Original subtitles

Hi.

Welcome.

Thanks, I guess.

This is detention, isn't it?

Yes, it is...

Ms. Camden.

I'm Mr. Feinstein, head of the Music Department,

or what's left of it.

Only this week, I have detention, too.

What'd you do?

Me? Just a...

slight error in timing.

I chose music education as a career

almost precisely when schools decided

they could no longer afford to offer it.

What'd you do?

Nothing, really.

What a coincidence.

That's the same reason everyone else is here.

♪ 7th Heaven ♪

♪ When I see their happy faces ♪

♪ Smiling back at me ♪

♪ 7th Heaven ♪

♪ I know there's no greater feeling ♪

♪ Than the love of family ♪

♪ Where can you go ♪

♪ When the world don't treat you right? ♪

♪ The answer is home ♪

♪ That's the one place that you'll find ♪

♪ 7th Heaven ♪

♪ Mmm, 7th Heaven ♪

♪ 7th Heaven. ♪

♪ ♪

If someone can tell me the name of the person

who wrote this song, I'll let them out 15 minutes early.

Porky and Bess?

Close...

and yet so, so far.

It's Porgy and Bess.

That's the name of the opera that the song comes from,

but I'm looking for the composer.

Uh... anyone else?

You know?

Raise your hand.

It'll get your mind off him.

Ms. Hamilton?

Do you have anything to add?

The... song is "Summertime."

Yes, it is.

But who is the composer of "Summertime"?

Ms. Camden?

I'm not sure.

She can't think right now.

She's got a broken heart.

Oh.

I see.

George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin,

and some other people who also wrote the play.

Excellent. And it was DuBose and Dorothy Heyward

who wrote the play.

Ms. Camden, at a quarter of, you're a free woman.

Can I go, too?

I knew the name of the song.

I was looking for the composer.

But why do I have a feeling

that there's a story behind you and this song?

My story's worth more than 15 minutes.

Want to share it with the class?

Nope.

Fair enough.

Maybe Ms. Camden'll send you a postcard

from the outside world.

Hey, yo, come on, man.

This is only supposed

to be detention, not torture.

All right? We treat prisoners better than this.

Could you please make it stop?

I really hate that music.

Why?

'Cause it's the same old white guy music

my grandfather used to play, and you know what,

I think he died from it.

What did your grandfather play?

He played the piano mostly.

Do you by chance play any piano?

Yeah, I play some.

Doesn't mean I will. Okay. Looks like

I'll have to continue my solo career.

Hey, you know any 50 Cent?

Actually, I'm not familiar

with his music,

but I do know something about rap.

Are you all fans of rap music?

I'm not.

Why is that? I'm not, that's all.

You really know something about rap,

or are you just putting us on?

I know something about history. And, like all forms of music,

rap evolved from something else.

Have you ever listened to... protest music?

Hey, man, if it's more of that stuff

you was playing earlier, I protest.

And somehow, no matter what era we're in,

certain artists seem to sear themselves

on our consciousness.

Whether it's...

Eminem...

or Ray Charles...

or The Beatles,

Gershwin, Cole Porter,

once you hear them,

it's hard to imagine a world...

Eli.

What about Harry Warren?

You know Harry Warren's music, Eli? Well, no,

I never heard of him until yesterday, but my grandmother

said he's one of the most important songwriters ever. Sure.

"Lullaby of Broadway."

"The Boulevard of Broken Dreams."

"I Found a Million Dollar Baby."

Very significant.

I think she meant important, like...

if it weren't for him, I wouldn't be here.

Eli, you have our attention.

She said that's how she met my grandfather.

They were at some movie call 42nd Street,

and they were sitting up in the balcony.

He was sitting behind her singing along with the music.

She turned around to tell him to shut up,

and they fell in love, and now here I am.

I mean, first my parents, and now here I am.

See? That's one more reason why they should ban that music.

Are we gonna listen to any music today,

or are we just gonna talk?

Ruthie needs something to heal her heart.

Everyone needs something to heal their heart.

Music heals.

