Original subtitles

25.000 English from Closed Caption sync from 23.976 © 26.04.2024

Kaleidoscope (1990)

Your firm comes highly recommended, and I very much appreciate

your handling this matter personally.

Now, I don't suppose this will be of much help, but it is

the last photograph that I have.

These are the daughters of my dearest friends,

Sam and Solange Walker.

They died

very tragically in 1959.

I was the executor of their estate,

and was involved

in finding homes for their girls.

I want you to find them for me.

If you don't mind my asking, why do you want to do this now?

These women are in their 30s.

They have their own families, their own lives.

I lost touch with them years ago.

And now that they've grown, I want to be reassured

that they are all right.

You see,

I was unable to find a single family that would

take all three of the children.

I had to separate them.

I found this article

in "Variety" just a few weeks ago.

I can't tell whether it is the eldest daughter,

Hilary, or not.

I realize it would be

quite a coincidence.

Sometimes it's just that easy.

This has never been easy.

Sir, my firm has handled a lot of cases similar to this.

Grown children searching for their birth parents,

that sort of thing.

It seldom turns out

the way the client thought it would.

I found out that things never turn out

the way I thought they would.

I just want you to be aware that there are real

consequences when you disrupt people's lives.

The truth does not necessarily set us free.

Yeah.

I've always felt guilty

about separating those girls.

In the beginning, I thought

that as they grew older, they would

need each other less and less, but now

I've reached the end of my own life.

I realize that family becomes even more important.

I think you're the right person

to find them for me.

What do you want me to tell them when I find them?

Tell them...

I'm an old friend of the family,

and that I would very much like to reunite them

at my home in Connecticut.

This is the address.

Can you give this matter your full attention?

I want to find them as quickly as possible.

I'll do the best I can.

Thanks.

Miss Walker?

Thank you, Jennifer.

Oh, good morning.

Morning. What do we have?

The, uh, budget report

on the elections just faxed in.

Great.

Did you catch our medical special last night?

No.

Were you watching cable again?

I had a date.

Having a real life in the middle of the week?

Was it fun?

Oh, yeah. I could get used to it.

I bet.

Sounds like a great idea.

Morning, Lisa.

Good morning, Mr. Chapman.

Brenda's home with the flu,

so I've been playing secretary all morning.

I got about 42 messages for you,

not to count the 100 calls I fielded myself.

So, what do you got?

Oh, did Senator Hays call back yet?

No. Oh, I didn't think so.

Steve called from New Orleans. Yeah.

He says he needs 500 more in expenses

in two more days, but he's very close.

Okay, have Sheila send him the money.

"Traviata" tickets confirmed. Yeah?

Oh, and, uh, these came by messenger.

What's that?

Great seats. They are? Good.

Who would have figured? What?

The Yankees and the opera?

So sue me.

I'm a Renaissance man.

Yeah, right. What's with the shirts from France?

Now, I know a guy on 53rd. He could...

Thank you, Debi.

One more thing. What?

Your ex-wife called.

How did she seem?

So-so. Yeah?

She said she got the check,

and uh, she just wanted to talk.

Yeah? I think she misses you.

Okay, I'll give her a call.

Look, uh, leave the rest of that stuff

on the desk and get a temp

to handle the phones, will you?

I want you to do a background check

on Hilary Walker,

CBA News.

What for?

Well, she may be one of three sisters

I'm trying to locate for Arthur Patterson.

The big shot entertainment attorney?

Yeah.

So give me something easy.

I just did.

Excuse me.

I'd like to see Hilary Walker, please.

Do you have an appointment?

Yes.

Her assistant's at the second desk around the corner.

Thank you very much.

Excuse me.

Hi. I'm John Chapman.

I'd like to see Hilary Walker.

Sometime in this century, right?

That would be nice.

Let's see...

I'd like to see her as soon as possible.

It's personal.

Oh, well, uh, why don't you have a seat

and I'll see what I can do.

Paula, it's okay.

I'm expecting him.

Come on in.

You're, uh...

tapes haven't arrived yet.

I was hoping that you might have brought some with you.

Uh, I'm afraid that, that...

Oh, that's okay.

I'll have, uh, Paula call the affiliate again.

Okay. We'll take care of it.

Well, uh, sit down.

Thank you.

Let's take a look at you.

I'm afraid you're going to be

very disappointed when you find...

Are you kidding? You're terrific.

You realize, of course, our producer is your #1 fan.

He saw you in Atlanta and said

you had the quality we're looking for.

Walter Cronkite had it.

People more than believed in him, they trusted him.

You don't have much of a Southern accent, do you?

No, no, I don't.

That's because I'm not from Atlanta.

There's a little bit of a mix up here.

My name is John Chapman.

I'm from Chapman and Associates

right here in New York.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Oh my God. I'm so embarrassed.

Obviously I thought you were... That's okay.

someone else. It's all right.

I don't suppose you're here to audition

for the early morning anchor job?

No, I'm not.

Actually, I'm a private investigator.

Oh, well, you know, I'm, uh, I'm really rushed.

If you want to leave your card with my assistant,

I'll get back to you.

Well, this will only take a few moments.

Well, I have eight,

and I need two to walk down the hall.

Well, I'll only take four, okay? Okay.

Okay. I'm working for a client

who's looking for a woman named Hilary Walker.

He saw your picture in "Variety"

and hoped that you might be the right one.

He doesn't know for sure,

because he lost contact with her 30 years ago

when she moved to Boston with her aunt and uncle,

Larry and Eileen Miller.

No, no. I'm, I'm sorry.

I'm not the woman you're looking for.

Uh, I've spent my whole life here in Manhattan.

Well, I knew it was a long shot.

I'm sorry to bother you.

That's okay.

