Original subtitles

You know I was coerced into this.

Oh, and the fact that Ann Vargo's an old girlfriend with a hit radio show being

broadcast from your hotel had nothing to do with it. I got a free morning. She

said it would only be for an hour. You don't have to apologize.

Who's better qualified than you to talk about love and relationships in the 80s?

Besides, it might be cathartic.

How would Dr.

Vargo put it?

It will help you get in touch with your feeling.

Why don't you come along?

Oh, no, thanks.

I told Mrs. Cabot I'd help out with the children's home photo session.

Well, suit yourself.

But there's no telling how many eligible female listeners might be attracted to

my homespun wisdom and authoritarian voice.

Like bees to honey.

So, Glenn, how's it going?

I've been working graveyard all week.

How do you think it's going?

Well, hey, hang in there. New man always has to pay his dues.

Right.

Have you got your radio?

Yeah, why? Tune in to KSGY.

Peter's going to be on the Loveline show. Our Peter?

Yeah, and hurry. Bring it over to the other one. This should be a hoot. Okay.

Hope this thing still gets FM.

We'll be back in a moment to meet today's guest.

Peter McDermott, general manager of the St. Gregory Hotel.

You look a little pale.

You want some water?

Not unless it'll keep me from feeling like an idiot. What am I doing here?

I thought you said you listened to the show.

We have people from all walks of life come on as guests.

But what do I know about love and relationships? I'm divorced and

Every human being has a perspective, Peter.

Even single guys who have trouble committing to relationships.

Welcome back to Loveline. I'm Dr. Ann Vargo, and today I'm pleased to have as

guest Mr. Peter McDermott, general manager of the St. Gregory Hotel and a

special close friend.

Welcome,

Peter. Thank you, Ann.

I'm sure that a man of your experience and intelligence has much to share with

our listeners about careers and relationships and the difficulty in

the two.

Well, I wish I had some secrets, but...

Everything depends on the relationship and the career.

An interesting thought. Let's see what our listeners think. The love line is

open.

Really, Peter? How embarrassing.

Now, everybody say cheese.

Cheese.

There's some goodies out there on the terrace. Why don't you investigate?

Christine, you're just in time. If you hurry, there may still be some food left

for you. Well, it looks like it's a good thing I had a big breakfast.

You remember Betty Archer, don't you? Yes, of course. We met at the picnic

year. Christine, it's so nice to see you again.

You know, we do so much appreciate everything that you and Mrs. Cabot do

Oh, it's all her.

Nonsense. The job you're doing with these children makes our little effort

like nothing. Oh, thank you. We do try our best, you know. I mean it. We'd

better get out there before there's ill food.

Hello, you're on Loveline with Dr. Ann Vargo and Peter McDermott.

Hello, you're on Loveline.

Hello, Dr. Vargo.

This is Ron in Pacific Heights.

Do you remember me?

I'm sorry, Ron. I don't think I do.

Do you have a question for Peter McDermott?

I want to talk to you, Doctor.

You broke up my marriage.

I broke up your marriage?

I don't claim to have the answers, Ron. I just try to lead you in a direction

where you can find them yourself.

You led me to loneliness, Doctor.

Now I'm going to lead you in the same direction.

What's bothering you, Ron?

Let's talk about it.

Save it, Doctor.

Your trendy pop psychology isn't worth spit in real life.

And what do you mean, having your boyfriend, McDermott, giving advice?

He's even less qualified.

I am not Dr.

Vargo's boyfriend, Ron.

And he's merely sharing his experiences with our audience. He's not giving

advice.

You're going to get what you deserve, Doctor.

You're going to know the feelings I've known.

The same pain.

This is better than a soap opera. Time to hit the floor.

Hey, this is just getting good.

Don't be naive. They stage those crank phone calls. No way. I'm telling you. I

read an article on it once. The crazies boost the ratings. I'd like to boost the

radio and hear the rest of this. Who's going to mind the store?

This McDermott was good, wasn't it? Very insightful.

Thanks for doing it.

Who wants to fight the crowds, huh?

Would you like a grape?

I bet you've been to a few of these things.

You know there's going to be plenty left, even for us stragglers.

You make yourself at home.

I better go see if I could be of any help.

I see you've met Amanda.

What's wrong with her?

More than we'll ever know, I'm afraid.

Christine.

All of our children are emergency cases.

Parental death, abandonment, or abuse.

But that one... Her father had been molesting her since she was an infant.

Court finally found out about it and took her away from him.

What about her mom?

She died when the girl was a baby.

