Original subtitles

Hi, Marfie. Hi. Late lunch?

Very late. It's my breakfast.

Where's Benson?

How do I know? Is it my day to watch him?

Oh, maybe he's picking up his mother.

She doesn't arrive until tonight.

Sorry I'm late.

Hi. The late Benson has a nice ring to it.

Well, I'm going to put some of my things in the freezer.

Well, put it towards the back. I may need to get in there.

Why, is it your nap time?

I wish I'd known you were going to the store. I'd have had you pick up some

things for me.

I wish I'd known you needed some things. I'd have had you go to the store.

Stocking up for your mother's visit? Yeah, I figure if I got some food in the

apartment, I'll get a couple of home -cooked meals.

If my mother were coming to visit, I would take her out to dinner.

Well, Krause, if I cooked like you, so would I.

How long has it been since you've seen your mother? Three years.

Lucky woman.

Well, I can't wait to meet her.

Yeah, she's looking forward to meeting you, too.

Unfortunately, she wants to meet everybody I work with.

Are you going to give a party?

Yep. Over at my place. Sometime next week.

Oh, I hope it's not Monday.

I'll keep that in mind.

I can't make it Tuesday.

How about Tuesday?

Later in the week would be better.

Yeah, Thursday would be good. Oh, I can make it Thursday. So can I. What are we

talking about?

Anthony is giving a party. Oh, yeah? There's got to be any chicks there.

My mother.

Come on, Benson, seriously.

I'm giving a party for my mother. Can you make it? Do I have to bring a date?

No. Oh, I can make it.

Ah, Peter, there's been a change of plans. This speech is no longer

The governor's accepting speech?

Yes, well, the governor will no longer be accepting the Newsmakers Award.

I will.

Yeah, but he won it.

I realize that, Peter, but the governor's trip to Washington conflicts.

asked me to fill in for him, and this speech will not do.

Well, what's wrong with it?

Peter, I am not going to do a speech that quotes Neil Diamond.

Gee, the governor likes contemporary references.

Yes, but I am not the governor.

And we are mighty happy.

You and I have a great deal of work to do on this speech, so keep your evenings

open next week. Well, I'm free every night, except the night of Benson's

Benson's party?

Oh, weren't you invited?

Sure, Clayton, you're invited.

Thank you.

If I'm free, I'll be happy to be there.

Peter?

So, what night is the party? Don't know yet. Eh, it makes no difference. I'm

flexible.

We used to call that desperate.

Son, do you remember this picture? Halloween, 1941.

Could I see that, Mrs... Do you mind if I call you Lois? Oh, please do.

Well, which one's you, Benson?

I don't...

Everybody's got on masks.

You've got a memory like a seal.

Are you telling me you don't remember the Halloween the dog fell off the roof?

Oh, was that then?

Yeah, my dog Jack crawled out of the bedroom window and fell off the porch

Was he hurt?

Well, he would have been if he hadn't fallen on me.

That dog was never really hurt.

Think of it, you were never really right after that.

So that's it, eh, Benson?

You got hit in the head with a dog.

Well, Cross, at least I have an excuse.

This is Russell when he was 12.

Now he's the most successful dentist in Phoenix.

He better be successful with all them kids he put through college.

At least he's got kids to put through college.

Oh, Mama, don't start that.

Don't you think my son would be a wonderful father?

Don't you think he should have children? Yes, ma 'am.

Oh, sure he should. Don't you think I should get married first?

I'm encouraged to know you know where to begin.

I'm waiting for a girl like you.

Oh, what are you going to do with a 70 -year -old woman?

Where are those cookies you made?

Yeah, they were terrific.

What do you mean, were?

Well, Clayton ate them. couple before he had to leave, and, uh, well, I guess I

finished them.

Sorry. Boy, the way you eat, you'd think you'd be taller.

Are there any more? For goodness sakes, I made two dozen.

Really? It didn't seem like that many.

