For Hope (1996) - full transcript

WOMAN: Don't be disgusting.

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

Kishka?

Thanks.

So, this guy goes
to the doctor,
and he says, "Doc."

What kind of doctor?
What?

What kind of doctor?
A specialist or what?

Oh, David.

He's a urologist.
Now are you happy?

It makes it more realistic.

Detail, Kenny. Okay?



Grandma, what are
pickles made of?

Dad, I write comedy.
I know what makes
things funny.

So show us.
I was trying to.

Will you let him talk?
Pickles come from
cucumbers, sweetheart.

KEN: So this guy
goes to his urologist
and he says,

"Doc, I'm having
a little trouble.

"I'm not functioning
the way I used to.
You know, it's my..."

Not in front
of the children.

Penis.

Right.
Right you are, honey.

MOLLY: Is that
Hope's face?
Look at it.

Does that face belong
to Hope or what?

So the doctor says,
"No problem. We can fix you
right up. You have a choice.

"There's this little device
with a hand pump.
Cost you about $400.



"Sometimes it works,
sometimes it doesn't.
There's no guarantee.

"But we also have
a second choice.

"It's this incredible,
state-of-the-art..."

Can you pass
the mustard, please?
MOLLY: Oh, here.

Have some fries, honey.
You look thin.
Have some coleslaw.

No, no thanks, Grandma.
I'm fine.

Leave him alone, Molly.
He's an adult.
He can take care of himself.

Sue me.
I care about
Alan's health.

Can somebody
help me light this?
Not indoors, sweetheart.

Grandma, where do
cucumbers come from?

KEN: Excuse me.
From the ground.

Excuse me,
am I in the middle
of a story here

or am I on some kind
of an acid flashback?

Just tell the story, honey.

Please, Uncle Kenny.
I'm limp with suspense.

KEN: Have a pickle.
It may help.

So the doctor says,
"We also have

"this incredible,
state-of-the-art,
museum-quality gizmo

"that we install internally,
and all you have to do
is press a button.

"And bingo,
satisfaction guaranteed."

Is this a joke?
Nothing's funny.

You say this is
the urologist talking?
Yeah.

Sparkler, please.

Molly, it's
the Fourth of July.

Come on. Is it all right
with you, Annie?

Just be careful, Audrey. Okay?

Come on, sweetie.
You hold it up.
There you go.

So the guy says,
"How much is this going
to set me back?"

And the doctor says,
"$75,000."

And the guy says, "Wow.
I gotta go home and
discuss this with the wife."

So he does,
and he comes back
the next day and he says,

"the wife and I
have discussed it,
and we've decided..."

We'd rather
renovate the kitchen.

I heard it already.

(CHUCKLES)

Look, magic fire.

Okay, all eyes here.

Who wrote this?

William Shakespeare?
Good, Shawna.

And the form is?

Danny?

I don't know.
It doesn't make
any sense to me.

Take a closer look.

Well, I like each of the lines
and they seem to make sense,

but the whole thing
doesn't add up.

Excellent!

(MIMICS BUZZER)

You win
the all-expense-paid trip
to Atlantic City!

Danny hit it
right on the nose.

I took seven couplets
from seven
different sonnets

and put them all together.

They're all Shakespeare,
they're all beautiful,

but all together
they make no sense.

So, what does this tell us?

Never trust Shakespeare.

(LAUGHING)

Yeah, sort of.

Never trust a brand name
just because it's in
the "great books" section.

And?

"To thine own self be true."
Exactly.

Trust your own judgment.
Trust your own instincts.

Use your own eyes and ears.
That's what they're there for.

And never end a sentence
in a preposition,
which is what I just did.

(CHUCKLING)

(BELL RINGING)

He's kind of rugged looking.
He's got a full head of hair.

That's always a bonus.
But is he married?

No.
This one is divorced.

I think you'll really,
really like him.

Oh, I already have
one blind date
this week.

Well, it's perfect.
You can wear
the same outfit.

ALAN: Lobster Thermidor
again?

You want lobster Thermidor?
You make it yourself.

I've got a million
recipe books from
my good little wifey days.

Maybe I don't wanna be
a good little wife.
I don't blame you.

I didn't either.

So, you got a date
for the prom?

Do you?
Don't deflect.
You ask anyone?

Maybe.
Not yet, huh?

I'm narrowing my prospects.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Yeah, well,
better narrow fast.

You've got exactly...
24 days.
Yeah, I know.

Hi, mom.
What's up?

No, it's okay.
We're not dining formally
this evening.

I'm not talking
with my mouth full.
It's only half full.

I'm great.
I'm doing great.

How's my social life?

What can I say?
I'm doing a lot
of field work.

I am not picky, mom.
I am moderately
discriminating.

A brain and a body.
Is that too much to ask?

I really don't think
that's fair.

You can't
possibly know
how I behave with men.

No, I am not
too critical or aggressive.

You know, this is
the reason why I live
2,500 miles away from you.

Would you like to talk
to Alan? He's right here.
He's dying to talk to you.

Hi, Grandma.

No, I haven't asked
anybody specific yet.

There are a couple
of prospects.

(PIANO PLAYING)

I would like herbal tea,
chamomile if you have it,

and the fresh berries
but no cream.

No cream.
I'm fine.

So, Jennifer tells me
you're divorced.

Well, not exactly.

I mean, actually,
my wife and I
are still living together.

But we have
an arrangement, you see.
We both date other people.

(VIOLIN PLAYING)

Um, Nina tells me
that you're divorced.

Yeah.

It's been about
a year and a half.

Oh.
But, uh...

I miss Janice.
I think about her...

All the time.

It was all my fault.
I wasn't...

I wasn't a very good husband.

But I was an even
worse father.

(CRYING)

We had five kids.

I miss those kids
so damn much.

I almost brought
the youngest one
along tonight.

(SOBBING)
He's two and a half.

And then I'll have the salmon.

But could you ask him
to cook it in just
the tiniest bit of oil?

WAITER: Absolutely.

Thank you.
You're welcome.

WAITER: Sir?

I'll have
the goose liver pate,

the baby lamb chops, rare,

French fries, well done.

Let's skip the vegetable
all together, shall we?

And a diet soda.

MAN: I keep looking...

But I just can't seem
to find the right woman.

It's not
a communication thing.

I mean, I think of myself
as a very sensitive guy.

It's, uh, of a more
intimate nature than that.

See, I have a real
problem because...

Well,

I have an enormous...

My theory of women
is whatever they say,

do the opposite.

If they say
they're not hungry,
order a dinner.

They'll eat it.

They say they don't wanna
go out, get courtside seats
to the Sixers.

They'll show up.

They say be gentle,
I say rough them up a little.

They say they don't
wanna have sex...

I did.
I had a great time.

