Dixie: Changing Habits (1983) - full transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-All right, folks.

Everybody move it.

Let's go.

Out of the way.

-Get that car out of here.

Call the cops.

-Folks, move that kid, huh?

-Come on.

Move that thing, will ya?

Come on, people.



Ain't you got no jobs?

I've got to get out of here.

Won't somebody move
that thing out the way.

I've got to get by
here, make some money.

-Oh, wait.

Oh, darling.

You're not going to give
me a ticket, are you?

-No, not you, Dixie.

-I didn't think so.

You're my boy.

I've got something
for your baby too.

-Thanks.

-Come on, darling.

-Say.



Do you know who that is?

That's Dixie, the number one
madame in the whole city.

-How about an autograph, Dixie?

-Well, you've got it.

-Thanks a million.

-Come on and see me, you hear?

-OK. move that thing.

-So long, Dixie.

-See ya.

-Great.

-Oh, there's Dixie.

-Well Bernie, Hi.

Don't get up, darling You take
good care of him, you hear?

-Hey, Dix, you need some help?

-No.

No.

I'm OK.

Oh, Rita, when you see the
toga, you've got to try it on.

-Wonderful.

Sick Steve Moss is
inside, not happy.

-Ah, brother.

did you call the plumber?

-Yeah.

Said they were
pretty busy, but he'd

try to get someone in
later this afternoon.

-Try?

Well, you call him back.

You tell him we are having
a party for 40 people

and that hot tub has to be
in working order, period.

-Hey, yeah.

That's my best moment.

Hi, Dix.

-Hey, Dixie, been shopping?

-What are you doing
here this early?

-Dr. Ambrose called again.

-That's twice in one week.

What's going on with you two?

-Maybe it's love.

-Does he know we
charge double for that?

-Dixie, Moss is complaining
worse than usual.

I tried to sell him down,
but you better hurry.

-Be right there.

Come on, girls.

I want you to see this.

It's spectacular.

Huh?

Is that sharp or what?

All right.

Now you guys throw this around.

And when the liquor
order gets here,

I want you to put the tequila
aside for the Delacourt party,

OK?

-Right.

And I ordered five pounds
of egg salad for the hors

d'oeuvres tonight.

-Egg salad?

Well you know, this is
supposed to be a Bacchanalia.

People are going to
eat with their fingers.

-Come on.

One tiny little dance?

-Not now, Sherry.

Try Mr. Hagar.

They'll want love and joy,
that's what they're here for.

-I'm really not much on dancing.

-That's all right.

Just enjoy the motion.

-Steven, darling, I'm
sorry I kept you waiting.

-Me too.

-Did you have a drink, honey?
-I'm fine.

-The usual?
-Your usual?

-The usual?
-Your usual?
-Your usual?
-Whatever.

-Your usual?
-Whatever.

-Champagne.
-Coming right up.

-Dixie, I am upset.

I need you and the
girls this weekend.

-Steven, please I
already explained.

-I don't think I need to ask for
special consideration, Dixie.

Given the amount of
business I do here,

you owe it to me, and not to
some no class union baboon

like Tony Marchesso.

-Anthony Marchesso booked
this weekend almost a month

in advance and just
cause you don't like him.

-Well, it isn't that I don't
like him, I hate his guts.

You could open five houses with
the clientele I bring in here.

Let's talk about priorities.

-Ladies and gentlemen,
the Goddess Juno.

-Rita, fabulous.

Oh, look at this.

-Oh, would you even
know this was Rita.

-Wonderful.

I don't think you understand the
seriousness of this situation.

This is a very important
weekend for me, Dixie.

I've got two German bankers
and the entire staff flying in

on Pan Am to finance
the largest shopping

mall in the whole southeast.

I want to entertain
them in style.

You hear what I'm saying.

-I hear you.

And I want you to hear me.

You are a wonderful
customer, Steven,

and you deserve the very
best I can give you.

This weekend is booked.

Now, I gave my word, and my
customers depend on that.

That's what makes
them feel safe here,

and I will not go back on
that, not for you or anybody.

-I'm warning you, Dixie.

This is no way to
run a business.

-Nobody tells me how
to run my business,

Steven, not you or anyone.

-Take care of my friend Hagar.

You've gone too far
this time, Dixie.

-Steven.

Steven, please.

You're being silly.

Mr. Hagar, I think
you'd better leave.

-Dixie, don't less
Moss ruin the party.

He's always such a downer.

-No.

No, look I understand.

Don't want to cause
any more trouble.

Thank you both.

-Oh, come on, Dix.

-I don't like being
bullied, Mr. Hagar.

But you had nothing
to do with it.

Sherry's right.

We're having a party tonight.

We should act like it.

Hang around.

-All right.

-Thank you, Dixie.

You're very gracious.

-Hello.

-Mr. Marchesso, am I
interrupting anything?

-It's about time.

Here you go, doll.

Take care.

-See you thinks weekend, Tony.

Oh, Tony.

How's business?

-Is he?

Fighting management for
this, negotiating for that,

trying to keep our
people working.

Recession is tough
on the unions.

-Ah, hope we're not wearing
you out for the weekend.

-What are you talking about?

Tony Marchesso?

I'll see ya some time.

Hey, Dixie.

-Hm?

-Show the girl a good rest.

-We'll be ready.

-All right.

Everybody in here, all of you.

Now, we're going downtown.

So I want you to be good
little girls and move it.

Let's go.

-Take your hands of me.

-Quit shoving.

-What the hell is
going on down there?

-It's a bust, lady.

You're under arrest for running
a house of prostitution.

-Can you believe this
horrible man, Dixie?

-Moss.

Bastard.

-What about the hot
tub and the party?

-So in closing,
your honor, I want

to stress that it's the
victimless nature of my clients

offense that warrants
special consideration.

That the imprisonment
of Dixie Cabot

would not be in the best
interest of society and in fact

would serve only to
undermine the process

of her rehabilitation.

-Mr. Gelfand, I understand
your argument for leniency.

However, your
client has a record

of three arrests for
the same offense.

[LAUGHTER]

-Ms. Cabot, let me ask you
something, why in God's name

you keep doing this?

[LAUGHTER]

-None of that, please.

Ms. Cabot?

-It's a simple issue, really.

