Original subtitles

(CLICKING SOUND) (CROWD CHEERING, FAINT)

(RHYTHMIC CLICKING)

(CROWD CLAPPING IN RHYTHM)

MAN: So this is the world, and there are almost six billion people on it.

♪♪(GUITER) When I was a kid, there were three.

It's hard to keep up.

There. That's better. That's america.

See, America still sets the tone for the world.

In Indiana, Clark Hodd, 13, the best point guard in the country.

Last week he scored a hundred points...

in a single game.

Erica Sorgi. You'll see her in the next olympics.

(DIVING BOARD VIBRATING)

In Seattle, Dallas Malloy, 16.

Her lawsuit helped pave the way for women boxers everywhere.

She's picturing her ex-boyfriend right now. (BELL DINGS)

In Indio, California, Art Stallings.

Check out what pure joy looks like.

In Odessa, Texas, the great Frank Cushman.

This april, 26 teams will be falling all over themselves...

to sign him in the next NFL draft.

He's my client, my most important client.

When are you gonna try? When are you gonna concentrate? You wanna be a champion?

(MAN CONTINUES) Believe me, there's genius everywhere, but until they turn pro...

It's like popcorn in the pan; Some pop...

What the heck, coach? You don't know diddly-squat about golf!

MAN: Some don't. You little shit!

I'm the guy you don't usually see.

I'm the one behind the scenes.

I'm the sports agent. Wayne, I'm gonna hurt you this year.

How're you doin'? I'm doin' fine.

Listen, door's always open if you wanna come and get a real agent.

Thanks. You're welcome, Johnnie.

I'm gonna go to a meeting now, and I'm gonna talk about you.

'Cause I kill for you. I'm an animal for you.

We gotta win super bowls. I hail you.

Hey, Jerry, how're you doin'? All right.

MAN: How much is this gonna cost me?

You and I both know there's a number you can afford.

So I'm just gonna write it down, and we can move forward from there.

I can't afford that. No one said winning was cheap.

(CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) You know those photos...

where the new player holds the team jersey and poses with the owner?

That's me on the left.

Inside that building, that's where I work.

S.M.I... Sports Management International.

Reebok came in with four million.

(CONTINUES) 33 out-of-shape agents guiding the careers of 1,685...

of the most finely tuned athletes alive.

You gotta be tough. I already have 18 million.

I handle the lives and dreams of 72 clients

and get an average of 216 phone calls a day.

It's what I do.

I will not rest until I have you holding a coke,

wearing your own shoe, playing a sega game...

while singing your own song in a new commercial starring you,

broadcast during the super bowl in a game you are winning.

I will not sleep until that happens.

It's what I do best. I'll give you 15 minutes to call me back.

(SIREN WAILS) I'll be honest with you.

I started noticing it a few years ago and didn't say a word.

FEMALE REPORTER: Was the girl 16 or 17?

In the quest for the big dollars, a lot of little things were going wrong.

There's no proof of anything except this guy is a sensational athlete!

There was no girl! That's bullshit!

Are you Calvin Nack? Can you sign my card?

I'm sorry, little fella. I can't sign this particular brand of card.

Only pro-jam blue dot cards.

I just wanted an autograph.

Lately, it's gotten worse.

SPORTCASTER: Remo with the puck, and... oh, he goes down!

Hi, baby.

Do you know your name? Uh...

(WHISPERS) Steve Remo. Uh...

WIFE: Steven Remo. Oh, wait. It's coming.

My name is Steve Remo. Yeah.

I play for Chicago. This lady here is my wife.

(CHUCKLES) Hi, baby.

And this is my boy, and this is, uh,

Uh, uh, wait.

My agent. My agent.

I gotta play this weekend. If I play 65% of my games, I get a bonus.

I gotta get the bonus.

Okay, Jesse. You take care, little guy.

Mr. Maguire? Yeah?

This is his fourth concussion. Shouldn't somebody get him to stop?

(BEEPER BEEPING) It would take a tank to stop your dad.

It would take all five Super Trooper Vr Warriors...

To stop your dad.

Right?

Right?

Fuck you.

(CONTINUES) Who had I become? Just another shark in a suit?

(MAN TALKING, INDISTINCT)

With the skyrocketing salaries, and you are one of the guys responsible.

(JESSEE'S VOICE) Fuck you.

(VOICES OVERLAPPING)

(JERRY CONTINUES) Two days later at our corporate conference in Miami,

A breakthrough. MAN: I already had 18 million on the table.

Breakdown? Breakthrough.

BOY: I just want an autograph. JESSE: Fuck you.

DOCTOR: Do you know your name?

JERRY: I couldn't escape one simple thought.

I hated myself.

No, no, no. Here's what it was.

I hated my place in the world.

I had so much to say and no one to listen.

(TYPING, BEEPS)

And then it happened.

It was the oddest, most unexpected thing.

I began writing what they call "A Mission Statement."

Not a memo, a mission statement.

You know, a suggestion for the future of our company.

A night like this doesn't come along very often.

I seized it.

What started out as 1 page became 25.

Suddenly, I was my father's son again.

I was remembering the simple pleasures of this job...

How I ended up here out of law school;

The way a stadium sounds when one of my players performs well on the field;

The way we are meant to protect them in health and in injury.

With so many clients, we had forgotten what was important.

I wrote and wrote and wrote and wrote,

And I'm not even a writer.

I was remembering even the words of the original sports agent, my mentor,

The late, great Dicky Fox, who said...

The key to this business is personal relationships.

JERRY: Suddenly it was all pretty clear.

The answer was: Fewer clients.

Less money. More attention.

Caring for them, caring for ourselves and the games too.

Just starting our lives, really.

I'll be first to admit it. What I was writing was somewhat touchy-feely.

I didn't care. I had lost the ability to bullshit.

It was the me I'd always wanted to be.

I took it in a bag to a copymat in the middle of the night...

And printed up 110 copies.

Even the cover looked like the catcher in the rye.

I entitled it, the things we think and do not say:

The future of our business.

That's how you become great, man.

Hang your balls out there.

Thanks.

Everybody got a copy.

There are dangerous animals in the world. Some walk on two feet.

They don't want peace. They're not capable of love.

Society... and that means you and you... need protection from these warped minds.

♪♪(TV)

Boom.

Hi, this is Jerry Maguire. Did those manuscripts get...

MAN: They've all gone out. Oh, they did?

Would you like me... oh, no, no. That's fine.

Thank you.

(PHONES RINGING) I could connect you, if you'd like.

(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)

(PEOPLE CHATTERING, PHONE RINGING)

MAN: Front desk. How may I help you?

All right! Hey, finally somebody sane.

MAN: Good work, Maguire! MAN: Yeah, yeah!

Yeah! (CHEERING)

MAN: Unbelievable. Unbelievable.

(CHEERING CONTINUES)

Oh, yeah.

(SIGHS) JERRY: I was 35.

I'd started my life.

How long do you give him?

'Bout a week.

(CHUCKLES)

(CHEERING CONTINUES, WHOOPING) (SIGHS)

You're with the sports people on the plane? Yeah, I'm Jerry Maguire.

S.M.I. Bobbi Fallon, B.P.I.

I'm producing the coke commercials for the play-offs.

Good luck with that. (CHUCKLES)

(BABY CRYING) Oh, hi. Hi.

My son is really allergic to the material in the blankets,

And I was wondering... that's all we have, okay?

(COUGHING) (GASPS)

(COUGHING CONTINUES) (BOTH) Ohh!

I'm sorry if I was rude just then.

That's okay. We're in it together now.

Why is it so easy to talk with you? Tell me about your fiancee.

More champagne? I don't think we're at your pitch yet.

Tell me how you proposed. Honey, are you all right?

You want some juice or something?

(BABY CONTINUES CRYING)

Thank you. But we're hiking up through the pools.

I got the ring in my pocket, and... (LAUGHS) I'm a little nervous.

I'm lagging, you know, and she says to me... get this...

"Hurry up, klutz."

It bothered me somewhat, you know?

I got quiet and she got quiet.

And I decide, I'm not gonna propose.

The mood is not right. Why be impulsive?

Now, at this point I know she knows...

That I was gonna propose and didn't, and she knows I know.

So we check back into the pro bowl hotel. How sad.

No. But wait. Little do I know...

That my assistant has assumed that I've now proposed.

So she's gotten a lounge band to actually play "Here Comes the Bride"...

When we walk back in. I love that song.

All the football guys are in the lobby, watching.

There's even an ESPN crew.

So I turned to her, sort of grandly say,

"Well, this is me, klutz,

Asking you, Goddess of rock climbing, to marry me."

I took out the ring.

You know, I don't much like big scenes,

But, uh,

She said "yes" right there in the lobby.

Some of the toughest men in football wept like babies.

We're gettin' married in February.

WOMAN: Oh, Jerry, you two are gonna be married forever.

(BABY CRYING CONTINUES)

What's wrong, mom?

First class is what's wrong, honey.

It used to be a better meal. Now it's a better life.

P.A. ANNOUNCER: Mr. Waters, Mr. Charles Waters, Ray!

Your party is waiting for you at the information gate... Ray!

On the upper concourse. Come on, buddy!

High five! Ray!

Oh, God. Ray! Excuse me.

Can I help you?

Jerry Maguire.

I work in your office. I was on the junket.

I know who you are. Dorothy Boyd in accounts.

You have the side-middle cubicle with the poster of Albert Einstein's face...

Morphed on shaquille O'neal's body.

That's pretty good.

Wh-what did you lose here?

My son, my mind. (MOANS) Ray!

Ray!

- Listen, while I look... Dorothy? - Huh?

While I go look for him, why don't you grab this curious gentleman here?

- Hee hee! - Oh. Oh, thank God.

Oh. Ohh!

You scared me. You scared me.

Don't do that again, ever! Okay, mommy.

Ever, ever, ever! Okay? Ever!

Dorothy? Take care.

Thank you so much.

I loved your memo,

By the way.

- You did? - Yeah.

Thanks.

Uh, actually it was just a mission... Statement.

I think, in this age, optimism like that is a revolutionary act.

- You think so? - Oh, yeah.

I appreciate that because I didn't know if I should write it.

I mean, it was 2:00 in the morning.

I don't know. Some of the stuff, I just... whoo!

No. That part about how we should embrace what is still virginal in our enthusiasm...

Uh... not right now, honey.

And force open the tightly clenched fist of commerce and give a little back...

- for the greater good? - Uh-huh.

God, I was inspired, and I'm an accountant, you know?

One, two, three, swing! I mean, to respect yourself enough

to say it out loud?

To put yourself out there like that, so openly, so nakedly?

I don't know. It got me. Swing! Whoo!

Swing! Is this bothering you?

- Whoo! - No, this is, uh, great.

Whoo! Th-this is great.

One, two, three, swing!

Do you need a ride? Are you okay? What?

- Do you need a lift? - Oh, no.

Oh. (LAUGHING) Yeah, I'm sure that would just make your day.

To drive us all the way out to Manhattan beach,

making that left on tiny Waterloo street,

Playing chicken with traffic, your life flashing before your eyes.

I've obviously had too much coffee, huh? (LAUGHING)

It's no problem. Uh, um, oh,

There's my sister Laurel to pick us up.

