Original subtitles

[gentle music]

[upbeat music]

You sure it's all right, my stopping off

and seeing Scotty and Diane?

I told you, no problem.

Yeah, but we're supposed to start this new assignment.

Yeah, I'll stop off at the hospital.

I'll get all the information for us.

Hospital?

I thought we were going to be coaches.

We are.

Oh, great.

Boy, that's right up my alley.

Did I ever tell you that I was on the All City Police squad

for--

Two years in a row.

--two years in a row.

You know what they called me?

Magic Fingers Gordon.

Must have mentioned that before, huh?

About 372 times since we first met.

I think your record was seven times during the Super Bowl

last year.

But we're not coaching football.

It's track and field. - Track and field?

That's great.

Do you know that I ran the 110--

10.9.

I must have mentioned that, too.

Mm-hmm.

You know what they called me?

Express Train Gordon.

[imitates train whistle]

[laughing]

Track and field.

That's right up my alley.

I hope we get some good material.

You know, some kids are special.

Well, all of these kids are.

We're coaching Special Olympics.

Special Olympics?

Mm-hmm.

Oh, I don't know if I'm cut out for something like that.

Well, you just said it was right up your alley.

I know, I know, but I thought you

were talking about normal kids.

These kids are-- well, you know.

Retarded.

Yeah.

I mean, what can they do?

You know, it's-- it's sort of sad.

Why?

Because they're not as smart as you and I?

Well, yeah.

All right, compared to Albert Einstein,

you and I are retarded.

Feel particularly sad about that, too?

I guess you're right.

[chuckles]

The hospital's right up there.

[gentle music]

I'll see you over at Dan's.

Right.

Drive carefully.

Oh, yeah.

[gentle music]

Here are your coaches' manuals.

Oh, thanks very much.

I'm sure you and your friend will work out just fine.

Where is Mark anyway?

Oh, he stopped off to see his cousin.

To tell you the truth, I think he's a little afraid

about coaching these kids.

[chuckles] Let me tell you something.

That's the best kind.

He'll spend some time with these kids.

And, well, we kind of have an inside joke

when we get a new coach that's afraid like that.

They spend one afternoon with our athletes,

and we go like this.

[laughs] They're Hooked You know?

I'm sure that's the way it'll be with Mark.

It's just going to take a little time.

That's all. - Yeah.

Speaking of time, I've got a class.

We'll get in touch with you tomorrow.

You'll go through our training school

and then you'll jump right in.

Thanks.

Sounds good.

You, uh, have the games every four

years just like the Olympics?

We do have international games every four years,

but Special Olympics is a year-round sports program with

training and competition in 22 different

summer and winter sports.

You're going to be amazed.

People always are when they see the skill and courage of people

with mental retardation.

Oh, I know.

One of the saddest things is you'll--

you'll see somebody.

A kid that's worked really hard in school and gets

placed in a regular class with non-handicapped kids,

they're able to do the class work.

Down on the playground, they're the ones

standing alone with no friends or sitting on a bench

all by themselves.

There's a kid named Todd then I would

love to get into the program.

We got a referral from his teacher,

and I've tried a couple of times.

Maybe you could give it a try.

Hey, I'd be happy to.

Well, I've got to be going.

It was nice meeting you.

And I'll get you Todd's address.

Thanks very much.

HOSPITAL ANNOUNCER: Dr. Lanigan, please report to emergency.

Dr. Lanigan, report to emergency.

Hey, Scotty, you old ambulance chaser.

How are you doing?

Jonathan, what are you doing down here?

Well, Mark and I got to work around here for a while.

What are you doing here?

Seeing the doc about my test results, sperm count and such.

I'm nervous as hell.

You want some company?

You bet.

I'm heading thataway.

You got it.

How's the law business?

Hey, I'm Perry Mason on wheels.

What can I tell you?

How's Diane doing?

She's.

Great too great.

I wish we could get a little morning sickness going here,

you know?

I mean, I guess you already know about it from Mark.

I think Diane's mother puts out a newsletter.

Nah, you and Diane haven't been trying for that long,

have you? - No.

But you know, when you're in a chair,

you kind of wonder what other parts

don't work the way they should.

Oh, you and Diane are going to make great parents.

If there's any problem, there's all kinds of alternatives.

Yeah, yeah, I know.

But it's like the old commercial, "Mother, please.

