Can You Feel Me Dancing? (1986) - full transcript

(bright music)

(wind blowing)

- [Mel] All right, check this right here.

- It's nice, it's good.

All right, looks pretty good.

- Okay, tight enough?

- Yeah, that's good.

- You okay?

- Yeah.

All right, feels good.

Yeah.



- Everything's right here?

- Yeah.

- [Mel] All right, Larry,
can you hear me now?

- Yeah, dad.

- [Mel] You get me loud and clear?

- Yes sir, loud and clear.

You about ready?

- All right, guys, here we go.

Let's bring it up.

Okay.

All right, honey, just straight.

There's the 60 foot mark, right there.

- Yeah.

- There's 40 foot.



- Okay.
- Okay.

Five, four, three, two, one,

lift off, lift off!

- Whoa!

- All right, honey, beautiful.

Okay, take that big breath now.

- Yeah.

(uplifting music)

(Karin laughing)

This is great!

Larry, you see me?

- Okay, Karin!

You look great, Karin.

Real good now.

Now just keep your arms bent.

- Okay, I'm doing it.
- All right, all right.

(people chattering)

- [Karin] Yeah.

- You look great.

(Karin laughs)

- [Karin] This is just terrific!

Oh!
- Okay, now look,

you're starting to drift
out over the water now,

a little bit,

so we need a right hand turn

to get you back towards the beach.

Honey.

- What?

- Honey, you're not responding.

- Dad, what's going on?

- [Karin] Larry?

- [Mel] Karin, honey.

All right, look, look,

I think you're gonna take a swim, now.

- [Karin] What?

- When I tell you, you take
a big breath and push out,

and then grab that D-ring
when you hit the water

and cut yourself loose.

All right, you ready?

Here you go, honey.

All right, push out!

(ominous music)

(Karin whimpering)

(people chattering)

(Karin panting)

- You okay?
- Yes.

Forget it, I'm fine.

I'm fine.

- Just take it easy.

Well, you were doing okay for a minute.

- Why were you watching me?

- I always keep my eye on
a pretty girl in a kite.

Just in case I gotta save her life.

- You didn't save my life.

- Maybe not.

Guess you're lucky I was watching.

- Karin, are you okay?

- Aw, yeah, I'm fine.

- Are you sure?

- Yes, stop fussing over me.

- Here, get this off.

- You all right?

- Yeah, I'm okay.
- Okay, all right.

Yeah, looks like you're fine.

Thanks.
- Yeah.

- Mel Nichols.

- Richie Valente.

- My son, Larry, Richie.

- Dad, I'm really cold.

Can we go?

- Yeah, here honey.

Larry, take her out to get
a, get a blanket on her.

- [Karin] Hey, thanks.

- Yeah.

Hey, what's your name?

- Mel, food's here!

- [Mel] Okay, Joanie,
be there in a minute.

- Come on, Lar.

(doorbell ringing)

Coming!

(doorbell ringing)

- Karin, dinner!

- Hi.
- Larry, let's eat.

- Okay.

And keep the change.

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

- All right, let's get into this.

- Okay, what did you get there?

What's the surprise this time?

- Did you get egg rolls?

- Just look and see.

- Yeah, he got egg rolls.

Hey, there's my girl.

Hi, baby.
- Hi.

- How you doing?

- Oh, fine.

- You feel okay?

- Yeah, considering I
made a fool out of myself

on the beach.

- And not to mention almost
wasting her hang glider.

- Tried to get my bearings
there, I just couldn't.

- Look, it was your first time up.

You did okay.

It'll be fine next time.

- Next time?

Mel, are you crazy?

- Just take it easy, Joan.

She got caught in a cross
current, that's all.

I mean, it can happen to anybody.

- Got your egg roll at 12 o'clock,

your vegetables at three,
your fried rice at six.

Next time she might not be so lucky.

- Mom, come on, lighten up.

- Here we go again, huh?

- Joanie, you know how
much she wants to do this.

We've been over it and over it.

We gotta let her take her knocks.

- This is more than
just taking knocks, Mel.

We have been over this and over this.

It's real dangerous,

not that many sighted
people go hang gliding.

- Mom, it's not that dangerous.

The worst thing that
could happen, happened.

I got wet, so what?

- That is not the worst thing
that could have happened.

What if that boy hadn't been there?

- I can swim, mom, I'm not helpless.

- You're not exactly Superwoman either.

- Okay, guys, um,

let's uh, let's just drop it
until we've eaten, all right?

We'll talk about it tomorrow or something.

- Yeah, sure, so you
can avoid the subject?

- [Karin] You mean I got in?

- We just received the letter today.

- Oh, I can't believe it.

I'm going to college in New
York, this is fantastic.

- Of course an out of town
school will cost more.

- Well, my parents have been counting on

putting me through for a while now.

- That's wonderful.

Now you should really think seriously

about the daily living skills class.

- Yeah, I'm planning to look into it.

(car horn honking)

- Want me to sign you up?

- Oh, that's my brother,
I'd better go now.

I'll see you later, Barbara.

- Now think about that class, Karin.

- I will!

(sticks pattering)

Larry.

- Yeah.

- Do you have to be such a jerk
honking your horn like that?

- Watch out.

Yeah, well when you drag
me away from band practice

you don't even have the
courtesy to wait outside.

- Wait a minute, I called mom, not you.

I didn't know you were practicing.

- Watch your stick.

Yeah, well not that there's
anyone else around here.

Where to?

- To the shop.

Enrique called, he said
he had a surprise for me.

Wouldn't tell me what it was.

- That's the emergency?

- I'll make it worth your while.

- Translation?

- I won't ask for another
ride for a week, okay?

- Yeah, just put it in writing.

Here we go.

- [Karin] So you're having
fun with the band, huh?

- [Larry] Yeah.

I just wrote a new song.

It's called "Chauffeur Blues."

- [Karin] Well, it's
kind of apropos, I guess.

- [Larry] Yeah.

We're here.

- [Karin] Okay.

Thanks, Larry.

- Yeah, see you later.

Don't, don't slam it.

- Okay.

Bye.

- I told you, the cut is still too dark.

Oye, Karin.

- Hi.

- I'm mad at you.

- Why?

- I've known you since you
were a ticky thing this high,

and you don't even let me
know when you get a boyfriend?

Hm.

- What?

- This guy named Richie.

- Who?

- Richie.

He's called a half a dozen times.

He sent you these beautiful roses.

This guy's in love.

- I, I don't know anyone named Richie.

- Karin, come on.

- No, really.

- Oye, Karin, don't
fool a fooler, you know.

- Enrique.

- Yeah.
- Hi.

You gotta do it again.

The color is off.

- Dad, did you see my flowers.

- Um, yeah, I did, honey.

Uh, something a pretty girl
like you has got to get used to.

Honey, you don't need this in here.

I don't want to see it.

- Hey, Mel, um,

Tyson Pharmaceuticals called up,

they have a rush job.

They want to know if we can handle it.

- Okay, I'll talk to them.

Then they gotta talk to you.

You got a ride?

- Uh, can I wait for you?

- No, uh, call Larry,
he'll come and get you.

Okay?
- Dad, I want-

- Honey, I'll talk to
you tonight, all right.

Take care of that.

- Don't mind him,

it's just that a new printing firm

has just moved into the territory

and he's gotta keep our
regular customers happy.

Okay?
- Yeah.

(phone ringing)

- Telephone, hang on.

Mel Nichols Printing.

- [Richie] Hi, this is Richie.

- Oh, hello, Richie.

Just a minute.

- Oye, Karin, it's the
boyfriend you don't have.

- Hello?

- [Richie] Hi, Karin.

This is Richie Valente.

- Do I know you?

- Yeah, the guy that didn't
save your life, remember?

- How'd you get my number?

- [Richie] Well, that's a trade secret.

You like the flowers?

- They're beautiful.

- Great.

Listen, um,

I was hoping maybe tonight
we could have dinner,

see a movie.

- I'm sorry, I'm busy.

