Caroline? (1990) - full transcript

A woman named Caroline reappears after a 14-year absence, during which time she was thought to have died in a plane crash. Claiming to be the daughter of wealthy Paul Carmichael from his first marriage, she explains that she didn't board the plane, and had used the chance to flee her shallow debutante lifestyle. Paul's new wife, Grace, is deeply suspicious of the woman's story -- especially since Caroline stands to inherit a fortune.

[sound effect]

[music playing]

[music playing]

[SINGING] Hide.

Reveal.

Hide.

Reveal.

Hide.

Reveal.

Hide.

Hide.

Hide.

Antidote.

WINSTON'S WIFE: Five,

six, seven, eight.

One, two, three.

Reveal, hide.

Run, two, three, four.

Reveal, hide.

And run, two, three, four.

Reveal.

Hide.

Now group two, three, four.

Reveal.

Hide.

Now tighten it up.

Two, three, four.

Reveal.

Hide.

Good.

Run two, three, four.

Reveal.

Hide.

Run, two three, four.

Reveal.

Hide.

And one, reveal.

Hide.

Good.

Reveal-- mind reveal.

Hide.

Step, kick, three, for.

Slow, six, seven, eight.

Now tighten up two, three,

four, five, six, seven, eight.

Reveal.

Hide.

Reveal, good.

Hide.

Reveal.

Hide.

And step kick, three, four,

turn--five, six, seven, eight.

Now tighten it up, three,

four, five, six, seven, eight.

And one, two, three, four--

Winston, how nice to see you.

[kiss]

I'm sorry I can't

break for lunch.

How'd the market?

[sigh]

I played stronger.

[music playing]

What is it?

[music playing]

Oh, I'm so sorry.

[music playing]

Hide, reveal.

I talked to her

just last week.

She wasn't even 60.

Look.

Just give me a

couple minutes, OK?

And I'll wrap this up.

WINSTON: You can't--

you can't leave.

I'll, uh--I'll come back

right after the funeral.

Kiss the kids for me.

WINSTON'S WIFE: I love you.

[kiss]

[music playing]

HEIDI [VOICEOVER]: If you can't

guess, you lose three steps.

[music playing]

You won't ever guess that one.

WINSTON [VOICEOVER]:

Put a lid on it.

I'm trying to concentrate.

[horn honking]

HEIDI [VOICEOVER]:

You won't ever guess--

Put a lid on it!

I'm trying to concentrate.

What?

What?

WINSTON [VOICEOVER]:

Just be quiet!

[music playing]

[loud road noise]

WINSTON: I still can't

believe she's gone.

I always thought she

was indestructible.

She was in every

way that mattered.

[subtle ding]

WINSTON: What time

is the service?

10:00 tomorrow morning.

People are coming from

all over the state.

[subtle ding]

She touched so many lives.

[phone ringing]

I know.

I was thinking about

her driving here.

I was trying to remember

the first time I saw her--

HEIDI [VOICEOVER]:

You'll never guess.

I know it was on a Friday.

How could I forget that.

I hated Fridays.

If you can't guess,

you lose three steps.

WINSTON: Why don't you

go into the other room

and have Luellen teach you

how to do two things at once?

Like, put your head in an

oven and turn on the gas.

You said something.

You said something.

What did you say?

I didn't say anything.

Mommy says you shouldn't

whisper behind my back.

A-ha!

It's a toilet paper roller.

HEIDI: All right.

Three steps-- all--

[doorbell ringing]

[LOUDLY] Winston, you can't!

It's against the rules!

Winston!

WINSTON: Who is it?

HEIDI: You can't!

That's no fair, Winston!

It's against the rules!

WINSTON: Excuse me?

HEIDI: You can't do that!

It's against the rules!

Will you be--

CAROLINE: I'd like

to see Mr. Car--

Ow!

Animal!

You know what Mom

said about biting.

You're in a lot

of trouble, Heidi.

SIMMONS: Easy now, young fellow.

You know what Mom said

about biting and scratching--

HEIDI: I can't hear you.

I can't hear you.

You know you're not supposed

to bite people, Heidi.

I can't hear you!

WINSTON: You know what

Mom said about it.

Winston, you hush up now.

Animal.

Sh.

Uh, excuse me.

Who is it, please?

I heard screaming.

Is someone hurt?

Yeah, everything

is fine, thank you.

How may I be of help?

CAROLINE: I'm here to

see Mr. Carmichael.

SIMMONS: He's not

in at the moment.

Did you have an appointment?

CAROLINE: No.

SIMMONS: Well, I suggest

you call his office

and arrange one.

Whom may I say called?

[music playing]

This is Caroline.

SIMMONS: May I ask Caroline who?

CAROLINE: Caroline.

Just tell Mr.

Carmichael Caroline.

SIMMONS: Very good, Ma'am.

[music playing]

[door opening]

[door closing]

[moaning]

[kiss]

Tell Mommy what

Heidi and Winston

did while I was at the

Garden Club this afternoon.

Heidi, don't.

Don't now.

Mr. Steve just fixed my hair.

Don't.

I want the scarf.

WINSTON: Mother?

[click]

Winston.

Mommy will give Heidi

a scarf of her own.

Yours.

I want yours.

Winston, would you please?

Why haven't you changed

out of your school uniform?

You know you're not

allowed to play in that.

Caroline came today.

GRACE: Caroline?

Caroline who?

- I don't know.

She just said Caroline.

She insisted on seeing Father.

Did Simmons get her last name?

WINSTON: No, she

wouldn't give it.

You could wash your

hands once in a while.

It wouldn't kill you.

[piano playing]

[crickets chirping]

[doorbell ringing]

SIMMONS: Yes?

Who is it, please?

I'm Caroline.

I'm here to see Mr. Carmichael.

Ah, you're the young woman

that called this afternoon.

[piano stops]

Did you arrange an appointment?

CAROLINE: I'm not

leaving until I see him.

Where is he?

I must see him.

SIMMONS: Uh, one moment, please.

PAUL: If I can't get

controlling interest,

I don't want the company.

I thought that was clear.

Let's not waste any

more time on this.

Hold on.

Yes, Simmons?

Is there a problem?

SIMMONS: Excuse me, Sir.

But there's a young woman

that calls herself Caroline

and insists upon seeing you.

Caroline who?

SIMMONS: She wouldn't say, Sir.

Let me call you back.

Let her in.

SIMMONS: Very good, Sir.

Come in, please.

Hello, Father.

[music playing]

GRACE: Who are you?

How dare you play

this cruel joke.

Caroline's dead.

I'm not dead.

I've come home, Father.

[music playing]

Good God.

Listen, I can't

think about this now.

I've got some personal things

here at home I have to see to.

You send me the numbers.

And if they're-- if

they're as you say,

I will finalize it on Monday.

Yes.

Thank you.

Did Simmons take her

back to the hotel?

Yes.

And I've arranged for Bradley

Phillips to be here tomorrow

morning to question her.

Well, you shouldn't have

done that without asking me.

Well, I'm only trying

to save time, Paul.

We have to find out who she is.

I could question

her by myself.

I don't need a lawyer to

tell me if my daughter is--

yes, Winston?

Mother said you'd

explain things--

[phone ringing]

--now would be a good

time, if it's good for you.

Yes?

Only if it goes up

half a point tomorrow.

Ye-- right.

Thanks.

Well, uh-- why don't

you get your sister.

And, uh--and we'll

talk about it now.

Well, I thought

that you and I--

well, I thought it

would be the two of us.

Winston, just because Heidi

doesn't understand everything

doesn't mean that she's

not a part of this family.

Now, I'm sure you would prefer

her to be here, wouldn't you?

Go get her, please.

I don't prefer it at all.

I had a daughter

in my first marriage.

Her name was Caroline.

She was bright, impulsive,

willful, disobedient,

but I absolutely adored her.

She disappeared in a terrible

plane accident coming home

her first year in college,

coming home for Thanksgiving.

We thought she had been killed.

She was killed, Paul.

PAUL: Well, there

was never any proof.

And this girl does

look very much

like her, incredibly like her.

Don't you think

it's strange that she

appeared just before

the deadline to claim

the Atkins' inheritance?

PAUL: Yes, I do.

And I will have that

checked out, but--

[sigh]

--there's no point in rejecting

this girl out of hand, Grace.

[phone ringing]

Yes?

Well, I'm interested in any real

estate venture you're in, Don.