I'd rather do it myself."

Ah, here we are.

Ah, well, here you go.

Cross your fingers for me.

You got it, buddy.

Here's some hot coffee.

Ah, thank you.

What time is it?

Mm.

4:45.

I'm worried about Scotty.

Why?

I mean, he's feeling OK, isn't he?

Oh, he's fine.

I'm just worried about how he's going

to feel if the tests show he's got a problem

and he can't have any kids.

Yeah.

But you know, today with artificial insemination,

you can almost pick the kind of kid you want.

Yeah.

But the kind of kid he wants is a little Scotty,

and that's what I want, too.

[chuckles] Oh, Mark.

It just doesn't seem fair.

I mean, he's been through so much already.

[sighs] Why can't God give him a break this time?

Eh, maybe he will.

Yeah.

Yeah, maybe.

(SINGING) Ya, da de, de, de, de.

De, de, de, de, de, de.

Ya, de, de, de, de, de, da, da.

Scotty, what?

Look who I found.

Hello!

Jonathan, hi!

- Diane, how are you? - Good.

Oh, it's good to see you.

Oh.

Oh, it's good to see you.

Well, where have you been?

I was getting worried.

Wrong question.

What's the right question?

How are you?

Fine.

No, no, my dear.

"How are you?" is what you ask me?

How are you?

All in good time.

And now, let's see what Jonathan has behind door number one.

Well, let's see right behind door number one, we have--

[laughs]

And just to show that I'm not a sexist, chauvinist pig,

you hit it, Johnny boy.

Ta-da.

Now ask me how I am again.

You mean?

Yes, ma'am, I'm potent, brimming over with virility,

a veritable stallion on wheels.

The bottom line is we can make a baby, baby.

Scotty, [laughs] a baby.

[chattering]

Oh, boy.

A little nervous, huh?

Yeah a little.

It'll pass.

Believe me.

They're great kids.

You're going to love them.

OK, everybody, listen up.

This is Mark Gordon, your coach.

Let's give him a big hi, Mark!

Hi, Mark!

OK, Coach.

You're on your own.

Hi, guys.

Now, listen.

When I call your name, you just-- uh, you stay here, OK?

Ah.

Jimmy?

Here.

Uh, Mary Beth?

I am here.

[laughs]

And Kyle?

Kyle?

All right.

Kyle-- Kyle's not here.

Kyle, right over here.

Kyle, when I call your name, you say here, OK?

Kyle, when I call your name, you answer up, OK?

He can't speak any.

Right.

OK.

Do you have to go to the bathroom?

Uh, why do you ask me that?

You can't stand still.

Oh, well. That?

I get it.

I'm just a little nervous.

I don't have to go to bathroom.

How come?

How come what?

How come you're very nervous?

[sighs] Well, I'm--

I'm just nervous, you know, that I

won't be a good coach for you.

Actually, I'm scared to death I won't

be a good coach for you guys.

Do you know that you're old?

What, old?

That's what we say in Special Olympics.

"Let me win.

But if I cannot win, let me be brave in my attempt."

Oh, yeah.

I should have remembered that from the trading school.

That's OK.

We learn slow, too.

You have to try, so.

Yeah, you're right.

You're right, and I will.

I'll try.

[upbeat music, cheering]

Way to go!

[upbeat music]

[gun bangs]

[upbeat music]

[whistle blows]

Ah!

[upbeat music]

OK, who's next?

[applauding]

[cheering]

Way to go!

[gun bangs]

[upbeat music]

[whistle blows]

[upbeat music]

[cheering]

[upbeat music]

OK.

Here we go.

[cheering]

Come on!

[laughs] Come on.

You're going to get it.

Come on!

[upbeat music]

[whistle blows]

[upbeat music]

Ah, that's right.

That's right.

[upbeat music]

[laughing]

I'm sorry, Diane.

I wish I had better news.

All this time we thought--

well, I thought it was Scotty.

Isn't there something I can do, some kind of operation?

Some-- some thing?

You could get a second opinion,

but I think the answer will still be the same.

I can't--

I can't ever have a baby?

I'm sorry.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[toy beeps melodically]

It's my turn, Scott.

Not it.

I want a turn.

You won't get one.

You always cheat.

You're a bad sport, Mary Beth.

Excuse me.

Are you Mrs. Burke?