Thanks. Sure.

Ray,

Dorothy,

A pleasure.

Bye.

P.A. ANNOUNCER: Rachel Adams, please pick up the white courtesy phone.

Hey, Ray. Hey, you. Hi, Aunt Laurel. I'm double parked. Let's go.

Oh, sorry, honey. Is this everything?

These three? Come here. Let me see you.

Dorothy?

Man, whoever snagged him must be some classy babe.

(PANTING)

Don't... Ever... Stop... Fucking me!

(MOANING) Sooner or later, I will have to stop.

Oh! Never been better! (GRUNTS)

Never better!

Never better! (SCREAMS)

Ohh! Oh. (SIGHS)

Open your eyes.

If you ever want me to be with another woman for you,

I would do it.

I'm not interested in it. There was a time, yes, it felt normal for me.

But it was a phase, a college thing,

Like torn Levi's or law school for you.

Want anything from the kitchen? I'm gonna get some fruit.

(SIGHS)

I don't think we need to do the thing where we tell each other everything.

Jerry, this is what intimacy is.

Oh, don't forget... tomorrow we have dinner with Wade Cooksey.

I know about the bachelor party.

Your buddy dooler worked his ass off to make you a tribute film.

All those guys from the office are coming. Everybody loves you.

Just calm down, relax, act surprised...

And have an amazing time.

Ohh, no! (ALL SHOUTING)

Oh! Oh!

(ALL LAUGHING) Oh, my God. All right.

You! You! Sorry.

Congratulations, Jerry!

- Jerry! - Got you, man!

Ethan Valhere. Hey.

- Old college buddy, congratulations. - Thank you.

For you. Thank you.

And this is for you, the finest cigar...

My club has to offer.

This is what it's all about, man.

Everybody loves you.

Pisses me off.

Whether you're country, redneck or a freak,

Young or old,

From Moscow, London or Memphis,

(WOMAN'S VOICE) Jerry Maguire...

(NORMAL VOICE) will still be the king of rock and roll to me.

Jerry, Jerry, Jerry. Little black book.

When I think about Jerry, my heart starts pounding.

Oh. I know Jerry pretty well.

(PEOPLE LAUGHING) Hi, Jerry. Remember me?

We're still on for lunch tomorrow? Yeah.

He was no slouch in bed. This is the

funniest thing I've ever seen in my life.

- You guys are crazy. I'll see you later. - It's probably a good idea...

That Jerry get married; He won't be alone.

He cannot be alone. He-he can't be alone.

He's almost phobic. Jerry is great at friendship.

He's just really bad at intimacy.

(WOMEN'S VOICES) he can't be alone. He can't be alone.

- He can't say "I love you." - Are you listening, Jerry?

Lies, lies, lies. He's an agent. He lies.

- I love you too. - Hey, love you too.

Love you too. Love you, Jerry.

I love you, man. (WOMAN) I love you.

♪ Got a pocketful of rainbows

- I love you. - I love you.

(KISSES)

♪♪ Mr. Heartache

(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS) ♪ I found a way to make you weep ♪♪

Good morning, Jenny. Sorry I missed the bachelor party.

Good morning, Jerry. Marcee's already in your office and she's late...

For her plane back to phoenix. Thank you, Wendy.

Marcee. Jerry, I'm glad to see you finally made it.

Rod is very, very upset. Tyson! (CHILD ROARS))

No. Okay, mommy.

Tyson, hello. Hello, Jerry. Long time no see!

What did I say, Tyson? How can I make your life better?

Jerry, this is humiliating, and I'm pregnant and I'm incapable of bullshit.

- Where is our offer from Arizona? - Cronin's okay for lunch?

This is one of our agents, Bob Sugar. He needs to learn to knock. Pleasure.

You've called our house, right?

I-I'm sorry to interrupt you guys.

Now, I don't know what you do for your four percent,

But this man, my husband, has a whole plan, an image.

When you put him in a waterbed warehouse commercial, you're making him common,

When you know we deserve the big four... shoe, car, clothing line, soft drink.

I know about the four jewels of the celebrity endorsement dollar.

Wow. I majored in marketing, baby, and so did my husband.

We came to play. (LOUD CRASH)

The dirty man is back! Ha, ha, ha, ha!

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

Hey. Hey, buddy.

You okay?

Fine. What's up? Came here to let you go.

Pardon me? I came here to fire you, Jerry.

It's real. You should say something.

It was the funniest story. (LAUGHING)

(CHATTERING CONTINUES)

GROUP: ♪ Happy birthday to you. Oh, shit.

♪ Happy birthday to you.

A crowded restaurant, so there won't be a scene.

♪ Happy birthday to you. ♪♪

(PEOPLE WHOOPING, CHEERING)

You... Ungrateful, unctuous...

You did this to yourself. You said "fewer clients." you put it down on paper.

Jesus christ! What about me?

You know what I went through, knowing I was gonna have to fire my mentor?

Carrying that around in my head for a week? Could you get past yourself?

- You'll lose. - You wanted smaller.

Oh, I'm over it. Now I want all my clients and yours too.

Whatever.

- (PHONE BEEPING) - (BUSY SIGNAL BEEPING)

(GRUNTS)

Wendy, bring me my numbers.

(PHONE BEEPING)

(RINGING)

(PHONE BEEPING)

(BUSY SIGNAL BEEPING)

(RINGS)

This is Cush. Cush! It's Sugar.

Look, I'm calling you first'cause you're the most important guy in sports.

I wanna know one thing: How does that feel, to be a legend?

I just want to play football. It's about to get better.

Dad! It's one of the agents.

Wendy, Cushman's line is busy. You keep calling him 'til you get through.

And please bring me my numbers!

J.J., what's up, kid? Yeah, boy. Have you talked to Maguire?

Homeboy had a meltdown or something.

I wanted to tell you I was talkin' to Doritos

about you, and they're very interested.

Martinez. Hold on. Talk to Rick, okay?

Martinez, hombre. ¿¿ Como esta?

Carlo, right now you're paying 25% of your endorsements to S.M.I.

I would cut my commission by seven percent.

I don't wanna say it was drug-induced, but the guy completely freaked out.

You want a guy like that representing you going into the draft?

I've said my piece. How's your mom?

I'm gonna make this decision easy for you, okay?

Just what does your heart tell you?

I'm sorry to hear that.

(PHONE RINGING) I can't believe they fired him.

He's gone.

Hey, what's going on?

They fired Jerry Maguire. Did it at Cronin's.

S.M.I. This is Cleo.

Hey. Listen to me. S.M.I. Represents...

I think you're making a big mistake. That's how I feel.

I'm concerned about your family, your future.

If you stay here, I don't know what's gonna happen.

Jerry, I'm sorry. I have a longstanding relationship with S.M.I.

Do you think Maguire knows what it's like to be a black guy?

Bob Sugar? He's, uh, he's a...

He's an entertaining, funny...

He said I don't know what it's like to be a black person? I'm Mr. Black people!

(LAUGHS) like I say, I mean, don't make it harder than it is.

I've got to be honest with you. This is very personally distressing for me.

I haven't seen you since we were with that stripper in Laguna beach.

You remember her name? I do. It was April.

That's my job... to remember the names of scanks you bang on the road.

It's not about the money. I do it all for you.

Hello, Merilee? This is Jerry Maguire still holding for Katarina.

I'm talking about money. Ho! I gotta tell you. It's been a great day.

Are you in or out? It's not show friends. It's show business.

You are in. That's good. He can't do shit.

Jerry, I want to cry for what they did to you at S.M.I.

I-If we weren't right in the middle of the acura deal,

You know I'd go with you.

Oh, Jerry! Oh, God! (PHONE CLICKS)

Call waiting. Who could be calling me now?

(BEEPS) Hi! Kathy Sanders.

It's still me, Kathy. (WAILING)

(KATHY SOBBING)

(SOBBING) Kathy! Why are you crying?

Oh. (LAUGHING) So you're in.

Rod? Rod, Rod, Jerry Maguire. How are you doing?

Jerry Maguire! (LAUGHING) How are you doing?

How am I doing? I'll tell you how I'm doing. I'm sweating, dude!

I'm sweating my contract. I'm sweating Bob Sugar...

Telling me I'm missing the big endorsements by being with you.

That's how I'm doing. I'm sweating! You know what I'm saying?

That's why I'm calling.

No, I hear that you hear what I'm sayin', but do you truly hear what I'm sayin'?

I hear what you're sayin', daddy.

Maybe the best thing is that we get together in person.

Rod, I'm sorry. Would you mind holding? I just got someone.

Didn't you tell my wife, "more personal attention"?

Did you not tell my wife, "more personal attention"?

I said, "more personal attention." Good!

You got eight calls. We're getting started on my list of things you need to know!

Take notes if you want to!

I will kill for you. I will maim, rape and pillage for you.

I am a valuable commodity! I go across the middle!

I see a dude coming at me, trying to kill me,

I tell myself, "get killed, catch the ball."

Boo-ya! Touchdown! I make miracles happen!

I need to know... are you in or out?

I'm from Arizona, Jerry! I broke Arizona records! Rod.

I went to Arizona state. I'm a sun devil, man!

- You want Arizona dollars. - Exactly!

I understand. I'm sitting here with an ant problem.

I got ants goin' up and down my hallway!

My brother Tee Pee's room is flooded with... look at this!

Rod! We got a flood in Tee Pee's room!

- Say hello to Jerry Maguire. - Hello, brother Maguire.

H-hello, Tee Pee. Jerry, my house is fallin' apart!

Nobody's looking out for Rod Tidwell!

We don't know where we gonna live in a year!

And I'm supposed to be a superstar, man!

Rod, I need a decision from you. Are you in or out?

You're gonna be so happy you stayed with Bob Sugar, 'cause I am the terminator!

- I am a role model, Jerry! - (PHONE LINES BEEPING)

I have a family to support. Hear me?

♪♪(R & B) I wanna stay in Arizona. I want my new contract.

But I like you. Yes, I like you, Jerry.

My wife likes you. You're good to my wife. ♪♪(LOUDER)

I will stay with you. That's great. I'm very happy.

Are you listening? Yes.

That's what I'm gonna do for you. God bless you, Jerry.

This is what you're gonna do for me. You listening?

Jerry? Yeah, wh-what can I do for you, Rod?

Just tell me, what can I do for you? It's a very personal,

Very important thing.

Hell, it's a family motto.

Are you ready? I'm ready.

Wanna make sure you're ready.

Here it is. ♪♪(VOLUME DOWN)

Show me the money. Oh-ho-ho! ♪♪(VOLUME UP)

Go!♪♪ (RAPPING)

Hey! Hey!

Money! (LAUGHING)

Jerry, doesn't that make you feel good just to say that?

Say it with me one time, Jerry. Show you the money.

No, you can do better than that, Jerry. Say it with meaning, brother!

I got Bob Sugar on the other line. I better hear you say it!

Show you the money. Not show you! Show me the money!

Show me the money. Yeah! Louder!

Show me the money. That's it, but you got to yell that shit!

Show me the money! I need to feel you, Jerry!

Show me the money! You better yell!

(YELLING) Show me the money!