Wait a minute, is this about that Martin Brewer guy?

I don't think Ms. Camden wants to share the details

of her life with us right now.

Oh, come on, the guy had a baby with someone else.

Let it go already.

I let it go, all right?

Just leave me alone.

It's a process, okay?

And I think a little Gershwin would help.

Look, all I'm saying is that that old music

doesn't mean anything to me.

No one talks like that.

"Embrace me, my sweet embraceable you."

I don't even think they talked like that back then.

It's just fake.

Maybe people were just more embraceable back then?

Rap music is real, all right?

The artists are for real; you can't just fake rap.

Eminem? What, he's white, so he's a fake?

He's as much a rap artist as any other rap artist.

It's not about the color. Or maybe it is.

My dad says that some people felt the same way about Elvis

that some people feel about Eminem.

Like he took black music and made it acceptable

for white people who didn't want to listen to black artists.

Elvis was a genius, okay?

He didn't steal music so they can sell it to prejudiced white people.

He loved gospel music; that was his inspiration.

Let's get back to what you like about rap music.

It's for black people,

and that's what I really like about it.

It's just for black people.

Well, you know it's mostly white men

who are buying it, don't you?

Over 70% of the sales come from white,

suburban males.

You know, Ruthie brings up a good point.

I don't think it's just for us.

It's for them... You know, the buyers.

And some of these guys are just putting on a show, man,

and I don't like the show.

I don't like what they're...

they're calling our sisters and our mothers.

Hey, who bought jazz records?

White people and black people, right?

Just 'cause I'm not black doesn't mean I can't relate.

So what if white males are the only ones buying rap?

I'll tell you so what... If you're buying this stuff,

then you're perpetuating an image of my community

that I think is harmful to my people.

Well, which brings us right back to Gershwin.

It does?

We're talking about what music everyone likes,

and I don't know that there is one artist

that everyone likes, unless we go back

to yesterday's music,

like Gershwin.

He's timeless; people still talk about him.

New artists still record his stuff.

You can hear Gershwin in commercials,

in love scenes in a movie.

Can you say that about Kanye West or 50 Cent?

Just give us a little time, little sister... we'll get there.

We'll get there.

Porgy and Bess was based on a book

written by a white man

and adapted by his wife, who was a white woman,

and they found these two white guy brothers,

and they all made it into a musical.

True.

Or you could say it was written by a poet and novelist,

and his wife, a playwright,

adapted it for the stage,

and then they collaborated

with a composer and lyricist

and turned it into an opera.

What about Porgy and Bess makes it an issue of race?

The facts do.

And what happens when people of all races

are bought together by music and they transcend the facts?

You get Bob Geldof and the Live Aid?

Look who got her sense of humor back. Finally.

And I think the good news is...

Aside from Ruthie rediscovering her sense of humor...

Is that you're starting to see how music and history

and literature are all tied together.

Just like rap.

Ugh! Talk about letting it go.

But you guys aren't giving rap its due.

I mean, it's the poetry of the street,

plain and simple.

I don't see how talking about my butt is poetry.

Mr. Feinstein,

Mrs. Hadgraft wants to see you in her office.

I guess that does it for the week.

Thank you all.

You can go.

Are they firing you?

I don't think so... I mean,

they're letting me go at the end of the year anyway.

Why?

Budget cuts.

So, you won't be in detention next week.

No. My week is up,

and I'll be filling in somewhere else.

So remember that if you were thinking

about doing anything to get detention next week.

Yeah, but we didn't do anything, remember?

I learned more in detention

than I did in any other class this week.

Thanks.

I appreciate that.

Have a nice weekend, everyone.

Thank you for the week.

How was your day?

It was fine.

Just like all the other days.

I think I'm gonna go start my homework.

Uh, whenever I had detention,

I used to do homework.

Mrs. Piece, your counselor, called.

You've had detention all week, Ruthie?

Unofficially.

Unofficial detention? I just had it

on Monday because I was talking

to someone in the bathroom, so I was late for class.

That was the official one.

But then I just went the rest of the week because I liked it.

