Unhook the Stars (1996) - full transcript

This is the last time.

It's really
the last time.

[Grunts]

I shouldn't have driven.

Can't just leave the car
idling like that, Mildred.
It's not good.

And the gas.

Hmph.
Quicker if I walked.

[Tires Screech]

Boy.

- Hello, Mildred.
- Oh, hi, George.

- Where's Annie?
- Not feeling well.



- Again.
- That's right.

Coffee?
I have hot coffee.

Good.

- Look, we have to talk.
- Don't start, Mom.

Just don't start.
I woke up two seconds ago.

I know that.
That's one of the things
we have to talk about.

Now, I took your paper route
again this morning...

and I have to say
with honest emotion that
it makes me extremely angry.

I don't mind getting up
early in the morning.
I do that anyway.

- It's just not right.
- We know it's not right.

I didn't want you
to get me that fuckin' route.
That was your idea, remember?

You think I want you
to deliver papers? I think
that's a wonderful job for you?

I wanted you
to go to school.

- I want you
to go to school.
- I've heard this!



I have heard this
4,000 times!

Well, if you think I'm enjoying
this conversation any more
than you are, you're wrong.

Well, then,
why say anything?
Leave me alone!

I'm an adult.
A-D-U-L-T.

You are not an adult.
An adult is someone who works
and can take care of himself.

I mean, as long as someone
is paying for your gas
and your electric and your...

What the hell do you think
you're doing, living off
what Dad left you?

- You think that
makes you an adult?
- Oh, honey.

I know how difficult
this must be for you.

You're a nightmare.
I'm outta here.

[Door Slams]

- [Man, Indistinct]
- [Woman] I'll do whatever
I want, you piece of shit!

Where do you think you're
going? I gotta go to work.
Gimme the fuckin' keys.

I'm an inconvenience?
I don't fucking matter?

Ah, come on,
Monica.

I'm the one who doesn't
get an ounce of fucking sleep!

First it's 2:00,
then 3:00, then 5:00!

- Fucking sick of your crap!
- I forgot, okay?

- [Monica] You're too fucking
stupid to tell the time?
- [Car Door Opens]

[Man] What do you
want me to do, get on my knees
and beg you not to be a bitch?

- [Car Door Slams Shut]
- [Monica]
You're gonna be sorry!

- [Engine Starts]
- I'm gonna be sorry?

[Tires Squealing]

♪ [Radio Blaring]

[Tires Squealing]

What are you
lookin' at?

Pah.

Hi, honey.

You hungry?
I got some chops
I can cook.

I left a note.

- Jason?
- Yeah, he's pickin' me up.

He borrowed this guy,
Mike, his truck.

I think I've
got everything.

- I don't want you to go.
- Well, I'm going!

Don't worry.
I'll be fine.

- Do you need money?
- No. I'm okay.

Listen. Take some.
You never know you do
'til you don't have any.

Look in, in the Yuban coffee can
in there... next to the flour
on the shelf.

There's $250 there.
You take whatever you need.

Jesus, Mom,
I don't want anything!

- So you're gonna go
just like that?
- Just like that.

Good luck, baby.

I'm 23, right?
I'm not 12.

- I mean, a paper route!
Is this fucking crazy or what?
- Mm-hmm.

Go get the bags.

Hi, Mildred.

Hello, Jason.

Look, I'm, I'm
really sorry
about this.

I didn't want
to get in the middle of it,
but Annie's just... [Sighs]

- [Horn Honks]
- Take it easy, Mildred.

- [Annie]
Is that everything?
- Yep. Yep.

[Loading Truck]

[Mildred]
Kids today don't value
a job the way they should.

- ♪[Bell Tolling]
- There are plenty of people who
probably need this job... want.

Nice, hardworking...

Mexican or,
or Oriental people.

Huh! Nobody likes
to get up early.

It's their loss.
Nicest part of the day.

Absolutely the last time.

- [Tires Screeching]
- [Radio Blaring]
♪ Makes me feel all right ♪

♪ It makes me
feel all right, okay
It makes me feel all right ♪

- ♪Makes me feel all right ♪
- [Monica]
Hiya, baby.

- Get the fuck
out of the car.
- Okay.

- Get the fuck outta the car!
- I am... fucked up.
[Chuckles]

- [Yelling] Get the fuck
outta the car!
- I gotta get my keys.

- I forgot my...
- Let's go. Walk.

- All right. Okay. Okay!
- Walk. What'd I tell ya?
Walk.

Get off me, man. Ow.

Okay. Okay, baby.

♪ [Doorbell]

- Hello.
- Hello.

- Uh, you don't know me, but I
live across the street at 1044.
- Yes. Yes.

My name is Warren.
We're the Warrens.

I'm Monica,
and this is J.J.

He doesn't talk a lot.

Hello. Come on in.
Come on in.

- Would you like to sit down?
- No, thanks.

Um, anyway, so...

I work over at the creamery in
Ferndale, and I gotta be there
in 20 minutes. I work splits.

It's the worst shift,
but I'm new, so I gotta
go along. Am I right?

Jay, honey, no.

J.J.'s father's
been unexpectedly
called out of town.

I'm sorry. Whatever.
He's just out of town.
He's gone, and I'm stuck.

I asked the lady...
you know... Mrs. Ferguson,
the fat one at 1027...

but she puts me off
and says she knows you,
and she suggested you.

I need someone
to look after J.J.
While I'm at work today.

- [Clattering]
- There he is. He's fed,
and he's well-behaved.

This'd just be for today,
because he goes to school.

It's just that they won't
take him after 10:00.

It's a real stupid
fucking policy,
if you ask me.

They're supposed to help.
They say it's because he's new
and he missed some already.

Now they want him
to miss some more because
it's after 10:00!

Anyway, I'm screwed.

Are ya busy today?
I'd be happy to pay.

Oh, that won't be necessary.
I'll take the boy.

Are you sure?
L-I don't have a lot, but...

Yes, I'm certain. I'm certain.
I mean, you asked me for
a favor, and that's what it is.

See, my house
is paid for.

My husband left me a pension.
You know, not a lot,
but enough.

- Mm-hmm. I see.
- Okay, uh, I'll need a sweater
or a coat. Both, preferably.

Any toys he might like.
Your home phone number.
A number at work.

Also, a blanket,
if he has a special one...

and a belt for those pants,
and his books.

Okay. I'll see what
I can find. Listen.

J.J.'s very quiet.
Don't get frustrated with him.
He's very smart. Okay?

Jay, honey, come here
and gimme a kiss.
I gotta go to work.

Okay. Um,
this nice lady, uh...

is gonna take care of you
'til I get home, okay?

Mildred Hawkes.

Yes, Mrs. Hawkes.

Okay? All right.

I'll be right back
with his stuff.
Uh, I gotta move it.

Um, I'll be home by 9:00.
Take good care of him.

I will.

Hi.

I'm Mrs. Hawkes.

You and I are going to have
a good time. Whaddya say?

♪ [Piano]

♪

[Mildred] "'Dear pig,
are you willing..."

"to sell for one shilling
your ring? '

"Said the piggy, 'I will. '

"So they took it away and were
married next day by the turkey
who lives on the hill.

"They dined on mince
and slices of quince...

"which they ate
with a risible spoon.

"'And hand in hand
on the edge of the sand...

"they danced by the light
of the moon...

"the moon, the moon.

They danced by the light
of the moon."

[Rings Doorbell]

Oh, Christ.

Geez, l-I'm just
on my way over.

- Come on in.
- Yeah.

There we go.

J.J., sweetie,
go upstairs to bed.

Sit down.
You wanna drink?

Uhh, no, thank you.