So, can I
see you tonight?
Oh, you know,

I'm going to Atlantic City
today with a girlfriend,

and, um, I don't think
we'll be back until late.

Well, I'll call you.

(CHUCKLING)

Oh, God.

Hi.

Hi. What are you
doing up so early?

I was awakened
by a strange
male voice.

Yes, well...

Don't worry.
You won't be
hearing that again.

So, what was wrong
with that one?

He exaggerates.

Uh, Mom,
don't take this
the wrong way,

but I really don't like it
when you have men stay over.

You know what?
I don't like it
that much either.

Try and be serious here.
Why do you have to turn
everything into a joke?

Because life is funny, Alan,
or haven't you noticed?

I'd just appreciate it
if you wait
until I'm outta here,

before you start
bringing men over.

You make it sound
like I'm some
kind of a slut.

I know you're not promiscuous.
I know you're
discriminating.

Maybe to the point
of being picky.

Don't drag Grandma
into this, shall we?

I... I just don't feel
it's appropriate
for a son to participate

in his mother's love life.
Who said anything
about love?

You see?
That's exactly
what I mean.

We shouldn't be having
this conversation.
It's really inappropriate.

Alan, honey, please.
Just try and understand.

I want to meet
somebody nice.
That's all.

Look, maybe
you could just,
uh, refrain

from having anyone stay over
until I graduate
and move out of here.

Oh, I see.

We're gonna have
the California
discussion again.

No, we're not.
It's not under debate.
I'm going to U.C.L.A.

I'm gonna try
for a scholarship.

Uncle Kenny said
I could stay
with him for a while.

Grandma thinks
it's a good idea too.

Anything I'm against,
Grandma thinks is a good idea.

And I do too.
Doesn't that count
for anything?

Frankly, no.

Not as long as I
have to pay for it.
Well, I'm not staying here.

I'm sick of this place.
Alan...

No, don't "Alan" me!

I don't wanna
live here anymore.

I'm not the little man
of the house.

I want my own life!

That is inappropriate.

(BELLS CHIMING)

JENNIFER: He's 17,
for God's sake.

He's gonna
change his mind
eight times

before he decides
where he wants
to go to college.

If you believe that,
you don't know Alan.

This is my worst nightmare,
that he ends up in college
with my mother.

I can't believe
you still care
what she thinks of you.

You can't?
No.

As a matter of fact,
I myself have come to terms
with the whole mother issue.

Oh, really?
I envy you.
Mmm-hmm.

(SNIFFS)

Hey, are you okay?

Yeah, I just feel weird and...

I'm fine.

(SIGHS)

I've got to sit down.

What?
Do you feel faint?

No, I just...

I'm achy,
and my hands are weird.

They're swollen.
Well, maybe you're
coming down with something.

Oh, God.
Do you think
you have a fever?

I can't get sick. Not now.
I've got Alan's graduation.

I got term papers.
Whoa.

Can you walk?

I want to go home.

Okay.

(ALARM BUZZING)

(BUZZING STOPS)

(SIGHS)

(EXHALES)

Yes, this is Hope Altman.

I need
a substitute
for today.

I'm sorry, I can't talk.
I have to hang up.

Feeling a little better now?

No.

I can barely move
my fingers.

Well, I'll give you
some cortisone
to relieve the swelling,

but I think
it's a contact dermatitis.

BOY: Okay, Alan, get out.
ALAN: All right.
Take care, you guys.

See you later.

GIRL: See you, Alan.
BOY: Good night, Al.

I'll miss you, Beth.

I had a great time.
Oh, me too.

Would you like
to get together again
next weekend?

I... Yeah, yeah,
that would be great.

Okay.

Okay.

(ENGINE STARTING)

BOY: Okay, who's next?

BETH: I am. I am.
I gotta get home.

BOY: See you later.
BETH: Bye, Alan.

(CAR HORN HONKING)

(KEYS CLINKING)

(SHUSHING)

(HUMMING)

HOPE: Alan?

Alan, I need you.

Alan?
Mom?

Mom, are you okay?

I can't be absolutely certain.
I suspect
rheumatoid arthritis.

We need to run
some other tests.

Your sed rate is high.
I want some more blood work.
Lupus is a real possibility.

Extreme fatigue.
Lethargy, depression.

Mrs. Altman, have you
considered talking
to a psychiatrist?

I'm sick

and I can't deal
with it myself.

Can I...

Can I come out there
and stay with you, Mom?

Come on, girls.
Let's go. You first.

Come on. Hey!

What's that thing on
the side of your head?
Laura.

It's okay.
It's a scar.
Why do you have it?

I got in a car accident
a long time ago.
I got a bad cut there.

AUDREY: Will it ever go away?
ALAN: No.

She reminds me of you.
Thanks.

Strange mixture of curious,
obsessive and self-involved.

Yeah.
If you weren't
so disease-ridden,

I'd punch you
hard in the arm
like I used to.

Oh, yeah?
Yeah.

Oh, my God.

You didn't tell me
there were already here.
Yeah.

Oh, please, help me.
Don't let them
kill me with love.

Are you okay, honey?
I'm fine, Mom.
That's why I flew out here.

Is there anything you need?
Can I get you anything?

Daddy.

Annie?

ANNIE: We're in the kitchen.

Not bad, huh?
Jeez.

What do you think?

Well, you've done it.

Perfect wife,
perfect kids,
perfect house.

Oh, yeah. I'm so glad
I get to stay
at the trailer park

with mom and dad.

Now, now,
let's not be snide.
I'm not. Really.

Just because you make
six times as much
as the average school teacher.

It's more like 12, actually.
Well, whatever it is,
you deserve it.

You do. You've worked
really hard for your success.

In fact, I think
they should be
paying you more.

Really? You think so?
Oh, yeah. Absolutely.

You make America laugh.
All I do is teach them
to think.

(CHUCKLING)

Look, Auntie Hope.
My fish.

Oh, neato.

Okay, that's it.
We're flushing Goldie
down the toilet.

No.
Daddy's joking, sweetheart.

I knew that.

(CHUCKLING) Isn't she smart?

Candy?

This man is lying
on the bench there,
practically in rags.

So, I walk over
and I give him
what's left of my lunch.

Oh, Dad,
maitre d' to the planet.
Oh, no thanks.

You know, I always give
leftovers from the deli
to the street people.

I say, why waste?
It's all wrapped up
and everything.

No, no, not for me.
So, this guy,

he opens it
and he says,

"Corned beef?
I don't want it.
I don't eat meat."

That's not what happened.

Yes, it is.
That's exactly what happened.

Your mother thinks
I'm an idiot.
Well?

Hey, it's been a long day.
Hope is sleepy.

Yeah, I'm a little
tired myself.

What do you say
we head for home, huh?

Yep.
Come on, honey.

