Abandoned and Deceived (1995) - full transcript

come on.
let's go.

now, learn something
good today.

I'll make you
porcupine meatballs
for dinner.

yeah!

yeah!

all right.
whoa! whoa!
lunch! lunch!

here you go.
good-bye kiss!

bye, mom!

bye!

bye.

President Reagan
took the opportunity



to once again characterize
the Soviet union

as america's greatest enemy,

calling it, "the focus of evil
in the modern world."

the president later visited...

can I have one?

to discuss support for his
strategic defense initiative,

the space-age laser technology

intended to protect america
from any and all aggressors.

during the meeting
at the hill,

President Reagan
dismissed critics

of the u.s. marine presence
in Lebanon,

saying the mission's goals
are clearly defined

and that the u.s. personnel

are in control
of the situation.



hi, Gerri, Doug.
shall we?

did it clear up?

yes.

good. it was so gray
when I came in.

uh, excuse me.
good morning.

good morning,
Dr. peck.

I need to have a word
with Mrs. Anderson,

if you don't mind
stepping into my office.

both of us?

no, no. this will
only require you,
Gerri.

o.k.

here,
have a seat.

I apologize for
the disorder.

oh, we have
two kids.

I know
all about disorder.

yes, i'm sure.

so how would you assess

your counseling
right now, Gerri?

how's it going for you?

oh, well, um...

what's that saying
about baseball?

you don't
get into last place
all of a sudden.

you do it
one game at a time.

it's been hard.

Doug doesn't
really like to talk,
so it takes time.

he was that way
with Larry,
the other counselor,

but I think that
he's a little bit
better with Judith.

Gerri, have either
you or your husband

thought about seeing Judith
outside the center?

do you think
we need to?

no, no. i'm just wondering
if you have.

no. we come here
once a week,

and we talk
to Judith here.

why?
what's the matter?

is she moonlighting
on you?

seeing clients
on the sly?

I can't help
noticing

that you're
not smiling.

I am the administrator
of this facility.

I take my responsibilities
very seriously,

but those responsibilities
are finite.

it is not my job

to supervise
the activities
of my staff

once they leave
the premises.

you're a busy guy.

nothing like this
has ever happened before.

nothing like what?

just now,
you weren't asking

if Doug and i
were seeing Judith.

you were telling me
that Doug is seeing
Judith, right?

when things are brought
to my attention--

what sort of things?

certain potentially
inappropriate things.

somebody
saw them together.

is that it?
Doug and Judith?

where? where were
they seen?

I just want you
to understand my position.

oh, I understand.

why did you think
we were coming here?

because we were
just getting along
too well?

i'm sorry.

so where were
they seen?

at the movies?
at a restaurant?

going into a motel?

coming out
of a motel?

what I do
kind of depends
on what you tell me.

great.

like I said, nothing like this
has ever happened before.

maybe not to you.

(door closes)

Gerri!

Gerri!

what are
you doing?

walking home.

but that's 35 miles.

yeah.

you can't walk
35 miles.

how do you know?
I never tried
before.

get in the car,
and we'll talk
about it, o.k.?

talk about what?

about what happened.

what happened, Doug?

let's just
get in the car.

if somebody comes along,
I could get a ticket,

and, believe me,
I do not need
another ticket.

you slept with our
marriage counselor!

you want to talk
about this?

we'll talk
in the car.

we were
supposed to talk
to the counselor.

what? she didn't
understand the idea
of sleeping around,

so you had to
demonstrate it
for her?

just get in the car,
Gerri.

I'll drive you home.
I'll drive you back
to the center.

I'll drive you
anywhere you say

if you'll just
get back in the car.

no. I don't want
you driving me
anywhere anymore.

what is that
supposed to mean?

that means
that I am done!

no more making up
both sides of
the conversation.

no more trying to
explain to our kids

where you are when
you're not there!

whenever we change shifts
at the factory,
I work late.

I explained that.

oh, I know that.
you're very good at
explaining things,

but that's part
of the problem,
isn't it?

every time I swallow
one of your excuses,

I lose a little
piece of myself,

and I can't do that
anymore.

so that's it.
no more.

no more.

you've got a lawyer?

no, but I know where
the yellow pages are.

o.k., then.

o.k.

you don't have to sound
surprised, mom.

it's been a long time coming,
like a freight train.

well, you know, I don't know how
that works yet, mom.

this is my first divorce.

o.k. yeah, you know what?

I'll call you over the weekend
when the rates go down.

kiss dad and tell him
not to get angry at anybody.

all right.
I love you, too. bye, mom.

(boy)
see you, Jake!

see you!

(different boy)
bye, Austin!

hey, Matt, Jake...

we got to talk.

(man)
Mrs. Anderson retains
the house and contents,

except for Mr. Anderson's
personal belongings.

Mrs. Anderson assumes
the mortgage and responsibility

for the associated expenses
of the house.

Mrs. Anderson retains custody
of the minor children,

but Mr. Anderson
will have reasonable visitation.

Mrs. Anderson
waives all claims to alimony,

and Mr. Anderson
agrees to pay child support

for the minor children,

payments to be
made monthly.

I thought that you invited
more people over
than just us.

I did.

well, what happened?

I don't get it.

I didn't know
a lot of people
when we moved here.

most of my friends

were wives
of the guys
Doug works with.

I guess it's awkward
or something.

I don't know.

Doug and Tom do
a lot of stuff together.

i'm over, and I don't feel
awkward at all.

Gerri, are you o.k.?

i'm divorced.

hi.

hi.

I like our old
supermarket better.

the new one's
a thousand miles away.

I still like
the old one.

"f-i-n-a-l."

thank you.

oh, i'm starting to hate

envelopes with little
tissue-paper windows.

can I have
a pop?

drink water.

pop's made
out of water.

it's practically
the same thing.

(adding machine whirring)

this month's
lucky winner is...

the gas company.