Show me the money!

- Do you love this black man? - I love this black man!

Show me the money!

I love black people! (CONTINUES YELLING) I love black people!

- Who's your motherfucker? - You're my motherfucker!

- What you gonna do, Jerry? - Show me the money!

Uhh! Congratulations. You're still my agent.

(PEOPLE CHATTERING, PHONES RINGING)

(PHONE RINGING)

(RINGING CONTINUES)

Well... don't worry.

(CHUCKLING) Don't worry.

I'm not gonna do what you all think I'm gonna do,

Which is just flip out!

Let me just say...

As I... ease out of the office...

I helped build...

I'm sorry, but it's a fact!

That there is such a thing...

As manners,

A way of treating people.

These fish have manners.

These fish have manners.

In fact, they're coming with me.

I'm starting a new company, and the fish will come with me.

You can call me sentimental.

The fish, they're coming with me.

(WATER SLOSHING)

Come on. Come on. You come on.

Come here. How is that?

Okay.

If anybody else...

wants to come with me,

This moment will be the moment of something real...

And fun and inspiring...

In this Godforsaken business,

And we will do it together.

Who's comin' with me? Who's comin' with me?

Who's coming with me? (MAN COUGHS)

Who's coming with me besides flipper here?

This is embarrassing.

All right. Wendy?

- Shall we? - Ah, jer, I'm...

I'm three months away from the pay increase.

I...

Okay.

Okay.

I will go with you.

(PEOPLE MURMURING) Dorothy Boyd, thank you.

(WHISPERING) Right now?

Don't do it. Shh!

DOROTHY: Bye.

(WATER SLOSHING)

We'll see you all again.

Sleep tight. Bye.

JERRY: Let's see how they do without us.

(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS, DOORS CLOSE)

(CHATTERING RESUMES, PHONES RINGING)

I'll just... oh. Thank you. It's...

I know this is a bad time, but you will have a medical program?

Oh, sure, yes. Medical.

I don't know what I...

When you think about what you did there, don't... don't panic.

We're gonna be okay. We're gonna be great.

We're gonna be... great.

(BELL DING, DOORS OPEN) Yes.

(PHONE RINGING)

(BELLl DINGS)

(DOORS OPEN)

(DOORS CLOSE)

I wonder what he said.

My favorite aunt is hearing impaired.

He just said, "you complete me."

(WOMEN CHATTERING)

(CHATTERING CONTINUES)

WOMAN: We've all got a problem.

We're all stuck in some kind of pattern.

It's true. I think he was making an excellent point.

First of all, we have come here to support one another...

And we don't even listen to one another.

Women are... are taught not to see each other as good people.

We see each other as the enemy. We're...

competition for men. We're competition for...

It's true. We are... we have this terrible competition going on.

I really hated women.

And then I met you guys, and you're like me.

And it's important because I know you can be my friends.

What about medical? Of course, medical.

You are a single mother. You have given up the right to be frivolous.

If you had read what he wrote, you would have left with him too.

And I can always take that job in San Diego.

Do you know how much those well-child exams cost? Of course.

(BOTH) A hundred and Fifty dollars.

- That's just when he's well. - Wait. Where is Ray?

Asleep in the living room. That's wonderful.

The next time you decide to lecture me,

Don't leave my little boy in that room with that divorced women's group.

So I finally, finally got in touch with my anger!

(ALL CHEERING) You go, Alice!

(CHEERING, LAUGHING CONTINUE)

What's her problem? She quit her job today.

My God. What did I do?

Function, function, function.

Forward motion is everything.

Cush saves all.

You go to texas. You keep one superstar, and they'll all follow.

There's no real loyalty. None.

The first person who told me that, Jerry Maguire, was you.

I think I was trying to sleep with you at the time. Well, it worked.

I will not let you fail.

You are Jerry ma-fucking-guire.

That's right. King of the house calls. Master of the living room.

Okay, okay. This is working. This is working.

You are not a loser.

Who said anything about loser?

Mistake. I meant something else. When do you want to leave?

(AIRPLANE ENGINES ROARING)

(FOOTSTEPS)

- Matt? - I'm in the back den, Jer.

- Hey, you like a bloody beer, Jerry? - I'm fine.

Beer and tomato juice. Huh?

I'm fine.

Listen, I'm here today. We spent a lot of time together, Matt.

You know how much I care about you, your son.

You know I'm a straight shooter.

I'm quite concerned, because if you stay with S.M.I.,

Your son... we decided to stay with you.

(LAUGHS) Oh.

Okay.

I'm not really a hugger, yet... I can't let go.

(LAUGHING) I told myself,

"he shows up, we stick with him."

(LAUGHING) MATT: Hey!

- Hey, Jerry. How's it going? - Hey! Cush.

How are you, Cush? How are you?

Remember Keith? Yeah, Keith. How're you doin'?

I want him to go number one in the draft, and I want him to play.

It'll either be Denver or San Diego trading up to take him.

He'll go number one. I'll either surf or ski. I don't care.

- Denver's where he should be. - I'll give it everything.

You know I don't do contracts.

But what you do have is my word,

And it's stronger than oak.

♪♪("BITCH" by ROLLING STONES)

♪ I was so... I was so tired.

♪ Can't understand it ♪ Can't...

♪ Just call me angel of the morning. ♪ Angel...

(COUNTRY)♪ She had faith she had believers.

♪ Breakin' her heart and I'm free. ♪ And I'm free.

(SINGING ALONG)♪ Free fallin'. (LAUGHS)

♪ Yeah, I'm free-ee-ee...

♪ Free fallin'. Whoo!

♪ Yeah, I'm free.

(PHONE RINGS)

♪ Free fallin' ♪♪ Hello?

- Dorothy? Jerry Maguire. - Hi.

Is Avery there? Uh, she had to fly to Atlanta.

- She had a meeting at the NFL office. - The playhouse rocks.

Wait. Oh, God. Jerry!

Hello? Hello? Go sit by Chad. Sorry.

That was my son and the nanny.

What are they all doing in our office? Nanny?

I prefer "Child Technician."

Dorothy? Hello? Yeah, I had the calls transferred to my house...

So I could go over some of your stuff.

That's fine. Dorothy, we are back.

We are so very, very back.

I re-signed Cush. We're set!

I am so happy for you.

Happy for us! Happy for us.

Okay. Happy for us.

JERRY: Rod, being at the draft with me is a good idea.

Nobody's showing up at my house! No, Rod, get on the plane,

Meet us at the gate. Why not?

Good. We'll see you there. God bless you, Jerry.

Avery'll meet you at the "B" gate at 4:15. Don't be late.

Jerry, do you know the human head weighs eight pounds?

Did you know that Troy Aikman, in only six years, has passed for 16,303 yards?

Do you know bees and dogs can smell fear?

Oh, I put Tidwell on the same floor at the Marriott Marquis.

He doesn't smoke, does he? I don't know.

Did you know the career record for most hits is 4,256 by Pete Rose,

Who is not in the hall of fame?

Do you know that my next door neighbor has three rabbits?

I can't compete with that.

Okay. So did we go over everything? Yes? Yup.

Back on tuesday, right? (SIGHS) Yeah.

Hey, Ray, have a good time at school.

- Wish me luck. - Luck!

♪ That's the way it's gonna be little darlin'.

♪ We'll be riding on the horses yeah

♪ Way up in the sky little darlin'

♪ If you fall, I'll pick you

up, pick you up. ♪♪ Hey! Rod!

How're you doin', Jerry? Wai...

Cush! How are you, man? Hey!

CUSH: Jerry, we should really be sellin' these.

This is my agent. You might want to get his autograph.

- Man, my hand's getting tired. - Excuse me.

- Hey, what's happenin'? - Are you hootie?

No, I am not hootie.

No, punk.

(ALL SHOUTING) Cushman, what's it gonna be, San Diego or Denver?

Uh, surf or ski?

(SHOUTING CONTINUES)

He'll either surf or ski. FEMALE REPORTER: Go to Denver!

MALE REPORTER: San Diego! I'll either surf or ski.

REPORTER: Cushman, right here! Hey!

(SIGHS)

Rod, at last... I find you.

What am I doing here? I feel like I'm five years late for the prom.

Come with me. Nobody gives a damn about me being here.

We're gonna go downstairs and walk through this lobby.

I want every media guy, every player's rep, everybody...

To see you for what you are...

The best-kept secret in the NFL.

The most commanding wide receiver in the game.

You are fast, fierce, wildly charismatic.

You are the man. You are the man. Are you ready?

Let's go. Let's walk.

You are the greatest, fiercest.

You are the man.

Let's do it.

Hi. How're you doing? Tom, how's it going?

Where's Cush? He's upstairs.

It's good you were able to hang onto Cushman.

San Diego or Denver?

We'll know tomorrow. I want you to meet Rod Tidwell right now.

How're you doing? 110 receptions, 1,550 yards last year.

How are you? Meet Rod Tidwell.

What's up, man?

(VOICES OVERLAPPING)

Gentlemen, I want you to meet Rod Tidwell. Hey!

110 receptions, 1,550 yards last year. That's right.

Hi, Jerry. Rod, feeling good?

Feeling great, baby.

I'm gonna talk about Rod Tidwell, who is the fiercest wide receiver in the NFL.

Hey. Nice to meet you.

I came all that way just to walk the lobby.

Yeah. Might have even worked too.

Yeah? Shit, let's do that shit again.

(GIGGLES) Hey, hey.

They're shooting a Reebok ad down there.

Where are my endorsements?

I didn't get no love from Chevy. I didn't get no love from Pepsi.

I didn't even get no love from that little energizer bunny.

I ain't getting no love from Nike. Rod.

Obviously, I ain't getting no love from Reebok.

Did I ever tell you about my Reebok story? Rod.

Gotta get back to Cushman. Oh, you gotta

get back to your golden paycheck.

Wait just... I'll boil it down for you.

Fuck Reebok. All they do is ignore me.

Always have. Always have.

You know what was great about you down there?

For five minutes you unloaded that rather large chip...

That resides right there on your shoulder.

You let people in. Ohh.

You were brilliant.

Brilliant? Brilliant.

Really? Now, take care. I'll see you tomorrow.

You're lovin' me now, aren't you?

I'm not about love. I'm about showing you the money!

I was just testing you, Jerry!

But to hear you say that makes me love you, baby!

You know? Jerry, come back!

(CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICKING)

How was your flight? Good. How was yours?

Good. CUSH: What size are you?

Twelve and a half. Grab a couple pair of them new shoes by the door.

(CHUCKLES)

CUSH: ♪ It's okay to eat fish...

♪ 'Cause they haven't got no feelings.

Cush? Matt? We have a decision to make.

♪ Somethin' in the way.

San Diego just came in with a last-minute scenario.

- It's big. - Well, he's got to go number one.

He still goes number one, but San Diego wants

to trade up with Denver and they want him bad.

What happened to Denver?

This stuff tends to happen the night before a draft. People get crazy.

San Diego, Matt... (PHONE RINGS)

San Diego is crazy to the tune of 7 years for 30, signing bonus of 8.

Should I unplug the phone? Reporters. They been callin' all night long.

