All language subtitles for Starting Over 1979

Boy, if I ever wanted
to say anything great,

now's the time.

There's nothing out
there for you, jessie.

Except me in a different suit.

You think what we have together

is blocking you from something.

I swear to God,
we're getting a divorce

when all we need is
separate vacations.

You don't understand, do you?

Look, when I go out that
door, what are you gonna do?

You're gonna stand here
and start crying

while I drive
around the block...

I'm not gonna start crying
after you leave.

You're not? No.

What are you gonna do?

I'll probably work on my song.

It's not like the painting
and the photography.

It's not.

You just have
a thing about my voice.

I've gotten a lot of terrific
feedback on my songs.

You don't think so?

Just the word "feedback,"
it's a stupid word.

Do you mind
if I say things my way?

I don't mind.

Honey, you can't
drag this out, you know.

It's not gonna make it
any less awful.

What's left to say, anyway?

That I'm glad
that we were married.

Thank you. That's lovely.

That was lovely, wasn't it?

Wasn't that lovely?

If there's one thing I didn't
expect to do today, it was laugh.

Yeah.

Well, the day could be
chock-full of surprises.

I mean, if there's one thing
that I didn't expect today,

it's that the two of us
would end up in bed.

Not this time, babe.

Why didn't you throw these away?

I don't know.

Maybe I wanted you to find them.

"Evermore, Neil."

Dear God. "Evermore"?

You went to bed with a man
that said "evermore"?

Do you want to know about it?

No.

¶ LA-LA-LA-LA-LA, LA-LA-LA-LA ¶

no, don't let her sing.
Not with that voice.

¶¶

¶ LA-LA-LA-LA-LA, LA-LA-LA-LA ¶¶

¶ It's gonna be easy for you ¶

¶ to do what you got to do ¶

¶ stand up on your own ¶

¶ you got it made ¶

¶ it's gonna be harder for me ¶

¶ but this woman's
got a right to be ¶

¶ more than
a shadow of her man ¶

¶ I loved you from my heart ¶

¶ gave the best I had ¶

¶ tried to be your friend ¶

¶ now it's foolish to pretend ¶

¶ 'Cause once
the feeling's gone ¶

¶ It's better to move on ¶

¶ it's gonna be
hard for me to do ¶

thank you.

Not anymore.

¶ I'm sure I'll cry
more tears than you ¶

¶ but I've gotta be more
than a shadow of my man ¶¶

Can I have a drink?

Get in here.

Goddamn, I'm glad to see you.

I finally got you to Boston.

I'm glad I'm here, too.

Hello, marva.

Will you stop, marva?

Maybe you'd better leave
us alone for a while.

Sit down, Phil.

How you doing?

Pretty good.

Not so great.

Bad.

Ok.

You gonna let me
help you or not?

I don't need any help.

I'm gonna help you
whether you like it or not.

I'm not
talking about psychiatry.

Psychiatry is not gonna do
a thing for me, Mickey.

Who's talking psychiatry?

I'm not
a psychiatrist anymore, Phil.

I've gone through
some changes myself.

What are you doin' now?

I'm teaching psychiatry.

If it's OK,

I'd really like to
be a part of this.

Phil,
we've never talked about this,

but I've always felt
like a sister to you.

Not a sister-in-law.

And, Phil,

this could be the best thing
that could happen to you.

It could be very exciting.

The possibilities for growth
and self-awareness,

getting to know yourself

could be the most wonderfully
happy, even thrilling experience.

And I've got you set up in
this divorced men's workshop

they have at the church here.

What are you talking about?

I'm not gonna do that.

It's not psychiatry.

Trust me a little,
will you, Phil?

I know the way you are.

It's just this workshop,
one night a week.

Mickey, I... I appreciate that,
but I... I couldn't do that.

I couldn't get up
in front of a...

Hello, in there.

Let us do something. Please?

Where you going?

I don't know.

It hasn't been
a real terrific day.

You can use Victor's room.

Right.

I'm all right. Just exhausted.

I'm all right.

Good night.

Good night.

He looks awful.

Sure it's all right for me to
borrow Tracy's sleeping bag?

Of course.

I'll get it back to you
as soon as I get settled, huh?

Mmm-hmm.

Thanks for everything, marva.

Call if you get sad.

Can I call if I get happy?

Yeah. Sure.

Oh, Phil.

Shit.

Attention, shoppers.

Right now,
in the clothing department

we have levis for $10.90.

We have boys' jeans
for $6.90 and $9.90.

We have big boys'
pants for $7.90.

Elaine, register 3, please.
Elaine, register 3.

¶ Memories ¶

¶ like the corners of my mind ¶

¶ misty water-colored memories ¶

¶ of the way we were ¶¶

Hi, Mickey.

I'm fine.

Uh, I was wondering what
you two are doing tonight.

Is it that late?

Oh.

Well, uh...

No, don't be silly.

I mean, you...

Go back to sleep.

You gotta go to work
in a couple of hours.

Tomorrow night? Sure. Fine.

I'll see you then. Good night.

Good morning, Mickey.

Get the fuck away from me!

I've got a knife.

I'll cut your fucking
balls off, so help me!

Ah, Phil, come on in.

You're not going to believe...

I was gonna call the police.

What's the matter?

Marva invited a friend tonight.

She was attacked by a pervert
just a block from here.

Oh, Phil,
this is Marilyn holmberg.

Marilyn, this is
Michael's brother, Phil.

On her way here, Marilyn was
almost attacked by some pervert.

Oh!

I'm really not
this kind of person.

I could die. I could die.

Oh!

Phil is the pervert.

No. Isn't that marvelous?

I have an excuse.

I took this
self-defense course...

