Original subtitles

Here you go, sir.

Hey,

man,

I was wondering if you had a little change. I can... No, I'm sorry.

Ma 'am, how you doing? Hey, see ya.

Are you guys staying here tonight, or are you going back to your place?

Yo, my man, you're looking good, looking good. I was wondering if you had some

change or something. If you could get it pulled, you punch to get out of here.

Yo, I thought I told you to leave us alone.

Jonas, you're going to give yourself a heart attack or something.

I'm calling the cops.

Cops, right now.

Hey, yo, man, I was wondering if you could get some change. Oh, sorry.

We're not bothering you.

Hey, Doc, you see Fish?

No, I haven't, Jazz.

I don't know, last week maybe.

Well, if you see him, tell him we got chased out of the warehouse and we're

under the freeway near 3rd until we can crash the place up.

Got it.

Hey, have you seen Fish?

No, Jazz, I haven't. But if he comes in, I'll tell him you're looking for him.

Tess, you know I love a good coffee shop, but I thought our next assignment

with the family and that we were going to their home. Well, actually, this is

about a family.

And we've already found their home.

That's a family?

In their own way.

They're runaways, throwaways, and they've gotten together so they can

When I tell you that they live in the neighborhood, I mean they live in the

neighborhood.

That hair. Why do they do that?

That's not important.

But there are two things that are important.

God loves these kids.

Shaved head, dyed hair, pierced who knows what.

And number two, underneath all those attitudes are human beings.

And they're sweet, young, lost babies.

And they need a lot of love and understanding.

So, Our assignment is to help get them back home.

Oh, no. That's how the world has failed them so far.

They just want to get rid of them, send them back where they came from. We've

got to do better than that.

We've got to give them what they need, not what we think they need.

And what do they need?

Well, for one thing, they need to stay alive.

I don't expect we'll be able to help all of them.

But we've got to do the best we can.

Raphael?

And Andrew too?

We've got the whole street covered.

We take this side.

Raphael takes the other side.

And Andrew takes the right.

When you walk down...

Heavy burden, heavy load I

will rise and I will walk with you I'll

walk with you Till the sun don't even shine Walk with

you Every time I tell you I'll walk

Andrew? Don't look at me.

Why not?

I don't want the other street people to see that I know you. I'll lose my

credibility. For right now, just keep handing out sandwiches.

If they can trust me.

I had an assignment once, remember? I was homeless. I've lived on the streets.

know what they're going through.

No, Monica, you don't.

You're never a homeless teenager.

Hello?

Would you like a sandwich?

Yeah, that's why I found a place we can spread out for a while.

Yeah? Where? This handrail. Stop.

What we got to do for?

Nothing. Ha, yeah, right.

Is that Chad?

First, tell me what fish is.

I don't know any fish!

What, do you hide?

A little.

Kid doesn't know fish. Give her her bag back.

Oh.

Oh, damn.

I don't know what I'm looking for.

Hey, Chad, my man. What's going on? Look, I'm wondering if you have a look.

Thanks.

You okay?

Well, my wallet's gone, but I've got what I need.

You are on the wrong side of the world, girl. Don't walk in this park alone.

There's nothing but homeless and runaways in here.

I know. That's why I'm here.

Where'd you run away from?

Some Disney movie?

No.

Lincoln, Nebraska.

How long you been on the street for?

Look, why don't you just go home to your family?

I don't have a family anymore.

I'm on my own.

You guys, she's a sitting duck out here.

I'm going to take her home with us.

No, no, no, no, no. Then our food goes into four mouths instead of three.

That's less for each of us.

That's major.

Do you have any money left?

Yeah,

about $30.

I think she's in.

Yeah, come with us, girlfriend.

So if you're here, you're not going to have that watch for long.

Um, my name's Allie. Well, Alexandra.

We don't do real names. It makes it too easy to be found by people we don't want

to be found by. Straight names only. I'm China, Doc, and Lightning.

And I'm...

I don't know.

Job one, get you a street name. Job one, get us a squat.

It's a junkyard.

Oh, I lived in a junkyard once in Phoenix. No.

No, no, Phoenix was a warehouse. Chicago was a junkyard.

They're okay.

Yeah, if you're a rat.

Hey, you made it.

Yeah. What do we got here?

But you said it was only going to be three.

Yeah, well, it turned into four.

Well, then.

Doc?

Happy? Sleazy?

Junkie? Welcome to the Enchanted Forest.

Here's the deal.

Anything you find, you can use, okay?

You stay away from my customers, I'm gonna stay away from you.

You see anybody trying to rip me off, you bark like a dog, got it?

Yo, man, is this guy okay? That's cool, thank you.

