Original subtitles

[Music]

Hey,

I got

Baby,

are you

[Music]

Hey, hey, hey.

[Applause]

I once met a girl. Karen was her name.

We were drawn to each other and to

Elvis.

Life will never be the same.

[Music]

Hey, wait a minute.

Wait a minute.

Hi.

Hi.

You're Lena, right?

Yeah.

Yeah. That's what I thought.

This all you got?

I'll help you with these things. Yeah.

Yeah. You're just in time for a birthday

party.

Yeah.

Yeah. All the kids want to meet you.

Boy, am I ever glad to see you.

You are? Why?

Well, two more hands, two more legs.

Kind of tough getting help around here.

Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. Excuse me. My name's

Don Fielder. I'm one of the doctors.

Well, that's just a title. Don't let

that spook you. We all do everything

around here, you know.

I'm Lena Canada. Well,

yeah, I know. I'm sure we know that.

Oh, yeah. Let me see. College dropout,

no training, no credentials, but uh we

need you.

You want something?

So once again, the Brownhouse Bullets

have destroyed the Brownhouse Turtles by

a score of 72 to nothing.

59 to 58. 59 to 58.

59 to 58.

59 to 58.

[Applause]

What was the score, Lou?

Louis says 72 to nothing, which is as

good as 59 to 58. What difference does

it make? You lost and we won,

right, Lou?

All right. All right. We all know the

Brownhouse Bullets won. Now, calm down.

We're going to play another game in a

minute.

And that's Margaret. She's some kind of

special lady.

The little guy there with a big tongue,

that's Tony.

Hi.

You're too skinny.

She is not.

Are you visiting somebody?

You?

I'm Lena, your new aid.

You're mine.

Yours and everybody's.

You're mine.

He doesn't care.

You doing flirting, buddy?

You decent.

Yeah, but don't let that discourage you.

Whoa. What do you say, kid? We got your

roommate here. Amy, this is Lena. Lena,

this is Amy.

Well, no, no, wrong bed.

Just what I needed, competition. Are you

sure you didn't get the wrong address?

Oh, but um before you settle in, let me

warn you. The beds are lumpy, the hours

are long, and I can talk a blue streak

in my sleep. You can talk a blue streak

anytime.

Why don't you stop drooling? Beneath all

this beauty, I sense a thick layer of

solid character and good judgment, which

should leave you right where you were

when she run.

Actually,

he's a first rate doctor and not the

worst port you could find in a bad

storm.

No, she had good taste.

And so, what about you?

I don't know. What about me?

Well, I would never have figured you for

a career as a nurse's aid.

Oh, well, it's not exactly a career.

This is my first job.

Worried? A little anxious.

Well, don't be. You'll be just fine.

Go on. I got to take you down to party.

Go ahead. I'll be down in a sec.

Oh, can I leave these here?

Sure.

Oh, okay. Bye.

Bye.

[Music]

Jason

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

Lunchtime. Come on. Let's go.

Copper and Nancy will bring Louis.

Louis is as close to what some people

call a vegetable as we've got. But

Copper adors him. Talks to him all the

time. Plays with him. Tells him his

secrets.

Sort of like an imaginary playmate.

Yeah, just like that.

I had one. His name was Herman. He lived

under my bed.

Herman? You're going to fit right in

here. Come on. I know Dr. Bell wants to

talk to you.

What about her?

Oh, Tony, you'll bring Karen, won't you?

You bet.

Hi.

Hi. Take me seat, Monica.

There's Dr. Bill. You're going to love

her. You know, she did all of this.

You probably don't remember any names

yet, but Jimmy walks and talks with

braces. Vince is locked in a body that

just doesn't work at all. He's doing

wonderfully, though. Once he discovered

the typewriter, he just bloomed.

That's the main thing you have to know.

They have to talk in any way that they

can. gestures, sign language, typing,

words if they can. And you must talk to

them.

I will. I mean, I'll try.

I know you will. That's all there is to

nurses aid training. Just work like a

lunatic around here. Now, I'll show you

the therapy. They hate it. Most are

quite bright. They're just locked in.

Except the topper. He's more than

bright. He's a genius.

What are you mad about, Topper?