You see I don't believe
what I do is wrong.

-[LAUGHTER]

-With all due
respect, your honor,

I mean, outside that door,
there is homicide, there's rape,

there's larceny.

But in my house, nobody gets
hurt, nobody gets robbed,

and nobody gets cheated.

See I'm a business woman,
Your Honor, and no business

could prosper the way that mine
does unless what I had to offer

was both pleasurable
and necessary.

And I just don't see why it
should be illegal to take money

for something that it's all
right to do for nothing.

-Right.

-Thank you, Your Honor.

-Amazing.

Ms. Cabot you have committed
felonies under the law.

And these laws are expressions
of the public will.

They reflect our
common morality.

By violating them repeatedly,
you show a flagrant disdain

for the rules that
bind us all, and that

bothers me to no end, Ms. Cabot.

I agree with counsel that
rehabilitation is probably

more important than
imprisonment in your case.

But I want you to
learn something

this time, young lady.

So I'm not going to
send you to jail.

-What?

-Instead, I'm remanding
you to the care and custody

of the Sisters of Holy Grace
for a period of 90 days.

[CROWD RUMBLINGS]

But understand this clearly.

Any breach of discipline
at the convent

will result in your immediate
transfer to the State prison

where you will serve instead
a sentence of 180 days.

-Your Honor, may
I say something?

-No.

You've said enough.

Get thee to a nunnery
tomorrow morning.

This court is adjourned.

-Dixie Cabot in a convent?

-It's perfect.

No jail.

-What am I going
to do in a convent?

-It's vacation time, 90
days of rest and relaxation.

Hell, you'll be running the
place within a week, so smile.

-Oh.

Oh.

Yeah.

Yeah.

[NUNS SINGING]

I tell you, Marshall John,
you know I'm a city girl,

but I can already
see how relaxing

a couple of months in
the country could be.

-Beautiful, isn't it?

-It's gorgeous.

It's going to be perfect.

What is that?

Is that a nun?

-Is that Dixie Cabot?

-Yes, Sister.

-Good I'll take over now.

I'm the Mother Superior.

Just climb on up there, dear.

Oh, I beg your pardon?

-Jump up on that cart.

Put the bags back there.

We're a little late.

-Give me the small one.

That's my jewelry.

-Just step right up there.

Good.

Good.

That does it.

All right.

Hang on.

-Hey, Sister.

What about signing these papers?

-I'm Mother Eugenio, Dixie.

Welcome to your new home.

-Thank you.

I'm looking forward
to the visit.

Quite a little
spread you got here.

-Yes.

It's a good life.

We grow everything we eat,
and we make pottery too.

-I think this is going to be
just what the doctor ordered.

[INAUDIBLE]

What are they doing?

-Chores.

Everyone has their own.

I have to get outside
at least two hours a day

or I don't feel right.

-You do this two hours a day?

And you also run the place?

-We exercise everything
here-- body, mind, and spirit.

you won't be bored.

One thing, Dixie.

No celebrity status,
no special treatments.

You'll live our lives
and do as we do.

Just like any other Sister.

Agreed?

Coming, Dixie?

-Oh, ah, right.

Yeah.

-Sister Theresa, would you
take care of tractor for me?

I'm afraid I'm behind
schedule again.

-Oh, sure, Mother.

Glad to.

-Is mother and
baby doing nicely?

-Dixie, this is Sister Theresa.

-Hi, Dixie.

Welcome aboard.

-Thanks.

Nice to meet you.

[PIG SQUEALING]

-You'd better say
hello to Gulliver too

or his feelings will be hurt.

-Hi, Gulliver.

What is it?

-A baby pig.

-Oh.

Cute little sucker.

-Come along, Dixie.

I have a guest waiting.

-Ah.

-Come along, dear.

Come on, dear.

Make yourself at home, Dixie.

Have a lock around
if you'd like.

I shouldn't be too long.

-(SINGING) Alleluia.

Alleluia.

Alleluia.

Alleluia.

Alleluia.

Allelu-- Allelu-- Alleluia.

Alleluia.

Alleluia.

Alleluia.

-Hi.

How's the television
reception here?

-We don't have television.

-No TV?

That's medieval.

-How dare you?

-What?

-If you must be here, the least
you could do is show respect.

This isn't a bordello.

It's a house of God.

-Well, pardon me.

-That's a little easier
said than done, I'm afraid.

-Come back here, Sister.

-Mary, look.

I just received a lovely box of
chocolates from Judge Delaney.

It's over on the table.

-Oh, Eugenio, don't tempt me.

-What?

I know that sweet
tooth of yours.

Now I want to hear all Chicago.

I want to hear all the news.

-Oh, it's wonderful.

Couldn't be better.

Oh, how I missed you all.

I can't wait to see every one
at the national council meeting.

-Yes.

-The council meeting.

Isn't it amazing
how things turn out.

-Things?

Sister Mary, what things?

Are there any problems?

-No.

No.

No.

No problems.

Wrinkles perhaps.

-Wrinkles.

About the council meeting?

-No, not specifically.

But the meeting itself
has been cancelled.

-Cancelled?

Whatever for?

-Oh, the usual
financial mishmash.

Money.

Money.

Money.

Isn't it always money?

-But canceling the
national council meetings.

Well, I knew we were
having financial problems,

but I didn't realize
it was so serious.

-Now nobody said it
was serious, Eugenio.

For goodness sake.

Oh, here.

Help me, Eugenio before
I eat the whole box.

-Sister Mary, how
serious is this?

-[COUGHING]

-Are you all right?

Oh.

I'm sorry.

I don't-- I don't understand.

Maybe I should call
Mother Eugenio.

-No.

No.

-You sure you're all right?

-Ah.

I know who you are.

I put in a good word for you.

I'm Sister Agnes.

I used to be the
Mother Superior.

I'm very influential
around here.

-Why thank you, Sister Agnes.

It's nice to meet you.

-What time is it?

-Oh, ah it's ah, 10 to.

-Oh, my goodness.

I've got to get going.

-You sure you're all right now?

-You have a lovely voice.

-Why thank you.

-You must read to me some time.

-Howdy.

-And you say they'll be
closing other convents?

-Eugenio, I didn't say that.

What they're going to do
is study the situation

and then they'll
decide which assets

are the most advantageous
to liquidate.