Now, here's a big one. Can I trust you guys?

No. Then how can you trust me?

You gotta trust somebody sometimes.

You remember that.

Whoa. Weird.

Yeah, like you're not.

All right, here we go.

Uh, might need to grab that window frame over there.

Ellie ain't trying to grab that tarp off that car. What are we doing?

We're building a house.

Not that.

Look who I found.

Sweetie, what are you going to do with a cat?

Ellie, that's another mouth to feed.

Look, you're new out here. You don't know how hard it is just to feed

sometimes.

Hey, you guys, you know she don't got a street name yet.

How about kitten?

Sounds good.

No, that's what my dad called.

He used to call me.

You guys into charity?

Our objective's staying warm.

Yeah, especially with that cough, huh?

I'm fine.

Well, I like what you've done with the place.

I don't think it's going to be very warm if it starts to rain tomorrow.

We don't think about tomorrow.

Yeah, well, tomorrow always comes.

So what you writing in that journal, huh?

So you writing about me? Let me see, let me see, let me see. Get out, Lightning,

it's mine.

I can't have something that's mine, can I, Doc?

Yeah, you can.

Oh, man, I thought we had more than this.

Four dollars and 69 cents won't buy us toast and coffee.

Well, your alley's got 30 bucks.

Not anymore.

What? Wait, what did you do, girl?

You spent all our money on, on, on, on, on.

What are we supposed to do now, huh? We're supposed to eat cat food?

It's not our money. It's my money. My birthday money.

Allie, things are different now.

We take care of each other. We share what we have.

How much do you have left?

Six dollars and some change.

Oh, man.

Mail or no mail?

This is a very, very tough crowd, Monica.

Doing fine.

They're coming back. That's a good sign.

No, it means something happened. This is the last report.

Hi. Nice to see you.

Have turkey or tuna or, you know, take as many as you like.

Hello.

My name is Monica.

Hi, I'm Ali.

You're new here, aren't you?

Yeah, I just came from Nebraska, just outside of Lincoln.

Ah, I knew him. He was a very nice man.

No, I never heard of Garland, so I just... Ah, no, I've heard of it. And

actually, if you ever want to go back, I have a friend at the bus company.

He's doing it crazy.

I was just talking to him.

Well, you gotta understand something here.

These kids got burned bad.

They don't trust nobody.

They seem to trust you.

Yeah, but I don't trust them.

And they trust that, you know?

Just don't give up on them.

It's what they're used to.

Stay with it.

These kids have got to learn to trust.

Maybe you do too.

Keep the faith, baby.

You want a fork for that?

Sugar rots your teeth, and you're going to want some when you're about 80. I'm

never going to get that old.

My prayer for you every day is that you grow up and grow as old as Methuselah,

but not as cranky. He was a cranky old goat.

He ate too much sugar.

Anybody seen fish lately?

Nope.

There's a wife of a quarter.

Can I have some milk?

Sure, baby.

Gee, runaway Barbie and street kid king.

This was an excellent choice.

Did I just hear a bell?

No.

Hi,

coffee to go.

Going back out.

I'm so not in the mood to do this right now, but somebody's got to make money.

Well, I need some help in the kitchen.

And you could start tonight. It's good pay.

Can I just have my coffee?

Maybe I could work for Ted. Look, forget it.

All right?

Jobs mean social security numbers, addresses.

They don't know who you are and where you are.

Well, what kind of work does Charlie do?

Hey, baby.

Hi. Hi.

Anything I can do for you? Yeah, get in.

Fish, it's time to go home.

They can't just keep handing out sandwiches.

Why not?

They're hungry, aren't they?

Don't push so hard.

What's the matter, baby?

I took another kid last night.

Fish.

Yeah. Tess, maybe if we tell them who we really are right now, we can save some

of them. They feel just as abandoned by God as they do by their families.

And they're not going to listen to either one until they get ready.

His name was Stephen.

And I'm starting to look like an old lady. I need one of those fancy spa

you know?

Well, baby, when I'm feeling down, all I got to do is pop in one of these

babies. I'm feeling refreshed, revived, invigorated.

Hey, where is it?

What you missing, baby? My journal. Did you take it? Oh, man, and get my eyes

scratched out? I don't think so.

Hey, look, it's just a stupid book. No, it's not stupid. It's mine.

Don't worry, China. We'll help you find it.

You know, I think this is a waste of time.

Why don't you pretend it's the speed that's gone?

Yo, it could be anywhere. So we look everywhere.

I dropped it in the park or the diner. I don't know. All right, don't look for

it all day, all right? We need to make some money. You know what? If I had my

way, we'd look for about five minutes.

You know, I don't need your help. I can find it on my own.