Let's just say we're even

on mistaken identities.

Oh, everyone's in the conference room.

Would you like me to call and order lunch for you?

Uh, yes, please.

Uh, Chinese or deli?

Um, corned beef with Russian.

And call and find out what's holding up the tapes.

Good luck.

Thank you.

Thanks.

Hey.

You hungry?

Always.

I have the background on Hilary Walker for you.

Oh, I met her.

She's, uh, she's very interesting,

but she's not the right one.

Are you sure?

There's something a little strange.

I mean, she's a big network exec, right?

So you'd think that there'd be some mention in her bio

about her background, her family.

But it's like she hatched out of an egg full-blown at 24

except for one reference to her having entered Columbia

after graduating from high school in Boston.

Boston?

Yeah.

Anything else?

I checked her out at Columbia.

Yeah?

Get this-- her letter of recommendation

was written by a social worker,

which is a little weird.

You know what?

When's the next shuttle to Boston?

I don't know.

Well, find out.

Okay.

Listen, get me a sandwich, will you?

Yeah, you got it.

Welcome to Boston, ladies and gentlemen.

We hope you enjoyed your flight.

The temperature at Logan International is currently 68 degrees.

Did you receive the judge's orders

to open the files on Hilary Walker?

Yes, but there wasn't a lot there.

Now, she was in four different foster homes.

She spent the last three years of high school

in juvenile hall

in Boston.

She didn't get into any trouble.

She was withdrawn,

no real friends.

Hmm.

She was taken from her uncle's house

a few months after her aunt died.

The uncle never applied for custody.

What was his name?

Larry Miller.

Uh, Larry died about six years ago.

It was a heart attack.

I'm looking for their niece, uh, Hilary Walker.

Um, you should have come looking 25 years ago.

Why is that? What happened?

Would you care for a seat, Mr. uh...?

Uh, Chapman. Yeah, thank you.

I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me.

Time I've got.

So, what can you tell me about Hilary?

Oh, God.

I hardly recognized her when, when I saw her.

What happened was,

it was some time not too long after Eileen died.

Hilary was, hmm, almost 14.

She had been living with them for about five years, I guess.

I found her here on the porch one morning.

She had come here in the night to hide or to get away.

When I saw her, I thought she was dead.

She was all huddled up like a frightened animal.

She didn't have

any clothes on.

She was lying in her own blood.

She was so pale, so still.

The police told me later

that her Uncle Larry had come after her,

and she stopped him with a knife,

but not before he had beaten her half to death.

I got her to the hospital

and I never saw her again.

I've always wondered what happened to that child.

Hi.

Did you find your news anchor yet?

Still looking. Yeah?

Did you come back to apply?

Oh, no, no, no.

You remember the movie "Broadcast News",

where the, the guy gets his big break, his big chance,

and he, uh, he reads the news and he sweats like a pig?

Mm-hmm.

Well, that's me.

Some people are better off

behind the scenes, you know.

Listen, the reason I, uh, I'm here is 'cause

I figured you might not want to see me if I called first.

I did a little checking.

You didn't grow up in New York.

You lived in Boston with your aunt and uncle, until you...

What do you want?

Are you really a private investigator?

Yeah, you got it.

Who hired you?

Arthur Patterson.

Let me ask you something.

Do you ever think about the people you work for?

Do you ever question their motives?

I try not to make judgments.

Do yourself a favor: question his.

Why? What do you mean?

He, he seemed very sincere, very straightforward.

Taxi!

Listen, can we go someplace

and get a cup of coffee,

talk about this, you know?

I don't think so.

Well, just give me a couple of minutes.

I've told you I'm not the woman you're looking for,

so just leave me alone.

Mr. Patterson, I think there's a lot more

to this woman and her story than you're telling me.

I don't think it adds up.

Can you drive out

to my Connecticut house tomorrow morning?

We could talk then.

Fine.

Good. I look forward to seeing you.

Uh, do you need me to do anything for you

before I go to lunch?

No, I'm fine.

I have a little headache.

I could use a, a break.

Okay. I'll be back in an hour.

That's fine. You go ahead.

Is our Hilary Walker the Hilary Walker?

Yeah, I think so.

Good. One down, two to go.

Look, Brenda won't be back till Monday.

You want me to order lunch for you?

Yeah.

The usual?

No, no. I want corned beef with Russian,

and make it for two.

Get extra pickles, two root beers.

♪ Amazing grace

♪ How sweet the sound

♪ To save a wretch like me

♪ I once was lost ♪ but now I'm found

♪ Was blind but now I see.

She can't breathe with the box closed, Uncle Arthur.

You can't have her!

You can't take her away from me!

Here we go.

Come on, Meagan,

Axi, Hilly.

There we are.

Come on.

Hilary, do you remember your Aunt Eileen?

It's been a long time since I've seen you.

Why don't you all

go inside?

Are you sure it's all right for the girls to stay here?

Don't worry about anything.

I've looked after children before.

You did say you could help out with the expenses?

Oh, yeah, of course.

Now, here's a check for you.

If you need anything else, please call,

and I'll be back in a week or two.

I know it's not what you're used to, but you'll be fine.

Are there any sheets, Aunt Eileen?

They're still hanging on the back porch.

Help yourself.

How much did Arthur give you?

A hundred dollars.

I'd like to see him find somebody

in New York take care of three brats for that.

Which one are you?

This is Hilary.

She's the oldest.

She looks after the babies like a little mother.

She does everything.

Everything?

Watch what you say.

She's just a little girl.

I brought you lunch.

Corn beef, with Russian.

What am I going to do about you?

Every time I turn around,

here you are.

Well, I usually eat at my desk.

I got the impression the other day that you eat in a lot, too.

Now, what do you think?

You want a root beer, Hmm?

