Spring Awakening (1994) Movie Script

♪♪

[birds chirping]

[train chugging]

[whistle blowing]

Brownville Station,

next stop.

Next stop, Brownville Station.

Brownville Station, next stop.

[wheels screeching]

[horse whinnying]

[dog barking in the distance]

[birds chirping]

[train whistle blowing]

[door creaking]

I'm home.

And I never want to leave.

It smells so good in here.

Come finish up

our Easter lamb.

Raisins or candies?

Bobbie...

bring it over here

before it melts in this heat.

Just a minute, Grandma.

If we don't tell Papa, he might

think this is a real lamb.

Don't be so sure he's coming.

Oh, Mama.

I just can't wait to eat it.

Our little boy shouldn't

go fooling with this

delicious sweet.

You two, watch that cake now.

Grandma!

[engine hissing]

Is my papa really

coming for Easter?

He comes as often as he can,

doesn't he?

I heard the train whistle

a little while back.

What?

You have a sweet tooth

just like your father.

Mmm.

That's my boy.

[horse neighing]

[dog barking]

I expected you'd be at

the church by this time.

Bobbie and I still have some

things to get for Easter dinner.

Oh.

Holiday's a time when

families come together.

I can't help feeling

sorry for you--

Listen, I want you to

run over to the store

and get three eggs.

Take them home, carefully.

I'll meet you home

late afternoon.

Yeah.

It's wasting good time

feeling sorry for people who

don't feel sorry for themselves,

Mrs. Skimmons.

Good day.

♪ Yes we'll gather

♪ At the river

♪ The beautiful

♪ The beautiful river

♪ Gather with the saints

♪ At the river

♪ That flows by

♪ The throne of God

♪ On the marching

♪ At the river

♪ Washing up

♪ Its silver spray

♪ We will walk

♪ And worship ever

♪ All the happy

♪ Golden days

♪ Yes we'll gather

♪ At the river

♪ The beautiful

♪ The beautiful river

♪ Gather with the saints

♪ At the river

♪ That flows by

♪ The throne of God ♪

You ought to set them

house plants

close around the pulpit.

Need any help?

Oh, we're just fine.

[sighing]

[ducks quacking]

Now that you've used them

hyacinths for the lamp brackets,

what are you going to put on

the railing

in front of the pulpit?

Martin said he'd bring

some Easter lilies

up from Kansas City.

Decided to come visit,

has he?

There's some more

daffodils in your truck.

If we both lend a hand,

we could finish real soon.

Maybe your Martin Dempster

will help you

when he gets here.

[footsteps approaching]

There you are.

Go on, open it.

Beautiful.

These are the first flowers

that have made me feel

a bit like Easter.

One of them is for you

to wear tomorrow.

Thank you.

[clearing throat]

Church looks good.

I think we've done right well

considering this trying weather.

I guess I'm about finished

working, Margie.

Is my wagon unloaded?

Did you unload it?

Let me take care of it.

[bird squawking]

I didn't thank you

for the lilies.

I'm glad they're

what you had in mind.

I brought this for Bobbie.

He'll love it.

The fact is, I've got

something to talk to you about.

You know I've been looking

for somewhere where

I'd have a chance to get ahead.

Seems like I've been traveling

a lifetime from place to place,

working where I could.

You still think there'd be

no use in trying to get ahead

here in Brownville?

The fact is, I've found

a place at last in Kansas City.

A first-rate job,

pays real well.

It looks like I could hold it

for as long as I want.

Then you can make

your home there.

I haven't quite got things

all planned out clear yet.

Of course, you'll have to

come back often to see Bobbie.

Well, you see...

... I was counting on

taking Bobbie with me.

He's about old enough now,

and I don't think I could bear

to live without him any longer.

You're not gonna take Bobbie.

Yes, and if you'll agree--

You'll never take Bobbie

away from me.

He's more my child than yours.

My God... a woman

must have something.

Every woman's got to have...

You've never talked

like this before.

Bobbie is the only thing

in your life that you've

ever given mine.

You brought him to me

when he was a helpless

little baby, dependent on me

for everything,

and I loved him for just that.

I know how much you love him.

I--

He needed my youth

and my strength,

and the very warmth of my body.

He needed me and you didn't!

Not a day passes but someone

throws it in my face that

I'm driveling my life away

to take care of the child

of the man who jilted me.

I loved you, Martin.

Now I never want to

see you again.

You're a sorry failure

who's never given me anything

but broken promises.

You're not the man

I thought you were...

and you cannot take him from me

after all these years

of loving him!