(knock on door)

hey, where are
my troops?

there they are!
there they are!

hey, you guys
all ready, huh?

yup!

did you brush
your teeth?
let's see.

hey, how's it going?

we have to talk.

what, now?

well, it's important.

yeah?

I didn't get
a check this month.

are you
going to start in
on this again?

i'm not the one
who's late.

I'll write you
a check on Monday.

you're supposed to
write it on the 15th.

I said
I'd write it Monday.

do you have
your checkbook with you?

no, I don't have
my checkbook
with me.

I didn't think
you'd charge me
to see my kids.

this isn't blackmail,
Doug.

I depend on that money.

you can't be late with it
all the time.

i'm not late
all the time.

a lot of the time.

I said I'd send you
a check on Monday.

is that a promise?

what? you want me
to cross my heart
or something?

no. I would like you
to get the check here
on time.

yes, Doug Anderson, please.

his wife--

ex-wife.

uh, yeah.
well, can somebody

give him a message, then?

tell him to call me--
call Gerri.

it's important.

if I could reach him
at home, I would,

but I can't,
so I am calling him at work.

well, can someone please
leave him another message?

thank you.

(slams phone)

(Gerri)
I asked for
more hours at work.

they say they can't.

I call Doug at home.
he never picks up.

I call him at work.
they say they can't
find him.

the checks aren't late.

they're just not
coming at all.

well, what are you
going to do?

he's coming over
on Saturday
to see the boys.

I get to ask him
for money in front
of Matt and Jake,

which always
makes me feel
about 10 feet tall.

oh.

Suzy, does Tom talk to him?

to Doug?

do they see each other?

I don't know.

(imitating explosions)

what time is it now?

the clock's
where it always is.

honey, your dad's
just a little late.
that's all.

just an hour.

how about
we give him a call?

(telephone ringing)

he's not late.
he forgot.

he wouldn't do that.

maybe he's mad.

Jake's always
fooling around
in the car.

last time,
he yanked off
a radio knob.

honey, he isn't
mad at you,

and he hasn't
forgotten you.

then where is he?

frank, call for you
on line two.

I'd like to see
Doug Anderson, please.

you're Mrs. Anderson,
aren't you?

I used to be.

yeah, uh, Doug
is out on call
right now.

he's not here?

no. he's
out on a call
with the truck.

uh-huh.

um, but I'd be
glad to give him
a message

as soon
as he gets back.

would you please
tell him his sons
would like to know

why he didn't come over
when he said he would

and why he didn't
even call?

and tell him
if he can't be
depended on,

maybe I will
have to try
and figure out

a way to make him
keep his word.

give him that message
when he gets back
with the truck.

Virginia, would you bring
your timecard

up to the office, please?

your outgoing telephone service
has been disconnected.

please contact the business
office about reconnection.

blackout!
blackout!

everyone else has lights.

it's just us.

lucky us.

Mrs. Anderson.
Mrs. Anderson.

Mr. link.

I've been trying
to reach you.

i'm afraid
we're getting
into a situation

with your mortgage
payments.

oh, you mean how i'm
a little late sometimes?

Mrs. Anderson,
you've been missing
payments entirely.

now, the bank likes
to be flexible...

and I appreciate that.

but i'm afraid
our charter mandates

some limit
to that flexibility.

well, I guess we'll
have to do something
about that, won't we?

yes. and we need
to do it soon.

where is he?

where's who?

Doug Anderson.

don't tell me he's
out with the truck

because I am in no mood
to hear that!

Doug quit.

what?

yeah. a couple
days ago, he quit.

he said
he was moving,
so he quit.

he's moving? moving where?

I don't know.
he told Mr. shoemaker
he was leaving town,

so he had to quit.

leaving town?

didn't you know?

he already moved out
of his apartment.

i'm trying to get something
out of the people who know Doug,

but he told them
not to talk to me.

my savings are gone.

the bank is about to start
foreclosure on the house.

you're county prosecutor.

there's got to be
something you can do.

child support
is a legal obligation.

assistant.

sorry?

I am an assistant
county prosecutor.

o.k.

we can serve papers
to compel your
husband to pay you,

which we will be
happy to do...

thank you.

the minute
you locate him.

the minute I locate him?

can't serve papers
on somebody

when you don't know
where they are.
that's common sense.

I get that.
i'm still working on
why I have to find him.

we have very limited
resources

with which to do
a lot of real work.

this sort of thing
just isn't a priority

for your county
prosecutor's office.

we can't
drop everything
anytime a couple

has a disagreement
over a divorce
settlement.

you're not going to
do anything?

we will serve
the appropriate
papers.

but I have to
find him first.

you find him,
we'll serve him.

I talked to Doug's parents
in Wisconsin. thanks.

what did they say?

they said this has been
upsetting for Doug.

they don't think
it'd be healthy for him
to talk to me right now.

you're not
selling these,
are you?

that's a punch bowl,
Mrs. lyons.

I don't do a lot
of entertaining
these days.

so how are the boys?

oh, nothing
fazes Jake.

what about Matt?

(Mrs. lyons)
Gerri?

how much for this?

make me an offer.

did I do something wrong?

what was I supposed to do?

stay married to him
no matter what?

that'd be crazy.

I talked to my folks
back in Wisconsin.

they said I should
just get out of here
altogether--

just move,
go back there.

and move in
with them?

I guess so.

do you think
you'd do that?

well, there's not much
to keep me here,

now that I've sold
the punch bowl.

thanks.

maybe that's smart--

you know, going back

and going home.

I don't know.
it doesn't feel smart.

it feels like
i'm running away.

maybe there's a way
to turn it into
something smart--

figure out a way
back into nursing school.

yeah.

Suzy, does Tom
still talk to Doug?

I don't know.

well, they're best buddies.

