Original subtitles

Welcome to room 320.

Hello. How are you?

Hello. Hi.

It is so good to see so many of you come here tonight. Thank you so much. Kids,

let's welcome our parents.

All right, now the kids have worked really, really hard to make sure you

have a very fun night.

And one of the things we did is we came up with a game.

The first one is kind of like a pop quiz, but it's totally fine because

had 11 years to study.

Now all these drawings behind me, the children made in response to the

statement, how I see me.

So, your assignment is to go find your child's drawing and then place it on his

or her desk.

So let's go.

Trust you to be wrong every time. Me wrong?

It's a girl's drawing.

It's a house.

Men build houses. Some men even buy them.

Oh, but not me, right? Well, save your breath.

Basketball's his favorite sport.

It used to be. It still is. And don't act like you know my son better than me.

You don't live there.

You don't see how much he likes living in a house with a yard.

All that stuff I can never give him, right?

You know, there are no grades here. This is just a fun kind of warm -up

activity.

You don't see how much he likes watching the game with me.

Believe me, I know what my son likes. So do I. You're both wrong.

Here's your picture, Brett.

My mother, the volcano.

You are the one who is always exploding.

I think that picture explains everything.

How so?

Well, the volcano exploding is... It's like all the anger that he feels.

And the dinosaur?

The dinosaur is very lonely.

The world he knew has become extinct.

Divorce can do that to children.

At least Andrew has gotten John to a point where he can make a drawing like

that. Well, it's one thing to draw a volcano, but it's a whole other thing to

one.

John's parents have divided their friend, their money, their furniture,

they... But they can't figure out how to divide their own son.

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.

Hey. Wow, it's a great dinosaur.

That looks like the guy that you drew in that volcano picture.

It's a comp.

Short for Comp Cygnathus.

One of the smallest dinosaurs ever. He lived in Canada around the Jurassic

period. Oh.

That must have been kind of tough, being a little guy with all those big guys

stomping around all the time.

come to get you um on fridays it's my dad but but

sometimes if he has to work late which is okay because money doesn't grow on

trees you got to do what you got to do well then it could be my mom but if

stuck she could send my grandmother or phil and that's your stepdad right phil

you call him phil i don't know what else to call him i'll tell you what what if

i go inside and Give your mom a call.

You know, just to let her know that you're not alone.

If you want.

I want.

So you like your new teacher?

Yeah. He seems like he'd be a lot of fun.

You know what I've been in the mood for?

Ice cream.

How about on Sunday when you get home, we take a trip to the DQ?

Ice cream in winter?

Cool. I guess that's what's so great about your mom.

She gets to make up her own rules.

Well, when do I get to make them up?

When you're a grown -up.

That's the way of the world, John.

You don't get to make up new rules until you understand the old ones.

It's his turn to wait.

Hey. Hi, Dad. How you doing, kiddo?

Sorry I'm late. Oh, it's okay.

Hold on. Let me go get my stuff.

So you forgot your gloves too, huh?

I didn't forget them.

I had to work late. I didn't say anything.

Right.

So, that thing's still running, huh?

Don't worry.

It's safe. Well, you finally got those rims you were always talking about.

Yeah, they look good, don't they? Yeah.

Congratulations.

Hey, got your homework?

Yeah.

Here you go.

Go, baby.

Yes. I am.

I

don't

know what your mother told you, but she has to stop fixing a fuel mix situation

on a Ford Probe. It's okay, Dad.

Those car computers can be a real headache.

You said it.

Hey, probably worked on my last Plymouth today.

Can't believe they cut those out.

You're telling me. Man, if I was in charge of Chrysler, I would... Hey, what

you say we go to my place, catch a shower, we'll grab a pizza, check out

game on big screen?

I already ate.

Oh, yeah, right.

Well, I could eat again.

It's a nice jacket. Is it new?

Yeah. I just wanted to get socks, and I thought... Mom bought it for you just

right then and there, didn't she?

Yeah.

What was wrong with the one I got you?

You want some tokens?

And look, it's my teacher. Remember?

Oh, yeah.

Looks like he's got a girlfriend.

You want to go say hi?

Nah, you know what?

Don't bother.

Play the game.

Hey, John.

Hi. Don't mind me.

Come here.

Come on.

I want to meet a friend of mine. Monica.

Monica. John.

Hi. Hello.

