Original subtitles

Waking up begins with saying "am" and "now."

Jennifer, I am not going to tell you again.

For the past eight months,

waking up has actually hurt.

Cold realization that I'm still here slowly sets in.

I was never terribly fond of waking up.

I was never one to jump out of bed

and greet the day with a smile like Jim was.

I used to want to punch him sometimes in the morning.

He was so happy.

I always used to tell him that only fools greet the day with a smile.

That only fools could possibly escape the simple truth,

that now isn't simply now.

It's a cold reminder.

One day later than yesterday.

One year later than last year.

And that, sooner or later,

it will come.

He used to laugh at me and then give me a kiss on the cheek.

It takes time in the morning for me to become George.

Time to adjust to what is expected of George

and how he is to behave.

By the time I've dressed and put the final layer of polish

on the now slightly stiff but quite perfect George,

I know fully what part I'm supposed to play.

Looking in the mirror, staring back at me

isn't so much a face as the expression of a predicament.

Just get through the goddamn day.

A bit melodramatic, I guess.

Then again,

my heart has been broken.

I feel as if I'm sinking.

Drowning.

Can't breathe.

Aren't you gonna say something?

Are you kidding? It's spectacular.

What are you doing? Stop it. Stop it.

I don't think you're quite ready for life in a glass house.

Drapes, old man.

Heh. You're the one who's always saying that we're invisible.

That's not exactly what I meant.

For the first time in my life, I can't see my future.

Every day goes by in a haze.

But today, I have decided, will be different.

Finally.

You know it's been raining here all day.

And I've been trapped in this house waiting for you to call.

I'm sorry. I must have the wrong number.

I'm calling for a Mr. George Falconer.

I'm sorry. I was expecting someone else.

Yes, sir, you have indeed called the correct number. How may I help?

This is Harold Ackerley. I'm Jim's cousin.

Oh, of course. Yes, good evening, Mr. Ackerley.

I'm afraid I'm calling with some bad news.

Oh?

There has been a car accident.

Accident?

There's been a lot of snow here lately, and the roads have been icy.

On his way into town, Jim lost control of his car.

It was instantaneous. Apparently.

Oh.

It happened late yesterday, but his parents didn't wanna call you.

I see.

In fact, they don't know that I'm calling you now.

But I thought that you should know.

Thank you.

I know this must be quite a shock.

It was for all of us.

Yes, indeed.

Will there be a service?

The day after tomorrow.

Well, I suppose I should get off the phone

and book a plane flight.

The service is just for family.

For family. Of course.

Well, thank you for calling.

- Oh, Mr. Ackerley? - Yes?

May I ask what happened to the dogs?

Dogs?

There was a dog with him but he died.

Was there another one?

Yes. There was a small female.

I don't know. I'm sorry.

I haven't heard anyone mention another dog.

Well, thank you for calling, Mr. Ackerley.

Goodbye, Mr. Falconer.

- Hello, Charley. - How did you know it was me?

Charlotte, nobody else calls me before 8 in the morning.

I didn't called too early, did I?

You sound grumpy.

No, I have a headache.

Listen, I was going to call you, actually.

Is it too late to change my mind about tonight?

No, of course not. I haven't seen you all week.

I'm dying for a dose of you.

I know. I'm sorry.

So great, I'll see you tonight. I have to run now. I'm late for work,

so I'll call you later from school.

All right. I'll see you then.

- Bye, kiddo. - Bye, old man.

Good morning, Mr. George.

Sir? You don't look so good today.

Good morning, Alva. No, I didn't sleep very well.

You forgot to take the bread out of the freezer this morning.

It stays fresh that way.

It was a little too fresh this morning.

There are some papers laid out on my desk,

which need to stay there, so please don't move them.

And I'm afraid my pen leaked all over the bed.

- It's okay, sir. - Alva?

- Yes, sir? - Thank you.

You're wonderful.

--as promised, has maintained the closest surveillance

of the Soviet military buildup on the island of Cuba.

Within the past week,

unmistakable evidence has established the fact...