- [Richie] What about lunch tomorrow?

- I, I can't.

Um,

thanks for the flowers,

but I'm, I gotta get off this phone.

I can't tie up this line.

- She's crazy about me.

(calming music)

(water flowing)

- Bye, everybody.

- [Kids] Bye, Miss Nichols.

- Karin.
- Huh?

- Hi, it's Richie.

That was great with the kids.

- Um, you were watching?

- How come you didn't tell
me that you were blind?

- How'd you know where to find me?

- They told me at the print shop.

It doesn't matter, I would
really like to take you out.

Truth is, I haven't stopped
thinking about you since we met.

- Sure.

- Here, I brought this for you.

- Oh.

- Anyway, I would really
like to take you out.

- Um, no I, um,

I don't think it's a good idea.

- Hey, Karin,

I don't have anything
against people who can't see.

You got something against people who can?

- No.

- Well then, what are we talking about?

Seven o'clock, okay?

- Um.
- Tonight.

- Fine.

- Fine.
- Okay.

- Do you want me to walk
with you a little bit.

- Um,

okay.

- [Joan] Larry, let's go.

He's here.

- [Larry] What, oh, come on, mom.

- Larry.
- Oh, wait, wait, wait.

I think Karin can handle herself tonight.

- Mel, he may have saved her life.

We don't know anything about this guy.

(doorbell ringing)

I want Larry to go with her.

- He seems like a nice kid.

Now what are you worried about?

- I'm worried that we're
sending our daughter out

with a total stranger.

- I'll talk to him, all right?

Hi, Rich.
- Hi.

- Mel Nichols.

- I remember.

- Yeah, this is my wife, Joan.

- Hello, ma'am.
- Hi, Richie.

- And Larry you met.

- Hi, Larry.

- Look um, Karin's not ready yet.

Why don't we go in the
living room and sit down.

- Okay.

- Richie, I want to thank
you for saving Karin's life.

- Oh, it wasn't all that serious.

- [Joan] Can I get you a drink?

- [Richie] No thanks.

Great house.

- [Mel] Karin, Richie's here.

- Richie, I hope you don't
think I'm being too direct,

but have you ever dated
a blind girl before?

- No, ma'am.

- Do you realize that there
are special circumstances

that have to be taken into account?

- Well yeah, Karin did mention a few.

- Did she mention that
she's never been out

with a sighted boy before?

- No, ma'am.

- And that when she has gone
out with unsighted boys,

she always has a sighted escort.

- But I'm sighted,

so that would kill two
birds with one stone.

- Which is very true.

- Just for this first date,

I would like Larry to go along with you.

Just so he can show you

some of the things you
have to do for Karin.

I'm sure you can understand my concern.

- [Richie] It's no problem, ma'am,

if that's what Karin wants.

- [Mel] Well good then, 'cause
that's what we're gonna do.

- Well here I am, ready or not.

- Hi, Karin.

- Hi.

- You look gorgeous.

- Oh, thank you.

- Well, what are you kids up to tonight?

- Gonna check out a concert.

- Oh great.

- Like that classical music, huh?

- Dad.

- Nice to see you again, Mel.

- All right.

- Nice to meet you, ma'am.

- Nice to meet you.
- All right, bye.

- You have a good time.
- Okay.

- [Joan] Have fun.

- Bye.
- Come on, come on.

- Bye honey.

- Bye.
- Thank you.

(Joan sighs)

- [Karin] Um, Larry.

I think we can handle it from here.

- Wait for me!

- Look, I don't want to be
here either, but mom insisted.

- I know, but tell her I checked him out

and he knows what he's doing

and you didn't see any reason to be here.

- You realize, of course,

you're asking me to risk life and limb.

Not to mention the keys to my car.

- I'm the one she'll
come down on, not you.

Please?

- Well, okay.

What the hell?

I'll see you later.

- Wait, Larry.

Is he cute?

- Yeah, he's cute.

Just like me.

Come here.

Rich, I gotta take off.

- All right.
- You guys have fun.

- You're leaving?
- Yeah.

- Oh.
- Take it easy.

- Okay.

Let's go.

- What?

- I said you look beautiful.

- Oh.

Um, you too.

- Thanks.

Stay close to me.

- What?

- Nevermind, we're gonna get closer.

- I'm sorry, I can't hear you.

- It's all right, nevermind.

♪ And I hear the night ♪

♪ Ah, hear the night ♪

- I told you not to talk to her!

None of your business!

- Richie!

Richie!

Richie!

Richie.

Richie!

Richie!

Richie!

- Karin!

Karin, are you okay?

- How could you have
let go of me in there?

- Karin, I didn't let go of you.

- Don't you realize that
when I can't hear, I'm lost.

- Karin, I'm sorry, I really am.

But the crowd was impossible.

There was nothing I could do.

- Look, it doesn't matter.

I just want to go home now, all right?

- Look, come here.

Can we just try this again?

- No.

- Karin, I will be more
careful next time, I promise.

(Karin sniffling)

- No.

- Karin, trust me.

I'm not gonna let anything happen to you.

- You already did.

I just want to go home, okay Richie?

- Okay.

Yeah.

Come on, let's go home.

Except you better realize something.

That you just can't run home to mother

every time something like this happens.

- This has nothing to do with my mother.

I was depending on you.

- I am doing the best that I can.

It's just gonna take a little time, okay?

I really want this to work out.

Please don't give up on me yet.

- If it happens again, I'm
going to sick Larry on you.

(Richie laughs lightly)

- Okay.
- Okay.

I'm sorry.

- I'm sorry.

- Okay.

- Come on.

Want to go get something to drink?

- Yeah.

(Karin laughing)

- I guess I should have told you

it wasn't a classical concert, but.

- Well, I had my doubts.

- Well, next time we'll go
to a symphony, all right?

- Oh fun.

- Here, step.

- Okay.

Thanks.
- I got you.

Well, all in all, it was just
a moderate disaster, right?

- No, I had a good time.

Really, it was all right.

- Yeah?

- Yeah.

- Well then, let's do it again sometime.

- Yeah.

I'd like that.

- Karin, do you want to feel
my face to know what I look-

(Karin laughs)

- Oh, sorry, no, I don't.

- Can't believe I just said that.

- It's not necessary.

- Well, is it okay if I kiss a blind girl

on a first date then?

- Um,

yeah, I guess so.

- Come on, I'll walk you
in the rest of the way.

- No, that's all right, I'm fine.

- Yeah, you sure?

- Yeah.

Um.
- Okay.

- Uh, Richie.

Larry,

Larry told me you were cute.

(Richie chuckles)

- He said that, huh?

- Yeah.

I'll see you later.

So to speak.

- Goodnight, Karin.

(endearing music)

- I know, I know.

I'm just trying to tell you what I think.

- Well why should I date
someone because he's blind

or not date someone because he isn't?

Mom, the important thing is
that I like him and he likes me.

- Well, that's great,

but I think it's possible

he gets some ego satisfaction
out of helping you,

and then what happens if
the novelty wears off?

No, honey, honey,

I don't want the marigolds there.

I want the periwinkles.

- [Karin] You don't even know Richie.

- Well, Karin, neither do you.

I just think you have to realize

it's not as easy for a sighted boy

to understand what you go through,

and he may not want the
responsibility in the long run.

- Well how are we gonna
be able to find out

unless we get to know each other better?

- Karin, I just don't want
you to be disappointed,

that's all.
(phone ringing)

I'll be right back.

- [Karin] Come on, tell
me where we're going.

- [Richie] I can't tell you
that, this is a surprise.

- [Karin] It's a pier.

- [Richie] How did you know that?

- [Karin] Well,

I can hear the shooting
gallery and the carousel.

I can smell the fish frying,

and I can hear the waves hitting the pier.

- Karin, that's incredible.

I mean that's really incredible.

Karin, how long you been blind?

- I've never seen anything.

- Never?

- No.

- Well, would you like
to show me around then?

- Yeah.

I can do that.

- All right.

Here we go.