Okay. Thank you.

You got it.

You know, you seem like a really nice guy,

and I want to apologize

for last night.

Oh, don't even think about it.

It's just that I don't like dredging up the past.

I feel like I've got that ordeal behind me.

I admire you a lot.

Why?

Because you beat the odds.

What do you mean?

Well, you lost your parents when you were very young.

You were separated from your sisters.

How much do you know anyway?

Well, I know that things got pretty tough for you

after your Aunt Eileen died

and left you with Larry.

Yeah, it was a nightmare.

Damn it.

Why is Arthur doing this?

Why does he want to bring all this up again?

Well, he struck me as a man

who wants to make amends.

A man who's seeking absolution.

He wants to reunite you with your sisters.

22 two years ago, I asked him for help.

Did he tell you that?

No, I didn't think so.

Why don't you ask him what he did?

And tell him to go to hell.

Mr. Patterson's waiting for you in the den.

Thank you.

Mr. Chapman.

You lied to me.

You told me you hadn't had any contact

with those women since they were children.

Why didn't you help Hilary when she came to you?

What did she tell you?

She told me to tell you to go to hell.

She came to me, when she was about 18.

She wanted me to help her find her sisters,

but she was so angry and out of control

I was afraid of what she might do.

She had every right to be angry.

Did she tell you what happened to her,

how she was abused and brutalized?

No. She never said anything.

How could you leave a little girl

with people like Larry and Eileen Miller?

Eileen Miller

was Sam's sister.

She seemed capable.

I tried, God knows I tried

to find Hilary another home,

but no one wanted an older child.

I thought about keeping

those little girls myself.

I've always been a bachelor.

It was 1959.

I didn't know if I could manage three little girls

under the age of ten,

even if the courts would have given me permission.

I have to talk to Hilary.

I want to tell her how sorry I am.

She said she won't come.

Please, try to convince her to change her mind.

I need her forgiveness.

You hired me to find three women,

not to barter with their emotions.

I don't know.

Maybe if you, maybe if you give her a little time

you can contact her yourself.

I'm afraid time is one thing I don't have.

I'm dying.

The doctors have done everything they can.

I'm not a particularly religious man,

but Sam and Solange were my best friends.

Their memory and the girls are all that I have left,

and I would like to make my peace.

Maybe she'll change her mind

when she finds out that we found the other two, but I doubt it.

Well, I know that you will do your best.

I'll see myself out.

My God.

Look at her, Sam.

She's beautiful.

(woman speaking French)

(both speaking French)

He's making her leave

because she can only pay for coffee.

Well, then, tell him we'll pay for her meal.

(speaking French)

No, no.

(speaking French)

Excusez-moi, Mademoiselle?

We can't let her leave.

Mademoiselle? Would you...

Ask her if she'll have dinner with us.

(speaking French)

(speaking French)

Wait, p-please.

Thank you,

but I don't eat with soldiers.

Not French, not German,

not American.

When was the last time you had a good meal?

Please,

let us buy you dinner.

I can't, no.

I'd love to see the waiter bring you

anything you want on the menu.

I think you are...

sincere, but...

I'm Sam, and this is Arthur.

And you're...

Solange Betoit.

Solange Betoit.

You're very quiet today.

I was thinking about my family.

We spent our Sundays here when I was younger.

Do you know where they are now?

Are they safe?

I've lost them all now.

My father was killed in the Odon Forest.

My mother died with, um, tuberculosis.

My brother joined the resistance.

He was turned in,

killed by a collaborator.

I lost my parents before the war.

Then you understand.

What I've been through is nothing

compared to what you've survived.

Maybe.

How does anyone know?

Got it.

So, where's Sam?

I don't know.

He said he'd be working here with you.

I haven't seen him.

The orders just came in.

We're moving out in three hours.

All right.

If you see Sam, tell him I'll be back in a little while.

I, uh,

got to say good-bye to a friend.

Solange?

Solange?

I don't know how much longer this fighting can go on,

but when this is over...

Don't.

Don't make any promises.

This has been the most wonderful month of my life.

I want to take care of you.

I love you, Solange.

Okay, I'll be gone a day or two,

depending on when I get

to see Hilary's sister, Alexandra.

So where did her mother finally surface?

In Paris, Milan, Saint Tropez?

South Carolina.

Would you believe it?

I spoke to Margaret yesterday afternoon.

So, what's she like?

Uh, Southern.

Oh. Good luck.

Thanks.

This house belonged to my third husband.

I just love it here.

Here.

Oh, thank you. Mm-hmm.

Of course, it isn't like it used to be,

but it is the South.

May I, uh, give you some more iced tea?

Oh, no thanks. I'm fine.

Have you told your daughter yet?

No, not yet.

Well, I was hoping to see her while I'm here.

I was hoping to convince you to drop the entire thing.

I'm sorry. I-I don't understand.

Let me ask you something.

Are the other women, uh, pursuing this reunion?

Well, we haven't located Meagan yet.

Hilary has ambivalent feelings.

So, all of the fuss is really for Arthur,

isn't it?

Very high price to pay

to soothe an old man's conscience.

What do you mean?

I know what men are like

when they get to a certain age, especially men

like Arthur, who spend their life pouring all

of their energy into their work.

They get old, they get reflective,

and God help us all when they get philosophical.

Please, sit down.

Thank you.

My daughter is 35 years old.

She has two beautiful daughters of her own.

Her husband is up for reelection this year.

Did I mention that on the telephone?

Yes, you did.

Alexandra's

husband is from a very fine old family

that has a long tradition of political involvement.

He has an absolutely pure record.

He's so squeaky clean,

he borders on boring.

I'm sorry, but I...

I don't understand what telling Alexandra

about her past has to do with her husband's campaign.

