Bonds of Love (1993) - full transcript

♪ I'm through with romance

♪ I'm through with love

♪ I'm through with counting
all the stars above

♪ And here's the reason

♪ Why I'm so free

♪ My loving baby

♪ Is through with me

♪ Bye bye, love

♪ Bye bye, sweet caress

♪ Hello loneliness

♪ I think I'm a-gonna cry



♪ Bye bye, love

♪ Bye bye happiness
[people socializing]

♪ Hello emptiness

♪ I feel like I could die

- Hey, Robby, give
us a break, man.

Hit another button!

["Bye Bye Love" by
Simon & Garfunkel]

♪ Bye bye, love

[Jason groans]

- It's our national anthem.

- [Kenny] Somebody roll in and
take away his quarters, huh?

- Hey Robby, the
pitcher's empty!

- I got the last one, guys.

- That's right, Jason.



He did get the last one.

- Well, you don't want
to drink alone, do ya?

- Well, that's right, too.

I sure don't, guys.

- [laughs] Come on, Robby.

[men hollering]

- [Kenny] Yeah, we
don't got enough

gas to make it to Wichita.

- [Jason] Aw, hell,
our drinking buddy'll

lend us bucks for
gas and whores!

Right, Robby?

- [Robby] No, I didn't
like the whores.

- Aw.
- Aw, yeah.

You're holding out for
Miss Kansas, right?

- [Jason] Well, hell, they said

he didn't hardly
know what to do!

- [Robby] No, aw, come on, guys.

I knew what to do.

I just don't have
any money left.

- Aw, damn!
- Oh, man, he suckered us.

- [Jason] Well, what the
hell are we doing here?

Stop, stop right here.

- [Robby] Come on,
guys, don't make me--

- You get out.
- Aw, come on.

- [Jason] You get out, Robby.

Let's go!

Let's go there, let's go.

Move it.

[men whooping]

- Come on, guys.

Don't give me a hard time!
- We'll be back later, Robby!

- Come on, hey, guys!

Guys!

[birds cawing]

♪ I'm through with romance

♪ I'm through with love

[Paco squawks]

♪ I'm through with countin'

♪ The stars above

♪ And here's the
reason that I'm so free

♪ My loving baby

♪ Is through with me

♪ Bye bye

[tires screeching]

Hey, are you all right?

What are you doing?

I almost hit you.

[sighs] That was luck.

I could've killed
you, standing out

in the middle of
the road like that.

- Are you okay?

- Yeah, I'm fine.

- I'm sorry I scared you.

- I know you.

You're from Prairie, ain't you?

- I'm Robby.

- Robby.

I'm Rose.

- Hi, Rose.

- Hi.

Listen, your folks know you're
way out here by yourself?

- Downed some beers, too, Rose.

Gonna catch it when I get home.

I could sneak in, maybe.

- Yeah, if you can get there.

- That's right too,
Rose, get there.

[Paco squawks]

- [sighs] Come on.

Get in.

Get in.

Ah.

This here's Paco.

We can chuck him in the back.

- I can hold him.

- Well, watch your
fingers, though.

He's real rowdy.

Nobody likes him much but me.

- Why do you?

- Well, we had a
gas leak one time.

You know gas is
supposed to kill a bird.

Well, Paco made it through.

Kind of warmed me up to him.

He's a survivor.

- Well, that's good, too.

Hello, Paco, nice
bird, pretty bird.

[Rose laughs]
Ow.

Hey!

- I told ya.

- He bites.

[Rose laughs]
[upbeat bluegrass music]

- [Rose] So how do you come to

be way out here all by yourself?

- Oh, um, my friends, they
made me get out of the car.

- And left you, why?

- I don't know, Rose.

A joke?

- Ain't funny to
do you like that.

That's just plain mean.

- Aw, no, they don't mean it.

My friends good
guys, everything.

- I'd say you're
too good for them.

- Thanks, Rose.

You are too.

- [chuckles] Hey, you hungry?

[upbeat country music]

I'm working in Prairie.

I'm taking care of
old Miss Thomson.

You know her?

But I was up to Wichita
today to see my daddy.

I took Paco along for company.

I don't know a soul in Prairie.

- [Robby] You know me, Rose.

- That's right.

- We could be friends.

I could visit you, but I
wouldn't want to bother you.

- I'd like that, Robby.

Pretty easy to get
along with, seems to me.

- That's right, too, Rose.

I'm easy.

[Rose laughs]

- [Robby] Hey,
I'm gonna get you.

I'm...

[car rumbling]

[Scott squealing]

- [Scott] Stop!

- Whoa!

[both playing]

- [Ken] Hey, guys!

Yo, heads up!

- Help me, Dad!

- Tickle him!

Always worked for me!

[Robby laughing]

- Scott, Robby, come on in
and wash those hands, boys.

- Okay, Ma!
- Okay, Grandma.

- Did you think about what I
was saying the other night?

- Yeah, I thought about it.

- Dad, you guys
are getting older.

- Who is?

- I know, but we
ought to be thinking

about some kind
of future for him.

If we could get him on
Social Security, it'd--

- We'll do like we always done.

We'll keep it in the family.

You let the government
mix in, the next thing--

- You think I'd ever
let that happen?

- They'll put him
in an institution.

- Are you gonna give
me some of your piece?

- I wanted that piece!

- Robby!

Robby, would you say
the grace tonight?

- We thank thee, Lord,
for all this good food

and all thy blessings,
and for Rose, amen.

- Who's Rose?
- What's this now?

- She's my friend.

She's nice.

- Well, where you know her from?

- Gave me a ride.

- Robby, you ought to know
when you've been took advantage

of by freeloaders so many times.

- No, Dad, she's nice!

She works for Miss Thomson!

Bought me a chili burger
and fries, everything.

She's nice.

- Do you know who
he's talking about?

- I'll look into it.

- [Robby] Miss Thomson, she
looks pretty sick, Rose.

- Yeah, it's sad, all right.

- [Host] At 49--

- She likes to have her
TV on, but Lord knows

if she gets it, poor old soul.

See, I'm supposed
to get my keep here,

room and board and
50 bucks a week,

but old Miss Thomson's
daughter's so
tight, she squeaks.

She keeps track of what I eat,

so I bought this
stuff on my own.

I keep it hid because
if she sees I actually

bought something, she
thinks she's overpaying me.

Let's go.

This is my friend Robby.

He come to spend
my day off with me.

Bye, now.

- Don't be late, please.

- I like to come here to think.

So how come is it I see you
just kind of wandering around?

Don't you have a job or nothing?

- Oh, I mow lawns.

Rake leaves sometimes.

- That'd be all right.

- I work in a restaurant.

- Hey, it's okay.

You just take your time.

I ain't going nowhere.

- Worked in a restaurant.

- Well, see?

That's good.

- With my brother Kenny.

He looks out for me.

He's in the Highway Patrol.

- Won't they let you work
in that restaurant alone?

- I don't like it,
Rose, cleaning up
garbage and everything.

- Mm, I can't say
as I blame you.

- And when I was
cleaning, people,

some people, they
talked to me like--

- Like what?