Hang on, you guys. Wait up.

- Professor Falconer? - Yes.

There was a student here this morning asking for your address.

My address?

- Did you give it to him? - Yes, sir.

I did.

I hope that's okay.

I realize I probably shouldn't have,

but he was very nice. And before I knew it, he...

Heh.

Your hair looks great like that. It really suits you.

You always look so beautiful.

Really fresh. And you have such a lovely smile.

- Arpège? - Sir?

Really beautiful.

--that a series of offensive missile sites...

- Morning, Don. - Good morning, George.

Good morning, George.

Morning, Grant.

You look awful. What have you been doing?

Look around you, Grant.

Most of these students aspire to nothing more than a corporate job.

The desire to raise Coke-drinking, TV-watching children

who, as soon as they can speak, chant TV jingles

and smash things with hammers.

You're really scaring me today, George.

You can't tell me you have an easy time with these students.

I find them staring at me

in a kind of bovine stupor, as if I were lecturing in a foreign language.

Remind me why we shouldn't all just be annihilated.

You seem to think this is all a joke.

We live in a world where nuclear war is a real threat.

I don't understand how that doesn't concern you.

You're serious, aren't you?

Yes. I'm serious.

George, did you even read the article I gave you on bomb shelters?

Ours is almost done. We had three contractors work on it

so none of them know what we've got.

And we're having the outside landscaped, so no one will know that it's there.

Really?

If word gets out that you've got a better bomb shelter,

then everyone will try to get in when something happens.

And so?

There'll be no time for sentiment when the Russians fire a missile at us.

Well, if it's going to be a world with no time for sentiment, Grant,

then it's not a world I want to live in.

After Many a Summer Dies the Swan.

I take it you've all

read the Huxley novel that I assigned

more than three weeks ago.

How does the title relate to our story?

- Yes, Mr. Mong. - It doesn't.

I mean, it's about a rich guy

who's too afraid that he's too old for this girl.

And he thinks the young guy's on the make...

Russ.

Yes, Mr. Hirsch.

Sir, on page 79,

Mr. Propter says that the stupidest text in the bible is:

"They hated me without a cause."

Does that mean the Nazi's were right to hate the Jews?

Is Huxley an anti-Semite?

No.

No, Mr. Huxley is not an anti-Semite.

Of course the Nazis were wrong to hate the Jews,

but their hating the Jews was not without a cause.

It's just that the cause wasn't real.

The cause was imagined.

The cause

was fear.

Let's leave the Jews out of this just for a moment.

Let's think of another minority. One that...

One that can go unnoticed if it needs to.

There are all sorts of minorities. Blonds, for example.

People with freckles.

But a minority is only thought of as one

when it constitutes some kind of threat to the majority.

A real threat or an imagined one.

And therein lies the fear.

And if that minority is somehow invisible,

then the fear is much greater.

That fear is why the minority is persecuted.

And so, you see, there always is a cause.

The cause is fear. Minorities are just people.

People like us.

I can see I've lost you a bit.

So I tell you what.

We're going to forget about Mr. Huxley today,

and we're gonna talk about fear.

Fear, after all, is our real enemy.

Fear is taking over our world.

Fear is being used as a tool of manipulation in our society.

It's how politicians peddle policy.

It's how Madison Avenue sells us things we don't need.

Think about it.

The fear of being attacked.

The fear that there are communists lurking around every corner.

The fear that some little Caribbean country

that doesn't believe in our way of life, poses a threat to us.

The fear that black culture may take over the world.

The fear of Elvis Presley's hips.

Actually, maybe that one is a real fear.

The fear that our bad breath may ruin our friendships.

Fear of growing old, being alone.

The fear that we're useless,

and that no one cares what we have to say.

Have a good weekend.

Sir! May I talk to you for a minute?

Why don't you always talk to us like that?

I don't think it went over very well.

Man, fear of things gets to me all the time.

But you can't talk about it with anyone

or you just sound like a fool.

You can't even talk about it with Lois?

I don't think she's afraid of anything.

