An Empty Bed (1990) - full transcript
In his twilight, a lonely gay man reflects on his life and the three loves of his long-lost youth one woman and two men. Forced into early retirement by a heart attack, he wanders aimlessly through the graffiti-marred streets of his New York neighborhood. Familiar haunts trigger flashbacks of happy and not-so happy times. Could anything have been different? Could he have denied his true identity and married as his lover, Peter, did? Should he have? Would it have worked out? Could he have lived with himself? These seem to be the unspoken questions in the back of his mind. A phone call to the now-married man for whom he still holds deep affection, concludes this moving and very satisfying character study.
ROBIN BERGSTROM (ON TV): Run
off in the designated area which
had been exposed to acid
rain began to recover
its normal chemistry
after it was shielded
from further pollution.
Well, everyone is
anxiously waiting to see
if winter is finally behind us.
Or if the mild weather of the
last two days is just a tease.
And who better to tell us
than our own eager beaver
weatherman, Art Baxter.
Rev it up, Art.
ART BAXTER (ON TV): Well you
talk about a pleasant surprise,
Robin.
The current mid-town
temperature is 74 degrees
and not a cloud in the sky.
Now let's take a look at
our satellite photograph.
As you can see, right
up from the Rockies
we are tracking this
warm flow of air
over the lower Mississippi River
valley, up to the Northeast.
So basically, what I'm
trying to say weather mavens,
is make sure you bring
a light coat or jacket.
Now, let's take a look
at some temperatures
in our viewing area.
Patty Preston, checking
in at Lake Carmel,
71 degrees and bright sunshine.
Linda Silio of Patterson,
New Jersey, sunshine and 73.
And Tom Court, our weather
watcher from Huntington,
says 77 degrees under
partly cloudy skies.
By the way, thanks to
all our weather watching,
take time and energy
to give Art a call.
And Patty, Linda, and Tom, your
exclusive Baxter weather rock
is on the way.
Now looking at our
extended forecast
right here, today
continues sunny, 73 to 77.
Sunday, cloudy, 52 to 55.
Currently, 74 degrees, bright
sunshine in Central Park.
And that doesn't it for
me, this is Art Baxter.
And Robin, I am out of here.
ROBIN BERGSTROM (ON
TV): Thanks Art.
Tomorrow is Greek
Easter and Marva Webber
was in the story of
Queens for last nights
Epitaphion procession.
MARVA WEBBER (ON TV): It
seemed as if New York's
entire Greek community was at
the Saint Demetrios Church,
in Astoria.
And though the 11:00
PM Good Friday service
was colorful enough,
the real pageantry
began at its conclusion.
[coughing]
MARVA WEBBER (ON TV):
--the entire congregation
followed it's progress as it
was carried outside the church
and onto the street.
Police were on hand
to re-route traffic,
allowing the massive
procession to move unimpeded
on its six block journey.
After a tour of the
surrounding area
the tomb was returned to the
alter, ready for tomorrow
nights resurrection service.
This is Marva Webber,
WYOC, from Astoria, Queens.
ROBIN BERGSTROM (ON TV): The
holiday will reach its peak
tonight when,
precisely at midnight,
the Priest emerges with
the Communal Candle,
representing the
spirit of Christ.
Well, that's it for
this mornings report.
For a complete wrap
up of the days events,
join Richard Sanders
and Judy Morrison
on the 11 o'clock news.
Stay tuned Reynold Wrap's,
"Cartoon Cavalcade."
Until next time,
I'm Robin Bergstrom,
have a happy Saturday.
NEWS MAN (ON TV):
Be sure to tune
in after tonight's
11 o'clock news
for our late night
double feature.
"Sherlock Holmes and
the Hands of Othello,"
starring Nigel Winters
and William Deel.
And "Cycles," a rectangular
love story featuring
Anita Finlay and--
CORINNE (IN HIS
HEAD): You know Bill,
I think it's great that you
and Pete were roommates.
[laughter]
No, no more.
Oh, before I forget,
here's a little something
from me to you to commemorate
our change of address.
What's this?
PETER: Well go ahead, open it.
Oh, Peter.
Thanks.
Well Bill, since
you refuse to quit
that disgusting habit
of yours, at least now
you can keep it under control.