I can't believe
I'm gonna live
with those people again.

Yeah,
they're exhausting,
aren't they?

Oh, I am tired.

Well, look at the bright side.
You won't be up
until at least 6:30.

Oh, great.

Hey, never should have
graduated and left me alone
with them like you did.

I didn't
leave you alone.
Ha.

I cleared the way for you.

I... I cut through
the thorns and the brambles
so you could

just skip along
the path
free as a bird.

(SCOFFS)

It's a mixed metaphor,
by the way.

I knew that.

God, it's amazing.

Everything went by
in a second and a half.

Do you believe
how old we are?

Some days.

(CAR DOOR CLOSING)

It's amazing,
Uncle Ken.

What?

Such a minor talent
like yourself
should help himself

to such a huge slice
of the American pie.

(CHUCKLING)

You're intensely jealous.

Yeah. Yeah, I am.

I'll never have
anything like this.

Never say never.

If I can do it,
someone as mediocre
as yourself can really soar.

Really.

(CHUCKLING)

I know what you're thinking.

And the answer is yes.

I have a number
of hot steaming babes
lined up for you.

That's not what
I was thinking.

(SIGHS) You're gonna think
I'm a horrible person
for even saying this, but...

What if this was mom's way
of trying to get me
to stay with her?

Oh, gee, Alan.
I don't think...

She knew I was planning
to come out here to college.

What if she got sick
of some sort of
psychosomatic thing?

I mean,
what if metaphysically
she brought it on herself,

and it worked,
and it kept us together?

You think I'm a crazy person
for even thinking this?

No, I don't.
But I don't think
that that's what happened.

(WHISPERING) Want a beer?

Yeah.

Go get us two.

Oh.
Oh, there you are.

You and Kenny.
You were always so close.

No, we weren't.
I left home before
he went to high school.

Oh.
Look at this one.

This is the three of you.
Andrea would be what?

Forty-five.
Forty-five?

Yeah. Oh.

Oh, here are
you and Kenny
at the beach.

Tell me, how much cuter
could he have been?
You always liked him best.

That isn't so. I loved
all three of you equally.
Each one...

Mom, I'm kidding.
Oh.

Hope, here's one
of you as a little girl.

(CHUCKLING)

Look at that adorable face.

It's Andrea.
No, no, it's you.

Andrea?
No, it's not.

I know because
you're carrying that
godforsaken teddy bear.

You had to take it everywhere.
You were such
a stubborn child.

Oh, I was pliable. I just
didn't do everything your way
like everybody else did.

Oh, what a
complete exaggeration.
I am not a willful person.

(HUMMING SARCASTICALLY)

What are you laughing at?

(HOPE LAUGHING)
I... Let's not argue.
Hopey just got here.

Oh, I'm sorry, darling.

Oh, he's right.

I--I--I only want you
to be comfortable,
you know?

Can I get you anything?
Mom, not too comfortable.
I'm not an invalid.

I'm gonna get better
and get out of here as soon
as possible. Understood?

Oh, absolutely.
Hey, in all honesty...

I mean, I have to say
you already look

a whole lot better
than you did last night.

Really. I mean,
the swelling's going down.

Right, David?
Absolutely.

What is that?
Oh, my God.

Oh!

Oh, look at this.

(CHUCKLING)

You hated my hair.

I did. How could you
put streaks
in your hair?

I was 16.
She was a kid.

You don't put
streaks in your hair
when you're a kid.

(CHUCKLING) I was 16.

That's what
they did then.

DOCTOR: Yeah,
they sent me
your records

and the reports
of your lab work
from Philadelphia.

Yeah, the doctors there
thought it was either lupus
or rheumatoid arthritis.

Yeah, well, I don't agree.

I think it's scleroderma.

What's that?
A deli entree?
Kenneth, please.

In English, Dr. Mossman.

Scleroderma,
it's Greek
for hardening of the skin.

(LAUGHS)
Oh, God.

Is it as awful
as it sounds?

Well, it can
cover a whole range
of symptoms.

In its simplest form,
it severely
affects the skin.

It can affect
a part of the body,
a finger, or an arm

or all over.

It's crippling,
debilitating,
but you can live with it.

On the other end
of the spectrum,
we have what we call

progressive
or systemic scleroderma,

and it affects
the vital organs.

The lungs,
the kidneys, the heart,
as well as the skin.

Well, Hope has
the first kind, right?

DOCTOR: No.
No, I'm afraid
she has the second type.

Systemic scleroderma.

Wait a minute.
How can you be so sure?

Are you absolutely positive?
MOLLY: In Philadelphia,

the doctors ran
all kinds of tests and
they couldn't figure it out.

What causes it?
DOCTOR: We don't know.

It's only been recently
that we can even
diagnose it so accurately.

Is there a cure?
Not yet.

But we're working on it.

(SIGHS)

Is it fatal?

Some people live
for a long time.

How long?

Well, the prognosis is not
as good when the internal
organs are severely affected,

but you could survive
for as long as 10 years.

(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)

To tell you the truth,
I'm relieved.

I mean, I'm glad
to finally know
what it is I have.

And I'll tell you
something right now.

I'm going to beat it.
I'm going to overcome
these odds.

(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)

You know,
I've always wanted
to make it

with a mother
and a daughter.
WOMAN: Try the Judds.

(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)

WOMAN: As you can see,
Vincent has only
one thing on his mind.

I don't have a mind.
I have a thing.

(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)

MAN: And we're clear.

He took far too long
with that line.
Let's just speed it up.

It's not funny.

So? Having fun?

Did you write
that "thing" joke?

Yeah, I had
a hand in it.

So, what do you think?

You can do
so much better
than this.

You're always
the teacher,
aren't you?

So when do I
get an A, teach?

Oh, you got one.

You are an "A."
Big "A."

Thanks. I like that.
I got a line change.

Hey, you're already dressed.

Yup.

Running a marathon today.

(CHUCKLES AWKWARDLY)

(EXHALES DEEPLY)

Kenny's driving me
to Santa Barbara
to meet Sharon Monsky.

Do you think
that's a good idea?
I--I mean...

Maybe you should
stay home and rest.

(GROANING)

I'm not a cripple, mom.

(EXHALES)

I'm not.

I'm not...

I am not
going to think
that way.

I'm going to lead
a normal life.

You look a little pale.
You sure you should be
making this trip?

I have to make this trip.

I'm a teacher.
I do homework.

Sure, it looks innocent enough
from the outside, but inside
they're doing experiments.

Kenny, do I need this?

No, but I think I do.
I'm a little nervous.

How do I look?
Is my hair okay?
Let's go. Come on.

SHARON: So,
you're a TV writer?
Yeah, sometimes.

Do you know Gary Shandling
or Jerry Seinfeld
by any chance?