-Can't we talk about
something else?

-Sister Mary, we own 60 acres
of prime real estate here,

the largest assets
the order owns.

Our convent is in
jeopardy, isn't it?

-Eugenio, please.

Don't do this.

-See how perfectly
balanced these trees are.

Touch one branch and
the others bow with it.

-Are they going to sell
our convent, Sister Mary?

-Please, Eugenio,
don't ask me that.

But it's true.

Oh, Eugenio, forgive me.

I told them I wasn't the
one to come and tell you.

-All right.

It's all right.

-Could I ask you a question?

-How tall am I?

-No.

Ah, actually I was
wondering, what

do you do with all this stuff?

-This is our line of stoneware.

-You make it?

I mean the nuns.

-Well, angels do
the actual work.

We just put our name on it.

-Dumb question, huh?

-No.

Bad joke.

We wear funny clothes and we
pray a lot, but all in all

we're fairly human.

-Oh, I'm sorry.

I--

-No.

Don't apologize.

We're just as nervous
being around you.

I'm Sister John the Baptist,
Sister John for short.

-Hey, that's nice to
meet you, Sister John.

Nice to meet somebody
with a sense of humor.

-But I have to admit, you're
not exactly what I expected.

-Well, that makes two of us.

-You have any questions,
you just feel free to ask.

-I do have one.

How tall are you?

-Dixie?

Dixie.

Come inside now.

Let's get you situated
in your room then.

We begin prayers tomorrow.

Sister Margaret,
this is Dixie Cabot.

-Yes, Mother.

I know.

-Sister Margaret, surely you can
spare a more generous greeting.

-Mother, you know how
I feel about this.

I'll abide with the
majority, but please

don't ask me to pretend.

-Sister Margaret,
Dixie is going to be

with us for the
next three months.

If you're feelings
are that strong,

I suggest you
express them openly.

-Very well.

I find it appalling bringing
someone into this house who

represents the most
demeaning and loathsome

existence a woman can know.

I know you see it as a wonderful
opportunity for everyone,

Mother, but I cannot.

We're not social
workers, and I don't

think anyone is going
to benefit from it.

-Thank you, Sister Margaret.

I appreciate your honesty,
as does Dixie, I'm sure.

You'll need your bags, Dixie.

-All right.

I'm coming.

I'd never let one of my
girls talk to me like that.

-We're all equals here.

We've all taken the same vows.

The Sisters are encouraged
to express themselves openly.

Come along.

-I don't know, Mother.

That would never
work in my house.

Somebody's got to be boss.

-I used to feel the same way.

Absolute authority.

But I've come to appreciate
our collegiality.

It's brought us out of
the Dark Ages in a sense.

-Speaking of the
Dark Ages, Mother.

Is it true you don't have
television around here.

-That's the least of our
needs, I can assure you.

-Oh, that's not true.

TV is essential.

You may be out in
the boonies, but you

are still part of the world.

You've got to know what's
going on around you.

-We manage.

And this is where you'll stay.

I think you'll find
everything you need.

-You know, there
are all kinds of--

educational and
recreational programs.

I mean it's ah-- it's good
for the girl's morale, Mother.

We'd have a hard time
getting through the night

without our soaps
during the day.

-Well, somehow we
soldier without them.

-Well, what about the news?

What about when the
president speaks?

-If the president says
something noteworthy,

we ah, get wind of it.

-I'll tell you what,
Mother Eugenio,

why don't I buy you a TV set.

Sort of a gift.

-I don't mean to
misled you, Dixie.

This idea of
equality doesn't come

with your first night's stay.

I have a plan for your
three months here,

and it begins with me
continuing as Mother Superior

and you learning to
surrender to our way.

-A 19 incher?

-Fight me and
you'll be miserable

because I'm every bit
as stubborn as you are,

Dixie Cabot.

-Good morning.

We have silent
prayer in 15 minutes.

Just want to be sure
you heard the bell.

-I heard it.

Thanks a million.

Oh, you gotta be kidding.

Is that it?

-It's part.

-Underneath it will slip.

-Oh.

Damnation.

-Can someone hand me
the [INAUDIBLE] sister?

-I can't do this.

Forget it.

-That's what happens when
you don't cut your nails.

And you can do it.

It takes practice.

-Well, I'm not cutting my nails.

-Clip them, Sister.

We might find you a legitimate
profession while you're here.

-Yeah.

But can I make a
living out of it?

-And if I had faith,
I can move mountains.

-Faith doesn't pay the rent
in my world, Sister Margaret.

-She's got you there, Margaret.

-Dan?

-Uh-huh.

-I don't like this.

-Sisters.

If I can have your
attention a moment.

I have some news
to share with you.

Yesterday ah, Sister Mary
from our mother house

informed me that
our beloved order

is in serious financial
difficulty, so serious

that some order houses
are being closed and sold.

Religious sisterhoods
are not exempt,

it seems, from worldly illnesses
like inflation and recession.

Nothing definite has
been decided yet,

but there's a strong
possibility that our convent

will be put up for sale.

-What?

-For sale?

-What would happen
to us, Mother?

-It's likely that we
would be transferred

to other convent houses.

-Oh, no.

-Where?

-Mother, what are
we going to do?

-Whatever we are asked to do.

What we cannot change,
we will accept.

But what we can change, we must.

That gets down to
pottery, the one

thing that brings us an income.

If we can increase that income
so we become self supporting,

I believe we can
keep this convent.

We will add to our
production, reduce our costs,

anything and everything
in our power.

-I've got four new molds that
we can put into production.

That should give
us at least half

a dozen new pieces per day.

-Good.

-We can cut down on breakage.

-All right.

All right.

A good start.

And why don't we assign
Dixie to clean up detail.

That will allow everyone
more bench time.

-Clean up?

-Fine.

I'll get her started
this afternoon.

-Good.

And I will be looking for
other things you can do.

See you at rosaries.

-All right.

Let's get moving.

Dixie.

-M-hm.

-Would you bring over
some of us cartons,

the ones addressed
to Moss Industries.

Sister Theresa--

-Steven Moss?

-Right.

Three or four should do it.

would you give me a hand--

-You sell to him?

-They distribute the line.

Would you give me a
hand with the new mold?

-Sure.

-Good.

-All right, you guys.