This is nice, but can I really
stomp out my butts in this?
PETER: Get used to it,
this is our apartment now.
We're going to keep it neat.
Right?
Right.
Can you believe this day?
Hot enough for you?
Don't bother, I'll
just have a corned beef
sandwich and a glass of milk.
Gus, would you try
cut the fat off?
I, I don't like corned
beef when it's too fatty.
Huh.
These are the best
eggs in New York City.
Prices are better
than the auto-mat.
When you consider that it's
right around the corner,
you can't beat it.
Peter.
You know, I really like
a beer with my corn beef.
But I made a deal
with the doctor.
Gotta cut down on the
salt, bad for the pressure.
Yeah, I sure would
like that beer.
You know I don't believe that.
I, I just-- I need to sort
myself out, find myself.
Hello, Peter.
BILL: So long, Gus.
[laughter]
[merry chatter]
PATTY: All right, OK, I give up.
I'm sorry.
BILL: It's nice here.
PATTY: Isn't it great?
BILL: God, it is.
PATTY: I remember when
we first came here.
BILL: You do?
PATTY: Oh god, yes.
BILL: You remember?
PATTY: Is was sort
of cloudy out.
BILL: Uh-huh, uh-huh.
PATTY: You never remember
anything honey, You know that?
BILL: I remember.
Did you have enough
to eat, honey?
Yeah, I did.
Bill?
Hmm?
Bill, why did you insist on
going to Boston University?
What?
Well I mean, it
seems so far away.
You could have gone to state.
Well Patty, I, I
really like the program.
I love working in the theatre.
You have no idea
how it-- besides,
you gave me a chance
to see the ocean.
But you already
saw it in the army.
That was the Pacific,
this is the Atlantic.
And besides, I
really like Boston.
Well, next summer
you'll be back to stay.
I suppose every man needs
to sow some wild oats
before settling down.
ELMER: Yo Frayne,
hey, how hell are you?
Elmer, what brings you down
to this neck of the woods?
Well, I had a little business
meeting in the area so I--
On a Saturday?
Well, when you get
older you got to go
the extra mile to keep pace.
I'll be honest with you
Bill, things haven't the same
since my business went under.
You heard about that I suppose.
No.
Oh.
I'm retired for three
years now, doctor's orders.
I see, well I had a little
run of bad luck but I,
I'm picking myself up.
I have to go slow thought,
don't have much capital.
Gotta keep plugging, never
know what's around the bend.
Listen Bill, can you
wait just a minute?
I want to check the old balance.
Sure
Ha, just as I expected.
Boy, you really got
to watch these people.
They've been holding onto
a California check of mine
for two weeks now.
I wouldn't mind but, you know,
I'm just getting started again,
cash flow you understand?
Sure Elmer, what
happened down in LA?
The last I heard you
were raking it in.
Well after I left the
agency, what year was that?
'69 I think.
Yeah, right, well
as you know, I'd
gone about as far as I put
there but this a-- my position
was still very precarious.
I was being created, I had
my ass too far out on a line.
No, I should've
done what you did.
Find a nice secure
position, let everyone else
to the in fighting.
You made more money,
got all the recognition.
Yeah but that was,
that was short term,
I was still too
vulnerable, too exposed.
I mean, one client gets his nose
out of joint about something,
anything, I was gone.
You seemed to
manage pretty well.
Yeah, did all right didn't I?
Well, my job was so
tenuous anyway I figured,
why not be my own boss?
I mean, what that hell,
roll those old dice.
So you started your own agency.
Yep, once you start working
for yourself, I tell you Bill,
you wonder why you
ever did anything else.
I guess that's one way
to avoid kissing ass.
Yeah, right, so the
recession hit and the market
bottomed out.
'Course, I was overextended, I
mean who the hell ever expected
those boom times to end?
So I took a Chapter
7 on the business.
It was really touch and go.
But I, I thought I
could make it through
but then, right then, Corra
and I split up for good.
I'm sorry.
I tell ya Bill, we've been
having trouble for a long time,
way back as far as New York.
But when she left me I guess
I just sort of fell apart.
I mean when, when you're so
close to someone for so long,
you know--
Sure, I understand.
You're a good friend,
Bill, always have been.
No I, I appreciate that, really.
