Original subtitles

Okay, okay, okay, huh?

Right here.

Thank you, God.

I gotta go, Ma.

Gotta get back to the store.

That old store can wait.

Stay a few more minutes.

Come back tomorrow, Ma.

Give me a hug.

I gotta go, Ma.

I love you, son.

I'm not going to live much longer.

I said I'll come tomorrow.

Death is in the room.

I don't see him.

There he is.

Ma.

This is not death, Ma.

That's the nurse.

I know exactly who he is.

Good.

And let me check your blood pressure, Miss Winters.

Don't be angry with me, Charlie.

Why would I be angry at you, Ma?

I know you blame me for bonding you to the store, for not letting you go to

college when you got back from Vietnam.

It was 30 years ago, Ma.

I don't blame you for anything.

You've been a good son.

Now come over here and give your mama a real hug.

Goodbye.

I gotta go, Ma.

Please, Charlie.

Come back tomorrow.

Charlie?

Get out of here, you punk. Come on, get out of here. I'm telling you.

What was that?

I keep talking. Give me that, Sammy.

You're going to give yourself a hernia.

The time was I could twirl this around like it was a basketball.

Now look at me.

Damned arthritis.

I don't know why you keep me around here anymore.

Because you work cheap.

Yeah.

How's your mom?

She'll end up outliving both of us.

Did you do any business while I was gone?

I thought you'd never ask.

Sold a vacuum cleaner.

Oh, the new ones with the gas plasma screen. That's great. I knew those would

sell.

They wanted to buy that one, but I talked them out of it.

You sold them the standard?

Low margin model.

Well, that bells and whistles stuff don't help suck up one speck more of

So what's the point?

Save them a bunch of money.

Swell.

How many times do I have to tell those punks to stay away from this store?

Well, I give them hell every day, but they still act like they own the

It really ticks me off.

They're just scaring away business.

Hello? Get away from here! Yes.

Just a minute.

Charlie? Yeah?

It's the nursing home.

I've only been back ten minutes.

Tell her I'll call her later. It's not your mom.

It's some administrator fella.

Oh, beautiful.

Bolters probably want more money.

Your mother requires more care than her current plan provider.

How many times have I heard that in the last two years?

Yeah, hello.

Okay.

Okay.

I

didn't

hug her.

She wanted to hug.

What is it?

They rushed her to the hospital. She went into a coma just after I left.

The good Lord will watch over her, Charlie.

You'll see.

What was that?

Damn skateboarders.

I want you to stay away from my store.

He's got his luck right in the sidewalk.

Don't turn your back when I'm talking to you.

Mister.

Mister, are you okay?

Somebody call an ambulance.

Gnarly Charlie.

How scared these guys are. Charlie.

Charlie.

I'm Charlie.

Not much further shot.

Charlie.

Quite a ride, huh?

Hey, I'd love to show you around, but we're due in court. Hey, I know you.

You're that new nurse who came into my mother's room to take her blood

That's right.

She said death was in the room, and then she pointed at you.

It's all perfectly clear.

You made a simple mistake.

You were supposed to take my mother, but you took me instead.

I'm sure it happens to the best of angels.

So why don't we just... turn around and go back.

I mean, who's to know, right?

No harm, no foul.

What do you say?

I'm not an angel.

And I didn't make a mistake.

I want to be reasonable, but I've got grounds for a very big lawsuit here.

We're late.

Okay.

Fine.

But I want to talk to someone in authority.

Now.

And don't tell me God is a white woman.

Her name is Deborah.

She's a judge.

She has been for over 3 ,000 years.

Book of Judges, chapters 4 and 5.

She led 10 ,000 troops to victory over Sisera and the Canaanites.

You know your Bible.

Charlie Winters, come forward. We're on. Follow my lead. Remember, I'm on your

side. Hang on. Hang on a minute.

Tell the truth, and no matter what happens, don't make excuses.

There's been a terrible mistake.

I shouldn't be here. She hates excuses.

See, I just bumped my head and didn't...

This Grim Reaper individual, he took me when he should have taken my mother.

She's really sick.

So even now you feel cheated?

