Jenifer (2001) - full transcript

I got the feeling.

Baby, baby, I got the feeling.

You don't know
what you do to me.

People are heavy down in misery.

Hey.

Love.

All right.

Ow.

Ah.

I got the feeling, all right.

Baby, baby, baby, baby,
baby, baby, baby, baby, baby.



Baby, baby, I got
the feeling baby.

Baby, sometimes I'm up.

Sometimes I'm down.

My heart, I'm around the town.

I'm level with the ground.

Baby.

I said level with the ground.

Ah.

I'm 12 years old.

It's the house where we grew up.

It's the 4th of July.

And I'm waiting
for the fireworks.

Dad.

Dad.



Our father left that night.

He never came back.

The fireworks were so beautiful.

My sisters and I
saw them as a sign.

We could do
anything, everything,

if we stayed together.

But when it came,
we weren't ready.

We were so not ready.

God.

Watch it lady.

It's a disaster.

Enid's still on book.

And the lighting guy says
that none of her marks

are going to work.

Because, she's, like, six
inches shorter than Alexandra.

And the drama critic from
the New York Times is coming.

Yes.

We've been working
him for weeks.

And did I mention that our
electrical is not up to code.

And there is a fire marshal and
inspection at this very moment?

Is he good looking?

Look, we'll do
anything you want.

I can sleep here.

At the crack of dawn,
we'll work together.

We'll fix it.

I think I've got to get an
article written about how

you make this city safe.

Because you're the
one, let me tell you.

I've got a friend at The Times.

I can't let you open, sorry.

Look, I'm begging you.

Why don't you stay and see
the play, on me, of course.

Hope you mean that literally.

Because that's about the
only place left to sit.

You're a riot, Michael.

I've got major celebs
coming tonight.

OK?

Jen, Jen, we have to cut all
the references to curly hair.

Here because it...
it's... it's not working.

It's just not working.

I can't do it.
Oh, my God.

I'm going to faint.

Oh, you are so beautiful.

Can I tell you how
stunning you are up there?

No.

There is no one else
for this part but you.

No, it's... Jen,
I need more time.

Really I do.

I'm freaking out.

I know, OK, OK.

Don't freak out.

I want you to just
look into Jack's eyes.

Oh, God, you two
are so hot together.

Just love him.

He's your anchor.

All you have to
do is pull him in.

OK, th... Can I get a banana?

Can we get a banana here?

Banana.

Lay it on me.

OK.

This lighting guy is
about to walk, OK?

He can't get our
fabulous new director

to go over the lighting cues.

So he wants you to talk
him through a refocus.

But of course, first
he wants to have a...

Good show.

Thanks.

Jen.

She was really annoying.

Why was my eight-year-old sister
locked in the bedroom listening

to Frank Sinatra
albums when she could

have been out on the football
field taking orders from me?

But, eventually she
stopped being annoying.

And she st... she...

she became amazing.

She inspires me.

Someday I'm going
to write about her.

I've always wanted
to write about her.

Hey, bud.

Did you like it?

I liked parts.

I really liked other parts.

All right, so
you didn't like it.

Scott?

I thought it was
really great, Jen.

What did you think Meredith?

I thought Jack was terrible.

I know, but what
did you think?

I think he should be
so lucky to get you.

Just go for it.

No, stop it already.
We're just friends.

We like to hang out.

Come on, Kitty, let's go.

Let's go.

We were young.

And we were all
gonna live forever.

For you are

the lover I have waited for.

You're the mate, fate
had me created for.

And every time your
lips meet mine.

Baby, down and down I go.

Round and round I go.

Can we talk about Jack?

- No rush.
- Listen.

- What?
- I know that I'm pretty.

But I'm not the right
kind of pretty for him.

Oh, God.

Do you know what I'm saying?

Um, no.

What is the right kind
of pretty for Jack.

I don't know,
like, maybe Nina.

Oh, hopes.

Oh, God.

I's so easy for you to say.

You're both married.

Oh, Jenifer please.

I am so sick of this.

It is not so bleak out there.

I think I'm spending too much
time in that little office.

What are you...

It's the hottest
office in New York.

Yeah, 95 degrees and
the paint is chipping.

I think I have
asbestos poisoning.

You do not have
asbestosis poisoning.

That's crazy.

I don't know though.

I've just been so tired lately.

Oh.

Why don't you come
up this weekend?

Yeah, and call Jack.

You'll fee better.
- Would you not call him?

Ah.

What?

The baby.

Oh.

She's kicking.

This is the thing
about my big sister.

She has the most strength
and grace and beauty.

Valerie, Jenifer,
and I are very close.

It's like we're one person.

It doesn't leave your thoughts.

You can't juggle.
I can't juggle.

I mean my mother...

she goes to the movies
with her friends.

I can't imagine.

There's so much to do.

Anyways, I'm getting
off the subject.

Um, I still think we're
going to get out of this.

Come on.

Come on.

Breathe

Breathe through
the contractions.

Breathe.

Breathe.

Breathe.

OK, I'm here.

Breathe.

Breathe through
the contractions.

Breathe.

Now we can be begin.

Breathe.

Breathe.

Breathe.

Shut up.

Shut up.

Let's talk about... talk
about something else.

Ah.

How about them Nicks?

Mom.

It's a girl.

Her name is Jane,
6 pounds 4 ounces.

Ah.

I know.
It was amazing.

You should have seen it.

No, what would I
have done in there?

You girls know what to do.

Well, Meredith, all of
us, we wanted to be there.

I can't believe it.

My baby's had another baby.

You wanna come see?

She's not ready for visitors.

You're her mother.

Put that out.

Of course I stopped
smoking through all this.

How could you not?

I've learned so much from
Jenifer, from all my daughters.

Three sisters, one heart.

She has true courage and true
grit, true grit, Jenifer.

We had this deal.

When she won her
first award, she'd

say I owe it all to my mother.