But that's all,
that's all done now,
and things are
really looking up.
Well Bill, uh, I gotta get
the old rear end moving,
no rest for the wicked you know.
Well, it was great
talking with you, Elmer.
I, I don't see too
many people nowadays.
But uh, you're all right uh,
you're well taken care of?
Oh sure, I got a nice profit
sharing check when I retired.
Oh good.
Listen, Bill, let, let
me give you my card.
Never know when
something might turn up.
Here, let me fix that for you,
telephone numbers no good.
You can always reach me
[inaudible] my sister.
God bless her, you
want to get in touch.
Well, so long, Bill.
Nice seeing you, Elmer.
Good luck.
Come on.
Coming?
[coughing]
You uh, you don't understand,
I need it very badly.
Look Jonathan, I'm tired
of lending you money.
What do you think I
am, rich or something?
When are you going to
start paying me back?
Goddammit, I need
the money now.
Well I don't have it.
Don't lie to me.
I'm telling you
I don't have it.
I don't get paid
till next Friday
and all I've got from last
weekend's binge is 7 bucks.
Well give it to me then.
No.
Give it to me now.
No.
Give me the money.
Hey I ain't got time for
this, give it to me now.
No.
What do you want from me?
I don't understand.
I don't feel connected
to your life, not at all.
I mean, you lie to
your mother about me.
The people at the agency
don't even know I exist.
What am I, Bill, just something
warm to lay next to at night?
I'm sorry, I wish I could--
you're asking too much.
I need to know where
I'm going, Bill.
Being your gigolo, no matter
how secure and comfortable,
just isn't enough anymore.
You're not my gigolo.
Oh, of course I am.
Well you're very nice
about it, and very
understanding and all that,
but that's the truth of it.
Or would you rather I
said you're an escort?
Or your paramour, or how
about your housewife?
Self pity doesn't
become you, Peter,
is it absolutely necessary?
Yes goddammit, it's necessary,
I need a life for myself.
Being cooped up inside
that apartment all day
is driving me nuts.
Do you know what
happens next month?
No.
It's my birthday, goddammit.
Do you know how old
I'm going to be?
32.
I don't believe it,
you don't even know.
I'm going to be 34
fucking years old, 34.
What am I doing?
Where am I going, Bill, where?
I don't know.
Well I don't either.
I love you, Peter.
Somehow that isn't enough
anymore, maybe it never was.
So I'm the villain.
You know I don't believe that.
I, I just need some
time to sort myself out,
find myse-- oh hell.
You're free to go
whenever you want to,
Peter, I won't hold you.
[knock knock]
Hello, Peter.
Bill, I'd like you
to meet my wife.
Corinne, this is Bill Frayne.
He was my roommate
when I lived up here.
Hi, Pete has told
me so much about you.
Has he?
Oh sure, but only
the good things.
Well, that was nice of him.
Oh, so this is what a New
York apartment looks like.
You know, Bill, I think
it's great that you
and Pete were roommates.
You see, he's always felt,
I don't know, deprived,
because he doesn't have
any family and all.
And I think in a
funny sort of way
he really looks up to you,
like an uncle or something.
Peter and I had a real good
time when he stayed here.
We had a lot of fun.
Yeah, that's what
Pete tells me.
You two going to stay
in Fort Lauderdale?
Yeah, I think so, all
my family's from there
and Pete has such a
good job it wouldn't
make any sense to move.
No, I think that's great.
But you'll have to come and
see us sometime, I'd like that.
Sure, I'll do that.
Bill, I'm so sorry.
Don't be, it's for the best.
Mom hadn't recognized any--
anybody in years, thanks
anyway.
Sure.
How are you, Patty?
Good.
The family?
Cliff's just graduated
from high school.
Mary's engaged to Larry
Nixon's boy, Craig.
I've been trying to
convince Al to stop working.
Let some of the younger men
do the work but, you know Al,
he's always plugging away.
Did you know I went
back to teaching?
No, I didn't.
I'm really having a great time.
I've got the third grade, it's
kind of challenging actually,
like inheriting 22 new
children every year.
That's great.
Well I needed something
to do with myself.
Are you feeling better, Bill?
What?
Oh, oh sure, I guess
you heard about my trip
to the hospital for mom.
