Original subtitles

Well, we're moving on up, moving on up, to the side, moving on up, to a deep...

note of sarcasm.

You seem to forget that I was the one that pressed the door open button until

you were safely off the elevator.

Well, draw up a chair.

You must be Bush.

Oh, sweetheart, I really wanted to help, but I was afraid I'd reopen my paper

cut.

Well, thank goodness chivalry isn't completely dead.

Why, if it wasn't for that nice little kid, we never would have made it to the

elevator at all.

Oh, you mean...

You two are on a first -name basis?

Well, I didn't want to say anything in front of him, but I think he's got a

crush on me.

You're kidding!

That's crazy!

Not really, Tom.

When you were a kid, didn't you ever have a crush on an older woman?

Oh, yes.

But not that old.

Old as in you. I meant old as in people your age.

I got out of that one.

Louise, what makes you think that Darren has a crush on you?

Because he's always smiling and waving.

Well, so is the Pope.

But he doesn't have a crush on anyone.

Oh, at least I hope not.

hanging around the help center.

I think he just wants to see me.

Wow, doesn't he know that you're a married woman?

Yes. As a matter of fact, he asked me about George.

I think he's scouting the competition.

Well, that's all very fascinating, Louise, but we have to get to work on

help center program for shut -ins. You know, Darren kept asking, when was

coming home?

I think he wants to be alone with me. Oh, what an imagination for a ten -year

-old kid.

Yeah, well, about the health center, we... You know, I'm going to have to

this whole thing off and let Darren down very gently.

Of course, to tell the truth, I am kind of flattered.

No.

Yes. It's nice to know that you are someone's first crush.

That he's put you on a pedestal, worships the ground you walk on, and

only of you.

Oh, listen.

You ain't gonna believe this, but there's this little kid named Darren who

worships the ground I walk on.

Why that two -timer?

Puppy love is so cute. Guess what he did?

Uh, Florence, we don't have time to discuss that. We've got help center

to do. Don't we, Ellen? Oh, no, no. I'm very interested.

Go on, Florence.

Well, anyway, he's been hinting for me to invite him over for lunch. And dig

this. He wants to know if Mr. Jefferson will be home.

I think he wants to be alone with me.

Oh, how romantic.

Candlelight, soft music, and Twinkies.

Now can we get back to help center business?

I can't go nowhere. He follows me every place I go.

Oh, that sort of thing would drive Helen crazy.

Oh, you're lucky nobody's interested in you, dear.

I think that I must be his very first crush.

Oh, Florence, I hate to burst your bubble, but I'm the one Darren has a

on. He's probably just using you to get to me.

Why would he have a crush on you?

Well, I mean, you're already married.

There's no need to get defensive.

You know, I don't believe it. You two are fighting over a ten -year -old.

Sour grapes, Helen.

Okay. I give up. He's crazy about the two of you.

He likes me.

He likes me!

back some other time. Oh, no, no, no, no. This is the perfect moment. Come in.

Now, this is Tom Willis. Hi. Hi, Darren.

And this is Helen, my wife.

Tom, why don't you go into the kitchen for some milk and cookies?

All righty.

Oh, Darren, can I get you anything?

Oh.

Sorry, I'll be right back.

So tell me, dear, who do you want to see?

Well, I guess you, Miss Jefferson.

Of course you do, dear.

Now tell me, how can I help you? Well, it's kind of hard to talk about.

Of course it is, dear. Let's sit down.

Helen.

Now, Darren, you are going through an exciting period in your life.

Things are just beginning to awaken in you.

Does it embarrass you to have everyone hear this?

I'm not sure. I haven't understood a word you've said.

Of course you don't understand.

It's only normal that you be confused at your age.

I was ten once.

I'm twelve.

Oh, the years have been good to you.

Uh, Louise, why don't you get this settled before he becomes forty?

Okay. Well, here goes.

Darren, I know you have a crush on me. No, I don't.