For the rest of us, it didn't seem like any.

You're a fine one to talk.

When he was a little boy, he used to hog the dessert all the time.

Mama, don't tell that story.

Wouldn't eat meat, wouldn't eat vegetables, just dessert.

The family took to calling him Puddin' Head.

Puddin' Head?

What a great nickname.

Yeah, well, forget you ever heard it.

Fat chance.

I never had a nickname.

Nobody liked me that much.

Tried calling myself PJ for a while, but it didn't catch on.

I don't have a nickname either.

That's what you think.

Oh, son, it's after 9 o 'clock.

We really ought to get to bed and let these nice folks go home.

Subtle, Mama.

Oh, I don't have time to be subtle. I'm too old.

Good night, everybody.

Yes,

it was one time.

I'm off to bed now.

Okay, Mom.

Oh, here, let me do that.

Okay.

You know, you have very nice friends.

who now know everything about me.

You got a nice job.

It's all right.

Now what you need is a nice wife.

I'll look tomorrow, first thing.

Oh, son, it would do this old heart a world of good to know that you had a

cleaning for you, cooking for you, and looking after you.

Mama, maybe you haven't heard, but them days is gone forever.

I have six children.

And five of them have lovely families.

Have I beaten that subject to death?

No, but you got it in a coma.

Oh, you can't blame a woman for wanting more grandchildren.

You got 14 if you want more random.

14? And every one of them's an angel.

One of them is a hell's angel.

If you're talking about Elaine's Danny, he's just a kid.

That kid is 21 years old.

It's about time you and Elaine stopped making excuses for him. Well, if you're

so worried about him, why don't you take him for the summer?

I wouldn't take him for a walk.

Besides, I'm more worried about you doing all this traveling. Well, son, I'm

walking from place to place. I'm taking an airplane.

Besides...

I can't get any of my children to come see me, so I have to come to you.

Well, Mama, you know how it is.

The girls all have their families, and Russell and Earl are tied down with

business, and when I get a vacation, I should come see you, shouldn't I?

Do you still remember where I live?

All I have to do is follow the apron strings.

I'm going to hold you to that next vacation.

All right, okay.

Before I leave, I want you to take a picture of me.

What for?

For you.

I haven't seen one anywhere in this apartment.

Well, of course not.

That's because I got it right here in my wallet.

There you go.

Oh, that old thing, that was 20 years ago.

Makes you look 20 years younger.

Oh, good night, son.

Hey, Mom, I'm home.

Mmm.

I didn't know that chicken anywhere.

Well, if he knew you, he didn't say anything.

Where have you been anyway?

Well, you remember I told you I'd be late?

I had some work to do with the governor.

And I told you not to dawdle.

Mama, I haven't dawdled since I was 12 years old.

The governor dawdled.

When's the chicken gonna be ready?

Oh, he needs another 20 minutes.

Now, now, now, go get out of your good clothes.

Mama, I'm an adult. I don't have good clothes or bad clothes. I got clothes.

I don't want you wiping your greasy hands on that pretty sweater.

Then give me a napkin.

Oh, go on, shoes.

All right.

Hey, you clean this place up? No.

A group of elves showed up and did it.

Mama, you're on vacation. You're supposed to be resting and having a good

Well, if that's what you wanted, you should have cleaned the place up before

got here.

I would have. But I thought you were coming for a visit, not an inspection.

Where did you ever pick up that smart mouth?

Couldn't have been from you, could it?

Couldn't be me.

Maybe you adopted.

Well, if I'm adopted, how come I look just like Pop?

That's no proof he could have been adopted, too.

Okay, I give up.

I'm an orphan.

No, you're my baby.

Mama, what is this?

Oh, I must have left that next to the bed when I took my nap.

Son, look in here.

That is a relic of the true cross.

Are you trying to tell me that that little piece of wood in there is from

cross? Uh -huh.

The cross.

