Original subtitles

You having trouble with your homework, Nicholas?

Yeah, sort of.

See, today in class my teacher gave me a pen pal to write to, and now I gotta

write him a letter.

Well, that sounds like fun, so what's the problem?

Well, what do you write to a guy in Australia who has a kangaroo when I'm

guy in Sacramento with a couple of hamsters?

Well, you could, um, you could tell me about your family. I mean, not many

people have seven brothers and sisters, right?

He's got ten.

Oh.

Well, why don't you tell him that your father writes for a newspaper?

His dad builds race cars.

Oh, that sounds exciting.

Almost too good to be true, huh?

Yeah, I know.

Well, keep thinking. I mean, I'm sure you're going to come up with something.

Here next, I am writing to you

from... My houseboat.

My father the

astronaut.

There's a magic in...

When the sunrise smiles on everything around.

It's a portrait of the happiness that we feel and

always will.

Oh, it is enough to fill our lives with love.

Oh, we'd spend our days like brides.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

If you don't hurry up, you're going to miss your flight.

Be right down.

Nicholas and Irving's what?

Lemonade.

Lemonade? Where are you going to sell this?

Out front.

Yeah, we figure we can get the local trade.

Yes, of course.

And I'll get the litter trade all over my front lawn.

Don't. worry, Dad. We're not throwing anything away. We're recycling

Oh, well, that sounds very sanitary. Yeah, and profitable.

Nancy!

I'm all set, Dad. Oh, thank goodness.

Do you think it's really necessary to bring your entire wardrobe for one week

computer training?

Yes, Daddy. People dress in San Francisco.

Oh, yes. Well, what do they do in Sacramento?

Cover their nakedness?

Thank heavens for that.

Nicholas, do you want to come out and say goodbye to your sister?

Goodbye.

I should know better than to expect sentiment from a nine -year -old

businessman.

What happened? I thought you disappeared.

I kind of got lost in the stacks.

How's it going?

Well, Michelangelo just started painting the 15th chapel.

The Renaissance is supposed to have been a fun time.

Only when it's compared to the Spanish Inquisition.

Hey, you look a little burned out. Did you have a rough workout in the pool

today? No.

I didn't even go to practice.

I don't know what's got me down.

Well, whatever it is, I think I know the cure.

Tommy!

you happy again?

I just need to loosen up.

Are you and Rick having problems?

No.

Or maybe.

Nothing 90 miles won't cure.

It's tough dating a freshman at Berkeley when you're still a junior at

Sacramento High.

Why don't you just give it up?

I guess I'm one of those people who think they have someone who cares.

You don't have to go all the way to Berkeley for that.

David, we have visitors. What are you talking about?

We have cockroaches.

Hey, Nicholas, I thought you were supposed to be watching.

Nicholas!

I'm watching, I'm watching.

sisters.

Okay, Nicholas, now you're the boss.

Hey, you guys, we gotta set an extra plate for dinner. Oh, no, don't tell me

Nancy's given up on computers already.

No, Tommy's invited a guest over for dinner. Oh, no, not that skid Hendricks

again. Boy, somebody has to teach him to use a knife and a fork.

This time it's the girl, Lori West.

Tommy's bringing a girl home for dinner?

Hey, Elizabeth, what's the story?

I know they've been spending a lot of time together, you know, hanging around

each other at school and stuff.

Oh, come on. Get to the good detail.

That's it. As far as I know, there's nothing romantic going on. Oh, yeah.

on. With our little brother? You're kidding. I don't believe it. Really, you

guys? They are just friends. Come on. I mean, Laura's going with some college

guy, and Tommy's dating a cheerleader.

Hey, uh, Elizabeth, she's a majorette, okay? A majorette. What did you do with

my carton? They're over there on the counter.

Ah, good.

See you guys at dinner.

That doesn't look like somebody going to pick up a friend.

Unless it was a very good friend.

Yeah.

Great designing, Professor.

Oh, thank you, Laura. I'd love to take the credit, but Mary made it.

Well, some people drink to escape the pressures of studying. I cook.

What's the project you're working on in school, Tommy? Oh, it's a term paper.

You writing it together?

No, we each have a separate subject, but we're just kind of helping each other

out with the research.

Oh, you mean Tommy copies off your paper?

No, it's not like that, Nicholas.

You see, Tommy isn't too familiar with the Dewey Decimal System, so I try to

help him find the books he needs.

And Lori doesn't know when to quit studying, so?

So, that's where your years of valuable experience come in handy.

Well, we each have our strong points.

