Original subtitles

Chris, honey, what was that supposed to be?

A jeté. You asked for a jeté.

Well, at least you got half of it right. I did ask for a jeté, but darling, that

was more like a skip.

Now, come on, Chris, you know you can do better than that.

You're right.

I'm just a little tired.

I'll get it right next time, okay?

Next time? Oh, honey, we don't have time for next time. You know, we have these

school boards.

Excuse me, Ms. Grant.

Wouldn't it look much better if Chris came out and did like a double axel into

soda box?

Michael, do you want to direct the show?

No, but I come out and I already do a jeté. And then Chris comes out and he

basically does the same thing. I just thought I would mix it up a little bit

better.

I thought you said you didn't want to direct the show.

I said I didn't want to.

I didn't say that I wasn't capable.

Oh, then you do think you can handle it.

Oh, no problem. I can handle it. Oh, good. Then you got it, baby. The job is

yours. But wait, I'm... No, Michael. Look, I have my hand to pull without

planning to direct this extravaganza. Merry Christmas. Happy birthday.

The job is yours. Have a good time.

Okay, for the S -1, strip staff is curious.

He returns to the pilot and he says... Let me tell you later.

Hi, what do you mean you'll tell me later?

Hi. Hi.

Am I interrupting something?

No, no. It was nothing important.

So, what's going on?

Nothing. I just gotta go do this dumb interview thing.

What's it all about, anyway?

Oh, well, the school board sends down some bozo to pick your brains. I did it

last semester. It's really pretty painless.

I gotta go.

We'll see you later.

Just tell us.

Doris Schwartz, am I right?

Yeah. Hi.

Hi.

You've been here three years now, am I right?

Yeah.

What would you say the most important thing you've learned is?

Probably just being myself.

I think that when I first came here, it was real hard to fit in and to see if

anything was really going to work here.

And there were a lot of times when I didn't think it was going to, and I

it was a lot easier to try and be someone else.

But I think I found out that being me is the best thing.

I know you were real close to a teacher, Mr.

Crandall, who passed away last year.

How did that affect you?

It's hard to say, you know, it's hard to say goodbye to anybody.

And when you don't have a chance to say goodbye, that makes it even harder.

If you could think of one thing that you would like added to your record here,

one bit of insight about you, Dora Schwartz, what would you like?

Well, I'm very judgmental of people.

And I'm very critical.

But I'm really only critical of people who are really talented, who I think

you know, can be something really special. And I'm very critical of

overcritical, I think, sometimes.

But it's only because I can't stand to see anybody go to waste.

And one last question, because we've heard a lot of input about this area of

school that I'm not sure.

How bad is the food at the cafeteria?

It's, um, it's pretty bad.

Why don't we just rehearse without him? You don't rehearse the king and I

without the king.

We're not doing the king. I know we're not doing Amatulo, but I'm trying to

you know, what I'm trying to say is the guy's in no show.

So what are we going to do?

Gotta cancel rehearsals.

Fine.

Listen up, everybody. We're gonna cancel rehearsals today. We're gonna

reschedule, and I'll let y 'all know, okay?

I'm really sorry.

Thanks a lot, people.

I just don't understand it.

Well, what's to understand?

Donovan's acting like a jerk.

That's not exactly the front page news.

Yeah, but when it comes to his dancing, Chris has usually got it together, man.

He shows up on time, he works, he tries.

I mean, this just isn't like him.

I don't know.

Maybe he got some chicks stashed away.

It's probably real sexy and classy.

to. Really.

What are you doing up?

Hungry.

Thought you said you had a stomachache.

I feel better now.

Can I go back to school today?

Tracy already called Mrs. Schneider. She's gonna be here in a couple of... I

swear, if you were faking it this morning... Why then?

Really.

I don't like Mrs. Schneider.

It'll only be for a couple hours.

Keith will be home after school, so will I.

When will Daddy be home?

I don't know.

But I got rehearsal.

It's 12 .30 and I gotta go.

No, it's not.