Like your mother should be here and not you?

On the contrary.

He has honored her in ways that few children have.

How? By wishing she was dead?

Does a man who wishes his mother dead visit her regularly at her nursing home

and pay for her care to the point of bankrupting himself?

Yes, he appears to have fulfilled certain minimum filial obligations.

Minimum obligations?

I managed the family hardware store for 30 years because my mother needed me to.

And you resented her every second you were doing it. Do you deny that, sir?

And you punish people for what they think?

We do.

And we also punish people for failing to honor their father and mother.

I'm out of here.

One last question, Mr. Winters, before you leave us.

And leave us you will, very shortly.

Did you ever tell your mother once, while you were visiting her at the

home, that you loved her?

No.

So you helped pay for her care, but you withheld from her the most precious gift

of all,

a child's love.

She was a millstone around my neck.

Charlie, you don't mean that.

Yes, I do.

I could have gone to college.

I could have had a family. I could have lived my own dreams, but I didn't

because she was always there holding me back, pulling me down.

I've heard enough.

Your Honor, Charlie Winters has earned the Silver Star while serving in the

Army.

Which war?

Does it really matter?

It does to me.

Which war?

Vietnam. I see.

Charlie, tell the judge how emotionally shattered you were when you got back

from the war.

How your father died shortly thereafter.

How you went to work at the hardware store to take care of your mother, even

though you desperately wanted to go to college.

Go on, Charlie.

Mr. Wood is strangely silent now.

Charlie, this is your life we're talking about.

Fight for it.

Well, Mr. Winters?

You deserve whatever I get.

What would you do if you could go back into your life and change one thing

it? I could do that.

It's possible, yes.

That's a life sentence, Charlie.

Why would you give me a second chance?

Because you fought for your country, Mr. Winters.

In a war that allowed no heroes.

I'd go to college like I wanted to.

Get an MBA.

Strike out on my own.

And your mother?

Find a way to help her keep the store open.

But I'd lead my own life.

That's all?

And I'd like the opportunity to go back and give my mom a hug.

Let's see you do it then.

You have three days, and three days only to change the course of your life.

You will go back with all your memories intact.

No one will recognize you. You are a free agent in the universe with the

blessing of God Almighty on his court.

You want to sell me skateboards?

Are you from California?

No.

Everybody says skateboarding is real big out there.

I'm not sure they'd sell here.

But if you want to make your pitch, I'll listen.

I don't have a pitch.

These things almost killed me once.

I take that back.

They did kill me.

I wouldn't sell a skateboard to my worst enemy.

You're not much of a salesman, are you?

Did someone say skateboards?

Well, this gentleman's selling them, but he's not very good at it. Oh, I've been

looking everywhere for one. Is this the new model with the urethane wheels?

You tell me.

Oh, hey, can I test this out?

Be my guest.

Oh, yes.

Very strange.

Who's the goofy -looking guy to see?

Oh, Charlie, this is Mr... I never got your name. My name... My name is

Oh, that's funny.

Ours is Winters. You know Winters?

That's real funny, Ma.

A real comedian.

Mr. Summers sells skateboards.

We're not interested.

Look, I'm going to go do the books. It should take me about two minutes seeing

the business this place does.

My son, Charlie.

Yeah, I know.

Family resemblance.

Tell me, has he always been this sweet -tempered?

He just got back from Vietnam about six months ago, just before his dad died.

It's been a tough year, so we're all a little bit edgy.

I cannot find the Mildon invoices.

You still here?

I thought I told you we weren't interested in whatever it is that you're

selling. Skateboards. And I might be interested.

You gotta go with the flow. Isn't that what you kids say today?

Why would anybody want to ride a skateboard when they can ride a bike?

Ask him.

Don't call us. We'll call you.

You know, these are a lot of fun.

Took me a few minutes to get the hang of it.

I'm glad you're having a good time.

Did you get anywhere?

It's not enough that I have 72 hours to turn my destiny around.

I've got to be a gate board salesman.

That was his idea.

His?

He's got a great sense of humor.

Don't be discouraged.

We'll just move to plan B.

What was plan A?

