Original subtitles

[theme music]

[soft music]

[brief brass brand interludes]

[brass band playing]

Well, what did you think of my kid?

He's a heck of a prospect, I'll tell you that.

You're darn right he is.

You know, that's his fourth no hitter this season.

Still a little rough around the edges, but we're working on it.

I mean, he's only 17.

He's still got another year of high school.

And he's broken every record they have.

Oh, there he is.

Hey, Deke.

Come here.

Take it easy.

Hey, Dad.

We really stomped them this time, didn't we?

Oh, you did OK, but you got a little squirrelly

with a curveball in the ninth.

Hey, he swung on it, didn't he?

Yeah, but you can't always count

on having a stupid batter.

That's OK.

We'll work it out.

Son, I want you to meet Mr. Martinez.

How are you doing?

Hi.

He's a scout up from LA.

I told you the majors would have their eye on you.

I've been telling him that ever since he was 10 years old.

And that's what I tell his little brother now.

I do like to talk to you, know a little bit about your plans.

Oh, well, I kind of got a date.

I didn't know know you want to talk right now.

Oh, that's OK, son.

It's all right.

You go on your date and I'll have a chat with Mr. Martinez.

You know, we thought a lot about Deke Jr.'s future.

Yep, we got it all mapped out.

Well, OK.

I guess I'll, uh, I guess I'll take off.

So I'll see you later.

DEKE SR.: OK.

Nice meeting you, Mr. Martinez.

MARTINEZ: Bye. - OK.

See you at home, son.

And walk like a champion.

DEKE JR.: You got it.

[motorbike engine droning]

[car horn honking]

LINDA: Stop acting crazy.

I can't help it.

I am crazy.

[laughing]

Hey, hey.

Hand me one of those pom-poms.

Right.

[whooping]

All right!

[tense music]

[brakes screeching]

I swear, I don't know how you two managed

to get Niedermeyer to spring the money for two

more physical therapy aids.

All he ever talks about is how tight the budget is.

We made him an offer he couldn't refuse.

[laughing]

Boy, what did you do?

Threaten to slay his first born?

No, my friend here just has a way with people.

Hmm, he must have if he could deal with Niedermeyer.

Anyway, that's what you need in this job, a way with people.

You've got a patient here, a Deke Larson?

You know him?

No, but a friend of mine was asking about him.

Oh, that's a tough one.

We haven't had too much luck with him, though.

Star athlete, both legs lost below the knees.

Aw.

How's his family doing?

His mother comes every day.

She's tried to get him to start therapy, but it'll take time.

And what about his father?

Oh, he rarely comes, and when he does, he stays five minutes.

He hasn't been around here in weeks now.

Well, that's the end of the grand tour.

I've got rounds to make.

Tomorrow's your first day.

Good luck.

JONATHAN: Thank you.

The boy Deke, he's the one?

Yeah, he's the one.

You know, it might be a good idea

if you went over and talked to his parents,

see what you can find out.

I'll get their address from the nurse's station.

11236 Southman Drive.

Thanks.

You're welcome.

I'll see you later.

Well, everybody says to say hello.

They did, huh?

Oh, yeah.

Everybody.

Everybody?

Every able body?

I, I bet that's all they do is just

sit around thinking about me.

Everybody asks about you, Deke.

Is that all you do, just sit around thinking about me?

I think about you a lot.

But, Linda, is that all you do?

You just sit around thinking about me?

On Friday night, you're going to sit around thinking about me?

Huh?

Answer me.

Are you just going to sit around thinking about me?

I don't just sit around.

That's all I do.

Just sit around.

You know, this Friday night's the spring dance.

Are you going to sit around thinking about me, or maybe

you want to come down here to the hospital and hold my hand?

Yeah, I guess you got plans Friday night, right?

I come to see you as often as I can, Deke.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, I know how busy you are too, head cheerleader and all.

You're all out there shaking your tail

for the boys in the band.

Deke, why are you being so mean?

Mean?

Was I being mean?

I'm sorry I was being mean.

I guess I get a little mean when people talk about dancing.

I mean, I'm nothing if I'm not footloose, right?

I got the loosest feet in town, Linda.

You want to see?

I think I'd better go.

Yeah, I think you'd better go too.

But don't bother coming back, all right?