You liked detention?

It was great.

Mr. Feinstein,

the music teacher, he was in charge.

And he started on Monday with Gershwin,

and then the discussion moved on to protest music and rap

and how music has evolved.

And by today, there were 30 people in detention

who did stuff just to get in

because Mr. Feinstein made it so fun.

And... I should have told you.

Yes, you should have.

So, you were just talking to someone

in the restroom and you missed class?

I was just late, I didn't miss the whole class.

I see.

So, uh, did you say it was Gershwin you were listening to?

All the discussions were centered around him.

Gershwin is like magic.

After listening to him all week, I feel like a different person.

Good.

Good for you.

Thank you, Gershwin.

Hi.

I teach music at your daughter's high school.

Uh, Ruthie might have mentioned me.

Mr. Feinstein.

Hey.

Eric Camden. Come in.

Hi.

Don't tell me Ruthie

broke down and took my advice and signed up for a music class.

Not exactly.

And the school board voted to phase out

the music program this year,

so there really aren't

any classes to sign up for.

What kind of class is it?

More of a study hall.

Hmm.

Anyway, Ruthie mentioned

that you're a minister and that you're a musician and...

You want to hear this song that I've been working on?

I'm sorry.

It-it's like a nervous tic.

Somehow, I don't think you came by to hear me play.

Another time.

Yeah.

Anyway, I just got out of the principal's office.

You don't seem like the type of guy to get into any trouble.

Sorry.

Another kind of tic.

Sit down, please.

I-I think I've stopped ticking.

Reverend Camden,

I talked to the principal about one of my students

who might be having some real trouble.

Her name is Maggie.

And I have a feeling that Ruthie might know something about her

that the rest of us don't.

Oh!

Oh, I'm so sorry.

I'm such a klutz today.

Oh, chill, they're just books.

They're not breakable or anything.

Kennedy High School?

My sister Ruthie goes to Kennedy.

I-I'm Lucy the associate pastor at...

Yeah, thanks.

Uh, I got to go.

There's my bus.

She hustled me.

I don't believe it.

Oh, hi, Reverend Kinkirk.

Who hustled you?

Uh, that girl who was just here.

What, do you know her?

No, I-I just bumped into her.

What do mean she hustled you?

She gave me a five for some peanut butter,

and I was giving her her change, and she was talking about school

and stuff, and then she asked me to break a 20,

and then she just kept on talking about school, music,

class... just talking.

And all I know is I gave her the change for the 20

but she never gave me a 20.

Great, just great.

Tell you what, I'll take care of it.

I have a soft spot for teenage girls.

I think I used to be one.

And I'll, uh, take some milk.

Okay.

How's Ruthie?

Uh, school's been tough this year.

I mean, not academically, but...

Boyfriend?

Yeah, sort of.

That girl, d-does she live around here?

Because this isn't the right neighborhood

for Kennedy High School.

I don't know where she lives,

but she's always got that bag with her.

Looks like it weighs 50 pounds,

splitting at the seams.

Yeah, that is a pretty big book bag.

Someone who has to hustle like she did must need some help.

D-Do you know anything else about her?

Not much.

She always pays with change, lots of change.

I should have known she didn't have a 20.

Hmm.

Oh, did you give me my change?

Not you, too, Reverend Kinkirk.

Oh, yeah, sorry.

That's sweet.

And kind of silly.

I like it.

I wish I could play the piano.

Oh, it's not too late to learn.

I could teach you.

Think I'm more of a listener.

Or a singer.

You've got a great voice.

Does Mr. Feinstein know that? No, but

I think he's getting fired, so it doesn't really matter.

Fired?

Well, maybe not technically fired.

But they're letting him go at the end of the year

because they're eliminating the music program.

Oh, what a shame.

Yeah.

And you know, some students only come to school for the music.

Any of those students in detention?

Maybe.

Did the girl you were

talking to in the bathroom get detention, too?

Yeah. Must have been

a pretty interesting conversation

for you to have been late for class.

Maybe sometime I'll tell you about it.

When?