Be friendly and say, "no comment." we'll tell the world in 12 hours.

Talkin' and saying nothing, man, it is an art I have not mastered.

Well, then let me do it. (RINGING CONTINUES)

If it's for you, it's a pleasure.

(LOW VOICE) This is Cush. Hey.

It's Sugar. Is Maguire there? Just sniff if he's there.

- (SNIFFS) - Okay. All right, buddy, just remember.

You're swimmin' with the big boys now. Let your dad do the talking.

I'm the one that got you the deal you needed.

This is business, not friendship. You gotta be strong.

You're global now, worldwide.

Okay, buddy? I'll see you later. Bye.

(CHUCKLES) No comment.

(HANGS UP RECIEVER)

(CHUCKLES) He's got it all wrong.

Hey, it's Cush on the big TV again. I'm sick of me already.

I got "Cushlash." ♪♪ Cushlash.

♪ Cushlash, cushlash cushlash, cushlash ♪♪

(LAUGHS)

Now, Matt, before I go back to Denver,

We should put something down on paper.

Something that says, "Hey, I'm with Jerry Maguire." Not right now.

Do I know everything there is to know here, Matt?

(CHUCKLES) You fellas aren't talking with Bob... Bob Sugar, are you?

Apparently, Denver wanted to deal with him instead of you.

Said who? Sugar?

(CHUCKLING) I'm learning as I go here.

So you empowered Bob Sugar to deal with Denver behind my back?

I'm sorry. I, uh...

I love my son. I love your son. I love your son!

I brought Denver to 20 million. Denver deals with me all the time!

You listened to Sugar!

Bob Sugar, Matt, is a child.

You let that snake in the door?

Okay, hey, Matt. This is a rookie mistake.

You want Denver. I'll fix this whole thing up for you.

You didn't sign anything with Sugar, right?

Matt...

Tell me you didn't sign.

Tell me you didn't sign,

'Cause I'm still sort of moved by your "my word is stronger than oak" thing.

We signed an hour ago.

You were in the lobby with the black fella.

CUSH: I'm sorry, Jerry. I just wanna play football.

What do I do? How do I spin this?

Oh, honey, it's spun.

What did I do to you?

It's all about you, isn't it? Soothe me. Save me. Love me.

Could you stop moving? I have to finish my job.

Everything is on the fucking run with us. Everything!

Jerry, you and I are salespeople. We sell.

It's not "Love me." It's not "Trust my handshake."

It's "Make the sale," "Get it signed."

There shouldn't be confusion about that.

Just jump right into my nightmare. The water is warm.

So honesty is outlawed here? I can't be honest?

I would prefer loyalty. What was our...

...deal when we first got together?

Brutal truth, remember?

I think you added the "Brutal."

Jerry, there is a sensitivity thing that some people have.

I don't have it. I don't cry at movies.

I don't gush over babies. I don't start

celebrating christmas five months early!

I don't tell a man who just screwed up both our lives, "Oh, poor baby."

That's me, for better or worse.

But I do love you.

- Avery. - No.

It's over. Didn't hear it.

There's something missing here, don't you think?

- You have never been alone. - Listen to me.

- You can't be alone. - It's over.

No one has ever dumped me.

I'm not trying to make history here.

I did the 23-hour nose route to the top of El Capitan...

in 18 hours and 23 minutes.

I can make this work.

No.

Oh, Jerry.

Hey, hey, hey, hey.

I didn't ever want to hurt you.

Oh! Ohh! Ohh!

I won't let you hurt me, Jerry.

I'm too strong for you. Loser!

Oh, fuck.

Roll with the punches. Tomorrow's another day.

Taxi!

You lovin' me now, aren't you?

Very much. Taxi!

Is it my imagination, or didn't we arrive in a limo?

The question I have to say is this, and I hope this doesn't come off...

Like I'm a shrink. (SOBS)

What's wrong?

Man, I'm just a big disappointment.

- Look at this. Jerry. - Can't change it.

Everybody cries on this show. Can't change it.

You mad you tested positive? Quit doin' blow!

Upset about your baby girl?

Why'd you leave the mother? I knew her. She was all right.

People, like the media, don't understand...

What kind of problems and pressures 54 million come with.

This is some bullshit. What are you doin' with me, Rod?

(TV) But I'm still poor in life.

What? JERRY: Don't you even see?

(TV) I don't have nothing! I'm finished.

I am fucked.

Twenty-four hours ago, man, I was hot.

Now... I'm a cautionary tale.

See this jacket I'm wearing? You like it?

'Cause I don't need it, because I'm cloaked in failure!

I lost the number-one draft pick the night before the draft!

Why? Let's recap.

Because a hockey player's kid made me feel like a superficial jerk.

I had two slices of bad pizza, went to bed and grew a conscience!

Well, boo-fucking-hoo.

(GROANS)

I got a shelf life of ten years, tops.

My next contract gotta bring me dollars

that'll last me and mine a very long time.

I'm out of this sport in five years.

What's my family gonna live on? Huh? (SLURPS)

What you get me. So I don't want to hear your shit, Jerry.

I don't wanna hear your "nah, nah, nah!"

I lost Cush, Avery and shit."

I'll have another drink, please.

Anybody else would've left you by now.

I'm sticking with you. I said I would.

If I got to ride your ass like zorro, you're gonna show me the money.

You gonna show me the money.

♪♪(HEADPHONES: JAZZ) We together on this. Know what I'm saying?

We gonna be one. Uhh!

The both of us! You know?

Oh, my God.

(ANSWERING MACHINE) You have no messages. (BEEPS)

(PHONE BEEPING, RINGING)

He's coming over.

- Tonight? - He just lost his best client.

I invited the guy over.

Dorothy, this is not a guy, it's a syndrome:

Early-midlife-hangin'... on-to-the-bottom-rung...

Dear-God-don't-- let-me-be-alone...

I'll-call-my-newly-- long-suffering-assis-

tant-without-medical- -for-company-syndrome.

If, knowing all that, you still want him

to come over... Honey, he's engaged.

And for the first time in my professional

life I'm part of something I believe in.

Okay. But he'd better not be good-looking!

(DOORBELL RINGS)

Hi.

I'm Jerry Maguire.

Oh. (CHUCKLES) Hello.

You are... Just the way I pictured you.

I'm her disapproving sister Laurel.

Honesty.

(GROANS) Mmm. Thank you.

Thank you. (CHUCKLES)

Dorothy!

Dorothy! Your... Boss is here.

Hello.

Oh, careful.

Hey, you.

- Hi. Thanks for inviting me over. - Sure.

Where's, uh...

Where's the little guy?

He's sleeping. Oh, yeah. Sleeping.

I'm so glad you're home.

You know, I just... that, uh, alone thing is not my, uh, specialty.

- Oh, my God. - Oh, yeah. Oh, my God, uh...

Well, I broke up with Avery.

(CHUCKLING)

It's just, uh...

That... gosh, you know, that's too bad.

No, it's... it's better,

Because we're still gonna be friends, and...

You know, it's better now than later. Sure. Sure.

You know, I mean, I'm...

I'm dyin' here, aren't I? Yeah, it's a really bad cut.

Well, just think if I'd got her the ring she really wanted.

(LAUGHING)

- Yeah. - Why don't you have a seat.

Yeah. I'll, uh...

I'll get some Aloe Vera for that cut. (TOY SQUEAKS)

- Do you have something to drink? - Sure.

- I heard. - No kidding.

I looked over and saw the shadow of two

curious shoes in the doorway of the kitchen.

This guy would go home with a gardening

tool right now, if it showed interest.

Don't use those. Use the frosted glasses.

Thank you. You're welcome.

I warmed up some of that chicken with salsa for you.

Ohh, that's the girl I love.

I'm not gonna say anything, just this:

You have always been very responsible with Ray.

I don't think it's right for him to wake up and

hear some strange man's voice in the house.

Some drunken stranger.

Oh, as opposed to ten angry women?

Whoa! Oww!

Lean forward. Okay, I've got it.

Ohh. Still edible. Change your shirt.

Everything's fine.

Hi, Jerry.

Hi, Ray.

Aren't, uh, you supposed to be in bed?

Yeah. Yeah.

(WHISPERS) All right.

I won't tell.

The human head weighs eight pounds.

(RINGING)

(PHONE BEEPS) Jerry Maguire.

(RINGING CONTINUES) I think it's this one.

ROD: You should be dreamin' about me, baby.

My agent should be thinking Rod Tidwell.

That's when the big dollars are gonna flow.

That's when we truly will materialize the "kwan." Who is this?

Who is this? You are speaking to the Rod Tidwell.

I need to speak with my agent. I need to be my agent.

My agent and I should be one. Are you a football player?

Am I a football player? I'm a school teacher about to whomp your ass!

Put Jerry Maguire on the phone!

One more thing: You don't have the luxury of

falling for some drowning man. Be practical.

"Practical"? High Turtleneck sensible or Low V-Neck sexy?

Turtleneck, Turtleneck. Come on. Don't tell me to be practical.

Do you know what other women my age are doing right now?

They're out partying, trying to get a man, trying to keep a man.

Not me, Laurel.

I'm trying to raise a man. This one.

I've got a 24-hour-a-day reminder of Roger for the rest of my life.

I've had three lovers in four years.

That's not bad. And all of them ran a distant second...

To a good book and a warm bath.

Look at me, Laurel.

I'm the oldest 26-year-old in the world.

- Now, how do I look? - Good.

Yeah? Thanks.

ROD: Seventy-two percent of new buyers are african-american!

I am african-american. Make the connection. You talk too much.

No, no, no! Talking is only a primitive form of communication!

Fun talking to you. Bye, Rod. J-Jerry!

LAUREL: Make a sandwich. DOROTHY: Good idea.

Ham sandwich? I just wanna say one thing:

You do listen to me. Well, I love you.

Mayo? Yeah.

JERRY: Oppression... As a religion.

My daddy worked for the united way for 38 years.

You know what he said when he retired?

"I wish they'd given me a more comfortable chair."

38 years he sat in that... wait, wait, wait. And then my dad died.

My mom took me to the zoo, and I love the zoo...

No, wait, wait, 'cause I wanna tell you more about my dad.

No, let's go to the zoo.

(SIGHS) Okay. Okay.

No, you're right.

I don't know, it's just my whole life I've been trying to talk, I mean...

Really talk.

But no one wants to listen to me. You know that feeling?

They just look at you... let's go right now. Let's go to the zoo.

Ray, the zoo, you know...

The fuckin' zoo's closed, Ray, I mean...

(WHISPERS) You said "fuck."

Yeah, I did. I, uh... is that...

I won't tell.

Well...

Now I'm gonna have to take you to the zoo.

(PLATES CLATTERING, LAUREL, DOROTHY CHATTERING) I gotta go to bed.

My mom's coming. I gotta go to bed. W-wait...

(CHATTERING CONTINUES) I hear my mom. I gotta go to bed.

Hey, thanks for listening. Sure.

Whew. Okay.

Drinks, food, and I called you a cab.

Good idea.

And we should keep our voices down. I have a little boy asleep.

Right.

Our company.

Yeah.

Okay. Okay.

Look, uh, a little, uh,

A little speech before I go.

