Original subtitles

[theme music]

[music playing]

You know, Jonathan, it is not fair.

We go on these assignments together.

Right?

I do have to work and you get all the stuff.

Hey, well, I'm sorry.

There's nothing I can do about that.

Well, the boss could if he wanted to.

Come on, boss!

What do you say?

Just one time, just give me an assignment.

All right?

I don't care what it is.

Just give me the stuff and I'll handle it.

[thunderclap]

See? Nothing.

He doesn't want to listen to me.

He never--

[loud rock music]

[laughs] Boy, I would like to get my hands on that guy.

Will you knock it off?

Stuff.

[laughs] I got the stuff!

Mary Creswell was originally supposed to take this case,

but she just had--

Just had a baby boy.

[laughs]

Yes.

How did you know?

Mark is very intuitive in that way.

Oh, well, good.

Because I think it's going to take about all

of your intuition and sensitivity

to handle this case.

Hey, no matter what it is, we can handle it.

No sweat.

No sweat, Mr. Gordon?

Yeah.

I mean, what's her problem?

Her parents splitting up or is she on drugs?

Mark, what's wrong?

She's dying.

Jonathan, she's going to die.

She wants to be a marine biologist.

Ever since she was a teeny kid, you couldn't

keep her out of the water.

You always said she was part fish.

[laughter]

She- she scuba dives, and she knows

every book Cousteau ever wrote.

Other kids wanted dolls for Christmas.

She wanted us to contribute money to save the whales.

That was her dream.

Everything's money.

I mean, there's no money to be made in saving dolphins,

is there?

No, I guess not.

It's the money.

That's what it is.

I just told you that.

No, no, no.

I'm not talking about the dolphins.

I'm talking about your operation.

That's why you won't have the bone marrow transplant.

It's the money.

That's not true.

Yes, it is.

You're afraid that your folks don't have the money.

That's exactly what you're thinking.

[chatter]

Hi.

My name is Lee Bradley.

And, like all of you who are watching, I'm going to die.

In my case, though, it might come a little sooner,

like, real soon if I don't get an operation.

Hey!

Keep it down a minute!

There are a lot of kids like me

who face operations that could save our lives.

The only problem is these things cost money-- a lot of money.

You're really doing good, aren't you, Kiddo?

Well, we'll know how good or bad in a little while.

The doctor's bringing down the test results.

Nail biting time, you know?

The tests are in.

You are definitely in remission.

[music playing]

Oh, thank god.

Oh!

[laughter]

I'm gonna live.

I'm gonna live!

Oh, Mark!

[music playing]

[chatter]

I wonder where Mark and Jonathan are.

I mean, I thought sure they'd be here.

Well, you know honey, they're busy.

They've got other things to do.

You're not their only case, you know.

[chatter]

Bye, Lee!

See ya!

Surprise!

Welcome home, sis.

Mark, Jonathan--

[laughter]

--I knew you guys were up to something.

Yeah, but you didn't know what.

It was all Mark's idea.

What's Mark's idea?

Hey, don't look so surprised.

I do come up with one once in a while, you know.

You remember when you told me you

wanted to be part of the Save the Dolphin campaign?

Yeah.

What exactly was it you wanted to do?

Well, to help raise money and stuff for the boats

they're sending out, you know, to stop the deployment of nets.

MARK: That's nice.

It's not good enough.

What do you mean not good enough?

Well, I mean, anybody can pass around a tin cup, you know.

They need people on the boats.

Look, this is Tracy Martin from Save the Dolphins.

I'll let her tell you what's going on.

Hi, Lee.

Mark here contacted us the other day.

We've already spoken to your doctor,

and he's given us the tentative OK.

OK for what?

If you're feeling up to it, we're going to fly

you and your family to Seattle.

And from there you'll board one of the Save the Dolphin boats,

and we'll make you an official member of the rescue team.

You're gonna do more than pass the hat, Kiddo.

You're gonna find the dolphins in the sea.

I can't believe it.

