Original subtitles

Dad likes David Betts. Nope, it's Nicholas.

Oh, come on, Tommy, open your eyes. It's David.

You're so far off target, I can't believe it. Who's off target?

Hey, what are you guys fighting about?

Well, there's no fight. We're just trying to decide on Dad's favorite.

That's easy.

It's Vanilla.

Vanilla? Yeah, and in baseball, it's between the A's and the Phillies.

No, Nicholas, what we're talking about is Dad's favorite child.

I said it was you.

No, it's David. See, Tommy.

David? Yeah.

He had David first, didn't he? And would he like me best and let David be

oldest? It's David.

No, I don't think so, Nicholas.

Nicholas, after all the times that I've told you not to leave your bicycle in

the driveway, why did I just almost run over it?

Sorry, Dad.

Go put it in the garage where it belongs.

And while you're out there, take your skateboard off the front porch.

And as long as you're on your feet, you might as well take out the trash.

You're right, Tommy.

Dad does like me best.

It's a poor dread of the happiness that we feel and always

will.

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

Oh, we spend our days like bright and shiny new dimes.

There's a plate of homemade wishes on the kitchen

windowsill.

And eight is enough to fill our lives with.

Well, how's it look?

I thought you said you were going to get a sign painted on your office.

This is my office.

Oh, boy, that's magnificent, David. Do we still call you David or state license

number 7893382?

Just call me boss.

Boss of what?

Myself, Nicholas, myself, see?

David, this is terrific. We're really happy for you.

I'm envious.

No job hunting, no getting fired, no money coming in.

Oh, Susan, I hate to deprive you of your pessimism, but I already have my first

customer. Now that's what I call enterprising.

No, that's desperation.

The apartment job I had with Western Construction is all over with and they

out of work.

It was either start my own company or be unemployed.

Some of the greatest tycoons started just this way.

Let's hear it for the first one in the Bradford family.

Oh, yes, very happy. It's something he's wanted for a long time.

Oh, well, then you weren't just smiling to make him feel good.

Oh, no.

Why? Well, I didn't want to bother you if you were just smiling to make him

good. No, no, no, you weren't bothering me.

Well, I think I will when I give you this.

What is it?

It's a note from Mrs. Walker. I think she wants to see you.

Really?

What about?

Well...

Why don't you talk? I think you're ruining my future.

Ruining your future?

Dad, you talk to Mrs. Walker.

It's out of my hands.

Nicholas.

Oh, Dad.

Dad, look what the Independent says.

Oh, Joanie, I thought that we had a deal.

If you have to read that fish wrapper, you do it outside next to the garbage

can. I don't ever want to see this thing inside my house. Just because they're

always scooping the register?

They have never scooped a register. Oh, really? Well, I think you better read

this review.

Your drama critic didn't even come to our show. The Weekly Independent gave us

whole column and they gave me four whole adjectives. Really? Yeah, they say I'm

discerning, inventive...

technically proficient. Oh, that's three adjectives and one adverb. But it is a

wonderful thing.

Well, gosh, finally they're hiring somebody with intelligence.

Yeah, the reviewer's name's Charles Alistair Gibson. Do you know him? No.

can't say that I ever heard of him. But I'll tell you one thing. I can tell that

this man definitely knows fine acting when he sees it. Not just fine acting.

Discerning, inventive, and technically proficient.

Why would such a good writer wait for such a bad paper?

You really think he's good? Oh, yes. I mean, if I were reviewing your

performance, I would use three better adjectives and a superior adverb.

Oh, that's bad.

But this man's not my father, and he doesn't have to say these things about

you know?

Listen, do you think I should express my appreciation?

I'd say that was discerning, inventive, and technically proficient.

Oh, speaking of performances, I'm going to get those tickets for the Mikado

tomorrow. Uh -huh.

The Mikado.

You know, our annual visit to the Gilbert and Sullivan Orgy. You and I,

year. Right, Dad. Right, of course. I forgot. Sorry.

Can I have the reviews? Yes. Here you go.

Thanks.

Charles Alistair Gibson?

I never heard of him.

But he's a drama critic.

Drama critic?

We don't have a drama critic.

Oh, you mean the guy who freelances our local artsy stuff.

Charlie, what's his name?

Alistair Gibson.

May I speak to him, please?

He's not here.

He works out of his apartment, as I recall.

Oh.

Do you have a telephone?

I guess not. He never left me a number.