Do... Not... Worry... About your future.

You and your son...

We... are just fine.

You still have a job.

But let me tell you something...

About Jerry Maguire, okay?

You come after me, and you... will... Lose.

You know, because I am a survivor.

I'm a survivor.

Dorothy Boyd, you are with the lord...

of the living room,

The, the king of the kingdome,

And I... Am...

Drunk.

We meet again.

(GURGLING)

(SIGHS)

Here.

The truth?

Sure.

I care about the job,

Of course,

But mostly I just wanna be inspired.

Me too.

What you wrote inspired me.

Ohh... no, no, no. No, hey.

I'm working with you because of that memo.

I loved that memo.

It was a mission statement.

(CAR HORN HONKING)

Well... (SNICKERS)

Sorry about the hand.

Huh?

Do you know that feeling, uh,

You're not... (GRUNTS)

Completely embarrassed yet,

But you glimpse tomorrow's embarrassment?

Don't worry about it, boss.

Oh, shit. You said "boss."

Yeah, I did. Now I feel like Clarence Thomas.

No, don't feel like Clarence Thomas.

No, no, I do. I feel like Clarence Thomas.

I'm, like, harassing you right now.

Well, I may not sue. (LAUGHS)

- Good evening. - Good evening.

Look, don't worry, okay? I mean, don't...

We're gonna be okay, because I am gonna take my one client...

And we are gonna go... All the way.

'Cause, hey,

I'm back.

(ENGINE STARTS) D... Don't worry.

(LAUGHS)

(WHISTLE BLOWS) (MAN SHOUTING) Frisco! Razor! Razor!

(CONTINUES SHOUTING, INDISTINCT)

Hut! Hut! (GRUNTING, YELLING)

(WHISTLE BLOWS) JERRY: Way to go! Good catch!

Good catch. ROD: Hey, man, you can't...

(MEN CHATTERING) MAN: All right! Good job! Good job!

We gotta talk about his contract, Dennis.

Meet me at the Crocodile, 8:00.

You bet.

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

Thank you.

JERRY: Tell me you got lost last night, because

I know you wouldn't do that to a friend.

Something came up. Yeah, well, it's okay.

Ten million dollars for four years.

It's early. You're still dreamin'. Ten for four, it's a deal.

Look, the guy's got an attitude problem.

- I can help you with that. He listens to me. - He's a shrimp.

"Shrimp"? Rod Tidwell broke every receiving record you had last year.

I want a prototypical wide receiver, Jerry... somebody who's 6'3, 220,

Not some guy who's 5'10 and bitches in the locker room.

Dennis, I'm asking you...

For a favor.

I introduced you to your wife.

We've spent Christmases together, holiday cheer.

(CHUCKLES) Dennis... Jerry, you're reachin'.

I-I'm asking you for a favor!

Don't do this to me. We have history, Dennis.

Oh, yeah, we got history, all right, Jerry.

You drove the prices up on me for years.

It's your turn to spend some time at the back of the line.

No, no, no, dennis, don't...

(SIGHS)

I started talking with Dennis Wilburn about your renegotiation this morning.

(SHOWER RUNNING)

Talking?

Jerry Rice. Andre Reed.

Chris Carter. I smoke all these fools!

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yet they are makin' the big, sweet dollar.

They are makin' the kwan.

And you're talking.

"Kwan." that's your word?

Hell, yeah, that's my word.

You know, some dudes might have the coin, but they'll never have the kwan.

Wh-what is... it means love,respect, community and the dollars too.

The entire package. The... Kwan.

Great word.

- Towel? - No, I air dry.

Uh, listen, Rod.

I-I say this with great respect for you,

But those players you mentioned, Rod,

They're marquee players, and this deal, we're...

Y-you know, we... m-m-marquee?

Here's what I'm saying. This is a renegotiation.

We want more, so let's give them more. Let's show them your pure joy of the game.

Let's bury the attitude a little bit and show them...Wait.

- You're tellin' me to dance. - No.

I'm saying to get back to the guy who first started playing this game.

Remember way back when, when you were a kid?

It wasn't just about the money, was it?

Was it?

Was it?

Do your job.

Don't you tell me to dance! Fine.

Hey. Hey! Fine!

I am an athlete! I am not an entertainer!

- Fine! - These are the ABC's of me, baby!

I do not dance, and I do not start preseason without a contract.

Fine, fine! Fine!

Jerry, talk to me. Breathe.

Breathe, Jerry.

I am out here for you.

You don't know what it's like to be me out here for you.

It is an up-at-dawn, pride-swallowing siege...

That I will never fully tell you about. Okay?

Just, God, help me.

Help me, Rod. Help me help you.

Help me help you.

Help me help you.

I'm sorry.

You are hangin' on by a very thin thread.

(CONTINUES LAUGHING)

And I dig that about you!

(GIGGLING) No contract?

"Help me, help me, help me!"

That's my... that's my man!

Hey, I'm happy to entertain you.

"Help me! Help me!"

(LAUGHS) I'll see you in Los Angeles.

Jerry! Come on, man!

Hey! See, that's the difference between us.

You think we're fightin', and I think we're finally talkin'!

Unless you love everybody, you can't sell anybody.

Dennis Wilburn called from Arizona...

To say he's faxing in the new offer for Tidwell on thursday morning.

He said you'd be happy. Glad.

Well, did he say "happy" or "glad"?

Glad. He said glad. Glad.

Glad's good. Yeah.

Glad's good. Yeah, we could sure use that commission.

Here, I did a rundown on where you stand financially.

Well, I sunk most of what I had into this condo, you don't have to explain.

Which devalued and...

Look, the other night, uh... I want to apologize.

Yeah. What happened there?

We're two people working together. We can't have atmosphere.

No, I'm really relieved you said that.

The other night I was lonely...

And I felt you understood something.

But look, we've got a company to think about here. Yes.

I will never take advantage of you in that way again.

Good. You walked out on a job for me, and this is how I repay you?

Can this be right?

Exactly.

I know this is one of those times when you

need to be alone with your thoughts...

And think about everything that's gone wrong and how to fix it and, you know,

Just be alone.

Alone. Alone, alone, alone.

Alone.

- You wanna go out to dinner? - I know a great place.

The guy's an utter loser so I broke up

with him, and then he started stalking me.

What's the current definition of stalking?

WOMAN: Coming over uninvited. (WOMEN LAUGHING)

"Coming over uninvited." So, like, Romeo under the balcony is a stalker?

Exactly. Oh, stop.

What? (WOMEN EXCLAIMING, CHATTERING)

I love guys like that. I would date somebody that way.

I would too. I would date anybody, for that matter.

He's always just coming over uninvited... excuse me.

Ladies? Ladies? (CHATTERING QUIETS)

Good evening, I... I'm looking for Dorothy Boyd.

She's in the kitchen.

Laurel. Jerry. Hi.

Where you takin' her tonight, huh?

(CHATTERING CONTINUES, FAINT) You're the nanny, is that...

- au pair. - A-au pair, is it?

Yeah.

Jerry! Whoa! Ray!

- Ray. - He likes you.

My goodness. Look, Ray, I got some gifts for ya.

Do you like presents? Yeah.

Good, good. All right.

Here's the Arizona Cardinals.

This is the team that Rod plays for.

Dropping your laundry off, Jerry?

Would you like, uh, a hat? Steelers? For me? Wow.

Got some things, you know. Got it in gray too.

RAY: Thanks, Jerry. You're very welcome.

Oh, my goodness, look what I've got here. This is an energy bar.

This will keep you up all night.

See, that's not a good idea. I'll take that.

Yeah. Aunt Laurel'll eat that.

Hey. Looks like you've got a fan.

Wow. That's more than a dress.

- That's an Audrey Hepburn movie. - Yeah.

I guess I got a little revved up at the idea

of an evening among adults. No offense, buddy.

Jerry, did you meet Chad? Chad, Jerry. Jerry, Chad.Yeah, we di...

Am I dressed okay? I didn't realize...

(WOMEN CHATTERING)

Chad, don't let him stay up too late.

Tonight I'm going to teach Ray here about jazz.

Good. That'll put him to sleep early. (WOMEN GIGGLING)

- I wanna go too. - Oh, no, no, sweetheart.

You stay here with Chad, okay, and be good? Give me a kiss.

Let's go. Excuse me.

Let's go. Hmm? Okay. Good night.

- Good night. - Give me a hug.

(WOMEN CONTINUE CHATTERING, FAINT)

Hey!

- Go ahead. I'll meet you at the car. - Okay.

Just forgot the keys. No big deal.

That is the first time I have ever seen him kiss a man just like a dad.

Wasn't that just thrilling? He must really have been needing that.

Take it easy. Don't cry at the beginning of a date.

Cry at the end, like I do.

You all right? All right. Okay. Okay.

And don't be a shoulder for him to cry on either.

That's all I'm gonna say.

Keys, keys. Oh, keys. Okay.

(SIGHS) Oh, dear.

♪ She'd let you in her house

♪ If you come knockin' late at night

♪ She'd let you in her mouth

♪ If the words you say are right

(CUSTOMERS CHATTERING, LAUGHING )

♪ If you pay the price ♪♪ Ever since you've met me,

I've been... ble-ea-eah! Right?

(BLUBBERING)

It was laziness, you know, my breakup with Avery.

That thing you say... "It's nobody's fault." It's one of the great lies.

Somebody is always to blame.

You go for it like you do a job.

Work at it.

But maybe love shouldn't be such hard work.

Yeah, yeah, maybe so.

I mean, it's not every day you say good-bye to a woman like that.

A song for the lovers?

No, thank you. Oh, no.

No, no. We work together.

This is like an office meeting. But thank you. Thanks.

But I know what you mean.

It wasn't like my marriage to Roger was any good even before...

♪♪ (MARIACHI) Before?

♪♪

♪♪ Jerry. What?

♪♪ Let's not tell our sad stories.

♪♪ (CONTINUES)

♪♪

♪♪ I'll be back in just a second, okay?

♪♪

♪♪ (ENDS) (APPLAUSE)

♪♪

♪ I realize you're seeing someone new No, they sting.

Let Chad catch the bee in the glass. No, he won't hurt him.

♪♪ (CONTINUES) You've got such a good heart, buddy. I love you.

♪ Your temperamenta I moody side

♪ The one you've always tried to hide from me

♪ Me estoy muriendo poco a poco frente a ti

♪ Me estas robando todo aquello que te di ♪♪

Well, this... Would be good night.

Good night.

I'll see you tomorrow. Big day. I'll see you tomorrow.

Well, good night.

Good night.

Oops.

Let me fix this.

Good idea. (LAUGHS)

(SIGHS)

(GASPS)

I think you should not come in.

Or come in.

Depending on how you feel.

Same to you. No.

I have to go in.

(GASPS) I live here.

All right.

I'll come in.

Good.

Are you sure we wanna do this?

Oh, hell, yes. Yeah.

(TV, INDISTINCT)

Hey. Hi.

How is he? Did he have a good night? Yeah. He's asleep.

Good. How'd it go with sport boy?

Still going.

All right.

Chad.

How are you?

Treat her right.

Yeah. She's, uh...

She's great.

Yeah.

