The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom (2011) - full transcript

[Wind blowing]

[Magpie chirps]

[Magpie chirps]

[Metal squeaking]

[Metal clattering]

- My name is Elizabeth Allison Gray,

but for a while, my name was actually Ruby,

and, probably, a long time ago,

it was something else

that I don't even know about.

Well, at least not yet.



♪♪♪

- ♪♪ I am a seeker

♪ A poor sinful creature

♪ There is no weaker than I am ♪

♪ I am a seeker

♪ And you are a teacher

♪ You are a reacher so reach down ♪

♪ Reach out and lead me

♪ And guide me and keep me

♪ In the shelter of your care

♪ Each day

♪ 'Cause I am a seeker

♪ And you are a keeper

♪ You are a leader



♪ Won't you show me the way?... ♪

[She sighs] - Nothing. Again.

You?

- Me either. Nada.

[Toilets flush]

- You'd tell me if you did, though, right?

- Of course. Don't be a dork.

- But, like, what if I never get it?

- Tell me about it.

And Shelley's already had hers for like a year.

- Shelley?

[Kids playing]

[Leaves rustling in the wind]

- [Elizabeth]: Belle? - Yeah?

- How did you know about when Shelley got it?

- She told me.

- Did she say what it was like?

- Very, very real.

Ow! - What? - You hit my tit.

- Barely...

- They're super sensitive when they're growing, Libs.

- How big do you think they'll get?

- Don't know.

But I hear they skip a generation,

and my grandma's got melons. - Melons? Like, how big?

- Really. Big.

- Like... Dolly Parton big?

[They giggle]

- [Together]: ♪ Jolene

♪ Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

♪ I'm begging of you please don't take my man ♪

♪ Jolene, Jolene

[Door opens] ♪ Jolene, Jolene

- [All]: ♪ Please don't take him just because you can ♪

- ♪ Jolene

What are you doing? - I made it on TV!

- No way! - What show? - Are you the star?

- [Radio]: ...events were organized by a coalition

of women's rights groups. The rally was held

to accommodate women who work during the week.

And while at work, they were told, they get shortchanged

seven billion dollars a year in paychecks simply because they're women.

The hit of an indoor rally earlier was Heather McNeill,

who helped to organize bank unions in...

- Okay, this is it. I'm here today

because women have been quiet-- - That's you!

- You're on TV! - It's time for our voice to be heard.

[Applause and cheers]

We're here to send a message to the men who are still making our rules.

Sometimes, the best man for the job is a woman!

[Applause and cheers]

- To the best man for the job,

my wife.

- They are trying to move women out of their homes,

away from their families.

It's just a matter of time before

these bra-burners destroy the very

foundation of our society: the family.

- Bullshit. - Well, just leave it, Stel. Let's just hear

what she has to say. - Now she's worth listening to.

- [TV]: Dolly Parton.

- Stella thinks Dolly's an even bigger feminist

than she is. - Well, she's living proof that you can be a successful

businessman and still stay every inch a woman.

Dolly's my patron saint. - Of what? Inches?

- Trailblazers.

- ...see Dolly live at the Bicentennial Hall...

- She's coming here? - She's doing a show in Minneapolis.

- [Liz and Belle]: "Minnecrapolis." Jinx!

[Telephone rings]

- That'll be Marion.

Too bad you can't stay for dinner, Libsky.

Kenny's cooking.

- Hey, Libs!

You won't get very far on your assignment without this.

- That's sweet of you, Stella. Thank you. What do you say,

Elizabeth? - Thanks, Stella.

- I got more magazines piling up at the salon.

If I can talk your mother into coming by, maybe she can bring them home for you.

- Well, I don't know. - Tell you what,

you don't even need to make an appointment, okay? Just...

...come by when the mood strikes. We'll do something

you will absolutely love. I promise.

- All right, Stella. We'll see. Thank you.

[News playing on the radio]

- Could me and Annabelle go see Dolly Parton?

She's doing a concert in Minneapolis.

- "Annabelle and I", and of course not; you're too young

to go to concerts, never mind the States.

- I'm practically 12. - Which makes you still 11.

Use your napkin, please.

- But it's Dolly Parton. It's the closest she'll be.

- Minneapolis is hours away.

Remember when we went last summer? - [Man]: Hello!

- Hi, honey! Supper's on the table.

- Maybe Dad could drive us.

- Elizabeth, I'm sorry. The answer is no.

- Something tells me that's not your handiwork, kiddo.

- It's a Mom original.

- What? It's a tough cut.

- How was your day, hon?

- Good. - Pick out wallpaper yet?

- Not exactly. - Just pick out a pattern.

I don't care what it is. Let's get started.

