Original subtitles

He gets the dog.

Me.

Where has the time gone, Tess?

Where it always goes, back where it came from.

That's very scientific of you.

Well, I'm a many -faceted being, and you have not begun to see all my facets.

I meant, I just can't believe I'm starting my 200th assignment.

To think of all the years of difficult and rewarding and unforgettable cases,

but I'm going to celebrate my 200th, right now.

Here.

Instead of the Bahamas?

I didn't say that.

I did. Don't you feel the chill?

So, you say this is going to be a special assignment test?

They're all special, baby. But you've never had an assignment like this, ever.

There he is.

The one in the window.

Jesse Cartwright.

Okay, good job. All right, what about the next one? Six times three is what?

Is 18.

Pretty good, pretty good.

I just added six and 12.

Oh, we still smile.

All right, what about the next one? Eight times two.

Have you ever heard a song, a rose in Spanish Harlem, or a story, a tree

grows in Brooklyn?

Yes.

Well, that's Jesse.

He grew up right here in this neighborhood with all this danger and

heartaches. And somehow he managed to survive.

No more than that.

He shines.

Hmm.

He shines.

Jesse's brought a lot of light to this community.

I should think raising a happy and healthy teenager in this neighborhood

would... Take a miracle.

Yes, it did.

What do you mean?

I'm not at liberty to share.

Oh.

Well, I guess I can't give you your present, then.

What present?

Something I got to commemorate our 200 assignments together.

Oh, baby, you shouldn't have.

Let me see it. Let me see it.

I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.

You crazy broad.

Come on.

It would seem that after 200 cases, you'd know the number one rule.

Don't run over your assignment.

My assignment?

Hey, Ma, you okay?

Some nutcase just tried to run me over.

Please proceed through the intersection and pull over.

Oh, no.

We're off to a good start. A really good start.

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 with you

Believe me, I'll walk with you

Lionel,

they're ready for you

You'll have to appear in court three weeks from today.

Court? We travel a lot, officer. We may not be in town three weeks from today.

Well, then you can pay the ticket and attend traffic school within the next

seven days.

Traffic school?

I don't make the laws, ma 'am. I just enforce them.

Yes, of course.

Now, you ladies have a nice day. Thank you.

Drive safely.

Well, at least I'm getting a present.

Oh, yes.

I hope you like it, Pat.

The driving gloves.

Oh, they're lovely.

And the perfect gift.

Since I'm going to be doing all the driving from now on.

What is she doing down there?

Who? That maniac.

Did you see what she did? She nearly killed me.

The cop gave her a ticket, which she seriously deserved.

And now she's just sitting there.

Finally.

Ridden.

Lionel Flores, you're 27 years old.

Yes, sir, that's right.

In for drug trafficking.

Yes, sir.

Before you were convicted, where did you live?

I lived just outside of Chicago in Shackleton.

I need to get back.

I need to get back because I need to do right by my kids.

The cop's not gone five minutes, and the dealers are right back at it.

Mom, Guillermo?

Ah, sorry.

Listen, I was just coming to say goodbye.

I've got to get to work.

I'm filling in for that crummy Jeremy.

He's got a two -day session, and he called in an hour ago saying he's got an

emergency route canal.

Okay, listen, here are the keys to the car.

It's across the street. I'm going to take the bus.

But you drive home straight away. I don't want you walking home alone at

okay? Okay.

Okay. Love you.

Love you, too, Mom. Bye.

Bye.

All right, man.

Do you have more problems? And then we can go shoot some hoops.

Okay. Hey, I got another one for you.

Is it anything good?

Oh, yeah.

I mean, it's a city.

Where'd you find it?

That's a dump.

Really?

This will go right on the shelf.

Jesse?

Hi, I'm the new after -school volunteer.

They told me to come find you.

Oh, yeah, Monica, right?

No, actually, I'm Gloria. Monica wasn't able to make it.

I just feel terrible.

What's going to happen to Jesse and his mother?

Plan B.

Plan B? Yes, and it's already been put into effect. So you just hustle on in

there and learn your turn signals and things. Everything's going to be just

fine. Okay, but... Don't but me.

Just go.

Bye -bye.

Yes, ma 'am.

So we get bilingual tutors in here on Tuesdays and scouting meets upstairs on

Thursdays. And every day at 6 we get some ex -gang bangers. Hey, Kathy.

How you doing?

Man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?

Are they all children?

These are all the kids we lost in the last 12 years.

