Good Luck, Miss Wyckoff (1979) - full transcript
An abusive sexual relationship between a white spinster schoolteacher and an young black janitor in 1956 Kansas complicates her struggle to come to grips with her sexuality and emotions.
[dog barking]
[car departing]
Evie, you really are a good girl.
How was school today?
Any exact news?
No, Mr. Hemmings,
just like every other day.
Evie, now don't you go
tell him about the movie.
Stop it, you know you always
had to be the first to tell.
We're taking Mrs. Hemmings
to the movies tonight.
To see Marlon Brando
in A Streetcar Named Desire.
Do you want to come along?
Oh, no.
That's why I spent the money on
the TV so I won't have to go out.
I am not sure to allow you
girls to go out to see it.
I here it's kind of risque.
But it's Tennessee
Williams Mr Hemmings.
Hollywood.
They'll find a way
to turn it all around
and put a lot of sex into it.
Well, the whole play is about sex.
I don't see how they could
put any more in it.
All I know is that Marlon Brando is the
handsomest man in the whole world.
And I'd go any place to see
him, especially in a sexy part.
Well, I don't know, you girls,
going to see a sexy movie.
Come on, Mr Hemmings,
we're old enough.
(Mrs. Hemmings) Don't
bully my girls, Gilbert.
We're going see
Marlon Brando and Vivian Leigh
and you can just sit here
all you want. Come on, Evie.
Good night, Mr. Hemmings.
Good night, Evie.
Do you think that Vivian Leigh
really fell in love
with Clark Gable?
Now, there was a picture.
It wasn't.
Oh, I couldn't bear
the sad ending.
[school bell ringing]
I predict that Street Car Named
Desire will earn her another Oscar.
Mildred, would you stop
about Vivian Leigh?
Now, Marlon Brando,
there is a hunk.
Did you see his body?
Well, I thought he was coarse.
Well, of course he is coarse,
he's supposed to be coarse.
But I tell you one thing.
He could put his shoes
under my bed any time.
Oh!
Am I right or am I right?
He is an excellent actor.
Actor?! I am talking
about his sex.
What did I say?
I think you've lost
your sense of humor.
Sorry, Beth, I didn't sleep
too well last night.
Good morning, ladies.
Good morning,
Mr. Havermeyer.
The crust of ash which formed
the top layer of the tomb
preserved Pompey from
change by man or nature.
At centuries past,
the ancient city was forgotten
until 1718 when a peasant
found traces of the old city
in his vineyard.
Didn't they know it was there?
Oh, no.
It was a lost
city for ages and ages.
And here you can see some
of the plastic casts
of the people who died
during the holocaust.
That one surely looks like Alan.
[laughing]
Here is an inscription
that you would probably
see on a public building.
And it is our Latin
phrase for today.
?Saws Populi Lex Suprema Est?
What does that mean? Alan?
The healthy people are
the most supreme?
Close. It's a very wise
saying, and it means
"The welfare of the people,
is the supreme law."
When I took my trip
to Italy last year,
I saw mount Vesuvius.
It was just as the sun
was setting.
And it was the most beautiful
sight I've ever seen.
I never saw her like that.
[school bell ringing]
Uh..assembly.
Testing... one, two, three.
Could you all be seated, please.
Good morning,
ladies and gentlemen.
Boys and girls.
As you know this is
our last assembly program
before the start of our
Thanksgiving vacation.
[applauding]
[cheering]
I know how sad you
all are about that.
We had a very special treat
this morning.
Mrs. Henry Blud, chairman
of the music department
has arranged the program
of the musical selections
to be performed by some
of our most gifted pupils.
[applauding]
[applauding]
The first selection will be
played by Billy Calvin.
He will perform
the Adagio in B Minor
by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
[applauding]
[Waving piano]
[yawning]
[whispering]
He's my favorite.
I've always thought so.
[sobbing]
What do you think?
[dramatic musical theme]
[knocking on door]
Evie.
Yes.
Are you alright?
I am too sick to go
to school today.
Would you please ask Mr Havermeyer
if he could get
a substitute teacher?
Oh, sure.
I hope you feel better.
See you later, kid.
[crickets]
[clock ticking]
I can't sleep.
What is happening to me?
[crying]
Evie!
[knocking on door]
I am alright.
Please, leave me alone.
Please, leave me alone!
Please.
Oh, I wish...
I wish I was dead.
Could I speak
to Dr. Neal, please.
Evelyn Wyckoff.
Could I have an appointment
as soon as possible.
I just need some
professional advice.
4:30? Yes, that will be fine.
Thank you.
Put your hands up here.
Does it hurt?
No.
In here?
No.
Alright.
I believe we were
classmates together.
I remember you were
a fine basketball player.
Oh, yes I was quite
an athlete back then.
Actually I probably lost
a great deal playing that game.
I might have been a surgeon
at the Mayo clinic by now
if I hadn't played
so much basketball.
Have you ever been
in love, Miss Wyckoff?
Now, please, don't think
I am one of those doctors
who tells their patients as a way to solve
their problems is to a have romance,
but nature wanted us
to use our bodies.
If we don't... they dry out.
And function poorly.
Must be very difficult being an
unmarried teacher in Freedom.
You have so little privacy.
You think an affair would help me?
That's what you're trying
to tell me, isn't it, doctor?
I can't believe that these terrible
depressions I've been feeling
can be cured by romance.
I'd like you to see
a psychiatrist in Wichita.
A Dr. Steiner.
He's a good man,
take my word for it.
Came out from the East
a few years ago.
He's Jewish.
You don't have any antagonism
toward Jews, I hope.
I have no racial prejudice at all.
I fought at the school
for total integration.
Here is his name and address.
I'll advice him that
you'll give him a call.
Is it terribly expensive?
I am sure he'll work something
out to in your budget.
I hope so.
Here is a prescription
for assecitol.
To let you get some sleep.
Also I am going to give you
one for hormone pills.
Why are you giving
me hormone pills?
What's wrong with me?
I believe you may be going
through a premature menopause.
Now, I could be wrong.
We'll get the laboratory
results back in a few days
and confirm one way or the other.
Meanwhile I want to take
you these hormone pills
just to bring you around again.
But, Dr. Neal...
I am only 35.
That's why I said premature.
I hope it can be averted.
What can be averted
it's up to you.
And Dr. Steiner can help.
Thank you, doctor.
Has anyone ever told you
that you are a very
attractive young woman?
[singing]
[laughing]
That was great.
This is really good spaghetti.
Isn't it good, Evelyn?
It's not bad at all.
(Marie)
I just love your silver.
We lost our silver.
During the war.
The World War ll?
No, the Civil War, darling.
When the Yankees came
down on our plantations,
just destroyed everything.
(Mary) You must have been
a very young girl.
And my grandfather, he
told me they tended to kill
every single little chicken
with his sword.
(Beth)
Terrible.
You know Louise Dorismeyer?
Mm-hmm.
She can't even eat chicken.
They have a lovely home.
Everything antiques.
Just gorgeous.
A little plain, maybe.
Back home there was a hardware
store run by old man Blunker.
When he died they opened his safe
and counted $200,000 in cash.
[indistinct chattering]
I'll drink 1:0 that.
[singing]
[glass shattering]
Evie, why did you do that?
Look at you!
When I was 30 I found out
that when I read I don't have
to worry about translating.
You have a gift
for languages, Lester.
And I am going to give you some
extra reading assignments.
Okay, Ms. Wyckoff,
I see you tomorrow.
See you, tomorrow, Les. Bye-bye.
Evelyn. 20 minutes
to get on that bus.
Don't be late. Come on.
Here. You can put it on
in the car, come on.
I will.
Oh, Rafe, don't wash
that part of the board.
Watch your step.
Here you go.
On board.
Thank you.
Hello.
Watch your step.
Watch your step.
So long, Red.
Miss Wyckoff.
You seem to be hurting
an awful lot.
Yes.
It happens all the time.
I thought it would
pass, but it hasn't.
I can't function anymore.
What did you do to your hands?
I was at a party
and everybody
was having a great time
and there was this mirror...
I was drawn towards it and...
What did you see in the mirror?
Myself.
Did you look like... you?
Yes.
Yes and no.
I don't know.
You didn't like what you saw.
No. I wanted to smash it.
I wanted to smash everything.
Maybe you've disliked
yourself a very long time.
Is that possible?
Yes. And it's gone worse.
It's not only myself.
It's my work.
It's everything.
Everything seems pointless.
I don't want to do anything.
I don't want to get up
in the morning.
And when I do, even
the sunshine looks idiotic.
I understand you've missed
a couple of periods.
It's that so?
Yes.
Do you think you're pregnant?
No. No, I couldn't possibly be.
I am not married.
How about your boyfriend?
Couldn't he be responsible?
I don't have a boyfriend.
Do you ever have sex?
You seem to find it difficult
to respond to that one.
Has it been a very long time
since you were with a man...
sexually?
Have you ever been with a man?
[music playing on radio]
[chattering]
Well, I think he is... Yes, maybe.
Nobody did.
I know John Kingston.
He bragged that he passed his
modern European history course
by sitting in the front row
with his legs spread...
wide apart. You know.