Oh.

Well,

can I leave him a message?

Sure, sure.

Here, leave a message.

I, uh...

I can't promise she'll get it, but leave it anywhere.

Oh.

You, uh... You a bill collector?

No, I'm an actress.

An actress?

Sure you are, honey.

Until that big break comes along, you're a bill collector, right?

Mrs. Walker?

Yes?

Hello. I'm Nicholas Bradford's father.

You gave him this note you wanted to see me?

Oh, yes, of course, Mr. Bradford.

I appreciate your being so prompt.

Actually, I'm ten minutes early.

I've been walking around the schoolyard waiting for the three o 'clock bell to

ring, but I got so nervous I just had to come in and find out.

What's wrong with Nicholas?

Nothing, Mr. Bradford. Nothing?

Oh, then it is my fault.

What have I done?

It's what you haven't done, Mr. Bradford, and what I haven't done. We

to blame.

To blame?

For what?

Totally ignoring Nicholas's exceptional musical aptitude.

Nicholas's musical?

He scored in the 99th percentile in the school -wide test conducted by our

visiting music teacher.

Amazing.

I don't think I ever even heard him hum.

A 99th percentile talent deserves total encouragement.

Mr. Bradford, would you be willing to encourage Nicholas by renting an

instrument and arranging lessons?

Willing? Oh, I'd be overjoyed. I thought you were going to put Nicholas back

into the third grade.

What instrument do you recommend?

Oh. Oh, a budding talent in the 99th percentile should have any instrument

chosen.

power of choice without retaining the power of veto. You don't understand.

Nicholas is in the 99th percentile.

Oh, well, don't ask me what percentile I'd put you into.

Charles Alistair who?

Gibbs.

Oh, come on in. I'll tell Jenny you're here.

Oh, I'll tell her a little bit.

Hi. Hi.

If you really want to be nice to him, let him wait outside.

So I figured if you were nice enough to thank me for the review, the least I

could do is thank you for thanking me. How could I help but thank you?

I mean, your writing is so... It has so much insight.

I'm so sensitive. I wish somebody would say that about my real writing.

Why, don't you think drama criticism is real?

I think poetry is more real.

Poetry? Poetry.

Do you know Hashi Al -Qatar?

He's Syrian.

He's universal.

Someday I could write only half as well.

I bet someone will say that about you soon.

Thank you.

I just don't understand. I mean, how can they give you a contract one day and

then take it away the next?

Well, it's not their fault. Until this zoning hassle gets straightened out,

can't break ground.

Well, how long would that take?

Well, you'd know better than I would. It's going to court.

Oh. Well, that's a minimum of eight months and a maximum of two years.

Any chance that your old company would hire you back?

Well, they're in the same boat.

I guess I'll just have to hustle up another contract.

Well, at least we have my salary.

Correction. You have your salary.

Well, I don't mind sharing it, David. I do. You know our arrangement.

You said yourself that the construction business was very tight.

So I'll hustle harder.

Chauvinist? No.

Tycoon.

Unemployed tycoon.

Dad, I think Harold would like another slice of whiskey.

Oh, yes, of course.

That's a third.

Who's counting?

Me and Dad.

Nicholas, please, eat.

What's left?

Well, tell me, Charles, have you ever considered applying for work at a real

newspaper?

Why, Tom, are you leaving the register to become a diplomat? Oh, no, I didn't

mean that to sound undiplomatic. I meant it as a compliment. We're always

looking for bright young writers.

The truth is, Mr. Bradford, I've considered it.

You see, Abby, he has considered it.

And I've decided that I'm too young to prostitute myself.

To what?

Oh, he said that... Nicholas, go play your drums.

What I mean is, until I can give serious writing a real try, I don't want to

settle for easy hack work.

Now, wait a minute.

Journalism is not easy hack. Dad, um, I think we ought to let Charles enjoy his

dinner.

If you think I can chew with my foot in my mouth.

They only went for coffee. How come I get this feeling that you still

disapprove? Oh, come on now, Abby. Who am I to disapprove? I'm just a hot

journalist, remember?

You heard Mr. Wonderful.

Nicholas, hi.

David would love to hear you play all morning, but we have to talk.

Oh, well, you go ahead and talk, Dad. You won't bother me.

Nicholas! You know those places in between the notes where you have to

Yeah.

Practice those outside in your little playhouse.

I don't have to converse in sign language.