I can't figure Doug
quitting and moving

and not mentioning it
to Tom.

um, it hasn't
really come up.

well, do you think that
there's a way you could
make it come up?

don't ask me that,
Gerri.

well, i'm pretty much
at the end of my rope
here, suz.

look, if I ask Tom
about Doug,

he's going to
know exactly
why i'm asking,

and right now,

things between
me and Tom

are really o.k.,

and I got to do what
I can to keep it
like that.

I know.

i'm sorry.

if we move, how's dad
going to find us?

well, we'll tell
everybody

that we're living
with grandma
and grandpa,

and then when
they see him,
they can tell him.

why is he
mad at us?

honey, he's not
mad at you.

he loves you guys.
you know that.

are we poor?

no, we're not poor.

we're broke,
but we're not poor.

come on, guys,
move 'em out.

let's go.

I get the back seat!

no, I get the back!

(engine starts)

give me it!

hey, that's mine!

all right, o.k.,
that's it.
enough.

one of you,
up here
right now!

I don't care
which one,
but up here.

put your seat belt on.

stand back, guys.

that's hot.
watch out.

the tailpipe
is busted.

are you o.k.,
mom?

oh, yeah.
i'm a regular bag
of sunbeams.

Jake?

hey, Jake, where
are your shoes?

Jake, those are
the only shoes
you've got.

now,
where are they?

Iowa.

what?

(Matt)
I think he threw them
out the window, mom.

Jacob!

(engine knocking)

oh!

oh, hello there!

(man)
hello!

hi, mom. hi, dad.

let's have a hug
right now.

how you doing,
old man?

ooh, yes. that's
such a good hug.

you know what?

Jake doesn't
have any shoes.

honey, where are
Jake's shoes?

it's a long story.

hi, dad.

good to see you.

you, too.

hi, mom.

hello, sweetie. oh.

hey, you guys,
let's go inside.

Jake's not asleep.
he's unconscious.

mom, how come
you didn't tell me
about this?

well, your father
wouldn't hear of it.

anyway, it's just
a precaution--

something Dr. ryman
thought we should have.

mom, we can't
stay here.

of course you can.

it's not fair
to you and dad.

it's all right.

no, it's not
all right.

it's nowhere near
being all right.

honey, where will you go
if you don't stay here?

hmm?

take this.

o.k., we got
some treats here.

(woman)
the pipes are o.k.,

except for that one
in the bathroom.

would you paint it?

it was just painted
two, three years ago.

kids, right?

yeah. two.

kids are o.k.,
but no pets,

except maybe, like,
a goldfish,

maybe a turtle--
like that.

I understand.

so?

I'll take it.

Nancy. Gerri.

thanks, Bob.

(door opens)

mom!

guys, hi.
how you doing, mom?

we're doing fine.

how you guys doing?

honey, I took these
out of the paper
for you.

oh, thanks, mom.
I'll just put these
groceries away,

and then I'll
drive you home.

how's dad?

your father does not
believe in complaining.

Gerri, I love the boys.

oh, they're nuts
about you.

honey...

I don't think
I can come over

to watch them
in the afternoons,

not after this week.

Dr. ryman feels
this would be a good time

for your dad's operation.

it's minor,
and they only keep you
a day or two,

but he's going to
need someone there
when he comes home.

oh, no, I understand.

oh...I feel like
i'm leaving you
in the lurch.

it's o.k.

listen,
i'm going to go down

to the state
assistance office
tomorrow.

welfare?

no, not welfare.
probably a Grant or
something like that

to help me finish
nursing school,

but no, not welfare.

but don't
tell dad, o.k.?

hey, guys. Matt. Matt.

come on. rise and shine.

come on. come on,
Jake. let's go.

you make
too much money.

how do you figure that?
i'm part-time in a library,

and half of what I make
goes for baby-sitters.

your gross pay
is above the cutoff,

and it says here
you're receiving

court-ordered
child support.

yeah, the court
ordered it,

but my ex-husband
isn't paying it,

so what am i
supposed to do?

you could quit your job.
excuse me?

if you quit
your job,

you'd be eligible
for assistance,

and we could
help you.

are you listening
to yourself?

i'm not
going on welfare.

I have a job.

that's the problem.

but even
with the job,

there is one program
you're eligible for.

cheese?

federal surplus
cheese.

let me get this straight.

the government
won't help me unless
I quit my job,

but they will
give me cheese.

in 5-pound
blocks, yes.

hello, Clarice.

Eddie?

where's Doug?
where's your son?

Eddie, could you
come here, please?

I lost my house, Clarice.

I lost my house
because of him.

he said he would pay
child support, and he ran away.

now, where is he?

you.

your son
owes me money.

our son owes
you nothing.

Eddie, come on. no.

o.k., you know what?
I'll tell you what.

tell me when I've learned
enough of a lesson,

because I would like
to buy my kids new sneakers.

have a seat,
Mrs. Anderson.

will this take
a long time?

I was just
going over the file.

no, I mean to get
the money from him.

ahh. it'll take
as long as it takes.

well, it's just
that i'm--

i'm not doing
so well right now.

I mean, i'm working
two jobs,

and i'm running double
baby-sitter shifts.

things are getting
desperate.

it could take a year
to get your money,

possibly longer...

once you've
located him.

when am I supposed
to locate him?

on my 30-minute
lunch break?

when I swing by
the apartment

to see my kids
between jobs?

when exactly
am I doing

all this
detective work,
Mr. Quinn?

once you've
located him,

action
will be taken.

nice kids.

thank you.

no pictures
of their mother.

we're divorced.

o.k., guys.
you almost done?

yep.

very good. o.k.

you all set?
grab your lunches.

we got to go. hurry up.
we got to hustle.

there you go.

(knock on door)

(girl)
sorry i'm late.

(Gerri)
all right, guys.
i'm running, o.k.?

be nice to Anne.
I'll see you tonight.

bye, mom.

bye, mom.

(Gerri)
o.k., I'll be home
by 10:00.

if you need my mother,
her phone number's
on the refrigerator.

half-hour of television,
both in bed by 8:30,
no sugar.

it's too late for that.

