Original subtitles

As you know, we're here today to honor one of our teachers, Ms. Eloise Hawk,

retires today.

Ms. Hawk arrived at Charlottesville High School more than 20 years ago to teach

history. Her pedigree was above reproach. For those of you who don't

father, Dr.

Eldridge Hawk, served as dean of the history department at State University

until his retirement.

As a hard teacher.

But children gain little if we care not enough to give them a proper foundation.

Amazingly, in all her years here, she did not miss one single day of work.

So it is with gratitude that we present you with this plaque.

To Eloise Hawk, in recognition of her years as a teacher at Charlottesville

School.

Thank you.

Dad, are you okay?

I thought you were coming to the ceremony. We talked about it this

We've talked about it for weeks.

Well,

I didn't feel like celebrating your fall from grace.

I'm retiring, Dad. I'm not fired.

Early retirement's the same thing.

You on your way home?

I've got to clean up my classroom.

It won't be long, okay?

Pick up some milk, hmm?

Hoorah indeed.

You little monsters.

I'll be out of here in a minute.

Then it's all yours.

Just the way the front office wanted it.

Ms. Hawk, please don't say that.

No one wanted you to retire, least of all me. You can go to hell for lying,

know.

I failed a few students, and suddenly I'm the one with the problem.

The rules used to be simple. You couldn't read or write. You didn't get

promoted.

Now, they want to blame peer pressure or learning disabilities or...

Even a bad teacher, anything except a student.

But, Miss Hawk, learning differences do exist. I mean, science has shown that

they do. Do you know what doesn't exist anymore?

Accountability. A thing of the past.

Like me.

This job will take its toll on you, too.

Rather quickly, I suspect.

Wait. Aren't these yours?

No, I must have taken them from some student.

Are you sure?

Looks just like you in this picture. Look.

You look so pretty.

I think I'd know myself.

Well, goodbye then.

And good luck.

Spare anything today, Miss Hawk?

Mm -hmm, some advice. Get a job, Eric. Stop being a burden on society.

Oh, look where you're going.

Excuse me.

Kind of hurt on you, wasn't she?

Well, at least she ain't no hypocrite.

Had her in school.

She's been mean to everybody for as long as I've known her.

Open the ring.

I'd say school's out for good, Ms. Hawk.

Dad, Dad, I got a name!

Our kids look at our schools. What they want.

This way, Ms. Hawk.

Seven years ago.

Like by the teacher. He's watching over you, Ms. Hawk.

Eloise? Have you felt that? No. Don't. Complete.

No! It's Rome!

No!

No!

No!

earth was that?

Not exactly earth, Miss Hawk.

Hi.

I'm Mr. Jones.

Where am I?

And how do I get back to the market?

If I don't get my father's milk, he'll kill me.

That's already been taken care of, I'm afraid.

The robbery, the gunshot.

I'm dead. It's judgment day.

And if we don't handle it right, there's a good chance you just experienced a

sample of what your future could hold.

For what?

For taking my job seriously?

For suffering fools?

For living a clean and moral life?

I have nothing to be remorseful for, Mr. Jones.

Nothing.

Why am I even here?

Think of this as a final exam.

If you can nail the oral portion, we can pray for extra credit.

Hope you brought an interesting case.

Eloise Hawk, Your Honor.

Schoolteacher. So you've heard of me.

Oh, my, yes.

Why, on your test days, prayers from students pleading for divine

intervention flowed through here like the River Jordan during the rainy

What were they so afraid of?

I don't know.

And perhaps of ending a sentence with a preposition.

You remember a student of yours named Eric Lee?

Oh, yes. I had him in my class 20 years ago.

He was a below -average student who thought he could get a free ride because

could play football.

In other words, all brawn and no brain. Your Honor, if we could adjourn briefly.

No, no, no, no.

Now, Mr. Jones, Ms. Hawk, enlighten me about Eric Lee.

I will do extra credit.

I'll wash your car. Come on, show some mercy here. Mercy is not what I teach,

Eric. It's history.

Miss Hawk, if I don't get this grade changed, I'm off the team.

And that means I don't play on Saturday night, and the scouts from College Park

don't see me, and if they don't see me, I get no college scholarship.

Well, unlike other teachers here, Eric, I won't change your grade because you're

adept at catching a ball.

This isn't about me catching a ball. This is about my life.

Don't you dare lecture me.