And, uh,

I know this might be a bit awkward, but, uh, I want you to use this.

Oh, look... God. Chad.

Oh, no, no, no.

This... is Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

Stockholm, 1963.

Two masters of freedom playing at a time before their art was corrupted...

By a zillion cocktail lounge performers...

Who destroyed the legacy of the only american art form:

Jazz.

I put some mingus on there too.

No barriers,

No boundaries.

Chad, I got it.

♪♪ (TAPE DECK: JAZZ)

♪♪

♪♪ (CONTINUES)

♪♪

♪♪ Come here.

♪♪

♪♪ (CONTINUES)

You know this is gonna change everything.

Promise?

♪♪ (CONTINUES, TEMPO CHANGE: RAPID)

♪♪

♪♪ What is this music?

♪♪

♪♪ (CONTINUES, FAINT)

DOROTHY: Ohhh! (LAUGHS)

(CONTINUES LAUGHING) (JERRY WHISPERING)

(LAUGHING CONTINUES)

♪♪ (LOUD ROCK) I love getting up in the morning!

I clap my hands and say, "This is gonna be a great day!"

♪♪ (CONTINUES)

Great. You really needed to do this.

♪♪ (ELECTRONIC GUITER RIFF)

(LIQUID DRIPPING)

I'm getting him up, so don't worry.

What?

Just waiting for the coffee. I don't care about...

Just tell me one thing. No.

(SIGHS)

Why are you acting like that? Because I'm worried...

That you're putting all your faith in this guy who,

Because of the way things are going, might

not have an emotional marble in his head.

Laurel, please. If I start talking...

LAUREL: You please. So what does that make me for taking the opportunity?

LAUREL: Men are different people when they're hanging onto the bottom rung.

Maybe I am taking advantage.

Does that make me a bad person? Huh?

All I know is I found someone and he was popular and charming...

And not so nice to me, and he died, okay?

So why should I let this guy go when everything in my body says...

That this one is the one.

Take it easy, all right? I was just looking for a few fun details.

Oh. Well, why didn't you say so?

Well, I don't know if you're interested in this one little detail...

Yeah. What? I was just about to tell you...

Uh-huh?

That I love him.

I do! I love him!

And I don't care what you think.

I love him for the... for the man he wants to be,

And I love him for the man that he almost is.

I love him, Laurel.

I love him. I love him.

Hi, Jerry!

Act natural.

Hi.

Tell me he's not there. He's not there.

Oh, God.

Easy, ladies, easy.

- Coffee, Jerry? - Oh, no, thanks.

We bottom feeders, we prefer cereal first.

RAY: Let's have apple jacks.

Apple jacks? Apple jacks, it is.

Dorothy.

♪ That's the way it's gonna be Good morning, darling.

♪ Little darlin'

Morning.

♪ We'll be riding on the horses What's going on, Jerry?

Well, a lot, actually. We've got a big fax today.

♪♪ (CONTINUES) we need this commission, buddy.

Need this commission. Milk?

Yeah. ♪ If you fall

♪ I'll pick you up pick you up ♪♪ Cheers.

That was really great of you this morning.

Look, let's just root for a big offer...

So we can move out of this room and into a real office.

(GIGGLES) Yes.

Would you mind? Thanks a lot.

Shit.

You know, it's just...

One-point-seven for three years?

Man, we owe more than that! This is how the game is played.

Now I'm gonna go back to them. And say what?

- "Please remove your dick from my ass"? - Marcee.

I'm sorry, I'm just a little pregnant right now. That's okay.

I feel like cryin', Jerry. I feel like bustin' the room up. I know.

Rod, let's not take this emotionally.

We're gonna roll with this problem, okay?

What are you so calm about? What do you mean, "roll with this problem"?

"Don't take it emotionally"?

You haven't gotten emotional enough over this man! Well, I disagree.

Somebody get me Bob Sugar on the phone.

Marcee.

You wanna leave me?

A lot of agents say a lot of shit. So, what do you stand for?

You wanna leave me? What do you stand for?

How about a little piece of integrity in this world...

That's so full of greed and lack of honorability

that I don't know what to tell my son...

Except "Have a look at a guy who isn't yelling 'show me the money'?"

You know he's broke?

He is broke and working for you for free.

Broke. Broke, broke, broke.

I'm sorry. I'm just not as good at the insults as she is.

- No, that was pretty good. - No shit.

Let me show you something.

Here.

Rod, read this. Whoa, no, no, no, no.

Jerry, I just think that...

(WHISPERING) Jerry, I think it's important...

That came from your heart and you shouldn't deny it. I appreciate it.

You should be proud of that, and I

think they should read it. ROD: Jerry.

Tell me what to do.

You tell me to eat lima beans, I'll eat lima beans.

You tell me this is the best we can get, this is all we can get...

"All we can get"? Marcee, please, I'm talking with my agent.

No, no, no, no, listen. This is what you're gonna do.

You're gonna reject that shitty contract,

You're gonna play out your existing shitty contract and be a free agent next year.

Come on. Hey. Hey. Baby, this is us.

You and me. We determine our worth.

Baby, you are a strong, proud, surviving, splendid black man.

Marcee...

You are the shit.

Oh, baby. (GIGGLES)

If you get injured, you get zero.

- Won't happen. I'm strong in mind. - That's right.

Rod...

It's a risk.

You bet on me like I bet on you.

Huh?

You know?

(LAUGHING) My man! You know?

MARCEE: You know? Okay.

You know, baby?

Oh, you so crazy. I love you, baby.

MARCEE: Lemme kiss that head.

Mmm. (MUTTERING)

(MUTTERING CONTINUES) Mmm. Mmm. Mmm. (KISSING SOUNDS)

I'm gonna take that job in San Diego.

Don't even talk about that yet. You can't afford me.

I'll find something... no, you can't afford me, Jerry.

I'll find something fast for Tidwell.

I refuse to be a drain. We'll stay afloat.

We'll stay afloat.

Don't leave.

Rod, get on the camel! Shoot me from the bottom, make me look more powerful!

He's my client. Just... I-I know... then get him on the camel!

I'm gonna get him on the camel. You don't need a camel. You got Rod Tidwell.

It's Kammell Chevrolet. Kammell Chevrolet. (CAMEL GROANS)

That's how I feel. Hear him? He's feelin' my pain! (CAMEL CONTINUES GROANING)

Get on the camel! Enough. Enough. I'm pulling him from this.

Pulling him? I'm just saying, get rid of the camel and we can get busy with this.

An athlete of your stature, this isn't what I had in mind. You're pulling him?

You're right. Let's bounce.

Pulling him? Then you shouldn't have begged me to hire him!

(CAMEL GURGLING)

ROD: I know you needed that commission,

But we ain't gonna bring Reebok to their knees with no regional kammell ad.

Comin' through! Excuse me, darlin'.

Can I ask you a question that's totally unrelated to your career?

Oh, what, we gonna be friends now?

What do you know about dating a single mother? Plenty.

I was raised by a single mother.

Well, tell me, because I think, after this,

She's gonna have to take that job in San Diego.

First of all, single mothers don't date. They've, uh...

Watch it. Watch this thing.

They don't date. They've been to the circus. Know what I mean?

They've been to the puppet show and they've seen the strings.

Do you love her? How do I know?

What do you mean? You know when you know.

I don't want her to go. I been hanging out at her place a lot.

Oh, wait, wait, no, wait. That right there, that's bullshit.

You gotta be fair to her.

A single mother, man, that's a sacred thing. You gotta have "the talk."

She loves you.

If you don't love her, you've got to tell her.

The kid's amazing.

He... no. No. (CHUCKLES)

I feel you. I feel you, dog.

But a real man would not shoplift the pootie from a single mother.

I didn't shoplift the pootie.

All right.

I shoplifted the pootie.

You know, uh,

John Coltrane once said to Miles Davis, uh...

When you say good-bye to him, don't make a

big, dramatic thing out of it. Just be cool.

What's meant to be, will be.

You'll still see each other. What about me?

I'm losing the only person that ever listens

to me, and you only listen partially.

Quit making me laugh. Come on. What?

You're doing the right thing, Dorothy.

You need to start your life, and he needs a warm body to cushion the fall.

Check out exhibit "a" on the front lawn. Look at that.

LAUREL: I'm almost sympathetic to the guy. Good-bye.

All right. Good-bye. You know, I mean...

Bye.

(SNIFFLES)

Listen, you're gonna like it in San Diego, Ray.

(SNIFFLES) Ray?

It's gonna be great there because, uh,

You'll make a lot of friends and...

I'm gonna see you this weekend, you know.

Go ahead and go. (SNIFFLES)

(SNIFFLES) Go ahead and go.

(KISSES)

Are you sure you're okay to drive this? This rig? No problem.

I'll see you this weekend. Okay.

Get in the car. Get in the car, Dorothy.

I'll see you in a couple of days, and, uh... I love you.

I love you, too, you know.

What? Nothing.

I'll see you soon. Okay.

Look, um... mm-hmm.

If this weekend should turn into next month...

And next month should turn into whatever, don't make a joke of your life.

Go back and read what you wrote. You're better than the rest of'em.

You're better than the Bob Sugars.

Don't forget that.

Wait. Wait a second.

No, no. Oh, God.

I know a way we can save on medical and rent.

Don't listen to him, Dorothy.

What if we stayed together? What if we got married?

If I said that, would you stay? No, no. Don't do that.

Don't say that unless...

Well, say it if you want to.

Will you marry me?

What are you thinking?

(BOTH LAUGH)

Laurel? We're getting married.

Hmm.

MAN: Do you, Jerry Maguire, take this woman...

To be your lawfully wedded wife? No, no, no. Not yet.

And do you, Dorothy Boyd, take this man... Not now, sweetheart.

To be your lawfully wedded husband?

Almost. I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Okay, sweetheart. ROD: Oh, yeah.

♪ Mother, mother MAN: Yeah!

♪ There's too many of you crying

(GUESTS CHATTERING)

♪ Brother, brother brother

♪ Far too many of you dying

♪ You know we've got to find a way

♪♪ (VOVALIZING) ♪ To bring some lovin'

♪ Here today, yeah, yeah

♪ Picket lines, sister. ♪ Brother

♪ And picket signs sister I should go.

♪ Don't punish me through brutality Come on, brother!

Come on and talk to me, brother! (GRUNTS)

♪ 'Cause you can see oh, what's goin' on

♪ What's goin' on ? ♪What's goin' on?

♪ What's goin' on? ♪ What's goin' on?

♪ What's goin' on? ♪ What's goin' on?

We did it!

We sure did.

(BOTTLES CLINKING)

You fuck this up, I'll kill you.

(GULPS)

I'm glad we had this talk.

Yeah! MARCEE: Oh, look at them.

(VIDEO TAPE: GUESTS CHEERING) MARCEE: Mm, she is so beautiful.

♪♪

♪♪ (ORGAN)

TYSON: I just figure you two will have lots of kids.

MARCEE: I do not believe they have this on tape.

JERRY'S BROTHER: That's my bro.

(ROD ON TAPE) ♪ Mother, mother

See, now, I'm going to release this to ESPN. (SINGING CONTINUES)

(MARCEE LAUGHS)

You think I'm joking. No, no.