But the funny thing is
I feel like I should

be saying that about her.

Did I mention I had three
properties in escrow?

Oh, Mom, that's great.

I'm sure they'll fall through.

Oh, maybe not.
Maybe they'll just...

I don't know why people
assume that selling real estate

is easy.

It isn't.

It's a lot of hard work
for not a lot of lira.

Mm.

Hm.

You know my friend
Jack, the one who

was the lead in the Chelsea.

Mm-mm.

I think I kind of like him.

I mean, like more than a friend.

That's the most ridiculous
thing I ever heard.

That's really supportive.

I just want you to be happy.

My point exactly.

You can do a lot
better than that Jim.

You're right.
Brad Pitt is stalking me.

How am I going to
let him down easy?

Your lack of self-confidence
concerns me, Jenifer.

I don't know where
you get it from.

They say it's genetic.

Oh, oh, gosh.

I'm sorry.

Ah, it's just water.

Explain that not to
my 2 o'clock customer.

I've been knocking things
over lately and falling a lot.

What you need is a
soup to nuts physical.

Why don't you come
home, quit your job,

live with your mother?

Mm.

Feeling better already.

I love you, Jenifer.

Love you too, Ma.

Can we pick up the pace here?

You know, mother is going
through a really hard time

right now.

What else is new?

Hey, we came here

to work, not talk about mother.

Kick it.

What's up with you?

I know you're not
exactly a triathlete, but...

Oh, it's getting...

look at that.

Look at my arm.

That's lactic acid.

That doesn't sound good.

Your muscles are tired.

You're fine.

Ah.

Ten more.

Come
on, you're doing great.

I don't see you
doing any, Mary.

That's because I already
finished sit ups and running.

Typical.

Come on.

Huh.

You got it.
You got it.

God, I can't.

Sure you can.

Just breathe.

Oh, I don't know what's
wrong with me.

Don't get me started.

Hey, you're
starting today, right?

Starting what?

Oh, that stupid idea I
had for that play last year.

Oh, the thing about the
mother and the daughter.

That's a really great idea.

Yeah, it's genius.

You gotta write two hours a day.

If I've got time.

Make time.

There's
always time, one hour.

What's with these
diversionary tactics?

Come on.

You got 10 more.

Whoa.

Then
can we have breakfast?

That's the whole point.

Ah.

oh.

Ouch.

Ah.

Oh, my God.

I can't believe this.

This is incredible.

Oh.

Oh.

Michael.

You gotta stop throwing
yourself surprise parties.

Are you kidding?

This is the best recurring
role I've ever gotten.

When your birthday
is July 4th, you're

gonna make your own fireworks.

Own fireworks.

Oh, carpe Jack, babes.

Do it or I will.
Eh, you're right.

Forget it.

You two don't have
anything in common.

Sure we do.

We both think he's gorgeous.

Jenifer, go.

Go up to him.

Just ask him to dance.

Oh... we're just friends.

Get over there right now.

No way.

No way.

If you don't do it, I will.

Do you want to dance?

OK.

Come on.

Have you ever seen
The Way We Were?

That's kind of like a
chick movie, isn't it?

A chick movie?

Like Robert Redford would
be in a chick movie?

Oh, I thought that, you know...

I was kidding.

I was so kidding.

That movie kind of
reminds me of us.

You're Robert Redford
and I'm James Woods.

I don't think so.

The music plays
when you display

your heart for me to see.

I had a beer and now out here
you're calling out for me.

And I hope that I don't
fall in love with you.

Now the room is crowded
with people everywhere.

And I wonder should
I offer you a chair.

You want to get out of here?

Sure, if you want to.

Come on.

I know there's a word for this.

I know there's a word
for the way I'm feeling.

I know there's a word for this.

I know it and it's on
the tip of my tongue.

But it won't go any further.

I know there's a word for this.

What's this going to
do to our friendship?

Who cares about
our friendship.

Dictionary.

And when I find what it is.

Jen?

Well, hi.

Hi.

Are you coming out?

Come on.

I got to go, Jenny.

Let's... let's a bite
to eat or something.

Can we get together later?

No, I can't.

I got to go back to L.A.
today. remember that callback?

Can I see you before I leave?

Look, why don't I
just call you later?

OK, fine.

But if I wear
the dress won't it

look like I'm trying too hard?

Wait a minute, Valerie, hold on.

Let me conference in Meredith.

Hey, Meredith.

No.

I won't be more than
15 minutes late.

I promise.

I'm telling you, he's the
nicest guy in Peter's office.

He seems really stable.

Oh, that's a
ringing endorsement.

Oh, I feel
really good about this one.

Yeah, you know what?
I'm not going.

You're going.

She missed Jack.
You miss Jack.

And I right?
- Call him.

He's in L.A.

Yeah, but?

Anyway, I hate blind dates

You've never even

been on a blind date.
Just try it.

I'm going to have
a shot of vodka.

- Don't do that.
- No, don't do that.

Let go.

It's my ball.
- All right, gotta go.

OK.
Have a good time.

Taxi?

Hey, how you doing?

Who goes there?

Um, your date.

Hey, I'm just on long distance.

I'll buzz you up.
Fifth floor.

I hope they fixed the elevator.

Oh, she's here.

Yeah, I gotta go.

OK, bye.

Hi.

Hi.

Um, I'm really sorry.

The elevator must still be out.

I've ah been working out a
lot, probably too much, huh?

Um, can I get you
something before we go?

Yeah, like a towel, some
Gatorade, an oxygen tank.

No, maybe just a towel.

I mean, I wasn't
just a little sweaty.

I was, like, drenched .

You were drenched.

Yeah, like I said,

I was hanging on to the
banister and literally

pulling myself up the steps.

Was there an elevator?

So, you think
it's all in my head?

Do you think it's
all in your head?

I've gotta tell
you, Ms. Estess, it's

not all in your head.

