Eden (1996) - full transcript

[Skateboard wheels scratching]

- Our lives had been so

beautiful, filled with grace
and joy and promise.

By my 22nd birthday, I'd already

had our two children.

- ♪ Gather 'round people
wherever you roam ♪

♪ and admit that the waters
around you have grown ♪

♪ and accept it that soon
you'll be drenched to the bone ♪

♪ if your time to you
is worth savin' ♪

♪ you better start swimmin'
or you'll sink like a stone ♪

♪ for the times
they are a-changin' ♪



[ Bell tolls ]

- Bill and I both grew up
at the academies

and had known each other
since we were children.

But it wasn't until college that

we fell in love
and were married.

After graduation, we came back

to mount Eden... bill to teach,

I to raise our family.

For us, it was like returning

home in triumph.

When I was 27, I left my body

for the first time.

I was so naive and unprepared.

I didn't know such things
could happen.



- Hey, mom.
When are we gonna eat?

- I'm so embarrassed.

I forgot to buy enough food,
so you're gonna have
to wait till breakfast.

You don't mind, do you?

There's lots of oatmeal.

- You're crazy.

What are we having?

- Hmm.

- [ Laughing ] Stop it!

- Get him, mom!
Tickle fight!

- Truce!

- [ Singsong ] You can't get me!

You can't get me!
You can't get me!

- Boo!
- Aah!

- You guys go outside and play

and let me finish my cooking.

- How can I have any fun if

she's around?

- How can you have
any fun if she isn't?

- Where's daddy?

- Daddy's upstairs talking
to the boys, and I don't
want you bothering them.

- Bummer.

- Bummer?

[ Door opens ]

- Mom, there's a bird caught
in the badminton net.

I think its wing is busted.

- His name is Henry.

Can we keep him?
- How do you know
his name is Henry?

- Gabey told me.

- Oh.

- I'm serious, Dave.

Where do you think
you'll be able to go?

- I don't know, Mr. Kunen.

I guess I'll worry
about that when the time comes.

- You're halfway through
your junior year.
The time has come.

- Well, maybe I don't even want

to go to college.
- Good.

With grades like this,
you're not going to.

English... "D."

I thought you wanted
to be a writer.

- You don't have to go
to college to be a writer.

I mean, who knows where

Richard farina went?

- Who?

- "Been down so long
it looks like up to me?"

It's the coolest book
ever written.

That's the kind of stuff
we should be studying.

- Keep wasting your time.

- By the way, you're getting
a "d" in economics from me, too.

You're about an inch
from an "f."

How do you think your parents

are gonna react to these grades?

- You're not gonna send
those out, are you?

If they think I'm failing again,

they're gonna send me
to military school.

- That's not my fault.

You're the one who's
not doing the work.

Mr. Bainbridge is still waiting

for your short story assignment.

- It's almost done!

- Oh, don't be so hard on them.

Those are just his

mid-semesters.

He can pull them up
by the end of the term.

Can't you, Davey?

I didn't mean to interrupt
the chewing out.

I just want to tell you
dinner's ready.

- That's all right.

[ As Jimmy Durante ] I think

I've done enough masticatin'
for one evening, Mrs. Calabash.

- Corn ball.

[ Both laugh ]

- Hold it!

- Oh.

Mommy said to tell you
dinner's ready.

- I did?

- How'd you get here so fast?

- I flew, like Henry.

- Dad!

We found a bird.

He's got a busted wing.

- His name is Henry.

We're gonna keep him.

- Oh, we are?

- We have to.
He's sick.

- Well, maybe until his wing

gets better, then I'm sure
he'll have something
to say about it.

Come on, brats.

- [ Chuckles ]

- Show me the bird.

Now, I want to hear some real

studying going on up here

tonight, which means I don't

want to hear anything.

I still haven't decided whether

or not to send these grades
to your parents.

- Bummer.

- Don't worry.
I'll talk to him.

But, Davey, you have to show

some responsibility.

A little initiative.

Can I count on you?

- Yes, ma'am.
- [ Laughs ]

- I don't know what you think

is so funny, Mr. Chase.

We'll get
to your grades tomorrow.

- [ Sighs ]

- Oh.

Watch out for boardwalk.

It's a little shaky.

- Can I give you a hand?

- No, I'm all right.
Thank you.

- She said she's all right.

And, Edgerton.

- Yes, sir?

- Get a haircut.

- Psychosomatic.

- I'm so sick of this fucking

school I could kill myself.

- Don't do that, Davey.

You'd break Mrs. Kunen's heart.

- Son of a bitch didn't even

help her down the stairs.

[ Sighs ]

I don't know about you guys, but

I need after-lights-out brew.

- You got beer?

- [ Laughing ] All right!

- I told them I didn't know if

I could get a sitter.

- What about Milly?

- You know she charges too much.

- What I meant was I’d
take her to the movies.

You can watch the kids.

- Honey...

Are you really gonna send

Davey's parents mid-semesters?

- You don't give up, do you?

- No.

[ Sighs ]

He's a good kid.

He just needs
a little encouragement.

- He's like
the classic screw-up.

- I thought you said
he had the highest
board scores in the class.

- That's just the point.

He should also
have the highest grades.

You think I like being
so hard on him?

- Mm, yes.

- That's why I have
to keep pressure on him.

Make him tough.

Otherwise he'll just stay lazy.

- That approach
won't work with Davey.

He's not like the others.

- It's the same approach
they used on me and it worked
just fine.

Come on, Helen.

Let me handle this.

It's what I'm paid for.

- Davey's a free spirit.

You can't stifle that.

You have to nurture it.

- Helen, this isn't some local

high school.

This is mount Eden.

We don't nurture free spirits.

We prepare boys to lead.

If you can't respect authority,

can't make the cut, you're out.

Survival of the fittest.

You okay?
- [ Grunting ] Yeah.

I'm fine.

It's not that I don't think

you're doing a good job, because

I do.

It's just that I know Davey
is capable of great things.

- You're relentless.

All right.

I'll think about it.

- Thank you.

Coming to sleep?

- You go ahead without me.

[ As Jimmy Durante ] I'll catch

up with you, Mrs. Calabash,

wherever you are.

- [ Sighs ]

You're the one who's relentless.

- Ha-Cha-Cha!

It's just that I really do have

to finish this for tomorrow.

[ Bell tolls ]

- Ow!
Mommy!

- Johnny, I want you
to stop that.

- I didn't do anything.

- He hit me!

- All right!
That's enough!

[ Bird caws ]

I want these toys out of here

and the two of you ready
for breakfast, and I mean fast.

- Henry!
Henry! Henry!

- Stop teasing Henry.

He's not used to being
in a cage.

- I'm not teasing him.

I love him.

- Well, love him a little
less intensely.

- You're incredible.
I don't know where
you get the strength.

I couldn't do this all day.

Any more juice?

- I'll get it.
- No, that's okay.

- I said I'll get it.

