Original subtitles

[theme music]

- Hi. - Hi, Viki.

Listen, ah, your paper on Lyndon Johnson

very perceptive.

The way you showed how it took

a Southern politician

to get real civil rights legislation..

- You listening? - Oh, ah-huh.

It's just that, well, I'm not sure

but I think it might be happening.

It might be happening, but you're not sure?

Well, you're never really sure until it happens, are you?

Well, that depends on what we're talking about.

But it did happen before.

And when it happened before this is the way

it started happening.

Uh, what, Viki? What?

I might get a crush on you.

You might? Uh, well..

It could be a false alarm

but I do get crushes on teachers.

I was in a couple of schools before where this happened

and it never really happened with science teachers

it only happened with liberal arts teachers.

You know, like English, uh, philosophy--

- History. Yeah. - History.

I knew that.

Well, it wasn't just the history.

I find that I only get crushes on teachers who are

creative, sensitive, aware.

Yeah, well, uh, Viki..

Listen, I'm-I'm, I'm really truly flattered

that you think of me as creative and sensitive.

But if there's one thing that I'm very sensitive about

it's the teacher-student--

Relationship. I know, I know, Mr. Moore.

And I don't want you to worry.

I mean, this crush thing

it might not even happen.

And if it does happen, it could disappear

just as fast as it came.

I mean, sometimes they just come poof and then go poof.

Well, let's hope this one goes poof before it comes poof.

You're so cute.

[instrumental music]

Okay, in the little time we have remaining

I-I'd like to move on

to our next major subject.

The roaring '20s.

Great!

Really great!

Thank you, Viki.

Ah, excuse me, Mr. Moore

that's the boring '20s.

Now, Dennis, uh, one man's boring

is another man's roaring.

[chuckles] Wow, what a retort!

So, I would like you to write essays

showing me how the art, the literature

the culture of the 1920's

was a reflection of the socio-economic conditions

of that period, and for this assignment

you're going to be paired off.

- Oh, I'll take Viki-- - I-I want Viki.

(Moore) No, no. Hold, hold, hold it.

[chuckles] My paycheck says "Teacher"

so I get to choose the teams.

And, Alex, you'll be working with Sarah.

Aristotle, Simone.

Dennis, Darlene.

Alan, you'll be working with Viki.

Uh, Mr. Moore, in view of the complexity of this assignment

is that...wise?

- What? - Take a good look, Alan!

Alan, Viki has a 4.0 grade-point average.

She's a National Merit finalist.

College board's through the roof.

Mr. Moore, you're embarrassing me.

Well, I'm trying to embarrass him.

(Eric) Hey, wait. Something's not right here.

Aristotle gets to work with Simone.

Dennis gets Darlene, Alex gets Sarah

and Alan gets Viki?

- I mean, who do I get? - Arvid.

Arvid? Arvid?

I'm sorry if I disappoint you, Eric.

Just promise me that whatever happens

you'll still respect me afterwards.

[bell rings]

Okay, now, I'm expecting thorough research

reasoned arguments, incredibly imaginative thinking.

And I want it all on my desk a week from today, okay?

- 'Got it.' - See you later.

- Bye. - Let's go.

[chuckles] Viki, don't you have another class to go to?

- Ah-ha. - Alright.

So, go to it then.

Great idea.

Yeah.

[instrumental music]

How about literature?

There's F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Yeah, "The Lost Generation."

Alcoholism, insanity, infidelity. I love it!

Um, huh, how about music?

Music, that's a great idea, Simone.

Jazz, blues..

Music's from the underbelly of society.

A "Cat House Piano?"

♪ Gimme a pigfoot and a bottle of beer ♪

♪ Gimme a pigfoot and a bottle of beer ♪♪

Um, maybe not music.

Uh, pets?

Great, pets of the 1920's.

That's an A paper, Simone. A paper.

Well, let's try reference.

Okay, let me try one more time

to get my theory into that beautiful head of yours.

Here it is.

Eighty years ago, women started nagging men to let them vote.

In 1920, men gave into them.

At the same time women wanted

everyone to quit drinking.

