Original subtitles

Monica, one of the secrets to a surprise party is that the surprisers arrive

before the surprisee. I know, but you see, the man at the shop was having a

bad day. First, he couldn't find a box, then he didn't have any wrapping paper.

Then, he told me that he was retiring after 50 years, and he didn't know what

was going to do with his life now, because life was basically meaningless.

So, of course, I had to... You had to stay there and set him straight.

Yes, I thought Tess would understand.

She would.

I'm sure he'll hear.

So, what do you think?

We love you, Tess.

That's lovely.

Surprise!

Hello.

I'm sorry. Is this Tess's surprise party?

Yes, it is, but... Oh, my goodness.

It's a private party.

I'm sorry. I'm Ronald.

I'm sorry.

That's all right, Ronald.

It's just that we weren't expecting any more... Angels?

Angels?

Yes. You mean you're... Ronald.

You know, records and permanent files.

I'm just the guy who checks on where angels are sent and who they're sent to

help, et cetera, and so forth.

Sort of like a celestial air traffic controller, huh?

Exactly.

I was sitting at my desk, and today's itinerary came through, and this event

on it, and I have always wanted to meet Tess.

And I didn't realize that there weren't supposed to be any other guests, and I'm

sorry. I'll leave. Oh, no, Ronald.

That's all right. We're glad that you're here.

Please, please, join us.

I'm Andrew.

Andrew.

Angel of death.

I have read all of your cases, and you rate very, very

high on the feedback questionnaires.

Thank you. That's very encouraging.

This is Monica.

How do you do? Monica.

Monica.

We have files on you.

This thick? Oh, my goodness.

Thank you.

Surprise!

How are we progressing?

Oh, everything is lovely, Mr. Knowles.

Splendid, splendid.

Well, tick -tock, tick -tock. Time to serve the fruit cup.

Not quite yet. Our guest of honor is a little late.

That's not good. We have to start setting up for the Chamber of Commerce

at five.

We'll be finished in time.

Yes. Yes, you will.

So, Tess doesn't suspect anything?

No, no. She thinks that she's... I don't know. What did you say to get her to

come here?

Well, I sent her a message that I needed her at the Salt Lake Center Hotel ASAP.

Oh, no, Monica.

You didn't.

I did?

Monica.

What's wrong with that?

No, no, baby, don't do that. No, I've got to get there ASAP.

Monica's in trouble.

This is an emergency.

Oh, well.

When you walk down the road,

every bird...

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.

Don't I keep you full?

And this is the fact you give me?

No, no, no, no. I didn't mean it. What am I going to do now?

No,

no, I didn't mean it.

No.

Nice fruit cup.

Monica, I'm getting a very funny feeling about this. Now tell me exactly.

What did you say to her?

There's no way that you could have misunderstood.

You see, Tess and I have a wonderful way of communicating.

In fact, that's why we're giving her this little testimonial.

It's a way to remember all the times that we... Communicated.

Yes, exactly.

Did I tell you to think north?

No. I distinctly remember telling you to get on the bus and go north.

Go north.

But God told us there'd be days like this, too.

Days when humans behave so badly to one another, it's all an angel can do to

keep loving them.

But the good news is, that's all we have to do. Destiny doesn't happen.

It arrives.

And when it does, you either batten down the hatches, wait till it blows over,

or you swing open the gates and invite it in to supper.

I wish it had a way of showing itself.

Then it wouldn't be destiny.

And I wouldn't have a job.

Go, girl. Now you're catching on.

Hark.

Hark?

I miss the old days.

What if she isn't coming?

Now you know she's coming.

Of course she's coming, especially if she thinks that you need her.

Hello.

Welcome to Penny. May I help you?

Sorry to take you away from your magazine.

Kelly. Oh, no biggie. I read it five months ago when it came out.

It's my car.

It's gorgeous.

Well, it started going kazoonga, kazoonga, kazoonga, and then it went

boom, boom, boom, and then it went... and then it died.

Well, I'd say there's something wrong with it.

Yeah, I had considered that probability.

Well?

Well, what?

I'm the cashier. You want a soda? I can help you. You want change for the pool

table? You see me.

You want your car fixed? You got away for a penny and she just left on a toll

call. Well, you've got to call Penny and get her back here. I've got to get back

on the road to Salt Lake City.