[ Bird caws ]

Bill.

- Mm?

- Did you ever have a dream
where you could fly?

- How do you mean?

- You know, fly.

As if you could fly.

- Sure.

Everyone has flying dreams.

Why?
Did you have one?

- Yes, last night.

It was the weirdest thing.

I've never had a dream like that

before in my life.

- Hmm.

- The first thing I remember
is I was outside the house,

and then I looked down
and I saw that I was suspended

over the roof, and at first
I was afraid because

I didn't know what was going on,

and then I realized
I was flying.

And then as soon as I got used

to that idea,
I suddenly became...

Conscious of everyone
in the world.

As if I were linked to them,
as if their thoughts were mine.

And then I dreamed I was
at Milly and Lee's
and I had flown over there...

- You didn't happen to see our

lawn mower while
you were over there.

- I'm serious.

- Okay.
Go ahead.

- Well, they had a terrible

argument and I saw the whole

thing and that's all.

- I hope she didn't
hit him again.

Last time, he was
in a cast for two months.

- Very funny.

I-I'll get it.

Amy, Johnny,
your breakfast is getting cold!

- Oh.

Bye.

- Your juice.

- Too late.
Got to go.

- Why do you always do that?

I'm working here.

- Sorry!

You kids better get down
here right away.

Your mother's got a bug up her

ask me no questions, I'll tell

you no lies.

[ Bird chirps ]

- [ Sighs ]

[ Door slams ]

- All right.
See you there.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

- Hard night?

- Yeah, boy, we really
did some studying last night.

- Really burned that
midnight oil, huh?

- Yeah.
It... it was rough.

- That's what I like to hear.

- Good morning, gentlemen.

Let us say grace.

Lord, for what we are about
to eat, we thank you.

Amen.

- All: Amen.

[ Bird caws ]

- [ Gasps ]

- Come on.
Can't you just give me
till after the weekend?

I just...
- Mr. Edgerton, you're

completely missing the point

I've been so painfully
trying to make.

I'm no longer concerned with

your failure to complete
the assignment.

- I'm sorry?

- Now I'm concerned with what
I believe is a patent lack
of ability to complete it.

I asked you to write the story

four weeks ago.

Am I boring you?

- No, Mr. Bainbridge.

- I certainly hope not.

I'd hate for you to think of me

as a wet blanket on the vacation

you apparently find mount Eden

to be.

Allow me.

It is precisely 10 past 4:00.

I do hope I'm not keeping you

from something more important.

- Well, I have to be at chapel

at 4:15.

- Mm.

- If I'm late, I'll have to go

in front of the disciplinary

committee again.

I'll get kicked out.

You'll have to find someone
else to pick on.

- Very well put.

I hope Mr. Kunen enjoys that

little remark as much as I did.

- [ Sighs ]

- Go.

- All:
♪ rock of ages, cleft for me

- both: ♪ silent night

♪ holy night

♪ all is calm

- all: ♪ from thy wounded

- together: ♪ holy infant
so tender and mild ♪

- All: ♪ safe from wrath
and make me pure ♪

- ♪ sleep in heavenly peace

- together:
♪ sleep in heavenly peace

- all: ♪ amen

- chapel was mandatory
at Eastbrook, too.

So what did you guys
decide about helping with
the dance preparations?

- I forgot.
I have a class.

- M-Me too.

- I have to study.

- Now I know you're lying.

- Today I'd like to talk
about education.

Proverbs.

- Amy, stop pestering Milly.

- We better put the punch over

here and the refreshments
on a long table over there.

- Ruth.

It's the same way
we did it last year.

In fact, that's the same way

we've done it since
we were in school.

- Not so.

Last year, we put the punch over

here and the refreshments
over there.

- If you worked as hard
on your basketball
as you do on your

sarcasm, Mildred, we might have

won the regionals
your senior year.

- We're here to talk about
the dance, not basketball.

Now, every year we do the same

thing in the same place,
and the boys end up

on one side of the gym
and the girls on the other.

- Mommy, do it with me.

- Not now, sweetie.

- Well, I got to get back
to Eastbrook.

Field hockey.

- Ruth, I came up with some

really great ideas.

I did some sketches.

Can I show them to you
at the meeting on Wednesday?

- Of course.
I love to hear new ideas.

- And ignore them.

- But please... be prompt next

time and get some rest.

You look run down.

And, uh, work on that
lay up, Mildred.

You drive with the fall so far

from the body I could take it

away in one second.

[ Laughs ]

- Word for word what she's told

every girl for the past
20 years.

If Bob Cousy were here,
she'd say the same thing.

- Oh, it's diabolical.

She must be stopped.

We can't let her keep putting

the punch over there
and the refreshments

over there until
even Amy's old enough to date.

Milly, I'm a little worried.
- Amy. The ball.

Too far from your body.
I'm sorry.

What were you gonna say?

Helen, your hand.

- Oh, it's just a little

strained from vacuuming.

- Let me see.

- It's nothing.
Really.

[ Sighs ]

- Is that what's
troubling you, bunky?

- No.

I was worried about you and Lee.

- [ Laughing ] Us?

Like two peas in a...

Thick, murky, pea soup.

Okay, so we had a fight.

That just put some pepper
in the soup.

- What did you fight about?

- That job at Wilson's.

[ Scoffs ]

I don't know why he thinks it's

any of his business
if I want to work outside
the house.

- Milly.

I dreamt I saw the whole thing.

- You're kidding.
- [ Chuckles ]

- You must have esp.

- It was only a dream.

You have the same fight
every night.

- Didn't you ever have
the phone ring and you knew
exactly who was calling?

Well, that's a kind of esp.

Maybe it was
your spirit traveling.

- What?
- Yogis do it all the time.

They leave their bodies and go

wherever they want.

- I don't know why people
are so fascinated
with that nonsense.

It's embarrassing.

[ Sighs ]

But you better watch
what you say from now on.

Big sister might be watching.

- [ Laughs ]

How's that feel now?

- That's perfect.

- [ Sniffs ]
Chanel no. 69.

What's this?
- It's a letter.

- No duh.
From who?

- It's from Lucy small.

- Lucy small?

No way.

- Yes way.

So what?
She's just a kid.

- Some kid I want to babysit.

- [ Chuckles ]

- Mommy!

Mommy!

Mommy!

- Helen.

Are you all right?

- You know what
you said about...

- About what, sweetie?

- I'm fine.

[ Laughing ] I just dozed off.

Oh, sweetie.
It's okay.

Mommy was just taking a nap.

Let's go home.

Davey.

You decided to help after all.

- Don't let it bother you.
- It doesn't.

- Worry about the day
the crushes stop

and you'd give anything
for a look like that.

- I don't get it, Mrs. Kunen.

Everybody's always
riding my case.

They just don't like me 'cause

I'm different.

- Plenty of people
look me and think "different."

Doesn't stop me from doing

everything I have to.

