7th Heaven (1996–2007): Season 1, Episode 18 - Faith, Hope and the Bottom Line - full transcript

A lot of catchers have
to be up on the balls
of their feet,

practically on their tiptoes,
but not me.

I can settle back
into a nice deep crouch,

stay there for days.

And you know why?

That's right--

catlike reflexes and a cannon
where my arm should be.

Pretty much a baseball cyborg.

Try to steal second
off Simon Camden,

you better
have your glove,
because the ball's

going to be
waiting for you
when you get there.



I call the shots.

I am the field general,
the gatekeeper,

the guardian of the plate.

Ow, ow!

Cramp, cramp! Ow!

You know that commercial,
"Reach out and touch someone"?

Yeah.

Well, with this baby I can.

What is it?

It's my class phone list.

Mrs. Miller did the cover page

and then we got to do
our phone number page.

With this,
I can call

practically anybody.



Yeah, right.

Like I'd trust
the numbers on that list.

What are you
talking about?

What's our
phone number?

555-0155.

I had too many fives in there,
didn't I?

555-015... 7.

There you go.

Our phone number is
a tricky devil.

Yeah, well, I'm sure
a lot of your friends

had tricky devil phone numbers
and got them wrong on the list.

Oh, yeah?

Well, I'll bet you're wrong.

You don't know everything.

Well, I know my phone number
when someone asks for it.

And still, no one calls.

( sighs )

( groans )

And you have
a degree, huh?

Yeah, I type, file,

balance a checkbook.

And, uh... play the piano?

Mm-hmm.

How about the organ?

I'm a little rusty.

They didn't have one.

You know.

I'm going to give you my card.

Now, you did see where I got
some of my training?

Yeah, Wilder
Correctional Facility.

Can you really type
70 words a minute?

( chuckles )

Yeah, on a temperamental
Selectric.

( chuckles )

What?

No, I've had
a few of these interviews

and usually I get the door,
not somebody's card.

Well, don't lose it, okay?

I want you to meet some people
at that address--

tomorrow, say, 4:30?

I'll be there.

Okay, I'll see you tomorrow.

( no voice )

I'm sorry,
Eric's not here.

He got stuck out
at the job fair.

I guess it's
incredibly busy.

One of the city
councilmen asked

if he could stay
and help out
a little longer.

I'll bet he almost
jumped at the chance

to stay out there
a little longer.

The monthly vestry meeting

has never been
the highlight of his calendar.

MAN:
Besides, he should be
out in the community.

That's his gift.

We can elect a pro tem treasurer
without him.

Eric has every confidence
in your judgment.

MAN:
Well, at
this point,

our judgment seems to have
less to do with it.

In fact, we need somebody
fast... and cheap.

The annual
report has
to be presented

on this Sunday

and our former treasurer,
the beloved Bob,

left us in quite a mess,
an incomplete mess,

when he took that job
in New York.

So we need somebody
who's good with numbers

and who knows our needs.

MAN:
And being able
to budget,

say, a family
of seven

on a minister's salary
couldn't hurt.

Are you sure?

Mm-hmm.

If you would.

At least until
we can elect

a permanent
replacement.

I accept.

All opposed?

Congratulations,

Madame Treasurer.

( clears throat )

( laughs ):
Thanks.

Now, our next item
on the agenda is
the security...

( mid-tempo rock music plays )

♪ 7th Heaven ♪

♪ When I see
their happy faces ♪

♪ Smiling back at me ♪

♪ 7th Heaven ♪

♪ I know there's
no greater feeling ♪

♪ Than the love of family ♪

♪ Where can you go ♪

♪ When the world
don't treat you right? ♪

♪ The answer is home ♪

♪ That's the one place
that you'll find ♪

♪ 7th Heaven ♪

♪ Mmm, 7th Heaven ♪

♪ 7th Heaven. ♪

Simon, are you going
to play Little League
this summer?

