Original subtitles

[wistful music playing]

♪

♪

♪

[birds chirping]

[burbling]

- [birds chirping] - [insects trilling]

[rumbling]

[animal screeching]

[heavy thudding]

[animals screeching]

[rousing music playing]

[flames crackling]

[whooshing]

[explosion booming]

♪

[wind howling]

[tense, atmospheric music playing]

[gentle, hopeful music playing]

♪

[birds chirping]

♪

[rustling nearby]

[panting]

[grunting]

[tree creaking]

[workers] Timber!

- [chattering, laughing] - [dogs barking]

That's a deep hole.

[worker] And getting deeper.

Why are you digging it?

We're building a house.

Down there?

[laughter]

[children laughing]

♪

[straining]

[music fades]

[real estate agent] I don't know, Richard.

That back porch window just doesn't want to stay closed.

Even had my husband sand down where it's warped.

[chuckling] Even though nobody seems to care,

a million dollars is a steal these days.

- Hmm. - Here are the keys.

Please remember to put them in the lockbox

- when you're finished. - Look, we won't be long.

Twenty, 30 minutes, tops.

And thank you for arranging this.

- It means a lot. - [door opens]

- My pleasure, Richard. - [door closes]

[wistful music playing]

[thunder rumbling]

[rain falling]

[door opens]

[real estate agent 2] You truly won't find a more perfect house.

There's a full basement where we have an ultramodern central heating furnace

with copper pipes, an oil burner.

No more of that coal stoking.

- [chuckles] - [sniffing]

Uh, it's only been on the market 18 days.

It won't last long.

The house was originally built in 1900, Mr. and Mrs. Young.

A half colonial.

It is as sturdy as an old tree.

So, as you can see, Mr. and Mrs. Young--

[shouts] Al and Rose is fine!

Al lost the hearing in his left ear

when a shell exploded right next to him.

The doctors say it will eventually clear up.

Oh, that's fortunate.

He also has bomb fragments lodged in his hip.

He'll have to carry that around for the rest of his life.

My husband went missing at sea.

- Oh. - At Midway.

Three years in June now.

I've heard of people having the doorbell ring

and their husband is standing right there.

Al was in the Battle of Saint-Lô.

Eleven thousand casualties in two weeks.

For crying out loud, Rose, what does any of this

have to do with the price of tea in China?

China!

[thunder rumbling]

[clears throat] The house is 1,800 square feet

with enough lot to add on if you grow.

[stammers] There's a dining room.

Yeah, custom kitchen cabinets, a breakfast nook,

a lovely back porch,

which can always be converted into a spare guest room.

Upstairs-- four large bedrooms,

bathrooms, one with a shower,

a powder room and large closets.

The kitchen appliances come with the house.

A four-burner Norge range,

complete with a built-in electric clock and timer.

I don't like it much at all.

It's like a shoebox.

I can't imagine anyone living here.

Not much of a view for what you're asking.

If I may.

Of all my listings, this property is by far

the closest to the new grade school.

And it's less than a mile from the new aerodrome

they're going to build.

Could come in handy in the future.

- The future? - That's right, Pauline.

It's the only direction we're headed.

And it's happening right now, right here.

John, is living near an aerodrome

really that important to you?

It is, Pauline. It truly is.

It's the future.

[♪ Artie Shaw & His Orchestra: "Concerto for Clarinet"]

Well, I guess I'll get used to that monstrosity

- across the street. - Darling, you are a peach.

- You're an absolute peach. - [chuckles]

[vacuum whirring]

♪

- So, they're asking 3,400. - [concerto fades]

[mouthing]

That's a very good price.

I have two more couples who are coming just today.

One is a colonel, I understand.

Married an Italian woman.

She doesn't speak a word of English. [chuckles]

Has a lovely smile.

Why don't I give you a moment to talk it over?

Three thousand, four hundred? Gee whillikers, Rose, no.

We agreed we couldn't pay more than 3,000,

even with my dad's money.

I'm pregnant.

You're what?

I'm pregnant!

- You are? - Yes.

- Really? - Three months.

Any thoughts?

The price is right in line with the G.I. Bill guarantee.

- We'll take it. - [laughs] Yes!

We'll take it! Yes, we will.

[♪ Alan Silvestri: "Sleigh Ride"]

Ricky, it's your first Christmas.

- Yes! Get you here. - [Al] Okay.

[Rose] Oh, look at him.

He's such a perfect angel.

- [Al] Ricky, smile. - [Rose] Oh, Ricky... [mumbles]

- [Al] Ready and... smile. - [Rose gasps]

- [toy gun popping] - Okay, calm down, Ricky.

Ricky? Ricky, sit down.

- Sit. Over here. - [Rose gasping]

- Ricky. Ricky. - [Rose] Yes.

Okay, we get it. You can jump.

- Ricky. Quit jumping. - [Rose] Ricky, sit down, honey.

- [Al] Sit down next to your-- - [baby crying]

- Sit down next to your sister. - We're gonna take a picture.

- It's all right. Sit down. - Ricky! Ricky, sit down!

- Smile. Smile. - Goddamn it, Ricky, sit down!

- [baby yells] - [Rose] Oh, my God!

Okay, Ricky Ricardo, time to give it a rest.

- [clamorous drumming] - Yeah, that-- It's...

really loud for Daddy's head.

- Ricky, listen to me. - [Rose] Look, Jimmy, look.

[Al] Rick-- Ricky!

Ricky, stop it, goddamn it!

Look, Jimmy, look!

Yeah, and I think Santa's lost his goddamn mind.

Those drums are from your mother.

Well, they're going in the garage.

Jimmy, Elizabeth, I'm warning you two.

- [Jimmy and Elizabeth laughing] - Get ready for bed, please.

Elizabeth, take your brother upstairs.

Now.

- Thank you. - [Elizabeth] Come on.

I met the couple who moved into the new house, honey.

Oh, honey, don't close the drapes.

I hate it. It looks like a funeral parlor.

Ted and Virginia.

Yeah? What are they like?

Well, she's gonna have a baby.

- What are they like? - Um...

Well, they like to laugh.

They're so, I don't know, filled with life.

- Yeah? - Yeah.

How long they been married?

- Stop it. - [Al chuckles]

- Ricky, sweetheart, 20 minutes. - I'm just playing.

That's it, all right? And put this stuff away.

[Ricky mimicking gunfire]

Elizabeth! Jimmy!

That's a hell of a battle you got going there.

Who's winning?

The Americans just shot all the Krauts.

Good.

Did you ever shoot anybody?

Come again?

In the war-- did you shoot anybody?

It's hard to know.

Everything happens so fast, it's just a blur.

You never really see the enemy, just the flash of a helmet.

Guy next to me, Carl Bolton, from Wesley, Ohio...

he had two different color eyes-- one...

one brown, one blue.

Two-tone.

Called him Two-tone.

[soft, somber music playing]

Saw him get his jaw blown off.

What did you do?

What? Do?

After that guy got his jaw shot off, what'd you do?

I don't want to talk about it.

[gentle music playing]

[bell clanging]

[faint, urgent chatter]

[horse neighs]

[chatter continues]

[insects trilling]

[birds chirping]

[gentle, hopeful music playing]

[gasps softly, speaks indigenous language]

♪

[chuckling]

They should arrive within a fortnight.

And to be perfectly honest, I dread it.

Oh, William, your own father, your own son.

- Please. - I-I know.

I'm just nervous to see little Billy.

He's 13 now.

It's been years since we were last together.

You know, he might as well be my father's son.

Your father is certainly a presence,

but you are an important man in your own right.

My father thinks he can overthrow the Crown.

And this treasonous rabble that follows him

has no idea what a crackpot the old man is!

Flying a kite, naked but for his nightgown,

in the middle of a lightning storm, no less.

Promise me that you will not discuss politics with your father.

I so dislike arguments.

Well, I'm afraid my father and I are on entirely different sides now.

Breaks my heart to read his letters.

My own father is becoming a terrorist.

You redcoat bastard!

- [thud] - [William] What in the--

- [laughs] I took his hat off! - The indignity!

- [babbling mockingly] - You ruffians!

You ought to be put in the stocks!

- You filthy rebel scoundrels! - [gasping]

- Oh, my. - Oh, oh, Elizabeth.

Oh, what is this world coming to?

[Helen] I wonder how old it is.

[Devon] It's over 200 years old.

Some famous colonial guy lived there.

Really? Who told you that?

- Dave, our next-door neighbor. - Dave?