I just can't believe it.

Everything I ever dreamed of--

it's all coming true!

What a day.

What a life.

[music playing]

Follow dead ahead!

Follow dead ahead!

Hit the boat!

Lee, are you sure you're up to this now?

Mom, it's been four months.

And I've never felt better in my life, never.

These boats are so little.

Are you sure they're safe?

Mom, they're fine.

Listen to me.

I'm doing something that I want to do more than anything

else in the whole world.

I mean, what's the good of being alive if you're

too afraid to really live?

Where's my scared little girl?

I am so proud of you.

CAPTAIN: Let's go!

I got to go.

CAPTAIN: Come on! Come on!

Let's go!

Come on, Jen, let's go.

And don't embarrass me by barfing on the boat.

[laughs]

(CHANTING) Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

(CHANTING) Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

What do we do?

We can't deploy 'em.

They're all under the rigging.

We don't want to hurt anybody.

Let's get out of here.

(CHANTING) Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

Save the dolphins!

They're leaving! We did it!

Yay! We did it!

[laughs] And we're not through.

I was talking with some of the guys,

and they want me to go up to the state legislature talk

to the whole state senate and give a speech for the--

the law to protect the dolphins and whales

comes up for renewal.

You want to go with me?

Yeah.

Why are you crying?

I don't know.

It just feels so good.

Aw.

Dolphins!

Look at 'em!

[music playing]

Oh, my gosh!

Hey, they're over there, too!

[music playing]

It's like they know we saved 'em, and they're thanking us.

They do know, and they are thanking us.

[music playnig]

DOCTOR: Come in.

Hi, Doc.

Hi, Mark, Jonathan.

I had to come down and tell you this.

I talked to Lee on the phone last night.

You have never heard a kid so excited in your life.

She made me promise I'd come down and tell you about it.

She saved a dolphin.

The guys let her name it.

You know what she named it?

Max.

They're going to move it to some marine park.

What's wrong, Doc?

I don't know what you mean, Mark.

Yes, you do.

Yes, you do.

It's Lee.

Mark, you know I can only discuss

Lee's case with her family.

She's not in remission anymore.

The tests came back and she's not in remission anymore.

That's it, isn't it?

Her parents already know.

I spoke to them this morning.

Oh, God.

We never should have set this thing up.

I mean, it's going to take too much out of her.

She's going to need all of her strength

for more-- more treatments. Right?

There's not going to be any more treatments.

I know how close the two of you have grown

to her, especially you, Mark.

We've done everything.

There's nothing more we can do for her except

try to make her comfortable.

I'm sorry.

[music playing]

Hey, hey.

Come back.

I just-- I want to be alone.

[music playing]

What are the police doing here?

What's going on?

It's Bobby.

Now, dammit, he heard us talking about Lee before we

even had a chance to tell him.

How do you tell a 10-year-old?

He ran away.

I've called all over the place.

I can't find him.

You know, I can't find him anywhere.

I don't blame him.

I feel like running away myself.

Oh, Jim, he's just a little guy.

He couldn't have gotten very far.

Police will find him.

You don't know Bobby.

I don't know what I'm supposed to do.

Stay here with Lisa?

She's falling apart in there.

Jennifer's in there with her now.

Jimmy, why don't you stay here?

I'll go look for Bobby.

I got neighbors out looking for him everywhere, too.

Look, why don't you stay here with Lisa?

She needs you.

What about Lee?

I can't even talk to her.

Mark, please, would you?

Yeah.

Yeah, sure.

[music playing]

Boss, I know you gave mark this stuff for this assignment,

but I could sure use some help.

Thanks.

[music playing]

Hey, Bobby.

Oh, no.

How did you know I'd get on this bus?

Hey, I didn't know.

They didn't send you out looking for me?

Who's they?

My parents.

No.

Well, you found me anyway.

Just my cruddy luck.

Hey, how could I find you if I wasn't looking for you?

You do whatever you want to do.

You mean you don't care that I'm running away?