No, that was mostly
a scare tactic
by my doctor to feel needed.
He did force them to retire
me three years early, though.
I see you haven't
stopped smoking.
No, it's one of
my few pleasures.
You should quit.
I should do a lot of things.
It, it doesn't mean
they'll get done.
You never came to my wedding.
I didn't think you
really wanted me there.
No, I guess I didn't.
I guess it ended
when I graduated.
It seemed that way to me.
Did, did you love me?
You know I did.
Then-- look, Bill, I, I've
got a good life, a happy life.
I love Al, he's a wonderful
provider, a fine father,
I couldn't ask for a better man.
But sometimes I
wonder, what did I do?
What didn't I do?
You came back that
summer and you'd
changed so-- it
was like you were
a completely different person.
But I, I got to
get lunch ready.
Nice to see you.
I'm glad you married
Al, he's a good man.
I got tired of waiting.
I know.
Are you satisfied with
the way your life has gone?
For the most part.
Believe me, there
was no other way.
Take care of yourself.
You too.
--Beach Island, there
is no place like it.
REPORTER 1 (ON TV): When you
cross the bridge to Long Beach
Island you enter another world.
It's clean, it's safe, but
most of all it's a lot of fun.
REPORTER 2 (ON TV): You better
believe it, it's the best.
REPORTER 1 (ON TV): Long
Beach Island, exit 63
on the Garden State parkway.
BILL: I'm sorry, Peter,
I, I just get lonely.
PETER (ON PHONE) I know, me too.
BILL: And if Scott is
serious about coming up,
I'd be glad to show him
the city for a few days.
PETER (ON PHONE): He
shouldn't have asked you.
BILL: Oh, I don't
mind, really it's fine.
PETER (ON PHONE): All right,
Bill, I, I just wish he'd
have checked with me first.
BILL: Oh don't worry,
he's old enough to really
enjoy seeing the city.
PETER (ON PHONE): Well, I just
don't want him to be a burden.
BILL: It's good to
hear your voice, Peter.
PETER (ON PHONE):
It's been a long time.
BILL: And I just want
you to know, Peter,
that no matter how
much I miss you I'm
really glad you're happy.
PETER (ON PHONE): Thanks, I--
Well take care of yourself.
PETER (ON PHONE): So long, Bill.
Yeah.
[dial tone]
MAN (ON TV): It's not
that I didn't love her,
I just didn't want to
be dependant on her.
If only I didn't
love her so much.
If only I didn't love her.
off in the designated area which
had been exposed to acid
rain began to recover
its normal chemistry
after it was shielded
from further pollution.
Well, everyone is
anxiously waiting to see
if winter is finally behind us.
Or if the mild weather of the
last two days is just a tease.
And who better to tell us
than our own eager beaver
weatherman, Art Baxter.
Rev it up, Art.
ART BAXTER (ON TV): Well you
talk about a pleasant surprise,
Robin.
The current mid-town
temperature is 74 degrees
and not a cloud in the sky.
Now let's take a look at
our satellite photograph.
As you can see, right
up from the Rockies
we are tracking this
warm flow of air
over the lower Mississippi River
valley, up to the Northeast.
So basically, what I'm
trying to say weather mavens,
is make sure you bring
a light coat or jacket.
Now, let's take a look
at some temperatures
in our viewing area.
Patty Preston, checking
in at Lake Carmel,
71 degrees and bright sunshine.
Linda Silio of Patterson,
New Jersey, sunshine and 73.
And Tom Court, our weather
watcher from Huntington,
says 77 degrees under
partly cloudy skies.
By the way, thanks to
all our weather watching,
take time and energy
to give Art a call.
And Patty, Linda, and Tom, your
exclusive Baxter weather rock
is on the way.
Now looking at our
extended forecast
right here, today
continues sunny, 73 to 77.
Sunday, cloudy, 52 to 55.
Currently, 74 degrees, bright
sunshine in Central Park.
And that doesn't it for
me, this is Art Baxter.
And Robin, I am out of here.
ROBIN BERGSTROM (ON
TV): Thanks Art.
Tomorrow is Greek
Easter and Marva Webber
was in the story of
Queens for last nights
Epitaphion procession.
MARVA WEBBER (ON TV): It
seemed as if New York's
entire Greek community was at
the Saint Demetrios Church,
in Astoria.