The results from the CAT scan,
MRI, all of it are normal.

Your head's fine.

How can it all be in
my head when my thighs

are actually twitching?

How are they twitching?

I don't know.

A twitch is a twitch.

You're an M.D.

I am.

Do you think you might
want to take a look?

Do you wanted
me to take a look?

I'm going to
run this one last test.

All right, I can practically
guarantee negative results.

OK, which is a positive thing.

Where are
you going to put those?

Everywhere
there's a muscle head to toe.

Put this gown on, OK?

I'm afraid there is something.

I'm surprised as you
are by the test results.

It's ah... I ah...

you know, it's unusual really.

I would never have expected ah...

What?

Expected what?

Motor neuron disease.

You have some kind of
a motor neuron disease.

What's a...a motor
neuron disease?

It's a tricky...

it's a funny umbrella.

There are many
variations, permutation...

Doctor,
doctor, please, please, we're

trying to understand here.

Is this something temporary?

Is this something
that's going to go away?

I mean, you...you're
giving us nothing.

I can't say anything
with certainly.

But I... I can get
you a referral.

Scotty?

Hm?

How do you do a search?

What are you going
to search for?

Motor neuron disease.

ALS.

What is that

What is that

Ah, type ALS.

Hit search.

Well, one last
test Ms. Estess.

And it's really very simple.

I'd like you to sit
down on the floor there.

Hm.

OK.

Good.

Now can you ah get up please?

OK.

Heh, heh, ha.

Ah.

I can't.

I can't do it.

Here You have
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,

Jenifer, or motor
neuron disease.

But it's more commonly known
as Lou Gehrig's disease.

ALS destroys the
neurons that carry

instructions from your
brain to your muscles.

Oh my God.

How old was Lou
Gehrig when he got this?

36.

And when he died he was...

38.

But I'm hoping in your
case that the disease

will progress much slower.

You have a strong
spirit, Ms. Estess.

You're very young.

Is there medicine?

Science needs to better

understand ALS before we
can effectively treat it.

So you're not going to
write me a prescription?

I only
wish there was one to write.

I am going to refer you to Nurse
Vandemal at ah Hobson Memorial.

She's a bona fide expert.

She can answer all
of your questions

and help get you situated.

Everything will
be fine, you'll see.

There's gotta be
something out there, right?

Maybe we'll get lucky.

The
truth is, you're

going to have
progressive trouble

getting through the day.

If there's a take-home
point here, it's plan ahead.

Because your disease
started in your limbs,

your arms and legs
are going to go first.

I can get you a brace
once your foot drops.

When my foot drops?

It's amazing to think of how
many of our everyday movements

depend on healthy muscles.

Try walking without
responsive ankles.

We have a loan closet here.

I'll take the Prada sweater.

As you have
additional trouble,

feel free to come to us
for the loan of a foot drop

brace, a wheelchair, a walker.

About the wheelchair,
like I said,

you're gonna want to plan ahead.

You should start working on
the paperwork right away.

You're going to want a chair
that will serve your growing

needs, your increased
inability to sit

up, speak, swallow, breathe.

If you opt for a
respirator, you're

going to want a wheelchair
that can accommodate it.

I'm sorry, a respirator?

ALS proves fatal
when your breathing

muscles stop working, your
diaphragm, your chest muscles.

Oh, ah... Dr. Richards
didn't say anything about.

Well, it's
suffocation pure and simple.

But let's not go there.

Will we have to go there?

Well,
everybody's different.

Some last six months,
two years, five years.

Mm, I don't see anything
really emergent here.

So I'm going to give you
some pamphlets to take home.

I'm going I want to see
you in a couple of months.

And whatever you do, do not
forget your rubber band.

I'd rather have
some kind of pill.

Put that on your wrist.

When you have a negative
thought, snap it.

Snap out of the negative
and into the positive, OK?

OK.

Ah, oh, ah

I'm right here, Jen.

I'm right here.

I'm right here.

Sh.

I'm right here.

Well, I
can't fake it anymore.

I'm having trouble lifting
my feet and my shoes.

They're not cooperating.

And shoes and I used
to be like this.

Someone's
not wearing her rubber band.

Yeah, well, I was wondering if
there was a safer shoe that you

might be able to recommend.

Must I do everything
for you Ms. Estess?

Ah, excuse me?

Look, I don't want

you to crack your head open.

There are tools at our disposal.

These might help.

There is no shame in using them.

What about the shoes?

Could we just start
with the shoes?

People have survived
AIDS, cancer, I mean,

there is no reason why Jenny
can't pull through this.

I saw this woman
doctor on PBS.

And her thing is that
attitude affects health.

What?

Michael, I am just saying that
there may be something to that.

Yeah, look, Jules,
what she needs to do

is she needs to
lose the cane, OK?

Because it's like
wearing glasses.

The more you wear them,
the weaker your eyes get.

Hello, I'm right here.

Jenny you are so tough, OK?

You can beat this.
I know you can.

We can beat this.

Uh-huh.

It's your body.

You take control of it.

Uh-huh.

I mean, it... it's
like a river, OK?

You put a boulder in it.

You change its course.

Your illness is that river.

And we need... we need
to change the course.

A river?

What are you...

I don't have a cold.

What part of I'm dying
don't you understand?

There's no medicine, no
treatment, no nothing.

Oh, you guys.

I feel like there's a rope
that's pulling my muscles down

to the center of the Earth.

And there's... whoo.

Sorry, I'm tired.

I'm just going to go up.

Jenny.

Honey, I'm going to bed.

This is unbelievable.

The experts know nothing.

No one's doing anything.

There are tens of thousands
of people dying, Scotty.

And the fact is, there's not a
single effective treatment, not

one.

I mean, you'd think in this
day and age some answers

would exist, at
least, that there

would be some plan of attack.

Doesn't this bother you, Scotty?