Last time I heard it was a free country.

Why did God do it?

You still think God did this.

Yeah, if there is a god.

Let me ask you a question.

You ever plant a garden?

Yeah, once.

JONATHAN: Didn't some of the plants live and get tall?

Others didn't do so well, and some of them even died.

Yeah.

Well, if plants could think, you'd

be sort of like a god to them.

You give them life, give them water,

you put them in the sunshine.

But you don't make any of them die, do you?

No.

Yeah, well I think that's the way it is with God.

He gives us life and the earth and the sun.

And he loves us and he hopes the best for us.

But he doesn't live our lives for us.

And he doesn't send us disease or disasters

just to prove a point.

Bobby, those things happen.

It's part of life.

Life isn't always easy, son.

I left because I didn't want to see her die, Mr. Smith.

[music playing]

I know, pal.

I know.

Could you please take me home?

I'll take you home.

[music playing]

Where did you find him?

On a bus going nowhere.

How's Lee?

At least she's not in any pain.

She has maybe a month.

I held her for a while, you know, we both cried.

I don't know what else to do.

What's it like, Jonathan?

What?

Dying.

First you're scared, then you deny it.

It's not going to happen to me.

Then you're angry, it can't happen to me.

And then you accept it.

And, finally, you're at peace--

like, a peace like you've never felt before.

I think I'll take a walk.

How's your mom?

She fell asleep.

You talk to Lee?

No.

I think he just wants to be alone.

Jennifer, you're going to have to help her now.

Well, she's dying.

How can I help her?

You remember what she told us?

That the most important thing in her life

was to make a difference, a real difference.

It's too late now.

But she's not even going to get a chance.

It's not too late.

She has a month.

Jennifer, it could be the most important month of her life,

but she's going to need you.

To do what?

To convince her not to give up on her dream.

To make her go ahead with her talk to the senate.

I can't do that.

Yes, you can.

You have to.

You're going to have to be the big sister now.

[sighs]

[music playing]

Lee, can we talk?

Who are you, Joan Rivers?

I have a favor to ask.

You want my room when I'm dead, don't you?

That, too.

I told you before, the bras don't fit.

I don't want you to quit.

I don't think I have much say in it anymore.

We have that meeting at the state capital.

You have to talk to the senate, remember?

I don't think I'm going to be around, Jen.

We could get them to hold a special session then.

Mark could set it up just like he did with the TV station.

You could talk to them.

You talk to them for me.

I can't do it like you can.

You're the smart one, not me.

You're not so bad for a brat.

I mean it, Lee, please.

This bill is important.

You were the one who said so.

What are you getting so mad at me for?

I'm not mad at you.

I'm not mad at you, Sis.

I'm-- I'm mad at death.

I wish I could punch it right in the nose.

I wish to God I could because I don't want it to win.

I want you to win.

I want to get that bill passed so the things

you really care about won't--

Won't die with me?

Yes.

[music playing]

[crying]

I want you to have your wish.

I want you to make a difference.

I want you to be remembered because you're the best.

You tell Mark to try and set it up.

The Bradley girls are gonna go get 'em.

Yes.

[music playing]

I'm sorry, but Senator Simpson's not even here.

Ma'am, please be honest with us on this one.

Are you just saying that because you know he won't see us?

Or is he somewhere in the city where we can find him?

Look, folks, I'm on your side.

So is Senator Simpson.

He's all in favor of this bill.

But, unfortunately, he's on vacation in Montana.

He's not due back for another 10 days.

JONATHAN: Senator, if you'd just listen to me--

I'm listening.

Now, Fred, I want you to make sure

that we nail that appropriations bill shut today.

Senator, will you support a special session

of the committee? - No.

Now, Fred, I want to make sure--

But, Senator, the girl and her family

have come a long way just to be heard.

Well, they could just be heard during the regular sessions

in two months.

The dolphins will be safe until then.

The girl won't be alive by then!

Mr. Gordon, I still don't know how you conned my secretary

into letting you in here.