- Well, it's no fun.

- You're here for an education.

Not fun.

- I've been down so long, looks

like up to me.

Forget it.

- We all want to have fun.

But we have
responsibilities, too.

Mr. Kunen's is to see that you

get an education.

Mine is to raise a family.

You're lucky.

The only responsibility your

parents gave you is to learn.

- No, the only reason my

parents want me to learn is so I

can become some sort of doctor

or lawyer or buy a better car
or get a bigger house.

Well, that's not
what's important to me.

I mean, I didn't ask to be born.

I got to do what
I want to do, not them.

I mean, your generation had

1,000 years to screw
everything up.

The least they can do is give us

a chance to make it better.

- I didn't know I'd been
around for that long.

- You know what I mean.

- Yes, I do.

That's why I'm amazed you don't

want to learn as much
as you can.

Before you can change the world,

you have to understand
how it's built.

I read everything
I can get my hands on,
no mater what its point of view.

- Yeah, right.

- I do.

- Well, maybe you're
just smarter than me.

- Well, that just goes
without saying.

- [ Chuckles ]

What about your writing?

Did you finish your story
for English yet?

I'd like to read that, too.

- If I ever give bainbridge
the story of the stuff
that's really in my head,

it'd blow his mind.
Maybe yours, too.

- So what's stopping you?

Blow my mind.

[ Chuckles ]

Your problem is you think
you can tear down the world by

studying for one hour
and playing guitar for two.

That's not the way it works.

If you put the time and effort

into it, you'll get your chance.

I promise.

R.i.p.

- What?
- It's our new motto.

Only we'll know.

- Rest in peace?

- Responsibility,
initiative, progress.

Rip!

- Rest in peace is better.

This place is killing me.

- Come on!
Say it! Rip!

- No, it's not too likely.

Are you...

- I'm fine.
I'm fine.

[ Sighs ]

Davey, why can't I count on you?

- Look, what can I say?

I'll try.

- Don't try.
Do it.

- I'll do it.

For you.

- I'm very, very flattered.

But don't do it for me.

Do it for yourself.

Remember.

Everything you can get your

hands on.

- Richard farina!

- We still have an hour before

I have to start dinner.

I could help you
with your history exam.

- You should be the teacher.

- [ Laughs ] Don't think so.

- You don't just have to stay

home with the kids.

Go out.
Do your own thing.

The times they are a-changin'.

- One teacher
in the family is enough.

- Well...
You haven't got one yet.

- Give him a chance.

He wants to help.

- You should never trust anyone

over 30.

- Bill's only 29.

- No way.

- [ Groans ]

Oh, bill!

Remember...
Be kind to your elders!

- Match point.
Again.

Don't blow it.

- Bill, don't wimp out
on me now!

- Kunen, don't you ever give up?

- Never.
- Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

[ Indistinct talking ]

- Hey, um... bill.

I spoke to shays, and if you

want, there's no problem having

edgerton transferred
to another house.

- What are you talking about?

- [ Chuckles ]

Come on, bill.
You know.

- No, I don't.

- Milly says everybody thinks

you ought to get him out.

- What are we...
Milly's latest hot topic?

- No, we just thought you have

enough problems as it is.

You don't need
some love struck kid...
- Jesus, Lee.

Do you really think
I care what a bunch

of old hens are clucking
about this week?

- Come on, bill.
That hen is my wife.

[ Chuckles ]
- And Helen's mine.

Hey.

What is this?
I'm teasing with you!

- I was only trying to help.

Don't you think I know that?

Everything's going great.

We don't have any problems.

So forget about it, huh?

- Sure.
- Hey. Come here. Huh?

[ Laughs ]

- Hey!
Hey! Hey!

Kunen!
Are you out of your mind?!

- Come on!
We'll do a few laps.

- My racket!

You're dead, buddy!

- Charlemagne.

- How could it
have been Charlemagne?

He'd already been dead
for 70 years.

- Right.
I mean, Charles ii?

- Dead.

- Charles I?
- Dead.

- Charles Mingus?

- [ Chuckles ]

Charles III.

Ransomed Paris in 1886
and allowed the Norsemen
to ransack burgundy.

- Right, I know.
I know.

I... was just testing you.

- Well.

I won't say I'm amazed,
but I am.

This almost looks like studying.

So I hate to break it up.

Dave and I are about to have
one of our little meetings.

I spoke to Mr. Bainbridge.

I'll see you upstairs.

- Right.

Thanks.

- Bill...

- You know, I really appreciate

your help but I don't need
you mollycoddling him.

- No, but if you just...

- I told you I'm keeping
the pressure on that boy
until I get results.

[ Sighs ]
Meanwhile, what's with
the living room?

It's like a small nuclear device

went off in there.

I'm sorry.
I didn't mean...

[ Slams door ]

[ Crying softly ]

- [ Crying ]

[ Gasps ]

[ Alarm clock buzzing ]

[ Alarm clock stops ]

- How'd you sleep?

- Sorry?

- You look tired.

How'd you sleep?

- Beautifully.

Just... beautifully.

- Free. Free...
What an incredible sensation.

How long I denied
I was even a prisoner.

- Oh, excuse me!

- Oh!

- What do you think
you're doing?

Stop it this instant!

- She took my comic book!

- I did not!

It's my comic book!

- I don't care whose it is, you

can't behave like this in here.

Where's your mother?

- Shopping.

- She's gonna hand you your

heads on a platter.

Helen.

Helen!

Your children...

Helen?

- How different, how wonderful

this new life was.

Every day, I would go about my

normal routine.

I would feed my family,
clean the house.

But I always knew in the back
of my mind that soon
I would sleep.

And then, only then,
would I be free.

Free to fly.
Free to roam the world.

- Mrs. Kunen,
I finished my story.

- That's wonderful, Davey.

Mr. Kunen will be pleased.

- I thought maybe
you could take a look at it.

- Oh, I can't right now.

I'm very tired.

I have to lie down.

- Oh, okay.
Yeah.

- Well, maybe I can.

- Yeah?

Let me get these.

- [ Grunts ]

"The wooden horse."

- I have a class,
so we better get started.

- I'm sure she'll be
along any second.

- You'd think
this was a meeting
of the joint chiefs of staff.

You can fill her in later.

- But she wanted you
to see her idea.

She's been working
so hard on it.

- [ Sighs ]

- Well, I'm not surprised
she's late.

She's been acting so odd.

Walking around with that

"Mona Lisa" smile,
like she's seen the light.
It's frightening.

- I don't remember Helen being

quite so insensitive
when you were acting odd.

- That's not called for.

We're all just as worried
as you are.

- If she's happy,
you should be glad.

Life hasn't been
so easy for Helen.

I guess it doesn't bother you

knowing you could wake up
tomorrow and find that your

other leg is gone
or your arm or your bladder
- Milly!

- Or your husband.

- Most of them leave, you know.

Oh, I'm sorry.
I forgot.