I am the teacher here, and I am not changing your grade.

You've got an F for failure. What you are now and always will be. Now go away.

This conversation's over.

That is enough, Eric. I'll have you expelled for this. No, you won't.

Quit!

Where is Eric Lee now?

He's homeless.

Well, it's not my fault he had no backbone.

And rules are rules. If you failed a required course, you could not play

You killed a soul.

That is the grievous of sins.

We have rules here too, Miss Hawk.

And they say I have no choice but to defend you. Miss Hawk cannot be blamed

a lack of love or compassion because... because she could not show what she had

never known.

I'll be home late this afternoon, Dad. There's a teacher's meeting after

Oh, and

Gary has asked me up to the lake with him for the weekend.

Absolutely not. I forbid it.

Dad. No.

I'm not having you go off with that hippie doctor and ruin my reputation in

community.

He'll be gone for two years.

He's joined the Peace Corps.

This is the last... This is the last chance that I'll have to... Stop

like an imbecile.

You mean less to that guy than yesterday's garbage.

And as soon as he's gone, you'll never hear from him again. You mark my words.

My father was right.

After Gary left, I never heard from him again.

That... not exactly true.

Gary wrote you every day.

Only your father tore up the letters before you saw them.

And... after more than two years, Gary finally came back from Africa.

He made a special trip to Charlottesville to talk to you.

Dr. Hawk.

Hi.

I don't know if you remember me.

Gary Ray?

Eloise is not here.

Oh, okay.

Do you know if she got my letters while I was gone?

Yeah, she got them.

Let me see.

Look.

I got in residency at Georgetown.

I leave tomorrow.

I just want to talk to her before I go.

Hmm.

I never knew.

Her father lied to her and turned her into a bitter woman, afraid to ever feel

anything again. Oh, the abuse excuse doesn't hold water here, Jones. There

killers who have known love and saints who have been tortured.

She took Eric Lee's life just as surely as a bullet took hers.

He's right.

Um... I always knew deep inside that I was cruel.

And I know you're right. There's no

one to blame for that except me.

And I was so wrong because I never admitted that I

was so stupid.

To me, I'm stammering like an imbecile.

You're not an imbecile.

You are merely human.

If you could right the wrong that you did to Eric Lee, would you?

How? How could I? How is not the question.

I am asking if you are willing.

to reach out, to change the course of history for this young man.

If I can, I will.

I must warn you, the path is fraught with both possibility and danger.

But to save a soul, the risks can't outweigh the return.

Very well.

You will have three days, and three days only, to bring healing to the scorned

soul of Eric Lee.

No one will recognize you.

You are a free agent in the universe with the blessing of God Almighty.

I think I found it.

Well, that was scary.

So is this.

What's going on? It's all in this folder.

Welcome back, Miss Cotter.

Inside your purse is a room key for your hotel.

You'll find clothes there and a rental car waiting for you in the faculty

parking lot. We pay for the insurance.

What, no pumpkin coach?

Even though you're Miss Cotter?

You have the knowledge of your past.

Yes, but can I use it to my advantage?

Just be careful about it.

Why don't I just tell myself to pass, Eric?

Would the younger you listen?

In three days, even he had seven.

Your purpose was to create a world where you make a different choice.

You know, my father never let me wear a flat.

They're quite comfortable.

Accreditation supervisor?

What does that mean?

It means that you observe teachers.

And if we check your calendar... Yes, here we are. October 26, 1977, 10 .55

a .m. Your first appointment is Eloise Hawk.

Class change.

Time to go.

Uh, hey, wait.

What if I fail?

Try not to think that way.

Three days may not seem like much, but you'll be amazed how far a little faith

can take you.

Miss Hawk?

Yes, can I help you?

Why, you're pretty.

I said, can I help you?

I'm from the Board of Education.

I'm... Miss Cotter.

I've been sent here to evaluate the teachers. I'll be observing in your

for a few days.

First, I've heard of it.

Yes, well, it's a sort of a pop quiz, if you will.

Don't worry, I've heard a few good things about you. From whom?

Not my students, I'm sure.

And not from the new principal, either.

He's on me to listen to my students.

They're 17.

Crazed with hormones and out of control. What could they possibly say that I

would want to hear?

Sit over there.

I suppose I should warn you all, hell is likely to break out today.

Your midterm tests are a disgrace.