When the other girl tells me I can.

I understand.

Hello.

Hey, let me speak to Mom or Dad.

Well, hi to you, too.

Okay. Uh, do you know anything

about music that's timeless or classic?

Well, sure.

You mean like Gershwin?

Yeah, yeah.

Th-That's a good start.

Gershwin, okay.

Uh, do you know about Gershwin?

Actually, I do.

I was in detention all week and it turned out to be

this whole thing on Gershwin.

It was incredible.

Really?

Gershwin in detention?

What did you get detention for?

Nothing.

I wouldn't want to bore you.

I was late for class.

You're right, that is boring.

Okay, now I-I want you to say some names

of Gershwin songs for Rose and me, okay?

Now, now, Rose wants to plan our whole wedding around our song.

I'm supposed to pick out your song?

Don't you guys have a song?

No, no, we don't, okay? We're doomed.

Now, do you want to help me

or do you want my failed marriage on your head?

Okay.

Well... "Somebody To Watch Over Me."

"Love Is Here to Stay."

"Somebody Loves Me."

"He Loves and She Loves."

"Shall We Dance."

"It's Wonderful."

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

Wait a minute.

Th-That's way too many choices, okay?

Now, I want you to take your best shot.

Think about Rose and me.

What's the first song that comes to mind?

"Let's Call the Whole Thing Off."

That's funny. That's really funny.

You know, thanks for your help.

Let's get back to let me talk to Mom or Dad.

No, I'm sorry.

What about

"Embraceable You?"

Hey.

Yeah, that's good.

That's really good. Thanks.

You're welcome.

You know, Ruthie, you sound great.

You really sound like you've turned the corner

on the whole Martin thing.

Yeah, I have.

I don't even think about him.

Can you believe that he's actually going over

to Sandy's house tomorrow to, like,

help take care of the baby?

Really?

That's nice.

Yeah, he even offered to stay over.

Great.

Sounds like he's coming around, too.

Uh, well, listen, thanks for your help.

I got to get back to studying, okay?

Sure, you're welcome.

Kevin!

I need a favor!

Kevin!

In here!

♪ Nothing seems to be lasting ♪

♪ But that isn't our affair ♪

♪ We've got something permanent ♪

Hey. I ran into this girl at the convenience store,

so I've got to call Ruthie and find out if she knows her.

I-I think you should run a check on her.

I think she might be a runaway or something.

I can't check on people for you anymore.

But I love you.

And I love you, too.

And you can get someone to run a check.

I mean, Captain Michaels would do it.

Are we eating in here?

I put Savannah down early.

She had a big day at the park.

I thought we could have dinner in front of the fireplace.

Ah, I get it.

The fire, the food, Gershwin.

The calendar.

Yeah, I know, we're on a schedule.

Yeah, it's really out of my hands.

It has nothing to do with me.

It's strictly a scheduling matter.

Oh, and I love our schedule and you know that,

but I think this girl is in trouble.

I mean, she hustled Will at the convenience store.

And I think she goes to Ruthie's school,

but as soon as I mentioned Ruthie's name, she took off.

And I totally understand, but I think you just need to relax

and forget about all that and have a nice, quiet evening

at home with your husband.

I can't.

Sure, you can.

Here, have some wine.

That's not wine, that's grape juice.

I know.

We're out of wine, but we can pretend.

I don't need wine to be with you.

I love you.

I'm just distracted.

Maybe I can distract you from your distractions.

Come on, Luce, it's Friday.

Take the night off.

Take the weekend off.

Take a lot of things off.

All right, all right.

I love what you're trying to do here.

You know, with the fire and the music and...

Wait, is that Gershwin?

That's Johnny Mathis, singing Gershwin.

Okay.

I have to talk to Ruthie, and then I'll be fine.

I'll be right back.

Keep the fire going.

♪ But... ♪

Annie. Oh.

Uh, this is Ruthie's teacher.

Oh, Mr. Feinstein. Hi.

You didn't get fired, did you?

No, uh, but nice to meet you.

He just wanted to talk to Ruthie about...