It's all right. I know where you live.

♪ Far too many of you crying

You didn't have the talk, did you?

Hmm? (ROD ON TAPE) Hey, hey!

No. ♪ To bring some lovin'

Well, this definitely was another way to go.

(LAUGHS) Hey, hey.

Hey, Dorothy, come here.

Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. And Mrs. Maguire!

(TYSON CHEERING) Yay! We're gonna have a great season! Whoo-hoo!

(SPECTATORS SHOUTING, CHEERING) (PLAYERS SHOUTING)

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

Hey, Scotty. Tidwell, four for 36.

TOM: Hey, Jerry. JERRY: Hey, Tom.

- Jerry. - Dennis.

He's having a good game... So far. You bet he is.

You're going to miss him next year.

CUSH: Everyone's been very kind to me.

I've been fortunate enough to slip right in.

I've got a great team behind me, and I'm loving it. I'm loving life.

Hut! (GRUNTING, SHOUTING)

(CHEERING, SHOUTING) That's my mo-fo!

(EVERYONE GASPS) Uh-uh. Come here.

Come here.

Why don't you be the first man in your family not to use that word?

And then we'll let you live. Now go kiss daddy.

(FRIENDS CHEERING) Come on, now.

MARCEE: Come on, Rod!

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

I saw you limping after the first quarter. What happened?

Yeah, I dropped my... (MICROPHONE FEEDBACK)

(CLEARS THROAT) Tried to make it on the ice. It was cold.

It was kind of slick. Twisted my ankle. REPORTER: Thanks.

Okay. That went well. Anybody else here worth talking to?

REPORTER: No. All right. Let's get outta here.

How's your head? Bubblicious.

Can you sign this? How are you?

Hey, Rod. How're you doin', man? Hey.

Hangin' in there. Good game. Tough one out there.

(SIGHS) Quarterback sucks, man.

Thanks, man. Gonna get me killed.

Throwing high and across the middle. I'm worried.

I'm worried the only reason I'm getting my brains blown loose...

is' cause you weren't asshole enough to get

me my ten million three fuckin' months ago.

Shit.

Take care of yourself on that field, you hear?

You're my entire client roster.

Don't I know this. Now, go home to your wife.

What's that supposed to mean?

What are you doing here? You could've told me this shit over the phone.

How about dedication for an answer? Personal attention?

You don't want to go home, do you? What are you saying?

I'm just trying to talk to you. How's your marriage?

You know, the husband and wife thing? How is that?

Huh?

Not everyone has what you have.

Then why did you get married?

I'm just asking as a friend. You want an answer?

Loyalty. She was loyal.

I mean, you know, everything...

Grew from there.

It just... Grew from there.

That's an answer.

That's the answer. (LAUGHING)

It's not sexy. Shit.

That's an answer. Tell him what he's won, Bob!

A beautiful marriage! (LAUGHING)

Shit! Well.

I'm happy to entertain you, as always, Rod.

Shit.

I have a question for you, Rod.

Are we really friends? Why not?

Because friends can tell each other anything,

If we have our "friends hats" on, right? I think so.

All right. I'll tell you why you don't have your ten million dollars yet.

Right now, you are a paycheck player.

You play with your head, not your heart.

In your personal life, heart.

But when you get on the field, it's all about what you didn't get,

Who's to blame, who under-threw the pass,

Who's got the contract you don't, who's not giving you your love.

You know what? That is not what inspires people.

That is not what inspires people.

Just shut up. Play the game. Play it from your heart.

And you know what? I will show you the kwan.

And that's the truth, man. That's the truth.

Can you handle it? It's just a question between friends.

(IMITATING ROD'S VOICE) You know?

And when they call you shrimp, I'm the one who defends you!

- I don't want to be friends no more. - Fine.

And quit using that word "kwan." that's my word!

I'll see you in L.A. No heart.

No heart? I'm all heart, motherfucker!

(GRUNTS)

(GRUNTS)

MAN: How many concussions has he had?

But he keeps... I don't get no respect. This is bullshit.

Know what I'm saying? I'm making miracles happen.

(GRUNTS) You guys, I go to see this so-called black film the other day...

Honey, no more salt. The biggest game of the season's coming up.

I don't want you dehydrated for monday night football.

(RAY LAUGHING) Anyway, 20 minutes of coming attractions.

All black films, all violent.

And I'm talking about brothers shooting brothers.

I hate you going to the movies without me. Oh, baby. Mm.

My pieces queen. Oh, baby.

Mm. Mm.

I hate seeing movies without you.

(CHUCKLING)

I won't do it anymore. Okay?

Okay. Okay. I promise.

(KISSING, MOANING CONTINUE)

Another one. Mmm! Mmm!

Chi-chi-bear. Mm!

Baby! Baby!

Oh, baby. Baby. Oh, baby. Oh! Baby!

Now? Oh, baby, baby, baby! Baby now!

Baby? DOROTHY: Ray, it's time to go!

- Baby. Come on. - You got'em?

Hey, you take visa? Take it! (CREDIT CARD HITS TABLE)

What were you thinking tonight, watching them go through...

The entire human emotional experience?

I was thinking, "I hope he doesn't get injured."

I felt responsible.

Sometimes I can't tell at all what's going on in that head of yours.

(CHUCKLES)

Uhhhh...

And I really don't know your noises yet.

Well, when you wonder, ask me.

Okay, I will.

I thought I just did. (CHUCKLES)

(SIGHS) Why do you love me? Why do you love me?

(FOOTSTEPS, DOOR OPENS)

Can I come in and watch TV?

In a minute, sweetheart. Just for a few minutes.

(FOOTBALL GAME ON TV)

(TV: CROWD CHEERING)

(TV: COMMENTATOR, INDISTINCT)

Hang in there, okay? He's not going anywhere.

I know. Could we talk about something else?

I don't think so. I'm incapable of small talk.

(CHUCKLES) But that's why you love me, right?

I want you to know I'm about personal attention.

This is my life. I'm available to you 24 hours a day.

I'm in my office. Call me anytime.

I'll be in Phoenix tomorrow for monday night football. I can be in Indiana...

By 11:30 tuesday morning.

Just give me 20 minutes. I'm not asking for an answer now.

Why don't you... I'll call you tomorrow.

Just enjoy the rest of your day. Tell Douglas I said hello, would you, please?

All right. Thank you. Same to you, Marilee. Bye-bye.

(BEEPS)

Indiana, tuesday.

I'll be there. (CHUCKLES)

It's my fault.

What?

It's not fair to you, this whole thing.

Here. Tell me.

Let me help. I took advantage of you.

The worst of it is that I'm not alone. I did this with a kid.

I was just... On some wild ride...

Where I thought that I was in love... Enough...

For both of us.

I pretended that proposal by the car was real,

And it might've just been a hypothetical.

I did this,

And at least I can do something about it now.

I'm not a guy who runs.

I stick.

Well, I don't need you to stick.

What do you want? I don't know.

My soul or something?

Why not? I deserve that.

What if I'm not built that way?

I think we made a mistake.

No, no. Listen. What if it's true? It's...

Great at friendship, bad at intimacy.

I mean, come on, it's the theme... of my bachelor film, for God's sake.

I know. I watched it.

I sort of... Know it by heart.

I don't like to give up.

Please, Jerry.

My need to make the best of things...

And your need to be responsible.

If one of us doesn't say something about it now,

We could lose ten years being polite.

Let's just call this next road trip what it really is:

A nice, long break.

What about Ray?

Well, you'll be friends.

Friends? (WHISPERS) Friends.

Of course you'll be friends.

I'll take him to the zoo.

So this break is a breakup. That's...

Come on, Jerry. You know this isn't easy for me.

On the surface everything looks fine.

I've got this great guy,

And he loves my kid,

And he sure does like me a lot.

And I can't live like that.

(SNIFFLES) It's not how I'm built.

♪ She's got a secret garden

♪ Where everything you want

(KISSES)

♪ Where everything you need

♪ will always stay

♪ a million

♪ miles away ♪♪

If this is empty,

This doesn't matter.

It was just a mission statement.

(KISSES)

WOMAN: Put your arms out. Let's see.

All right, let's see what you've got here.

(SPECTATORS CHATTERING, SHOUTING)

Hey, Rod, buddy, dude. I was wondering where you were. How's it going?

Get outta here. Go.

Where's your agent? I don't know.

I know this is uncool to do this now, but you belong with the big boys.

You belong with the big money. You're fuckin' Rod Tidwell. Hey! Hey!

Get away from my guy. Hey, Jerry, I was just hailing you.

Just go. Flee. (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING)

This is a nice moment for you.

I'm going to let you have it.

Give me a call, Rod. Say hi to Marcee for me.

Thanks for coming. I missed you.

What can I say? You're all I've got. (SPECTATORS CHEERING)

Hello again, everyone. Frank Gifford with Al Michaels and Dan Dierdorf.

Welcome to Tempe, Arizona's sun devil stadium...

Where the story tonight is the Cardinals.

They are still alive for a play-off spot.

The reason the Cardinals are alive is the outstanding play of Rod Tidwell.

(ALL CHEERING) That's my daddy!

Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys continue to roll.

They know they're in the play-offs...

And going in looking for a second consecutive super bowl.

Who could've believed this? Here's the deal.

If Arizona wins tonight and next week, amazingly the Cardinals...

will make the play-offs for the first time in 21 years.

Whoo! Better not mess up for monday night football.

What'd I say? Everybody knows he gets nervous for nationally televised games.

GIFFORD: The Cowboys continue their super bowl mission on monday night football,

A Christmas edition.

(CROWD CHEERING) (HORN BLOWING)

Hey, Shannon. Hi, Jerry. Good game.

Yeah. Hey, great column this morning. Thanks.

Fuck you, punk! (PLAYERS GRUNTING, GROANING)

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

Boy, guys, it's a real bruiser out there tonight.

MICHAELS: the cardinals just refuse to go quietly into the desert night,

As their seemingly interminable season winds down.

Come on, guys. I'm trying to be a little poetic here.

DIERDORF: Wax on, Al. (GRUNTS)

Ouch! Oh, a tough hit on Rod Tidwell.

Nothing poetic about that. I would've taken it for the touchdown all the way.

MICHAELS: That's his sixth catch of the night.

Split to the right. Swenson looks that way, hits him.

It's enough for a first down at the 19-yard line.

DIERDORF: Another savage hit across the middle on Rod Tidwell.

GIFFORD: He took some shot, didn't he?

GIFFORD: They are working Tidwell. What does daddy always say?

"It looks worse than it really is." That's right.

TEE PEE: He ain't gonna have nothing left for next season.

Will you be quiet? What'd I say?

Less than two minutes to play. Dallas leading by three.

Second down and one now at the Dallas 11-yard line.

Hut! Swenson back to pass. A blitz! Down he goes.

(CROWD BOOING) He's sacked for a six-yard loss.

DIERDORF: Good move coming with the blitz, getting after swenson.

GIFFORD: Swenson's limping back. He had too many men in that pattern.

They did not have enough to pick up the blitz.

Listen up. Shut up! (PLAYERS SHOUTING)

Ninety Razor, x out, on one. Ready? (TOGETHER) Break!