There's really nothing to talk about.

I'm sorry Janet mentioned my problem to Mary.

Don't worry, I'll find other contracts to bid on.

Oh, well, I admire your attitude.

Knock a Bradford down and they bounce right back up again.

But, of course, sometimes it's good to bounce back up into the realm of

practicality. I mean, we all know that there's a long time gap between bidding

on a job and actually doing the work.

True. But what can I do about it? Well, I thought that you might consider doing

a job for a client where there's no bidding involved. You know, where the

knows you're working. He's anxious for you to start work this very afternoon.

Now, who's bounced clear past practicality? Dad, that's impossible.

Oh, I don't think renovating this living room in the entryway is impossible.

Renovating what?

Come on.

Let's face it. The work has to be done. I'm going to have to hire somebody.

Now that you have a license and you're available, why not you? Dad, I don't

your charity.

Please, this is not charity. This is shrewd bargaining.

I'm taking advantage of you while business is slow.

Actually, it stopped before it started.

I don't want to hear your problems. Just do my work in the time we set and at

the price we negotiate.

You're really serious?

Oh, yes. Serious?

I'm demanding and heartless. I will be the fussiest customer you've ever had.

Well, in that case, we better drop a contract.

Very good. I'll have my lawyer call your lawyer.

My lawyer's Janet.

That'll make it easy. So is mine.

The curtain opened, revealing you.

Sweet velvet curtain I did not know.

My life had opened, too.

Thank you.

And you like it?

Yes, I love it.

It... It's the most beautiful thing I've ever read.

As good as all the other poems men write about you?

It's the only poem anyone's ever written about.

I've got four more in my notebook, but they're not ready to show you yet.

You do?

I thought you said you had a writer's block.

It was cured by meeting you.

Really, Johnny?

I hope you keep writing.

I will.

You've taken my mind off all my problems.

Oh, problems.

What? Nothing that an independent income wouldn't cure.

But then who ever heard of a rich poet?

Oh, really?

I mean, Paschal Kittar died a pauper.

I figure it this way.

Some men enrich the world.

Lesser men enrich themselves.

You can't do this to me.

Don't worry, Tommy.

I'll only play on my side of the room.

Yeah, I'll be deaf on mine.

I'm sorry, Tommy. There's no alternative. David needs it as clear as

downstairs. Yeah, but, Dad, how will I sleep? How will I study?

Look, if Nicholas' drums make you worry that much about studying, we should have

moved them in here ten years ago.

Use the kitchen phone, all right?

Look, it's in there.

Look, if it's important, they'll call back.

It's not important, it's crucial.

Dad's phone.

Oh, no, he'll never call again.

I really admire you for that, Charles.

I've always dreamed about just taking off and really seeing life.

I guess I've never had the courage to do it by myself.

Maybe what you need is an experienced guide.

Maybe.

I could do it.

Maybe.

Joanie, guess what? I've got good news.

Hello, Charles. Mr. Bradford.

Well, what's happening? I was able to get reservations for the Riverview

tomorrow night. And if we get there at 6 o 'clock sharp, you can have that

Villasca that you love so much without missing a single note of the overture.

Oh, Dad, that was nice. You didn't have to do that. It's kind of expensive.

It's not part of the tradition.

Oh, well, even traditions can be improved.

And what better way to improve the mercado than with Villasca?

Gilbert and Sullivan.

Yeah, are you a fan, too?

Not really.

Oh. Well, it's a rare taste, Charles. In fact, in the entire Bradford clan,

Joanie and I are the only ones that share the enthusiasm.

We've been going ever since she was 12 years old. A couple of times we had to

drive all the way to San Francisco to catch a performance.

Yeah, it's been nice, Dad, really.

But, uh, don't you think I've outgrown it a little?

Oh, come on. Nobody outgrows Gilbert and Sullivan.

Good night, Charles. Nice to see you.

He's staying for dinner.

Oh. No, Tom, it has not been four nights in a row. It's only been three, and

it's only dinner.

Exactly. It's only dinner. Why can't Joanie see that?

See what?

Well, don't you see, that Charles is just like those stray cats that Joanie

to bring home.

They're not after her affection, they're after my groceries.

Tom, that's ridiculous.

No, no, Abby, I understand my daughter very well.

She's warm, she's sympathetic, and she's very maternal.

In short, she's a sucker for every hard luck stray that wants to play on her

sympathy. And you think Charles is doing that?

