Original subtitles

I've, you know, gone places since I married him. I'm not who I was.

He's still Bobby Ballgame.

They always say how good he is with the kids.

Well, that's his life relating to children.

They may be 20 years old and break the Eastern Conference passing record, but

they're still little boys.

Extended adolescence in America.

Right.

I wanted to ask, what's her name, Professor Brennan about that in class

last night.

get shy.

What do you mean? I'm just in awe of any woman around here who isn't typing her

husband's doctoral thesis. Thanks.

No, I didn't mean that. I still got the college.

When Bob was in junior college, I used to have to tutor his entire starting

defensive line. All together?

Guards on Monday, tackles on Wednesday, and his 350-pound center every Friday.

It's true.

And he fell in love with me, this guy.

Willie Joe Purvis.

I knew it the minute he started calling me Sandy instead of Mrs. Coach.

What happened?

What do you mean what happened? He was in love with the coach's wife. It's like

having carnal designs in the Virgin Mary.

He passed his exams and he made All-State Junior College.

What's so funny?

I keep flashing on him sitting in your kitchen with his shoulder pads on,

mooning like a calf.

You're a real sport, Leanna.

You think the kids are out yet?

Probably. We better go see.

I've heard people complaining about Flaherty staging his footage, about how

this is some kind of betrayal, that there's such a thing as pure

documentary. Well, there's a law in physics that the act of observing an

event can't help but change that event, and a documentary filmmaker not only

observes, but edits.

Now, I'm sure you've been wondering all through class what this...

little message on the board is all about.

Take a good look.

In allowing your workers to be swayed by such propaganda, you are surrendering

them to the forces that have kept Eastern Europe in chains for three

decades, the evil forces of the world, communist conspiracy.

These people are ruthless. They have nothing to lose. But if we unite behind

the banners of Christianity and democracy, they cannot prevail.

Who do you suppose wrote that?

Jerry Falwell.

Reverend Moon.

Well, the fact of the matter is it doesn't make any difference.

This is just our raw footage.

First, we select the parts we want to keep.

Anything that doesn't agree with our idea of what the story should be, it

goes on the cutting room floor.

There we go.

Now, we change the order of our bits of film, taking it out of real time and

into film time, and splice them together for effect.

And now, what do we have?

Workers of the world unite. You have nothing to lose but your chains.

But that's distortion.

That's lying.

That's all, folks.

See you Thursday.

I came to pick you up.

I noticed.

I know you don't like me coming into the classroom, but I was afraid you'd get

stuck in a conversation with some eager beaver student if you didn't see out of

here. Uh-huh.

What's the matter?

Afraid to look and see your playing husband?

The kids in the car?

I didn't think you'd want me to bring them in.

Thank you.

Sodium phosphate, sodium ascorbate.

Sodium carbonate,

calcium carbonate. Yes. Why?

Because I'm bigger than you are, and that's why.

Fence, what's that you're chattering at? I brought the boxes from everything we

ate yesterday into consumer affairs class. This is what we've been eating.

Dysodium inosinate, dysodium guanylate. What did we do today?

Zinc oxide.

We learned they were supposed to grow out of it by the time they were 18.

Alginic acid.

You going tonight?

Mm-hmm.

Got to pick Sandy up in a little while.

Bob's using their car. Partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. How long

before you're 18, Ben?

Five years.

I think I'll start scratching the days on the wall like the Count of Monte

Cristo.

Cheese culture.

Caribbean gun.

I thought that was really good in class about the editing.

Oh, yeah.

They were going on about the purity of documentary film the other day. Thought

I'd shake the little bastards up a bit. Can I eat in front of the TV? There's a

movie I want to see.

No, finish your dinner.

But the movie will be over in an hour or so. The food will still be here.

No.

How's your honors class coming?

It's not an honors class. There isn't a film major.

How's it going anyhow?

My best student is doing her thesis on Audie Murphy, America's tragic hero.

That's my best.

Spencer, go eat in front of the TV, quick.

Yes.

Ours is not to reason why.

Ours is but to clam up and eat.

Professor Brennan said they were the same trouble with child psychology at

first. All the least practical students wanted to get into it.

That's right. She's a professor.

What's that mean?

Child psych is an easy ride. She must have got into it when it was getting

respectable. Don't be jealous.

When you get tenure...

The only way I get tenure is if a half dozen old farts from the English

department bite the dust. They'd be crazy to pass you over. You know who

they want me to teach next semester?

William Dean Howell.

They wouldn't do that to someone they were expecting to keep.

Do I have to eat my peas?

Yes, Vida.

You have to eat your peas.

Why? What is this, the riddle of the Sphinx?

Did the peas change from what they were three minutes ago?

They got a half-life or something?

Fence, what's that you got on in there?

It's called Battleground.

That's what William Wellman was doing next week. I better give it a look.

Don't you want to go watch the movie?

No, I want to stay here with you.

Thought you were counting.

No, you have to.

Now you've got to start from the beginning.

Monkey, you'll have me here all night. I'll start from 50, okay?

Okay.

Betty, we haven't heard anything from you. What do you think?

I've never read anything about it.

Or maybe I have and forgot.

Well, what do you think?

How many children do you have?

Five.

Oldest is 18.

And they're all pretty good kids?

Yeah. Well, they didn't get that way all by themselves.

I've got as much to learn from you as you have from me.

Now, how would you say being in a big family has affected your children?

Oh, they can blow off steam on each other without turning it all on me.

And then sometimes they're like friends with each other, which is nice.

That makes me feel good.

And when Herb and me fight, well...

I think the bunch of them can absorb it a lot better than if there was just one.

We'll be hollering and they come out to complain we're drowning out their TV

show.

I have a question on that. Yes.

If the parents of a child are having problems, and let's say they're really

careful to, you know, not fight in front of the child, do you think it's possible

that the child won't be affected?

If I had an ex-husband or a lover who you all knew about, and you knew we were

having a real rocky time with each other, and he started coming into class,

just sitting, not saying anything, just being here, watching me all through

class, how would you feel when you walked in here? A little knot in the

stomach. Exactly. And you're not even my children.