How'd it go today?
Everything okay?

Yes, it was fine.

As a matter of fact,
I was wondering if
you'd like me...

to pick him up in the morning
and take him to school.

Well, it's real kind of you
to offer, but, uh...

I think I'm gonna have to drop
him off at his grandmother's
house for a little while.

Those fucking splits
are gettin' me back at 9:00.

What am I gonna do?

My mother-in-law
don't mind too much.

Well, you know, I could
pick him up after school...

and, and keep him with me
'til you get home from work.

I mean, it would be
no inconvenience.

I mean, that's just until
your husband gets back.

Let's cut the shit.

He ain't comin' back.
You know it, and I know it.

You see these marks
on my face?

Now, I appreciate
your offer, but I don't have
the money to pay a baby-sitter.

Oh, my goodness.
Don't worry about that.

Please, I repeat, I don't want
any money, and you're not
putting me out at all.

Both of my children
went to Wishing Well.

And when your work schedule
changes, everything's going
to be back to normal.

In the meantime,
J.J. Gets to stay with his mom.

Okay.

We'll try it out
for a while.
We'll see how it goes.

But I'm not
lookin' for any handouts.
I can manage on my own.

Yes, I can see that.

Okay.

- I'll pick up J.J. At 7:30
in the morning, okay?
- Thanks.

I know you're
helping me out here.
I just...

I'm not used to it,
you know?

Sure. See you tomorrow.

Bye.

Did you learn anything
about pilgrims?

They ate
the Thanksgiving supper.

Well, yes, they did.
They did.

In fact, there wasn't
even any Thanksgiving
before they were there.

That's very good.

Very interesting.

Learn anything else?

About Indians maybe?

[War Whoop]

How 'bout that? No?

Uh, okay.

[War Whoop]

That ring a bell?
No?

Well... How.

No, huh?

Okay, do I have
a treat for you.

When we get home,
when we get to my house...

when we get back there,
I have a book...

that tells
all of the answers.

It can teach you everything
you ever wanted to know
about anything.

Well, you have to remember,
it was very cold.
Everyone was dying.

So the Indians and the pilgrims
decided to help each other.

Remember how the, uh,
the Indians...

taught the pilgrims
how to plant corn?

- Yeah.
- Well, they took...
they took some of that corn...

and the pilgrims
cooked some turkeys...

and they all sat down,
and they had a big meal.

And they decided
to be friends.

And that's
what Thanksgiving
really is all about...

making friends
and eating a lot.

[Knocking]

Hi, J.J. Come on in.
I'm cooking.

These are usually
for birthdays...

but I had one left over,
and what the heck,
Thanksgiving is important too.

- You can try out
the horn.
- ♪ [Toot]

That's just wonderful.
Okay. Now.

Go over to that cupboard,
and open the doors.

- Why?
- Just do it.

[Gobbling Sound]

[Gobbling Continues]

Well, what?
You don't think
that's funny?

- ♪[Doorbell]
- Oh, there's somebody.

Ooh. Oh. Oh!

- Ohh, son.
Oh, look at you.
- Hello, Mom.

- Happy Thanksgiving.
- You look so handsome. Oh!

And Jeannie. Oh.
Oh, I'm so glad to see you.

And you brought
salad... and yams?

That's... There's
too much food.

Well, I love leftovers.
Who cares?

- [All Chuckling]
- Hi, Mom.

Oh, hi, sweetheart.
Hi. Hi.

- Happy Thanksgiving.
- Happy Thanksgiving, darling.

L... Oh, oh. Invite them
in the house, Mildred.
You know?

Excuse me for acting
like such a big fool.
I'm just so happy to see you.

I just... I can't
tell you. Ohh.

- Oh.
- You too, Mom.

- You look
absolutely beautiful.
- Thank you.

- Doesn't she?
- Yes, she does.

Is Ann Mary Margaret
with you?

- Uh, no.
- Did you talk to her
on the phone or anything?

No. Were we
supposed to?

No, no. No. No.
Well, she knows... She knows
she's welcome... anytime.

I have someone I want
to introduce you to.

Well, let's see
what we have here.

My mom's stuffing,
and it's usually not bad.

Mmm. Mm-hmm. And this is, uh...
I don't know what that is.

No fingers.
Can I fix you another drink?
Yours is getting a little low.

Well, sure, Mom.
Thank you.

[Jeannie]
Oh. You know, don't worry.
I can get that.

- Oh, I don't mind.
- I don't mind either.

Oh! Oh, sure. Sure.
Okay. You know where
everything is.

Uh, no. Actually,
maybe you should get it.

- Well, l...
- If you don't mind.

- ♪[Doorbell]
- Oop. Got it.

♪ [Doorbell]

- Hello.
- Well, hello.

Uh, I'm not sure if I have
the right house.

- Are you Ethan?
- Uh, yeah.

I'm Monica. Monica Warren.
Really nice to meet you.

- Likewise.
- I didn't realize Mildred
had such a handsome son.

- Hmm.
- Come, Monica.
Come on in.

Oh, everyone, this is Monica.
This is J.J.'s mother,
my neighbor...

and this is Ethan, my son,
whom you've met...

and Jeannie, and, uh,
everybody knows me.

- Can I get you a drink?
- You got any beer?

Sure. Sure. Oh, sit down.
It's going to be just
a couple of minutes.

Ah, yes, ladies, uh,
should we sit down?

- Honey? Monica?
- Sure.

- Uh, Mom, you got
everything there?
- Everything's fine.

[Clears Throat]

So, how do you do?
I'm Jeannie, Ethan's wife.

- It's nice to meet you.
- [Mumbles]
Oh. Excuse me.

Same here.
Uh, can't really stay.
I got a date.

Just left word
on my answering machine
that I'd be over here...

so I hope you don't mind
if he calls.

- No, that's fine.
- Thanksgiving. Hot date.

You know what I mean.

Thanks. I mean,
I wouldn't mind
eating over here.

I hear your old lady's a real
good cook and all, but as soon
as that phone rings, I gotta go.

[Jeannie Clears Throat]
So, uh, what do you do,
Monica?

What do I do?
I work at the creamery.

- [Suppressed Laugh]
- My husband left me
a little while ago.

- So I'm on the rebound,
you know?
- [Laughing, Mumbling]

[Laughing]
Anyway, you know,
you try.

This guy I'm goin' out with
today... I don't even know him.
Do you believe that?

- [Laughing]
- Come on.

Our first fucking date...
It's on Thanksgiving!

- Oh. Oh, good thing
I'm drinkin'.
- Oh, hey.

- You're crazy.
- [Laughing]
Here's to ya.

- Cheers.
- Okay. Okay.

We're ready. We're ready.
Everyone grab a seat at
the table. I'll get the wine.

And because
it was so cold...

they both decided
to work together
and have a dinner...

and, and
use Indian tricks...

and... and...
I don't know.

Corn.
Don't forget the corn.

Europeans never
saw corn before then...
or potatoes either.

Not potatoes, Mom.
It's Irish.

- I don't think so.
- Mm-hmm.

And they wanted
to be friends too.
Right, J.J.?

- Right.
- [Ethan] The pilgrims,
they looked around...

and they saw the sky
and the land and the trees
and the water...

of what would later become
the great commonwealth
of Massachusetts.

They thought it was
so beautiful that they...

just decided
to sit down and have a meal
and thank God for that.

How do you know so much
about Thanksgiving, Ethan?

Come on, ma.
You taught me. You read it
to me out of the encyclopedia.

- I did?
- Mm-hmm.

- I don't remember.
- [Phone Ringing]

I'll get it. I'll get it.
That'll be Ann Mary Margaret.