- Oh, hey, you!

Dummy, retard!

- [scoffs] Jerks.

- Yeah, and I'm not retarded!

A little slow, a few
problems, no big deal!

- Sure.

Hey, can you read?

- Oh, I sure can, Rose.

I can write, too.

- Great!
- Yeah.

- Here, try this.

[sentimental acoustic
guitar music]

Right there.

- "Co-co-a."

- Cocoa.

- Cocoa powder, milk solids.

- [chuckles] Well, you can
read the want ads, then.

Okay, now I always read
the entire want ads

'cause, well, you never
know what you might find.

Plus, it's kind of fun thinking

about other jobs, especially
when yours stinks.

Like here, you go ahead.

Now, look under Y
for yard work, okay?

- Oh, here he is, Jim.
- Mom!

- Good, Robby, we wanna--

- Dad, you know what?

I'm in love!

- Holy Joe, Robby, don't.

You're letting her
manipulate you.

- No, Dad, no, she helps me.

- Now, Robby, listen.

Your brother looked
into this, huh?

Now, this woman
is a loose woman.

- No!

- Oh, she's a mess.

She's a drinker.

- No, Dad, no!

- She's had two husbands
walk out on her.

Now, what does that tell ya?

And that ain't the worst.

- She has a bird, Paco,
sits close to me, pretty,

smells nice, talks
nice, everything.

- Now, look, Robby, listen.

Now, we've talked about
this kind of thing before.

Do you remember how bad you felt

that time the boys
took you to Wichita?

- Oh, Dad, don't!

Those were whores!

- [Jim] Now, boy,
now wait a minute.

- Rose is not a whore!

- Listen, Robby!

- [Emma] Robby!

- [Jim] Robby, Robby.

- She's not, not, Dad!

She's not a whore!

- Just let me talk to ya.

- Well, she is not.

- Robby, just calm down.

Let me--

- Let me.

Let me just talk to him, Jim.

- All right.
- Robby, now listen.

There are girlfriends,
and then there are

women who will take advantage.

- No, she--

- No one's saying that you
can't have a girlfriend.

That was all fine
when that girlfriend

that you had from the
school came down--

- Oh, Ma, she was--

- Hell, she wasn't much.

- That's right, too,
Dad, wasn't much.

- Now, look, I know
you think you're just

like everybody else,
in most ways you are,

but there are some ways
you ain't the same.

- Jim.

- Now, you just do as I say!

You stay away from her.

- But...

[crickets chirping]

[dog barking]

- [gasps] Robby!

[chuckles] What are you doin'?

- I wanna come in.

- Shh, well, you can't.

I'm in bed!

- I'm coming in!

- [Rose] Sh!

- I'm coming in.
- At least you're loaded.

- Here I come.
- You can't come in here!

- Yes, I am.
- Hey, you aren't coming

in here like, quit it!

[Robby groans]
You ain't coming in!

- I am.

- [Rose] You're
gonna get me fired.

- I'm coming in to--

- Shh, shh, shh.

- I'm coming in to see ya.

- Do you know what?

Let me pour this out.

- No, I'm sorry, Rose!

- Shh, please, shh!

- No, Rose!

- Stuff just makes
it easier for people

to think you ain't
playing with a full deck!

- I know!

- 'Cause you ain't when
you're all juiced up!

- I know, Rose,
but I wanted that!

- Shh!
- I wanted that.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

You're sweet, Rose.

- You're sweet, too, but I don't

need no more drunks in my life.

Now, you just get on
home and sleep it off.

- They say no, no.

I don't care.

I don't care.

I don't care.

You're my friend.

That's all.

- That's right.
- That's all.

- That's right.

Good night.

[sentimental country music]

- Good night, Rose.

[pins crashing]

[people whooping]

[pins crashing]

[Rose squeals]
- Wow!

- You dirty dog, you've
been holding out on me!

- I sure did, Rose.

I did.
- Okay.

You gotta give me some
pointers, then, okay?

- All right, okay.

- Okay.
- All right.

You gotta bring the
ball way far back, okay?

- Okay, now you gonna watch me?

- Yeah, I am.
- Okay, ready?

Go!

[pins crashing]
- All right, Robby.

- [Robby] All right!

- [Jim] Robby, you get
on out to the front, son.

- No, Dad, I stay with Rose!

- No, not no more you ain't.

- Dad, I don't wanna--

- Excuse me.

- Don't you worry, lady!

We know all about your kind!

- Mom, Dad, I don't
want to go, Dad.

No, Dad, I stay with Rose.

I don't wanna go home, Ma!

- Listen.

I don't know who you
think you're talking to,

but you don't know
nothing about me!

- I know the welfare
took your kids away.

Ain't nobody more
low down than that.

I don't know what your game is,

if you're after him for
money or sex or what!

- You're out of your mind!

- But you can run your
tail on down the road.

There ain't nothing
for you here!

[engine roars]

- You got no right
to go judging me.

- We take care of our family!

- If you hurt him, I'll...

- You are gonna stay
away from that slut!

- She's not a slut!

You keep your damn
mouth off her!

- Don't you dare cuss at me!
[hand slaps]

[Robby crashes]

[dramatic country music]

You ain't hurt, are ya?

[Robbie groaning]

Here, come on.

Come on.

Robby, get on back here.

Robby.

Robby, Robby!

You come on, now.

You know I didn't mean to!

Oh, damn, damnation.

[sentimental country music]

- [Robby] Rose.

- Robby, what are
you doing here?

Okay, what happened
to your face?

- Oh, I'm all right.

I hitchhiked, Rose.

I knew you'd be here.

- Oh, gosh, you don't even have
a coat on and it's freezing.

Here, get in the car.

Come on.

I've got a blanket
up here somewhere.

Here, put this around you.

Oh, Robby, your
hands are freezing.

[Robby coughs]

So what happened?

- Oh, my dad,

he bam across the face.

Yeah.

- I should get some
water and clean this--

- No, no, Rose, stay here.

I feel better this
way, like this.

- Okay.

You're awful sweet, Robby.

I'm sorry I got you
into so much trouble.

- No.

- What he said
about my kids, well,

[sighs] someday I'll tell you.

- You don't have to, Rose.

- But you gotta believe that I

never had no sexual
designs on you.

Listen, after the hell I
went through in my marriages,

I ain't even thought about
sex in a hundred years.

- Oh, I love you, Rose.

You're all mine.

[sentimental acoustic
guitar music]

- Robby, we shouldn't
be doing this.

- But I'm so happy, Rose.

I've waited and waited,
and now I'm happy.

Aren't you happy?

- Yes, I am.

- Rose.

I want to take your clothes off.

- Me too.

- Mine, too?

I'm so hyped up,
hands are shaking.

- Here.

[sentimental country music]

[gravel crunching]

[engine rumbling]

[door knocking]

- Rose Parks, you here?

- Who wants me?

I'm busy.

- [Ken] Ken Smith,
Highway Patrol, I'd
like a word with you.

- Ken, you Robby's brother?

Sure, hold on.

I'll be with you in just
two shakes, darling.

- Good morning.

