Original subtitles

(Transcribed by TurboScribe. Go Unlimited to remove this message.) Good morning, everybody.

How's it going?

Good morning.

Well, look who's finally in a good mood.

Yeah, I'm in a pretty good mood.

Guess who's coming to town?

Santa Claus?

Don't be such an idiot, Linda.

Where's my coffee?

Welcome back.

We missed you.

Who is it?

Who's coming to town?

Emmett Fowler, my favorite professor at Harvard.

He's coming to New York for a book

signing.

Oh, please, tell me everything.

By that, I mean, who gives a crap?

No, you don't get it.

Professor Fowler is my mentor.

You could say he's the one who made

me who I am today.

All right, we finally have someone to blame.

He was a philosophy professor, but his lectures

went way beyond that.

They incorporated, you know, economics, physics, ethics, logic,

art.

I mean, he was amazing.

I mean, everybody at Harvard used to stand

in line for days to get into one

of his classes.

Who said Harvard students don't know how to

party?

He took special interest in one particular student

and made him his protege.

I'll give you one guess who that young

man was.

Who?

Oh, for God's sake, man, it was me.

Well, when you said young, it threw me

off.

One day, I'll tell you about the time

Professor Fowler had car trouble.

We ended up pushing his little Fiat all

the way across Harvard Square to my place,

opened up a bottle of Irish whiskey, and

spent the whole night talking.

You know, someday, if you're lucky, I'll tell

you that story.

Again?

That's great, John.

It should be really fun for you.

Yeah, I know.

I'm gonna go down to Tenth Street Books

tonight and surprise them.

Oh, can I go with you?

I need to get some textbooks for my

psych class, and they sell used ones there.

It's great.

All the underlining's already done.

How do you know if they highlighted the

right stuff?

Yeah, maybe it was just some horny freshman

trying to look busy to impress the large

-breasted chick next to him.

Why do I waste my time with you

people?

You know, I'm talking about one of the

greatest modern-day thinkers at Harvard, and you

guys are rambling on like a bunch of

imbeciles.

You know, I swear, back at Harvard...

Oh, my goodness, you've said Harvard like ten

times since you walked in here.

Yeah, I think they should teach a class

at Harvard on shutting up about Harvard.

Reg, you're in for such a treat.

Wait till you meet Professor Fowler.

Someday you're gonna be able to tell your

kids that you actually...

Oh, that's so sweet.

You think I'm gonna have kids?

Kids, cats, whatever.

To whom shall I make it out?

Oh, just make it to your old friend

John Becker.

Very well.

To my old friend...

No, Professor Fowler.

It's me, John.

Got it.

Thank you very much for coming.

Next.

Professor Fowler, I believe.

John Becker, class of 72.

I was your favorite student.

Remember the time we pushed your Fiat all

the way across campus?

Yes, of course.

So you do remember me.

Oh, I remember that car.

Remember how I was always talking about becoming

a doctor?

Well, I'm a doctor now.

Good for you.

Well done.

Next.

Could you move it along, please?

Just give me a second here.

I surprised a man, but we go way

back.

Look, you do know me.

We have a history together.

We shared theories.

Oh, please.

Would the next person step forward?

No, I'm sorry.

You're not finished with me.

Oh, I'm sorry.

My friend's just a little upset.

We came all the way down from the

Bronx.

Did you say the Bronx?

I grew up in the Bronx.

I live in the Bronx.

He doesn't care.

I see you're studying psychology.

Yes, I am.

Ah, the science of the mind.

What could be more fascinating?

Oh, yeah, real fascinating.

Come on, Reg, let's go.

And you bought used textbooks.

Very smart.

The underlining's already done.

How you feeling now?

He didn't remember you and he snaked your

date.

Hey, Becker.

You all remember John Becker?

And if you don't, just say you do.

Very amusing.

Coffee to go, please.

So your professor really didn't remember you?

How could he not remember you?

You and the holler.

He remembered me.

He just didn't remember me last night.

I mean, after all, the place was incredibly

crowded.

Crowded?

There were like five people and a cutout

of Kurt Vonnegut.

All I remember is you fawning all over

Professor Fowler.