What happens to her now?

We feed her, we dress her, and she sees the social worker every day.

Does she talk?

She hasn't said a word since she came to us.

And probably didn't say much before that, either.

That's one badly damaged little girl.

Listen, I've got to pick something up at my apartment.

Would you mind if I took her with me for a while and maybe even give her a tour

of the hotel?

Yes, of course, if you like.

Good.

I'll bring her back in a bit.

Here you go.

My favorite store.

Let's check it out.

Be careful, young lady. You'll get candy all over that sweater.

That's okay, Norman. We're buying it. I'm sorry, Miss Francis. I didn't know

was with you.

I think a girl's medium should do it, don't you?

I think so, too.

I've got one in the bag. Excuse me. Thank you.

It is pretty.

Sorry we took so long.

We had to go shopping. Oh, that's all right. I knew that she was in good

May I come by and see you again, Amanda?

Come on, don't start doubting yourself over a crank caller.

Maybe not so much of a crank.

Tremendous responsibility being a psychologist.

Playing with people's minds.

And on the radio, I... I can't even see their eyes.

There's a need out there. That's why people listen to you.

What if I really did say the wrong thing to this guy?

You can't create a world without pain.

So stop expecting it of yourself.

You know me better than anyone, Peter.

Why didn't it work between us?

Weren't you listening today?

I'm too involved with my career.

Evasiveness. Same old Peter.

Who is this?

They're just for you.

A token of my affection.

Ron?

How did you find me?

How did you get in here?

Who is it?

Amanda.

Wait a minute.

Really, Betty, she's fine.

Just a little cold.

I gave her a nice hot bath, and I'll put her right to bed, I promise.

Bring her back first thing in the morning.

No, no, no problem.

Well,

looks like you're spending the night with me, kiddo.

Your hair is so beautiful.

You're a very pretty young lady.

Maybe someday you'll let me know what you're feeling.

Well, it's time for you to get some sleep.

Oh,

just a minute.

It can be tough being in a strange place, so...

I'm gonna let Clarence here keep you company.

He was my best friend when I was your age.

There you go.

Snug as a bug in a rug.

That's what my daddy used to say to me.

Goodnight.

What's the matter, honey?

No more argument.

You're staying here until it's safe.

Trouble, Peter. I've got to talk to him.

I don't think he's ready for talk.

Everything can't be handled your way.

So what do I do? Stay here and hide forever?

Let the police handle it.

Handle what?

I took the break -in report.

What else can they do?

Maybe find out who the guy is. He's watching you. He's obviously dangerous.

We don't know that.

Ann, are you scared?

Good. What does that mean? You're in touch with your feelings. That's smart.

Stay scared and stay here.

If you need me, just call.

Morning.

Oh, I guess you slept well.

Got to get you some breakfast, start our day.

I hope you weren't any trouble for Miss Francis.

No, no, she was a doll.

I'm late for work.

You be good, Amanda.

I'll come back and visit.

Bye.

Goodbye, dear.

Miss Francis?

What is it, honey?

Will you come soon?

You bet I will.

Hello? Thank you.

It was incredible, Peter.

This poor, damaged child who hasn't said a word to anyone called out to me.

Well, it was as if... You really like her, huh?

Oh, it's more than that, I think.

It's something very special.

Well, that's nice. A kid like that needs a friend.

I need to talk to someone about this, Peter.

Okay. Well, when I first met Amanda...

Peter McDermott's office.

Yes, just a minute.

And Vargo.

Hi.

What's up?

Yeah, I'll be right there.

Sorry, can we wait till later?

Sure. Listen to this.

We found the tape of his original call.

He just wants a job.

Then maybe you need some time alone to find yourself again.

You mean away from my wife?

Sometimes it's good for a while. When things aren't working, you can lose

of why.

And you can get frustrated and do damage by trying to fix the wrong things.

Maybe you're right.

Maybe I need to step away, get things together.

Thank you, Gary.

What was wrong with that? I was leading him. I gave too much advice.

When people are in trouble, they can interpret things a lot differently than

intended.

That isn't your fault.

Yes, it is.

I'm supposed to consider that before I open my mouth.

Suppose this guy disappeared without telling his wife what he was doing or

another woman to give him some perspective and then tried to go back to

wife. Stop with the self -recriminations, will you?

You could be in a lot of danger.

I'm having a security man watch you for a while.

You really love these plants, don't you?

Huh.

They're part of the family.

Along with the hotel.

I guess that pretty much fills up your time.

Plant, hotel, charities, social functions.

