Original subtitles

And we've been together for a million years.

And I bet we'll be together for a million more.

It's like I started breathing on the night we kissed.

When I can't remember what I ever did before.

What would we do, baby, without us?

What would we do, baby?

Hey,

what are you doing with my paper? I need a... We're going to recycle it.

Wait till it's been cycled first, okay?

It's this kind of militant behavior that gives you environmentalists a bad name.

Environmentalists don't have a bad name.

They do with Alex.

The whole idea of recycling is ridiculous.

It's a waste of time.

Listen, Alex.

real danger.

There's a limitation to the Earth's resources, and if we all do our share,

entire life support structure is in danger of collapsing and destroying life

Earth as we know it.

Grow up, will you, Jennifer?

Bad news, kids. No sweets, no treats, no meat. Lots of yogurt. Some stuff from

Bulgaria. It's not from Bulgaria, Mallory. It is bulgur. It's a fine

it's rich in vitamins, minerals, and iron.

Looks like cattle food.

Hi, Justin.

Hi. You save for dinner?

Gee, I wish I could.

Maybe some other time.

Hello?

Mrs. Perkins? Justin, your mother's not here.

That kind of teasing can really hurt. How are you holding up, Justin?

Frankly, I'm above it.

I know that the other kids find it strange that me and Jennifer are such

friends, but we should be friends no matter what.

The fact that Jennifer's a girl just makes it more exciting to me.

You're going to do real well in high school, you know.

Well, this will cheer you up anyways.

I've got a terrific idea for your birthday party.

It's your idea.

It's going to involve boys.

Well, of course it involves boys.

I mean, a bunch of girls sitting around is not a party. It's a way.

How could you get an attitude like that? I have a great time when I'm just with

my women friends.

Well, that's different, Mom.

You're married.

It's over for you.

Do me a favor and don't tell your father.

Anyway, my idea is to have a 50s party.

Funny music and funny skirts. You put grease in your hair and you look really

silly. It's neat.

of the 50s.

Hello. Hi, Justin.

Oh, great, you got bulger.

You guys really stick together, don't you?

Hello?

Mrs. Perkins?

Is your mother here, Justin?

Just for information, we happen to be above there, you baby.

Says you?

Am not.

I have a feeling I missed something.

teasing Jennifer because she plays with Justin.

Yeah, they've been calling here all afternoon.

Oh, but they're just jealous, that's all. Well, you have to admit, though, it

a little bit unusual.

I mean, you know, an intersexual relationship at that age.

Sounds unusual at any age.

Let me get it.

Now, listen, this is going to have to stop. This is our home, and your calling

here is childish, it's annoying, and we really don't appreciate the intrusion in

our lives.

It's your mother.

stop ringing anyway.

Great. I think it's going to be quite a while before my mother calls again.

Well, at least something good has come out of this.

That's a little sad, though, isn't it?

After all that's happened in the past 15 years or so, eliminating sexual

stereotypes, improved communication between men and women, and still, fourth

grade boys and girls don't get along very well.

Oh, no. Did you play with girls when you were 10? Of course not. What do I look

like, a sissy?

That was different. That was before Sesame Street, before Consciousness

before Ms. Magazine, what we men like to refer to as the good old days.

Is that so?

Actually, no.

These are the good old days.

Would you guys cut it out? There were young children in the house.

I've seen worse.

Why does this bother you so much?

That's something that parents should be doing.

At least those are normal kisses, like when your friends are here. Jennifer!

You should see it. They try to bite each other's tongues off. Jennifer!

It's called Dutch kissing.

I thought I'd barf.

I'm going out to get a hamburger.

I'll come with you. Where are you going? You just had dinner.

No, I just had vulgar lentils mixed greens. That's only dinner if you're a

heifer or a gerbil.

You coming, Jess?

No. I got to get these papers wrapped. We're going to recycle them tomorrow.

What are you going to do with the money you raised?

We're going to donate them for the Wildlife Preservation Fund.

This is your influence. You realize that, I hope.

I gather you're against recycling.

It's just interfering with the natural order of things. That's all. Look, look.

A man goes out and he buys something.

He keeps it for a while. He uses it. He enjoys it.

Then he gets tired of it, he throws it away, and he buys a new one.

I mean, that's nature.

Thank you, Ranger Rick.

See ya.

So, are you excited about your birthday?

I guess.

Oh, come on. I've seen you more excited on the way to the dentist.

Mom,

when you were in fourth grade, were there boys?

Yeah, boys were invented when I was in kindergarten.

They sure make things complicated.

think we're really him come on boys you're okay what about your daddy he was

boy once i find that hard to believe i've got justin he's a boy and he's

nice that's true in the whole history of boys

She doesn't want to be my friend.

