Original subtitles

[birds chirping]

[alarm ringing]

[man on radio] '7:45 a.m.'

'Our Los Angeles temperature will reach the high 80s.'

'The sky's clearing after the usual morning smog.'

'At Cape Kennedy this morning, a perfect blue sky.'

'And all systems are go.'

'The countdown is now'

'at 56 minutes and 34 seconds and counting.'

Good morning, darling.

[woman on radio] 'The big board opened substantially higher'

'in active trading this morning.'

'For the fourth day, the Dow Jones industrial average'

'was over the 930 mark.'

[man on radio] 'Yes. Yes. Yes. Ford has a better idea.'

'A better idea for you and your family.'

'Lee Miles! Lee Miles!'

[Florence] 'Your commercial, darling.'

[man on radio] 'Zephyr. Clean as a breeze.'

'The cigarette you trust most is the one you'll enjoy most.'

'The astronauts are now in the command module.'

'All systems are A-okay, and the countdown continues.'

[man on TV] 'This edition of the Early Bird News'

'has been brought to you as a public service by Zephyr'

'the clean cigarette.'

'The cigarette you trust most'

'is the cigarette you enjoy most.'

'Live your good life through with Zephyr cigarettes.'

'And the countdown continues. 14 minutes, 10 seconds.'

'Brought to you by Community Finance.'

'So we say, trade with the company'

'that encourages you to borrow wisely.'

'They're giving it away. They're giving it away!'

- 'This is Gregory Forrest.' - 'Five hundred dollars.'

'Mr. Colin Warner.'

'A clean Zephyr is clean as a breeze.'

'The cigarette you trust most is the cigarette'

'you'll enjoy most.'

'And the countdown continues. Five minutes and 12 seconds.'

'11 seconds.'

'Ten seconds. Nine seconds.'

[woman on radio] 'Brought to you by Zephyr, the clean cigarette.'

'The cigarette you trust most is the cigarette'

'you enjoy most.'

[man on radio] 'Our best day of the month.'

'We bagged 314 of the enemy dead.'

'Senator Allen, at his morning press conference, said'

'we'd soon hit pay dirt.'

'Four minutes and 28 seconds, 27 seconds, 26 seconds..

'People you trust most smoke Zephyr.'

[woman on radio] 'The cigarette you enjoy most.''

[man on radio] 'Our Los Angeles Dodgers yesterday'

'had their best day of the month.'

'They swept both ends of their double-header'

'by identical scores.'

[truck honking]

'Two minutes, 7 seconds, 6 seconds..'

'Yes, all your life long'

'the cigarette you trust most is the cigarette'

'you enjoy most.'

'...seven seconds, six seconds, five seconds, four seconds'

'three seconds, two seconds, one second.'

'Ignition.'

'Blast-off.'

[rocket engine firing]

'The giant rocket is slowly lifting.'

'Lifting. Lifting.'

[engine revving]

[truck honking]

[honking continues]

Shh.

[honking continues]

[tires screeching]

[metal creaking]

[female #1] 'Dr. Morris, please report to surgery immediately.'

[female #2] 'Mr. Anderson's room, please.'

Over here.

[female #1] 'Calling Dr. Stevens.'

'Dr. Stevens, will you-will you please check'

'with the nurse on duty in ward B?'

[ticking]

Did he say how it happened?

He hasn't said. He hasn't said a word.

Has there been any brain damage?

[slow instrumental music]

[No audio]

[ticking continues]

- Mrs. Anderson. - Huh?

There's someone here to see you.

His brother, I think he said.

Oh, Eddie, it's Michael.

- What the hell happened? - Michael.

I had to go through his wallet.

He had a whole..

Did you know he'd begun making payments on an airplane?

[ticking]

- He hasn't said a word since? - Not a word.

I asked Dr. Leibman, my psychoanalyst

'to come and have a look at him.'

Michael. Michael, can you, can you stay for a few days?

- Can you, please? - Yes.

He had a good night last night.

You had a good night, Eddie.

[ticking]

[background chattering]

Pop sends his usual.

'Same old stuff we were brought up on.'

'He hasn't changed a word since we were kids.'

From a strictly medical point of view

there's no reason why he can't

continue his convalescence at home.

[birds chirping]

[pipe music]

[thinking] 'When it came right down to it'

'you put your head down, didn't you?'

[slow instrumental music]

[music continues]

Ellen's going back to school on the same plane with Michael.

Isn't that nice, Eddie?

So take care of yourself, Eddie.

I'm going back east, Eddie. I'll give your best to Pop, okay?

[Michael] 'Eddie?'

Daddy, you can hear what I'm saying.

You could talk if you wanted to.

And you will when you want to, right, daddy?

[slow instrumental music]

[footsteps fading]

Hey, Florence.

Forgot to ask you.

Has this got anything to do with that business--

Shh-hh.

No.

No. Really.

Remember, when we were married

how he refused to wear a wedding ring?

Well, right before the accident, he took me down to Lawson's

and bought us both wedding bands.

I never felt so married. Oh, here's his boss.

- Florence, darling. - Hello, I'll be right with you.

How's our boy?

[music on TV]

[man on TV] 'Among all the animals of the plains'

'the giraffe has no voice.'

'Even when its neck is in the lion's mouth'

'it cannot protest its own murder.'

[lion growling on TV]

'These friendly looking citizens'

'are members of the wild dog family.'

'They always work as a team.'

'And you can always spot their leader.'

'Their manner, as you see, is casual and very relaxed.'

'But don't let those little wagging tails deceive you.'

'Notice the respect Mrs. Lion shows them as she strolls by.'

Eddie, look who's here.

[man on TV] 'Here we see them running down a Tommy, a Thomson's gazelle.'

Eddie.

'Notice how lackadaisical their manner is.'

'Hello, Eddie.'

How you feeling?

Hi, Eddie.

Looking great, Eddie.

[man on TV] 'They don't seem to be hunting at all, do they?'

'The gazelle seems to have slowed down just a step or two''

'That's all it takes.'

'But their rather ordinary appearance'

'and casual-seeming behavior in no way suggests the ferocity'

'with which they pull down their prey'

'and proceed to devour it.'

Now, don't worry about the accounts at the office

because things are going great.

[man on TV] 'Usually tearing the flesh'

'off the animal while it's still living.'

Will somebody turn this damn thing off?

[music ends]

I was trying to say, Eddie, that I want you to take it easy

because Ben and Charlie are doing a great job

filling in for you.

Yes, Eddie, take your time.

- Right, Charlie? - That's right, Eddie.

Don't worry, Ben, I'm not coming back.

- Eddie. - What'd he say?

[whispers] He says he's not coming back.

'Eddie, are you nuts or something?'

Now snap out of it and get your ass back to the office.

'I need you. You're my indispensable man.'

You remember, Ella, I mean, Florence.

You remember a couple of years ago we were having trouble

with the Zephyr cigarette account?

Chief, look at this. I think we got phase one licked.

What do you think, huh? Not too subtle.

Now, we use black letters on a yellow background. That will..

What's the matter?

Eddie, I want you to drop everything

and concentrate on Zephyr.

Jesus! Zephyr.

Wow!

'You disappeared for a couple of days'

'and I didn't know where you were'

but I knew that you were somewhere

'working on Zephyr.'

[jazz music]

- What did you do today, dear? - Got the angle for Zephyr.

[Florence] Knew you would.

[coughing]

I'm sorry.

I can't get rid of this cough.

I tell you, Florence

when he starts to sell, he's like a different person.

'Like, inspired.'

Now, let's face it. The smokers of the world are scared.

Without mentioning the dirty word

we know what they're scared of, right?

'And frankly, gentlemen, it's gonna take more'

'than good advertising to change their mind.'

It's gonna take a product, and I say, you gentlemen

have that product, the Zephyr cigarette.

Eddie. Eddie, you were great that day.

'Just great.'

[dog barking]

How could anybody be afraid

of a cigarette made with glycerin?