(Karin screaming)

Oh, no!

- Did you make it?

- Close.

One more, yeah.

- Come on, the wet ones
are the lucky ones.

Get 'em on there.

- Okay, give me a kiss for good luck.

- No.

- Ah!
- Oh!

- All right, let the lady
try, let the lady try.

- No, I don't want to.

- Yeah, yeah, you gotta try, come on.

Okay, two tries for the lady.

- I can't aim.

- Yes, of course you can.

Here, come on.

Hand on the hammer.

Okay, take your other hand,

that's what you gotta
hit, right, right there.

- Okay.

- Okay?

And you're trying to put
it in a little thing.

Just hit it.

Okay, foot forward.

- Okay.

- Okay, one for practice, two,

three!

Oh, so close!

- Oh, it was?

- So close!

Okay.

I feel it, I feel it.

You loose?

- Yeah.
- You ready?

Okay, here we go.

All right, hand around it.

- Okay.

- Feel it again.

Okay.

Practice.

- Okay.
- Okay,

one.
- Yes.

- Two.

Whap it, three!

Oh!

- I did it?
- You did it!

Champion!
- Another one.

- Do I win something?

- Oh my God, look what
you're winning here.

- What?
- It's huge.

- Right over here.

You got it, you got it.

That's good, baby.

- Look what you won?

- Oh my God.

- Chocolate.

Mm.

Oh, sit down, chair.

- Would you draw her picture?

Get your picture drawn.

- All right.

Are you gonna be in this, too?

- Yeah.

Woo, an opening!

(Richie screaming)

- Oh no!

- Straight ahead, we'll ram it.

(endearing music)

(Karin laughing)

You're ready for the freeway, Karin.

- It doesn't matter!

Oh.

(Karin laughs)

- Look who's here.
- Hey.

- I'm home.
- Hi.

- Hi, sweetheart.
- Hi.

I smell barbecue.

- [Mel] Yeah, your timing's perfect.

- Yeah?
- Look at this.

- Oh, hi.

I went to the pier and I
won this stuffed animal

and I found these seashells.

And, oh, you'd never guess.

I drove Richie's car.

- Oh, great.
- Great.

- Um,

I have a surprise for you guys.

I was waiting for the right moment,

and this, I guess this is it.

I got my college acceptance letter.

- Aye!
- Oh!

Honey, that's wonderful.

(kisses smacking)

- All right, which is it?

UCLA or State?

- Uh, Whitfield University.

- What do you mean?

The one where Christine's going?

The one in New York?

- [Mel] Boy, that's a
hard school to get into.

- Yeah.

Yes it is, you should be
real proud of yourself.

How come you didn't tell
us you were applying?

- Uh, well, you knew I
wanted to go to Whitfield.

- We hadn't planned on you
going to an eastern college.

- Wait a minute, wait a
minute, wait a minute.

You're not really thinking
about going there?

Oh, Karin.

Do you realize what
you would be up against

going to a school 3000 miles from home?

- Um, yes.

Christine is gonna be my roommate

and she's been there for a year, so.

- I've talked to Christine's mom,

she's not having an easy time of it.

- No, oh, that's not true.

Mom, it's, it's not true.

- I thought we had agreed.

You know that we think
that a local college

is the only logical place for you to go.

- I can't believe I'm hearing this.

I mean,

I should be able to pick
the college I want to go to,

and Whitfield's where I want to go.

- How are you planning to pay for it?

- Well, I, what is that supposed to mean?

Mom.

- It means, how are you
planning to pay for it?

- You won't pay for my education

unless I go to the school you pick?

- I can't agree to your
going to New York, no.

- Dad.

- Hey Richie.
- Yo, Eddie.

- Hey Richie, what do
ya know, what do ya say?

- Nothing much, nothing good.

Eddie, this is Karin.

Karin, this is my buddy, Eddie.

- Hey, he's been talking
about you all the time.

Now I see why.

- Thanks.
- Sit down, sit down.

What'll ya have?

- Um, I'll have a Coke.

- You got it.

- I'll have what he drinks.

- [Sports Announcer]
Gonna go to the bullpen.

- Aw, come on.

- Poor Lasdale's having
trouble with his change-ups.

- You're into baseball?

- Eh, sorta.

My dad and I watch it all the time.

- Hey, she's okay.

- I know.

- Hey, she's terrific.

- Hey, are you flirting with my girl?

- Yeah.

- This guy's unbelievable.

(Karin chuckles)

- Here.

- Thanks.

- So tell me something.

What's so special about
this college in New York?

- There's this blind
professor named McManus.

I have read all her books,
she's really terrific.

I want to study with her.

- So what's the problem?

- Well, my parents won't help with money

if I go to Whitfield.

- Why?

- They don't want me to leave home.

- I can understand that.

- This is serious.

- Yes, I know.

It's very, very serious.

You want to dance?

Come on, let's dance.

- No, I don't dance.

- Of course you do, everyone dances.

- Not without radar.

- Come on, come on.

♪ Slow dance all night long ♪

♪ I wanna hold your hand ♪

Give me your hand.

- Ah.

- Come on.

♪ I want to hear your heart beating ♪

♪ Know your body's speaking ♪

- No, look, let's stop.

- Look, come here, come here, just.

- [Karin] Wait.

- On top of my feet, okay?

♪ I want to slow dance, cheek to cheek ♪

♪ Slow dancin', we'll be slow dancin' ♪

♪ Slow dancin', we'll be slow dancin' ♪

You okay?

- Fine.

♪ Cheek to cheek ♪

♪ Slow dancin', we'll be slow dancin' ♪

♪ Slow dancin', we'll be slow dancin' ♪

♪ Slow dancin' ♪

♪ Feel your heart beating ♪

♪ Know you why you're speaking ♪

♪ Slow, slow, slow ♪

♪ Slow dancin', we'll be slow dancin' ♪

♪ Slow dancin', we'll be slow dancin' ♪

♪ I wanna hear your heart beating ♪

- Thank you, that was wonderful.

- I told you you could dance.

Hold on, now get going.

- Thank you.

- All right, here, here.

- I never felt anything like that before.

Could you teach me how to dance
like that, on my own feet?

- Why not?

- I mean not with, well
not with anyone watching.

Just by ourselves, okay?

- Okay.

(drums beating)

- Larry!

Larry!

- What?

- What are you doing?

It's seven o'clock in the morning.

- Well it's the only
time I have to practice.

See, starting today I have
to spend the rest of my time

down at the shop with mom and dad.

- Why?

- Well, business is bad.

Dad had to lay everyone off.

So goodbye summer.
(drum beating)

Goodbye music.
(drum beating)

And goodbye girls.
(drum beating)

- I'm sorry.

- Yeah right, well,

at least you don't have
anything to worry about

except dating Mr Gorgeous, right?

- Larry,

nobody told me dad was having
trouble with the business.

- Yeah, well you never hear the bad stuff.

Look, this is my rehearsal time,

so you're just gonna
have to get used to it.

Bye.

(drums beating)

- And to the left we have the bathtub,

the shower, dirty laundry.

- Okay.

- And through these doors,
like the old west, ma'am,

we have home.

- Sounds like a big place.

- Yeah, it is.

- Uh, you reach down her to your right.

- Oh.
- It's a couch.

- Put my bag there.

- And, just pair of glides.

Bend down and that's your table.

- Uh-huh.

- And over here to the left,

just sit down.

- Whoa!

Oh, it's a swing.

- A basic swinging chair.
- That's great.

- You like that, huh?
- Yeah.

- Okay, rise up.
- Oh.

- Alrighty, and straight
ahead have the television.

- Oh, color or black and white?

- Black and white.

- Good.

- And there's a table to your left,

and keep going straight, ta-da!

- Oh, wow.

Are these oranges.

- Yeah, it's my jungle.

And here's an orange for you.

- Oh, thank you.

- And straight ahead
we have my work table.

- Oh, it's a drafting table.

- Yeah, that's very good.

Hang on, I got one thing.

- Okay.

How long have you lived here?