Yeah, the one with the perfect lawn.

Little welcome gift from Dave.

Oh, how nice.

Have you seen Justin?

I need help with these heavy boxes.

Yeah, he's out back. Justin!

Come help your mother with these boxes.

Hold on, you packed that ratty thing?

Of course I did.

- Buck's a family heirloom. - Uh-huh.

Well, you can hang that ugly heirloom in the garage.

She called you ugly, Buck.

You know what is ugly, is these damn walls.

What'd they do, paint it with vomit?

You're so romantic.

- Isn't he romantic, Raquel? - [chuckles] He sure is.

- ♪ It was an itsy-bitsy ♪ - [children laughing]

♪ Teeny-weeny, yellow polka-dot bikini ♪

♪ That she wore for the first time today ♪

♪ An itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, yellow polka-dot bikini ♪

- ♪ So in ♪ - [record scratches, song stops]

- [children clamoring] - My chair!

- Jimmy! - [crying]

Why did you knock Susie off her chair?

- I'm just playing the game, Mom. - No, you're not.

- You have to play nicely. - [song resumes]

Now, go to your room. Did you hear me?

- ♪ Yellow polka-dot bikini... - [children laughing]

I said go to your room.

Thank you.

♪ For the first time today ♪

♪ An itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, yellow polka-dot bikini ♪

♪ So in the locker she wanted to stay ♪

[♪ Fletcher Henderson: "Can You Take It?"]

[grunting, panting]

[Stella] Everything okay in there?

Yeah, I just... I can't get enough

smooth action on this damn footrest.

Oh, you'll figure it out, honey.

You always do.

- Here's your lunch. - [sighs]

Thanks, doll.

[dog barking]

Huh.

Every day, the mailman comes,

the dog barks, the mailman goes away.

The dog thinks he has protected us once again from an intruder.

It's a symbiotic relationship.

- It's a little ritual they do. - Aw.

- A little performance. - A little like us.

Oh, how do you mean?

I mean I make you a Spam sandwich and you sit in your Relaxer chair.

Exactly.

Only now, I'm calling it my Relax-E-Boy chair.

- Oh. - Mm.

Isn't Relaxer chair too on the nose?

- Mm... - I feel like,

by calling it a boy, it gives it a fun, youthful feel.

God knows we got to appeal to that youth market.

Relax-E-Boy. I like that.

You are so clever.

Relax-E-Boy. Relax-E-Boy.

Relax-E-Boy chair.

Relax.

Relax-E-Boy.

What you need is a Relax-E-Boy chair.

The milk's here.

For some reason, he always leaves it at the bottom of the steps.

And his horse shits right next to it.

[chuckles excitedly]

What do you think?

Just shipped in from London-- Alfred Dunhill.

- What time will you be home? - Oh, let me see.

Uh, 450-mile round trip to Schenectady

at 110 miles per hour, plus two fuel stops.

I'll be home before you can say "Schenectady."

- Good Lord. - The sky's the limit, Pauline.

John, you mortgaged our house to buy that ridiculous airplane.

Our home.

Just come up with me for a ride-- one ride.

- You'll love it. Trust me. - Not on your life.

I tremble every time you get in that contraption.

Every week, I read in the news that an airplane has crashed.

You know why? Poor fuel management.

Most planes crash because they run out of gas.

Fuel management is the key to safe flying.

And regular engine maintenance.

Proper fuel management and regular engine maintenance

are the keys to safe flying.

And the weather.

Proper fuel management, regular engine maintenance

and staying out of thunderstorms.

That's all it takes.

Aviation is the future, Pauline.

Your head is in the clouds, John.

I knew you were going to say that.

[Al] How do you know what I was gonna say?

Well, I'm done with this bullshit conversation.

Christ almighty, what is the world coming to?

What was that all about?

Goddamn Bill, he calls me long-distance from Pittsburgh

to brag about all the sales he's made.

It's late, Al.

- We should go to bed. - Goddamn Pittsburgh.

How come he's at the trade show, huh?

No, really, I-I've been at the company longer.

I've been-- I've been passed over, Rose.

I've been passed over.

[TV playing indistinctly]

No, he's right. He's right.

I never succeeded in anything unless you count

staying alive in the war, and then I just got lucky.

Oh, we both got lucky that we found one another.

Ricky, don't forget to turn out the lights.

Al, it's so late. Let's go to bed.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. In a minute.

What are you always drawing?

- Whatever I see. - Let me see.

Well, what do you know? The living room.

That'll bring a pretty penny.

Goddamn Bill.

Hey, how-how many towns can you name in Pennsylvania,

besides Pittsburgh?

Uh, not too many.

Philadelphia.

I don't know. Allen-something.

"Allen-something."

- Allentown. - Mm.

Hard to remember.

I could tell you every town along the turnpike.

Grove City, Clarion, DuBois, Bellefonte...

Lock Haven.

Each one has a hotel, and if you know your way around,

you can get a room that looks out at the river.

You hear it going all night.

Nothing like sleeping to the sound of a river.

And then you got diners with food so good, boy,

you can't imagine.

Places to drink that make you feel right at home.

I've been to places.

I've been to places.

One night, I took somebody back to my room.

She had red hair.

[Rose] Al, are you coming to bed?

Yeah.

Why are you telling me all this?

[♪ La Charanga Cubana: "La Comparsita"]

[vacuum whirring]

It's just one night.

♪

[vacuum stops]

♪

♪

- [music ends] - [Rose laughing]

They let me go.

What do you mean they let you go?

They let me go. They...

said there weren't enough opportunities for salesmen of that product anymore,

and I don't know, and they're shrinking.

They gave Bill Pennsylvania.

What are they talking about? "Opportunities."

Didn't I always sell for them, Rose? Didn't I?

We'll have to take a new mortgage out on the house somehow.

The roof will have to wait.

[crying] They... they shrunk me, Rose.

They shrunk me.

What am I gonna do now, Rose?

What am I gonna do?

- We'll figure it out. - [comical babbling over TV]

We always do.

- [indistinct chatter over TV] - [door closes]

Hey, everybody, I want you to meet someone.

Elizabeth, Jimmy, say hello to Margaret.

- [Margaret] Hi, guys. - Hi, Margaret.

- [flatulent sound] - [scoffs]

- Whoopee cushion. What a jerk. - [Margaret laughing]

Hey, Dad?

I'd like you to meet Margaret.

Nice to meet you, Margaret.

Nice to meet you, Mr. Young.

Uh, Richard told me that you fought in the war.

- My-my father was a pilot. - Ah.

Yeah, yeah, in '59, he tried out to be a...

a-an astronaut with NASA.

Well, his eyes weren't good enough.

- But he almost made it, right? - Yeah, he did.

But he-he manages a chain of auto parts stores now.

And he always says, "Oh, what could have been?"

Well, there is a lot of that going around.

[mocking quietly] "Well, there's a lot of that going--"

Mom, I want you to meet Margaret.

[Rose] I'm just taking out the roast, honey. Who?

- Margaret. - I'll go in.

Hi, Mrs. Young.

Can I help you with anything?

[Rose] Pleasure to meet you, Margaret.

So, do you go to Franklin High?

[Margaret] No, I go to St. Paul's.

[Rose] Oh.

St. Paul's. Well, how did you meet Richard?

Hey, did you see the zesty carrots?

What do you plan to do after high school, Margaret?

I'd like to go to college.

Maybe someday be a lawyer.

- A lawyer? - She'd make a good lawyer.

She's very persuasive.

What's wrong with being a wife?

If you decide to do something, don't wait.

I had wanted to be a bookkeeper.

[chuckling] You should see her checkbook.

Well, I'm going into the graphic arts.

- I'm going to be an artist. - Oh, great.

Just what the world needs. Don't be an idiot.

Get a job where you wear a suit.

Time just went.

I would have been a good bookkeeper.

[♪ Percy Faith & His Orchestra: "Theme from A Summer Place"]

- [flatulent sound] - [Jimmy] Ew!

Damn it, Jimmy!

- I see you. - Kissing!

- [Jimmy and Elizabeth scream] - I am gonna clobber you!

[♪ Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra: "Flying Home"]

Can you smell something funny?

[Leo] You know, when you smell something, you're actually inhaling molecules

that have detached themselves from whatever it is you're smelling

and-and spread out over a large area.

If we could see a loaf of bread by its smell,

- it would be enormous. - [vacuum whirring]

[sighs]

Hey, gorgeous, get a load of this recline.

