Original subtitles

One more time?

Budget cuts.

Again? We evaluators do rub people the wrong way sometimes, I'm afraid.

They come in here with their reports and they treat us like digits.

Do you happen to have a form for reporting sexual harassment?

That was sexual advancement?

They end up pitting friends against each other.

You got big dreams.

You want fame.

Well, fame comes.

And right here is where you start pain and sweat.

Miss Holsdorfer?

Why, yes.

Board of Education.

What a wonderful memory you have.

Well, what I remember is that you and I have a real difference of opinion about

the way this school ought to be run.

Well, we evaluators do rub people the wrong way sometimes, I'm afraid.

Budget cuts.

Again?

Okay.

Straight talk.

Assembly Bill 47920 did not pass the legislature, so we find ourselves unable

move into normal fund dispersal.

Instead, we've had to assume a budget -cutting posture.

That's straight talk.

Necessitating a stiff examination of those options available to us for cost

reduction.

Trim the fat, so to speak.

Um... Yes?

What if you don't find any fat?

I'm not sure that I understand your question, Miss... You'll have to forgive

I don't know many of your names.

I'm Elizabeth Sherwood. My question concerns the fact that each year the

is less and less, and with this less and less, we're expected to do more and

more. Is there a purpose to all this we don't understand?

Certainly.

To make the system work.

You're going to make the school system work by cutting back on it, yes?

Hey, people, don't blame me.

I'm just the messenger.

If you're the messenger, who's that spy in my classroom?

You are... I'm damn angry.

I was referring to your name.

I know what you were referring to. But what are you going to do about that spy

in my classroom?

We are observers in your classrooms. We are not spies.

Well, I would like to know what specific measures you have in mind for the so

-called trimming of the fat.

I can't tell you that yet.

First, we have to collate. Then we have to come up with the criteria for the

reductions. At that point...

We will pass on the information.

And I guarantee you that nobody will understand a word of it.

Leroy.

Hey, Leroy.

What do you want? I'm studying.

Do you have your evaluation interview yet?

If that's what you want to call it.

Can we go someplace and talk about it?

I can't. I'm the hall monitor.

The job you're doing doesn't matter a whole lot. Come on.

Gavin Latimer was a guest lecturer in one of Sharafsy's classes a couple of

months ago. We were talking about how you could build a melody in different

ways.

And that's when you played him the song? I used it as an example.

So? What so?

So what are you going to do about it?

Nothing. Bruno!

Doris, what do you want me to do? Take on Gavin Latimer and accuse him of

plagiarism? If that's what he did... You can't let him get away with this! If

it's a private fight, can we get in it? It's not a fight.

It ain't a whole lot of friendly, either.

What's up?

Miss Miller here said that their evaluation interviews are crock. Julie

has never used the word crock in her life. Look, you've had your evaluation

interviews. What did you talk about?

The usual.

Music? Swarovski's class?

No, not much.

What about dance class, Leroy?

None. Chemistry?

History? What about math?

A little.

Mostly they ask questions about Crandall's class.

And English.

Then I'll bet that's what it is.

That's what what is.

One more time?

Okay.

Hey,

hey, hold it, hold it. Look, I have enough trouble understanding with just

of you talking.

Okay, Julie, and slowly, please.

Okay. Miss Grant, when was the last time you had one of those evaluators in your

class? I don't know. A couple of days ago. For one class period.

Well, they've been in Mr. Crandall's class all day.

Every day.

Same with Sherwood's class.

Not much in music class.

So? Is there some great theory that goes along with all of this?

Yes.

We think they're planning on dumping a teacher.

We think these interviews are just to decide who they're going to fire.

Miss Sherwood or Mr. Crandall.

Here. What's this?

Roughing it?

Mark Twain.

It's an idea I had.

See, you want to be a stand -up comic, and I want to teach you something about

acting. I thought maybe we could combine the two. You want me to stand up and

read this in class?

I don't think any of us are ready for that.