Yes, it is.

You see, the little head... I don't know how to tell time.

That clock's off.

Daddy said he'd fix it, but... Well, what time is it then?

Two minutes to one o 'clock and 20 seconds.

Dependent, he's a widow. Why then you call on me?

Sound so sorry in your voice. It was reconciliation,

leaving me no choice.

whether it's really your stomach,

Did I miss a joke?

Um, no, no. It wasn't a joke.

Oh, it's just, um... You don't like my voice.

No, no, we love your voice.

You have a wonderful, magnificent, glorious voice that knows more notes

four of us ever will.

But... But... You'll never sing with the Dixie Cups.

Yeah, I guess you're right. That's okay, though. What's the big deal? We'll find

another piece of music. No.

I...

That was nice.

Nice and cruel.

Holly, she doesn't have the right kind of voice.

That wasn't it, and you know it.

Oh.

All right, fine, you're right.

All right, it was out of line.

Way out of line.

It's just that there's no chemistry between me and Alicia.

I really don't think she belongs here.

You gave us such a warm welcome, too.

So, it's your first year here.

Hmm?

How did it differ from your preconceptions of how it would be?

Hmm. Well, to tell you the truth, when I first came here, I kind of figured

School of the Arts was going to be my ticket to the stars. I was going to

and as long as I passed that initial audition, and got in here that

was basically going to be done for me. I was going to be molded into an actress

and a singer and whatever, and that I was going to be then placed from here

stardom. And I'm glad I've learned my lesson because I know that's not the way

it works.

Are you glad that's not the way it works?

Yes, I am, actually, because I've really learned to love the work you have to

put into it.

Because when you do make it, when you have a good performance and you've

your tail off to get there because it wasn't easy when you first started,

a great feeling.

Do you ever want to give up?

Not yet.

No? Not yet. Never?

I suppose when I get real vulnerable and get very tired and maybe have

considered I've had a few failures in my own mind.

maybe did poorly on a test or messed up during a play.

Every now and then I wonder if I'm doing the right thing.

But I'm not going to give up.

Do you think the kids here help each other with this sense of competition

exists around this place, or do you think it turns into a dog -eat -dog kind

world around here?

The competition exists, and there are people who...

who let it get to them and keep it from getting close to others, but my friends

don't.

And it's good to have that competition because that's reality.

That's what you're going to have to face when you get out there into the real

world. Do you consider yourself a hard worker?

Yes, yes.

I have a note here in your file that says, Ms. Sherwood says that in her

you tend to do just enough to get by.

Is that true?

Um, I suppose at times it might be true.

Oops.

We watched you run last night.

We'll watch it tonight, too.

No way.

Yes way.

Come on, hey, break it up. Keith, do me a favor. Cool out a little longer, will

you?

I'm warning you.

Hey. Hi.

Can I come in?

Oh, yeah, sure.

Sorry about that. I didn't know you were coming home.

Neither did I.

Keith and Tracy.

Hey, this is Michael.

Hi. Hi.

He's directing the show I'm doing.

What show?

That's a small kid.

Hey, listen, turn the TV off.

And, uh, the food's on the table, so go eat, okay?

What's for dinner?

Go look. It's a surprise.

Sit down.

Could I get you something to drink or something?

Maybe some answers.

Oh, come on, man. I've been busy. And that's the truth.

With what?

With them.

I don't get it. Where are your folks?

Hey, look, you asked me a question, then I answered it. Now stay out of my

business, man, okay?

Okay, okay.

But you've got to try to understand where I'm coming from on this.

I've got a show to put on, and you're supposed to be in that show.

There'll be other shows, right?

Oh, yeah, yeah, there'll be other shows.

Question is, will you be around to be in them?

Okay. Okay, Mike, look. It's like this.

My dad, he's having kind of a rough time right now.

Got laid off from his job and...

He just doesn't seem to be able to get on the right track.

But he will.

Yeah, yeah, he will.

Just needs some time, that's all.

Some time.