I understand how to play. I'm not very good, but... Oh, would you look at that?

Pretty good teacher.

Oh, well.

Thank you.

Okay, take my turn.

Are you a teacher, too?

No, but I suppose I do the sorts of things that teachers do.

Like what?

Well, I teach people how to solve their problem.

Like in math?

Well, no.

Harder than math. I mean, in math, you either add or subtract or multiply, and

you still come up with the same answer.

Life's not that simple.

Sometimes things don't add up, no matter how hard you try.

That's when you know you really got a problem.

That's where I come in.

I help people find new answers.

Like a private eye?

Well, Monica is an advocate.

Oh, so like a lawyer then?

Well, yeah.

Lawyers are advocates.

So, if I had a problem, you'd be on my side, right?

Right. Oh, no.

Forgot my book.

So much for helping him with his homework.

We're eating first.

You didn't even look to see if he had his books when he left the house. He

he had them.

Great. And if he says he's finished his homework, you're just going to take him

at his word then, too.

He's 11.

I can't trust him to match his socks, much less monitor his own homework.

Well, I trust my kid.

Well, so do I, but I still check.

It's not trust. It wasn't before, and it isn't now.

I'll go.

Please do not believe so much. You just made it about us. I did not. Guys, guys,

please, come on.

Can you sell this outside?

Sorry.

Will you be my advocate?

Yes, but do you have a problem?

Yeah.

Big one.

I don't have much money.

Well, the money's not important.

What do you want me to do?

I want to get a divorce from my parents.

John, I know that this has been really, really hard on you, but divorce is very,

very serious.

From anyone.

It should only be used as a last resort.

It is.

They only fight when they get together, and the only reason they get together is

because of me.

And if I'm gone, then they won't fight anymore.

But it's not that simple, John. You can't just be gone.

I mean, you'll have to go to court, and so will your parents.

You'll have to talk to a judge.

You'll have to make some very painful choices.

Can't hurt any more than it already does.

Okay, you know what I think?

I think you need a break, not a divorce.

So I'll tell you what.

I'm going to go over and talk to your dad and ask him if it'll be okay for you

and I just to spend the day together. Just hanging out, just the two of us.

Right? Then maybe that'll allow your mom and your dad a little time to settle

some things.

Okay?

Well?

Well, John wants to ask his parents for a divorce, but I think we've managed to

talk him out of it.

I see. Now there are two more adults telling that child how he should feel.

Oh, cool.

Do you think it would be, like, too dumb if I worked with dinosaurs when I grew

up?

No, I don't think that'd be dumb.

Even though they're extinct?

Just because they're not roaming up and down the street doesn't mean that we

can't learn stuff from them.

Right. And it's not like I'll learn anything at basketball practice, so...

tell me something.

If you don't like basketball, why do you play?

My dad says if he'd played on a team in high school, he could have gotten a

scholarship and gone to college.

I mean, a lot of guys dumber than him did.

They all did.

Bill? Played basketball?

Golf. Buddy with the teeth.

Whoa.

You've got everything an artist needs there. I paid for it all by myself.

That's a big deal.

How do you know?

Well, your dad can't get mad that your mom bought it, and your mom can't get

that your dad bought it.

They always argue when dad comes to Phil's house.

I'm sorry, John.

I had a nice day.

Yeah, me too.

I mean call.

This is my house, Martin, not yours. No, no. It's my son's house, too, and this

is for my son. Don't tell me about your son. He is my son. Hey, kiddo.

Hey, check this out. I'm going to hang it up over there pretty soon.

You'll be a scoring machine.

That is not staying here, Martin.

Forget her. She thinks she's the only one who can buy his stuff.

All right, that's it. I want you out of here now. Meet the boss.

Sweetheart. Oh, don't pay any attention to him. It's going to be okay. It's not

my fault. Yes.

It would have been fine if you hadn't gotten in the way. Come here. You bring

all your toys. Shut up. Shut up.

See?

Forget it, Andrew.

I want to do it.

You've got to do it.

Do what?

Are you Janet Grabowski?

Yes.

Bill!

Martin wants custody again.

No, you're not going to believe this.

I don't get it.

How does a kid get a custody hearing for himself?

Well, Martin had to put him up to this.

He had to. He just can't stand for me to win.

When? Well, I got John in the divorce, and then I got you. What has Martin got?

What's this?

You got one, too.

Which one of you put him up to this?