I was on my way
home from work,

and I thought I'd
give you a call.

o.k., I guess.
been better.

actually, um, Suzy,
it's not good.

what it is is, uh...

is bad.

well, they say
I have to find Doug

before they can do
anything.

Suzy, does Tom
know where he is?

please, Suzy,
please tell me the truth.

i'm calling you
from a pay phone.

I don't even
have a phone anymore.

no, you don't know
what it's like!

i--I have three jobs,
I barely see my kids,

i'm living off of
federal cheese,

and i'm making this call
with change

that I dug out of
the back seat of my car,

so you don't know
what it's like.

please, Suzy, will you
just think about it?

because i'm running
out of ideas,

and i'm running out of dimes.

please?

o.k.

what are you doing?

you are supposed to be asleep,
not sneaking around!

this cereal is
for breakfast only.

it has to last!

do you know how much
this junk costs?

do you know how much
I have to work to buy this?

I am killing myself
at three jobs

trying to put food
on the table,

and this is what you do
behind my back?

leave him alone!
he's eating it
'cause he's hungry.

i'm hungry, too.

we're hungry
all the time,
all right?

and we know
how much it costs

because you're
always telling us

how much
everything costs.

that's why we're
eating this cereal
with no milk, o.k.?

go back to bed.

i'm sorry I yelled.

(woman)
do you have
a job now?

I used to,
but not anymore.

then
you're eligible
for assistance.

good.

hi, grandma!

who's that?

that was your dad
when he was in high school.

how come his hair
looks so funny?

everybody had
funny-looking hair
back then.

(Clarice)
Gerri.

yeah?

Eddie and I were
going to go to the mall
this afternoon.

I got to look
for a new drill.

right. so, do you
think the boys might
want to come along?

we could take them
off your hands
for a few hours.

that would be nice.

uh, ma'am, you can't
buy toilet paper
or toothpaste

with food stamps.

they're not
a necessity.

toilet paper?
of course it's
a necessity.

to you and me, maybe,
but not the good old
government.

I need a cleanup
on aisle 7, please.

cleanup on aisle 7.

i'm sorry
about that.

here you go.

Gerri?

Sarah?

yes!

my god!

oh, I thought
you and Doug
were in Kansas.

um...we were,
and now i'm here.

oh.

it's beautiful.
the whole house,
really.

oh, my guys would
love that swing.

we used to have
a swing

in the big tree
in our front yard.

I think
they miss it.

I know I do.

what happened?

somebody else living
in that house,

somebody else's kids
on that swing.

no. I mean
with you and Doug.

I don't know.

it's like I wanted
to end the marriage,

and he wanted it to
never have happened.

olly olly oxen free,
and he's gone.

he's gone,
and i'm on welfare.

the difference
between where i
used to be

and where I am
is just a couple
of checks.

it's just
a couple of checks.

do you think
you might get
married again?

well,
I don't see myself

as much of a catch
right now.

I mean, it would
be a solution,
being married,

wouldn't it?

I guess so.

so would winning
the lottery.

I don't think
I should count on
either one.

it's not fair.

no, it's not fair.

well, I guess I'd
better get my kids.

thanks.

haircuts, too?

well, they
needed them.

they surely did.

well, I guess I'd
better get them home.

thanks again.

all right, guys.
time to pack it up.

hey, where you going?

to change.

change?

yeah. put on
the clothes we
came here in.

we explained
to the boys, Gerri,

that they can wear
their new clothes

when they're visiting

and play
with the new toys,

but they can't take them
with them when they go.

why not?

we don't owe you
anything. the boys
are different.

what do you mean,
different?

well, if they
need something,
that's one thing.

nobody's trying
to punish them
for what's happened.

you just want to
punish me, is that it?

no. nobody's trying
to punish anybody.

we'll look out
for the kids.
somebody's got to.

are you calling me
a bad mother?

i'm just saying
Doug's kids
deserve better.

they sure as hell do,

so why don't you
call your wonderful son

and ask him to pay
his child support?

you know, he provided for you
for a good many years.

he has a right
to get on with his life.

but it isn't just
his life, is it?

I didn't get to open
all my stuff.

when do we go back?

shut up.

mom?

yes.

you know the toys
and things grandma gave us?

they weren't so great
anyways. really.

stay in the car.

(crying)

that's it.
that's where he lives.

my friend back in Kansas
finally worked up the nerve

to send me his address.

good.

how about
where he works?

where he works?

have you located
his place of
employment?

you didn't tell me
I needed his place
of employment.

you told me
you needed to know
where he lived.

if we're going to
garnishee his wages,

we have to know
where he works.

why didn't you
tell me that before?

I assumed you knew.

no, I didn't know,
but i'm learning.

is there anything else
we can do for you,
Mrs. Anderson?

I don't think so.
besides, i'm late
for class.

class?

i'm studying
to be an lpn.

mmm.

you are very
resourceful.

just average.

I can't see nothing.

move your finger,
goof ball.

take the picture.

so, how are
we doing?

oh, we're doing fine.

if a plane
crashed here,

my mom could save
everybody

because she's
a licensed nurse.

my biggest fan.

yeah. I can tell.

Mark wanted me to find out
if you guys are thirsty.

I'll have a beer.
Gerri?

sure.

have you two
officially met?

uh, not yet, officially.

Gary,
this is Gerri,

birthday girl
and graduate.

Gerri, this is Gary.

nice to meet you.

Gary is
head of security
at Mark's plant.

well, one of
the senior guards, anyway.

I'll go get the beers.

what?

introduce me to a guy
at my own birthday party

so he starts off
knowing how old I am.
great move.

did you think I was
trying to set you up
with Gary?

I wasn't doing that.

I would never
do that.

but since we're talking,

what did you think
of him?

where's the relish?

(Gary)
what will you do
with that license?

(Gerri)
I have a job.

i'm going to work
at the twin meadows
nursing home.

I know the place, sure.
yeah. a friend of mine

has a grandmother
that lives there.

it's a nice place.