Fish. Said he died last night.

He talked to me. That fish guy talked to me.

Yeah, well, they said he died of pneumonia or something.

My God.

He was just a kid.

My God.

He wasn't supposed to die.

Kids aren't supposed to die.

No use crying out here, Allie.

Move on.

Nobody's going to remember us, so why should we remember them?

Excuse me.

Maybe I could try.

Yeah, why not?

Excuse me, sir.

I'm looking for my brother.

He's lost, and if I could get $50, we can print posters and search books.

You're welcome.

There you go.

Hey. Hi.

Where are the kids?

Well, they made $36 today and they're having dinner at an all -you -can -eat

place. Well, that's good, isn't it? Yeah.

Have you seen Allie today?

Yeah. She's getting pretty good at panhandling.

They're getting farther away instead of closer.

Hey, they don't trust anybody, remember?

You're the one that's got to do the trusting.

For what?

They'll come back for another sandwich one day?

If I could just find a way and...

Like you just found it.

Baby, you don't look too good.

I just can't sleep.

I'm okay.

I don't like the sound of that.

I'm gonna make you some chamomile tea. Maybe that'll help.

Thanks.

My mom used to.

I know.

You okay, Tess?

Just sit quiet, baby.

have you had this cough i don't know a few months i guess well baby you can't

ignore it i'll be okay i wouldn't be too sure of that it's to you now you listen

to me i've never told you what to do before but you've got to go in the

no no way they have too many questions doc you need help you need to mind your

own business you are not just putting your own life at risk here i know you

seen you around i think you're bad news

China! You're the outreach lady, right?

What do you want?

I want to help you.

Oh, yeah?

You got a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that's going to solve my

China.

What? Leave me alone. You're scaring away customers.

You're just a little girl. I'm 15.

You should be at school dances and having slumber parties and making

What? Think about this rewarding career.

Go save somebody else. You've got a long night ahead of me.

I think this belongs to you.

My journal.

Where'd you get it?

It must have dropped out of your pocket last night when you came by to eat.

How did you come up with the name China?

Well... You know how people always save the China for special occasions?

The fancy China?

Well, someday I'm going to have some.

And I'm going to use it every day just because nobody else does.

So, when people say my name...

It just reminds me of what I have to look forward to.

That's beautiful.

Plus, I think it's a great name for a poet.

Oh, do you write poetry?

Yeah, ever since I was little I wanted to be a writer.

I'd love to hear some. Oh, this thing's full of them.

Maybe I could buy you a cup of coffee and some dinner and you could read me

of your poems.

China, please, you don't have to do this.

I just want to be your friend. You want to be my friend? Then try to understand.

Please,

China.

Please.

We are done.

Okay.

I'll meet you at Snappy's in an hour.

Doc, what's up with that man? He's sick?

Yeah?

Maybe we should take him to the hospital.

No, look, the cops are waiting around for kids like that so they can take us

home. All right, and if you want to go home, be my guest, but you have to leave

me out of it.

Where's China?

I don't know. She never came home last night.

Either she's working late or early.

Um, listen.

What's that? You holding out on her?

My mom always used to say, uh, always keep five dollars for yourself no matter

what.

Well, that's five dollars.

What are you gonna do with it?

I'm going to call you a cab.

I'll go.

You stay here.

Cops get one look at you, they'll pick you up for sure.

Where are your parents?

You're not on school break, and you're not 18.

Yeah, I am.

Save it. I see too many kids like you these days.

Medicine alone won't save you.

You're either going to change your lifestyle or you're going to die.

Simple as that.

Die? You have tuberculosis.

Oh, man.

We'll run a few tests tonight and take you out to the clinic tomorrow.

What you need is complete rest and medical supervision.

I can't do that. I have a family to take care of. I've got to go. Go? You're not

going anywhere.

You could spread TB all over the streets. We could have an epidemic.

The only way you're going to get well is in quarantine.

Excuse me, sir. My brother, he ran away from home and I need some money. Sorry,

honey.

Please, mister, stay with me.

Oh, God, help me. I'm sorry. God, please be there for me.

He is, China.

Do me a favor.

I was supposed to meet a girl at the diner.

A friend.

Monica.

Tell her that... Just give her this.

Please, stay with me.

We're not going to leave you, child.

Yes, it is.

Into your hands, Father.

don't understand.

I was supposed to meet her last night at the diner. She was supposed to read me

her poetry.

I'm happy to give you this.

She called herself China

after the dishes that people use for special occasions.

She said that when people called her name, it would remind her of what she

to look forward to.

How could someone do that to a child, Andrew?

But no one will ever hurt her again.

She didn't pay us, Monica.