I don't know. Guess Louis just gets to

me sometimes. That's all.

Our kids all come from different

backgrounds. Rich, poor, accepted,

abandoned.

Alina, why don't you seek there?

There. You think Maddie will still feed

us?

Let's see. Now, you know Tony and Don.

Hi.

This is Vicki. Have you met Vicki?

Hi.

And this is Monica.

Hi.

Hi. That's Louie.

Louie says hello.

Of course you know Topper. And that's

Karen. Have you met Karen?

Well, no. Well, we saw each other. We

didn't really say hello.

Hi.

Uh, she can't answer you.

What are we having?

Soup.

Um, he's doing his math.

Yes, I know. He told me.

[Music]

Okay.

push-ups.

Come here. Right here.

One, two, three, four, five, six. You're

so strong.

I am not.

Yes, you are.

You're lazy.

Do you like it here, Lena?

Yes. Yes, I do.

Why?

Why?

What is it about working at Brownhouse

that you like? I like helping

and having people need me.

Is that selfish of me?

Not at all. We all want to feel needed.

The sad thing is not everyone's willing

to admit it. You're going to do just

fine.

No tow holes.

[Music]

Okay, Luke, your move.

Shake. You're really out to win, aren't

you?

Off the bat. You're off the bat. That's

three.

You're move again.

So, the three bears came home and they

found all the for

And the mama bear said, "Who's eating my

porridge?"

And the papa bear said, "Who is eating

my porridge?"

Do you like porridge?

I hate it.

I hate it.

Oh, you do. But you like thumbs, huh?

All right. Who wants some candy?

All right.

I'm falling on the legs now. Anybody

over here interested in some candy?

Oh, yeah.

Yeah. Time out.

Yeah, I bet. There you go.

You

You've been a good boy. You get some,

too,

thank you.

How about you?

Peppermint. Thank you.

Dig in. There you go.

How about you, Karen?

[Music]

Maybe we could drive into town,

raise a little hell.

Oh,

can you believe that we are spending our

peak years in this zoo?

After 20, your muscle tension goes and

then it's downhill for the rest of your

life. Sags, Bill, does that include your

brain?

You're such a wimp.

How long has Karen been here?

She's been here since I came here.

So many of these kids are bounced around

from home to home. Is

she a setback or something?

No, she's just like Lou. She's part of

the furniture.

Listen, let's just not talk about the

kids after we put them to bed, okay? I

mean, otherwise, we're going to go nuts.

Too tired to sleep.

I'm going to see if Maddie needs some

coffee.

Maddie always leaves coffee and you

don't need it.

Why don't you just loosen up? Talk to

me. What are you doing here? Same as

you, I guess.

Well, you guessed wrong because I made a

mistake. I figured I'd catch a doctor.

Oh, that was a mistake.

No, that's not why I'm here.

I'll get it.

Okay.

Don't eat this. It's called sublimation

food instead of men.

Monica,

you got all tangled

there. There you go. Go to sleep.

[Music]

Karen.

[Music]

Karen's mother was young. She couldn't

deal with it. Signed the papers a few

days after Karen was born. Just gave her

up. She's been here two years.

I don't know what happened to Karen. She

can't tell us. No, she won't tell us.

But I've seen it. Green painted walls,

white coated bodies, terminal apathy.

I've seen a look on her face

when she thinks that nobody's watching

her.

It's a look of concentration

and intelligence.

You mean that look of staring into

space?

No, it's not just staring into space.

There was concentration.

I think you're seeing something you want

to see. Karen turned in on herself. She

turned her back on the whole world as if

she knew her heart was quite literally

breaking. I'm afraid it's hopeless.

I'd like to give her a try.

We all tried. Even the children. They

gave up, too. We spent more time with

Karen than any of the other children

here, and nothing. There's been no

change at all.

I'd still like to try. I may sound

heartless, but I think there are other

children here who will respond better to

your attention and be helped by it.

Please

let me try

my time off.

I don't want you to get attached.

Are you saying I can't work with her,

Dr. Bell? I mean, on my own time.

No, I'm just warning you. She'll break

your heart.

Oh, it's beautiful.

I've never been here before. Have you

been here?

It's very warm today. Are you too warm?

