An Empty Bed (1990) - full transcript

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.