Wouldn't you
have loved to be there?

And they told me that if
somebody comes down the street

and does something
to you, you scare him.

You must've gotten very
high marks in the course.

Phil, what exactly
did she say to you?

I don't think we
should talk about that.

Oh, come on.

Phil, what did she say?

Nothing, really.

"Get the fuck away from me

or I'll take this knife and
cut your fucking balls off."

A really well-bred person
would not have repeated that.

Dinner.

Did she really say that?

She said that, yeah.

Really? Hmm.

I never heard
her talk like that.

I think Marilyn was very brave.

I wish I could have
done something like that.

No, a well-bred person
wouldn't have repeated that.

I'm sorry.

All right,
come on, let's cut that out.

Ok.

Listen, I wanna say something,

even though it's
a little awkward.

It's silly.

You ought to be able to have

a man and a woman
to dinner together

without everyone thinking
that it's something arranged.

In other words,
this is not a fix up.

Oh, it's so nice
to see you both.

It's been a wonderful evening.

Just wonderful.
Don't hurt her, Phil.

What are you talking about?

She's a terrific woman.

She's an extraordinarily
gifted nursery school teacher.

She's gone back to school

to get her master's
in child development.

She's getting it together.

And I, for one,
don't want her hurt.

I'm not even sure
I'm gonna ask her out.

Why?

Because she doesn't
have large breasts?

Now, you bundle up.

It's cold outside.
Take care of yourself.

Where are your mittens?

We'll have to do this
a lot more often.

Oh.

Bye-bye.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night. Good night.

Bye-bye. Good night.

Well, I think
that went pretty well.

Well, what did you...

Oh, dear.

You wanna go out tomorrow night?

How long have you
been separated?

One month.

You wanna go out tomorrow night?

No. Ah, look...

I mean, really. You have been
separated for a very short time.

Marva knows
how I feel about that.

I guess that's why she didn't...

Anyway, it's a very
intense time for you.

I'm not that intense.
I'm a little intense.

Right.

Forget it.

Look, in the old days,
I'd have already been

calling my girlfriends
to tell them about you.

So don't feel bad.

In fact, I'd like it
if you called me later on.

How much later?

Hmm, 3, 4 months.

Do you know anybody
I can go out with now?

Now?

I feel funny waiting 3
or 4 months to call you.

Oh, yes. I can see your point.

Hello.

Hi. It's me.

It's so incredible
that you called now.

W-what is it, jessie?

Uh...

What?

I'm sorry.

Sorry? What, are you kidding?

Uh...

There's nothing
to be sorry about. I mean...

What's going on?

What's wrong, jessie?

Nothing.
I just got off the phone.

They're gonna release my song
as a single.

They expect these great things.

I just can't believe this
is actually taking place.

I'm actually living my fantasy.

Wonderful. Congratulations.

It's just perfect that
you're the first to hear.

Perfect.

Well, how are you?

Oh, uh, great.
I... I have this, uh...

I have this great house,
an, uh, apartment.

And, uh, you know,

I have a great view of the,
uh, of the trees.

And, uh, branches.
And I've got a window seat.

Oh, that sounds really great.

Yeah, I got this great door with
molding that goes all around.

What do you think about us
seeing each other again?

Oh.

Honey, didn't you get the
notification from the court?

Notification?

Well, it's final, you know.
We're divorced.

You know, that thing that you
said to me the last night?

I'll always treasure it, Phil.
Always.

What thing?

When you said that you were
happy that we'd been married.

Jessie?

Yeah?

I've changed my mind.

Listen, I may as well say it
and get it over with.

I started seeing
my ex-wife again.

Now, I know. I know, I know.

I don't know what to
say about it. It just...

Maybe you're all
just gonna have to

tie me to the mast
till I can get over this.

It's this crazy thing he has.

He... he keeps
marrying the same woman.

Oh, I know we can't be together.

It doesn't work.

But she called.

And even though I know how balled
up everything always gets,

I really can't stay away.

I love her.

Oh, boy.

I'm sorry.

I think you get off
on being miserable.

And when you're not miserable,

it feels like something's wrong.

Excuse me.
I think that is disgusting.

Everett,
were you divorced recently?

It was last July.

It was our 43rd
wedding anniversary.

She said there were
no surprises left.

What a thing to say.

After a lifetime together.

A lifetime of faithfulness

despite many urgent temptations.

No surprises.

I'm gonna be 72 soon.

And still, I'm amazed

that the women I
meet seem so sure,

so certain,
about getting involved.

You... you have no idea

how many women want you
when you're getting old.

How many liver-spotted
female hands reach out

to squeeze the last
drops from your body

as they go about
living longer than we do.

Everett, with all due respect,

I don't think that's
a very healthy attitude.

Excuse us, gentlemen.

Divorced women's
workshop meets 9:00 to 10:00.

¶¶

¶ it's gonna be easy for you ¶

¶ for you ¶

¶ to do what you gotta do ¶

¶ it's gonna be easy ¶

¶ You've got it made ¶¶

hi.

Marie?

Phil?

Well, I'm not disappointed.

The sitter isn't quite here yet.

Thank you.

Uh, napkin?

Oh, hi, loves. Come on in here.

Say hi to Mr. Potter.

Hi. Hi.

Phil.

Um, I like them to use
last names with big people.

Phil. Hello.

Hello.

He doesn't wanna talk.
I don't mind.

Hello.

Hi, what's your...

Uh...

How old are you?

5.

Are you married?

He's funny, isn't he?
You're very funny.

Nighty-night. Sleep tight.

Goodbye.

Oh, the kids loved you.
You loved the kids.

Uh, you want some more wine?