Well, I'm not.

It's my fault that she's lying there.

Monica, no.

She was 15 years of age. 15, Andrew.

And this is all that's left of her hopes and her dreams and her childhood.

She deserved a better life.

She deserved a better age. Monica!

Monica!

Hey!

I didn't do anything to her.

This is one of her customers.

Why is it that every time I see you, somebody dies?

Who are you?

What are you?

My name is Andrew.

I'm an angel.

You're an angel?

for fish and for China.

And I came for you, Doc.

They had a chance to save themselves. They didn't take it.

This is your chance, Doc. Please go back to the hospital while you still can.

No.

Stay away from me.

Stay away! Doc, you think you're running away from death? You're running

right...

I see something to eat around here.

Really soon.

Are you here to tell me to trust again?

Now, I haven't worked with you very long, girl, but I know that that's not

I thought that God gave us hearts for a reason.

Last night, my heart told me to grab that wee girl and drag her from the car.

But I didn't, Raphael. You told me not to push.

So I didn't. I didn't push. My head won over my heart and now a little girl is

dead.

You gave her her chance.

She said no.

How many people in this world get their chance and they say no?

A lot more than say yes.

But she was looking for God.

She even wrote a beautiful poem about it.

She was looking in the wrong places.

You see, you started at the end.

Maybe you need to start at the beginning.

You could use some help.

Raphael.

Did you hear?

Yeah.

China's gone.

And it looks like you're gonna be next.

What? If you spend one more night on the street, you'll be dead by morning.

You wouldn't listen to Andrew.

Maybe you'll listen to me.

You're an angel.

Straight from God.

What does he want from me?

What do you want from him?

God doesn't want to take.

He wants to give.

But he can't give you anything if you're not willing to trust him.

It's too late for me.

I already know I'm gonna die.

Hallie needs help.

She's the one who needs an angel.

If Andrew's taking care of China, and you're taking care of me, who's taking

care of Allie?

I will.

There you go.

China is dead.

She was beaten by one of her customers.

What's that?

China gave it to me, and now I'd like to give it to you.

Why? I don't want it.

It has nothing to do with me.

I'm not like China. I'm not going to end up like her.

Monday, I slept in the park again last night.

My coat was stolen and it's getting cold.

Don't know what I'll do for food today.

But it's only my first week and I'm sure things will get better.

I met a girl yesterday. I think she's a streetwalker.

She says she gets by that way.

But I could never do that.

I thought I could do this.

China said it was no big deal.

As long as you didn't let yourself feel anything.

That's what China did. She closed off her heart.

And God wants you to know that the same thing could happen to you.

God?

What does God have to do with this?

God loves you, Allie.

And he sent me here to tell you.

What is he going to do with me?

What does he want?

He wants you to go back home.

To the family that was shattered when you left.

I don't have a family.

Isn't that your family?

Where did you get this?

I tore this up.

The day...

The day that Dad left us for that other lady.

Your father made a mistake.

But so did you.

He came back, but you're still missing.

My dad came home?

Yes, but it's not a home without you.

I probably couldn't go back.

We had a big fight, and I told him I hated him.

I think that sometimes children say terrible things to their father.

And then they think it's too late to put things right. But do you know what?

That's why God invented apology.

I don't know how to apologize.

Then let me show you.

You tell him that you're sorry for what you said.

You tell him that you were angry.

And then you tell your dad that what he did made you very, very frightened

because you love him so much and you love your family the way they were, the

that they should be.

And then you apologize to him for running away, for giving up.

And then you give him a chance to apologize to you.

And then you wait, love, for him to hold you.

Oh, late too late.

No.

I think it's just in time.

The bus to Lincoln leaves in 15 minutes.

Thank you.

And your family will be waiting for you at the station.

Hey, Allie.

Doc wanted you to have this.

Doc.

Hold on there, darling. You can't go out there.

Doc's got TB.

We're going to take him to the hospital.

He just wanted to see if you were all right.

It's time to get going.

Is Doc going to be all right?

He's going to be just fine.

He's got a real future ahead of him as an architect.

And you know what, Allie? Who knows? Maybe one of these days he might just

you that house.

Where's Doc going?

To the hospital.

And then he's going to be staying at the youth shelter.

Yeah, right. Not Doc.

Yeah, right.

He finally found somebody he could trust.

How long is it going to take you to see the light?

I got someone I could trust. Who?

Me.

Come on, Alley Cat, let's go home.

Alley Cat, I decided that's your new street name.

I don't need a street name anymore.

I'm going home.

Oh yeah, when's that supposed to happen?

In about three minutes.

That's how it is then, huh?

Lightning, do you believe in God?

No.