As a matter of fact, we had a

very nice chat.

After everyone left, he invited me to have

a cup of coffee and we talked for

hours.

What could you two possibly have in common?

You know, he once had a hamburger.

We had a lot to talk about.

Psychology, music.

He and his wife both grew up in

the Bronx.

In fact, he's gonna come by the neighborhood

later and I invited him to come over

and have lunch.

You know, have all the lunches you want.

You're still never gonna have the kind of

relationship that he and I have.

Hey, who the hell is John Beaker?

It's Becker.

Some of his scenes look like these.

He didn't even know your name?

Ethics in an unethical world.

You're really gonna read this?

Yes, Bob, I am, but I understand your

confusion.

To me, it's a book.

To you, it's a booster scene.

Hey, don't turn this on me.

You're the one he didn't remember.

He's got you there, Beaker.

Margaret, I just saw the mailman.

Did he leave the mail?

Yes, in a strange turn of events, the

mailman left the mail.

Well, where is it now?

Dr. Becker took it to his office.

Why, were you expecting something?

No, just making conversation.

Hello, Julie.

I'm so screwed.

I thought I could get her early enough

to get the mail before Dr. Becker, but

I overslept and missed my train.

Oh, my God, he's gonna kill me when

he sees a long-distance phone bill.

Why do you sound so tired?

Oh, sorry, I always forget about the time

difference between here and Hawaii.

Oh, my God, I called Hawaii!

Again!

Margaret, I need to see you in my

office now.

What?

Oh.

Oh, Julie, glad you're up.

Look, he just called her into his office

and closed the door.

This can't be good.

Look, I'll call you later.

No, what am I saying?

I can't do that.

You call me.

Well, then, call me Collette.

How could Professor Fowler not remember me?

It's been 30 years.

He's had a lot of students.

But we're talking about me, Margaret.

How could he not remember me?

Although he is getting older, maybe his memory's

starting to go.

Gore Vidal says he has one of the

greatest minds of the 21st century.

Why do you always take Gore Vidal's word

over mine?

What?

Oh, of course.

How could I miss that?

He's still teaching.

He's teaching me a lesson right now.

Am I missing something here?

He's faking not remembering me.

He once faked a heart attack in class

just to prove a point about how people

respond to crisis.

So, so, what point is he trying to

prove now?

I don't know.

I haven't gotten that far yet.

Wait, wait, wait.

Let me get this straight.

You're saying that the man waited 30 years,

wrote a book, then came all the way

to New York for a book signing where

he pretended not to remember you all as

part of some elaborate plan just to make

a point to John Beaker?

Go away.

Just go away.

I wonder where I'd be today if I

had had a mentor.

I mean, when I look in the mirror,

what do I see?

A shrimpy guy with greasy hair and a

pointy face?

Hey, I thought you were blind.

You got a shrimpy, greasy, pointy voice.

Anyway, what I was saying is, my life

stinks.

I've got no skills, no goals, no future.

Well, stop complaining about it and do something.

I mean, why don't you just go back

to school, get a degree, and make something

of yourself?

Make something of myself?

Hmm, I never thought of that.

Hey, Rach.

Professor Fowler showed up for lunch yet?

No, not yet.

He should be here any minute.

What are you so smug about?

Oh, I'm just eager to talk to him,

that's all.

He doesn't know you, Becker.

I can't believe you fell for that.

Ah, Professor Fowler.

Welcome back to the old neighborhood.

I bet things have really changed.

Oh, I'll say.

In fact, the building I grew up in,

at 180th and Montgomery Street, used to be

so nice.

Now it's just an eyesore covered in graffiti.

That's where I live.

And they said they painted it.

Professor, have a seat, and I'll make you

some fresh coffee.

I know what you're doing.

Having a cup of coffee in a diner,

not exactly the riddle of the Sphinx.

Come on, you can drop this act about

coming here to see Reggie.

Professor, I know what you're doing.

Yes, but do you know what you're doing?

Come on, it's so obvious.

You're trying to teach me a lesson, just

like that time you faked a heart attack

in class just to prove a point.

I wasn't proving a point.