Someone in detention?

Wow, things move fast in here.

Detention?

You said study hall.

A euphemism.

It was detention, but it's a long story.

Hi. Anybody home?

Hey, Luce.

This is Mr. Feinstein... Hi.

Ruthie's study hall- detention-euphemism teacher.

It's a long story.

What's going on?

Mr. Feinstein, what are you doing here?

You didn't get fired, did you?

No, he didn't get fired. He just...

Oh, no, I can't.

I can't tell you anything about Maggie.

That's what you're here for, isn't it?

So you do know your friend's in trouble?

Do you know what kind of trouble she's in?

That's her name? Maggie?

Big book bag, sweet and friendly but spooks easy?

I bumped into her at the convenience store.

She was short-changing the manager... maybe stealing food.

Ruthie? ERIC: Ruthie, maybe you could just

tell us where we could find her.

Did you promise her you wouldn't?

Not exactly, but I don't think she wants anyone to know

what her situation is.

Do you think she'd tell me whatever she told you?

Maybe.

Well, I think we should talk to her.

It sounds like she could use it.

Big time.

Ruthie, do you know where we can find her?

♪ Summertime ♪

♪ And the livin' is easy ♪

♪ Fish are jumpin' ♪

♪ And the cotton is high ♪

♪ You're daddy's rich ♪

♪ And your mother... ♪ Why don't I take it from here?

With all due respect, I think I should handle this.

Excuse me, didn't you both come to me for help?

I was trying to get to Ruthie so I could get to Maggie. Yeah, me, too.

Well, I'm the only one of us

that she doesn't know and won't recognize.

Don't forget, the idea here is

not to scare her into running again.

♪ Don't you cry. ♪

You have a pretty voice.

Gershwin brings out the best in a girl.

Hmm.

Here.

Thanks, but if you think

this is gonna get you more than a song...

No, I don't.

It's just a donation.

You do know that there are some shelters in the area.

Been there, too dangerous.

Well, you can't just

stay out on the streets.

Don't worry, I won't.

Good night.

Look, um, my wife and I have this garage apartment,

and maybe you could stay there for a few nights,

you know, while you're looking for something else.

My name is Eric and your name is...?

Do I know you?

Am I supposed to know you?

I'm Ruthie's dad.

Ruthie didn't tell me

that you're here.

I-I don't think she even knew.

I mean, she knew that you were working for some extra cash

singing on weekends somewhere around here.

Uh, Mr. Feinstein was worried about you, and...

Oh, Feinstein, let me guess...

When he went to the principal

they told him that I'm late to school every day,

and that all the mail, including my report cards,

are returned back to the school because it's not a real address,

but they don't want to kick me out

because they tend to feel horrible

about kicking people out who they think are homeless.

Yes, that's what they think.

Feinstein, why does he care?

I don't know.

Just seems like a caring guy.

Teachers are like that.

Most of them aren't in it for the money.

Yeah, well, tell Mr. Feinstein thanks for caring,

but right now, I have a bus I have to catch.

Ah, you know, I can drive you to the bus stop

or wherever the bus is taking you.

Shouldn't you be at home taking care of your own daughter?

Ruthie?

What's wrong with Ruthie?

For starters, she's has a hole in her heart

you could drive a truck through.

What do you mean?

She's feeling better about that Martin guy,

but she's not there yet.

Believe me she's hurting.

She barely got through this week at school.

I got to go.

Maggie, wait.

I find it very touching, that you in your situation,

would be concerned about Ruthie,

and I'll talk to her when I get home,

but please, let me help you.

I can't, Reverend Camden.

I just can't.

But thank you.

Oh, great. Man, I can use that.

Thanks, Rose. I really appreciate this.

I figured you were probably running low on fuel about now.

You're incredible.

I'm so sorry that you're doing

all of our wedding stuff on your own.

I just, I don't know anything about that stuff

and I... I probably sound lame right now, huh?

A little, but cute lame.

I did come up with a few ideas for our song.

You did?

Mm-hmm.

What do you think about “Embraceable You”?