I think you've got a crush on her.

Oh, I don't mean a Willie Joe Purvis crush. I mean the kind that Ellie and

Theda have in their teacher, Mrs. Drack.

Oh, come on, Sandy. I'm really interested in the subject.

Uh-huh.

For Christ's sake, I am 33 years old. I don't have crushes.

I'm out of class two nights a week, two lousy nights. What's wrong with that?

Nothing. It's just that you said you didn't have time to look that stuff up

for me.

It isn't the time.

I said I'd be too tired.

I'm interested in this, so it won't be tiring.

You're not interested in what I do?

I'm interested in what you do.

But I'm not interested in looking up who is the assistant clapper boy on the

silent version of A Star is Born.

They didn't have clapper boys on silent pictures. The purpose of the clap is to

register on the soundtrack.

You know what I mean.

When I'm really excited about something, it gives me more energy.

Energy, huh?

Wanna work some of it off with your old man?

I'll go put the thing in.

The counselor said we should probably do more things together so Bob off to come

shopping. It wasn't exactly what I had in mind.

Well, at least he's willing to try.

Are you going to the party at the Loomis' tonight?

No. I get nervous there ever since Ellie broke her collarbone in the jungle gym.

I don't discuss divvies or use the backyard.

You weren't at their last party. Some little grad student chased Jerry Carlton

out of the teeter-totter.

Did you catch him? Jerry knows when to slow down. So I heard.

Anyway, we have class tonight, remember?

Dick's going to want me to be at the party. He thinks my missing so many

makes it look like we're having trouble, and that's bad for his standing in the

department. I hate that.

You would think how he was in class would be enough.

Doesn't Bob want you to go with him?

Bob? He hates faculty parties the most than I do.

He always ends up with his back against the wall explaining why football gets a

bigger budget than women's track.

Why does it?

What's up?

You want him to let you know if I was coming tonight or not?

You were in your office.

So?

I want to go to class, okay?

It's your time.

Please, don't get mad.

I get to miss all these things once in a while, don't I? I'm not mad. It's just

that I think that once in a while... Oh, wait a second.

Leanna, hi.

Come on with us. We're going to shoot some footage. You can be our star.

His last star was a cockroach. Is that character still following you around? Uh

-huh. Are you going to the party tonight?

I don't think so. If you don't come, who am I going to corner in the kitchen?

From what I hear, you'll find somebody.

Children, children, they're mere children.

I need a mature woman, someone who has seen enough of life to appreciate me.

You'll need a cold shower.

Maybe that one from Child Cycle will be there. I could talk to her about my

early experiences, my blankie, my teddy bear, my first wet dream.

My parents had it bronzed, you know.

You're out of luck, Jerry. She's teaching class tonight. That's where

Leanna's going.

A night school thing, right. Maybe I should come with you.

lecture on the plight of the unwed father.

She said we could bring children if we didn't have a sitter around.

You'd just blow your film career.

Hey.

Hi.

Hi.

I wrote down these short stories.

They have to do with children.

You've probably read most of them, but if you haven't, I thought they might be

good to use in a course sometime.

Thank you. I'm not familiar with most of these. Do you read a lot?

I started out as an English major.

Started out?

What did you end up as?

A wife.

Oh, come on. A mother.

I do stage lighting for a dance company as a volunteer.

Take classes.

This is my favorite one so far.

Thank you.

You know, I was wondering on your study if you needed any kind of an assistant

or... Are you interested?

Uh-huh. Good.

We should talk about it.

Have dinner or something.

Sure.

I drop you to Loomis' after class?

No. It's just up the hill. I'll cut through backyards.

Be careful.

In this neighborhood?

No, I mean once you get to the Loomis'. Who knows what point they'll have

reached. Yeah, I'll try and stay out the jungle gym.

How was class?

We got out early.

Oh?

I figured the party would still be going.

Hmm?

But I didn't feel like going anymore, and I came home.

Oh.

How was the party?

Okay, I guess.

Usual.

Students, like always at the Loomises, try and score their brownie points.

How many do you get for a fuck in the sandbox?

Huh?

Brownie points.

How many do you get for a fuck in the sandbox?

Don't talk to me that way. I'm going to be gone that way.

You're going to wake the kids up.

He asked us to write about something, and so I wrote a play instead of a

story. And it's called The Thanksgiving Turkey.

The Thanksgiving Turkey.

Tom, I think it's fine that everybody comes together on Thanksgiving.

Person two.

But aren't you worried, Tom? I mean, about dinner?

Tom, why should I be? I love to eat. And then I say my part.

Person three.

You don't seem to get it, Tom Turkey.

You are for dinner on Thanksgiving. It's going to be you they gobble up, Tom.

What? They're going to eat me?

Why didn't you tell me before?

When is the next train out of here?

Could you read that a bit later? Your father's got a headache.

Okay.

At that time, Steve walked so far away that I had to sort of go like that.

Think of it more as down than away.

And then add away. Am I supporting you here? No.

When there's two stick reds in all the ones along the back wall.

Is that it?

Nope. Liana?

Liana, hi.

Professor.

Ruth. Don't look so surprised.

It's just the first time I've seen you out of context.

Out of context, am I? What are you looking for?

Cure? Oh, just browsing around.

I don't think I'll buy anything.

Sometimes when I'm depressed, it helps just to look at stuff.

You mind if I join you?

Being depressed?

Browsing. In my freshman year, it was still a bit of a scandal. We both agreed

it would be awkward for him being married to a student, so I stopped being

a student.

It gets pretty complicated sometimes.

I read your book.

Oh, it wasn't required for the course. I liked it a lot.

Thank you.

Did you ever want kids of your own?

It's just one of those things that never worked out for me.

Is there anything that you always wanted to do that you haven't done?

What?

Nothing. Just a thought.

Come on, what is it?

I don't know.

Lots of things.

Did you pack the aspirin?

Aspirin?

Last time you went to a film festival, you got a headache during the Eastern

Europeans.