[Ringing]

Hello?

Oh. Yes, she is.
I'll get her.

You can't make it?
I think you'd better
tell her that yourself.

It's for you.

Geez.

Hello, Jack.
Where are you?

What?

Oh, great. You're gonna
stand me up on Thanksgiving,
you little prick!

- You tell me.
Uh-huh.
- Mom, I got a job.

- [Monica]
Good for you!
- It's, uh... It's a lotta money.

- Scumbag.
- Now I haven't given 'em
my answer yet, but, uh...

well, I really like this job,
and I'm thinking about taking it.

- Thing is, Mom, uh,
- 'Cause you're
a fuckin'liar.

Might have to move
to San Francisco...
Jeannie and I.

You cocksucker.

- I said you're
a cocksucker.
- That's wonderful.

I was just thinkin', well,
since Ann Mary Margaret's
not here anymore...

maybe you'd like to come
to San Francisco and live.

- I'm not goin' anywhere with you.
- And live?

You big, fat
fuckin'liar!

- Me in San Francisco?
- You're full of shit.

Oh, my word.

- Yes. Yes, yes.
- No. No.

- [Mildred]
I love San Francisco.
- Cocksucker.

Well, it's not really
for certain yet, Mom.

I m... I mean, uh...
[Clears Throat] We'll see.
I mean, we gotta talk about it.

I haven't even signed
anything yet. So what I'm
saying is, don't count on it.

- I mean, it's not
100 percent.
- Oh, it's just not certain yet.

No, it is certain.
They've offered me the job.

I'd say it's, you know,
90 percent.

Also, I don't want you
just to make up your mind
right off the top of your head.

I mean, uh, San Francisco's
a great city and everything,
but there are disadvantages.

- [Monica] How long?
A couple of hours!
- Like the earthquakes.

No. You have roots here.
Friends. Memories.

- No fuckin' way.
- Ah.

- You tell me.
- Ah.

- If I what!
- What's "Ah," Mom?

Jesus, all I gotta do is go
out there and take the damn job
and find out where we're at.

- Fuck you! Dickhead.
- Well... Uh...

What happened?
You get stood up?

No, I didn't get stood up.
He was supposed
to pick me up here...

and that's not happening now,
that's all.

We're still gonna go out.
I just gotta meet him someplace.

Yeah? Where ya goin'?

Out to dinner someplace.
What the fuck do you care?

He's picking
the fucking place.

Don't wanna keep
Prince Charming waiting.

Nice meeting you all.
Have a happy Thanksgiving.

[Door Slams]

- Hey, Jay,
- [Sportscaster Chattering]

See this guy here?

He's a good quarterback,
but, uh, he ain't got no heart.

Under pressure he folds
like a Chinese laundry.

Oh, come on, man.
That was interference.

- Anyone want pie?
- Oh, no, Ma.

- No more.
- Okay.

♪ [Slow]

Ooh.

There you go, sweetie.

Hey! You're
a long drink of water.

- What are you doing here?
- Drinkin'.

- Happy Thanksgiving.
- Yes, you too.

- Where's the kid?
- With the woman. The sitter.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah.

First holiday alone?
Huh?

No. No.
That ain't it.

It's just that
I never get anything
without fighting for it.

You know?

If I sat on my ass,
I'd be broke, dead, homeless.

Fucked up, you know?

That's okay.
That's the way the world is.
That's the way I am.

I don't want anything
given to me. Screw it.

Them people look at me
like I'm a fucking asshole
for fighting for what I want.

Like I'm not supposed
to want anything?

I'm just supposed
to sit there like
a fuckin' jerk.

But you know me.
I ain't doin' that.
I'm a fightin' motherfucker.

No fuckin' way.

So that's me:
Miss Obnoxious.

Tell me, you think
I'm an idiot?

Oh, no. No.

Why do people
hate me?

Right. I know.
People don't hate me.
People love me, right?

- Right. Yeah.
- That's because
I'm so charming.

Yeah...
and polite.

[Chuckles]
Don't forget
good-looking.

Yeah.

- But you know
what I mean?
- Mmm, oh, yes, I know.

First holidays
are rough.

You know, when we finish these,
you're gonna know all about
literature and art...

history... Everything
that ever happened.

Okay, you ready?

Okay.

"A cappella:

"A performance
of a polyphonic musical work...

"by unaccompanied voices.

Originally referring
to sacred choral music, it..."

Blah, blah, blah. Okay.
What this is is a song...

you know,
with just voices.

No... No drums or piano.
No instruments.
It's just voices.

- You know what I mean?
- No.

Okay.

♪ Frere Jacques, Frere Jacques
Dormez vous, dormez vous ♪

A cappella.

♪ Frere Jacques, Frere Jacques
Dormez vous, dormez vous ♪

Not a cappella.
Ya understand?

No music.

- Right. Just voice.
- [Clanking]

Excuse me a minute.

Hi.

I need some money.
I was gonna ask.

Oh, sure.

How ya been doin'?

You mean: What am I doing?
Where am I staying?

Do I have a phone number?
Do I have a job?
Why do I need money?

Nothing. Nowhere.
I don't know. No job.
Because I'm broke. Okay?

- I gotta go.
- Hey, hold on a minute.

No, forget it. Just 'cause I'm
takin' your money doesn't mean
I have to take your shit.

- I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have come.
- Look, this is getting...

No! Don't!

Okay. Here you go.
You can throw it.

I always put it down quietly
so I don't wake anybody up,
but do whatever you want.

Just so you get it in there.
Okay? Go on.

- I did it. I did it.
- Nice goin'.

- It was fun.
- Good.

About a hundred
more houses to go.

You know who I am, right?

Of course you do.
The, uh, wife beater.

Anyway, uh, I went
to the school to try
to see my kid...

but, uh, she's put
the word out on me, and
they won't let me near him.

What exactly is it
that you want?

Look, I know you pick J.J. Up
and you take care of him.

I just wanna find out
how he's doin'.

Oh, he's fine.

He's in very good health.

Okay, then.

Okay.

Hey, you, uh, uh...

you do me a favor?

Absolutely not.
That's between you
and your wife.

Right.

Between me and my wife.

♪ [Children Singing, Indistinct]

♪ [Children Continue]

[Audience Laughs]

Yes, Mary, tonight
begins our journey.

I bring to you frankincense
for your future.

And I bring
to you gold, as befits
a king among men.

[Both]
Thank you all so much.

[Applause, Whistling]

♪ It's Christmas time again ♪

♪ The year comes
to an end ♪

♪ I don't know where
you are tonight ♪

♪ And it's
Christmas time again ♪

- Hi.
- Hi. We're just over
to my mother-in-law's.

She does this whole big thing
with the dinner and the kids
and the stockings for Santa.

- Great. Uh-huh.
- Frank won't
be there, so...

- You wanna come in?
You're getting wet.
- No, no. No.

I just saw you leaving, and I
wanted to get these to you.

I didn't know whether
you celebrate tonight
or tomorrow morning.

- Aw.
- The big one's for J.J.

That's real sweet.
Say thank you, Jay.

- Thank you,
Auntie Mildred.
- You're welcome, darling.

- I don't have anything
for you.
- Oh...

I mean, I'm gonna get you
something. I just didn't
buy it yet.
Sure.

- Can we do that later?
- Of course.

- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas,
Auntie Mildred.

Merry Christmas,
sweetheart.

♪ I wish that you
were here tonight ♪

♪ And it's
Christmas time ♪

- ♪Again ♪
- ♪Again, again ♪

[TV Announcer]
The familiar sight of the ball
dropping down on Times Square...

signifies it's time
to ring in the new year.