Yes.

My name is Jonathan Smith.

I'm with Special Olympics.

Oh!

Nice to meet you, Mr. Smith.

You're here about Todd.

Right.

Yeah, we got a referral from his teacher.

She said she thought he could get a lot of Special Olympics.

She's.

Right if you can get him in that program,

it would be the best thing for them.

But-- and an awful big if--

Matt Roarke was out here several times.

Tommy just don't want anything to do with it.

Tommy doesn't want anything to do with anything right now.

What's he like to you?

He'll get his way, watch TV all day long.

Sounds like a lot of other kids.

Well.

it's more than that with Todd.

It's his way of escape.

Thirteen's a difficult age for any kid,

but for one who's mentally retarded,

it's even harder, especially with his peers,

the other kids in the school.

I thought that'd be all the more reason they

want to be in special needs.

It'd be a chance to prove to himself

he can do it, plus make friends.

You don't have to convince me.

You gotta convince Todd.

What about his parents?

Well they gave him up to foster care years ago.

That's what they were encouraged to do.

They pay his bills, but they haven't seen him in years.

Today, it's different.

We encourage families not to give up

their retarded children, and that's

what's good about the Special Olympics,

what it does to the families.

It gives them such a sense of pride.

Whereas before maybe there was only despair.

Why me?

JONATHAN: Oh.

Come on.

Let me take you up to Tommy's room.

Hi.

It's free time.

I-I don't have to do anything.

Miss Burke said so.

Yeah, that's fine with me, Todd.

I just wanted to talk to you.

My name is Jonathan.

I don't want to talk!

[clicks tongue] Can I come in?

No.

[clicks tongue] Anybody home?

No.

Well, then who keeps saying no?

N-n-nobody.

Well, I'll bet it's not nobody.

I'll bet it's somebody.

Go-- go away.

How come?

'C-cause I'm mean.

Well, I bet you're not as mean as me.

I-I-I am, too.

Yeah?

How mean?

Real mean.

Show me how mean you are.

I mean, can you-- can you make a mean face or something?

Oh, come on.

That's not mean.

I'll show you mean, huh?

Look at this.

[growls]

Oh-- oh-- oh, yeah?

Look at this.

Oh, yeah?

Look at this.

Mm?

O-oh, yeah?

L-look at this.

Ew, OK.

All right, you're right.

You win.

That's the meanest face I ever saw in my life.

[chuckles] You're pretty good at that.

But I'd bet there's a lot of things you're good at.

Look, I'm a Special Olympics coach.

We'd sure like to have you come down

and find out some other things you're good at.

I-I-I'm not good at nothing.

I'm done.

Oh, man.

I don't think you're dumb.

Then you're dumb.

I haven't been mean to you, Todd.

Please don't be mean to me.

Then-- then go away.

I-I don't want to do nothing.

I can't do nothing, a-and you can't make me.

Well, you're right about that, son.

I can't make you.

You have to want to.

W-w-well, I don't.

[somber music]

G-go away.

OK.

[somber music]

I hope this roast isn't too burned.

Are you kidding?

I love it.

It's like that Cajun style when they seer everything.

What do you call that?

Burnt roast?

JONATHAN: [laughs]

MARK: Very funny, very funny.

Listen, I was thinking.

Now you guys said if you had a kid, if it was a boy,

you were going to name it after me.

But what if it's a girl?

So I said to myself, what do we do then?

So I thought of the best name in the world for a little girl.

Marquette.

Huh?

Huh?

What do you think?

Marquette.

That sounds like a place where you buy groceries.

[laughs] He's right.

Mark, if it's a boy, you'll be the namesake.

But you better leave the naming of the girl up to Diane.

MARK: OK, OK.

So what have you picked?

I hope it at least starts with an M. Diane?

mean, what's wrong?

We aren't going to have any children.

We can't.

What are you talking about?

All my tests came out fine.

It's not you, Scotty.

It's me.

I can't have any children.

Is this some kind of joke or what?

Does-- does this sound like a joke?

When did you find out?

Today.

I'm sorry.

Me and my big mouth.

I'm sorry.

Well, it's a tough break, but it's not the end of the world.

What?

"It's a tough break, but it's not the end of the world,"

like this is no big deal?

I didn't mean it that way and you know it.

Well, you thought it was a pretty big deal when you

couldn't have kids, wasn't it?