Is there anything that
bothers you at all ever?

That's not fair
and you know it.

Val.

I gotta get back to work.

G'night.

Yo, Pete.

Back it up.

Jen?

Jenny?

How are you?

Hi.

It's great to see you.

- Oh.
- Whoa.

You all right?

Yeah, I'm fine.

Hey, hey, I'm shooting in the
city this weekend until Monday.

I was going to call you.
Come on in.

I want you to meet the
guys I'm working with.

Oh, I... I gotta ...

Well, what are you
doing this weekend?

I'm going to be out of town.

Well, well come on in.
Just sit for a while.

You'll love these
guys, I'm telling you.

Oh, great, but I can't
because I got a thing.

You gotta go.

I'll call you.

OK.

Oh, it was great seeing you.

You too.

Take care, huh?

Maybe ah... if I'm in town
again, we could do something?

Bye.

Bye.

Hello?

Are you on the other?

No, I'm
just doing some reading.

There's one name that keeps
coming up, Dr. Richard Feldman.

He's actually looking at some
potential treatment for ALS.

Valerie, I don't think
I can live alone anymore.

The city isn't my
friend, my city.

Your
motor neurons are dying off.

Unfortunately, they'll
never be replaced.

Um, if they transplant
hearts and lungs,

why not motor neurons?

Cell transplant

is pure science fiction.

This is the maverick?

Let's give him a chance.

Look,
you've got a whole lab here.

You've got to have something.

Well, yeah, there's...there's
a lot going on.

It's just that there's
nothing that translates

into therapy right now.

ALS is a complicated problem.

I've read about growth
factors on the internet.

Right, yeah, the internet.

Stay off the internet.

Growth factors are
good in theory.

We've tested them extensively.

But there's nothing so far.

All right, he's
saying he has nothing.

Wait.

So- so what do
you suggest we do?

A lot of my patients

start eating all the
junk food they want

and maxing out
their credit cards.

I don't know.

Is there any place in the
world that you haven't

been that you'd like to see?

Dr. Richards said there
was one approved drug.

Yes, it extends life for
maybe three months in mice.

Do you have a good nurse?

Oh.

Gimme a minute.

Don't take their poison pill.

Um, I was wondering,
I've really to ask

you um love and men and ah...

how this is going to affect
that part of my life.

Right.

You know, if anything, emotions
tend to intensify with ALS.

Us The problem is your
ability to express

them will change too.

Now I

know he meant I eventually
wouldn't be able to touch

someone, to move, to hold.

Now I know what he meant.

But I didn't know then.

Jen-Jen.

Jen-Jen.

Jake, get back here.

Jen-Jen.

Hi Jakey.

What's going on?

Mom, what are you doing here?

Um, I need a lift
to the station, OK?

Well,
I came to see Jenifer.

She doesn't want to see me.

So are you just going to
sit there until she does?

That's the plan.

Look, I really gotta go.

OK.

Well can you just drop Amy at
the station while you wait?

However I can help.

Well, I was going to
get you the indoor Nerf

basketball thing.

Where?

But since you
want the Barbie...

Ah, ha.

Get off the bed.

Give her a break.

Oh, please leave them.

They're like pumping
oxygen in here.

It's her I don't want to see.

I don't want to
see her either.

But she's staying for dinner.

She's so nervous.

She just makes everything worse.

No one's playing with me.

Didn't Amy play with you?

Who's Amy?

It may be time to
get a new baby sitter?

No.

How about someone
wine, Jenifer?

- Mother please.
- Would you leave her alone.

She doesn't want to come out.

I want soda, grandma.

No soda.

Call me crazy.

But she seemed stronger
to me the other day.

Jen-Jen said we could.

Well,
Jen-Jen says a lot of things.

Oh, let them have soda.

It's my fault. I promised them.

Jen-Jen bought
me toys today.

Enough
with the toys already.

Soda, soda, soda, soda.

I got it.

Soda, soda.

Me too, daddy.

Soda for Janie girl.

I'm telling you that sugar is
the biggest killer of them all.

I'm sick.

Yeah, sure.

This is really great.

Terrific sauce, Meredith.

Hopes.

Mom, Jane's spilling.

Janie.

Ah.

Jenifer.

Ah, ah.

What's wrong?

What happened?
- You're OK.

Somebody go get... get some ice.

I got the ice.

Ah, Scott get a
pillow for her head.

You'll be fine.

You'll be OK.

Sh.

You're OK.

You're OK.

OK, this is getting
a little creepy.

Come on Willis.

Give it to'em slugger.

Well,
the quickie is probably

our most popular model.

In terms of independence,
it's definitely got my vote.

This is the Breezy.

It's lightweight.

It's collapsible.

So am I .

Do you have anything sportier:

Well, for my nickel,
nothing beats the Star.

Well, you've always
wanted to sit on a star.

You know that add where
the granny's are all

in their electric
wheelchairs and they're

scaling the Grand Canyon?

The Mountaineer.

That's right.

I don't want that one.

All right.

Com on, Willis.

Come on.

Honey, why don't
you give him a hand?

- Me?
- Yeah.

Help him get started.

OK.

All right, hold on.

Mama's gonna do this
a little bit, OK?

Just to get your guys going.

All right, go stand with daddy.

OK.

Whoa.

What's
with all the cutesy names?

Why don't they call
this the nightmare.

Once you get it,
you'll never get out.

Would you like
to see how it fits?

I got it.

Ah, ah, ha.

Thank you.

I'm going to
get so much candy.

Ow.

All right.

Oh, I can't.

You can do it.
You can do it.

- No, I can't.
- Yes, you can.

Yes, you can.

Look, you heard what the
physical therapist said.

The only ALS patient
she's ever worked

has actually gotten stronger.

You do get better
with what I have.

This is lunacy.
- You're not even trying.

You guys, come on.
Keep it down.