In the meantime, somebody's got to keep an eye on him.

Where's your mom?

She passed away.

Just doesn't seem fair to you.

Tell me about it.

Well, there must be something you can do. I mean, if you flunk out of school

now, you'll spend the rest of your life... Wait a minute. Who says I'm

out of school?

Nobody. Nobody.

It's just that you and me have a lot of classes together, and I know how you're

doing. Well, I'm not flunking out of school. You can count on that.

You know, I was hoping that if... Now you're hoping. Michael, you're having a

busy day.

Look, I was hoping that if I ever needed help in something, even something that

had nothing to do with school, I'd have the good sense enough to ask for it.

I mean, I know how hard you worked at the beginning of the term. He's sick,

okay? My old man is sick and I got to keep things running.

It's called being part of the family.

And if you can't understand that, then you're in a lot more trouble than I am.

See you tomorrow.

Yeah.

Here comes the best part.

Pretty racy finish.

A lot of style in these lungs.

A lot of style.

I agree.

That's why I came here to talk to you.

Come on in.

Sit down.

I was hoping you could help me with the problem I seem to have.

I'd be honored.

Dwight.

I'm just having a terrible time fitting in around this place.

And you came to me for help?

I'm doubly honored.

Any advice?

I'm afraid I spent more time trying to fit in than actually fitting in.

I'm listening.

Well, all I can tell you is that when I first came here, I spent all my time and

energy trying to be like everybody else here.

I tried to sing their songs, to play their music.

I even took a shot at dancing.

I missed.

Finally, I was just exhausted.

What was left was me, Dwight Mendenhall.

And surprise, surprise, everybody, well, not everybody,

but more people than I would have believed seemed to like this guy,

fine.

I just don't want people to think that...

Just because I have some classical training.

Well, that doesn't mean I have to be serious all the time.

I just love to hang out and have a good time.

If there's one thing I've learned at the School of the Arts, it's that if you

want people to get a message, you have to show them, not just tell them.

That's what this place is all about.

How?

That's up to you.

But speaking from experience, I'd steer clear of the sousaphone.

Are you kidding?

Competition's much too tough.

I've met people that I think I'll probably be friends with for the rest

of my life.

That's remarkable.

That's remarkable. That's fantastic.

Do you have some favorites yet?

Oh, yeah. Who are some of your favorite people in the school?

Dwight Mendenhall.

Dwight Mendenhall.

He's the hall monitor, isn't he?

What is it about Dwight that you like?

Well, nobody seems to understand why I like him so much.

But he's really very nice.

And he's not as serious.

He's not as old as he seems.

He's really warm.

And he's the one who first made me feel like I could really belong here.

The energy level around this place is pretty hot.

Some people might even consider it a little crazy.

Do you consider that a plus or a minus?

Oh, the crazy part or the energy part?

Both.

It's a plus.

It is crazy.

I didn't know if I could live up to that.

Not being crazy and dancing all over the place all the time.

And that goes on a lot here, but not all the time. And there are a lot of us who

sit in the corner just studying what we have to study and then afterwards can

watch everybody else jumping and dancing around.

The energy level's not just the crazy part. It's not just the food fights in

cafeteria.

Food fights in the cafeteria?

Well, little ones, you know, like people play around a little.

I see.

Alicia, one last question.

As far as your singing goes, who is the most important person in the world for

you?

I guess it would be me.

It's after hours and you're off limits.

How'd you get in here?

Mr. Koenig let me in.

I can't figure out if Mr. Koenig is a security guard or a welcome wagon.

one of you guys wants onto the property, you know. Don't sweat it. It can work.

I just wanted to talk.

Donovan, sit down.

What's on your mind?

Mr.

Moorlach.

If somebody's important to you, really important to you, and this person needs

your help, how do you know when it's time to stop helping them?

Because sometimes you're really hurting somebody by not making them stand up on

their own two feet.

But how do you know when they're ready to stand up on their own?

Well, that's a major league question, Donald.

Major league.