Wasn't it a big deal?

All right.

It is a big deal, but it's not my fault.

Why are you taking it out-- - That's right.

That's right.

It's not your fault, so it's not your problem.

Right?

Well, it is my problem, Scotty.

It's very much my problem!

[tense music]

[door slams]

Um, I'm sorry, but you better go.

Yeah.

Mark?

Take that baby stuff with you.

[somber music]

[gentle music]

Well, just give it some time.

He'll come around.

Look, Diane.

You knew he was stubborn when you married him.

Yeah, OK.

I'll call you later.

[sighs]

How's she doing?

She's down.

I can't say I blame her.

They really got into it last night after we left.

She mentioned adoption.

Scotty went through the ceiling.

Hey, come on.

Don't blame it all on Scotty.

You saw the way she got on his case last night.

She's feeling a lot of guilt. They're both talking,

but nobody's listening.

Yeah.

Man, but why do things like this have

to happen to people like them?

I mean, I know couples who spit out babies like BBs.

They don't give a damn about them.

Here are two people dying to have a kid and they can't.

If they want a child bad enough,

they're going to have one.

Well I hope so.

Come on. We better go.

Yeah.

Why don't you head on over to the practice field?

I'll meet you there later.

What's up?

Ah, I just want to stop by Scotty's office for a moment.

You want me to go along?

No.

You know how sometimes it's easy to talk

without a relative in the room?

No matter what you say, Scotty's going to think

you're siding with Diane.

I'll see you at practice.

All right.

JONATHAN: They pay you $100 an hour to look out the window?

Where's Mark?

I figured Diane would send all the troops in force.

Diane doesn't even know I'm here.

But you've talked to her.

Mark did.

Well what I told her last night is final.

We're not going to adopt, and that's it.

Oh, your decision is final?

That's right.

Hey, it must be good to be king.

What happens if Diane disagrees with you?

You just drop her head off or what?

I'm not in the mood for your humor right now, OK?

Why did you want to have a child in the first place?

For the same reason anyone wants to have kids.

I'm no different.

Ah, but you are different.

You're in a wheelchair.

What are you getting at?

Just that maybe you wanted to have a child that looked

exactly like you, a little Scotty

who could run and play and do all the things you couldn't do.

Yeah I wanted to have a kid who could do all those things.

What's wrong with that?

JONATHAN: Nothing.

The child doesn't have to look like you to do those things.

I don't want to adopt, and that's

really all there is to it.

Why not?

Hey, I don't owe you an explanation.

No, you don't know me one.

But what about Diane?

That's our business and not yours.

Hey, I'm sorry to question you, King.

I think you better go.

Fine.

It's a good thing you asked me to leave.

If we'd have kept talking, you might

have to tell me the truth about why you don't want to adopt.

You might have to tell me that you're filled with pain

and anger and you blame Diane.

It's all her fault. And this is a great way to get even,

isn't it?

You don't know a damn thing.

You know that?

Really?

If the shoe was on the other foot

and you were the one that couldn't have children,

would you have adopted then?

[door closes]

[vacuum humming]

[sighs] This carpet needs a good shampooing.

Diane?

One of the problems I have is that when we have a fight,

I can't play the big love scene like they do in the movies

and gently take you in my arms and turn your face to me.

Please look at me.

I hurt you last night, and--

and-- and-- and I wanted to.

You see, I fell into that damn trap of feeling that no one

could suffer as much as I do.

And I wanted you to because inside, oh, hell, I don't know.

I guess I'm just a damn jerk.

But I want to live my life with you, grow old with you,

raise children with you.

And if we can't have a child of your womb,

then let's have a child of our heart.

You mean adopt?

Yeah.

Oh.

Scotty, I love you.

I love you, too.

[chuckles]

[gun bangs]

[chattering]

[cheering]

Hey, I think you're getting faster than your old man, huh?

Oh, he already is.

I guarantee it.

Your kid's doing great, isn't he?

Yeah, he sure is.

All right, your stay you this lane, get faster all the time.

He's really proud of himself.

We're proud of him, too.

Roarke, get your stuff.

That's all for today.

What a sweet kid.

Yeah, I know.

Has he, uh, has he been able to say anything?

I mean, have you heard him say anything at all?

Well, no, nothing yet.

But he's trying real hard.