What I want you to do is find some material in there so we can make a scene

of it to do in class.

Where does being a stand -up comic come in?

Mark Twain has written some very snappy one -liners. Really?

Hey, that's a good idea.

Well, I can't take full credit for it.

See, Hal Holbrook's been doing a one -man Mark Twain show for years.

Right. Mean Hal Holbrook.

Mm -hmm.

It's like Tom and Huck.

Oh, yeah.

You want us to check out the place for hidden microphones?

Elizabeth, I just didn't want us to be interrupted.

You make it sound ominous.

Not at all.

In fact, it's really only a suspicion, something the kids put me on to.

I'm listening.

Well, it's about this evaluating and budgeting.

That mob up in the cafeteria is using up all the air.

I need little room.

Oh, I'm sorry. Did I walk in in the middle of something important?

Did I walk in in the middle of something unimportant?

It's all right, Greg. You might as well hear this now, too.

I really didn't mean to say anything about this until I had a better idea

what was really going to happen.

But I've been talking with some of the kids and asking questions, and it seems

like this budget -cutting thing has reached a point, maybe, where they're

starting to think about cutting back on the teaching staff.

At least that's the way it looks to me.

And I think...

Lydia, we won't let them fire you.

Elizabeth, it's not me they're thinking about firing.

Surely they're not talking about letting me go.

You or... It's amazing how quickly an

appetite can go.

Once I have explained the basic concept of the cost reduction blueprint, I think

this should all become clear.

Mr. Forbes, could you cut through the bureaucratic double talk and just tell

if this budget cutting is going to mean dropping a teacher?

That is a definite possibility, given the economic parameters and the equality

of... The answer is yes.

And that teacher is either Greg, Mr. Crandall, or...

It's a solution, and it works.

You must be a lot of fun in a lifeboat.

Excuse me?

That was a joke.

Here is the reality.

If we selected any other course, say, for example, biology, we might put

ourselves in danger of losing our academic status.

Now, on the other hand, if we lose someone in the music department, that's

counterproductive. Because it poses problems in terms of finding someone

another discipline to cover his or her courses. The same would hold true for

dance department.

Now, uh... You graduated from college with, um... A major in

English. Yes. And the reason I went into drama was because I was lousy in

English.

That's very good.

That was no joke.

Uh... And... Your minor was in drama.

You even spent one season in summer stock.

I worked in the box office.

So you see, each of you could absorb the other's classes, I mean, without any

real disruption in the system.

Mr. Forbes, that isn't true.

That isn't even close to being true.

And the very fact that you think it even might be true shows how little you

understand about this school.

Either a person can act, or they can't.

You merely guide.

Oh, well, then, if I'm the one who stays, I assume that I'll be working

the theory that the students either know English or they don't. No, I don't

believe that for a moment. That was a joke.

All right.

What is it, Martelli?

I didn't say anything.

But you're suffering silence.

Death. Also, you've rearranged that stack at least four times.

Is it the Chopin?

Would you prefer to play something more modern, more cacophonous?

It isn't the Chopin.

Good. Because playing the Chopin will help you grow.

Do you remember when Gavin Latimer came to school and lectured?

Of course.

I invited him. It's very important to hear from former students who have

attained some degree of success.

I played one of my songs for him.

So? Why should playing music several months ago for someone cause such

zeal and stacking orchestra parts?

It's now a hit song called If You Want My Love, composed by Gavin Latimer.

Oh.

Exactly, and I don't know what to do about it.

Something. Beg pardon?

Do something. That's as good as my advice is going to get.

Do something.

Combine that with have a nice day and we'll have the whole thing lived.

Martelli, being older does not mean we have all the answers.

But it usually means we know how to avoid some of the dumber mistakes.

You're eating yourself up about this thing.

And doing anything, something, is likely to be an improvement.

Good day.

Have a nice day.

And you do something about your problem.

They do go together rather well.

Well, as far as I'm concerned, there's always stage manager.

Of course.