Do you think the blanket's too warm?

There.

[Music]

I really believe that kings and queens

and knights of armor came at night. I'd

work all day turning an old stump into a

castle for them. And I'd make the

hallways out of moss.

And I'd get the best quartz from the

bottom of the lake.

Or actually, we can use uh we can use

pebbles and sticks.

[Music]

Oh, and these for the bed chambers.

Let's see.

[Music]

I think that'd be sweet for the bed

chamber.

Okay. Where do you think the bed chamber

should be? Here. Huh? I think it should

be this spot. Oops.

How does it look? Think they'll like it?

I mean, if they were real, do you think

they'd like it? H

Well,

anyway, it's time for us to get back.

But another day, we'll make it gorgeous.

You'll see.

[Music]

You like it here,

don't you?

[Music]

We'll come back.

Okay.

Go

[Music]

a

and on his farm he had a pig. E-I-E-I-O.

With an oink oink oink here and a oink

oink there and a here and oink, there

ei-o.

And on his farm he had a cow. E-i-e-i-o.

With a moo moo here and a moo moo there

and an oink oink here and an oink oink

there. Old Macdonald had a farm,

e-i-e-i-o.

Well, look how beautiful they came.

Doesn't it look beautiful, Karen? I wish

you could help me. Well, one day.

I wonder if they liked it. Well, if they

didn't, they can just go make one of

their own.

Do do you know what's over there? Huh?

Just beyond that mountain there. Straw

town's over there. It's a little town

right on a river and Oh, it's very

pretty. The river, I mean, and and wide

and and in the winter it all freezes

over. We'll go there someday. I'll ask

Dr. B if we can take a drive in my car

and I'll show you the river and we can

go into Straw Town. There's some stores

and and you can buy things like

magazines and records and and there's a

movie theater. Amy and Tony and I went

there uh for a movie one night after you

were all asleep and it was something

with uh with Peter Sers. He was very

funny.

Well,

I guess I uh guess I better get you back

before this weather changes again.

Stuck out here.

Have to call a tow truck. Wheelchair and

lost souls stuck in the mud.

Just eat it.

Hey,

please.

Come on.

Now, open up. Open up. Your wife. That's

a boy. Hold up. Oh, that's a boy.

What? All right. You get out of here

now. All right. You're going out to get

out of here and you come back when you

find some manners.

It just ain't my day.

Well, let me tell you something. Right

this minute, I think I

think I'd like to be holed up in a lab

somewhere with just a bunch of mice.

I know the feeling.

Sometimes

I wish I could. I don't know.

It's crazy.

I can't find the manners.

You can't find one?

I can't find any manner.

You can't find any manners?

Baby, give me a big kiss. Give me a big

kiss.

Give me a big hug. When Robert and Sammy

got to Manote, North Dakota, they were

so tired they could barely lift their

tails. When they left the basement of

Brownhouse,

they had no idea how big the world was.

They had been in that box car for days

going thousands of miles.

[Music]

Going thousands of miles.

There they are in this dumb little town

and they can't get a motel room.

Nobody takes mice

willingly.

I talk and talk, don't I?

[Music]

I sound really stupid.

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

Yes,

[Music]

it's Lena.

Come on in.

[Music]

It's beautiful.

Sit down.

Why don't you paint during the day when

there's light?

There's no time. Lena, the uh the other

children are starting to complain

about me.

About you and Karen.

Jason thinks it's his fault that you

don't love him anymore.

Oh, it's not.

Monica says you promised to help her

with a book report.

I'm sorry. I forgot.

You're creating a lot of resentment.

It won't happen again.

That's right. It won't. What I'm about

to say is not a spur-ofthe- moment

decision.

I've thought about it, wrestled with it,

and tossed over it more nights than

you'd believe. The long and the short of

it is simply this. I'm going to make

arrangements to have Karen transferred

to a hospital.

What?

I I don't understand.

Why?

To make room for some child who might

make it all the way with our help. It's

as simple as that.

That's not fair. You haven't even given

her a chance.

She's not on trial, Lena.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way.

Of course you did because you believe in

miracles or hope for them. Well, I don't

I can't. Not in Karen's case. This may

sound harsh, but at best, her time is

limited.