I'm late, Raquel.

I probably won't see you again until Thursday.

Okay, see you Thursday, Ms. H.

Okay, you be good.

Oh, I will.

- Morning, Raquel. - Ah, morning, Justin.

- You got your lunch? - Uh-huh.

Anything exciting going on in school today?

Mm, not really.

Just first day of driver's ed.

Driver's ed? [sighs] Dios mío.

Only yesterday, I was changing your diapers.

Uh-huh. See you Thursday.

- Wallet. - Check.

- Watch. - Check.

Keys?

- Check, check and double check. - [keys jingling]

- You nervous? - Yeah.

I'm not sure I can still do this.

[scoffs] You could sell a teapot a spout.

No one can say no to you.

- You're a charmer. - Oh? I don't know, Rose.

I'm not a 23-year-old veteran full of piss and vinegar anymore.

Just watch your drinking.

- [Al] Jesus Christ. - [door opens]

[door closes]

[violin playing melancholy tune]

[violin girl] Oh, my goodness, Mommy.

It was so exciting.

You can see everything just like a bird does.

And it makes your tummy tickle and get all squiggly.

And you're taller than the tallest tree.

And everybody looks so small, like they're ants.

And all the houses and carriages look like toys.

We weren't expecting you home until this evening.

How is the suffering for suffrage going?

The windows couldn't open, so we postponed it

until we could find a room with better ventilation.

Sweetheart, will you please go to your room

and practice for a while?

I need to speak to your father.

When you finish, can I tell you about the landing?

Of course, dear.

- I'll come get you. - [John chuckles]

I can't believe you took our precious child

up in that death trap.

Calm down, Pauline. You're overreacting.

Overreacting? My God, John, she's the only child we have.

Look, I simply wanted her to experience something

that very few people, let alone children, have--

Oh, please.

I'm sorry. I should have told you ahead of time.

You know perfectly well I would never have allowed it. Never.

Okay, you're right.

You're right.

Sell that infernal plane, John,

before somebody gets killed in it.

[♪ The Everly Brothers: "Let It Be Me"]

♪ I bless the day I found you ♪

♪ I want to stay around you...

You know, if you like,

you could spend the rest of the night here.

♪ Let it be me ♪

I could spend the rest of my life here.

♪ Don't take this heaven from one ♪

♪ If you must cling... ♪

[Richard] She's pregnant.

- [record scratches] - [song stops]

[Al] She's what?

She's pregnant. Margaret is pregnant.

You're just 18 years old.

The beatnik lawyer, is she even 18?

What do you want me to say?

God, you stupid prick, you!

You couldn't keep it in your pants!

We both have stupid pricks, Dad.

Don't be a wiseass. Do not be a wiseass!

You think I wanted to end up selling vacuums?

You think I wanted to be done with my life when I was 22?

You think I didn't have things I wanted to do?

Dreams?

For you.

[Rose] Al, what's going on?

You're gonna be a grandmother.

What?

Margaret's pregnant, Mom.

[Ed Sullivan over TV] Now, tonight, we're gonna

twice be entertained by them.

- [gasping] - Right now and again in the second half

of our show. Ladies and gentlemen,

- The Beatles! Let's hear it. - [audience cheering over TV]

[♪ The Beatles: "All My Loving"]

♪ Close your eyes and I'll kiss you... ♪

- [thunder crashes] - Because they have exchanged

their vows before God and these witnesses,

and have placed their love... [continues indistinctly]

♪ I'll always be true ♪

♪ And then while I'm away ♪

♪ I'll write home every day... ♪

...according to the laws of the state and the power vested in me,

I now pronounce you husband and wife.

- ♪ All my loving ♪ - [continues indistinctly]

♪ I will send to you ♪

- You may now kiss the bride. - ♪ All my loving ♪

♪ Darling, I'll be true ♪

- ♪ Hey! ♪ - ♪ All my loving ♪

[thunder crashes]

♪ All my loving ♪

♪ Ooh, all my loving ♪

♪ I will send to you ♪

- [song ends] - [audience cheering]

[birds calling]

[gentle music playing]

[Margaret] I thought I was the only one

having a hard time sleeping.

[Richard] Mm, I'm trying to get a feel

for the early morning light.

[Margaret gasps]

Give me your hand.

- What? - You feel that?

No-- Oh.

Oh. [chuckles]

He's gonna be a field goal kicker.

Or she's gonna be a high-kicking chorus girl.

[Richard muttering]

- [laughs] - A dancer.

- I put the coffee on for you. - Thanks.

Step this way, please, gorgeous.

Take a seat right here.

Oh, why, thank you.

I have something very important I want to tell you.

Oh, yeah? What's that, lover?

I think '42 is gonna be a great year.

And why is that?

Oh! [laughs]

Those boys up in Michigan seem very interested

in my chair's 180-degree full recline feature.

I think they're gonna go for it.

I think you're right.

You're my genius inventor.

And you know what else?

With this full recline feature,

you never even have to leave the chair.

You can even sleep right here.

Right here in our Relax-E-Boy chair.

You know what else you can do with a full recline feature?

In the middle of a Sunday afternoon?

What would Father Murphy say?

[Stella] Well, let's not tell him.

[♪ Glenn Miller & His Orchestra: "A String of Pearls"]

[music stops abruptly]

[John Daly over radio] This is John Daly speaking

from the CBS newsroom in New York.

Here is the Far East situation as reported to this moment.

The Japanese have attacked the American Naval base

at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and our defense facilities at Manila,

capital of the Philippines...

- [newscast fades] - [audio tone droning]

[Margaret sighs]

I just can't get comfortable.

Oh. I'm sorry. I know it's late.

I was just trying to catch the rising moon.

[snoring]

Sleeping Beauty over here

doesn't have a problem getting comfortable.

[audio tone stops]

Honey, wait.

Can you turn towards the light?

Oh, I just don't feel pretty right now, Richard.

Honey, you don't understand. I...

I can't take my eyes off of you.

[thunder rumbles, crashes]

[rain falling]

[dripping]

Oh, no.

Al!

- [Al] Goddamn rain!

[♪ Sam & Dave: "Hold On, I'm Comin'"]

It's coming through the walls!

You have the-the number of the, uh...

the-the roofing guy?

[Rose] What roofing guy?

[Al] The-- José, the Puerto Rican.

[Rose] No, José's the gutter guy!

[Al] He-he's a gutter guy?

We have a gutter guy?

[Rose] Yeah, José, he cleans the rain gutters.

- Oh... - [Al grunting]

God, Al, did you move that bucket?

Yeah, I moved the bucket!

- I had to look at the hole! - Look at the floor!

Look at all that water!

[splashing]

Jimmy, the baby's coming.

- Now? - Right now!

- Call a taxi. - A taxi?

I have to get to the hospital!

Oh! Oh! Jimmy, it's not waiting.

What do you mean it's not waiting? It has to wait!

Oh, my God, you have to do something!

- Jimmy! - Jesus Christ!

Call a taxi!

- [gasping] - [clattering]

Breathe. Okay, Lamaze. Lamaze.

- I got towels. - Oh, my God. What?

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!

- Are you calling a taxi? - No.

Who are you calling?

- The fire department. - The fire department?!

[siren blaring]

- [Margaret yelling] - [baby crying]

How do you like them apples, kid?

A ringside seat.

A circle of life.

You did good, kid.

It's a girl.

[babies cooing]

[sentimental music playing]

[Richard] That is the moon.

That is the moon.

And look, look, look.

There's another moon.

That's another moon. That's right.

So we have two. We have two.

There's one moon, and there's the other moon.

[insects trilling]

♪

[Margaret] You're the most beautiful angel.

Yes, you are.

[laughing] Yes.

You're the most beautiful girl.

- [baby babbling] - Oh, what is that goofy face?

[babbles] Yeah.

You make Mommy so happy.

I'm so happy. Yeah.

You want to go get something to eat?

Yeah, let's go. Come on.

Applesauce? You want applesauce?

[door opens]

[door closes]

- [sighs] - [Margaret] I know.

Oh, are you sleepy?

You need to take a little nap-nap?

I think it's time to go night night, right?

You gonna take a little nap?

Yeah.

We sing a little lullaby, and we go night night.

Time to go night night.

[melancholy music playing]

[Margaret] Vanessa, look who's here.

Daddy's home.

Hi. What-what are you doing?

I got the job.

[gasps] What?

- Yeah. Yeah. - Congratulations.