It takes the hardness out.

Softens tobacco, makes it taste smoother, but more important

it makes the cigarette burn more evenly.

Now, what's another way of saying "burn more evenly?"

The word is "clean."

[snaps]

[Eddie] The clean one.

Gentlemen, may I present "A Time to Live."

There's a time to live when everything is clean, fresh

young and good.

Every man has that time.

He only needs to take it.

'Just great.'

Eddie.

And when you do, take along Zephyr, the clean one.

Made to burn clean with..

She's beautiful, isn't she?

'Zephyr. The clean one.'

Part of your time to live.

That's it, gentlemen. That's all.

"The clean one."

Do you realize the significance of that claim?

I'm sure you do.

Thank you. Thank you. That's it.

Eddie, marvelous presentation I've ever heard.

- Bye-bye. - Thank you.

'You're doing a great job.'

'Really an excellent presentation.'

Ha.

[thud]

What the hell are you always laughing at?

- Do you mind? - Yeah. When it's at me.

Oh, Eddie. Will you cut it out?

Been here three months. Every time I look, she's sneering.

I'm just wondering.

- 'Wondering what?' - Same thing you're wondering.

Why do you always have her, I mean, around the office?

Not always. Just when I wanna get a reaction to something.

You know, she's on my personal payroll

because she's got a built-in crap detector.

Very useful. You watch it. You were great today.

Mmm, delicious. May I have another one?

- Yes, of course. - Beautiful grapes.

What are they, Thompson seedless?

[seagulls squawking]

[waves crashing]

What-what amuses you?

Alright, we'll talk some other day perhaps, huh?

We'll have another little talk, just-just a little chat.

[glass clinking]

[slow instrumental music]

And he's been this way all along?

He's said ex-exactly one sentence since the accident.

And that was?

"I'm not going back."

To work, he meant.

[machines buzzing]

[soft music continues]

Mrs. Anderson...as your analyst, I must warn you.

Something serious is going on here.

Yes, but what? Tell me what.

For one thing, I think we should stop calling it "the accident."

- That's an inaccurate-- - That's what it was.

There's a Chinese proverb

"The peasant always hangs himself

in the landlord's doorway."

Oh, bosh, I'm not his landlord, I'm his wife.

But is he your husband?

[soft music continues]

[insects chirping]

I'm sorry.

I can discuss that.

Remember how he used to be?

Well, ev-ever since he broke up with her, he..

Well, I told you, he..

He's lost all interest in it.

Not only with me but, as far as I can tell, with anyone.

[birds chirping]

Well, it's better than if he were off

with some tramp, I tell myself.

More to marriage than sex, I tell myself.

By the way, I have your check.

You're really convinced

there was nothing more to that relationship?

A sex thing! Pure and simple, she was the office tramp.

That happens, I understand that.

Now, I must admit, there are...nights

when I feel ready to go through the roof.

Ah, I'll fire that girl.

[soft music continues]

[Florence] 'If he can get along without it, I can.'

'And it's highly unlikely he'll ever leave you'

'is that it?'

Because he'll never find anyone who'll put up with what you--

That's the way I am. I waited that bitch out

and I'm going to wait this out.

I'm raising this single question.

- Is this what's best for you? - That's the way I am!

Well, we can never be too sure of that, can we?

Let me just say this.

In every suicide, there's an element of revenge.

'He's very angry with somebody, probably himself, but..'

[screams]

- I hate.. - Who is it you hate, Eddie?

Is it me?

Eddie, tell me.

Oh, I wish, just for once

you would trust me enough to tell me what she meant to you.

I can take it.

Eddie, just once, say it all. Then, we can both forget it.

Eddie...please.

[crowd laughing and talking]

Little over-over a year ago..

...Christmas.

'The office party.'

[comical music]

[crowd laughing]

What are you opening that now for, Gwen?

It says, "Open immediately, organic matter, perishable."

Aah, from your friends at the office.

[comical music]

- Look at this. - Oh, isn't that nice?

No, ack!

[crowd laughing]

You'll appreciate it.

- Merry Christmas. - Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas. - Merry Christmas.

- I love my present. - 'What did you expect?'

Everybody knows anything said in your hearing

is piped straight to that throne.

Every room you're in is bugged.

- That's not true. - They call you Finnegan's fink.

I'm hired by Mr. Finnegan--

I know why you're hired by Mr. Finnegan.

He doesn't pay me for that.

Get your feet off of my desk.

[band music]

[background chattering]

Drop you off, Gwen?

Mr. Anderson and I have unfinished business.

Merry Christmas.

- Bye, boss. - 'Bye, boss. Merry Christmas.'

Do men take that crap from you?

- Why do you always wear those? - They make things happen.

[waves crashing]

Then, it was just a...sex thing.

Yeah, that's all it was, just a sex thing.

What do you mean you're wondering the same thing--

- How much longer? - "How much longer" what?

You can take it. I don't believe that..

Excuse me.

'...people who smoke Zephyr are safer from cancer.'

- Loggin' out. - So, hop.

The fact is you don't know what's false and true anymore.

Are you patronizing me?

Are you being moral with me?

You? You?

Okay, yes, I know, I'm nothing, I never was

but you...you could have been--

What? What?

What you could have been.

What happened to you, Eddie?

It must kill you to think what you might have been.

Wash him out of your mouth

before you get superior with me, you..

What happened, Eddie?

[kisses]

By the way, where did you do your carrying on?

Huh?

I'm just curious, her place?

Oh, I forgot. Yeah, I-I guess her place.

What I don't understand is how come it went on for so long?

- Because it did, didn't it? - Oh, on and off.

[saxophone music]

[giggling]

[waves crashing]

[clicking]

Eddie, remember the time you took a leave from the office

went east to research your profile on Chet Collier?

That son of a bitch.

- I always suspected that you-- - You suspected right.

I took her east with me. My research girl.

Oh, God.

I wish just once, just once, you'd said to me

"Let's go. Come with me and be my research girl."

How did she talk you into that? I don't want to know.

Goodnight. That bitch.

[waves crashing]

"Just a sex thing?" Tell her the truth.

Tell her about the months

'you told me you were gonna leave her.'

Truth is, I need you both.

Then, tell her that for a start.

That word, "succulent"

lends itself to some unfortunate humor.

[laughing]

Did you tell her?

[whispers] Couldn't this morning. Don't rush me.

♪ It's clean as a breeze ♪

Oh, Eddie.

♪ Smoke refreshed ♪

My girlfriend quit her job. She's going back to New York.

She said to me

"The screwing I'm getting is not worth the screwing."

[clearing throat and coughing]

[Eddie] 'So when it gets up to here instead of a vacation'

'I take a leave, pick up a job writing a profile'

'a long interview, something, to keep something going in me.'

This magazine's been asking me to write on Chet Collier.

'Most of the work will be in Connecticut--'

- Don't con me, Eddie. - You could be working for me.

A secretary, researcher or..

Gwen, do this one last thing for me and then--

I don't expect anything from you.

[seagulls squawking]

Please come.

[waves crashing]

I used to think it was just in the office

but you're the same way everywhere.

You'll never change.

- You're a liar, Ed. - "You're a liar, Ed."

- Like most people. - "Like most people."

- But you lie to yourself. - "But you lie to yourself."

- That's killing you. - "That's killing you."

- 'And that's killing you.' - "That's killing you."

Who the hell were you talking to?

I-I can't sleep. I-I think I'll get a drink.

Oh, Eddie, you don't have to pretend you need a drink.

'Eddie.'

I'm gonna tell you the truth.

The-the physical part, that wasn't it really.

Somehow, by insulting me got me mad.

She made me look at myself in a way I hadn't done for years.

That's why I held onto her the way I did.

Finally, when I wouldn't leave you, she got fed up.

What do I have to do to convince you

I'm not your girl anymore?

[Eddie] 'It was at Collier's house in Connecticut.'