You can't be sure.

I can make a very educated guess.

Unfortunately, we are not omnipotent. We

can't stave off the inevitable.

So, we just ride her off.

It's late and we're both rather tired.

Sorry.

It's just that

it's just so damn unfair.

Can you tell me how soon?

A

few days.

A week.

Thanks.

[Music]

Hey, Lena. Don't kill him. You need him.

He's our last volunteer.

Car want to shake her. I want to I want

to hit her.

Yeah, I know the feeling, kid.

You don't hit a wounded little bird. You

cup your hands around it and you give it

love.

She won't let me.

Well, Robbie would. Vicki would. Jason

would.

I have to reach Karen.

I have to reach Karen. That's so goddamn

selfish. What? What am I trying to be?

What a great therapist I am. Is she a

challenge to me?

No. Lena, you sound like you could use a

day off. What a

That would

You know, Dr. Bell started Brownhouse

for selfish reasons.

Sure, Tony. Yes, she did. She had a son

just like Louie.

He died in a state institution.

Well, there was no place like this

around at the time. Being selfish, it

sort of ensures your commitment above

and beyond the call of duty. Follow me.

I mean, it's not a bad thing.

Go ahead, take a day off. I'll tell the

queen bee.

Thanks. It's all right. Just don't kill

my little friend now.

[Music]

[Music]

Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat.

How are you?

And then you have to do it in 10

seconds. Now watch. I'm going to walk it

for you. There we go. This way. See?

Always two colors. Same. Oh, hi there.

Two colors. This way.

Come on, Joey. This way. And that's it.

Okay, let's start. Copper, you ready?

Go.

[Applause]

All

[Music]

[Applause]

right.

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

Run run run run run run run run run run

run run run run run run run run run run

run run run run run run run run.

[Applause]

[Music]

I've got you.

There you go.

[Music]

Okay.

Talk to me.

Please talk to me.

[Music]

Leah,

[Music]

Lena. You go.

You're funny.

Get

[Music]

What do you think about the stairways?

Hazelnuts or berries?

[Music]

What?

Oh, the squirrels.

Oh, you're right.

Well, I don't feel like fighting them.

How about you? Come on. You want to

fight? Come on. Come on. No. You're

lazy. How you going to beat up Monica

next time she gives you a hard time?

[Music]

Come on. Come on.

Come on. Maybe.

Oh, you're getting so strong.

Come on. Do it again. Come on. Come on.

One, two, three.

Tell

me

my

tell you what

my

ice cream

I'm sorry I'm a real dummy Remember

who won't be patient? Say it slowly.

Yeah.

Me

the

mice.

Oh, the mice.

Oh, the mice.

How could I forget about the mice? Well,

Where were we?

[Music]

Right.

Right. Jail.

Well, they got into a slot machine in

Vegas

and rigged it and then they lied to the

bartender.

They put on some hats and ties and so

that they weren't mice at all. They were

just pink rabbits and he was just seeing

things.

[Music]

You did it. You did it. Now then, let's

try this again. Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear.

Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair.

Get

the rest.

No. Oh, no. I'm not going to tell you

the rest. You tell me the rest.

Fuzzy.

Wuzzy.

No, no, no. You're forgetting to relax.

Breathe.

Now, forget about the words. Think about

something you like.

[Music]

What are you thinking about?

music.

Well, keep on hearing it. Now, try it

again. Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear. Fuzzy

Wuzzy had no hair.

[Music]

Fuzzy

Wuzzy

wasn't. Fuzzy,

was he?

[Music]

Take care of yourself now.

Bye.

Don't eat too much ice cream.

Okay.

Bye.

There we go.

Have a good day now.

Bye.

Bye-bye, Lou.

I'll be back after lunch and I'll tell

you all about it. Remember, don't hit

anyone and don't tell any lies.

Maybe I can get us something. Maybe I

can get us a bike.

Shoot the shoot. Next time you got

[Music]

Look what I got.

Kind of bushed, huh?

Stands a reason. Been a rough day.

Hey, look, Lane. I'm going to take Louis

here for a walk. You want to go along?

Maybe in a while, Karen.

No, boss says no.

Okay. See you later.

Okay.