I start next week.

it's going to be
the closest thing
to real money

I've seen
in a long time.

how's that feel?

feels good.

yeah. Sarah sort of
mentioned you, uh,

had kind of
a hard time lately.

uh-huh.

and did she
sort of mention
anything else?

she said you had
a sense of humor

and a great
personality.

yikes! she didn't
say that, did she?

a great personality?

mmm, I'll have to
kill her as soon as
the party's over.

she also said you had
two good-looking boys.

which I do.

and that they don't
get to see their dad much.

no, not much.

oh, that can be tough.

yeah.

you know, the brewers
have a farm team
here in town.

I thought maybe I could
take them to a game
or something.

maybe we could all go.

maybe we could.

I didn't think I'd like
being on a cruise ship,

but this is rather nice
now that i'm used to it.

I miss the people
on shore,

but this is very nice,
this boat.

I mean this ship.

what's the nicest thing
about this ship, Rose?

in the morning,
when the sun comes out...

how the deer come out
of the woods,

come down close
to the windows,

and stand there
in the grass.

they're very beautiful.

Mr. Quinn!

thanks, and tell Kelly
Thursday's good.

Mr. Quinn!
I almost missed you.

almost.

I got this check
from Doug.

oh, good. see,
I told you my letter
would do the trick.

we just had to be
patient, that's all.

but it's
for $275.50.

well, he's
making an effort.
that's important.

well, what about
the rest of the back
child support?

when a husband
makes a gesture
of good faith,

we like to give
a little room.

by sending you a check,
Mr. Anderson shows

that he's not attempting
to avoid payment.

for $275.50?

we're doing
what we can,
Mrs. Anderson,

but you still
haven't gotten us
an employer.

well, i'm still
trying to.

you're working now,
right?

yes.

getting along?

getting along.

so you're surviving
without the support
payments.

I was hoping
for something
a little bit better

than just surviving,
Mr. Quinn.

this isn't really
about the money,

is it,
Mrs. Anderson?

well, if it isn't
about the money,

Mr. Quinn,
then what is it about?

revenge.

whose revenge
are we talking about,
Mr. Quinn?

you have a check.
you should be grateful.

five, please.

pericarditis.
it's an inflammation
of the pericardial sac,

the lining
around the heart.

100% treatable.

how long am i
going to be here?

better figure on being here
about three weeks.

and then?

it'll be a while
before you can
go back to work.

Dr. silverman to cardiology.
Dr. silverman--

there. oh, that looks
so nice.

here you go, grandma.

if you feel better
in a little while,

you should come out and see

what the boys are doing
with the tree.

it's not a tree.
it's a tumbleweed.

oh, it's not bad.

it sort of has
a Charlie brown
feel to it.

well, this is
a Charlie brown
Christmas,

that's for sure.

what do you want
Santa to bring you?

you know what I would
like for Christmas?

I would like life
to stop teaching me
valuable lessons.

everything that happens

happens to teach us
something.

I got that...
but I lost my job,

and I wasn't there
long enough to get
medical insurance,

and I haven't been
out of work long enough

to qualify
for welfare again.

I would really
like a break.

that's what I would
like for Christmas.

time off
for good behavior.

pass out the duck,
Bob cratchit!

there you are, sir.
ha ha ha!

Santa was
a little tight
this year, guys.

that's o.k.

that's from me and Matt.

hey, a new
crossword book.

thanks! this will
keep me busy.

actually,
it's not new.

me and Jake
erased all the answers

so you could
use it again.

that's great.
that's really
very smart.

listen, guys,
i'm sorry.

it wasn't supposed
to be like this,

nothing like this.

but it's going to
be different,

because i'm going to
make it different,

o.k.?

o.k.

god bless us, every one.

somebody tell
that kid to shut up.

(Gerri)
hi. i'm sorry
to bother you,

but does Doug Anderson live
in the apartment next-door?

(woman)
yes, he does.

i'm driving through
on my way to California.

I visited his folks,
and they gave me his address,

but he doesn't seem
to be home.

well, he's probably
at work.

oh, gosh. well, I don't
have a lot of time.

you wouldn't know
where he works, would you?

go on.

would you like to know

what you got
your sons for Christmas?

I got nothing
to say to you.

Jake got
a 75-cent bag
of army men,

and Matt
got some socks.

I told them they
were from you,

but I figure
they know the truth.

it's finished!

no! you and me--
that is finished,

but this is about
the kids, Doug.

do you remember
the kids--

the ones walking around
with your last name?

I am trying
to get on with my life,

and that's what you
should be doing

instead of living
in the past.

I don't want to live
in the past, Doug.

I just want
to pay it off.

Doug!

do you think i'm
having a good time?

do you think
I enjoy doing this?

yeah. maybe part
of you does.

Doug!

Doug! Douglas!

Doug, look at me!
come on. look at me!

the least you can do
is look at me, Doug.

look at me, Doug!
look at me!

(man)
who is she?

(man)
I don't know.

you seen her
around here before?

no.

a-n-d-e-r-s-o-n?

that's right.

look, you sure
you don't want

to come back later?

no. no. no. he needs
this address.

you're not in here.

well, maybe
you're looking
in the wrong drawer.

no. "out-of-state
claims."

it's the right drawer.

where's my file?

Mr. Quinn sort of has
his own autonomous
system here.

I wouldn't want
to disturb it.

what's that?

he has them coded.

what do you know?
"a-n-d-e-r-s-o-n."

o.k...

wait. this is a mistake.

what is?

well, they haven't
been processed.

processed?
what do you mean,
"processed"?

he hasn't made
an assessment.

Mr. Quinn
didn't sign them.

he hasn't
sent them along.

sent them
along where?

your request
never left this office.

all the time I've
been coming here

nothing has left
this office?

nothing after
his first request.

no follow-ups.

well,
all those papers
can't be mine.

who else
is in this box?