That night, we were both out of our heads.

Why don't you put that thing away

let me interview you for a change?

- What are you, Syrian? - No.

[Collier] 'Well, you're some kind of a wog.'

I'm a Greek.

Oh, and what's your name?

It certainly isn't Evans Arness.

That's my pen name. I started out as a writer and then..

'In the office, they call me Eddie Anderson.'

Now, what the hell is your real name?

Depends on how far back you wanna go.

'Well, back to when your name meant something.'

Me, for instance. Collier, coal miner.

Topouzoglou.

How's that again?

That's my name, Evangelos Topouzoglou.

Well, now, that is one hell of a name.

Gwen, listen to me..

"We were together almost a year."

"What do you mean give you time?"

She said, "We were together almost a year."

"What do you mean give you time?"

Now, listen. I want you to go back to your original name.

You never really meant it, did you?

Truth is, you always thought that you were too good for me.

I knew like you did Finnegan quick, you'd do me quick.

Then why were you stringing me along all those months for?

Lying to me all those months And months!

Okay, okay.

Okay, you're too good for me, right.

Mr. Collier, I'll be going to bed now.

- 'Is there anything else?' - Let's go, Gwen.

No, thank you, Sheila. Goodnight.

- 'Goodnight.' - Gwen..

I think I'll stay here.

Do you mind?

Welcome.

Gwen, we're leaving.

That is for the lady to say.

Mr. Collier..

She came with me, and she's leaving with me.

Sit down, Gwen.

[Eddie] 'I just walked away and left her with him, just like that.'

Why?

I've often wondered.

Was I glad to be out of it?

I don't know, but...the strangest thing happened.

All I could think of was..

...my mother. The way she used to..

[Eddie] 'I don't know what one thing has to do with the other.'

'But I left her there and went back to the city.'

'About 2 o'clock in the morning, I was in a bar, dead drunk..'

'...and for no reason in the world'

'I picked a fight with an absolute stranger.'

[all laugh]

[male #1] And you don't wanna make a complaint?

No, officer. I had it coming.

Since that night, I gotta say. I don't like the way we live.

I don't like this house. I don't like--

[Florence] 'Then change it!'

If you don't like the way we live, then change it!

'I'm not here because I like it here.'

I'm here because of you. Goddamn it, Eddie! Goddamn it!

I mean, Eddie..

Be just.

Be fair.

[Eddie] I guess what I don't like is the person I am.

I can't do anything about that, can I?

[Florence] 'But, darling, you can.'

With help, you can change who you are.

Can a 44-year-old man who doesn't like himself

go back and start again?

That's the plot of our true romance, my faithful reader.

You don't have to wait till next month's issue for the answer.

She spoke the truth, Gwen.

I never change.

This is me, let's face it.

Our hero hasn't even got the courage to leave his wife.

'Even though..'

'Even though he knows it would save her life.'

Florence...thanks.

Darling, if I didn't see you through this

'what would I be for?'

And I'll go back to work tomorrow morning.

Touch up my sideburns, grow my mustache back.

I don't know if I can take that scene anymore

but...I am going to try.

Eddie, I'm so glad.

I think a lot of you, Florence, you know that.

I know you do, baby.

Then, we'll do the best we can.

Oh, we'll do better than that.

Why are you all that glad I'm going back?

Oh, I don't know.

I guess because I get the bills, and I--

I wish I had more.

We have enough money.

No, no. I meant something else. More..

...stomach, courage.

I'm awfully tired.

Yes, yes.

Yes, of course, you are.

I'll just hold you.

Oh, Eddie.

I know it's going to be good again.

Like it was in the beginning.

I have faith in that.

Yes.

You sleep.

Sleep, baby.

Sleep.

Sleep.

[Gwen] What happened to you, Eddie?

[Eddie] What?

[Gwen] What you could have been.

[Eddie] What?

[Gwen] A wonderful man.

[Gwen moans]

[sobbing]

[male #1 on TV] 'Here, have one of mine.'

- 'Okay, what is it?' - 'It's a Zephyr.'

I'm sorry, Florence.

I'm awfully sorry.

- 'So this is a Zephyr?' - 'Mm-hmm.'

[male #2] 'Mm. Isn't bad. I like 'em.'

'Tastes, clean.'

'[male #1] And when are you gonna change to...Zephyr?'

I'm going to work now.

[newsreader] 'We now bring you the local news'

'followed by sports and the latest weather report.'

'In Greendale yesterday, a local man, Frederick Beck'

'went berserk, killing his wife and three children.'

[Frederick Beck] 'No comment.'

Glad to see you, Eddie.

Glad to be back.

Glenn, get him a drink.

[no audio]

[no audio]

Here's it computerized for ya.

[no audio]

We've gotta do something about it.

Eddie, it is up to you.

[music reaches crescendo]

Bullshit.

- Ahem. - Ahem.

You know what we're gonna put on the tip of everybody's tongue.

Mustn't say the dirty word here, but..

It's not the clean one, it's the big C.

That's it, huh?

Thanks.

'Now listen, Anderson, five million dollars.'

'You better get a hold of yourself.'

'You're about to cost this company'

five million dollars in billings.

[phone rings]

Hello, Frank Finnegan. Yes.

Well, first, I wanna say that Eddie Anderson

does not represent the thinking of this company.

'I'm taking over the Zephyr account myself.'

[laughing hysterically]

'Damned if I know. He ought to see a psychiatrist'

[laughing continues]

[laughing continues]

[man on radio] 'Baron, zero, zero, Romeo. Baron, zero, zero, Romeo.'

'Leave area immediately.'

'You're in violation of federal and city regulations.'

Here he comes.

- You alright? - Of course.

[cab driver] Hey, mister, we're here.

Eddie?

[Florence] 'Eddie, dear?'

[cab driver] 'I don't know what's the matter with him.'

'What's the matter with you, mister?'

Hello, all. Arthur!How are you?

Hey, cabbie, this is my lawyer, Mr. Arthur Houghton.

Take care of the gentleman, Arthur, huh?

[screaming]

Eddie. Eddie, your brother called from Connecticut.

It's about your father.

- Huh? - Yeah.

An-And Mr. Finnegan called.

He owes me 62.70.

62.70?

Gentlemen, Mr. Anderson has been

under severe emotional stress recently.

I'm the consulting doctor here.

I can attest that he's not been himself recently.

He told me to wait while he went up in the plane.

Have you got a pilot's license?

They want to see your pilot's license and ownership.

They're waiting, Eddie.

- In the bottom drawer. - Thank you.

Mike?

[Eddie] 'What's that, Mike?'

I was just coming east.

Pop?

When? When did that happen?

'Sure.'

'Did he ask for me?'

When? Oh.

'When did that.. Yeah.'

Okay.

[waves crashing]

[male announcer] 'United Airlines flight 16 nonstop to New York'

'now departing, gate 75. All aboard, please.'

I'm out of breath. I called your brother.

He told me about your father. Pneumonia?

- Seems to be under control. - Good.

Now, if I could persuade you to take a later plane.

- Mr. Sawyer. - Arthur.

- See if you can get-- - No.

- Edward. - Arthur.

- This may be the most-- - Just say it.

We all know, you, I'm sure, as well as anyone

that you've been behaving in a highly eccentric--

Just say it, Arthur.

None of us knows what you might or might not--

Say what's on your mind.

Have you got your checkbook with you?

- Yes. - Good.

Well, Florence, in her absolute panic

thinks that until you become yourself again

that you should put whatever you have that's liquid, your cash..

Mr. Sawyer, the power of attorney.

...and your negotiable bonds into a joint safe deposit box.

What in the world amuses you?

It occurred to me that this was your idea.

Edward, I only put into words and action what is on her mind.

It's been my experience that when women, particularly women

feel this way--

I kept 200.

That money

its transfer has a soothing effect.

- What's this? - Power of attorney.

- Alright? - Yes. Yes.