We're stopping in an hour.

-All right, Tony.

-We're with you, baby.

-Hi.

Here comes Tony.

-You all know why
I'm down here, right?

-Yeah.

-I'm going to have
one last meeting.

You know why I'm here, right?

-(TOGETHER) Yeah.

-It's me, the famous me.

All right?

-Yeah.

-If this don't work
out, we strike.

You guys ready to strike?

-[COUGHING]

Ah!

Mother.

Ah, mother.

Do you have a minute?

-Of course, Dixie.

-I-- I was thinking about
what you said yesterday,

you know about the
financial problems

you've been having here.

-Yes.

-Well, I've come up
with an idea that I

think will help
increase production.

-Oh, that would be welcomed.

-I'm convinced you could do a
lot better if your operation

were run efficiently, and I
could organize that in no time,

you know, make up
work schedules,

assign quotas, put the
right nun on the right task.

I mean, all those things
that streamline a business.

-Hm.

And this is something
you want to do

in addition to
your cleanup duty.

-Well, you see, I
think this efficiency

thing is every bit as important.

-Or do you see someone else
assigned to your cleanup duty?

-Well, it doesn't matter.

I just wanted to help, and I--
I thought I could do something

I'm better suited to do.

-Let me see if I've
got this right.

You're proposing
a reorganization

of our production methods.

Ah, one result might be
the higher productivity,

more pots per nun as it were.

Yes?

-Right.

-And ah, you would assume
an administrative position

going from labor to
management, so to speak.

Dixie, the organizer.

-Dixie the organizer.

Hm.

Interesting suggestion.

-Good.

-Then again one might
interpret it as self-serving.

-Look, Mother, I'm not
looking for a cushier job.

I'm just trying to
help you out of a bind.

Now, if you're not interested,
well, you're the madame here.

-I appreciate that,
Dixie, and I'm

going to take your
suggestion under advice.

-Well, that's great.

-In the meantime, let's
keep things as they are.

-All right.

Like I said I'm
just trying to help.

-And you will.

Thank you.

-Dogmatism in the
age of renewal.

Methinks the Titan
is better matched.

-Agnes dear.

-Now, don't be too
rigid, Eugenio.

She might be able to teach
us all a trick or too.

-I thought you were
asleep [INAUDIBLE].

-Now don't sell
me short, Eugenio.

-That will be the day.

-More coffee, Sister Agnes?

-Thank you.

-You do that very nicely.

-Well, I like things
pretty and really nice.

-Tell us about
your world, Dixie.

We'd all like to
hear what it's like.

-Well, seems to me it's not
so different as it is here.

Now, we're both a
bunch of girls tending

to the comfort of mankind just
that you tend to the spirit

and we tend to the body.

-Disgusting comparison.

-Why is it disgusting?

-Because we do God's work.

We try to illuminate man.

You cater to his
basic instincts.

-Well, that's right,
Sister Margaret.

That's what we
both are, caterers.

-You profit from it.

-I'm in business.

-I have expenses.

I'm responsible for maintenance,
rent, medical checkups,

same as here.

-Mother, how can you let
her compare herself to us?

-Well, we're not in
business, of course.

Our purpose is
not to make money.

-It's getting to be.

-Yes.

But maintenance,
medical expenses,

mortgage payments, that
sounds pretty familiar.

-Do you take confession too.

-Well, I do in a
way, Sister Margaret.

-Excuse me, everybody.

Esmeralda is about
to give birth.

-Who's Esmeralda?

-Esmeralda is our foal.

It's in labor.

-Come on down, Dixie.

This is something
you should see.

-Somebody lend her a sweater.

It's going to be
dirty down there.

-She can have mine.

-Come on, Dixie.

-I'll be down in a minute.

I'm just going to get my purse.

-Sometimes with
long-legged animals,

they'll get a hoof stuck
in the birth canal.

So you have to be ready
to go in and assist.

-With your hand?

-You know we're here
to help you sweetheart.

-They don't mind.

-Why does anybody become a nun?

-I just decided I wanted
to spend my life serving

God and getting to know
him in a personal way.

-My sixth grade ceramics teacher
had a big influence on me.

Most loving person
I'd ever experienced.

I knew right then
that I wanted to be

surrounded by that
kind of human being.

-But what about the vows?

What about the chastity
thing, don't you

ever think about that?

-Of course.

-We're not dead, Dixie.

-We all have an
occasional spring evening,

and when you get right
down to it, it's not easy.

We talk about it together.

That helps.

And then you have
to remember why

you took the vow
in the first place.

-I don't think I could
ever fit in with this life.

-Join the club.

-Most of us have felt that
way from time to time.

-I don't believe it.

-It's true.

-Absolutely.

I've gone through periods
when I've doubted,

even questioned the
existence of God.

-I know I would never have made
it without the other Sisters.

-You really love
it here, don't you?

-This is my home, and my family.

And we've all taken
the same risks.

That helps.

-What's the risk?

-Giving up control
over your life.

-And the kicker is, you never
know you're a success at it

until after you die.

-Easy, Esmeralda.

Easy.

-Is it time?

-This feels like the hoof.

You want to give me a hand?

I may have to go in.

-Well, what do I do?

-Oh, just keep her calm.

Make sure she doesn't kick.

You'll know.

-Easy, Esmeralda.

That's fine.

Stay calm.

Good girl.

Yes.

You're doing fine.

You look real pretty.

Take it easy.

Calm.

[CALF CRYING]

Oh, my.

Oh, that's wonderful.

That's wonderful.

Oh.

-Oh.

-It's a boy.

-Oh, wonderful.

-And Dixie was a pretty
spectacular midwife.

-Congratulations.

-Oh.

-I think I'll go clean up.

You coming, Dixie?

-Ah, not just yet.

Thank you.

-I learned so much from
watching these creatures,

how present they
are at the moment.

Never question past
or future, just

absorbed in the nowness of life.

I never did ask you, Dixie,
do you have children?

-No, Mother.

Doesn't exactly go
with my line of work.

-Ah.

Another similarity it seems.

-Oh, my goodness.

I have never.

-Dixie, You've really
got it down to a system.

-It's miraculous.

-How about a little
show of appreciation

to our Cleaning Lady Supreme.

[APPLAUSE]

Come on, Margaret.