Everyone's afraid of something, Kenny.

What are you afraid of, sir?

Cars.

How can you live in Los Angeles and be afraid of cars?

Maybe you can't.

Sometimes, my fear of things can almost paralyze me.

It's like I get really panic-stricken,

and feel like I might explode or something.

May I ask you a personal question, sir?

If you like.

Do you ever get high?

How old do I look to you?

Well, have you ever taken drugs?

Of course, Kenny.

Like what?

I don't feel I should be discussing this with you on campus, Mr. Potter.

It's the only way I get by sometimes.

- Have you ever tried mescaline? - Not my drug of choice.

Shaved off one of my eyebrows once on mescaline. Not a good look for me.

Sir?

I looked in the mirror.

Big mistake if you're high on mescaline.

I decided that my eyebrows were taking over my face.

Before I knew it, I'd shaved one off.

Wore a Band-Aid over my eye for six weeks while the brow grew back.

- Very embarrassing. - You didn't take it again after that?

Kenny, have you been listening to me? I shaved off my eyebrow.

I wanted an experience, Mr. Potter, not a career on stage.

Well...

If you ever want to get high, sir, I usually have some dope.

You really are mad, aren't you?

Look, I'm sorry, sir. I guess you don't feel very comfortable talking like this.

- What makes you say that? - Lois thinks you're kind of cagey.

Like this morning. When you were listening to all that crap

we were talking about Huxley.

Not all of you. I didn't notice you open your mouth once.

I was watching you.

You let us ramble on and on.

And then you straighten us out.

You never really tell us everything you know about something.

Well, maybe, that's true.

Up to a point.

It's not that I want to be cagey.

It's just that I can't really discuss things completely

openly at school.

Somebody would misunderstand.

Tried that today. Didn't really work out.

What was it you wanted to get, sir?

Nothing. I was on my way to the dean's office.

You mean you walked all the way down here just to talk to me?

Why not?

Well, I think you deserve something for that, sir.

Sir, take your pick.

It's on me.

Thank you.

I thought you'd probably pick blue.

- Why blue? - Isn't blue supposed to be spiritual?

What makes you think I'm spiritual?

And you? Red?

What does red stand for?

Oh, a lot of things. Rage. Lust.

No kidding.

Well, sir, I, uh...

I guess I'll see you around.

- Hello? - What are you up to, kiddo?

Just trying to finish up a book.

How's your day going?

Fine. I was just leaving school.

I wanted to know if you needed anything for tonight.

Thanks. You're sweet. But I think I'm all set.

Oh. Be a darling and pick up some gin for me.

Tanqueray. I love the color of the bottle.

You love what's in it.

What time do you want me?

Seven would be great. If that's okay with you?

Perfect. I'll see you then.

I'll see you then. Bye, Geo.

Bye, kiddo.

Beautiful.

- Yes, Mr. Potter. - Are you going somewhere, sir?

That is usually why people get into their cars.

No, I mean, are you going on vacation or something?

- What? - I saw you cleaning out your office.

What exactly is it that you want, Kenny?

I was just hoping that perhaps we could get together

for a drink or something sometime.

And why is that?

I don't know, sir.

Because I think you might like it.

And you seem as though you could use a friend.

- Oh, really? - Yes, sir. You do.

Well, you may be right.

But it'll have to be another time. I'm late.

Thank you for the invitation.

And thank you for the talk earlier.

And stay off the mescaline.

- Hello. Mr. Falconer. - Hello. How are you today?

I'm fine, sir. Do you need to get into your box?

- Yes, I do, thank you. - Follow me.

Here you are, sir.

If you could please sign here.

Thank you.

So explain your friend Charlotte for me.

What would you like to know?

I don't know. You seem very intimate, I guess.

Like you were once together or something.

- You haven't slept with her, have you? - Yes.

And?

A few times. When we were younger.

I wouldn't say it meant nothing to me.

But it certainly meant a great deal more to Charley.

It was a long time ago in London.

I love Charley.

And we're very close friends. But that's all.