If Darwin is right, no one in this class should procreate.

Carol Ann spelt Peloponnesian War seven different ways, none of them correctly.

Just remember, beauty is fleeting.

Didn't even score your age.

As a result of your dismal performances, I am revoking your homecoming dance

privileges. But Miss Hawk, that's not fair. It's this weekend.

She's the queen.

Funny I don't see a crown. I spent all my babysitting money on a new dress.

That, young lady, is not my concern.

Besides, none of you will have time for a dance because you have a 15 -page book

report due Monday on Thucydides.

The Peloponnesian War, spelt Queen Carol Ann, capital P -E -L -O -P

-O -N -N -E -S -I -A -N.

That's enough.

Now open your textbook to page 268.

But did you see how disappointed they were?

Disappointment is a part of life.

Maybe you could grade them on a curve.

Rules are rules.

I don't pass students who don't do the work.

But think how they must feel.

If they want to feel good, they can visit the school counselor.

My job is to teach history.

Which is required of them to graduate.

Dad, hi.

I might be a little late.

No, of course I'll be there.

Fine, I'll leave right now.

Oh, Dad, wait.

Did the mail come?

No?

No. I know.

Yes, I am coming right home.

Yes.

Goodbye.

Sorry, I can't stay.

My father is being honored by the Historical Society tonight, and I can't

late.

I hope that you didn't take offense at what I said earlier. It's just that as a

teacher, I believe it's important to set high standards.

Which your father did for you. Yes, that's the way that children learn.

Goodbye, I'll see you tomorrow.

Yes, I'd like to order a grilled cheese sandwich and a side of potato salad,

coffee to drink.

Yes. Room 117.

From

your lips

to God's ears.

Turning in early?

Well, what am I supposed to do?

School's out at 3 .30 p .m., you know.

Did anyone take that into consideration when they made this three -day rule?

I'm sorry.

It's just... It's odd, being back in time.

Watching the news.

Knowing how it played out.

Wouldn't have taken you for a John Lennon fan.

I see you more as the George Harrison type.

I watched myself.

Call my father and ask if I'd gotten any letter from Gary.

I remember I felt so hurt when I didn't hear from him.

How many ways I blamed myself for not being pretty enough or smart or

interesting.

Dinner is served.

That's not what I ordered.

It's what you wanted, though, isn't it?

Very few people get a second chance, Miss Hawk.

Keep focused on what you want to achieve with it.

I thought I knew, but now... I want to stand up to my

father.

I want to make him suffer for what he did to me and to Gary, the way I did.

And I want my chance at love.

And Eric Lee?

How can I do it all?

I can't.

I don't know how.

It's hard to believe in yourself when you don't think anyone else believes in

you, isn't it?

Someone does believe in you.

Very deeply.

That's why you're here.

Enjoy your dinner, Miss Huck.

Oh, I get so tired of eating cafeteria food.

Besides, this gives us a chance to talk outside the school environment.

Well, there's no written rule saying I can't eat a lot.

Oh, don't worry. I think someone's watching over me.

So, do you think you're a good teacher?

Yeah, because I think I'm an excellent teacher.

Really?

Why?

Well, because I have high standards.

I won't tolerate laziness, and I will not reward mediocrity. Do you teach

anything besides history?

I mean, you're a teacher.

Set standards every day? How you dress? What you read in your spare time?

I've read that one. It's good. Well, yes, I'm sure I teach quite a bit

history. Of course.

Look, slow down. It's just right up here.

I know.

I thought you might get this idea.

You said I could use my knowledge from my past. To help Eric.

Hurry up.

She's liable to bolt any moment. Is there a letter from Gary?

Is that what you want? If I know Gary loves me, I'll become a different

In time to help Eric?

Give me the mail.

Sorry, none addressed to a Miss Cotter.

You're early.

I can tell because Father usually waits outside for the mail. I believe the

mailman has something for you, Miss Hawk.

I doubt that.

There are rules, you know, Miss Cotter.

Aren't rules made to be broken?

Is it there?

Is the letter you're waiting for there?

Eloise? What are you doing home?

Where are they?

Where are the rest of Gary's letters?

I don't know what you're talking about.

Where are they?

What did you do to them?

Answer me, Dad!

Now, get a hold of yourself. I was only trying to protect you.

Protect me? From the only man who ever loved me?