Honey, people in the South just love a good scandal,

but it doesn't get them elected,

certainly... not now.

Do you have any idea what will happen

when I tell my daughter,

who has no memory of her family,

her sisters, and certainly not

of the circumstances

surrounding her parents' death?

What will happen to her,

to her husband, when

the story comes out?

Whatever the-the consequences,

don't you think these women have a moral right

to know about each other,

to pursue their relationship, if that's what they want?

Moral right?

It all depends.

Perhaps.

Perhaps not.

Senator, so glad you could make it.

We had our doubts as to whether you'd be back from Washington.

And as I recall, you promised me a billiards game.

No way I was gonna miss that.

You'll wish you forgot.

Henry, nice to see you.

We missed you at the club last Wednesday.

Emily and Marie-Louise,

do y'all remember Miss Templeton?

Very nice to see you girls. Hello.

Why don't you come on inside?

Friends,

may I have your attention for a moment, please?

Alexandra and I would like to thank you all.

Not only for being here with us today,

but for being with us

through the last 12 years.

As I look across this room,

I can see the backbone of my political career.

It's because of you that I was elected,

and I want to thank you all for your support.

But I don't want you to get the wrong impression.

Today is not about politics.

Today is about friends being together.

Besides, we still have--

what is it Bob, two, three weeks--

before we start the next campaign push?

Two or three minutes, maybe.

Excuse me.

Listen, kids, why don't y'all go get something

to drink, okay? Okay.

The girls look adorable.

Oh, thank you, Ma.

Dear, do you have some time tomorrow?

I'd... like to come and have a talk with you.

Of course, Mother.

Alexandra.

You-You'll excuse me. I'm being summoned.

Once again, you put your money on a three-legged horse.

That so?

Whoa!

Everybody gone?

Yeah.

Well, I thought it went real well.

You did?

Next time, you might try

to pick a more appropriate dress for Emily.

You know how careful I am about the girls' clothes.

I thought she looked beautiful.

So, what did you think of the caterers?

I thought they were fine.

They were late.

I much prefer the other caterers.

They were very responsible.

I wanted to try someone new.

I thought they did a splendid job.

Well, I was disappointed.

I don't think we should use them again.

Sometimes I think nothing I do ever suits you.

Don't I ever do anything right?

Well, of course you do. You were

the prettiest woman at the party tonight.

This is the hardest thing that I ever had to do,

but I have no choice,

because if I don't tell you,

someone else will.

Tell me what?

I want you to know that I've loved you

from the very first minute that I laid eyes on you.

And if I did anything wrong,

it was because I wanted to protect you.

Did what?

Mother, you're not making any sense.

You remember when we moved to Atlanta?

Vaguely.

Do you remember living in New York before that?

No, I couldn't have been more than five.

You were four.

When your father and I... adopted you.

What?

We adopted you when you were four years old.

Why didn't you tell me this before?

I was afraid to tell you the truth.

What did you think I was going to do?

You're my mother. I love you.

I didn't want our relationship to change.

I couldn't bear the idea of being

any less than your real mother.

So, where are they now?

Are they living?

No, we adopted you after their deaths.

Your father was a, an actor on Broadway.

I saw him in a play once.

I saw pictures of your mother.

She was French, very beautiful.

How did they die?

It was so tragic.

Everyone who knew them were devastated by what happened.

What?

Evidently there was a terrible argument.

Nobody knows what it was about.

Oh, it's so hard

to tell you these things.

What exactly happened?

Your mother was killed...

by your father.

Oh, my God.

Was he crazy?

No, no.

I was told that he loved her very much.

They think it must have been

some kind of jealous rage.

Nobody knows.

That's all I know.

What happened to him?

He was arrested and...

committed suicide in his cell

several days later,

leaving you and, uh...

Me and...?

You have two sisters.

Where?

What happened to them?

They were adopted by other families.

Hilary was about eight when it happened

and the youngest was just a baby.

Her name is Meagan.

I understand why you didn't tell me about my parents,

but how could you keep this from me?

I have a family-- sisters.

Where are they now?

Do they know about me?

I don't know.

The man who arranged the adoption--

he has hired a private investigator

to find the three of you.

He wants to bring you all together.

Did my mother have long hair?

Did she?

Yes.

I used to dream of a woman with long hair.

I sat in her lap and she sang to me.

Henry, can I talk to you a minute?

Sure, honey, what is it?

Promise you'll listen with an open mind?

I know you're upset.

I'm not upset.

I just don't think you should go to Connecticut

to see these people.

Those people are my sisters.

I've thought about this all day, Henry.

This is something I really want to do.

What's going to happen

if word of your little reunion gets out?

It's a private thing, Henry.

It's not being covered by the press.

I'll tell you what's going to happen.

People are going to laugh at me, pure and simple.

All these years I've held you up as Southern royalty.

The distinguished Judge Gorham's daughter

from Atlanta.

I've flown your credentials like the Confederate flag.

I have put my life on hold for you so many times before.

Please don't do this to me now.

Honey, you're talking about one weekend.

I'm talking about my whole life,

my political future.

Please, Henry.

I've already made my decision.

So have I.

I'm going.

Yes?

Hi. How you doing?

I'm okay.

Look, I know you were upset last time we spoke,

but I thought you might like to know

that I'm still trying to locate Meagan,

but I met your other sister, Alexandra.

Axi?

Yeah. She's a terrific lady.

She wants very much to see you.

She's coming to Connecticut.

Tell her, tell her that...

that I love her very much, but that I just can't.

Hilary, what...

Uncle Arthur.

Where's your Aunt Eileen?

Upstairs with Meagan.

Would you tell her that I'm here, please?

Hilary, please stay.

I thought, uh...