We'll figure it out. We're going to need a place to stay.

Is this big enough for both of us?

We can do better than that.

Don't leave the afterlife without it.

In other news today, protests raged at the Dewey campus for the third straight

day as student leaders called for the college to end all its ties to companies

which manufacture weapons used in the Vietnam War effort.

With the report, we go to Bob Dewey. My dad came home from his war to ticker

-tick parades.

I came home to this.

I am going back to the store.

Oh, well, don't forget the calling card.

Well, good morning.

Morning. You're persistent.

That's a good treat.

Salesman, I've got some coffee brewing. Would you like a cup? Sure. Thanks. What

are you doing here?

I want to talk to you.

Come with me.

My dad bought these five years ago.

A slick salesman just like you convinced him that they were coming back.

They used to be stacked to the ceiling, and I keep them here to remind me not to

make the same mistake.

I remember these hula hoops.

He was always doing stuff like that, wasn't he?

Buying after the trend was passed.

He wasn't much of a businessman, but everybody loved him.

You knew my husband?

We met a few times.

He was a good man.

Haven't seen him in a really long time, I'm sorry to say.

And I guess you'll be on your way then. No, I'm inviting Mr. Summers home for

dinner. You're doing what?

Any friend of Tom's is welcome in our house. He's not a friend of Dad's. He's

salesman peddling a product.

I bet you you could use a really good home -cooked meal, couldn't you, Mr.

Summers? I'm not going to be there.

Suit yourself.

How does 7 o 'clock sound?

Do you think I should have bought a new tie?

I want to make a good impression.

What's the plan?

To persuade my mother to loosen the apron strings on young Charlie and let

register for college.

And if she won't?

If she won't, I'll feel free to tell him to fly the coop before it's too late.

Is he going to be there?

The only thing he dislikes more than a traveling salesman is a traveling

salesman selling skateboards.

We're not buying any skateboards.

Something about you I don't like.

You see a better, smoother, wiser version of yourself.

I understand.

No, it'd be a fatter, balder, dumber version.

You wouldn't see me selling skateboards in middle age, I tell you that.

Yeah? So, what do you see yourself doing in 30 years?

I don't know.

I'm working on it.

Come in, Mr. Summers.

You staying or going?

I'm going.

Well, good.

Amen.

Watch where you're going.

Chill out.

What, you got a problem?

Yeah, it's the weight of my apology.

Don't hold your breath.

What'd you say?

Oh, please.

Care for a game?

You really don't want to brain this guy, do you?

I don't think he has brains anyway.

You through with that?

Sure. Of course.

You're rich.

I had forgotten how close to heaven your cobbler was.

What are you talking about? When have you ever had my cobbler pie?

Your husband offered me some one time. I never forgot it.

It's been so long since I've had a compliment, I almost don't know how to

Charlie doesn't compliment you.

Charlie grunts, and that passes for conversation.

So, you don't have anyone to cook for you?

I used to.

I'm pretty much fending for myself now.

That's good.

A man should make his own way.

Like Charlie, he needs to fend for himself.

You can't just let him go, huh?

Is that the problem?

Let him go?

He clings to me now more than he did when he was in short pants.

He clings to you?

My dad died six months ago.

I have to run the family business.

Isn't there someone else that could run it?

Hembaugh. There's my mother.

She can't run the family business by herself.

He probably thinks you need him.

He probably thinks you can't make it without him at the store.

Or at home.

I'll give you a perfect example.

This guy comes into the store selling skateboards.

She's already going to go place an order. Can you believe it? 13 side.

You know, when Charlie came back from Vietnam, his emotions were so raw.

I tried to get him to open up, but he wouldn't do it.

Not to me, anyway.

There's some things a soldier sees that he just can't talk about.

Well, now I see him turning his anger on me.

Blaming me for the store's poor business.

When the real problem is he's chasing people away with this surly attitude.

You should tell him.

Maybe you're right.

At first, all I wanted to do was...

Protect him from any more pain.

I don't know what to do.

She's totally dependent on me.

Besides, with my dad dying, if I were to leave, she'd fall apart.

She acts like everything's under control, but I know it's just a show.