AIDS, drugs, gangs and drive -bys.

It's a dangerous neighborhood.

You ever wonder why your name's not up there?

I've got a great mom.

What about Guillermo?

His mom is doing the best she can.

But she's got five kids.

And she works all the time.

And they're really, really poor.

What about his father?

The best thing I can say about that guy is that he's in jail.

Can't say I'm sorry to see you go.

Hey, you!

Yo!

Yo, meet up. Check it out, bro.

I'm out, man.

I'm out!

What are you in for?

Driving through a stop sign and almost killing a human being.

Almost.

I'm Monica.

I'd give anything not to be here. Anything.

My name is Kelly Cartwright. Anyone who is here for the Smart and Safety Traffic

School two -day course and does not have their paid receipt and does not have

their original violation citation can leave now.

Nope. You may not go and get it from your car. No, you may not call your wife

and have her bring it to you. No, no, no, no. This is not a course in yoga and

aromatherapy. This is a jail.

My jail.

And you are here to do time.

And your time starts now.

Oh, my God. It's you?

The homicidal maniac?

How did you get here so fast?

You were just sighted this afternoon.

Or are you here working off a different traffic violation?

No, I just thought I'd get it over with quickly.

Oh, you did, did you?

Well, we'll just see about that, won't we?

Stop looking at the clock, people.

The law requires that you spend four...

Full hours reviewing basic traffic rules.

If you do not, you will not earn your valuable completion certificate. Lady in

the suit, what traffic sign does this shape signify?

Danger. Monica?

Danger ahead.

School crossing.

Speed limit.

Stop sign. Oh, stop sign.

Very good.

Do me and the world a favor, Monica, and memorize this sign. Okay?

Now we are finished.

I expect to see you all back here to complete the last four required hours at

precisely five o 'clock next Wednesday. That's part right. I can't make it

Wednesday. Can I reschedule?

This is not a hair appointment.

Tough news.

Excuse me, Miss Cartwright. I was wondering if perhaps you and I could

cup of coffee together.

You've got to be kidding.

Nice to meet you, Rob. Jesse!

Did you throw a couple of things today?

Hey, you.

Uh -huh.

A little.

After class.

Need anything?

Nope. A few bucks for lunch?

I'm fine.

Okay.

It's going to go right back into the Durango Fund.

How much do we have in there now?

I don't know. I bet we're really close.

Hey, I tripped over that crazy rock again.

If it's a doorstop, put it against your door.

It's part of your collection.

Put it in your room, please.

Rock's in the freezer now?

It's an experiment.

How was your day?

It was good.

I got an A on my history exam.

That's great!

And we got a new volunteer in today, Gloria something.

She's good, though.

You know, we were supposed to have someone named Monica, but, you know, she

couldn't make it.

That's funny.

It's Monica in my class today.

I'm going to go change.

Okay.

Do you know that she's teaching my class?

Yeah. I told you everything would work out all right one way or another.

I wouldn't count on it, Tess.

She doesn't like me. I mean, she really, really doesn't like me.

Well, it could have something to do with the fact that you almost killed her

with my Cadillac.

Well, of course, I... It could be there's something about you that

makes her feel uncomfortable.

Like what?

You'll see.

This is too perfect.

It just takes...

Another look at number six.

Remember what I told you Tuesday about flipping the fractions upside down?

It's time for basketball.

Yeah, it's time for basketball in about five minutes. And then when Jesse gets

back from the... Well, come here, boy.

Ain't you glad to see your daddy?

Get out of here, Lionel.

Who the hell are you, fool? You know who I am.

Oh, yeah, yeah, you're that genius kid who lives with the white lady.

Well, I come from my boy.

Hey, what's up, man? Come here, mijo.

Hey, Guillermo, you know, I can't find your mama.

Where did you guys move to?

You know, I think you should go.

Oh, yeah?

You got no business with my son, man. I'll just cut you. That's enough.

Now, he asked you to leave.

You don't want to mess with me, wait, huh?

Sir, you're not welcome here. And believe me, you don't want to mess with

Yes, ma 'am.

Well, I'll see you later, ma 'am.

What you looking at, ma 'am?

Last chance, Guillermo.

You alright, man?

You alright?

Thank you.

Guillermo says you like rocks?

Yeah.

It's kind of a funny hobby for a boy from the city, huh?

Well, I'm not going to be here forever.

My mom and I were saving up to move to Colorado.

A lot of rocks there.