- Mom, did Grandma Dahler have big boobs?

- Your grandmother had a perfectly normal bust.

- It's such a few dishes, it's silly to put them in that big machine.

- But that's what the machine is for.

- Hmm.

So what's this for?

[She laughs]

Mmm.

I still have to help Elizabeth with her assignment.

- No, you don't. I just poked my head in to say goodnight.

She is all done.

♪♪♪

- ♪♪ Love is like a butterfly

♪ As soft and gentle as a sigh ♪

♪ The multicolored moods of love ♪

[Knocking at door]

- Just a sec. ♪ Are like its satin wings

♪ Love makes your heart feel strange inside ♪

♪ It flutters like soft... - Honey?

You're in bed already? What about your assignment?

- I finished it. - Yourself?

- Actually, I had to ask Dad on one thing,

but the rest was pretty easy.

- You want me to check it?

- I think I'll be okay, Mom. Thanks.

- Oh.

It's hard to believe you're almost 12.

- Yeah, but it still seems like forever.

- Well, to me, it seems like yesterday.

I remember it was the middle of the night.

A very still and warm night.

And I woke up,

like I'd been struck by lightning.

At first, I was sure it was the creamed corn...

- Mom, what are you doing?

You're supposed to save this for my birthday.

- I know.

Oh, we can make an exception this once, right?

Turns out, it wasn't the corn after all;

it was you.

You were finally coming.

When I woke your poor dad, he got so nervous,

he put his pants on over his pajamas

to drive me to the hospital.

And then, when we finally got out to the car,

he'd forgot his keys.

And when he ran back to the house to get them,

he'd locked us out.

Mmm, that's my girl.

Sleep tight now, honey. - Mom?

- Mm-hmm?

- Do you ever wish you had a thing?

- A thing?

- That makes you stand out.

Like, you're on TV,

or you have a good voice,

or you have big boobs...

- I don't need a thing.

I've got you.

Good night, caterpillar.

- Good night, butterfly.

- Okay, everyone, take out your assignments.

Let's get to it.

So...

We're talking about... [Writing on chalkboard]

...com...bin...a...tions.

And...

...pro...ba...bi... ...li...ties.

Now, you all should have filled in your charts,

as I asked.

Tell me, Miss Gray,

what have you got written down there for your mother's blood type?

- Uh, double A. [Class giggles]

I mean, um, A. Just A.

- And your father's?

- AB.

- Elizabeth's father is type AB.

Her mother is A.

So when they make a baby...

[Class giggles] When they make a baby,

the combination of their two blood types

will give that baby

a possible three blood types:

A, B, or AB.

[Teacher's voice becomes quiet] Understand?

Which one do you have, Elizabeth?

[Marion gasps]

- You scared the living daylights out of me.

Elizabeth?

So that's what you're up to.

Elizabeth Allison Gray, a four-year-old knows better

than to cut up perfectly good clothes.

Do you think money grows on trees?

[Marion's voice becomes quiet] Do you?

Now, I want you to go upstairs and think long and hard

about how you are going to replace this bathing suit.

Don't give me that look, young lady.

You think you're old enough to wear a bra?

You're old enough to pay for your mistakes.

Go.

I... just don't understand where this behaviour

is coming from all of a sudden.

- Well, Mar, couldn't it be just that she's growing up?

I mean, that's what happens, right?

Thing start changing.

Actually, I've been thinking that maybe it's time

we should start talking about a few things that we--

[Radio news playing]

- They're really media events because this government has

shown itself to be totally immune

to public opinion and these pressure groups.

And when the minister is found, the human resources minister

tells the delegates of women that women make great--

[Radio clicks off]

[She sighs]

- Guess you were hungry after all.

- No...

- Not even for Mom's meatloaf?

- She's not my mom.

- Elizabeth.

- I'm adopted, aren't I?

I'm adopted?

How come you never told me?

How come?

- Marion...

- No! It's a mistake.

- Mistake?

- Marion, don't. Please.

- Phil, tell her it's a mistake. It has to be.

Where are you getting this from, Elizabeth? I don't understand.

- From the chart in class with our blood types.

- How would you even get that information?

- Marion, I told her.

- So...

...is it a mistake?

- Phil?

- No, Elizabeth, there's no mistake.

She asked me.

For her homework last night, and...

...at first I... But then,

I thought, "Okay, well,

if she's ready, then this is a chance for her to figure it out."

- She's a little girl, Phil.

She doesn't know what she's ready for.

That's our job.

We're supposed to protect her,

and we said we agreed. - I know...

- [Marion]: We agreed. - [Phil]: ...but this is going

to be much better for everybody. Believe me!