I wanted to tell you something.

Is something wrong?

Your sisters are going to go away

for a little while.

Why?

Because there's no way

to keep them together any longer.

I tried. I really tried.

I found two wonderful homes.

One for Meagan, one for Axi.

I know, it's not fair,

but you're the oldest.

You have to be brave for the others.

Please don't leave me here.

It won't be for long, I promise.

Just as soon as I can find you another family...

I already have a family.

You can't.

I won't let you.

You can't take them away from me.

What is it? What's the matter?

Uncle Arthur is going to take you and Meagan

on a little trip.

Where are we going?

Back to New York.

Are you coming?

No, not now.

Then I don't want to go.

You have to.

If you don't go, then Meagan will be scared.

But what if I get scared?

You won't be frightened because wherever you are,

you will always know how much I love you.

I want you to always, always remember that.

I love you, Axi. That's all.

I want to stay with Hilly.

I... I know you do.

And I want you to as well.

But we have to go now.

I, uh, I'll be back for you.

Soon.

I promise.

Hilly! Hilly!

Hilly!

I thought we had already found the Walker woman.

Is that supposed to mean something?

There are a couple of other cases

that could use a little of your attention,

but hey, it's none of my business, right?

Right.

What do you got on the younger sister?

That's why I came in. Here's the deal on her.

Meagan's adopted father, John Kincaid, and his wife Rebecca were very active

in the civil rights movement. They eventually set up

a full-scale legal office in Biloxi, Mississippi, which closed in 1974.

He retired, and they moved to Berkeley, California.

She's practicing in a San Francisco law firm.

- I have all the phone numbers. - Good.

Let's make some phone calls.

Hi.

Hi.

Paula tell you where I live?

She likes me.

Must be hell to live with all that charm.

Hey, can I buy you a hot dog?

Mm, I love these hot dogs.

Mm-hmm.

Can I ask you something personal?

Okay.

Yeah?

Do you like opera?

Not really.

No? What about baseball.

- Passionately. - Really? Okay, forget the opera.

Baseball is good. Baseball's better.

You didn't come here to talk about baseball.

Have you found Meagan yet?

Yes, I have.

I'm flying out to see her next weekend.

Where is she?

She's in San Francisco. She's a doctor.

Oh, she was the sweetest baby.

She had this little round face with big, bright eyes.

Seems strange to think of her as a grown woman, a doctor.

Meagan? Wait up.

Can you cover me on rounds this afternoon?

Sorry.

I'll trade you a Saturday.

Any other day I would, but I can't this afternoon.

I'm on my way out.

Why? What's going on?

I'm getting pregnant.

Anybody I know?

Cute, very cute.

Everything went perfectly.

I want you to just relax

for a half hour some more,

and then go home and take it easy.

It takes a couple of days after in vitro fertilization

before you can resume your normal activities.

We know the drill.

Yeah.

We'll check your HCG levels in a week

to make sure you're maintaining your pregnancy.

Good luck.

Thanks, Doc.

Thanks, Doc.

I can remember when I thought getting pregnant was gonna be fun.

Yeah, so can I.

It'll be fun again, once we have a baby.

He seems like a very nice man.

That's it. That's all I know

about your parents and your sisters.

Let me ask you something.

Did you know that you were adopted?

Mm, always.

Yeah. Did you ever try to find your birth parents?

Well, once when I was 12,

I asked my mom if she knew anything

about my quote "real mother."

The way she looked at me.

It was one of those moments

when words are hanging in the air

and you just want to reel them back in.

I never asked again.

What do you think?

When can you get away to meet your sisters?

What about weekend after next?

Honey, are you sure

you don't mind changing our plans?

I know you were looking forward

to getting away for the weekend.

Well, right now I think what's more important

is for you to meet your sisters.

I think you're the most wonderful man

in the entire world.

Yeah, well, you always say that

when I'm washing the dishes.

Yeah, well, there is something sexy

about a guy standing over a sink.

Get a towel and dry.

I hope we don't lose this baby.

Don't worry.

No, Miss Walker has the number.

Just tell her, please,

that John Chapman called

and that I'm at the office or at home. Thank you.

If you want my opinion,

the lady is not going to return your call,

here or at home.

You know what? You're right.

Where are you going?

Right,

a man with a mission.

How did you find me here?

Finding people is what I do for a living,

do you remember?

You wouldn't return my phone calls.

I'm sorry.

We're retooling the morning show,

and it's been crazy.

Yeah. You know what?

I like you better when you're abrupt.

It's more honest.

Look, you've done your job.

I got your message.

I know my sisters are flying in this next weekend,

but I'm not going, John. I can't.

Hilary, you know what?

You can make any excuses you want,

but I know this is important to you.

You're obsessive.

I'm obsessive?

Yes, you are. What about you?

I know you want to help,

but I have to make my peace in my own way.

I can't face seeing Arthur again.

I won't go to his house.

Okay.

I like your persistence.

It's one of the best things about you.

But trust me on this one.

I'm trying, believe me.

Why can't you just let it alone?

My assistant keeps asking me the same question.

Do yourself a favor and take her advice.

You know what? You're right.

You're both right.

Are you busy this evening?

Are you asking me on a date?

Yeah, sure, why not?

I don't know. Let me think about it.

So, you thought about it?

I have a speech to write for the affiliates,

and three cost reports to go over.

Come on.

Well, I guess you could come by my apartment for dinner tonight.

Great, fine.

8:00?

I'll be there.

Do you need the address, or...

Yeah, you've already got it.

Hi. Hi.

Come on in. Thank you.

I'm sorry I didn't have time to cook.

Oh, uh, okay. I'll tell you what.

Why don't we go out and get something then?

Oh, no, there's, uh, lots of food.