Well, I'm confused.

I mean, if you sleep with women then why are you with me?

Because I fall in love with men.

And because I fell in love with you.

Anyway, doesn't everyone sleep with women when they're young?

- I haven't. - You're joking.

No, I'm not.

It was just never anything that really interested me.

Well, you're awfully modern, aren't you?

You know, I think that was the first thing I noticed about you.

It was how sure of yourself you were.

How can you be so sure about everything at your age?

You think I'm sure of myself?

Of course you are.

I'm finished now. Thank you.

Yes, Mr. Falconer.

Is there something else we can help you with?

Can't find my checkbook and I need some cash.

Not my day, I'm afraid. Excuse me a minute.

Mommy says that bushy eyebrows are pedestrian

but I think yours are pretty.

I think yours are pretty too.

Why do you look so sad?

Would you like to meet Charlton Heston?

Ben-Hur.

He's our scorpion.

Every night we throw in something new to him and watch him kill it.

Daddy says it's like a coliseum.

So my brother, Tom, put all the columns on here.

He wants to be a set designer.

He hasn't eaten the spider yet

because he's still full from the moth we gave him last night.

Daddy says he wants to throw you into the coliseum.

No kidding. Why?

Well, he says you're light in your loafers,

but you're not even wearing any loafers.

I think my brother Tom's light in his loafers too. But...

Well, he wears Keds.

He made me do a hair-conditioning treatment on my hair.

With eggs.

Does it look shiny?

Sweetheart, what are you doing bothering Mr. Falconer?

No, she's not bothering me at all, Susan. How are you?

I'm glad to see you, George.

George, we're having a few people over tonight for drinks,

and we'd love it if you'd join us, if you could.

Thank you. That's very kind of you, but I have plans.

Another time, then.

Jennifer, let's let Mr. Falconer get back to his banking.

- Goodbye, George. - Bye, Susan. Bye, Jennifer.

May I help you, sir?

I'd like to buy some bullets for this gun, please.

Yes, sir.

This is a really old gun, sir.

We have a two-for-one sale on handguns at the moment.

Perhaps one for the little lady?

No, thank you. Just the bullets, please.

Okay.

Here you go. Anything else?

No, thank you.

All right. That will be 2.29, sir.

I'm sorry. I hope she didn't growl at you.

She goes a little crazy sometimes when I have to leave her in the car.

She's perfect. What's her name?

India.

Scoot over.

Say hello, baby. Say hello.

I used to have smooth fox terriers.

You don't see them very often.

Terriers smell like buttered toast.

She's still a puppy, isn't she?

Well, have a nice evening.

You too. Night, India.

- Sorry for that. - No, that's okay.

No, it's my fault. I'll get you another pack.

It's okay. Don't worry.

No, no. I insist.

Thank you.

Sorry about the broken glass.

- Here you go. - Thanks, man.

Hey. You want one?

No, thanks.

Actually, yes. Why not? Thank you.

- Carlos. - What did you say?

Carlos. You asked me my name.

Are you okay?

Oh. Yeah.

Yeah. I'm sorry.

You're really something.

You have an incredible face.

Enjoy that. It's a great gift.

Your Spanish is perfect.

I should have used it more.

Well,

it's not too late.

What are you doing?

Aren't we going somewhere?

No.

But thanks.

You know, it's the smog that makes it that color.

I've never seen a sky like this before.

Sometimes awful things have their own kind of beauty.

Could I have another cigarette?

Sure.

Are you sure you don't wanna go for a ride?

I'm sure.

- Where are you from? - Madrid.

Madrid? How did you get here?

It's a long story. I met a guy from L.A. at the hotel where I worked

who told me that I could live with him

and that he could get me an agent.

But I never realized that I have a Spanish accent.

I like your accent.

You speak very well.

How did you learn English?

My mom had an American boyfriend when I was little.

Is your mother in Madrid?

Yes, she is. She cuts hair.

She cut my hair before I left.

Do you like it?

I thought it made me look like James Dean.

You're better than James Dean.