Fair is fair.

[APPLAUSE]

-Oh, gee.

Thank you.

No.

-Is that a G sharp
and an F sharp there?

I'm going to play two B's.

-Sister, play that string again.

Doesn't that sound
like that piece

you did, the last month in mass?

-Oh, sing it, Sister Theresa.

-(SINGING) When you're
weary feeling small,

when tears are in your
eyes, I'll dry them all.

I'm on your side
when times get rough.

Then friends just can't
be found like a bridge

over troubled water,
I will lay me down,

like a bridge over troubled
water, I will lay me down.

When you're down and out, when
you're on the street, when

evening falls so hard,
I will comfort you.

I'll take your heart
oh, when darkness comes.

And pain is all around, like
a bridge over troubled water,

I will lay me down.

Like a bridge over troubled
water, I will lay me down.

[APPLAUSE]

-Thank you, sister.

-Oh, that was great.

That was just
wonderful, darling.

-Oh, from another life.

-And what a life.

Sister Theresa used
to be an acid rock

flower child before
she joined us.

-You?

I can't believe it.

-You see, Dixie, It
can happen to anyone,

-Oh, don't bet your teeth
on that, Sister Honey.

-It's all right, Agnes.

We'll get help.

All right.

Get her oxygen.

All right.

All right.

Don't try to speak.

Take it easy.

We're getting help, Agnes.

It's coming.

-She is very heavily congested.

So I'm going to start
her on some antibiotics

and a bronchodilator.

-All right.

Will she be all right?

-I think so.

The real danger with
emphysema patients,

particularly with someone
her age, is pneumonia.

So she's going to have to be
watch very carefully at least

48 hours and admitted
to the hospital.

-Absolutely necessary?

-I would say absolutely.

Yes.

-Eugenio.

-Yes.

-Eugenio, If I'm going to
die, I want to be here.

-You're not going to die, Agnes.

The doctor knows
exactly what to do.

-I'm frightened, Eugenio.

Don't let them take
me to the hospital.

-Agnes, don't be frightened.

-Please.

Eugenio.

This is my home.

If ah-- if anything
is going to happen,

I want to be here
with the Sisters.

-All right, Agnes.

This is where you'll stay.

With us.

-No hospital?

-No hospital.

I promise.

-Thank you.

-Rest now, dear.

-Thank you.

-She'll tell us
exactly what she needs.

We'll look after her.

I don't want her moved.

-That's not the best
thing for the patient.

She needs round-the-clock care.

-I know.

We'll take good care of her.

She's scared.

-All right.

I'll give you the
medication schedule.

-Thank you.

-And you call me at the
first sign of any problem.

-Of course.

-That's also for
rest if she needs it.

Now, tomorrow is
my fill-in's day,

but I'll leave
numbers at my exchange

where you can reach me.

Good night, Sister.

-Thank you.

I'll be moving my
things into Agnes' room.

-I'll get it ready
for you anyway.

-Dixie, would you
stay with Agnes

while I show the
doctor to the door?

-Of course.

-Thank you.

For everything.

-Dear, Eugenio.

What would I do without you?

-Good night, Doctor.

Let her live a little longer.

Who's there?

Come out, please.

This instant.

What on Earth are you
doing here, child?

-Did you get all these boxes?

Little box here.

You're doing a wonderful job.

Sister Theresa, you have
all the packing you need?

Good morning, Sister JB.

More straw.

-Everyone, we're
Sisters, and I always

feel a little odd about asking
you to listen while I speak.

But sometimes there are
matters that concern us all,

and ah, it becomes necessary.

This is one of those times.

As you know, several
weeks ago, we

accepted Dixie into
our home in the hope

that she would benefit
from the experience.

In my mind she became one of us,
assuming her responsibilities

and making a significant
contribution to our work.

Ah, I think you'll all
agree that the condition

of the pottery shed is
better than it's ever been.

-Without a doubt.

-I even wrote Judge
Delaney a letter

to that effect several days ago.

But I have discovered
something, a deception

that saddens me greatly.

Dixie has been paying
an itinerant farm girl

to perform her cleanup
chores from the third day

she was here.

-I don't believe it.

-That's disgraceful.

-Dixie?

Would you like to respond?

-Is it true?

-Well, yes but not--

-Did you hire someone
to do you work or not?

-Well yes, but--

-All right.

That's that.

-Margaret, give her a chance.

-She's already had her chance
as far as I'm concerned.

-At least give Dixie
a chance to speak.

This isn't the Inquisition.

-I would like to hear
what Dixie has to say.

-Absolutely.

-Please.

-Sisters.

-Dixie.

-Well.

Well, maybe I didn't
play it by the rules,

but I don't believe
I did anything wrong.

The work got done,
and it got done well.

So what's the harm?

That's the basic
principle of capitalism,

maximize your output by
doing what you do best.

Well, I'm an organizer.

I'm not a manual laborer.

I know how to scrub floors.

I've scrubbed floors
dirtier than this.

Well, that farm girl
is used to that work,

and she needed
the money, and she

can do a better job than I can.

Well, when-- when I got here,
I didn't know what to expect.

It was like landing on Saturn.

I know you now.

I-- I know some
of you real well.

Put me to work, but use my
experience, use my talents.

That way I can
contribute, and maybe

I can even help you out
of this bind you're in.

-She doesn't belong in
this house and never has.

She's shameless, arrogant.

-Sister Margaret

-It's true.

She doesn't know
right from wrong.

It's senseless for us to subject
ourselves to this any longer

particularly when our own
survival is so uncertain.

We're not qualified
to rehabilitate

Dixie, or anyone else.

Maybe prison is the best place.

At least they know
how to deal with--

-I don't believe
what I'm hearing.

Granted Dixie was
wrong, but where's

our compassion, our forgiveness?

We are qualified
for that, you know.

-Would anyone else
care to speak?

Sister John the Baptist,
you've been very silent.

-Well, I think I've been as
close to Dixie as anyone here,

and it wasn't difficult.

She's a very appealing person.

What makes me sad is, I
think Dixie does know.

I think she knows what trust
is and what's right and wrong.

Dixie, you didn't
do what was right.

You did what was best for you.

-Sister John?

-It seems to me we're
all partly right.

Dixie knows what
she's doing, but she

is in our custody and care.