- Oh, a couple of years.

Found the table.

- Yeah.

- Want to show you something.

- Huh?

- This was my mother's dancing trophy.

- These figures are dancing, right?

Like we were.

- She was a ballroom dancer.

After she married, she quit it to have me.

And then later on

she used to give lessons
in the neighborhood,

you know, to make extra money.

- And that's how you learned how to dance?

- Yup.

She would dance with the male students

and I would dance with
all the female students.

- I bet you liked that.

- Oh, none of them were like you, Karin.

(Karin chuckles)

So, what kind of dancing
would you like to learn?

- Uh, I don't know, what's popular?

- Well, what's popular
is dancing by yourself,

but that won't really work in this case,

so we'll start with
something simpler, okay.

- No, I want to dance like everybody else.

- You will dance like everyone else,

but you gotta start somewhere.

Come on.

- Okay.

- Okay.

All right, put your hands up here.

- Up where?

- Oh, sorry.

Up here.

- Is something wrong?

- No, nothing's wrong.

Okay, now just move with me.

Remember that dancing is
just walking to music.

Like you walk across the street,

you walk across the dance floor.

Relax.

- Okay.

- Breathe.

Good.

Now the first thing I want you to do

is step with your right foot.

Step.

No, not quite.

Try it again.

And step.

Good, bring that foot in, touch.

- Okay.
- Other way.

Now step, touch.

Keep your hands up.

Step.
- Okay.

- Step, touch.

Okay, you got that.

Now, this is the important step.

We go step, step, step.

- Okay.

- Step, step, step.

Step, step, step.

Keep your hands up.

Keep going.

Step, step, step.

Step, step, step, good.

Step, step, step.

Step, step, step.

Step, step.

You're a natural.

- It can't be this easy.

- Oh, all right.

Don't get too excited here.

You're hot, mama.

(Karin chuckles)

- [Larry] What's the
matter, no date tonight?

- No, I thought I'd help out.

I brought some dinner.

- Oh yeah, you sure did.

- Larry, Larry.

- Yeah?

- The order's all ready yet?

- Yeah, I'm working on it.

- Well, they're gonna
be here in half an hour.

- Hi dad.

- Hi honey, where's your mom?

- Uh, she went to drop off the Walden job.

Um, seems like you're having
trouble with the business.

- Nah, nothing but the
usual summer madness.

- Dad, Larry told me you
had to lay everyone off.

- Honey.
(phone ringing)

Nothing you gotta worry about.

I'm gonna get the phone.

- Mel Nichols Printing.

Yeah, no, it's on its way over.

Thank you, bye.

Larry, you want to watch the phones?

I gotta drop off this order.

- I'll come with you.

- Okay, here, you take this.

Bring some food, okay?

All right, here I am, right here.

Okay and watch the front door, too.

- [Karin] Dad, how bout
putting me to work at the shop?

- Doing what, honey?

- I, I could,

there must be something
I can do down there.

- Sweetheart, I really
appreciate the offer.

- Look, dad, if you need
Larry, you must need me.

It's a family business.

I'm part of this family.

- Karin, I don't have
the time to teach you

what you need to know right now.

My back's against the wall as it is.

- Dad, you never have the time

when it comes to my working there.

- Oh-
- Why is that?

- Come on, Karin.

- Dad you, you say I can
anything I set my mind to.

I went water skiing and
hang gliding with you.

- I know.

- Then why can't I do this with you.

- Because this is too important.

- Then the other things weren't important?

- Yes, they were important
and I was proud of you,

but this is different.

Now will you wait here.

I'll be back in a minute.

- No.

Dad, look, let me walk with you.

- Karin, would you
please wait for me here.

It'll be faster.

- My dad's fine when I'm roller skating

or water skiing or hang gliding,

but he can't stand it when I use my cane.

My brother Larry hates me

'cause he thinks I get all the attention.

I'd trade places with him in a second.

I'm sorry, I don't mean to
be unloading all this on you.

- Karin, I want to hear it.

- I'd be going crazy
without you right now.

- Richie dear.

- Oh, hi, Mrs Macklin, how are you?

- Fine, thank you.

Did I ever show you my picture album.

- Um, only about a thousand times, ma'am.

- But your little
girlfriend hasn't seen it.

- No.

Mrs Macklin, this is Karin.

Karin, this is Mrs Macklin.

She lives in the building.

- Hi.
- How do you do, Karin?

I'm happy to know you.

Ooh, ooh.

Here's a picture of my
granddaughter, she's eight years old.

Funny name for a girl, don't you think?

Jamie.

- Uh, Mrs Macklin, Karin.

- She's very pretty.

She looks every bit like you.

- Oh, do you think so?

I think so, too.

Look at this.

These are my niece's wedding pictures.

- They're great.

- Yeah.

(upbeat music)

- Five, six, seven.

Straight, back, two, three.

Take a turn.

One, two, come on, get it up.

♪ Some say it but I don't believe them ♪

Okay.

All right, not bad.

♪ Inside there's the same old ♪

Okay, now, come here.

All right, now what I
want you to do, come here.

What I want you to do

is you're gonna take two steps
forward with your left foot,

and it's gonna be your left arm straight

and your right leg back straight, okay?

Arabesque.

Try it.
- Okay.

- Here I am.

Five, six, seven, eight.

One, two.

Come on, straight, Karin.

This is straight.

All right, left leg, arm straight.

Okay, now turn to me.

No, to me.

No, honey.

- Oh God, I feel like a doll.

Can you just explain what you want?

- No, I cannot explain, you must feel it.

- Try.

- I have been trying for two weeks.

- Then I can't do what you want, Richie.

- You know what I think.

I think we should just do simpler steps

because they're just as
much fun as, you know.

- No, listen Richie, please.

Just try and figure
out a way to explain it

'cause I really want
to learn how to dance.

Please just do this for me.

Please.

- All right, look.

I'm gonna get into the positions
that I want you in, okay?

And what you gotta make sure

is that you don't lose contact with me

unless I tell you different.

- Contact with what?

- My body.

- Okay.
- Okay?

All right.

It's all right, it's all right.

Dancers touch each other
all the time, okay?

All right, now.

All right, here we go.

Now take your hand and run it down my leg.

You feel how my leg is
straight like I kicked a ball.

- Oh, right.

- Okay, bring it up.

All right, now feel my arm.

Feel it?
- This one?

- Yeah like, like I flicked a pea.

See, it's straight.

- Yeah.
- That's one.

- Okay.

- Two.

- Oh, all right.

Okay, so this is.

- All right, feel my other arm.

- Like.
- Yeah.

- Okay.
- You getting it?

- I think so.

- You know what?

Get like you're in your glider.

- Like this.

- Yeah, like you're flying your glider.

Your leg is straight, right?

- Right.

- Your hands are on the bar.

- Right.

- Okay, that's one.

- Okay.

(both laughing)

- Why didn't I think of this before?

Okay, now turn to me.

- Like, oh, that way.
- That's two.

- All right, now crawl
down on this leg and jump,

three, four.
- Oh.

Okay.
- All right?

- All right.

- You got it?
- Yes.

- That was very good.
- Okay.

- Very good.

Okay.

♪ Inside there's the same old thing ♪

♪ Rock and roll days ♪

♪ Rock and roll nights ♪

♪ Sweet love songs make
me feel all right ♪

♪ Rock and roll days ♪

♪ Rock and roll nights ♪

♪ Sweet love songs make
me feel all right ♪

♪ Well all right ♪

♪ To play once again ♪

Five, six, seven, eight.

There you go.

♪ Tell her that I need everywhere I go ♪

♪ Take her everywhere I go ♪

♪ Rock and roll days ♪

Good, now let it drop.

Turn out.

♪ Rock and roll days ♪

Yeah.

♪ Sweet love songs make me
feel all right, all right ♪

♪ Well all right ♪

Okay, come on, you jump.

- No, wait.

- What?

What, do you think I'm
gonna drop you, Karin?

Come on, look.

Sooner or later you're gonna
have to learn to trust me.