You've worked on Broadway. Probably a phone call. Well, I don't think

I'd probably have to take out a road company.

There's always a great need for a good road stage manager.

Is the road a little arduous? If you are thinking of completing that sentence

with a man your age, I wish you wouldn't.

What I was really going to say is, for someone who hasn't done it in a while,

that's very nice.

And not being nice.

And being what we're both being.

Brave.

And I'm not very good at it.

The fact of the matter is, teaching isn't just a job.

And this school, it isn't just a school.

It's a very special place.

And I'm not feeling very brave about any of this.

Hey, if we're supposed to be cheering each other up, we're not doing a very

job.

But if they go ahead with this thing, regardless of what they decide, we lose.

Either we're unemployed or we're doing a job that we're not trained for or

skilled at.

You know, I would never have said skilled at.

Now, I would have expected a playwright to write exactly what I want to say.

And I would never say skill that. And that's why I don't want to be an English

teacher.

We build our life

on hopes and dreams and trust such

fragile things.

can turn to dust.

I just wasn't sure what you meant by it.

Nothing.

It's just that school's out, so to speak, and we are, after all,

colleagues, and Paul and Elizabeth seemed a little bit

less, um... Formal.

Exactly.

Don't you ever feel the need to let go a little bit?

Please? You know, let off a little steam.

At the end of the day teaching here, I rarely have any steam left.

At least we could have dinner.

Maybe a drink.

Mr.

Forbes. Paul.

I really don't think it would be the right thing to do under the

I think you're wrong.

It might be exactly the right thing to do under the circumstances.

Good morning, Mrs. Berg. Do you happen to have a form for reporting sexual

harassment?

I don't believe so.

These are curricular confirmation forms, I think.

Oh, I didn't mean those. I met over in the file someplace.

Oh, well... Hi.

What did you ask about?

A sexual harassment form? We must have some. We have forms for everything else.

Studies, progress, ethnic balance, insurance, job description,

involvement, withholding, attendance, non -attendance, projected attendance.

Ms. Sherwood, you're rambling. Who are we talking about?

That master of our fates, Mr. Paul Forbes.

Forbes? Sexual?

The way he talks, how could you tell? No problem whatsoever. He made it

perfectly clear how I could keep my job.

That was sexual advancement?

Sexual harassment.

I hope you gave proof.

You're going to have to prove something like that.

Oh, I'll prove it.

I'll nail that son of a gun if it's the last thing I do here.

Be careful.

Why?

Because you don't want it really to be the last thing you do here.

I have an excuse.

An excuse for what?

For coming in here to talk to you.

You don't need one. Come on in.

You heard anything yet?

No.

You worried?

Well, I'm not sure worried is the correct word.

There's a certain amount of concern.

Why does that Mr. Forbes and his team got to come up in here and mess us up

anyway? It's their role in life to mess us up.

Tell me about it.

However, I'm sure there are worse tragedies in your life than my leaving.

What?

I mean, there are other things that... You trying to say I'll be glad to see

get the ax?

No. You think I'm sitting around here hoping you'd get fired?

You don't understand nothing.

Leroy, Leroy, wait. Come on.

I would never accuse you of hoping somebody would lose a job.

All I meant was that it would be more unfortunate for you if Lydia, Miss

left. You got to understand.

Miss Grant gets on me, and I may not like it, but I know it's going to make

better dancer.

You, you get on me, and you do it a lot.

I'm not so sure what that does for me either.

But I know that I'm learning.

I'm reading. I'm writing.

So don't go telling me what's good for me and what ain't.

Isn't, not ain't.

Come on, don't fuss with me, woman. I'm on my free period.

Sorry. English teachers never rest.

Don't I know it.

Thank you, Leroy.

I didn't say I like you fussing at me. I just said I'm learning.

21 Gramercy Park.

I had office duty last hour. There's a file with all the addresses of the

we've had here as guest lecturers.

It's very devious.

You don't have to go if you don't want to.

But 12 Gramercy Park is just a quick subway ride away.