In case.
Chester Rawlings
wanted to make you suffer.
Boys do that all the time, they
don't mean anything by that.
Besides, my kid brother did that.
Your kid brother was not
assigned homework
with kind of reading of
communist literature, was he?
Of course not. What's that
got to do with anything?
Chester Rawlings is
teaching commy propaganda
to the students in this school
and I think it's unamerican.
Commy propaganda?!?
Yes.
Marx, Karl Marx, the communist.
I don't see how you could teach
a course in modern history
without reading Karl Marx.
Oh, really?
His philosophy completely
changed the destiny
of Russia and China.
More than half of the world.
I don't see how you
can ignore Karl Marx.
You don't have to assign
reading matter that he wrote.
It's communistic.
It did cause revolution.
If we're all going to
understand Russia and China.
Right or wrong,
the least we could do
is to read the sources
of their political beliefs.
Suppose we forbade our students
to read Thomas Jefferson.
Beth, what's the matter with her?
Nothing, she just
thinks she's right.
I do, too.
I heard she was going
to Wichita to a psychiatrist.
I heard she was doing it
because of... the change.
What's wrong with going
to a psychiatrist?
A lot of famous people
go to psychiatrist.
Well, I hope
he does her some good.
I didn't have a moments
problem with the change.
Poor Evie. I'm just afraid
she's going to get in trouble
talking about things like that.
About communism?
Yes.
Senator McCarthy has revealed
a lot about fellow travelers
in the University.
But they can be in High
School, too, you know.
Isn't it, Red?
I began to think you got yourself
a boyfriend over here in Wichita.
You got to tell him that all the money
he's spending on the bus tickets,
you could buy yourself
a wedding ring.
Let us know when
the kids are, Red.
To tell you the truth,
I don't think I could make
this trip without you.
Do you miss your
mother and father?
I miss my father.
He's a warm, generous man.
But my parents didn't get
along too well together.
In fact they always
started fighting.
It was always the same, sooner
or later they'd start to fight
and I was always frightened.
Of...?
The fighting.
When they yelled at each
other, did they get physical?
I used to hide in the closet,
so I couldn't see
what was going on.
But I could hear it.
I thought they would
kill each other.
Did you think someone
might kill you?
Yes, I stood up
for my father once.
I thought my mother
would want to kill me.
Do you think she wanted
to kill your father?
Well, there was this time when...
he had a cut on his head
and he was bleeding.
And I went to help him
to wipe his head and...
he was just standing there
with no clothes on
and my mother was
screaming at him.
Then she pointed at him and said:
"All I ever wanted to do
is to do it."
And she-.
She grabbed me and
threw me out of the room
and she said I grew
up to be the same.
The same as her,
or the same as your father?
I don't know, but just the same.
How old were you then?
Eight.
How old were you
when you had your first period?
Eleven.
What was your reaction
when you first started
to menstruate?
I was very pleased.
But I didn't tell my mother.
Was that pleasing?
Yes.
What else pleased you?
Going to movies.
I used to go a lot.
I used to fall in love
with the movie stars.
I used to go alone.
I like being alone.
And I love my work.
After all it's been my whole life.
It's better not to need anybody.
It's better to be self sufficient.
And to be...
to be free of all that.
But that's not good enough
anymore.
"Mm?
You haven't got a husband,
a lover, children.
I've thought of children.
If this menopause is true, then...
it's all over.
Maybe it isn't all over.
Your life is more important
than shadows on a screen.
I think this is a good place
for us to end this session.
How long is your
Christmas vacation?
12 days.
We've got into some pretty
serious things right now.
I think we should continue
to go into them deeply.
We are to see each other
as often as possible
during your vacation.
Then we can decide
what's going to happen next.
Yes, mother, I know.
I wrote you the letter
so that you wouldn't be upset.
Hiding what, mother?
No, I don't have a sweetheart.
I am sorry mother.
I'd love to come home if I could.
But I have this work to do.
Yes, mother, I'll call you
Christmas morning.
(Beth)
Evelyn.
Now, if you get lonesome,
you'll come, you promised.
Don't worry about me, Beth,
I'll be fine.
Mr. Hemmings.
Merry Christmas, Beth.
Merry Christmas.
Have a good time.
Oh, thank you.
Merry Christmas.
Now, you promised.
(Evelyn)
Merry Christmas, Beth.
Merry Christmas, honey.
Evie, come in here with us.
Thanks, Mrs. Hemmings.
But I really have to work.
I have a lot of "Thank you!"
notes to write.
[Christmas carol playing]
Watch your step.
Watch your step.
M, daddy!
Sonny. My boy!
HI:
(Kid) Where have you
been this time?
Oh, you'll be surprised.
Because I got something
good for you.
Hey, Red, listen.
I just had a great thought.
Why don't you and me have
a couple of coffee together?
I am sorry, I can't.
I have an appointment.
Oh, come on, Red, whoever he is,
he's going to wait for a few
minutes for you, wouldn't he?
Sure he would. What do you say?
Well, l..
Come on. Really.
Just one.
Alright.
You see how easy that was?
[music playing on radio]
[indistinct chattering]
A couple of cups of coffee.
What's your first name, Red?
Evelyn.
Evelyn Wyckoff.
You don't mind that I
call you Red, do you?
No, I rather like it.
No one else ever has.
You mean to tell me that
nobody ever teased you
about that red hair
when you were a kid?
Yes, but that was a long time ago.
You're a nice girl, Red.
I am really no girl.
Well, you are to me.
Thanks, Ed.
You're welcome, Red.
Red and Ed sounds like a
comedy team, doesn't it?
Yes.
Here you go.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I am sorry about the wife, Red.
Oh, please, don't be.
It's perfectly natural
you should have a wife.
I wasn't surprised.
You mustn't apologize.
I apologize because I like you.
Because I like you, I think
you got the right to know.
Just how it is.
I understand how it is.
How about you?
You got a husband?
No, I am not married.
Your mind is peacefully
alone without a husband.
Some guys don't know
what they are missing.
There's something else, too, Red.
Some of those guys got married
when they were young
to some hot looking broad,
just because she was sexy.
And as the time goes
by they find out that...
Well, there's a lot of other
things that a woman could be
besides as being sexy.
And that's a lot more
important over the long haul.
What other things
might a woman be, Ed?
You just take a look
in the mirror someday.
Take a good look at you.
You'll see what I mean.
That's one of the most beautiful
things anyone ever said to me.
Listen, Red, I am going to have
a little word with you.
I am not the most
faithful to the wife.
I could show you a real good time.
I never had a first class
woman like you.
How about it?
I just couldn't, Ed.
You are married.
I wouldn't feel right.
Oh, you take your fun when you
can find it, that's my model.
I just couldn't.
Well...
when you change your mind
you just give me a little wink
and I am here, okay?
And I'll show you
a real good time.
I guarantee it.
[cashier bell rings]
Why didn't I take him up on it?
Because he's only a bus driver?
Because he is married?
Or because I am afraid?
Now, you're going to put
your head to one side
and look at me and say:
"Why are you afraid, Miss Wyckoff?
Maybe we should change places.
Dr. Steiner...
I am afraid I wouldn't be
what he expects in bed.
A woman at my age,
with no experience.
Maybe he'd be disillusioned.
I think you're expecting me
to give you the permission
to have an affair
with the bus driver.
Of course not.
But I suspect you might
be pleased if I did.
You want someone
to tell you to go ahead
and do these things
you are so frightened of.
Why?
First, you'd be relieved of guilt.
And if it should turn out
to be an unhappy romance
you'd have someone to blame,
someone else besides yourself.
Being alive is learning
how to make decisions.
Your own decisions.
Without persecuting yourself
by worrying about what other
people will think about you.
People would do anything to
avoid humiliation and shame.
It's very frightening
when new and powerful
emotions are being born.
And you are experiencing
a rebirth.
Sometimes it takes a long time,
doesn't it?
Some people never make it.
Four, three, two, one...
Happy New Year!
[music playing on radio]
It certainly can't be any worse
than the last year.
Mildred, don't be a pessimist.
It's going to be a wonderful
new year.
Sure.
I'll drink to that.
(Marie)
Oh, me too.
Oh, Evie.
It's such a pleasure
to see you like this.
Like what, Marie?
Like yourself.
God, Evie. You know the last
time when you were here,
when you smashed your hands
into the mirror.
I was very scared.
Oh, I was just going
through a bad time.
Things are different now.
It's a new year.
New resolutions.
[music playing]
(Man on PA system)
All aboard.
Bus to Wichita boarding
at front door.
Wichita?
Is Ed on the other route today?
No, he quit. Left town.
Left his pretty little wife, too.
[bus engine starting]
He was gone. Left town.
I decided to take
him up on his offer
and I was going to spend
the night with him.
I seem to see you smile.
You are pleased with yourself.
Well, I'm not exactly happy-
But it was the first
time I'd ever...
I liked him.
And I know he liked me.
And I think you're liking
yourself a little bit more
then when you first
came to see me.
Well, I can't understand why arn
I not crying now that he's gone.