- Sure you want to? - It's what I want, thanks.

Edward, may I remind you that while you live high

you also live close to the line.

Have you ever considered what would happen

if that weekly Finnegan check stopped?

Because the rest of it wouldn't.

Your mortgage payments, insurance, your taxes.

Oh, my God.

You do know that Mr. Finnegan is rather upset with you, Edward.

I got a call from him himself.

I'm off salary until I'm myself again.

- You find that amusing? - I seem to.

You know, he's convinced that I'm..

Arthur..

Give Florence a message for me, will ya?

Of course.

Tell her to look out for herself because I'm..

What?

Edward, I must tell you as your family lawyer

and as your friend

that there's one thing which Florence will not

and cannot tolerate.

[Arthur] 'I don't recall the young lady's name'

'you can supply that.'

[indistinct chatter]

[Eddie] 'Hi, Gwen.'

'How you doing, Gwen?'

Well, what did you expect?

[dramatic music]

Gloria. Glad to see ya. Glad to see me?

- Is mom here? - You finally got here.

- 'Michael?' - 'Mike?'

- Hey, mommy. - Doctor.

[Joe] 'Eddie. This is Dr. Weeks. He's been taking care of pop.'

- Hello, doctor. - How do you do?

This is Father Draddy. Thought it might be a good idea--

Jesus Christ, is the old man that bad? Oh, I'm-I'm sorry.

No. It just makes it a heck of a lot easier later on.

May it never happen.

- 'Uh, six-twelve, right?' - Right.

This gentleman is with our party?

- I'm the dead man's brother. - Joe. Eddie.

Eh, doctor, just how bad is he?

A little fluid in his left lung

which will clear up in a couple of days.

However, your father is well advanced in arteriosclerosis.

His brain is deteriorating at a speed you will find shocking.

'At times, he makes complete sense.'

'At other times, he-he's given to extreme paranoia.'

'Unfortunately, the target at the moment is your mother.'

- I'm going to surprise you. - How's that, sir?

I'm not going to die.

Oh, well, I firmly believe that.

Then why are you here?

- Well, I just-- - Who sent you?

Well, no one in particular.

Please, one time in your life, tell truth.

My wife sent you.

You tell my wife

when I want priest

'I send for pope''

I'm not ready to die yet.

I want my son here.

EVANGELOS!

'EVANGELOS''

Big shot! Oh-h!

Now, Miss Costello, here is famous man.

You're the one.

You're the only thing he talks about.

He listen to me, take my ideas and make big shot success.

Right, boy? You listened to me.

I sure did, pop.

Everything I am today, he made me. Right, pop?

Enjoy your lunch.

Door. Door.

- Here, pop, you eat this now. - Poison.

I eat nothing they cook.

Only white bread from package.

Hey, papa, h-how you feel really?

I have no money. That's how I feel.

But you have enough for both, right?

[chuckling]

Right, pop.

I'm here now, everything's gonna be copacetic.

[chuckling]

"Copacetic."

Oh, my boy. Why your hair's getting gray?

No reason. I'm getting old, pop.

'Beginning, just beginning.'

You'll be many times a millionaire, guarantee.

'How much money you made this year?'

Oh, I paid taxes on about 80 thou. 80 thou.

[laughing]

[Sam] "Oh, I pay tax on 80 thou."

[laughing continues]

'Oh. But how much you make? Right.'

Smart. Smart.

Don't tell me. Your money, your business.

I know you got plenty.

[both laugh]

- You saw him out there? - Who?

Her boyfriend?

- Her boyfriend? Mom's? - Sure. That Irish.

When you come, he hides.

Now, quick. See who's at door.

See who is at the door, quick.

- No one. - There was someone.

There was someone.

I sit in the living room, he sits over there, that Irish.

Waiting.

I close my eyes one second. Pop! He get up. She get up.

They go at each other like dogs.

Dogs, I guarantee. At her age, 71..

Like dogs!

- Okay. - Okay.

Alright, pop, huh?

- Evangelos, lock door. - Oh, come on, pop.

LOCK THE DOOR!

'He's 76. No, for permanent.'

'Now, how much including everything?'

'Nurses, medicine, everything, how much?'

You love your father, boy?

Get me out of here.

When?

I want to go Empire State Building.

Is there my bank?

We sit down, Mr. Meyers.

Jewish but very fine man. Knows me 35 years. We make loan.

- Father, son, right? - Right, pop.

I bring carpets from Persia, beautiful goods.

Tabriz, Tehran..

Kashan, Sarouk.

Make fortune. Do I know this business?

Better than anybody, pop.

What?

Is this a nursing home or the Waldorf-Astoria?

Tomorrow, you come with taxi.

We go home.

I make nice bath, put blue suit

beautiful shirt, banker-style tie

haircut, shave

shoeshine

manicure.

You'll see. You'll see. I'm not finished.

You see. You see.

[both laugh]

Evangelos.

Don't turn against me.

Why, I won't ever, pop.

[knocking on door]

[nurse] 'Mr. Arness, your alcohol rub.'

Alcohol rub.

He loves his alcohol rub.

Evangelos, bring here some grapes.

Little white seedless kind I like.

[Sam] 'And Evangelos, I want melon.'

'I like nice melon.'

[Thomna] 'Everything ready.'

How much money you make today, my boy?

- Money? - 'Yes, money.'

[Sam] 'Money. You heard of it?'

[indistinct chattering]

Evangelos, Evangelos. Go down delicatessen.

Bring half-pound ham, half-pound tongue

half-pound Swiss cheese.

He's gone to sleep, Sam.

[laughter]

Shh.

Shh.

- Well, Eddie, what do you say? - I'll think about it.

Think? There are plenty of perfectly nice nursing homes

where if your father does doo-doo in his drawers

your mother doesn't have to clean.

- Shut up, Gloria. - Oh, alright.

She's right, Eddie.

You think so too, huh?

- Don't just sit there. - Take it.

- Say something. - Gloria, I'll think about it.

What is there to think about?!

- Gloria. - I'm going to bed now.

And Michael, I'd like to go get some clothes in the morning.

Alright, mom.

I'm going too. I-I gotta see somebody.

I'll bet. I don't know how your wife stands you.

Actually, I'm glad to meet you.

Gwen would never talk about you, but I like things in the open.

Now, I knew you'd been close.

Yeah. We'd been close.

[man on radio] 'This program is presented to you'

'by your friends at the Golden Bear Insurance Company.'

'This is your music station, WMUS New York.'

'Your music as you want it.'

[music]

[knuckles cracking]

[man on radio] 'Zephyr, Zephyr, Zephyr, Zephyr.'

[woman on radio] 'Zephyr, Zephyr, Zephyr, clean''

You know that's really awfully good.

[baby crying]

I wish you'd both get the hell out of here.

- Is that a baby? - Yeah.

What about it?

I wanna finish my drink.

Charles, will you get him out of here?

I'm gonna drive you home.

Oh, Charles, I'd like to be by myself tonight. Don't come back.

[Eddie] You know, that last crack of hers.

Once upon a time, that'd be a way of telling me

to come back after I'd lost you.

[Charles] I don't think she meant that tonight.

Whose kid is that?

If she'd wanted me to know, she would've told me.

Good luck.

Mr. Anderson.

I don't believe in luck.

I believe in patience.

At first, I had to watch the knives and the windows.

I mean, she was on the edge.

Do you have any idea what you did to her?

Please don't see her again.

I can't promise that.

Okay.

Fix yourself a drink. You don't look so good.

- Whose kid is it? - Mine.

What does that mean?

It means I don't want anything from his father.

Well, he sure looks like me.

Oval chin, noble brow.

Didn't have when he was born.

He looked like one of those greeting-card jokes

awful pointy above the ears.

I used to be pointy above the ears.

Honestly.

[Eddie] You haven't lost your figure.

You begin to lose it after the second one.

[baby crying]

[rattling]

What's he glaring about?