- [Marion]: It's not about everybody, Phil; it's about Elizabeth!

[Telephone rings]

Hello?

Oh, I'm sorry. I meant to call.

Um, she's not feeling very well,

so I'll be keeping her home from school today.

No, homework won't be necessary.

I'm sure she'll be herself by tomorrow.

Thank you.

Elizabeth?

[Telephone rings in another room]

[Marion speaking on phone]

[Cookie breaking apart]

[Radio playing]

- [Jingle]: ♪ ...you don't have to go very far! ♪

♪ 'Cause feeling good is just a matter of listening... ♪

- Hey.

Don't you look nice.

You okay, kiddo?

- Yeah, I'm okay, Dad.

- Good. I'm glad.

Really glad.

Okay. Well, I will see you girls tonight.

- [Marion]: See you tonight.

You do look just darling, honey.

- Thanks, Mom.

On a school day?

[Thunder]

[Heavy rainfall]

- I love you so much, Elizabeth.

- I love you too, Mom.

I just... don't get why you lied to me.

- Well, you have to understand, it was for your own good.

To protect you.

Elizabeth?

[Thunder]

[Girls chatting]

- Belle?

I need to talk to you for a second.

- Not now, okay, Libs? - [Girl]: When did you get it?

- [Girl]: Last night. - Just... for a sec.

I need to-- - Get a life? - Shut up, Shelley.

- I can't talk right now, okay?

So, are you sure you can't tell?

- It's good. - Don't worry about it.

- Yeah? - Oh, my God. Did you... get it?

- Last night.

- Last... But why didn't you tell me?

- I did. Well, I called your house,

but your mom said it wasn't a good time, so...

- Oh.

- So, anyway,

what'd you want to say to me?

- It's pretty personal. - It's okay. I mean,

we're blood sisters now.

- [Shelley]: Wow, so, you're like an actual bastard.

- [Belle]: She's not a bastard.

A bastard is someone who doesn't have a dad.

- [Shelley]: Well, then, if you don't have a mom or a dad,

doesn't that just make you a double bastard?

- No. It actually makes you an orphan.

But Libs has parents.

- [Shelley]: If she's adopted, they're not her real parents.

[Girl's voice becomes quiet] - No shit. I'd literally kill for my parents not to...

[Magpie chirps]

[Chirping]

[Door opens]

- Elizabeth, where have you been?

Annabelle brought your things.

Honey, your boots.

- Do you know...

...who my real parents are?

- Elizabeth, please don't.

- Who are they?

- I don't know.

Elizabeth, what are you doing?

- I'm looking for something that says who they are.

- We didn't hide anything.

We don't have that kind of information.

We weren't allowed to, honey. No one is.

- When a child is born in the province,

the birth mother completes a registration of birth.

When that child is adopted,

the original registration of birth is removed

from the general records and sealed in a vault.

- They're in a vault?

Where? How do you get them out?

- Um...

No one may apply for the original birth record

once the child has been placed for adoption.

The only birth record available is the one

showing the adoptive information.

Therefore, persons who have been adopted

and those who have placed their child for adoption

are not considered related.

[Crowd noises on TV]

- Please turn off the TV.

You know the rules about having it on at suppertime.

- [TV]: Stay with us for more

on this story after our station break.

♪♪♪ - ♪♪ I hope life

♪ Will treat you kind

♪ And I hope that you have all ♪

♪ That you ever dreamed of

♪ And I wish you joy

♪ Wish you lots and lots of happiness ♪

♪ But you know

♪ Above all of this

♪ I wish you love - [Marion]: Elizabeth.

- Goodnight.

[Volume turned up loud] ♪ I...

♪ ...will always... - [Marion]: Elizabeth Allison

Gray, what's gotten into you? - ♪ ...love you

- [Marion]: Now do as I ask--

- ♪ I will always...

♪ ...love you

[Music fades]

♪♪♪

♪♪ Love is like a butterfly

♪ As soft and gentle as a sigh ♪

♪ The multicolored moods of love ♪

♪ Are like its satin wings

♪ Love makes your heart feel strange inside ♪

♪ It flutters like soft wings in flight ♪

♪ Love is like a butterfly

♪ A rare and gentle thing

♪ I feel it when you're with me ♪

♪ It happens when you kiss me ♪

♪ That rare and gentle feeling ♪

♪ That I feel inside

♪ Your touch is soft and gentle ♪

♪ Your kisses warm and tender ♪

♪ Whenever I am with you

♪ I think of butterflies

♪ Love is like a butterfly... ♪

- It's probably dry by now.

- Oh. I'm sorry.

Yeah...

Hit a homer on the Prescott account.

The whole department got tied up.

- Well, that's nice.