I think I have an
appropriate solution.

Dixie, you will be
allowed to remain here.

However, for the
rest of your stay,

you will be denied
the privilege of work.

You will cease to participate
in the activities of this house.

Your duties will be
assumed by the Sisters.

-Mother Eugenio,
that's not fair.

Punish me if you want to, but
don't make the others suffer.

-We're a community,
Dixie, and when one of us

puts selfish interests
above those of the group,

everyone suffers for it.

-Well, I think that stinks.

You talk about
community and you hurt

the others to prove a point.

-That will be all, Dixie.

Go to your room.

-I'm right.

You know I'm right.

I could help you
out of this bind,

but you're too
stubborn to admit it.

-That's enough.

You are dismissed.

Now.

-Potatoes?

-Dixie?

-M-hm?

-Saint Francis
wrote this prayer.

I'd like you to memorize it.

You can recite it
for me tomorrow.

-The whole thing?

-The whole thing.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-I need another box here.

-Here's one.

Here's one.

-The whole bottom layer.

-Sister, more straw, please.

-We'll go shelf by shelf.

-Ah.

How's it going?

-Well, we're getting there.

-Coming through.

-Sorry.

I was thinking, maybe I could
have my next lesson soon.

-It's really not the
best time, Dixie.

-Why don't you
tell her the truth?

She lied, she cheated,
and nobody wants--

-I wasn't talking
to you, Margaret.

So what do you say?

-I really can't think about
your lessons now, Dixie.

We're short handed
at the moment.

-I get the picture.

-Look at that.

Isn't it beautiful?

-All right.

Stand back, everybody.

And wish us luck.

[APPLAUSE]

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

-Come in.

-All right, Mother.

You win.

You're the boss.

You hold all the cards.

You made my life miserable.

Now how long is
this going to go on?

-Probably until
you leave, Dixie.

-That's not fair.

This punishment is barbaric.

I might as well be in
prison, for God sakes.

Now, what the hell
do you want from me?

-I asked you to
memorize a prayer.

-I know that.

I'm not talking about that.

-If you know it, say it.

-Lord make me an
instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred--

-All right.

This is a prayer,
Dixie, not a tirade.

-I can't help it.

-Yes, you can.

You're angry at me, not God.

Just talk to him.

You can pretend
I'm not even here.

Once again, please.

-Lord, make me an
instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred,
let me so love.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

Where there is sadness, joy.

-Good.

-That's a nice prayer.

-Yes.

An old favorite of mine.

The first thing
Sister Agnes maybe

memorize during
my postulate days.

-You had to do this?

-More than once, I'm afraid.

-Why?

-In Sister Agnes' eyes, I
was somewhat rebellious,

not unlike you, I would think.

I wanted things my way.

Why don't we continue
together this time.

-(TOGETHER) Oh, divine master,
grant that I may not so much

seek to be consoled
as to console,

to be understood
as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving
that we receive.

It is in pardon that
we are pardoned.

And it is in dying that we
are born to internal light.

Amen.

-All right, you guys.

You're ready?

-Yeah.

-We're ready.

-Right now.

-Yeah.

-You guys ready to strike?

-You bet we are.

-All right.

-It seems to me you're on
my property, Marchesso.

When you go, take this
thought along with you.

You can intimidate other people
with your strike tactics,

but not Steven Moss.

-Listen, Steven Moss, Mr.
Kilpatrick, Mr. Stanley,

myself are here to
negotiate a contract.

-Admit it Marchesso,
five minutes, Marchesso.

Five minutes for you and
your goons over there

to get off my property, and
if you don't, not one of them

ever delivers here again.

-Go to hell, Moss.

If my men don't deliver
here, nobody delivers here.

You want a war?

I'll give you one.

-Fine.

Then war it is.

Just keep on taking it until
you think it will come back.

-Ah, ha, ha.

We'll see some [INAUDIBLE].

Harry, get down off that thing,
and leave it right where it is.

-OK, chief.

-Don't you move, Harry.

-All right.

We're gonna strike.

Let's go.

Come on.

-[CROWD CHANTING]

Union!

Union!

Union!

-Roll up your window.

-Oh, please.

Our pottery.

-Sister, what are they doing?

Please.

-Oh, my Lord.

-They ruined everything, Mother.

-Who?

-That's the
transportation workers.

They just started
breaking everything.

-Lord help us.

-Thank God you're
both all right.

Come inside now.

-What are we going
to do, Mother?

-I don't know yet.

We'll think of something.

Theresa, hardly
touched your food.

-I'm just not very
hungry, Mother.

-You sure?

[CRYING]

-Mother Eugenio,
can I say something?

-Yes, Dixie.

-This punishment, being
on the outside, it's ah,

it's really hard.

I understand now how important
it was to be part of all this

especially when so much--

-I can't listen to this.

I'm not interested in her pain.

-Margaret, it's all right.

-She's doing it again.

-She's just trying to help.

-Always the same.

You.

You.

You.

-I didn't mean it that
way, Sister Margaret.

Really.

-It's just a painful time
for all of us, Dixie.

-I know that.

-I'm very sorry, Mother.

I'm very upset.

-Margaret, sit down.

-It-- it's just that
I-- I want to be a part

of your lives again,
any way I can.

In any way you say.

-Thank you, Dixie.

That's really nice.

-Yes, it is.

-I'm glad you shared those
thoughts with us, Dixie,

but this punishment
was not given lightly.

And it cannot be
lightly withdrawn.

-I understand.

I was just hoping.

-At the proper time.

-Thank you, Mother.

-Yeah.

I'll accept the charges.

DIXIE (ON PHONE): Hi, Tony baby.

-Dixie, sweetheart.

What a nice surprise.

-I'm sorry I called collect,
but I had to talk to you, Tony.

-You can call me any time.

That's what friends are for.

What's the problem.

-It's the nuns, Tony.

They're in a jam.

Now, you've got to let
them deliver the pottery,

otherwise, they're finished,
and they'll lose everything.

-Dixie, my hands are tied.

You know I wouldn't
hurt a nun, but we're

fighting for our lives.

It's a battlefield
out there, honey.

These things happen.

-One little exception, Tony.

Just for the nuns.

-Any concession is
a sign of weakness.