That's the main thing.

He'll talk one of these days.

One of these days, the light will go on.

And he'll say Mama.

I just know it.

[chuckles] Hey!

Hey!

You all set?

Oh, bye, Mark, and thanks.

No, no, no.

That's the other way around.

Thank you for letting me know your kid.

We'll see ya.

Come on, honey.

That was a great-- Take care now!

Bye-bye!

Well, how's it going, Coach?

As a matter of fact, It is going great!

[laughs]

Hey, take a look.

Hey, it's Scotty and Diane.

What are you two doing down here?

We came down to see thanks.

For what?

We've just come back from the adoption agency.

That's great!

[laughs] Oh!

They have a list of forms to fill out there

that you wouldn't believe.

Well, how long will it take?

Oh, it's hard to say because there's such a long wait

for healthy newborns.

They said, what, about three years?

Hey, if I was a kid and I needed a family, I'd say you

two are worth waiting for.

Well, like I said, I just wanted to thank

you for that talk you gave me.

Yeah, my advice is just0 like yours, Counselor.

It comes with a price.

You name it.

All right.

Diane, if you don't mind, I want to borrow

your husband for a few hours. - Sure.

Uh, can you drop me off at home?

You got it.

OK.

Let's go, Counselor. - Hey, hey.

What's the hat for?

I'll tell you on the way.

I am so happy!

Oh!

That's great!

[upbeat music]

Hi, Todd.

Who are you?

My name's Scotty.

A friend of mine asked me to come and see you.

His name is Jonathan.

He's a coach at the Special Olympics.

Remember?

Yeah.

What is that thing?

It's a control that makes my wheelchair

go forward when I want it to.

It helps me get around.

W-what do you need it for?

Because I can't move my arms or legs.

Does it hurt?

What?

Your arms and legs?

No, they just don't work.

I hear you told Jonathan you don't

want to be in Special Olympics.

I'm not going to, either, and you can't make me.

I hear you told him you don't want to be in Special Olympics

because you said you can't do anything.

Is that right?

Y-yeah.

You see this baseball cap on my head?

Yeah.

It's pretty nice, isn't it?

Yeah.

Why don't you take it off my head and try it on?

Come on.

Yeah, it fits great.

You keep it.

Thanks.

How come you don't want to be in Special Olympics?

Because kids make fun of me.

Oh, yeah?

I've had some kids make fun of me in my life.

Why?

Because I'm in this chair.

Kids can be mean.

Yeah, they can.

But I'll tell you something.

The kids in Special Olympics aren't mean.

You know why?

Because everybody's training to do their best.

Everyone is important.

Everyone is special like you.

Are-- are you special?

Yeah.

[chuckles] Yeah, I guess I am.

We both special.

Right.

That's why we have to stick together.

See, Todd, I bought that cap when I thought I

was going to have a little boy.

And I was going to save that cap until the little boy was

old enough to be able to run and jump and play.

And then I was going to give the cap to that little boy.

You know why?

Why?

So I could watch him.

So I could watch that little boy when he ran,

and when he jumped, and when he played, and it would

be almost like I was out there running,

and jumping, and playing.

And he'd probably be able to run twice as fast because he'd

be running for both of us then.

What happened to the little boy?

Well, he was never born, and he never

will be born because my wife and I

can't have children of our own.

So I want to ask you to do something for me.

What?

I want you to take that cap.

And I want you to go down to Special Olympics

and put that cap on and run just as fast as you can,

so fast you'll feel the wind whip past your ears.

So fast those mean kids who made fun of you

and me won't even be able to see you.

They'll just see a blur go whizzing by.

But I'll be able to see you.

I'll be up in those stands, and I'll see you with that cap on.

It'll be almost like seeing me run down there.

And I'll be shouting just as loud as I can, come on, Todd!

And when it's over, you'll tell me

what it's like, what it's like to run that fast and hear

a-- a whole stadium full of people

cheering and calling your name because that's something

I'll never be able to do.

But that's something that you can do.

All you have to do is we want it and try.

Can you do that, Todd?

I could do that.

OK.

All right.

Off we go then!

[cheering]

Here we go!

[applauding]

Go.

CHILD: Come on, Sam!

[cheering]

Come on.

Go fast!

Hi, Kyle.

Hi.

Look, there's somebody I want you to meet.

This is Todd.