He's very arrogant.

He doesn't like it when he can't have his way on everything.

He knows that turns me on.

But in a little while, you'll see he'll get tired

lay his head over and go to sleep.

- Look, see? - Oh, Gwen. Gwen.

Eddie, don't do that.

[soft music]

[baby gurgling]

[baby cooing]

[music continues]

Gwen.

Gwen?

Don't say anything.

Anything you say will be wrong.

And you don't have to say a word.

[both laughing]

But they think I'm crazy. I mean, literally nuts.

[baby cooing]

What time is it?

Five thirty.

[telephone ringing]

[laughing]

Hey, let me out of here.

[laughing continues]

Eddie, shh.

[ringing continues]

[muffled laughing]

Hello.

Yes, Charles.

[laughing stops]

Yes. Yes, thank you, Charles.

He calls me up sometimes to remind me

that it's time to feed His Majesty.

[harmonica music]

[baby gurgling]

You know, Ellen was adopted.

[Gwen] 'He saved my life, Eddie.'

I met Charles.

And one night I called him over just to pass the time.

Then it got late, and he stayed

but he didn't come on with me.

I can't figure him out.

Three or four times a week, he'd stay here, sleep on that sofa.

- And he never-- - Not once.

And then one day, I said to myself

big discovery!

"Gwen, you've got half of something that works."

He knew you were seeing other men?

I used to tell him who, when.

What happens when you have a date?

He stays here, minds the kid.

He's crazy about the kid.

- If you stay out all night? - He knows what to do.

What if you wanna bring someone here?

You saw.

What's the matter with him?

Nothing.

What's he figure?

That he'll end up with me, and he's right.

I need someone like him, someone who's there.

And I need someone else from time to time

the way a man does.

A girl isn't supposed to think that way, I know.

And I'd like to find it all in one person.

But there's no such animal.

The fact is, there's something about a bastard.

Like they say, it's always the trombone player.

The one who turns you on is the one who does you in.

But I'll never

risk everything again

on somebody like you.

[door clicks]

Charles?

[door closes]

I'm in here, Charles.

But, Charles..

...I'm with someone, and I wish you wouldn't come in here now.

Alright, Gwen.

I'm going.

I'll call you later.

[man on intercom] 'Calling Dr. Shapiro. Calling Dr. Shapiro. Pick up, please.'

[whispering]

- What are you whispering about? - Seems you were up all night.

You hit it right on the head.

Florence, aren't you far from home?

[Florence] If you insist on putting a match to all I've built

for more than 20 years, I'm damn well gonna be here too.

Brought him some cigars.

Cigars? What he needs is a good swift kick in the ass.

When I came this morning, he was dressed and ready to go.

'Little bag all packed. Said you were coming in a taxi''

'When I said he couldn't go, he took exception.'

'Had to give him a shot.'

- I'll show it to him. - No, we'll tell him.

- You get him. - Okay.

My mother and father, after all these years--

Well, that's the way life ends sometimes.

All the hostilities and suspicions

we feel every day, we hold them down

but they always come out.

[birds chirping]

Forgot my keys.

Here.

That's alright, mom.

I'll get in through the cellar.

Eddie. Eddie, look

you can see that they can't live together in this house again.

You don't agree?

[soft music]

[music continues]

[chirping continues]

[Sam] '"Appreciate your check by return mail.'

'Yours truly, Sam Arness."'

[instrumental music]

[people laughing]

[male #3] 'Oh, is that all you got? That's all?'

[music continues]

[Sam] 'Evangelos!'

'Evangelos!'

'Go down delicatessen.'

'Bring half-pound ham, half-pound tongue'

'half-pound Swiss cheese.'

[Thomna] 'He's gone to sleep, Sam.'

[mandolin music]

[music continues]

[Gloria] 'For the last two years'

'while he's been hitting and cursing her'

'where were you?'

'Every time I look at the house, I could kill him and Michael.'

Four spades, double.

Do you realize your mother spent 40 years in that house

slaving for that monster?

- Shut up! I tell you-- - Hey. Hey.

She's your wife, now keep her mouth..

I just have to get a few things.

Come here.

[aeroplane roaring]

[birds chirping]

Why do you make me do that?

Why did you do that?

I was about to hit her with my fist.

Look, darling, Gloria realizes

that you're not exactly rational at the moment.

[birds chirping]

Eddie, darling.

Let's go in there where it's quiet.

[Florence] Remember, Eddie?

In there?

It was the first time, wasn't it?

Remember?

[soft music]

[Eddie] There's only one thing I ever wanted, Florence.

I wanna be a writer.

[Florence] Oh, baby, you can be anything.

Anything you choose to be.

Well, when I told Dr. Leibman

that you didn't like the person you were

he said that was the cause

of most of the unhappiness in the world and you were right.

'It was time for you to accept that you are what you are.'

Oh-ho.

Oh.

Eddie, look.

[laughing]

What are you thinking?

Don't you think my father has the right to live

the rest of his life as irrational as he wants

on his own terms?

Yes, but, Eddie, you just cannot put

your father and your mother in the same house again.

So what are your plans?

I want you to come home with me on the next plane

and I want you to work with Dr. Leibman.

- So you can do the doc for me. - Thanks a lot,but no thanks.

Baby, you need help, and I need your help.

I haven't said anything to you yet about Ellen.

- Changing the subject-- - She's here in New York.

She hasn't gone back to school. She needs a father, Eddie

and Dr. Leibman, he's pretty smart.

He says, "You can adopt a child

but there comes a time when the child has to adopt you."

What are you and Gloria planning about my father?

We have no plans. Have you?

Yes.

Florence, I'm gonna have him live with me.

- Eddie, it just wouldn't work. - Why not?

If you were yourself, you'd be able to see..

Obviously, I'm not myself.

- ...he needs constant care. - I'll give it to him.

Let's face it, he's a different kind of person than we are.

Florence, he's my father.

What the hell is all this sudden pretense

that you care about him? I think you'd like to kill him.

- I believe in-- - Sooner or later, you will.

Why're you so violent about this?

Because you and I have got a hugereconstruction job

to do and because..

Why?

Because where were you last night?

Where were you all night, last night?

All night.

I was with Gwen last night.

All night, last night.

You..

What are you whispering about?

Eddie, come with us. Gloria has a list of homes.

We're going to drive out and look at them.

- 'We've decided that--' - In this case, I decide.

In this case, your mother has the last word

and she agrees with us.

Well, ask her.

Oh, by the way, I just spoke to Gloria on the phone

and she said that they've found a nice home for Mr. Arness.

No, father. Old folks' homes are for people who have nobody.

He has me.

I remember day I arrived this country.

[instrumental music]

[Sam] 'I was 19.'

'Beautiful boy.'

'Can you believe it?'

First time I saw shore..

- Dr. Weeks. - ...Long Island.

Tell me, isn't there anything that can be done for him?

Make him as happy as you can for as long as you can.

First time I saw shore, then..

- I was thinking-- - Actually, Gloria said--

I'm thinking of taking him down to Florida.

Oh, Mr. Arness--

There's a town of Greek sponge fishermen down there.

You mean kidnap him?

I'm sorry.

You'd have to give permission, wouldn't you?

Yes, and of course, I couldn't do that.

Father Draddy?

- Mr. Willis is looking for you. - Oh.

[music continues]

What if I were to?

Hmm?

Kidnap him?

I couldn't give permission.

But despite that if

you were to, the best time would be around midnight.

I'll be giving the nurses on the floor some special instructions.

[male 4] 'Going down.'

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[Eddie] 'Thanks, Charles.'

[music continues]

[music stops]

Come on, pop. Upstairs to bed for you.

- I sleep here. - Pop, you can't stay here.

- I sleep here. - Pop, you..

She give my keys certain persons, you understand?

All my business papers. Don't repeat that.

Who knows what kind God knows monkey business going on?

My feet cold.

Yeah, I'll get something for you.