[emotional music]

How are you doing?

You're late, you know.

I was only supposed to be out here an hour,

and I've been out here for an hour and 45 minutes.

I don't know what you're talking about, son.

Oh, I thought you were the orderly.

No, I'm the physical therapist.

I start working here tomorrow.

You're not about to do anything until you're

on the payroll, right?

No, I'll take you back to your room if that's what you want.

Don't do me any favors.

I'll wait for the orderly.

Ah, he might have gotten busy and forgotten about you.

They do that sometimes.

Hey, I said I don't need any favors, all right?

Hey, it's not a favor.

I've got to find out where your room is anyway.

Like I said, I'm the one who'll be taking

you down to physical therapy.

Well, you can push the chair there,

but I'm not going to do anything.

It's just like pushing me out here.

They stick you out here to get some sun

like you're some kind of plant.

That's your game, man, not mine.

You didn't like it out here, why didn't you

just go back to your room?

I'm a cripple, or didn't you notice?

Aw, come on.

The wheels aren't bolted to the ground.

You don't like it out here, you just push off.

Like I said, man, that's your game, not mine.

You guys want me out in the sun, you push me there.

You want me back in my room, you can push me there too.

HOSPITAL INTERCOM: Housekeeping to Four West.

Do you want to get that junk off my bed?

I want to lie down.

It looks like somebody's been bringing your homework, huh?

Some goofy broad.

She came by here once and I told her to buzz off.

She took off like a scared rabbit.

I don't know why she keeps coming back.

Well, maybe she wants to help you.

That's bull.

Let me set you straight on something.

People don't come here because they want to help me.

They come here because they feel guilty.

Come on, do you really believe that?

Believe it?

Man, I know it.

She comes here because she can tell

people she's helping a cripple.

I'm her class project.

You think I don't know?

Here, take a look at this.

You know what this is?

That's a letter from the turkey who hit me,

the guy who crippled me.

His name is Richard Halberstrom.

Man, you ought to read that crap,

telling me how sorry he is.

Oh, poor little Richard Halberstrom.

He's so guilty because he was the one driving the truck.

Well, I'm not his priest, see?

I'm not any one of their priests.

People don't come here to help me.

They want me to help them.

Then why don't you help them?

Because I'm the one who has to spend the rest of my life

like this.

I'm the one who needs the help.

All you have to do is ask for it.

I want my legs back.

Can you help me with that?

No, I can't.

Then just get out of here.

Get the hell out of here!

Miss Larson?

Yes?

My name is Mark Gordon.

I'm going to be working in physical therapy

at the hospital with your son.

Can I talk to you for a second?

Sure, come on in.

I have some coffee on. Would you like a cup?

Yes, that would be great. Thank you very much.

Black.

Please, make yourself at home.

Thank you

Impressive, aren't they?

Oh, thank you.

He won his share of awards, didn't he?

Those are my husband's.

Oh, but it said Deke Larson on them.

I thought that--

Deke Sr. Deke Jr.'s are on that wall.

You can feel the competition, can't you?

Even when there's no one in the room.

How do you mean?

Look, Mr. Gordon--

Mark.

Mark.

You're not going to have any luck with Deke Jr.,

getting him into physical therapy.

I wish that I knew what to do, but I don't.

I think this room just about says it all.

I'm not sure I follow.

My husband wanted to be a ball player.

Major League.

He was good too.

He was the best in his school.

Just not quite good enough.

He had a couple of years in the minor leagues.

He had some tough breaks.

But he never made it into the majors.

Do you understand?

Mrs. Larson, I thought we were talking about your son, not

your husband.

When Deke Jr. Was born, Deke bought

him a ball, a bat, and a glove.

He had him shagging flies when he was two years old.

I used to get upset until I saw that's what

Deke Jr. wanted too.

Oh, he wanted it for his dad, but he wanted

it just as much for himself.

The only thing he's ever wanted in his entire life

is grow up and be a Major League ballplayer.

The accident ended all of that.

He had one set of dreams.

There's still things you can do.

Try to tell him that.

He won't listen to me.

He barely talks to me when I go over there.

What about your husband?

Couldn't he--

You'll have to talk to him.

I'll give you his phone number and address.

We separated last week.

Deke Jr. doesn't know.