I see. And how did you happen to end up with it?

Well, you remember when you children all chipped in and sent me on that tour of

Jerusalem? Yeah. Well, I met a man on the street who sold it to me. You don't

really believe that that's from the cross?

Son, all God ever asks of anybody is just a little faith.

And when you consider the reward, that's a very easy thing. Now, you ask

yourself, what would make you feel better, that your mother has an actual

of the cross or she paid $25 for a hunk of saw wool?

Well, all right, if you say so, it's a piece of the cross.

No, it's not my saying so.

It's my believing.

You've got to have faith.

Now, you go and finish getting dressed for dinner.

I'm just going to sit here and wait until that chicken is ready.

Oh, I'm so tired.

You're tired?

You try working all day and being a tour guide by night. If you don't mind, I'll

just assume we stay home tonight. I'll take you on in Pinochle. I'll play by

your rules. Three decks.

I'm going to have a cold beer.

You want a soda pop or something?

I'll take that as a no.

Mama, this chicken looks like it's done. You want me to take it out?

Mama, you want me to take this chicken out?

Mama?

Mama?

Morning. Morning.

I stopped by the card store on my way over here.

It's terrible, isn't it?

Awful. Such a sweet woman.

Have you talked to Benson?

Last night on the phone.

How's he taking it?

Well, he seemed all right, but it's hard to tell, you know?

Boy, I never know what to say in situations like this. Yeah.

When Governor Monfort died, I didn't know what to say to his wife.

I ended up just staring at her with a silly grin on my face. She hasn't spoken

to me since.

That's the trouble. You want to say something appropriate, but you don't

what to say.

So you got a sympathy card?

No. Apparently they don't know what to say either.

I just got some note cards.

I think a personal message is probably best anyway.

He's not coming in today, is he? Oh, I don't think so.

He's flying to Baltimore tonight, so I think he needs today for the

arrangements.

Good morning.

Good morning.

There's no way I could stay home today. I need something to do, you know.

So I got these enforcers.

Benson, I thought... We thought I... We didn't expect you to come in today.

I'm sorry about your mother. I'll be around if you need me.

Is there anything I could do?

I could do without that long face.

It's just that I feel... Well, you know how I feel.

Thank you, Marcy.

Crossed me over budget on produce again.

What's the matter with you?

Nothing. I had to go to the meat locker.

Well, I'm glad you're looking forward to it.

Benson, I didn't expect to see you here today.

Yeah, I know. I got some things to do.

I'm really sorry about your mother.

Thank you, Pete.

You want to talk about it? Not really, Pete. I'm fine.

You're probably still in shock, huh?

No, I'm fine.

Yeah, it just hasn't hit you yet.

Pete, are you here for a reason?

I just don't want you to bottle it up, Benson.

I'm not.

I'll get a cup of coffee. We'll talk. I'm fine, damn it. I'm handling it. I'm

all right.

Oh, no, sure. I can see that. You're doing great.

You hang in there.

Hi, Benson.

Hi, sweetheart.

Marcy said you were here.

I just wanted you to have something pretty.

Thank you, sweetheart.

See you later, okay?

Okay.

Mikey, I have to go to the storeroom.

Is the Mr. Tucker from Mitchell Brothers Mortuary coming here to see me? Send

him to the kitchen when he gets here.

Because I have to pick out a casket.

Well, you asked.

Thanks.

I'm going down to the storeroom.

You don't have to avoid me, Benson. I won't grin anymore.

Now he really hates me.

Miss Krause, has there been a man here looking for me?

I don't know. I was in my room.

I'm expecting the tailor from Gresham's. He's coming to measure me for a new

tuxedo. What's the occasion?

I need it for the speech. My other ones are beginning to show wear.

Excuse me, could you help me? I'm Mr.

Tucker. Ah, here you are. I'm certainly glad to see you.

No one ever said that to me before.

Well, I got things to do.