Well, I think Laurie is a very nice girl. I know.

Anybody can get Tommy to help with the dishes. It's okay in my book.

Did you see how polite he was at dinner?

My guess is that there's something very special going on between those two.

Tommy says they're just platonic friends.

That's what they want us to think.

But I've got a sixth sense that says that they're more than just platonic

friends. I think that's just a father's wishful thinking.

Yeah? Maybe. I don't know.

But don't you think that a girl like Laurie, I mean, bright, thoughtful,

would be a very good influence on Tommy?

Mm -hmm.

Look what I did for you.

Well, with a miracle or two, I just may get this paper done.

Hey, are you okay?

Huh?

Oh, yeah. I guess my mind just won.

You want to knock off for the night?

Are you kidding?

I got three more chapters.

Just thought I'd ask.

Tommy?

Yeah?

I think I... I think I better start reading three

more chapters.

Yep, you got a mess of roaches down there, all right.

We have more in the bathroom.

Figured that.

Can't use hand -to -hand combat with this many of the little devils.

Oh, no.

Gotta drop the big one. The big one?

The bomb.

You know, fumigate.

Oh, when can you get started?

Well, seeing as I don't have the proper equipment with me now, I guess it'll

have to be first thing in the morning.

That'll give you folks time enough to find another place to hole up for a day

two.

I beg your pardon.

Well, you can't stay here while I'm fumigating. The smell alone will knock

out. Not to mention all the dead bodies.

Oh, yuck.

Well, see you bright and early.

Right. Thank you very much.

Got any ideas where we're going to stay?

One, but I'm not sure how it's going to go over.

Hey, Lori.

Lori, wait up.

Lori, how come you weren't here today?

I just got to school.

Where you been?

What is it? Do you want to know from my mother?

Well, it was he and you. I'm sorry. I was just wondering.

Is that a free clinic, all right?

Free clinic?

What, are you sick?

What's wrong? What did they say?

They said I was pregnant.

Hey, come on. I'm serious.

Oh, my.

Grand opening, huh?

Yeah, what do you think?

Well, you better let me take the taste test first before I pass judgment.

Well?

Tasted better when I made it the other day.

That'll be ten cents.

You drink, you pay.

Oh, in that case, it was rotten.

Thank you. Please come again.

Well, you want to talk about it?

I don't owe you an explanation. You have nothing to do with this.

Sorry. I know you're just trying to help.

Yeah, you're right. I am.

Have you given much thought to what you're going to do?

Sure.

That doesn't mean I came up with any answers.

You know, they teach you all about how not to get pregnant.

But nobody tells you what to do if it happens.

What about Rick? Have you talked to him yet?

Yeah, I called him from the clinic.

What did he have to say?

What could he say? He said he was sorry.

Well, isn't he coming back to Sacramento?

I hope so.

I really need him right now.

Wait, what about your parents?

You want to think about it?

How do you tell a mother and father their little girl's in big trouble?

What brings you two here so early?

We need a favor.

All right, try me.

Room and board?

Temporarily, of course. They're fumigating our apartment.

Oh, no, not ants again.

Roaches. Well,

I guess I can't deny my home to my own son and his... Attorney.

Right, of course, his attorney.

Are you sure it's okay if we stay here?

Oh, yes.

You sure there's no problem?

We've got a problem.

You forgot to make reservations for lunch. No, I'm serious. We have two

unmarried people staying in our house.

We have seven unmarried people staying in our house. What's two more?

Abby, David, and Janet are spending the night.

Together? Yes.

Can we talk about it later? I'm hungry.

But it bothers me now.

Nicholas is there.

Well, they'll just have to sleep separately. We have plenty of room.

But what about the... The neighbors?

If they come by, we can turn out the lights and pretend that we're not there.

Now, would you come on? You invited me to lunch.

What is this? Some kind of holiday when people can't have lemon?

I don't know. Maybe we're in a bad spot.

Think so?

Haven't you seen all the people go by that corner?

Maybe we should move over there.

Okay, let's check it out. We've got nothing better to do.

I don't believe it.

Tracy Capleton.

Isn't she the one that makes you itch?

Just like Poison Ivy.

I can see why.

Who's the other one?

Her sister.

Hello, Nicholas.

Can I get something for you?

Yeah, you can get out of town.

I didn't think you were going to make it.

Listen, Laurie, I know that it's impossible for me to totally relate to

you're going through, and there's nothing I can say to change things, but

need me, I'm there.

I know, Tommy. It's not your problem.

Yeah, I know. You and Rick.