I'm sorry to hear that.

You see, when the truck hit Deke,

it killed two sets of dreams.

Hey, friend.

Yeah?

You, uh, you parked in the handicapped zone.

So what?

So it's there for a reason.

Look, Mister, it really isn't any of your business

where I park.

Yeah, well, I think it is my business

if you're breaking the law.

Well, maybe you want to make me move my car.

Well, come on, dude.

No.

Yeah, I didn't think so.

From now on, keep your mouth shut if you can't back it up.

It isn't easy sometimes.

[muffled laughter]

Here we go.

I'll take this.

$12.95 plus tax.

Anybody in here on that blue Chevrolet parked out front?

Yeah, I do.

Why?

You better see for yourself, pal.

What's going on?

POLICEMAN: Just see.

There you go.

And your change, sir.

Thanks very much.

Thank you.

POLICE DISPATCHER (ON RADIO): [inaudible]

141 you cut out on the first and middle [inaudible]..

What's going on?

I just parked it.

It was fine.

You parked in the handicapped zone?

Yeah, two minutes ago.

Then I'm going to have to write you up.

Aw, come on.

No, you come on.

What do you think those signs are there for?

Great.

That's, that's just great.

You know, instead of writing me a ticket,

you ought to find out who did this.

I mean, how could it get upside down?

God knows.

Um, excuse me, please.

Could you just give these to Deke Larson, please?

It's his homework.

Are you the mysterious lady that

brings his books every day?

Yeah, I guess so.

Yeah, well, I can bring him the books,

but I couldn't answer any questions he might have.

Why don't you give them to him?

Oh, he doesn't want to see me.

I tried once, but he just got so mad, so--

Well, why do you keep coming back?

I mean, somebody else could bring it.

Look, I got to go, so if you could just give him these.

All right, I'll make sure he gets it.

Thanks.

What are you doing here?

I work here, remember?

Work someplace else.

I'm not interested.

The girl brought your schoolbooks.

I'm not interested in that either.

Yeah, well, I got something you might be interested in.

I brought you a book too.

I don't want to read a book.

I thought you might like this one.

It's about a guy like you.

Handicapped.

Oh, yeah?

Was he big league ball player?

Oh, nothing important like that.

He was just the president of the United States.

I'll leave it just in case you might like it.

By the way, remember, we've got a date tomorrow.

Physical therapy, 10 o'clock in the morning.

Be there.

So then I drove by his motel, and the gal behind the desk

said he's out of town till tomorrow.

I'll drive over after work.

Mm, that's good.

Hey, what's that get up?

I'm going to the gym.

Don't tell me angels have to work out.

Well, you know what they say.

Strong mind, strong body.

You could use a little exercise yourself.

Hey, what are you talking about?

I want you to know something. these are the same pants

I wore 10 years ago.

Really?

I didn't know you've been overweight that long.

You can stop holding it in.

You're not impressing.

Thanks, I was starting to pass out.

What do you say?

Want to come along?

Well, I would, you know, but I got no workout stuff.

Oh.

How's that?

It's your size.

Cute, Jonathan.

Cute.

[grunting]

Can't believe these guys.

They all look like Conan.

I know what you mean.

There are some big guys in here.

Big?

Look at that guy.

That guy won't even fit through the pearly gates.

Come on, let's go work over here.

I don't want anybody to see me.

Anything you say.

[grunting]

Oh, hey.

Now, this is for me.

Chin-ups. Used to do these every day at the police academy.

Here, watch this.

[groaning]

[panting]

Hey, Jonathan.

You know, this is real good for you

after you done a lot of chin-ups,

you know, just to hang.

It stretches the muscles out.

It's good for you.

Did you see that girl?

Yeah.

You really impressed her.

I'm going to go take a steam. You want to come?

No thanks.

Don't like it when it's hot, huh?

Very funny. Why don't you go ahead?

I've got somebody I want to talk to.

Hey, excuse me.

Yeah?

You're Robert Halberstrom, aren't you?

Yeah.

Do I know you?

No, no.

I saw you with your son up at state game.

Oh.

I thought he should have won the all-around.

Well, so did I.

Well, he'll probably win it this year, huh?

Yeah.

Maybe.

Robert, I work with Deke Larson at the hospital.