I bought a ton of stuff.

Oh, okay.

I hope you're hungry. Sure.

Whoa. I'm impressed.

Why?

Well, you didn't just buy food.

You took the trouble to go to three different places here.

How did you know?

Well...

Oh, the bags.

You're very good at this, aren't you?

At what?

At observing things.

Is that why you became a private investigator?

No, I fell into that after law school, actually.

It was the only thing I could think of that would, uh, here.

Thank you.

That would totally outrage my family.

And I'm good at it,

so, uh... here I am.

Here you are.

Shall we go the living room?

Sure.

Oh, look.

I brought you something.

What?

It's a photograph.

Those are Alexandra's daughters.

This is, uh, Emily.

This is Mary Louise.

They're so beautiful. Yeah.

How old are they?

Well, Emily is 12,

and Mary Louise is six.

It's kind of hard to tell

from the picture,

but I think that the younger one

looks like Meagan.

Arthur gave me this.

Mama bought us those dresses to wear for Daddy's birthday party.

They were navy and white

and maybe you can see in the picture.

They had little red cherries on them

or something on the collar.

She bought them at Bergdorf Goodman.

I remember the day we picked them out.

Did you ever try to find your sisters on your own?

Once.

But I didn't get very far,

when Arthur refused to help me.

I guess I should have hired you.

I guess so.

Yeah.

You know something?

You remind me of my therapist.

Is that good or bad?

No, no, I liked her, but, uh...

Well, good.

The point is she couldn't save me,

and you can't either.

What do you mean? Save you from what?

When exactly did you decide to rescue me?

Is that what you think I'm doing?

I think it's a mistake to try.

I think it's time you trusted me.

Why?

Because I care about you.

I should go.

I'll call you in the morning.

Good night.

Will you come to Connecticut with me?

When did you decide to go?

Just now.

Yes, I will.

- What is it? - I'm bleeding.

Sure you're strong enough to make the trip to Connecticut?

Physically, I'm fine.

It's just not fair.

We'll just try again, and we'll keep trying until it takes.

If that's what you want.

We're on a real roller coaster.

They've got you so pumped up with hormones,

I just don't think that you can look

at this thing objectively anymore.

What do you mean by that?

For the past eight months

we've been poked, we've been prodded.

Our sex life has become scheduled and mechanical.

There's damn little to us that's private anymore.

It's time for us to just pull back

and look at other alternatives.

There are lots of ways

you can have kids in your life.

We've been through this before.

In-vitro's our only choice.

It's the only chance we have.

Look, all I'm saying is that I think it's time

to open ourselves up to some other possibilities.

We haven't even talked about adoption.

Why can't I be like everyone else?

Why can't I have my own baby?

Hi. I'm John Chapman.

Miss Walker is expecting me.

Uh, I don't think so.

She left early this morning for the airport.

Happy New Year, John.

Let me buy you a drink. Come on.

Have you seen any of this week's rehearsal?

I can't wait for opening night.

Sam is brilliant.

He's never been better.

It's the best role he's ever had.

Where did you meet her?

Oh, her father is one of our firm's clients.

I think she's very nice.

We have to find you a girl.

I found one once,

but I lost her.

Are you happy?

(speaking French)

Yes, I am happy.

Sam, aren't you a little early for kissing?

It's not midnight yet.

Solange.

Sam, wait.

Solange.

Sam, you've had too much to drink.

Let me go.

Ye... yeah.

Please, get me a cab.

Yes, ma'am.

Solange.

Solange, here you are.

Is there anything I can do?

Please walk with me.

I am pregnant.

I haven't told Sam yet.

I was going to tell him tonight.

You have to understand.

Actors-- they are easily distracted.

They sometimes forget what, what is real,

what is important.

But, you know, this is not the first time.

But Sam loves me.

He always comes back to me.

Most women would sue him for divorce,

take him for everything he's got.

I don't want things.

I just want him.

- Beautiful house. - Sure is.

Meagan's waiting for you out on the porch.

If you'll excuse me, I have to check on Mr. Patterson.

Certainly. Come on.

Meagan.

- I'm Alexandra. - It's wonderful to meet you.

Did you just get in?

Uh, just about a half an hour ago.

- Have you seen Mr. Patterson yet? - No, not yet.

I've been looking forward to this for several weeks,

but now that I'm here, I'm not altogether sure

what I'm supposed to do.

There are so many questions I want to ask you.

Uh, where you went to medical school, who your husband is, what's he like.

The list just goes on and on.

Well, grill away, 'cause I've got a whole set

of questions for you, too.

I'll get it.

Thanks. Come on. Sit down.

Hello.

Oh. I didn't expect you to answer the door.

Well, I didn't expect you to stand me up.

- I'm sorry. - That's okay. I understand.

The important thing is you're here now.

Come on in. There's some people I want you to meet.

Hilary.

Axi.

Meagan?

I never thought we'd see each other again.

I can't believe you married a senator.

You have two beautiful children.

You live in such a wonderful house.

Well, my wonderful house

is more like a shrine to Henry's parents.

He was born there.

In the 14 years I've lived there,

he hasn't allowed me to even change a lampshade.

Don't get me started on all that.

What was it you called me when you first came in?

Axi.

It was your nickname.

Don't you remember?

Well, Mama started calling you Axi

when you were just a baby.

She said Alexandra was too much name for a little girl.

I don't remember her calling me Axi.

I do remember something else.

There was an attic room,

and you and I were sitting on the bed. Where was that?

- Aunt Eileen's. - You called me Axi,

and you brushed my hair and told me you would always love me.

The hairbrush was white with...

Pink roses.

That's the first real memory I've ever had of my childhood.

Well, you were so young.

You know, what I remember is not so much what happened,

it's more...it's like the color of things,

not the things themselves... till now.