Margie!

Margie, slow up.

I don't see any fireflies.

Aren't there snakes up here?

Should be coming along.

What are you talking about?

Shh.

[marching band playing]

I can hear her.

The Belle.

She's coming around the bend.

Martin's on that boat.

Your mother hoped you'd

forget about him

away at college.

Mmm...

School helped me understand

a lot of things.

Who I want to be, what I need

to do in this world,

who is really important

in my life.

I don't see why you

like him so much.

He's simple and unworldly

and he lives for

what he likes best.

I refuse to ever forget him.

♪♪

Ladies and gentleman,

please board

the Brownville Belle now

for the last excursion

of the evening.

[whistle blowing]

♪♪

[creaking]

[groaning]

It's taking real strength

to flank-in these days.

I remember.

"Flanking the bend."

The channel keeps changing.

It used to be narrower

and deeper.

Coming around that sandbar

out there is getting to be

a real problem.

A captain never knows

what it'll be.

If he goes aground,

we call it "going home."

You talk a lot about

the river.

I guess I do.

More than most else anyway.

♪♪

It's so dark out there.

I'll make sure you're safe.

[horse whinnying]

Maybe you'd be more

comfortable in the back seat.

I don't like it when

you drive this buggy.

It's not feminine.

If none of the boys are

available to drive us,

we shouldn't go out.

Oh, Mother, this is 1900.

Women are perfectly capable

of driving buggies.

Besides, nothing's going to

stop me from hearing

Papa's speech.

I'm sure your father'll

be more than happy to repeat

any of his speeches

at a moment's notice.

[chuckling]

Come on, boy.

[laughing]

[marching band playing]

♪♪

[laughing]

[bleating]

Well...

can't say it's not juicy.

Have you come to

the Pierson apples yet?

Not yet.

Not as far as I know.

When you taste the best,

you'll know whose it is.

If it's as good as it was

last year, I expect it'll take

the blue ribbon again

this year, ma'am.

[crowd applauding]

Oh, don't you both look nice.

Looks like you're finishing

those decorations none too soon.

♪♪

I would like to introduce

a man who,

through his philanthropies,

would be called the backbone

of this county,

Mr. Samuel Pierson.

Here, here.

Thank you, Governor.

Well, I want to have a...

serious talk today about

the place we all call home.

We got every reason to be proud.

We're a lucky people,

but we've got to take

a hard look at the future.

There's a dark cloud

looming over Brownville,

and it begins and ends

with the river.

Every year

that old river shifts

and changes, and every year

she overflows.

And we shake our heads,

and we clean up the mess,

and we go right on like

that's the way it should be.

But we've got to face one thing.

We can't count on that

old river.

What happens when

the channel gets so shallow,

a boat can't get through?

When the steamboats

can no longer come?

The answer, my friends...

... is the railroad.

Railroad?

The railroad!

[crowd murmuring]

It's going to save this town.

Hold yourselves.

We're not starting any

foot race 'til all of them

foots are behind

the start line.

Now, going by the rules,

all contestants must be

barefoot.

Now, the Brownville Band

is going to walk around

and make sure the track

is cleared of all the rocks.

[marching band playing]

♪♪

When are you and your beau

from Red Cloud going to marry?

We plan on next summer.

I wish Margie would find

someone suitable.

You girls are waiting

too long.

I was married when I was

19 years of age.

Oh-ho-ho.

Oh, the ants will thank us

for that one.

Thanks for the hand.

Oh, would you like

some sugar water?

Can't be too sweet for me.

Oh.

It's real good.

Yeah.

When's the race

going to start?

Any minute, Mama.

It's so dusty by the track.

Margie, maybe your mother

would like some lemonade.

I could definitely use

some libation.

Would you, dear?

Absolutely.

I've been watching you.

I know.

Three, please.

I think it might be

too sugary for your mom.

It doesn't matter.

As long as it's cold.

They're on the house.

Your boyfriend's a real help.

Do you have to work tonight?

I never think of it

like that.

Guess I like that boat

more than anything.

It must be nice having

something you love so much.

Don't you?

Yes, I do.

Are you ready?

Yeah!

[crowd cheering]

[marching band playing]

I hope you didn't ask for

help on my account.

I didn't ask for

help, Mother.

Martin offered.

This is the most

sugary potion I ever tasted.

Might just as well have told

your helper, "No thank you."

[crickets chirping]

Well, Margie girl,

what do you think the people

thought about my speech?

They loved it, of course.

You're both trying to

change the subject.