It's a Gershwin song.

Of course it is.

Oh, Simon, it's perfect.

Oh, it couldn't be more perfect.

♪ Embrace me ♪

♪ My sweet embraceable you ♪

♪ Embrace me ♪

♪ You irreplaceable you ♪

♪ Just one look at you, my heart grew tipsy in me ♪

♪ You and you alone bring out the gypsy in me ♪

♪ I love all the many charms about you ♪

♪ Above all, I want my arms around you ♪

♪ Don't be a naughty baby ♪

♪ Come to me, come to me, do ♪

♪ My sweet embraceable you. ♪

Luce?

I'm sorry I'm so late, baby.

I was hanging out with my mom until my dad got home

and then I think I just woke up Savannah

when I was checking on her.

How'd your dad make out?

Did he get her into a shelter?

She wouldn't let him,

but he gave her a little bit of money

and hopefully that'll help.

At least it'll pay for bus fare to wherever she's going.

Bus, huh?

You know what bus line?

Uh, I think the one

outside the convenience store was the number seven.

I made a point of noticing this afternoon.

You want to go for a ride?

A ride where?

To find out where the number seven bus goes.

Now?

I mean, couldn't we just get that information on-line

or from the transit authority?

I'm more interested in knowing who's on the bus.

We're all awake anyway.

Come on, let's go.

I knew she wasn't over Martin,

but I didn't know she was crying at school.

How could we know?

Look, you think we did the right thing letting her go

to the hospital when Martin's baby was born?

Yes, I think so.

Ruthie's just going to have to deal with this,

no matter how hard it is.

She gonna have to get over this guy, let him go.

She just has to.

What are you guys doing up? It's the middle of the night.

We're hungry.

Ruthie woke us up. She was crying.

So we went up to see her and watch her cry.

It was sad.

Then we got hungry.

When I went upstairs, she was asleep.

She was pretending.

She did that to us, too.

All right, I'll make you a quick snack

and then you have to go back to bed,

and since Ruthie's still up... I'm on my way.

Ruthie?

I'm sorry, did I wake you up, too?

No, no, I was still up.

Just give me a minute and I'll be okay.

I thought I was going to be okay, but I'm not.

I love him

and now he has a baby

and he loves the baby

and he loves her and it'll never be okay.

You'll get through this, Ruthie.

Maybe it doesn't look like it now, but you will.

I don't want to get through it.

I don't see how I'll ever love anyone as much as I love Martin.

Careful, you don't want to break Lucy's crying record.

Everything's broken.

I just love him.

What am I going to do, Dad?

Oh.

As much fun as this is,

I just don't think that Maggie is gonna come here again.

You never know... this is the last stop on the bus route.

And?

And... just wait.

Well, if she does come by

and sees us feeding our dogs ice cream, I'll die.

It's just so wrong.

I don't think our being in a position

to make our dogs sick to their stomachs

has anything to do with Maggie's situation.

Whatever you say, Officer Kinkirk.

Thank you, Reverend.

Homeless people sometimes ride the bus all night,

just to have a warm place to stay.

I'm going to give them money for a hotel for a week

and you're going to get them

into a more permanent place, all right?

I love you.

Hey, I'm not doing this for them, it's for me.

I can't relax unless you relax,

and you won't relax unless they get settled.

And then, I can relax.

See what a selfish jerk I am?

No, you're not.

You're the nicest person I know.

Morning, Dad. Up already?

I never really got to sleep.

I'm sorry, I kept you up so late and upset you so much.

You seem to be... better?

Yeah, I am.

I talked to Luce.

So did I.

I should have thought about Maggie and her family.

For some reason I was thinking runaway.

Yeah, well...

Is that the part

you couldn't tell me?

About her family, that they're all homeless?

No, I still can't tell you the part I didn't tell you.

Hello.

You're a genius, you're a musical genius.

I am?

Rose loved your suggestion.

"Embraceable You" that's our song, thanks to you.

Oh, and guess what else?

Rose can sing.

She sings like, like one of those birds that can sing.

Great. Rose can sing.