Hi.

Can't you talk?

Well, you see, uh, Kyle hasn't learned to talk yet,

but he's working really hard on it

like you're going to be learning about running, you know?

Kyle already knows that.

He knows about the-- the starting position,

how to stay in his own lane, how to break the tape

at the end of the race.

So I'll tell you what we're going to do from now on.

What we're going to do is we're going

to use the buddy system here.

You guys know what that is?

Well, that means you're going to be buddies, you know?

You're going to be friends.

I mean, each of you has got something

the other one needs to learn, so you can teach each other.

You can help Kyle with his words.

Kyle can help you with the track stuff, OK?

OK.

OK.

What do you say we have a little race now, find

out what kind of speed you got?

All right, come on, Kyle.

Let's show him the starting position.

All right.

On your mark-- get down there.

Down, down, down.

Gets set.

Bring it up.

All right, Todd. Come on.

You try it.

Come on!

All right.

On your mark, set--

Todd, get your head up.

Go!

[upbeat music]

WOMAN: Go, Todd!

Let's go!

Come on!

You got the boy.

Whoo!

Hey!

Is that your son out there, the one with the cap?

Well, the cap is mine.

The boy is just a friend.

[upbeat music]

[laughs] Way to run, guys!

Way to run!

[upbeat music]

All right, everybody out!

Thank you, Jonathan.

My pleasure, Mary Beth.

Sc-scotty is going to be my dad.

What?

Scotty and Diane.

They're going to be my family.

They're going to come and take me to their home,

and I'm going to live with them a-and be their little boy.

Yeah, well, Todd, did Scotty tell you that?

He said he wanted to have a little boy.

Well, Todd, I know what he said.

He-- he gave me his cap because he

doesn't have a little boy.

So he gave me the cap, a-and I'll be his little boy.

Oh.

Now, look, Todd.

It's not that simple.

Yes it is.

I-it's simple.

No, it isn't.

Now, look.

Scotty likes you very much.

He wants to be your friend.

So does Diane.

B-but they want a little boy, a-and I'm a little boy.

And me and Scotty are special.

He said so.

Yeah, you're special, all right.

Pick you up for practice tomorrow, OK?

OK.

Hey, Todd?

You did great today.

Because I'm running for Scotty, too.

[gentle music]

Dr. Bryant?

Yes?

My name is Jonathan Smith.

Smith.

You're the new patient, aren't you?

Oh, no. No, sir.

I'm with Special Olympics.

Oh.

Oh, I see.

Uh, well, if you can leave, uh, some literature

and some envelopes, I'm sure we can make some sort of donation.

No.

Uh, that's very kind of you, Doctor.

But I'm not here for a donation.

I'm here because your son has just

enrolled in Special Olympics, and we

try to encourage as much family participation as possible.

I. See How-- how is he doing?

Well, today was his first day, but I think he's doing fine.

He just needs a lot of encouragement, you know?

Well, they're-- they're very good

at the group foster care home.

I know.

But I was kind of hoping you and your wife

could come out and watch him run in practice a little bit

or at least same race in Special Olympics.

I, uh, appreciate you coming down here, Mr. Smith.

Uh, and I'm glad that-- that Todd is able to participate.

I'm sure it'll be very good for him.

The truth is is that we haven't seen Todd in a number of years.

And I don't think it would be good for him to pop back

into his life for a track meet.

I-I understand that, Doctor.

Let me-- let me finish, Mr. Smith.

We have, uh, two other children.

And when we found out that Todd was retarded, we--

we consulted the best people in the field.

If there was any hope that something could be done, it--

but there isn't any hope.

He's retarded, and that's that.

[somber music]

We, uh, [sighs] we can't take care of him as well as they

can.

I mean, that's what they told us, the doctors.

We tried.

We have two other children who need us, too, so it--

it just wasn't fair to them, and it wasn't fair to him.

So, uh, we placed him in a foster care home,

but it wasn't an easy decision, Mr. Smith.

I'm sure it wasn't, Doctor.

We did what was best for our family and best for him.

Now I-- I won't upset that and reopen a lot of old wounds.

I-- it wouldn't be good for him, and it-- it

wouldn't be good for us.

Excuse me.

[gentle music]

Mr. Smith, thank you for what you're doing for the boy.

I mean, I'm glad that he's able to get some joy out

of his life at least.