That's what Dan and Maria say, too.

Well, you can't let other people decide who your friends are going to be.

I know it, but I don't want to lose them.

And I still want to be Justin's friend, too.

Well, hang in there.

Good friends hard to find.

Good man's even harder.

Yeah, yeah, those all sound like good choices, Elvis.

Right, right. Chuck Berry?

Good.

Snooki Lanson?

I don't think so.

It's nothing against Snooki. It's just that I don't think we need any more

records.

He'll perform live.

No, let's just go with what we've got.

All right, thanks.

We're all set. The jukebox will have 50 of the biggest hits of the 50s.

Earth Angel by the Penguins, Heartbreak Hotel, Elvis Presley, Twilight Time, The

Platters, Maybelline by Chuck Berry. And if you call now, we'll include Eddie,

My Love by the fabulous Teen Queen.

Oh, you're two minutes too late, kid. Mom and Dad were really being silly. You

missed it.

I'm sure I'll get another chance.

How'd it go at the recycling center?

We unloaded a whole truck full of newspapers.

And that's what they gave us.

Seventy -seven cents.

A lot of good 77 cents is going to do the bald eagle.

Won't even buy him a cheap cap.

You know, I desperately need some loose change. If you would let me take those

coins and take this dollar bill instead, you'd be doing me a very big favor.

Okay. You know, I don't have any ones at all. And if you would give me that one

for this five, I'd really appreciate it.

Okay.

I think I can get you 77 cents back.

Just kidding.

I'll talk to you about it later, all right?

Hey, wasn't Justin coming home with you?

No, they dropped me off.

Didn't you say he was going to be here for dinner?

No.

Yes. I mean, I said it, but I didn't. I don't understand.

Okay, here's the story.

Justin's history.

Yesterday's news.

Adios, amigo.

Good night, I...

What are you talking about? Justin was your best friend this morning. That was

long time ago before I knew he was a boy.

Oh, I get it. Jennifer, this doesn't seem like... Look, I think I know who my

friends are.

And he's a boy.

He just won't be around anymore, okay? Leave me alone.

Score one for peer pressure.

I can't believe this newspaper.

What? This headline is incredibly slanted and misleading.

They never give the other side.

A widowed mother of 12 denied food stamps.

There's another side to this story?

That's the way they cover it, that's all. They make it so cold and

When questioned, the commissioner replied, hey, these things happen,

break's next case.

You're right, they miss the warmth entirely.

Uh, Justin called for you four times.

Thanks.

Aren't you gonna call him back?

I'll see him at school, and if I miss him there, I'll drop him a card.

Hey!

Everything's set for the party tomorrow.

Records, posters, pads.

I can't think of anything else we need.

I can think of something we don't need. What?

Boys. Now, does this have anything to do with the teasing and the phone calls?

No.

I just think we have more fun...

if they're only girls.

Well, is that one of thinking gonna change?

Even if you wanted to, it's too late.

All the invitations are out, and some of the boys have accepted.

We can move.

Jennifer.

Hello, Jennifer.

Hi, Justin.

Wait a minute. I'd like to talk to you.

I can't. I can't talk.

I'll see you later. Bye.

Oh, smoothies, I'd hope.

I'm sorry, Justin.

She doesn't want to see me.

I think it's just a phase.

You know, I'm sure it'll change.

She doesn't want to see me because I'm a boy.

That's not going to change.

Sure it will. Not the part about you being a boy, but her attitude will

What bothers me the most is that I really miss her.

She's a very special person.

I really feel the absence of her in my life.

This guy can't be only nine.

Justin, I am sorry. I apologize for Jennifer's behavior.

Mr. Keaton, would you mind walking me home?

I don't really feel like being alone right now.

I can come along, too, if you'd like.

If you don't mind.

I was hoping Mr. Keaton and I could have a little guy talk.

Sure, that's fine with me.

Let's go. You want to stop somewhere and have a beer?

Well, okay, maybe just one, but if I start acting silly, take me home.

Can we talk?

Sure, but not about how dirty my room is, okay?

Can we talk about when you're going to clean it up?

many more interesting things to talk about, don't you think?

Shouldn't some of this be put away?

Simba and I are of the belief that all animals, even stuffed ones, should be

allowed to roam free.

Why don't you talk to her when I finish talking to you?

I don't think you were very nice to Justin this afternoon.

I think you owe him an apology.

Okay, I'll apologize because it wasn't very nice.

But that doesn't mean I have to be his friend.

right to pick my own friends, don't I? But you did pick Justin as a friend, and

for really good reasons. He's thoughtful, he's sweet, he's... Don't

away, okay, Mom?

He's not Alan Alda.

I don't like being teased, Mom.