Five, four...

three, two, one.

- Happy new year!
- [People Screaming]

♪ [Auld Lang Syne]

♪

[Announcer]
Folks, this will be
the best year ever!

- ♪ How much is that doggie
in the window ♪
- Woof, woof.

- ♪ The one with
the waggly tail ♪
- Woof, woof.

- ♪ How much is that kitty
in the window ♪
- Meow, meow.

♪ I sure hope
that monkey's
for sale ♪

- Oo-week. Oo-week.
- What is that sound?
That sounds like a piggy.

Monkeys go,
"Oo-oo, ah-ah.
Oo-oo, ah-ah."

- Oo-oo, ah-ah.
- Pretty good. Okay.

♪ How much is that octopus
in the window ♪

♪ The one with
the wiggly arms ♪

♪ How much is that donkey
in the window ♪

- Hello!
- Hi! Hi!

Happy birthday, J.J.
Oh, boy.

Oh, hey, that's a nice shirt.
Your mom give you that?

Yeah,
it's for my birthday.

And I got these cool new
Air Barkley Super Slams
from my dad. Cool, huh?

- Cool.
- And what else
did you get, Jay?

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot.
Mom got us tickets
to Wrestlemania.

- Front row!
- Oh, great.

Um, okay.
Party favor time.

Party favors
for you, Mom?

Nah, I'm tryin'
to cut back.

- Nice cake, Mildred.
- Thank you.

I think the only thing
left to do is to light
these candles.

- ♪ [Toot]
- Ah, I don't see
any matches.

Would you do me a favor? Would
you go out to the garage and get
those stick matches for me?

Do you like it,
honey?

- He's good.
- Yeah.
He's very athletic.

All right. "Remove."
What does that mean?

- Take something away.
- Good. "Expert."

- Really good
at something.
- Good.

- "Peculiar."
- Weirdo.

Right.

Okay, you ready?
All right.

Remember to ride
on the sidewalk.
When you get to a street...

just get off your bike
and walk it across.

- Okay?
- I know.
- You know?

Then what are you
waiting for? Get goin'.

I don't know if this was
such a good idea.

[Grunts]
Don't start, Mildred.

Jesus Christ. You've been
following that kid around in
your car for the past two weeks.

He's fine.
Look at him.

Take a Valium.

Okay, okay. Just knock
on my door when he gets back,
okay, please? Thank you.

Auntie Mildred, can you
hold these for a minute.

Wow. Look at
all these valentines.

You must have
a lot of girlfriends.

- I do.
- Yes?
[Chuckles]

You know, Valentine's Day
has a very interesting history.

Before there was chocolate
and flowers and card exchanging...

there was a man
named Valentine...

and he was a saint.

And cupids were... Well,
you know how you've always
seen those, those pictures...

of those cute little babies
with the fat, pudgy faces
and little wings?

Those were images.
They were created by
a realist painter: Raphael.

He was Italian. He was
very talented. Remind me
to tell you about him.

Anyway, these cupids would
shoot an imaginary arrow...

right into your heart,
and if you were hit,
you fell in love immediately.

Excuse me, Auntie Mildred.
Here, this is for you.

Oh.

Oh. This is
very beautiful.

My mom gave me the money.

Oh, thank you.
I love this.

It looks
just like mine, see?

Oh, yes. Can you
put it on for me?

Sure.

- How do I look?
- Great!

Thank you.

- Listen, just keep
the meter running.
- Make it fast, please.

[Thunderclap]

Monica!

Monica, honey!

Monica!

[Knocking]
Happy Valentine's Day,
baby!

[Ringing Doorbell]
Aw, come on.

[Knocking, Ringing]
Come down here.

Okay. Okay.
Don't make me do it.

Don't make me sing.
Don't make me serenade ya,
'cause I will.

I'll go Joe Cocker
on your ass.

♪ You are
so beautiful ♪

♪ To me ♪

♪ You are
so beautiful ♪

♪ To me
Can't you see ♪

♪ You're everything
I hope for ♪

- ♪Everything I need ♪
- [Thunderclap]

♪ You are
so beautiful ♪

- [Thunderclap]
- ♪ To me ♪

Ah.

You're standin' behind
the door, aren't ya?

You always do that.

Monica, you're it for me.

I don't want
anybody else.

Ya hear me?

I'm sorry.

I feel like
an asshole.

Well, I don't see
no doorknob movin',
so I guess that means no, huh?

Okay.

Hey.

It's okay.

Let's go up to bed.

"Frick, Wilhelm.
Born 1877. Died 1946.

Longtime parliamentary leader of
the German National Socialist..."

Screw him.

Uh, next is "friction."

You know what that is,
don't you, J.J.?

Yeah, when you rub something
together and it makes sparks.

That's right.

You're gettin' too smart
for this book already.

Okay, okay, pitcher,
put it in here.

Okay, baby. Okay.
Throw it on in here.

Hey, batter. Hey, batter.
Hey, batter. Come on, batter.
You shakin'in your boots?

Shakin'in your boots?
Strike! Whoa! Good one!
That's a strike.

Once more! Come on, batter.
Come on, batter. Swing it.
Swing it, baby!

Okay. Hey, batter.
He's gettin'hot now.
Hey. Hey.

Right over there. Two, three.
Hey, hey, hey, batter.
Don't sweat.

Hey, hey.
The batter's cryin'.
He's cryin'. Come on.

Whoo! Nice one!
Yippee! Yeah!

Let's go, baby!
Come on. We got it now.

Are you okay?

Oh, my God! Oh!

Oh, my God.

[Announcer On P.A.]
Dr. Davis, telephone, please.

Dr. Davis,
telephone, please.

- [Mildred] I have the family
doctor's telephone number.
- Hey! I'm here.

- I have that in my purse,
but I don't... Oh.
- Let me see.

Okay, baby.
You're okay. All right.
What's going on here?

- Are you the boy's mother?
- Hey, listen, you bird.

- My son's cut his eye open.
Just let us in.
- The doctor'll be right in.

I need you to fill out
these forms first.

Hey, I'm not filling out any
fucking forms. I already called
ahead with my insurance number.

- I'll do it. I'll do it.
- He's bleeding. Just let us in!
Don't fuck me around, lady.

Here, take it.
It's in my purse.
Just take it.

- All right.
- Open the goddamn door!

- You fucking jerk!
- [Door Buzzing]

Was I brave, Mom?
Was I?

You were so brave.
Like a real man.

My main man.

I thought Dad was
your main man.

Yeah, well...

now you're
my main man.

♪ [Ice Cream Truck]

♪

Ice cream, Mom.

Okay. Get me one too.
Do you want one?

No, thank you.

Here, here.

[Mildred]
We were playing...

and he just went flying
over that sprinkler.

I'm just so sorry.
It shouldn't have happened.

What are you talking about?
Forget about it.
It was an accident.

Ohh. I guess
it was an accident...
a terrible accident.

[Monica] He's a boy.
He's supposed to get hurt.

Before I forget, I, uh...

got a little surprise
for you.

I got us a baby-sitter
on Saturday.

What are you
talking about?

- You and me, sister,
are goin' out.
- [Chuckles] Oh.

Don't say no. I'm taking you
out for a night on the town.

My treat.
Don't say anything.

You haven't taken cent one
from me, and this is something
I really wanna do.

- ♪[Rock]
- Hey!

- How's it goin'?
- Hey, you.

[Chattering]

Mildred,
this is Gus, Bernt,
and this is Big Tommy.

- Really good friend of mine.
- Hello. Hello, Mildred.

That accent kills me.
[Mimics] "Hello, Mildred."

- French, huh?
- French-Canadian
from Quebec.