I even bought some new clothes.
What sort of clothes?
Pretty lingerie.
That's not just clothes.
I really splurged.
That was so luxurious.
I couldn't afford them.
You couldn't afford
not to afford them.
(Mr. Havermeier) They are demanding
that I fire Chester Rawlings.
They saying he is
soft on communism.
Calling him a Red.
Really, it's an awful mess.
Here, look!
Even The Standard has
come up with an editorial
criticizing the school's
educational policy,
hinting at un-Americanism in
the Freedom high school faculty.
I am forced to fire him.
I think that's a mistake.
In fact I know it is.
What if I've done the same thing?
There's plenty of Latin that's
uttering too, Mr. Havermeyer.
Mrs. Wyckoff you've been
here for ten years.
You are a respected teacher.
Your reputation is impeccable.
Chester, on the other hand...
Well, I don't spend a lot of
time listening to idle gossip,
but there are certain rumors,
I mean public opinion
is against him.
His personal life
is not the issue.
How can we teach
about freedom, if we...
It'll get very unfortunate, but
I am only a public servant.
What can I do?
Maybe we could arrange
a meeting with the PTA
and explain to them
why we can't do it.
And who's going to do
the explaining?
We of the Midwest
with all our faults,
all our isolationism
are in difference to political
and social conflict.
We are America.
The back bone of America.
To forbid the studying
of a political philosophy
like that of Karl Marx,
which differs from ours
is to imitate the communists
and countries
where education is a farce.
As another philosopher,
Edmund Burke said:
"The only thing necessary
for triumph of evil
is for good men to
do nothing."
And good people of Freedom,
if we permit people like
Joe McCarthy
to bully us into
firing Mr. Rawlins
for assigning the reading
of Karl Marx,
we are unamerican.
Imitating communists, fascists
and totalitarians.
For only we are the guardians
of the precious freedom
we have in America.
[applauding]
Oh, Evie.
I loved the speech.
Evelyn, I think you turned
the whole thing around.
Well, thank you,
Mr. Havermeier.
And don't forget, 8:30 in
the Chinese restaurant.
I'll see you.
Okay, congratulations!
Thanks.
You were very convincing.
Thanks a lot.
[indistinct chattering]
Beth! Beth!
Beth!
[car engine starting]
Chester!
I didn't see you tonight.
Where were you?
Were you there?
Yes.
But I hid. I hid.
I was so terrified. I thought
they were going to tar and
feather me and run me
out of town on a rail.
Oh, come on, Chester.
Don't think it can't happen here,
it wouldn't be the first time.
Of course, I want to thank you.
But Evelyn, you can't imagine
what it feels like.
That hatred.
I've never felt so alone before.
I didn't know that it could
happen to me.
Don't. Chester,
please don't.
You're a fine teacher.
You've done nothing wrong.
Yes, but what's going
to become of me?
Do you think they'll throw me out?
They're saying so many
terrible things about me.
Chester, don't.
Don't.
[sobbing]
Please, Chester.
You know, if we keep this up
they'll be saying something
else terrible about you and me.
[breathing heavily]
Come on!
Walk me as far as my house.
Alright?
(Mrs. Hemmings)
One of my old girls.
Gilbert!
(Mr. Hemmings)
Hmm?
What if we were
harboring a communist
right here in this house?
I wouldn't want that.
Even if it was Evie.
(Mr. Hemmings)
Evie, a communist?
Lola, what have you been drinking?
Just the same.
I think we ought to watch her.
(Beth)
What do you expect to see?
That's silly, Mrs. Hemmings.
[clears throat]
[chuckles]
Evie, come on in.
Mrs. Hemmings here thinks
you're a "pinko".
Show us your card, kid!
[chuckles]
Well, I might as well tell you
the truth.
I've fallen in love with Chester.
But he won't have me.
Huh, Chester!
[street noise]
[whistling]
(humming!
I beg your pardon, Miss Wyckoff,
didn't mean to disturb
you with my vocalize.
No, you are not disturbing me,
you have a good voice.
Haven't seen you around in
quite a while, Miss Wyckoff?
Been busy?
Very busy.
You mind?
No, go right ahead.
Must be kind of lonesome for
you, school teachers, huh?
What do you mean, Rafe?
Well, I don't know...
Seems to me, none of you
gets much fun in life.
Oh, I guess we manage, alright.
Folks told me you've
done a lot of good
for the negro students here.
You got them the right to eat
equal in the cafeteria.
Yes, that's right, I did.
I wonder how many of you,
white people really mean it
when you pretend that you
really care about us, negroes.
Rafe!
You'd better leave here at once.
I'll have to speak
to Mr. Havermeier.
What's the matter, Miss Wyckoff?
Did I say something wrong?
No, you didn't say anything wrong.
I know you're in scholarship
at the Junior College.
You'd better be careful.
[footsteps departing]
Oh, hello.
Problems?
No, I just wanted
to talk to you. I was...
Well, it's nothing, really.
I was just worried
about old man, Bose.
He used to clean the classroom.
He was the janitor.
I wonder why he
isn't here anymore.
Is he sick or something?
Gall bladder.
Don't worry, he'll be back.
He's alright,
Probably sometime before
the scholarship athletes
will have to start training
for track, anyway.
When will that be?
Oh, I don't know.
Evelyn, you don't look well.
Are you taking care of yourself?
I wouldn't want you
to have a relapse.
Oh, I am just fine,
Mr. Havermeier.
Just fine.
[door closing]
[school bell ringing]
Now, remember, this is
just a practice test.
And it would just show us
if you need any extra help.
And if you do, sign up for
tutoring
and I'll help you
prepare for the final.
Thank you. Bye-bye.
Oh, Rafe!
When are you gonna go out
for track this year?
I ain't.
Why not?
Ligament.
Oh, you tore a ligament.
That's what the doctor says.
I'm sorry.
I ain't. Don't really
like football.
Oh!
It's swollen.
Want to feel?
Feel that swelling there?
Yes.
You can feel it better here.
Let me show you.
That's beginning to swell, too.
Leave down my hand, Rafe!
Let go of my hand!
[flies]
[flies]
I am warning you!
Not one sound!
[locking the door]
[flies]
[gasps]
No! No!
No! No!
No! No!
No! No! No!
No, please, no!
No one is going to hear you.
Relax, Miss Wyckoff!
I'm going to get inside
that tight place.
I know you're going to like it.
[Crying]
"o, M, no!
Oh, no!
You're going to like it in.
You're going to want this thing
of mine every time...
No, no!
Yes, you will, baby, yes you will.
No!
You just relax, is going to be
nice and easy.
Now relax, damn it!
[crying]
[moaning]
Stop. Please, stop.
I think I'm bleeding.
Stop!
When I'm ready.
Stop! Stop!
Stop!
Stop! Please stop!
Stop!
[moaning]
[raining]
[footsteps]
[Dicks up phone]
[dialing]
Dr. Steiner, please.
Oh, where is he?
Why didn't he tell me?
What emergency?
Are you sure you can't get him?
How long will he be gone?
No, no!
I don't want to talk
to another doctor.
(Mrs. Hemmings)
Evelyn?
You're very late
whatever kept you.
[indistinct chattering]
Oh, this, Kathy.
Very good.
[school bell ringing]
[street noise]
Good morning, Alan.
Good morning, Theresa.
Now, today...
we're going to start
a new unit on Cicero.
As you know, Cicero changed
the course of the Roman empire.
Tracy, I can see
you did your homework.
[school bell ringing]
Tomorrow we'll work on past
pluperfect subjunctive.
[zipping sound]
Where was you yesterday?
I went shopping with some friends.
After this you be here!
Understand?
That sounded like an order.
What's the matter, Miss Wyckoff?
Didn't I, uh..
Have enough to give you?
What happened last Friday
will never happen again.
Where you think you're going?
I'm going home, Rafe.
What's the matter, Miss Wyckoff?
I didn't mean to hurt you.
I didn't.
You must let me leave, Rafe!
You must let me go!
Just relax, Miss Wyckoff.
I'm not going to hurt you again.
Rafe!
I just want to hold you.
Don't you realize how
dangerous this is?
Just want to hold you.
Rafe, just please let me go, Rafe.
Rate, stop this.
Stop it'.!
Stop it! Stop it, Rafe.
Stop it! Stop it!
[music playing]
[birds chirping]
Hello, Beth.
Oh, Evie I've been looking
all over for you.
We're all going to have Chinese
food and then to the 7:15 show.
Do you want to come along?
Not tonight, thank you, Beth.
Okay.
[car engine starting]
Oh, has Ms. Hughes
gone already?
Yes, ma'am.
She borrowed a book of mine.
You haven't seen one
with my name on it, have you?
No, ma'am.
Oh, I'll just take a look.
Do you mind having to work
while being on scholarship?
It is hard to do your studying
and train for football
and cleaning up the rooms and...
You, boys, don't like the one
they call Rafe, do you?
The boy who cleans my classroom.
He's no boy, he's a man.
What do you mean?
Coach Simmons found him in a
Pool Hall in Oklahoma City.
Hustling for a living.
I bet he's about 24 years old.