I'm sorry.
I'm a little confused.

I'm dying but I'm not
exercising properly.

This is not about leg lifts or
rubber bands or me giving up. .

What is happening to me
is out of my control.

I can't take this anymore.

Hey, ah we gotta
tighten it up a little.

Yeah, I know Peter.

The kids are sleeping.

Thank you.

Well, it didn't sound like it.

I'm becoming a
burden to everyone.

- Jenifer please.
- How could you say that?

Please, just shut up.

That's such a
slap in the face.

Well, then why do I feel
like I'm letting you down.

You're not letting me down.

Well, that's how I feel.

Stop that.

Stop yelling both of you.

You
know, I was thinking

about you the other day.

I was out with my little nephew.

And I had to bend down to
hear what he was saying.

And I thought, this must
be what it's like for you.

Well, it's a little
more than that.

It's a very gun to your
head kind of thing.

If you're feeling
suicidal, I have to warn you,

that's not really an
option for ALS patients.

Suicide?

Well, my late-stage patients
can't really take pills.

Because their hands don't work.

You can't exactly
jump out of a window.

The only other thing
you might be able to do

is smother yourself.

But even that would
be a challenge.

I can't.

I can't do this anymore.

God, I hate that nurse.

She's an animal.

I just have had enough.

What do mean?

I'm saying that maybe it would
just be easier on everybody.

You... you want to die?

Is that...is that
what you're saying?

It's over.

OK.

You want to die?

Great.

Let's go for it.

Meredith,
come on, slow down.

Come on, Meredith,
what, are you crazy?

Slow down.

Look out for the car.

Meredith.

It costs ...

I'm liking the new
apartment, kiddie.

It's downtown closer
to me finally.

I always
wanted us to be roomies.

Yeah, you keep that
music down young lady.

I just had to give
Meredith her space.

The phone hasn't
stopped, Jenifer.

Everyone wants to see you.

Speaking of which, I
ran into some guy named Jack.

He got written
out of his series.

And he's back in the city.

And he was asking about Kitty.

You should call him.

No, I'm not ready
to see people.

And I don't want people
to feel sorry for me.

Jenifer, just let me do it.

Let me tell people
what's going on.

Nah, forget that Jules.

Come on, you're back
in New York City.

Let's go out an celebrate.

Um, let's order some pizza.

No, I mean out, out.

Oh, no, not tonight.

You guys go.

Jenifer, I can
push a wheelchair.

Try getting me in it.

Come on Jenny.
We'll go out.

Just like we used to.
- Yeah.

- Oh, no.
- Come on.

I don't wanna go.

- Yes.
- No.

Come on.

It's just like dancing.
I got you.

Oh, God.

This is mortifying.

OK, I your hand.

You guys.

I can do this myself.

That's true.

Oh, Michael.

Oh, Michael.

So what would you
like on your pizza?

Hello?

Jack.

Jen?

How are you?

Jen?

What's the matter?

I need to talk to you.

It's not so good.

What?

Jen, what is it?

Tell me.

I'm sick.

I have ALS.

I'm
coming by tomorrow.

Do we
have stuff to drink?

Lots.

Chips and salsa?

I made guacamole.

Oh, genius.

Julianne.

Mm?

We need flowers.

OK, you want me to go?

No, I'll run on down there.

And I'll be back like
in two or three years.

No, wait, Jules,
wait, wait, wait.

No, it's excessive.

All right, look,
you'll open the door.

Mm-hm.

And
then I'll be here.

He'll see me in the chair.

No, wait, OK.

Put me on the couch and get me
in a really fetching position.

And I'll do a whole
Deborah Kerr thing.

What?

Get the buzzer.

Buzzer.

Hello?

Jack's here.

Yeah, OK, send him up.

Ah.

OK.

OK.

OK.

All right.

Great.

OK.

- OK, thanks.
- OK.

All right, afghan.

Afghan.

OK.

OK.
Oh God, get the door.

- OK, coming.
- How's my hair?

All right, hold on.
Let me see.

Good.

Go...

Good.

OK.

Oh God.

Hi.

Hi Jules.

Come on in.

Can you come sit here?

Let's go out.

I thought we would just
stay in and rent some movies.

OK, tomorrow night.

Tonight we're going out.

Probably not.

Jenny, it is a beautiful
night in this lovely city.

And you should not miss it.

Come on.

Ah.

Good?

OK.

We gotta to take it slow.

We'll go slow.

Mm, it's lovely
to be out here.

Isn't it?

Hey, there's a Fellini
film up in Lincoln Center.

What do you say?

What, you're going
to push me five miles?

We don't have to.
There's a bus.

Oh.

Woo.

Hey, ho, ho.

Hey.

She wanted me to
bring her back...

Oh, listen guys.

We're pretty full up here.

There's another one about
five minutes behind.

Come on, come on, let's go.

I'm going to be late, OK?

What are you talking about?

You... there's empty
seats back there.

You got plenty of room.

Hey, buddy.

You heard the guy.

You're holding things up.

Look, I'm
running schedule already.

I think you'll do a lot better
waiting for the next on.

Jack, let's just wait.

No no, no, no.

We're not going to wait.

You are going to
lower that thing.

You are going to
lower that thing.

Or else I'm going to call
every news station in this town

Or else I'm going to call
every news station in this town

and tell'em that
bus driver number

87439 is refusing to pick up
beautiful girls in wheelchairs.

Your choice.

My ordinary days
are spent inside the maze.

Of never changing ways
such ordinary days.

My ordinary spin
showed itself again.

It never seemed to end.

Then you came waltzing in.

Waltzing in, I'm
falling, I'm falling in.

I never knew the likes of
you, extraordinary thing.

I do believe that you are
indeed an extraordinary thing.

My ordinary game
predictable and plain.

has never been
the same since you

came waltzing in, waltzing in,
I'm falling, I'm falling in.