I transferred twice

on the cross-town to pick up wallpaper.

- You got wallpaper?

That's great, Marion.

Which one did you--

Is this the one you picked?

- Mm-hmm.

- You're kidding.

- Excuse me?

[Phil laughs] - I mean... this one?

Couldn't it be, uh...

...this one, here? At least it's more modern.

- Well, I decided on the other one.

- Yeah, but I think this one is--

[She slams down her glass] - Where's my radio, Phil?

- Uh... I...

...put it in the garage.

- Hmm.

- Marion, quit being so dramatic.

I told you about it when I ordered them.

They're digital. I got one for here and one for our bedroom.

- I don't want digital, Phil; I want what we had.

- Well...

...maybe I don't, Marion.

It's, uh...

I'm just...

...tired of always tiptoeing around--

just trying to... keep everything so...

...the same. I need new, Marion.

I need to feel like I am going somewhere new.

Just let go, Marion.

[Pebble hits window]

[Pebble hits window]

- Belle, come down. I need to tell you something.

- What? - I think I found my real mom.

- Oh.

Okay. Hang on.

Libs, it's the middle of the night.

- I know, but-- - Couldn't it have waited?

- Ruby. - What?

- I think she would have called me Ruby.

- Your real mom? - Yeah.

Belle, this is gonna sound totally crazy, but...

...I've got the birthmark, and I've got the poems,

and she even said she sowed her wild oats in the '60s

like everybody else. - Libs, whoa.

Who are you talking about?

- Dolly Parton!

- Holy crap, Libs!

No offence, but are you kidding?

- I know, it sounds...

But there's a lot of things that add up.

And remember, she didn't even start developing until she was 12.

- Yeah, okay. So let's say you start developing when you're 12.

Still doesn't prove anything.

- No, okay, but it's not just that.

- And I mean,

if Dolly Parton was your mom,

wouldn't you at least be able to sing? A little?

- Yeah, I know. I thought of that.

But supposedly, she's also this great songwriter.

All those songs she sings, she wrote them.

People say she's some sort of genius songwriter.

- So?

- So, it all started when she was my age with poems.

So, listen.

♪ When I was lonely I thought I was the only one ♪

♪ Then I found you and suddenly I knew ♪

♪ That you were one

♪ And I was too la-la-la-lonely ♪

♪ La-la-la-la-lost-- - Hi Eliza-bastard.

- What's she doing here?

- She's... sleeping over.

- Really. Thanks. Never would have guessed.

- Come on, Libs. Don't be like that. - Like what, Belle?

How exactly am I not supposed to be?

Why don't you just tell me? - God, Libs!

I can't be the only friend you have anymore!

Okay? It's too much!

It's...

I think it'd be best if we stopped hanging around.

For a little bit.

So, I guess...

See you around, Libs.

- Belle?

[Magpie chirps]

[Urinating]

[Magpie chirps]

[Thud against window]

- Phil. - Hmm?

- There's something... [Talking very quietly]

- A bird hit the window, I think.

Oh...

Don is picking me up.

We tee off at seven.

The alarm didn't...

[Car honks]

[Door opens and closes]

[Alarm buzzes]

[Car door closes] [Engine starts up]

[Car driving away]

- [Radio]: ...was flooded. When the dog has got a cold, though,

he got up on the bed and shook himself all over your...

[Scraping sound of wallpaper]

...as the old lady has given you a hackle about the house coming apart around your ears.

Well, if that's what's bothering you bunch, perhaps it's time

you went to visit a new home,

and specifically a new Harvard home.

Applause, applause, applause. You gotta do it again.

- Oh, crap.

[Bird chirping]

[Wind blowing through grass]

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

- ♪♪ Oh sometimes I go walking

♪ Through a field where we walked long ago ♪

♪ In the sweet used to be

♪ And the flowers still grow

♪ But they don't smell as sweet ♪

♪ As they did when you picked them for me ♪

♪ And when I think of you

♪ And the love we once knew

♪ How I wish we could go back in time ♪

♪ Do you ever think back

♪ On old memories like that

♪ Or do I ever cross your mind ♪

♪♪♪

♪ Do you ever wake up lonely in the middle of the night... ♪

[Door chimes]

["Do I Ever Cross Your Mind" plays quietly on radio]

- Marion.

- Hello, Stella.

I was wondering, could you take me today?

Now? - Gloria, you good?

- Uh-huh. - Sure.

Of course I can.

So, what finally tipped the scales?

- I just needed, um...

I didn't know where else to go.

- Please. You flatter me.

- It's okay. It's okay. It's okay. Let it out.

Let it out. It's okay.

It's okay. It's okay. Shh. Let it out.