Thinks he is God's gift
to the football team...
Royal Lord of the Jungle
or something.
Does he sleep in the dormitory?
They threw him out, because he
wouldn't bunk with no one.
Anyone.
Wouldn't bunk with anyone.
Yes, well.
He's a powerful back.
Makes a lot of touchdowns.
But that don't matter to me,
'cause I don't tolerate
nothing from nobody.
If he doesn't live in the
dorm, where does he live?
Probably sleeps
in a boarding house.
I heard he spent some time in
a home for juvenile delinquents.
Well, he doesn't seem to be here.
[laughing]
[street noise]
[door opens]
Hello, Rafe.
You liked what
I gave you yesterday?
You liked it, didn't you?
You want it again?
Well, now.
Come on over and get it.
Come on, Miss Wyckoff.
Don't let nothing
like this go to waste.
You better come and get it
while you can.
Let's see you beg a little,
Miss Wyckoff.
What do you mean, Rafe?
I'd like to see you crawl over
here on your hands and knees.
And beg.
I could never do such
a degrading thing.
Yes, you could.
Come on, now, let's see you.
Down on your knees.
BBQ-
Junior here wants
to lower the tension.
If you ain't nice to Junior,
his daddy is right to get mad.
Move!
You mean this?
Now!
Come to me.
Move!
[sighs]
Well, that's fine.
That's fine.
You was doing just fine.
[chattering]
HI:
Hello, Beth.
You sure have been quite lately.
It's all your fault that we
have them here.
But you don't look
to happy about it.
How can you say that, Beth?
Do you see that one over
there washing the dishes?
He is the kind that makes
everybody hate niggers.
Beth!
That's what he is.
An apalling nigger.
Where I come from,
we tell the truth.
And truth be told, I don't like
that arrogant, kid.
You can't pretend you
like him, either.
He sweeps the floor
in my classroom
and he looks at me
like I am the dirt.
And believe me,
I return the favor.
Racial prejudice is one of man's
most difficult problem to solve
during his time here on Earth.
Perhaps God intended
to be that way.
And if we don't solve it, Beth,
we're all going to be destroyed.
You sure do get fired up,
don't you.
What do you want to do
for dinner tonight?
I'm so sick of Chinese food
I could puke.
[laughing]
[phone ringing]
Calling so early?!
Is Saturday.
Beth.
Hello.
Oh, yes, just a moment.
It's for you, Evie.
[Evie whispering] I told you
never to call me here.
But I can't meet you.
Alright.
[footsteps]
Do you have any idea
who that man might be?
He keeps calling.
Does she have
a gentleman friend, Beth?
No, Mrs. Hemmings.
I hate to say this but that man's
voice sounds like a negro.
Really?
I told myself at first that it was
just one of her Negro students
calling about school work.
Well...
I suppose there is some
logical explanation.
What if I told to some
of the guys on the team
what a good piece of ass
you are, Miss Wyckoff?
School board wouldn't waste
no time getting rid of you
if they would find
about us, would they?
Why do you want to harm me?
I don't know.
Rafe, promise me...
Promise me you'll never
tell anybody
what has happened here between us.
Sure.
I promise.
You don't care what
happens really, do you.
Listen, if nothing else,
at least we could have
respect for each other.
You don't respect anybody, do you?
Yes.
Me.
[door opens and closes]
[door Squeaking]
(Mrs. Hemmings)
Evie, I almost forgot.
A Dr. Steiner called.
From Wichita.
He wanted you to call him.
Thank you, Mrs. Hemmings.
Evie.
[laughing]
[indistinct speaking]
I told them what a good piece
of ass you are, Miss Wyckoff.
They say they won't tell,
if you give them some too.
I was just teasing you
a little, Miss. Wyckoff.
I wouldn't tell those dummies
nothing about you, baby.
You are all mine
and I'm keeping it that way.
They would be jealous if they knew
what a good lady you can be.
Besides a good-looking
nigger like me
ain't got to track
with those fools.
No, baby-
I'm ready to take care of you.
What if Miss Wyckoff is putting
out for that chicken bone.
Of course she is.
What else would they be doing
in that room all hours.
Shit. I can't believe it.
I had her for four years on Latin.
You didn't have her
the way he is having her.
A nigger. Jesus.
I never heard of any white woman
doing it with a nigger before.
I heard she's going
to some psychiatrist.
I guess she must be
crazy or something.
He is not that bad looking
for a nigger. Just the same.
I have my private opinion of any
white woman doing a thing like that.
We don't know for sure
that's what's going on.
You can't condemn a
person without a trial.
As far as I'm concerned just being in the
same room with that chicken bones guilty
I would stay out if I was you.
(Miss Wyckoff)
Rafe! No!
[crying]
[yelling]
[crying]
You rotten bastard.
[moaning]
[groans]
[slamming door]
[indistinct whispering]
Oh, God.
Excuse me.
I am Mrs. Brewster.
Mr. Havermeier called
me this morning.
And said you will be unable
to handle your class today.
He would like to see you in his
office as soon as possible.
Yes, I see.
Here is the rule book.
The first assignment for today
was to read and translate
pages five through eight of the
first Catilinian Orations.
I'll leave you my
terrarium Mrs. Brewster.
I promise to take good care of it.
Thank you.
[music playing]
Please sit down.
You know, in all my
years of experience.
I don't think I've ever been in
the position that I've hated
as much as I hate this one.
Nor have I ever been more
at a loss to understand
if the reports that I've
heard are true.
They are true,
Mr. Havermeier.
Well, I think I've had enough
psychology to understand
that there must be some
reasonable explanation,
either emotional or psychological
for what you've done.
If you want to tell me about it.
Mr. Havermeier, I think
the reasons are unimportant.
I mean, I have always felt that...
teachers need more
emotional outlets.
Goodness knows that...
some of the normal past
times and recreations
that others enjoy so
freely are denied thus.
I enjoyed a drink now and then.
I would never allow myself to be
caught with a glass in my hand.
Obviously measures would be
taken against this negro, Rafe.
I wouldn't want to see him lose
his opportunity for an education.
It is in the Juniors
College Board's hands now.
Certainly the football fans would
be upset if they kicked him out.
But they musn't.
Between you and me I think that the
next time before he scores a touchdown
whatever he's done,
will be forgotten.
The resentment against you
is much stronger.
I've already received
some very threatening phone
calls about you.
It's ironic, isn't it?
A man never suffers
the same social ostracism
that a woman does
in situations like this.
That's true.
You must realize
that the pressure is on me to...
You are probably
the finest teacher
that I have ever had
the pleasure of working with.
But I have to ask you to resign.
As of now.
I understand.
I mean that I think you
should plan on leaving now.
I know.
Is there anything
I can do for you?
Well, it would help
if you could possibly
give me a recommendation.
I realize what I am asking.
But maybe in some place,
far away...
I feel certain I could leave up
to any recommendation
you can give me.
It's alright.
There was a young man that
I went to school with
when I was getting
my Masters Degree.
He's a very bright fellow.
He's now superintendent of schools
some place in New Jersey.
He's...
He's a good fellow and
he's broad-minded.
I would have to tell him
that I asked you to resign.
And give him some
truthful explanations.
But at the same time I could
still give him a very...
very good recommendation
for you as a teacher.
You know, I for one believe
this...
behavior, pattern...
the lapse in it is over,
that it won't recur.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Well, I guess this is good-bye.
Yes.
Yes.
Good-bye.
Evelyn.
Why? Why on Earth
did you do that?
Mr. Havermeier, you've been
very kind.
Good Luck, Miss Wyckoff.
Dr. Neil.
What can I do for you,
Miss Wyckoff?
I am leaving today for a long trip
and I don't sleep well on trains.
Last year, when I went
to Italy I didn't sleep at all.
Could you...
I need something to help me sleep.
So, you're asking me
for sleeping pills.
Yes, that's it.
I need something strong
to help me treat this.
Of course I'll give you
a prescription.
Naturally I heard what happened.
I wasn't suggesting
any such thing, you know.
I was encouraging you
to find a gentleman friend.
I never had the slightest
intention that you...
Well, I hope you don't think
that I was suggesting anything
quite like that.
Dr. Neal, will you give me a
prescription for sleeping pills?
Of course I will.
I am very sorry about
what happened. Must be very...
Please.
I'll call the pharmacy.
I hope you have a pleasant trip.
Thank you.
[dialing]
Would you, please, send a cab
to 1230 Meadows Lane?
Right away.
Thank you.
[footsteps]
Evie.
Hello, Beth.
Are you leaving already?
The sooner, the better
I should think, wouldn't you?
Well, I didn't...
Yes, I guess you're right.
Is Mrs. Hemmings at home?
I think she's in her room.
She didn't come down
when I came in.
Where you're going go?
I don't know.
Why in the Heaven's name
did you do it?
I feel like...
You were my best friend.
And now I feel like I hardly
knew you at all.
Why didn't you talk to me?
Maybe I could have helped you.
Beth.
Please.
What happened to me
was inevitable.
I wouldn't change it.
And I feel no shame
for what I did.
Good luck, Evelyn.
[car horn]
[car engine running]
I'll take these.