No, I don't.
Bummer.

(CHUCKLING)

Anyway,
when I get to know you
a little better,

I'll exploit
your connections
for one of our benefits.

How about that?
Well, I look forward to it.

That's not what
today's about, though.

So, what would you
like to know?

How long do I have to live?

SHARON: Nobody can
answer that.

Ten years ago,
doctors told me
I had two years.

I'm still here.

Well, for what it's worth,
I'm perfectly healthy

and I feel guilty
as hell about it.

Kenny, shut up.

(MIMICKING HOPE)
Shut up.

(CHUCKLING)

Why don't I know
about this disease?
Why doesn't anybody?

Maybe because
it's a woman's disease.

So many more people
have this disease
than have been diagnosed,

and the majority
are women
of your age.

Scleroderma is not rare

or obscure.

It's just not visible.

It's difficult
going out in public
looking like this,

having people stare at me.

Scleroderma is a painful,
ugly killer.

It's a struggle
just to survive,

to take care
of one's family.

That's really
all you can do.

Is there any chance of a cure?

There's more than a chance.
This is a solvable problem.

Maybe not in my lifetime.

Maybe in yours.

I, um... I may not make it
to the finish line,
but I'm in a race here,

and I'm on a mission
to solve this puzzle.

There is hoke.

(LAUGHS) Hoke?

So, what's gonna be
the most difficult thing
for me to deal with?

For me,
the thought of leaving

my three children
and my husband
before I'm ready

is the hardest part,

and I'll never be ready.

(SCOFFS) You think
you got problems?

I got a bad case
of athlete's foot.

Didn't sleep
a wink last night.
Annie was all over me...

Kenny, stop.

Stop.
I'm not depressed.
You're not?

No.

Sharon's made it
for 10 years.

I'm gonna beat her record.
I'm very competitive.

Tell me about it.

I thought of a way
that you could help me.

I want to document this.

The way it feels.

I want a living history.

I may not
look this way forever,
and...

I want Alan
and Alan's children to...

I want your children
to know who I was.

What do you
want me to do?

You look great, Mom.

Now, wait a minute.
Wait a minute.

Okay, now,
I don't talk until
I'm talked to.

Okay.
Okay, I can talk.

The most emotional moment...
Is that on?

Yeah, it's on, Dad.
Go ahead. Go ahead.

Oh, all right.
The most emotional moment
of Hope's birth...

Daddy, daddy, daddy.

I think that's going back
a little far.

Yeah, she's right.
Maybe you could describe
Hope growing up.

Oh, God.
I feel like I'm at
my own funeral.

All right, growing up.

Well, she was
a very happy child, huh?

Hey, a lot of spunk.
She was a leader.

Also, she was very cute,
like a little doll.

She loved to be
hugged and kissed.

What?
Am I boring you?

No. You're boring everybody.

KEN: Okay, Mom,
let's get your point of view.

What was Hope like
as a teenager,

as a young woman?
I don't think I should
be hearing this.

Hope--Hope was always
very easy with people.

I mean, you know
how she talks.
She was like that.

Very friendly,
loved people.

So you had no,
um, conflicts
with her growing up?

No. Oh, I had
a lot of disagreements
with her,

mainly because
of the guys
she went out with.

Uh-huh.
Her taste
was different.

She picked the wrong husband.

Okay, cut, cut.
This is not the documentary
I had in mind.

KEN: You want to be
the network censor here?
Come on.

Uh, Dad?
Well, hey, hey.

The truth is,
between Hope and Mother,
there was some bickering.

He is so full of it.
Come on. She wanted
her independence.

All right,
let's put it that way.
She wanted her independence.

That is not it, David.
She didn't have
good taste in men.

There are some women
who don't.

DAVID: Mol, she wanted
her independence.
Kenny?

She needed to
get away from us.
Hey, she got married at 20.

She left home and
went to Philadelphia.
She wasn't 20.

What? Oh, so what year?
Another year? What are you
splitting hairs for?

Am I talking here?
She left home when she was 22.
That is...

That is not unusual.
I think we got
enough right here.

When a child
leaves at 22,

you don't exactly
call that running away
from home, do you?

It's okay, Mom. It's good.
Hey, how about if I
play something on the piano?

No, I think we got enough
right here for
a CableACE Award.

Really, it's very good.

Well, come on,
it's not that bad.

David, call the doctor.

Honey?
Honey, are you okay?

Uh-uh.

(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
KEN: Ooh, look, flowers.

Look.
Oh, pretty girl.

Can I get
a double cheeseburger,
fries and... I'm so sorry.

Look. People.
Lots of people.

Ah, strange cryptic message.

Staff in there.
Here we are.

(EXCLAIMS)

(EXHALING DEEPLY)

Her flesh is very rigid.
I can't insert the needle.

Let me try.

(LAUGHING IN PAIN)

MALE NURSE: There, that wasn't
so bad now, was it?
Yeah, not for you.

(EXHALING)

Kenneth, out. Now.

I just wanna know
what's going on. What's with
all the blood work?

Her blood sugar's way up.

It could be
from the cortisone.

I think the scleroderma
may be affecting her kidneys.

We need to run
some more tests.

You guys run more tests
than the D.M.V.

Kenneth.
Okay. I'm going.

Hope, baby.

I hate this disease
more than anything
else in the world.

I swear to you,
I'm going to kill it!

Sweetheart,
I know you will.

I wanna talk
to Alan, alone.

Of course.
We'll wait out
in the corridor.

I don't know
what to do.

Just be here for me.

Come here.

Do you know
how proud
I am of you?

You're a wonderful boy.

So, Alan,
how did it
go in there?

Tell us your
innermost thoughts.

I really don't feel
like talking.

KEN: But all your fans
out here are interested.

Please, Uncle Kenny,
not now.

KEN: But what better time
than now to capture the drama,
the tension, the pain.

All right.
You want a statement?
I'll give you a statement.

I'm tired of watching
my mother get sicker
and sicker.

I can't stand
to see her like that.
I feel helpless.

I want to run away.
You know what
the worst part is?

All I can do
is think about myself.

I put off starting
to go to college.

I spend all
my nights and days
here in the hospital.

The only people I see
are my family.
When do I get a life?

(SNORING)

Kenny.

I've been waiting for you.

Let's go outside
and talk.

You can see it,
can't you?

What?
Well, she's better.

She'll be out of here
in a few days.
Uh, Dad, trust me.

She may be out of here,
but she's not better.

You don't think so?
Well, she's got
a lot more color.

She's probably
running a fever.

Why do you
have to be
so negative?

Negative?
Dad, she has
scleroderma.

She's on dialysis
for kidney disease.

Her esophagus
is deteriorating.

You think
she's getting better?
No. She's a fighter.

She's a human being, Pop.
She's a very sick human being.

