Original subtitles

[opening theme music playing]

[alarm beeping]

[beep beep]

Wake up, lady. Another workday.

More coffee?

No, thanks.

I got to get to work kinda early today.

What's that?

It's a computer program I've written.

Should save the company thousands.

They'll like that.

We'll see.

Oh, I called the hotel.

Our room's been confirmed.

-Yeah? -Mmm.

You mean we're finally gonna have that wildly romantic weekend

you've been hounding me about all these years?

Yeah. Don't you think we deserve it?

A lot,

But I got to get to work

to pay for this wild weekend.

You want to meet me for lunch

Say about 12:30 at Ramone's?

Mmm, I think I can make that.

That sounds good.

-Bye-bye. -Bye-bye.

Jonathan, look, Lon Chaney's star.

Boy, this guy scared the bejabers out of me

when I was a kid.

Man of a thousand faces.

Oh, look, here's another one of my favorites--

-Michael Landon. -Never heard of him.

What, are you kidding?

Bonanza, Little House On The Prairie.

I'm sorry. It doesn't ring a bell.

I keep forgetting you've been dead for 40 years.

Look, don't you have enough pictures yet?

Not until I find Bette Davis.

I promised my sister,

next time I was in Hollywood,

I'd get a picture of Bette Davis' star.

[sirens in the distance]

[Mark] You know, we could find it a lot faster

if you'd use the stuff and tell me where it is.

It's a block and a half from here.

Block and a half? Why didn't you tell me that an hour ago?

Because we got an appointment to meet somebody here.

Oh. Hey, pal,

Let me give you a hand there.

There we go.

How do you like that?

You try to be nice to people.

Think it would've killed that guy to say, "Thank you"?

Why should he?

I helped him up the curb.

Where do you think someone like that would be

if it wasn't for people like me?

It was people like you that built the curb.

Come on, we've got a bus to catch.

I thought we're gonna meet somebody here.

We just did.

Ma'am we've got to lift that seat up

to let a passenger on board.

Some people think the whole world

should just get up and move aside for them.

[mechanical whirring]

[mechanical whirring]

[mechanical whirring]

Good morning.

[faulty motor]

Oh, nuts.

What's the matter?

This darn lift. We've been having trouble with it.

Come on, I gotta get off.

I work here.

I'm sorry, sir, it's broken down.

I'll have to call it in.

Wait a minute. How long is it gonna take this time?

I've got to get to work.

So do I, driver.

How long are we going to be sitting here because of him?

We're not. I'll call it in, a maintenance truck will meet us en route.

Come on, if you keep going,

I'm gonna have to get another bus to bring me back here.

I'll be late for work.

I've got to get off this bus.

Excuse me, driver.

My friend and I can carry the man off the bus.

Oh, I'm sorry. I can't allow that. Company policy.

What policy?

Look, what if you drop him?

Who do you think he's gonna sue, you or the bus company?

What if you hurt your back, who are you gonna sue?

Get the picture?

I'm sorry, sir. If you wanna file a complaint with the bus company--

What good is that gonna do?

Is the bus company gonna get me another job when I lose this one?

You ought to show a little gratitude

The city has spent millions of dollars on this equipment.

just to get you people around. What more do you want?

I want it to work.

Jonathan.

can't you just use the stuff and fix that lift?

No. He's supposed to be late for work.

Why?

So he'll get fired.

Get fired?

Why would the Boss want him fired?

Because Mr. Secrest has a more important job waiting for him.

He just doesn't know it yet.

[gentle music playing]

You're here early.

I thought I'd beat you.

I had some time to kill.

I never knew you drink in the middle of the day.

What are we celebrating?

I was fired today, Patty.

The lift on the bus broke down again.

And I couldn't get off.

I was two hours late to work.

But it wasn't your fault. I mean, didn't you explain?

Yeah, I explained.

I gave him handicap excuse number 13--

Failure of public transportation.

He was just tired of hearing it.

But, Wayne, anyone can be late for work a few times.

It's not that, Patty. You don't understand.

They were looking for an excuse to fire me.

I don't believe that.

I mean, maybe you're just being overly sensitive.

No, damn it, no.

I lost a bearing on my wheel.

Remember, I told you about that.

My chair wouldn't roll.

I overheard some guy talking to the boss.

Guy says,

"Well, what if there's a fire?

Who's gonna carry old Wayne down five flights of stairs?"

Well, that got the boss to thinking real good,

worrying, you know, about the insurance and all that stuff.

I knew right then my days were numbered.