I never knew the likes of
you, extraordinary thing.

I do believe that you are
indeed an extraordinary thing.

I never knew the likes of you...

Maybe we could do better
than those other groups.

Why would anybody
take us seriously?

We'd have to run it like a
business, raise a lot of cash.

Right, right right.
We gotta shake it up.

We gotta pull it
out of the shadows.

We gotta make people
see what it is.

Yeah.

You gotta make
doctors accountable.

Well, make them care
about this illness.

Give them serious
funding with conditions.

Right on.

Enough of these
academic exercises.

You work together.

You work for answers.

Or you're fired.

Yeah, yeah, take these guys
down from their pedestal.

Hold a gun to their head.

Do everything faster.

Run it like a movie studio.

Yeah, remember The
Manhattan Project?

Okie dokie.

They brought together the
best scientists in the world

to design the atom bomb.
That will be our model.

We'll call it um ALS Project.

Ah, I...

- Ah, ah, Project ALS.
- Yeah, I like it.

Jen?

Yeah, that works for me.

Project ALS.

Project ALS.

Hm, see,
sometimes, you know.

We figured if we could produce
a play for naked angels,

we could produce a cure for ALS.

And the...the turning point was
Donna Hanover, who's the first

lady of New York.

And she invited Project
ALS to hold its first press

conference at Gracie Mansion.

Did I ever have any doubts
about moving in with Jenifer?

No, why would I?

God, I hate this.

This is insane.

You know how I feel
about public speaking.

Get over it.

Remember to talk about
the entertainment industry

uniting with corporate America.

I can't do this.

It's you turn now, Jenifer.

You have to.

Just take a deep
breath, sit up straight.

That's what I do
when I'm scared.

Mother, she needs help.

I am helping.

Lipstick.

Oh.

Let's how we can do this.

I'd take 10 years
in the wheelchair

right now, 10 years
in the wheelchair.

Mom, don't.

I need you to be a
mother right now.

Oh.

Oh, that's much better.

You see, Meredith?

You're much better
at it than I am.

I guess I'm really
going out there.

You look beautiful.

Ladies and
gentlemen, I would like

to introduce a friend of mine.

She is a woman of courage.

She is brilliant,
beautiful, and tenacious.

And she is leading the
fight against a disease

that should concern us all.

Please welcome Jenifer Estess.

Thank you, Donna Hanover.

Hello.

My name is Jenifer Estess.

When I was first diagnosed...

when I was first diagnosed,
I was just another city

girl living the city girl life.

And now I'm just another city
girl who's been told she has

three to five years to live.

I needed a lot of help
getting here today.

I needed help getting dressed.

I couldn't put on
my own lipstick.

I can't walk pretty much at all.

I have ALS.

It's a disease that comes out
of nowhere AND is always fatal.

And there's no medicine and
that's just unacceptable.

I've come to realize
that I shouldn't

be going through this,
nor should anyone

else, not in this day and age.

So we've started an
organization, Project ALS.

Because when we find
a cure, and that

is our goal, not
ways to make life

more manageable but a cure.

When we do that,
we will beat this

disease and other
related problems like

Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

But we need your help.

And I know that if we work
together like a family

that we can change the
face of modern medicine.

Thank you.

Yeah.

What we're wondering is since
the FDA already has so many

approved drugs out there why
we can't screen some of them

to see if they apply to ALS.

Well, that's a crude approach.

There's got to be something.

You know, there are only
30,000 people in this country

at any given time with ALS.

The government regards
it as an orphan disease.

There's no critical
mass of patients.

But aren't the
numbers at any given

time so low because people
with the disease die so fast?

Ugh, I just want to go home.

I'm tire.

Come on, we've got
one more meeting set up.

We might as well go.

Meredith, forget it.

Come on, this is the
guy that you found online.

We should just go and ask him
if stem cells might work in ALS.

He'll probably just
laugh us out of the room.

Hi.

Hello.

I'm Dr. Sanders.

Donut?

Ah, no.

You sure?

They're very good.

Thank you.

OK.

I thought I'd ah...

put a little slide
show on for you guys.

Um, for 14 years I've
been ah transplanting

stem cells into mice
that basically mimic

children's brain diseases.

They seem to travel to areas
of injury in the brain, set up

shop, and in some instances they
actually transform themselves

into healthy new cells.

In layman's terms,
they're like seeds.

Flower seeds know
to become flowers.

Grass seeds know
to become grass.

Stem cells are like
really smart seeds.

They go into the body
and become whatever

it is they need to become.

You've heard of multiple
sclerosis haven't you?

Mm-hm.

Well, now, here we see
stem cells transforming

into cells that were once
destroyed in MS. It's amazing,

isn't it?

Could stem cells replace
damaged motor neurons in ALS?

You're the first person
to ask me that question.

Yeah, I think maybe you could.

Jenifer?

Hey, Jenifer.

This is going to be the
Project ALS theme song.

I hitched a ride with

a vending machine repair man.

Hey, I think we're
really get out of this.

What happened with
the Princeton guy?

No, no, forget him.

We're going with Sanders.

Yeah, we're going to put
him together with Feldman.

Feldman and Sanders together.

Stem cells.

Yes, I think stem
cells are the answer.

Lay back,
enjoy the show.

Everybody gets high.

Everybody gets low.

These are the days
when anything goes.

Every day is a winding road.

I get a little bit closer.

Every day is a faded sign.

I get a little bit
closer to feelin' fine.

Ah.

I believe you said

Jenifer's motor
neurons are dying

and they'll never be replaced.

So what do you think, Rick?

I think I owe the
sisters Estess an apology.

Yeah.

All right, hold on.

We still have a
long way to go here.

Yeah, but at least
we're going somewhere.

Good job, Aaron.

Anything goes.

Every day is a winding road.

I get a little bit closer.

Every day is a winding...

Where is Jack?

He's getting the
theater tickets.