[chuckling] They hired me on the spot.

You girls are looking at the newest salesman

of the 12th-largest life insurance company in America.

That is so great, Richard.

Yeah, it's the opportunity of a lifetime.

Aren't you happy?

I'm sorry.

We've done everything we can.

[clock ticking]

[indistinct chatter]

- [Ted] Okay. Roll it. - Everybody ready?

Is that working? Yeah.

- Hey. - [Al stammers]

Stop it, Jimmy.

- Jimmy, do not mess with that. - Oh, three stockings?

We need a fourth for Vanessa. Yeah.

Oh, my God, the middle one was mine.

I love Christmas.

That was the year we got our own tree.

- Wow. - Yeah, it cost me

a damn fortune, and I almost cut my hand off.

- You're so dramatic. - Yeah, that was quite a day.

Yeah, you got a plastic... you got a plastic tree, Ted?

Yeah, plastic.

- Oh, my God! - Oh, there she is.

What did you do to my hair?

- Oh, it was so cute, Elizabeth. - [laughing]

That was me. That was me.

I think it's, like, pom-poms or something.

Look, little Ricky.

- Thinks he's the next Ringo. - [laughter]

Nightmare.

- Let there be drums. - I'm getting flashbacks.

Hey, Rich, you always had an interest in music, didn't you?

Me? No, no. That wasn't me, Ted.

Sure, you did. I-I remember.

You played in the combo.

You were even thinking of applying to a music school.

Music school? No, no, not me.

No, no. It was the art academy.

Richard was gonna apply to the Institute of Arts.

Yeah, well, you know.

We all were sure you were gonna be somebody.

Yeah, it just didn't work out.

[♪ Gene Krupa: "Sing Sing Sing"]

[grunting] All right. That's it, baby.

- Now say, "Money!" - Money!

- Say, "More money!" - More money!

[camera snapping repeatedly]

[sighs]

- Wow. - [song ends]

Now, and have you heard

of this new thing called television?

Is that the radio with pictures?

Yes, and-and we're watching its development very closely.

Well, so to speak. [coughs]

A-And we feel a chair like this might be the perfect complement

to a home television ensemble.

[laughter]

I have to hand it to you, Leo.

This ottoman feature is really special.

Well, I-I'm glad you appreciate it.

I-I've been developing it for quite some time.

- [Stella] Mm-hmm. - A-And you know what else

is pretty special?

- This highball. - [Stella] Oh.

[laughter]

What's your secret, Mrs. Beekman?

Oh, well, goodness. Nothing special.

Just a Seagram's 7 and ginger ale.

- And a little squeeze of lemon. - Oh.

And the ginger ale is Canada Dry.

Oh, yeah, Canada Dry.

- Just the good stuff. - Uh-huh.

- Yeah, well, it's delicious. - Oh.

But I'd like to get to know a little more about you two.

- How did you meet? - How did we meet?

Yeah. How did you meet?

[both laughing]

Do you want to tell it?

He followed me home.

- Followed you home? - Mm-hmm.

I used to see her run by the window where I worked.

- She was always running. - I was always late.

So one day, I followed her and saw where she lived.

And the rest is history.

Inspirational.

I know.

Sometimes our life is just like a fairy tale.

Oh, I'm not talking about your life.

I'm talking about the swivel feature.

- Oh. - [laughter]

Absolutely inspired.

Well, that, too.

[over TV] ...feel so good tonight.

I do. I woke up at 5:00 this morning,

trembling and shaking all over.

I fell asleep with my electric toothbrush in my mouth.

- That's why. - [TV audience laughing]

And another reason I don't feel good...

[Vanessa] Boo!

[yelling, babbling]

[Vanessa laughing]

I see a ghost. I see a ghost.

Is that a ghost? That is a ghost.

I can't believe this house has a... [inhales sharply]

...a gh-gh-gh-ghost!

It's a gh-gh-gh-gh-ghost!

Don't chase me, ghost!

- Help me! - [Vanessa and Margaret laugh]

Help! I'm being followed by a gh-gh-gh-gh-ghost!

Aah! Mommy! Mommy!

- Mama. Ma. Look, Mother. - What?

- This house is haunted, Mama. - Oh, my goodness!

There's a ghost in this house.

Th-There's a ghost.

- Oh, see? Oh. There. - No! No!

- Do you see it? - Oh, no! A ghost!

- I see it. I see the ghost! - No! No! No! No!

Right there! A gh-gh-gh-ghost!

- [Richard yells] - [Vanessa giggling]

[Margaret] Honey, turn.

- Look at that. - [Rose] Honey.

- Spin, spin, spin. - Can you smile, sweetheart?

- Focus, honey. Focus, please. - Yeah, spinning, spinning.

Smile!

Vanessa.

- Smile. - [Al] Vanessa, face

the camera and sit still!

That young lady is spoiled.

Ready? Smile.

[camera snaps]

[♪ The Everly Brothers: "Let It Be Me"]

- ♪ Let it be me... - [door opens]

- [Richard sighs] I'm late. - [door closes]

Is Vanessa in bed already?

Mm, she's out like a light.

Oh, I wanted to see her.

So, how was her first day of school?

She loved it. Loves her teacher, too.

Great.

- Richard? - Yeah?

I think it's time we had our own house.

Oh, here we go again.

No, our own house.

One that we can raise Vanessa in.

Our own home.

Honey, we've been through this a million times.

The mortgage rates are at nine percent.

And Johnson just put through

the biggest tax hike since World War II.

- We can't swing it right now. - [sighs]

We just... we can't.

- Then I'm getting a new sofa. - Why?

Because I can't stand looking at this antique

of your mother's another minute.

- Antique? - And another thing.

You're gonna have to handle it with her

because I don't want to hear about it.

Well, why not just get a new coffee table

while we're at it?

Thank you.

Now, wait right there.

I believe I'm hearing our song.

♪ What would life be? ♪

♪ So never leave me lonely ♪

♪ Tell me you love me only ♪

♪ And that you'll always ♪

♪ Let it be me ♪

[song ends]

Daddy, go faster.

"No matter how far you travel, no matter what we see,

- right here is where we want to be.

[♪ Bobby [Boris] Pickett and The Crypt-Kickers: "Monster Mash"]

And I say to you with very much glee,

if I was you, I'd run and take a great big pee.

- [Vanessa laughing] - But before you can go to bed,

I want to make quite clear, no more drinking beer.

♪ To my surprise, he did the Mash... ♪

"Early to bed, early to rise

makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."

You tell 'em, Jimmy.

It's easy to win a one-man race.

En garde, elder brother.

Engage, young James Young.

"Well done is better than well said."

"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."

"He that falls in love with himself shall have no rivals."

I must say, the ladies in my quilting bee

are beginning to speak highly of your father's ideas.

Oh, Lizzy, that's balderdash.

In a year's time, no one will remember

the great Benjamin Franklin.

"I enjoy the amours with mature women for three reasons:

They do not tell, they do not swell,

and they are grateful as hell."

[laughter]

You win, good sir.

- Way to go, Jimmy! [whooping] - Yeah. Yeah, yeah.

Hear! Hear! Hear!

What fine boots upon thee, my lady.

"These boots were made for walkin', baby."

"And that's just what they'll do."

[gunfire over TV]

Ma, let me help you with that.

Pulling out the trusty table extension, huh?

We expecting a huge crowd tomorrow?

Oh, just the usual family.

But I invited Ted and Virg and the kids.

They're Thanksgiving orphans this year.

The more the merrier, I say, as long as we have enough turkey.

Well, I got an 18-pounder.

- Should be enough. - Hope you got enough wine.

You know how Ted likes to put it away.

[scoffs] You're one to talk.

- Huh? - Nothing.

- What'd you say? - [glass clinking]

I got something to say.

[inhales sharply]

I enlisted yesterday.

You did what?

I signed up for the Navy.

The Navy?

Christ, Jimmy, what about college, your deferment?

I was thinking I'd apply to the fire academy when I get out.

Y-You know, be a firefighter.

Don't you know there's still a war going on?

A ship just went down in the South China Sea.

Yeah, well, somebody in this family has to do their part.

I did my part for all of you.

I don't know what to say.

Well, well, how about "thank you"?

- "Thank you for your service"? - Oh, bullshit.

No one ever thanked me for my service.

Sincerely, I don't know what to say.

Well, then zip it. Huh? [scoffs]

Last thing I need is a lecture from my do-nothing brother.

You're such a jerk, Jimmy.