- [Rose] Morning.

- I understand you've
been keeping Robby out

all hours of the night,
doing who knows what.

Robby's not capable
of making decisions

like this for himself.
- Hell he ain't.

- That's exactly the attitude

that we're not putting up with.

My family had good
control of Robby

until you started mixing in.

- Yeah, sure, he
had a great life,

getting drunk,
getting kicked around.

- Okay, maybe you'll
understand this.

Keep away from him.

I'm a law officer.

- Yeah, I can see you are.

- And I'll see you in
jail before I let you

or anybody else
exploit my brother.

[door slams]

["Let It Be Me" by Sandy Posey]

♪ Don't take this
heaven from one

♪ If you must cling to someone

♪ Now and forever

- Robby?

- [Robby] Hmm?

♪ Let it be me

- We have to stop
seeing each other.

- [Robby] [chuckles]
Sure, Rose, sure thing.

- No, I mean it, honey.

Now, I know it's gonna be
hard for you, and for me, too.

You really made a
difference for me, Robby.

It's only the thing
that we gotta do is

I gotta go away.

- Why, Rose?

Why?

- Well, 'cause if
I don't, there are

things that your folks can do.

- They wouldn't hurt us, Rose.

- Well, Kenny says they will.

[sobs] And he ain't kidding.

- Kenny?

My brother?

He would help us, Rose.

- No, he won't, Robby.

I'm leaving tonight.

We gotta say goodbye now.

♪ And that you'll always

♪ Let it

♪ Be me

[people socializing]

[upbeat country music]

- Hey, Robby!

Come on, it's our
old drinking buddy!

Come on in, Robby!
- Robby, come on!

- Yeah, you're buying, man.

- Come on!
- Come on, Robby!

- Robby!

Aw!
- Aw!

- Hey, Robby, come on!

[sentimental country music]

- Good news, Rose,
I'm coming too.

- Oh, honey.

- Got my stuff, shirts,
underwear, socks,

two bologna sandwiches,
everything, toothbrush here.

Where's Paco?

I can hold him!
- Wait!

They will sic the law on us.

- No, Rose, the
law can't hurt us.

- You don't know
what the law can do.

They stole my kids away from me.

- Why, Rose?

Why would they do that?

- 'Cause they said
I was negligent.

[door slams]

My first husband, when he
was alive, was a real drunk.

[sobs] And he beat on my kids.

And when the family
court stepped in,

the judge says it
was my fault, too,

like I didn't try to stop him or

nothing, and got beat on myself.

[sobs] And they took my kids.

I couldn't even see 'em!

- Don't cry, Rose.

It'll be all right.

Don't cry.

- You just don't know
what it does to ya.

I didn't care.

I started drinking, too. [sobs]

And I married another
drunk, and he hurt me too.

It seems like I
ought to get beat up,

like I deserve to lose my kids.

I felt so worthless, Robby.

I went and had myself fixed
so I can't have no more kids.

You understand that?

- No, Rose.

You're worth a lot.

You're beautiful.

You're good to me, make
me happy, everything.

I love you.

- Oh.

- I love you, Rose.

- You are the sweetest man.

You've just about given me back
my faith in the human race,

which don't look
too good, mostly.

- That's right, too, Rose.

- But still, I can't go

against the law 'cause
I know I can't win.

I couldn't stand it if they come

and lock you up
on account of me.

- No, no, Rose, no,
my family always said,

"Lock Robby up, institution?

"No, never."

My dad said, "Die first!"

- Yeah, but Ken--

- Not his business!

My life, Rose, my life.

You stay.

I stay with you.

You go.

I go, too.

That's all, final.

- Well, [sniffs]
what do we gotta do?

I don't know.

You take medicine or something?

- No, not me.

Footloose and fancy free.

[Rose chuckles]

Let's hit the road.

[upbeat bluegrass music]

Where are we going, Rose?

- [Rose] By the lake, real long.

- [Emma] Jim!

- Ken, we gotta find him, Ken.

- Will you listen a minute?

- Ah, before she ruins
that boy with drugs.

- Don't you go acting crazy.

- That boy wouldn't know
how to handle drugs.

He wouldn't know what
was happening to him.

- I know it.

I know it, but I'll find him!

- She could get
him to do anything!

That boy thinks
everybody is his friend!

- Dad, Dad, I've got the whole

network of the law to help us.

Please, okay?

Let me handle it.

Well, you're her dad.

[dog barking]

You say you're close
family, and here you are

telling me you haven't
heard from her.

- I told you.

I thought Rose was still
working in Prairie.

Go get it.

- Yeah, well, I'm gonna
tell you something.

I think you know where
your daughter is,

and you better tell her she
can't get away with kidnapping.

- Your brother's a
grown man, right?

- My brother's retarded.

You tell your daughter
to bring him back,

or she better get
herself a lawyer.

- [Robby] Sure could use a beer.

- [Rose] Oh, honey, you're
doing so good without it.

- [Robby] Oh, I don't know.

I don't sleep so good.

- Yeah, the way we're living.

I'd just about kill
for a hot meal.

- Yeah, a chili burger.

- Mm, a hot bath, too.

- Yeah, hot bath.

- Mm, we're down to nothing.

We've gotta get some jobs.

Can't sleep in this car no more.

We've gotta get a real bed.

Hey.

[both smooching]

[Paco squawks]

- More room back here.

[both giggling]

[Paco squawking]

[upbeat bluegrass music]

[both giggling]

- Oh, here they are.

- Hi.

- Hi.
- Why, hello!

- Hey, you!

- Hi!

- Hey.
- Hi, how are you?

- [Rose] Oh, Charlie?

- [Charlie] Rose.

- Hey, Daddy.

Everybody, this is
my boyfriend, Robby.

This is my sister, Corrie,
and her husband, Charlie.

- Hi.

- And, this is my daddy, Leon.

- Hello, Robert.

- Oh, and this is Nina.
[Nina crying]

She's my godchild.

- Sit down.

It's all...

- This is good.

Here we go.

- [Corrie] Charlie,
why don't you go on?

- Okay, who wants a beer?

Robby, what'll it be?

- I guess not, Charlie.

- Hell, don't look at Rose.

She's as bad as
those old ladies used

to chop up saloons
with axes. [chuckles]

- He don't, [clears throat]
he doesn't drink beer.

We drink pop.

- Yeah, pop.

- Okay, Rosie.

- What kind of work
do you do, Robby?

- Well, he does yard work.

Don't you, honey?

- Yard work, oh yeah.

- And he worked in
a restaurant, too.

- Sure did, Rose, clean up,

sweep, wash, everything.

- That's great.

- Oh, he can do lots of things.

He just needs some help
sometimes, that's all.

- Okay, here we are.

Heh, one for you, one for you.

Leon, there you go, hey.

- Robby, you asleep?

- I'm thinking about my family.

- You miss 'em, honey?

- I don't feel so
good about what's...

I gotta have a beer.

My stomach, my head is shaky.

- I know, but you'll
get through it.

- No, I can't sleep.

- I'll stay up with
you, all right?

- No!