And though the 11:00
PM Good Friday service
was colorful enough,
the real pageantry
began at its conclusion.
[coughing]
MARVA WEBBER (ON TV):
--the entire congregation
followed it's progress as it
was carried outside the church
and onto the street.
Police were on hand
to re-route traffic,
allowing the massive
procession to move unimpeded
on its six block journey.
After a tour of the
surrounding area
the tomb was returned to the
alter, ready for tomorrow
nights resurrection service.
This is Marva Webber,
WYOC, from Astoria, Queens.
ROBIN BERGSTROM (ON TV): The
holiday will reach its peak
tonight when,
precisely at midnight,
the Priest emerges with
the Communal Candle,
representing the
spirit of Christ.
Well, that's it for
this mornings report.
For a complete wrap
up of the days events,
join Richard Sanders
and Judy Morrison
on the 11 o'clock news.
Stay tuned Reynold Wrap's,
"Cartoon Cavalcade."
Until next time,
I'm Robin Bergstrom,
have a happy Saturday.
NEWS MAN (ON TV):
Be sure to tune
in after tonight's
11 o'clock news
for our late night
double feature.
"Sherlock Holmes and
the Hands of Othello,"
starring Nigel Winters
and William Deel.
And "Cycles," a rectangular
love story featuring
Anita Finlay and--
CORINNE (IN HIS
HEAD): You know Bill,
I think it's great that you
and Pete were roommates.
[laughter]
No, no more.
Oh, before I forget,
here's a little something
from me to you to commemorate
our change of address.
What's this?
PETER: Well go ahead, open it.
Oh, Peter.
Thanks.
Well Bill, since
you refuse to quit
that disgusting habit
of yours, at least now
you can keep it under control.
This is nice, but can I really
stomp out my butts in this?
PETER: Get used to it,
this is our apartment now.
We're going to keep it neat.
Right?
Right.
Can you believe this day?
Hot enough for you?
Don't bother, I'll
just have a corned beef
sandwich and a glass of milk.
Gus, would you try
cut the fat off?
I, I don't like corned
beef when it's too fatty.
Huh.
These are the best
eggs in New York City.
Prices are better
than the auto-mat.
When you consider that it's
right around the corner,
you can't beat it.
Peter.
You know, I really like
a beer with my corn beef.
But I made a deal
with the doctor.
Gotta cut down on the
salt, bad for the pressure.
Yeah, I sure would
like that beer.
You know I don't believe that.
I, I just-- I need to sort
myself out, find myself.
Hello, Peter.
BILL: So long, Gus.
[laughter]
[merry chatter]
PATTY: All right, OK, I give up.
I'm sorry.
BILL: It's nice here.
PATTY: Isn't it great?
BILL: God, it is.
PATTY: I remember when
we first came here.
BILL: You do?
PATTY: Oh god, yes.
BILL: You remember?
PATTY: Is was sort
of cloudy out.
BILL: Uh-huh, uh-huh.
PATTY: You never remember
anything honey, You know that?
BILL: I remember.
Did you have enough
to eat, honey?
Yeah, I did.
Bill?
Hmm?
Bill, why did you insist on
going to Boston University?
What?
Well I mean, it
seems so far away.
You could have gone to state.
Well Patty, I, I
really like the program.
I love working in the theatre.
You have no idea
how it-- besides,
you gave me a chance
to see the ocean.
But you already
saw it in the army.
That was the Pacific,
this is the Atlantic.
And besides, I
really like Boston.
Well, next summer
you'll be back to stay.
I suppose every man needs
to sow some wild oats
before settling down.
ELMER: Yo Frayne,
hey, how hell are you?
Elmer, what brings you down
to this neck of the woods?
Well, I had a little business
meeting in the area so I--
On a Saturday?
Well, when you get
older you got to go
the extra mile to keep pace.
I'll be honest with you
Bill, things haven't the same
since my business went under.
You heard about that I suppose.
No.
Oh.
I'm retired for three
years now, doctor's orders.
I see, well I had a little
run of bad luck but I,
I'm picking myself up.
I have to go slow thought,
don't have much capital.
Gotta keep plugging, never
know what's around the bend.
Listen Bill, can you
wait just a minute?