Rick.

That's a laugh.

Go on, read it.

Dear Laurie, I know that neither of us is ready for the responsibility of a

child yet.

I hope this covers the expenses.

Believe me, it's the best thing for the both of us.

I'm sorry, Rick.

$300.

That's this idea of the best thing.

Just a few hours, one afternoon in a clinic, and boom.

The problem goes away just like that.

Well, that particular solution just isn't the right thing for me.

Are you sure?

David, hi.

Just the man I wanted to see. What's up?

Come in here a second, huh?

Sit down, David.

You know,

As the father of this household, I have certain ethical responsibilities.

Dad, I know... Please, now, let me finish. This is important.

I know, I know that you and Janet are cohabitating.

And that's your business.

Right. Right. But I think that tonight, with Nicholas,

he looks up to you,

I... This is so hard to say. I don't think that I can allow you

and Janet... Oh, Janet.

We were just talking about you.

I'm sorry. I just wanted to thank you for letting us stay here.

Nancy's bed is just perfect.

Nice and hard.

Oh, Nancy's bed.

Elizabeth doesn't snore, does she?

No.

Wait a minute.

I've been standing here talking about this for five minutes, and all the time

you two had already decided to uncohabitate.

David! I'm sorry, Dad. I love to watch you struggle with your conscience.

Dad? Oh, Tommy, I'm in here. See you later.

Have you got a minute?

Certainly.

This must be very serious.

Yeah, it is.

Tell me. Come on. The suspension's killing me. What is it?

Well, uh, I've come to a decision, and I want you to try and understand it from

my point of view.

Well, I'll try.

Uh... Well?

Uh... Dad, Laura's pregnant.

What?

We have to get married.

I can't believe it.

You know, sex is not something to be taken lightly.

Look, Dad, no one took it lightly. It was an accident. I'm sorry.

Sorry? Do you realize what this means?

Fatherhood at 16?

Hey, listen, I'd like to take it back, but I can't. How could you do something

so irresponsible?

Look, Dad, what do you want me to do? Walk away from it?

What about Lori?

Yeah, Laurie, that's another thing I don't understand. She's such a nice

Oh, I get it. Nice girls don't get pregnant, huh?

No, no, no. That's not what I mean. I mean that the two of you should have

thought about the consequences before you did something so stupid.

Oh, this is great. The old Bradford understanding.

You can always count on Dad when the chips are down. That's enough, young

Sure is.

It's so quiet out there, it's eerie.

Poor Tommy.

Yeah, Dad really came down hard on him.

What would you like Dad to do, Susan?

Congratulate Tommy on his engagement? No, but he could be a little more

compassionate. I mean, it's not your average family crisis, is it? No.

You know, I kind of admire Tommy. I mean, at least he's standing up and

accepting the responsibility.

Really? You know, it's just so unreal. I mean, you hear about this kind of

thing, but you never expect it to happen in your own family.

Yeah.

I've often wondered what I'd do if it happened to me.

Can you imagine what our lives would be like now if one of us had a baby at 16?

There must be something we can do to help.

I agree.

But at this point, I don't know what that is.

They're just a couple of kids.

Not anymore.

They probably are right now looking for a justice of the peace.

Stop blaming yourself. You did what any father would do under the circumstances.

What did I do?

I didn't even listen to them. I just was too busy yelling my head off, and

now... We'll be back.

And then what?

And then we'll all sit down and we'll have a talk.

There are rational ways of dealing with teenage pregnancies.

Oh, Tom, the best thing you can do right now is to get some sleep.

I'm sorry, Tommy. I just don't know how to break to them.

That's okay. Come on, let's go for a ride.

Too jumpy to sit still.

Come on.

Tommy,

this whole marriage idea, it's not right.

Why do you want to throw away your whole life?

It's not your problem.

I don't need someone else to share it with me.

Look, I'm not just sharing your problem. We're working it out together.

I mean, we can't. Yeah, we can.

Now, look, I figure if we can get married next week... Next week?

Yeah, the sooner we get settled, the easier it's going to be when the baby

comes. Tommy, this is crazy.

Please, I'm begging you, don't get involved.

Look, you said yourself that you can't handle it alone.

Now, you've already found out how much Rick cares.

And you can't even tell your own parents. Now, where does that leave you?

Nowhere.

Is that what you want for yourself?

I don't know, Tommy. I don't know.

Is that what you want for your baby?

No.

Why am I doing this to you?

Because you love me.

I knew there was a good reason.

It's not going to be easy for me down here, knowing you're up there.