Yeah, they are.

They have a school of mines in Golden.

I'm going to be a geologist.

That's great.

I'm going to live down south in Durango.

That's a great name, huh?

Durango.

So what's there?

Well, there's this place where the mountains and the sky

and the lake, they all come together like glass.

I've never seen it, but my mom says it's the nearest thing to heaven on earth.

I can use a piece of that.

Once again, we witnessed the grim results of one man's selfish journey

intoxication.

Twisted metal intertwines with ripped flesh, torn limb, and the lost

dreams of a prom night that will never be.

It will be a long night for the ambulance crew.

Each year, nearly 500 people die.

and more than 450 people are injured while trespassing on railroad crossing.

Trespassers... Remember, everyone, you must return your certificate to the

five days in order to have your ticket completely removed from your record.

Thank you. Bye -bye.

What?

I noticed that Lee skipped the last night of class.

Not my problem.

Did you sell her a completion certificate?

Class is over, Monica.

Bye -bye.

I think that you did.

Look, Nancy Drew.

If nobody saw it happen, it didn't happen.

Get it?

Maybe I didn't see it.

But God did.

Oh, great.

I knew it. I knew it.

I knew there was something about you.

You're an angel, for heaven's sake, aren't you?

Well, yes, but how... I should have known.

I never knew an angel could drive worth a damn.

Will you listen to me?

You go right back there and you tell them no. Uh -uh. I am not going back and

you can't make me.

Make you what?

Go home.

It's too late for that.

You're not bringing me in.

Bringing you in?

You mean that you're an angel?

Yes, she is, baby.

Yes, she is.

It's good to see you, Kelly.

At least one of us.

I don't understand.

Don't force it. You might ruin your hair.

She's a deep cover, Angel.

She's been on the same assignment for... How long has it been now?

Fourteen years.

Fourteen glorious years. In Shackleton, the drug capital of South Chicago.

Raising a wonderful boy.

But... You're not his mother.

Very observant.

You know, I think you should spend less time insulting a co -worker and more

time explaining your unangel -like behavior.

Walk a mile in my halo, honey, and then we'll talk. She was assigned as the next

door neighbor for Jesse when Jesse was two. And she and his mother were very

close. And so when the mother was killed by a drunk driver, she became Jesse's

foster mother.

And a six -month assignment became 14 years.

I see how that explains it. Why I'm so human?

It's a rough world down here, Monica.

You ought to try it for more than a week at a time.

We're not here to discuss, Monica.

We're here to help you.

I don't need any of your help.

Oh, really?

The father hasn't heard from you in years.

So whatever power he gave you, you lost that?

Because you lost your connection to him.

Let's face it, Kelly, you're earthbound.

So what?

You take one look at my kid and you tell me what I'm doing wrong.

He's not yours.

He's God's.

That was the first thing I taught him. What else did you teach him?

All he knows is that I'm a good mom.

Tess, I don't think I'm the right angel for this assignment.

Baby, your assignment hasn't even started.

Remember that stock I bought last summer?

Oh, yeah.

It's climbed 30 points.

If I sell now, we'll be way ahead of schedule for Durango.

What's wrong?

You remember Lionel?

He got paroled.

What is wrong with the criminal justice system in this country?

I'm just worried about...

Real soon.

I promise.

The only problem about finally getting out... I was thinking about the ones

you leave behind.

I love you.

I love you too, Mom.

What are you doing here?

What are you doing here, Lionel? What are you doing here?

This ain't your corner.

Things have changed, Lionel, all right?

Guillermo doesn't want you around here no more.

It don't matter what Guillermo wants, okay?

I tell Guillermo what he wants, okay?

I'm his father. You don't know what a father is.

And when I get back out here, I want y 'all gone.

Yo, yo, yo.

Flores, what's up, man?

Hey, que pasa?

I didn't think your corner no more.

Oh, well, I'm taking it back, man. Oh, yeah, you think so, huh?

Uh, yeah, it looks like it to me.

All right, man, we will see.

We will see.

What's up, man?

What's up, man? Nobody likes me no more. They don't want me around. What

happened, huh?

Looks like I'm such a nice guy, too.

Good afternoon. Is this Mrs.

Polachek? Mrs.

Polachek, my name is Kelly Cartwright, and I'm calling on behalf of the Greater

Chicago Pork and Chicken Suppliers Association.

And you have been chosen by their board of directors as the recipient of a one

-year subscription to our dining out coupon book, which... Hello?