Wait a minute, I thought you said 21 Gramercy Park.

Glad to see you're listening, Martel.

I didn't know the room was being used. No, no, please.

Please come in.

I have nothing to say to you.

But I have something to say to you.

And it is something you probably ought to hear.

Have you sent in your harassment complaint yet?

It's a small school.

Good news travels fast.

I'm still working on it.

Our evaluation report.

Read it.

And then you decide whether or not you want your complaint of improper conduct

included in the recommendation that you be retained as the new English -slash

-drama instructor here.

It might seem as though you had accepted my alleged offer.

It's just the kind of thing that could be misunderstood in the same way that my

original invitation to you was misunderstood.

Recommendation of this panel that Elizabeth Sherwood, presently instructor

English, be retained in newly created position of instructor in drama slash

English and that the present instructor in drama, Gregory Crandall, be relieved

of his responsibilities.

What does that mean, relieved of responsibilities?

It means he got fired.

Fired?

Danny!

Hey,

Nemo, did you hear? Hear what?

They decided to let Crandall go and keep him surely.

All right! Somebody in the school finally made a good decision.

Hey, I feel like I'm gonna hold my bed after that. You feel better?

I always feel better when I hear good news. Well, let me know how this feels.

Danny! Nemo!

Nemo!

supposed to be such good friends?

What's this all about?

Ask him. I'm busy.

You're busy being a jerk. Mr. Johnson, stop.

Now, what's this all about?

I don't know.

I don't.

Look, it just happened.

I was telling Leroy about Crandall getting fired.

Mr. Crandall fired?

You have a class now?

A study hall.

That's a class.

I got nothing to do.

Okay, what do you do now?

See that pile of scripts?

I'd like you to hand them to me one at a time, make a nice neat pile, for

Michelle Ritz to be all organized when she takes over.

Camino Real, William.

Here's another one.

You got anything lined up?

Yeah. I got a call to teach part -time at the American Academy.

Is that a good school?

Very.

Next.

Chamber music.

Cop it.

Yeah, I'm thinking of dropping out of this place.

What?

I think I should go some other place.

Maybe to that academy you're going to.

Uh -uh.

Why not?

Two reasons.

One. I would tell the admissions board that you cannot be accepted because you

do not have a high school diploma.

I'd be going there to study with you.

That's the second reason.

Danny, I'm a teacher. I am not a guru.

If you decide to stay in this business, you're going to have a lot of teachers.

Now, you want to get through the bad ones as fast as you can, but do not hang

to the good ones.

Now, if you're smart, you'll learn a little bit from each one.

Come on, Sherwood's a... Is a very good teacher.

She'll be different.

But she has something to teach you.

You ever hear her tell a joke?

Danny, life is not all just telling jokes.

It is to me.

Give me the next one.

The Apology, Robinson.

Now, this one would be very good for you.

Good play?

Good idea.

You coming to talk or you coming to fight?

I figure it'd be better to talk.

Besides, I hurt my knuckles by hitting you.

You gotta draw a stone, man.

I got a brain of lead.

Look, I don't know whether you are going to believe a single word.

of what I am about to say, but nevertheless, I am determined to say it.

And I guess you can think whatever you want to think.

But at least I will have said it.

I hope the concerto is shorter than the fanfare.

What I did was dumb.

It was certainly ill -timed and wide open to misunderstanding.

But I am not one of the bad guys, Miss Sherwood.

I just happen to be a guy who...

has a bad job that he has to do.

And that can sort of distance you from people.

And I wanted to talk to somebody who is very much at home in a

world which to me is as strange and wonderful and rare

as any place I could possibly imagine.

of concerto.

I honestly don't know whether I want to say anything to stop you.

You might as well keep on going.

I know I can't go up against you and make it stick, but that was my song.

Look, you want to be a composer, right?

I am a composer, if you want my love, remember?

You better start getting used to the fact that someday you're going to hear

something.

And it won't mean a whole lot to you.