What about that computer program

that's supposed to save the company thousands?

You should have been there.

I put two real good scratches in each one of those disks,

Then I sailed those floppies through the room

till it looked like an explosion

in some Frisbee factory.

You know...

This weekend couldn't come at a better time.

Patty, let's not, all right?

Wayne Secrest,

you've been promising me this time together forever.

We made a deposit on the room, and I'm going.

Now, are you going with me,

Or are you going to wallow in self-pity

for two long, miserable days...

alone? Hmm?

I got all the luggage in the car.

Great. I'll be with you in just a minute, babe.

-Something wrong with your chair? -No.

Haven't you ever heard about the squeaky wheel getting the grease?

[doorbell rings]

Yes?

Mrs. Secrest, I'm Jonathan Smith. This is Mark Gordon.

We wondered if we could talk to your husband for a minute.

-Wayne? -Yeah, babe?

These gentlemen wanna speak with you.

They're with the handicapped awareness group.

Don't need them. I'm well aware that I'm handicapped.

We're with Action to Advance the Handicapped.

Mr. Secrest, I'm Jonathan Smith. This is Mark Gordon.

Well, you caught us at kind of a bad time, fellas.

We were just on our way out the door.

Okay. What can I do for you?

We need your help.

That's a good one.

I'm sorry to laugh, but I can't even help myself.

I was fired from my job today.

So right now, I'm feeling kind of useless to anyone.

Why were you fired?

I suppose the reason was for being late,

but the lift on the bus wouldn't work again.

Well, that's just the kind of thing we're working on.

We need people to demonstrate the problems of the handicapped:

access to public buildings, restrooms, buses--

Look, I'm sorry, guys. I'm no crusader.

I can just barely take care of my wife and myself.

I sure as hell am not gonna take on any more new burdens right now.

You know what they say, Mr. Secrest,

the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

All we wanna do is make a little noise right now, draw attention,

make people more aware of the problem.

No. I'm sorry.

Patty and I are on our way out to the Bridgemoore Hotel right now

for a weekend of fun and relaxation.

Beyond that, I make no commitments.

All right. We understand.

Look, let me leave you my card,

just in case you change your mind.

You have a nice weekend.

Thanks. We will.

[crowd noises]

May I help you?

Yes, we'd like to check in. Mr. and Mrs. Secrest.

Secrest, yes.

That's Room 912.

Sounds like the ninth floor.

We asked for a room on the first or second floor.

I'm sorry, 912, that's all we have.

That better be a good view.

[gentle music playing]

Glad you came?

What do you think?

I think you avoided the question.

Just tell me you're having a good time. It's allowed, you know.

I'm having a good time.

It's all because of you, Patty.

You're the best thing in my life, babe.

You're the reason I'm gonna make it.

I don't know what I'd do without you.

Wayne, knock it off.

You will never be without me, so don't even think it.

Patty, you deserve so much more.

So, come dance with me.

Oh, Patty.

You heard me, it's a Sadie Hawkins. You can't refuse.

[men laughing]

Where's that guy think he's going?

Well, maybe it's time for the rumba contest.

[mocking laughter]

[slow dance music playing]

[instrumental music playing]

[raucous laughter]

Oh! Oh, boy.

Is it hot in here, or is it just me, Al?

-It's you! I'll cool you off! -No.

Hey, you. Hey.

-Oh, my God. -All right!

Now you're going to get it!

-No! No! No! -Yes!

No! No! Don't! No, don't!

I give up!

Here. Get back at me.

[drunken laughter]

Hey...

Look.

Hey, you want to have some real fun?

Let's smoke it.

-Hey, Harry. -Huh?

You better not.

Come on, come on, come on.

There's nothing funnier

Than seeing people running all over the place!

[raucous laughter]

[soothing music playing]

[fire alarm ringing]

Dear God!

Fire alarm!

[fire alarm ringing]

[tense music playing]

-Is there a fire? -I don't know.

I'm not hanging around to find out.

Now, the elevator's shut down during a fire,

so use the stairs.

Wayne!

Wayne, I'm locked out!

No, no, wait.

God! Wayne!

Elevators aren't working.

We have to take the stairs.

I can't.

You can. You have to.

[panicked screaming]

-Wayne, come on! -No, Patty! Go!

No, I won't. My husband needs help. Can you help us?

I'll tell someone he's up here.

Patty, damn it, go.

Won't somebody help us?

Patty, go.

-Go, get down there. -Help us.

Damn it, get down there now!

Move it, now. Come on!