Well, you bet your red rider. I'll just radio Penny, have her leave that family

of six in their big old RV in the middle of the interstate.

Well, how long is she going to be gone?

Until she's done, I expect.

But there's lots to do while you're waiting. You can read old magazines, you

drink old coffee, or if you're a real risk taker, you can read old magazines

drink old coffee at the same time.

Hmm.

Sometimes when I'm sorting reports by era, I daydream about being a

caseworker, about working face to face, like you do. But I know I just don't

have what it takes. What do you think it takes?

Charisma.

So people notice you. I noticed you right away.

You did?

Uh -huh.

Bet you learned that from Tess.

What? Making people feel better about themselves.

Oh, yes.

Tess has a marvelous ability to always speak the truth, no matter what.

Brace yourself, Jack, because I don't have a lot of time to pussyfoot around

with you.

I'm an angel sent by God. Now, you can accept that or not.

But what you will accept when I'm finished is the concept of fidelity.

Locked. stock and barrel. Do I make myself clear?

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.

I don't like your lifestyle.

Monica doesn't like your lifestyle.

God doesn't like your lifestyle, and whether you know it or not, you don't

your lifestyle.

And you're also only halfway out of your old life so far.

Getting off the streets and getting off drugs is one thing.

Staying off is another thing altogether.

Yeah, it's going to take hard work and discipline and commitment, right?

Yeah. But I'm willing to do it. I love him. Do you understand that? And he

me. What he does to you, baby, is not love.

We got a new plan.

I didn't know we had a whole one. We going to Nashville.

Oh, no, I'm not going anywhere. The road to Nashville takes me right past that

trailer park. I got two missing kids and a whole truckload of stuff. They gonna

pick me up for sure.

Well, Mr.

Lightfingers, you go over there and tell those kids they're not getting to

Nashville. And make sure that little girl understands real good that she's

gonna get her face fixed.

Look here, woman.

If I thought that I could get them kids to Nashville without ending up in jail,

I'd do it. A righteous man would do it anyway.

Get out of the car, Nathaniel. You better do what she says.

Hey, lady, wait a minute. You have come to the end of your road, mister.

Okay. She's an angel. I ordered one.

Are you telling me that you're an angel? Yes, sir, and you're looking at a very

angry angel.

Now I'm going to take this child home where he belongs, and you, Joseph Green,

are going to take your irresponsible butt back to that hospital, back to that

angel that's waiting for you.

Don't be scared, Dad. They show up every once in a while, and it's a good idea

they do what they say.

See ya.

Get going! Go! Now! Now!

Sometimes I read test cases, and I just laugh.

But there's a lot more to Tess than what would be in those files.

My files are very complete.

I'm sure they are, but they only tell you what Tess does, not who Tess is.

I have read every one of Tess's reports ever, and some of them are written on

stone tablets, and those pages are hard to turn, but I do.

Sounds like Tess is your hero.

Oh, my goodness, yes.

What confidence, what...

What stature, what commitment, if I could ever just... Surprise!

No.

This was left at the front desk.

Tick -tock. You have 20 minutes.

That man is right up there with Tess in attitude rating.

Attitude rating? Oh, yes. We keep track of everything.

Attitude rating, case success ratios.

Coffee drinking percentage.

But Tessa's attitude is a record that may never be broken. Oh, my goodness.

I wouldn't want to get on her bad side.

Oh, yeah, I've been there.

She gets this look.

Sort of squinty.

Oh, that's right.

There must be something you can do.

Hey, if I owned a car like that and it blew a gasket, I'd blow a gasket, too. I

don't blame you for being crabby. I'm not crabby. I just have to get to Salt

Lake City.

Well, the bus goes through here. You can get it right outside.

What about my car?

Maybe Penny will buy it for spare parts.

For spare parts?

Hey, I'm not making any promises.

I'm not asking you to tear my baby down to the spark plugs.

I'm asking for your help.

And I'm telling you, I don't do favors.

Not for anybody?

Nobody. Nobody?

No. Well, we'll just see about that.

What if God had sent her on another assignment and we'd never see her again?

I would have known that. Nothing came across my desk.

But you're not at your desk.

True.

She could be anywhere.

Monica, we'd see Tess again.

No matter what.

Maybe. Well, you know how it is sometimes.