"Quebec"!
Mmm, swear to God,
you kill me.

- Gus, tell Danny we want some drinks.
- Hey, Danny, come on.
Cocktails over here.

- Guys, this is Mildred.
- Hi, I'm Bernt.

- Hi. Tommy.
- How are you?

- This is big Tommy.
- Big Tommy.

- Big Tom.
Hello, I'm Mildred.
- Hi, I'm Gus.

This is my best friend.

Mildred Hawkes.
She's like a second mother
to my J.J.

- She's great.
- Hey, banana.
Whaddya gonna have?

I'm gonna have a 7-7. Big
surprise, huh? And whatever
these guys are drinkin'.

- All right.
- Okay, it's all
on me tonight.

Don't let them pay
for one drink. Mildred, you
want something? Do you drink?

Oh, yes. Yes.
When l... When I
was younger...

I was quite a drinker.

- Yeah?
- I could drink
more than my husband...

and he was
a very large man.

- [All Laughing]
- It was quite embarrassing
for him.

So, tonight's your lucky night.
So what are you having?

Umm...

Vodka.

Something with vodka.

Uh, what?

Okay.

Mm-hmm. Um... Martini.

[All Laughing]

[Laughing]

My brother died when
I was 22 years old.
Yes. 22 years old.

Skiing.

- Just had a heart attack.
- [Laughing]

He died on the slope.

Well, you know, after
telling my parents...

It was very, very hard.

I had to go
buy him some clothes
to be buried in, because...

because his wife and
our family didn't speak.

This is
a d-different story.

So I'm going down
to the garment center...

and I run across
this little guy, and
I tell him, "I need a shirt,"

and he says,
"for five dollars more,
I'll give you two shirts."

I say, "I only need
one shirt."

So he shows me some shirts,
and I pick one out.

He says, "for five dollars more,
I'll give you two shirts."

I say, "I only need
on shirt!"

He says, "for five dollars more,
I'll give you three shirts."

I say,
"it's for a dead body."

- Oh!
- "Oh," he say. "Okay, okay.
I give you one shirt."

My husband's dead,
you know.

[All Laughing]

Oh, I am having
such a good time.

I just thank you.
I mean, it's been so long...

since I just sat around and
shot the breeze, you know?

- [Laughing]
- Thank you. You...

you, you and Tom.

[Gus] Pool table's open.
Let's go shoot some pool.

Oh, yeah, sure, sure.
Ladies, you want to play?

- Yeah, l... Sure. L... I haven't
played for a, for a long time.
- Uh, no. No, no, no, no.

You guys go ahead.
This is girl talk.

No? Okay.

We're gonna stay.
We're gonna have
another drink.

So... So what
do you think?

What do I think
about what?

About that man, sweetie.

That big, male man
who's staring at you.

Oh, I don't think...

Me? What do I think?

- L...
- Okay, okay, okay.
Forget it.

I gotta take a leak.
Come on. Danny,
two more drinks.

So, Frankie
calls again today.

Same old shit.
"I love you.

"Please forgive me.
I wanna come home.

Waah, waah, waah,"
like a little fucking kid.

- [Toilet Flushes]
- So finally,
I say, "Frankie..."

"what the fuck does it take
for you to wake up?

"Hmm? There's a freshly opened
can of coffee under your nose.

"The kid doesn't wanna see you.
He calls the mailman 'Daddy.'

"I can't stand you.
I don't love you.

How clear is that, huh?"

So he's being all nice, right?
But as soon as I say
I don't love him, he loses it.

"You do too love me.
I know you love me."

I don't know why I do this,
but I have my hand over
the receiver...

and I'm laughing
my fucking ass off.

I know what Frankie
looks like when he gets mad.

His face turns
bright red.

So, finally...

he just blows a gasket.

So he just hangs up.

Why don't you
let him see J.J.?

Are you crazy? He put
his hands on me. He's not
putting his hands on my kid.

Oh, come on.

Okay. Yeah, okay. So...

I'm breaking his balls
a little bit.

But you know what?
He deserves it.
Screw him.

I know I might not be
the perfect wife,
but I ain't from Stepford.

Nobody hits me.

If I let him do it once,
he'll always do it.

I gotta bust his chops.

You think I don't miss him?
Think I'm not lonely?

As long as it takes,
he's gotta know: My person
is off limits to his hands.

Can I say something?

Hey, what the...
Where the fuck are
our drinks, Danny?

Am I invisible?

It's unbelievable.

Love, I have found,
is temporary.

It's, uh...

It's stupid,
but it's like a weed.

You know, if it's there,
you don't have to pay
that much attention to it.

It just... It just grows
with just a little bit
of water.

But if you really try...

you can kill it.

It...

It doesn't have a home,
you know? It's transient.

If it's not wanted,
it'll just move on.

I don't wanna butt in,
but just be straight
with your husband...

because...

I know you don't
believe it...

but he will stop
loving you.

[Grunts]

Nothing.

So, Mildred...

since we're being
real truthful tonight,
baring our souls and all...

I got a question for ya.

- [Cue Hits Ball]
- Aw, fuck!

What's the deal
with your daughter?

Why does she
hate you so much?

Oh...

I don't think
she hates me really.

- We're just so different.
- [Balls Clacking]

[Ball Drops Into Pocket]

She's right at that age
I can't stand.

She hates being told
what to do...

and she does everything
wrong.

[Ball Drops Into Pocket]

I don't blame her,
really.

I've always
preferred my son.

Anybody
could tell that.

What are you telling me?
You like your son the best?

Doesn't that violate
a mother code?

Aren't you supposed to
like all your kids
the same?

Yeah.

But you never do.

[Ball Drops Into Pocket]

♪ [Continues]

Mildred, vous dansez?

- [Clears Throat]
Dance?
- Oui.

You know, these shoes
are not the right kind...

And, uh, I don't
listen to country music
that often.

And if they're doing
a Texas two-step,
l-I can't.

That isn't the...
two-step.

Uh...

Sure. Yes.

- Oui?
- Okay.

- Um...
- Voila.

[Jukebox]
♪Somethin' about
what happens ♪

♪ When we talk ♪

♪ Conversation ♪

- ♪[Continues]
- Have you ever been
to Miami?

- Miami?
- Yeah. No.

Out of anywhere,
I think I'd live in Miami.

Really?

I've been a lot of places
driving a truck, a lot of places...

But Miami...

I always thought
it was so dangerous.

I mean, that's what
you hear on the news.

Well, no.

Yeah. Yes, it's a city
like any big city, you know.

You get that everywhere,
but I don't know...

No...

No, I don't feel like
it's dangerous.

It's beautiful.

Let me tell you.

Beautiful...

Like you can't imagine.

♪

Water and sun.

♪

I get down there
two times a month...

And I'm looking
forward to it.

♪ Well, I can't
stay around ♪

- Spanish people
are there from Cuba.
- ♪[Continues]

A lot of dancing
and singing.

Mmm.

The food is really good.

Climate is muggy,
but I can live with that.

- Miami.
- Yeah.

Yeah, Miami.

Okay.

- ♪Somethin'about
what happens ♪
- It's very...

- ♪ When we talk ♪
- Romantic.

♪ Somethin'about
what happens ♪

♪ When we talk ♪

♪ [Fades]

Thank you.

♪ [Jukebox Resumes]

[Sighs, Chuckles]

♪ [Woman Singing]

Can I call you?

E-Excuse me?

Can I call you?

No.
It's not right.

Not good.

♪ [Continues]

But thank you.

[Chuckles]

Did you see Monica?

She left.

What?

She left with a boy,
yeah.

- No.
- Yeah.