Us.

You just won't let us settle down and be happy. You put him up to this. No, no,

no, no, no. This is your prints all over it. Don't you remember?

Calling in the lawyers the first time was your idea, too. Look, if John did

on his own, then it's clearly a cry for help.

My son would never do this on his own. Why would he do this at all?

Why don't we ask him?

Summit County Family Court is now in session.

This court is called to order in the matter of Ashburn v.

Ashburn v.

Grabowski.

You may be seated.

Now, this is a case, in my opinion, that never should have come to court in the

first place.

The young man felt he had no other choice, Your Honor.

Your Honor.

Excuse me, Your Honor.

We can solve this whole thing really easy. All you got to do is give me

I mean, that's what should have happened in the first place.

Did I ask for your opinion, sir?

I'm sorry, but she just doesn't pay him enough attention ever since she got

married. You can't blame this on me.

Your Honor, this man has not kept a single custody condition since our... I

quiet and I want it now.

Now, it doesn't take a lot of legal mumbo -jumbo to show me that this is a

situation that needs a timeout.

I know a timeout is usually for children, but in this case, I cannot

difference between the adults and the children.

She can't say that. Can she say that?

Mr. Ashburn, this is my court.

I can say what I want to, when I want to, and you get a chance to listen,

you want me to give you my decision now.

I didn't think so.

Now, if there ever was a situation that needed everybody to take a step back and

let it settle, this is it.

And so that's what we're going to do. In the meantime, Monica, who is the

advocate for this minor child, is going to take some depositions.

The rest of you are going to take a deep breath and cool yourselves off.

John.

If you had to live with someone other than your parents for a few days, where

could you live?

I want to live with him.

You mean at my house?

Mm -hmm.

Your Honor, that would be fine.

At my house.

Temporary custody is granted, and this court will reconvene in two days.

All rise.

Nobody comes in until I'm finished.

Oh, there you are.

We're having a bit of a dispute over decor.

But it's about to be solved.

Mm -mm.

Andre.

Whoa! This is...

Amazing. It's my own design. I wanted you to have something elegant and

and strong like an angel should be. Well, it's all those things.

I'm very pleased with it.

However, angels are also peaceful, comforting, and warm.

And I think that your home should reflect that because that's really who

are. I am.

You are.

This is very, um, very, um...

It's very beautiful, too. They're both very beautiful. And each in their own

way are very... Really.

Which one do you like better?

Well, you know... Come on, which one will it be? We've got a little boy

Andrew, which one is it going to be?

I wasn't sure how long this would be, so I didn't know what to pack.

This shouldn't be too long.

Well, I may have to stay here until I go to college.

College, huh?

Okay, well.

I guess we need to get to work on those grades then.

Come on in.

What do you think?

It's interesting.

Where's the TV?

I'm not sure.

She had these two really good friends. They wanted to help me decorate the

apartment. So some of these things are what one of them wanted, and some of

these things are what the other one wanted.

Where's the stuff you wanted?

I don't know. I was so busy trying not to hurt their feelings that

I forgot to be honest with them.

Tell you what, though. This time, the guy picked the place up.

Excellent. You made some changes to it since the parent -teacher night.

Seeing the real thing helped.

You know, the comp might have made it to the meteor crash, but he was thomped

out by two bigger dinosaurs, like T -Rex or Giganosaurus.

I'm not sure which.

A lot of people don't know he was ever here.

That's just a theory, John.

It's like the meteor crash.

You know, the scientists don't know what brought the dinosaurs to extinction.

But two bigger dinosaurs couldn't make the little guy just disappear.

Yeah, well, they got their theories. I got mine.

Right.

Everybody has a right to their own theory. For example, I have a theory

this leopard pillow should pretty much be in the trash.

Leopard? Do you mind if I call you Janet?

I know this must be very difficult for you.

Do you have any idea why John decided to pursue this legal action?

No, I don't.

That's what's upsetting about it.

I mean, John likes living with us. With Phil and I, I mean.

The first time that he's seen two adults who are not at each other's throats all

the time.

And Martin can't stand that, so he does things to undermine me all the time.

I've tried to make Sunday night dinner a special event, and Martin knows that.

But he still brings them home late every time.

Do you think that Martin has a good father?

Martin doesn't act like a father with him.

He treats their time together like it's a 48 -hour free pass to Disneyland.