How's he doing?

Like anything else, it'll take time.

Yeah.

Yeah, I know what you mean.

Your son's taking it pretty hard, isn't he?

He sure is.

What's your name?

Jonathan.

Yeah.

Well, Jonathan, you were talking earlier about the state

meet this year.

Richard's not even going to compete.

The accident took everything out of him.

Well, it wasn't his fault. He must know that.

That doesn't matter.

It happened.

There isn't a night goes by he doesn't dream about it.

He keeps seeing it over and over again.

He tried to reach the boy, called him by phone.

He sent him a letter.

Larson boy just keeps blaming my son, so my son blames himself.

It wasn't his fault, but he blames himself.

I keep praying Larson will call up my son

and say, hey, Richard, it was me.

I did it.

Not you.

Not you.

Maybe he will someday.

Now, let me ask you a question.

If, if your boy could help Deke, I mean really help him,

would it make a difference?

Are you kidding?

It would make all the difference in the world.

He'd do anything.

OK.

Tell you son I'll be in touch with in a few days.

OK.

I still think he's going to win the all-around.

How are you doing?

Oh, hi.

What brings you here so early?

I forgot to leave his worksheet yesterday.

I was sure I gave it to you, but I found it in my book

when I got home.

Could you give it to him?

No.

Why don't you give it to him?

I told you, he doesn't like me.

Why?

Are you a bad person?

No.

Did you do something to hurt him?

Of course not.

Well, then maybe he's not angry at you.

Maybe he's just plain angry.

You like him, don't you?

Don't you?

Yes.

If you like him enough, maybe you

can handle some of his anger.

God knows he's got a right to have some.

What do you say?

I'll give it to him.

Good.

[soft piano music]

Hi, I just brought some of your homework.

Look, I thought I told you to stay away from here.

I'm not interested in doing any homework.

So just buzz off.

No, I'm not going to buzz off.

I'm not going to buzz anywhere!

You might be the best looking boy in school and all that,

but I'm a nice person.

I'm a good person.

And you have no right to be rude to me.

Well, why do you keep coming around here anyway?

I mean, are you doing a report on cripples or something

like that?

I just want to be your friend.

I-I'm very smart and I can help you with your schoolwork,

or we could just talk.

Whatever.

My phone number's on your assignment sheet.

If you want me to come over, just call and I'll be here.

You will, huh?

Yeah.

OK, how about Friday night at 8 o'clock?

What's the matter?

You can't make it?

That's right, Friday's the spring dance, huh?

Oh, well, I guess we'll just forget it then.

You mean it?

Mean, what?

I can come over Friday.

Well, what about the dance?

I don't care about the dance.

Friday at 8:00 would be fine.

We can study whatever you like.

I mean, I'm pretty solid in the sciences or humanities or--

well, we don't have to study.

We could just play it by ear.

Yeah, well, I'll think about it.

OK.

Hey, what's your name anyway?

I don't even know your name.

Eleanor.

[laughing]

That figures.

What figures?

Nothing.

You wouldn't understand.

Well, I'll see you Friday then.

Hey, I said I'd think about it.

Hey!

How's the book?

OK, I guess, for a book.

Well, you're going to have to finish it later.

Hey, what do you think you're doing?

Hey, we got a date to work out, remember?

Hey, look, I really don't feel like it, you know?

Oh, come on, now.

No pain, no gain.

You're going to love it.

They call the physical therapy room the Lemonade Factory.

Sounds pretty dumb.

It's from that old saying.

Life hands you a bunch of lemons, you make some lemonade.

Here we go.

Oh, nuts.

I swear I'd lose my head if it wasn't screwed on.

I've got to go back to the nurse's station

and pick up your schedule.

I'll be right back.

Take your time, man.

I'm not going anywhere.

Mark, could you get my book for me?

I blew it.

Hey, kid, get Scotty's book, will you?

Hey, man, you got legs.

Get it yourself.

Hey, man.

Ain't you got arms?

There you go.

Thanks.

What are you doing anyway?

I'm trying to get the hang of flipping

just one page at a time.

That looks pretty hard.

It is hard, but it's worth it.

When I read, there's nobody that has the use of all their limbs

that gets any more pleasure out of it than I do.

How long have you been on wheels, man?

Two months.