And nobody had any aspirin to spare.

Right, I'll take some.

Are you going to be staying in the same place?

No, it was full already, but they're all the same.

You give us time to think, Leanna.

We had time to think after the last time this happened, remember?

Look, if I were going to leave you, I wouldn't start by going to Toronto.

So don't worry, okay?

No, I won't.

So, besides being bright and witty and looking like one of Charlie's angels,

what else is a New English teacher like?

Is she married?

No, she lives with a guy.

How do you know that? She told us.

Seems like a strange thing to tell a junior high class.

It's no big deal. I mean, it's not like back in your day.

My day. As far as I'm concerned, it still is my day.

I won't argue with you. How old is she?

26. She said she just got her master's.

Probably did a thesis on Jerry Lewis.

Thomas Mann, whoever he is.

Mon.

Tita, dinner's ready.

Coming. How'd she end up telling you all this?

She said she wanted us to be open and honest with her, and it wouldn't be fair

if she wasn't the same with us.

With ideas like that, how'd she end up teaching public school?

The pay was better. She's starting at $12,000 a year.

What's her bra size?

Mommy! She doesn't wear one.

Spencer! Hey, she just asked me. Don't be such a prude.

All right, you guys. I want you to clean up the dishes when you're through. I'm

going upstairs to change.

I'll tell me to change around here.

Save those for what's-her-name. I'm sure they'll go over big.

They don't. They couldn't. They do. Everyone does.

You're just saying that to get me. Hey, did I write this book? Did I draw these

pictures? They're just drawings.

Here, photographs.

Oh, gross.

I'm going to be sick.

That's what they do. You might as well get used to it.

Like that, with their tongues?

Everyone does it, even Mom and Dad.

Are you guys ready? Set, be ready in a minute.

I'm not going.

Theda's going and you're going.

Elias, Theda's best friend. There's nothing for me to do there.

You can play with Tex. Tex is two years old. He'll be in bed.

Well, Bob likes you. Every time he sees me, he pinches my arm muscle and asks me

if I know who Arnold Schwarzenegger is. Come on, I'm old enough to stay home

without a babysitter. We'll ask your father when he gets home. What's the

matter with you? Can't you make a decision by yourself?

You want your time with me, Spencer.

I have made a decision. No.

Another evening with Newt Rockne, all-American.

Better? She'll probably make me lift weights. He's got them, you know, every

shape and size.

They're all in the cellar. It's like a torture chamber down there. All right,

you can stay.

But keep the doors locked and don't use the stove for anything.

You hear?

Probably Sandy.

It's her. Come on, Zita. Don't keep her waiting.

Why? She never did that.

Theta and Spencer?

Theta's for Theta Barra and Spencer's for Spencer Tracy.

Dick was already getting into his movie thing when we had Spencer.

And Spencer's how old?

Thirteen.

He's in the Monkey Clan stage. He's all hot and bothered about this young girl

teacher who's come in. Hmm, are you jealous?

I guess I am a little.

Well, it's not an age where he's likely to want his mother to be his best

friend. I'll get you some more. Thanks.

My mother really was my best friend for the longest time.

I wasn't hers, thank God.

But I know she liked my company.

I'd pretend we were sisters.

Up in Alberta.

We offered to find her a place down here, but all she can think of is street

creeps and the son of Sam.

She plays a lot of bridge and calls me once a week.

Were you pretty when you were a girl?

I look like I've been raised in a tin box.

These big staring eyes and pale skin.

Wow, you're very pretty now.

Thank you.

More than anything else in the whole... wide world.

I wanted to be a pro basketball player. You're kidding. It was so exciting.

All those beautiful arms and legs. Everybody sweating.

All the drama.

I used to get tingles watching the games. Tingles?

You know, tingles.

I wasn't sure quite what they were, but I knew I shouldn't tell the nuns about

them.

I think being an adult is realizing that you're never going to make the Celtics.

I grew up the day after I got married.

Really? Mm-hmm.

Funny. Just a ceremony, nothing physical.

But it really can change the way you look at things.

I guess if you haven't been through it, it's hard to fathom, but... I've been

married. You have? One whole year.

What happened?

It was just a mistake. We said I'm sorry to each other and went on to other

things.

So how was it different after you were married?

My biggest fantasy was to build a raft which actually floated.

I was always making this raft at a two-by-fourth, climbing on them and

getting soaked.

Did you have a lot of crushes on boys when you were that age?

I suppose.

Don't all the girls?

Do they?

You're the child expert?

Right.

Do you remember your first crush?

My first crush?

I used to go to camp up north in the summer.

There was this one counselor.

She was 15, maybe 16.

I was so glad when I got her a squad.

She taught us field hockey.

I had a sort of crush on her.

No.

I was in love with her.

The girl I bunked with, her name was Virginia Dobbs.

She was skinny.

About as unattractive as I was, she discovered that this counselor was

sneaking out of the cabin late every night.

So we started following her.

She'd meet this guy.

He was a lifeguard from the boys' camp.

He came in a canoe.

Virginia and I, hit by the boathouse.

And we watched them on this little strip of beach.

We could see his bare bottom shining white in the moonlight.

I couldn't believe her breasts.

We kept trying not to giggle.

Not that we thought anything was funny, just that nervous kind of giggling when

you're scared and fascinated at the same time.

When we got back to the cabin, Virginia and I would slip under the covers

together in the bottom bunk.

My bunk.

And we'd cuddle and whisper.

And Virginia would show me how they did it.

And it was like playing at first.

Virginia calling out the lifeguard's name.

Then we'd start to get excited.

And I'd pretend Virginia had breasts.

Do you sleep with a lot of women?

A lot?

No.

I've been at it a while, though.

This is my first.

No.

How you doing?

Great.

You sleepy?

No.

What time is it?

3.30.

Oh, my God.

What's wrong?

Let Spencer stay home alone and open. I'll come back.

He must be asleep by now. Oh, no.

Oh, God.

I hope so. What if he fell asleep and left the oven on? Or if Sandy called,

I'm still at home. Sandy calls you this late?