[Marion cries] Let it out. Shh...

Let it out.

- All I wanted was to make a family, you know?

- Sure.

If I'm no one's mother, then...

...who the hell am I?

- Ooh. I don't know if I'm the person you want to be talking to right now.

Marion...

You never really stop being someone's mother.

Someone's wife, yes.

But not someone's mother.

- What if you never were one to begin with?

- What, because Elizabeth's adopted? How does that make you any less her mother?

- All she wants is to find her real mom now.

And I...

I tried so hard to be-- - Marion.

You can't be the mother that brought Elizabeth into this world,

but you sure as hell can be the one who guides her through it.

[She sighs]

- Whoa.

Thank you.

- [Whispering]: Shh! Don't!

[Telephone rings]

[Telephone stops ringing]

- Elizabeth.

Elizabeth?

Surely you're not still sleeping.

Please... [Sliding coat hangers]

Elizabeth?

[Door opens] Elizabeth?

Honey?

[She whimpers]

What have you done?

[Engine starts]

[Ring tone on other end]

- Still no answer.

Looks like you're gonna be here a while.

Better get comfortable.

[Toilet flushes]

- Um... Excuse me, sir?

May I use... the washroom?

[She sighs]

[Bird cawing in the distance]

Eeny, meeny,

miny, moe.

- You're good.

- Excuse me-- - Back in your vehicle, ma'am!

Let's try this again. Citizenship?

- Canadian. - Where are you headed?

- I am looking for my daughter.

Her name is Elizabeth Gray, and...

...I really should have seen her by now. Can you please help me?

- Okay, ma'am,

I'm going to need you to pull over on the left there.

An agent will meet you inside that building.

[Train whistling in the distance]

- [TV]: Ladies and gentlemen, the world heavyweight championship

is once again on the line.

This is the first time these two are meeting in the ring. - Um, excuse me?

May I... use your washroom?

- It's over there. - Thank you.

[Urinating]

[She sighs]

[Crickets chirping]

[Magpie chirping]

- [TV]: This headline event is the result of months--

- Hey, hey, you kid. You dead in there, or what?

- I... don't know what to do.

- What kind of nonsense is that? Don't know what to do!

- Something happened.

- Oh... okay, that's about right.

Wait right here.

[Crickets chirping]

[Spoon stirring]

- [Woman]: You all right? Here, special tea.

Helps the cramps.

Go on. Take a real drink.

There. That's better, huh?

- That's really good tea. What is it?

Ancient Chinese secret?

- Rye whisky.

- Oh.

- So, what's your name, kid? - Uh, Ruby.

[She scoffs] - That's not it.

- Pardon?

- Jean's not my real name, either, huh?

My parents named me Chung Xiang.

It means "fragrant spring" in Chinese.

- And you changed it to Jean?

- Just trying to fit in.

- Did it work? - No, not really.

But a name's not as important as, uh...

You sure you're not from around here?

Huh...

- A name's not as important as what?

- Totem.

It's kind of hard to explain.

I could show you if you want.

- Will it take long? I'm trying to get somewhere.

[Jean chuckles] - Aren't we all?

Where you trying to get to?

- It's... kind of a complicated story.

- Oh.

You can tell me on the way.

- To what? - Like I said,

it's hard to explain. Come.

[Wind blowing through grass]

- [Liz]: How long is it supposed to take to get your totem?

- [Jean]: Not long if you just sit still and listen.

- But-- - Look, you have to be quiet now.

Really listen to the tree.

Listen carefully. Stay very... still...

...and the tree will tell you.

[Magpie chirping]

[Wings flapping]

Heh! There you are.

It's done.

[Magpie chirps]

[Magpie chirps]

- [Softly]: Oh, my God.

- What if a skunk came up to the tree while I was there? Or a rat?

- All creatures have something to teach us about ourselves.

- Just seems kind of accidental. [Door opens]

- [Softly]: Baby!

Are you okay?

You're not hurt?

I haven't been able to breathe.

Oh, my baby.

May I use your phone? - It's over there.

Help yourself.

- No, thank you, operator. Um...

I'll give you another number to try.

- Stella?

I'm going over to Shelley's. - Have a good time, chickadee.

- I left her phone number on the table, so if Ken calls,

tell him to call me there? - I will.

[Phone rings]

- Hello?

Oh. Okay.

Just one sec.

It's not Ken; it's the operator.

She wants to know if you'll accept charges,

from Marion.

- Hello?

Yes.

Yes, I'll accept.

- I'm still going.

To see Dolly.

- And why is that?

- You know.

- No, honey, I'm not sure I do.

- Because...

...she might... be my real mom.

- All right, let's go. - I told you I'm not going back.