¶ It's gonna be easy for you ¶

¶ to do what you got to do ¶

¶ hold your head up high ¶

¶ you've got it made ¶

¶ it's gonna be ¶¶

there you go. Oh, excuse me.

Um, well, y-you like Boston?

A lot.

Hi, you're late.

Yeah, a little.

Well, I guess we're ready to go.

Listen,
we shouldn't be too late.

Hi.

Hi.

Uh, the restaurant
we're going to,

uh, they specialize in duck.

Oh, duck. Great.

I have to be home by 11:30.

You mean around 11:30.

No, 11:30 at the latest.

Yeah, we'll be back by then.

You have to be.

'Cause I have to be home
no later than 11:30.

I said all right.

I went through a lot of
depression after my divorce.

A lot.

But then I decided it's all
how you look at it, you know?

'Cause most people
only get one chance in life.

After a divorce, it's like
starting another whole life

all over again.

So it's really a positive thing.

Except for the fact that the
first life ended in disaster.

Um, you know what
Marilyn said about you?

What?

No, I can't tell you.

Ok.

I'd tell you, but I
promised her I wouldn't,

so I can't tell you.

Marilyn said to
treat you real good

because you were the biggest
one she ever threw back.

Hmm.

I'm sorry.

I mean, if I didn't
seem very attentive.

It's just that this is the
first date that I've had

in 8 years.

Well, welcome back, honey.
We sure can use you.

Hello.

Phil Potter here. You wanna
have dinner tomorrow night?

No, I'm sorry.

Will you stop with that?

Do you wanna know the reason?
No.

I went with a guy for 6 months
who'd just been divorced

and I-I-I'd really
rather not do that again.

I don't wanna be a nurse.

Look, I'm talking no romance.

Just dinner and drinks.
No romance.

You think I don't want to.
But...

did you hear what I said?

I just wanna have
dinner with somebody.

Anybody. A person.

I'm not gonna touch you.

I might not even talk to you.

Sounds perfect.

Fine.

Bye.

Hi. Hi.

Nice to see you again.

You, too.

This is nice.

And safe.

Here, let me take your coat.

Well...

Uh, why don't...
why don't we just sit down

and have some wine?

Hmm.

I'm just so nervous
for some reason.

Most of my stuff
hasn't been that great,

if you want to know the truth.

I... I don't believe that.

I've been getting
a lot of freelance work.

Where can I read
something you've written?

On a plane.

My stuff is in those airline
magazines, right behind the barf bags.

Oh.

I love those magazines.

Do you really?

I happen to be one of those people
who reads them all the time.

I can't imagine
a better job than that.

I was... I was thinking
about maybe teaching.

Oh, that's... that's terrific.

I was gonna teach this course in
creative writing at the junior college.

That's fantastic.

It doesn't pay much.

Oh, well, who cares?
I know it doesn't pay.

It's rewarding. It is.

That's the thing about teaching.

It's rewarding.

Oh, you don't have kids, do you?

I get nervous sometimes
about not having kids.

'Cause if you're over 35,

if you have your first baby, all
your tubes fall out or something.

No, I'm just kidding.
Really, it's not true.

Sounds horrible.
I'm sorry I said that.

Anyway, I think I'm... I'm kind
of adjusted to not having them.

Would you... would you like
some more of this?

Did I eat some of that?

Yeah.

That's pudding. I hate pudding.

I wonder why I ate it.

Maybe you were so
interested in me

that you didn't know
what you were doing.

I knew that without the pudding.

Good night.

Would you like to come up?

If we're gonna kiss each other,

I think it'd be a good idea

if one of us closed our eyes.

You first.

Ok.

God.

Don't be afraid to
tell me what you want.

I think I'd like
to say good night.

I know. I... I understand.

It's too much or it's too soon.

Or you don't like me enough.

Or you like me too much.

Or you're frightened,
or you're guilty.

You can't get it up
or out or in or what?

That just about covers it.

I never did like dating.

You wanna go out Friday night?

Saturday night?

Sunday afternoon?

Sunday night?

When you get to Wednesday,
I'm busy.

God.

Why am I so sure I'm
in big trouble here?

I'll see you Friday night.

Good night, Marilyn.

Good night, Potter.

You know,

a couple of weeks ago...

It'll keep.

It's not 9:00 yet.

I got an accutron right here.

It's not 9:00. You go ahead.

Don't let them stop you.

A couple of weeks ago,
I met this girl.

A really nice girl.
I like her a lot.

It's just that,
for some reason...

Some reason I've been avoiding
going to bed with her.

This is why it's
good that we talk.

You know, we find out that we're

not as weird as we
thought we were.

I felt the same way once.

You're afraid to open up.
To care.

You end up
questioning your ability

to love someone
in a meaningful way.

Fuck off!

Eat shit!

I think it's natural.

You still feel
like you're married.

¶¶

Maybe she's special.

It's possible, you know?

Hi.

Hey.

How you doing?

Fine.

Oh, I'm sorry.
I... I should have called.

I was outside
and I... I just popped in.

I'll be going now.

I'll call next time
before I come by.

Would you get in here?

There's nobody here.

Did you do all
this for yourself?

Yeah.

Why not fuss for yourself?

Looks like something you'd read

in a book on how to be single.

Yeah. I think
that's where I got it.

I got a job.

Really?

I'm gonna teach this course
at a junior college and it...

do you mind if we
talk about you and me?

Oh, please do.

I don't know how to put this
without coming straight out.

I wish you would.

Well, I've got 2 things

that I just gotta
get off my mind tonight.

One is I'm very nervous about teaching
this class for the first time.

Why am I so sure
that number 2 is the killer?

I wanna have sex with you.

Gulp.

I don't like
the way you put that.