Mama, how could you have

spoken to Martin in that tone?

Martin Dempster

is a river rat.

I remember when he was

a little boy,

he'd always run away.

His father would find him

down by the river.

River boys do not take

kindly to education.

They're always hankering

for the water.

That's no reason to be mean.

I don't want my only girl

around a river rat.

Not the daughter

who's beautiful.

Not the one who has

a college education.

That very education helps me

to choose the right person.

When God helped Noah

build the Ark, he called

them animals in two by two.

Two ducks, two geese,

two horses.

They were always two of

the same kind, side by side.

The fact is, you don't

know Martin at all.

He is the truest person I know.

He and I are exactly

the same kind, and we're

going to walk together,

side by side.

[thundering]

♪ Take me to the water

♪ To be baptized ♪

I baptize you, my brother,

in the name of the Father,

in the name of the Son,

and in the name of

the Holy Ghost.

Amen.

♪ Everybody sing

♪ Amen

♪ Everybody sing

♪ Amen

♪ Everybody sing

♪ Amen

♪ Let the preacher sing

♪ Amen

♪ Let the preacher sing

♪ Amen

♪ Let the preacher sing

♪ Amen

♪ Everybody sing ♪

[thundering]

Listen here, son.

You ever seen a catfish

100 pounds?

No, sir.

One time this river rose up

and flooded my daddy's cabin.

He was out fishing,

he come home,

peeked in the window

and sitting right there in his

easy chair is a giant catfish,

maybe 100 pounds.

He slammed that door mighty

quick, bolted it shut.

So what'd he do then?

Well... he just waited around

'til the water went down,

and he waited a little while

longer so that fish would

be good and tired.

Then he just opened the door.

That fish was

so glad to see him,

he just give himself up,

flapped his last flip

right into my daddy's arms.

[chuckling]

Wouldn't you say that's about

the best fish story

you ever heard?

Yes, sir.

That old river...

ain't she something.

She's got a mind of her own,

all right.

♪♪

[thundering]

Pop rising.

[men shouting]

[thundering]

Keep it coming, boys!

Keep it coming,

she's rising fast!

[thundering]

Go.

Throw the dirt!

Can't reach!

Over there!

Lend a hand, man.

[thundering]

Ahh!

My God, Ian!

He's fallen in!

[screaming]

My son!

Help me!

My son's in the water!

Help me!

My son, he's drowning!

Quick, grab him!

Find him, my boy!

Hang on, hang on, he's coming!

Ian, stay up, Ian, stay up!

Daddy, help!

Hang on, son!

Help!

[thundering]

[coughing]

Stay up!

[coughing]

Ahh...

[thundering]

I got him!

Yes!

♪♪

[birds chirping]

[footsteps approaching]

You all right?

I knew you'd be up here.

How's the boy?

He's mostly scared.

That old river's gonna

ruin this town.

I used to come up here

when I was a boy.

Talk to her just like

I'm talking to you now.

Think of all the rivers.

The Nile, the Congo,

the Amazon ...

The Mississippi.

They've shaped men's dreams.

The old "Mo" gave me

my first dream.

She's my school

and she's my religion.

I think we're capable of

doing whatever we dream.

I had dreams of saving

all the poor children

in this world.

I wanted to be

a great navigator

and bring glory to Brownville.

I know I have to go down river

as far as she goes.

Did you know up on this

hill somewhere there's

an old Indian chief.

He wanted to be buried

sitting bolt upright

on this bluff.

I heard something like that.

He always wanted to watch

the steamboats going

up and down the river,

from now to eternity.

Hope they don't go away.

There's no such thing

as forever.

Yes, there is.

♪♪

Quickly.

Come along, come along.

There's apples to be

picked here.

[horse whinnying]

Where've you been?

You're late.

Fill those baskets up.

Now that's the lot of them,

finally, sir.

Look at the time.

Not to worry.

All right now,

let's pick 'em a little faster.

Over there!

Bring the wagons over here

so we can put the baskets

on the wagon.

Don't dawdle now.

[groaning]

Get 'em all now, come on!

Mr. Pierson, sir!

No change.

No, you must stay in bed until

your heartbeat stabilizes.

Papa, listen to

Doctor Bennett.

I'll come by tomorrow

to check his pulse.

I'll see myself out,

Miss Margie.

Make sure he stays in bed.

Yes, I will.

Thank you so much.

Doctor?

Oh, he'll be fine.

He just needs to rest.

I need to talk.

No exertion, sweetheart.

My two girls,

come here, sit.