(Quinn)
what are you doing?

get out.

you haven't
processed my claims.

i'm still
evaluating them.

you haven't done
anything.

I come here.
I bring you information.

I ask you questions.
you've done nothing.

no paperwork
leaves this office

until I am
personally satisfied

that it meets
all criteria--

my own as well
as the state's.

well, what is your
criteria, Mr. Quinn?

I would really
like to know.

what kind
of flaming hoops

do I have to
jump through

to get you
to do your job?

I wouldn't expect
you to understand.

try me.

up and down
these halls,

there are offices
filled with people

whose job it is
to take care of women--

to aid them, support them,
find them places to live--

a great, flourishing
bureaucracy

dedicated to
cushioning women

from the realities
of life.

nowhere in this building
will you find a place

offering
similar services to men

because in the great
feminist scheme of things,

men don't seem
to matter much.

so if I take my time
processing documents,

if i'm just
an extra bit careful

about crossing ts
and dotting is,

maybe it's
because I figure

that's the only way
I can give

some poor
son of a bitch
a break.

i'm doing my job,
Mrs. Anderson.

i'm doing it legally,

and there's not
a damn thing you
can do about it.

you're wrong.

there's a lot of offices
in this building

looking out for men.

how come you're
sitting there
with your coat on?

because I haven't
taken it off yet.

what's this?

35 cents.
you don't have to

pay it back
right away.

thanks.

does that help?

it's $8.64.

six...

seven...

one, two,
three, four.

it will run sunday
county-wide.

thanks.

you wouldn't have
gone to this movie
alone, would you?

oh, I like movies.

but this isn't
the kind of movie

a man picks
for himself, right?

maybe not.
it's a funny
kind of question.

there's an awful lot
I don't know about men.

I have two sons that are
going to be men some day.

how's that
going to work?

they'll be fine.

you think so?

why wouldn't they
be o.k.?

I just keep thinking
i'm screwing up

or that i'm
going to screw up.

but you can
drive yourself crazy

with that kind
of thinking.

i'm pretty crazy now.

you're o.k.

you mean it?

sure.

oh, I don't know.

Gerri, i'm not
an especially deep dish,

but the way
I figure it,

people are just people.

we're all looking
to make a couple of bucks

and find someplace
to live

where there's someone
to come home to.

you're telling me
I think too much.

well, i'm telling you
i'm sorry

you've got so much
to think about.

well, then,
you'd better buy me

an ice-cream cone.

o.k., I'll tell her
when she gets in.

thanks for calling.

hi. are the boys
in bed?

I brought ice cream.

look at this.

what?

all these women
called you.

why?

your ad.

it's in
tomorrow's paper.

which came out
tonight. 10 calls.

look at it.

they want to know
when the meeting is.

meeting?
what meeting?

our meeting.

I was just
trying to see

if Quinn gave
anyone else
the run-around.

i'm trying to
get him fired,
that's all.

I don't want
to have a meeting.

I could make coffee.
I have a 20-cup maker.

you don't think

anyone else
will call, do you?

wow!

yeah. wow.

(Gerri)
well, I'd like to

thank you all
for coming.

I feel a little
out of my league here.

I mean, I wasn't
even a brownie.

I just thought if Quinn
had pulled this stuff

on other people,

we could go
over his head.

and do what?

get him
out of there.
get him fired.

Quinn isn't
the problem.

he's my problem.

even with the paperwork,

you'd have to
get family court

to hear the case,

and the sitting judge
thinks the problem

is women on welfare,
not ones with jobs.

well, who is he?

her name is bodere.

well, i'm not going
back on welfare

just to get
her attention.

what are we
going to do?

why does everyone
keep asking me

all the questions?

because you put
the ad in the paper.

is this him?

that's him.

Mrs. Anderson.

Mr. Quinn.

what do you think
you're doing?

i'm trying
to locate women

who are having trouble

collecting
their child support.

i'm putting a notice
on the bulletin board.

individuals can't
put up personal messages.

you have to be
an organization

before you can put things
on this bulletin board.

all right.

now i'm
an organization.

(women)
we want child support.

we want child support.

we want child support.

we want child support.

we want child support.

a.c.e.s. stands
for the association

for children
for enforcement
of support.

what we're
hoping to do

is get
the family courts

to really look
at all the cases
of working women--

all women--
that can't collect
their child support

and make it
a priority,

but the best thing
you should do

is ask judge bodere

because here
she comes right now.

how do you respond
to these allegations

the women are making
toward you?

what's wrong with
the system, judge bodere?

judge bodere,
why don't you
support women?

I cannot talk to you
right this minute.

(television)
judge bodere said
the change in policy

in which family court
would hear

delinquent
child support cases

brought by women
not on public assistance

is not in response
to any pressure

but is a move
she's been considering

for more than a year.

in other news,
vice president bush

met with
congressional leaders...

what's the matter?

i'm just sorry
we picketed her house,

and she was all set
to help us anyway.

I should send her
a thank-you note
or something--

box of cookies maybe.

sure.
a box of cookies.

ha ha ha!

(telephone rings)

(ring)

hello.

(man)
who the hell do you
think you are?

you've got a lot
of nerve asking--

it's a public space,
isn't it?

yes, but...

family court
is issuing writs,

but it's up to the sheriff
to serve them,

which he isn't doing.

well, now, resources
are limited.

oh, no. I understand.

I understand completely.
we all understand.

that's why we're here,

and we're going to
be here

until all
of those orders,

writs, summons,
subpoenas, garnishments,

and liens
get some attention.

let me see if I can

get the sheriff
for you.

I'd appreciate that,
deputy.

(telephone rings)

I'll get it.

(Gerri)
no! no! no, Matt!

I'll get it.
I'll get it.

hello.

(blows whistle)

are you getting
a lot of those?

honey, take your cookies
in the living room.

enough.

they all started

right after
the first TV story.

they say they'll kill
my children.

they say they'll do
awful things to me,

and then
they'll kill me.

people I don't even know
call me up

and say things
about me and my kids.