It makes me feel very strange.

I know. It did sound
a little bit like Tarzan.

It's just that I was trying to
avoid the whole romantic thing...

I don't like that, either.
I hate that.

But can't you just
personalize it a little?

I want to have sex
with you, Marilyn?

I want to have sex
with you, Marilyn.

I want to have sex
with you, Potter.

Take it easy.
I-I'm not that good.

I won't let anyone
do that to me.

I just won't!

Will you get in the car?

Do you think I'm
a one-nighter? Do you?

Will you get in
the car before you...

I am no one-nighter.
I'm a teacher!

I'm going for my master's!

I am no one-nighter!

Will you get in the car
before you catch pneumonia?

And even if I have been,
I won't be that for you.

I left you a note.
I left you a note!

You did not.

I left you a note.

Ah! And what did it say?

I'll see you tonight
and I hope you understand.

How'd you sign it?

Best wishes for your continued
success, Phillip Potter.

It's a joke!

Oh.

Oh.

I'll see you tonight?

Yeah.

If you can avoid it,

I'd prefer you
didn't act crazy anymore.

I think I could love this man.

Oh, God.

I... I... I...

I really didn't know
that I was saying that.

It just came out.
I-I'm really sorry.

Ew.

Just forget about it, OK?

I... I just... I... I just say that
to all the boys.

I'm gonna go in now.

Good morning.

Good morning.

I'm Phil Potter.

Uh, I'm gonna be
right upfront with you

and tell you
where I'm coming from.

Those are college expressions,
aren't they?

I've never
taught a class before.

I've never even taken a
course in magazine writing.

As a matter of fact, I didn't
graduate from college.

The next time we meet, I'd like
you to bring a magazine article

that you find
particularly interesting.

And we'll discuss it.

Um...

I'm looking forward
to, uh, getting to know

each and every one
of you individually.

And I'll, uh, see you
all next Wednesday.

Uh, Mr. Potter. The class
isn't over till 10:00.

Good.

That gives me a chance

to answer all your questions
for the next, uh, 56 minutes.

I should've, uh, prepared
more material for today.

From now on, I'll be able to
gauge the time a little better.

Or I'll learn to
talk very slowly.

Now, why did you...
why did you do that?

Huh?

Does anybody
here like to be hit?

No.

No, so what are we
gonna do if we're angry?

Is it OK to be angry?

Yes. Yes, sure, it is.

Sometimes you're
gonna be so angry,

you're gonna feel like hitting.

But you know what
you can do instead?

You can do this.

Try it.

I want to try it.
Everyone, watch me.

Phil,

I have this... this
little girl in school

I can't stop thinking about.

I'm worried that
I'm really screwing her up.

She's really this clingy kid,
you know,

and she's always throwing her arms
around your neck or your legs.

I don't know. Maybe I should
call her mother or something.

Oh, we're gonna have a carnival
at school to raise money.

We have it every year.

It's a lot of fun.
It's sort of fun.

I think you should come.

Well, if you feel like it and...

Aren't you
a little old for this?

Apparently not.

Oh, this is gonna be
a terrific picture.

You're gonna love this.

This insensitivity
really bothers me.

Hmm.

It's a side of you
I've never seen before.

Really? It's my best side.

This is gonna be all right.

It's starting to
look pretty good now.

You can almost see a boob.

Would you stop it?

Are you crazy? Give me that.

Give it to me. No.

Look at this picture.
We're talking penthouse here.

You wanna see it?
You wanna see it? Look.

Oh, God.

Are you mad?

Are you really mad?

You're mad.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Thank you.

It's Turkey time.

It's beautiful.

Here, let me get that.

I didn't know
that you could do...

Isn't that marvelous?

I know you want a leg, Victor.

Yeah.

Let's see if you
know how to carve yet.

That is so lovely.

You two look so happy.

That's not happiness,
that's afterglow.

Michael.

You know, somehow this place
still misses, marva.

Here, take some of this.

When you get that sofa here,

it'll pull
the whole room together.

What sofa?

I may have mentioned it.

I'm having trouble here, Victor,
but I'll have it for you.

Here.
Let me show you how to do it.

Wait a second.

Michael will help you,

but I don't know
how much help he's...

will you stop?
You never knew how to cut.

Let me show you how to...

You really do it quite well.

Will you cut it out?

There you go, Victor.

My hands are clean. Honest.

Won't you get the phone,
honey, please?

Hello. Yeah, who is it?

Phil, it's Jessica.

Go change your clothes.

Excuse me.

Thank you.

I think I did that very well.

How're you doing at school?

Are you ready to
start your thesis yet?

It's harder than I thought.

Hi. How are you?

Fine. Fine.

Are you still, uh,
staying at our place?

It's difficult being in school
when you have a full-time.

Fine. ...Job.

Yeah, I guess it
has crossed my mind.

Well, I read an article
where it said that

women returning to school do...

Not right now.

Incredibly well.

Come on, jessie. It's not us.

It's just the holidays.

I mean, everybody feels
like that on a holiday.

This is the best
Turkey I ever had.

No, I'm not acting funny.

Listen,
you picked the wrong time

to have a long
conversation, jessie.

We're... we're just sitting down
for Thanksgiving dinner.

Mick-Mickey, marva, Victor...

She says hi.

Hi.

Uh,

tomorrow,
maybe we could talk. Yeah.

I told you.

Mickey, marva, Victor,
and a friend of theirs.

Yeah.

Well, we... we... we could
talk tomorrow.

Ok.

So long, jessie.

You know, this really
looks delicious.

You know, uh, the stuffing.

Oh, I know, I can't wait.
I have, I haven't.

Listen, um,

we're family.