I hate to burden you

with anything, but the farm

hasn't been paying for itself

for some time now.

I've been thinking about

going to work.

You should never

have to work, Margie girl.

You know I want to

help children.

I can certainly teach.

Pierson women do not work

for a living.

I hope to God it never

comes to that.

I want you to have the world.

No cares, no problems.

You'll be out there

next year until every last

apple is picked.

I know it.

♪♪

[whistle blowing]

Each year that old orchard

brings in less and less.

It's not your fault, Ulf.

[harmonica playing]

♪♪

Margie!

Let's dance, come on.

You want to dance?

[laughing]

Come on.

Don't laugh at me.

Don't be shy.

[cheering]

Walk with me, Margie.

♪♪

Come on, George.

Give us a dance.

[frogs croaking]

I've got to be

going to St. Louis.

I knew you would.

Brownville's drying up.

Yes, but I need to stay with

my family and fight.

This is my home.

This is my home, too,

but I have no choice.

I have to go where my work is.

My father saw

all this coming.

I'm worried about him

being sick.

That's another reason

why I've got to stay.

I need to make

something for us.

Show your parents who I am.

Even loving you like this...

... we have to wait.

You understand me?

♪♪

My father gave me this cross.

I want you to have it.

I don't have

anything for you.

I have you.

All I need is knowing

that I have you

for my own.

Just give me a little

more time, that's all.

I'll wait for you, Martin.

When you're ready,

you'll know where to find me.

[birds chirping]

[door opening]

I hope we don't

get a bad freeze.

If the weather turns mean,

we'll lose our trees.

I've already spoken to

Ulf about it.

If we have to, we'll light

a smudge pot by every tree.

That orchard's all we've got.

It's your legacy.

Now don't you start

worrying about that again.

You promised you wouldn't.

Mrs. Skimmons sent over this

johnnycake.

Oh.

Can't touch your mother's.

[chuckling]

But it's edible.

Margie...

... what I'm going to say

might not go down too well.

You know, there was a time

when I thought I was

gonna live forever.

I don't know

how your mother's going to

take all of this, my dying.

But I am glad you're free

to take care of her.

I know about Martin's leaving.

Oh, Papa.

No, I want you to

take your mother out

to get her mind off me.

Do things while I'm still here.

Don't just sit around

waiting for me to die.

Nobody's waiting

for you to die.

Well, you know what I mean.

I just can't stand to

see the two of you so upset.

So blue.

It makes me sicker than I am.

Don't you worry.

I could never let you

or Mama down.

[sniffling]

Oh...

It's all right.

[audience applauding]

We have three pupils of

Cora Gates' who are

debuting here tonight.

Our first is pianist

Helen May Martin.

We are especially proud of

Helen May

because she is both

blind and deaf.

[audience applauding]

♪♪

I wish your father were here.

I know, Mama.

I know.

[whistle blowing]

[bell dinging]

[whistle blowing]

[horse neighing]

[bell dinging]

You only have one chance

with me.

I thought I made that clear

when we made our agreement!

Now, who are you?

Get out of my cabin.

Captain Boone McClary

sent me.

Best captain I know.

I don't believe you've

made my acquaintance.

I'm Captain Von Koster.

Martin Dempster,

from Brownville.

Yeah, hear the river's

pretty bad up there.

Getting thinner and thinner.

That's why I'm here.

You got to be good

to work down here.

Snags, shifting channels,

early ice; the romance of

steam-boating has its price in

boats sunk and lives lost.

I didn't get this far

by being bad.

Uh... so you say.

There's just one thing

I can't tolerate, and that's

going against what I say.

You do that once,

you have lost me.

Mm?

Don't ever disappoint me, boy.

Now forget about your

Captain McClary.

Captain Emperor

Lord Duke Von Koster

is the only captain name

I want crossing your lips...

... now that you're

working for me.

Yes, sir.

♪♪

I hope you're not being rude.

A rule's a rule.

No single women allowed.

You act as if being single

is something

to be ashamed about.

Doesn't look right.

That depends on

who is looking.

A rule that's broken

ain't no rule at all.

There's a single man

right over there.

Oh!

Pardon me.

Oh, what beautiful

penmanship you have.

"To Miss Margie Pierson:

"I miss you very much

"but I have made good progress

since my last letter."

Oh...

Now you have two friends.

Since you are such

a good friend, you won't mind

if I just sit down

at your table?

Nothing personal.

In fact, I promise not to

bother you at all.

It seems that the establishment

has some peculiar rules.