Oh... You don't know her.
You don't spend the time
with her that we do.

I mean, Molly and I,
we can see improvements.

Look. She's better.
I guarantee it.

Sure, Pop. Okay.

Oh, hey.
Shawniqua.

I want you to meet
my son, Kenny.
Hi.

Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.

Shawniqua's
little boy, Rakeem,

plays second base
for the Inglewood Blue Jays,

and her daughter, Nicole,
teaches school.

(INTERMITTENT BEEPING)

Can I get some help here?
Right away.
I'm right behind ya.

Oh, please, God,
don't do this.

I'll do anything.
I'll, um...

I'll write jokes
for Tom Snyder. Just come on,
let her get better.

Let her get better.

It's all right.
The drug reaction.

She's gonna be fine.

(SNIFFLES) Sure she is.

Thanks.

Yeah, her daughter
teaches first grade.
MOLLY: Whose daughter?

Shawniqua, the nurse.
Her daughter, Nicole,
teaches first grade.

So, one of her students
raises his hand and says,

"I have to go to
the little boys' room."

So he's gone
for about five minutes,
and then he comes back...

What's the point
of lean corn beef?

Either way,
it clogs your arteries.

Mom, dad's telling his story.

I know.
I heard it already.

Well, I'd like to hear it.

Well, he comes back, and
he says, "I can't find it."

So she draws him
a little diagram and
sends him on his way again.

I thought she sent
another child with him.

No, no, no, no.
That's not the way it goes.

The kid comes back again,
and he says,
"I still can't find it."

Then she sends
another little boy, Mikey...
Yeah.

...to help him
find the lavatory.

So, both boys come back
after a few minutes,

and she says,
"Well, did you find it?"

And Mikey says,
"Yeah, he had his undershorts
on backwards."

(GIGGLING)
Underpants. Yay!

That's so cute.
What a sweet story.
You think so?

He's told it better.

Oh, and be careful, honey.
Don't draw on the table.

But it's for Aunt Hope.
It's very beautiful, honey.

We'll take it to her
tomorrow, okay?
She's coming home.

KEN: I'd like to
propose a toast.

(MIMICKING ED SULLIVAN)
To my lovely
but immobilized sister

who couldn't be here tonight.

She is not immobilized.

Not yet,
but there is hope.

(CHUCKLING)

Kenny, knock it off.
Finish your chopped liver,
will ya?

No, I wanna sing a song.
Uh, it's for Hope.

I'd like to dedicate
this number to my sister.

* Scleroderma
Scleroderma

* Scleroderma,
Scleroderma,
Scleroderma *

(GIRLS GIGGLING)

That's enough.
We don't need this.

And to continue
with my medley of hit.

* Scleroderma
Scleroderma

* Scleroderma, Scleroderma *
Okay, guys, let's go.
That's it.

Come on, take your coat.
LAURA: But we're
having fun, aren't we?

* Scleroderma *

Get your coat.

Way to go, Daddy.
LAURA: Mommy!

Shame on you.

I made your favorite.

Cranberry juice Jell-O.
I'm not hungry.

Well, be that as it may,
you have to eat.

Here. Okay.

Here you are, hon.
Here.

(GRUNTS) I can't!
It's okay. It's okay.

I can't do it.
We'll try it later.

It's all right, honey.
It's all right. Honest.

I cannot stand this.

I know.

I know, honey.
It's terrible
to be sick.

Is there anything
I can get you?
Will you stop saying that?

The only thing you
can get me is better.

And you can't do that.
Nobody can.

All right?
You understand?

I hate this!

I hate this disease.

(SOBBING)
I never wanted you
to take care of me.

I'm...
I'm embarrassed.
Shh.

I should be
taking care of you.
No.

(SHUSHING)

Mommy. Mommy,
I'm so ashamed.

(SOBBING CONTINUES)

I'm 40 years old,

and I'm still living
with my parents.

Hey.

You think
you've got problems?

Your mother and I were waiting
for you kids to grow up
and move out

before we got a divorce.

(LAUGHING)

Come on, get well
and get out of here,
will you?

(LAUGHING)
I'm trying. I'm trying.

Thanks a lot.
No, I got it.

(ROCK MUSIC PLAYING
ON CAR STEREO)

(TIRES SQUEALING)

What are you doing,
sitting here in the dark?

I was meditating.

You were sleeping.
I saw you drool.

Drooling is part
of my mantra.

Did you visit
your mother today?

No. No, I didn't
feel like it.

Well, let me tell you.
It looks like
spin art in the room.

She can't keep anything down.

I'm sorry
I missed that.

Well, it's been a few days.
You gonna check up
on her tomorrow?

I don't know.

I'm getting tired
of the "good
little boy" routine.

Oh?

Yeah. I got accepted
at U.C.L.A.

I wanna start going to school.
I wanna start meeting girls.

I want more
of a normal life.

Gee, I don't know, Alan.

You may just have
to settle for unique.

Don't drool on the remote.

Good night.

(SIGHS)

Hard day?

(STIFLED GIGGLING)

Have you been drinking?

(SIGHS) We had to work late.

One of the guys
brought back a six-pack.

I shared a malt beer
with a co-executive producer.
Is that okay?

Hey, it was just
an innocent question.

(HOPE SCREAMING)

HOPE: The dog! The dog!

Hope? Hope?
Get him off of me!

I'm here!
HOPE: Don't come near me.

Hope, Mommy's coming!
HOPE: He's coming!
Can't you see him?

Help! They're killing me!

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Hello?

Uh, yeah.
I'm on my way.

What is it?
Hope's going nuts.

I'll get Alan.

You're killing me!
This isn't her.
It's got to be the medication.

Oh, my God!
MAN: Just relax.
Easy.

(CRACKLING)
KEN: Hey, wait.

KEN: Her arms
are very brittle.

You bastard!
You're hurting me.
Hold her down.

You're hurting me.
You're hurting me.

(GROANING)

Easy.

Easy.

(ANNIE GROANING)

That's it.
In through the nose,
out through the mouth.

Out through the nose,
in through the mouth.

Or is it the other way around?
I can't remember.
You're not helping, Kenny.

You're not helping, Kenny.
DOCTOR: Push into it.

Good.
Oh, that was a good one.

Okay, it's crowning.
Very good, very good.

Okay, it looks like
a little brunette.

(BABY CRYING)
Is it a boy or a girl?

We'll know
in a moment.

(ANNIE GRUNTING)
Good, Annie.

Okay. It's a girl.
ANNIE: Oh, it's a girl.

Ten fingers, ten toes.

Okay.
She's looking healthy.

Oh, my God.

Oh, baby.

(BABY COOING)

(GASPS)

Hey.
Oh!

You just missed Kenny
and the girls. They just
went upstairs to see you.