And we're gonna get out of
here right after dinner,

and give you two
some privacy, hmm?

Hurry up and eat, Victor.

You said I'm supposed to chew.

Don't chew.

Take your time, Victor.

Everybody can take their time.

If you'll excuse us
for a moment.

Uh, Marilyn, would you
like to take a walk?

We're gonna take a walk.

How could you call me a friend?

It's good that you got
that out of your system.

Of theirs! Oh!

You have to learn not to hit.

So do you.

Oh, the hell with it.

If you're gonna be angry,
just do like this.

Take your hands off me.

Put your hands on me.

I'm sorry
I called you my friend.

You're not my friend.
You're my...

Well, you're not my friend.

I don't know why I said that.

I do know why I said that.

It's because I'm nervous.

And I haven't talked
to her in a long time.

And for some reason,
when I got on the phone

I felt like
I was cheating on my wife.

I know that was stupid.

That was really stupid of me.

But I know why.

It's... it's because
it's Thanksgiving.

A-and the Turkey.

Listen,

before I met you,

I'd finally gotten
to the point in my life

where I no longer thought

some man was gonna come along

and make this huge change.

I'd finally gotten
to the point where

I liked being unattached.

I liked going to parties

and occasionally
meeting some guy

who convinces himself real quick

that he's falling
in love with you and...

Is it OK talking
to you like this?

Almost.

You're great.

You are.

No, you are.

Then it's settled, huh?

No.

See, the reason

that I'm telling you
all these intimate details

about my past is that

so much of the time with them,

I'd end up being tense.

And the part that
I really liked best was

hearing the door
click after they left,

and then I'd...

I'd breathe easier.

You,

you bastard.

I don't... Breathe
right without you.

I just,

I just breathe
right when you're here.

It scares
the daylights out of me.

Oh, Jesus. I mean,
who are we kidding here?

You're hung up on your ex-wife.

It's one of those.

I-I'd better just save my ass.

Goodbye.

Wait a minute.

Are you telling me

that you're breaking up with me?

I'm going to take you home now,

and I'm going to
see you tomorrow night.

I'm busy.

You mean, I can't see you
because I did one dumb thing?

One dumb thing.

Good shot, Howard.

Now tell your father
to spend it all.

Spend it all.

Listen, I haven't seen
the mothers throwing.

Let's see the mothers
come in there

and this daughter.

Jo, you have a good arm.

Now the parents seem to
be taking all the balls.

I'm never going
to get wet, kids.

¶¶

The game is fixed.
It's fixed, that's all.

Good shot.

Anybody else have one? A ball?

Very good shot.
Anybody else can do that?

Ok, let's see who can...

Why don't you give
somebody else a chance?

Would you like a chance?

Uh, no... no,
I'm having fun watchin'.

Come on, kids.

I've seen you throw
a lot better than this.

Cut it the fuck out!

Mommy, she said the "f" word.

Uh, no, no, she didn't, honey.

It just sounded
like she said it.

You handle this, OK?

Will you talk
normally to me now?

I think the reason that you went
berserk when Jessica called is that

you don't know where we stand.

If I'd have asked you to move
in with me or something,

you would have been
able to handle it.

So what do you think?
Will you move in with me?

You can keep your
apartment and everything.

Ok. Are you sure?

Are you sure?

No.

Ok, I'll see you later at...

How... how... how
am I going to get in?

I... I don't have a key.

I told the super to let you in.

Oh, not quite being
carried over the threshold,

but it'll do.

It's a good thing
that I cleaned out

one of the drawers for you.

Can you, uh, duplicate this key?

Yes, sir.

Terrific.

Hi.

We were wondering what kept you.

Hi.

Hi.

Uh, you've been here long?

Oh, about... about 3 hours?

Uh, longer, I think.

What did keep you?

I walked home.

I'm gonna finish unpacking.

Ok.

I'll just be a few minutes.

Can you believe my timing?

Oh, yeah.

Are you staying long?

No, just tonight.

I'm staying at a hotel
by the airport.

Listen, this isn't
a logical visit.

I had an impulse to come here.

An impulse I've had before,
by the way,

only this time
I decided to follow it.

I figured it was time for
one of us to be impulsive.

Though I'm sorry
about the blouse.

I swear to God,
I kept my coat on

for at least half an hour
after I got here,

but she had the heat turned up.

Um, excuse me.

I'm sorry.

Why?

Are you all right?

No.

I... I got to talk
to her, you know.

I mean, I can't avoid her.

She seems like
a very nice person.

Yeah.

There's not too much
you can tell about someone

the very first time
you meet them.

Except, of course,
that she has pretty tits.

Hey.

Well, what do you do?

Carry that around
for emergencies?

What is it?

Well, think of it
as a housewarming gift.

It's a swell gift.

Thank you.

I think I'd better leave you
two alone for a while.

Oh, you know,
the hardest part for me

is walking through
the hall and out the door.

Yeah.

Uh, I'm gonna just get out of
your way for a little while.

You've been terrific.
Thanks a lot.

Goodbye.

I didn't think
it was gonna be this tough.

I did.

I had all these questions
I was going to ask you

and now I don't feel like it.

Oh.

Well, that's all right, jessie.

I'll ask you some questions.

How are you doing?

You name it, I...

Professionally,
things have really been...

oh, you're right.

I really don't want
to hear about that.

Well, that's
our choice here, Phil.

Answers we don't care about
or questions we can't ask.

That's a nice phrase.

You're on your way
to another song.

Would you give me a break?

This is kind of
a rough afternoon.

What did you expect?

Oh.

You sprawled out on the sofa,
suffering from malnutrition,

muttering my name.

You sure are
a sight for sore eyes.

Well, how do I look, anyway?