Now come on, let's do it.

- No, I can't.

- [Richie] Yes, you can.

- No, Richie, I feel like
I'm jumping into nothing.

- You're the girl that
jumped off a cliff, remember?

- Well, look what happened.

- I was there, wasn't I?

Huh?

Let's go.

Here's my hand.

One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight.

Two.

Yes, yes!

All right.

You like that, huh?

- You're lucky you were there.

- With music, come on.

(upbeat music)

One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight.

Six, seven, eight.

Two, three, four.

Two, hang on.

Seven, eight.

One, two.

- Yeah!

- All right!

Yes.

- What took you so long?

(romantic music)

(phone buzzing)

- Will you think about what I asked you?

- Yes, I promise.

- Oh no.

- What?

- Your mother just pulled up.

- Oh no.
- Karin.

- Just take it easy.

We'll talk to her together.

- No, I gotta do this on my own.

- Can I talk to my
daughter by myself, please?

- Uh, yes.

- I hope you're not gonna tell me

you were taking a
dancing lesson all night.

- No, mom, I'm sorry.

- I don't like tracking you down, Karin,

but your father and I
were up half the night

worried sick about you.

- I know I should have called.

- Yeah, you certainly should have.

And you're lucky your father isn't here.

- Why didn't you try me at Richie's?

- Oh, come off it, Karin.

We did try you.

The line was busy all night.

You obviously had it off the hook.

- Mom, I said-

- No matter how grown
up you think you are,

you have a responsibility-
- Stop it!

- To let us know where you are!

- Stop it!

I said I was sorry, okay?

I should have called.

It just felt good not to ask
anyone permission, you know?

Finally make a decision on my own.

- You don't live on your own, young lady.

- Well this is not
gonna happen again, mom.

I didn't want to tell
you and dad this way,

but Richie's asked me to move in with him

and I'm gonna do it.

Richie!

- Yeah?

Let's get in the car.

Is that everything?

- Um, there's one more bag, I'll get it.

- Oh, I've got it, honey.

- Oh.

- Are you sure you won't change your mind?

- Mom,

would you try to stop
me if I weren't blind?

- Hello, Richie.

- Sir.

- Thanks.

- She won't change her mind.

(Mel sighs)

- Karin, you really sure that
this is what you want to do?

- Yes.

- Really?

- Yes.

- Don't you know how much
this is hurting your mother?

- Dad, what about you?

Am I hurting you, too?

I mean you never said anything

about how you feel about my leaving.

(dramatic music)

- Well of course I don't want you to go.

- I know.

I still love you both.

(dramatic music continues)

- Karin.

- Hi.

- So this is it, huh?

- Uh, yeah.

Kinda good to get me outta your hair, huh?

- Well,

yeah, in a way.

Listen Karin, I hope
everything works out for you.

- Thanks.

Bye Larry.

- You okay?

- I don't know.

(dramatic music continues)

- Okay, sweaters here.

One more bag.

- Uh, it's my regular stuff.

- Regular stuff.

Up in the bedroom.

Come with me.

- Richie, you're gonna have
to move things out of the way

so I don't worry about
falling over something

every time I come in the front door.

- It's no problem.

Now you know, of course,

that you're asking me to ruin
the charm of my apartment.

But I guess in this case
I could make an exception.

- Thanks.

Keep telling me I did the right thing.

- Karin, you did the wrong thing.

You're the has-been girlfriend

of a has-been landscape
artist washed up at 19.

- Disaster.

- Remember, the kitchen is downstairs.

The bedroom is behind you.

I'm right here and I love you.

- I love you.

- Morning.

- Morning.
- Morning.

- When's breakfast?

- About two minutes.

You know, I still think
one of us should call her.

- Honey, I'm sure she's fine.

She'll call us if she really needs us.

- Yeah, but we've been looking
after her all her life.

He doesn't know how to do that.

- No, but she left home
to make her own rules.

Now how's it gonna look

if we're calling her every five minutes?

- Dad.
- Yeah?

- Um, how much longer you
think you might need me

down at the shop?

- I gotta see how this
month's receipts look.

- Oh, can't get used to her not being her.

I keep expecting her to walk
through the door any minute.

- Here.

If it bothers you that
much, give her a call.

- See, the thing is is that the band

still hasn't found a good drummer,

and if I could give them, you
know, just a reasonable date,

they'd probably wait for me.

- I can't give you a reasonable date.

Believe me, the sooner
things are back to normal,

the happier I'm gonna be, too.

- Oh, I think maybe you're right.

She's gonna call us when she needs us.

- Yeah.

- She's not too proud.

- When are you two gonna
stop talking about her?

You know,

she has been the center of
attention my entire life.

Has it ever occurred to you

that I might do something
interesting, too?

I thought it would just
get a little bit better,

you know, once she moved out.

But she is still all
you two can talk about.

What do I have to do to get
some attention around here?

Go blind?

Would that do it?

- Good morning.

- [Richie] Hi.

- What's this?

- Oh, that's so you don't
take an unexpected trip.

- Well that was nice.

- You sleep good?

- Yeah, I slept great.

- [Richie] Good.

- Am I mistaken, or did
you clear the stairs?

- No, I'm glad you noticed.

- It's a lot easier to
get down these stairs now.

- Okay, stay on the carpet.

Follow it to happiness.

Hi.

- Hi.

- You have a good sleep, yes?

- Yeah.

- Come around.

- Okay.

- And breakfast is served, madam.

- Oh, that was nice.

Oh, it smells good.

What is it?

- Its' um, it's different.

Try it.

Scalpel.

- I love you.

- I love you, too.

- Aren't you gonna eat with me?

- No.

I'm late for work.

I got a job way out in the boonies.

And I'll come home at
six, we'll have dinner.

You know, we'll go out or something.

- No, wait, Richie.

I told you I had that
appointment at the rehab center

about my scholarship today.

You have to give me a ride.

- Karin, I can't give you a ride to work.

I'm late and you haven't even
gotten dressed or anything.

- Well how else am I gonna get there?

- I don't know, take the bus.

Bus stop's on the corner.

- No, the center's on
the other side of town.

I can't just take the bus.

- Okay, all right.

I'll give you a ride,

but can you eat a little
faster or something?

Here.
- Yes.

Yes, how's this?

- Faster.

Faster.

Karin, I know that when
this rehab counselor

hears about all the
things that you've done,

he's gonna hand you this
scholarship, no problem.

- I hope so.

- Look, it's all in your attitude

and how you present yourself.

You just be positive

and don't mumble and knock
over the guy's coat rack.

- I know.

- You can do it, baby.

- I hope so.

It's the only way I'm
gonna get into Whitfield.

I really want to go to that school,

even if it is in New York.

- Yeah, but it's not the
only school you can get into.

- No, I can go to a local college,

but I'm just gonna cross
that bridge when I get to it.

I wonder what this rehab
counselor will be like.

- Probably some jerk bureaucrat

who doesn't know the first
thing about blind people.

Like me.

- Will your family be helping
you with any expenses?

- Um, their business is in trouble

and it's gonna take all the
extra money to keep it going.

It's kind of a problem right now.

- Karin, the rehabilitation department

doesn't normally give scholarships

for out of state colleges,

but when they do,

we have to feel confident

that you're not going to
give up half way through.

- Yes, of course.

- To be honest, Karin,

there's nothing here that
convinces me you can it.

- No, I know I can.

- So does everybody, in the beginning.

- Um, I just need a chance.

I've taken in all kinds
of challenges before.

I went ice skating and roller skating.

I even went hang gliding.

- And how did you manage
your day to day mobility?

- My brother.

- Is he going to college with you?

- No.

My friend, Christine's, gonna be there.

- And she's sighted?

- No.

- Then you will be totally alone

for the first time in your life.

Do you understand what
a challenge that is?

- Yes, but I've done
all those other things.

Don't they count?

- Karin, I'm talking about
the real everyday world.

How can I take you seriously

when you've always lived at home,

your brother's taken you everywhere,

and you've been totally
dependent on your family

for your entire life.