I do. I mean, why else would a girl of Joanie's caliber even get involved with

an unemployed, unmounted, unmitigated... Oh, I don't know. I think that's a

little unfair.

Oh, really? You'll see.

You'll see. I don't know, Tom. I also think I understand Joanie. I think she's

very bright, and I think she's very tuned into people's feelings. And quite

frankly, Tom, I'm a lot more concerned about what's going on in your head right

now than Joanie's. I'm fine.

We'll see, Tom.

We'll see.

Come on, Elizabeth.

Susan, it's Joanie's turn to dry.

Oh, she'll do the same for you someday. She will.

When you're in love.

How could she be in love? She just met the guy.

So she's not in love. She's just infatuated. But she still shouldn't have

the dishes and tremble at the same time. Hey, okay.

Hey, do you really think she's that stuck on Charles? All I know, Elizabeth,

that I've watched Joanie since she first discovered the opposite gender.

And I've never seen her like any boy so much and so fast.

Hold it, Dad.

Unless you like obstacle courses, I would suggest that you use the back

Yeah, if David's half as good at renovating as he is at messing up, he

make a fortune.

Oh, well, thanks for reminding me. I'd hate to get trapped in my own hallway on

such a big night.

A big night? What?

Yes, the Mikado.

Joanie and I have been looking forward to this for almost a year.

That's tonight.

It sure is.

Um, Dad, I think we'd better tell you something.

Can't wait, Mary. I'm kind of pressed to time and I've got to get Joanie. Dad,

Joanie's not home.

She's got to be.

No, she left about an hour ago with Charles.

Charles? Well, he better get her back here in the next five minutes. We're

late. Well, Dad, I wouldn't count on it. She said she wouldn't be home till 9

.30. He had an important book to show her at the library.

The library?

Look, Dad, if we'd known about your special evening, we would have reminded

I'm sure she just forgot.

How could she forget? We just talked about it yesterday.

Dad, Joanie hasn't been able to concentrate on anything lately except

Then why didn't Charles remind her?

He's supposed to be the genius.

Dad!

Are

you

sure you're all right?

If you want to miss class, it's okay with me.

But don't use me as an excuse.

Well, I mean, you could see the Mikado tomorrow night.

No.

Come on, practice is over.

I know, I'm just doing this for fun.

Well, it's no fun for the rest of us. You'll have to knock it off until

Okay, okay.

Hey!

I gotta finish this song, don't I?

Then we should someplace else.

Okay, okay.

No, Joanne. No, I want you to.

I'm not going to take the money.

See, it's okay.

About $70.

And I'll try to get more.

I really don't like taking this. Don't be silly. Take it.

I want to help.

Dad, can I ask a question?

Oh, well, you already did. Now, is the next question easier or harder?

Harder. How come Joanie has to pay Charles to kiss her?

What? Well, Charles kissed Joanie, and Joanie gave Charles $70.

When? Just now, downstairs.

You wait right here.

Joanie!

Dad, what are you... I want to talk to you.

In private.

You know, it's bad enough that that Charles lured you away from our Mikado

but now... Oh, Mikado, Dad, I forgot. I'm sorry. But now you gave him money.

Why?

Why? I don't think that's any of your business. Can't you see that he's just a

leech? Dad! I don't like him. I don't trust him. I want him out of this house,

and I want him out of your life. You don't mean that. That's exactly what I

mean.

Where do you think you're going? To Charles. Did you hear me? Stop right

It's all right, Joanie. I don't want to cause any problems.

I'm leaving.

Please, be my guest.

I will never talk to you again.

I'm sorry.

I guess I'm keeping you awake. How can you say that?

I should have thrown that Charles out of the house the first night. None of this

would have even happened. No, if you had thrown Charles out the first night, all

of this still would have happened. It's just that Joanie would have stopped

speaking to you a few days earlier. That's all.

Doesn't she realize I'm only trying to protect her?

Tom, it's her money. She can do what she wants to with it. And how do you know

that Charles won't pay her back?

Fat chance. I know his type.

I mean, no man with any self -respect would allow himself to sponge off a

and take advantage of her generous impulses and romantic nature.

Oh, yeah? Then how come you still owe me 85 cents from those triple -scooped ice

cream combs the other night at the restaurant when you didn't remember your

wallet? All right, I'll pay you back right now. No, no, no, no. I was just

teasing.