Want to work on your mask?

I don't care.

It's right inside.

Let's go work on it.

Are you thinking that?

Nothing.

Come on.

I know you better than that.

Keeping secrets from me.

No, nothing.

Okay, don't tell me then. I won't sleep.

But don't worry about it. I won't be

able to eat either. I'll just wither

away. But don't worry about it.

Let me see that.

[Applause]

I hate it. It's ugly like me.

You are not. Whatever.

I am. I want to be pretty.

Monica's pretty.

So are you.

Don't like You're not supposed to lie.

I'm not lying.

I'm here.

I'm always here.

You're not my mom.

[Music]

Wish I were.

Do you know her?

know it. I don't know her.

I hate her.

No,

you don't know.

Maybe she's really nice.

She could visit.

Yeah.

[Music]

She could.

My mother doesn't come visit me.

I guess we all have to learn to make it

on our own at some point.

I hate her. I don't want her.

You don't even know her.

I don't care. I don't want her. I don't

want to see her. I want a mother who

visits and can play and can do the

things a mother's supposed to do.

[Music]

Hey,

I've got an idea. Stay right here. Okay.

Back.

You happy?

Yeah, I'm happy. You happy?

[Music]

in here.

Okay,

here we go.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Thanks.

What? Licorice.

Bubblegum.

What kind?

I didn't know you like bubble gum. You

like bubble gum,

but you want bubble gum. You hate bubble

gum, but you want bubble.

Typical woman.

Okay. How many?

Four.

Too much.

No.

Can you hold these, please? Maybe want

something else. All right. What else do

you hate?

Oh, I hate them, too. That's nice.

How about you, Tony?

Yeah, it looks all right.

That one.

This

any others?

[Music]

[Music]

Got enough cash on you?

Yeah, I'm fine.

Good, cuz I'm just about broke.

I'll be your

[Music]

Look

at her face, Tony.

Love me. She's

really lovely.

Love me.

You want one?

You sure?

No, thank you.

[Music]

You know, Karen,

you you become a beautiful young lady.

So you

The Beatles.

Kurt Douglas.

What did you do with all your gum?

Saving for Monica.

She'll trade me.

Trade you what?

magazines.

Oh,

listen. I think you better get to sleep

soon.

Soon.

Okay.

Come here, Jason. Don't run away from

me. Come here. Come here. You're trying

to get away from all of you so fast.

Come here. I want to get you. I got you.

I got you.

I got you. Ah, you tricked me. You

little pain in the ass.

Oh, what do you say? I just trying to

get him into bed here. Their parents

really get him hyper, you know.

They do get under your skin, don't they?

Yeah. Well, I wouldn't go that far,

Dina.

Yes.

Uh, nothing. Nothing.

Are you sure?

Yeah. Nothing.

Ready?

[Music]

I'm not much into religion, but uh if I

were, I'd certainly have a lot of

questions to ask.

Of who? Whoever put all this beauty out

here

and all that misery in there.

Watch it, Amy. Starting to get profound.

Listen, Roomie,

I may not be the heaviest thinker you've

ever met, but uh I do have my thoughtful

moments. Sex is not a total

preoccupation. Could have fooled me. On

the other hand,

I am not ready to commit to a life of

celibacy either.

Speaking of which, I suppose you know

that Don has developed a healthy case of

the size over you. Oh, sure. What's such

a big surprise? You know, you're a nicel

looking lady with a lot going for you

upstairs.

It's an unbeatable combination.

If I were a man,

certainly get my vote.

I better check on Carrot. She's had a

big day. There you go. Running for cover

again.

Well, it's Snippy out here.

Why don't you stop ducking issues? You

know what you need? What you ought to

have is a kid of your own. Forget that

one. That is if you can ever figure out

how to go about it. She's going to die.

You know,

don't say that. It's lousy, but it's

true, Lena. A lot of CPS never reach

puberty.

They've got heart problems. They've got

complications. Oh, you know that.

Yeah. Well, a lot of them lead a full

life. And that, my friend, is called

denial.

Carrie,

what's wrong?

[Music]

Why?

Tell me what's wrong.

[Music]

Hallelujah.

[Music]

You wake up.