Really? Thanks.

No one has ever picked me up and not wanted something.

I think you picked me up.

This is kind of a serious day for me.

Come on.

What could be so serious for a guy like you?

Oh, I'm...

I'm just trying to get over an old love, I guess.

Well, my mother says that lovers are like buses.

You just have to wait a little while and another one comes along.

I have to go.

I'm a nice guy.

I think that what you need

is someone to like you.

Thanks.

But I'm going away.

It's your turn to change it.

Yeah. I'm not changing it, it's your turn.

Besides, you never like what I put on anyway.

I'll give you $5 if you change it. I'm too old to get up.

You're only old when it's convenient for you to be old.

What are you reading anyway?

Oh, God. Not that depressing crap again.

It's for my class. Ahem.

And what highbrow work of fiction might you be reading?

Heh, heh. Don't be so smug.

Man, what a life he has.

- Don't you just envy him? - Why?

Because he can sniff anyone's ass he wants.

Nice.

No. Because he just does what he wants. It was like yesterday.

I was standing in the front yard. And Susan came over to talk.

And that little brat of hers, Christopher, came running over,

waving that damn gun of his around.

And our little dog

walked right up, hiked his leg,

and peed all over Christopher's tennis shoes.

- Heh, heh. - All over Christopher, actually.

And, of course, I had to act like I was really upset.

It was so perfectly executed. I wish you'd seen it.

After all the times those kids have tortured that poor dog.

I mean, you should take a lesson from them. They don't--

They don't stay up all night worrying.

I mean, they've figured out how to get the two of us to do exactly what they want.

I mean, they're basically very sophisticated little parasites,

when you think about it. Heh, heh, heh.

Well, the dumbest creatures are always the happiest.

Just look at your mother.

They really just live in the moment.

It's like now.

What could be better than being tucked up here with you?

I mean, if I died right now,

it would be okay.

Well, it wouldn't be okay with me.

So why don't you shut up and go and change the record?

Good answer.

Oh, you know what, I was thinking about taking them up to Denver with me next week,

if it's okay with you.

Because my mom, she loves them.

Probably that recognition of a similar mind.

You stay there, old man.

No, I did not forget the gin.

See you in 10 minutes.

Christopher, would you like it if I killed you?

I don't know.

Well, if you keep this up, we're going to find out.

So why don't you go home and stop shooting people?

I'm so happy to see you.

Come on in.

Smells wonderful.

I'm very hungry. Where's Louisa?

I gave her the night off. I'm cooking myself.

- You are? - Yes, and I'm trying something new.

- Charley, darling, you cooking is new. - Don't be smart.

I'm in a good mood tonight, and I'm going to be fun.

I've already made two New Year's resolutions.

Resolution one: No more talk about awful ex-husbands

and children who don't give a damn.

- And the other one? - One what?

Resolution.

Oh, resolution two: More smoking and more drinking

and screw it all. So come on, mix me up a drink.

I'll have a gin and tonic, please. And watch out, baby.

Coming up.

It was sweet of you to come tonight.

No. Sweet had nothing to do with it.

I needed to see you.

Oh, Geo, come off it.

Whenever you do something sweet, you're too ashamed to admit it.

Here's to our early New Year's resolutions.

Cheers.

What are your resolutions, by the way?

To let go of the past completely,

entirely, and forever.

Hm.

Light me up, will you?

Darling, you don't look well.

Remember that little heart attack you had last year?

- It wasn't a heart-- - Whatever it was, darling,

you don't look so hot.

I'm fine.

I've never felt better. I'm a little tired.

- I haven't been sleeping. That's all. - Geo. Geo, it's normal.

You were with Jim for 16 years.

I think about Richard every day.

It's hard being alone.

At least you have a job. And a life.

Now, let's have a bit of dinner. Shall we?

Because I worked so very hard.

What are you talking about?

Well, seriously, there's no such thing as old anymore.

The other day, one of my students called me a senior citizen.

I wouldn't mind if old didn't exist. I'm not sure that senior

is what I'm aiming for either.