No, but there's always a chance.

Oh, God.

I'm panicking, aren't I? Just a little.

Don't worry. There's nothing written indelibly on your face.

No one has to know.

I still have to get home.

Ruth? Hmm?

When you first touched me on the couch, were you sure that I'd want to... I had

a feeling, but I wasn't sure.

Were you scared?

Terrifying. I had been wrong and it got around class.

Well, a lot of people overreact.

Why did you take the chance?

I really wanted you.

I wanted you that much.

Sir, you scared me. What are you doing up?

I was just watching the late movies.

Mm-hmm.

Well, they go on all night, you know.

Well, it didn't seem like you were going to get home after it got to be one o

'clock.

Well, these research projects get pretty complicated sometimes.

Professor Brennan had a lot of details to explain to me.

We got pretty wrapped up in it.

What was on?

Oh, uh, Battle Round. It's a war movie.

Thought you saw that last week.

Well, I missed the beginning. I saw it from the start tonight. Then this other

one came on.

Japanese horror film. You better get to bed.

You've got school tomorrow.

No, no, I'll get it.

My God, he's had an orgy.

Smoked oysters, artichoke hearts, imported chocolate. Oh, my God.

Macadamia nuts.

Huh? This is all the stuff you can't afford in the family budget.

It's my one big indulgence. I started when I gave up smoking.

What do Portuguese cuttlefish taste like?

Try one.

Look like squid.

Huh?

I said it's fun eating over at your house.

We were at the beach. We could play with Santana. It would be nice to hold hands

or something.

I haven't held hands with anyone in years.

I want to kiss you.

Can't hear. It's part of the package.

We should go to the beach. We will sometime.

Where?

Sometime.

I'm kissing you back.

I'm touching the back of your neck with my lips.

Lightly.

You can feel my breath warm against your neck.

You can feel my tongue.

My teeth.

You feel my fingertips brushing the backs of your lips.

When do your kids get out?

Three o'clock.

Would you like to come home with me right now?

And this is Spence.

He's giving the camera his leave-me-alone look. That was taken a

couple months ago.

He looks older than 13 here.

Well, actually, he's been 13 for six years now. They're keeping him back till

he finally does it right.

How does he get on with Dick?

Lately, not so well.

They both have the same kind of sense of humor, and it gets to be a battle for

the spotlight.

Either one wants second billing till the others act.

Dick wins, of course.

Gets back tonight?

Mm-hmm.

And we have to be at a party.

Typical.

An English department thing.

I thought I'd try and make a gesture by going with him.

Are you going to tell him about us?

I don't think so.

Who are these people?

Those are Jerry Carlson's students.

He gave them an assignment to come here and shoot whatever was interesting.

I think they're wasting their time with this place.

From what I hear, they should have been at the Loomis' last party.

Thank you.

Thank you.

It's the point where film and reality intermingle.

The point where the celluloid is life, but at the same time it's more than

life. It's more than a reflection of life.

It becomes hard to tell whether events and attitudes in the real world are

influencing what goes on the screen or the other way around.

Take the case of Audie Murphy.

You're the one.

What? You're the one.

My husband told me.

He did?

Audie Murphy.

He's America's perfect tragic hero.

He's the tragic hero of your generation.

My generation?

Try again.

James Dean?

Give me a break.

Elvis.

Well, the tragic hero might be going a little far, but they're getting closer

in the AIDS department.

What was your name again?

Kim.

My friends call me Kimmy.

Perfect.

I mean, it was sort of my responsibility to stay. I'm sorry. I thought you might

want to come home and talk to me. I thought you'd be tired from your trip.

I am tired, but it's part of my job, you know that?

Parties are where all the teacher evaluation goes on. You're exaggerating.

I'm not.

Forget it.

So what did you do with yourself while I was off viewing Lithuanian masterpieces?

Nothing.

Congratulations.

Anyone I know?

Not really.

Good.

Jerry Carlson was acting kind of strange tonight.

Hate to think that he had anything on me.

An affair, huh?

Feel like you've gotten even?

That's not why it happened.

Was it worth it? Was it the man of your dreams?

It wasn't a man.

Huh?

I said it wasn't a man.

What's so funny?

You've come a long way from Alberta.

How was it? Like a drugstore paperback? None of your business.

I don't see what you're feeling so humorous about.

It's just different than if it had been a man. Why?

She touches me the same way you... I don't want to hear what you did in bed,

damn it.

Who is it?

Ruth Brennan.

Aha.

Pieces fall into place. I always thought there was something fishy about her.

There's nothing fishy about her. She engaged in an unnatural act with my

wife. I think that's pretty damn fishy.

Professor Brennan, huh?

That's right.

So you're still fucking your teachers?

And you're still fucking your students? Is there the right sex?

What did she do, come on to you after class? Off you a friendly shoulder to

cry on?

Tell me, I'm interested in how they operate. Who's they?

Fire girls. Who the hell do you think I mean?

Why are you being this way? You're making everything worse.

What the hell? You said it was no big thing.

I never said that, Dick.

It is a big thing? I know it's probably never occurred to you, but it is

possible that I might fall in love with somebody.

With somebody else? With somebody.

Don't let me stand in your way. I don't intend to.

You're going to keep seeing her?

If she wants me to.

Who the hell you are?

Not while you're living with me. Okay, if that's what you want.

We'll get a separation.

Where do you think you're going to live? How do you think you're going to support

yourself? What do you mean?

Move in with the professor if you want, whatever.

But I want you out of here tomorrow. The hell I will.

Did you ever consider what the kids are going to think?

Or our friends and neighbors here in faculty land? You're not telling the

kids.

I'll leave that up to you.

You'll have to think of something to explain why you're moving out.

Why are you being this way?

You're giving me a perfect escape route, honey. I'm taking it. You fucker. You

prick. That's it, Leanna. Let it all out.

You always have to win, don't you? And if you lose, you make the other person

lose more.

Very good. Your psych classes are finally paying off. Must be all that

private tutoring.

You made up your mind in Toronto, didn't you? You came back to ask for a

separation and then I dumped it right in your lap.

