Original subtitles

It's starting to get cold.

Yeah? Yeah.

Better?

Yeah. It's a lot better.

Monica?

Something on your mind?

I was just trying to imagine those two in 50 or 60 years looking back and

remembering what it was like to be 16 and in love.

They could only know now what they're going to know then.

But is it love or infatuation or what?

Whatever it is, it is very emotional.

Everything is so big and so important.

Everything's the end of the world.

Part of the process of being a teenager.

It seems they have to go through this in order to find out who they are.

And who are they?

Well, the young man is called Ben. The young woman's called Natalie.

She's one half of the assignment, and her mother is the other half.

This time next year, we could be sitting under a tree at Yale.

Maybe you will be sitting under a tree, but I will be studying.

You've got to learn to relax a little bit.

Yeah, right.

You know, why don't you tell that to my mom?

Fine. Let's go talk to her right now. It's about time I met her.

I wish you could, but she's in Paris.

So which one of us is going to Paris?

No one.

And they're in, like, the problem in this assignment.

Can I get you anything else, Howard?

No, thanks. I'm good.

You need change for this?

No, it's all for you.

Thanks.

I'm going to see you for dinner tonight.

Sounds very statement.

You know, I don't actually come here for the food.

Yeah, I know.

So I'm at this garage sale, and they're selling everything you can put into a

bag for five bucks.

Oh, gotta love a challenge like that. Yeah, woman didn't know what hit her.

Anyway, most of the stuff's not really my style, but...

I did grab this.

Oh, Sherry.

I thought you might want it for Natalie.

It's kind of preppy, you know.

Oh, she's going to love it. What do I owe you?

Someday I will come to you and ask from you a favor.

Good girl. What am I going to do with you?

Annie is Natalie's mother? Mm -hmm. And Natalie's best kept secret.

Yeah, at least for the moment.

When you walk down the road,

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 with you.

Believe me, I'll walk with you.

Natalie! Come help me!

Natalie!

You don't have to yell!

Well, where have you been?

Um... At the library.

Mom, we don't have room for 36 more rolls of toilet paper.

Well, we'll find room. It's the good stuff and it was on sale.

Hey, Sherry found something at a garage sale.

And it's for you.

Nice, huh?

And? It's hardly been worn.

It's great.

Thanks, Mom.

Hey, it was free.

Hello?

Hey!

Are you the new renter?

Yes, I'm Monica.

I'm Annie. Welcome to the neighborhood.

You need a hand?

Yes, that would be lovely. Thank you.

All right, just a sec.

Hey, how do you fix for toilet paper?

So, what brings you to the edge of civilization?

Oh, I like to move around a lot and see different places, meet new people.

Must make it kind of tough to hold down a job, huh?

Well, I'm sort of in freelance in the education field.

Like a tutor?

Sometimes.

Hey, do you ever help kids study for SATs? My daughter wants to take them

and could probably use some help.

Well, I'd be happy to give it a try.

No kidding?

Can't pay you much, but would you take a trade?

If you help my daughter.

I'll grow you a garden that'll knock your socks off.

It's a deal. All right.

That is so retro, Natalie.

I love it. Thank you.

How'd you get a Harvard blazer? Oh, it was my mom's. Well, no wonder you don't

want to tell her about Yale.

No, she's okay with it.

Oh, your patch is coming off.

You should have your housekeeper sew it up.

Yeah, I will.

You have got to get one of these, Natalie.

I don't know how you survive without it.

Well, it helps that the only person she wants to talk to is right here.

Whatever. I guess you didn't hear what happened to Sally Rivers the other day.

She was driving in her dad's Mercedes, and she ran out of gas right in the

middle of Trailer Town.

Oh, my God.

Have you ever been there?

Well, those people are barely human. I mean, she's lucky she had herself and

didn't have to get out of the car.

She could have been raped.

Or murdered.

Hi, guys.

My name is Andrew, and I'm setting up the next SAT test for the school

And so far, the only name on my list is Natalie Tate.

Oh, that's me.

You're taking it again?

Yeah. Oh, well, actually, you all should. Because if you increase your

you just increase your chances of getting into the college that you want

attend. Yeah.

Okay, well, I'll be around if you want to change your mind.

He doesn't know how it works.

What do you mean?

We're all legacies.

If our parents went to the school, they practically have to let us in.

I mean, we've got the grades.

We've got the contacts.

We've got the money.

Yeah, I just want to be sure, you know?

Do it yourself.

Hey, sweetie, how was school?

Fine.