What are you doing? It's cold out here.

Waiting for Lena. You want to wait?

Uh,

see you. I'm cold.

Hi.

What's that?

Present. Come on. For who?

It's Louis's bike all folded up. Come

on.

Don't tease. is for me.

Maybe,

maybe not. Get in.

I never got a present before.

Relax.

You know when you try too hard, the

words don't come.

[Music]

[Music]

Why did you

give me this?

I just wanted to

give you a present.

Why this?

Well, you like music. I've always liked

him. I mean, his singing and

Damn it, Karen. I

can't lie to you.

I never really thought much of him

before until last night until I saw you

crying and holding his picture.

Holding his picture.

crying.

Then it hit me.

Maybe there's someone who means a lot to

you

that I didn't know about. I mean,

someone very special to you. I wasn't

sure and I didn't know how to ask you.

I thought

maybe you didn't want me to know about

it.

But Karen, I love you so much. And if

this person means something to you, then

I like to make you happy and give you

one of his records. I wasn't going to

ask you anything. I wasn't going to tell

anybody about it. I just simply wanted

to make you happy. Now, I never meant to

upset you. I am sorry. Really, I am

sorry.

Okay.

Okay.

Did you

mean what you said

you love me?

Do you really have to ask?

I mean,

really.

Yes, I do. Really?

You want to know something?

If you want to tell me,

he's

so alive.

[Music]

I love him and he's sad, too.

too.

I could never move like that ever.

I know, but you can do so much.

[Music]

Not that

we know.

Do you want to listen to it?

Okay. Come on.

[Music]

motorcycle

faster.

I really can't.

Okay.

Okay.

I'll pretend.

Is that what you used to think about?

about lots of things

about him.

You promise me you won't tell anyone.

Scouts honored. Cross my heart. Hope to

die. Cuz they'd laugh.

I don't think they would.

A lot of times people don't understand

how we feel. Parent

there. You want to play around with the

castle? H.

Come on.

We could turn it into Graceand.

What's that?

Where he lives.

Come on. One, two, three. Steps go here

and

here.

Okay.

And a table

inside.

Where? Here.

Make nice

mother's room.

Yeah.

Mother's room.

He bought it for when he got rich.

She used to clean people's houses.

It's a castle, but he doesn't like fancy

stuff.

How do you know all that?

Magazine.

Monica's in the playroom.

He's good.

Really nice.

[Music]

So

God, let him have everything.

That doesn't always mean

hey,

keep

come on. Keep moving. Don't get lazy

now.

Hey,

where' you go? You almost got him.

Lights out.

[Music]

You know that Louis doesn't understand

too much of what's going on.

I don't care if he understands or not.

He understands enough for him.

Yes, that's true. But you're going to be

missing him, I'm afraid, more than he's

capable of missing you.

Don't you want to come home with us,

darling?

Yes. Could Louis come and live with us?

Mom,

we couldn't take care of him.

I take care of him. I do now.

It's not practical, Topper. He needs a

whole team to take care of him. You know

that. I'm not saying that you haven't

done most of it.

Could Tappa come and visit Louis from

time to time?

Oh, I'll bring him as often as possible.

Perhaps Louis could come to visit us

from time to time.

Bye-bye, Louis. Blue Louie, don't take

any wooden nickels while I'm gone.

[Music]

Baby, what's in the mirror?

What's the matter?

Slowly. Come on. Relax. Relax.

Topper's leaving. Lily,

you're going to leave me.

No, not not ever.

No.

Always leaves.

No.

[Music]

Good shot, Robert.

Oh my heaven, gentlemen. Okay,

gentlemen. You got to serve this time.

Not too bad.

That's it. Good shot.

Good.

That's it. Thank you. That's

my

He'll know my

special.

Good one. That's

He'll get him in

morning.

is special.

If I can write Ben,

if not,

you won't know anything.

Here you go.

Practicing this good

shot.

No, it's not.

Hey, you.

[Applause]

You thought about what you're going to

say? Sure. Ready?

That's all I think about.

Want to play? I'm the doctor. Steven's

the nurse.

Not now. I'm ready.

Boring.

Not me.

Okay.

Well, at least take your pill. What's

wrong with him?

Nothing.