Goodbye, Doctor.

[gentle music]

Great.

Just great.

Just what I needed.

Well, I just thought you ought to know

what he's been thinking, so the next time you see him--

The next time I see him?

There isn't going to be a next time.

Scotty, you just can't drop the kid like that.

That's the only thing I can do.

I know what disappointments are all about.

I'm not going to build the kid up for something

that can't possibly happen.

Well, maybe it can happen.

What are you talking about?

Well, you know, he's-- he's such a sweet kid.

And, well, I've been thinking.

There-- there are so many different kinds of parents

waiting to adopt a healthy newborn.

And a boy like Todd really needs someone.

Yeah, but we don't need him.

Maybe you do.

Don't get serious, Jonathan, and you, too, Diane.

His own family gave him up.

The child is retarded.

How would we take care of him?

Well, nothing is more dependent than an infant.

How would we take care of an infant?

Well, an infant grows up.

Oh.

Well, if that's what you want, why don't we adopt an adult?

We could always adopt Mark.

You can't afford to feed him.

Very funny.

I am serious here.

There is no way we can adopt that kid.

We don't even know him.

Honestly, Diane.

You see a kid and two seconds later, you want to adopt him.

I just have a special feeling about him.

That's all.

Well, your feeling doesn't seem to take

into consideration the facts.

There are practical considerations here.

Scotty, there were practical considerations when

I fell in love with you, too.

I'm not saying that we should jump into this,

but well, I was thinking, maybe we

could have him over for a weekend and get to know him.

I don't want to get to know him.

I don't want to hurt him, and I don't want to hurt us.

Jonathan, you asked me why I wanted to have a kid,

and you were right.

Part of it was to see him do all the things I can't, but part

of it was to share whatever I have with him.

I can't share my body with a kid.

I can't go out and chuck the ball around with him,

but I can sure in my mind.

I have a championship mind.

That's what I have to give.

That's all I have.

What could I give to a kid like Todd?

Love.

Everything in life can't be answered

by that one word, Jonathan.

It was for me, Scotty.

He is mentally handicapped.

I am physically handicapped.

Why can't you see that?

Look, I don't want to hurt the kid.

You tell him I'll go to the big track meet,

the Special Olympics, whatever it

is, when he runs his race as a friend, as a buddy,

and that's all.

I am not going to pick him up and show up at practice and all

the rest of what he wants.

Well, I am.

What?

You heard me.

I am.

Yeah?

Well, I say you're not.

Scotty, ever since I've known you,

you've wanted to be considered the same as any man.

What's that got to do with anything?

Well, tonight you've achieved your goal.

You are as much of a chauvinist jerk

as any man I've ever known.

I love you Scotty, but I won't take your macho junk any more

than I would some other man's.

Goodnight.

[door slams]

[sighs]

Todd, come on!

[whistle blows]

[chattering]

Todd, come on!

[sniffles]

W-w-why doesn't Scotty ever come down to practice?

Oh, Todd.

Todd, he doesn't want to build you up to think

that he's going to be your dad.

He just wants to be your friend.

But why doesn't he want to be my dad?

Oh.

But w-why?

I, uh, I think he's scared.

I-i-i-it's-- it's because I'm dumb.

I-i-it's because-- because I'm dumb, isn't it?

Todd, no.

It isn't.

Listen to me.

I think he's scared that, uh, that if we adopt you,

he'll lose me on the way.

I-- I really think that's a big part of it.

He's afraid that I won't have enough time left for him.

And it's not just because he's in a wheelchair

and I have to do a lot of things for him.

I think that's what any man feels whenever a new child

comes into the family.

B-but I-I wouldn't be any trouble.

I promise.

I-I can make my bed, I-- and I wouldn't leave my toys out.

He-- he could even ask Mrs. Burke at the home.

I-I can make my bed.

Oh, I know you wouldn't be any trouble.

And I'm sure you'd help out at home, but--

but--

I-I got a show that I can do stuff.

I got-- I got to show him I wouldn't be any trouble.

T-Todd, it isn't that simple.

Yes, it is.

It is.

Simple if I win the race, he'll know.

He'll see me with his hat, and then you'll know.

Todd, where are you going?

I-I got to go back and practice some

more so I can win the race.

Th-then he'll know.

Todd!

[gentle music]

[upbeat music]

[chiming]