You leave a job.

promising to call or have lunch, and you get busy, and a

millennium or two passes, and you're not helping.

I'm sorry.

You know, we joke about Tess's temper and attitude and stuff, but the thing

at times like this when I miss her the most, I think of the times that she is

there, saying all the right things and making everything better.

I am cooking.

What a blessing.

What a blessing. No one can make me smile like Tastor.

How's it going out there? Good. Going good.

There have been a couple of substitution requests.

Well, who said that substitutions were allowed?

In the spirit of hospitality, I did.

Well, just how hospitable are we going to be? What department are you with?

Etiquette.

I'm here to help you improve your manners. And just what's wrong with my

manners? I got a list in here somewhere.

But for starters, you're supposed to be a heavenly being, not a holy terror.

Is that you?

No, it's the abominable snowman, and I'm feeling more abominable every minute.

So you think you can get rid of these ants?

I think I can handle it.

Okay, go on.

Move out.

Get your little ant butts out of here.

Go around the corner. I got a hole for you. Go now. Go. Go now.

That's amazing.

See?

Anything can happen.

I just don't feel the spirit leading me in this direction.

Okay. Yes.

I just can't imagine a world without Tess.

Tess.

I know there are lights burning brighter somewhere.

I know there are birds flying higher in the sky.

More blue.

If a man can dream of a better land where all his brothers walk hand

in hand, Lord tell me why, oh why,

oh why, why can't their dreams

come true?

some time.

Strong winds of promise that will blow away the doubt and fear.

If a man can dream of a warmer sun where hope keeps shining on

everyone, tell me why.

Lord, please tell me why.

Why won't that sun appear?

Where is she?

Before I get on that bus, tell me something.

Why won't you help me?

You do things for other people, you just get in trouble.

That's not the right way to think.

Sometimes it's the only way to think.

Baby, what happened?

Who hurt you so bad?

A young business.

About thought of being here any minute.

I didn't realize you were supposed to bring a present to a surprise party.

never been to a surprise party, so I guess that's why.

Please don't surprise me again.

Well, thank you for being with us today. I trust that everything was

satisfactory.

We haven't had the party yet. The guest of honor is late.

Sir, I am the banquet manager.

I manage banquets. That is what I do.

I'm not in charge of getting your friend here. That was your job.

Sir, our friend was apparently unavoidably detained.

Well, yes, that is.

That is a shame.

Please, take all the time you need.

Load it in!

You won't even notice them.

Just carry on doing whatever it is that you were doing.

Well, the

Lord moves in mysterious ways.

Some are more mysterious than others.

I believe that.

I really do.

And I know that Tess will be here eventually.

Be careful with that tray, all right?

I don't know exactly what you have in mind here, Father.

But I know you're going to take care of my angel girl, so I'm not even worried

about that.

And whatever you want me to do to help this poor soul, I'm staying.

I'm ready.

Let's put up this other banner, please.

Watch the hair.

Sorry. Boy, if Tess were here, she would walk right up to that Mr.

Knowles.

Look him straight in the eye and give him a piece of her mind.

Tess doesn't punish people. She helps people.

Personally, I think she'd be singing.

Singing?

Tess sings?

Mm -hmm.

That's not in the files?

No.

I thought I knew everything about Tess. She does it a lot. Oh, yes, all the

time. I can't imagine having a file on Tess that doesn't talk about her music.

It's who she is. It's what she does.

It's her gift.

Soon it's gonna rain.

I can feel it.

Soon it's going to rain, I can tell.

George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas

Jefferson.

Well, when the saints go marching in.

Well, when the saints go marching in.

When Tess sings, it's not just singing.

It's praying.

Surely the presence of the Lord

is in this place.

I can feel his mighty power and his grace.

Things are confusing. You don't know what to do.

It seems the world is closing in on you.

It's time to move, but you don't know where to go.

You're in a panic, but you can't let it show.

I know just where to find the answer you seek.

A conversation where you need not even speak.

Steal yourself and turn to one who really cares.

Take your burdens to the Lord.

So, does this mean that if I could sing, I could be more like Tess?

No, no, Ronald. It's not about copying Tess. It's about using whatever gift

you have to glorify God.

Tess's gift happens to be music, and yours is... Filing.

Yes. You could turn filing into a prayer, just as Tess turns a song into a

prayer. In fact...

