soft melodic music)

See you soon, Bess.

(door clicking)

(door thudding)

(soft orchestral music)

(car rumbling)

♪ Abba dabba dabba dabba
dabba dabba dabba ♪

♪ Said the Monkey to the Chimp ♪

♪ Abba dabba dabba dabba
dabba dabba dabba ♪

♪ Said the Chimpee to the Monk ♪

♪ All night long they would chatter away ♪

♪ All night long they were happy and gay ♪

♪ Swinging and singing
in a honky, tonky way ♪

♪ Abba dabba dabba dabba
dabba dabba dabba ♪

♪ Says Monkey, I love you ♪

♪ Abba dabba dabba in monkey talk means ♪

♪ Chimp, I love you too ♪

♪ And the big Baboon, one night in June ♪

♪ They married them and very soon ♪

♪ They went upon their abba dabba dabba ♪

♪ I don't mean ahaba dobba babba ♪

♪ I just mean my abba dabba honeymoon ♪

(birds chirping)

- [Sam] There you go, son.

- [Bess] Cover him with that blanket,

it'll be cold on the way home.

- [Sam] You can talk to me now.

- What do you mean?

- Hardly said but three
words to me all day.

- Sam, I've been reading my book.

- Bess, I'd like to talk to you.

- It's a very, very interesting book,

all about a woman who's suffocating

under the confines of society,

particularly the conventions of marriage.

- Marriage is suffocating?

- Well, it is to this character,

free spirit, ahead of her time.

- What time is that?

You don't think marriage is suffocating.

- I've always been fascinated
by alternative living styles.

Why does one person have to be
everything to another person?

Why does society insist that
we share every experience

with the same partner?

I don't know,

I, I think people are more
complicated than that,

don't you agree?

- Nope.

- Oh Sam, you are so difficult.

- What's the name of this book anyway?

"Madame Bovary," she kills herself!

- Ssh, it's a metaphor.

(car door thudding)

- Bess, you're not like that.

You want the same thing I want.

- Don't tell me what I want.

- My mistake.

- [Bess] "My dear Rob,
I've been grieving all day,

not for Robin or for
you, but for my mother.

So many years she's been gone
and yet I cried this morning

as if I had just lost her.
(gentle piano music)

Strange how grief doubles
back on you, ambushes you.

I feel so alone, yet
the remedy frightens me

more than this isolation.

How I long for the simplicity

of the engineer's clean
lines and precise angles.

I wish someone would explain myself to me,

tell me what to do.

I wish I still had my mother or yours."

(bell dinging)
(tram rumbling quietly)

- [Dwight] Bess!

- Dwight, my goodness, what
are you doing here in Dallas?

- Oh, business and, and visiting my son,

when Totsie will let me.

- My goodness, I had no idea

you had such tender feelings for him.

- Neither did I, until he was gone.

Bess, I am starved for a friendly face,

will you have lunch with me?

- Oh, Dwight, I can't, I
have the Shakespeare Society-

- And the Garden Club
and the Library Committee

and the Philharmonic
will all still be there,

when we've finished, come on.

(background people chattering)

(door clicking)

I wish I could take you
back with me to Manhattan,

I could use a woman's touch

furnishing the big old
barn of an apartment.

- I wish I could go.

- Is that true or are
you just being Southern?

- Dwight.

You know, when, when I first met you,

I didn't like you very much.

- You liked me alright, you
just didn't like my money.

- Oh, well, I didn't
like the way you used it

to intimidate Rob.

- Rob could have cared less.

- Yeah.

I really have to go.

- [Dwight] Do you really
wanna visit New York?

- Dwight, you are my
best friend's ex-husband.

- Well, didn't your best
friend marry your ex-consort?

You could think of it as poetic justice.

- I have to go.

(bell dinging)
(train rumbling quietly)

("Deck the Halls")

- [Mavis] Merry Christmas.

- I'm so glad you came, Mavis,

Merry Christmas, welcome.
- Thank you.

- A house should be full at Christmas,

whether it's your house of
ours, it should be full.

- I know.
- Bess.

- Sam.

- I was hoping I'd get to
meet you both before leaving.

Sam Garner, sir.

- How do you do?

We read a bit about
you from Bess' letters.

- We were gonna make cookies
and trim the tree tonight.

- Don't you remember, darling?

I told you, I have to go to
Philadelphia, sign some papers,

but I'll be back before
New Year's, I promise.

(train horn tooting)

Bye now.

- Sam.

(soft orchestral music)

Sam!

- Bye, Sam!
- Bye, Sam!

- Happy Christmas!
- Happy Christmas!

- Don't feel you have to hurry back.

- I wanna hurry back.

- Well, after you sign those
papers, you'll be legally free,

you can go anywhere, anytime with anyone.

We appreciate your kindness, Sam,

but don't feel there ought to
be any permanent consequences.