Look, what you got to do is concentrate on the minute.

Concentrate on what you can do, not on what you can't.

When you read or see a movie, you're as good as anybody

who can read or see a movie.

When you eat, when you drink, when you see something pretty,

really see it.

Don't waste any of it, you know?

Live in the minute.

Well, what do you do with the rest of the time?

There are times when it's going to stink.

But, hell, everybody's life stinks sometimes.

My name is Scotty, man.

What's yours?

Deke.

Well, Deke the geek, I got a law class.

Hang in there.

I don't know what you want of me.

I come to see him as often as I can,

I've been putting in a lot of overtime lately.

Your son is really starting to make progress, you know.

Working out in physical therapy.

He'll be up on crutches any day now.

Some progress.

Kid was a star athlete.

Now maybe he'll be able to hobble around on some crutches.

Mr. Larson, you weren't the victim of that accident.

Your son was.

Right now, he needs you.

Well, let me tell you something, friend.

I am the last person he needs to see right now.

All we ever did all his life was work on his career, sports.

You know what I used to tell him?

I never used to say goodbye to him.

I always used that old Bear Bryant line,

walk like a champion.

Yeah, having me around would just humiliate him.

I can think of all the things he can't do anymore.

Maybe you can help him find the things he can do.

He had it all right in the palm of his hand, you know?

His whole career, right there.

Threw it away with that damn stunt.

Is that why you're not going to see him?

Because you blame him?

You blame him because he blew your chance to see your name

on a Major League uniform?

Get out of here.

Just get the hell out of here.

Sure.

Hey, Gordon.

You said that I blamed my son for what happened.

That's right.

I bought him that motorcycle.

Look at you.

Oh, Charles, look at her.

- You look wonderful, dear. - Thanks.

It's after 8:00.

What time's he picking you up?

Um, well, I just called him, and he's

having some car trouble, so I said I'd meet him there.

It's only a few blocks.

Oh, no.

If you can walk, he can walk with you.

Now, you call him back and tell him to come over here.

Oh, Daddy.

I can't--

Don't "oh, Daddy" me, Eleanor.

Believe me, boys have more respect for girls who

ask to be picked up properly.

Daddy, that is so old-fashioned.

Well, I'm old-fashioned, and as long as you

live in my house, you're going to be

a little old-fashioned too.

The phone.

The phone.

[car horn honking]

Hey!

It's Jonathan.

Need a ride?

Mom, Dad.

He must have gotten his car started.

I've got to run.

Just a minute.

Have the young man come in.

Daddy, he came to pick me up.

Isn't that enough?

Charles, the boy is shy.

I seem to remember the sound of your horn honking

in front of my house.

Well, that was different.

Your father acted like he wanted to kill me.

And you'd probably look exactly

the same to this young man.

OK, go ahead.

Thanks.

Goodnight, you two.

Oh, I couldn't believe it.

What are you doing here?

Well, Deke said you might stop by tonight.

I thought you might need a ride.

You don't know how much I needed a ride.

Oh, yes, I do.

Hi.

What are you--

oh, yeah.

It's Friday night, right.

Just stopped by for a few minutes on your way

to the dance, huh?

What?

Oh.

Oh, the dress.

No.

I told my mom I was going to the dance,

so I had to put on the dress.

But, no.

I'm not going anywhere.

Just here.

Well, why aren't you going to dance?

Oh, I don't like dances too much.

My parents think I ought to go, but I hate dances.

Why?

They're not so bad.

They're horrible if no one asks you to dance.

Come on.

Somebody would ask you to dance.

Nobody I'd want to dance with.

Know what?

What?

I always hoped you'd ask me.

I, I was at all the dances you were at

and I'd see you dance with Linda or some girl like her.

Once, I stood next to you at the refreshment table,

I almost asked you to dance.

I never thought I'd tell you that.

You know, you look pretty in that dress.

No, I don't.

I know my pluses and my minuses.

I'm smart, but I'm not pretty.

Well, I think you look pretty in that dress.

It's hot in here.

I wish I'd asked you.

So do I. You know, not being popular

doesn't bother me, except for my mom.

I mean, I just wish I could have a date to the prom, you know?

Well, just to let my mom get all excited

and have the boy show up at the door with a corsage.