I'll take three

units, depending--

Mrs. Atkins had

a lot of money?

Who is Mrs. Atkins?

Give me the bracelet, Honey.

Caroline's grandmother.

Don't you remember?

We went to see her

in that nursing home.

Oh, it had a funny smell.

Oh, I think we've discussed

this enough, Winston.

Will you take your

sister upstairs?

WINSTON: May I look

at the scrapbook?

GRACE: Perhaps another time.

Now, I want you to go upstairs

and get yourself ready for bed.

And Mummy will come

up and kiss you

good night just as soon as she's

finished talking to Daddy, OK?

HEIDI: OK.

OK.

Good night, children.

WINSTON: Night, Father.

[music playing]

I don't know why you've

got that old book out.

[chuckle]

That's another life, Paul.

[sigh]

I don't want our

children confused.

[sigh]

I wish you'd put it away.

[kiss]

[music playing]

[crickets chirping]

[door opening]

HEIDI: I want to look!

Sh!

Go back upstairs!

I want to look, too!

WINSTON: Don't you have a volume

knob on that voice of yours?

Sometimes, I swear, I

should hire a doctor

and have you surgically removed.

HEIDI: I'll tell if

you don't let me.

WINSTON: All right.

You can look, but

you have to be quiet.

What are you doing

up so late, anyway?

You know Mom would have a hissy.

Who's the baby?

It must be Caroline

and Mrs. Atkins.

You know who--

What?

[FRUSTRATINGLY] It must be

Caroline with Mrs. Atkins.

Just look at the pictures.

Don't ask me to read them.

I can read.

WINSTON: Sure, and I can run

100-yard dash in 10 seconds.

That's Father.

He's smiling.

He never smiles.

Who's that?

That's his first wife.

Caroline--

What?

That's his first

wife, Caroline's mother.

HEIDI: Is that Caroline?

WINSTON: I don't know, but

it sure looks like her.

LUELLEN: Put your

crayons in your pocket.

And you have your

coloring book in case

you get tired at the library.

GRACE: OK.

Be a good boy.

Did you remember

your library card?

Yeah, I think I have it.

Here it is.

GRACE: Heidi, the library

is a special place.

You can't talk loud.

HEIDI: Winston has

to sit in back.

GRACE: What's gotten

into you, Winston?

Why aren't you riding

in the back with Heidi?

About this Caroline,

is she my sister or what?

I don't know.

Just get in the backseat

and stop fooling around.

HEIDI: If I can't sit in

the front, he has to sit--

All right.

All right.

All right.

GRACE: --honey.

He's getting in the back.

Now keep your coat on in the

library if you get chilled.

You two have a good time, OK?

Bye bye.

WINSTON: Excuse me, please?

I was wondering where we

could find old newspapers.

I'm looking for an obituary.

How long ago?

Well, about 14 years ago.

But I'm not sure

of the exact date.

I'll have to look through them.

But I have a library card.

I'll show you where they are.

But you sure have your

work cut out for you, Son.

[phone ringing]

I'm hungry.

WINSTON: Well, then

go suck on a lemon.

If you'd be quiet for a

few minutes, I'll be done.

And then we can go eat.

What are you looking for?

Clues, Heidi.

Information.

About what?

About this.

Look at that.

Just before midnight

Friday night,

a Zenith Airlines passenger--

That's Caroline--

WINSTON: --carrying

79 passengers

and 7 crew members crashed and

burned shortly after takeoff.

There were no survivors.

[music playing]

HEIDI: That's Father.

WINSTON: Paul and Anne

Carmichael distraught.

BRADLEY: You were how old

when you went to college?

18.

But it wasn't much of a college,

more of a finishing school

for rebellious debutantes.

BRADLEY: And you were coming

home for the Christmas

holidays when all of this--

CAROLINE: Thanksgiving.

Yes, of course.

Thanksgiving.

And somehow you

survived the crash?

I didn't get on the plane.

GRACE: You just walked away and

never said anything to anyone?

That's what I did.

[clock ticking]

You just walked away?

I got to the steps of the

plane, and I turned around.

And I walked away.

BRADLEY: And when

the plane crashed,

and when you heard about

it, you just disappeared?

That's exactly what I did.

But how could

you do that to us?

Just tell me that.

How?

That is the single most

inexcusable, cruel--

do you know what it

did to your mother?

Do you have any idea

what it did to her?

It killed her.

You said we could go.

Uh-oh.

Here's something else.

What?

It says here that she died

of mysterious circumstances.

HEIDI: Who?

WINSTON: Caroline's mother.

I think that means she

committed suicide, Heidi.

What's su-- icide?

And where did you

go after your Father--

I'm sorry.

I can't talk now, Don.

Can you call me back in an hour?

What's that?

Excuse me, Bradley.

BRADLEY: And where did

you go after you found

out about the plane crash?

I saw that I was

listed as dead.

I saw my chance to get away.

I'm sorry, Father.

But that's how I

felt at the time.

I had money.

I had what I needed.

And the truth is I--

I didn't like myself.

I went to Paris.

I took the chance that

no one would find out,

and that's what happened.

But why?

[sigh]

I--I don't know.

I don't know.

I don't know.

I was-- I was hiding--

thank you.

M-hm.

And I partied until I

didn't know who I was anymore.

I didn't care.

When I learned of Mother's

death, everything changed.

That's when I decided

to go to India.

PAUL: India?

CAROLINE: I was

looking for a way

to make my life

count for something.

Up until then, I'd

lived only for myself.

It wasn't enough.

So I changed my name

to Martha Sedgwick

and tried to lose

myself in work.

BRADLEY: But you said you

weren't trained for anything,

that you had no skills.

CAROLINE: I had two hands.

They needed help.

I learned as I went.

I studied.

Studied what?

CAROLINE: I became

a nurse, finally.

I worked with the sick,

the worst of them.

What did you do with

Grandmother's rug?

I loved that rug.

WINSTON: There's

something wrong.

Why did she show up all

of a sudden, just now?

It must be to get the money.

Will you eat your pie?

The pieces aren't

small enough.

If they were

any smaller, you'd

need a microscope to find them.

Why do Mother and

Father think it's so

important to hide everything.

There's something

definitely wrong.

There you are, Winston.

See you next week.

WINSTON: Thank you.

WAITRESS: Same as always.

WINSTON: Come on, Heidi.

I want to go home.

I'm not done.

You can have two

pieces of pie next week.

You can eat them tweezers.

Come on.

Put your arms in.

PAUL: I thank you for putting

up with the third degree.

I think--

GRACE: All right.

OK.

BRADLEY: Good.

Well, I think

get everything i--

well, we'll see.

I understand.

[engine starting]

I don't want you

to have any doubts.

Yes, in that.

[music playing]

BRADLEY: Well, she's

got the facts down cold.

If it's not Caroline, she's

the best actress in the world.

GRACE: Well, perhaps

she's got them down just

a little bit too cold.

I want you to hire a

private investigator.

And I want her watched

every minute of the day.

BRADLEY: I'll get

someone on it right away.

But there are bound to be gaps.

You can't watch

them every minute.

Well, just be

thorough, Bradley.

I want progress with this.

All right.

GRACE: Hello.

Paul, if there's anything

to find, we'll find it.

Thank you,

Bradley.

[music playing]

Paul?

The thing that appalls

me is that I'm not sure.

I didn't know my daughter

well enough to be sure.

[music playing]

My own daughter.

[music playing]

GRACE: You know, it might

be a good idea if Caroline

came to live with us here.

Oh, thank you, Luellen.

PAUL: I'd like that.

GRACE: Well, we really should

get to know her better, Paul.

PAUL: It's an excellent idea.

Winston?

I know you've been

curious about this.

Is Caroline going

to live with us here?

Well, we're going

to invite her.

Now, I'd like to ask

something of both of you,

something important.

When Caroline

disappeared, there was a--

a lot of publicity.

And until we are sure

about this young woman,

we don't want any more.

So I'd appreciate it

if you didn't speak

about this at school

and you didn't have any

of your playmates over here.

You understand the

need for secrecy?

Yes, Sir.

Good.

Thank you.

Now you two better

change your clothes if you

intend to play this afternoon.

Come on.

Gee, I wonder why he asked

us not to have anyone over.

When have we ever

had any one over?

When have we ever

had any playmates?

Thank you, Simmons.