I'll blow kisses from the window.

No, it won't work. It's too cold outside.

On the other hand, it's rather warm upstairs.

You're not thinking.

A midnight rendezvous? Yes, as a matter of fact, I was.

How's it sound to you?

Very romantic.

Very enticing.

And very crowded.

Oh, Elizabeth, no.

That's difficult, but not impossible.

I covered for her once when she broke curfew with an electric bass player.

She owes me.

I don't like doing them.

And I wouldn't like telling Dad about the electric bass player either.

time is it?

Nicholas, it's the middle of the night. What got you out of bed?

Well, I think it was all that lemonade that we had left over from this

afternoon. Oh, yeah, that'll do it every time. Come on, let's get you back to

bed.

Well, he had to go talk to somebody. He'll be back soon.

How about a story?

Yeah. Bring me this one.

Captain Ozone and the screams from behind the lair. Are you sure this won't

you awake?

And when the radiation cleared, Captain Ozone walked through the burned -out

shell of what was once the planet Keneba, happy that the universe was safe

again.

David, I didn't know anyone else was up.

I just needed another blanket.

Look, I was going down to the kitchen for a snack. I could show you some

company.

Oh, sure.

So, that was our fifth date.

And the next time, well, he wanted to go to the zoo.

And he had to see everything.

That's when I said, forget it.

I don't know, David, do you think I was... David?

Oh, David, are you sleeping?

No.

Thanks for listening.

David, what are you doing?

Oh, I'm just getting a blanket. Oh, I was hoping you might be Tommy. No,

not home yet.

That must be him now.

Why don't you come down with me, David? You might be able to relate better than

I. Sure, Dad.

I'm sorry I flew off the handle this afternoon.

I was wrong.

That's okay, Dad. I guess I kind of sprung it on you without much warning.

Tommy, are you sure that marriage is the answer?

Baby deserves a father.

Well, we all understand how you feel about Lori, but do you realize what

marriage means?

Dad, what would you have done if this had happened to you?

Well, I...

Wait, that's not a fair question. Things are a lot different today. You have

alternatives. Laurie doesn't want an alternative.

Now, wait a minute. I'd like to know where Laurie's parents stand on all

They don't know. They don't know?

Well, you can't make plans without her parents' consent.

Dad. Look, Dad will tell them.

We just want to make sure everything is worked out first.

All right, then let's talk about it, okay?

Have you figured a way to take care of a wife and a child?

I'll have to rent a cheap apartment somewhere, and I guess I'll have to go

and get a job.

Dad, remember we once talked about converting the garage into an apartment?

Yes, I guess we could still swing that.

Do you mean it?

Sure, we're all in this together.

Hey, there's a chance I can get you some light construction work on weekends.

Then you could still stay in school.

I'll work so hard.

Well, it might not be the greatest way to start a new life, but who knows?

In time...

Dad, I was kind of wrong today, too.

You're right. I can count on you when the chips are down.

Not just me.

The whole family.

Did you learn to switch backhand?

No.

No, not yet.

How's it going?

Great.

Hey, don't look so down. I've got everything under control. It's all set.

What's all set?

You and me.

I talked to my dad and my brother last night. Wait till you hear what they're

going to do.

Wait a minute, Tommy. You can't drag your family into this.

I'm not dragging anybody into anything.

They want to help.

David and I are going to turn the garage into an apartment for us. You expect us

to bring up a baby in a garage?

It'll be...

Perfect, I promise.

And David's going to line up some part -time jobs for me so I can still go to

school.

At least it's not a total disaster.

Of course.

I can still bring in some money and still see you.

Besides, David and I work great together. We'll probably have our own

construction company by the time we bronze our first baby shoes.

Look, the important thing is that you're going to have a baby.

And that baby's going to need a father.

I'm not going to stand by and watch your life go down the drain when I can do

something about it.

Why did everything get so messed up?

Look, I want you to start thinking positive.

My family's behind us.

Everything's going to work out.

Now, I told you I was going to take care of you, and I mean it.

Just be quiet and let me handle everything, okay?

first batch ready yet?

I don't know. It says it takes ten minutes.

Do you remember when Mary put them in?

No, but we'll know when they're done.

We'll show that Tracy Capleton. She's not the only one that can run a lemonade

stand.

How much water goes in this stuff?

Two quarts.

I just thought of something.

If we put in four quarts, we have twice as much, right?

So?

So we could cut our prices to five cents and undersell Tracy Capleton.

Yeah.

Irving.

The cookie.

Won't you come in, dear?

Please, have a seat.