[clearing throat]

All of a sudden, I am not

a single woman anymore.

[dog barking in the distance]

Morning there, Monroe.

Any good news for me today?

Hope there's something

in there for you.

Mail's been taking about a month

to come up from St. Louis.

[horse neighing]

Ah...

That's it.

Thank you.

[door opening]

Since we have become friends,

I wanted so very much for you

to see where I live.

When I first got my own place,

I happened to go

to a palmist.

Maybe you think

that they are all fakes

and gypsies,

but I'm here to tell you

there's more to it than that.

She told me to make my bedroom

look like an egg.

I just thought about that

for the longest time.

What would it be like

to sleep in an egg?

Nice, isn't it?

I don't know.

I never slept in an egg.

[laughing]

No, silly.

I mean, it looks real nice.

I've never seen anything

like this before.

I was hoping you would say

you have never met anyone

like me before.

I could say that.

I can definitely say that

you are not like

any person that I have

ever met before.

Please...

come sit on the bed.

♪♪

I don't think so.

You want to see

how it feels, don't you?

Sitting in an egg.

I suppose I do.

Feels nice, don't it?

Yes, it does.

Real soft.

I would like to be

kissed in an egg.

Aimée.

Maybe you could oblige me.

I told you before

we were just gonna be friends.

That's all.

What's the harm?

It's just us alone here.

Nobody's staring over

our shoulder.

If we both want to,

I can't see why not.

After all...

... it's my egg.

[bell tolling]

I just want to say

how sorry I am.

I...

Thank you, Mrs. Skimmons.

There-- there wasn't

anymore I could do.

We appreciate

your help, Luke.

Uh, please call on me,

as a friend, if you

or your...

mother need anything.

Thank you.

What am I gonna do?

It's all right, Mama.

I just never felt so bad.

I always thought...

that I would go before him.

I'm here, Mother.

Sam!

Daddy!

[crying]

What am I gonna do?

[banging]

[birds chirping]

[dog barking in the distance]

Hello, Monroe.

Miss Margie,

been expecting you,

but I ain't seen nothing

for you today.

Just like the last few times.

There...

Here's one here from New York

to... your father.

I'm sorry.

Don't feel strange about it.

That's just life.

Thanks.

[bell dinging]

Hope your voyage

was memorable.

Smoothest boat on the river.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Everything in order, Captain?

Yes, everything's

very smooth, very smooth.

Thank you, sir.

Martin...

... come have a word with me

before you go ashore.

Yes, sir.

Sit down, Martin.

Try one of these.

Thank you, Captain.

Oh...

You saving that to

savor it later?

Yes, sir, thank you.

I'll smoke it tonight

after dinner.

Yeah, I saw tonight on shore.

The little Frenchy.

Aimée de Mar.

You know Aimée?

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, I know her.

Have some port.

You know, Martin,

you're a fine navigator.

I've been watching you close

all these months.

Glad to hear it.

But, uh...

... but you have to be careful

of the snags.

I do my best.

Mmm.

I'm not talking about the river.

I'm talking about life.

When you're on the river

of life, you have to

be careful of the snags.

Yes, sir.

Aimée de Mar is a snag.

I know.

Now, you have a career

in front of you.

You're well-respected

on the river.

I thought you told me you had

a girl up in Brownville.

I do.

Some people would call you

my protégé, Martin.

I'd be proud

of that, Captain.

What are people gonna think

of me if my protégé doesn't

know how to pick his women?

It's very important to me

and to you, Martin,

that you stop this relationship.

Before it embarrasses me.

I know.

I know that for sure.

[birds chirping]

Ulf.

Ah, Miss Margie.

Uh...

Something's going on up there

in that sky.

The devil's at work.

Spring.

Oh, I wouldn't count on it.

The bulbs think so.

Oh, that's an old trick.

The weather's beautiful.

No, up there in the clouds.

That's where the story is.

♪♪

This is a naughty tale.

A tale about a liar...

who says one thing

and then does another.

The spring weather,

so soft and warm, all the

young buds come popping up

to see what all the fuss is.

Then, like the mean old man

he is, he blows cold.

Like to kill all those

fresh young shoots

just wanting to grow.

You make life sound so cruel.

Hurry up now!

We must fight this frost.

Come along, boys,

bring it right here.

Follow me.

I want fire pots every other

row down there for four rows.

Yes, sir.

Keep those torches moving.

♪♪

Martin.

[sighing]

There was so much to stay here

and fight for.

[horse nickering]

Aimée.

Yes, Martin?