It's becoming so bland. That's not why I came to America.

A complete breakdown of culture and manners.

The young ones have no manners.

The other day at the car wash,

a young man looked me up and down and asked me

- if I was a natural blond. - What did you say?

I looked him straight in the eye and I said:

"Well, let's just say

if I stood on my head, I'd be a natural brunette with lovely breath."

- You didn't. - Ha, ha, ha. I did.

And the amusing thing was that it went right over his head.

You know, you have a mouth on you.

Even back in London. Do you remember that old lesbian

who threw a drink over your head because you asked her

- if she was hung like a doughnut? - Yes.

Oh, Geo. Oh, we could always go back to London.

- The two of us. - No, thanks.

- You know you miss it. - I miss it sometimes.

Maybe if Jim had lived.

He loved being in England. He asked to stay the last time we were there.

You really think he would have moved?

Don't know. It's silly to talk about it. It's only a fantasy.

What's this? Hm?

Oh, it's just my mother's wedding ring.

I found it in a drawer I was cleaning out.

Oh.

Charley, my dear, you and I are both in need of another drink.

Wait. Wait, wait.

I love this.

- You're insane. - Come on, old man.

Whoo.

Whoo! Ha, ha, ha.

Don't move.

Thank you.

Very smooth cigarette move.

I've always wanted to do that.

You don't even smoke.

Not for the last 16 years. Jim hated it.

What's to stop me now? It's not as if it's gonna kill me.

This is so nice. Lying here with you.

Don't you ever miss this?

What we could have been to each other?

Having a real relationship and kids?

I had-- I had Jim.

No. I mean a real relationship.

Geo, let's be honest.

What you and Jim had together was wonderful,

but wasn't it really just a substitute for something else?

So is that what you really think after all these years?

Hm?

You think Jim was just some kind of substitute for real love?

Jim was not a substitute for anything.

Do you understand?

And there is no substitute for Jim.

Anywhere!

And by the way, what is so real about your relationship with Richard?

He left you after nine years.

Jim and I were together for 16 years,

and if he hadn't have died, we'd still be together.

What the hell is not real about that?

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

I know how much the two of you loved each other. I...

I suppose I'm just jealous that you and I never had that kind of love.

Actually, I've never had that kind of love with anybody.

I don't think Richard ever loved me.

Except for the way I looked and...

Clay. I don't know, you raise a child, love it,

and then when they're old enough, they just leave.

Charley, there is nothing wrong with your life.

You just like feeling sorry for yourself.

It's one of your great pleasures.

And it's not one of yours? You're as pathetic as I am.

Feeling sorry for myself is definitely not one of my great pleasures.

It's not one of mine, either. I don't like feeling sorry for myself one bit.

I tried to hold onto Richard for so long,

even if it was obvious to everyone but me that it was over.

And now Clay has grown up. I mean, what am I doing here, Geo?

Tell me. What?

You have plenty of friends. You'll be fine.

Yes, I have friends, but none of them need me.

And, yes, I have you, and if you weren't such a goddamn poof

we could have all been happy.

I only have you now because you've lost Jim.

Soon I'll lose you to someone else. It's not as easy for a woman.

I've done everything the way I was supposed to.

And all I have to keep me company is a bottle of gin.

Maybe you should try doughnuts with your gin.

Oh, you.

Charlotte, you are dramatic.

I swear you almost had me, and a tiny tear

was beginning to form in the corner of my eye.

Now stop it.

You are still breathtakingly beautiful.

When you can be bothered to get up and out of bed

and stop whimpering about everything for five minutes.

Go to London.

Change your life. And if you're not happy being a woman,

- stop acting like one. - You have all the answers.

No, I don't have any of them, actually.

If you're so smart, why don't you do something new with your life?

Take that position at Stanford.

You complain about that little school,

but you could go anywhere you want.

I think what I've done has been worthwhile.

I'm-- I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.

As much as I dread it, I think I will go back to London.

Why do you dread it?

When I lived in London, I was young. It was fresh.