Thank you.

Mr. Bradford, I don't know what Tommy has told you about us. Oh, no, no, no.

Well, we've discussed the whole thing, and we've decided to make the best of

But you know what really disturbs me is that your family doesn't know what...

Mr. Bradford, that's not what I came to talk to you about.

It's not my family I'm worried about.

It's yours.

I don't know how he let this go so far.

Maybe I was being selfish.

When I was so frightened and alone, I just didn't know where else to turn.

I never stopped to think how much my mistake would affect you and your

Wait a minute.

I don't follow you.

You've got to stop this before it's too late.

Tommy is not the father of my baby.

You want some lemonade?

Drink your lemonade?

Yuck. Then what are you doing here?

We want to buy you out.

Buy us out?

Yes. You boys are giving lemonade a bad name in this neighborhood.

Forget it. We're not selling.

Okay. We just have to drive you out of business.

Wait. We won't sell, but we might consider becoming partners with you.

I think we can work something out.

Thanks for driving me home.

Oh, that's all right.

You know, I had the feeling all the way over here that maybe you wanted to ask

me something.

I do, I just don't know how.

Oh, don't be afraid to ask.

Mr. Bradford, what should I do?

Oh, I can't answer that question.

Nobody can, really. It's your decision.

And it's a decision that is not only going to affect your life, but also the

life that you're bringing into this world.

I don't know what to do.

Keep the baby, put it up for adoption?

It's all so confusing.

You haven't told your folks yet.

I don't want to hurt them.

See, you're hurting them more by keeping it from them.

They won't be as understanding as you were.

This is a very difficult thing for them to understand.

Naturally, they're going to feel betrayed. They're going to be upset.

But that's only normal.

I mean, be patient with them.

Give them time to remember how much they love you.

I don't think it'll take them too long.

Now I know why Tommy is so special.

She told you?

Yes.

She didn't want to hurt you.

Hurt me?

Sit down.

Tommy, when someone that you care for is in trouble, your first instinct is to

try to protect them. I mean, you'll do everything within your power to help

them.

But sometimes you can't always listen to what your heart is telling you.

Listen, Dad, Laurie needs me. Her baby needs a father.

Did Laurie tell you that?

Tommy, it's very rare that a man is willing to sacrifice his own needs for a

friend.

And I'm proud of you for that. I really am.

But this is the wrong way to go about helping someone that you care for.

I don't think so.

Maybe you don't.

But Laurie does.

What?

She doesn't want to marry you.

Well, at least business is booming.

Yeah, the more it booms, the more we work. Some partnership.

What are you going to do with your share?

Take a vacation.

Yeah, I know what you mean.

The lemonade business isn't all it's made out to be.

Especially when you're working for Tracy's slave driver.

Are you boys loafing again?

You haven't even finished squeezing the last box.

We need a break. Our blisters burned from the lemon juice.

While you work at the big squeeze, I give the orders.

You know, I'm leaving this weekend.

What made you decide on that school?

Well, I talked it over with my parents, and they agree.

It's the best thing for me.

The counselors are young and really nice.

And the girls, well, we're all in the same boat, so nobody feels like a freak

anything.

Sounds great.

It's not great.

It's the only thing I can do right now.

You know, I'm gonna miss you.

Me too.

Hey, mister, you're just going to sit there. How about letting us use it?

Sure, kid.

Guess it's not our place anymore, huh?

You know, I really do love you.

I love you, too.

I guess I acted like such a jerk around my plans and... No, Tommy, it was

beautiful.

Remember when I told you I needed someone to care about me?

Yeah.

Well, it makes going away a little easier knowing there's someone who does.

Well, I hope everything works out for you.

I'm scared.

Yeah, I am too.

But I know I'm doing the right thing.

I need time to think, to figure out what's best for me and the baby.

You're doing the right thing.

Oh, thanks, Simon. That helps.

Hey, can I come visit you sometime?

Better.

You take care of yourself, okay?

Bye, Tommy.

I'm going to take these out of the car.

Okay, I'll be out in a second.

Well, uh, leaving so soon? Oh, yeah.

Landlord called. Gave us the all -clear signal. Roaches are dead and gone. Don't

count on it. It's been my experience that old roaches never die. They just

next door.

Uh -oh.

Does Nicholas know you're taking his zappies?

Well, it's a care package. Our coverage suffered heavy losses when we were

stocking up. Oh, wait a minute. That reminds me. Go on.

You don't want to forget this again.

Oh.

Thanks. Enjoy.

Thank you. Don't mention it.