Ladies?

Arthur?

This is Meagan...

...Alexandra...

...and Hilary.

I am so very honored.

Thank you all for coming.

Thank you

for inviting us.

There's so much I want to know about our parents.

John says you knew them very well.

I did.

Yes, your father and I survived not only the war

but a dozen Broadway seasons together.

He was a very talented actor.

He had several offers from Hollywood.

So why didn't he go?

Oh, he would have, eventually.

But, in the '50s, you know, theater was everything.

Mm. What about Solange,

did she want to go?

Seems strange to hear you call her by her first name.

She was our mother.

I'm really sorry.

Alice, I think the girls would like to see

the picture I have of their mother.

It's on the piano.

Will you bring it to me, please?

This evening is very meaningful to me.

In fact, I would like to propose a toast

to Meagan,

Alexandra...

...and Hilary.

Although I hope you can find it in your hearts

to forgive me,

that is not the only reason I asked you here this weekend.

I wanted you to have a quiet place.

A place where you can take time out

from your busy lives and get to know one another again,

to bridge your past and your present.

So, to new beginnings.

Mm. Thank you.

Yes, this is the photograph I wanted you to see.

How old was she in this picture?

She was in her early 20s.

It was taken in New York.

She was so beautiful.

Yes.

It's one of my very favorite photographs.

It's not yours.

She didn't belong to you.

She never belonged to you.

I can't do this.

I can't eat at your table and make nice conversation,

talking about them

like they were some characters in a play.

They were real, and they were mine.

And you took it all away.

Hilary, what are you talking about?

What happened to our parents was his fault.

- What do you mean? - You and I know what happened.

What you did killed them both.

Hilary, I honestly don't know what you're talking about.

I don't understand.

I was there. I saw what happened.

Why did you bring us back together?

What were you trying to do?

I felt I owed it to you to make up for what I'd done.

And you think one little dinner party

can make up for everything you did?

Hilary, please, it doesn't matter anymore.

It does to me.

We've got to put it behind us.

We've got to get on with our lives.

You have a life to go on with.

I don't, because of what he did.

John thinks you're looking for absolution.

Well, I'm not gonna watch them give it to you,

because I was there.

I saw what happened.

I saw everything from the beginning.

Aren't you going to ask me how it went?

I can see how it went.

What's the matter with you?

I'm tired of it.

I can't live like this anymore.

Your extravagances.

Your excesses.

You think this apartment makes up for it?

I'm leaving you, and I'm taking the girls.

No, you're not. I won't let you.

You've cheated on me for years.

It's not true.

I know who you took to California.

I know who you were with last night.

It doesn't matter because I don't care anymore.

I'm leaving you, and I want a divorce.

What are you going to do?

You still think the whole world

revolves around your entrances and exits?

Well, you're wrong.

I won't give you a divorce,

so don't ask again.

I don't have to ask you. No?

I could have you followed.

I could have had 50 divorces by now.

You got some kind of proof or what?

I don't need proof.

There is nothing left between us.

I pity you.

Don't say that.

Did you think I would let you humiliate me forever?

You think I would forgive and forgive?

Did it ever occur to you

that finally I would look elsewhere

for comfort, for love?

I'm leaving you because I'm in love with someone else.

What do you mean?

Well, who is it?

Arthur.

No.

No, I don't believe you.

It started years ago.

We'd meet in the afternoons in his apartment.

I was with him at his house in Connecticut when...

No! Shut up.

I won't let you take my girls.

I won't let you take them with you.

They're not all your girls.

She told him that Meagan wasn't his daughter,

that she was yours.

Damn you!

No!

Daddy...!

No...!

Please don't!

Daddy, no!

Daddy, you're going to hurt her!

Daddy, don't!

You, you!

Stop! Please stop!

Mommy!

Mommy!

Oh, Mommy!

No...!

Mommy!

Oh!

All those years.

Why didn't you come back for me?

I...

I was afraid of your anger.

How could you have been afraid of me?

I was just a little girl.

You took my family away from me.

I'll never forgive you for that,

never.

Alexandra,

let her go.

Meagan...

I never knew you were mine.

So, have you seen Arthur this morning?

Just briefly.

I didn't know what to do or say.

I hope you don't think I'm horrible.

For what?

Well, in the last two weeks, I've gained two sisters,

a mother, and now two fathers.

I think I'm just taking it all a little bit too calmly.

I always thought I'd have such strong emotional ties

to my biological mother and father.

You know, like I'd see them

and I'd immediately feel a part of them.

You know, when Emily was about three months old,

she looked at me.

I mean, really looked at me.

And I realized that even though she came from my body,

she wasn't a part of me.

I saw her separateness.

There was somebody inside this tiny little infant.

It completely changed the way I thought about raising children.

How so?

From the beginning, we are who we are.

Hopefully, we have parents

who can help us get better at it.

Hmm. I was so lucky, I did.

Obviously, look at you.

You're a doctor.

Well, you have two beautiful children.

I... I really envy you.

You'll be a wonderful mother,

'cause you had a wonderful mother.

Yeah.

Tell me about your parents.

What's Margaret like?

Unusual.

Complicated, loving.

I could always depend on that.

You and I were both very lucky.

I can't even imagine

the kind of life Hilary must have had.

It reminds me of the kaleidoscope

I gave Mary Louise last year for her birthday.

You turn it a fraction and the same pieces

fall into completely different patterns.

One moment the flowers,

and next the demons breathing fire.

Seems terribly wrong Hilary was left to the demons.

Sure does.

I wish she were here.

I miss her.

You know, I miss her, too.

- Promise you'll stay in touch? - I promise.

Bye, now.

Bye.

And don't say you're surprised.

I'm not.

