Original subtitles

Thank you.

Good afternoon.

I believe Bradford Tours made a reservation for Lloyd.

Mrs. Lloyd, welcome.

We've been expecting you. I'm Julie Gillette, Director of Guest Relations.

Sorry we're late.

Have you seen the guide from Bradford Tours?

We were supposed to meet him here an hour ago.

Are these our missing tourists?

I guess we don't have to send out the bloodhounds after all.

I'm Frank Bradford.

Welcome to San Francisco, Mrs. Lloyd.

Oh, Iris, please.

Frank. And this is Rebecca.

Rebecca? Rebecca and Iris Lloyd.

Sisters? Oh, everybody makes that mistake.

And Mother just loves it when they do.

You've just made her day. Oh, I see. Well, that's what I'm here for.

Let's get you settled, shall we? Yes.

Gamer sweet?

Ready and waiting.

And if there's anything I can do for you that Frank can't... Oh, thank you,

Julie. But I think he'll do just fine.

Right this way, ma 'am.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Peter!

You can let me out right now.

I was just on my way to the airport. Your plane couldn't have been that far

ahead of schedule. Well, I managed to get an earlier flight. I was just so

anxious to see you. Here you go. Twenty out of cover. No, Peter was my ride. My

tree. You look terrific.

How are you?

Actually, I'm doing quite well.

Consider it.

Me too, Kate.

Me too.

Richard was my best friend.

But, you know, I think some time at the St. Gregory might be exactly what the

doctor ordered. Oh, just seeing you, I feel better.

So tell me, are you still the most eligible bachelor of San Francisco?

not still a bachelor.

Those days are over. I have to think for myself now.

The suite is wonderful.

A view clear to Sausalito.

Or is that Oakland?

That's Sausalito.

Or I reclaim the reservation clerk's tip.

I'm glad you approve.

We didn't come 1 ,500 miles to admire the view or the crown molding.

If we wanted to sit around like a couple of lumps, we could have stayed home.

We're here to see, to do, to experience.

Then I'm your man. The tour, followed by dinner at Fisherman's Wharf, gets

underway just as soon as you're ready. I'll meet you downstairs in the lobby.

Cute, huh? What's next?

Carousing in the elevator with bellboys?

I'd probably keep them up past their bedtime.

My vice may be youth, but yours is paperwork.

Fortunately, my boss considers that a virtue.

You can call it whatever you want, as long as you leave it back in the office.

No one is indispensable, and life is much too short.

Not for you, Mom.

Traveling, committees, volunteer work.

You know, since you left Dad and spread your wings, there are 20 -year -old

girls in my office that can't keep up your pace.

Well, I guess I don't do so bad for an old broad of 60.

Maybe it's because I've been blessed with the really important things in

My health.

You.

So, naturally, Peter was our first and only choice for best man.

Well, he's certainly my choice.

I remember you had to change planes three times to get to the wedding.

for you and Richard.

I'm sorry I never had a chance to meet him.

Well, you would have liked him, and I know he wouldn't like you. Right, Kate?

Richard liked everybody.

So, do you ever get up to the lake?

The lake?

Oh, a little jewel about 30 miles north of here.

We discovered it by accident on Richard and Kate's first visit. It wasn't on any

of the maps. So Richard officially claimed it in the names of the four of

The four of you.

Richard and me and Peter and that girl you were dating at the time. Who was it?

Deborah? Kate.

Well, it was always someone.

Richard and I could never keep them straight. I'm surprised Peter could.

What about you? It's been a year.

Are you seeing anyone?

No.

Men like Richard are hard to find.

Right now, my only interest is in spending as much time as possible with

best friend.

Maybe while I'm here, we could go up to the lake, like old times.

Oh, heaven.

Union Street, Ghirardelli Square, dinner at Fisherman's Wharf. If anyone should

ask, I could describe San Francisco in just four words. Great food, sore feet.

Oh, what a day.

And when that cable car stopped halfway up Nautilus, I thought it was going to

slide right out on the street.

Oh, it's a good thing you were there to catch me. Just part of Bradford Tour's

friendly service.

Good evening.

Can I get you anything?

Irish coffee?

Three of them, please. Thank you.

Do you think there'll be time to see the new aquarium down in Monterey?

Oh, now there's a request I don't hear every day.

Well, they have an incredible collection.

The Mola Mola, the Octopus Robeson. Could you speak in terms the rest of us

could understand?

Oysters Rockefeller, Lobster Thermidor.

No, Iris, please, Rebecca, go on.

It's just that I've always had a fascination for Manta Rays, dolphins.

The way those beautiful jellyfish sort of pulsate through the water.