I did a lot of thinking while I was in Toronto.

You're not taking the kids from me, Dick. That depends on you on whether

you're a true convert to the fold or just hot for the first friendly piece of

ass. God damn you!

I will!

No matter how much you think you can hurt me, I can hurt you more.

Understand?

Professor Brennan?

Mm-hmm.

An affair?

Yeah.

You mean like a love affair?

He doesn't... Oh, God.

What's the matter?

Oh, I'm... I'm just surprised.

I... How did... What did she do?

What do you mean?

We got to know each other and, you know, it happens.

You're not telling Dick, are you?

He knows.

I have to see if I can stay with Ruth.

What are you going to do if you can't?

I haven't thought that far.

Tex, get off that!

I hope you get to know her, Sandy.

She's really wonderful.

Yeah.

Uh-huh.

Ruth?

We've got to talk. I told him.

Oh, my God. I'm moving out. I told him we had a fight and he kicked me out.

What are you going to say?

Well, I fought with you.

For a while, anyway.

Oh, Leanna, we can't do that. This is worse than a small town here.

I've got to work with these people.

You think it would hurt you?

I have to talk parents here into letting me run psych experiments with their

children. What do you think would happen if word got out about us? I guess I

haven't thought it all out.

Right now I want to put my arms around you.

If we were straight friends, I would have.

But that's not the way the world works.

What am I going to do?

I don't know.

What did you think was going to happen when you told him? It felt right.

Oh, honey.

I'll do what I can, but...

I really wasn't ready for this.

I thought when I found somebody, everything would be all right.

We're going to live apart, and that's what we decided was best for everybody.

We just want you to know that we still love you as much as we did before.

This isn't going to change that, okay?

It's a problem between the two of us, and you have to be understanding

and help us to work it out.

But why do you have to leave?

It's the way your father and I decided to do it.

I'm not leaving.

You can see me every day if you want.

Why can't I come with you?

Because I need some time alone to think about everything, honey.

And I'm going to be busy.

I'll be out looking for a job.

Why doesn't Dad support you? Isn't that the law?

We wanted to do this our own way.

It's not going to be as bad as it seems right now.

I promise.

You'd better go in.

Your father's waiting to talk to you.

Why can't I stay with you?

You can't, honey.

Not for a while.

Now, try to help me with this, okay? Please?

Do what I ask.

You a student?

No.

You a teacher?

No.

I go to night school.

You work?

I'll be out looking for work.

I'm here to be near my family.

You familiar with this neighborhood?

No, not really.

So it's the best you'll find for the sort of rent you have in mind.

Can I move in right away?

Soon as the ink is dry.

First, last, and the hundred dollars security deposit.

No pets or children like it says in the ad.

And I don't want no men up here.

I may live across town, but I know what goes on.

No men.

I've always wanted a room of my own.

Yes.

I've had gas before.

I don't know if it was under my name.

No.

No, it wasn't, but I can give you the address.

You what?

No, then bring the phone in now.

I don't know what the number is going to be.

What?

I don't know if I'll take this.

They'll be eating a lot of scrambled eggs. I can always buy another one.

Let Dick do the buying.

I don't want to be like that.

Suit yourself.

I'll go get you a bag of stuff.

Hello?

Oh, Mom, hello?

No, nothing's wrong No, I haven't been in I Wrote you

a letter mom Probably hasn't got to Dick and I

We're separating no No, we both

decided on it Helping Leanna mover things

Don't let her forget her teapot.

She drinks tea after lunch.

Right. I'll remind her.

Would you like to come in?

See you in class?

Of course I've got friends.

Right. Sandy.

I've got Sandy.

Listen, Mom. You can't afford all this.

You've got to save for the plane trip.

You'll get my letter, and I'll call you as soon as I get my new phone number.

Okay?

Bye now.

You take care.

And don't worry.

Don't you worry.

It's all fine.

That's right. Christmas.

Bye, Mom.

Social Security number here and at least two references.

Thank you.

How

long

have you been looking?

Only a few days.

I hope you hit on something right away.

The job market's pretty grim.

How long have you been looking?

A month and a half.

That's terrible.

It's this town.

All those graduate student wives floating around, putting their husbands

through school. It overloads the market.

There's even faculty wives out looking.

They don't need to work. They just need something to do, like a hobby.

The school should take care of their own people, leave the rest of us alone.

Yeah, maybe they should.

How many words did you type on the test?

73. Oh, not much hope there.

I think they're cutting off at 100.

It's like a factory here.

Insurance forms.

I've got to do something.

Don't we all?

And that's when he said you ran off with one of your film students.

What else did he say? That's when I popped them.

Okay.

You're going to hear this sooner or later.

It might as well be for me.

You know how sometimes you'll have a really good friend and

they'll be the same sex as you, like you and Richie? Before I busted his face.

Yeah.

And sometimes people get to be more than friends.

Grown-ups.

And they live together.

You mean like homos?

Well, I wouldn't phrase it that way, but... Yeah, that's what I'm getting at.

And when this happens between women... They're called lesbians.

Yeah, that's right.

But let's not use that word.

Okay?

Tita, do you know what we're talking about?

No.

Okay, I'm going to go into this, but I want you to remember that your mother is

still the same person she always was.

She still loves you the way she always has.

It's just things between her and me that are different.

Okay?

They'd be better if you didn't call me Ruth in class.

No?

Sort of a professional thing.

I have to keep a certain amount of... I don't know. Not authority, but...

Distance?

That's not what I mean.

I don't know. I guess I'm just nervous.

I'll try to remember.

At least I haven't called you Ruthie.

I've been thinking about the research for the book.

What about it?

I think it'd be better if you didn't do it.

Why? I think it'd be better for us.

I don't think it's good for you to take another position where you're

subservient to me.

Like what?

Well, I'm your teacher. I'm older than you. A few years?

I have a profession.

It's like too many of the things that you said were wrong with you and Dick.

But I want to help you.

Yeah, but I don't feel right having you work for me now that we're lovers.