You don't have m.S.

[ Sighs ]
Well, let's get on with it.

I thought we were
in such a rush.

- [ Breathing heavily ]

I'm sorry I'm late.

This arthritis.

- Oh, Helen!

These are great!

- [ Chuckles ]

- Mr. Keane, "b."

For Mr. Eames'
heartfelt efforts, b-plus.

And here, at last,
the intellectual strainings
of our Mr. Edgerton.

For Mr. Edgerton, a d-plus

and a "see me after class."

[ School bell rings ]

- Are you satisfied
with your grade?

- I really worked on this.

- For a change.

- I deserve better.

- I agree.

What happened?

I had no idea
you could write like this.

- Why'd you give me
such a crummy Mark?

- I loved your idea.

Everything else was awful.

But, David, this shows me that

you are capable of achieving
a literary career.

- I'm glad I'm not even
more talented.

You'd have given me an "f."

- This
is an English language class.

I don't grade these papers
on style.

"D" is what you deserve
for your grammar and syntax.

- All the stuff
that doesn't matter.

I'm interested in the soul
of my work.

- That's what the plus which

follows your "d" is for.
- That's great.

Unfortunately, explanations like

that are sort of lost
on my parents.

- Before you can break
the rules, young Wordsworth,

you must master them.

- So I keep hearing.

- Correct the areas I've marked.

I'll see what I can do about

raising the grade.

And, David, when you're done,

I'd like to have it read
for the literary magazine.

- You're kidding.

- Yes, actually, I am.

No, David.

I want to submit it.

- Far out!

- "Far out?"

I thought I was teaching
you English.

- Later, Mr. Bainbridge.

- [ Coughs ]
- Songbird to penny.

Come in, penny.

- Hmm?

- Where were you, honey?

I was talking to you.

- Oh, I'm sorry.

Must have been daydreaming.

- The way you've been sleeping?

"Night, bill."

Whoosh.
Out like a light.

- I've been exhausted.

Those kids can drive you crazy.

- You've only got two
to worry about.

I've got dozens.

You don't hear me complaining.

- That's very unfair.

My major was history,
not home Ec.

- I'm sorry, honey.

I didn't mean...

It's just that you
can't give in.

You have to stay tough.

- I'm tougher than you think.

In fact...

I want to teach next semester.

- That's not a good idea.

What would people say?

I can support my own family.

- It's not about money.

- You're not even certified.

- I can tutor.

I can take on private students.

- You have enough to do.

You have a home and children.

- I can do both.

Milly took that job at Wilson's.

- You're not Milly.

- What's that supposed to mean?

I thought I wasn't supposed
to feel sorry for myself.

Why do you?

- Mrs. Kunen.

Mr. Bainbridge
is giving my story
to the literary magazine.

- That's great!

- Rip.
- Rip!

- I told you I knew
what I was doing.

- Well, I see we have a number

of interesting subjects today.

First, student concern
over the advanced level
of courses at mount Eden.

I've asked James Parker,
our senior class president,
to present the students' view.

[ Cheers and applause ]

- Thank you, Dean shays.

- Mr. Parker, correct me
if I'm wrong, but isn't

superior academics
the very reason
for mount Eden's existence?

- Of course, Mr. Kunen.

We feel perhaps more could be

retained if more
were comprehended.

[ Cheers and applause ]

We feel too much of our time

goes into memorizing things

we're probably gonna forget

within 24 hours of any exam.

We think if more emphasis were

put on understanding
the material, we could
probably derive

even greater benefits
from our world-class

faculty's knowledge
and experience.

[ Cheers and applause ]

- I think we must be doing
something right.

- You realize, don't you, that

none of this matters.

- Helen?

- The extent of each student's

experience isn't important.

They're just elements of the sum

total of experience.

- I'm afraid I don't
quite understand.

- Well...

The students, like ourselves,

are just vehicles.

There are millions,
billions of vehicles
in the world.

Telephones and electric lights

are vehicles.

But neither of them will run

without electricity.

If the vehicle is in working

order, plugging it in will make

it run.

But if it's worn out...

No matter how much electricity

you course through it,
it won't function.

- Psychosomatic.

- Well, perhaps I'm a little

obtuse, but...

I fail to see what
this has to do with our subject.

- Robert, it's the same with us.

We are the electricity that

allows our vehicles to run.

So, even if your vehicle
is better than mine,

that doesn't alter the nature
of your true existence,

which is part of a very large
force in which we're all one,
in which we all share.

And when your vehicle
is destroyed, the electricity
which you represent

returns to all electricity,
the same as mine.

Is that more clear?

- Thank you, Helen.

- Helen, what are you
talking about?

- They know what I mean.

- Mrs. Electricity.
[ Laughs ]

- I'd finally begun to think.

The problem was my mind had not

yet had a chance
to catch up to my experience.

- I'm not in the mood
to discuss this.

- No, I'm serious.
What the hell were you
trying to say last night?

I'm interested.
- His wing's getting stronger.

We're gonna have
to think about letting him go.

- Does this have anything
to do with the way
you've been acting lately?

- Just how have I been
acting lately?

- Come on.
You know what I'm talking about.

- No, I don't know
what you're talking about.

Why don't you explain it to me.

Just how have I been acting?

As far as I'm concerned,
I've been acting just fine.

- Okay.
Forget it.

I'm okay, you're okay.

Everybody's fine.

- Maybe you're not so hot to me.

- What are you trying to do?

Turn on all the boys?

- [ Sighs ]

I thought I told you
not to put that...

- Helen.

- No, don't touch me.
I'm fine.

- Give me your hand.
- No, I don't need your help.

That's what you keep telling me.

- Everybody needs
help sometimes.

- I rely on your...
Give me your hand.

- You don't need my help.

You need someone who can take

care of your house
and take care of your kids.

Well, I can't.
I'm not strong enough.

I'm a cripple!
- No, you're not a cripple!

You could do anything
you want to do!

- No!

You can do anything
you want to 'cause

you're not the one
living in this fucking prison,
so fuck you!

- Helen!
- Fuck you, fuck this house,

fuck this body, and fuck this

lousy leg!

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!

[ Sobs ]

- It's all right.
- Oh, god.

Oh, god.

[ Crying ]

- I spent hours studying other

people's
out-of-body experiences.

I was surprised at how many

there were.

I tried so hard to understand

all this new information that

was crashing through my brain,

yet none of it was equal
to my experience.

What book could explain
the things I'd seen and lived?

Why had I been given this gift?

With each journey, I became more

and more able to determine their

length and direction.

But more often than not, I would

find myself
totally out of control.

As if I were floating
on a summer sea,

as if I were carrying
the future and the past.

In times like these I never knew

where I would go or when I would

be back.

These were the most marvelous

times of all.

- They're too mushy!

- Yesterday you said they were

too hard!

- I like it the way
mommy does it!

- Shh!
You'll wake her.

- Bill?

Bill!