Oh, it's a grand day.

Guess what else?

What else could top that?

We went out to breakfast with Sandy and Martin

and I got to hold the baby.

Oh.

The baby looks just like Martin.

I mean, you should have seen him.

For a guy who didn't really want to have a baby,

you should have seen him. He loves the kid.

I wouldn't be surprised if Sandy and Martin got married.

Ruthie? Ruthie?

What happened?

Simon says Sandy and Martin might get married.

It's okay, Ruthie, it's okay.

It'll be fine.

No, it won't.

I need Maggie.

I need detention

and Mr. Feinstein doesn't have detention anymore.

There's no music, there's no music in school.

All we need is music.

Hey, you, weepy, knock it off.

I need total concentration here.

Come on out of there, weepy.

You're the preacher girl, right?

I guess.

What are you crying about?

It's nothing.

Nothing, huh?

A guy. It's nothing.

I'm going to be late for class.

What guy?

A guy who I thought I was going to marry one day

who got another girl pregnant

and had a baby with her.

Oh, Martin Brewer.

Yeah, I think there's another girl around school crying.

Meredith... She was his girlfriend.

Guy had a lot of girlfriends.

We were friends.

The kind of friends who eventually fall in love

and get married only he took a left turn somewhere.

The whole thing's stupid.

I don't know why I can't quit crying.

Here's what I do.

Since I pretty much feel like crying every day, I schedule it.

I wait till I'm on a bus

and no one is around, or maybe they are, I don't care.

And then I bawl for no more than 15 minutes.

15 minutes, then I quit.

Just like that?

Yep. And then I listen to music,

something really good, really soulful and I sing.

I sing out on the sidewalk, when no one runs me off.

What do you cry about?

Hand me that belt would you?

I'm homeless.

My family is homeless

and I'd let your dad, or the counselor,

or someone know, but it's just so humiliating for my parents.

People have tried to help us out...

Okay, promise you won't tell anyone this part.

Okay.

No, promise.

I promise.

My mom and dad can't read.

They just never learned and they dropped out of school,

so it's hard and they're like really embarrassed about it.

I have to fill out job applications for them,

but it doesn't really help because most jobs,

well, you have to read something on the job, you know?

Well, I'm sorry.

I'm trying to get something other than singing.

I sing out on the street,

but lots of people sing on the street.

They've got some great voices out there singing for their supper.

Well, maybe my dad

could help your family out.

I don't know. It's so hard.

My folks are real proud.

And you, you have problems yourself.

I can't believe that you think that I've got problems.

It's just a guy.

It's not just a guy.

It's a heart and it's broken.

And it doesn't matter why your heart gets broken,

it still hurts.

Pain is pain.

Maggie, I thought I might find you here,

but Ruthie I didn't expect.

Maggie... I know, detention.

Ruthie, class started five minutes ago.

You're more than just a little late.

Sorry, you have detention, too.

This isn't your first detention, is it?

Yeah, it is.

Wow, but you're in for a treat.

It's Mr. Feinstein this week, the music teacher.

I was hoping to take band

or chorus or music appreciation from him

when I transferred here,

but the music classes are being phased out.

Oh, I sing a little bit,

but I've never taken any music classes here.

That's the only subject I know anything about, music.

It's the reason I learned how to read and write,

the reason I can do math,

the reason I stayed in school,

the reason I'm still alive.

Oh, maybe we can get him to play Gershwin.

Gershwin is magic.

I think we could use a little magic around here.

See you later, preacher girl.

What'd you do?

Nothing, really.

What a coincidence.

That's the same reason everyone else is here.

♪ Somebody loves me ♪

♪ I wonder who ♪

♪ I wonder who she can be ♪

♪ Somebody loves me ♪

♪ I wish I knew ♪

♪ Who she can be worries me ♪

♪ For every girl who passes by ♪

♪ I shout ♪

♪ Hey, maybe ♪

♪ You were meant to be ♪

♪ My loving baby ♪

♪ Somebody loves me ♪

♪ I wonder who ♪

Maybe it's you. ♪