I want my letters and you tell me where they are. Now stop shouting at me and

your father for God's sake. No, you're not.

You're a monster.

You're evil.

Would you stop this? How could you do this to me? Come on.

Stop. Get in the house.

Now

things

are going to change around here.

Yes, Miss Hawk.

They certainly will.

But have you saved your soul or lost it?

Hey, wait.

What do you mean by that?

Where are you going?

Aren't you going to help me? Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of

night stays this courier from the swift completion of his appointed rounds. I

have my job.

You have yours.

Yes, ma 'am.

Oh, hi.

I'm with the school board.

I'm observing Miss Hawk's classes.

Yes, I know she's a hard teacher, and I'm sure you hate her, but that's okay.

Oh, actually, I feel sorry for Miss Hawk. I mean, she's never in a good

and I don't know, it always seems like she's sad for some reason.

It's mad and sad.

It's Miss Hawk.

Hopefully that will change soon.

I didn't know you worked here.

I do a shift six nights a week.

Let me off on game nights.

Trying to earn some money for college.

My old man hates it.

Why? Well, I don't know. He says I'm no smarter than he is, and he didn't go.

I just don't want to end up like him, you know?

No dreams.

Well, sometimes I think he's right.

He sure did some dumb things.

I've done some myself.

Did you ever make 17 on a test?

I might just outdo my old man. I might not even graduate.

What's your dream?

Play some ball and pay for school.

Yeah, and you know, the cheers would be nice too.

But then, I don't know, become a coach, build a championship team, build up the

boys.

That's how you do it, you know.

You praise them, then they play their hearts out for you.

You praise them, you kick butt.

That's the key to coaching.

Let me get you a hot cup.

Hello?

It's Miss Cotter.

Eloise!

She's gone.

Where did she go to?

The airport.

Chase after some man who could be God knows where.

Make a spectacle of herself. She left me.

Well, what do you expect?

You lied to her.

You made her feel as if she wasn't deserving of love.

That's not true. She was an embarrassment to you.

Nothing she ever did made you happy. You wouldn't even go to her retirement

party.

Retirement?

What?

She's only 20 -some years old. She's 24.

You don't even know how old she is.

Oh, my God.

She'd been gone that long.

I didn't think I could live one day without her.

But every day there was that baby, that child. Every day you blamed her for your

wife's death. Oh, no, I blamed myself, my own selfishness.

And if I ever forgot, there was Eloise to remind me.

What do you mean?

I'm a history teacher.

I wanted a legacy more than anything.

A child.

Even after my wife's doctor had said it would be difficult for her.

Oh, and God was clever.

In case time might soften my outlook, he let Eloise grow up to look just like my

wife.

So as well as a constant reminder of my selfishness, she actually became a link

to it.

If I had let her leave home when she wanted to, it would have been like

my wife all over again.

But it's happened anyway, hasn't it?

I thought I wanted to see my father suffer for what he did.

And now I forgive him. How's that for irony?

Gary was waiting for me right here when I got this job.

Gave me a huge hug and a kiss.

He thought teaching was the most noble profession.

He made me want to be a good teacher, and I was for a while.

And then when I never saw him again, it seemed like every day in class was

torture.

Seeing those fresh faces, like Eric's, full of hope and promise.

I grew resentful and hated them.

Why?

Because they had a future, and as far as I could see, I didn't.

When I had a chance to come back, I thought maybe I could find a way to do

all, to help Eric and to let myself know about Gary.

You think you were wrong?

Of course.

I can't help Eric.

Now I've run off to who knows where to find Gary.

You know, I've always loved the study of history.

It's the best way to learn from other people's mistakes.

Miss Hart, regardless of where your younger self is, you're here.

You have time to make a difference in Eric's life.

How?

She's failed him, and now she's gone.

You're a teacher.

Teach him.

You've got exactly one hour, 28 minutes, and 36 seconds.

Is that enough time?

It better be.

Thank you

Do you know where Miss Hawk is? I've got to speak to her right away. Well, she's

out today, Eric.

Man, I'm ruined.

No, wait.

You can help.

You're like with the school board, right?

You could change my grade in this class. You could pass me.

There's some scouts coming to the game this weekend, and if they could just see

me play, then I could get a scholarship and I could go to college. Well, I'd

like to help you, Eric, but if I change your grade, what will that teach you?

That... Failure is rewarded, and believe me, it isn't.