It's gone!

My leg is better!

Bill?

- ♪ Well, do you wanna dance

- yeah!

- Helen, more chips.

- ♪ Do you wanna dance

- okay.

- What are you doing here?
- What?

- I thought you said you turned

over a new leaf, and here I find

you shooting craps
with the boys.
- Helen!

We're running out of paper cups.

- In the kitchen!

- All right, shooter.
Let's go.

- Yeah, come on.
Throw 'em.

- Come on, baby.

Papa needs new track shoes.

- Seven!
Oh, winner.

- Helen!

- Right here.

Taking it all again.

- [ Gasps ]

- Hey, beautiful.
- Hey.

[ Laughs ]

I got to go.
I love you.

- I love you, too.

Don't overdo it.

- Oh!

- I don't believe I've seen you

boys dancing.

- Sure we did, Mrs. Fossner.

We danced.

- With each other.
Ha!

- Bad one.

- My turn to lead.

- ♪ The only time I feel
all right is by your side ♪
- [ Clears throat ]

- ♪ Girl, I want to be
with you all of the time ♪

- May I cut in?

Or are you three going steady?

- Lucy.

Yeah, sure.

- ♪ All day and all
of the night ♪

♪ I believe that you
and me last forever ♪

♪ oh, yeah, all day
and nighttime yours ♪

♪ leave me never

♪ the only time I feel
all right is by your side ♪

- Helen!

Helen!
- ♪ girl, I want to be
with you all of the time ♪

- Helen!

- ♪ All day
and all of the night ♪

- 'Round and 'round she goes.

Where she stops, nobody knows.

Except me.

- Hey!
It's a fix!

- Out of 25.
- Bill, have you seen Helen?

We're out of chips again.

- I was looking for her, too.

Want to take over?

- Thought you'd never ask.

All right!

Pucker up
and kiss your money goodbye.

- Helen.

Hey, honey,
I was looking for you.

Helen?

What are you doing?

- Nothing.

Just looking at the stars.

- Want some company?

Some party, huh?

Some party.

Really turned out great.

You did a fabulous job.

- Why, thank you, kind sir.

[ Chuckles ]

What do you suppose we'll find

when we travel to the stars?

- If we ever travel
to the stars.

- Oh, we will.

- I don't know.

I never gave it any thought.

- Oh, but you should.

You must.

Every atom in your body was once

inside a star.

We're all brothers
in that sense.

- Funny.
You don't look like my brother.

[ Chuckles ]

I know.
Corn ball.

- I'm serious.

I could take you there.

- Listen, Helen.

I want to apologize.

I've been awfully hard on you.

- You don't owe me an apology.

- I was just so scared it would

keep getting worse.

But I knew deep down if I could

keep the pressure on you,
we'd get through
this thing, and we did.

'Cause I know you.

I know you can do anything you

set your mind to.

- Even teach?

- What is this thing
about teaching?

You have a job.

- Helen!

- Hurry up.

- Oh, Helen.
Your leg.

- They told me about remissions.

I guess I shouldn't
have gotten my hopes up.

- My god, I didn't...
- I know. Shh. It's okay.

It's all right.

Let's go.

- You are as healthy as an ox.

- And as good looking, too?

- I'm only a doctor.

I'm not qualified
to answer that.

[ Chuckles ]

So...

Why don't you tell me what

you're really doing here.

You're not due for a physical

for another four months.

- Better safe than sorry, Tom.

- And a stitch
in time saves nine.

[ Sighs ]

We could go on like this all

day, but I have a waiting room

full of phony complaints to deal

with before I get back
to the hospital.

So, uh...

Why don't we talk about Helen.

- Helen?

- Help me out, bill.

- Rip.

Rip.

Rippopoly.

Mm.

- Since her leg got bad again,

she's so detached
she could be in another world.

She sleeps all the time.

- Fatigue is to be expected.

- She always had that before

and she never gave into it.

I wouldn't let her.

She's getting
very difficult to live with.

She's lucky to have
someone like you.

- Stop, please.

- No, I don't mean
to embarrass you.

I just want to let you know how

proud we are.

She complained of any changes?

Vision?
Numbness?

- She won't talk about it.

- Does she slur her speech?

- No.
- Loss of bladder control.

- Not that I know of.

- Any inappropriate
emotional outbursts?

- Yes.

- Is it possible
that she's drinking?

Or taking drugs?

- Drugs?
Helen?

Yes, Tom.

Heroin.
She's injecting it.

- [ Sighs ]

M.s. Is like a sword of Damocles

hanging over your head.

The uncertainty of not knowing

what's going to happen next can

make you want to escape.

Alcohol is as good a way as any.

You know, I think it's Helen
I should be seeing.

- I've tried.

She won't come in.

- Insist!

- Tom, I don't know
if I can do it.

I'm 29.

I don't think I can
change my wife's diapers.

You don't know what it's like

to watch the person you love

fall apart right
in front of you.

I want to do the right thing.

I don't know if I can.

I don't know
if I'm strong enough.

- Go to your rooms.

- We didn't do anything!

- I don't want you
playing with each other.

You make too much noise.

- Edgerton!
You're up!

- I was just up two seconds ago.

- Well, guess what?

You're up again.

I love the way
you waddle when you run.

- When I'm done with this.

- Come on!
You're up!

- All right!

- All right, here we go.

- Ready?

- Move in.

- Here it comes.

Ooh!

- A beauty of a hit!

- First!
First! Put it into first!

- Second!

- Get in there!

Oh!
Oh, great.

- There's third.

- You're all worthless.

- Nice one.

Since when do they
print comics in hardback?

- Ah, it's economics.

Shooting for an "a"
on the final.

Think that might freak out
the barbarian?

It's actually
almost interesting.

- Yeah, I'll wait till they

make the movie.

- Where you headed?

- Oh, I got
a dentist appointment.

- Mm.
Lucky bastard.

- Yeah, that ain't
the scary part.

Wait till you hear
who's driving me.

Ms. Electricity.

- Shut up.
- In her shiny, new vehicle.

- Shut up!

- Get over it, man.

She's a loon.

Zzz!

- Oh, man!

What's wrong with you?
- Son of a bitch.

- No, not yet.

[ Whimpering ]

This can't be happening.

[ Gasping ]

[ Both humming theme
from "Perry Mason" ]

[ Knock on door ]

- Who is it?

- It's Mrs. Kunen.

- Mrs. Kunen.

Could you hold on
just one second?

I've got to put some clothes on.

- Come in.

- I hope I'm not disturbing you.

Are you ready?

- For what?

- Your history.

- We already did that.
I already took the test.

- You did?

- Yes, ma'am.
I got a "b."

- Mr. Kunen helped you?

- No.

No, you did.

- Davey...

Do you believe
human beings have souls?

A soul apart from the body.

- Yeah, I guess so.

- What do you think about

astral projection?

I mean, do you believe in it?

Or do you think it's just silly?