Then a couple of years later, you're going to be writing a song, and somehow

that tune will sneak in.

And you'll be absolutely positive it's yours.

Maybe that's the way it works for you.

You're going to be different. I'm going to try.

I remember what it was like being your age.

You think you're being very profound when you realize that the world isn't

perfect.

But when you start growing up is when you realize that not only isn't the

perfect, but neither are you.

If you wrote that song, you're pretty good.

You're going to write lots of others.

If you didn't, if you didn't, then you're a pain.

I'm going to forget you about 30 seconds after you're out the door.

Playing hardball, kid.

No, you're not.

In hardball, you don't pitch underhanded.

Hello.

Speaking.

Look, if I've been unfair, you haven't been.

It's just that you want a winner and a loser, and I'm not going to go to war.

You got a lot of songs inside you, kid.

Come on.

Don't be stingy.

Hello. Bruno, hi. It's Julie.

When can you get back here to rehearse?

Rehearse? Rehearse what?

Well, we were all talking about Crandall, and we came up with this

terrific idea.

This is a re...

Impulsive idea.

Gregory, would you stop it? This party is not for you. It's for them.

If it's for them, why do I have to be here?

There is a chance to say Auf Wiedersehen to a friend and do it with a little

grace.

How is it that you can make something as distasteful as this sound so pleasant?

The advantage of a European education.

No word yet?

No. Does that mean no or no word?

What's going on?

Come on, you're going to have to tell me. I'm not going to be around to find

on my own.

Well, you know the new contract gives us all 5 % raises.

We went out on strike to get it, so... So, there's still 22 teachers left, even

with you gone.

So, we all got together and we asked the board to postpone our raises for a

year.

The money they'd save would be slightly more than one teacher's salary.

Yours.

I can't find the words... You don't have to. ...to tell you how much I hate that

idea.

I mean, who was the genius who came up with that brilliant idea?

Me. I'm the genius.

But you should have known that I'd be opposed to something like that.

Of course, I knew that.

Then why?

Because I'm even more opposed to your leaving, so I thought it might make

compromise. The board is meeting on it right now.

You haven't got a prayer.

Wrong.

That's precisely what we do have.

Excuse me, can I have your attention, please?

Mr. Crandall, could you please come over here and take a seat?

Mr.

Crandall. It isn't easy for us to let you know how sorry we are that you're

leaving and how much we'll miss you.

So we decided to do it the way we know best.

We'll show you.

Here, as I watch the ships go by, I'm rooted to my

shore. I keep asking myself why, and if there's more on the

other side.

Here, as I see the friends I thought I made, a little bit crazy.

And if they're ready.

Daddy.

out of here with as little fuss as possible because I'm

not very good about saying goodbye.

I tend to dawdle at the door a lot.

When Lydia dragged me in here, it wasn't that I didn't want to be in here.

It's that I knew once I got in here, I wouldn't want to leave.

In the last couple of days, I've been trying to figure out

What there is about this place, this job,

that makes it so joyous.

And I finally figured out it's not what we teach you.

It's you.

We take your talent and mold it into a scale and along the way we try to

instill.

some integrity in you which you can use so that you can

practice your skill, your profession with pride.

And then you turn around and you honor us with song and

dance and...

Mr. Cranwell?

Perhaps I can be of some help.

Uh, no, I'm already unemployed. I don't think I can stand any more help from

you.

That's a joke, right? Yeah.

See? I'm catching on.

I've just come from a meeting downtown where the...

rather unique proposal you people came up with was the topic of discussion.

Your compromise offer was turned down flat.

It would set a bad precedent and also serve to embarrass the board terribly

the board does not like to be embarrassed.

One of the items earmarked in next year's budget was new lighting for the

auditorium.

Well, the board got a little mad at you people and cut it out of the budget.

So you're not going to get new lighting for the auditorium.

Instead, you're going to get an old Crandall.

I hope I haven't spoiled your party.

Now that's what I call a concerto, Mr. Ford.

Welcome to the School of the Arts.