12 on the side, 15 in the corner.

Are you hustling me?

I knew you'd be here.

We're just having a game?

Can I talk to you a minute?

I don't know that I want you getting all friendly with my younger self.

Why not?

I don't know.

It's like an invasion of privacy or something.

What, are you afraid that I'm going to find out that your mother can't survive

without you?

Or that it's all been in your head for years?

I can't have been so wrong all these years.

Maybe my mother's putting up a big front to protect herself.

Protect herself?

Or you?

Look, it's the end of day two. You have one day left.

College registration is tomorrow.

That's what you told Debra at the trial, right? You had a chance to do it all

again. You'd go to college, get your MBA, lead your own life.

Well, the future is now.

Go get it.

I need to talk to you.

It better not be about my mother. Your mama is a nice lady.

That's right.

And don't be getting any ideas.

What kind of ideas?

Don't you? I don't know.

Maybe the idea that she's a widow woman who might fall for lying from a

traveling salesman. I don't want to talk about your mother.

I want to talk about you.

You don't know anything about me.

I know that you're confused and angry.

I know that you're proud of yourself for having served your country, but ashamed

at the same time because you don't know what you were fighting for.

I know that you hated the army's discipline, but loved knowing what your

responsibilities were.

I know you were scared all the time, but you never let your buddies down.

I know you love your mother very deeply, but resent her for chaining you to the

store.

How do you know all this?

Where did I just come from?

She doesn't know what she's talking about.

Registration for college classes is tomorrow, right?

So you've got to be there.

Listen to me.

Your whole life depends on it.

Good luck with your skateboards.

Look, I know.

You think she can't handle that store without you.

I got news for you.

She'd do better without you being there. You know what? You're really starting

to bug me. Do it for your mother.

She needs to be free from you as much as you need to be free from her.

And if you won't do it for her, do it for yourself.

Go to hell.

I just do that.

Hi.

Good morning.

Good morning.

I need to talk to Charlie. He left about a half hour ago.

Where did he go?

To register for college.

Are you sure?

He came in late last night, all worked up.

Said he wasn't going to let me ruin his life.

Now, where did he get an idea like that?

Well, I didn't use those words exactly. I was really trying to encourage him to

be more... So you're the one who got him all riled up?

Thank you.

I haven't seen him this motivated since he got back from Vietnam. He is off to

college. Hallelujah!

I thought I was talking to a brick wall.

I've had that experience.

But I guess I got through to him.

Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to come in for breakfast?

This is so good.

I've forgotten what angel biscuits tasted like.

Was your wife a good cook?

Didn't marry, but my mama.

Now, that woman knows her way around the kitchen.

I'll bet you've been a good son to her.

Well, not nearly good enough, but I'm trying really hard to become one.

I just hope it's not too late.

Speaking of late, I've got to go open up the store.

That reminds me, you're shorthanded.

Charlie's off at school. I'll manage.

Come on, let me help you.

Don't you have sales calls to make?

They can wait.

You could make a lot more money working for someone else.

And you wouldn't have all the headaches.

Sell the store? I couldn't do that.

Why couldn't you sell the store?

It belongs to Charlie.

It's his future. That's how Tom and I planned it. And what if Charlie wanted

sell it? Charlie sell the store?

I guess if he wanted to, but I can't imagine he would.

Why do you say that?

The hardware business is in his blood.

I'm hoping after college he opens up...

Five more just like it and make ten times the money.

I'm looking for some two -inch elbow piping. It's right over there.

I saw it as we walked in.

You know, she said young Charlie loves the store.

All I ever experienced was hating it.

Would you bring that bucket, will you, please?

Actually, that might be a problem, because, you see, when I'm wearing this

outfit, You're the only one that can see and hear me. So to anyone else, the

bucket would kind of look like it was flying through the air.

Never mind.

I'll get it myself.

About the store.

So why didn't you sell it?

She wouldn't let me.

She physically stopped you?

No. But if I sold it, I knew it would kill her.

Now, I don't remember my mother being this strong, either.

She was always weaker.

Grasping. Always... pulling at me, pulling me down.

This woman is different.