I think it's time for you

to find some new friends.

Oh, Martin.

Je t'aimerai toujours.

What does that mean?

I will love you forever.

Don't say that.

I told you from the start

there's someone else,

and you know I love her.

If I feel it,

why shouldn't I say it?

Because there's some things

should be said by the man first.

If I waited for you to

say it, I'd never hear it.

That's just it.

You're never going to

hear it from me.

There is one thing

that a woman can say first,

but a man can't.

No games tonight.

Listen to what

I'm saying to you.

No, wait.

This is a perfect riddle.

What can a woman say

but a man can never say?

Stop now.

You haven't

answered my riddle.

Stop right now and listen to

what I am saying to you!

I am going to have a child.

Don't make fun of things

like that.

I'm not.

Aimée?

You see, a woman can say it,

but a man cannot.

I am going to have

a little baby.

It's a lie.

I am going to have

your little baby.

♪♪

Aimée... no.

Oh, no.

♪♪

[crying]

[bird squawking]

I want my Recamier.

It's yours anyway, Mama.

Then why are those boys

taking it away from me?

They're taking it to our

new house like we talked about.

The one with

the pretty rose wallpaper.

And my roses?

Who's going to take

care of my roses?

These roses are

older than you are.

I can't just leave them.

You can't just leave

something you've cared about

for years and years.

The roses can

take care of themselves.

I don't want to move to

a smelly little house

no bigger than our parlor.

I don't want you to be

a school mistress in

a country school.

Pierson women do not work

to earn a living.

Mother, it's time to get

in the wagon with Ulf.

It's ready now, Mrs. Pierson.

The truth is, Margie,

I'm not leaving this house,

and no one can make me.

Shame on you, Mama, for

acting this way in front of Ulf.

Now you know we don't have

a choice about the house.

We've talked about this

for months on end.

We saw it coming,

and now we have to move out.

Mama, the real worth of a person

has nothing to do with

the house one lives in.

You must know inside

just who and what you are,

and who I am

and who Papa was.

And carry it with pride

wherever you go.

♪♪

You can't just leave

something you've cared about

for years and years.

It's against human nature.

[horse snorting]

[dog barking in the distance]

A real hot one.

Might as well be swimming in

ten feet of water

for how I feel.

[chuckling]

You've been waiting a long

time for some St. Louis

mail, huh, Miss Margie?

Guess I have, Monroe.

Well...

today you are lucky.

Straight from St. Louis

and one Martin Dempster

if I know anything.

You're getting awfully

smart, Monroe.

Wish I was smart enough to

have someone writing me

from St. Louis.

Thanks.

[dog barking in the distance]

[birds chirping]

About time for some ice tea?

Not just yet, Mama.

I've got a few things

I want to do.

[sighing]

Let's have a sweet later.

Been down to

the mail boats again?

Yes, I have.

Them letters...

♪♪

Oh my...

[crying]

♪♪

Margie?

Mama...

What?

What is it?

[crying continues]

My darling girl.

He's gonna marry somebody else.

She's having his baby.

He feels honor-bound

to marry her.

He's a man.

Oh, I don't know how it

happened, but it seems that

they're the leaders

and we're the followers.

Seems like we're always

waiting for them to

do what they have to do.

Waiting for them

to come back...

... waiting for them to

turn to us in the night...

... waiting for them to turn us

into one whole human being.

And when they don't do like

they're supposed to do,

like your...

father dying on me...

... and Martin going off

with someone else,

it throws us back 2,000 strides.

Mama, she could have been me.

Never.

No matter how much you

wanted something, you could

never hurt anybody to get it.

[crying]

We are gonna be just as good

a family as any extra man

can make it.

[sighing]

Something good will

come of this.

I know it.

[crying]

[whistle blowing]

[bell dinging]

Now this goes so well

with your coloring.

Fleurette, darling,

it is your best friend Aimée.

Not someone you have to lie

your heart out to.

I forgot for a minute.

But really, Aimée,

I don't mind you in brown.

Oh, pooh.

I want something different

and special.

Something that looks like me.

Something more expensive.

Why not?

If that's what it takes.

Now, where is Martin getting

all this money that

you are spending?

Some people can fly high

on nothing.

How about something in fur?

A woman in my condition

shouldn't get a chill.

I see myself in fur.

Now, if I could just get this

baby nonsense over with,

my life would be perfect.

♪♪

Place your bets.

[cork popping]

Place your bets, gentlemen.

First, second and third 12

pay two to one.

I'm sorry,

that's a $1-minimum bet.