She couldn't leave
because we came together.
That's ridiculous.

If you're
lookin'for Monica,
she's gone.

No, she...
She's not gone.

Monica.

Monica,
are you all right?

I know
you didn't leave...

so you're here.

Monica?

Are you... sick?

[Sighs]

♪ [Continues]

She's gone.

She is, isn't she?

Yeah.

That's Monica.
[Chuckles]

All right, come on.
I'll take you home.

- You sure?
- Mm-hmm.

Let me
help you in.

I'm perfectly fine.

- I've got it! I had it...
- There, now.

- I had it!
- I know you did, Mildred.

[Radio]
♪ The sweeping ice
that's flowing down ♪

♪ Someone left the cake out
in the rain ♪

[Both Singing Along]
♪ I don't think
that I could take it ♪

♪ 'Cause it took so long
to bake it ♪

♪ And I'll never find
the recipe again ♪

♪ Oh, no ♪

♪ [Continues Holding Note]

[Brakes Decompress]

[Engine Idling]

[Engine Sputters, Stops]

I had a good time
tonight, Mildred.

You're a rare
piece of work.

Hundred-percent
woman.

Okay, that's it, buddy.
That's enough.

I mean, enough is enough,
you know.

You think I'm some
little piece of chicken? No...

You got a lot of nerve!

You can just
take me home!

All right,
you can walk me...

Don't walk me inside and don't
try to help me out of the door,
because I can do it! Okay?

[Hits Sidewalk]

I'm fine. Okay.

[Footsteps]

Mildred.

I had a good time
tonight.

Really?

Oh, I did too.

L...

Thanks.

Thank you
for everything.

[Engine Starts, Revs]

[P.A. Announcer]
Passengers for Flight 44 from
New York, report to baggage...

- Hey!
- Ohh!
[Giggling]

How are you?
Oh, I'm glad to see you.

Oh, hello, Ethan.

Mom, you look
absolutely terrific.

- Doesn't she, honey?
- Yes, she does.

- I hope you got plenty of rest because
we have a huge week ahead of us.
- We sure do.

- How are you feeling?
- Great.

- "Great"?
She feels great.
- I know.

- [Laughs]
How many bags you bring?
- Four.

- Four.
- But they're small.

Okay, Mom, I'm thinkin'
you might wanna keep
your eye open for a place...

just in case
you like it.

'Cause, uh...

Jeannie and I,
we've decided, both of us...

that, uh, we'd like you
to live here.

Now, I know how you are
about a house, so...

♪ So don't waste time
on yesterday ♪

♪ Let yourself be free ♪

♪ Come away with me ♪

♪ Let's fly away ♪

♪ Nothing's in your way ♪

♪ Let's fly away ♪

Wow.

- Sorry about the mess.
- Yeah, we haven't got things
quite finished yet, Mom.

Yeah, not even close.

The furniture's on the way,
but I think the idea is
to keep it sparse.

No, not sparse.
Just clean, remember?
Minimalist.

- Cubist, right?
- Eehhh, not cubist.

It should resonate cubism, yes,
but really parallelist.

- Exactly.
- Yeah. Okay.

Out there
is San Francisco Bay...

the Golden Gate Bridge,
Alcatraz.

Down there's the Wharf.

But I don't want you
to look at it from there.
Come upstairs.

- It's so beautiful.
- Mom.

Here's the kitchen.

It's not much, really,
but we eat out most of the time
so we don't need that much.

- Cappuccino?
- Nonfat milk.
Mom?

- No, thank you, darling.
- Come on, I want to
show you something.

♪ [Ethan Humming]

Oh, yeah.

Here it is.

This whole floor
is all yours, Mom.

Bedroom, bathroom,
closet.

And if you'll come with me,
I'd like to ask you something.

What does...

this do for ya?

Huh? Huh?

That's what
I'm talking about.

This is your office, Mom,
or, or your study...

or whatever
you want it to be.

It's all yours.

It's pretty nice,
huh?

Yeah, Jeannie
designed it herself.

Chinatown, Mom.

A lot of different cities
have Chinatowns,
but this is the biggest one.

Looks just like China,
doesn't it?

- Hey, Mom.
What's goin'on?
- Hi. Good morning.

We were waiting for you
to come downstairs.
You never showed up.

Oh, I get up so darn early,
I didn't wanna wake you up.

- Wait, you want
some coffee?
- Coffee? Uh, no.

We'd love to, but
we left the Benz parked
in a handicapped zone.

♪

♪ Let's fly away ♪

♪ Nothing's in your way ♪

♪ Let's fly away ♪

Okay, Mom...

the bottom line:

We want you to live here
with us in San Francisco.

We'd like you
to live with us...
we'd prefer that...

But I'm making so much money,
if you want your own place
I'd be happy to buy you one.

But I kinda need an answer,
so what do you say?

Oh, I don't know.

I mean,
it's very tempting...

but I, I, I should
think about it.

You don't have to
do that, Mom.

I know you.
I know you love this place.
I want you to be close to me.

We live in two cities.
I wanna be able to see you.

Yeah, Ethan really would
feel much more comfortable
if you were here.

We want you,
and we need you.

Jeannie's pregnant.

Oh.

- Oh, my word.
Oh. Ohh!
- [Ethan, Jeannie Laughing]

Honey... Ohh, l...
Ohh!

- Ohh, I'm going to be
a grandmother?
- Mm-hmm.

Ohh... Oh, I just...

- Congratulations.
Congratulations.
- Thank you.

Best wishes and bravo!
E-Everything
that they've got!

Ohh, that is...
Mildred, calm down here.

Yeah, have some wine, Mom.
[Laughs]

- How many weeks are you?
- Not long.

Just maybe about
six weeks.

I am so proud.
I am so proud.

- You've gotta start
thinking of names now.
- See? It'd be perfect.

You got your own place;
you get to live in one of the
greatest cities in the world;

and you don't have to
miss your first grandchild
growing up.

I think you should move in
with us, because Jeannie doesn't
know anything about babies.

You sell the house,
you get a little money.

I'd be more than happy
to help out.

I, uh...

Gosh, I don't know.
You know? I, I, uh...

I don't think so,
son.

Why not?

You know how people talk
about reincarnation?

You know, how you die
and then you come back
as somebody else?

I never thought very much
of that, really...

but, actually, why not?

You know?

I don't mean when...
when you're dead.

I mean, right here
in this life...

you get reincarnated.

You change.

Well, that's clear.

I know it's hard
to understand...

but no.

I don't think I could
stand any more babies
for a while.

Well, what about that
brat kid of that woman,
uh, the party girl?

Would you rather
look after her kid?

You really don't
have to answer us
right now.

- Why don't you go home
and call us?
- Excuse me.

Do you mind?
Am I talking here?

This is between my mother
and myself, so please stay
the hell out of it. Thank you.

I'm sorry, Mildred.

Oh, that's all right,
darling.

I've always given him
all of my attention.

Maybe I did him
a disservice...

spoiling him
like that.

I love you, Ethan...

but I have a life
at home.

I have friends,
memories, roots.

And that fuckin' kid.

Who, J.J.?

Yeah, that's right.

I know it sounds crazy,
but, uh...

he's my best friend.

[Knocking]

- Hi!
- Hi.

Oh, hi!
Didn't know you'd be back.

- How was it?
- Oh, it was great.

What's goin' on with J.J.?
Everything all right?

Yeah, fine, terrific.
The best.

Come on in.
I wanna show you something.

[Man]
Hike! Two!
Catch it. Turn around.

[Chattering
Continues]

Ohh.

I did it.

I talked to Frankie.
I was just straight with him.