But I can tell you right now it won't do you any good.

Senator, it is so important--

I think that we need to get government

off the back of business.

And it's time we realize that the conservationists

in this country are trying to make capitalism

an endangered species.

Listen.

All the girl wants is a chance to talk to your committee.

She is dying.

And my heart goes out to her and her family.

And I would be delighted to have her and her family

as my guests on a special tour of the Capitol, if they'd like.

But calling the committee into special session--

it's out of the question.

They didn't come here to have a tour of their government.

They came here to be part of it.

[chatter]

How did you make out?

Two nos, one yes.

That gives us three all together.

We couldn't even get in the door to see anybody.

Well, there's still the chairman, Senator Arnold.

Nobody's seen him yet.

That's because nobody can get in to see him.

You know, I think he knows we're here.

He's dodging us or something.

MAN: Excuse me, Senator, just a moment of your time.

Senator Arnold-- Dave Kirkwood of the Chronicle.

Do you think the governor is going

to veto your budget proposal?

Well, if he tries I think he'll find

I got me enough votes in both houses to override.

Bobby.

I don't think he wants that kind of embarrassment.

Al David, KFTZ.

Senator, the Speaker of the House

has called you a petty tyrant who has used the Senate

as his own private kingdom.

Well, [laughs] I don't know about that.

I-- I see myself as just a simple public servant.

Bobby Bradley, Meadows Elementary

School Student Newsletter.

I have a question, sir.

Now, that's what I like to see,

our young people taking an interest in state government.

Probably from one of the school tours.

What was that question again, young fellow?

Do you believe in God, sir?

[laughs] Out of the mouths of babes.

Well, I tell you there, young fellow, that's the best

question I ever heard up here.

And I think our--

our constituents have a desire to know a--

a right to know how their elected officials

stand on the great moral issues of the day.

Do you, sir?

Do you believe in God?

I certainly do, my fine young fellow.

I certainly do.

Then, sir, isn't it true that there's, like, a little voice

inside of us all, and it's up to us

whether we listen to that voice and do the right thing or not?

Young man, I don't believe I've

ever heard it more beautifully put in my entire life.

And I'll tell what.

You tell your teacher to watch the 6 o'clock news tonight.

Because if I know anything about these boys,

you're going to be there.

And me, too, of course.

[laughter]

Then, sir, would you please call your committee

into special session so they can hear what my sister has to say?

Because she-- she's dying, sir.

And if you don't let her talk to you guys now,

she's not going to be around when you're ready to listen.

Well, son, I--

Please don't answer yet, sir.

Please just take a second and listen

to God, 'cause he'll tell you what the right thing to do is.

I know he will.

Where's your sister now, son?

She's right down there.

That's my sister, sir.

Her name is Lee.

Young lady, how would 2 o'clock be?

That would be fine, Senator.

It would be just fine.

I'm not going to talk about any bill or politics

because this is more important than that.

I told my sister the other day that this

isn't my world anymore because I'm leaving soon, too soon.

I'm scared, you know.

I know maybe I shouldn't be, and I wasn't for a while.

I was mad, and that was a lot easier than this.

Because I'm scared.

So I try and, you know, like the song says,

think of my favorite things.

And I think of sunsets, and the wind

in my hair, the way the air smells in the morning when

there isn't any pollution and you can smell

the trees and the Earth, you can smell life itself,

and the sea, the mother of all life, the life of our planet.

That's what the sea is.

I know what it's like to feel like you're

drowning, to know you're dying.

And I know what it's like to have to say goodbye to all

the beauty of the Earth.

I know because I'm dying.

But you're not.

It's your world, and my little sister's, and my brother's.

And I'm asking you, all of you, to hold

life very close, very dearly.

Because you don't know how awful it is to lose it

until you have to say goodbye.

Every day we senselessly kill another piece of this Earth.

We all live our own separate little worlds,

concerned only with what's best for ourselves.

I'll make my money now, and to heck with what happens later.