[fire alarm ringing]

Everyone, it was a false alarm. No fire.

Thanks.

You bet, man.

I haven't been that scared since Nam.

In fact, I don't think I've ever been that scared.

At least in Nam, you just had to watch out for yourself and your buddies.

Last night, I had to protect Patty,

and I couldn't even get her to leave me.

I could just see us burning up on those stairs.

I've never felt so helpless in my whole life.

You know, Wayne, our organization hears stories like yours all the time.

That's why I called you, Jonathan.

I'm ready to help.

What can I do?

Madam Mayor, we at the Thatcher Corporation

are proud indeed to have you

rededicate the thatcher building.

As you know,

this structure was built in 1923

by my grandfather and founder of the company,

Hiram Thatcher.

And if he were here today,

I feel certain that...

I'd say this is the audience we've been looking for.

Guess it's time for me to go onstage.

Good luck.

... has been restored to its original elegance.

And will enjoy another 65 years

as a landmark in our community.

[applause]

Now, may I present to you

the scissors to cut the ribbon.

Madam Mayor!

Madam Mayor, I have something to say.

Hey, you!

[startled shouts]

[clatter and thud]

I wish you'd let us take you to a hospital.

I'm all right. I've survived a lot more than a bump on the head.

In that case,

Maybe you can tell us what happened out there.

I came here for a job, Mr. Thatcher.

If you'd had a ramp,

I would've come down the easy way.

Looked to me like you rolled down on purpose.

Nobody pushed him.

Is that right?

Did you come down those steps on your own?

I was just trying to get your attention.

You have.

I can tell a phony lawsuit

a mile away, young man.

Are these your, uh, witnesses?

Just relax, Mr. Thatcher.

I'm not here to sue anyone.

Then what is this all about?

You've done a great job restoring this whole building.

You've spent a lot of time and money on it.

But I am just a little ticked off

that you didn't think about me.

Why didn't you make a way so handicapped people

could get into your building?

Why didn't we do that?

I guess that we just never thought about it.

That's why we're here--

to get you and people like you to think about it.

Build us a ramp, Mr. Thatcher.

Put in automatic doors, widen the bathroom stalls.

That's all we ask. Goodbye.

Wait.

You've had your say. Let me have mine.

How about a job?

We could use a man like you around here.

Doing what?

I don't know. What is it that you do?

I'm a computer programmer.

Well, then that's what you'll do for us.

You'd give me a job just like that?

You'd hire me without checking my work experience or my references?

I don't see why not.

I'm afraid I'm gonna have to turn you down, Mr. Thatcher.

I want a job, not a handout.

[Thatcher] Uh, just a minute.

Who is that man, anyway?

Watch the 7 o'clock news, Mr. Thatcher.

You'll find out.

[reporters murmuring]

[cameras clicking]

The Thatcher Building was the scene of a most courageous,

or some might say foolhardy stunt

by a disabled American veteran today.

when the double amputee drove his wheelchair

off the front of the building.

It occurred during re-dedication

of the newly renovated building

just as the Mayor

and the president of the Thatcher Corporation

were about to cut the ribbon.

Why did you do it, Mr. Secrest?

I did it to draw attention

to the plight of handicapped people.

I'm real tired of everyone giving lip service to the problems

and blessed little ever being done about it.

There's a saying that the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Just call me squeaky.

That's it from the Thatcher building.

I'd call you a lunatic.

Gail lewis reporting from downtown.

Wayne Secrest,

whatever was in your mind to pull a stunt like that?

I don't know, babe. I was just sitting there

trying to get somebody's attention,

And I just wanted to make a speech, is all.

And then this guard came for me,

and I could see the whole thing going into the dumper,

and I just pushed off.

Jonathan, is that the kind of thing your group promotes?

No, this is not exactly what we had in mind.

You promise me not to do anything like that again.

You think I'm crazy?

You've seen the last of my daredevil career.

I tell you, you made some people sit up and take notice.

That's just what we needed.

I don't know, Mark.

You know, maybe it was a slow news day

and they needed some filler and I gave it to them.

You know, "whacked out Viet vet takes dive.

Film at 11:00."

I've got a sick feeling

that tomorrow I'm gonna be yesterday's news,

and nothing will have changed.

-Good morning. -Uhh.

You sound like a sour tuna fish.

What's the matter?

I just woke up and realized I don't have a job to go to.

It's not a very good feeling.

Did you get the paper?

Ta-da!

Let me see that.

Yesterday's news, huh?

You're on the front page.