[dramatic country music]

I'm sorry, Rose.

I don't mean to hurt you, Rose.

- No, here.

[can hisses]

- Oh, that's better, Rose.

That's better.

- I looked you up in the
yellow pages under counseling.

We can't afford to pay you much.

We ain't got jobs yet.

- Oh, that's fine.

That's fine, whatever.

So can't Robby get
Social Security?

- I don't know.

- It'd give you an income base,

you know, while
you look for work.

- Don't know, Doctor.

- Okay, we'll look into that.

I guess you had a bit
of a rough night, huh?

- Drank some beers.

- [Rose] He couldn't
stick it out no more.

- Well, people who
are retarded have

a hell of a time
kicking alcohol.

It's hard for anybody.

Robby, have you ever
been in a support group?

Got a really nice
one going here.

Ah, aha, I'm not
totally disorganized.

- [Robby] Doctor Roche?

- Yeah?

- One thing you said,
I'm not retarded.

A little slow, a few
problems, no big deal.

- Okay, Robby, thanks.

- [Rose] Have a good time.

We'll see you later
this afternoon, okay?

- [Corrie] Okay, bye.

- Bye.
- Take care of yourself.

Don't do anything I wouldn't do.

- Bye bye.
- Bye bye.

I'm coming, I'm
coming. [chuckles]

[door slams]

[both giggling]

- Yeah?

- We're all alone.

- [Rose] Mm.

[both smooching]

Oh, wait.
- Mm-mm.

- Wait!
- Mm-mm.

- Wait! [laughs]

- I'm gonna win.

I can't wait.

- Hey, wait! [laughs]

No, really, I'm serious!

[sentimental country music]

We got all day.

We're in a real house.

Oh, with a real bed. [laughs]

Oh, let's do this right.

Come on.

♪ Or is it in his face

♪ Oh, no, it's just his charm

- So I want you to
read the directions.

- No, honey, you help me.

- No, I'm telling you.

You learn to read directions,

and you won't need
nothing from me.

- Oh, yes, I will.

- No, now stop.

I'm gonna go in the living
room and read want ads.

You're on your own.

- Honey...

Well, honey...

What size pot?

- Medium, with a handle.

- Medium with a handle.

[pots clattering]

♪ Oh, no, that's not the way

[cookware banging]

- It's macaroni
and cheese, butter,

[mellow country music]

apple sauce, ketchup,

bread, salt and pepper,

pop.

- Well, this all looks real
elegant, and you did it.

[door knocking]

Hold on.

- Oh, shoot, it'll get cold.

- Got a subpoena here
for Robert Smith.

- Well, that's me.

Oh, hi, Billy.

- Come on along, now, Robby.

This is a legal document

- Hey, wait a minute here.
- This is Billy.

He's a friend of Kenny.

- This don't concern you, ma'am.

- Come on.

- [Robby] But Billy, I--

- [Rose] Robby!

What do you mean this
don't concern me?

[engine rumbling]

- My girlfriend Rose, I mean--

- [Billy] Look here, you're
gonna have to move that car.

- Don't move it!
- What's going on here?

- I don't know, Charlie.

- Wait, let me see that paper.

- Robby, is this your brother?

- No, this is Billy.

He's a good friend of Kenny!
[door slams]

- [Billy] Obstructing
justice, you'll regret it.

- Well, what paper?

You got a warrant to
come busting in here?

- Just back off!

- [Corrie] Well, why
are you arresting him?

- Excuse me, officer,
I'm a neighbor.

Jake Hobart, I work for
Kansas Legal Services.

I don't believe this man
here understands his rights.

- No, he sure don't, Mister.

We sure could use some help.

- This is personal.

We're just helping a family out.

- All right, all right,
so I will explain to him

that he is free
to go or to stay.

I mean it is up to him.

[dramatic country music]

Okay, come on out of there.

Kenneth Smith.

- He's my brother.

- Well, he's
petitioning the court

to make him Robby's
legal guardian.

Then your brother
could determine where
you live, who with.

In fact, he'd control almost
every aspect of your life.

- He doesn't like Rose.

- I knew it, Robby.

They're gonna take
you legal or illegal.

- Well, wait.

Do you wanna fight this?

- [scoffs] You can't fight
them guys that own the law.

- Well, we just did.

We won.

- That's right, too.

We won.
- We don't got no money.

- Well, I'm paid by
the state of Kansas.

For you, it's free.

- I guess if we got
any chance at all.

- Well, I think so, yeah.

- Well, we're on.

- All right?

- Right.

- We're on!

[Charlie chuckles]

[people socializing]

Hi, guys!

- [Jim] Hey, buddy.

[Robby laughing]

- Oh, you've been all right.

- Oh!

- Hi, Ken.
- Hi, son.

How are you doing?

- Say hi to Rose?

- Rose, Rose, hold on.

Hold on.

- I can't testify.

I can't.
- Oh, Rose, for God's sake.

- No.

They'll work on me and turn
everything I say around.

I know how they are.

Robby, I'm sorry.

I just can't do it. [sobs]

- Rose, Rose, now look at me.

Look at me.

You're the only one who
can prove to the judge

that Robby would be better
off living with you.

- But I can't do it.

- Well, if we're all
here, let's get started.

The state calls
Mr. Kenneth Smith.

- Robby and I were
always together.

Besides being brothers,
we were friends.

Used to help me
with my paper route,

played sports with
me and my friends.

And when I started dating,
he couldn't understand

why he couldn't come along, too.

I spent time with
him, found him jobs.

I just always
looked out for him.

Seemed natural.

- That's right,
too, Kenny, natural.

- According to the
tests, he has an IQ

of 58, which is
mild retardation.

Apart from the alcohol,
which he no longer drinks,

his chief problem has been
that his family has kept him

from any ongoing
treatment or training.

His relationship
with Rose Parks,

in my opinion, is a
healthy influence.

- Rose Parks has a
history of alcohol abuse,

multiple marriages, and
parental negligence to the point

where the state of Kansas
took away her children.

She is not an
appropriate role model.

- You don't know what it's like

'til you raise a boy like that.

Sometimes I come
down hard on Robby

'cause I was worried for him.

You've got to watch
out all the time

so no harm will come to him.

- Now, Robby, do you understand
what we're working on today?

- Sure, Judge, uh-huh.

- See, we are trying to find
the best person to help you

when you need a little
help with your life.

- Right, good.

- Now, your brother Ken
would like to be that person.

- All right.

- But Dr. Roche
thinks that you've had

some problems with your family,

and that maybe it
would be better

if this lady, Rose
Parks, helped you.

- Okay, real good.

- Your attorney is suggesting
that if it isn't Rose Parks,

then an independent
person who does

this work professionally
would be the best choice.

- Fine.

- I'd like to know
what you think, Robby.

- Well, to me,

I think, to me,

if it's just...

Well, sure, that's
fine with me, sure.

- Mm-hm, how do you
and Ken get along?

- Oh, we get along good, sure.

- And Rose Parks, how
is it living with her?

- Oh, good, fine.

She's my best friend.

- And Mr. Hobart here,
what do you think of him?

- Oh, Jake?