I just wish I could do that for her, in a way.

You know?

Boy, do I ever know.

My dad, I, I mean, he won't even come and see me now.

I was going to be a big league ball player.

I wish, I just wish there was something I could compete in,

just so I could win something, you know?

Just one more thing.

Just so he wouldn't feel like I was

somebody who blew it for him.

Because I really blew it for the both of us, you know?

Hey, I'm kind of tired right now.

I, I think you'd better go.

It's OK.

It's OK.

[quiet sobbing]

Where is everybody?

They're scheduled for later.

I've got something I want to show you.

What?

Well, I got to thinking maybe there's a sport you can compete

in that you'll really like.

Oh, you've been talking to Eleanor.

Ah, we might have had a few words.

Look, I wasn't talking about wheelchair basketball

or anything like that.

So let's just forget it and get on with working out.

Hey, there's nothing wrong with wheelchair basketball.

Some of the best athletes can't beat them.

But I've got something else in mind.

I want you to watch this tape.

You know what that is, pommel horse.

Right, now watch this guy.

It's all arms.

All upper body strength.

Legs just swinging free.

See then?

Yeah, and what am I supposed to do there?

Fall flat on my face?

Hey, it's about time you started

using those artificial limbs.

Now, it's not going to be easy, but everybody falls

on their face once in a while.

You've got to be crazy.

Why?

Because it's a crazy idea.

I'll never be able to do that.

Yeah, well, you're not going to know if you don't try,

right? - Forget it!

You know, Deke, you never would have

made it in the big leagues.

You got no guts.

I got work to do.

I'll see you later.

Hey.

When do we start?

Tomorrow.

Hey, Scotty.

How's it going?

Not bad.

Look, I want to thank you for that little talk you

had with Deke the other day.

I'm glad I could help.

He seems like a good kid.

He is a good kid.

Hey, you got class tonight?

Nope.

Done for the day, except for an opinion on [inaudible] versus

[inaudible].

Well what do you say?

Why don't you come on out with us tonight, get a bite to eat.

Nah, I should study.

Aw, come on.

All work and no play.

Be good for you to have a night off.

Yeah, it's Wednesday.

That's meat pie night here.

That's as good an excuse as any to go out.

We'll pick you up.

About 7 o'clock OK?

OK.

We'll see you then.

[restaurant chatter]

Can I help you?

Yeah, three for dinner, please.

Do you have a reservation?

No, I didn't think to make one.

I figured you wouldn't be this crowded on a Wednesday night.

Well, it'll be a few minutes if you'd

care to wait in the bar.

Sure, that'll be fine.

Uh, name is Smith.

Smith.

Arnold, don't stare at him.

Oh, come on.

He's used to it.

Why in the hell would anybody want to live like that?

You know?

I mean, what's he going to do with the rest of his life?

Well, will you just turn around?

And now who are you talking to?

I want another drink.

Hey, honey.

Give me another double, and buy that guy over there a drink.

The one in the wheelchair.

Yes, sir.

Now, you see?

I'm trying to be a nice guy.

Hi, may I take your order?

Yeah, beer.

Any kind.

Um, club soda, please, with a straw.

I'll have the same.

Sir, the gentleman over there would like to buy you a drink.

Tell him that's very kind, but I'm fine.

OK.

[whispering]

If I'd known this place was so fancy, I'd have worn a jacket.

How are you doing, pal?

Fine, thank you.

I wanted to buy you a drink.

I know, the waitress told me.

That's very kind, but I don't drink when I'm driving.

What?

My chair.

You wouldn't want me to run over anybody.

Hey, look, I was just trying to be friendly, you know?

And I said thank you.

Hey, look, I understand how you feel,

but you don't have to take it out on me.

The man said he didn't want to drink.

It's all right, Mark.

Why did you want to buy me the drink?

Do I look thirstier than them?

What are you talking about?

I just asked you a question.

Why me?

Well, because--

Because you feel sorry for me.

Yeah.

What's wrong with that?

Hell, everybody needs a drink to forget their troubles.

I know I do.

Then maybe I should have sent you a drink.

You need it, I don't.

Oh, well, that's what I get for trying

to be nice to a cripple.

I'm glad I restrained myself.

Damn near asked him to step outside.

[laughter]

[credits music]