Mom, I need a cell phone.

Yeah, right.

Honey, I can't even afford the phone that we have.

Yeah, but the car is making that weird noise again. And even if we get it fixed

again, you know, it's still old and it's falling apart.

And what if I'm in the middle of nowhere and it just breaks down? Or I'm in some

bad part of town and I'm alone and I need help.

Every kid wants a cell phone now.

Doesn't mean you have to get it for them.

Well, Natalie doesn't ask for a whole lot, and she does have a point about the

car. So Mary Howard, he's a car salesman, right?

You're a heck of a lot cheaper than a cell phone.

That seems a little extreme.

But I did sign up to sell those cosmetics you told me about. I'm telling

sister sold lovely lady makeup door to door for three years. She bought herself

a Camaro.

Well... It may be a little extra cash, and the starter kit should be coming any

day.

And maybe Al will let me work a few more shifts until he hires any waiters.

Too late for that.

Hi.

Annie, this is Gloria.

First waitress to memorize every single one of the drinks on Al's obscure

cocktail test. Good for you, Gloria. Must have made Al crazy.

He did seem a little confused.

Did he mention the rule?

What rule?

Waitresses can't wear glasses during their shifts.

Oh.

Isn't that illegal?

Probably. But he's not wrong. He'll make better tips, trust me.

Here he is, right on time.

Go get him, Tiger.

Hello.

That's Howard.

Came in one day right after Annie started working here a few months ago.

He's been in every day since.

Won't let anybody else wait on him.

Kind of cute in a high school crush sort of way.

And does Annie like him too?

You didn't see the way she lit up when he walked in?

No, no, I didn't.

Dr. Cranberry, Al.

Oh, yes, I've seen that look before.

Why don't you just give in and go out on a real date with the guy?

because I have to set a good example for Natalie.

Now, how would it look if I was all goofy over some guy?

Oh, like you had a life, maybe?

I've got a life. It's called Natalie.

Here you go.

He's, oh, I don't know, sophisticated in a nice way, and has a lot of chemistry.

I really think that this guy could be it.

Yeah.

I'm thinking of letting my hair grow up.

I don't know. More Buffy, less Dawson's Creek.

I don't want to forget... So you bought her the phone?

Yeah. She doesn't have a lot of friends. She started in a new school this year,

but you know she doesn't complain.

She doesn't do drugs. She doesn't waste time with boys and lousy music.

She doesn't lie.

You know, and she's smart, Monica.

I don't think she's going to make the same mistakes that I did.

It's so much to be thankful for.

Hey, what are you doing for Thanksgiving?

I'm not sure.

Usually I spend it with my friend, Tess, but she's out of town on business.

Ah, then you'll spend it here.

Done deal.

Well, thank you.

Oh, I hope to heaven this old bird does in time.

Well, I can help you with the pie as soon as we finish studying.

Oh!

Didn't she tell you she needs to cancel? She has an honor society meeting

tonight.

Oh, Natalie must have forgot her cell phone.

Hello? Hi, is this Natalie's phone?

Yeah, but she's not here. Can I take a message?

Would you tell her Ben called and my mom's got a bunch of stuff she wants to

so I can't go to the movies tonight?

I'll let her know.

Thanks.

Something wrong?

Someone named Ben just canceled the date with Natalie for tonight.

She lied to me, Monica.

She flat out lied to me.

She said she was going on an honor society meeting tonight. She didn't say

anything about a boyfriend.

So what else isn't she telling me?

I forgot my cell phone.

You still going to your meeting?

Yeah.

I'll be outside.

Ben called.

He can't make the movies tonight.

Are you dating this boy?

No.

I mean, we like each other and we do things together.

We hang out a lot. I want to meet him.

No, you can't.

Then why not?

He's different. He's not like us. What does that mean? What, do you have two

heads? Can't I have something for myself?

Not this. We agreed. No boyfriends yet.

Wait a minute. This is so unfair. You have a boyfriend that you don't talk

about. What?

I'm not stupid.

Sherry keeps talking about this guy named Howard who's Mr. Dependable, and

keep coming home late from work.

What is that about?

Nothing. It's not serious with me and Howard. Besides, I can handle things you

can't. I've been there.

Oh, you mean I can't have a boyfriend because you screwed up and had me when

were 16?

I want you to invite him over for Thanksgiving.

He has a family. He'll be with them.

Then invite him over for pie.

We're gonna need another pie.

Okay, so we'll start with an isosceles triangle.

Natalie?

Are you going to come over for Thanksgiving dinner?