Oh, Annie.
Oh, baby Penny.

She's beautiful.

Thank you.

Oh.
Oh, honey, here.

Take a picture.
Oh. Okay.

You hold her, Hope.

Can I? Can I?
Yeah.

Oh, yeah.

(LAUGHING)
ALAN: Smile, Mom.

Look at that arm.
ANNIE: I know.

You know, I think
it's crazy, but...
ALAN: No, she does.

She looks like you.

Like I used to.

Just like I used to.

It's so nice
the baby was born here.

There's a yin-yang thing
going on.

You know, young, old,
healthy, sick.

Yeah, it's nice
for the family.

When they visit,
they get a twofer.

(CLATTERING)

Mom?

(BEEPING)

KEN: Hi.

Hey, you.

Hi.
HOPE: Come here.
Come here.

We just saw the baby.

Oh, she's so beautiful.

Another one that looks
like Annie, huh?
I think she looks like me.

Oh, yeah?

(CHUCKLING)

LAURA: Aunt Hope.

Uh, you have visitors.

I've been waiting for you.
Can you please get in here
right away and get in bed?

Oh, yes, ma'am.

Mmm.
Excuse me.
KEN: Yeah.

(LAURA HUMMING)

What are you doing, honey?

I have some magic
to make her better.

(HUMMING)

I could use some help
over here. Audrey,
come and stand next to me.

Okay.

Here, Dad.
Thanks.

Now, put your hands
over her like I do.

Abracadabra.

Abracadabra.

E-I-E-I-O.

AUDREY: You know what, Laura?
This is silly.

No, no, it's not.

Dear Lord, we thank you
for the food that
we are about to eat.

Amen.

(CHUCKLING)

(HUMMING)

(HUMMING)

(CHUCKLING)

(HUMMING)

Focus on the writing.
We have exactly two hours.

How about that
Ethel Merman bit?

No one knows who
Ethel Merman is anymore.
Well, they should.

She was a landmark.
Spare me a history of the
American musical theater.

You see?
He's doing it again.

You know, if you guys
got paid for bickering,
you'd all be rich.

Just knock it off!
Yeah.

Maybe I'll just do that.

(SOBBING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

Hello, sailor.
Thanks again.

So you're not
the chatty type? Okay.

Oh, no. Things just
aren't going too great
for me right now.

Oh, yeah.
You think
you got problems?

My boyfriend
just dumped me
for my half-sister.

Really?
Yeah.

I got about half a sister.
She's in and out
of the hospital,

but she's dying
slowly and painfully.

Oh. Bummer.

Oh, that's nothing.
My other sister, Andrea,

she died about 10 years ago.
She was in her thirties...
Of an aneurysm.

Very unusual
for someone of that age.

Wow. Really?
I'm not finished.

These events have made
my parents' life
a living hell,

and they are really
nice people who didn't
and don't deserve to lose

both of their daughters
who were and are really
caring and sensitive people.

I bet...
Did I tell you
about my nephew?

He's this really terrific kid
who, you know,
should be carefree,

and having the time
of his life,
but you know,

he almost died
in a car accident
when he was nine years old.

So he's worried all the time,
and he's suffering from

a severely broken heart
'cause he's losing his mom.

Oh, that's so...
And on top of all that,
my wife and I

just had this really terrific,
beautiful, healthy baby girl.

And instead of being at home
with her, I'm sitting here

in this godforsaken place
drinking myself silly
and feeling sorry for myself.

Mister, I think
you're a little
too chatty.

I think you should
go home to your wife
and take a taxi.

Get him a taxi.
BARTENDER: Gotcha.

Good luck.

Good night.

What the hell
do you think
you're doing?

Look, I had a couple of beers.
Maybe three.
Does that make me a drunk?

Yes, actually,
I think you're beginning
to qualify.

Annie, give me a break.
There's a lot happening
right now.

You're damn right.

But it is happening
to Hope,

not to you.

You have to be...
Look at me.

You have to be strong
right now.

For your parents,
and for Alan

and for our kids.

We have a new baby,
you know.

I'm sorry, Annie.

(SOBBING)
I just don't know what
to do with these feelings.

Sweetheart, it's okay.

It's okay.
You don't have to be
strong for me.

Who here knows
the story of the pig
with the wooden leg?

Keep it clean, Dave.

Does it have
underpants in it?
DAVID: Underpants?

(LAUGHING) No.

Laura, eat your vegetables.

This guy's walking along
a country road, and he sees
this beautiful farm.

Why are these people
always walking?
Don't they have cars?

And in the barnyard...
* E-I-E-I-O *

DAVID: That's right.
He sees this big, fat pig
with a wooden leg.

Well, just then,
the farmer comes out. So this
guy says to the farmer,

"Gee, that's a beautiful pig,
but why has he got
a wooden leg?"

And the farmer says,
"Oh, him? Oh, that's
some terrific pig.

"Saved my boy's life,
you know. Yeah.

"Once, when we were
all out at night,
the house caught on fire,

"and that pig ran inside and
dragged my boy out to safety."

Dave, hurry it up.
The rye bread
is growing mould here.

All right, all right.
It's... So the visitor says,

"That is absolutely
incredible, but tell me,

"why does the pig
have a wooden leg?"

And the farmer says,
"Well,

"for a pig that special,
you don't eat it all at once."

(ALL LAUGHING)

That's bad.

(COUGHING)

MOLLY: Honestly.

I mean, that was in such
bad taste, and the children
sitting right here.

What's so awful?
You're eating corned beef,
for God's sake.

Hopey, do you have
a problem with that story?

(CLEARS THROAT)
Uh-uh.

To tell you the truth,
I think I know exactly what
that pig is going through.

AUDREY: I didn't
get it really.
LAURA: Me neither.

LAURA: We were just laughing
because everybody else was.

(GROANS) It hurts.

I'm sorry, honey.

(WINCES)

You tired?
Mmm.

You sleep now.
Rest.

It's the best thing
for you.

Thanks, Mom.

(DOOR OPENING)

(DOOR CLOSING)

DAVID: Hey,
how's she doing?

(SIGHING) She's had
better days.

How about you?

Oh. When she breathes,
I breathe.

When she doesn't,

I'm suffocating.

Hey, hey, hey,
come here.

Listen, Hope is
a very courageous girl.

If anybody can beat
this disease, she can.

(CRYING)
She can't.

Molly,
don't talk that way.

Oh, face it, David.

Her body is turning
to stone bit by bit.
A little more every day.

She can fight it.

A lot of people
survive for years.

(SNIFFLING)

(SIGHING)

I don't think
I could do this.

To live...

Through the death
of my daughter.

I... I...

I always assumed
I would go first.

And now...

(SNIFFLING)

To face the loss
of another one
of my children...