"who do you
think you are?"

that's what they say.

different words,
same question.

who do I think I am?

(knock on door)

who is it?

it's kris.

hey.

are you o.k.?

it's my ex-husband.

what happened?

he paid up.

that's how I feel.

six other women
have gotten

at least some of
their back child support

because of
the orders.

and Barry paying me
makes seven.

we should
get you a shirt

like the brave
little tailor--

"killed seven
with one blow."

I think
that was flies.

and we owe it all
to Gerri.

she's Joan of arc
and j. Edgar hoover

all rolled into one.

a toast
to Gerri Anderson,

our founding mother.

she always
gets her man.

well, i'm going
to get some change

because we have to
settle up soon.

excuse me.

can I get
some singles?

thank you.

oh!

girls' night out?

excuse me?

you and your friends
over there--

girls' night out?

um, sort of.

hi. my name's Roy.

oh, hello, Roy.

someone
pretty like you--

you should be able
to find better company
than a bunch of women.

well, Roy,
i'm flattered by
the attention,

but i'm kind of
involved

with someone
right now,

so you understand.

getting ready
to cut his off, too?

who are you?

just a guy.

you may know
about the law
and getting on TV,

but you don't know
much about people,

and you don't know
anything about men.

well, i'm learning
something every day.

well, it's a big joke,
isn't it?

some joke.

I haven't seen my kids
in three years.

you understand me?
three years.

you take it all.

you make a man feel
like some kind of bug,

and then you
take his kids.

now, where's the court
says that's fair?

where's the piece
of paper says

it's o.k. to do that
to somebody? where?

if I were you,
I'd watch my step.

the worm
is going to turn.

you watch if
the worm doesn't turn.

who was that?

somebody's father.

you want a gun?

no, I don't want
a gun.

what kind of
question is that?

well, I was thinking--
with all the phone calls

you've been getting,
you know?

I mean, I can't
be around all the time.

I'd teach you
how to use it.

no. thanks,
just the same.

how big a gun
were you thinking?

ah, you see?

forget it.
forget it.

yeah. you say
"forget it"

because if you
said yes,

then you'd actually
have to think

about how maybe
you're worried.

well, you know,
it's not like
I planned this.

i'm just
making it up
as I go along.

from 7:00
in the morning

till 3:30
in the afternoon,

i'm at the hospital,

and then
the rest of the day

i'm with the kids
or on the phone
or driving somewhere.

what if they're
right?

who?

the crazy people.

the ones who keep
calling me,

telling me to mind
my own business.

you know, I was 15
when my folks broke up.

one day,
my dad was in the house.

the next day,
he was gone.

I mean, you know,
he paid support
and everything,

but what does
a kid know from money?

he wasn't...there.

he went west--

Washington, Oregon.

I'd get cards from him.

my mom remarried,
and the cards stopped.

I mean, you know,
not all at once,
but they stopped.

you know,
I didn't get over it

so much as I got
used to it.

lately,
I started to think

that maybe I should
find out where he is,
see how he's doing.

maybe you should
forget about what
crazy people say.

what happened?

I got into a fight.

what were you
fighting about?

nothing.

you were fighting
about nothing?

that's pretty dumb.

it was just
a fight, o.k.?
that's all.

come on, Matt.
it had to be
about something.

were they picking
on you?

it was
about you, o.k.?

what do you mean,
it was about me?

these guys--they said
you were a witch,

and that you stole money
from hard-working men.

do you think that's
what i'm doing--
stealing money?

I don't know.

I don't think so.

do you know what
child support is?

it's the money

that dads have to pay
when they leave,

like when
you lose a bet.

it's money, and it's
usually the dad who
has to pay it,

but not
because he lost.

it's not supposed
to be a punishment.

it's supposed to be
for the children,

so that they'll have
what they need.

that's all it's
supposed to be.

then how come it gets
so messed up?

is this an office
or a closet?

it's got
a telephone.

must be
an office.

yeah.

here you go.

hopefully,
you'll track him
down. ha ha!

as his employer,

you are responsible
to garnishee
his wages.

uh--uh. listen.

it is--
it is your re--

(sigh)

o.k.

well, you have
a nice day, too.

jerk.

you know what, Anne?

I think it would
be best if you came
into the a.c.e.s. office,

and you filled out
a form and some paperwork.

ah, thank you.

all right, now,
the other ones go

one on that desk,
one on that desk...

o.k., so here's
an address of some people

that I think might
be able to help you.

(telephone rings)

(ring)

hello.

yeah, that's me.

yes.

I remember you.

I hope you don't
mind me calling you
like this at home.

I just felt--

well, I didn't
want to call you
at the office.

I was wondering
if I could meet you
someplace and talk.

o.k.,
that sounds good.

bye-bye.

thanks.

all I know
about my mother
are her pictures.

my dad
brought me up.

he was great,
but it was hard.

you know how hard
it can get.

yeah, I do.

I took this job
so that I could
help people.

you're supposed
to give back
what you can.

that's what
my dad taught me.

that's what
I thought
I was doing--

helping
Mr. Quinn to do.

I didn't know.

I swear
I didn't know.

Margaret,
what didn't you know?

look,
i'm not saying

this actually
happened,

but if somebody were
to take a look

at the box of files
in his office,

they might find it
very interesting.

they might even find

that someone
was cooking
public records

to cheat
his own ex-wife
out of support,

and that's
against the law.

what are you saying?

i'm not saying
anything.

i'm not saying
anything at all.

I don't know what
to tell you, Donald.

we're looking into things.
we have to.

it's not
in-house anymore.

a whole lot of people
are watching.

well,
let them watch!

we're looking.

to tell you the truth,

I don't like what
i'm seeing.

huh! I do my job.

look, it's the way
you do your job

and some
of the things

it looks like
you're doing
with that job.