Yes, I'm really looking forward to it.

I'm not.

My mom wants my boyfriend to come over for dinner.

Is that a problem?

Are you kidding me?

Look at this place.

It's a dump.

There's nothing wrong with where you live, Natalie.

It may not be fancy, but it has a lot of love. And if your boyfriend cares about

you, that's all he's going to see.

Now, come on.

We have work to do.

Here we are.

No, keep it.

They're on the house.

Happy anniversary.

And this is for you.

Thanks.

And, uh, this is for you.

What is it?

I got you something.

It's a keychain with a little flashlight on it, you know, for when you go out to

your car after work.

You've been eavesdropping on me and the girls, haven't you?

Well, maybe a little.

That's really sweet.

Thanks.

You're welcome.

Okay, it's all set. Be at the Ivy Club at 2 .30 on Saturday. It's the usual

catering attire, black pants, white shirt. Okay. I don't think it should be

big a crowd.

No problem.

Oh, you're really sweet to step in for me like this. I thank you. My bowling

league thanks you.

Isn't that man the cutest thing ever?

Yeah, he's a peach.

You ought to go for it.

No, not with Natalie.

You need to back off on Natalie.

She thinks I hate men.

Do you?

No. I just don't trust them, especially when they're 16.

Howard is not 16, and neither are you. Give the guy a break.

Keychain.

I swear, the men in this town have no clue about romance.

Well, I think it's kind of sweet that he gave her something that she needs.

Oh, honey, a keychain is way down on the list of things she needs.

Hey, Howard, how about coming by my place for Thanksgiving dinner?

Uh, me?

You're asking me to come over to your house?

Yeah.

I'm having some people over. You interested?

Oh, yeah.

I am. I have to be in Portland tomorrow.

Oh.

But hey, I'd love to have a rain check.

Yeah, well, sure.

Of course.

Sure.

I need someone to sign for this.

Right here, please.

Lovely lady cosmetics.

So are you having the whole turkey dinner extravaganza tomorrow?

I don't know yet. My mom's still not back from Paris.

So you're going to be alone for the holiday?

No, just my mom won't be there.

Then she's practically never there anyway.

I know what that's like.

My dad's a total workaholic.

I hardly ever see him either.

You know, we're never going to be like that, though.

You promise?

Of course I do.

So I'll see you on Saturday?

Yeah.

Have a good Thanksgiving.

Mmm, that was delicious.

Oh, thanks.

Well, I guess you won't be needing that extra pie, even as your boyfriend didn't

show up.

Well, the truth is, we, um, broke up.

Oh, baby, I'm sorry.

Why?

That's what you wanted, isn't it?

Well, she's right.

But I still hate to see her hurt.

Get me. Hello?

Oh, no. Did I run over somebody?

Oh, no.

My name is Annie, and I represent Lovely Lady Cosmetics.

Not interested.

Oh, no, no. Wait, wait, wait.

Look at this.

I work nights at a place called the Thunderbird Lounge, and my customers

this. It's called Pretty in Pink.

It lasts for hours, and it doesn't leave those lip marks around your cocktail

glass. Hey, Mom.

Oh, there you are, dear.

Where are you going?

I'm going to pick up my outfit for the reception this afternoon.

Natalie!

Would you like to come along?

Um, okay.

Maybe we could find you something.

Yeah.

Okay, thank you, Mrs. Everett.

Hop in.

Hi. Hi.

Hey, is my mom in there?

I think she's waiting for you.

I know.

But I can't go in there.

I can't talk to her.

Well, maybe you shouldn't talk to her.

What?

Maybe you should just stop talking to your mother.

Don't tell her what you're thinking or feeling. Don't share anything with the

one who knows you the best because that would make you feel that she understands

you and that would be horrible since you want to be a unique and separate

person, right?

How do you know that?

Because teenage daughters and their mothers go through this all the time.

But in your case, you have a really young mother who hasn't forgotten what

feels like to be 16.

So go on in there.

Tell her the truth. It won't be easy, but she deserves your honesty.

Don't you think?

Mom?

Oh, here I'm your mom.

I didn't mean to. Yes, you did.

You lied to me, and apparently you've been lying to Ben. He obviously doesn't

know who you are.

Watch how things change when he finds out that you don't have any class.

I was going to say money.

Honey, I want something better for you. I always have.

Then let me go out and get it.

I love you, Mom, but I hate living in this trailer.

And I hate that you have to shake your butt for tips and that you sell those

stupid cosmetics.