Christ almighty.

Let's not let this ruin Thanksgiving.

- He'll be fine. - Yeah.

He'll be fine.

- [commentator] Touchdown! - [crowd cheering]

My little brother joins the Navy.

I felt so fortunate to avoid the draft,

and now Jimmy's gonna fight the Communists?

- I weep for America. - [Margaret sighs]

I think it's time.

For bed?

- I'm game. - No.

For us to have a place of our own

where we can have our Thanksgiving in our own home.

Well, we've almost saved up enough.

It won't be long now.

You said that last Thanksgiving, Richard.

Because I am not going to be

strapped with a mortgage I can't afford.

Okay, well, I'm getting a part-time job.

Amy said that there's an opening for a receptionist

at the law firm she works for.

A part-time job makes no sense.

After taxes, what are you gonna have to show for it?

Oh, my God, your obsession with taxes.

- You just don't get it. - We'll have to hire

a babysitter for Vanessa, and that's gonna run

- at least $50 a week. - I need my own space, Richard.

You and me, we need our own space.

So you want us to take on more debt?

We haven't paid off your new furniture yet.

Okay, so what are we gonna do?

We're just gonna live in this commune until we die?

I have an idea.

Why don't you join the Navy?

[Margaret scoffs]

Why don't you have another glass of wine?

Rose, is this leather?

No, it's Naugahyde.

- Naugahyde? - Margaret bought it.

Mm, seems like it wears well.

It's not really my taste.

It's like something you would have in an office.

Virginia, can I get you another drink?

Oh, my, no.

- No, I'm already getting sleepy. - No?

How about you, Ted? You look wide awake.

You're not gonna let this good bourbon go to waste, are you?

Okay, but don't blame me if you have to carry me home.

[laughter]

[Al] Hey, Rose, tell that joke.

- What joke? - "What joke?" Your joke.

You know, the one about the doctor.

- Oh, goodness. No, you tell it. - No, go on.

- You tell it so good. - No, you tell it.

Come on, Rose, tell us the joke.

Okay, fine. So, there's a guy,

and he calls his doctor for some test results,

and the doctor says, "So, Mr. Jones,

I have some good news, and I have some bad news.

The good news is that you have 24 hours to live."

"That's the good news?!" the guy screams.

"What's the bad news?"

"I should've told you yesterday."

[laughter]

- Isn't that great? I didn't-- - [Ted coughing]

- It's so silly. - You tell it so good.

- Doesn't she tell it good? - I don't think so.

- Ted, are you okay? - Oh, my.

- You want some water, Ted? - Hey, Ted.

[coughing continues]

- Teddy. - Ted?

Ted?

[groans]

- Ted! - Oh, my God!

- Christ almighty! - Teddy.

- Rose, do something! - Teddy?

- Wh-What am I supposed to do? - Call 911!

Get-get a glass of water or something.

[stammering] Mouth-to-mouth?

Teddy!

[shuddering breaths]

What?

Ted passed away.

He did?

Wh-When?

Twenty minutes ago.

He never woke up.

Well, at least he died laughing.

Why did I have to tell that stupid joke?

I don't know, Rose.

I don't know.

I guess I'll go be with Virginia.

I'll come with you.

[crying]

[somber music playing]

Why, John?

Why?

Why did you let this happen?

Surprised they're having an open casket.

Why do you say that?

Usually, there's not much left after a plane crash.

He didn't die in a plane crash.

- He didn't? - No.

The influenza killed him.

[♪ Melanie: "Brand New Key"]

♪ I rode my bicycle past your window last night ♪

♪ I roller-skated to your door at daylight ♪

♪ It almost seems ♪

♪ Like you're avoiding me ♪

♪ I'm okay alone, but you got somethin' I need...

[Vanessa, echoing] Hello?

Vanessa got her head stuck in the fireplace?

[Margaret laughing]

And she wants to sue Santa.

For what?

For emotional chimney trauma.

"Chimney trauma." That's genius.

She cracks me up.

[Richard] Keep those eyes closed now.

Keep them closed.

[♪ Perry Como: "There Is No Christmas Like a Home Christmas"]

And three, two, one, open your eyes.

[Vanessa gasps] That's the best one we've ever had!

- [Margaret] Beautiful. - Yeah?

- You think so? - [Margaret] Yeah.

It was the best one on the lot. Look how full it is.

[Richard] Now, I have one more present just for you.

Now, these are rough, but they will give you a good idea.

I thought, if we are going to have our own house...

- [gasps] - ...I should design it.

Oh, my gosh. Richard!

About 2,500 square feet.

With an open kitchen plan.

Breakfast nook.

I know how much you love window seats.

Oh, my God.

Vanessa can have her own bathroom,

and you can have your own walk-in closet

with a shelf just for your shoes.

Richard, I didn't even think you heard me.

- Oh. - Wait, did you end up

getting the raise or a promotion?

No, no, but things are picking up down at the firm.

I-I don't even know what to say.

You don't have to say anything.

Oh, you know, Billy, I was just your age

when I first passed through this tiny hamlet.

It's quite strange to me,

coming back to visit my son after all this time,

- and now with my grandson. - [chuckling]

Grandpa, will you promise not to argue politics with Father?

I promise.

[horse neighing]

Men, I have a dispatch from headquarters,

signed by General Washington himself.

The British have surrendered.

The war is over. We have won.

Now what?

- [thunder rumbling] - [crying] Mommy! Mommy!

[Margaret] What happened, honey?

I lost my ribbon.

Your what?

My blue first place ribbon from school.

You-you lost the what, honey?

- My ribbon! - Oh, the ribbon.

Where's the last place you saw it?

In my book bag.

Okay, well, let's go look.

- Come on. - What's going on?

Oh, we lost the blue school ribbon.

Oh.

I didn't get the raise.

I'm sorry, Richard.

Mm, well, there's a lot of heads on the chopping block.

They're downsizing at headquarters.

- [♪ Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: "Our House"] - ♪ Our house ♪

♪ Is a very, very, very fine house... ♪

Vanessa?

Vanessa!

Vanessa, look what Mommy found!

♪ Now everything is easy 'cause of you... ♪

Thank you, Mommy.

It was in between the sofa cushions.

- What's going on? - Look what Mommy found.

Hey, hey! [laughs]

- Where was it? - In between the sofa.

How did it get there?

- God put it there. - Oh, he did?

- Because I prayed. - Oh.

Well, some people would call that a miracle.

I'm gonna go put it away.

You better put that in a very safe place.

[sighs] A moment we'll always remember.

That is for sure.

[♪ The Runaways: "Cherry Bomb"]

♪ Can't stay at home ♪

- ♪ Can't stay in school... - [phone ringing]

[Margaret] Vanessa, get the phone!

♪ You poor little fool... ♪

Get the phone, Vanessa!

- [doorbell rings] - [vacuum whirring]

[over headphones] ♪ I'm the fox you've been waiting for ♪

- [vacuum stops] - ♪ Hello, Daddy ♪

- [doorbell rings] - ♪ Hello, Mom ♪

♪ I'm your ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch, cherry bomb ♪

[song stops]

- [door opens] - [Rose] Yes, can I help you?

[Earl] Hello. Sorry to disturb you.

We're here from the Archaeological Society.

We were wondering if you had a moment.

[Rose] Yes, certainly.

Please, come in.

- [door closes] - [Earl] Thank you.

[Rose] You must excuse the mess.

I'm afraid I'm in the middle of a deep clean.

- I'm so sorry. - Oh, thank you so much.

I'm Earl Higgins,

and these are my prize students, Todd and Lisa.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

Please, do come in.

Here, sit down.

- Go on. - I'm sorry about the mess.

Can I get you something?

Um, some lemonade, perhaps?

It's homemade-- my grandmother's recipe.

No, we don't... we don't want to take up too much of your time.

Uh, we were just visiting the historic house

- across the street. - Oh, yes.

- Isn't it marvelous? - [Earl chuckles]

Oh, it is one of the reasons I fell in love with this house.

I am a fan of anything colonial.

Right. Well, we're primarily involved with the study of Native American culture.

Uh, this is a rich archaeological area,

and we have reason to believe that your property

may potentially be an important site.

Oh, my.

Well, imagine that.

Will you please try the lemonade?

It is a family tradition.

Yes? Yes.

Three lemonades coming up.

Sweet or unsweetened?

- Sweet. - Sweet, sweet.

Uh, would you mind if I took a look in your backyard?