People laughing, pointing fingers, putting signs on my back, a frown

Justin Perkins.

I know that's hard, but you gotta learn to...

Stuff like that.

It's particularly important for women to be strong in areas like that.

You're not going to put the pressure of the whole woman's movement on me, are

you?

No, dear, but I do think it's important for boys and girls to be friends. That

way, maybe when they grow up, they'll know how to be friends as men and women.

That doesn't happen now?

Not a lot.

Not enough.

How come?

I think there's a lot of role -playing going on.

Women playing at being cute and helpless. Men playing at being tough and

in control.

That's crazy.

But see, that's what we were taught.

I remember when I was 15, my mother telling me the definition of a young

A young lady always says please and thank you. She always laughs at a young

man's jokes.

And a young lady never beats a boy in sports.

Good thing we don't have any young ladies in our soccer team.

This boy -girl stuff is pretty complicated business, huh?

You ain't seen nothing yet.

Wait till you get to be a teenager.

Am I gonna be like Mallory and get crazy for clothes and movie stars?

I think you're gonna be like Jennifer.

What's that?

Warm, sweet, funny.

Doesn't sound like any...

Teenager I know.

You and Justin are friends.

You like each other. You have fun together. That should be what matters.

I want to do it, Mom.

I do.

I don't know if I can.

Well, sleep on it.

Hey, Fonzie.

Can you give me a hand here?

I don't know how to break this to you, Dad, but the last wave left about an

ago. Just give me a hand, will you?

I can't believe people actually breath like this.

In those days, a jacket like that was a symbol of rebellion, an emblem of an

entire generation that meant you were tough, that you could hold your own in a

rumble. You have one like this?

No, my mother wouldn't let me.

Am I dreaming, or did Sandra Dean... just walk in.

Moon doggy, is that you?

All right, Gabe, shut up.

All right, I love you two. Get this out of your system before the guests arrive.

Hey, where was the birthday girl? She's upstairs.

Mallory's putting the final touches on her. Oh, she better hurry, because

they'll be here any minute. Everything's all set.

Is this a beauty?

This is exactly like the one they had at the Paradise Hotel in Atlantic City

when I worked there in 1959.

1959. That was a great summer.

Yeah.

Hey, wait a minute. I didn't know you in 1959.

It would have been a better summer if I'd known you.

Better than great?

Jennifer!

You can't go out with only one lip done.

I don't like it. It feels like I have jelly on me. We're supposed to look 50s,

not punk.

Okay.

All right, all right. Come on.

Can I see your invitations, please?

I don't know these guys. They could be crashers.

Come on in, guys. Welcome to the 1950s. Hope you had as much fun as I did. All

right, guys. You look great. All right. Hey, ladies.

I think I

detect a trend here.

Here.

Hey, Jen. I got an idea. Why don't we slaughter over to the other side of the

room here and meet some of your friends? Come on.

Come on, come on. You all know each other. You're in the same class, right?

This is fantastic.

It's going to be a long night.

Well, eight out of the ten

boys I interviewed will dance with a girl at bath.

Nine out of ten think we should give Reaganomics a chance.

I was just thinking, it's interesting the way they're more aware politically

than socially.

Can you get them to dance, or can't you?

Maybe, but none of them is going to be the first one out there.

Of the girls I pulled, they're willing to dance with boys, if asked, and if the

boy is taller.

The salt talks couldn't have been this complicated.

I bet they were a lot more fun.

I mean, let's face it, this party is dying.

Well, Mommy.

sarcastic with me, Jennifer. I don't like that.

I don't talk that way to you.

Something's bothering you. You just come right out and tell me what it is.

Okay.

You ruined my party by inviting the boy here.

Oh, Jennifer, that's not fair.

You always take her side, don't you, Daddy?

It's getting up on the kid time again, huh?

Now, Jennifer, I know you're upset with me right now, and to tell you the truth,

I'm not all that thrilled with you.

But if there's going to be a way out of this tonight, it's going to come from

you. How?

I think you ought to ask Justin to dance.

Be serious!

I am, and I think there are a lot of kids here who'll be very happy if

else makes the first move.

I'm afraid to, Mom.

What are you afraid of?

People laugh.

I won't. I won't. I won't.

I might.

Just be an auditor.

Well, let's say that that's the worst thing that happens. People will laugh.

The best thing that's going to happen is that you'll dance with Justin, the

other kids will dance, and you wind up having a terrific party.

I want to, Mom.

There's so many things I'm feeling.

Don't know what I'm thinking now.

I'm so in love.

Pardon me if I teased you. Will you dance with me, Justin?

Want to dance?

Ladies' choice.

I'm cool.

Can you dance, sailor?

Oh, what the hell.

Happy birthday.

Sit, Ubu, sit.

Good dog.