I want to check the old balance.
Sure
Ha, just as I expected.
Boy, you really got
to watch these people.
They've been holding onto
a California check of mine
for two weeks now.
I wouldn't mind but, you know,
I'm just getting started again,
cash flow you understand?
Sure Elmer, what
happened down in LA?
The last I heard you
were raking it in.
Well after I left the
agency, what year was that?
'69 I think.
Yeah, right, well
as you know, I'd
gone about as far as I put
there but this a-- my position
was still very precarious.
I was being created, I had
my ass too far out on a line.
No, I should've
done what you did.
Find a nice secure
position, let everyone else
to the in fighting.
You made more money,
got all the recognition.
Yeah but that was,
that was short term,
I was still too
vulnerable, too exposed.
I mean, one client gets his nose
out of joint about something,
anything, I was gone.
You seemed to
manage pretty well.
Yeah, did all right didn't I?
Well, my job was so
tenuous anyway I figured,
why not be my own boss?
I mean, what that hell,
roll those old dice.
So you started your own agency.
Yep, once you start working
for yourself, I tell you Bill,
you wonder why you
ever did anything else.
I guess that's one way
to avoid kissing ass.
Yeah, right, so the
recession hit and the market
bottomed out.
'Course, I was overextended, I
mean who the hell ever expected
those boom times to end?
So I took a Chapter
7 on the business.
It was really touch and go.
But I, I thought I
could make it through
but then, right then, Corra
and I split up for good.
I'm sorry.
I tell ya Bill, we've been
having trouble for a long time,
way back as far as New York.
But when she left me I guess
I just sort of fell apart.
I mean when, when you're so
close to someone for so long,
you know--
Sure, I understand.
You're a good friend,
Bill, always have been.
No I, I appreciate that, really.
But that's all,
that's all done now,
and things are
really looking up.
Well Bill, uh, I gotta get
the old rear end moving,
no rest for the wicked you know.
Well, it was great
talking with you, Elmer.
I, I don't see too
many people nowadays.
But uh, you're all right uh,
you're well taken care of?
Oh sure, I got a nice profit
sharing check when I retired.
Oh good.
Listen, Bill, let, let
me give you my card.
Never know when
something might turn up.
Here, let me fix that for you,
telephone numbers no good.
You can always reach me
[inaudible] my sister.
God bless her, you
want to get in touch.
Well, so long, Bill.
Nice seeing you, Elmer.
Good luck.
Come on.
Coming?
[coughing]
You uh, you don't understand,
I need it very badly.
Look Jonathan, I'm tired
of lending you money.
What do you think I
am, rich or something?
When are you going to
start paying me back?
Goddammit, I need
the money now.
Well I don't have it.
Don't lie to me.
I'm telling you
I don't have it.
I don't get paid
till next Friday
and all I've got from last
weekend's binge is 7 bucks.
Well give it to me then.
No.
Give it to me now.
No.
Give me the money.
Hey I ain't got time for
this, give it to me now.
No.
What do you want from me?
I don't understand.
I don't feel connected
to your life, not at all.
I mean, you lie to
your mother about me.
The people at the agency
don't even know I exist.
What am I, Bill, just something
warm to lay next to at night?
I'm sorry, I wish I could--
you're asking too much.
I need to know where
I'm going, Bill.
Being your gigolo, no matter
how secure and comfortable,
just isn't enough anymore.
You're not my gigolo.
Oh, of course I am.
Well you're very nice
about it, and very
understanding and all that,
but that's the truth of it.
Or would you rather I
said you're an escort?
Or your paramour, or how
about your housewife?
Self pity doesn't
become you, Peter,
is it absolutely necessary?
Yes goddammit, it's necessary,
I need a life for myself.
Being cooped up inside
that apartment all day
is driving me nuts.
Do you know what
happens next month?
No.
It's my birthday, goddammit.
Do you know how old
I'm going to be?
32.
I don't believe it,
you don't even know.
I'm going to be 34
fucking years old, 34.
What am I doing?
Where am I going, Bill, where?
I don't know.
Well I don't either.
I love you, Peter.
Somehow that isn't enough
anymore, maybe it never was.
So I'm the villain.
You know I don't believe that.