They all seem sort of, I don't know, otherworldly.

Sounds kind of weird, huh?

Oh, no, not to me.

Oceanography is what brought me to California in the first place. How did

get interested in it?

Well, Monterey.

Oh, I bet they have some wonderful restaurants out on the coast.

Could you find us a really colorful one with a spectacular view of the ocean at

sunset?

I had no idea you were seeing someone.

But she seems very lovely, Peter, and very nice to allow me this time alone

you. Well, I'm glad you approve.

She's very important.

You say that, but I know you.

You'll never settle down.

Richard always said you weren't the settling type.

Yeah, but even Richard was wrong from time to time.

Not that I ever noticed.

But he cared a great deal about you. You know that, don't you?

He was a very special friend.

They don't come along often.

I know.

What can we do?

What do you mean?

Peter, I didn't come to San Francisco just for a visit.

I wanted to see you, of course, but...

There's something more.

Something I find a little difficult to ask, but... Well, you can ask me

anything. You know that.

I want to ask you to father a child for me.

I want to have your baby.

Peter.

Oh, I'm sorry I'm so late. I didn't mean to be.

Right.

Old friends.

You had a lot to talk about.

There's an understatement.

Everything okay between you?

I don't know. She asked me something that, well, took me by surprise.

Really?

What?

If I'm not prying?

Well, she, uh... Kate wants me to father her child.

You're joking.

You're not joking.

I'm not joking.

But how?

I mean, I know how.

Why?

I don't understand.

Father her child?

Through artificial insemination.

She said it's simple, clinical, it's unemotional.

Unemotional?

So why is my stomach churning?

Why is my heart racing?

This is as much a shock for me as for you. What a bet.

She said it would be for Richard, for his memory.

It would be the child they never had.

You're considering it?

I told her I would.

Consider it.

Well...

It's a decision you have to make.

Gums, sacks, Neiman Marcus.

I don't know which will give out first, my feet or my charge card.

And I thought we were going to spend the afternoon touring San Francisco

landmarks. Fashion landmarks.

Oh, you would look wonderful in that, Rebecca.

Come to think of it, so would I.

Frank, what do you think?

Oh, no, don't look at me. I know something about hotels and restaurants,

nothing whatever about women's clothes.

Oh, come on, let's take a look.

I don't think it's me, Mom.

You go ahead.

All right.

But when we get back to St. Louis, we'll be begging to borrow it.

That wasn't really her talking.

It's the buying frenzy.

She'll get back on the plane humming I left my gold card in San Francisco.

Uh -oh. Wait a minute. Do I hear a sense of humor there?

I guess when I'm with Mom, she sparkles enough for both of us.

Oh, look.

McVeigh's.

One -of -a -kind treasures. The old man collects them from all over the world.

How beautiful.

Talk about one -of -a -kind, huh?

The original endangered species.

The last unicorn.

What do you suppose it must feel like to be that alone?

No one else to tell what you know, how you feel, share your secrets.

I want to buy it for you.

Oh, I couldn't accept that.

No, please.

You're right.

He's all alone.

Wouldn't want that.

No, I guess we wouldn't.

Come on.

Hi.

The meeting ran longer than I thought and traffic was unbelievable.

Peter been asking for me?

Oh, he waited as long as he could and finally had to leave.

He asked me to give you this.

Anything wrong?

Wrong? What could be wrong?

I'll never forget the day we all met.

The tie department of Masons.

Richard bought a half a dozen ties you didn't need just so he could keep

to you.

You're all he talked about from that moment on.

To me, he talked about you.

That's why I thought you'd help me.

There never was a better friend in the world.

He was always there for me, Kate.

And now I'm asking you to be there for him.

Through me.

Through our child. Yours, mine, and Richard's.

It doesn't feel comfortable.

It seems... I don't know, unnatural.

What's unnatural is losing your husband at the prime of his life in a senseless

accident. If you want a child, there are other ways.

Oh, I could adopt.

I could go to other men.

But I don't just want to have a baby.

That isn't the point.

I want to create something special.

A child with intelligence, sensitivity, strength.

A child I can mold in Richard's image.

Yours best friend.

I know that's what Richard would want.

I can't bring him back, Peter.

But I can make a part of him live again.

Please help me do that.

Hey, you're good at this.

You're not so bad yourself.

But has everyone forgotten how to touch when they're dancing?

Hey, you're talking to an old -timer. I remember.

Well, I guess we showed them how to cut a rug.

Speak for yourself. Where do you get this energy?

Oh, it's my youthful attitude and mega doses of every supplement from A to

The two of you look like Frankie and Annette out there. It was fun, wasn't

Rebecca, you look terrific.