See, I knew it. It's me.

Q, hey, get serious.

I'm only 12.

I'm not even interested in girls yet. Let alone you two.

I wanted to hear.

I guess I'll go out in the kitchen and check on Tom.

Oh, and ladies, be strong.

Well, darling, even though you've broken my heart, there is a silver lining to

every cloud.

So, at least I don't have to wax Scooby -Doo just to talk to you.

Uh, listen, Darren.

I never thought that you had a crush on me. I was just trying to spare

Florence's feelings.

You do understand, don't you?

No. But that hasn't stopped you yet.

Okay.

Maybe there's an easier way to do this.

Uh, Darren, why have you been hanging around the help center?

Because I need help.

Why didn't you just ask me? Because I felt funny.

See, there were so many people there with really big problems.

Mine didn't seem so important.

Oh, why don't you let me be the judge of that?

Okay. Every year, our school has this big bowling tournament, right?

And I've been practicing for months.

And, well, I've gotten pretty good.

But the problem is, it's a father and son tournament.

And I don't have anyone to go with.

Oh, really, Duran?

Well, listen, I'll be glad to go with you.

Really? What's your average? Fifty -seven.

Like I said, I don't have anyone to go with.

Well, I have a paper cut anyway.

Anyway, since I see Mr. Jefferson carrying around a bowling bag so much, I

thought maybe he could take me.

And that's why you've been hanging around?

Sure. What'd you think?

Here's some milk and cookies for you. Thank you.

Well, Louise, we're going to take the rest of those brochures and pass them

to everyone in this building. And, Tom, this time you've got to do your part. Of

course, my angel. I'll get the elevator.

Now, Darren, when is this tournament?

Tomorrow night.

Oh, that's pretty short -noted, isn't it? Yeah, it's just that it was hard for

me to ask.

I kept putting it off, and now I guess it's too late.

Amy!

Oh, hi, George.

Excuse me, Darren.

Hi, Mr. Jefferson.

How you doing?

Who's that?

He's a friend of mine. His name is Darren.

Ah, how you doing, Darren?

Hi. Hey, I hope you ain't messing around with my wife.

Man, what's with everyone around here?

George, I want to ask you something. Will you excuse us a minute, Darren?

George, Darren is having a little problem, and I'm hoping you can help

Oh, well, if it's a problem with women, I'm the expert.

Well, actually, it's about bowling.

Same difference.

George, please.

Now, he has a tournament coming up, but he doesn't have a partner.

So he came here to ask if you could go with him.

It would mean a lot to him. Weezy, every kid would love the chance to go bowling

with me.

When's the tournament?

Tomorrow night.

Oh, no, I can't do it tomorrow night. I got tickets to the Knicks game.

Weezy, the Lakers are going to be in town. I want to see how much the Knicks

going to lose by.

George, it's a father and son tournament.

Oh, let's buy the tickets.

He doesn't have one.

Oh, say, there, look here.

I got some tickets to the basketball game tomorrow night. Why don't we go

instead?

Well, thanks.

I appreciate it, but I've really been practicing a long time for this

tournament.

Oh, well, look, maybe I can find you another partner. Uh, what about Willis?

Oh, I forgot. This is a sporting event.

I was hoping you'd be my partner. I heard you're pretty good.

Yeah? Well, whoever told you that's lying.

I'm great.

You don't have to tell me. I saw that trophy in your store window.

Oh, you did?

I'm surprised you even noticed it.

Yes, it's so inconspicuous.

Sitting in the window with that spotlight on it.

Gee, sure wish I had one of those.

Yeah, well, you can't have that one. That's mine.

I mean, I'd like to win one of my own.

But I understand.

It's a father and son tournament, and I'm not your son.

Thanks anyway, Mr. Jefferson.

Bye, Mr. Jefferson.

Hey, wait a minute. Wait a minute. Darren, look.

Tell you what.

I'll give you a Jefferson Cleaners bowling shirt.