Oh, he's my buddy.

- And Dr. Roche and Mr. Parks?

- Oh, great guys.

I like you, too, Judge.

- Thank you, Robby.

I like you, too.

Well, clearly, everybody
in this courtroom

cares about Robby and
what happens to him.

In keeping him at
home, his parents felt

that they were doing
what was best for Robby.

They cared for him, they loved
him, and he loved them back.

- Oh, you bet.

- But every child
decides at some point

that he wants to
live his own life.

And Robbie deserves
the chance to reach

his full potential, so
I'm appointing Ken Smith

Robby's guardian
and conservator.

Now, Robby can stay
with Rose Parks for now,

but within 60 days, I
want Ken to place Robby

in a residential center,
where he can live full-time

and get the training
that he needs.

[dramatic country music]

Agreed, Ken?

- I know it's not what we
wanted, but it's what we got.

I found a good
place for him that

will train him, get him a job.

- No way.

- And he can come
home on weekends.

- No way.

We as a family don't
fight that judge

on this, I don't know who I am.

I don't know what my
time on Earth was for.

- We'd be giving up on him,
saying we don't love him.

- Nobody's saying that.

- Well, that's
what it feels like!

- There's no point in
fighting this if we can't win.

[sentimental country music]

- [Rose] Why'd you
take off like that?

- [Robby] Well,
I couldn't sleep.

- [Rose] Oh, me neither.

- [Robby] My dad always
said, no institution.

Never, never, die first.

- At least they'll
let me visit ya.

I'm sure they will.

We've still got two more weeks.

We could aways run away again.

- You're my home, Rose.

♪ Home, home on the range

♪ Where the deer
and the antelope

♪ Play

♪ Where seldom is heard

♪ A discouraging word

♪ And the skies are not cloudy

♪ All day

[sentimental country music]

[people socializing]

- [Rose] Robby, you don't
have to buy me nothing.

- But I want to, Rose.

Something to keep, so you'll
see it and remember me.

- [Rose] [chuckles] Robby.

- No, I do!

- How about remembrance rings?

Got some beauties
here on special.

You wear one.

She wears one.

- Oh, just like we're married.

- Same idea, only better.

- [Rose] What are you doing?

- Now, we have our rings on.

Rose Parks, I love you.

- And I love you.

- Let's get married.

- Oh, honey, wouldn't
that be wonderful?

- I love you.

Do you love me?

Let's get married.

- Oh, don't you know I want to?

What do you think those
people at that residential

center would say
if you was married.

- Rose Parks, I love you.

I love you.

I love you.

I love you, love you,
love you, love you--

- All right, all right. [laughs]

We do have a right to a little

piece of our
happiness, don't we?

- We gonna get married.

- Yes, we are.

I do love you.

[both smooching]

[horn honks]

[Rose giggles]

- Well, if this is a democracy

and anybody can vote,
I vote against it.

I mean, I got some mental
problems like Robby.

And I used to drink a
lot, like Robby, too.

And I think Rose
should marry me.

[all laughing]

- Well, it does
bring up a point.

- What?

You mean like why I want to
marry somebody with problems?

Well...

Robby is the first lover who
has always been good to me,

and because he loves me.

And because it's just
his way with people.

He's good and gentle, and...

He's on my side, forever.

And because I just
love him, that's all.

- Aw, bless your heart, honey.

- You all know I had a
lot of different jobs.

One of them is I'm a minister.

[all laughing]

No, serious, I got a
license and everything!

[sentimental country music]

Do you, Rose, take

this man, Robert,
to be your wedded

husband, to have and to hold

from this day
forward, for better

or for worse, for
richer or for poor,

in sickness and
in health, to love

and to cherish till
death do you part?

- I do.

- [Scott] And do you,
Robert, take this woman--

- I do.

I promise my wife, Rose Smith,

to love her, like her,

take care of her,
everything, richer,

poorer, sickness, health,

always, never no one else.

Me and Rose, forever and ever.

Amen.

- That says it all.

You man and wife!

[audience applauding]

- I love you, oh.

- That's all I had was
Nina's birthday party paper.

- I helped choose it!

- [Rose] I don't get it.

It's an empty room.

- [Nina] That's your new place!

- We all chipped in together,
Dr. Roche and all of us

and your family and everybody.

- Yeah, yeah, we
got enough for the

deposit and the
first month's rent.

Well, there ain't anything
in it but a mattress so far.

- What else do you
need the first year?

[all laughing]

- Charlie, you are terrible!

[door bangs]

- [Rose] Woop! [yelps]

[both laughing]

- You're all mine.

- That's right, too.

[both laughing]

[both smooching]

[phone ringing]

- I'll get it.

[family socializing]

Hello?

- Who is it?

- It's the residential center.

What do you mean, you
can't take him now?

He's what?

- Ken?

- The hell he is!

- What, what?
- What, what?

- She's gone and
made him marry her.

She's not gonna
get away with this.

- Oh, honey, I'm sorry
this has to be today,

but they called me back
about that check-out job,

and I sure could use the money.

- Well, I could work
there, too, Rose.

- Yeah, sure.

If they hire me,
later on we'll ask

them about a job for you, okay?

- Okay.

- Oh, and when I get back,
we'll call your folks

and let 'em know we're married.

- Yeah, let them
know we're married.

Kenny'll change when he
knows we're married, Rose.

- Yeah, well, I guess it
don't hurt to hope, huh?

Mm.

I'll be back as fast as I can.

- Okay.

Bye, honey.
- Bye, wish me luck!

- Bye, good luck!

[siren wailing]

Kenny, well...

Kenny, that's Rose's.

Kenny, why are you
taking my stuff?

- You're gonna come
visit for a while.

- But Kenny, I can't visit you.

We just got married.

Kenny?

Kenny, let's wait.

Rose will be here soon.

Let's talk.

- I'm your guardian,
Robby, not Rose Parks!

- Rose Smith, Kenny!

She's my wife, Kenny!

Well, Kenny, I...

[dramatic country music]

Rose!
- Wait!

- Rose!

Kenny, please, don't!
- Let me explain!

- [Robby] No, Kenny,
please, wait a minute!

[engine roars]

[all shouting]

- Robby, Robby!

You bastard!

Who the hell do
you think you are?

You're not gonna
get away with this!

[sobs] You can't do this! [sobs]

- Are you gonna sleep in my top

bunk again tonight, uncle Robby?

- I don't know.

I guess.

- Why, Robby, why?

- And I don't wanna
hear any more about it.

You give me one solid real
reason why she would marry him.

- Kenny, could I talk to Jake?

- The residential center won't
take him now because he's,

quote, married, and you
knew that and so did she.

But it doesn't matter anyway
anymore because I have

the authority to direct
every aspect of his life,

including his legal
representation,
and you're fired.

If you try to contact
him, I'm gonna

have you charged with
illegal soliciting.

So back off, fella.

You back off.

[phone clatters]

- Kenny, did you fire Jake?

I wanted to talk to him.

I wanted to ask him
to say hi to Rose.

Kenny?

Kenny.

Kenny, why did you
have to fire Jake?