I was dying.

Okay, okay, but I know there's a lesson

in here someplace.

The only lesson here is that you should

take your medication.

I may be a lot of things, but

I'm not forgettable.

Look, I understand how you feel, but I've

had thousands of students over the years.

I can't remember all of you.

No, but I was special.

You said so.

It was Harvard.

Everyone was special.

Now, now, give me a break.

Harvard is nothing more than a breeding ground

for pissant little morons who went to Harvard

just so they could say they went to

Harvard.

There, I said it.

You happy?

I'll be right with you.

Please hold.

Good morning, Margaret.

Morning, Linda.

I think you'll find that the coffee's made,

the storeroom's clean, the patients are logged in,

and the files are in order.

Did you hire a Tim?

No, I did it all myself, because I

want to show you and Dr. Becker what

a valuable employee I am, despite any mistakes

that I may or may not have made,

to my knowledge, as it were.

Morning, Dr. Becker.

I think you'll find that the coffee's made,

the storeroom's clean...

Not now, Linda.

I'm not in the mood.

Margaret, I want to see you in my

office right now.

He's really upset, isn't he?

Let's just say he's a little disappointed in

someone.

Julie, you still there?

They definitely know about the phone bill.

They're in there right now, deciding what to

do to me.

I've been trying to get on their good

side, but it's not working.

What am I gonna do?

What do you mean you don't know?

I've been on the phone with you for

over an hour.

You've been no help at all.

Mr. Hart, he's 104.

He remembers me.

Now, Mr. King fell off his bicycle last

week, suffered acute head trauma.

He remembers me.

Mrs. Lee has Alzheimer's.

Who's the first person she asks for every

morning?

Me, because I am somebody, Margaret.

I do exist.

Of course you exist.

Yeah, well, not to fowl, I don't.

John, are you sure this isn't about your

ego?

Oh, it has nothing to do with my

ego.

It's his ego.

He's obviously so full of himself, he can't

remember me.

Hi.

Is there anything I can do for you?

Anything you need?

Anything at all?

Linda, we are having a private conversation.

Yeah, you ought to do something.

Why don't you pick up the call?

It's blinking on line one.

Julie!

Well, Bob, there are a lot of things

you could do to better your life.

You could become a traveling salesman or a

scout for a baseball team or work in

an embassy in a foreign country.

Everything you're talking about involves me leaving town.

Well, if you can improve your life, no

reason I can't improve mine.

Hold on.

I got a perfectly good smart guy right

over there.

Why am I wasting my time with the

guy who graduated with a five-beta Kit

-Kat?

Hey, Brainiac, you got a minute?

Can I help you?

I'm at a crossroads.

That's where two roads intersect.

Yes, I'm aware of what a crossroads is.

Anyway, I'm trying to better myself.

You know, trying to improve my life.

Can you help me out?

Well, I've been sitting here for about 20

minutes, and I must say you've made quite

an impression.

I get that a lot.

As far as I can see, you've reached

the apex of your capabilities.

I cannot imagine that you could exceed the

level of achievement you've already attained.

Out-freaking-standing.

You changed my life, man.

Thanks.

Hey, Jake, did you hear that?

I don't have to set my goals any

higher because my life is perfect the way

it is.

Your life sucks.

Now, now.

Don't be jealous.

Maybe someday you'll reach the apex of your

capabilities.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to

go home, burp, and take a nap.

Bob?

Beaker.

Oh, good.

You're back.

Yeah, we have some unfinished business.

Oh, God.

Becker, leave the man alone.

Hey, back off, will you, teacher's pet?

That's my senior thesis.

Yeah, why don't you read what you wrote?

Excellent, insightful, superb.

I don't think so.

This statement is false.

This is a run-on sentence.

And this theory was disproved in the 1800s.

I would have never given this an A.

Well, you can't change that.

Once you give an A, it's always an

A.

That's the law.

You ought to know.

You're a lawyer.

I'm a doctor.

I can't believe you don't remember me.

I'll tell you one thing.

You're becoming impossible to forget.

Reggie, I should be going.

Here's the book I was telling you about.

I think you'll find it fascinating.