We can't bend, we can't break,
we can't make no exceptions.

-I'm begging you, Tony.

Please.

-Dixie, I love you, but
there's nothing I can do.

-You are certifiable,
you know that?

You're asking me
to break the law,

to violate the orders
of the Mother Superior,

and to assist in an escape.

-I know it's a lot
to ask Sister John.

But I need your help.

Just drive me into town,
give me a hour hour.

He can't turn me down in person.

I'll assume full responsibility
for the consequences.

I don't even care
if I go to jail.

Well you're going into town on
the laundry run anyhow tonight.

Give me a chance.

-Why?

Give me one good reason?

-For old time's sake.

Because you know I
wouldn't stick my neck out

unless I were damn sure
I could pull it off.

Plus I owe you something.

I want to clear the books.

How do I look?

-Weird.

-Good.

Wish me luck.

-Good luck.

-Maybe you'd better
say a prayer.

-Are you kidding?

I'm on my ninth Hail Mary.

-Hi, Tony.

-Hey, Dixie.

Am I dreaming?

First the phone,
now you're here.

How'd you get out?

-I got a two-hour pass.

Listen, Tony.

Ah, I need to talk
to you in private

if you could spare the time.

-What are you talking if
I could spare the time.

You need private, you got it.

Come on.

Hey.

Hey.

You know Kilpatrick.

Tad, you've met 100 times.

Pegs is a lawyer.

Very quiet.

So you.

-OK.

-You want some wine?

-No.

-So tell me what's
the crisis, you

want to stay in the convent?

-It's the nuns, Tony.

I've got a new idea.

-Dixie.

Dixie.

You're going to start
with that again?

-Well, what if I arranged
a meeting tonight.

You and Moss sit down
and discuss the situation

and start to work something out.

-You don't know what
you're talking about.

It don't work that way.

-Well, why does
it work that way?

You've going to have to have
a meeting sooner or later.

You can't strike forever.

-Sometime, yeah.

But not now, and
not with that louse.

This is the time to show
strength and not to blink.

-While your not blinking, the
nuns are going down the tubes.

-Dixie, I'm not going to budge.

They'll be no meetings,
no exceptions.

Period, huh?

So forget it.

-All right, Tony.

I gave it my best shot.

I've earned that time anyway.

You take care of
yourself, you hear?

-Yeah.

-I worry about you.

-About me?

-Well, you're getting so
much public attention lately.

I just stopped dead in
my thoughts-- oh, no.

-Oh, no what?

-Didn't you know?

Steven Moss has been seeing
a lot of Sherry lately.

-So?

And?

-Sherry has pictures.

-What pictures?

-You know?

The ones of you in
the baby doll nighty?

-What?

You let her have those?

-Well, what did
you want me to do?

I couldn't take them
with me to the convent.

-Holy mother.

He could ruin me.

You've got to get them back.

Now.

Tonight.

-Calm yourself, Tony.

I wish I could help you,
but I only have two hours.

-Dixie, you don't
understand what this means.

Please.

I'm begging you.

I'm begging you as a friend.

-I'm sorry to
interrupt like this,

but Dixie, it's a
quarter to 9:00.

-Oh.

Thank you, Sister John.

I'll be right out.

-I'll be in the truck.

-Thank you, Sister John.

Well, Tony.

I gotta get back to the convent.

-Wait.
Wait.

Wait.
Wait.

What about the pictures?

-What pictures.

-The pictures.

-What pictures?

-Pictures.

-Oh.

Those pictures.

Well, if I do get
them back, Tony,

you're gonna have to
meet with Moss tonight.

-No way.

-It's only fair.

-What's fair?

-I do a favor for you, you
do a favor in return for me.

What's the big deal?

-Because even if I agree
to this cockamamie meeting,

there's no way Moss would.

The city is giving him
a testimonial dinner

tonight, Man of the Year?

You think that creep is
gong to walk away from that?

-Don't worry about Moss.

He'll be there.

He owes me, and I'm
collecting my debt tonight.

-You're holding him up too?

Wonderful.

I don't believe
this is happening.

-Tony.

Tony, everything is
going to be fine.

We have an opportunity
to help each other.

Isn't that what friends are for?

-I am the Mother Superior,
Agnes, but the blame is mine.

-Look at the state we're
in, no income, no inventory.

spirits are down.

We're likely to lose our home.

-Oh, don't say that, Eugenio.

-It's my fault.

I made the decision.

-You can't blame yourself
for the state of the economy.

-No, but if I kept abreast
of the order's difficulties,

I might have foreseen
some of these problems.

-Well, maybe we do
need to television set.

-There's another thing.

My decision to bring
Dixie into this house.

What did that do you
beside add to our problems

and create friction.

Maybe I should send her away.

I'd be admitting defeat.

At least I' be relieving
some of the burden.

-Quite right, dear.

-You agree?

-If you think it will help.

-The truth is, Agnes, I won't.

-Eugenio, you're a
wondering Mother Superior,

but you can't do it alone.

Go to the Sisters.

Ask for their help.

They are your strength.

Utilize this community and
you'll have a formidable force.

-I'm doing it again, aren't I?

Trying to steer alone,
even with Dixie.

-I thought we got rid of her.

-Tonight for the first time
she-- she desired to help,

wanted to be part of
us again, but I-- I

wasn't ready to listen.

We could use her
spirit and drive now.

Ironic, isn't it?

-I always like what
the Spanish nuns say.,

God writes straight
in crooked lines.

-Dixie.

It's Mother Eugenio.

-Thank goodness.

I was getting frantic.

-Ah, wait.

Things have gotten complicated.

I need more time.

-What are you talking about?

-Well, you're going to
have to leave without me.

-What?

-Well, I can't quit now,
not when I'm this close.

-Dixie, you promised
me, two hours.

You said.

-I know, and I meant it, but
this is something I have to do.

I mean, I can't go back until
I give it everything I have.

I can't.

-Oh Dixie, you're the most
infuriating, stubborn person

I know.

-No hard feelings.

Oh, I brought you
some bread sticks.

I'll take care of this.

Dixie.

-Go home, Sister John.

-I couldn't find her anywhere.

-Oh, Dixie.

-Do we have to
report her, Mother?

-We have no other choice really.

-Couldn't we just give her
the benefit of the doubt?