- No, that's all changed.

- Has it?

Even since you moved out,

you haven't looked into a guide dog

or even taken a bus by yourself.

I'm sorry, Karin, but
can you see any reason

to justify that we should
take this big a risk on you?

(Karin crying)

- Karin?
- Yes.

- What happened?

- Um, I didn't get the scholarship.

Um, I left the rehab office
and I tried to take the bus.

She said I couldn't handle myself,

that I couldn't make it on my own,

and I told her she was wrong,

and um, I got lost and confused,

and I asked the bus driver to
let me off and I called you.

I can't do anything right.

- Oh Karin, stop crying.

I'll take care of you.

- I want to be able to
take care of myself.

- Come on, come on.

Let's go home, let's go home.

Step.

Be careful.

- I want to welcome you to
the daily living skills class.

This is where we're going to learn

to run our lives independently.

Now are there any questions
before we begin the class?

- What about money?

How do I know what's what?

- You fold it different
sizes for ones, fives,

10's, and so on.

- What about laundry?

How do you know which clothes are colored

and which are white?

- You have to tag all your clothes.

You know you'll get all the answers

to these questions as we go along.

- Oh I know, I'm just curious.

- And maybe a little scared.

- Uh, just a little bit.

- I'm sure you were all scared.

Let's get on our feet and
learn to love our microwave.

- Sorry.
- Sorry.

- Um, Barbara, you know,

I never realized how
much I made my parents

and my boyfriend do things for me.

I never even learned how
to make myself dinner.

- Well, pretty soon you will,

and without any burned fingers, Karin.

- Okay.

- Now, let's all get to work.

(microwave dinging)

(doorbell buzzing)

- Who is it?

- Karin, it's me.

It's mom.

- Mom, hi.

- Hi.

Can I come in?

- Uh yes, of course.

(microwave dinging)

Uh, that's the microwave.

I've got a, a stew in the microwave.

- Oh.

Well I just thought I'd drop by

and bring you a care package of groceries.

- That was nice of you.

You didn't have to do that.

- I know I didn't have to, I wanted to.

It's a nice place, Karin.

- Thank you.

- Why here, let me help
you put these things away.

- No I got it, I can get it.

Uh, how's dad and Larry?

- Oh, they're fine.

They're busy.

Hard at work.

They miss you.

This coffee fresh?

- Uh yeah, help yourself.

- Thanks.

Oh my God, Karin.

You call this coffee?

- Uh, sorry, I guess I'm used
to the way Richie makes it.

He calls it atomic.
(Joan laughs)

- [Joan] I can see why.

- I can make you another pot if you want.

- No, no, no, it's fine.

How are you and Richie getting along?

- Fine.

Um, he's at work right now.

- Do you think that the two of you

might like to come over for
dinner sometime next week?

- Uh, I don't think
I'm ready for that yet.

- Okay.

- Do you want to tell
me what's in these cans

so I can put some brail labels on them?

- Look at that, yeah.

- Yeah, when I finish, you
know, whatever this is,

this kind of makes the
shopping list for me.

- I see.

Okay, a couple cans of green beans.

- All right.

- Oh, they're like little magnets.

- Yeah.

- And a can of sweet corn.

Here's something you can feel.

- Asparagus.

- Yeah, your favorite.

- That's really expensive.

- No, not for a special occasion.

- You know, I went to
the market the other day,

and I never realized how much food costs.

Really have to budget our money.

I think I blew the scholarship.

- Oh, honey.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

What happened?

- Um, they didn't think I could handle it.

They felt I'd been too
dependent on my family.

- Well I guess that's my fault.

It was so painful watching
you struggle to grow up,

you know?

I wanted to do so much for you
and I think I did too much.

But,

your dad and I want you to know

that if you want to go to Whitfield,

we'll do everything we can to help you.

- Thanks.

Um, I think I'm gonna go for
that scholarship again, though.

- I'm gonna get it this time.

- Yeah, I bet you will.

- Okay.

- Oh.

I've missed you.

- I missed you, too.

You know, something I need
help with is the stew.

It doesn't smell right.

(Joan laughs)

- I noticed that.

- Oh, thanks.

- Let's see.

- Okay, it's in here.

Oops.

- Oh honey, where's the tomato sauce?

- I don't know, did you bring me some?

- Oh dear.

Oh, let's see.

Well you've got some.

- I guess I didn't see it.

- You sure you want to do this?

- No, but it's my assignment.

I have to take the bus by myself.

- Are you getting on the bus, ma'am?

- Yeah, she wants to-

- Oh.

I don't know.

Can you take me to the
blind center on Vermont?

- That's no problem.

I can take you to Sepulveda.

And then you switch to the 45 bus,

and that'll take you to Vermont.

Then you catch the 61 bus

and ask the driver to
tell you where to get off.

It shouldn't take you more
than a couple of hours.

- I had no idea it was so complicated.

- I'm sorry.

Are you getting on the bus or not?

- Come on, Karin, I'll just take you.

- No, yes.

But I'll see you tonight.

- Step.
- Okay.

- That band of yours find a drummer yet?

- Uh, no.

Not one that they're happy with.

- So you could still get the job

if you got time enough to
get ready for the audition?

- Yeah.

- Would three or four days be enough?

- Dad, you give me three
days I'll make it enough.

- All right, you got it.

- Yeah?
- Yeah.

- All right!

- Just no more practice
at 7:00 AM, all right?

- All right, it's a deal.

(lively music)

♪ Smooth mover ♪

♪ Body so bad ♪

♪ Hear them bones getting
better by the hour ♪

♪ Smooth mover ♪

♪ Body so bad ♪

♪ Got the touch that makes my blood rush ♪

♪ Any time that I'm down
you know what to do ♪

♪ The way you make me
feel's too good to be true ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ And you're all that I need ♪

♪ 'Cause you're my remedy oh ♪

- Hey, hey!

I'm back in town, buddy boy!

How you doing?

♪ You have the touch that
makes my blood rush ♪

♪ You got the touch that makes
my blood rush, smooth mover ♪

♪ You got the touch that makes
my blood rush, smooth mover ♪

♪ You got the touch that
makes my blood rush ♪

♪ You're a smooth mover ♪

♪ You got the touch that
makes my blood rush ♪

♪ You got the touch that makes
my blood rush, smooth mover ♪

♪ You got the touch that makes
my blood rush, smooth mover ♪

♪ You got the touch that
makes my blood rush ♪

♪ You're a smooth mover ♪

- How did I look?

Did anyone notice I was blind?

- No.

Just that you're the most
beautiful woman in this bar, baby.

- Let's dance another one.

- Can I get my breath?

Is that okay?
- Yes.

- Richie!

- Danny!
- Hey.

- How you doin', man?

- Not bad.

How you doing, pal?

Good to see ya, all right.

- Danny, this is Karin.

Karin, this is my friend, Danny.

- Hi Karin, how you doing?

- Hi.

Oh.

- Hey, so what have you been up to, Rich?

Been a while.

- When did you get back in town?

- A couple of weeks ago.

Hey, let's join you guys.

- Oh, I don't mind, do you, baby?

- What are you drinking, Rich?

What are you drinking, Karin?

- Coke.

- Let me get champagne's all around.

- Hey, way to go.

- All right!

(lively music)

(upbeat music)

- Hey, yeah!

- Ah.

- Hell yeah.

I'll tell ya, man.

The Bahamas were great.

Aye, you know who I ran into over there?

- Huh?

- Rita.

- Rita.
- Rita!

You know that chick when
we all went down to Mexico.

Definitely should have been written

in the Guinness Book of Records, pal.

You ever been to Mexico, Karin?

- Uh, I went there last
summer with my parents.

- Oh yeah, did you have a good time?

- Yeah, snorkeling, water skiing.

(Danny laughs)

- She's great!

I love her sense of humor.

- No, no, she likes her sports, man.

- Oh, I tell ya, well now
that I'm back in town,

we all oughta get together and
go water skiing or something.