SIMMONS: No running,

Master Winston.

Is she here yet?

Is Caroline here yet?

She only brought one suitcase.

WINSTON: Well, yeah?

Well, what'd she look--

[sigh]

What'd she look like?

Did she say anything crazy?

Uh, what was she wearing?

She's not very pretty.

Well, I think if you ever said

anything nice about anybody,

your tongue might fall

out from the surprise.

Mommy doesn't like her.

I don't like her either.

I think she's a fake.

PAUL: Ah, thank you, Luellen.

You're welcome, Sir.

What are those for, Paul?

You remembered.

Remembered what?

Anemones.

Thank you, Father.

I know they're anemones.

What's the occasion?

CAROLINE: My mother

would have been 52 today.

They were her favorite flower.

That was very

thoughtful of you, Paul.

Oh, no, no, no.

Mustn't touch, Darling.

These are--

I want to.

--very special flowers.

HEIDI: I want to.

I can if I want to.

I don't think so.

No--

HEIDI: I can if I want to.

GRACE: No.

Heidi, now.

No.

HEIDI: No.

[sigh]

Can she hold--

HEIDI: Mommy!

Can she hold

them for a moment?

Of course.

GRACE: All right.

OK, now.

OK.

OK.

Give them back, Darling.

HEIDI: Let go, Mommy.

Let go.

- Please.

Heidi.

HEIDI: No!

Let go!

Please be Mommy's good girl.

Be a good girl!

Mommy--

GRACE: Yes.

No, Heidi.

[sigh]

[sigh]

There you go.

They don't smell, anyway.

Guess who I saw today.

Who?

Sarah Lampson.

You remember her.

I'm afraid I don't.

Well, you should.

Oh.

[snap]

That's right.

She was Sarah Tyrone

when you knew her.

Sarah?

GRACE: Really?

Hm.

I'm surprised.

You're all she talks about.

She goes on and on about

you, about your school days

together, how wild you were.

[laugh]

Sarah-- Sarah Tyrone.

Silly Sarah.

She was easy to forget.

Heidi?

She always does that, but

it's usually off my plate.

CAROLINE: Well, I don't like it.

Heidi has certain privileges.

Heidi is rude, if

that's a privilege.

[whining]

PAUL: Heidi?

Caroline is a

guest in our house.

And--

Darling, you know it's not

good to criticize and push her.

You know that.

[whining]

Shh.

Darling, it's OK.

Come on.

Have a glass of milk, Baby.

That's my Baby.

[whining]

Yeah, yeah.

It's OK.

[whining]

[thundering]

[thundering]

[gasp]

WINSTON: I was going to my room,

and I saw the attic door open.

And I didn't know it was you.

You see.

We're not supposed

to be up here.

I sure hope Heidi doesn't

see all this stuff.

She'd bring it all downstairs

for her invisible game.

[thundering]

May I help you

look for something?

I found it already, Winston.

I thought I'd visit

my crazy past.

WINSTON: My history

teacher tells me

that the secret to the future

is often found in the past.

CAROLINE: Ah.

I'm very interested

in history.

CAROLINE: M-hm.

[thundering and raining]

So where were you

before you came here?

[chuckle]

CAROLINE: India.

Ah, India.

Was it interesting?

CAROLINE: Yes, Winston.

It was.

India was very interesting.

[thundering and raining]

India is one of the places

I'd like to go someday.

But what were you doing there?

CAROLINE: I was working.

With your friend,

Martha Sedgwick?

She wasn't my friend, Winston.

I was Martha Sedgwick.

That's the name that

I used in India.

Tell me something.

Don't you and Heidi

have any friends?

Oh, I have tons of

friends at school--

Uh-huh.

WINSTON: Too many.

Sometimes they get to be a pain.

Oh.

I was just wondering

because you and Heidi

always seem to be together.

Is that your job to

take care of her?

No, it's not my job.

She's my sister,

and I want to do it.

Uh-huh.

[thundering and raining]

Did that belong to Caroline?

It was mine, yes.

You must have had

some reason for going

away and changing your name.

And why did you come back?

Was it to get Mrs.

Atkins' money?

I came home because I

couldn't stay any longer.

It became too depressing for me.

I loved somebody who died.

[thundering and raining]

He was--

[sigh]

There was nothing

left after that.

I tried to throw myself into

work, but it didn't help.

It just got worse.

I finally realized that I

couldn't make a difference,

that I didn't--

well--

[thundering and raining]

WINSTON: Do you

know who that is?

It was my Grandmother Atkins.

And you knew that

already, didn't you?

[chuckling]

Well.

She was a very special lady.

WINSTON: What's that book?

CAROLINE: It was hers.

[thud and thundering]

She loved poetry.

So do I.

[thundering and raining]

Heidi, don't you know

how to use a fork?

HEIDI: I can't.

I don't have to.

The other 10-year-olds

I know use forks and chew

with their mouths closed.

Mommy said I don't have to.

CAROLINE: That's right.

You don't.

But I don't think you enjoy

being like this, Heidi.

I think you'd rather be

like other 10-year-olds.

And I'll bet you could be.

I'll bet there are lots

of things you can do.

I'll bet there's lots more

to you than people know.

Mommy says there's a

lot more to you, too.

[chuckle]

[chuckling]

GRACE: The-- oh, yes.

I am aware of it.

Her story in India checks out.

She used the name

Martha Sedgwick

while she was over there.

Why wouldn't it?

CAROLINE: Do you

want a glass of w--

HEIDI: M-hm.

CAROLINE: All right.

Well, what about the

detective you hired?

CAROLINE: [inaudible]

[chuckling]

GRACE: Well, Bradley,

we wouldn't be paying

you if it wasn't difficult. No.

Now you listen.

This is a very clever woman.

She's wormed her

way into my home,

and she's interfering

with my children.

CAROLINE: Heidi, [inaudible].

It just isn't right.

CAROLINE: Well, I know it

was like a little cube.

I never--

PAUL: Oh, we could

miss it because he

might as well not play.

CAROLINE: Well, I'm

not very good at games.

But at least you didn't

drown me this time.

I think it's because

we switched colors.

PAUL: Well--

- Well, there you are.

You've kept us waiting.

Oh, we lost track of time.

[kiss]

CAROLINE: It's my fault, Grace.

I just kept jabbering.

And I help up--

No, it isn't.

I was the one because we

were playing Backgammon.

And I insisted we

finish the game.

[chuckle]

Well, I met the most unlikely

person in the beauty parlor

today.

PAUL: And who might that be?

Agatha Trollope.

Who's that?

GRACE: Caroline will tell you.

Caroline knows Miss

Trollope better

than anyone at this table.

Winston, will you

pass the rolls, please?

Oh, right away.

CAROLINE: I'm starving.

This looks delicious.

Thank you.

Miss Trollope is the

Headmistress of Finchley,

the girls' school I went to.

I don't want to

go to Finchley.

I don't like Finchley.

Heidi, you'd love it.

It's--

Oh, don't worry, darling.

You won't have to.

Obviously it didn't make

Caroline very happy.

That isn't true, Grace.

Oh?

Well, then why did you stay away

so long and cause your father

all this pain?

That isn't what happened.

You don't know--

That is exactly what happened.

This has nothing to do with--

GRACE: Why didn't

you call your father

or mother after the crash?

Even if you didn't want to

come home, it's the least--

PAUL: Grace--

GRACE: --you could have done.

PAUL: Grace, we've

been through all that.

GRACE: Not enough.

We haven't.

I know I was wrong.

[exhale]

GRACE: And I suppose the Flora

Atkins' inheritance has nothing

to do with your being here.

It doesn't.

Oh, the hell it doesn't.

PAUL: All right.

That's enough, Grace.

Stop it!

My daughter has come home.

No, this woman has

come into our hou--

PAUL: No, Grace.

No!

My daughter!

She's as much a part of

this family as anyone else.

Excuse me.

Father?

[coyotes barking]

I never-- I don't--

[sigh]

Perhaps it isn't the right

time for me to be here.

I--

PAUL: Why did you allow

me to live with so

much pain for all those years?

I ache with it, Caroline.

I don't think I'll

ever be rid of it.

I lost you.

And then when your mother died--

when she died, I thought

I couldn't go on.

I-- I couldn't face

you then, Father.

I hated myself.

I blame myself for

Mother's death.

Hello there.

I figured that the only way

I could make things better

was to do something

for other people.