- I'm not talking about going back.

[Trunk door opens]

[Bike placed in trunk]

[Trunk door closes]

[Car door opens]

[Car door closes]

[Engine starts]

- I always thought you couldn't drive.

- So did I.

[Liz groans] What? What's wrong, honey?

- They're back. - What's back?

[Engine stops] - The cramps.

- Oh, honey.

- Can we... go back and get some rye whisky tea?

It really helps.

[Crickets chirping]

- [Marion]: I'm not sure.

Mm-hmm.

Elizabeth got her period today.

- How is she?

- She's fine.

We're both fine.

- Why aren't you coming home?

- I can't.

- Why not?

- I need to be with her.

- All right.

All right, Marion.

I understand.

I'll be here.

♪♪♪

- ♪♪ I've had to think of

♪ A way to survive

♪ Since you said it's over

♪ And told me a goodbye

♪ I just can't make it

♪ One day without you

♪ Unless I pretend that

♪ The opposite's true...

- [Phil]: Must be easier for you guys. I mean,

you're both so the same. You think the same way.

[Crickets chirping]

You're more like equals, I guess.

He gets to go on sabbaticals.

- He left.

- On sabbatical.

- He left me.

We're separating.

- But I... I just...

- He's a community college instructor, Phil.

They don't... get sabbaticals.

We needed to tell that to Annabelle for now

until we sort out some stuff.

- Why?

- She just doesn't need to-- - No.

Why'd he leave?

- He says he didn't know...

...how he fit in anymore.

What's his role, his...

...purpose, I guess.

- Shit...

- The worst thing was I had to tell him

I didn't really know myself.

♪♪♪

- ♪ Rivers flow backwards

♪ Valleys are high

♪ Mountains are level

♪ The truth is a lie

♪ I'm perfectly fine

♪ And I don't miss you

♪ And the sky is green

♪ And the grass is blue...

[Crickets chirping]

- Her show is tonight, you know. - Mm-hmm.

- Is it still far to Minneapolis from here?

- We'll be fine.

We have all the time we need.

There's a place I want to show you.

[Wind blowing through the grass]

- [Liz]: How did you know about this place?

- [Marion]: I used to come here a lot when I was growing up

and needing to figure things out.

Elizabeth, you have a mother...

...who's here.

Right here with you, and will be for a very long time to come.

That should be enough.

That has to be enough.

- Enough for what?

- Honey, you need to understand, chances are,

you are not going to find what you're looking for.

- But I have to at least try.

Why are you making it harder?

Why don't you even want to help me?

- Honey, I am helping. What more can I do?

- Tell me...

...about...me.

About... where I came from.

Tell me everything you know.

- The way... we got you...

...is not the usual way--

the way most parents get their children.

But it was a magical thing, Elizabeth. It really was.

'Cause, see, we'd been waiting on pins and needles for a special girl.

It was all... we thought about.

All we talked about.

So...

...when that phone call from the agency finally came,

I'll never forget it.

It came late at night, and it had been so...

...warm and still that summer, and when the phone rang,

I woke up like-- - Like you'd been struck by lightning?

- Yes, like I'd been stru-- What? Where are you going?

Elizabeth, what are you doing? - I'm going to see Dolly.

- You are doing no such thing. Ow! Let go!

Stop it.

Elizabeth, let go of the bike! - It's mine! It's my bike!

It's my life!

- I didn't want you, Elizabeth.

I didn't even want you.

You want the whole story, that's it.

I cried for two solid days...

...after that phone call came.

I cried that whole drive out to get you,

and I cried the whole way back.

I went to bed as soon as we got home.

I couldn't even touch you.

Phil had to feed and change you.

I was...

...nothing.

[She weeps quietly]

- What happened?

- [Softly]: Oh, God...

One day, he just...

...walked into the bedroom and he laid you in my lap

and he just walked out and... you just...

...hardly three weeks old,

you looked at me, at this...

...at this...

...this hysterical woman who couldn't even touch you.

And you looked so calm.

And deep into my eyes.

Like you were saying,

"I have enough faith in you for both of us".

You made me into your mother, Elizabeth.

Oh, God, and somewhere I think I've always been afraid...

...that you could unmake me too.

I'm so sorry, baby.

There used to be a little place near here to cross the border.

All right, it's just a little gravel road.

If we miss it...

It should be right...

- [Liz]: There! Is that it? - [Marion]: Yes, that's it!

[Car radio playing]

We did it.

- We're in the States?

Just like that?

- Mm-hmm.

We also just broke the law.

- But for ever a good cause.

- I'm in uncharted territory here, so I'm gonna need your help.