Wherever she is, whatever she's doing, I wouldn't be surprised if Tess were

singing right now.

The Lord moves in mysterious ways.

His wonders will perform.

And he flies his footsteps on the sea.

And he rides on every storm.

He is his own interpreter.

And he's gonna make it plain

No smoking, no spitting, and

no singing.

I don't see that sign.

I'm gonna make it right now.

That song did something to you, didn't it? Made you feel something you didn't

want to feel.

Why didn't you just get on that bus?

That's not what I do.

That's not who I am. I don't walk out on people who need help, even if I need

help myself.

And I can sit right here all day and all night, if that's what it takes.

And you know I will.

About your friend?

I've put her in God's hands.

And you're a real piece of work, lady.

Yes, I am.

So start talking.

You want to hear so bad?

Fine.

Here we go.

When I was a little girl, we lived in the city.

And one day, Daddy gave me a kiss goodbye, and he went on a business trip.

And while he was there, he saw a house on fire.

And the place was almost gone, and the firemen hadn't even arrived.

And somebody called out for help, and Daddy heard him.

So he ran inside to save them.

But... They both died.

End of story.

So that's why you stopped helping people?

Because your father died trying?

Trying and failing. No good deed goes unpunished.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

If you're going to start talking to me about God moving in a mysterious way,

save your breath.

Don't talk to me about God.

That's a shame.

I'm very good at talking about him. Huh?

You sure you want me to leave?

Yeah. Just go away.

The Bible says that if you go into a town and try to bring light to the

they don't want to see the light, that you should shake the dust off your feet

and move on to another town.

Now, you've made it pretty clear to me that you want me to move on.

But I can't do that without a car So here's the deal

You take me to the place where I can help my friend

And

you can have my car

You'd give up that beautiful car to help your friend?

Yeah.

I believe in friendship.

A friend of yours must be something.

Yes, she is.

I wish you had somebody like that in your life.

Wouldn't matter.

I think it would.

You know, that car breaks down in the strangest places.

And usually, it's for a reason.

And I think the reason this time was to help you see the truth.

And you know the truth, huh? Yes.

Now, I can stick it in your face, but I can't make you look at it.

You can take my advice, or you can take my car. It's your choice.

That's a no -brainer.

Come on, let's go.

Wow. Is that a plaque?

I have always wanted a plaque.

Just not plaque material.

You have got to stop being so down on yourself.

You know, if Tess were here, she would straighten you out.

Oh, my goodness.

That would be swell.

She has all the moves.

She can be tough.

She can be tender.

She even sings.

She can do it all. What can I do?

I collate. I alphabetize.

I laminate.

We all serve God in our own way. What matters is that we serve him.

When Tess reveals herself as an angel to human beings, it may be her words and

her charisma that gets the message across.

But don't forget, Tess is only the messenger.

The message is God.

There's a miracle going on here.

You all thought you were missing something in life. Well, Merry

because here it is. I'm an angel sent by God.

To a nightclub?

To a good man who has a job to do.

Excuse me?

God has a message for you.

He asked you to pass it along.

Yes, he did.

Three words.

First word, God.

Second word, love.

Third word, you. You're no angel.

I am an angel.

Angel. Yes.

For God.

Yes.

For me.

Yes.

What does he want me to do? Walk away from the pageant?

What God wants is to work wonderful things in your life.

But there's a lie in his way.

A big lie.

God is truth, baby.

And anything that is not truth is not of him.

Truth doesn't win.

Okay? Whoever's left standing, that's who wins. And it's going to be me. I

take care of what's mine.

Mark Hamilton, you've got your eyes on the wrong prize.

Whatever it is you think you've got to win, he's won it for you already if

you'll just take hold of it.

There are honest people, Calvin, who deserve to be your heroes.

Like Abe Lincoln.

And like your mama, Calvin.

And I tell you something else.

God can make a hero out of you if you let him.

He says, if you're not fighting out of love, it's just a fight.

And you'll never win.

He's got a poem for you. Come here, Tim.

Now, you can float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.

But if you want to be a winner like Muhammad Ali, you'll fight the good

That love can give.

Because love is the greatest and the best way to live.

Love.

I'll remember.

Now I say that you've got something real to say to those men out there.

I have something real to tell you too.

I love you, Ted.

And I never really understood until now.