- Come on, Robby.

You and I got a little
bit to deal with--

- But I wanted to
talk to him, Kenny.

- Can I have a word with you?
- A word?

I kind of got a lot to deal
with right now, sweetheart.

- Kenny?

- Well, I wonder why.

- Why did you, I wanted--

- Robby, listen to me.

I want you to write a
letter to that judge.

- But Kenny--
- Okay?

Now, come on.

Sit down right here.

You got got a pen and paper.

- [Robby] I wanna
see Rose, Kenny?

- This has gotta
get done, Robby.

This is important.

- [Robby] Well, what do I say?

- [Ken] Say you want
to live with me.

- But I want to live with Rose!

- Now, come on.

I'll dictate and you
write, okay, Robby?

- Kenny, I wanna live with Rose.

- That's an impossibility.

- But I want Rose!

- Don't get nervous.
- I love her!

- [Ken] How 'bout a beer?

- Rose and Dr. Roche said beer--

- I've been drinking
with you half my life.

You never had a problem.

- I need Rose.

- Start writing, "Dear Judge."

- I need Rose!

- You need Rose like you
need a hole in the head.

You've got the wrong
idea about her.

She's not waiting
around for you.

- No!

- Now, write.

"I do not want Mr. Hobart
to help me anymore."

- Kenny, she's my wife!

- [Ken] "I do not want."

- She has her ring on, Kenny.

- Oh, the hell, she does.

She doesn't give
two hoots about you.

- Oh, Kenny, no.

- She's laughing at all
of us behind our backs.

- No, Kenny, she's not.

Rose is not laughing.

- Robby, I heard she left town.

Now, you gotta forget her.

She's gone, Robby.

She's gone.

[dramatic country music]

Now, come on, Robby.

Let's do the letter.

- Kenny, I--

- "I am very happy

"living here."

- Kenny, I--

- "I am very happy

"living--"
- No, no, it's lies!

It's lies!

It's lies!

- Robby!

- It's lies!

It's lies!

- Robby, Robby!
- Rose is my wife!

- Hang on!
- She loves me!

- Robby!

[both shouting]

- Don't talk about her!

- Okay!
- Don't talk about her!

- Okay!
- Don't talk about her!

- Okay!

[Robby weeping]

Easy, buddy.

Easy, okay?

Just calm down, please.

Just take it easy.

Come on back in.

[Robby yelps]

[Robby sobbing]

- Okay, okay, Robby.

Robby, you win.

Let's go back in and

watch some football
or something.

- Don't talk about her.

Ever.

Ever.

- Fine, fine.

[gravel crunching]

- Well, you know I like Robby.

I can see he's good for you.

But if this fight goes
on long, it could turn

Robby's own family against him.

And then what
happens if you lose?

He'd have nobody.

- I know.

It scares me.

- Well, I've got another
question for you.

What happens if you win?

You'd have to take care of Robby
all alone, your whole life.

- [sighs] If I give up on him,

I'm going back on everything I

promised him when
we got married.

And I promised myself, too, that

this time, I wouldn't give up.

This time, I would fight.

- I know how you feel.

But I'll tell you straight.

I think it'd be better
for both you and Robby

if you just let his
family have him.

They love him, don't they?

[sentimental country music]

[truck honks]

[phone beeping]

[phone ringing]

- Hello?

- [Operator] I
have a collect call

for Mrs. Rose Smith
from Mr. Robby Smith.

Will you accept the charges?

- [Robby] Hi, Rose, it's me!

It's me!

- Oh, yes, yes, Robby?

Robby, where are you?

- I sneaked out to call you.

I wrote you two letters.

Did you get them, Rose?

- Oh, yes, honey.

I read 'em about
50 times already.

- I love you, Mrs. Smith.

I keep telling Kenny,
too, but he says a lot.

I told him, stop.

- Honey, where are you?

Are you locked up in that home?

- No, no, don't worry,
Rose, Kenny's house.

But, oh, I miss you.

You are so beautiful,
Rose Smith.

I want my life with you.

- Oh, sweetheart,
they ain't never gonna

let you go free
'til I just go away.

- Don't!

Don't say go away.

Don't say that.

- I don't want to, ever.

Maybe they'll just forget
all this institution stuff

and let you go back
home if I just get away.

- We have a home!

Is our apartment still there?

- [sniffs] Sure is.

- [Robby] Is Paco there?

- Yeah, he's looking over here.

He knows it's you.

[sentimental country music]

- I have my ring on.

Do you have your ring on?

- Yeah, I surely do.

- I'm your husband.

Are you my wife?

For me and only me?

- I'll always be your wife,

for you and only you.

And if anybody ever tries
to tell you different,

you'd never believe
them Siberian

sons of biscuit-eaters, okay?

- Rose Smith, Mrs. Rose Smith...

I love you.

I lie down with you.

I put my arms around you.

You put your arms around me.

Are you holding me?

- Yes, Robby, I'm holding you.

- Don't let go.

- Never.

[lively carnival music]

- Hi there.
- Hi.

[children laughing]

[people socializing]

[people clapping]
[lively bluegrass music]

- Now, isn't this fun?

Look this way, Robby.

Smile.
[camera clicks]

Robby, why can't
you look over here?

- So many people, Mom.

Maybe Rose is--

- She ain't gonna
show up here, son.

- I miss her, Dad.

- Robby.

- I love her, Mom.

I need her.

I need to be with her.

- I know, Robby, but
you gotta get over it.

- [Robby] Well, I--

- [Ken] Robby.

- Ken, I need to talk to you.

- Hey, Judge.

- Hello, folks.
- Morning, Judge.

- Robby, how are ya?

- Fine.

- Listen, I got a call from
Jake Hobart last night,

who said that Robby never
showed up to that appointment.

- Judge, I can't make him
go if he don't wanna go.

- Don't give me that.

Ken, your attorney
has two court orders

that I signed that Robby
is to meet with Hobart.

- I fired Hobart.

- Well, you can't.

- I'm Robby's legal guardian.

- Yeah, you are
because I say you are,

but I can take that back.

Now, your brother has
a right to an attorney

who represents him and not you.

You can't get rid of
Hobart unless you can prove

he's either crooked
or incompetent.

Now, can you prove that?

- If I had the time.

- No, you can't.

He's just a burr up your butt.

Well, that ain't
nothing compared

to what I'm gonna be if
you don't get your brother

over to his attorney's office
first thing Monday morning.

You got that?

[lively carnival music]

[people socializing]

[phone ringing]

- Robby, just wait here while
I check things out, okay?

[typewriter clacking]

- Jake.

- Hobart, you've got no
right having that woman here.

This meeting's off.

- Now, I've got a court order
that tells me different.

- Yeah?
- Now, where's Robby?

- [Reporter] Robby?

Are you Robby?

- Uh-huh.
- Hi, Robby, how are ya?

Is Jake here yet?

- I--

- Come on, let's go inside.

- My brother Kenny said--

- Yeah, that's fine.

Don't worry about it.
- I'm supposed to sit here.

- [Jake] It's got nothing
to do with conditions.