And the more time passed,

the more difficult

it became to come back.

But I had to.

I had to ask for

your forgiveness.

You're so unpredictable.

You were always

such a wild child.

We could never control you.

Did it ever occur

to you, Father,

that maybe that wild child

needed your attention,

your interest.

You were always in the

office, or on the phone,

or traveling somewhere.

I didn't really

know you, Caroline.

I realize that now.

I realize what I missed.

Oh, Daddy.

I'm so sorry for all the

pain I've caused you.

I will not have you

calling her a fortune hunter.

GRACE: I don't think you

should do anything hasty.

I don't want to

see you get hurt.

PAUL: Grace, she is my daughter.

Well, you'll forgive me

if I'm not so trusting.

I think you should

continue the investigation.

PAUL: Well, it really

doesn't concern you, does it?

Oh, it doesn't?

I am sorry, Paul.

But I'm your wife.

If this family isn't my

concern, then what is?

I just think that if, at

any time in the future,

it's discovered that

she isn't Caroline,

the money should be returned.

PAUL: Grace!

And I think you should

get it in writing.

PAUL: I know she's Caroline.

Well, if she is, then

there's nothing to worry about,

is there?

And, if she isn't, she

doesn't have a right to it.

I'm just thinking about

Heidi and Winston.

They're your children, too.

PAUL: I'll have Bradley

draw up the papers that way

if it'll make you happy.

But I don't want any

more of this nonsense.

My daughter's come home.

GRACE: All right.

[music playing]

And if you'd sign this

last copy right here, please.

That's the amendment.

All right.

Very good.

There.

All done.

BRADLEY: Congratulations,

Mrs. Carmichael.

Thank you.

PAUL: Thank you, Bradley.

You won't mind if Simmons

sees you out, will you?

Not at all.

GRACE: Goodbye, Bradley.

BRADLEY: Grace.

PAUL: Oh, surprise.

Oh, it's lovely.

PAUL: Remember?

CAROLINE: Well, it

does look familiar.

It was your mother's.

You used to love to wear it

when you were a little girl.

Oh.

[chuckling]

PAUL: Put it on.

[music playing]

CAROLINE: Thank you, Father.

[kiss]

Paul, I think it's high time

we through Caroline a party.

Oh, no.

Please don't.

PAUL: Sure.

Everyone will want

to see you again.

Oh, I'm sure you want to

see all of your old friends

and the relatives.

No, that's really

not necessary.

Now, now, now--

GRACE: --cooped up in

this house long enough.

I have nothing to wear.

GRACE: There are

millions of stores.

I'm sure you'll find something.

WINSTON: This is fun.

Thank you for

taking me with you.

CAROLINE: Don't you ever

go shopping on your own.

WINSTON: No.

No.

My mother has the sizes sent

out, and then we choose.

I guess it's a lot

easier that way.

Mother likes to shop.

What's the matter?

CAROLINE: Oh, well, I--

I just can't picture myself in

that big room in this dress.

I wish your mother hadn't

invited all those people.

WINSTON: Oh, it's just

a dumb, old party.

You won't have any fun, anyway.

Oh, thank you

for that, Winston.

I have to find some shoes.

WINSTON: Well, then I'll

meet you around the corner

in 15 minutes.

CAROLINE: All right.

Secrets?

Well, this is a bit awkward.

But would it be possible

for me to borrow some money?

I never carry any with me,

and I usually sign for things.

But I want to buy

something very special--

Well, of course.

How much?

$50 will do.

Oh, it will, will it?

Well, how about

$10, for starters?

$10 will do nicely.

Thank you.

[chuckling]

[register dinging]

WINSTON: I'd like to

buy this book, please?

It's for my new sister.

Well, Sir, the children's

books are right over there.

WINSTON: My sister

is in her 30s.

In her 30s?

WINSTON: I'd like

this gift-wrapped,

and I don't want any cute paper.

It's for a party, and

it's very special.

STORE CLERK: OK.

This isn't more

than $10, is it?

STORE CLERK: Oh.

No, sir.

It's not.

This is a good gift, isn't it?

She loves poetry.

The Rubaiyat is a lovely gift.

She'll like it.

[piano playing]

[party chatter]

HELEN: Caroline!

Caroline, my dear.

Oh, it's so great.

Oh.

Aw, Aunt-- Aunt Helen,

I've missed you.

Well, let me look at you.

You're as pretty as I remember.

CAROLINE: Oh, I don't--

HELEN: Oh, what were

you thinking of, child?

I know you did a lot of odd

things when you were young,

but I can't understand this--

- Oh.

- Why?

Why did you--

Helen, how have you been?

Hm?

Well, Paul, my liver

has been bothering me.

PAUL: Aw.

[inaudible]

PAUL: M-hm.

HELEN: The edema

in my left foot--

PAUL: Yeah.

HELEN: Then now, Paul.

It doesn't pay to get old.

[applause]

Emily, how are you?

HARVEY: Honey, I

can't believe how much

you look like your mother--

CAROLINE: Oh.

--which is better than

looking like you, Paul.

Well, thank you, Harvey.

Let me get you a drink.

HARVEY: Thanks.

[piano playing]

- Agnes?

AGNES: Oh, no thanks.

I'd just start playing

that rowdy bar room music.

Well, that's perfectly

all right with me.

Caroline, I know

you remember this one.

[piano playing]

AGNES: [SINGING]

After the ball is--

You used to always

drive us crazy with this.

Oh, I remember that bit.

AGNES: [SINGING]

--after the break

of morn, after the

dancers leaving,

after the stars are gone.

Many a heart is aching.

If you could please them all.

Many dear hopes that have

vanished after the ball.

[piano playing]

[SINGING] After

the ball is over--

LARRY: You still have

the softest shoulders

east of the Mississippi.

AGNES: -- [SINGING] the

break of morn after--

I haven't changed

that much, Larry.

Larry!

How are you?

Married and divorced.

Doing quite well now.

So are you, I understand.

All that money.

Larry, I'd like you

to meet my stepmother.

Grace?

Grace, this is Larry.

- How do you do, Larry?

LARRY: Grace, nice to meet you.

GRACE: Nice to meet you.

LARRY: You know, the

truth is, it hasn't been

the same since that

weekend we spent

together all those years ago.

Oh.

The lost weekend?

How romantic.

Where did you go?

What did you do?

Tell me all about it, Caroline.

PAUL: Don't tell me

you're embarrassed.

You know, back in

the old days, nothing

could embarrass this gal.

Remember that night at Enrico's?

Danced on our table with

nothing but her slip on.

CAROLINE: Oh.

LARRY: Sensational.

[exhale]

Larry, really.

GRACE: Well, how

about it, Caroline?

What was this rascal like when--

I'm Caroline's

brother, Winston.

How do you do?

LARRY: Nice to

meet you, Winston.

I wasn't exactly

a plum, or was I?

What's your sense of this?

WINSTON: Oh, I feel fine.

How about you, Larry?

Doing fine, Winston.

Thank you.

CAROLINE: There's Miss Trollope.

Excuse me.

It was very nice

meeting you, Larry.

Please enjoy yourself.

CAROLINE: Miss

Trollope, I didn't think

you were going to make it.

Who are you?

CAROLINE: Caroline,

I'm so glad to see you.

MISS TROLLOPE: I want to

ask you something, child.

Why have we not heard from

you in all these years?

I was in love.

And then there was my work.

Oh, did love breed amnesia?

No, it bred selfishness.

MISS TROLLOPE: Are you married?

CAROLINE: No.

Were you?

No.

Where is he?

CAROLINE: He's dead.

Why don't you sit down?

You must be tired.

I am not tired.

I want to talk with you.

Let me order you

some champagne.

We'll have plenty of

time to talk later.

[kiss]

We will, indeed, young woman.

Agatha, Agatha, it's so

lovely to see you again.

- Oh, hello, Grace.

- Yes.

Won't you sit down?

Yes.

I'm so glad you could come.

SERVER: Champagne, Madam?

Thank you.

Thank you so much for your

help with the guest list.

Oh, I think the party

is quite a success.

And Caroline looks so well.

How does she seem to you?

Peculiar.

Oh.

There is Bunny.

Now, she was

Caroline's best friend.

GRACE: Oh, so that's Bunny.

Oh, thank you, Agatha.

I'll be back in a bit.

[singing with piano]

GRACE: Caroline?

Caroline, come.