My things are upstairs.
Evie.
Good-bye.
Good luck.
Good luck.
[music playing]
[car departing]
Evie, you really are a good girl.
How was school today?
Any exact news?
No, Mr. Hemmings,
just like every other day.
Evie, now don't you go
tell him about the movie.
Stop it, you know you always
had to be the first to tell.
We're taking Mrs. Hemmings
to the movies tonight.
To see Marlon Brando
in A Streetcar Named Desire.
Do you want to come along?
Oh, no.
That's why I spent the money on
the TV so I won't have to go out.
I am not sure to allow you
girls to go out to see it.
I here it's kind of risque.
But it's Tennessee
Williams Mr Hemmings.
Hollywood.
They'll find a way
to turn it all around
and put a lot of sex into it.
Well, the whole play is about sex.
I don't see how they could
put any more in it.
All I know is that Marlon Brando is the
handsomest man in the whole world.
And I'd go any place to see
him, especially in a sexy part.
Well, I don't know, you girls,
going to see a sexy movie.
Come on, Mr Hemmings,
we're old enough.
(Mrs. Hemmings) Don't
bully my girls, Gilbert.
We're going see
Marlon Brando and Vivian Leigh
and you can just sit here
all you want. Come on, Evie.
Good night, Mr. Hemmings.
Good night, Evie.
Do you think that Vivian Leigh
really fell in love
with Clark Gable?
Now, there was a picture.
It wasn't.
Oh, I couldn't bear
the sad ending.
[school bell ringing]
I predict that Street Car Named
Desire will earn her another Oscar.
Mildred, would you stop
about Vivian Leigh?
Now, Marlon Brando,
there is a hunk.
Did you see his body?
Well, I thought he was coarse.
Well, of course he is coarse,
he's supposed to be coarse.
But I tell you one thing.
He could put his shoes
under my bed any time.
Oh!
Am I right or am I right?
He is an excellent actor.
Actor?! I am talking
about his sex.
What did I say?
I think you've lost
your sense of humor.
Sorry, Beth, I didn't sleep
too well last night.
Good morning, ladies.
Good morning,
Mr. Havermeyer.
The crust of ash which formed
the top layer of the tomb
preserved Pompey from
change by man or nature.
At centuries past,
the ancient city was forgotten
until 1718 when a peasant
found traces of the old city
in his vineyard.
Didn't they know it was there?
Oh, no.
It was a lost
city for ages and ages.
And here you can see some
of the plastic casts
of the people who died
during the holocaust.
That one surely looks like Alan.
[laughing]
Here is an inscription
that you would probably
see on a public building.
And it is our Latin
phrase for today.
?Saws Populi Lex Suprema Est?
What does that mean? Alan?
The healthy people are
the most supreme?
Close. It's a very wise
saying, and it means
"The welfare of the people,
is the supreme law."
When I took my trip
to Italy last year,
I saw mount Vesuvius.
It was just as the sun
was setting.
And it was the most beautiful
sight I've ever seen.
I never saw her like that.
[school bell ringing]
Uh..assembly.
Testing... one, two, three.
Could you all be seated, please.
Good morning,
ladies and gentlemen.
Boys and girls.
As you know this is
our last assembly program
before the start of our
Thanksgiving vacation.
[applauding]
[cheering]
I know how sad you
all are about that.
We had a very special treat
this morning.
Mrs. Henry Blud, chairman
of the music department
has arranged the program
of the musical selections
to be performed by some
of our most gifted pupils.
[applauding]
[applauding]
The first selection will be
played by Billy Calvin.
He will perform
the Adagio in B Minor
by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
[applauding]
[Waving piano]
[yawning]
[whispering]
He's my favorite.
I've always thought so.
[sobbing]
What do you think?
[dramatic musical theme]
[knocking on door]
Evie.
Yes.
Are you alright?
I am too sick to go
to school today.
Would you please ask Mr Havermeyer
if he could get
a substitute teacher?
Oh, sure.
I hope you feel better.
See you later, kid.
[crickets]
[clock ticking]
I can't sleep.
What is happening to me?
[crying]
Evie!
[knocking on door]
I am alright.
Please, leave me alone.
Please, leave me alone!
Please.
Oh, I wish...
I wish I was dead.
Could I speak
to Dr. Neal, please.
Evelyn Wyckoff.
Could I have an appointment
as soon as possible.
I just need some
professional advice.
4:30? Yes, that will be fine.
Thank you.
Put your hands up here.
Does it hurt?
No.
In here?
No.
Alright.
I believe we were
classmates together.
I remember you were
a fine basketball player.
Oh, yes I was quite
an athlete back then.
Actually I probably lost
a great deal playing that game.
I might have been a surgeon
at the Mayo clinic by now
if I hadn't played
so much basketball.
Have you ever been
in love, Miss Wyckoff?
Now, please, don't think
I am one of those doctors
who tells their patients as a way to solve
their problems is to a have romance,
but nature wanted us
to use our bodies.
If we don't... they dry out.
And function poorly.
Must be very difficult being an
unmarried teacher in Freedom.
You have so little privacy.
You think an affair would help me?
That's what you're trying
to tell me, isn't it, doctor?
I can't believe that these terrible
depressions I've been feeling
can be cured by romance.
I'd like you to see
a psychiatrist in Wichita.
A Dr. Steiner.
He's a good man,
take my word for it.
Came out from the East
a few years ago.
He's Jewish.
You don't have any antagonism
toward Jews, I hope.
I have no racial prejudice at all.
I fought at the school
for total integration.
Here is his name and address.
I'll advice him that
you'll give him a call.
Is it terribly expensive?
I am sure he'll work something
out to in your budget.
I hope so.
Here is a prescription
for assecitol.
To let you get some sleep.
Also I am going to give you
one for hormone pills.
Why are you giving
me hormone pills?
What's wrong with me?
I believe you may be going
through a premature menopause.
Now, I could be wrong.
We'll get the laboratory
results back in a few days
and confirm one way or the other.
Meanwhile I want to take
you these hormone pills
just to bring you around again.
But, Dr. Neal...
I am only 35.
That's why I said premature.
I hope it can be averted.
What can be averted
it's up to you.
And Dr. Steiner can help.
Thank you, doctor.
Has anyone ever told you
that you are a very
attractive young woman?
[singing]
[laughing]
That was great.
This is really good spaghetti.
Isn't it good, Evelyn?
It's not bad at all.
(Marie)
I just love your silver.
We lost our silver.
During the war.
The World War ll?
No, the Civil War, darling.
When the Yankees came
down on our plantations,
just destroyed everything.
(Mary) You must have been
a very young girl.
And my grandfather, he
told me they tended to kill
every single little chicken
with his sword.
(Beth)
Terrible.
You know Louise Dorismeyer?
Mm-hmm.
She can't even eat chicken.
They have a lovely home.
Everything antiques.
Just gorgeous.
A little plain, maybe.
Back home there was a hardware
store run by old man Blunker.
When he died they opened his safe
and counted $200,000 in cash.
[indistinct chattering]
I'll drink 1:0 that.
[singing]
[glass shattering]
Evie, why did you do that?
Look at you!
When I was 30 I found out
that when I read I don't have
to worry about translating.
You have a gift
for languages, Lester.
And I am going to give you some
extra reading assignments.
Okay, Ms. Wyckoff,
I see you tomorrow.
See you, tomorrow, Les. Bye-bye.
Evelyn. 20 minutes
to get on that bus.
Don't be late. Come on.
Here. You can put it on
in the car, come on.
I will.
Oh, Rafe, don't wash
that part of the board.
Watch your step.
Here you go.
On board.
Thank you.
Hello.
Watch your step.
Watch your step.
So long, Red.
Miss Wyckoff.
You seem to be hurting
an awful lot.
Yes.
It happens all the time.
I thought it would
pass, but it hasn't.
I can't function anymore.
What did you do to your hands?
I was at a party
and everybody
was having a great time
and there was this mirror...
I was drawn towards it and...
What did you see in the mirror?
Myself.
Did you look like... you?
Yes.
Yes and no.
I don't know.
You didn't like what you saw.
No. I wanted to smash it.
I wanted to smash everything.
Maybe you've disliked
yourself a very long time.
Is that possible?
Yes. And it's gone worse.
It's not only myself.
It's my work.
It's everything.
Everything seems pointless.
I don't want to do anything.
I don't want to get up
in the morning.
And when I do, even
the sunshine looks idiotic.
I understand you've missed
a couple of periods.
It's that so?
Yes.
Do you think you're pregnant?
No. No, I couldn't possibly be.
I am not married.
How about your boyfriend?
Couldn't he be responsible?
I don't have a boyfriend.
Do you ever have sex?
You seem to find it difficult
to respond to that one.
Has it been a very long time
since you were with a man...
sexually?
Have you ever been with a man?
[music playing on radio]
[chattering]
Well, I think he is... Yes, maybe.
Nobody did.
I know John Kingston.
He bragged that he passed his
modern European history course
by sitting in the front row
with his legs spread...
wide apart. You know.
In case.
Chester Rawlings
wanted to make you suffer.