Something feels wrong about it.

Okay.

If you think so.

Anything else I should know?

There's a woman back home.

Her name is Jan.

Are you going back to her?

I don't know.

We've had our troubles.

I don't know what I should ask for.

What do you need to make?

I just can't afford to do this for free anymore.

What if she doesn't have anything in the budget?

Then I'll probably be getting a promotion.

Ledbender.

Leonard.

Lernenthoff.

Lerner.

Lesbian. It's the homosexual.

Everybody's staring at me. Don't flatter yourself.

You want to dance?

You know, on the floor, to the music, with me. Oh, dance.

Okay.

do this all the time.

In youth club at home.

My friend Patty.

And I always thought it should bother me more I didn't have a boy to dance with.

How do I know what you like?

How do I know what you like? You dance with me.

Oh, my God. That woman in the corn in the green dress?

I think I know her. She saw me.

The one with the red hair looks like a dye job?

My God, that's her.

I was on a PTA committee with her.

I know it. She saw me. What's she doing?

She's making a beeline for the restroom.

She's afraid you've seen her.

This is awful.

What's she doing here?

It's the same thing you are, honey. The same thing you are.

We'll never know.

trying to keep it to ourselves a little, okay?

Hi. How are you?

Hi. I didn't know you were in for this kind of stuff.

I'm taking the kids to see the matinee.

Great. Dick asked me.

I guess his work is backed up.

Could have called me.

He said he didn't want to bother you.

Why ask?

To help him get off the hook.

Is he supposed to be on one?

He keeps doing this big number about how he can provide for the kids himself.

They wanted to see a movie.

I tried to call you. You were at your new place last night. You weren't in.

Listen, I gotta get the ticket.

It starts in a minute.

Hi. Hi.

Hey, what's the matter? You forget me already?

Can you text over to your mother for a minute? I want to talk to Theda and

Spencer. Okay?

What is this?

Did your father say something about me?

Theda, honey, let me...

why it was you who had to move out. She asked him if you were in love with

someone else. He had to say something.

What do you mean?

I saw my old lady at the dike. Big deal.

Spencer!

I'm not your old lady and your mother.

I'm sorry.

I'll talk to you both about it later, okay?

Yeah, I'm sorry.

Don't worry about it.

Hurry up.

The myth of coming in traps, you know I hate to do that.

Yeah.

Now, your children have been given the same questionnaire through their

schools. I don't think there's been enough studies made of how values are

passed on.

Be sure to answer what you believe, not what you think you should believe.

This is a survey, not a test.

Also, I have to be back at school to clear up some things with my department

head, so I won't be here Tuesday session next week.

If you can just fill these out and hold on to them, I'll see you next Friday.

What's this about you leaving? I'm sorry.

I didn't decide on it until this morning.

You mean you don't really have to go?

I, uh, I do. I, uh, have some personal things that I have to deal with. Then

this isn't about your department head.

Actually, it is. She's who I have to see. It's Jan.

Oh.

I didn't know you worked with her, too.

I didn't think this was gonna happen. I figured you being married and having

kids... What? That'd be easier to leave.

I didn't think that I... I thought I could keep it under control.

of blindness.

What are you going to do?

What can I do?

I have to stand by her.

After everything she's put you through, she's my wife.

But what about Rachel?

What are you going to tell her?

She'll have to wait, that's all.

She'll understand.

Only wait so long.

I have to take that risk.

Jill needs me.

Hi, gorgeous.

Jerry, come in. Hi, how you doing?

Fine. Hey, you've done a real nice job in here.

Thanks. Take a seat.

Which one?

Would you like a beer or something? Yeah, a beer would be great.

Not interrupting anything, am I? No, I was just reading.

Reading. Oh, yeah, those funny little lines on paper, what they had before

film? What are you reading?

The Well of Loneliness.

Sounds like a riot.

How much do you pay for this?

Too much.

$2.75 without utility.

I was kind of pressed for time.

So, how's it been?

Not too bad.

I've been a little lonely lately. I felt it in my bones. That's why I came over.

You could make a living with bones like that.

You have my son in here?

In the afternoon.

It's nice.

In the morning, it comes in through my bedroom window.

Good. I like that.

What?

I said I like that. It's a nice way to wake up.

Oh.

Have you been seeing anybody since?

You and Dick had your falling out?

If you're asking, did I leave him for somebody?

No, not really.

We should have done it long ago.

Good.

Jerry, are you intimating what I think you are?

I don't intimate, Leanna, you know that.

I'd like to sleep with you.

You don't waste any time, do you? I figure it's been a while since you and

Dick split, and he said there wasn't another guy involved.

You're a grown, healthy woman. I figured I'd come over and... Help me out, like

the welcome wagon.

Well, you know I've been interested in you since I've known you, and I know

you've been interested in me. I'm not interested in you.

Not in sleeping with you.

I'm sorry if I came at you a little sudden, but my technique must be getting

ragged.

I really like you, and I'd like to... I'm not interested in you, Terry.

Not at all.

Okay?

Sure.

Welcome wagon knows when it's not welcome. Of course you're welcome. I'm

really glad to see you. I just don't want to sleep with you.

Okay?

Yeah.

So how are your courses going?

Have any of your students finished their films?

They're fine.

Yeah. As a matter of fact, I...

Should probably go help out in the cutting room tonight. I forgot.

I thought you were all set to spend the night.

Well, I got this kid. She's a bit of a loose wine. She could use a hand. Jerry,

you don't have to... I'm sorry. I made a mistake.

Good night, Jerry.

I'll see you around, okay?

Give me your number.

I'll give you a call.

Take care.

You got enough dope there?

Oh, yeah.

I'm used to buying for family.

You moved to the second floor, huh?

That's right.

We're right above you.

If it gets too loud, feel free to tell us.

I will.

Thank you.

Liz, that's my roommate.

Her boyfriend comes over and plays music on her stereo sometimes.

He's into volume.

I think his eardrums are shot.

Does he have to sneak in?

Sneak?

Oh, our landlady.