Maybe I could spend a couple of extra days with her.

You know the rules, Charlie.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. Watch where you're going.

Sorry.

Hey, hang on a second.

Where did you get this?

My dad got it for me.

He brought it home from a business trip to L .A., I think.

And you think it's fun?

Jumping on these things, coasting for a few feet over and over again?

Yeah.

And your friends, they want to get one, too.

Yeah, but there's no place around here to buy them.

Where is the skateboard I came in here with yesterday?

Oh, I think I left it behind the counter.

Do you have any money stashed in a savings account or under a mattress

Maybe. A little.

What's this all about?

Skateboards. This is the product that can turn this money pit into a cash

machine. I thought you hated skateboards.

You sell skateboards here?

Dad, this is the thing I've been telling you about.

What? I've got to get one. Let me see.

For fun, I called the skateboard manufacturer.

They said they were looking for a distributor in this area.

And?

I told them I might be interested.

God works in mysterious ways.

I mentioned your name, though, and they didn't know who you were. I'm very new.

Don't worry.

I'll get my reward.

You've been a big help today.

We make a good team.

Don't you think you should be checking up on young Charlie rather than having

dinner with your mother?

Young Charlie registered for college today. That's what he needed.

I needed to break away from my mother so I could become my own man.

I only have a couple of hours left, right?

Right.

Why don't you just admit it?

What?

You want to spend time with your mother.

I was angry at her for years.

She tried so hard to be close to me, so now I have a chance to spend some time

with her.

She doesn't know I'm her son, but I get to be with my mama.

I hope you understand that.

Any word from Charlie?

No.

I don't want to talk any more about Charlie or skateboards.

I'd like to talk about us.

Okay.

I feel a connection to you.

Ever since you came into the store, I felt it.

That isn't surprising.

You have women throwing themselves at you wherever you go, I suppose.

No, no, no, no, no. I don't mean it like that.

I mean, it's not surprising that you would feel a connection because...

I remind you of someone, don't I?

No.

Think of your son 30 years from now.

Why would I do that?

I have enough trouble with him as it is.

This is not going to work.

There's no way I can make you understand. I mean, I don't understand

why should you?

You're trying to tell me something, so why don't you just come out and say it?

I come from a place a long, long way away, and I

have to go back very soon.

But what if you had a place to stay where you felt welcomed, even loved?

Then maybe you wouldn't have to leave.

No, you could work in the store. Help me set up the skateboard display.

We make a good team. You said so yourself.

I can't.

I've come on too strong, haven't I?

I said to myself before you came, Kate, don't act desperate. Whatever you do,

don't act that.

You're a beautiful woman.

Dynamic.

You make the best beach cobbler in the world.

And more than I ever realized, you are an understanding, caring mother.

But I... Why is it so dark in here?

Mr. Summers and I were just having dinner.

I haven't seen you wear that dress in a while, Mom.

What? Your dinner's in the fridge.

How did it go today?

What courses did you sign up for? I didn't sign up for any courses.

But you did register.

I didn't do that either.

Why?

You make your moves on my mother.

Could we just stick to your college plans?

I don't have any college plans.

But that was always your dream.

Get a degree.

Maybe get an MBA.

Get out on your own.

Who made you an expert on my dreams?

You can still register tomorrow.

I'm not going to. Look, I went to the campus fully trying to become a student.

Then I saw all those kids there protesting against the war with their

jeans like it's a big party or something.

I'm thinking, what do I have in common with these people?

What do they know about fighting in a war? What do they know about taking

on a patrol and being so scared you can't think straight?

I lived that war.

I'll probably be living it for the rest of my life.

If I was 18, I'd probably be out there protesting too.

But I'm not 18 anymore.

I spent my college years in the jungle. I could probably hack that better than

English 101.

So where do you belong?

I thought about that.

You know, I...

I was just walking around the city, thinking I'm walking.

And I looked up.

You know, it's my army recruiting office.

That's where I belong.

Back in the army.

Oh, no.

What did you do? I thought you wanted me to be my own man. Isn't that what you

told your new boyfriend there?

Isn't that what you both said?