It seems to me that if this was somebody you really care about, it should make

you feel good to do this.

If it doesn't,

something's wrong.

I hope that helps you.

It helps us talk online.

Thanks.

Darling, why did you come see me?

Maybe it's because you remind me of how my dad used to be.

How's that?

Hard -nosed, fair, stubborn, honest.

Basically, you're painting a butt.

Darling, don't hit yourself with a door on the way out.

Hi, Pop.

Where's the kids?

Sounded bad. They were driving me crazy.

Seven o 'clock. It's not their bedtime.

Oh, they need to sleep, don't they?

Okay, but don't yell and scream when they're up at five o 'clock in the

Hey, I'll yell and scream if I feel like yelling and screaming.

Tell me about it.

Don't get smart.

Look, Pop, I was hoping we could talk.

Come on, I'm watching the game.

I know you're watching the game, but I want us to talk.

Maybe later.

Did you get a job today?

Oh, there's a real bright question.

If I'd have found a job today, would I be sitting here watching the ball game?

No, I would not.

I would be telling you all about this wonderful new job. But what am I doing?

What am I doing?

You're watching the game. Wrong.

I am trying to watch the game.

I told somebody you were sick today.

What did he do that for?

He wanted to know why I was missing classes and rehearsals.

And why I had to take care of the kids all by myself.

And I was too embarrassed to tell him the truth.

So I told him you're real sick.

Well, you were right. I am sick.

Sick and tired.

You're sick and tired?

You could sit there and talk to me about being sick and tired. All right, have

it your way.

Listen, Chris, I don't want to fight with you, not tonight.

Okay.

Okay.

Good night, Pop. I don't follow.

You come in here, you dump all over me, now you're kissing me goodnight. I mean,

what is that?

It's because you're my father.

That's what it is.

Okay.

The area of the trapezoid.

Yes, sir.

Donald, are you okay?

Yes, sir.

I'm afraid I didn't hear the question.

Forget it.

The area of the trapezoid, Miss Laird.

Sixty.

Sixty square inches. That's exactly right.

Very good, Miss Laird.

Now, would you like to come here and show the class exactly how you did it?

What?

Holly Laird, come on down.

Have a confession to make.

Well, this is a classroom, not a confessional.

And I'm a long way from being Father Flanagan.

Well, then how are you at forgiveness?

Fresh out.

Sit.

You know, on a good day, I'm not a big fan of classroom con

games.

On a good day, I think they should be...

punished swiftly and severely.

And this isn't even close to being a good day.

So I'd like all of you to take out your little appointment books.

We have a date this Saturday.

Saturday?

Very good, class.

Saturday.

In the science lab, a little extra work.

You can call it penance.

Hey, that's not fair. Why Saturday?

Because it pleases me.

Miss Bird, sadly to go, Mr. Muller's making everyone come in for punishment.

Punishment? What did I do?

You didn't do nothing.

Then why am I being punished?

You're not being punished.

You just said we were all being punished.

I lost my head. I'm sorry. All you need to know is that sadly to go, okay?

Yes, Danny, I know. You told me that once.

Please don't patronize me.

I gotta go.

Boy.

Sorry I'm late.

Oh, you're not late.

I'm not early.

You're not early or late.

You're just fired.

What do you mean I'm fired?

I mean I still like you enough to spare you the Lexus.

I'll just give it to you straight.

You're out of the show.

And you're dancing my part, right?

Me and the director are just like this, man. He loves it when I show up on time.

Every time.

That's just because it's your show.

Come on, man. You know what's been going on with me. I know what's been going on

with you. And I offered to help.

But you told me to mind my own business.

Isn't there any way we can make this thing work?

Look, if you ask me, Chris, you've got some stuff a lot more important than

show that you've got to make work before it's too late, all right?

Thanks, friend.

Alicia, right?

Right. Singer, opera mostly?

Yeah.

Cristana, I heard you're singing Caruso's. You're real good.

Real good.

Thanks for saying so.

Sometimes I feel like it's not even considered real music.