There's someone here

that you simply must see.

BUNNY: Caroline!

[gasp]

Bunny!

BUNNY: Caroline!

Oh!

[laughing]

Oh, honey.

BUNNY: Oh, my-- after all these

years, I don't believe it.

CAROLINE: Look at you!

BUNNY: You look wonderful!

CAROLINE: So do you.

BUNNY: I hate you.

[laughing]

Oh, you're so funny.

CAROLINE: Oh.

You remember this guy?

I finally took pity

on him and said yes.

Freddie!

Oh, Freddie.

You're as handsome as ever!

FREDDIE: You're not doing

so bad yourself, kiddo.

[laughing]

CAROLINE: Grace?

Grace, I'd like you to

meet Bunny and Freddie.

This is my stepmother,

Grace Carmichael.

It's a pleasure

Mrs. Carmichael.

Yes, hi.

How do you do?

Bunny, I know your

mother from the club.

We play bridge together.

BUNNY: Oh, yes.

Would you excuse

us, Mrs. Carmichael?

GRACE: Well, of course.

- Come on, Caroline.

You and I have got a lot

of catching up to do.

Freddie, honey,

uh, play the piano.

For a long time.

Not until I get a drink.

BUNNY: Absolutely, Honey.

You know you play

much better that way.

Really, you do.

[chuckling]

Oh, your father married

a young one, didn't he?

- I'll say.

- Eh, not bad.

[chuckling]

Now, you've got to

tell me everything

about the last 14 years.

- Look.

Just grab a chair.

BUNNY: You're incredible.

Really awful for

scaring us like that.

I'm serious.

Listen, children?

- One.

- One?

Only one?

BUNNY: Between that and

my work, that's enough.

Are you kidding?

CAROLINE: What do you do?

I'm a psychologist.

Can you believe it?

- No.

BUNNY: One day to school,

and now I'm a psychologist.

I know.

[laughing]

[inaudible] final exam, and

then you flunked anyway.

[guests chattering]

PAUL: Golf is for

conducting business, Arthur.

ARTHUR: Oh.

Now come on, Paul.

Golf is for pleasure.

PAUL: Well, the pleasure of

golf is the business, Arthur.

[laughing]

BUNNY: No, you didn't

CAROLINE: Yes, I did.

[laughing]

BUNNY: You have not changed.

WINSTON: Here.

This is for you.

Here.

Let me help you unwrap it.

[piano playing]

You'll like the pictures.

Heidi, you'll like the pictures.

[piano playing]

[tapping on a glass]

PAUL: Ladies and gentlemen--

What'd I do that for?

PAUL: --may I have your

attention for just a moment?

Caroline?

[applause]

WOMAN: Caroline, over here.

[applause]

[piano playing]

[applause]

Uh, my-- my father has

asked me to say something.

And so I will.

Uh, I would like to thank you,

Father, not only for your--

your loving welcome but for

your forgiveness, as well.

And I thank you, Grace, for

being so kind and accepting.

I thank my-- my new brother

and sister, Winston and Heidi,

for taking me into their lives.

And-- and to all

of you here, I--

I-- I thank you for being here.

It's-- it's very good

to see you again.

AUDIENCE: Aw.

[applause]

MAN: Caroline?

Caroline?

What?

But I don't understand.

You just got here.

You were away for so long.

There's lots of the world

I haven't seen, Winston.

Lots of countries to

visit and things to see.

No.

No, erase that.

I want to be honest with you.

My being here isn't doing

this family any good.

It's disruptive.

And your mother

is afraid that I--

She'll get over it.

You don't have to go now.

I'll come back.

No, you won't.

If you go now, you'll

never come back.

Winston, when you grow

up, you'll realize there's

a right time for things.

And now is the time

for me to leave.

You just came for the money.

That's all you care about.

How can you say that, Winston?

That isn't true.

HEIDI: Luellen?

WINSTON: We're trying to

have a conversation here.

--untrue.

HEIDI: I want breakfast!

Will you--

[groaning]

Just a minute, Heidi.

Don't you look pretty today.

All right.

Careful.

Watch your feet.

You have your new book.

Do you like your book?

The Rubaiyan of Omar

Khayyam is for grown-ups.

Which poem did

you like the best?

WINSTON: She doesn't

know anything about them.

They're about guys.

WINSTON: Oh, you

didn't read them.

All you did was look

at the pictures.

You don't know how to read.

CAROLINE: Winston,

leave her alone.

I'll bet she could

learn if she wanted to.

Oh, sure.

Well, if you know

how to read, read.

After silence sp--

spot a vessel of a more un--

game-- ly, they sneer at

me for leaning all a--

--awry--

HEIDI: --what did the hand

then of the patter shake?

Liar!

You can't read!

Winston!

[sobbing]

Chimpanzee!

She's really nothing

but a monkey.

The words don't

mean a thing to her.

You could teach a monkey

to read the way she does.

Do you know what

just happened?

Do you know what she just did?

And you can't discuss

anything with her

because all she ever thinks

about is getting her own way.

CAROLINE: That's all she's

been allowed to think about.

WINSTON: Oh, please.

Her ability to

read shows she has

a tremendous capacity to learn.

Oh, what do you care, anyway?

[sobbing]

You're going away.

GRACE: What's going on out here.

What happened to Heidi?

Nothing happened to Heidi.

What did you do to her?

WINSTON: I didn't do anything.

I want to see you

in my room, young man.

[sobbing]

Heidi can read.

She read to us from this book.

[scoff]

[sobbing]

Shh.

Shh.

Shh.

Shh.

[sobbing]

Caroline, Heidi doesn't read.

And she doesn't have to.

[sobbing]

Do you, Darling?

Shh, shh, shh, shh, shh.

Caroline will be gone soon.

She'll be gone soon.

Shh.

And then everything

will be all right.

Shh.

[honking]

Look, it's Caroline.

[chuckling]

[inaudible]

[chuckling]

Hi, Bunny.

BUNNY: Hi, Caroline.

CAROLINE: What a lovely house.

BUNNY: Oh, thank you.

Come on up.

I'll show you around the castle.

[chuckling]

Hello, Winston.

Hello, Heidi.

This is Simon.

CAROLINE: Heidi, that's Simon.

HEIDI: Hi.

BUNNY: We live very informally

here, as you can tell.

[chuckle]

My office is around

back, separate entrance--

very professional.

CAROLINE: Oh.

Gosh, you know, it's gonna

take another 14 years for us

to catch up.

Where-- oh.

Oh.

Here it is.

Here it is.

Heidi, would you like

to read Simon a story?

[laughing]

I hope Simon has all day.

That's how long it's going

to take her to read it.

HEIDI: It's "The

Wind in the Willows."

Heidi, don't you

like that story?

I don't have to read.

That's right, Heidi.

You don't.

But you know what?

Simon would like to hear that

story, wouldn't you, Simon?

Yes.

Yes.

Heidi, it's OK not to read.

You're not very

good at it, anyway.

Whatever you decide.

By the way, your dear

friend, Larry's, been after me.

He says you won't

return his phone calls.

CAROLINE: Would you?

[laughing]

Not even if I was desperate.

HEIDI: --mole had--

BUNNY: Miss Trollope's

been asking about you.

CAROLINE: Oh, really?

BUNNY: Oh, yes.

Really.

HEIDI: --all [inaudible].

BUNNY: I, uh, test

some of her students--

my alumni contribution.

HEIDI: --cleaning--

BUNNY: You know, you're not

going to be able to avoid

our dear old mistress forever.

HEIDI: --he flung down his

brush on the floor and said,

"my goodness" and

bolted out of the--

Simon keeps smelling the book.

Oh, nap time.

SIMON: Oh, darn it.

BUNNY: Uh, come on.

SIMON: No.

Heidi, thank you very

much for reading to Simon.

[laughing]

Let go.

That was very nice of you.

You know, Miss Trollope isn't

going to let you off the hook.

She's going to put you to

work fundraising or something.

This isn't just

a visit, is it?

BUNNY: You know, whenever

I went anywhere with you,

there was always a risk

of getting into trouble,

a sense of danger.

Why are you doing this?

CAROLINE: It wasn't that bad.

BUNNY: No, no, no.

It was wonderful.

Hey, hey.

Remember that time that

you snuck out of school

and dragged me with you to

meet those terrible town boys?

[laughing]

Oh.