Don't you understand? I'm just trying to help you get this into a proper

perspective.

Tom, do you realize that my father still thinks of you as an irresponsible,

middle -aged adolescent who makes his living in a very shady profession?

That has nothing to do with Joanie and Charles.

Yes, it has everything to do with Joanie and Charles.

Tom, every father thinks that there is no man who is good enough for his

daughter. Right. Well, in this case, this father happens to be right.

I mean, he didn't like Charles from the minute they met. He didn't even give him

a chance.

Joanie, I'll admit that Dad didn't take to Charles in the beginning, but you

have to admit that Charles didn't exactly try to make a good impression.

Of course not.

He's no hypocrite. I guess not. Who lends hypocrites 70 bucks?

I told Charles that he didn't have to consider it alone.

Joanie, you gave Charles the money? Oh, Susan.

They were going to kick him out of his apartment.

I mean, it's not his fault that he's broke. He can't work at some menial job.

He wouldn't have time to do his real work.

Perfect his talent.

Oh, really?

Well, then how come Mary works at a menial job while she's trying to perfect

school? How come I work at the daycare center while I try to perfect college,

huh? It is totally different.

Charles is an artist.

Yeah, he's an artist, all right. By convincing you, he shouldn't work.

Oh, hi, Dad.

Glad I found you before you left.

What is it, Nicholas?

Well, I just learned my first real song.

You want to hear it? Oh, no, not right now. I have a headache.

But it's your favorite, Rudolph the Red -Nosed Reindeer.

Tonight, Nicholas.

Maybe tonight.

What about you, Mary?

Sure, Nicholas. I'd be glad to listen.

But you have to tell me something first.

What? Well, I'm not an expert on drum playing.

You know that. But I was wondering, how do you know for sure that you're playing

Rudolph the Red -Nosed Reindeer?

Not some other song.

Well, you mean like the Star Spangled Banner?

Yeah.

Hmm.

Can you ask me that question after I had my other lesson?

Well, that's the best news I've had in the last four days.

Thanks, Dad.

But I haven't told you all of it. The only reason I got the job is because

they're five weeks behind and I have to start today.

Well, if those are the terms, then those are the terms.

No, I don't think you understand. You see, I have to pull my helpers off this

job here and put them on the contract that just came through.

Oh, I see. Then you'll have to hire new helpers for this job.

Yeah, if I can find some. But don't worry. I guarantee you that this job

finished just as we agreed.

And tonight, in fact, I'm going to come here all by myself and do all the work

that was scheduled for today. By yourself?

Sure.

Oh, now, wait a minute. After doing a full day's work on the new job?

Please, Dad, this is not your problem.

We made an agreement. I'm going to make sure that it's met.

Yeah, but I'm not so sure that I want you burning yourself out. I mean, I can

always extend the deadline.

No, Dad. Look, I can handle it.

Listen, you taught us to always meet our obligations, right?

And I don't want the David Bradford Construction Company to fail on its

assignment. All right, David, if that's the way you want it.

I couldn't be more proud.

Dad, it's no big deal. Yes, it is a big deal.

I'm glad someone around here remembers what I taught them.

Um, is Joanie still here?

Why? Who's calling?

Um, I don't know. They didn't say.

Well, ask.

Who's calling, please?

It's Charles.

Hang up.

But, Dad.

Hang up. There will be no more calls in this house from that person.

Is that clear?

Morning, Joanie.

Morning, Tommy.

Morning, Lindsay.

Morning, Joanie.

My, it's chilly this morning.

Crazy.

Hey, friend, it's 2 a .m.

Time for lunch break.

There's more work here than I thought.

Then hire an extra helper for tomorrow night. I can't find anybody who's

to work nights at the salary I'm paying.

No helpers?

No helpers.

Well, then ask Dad for more time.

No, I can't. I'd feel like a failure.

Dad seems to be counting on me to come through like a dutiful son.

Must be his feud with Joanie.

Dad had never feuded with Joanie.

Believe me, David, he's feuding.

They haven't spoken since last night.

Can't believe that.

I mean, Joanie's Dad's special remembrance of Mom. She's named after

She's like Mom.

Yeah, that's probably why it's so hard for him to accept the fact that she's

going with someone he hates.

Oh, I get it. The old electrocomplex.

Actually, David, I think Dad's got good reason to dislike Charles.

I mean, maybe he did move too fast, but so did Joanie.