Boys do that all the time, they
don't mean anything by that.
Besides, my kid brother did that.
Your kid brother was not
assigned homework
with kind of reading of
communist literature, was he?
Of course not. What's that
got to do with anything?
Chester Rawlings is
teaching commy propaganda
to the students in this school
and I think it's unamerican.
Commy propaganda?!?
Yes.
Marx, Karl Marx, the communist.
I don't see how you could teach
a course in modern history
without reading Karl Marx.
Oh, really?
His philosophy completely
changed the destiny
of Russia and China.
More than half of the world.
I don't see how you
can ignore Karl Marx.
You don't have to assign
reading matter that he wrote.
It's communistic.
It did cause revolution.
If we're all going to
understand Russia and China.
Right or wrong,
the least we could do
is to read the sources
of their political beliefs.
Suppose we forbade our students
to read Thomas Jefferson.
Beth, what's the matter with her?
Nothing, she just
thinks she's right.
I do, too.
I heard she was going
to Wichita to a psychiatrist.
I heard she was doing it
because of... the change.
What's wrong with going
to a psychiatrist?
A lot of famous people
go to psychiatrist.
Well, I hope
he does her some good.
I didn't have a moments
problem with the change.
Poor Evie. I'm just afraid
she's going to get in trouble
talking about things like that.
About communism?
Yes.
Senator McCarthy has revealed
a lot about fellow travelers
in the University.
But they can be in High
School, too, you know.
Isn't it, Red?
I began to think you got yourself
a boyfriend over here in Wichita.
You got to tell him that all the money
he's spending on the bus tickets,
you could buy yourself
a wedding ring.
Let us know when
the kids are, Red.
To tell you the truth,
I don't think I could make
this trip without you.
Do you miss your
mother and father?
I miss my father.
He's a warm, generous man.
But my parents didn't get
along too well together.
In fact they always
started fighting.
It was always the same, sooner
or later they'd start to fight
and I was always frightened.
Of...?
The fighting.
When they yelled at each
other, did they get physical?
I used to hide in the closet,
so I couldn't see
what was going on.
But I could hear it.
I thought they would
kill each other.
Did you think someone
might kill you?
Yes, I stood up
for my father once.
I thought my mother
would want to kill me.
Do you think she wanted
to kill your father?
Well, there was this time when...
he had a cut on his head
and he was bleeding.
And I went to help him
to wipe his head and...
he was just standing there
with no clothes on
and my mother was
screaming at him.
Then she pointed at him and said:
"All I ever wanted to do
is to do it."
And she-.
She grabbed me and
threw me out of the room
and she said I grew
up to be the same.
The same as her,
or the same as your father?
I don't know, but just the same.
How old were you then?
Eight.
How old were you
when you had your first period?
Eleven.
What was your reaction
when you first started
to menstruate?
I was very pleased.
But I didn't tell my mother.
Was that pleasing?
Yes.
What else pleased you?
Going to movies.
I used to go a lot.
I used to fall in love
with the movie stars.
I used to go alone.
I like being alone.
And I love my work.
After all it's been my whole life.
It's better not to need anybody.
It's better to be self sufficient.
And to be...
to be free of all that.
But that's not good enough
anymore.
"Mm?
You haven't got a husband,
a lover, children.
I've thought of children.
If this menopause is true, then...
it's all over.
Maybe it isn't all over.
Your life is more important
than shadows on a screen.
I think this is a good place
for us to end this session.
How long is your
Christmas vacation?
12 days.
We've got into some pretty
serious things right now.
I think we should continue
to go into them deeply.
We are to see each other
as often as possible
during your vacation.
Then we can decide
what's going to happen next.
Yes, mother, I know.
I wrote you the letter
so that you wouldn't be upset.
Hiding what, mother?
No, I don't have a sweetheart.
I am sorry mother.
I'd love to come home if I could.
But I have this work to do.
Yes, mother, I'll call you
Christmas morning.
(Beth)
Evelyn.
Now, if you get lonesome,
you'll come, you promised.
Don't worry about me, Beth,
I'll be fine.
Mr. Hemmings.
Merry Christmas, Beth.
Merry Christmas.
Have a good time.
Oh, thank you.
Merry Christmas.
Now, you promised.
(Evelyn)
Merry Christmas, Beth.
Merry Christmas, honey.
Evie, come in here with us.
Thanks, Mrs. Hemmings.
But I really have to work.
I have a lot of "Thank you!"
notes to write.
[Christmas carol playing]
Watch your step.
Watch your step.
M, daddy!
Sonny. My boy!
HI:
(Kid) Where have you
been this time?
Oh, you'll be surprised.
Because I got something
good for you.
Hey, Red, listen.
I just had a great thought.
Why don't you and me have
a couple of coffee together?
I am sorry, I can't.
I have an appointment.
Oh, come on, Red, whoever he is,
he's going to wait for a few
minutes for you, wouldn't he?
Sure he would. What do you say?
Well, l..
Come on. Really.
Just one.
Alright.
You see how easy that was?
[music playing on radio]
[indistinct chattering]
A couple of cups of coffee.
What's your first name, Red?
Evelyn.
Evelyn Wyckoff.
You don't mind that I
call you Red, do you?
No, I rather like it.
No one else ever has.
You mean to tell me that
nobody ever teased you
about that red hair
when you were a kid?
Yes, but that was a long time ago.
You're a nice girl, Red.
I am really no girl.
Well, you are to me.
Thanks, Ed.
You're welcome, Red.
Red and Ed sounds like a
comedy team, doesn't it?
Yes.
Here you go.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I am sorry about the wife, Red.
Oh, please, don't be.
It's perfectly natural
you should have a wife.
I wasn't surprised.
You mustn't apologize.
I apologize because I like you.
Because I like you, I think
you got the right to know.
Just how it is.
I understand how it is.
How about you?
You got a husband?
No, I am not married.
Your mind is peacefully
alone without a husband.
Some guys don't know
what they are missing.
There's something else, too, Red.
Some of those guys got married
when they were young
to some hot looking broad,
just because she was sexy.
And as the time goes
by they find out that...
Well, there's a lot of other
things that a woman could be
besides as being sexy.
And that's a lot more
important over the long haul.
What other things
might a woman be, Ed?
You just take a look
in the mirror someday.
Take a good look at you.
You'll see what I mean.
That's one of the most beautiful
things anyone ever said to me.
Listen, Red, I am going to have
a little word with you.
I am not the most
faithful to the wife.
I could show you a real good time.
I never had a first class
woman like you.
How about it?
I just couldn't, Ed.
You are married.
I wouldn't feel right.
Oh, you take your fun when you
can find it, that's my model.
I just couldn't.
Well...
when you change your mind
you just give me a little wink
and I am here, okay?
And I'll show you
a real good time.
I guarantee it.
[cashier bell rings]
Why didn't I take him up on it?
Because he's only a bus driver?
Because he is married?
Or because I am afraid?
Now, you're going to put
your head to one side
and look at me and say:
"Why are you afraid, Miss Wyckoff?
Maybe we should change places.
Dr. Steiner...
I am afraid I wouldn't be
what he expects in bed.
A woman at my age,
with no experience.
Maybe he'd be disillusioned.
I think you're expecting me
to give you the permission
to have an affair
with the bus driver.
Of course not.
But I suspect you might
be pleased if I did.
You want someone
to tell you to go ahead
and do these things
you are so frightened of.
Why?
First, you'd be relieved of guilt.
And if it should turn out
to be an unhappy romance
you'd have someone to blame,
someone else besides yourself.
Being alive is learning
how to make decisions.
Your own decisions.
Without persecuting yourself
by worrying about what other
people will think about you.
People would do anything to
avoid humiliation and shame.
It's very frightening
when new and powerful
emotions are being born.
And you are experiencing
a rebirth.
Sometimes it takes a long time,
doesn't it?
Some people never make it.
Four, three, two, one...
Happy New Year!
[music playing on radio]
It certainly can't be any worse
than the last year.
Mildred, don't be a pessimist.
It's going to be a wonderful
new year.
Sure.
I'll drink to that.
(Marie)
Oh, me too.
Oh, Evie.
It's such a pleasure
to see you like this.
Like what, Marie?
Like yourself.
God, Evie. You know the last
time when you were here,
when you smashed your hands
into the mirror.
I was very scared.
Oh, I was just going
through a bad time.
Things are different now.
It's a new year.
New resolutions.
[music playing]
(Man on PA system)
All aboard.
Bus to Wichita boarding
at front door.
Wichita?
Is Ed on the other route today?
No, he quit. Left town.
Left his pretty little wife, too.
[bus engine starting]
He was gone. Left town.
I decided to take
him up on his offer
and I was going to spend
the night with him.
I seem to see you smile.
You are pleased with yourself.
Well, I'm not exactly happy-
But it was the first
time I'd ever...
I liked him.
And I know he liked me.
And I think you're liking
yourself a little bit more
then when you first
came to see me.
Well, I can't understand why arn
I not crying now that he's gone.
I even bought some new clothes.
What sort of clothes?
Pretty lingerie.
That's not just clothes.
I really splurged.
That was so luxurious.