It was everything.

Coming to America was such a dream. It was the icing on the cake.

Going home is defeat.

None of it really worked out the way I planned.

Most things don't work out the way people plan.

You're just living in the past.

You need to start thinking about your future.

Living in the past is my future.

Doesn't have to be yours. You're a man.

And you're a bore tonight.

Can't we just feel sorry for ourselves a little bit longer?

Let's have another drink.

- Oh, please. Please. - I don't think so. No.

I have to go. Come, walk me out.

No. No. No, this was such fun.

- Come on. - No. Oof.

When will I see you again?

Aren't you going to England?

No. I'll never do that. It's far too much effort.

Besides, I don't think Jim would want me

to leave you here in L.A. all alone.

Don't worry about me. I'll be fine.

I've got all the answers, remember?

What are you doing this weekend?

I think I might just be very quiet.

You never really did take me seriously, did you, George?

I tried to, Charley, remember? Long time ago.

It didn't really work out. Did it?

Good night, Charley.

Sleep tight.

Patrick.

Beer and a pack of Lucky Strikes, please.

What do you mean?

Well, I'm good, is what I'm saying.

- You're terrible. - So? I've got style.

Excuse me.

Which one of you lives close to here?

It's too hot in there.

Yes, it is.

- Cigarette? - No. Thanks. I don't smoke.

This place is really crowded.

Well, it is Saturday night.

It's not usually as bad as this.

People normally just stop by,

pick someone up and head on down to the beach.

Heh, heh, heh. Yeah, it's pretty wild out there.

I'm surprised the cops don't break it up.

- Is it always like that? - Ever since the war ended.

It's pretty great, actually. It's kind of pagan.

I'm Jim.

I'm George. Pleased to meet you, Jim.

I'm sorry. I'm supposed to meet some friends but I can't find them.

Well, I just needed to get out of the house.

The lure of a cold beer got me.

- Do you live nearby? - The canyon.

Been there long?

Ever since '38. Where are you from?

Colorado. But I really like it here.

You know, it's close to the beach.

I think I might stay after I'm discharged.

I don't know, maybe...

Maybe I'm a bit of a pagan.

Oh.

- After you. - No, you.

Sorry.

Excuse me.

Well, hello.

Hi.

Do you wanna buy me a drink?

I think I'm taken.

Too bad.

Too bad.

Want another beer?

In Cuba itself, 100,000 men were put under emergency orders

as they had been during past invasions here.

Patrick.

Bottle of Scotch and a pack of Lucky Strikes to go, please.

Patrick, cancel that.

Well, hello, Mr. Potter.

Hello, sir.

- What are we drinking? - Scotch.

Okay.

I come here all the time.

I live just around the corner. But then, you knew that.

On Camphor Tree Lane.

You're still carrying that around.

One must always appreciate life's little gifts.

So, what are you doing here?

- Just out for a ride on my bike. - That all?

- I don't know. - Were you looking for me?

Maybe.

I don't know. I feel like my head's stopped up with stuff.

What kind of stuff?

Like the stuff you were talking about today in class.

That is definitely not important.

No. It is important. Your class is great.

But somehow we always seem to get stuck talking about the past.

The past just doesn't matter to me.

The present?

I can't wait for the present to be over.

- It's a total drag. - Heh, heh.

Well, tonight's the exception.

Uh...

What?

Tonight, yes. The present, no.

- Let's drink to tonight. - Tonight.

So if the past doesn't matter, and the present's a total drag,

what about the future?

What future? Cuba might just blow us up.

Death is the future.

I'm sorry. I don't mean to be depressing.

It's not depressing. It's not depressing. It's true.

It may not be your immediate future, but it's what we all share.

Death is the future.

You're right, I guess.

So if one is not enjoying one's present,

there isn't a great deal to suggest the future should be any better.

Yeah, I've thought that before.

But the thing is,

you just never know. Look at tonight.

Actually,

I feel really alone most of the time.

- You do? - Yeah.

I've always felt this way.

I mean, we're born alone, we die alone.