Well, I'd like to hear the whole diagnosis from the entire family, but if

don't get back up on this ladder, I will have more trouble than I can handle

with my own love life.

David, don't tell me you and Janet are having trouble.

No, I don't think so.

We're not together enough to find out.

You know, when I leave here to go home and take a shower before my day job,

Janet will be gone.

When she comes home to take a shower before going off to law school, I'll be

here on my night job.

Nice being your own boss, isn't it?

I love it.

Goodnight.

Be out in a minute.

This whole thing is ridiculous.

I mean, they're both acting like six -year -olds. Well, I think it's Dad's

fault. Charles is probably the most fascinating boy Joanie's ever dated.

Are you crazy? Charles is a creep.

Does the creep write poetry to a woman he loves?

Oh, come on, Nancy. Why shouldn't Charles write poetry? I mean, all he's

do is stand in the unemployment line.

Yeah, that's a shrewd way to go. Sure beats the corporate rat race.

I can't believe it. I mean, who cares about Charles?

Our father and our sister are not speaking to each other.

Well, Dad's just going to have to get over it before the wedding. The wedding?

Yeah, the wedding.

I can see it now.

It'll probably be outside with a Renaissance theme, and Charles will

write the ceremony himself.

Yeah, and I can play my drum.

Preferably while Charles is reading his poetry.

Yeah, and Dad's having a heart attack.

Will you guys stop this, please? This is not a joke.

Look, Dad and Joanie have both backed themselves into very serious corners.

We can't just let them stay there hurting each other.

But how do we stop it? It's very simple.

If they won't talk, we better.

You're so naive, both of you.

If I let myself talk to Dad just once, I'd say things just as cruel as he said

about Charles.

Joanie, maybe if you really talked to Dad, you'd find out he didn't mean those

things. Oh, he meant them. Susan.

He meant them to hurt him. He thought he'd scare him away.

He doesn't know what kind of person Charles really is.

Well, then maybe you could tell him.

Oh, I'll tell him, all right.

But I won't talk to him.

Joni, that's impossible.

Is it?

One of you has to break the ice.

At least you're Joanie's side of the story.

Oh, despite the fact that she has totally ignored my side of it? Look,

said there are never just two sides to any story.

That's a platitude.

Well, it's your platitude.

And I guess you're stuck with it. That's right. You live by the fatherly advice

and you die by the fatherly advice.

All right, all right. I guess we should back up and start all over again.

Joanie, this is your father. May I come in?

Joanie, please, let's talk.

Joanie?

I think they're empty, Dad.

Empty?

Yeah, I saw Joanie leaving with her suitcase, and I'll give you one guess

she went.

Joey. Hi.

Oh, Charles.

I've been trying to call you, but they wouldn't let me through. I know, I know.

Well, this is where the poet's tour leaves.

What? Well, you know, Big Sur, Kerouac Highways, Whitman's America.

You always said you were the perfect guide.

I'm ready to be guided.

You serious?

Maybe you better come in.

Maybe I better.

Donna, hold my calls.

No, just two exceptions.

Abby and Joni.

What's wrong, Nicholas?

How should I know? You're the one that goes to medical school. Come on!

I

don't

believe it. Poor David.

Where am I?

When you start seeing again, you might recognize this is our living room floor.

Oh, no!

What time is it? It's about 8 .30. Oh, no, I'm late for my other job.

David, look, it'll keep for a while. You need more sleep.

No, I can't have sleep. My workers are waiting for me. This is costing money.

Who cares if you sleep? You're the boss.

Please, Nicholas, don't remind me.

Oh, I'm afraid it's not gonna work. He'll probably blow both contracts.

Well, we'll just have to lend him a hand.

We can't. David's pride is at stake.

He won't even know.

Oh, how can he not even know we're helping him?

Because we'll do it when he can't see us.

He'll see the work we did.

Oh, Elizabeth, are you kidding?

You saw how bleary -eyed he is.

He doesn't even know where he left off.

And look, when he comes in tonight, he'll just figure he got more done than

remembered. You really think so?

Will you stop arguing and pick up the roller?

You sure you really want to leave school, quit the repertory company, and

take off?

Well, we don't have to do it right away, Charles. I mean, we could wait till

June.

You know that poem you wrote?

All roads beckon me, but summer roads demand.

So what happens till June?

We live here.

Here? We can get a larger place if you want.

And what's your father going to say?

Don't worry about that.