Nobody said to re -up.

I'm not going through three more years of hell thinking every time the doorbell

rings, it's going to be some kid with a telegram from the war office. There's no

more telegrams. There's no more war office. That was dad's war.

I don't give a damn whose war it is. You're not going back to Vietnam.

Listen to your mother.

I thought I was allowed to make my own decisions.

You are, but not this decision.

Oh, I see. I can make my own decisions as long as it's the right one.

I am responsible for all of this. That's right, you are.

You made me so mad last night that I went back to school more out of spite

anything else.

But you know what?

I'm glad I did.

Because now I know what I want to do.

Listen to me. You did once, and I'm begging you to do it again.

I understand why you want to go back to the Army. You understand its rules.

You know its ways.

I know. The Army puts you in danger, but it also takes care of you.

I know all this. That's not where you need to be now.

The army makes decisions for you.

It's time for you to start making some decisions for yourself.

You know what? That's almost exactly what I told the recruiting officer.

So you didn't re -up then?

Praise the Lord.

I almost did.

You scared the stuffing out of me. Me too.

Sorry.

I'm almost afraid to ask, but where do you feel you need to be now?

Back at the store, working with my mom.

I'm sorry I didn't sell any skateboards, but I just don't see it happening.

Who knows what the future might bring?

I still like the idea.

And if it does become the next big thing, I'm going to make sure you never

forget about it.

Now, are you sure you won't stay for Cobbler?

I'd love to.

But I've really got to be going.

Well, you're always welcome here.

Could I...

Could I ask you just one last favor?

Mm -hmm.

Could I give you a hug?

You sure stirred up a pot since you got here.

Almost 72 hours ago, exactly.

And now you're blowing out of town as fast as you can.

I guess that's the life of the traveling salesman.

Not much of a salesman, I'm afraid.

Good help out in the store.

Wouldn't pay much at first, but I got big plans. Maybe open a few more stores

one day.

You don't need my help.

What do you think about night school?

I think night school's a great idea.

It'll take a lot longer than going to college full time.

Take some business courses, accounting, stuff like that.

You'll need it.

One last piece of advice, and this is the most important one.

Take good care of your mother.

Let her know how much you love her.

And when she says she wants a hug, give her one.

Not a pat on the back, but a real hug.

Got that?

Yeah, I got it.

I never did catch a first name.

I don't think I ever gave it.

Charlie. Like yours.

I'll see you around, Charlie.

Congratulations, Dad.

You deserve it.

Here we go, Charlie!

My dad is too modest to tell you how he became Entrepreneur of the Year, so I'm

going to do it for him.

30 years ago, after serving in Vietnam, he came home to a family business.

You know all these people, Charlie?

Your son?

Things work in mysterious ways.

Your wife? Your daughter? I know all this praise doesn't go to his head. I

to tell you about this one failure.

We'll all come back to you, Charlie.

Every detail.

And as quickly as it does, that's how quickly your memory of our little

excursion into your past will vanish.

It's kind of like a family legend.

Apparently, there was this man who came into the store in the early days when

things were looking bleak, and he was selling this hot new product, which if

dad had bought, he would have reached his fortune a lot sooner than he did.

Now, Pops, in all his wisdom, turned this man down flat.

And my grandma, who unfortunately can't be with us here today, has never let him

forget it.

Now, of course, we're talking about what else? But that product which will never

sell.

Skateboards.

Did Charlie Jr.

tell the story about the skateboards?

He did.

I told him to.

Don't want you to get too big for your britches.

You never let me do that, Mom.

That man who came to sell those skateboards, you remember him?

He was the worst salesman I ever met.

But I don't think he came to sell us anything.

I think he was an angel sent by God to help us.

Just like that man.

Which man, Ma? That man.

God sent him.

Take me to him.

Don't you see him?

I don't see anyone, Ma.

Give me a hug, my sonny boy.

Give your mama a real big hug goodbye.

Charlie turned one little store into ten and all the time going to night school.

Got an MBA.

Now he teaches kids how to make their dreams come true.

Oh, yeah. He's a big success.

He had a lot of help.

Yeah? From who?

His mother.