What happens to a boy who never learns how to handle the really tough things in

life?

Of course I make my time with John like Disneyland. I only get him.

for two days a week.

I gotta make that time as pleasant as I can.

If he has homework or something important to do, would it kill her to

I'd get it done.

I may not have a fancy degree like Phil, but I'm not stupid.

As for getting him home late, I don't watch the clock when I'm with him.

Actually,

That's not true.

I do nothing but watch the clock.

Every minute of every weekend, I know exactly how much longer I have with my

son.

That's not fair.

So, if I bring him home late once in a while,

sue me.

I think things have to change when you add something new to the family

And don't get me wrong, I think John is a great kid.

I even asked him to give me his mother's hand in marriage.

And he said he thought it would be okay after he thought for a long time, as

long as I didn't ask him to call me dad, which I would never do.

But, I mean, if you want to know where I think he'd be better off, I'd have to

say it would be with Janet.

Although, I can see where Martin's coming from.

It's a difficult position to be in, you know?

I've read through the depositions, and I've had a chance to see this through

eyes of the parents.

John, now I'd like to see it from your particular point of view.

Your Honor. This is completely... Not a word. You people have had your chance.

Just sit down.

John, I'm going to have to ask you some questions.

And I want you to answer as honestly as you can, okay?

Okay.

Have either of your parents ever beaten you or hurt you physically in any way?

No. Have they ever locked you out in the cold?

No.

Have they ever made you go hungry when there was food in the house?

No.

Okay. Thank you. You're doing great.

Now, honey, I need for you to tell me your side of the story.

I changed my mind. I don't want a divorce.

I'm fine. It's okay.

John, I know this is hard, but you asked for our help, and

we can't help you decide where to live unless you talk to me.

You're not going to make me pick, are you?

I can't.

If I have to pick, I choose not to pick.

In light of this, Your Honor, I'd like to enter a motion to dismiss.

As you said, this should never have come before this court.

Sit down, sir.

I've seen enough to know that this matter will not be resolved by simply

dismissing it today.

Now, John, I know you don't want to hear this, but you brought this matter to

court, and we take things very seriously here.

And we can't just forget it, even if you changed your mind.

And the truth is, baby, you don't want to leave here today and go back to the

way it was, do you?

It's okay. I can handle it.

Baby, you shouldn't have to.

We're going to take a recess.

And when I come back, some decisions are going to be made here.

We'll reconvene in ten minutes.

And I will see the parents in my chambers now.

All right.

They're all going to hate me.

Everybody's going to hate me.

I'm going to tell you a story.

Two women were fighting over one child. It seems they both claimed to be the

mother. And they couldn't settle the argument, so they went to wise King

for a judgment.

I know it's an old story, but it's a good one.

So listen up.

Solomon couldn't tell just by looking at them who was the true parent.

And so he called for a sword to cut the baby in two so that each woman could

have a half.

And one of the ladies said, well, good.

That way we'll both lose.

And the other lady said, oh, please, no, don't do that. I would rather that the

child live with her than be harmed.

And that's how Solomon knew the real mother from the pretender.

Because the real mother did not care about winning.

She just cared about her baby.

Well, with all due respect, Your Honor, but that was the case between one real

parent and one person pretending to be a parent. I mean, we're both real

parents. But both of you are willing to let your son get torn apart.

A real parent wouldn't do that.

Your son sees the sword coming.

And he's been crying out for help.

But you haven't heard him because you've been so busy arguing all the time.

And then he came to us.

And we listened.

And that's frightening you.

Of course it is. No one is going to take my child from me.

How are you going to... Hold on to him so tightly that he tears in half and you

lose him anyway?

He's just confused. We're not losing him.

Not yet.

But every time you fight in front of him, you pull

further away.

And he's more alone and angrier.

And one day, that anger is going to express itself in a terribly ugly way.

And the two of you are going to look at each other. What happened?

How could such a sweet child turn into such a bitter, hateful creature?

And the answer is, he grew up with two of them.

I don't even know why I came here.

And I don't want to talk to anybody because nobody's going to listen to me

anyway.

I'm listening.

Monica's listening. The judge is listening.

And most importantly, God is listening.

God?

Like up in the sky, God?

Well, God isn't just up in the sky.

Where is he, then?

God is everywhere.

Well, how do you know?

Maybe he's just a story.

Maybe he used to be, but he went extinct, like the dinosaurs.