-I have to inform
the authorities.

And I'm going to do just that.

-Yes, Mother.

-First thing in the morning.

-Yes, Mother.

-Yes.

New Orleans.

New Orleans Police
Department, please.

-We'd like to start
things rolling

while you're
finishing your dinner.

There is a lot to be said
about our man of the year,

and there are a couple
of speakers up here

who are dying to say it.

-Dixie, that was Hagar,
the cop that busted us.

-Well, keep your head
down and look holy.

-It's no accident that
tourism is increasing,

no accident that the
railroads and the buses

are bringing more people to us.

Our convention center is
booked into the year 2004.

These are the results of the
hard work of this organization.

-Dock 48, Hagar?

-Any sign of her?

-Ah, no.

Nothing.

-Ah, what now?

-I don't know.

I figured if she
wasn't at Rita's, she

had to be at Sherry's.

-Got any ideas?

-None.

-Nun.

That's it.

Of course.

Call Bell Cabs.

They picked up three nuns, 2020
Basin Street about 10 minutes

ago.

Find out where they went.

-Excuse me, my son.

We're Sisters from the
Convent of the Holy Grace,

and we'd like to see Mr. Moss.

-I see.

Um, I'm Harry Meadows.

I'm Mr. Moss' public
relations representative.

Is he expecting you, Sister?

-No.

But we're old friends.

Well just tell him the
Mother Superior is here.

I'm sure he'll be
delighted to see us.

-All right.

All right, Mother.

I'll be right back.

-Oh, keep your veils down girls.

There are a lot of our
customers out there.

-Where's Dixie?

-I left her in New
Orleans, Mother?

-Why?

Why in the world did
you taker her there?

-Nuns?

I don't know any nuns, do I?

-It doesn't matter.

We grab a few pictures.

That kind of stuff is gold.

-I guess a little spiritual
publicity can't hurt.

-Hi, again, Mother.

Why don't we first get a few
pictures of you with Mr. Moss.

-Oh, I'm sorry,
Mr. Meadows, but we

can't allow our faces
to be photographed.

-Oh.

Of course.

No problem.

I'll just photograph
you from the back.

All right.

Here we are.

Steven, you remember Mother--

-Dixie, son.

-Right.

Dixie.

-Well, for goodness' sake.

How nice to see you, Mother.

-Steven, my son.

-What do you want?

-Well, I would have
been here sooner,

but it was so difficult.

I'm sure nobody
understands better than you

that crooked little corners
we get shoved in sometimes.

-The corners we've been
in, my son Remember?

Hm?

-If this is your idea of
a joke, Dixie, it stinks.

-It's no joke, Steven.

I'm here on a very important
mission for the Sisters

of the Convent of
the Holy Grace.

-I don't know any convent.

I'm being honored, damn it.

-Big smile, Steve.

-They are about to lose their
home because of your problems

with Marchesso.

So I have arranged a meeting
between the two of you tonight.

-Are you out of your mind?

-All right, Steve, that's
fine, but more smile this time.

-Perhaps I should
allow myself to be

photographed frontally
with Mr. Moss.

-Yeah.

Frontally.

-Well, why don't we all.

-Stop that.

-Hey.

Hey.

Lighten up.

You're [INAUDIBLE].

-Shut up, Harry.

Use your head.

I can't walk out
on my own banquet.

After the judge, I go on.

I'd like to add to the list of
Steven Moss' accomplishments

by testifying that he was one
of my most loyal customers,

and by his own
reckoning brought me

enough business to
open five new houses.

Let's here it for everybody's
man of the year, Steven Moss.

-All right.

-Yeah.

STEVEN (ON PHONE): Marchesso,
this is Steven Moss.

Let's make up right
now at Dixie's house.

-It's not that simple.

-Sure, it's simple.

All you gotta do is
sign a union contract.

-That's not a contract,
it's communism.

-Now don't start arguing.

This is our city.

We have a stake in it.

I mean, that's the beauty
of living in the community.

It makes us each a dependent.

You know as well as I do
that if one individual puts

selfish motives above the
interests of the others,

every member of the
community suffers for it.

Now you both know right from
wrong, so let's stop quibbling.

All you have to do is
announce to the papers

that you've agreed to sit down
and start talking tomorrow.

And then in the-- in the
interest of fairness,

you're going to make an
exception for the nuns.

Well, you can call
it a test case.

You can call it anything
you like, but by the time

the papers hit the
streets tomorrow,

you'll both be heroes.

Well, what do you say?

-All right.

I'll agree.

But I've got to get
out of here right now.

-Terrific.

Tony?

-Why I--

-But I have the photographic
display you were interested in.

-Count me in.

-Hallelujah.

Hallelujah

-Move aside, Marchesso.

I'm late.

-To Mother Eugenio, to Sister
John, to Sister Theresa,

to Sister Agnes.

Ah, what the hell,
Sister Margaret.

-And Sister Dixie.

-In the last few
hours, I've spoken

to a number of
your acquaintances.

-Yeah?

-Oh, yeah.

They're a mixed lot, Steve Moss,
Mother Eugenio, Tony Marchesso,

and a young lady
named Sherry Bouvais.

The only thing they all
have in common is you.

-Well I'm certainly
common all right.

-Quite uncommon.

You have added two
misdemeanors and a felony

to your achievements tonight.

And I further charge you with--
with passionate friendship

to the Sisters with
whom you've been living.

an imaginative use of your
resources in their behalf.

You'll be going back
to there tomorrow,

Ms. Cabot to finish
out the 90 days.

Now, that's possibly not
the best I can do for you,

but it is the very best that
I can do for the Sisters.

-Ah, I'll get out here.

-Well, Ms. Dixie,
jump on the back.

-Think it will hold me?

This plunker looks like it's
ready for the junk pile.

-Excuse me, Mother.

-Quite a little spread
you got here, Mother.

-We're learning
how to organize it.

Put the right Sister
on the right task.

Assign quotes.

-Pretty radical
stuff for a bunch

who don't own a television set.

-Not doesn't, did.

SISTER THERESA (SINGING):
When tears are in your eyes,

I will dry them all.

I'm on your side
when times get rough.

And friends just can't
be found like a bridge

over troubled water,
I will lay me down.

Like a bridge over troubled
water, I will lay me down.