Aren't you going to eat in the cafeteria today?

No, not today.

How about you? No.

I know it sounds silly.

It scares me.

The cafeteria scares you?

Oh, you mean the food?

That too.

The truth is, the kids.

Everybody singing and dancing.

It scares me.

I guess you think that sounds pretty dumb, huh?

I don't think that sounds dumb at all.

I like them a lot.

They're such a tight group.

Almost like family.

I know what you mean.

But even in a family, they have to give you room for you to do what you want to

do.

And if they really care, they'll understand.

I never really thought of it like that before.

Neither did I.

I've been getting some pretty good advice around here lately.

First Dwight Mendenhall, now you.

You got advice from Dwight Mendenhall?

Yeah.

So that sitting around and waiting for something to happen just isn't

He said you have to find a way to make it happen.

Wouldn't you say that's pretty good advice?

No.

I'd say that's damn good advice.

And I, for one, am taking it.

Where are you going?

Look, could you do me a favor?

I got this Charlie Chaplin pantomime thing with Schwartz. Could you go down

the drama class and tell them I won't be able to make it, please? Sure, but why

can't you make it?

I got some family business to take care of.

Thanks for the help, though.

Tell Dwight that, too.

to rehearsal.

Stop the presses. I can't believe it.

Oh, boy.

Costume, makeup, the work. I'm really impressed.

We've only got about 20 minutes, and I want to get right into this.

That's terrific.

You never did any of that stuff before.

Alicia. Are you mad?

Are you crazy?

That was terrific.

But how did you end up in here? Well, Chris told me that he had something else

to do and he couldn't make rehearsal.

So I came in and you weren't here.

And the costume was hanging up, so...

What's the matter?

I was wrong about you.

What do you mean?

Well, I figured anybody who was an opera -type person was bound to cram my

style.

So I kept my distance.

Yeah, I know.

Will you do me a favor?

What's that?

From now on, don't let me get away with that stuff.

You got a deal, and you got a drama partner.

What was Donald's excuse this time?

Uh, something about family business.

Sounded pretty important.

What are you doing home?

Turn off the TV.

Turn the damn television set off.

You're going to listen to me.

I'm not going to carry you anymore.

It's not fair and I'm not going to do it anymore.

I know when Mom died, something broke inside of you.

And you're still hurting.

So am I.

But we got to pick up what's left and keep going.

There ain't nothing left.

That's not true, and you know it.

I'm not giving up on you, damn it. But, Dad, you got to try.

What do you know about trying?

What do you know about what it's really like out there?

Nothing.

You're too busy singing and dancing.

Let me tell you something.

It's no musical out there.

It's a grind, you know. It's a grind. It beats you down.

I know.

That's why I gotta be stronger than the next guy.

Brighter and better.

But that's not gonna happen if I'm here.

When I should be in school.

I can't do both, Pop.

I didn't make you strong.

It'll break me. Only if you let it.

You mean the way you're letting it break you?

I want to help you, Pop.

I want to be your son.

I want to be your friend.

But you gotta try.

You have to. I'm losing everything I worked for.

I don't know where to begin.

Slow and easy.

One step at a time, Pop.

I don't know.

I don't know how to take the first step.

Stand up.

Stand up.

We can do it.

Together we'll do it.

Anytime, Johnson.

Come on, people, let's settle.

I want to tell you how much I appreciate you coming in here on a Saturday, all

of you.

I think you're going to find this is well worth your while.

Now, if you remember those experiments we did of the white mice, could anyone

tell me what the body temperature is of those little creatures?

101 .7.

101 .7.

Now, if a rat had a temperature of 101 .7, he wouldn't last past...

Turn it off. You're here to work.

Donald and I thought you were both instructed.

Leroy Johnson, turn that radio off.

Don't you people realize we're here to get work done?

At least one person is serious about their grades. They're serious about this

class.

What if... Get back here.

I'm on to you, too. Get back.

You're an inch from failing now. This is going to finish you, kid.