Original subtitles

Tomato juice, sir? Thank you.

Hi, Uncle Ben.

Wow, that's some hairdo. Do you really like it? Really?

You look absolutely lovely.

Oh, I quite agree, Sissy.

Thanks, Mr. Finch.

And that beauty parlor really knows how to style hair.

Uh -huh.

Look. Yeah, yeah, I see.

I think I'll go to the beauty parlor and get my hair styled, too.

I think you're just a little young for that just yet.

But I'll pay for it out of my piggy bank. You said I could do anything I

with that money.

I said anything within reason.

Who gets to say the reason?

I do.

And if I'm gone, Mr. French does.

I think Sissy looks funny.

What would a child know of high fashion?

Uncle Bill, if I'm too young to go to the beauty parlor, how come Jody gets to

go to the barbershop all by himself?

Well, you're not going to like the answer to that one.

It's because he's a boy.

But that's not fair.

I know it's not fair, but that's the way she goes, see?

Besides, I think you look real sweet just the way you are.

But I don't want to look sweet.

I want to look absolutely lovely.

Is it like going to the barbershop all by yourself?

Oh, it's not all that great.

You sit around with the other guys, looking at magazines until it's your

Then you get into this big chair, and it cuts your hair.

Of course, some of the guys get shaves.

Hi. Hi.

You're new, aren't you?

If you girls want to talk, I'm leaving.

My mother and me just moved into this district. My name's Lana.

My name's Buffy.

I know. I heard you don't have a father either.

I have my Uncle Bill. It's just the same.

Is that your lunch?

Uh -huh. I bought it myself.

All I have is a dumb old meat sandwich on whole wheat bread.

Mr. French fixed it.

Who's Mr. French?

He takes care of us.

He's your maid?

He's just Mr. French.

Does he get paid for taking care of you?

Yes.

Then he's a maid. It's nice. My mother used to be a maid.

Right now, she's a manic. Here.

Potato chip?

Thanks.

What's that?

My key.

To what?

Our place.

You have your very own key?

Sure, so I can get in when I come home from school.

Go to the beauty parlor if you want?

Sure.

Lana, if I promise not to lose it, can I wear your key?

I'll give it right back to you after school.

Sure.

Boy, are you lucky.

Can I have a key, please?

Key to what?

This whole place.

Why do you want a key?

And she doesn't have a dad, so there's nobody to let her in but herself.

Oh, I see. But there's always somebody here to let you in.

I guess there is.

Yeah, so you don't need a key. You're a little young for that anyway.

Uncle Billy, are you going to treat me like a baby all my life? I'm seven.

Well, we'll wait another year, okay?

You treat Jody like a big kid. After school, he gets to play on the

But no, I have to go home with Mr. Frank.

That's because you're a little girl, you see. Little girls need more protection

than little boys. Can I have permission to change my name?

No.

Why?

To what?

Ava. Ava? Why Ava?

Because that's what Lana's mother would have called Lana if she didn't call

Lana.

Because I love you, you see. It's very easy to say yes, you understand?

No, I guess you... Well, we'll talk later.

Hey, puppy, you want to come to my house for supper tomorrow?

Okay, but I have to get permission.

Permission? I never have to get permission. I can do whatever I want.

I can't even go down to the beauty parlor to get my hair styled.

Hey, if you come to supper tomorrow, I'll fix your hair. I know how for my

mother. Oh, boy.

There's Mr. French. I'll ask him.

How come he's dressed so funny?

Well, because he's English.

Mr. French, can I have permission?

May I have permission?

May I have permission to go over to Lana's house for supper tomorrow?

This is Lana.

How do you do?

Mr. French, can I, I mean, may I have permission to go over to... Well, we

consider the matter and then present it to Mr.

Davis for ultimate verdict.

Boy, when you get to do anything, about half the time it's already over.

Nevertheless, that is the way we do things, Miss Lana.

Might one inquire where you live?

Sure, a couple of blocks that way. Oh, in that case, it's on our way. You may

accompany us.

There's where I live.

I see.

So long.

Just a moment. A gentleman always sees a lady to the door.

Anytime. I watch all kinds of junk.

Mr. French, is it okay about tomorrow?

Separate with Lana?

Now, that is for Mr.

Davis to decide.

But, darling... Okay, we should be getting along.

They'll discuss it tonight, and I'll let you know tomorrow.

Bye, Lana. Bye.

Bye, Miss Lana.

She's hardly a suitable companion for a young gentlewoman, sir.

But she's actually a sort of street urchin. She's hardly any supervision of

kind. Yeah.

And the neighborhood, sir, well, that is somewhat run down. It's hardly the

proper environment.

I see.

Then I take it, sir, that we're both in complete agreement that Buffy should not

be allowed to accept the invitation?

No, I think it'll be okay.

You drop her off after school, and I'll pick her up later.

Yeah, to be sure, sir.

So I...

I find it difficult to understand the social strata of this society.

Well, Francico's like this.

Buffy has picked out a friend for herself, so we'll just go along with her

we've got a good reason not to.

Uncle Bill, can I please?

Yes.

Yes?

Yes.

Mr. French told me.

You mean I really can go over to Lana's for supper tomorrow?

Yes. Mr. French will take you after school and I'll pick you up at seven.

Now, Buffy, remember you're acting on your own responsibility.

Therefore, you have certain obligations.

Yes, Mr. French. Bye, Jody. So long, Buffy. Bye, Lana.

Bye. Bye, Lana, Buffy.

Come on, let's do our homework.