Mrs. Hennessey talks a good game, but she can't back it up. She just comes

over to rent a place when it's vacant and scare you with that no-man rat.

Hey, you don't rat on me, I don't rat on you.

Oh, I... I... I... I'm gay.

Oh.

I'm Sheila.

What's so funny?

Come on, let me in on it.

Jesus, you're not gay. You're hysterical.

What's so funny?

I don't know where it's at. I don't even know it.

It isn't true?

Oh, I think it's true.

True.

I'm into men.

Physically, anyway.

Don't apologize.

Oh, if you'd been through some of the turkeys I have, you'd want to apologize,

too.

Gay, huh?

Jesus, Mrs. Hennessy would fall over dead if she found out. I don't think she

knows that he's in.

You'd be surprised.

Do you go to school?

Well, I can't find anything better to do. I have a few credits to go.

Liz has a B.A. in religion. She's working as a dental technician.

What else do you do besides your laundry?

I'm looking for work.

I've just separated from my husband.

Oh.

Listen, what's your name?

Leanna.

That's pretty.

Anyway, you need anything, a cup of soap, bucket of sugar, whatever, feel

free to call on us. I will. Thanks.

Since your mother has decided to leave your father and this is a faculty house

and you know Staying with you. We've decided on Thursdays and you know that

don't you

Hey

there hi,

how you been business as usual

Sandy home?

Uh, no, no. She took the kids to get shoes.

Oh.

How you making out over there?

Fine. I'm managing.

Leanna, uh, Sandy told me what's up with you.

Did she? Yeah.

And, uh, it doesn't make any difference to me.

I mean, it's not the same as... It's different when it's women.

She misses you.

Sandy does.

She does?

A lot.

She's afraid, though.

I don't know.

I had a player once, a halfback, hell of a runner.

Anyhow, I found out in the middle of the season that he, you know, he liked

guys.

I'd recruited this kid out of high school, watched him develop four years.

I had no idea.

I mean...

He was a black kid.

I didn't even know they had him that way.

The thing was, he was most of our running game and did a good hunk of the

receiving.

I didn't want to bother him. I heard his concentration.

So I never said a thing to him about it.

Kept an eye on him, though.

You know, never changed my opinion of the kid. He was still a hell of a kid.

Give you 100%, good leader, everything.

Goes to show you you didn't worry about him walking around in the shower with

the other guys He had more important things on his mind what

football

Oh, hi.

Hi. You were expecting somebody else? I thought it might be another one of my

husband's so-called friends.

I've had two calls and a visit so far offering to help me out.

Divorce vultures.

I remember when my parents split up, my mother was suddenly the most popular

girl in town.

Would you like to come in?

Actually, Liz and I were going to go to a movie over at the college. We thought

you might want to come along.

Is it The Magnificent Ambersons? You've already seen it.

No, but my husband...

It's for his film course. He'll be there to introduce it and lead a discussion

group and all that.

I really don't want to see him right now, not even in an auditorium.

Massey, is that your husband?

Have you taken something with him?

No, Liz has.

Religion and cinema.

She said he was really good.

Oh, he's a really good teacher.

As a husband, he leaves something to be desired.

I'm sorry, maybe some other time.

Well, we were actually just casting around for something to do.

Would you like to come up and watch TV or something?

Don't let me change your plans. Plans? What plans?

Come on, we'll make popcorn.

Liz, it's all settled. TV and junk food.

This is Leanna from the laundry.

Leanna, Liz. Hi. Hi. Say hi.

Hi. Oh, you're from Canada.

Miracle of modern dentistry.

Pleased to meet you. You're so quiet down there. We thought you moved away.

Oh, I'm still there.

I thought we'd treat Leanna to some fine American cuisine. How does popcorn

sound? Sort of like rain falling on a tent. Get into the kitchen, turkey. It's

your turn to cook. I'll have to see what Craig Claiborne says about this. Use the

mazola, not the olive oil.

Have a seat.

See what the network has stacked against us. Leanna, we've got beer, cab, Pepsi,

and milk. What would you like?

Pepsi, please.

Coming up. Another assault on the brain cells.

Hey, lighten up.

It's just a burning Charlie.

buy you a drink or something?

I've already got one. Stay and talk if you like, though.

I've been watching you for about an hour.

There have got to be easier ways.

Yeah.

What's your name?

Leanna.

Leanna. That's real pretty.

Thank you.

My name's Cindy.

Hello, Cindy.

Hello, Leanna.

Cindy?

Uh-huh?

Before when we were talking, you said something about being in the service.

Uh-huh.

What did you mean exactly?

Service.

You know, the women's air corps.

Oh, the service.

I'm a second lieutenant.

We're stationed in New Jersey right now.

Do you like it?

Oh, I love it.

Not New Jersey, the service.

I think you're really beautiful.

Thank you.

You got any kids or anything?

They live with their father.

Good.

I mean, you know, I'd like it if you could stay the night with me.

Sure.

I've never done that before.

Come over and try to pick somebody up.

Usually you're just around people for a while and things happen, you know?

Mostly they don't happen.

When you told me to stay and talk, I just about wet my pants.

Do you get

crushes on the other girls, the women in the Army with you? Air Corps.

I'm usually stuck on somebody.

But then when you work with them, it isn't professional.

Jesus.

What?

Can't believe I really got you.

Why?

We don't have much in common.

We have enough.

Cindy? Yeah?

Will you make love with me again?

You like me, huh? I like you a lot.

Let's go real slow this time.

I wanna remember everything.

Get me this, get me that all day long.

It's a relief to come here and get away from him. He's got this thing about his

underwear. He wants to put it in his bra so the elastic face is out so he can

just step right into it. The boys all got them damn skateboards now.

Where's the hell out of their clothes when they fall?

You got any kids, honey?

Yes, two.

Peter and Spencer. Spencer? You don't hear that much.

It's for Spencer Tracy.

Oh, now there was a man.

Let's go!

Watch that lens!

They think they can die from fumbles with a camera.

She said it wasn't new.

That she'd always felt that way.