- ♪♪ I can see the light of a clear blue morning ♪

♪ I can see the light of a brand new day ♪

♪ I can see the light of a clear blue morning ♪

♪ Everything's gonna be all right ♪

♪ It's gonna be okay [Song continues on radio]

- Have you thought of what you're hoping for from her?

- I guess I just...

...hope she'll be happy that I found her.

And maybe she's been looking for me this whole time.

I only found her because she's famous.

Maybe I'll get famous too.

- Is that what you want?

- I'd like...

...to be somebody...

...special at least.

- You already are so special.

- At least no one can call me a bastard again.

- [Radio]: Stay tuned for more back-to-back Dolly,

getting us all warmed up for her big show tonight

in the Twin Cities. That show's sold out, though,

so if you don't already have tickets, hang on, 'cause

we're gonna give you a chance...

- What does he mean? There's no more tickets?

- [Radio]: ...your country music connection. All day,

we'll be giving you chances to call in and win...

- We have to call.

- Oh, uh, as soon as we see a phone we will, honey,

but we can't spend all day trying to win tickets either,

or we won't get there.

- [Radio]: ...we'll give you two tickets to see Dolly...

- I can't take any chances.

- ...at the Bicentennial tonight.

[Country music playing on the radio]

- I know.

- What did he say? Is he gonna call?

- It's all been taken care of. [Magpie chirps]

[Magpie chirps]

- Hello! Yes, am I--

- Stella? Where are you? - I'm on long distance.

- Is is Ken? Can I talk to him? - Shh!

I'm, I'm still here. Did I win?

Oh... okay.

Yeah, I'll try again next hour.

- What were you trying to win?

- Something for Marion and Elizabeth.

Come here.

Let's talk.

[Country music playing on the radio]

- ♪ Little sparrow...

- Stella said she'd dial until her fingers fell off.

- ♪ And feels no pain... ♪

- [Radio]: This one's for Leanne Turnington, who is our

lucky fourth caller... - Come on, Stella.

- We're going to replay some of Dolly's interview from last week.

Just a warning: Dolly's using her usual colourful language.

- [Dolly]: Well, Ted, I've always said,

I've always had more nerve

than I've got talent, but I don't care who you are

or what you are if you've got something to offer

as a human being.

I've just never been one of those people to judge

and criticize other people for whatever they're doing.

I don't care if a person's black or white or both.

I don't care if they're gay or straight, bisexual, whatever.

I say, whatever you are, be that, and be good at it.

- [Announcer]: That was the one and only Dolly Parton,

giving our morning man words to live by.

[Country music] - There's more to her than meets the eye, isn't there?

- She's a trailblazer.

- She sounds very real.

♪♪♪

What's wrong?

- My back hurts. - Whereabouts?

Ooooh.

That's cramps.

- In my back?

- Well, some people get them there, yeah.

- I can't believe I was waiting for this.

[Marion chuckles]

- ♪ I used to be the only one ♪

♪ Until along came you

♪ And finally I knew

♪ That though I was one

♪ You were too

- How do you know that song?

- It's a little something I made up when you were little.

- Oh.

- We can stop somewhere if you want, so you can freshen up before.

- [Radio]: Enjoy the show, Jerry Blanchette.

Everyone else, keep your dial locked on to K-Con

for one more chance to win. ♪♪♪

- I think I'd feel better if we could just get there.

- ♪♪ Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene ♪

♪ I'm begging of you please don't take my man ♪

♪ Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene ♪

♪ Please don't take him just because you can... ♪

- [Radio]: Still 71 degrees in downtown Minneapolis,

but much, much hotter at the Bicentennial Hall

where the opening act's about to take the stage,

and we still have one more pair of tickets to give away.

Be the 13th caller,

and you can win yourself tickets to see Dolly Parton live.

- Oh... all right. Oh... Hmm...

["I Will Always Love You" playing on radio] Okay, uh...

Flag 'em down.

Excuse me?

I'm sorry, uh, can you tell me if there's any way

around this? We're trying to get to the Bicentennial Hall.

- Take a right in the alley up ahead, and come up behind the hall.

Can't miss it. - Okay. Thank you.

- Nice art, eh? - A magpie.

- It's my totem.

The messenger.

- ♪ And I wish you joy

♪ And happiness

♪ But above all of this

♪ I wish you love

♪ And I...

♪ ...will always...

♪ ...love you

♪ I will always...

♪ ...love you...

- [Radio]: It's 27 minutes past the hour and yours truly is

almost out of here. Congratulations to all

our lucky callers getting out to see Dolly's sold-out show,

along with our final winner... - Stella, Stella, Stella, Stella!