(Sam blowing kiss)

(train rumbling quietly)

- A reindeer wearing a harness

with the word Donder
burnt into the leather.

- No.
- He'd lost a shoe.

So I shoed it and went back
in to fetch a curry comb

and when I came back out again,

he was gone, just disappeared.

Ever since then, I've
never found a lump of coal

in my Christmas stocking.

(paper rustling)
(Drew gasping)

- [Drew] Grandpa, look!

- Oh, look at that, isn't that great?

- Drew, Drew, smile.

(camera clicking)
(Bess laughing)

- Mama, look!
- What did you get?

Who gave you that?
- Sam.

- Oh.
- Mama, look what I got.

- Did Sam give you that?

- Yes.
- Oh, it's-

- Eleanor, that is the most beautiful rod.

He's so considerate.
- Yes.

- And do you know how to use it, sweetie?

- It's a wonderful doll, but look,

look at the lovely doll
that Santa brought you.

- Yeah and you take it and you reel it.

(family chattering)

- [Drew] Whoo, whoo, whoo!

- [Eleanor] And you wait and
when you feel it, pull it.

(mailman knocking)
(family chattering)

(door clicking)

- Delivery for Mrs. Steed?

- [Bess] Yes.

There you are, Merry Christmas.

- Bye now.

(door thudding)

("Silent Night")
(family chattering)

(Bess laughing softly)

- Dwight Davis, what are you doing?

Sending me a fox fur muff?

Well, it is gorgeous, but
I, I can't wear it here.

It's not cold enough, hardly ever.

I was wondering if your invitation
to visit you in New York

was still open, I, I could
wear it there. (laughing)

(cicadas chirping)

"Dear Sam, thank you for
your dinner invitation

for Saturday, I am sorry I cannot accept

as I will be on my way to New York

that night to visit an old friend,

I must have some time away
from the routine of family life

to see if I am still a
person I would care to know.

The French say au revoir to
someone they hope to see again."

(door thudding)
- Bess!

- "So instead of goodbye."
- Bess?

- "Maybe just say au revoir, Sam."

What on Earth, you can't
just come over here like this

without letting me know,
you have to tell me.

- Bess, marry me.

- No, no.

I can't go through that
again, Sam, I can't.

My life is fine, I have my children,

I don't need anybody
else, I don't need you,

I don't want you, go
away and leave me alone.

Sam.

- Bess.

Marry me.

(Bess sobbing)

(soft orchestral music)

- [Mavis] "Elizabeth Alcott Steed,

daughter of Andrew and
Abigail Alcott of Honey Grove,

widow of Robert Randolph
Steed of Dallas and St. Louis,

mother of Eleanor Elizabeth
and Andrew Alcott Steed."

- [Totsie] "Elizabeth Alcott Steed,

daughter of Andrew and
Abigail Alcott of Honey Grove,

widow of Robert Randolph
Steed of Dallas and St. Louis,

mother of Eleanor Elizabeth
and Andrew Alcott Steed."

- "Widow of Robert Randolph-
- "Is pleased to announce."

- [Manning] "Randolph Steed
of Dallas and St. Louis,

mother of Eleanor Elizabeth
and Andrew Alcott Steed

is pleased to announce,

that she will join her life in marriage

to Samson Arlington Garner
of Philadelphia and Dallas

on Independence Day,
the 4th of July, 1922."

- I don't know why you're so upset.

- [Sam] Because you obviously
don't trust me, that's why.

- That's ridiculous, when
you draw up a contract

with a limited partner-
- That's business.

- Exactly, that's a short term agreement,

whereas marriage is a lifetime covenant.

- Between two people who love each other!

- Between two people who
being human might change

or lose sight of what's fair
in a difficult situation.

(clock chiming softly)

- Now,

I don't wanna see that damn document again

as long as I live.

- Alright.

"Marriage contract between
Elizabeth Alcott Steed

and Samson Arlington Garner.
("Here Comes the Bride")

Husband and wife will continue

to maintain separate bank accounts

from their separate sources of income.

A home will be constructed at
the expense of Elizabeth Steed

on property owned by Sampson Garner.

Elizabeth Steed will assume responsibility

for all expenses of running a home.

Samson Garner will pay her a monthly sum

equivalent to one-fourth said expenses.

("Here Comes the Bride")

- [Officiant] Who gives
this bride to be married?

- We do.
(Andrew laughing)

- We do.

- We all do.

("Here Comes the Bride")

(melodic jazz music)

♪ You had a dream ♪

♪ Well, I had one too ♪

♪ I know mine's best ♪

♪ 'Cause it was of you ♪

♪ Come, sweetheart, tell me ♪

♪ Now is the time ♪

♪ You tell me your dream ♪

♪ I'll tell you mine ♪

♪ You tell me your dream ♪

♪ I'll tell you mine ♪

(light melodic music)