He walked into the creamery
like Rudolph-Fucking-Valentino.

He's got flowers
and everything.

At first I buy into it,
but then I say "Screw you."

I know I'm not a princess,
but I'm not your fucking
punching bag."

Fuck me once, fuck you.
Fuck me twice, fuck me.

- Hut!
- But he says he knows
and he wants to talk.

And I know he's got
the Indian sign on me...

but...

we're gonna
try it again.

- I'm goin' to the end zone.
- Thanks for taking care of Jay.

Did I say his dad can
pick him up from school again?
I didn't say that, did I?

Yeah, well,
you're off the hook.

[Chuckles]

Unless you want to.

No, absolutely not.

- The boy should be
with his father.
- Right.

Right.
You're right.

Whoa!
You see that?

I wanna introduce you
to Frankie.

Oh, no,
don't disturb 'em.

I've, uh...
I gotta... l...

I got some stuff
to do.

[Knocking]

Hi!

Mildred, come on in.
I'm in the kitchen.

Jay, you got
a visitor here.

I'm cooking.

Sit down.
You want a drink?

He's gonna be so happy
to see you. Never stops
talking about those books.

No drink, thank you.
How are you? I'm glad
to see you. How's Frankie?

Great.
Hell, never been better.

He's been like an angel.

Picks up Jay from school,
plays with him,
talks to him about his job...

reads to him at night,
puts him to bed.

He really missed him.
We're doing pretty
fucking good too.

Hate to jinx it.
It's like the fucking
Brady Bunch or something.

How about you?
How you been? I haven't
seen you in a while.

Fine, fine. Busy.

Hi, Auntie Mildred.
I haven't seen you
in a long time.

- What are you doing here?
- I just happened to be
on my way to the park...

and I have some sandwiches
and cookies I don't think
I can finish by myself...

so I thought maybe,
if you weren't busy,
you'd come along with me.

Oh.
It's okay, Jay.

He has baseball practice
with his dad at 4:30.

Oh, is that what that
long face is about?

Don't worry about that.
We can do it anytime.

We can go tomorrow,
if you'd like.

I'm sorry, Auntie Mildred.
I have Cub Scouts tomorrow.

Okay. Good.

Wow! I c...
that's pretty exciting.

I didn't know you were
big enough for Cub Scouts.

Yeah,
it's with my school.

And this weekend I'm gonna
visit my grandma's house
with my mom and dad.

You can come too.
We can read books and play
and spell and stuff.

You can show my dad.
He doesn't read very well.

Well... yeah.
Maybe.

Maybe, Jay.

Well, I gotta go.
I'm goin' to the park.

I love you,
Auntie Mildred.

I love you too,
sweetheart.

Dad, can we go to the park
and see if Auntie Mildred
is still there?

She said she had
extra sandwiches...

and I know the spot
where she likes to sit.

It'll be really easy
to find her.

Yeah,
we can do that.

Pick up them.

Come on, go see
if she's there.

[Ducks Quacking]

[Sighs]

[Murmuring]

[Laughs]

[Murmuring Continues]

Excuse me.

- ♪ This flower is scorched
this film is on ♪
- [Continues Murmuring]

♪ On a maddening loop ♪

Excuse me.

♪ These clothes
don't fit us right ♪

♪ I'm to blame ♪

- ♪It's all the same ♪
- Yeah?

♪ It's all the same ♪

Vodka Martini.
Double, please.

♪ You come to me
with a bone in your hand ♪

♪ You come to me
with your hair curled tight ♪

♪ You come to me
with positions ♪

♪ You come to me
with excuses ♪

♪ Ducked out in a row ♪

♪ You wear me out ♪

♪ You wear me out ♪

♪ We've been through
fake breakdowns ♪

♪ Self-hurt ♪

♪ Plastics, collections ♪

♪ Self-help, self-pain ♪

♪ EST, psychics fuck all ♪

♪ I was central
I had control ♪

♪ I lost my head ♪

♪ I need this ♪

♪ I need this ♪

Excuse me.
[Clears Throat]

- ♪A paperweight ♪
- One more time.

♪ Junk garage ♪

- ♪ Winter rain a honey pot ♪
- [Groans]

♪ Crazy, all the lovers
have been tagged ♪

[Chattering]

♪ A hot line
A wanted ad ♪

♪ Crazy
what you could've had ♪

♪ It's crazy
what you could've had ♪

♪ It's crazy
what you could've had ♪

♪ I need this
I need this ♪

♪ It's crazy
what you could've had ♪

♪ Crazy
what you could've had ♪

♪ I need it
I need this ♪

♪ It's crazy
what you could've had ♪

♪ It's crazy
what you could've had ♪

♪ I need this ♪

♪ I, I ♪

♪ Need this ♪

♪ It's crazy
what you could've had ♪

♪ I need this
I need this ♪

♪ It's crazy
what you could've had ♪

♪ Crazy
what you could've had ♪

♪ I need this ♪

♪ I need this ♪

Annie?

Annie?

What are you doing?

It's dark in here.

Hi, Mom.

Oh, it's so good
to see you.

You look beautiful.

Really.

My beautiful daughter.

Mom, I wanna come home.

What?

L-I got a job
down at the bookstore
on Harris Street.

I was thinking
of going to Saddleback
and getting a degree.

You're doing it.

All the right things.

Job, school.

Although I think you
should get into something
involving mathematics.

You always had a very high
aptitude for that, even
though you never studied.

You don't wanna
be stuck behind
a typewriter forever.

[Sighs]
Mom, I need a place.

I'm selling the house,
honey.

I'm sorry.

Selling?

I had an offer,
and I'm selling.

- I have to be out
by the end of the month.
- Why?

I mean, uh...

You can't sell the house.
I mean, for what?

What are you gonna do,
live in an apartment?

The house is paid for.
This is our home.

No.

This was your father's
and my house,
but now it's sold.

What are you going to do?

I mean, uh...

What are you do...
Where is your head?

I don't know...

but I'll tell you
when I find it.

You're nuts.
You know that?

There is something really funky
goin' on here...

something bad funky.

[Bottle Opens]

Do you remember
when it used to be
very early and cold?

Or in the afternoon?

And I would
see Dad and...

I would ask him when
he was goin' to work.

I was always rushing him
because I didn't
want him there.

He would laugh,
but you...

You could tell
he was upset.

I don't know why
I did that.

I know Dad and I
were never very close.

He loved me
and this and that,
but...

we were never very close,
were we?

Do you think
I hurt his feelings?

Little kids get jealous.
They want all your attention
all the time.

I wouldn't worry
about it.

It was really
a lot of fun...

with you, Mom.

Sometimes.

Anyway...

there's a lot of things
that I wish I could do over.

Bye.

You're not gonna stay?

No.

Good-bye, my angel.

I'll give you a call.

- Need any money?
- Mm-hmm. No, Mom.

I'm okay.

[Phone Ringing]

- Yes?
- Hello, Millie.

Tommy Bellaveau here.

I was thinking
about dinner...

and thought how much
better it would taste
dining with you.

Are you busy?

I could use
the conversation.

I need a half an hour.

I heard you're really
great with kids.

I get along great with them
when they're little...

but I just drive 'em crazy
when they get older.

I can see why too, you know,
because I just tell 'em
too much.

But they stay home
too long also.

If this was still
an agricultural society,
they'd be out at 16.

They'd be married
and starting
their own family.

There I go.

How's J.J.?

I don't know.
I haven't seen him.

You know, uh, his father
moved back in with Monica.

- They're very happy.
- Oh.

They worked it out.
That's great.

- Yes, it is.
- Great.

Listen, uh...

I was thinking about
getting a place in town.