Look, hey, hey, hey,
hey, hey, hey, come on.
Come on, come on.

Molly, shh.

(CRYING) Oh, David.
Oh, David.

It's all right.
It's all right.

Okay. You have to be
part of the archive
like everybody else.

ANNIE: Who, me?
So, Annie, tell me.

What?
What do you think is Hope's
most outstanding quality?

You can be
absolutely candid,
good or bad.

Uh...

Sometime this week, Annie.
I know, I know.

I-I'm just trying to decide
between her-- her courage...
Yeah.

And her-- her humor.

That's a good answer.
I--I think I'd have to go
with her courage.

That's what my parents said.
Hope's courage would be
the thing that heals her.

Well, they would say that.

The exaggeration machine
known as Molly and Dave.

(LAUGHING) Hello.

We're talking about
my parents here.

You said I could be
completely candid, so...

Kenny, you know
I love your parents,

but they are
incurable optimists.

(STAMMERING) Uh,
what's wrong with that?

You should maybe
put the camera away.

Really?
Really.

There's nothing at all
wrong with that.

It's just that,
sometimes, optimism

spills over into denial.

Uh-huh.

Are we there yet?

Kenny, listen to me, okay?

Your parents...
Your parents are
incredible people.

They are...
Oh, they are so strong.

They're fighting
the good fight,

and they have
never lost faith,
and that's a good thing.

But Hope is very, very sick,

and she's not
going to get better.

And nobody
is helping her
deal with that.

Nobody is preparing her
for death.

(CHILDREN LAUGHING)

Can I get a hug?

Oh, I love you.
I love you too.

No, no! The baby!
Nobody's watching
the baby!

That is such a low tactic.

Oh, no, please.
Hold on!
(SCREAMING)

Oh, I can't believe
you did that.

(SCREAMING)

(PHONE RINGING)

That was really bad.

(RINGING CONTINUES)

Hello?

She's back in the hospital.

Damn it!

(BEEPING)

(LAUGHING) Hey.

I planned a trip
to come and see you.

I thought you were
gonna be at your parents.
What happened?

I don't know.
I had trouble breathing.

My mother had
a problem with that.

(CHUCKLING)

Come on in.

Look at this.
It's signed by all
of your ninth graders.

You should've seen them.
Each one of them took
such a long time.

Oh, Jen, it's okay.
I know what I look like.

The good news is,
I save a fortune on lipstick.

(LAUGHING)

What do the doctors say?
Oh, well,
that's the bad news.

Uh, the doctors say
they don't know
what to do,

so why don't we
give her a new drug?

I'm on $50,000
worth of drugs
right now.

Yeah, just make sure
your teacher's insurance
is paid up.

If mine wasn't,
Alan would be
selling cookies door to door.

What's gonna happen to you?

What's gonna happen to me?
I'm gonna get better.

I just have to stay alive
till they find a cure,
and I'm determined to do that.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

What, every time I see you,
it has to be in the I.C.U.?

HOPE: Hey, you guys!

Come here.
This is my friend Jennifer,

who is my co-teacher
in Philadelphia,

and she spent her
entire life savings to come
visit me on summer vacation.

Sure, I know you. You were
the one who was nabbed
in the McMartin thing, right?

Funny.
My brother writes sitcoms.

Don't worry.
It's not contagious.
I brang more pictures.

(GASPING) Wonderful!
One can never have
too many pictures.

LAURA: Ooh!

(HUMMING)

Where's Alan?

He couldn't make it.
He's got a cold.
He does not!

He does from
the swimming pool.
He was in too long.

Then why don't
I have a cold?

Forget it, Laura.
HOPE: You are such a liar.

(LAUGHING)

You are the worst liar, Kenny.
You always were.
Your ears turn red.

They do!
Oh, fine,
now everybody knows.

ALL: * Daddy has red ears
Daddy has red ears

* Daddy has red ears,
Daddy has red ears

* Daddy *

(COUGHING)

Quick, get a doctor.

Let's go.

Hello, ladies.

BOTH: Hi.

So, what's up, doc?

So, it doesn't look good.

Her lungs
are deteriorating,

and I think...
I think this is
a good time for you

to get everybody together,

and you're gonna need
to prepare yourselves
for a difficult time.

I'll be on the floor.
If you need anything,
have me paged.

ANNIE: So who wants dessert?

Laura, honey, you listening?
I said your favorite word,
"dessert."

I'm not hungry.
I think I may be sleepy.

I'll go.

Excuse me.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Who is it?

Ho, ho, ho,
Santa Claus.

Hi, Daddy.

You okay?
Yes.

Oh.
(SIGHS) No.

You got
a tummy ache?
No.

Got a headache?
No.

A sore throat?
No.

Runny nose?
Daddy.

Well,

what then?

(SIGHS)

I have a sore heart.

Oh, honey, why?

What is it?
Tell me.

Hope is very sick,
isn't she?

Yes, she is.

My magic didn't work.

Laura, sweetheart,
that's not true.

Your magic did work.

It made Hope happy.
It gave her strength.

She got much better
because of you.

Maybe it just wore out?

Yeah, maybe that's it,

but it didn't mean nothing.

It meant
a whole lot, baby.

I'm not a baby.
No.

You're most certainly
not a baby.

But you are my baby.

(GIGGLING)

Aren't you, huh?
Uh-huh.

Bye. Bye-bye.
KEN: It's a
beautiful shot, huh?

Yeah, the baby's
not bad either.

(COUGHING)

KEN: So you had no conflict
with her growing up?
MOLLY: No.

Oh, I had a lot of
disagreements with her

because of the guys
she went out with.

Her taste was different.
(SIGHING) These people.

Our parents,
they're just too...

Real.

Have you ever thought
about a sitcom?

Wait. Wait, wait, wait.
Freeze that.

Oh. Kenny,
look how I've changed.

Yeah, your hair
is a little longer.

No. No, I mean it.
Look at me.

Look at me.

The person inside of me

doesn't look like this.

Ooh, isn't she
beautiful, Hope?

And bright as a penny, too,
aren't you?

Sit in your stroller.

Annie,

help me.
What is it?

Water?

(SLURPING)

(COUGHING)

She may be thirsty,
but she shouldn't
have fluids.

I didn't know.
Her esophagus.
She can't handle it.

I didn't know.

Hope, can you listen to me?

There's nothing
to be afraid of.

Whether you are
in this body or not,

there is nothing
to be afraid of.

You could just let it go.

You can go where
you won't have any more pain.

Andrea.

Your sister.

I can't do it to them again.

(SNIFFLING)

Hi, Annie. Hello, honey.
How's my girl today?
Feeling better?

You look better, sweetheart.
Oh, who's this little...

Oh, honey, your lips
are completely dry.
Are you thirsty?

She's not supposed
to have any water.