Good luck.

Gee, that's really nice.

Hey, wait, wait, wait.

Wear it tomorrow night. I'm going to wear mine, and we're going to go

You mean it?

Sure I do. All right.

George, I'm so proud of you.

Yeah, that makes three of us, please.

Okay, Florence, let's see.

Now, we have 352 shut -ins. How many volunteers?

Oh, several.

Um... Three.

Congratulations. Oh, you should have seen it, Weez. There we were. In the

frame. Down by five pins and all we needed was a spare to win. And I'm up

staring at a 7 -10 split.

You picked up the 7 -10?

No, Darren picked it up. I was staring at it.

Well,

Darren, you got what you wanted.

A trophy to put in your own room.

Yep. Be sure you shine a bright light on it so all your friends can look at it

and eat their hearts out.

Thanks, but how about you keep it here, Mr. Jefferson?

No, I couldn't. I want you to.

Okay, if you insist.

George, never mind. You take it. I don't think so.

Planning it was enough.

And if you keep it, it'll be my way of saying thanks.

Besides, it'll be just like having it myself.

If I can come and visit it sometimes.

Anytime you want.

You better reconsider, Darren.

I mean, with him as your partner, child, you may never win another trophy.

What are you talking about, Florence? How many things have you known me to

Three.

Your temper, your height, and your hair.

Have you ever won a trophy, Florence?

No, but her day is coming. They're planning a lazy maid's marathon.

Come on, Darren, I'll make you a milkshake.

Besides, it's my turn to talk to the hero of the bowling tournament.

Oh, are you forgetting about me?

Just as soon as I get in the kitchen.

Okay, now, where should I put this?

about the Help Center Community Service Program.

Oh, come on in.

Oh, hi, I'm Louise.

Can I help you, Mr... Please, call me Ray.

Oh, hi, Ray. This is my husband, George.

Hi, George. How are you?

Now, how can I help you? Well, I got your flyer, and it said to contact you.

since I live in the building, I thought I'd come down and see you in person. Oh,

great. I'm glad you came.

Now, what kind of assistance do you need?

Me? Oh, I don't need anything. You see, I'm here to offer my help. Help?

Oh, help.

Oh, I knew that.

Why would you need help?

You're blowing a breeze.

That's okay. It's a natural mistake.

Oh, let me show you a list of our proposed activities. Okay.

Nice place you got here.

Oh, thank you. I picked out the picture myself.

See, the beauty of it is it could either be the Atlantic or the Pacific.

Here you go.

Let's see here.

Sign painting, no problem.

Funds repair, no problem.

Square dancing, I'll pass on that one.

You see, basically any fix -a -job you got, I can handle it.

Oh, we could definitely use your help. When are you available?

Any weeknight you need me, except next Tuesday.

The 76ers are in town, and I want to see how much the Knicks lose by.

Oh, here?

You a Knicks fan?

Yes, I'm the one.

I've been following for a long time.

Yeah, but this year we ain't got too much to root for. Oh, I don't know.

Bernard King is playing some pretty good ball.

Well... He scored 35 points last week, and I was at that game. Oh, yeah? I was

there? Oh, it was great. You should have seen. Everybody was jumping up and

screaming and yelling and standing up in their seats.

Tell me about it. I missed the whole fourth quarter. Wow!

I like the Knicks, too. Oh, what do you know about basketball?

I know a lot.

It's the same as football.

Except the fellas are taller, they use a round ball, they dress skimpier, and

they play indoors.

Well, she got a handle on it all right.

Say, I see you're a bowler.

Oh, that old thing?

No, no, no, no. I just won this today.

That's a beauty.

Father and son championship.

Yep.

1983.

The big guy's me.

Well, congratulations.

Well, thank you. Well, actually, the kid deserves all the credit, you see,

because he picked me.

Picked you?

Well, he's not actually our son.

George took a boy who doesn't have a father.