Now I thought I made my

thoughts about that woman clear.

I don't want her on this vessel.

What you do with her at home

is your business.

I know, Captain.

It's just for today, sir.

She's going out

on you already.

I told you so.

Now I feel for you, son.

But I don't want anything

that'll make me

or this ship look bad.

Yes, sir.

Seems you are out of place.

Why would you say that?

You shouldn't be

sitting here alone.

Maybe I'm waiting on

the captain.

Maybe you wish you were.

Maybe I'm waiting

for someone

to pay attention to me.

Hmm.

There is nothing prettier

than a woman

with a stranger's child

in her belly.

You better not

speak to me like that.

I am married.

Come on now, woman.

Let's not get on your

high horse.

Aimée, what's going on?

This man is being rude.

I am only responding

to an invitation.

Let's all move on.

If there had been

no invitation,

I sure just don't go around

talking to women who are

obviously in a condition.

That's not what

you said to me.

What did you say to her?

Is my word at stake here?

That depends on

what you said.

You back away.

The way I look at it, that

woman owes me an apology.

Let me be the one to give you

that apology, and offer you as

many drinks as you can handle

on the house.

That's fair, Captain.

That's fair.

Wait a minute, Captain.

We don't know who's

telling the truth here.

Martin, one chance

is all you get with me.

Now you've hit a snag,

and that woman is

pulling you down.

As long as you're with her,

I don't know you.

You're fired.

[birds chirping]

[school bell ringing]

All right, children, we'll

start the spelling bee now.

Sara Beth,

step out and spell "roily,"

as in "roily river."

"Roilly."

R-O-I-L-L-Y.

"Roilly."

[dogs barking]

You're tardy again, girls.

The dogs followed us.

You girls mind

the dictionary.

But I really want to spell.

Be on time for

the next spelling bee

and you'll be rewarded with

the opportunity to participate.

You never let me spell.

Lila, don't sass back.

My father says

you're an old maid.

And you used to have that

big old house

with all them dead apple trees.

"Those."

What?

"Those" dead apple trees.

Not "them" dead apple trees.

As long as you're going to

speak out of turn, you might

as well speak properly.

[children laughing]

As a matter of fact,

I did live in that big house

when thoseapple trees were

blooming their hearts out.

McIntosh, Cortlands, Pippins,

sweet little pink-and-white

Gravenstein apples that would

make your cheeks curl from

the tartness in their flesh.

This old roily river town

has a brilliant past,

and now you children are

the only ones who can save it.

You must work and study

to be the best that you

can possibly be.

[door opening]

[door closing]

Oh, there you are.

You're staying later

and later at that school.

What about me?

I'm hungry.

I love you, too, Mama.

Now, what shall I fix us

for dinner?

Doughnuts for dessert.

[laughing]

Yes, all right.

I'll fix you rice doughnuts

for dessert.

With jelly inside,

the way you like them.

Just the way you used to make

them for me when I was a child.

Mmm.

Remember?

Mm-hmm.

[humming]

[gasping]

Not now.

What?

You think you are

going out looking for work,

but you're wrong.

I'm not in the mood, Aimée.

Oh!

Neither am I.

I am not in the mood

to have your baby today.

As if the weather

were not disagreeable enough

without this...

Oh!

It hurts too much.

I'll go get Dr. Pressler.

Martin...

what have you done to me?

[groaning]

[screaming]

[birds chirping]

Father used to send for it

specially from New York.

It's Earl Grey and mint,

I believe.

I can't imagine that

I've ever had a finer tea.

Mmm.

This is the last of it.

If anything good at all

came from your

father's death, I'd say I...

am flattered that I've had

the opportunity to know you.

The problems you and your

mother are being put through.

The freeze,

moving into thishouse.

I'm sorry.

Oh, I am sorry, too.

No, no.

I'm sorry that people have

so little else to talk about.

[chuckling]

Uh, actually, I'm glad

they've been talking

so I can come up with my idea.

My idea is that perhaps

you might consider

a union of sorts?

Of what sort?

I must not be

making myself clear.

I would like to take you

as my wife.

And take care of your

mother, too, of course.

I am proposing that we marry.

Dr. Bennett...

Luke...

... I do appreciate the thought,

but I've come to accept my life.

And I've always been

a firm believer

in the word "love."

I don't think I've heard either

one of us mention that word.

[baby crying]

Let's go out tonight.

To the Mardi Gras Fete.

I'll be out

looking for a job.

You won't find one around

here hugging that baby.

You could hug me for a change.