- What's astral projection?

- Don't any of you know?

Well...

Astral projection is what

happens to you when you separate

your soul from your body.

And you let it go places that it

couldn't go if it
was still in your body.

Haven't you ever done that?

- Gee, Mrs. Kunen, I don't

think so.

- Oh.

What's happened to you?

- It's... it's nothing.

- It doesn't look like nothing

to me.

What did you fight about?

A girl?

- I'd rather not say.

- This is childish.

I want you two to shake hands.

- No way.

- I won't have this.

Not in my home.

That's better.

I won't disturb you any longer.

Think hard.

Can't you remember ever looking

down from above, seeing yourself

asleep in bed?

- No, ma'am.

- Sonny?

- No, ma'am.

- Rick?

- ♪ This old man,
he played one ♪

♪ he played Nick-nack
on his thumb ♪

Come on, you guys.

You know this one.

♪ With a Nick-nack
paddywhack give a dog a bone ♪

♪ this old man
came rolling home ♪

♪ this old man,
he played one ♪

Wait.

Ooh.

Let me see.

- Come on, mom.
Cut it out.

- Oh, my babies.

You know I love you very much,

don't you?

And I'm so sorry.

- Ohh, mommy!

- [ Chuckles ]

Oh.

[ School bell rings ]

Okay.

Go.

- Everything is status quo.

- Bravo.

That's what I keep telling

everyone.

I never felt better.

- And you never looked worse.

- Thank you.

- You're very rundown.

- Would you like to try raising

two children?

It's not so easy for me,
you know.

- [ Sighs ]

I thought you said you never

felt better.

I want you to check
into the hospital
for a few days.

- What?

- Just think of it
as a vacation.

You're doing too much.

- A vacation?

What should I do?

Bring my bathing suit?

- [ Chuckles ]

If you like.
No, seriously, Helen, I can't

tell bill I just told you
to take two aspirin
and call me in the morning.

This is a good idea.

It'll give you a chance to rest

up while I run a few tests.

- I don't know what
you're looking for.

There's nothing wrong with me
we don't already know about.

- Come on, Helen.

Take a few days off.

You deserve it.

- Can't I just take 730 aspirin

and call you in a year?

- [ Chuckles ]

Very funny.

I think I'll use that.

Helen, if you don't do this
for yourself, do it for bill
and the kids.

- [ Scoffs ]

No guilt, please.

All right.

If it'll get everyone
off my back.

- Attagirl.

Go on.

Take a lollipop.

[ Car door closes ]

- Okay, where's the bird?

- Aw, dad. Do we have to?

- Johnny, we've gone over this

100 times
and you know it's right.

Everyone has to be free to make

their own decisions.

Henry's no different.

- But we love him and we want

to take care of him.

- I don't know what
you're worried about.

He's gonna love this house.

- I'll go get him.
- No, me!

- How'd it go?

Helen?

[ Bird cawing ]

- He likes it!

Henry!
Come back!

[ Bird caws ]

- Silly.

Stop.

I'm all right. Really, I am.

Let's go to bed.

I can finish this
in the morning.

Bill?

Hold me?

[ Sighs ]

Don't ever let me go.

- Don't worry.

They'll never leave you.

- Make love to me.

- I don't want to...

- It's all right.

You won't hurt me.

I have to feel you inside me.

Let's take this off.

- Lie down.

- [ Sighs ]

- Again.

I'm so sorry.

- It's all right.

It's all right.

It's not the same, I know.

- It's not that at all.

- Of course I'm upset.

She's been here four days,

hasn't slept a wink, and you

still haven't the slightest idea

of what to do.

Where do we go from here?

Do we just sit around
and watch her waste away?

- We're gonna try
ACTH injections.

Some doctors believe it can

lessen the duration of these

acute acerbations.

- Some doctors?

What do you believe?

Tom, don't misunderstand, but I

think we should be talking
to somebody who knows
more about this.

- Well, unfortunately no one

knows very much.

- There has to be something.

- I've already been in touch

with the head of neurology
at the university hospital.

Come on.

Let's go see that beautiful wife

of yours.

[ Sighs ]

- Both: ♪ say goodbye
to all your troubles ♪

♪ say goodbye
to all your fears ♪

♪ knowledge
is the pathway to freedom ♪

♪ read, get smart,
wipe away your tears ♪

♪ read everything
you get your hands on ♪

♪ regardless of point of view

♪ always hear both sides
of the story ♪

♪ let no one else
do your thinking for you ♪

- ♪ read Billy Shakespeare

- ♪ Billy Apollinaire

- ♪ Tennessee Billy

- together: ♪ and don't forget
Billy Carlos Billy ♪

- Both: ♪ and you know how
to solve your problems ♪

♪ slip and slide
through life's mystery ♪

♪ always be the life
of the party ♪

♪ you'll be glad you
listened to me ♪

♪ education

♪ be glad you listened to me

- both: ♪ education

[ applause ]

- That was wonderful.

Thank you.

- Wrote it for you.

Now you have to get better
and come home.

No running away from your

responsibilities, remember?

- I remember.

- Rip.

- Rip.

- No, louder.

- [ Chuckles ]

Rip!

- [ Chuckles ]

- A new-and-improved
Dave edgerton.

Impressive, no?

- No.

What are you boys doing here?

Do you have passes?

- Bill, what difference does

that make?

- Rules are rules.

I have to report them.

- But... you've done so well

with him.

Why not give him a little

credit for the good
things he's doing?

- I thought I was
doing well, too.

But leaving campus without

permission, dressed like some

kind of beatnik...
- Beatnik?

- is exactly the kind
of behavior I expect
from edgerton.

- Beats are dead.

- Shh.

Bill.

They did it for me.

- Well, I suppose I could close

my eyes this one time.

- Mm.

[ Sighs ]

- I hope you don't think
that's funny.

- [ Scoffs ] What a dip.

- What'd you say?

This is disgusting!

Those men are dying
for our country.

- Yeah,
that's what's disgusting.

- Okay, all bets are off.

I don't believe what
I almost let you talk me into.

You're on report.

- I don't believe
you'd do this.
He'll be expelled.

- He'll just be put
on disciplinary.

If he passes all his finals,

he'll be fine.

- Bill, I think...

- Helen,
please stay out of this.

You're here to get better.

That's what I want you
concentrating on.

- It's okay Mrs. Kunen.

We pretty much figured
we'd get reported anyway.

Who gives a shit?

It was worth it.

- How dare you
use that language.

This is my wife.

- Don't get your bowels
in an uproar.

- You're in big trouble, mister.

- Groovy. I'm used to it.
- Bill, stop this, please.

- Wait outside.

I'm driving you back to Eden.

Go.

- Nice move.

So long, Mrs. K.

Get better.

And remember...

Rip.
- [ Chuckles ]

[ Gasps ]

- Jesus.

- You can kiss
cross country goodbye.

- This is all your fault.