Then, men gave into them.

Pretty soon, prohibition led to organized crime.

It therefore follows that because men listened

to women back then

we've got organized crime today.

I understand the theory, Alan.

It's just really stupid.

Oh, and I suppose you have a better theory?

Alan, the roots of crime in society are touched on

as far back as the book "Utopia" by Sir Charlie Moore.

No. Sir Thomas Moore.

Viki, are you taking this seriously?

Oh, Alan, I'm sorry.

I know that you're a very goal-oriented person

so I'm gonna try very hard to keep certain feelings

that I'm having from affecting our work.

Feelings?

You know the expression "You don't choose love

love chooses you?"

Are you saying love has chosen you?

I think so, yeah.

I know this is a really inconvenient time

with us trying to work, and I'm sorry.

Don't be mad at me, okay?

Okay.

- So, what do we do now? - We keep working.

And I promise, I'll try to keep my mind off of..

...you know, things.

Sure.

- Fine. - Thanks.

You're great.

[instrumental music]

Even I wouldn't have believed this.

But I think Viki was actually, what do you guys say?

- Coming on to me. - What?

- I'm dying. You? - Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

When you say "Coming on," are you talkin' about

mere conversation or the laying on of lips?

- Yeah? - She kissed me, right here.

Big deal, the Pope kisses people right there.

Uh, look, we're workin' in the library

I'm trying to educate her on the '20s

suddenly she says she's crazy about me

and she kisses me.

I guess I just happen to have this natural animal magnetism.

Well, I'm getting a certain natural animal nausea.

What does this guy have that I don't have?

- Good looks. - Good clothes.

- Good breath. - Alright, getting back to..

Wait, are you sure about this? Viki likes you?

[scoffs] Hey, we don't choose love.

Love chooses us.

I guess I've been chosen.

Mr. Moore, could I speak to you for a moment, personally?

- Good mornin', Mr. Moore. - Oh, hi. How are you?

Actually, uh, Viki, if this is going to be

a-a heartfelt conversation, I don't think we have time.

We're gonna be late for class, so--

Well, it's..

[sneezing]

Morning, Arvid.

It's just, it's just that I thought

I ought to tell you just as soon as I knew.

I mean, if you knew something that you thought

I oughta know, you'd tell me, wouldn't you?

I mean, if a relationship is to mean anything--

- Hi, Mr. Moore. - Morning, Darlene.

Viki, uh, we don't have a relationship.

We still have a teacher-student relationship, don't we?

- Well, yes, but-- - Oh, that's a relief.

Because I wouldn't want that relationship to be jeopardized

by this thing that's happened that I wanted you to know about

just as soon as it happened.

- Hi, Mr. Moore. - Morning, girls. Yeah.

So, you're saying this thing has happened?

I told you it might happen, but I wasn't sure.

- Well, I'm sure now. - Well--

- I'm in love with you. - No, you're not.

- Yes, I am. Sorry. - No. No.

Viki. Viki.

Right now, you may truly believe

that you're in love with me.

But, you know what you said

uh, these things come poof and they go poof.

Right now, you're between poofs.

So, uh, a week from now..

...post-poof..

...we'll both be able to look back

at all of this and laugh, okay?

I don't want to freak you out or anything, but..

Well, even though, in your mind

this thing may not be going anywhere

that's okay with me because I feel the way I feel

and I can't help it.

Ahem.

Sorry.

[instrumental music]

[sighing]

"Everyone calls me a racketeer.

"I call myself a businessman.

"When I sell liquor, it's bootlegging.

"When my patrons serve it

"on a silver tray on Lake Shore Drive

it's hospitality."

Dennis.

I think Viki was first.

- Yes, she was, Viki. - Al Capone.

Mm-hmm.

Well, that's it.

- See you tomorrow. - 'Okay.'

- See you. - Yeah.

Mr. Moore, I need to talk to you about Viki.

Yeah, I know.

The poor kid just can't seem to keep her mind on her work.

I mean, I don't wanna complain.

But it's starting to affect my project.

Yeah, I know.

Uh, in fact, I think she may be..