Homework? What for?

Because when it's done, we can play. We can play now.

Really? Sure.

Oh, boy.

What do we do?

First, we'll shop for our supper.

Doesn't your mom shop?

When she can. She won't be home for supper tonight.

She has a date.

We get to fix our own supper?

I do it all the time.

I never get to.

Here's my mother.

Hi, Mom. Hi, Llama. This is my friend Ava. Her baby name is Buffy.

I like Ava better.

I'm just trying it on.

She's staying for supper.

Okay, but don't forget to wash up after.

We won't.

I just dropped by to change.

I gotta hurry.

So long, kids.

She's real nice.

Yeah. Hey, we haven't shopped for supper yet. Come on.

What are we having?

You like pizza?

Sure. Then that's what we'll fix. Frozen pizza with pepperoni. Okay.

I like to wear a pair of my mother's shoes. Want to borrow some?

I'm sure she won't mind.

She won't know. Here.

could see me. Then he realized that I was grown up.

More pizza?

Yes, please. You're a very good cook.

Thanks. For dessert, we'll have chocolate ice cream with apricot

Good. They're probably just having plain old custard at our house.

You're not scared, are you, Ava?

Heck no.

I wish Uncle Bill would get here. He could enjoy this with us.

We don't want him to see until your hair's done.

Oh, yeah.

Ellis when I grew up.

Oh, it's beautiful.

It's Uncle Bill.

You have to be going just when we're having fun.

Yeah, I guess so.

Well, I'll hide behind there while you let him in.

Hi. Lana?

Yes, you're Avis. I mean Buffy's Uncle Bill.

Where's Buffy?

Gee, that's what I call some hairdo. You really like it?

Yeah, you look absolutely lovely.

Oh, Uncle Bill!

My banana did it!

Well, she's got a lot of talent. Yes, sir.

You want some coffee? I can make some instant.

No, thanks, honey. It's getting pretty close to Buffy's bedtime. I gotta get

home.

Do you have to rush? It wouldn't take long.

Well, see, Buffy and Jody got a deadline, and we're just about going to

now.

Uncle Bill, I got to wear Lana's mother's shoes with high heels.

Yeah, good.

Where is your mother, honey? I want to thank her for having Buffy over.

I'll tell her when she gets home. She's out on a date.

Oh.

You mean you two have been here alone?

Right. It was the most fun I ever had.

When's your mother going to be back?

Not until late. They went to a double feature.

Hey, why don't you have your friend Lana over to our house some evening, huh?

Hey, yeah.

Could she spend the night?

Why, could I come tomorrow?

Sure you can. It's okay with your mother.

Anything I do is all right with her. I never have to get permission.

Okay. Hey, you better get your shoes on. Come on.

Okay.

I'll tell Mr. French that you'll be coming with Buffy after school.

Well...

Would you look at this place?

Like some big movie star lived here.

You sure are lucky. Do you have room room?

Kind of, with Sissy. Can I see it?

First, we do our homework.

You have homework?

Well, when Mr. French says we, he means us.

Do you have color TV?

Sure.

Let's hurry up with our homework so we can watch the afternoon movie.

We... That is, the children do not watch the afternoon movie.

How come?

Oh, you see, we feel... Oh, dear.

Mr. Davis and I feel that there are other activities more beneficial to the

young mind.

Now, you get on with your homework, and when you've finished it, you go out on

the terrace and play.

Why can't we play in her room?

Because it's a beautiful day, and sunshine builds strong bones.

Not a word.

There sure are a lot of rules around here.

There sure are. Come on.

Let me see.

Very good, Buffy. Now you may go out and play.

Horatio, okay.

There'll be no running in the apartment.

You will conduct yourselves as gentlewomen.

Lights are to be out in five minutes, ladies.

But, Mr. French.

Buffy, bedtime is at 8 .30. That does not mean a quarter to nine.

Good night, Uncle Bill.

You going to tuck Ladda in, too?

You want me to?

I guess I have to if it's a house rule.

Okay.

How's that?

Good night to you, too.

how you can stand being treated like such a baby.

Uncle Bill says it won't be forever.

I don't know if I'd like to live in a swell place like this, but I had to go

all those dumb rules.

I don't know either.

Night, Lana.

Night, Ava.

Share this well, Tom, at your place. Thanks.

Oh, you're welcome.

Here's your notebook.

Thanks, Anna.

Well, bye.

Ava, do you have to go?

Yeah. Jody and Mr. French are waiting for me downstairs.

And you know how Mr. French is about rules.

Okay.

nothing, you better go.

Why are you crying?

I don't know.

Is it because you live here instead of where we do?

No.

Don't you think I know? If they didn't care about you, they wouldn't bother.

I could get rid of some old dumb car and no one would ever know about it.

Your mother would.

Sure she would.

If she was home.

You better go.

We care about you.

Really? I bet you don't.

Sure we do.

Anytime you want to get bossed around, just come to our house.

Maybe I will.

So long, Ava.

You know what?

I think I'll go on being Buffy.

At least for a while.

What are you doing reading in that light? Do you want to ruin your eyes?

Thanks, Uncle Bill.

Thanks? You don't mind being treated like a baby?

It's okay.

Yes. Sure, that means you care what happens to me.

You finally figured that one out, huh?

I didn't figure it out. Lana did.

Yes,

goodbye.

Odd? Who's odd?

Miss Lana, she asked my permission to watch a horror movie on TV at her

apartment. Did you say yes?

Certainly not. I suggested that she get on with her homework and she seemed

delighted.