Hello?

It hasn't always been easy, has it, Kelly?

Oh, for the love of Pete, can I just get a break here?

We've got to talk.

Is the hit -and -run angel absolutely necessary?

Actually, I didn't hit, and I didn't run.

It's funny how things work out. You know, I thought it was an accident that

Monica had to go to traffic school.

But look who she ended up with as a teacher.

Well, miracles never cease.

You know, it may be that Monica ends up being your teacher.

Fat chance.

Why not?

Because you don't have a clue what it's like in the real world.

No matter how horrible it gets here sometimes, people still expect miracles.

And for the angels who deliver them to be less than the best that God has to

offer, it's wrong.

Let me just tell you what's wrong.

Wrong is trying to raise a child without any money and not even a safe place to

live. Wrong is spending more time taking Jesse to funerals than to birthday

parties. Wrong is teaching him how to say no to drug dealers instead of

him how to ride a bike. You think I've become too human, Monica?

You think I wanted to give up paradise for this?

Honey, I've been slammed into the pavement.

and ground into dust like every other miserable soul on this planet.

All I am trying to do is to hold on here.

It's time for you to let go.

No. I'm not going to be the angel who came in from the cold.

I'm not finished yet.

Jesse needs me.

I've been saving all this money so that we can get out of this hellhole and we

can see something that's beautiful.

Jesse's going to be safe.

He's going to go to college. He's...

He's

not going to go to college.

No.

When?

Today.

Lionel, where are you going, Kelly?

Just stop all this.

You can't stop this, baby.

Only Jesse can.

Then what did I come here for?

E -A -R -T.

Sound's out.

Par -T. See?

Where you been, doll?

Well... What happened?

Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Move!

Move, move, move!

Come, it will be done.

Under this is Nevin, our father.

Sorry. It's not your fault.

Why can't we just have some place for ourselves?

We can.

I'll be right back.

Where are you going?

Look, I just gotta take care of something.

It'll only take a minute.

I don't think this is a good idea.

Look, if we do nothing, Gloria, then we're telling these kids that it's okay.

Well, wait a minute.

Think about it. Maybe there's another way.

There's got to be another way when you're doing the right thing.

They've got their turf, Gloria.

But this is mine.

And it's the children's.

That's it, Lionel. I want you. Take off now. I'm calling the cops.

Yo, I ain't done nothing. Man, that's not what I saw.

Oh, yeah? What you gonna do?

What you gonna do? Man, just leave. Do it.

You better do it. He goes to the cops. Now, go. He's gonna run your mouth. Go.

Run your mouth.

Move me. Why'd you move me?

Get off the block. What you gonna do? Now, get off the block.

Make me or kill me.

Now you leave it!

Please, Jesse.

I'm sorry, Mama.

No. No, no, Jesse.

Please,

no. Please, no. Please, no.

No. Don't you dare.

No.

No.

It's time for you to come home too.

Senora. You are Jesse's mother.

I have something of Jesse's head

that I thought he would want Guillermo to have.

It's a poster of a place in...

Colorado that's very beautiful.

And it's a lot safer than here.

And this might help you to take your kids there

or anywhere else.

Yes, ma 'am.

But where would you go?

When we last spoke, you told me to go to hell.

But I think that you're already there, Kelly.

Just go away.

Leave me alone.

Will you pray with me?

No.

I don't think I'll ever pray again.

You prayed the day that Jesse died?

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Well, his will sure got done.

Right on schedule.

That's not how it works, Kelly.

And you know it.

Jesse didn't die because he had no choices.

He died because he had every choice.

And since God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow...

He already knew the choice that Jesse would make.

Free will.

The angel's excuse for everything.

It's not an excuse.

It's God's answer to evil.

We can accept evil or we can fight it, and Jesse chose to fight it because you

raised him to know the difference between right and wrong. So he could die

17? So he could live to be 17.

And make a difference in those 17 years that most people don't make in 80.

God granted you the gift to love a child with all your heart and soul.

Every angel in heaven would love that chance.

And I know that you're exactly the right angel that Jesse needed.

But you're needed again now.

Isn't it too late to go home?

No, it's not too late.

But... Will he forgive me for being so... So

human?

Of course he will. He does it all the time, you know.

Kelly, there's a little corner of heaven, a place where the mountains and

lake and the sky all come together just like glass.

And there on that mountaintop, someone is waiting for you.

Are you ready?

Jesse says bring the rock.