Well, you know, love or something.

Yeah, I know that too.

Well, you are observant.

Of course, who can blame her?

I can understand her feelings.

What-what do you mean by that?

Isn't it obvious, Mr. Moore?

She's hopelessly in love with me.

- You're sure? - Yeah.

I have that effect on women.

Some guys got it, and some guys don't.

Well, enjoy it while you can, Alan.

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

[whispering] Viki?

Viki.

We have to talk, seriously.

Look, if it's about you and me, you don't have to say anything.

Viki. Viki.

I-I do have to say something.

Look, you're jeopardizing your whole project on the '20s.

And, uh..

Well, you're putting me in an awkward position.

Uh, yeah.

Alan is starting to feel a little off-balance and..

You're right.

Well, so in view of this

I-I think you should stop now.

- You're absolutely right. - Yeah.

You make absolute sense.

You're the best person I've ever met at giving advice.

Well, advice is of very little value if it's not taken.

I knew sooner or later you were going to say it.

That's why I told you, you didn't have to say it

because I knew it already.

Well, if you already knew the advice

I was going to give you before I gave it to you

why weren't you following it then, before I..

You know, you're starting to sound like me.

Yeah.

Isn't it funny how that happens to couples?

We're not a couple, Viki.

I know what you're trying to say.

But you're talking to my head. My heart won't listen.

Hearts don't think, they feel.

Yeah, well.. But my heart doesn't feel anything.

That's okay. My heart feels enough for both of us.

[instrumental music]

Viki.

I know you said we shouldn't let our feelings

get in the way of our work, but I think, uh

maybe we can let them get in the way a little.

What do you say, we go out tonight?

- Why? - Oh. You're right.

Maybe we should wait until after the paper is done.

Then we can talk about it.

Why?

Never mind.

- Hi, Viki. - Hi.

Oh, Alan, What's the matter?

Can you girls explain something to me?

Why would a girl say she's in love with a guy one day

the next day she won't even go out with him?

- Who's the guy? - Me!

Alan, you've answered your own question.

Come on, Viki was all over me the other day.

Viki?

Well, just the other day, she was telling us

that she's in love with an older guy.

- Mm-hmm. - Older guy?

- No, I don't believe it. - Oh, Alan, yes.

She said something about a guy who's sensitive and aware--

- So, there is another guy? - Hmm, sorry, Alan.

[instrumental music]

See, Arvid and I are doing this paper on

sexual freedom in the '20s.

Hey, Arvid. Tell the title we thought of.

Uh-uh, I-I can't. I-I'm not that sexually free.

Eric?

- You're late. - I know, I'm sorry.

It won't happen again.

Oh, thank you.

Oh, here. I checked this out for you.

I thought you might find it interesting.

"Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov.

It's the story of an innocent, young girl

and her love affair with some old creep.

- I know what it's about. - I'll bet you do.

Listen, I think I know what you're getting at, and..

Well, my relationship with Charlie is no concern of yours.

Charlie, Charlie who?

Charlie Moore.

Look, let's leave Mr. Moore out of this.

We're talking about some sensitive, aware, older..

- No. - Yes.

- No! - Yes.

- Yes? - Yes.

No!

[instrumental music]

I checked this out for you, Mr. Moore.

I thought you might find it enlightening.

"Lolita?" It's a story of a lovely young girl--

Yeah, uh, okay, Alan. I see what you're getting at.

Oh, don't play coy with me, Mr. Moore.

What's goin' on with you and Viki?

There is nothing going on with me and Viki.

She has a school-girl crush

and I'm doing my best to ignore it.

E-excuse me, Mr. Moore.

And I say this with the utmost respect.

Are you proud of yourself for letting this

impossible situation continue?

Or perhaps, are you enjoyin' it?

No, Alan. I am definitely not enjoying this. Believe me.

Well, then, why haven't you tried to stop it?

Don't you think I have?

Oh, evidently, not hard enough.

And again, I say that with the utmost--

Alan, Alan.

Alright, I guess I'm just suffering

the heartbreak of a punctured ego.