The guy on the motorcycle--

he was all dimples and muscles--

what was his name?

[chuckle]

You rode off with him.

You must know his name.

[laughing]

Another time, another life.

BUNNY: Get back in

there and stop stalling.

You know, I can't believe it.

You've changed so much.

I really can't believe it.

We all change, Bunny.

We have to go.

I can't be late.

Oh, no.

Winston, could you

bring Heidi, please?

BUNNY: Well, there are

obviously physical problems.

And her hearing is very bad.

But I don't see any indications

of retardation at all.

Now I know it'll be difficult,

but I really need a whole day

with her in my office.

CAROLINE: I don't know.

The children usually

go to the library.

If I can manage it,

how about tomorrow?

Winston, let her do that.

No, no, no.

She can.

Let her try.

- But--

CAROLINE: No.

Let her do it.

How's tomorrow?

BUNNY: Tomorrow's fine.

CAROLINE: Mm.

You don't mind missing your

trip to the library this once,

do you?

No, I guess not.

CAROLINE: I think

it would be better

for Heidi if we

didn't say anything

until I talk to your mother.

Can you keep a secret?

I thought you were going away.

I was, but I can

change my mind, can't I?

- Mm, I can keep a secret.

- Good.

I hate it when you do that.

[chuckling]

Sorry.

Thank you, Bunny.

Any time, Caroline.

I'll see you tomorrow.

All right.

All right.

CAROLINE: Can I speak

to you for a moment?

Oh, yes, if you like.

Bunny is having a birthday

party tomorrow for her son.

GRACE: Oh.

And she'd like to

invite Heidi and Winston.

Oh, well, that's nice.

But, oh, tomorrow.

That's Saturday.

Oh, I don't think it's possible.

The Garden Club, I'm hostessing.

I'd be glad to drop them off.

Well, Bunny Miller--

she's a lovely woman.

Yes, well, I don't see why not.

All right.

Is there something else?

CAROLINE: I've noticed

how bright Heidi is.

I-- I thought she

might be tested.

[clock ticking]

No.

CAROLINE: Why not?

Why not, Grace?

She was tested

when she was younger.

It was torture for her.

What were the results?

GRACE: The results?

They claimed that they had to do

an electroencephalogram to test

her neurological functions.

[clock ticking]

And they stuck needles

into her scalp.

[clock ticking]

How do you explain to a

frightened four-year-old

that the needles in her

scalp are necessary?

[clock ticking]

She was terrified,

and it drained her.

I won't subject

her to that again.

Her life is hard enough.

The methods have changed.

I think there's every chance

that she would respond--

GRACE: I'm not

interested in chances.

Heidi will be loved and

cared for by me and Paul

long after you have gone.

Actually, my

plans have changed.

If you don't mind, I'd like

to stay a while longer.

[clock ticking]

Hm.

Well, I am sure that that

will make Paul very happy.

If that's your way of saying

it's all right, thank you.

GRACE: You're welcome.

[clock ticking]

HEIDI: No!

You said party!

I want to go to a party!

CAROLINE: It'll be like a party.

You'll--

HEIDI: No!

CAROLINE: --play games.

You like Bunny.

No!

You'll spend--

[sigh]

Heidi, you'll spend

the day with her.

And we'll pick you up at 3:30.

HEIDI: No!

You said party!

I want to go to a party!

Winston, help me.

Look, Heidi.

You know Bunny won't hurt you.

You're just being stubborn.

HEIDI: No!

Heidi--

HEIDI: You said party!

Calm down.

Listen to me.

You don't have to go if

you don't want to go.

Maybe you wouldn't have

such a good time, anyway.

Let's get in the car

and go home, all right?

I hate you!

Let go.

[doorbell ringing]

CAROLINE: You worry about

Heidi a lot, don't you?

WINSTON: No, not really.

It's just that

sometimes I wonder

what's going to become of her.

[animal sounds]

Sometimes I think she'll

always be the same

and that she'll never grow up.

And if she doesn't,

what's going to happen then?

WINSTON: Then I'll

take care of her.

CAROLINE: You know what

I've decided to do?

I'm going to learn how

to teach the handicapped.

WINSTON: Is Bunny [inaudible]

the one who got you interested?

CAROLINE: No.

Heidi is the one.

WINSTON: Oh, Heidi.

Heidi.

Everything is Heidi.

It's always Heidi.

Why does Heidi

deserve everything?

Why does Heidi deserve you?

Winston, listen to me.

Heidi is my second

order of business.

You're my first.

I'm doing this for you.

For me?

CAROLINE: Don't you

sometimes feel that you

and Heidi are in a cage?

I thought if I could

stretch the bars a little

that you could

walk through them.

And then we could stretch them

together just a little more,

and Heidi could walk

through after you.

But I had it backwards.

Heidi has to go first.

You're tied to her, Winston,

because she's dependent on you.

Do you understand

what I'm saying?

Sure.

Well, I think so.

No, I guess not.

BUNNY: There's no question

about her brightness.

She's way above average.

Way above average?

Absolutely.

Runs in the family.

[laughing]

Listen, whatever you're

going to do for her, Caroline,

do it now.

As she gets older,

it'll only more

difficult, physically

and psychologically--

perhaps impossible.

Thank you, Bunny.

BUNNY: You're welcome.

I'll call you.

BUNNY: Do soon.

GRACE: There you are.

I've missed you so much!

Caroline, Miss Trollope

called three times.

I think she really

wants to talk to you.

CAROLINE: I'll take

care of it, Grace.

--Darling.

Did you have a wonderful

time at the party?

Hm?

Were there lots

of other children

there and lots of yummy,

yummy things to eat?

Hm?

Did you have fun?

Tell Mommy all about it.

Heidi, tell me all about it.

Hm?

Aw, did they have prizes?

Heidi?

Heidi?

Tell Mommy all about it.

I bet you were the

prettiest one there.

Hm?

[sobbing]

What happened to her?

Nothing happened.

CAROLINE: I think

she's tired, Grace.

I'll take her upstairs.

Hei--

GRACE: No, that's all right.

Honey, Heidi, tell

Mommy what happened.

[whining]

No.

Heidi, tell Mommy what's wrong.

Tell me.

It wasn't a party.

They gave me tests.

[sobbing]

GRACE: Winston, take

your sister upstairs.

[sobbing]

Shh.

OK.

I'll be right up.

Caroline, may I see you in

the living room, please?

WINSTON: Why didn't you

tell me you could read?

HEIDI: I did.

You didn't believe me.

- OK.

Sh.

Sh.

Sh.

Sh.

GRACE: Who in the hell

do you think you are?

You come into my home, turn

my children against me,

defy my wishes--

Grace, what are you afraid of?

Aren't you interested

in how Heidi did?

If she were my daughter--

GRACE: But, you see, Caroline,

she's not your daughter.

She's mine.

Mine.

You had no right to put

her through those tests

when I specifically

told you not to.

CAROLINE: The point is

she's way above average.

She has all kinds of potential.

With special education, this

girl can do anything she--

Why are you telling

me these lies?

CAROLINE: They aren't lies!

And if you don't

do something now--

GRACE: I have been

doing something,

Caroline, for several years.

Where were you?

I want you to stay

away from my children.

I don't want you to see them.

I don't want you

to talk to them.

I will not have you

destroying my family.

CAROLINE: Grace, don't

sacrifice your own children.

I am not sacrificing

my children.

How dare you!

I am doing what's best for them.

Paul and I have

planned this all out,

and we have given Heidi's

future a great deal of thought.

CAROLINE: You are

holding her back.

You're not helping her.

I don't want you here anymore.

You should have gone when

you said you were going.

You've got your name.

You've got your money.

I want you out of

here today, now.

[door slamming]

[engine starting]

No, wait!

Caroline, wait!

Wait, Caroline!

Wait!

Wait!

Caroline, come back.

[music playing]

Caroline, come back!

Come back, Caroline!

Caroline!

[sigh]

[music playing]

There you are.

Did you have fun

at school today?

Did you make something special?

I made a horse.

You made a horse?

Heidi Carmichael, what

a big girl you are!

Surprise.

What's this for?

Surprise because you're

my children, and I love you.

Open it.

WINSTON: It's a radio.

[chuckling]

- Yes, It is.

And you can plug it in

or use it with batteries.

Do you like it?

WINSTON: I love it.

Thank you very much.

GRACE: Oh, you're

welcome, Darling.