Yeah, I can see where that would be a bit of a shock, all right.

I think about times like...

And we'd go to the beach and we'd undress together.

That bothers you?

Sure it does.

I didn't know.

Yeah.

I guess.

Who's the quarterback?

Saddlemeyer. He's only a sophomore.

He shouldn't drift out of the pocket like that.

One time...

She was having a rough period with Dick.

And we had this long talk.

And afterward, I walked all the way back to the student union building holding

her hand.

My God, Sandy.

You think you can catch it?

I'm serious.

It seemed so nice and friendly at the time. I think about it now. I wonder.

I don't think it's fair to Spencer and Theda.

I don't even like to think of the two of them together.

Well, I'm from California. That kind of stuff doesn't faze me.

Kid's got an arm.

So how did she take it?

Take what?

When you told her about us.

She expected it. Built up her defenses.

I was the one that got out of control.

Oh.

It's been so long since I've been on my own.

How did you leave things?

I told her I would make a decision this week.

I've never been in this position before.

I feel so much pressure from you. I don't mean to pressure you. I just feel

totally isolated.

There's no need for you to feel so isolated.

There are a lot of other women you can talk to. I don't want a support group.

I want you.

You're still afraid of the words, aren't you? You love women, Leanna, not just

me. Leanna? Hi.

Oh, hi. How are you doing?

Fine, good.

See you around.

Yeah.

Who's that?

Someone I know from before.

Morning.

Hi, Jerry.

Listen, I wanted to apologize about the other night.

Don't bother.

I fucked up.

It's okay.

I, uh, heard about you and Ruth.

Who hasn't around here?

She seems real nice.

You, uh, really, uh, let the air out of my tires there.

I wanted you to know it wasn't just a pick-off attempt or anything. I really

think a lot of you.

I hope your thing with her works out.

Thank you.

Can I go now? This is making me real nervous.

Bye, Jerry. Okay, take care.

Okay.

So, he's fooling around with a girl he met on the unemployment line. And she

still thinks it's the greatest thing that ever was Levi.

He took courses on how to be a victim of this girl.

I mean, everybody in town is wise to a guy.

Practically advertises.

She walks around with a big smile on her face.

Galia. Ignorance is bliss.

Oh,

hi,

Mrs. Massey. Hi.

Did you forget something?

Hi.

Hi. You got out of work early.

What were you doing with her?

You know her?

She's a film student.

Well, I needed someone for that book research.

I advertised in the student newspaper.

Did you sleep with her?

What?

I'm sorry. I'm getting paranoid. Did you sleep with her? No, with her?

But you slept with somebody, didn't you? While I was gone.

How was it?

Nice, exciting.

We have to straighten some things out.

Are you going back to her?

I don't know.

I have to think.

I've been through so much with her.

Besides, you can be in love with more than one person at the same time.

You're the only person I've ever been in love with.

What am I going to do?

You got me into this. I warned you every step of the way. And the minute I told

you I loved you, you started backing away. How could you do that to me?

You don't understand.

Sometimes women, straight women, they'll have an affair with another woman just

to see what it's like.

How could I tell?

I'm proud that I love you.

Nobody could ever make me feel bad about that.

I didn't even know where I was going.

What the hell am I apologizing to you for?

Is somebody paying you to do this? Or is it just your mission in life to hound me

wherever I go?

What?

Forget it.

I am responsible for the way they turn out. What do you mean, the way they turn

out? It's a matter of role models.

Your girlfriend is a child expert. She must have taught you that much.

I can't have them around while you're bringing women into the house. I bring a

woman into the house? What about you? What happens when the kids come home

early from school and there's Daddy in the sack with the sweetheart of Sigma

Chi? I never brought anyone home.

Where did you do it then? In here?

Does it look like there's room?

Well, you wait to get your department head. You can have an office with a fold

-out bed. Make everything nice and cozy.

Didn't you hear?

Hear what? They already made the arrangements for the department. Jerry

Carlson is heading it. I'm still in English.

Oh, Dick.

They decided they wanted the department as separate as possible from English.

Jerry is bringing in all kinds of technical people from the film business

to run it.

No way I get tenure now.

You deserved it.

You're such a good teacher.

It doesn't matter.

And look, I really don't think we have to go to court on this thing with the

kids. Don't we? You deserve your share of time living with them. In other

words, you can't handle them alone. If that's what you want to believe, go

ahead. It's a little drag on your love life, isn't it? Sure. How are things

with the co-ed population?

I want my career to go well.

I want a family.

I want to have a rich and rewarding sex life.

What's that, the playboy philosophy?

It's from your girlfriend's book, The Potentials of Motherhood.

Just because you can argue better doesn't mean that you're right.

I've already told Spencer about it.

He said it's okay with him.

What do you think?

You're still your mother, you know.

I know.

You'll be going to the same school and everything.

You'll just be spending a lot of the time with me when I get my new place.

Sure.

Your hair looks kind of snarly.

Would you like me to brush it for you? If you want to.

I'll sit beside you.

What's the matter, honey?

It hurts. It tangles.

I'll go real slow.

And you tell me when it starts to pull.

We'll work it out.

Okay?

And I hope some of you will want to go on with the study.

Child psychology is still our psychology.

It affects us no matter how old we think we are.

What are you going to do next?

I'll be going home to work on my book. And then in the fall, I'll have my old

teaching job back again. I wish you could stay here.

That's very nice of you to say. Thank you.

But there are plenty of other people you can learn from.

Plenty of other people.

I've been loving you.

Stop now.

You're tired.

And you want to leave me.

My love is growing stronger.

As you become a habit to me.

You matter.

I'm sorry. I'll fix that in a split.

Are you okay, dear?

I'm fine. I'm sorry.

Hi.

Can I sit down?

Sure.

I haven't seen much of you lately.

Yeah.

Listen, I have thought about this a lot.

And I don't want... I

mean, I'm not interested in women, you know, for sex.

And I don't understand women who are.

But I really love you, you know.

I love you too.

She left you?

I... It's so

awful.

I just feel so awful.

Honey.

Honey.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.