I mean,
I may be naive,

but my understanding
of government

is it's supposed
to help people,
not punish them.

so.

so I don't see
the city council

standing up to take
a bullet for you
on this.

it's not
important enough.

you're not
important enough.

what are you
telling me?

you might want
to think about
a career change--

something
in the private
sector.

the sooner,
the better.

(telephone rings)

huh!

(door opens)

(door closes)

(ring)

that's it.

pack it up, George.

(indistinct
radio transmitting)

there you go.

(approaching siren)

what is it?

what do you think?
not again?

yeah. Phyllis took
the call.

"you moneysuckers have
10 minutes to clear out

before we blow up
the building."

the bomb squad is going
through the office now.

and how was your day?

Gerri! constance!
where have you been?

I've been calling
the office for half an hour!

what happened?
did you tell them?

tell them what?

you don't know?

what? what
don't I know?

Quinn is gone.

he's gone?

he quit.

you're kidding!

he quit before they could
fire him is my guess,

and there's still going to
be an investigation.

o.k.! the building has
been checked!

you can go
back inside now!

it's all clear!

wrap it up, guys.

take those
barricades down.

hi! we just got back
from the store.

the guys are
in their room.

what are you
doing home so early?

Quinn.

he quit.

really?

really.

that's great!

I guess so.

you guess so?
it's what you wanted.

yeah.

what?

I thought I would
feel different
if it happened.

I thought I would
feel something...

but I don't.

it just doesn't
make any sense.

sure, it does.

it's not just
about getting Quinn
fired anymore.

it hasn't been about that
for a long time.

well, what
is it about?

you're in the middle,

so I guess
you can't see it,

but you're
shaking things up.

well, who am i
to shake things up?

where do I get off
telling people

to change laws
and to fire people?

why am I the one
that has to get
the bomb threats

and the filthy
phone calls?

because you're
the one

who put the ad
in the paper.

(sigh)

sometimes i'm
so jealous of you.

Sarah, you have
a husband

and a house
and beautiful things.

I live in a thrift store.

what could you
possibly be jealous of?

you're changing
the world.

no, i'm not.
don't say that.

o.k., o.k.

because of you,

something in the world
is changing.

people will be different,

their lives will
be different,

because of what
you're doing.

I was just trying
to make sure

everything would
be all right
for my kids,

and the next thing
I know,

I turn around,
and there's this big
parade behind me.

(knock on door)

hi. I've got
a certified letter

for Geraldine
Anderson.

that's me.

(mailman)
great. there you go.

sign on line 10,
please.

thanks.

thank you.

scarborough,
shinbraut, and spano,

attorneys-at-law.

what is it?

it's from Doug's lawyer.

(gasp)

it's a check for all
the back child support.

it's a check for $7,856.

there you go.
think those will
make you fast?

yeah!

let's see.

(knock on door)

go ahead. open it.

dad!

hey! ha ha ha!

how are you?

hi.

hi.

you look good.

thanks.

we were
waiting for you.

well, i'm here now,
so get ready. ha ha!

(Gerri)
go on, guys.
go get your coats.

and take your time.

(door closes)

you're growing
a beard again.

oh, yeah.

I always
liked that look
on you. ha ha!

the kids are
looking o.k.

yeah.
they're tough--

tougher
than you'd think.

good.

I wish they didn't
have to be so tough
sometimes.

what am I supposed
to say to that?

is there something...

you want me
to say to that?

no.

you want me
to say i'm sorry?

not to me.

maybe to the boys
later, if you get
a chance.

well, you're famous.
ha ha!

ha ha! no, i'm not.

sure, you are.

I keep seeing you on TV
and in the papers.

you're
in the state capitol,

talking to senators,
reporters.

my ex-wife's
a celebrity.

ha ha! yeah.

biggest bitch in town.

people say stupid things
all the time.

you shouldn't
listen to them.

no, probably not.

so, you're o.k.?

seeing somebody?

ha ha!

you don't have to be
interested in me, Doug.

it's o.k.

but you do have to
stay interested
in the boys.

you can't just
walk in here today
and figure that's it.

you have to show up.

you can't walk away
from them again.

I understand.

they're
my sons, too,
and I missed them.

I missed them.

we probably shouldn't
have been married,
you and me.

we were doing
all right there
for a while. ha ha!

ha ha! yeah.

do you ever
think about it?

how that went away--
got lost?

I used to--

not so much lately.

me, neither.

i'm thinking
it doesn't much matter.

it doesn't
make a difference

how crummy we were
as a couple.

the important thing is--

the thing that counts
is we made children,

and when you make
children,

you make promises.

(footsteps)

hey, you ready to go?

yep.
come on, Jake!

so,
you still like
French fries?

yep.

well,
let's get some.
come here, you!

oh, golly!
you are so big.

come on.
let's move. o.k.?

all right.
have fun.

Doug?

hmm?

yeah, I am
seeing somebody.

good.

me, too.

good.

nonsupport affects

over 23 million children
in this country.

nearly 9 out of 10
children on welfare

are entitled to child support
and don't get it.

$24 billion
in accumulated support

is owed to these kids.

listen, this is
a rented dress, and...

this is starting to feel
like a rented speech.

(laughter)

don't get me wrong.

the problem is real.

I've seen normal people,

both men and women...

using their kids as clubs

to beat each other
over the head.

kids ask so many questions.

it's how they learn,

how they make
their brains grow

right in front of you.

well, at the end
of the day,

when we're all finished...

someone is going to
ask us questions.

"what did you do
for the children?"

"did you treat them right?"

"did you do for them?"

and we better have
some really good answers.

thank you.

(applause)

yes!

"in recognition

"of her
tireless efforts

"as an advocate
of children

and their rights."

yeah, and we got
shrimp cocktail
out of the deal, too.

I guess you helped
a lot of people.

I guess I did.

that makes you
a hero.

does it?

yep, even without
the plaque.

god, you are so handsome.

you're going to be
such a man someday.

Jake?

honey?

where are your shoes?