Another endangered species disappears, so what?

I'm doing great.

I'm providing for my family.

But what would that legacy be to your family

when all the dolphins are gone, and all

the condors in the oceans have died,

and the ozone layers are destroyed?

Is that the legacy you want to leave?

I haven't made a will because I really don't have anything

to leave anyone except my room, and my sister's

already got dibs on that.

So I leave to you the planet Earth.

I bequeath you the land, and the skies, and the seas,

and the heavens, and the Earth, and all the creatures God

created.

I give you life.

And I hope to God, who made it all, that you don't waste it.

It's the dearest thing you've got.

It's everything.

[applause]

Hi, Kiddo.

Hi.

I just talked to Senator Arnold on the telephone.

He is sure there is enough votes to pass the bill.

[laughs] You did it.

Oh, thank God.

Hey, what's this?

A Save the Dolphins poster.

I just finished it.

Oh, it's great.

You know what I was just wishing?

What?

That I could see Max, the dolphin

we saved, and I could swim with him just once.

Wouldn't that be something, to swim on a dolphin?

Then let's do it.

Oh, sure.

MARK: No, I mean it.

Are you serious?

You bet I am.

I don't think it's going to work with Max.

He isn't trained enough yet.

How about we try one of the other dolphins?

Max is the one she wants to swim with, Keith.

I'll give it another try.

Lee, it's no use.

Are you sure you don't want to go over to the other tank?

No.

Max was the one whose life I helped--

it was a dumb idea.

Let's just go home.

Honey, we can go over to the other tank.

Please, I just want to go home.

[music playing]

Look, I'm sorry it didn't work out.

Max, you owe her this one.

I know you can hear me.

It's the little girl who saved your life.

It's about time you did something to pay her back.

[music playing]

[dolphin squeaking]

Lee!

Lee, come here!

Mark!

It's like he remembered you.

[dolphin squeaking]

[music playing]

[music playing]

She's resting.

I don't think she's in any pain.

She-- she wants to see you, Mark.

She wants to say goodbye.

[crying]

[somber music]

Hi, Kiddo.

Mark.

Please don't cry.

Please.

I'm not afraid anymore.

I know it sounds crazy, but when I swam with Max,

he talked to me.

Not with words-- it was so strange and so beautiful.

I could feel his thoughts.

He made me understand life doesn't end.

It never ends.

Here.

What is this?

A poem.

I want you to read it when it's time.

Hey.

No tears, remember?

I can't help it.

I'm going to--

I'm going to miss you, Kiddo.

I'll be here.

You know, I had this crazy dream that I died

and I came back as a dolphin.

Who knows?

Maybe my dream will come true.

Wouldn't that be something, Mark?

Yeah, Kiddo.

It could happen, couldn't it?

All things are possible.

Right?

All things are possible.

I think I'll sleep now.

[music playing]

MARK: Do not weep for me, for I have lived.

I have flown with magic dolphins, weightless

beneath the sea.

Do not weep for me, for I have given.

I have joined my hand with my fellow's hand

to leave the planet better than I found it.

Do not weep for me.

Do not weep for me, for I have loved and been loved

by parents, brother, sisters, by those

I loved who loved me back.

For I never knew a stranger, only friends.

Do not weep for me.

Do not weep for me.

When you feel the ocean spray upon your face, I am there.

When your heart beats faster than a dolphin's leaping grace,

I am there.

When you reach out to touch another's heart, as I now

touch God's face, I am there.

Do not weep for me.

I am not gone.

Lee.

[music playing]

[crying]

I wish I could believe.

What?

That a dream would come true, that all things are possible.

They are, Mark.

Believe me, they are.

[dolphin squeaking]

[happy music]

Way to go, Kiddo.

Way to go.

[dolphin squeaking]

LEE (VOICEOVER): When your heart beats faster at the dolphin's

leaping grace, I am there.

When you reach out to touch another's heart, as now

I touch God's face, I am there.

Do not weep for me.

I am not gone.

[theme music]