[instrumental music]

[Eddie] 'There, feel that?'

'You're gonna be warm in a couple of minutes.'

Tomorrow, first thing, we go to bank.

'Right, pop.'

Tomorrow, I'm gonna buy you

those little white grapes you like, huh?

'I hear that before too.'

Are you really gonna take him to the bank tomorrow?

What else can I do?

His feet were like ice.

[vehicles honking]

[phone ringing]

- What's his name? - Sam Arness.

Sam, it's good to see you. Come in.

But after I'm married, we could see each other.

Get a place, fix it up, and I'd take care of you there.

That's all you want of me anyway

the night stuff, everything perfect.

And that's all I want of you.

You say you want the truth. That'd be it.

Well, isn't that what you've always wanted?

[phone ringing]

[indistinct chattering]

Money is a little tight right now.

[Eddie] Gwen.

- 'Tomorrow.' - 'Right.'

[Gwen] 'What time is it?'

[Eddie] 'Morning. I don't know.'

Gwen, I'm gonna marry you.

I don't hear a sound out of you

for a year and a half.

Now you come on with that marriage salami.

What the hell do you think I am?

[baby crying]

Gwen, I'm going to marry you.

Did you expect me to be waiting here with your initials?

- I expected what I got. - Let me tell you what you got.

After you dropped me at Chet's

I made up my mind to clean you out of me.

The next night, I went to Downey's.

A guy said, "Have a drink." I said, "You're in luck."

'And?'

To finish you off, I called up Jack Schne.

- The poster man? - That's right.

- What was his attraction? - You didn't like him.

That was his attraction, and that's the way I went.

And I'll tell you the best of all.

An Italian. A movie producer. Fat, big, rich, arrogant.

An old man with a nothing body.

But he'd look at me, and he'd smile that soft Italian smile

'and he'd hold me with those soft Italian hands'

like the hands of one of those old saints.

'No poetry about love'

but such affection.

The purest, the most honest, the most believable thing--

I don't care. You're gonna marry me.

People aren't that way.

They pretend, lie, like you do

because they can't take it the way they really are, faithless.

You can't take it the way you really are, faithless

and the way I really am.

And love for songs.

Love is the word they say before they pull your guts out.

What are you doing here?

You can lie to me, but I'm not gonna--

You're here because you love me.

I don't love you!

- Don't you lie to me! - Stop it, stop it!

'Stop it! Stop it!'

[mumbling]

[door opens and closes]

[whispering] Shh! Shh!

Taxi here?

I'm ready.

[moaning]

[panting]

Get out of here!

[women screaming]

Did you see that? He was raping her.

I mean he's insane, literally.

[Gloria] 'Literally insane.'

[engine revving]

Alright, go, fix breakfast.

[coughing]

- I talk to boy alone. - Don't talk to her that way.

It's okay. How about some scrambled eggs?

- I don't want make trouble. - He wants eggs.

Evangelos, don't get fresh with me.

Well, pop, how'd you sleep on that couch last night?

Your grandfather was here last night.

What'd he say?

He was angry with me. He said, "Seraphim.

Seraphim, you are not finished."

What'd he mean by that?

Everybody trying to bury me.

- Oh, come on, now. - You too.

Pop, I don't wanna bury you.

- We soon find out. - Why do you keep doubting me?

Because I want you to give me money.

I'm going into business again.

Now then.

How much you got?

I don't know.

[Sam] Miss, you ever hear anything like this?

Grown man doesn't know how much he has in bank.

Oh, man. Oh, man.

Now, how much you got?

You and, uh, Frances?

Florence, pop.

I-I really don't know.

Miss, I find my life

all conversation change when subject money.

'You find same thing?'

Evening before, everything sweetheart, honey, lollipop

plenty chop-chop monkey business.

Next morning... close behind, right?

That's life.

But from your son, you should expect..

Yeah, you boy. All my life, I ask favor nobody.

- For Christ sakes, pop. - Forget it!

Gold isn't everything, right?

Pennies from heaven, falling down.

Guarantee, falling down, guarantee. Right?

Pop..

Please, pop, listen, why don't you sit down?

Pop, look the truth is, I do have some property

but I don't think I have any cash.

Miss, you ever hear anything like that?

Grown boy lying to his father?

I'm not lying, pop. That's the truth.

Evangelos, why you make me beg like this in front of stranger?

- This is my last chance. - You never believe me.

Everybody laughing at me. Everybody says, "He's finished.

- Sam's finished. No brains." - You've got plenty of brains.

No, Evangelos, if you don't get this, no brains.

[Eddie] 'That's not the point, pop.'

[Sam] 'The point, I know, the point is gelt, gelt, gelt'

'is more important than your own family!'

[Eddie] 'I'm just like my father.'

[Sam] 'Evangelos, my last hope is on you. You owe me.'

Look at me.

You see those Irish, those Armenians

send their sons college?

I worked my way through college.

You did everything you could to stop me.

'If it wasn't for mother, I--'

[Sam] 'Where did she get money? From my pocket.'

'Send good-for-nothing, hopeless-case son'

'Shakespeare-and-so-forth college.'

'But then you found out what life is'

'and you make big shot success'

'because you got merchant blood here, here, here.'

Don't give me that merchant-blood shit!

- You're selfish, mean.. - You have my blood, my brains.

- I have my blood, my brains! - Look your face mirror, fool!

- I am not like you! - Same goods as me.

- I was never like you! - Why you don't give me money?

Money, money, money.

- I'm a bad business risk. - I'm ashamed to be your son!

In your place, I do exactly that!

You said--?

I said, "I'm ashamed to be your son."

[softly] Pop.

Alright.

Sam finished. Sam Arness finished.

Alright.

[violin music]

[music continues]

Alright.

[Eddie] First time in 45 years

I wasn't able to control what I felt about that old man.

[car approaching]

[car door closes]

[Gwen] Eddie, look, what's that?

[thud]

EVANGELOS!

'EVANGELOS!'

'EVANGELOS!'

[engine revving]

[violin music]

[music continues]

[violin music]

Mr. Anderson?

Mr. Anderson?

Don't worry, Charles, I'm going away.

Where?

Into myself.

Into what?

You better see a doctor.

A priest, see a priest.

[door creaking]

[baby crying]

One last thing.

I don't know exactly who Andy's father is

and I don't care, but I did my arithmetic..

...and he's not yours.

So it's better this way, right?

Right.

[car engine revving]

[water sloshing]

[Sam] 'Thomna! Thomna!'

'Thomna!'

'What's this bill? Tuition?'

What's that? Tuition.

Thomna.

You put Shakespeare College in this damn fool boy's head?

All my life I work, make business for this boy future.

[Sam] 'And now when I need him, you teach him leave his father''

Evangelos!

[car honking]

[Sam] Taxi, I'm ready.

Sam, it's the boy's life. He doesn't want rug business.

He wants something different.

[thud]

Oh, mom.

What the hell kind of lesson was that to give a boy?

I can't blame pop. You should've..

You should've taught me to stick up for myself.

- Shh. - Not that, mom.

[chuckles]

Not that.

[car engine revving]

[car tire squeals]

Are you out of your goddamn mind?

[buzzer buzzing]

[man on radio] 'Clean, and when are you going to change to Zephyr?'

Now, what is it? Your mother's fault, your father's fault.

What's that, Freud? You are you, kid.

Eddie Anderson, the indispensable man.

Alright. Let's get down to nuts and bolts.

Congratulations.

- Congratulations. - I've always said, time--

[thinking] 'You had power, then, remember what it felt like? Power.'

[tape shutting]

Ram it in.

[thinking] 'Power.'

The fact is, without your job and without the money

in your pocket, you're nothing.

Well, look at you.

You know the most impressive part of you right now?

That cigar.

Hey, don't look at me like that, baby.

If you think you're gonna get rid of me

you're out of your goddamn mind.

You had the perfect arrangement.

Fat job, beautiful house, understanding wife.