Well, my husband isn't home right now, but...

yes, I'm sure that's fine.

This way.

[Earl] Wow, your yard is the perfect size,

and there's plenty of access

- from the back alley. - [both chuckling]

Uh, you have a little fuzzy thing on your chin.

The other side. A little lower.

- Oh, yeah, yeah. You got it. - [chuckling softly]

You found my imperfection.

[over TV] Are you ready to do the workout?

- [thunder crashes] - [dance music playing over TV]

[panting]

Hey, Vanessa.

So, what's the story with that mansion across the street?

William Franklin once lived there.

Is he the one that planted the cherry tree or something?

No. Gosh, Bethany, you're such a spaz.

Thomas Jefferson is the one that chopped down the cherry tree.

He didn't plant it.

William Franklin is Benjamin Franklin's illegitimate son.

[chuckles] No shit. How do you know that?

My mother belongs to a historical book club.

Cool. My mother belongs to a book club,

but all they do is get shit-faced.

- [thunder crashes] - [music stops]

Damn.

No more aerobics tonight.

[soft, atmospheric music playing]

[wind howling]

[door opens]

[Margaret] Rose, I'm back!

- [door closes] - Everyone's power's out.

The whole neighborhood.

They were out of batteries, but I got you two candles.

And believe it or not, they had one copy

of your People magazine left.

[sighs, gasps]

Rose!

Oh, my-- Rose!

Richard!

[Al] I keep having this dream.

This... [sniffles] recurring dream.

[voice shaking] I'm standing on a riverbank.

And I see Rose, and she's...

...she's out in the water, and she's-she's drowning.

And I s-- I swim out to her, but I can't...

I-I can't save her.

She keeps going under.

I try to pull her in,

but she keeps going under.

[whimpers]

There's nothing I can do.

I'm not strong enough,

or I have no power, or I'm weak.

God help me. [sniffles, whimpers]

Oh, God.

God help me.

[melancholy music playing]

[bottles clinking]

[♪ The John Philip Sousa Orchestra: "Washington Post"]

[whistling, crackling]

[lively chatter]

What are these?

[Rose] "Sash motatoes."

Mashed potatoes. That's right.

"Mished topatoes."

[chuckles] Very good, Rose.

[Al] I heard that.

Mashed potatoes. Good girl.

How's she doing? She eat anything?

- She did great tonight. - Yeah?

- She ate almost every bite. - Good job.

- Well? - "Well," what?

- Didn't Ricky tell you? - Tell me what?

Well, Mr. Day Late and a Dollar Short.

I can't believe he didn't tell you.

Tell me what, Al? What?

Me and Rose are giving you two the house.

All paid off.

I got a little socked away for a rainy day.

Rose is making progress.

So we decided, come the fall, we're moving to Florida.

- Florida? But-- - And it turns out our condo

is less than two miles from Hampstead Neuro,

which is the best stroke rehab center in the state,

so it's a winner all around.

But wait, how-how can you afford to--

I ran the numbers.

My pension, Social Security, Rose's disability.

We'll be fine.

Besides, we've been living here rent-free for years.

But wait, what-what about Elizabeth and Jimmy?

- It's their house, too. - [sighs]

I never told Ricky, but when my dad died, he left me some money.

I've taken care of Jimmy and Elizabeth.

They're thrilled for you.

Besides, wild horses couldn't drag 'em back here.

I-I don't even know what to say, Al.

Don't say anything.

Except, I don't know, maybe "thank you."

You know what? Come to think of it,

there is absolutely nothing to say.

[Richard] Say about what?

Ah, here he is, Mr. Slower Than Molasses.

I told Margaret we're leaving you two the house.

Al, thank you.

[Al] Yeah, good night.

I don't want this house.

Look, it's not like I haven't been trying.

I keep hoping the economy is gonna turn around.

We need our own house, and I want my own life.

I'll see if I can get more hours at work.

We can make it work.

Oh, how many more hours can they give a receptionist?

Excuse me?

I have been a secretary for 18 months.

Dad gave us a house!

If we sell it, we'll have to pay

- capital gains taxes. - Oh, my God. Oh, my God!

And if we buy a new one, there'll be a mortgage.

Other people buy houses, Richard!

And they make it work.

You have to stop making excuses.

You always find a reason not to do something.

Well, I will not

- live here forever! - And I will not gamble...

[Leo] ♪ We're in the money ♪

♪ Come on, my honey ♪

♪ Let's lend it, spend it ♪

- ♪ Send it rolling around ♪ - [Stella whooping]

♪ We hit the jackpot, we hit the jackpot ♪

Say bon voyage to our illustrious son

who hopefully will start a great big family.

A toast to the most brilliant

inventor and his newest creation,

- the Relax-Z-Boy recline-- - Ah. La-Z-Boy.

They're gonna call it the La-Z-Boy.

Oh, honey, I'm not sure I like that.

Who cares, honey? Who cares?

They can call it anything they want.

- California, here we come. - [dog barking]

♪ Happy birthday, dear Justin ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

- [whooping] - Yay! All right.

Go ahead, make a wish, baby.

[insects trilling]

[somber music playing]

[speaking indigenous language]

[continues in indigenous language]

[rattling]

[gasps]

Yeah.

We found it not far from our first site.

Wasn't buried very deep-- only a few feet.

Wow.

Oh, we have to show Rose.

Sure.

Rose, look what they found.

They found this here, right here in the backyard.

- Necklace. - Yeah.

Oh, please don't touch it.

It's quite sacred.

[Rose gasps]

Beautiful.

Yeah.

[♪ Lipps, Inc.: "Funkytown"]

[Al] Okay, everybody, squeeze in.

Family, family, watch the birdie. Squeeze in.

Okay, Vanessa, you're gonna have to--

Vanessa. Vanessa.

Vanessa. Vanessa, sweetie.

Vanessa, can you be part of the family, please?

[Al] Okay, everybody, stay still.

- [camera whirring] - Talking to you, Rich.

And say, "Cheese."

[group] Cheese.

- [Margaret] Bye. - [Jimmy] Love you.

- [Elizabeth] Bye. - [Margaret] Bye.

Take good care of Rosie, Al.

[Richard] Hey, keep Mom out of the sun.

- [Jimmy] We love you. - [Elizabeth] Be good.

[Vanessa] Bye, Grandma! Bye, Grandpa!

- I love you! I love you! - [Jimmy] Bye!

[♪ "Theme from CHiPs"]

Oh, I forgot to tell you the plumber's coming at 10:00.

- Oh, for the-- - Tomorrow. Yeah.

For the bathroom or for the backyard?

[Vanessa] I'm going to Bethany's.

You're not going out dressed like that.

[groans] I'm not going out. I'm going to Bethany's.

Right, remember curfew-- home by 10:30.

Christ almighty, I'm almost 16.

- Ten-thirty. - [door opens]

[door closes]

Turn that off.

- You hear that? - What?

Listen.

Silence.

We're alone.

[Richard] Hey, honey.

What if I were to open a bottle of wine?

[mouthing]

[♪ Elvin Bishop: "Fooled Around and Fell in Love"]

- ♪ I fooled around ♪ - [belt unbuckling]

- ♪ And fell in love ♪ - [pants unzipping]

[pants drop to floor]

♪ I fooled around and fell in love ♪

- [belt buckle clinking] - ♪ Since I met you, baby ♪

♪ I fooled around and fell...

[Richard] Eight of you in one bathroom, for Pete's sake?

Where do you keep all the stuff?

Ah. And how do you like sleeping on the top bunk?

[chuckles]

I wouldn't know anything about that.

No, you're the first one in the family to go to college.

Haven't I told you that only about a million times?

Well, when do you need it?

How much is it?

- All right, well, I'll, uh... - [door opens]

- I'll send you a check. - [door closes]

No, w-wait, wait, wait, wait. Your mom just got home.

She wants to say hello.

Hi, sweetheart.

I-I sent you a new blanket and some warm socks.

Oh, you do? Okay.

Well, we can talk later. Yeah.

Okay, bye-bye. Bye.

Our daughter is in college.

Time sure flies, doesn't it?

Sure does.

[melancholy music playing]

Oh, you're thinking about Vanessa, aren't you?

I can tell.

It just seems like a moment ago she left for college,

and now law school?

Our little girl is gonna be a lawyer.

- [chuckles softly] - She's amazing.

Time sure does fly, doesn't it?

Law school.

We're gonna have to take out a loan, aren't we,

for her tuition?

We have to mortgage the house.