[telephone rings]

I don't believe it.

They're talking about you on the radio this morning.

People were calling in.

You got a new name now, Squeaky.

Hello?

Yes, it is. I'm Mrs. Secrest.

Oh, my God. Really?

It's the Bigelow Show.

They want you to be a guest.

The Bigelow Show? That's national television.

So what do I tell?

Say yes, of course.

Yes. Yes, we'd be happy to come.

[traffic noises]

[cutlery clattering]

You've got to be kidding.

I'm not kidding. I was so nervous before the Bigelow Show,

I didn't know what to do.

I'm in makeup and I'm smiling and I'm trying to be friendly

and my mouth is so dry

that my upper lip sticks to my teeth.

The makeup guy put some Vaseline on my teeth

so my lips would slide down.

[Jonathan] I got to tell you. You didn't come off that way.

-You looked great. -Thanks.

Do you realize what you've accomplished the past few weeks?

Had hundreds of phone calls, people wanting to help.

And some very nice contributions.

Yeah, Thatcher wanted me to let you know the ramp's going in.

They've converted the doors and working on the restrooms.

Not bad for two weeks' work.

And speaking of work,

Thatcher's been watching your interviews.

He's been pretty impressed by them.

He'd like to offer you a job in public relations.

Wayne, you'd be great at that.

Come on, Patty. You know why he's offering me a job.

You bet I do.

I've watched you these past weeks, too.

Patty's right.

Knock that chip off your shoulder and take a better look at yourself.

People like you, and they listen to what you have to say.

If that isn't what it takes to be a PR man, I don't know what is.

Look, he sent over a proposal.

At least take a look at it.

-Wayne. -Gee... Wow!

Not bad for starters, huh?

And a company car.

[Jonathan] Fully converted. So you can drive it.

I haven't driven a car in years.

Would you like to take it for a spin after dinner?

What?

I took the liberty of driving the car over tonight

just in case you happened to accept the proposal.

He accepts.

I guess I accept.

[Mark] Well, that's it. It's all the same,

except the brake and the accelerator.

They're both up here.

Nothing to it.

-Ready for a spin? -Roger.

All right, take it easy, you know.

Drive around the parking lot a little bit

till you get used to it.

Got you.

All right.

[engine starts]

[upbeat music playing]

[Wayne] Hey, I'm driving, I'm driving!

All right!

Look, ma! Whoo!

What a lead foot!

[Mark] Take it easy, take it easy.

[Wayne shouting excited]

All right!

Yeah!

All rrrright! This is great!

[all laughing]

[Wayne] Whoo!

[door opens]

[Wayne] Honey, I'm home.

How was your first day?

Don't ask.

What happened?

What happened?

I'll tell you what happened.

I was brilliant.

Ha!

You scared me to death.

I'm a natural for this job.

It was made for me.

I got right in there and I had ideas and they really liked.

They weren't just being nice to a guy in a chair either.

They really liked them.

Great bunch of people, too.

There's this guy named Fred. Funny guy.

We hit it right off.

What are you grinning at?

My PR Husband.

No cooking for you tonight.

We're going to go out and celebrate.

Are you sure? You've been working all day.

Yeah. Ain't it great? Now, go get dressed.

Yes, master.

Tell you what, after we eat, we'll go to a drive-in movie.

[Patty] A drive-in?

Yeah, we're due.

I haven't been to a drive-in since high school.

We need to do some necking. Huh?

You'd better not let my father hear you say that.

You know how daddies are about their little girls.

[Wayne] No, but I'd sure like to find out.

[poignant music playing]

You always wanted kids.

Four of 'em, right?

Two of each?

Right now, I'd settle for just one.

I'm not afraid anymore, Patty.

I know it's kind of sudden,

With the job and all that's happened,

But... I feel like I--I feel like I'm ready for a family.

I know I can take care of them.

I love you.

I love you, too.

The movie's starting.

That didn't used to stop us.

We didn't used to sleep together, either.

Is that an invitation?

Mmm... Yes.

Accepted.

[loud shouting]

All righty!

[car music blares]

Hey, turn it down!

[loud shouting]

Turn it down, would you?

We're trying to hear the movie.

[shouting in Spanish]

Hey, you got a problem, man?

No, I don't have a problem.

We're trying to hear the movie.

Keep it down.

[increases volume]

No problem.

Turn it down!

Come on.

[speaking Spanish]

You got a bad attitude, man.

We're just a few citizens watching a movie,

trying to have a good time,

And you come out of nowhere screaming and shouting demands.