All the side nookie you could handle.

'You had it all.'

You did.

[footsteps]

[piano music]

What is that, Edward? A little composition of your own?

They're coming to get you, Eddie.

- 'Edward.' - The Marines.

Edward, since I've come 3000 miles solely to talk to you

I don't think I should require to do so through a screen.

[piano music]

Edward.

Edward, I've come all the way from California

to chat with you.

And I'm going to chat with you.

[door slams]

Edward, you look terrible. What are you doing to yourself?

[piano keys striking]

This is not you.

Something has...taken possession of you, Edward.

Come on, now, snap out of it.

Uh, what? I can't hear you.

- This is me. - Applesauce.

- Damn fool. - Had it all.

'You did.'

'Edward.'

I'm gonna have to protect you and yours

Florence, in particular.

From whatever demon is at work inside of you.

And if extreme measures are necessary

and at this point, I think they may be

I will most certainly take them.

You are causing havoc on all sides.

You start by kidnapping a man who doesn't know which end's up.

- 'Evangelos.' - Where is he? My father.

For reasons that are obvious, I'm not gonna tell you that.

He's my goddamn father.

- He's in excellent care-- - Where?

Where he ought to be.

In a home for the aged and incompetent.

'Evangelos.'

- Incompetent. - Yes, Edward.

I'm sorry, but you've got to be made to face the facts.

Goddamn it, Edward, pay attention to me.

[Florence] If you don't like the way we live, change it.

Be fair, be just, Eddie.

Time is short, Edward, but this marriage

can still be made to work.

That is what my duty is as your family lawyer.

[Florence] Darling, if I didn't see you through this

what would I be for? What would I be for?

Will you stop wandering and listen?

Forget the property involved, although it's considerable.

But Florence, Edward, Florence.

You're married, you damn fool, to the perfect woman.

There isn't a man I know who doesn't envy you.

How many women, I ask you, would have endured

what Florence has endured?

Maybe Florence shouldn't have.

Some instinct tells her that this marriage

can still work even though she's in a state of shock..

Oh, hell.

[Florence] Oh, Eddie, I know it's going to be good again

like it was in the beginning.

I have faith in that.

Faithless.

Incidentally, is the young lady still upstairs?

And the way I really am.

Are you preparing a divorce action?

That will not be necessary

providing you do preciselyas I say.

[Gwen] You never meant it

when you said you'd leave your wife?

And that is?

First, I want you, for your own deepest good

to go away somewhere for a long, long rest.

In a home for the incompetent?

Somewhere. I'll overlook the sarcasm.

Somewhere so that you can regain your balance

reconstitute your sense of values

and so that Florence, can recover--

Are you in love with my wife?

I...I beg your pardon?

I hit on something, didn't I?

I must try to remember that you are in a paranoid state

but I will say this.

Florence is an extraordinary woman

'who is being slaughtered by an ego run wild.'

Since you won't believe me, ask your daughter

Ellen, who drove out--

He's right, daddy.

Mommy.

[door knob clicks]

[Florence] 'Hello, darling..'

Look.

Hello, Florence.

[typewriter keys clacking]

Excuse me.

Dr. Leibman, Eddie is here.

[talking indistinctively]

Should I stay out a little longer?

No, no, of course not, come in. Come in.

Well, if it isn't my old playmate.

Well, if it isn't my old playmate.

I smell money. I smell money.

Whenever I see a psychoanalyst and a lawyer

I always smell money, but this time, I smell it all around me.

Florence, may I ask you to explain that remark?

Dr. Leibman, please. I have an appointment.

I'm going back on the 6 o'clock plane.

Well, I got a date with a manicurist downstairs.

I can fix it up for you.

She's a little hairy here and there but..

- 'Edward, Edward.' - I need a quick consultation.

Can we have a quick consultation, doctor?

Ooh, are you in love with my wife too?

Well, she is attractive.

You're so cute. I love his mustache.

I'd like to spend a week with you.

You can hold my hand.

- Edward, do you mind? - You're damn right I mind.

I came here to talk to my wife, I didn't come..

Arthur. Arthur, stop wandering. Pay attention, please.

[Florence] 'Arthur, do something.'

- Alright. - Thank you.

If we could just let's settle do--

Shh.

[door slams]

I smell money. Oh, I can still smell money, yeah.

Am I getting warmer, umm?

Ah, is this what it's all about?

"Community property, both houses, all land

art objects, automobiles, furniture, effects."

You forgot the contents of the deep freeze.

"To my wife, Florence, until I am in her judgment

again a responsible person."

"Her judgment?"

[sighs]

Oh, well, give me a pen.

Who are you? What's the difference?

Eddie, don't.

Don't sign it.

I have no objections.

There you are.

I always knew your heart would.. Your heart's in the right place.

You can all get the hell out of here.

I wanna talk to my wife.

You're right.

Now, we'll all sit down.

I'm afraid I'm getting a headache.

Well...how are you, Florence?

[sighs]

I have trouble sleeping in this awful city.

Yeah, it's been tough on you, but how are you really?

Well, I..

I've been feeling...ashamed.

Because..

Because of..

I don't know. Suddenly, it's like I was persecuting you.

You're doing what you have to do.

Eddie, can I ask you again?

Is all this...about her?

Not really, no.

I'm-I'm prettier than she is.

Yes. You are.

Then what? What is it about?

My self-respect.

That's all?

That's all.

Well, I-I mean..

You-you know, I mean, I thought perhaps

it was something--

- Serious? - I didn't say that.

I ought to slap you right across the face for that.

You mean, that what you've been doing

"that" increases your self-respect?

I was-I was going to say

that...perhaps it-it was something

I couldn't help you with.

[Florence] The night after you left

I was at a party

and I went home with another man

and when he touched me

I went dry.

Oh, Eddie, you're all I've ever wanted.

I'm waiting for you.

I know you finally kicked her out.

She left me.

Oh, I don't believe any woman would leave you, Eddie.

Ah, she's marrying Charles...any minute.

Oh, Eddie.

Eddie, I can make you happier

than any woman if you'll only let me.

And I-I know that all this

somehow, somewhere is my fault too

don't think I don't.

You know, you look very well.

[sobbing]

You've absolutely no business looking so well

you bastard, but you do.

Come.

Come with me.

Lie with me.

Side by side, just-just like we used to.

Umm, there.

Oh, I'd stick with you through anything.

You already have.

Yes, I have, haven't I?

[chuckling]

Oh.

That's all.

That's all.

And now, you tell me...Eddie

how you want it to be?

How it should be, so that you'll be happy and..

That's the way, so help meGod, it's going to be.

Oh, Florence.

All I want is..

Mm-hmm, yes, go on.

...to do absolutely...nothing.

Oh, fine.

What are you going to do?

Just be.

Well, what will you be?

Nothing.

Be.

But...be what?

- Be nothing? - Yes.

Well, Eddie, you're a talented man. You can--

Just...be myself.

Sounds silly?

- Oh, no, no, not at all. - You know, walk places.

You know..

Sit down, think.

- Maybe. - Like Tolstoy?

[chuckles] No, like me.

But, Eddie, Tolstoy could afford it.

He was a very rich man. He had lots of slaves--

We have property. Sell it.

- Wish you could see the bills-- - I want you to sell that house.

And sell our place in the desert, the cars, the paintings

that Bulgarian statue in the garden.

Sell the books, the records, deep freeze, everything.

Look, I'm head of the house. That's an order. Sell it.

Yes, but, Eddie, be sensible. Where would we go?

What do we really need?

We'll get a small apartment here and start from scratch.

Eddie, you've worked hard all your life

you deserve a comfortable living.

But I wasn't comfortable.

I kept trying to kill myself, I..

Florence...I know I've..

...I've done bad things to you, Ellen, other people but..

...nothing like what I've done to myself.

I didn't say that you were perfect.

But, Eddie, dear

you once had consideration for other people.