I'm not going to let him hurt either one of us anymore.

Consider the source, Joanie.

Your father's old -fashioned, middle -class, and he thinks the Mikado is high

culture.

Oh, I know.

Oh, I know.

I don't know how I stood it for so long.

Be careful, everybody.

Remember, it has to look like David did it himself.

Oh, yeah, and remember, Dad also has to inspect it.

Okay, okay. I just wish you would have consulted with me before you rushed into

this. Oh, come on, Tommy. Don't you want to help save David's health, pride, and

his new company, huh?

Well, sure, but I just think we could have negotiated for something better

zero wages.

Hey, what's everybody doing?

Um, we're helping David, Nicholas, but just pretend you never saw us and it

never happened. Yeah, it's a secret.

A secret, huh? Yeah, and if you blab, we're going to renovate you.

I don't want to blab. I just want to help.

Sorry, Nicholas, this isn't finger painting time.

Yeah, you definitely have to paint inside the lines.

But I'll be careful.

Why don't you find some other way of helping?

I got it. I can cheer you up by playing my drums.

Uh, no. On second thought, why don't you help Tommy and hold the ladder, okay?

Oh, boy.

Hold the ladder.

Yeah.

Oh, boy.

What's wrong?

I just wish I felt more secure about this.

Secure?

I can't figure if you're here because of your love for me or your anger at your

father. Oh, Johnny.

How can you say that?

Isn't this what you wanted?

I wanted the words, Joanie.

I wanted to write you poetry.

I didn't want you standing on my dirty linoleum telling me I'm going to have to

worry about feeding two people and paying rent on a larger place.

Oh, I'll help you with that. We'll do it together.

Even so, it's responsibility.

It's weight.

It's what men like your father do. I don't want a man like that.

Not at this moment, maybe.

But that's what you should have.

No. Yes, Joanie. We had a beautiful first act, you and I.

I wrote some verse.

You spun some dreams.

But I'm just a bit clear.

I disappear before the first act curtain so that you can meet your hero.

No.

No, I don't believe that.

Okay. We'll talk about it later.

Later?

Sorry, sweet love.

I've got to run.

Unemployment lines wait for no man.

Donna and he calls All right, if anybody does call I'll be home

Because I couldn't work if I tried

No luck?

Uh, the weekly independent doesn't know where he lives.

I even went by the police station and they can't help us either.

Abby, I've lost her. Why did I do it? Why did I say those things to her?

she's your special daughter and because you love her very much.

Sometimes that's not enough.

What is this?

What's going on here? Dad, what are you doing here?

That's not the question. Why are you all working like this? Dad, please,

whatever you do, don't blame David. This is our idea.

Yeah, Dad, we just wanted to help David out.

All of us.

All of you?

All of us, Daddy.

on the way I left Charles.

Loved? Don't ask me what happened.

All right.

If that's what you want.

You really hurt me, Dad.

Because I didn't want Charles to hurt you more.

In some ways, you were right about him.

And in some ways, you were very wrong.

So was I.

Are you just going to stand there? Are you going to help David like the rest of

this family?

All right.

Where should I start?

Wait.

You could start right here.

Beside me.

I'm impressed, David. I'm really impressed.

Well, glad you like it, Dad.

I think for the first job the David Bradford Construction Company ever did,

very professional.

Except... Except what?

Except this area right here where you left Roller, Mark.

Me?

Come on, Dad. You can't blame on Joni. Come on. How did you know?

Well, because you were a little too helpful.

I mean, one wall I might have done in my sleep, but three walls and two coats,

never. All right, all right.

It was a good cause, and you can thank your brothers and sisters. I plan to.

Everybody, tomorrow night, party time. My treat.

All right.

I'll have food. I'll have music. Oh, good. I'm glad you volunteered the music

before Nicholas volunteered to play the drums. Go ahead and laugh, but I'm not

playing the drums anymore.

You're not?

Nope. Hey, that gives us two reasons to celebrate.

Nicholas, I thought you loved to play the drums.

I do, but I traded for something better.

What did you trade for?

The tuba.

Oh, boy.

Abby,

why didn't you tell me about this?

Yeah, Dad, it just happened.

Well, I can't allow this. I'm going to have to throw that out of the house.

Now, wait a minute, Tom.

Remember what happened the last time you said something like that?

Yeah, I remember, Dad.

I remember.

You're absolutely right.

is absolutely different.

Nicholas!