It's the only way we can swing it.

Whatever happened to those plans you drew of that house?

I put 'em somewhere. I don't know.

The attic.

That would've been a beautiful house.

[hopeful music playing]

[glass clinking]

[Al] Excuse me.

I want to make the toast this year.

[crying] This is the first Thanksgiving without my Rose.

Sorry. Sorry.

Now...

Rose, she-she loved having you all around her.

She loved this day. She loved...

She loved cooking for you.

She lived for you.

And for you, Dad.

Yeah, and for me.

- I love you, Dad. - We all love you, Al.

We sure do.

- To my Rose. - To Rose.

To Rose.

So, the first thing you'll say to him is,

"Officer, my insurance and registration

are in my glove compartment."

Then you're gonna leave one hand visible on the dashboard,

and with the other hand, you will slowly reach around

to your back pocket,

take out your wallet and give him your driver's license.

Next, you're gonna tell him,

"Officer, I am now going to open my glove box

and take out my registration papers."

And making sure he can see both your hands at all times,

you will slowly take your registration

out of the glove box and hand it over.

After you hand him the papers,

you're gonna sit as chilly as a snowman,

and when he's done, you will sign the ticket,

and you will say, "Thank you, Officer."

Then you'll put your turn signal on

and very slowly and carefully merge into traffic.

And you will thank God that that police officer that stopped you

had his morning coffee and was thinking clearly.

Then you'll get on with your life.

[door closes]

[Margaret] Richard, why are the lights out?

- [group] Surprise! - [gasps] Oh, my--

[laughing] I got it, I got it, I got it!

- Oh, we got you. - [shouts of "Happy birthday!"]

We got you.

Hey. Hi.

- ♪ Happy birthday to you ♪ - Oh, my-- [laughs]

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday, dear Margaret ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

Make a wish.

You know, Richard said the other day how time flies,

but Richard always says things like that

- that are kind of obvious. - [laughter]

- Um... [laughs] - I do. I do. Yeah.

And, you know, but it made me think when I was 30,

if I thought about 50, I thought,

"That is an awful long way away,

and I don't really need to think about it," and...

and then I blinked and I'm 50.

- That's crazy. - [laughter]

Time flies.

Um, I wish I could say

that I've done more with my 50 years.

Um, my amazing daughter, though, she just made senior partner--

apparently the youngest to ever do so--

and she is one tough, brilliant attorney, isn't she?

- She is that. Yes. - [murmurs of agreement]

Yeah.

Um, but I never made it to law school.

Um...

[crying] And I-I never got to see Paris in the spring,

and I never got to stay over in Yellowstone

because it was too crowded or--

Sw-Sweetheart, your candles.

Well, no, it's just that I put things off,

and I kept putting them off.

And I would say, "Oh, we'll do it next year."

And then that next year would come, and I'd say,

"Oh, next year, next year."

And... [breath trembling]

I don't want to do that anymore.

- Margaret, it's okay. - [sobbing]

- Yeah, it's okay. - Blow out your candles.

[sniffles] Yeah.

So, around the time of the American Revolution,

marriage was something equal to a dictatorship.

But nowadays, thank goodness, it resembles something closer to,

shall we say, a democracy.

Although not yet "a more perfect union."

[chuckles] You see, most couples like to think of marriage

as being together in the same boat,

doing everything together in the same boat.

Fight and make love,

and stop making love and fighting some more,

and then coming together and doing it all over again.

Mostly fighting for their individual space,

fighting to be heard, fighting for their identity.

I like to call it fighting over the rudder,

all while their boat is floating down the river of life.

Possibly headed for the falls, but most couples find solace

in this idea of being in the same boat,

because if the boat sinks, they go down together.

Margaret, I can't believe

you brought your shrink into our home.

Oh, I'm not a psychiatrist.

Well, what are you?

I'm a life coach.

Even better.

A fully accredited holistic health practitioner.

Margaret, I can't believe that you brought

this quack life coach into our home.

It was my suggestion,

considering your reluctance to do the work.

[stammers] My reluctance to--

What is your name again?

Gilbert Moore, CHHP.

You can call me Gil.

Well, Gilbert Moore, CHHP, get to the point.

I think you two belong in separate boats.

Get the fuck out of my house!

[humming a tune]

[Spanish-language program playing in background]

[sniffs]

[sniffs]

[sniffs deeply]

[sniffs]

[gasps]

I cannot smell anything.

Look, my father fell and broke his hip

down in Florida, and the doctors say there were

complications in the surgery, with an infection,

so he's gonna be laid up for quite a while.

He'll have trouble walking and, you know, getting around,

getting up and down stairs, so...

Well, we have to bring him back here.

He'll camp out in our living room.

We have the sofa bed.

[groans] No.

No, Mar-Margaret is not happy with it, no.

Yeah.

She's got a lot of stuff that's going on and...

Look, it's complicated, and I think that, uh...

I think...

I think she's going to leave me.

[friend on phone] God, I'm sorry, Rich.

You think she's seeing someone else?

No, no, it's nothing like that.

It's just been brewing for an awfully long time.

[door opens]

- Look, but, um... - [door closes]

we'll talk about this tomorrow.

- [Margaret] The strangest thing just happened. - Yeah.

I had to pull the car over on the side of the road

because I forgot where I lived.

Literally just stopped the car and had to think about it.

Isn't that odd, not knowing where you are?

Well, you have a lot on your mind.

I'm glad you remembered.

Anyway, I'm here.

I'm glad you're here.

[Richard] Your new prescriptions are here on the table.

[groans] Huh? What did you say?

Your new prescriptions are there on the end table.

Huh?

Your new prescriptions are there on the end table!

You know, you're gonna get old one day.

- Sorry. - Huh?

I said I'm sorry!

I heard you the first time. I was pulling your leg.

- What do you want to watch? - Jeopardy!

- What? - [yells] Jeopardy! Ugh.

[Devon] So, is that everything?

[real estate agent] It's everything I've got.

- [Devon] All right. - [chuckles]

[real estate agent] It is a pleasure doing business with you.

Very excited that you found your next house so quickly.

[Devon] Yeah, it wasn't easy, but we got there.

[real estate agent] Yeah.

[Devon] So,

what you think this is really gonna go for?

[real estate agent] Oh, it's so hard to say,

but it's starting to feel like the market is really taking off.

I expect every offer to come in

at least ten percent above asking.

- Oh. - Maybe 20.

[Devon chuckles] From your lips to God's ears.

[real estate agent chuckles] Well, in this market,

I may just have a direct line with God.

[Devon] I really hope so.

[real estate agent] I'll be sure to post

all the pictures first thing in the morning.

[Devon] And email me if you need anything else.

[real estate agent] I will. Thank you.

- [Devon] Thank you. Good night. - Okay, have a great evening.

[Devon] You, too.

[door closes]

Hey.

Hey, what's going on? Why you crying?

[sobbing]

Hey. What--

[crying] Raquel died like 20 minutes ago.

Oh, God, I'm so sorry.

[grunting]

[panting]

Are you sure this thing's gonna fit in the new dining room?

[Helen] We had 'em all measured, honey.

It seems pretty damn big.

Made you a sandwich.

[grunts]

Thank God.

I'm starving.

I can't take care of him, Richard.

I just started to feel like my own person.

With him being here,

I feel like I could scream, I'm so trapped.

And I know that sounds shitty.

He wanted to come back to us.

He wanted to come home.

He wanted to be here, where--

Here!

To die.

- Hey, Dad. What's the score? - Huh?

The game-- who's winning?

[Al] Uh...

[announcer over TV] At the crossroads of the world,

Times Square in New York City...

[guests chattering]

[clinking]

[guest] Hey, come on. It's almost time.

[announcer over TV] In 15 seconds...

- You look so silly. - [laughs]

It's that time of year.

[guests] Ten, nine, eight,

seven, six,

- five, four... - To better times.

- ...three, two, one. - Better times.

- Happy New Year! - [applause]

[noisemaker blaring]

Happy New Year, Richard.

Happy New Year, Margaret.

[♪ U.S. Marine Band: "Auld Lang Syne"]

[guests continue chattering]

[over TV] ...forensic scientific standpoint,

you cannot definitively prove that.

- [TV continues indistinctly] - [door opens and closes]

Well, my meeting was canceled, so I figured,

how about our favorite breakfast?

Oh, thank you.

Dad make it to therapy okay?

Uh, picked up right on time.

He has a new caregiver. Her name is Carol.

Carol.