I, I just need some
time to sort myself out,
find myse-- oh hell.
You're free to go
whenever you want to,
Peter, I won't hold you.
[knock knock]
Hello, Peter.
Bill, I'd like you
to meet my wife.
Corinne, this is Bill Frayne.
He was my roommate
when I lived up here.
Hi, Pete has told
me so much about you.
Has he?
Oh sure, but only
the good things.
Well, that was nice of him.
Oh, so this is what a New
York apartment looks like.
You know, Bill, I think
it's great that you
and Pete were roommates.
You see, he's always felt,
I don't know, deprived,
because he doesn't have
any family and all.
And I think in a
funny sort of way
he really looks up to you,
like an uncle or something.
Peter and I had a real good
time when he stayed here.
We had a lot of fun.
Yeah, that's what
Pete tells me.
You two going to stay
in Fort Lauderdale?
Yeah, I think so, all
my family's from there
and Pete has such a
good job it wouldn't
make any sense to move.
No, I think that's great.
But you'll have to come and
see us sometime, I'd like that.
Sure, I'll do that.
Bill, I'm so sorry.
Don't be, it's for the best.
Mom hadn't recognized any--
anybody in years, thanks
anyway.
Sure.
How are you, Patty?
Good.
The family?
Cliff's just graduated
from high school.
Mary's engaged to Larry
Nixon's boy, Craig.
I've been trying to
convince Al to stop working.
Let some of the younger men
do the work but, you know Al,
he's always plugging away.
Did you know I went
back to teaching?
No, I didn't.
I'm really having a great time.
I've got the third grade, it's
kind of challenging actually,
like inheriting 22 new
children every year.
That's great.
Well I needed something
to do with myself.
Are you feeling better, Bill?
What?
Oh, oh sure, I guess
you heard about my trip
to the hospital for mom.
No, that was mostly
a scare tactic
by my doctor to feel needed.
He did force them to retire
me three years early, though.
I see you haven't
stopped smoking.
No, it's one of
my few pleasures.
You should quit.
I should do a lot of things.
It, it doesn't mean
they'll get done.
You never came to my wedding.
I didn't think you
really wanted me there.
No, I guess I didn't.
I guess it ended
when I graduated.
It seemed that way to me.
Did, did you love me?
You know I did.
Then-- look, Bill, I, I've
got a good life, a happy life.
I love Al, he's a wonderful
provider, a fine father,
I couldn't ask for a better man.
But sometimes I
wonder, what did I do?
What didn't I do?
You came back that
summer and you'd
changed so-- it
was like you were
a completely different person.
But I, I got to
get lunch ready.
Nice to see you.
I'm glad you married
Al, he's a good man.
I got tired of waiting.
I know.
Are you satisfied with
the way your life has gone?
For the most part.
Believe me, there
was no other way.
Take care of yourself.
You too.
--Beach Island, there
is no place like it.
REPORTER 1 (ON TV): When you
cross the bridge to Long Beach
Island you enter another world.
It's clean, it's safe, but
most of all it's a lot of fun.
REPORTER 2 (ON TV): You better
believe it, it's the best.
REPORTER 1 (ON TV): Long
Beach Island, exit 63
on the Garden State parkway.
BILL: I'm sorry, Peter,
I, I just get lonely.
PETER (ON PHONE) I know, me too.
BILL: And if Scott is
serious about coming up,
I'd be glad to show him
the city for a few days.
PETER (ON PHONE): He
shouldn't have asked you.
BILL: Oh, I don't
mind, really it's fine.
PETER (ON PHONE): All right,
Bill, I, I just wish he'd
have checked with me first.
BILL: Oh don't worry,
he's old enough to really
enjoy seeing the city.
PETER (ON PHONE): Well, I just
don't want him to be a burden.
BILL: It's good to
hear your voice, Peter.
PETER (ON PHONE):
It's been a long time.
BILL: And I just want
you to know, Peter,
that no matter how
much I miss you I'm
really glad you're happy.
PETER (ON PHONE): Thanks, I--
Well take care of yourself.
PETER (ON PHONE): So long, Bill.
Yeah.
[dial tone]
MAN (ON TV): It's not
that I didn't love her,
I just didn't want to
be dependant on her.
If only I didn't
love her so much.
If only I didn't love her.