I love you too, baby.

Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy your desserts while I introduce tonight's

Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year.

Each year, we honor the man or woman who has become the man of the year.

Well, in this case, Brandon White has done a lot of charitable work.

I'm here. I'm here.

Is everything all right?

Oh, Tess, it is now.

Oh, surprise.

I'm sorry.

Hey, you made it.

Finally. What is it, baby? What's the emergency?

Oh, well, actually, everything's all right now.

We spent all afternoon talking about you. You weren't here yet. We were

It made us realize even more how much you mean to us.

Really?

Yes, and I love you too, Tess.

Sorry. How do you do? I'm Ronald.

Records and permanent files.

I took the day off because I wanted to come and meet you. Isn't that sweet?

Oh, we have a gift for you.

Oh, I love you.

Oh,

looky, looky here.

It's a hood ornament for my car.

Andrew and I wanted you to think of us when you drove.

We know how much you love that car.

Not nearly as much as I love you two babies.

You see, no good deed goes unpunished.

Monica, Andrew, Ronald, this is my friend Kelly. We met on the road.

Hello. Kelly, what is your last name?

Rockhill. Rockhill.

I'm sorry.

Did you say Rockhill? Mm -hmm.

Rockhill.

Rockhill.

Why does that name sound familiar?

Well, Kelly's father died some time ago trying to save someone, so you probably

have it in records and permanent files.

Yes.

Yes, I do.

That's it.

Monica?

Could I speak to you for a second?

When things are slow at the department, I reread cases.

Last week were the Qs and the Rs.

There aren't many Qs because, face it, Q is not your most popular letter and it

always needs to be followed by a U. Ronald, what is it?

I'm sorry.

Monica, I know something Kelly should know

about her father.

Well, tell her.

No.

We collect and file information.

Passing along information is another department, yours actually.

So I can tell you and you can tell Kelly. How's that?

Ronald, if God had wanted me to deliver the message, God would have given me the

message to deliver.

Are you saying?

Yes.

God is calling you to do it.

Kelly?

Sorry.

If you have a minute, this wouldn't be an inconvenient time.

Speak up.

Be a bold and charismatic presence.

Come on now.

Remember who sent you.

Kelly.

I have something to tell you about your father, Ben.

What is happening here?

Who are you?

I'm an angel, Kelly.

An angel.

Ooh.

I'm glowing.

There's definite glow -age happening here. There

is, isn't there?

All angels?

Yes.

God loves you, Kelly.

And he has sent me here tonight to tell you that your father

was a brave man.

He wasn't brave. He was stupid.

He died for nothing.

Nothing good came of what he did.

Two people died instead of one.

Everybody died.

Not everybody.

One little boy lived.

What?

Who?

Ladies and gentlemen, your man of the year, Brandon White.

Thank you.

The first thought that came to mind when I learned I was going to be honored

with this award was that I wouldn't be standing here today if not for the

sacrifice of a man I never got a chance to thank.

I moved here from Dayton, Ohio to live with relatives when I was nine, just

after our house was destroyed.

When a gas main exploded, my dad and I were home asleep when the explosion hit.

There was fire and smoke everywhere.

I was so badly burned, I just wanted to die.

And then, out of nowhere, a man walked through the fire and pulled me to

And if he hadn't kept talking to me, I would have died.

I remember he said something about having a little girl just about my age.

Then I... told him that my father was still inside and he went back to find

but the house collapsed and two good men died that day.

It wasn't easy growing up looking like this but whenever I began to feel sorry

for myself I thought of the perfect stranger who gave his life for mine and

I dedicated myself to do what I could to try to, well, earn

the second chance that he'd given me.

Many years later, I eventually learned that the man's name was Ben Rockhill.

That's all I know about him.

But it is in his name that I accept this honor tonight.

Thank you.

If father was a good man, there is no greater love than to give your life for

somebody else.

He knew what he was doing, Kelly.

And God wanted you to know that, too.

So what do I do now?

Introducing yourself to the man of the year might be a good start.

The Lord does move in mysterious ways, huh?

How about that?

Thank you.

Oh, there.

Here. Oh, yes, yes, yes.

God really loves you.

Don't you ever forget that.

I won't.

Tess, there's another gift for you.

Who is it from?

I don't know.

Oh, I think I know.

Thank you, Father.