That's why it's a good thing I've got you and Peter.

Does it ever get lonely for you?

Are you all right?

I don't know.

Maybe I'm just going through fame.

When I first came here, all I thought about was the excitement of the new job,

doing well, getting ahead.

Now, other things are becoming important to me.

Nothing ever stays the same, Christine.

I guess I'm not the first woman my age to question her priorities.

Well, you're a different generation than I was.

Now they say you can have it all.

I'm not sure I believe that.

I'm not sure I do either.

But if anyone can...

I'm sorry to bother you so late.

Oh, what, is something wrong?

Come in, come in. Thank you.

Um, can I get you anything? No, no, thank you. I just need to talk.

All right.

I know this may seem sudden, or maybe it doesn't. I don't know, it's so

confusing. You're telling me.

I'm sorry.

I just don't know if I'm being foolish or what.

I mean...

I don't know what the law is or anything.

About what?

I wanna know what it would take for me to adopt Amanda.

Oh, I'd hate to see what you pack when you're really traveling.

You might, yes. This lasts more than a few days. We'll have to go back for

Dr. Vargo, I thought you were going to stay in your room with the radio

Barry, I just couldn't stay locked up in that room another minute.

Well, you realize this makes it very difficult for us.

I know, but if I'm not safe in the St. Gregory lobby... What are you doing out

here?

Breathing. I'm okay, Peter.

And we don't know what this guy looks like. He could be here right now.

Look, I'm scared, okay?

But I'm not going to run and hide.

We can't protect her if she won't cooperate, Peter.

I'm sorry, Mr. Griffin. I don't mean to be difficult, but I have to live my

life. Maybe we're taking the wrong approach to this whole thing.

This guy's somewhere around here watching your every move.

Instead of sitting and wondering where and what he's going to do, maybe it's

time we took the offensive.

How? By flushing him out.

Christine, this isn't something you just rush into.

You've hardly given it any thought.

I've thought about it a lot, Peter.

I've even tried to discuss it with you.

You were too busy.

Maybe you should take some more time.

Like how long?

A year?

Five years?

Ten years?

I can't afford to wait like you can.

I don't want to wake up alone in 20 years with nothing to show for my life

hell of a career.

And a hell of a good pal in Peter McDermott. Is that what we're talking

The shoe fits.

You got a lot going for you, Christine.

Don't underestimate yourself.

No, that isn't it.

Amanda appeals to things in me no one's ever touched.

No one.

Sure, a career is fine, but I'm a woman first.

Well, you're young.

You're going to have a child of your own someday.

Don't be in such a hurry.

I have no control over what life presents to me, Peter.

This child happened now.

I can't just turn my back on her.

You've got a lot of responsibilities, even without this child.

Sometimes you can't avoid having to turn your back on something.

Christine? Hmm?

Why do you like me?

Why do you ask?

No one has ever liked me before.

Oh, I'm sure that's not true. Maybe you just didn't know it.

My father didn't like me.

Oh, I'm sure he did.

Sometimes people just have other problems that keep them from showing

that they love them.

You don't have problems like that.

I've never been responsible for someone's life.

Are you going to adopt me?

Would you like me to?

Yes.

It wouldn't be easy.

You'd have to be alone a lot.

I know.

You'd have to help me out, too.

I can't be a mother and a father.

I can take care of myself.

Oh, that isn't it.

I'd always take care of you.

You'd just have to be understanding.

Of what?

I've never been a mother.

I've never known a mother.

Be sure you get him angry now. Make him want to talk to you.

Welcome back to Loveline.

Before we take more calls, there's something I want to say to Ron in

Heights. You need help, Ron.

I urge you to discuss your problems with a professional right away.

I've gone over the tapes of our talk, and you're wrong to blame me. You have

take responsibility for your own life.

Based on what I've seen and heard, I think the decision your wife made was

correct one, given your condition.

Please, Ron, seek help immediately.

Okay. I'll see you tomorrow.

When can I go home with you?

I don't know. We'll have to see.

Some kids only stay here a few weeks before someone takes them.

I know.

Don't be scared.

You have to learn to trust people.

No one's going to hurt you anymore.

Okay, I'll try.

You be good now.

Okay. Bye.

Bye.

Betty, could I talk to you when you're free?

Oh, Christine.

Christine Francis, I'd like you to meet Paul and Marla Franklin.

Hi, how are you?

Hello. Pleasure.

Well, all right, then. I'll be in touch with you. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much. Bye -bye. Bye.

Christine, there's something I need to tell you.