[crying continues]

Martin, I am sick of being

stuck in this room.

I'll come with you.

You stay here

and you take care of

that boy, do you hear me?

[crying continues]

It's not fair to ask me

to miss Mardi Gras.

How do I look, Robert?

Now you just do like

I've been telling you.

Keep on sleeping

until I get back.

I am just in need of

a little excitement.

So you take care of yourself.

Martin shouldn't

hide this from me.

It's mine now.

I would like to kiss you

good-bye, but I don't

want you to wake up.

Sweet dreams, baby boy.

♪♪

[laughing]

[baby crying]

Aimée?

Shh.

Bobbie boy, shh.

It's going to be all right.

It's gonna be all right,

Bobbie boy.

[crying continues]

Aimée?

Shh.

♪♪

Mr. Dempster?

Right over here.

♪♪

[baby crying]

"I don't know

where else to turn."

"I would never ask this

"if I had a choice.

"I can't give him

"a home, the kind of home

"I know you can give him.

"I know in my heart this

is best for the boy."

How can he ask me to do this?

♪♪

[birds chirping]

[wheels screeching]

[bell dinging]

[engine hissing]

Ma'am.

I know you'll love him...

... with all your heart.

How dare you ask her...

to raise him for you?

There's no better place

on earth for this boy.

This isn't right.

Mother, please.

[baby cooing]

♪♪

He's so innocent.

He's the promise for all of us.

We must nurture him.

[baby cooing]

We owe him our very best.

Good-bye, Bobbie.

Mama?

[baby cooing]

♪♪

Bath...

Okay.

[laughing]

Okay, okay, okay...

Yes.

Oh, good, good.

Isn't that good?

There it is.

Ball, Bobbie, throw it.

Oh, he's strong.

He's such a good boy.

This is your father's

river, Bobbie.

He was the first baby born

in Brownville.

He loves this river

more than anything.

It's in your blood, little boy.

I want you to get to

know it early on.

So you don't get swept up

later like it's new

and magical.

It's just something to be

reckoned with.

[gasping]

I love you.

Margie!

[quivering]

You're not going to, Martin.

You're not gonna take

Bobbie away, I won't let you.

Why are you running?

Oh, Bobbie.

I love you.

[crickets chirping]

Grandma's asleep.

You're as tall

as a willow sapling.

I need to tell you a secret.

But we mustn't tell Grandma yet.

What?

Your father loves you

very much.

Is he here?

Well, I saw him earlier.

He's talking about your

living together.

Where?

Tell me.

Down the river,

in Kansas City.

You, too?

Well, Grandma and I would

stay here.

Of course, we could

come and visit.

I don't want to

go away from you.

I know.

I'll miss you too much.

Perhaps you'd like to go.

Just a little.

Maybe?

No, I wouldn't.

You must always do

as your father says, Bobbie.

But, Mama,

I'm the only boy you've got.

That's it, dear heart.

You're the only boy I've got.

[crickets chirping]

[knocking]

Martin.

Martin--

You stopped me

this afternoon,

but you won't stop me now.

If I took Bobbie to

Kansas City, I couldn't

take him alone.

There is somebody else

I couldn't bear to

be apart from.

It's you, Margie.

It's you.

Why didn't you speak before?

I've always been slow

at life, like I was

with books, Margie.

I'm saying it now.

I've been dreaming of you

and wanting you all these years.

You didn't know?

I've been loving you all

this time 'til my heart's

near burst in me.

Many's a time I've told

that old river over and over

again 'til even she seemed

to understand.

You'd have done better

telling it to me, Martin.

I was ashamed.

I could never forget that

letter I had to write you.

You could have had

a hundred better men than me.

I'll never forget

when that letter came.

It was like signing

my soul away.

Perhaps you did.

And you took mine as well.

I have no right to ask you

to forgive me.

I had no right to...

dream you'd wait for me.

Every time you came to

visit Bobbie...

I dreamed and prayed

you were coming for me.

But it is you, Margie.

I came for you.

♪♪

Martin, don't.

Don't, I'm not the same anymore.

[crying]

It's all asleep in me.

I'm too old.

See how young you are.

Oh, Martin.

Come with me now.

I'm afraid.

It hurts.

Of course it hurts, darling.

Don't you suppose it hurts

the river?

Don't you know it hurts that

old river

when the spring floods come

and muddy up the bottom...

... and tear a new channel

through the sand?

Of course it hurts.

But I love you, woman.

I do love you, Martin.

♪♪

Spring Awakening (1994) - full transcript