Did you? Well, you know, I do a lot of stuff like that.

You live in the building, you're here to legend.

Well, I heard a lot about you already.

Oh, yeah.

But you still seem like a nice guy.

Tell you what I'll do.

I have some engraving tools upstairs, and I'll put both your names on it for

you. Hey, that's great. Then I don't have to pay nobody to do it.

Okay, I'll tell you what.

Just put George Jefferson.

No, no, no, no, no. I might as well give the kid top building.

Okay. His name is Darren Taylor.

Taylor? Taylor. T -A -Y -L -O -R.

I know how to spell it.

He's my son.

Oh. Oh, uh, Mr. Taylor, we are very sorry.

We didn't know, really.

That's okay. It's not your fault.

Well, we should have checked it out. Well, you should have checked it out,

Why would you?

You see, it's only been three years since my accident, and I guess it's

for him to adjust to than it is me.

Well, then, uh, maybe you should go in the kitchen, because... We got some

coffee and donuts out there.

I'll go out into the kitchen. Weasley, why don't you stay and talk, you know,

about basketball and bowling and nothing else, okay?

Of course, my favorite soap opera is The Rich and the Worthless.

Child, you wouldn't believe what happens on that show.

See, Zane got lost in a plane crash.

Of course, his wife don't know it because she got amnesia.

That's why she's marrying Ed.

Now, last season, Ed was a woman.

Gee, too bad I have to go to school and miss all that.

Yeah.

Say, Florence, I'd like to talk to Darren a minute. It's important, okay?

Okay, sure.

One more thing.

I'm going to ask you something that's probably very difficult for you.

What's that?

Would you be able to walk from here to your bedroom without saying a word?

Now listen, Mr. Jefferson, I... For 50 bucks?

No, no, forget the milkshake.

Darren, look.

Your father's out there.

Does he know I'm in here?

No. Why'd you tell me your father was dead?

I never said that.

What I said was that I didn't have anyone to go to the tournament with.

you talking about? You don't have anybody to go to the tournament with.

tournament is for father and son.

You got a father? Why didn't you go with him?

I couldn't. What do you mean you couldn't?

Think about it.

All those kids and their dads bowling with them.

It'd be too much for them.

What do you mean you mean to be too much for you?

Come on, Mr. Jefferson.

I was trying to spare his feelings.

My father has a handicap.

No, your father has a disability.

You have a handicap.

You shouldn't be ashamed of your father.

Sure, there are a lot of things he can't do, but there are a lot of things he

can do.

Like what?

Well, I don't know. Maybe he can bowl a 300 game.

You ever ask him?

No. Well, see, that's what I'm talking about.

Look, a lot of people in wheelchairs can do all kinds of things. Some play

tennis, some play basketball, some even run the marathon.

I mean, you're never going to find out what your father can do until you ask

him.

Look, I want to go back out there, okay? I'm not going to tell him you're here.

And when he leaves, if you feel like it, you can come out, all right?

Wait, Mr. Jefferson.

I'll go.

So...

If you could build those bookcases for Mrs. Nelson, we'd just...

Hi, Dad.

Darren, you been here all the time?

Yeah, I was in the kitchen.

Uh, see, Mr. Jefferson and I, we sort of went bowling today.

I know.

I saw your trophy.

Congratulations.

Listen, Dad.

I'm sorry.

Hey, that's okay.

You see, it hasn't been easy for me, and I know it hasn't been easy for you.

But I tell you what, we'll get it straight. Why don't we talk about it

Yeah, good idea.

And by the way, I'm really proud of you about this.

Why don't we take it home and put your name on it, huh?

That'd be great.

Thanks, Dad.

It was very nice meeting the two of you.

And it was nice meeting you too, Ray.

Hey, Mr. Jefferson.

Thanks. What do you mean, for the bowling?

No. I wasn't talking about the bowling.

Hey, look, Darren.

If you feel like it, you can tell everybody that the big guy is you, okay?