No, John.

God is not extinct.

He's here right now.

He heard your prayers.

He saw your tears.

And that's why he sent you some angels to help you through this.

Oh.

Your angels?

Really?

Oh, yeah.

And God sent us here to give you a message.

He knows.

That you were feeling like that dinosaur that we saw in the museum.

That you were afraid of being trampled.

God wants you to know that he's there for you.

He will give you the strength you need to get through this problem. He will

always give you the strength you need to survive and find your way.

He will.

He will.

God loves you so much, John.

That's why he sent us here, to help you find a way to be heard.

And he sent another angel, too, to talk to your parents.

The judge.

Maybe they'll listen to her.

They don't listen to me anymore.

Oh, I promise you, they'll listen to her.

And do you know what she's going to tell them?

She's going to tell them to listen to you.

John, that means that you have to talk.

Now, I know you're afraid.

But you've got to tell them how you feel.

Because sometimes parents teach their children things.

And sometimes children have to teach their parents things.

Like what?

Like who you are.

What you feel.

What you want.

Now, God wants you to obey your parents, John.

But he also wants them to know how you feel.

You've been teaching your parents all your life.

From the moment every child is born, their parents see the world all over

brand new.

And through their child's eyes, they see that colors are more vibrant, flowers

are more fragrant, and music fills their soul in a way they could never even

imagine.

And when the child learns to walk, it reminds their parents that...

When you fall down, you should just get right back up again.

And when a child stands and says, I know who I am and I know that God loves me,

it reminds their parents that every child deserves to be respected.

You can teach your parents that lesson.

We have a difficult matter before this court that requires not simply a fair

decision, but more importantly, a decision in the best interest of this

child.

Unfortunately, but understandably, John has found it hard to tell me how he

feels about this. So I will have to make a decision without his input.

Excuse me.

Yes, baby.

I think... John, don't, don't, uh... Don't interrupt the judge.

Did I call you, baby?

You hush.

Go ahead, baby.

I think I'm ready to talk now.

Excellent.

Come up here by me. I think this witness box kind of scares you a little bit.

Yes, I am.

And yes, he is.

And he's listening right now.

Have you figured out what you want everybody to hear?

Yeah.

But... They're always yelling at each other.

When they're not doing that, they're yelling at me about each other.

I can't talk to them.

I just want to talk to them.

What is it you want to say?

I want to say that... Say it to them. Tell them, baby.

I want to be able to wear whatever coat I feel like wearing and not have

someone mad at me because I'm not wearing theirs.

I want to be able to say I'm going home.

Not mom's house or dad's house, just home.

I don't want to have to eat twice in one night just to make both of you feel

good. That's not my job.

I'm not supposed to take care of you.

You're supposed to take care of me.

I'm the kid.

I just want to be the kid again.

I don't want to feel that if I don't do everything right all the time,

you'll stop loving me.

What?

You stop loving each other.

Maybe you could stop loving me too.

John, we'd never do that to you. We love you.

Oh, that would never happen.

Never happen. We love you so much.

Both of us. Oh, and that would never happen, my sweet heart.

Never. We were both just so busy thinking about how hurt we were that we

just didn't see. We didn't see how much we hurt you.

No, that's no excuse.

Good.

Because we don't need any more excuses.

And we sure don't need any more blame. We need change.

This child needs parents that love him and will listen to him,

no matter how they feel about each other.

That's all he's asking.

And it doesn't take somebody like Solomon to see the wisdom in that.

So I'm not calling for a sword today.

I'm waiting to hear two parents say, enough.

Can you say that?

Enough.

Enough.

What do you think, John?

Do you believe them?

They yell, but I don't think they lie.

Well, then what... happens next is left to you do i make my decision or do i

say case dismissed case dismissed i like the sound of that

They added in their new pictures today.

He really has a lot of talent, doesn't he?

Yeah, and a brand new jacket, too.

That's the best part.

Thank you, sir.

I had no idea you knew so much about dinosaurs. You're a bit smart.

And a pretty good teacher, too.

Well, there's your dad. He's right on time.

Come here.

Oh.

Give me a big kiss.

Bye, Mom.

Bye, Phil. See ya.

Hey. Oh, hi, Dad.

Hey, buddy.

Did you have a good time?

Oh, we had a great time.

Are you hungry?

Starving. Can we get some pizza?

Whatever you want.