It's my pretty pill.

I take one every

day.

It works well.

It's not fair. I need one.

I do.

[Music]

You sure this dress is right?

It's the one in all the magazines.

Okay.

It'll take 3 days,

maybe a week.

He'll answer.

But

what if he's just too busy? You know how

hard he works with making movies and

cutting records, all those things.

I know he's busy,

but when he reads my letter, he'll care.

I just don't want you to get too upset.

He'll answer.

You'll see.

You learn too much.

Yeah, I know. But it's an old habit. I'm

getting better.

Yeah, it's open.

Hey, come in.

We needed a break.

I'm sorry. I I didn't mean to interrupt

you. I just had a question for both of

you.

Don't be silly. Really? We're blurry

eyed. We've been updating every chart.

Sit down.

Ask us 10 questions.

Just one. I don't want to overt tax my

mind.

Uh, Sunday's visitors day again. And I

wanted Well, I'd like to take Karen to a

movie. She's never been to one. And I

thought I thought I better check. I

mean, medically.

I don't see any.

I don't see any reason. Why not?

Terrific. Thanks. Just wanted to make

sure. Lena,

as a matter of fact, Lena, we just

finished doing Karen's chart here, and

um it's it's amazing what you've done.

Karen's done it.

Her muscle reaction.

She's gone way past any kind of medical

prediction. You know, she's lived way

past any any any medical prediction.

That heart of hers.

It's all right.

Okay.

I know. Oh, I have to remember

the reality.

We really can't predict. Lena, look at

Karen. 6 months ago, we'd never have

thought it possible. And and look at

Monica. She wants to be a doctor. I

think she will be.

Well, I've decided to let the future

take care of itself. The present seems

quite enough.

Thanks.

I can't wait. I hope he jiggles and

wiggles and shakes all over the place.

[Music]

I have to tell about the movie and maybe

the other letter. Whoops.

Got it. I think you're tired. It only

happens when you're tired.

I have to. It

hasn't been that long since.

It's been too long. Can we be out this

early?

Sure.

Monica's mad at you.

Why? She thinks you're keeping secrets

from her. You know, with your screen

closed.

What do I tell her?

I don't know. You better think things

like that than me.

Yeah,

tell her. Tell her the truth. Tell her I

have a pen pal. And he's the secret. She

likes secrets. Okay, I'll try that.

Stop pretty soon. Okay, it's late.

Karen said she's got a pen pal and that

he's a secret.

Hey,

she said you like secrets and that you'd

understand.

I like my secrets.

I know the feeling.

Tell her

tell her she forgot her pill.

Okay.

You want me to give it to her?

Okay. Okay. Bye-bye.

[Music]

Waiting makes it worse. You know,

I can't help but

something must have gone wrong.

It's all of people.

Which people?

Secretaries,

bodyguards,

people.

Maybe

somebody else got my letter.

I know he would have answered.

It is coming down.

Anything for us?

Jeez, I took a look, but I didn't see

anything. Maybe it's still in there,

though.

Okay.

All

[Applause]

[Music]

right, I'm going to get out of this

coat. Excuse me.

[Music]

Come here.

Go right over here.

[Music]

[Applause]

Don't eat it.

What are you doing here? What do you

got?

[Music]

nothing for you, kid. Sorry.

Well, I think Miss Karen here has a real

nasty cold. So, you going have to stay

in bed for a couple of days. Keep warm

for me. When you do that hot tea and

chicken soup, nobody's come up with

anything better.

Want me to read to you? H

Oh, you want me to go on about the story

with the mice?

Are you okay?

What's the matter?

Nothing.

Come on, we can talk about it.

I don't want to talk.

Are you thinking about No,

Karen, please don't shut me out.

Come on, we can talk about it. Are you

hurting anywhere?

No,

I'm tired.

I want to go to sleep.

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

Please let him Answer

hot stuff, aren't you?

Can't even send a goddamn postcard.

[Music]

[Music]

Every day she just sits and waits for

that letter.

It's never going to come. Well, Lena,

for Pete's sakes, where were you the

whole time? Why didn't you try stopping

her?

Stop her?

I encouraged her.

Was my idea?

I mean, what did you expect?

little compassion.