We're just trying to watch the movie, okay?

"We're just trying to listen to the movie, all right?"

Tell you what, man. Why don't you get out of your car?

Be a man, then tell me what to do.

I want to go.

Wayne, please, I wanna go.

[car music blaring]

Wayne, you did the right thing.

When is running away ever the right thing?

There were five gang members

looking for a fight.

Just forget about it.

[horn honks]

[men shouting]

It's those punks from the drive-in.

They followed us.

[indistinct shouting]

[horn honks]

[horn honks]

[horn honks]

[indistinct shouting]

[tires screeching]

[indistinct shouting]

Come on!

[horn honks]

[horn honks]

[somber music playing]

Breakfast will be ready in a minute.

I'm going to skip breakfast this morning.

I've got a presentation to make and I wanna review it.

Oh.

Hey... you're not still upset about last night, are you?

No, you were right. That's history.

Good.

Well, don't forget to pick up the tuxedo after work.

Tomorrow's the big night.

I'll remember. I got to get going.

Okay, see you after work. And don't forget--

Pick up the tuxedo.

-Sorry. -You should be.

I'll see you later, honey.

[pop music playing]

[dramatic music playing]

[Mark] Jonathan!

Jonathan... Will you look at this?

I pick up this tuxedo at the rental place. Look at these sleeves.

Couldn't you use the stuff, make it fit?

Well, I could, but I think you're gonna look funny

with those little, bitty short arms.

Oh, that's cute, Jonathan. That's really cute.

Come on, I have to give Wayne Man of the Year Award.

They asked me to.

-[telephone rings] -The phone.

I know that's the phone.

[telephone rings]

What? Well, you're not sure of that.

All right. I'll tell you what.

Stay right where you are.

We'll find him. And don't worry.

Jonathan, that was Patty.

Wayne didn't show up for work today,

and she's afraid...

Jonathan?

Jonathan!

[dog barking]

[car door shuts]

[speaking Spanish]

[gun cocks]

Who the hell are you, huh?

I'm the old man. Remember?

The one you tried to ride off the street last night.

That was you?

You ain't got no legs, man.

No wonder you couldn't fight.

Don't try it, vato.

I'll tear your legs off just like mine.

What are you going to do?

You gonna take us down right here?

You gonna kill us all?

That's right,

but first you're gonna know why.

[Jonathan] Yeah, tell them why, Wayne.

I want to hear it, too.

Jonathan!

Hey, go on, tell them.

Tell them how you went to Vietnam

And had your legs blown off.

Then you came home and found out nobody really gave a damn.

Don't try it.

Get out of here, Jonathan.

Hey, don't worry about me being here, Wayne.

Go on. Waste them. It'll make you feel better.

Get some revenge on the little scum over here

who humiliated you in front of your wife.

Of course, don't expect the newspapers to say that. Oh, no.

All they're gonna say, you were just another whacked-out Nam vet

who went over the edge.

I don't give a damn what they say.

No, of course not.

The only thing that's important to you is to prove you're still a man.

Oh, Patty's gonna be proud of you, Wayne.

She can tell everybody how you had a wife who loved you,

how you had people who needed you.

But that didn't mean anything.

The only thing that was important

was killing hoods like this.

What a hell of a waste of your life, Wayne.

[sober music playing]

[man] Hey, man.

Wait a minute.

Gracias, all right?

De nada.

[loud crash]

[tense music playing]

[people chattering]

It's time to introduce Wayne.

I cannot. You do it.

I'm not supposed to do it. You're to introduce him.

I know, but I can't get up there.

Why can't you get up there?

My sleeves!

Oh, come on. Just go introduce him.

May I have your attention, please?

Your--your attention?

Um, it gives me great pleasure

to introduce Man of the Year,

Wayne Secrest.

[applause]

I want to thank you all

for this very great honor.

There's no question that throughout our lives,

we're continually learning new lessons.

We have to in order to grow as human beings.

That's why we have to go out and...

And teach. Never stop teaching,

making each other aware of the special needs

and problems of handicapped people.

How else can we learn unless we know?

Give us a chance to get to work,

and we'll do the job.

Give us a chance to be a part of the world.

We'll make it a better world.

[applause]

I learned a lesson about myself last night.

I--I learned that your manhood isn't measured by your legs.

It's not your ability to stand tall and face a fight.

Your manhood, your humanness...

it's in the mind.

It's in the heart.

It's in your soul.

Thank you all very much.

[applause]

[upbeat music playing]

[theme music playing]

Sferastudios