I couldn't afford them.
You couldn't afford
not to afford them.
(Mr. Havermeier) They are demanding
that I fire Chester Rawlings.
They saying he is
soft on communism.
Calling him a Red.
Really, it's an awful mess.
Here, look!
Even The Standard has
come up with an editorial
criticizing the school's
educational policy,
hinting at un-Americanism in
the Freedom high school faculty.
I am forced to fire him.
I think that's a mistake.
In fact I know it is.
What if I've done the same thing?
There's plenty of Latin that's
uttering too, Mr. Havermeyer.
Mrs. Wyckoff you've been
here for ten years.
You are a respected teacher.
Your reputation is impeccable.
Chester, on the other hand...
Well, I don't spend a lot of
time listening to idle gossip,
but there are certain rumors,
I mean public opinion
is against him.
His personal life
is not the issue.
How can we teach
about freedom, if we...
It'll get very unfortunate, but
I am only a public servant.
What can I do?
Maybe we could arrange
a meeting with the PTA
and explain to them
why we can't do it.
And who's going to do
the explaining?
We of the Midwest
with all our faults,
all our isolationism
are in difference to political
and social conflict.
We are America.
The back bone of America.
To forbid the studying
of a political philosophy
like that of Karl Marx,
which differs from ours
is to imitate the communists
and countries
where education is a farce.
As another philosopher,
Edmund Burke said:
"The only thing necessary
for triumph of evil
is for good men to
do nothing."
And good people of Freedom,
if we permit people like
Joe McCarthy
to bully us into
firing Mr. Rawlins
for assigning the reading
of Karl Marx,
we are unamerican.
Imitating communists, fascists
and totalitarians.
For only we are the guardians
of the precious freedom
we have in America.
[applauding]
Oh, Evie.
I loved the speech.
Evelyn, I think you turned
the whole thing around.
Well, thank you,
Mr. Havermeier.
And don't forget, 8:30 in
the Chinese restaurant.
I'll see you.
Okay, congratulations!
Thanks.
You were very convincing.
Thanks a lot.
[indistinct chattering]
Beth! Beth!
Beth!
[car engine starting]
Chester!
I didn't see you tonight.
Where were you?
Were you there?
Yes.
But I hid. I hid.
I was so terrified. I thought
they were going to tar and
feather me and run me
out of town on a rail.
Oh, come on, Chester.
Don't think it can't happen here,
it wouldn't be the first time.
Of course, I want to thank you.
But Evelyn, you can't imagine
what it feels like.
That hatred.
I've never felt so alone before.
I didn't know that it could
happen to me.
Don't. Chester,
please don't.
You're a fine teacher.
You've done nothing wrong.
Yes, but what's going
to become of me?
Do you think they'll throw me out?
They're saying so many
terrible things about me.
Chester, don't.
Don't.
[sobbing]
Please, Chester.
You know, if we keep this up
they'll be saying something
else terrible about you and me.
[breathing heavily]
Come on!
Walk me as far as my house.
Alright?
(Mrs. Hemmings)
One of my old girls.
Gilbert!
(Mr. Hemmings)
Hmm?
What if we were
harboring a communist
right here in this house?
I wouldn't want that.
Even if it was Evie.
(Mr. Hemmings)
Evie, a communist?
Lola, what have you been drinking?
Just the same.
I think we ought to watch her.
(Beth)
What do you expect to see?
That's silly, Mrs. Hemmings.
[clears throat]
[chuckles]
Evie, come on in.
Mrs. Hemmings here thinks
you're a "pinko".
Show us your card, kid!
[chuckles]
Well, I might as well tell you
the truth.
I've fallen in love with Chester.
But he won't have me.
Huh, Chester!
[street noise]
[whistling]
(humming!
I beg your pardon, Miss Wyckoff,
didn't mean to disturb
you with my vocalize.
No, you are not disturbing me,
you have a good voice.
Haven't seen you around in
quite a while, Miss Wyckoff?
Been busy?
Very busy.
You mind?
No, go right ahead.
Must be kind of lonesome for
you, school teachers, huh?
What do you mean, Rafe?
Well, I don't know...
Seems to me, none of you
gets much fun in life.
Oh, I guess we manage, alright.
Folks told me you've
done a lot of good
for the negro students here.
You got them the right to eat
equal in the cafeteria.
Yes, that's right, I did.
I wonder how many of you,
white people really mean it
when you pretend that you
really care about us, negroes.
Rafe!
You'd better leave here at once.
I'll have to speak
to Mr. Havermeier.
What's the matter, Miss Wyckoff?
Did I say something wrong?
No, you didn't say anything wrong.
I know you're in scholarship
at the Junior College.
You'd better be careful.
[footsteps departing]
Oh, hello.
Problems?
No, I just wanted
to talk to you. I was...
Well, it's nothing, really.
I was just worried
about old man, Bose.
He used to clean the classroom.
He was the janitor.
I wonder why he
isn't here anymore.
Is he sick or something?
Gall bladder.
Don't worry, he'll be back.
He's alright,
Probably sometime before
the scholarship athletes
will have to start training
for track, anyway.
When will that be?
Oh, I don't know.
Evelyn, you don't look well.
Are you taking care of yourself?
I wouldn't want you
to have a relapse.
Oh, I am just fine,
Mr. Havermeier.
Just fine.
[door closing]
[school bell ringing]
Now, remember, this is
just a practice test.
And it would just show us
if you need any extra help.
And if you do, sign up for
tutoring
and I'll help you
prepare for the final.
Thank you. Bye-bye.
Oh, Rafe!
When are you gonna go out
for track this year?
I ain't.
Why not?
Ligament.
Oh, you tore a ligament.
That's what the doctor says.
I'm sorry.
I ain't. Don't really
like football.
Oh!
It's swollen.
Want to feel?
Feel that swelling there?
Yes.
You can feel it better here.
Let me show you.
That's beginning to swell, too.
Leave down my hand, Rafe!
Let go of my hand!
[flies]
[flies]
I am warning you!
Not one sound!
[locking the door]
[flies]
[gasps]
No! No!
No! No!
No! No!
No! No! No!
No, please, no!
No one is going to hear you.
Relax, Miss Wyckoff!
I'm going to get inside
that tight place.
I know you're going to like it.
[Crying]
"o, M, no!
Oh, no!
You're going to like it in.
You're going to want this thing
of mine every time...
No, no!
Yes, you will, baby, yes you will.
No!
You just relax, is going to be
nice and easy.
Now relax, damn it!
[crying]
[moaning]
Stop. Please, stop.
I think I'm bleeding.
Stop!
When I'm ready.
Stop! Stop!
Stop!
Stop! Please stop!
Stop!
[moaning]
[raining]
[footsteps]
[Dicks up phone]
[dialing]
Dr. Steiner, please.
Oh, where is he?
Why didn't he tell me?
What emergency?
Are you sure you can't get him?
How long will he be gone?
No, no!
I don't want to talk
to another doctor.
(Mrs. Hemmings)
Evelyn?
You're very late
whatever kept you.
[indistinct chattering]
Oh, this, Kathy.
Very good.
[school bell ringing]
[street noise]
Good morning, Alan.
Good morning, Theresa.
Now, today...
we're going to start
a new unit on Cicero.
As you know, Cicero changed
the course of the Roman empire.
Tracy, I can see
you did your homework.
[school bell ringing]
Tomorrow we'll work on past
pluperfect subjunctive.
[zipping sound]
Where was you yesterday?
I went shopping with some friends.
After this you be here!
Understand?
That sounded like an order.
What's the matter, Miss Wyckoff?
Didn't I, uh..
Have enough to give you?
What happened last Friday
will never happen again.
Where you think you're going?
I'm going home, Rafe.
What's the matter, Miss Wyckoff?
I didn't mean to hurt you.
I didn't.
You must let me leave, Rafe!
You must let me go!
Just relax, Miss Wyckoff.
I'm not going to hurt you again.
Rafe!
I just want to hold you.
Don't you realize how
dangerous this is?
Just want to hold you.
Rafe, just please let me go, Rafe.
Rate, stop this.
Stop it'.!
Stop it! Stop it, Rafe.
Stop it! Stop it!
[music playing]
[birds chirping]
Hello, Beth.
Oh, Evie I've been looking
all over for you.
We're all going to have Chinese
food and then to the 7:15 show.
Do you want to come along?
Not tonight, thank you, Beth.
Okay.
[car engine starting]
Oh, has Ms. Hughes
gone already?
Yes, ma'am.
She borrowed a book of mine.
You haven't seen one
with my name on it, have you?
No, ma'am.
Oh, I'll just take a look.
Do you mind having to work
while being on scholarship?
It is hard to do your studying
and train for football
and cleaning up the rooms and...
You, boys, don't like the one
they call Rafe, do you?
The boy who cleans my classroom.
He's no boy, he's a man.
What do you mean?
Coach Simmons found him in a
Pool Hall in Oklahoma City.
Hustling for a living.
I bet he's about 24 years old.
Thinks he is God's gift
to the football team...
Royal Lord of the Jungle
or something.
Does he sleep in the dormitory?