I mean, it's not that I was in love with her.

I was just flattered to think that

she might be the big L word with me.

And then to realize I've come in a poor second to some guy

who's old enough to be her grandfather.

Her father, Alan.

Well, you can see how I feel. Crushed.

[instrumental music]

So, what would you say, uh, was a major difference

between the '20s and the '80s?

How about the age difference?

Stock market crash in the '20s led to a depression

the one in '87 didn't.

- Very good. - Ha, of course.

[bell ringing]

- See you tomorrow. - 'See you.'

Uh, Viki, if you could stay for a moment..

You know, we really do have to get

this settled once and for all.

I know what you're going to say.

Well, I don't care if you know what I'm going to say.

I'm going to say it anyway, so..

Look, Viki, uh..

If we were not teacher and student

still there would be nothing going on between us.

Nothing at all.

Now, I've done it. You don't even like me.

No, there's a world of difference

between like and love.

I like a multitude of women, including you.

But love..

It's different.

And what you feel for me..

...is infatuation.

Trust me.

That's it. I trust you.

All good relationships have that.

You really are incredible.

I knew if I hung in long enough, you'd feel that way.

No, no. It's not what I mean. Uh..

Look..

No matter how..

...sure you are that you are in love with me

I know that I am not in love with you.

- You'll come around. - No.

I'll wait. I have a lot of time. I'm young.

Well, I don't. I'm old...er.

That's what I love about you. Your olderness.

(Moore) 'Viki..'

Did it ever occur to you that..

...maybe you fall for men like me

because we're unavailable?

I mean, that way you can feel that you're in love

and feel kinda safe.

I mean, have you thought about that?

Yes. I just don't like high school boys.

- Why not? - Because they're stupid.

Okay, uh, I'll admit that

some of them are a little rough around the edges

but I think they'll scrub up fairly well.

Every high school that I go to, it's the same thing.

The minute I walk in the door, they're all over me.

I know what they want. They're not even subtle about it.

I mean, is that all that they care about?

No, but it's about 90 percent of what they care about.

Yeah, so I like it better when they've grown up

and they don't care about it at all.

Well, Viki, I think you might be in for a long wait.

I don't mean it all.

Just not as much.

Why can't I find someone who would like me as a person

even if I had a dumpy figure and green hair?

Like I was hoping you would.

Viki, I, uh, you'd probably be sensational

with green hair, but..

But you still wouldn't love me.

You know, guys your own age are really not so bad.

I think you ought to give them...another try.

I mean, you might find one that you kinda like.

It's okay, Mr. Moore.

You can stop trying to cheer me up. I get it.

From now on, no matter what anyone else thinks

you'll always be the teacher and I'll always be the student.

Well, that is what everyone thinks now.

Right.

Listen, Viki, I..

It's good that you know

you have these feelings.

Now, take it from me.

It's gonna be really good

when you have them for someone

who has the same feelings for you.

Okay.

Hey. Viki, is somethin' wrong?

Please, Eric, the last thing I need right now

is boys hitting on me, okay?

Hey, Viki, I'm not hitting on you.

I'm just askin' if you're okay.

Oh, well, yeah.

Thank you.

Okay.

I'm going to go now.

This is me not hitting on you, see?

Eric, sorry.

Sure.

Hey, whatever it is, it can't be that bad.

- Yes, it can. - Nah, no it can't. Come on.

Alex, please, not now. Okay?

- Or just one little smile? - I can't.

I-I can make you smile. I'll do faces.

Come on, hurry up. I'm runnin' out of faces.

That's better.

Come on, why don't I walk you to your next class?

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

- Morning, everyone. - 'Hi, Mr. Moore.'

Well, do I have all your essays on the '20s here?

- Yeah. - Yeah.

Ours turned out rather well, even though

we got off to a slow start.

- I think it went well too. - Yeah.

We learned more about organized crime.

And disorganized emotions.

I'm glad to hear it.

That's it. We cannot write together.

Why don't you go write about sex and depravity and sin

and scandal, and I'll cover everything else, okay?

What else is there?

[instrumental music]

[theme music]