Well, I mean,
she's clearly
not comfortable.

I--I think we should
talk to somebody.
All right, I'll go.

She's tired.

Let's let her rest.

She's doing this for you.

What?
Hope is fighting so hard
to stay alive

because she doesn't want
to put you and David
through another death.

(GASPS)

That's not it.
Hope--Hope's a fighter.

I mean, she's determined
to get better, and she can.

Hope is not going
to get better.

That's not
absolutely certain.

Your beautiful daughter
is trapped in that body.

She is trapped
in that body
with so much pain.

She needs something
from you.

You know that. You do.

She needs your
permission to die.

(GASPS)

Hope never got the breaks.

She had to work so hard
for everything, you know?

She always wanted
so much to be liked.

You know, she raised Alan
all by herself?
I know.

She nursed him
through the car accident.
I know.

Yeah. Do you know
how many letters and cards

I got from the students,
the people she worked with?

They always say
the same thing.

What a wonderful,
wonderful teacher she was.

And a lovable person.

She still is.

Maybe she needs a rest.

(SOBBING)

Oh, Ken, have you met
Nurse Stark?

Hi, pleasure to meet you.

She's taking night courses
in psychology at Northridge.
Ken's a comedy writer.

Really?
Say something funny.

Uh, what were Adam's
first words to Eve?

"Stand back, sweetheart.
I don't know how big
this thing gets."

He is funny.

(BEEPING)

East 2A.

You're looking
very natty today.
Oh, you think so?

We should pick up
some jeans, show off
that butt of yours.

It is one of my best features.
All the girls say so.

Which girls, exactly?

All right,
your mother says so.

I mean, she doesn't exactly
say it out loud,
but I know she thinks so.

Really? Uh-huh.
Very possessive woman,
your mother.

On the other hand,
I'm an insanely jealous man,
so we mesh very nicely.

Can you keep a secret?

Since we married,
I have never been
with another woman.

I...

I never wanted to, Ken.

(CRYING)

Oh, Kenny,
Hope is dying.

We mustn't let
your mother know.

I mean,
we have to be positive.
You understand?

Yeah, Pop, come on.
Come on.

Kenny.

Look what I had to do
to get a little attention
in this family.

Yeah,

but look at the quality time
we got to spend together.

(CHUCKLING)

(COUGHING)

I'm so sorry I'm sick.

(SHUSHING)

I love you, Hope.

You okay?

Mmm-hmm.

You signed up
for your classes yet?

Asian History,
Beginning French,
Film Comedies of the '40s

and American Literature.

Uh...

Mom, can I get you anything?

A U.C.L.A. T-shirt.

Alan,

I am so proud of you.

You're a good man.

(PHONE RINGING)

Yes.

We'll be right there.

It's time.

I'm here, darling.
Mommy's here.

I would give anything...

Anything to be able
to hold you, sweetie,

to take you in my arms

and rock you
like I did when
you were a little girl.

Do you remember?

I would cradle you
and sing to you.

* My funny valentine

* Sweet comic valentine

* You make me smile

* With my heart

* Your looks are laughable

* Still, you're my favorite *

David, you have to say
something to her.

You have to tell her
she can let go.

No, I can't do that.

What's happening?

They're cleaning her up.
We can go in, in a minute.

What do the doctors say?

Well, it's not good, but...

She refused the respirator
and the feeding tube.

So she can talk?
MOLLY: No, but
she's conscious.

She was very clear about it.
She shook her head.

Uh, can she hear us?

You can go back in now.

I don't know what to do.
What am I supposed to do?

Just stay here
with her, with us.

Mom, I want to
talk to her.
Is that okay?

Hey, Hope.

Don't worry about Alan.

It looks like
he's going to be
a wonderful person.

You brought him up right.

He's a great class project.

Um...

Uh, Audrey sent over
some more of her pictures.

This morning,
Laura asked me
to call General Electric

because they bring
good things to life.

Kids, huh?

(CRYING) So, Hope,

looks like this body
doesn't want you anymore,

so kiss it goodbye.

You've got better things to do
with that rare soul of yours.

Okay?

Oh, God.
I'm gonna
miss you so much.

Do you want
to say something?
I don't know what to say.

Maybe if you
just stand closer.

You don't
have to say anything.

She just
wants to feel you there.

Mom.

Mom, can you hear me?

I love you, Mom.

And you know what else?
I like you.

You're a wonderful friend.

(SIGHS) I...

Alan, it's okay.

Maybe you just need
to be alone right now,
okay?

Wait a minute.

She moved.
She's sitting up.

She's getting dressed.

(GASPS)

It's not funny, huh?
Poor taste.
Shame on you.

Why does it take an illness
to make us say the things we
don't say unless they're sick?

Could you run that
by me again?

You know what I mean.

The only good thing
that's come out
of this disease

is that it's brought
the family closer.

So you're saying it would have
been better to do it
without the disease, right?

Not funny?

Nothing's not funny.

If I've given you that,
my man, I consider
my job complete.

My mom gave me that.

That's a good point.

Boys, you better
come back in.

Hope,

you want a sandwich?

Some chicken soup?

Sweetheart,

do you know
what a treasure
you are, hmm?

My loving,
wonderful girl.

I h-- I have
such admiration for you.

Oh, sweetheart,
you fought like a champion,

but now,

now it's-- It's over.

Now you--
You have to...

You...

You have to let go,
sweetheart.

We'll all see
each other again.

I know it.

(INHALES DEEPLY)

(EXHALES)

Boy, does this not feel right.

(SIGHS) Maybe we should
bring her over here.

What, the body?
No, the head too.

This is in very poor taste.

Hey, anybody heard
about Saul and Ida Stein?

I hope this isn't the story
I think you're going to tell.

Saul isn't feeling well,
so he and Ida
go to the doctor.

This is totally inappropriate
for the children.
It's too late, Mom.

Does it have underpants?

Anyway, the doctor says,
"I'm gonna need
a urine sample,

"stool sample
and semen sample."

What's se-semen?
Never mind.

What's stool?
A little chair.

Are you happy now, David?
Does everybody understand
what urine is?

No, tell me.
Pee-pee.

That's right, sweetheart.
Semen, stool and urine.
Are we all clear on this?

Right. Now,
Saul's got a hearing problem.
He turns to his wife and says,

"Ida, what did
the doctor say?"

Ida says,
"He wants to see
your underpants."

(GIRLS GIGGLING)

That's terrible.

Underpants!
DAVID: Underpants.

(LAUGHING)

I got two underwear jokes,
and you heard them.

All right,
it wasn't so good.

ANNIE: Was that funny?

(NARRATOR READING)

* My funny valentine

* Sweet comic valentine

* You make me smile

* With my heart

* Your looks are laughable

* Unphotographable

* Yet you're my favorite

* Work of art *