As good as you wanted to look.

That good, huh?

That good.

We thought we'd take the car

and... and go
get a cup of coffee.

If it's all right?

I'm, uh, studying
for my master's.

You know, I always thought that
the toughest thing about...

Oh, my coat.

Going back
for your master's was,

Was getting used to being back
in school again, you know,

I mean, just when you're
at a point that you really...

you have your master's?

Yeah.

Hmm.

Your scarf.

Oh, thanks.

Thanks.

Ah.

Nice meeting you again.

You, too, you, too.

Bye-bye.

I'll walk you back.
Oh, no, that's OK.

No, I'll walk you back.

Ok.

I'm going to walk Marilyn back.

I'd ask you up,

but my roommate
has an exam in the morning.

I'm just gonna
drop her off at the motel.

I'll be right back.

I'll be right back.

I just had to have some contact.

Ok, so you're still mad at me.

Why should I be mad at you?

Because I went to bed with your
boss and broke up our marriage.

Oh, that.

You're right, jessie.
I am still mad at you.

Well, sure you are.
It's natural.

This mad isn't natural.

I'm sitting here,
trying not to hit you.

Maybe it would be good
if you talked about it.

Jesus.

Would it help if I let you hit
me in the arm or something?

Seriously, it might
make you feel better.

I think if you gave me
permission to hit you

in the arm and I did it,

it'd be the saddest
day of my life.

Hi. Could you send up
a bucket of ice, please? 923.

¶¶

¶ better than ever ¶

¶ I'm better than ever ¶

¶ you'll never go
looking for anyone else ¶

¶ I needed some time
till I found myself ¶

¶ and now I'm better than ever ¶

¶ I'll be better than ever ¶

I wrote this song for us.

¶ We'll never
say goodbye again ¶

¶ throw off your
shoes and come on in ¶

¶ say hello to an old romance ¶

¶ say hello to a second chance ¶

¶ where you been
so long, my love? ¶

¶ come on back
where you belong ¶

¶ you and me ¶

¶ together ¶

¶ better than ever ¶

¶ ah, this time forever ¶

¶ baby,
I missed your tender touch ¶

¶ I been out on my own
and I learned so much ¶

¶ come on, let me show you ¶

¶ ah, come on, let me hold you ¶

¶ don't be scared of
what might come of this ¶

¶ I've been saving up
all my tenderness ¶

¶ better than ever ¶

¶ it's got to be better ¶

¶ hey, hey, hey ¶

¶ better than ever ¶

¶ it's got to be better ¶¶

have you lost your marbles?

Hey.

Look at us.

We're a couple.

Yeah.

Yeah.

There's something
to be said for that.

Oh.

Does my putting

my hand on your shoulder
make you react like that?

Just touching you
makes you that excited?

Apparently.

It's incredible.

I know.

It's... it's amazing, isn't it?

Marilyn?

- Hello.
- Hello.

Where are you? Home.

Your apartment?

Yeah, of course.
What did you think?

I don't know.
It was getting late.

I was beginning to worry.

I was afraid
you weren't in an accident.

Get over here.

You sure?

Will you get over here?

Ok, I'll be right there.

I'm sure.

Hi. I... I just
wanted to say that.

I'm... I'm... I'm very embarrassed
by the way I behaved tonight and I,

well, I don't know quite
what to say now, except

the thing about love is that

you can really make
an ass of yourself.

Goodbye, Phil.

Goodbye, jessie.

I went to a bar the other night,

and a bunch of guys
were sittin' around

watching the game on t.V.

And it was really great.

You know, y-you can forget
how wonderful

male companionship can be.

My ex-wife came to see me.

The first time since you split?

Yeah.

Wow.

I wish I could forget about her.

Tell me about it.
You know, my ex-wife

is talking about us
getting married again.

This'll be the 4th time.

She thinks that this time,
we should have a big wedding.

I think it's ridiculous

when there are people
in our family

who don't even know
we got divorced again.

For the first 6 months
after Ellen and I split up,

I used to carry
a coat over my arm

so she couldn't see
what was going on with me.

But it passes.
You get rid of it.

Damn. That's a sad day,

when you can't imagine
ever being in bed with her.

Marilyn's a wonderful girl.

She's got
a great sense of humor.

She makes me laugh
at the strangest times.

What did you and your ex-wife
do when you were together?

Nothing much. Went for a drive.

And then I hit her on the arm.

Then we went into this snow bank

and we had to get towed out.

Went to a motel and
she played this song for me

that she wrote
about the two of us.

And I left.

Is that all?

I never wanted a woman
so much in my life.

You know,
I... I have to work tonight

or I'd give you a lift.

It's OK.

I'll give you a lift.

Where are we going?

Uh, bloomingdale's.
I'm gonna meet Marilyn.

Can I make one small suggestion?

Sure.

Forget about your wife
and stay with Marilyn.

It's only a suggestion.

But I want you to love it.

I like it.

You just like it

because it's the same thing
you have in your office.

What's wrong with my office?

It makes you feel
like a grown-up.

This is a perfect sofa.

This is your basic perfect sofa.

Boy, it's hot in here, isn't it?

Phew.

Is that a window?

No.

This is not a great night
for me to be buying a sofa.

Why don't you just sit in it?

Watch out.

Once you sit in it,
you won't want to get up.

See? What'd I tell you?

I was just about to panic.

Mickey,

Um.

I feel so stupid
making you come down here.

I'm sorry.

Uh, don't worry about it.

Mickey, I'm feeling.

Much better now. You know, Mick,

I always loved,
loved, loved dad.

Daddy, I always loved daddy.

You know I loved daddy?

Don't go overboard, you know?

He was a nice guy,
but he died when you were 2.