What if you do a makeup test?

Why? I'd just fail it.

And besides, I don't need to know this stuff anyway.

History is nothing but a bunch of dead people who fought in wars a million

before I was born.

Take out your pen and paper. I told you I don't know this stuff any better now.

No, this is different.

I want you to sit down and write your life history.

I want to know who you are and where you came from.

And how someone might learn from your life.

But I'm only 18.

18 is a long time, Eric.

Longer than most wars. Longer than it took to go to the moon.

As soon as you're born, your life history begins.

And with every year, it defines who you are and pushes you towards who you can

be.

History is really a second chance.

A way to learn from your heart.

You've got one hour.

Are you ready?

Then write down the wonderful history of Eric Lee.

What are you doing?

Praying.

For me?

For both of us.

My pencil broke.

You may get another one.

That one.

Didn't think you were coming in. My plans changed.

Seems there was a sudden torrential thunderstorm while I was going, and my

flight was canceled.

Should we get on with my evaluation?

Later. I want to know if you found Gary.

Did you speak with him?

I see you've talked to my father. God knows what he told you.

What is he doing in there? Taking a makeup test for the one he failed.

I don't give makeup tests. Who authorized this?

Miss Hawk, time is running out.

Be quiet. There's a boy in there trying to work.

How can you call yourself a teacher?

All you care about is who did what to whom and on what date.

You don't care about that boy or what he's going through.

Did you know he wants to be a teacher too?

He wants to teach dreams to boys who play ball so they can feel what it's

to be heroes.

His father discourages him from life, like yours did.

And it's death, because life without dreams is no life at all.

A teacher should do more than just pass on facts.

A teacher should give hope and encouragement and compassion and help

students find their dreams.

Excuse me.

I'm finished. Who do I give this to? Me.

You're my student.

Someone once told you teaching was a noble profession.

He believed in you.

Now believe in Eric.

At your desk while I grade this. You wait.

I'll find you when I'm done.

I'm afraid your time is almost up.

I can't stand it.

I have to make her do the right thing for that boy. Wait.

Surprise!

Ellie.

Congratulations. You deserve to be Teacher of the Year every year.

Oh, this is for you. Your father called. He'd like you to

pick up milk on your way home.

Okay.

I guess I did it, didn't I?

Oh, yeah.

Does this mean my father's changed, too?

You forgave him, remember?

Forgiveness is a powerful thing.

Has anything else changed?

Time will tell, Miss Hawk.

Time will tell.

I hope you find some work soon.

Miss Hogg?

Oh, I'm sorry, you don't remember me, do you?

Yes.

Eric, of course.

Eric Lee.

You're a coach.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, gee, will you look at that? That's great.

Thank you.

You know my son's going to be in your class next year.

Yeah, I told him to pay attention to everything you tell him, that history is

really a second chance.

A great lady told me that a long time ago. It changed my life.

Well, I'll do my best, Eric.

Are you finished shopping?

Mm -hmm.

Me too.

I'll carry that up for you.

Come on!

Drop it!

Drop it!

No! No!

going back. Eric's life is still destroyed because of me. Only this time

worse. He has a family, a son.

And a great surgeon. Have faith.

Your husband will take care of him.

My husband?

Dr. Peter Lee. Dr. Peter Lee. Dr.

Peter Lee.

Gary?

Sweetheart.

Are you okay? I'm fine, I think. What about Eric?

It's a nasty wound, but it missed the major arteries.

So you can save him.

You don't think I'd lose the man who saved my beautiful wife, do you?

So, I'm married to Gary.

Yep.

And what about my name? The children at school called me Miss Hawk.

What can I say? You're a liberated woman.

And do I have any children?

3 ,438 at last count.

And 87 % of them went on to college.

Quite an accomplishment.

Don't worry.

It won't be long before it all comes back to you. Your entire wonderful life.

And you'll forget the last three days ever happened.

No, wait.

Tell me about Eric.

Tell me he's going to be all right.

He'll be just fine.

And I have that on excellent authority.

In fact, you'll even tutor a few of his grandchildren.

Jail for a boy named Nicky.

He's a corker. Oh, my.

I'm looking forward to meeting that one.

Thank you very much for everything, Mr. Jones.

Thank you, Miss Honk.

Please call me Eloise.

My Eloise. Oh, I'll miss you,

young Mr.

Jones.

Going up.