- ...Miss Tammy Thompson! Better hurry on down, Tammy;

word is, the house is packed to the rafters,

and everyone's just waiting for Dolly to take the sta-- [Radio clicks off]

- [Marion]: All right, let's try the front.

- [Man]: Sold-out show. Two tickets left. Two tickets

to Dolly Parton left. Come on. - Tickets. We got tickets.

Hey, you need tickets? - Yes, we do. - Yeah, okay.

My last pair. I'll give 'em away for 100 even.

- Uh... Okay, I only have a 20 and some change.

- I have a ten dollar bill. - Well, 20 more bucks, you got yourself a ticket.

- That's robbery.

- It's a sold-out show, lady. - Listen,

this is all the money we have, so isn't there some way

you can at least let my daughter in for 30 dollars?

Hey! We've come a long way.

- A really long way. Just for this show.

Just... for a chance to meet my mom.

- Say what? What do you mean, meet your mom? Who's this?

- [Liz]: It's... complicated.

- So then who are you trying to meet?

- Dolly Parton.

- This I gotta hear. Okay, kid, I'll tell you what.

I'll give you one ticket for 30 bucks,

if you've got a good enough story.

- What will you do after I'm gone?

- I'll wait for you.

- I meant...

...if she wants me to go and live with her.

- I know.

I know what you meant.

- Headliner's about to go, ladies.

- Go.

[Audience noise in the distance]

[Audience chanting "Dolly!"]

[Audience buzzing]

[Audience sounds become distant and muted]

- [Announcer]: Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,

Minneapolis, Minnesota,

please welcome country music superstar, Miss Dolly...

...Parton!

[Elizabeth panting]

- Mom!!

- [Dolly]: My dearest Ruby, your letter touched me so much,

I just had to sit down and write you back

as soon as I could.

Sometimes, life puts big ol' hurdles in our way

just to show us what we're made of--

all the good stuff we have inside

we might not find otherwise.

Well, I'd say you've already discovered

some mighty fine stuff,

and I can just tell, you're not done yet--

not by a long shot.

And I would hope that if I ever did have a daughter,

she'd turn out to be just like you.

But, honey, to the best of my knowledge,

I have never had a child, so I'm afraid

I can't be the mother you're looking for,

and I am truly sorry if this news adds

any more to your heartache. [Magpie chirps]

I can't imagine how awful it must be for you

not to be able to find out who you're from.

All I can tell you is,

whenever I've wanted something real bad, I find it helps

to make as much danged noise about it as possible.

♪♪♪

[Audience clapping and cheering]

- My name is Elizabeth Allison Gray.

But, for a while, it was actually Ruby.

And, probably, a long time ago,

it was something else that I don't even know about.

Well, at least not yet. [Applause and cheering]

♪♪♪

- ♪♪ I am a seeker

♪ A poor sinful creature

♪ There is no weaker than I am ♪

♪ I am a seeker

♪ And you are a teacher

♪ You are a reacher so reach down ♪

♪ Won't you reach out and lead me ♪

♪ Guide me and keep me

♪ In the shelter of your care each day? ♪

♪ 'Cause I am a seeker

♪ You are a keeper

♪ You are the leader

♪ Won't you show me the way?

♪ I am a loser

♪ That wants to be a winner

♪ And you are my last hope

♪ Don't turn me away

♪ Won't you reach out and lead me ♪

♪ Guide me and keep me

♪ In the shelter of your care each day? ♪

♪ 'Cause I am a seeker

♪ And you are a keeper

♪ You are a leader

♪ Won't you show me the way?

♪ Oh I know that you are a mountain ♪

♪ From which there flows a fountain ♪

♪ So let its water wash my sins away ♪

♪ 'Cause I am a seeker

♪ And you are a keeper

♪ And you are a leader

♪ So won't you show me the way? ♪

♪ 'Cause I am a seeker

♪ And you are a keeper

♪ And you are a leader

♪ Won't you show me the way?

♪ I am a seeker

♪ And you are a keeper

♪ Yeah you are the leader

♪ Won't you show...

♪ ...me the way?

♪ Oh ohhhh ♪

♪♪♪

Closed Captioning by SETTE inc.

- ♪♪ All you maidens

♪ Heed my warning

♪ Never trust

♪ The hearts of men

♪ They will crush you

♪ Like a sparrow

♪ Leaving you

♪ To never mend

♪ They will vow

♪ To always love you

♪ Swear no love

♪ But yours will do

♪ Then they'll leave you

♪ For another

♪ And break your little heart in two ♪

♪ Little sparrow

♪ Little sparrow

♪ Precious fragile little thing ♪

♪ Little sparrow

♪ Little sparrow

♪ Flies so high

♪ And feels no pain ♪