Huh? It's just
that I can't breathe.

Should I call an ambulance?

No, no.

You know I'd never
lie to you, right?

You don't have to tell me.

You don't have to
tell me that, Mickey.

I know you wouldn't lie to me.

Right. I'm telling you
you're OK.

You're full of shit.
I can't breathe.

I swear, I'm OK.

Does anyone have a valium?

Here, take this,
take this. That's it.

All right? Take another one.

That's a yellow one, here.

Ok.

Now, anybody got a paper bag?

You're having an anxiety
problem, that's all.

Now when this paper bag comes,

I want you to put it over
your mouth and nose,

and breathe normally,

and you'll be all right
in a minute. Huh? There.

Now, just do
what I tell you and...

Get me a regular bag.

Sorry, I'm... I'm
a total schmuck.

Uh, no... no... no. Breathe normally.
Breathe normally.

In. Out. In. Out.

That's a boy.

Now, you're gonna feel
all right in a minute.

Now, when you
wanna talk, just talk.

If you don't wanna talk,
don't talk.

Mickey?

Uh-huh?

I'm starting to feel better.

Ah.

I just hyperventilated, right?

Exactly.

Now, you inhale
your carbon dioxide,

and that's all there is to it.

Hey, how much longer
do I have to do this?

You can stop anytime.

I think I'd like to stop now.

Go ahead, then.

I'm sorry, Marilyn.

No, there's nothing
to be ashamed of.

I'm sorry.

Sit up. That's it.
Just sit up here.

All right. Ok.

You gotta help me now.

Let's go.

Now, he's gonna be
all right, you know?

It's anxiety, that's all.

He's perfectly all right now.

You're buttoning that wrong.

I don't care.

Here, let me do it.

Don't button my shirt.

It makes me feel like a kid.

Well, what do you care? Huh?

If you're gonna button it,
button it right. All right?

Thank you for
buttoning my shirt.

Eh, what the hell.

I love you.

Hey, uh,

give me a ring tomorrow?

Yeah. Are you an early riser?

Yeah.

There's nothing
to be ashamed of.

Yeah.

You were wonderful.

I'm sorry.

I have to see Jessica.

Let me help you.

No, it's all right.

I'll just have to
make a few trips.

Just leave everything.
I'll take care of it.

Oh, thanks very much.

It's all right.

I want you to do
something for me.

Sure.

You won't let me down?

I won't let you down.

That's true enough.

In a weird sort of way,
you're an honorable guy.

Ok, don't see me again.

All right.

No, I wanna be sure.
Don't answer too quick.

We're talking about
a commitment here, you know?

I want you to swear that if,

if things don't work out
with this other lady, or

any other other lady,
you don't just

hit the old phone book
and come up with my number.

You think I'd do that?

Yes, I do.

It scares me
you don't know that.

Ok, I said I wouldn't.

I want you to swear
on your brother's life.

Oh, God.

No, I... I want it.
That's what I want.

Would you do that, please?

I swear on my brother's life
I... I won't call you again.

Never.

Thanks.

You're welcome.

No! No! God, are you kidding me?

Goodbye.

Would you please leave?

Oh, welcome home.

It's really good
to see you, Mr. Potter.

¶ Isn't it good?
We can relax this time ¶

¶ glad you came back
while I'm still in my prime ¶

¶ you're lookin' better
than you did before ¶

¶ and I'm glad
you kept the keys ¶

¶ to your favorite front door ¶

¶ starting over ¶

¶ it feels like
the first time tonight ¶

¶ we're gonna do it, baby ¶

¶ do it till we get it right ¶

¶ no one's been lyin'
on your side of the bed ¶

¶ I've just been sleepin'
with my songs instead ¶

¶ looks as though
you lost a pound or 2 ¶

¶ don't worry, babe ¶

¶ I'll put some
weight back on you ¶

¶ starting over ¶

¶ feels like
the first time tonight ¶

¶ we're gonna do it, baby ¶

¶ do it till we get it right ¶

¶ the way that
you're lookin' at me ¶

isn't it silly? I'm scared.

¶ Scared ¶

¶ that's not how
I thought it would be ¶

¶ I spent the morning
getting perfectly dressed ¶

¶ so you could take off ¶

¶ all the clothes
you like best ¶

¶ you've forgotten
you're in for a treat ¶

¶ but try and remember
I like everything neat ¶

¶ do it, baby ¶

¶ do it till we get it right ¶¶

it's a little strange being
back together again, isn't it?

Strained?

Strange.

I should be a little
more direct with you.

You know,
when we made love last night...

I know what you're gonna say.

You don't have to say it.

I had a vaginal orgasm.

Marilyn.

Marilyn.

I can't keep on making excuses.

He wants to meet you.

I'm coming.

Well, it's getting embarrassing.

He knows you're in here.

At least go meet him.

There's no way
we're gonna like each other.

Oh, just because
he's a professional athlete?

I don't think
I'm what he's looking for.

Marilyn. Marilyn.

Come on.

Marilyn, this is John morganson.

Hello.

Good to meet you.

Same here.

What is it?

No, no, no, it's nothing.

I'm sorry.

She's had a tough time recently.

John-John's used to
strange reactions.

We went into it
when he was my patient.

No, it wasn't him.

It has to do with a... a tension

people feel over
the disparity in height.

And there's a...
there's a sexual element...

There's... there's
a sexual element. It has to...

No, I'm sorry.

You know, with everything else,

uh, people feel:

"Is everything on
such a grand scale?"

And is it?

Yes.

What kind of coffee do you want?

Colombian's good.

Well, if you want Colombian,
we might as well get folgers.

Costa Rican is terrific.

I don't want Costa Rican.