I don't remember you packing that dress, dear.

Spotted it in the hotel boutique.

Bought it on impulse.

In books.

That's not like you.

I must get it from you.

You and your partner were wonderful out there.

Oh, thank you.

I have an impulse of my own. Would you care to dance?

Equal time or just part of your full -service tour package?

This is strictly personal. I've been off the clock since dinner.

I admire your courage.

Thank you, but courage has nothing to do with it.

Well, it does when you get to be our age.

Does Mrs.

Bradford approve of your dancing the night away with your clients?

Well, no, actually, she doesn't.

She would much prefer her son to keep regular hours.

Her son?

I thought maybe you did. Yeah, I don't know what you thought. You thought I was

married. Well,

I was.

Once.

A long time ago.

I'm sorry, Christine.

I lost track of the time.

Your note said 8.

It's 9 .30.

Why didn't you call? I've been worried sick.

I said I'm sorry. What more can I do? I've just got so much on my mind. I'm

thinking straight.

Dinner's cold.

We can have something else sent up.

It's okay.

I'm too nervous to eat anyway.

And you decided?

I'm going to do it.

I owe it to her. I owe it to Richard.

Peter!

You might owe someone $20.

You might owe someone a night on the town.

How in the world do you owe someone a child?

Last night you said it was my decision.

Yes, but I didn't think you were going to do it.

He was my best friend, Christine.

Wonderful. But isn't this carrying friendship to the extreme?

Your friend is gone.

We're the ones who have to live with this.

Did you think about that?

About us? This has nothing to do with us or about the way I feel about you.

Doesn't it?

You're talking about giving another woman a child, a part of you.

How can that not affect us?

I'm talking about a medical procedure, something that would take very little

from me and could give Kate a lifetime of happiness. How can that be wrong?

You make... It just sounds so simple, like giving blood to the Red Cross.

it is that simple.

I thought you'd understand.

I want to.

Because I care about you.

But I just don't.

Oh, God.

I haven't danced so much since...

High school, I guess.

How does your mother do it? She'll have them all jitterbugging in there unless

she wears the band out first. Well, it won't be the first time.

Oh, thanks for a wonderful evening.

My pleasure.

Well, if we're going to get an early start tomorrow, I'd better get going.

you like to come in for a minute?

The unicorn is beautiful, Frank.

Thank you again.

You're both one of a kind.

Seemed like the two of you belong together.

I should go.

The tour guide code?

Yeah, I guess so.

How is it?

that an attractive woman like you is still single.

The right man just never came along, I guess.

All right, so it's a little more complicated than that.

Mom divorced my dad when I was still in school.

It seemed like the end of the world.

I always thought we were the perfect Ozzie and Harriet family.

If they couldn't make it work...

What kind of a chance did I have?

Mom handled it with that way of hers.

But by the time I got over it, all the men that were around turned out

to be married or gay or both.

Not quite all of them.

I absolutely do not believe we can guarantee that many rooms.

There are three conventions in town that weekend, and it's peak tourist season.

I already agreed. And it's Senator Todd.

I don't care if it's President Todd.

He wants an entire floor for this delegation of his. This isn't about the

at all, is it? It's about me. It's about my decision last night.

And it was your decision, and you did make it. Now, we have a hotel to run. At

least I do.

See what I can do about the senator after I deal with the staff meeting.

Somebody get up on the wrong side of the hotel this morning. Just a minute,

Billy.

You're the boss.

Morning, Mom.

I didn't hear you come in last night.

What time did things break up?

They evicted us around 2 this morning, the party poopers.

And, uh, speaking of party poopers.

Well, you were having such a good time with the dance clinic.

Frank and I went for a walk.

Careful, dear.

Men like that can be entertaining.

But they make a good part of their living escorting unattached women.

He bought this for me.

It'll probably show up on our bill anyway.

Sometimes I think nobody is good enough for your little girl.

I just don't want you to get hurt.

Throw your life away on some user.

Frank isn't like that.

That's what every woman says when she gets involved.

That's what I said about your father, and we all know how that turned out.

Rebecca, you've got to be careful until the right man comes along.

And when he does, we'll know it.

What if he already has?

This is just something I feel I should do.

Am I crazy or is Christine overreacting?

Who's right?

Look, when it comes to feelings, I'm not sure there is a right or a wrong.

Well, that's not what I need to hear.

Suppose an old boyfriend of hers wanted Christine to have a baby for him.

How would you feel?

Well, it's not the same thing. There's a difference between a quick medical

procedure and carrying a baby.

But what's the difference emotionally?

I mean, you'd always know that somewhere there's a child that's half

Christine's. Can you honestly tell me that wouldn't bother you?