What are you doing?

I... I'm sorry.

I don't do it as
well as he does.

Jen, you want Peter
and me to transfer you?

No, I'll just wait for Jack.

Would
you like to order?

We're waiting
for someone else.

We could order
some appetizers.

Nothing for me.

Jen, I could help you.

No, not here.

Who wants a drink?

We should toast the
People Magazine article.

And the Today Show spot.

Yeah, the Forbe space.

Got'em.

Fourth row, right on the aisle.
- Mm.

I had to schmooze
the house manager.

Mm-hm.

But I got'em.

Oh, oh, oh.

You look great.

You hungry?

Starving.

This is a good place.

Mm.

I'm taking you on a trip.

My folks have a place upstate.

They're never there.

I can't.

Come on.

It'll be great.

A weekend in the country.

Don't you think
it'll be a little bit

more like Weekend At Bernie's?

I'm scared.

Trust me, Jenny.

I got you.

Ready to go.

Take me along.

I want to ride shotgun.

I want to laugh at your jokes.

I want to know you
better than anyone.

But anyone can see
why you, you'd run.

I packed a small bag.

Can't you see a truck full
of things you cherish.

What about me?

Take me along.

I wanna ride shotgun.

I want to laugh at your jokes.

I want to know you
better than anyone,

but anyone can
see why you'd run.

When I tried to find
a substitute a box

full of hearts and letters.

But he wasn't you.

I wish Valerie could
have you at both doctors.

Put my arms around you.

I love you.

I'm so in love with you, Jack.

I love you, too, Jen.

But you...

I understand, really I do.

But I want us to spend
this time together.

I want us...

Jen um...

I'm... I wouldn't want
to do anything that...

you're incredible, Jen.

If I ever hurt you,
I'd want to die.

I want to spend the
rest of my life with you

however long that is,
whatever that means.

Jen.

I'm sorry, Jen.

Sh.

Sh, sh, sh, sh.

When he went back to
L.A., it was just brutal.

You know when I got
sick, I couldn't

listen to music anymore.

I just couldn't do it.

But with Jack I
could listen again.

He led me back to
a place in my life.

I never thought I'd
have that again.

Oh, so pretty.

Oh that party rocked.

Oh.

Girl's got to know
when to cut her losses.

Don't
you find this job

a little depressing, Lorna?

Not really, know.

I like helping people.

I guess you've seen
a lot of people die.

Some.

Some get better.

What's it like
when people die?

Jennifer, why you always
want to talk about such things?

OK, have you ever seen anyone
as sick as me get better.

And you have to
tell me honestly.

I took care of.

A boy once.

He had AIDS.

He was dying.

I mean, he was just
skin and bones.

And then they came out
with that AIDS cocktail.

And he took it.

And you should see him now.

He's fine and walking around.

I just don't want to put
my sisters the position where

they have to decide for me.

I think you're going to be
around for a long time to come.

OK.

Let's put the BiPAP on.

And I will
let you breathe through me.

I will let you be with me.

Yeah.

Lorna.

- Ma'am are you all right?
- Hm?

- Can you hear me, ma'am?
- Y...yes.

- Do you see my fingers?
- Yes.

OK.
What's her name please?

- Jenifer.
- Jenifer.

OK, Jenifer, what
I'm going to do

is I'm going to remove
the sheets from you now.

OK, so I'm going
to remove this mask.

Do... Don't worry.
All right?

Here we go.

Ready?

One, two, three lift.

I will
let you breathe through me.

I will let you be with me.

Whenever I'm alone and
you're lost out there,

I can feel you breathe
cause our lungs we share.

I guess it's time for the
Hamlet question, Dr. Richards.

To be or not to be?

To
trach or not to trach.

Do I bow out gracefully
or do I go on a Respirator

Jennifer, if your breathing
and swallowing get any worse,

you're going to have
to make that choice.

A tracheotomy is a fairly
straightforward procedure.

But you may lose your
ability to speak.

You will be completely
dependent on a respirator.

I can't imagine that life.

Hello Dr. Richards.

Hello.

Why don't you start
thinking about that trach?

With
the other option being?

The other option
being that you can help

make you comfortable.

Call me if you
have any questions.

Thank you.

Too sleep pretends
to dream and never

wake up is what he means.

Look, I think
what my sister is

saying is that
project ALS has been

funding all of your research.

You guys, please, we
need a new game plan.

Aaron where are we?

What do you need?

Well, there's a fellow in
Georgetown who specializes

in spinal cord injury.

Really smart guy.

I think it would be really
helpful to have him in our lab.

So wh... what's the problem?

Well, he... he lives and
works in Washington D.C.

So
we'll bring him here.

He has a family.

We'll move his family.

People are getting sicker.

Understood.

But there are
procedures and protocols

that we have to follow.

Where do we stand
with the animal model?

Well, we've just injected
stem cells into our first litter

of ALS mice.

And?

And, now we wait and see.

OK, but if we see real
improvement in this litter,

then we're ready to start
the human trials, right?

Ho...ho... hold on, OK?

Now, let's just
understand something.

These experiments take
months to complete.

Months.

She's
having trouble breathing.

She's on the BiPAP
most of the day.

Where are the stem
cells for Jenifer?

Meredith, if you're asking
us to save your sister,

there's no guarantees here.

You guys have to look
at the bigger picture.

But Rick, you can cut some
air out of your schedule,

can't you?

I don't even
want to talk about schedules

or... or experimental models.

Where is the shot for Jenifer?

This far gorilla science, OK?

It's a new way of
working for us.

And we're grateful to you.

But you're not giving us
a chance to do our jobs.

OK, what my sister is sa...

What I'm saying is that
we're running out of time.

And I don't want
my sister to die.

I don't know.

Tonight,
the most important voice

you'll hear belongs to
the people living with ALS

in a time of no medicine.