Eddie, darling, be a decent man again.

Eddie.

Think of someone besides yourself.

All I ever did was think of everyone...except myself.

I've got to learn to be selfish.

Oh, that was never your trouble, Eddie. Not that.

- 'Not being-not being selfish'' - Yes, yes, that's it.

I've got to learn to be selfish.

Our whole life was built around you, Eddie.

Oh, the minutes. The minutes.

- 'The minutes.' - What minutes?

The minutes of my life. You want me to sell them again?

- Eddie, calm down. - I don't feel calm.

Why should I calm?

I swear to God!

[sobbing] I'll never again..

I'm never again gonna work at a job I despise. Never.

- 'Never.' - 'Yes, yes, yes.'

[Florence] 'But what are you going to do?'

[Eddie] 'I wanna do..'

...one small, good thing..

...before I die.

One thing I really respect.

Yes, of course.

That's what I want.

That's all. One small, decent--

Such as wallowing in that tramp.

It's nothing to do with her.

And don't call her a tramp.

[Florence] 'I'll call her what she is.'

He signed my signature to this.

[Eddie] 'Call her whatever you like.'

She's less tramp than our respectable friends.

When you tell me about your great new life.

- I know what that means. - What do you know about Gwen?

Everything, Arthur's had her investigated.

- Investigated? - Yes.

Do you want to see the report?

- Investigated, huh? - 'How many times and where.'

I'm in better shape than you are. I can teach you--

- 'Bought, paid for.' - So what?

She wouldn't prepare commitment papers behind my back.

'I didn't do that.'

And she wouldn't plot with her lawyer

to jail her husband.

I didn't agree to that.

There's a paper in her lawyer's inside pocket

that would put me in a mental institution

on a writ signed by you.

- I refused to sign that! - But you are!

At this very instant, you are considering

whether you should sign it, aren't you?

- Aren't you? Aren't you? - Daddy!

- Admit it! Now, admit it! - Daddy, don't!

- Admit it! Aren't you? - Help! Help! Arthur, help me!

- 'Admit it!' - 'Arthur!'

- 'Arthur!' - 'You admit it!'

- Arthur! Help! - Daddy!

[screaming] Arthur!

- Liar! Liar! - Oh!

Arthur, he's insane.

[Leibman] 'Perhaps Your Honor's judgment might be'

'that this man should be allowed to benefit from psychopatholo.''

The reason she thinks that perhaps

Your Honor's judgment might be that this man should be allowed

to benefit from psychopathological treatment

the best available

has to do with the damage that he's done

not to others, but to himself.

[Leibman] 'I have pieced together what Mr. Arness did'

'the rest of that day that brought him'

to this mental hospital in the condition that he's now in.

It took considerable investigation. Excuse me.

Ah, I thought I might put the results before Your Honor.

Hold on.

You have any objections, Mister...Arness?

Do you?

As a way of starting.

'Mr. Arness, do you object?'

Ah, Mr. Arness, would you remember

I'm here to protect you, not to prosecute you.

You may proceed.

Our first information came from some children who were playing

'in front of the old family home on Long Island Sound.'

'They saw Mr. Arness drive up in a cab'

'walk into the old place and pull down the shades.'

'We must bear in mind, Your Honor'

'as we consider the events that followed'

'that this man has twice tried to destroy himself.'

'In fact, missed doing so only by a miracle.'

[Eddie] 'You'll regret it.'

You'll regret it.

Hmm?

Alright, go ahead.

None of us will ever know, of course, what went on

in the private hell that is the soul of this man.

'All we know is what his nearest neighbor told us.'

'That at about 9 o'clock that night, he heard an explosion'

'and when he went to the window, he saw the place in flames.'

He called the fire department, rushed over and found Mr. Arness

'inside the burning house'

'throwing the furniture, curtains'

'anything he could find into the blaze, feeding it.'

[fire roaring]

'How Mr. Arness got out or where he went'

'no one could imagine.'

I might add, however, that stored in the cellar

'of the old place were the commercial records'

'files, ledgers, correspondence.'

'In fact, the entire history'

'of his father's business life''

'When that old gentleman heard about it'

he broke down and wept.

His whole life.

What?

That was his whole life.

Uh.

And, uh, this-this was where he, uh?

Ah, Dr. Weeks, perhaps you would take over.

We were expecting him to come to the hospital

'to visit his father.'

So when I was told that he was downstairs in a cab

I wasn't surprised

'but I didn't expect to find him unconscious'

'in a pool of blood, his own.'

- Take me to room 612. - Take him to emergency.

- And who did he say shot him? - Wouldn't say then or later.

'Whoever shot him escaped without a clue.'

'Mr. Arness lodged no complaint.'

Ah, Mr. Arness.

It'd help me no end to make this decision

I've got to make about your future

'if you would tell me'

'exactly what you're thinking, this instant.'

I sat there, I watched those flames

and I felt better than I've felt in a long time.

You know. You lit them.

And that's why I came here. I want to thank you for that.

[trumpet music]

[chuckles] No one else to thank.

Fortunately, both shots, though aimed at vital spots

lodged in extremely fleshy areas.

and though painful, the wounds..

[door opens]

[footsteps]

[door slams]

Charles.

I only came here to say thanks.

Don't, Charles. I like you, Charles.

I like you, too.

[grunting]

[footsteps]

[whispers] I wanna stay here.

[laughs]

He was railroaded. You got him imprisoned here.

I wish I could get as mad as you

but it's not allowed here. I suggest you go see--

- 'Judge Morris?' - Yes?

Well, Dr. Lloyd tells me

you gave him a great going over this morning.

It's a case of revenge, pure and simple.

His wife and her lawyer-

Woah, may I ask just who you are?

- Are you his-- - I'm, ah, how do they say it?

Just a good friend.

I'm sure that's just what he needs.

[laughs] I'm sure she didn't mean that the way it sounded.

Our problem isn't how to keep them in

'it's how to get them to leave''

'That place is chock full of middle-aged dropouts.'

They even have a turned-off rabbi out there.

'Yeah, it's a place where..'

Well, somebody called it "a human dumping ground."

'But I-I kind of resent that.'

'It's more of an escape hatch'

'you might say, from what's outside.'

'It's a hiding place for the unwanted.'

'The last stop.'

'That's why so many of them do their damnedest to stay in.'

'Take our Mr. Arness, for instance.'

'Apparently, or so they tell me'

'he's so happy he hasn't felt the need to address himself'

'to anyone for two weeks.'

'He can walk out of that place'

'the minute he has a job and a roof over his head.'

'He's not so inclined.'

'Not in the least.'

[violin music]

[baby cooing]

Nice baby.

Nice baby.

Come on, get up. We're going.

Don't give me that silent treatment, Eddie. Get up.

They said if you had a job over your head that you..

Well, that you could leave this place.

- I have a job for you, Eddie. - What kind of job, may I ask?

[Eddie] Gwen, these are my friends.

'Well, that's up to him.'

'Madam, that's hardly worth leaving here for.'

Well, when these old people break a hip

so they can't walk, they can't stand

the chance of pneumonia is

well, like your father. Before you know it..

[man moaning]

[rings]

Hi, pop.

[continues moaning]

[woman on TV] 'Don't. Don't.'

[man on TV] 'Oh, but I'm going to.'

Time to go to bed.

[woman on TV] 'Don't ever stop.'

Okay, girls, come on, come on.

[man on TV] 'So give your family Hollingshead Gravies.'

'Better than the kind mother used to make and quicker.'

[breathing slowly]

The sense of touch..

Evangelos. Evangelos..

I'm here, pop.

Taxi here?

I'm ready.

You know, he looked..

Not my father, just a frightened man

who wants the same things I want, another chance.

Another chance.

I love you, Gwen.

Thank you.

[bustling traffic]

[man speaking in foreign language]

[continues speaking in foreign language]

[distant church bell ringing]

[bells ringing]

[slow instrumental music]