What? Mr. and Mrs. Franklin also want to adopt Amanda.

I hear something was bothering her.

But she never messaged anything about adoption.

I'm worried, Victoria. I think she's reacting to things.

To us?

She's a beautiful, intelligent, kind -hearted woman.

But in her own mind, her future's not secure. Well, that's no reason to make

such a permanent, confining move.

Peter, she's single.

And on the surface, at least, uninvolved.

Victoria, you know I can't interfere with her life.

I know you won't.

I don't know why.

Sorry we got held up. I'm staying late to catch up. Is everything okay?

What? I'm sorry I haven't given you more time. I know you've got a lot to

decide.

Actually, it's good that you've been busy.

I've made my decision by myself, the way it should be.

What does that mean?

It means I care for you, Peter.

I think you know that.

But I've got to plan my life.

We don't know what might happen in the future.

I just can't wait to find out

She's on her way

Anybody

following

Thank you for coming, Mrs. Francis.

I really don't see any point in my being here, Mr. Franklin.

Please sit.

Mrs. Archer tells us that Amanda's wishes will be very important in

gets custody.

As they should be, don't you think?

Amanda's happiness is the most important thing.

But we think we can make her happy, too.

I don't doubt that.

But there are other children at the home.

Children who might have fewer problems than Amanda.

We're aware of Amanda's history.

Then why would you choose to take that on?

Why would you, Miss Francis?

We had a daughter once, Miss Francis.

Our own.

She died of a heart defect when she was six years old.

Oh. I'm sorry.

Amanda reminds us so much of her.

We can't have any more children of our own.

But we'd love Amanda just like we loved our own little girl. And we'd be there

for her all the time.

Adopting a child was the furthest thing from my mind.

Until I met Amanda.

It was the same for us.

We've had a child.

We know the time, the responsibility, the total commitment that's involved in

raising one. You have a career, Miss Francis, a very demanding one from what

understand. I know about the responsibilities involved here, Mr.

We don't mean to push you, Miss Francis.

Maybe Amanda would be just as well cared for with you as with us.

We're being selfish.

But I hope you understand why.

It's all over, Ron.

Dr. Vargo isn't here?

No kidding.

Why don't you put the gun down?

This is quite a little trap you've set.

I'll bet you're very proud of yourself.

I just don't want anybody hurt.

How noble.

Does that include yourself?

That's right, McDermott.

It's you I'm after.

I told her I'd make her know the same feelings that I knew.

I lost my wife.

She's going to lose you.

Oh, your security man isn't coming.

I got here a little earlier than he did.

Dr. Vargo.

So glad you could join us.

I want you to see this and know that you're responsible.

You're confused, Ron.

Peter and I aren't lovers.

Don't tell me.

I've been watching you.

Then you haven't seen anything more than two friends.

I have seen enough to know that he's closer to you than anyone else.

But not like you were with your wife.

No.

You're not capable of that kind of love, Doctor.

You're too hung up thinking about your feelings to really lose yourself in

another person.

And the pain when you can't have that person anymore.

I wonder if you can feel that pain.

You know how to use one of those things?

Yeah.

When I give you the signal, spray the hell out of that glass.

Okay.

That's why I wanted you to feel the pain.

It's okay.

It's all over.

Is there something wrong, Christine?

I haven't been very good company, have I?

Is this what you meant when you said I'd have to be understanding?

I need you to be very understanding.

Did I do something wrong?

No. No. You didn't do anything.

I did.

I'll forgive you.

No, you won't.

Probably not for a long time.

But maybe someday when you're older, you'll at least understand.

You're scaring me.

I don't want you to be scared.

Because you're going to have a very nice life.

You'll be loved and treated well.

You don't want me anymore.

It isn't like that.

I want you very much.

Then what's wrong?

Amanda, being a mother is something you have to grow into.

It would be selfish of me to try to keep you.

You deserve two full -time parents.

I don't need two parents. I need you.

It isn't that simple.

But why?

It just isn't.

Life becomes more complicated when you get older.

There's some people I want you to meet.

Now, I want you to be very nice to them, because they're nice people.

Mr. and Mrs. Franklin, right?

They want to adopt you.

I know, but I want to be with you.

Amanda, you have to have trust.

The world is a good place,

of good people in it.

You've only opened up to me.

Let yourself love someone else and they'll love you back.

No one's ever loved me.

Try it.

You'll see.

Hi, Amanda.

Hello.

Paul and Marla will take you back to get your things.

And then where?

Home with them.

Will I ever see you again?

All the time, honey.

You coming?