- What?

- This is 1965.

We don't keep our women
in shackles anymore.

- What the hell
are you talking about?

- Slavery is illegal.
And it's out of date.

- You're pressing your luck.

- You know,
you don't even understand her.

You know,
that's why she has to get away.

To me, she's the most beautiful

woman in the world.

To you she's just a cripple.

- Mr. Kunen!

- ♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

- you ought to read this.

Maybe you'll astral project
to another school
and we'll finally be rid of you.

- I'd do it,
but you'd be so lonely.

- Hey, this tastes pretty good.

Your ol' dad's
getting better
at this, isn't he?

- [ Chuckles ]

- Well, I for one
think it's a cheap trick.

- So do I.
- What an easy way
to get a little attention.

- You know, Lee and I
wanted to go to the island

this summer,
but this is a lot closer.

Wonder if they have
any rooms left for June.

- I booked them all.

- [ Chuckles ]

- I need my privacy.

- Well...

We should get going.

You look like
you could use a little sleep.

- She's right.

Another couple of days'
rest and you'll be
as good as new.

- I am very tired.

- You just rest up.

Don't worry about a thing.

[ Guitar strumming ]

[ Telephone rings ]

- Hello?

- We put her
on intravenous at 6:00.

She fell right asleep.

After about five hours,
the nurse went to check up

on her, tried to wake her up,
no response.

- Stop.
Enough.

- I'd been gone 12 hours
when I finally realized
I didn't have to return.

My body was now
totally cared for.

I could finally divorce
myself from the physical.

Now I saw everything.

Animals, plants, their organs,

their blood.

I became part of the earth, part

of its core, and grew with it

outward to its furthest reaches.

I saw the earth knows its parts

as we know our skin and veins.

I saw the earth lives
and breathes and all on it
share each breath.

It was four days
before I thought to return.

I watched bill
as he sat by my body.

When I saw how hurt he was,

my heart broke.

I thought he'd be glad
I was gone.

[ Faintly ] Bill.

- Helen?

Oh, Helen, thank god.

- Billy, I'm fine.

- Oh, Helen.

Hey.

- You don't have to worry
about me anymore.

You're free now.

- No, I don't want to be free.

- I'm seeing.

I'm learning.

It's good.

I'm part of life.

- Hey.

Helen.

Helen?

No.

Help!
Somebody!

Help!

- Rummy?

- Nickle a point.

- You think I ought
to talk to the barbarian?

Tell him about all this cosmic

consciousness stuff?

- What, are you crazy?

- I don't know.

Maybe it'll give him
some idea what's
wrong with her?

- Dave, come on.

It's just a load of crap.

- I believe it.

- Get real.

- So, it doesn't look like

mommy's gonna be able
to come home right
away after all.

- What's the matter with her?

- Well, baby...

Mommy's in what
they call a coma.

- What's a coma?

- It's when a person falls

asleep and doesn't
wake up for a long time.

- She's dead.

- No, son.
She's not dead.

She's just asleep.

- Like sleeping beauty?

Right, daddy?

- Yes, baby.

Like sleeping beauty.

- I'll ask gabey to protect her.

- He's not an angel.

He's just a doll!

- Gabey!
- Guys. Hey, stop that.

Hey, hey, hey, hey!

Stop! Stop!
- Gabey!

- Hey!
I hope you're ready
for a spanking.

[ Knock on door ]

[ Door opens ]

You're so young.
You have your whole life ahead

of you.

Don't waste your time
worrying about us.

We'll be all right.

- Aren't you even
gonna read it?
- It's not necessary.

My wife is going
through a very difficult time.

It's easy to understand
why she believes something
like that.

- At last take a look.

Don't you owe her that much?

- Don't you think
I already have?

Mrs. Kunen's problem
is a medical one.

The solution to it
isn't in this book.
This is just a lot of nonsense.

- No.

No, it may be nonsense
to you, but it's not to her.

It's real.

I know it is.

- This is about
the stupidest thing
I've ever seen.

- Shh.

[ Sitar music plays ]

[ Girls laugh ]

- Jesus Christ.

- All right!
Here we go.

- [ Humming ]

Take a seat, ladies.

Take a seat.
- What are you doing here?

You're gonna blow
the whole thing.

- We are not.
We just want to watch.

- Once you go black, you never

come back.

- [ Laughs ]

- Quiet.
I have to concentrate.

- Is that what I think it is?

- Where'd you get that?

- Have a nice flight, Davey.

- I don't believe this.

- Don't Bogart that joint.

- [ Laughs ]

- [ Coughs ]

- [ Sighs ]

Rip.

Like in "rip off."

- What's the matter?

- Okay, Mrs. Kunen.

If you're anywhere around,

you're gonna have to leave.

'Cause I'm about to stick
my hand in Dithy's blouse.

- You are not!

[ Laughs ]

- Can't anybody figure out

what's wrong?

- No, they keep running all

these tests, but...

- It's freaky.
I mean...

You don't suppose
she'll die or anything, do you?

- I don't know, you know?

I really love her, you know?

Everything I did I did because

of her.

And now she's just deserting me.

- You're wrong.

She's not deserting you.

- She said you have
to stick it out, you know?

And I believed her.

And what do I care
about economics?

It's just a load of bullshit.

I'm not even worried
about it anymore.

[ Bell dings ]

- During the next two months,
I saw more and more.

With each thing I learned,
1,000 doors opened.

I saw my being was made
of a million elements

and I was one of billions
that made the earth.

And the earth was one
of an infinite number
that made the universe.

My body became weaker,
and I wasn't sure what
to expect if I were to die.

The end of the last of the last
barrier between myself
and complete understanding?

I burned with anticipation
and excitement.

And fear.

- Edgerton.

Get a haircut.

- All right.

We have to get back from dinner.

Hey.

Aren't you gonna kiss
your mother?

- Daddy, I don't want to come

here anymore.

- You know...

I pretended that the changes you

were going through
didn't matter to me.

I was fooling myself.

They did.

But they don't anymore.

Dave edgerton says your spirit

is off traveling somewhere.

I don't believe that.

But maybe you do.

If that's what
this is all about...

Helen, come back.

I'll take care of you.

Just as you are.

I told you I'd never leave you.

And I won't.

I know you're alive,
and you're in there,
and you're gonna come back.

- [ Laughs ]

- All right, Mrs. Kunen.

I can't believe she made this.
- Hmm.

- [ Chuckles ]

- "No interrupting in class.

Move a space ahead."

[ Both laugh ]

"Failed semifinals.

Skip a turn."

- Sounds good.

"Tardy to class"... that's my

favorite right there already.

- D-u-m-m dumb.

- Look at these pieces.

- Hey, you made honor roll.

- Oh, yeah, right.

- Well?

- We're doing everything we can.

Keeping her
as comfortable as possible.

- That's good.

- Bill, I want to be honest

with you.

There isn't much chance that

she's ever gonna recover.