Come on in. Yeah?

Thank you.

How are you? Fine.

Yeah? How are you?

Oh, I'm great, great.

Hey, I got a surprise for you.

What? Here.

Hmm.

Season tickets for the Yankees? Yeah.

But the games don't even start until...

Well, I plan on being around.

I'm so glad you stopped by.

I needed to talk to you.

I spent the entire flight home

trying to make a mental picture of my life.

And I could see my two daughters clearly,

but somehow I couldn't envision my marriage.

I think you depend on Henry.

That's just it, I don't.

You and the girls are the only constant in my life.

I'm pleased to be counted among the constant.

I know you were worried about my meeting my sisters.

"Terrified" would be more to the point.

I didn't know what meeting your other family

would do to us, what, uh...

how it would affect our relationship.

Oh, Mama.

You are and have been as long as I can remember my real mother.

No one's ever gonna change that.

Oh.

Thank you for letting me know.

Good-bye.

Arthur's in the hospital.

He's dying.

You want to fly back east and see him?

I don't know what I want to do.

What is it, you afraid of taking more time off?

No, that's not it at all.

If I go, what do I say to him?

Well, you'll know what to say.

He has doctors.

What if what he needs is a daughter?

Nurse Overland, please page the operator.

Nurse Overland...

It's good to see you again.

I was so pleased when I heard you were coming.

I'm happy I could come.

Is there anything I can do for you?

It's enough just having you here.

Sure I can't get you something?

There is one thing.

I haven't spoken to anyone about my funeral.

I don't want anything very formal or too sad,

just simple and dignified, hopefully.

You look tired.

Are you sure you want to talk about this now?

I sleep too much.

It's the medication.

It's very difficult to handle the pain now.

I've never been very brave.

Without Sam, I don't think I would have survived the war.

He saved my life more than once.

I'll talk to your doctor.

I told him you were my daughter.

I hope you don't mind.

Why would I mind?

I am.

Sometimes when you tilt your head that way

you look just like her.

Don't feel guilty about what happened.

I can't imagine my life any other way than it was.

My parents are wonderful people.

Wheelchair to Reception for maternity check-in.

I don't want to be gone too long.

He's really weak.

Look, I feel like I've been here a month

instead of three days.

Maybe that's because this is the first time

in eight years you've been still.

I keep thinking about what happened to Hilary

and what you said about it being time for us

to consider other alternatives.

How would you feel about adopting an older child?

I only wish...

that I'd known you better...

and longer.

Dr. Lee to Admitting. Dr. Lee to Admitting.

I never expected to feel this much.

It's okay. It's okay.

I didn't either.

Hello?

Hilary, it's Meagan.

I-I'm at the hospital.

I just wanted you to know...

Arthur died this evening.

Oh. I'm sorry.

The services will be on Saturday

at the small cemetery near his house in Connecticut.

Oh, I don't think I can make it.

Is Luke there with you?

Yeah, he's here.

I just wanted you to know, that's all.

I really wish there was something more

I could do for you.

I'll be okay.

Bye, Hilary.

Arthur died.

Meagan was with him.

How is she?

I envy her, her feelings.

Honey? Mm-hmm.

I've decided to go to the funeral with you.

You have?

I'm surprised.

I had a long talk with Bob last night.

I think we figured out a way to put a spin

on this murder- suicide thing.

You see, we don't wait for the press to pick it up.

We come out with it ourselves,

and, in fact, we make it appear

as though I was instrumental

in bringing your family together.

He's already arranged to have a photographer

there at the funeral.

No.

Oh, don't worry, honey.

He's on the payroll.

I will not let you turn

this poor man's funeral into a circus.

He'll be very discreet.

It's out of the question.

It's been arranged.

I am taking the children to the funeral.

I don't want you or your photographer there.

Now, what are you doing?

I'm calling Bob and canceling the arrangements myself.

You're out of line.

Who do you think you are?

I'm an adult, Henry, a grown-up.

What is that supposed to mean?

Hopefully you and I can find that out together,

but you've got to stop treating me

like a child.

You and I need to spend

some time together, Henry,

trying to find out if this marriage works.

What are you talking about?

There's nothing wrong with this marriage.

There's nothing wrong with yours,

but there's plenty wrong with ours.

I make your life simpler.

I do jobs for you,

but they're just that-- jobs.

I might as well be the hired help.

I want a real marriage, Henry,

one with intimacy, and sharing

and respect.

Life is too short for anything less.

Hi.

Hi.

Come on, honey.

Come on.

Oh, hi.

This is Mary Louise.

Hello, nice to meet you.

And Emily.

Hi, Emily. How are you?

Hello.

How are you doing?

Girls are unpacking.

Where's Luke?

He'll be out in a minute.

I'm sorry Hilary couldn't be here for you.

It's okay.

I do love this house.

Being here is like being very old

and very young all at the same time.

Arthur left it to the three of us.

Did he?

He set up a trust to keep and maintain the house for us.

In his will, he said that he had hoped

it would become our summer home.

Guess he wanted us to have a place

where we could all come together,

bring our families, share our lives.

You're okay?

Yeah.

Lord, grant us that we may find

through the love we have for one another and our God

a measure of that greater peace

that our friend Arthur Patterson surely has found.

Amen.

Unto Almighty God we commend

the soul of our brother departed.

We commit his body to the ground, dust to dust,

in sure and certain hope of the resurrection unto eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

♪ Amazing grace, ♪ how sweet the sound

♪ That saved a wretch like me

♪ I once was lost, ♪ but now I'm found

♪ Was blind, but now I see

♪ 'Twas grace that taught ♪ my heart to fear

Thank you.

♪ And grace my fears relieved

♪ How precious did ♪ that grace appear

♪ The hour I first believed.