(Danny laughs)

Come on, baby, let's dance.

- Come on, baby, let's dance, too.

- No, I think you've had enough, Richie.

I want to go home.

- Oh, come on, one dance?

- No.

Something's happened to my purse.

- Would you like to dance?

- Ooh, I'd love to.

- Richie, help me find it.

- In a minute, in a minute.

♪ What I need, is all I'm singing ♪

♪ It's what I am, is all I'm singing ♪

♪ Yeah yeah yeah ♪

♪ I've been having
love, now give me girl ♪

♪ I'm the soul of the city ♪

(Richie humming)

♪ I explore the world ♪

♪ One, two, three ♪

- Down, you're too heavy.

- Give me a kiss.

- No Richie.

I think you should go to sleep.

- I don't want to go to sleep.

Give me a kiss.

(TV characters chattering)

Karin, what are you doing?

- Making breakfast.

- I'll help you.

- No, I can, I can handle it myself.

- How'd I get to home?

- Had to help you walk, or rather stagger.

- I'm sorry.

I guess that wasn't very smart of me, huh?

- No, it wasn't.

- Karin, look,

Danny and I haven't seen each other

for a couple of years, okay?

We just started talking over old times,

and we used to drink a lot.

I forgot, I'm sorry.

- Uh-huh.

(microwave dinging)

(blender whirring)

Ow!

- Here baby, let me help you.

- No, I got it.

- No, let me just help you.
- No, let-

- You're making me nervous.
- I've got it!

Excuse me.

- Karin, you're not jealous
of my old friends, are you?

- No.

You don't understand anything.

I had some problems last night

and you weren't there to help out.

When we go out together, I
depend on you, all right?

I can't do that if you're drunk.

- I'm sorry,

but I got a right to get drunk
with my friends if I want to.

- Fine.

Fine, do it without me, all right?

- Where are you going?

- I lost my appetite.

- Karin, come back here!

Damn!

- Hi there.

- Hi.

- You must be new around here.

- Um, no I've lived here
for a couple of years.

My boyfriend, maybe you know him.

Richie Valente.

- Sorry, where you heading?

- Um, the bus stop.

Richie's meeting me there.

- Bus stop's the other way.

Want me to help you find it?

- No, I can find it fine, thanks.

Ah!

Oh God!

(Karin whimpering)

- Now which way to the bus stop?

- I don't know.

Please don't hurt me.

- Why don't you give me

a little something to remember you by.

- No!
(hand slapping)

(Karin screams)

Ow, ow!
(hand slapping)

(Karin crying)

- Here.

Careful.

How's that, it's better?

- Yeah.

- You want me to call your folks?

- No.

(Karin sniffling)

- I just want to get my hands
on the creep that did this.

Don't you worry, baby.

I'm gonna take better
care of you from now on.

I'm not letting you got
out alone without me.

You call me at work.

You let me know where you are.

You need a ride, I'll come get you.

- Okay.

Just be here right now, okay?

- I'm here, I'm here.

You sure you don't want
me to give you a ride?

- No, I'm going to take the bus.

You have to go to work.

- Okay, but I want a phone call at work

telling me you're okay.

- I said I would and I will.

You have to stop worrying.

- Stop worrying?

Karin, don't tell me to stop worrying.

I love you and you do not realize

how vulnerable you are out here.

- Of course I do.

I just have to find a
way to protect myself.

- How?

- I'll find a way.

- You gotta turn your hips,
you gotta turn your hips.

Okay.

- Okay, find my face.

- Right.

- Yeah, now would be a good time

to say something nice to your attacker

'cause you gotta be real gentle now.

Okay, find that attack point.

Good, very good.

- Okay.

- Okay, get ready to be attacked.

Okay, being ready is being relaxed.

- Oh.

- Good.
- Okay.

- Very good.

Okay, relax.

Everybody face me.

Bow.

Good work.

I'm really proud of you, Karin.

You're really doing good.

- Oh, thanks.

No matter how much you flatter me though,

I'm not gonna let up on you.

- Okay, I'll see you Wednesday.

- All right.

- [Instructor] Just be careful
not to scratch the floor.

See you tomorrow.

- Well, I guess I better
watch myself around you

from now on, huh?

- Larry, what are you doing here?

- I just stopped by to
see how you're doing.

- Translation?

- I guess I miss you.

- Well what have you been doing?

- Well dad finally gave me a
couple of nights off next week

and I got a job.

It's at the Pink & Blues Club.

- That's great, Larry.

That's really terrific.

- Wait, what happened?

What happened to your face?

- I bumped into a tree.

- Translation?

- I got mugged.

- What?

- Look, don't tell mom and dad, all right?

- Oh, so that explains the judo lessons.

Wait, where was Richie?

- He's not my keeper.

- Yeah, but Karin, you can't
go around roaming the streets

just because you take a
couple of judo lessons.

- Look, can it, Larry.

That's all I've heard from
Richie ever since this happened.

- Yeah?

Well what happens if someone comes up

and pushes you like that, huh?

- Don't.

- Huh, is that what you're gonna say?

"Don't, I'm just a poor blind girl."

Ooh!

Ah.

- It works.

- Certainly does.

- I'm sorry, you okay?

- Yeah.

Need a ride?

- Um, no, Richie's picking me up.

In fact, I'd better go.

If I'm five minutes late he panics.

- Hi baby.
- Hi.

- How you doing?

- Sorry I'm late, Larry stopped by.

- Is everything okay?

- Oh yeah.

- I missed you.

- Yeah, I missed you, too.

- I really missed you.

So, you learn how to
take care of yourself?

Huh?

- Yes.

- Go see ZZ Top.

- What in the hell are you doing?

- Richie!

- I could have been
anybody sneaking up on you.

- I was going to the
laundry to do the wash.

- Well why didn't you tell me?

- You were taking a nap.

- Well why the hell didn't you wake me up?

- Look, the laundry is too blocks away.

Every time I go out of the
house I'm not gonna get mugged.

Why don't you just lay off of me?

- I will not lay off of you!

Listen to me, I do not
want you hurt ever again!

- That's fine, all right,

but you are not gonna be
there when I go to Whitfield.

- Well maybe you're not
ready to go to Whitfield.

- Of course I am.

- Why, 'cause you can handle
yourself around the apartment?

It's a little different
in New York, Karin.

- I can handle it.

- How?

- I will handle it.

- How are you gonna handle it

with people you don't even know?

- Why are you trying to tear me down?

- I'm not trying to tear you down.

Just be realistic, will you?

- I am realistic, God!

- You know you're not gonna
have a safety net there.

- I'll be my own safety net!

- Will you just listen to me?

♪ Once, have the courage to remember ♪

♪ How much you love and
how much you care for me ♪

♪ Those days are gone ♪

♪ But remember I have
shared them all with you ♪

♪ And thank you baby for
letting me be a part of you ♪

This is what we both need.

♪ Thank you baby for letting
me be a part of you ♪

- Okay, guys and dolls, cats
and dogs, ladies and gents,

it's contest time, yeah!

(audience applauding)

Our volunteer judges are ready.

Those of you who want to participate,

stay on the floor.

The rest of you, make
like a tree and leave.

- Come on, let's do it.

- No, I don't think so.

- Karin, why not?

It'll be fun.

- No, my, my mind's not on it.

I'm just not into it.

- Look, we'll just do
our routine, all right?

Besides, you don't even
know what the prize is.

- What's the prize?

- They sprinkle pixie
dust on all the winners

and all their troubles go away.

Come on, come on.

- Okay, kings,

put your hands around
your mints and let's go!