Here to read the
words of one of them

is the star of stage and
screen, Ms. Nina Capelli.

Woo hoo.

Please tell me this
is not happening.

I'm so young.

I was just hitting my stride
when I learned I had ALS.

I look at my sisters, I want to
tell them, this will go away.

I want to take their
children in my arms

and tell them I will be at
their high school graduations

and that I will teach them
to dance to Frank Sinatra.

Please tell me this
is not happening.

Today I'm in a wheelchair.

I used to express
myself with my hands.

Now they seem to
belong to someone else.

I long for my life and my
body the way that it was.

But the love of my family
and friends keeps me going.

And it's that kind
of compassion that

will unlock the mystery of ALS.

People with ALS get sick so
fast that they have a hard time

fighting for themselves.

Maybe that's why so
little has been done.

But I believe that
together we can change

the landscape of this disease.

Jenifer Estess, New York City.

We have got
to get her that shot.

I mean, we've raised over
$7 million dollars so far.

But we have got to get more.

We've gotten the best
doctors, the biggest

stars, the press, the ads.

But where is the shot?

Where is it?

We need it now.

I just want her saved.

I read
about your benefit.

You raised a lot of money.

It was a huge success.

I understand most
of it is going to stem

cells and other research?

That's where it's going.

You're neglecting
patient support.

Clinics like this
one, Ms. Estess,

which cater to the
growing needs of patients.

You know better than
anyone that is the best

medicine for people living now.

Are you asking me for money?

For patient support.

Research is years away.

You call this
what you're dishing

out here patient support?

Suicide tips and a
closet full of walkers?

Patient support is compassion
and kindness and heart.

And all the millions
can't buy you that.

By the way Nurse
Vandemal, you're fired.

Get my sister.

Lorna, I need another bite
of bagel please, sorry.

Oh, go and get ALS,
the big kahuna.

It's so annoying.

So dramatic.

Eh,
now all we have to do

is re-invent the wheel.

Mm, sorry.

Yeah?

Janey,
can I have a kiss?

I already did.

Mm.

I need another one.

Meredith make her kiss me.

Go kiss Jen-Jen.

Like she's going
to listen to me.

This is amazing.

Yes, I know.
I know.

I realize that.
Don't play it so cool.

This is fantastic.
Oh...OK right.

Um, I'll check in
with you later.

The mice, our mice, the
stem cells are working.

Over 50% of them have
restoration and movement.

They are walking around Jenifer.

That's great.

Where's Jen's shot?

Yeah, how long Valerie?

Nine months to a year
before human trials can begin.

Can you just hold out?

Nine months, I don't know.

Can I hang on for nine months?

You'll have to.

Mm.

I feel that
what's important in life

is where your heart
is fundamentally.

I love Jenifer in
the best way I can

and in the way that she
has allowed me to love her.

I believe Jenifer knows
how I feel about her,

what she means to me.

And I know in my heart that my
love and my commitment to her

are unending and boundless.

And that will never change.

Can I take this off now?

Listen, I'll come down there
and paint the house myself.

Ha, ha.

That's what I told them.

If you want a half a
million dollars for a house,

you've got to spruce
it up a little.

Oh.

Some people just don't get it.

Mom, the BiPAP.

I'll get Lorna.

No, she's
at the grocery store.

No, it can't wait.

Just push it in.

I don't know Jenifer.

Push the hose in.

I won't do it right.

I need you.

Oh.

Mom.

Mom.

Mm.

Now.

What?

I can't put my
arms around anyone.

Well, I could hold you.

if you want me to.

I can't hold you back.

Well, if you don't want me to.

No mom.

I want you to.

Hey.

Hey.

What you doing?

I'm working on a speech
for the spring benefit.

Can I hear use some of it?

It's pretty lousy.

Mm, I doubt that.

Promise me you'll keep writing.

I promise.

Thank you, Lorna.

You know the scariest
part of death

for me is the thought of
never seeing you guys again

or being alone without you.

We will always be together,
no matter what happens.

Easy for you to say now.

I've always believed that.

What are you talking about?

Oh, life and death.

You want to get dinner?

Yeah, why don't
you guys order.

You'll go on
the trach when you have to.

You'll get better.

You'll come off the
trach and reverse it.

I don't know if I want
to live with a trach.

And even if I go on it, I'm
only going to get worse.

And there may just be a point
where I just want to let go.

You know that
we will never let you suffer.

If you think that
you can't go on...

But what if you don't go on
the trach and in six months

they find the medicine?

Look,
whatever happens,

you guys gotta
promise me that you're

going to go on with your lives.

You are our life, Jenifer.

OK, one more thing.

You both look like crap.

Nice Jenifer.

No, I'm not kidding.

You looking exhausted.

What time is it?

7:30?

Meredith, do you know
where your children are?

No, you don't, do you?

Willis is at karate.

You guys should be home with
your kids and your husbands.

I don't know if
they'll have me.

I think
we got it covered, Jenifer.

Well I need you to know
that it's going to be OK,

no matter what happens, no
matter if it's in time for me.

And that is so all right.

Because no one should have
to go through go ever again.

I may be crazy.

But I think we're
gonna get out of this.

Mm-mm.

Yeah, let's go into
inner sanctum here.

Peter.

Peter's eating.

Meredith?

Hi.

Hi.

Hello, hello.
Oh, look who it is.

- Kitty.
- Lorna and my Kitty.

Lorna, take
me to see my sweet baby James.

Come here.

You can do it.

Oh, you can do it, James.

Yes, baby, yes, James.

Oh.

I can't believe it.

This just might work.

Project ALS is really moving
things along remarkably fast.

Um, can I show you something?

You want to see what
stem cells look like?

They
look like fireworks.

Make of our lives, one life.

Day after day, one life.

- Finally, I
- think that's what we were.

We were like those cells.

Each of us became what
we needed to become.

We did what we had to do.

Even death won't part us...

us now.