Okay, here we go. Here we go.

GIFFORD: He had a chance to get rid of it, but he had to tuck it away.

MICHAELS: From second and one, they've now gone to third and seven.

In the waning moments of this game, Dallas 17, Arizona 14.

- Set! - Come on, card...

MICHAELS: Tidwell in motion, moving back to his left now.

Play fake. Swenson protected well, lofts one to the end zone.

Yeah! MICHAELS: Touchdown Cardinals!

GIFFORD: What a great effort! Did you see him go up on that ball?

DIERDORF: He held on to the football. He's still down on the ground.

But Rod Tidwell, upside-down, hits the ground hard...

And manages to maintain control of the football.

GIFFORD: He's hurt too. Yeah.

DIERDORF: He's not getting up.

- Look at the faces of these Cardinal players. - Get up, baby.

Elation turns into concern for their fallen teammate.

MICHAELS: Cardinal trainer comes onto the field...

As Tidwell makes his ninth catch of the night... Oh, my God.

And gives Arizona the lead. Hey!

GUARD: Hey, hey, hey, hey! (SHOUTS)

CARDINAL TRAINER #1: Rod, can you hear me? tRAINER #2: Blink, baby.

Come on, blink. Rod. ♪♪(TV: THEME MUSIC)

♪♪

(MARCEE SOBS) (CROWD CHEERING)

TV ANNOUNCER: Welcome back to...

Why are they going to a commercial? Tell me what's wrong with my husband.

I told you he was too small for the NFL. Shut up!

I got a commitment to the truth. I'm not putting him down. I'm keeping it real.

Tee Pee, shut up! (PHONE RINGING)

Can't you be loyal to your brother that loves you?

Get the hell outta my house. Get out of my house!

Get out of my house, Tee Pee! Hello? Hold on. It's Jerry Maguire!

Punk!

Jerry? Oh, my God, Jerry, I am freaking out.

Marcee, he's unconscious.

Jerry, Jerry... I know. Just stay calm. Keep the phone lines open.

I will call you back. There's good doctors on the field. Stay calm.

You have to tell me something. I cannot stay calm. I am freaking here.

Please. You gotta stay calm. Your family needs you to stay calm.

(MARCEE SOBS) I know,

But my whole life is this family,

And it does not work without him!

DIERDORF: As we look at it from another angle...

(DIERDORF CONTINUES) MARCEE: Jerry, I am so sorry...

Everything that I said about your job.

Just do whatever you can to get Rod to me, please.

Just do whatever you can.

Please, Jerry.

(MARCEE SOBBING) GIFFORD: At a time like this,

You just hope his family is not watching this.

Check his neck. It could be his neck. It could be his back.

Blink, baby! Come on, wake up!

FEMALE FAN: We love you, Rod!

(LOUD CLAP)

TRAINER #2: Rod! Rod, can you hear me?

Can you hear me?

Do you know where you are, Rod?

The trainer is still trying to revive Rod Tidwell.

You'd love to see some movement.

Rod.

MAN: Let's get him off the field. Get the gurney.

No. No, no. Get the gurney. Let's get him off the field.

No, wait, wait. Just let me enjoy this for a minute.

DIERDORF: You're looking for any movement out of Rod Tidwell.

Is that his head coming up I see?

GIFFORD: He's going to try to get up.

And he is getting up!

Oh, my God! Look at him. Mommy, he's okay!

MARCEE: Oh, my God! Help me.

MICHAELS: Everybody's standing at sun devil stadium. Help me.

He's up on his feet, and the crowd loves it. (CROWD CHEERING)

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

(CHEERING GROWS LOUDER)

(HORN BLOWS)

(LAUGHS)

Here's a guy who most of the season has been very

truculent with the media, has been standoffish. Whoo!

(FRIENDS LAUGHING) Whoo! Whoo!

(YELLING)

(DIERDORF CHUCKLING) Rod, we're happy for you, buddy.

GIFFORD: He's gonna get a flag on this, but who cares?

♪♪ (HORN)

(CHEERING CONTINUES)

ROD: You know!

You know!

Congratulations, Jerry. Thank you. Hell of a game.

Congratulations. Thanks.

(CROWD CHATTERING) Bye.

Jerry. Jerry! Maguire!

I know. I know.

(PLAYERS SHOUTING, CHEERING)

(CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICKING) It's Tidwell!

(CROWD SHOUTING, CHATTERING)

Rod! Rod! (REPORTERS SHOUTING QUESTIONS SIMULTANIOUSLY)

Hey, Tidwell! Can you believe you're in the play-offs?

ROD: Jerry. Where's Jerry?

(REPORTERS SHOUTING)

WOMAN: Hey, Rod!

WOMAN: Over here, Rod!

(SHOUTING CONTINUES)

(SOBBING) We did it.

You did it. (LAUGHING)

Why don't we have that kind of relationship?

(PHONE RINGING)

Is that your porty or mine? (RINGING CONTINUES)

(BEEPS) Dorothy?

Marcee. No, no, no. He's right here.

Marcee. She couldn't get through on your phone. Marcee.

MAN: Rod! (SHOUTING CONTINUES)

We did it.

I love you! I love you so much, baby!

Oh! (SOBS) Yeah!

I love you!

(SOBS) Whoo!

(LAUGHS) I love you, Tyson!

I love you, baby! How's the baby? How's Kaydee?

(SOBBING, LAUGHING) oh, I love you so much.

(LAUGHS)

No, I'm okay. You know there ain't nothin' gonna happen to me.

I think the problem is...

Alice, you were saying earlier, something about the biorhythms or...

(WOMEN LAUGHING)

I was saying that the neural pathways are set.

That's why it's hard for people to change, why behavior doesn't change often.

(WOMEN ARGUING)

- Rochelle, what's wrong? - I'm sorry.

These stupid holidays are making me feel more divorced, you know?

Absolutely! I mean, with the songs and the constant chocolate-eating...

(WOMEN CHATTERING)

(CHATTERING CONTINUES)

(WOMAN LAUGHING)

You know what? I have a confession to make.

I've listened to you all tell a thousand sob stories,

(WOMEN MURMURING) And, well, I've been very judgmental.

Maybe you're all correct, you know. Men are the enemy.

Thank you. No, they're not the enemy.

But... but... but I still love the enemy.

Well, there you go contradicting yourself.

She doesn't even make sense. (ALL CHATTERING)

I mean, I've had it up to here!

The men I know are the enemy.

I'm not gonna say the entire group of...

Hello. Hello. (ARGUING QUIETS)

I'm looking for my wife.

Wait. Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

If this is where it has to happen,

Then this... Is where it has to happen.

I'm not letting you get rid of me. How about that?

This used to be my specialty.

I was good in the living room. They send me in there, and... I'd do it alone.

And now, I just...

(WHISPERS) I don't know. (SIGHS)

But tonight,

Our little project, our company,

Had a very big night.

A very, very big night.

But it wasn't complete.

It wasn't nearly close...

To being in the same vicinity as complete,

because I couldn't share it with you.

I couldn't hear your voice...

or laugh about it with you.

I miss my... I miss my wife.

We live in a cynical world, a cynical... world,

And we work in a business of tough competitors.

I love you.

You...

Complete me.

I'm not just... Shut up.

Just shut up.

You had me at "hello."

(SOBS) You had me at "hello."

Oh!

WOMEN: Aw.

This is the best talking group I've been in. (WOMEN CHATTERING)

Your father leaves home on Christmas eve,

Leaves your family all alone;

Had a mother who had to sweep out the steps at a prison...

To earn enough money for tuition for you.

Your brother loses a leg in a bass fishing accident.

There's been a horrific list of things that have happened to you.

I'm not gonna cry, Roy.

Actually, we have some good news for you. This has just been handed to me.

A memo, it's signed. It's a contract guarantee:

"Arizona Cardinals, four years,

$11.2 million."

You're going to get to play in Arizona, where it all started.

What do you think of that?

(EXHALES)

(WHISPERS) Oh, my God.

(LAUGHS) Whoo!

(LAUGHING) Whoo!

I love everybody! (SOBBING)

I love my wife! Whoo, Marcee!

Baby, I love you. I love my kids...

Tyson, my baby... my new baby Kaydee...

My older brother who's got one leg but he's still doing it,

And my younger brother Tee Pee.

You're militant, but I ain't mad at you. I got nothing but love for you!

I love my teammates. I'm leaving somebody out here, Roy.

We only have a half-hour.

I wanna send some beautiful love out to my offensive line... Jerry.

Hey. Nice to see you. Congratulations. Thank you.

Good for you. Thank you. How are you, Lee?

Jerry, how're you doin'? Remember Troy from the super bowl party?

I sure do. We met in'93. Hi, Jerry.

I enjoyed your memo. Thank you. Thank you.

You're a little slow, but you come around!

We're almost out of time... wait, w-w-wait!

I'm forgetting somebody.

Jerry Maguire,

My agent.

You are my ambassador of kwan, man.

Rod, thank you so much. (ROD SOBBING)

Congratulations. We'll be right back. (SOBBING, MUTTERING)

RAY: Whoo!

How'd you like the zoo, buddy? Swing!

It was great!

One, two, three, swing! MAN: Yeah!

BOYS: Hey, kid, throw the ball!

Come on! Come on! (ALL SHOUTING)

Throw the ball! Throw the ball!

Whoa!

BOYS: Good throw, man! Nice throw! Yeah.

Did you see?

Oh, no. (CHUCKLING) Let's go.

JERRY: What? What? DOROTHY: Nothing.

I'm not saying we're going to throw him in the major leagues tomorrow. That's right.

But if he's got natural talent, you're lucky you know me,

Because I know the right people that will help develop his talent. (LAUGHING)

♪ When blackness was a virtue and the road was full of mud

♪ I'd come in from the wilderness a creature void of form

♪ Come in, she said I'll give you shelter from the storm

Hey, I don't have all the answers.

In life, to be honest, I've failed as much as I've succeeded.

But I love my wife, I love my life,

And I wish you my kind of success.

♪ If I pass this way again you can rest assured

♪ I'll always do my best for he on that I give my word

♪ In a world of steel-eyed death

♪ And men who are fighting to be warm

♪ Come in, she said I'll give ya

♪ Shelter from the storm

♪ Not a word was spoke between us

♪ There was no risk involved

♪ Nothing up to that point had even been resolved

♪ Try imagining a place where it's always safe and warm

♪ Come in, she said I'll give ya

♪ Shelter from the storm

♪ I was burned out from exhaustion

♪ Buried in the hail

♪ Poisoned in the bushes and blown out on the trail

♪ Hunted like a crocodile

♪ Ravaged in the corn

♪ Come in, she said I'll give ya

♪ Shelter from the storm

♪ Suddenly I turned around

♪ And she was standing there

♪ With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair

♪ She walked up to me so gracefully

♪ And took my crown of thorns

♪ Come in, she said I'll give ya

♪ Shelter from the storm ♪♪

♪ I know the language of your laugh

♪ Tripping over circumstance

♪ I know the story of your walk

♪ I taste the sugar and the salt

♪ A taste to savor your little ways

♪ The colors that you choose

♪ To paint your day ♪♪