Why not?

I don't know why.

Maybe because I don't know
where Costa Rica is.

It seems like
you should know where it is

before you drink their coffee.

Why don't you tell me some
countries bordering Costa Rica,

and I'll drink their coffee
the rest of my life?

That one may have been my fault.

That's OK.

We're not exactly
doing terrific, are we?

Yeah, but that's OK, too.

I mean, that's why we're
probably better off this time

because we don't
need terrific anymore.

Are you crazy?

I'm not the crazy one.

Can we stay out of this?

I need terrific.
I need wonderful.

I need love.

I need a half a pound
of potato salad

and a loaf of rye bread, please.

Just relax, will ya?

Panama and Nicaragua
border Costa Rica.

What is going on
with you anyway?

It just occurred to me

that this might all be
about what's her name.

I'm sorry.

I owe you more than that.

I know her name.

It's Marilyn.

Marilyn holmberg, isn't it?

5' 7", 125 pound
Marilyn holmberg.

And isn't that
what all this is about?

I was hoping it wasn't.

I was hoping it wasn't
what I thought it would be.

¶ I'm findin' myself ¶

¶ and you're losin' me ¶¶

¶¶

Ho, ho, ho.

Look, I don't
exactly expect thanks

for arranging this party

but, uh, I'd like to see

what you could do for $5 a man.

Hey, sorry to interrupt.

It's OK. We're just comparing
our worst christmases.

Paul, I hate to drag you
away from the party.

Do you mind giving me a lift?

I can give you a lift.

We could actually
pile into my car.

One week's notice, $5 a man,

and they expect a mardi gras.

Uh, you wanna leave now?

If you don't mind.

Sure.

I'm gonna miss you guys.

Same here, Phil.

You look like you feel great.

What's your secret?

Marilyn?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Are you gentlemen finished?

No.

But perhaps
you'd care to join us?

We're having a little party.

They're asking us to
come down and join them.

I think that would be
nice to go.

I don't know, they weren't
yelling or anything.

They seem perfectly
normal and decent.

Yes.

Yeah, let's do it.

¶ Joy to the world ¶

¶ the lord is come ¶

¶ let earth receive her king ¶

¶ let every heart ¶

¶ prepare him room ¶

¶ and heaven and nature sing ¶

¶ and heaven and nature sing ¶

¶ and heaven and nature sing ¶

hi.

Hi.

¶ Joy to the world ¶¶

my name is Stephanie.

And this is Barry.

I'm Larry.

Dan.

Jerry.

And I'm Everett.

But if she hasn't
talked to you yet...

It'll mean a lot to her.

She's gonna love it.
It's symbolic.

But what's it mean?

I don't know.

Marilyn. It's me, Phil.

I bought the couch!

Hello.

Hello. Oh, great.

Listen, I know I promised
I wouldn't call you,

but this is important.

This is Marilyn.
I just got this thing.

I hope it works,

because I'm not here right now.

So if you just leave a message

before you hear the beep,
I'll hopefully get it.

Marilyn, this is Potter.

I... I have my... m-m-my life

kind of in... I-in... in
the right place right now.

And I... I don't...

beep.

You don't even know
if she'll be there.

Marva told me that she goes
to all his practice sessions.

But she didn't give you any sign

she was even willing
to listen to you.

The sofa is going to mean
a lot to her. I know her.

When she sees the sofa,
everything is gonna be OK.

How can you be so sure?

I'm not.

I know.

It's not easy out here.

It's hard to find someone
you can really count on.

But one thing
you can be sure of.

You don't have to worry about
a bug, a rat, or a roach

as long as you live.

No, no, really, really. Stop.

Stop.

Stop.

Hey, Marilyn. Hey, sweet stuff.

I have a team meeting.

I'll come see you later.

No, no, I mean it.

Really, really, no.

Look, Potter,
I'm sorry if it hurts you.

And you'll always be
very, very special to me.

But I'm over you.

You can't be.

Why?

Because you got me in trouble,

and now you got to marry me.

Look. Just do me a favor.

Don't you just come in here
and sweep me off my feet.

Just talk to me.

I'm sorry.

I know we got
a lot to talk about.

All I've thought about is you
for the last 6 weeks.

I'm really

excited that
you... you... you proposed to me.

I don't know what to do.

Do whatever you wanna do.

We can go slower.

What do you want?

What do you want?

Oh, I want us to live together.

I want us to get married.

I want us to have kids
and watch 'em grow up.

I want us to put our teeth
in the same glass at night.

I want us to be
buried in a family plot

with the same headstone.

What do you want?

I want a separate
glass for my teeth.

If I don't touch you soon,

I'm gonna go out of my mind.

Ah.

Oh.

Oh. Oh.

This is the best hug
I ever had in my life.

You got the couch.

¶ Better than ever ¶

¶ I'm better than ever ¶

¶ you'll never go
looking for anyone else ¶

¶ I needed some time
till I found myself ¶

¶ and now I'm better than ever ¶

¶ I'll be better than ever ¶

¶ we'll never say
goodbye again ¶

¶ throw off your shoes
and come on in ¶

¶ say hello to an old romance ¶

¶ say hello to a second chance ¶

¶ where you been so long,
my love? ¶

¶ come on back
where you belong ¶

¶ you and me ¶

¶ together ¶

¶ better than ever ¶

¶ better than ever ¶

¶ this time forever ¶

¶ baby,
I missed your tender touch ¶

¶ I've been out on my own
and I've learned so much ¶

¶ better than ever ¶

¶ I'm better than ever ¶

¶ I'm better than ever ¶

¶ I'm a top lover ¶

¶ I'm better than ever ¶

¶ I'm better than ever ¶¶