[kiss]

Do you like it?

When Mommy saw this baby, she

said, this is a doll for Heidi.

[chuckle]

Isn't she a sweet baby?

HEIDI: Sweet baby.

[kiss]

You'll always be

Mommy's sweet baby.

HEIDI: Thank you, Mommy.

GRACE: Oh, you're

welcome, Darling.

Mm--mm.

When you did not

return my calls,

I was tempted to

go to the police.

Before you ask your questions,

may I tell you why I've come?

You may.

But I will ask them.

And you will answer.

I'm applying to

the University,

and I was wondering if you

still have my academic records.

Oh, I have them all right.

But I do not think they

will be of much use to you.

You should know that.

CAROLINE: Yes, I do.

But I need a master's

in special education.

A master's?

I want to teach

the handicapped.

I'd like to use my inheritance

to start a school someday.

MISS TROLLOPE: Really?

Your principle interest in life

used to be organizing parties.

Some people grow

up, Miss Trollope.

MISS TROLLOPE: Well,

your highest grade

here was a C. You were lazy.

Your work, when you

did it, was sloppy.

The Caroline I knew

could not possibly

pass a college entrance exam.

I'll pass.

I have to.

I know my old

records won't help.

The fact is, I was

hoping that you

wouldn't have them, that enough

time had past that, perhaps--

Oh, I will not

destroy them, if that's

what you are suggesting.

I see.

MISS TROLLOPE: I imagine you do.

Oh, you do not really expect

me to believe any of this.

CAROLINE: I don't care what

you believe, Miss Trollope.

With the Atkins'

inheritance in your pocket,

I would have thought

you would be long--

The money only

matters because it can

help me do what I want to do.

[chuckling]

Oh, teach the handicapped.

Forgive me.

That is hard to believe,

impossible to believe

of Caroline Carmichael.

You can think

what you like of me.

You can do whatever you

want with those records.

I'm going to college.

I'm going to get my master's.

Didn't you see that little girl

at the party, Miss Trollope?

She's my sister.

I've got a lot of work to do.

And I won't be stopped

by you or by anybody.

[clapping]

You used to tell us in assembly

not to prejudge people,

to walk through life with an

open mind and an open heart,

ready and willing to

help the less fortunate.

What's happened to

you, Miss Trollope?

You must love that

little girl very much.

What is her name?

Her mother calls her Heidi,

but her name is really Hilary.

And you really think

you can help her?

Yes, I do.

It's for her brother

as well as her.

He needs help as

much as she does.

Wait.

All right.

When they call me

from the University,

I will say I do not have

your records anymore.

Thank you.

They are lucky

children to have

someone like you helping them.

I'm the lucky one.

MISS TROLLOPE: Oh, by the way,

I never speak at assembly.

I never have.

But tolerance and

commitment to others

is certainly the

theme of my school.

I'm glad you

invited me to lunch.

It's good to get

away from the office.

CAROLINE: I can't believe

you still work on Saturdays.

[chuckling]

Oh, it's habit, I guess.

I don't understand why you

moved out of the house.

Was it Grace?

It was time to be

on my own, that's all.

Well, I liked

having you there.

We were just getting

reacquainted.

Father, I wanted to

talk to you about Heidi.

She's quite

remarkable, you know.

She's really very intelligent.

We had her checked.

She's slow.

CAROLINE: She's not slow.

She's bright and eager.

If you spent some time

with her-- if you took

an interest in her, you'd--

Well, of course I'm

interested in her.

It's just that she's--

[dog barking]

--she's limited.

[doorbell ringing]

I've invited Heidi and

Winston to lunch, as well.

Oh, well, fine.

It's just I--I don't

have a lot of time.

CAROLINE: Hello.

Come in.

It's so good to see you two.

Hello, Heidi.

Father.

PAUL: Hey, surprise.

- Let me show you the apartment.

- Oh, yeah.

Right.

Take off your coat.

WINSTON: Neat.

CAROLINE: Heidi?

Heidi?

Take off your coat.

HEIDI: I can't.

PAUL: Here, I'll help.

She can do it.

Show Father you can do it.

I can't.

What are you doing, Caroline?

Father, ask her to do it.

She can.

Heidi, can you

take off your coat?

I'll try.

Well, very good.

[clapping]

I hate it when you do that.

Heidi?

Would you bring

me a can of soup?

It's in the pantry.

It says "chicken" on the label.

HEIDI: OK.

PAUL: Winston,

you help Caroline.

You better make that two.

We have a hungry crowd here.

Are you trying to tell

me she can read the labels?

Chicken soup.

CAROLINE: Excellent.

Now open the cans while I

get the crackers, all right?

HEIDI: Sure.

[can opener running]

Heidi, read the

directions for me.

HEIDI: Add one can of water.

That's all it says.

Well, I'll be damned.

Thank you, Heidi.

Will you open the other can now?

[can opener running]

You have no idea, Grace.

It was remarkable,

absolutely remarkable.

I resent you going

behind my back.

She can read.

She can take off her

own coat and put it on.

She used a can opener.

She's not a baby, Grace.

She's not slow.

She has taught herself to read.

I saw her.

CAROLINE: You can't

keep disguising

her handicaps with

ribbons and ruffles

with every kind of indulgence.

GRACE: Heidi is a happy

child the way she is.

- She needs a hearing aid.

- They don't work.

CAROLINE: Not a pretty

one, a massive one.

Paul, will you please--

CAROLINE: And she needs a

lot of physical therapy.

Physical therapy is painful.

And they told us

that it would not

substantially affect her legs.

PAUL: Grace, the child

is capable of a lot--

GRACE: No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

I have been a good mother.

No one can say that I haven't.

I did not put her

in an institution.

And I have done my best.

Nobody's saying

you haven't, Grace.

That's not what

we're talking about.

CAROLINE: It isn't your fault

Heidi is the way she is.

No one can help that.

Don't be ashamed.

You don't have to feel guilty.

I don't feel ashamed.

And I don't feel guilty.

You're the one who

should be ashamed!

You've done nothing but

lie since you came here!

You've done nothing

but cause trouble.

And you have come between

me and my children!

Are you against me, too?

Darling?

GRACE: Has she done

that to us, as well?

PAUL: Caroline is

just trying to help.

Well, we don't want

your help, Caroline!

Grace, would you just

listen to her, please?

Don't deny Heidi the

only chance that she has.

If I'm the problem, I'll leave.

If it's the money,

you can have it.

But please let Heidi grow up.

Winston can't be

responsible for her forever.

You can't do that to him.

Paul-- Paul,

remember, we agreed

to remember when she was born.

Remember?

I would raise her.

I would take care of her.

You had your work.

And I had the children.

Oh, God.

I love them.

I really love them.

You can't do this to me.

You can't.

You can't.

You can't.

PAUL: Grace?

[door slamming]

Father?

PAUL: We'll have to

give her time, Caroline.

She loves those children.

Heidi doesn't have time.

Can't you understand that?

She'll change her mind.

I'll talk to her.

You just be patient.

You can't put it all on Grace.

You have to make a decision.

All right.

I think it might be

better if you didn't

see the child for a while.

Just stay away from her.

What?

PAUL: Just for a while.

Grace will change her mind.

CAROLINE: When I came back, I

thought we could be a family.

But this isn't a family.

It never was because you won't

take responsibility for it.

Don't you tell me

about responsibility!

You were the one who

vanished for 14 years!

I lost your mother because

of your selfishness.

I do not intend to lose Grace.

HEIDI: No!

WINSTON: Shh.

It's Friday.

Mother won't know.

HEIDI: I'm not going to

Caroline's after school!

You have to, Heidi.

Mommy says I have to

go get my hair done.

I have to go to Mr. Steve's.

Upsie-daisy, young lady.

WINSTON: You can't do that.

Caroline can help you.

It's important, Heidi.

HEIDI: Leave me alone.

Girls get their hair done.

It's what we do.

Mommy says it's what we do.

Caroline doesn't

go to Mr. Steve's.

Mommy doesn't want me

to grow up like Caroline.

[door bell ringing]

[clearing throat]

CAROLINE: Winston.

Oh, Heidi won't come.

I tried, but I couldn't

get her to come.

I told her to.

But she went to go get

her hair done instead.

Winston, calm down.

She has to come.

She has to.

I can't force her to.

I can't help her

unless she wants me to.

But you have to help her.

There isn't anyone else.