I don't know. I just wanted to bring a

little happiness into her life. Damn it.

The point is I should have known better.

It was stupid and destructive. Every day

the disappointment becomes more painful.

So every day she withdraws that much

more within herself. But God, she's

practically regressed back to the point

when we first started. Not to mention

that now she resents me.

[Applause]

I don't believe that.

Well,

she has every right.

You may have made a mistake, but you

didn't commit a crime.

Yeah. Well,

it's debatable.

Where are you going

out?

It's freezing outside. You'll catch

pneumonia.

Good.

Snowing. Car

picked up the mail. There's a letter for

you, Karen.

Lena, get the oxygen.

[Applause]

Sorry, Ken. Take it easy.

Lena,

that's

There you go. Just a minute.

Right.

I think so.

What?

Take it easy. K.

I hope you see that there's

a girl.

I told you it you would come.

You worried too much.

Yeah, I know. But I'm getting better.

It's like a dream.

It's a long story. It's a letter

from my friend.

And he really is my friend.

Glad you got a letter from your friend,

Karen.

Keep an eye on her. I'll be right back.

[Music]

[Applause]

It's not long. Want to hear it?

Do I want to hear it? What a question.

Come up.

Dear

God,

forgive my handwriting.

It's

a mess. I always seem to be in a hurry.

Forgive me

too for not writing sooner.

There's so much mail

that

I don't always get a chance to read it

all.

I'm real sorry.

Will you

give me a chance

to make it up to you?

I really

want to be your friend.

I

want to hear

all about you.

What do you look like?

What do you like to do? What do you like

to play?

I'm glad you like my music.

I'm sending

you a special address.

So, your letters

will come straight to me.

Right back soon,

your friend

El

[Music]

Dear Elvis, thank you. I knew we'd be

friends one day. Forgive my handwriting.

I like you so much. You asked me to tell

you about me. I've got cerebral pausy,

so I can't walk. But I have a motor

chair. I don't think I'm pretty. I hope

you won't mind. I'm really happy that

you wrote love, Car.

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

Hey,

where's the card? The card.

There it is. There it is.

[Music]

So funny. There we go. I'll get you

there yet.

I got you.

Okay. Letters

I can build. Sure. It's awfully high.

You think all that exercise went for

nothing?

Okay. Well, let me situate. Get you a

little closer then. Hold on.

Okay. There we go.

[Music]

Very good.

It's up. It's frozen.

Okay.

Off we go.

[Music]

Dear Elvis, I really mean it. If you're

too busy or too tired, don't bother to

write. I'll just keep writing. Tony's

going to take a picture of me. I'll send

it to you. Do you think I should cut my

hair? Love again, Karen.

I'm glad you think I'm pretty. I won't

cut my hair. I've been thinking a lot

about what I could send you. Tony took

some pictures and I'm going to send you

one. It isn't much, but I wanted to give

you something. You've sent me so many

presents. Thank you for the card. Just

write when you can. I'd love for you to

come and see me.

You writing your friend?

Uhhuh.

Come in.

Do you suppose your friend might have a

friend I could write to?

I don't know. I could ask.

What do you want for Christmas?

Nothing. I have everything I want.

I'll think of something.

Night.

Night.

Sleep tight

[Music]

there.

Uh-huh. It looks weird.

You're not going to help. Just keep your

opinions to yourself.

Dear C, I love your drawings.

And I've got a secret friend, too. She's

supposed to inspire me. She's a pretty

pink teddy bear, but she gets lost. So,

if you see her wandering around, please

keep an eye on her for me. Her name's

Karen, too. Love, Elvis.

I've looked all over the woods, and I

can't find Karen, the other Karen. I

think you made her up. You wouldn't have

a pink teddy bear, but I like it that

you like to make things up, too. I do it

a lot. My friend Monica wants to know if

you have a friend she could write to.

Onward.

Okay.

[Music]

Look what just came.

Special delivery.

Don't just sit there. Open it.

Come on. Pull. Pull.

[Applause]

I'm exhausted.

Good night.

Good night. love you.

Don't stay up too late.

Okay.

I love you, too.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

[Music]

[Music]

Karen.

Karen.

Karen.

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]