You know, just a place.

Uh, well,
I don't know...

- You're moving?
- Mm-hmm.

And where to?

Um, l... I don't know.

My son is living
in San Francisco now.

He's got a new job.
He makes lots of money.
He's very successful.

He wants me to move
up there.

- H-He needs me.
- That's great.

But I don't know.

Maybe Miami.

- Mmm.
- Hmm?
[Chuckles]

Miami.

[Brakes Decompress]

[Engine Sputters, Shuts Off]

- Good night.
- Good night.

I'll call you, okay?
Huh?

Millie.

I had a good time,
Millie.

[Engine Starts]

So Frankie sets up
this whole big thing.

It's great.

This whole unbelievable
romantic evening.

It's about 10:00...

and J.J.'s out.

He puts on this music...
Chet Baker.

- Wow.
- I'm looking at him like,
this can't be Frankie.

Who is this guy?

Then he goes to the freezer
where he's been hiding
this bottle of champagne.

He hands it to me, picks me up,
Carries me into the bedroom.

[Giggles]
I mean, he lifted me.

So I'm on the bed...

he's on top of me,
things are going
pretty good, you know...

except I can't get
this bottle of champagne open.

I'm pulling
and I'm thumbing.
Can't get it open.

I hand it to him.
He can't get it open either.

Goes into the kitchen,
sticks a corkscrew in it...

it explodes.

Glass, everything.

We wind up
sifting our champagne
through a tea strainer.

So finally,
we get back into bed;

I'm half naked;
he gets a phone call.

Oh, fuck! Right?
I'm sitting there
like an asshole.

I hear him
from the other room.

He says,
"Call me back in an hour.
Better make it two."

"Better make it two"?
That was so incredibly sweet.

So he runs back into bed,
we have this incredible sex.

- I mean,
it was incredible.
- [Boxes Sliding]

[Panting]
That's great.

No, I mean
it was un-fucking-real.

But that's not it.
He's making the time
for me, you know?

It's the effort.

Yeah.
The effort.

Hey, l-I get the feeling
you want me to stop talking.

- Want me to shut up?
- Yeah.

[Grunting]

Frankie and me,
we're gonna make it,
you know.

We wanna make it.
I know I do.

And if he doesn't...
he does now, but if he
doesn't later, that's okay.

It's out in the open,
it's honest.

- Just no more of that
hitting shit, you know.
- Yeah.

- 'Cause that builds up and
that's no good for anybody.
- Right.

That just explodes.
Fuck that. That's over.

- Right?
- Right.

Yeah, I'm right.
Yeah. That's good.

I'm good,
and the job's good.

Got that dicked.

And...

I forgot to tell you,
my mother called
the other day.

She has this way
of pushing my buttons.
She does it real good.

I'm talking to her...

and she's doing
her fucking guilt, head trip,
whatever, bullshit...

and I don't respond.

I don't do anything.
L-I mean, I don't
not respond on purpose.

It's just, I'm at a point
where it doesn't affect me
anymore, you know?

Yeah, I know you know.
Yeah.

So she can get all bent,
but that's her problem.

Hook's outta my mouth.

That's right.

Hello.

Hi.
Come on in.

- [Frankie] All packed up
and ready to go, huh?
- Almost.

Isn't there something you
wanted to talk to Mildred
about... in private?

Come on, we talked
about it, huh?

- We'll wait outside.
- No, we'll go outside.

Come on, Jay.

[Door Opens,
Closes]

Okay.

I wanna say thank you
to you...

'cause you took care of me,
helped my mom...

and you're also very nice to me
and you're my friend.

So I should say thank you.

Hey,
what are you doing?

You don't have to
thank me.

We're friends.

You're my best friend.
You're my main man.

You don't
have to say anything
if you don't want to.

It's okay.

You know how I think...

and I know
how you think.

I love you, Jay.

It'll be okay.

Am I ever gonna
see you again?

I sure hope so.

We never did finish
those encyclopedias,
did we?

No.

Well, I gave 'em
to your mom.

You can have her
read 'em to you,
if you want to.

Okay.

Remember when you sang me that
"Doggie in the Window" song...

where you changed the animals
and I didn't know how some
of the animals sounded...

and we laughed?

Yes.

That was fun.

Mm-hmm.

I liked that.

Me too.

Well, good-bye.

Good-bye.

God,
you're really leaving.

No more Auntie Mildred.

What a thing.

Ah, who knows?
Maybe one day.

You never know.

Fucking Mildred.

Did you forget anything?

No, of course not.
Who am I talking to?
[Sniffles]

Do you want me to stay?
Because I'll stay.

Yeah, I think
I should stay.

No, it's okay.

It's all done.

I'm gonna go then.

[Sighs]

Hey,
are you okay?

Um... yeah.

No.
[Sniffles]

Fuck.

We'll see
where it all goes.

Yeah.

Good-bye, Millie.

- Give me a ring and let me know
how you're doing, okay?
- I will.

Okay, uh,
is that it?

Okay, Mrs. Hawkes.
Sign right here.

Thanks for the money.
It was really too much.

Don't worry, I won't
go spending it all
in one place.

It's your money.
You do what you want
with it.

Okay, enough.
I can't stand it.

I wanna know
where you're going.

It's a secret.

That's it?
You're just gonna leave
without saying good-bye?

Good-bye.

Oh, Annie, I'm so excited.
I can't believe it.

You look beautiful, Mom.

♪ Just when everything's
in order and good ♪

♪ Things fall apart ♪

♪ Just when life
should be resolving ♪

♪ I'm back
at the beginning ♪

♪ And it comes back
to the heart ♪

♪ I'm not really sad ♪

♪ I'm not runnin'
I'm lookin' ♪

♪ Did I tell you I kept
all your letters and cards ♪

♪ There's just nothin'left
for me to do here ♪

♪ But unhook the stars ♪

♪ There's just nothin'left
for me to do here ♪

♪ But unhook the stars ♪

♪ Do you remember
when I told you ♪

♪ All that I could ♪

♪ It seemed like too much ♪

♪ I was livin'your life ♪

♪ Hopin'you'd never fall ♪

♪ lf I held on tight enough ♪

♪ Let it go now ♪

♪ 'Cause like a passport
to anywhere ♪

♪ With time on my hands ♪

♪ I can make a new start ♪

♪ I just didn't want
to stay here ♪

♪ And unhook the stars ♪

♪ I just didn't want
to stay here ♪

♪ And unhook the stars ♪

♪ Don't worry for me ♪

♪ It's just I'm inspired ♪

♪ Waitin'in the wings ♪

♪ Makes me drunk
with possibilities ♪

♪ Rivals my memories ♪

♪ I didn't wanna stay here ♪

♪ And unhook the stars ♪

♪ I just didn't wanna
stay here ♪

♪ And unhook the stars ♪

♪ Everything's in order
and good ♪

♪ Things fall apart ♪

♪ Just when life
should be resolving ♪

♪ I'm back
at the beginning ♪

♪ And it comes back
to the heart ♪

♪ I'm not really sad ♪

♪ I'm not runnin'
I'm lookin' ♪

♪ Did I tell you I kept
all your letters and cards ♪

♪ There's just nothin'left
for me to do here ♪

♪ But unhook the stars ♪

♪ There's just nothin'left
for me to do here ♪

♪ But unhook the stars ♪

♪ Mmm-mmm ♪

♪ Don't wanna stay here ♪

♪ And unhook the stars ♪

♪ Didn't wanna stay here ♪

♪ And unhook the stars ♪

♪ I didn't wanna stay here ♪

♪ And unhook the stars ♪

♪ [Humming]

♪ [Fades]