Embarrassing.

I may not have a lot, but what I do have, I got honestly.

I didn't lie for it.

Who do these people think your mother is?

Well, I told them that you were a businesswoman and that you went to

that you and my father are divorced.

And that you travel a lot.

And where am I these days?

Paris.

Oh, Natalie.

What am I supposed to tell these people, Mom?

That I'm the illegitimate daughter of a cocktail waitress and I'm trying to get

into Yale?

At least that would be the truth.

You don't get it, Mom.

You can't get into college with just good grades.

It's unbelievably competitive.

You've got to have a resume with great recommendations and rich parents who

money to the college and sometimes even pay for somebody else to take the SATs

for you.

You've got to have class and money.

And, Mom, I know you're trying.

Believe me, I know. But you're ashamed of me.

Well, it's like the party this afternoon at the Ivy Club.

They're having a reception for prospective students to meet alumni from

League colleges.

If I can just impress one of them, maybe they will write me a recommendation.

I don't need a parent with you?

Well, it would help.

But if I just say that my mom is in Paris on business, it just sounds more

impressive.

Okay.

We'll have a good time.

Hey. Hi.

You like taking a walk?

I get my coat.

Natalie may not appreciate what you're doing for her now, but she will one day,

I promise.

Can you give me an exact date so I can put it on my calendar?

Hurts a lot, doesn't it?

You know, she didn't actually say she was ashamed of me.

I could see it in her eyes.

God,

what I wouldn't do to make her proud of me.

You've had a hard life, honey.

And you've missed getting for yourself so many of the things that you want for

Natalie.

But you can't let her get them this way.

It's wrong.

It will never feel right.

Maybe.

I don't blame her for not wanting Annie the waitress to show up tonight.

Hey, what if Anne Tate came back early from Paris?

I don't understand.

But you, you could be Aunt Tate.

You mean you're always so elegant and put together.

No, no, Annie, I won't do that.

Anyway, I should tell you, I'm going to the party. I've been invited by a friend

who works at Natalie's school.

Well, then I'm just going to have to do it myself.

This is not the way to help your daughter, Annie.

I've always taught her to want something better for herself.

I'm not going to blame her now for wanting to go out and get it.

Natalie deserves a better mother than me, Monica.

And today, she's gonna get one.

Another

day

has almost come and gone.

Can't imagine what else could go.

Sometimes I'd like to hide away somewhere and lock the door.

A single bad...

A couple drops and they all start coming down.

Yeah, I might feel defeated.

And I might hang my head.

I might be barely breathing, but I'm not dead now.

Cause tomorrow's another day.

To nature's voices The beauty of the real And we'll shout

A good old chorus So Annie's coming.

Yes, I wanted her to come, but not this way.

No, it's going to be hard to pull this off.

I'm not even sure she should.

Monica? Andrew?

Is that you?

Yes. Hello, Gloria. Hi. Are you still not wearing your glasses?

I'm not allowed.

Well, that was at the bar. You can wear them here.

Could you hold this?

Oh, it's so nice to be myself again.

I wish Annie understood that.

Oh, my.

I hardly recognize her.

Let's hope he doesn't. Who?

Howard.

Hello, I'm Ann Tate.

Harrison Stowe. How do you do?

So, your dad is actually coming tonight?

Yeah, he's here.

Somewhere.

Oh, right there.

So when do I get to meet him?

Right now, if you want.

Okay.

Here, let me take you.

Hello, darling.

Harrison, this is the one I was telling you about. This is my daughter, Natalie.

Natalie, this is Harrison Stowe from Yale.

Very nice to meet you, Natalie. Your mother has just been regaling you with

stories from her latest trip to Paris.

The way she describes it, it sounds like nothing I've ever seen there.

Oh, really? I didn't know you were going to be back in time for this, mother.

Well, I didn't want to miss your big night, darling.

Concord?

I beg your pardon?

Did you fly back on the Concorde?

Cuts the trip in half.

Oh, yes, that's what I did.

Nice plane, very fast.

I don't like the Concorde.

Not in a flight room.

I don't believe we've met. I'm Ann Tate.

I'm Ben.

It's nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Tate.

There you are, Harrison.

You've met our little Natalie.

She's hoping for an early acceptance.

Wants to get out of this town, I suppose.

Have we met?

Excuse me, Annie. I really need to talk to you for a moment.

Do excuse me.

Look, Monica, I know you think this is wrong, but it's okay. I'm home enough.

It is not okay, and there's something that you need to know.

Not now.