- But she might.

- I just don't want to give you
any false hope.

- You said m.S.
Isn't life-threatening.

- It's not supposed to be.

- What do we do now?

- I want to wean her
off the respirator.

- I can't do that.
She'll die.
- No, no.

Many people in comas, they live

without artificial support.

She may become
so dependent on it that
it's self-perpetuating.

- She'll die and you know it.

I don't want to hear this.
- We would not stop feeding

her, just the respirator.

- I think you lost your senses.

You should have
your license taken away.

- Bill, I know how you feel.
Believe me.

Nobody sympathizes
with you more.

- You sympathize with total

fucking bullshit!

They'll arrest you for murder

and they'll put you in jail.

- I have known Helen
since she was born.

Now, there's a slight chance,

but it's worth taking.

She's already as good as dead.

- I'll keep her hooked up
to anything I can get
my hands on.

I'll come every day.

I'll talk to her.
I'll hold her hand.

She needs me.
I need her.

I'm getting another doctor.

I don't want you going anywhere

near her.

- [ Coughs ]

Thomas Malthus
was an 18th-century economist.

He hypothesized that mankind's

reproductive urge would push it

to the edge of existence
and a losing battle between...

Uh, its insatiable appetite
and nature's ability to,
uh, support it.

- Do you actually commit these

passages to memory or is this

photographic repetition
a natural gift?

- [ Sighs ]

- Is there anyone who actually
understands the material?

And would care to comment?

Edgerton.

My new star pupil.

What did Malthus feel kept this

discrepancy between
mouths and food in check?

Or did he simply believe
we were all doomed.

Edgerton.

- Uh...

Malthus said that's why war,

poverty, and disease exist.

They're a natural phenomenon.

And they keep
the population in check.

- Excellent.

So...

Seems there's a natural

harvesting of human beings
which takes place.

Same way we thin the ranks
of seals, elephants, trees.

Survival of the fittest.

I would suggest you know this

survival of the fittest
theory well.

It will figure strongly
on Monday's final.

- [ Clears throat ]

- Tag!
You're it!

- You're it!

- You stop that!

[ Indistinct conversations ]

- Really having fun, huh?

It's funny.

Ever since Henry flew away, Amy

swore she'd never play again.

- I'm proud of what you've done.

From flunking out
to straight "b" s.

You make me realize
it's worthwhile.

I did a good job on you.

- I can't believe you're always

trying to take credit.

When are you gonna wake up?

All you ever did was push me

farther away.

Mrs. Kunen is the one
that helped.

At least she tried
to make me understand.

Why don't you let her go?

- What kind of man
do you think I am?

I'd never leave her.

- Oh, you're so tough.

I didn't say leave her.

I said let her go.

Isn't there anything that you

learned from her?

- I began to die.

It was strange to feel
the energy outside my body

become independent,
as the small amount
left inside joined my spirit.

But no matter how hard I tried,

a thin veil remained between

myself and the infinite.

I pushed harder and harder.

But as my body grew weaker,
i, too, grew weaker,
and I was scared.

Could I have learned
all that I learned

for it to come back
to the same ageless question?

Why?
How?

If there is a god and he caused

it all to exist, then where did

he come from?

There are four billion
suns in our galaxy.

But how many galaxies are there?

What if the spirit I'd become

simply ceased to exist
when my body finally died?

Life is there.

In the physical.

I must go back.

I have to go back.

No.

Look at it lying there.

This body is already destroyed.

There's nothing left
for me to offer
my children or bill.

Or anyone.

And when it dies,
I'll be released.

Released to be one
with the universe.

Released to finish my quest.

[ Door opens ]

- Martin Luther King.

- [ Laughs ]

Wrong, bean brain.

Martin Luther King
marched on Washington.

And Martin Luther was condemned

by the diet of worms.
[ Laughs ]

- Martin Luther,
Martin Luther King...
You know what I meant.

- [ Laughs ]
- Edgerton.

- All right, you have exactly
one hour starting now.

All right.
Time's up.

Bring your exam books
to the front of the room.

[ School bell rings ]

[ Students cheer ]

[ Sighs ]

Thought you might like
to know how you did.

- Already?

- Wouldn't want to torture you

any more than necessary.

- Sure you would.

- C-plus!
All right!

- Let's see what we can do

about turning that into a "b"

next year, huh?

- Where's edgerton?

- I don't know.

- Well, tell him I'm sorry.

This isn't the way I wanted it,

but, uh... He left me no choice.

- "F."

- Hi.

- Hi.

I don't know whether
you can hear me or not,
but I want you

to know I'll never forget you.

If you go, I'll think about you

every minute
of every day I'm alive.

And can you ever forgive me?

I thought if I could accept
your body, that would be enough.

But I forgot to accept you.

You said our bodies are vehicles

and I refused to understand.

Now I do.

'Cause it's you I miss,
not your body.

When I tried to help, I thought

that the answer
was to stay tough.

I was wrong.

'Cause it's your tenderness

that's changing Dave.

And your tenderness that's

changing me.

We need you so much,
especially Johnny.

But this isn't about us.

If I were in your place...

I'd choose the same
freedom you have.

I only hope that you find out

there the same love that will

always live for you here.

[ Door opens ]

[ Sighs ]
What are you doing here?

- I just came to say goodbye.

I didn't think you'd be here.

Sorry.

- Wait.

I was looking for you.

- Yeah.

I got the message
loud and clear.

You don't have to worry.

I won't be back.

- From now on
we'll learn together.

Wait downstairs?

I'll drive you home?

[ Ventilator hisses ]

You're free now.

I'm releasing you.

Do what you have to.

Our love is forever.

- [ Sniffles ]

Give me
the police department, please.

- Thanks, Milly.

I'll have their things ready.

Um... i don't know.

Maybe a few days.
Maybe longer.

Okay.

[ Plate shatters ]

I'm not gonna hurt you.

I'm not mad.

From now on, we have to do
everything for each other.

We have to live for each other.

Do you understand?

Hey.

Your mother wants us
to love each other.

'Cause that's the most
important thing,
and because she loves us

very much.

- I made my bed this morning.

- I know.

I love you, son.

- Bill...

This is very embarrassing.

I have to ask you
to come with me.
- I know.

- Is there anyone
who can watch the kids?

- Milly Johnson
is on her way over.

- No!
- John.

- You won't come back!
- It's all right, okay?

I'll be back home soon.
- No! You'll never come back!

- Yes, I will.
I'll be back soon.

- No!
[ Telephone rings ]

- Hello?
Who is it?

Daddy!
It's Dr. Bryson!

- Yes, Tom.
What is it?

Johnny, stop.

Mommy's back.

Hey.

Johnny.

Mommy's back.

- With his love, bill gave me

the choice, and finally I knew

my path was life.

I came back.

Back to my family.

Back to Eden.

"Whoever you are: Some evening

take a step out of your house,

which you know so well.

Enormous space is near."