I can't, Winston.

I've been forbidden to.

Forbidden?

Who-- who would do that?

Mother?

No.

No.

Let me make you some tea.

Mother doesn't have to know.

We could do a lot

of other things.

It's Father.

Why?

Because he's a coward.

A coward?

CAROLINE: Winston, I have

cookies to go with this.

What right do you have

to call my father a coward?

As much right as you do.

WINSTON: You do not.

I'm his son, and I'd

never call him a coward.

CAROLINE: Well, I'm his

daughter, and I would.

WINSTON: Oh, sure.

Sure you're his daughter.

Sure you are.

Winston, I'm tired--

tired of all the suspicion.

I can't help you anymore.

I'm going away.

WINSTON: You can't go.

CAROLINE: Here.

This should tell you

what you want to know.

Please don't go.

CAROLINE: I want you to

take it, open it, burn it.

You decide.

It's yours.

Go on.

Take it.

Take it and go home.

I love you, Winston.

[dog barking]

WINSTON [VOICEOVER]:

Dear Winston.

I must tell you the

truth about myself

to do with as you see fit--

CAROLINE [VOICEOVER]:

--for without the truth,

our friendship will

have meant nothing.

I am not Caroline Carmichael.

My name is Martha Sedgwick.

I returned from India

seven months ago

and accepted duty

at a nursing home

because it mostly kept

me free of people.

That's how I met Mrs. Atkins.

NURSE: Martha, the

new patient in 12A

was moved in from the West Wing.

Her name is Flora Atkins.

Ah.

Uh, had a terrible

[inaudible] with her in-laws,

the Carmichael's.

They are really something.

How is she now?

I finally got

her quieted down.

I'll do the paperwork

on her tomorrow.

See what you can do about

being on time tomorrow.

MARTHA: I'll be early.

[chuckling]

NURSE: That I've got to see.

You're up late, Flora.

What seems to be the trouble?

[music playing]

Are you all right?

FLORA ATKINS: Come here.

[music playing]

Caroline.

I'm Martha.

Come here.

Oh.

[sobbing]

I always knew you'd return

to me in my hour of need.

I'm afraid you've mistaken

me for someone else.

I'm-- I'm Martha Sedgwick.

We won't tell Paul you're

back, not yet anyway.

Paul?

Your father.

My parents are dead.

They were missionaries in India.

I've just returned.

FLORA ATKINS: No, no, no.

No.

Your mother is dead,

not your father.

Oh.

Whatever you say, Flora.

Grandmother.

I must insist you

call me Grandmother.

After all, I've waited

a long time to hear it.

Let me put these by the bed.

FLORA ATKINS: Oh.

What lovely children.

FLORA ATKINS: Oh, I don't

get to see them anymore.

That Grace won't allow it.

Go on.

Look at it.

That's your half sister, Hilary.

Really?

- Her mother calls her Heidi.

- Uh-huh.

FLORA ATKINS: She has

problems, poor dear.

And, Winston, her

brother, he's very bright.

Very handsome.

And very nice.

He's twelve.

M-hm.

Your coming back will

be a big help to them.

They need someone.

Why don't you get

some sleep, Flora?

FLORA ATKINS: Oh,

don't tell Paul.

MARTHA: Don't worry.

I won't.

[music playing]

FLORA ATKINS: And you

remember when this was taken?

It looks like me.

Well, of course it does.

You're just as lovely

as you ever were.

I liked your hair better

it's natural color.

Didn't you like it that way?

Let me see the old

Caroline, the hell-raiser.

I'll get fired.

Oh, fiddlesticks.

You won't need this

job much longer.

Come on.

Step on it.

OK.

MARTHA [VOICEOVER]:

Flora was one

of those indomitable

old ladies who'd spent

a lifetime getting her own way.

At first, I dismissed her

confusion as simply old age.

But I began to see how important

it was to her that someone

help you and Heidi.

FLORA ATKINS: Unless you make

a claim on my estate soon,

the money will go

to the Carmichaels.

And they have enough.

And I don't want my son-in-law's

present wife to have it.

When Paul's gone, she will.

But now that you're

here, she won't.

It belongs to you, Caroline.

It's yours.

Study the scrapbook carefully.

It's your past.

It's a proud past.

[music playing]

MARTHA [VOICEOVER]: I

found myself wondering

if I could carry it off.

The more she talked, the more

I began to think like Caroline.

[music playing]

FLORA ATKINS: When it appears

in the paper, Caroline,

I don't want them to say "death

attributed to heart attack

or cerebral"

something or another.

I want them to say "death

due to old A--G--E" Yeah.

That has a ring

of dignity to it.

Those children need you.

Their mother indulges them.

Their father takes no interest.

[sigh]

Consider the inheritance

came in an advance.

Go do it, Martha girl.

Go do it.

Don't let anything stop you.

Do it for me, Martha.

Do it for me.

I will, Grandmother.

[kiss]

I promise.

MARTHA [VOICEOVER]: I tried

to keep that promise, Winston.

I did the best I could.

Someday you may tell--

[paper ripping]

HEIDI: No.

No.

No!

[heidi sobbing]

No.

[heidi sobbing]

What's wrong with you?

[sobbing]

They can hear your

crying in Cleveland.

What's the matter, Heidi?

[sniffling]

HEIDI: Look at what

they did to me.

I hate being a baby.

And Mommy wants me

to be a baby forever.

Help me, Winston.

[sniffling]

Take me to Caroline.

[sniffling]

[dog barking]

Thanks for the ride, Sir.

That's $12.60.

But I appreciate the thanks.

I'd be happy to sign for it.

Cash, kid.

That's how the system works.

But I never have any money.

I always sign for things.

TAXI DRIVER: $12.60,

or I'll take you back

and get it from your parents.

Except then, it'll be $25.

You keep my sister, and I'll

go upstairs and get the money.

TAXI DRIVER: What do I do with

her if you don't come back?

Just kidding, kid.

Go on.

MARTHA: There you go.

TAXI DRIVER: Thank you, Ma'am.

[inaudible]

MARTHA: Heidi, what happened?

[sobbing]

- We need your help, Martha.

We need you.

[sobbing]

Let's go inside.

It's all right.

Just tell me what you want.

I want to be normal.

I want to be like

other kids, please.

You can't be normal, Heidi.

If I've given you that

hope, then forgive me.

What Caroline means Heidi is--

What Caroline means is that

she wants you to be yourself.

We can't pretend you're

not handicapped, Heidi.

That would be lying.

I won't lie.

Good.

But if you want to

become Hillary--

if you want to work

very hard, then

maybe, just maybe you can

be that special person

you have inside you.

But how?

You have to learn.

You have to become independent,

and useful, and grown-up.

But it's going to be scary.

You have to tell me you

want this no matter what.

No matter what

anyone says or does,

you have to stick with it.

Do you understand?

I will.

I want to.

I don't want to

be a baby anymore.

Then I'll stay and help you.

I'll go back to your parents.

I'll keep going back.

It's not that they

don't love you, Hilary.

They do.

They just don't want

to see you fail.

But we won't fail, will we?

We'll do it together.

I promise.

$12.60.

That's about all you

were worth in those days.

Well, maybe $13 since you became

head of Caroline's school.

HEIDI: Caroline made us

all grow up, didn't she?

Even Father.

WINSTON: Do you think he

ever questioned who she was?

I think he wanted

his daughter back.

Did you ever talk

to Mother about this?

HEIDI: No.

Part of the war zone, I guess.

I know she loved me, meant well.

But, um, part of me can't ever

forgive her for being ashamed.

She's proud of me now,

proud of both of us.

I want you to see

something down the hall.

[music playing]

That's very good.

[children chatting]

HEIDI: Look at this.

Do you know what they're doing?

The children are going to

put on a little performance

as a memorial.

Caroline would've loved it.

KEVIN: Look at me, Mrs. Hilary.

[gasp]

HEIDI: Oh.

KEVIN: Look what I did.

What?

KEVIN: I made me.

[music playing]

HEIDI: Oh, that's

wonderful, Kevin.

Oh.

Mrs. Caroline would

be so proud of you.

I'm so proud of your, too.

Out of my reach, yes.

[beep]

[music playing]

[children chatting]

MARTHA [VOICEOVER]: But if

you want to become Hilary--

if you want to work

really hard, then maybe--

just maybe you can be

that special person

you have inside you.

[music playing]