♪ Tweedle-lee-dee-dee-dee ♪

♪ Tweedle-lee-dee-dee,
tweedle-lee-dee-dee-dee ♪

♪ Tweedle-lee-dee-dee,
tweedle-lee-dee-dee-dee ♪

♪ Tweedle-lee-dee-dee ♪

♪ Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet ♪

♪ He rocks in the tree tops all day long ♪

♪ Hoppin' and a-boppin'
and a-singing his song ♪

♪ All the little birds on Jaybird Street ♪

♪ Love to hear the robin
go tweet tweet tweet ♪

♪ Rockin' robin, tweet, tweet, tweet ♪

♪ Rock rock rockin' robin,
tweet tweedle-lee-dee ♪

♪ Well blow rockin' robin ♪

♪ 'Cause we're really gonna rock tonight ♪

♪ Tweet, tweet, tweedle-lee-dee ♪

♪ Every little swallow,
every chick-a-dee ♪

♪ Every little bird in the tall oak tree ♪

♪ The wise old owl, the big black crow ♪

♪ Flappin' their wings
singing go bird go ♪

♪ Rockin' robin, tweet, tweet, tweet ♪

♪ Rock rock rockin' robin,
tweet tweedle-lee-dee ♪

♪ well blow rockin' robin ♪

♪ 'Cause we're really gonna rock tonight ♪

♪ Tweet, tweet, tweedle-lee-dee ♪

♪ Go hey ♪

♪ Tweet, tweet, tweedle-lee-dee ♪

♪ Tweet ♪

♪ Tweedle-lee-dee ♪

♪ Tweet, tweet, tweedle-lee-dee ♪

♪ Tweet ♪

♪ Tweedle-lee-dee ♪

♪ Tweet, tweet, tweedle-lee-dee ♪

♪ A pretty little raven
at the bird-band stand ♪

♪ Taught him how to do
the bop and it was grand ♪

♪ They started going
steady and bless my soul ♪

♪ He out-bopped the
buzzard and the oriole ♪

♪ He rocks in the tree top all day long ♪

♪ Hoppin' and a-boppin'
and a-singing his song ♪

♪ All the little birds on Jaybird Street ♪

♪ Love to hear the robin
go tweet tweet tweet ♪

♪ Rockin' robin, tweet, tweet, tweet ♪

♪ Rock rock rockin' robin,
tweet tweedle-lee-dee ♪

♪ Blow rockin' robin ♪

♪ 'Cause we're really gonna rock tonight ♪

♪ Tweet, tweet tweedle-lee-dee ♪

♪ A pretty little raven
at the bird-band stand ♪

♪ Taught him how to do
the bop, it was grand ♪

♪ They started going
steady and bless my soul ♪

♪ He out-bopped the
Buzzard and the Oriole ♪

♪ He rocks in the tree top all day long ♪

♪ Hoppin' and a-boppin'
and a-singing his song ♪

♪ All the little birds on Jaybird Street ♪

♪ Love to hear the robin
go tweet tweet tweet ♪

♪ Rockin' robin, tweet, tweet, tweet ♪

♪ Rock rock rockin' robin,
tweet tweedle-lee-dee ♪

♪ well blow rockin' robin ♪

♪ 'Cause we're really gonna rock tonight ♪

♪ Tweet, tweet, tweedle-lee-dee ♪

♪ Tweedle-lee-dee-dee-dee ♪

♪ Tweedle-lee-dee-dee,
tweedle-lee-dee-dee-dee ♪

♪ Tweedle-lee-dee-dee,
tweedle-lee-dee-dee-dee ♪

♪ Tweedle-lee-dee-dee,
tweedle-lee-dee-dee-dee ♪

♪ Tweedle-lee-dee-dee,
tweedle-lee-dee-dee-dee ♪

♪ Tweedle-lee-dee-dee, tweet, tweet ♪

- What did you break the routine for?

- Okay, okay, okay!

Yeah!

Woo!

Quiet, quiet, quiet, quiet, quiet, quiet.

Okay, let's see what the judges have said.

Okay, the tension is mounting!

Give me a big round of
applause for the winners,

which is couple number,

four!

Yeah!
(audience applauding)

- That's us, we won.

- What?
- We won.

- Congratulations.

Wait. (shushing)

Congrats, you guys were terrif.

What's your name?

- Richie Valente, Karin Nichols.

- God, I haven't seen you around before.

Is this your first time?

- Uh, it's not mine but it is for Karin.

- Well, I hope it's not her last.

She's got a little mover and shaker!

(audience applauding)

- Um, there's something
that makes winning tonight

even more special for Karin.

She's had to work extra
hard to learn to dance.

A lot harder than anyone
else because she's blind.

- That's incredible.

And you taught her to dance like that?

- Well, I just taught her a few moves.

She did all the hard work herself.

- Fantastic!

Let's hear it for Richie and Karin, yeah!

(audience applauding)

- Richie, I'm leaving you.

- Slow down.

Karin, will you slow down?

- Why did you have to
tell them I was blind?

- What difference does it make
if they know you're blind?

- What difference does it make?

We were supposed to be dancing

and have a little fun, Richie.

You turned the whole
thing into something else.

- That is not true.

I just wanted them to know
how proud I was of you, Karin.

- No, how proud you were of yourself.

I mean, for a few minutes
I was dancing free.

I was on my own, it felt wonderful.

You had to come in and stop it.

Just think about it.

- Think about what?

- God, you don't get it, you don't get it.

- Get what?

- That I am myself.

I am just me!

I cannot be who you want me to be!

- Don't you realize how much I love you?

Doesn't that count for anything?

What the hell am I to you, Karin?

Just another achievement?

Another challenge for
Karin, the blind girl?

- You don't understand.

- You're right, I don't understand.

I don't understand you, me, us, anything!

(dramatic music)

Don't leave, Karin.

I know we can work it out.

We just need more time.

- Richie, I don't have any more time.

I love you,

and I want you to try and understand that.

Rich, please don't.

Hello.

- Hello, Karin.

- Hi.

Is mom around?

- She went to pick up some stock.

Are you okay?

- Oh, good.

You?

- Surviving.

- I'm gonna go now.

- Oh wait, come on, Karin.

What's going on?

- Uh, I left Richie.

- Uh-huh.

- And I'm going to go
to school in New York.

- Did you get the scholarship?

- I will.

Uh, would it be all right
if I moved back home?

Um, just, to like reapply?

It won't be for a long time.

If I don't get it in a
month, I'll move out.

- You don't have to move out.

- No, I do, for me.

- Okay.

- I'm gonna come back later.

- No wait, honey.

Why don't you wait for her here, okay?

- Okay.

- Here, give me this.

- No.

- You don't need that in here.

- Yes dad, I do.

It's part of me, all right?

Are you afraid somebody's
gonna see it or something?

- There's no one else here.

- Well then what is it?

- What is what?

- What is this thing with you and my cane?

I need it, dad, I can't see.

- Well, you think I don't know that?

- It helps me, and with it I can help you.

- Karin, you cannot help me in here.

This is not school.

This is not, not play, this
is the real world in here.

- Don't you tell me about the real world.

I have been outside looking
into the real world for so long!

Just let me come and do it.

Damn it, I'm here.

Let me be in your world.

Please dad, just let me help you.

- Come here.

Come on, come on, come on, come on.

Uh, you know how to work
one of these things?

- Yes.

- All right, now this is the top page,

the middle page, and
the bottom page, okay?

They gotta be done half hour ago.

- All right.

- They, they um,

give you any spending money
with that scholarship?

- Not much.

- Well I pay five dollars an hour

and all the paper you'd need.

- I'll take it.

- Hey Richie, there's a
visitor here to see you.

- I hear you're looking for somebody.

- Hi.

- Hi.

- You look good.

(Richie chuckles)

- So do you.

- Six weeks is a long time.

- Yeah.

Who's your new friend?

- Oh, this is Andy.

I didn't want to leave
without saying goodbye.

I leave for New York tomorrow.

- You got the scholarship, huh?

That's great, Karin, congratulations.

- Thanks.

- Well, I never thought
I'd be jealous of a dog.

- He can't dance.

- Karin, I don't know what to say.

- You don't have to say anything.

- Don't go fall for any of
those Ivy League guys, huh.

- You get the first
dance when I come home.

Thank you.

- Thank you.

- Come on, Andy.

(hopeful music)

(dramatic music)

(bright music)