Cate de Fondre?

Gloria.

Yeah, I love a good goose liver.

Oh, I'll have one of those.

Howard?

Annie. You know each other, dear?

Oh, yeah, I know Annie from the Thunderbird Lounge. It's where I go when

Roger, you know, the president of First National.

He loves it there.

And what brings you to the Thunderbird Lounge?

She's just a waitress.

A waitress.

And you're our Natalie's mother.

And you commute to the Thunderbird Lounge from Paris?

Um...

Would you excuse me?

I don't know what to say.

Let her go, Ben.

No, she's upset.

Well, of course she's upset. She lied to you.

Well, I lied to her, too, because I told her that you were a nice person.

You were right.

I didn't come here to tell you I was right.

I came here to tell you that you started something and now you must finish it.

But you must do it as Annie.

The real Annie.

It's too late. I blew it.

Monica, my life has been one stupid mistake after another.

Yes, you've made mistakes, Annie.

But you've always taken responsibility for them and worked hard to overcome

them.

But God wants you to know he's very proud of you.

God?

I'm an angel.

God sent me here to help you.

No.

No, really.

Is God in heaven?

God loves you so much, Annie.

Mistakes and all.

And he wants you to pursue the dreams that you have for yourself and Natalie.

But not by rejecting the person that he made you to be.

But when it comes your turn to stand in the presence of God, he's not going to

ask you which college did you get your daughter into, but rather,

did you teach her how to find him?

Did you teach her how to be the person that he created her to be?

I don't think I've done either one of those very well.

Oh, there's still time.

But if you lose yourself, then your daughter won't have the example that she

needs the most.

God wants you to be proud of the good and hard -working woman that you are and

not to be afraid to show that side of yourself to the world.

This is the moment, Annie, that you must stand up and teach your daughter what

real class is.

It's not the clothes that you wear or the money you spend.

It's the character you show at times like this.

Natalie?

Hey. Hey.

What are you doing out here?

I'm hiding.

Why?

Because I'm embarrassed to be in there with my mother.

You're embarrassed?

Natalie, your mother put herself on the line for you. Now, she may not have

chosen the best way to do it, but she certainly did it for all the right

reasons.

You don't know this yet, but your mom is more than just your mom. She's a real

person.

You didn't get her heart broken, too?

Yeah. I mean, I really think she likes Howard. She just didn't know who he was.

I'm not talking about Howard breaking your mother's heart.

I'm talking about you.

I love my mom.

Andrew, and I never ever meant to hurt her.

It's hard.

Yeah, I know.

And I know that you don't like living in a trailer and wearing used clothes and

trying to scrape by with a lot less money than your friends have.

But one day you're going to look back and you're going to realize all these

sacrifices that your mother's made for you.

And she hasn't been able to give you money.

But what she's given you is an example of how to love somebody more than

yourself.

And when you understand that, then you'll recognize what a truly amazing

you have.

Why do you care so much?

Because also one day you'll look back and recognize that you had a

with an angel.

Then you'll understand.

Excuse me. Do you know where Harrison Stowe from Yale is?

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

I just want you to know that you don't fool me.

My husband has a lot of late meetings with Roger from the bank. He's been

them for years.

You're not the first, and you won't be the last.

So don't think your life is about to change.

And I want you to know I didn't know he was married.

Nothing happened between me and your husband, and nothing's going to.

Mrs. Everett, I don't know how you can put up with a man like that, but it

be easy.

You're going to be in my prayers.

Mr. Stowe?

Excuse me.

I want to apologize for what happened earlier, and I'd like to start over.

Very well.

My name is Annie Tate. I'm a cocktail waitress.

I've never been to Paris.

I don't make a lot of money.

But I do have a gifted daughter, and she's the best thing that's ever

to me.

I don't share her gifts, but I do share her dreams.

She's a good kid.

You've made a few mistakes.

So have I.

But I don't think either one of us will be making them again.

That's right, Mr. Still.

I've learned something about myself today.

And I don't know if that's going to make me a better student.

But I do think it's going to make me a better person.

And a better daughter.

If that even matters to you.

If you didn't make mistakes, you wouldn't have anything to learn.

That would put colleges out of business, I suppose.

You send me your scores and your application.

Thank you, Mr. Still.

I'm so sorry.

I love you, baby.

I love you, too, Mama.

I'm so proud of you.

For thine own health be true, and it shall follow as the night, the day, thou

canst not be false to any man.

That's not from the Bible. That's Shakespeare.

Yes.

But he was inspired.