Vanessa left a message for me down at the office.

Did you talk to her?

I did.

Uh, what'd she have to say?

Well, funnily enough, we talked about you.

Me?

We talked about what a great artist you are

and how you always wanted to be a graphic artist

back when we met.

And she wanted to know why you quit painting.

You know why.

I don't, actually.

I had to make a living.

I had to make money.

I took an apartment on High Street.

I can walk to work.

So you're leaving me?

[melancholy music playing]

I am.

♪

[Al] Do you think you can save it?

Save what?

- Your marriage. - [grumbles softly]

I have no idea.

Your mom and I, we never had problems like that.

[laughing] Yes, you did.

People just didn't talk about them.

That's all. It was a different time.

Oh, she... she left me once.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

You know, you were all little.

She left for four days, went to New York,

saw some plays, went up the Empire State Building.

But she came back, Ricky.

She came back, and she never left again.

Yeah, well, it was a different time, like I said.

She left her heavy coat.

Who did?

Margaret-- she left her heavy coat.

When you leave something like that,

it means you want to come back.

Margaret's leaving all kinds of stuff.

It doesn't mean anything.

She's been forgetting a lot of things lately.

Maybe it's time, Ricky.

For what?

Maybe you should sell the house.

Sell the house?

After all this time, you've said sell... [stammers]

I will tell you what I am going to do.

I am going to paint.

Good.

Come along, darling.

It's time to go.

Mother, I'm going to miss being here.

Really?

I won't.

[kids chanting outside] Its name was Enza.

Come along, darling.

[kids] I opened the window.

In flew Enza.

I had a little bird.

- Its name was Enza. - [door closes]

I opened the window.

In flew Enza.

I had a little bird.

[fading] Its name was Enza.

What did I come in here for?

Why am I here?

Rose.

I'm coming, Rose.

[breathlessly] I'm coming.

Rose?

[straining]

Don't worry.

I'm coming, Rose.

Just wait. I'm coming.

I'm coming. I'm coming.

[panting]

Wallet, watch, keys.

♪

♪

[Richard] I wanted to thank you for being there today.

It-it meant a lot.

[Margaret over phone] It was a lovely service.

I'm sorry I couldn't stay for the lunch, Richard.

[Richard] Oh, no, that's all right.

That's all right. Just-- But thank you.

So, are you all right?

H-How are you doing?

I'm okay.

I'm sad, but I'm okay.

Well, it is sad. Very sad.

Yeah, and as we've discussed many times,

that's an important feeling.

Mm-hmm. It certainly is.

It was good that Dad and I had...

so much time, you know, since he came back to live here, and...

we talked, we-we-we...

we sorted through a lot of stuff.

I'm glad.

Glad you two were able to do that.

And, Margaret, I need to...

Margaret, I have to apologize to you.

- Richard, you don't have to-- - Yeah. Yeah. Yes.

Margaret, I have to tell you how sorry I am.

All I did was worry about every damn thing.

In some insane way, I must have believed

that worrying would keep painful things from happening.

Isn't it ridiculous?

I'm sorry, Margaret.

I'm sorry I wasn't able to be what you needed me to be.

Richard, it's okay.

But thank you.

[voice shaking] Thank you for...

for saying that.

We both... [sniffles]

We did the best we could.

Yeah.

Yeah.

[insects trilling]

[birds chirping]

[melancholy music continues]

[chanting] Ring around the rosie,

a pocket full of posies.

Ashes, ashes, we all fall down.

♪

[playful chatter]

[Margaret over phone] We were walking along the Seine,

and the sky opened up, and it just started to pour.

So we ducked into this tiny café

and ended up having the best baguette of our life.

Oh, and I must be starting to look French, by the way,

because an American tourist

stopped me and asked me if I spoke English,

and I said,"Oui."

- [Margaret laughs] - [Richard] Aw. [mutters]

You got to see Paris.

[Margaret] I got to see Paris, Richard.

[Richard] How great Vanessa was able to rendezvous with you.

[Margaret] Oh, it was wonderful.

And Vanessa and I decided we're coming back every year.

- Just us. No David. - [Richard] Oh.

[Margaret] Just a mother-and-daughter trip.

[Richard] Oh, why not? Yeah.

[Margaret] And you know what else? I'm gonna

save my pennies to visit a new country every year.

[Richard] That sounds like a perfect plan.

[Margaret] Oh, speaking of plans,

are Vanessa and David joining you for Thanksgiving this year?

They're going to David's folks'.

Vanessa told me that David's mother

is hell-bent on having Thanksgiving this year

and there's nothing we can do about it.

Well, Margaret, the family is spread all over the globe.

No. No. No plans.

No, n-no... no plans.

So I think I'm just gonna skip it.

You?

Would you really want to?

I'd love that.

Well, then you got it. [chuckles]

Thanksgiving dinner, 4:00 p.m., right here.

[fire crackling]

[knocking at door]

It's open!

[door opens]

[door closes]

- Hey. - Hi.

[chuckles] Oh, you look great.

- [chuckles] Aw. - You do.

You sure this is what you wanted?

Oh, what could be better for Thanksgiving dinner

than cold egg rolls?

Wow, Richard, you've really been painting.

Oh, I've been busy, yeah.

They're great.

Well, thank you.

Beautiful.

What's this?

That is you.

[laughing] I don't look like that.

Yes, you do.

Oh, my goodness.

You could actually sell these.

- Yeah? - Not that one, though.

I painted this one just for you.

Our Vanessa.

- So beautiful. - Our masterpiece.

Oh, that's for sure.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

Here's a place of honor for you.

How nice of you to pull out the folding table.

[chuckles] It's a family tradition.

I thought, why not?

You know, the damnedest thing happened

when I was waiting in line at the Chinese restaurant.

For a second, I forgot why I was there.

- It scared me. - Hmm.

Well, the holidays can be confusing for a lot of people.

Yeah.

- It's good to see you. - It's good to see you.

Well, I'll give the blessing.

Thank you for the sound

of all the voices that have been here

and for bringing us together today.

- Amen. - Amen.

Now, I thought, let's begin a brand-new tradition.

Let's start the meal with fortune cookies.

[laughing] Okay.

- You go first. - Oh.

"Help! I'm being held prisoner in a fortune cookie factory."

A joke my dad would've said.

"You will have an adventure."

And what an adventure it has been.

What does yours say?

"An old love will come back to you."

Mm. That's a good one.

Is this my good fortune?

No.

[wistful music playing]

I've been thinking.

I'm gonna sell the house.

Good.

♪

♪

♪

- [door opens] - [Richard] Careful, now.

- I got you. - [Margaret] Ten?

[Richard] Ten, yeah. Ten years.

Can you believe it? Time flies.

- Careful. You all right? - [door closes]

Here, I got you. I got you.

[sighs] This was our home.

We lived here.

You lived here.

- We lived here? - Yes. Yeah.

Here, sit. Sit down.

I have these chairs.

Uh, the first time you came into this house,

[chuckles] oh, you looked so beautiful.

Couldn't take my eyes off you.

You came to meet my mom and my dad.

Now, do you remember my mom and my dad?

Rose and Al.

No.

Well, we all lived here together.

Many, many happy memories.

I will never forget, this one night,

you and I made love on my mother's sofa right here.

- No. - Yes, we did.

They were all asleep upstairs, and we were going at it

- pretty hot and heavy. - [chuckling] Oh! No. Oh.

Many happy memories here.

Thanksgiving and Christmas.

We-we got married right in front of the fireplace there.

Oh, my God, you gave birth

to our daughter, Vanessa, right here.

Do you remember our daughter, Vanessa?

- [sighs] Eh... - Hmm?

We raised her in this house.

We did our best to be good parents.

You were a wonderful mother,

and I-I tried to be a good father and...

and a good husband.

I have no regrets.

Vanessa?

Yes, our daughter, Vanessa.

She was and is a firecracker.

There was this one time she...

she had won an award at school-- a ribbon--

and she lost it, and she was so upset

she cried for two days straight about that lost ribbon.

- The blue ribbon. - Yes, it was a blue ribbon.

I-I remember.

I found it in the... in the sofa.

The brown sofa. I remember.

[crying] I remember finding it.

She was so happy.

And you-you came in the door,

and you were so happy.

Oh, I remember all that.

That was right here.

I remember being here.

I love it here.

I love it here.

[sentimental music playing]

[birds chirping]

[music swells dramatically]

♪

♪

[wistful music playing]

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

[music fades]