- [Ken] Let's call the judge
right now and ask him, huh?

- Just hold it.

Hold it.

Excuse me, are you
from The Eagle?

- Yeah, can we start
interviews now?

- Great, yeah.
- Yeah.

- [Jake] Hi, Robby, how are ya?

- [Reporter] Do you want to
do 'em in the office or not?

- [Jake] Yeah, that'd be fine.

- Are you Rose?
- You're really sick, pal.

- Yes, I am.

- [Ken] What the hell
do think you're doing?

- Robby?

- Rose!

- Robby?

- [Robby] Oh, Rosy,
Rosy, Rosy, Rosy, Rosy!

[sobs] Oh, Rosy.

- Maybe we should just hold off.

- My Rosy, baby.

Oh, my brother hit me so much.

Oh, Rosy.

I miss my girl.

I miss my girl.

- I'll be back in one hour.

- Kenny, I am not
going with you.

I stay with Rose.

- Robby, the judge is
not gonna let you--

- Not him, not you!

Me and Rose, married!

Married forever, forever!

That's it, final!

♪ Without your sweet love

♪ What would life be

♪ So never leave me lonely

♪ Tell me you love me only

♪ And that you'll always

- Oh, the judge was livid
when he saw the papers.

Trying the case in the
media, shabby efforts,

all that stuff, but
by God, it worked.

We've got a hearing
six weeks from now.

- Oh, I guess that'll
be our big chance.

- [Robby] Yeah.

- But you know, everything
hinges on whether

or not the judge
accepts the marriage.

And he is going to need
something from us as well.

[siren wailing]

- He keeps on thinking Ken's
gonna come back and grab him.

- Well, the judge, of
course, you two aren't

gonna like this, but,
well, it might save you.

- Spit it out, Jake.

- The judge wants
Robby to be tested

and evaluated thoroughly
before the hearing.

- What kind of tests?

- [Robby] What kind of tests?

- Intelligence tests,
psychological tests.

They'll be watching how he
relates to other people.

He'll try him out
on different jobs.

The social workers and
psychiatrists who test you,

they will be determining
whether you can,

you really could
live independently,

whether you really
understand what marriage is

and whether you
can commit to it.

- Well, I sure can, Jake.

I do.

Where are these tests?

- Well, the center's right here.

It's in Wichita, and they could
take you now, I mean, today.

But the problem is the testing
process occurs over 30 days,

and they insist that you
live at the institute where--

- Oh, institution, no way.

- No, we just got
back together, Jake.

- No, not one day, no way, Jake.

- Robby, please.

- Rose, I...

I won't go in.
- Okay, okay.

[Robby moaning]

- I don't wanna go.

- Hey, Robby, look.

- Please, I don't wanna go.

- Look, they can't
make you go inside.

- I don't wanna go in.

- If you don't wanna go--

- No, no die first.
- It's okay.

It's all right.

It's okay.
- Rose, you help me.

Rose, I don't wanna do this.

- They've got a court order.

They can force him.

You've gotta help me here.

- Look, I'm not
gonna coerce him.

He's terrified.

How should he trust them
to let him out of here?

- His future's in
the judge's hands.

He's gonna try and
show his best side.

- Why don't you
let me handle this?

[Robby whimpering]

Robby, my name is Eddy.
- [yelps] I don't wanna go.

I don't, no, no.
- Why don't you come with me?

- No, no.
- No, he doesn't wanna go.

- Ma'am, it's
gonna be all right.

- I don't wanna go.
- No.

- Come on, Robby.
- No, no.

- Okay, fellas?

[Robby moaning]

- Robby, it's okay.

Hey, he doesn't wanna go!
[Robby shouting]

[all shouting]

Hey, he doesn't wanna go!

[car slams]

Robby, Robby!

[dramatic country music]

[buzzer buzzes]

- My daughter's coming
to take me home today.

She's coming at 12 o'clock,
so I have to be ready.

She's coming at one o'clock.

Can I have my coat?

[man grunting]

- Dirty, smelly,
disgusting, swallowing

swine, bitch.

- [Nurse] Now, what are
you doing in the hospital?

[patients babbling]

- Here's your medication, Robby.

- Robby, talk to me a little.

- Rose.

- It'll calm you down.

- Rose.

- Tell me about her.

- Come on.

Drink up.

- I can't help you if you
won't communicate with me.

- Robby, I'm Karen, attorney.

The judges appointed me
as your new guardian.

- I want Rose.

- [Karen] They had to
put you in a locked ward,

Robby, you were
in such bad shape.

But if you can use this time
to rest and calm yourself,

prepare yourself
for the evaluation,

they'll let you off
this ward in no time.

- No, I need Rose.

- Listen, the judge got Ken
to resign as your guardian.

That's a big step.

- I want Rose, please.

- She's not allowed to visit.

We're afraid you'll
get all upset again.

You just forget about
her for a while,

and concentrate on getting well.

[patients babbling]

- I can't let you in, sorry, not

unless your name is on the list.

- Well, how in the hell
do I get on that list?

[people socializing]

Excuse me, Judge.
I'm Rose Parks,

Rose Smith, Robby Smith's wife.

- All right, all
right, now, look.

I've gotta be back in court here

pretty quick, but,
well, walk along.

Talk to me.

- He's in a real bad way, judge.

- Yeah, I know.

I know.

I feel, you know, I'm very
concerned, believe me.

This whole family conflict
has been hell on him.

- He'd get better right
away if you'd just let him

out of there and let
me take care of him.

- Why didn't you
come to the hearing?

- Judges and courts, they just

been a lot of heartache to me.

- Yeah, do you
see your children?

- They live pretty
far away, but we talk.

- Ah, good, that's good.

- Judge, I know Robby can
pass any test you got.

But right now, he is so shook up

'cause we've been
forced to part again.

And if he thinks
I'm gone for good,

he ain't never gonna get better.

- You really think you're
that important to him?

- I know I am, just
like he is to me.

Maybe you ain't married, but--

- No, no, I am.

I am.

- If your wife were locked up--

- Right, uh, right.

- But if you'd just let
me see him, even once,

he'd know I'm here waiting
for him, and he'd get better.

He'd pass that test.

That's what it's gonna take.

- Congratulations, but you
can't take that bird in there.

- You wanna call the judge?

[buzzer buzzes]
[Paco squawks]

[people socializing]

[Paco squawking]

- I thought you
were never coming.

- Oh, sweetheart,
I've been trying.

I've been trying.

- [Robby] Take me home.

- I can't, not yet.

- I'll die here.

- No, no, you won't.

- I say, "Rose," and
they say, "Forget her."

- Then listen, honey.

Just don't mention
my name, okay?

Do whatever they say, just so
they'll let you out of here.

- They'll never let me out.

- Yes, they will.

The judge says so, but
you've gotta do it.

- Do what, Rose?

- Get strong again.

Listen, you gotta
look at it like,

like being a patient
is your job now.

They're the bosses.

Them doctors and
nurses, if they say,

"Jump," you say, "How high?"

Because if you fight 'em, honey,

they ain't never
gonna let us be free.

- You'll come every day?

- I can't.