You ever thought about going into psychology?

What, and leave the St.

Gregory?

Oh,

a ferry boat ride to Sausalito.

Oh, what could be more relaxing, worse than Phoenix?

After brunch, I thought you might like to drive through the wine country.

Oh, that sounds wonderful.

Frank takes such good care of us.

So it seems.

It's getting a little chilly out here. I think I'll go inside for coffee. Anyone

else? Thanks, Mom. Just black for me.

Cream for me. Thanks, Iris.

I don't want this vacation to end.

Does it have to so soon?

My work.

I've got reports to get out. People depending on me.

Then we better make the most of the time we have.

I'm sorry I'm late, but your invitation was so unexpected.

We've all had our share of surprises lately, but I think yours wins the

Christine, until I arrived, I didn't know Peter was involved with anyone.

And now you know.

I don't see any changes in your game plan. I wouldn't do this.

I wouldn't ask this if I had a choice.

But my husband is gone.

Have you tried putting yourself in my place?

Have you tried putting yourself in mine?

Yes, I have.

And it looks pretty damn good to me.

You'll marry Peter. You'll have children of your own.

And what makes you think you won't remarry?

Wouldn't you rather have a child with someone you love?

You're not in love with Peter, are you?

I love him as a friend.

That's all.

It's just that I want my child to be for Richard with someone who really meant

something to him.

If you both wanted children so much, why didn't you have any?

For all the usual reasons, I guess.

We put them off for work and for things we wanted to do.

We always said we have plenty of time. Kate, I'm sorry.

I really am.

But you're asking so much of Peter.

So much of us.

Richard and I finally agreed that if he got this particular job in Connecticut,

we'd settle down there and start our family.

Well, one night he called from New Haven.

He got the job, and he was driving back that night.

A boy first, he said, and then a girl.

It was late, and the weather was awful.

I begged him to stay overnight, but he wanted to come home.

So we could start.

The roads were so slick, he was driving too fast.

Don't you see, Christine?

Richard died for the child.

We never got the chance to conceive.

I owe him this baby.

How could you do that? Just fire Frank like that. I didn't fire anybody, dear.

thanked him very courteously for showing us the town and said I didn't think

we'd be requiring his services any longer.

What about me?

What about what I think? All three of us know what you think.

You've been throwing yourself at him all day.

I'm 39 years old. What I do is none of your business.

Stealing kisses like a schoolgirl. Rebecca, he's just a man you happen to

on vacation.

But we fly back to St. Louis tomorrow.

Besides, you've only known him a couple of days. How serious can this really be?

I don't know. But I'm willing to find out, to take a chance. You mean give him

chance to use you up and then walk out on you. If that happens, it's my problem

and my decision, not yours.

We've got to go on with our lives.

Rebecca, you and I, we're pals.

We've had... Helped each other through so much.

And held each other back from so much more.

This is really him talking, isn't it, Frank?

Putting these ideas in your head, trying to come between us, just so he can get

you into bed.

Mother, don't you understand?

He already has.

Oh, Rebecca, I just want what's best for you.

No, Mother.

You want what's best for you.

Ta -da.

All my favorites.

What's the occasion?

No occasion.

I just love you, that's all. You love me?

Does that surprise you?

Well, no.

No, it's just that after this morning... I owe

you an apology, Peter.

For being so stubborn and insensitive and selfish, and

you can stop me any time.

What's this all about?

I had lunch with Kate today.

I think I understand why this is all so important to her.

So, if you want to, do it.

It's okay.

It's not that I'm totally crazy about the idea.

What is so amusing?

I had a talk with Billy, and he made me see your point of view.

I was thinking of telling Kate no.

You discussed this with Billy? Mm -hmm.

This is a private matter.

I didn't tell the Chronicle. I told a good friend whose opinion I trust.

Someone who could be a little less emotional about all this.

Less emotional?

Peter, you don't seem to realize this is an emotional issue.

You are asking me to share you with another woman. Damn it, I'm not going to

with Kate.

I admire your loyalties.

It's your priorities that concern me.

I mean, what about our commitment to each other?

It's still there. Nothing's changed. Hey, a minute ago you said you

You were for this.

I'm sorry.

This is all so confusing.

I always figured our first serious discussion about children would concern

you and me.

What's happening to us?

It's just taking a step at a time.

To start with, we're kissing.

But the dinner, your favorite.

You are my favorite.

Some breakfast?

Thanks for the offer.

And for last night.

But I'd better talk to her.

Patch things up while I still have the nerve.

Mothers can be pretty formidable sometimes.

Some more than others.