They threw him out, because he
wouldn't bunk with no one.
Anyone.
Wouldn't bunk with anyone.
Yes, well.
He's a powerful back.
Makes a lot of touchdowns.
But that don't matter to me,
'cause I don't tolerate
nothing from nobody.
If he doesn't live in the
dorm, where does he live?
Probably sleeps
in a boarding house.
I heard he spent some time in
a home for juvenile delinquents.
Well, he doesn't seem to be here.
[laughing]
[street noise]
[door opens]
Hello, Rafe.
You liked what
I gave you yesterday?
You liked it, didn't you?
You want it again?
Well, now.
Come on over and get it.
Come on, Miss Wyckoff.
Don't let nothing
like this go to waste.
You better come and get it
while you can.
Let's see you beg a little,
Miss Wyckoff.
What do you mean, Rafe?
I'd like to see you crawl over
here on your hands and knees.
And beg.
I could never do such
a degrading thing.
Yes, you could.
Come on, now, let's see you.
Down on your knees.
BBQ-
Junior here wants
to lower the tension.
If you ain't nice to Junior,
his daddy is right to get mad.
Move!
You mean this?
Now!
Come to me.
Move!
[sighs]
Well, that's fine.
That's fine.
You was doing just fine.
[chattering]
HI:
Hello, Beth.
You sure have been quite lately.
It's all your fault that we
have them here.
But you don't look
to happy about it.
How can you say that, Beth?
Do you see that one over
there washing the dishes?
He is the kind that makes
everybody hate niggers.
Beth!
That's what he is.
An apalling nigger.
Where I come from,
we tell the truth.
And truth be told, I don't like
that arrogant, kid.
You can't pretend you
like him, either.
He sweeps the floor
in my classroom
and he looks at me
like I am the dirt.
And believe me,
I return the favor.
Racial prejudice is one of man's
most difficult problem to solve
during his time here on Earth.
Perhaps God intended
to be that way.
And if we don't solve it, Beth,
we're all going to be destroyed.
You sure do get fired up,
don't you.
What do you want to do
for dinner tonight?
I'm so sick of Chinese food
I could puke.
[laughing]
[phone ringing]
Calling so early?!
Is Saturday.
Beth.
Hello.
Oh, yes, just a moment.
It's for you, Evie.
[Evie whispering] I told you
never to call me here.
But I can't meet you.
Alright.
[footsteps]
Do you have any idea
who that man might be?
He keeps calling.
Does she have
a gentleman friend, Beth?
No, Mrs. Hemmings.
I hate to say this but that man's
voice sounds like a negro.
Really?
I told myself at first that it was
just one of her Negro students
calling about school work.
Well...
I suppose there is some
logical explanation.
What if I told to some
of the guys on the team
what a good piece of ass
you are, Miss Wyckoff?
School board wouldn't waste
no time getting rid of you
if they would find
about us, would they?
Why do you want to harm me?
I don't know.
Rafe, promise me...
Promise me you'll never
tell anybody
what has happened here between us.
Sure.
I promise.
You don't care what
happens really, do you.
Listen, if nothing else,
at least we could have
respect for each other.
You don't respect anybody, do you?
Yes.
Me.
[door opens and closes]
[door Squeaking]
(Mrs. Hemmings)
Evie, I almost forgot.
A Dr. Steiner called.
From Wichita.
He wanted you to call him.
Thank you, Mrs. Hemmings.
Evie.
[laughing]
[indistinct speaking]
I told them what a good piece
of ass you are, Miss Wyckoff.
They say they won't tell,
if you give them some too.
I was just teasing you
a little, Miss. Wyckoff.
I wouldn't tell those dummies
nothing about you, baby.
You are all mine
and I'm keeping it that way.
They would be jealous if they knew
what a good lady you can be.
Besides a good-looking
nigger like me
ain't got to track
with those fools.
No, baby-
I'm ready to take care of you.
What if Miss Wyckoff is putting
out for that chicken bone.
Of course she is.
What else would they be doing
in that room all hours.
Shit. I can't believe it.
I had her for four years on Latin.
You didn't have her
the way he is having her.
A nigger. Jesus.
I never heard of any white woman
doing it with a nigger before.
I heard she's going
to some psychiatrist.
I guess she must be
crazy or something.
He is not that bad looking
for a nigger. Just the same.
I have my private opinion of any
white woman doing a thing like that.
We don't know for sure
that's what's going on.
You can't condemn a
person without a trial.
As far as I'm concerned just being in the
same room with that chicken bones guilty
I would stay out if I was you.
(Miss Wyckoff)
Rafe! No!
[crying]
[yelling]
[crying]
You rotten bastard.
[moaning]
[groans]
[slamming door]
[indistinct whispering]
Oh, God.
Excuse me.
I am Mrs. Brewster.
Mr. Havermeier called
me this morning.
And said you will be unable
to handle your class today.
He would like to see you in his
office as soon as possible.
Yes, I see.
Here is the rule book.
The first assignment for today
was to read and translate
pages five through eight of the
first Catilinian Orations.
I'll leave you my
terrarium Mrs. Brewster.
I promise to take good care of it.
Thank you.
[music playing]
Please sit down.
You know, in all my
years of experience.
I don't think I've ever been in
the position that I've hated
as much as I hate this one.
Nor have I ever been more
at a loss to understand
if the reports that I've
heard are true.
They are true,
Mr. Havermeier.
Well, I think I've had enough
psychology to understand
that there must be some
reasonable explanation,
either emotional or psychological
for what you've done.
If you want to tell me about it.
Mr. Havermeier, I think
the reasons are unimportant.
I mean, I have always felt that...
teachers need more
emotional outlets.
Goodness knows that...
some of the normal past
times and recreations
that others enjoy so
freely are denied thus.
I enjoyed a drink now and then.
I would never allow myself to be
caught with a glass in my hand.
Obviously measures would be
taken against this negro, Rafe.
I wouldn't want to see him lose
his opportunity for an education.
It is in the Juniors
College Board's hands now.
Certainly the football fans would
be upset if they kicked him out.
But they musn't.
Between you and me I think that the
next time before he scores a touchdown
whatever he's done,
will be forgotten.
The resentment against you
is much stronger.
I've already received
some very threatening phone
calls about you.
It's ironic, isn't it?
A man never suffers
the same social ostracism
that a woman does
in situations like this.
That's true.
You must realize
that the pressure is on me to...
You are probably
the finest teacher
that I have ever had
the pleasure of working with.
But I have to ask you to resign.
As of now.
I understand.
I mean that I think you
should plan on leaving now.
I know.
Is there anything
I can do for you?
Well, it would help
if you could possibly
give me a recommendation.
I realize what I am asking.
But maybe in some place,
far away...
I feel certain I could leave up
to any recommendation
you can give me.
It's alright.
There was a young man that
I went to school with
when I was getting
my Masters Degree.
He's a very bright fellow.
He's now superintendent of schools
some place in New Jersey.
He's...
He's a good fellow and
he's broad-minded.
I would have to tell him
that I asked you to resign.
And give him some
truthful explanations.
But at the same time I could
still give him a very...
very good recommendation
for you as a teacher.
You know, I for one believe
this...
behavior, pattern...
the lapse in it is over,
that it won't recur.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Well, I guess this is good-bye.
Yes.
Yes.
Good-bye.
Evelyn.
Why? Why on Earth
did you do that?
Mr. Havermeier, you've been
very kind.
Good Luck, Miss Wyckoff.
Dr. Neil.
What can I do for you,
Miss Wyckoff?
I am leaving today for a long trip
and I don't sleep well on trains.
Last year, when I went
to Italy I didn't sleep at all.
Could you...
I need something to help me sleep.
So, you're asking me
for sleeping pills.
Yes, that's it.
I need something strong
to help me treat this.
Of course I'll give you
a prescription.
Naturally I heard what happened.
I wasn't suggesting
any such thing, you know.
I was encouraging you
to find a gentleman friend.
I never had the slightest
intention that you...
Well, I hope you don't think
that I was suggesting anything
quite like that.
Dr. Neal, will you give me a
prescription for sleeping pills?
Of course I will.
I am very sorry about
what happened. Must be very...
Please.
I'll call the pharmacy.
I hope you have a pleasant trip.
Thank you.
[dialing]
Would you, please, send a cab
to 1230 Meadows Lane?
Right away.
Thank you.
[footsteps]
Evie.
Hello, Beth.
Are you leaving already?
The sooner, the better
I should think, wouldn't you?
Well, I didn't...
Yes, I guess you're right.
Is Mrs. Hemmings at home?
I think she's in her room.
She didn't come down
when I came in.
Where you're going go?
I don't know.
Why in the Heaven's name
did you do it?
I feel like...
You were my best friend.
And now I feel like I hardly
knew you at all.
Why didn't you talk to me?
Maybe I could have helped you.
Beth.
Please.
What happened to me
was inevitable.
I wouldn't change it.
And I feel no shame
for what I did.
Good luck, Evelyn.
[car horn]
[car engine running]
I'll take these.
My things are upstairs.
Evie.
Good-bye.
Good luck.
Good luck.
[music playing]