The judge just gave
me this one time.

But hey, look.

Who's here?

- Hi, Paco.

[Paco squawks]

- [chuckles] And he's
gonna stay with you.

The judge says Paco stays
'til you're off this ward.

- That's right, too.

- And I'll call you every day.

Oh, and look.

I brung you your
calendar, so you can

mark off the days
'til you come home.

[sentimental country music]

- Home.

- But you gotta
take hold, honey.

Will you do that?

Come on.

They say, "Jump," you say?

- How high, boss?

- And you mark the days.

- 'Til I come home.

- Oh.

[buzzer buzzes]

- Nurse Menta.

[buzzer buzzes]

Good luck, Robby.

Mr. Gordon?

- Hey, Robby, it's
good to see you again.

I'm Eddy.

I'm part of the
team that's gonna

be helping you
through this process.

- The tests?

- Well, don't think of
'em as tests. [chuckles]

We're just trying
to see what kind

of help you need
to live your life.

- I need Rose to help me.

- Well, you'll be able to
see her when this is over.

Just be yourself.

It'll be no big deal.

- I see you took special
classes at the high school.

Did you graduate from
high school, Robby?

- I can't remember
if I graduated.

- What were your
favorite subjects?

- Oh, talk to people,
kids and girls.

- And what have you been doing
since high school, Robby, hm?

Well, have you worked or?

- Got married.

Mrs. Rose Smith, my wife.

- What does that mean,
Robby, hm, being married?

- Married?

- Yeah, what's special or
different about being married?

- Well, Rose, me and Rose,

we have a bird, Paco, apartment,

cook, eat, clean
up, sleep, watch TV.

I bring her a pop.

She brings me a pop.

Like her, love her, everything.

- And do you have intercourse?

Do you know what sexual
intercourse is, Robby?

- I sure don't, no.

- Well, do you and
your wife have sex?

Do you make love?

- Both, all the time.

- Good. [chuckles]

Now, I'm gonna give
you a few short tests--

- I really miss Rose.

- To evaluate your
math and memory skills.

- I think about her all the
time, holding, everything.

- Did you hear me, Robby?

A few short tests.

- I don't do so good on tests.

I need Rose.

[people socializing]

- Everybody, this is Robby.

- [Group] Hi, Robby.

- He's gonna be working
with us for a while.

- Come on over here, Robby.

- Hey, Connie.

We'll just move you
over here for a second.

Okay, now the first
job you're gonna

learn is the job that Adam does.

- It's easy, see?

[hole-punch clanks]

- Okay, now, these are sheet
protectors for notebooks.

Just punch the holes
along one side,

and then later, we'll
put 'em in the notebooks.

Think you wanna try that?

- You can do it.
[dramatic country music]

Just try it once.

It's fun.

- I could be your coach, Robby.

I like coaching.

- Ah, I'm not doing it!

I'm not retarded!

I'm not retarded!

I'm not retarded!

[upbeat country music]

Yeah, they took us out skating.

- [Rose] Well,
that's good, honey.

Are you getting
along with everyone?

- I'm not like those kids.

- Robby, you gotta do it.

- Well, I can't do it, Rose.

They said I'm not
helping, but I can't.

I'm sorry.

- Honey, I ain't blaming you,
but if this don't work out,

they ain't never gonna let
us be who we are together.

What'll we do?

- I don't know, Rose.

- I guess all we can do is

get in the car and go.

- [Robby] You mean
run away again?

Okay.

- Where are ya?

- The big ice rink
by the highway.

- Well, I'll just throw
some stuff in the car

and meet you outside
at six, okay?

Look for me in the parking lot.

- I gotta go.

- Hey, what's up, Robby?

- Oh, nothing much.

Nice place.

- Eh?

So how about trying
on a pair of skates?

- Oh, I--

- You might like it once
you get the hang of it.

- I walk, watch, everything.

- Suit yourself.

[Paco squawks]

[mellow country music]
[people socializing]

[engine rumbling]

- Robby, where are you?

Shoot, shoot, shoot.

- [Eddy] Hey, Connie,
can you skate like that?

- Yes.
- Huh?

Let's see it.

Come on.

There you go.

[laughs] Take care of her, Adam.

[Paco squawks]

Good, there you go.

- Hey, Eddy.

Hey, you should go over
there and watch her skate.

She's really good.

- Yeah, she's great, isn't she?

- Yeah.

- I gotta hang out here.

Adam and Connie sometimes
have problems, you know?

- Oh, I'll hang out here.

Yeah, no problem.

- Okay, it's a deal.

Thanks, Robby.
- Okay, Eddy.

- [Eddy] Hey, guys.

[kids socializing]

- [Boy Wearing Cap] Whoa,
whoa, check this out.

Look.
- What is it?

- [Boy Wearing Cap]
I can't believe it.

- [Boy in White Sweatshirt]
Oh, man, that's too gross.

Don't.
- They're like pets, huh?

Look. [laughs]

Look at that.

Here, kitty, kitty.

[boys giggling and meowing]

[boys laughing]

- Hey, you know.
- Come on.

What a bunch of
retards. [laughs]

[dramatic country music]

Whoa!

[boys laughing]

- What is this?

Oh, big daddy, big daddy,
protecting the innocent.

Whoa, big daddy's a geek, too.

[boys laughing]
[inspirational country music]

What idiots, yeah,
bunch of losers.

So long, losers. [laughs]

[mellow country music]

- Robby.

That was the toughest
test, and you did great.

- Rose...

Maybe I could stay,

try to pass the tests.

- Good, that would be great

'cause I'm so tired of running.

- Me too, Rose.

So, if I try,

[sentimental country music]

will you wait for me?

- Don't you never let
anybody tell you different.

- No, I just--

- It's okay.

What's Dad gonna do if the
judge rules against us?

Dad?

I'll ride along with
you and Mom if you like.

- [Jim] Do what you want.

- Well, I've gone over
this evaluation many times.

Now, Robby, it seems like
you got off on the wrong foot

and stayed there
for quite awhile.

- I sure did, Judge,
but after that,

I worked hard.

- Well, that's what
they say here, too.

Overall, this is a
very good evaluation.

- That's right, too.

- But the group home might still

be the best place for Robby.

It's neutral ground where
his wife and his family

can visit him without having
to deal with each other.

Because for Robby
to make progress, he
has to live in peace.

So I want to know right
now if you folks are gonna

accept this marriage
and this woman.

'Cause if you're gonna
keep fighting it,

it's gonna tear this boy apart,

and I won't be a part of that.

What'll it be?

[dramatic country music]

- You must have done all right

by him if he passed them tests.

So, I guess I can
let it go if you can.

- Then I'm gonna rule
that Robby and Rose

are legally married
and can live together.

Good luck, folks.

- Robby, it's all
over now, huh, buddy?

- You gave us a bad time.

- Only 'cause I loved you.

- Yeah?

Okay.

Bye, Mom.

Bye, Dad.

See ya.

- Can you come to
lunch sometime?

I mean both of you.

- Sure.

- Let's go home, Rose Smith.

[sentimental country music]

[contemplative country music]