And the underlining is already done.

Oh, thank you.

You're very welcome.

In fact, they're very mature.

What a slut.

Hey, don't talk about Reggie that way.

I'm talking about Fowler.

All you have to do is say hello,

and he spreads his mind wide open like

a cheerleader under the bleachers at homecomings.

Look, I can understand why you're upset.

He's an amazing teacher.

He completely changed the way I look at

my life.

I mean, I used to think that getting

my psych degree meant setting up a small,

dead-end practice in some crappy neighborhood, taking

patients off the street.

Well, I don't have to tell you.

What I mean is, Emmet's opened my eyes

to a whole new world of possibilities.

In fact...

Emmet?

You call him Emmet?

I-I-I never got to do that.

Don't you understand?

By using somebody's first name, it implies a

certain degree of familiarity and friendship.

I know, Becker.

Oh!

Julie, the tension's killing me.

I know they're gonna call me in there

any minute and fire me.

Yes, I'm sure.

I've already started cleaning out my desk.

Well, I don't actually have a desk, but

I've been taking stuff.

Just answer the question, will you, Margaret?

Margaret, does the government have an obligation to

take care of people in other countries even

though there's so much suffering right here at

home?

Well, that's very complicated.

I don't think I can answer that right.

In less than 30 pages?

No, you wouldn't think so.

But I did.

And I got an A.

And there's nothing Fowler can do to take

it away from me, either.

Dr. Becker, I can't go on like this.

What are you talking about?

I can't take it anymore.

The secrecy, the whispering, the closed-door meetings.

I know what's going on.

So if you're gonna fire me, then just

fire me.

Linda, this doesn't have anything to do with

you.

You mean you weren't planning to fire me?

Well, we always daydream, but no.

So you haven't seen the phone bill?

No.

Okay, I think I overshot the runway a

little bit.

See ya.

Linda!

Linda!

Okay, I made a ton of long-distance

phone calls.

And by a ton, I mean a lot.

But I want you both to know that

I'm really, really sorry.

Look, you know, I'm involved with something much

more important than that.

Whatever it is, we'll just take it out

of your salary.

That's it?

You mean you're not mad?

Look, you're gonna pay it back, so just

drop it.

I will not drop it!

Do you know how worried I've been?

Do you know what I've been going through?

And then to find out that you don't

even care?

The least you could do is yell at

me.

I mean, how many phone calls do I

have to make?

How many stamps do I have to steal?

How many times do I have to break

the x-ray machine to feel like what

I do matters?

You broke the x-ray machine?

All's I'm saying is I want to be

important.

Can you imagine being that self-centered?

Oh, look, it's Lady and the Tramp.

Hey, Becker.

Hey, Becker.

Sorry to bother you.

I'll just have some coffee to go.

Then I'll go.

Look...

I'm sorry I didn't remember you.

The loss is mine.

You seem to be an exceptional person.

Nothing makes a teacher more proud than to

know that he made a difference.

You're obviously a fine physician, and if I

had anything to do with that, I'm honored.

Well, good for you.

Is your life any less worthwhile because I

didn't remember you?

No.

And is your career at all diminished by

it?

No.

Do you love what you do any less?

You stay out of this.

My job was to open the door to

learning.

You're the one who walked through it.

Don't forget that.

You're always teaching, aren't you?

Thank you, Professor Fowler.

Bye.

Wait, wait, wait.

Wait just a minute.

That night when my fiat broke down, it

was snowing.

That was you that helped me?

Yes!

Oh, yes!

That was me!

And then we went home and we talked

all night, remember?

Yes, and as I recall, there was a

very fine bottle of Irish whiskey full.

Oh, I knew you'd remember.

I just knew it.

I wish I didn't have to leave town

so soon.

But believe me, it's been great seeing you

again.

Well, don't be a stranger, Professor Fowler.

Emmett, please.

Emmett.

In your face!

Thanks for that, Emmett.

It was perfect.

You ever remember the part about the Irish

whiskey?

Yeah, well, thanks for filling me in on

that story.

I'll tell you one thing.

I'll never forget the name John Beaker again.

It's Becker.

Whatever.