Well, shall we get this over with?

I understand.

These things can be difficult.

Well, I hope not. I have a luncheon engagement.

Well, perhaps you'd like to look through the catalogue.

Oh, not really. I just want something fashionable.

I assume that means the classic style.

Silk line?

Yes, of course.

Do you have a colour preference?

Silver? Bronze?

I'm not a rock and roll singer.

I simply want something that would be appropriate for the country club.

I beg your pardon?

Do you think you could just measure me?

It for you?

Yeah. And I'd like to have it by this Saturday.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Does that mean I can't have it by this Saturday?

Of course you can have it this Saturday.

Would you like brass handles?

Brass handle.

You are Benson, aren't you?

Certainly not.

I'm Mr. Tucker of Mitchell Brothers Mortuary.

Oh.

Oh.

I thought you were here to measure me for a tuxedo. The family usually

that.

No, you don't understand. I'm not the one you're looking for.

Oh, I am sorry. Well, here, keep my card just in case. Benson!

Benson!

Governor, here are those requisitions.

Oh, thank you.

What time is your flight out?

Later tonight, but I'm not going.

What do you mean you're not going?

With you going to Washington, this would be a bad week for me to be out of the

mansion.

Besides, what good would it do for me to go back?

Sit down.

Governor, I'm not in the mood for a heart -to -heart talk. Just sit down and

listen.

I know I'm probably stepping out of bounds, but I just can't let you make a

mistake like this.

Nothing's going to change if I go back to Baltimore.

My brother, Ruff, can handle everything.

You're avoiding the issue, Benson.

You can't just put your mother on the plane and let it go at that.

You've got to admit to yourself that she's not just going back to Baltimore.

Benson, this is the woman who brought you into the world.

Don't you think the least you can do is to see her out?

All right, I'll step back in, Barnes, now.

I appreciate what you said, sir. I know how difficult it was to say.

You gonna go?

I'll call you from Baltimore.

Good night, Bunty.

I'd like a cab sent to 7209 Dorset Avenue, please.

Apartment 2H.

Yeah, go in the airport.

Thank you.

little piece of God.

Remember when Papa died, Mama?

You told us only the good die young.

I'll never forget that.

I spent the entire fifth grade thinking I was going to die any second because I

was so good.

But then I noticed God hadn't taken you.

So I figured there must be a loophole.

But there isn't.

It's always too soon.

Can you hear me, Mama?

Who am I kidding?

Bob died a long time ago, and I haven't heard from him one time.

I don't know what to say, Mama.

You know, it's funny. I had a...

all prepared that I was going to say to you when you left.

I was going to tell you I love you and thank you

for gracing my life and being there when I needed you.

It was good to see you this last time.

I'll always miss you.

You know, Mama, I'd like to believe that you are where you always wanted to be.

I guess all I want to know is, are you happy?

And is it everything you hoped it would be?

You think you could get the Lord to give me a sign?

You know me. Nothing big, nothing fancy.

No burning bushes or blinding light. Just something simple.

Just let me cry.

Yeah.

You call a cab?

Yeah.

Just a minute.

It's just one bag.

Going to the airport, right? Yeah.

Planes. Well, you wouldn't catch me on one of those things.

I'm a train man myself. Of course, that's just me.

Every day, thousands of people fly all over the world. Doesn't seem to bother

them. I guess it's like everything else in God's green earth.

You've got to believe in it, right?

You've got to have faith.

Well, meter's running.

Hi, Katie.

What are you all dressed up for?

Daddy and I were at the cemetery visiting my mom.

Oh, that's nice.

You bring flowers?

We were going to, but we forgot to stop.

So Daddy just left her a note.

Well, it's a thought that counts.

It's too bad you live so far from Baltimore.

You can't visit your mom.

Don't worry, Katie. We keep in touch.

You know what would be great?

If we could call heaven long distance.

Make sure the phone company is working on something just like that.