The problem is she was right about just enough.

Like what?

Like... We've just met.

I hardly know you, and I'm carrying on like some crazy woman, slamming doors,

arguing with my mother.

We never argue.

Rebecca, it's only been three days.

I don't even know the names of all your cousins yet.

I don't know who your best friend in the seventh grade was, but somehow I feel

that I know you better.

I know you more deeply than friends I've spent half my life with, even most of

my own family.

What are we doing, really?

After only three days?

You live here.

I'm going back to a job in St. Louis.

We'll sort out the geography later, but first you have to understand.

No, you have to believe.

As much as I do, and I love you.

Rebecca, I love you.

Mom Mom

So, this is the lake I've heard so much about. Uh -huh.

How come you never brought me out here before this?

I don't know.

It was always kind of a private place for me.

Somewhere to go, to think, sort things out.

I taught Richard how to fish out here. He taught me how to play the harmonica.

An even trade.

He never caught a fish, and I...

Think I drove the fish away with my harmonica plan

Peter

If you really feel this is right

I Want you to do it I appreciate that

But I just can't go through with it I feel like I

Be helping Kate live in the past.

It's been a year.

She's not dating.

She's not even looking.

She talks about Richard like he's still alive or like I could make him alive by

giving her a child.

Kate deserves better.

Better?

I don't know.

When it comes to friends.

We've said some pretty hurtful things to one another.

I'm sorry.

I'd like to take them back.

I would too.

I know I must

seem pretty foolish to you.

A shameless flirt.

Hanging out with my daughter. Dancing.

Trying to be the girl I'll never be again, no matter what I wear or who I'm

with. Please.

I wish I had half the energy you do. Oh, I push too hard, don't I? I embarrass

you. Mom, that's not the problem.

The men I see, or try to see anyway, I only want to keep you from making a

mistake. But I'm not in high school anymore.

What gives you the right to... I'm your mother!

Since when does that make you such an expert?

Since your father left me.

But you left him.

That's what I told everybody. I couldn't admit the truth, not even to you.

He divorced me for that girl.

Barely five years old. You have no idea.

You can't imagine how that felt.

He wouldn't tell me why, but I knew.

She could give him what I couldn't anymore.

That's what a man wants from a woman.

And I'd already spent mine with him.

Sixteen years.

Wouldn't you know?

The one thing I can't hold on to anymore.

Anymore than I could hold on to.

It's all right, Mom.

It's all right.

Oh, it hasn't been all right for a long time now. I don't think it'll ever be

all right again.

I don't want to be alone.

I don't want you to end up this way.

We're not alone.

We have each other.

But I've got to find my own life.

Make my own mistakes.

I know.

I can't protect you from the world anymore.

I couldn't even protect myself.

I guess we're both too old for me to be your meddling mother anymore.

But I'd still like to be your friend.

Let's work on that together.

You know how I could be.

It may not be easy.

The good things never are.

Christine, isn't it? She's convinced you not to do it. I thought you were

stronger than that, Peter.

It's only partially, Christine.

I want to do what's best for you. What's best for me is having this baby.

Richard's baby.

There's nothing else in my life.

You've got to stop clinging to the past and start living again.

Have a baby if that's what you want. But do it for yourself, with someone you

love. Richard wanted a child.

Kate, Richard is gone. No, you don't understand.

He's gone. He doesn't have to be.

This child can make him live again.

Richard is dead. You have to face that. I have to face that.

A child won't bring him back to us.

You really want to do something for him?

You've got to do something for yourself.

Something he'd want you to do.

Let go of him.

I can't.

Kate.

You know, Richard would be the first to tell you to move on.

You do know that.

Peter, I... Then do it for him.

Miss him.

But everything's going to be all right again.

You'll see.

Everything's going to be fine.

If you just let it.

Just put the bags in the cab.

Yes, ma 'am. Thank you.

Excuse me, but I don't see any of my bags here.

This is all Mrs. Lloyd want to brought down.

Mother, you'll need your things if you're going to stay another week.

week? What are you talking about? I called your boss. It's all arranged.

you promised.

After 39 years, you can't expect me to go cold turkey.

It was my last official act as a meddling mother.

Well, next to last.

I did make one more call to him.

Frank?

But I don't understand.

If you're going to take a chance, it might as well be with someone I already

know.

Well, it looks like we finally got through an entire meal.

Well, it's still hot.

Watching cooking?

Confucius say, beware of strangers.

Confucius is a few days late.

You know, before Kate arrived.

I thought nothing could touch us.

What happened, Peter?

I guess we're more vulnerable than we'd like to think we are.

Whose future?

Ours, of course.

Not sure I want to.