And while we're here,

we're absolutely, completely sealed in our own bodies.

Really weird.

It kind of freaks me out to think about it.

We can only experience the outside world

through our own slanted perception of it.

Who knows what you're really like?

I just see what I think you're like.

I'm exactly what I appear to be.

If you look closely.

You know, the only thing that's made the whole thing worthwhile

has been those few times when I've been able to really

truly connect with another human being.

- I had a hunch about you, sir. - You did?

Yes, sir.

I had a hunch you might be a real romantic.

Oh.

You know, everyone keeps telling you

that when you're older, that you'll have all this experience

- like it's some great thing. - Hm.

It's a load of shit. I think I've actually got sillier and sillier.

- Really? - Absolutely.

So all your experience is useless.

No, I wouldn't say that.

In the words of our friend Mr. Huxley:

"Experience is not what happens to a man.

It's what a man does with what happens to him."

- Let's go swimming. - Okay.

- What? - Well, it was a test.

I thought you were bluffing about being silly, so I said to myself:

"I'll suggest doing something completely outrageous.

And if he resists, if he even hesitates,

then I know he's full of shit."

Well, I wasn't. Were you?

Hell no.

Come on, sir. I'll help you down.

Let's go.

Come on, sir!

That's enough for now, sir.

- I'm fine. - Well, I'm cold.

Come on.

Can we go back to your place, sir?

Of course. Where else?

- Where else? - Are you out of your mind?

What's the matter?

You can't go home like that.

We're invisible. Don't you know that?

You know, sir, they ought not to let you out on your own.

You're liable to get into real trouble.

Oh, I excel at it.

Your forehead's bleeding.

The bathroom is just down the hall if you'd like to take a shower.

Aren't you taking a shower too, sir?

Oh, I'm fine. I'm English. We like to be cold and wet.

First, I think we need to take care of that cut, sir.

Do you have any Band-Aids?

Going camping, sir?

I'm fine, really.

Stay there. I'll be right back.

Sit up.

Tilt your head back.

Well, sir, I'm afraid this time you don't have the excuse of mescaline

to explain your Band-Aid.

I think we should get you out of those wet clothes.

Yes, sir.

- You're not too cold? - No, I'm great.

Would you like a drink?

I'll have a beer, sir, if you have one.

Well, I'm afraid that's all we have.

Two beers coming up.

You live here all by yourself, sir?

I do now.

I used to share this place with a friend who was an architect.

Man, guys my age dream about the kind of setup you've got here.

I mean, what more can you want?

You get to be left alone,

and come and go as you please.

Is that your idea of a perfect life?

What's the matter sir? Don't you believe me?

If you're so keen on the idea of living by yourself,

where does Lois fit into this plan?

Lois? What's she got to do with anything?

I got the impression that you and she were together.

Not really.

She's kind of cool, and we're good friends, but...

I think what you really want to ask me is if we sleep together.

- And do you? - Yeah, we did once.

Why only once?

I didn't say "only once." I said "once."

Come on, the last thing I wanna talk about right now is Lois.

What time is it?

My watch seems to have stopped.

Do you want me to go?

You must be kidding. Go and get us another beer.

Is that an order, sir?

Damn right, it is.

Pathetic.

Did you say something, sir?

Why are you here?

Why did you go

to the office and ask the secretary for my address?

I just wanted to see you some place other than school.

Why?

Sometimes I think I'm crazy

because I see things so differently to everyone else.

I feel like I can talk to you.

To be honest, sir, I was also worried about you today.

Me?

What's there to worry about?

I'm fine.

I'm...

I'm fine.

A few times in my life, I've had moments of absolute clarity.

When for a few brief seconds,

the silence drowns out the noise,

and I can feel

rather than think.

And things seem so sharp.

And the world seems so fresh.

It's as though it had all just come into existence.

I can never make these moments last.

I cling to them, but like everything, they fade.

I've lived my life on these moments.

They pull me back to the present.

And I realize that everything

is exactly the way it's meant to be.

And just like that,

it came.