Mom, there's
nothing little

about the league
I play.

Are you playing
baseball this year?

I don't play baseball;
I live it.

My one wish is to die
with my cleats on.

Well, that could be arranged--
are you in or out?

I'm in-- I'm definitely in.

Well, before you
and your cleats
hit the field,

you need
a tetanus shot.

A small price to pay.

I'm delighted
to hear you say that.

I'll pick you up
after school.

Well, since you're going
to be busy with church stuff,

why doesn't Matt take me?

Uh, no, no, no--
Mom should take you,

you know, in case
something goes wrong.

ANNIE:
Nothing's going
to go wrong.

It's just a tetanus shot.

It really would help me out

if you'd take him.

Why don't I just pick you up
after school and take you over?

No, I'd rather go with Matt,
if it's all the same to you.

Why?

Because you're scared of needles

and it makes you act all weird
in the doctor's office.

I do not.

SIMON:
You hum and you
bounce your knee

up an down real fast.

It gets me all nervous.

Take your brother.

I can't thank you enough
for agreeing to tutor Jimmy.

You're right,
you can't.

But you could start

by getting
out of my way.

It's just that Jimmy can't get
the hang of science.

Of course, it's not
totally his fault;

he's a passionate fountain,
a poet,

not some dried-up
husk in a lab coat

who gets As by worshiping
the periodic table.

I got As in science,

and that is why
I'm tutoring your fountain.

Well, that
and the fact

that if Jimmy's stuck
in summer school,

then you'll have less time
with him and more time with me.

And I appreciate that.

The thing is that Jimmy's quiet,

and sometimes
he says okay

but it's not, so you have
to look into his eyes,

deep into his eyes to make sure
that he's really getting it.

Fine.

But it's more than a look--

really,
it's more

like a contemplative study.

But be subtle, because
if Jimmy figures out

that we can read the truth
through his eyes,

then he might stop
and change to something new

and it'll take months
to figure it out.

Look deep into my eyes
and read me.

I... I'll shut up now.

That would be good.

I hope you're a little
more subtle with Jimmy.

What's the big deal?

Just take my
registration form,

check "yes" under
"tetanus shot."

We never even have
to get out of the car.

I... I can't do that.

What if you get hurt during
the season or something?

No, it's... it's too risky.

You get freaked out
when you see a needle.

You're just like Dad,
only you hum way better songs.

Well, get ready for a medley,
because we're going.

Fine with me,

but we'll see
how you feel around 4:00.

You sure you have
the time and energy

to help me out
at the office?

Well, with Ruthie
in school,

I'm practically footloose
and fancy-free.

Great, great.

It's just...
the treasurer's job
is pretty heavy.

Oh, I know, but
the last guy managed

to juggle it
with a full-time job

that landed him
an even bigger job in New York.

It's going
to take some work,

but... I think I can get ahead
of this and pull it off.

I'm sure you can.

They're still trying to shove

a security system on me,
aren't they?

No one is trying to shove

anything on you.

They're still looking
into costs.

Mm-hmm.

They left without me again,
didn't they?

No, they're
waiting outside

and they've never left
without you.

I know, I'm just practicing
for when they do.

Ah.

Ding Dongs?

That's not my usual.

You have a usual?

You've only been in school
for a few weeks.

( chuckles ):
Trade Simon

for his Ho Hos
and then use the Ho Hos

to trade for Lucy's
Nutter Butters.

RUTHIE:
I could,

but variety is
the spice of life.

Yes, it is!

I'll give the Ding Dongs
a whirl.

It couldn't hurt.

Daddy, do you want

to use my phone list
while I'm gone?

Simon says most of
the numbers are probably wrong,

but he doesn't
know anything.

You can call almost everyone,
even emergency guys.

Well, maybe you
should hang on to it.

You're right.

I might need it.

Bye, honey.

Love you.

Say a little prayer for Jimmy,
will you?

Mary's tutoring him
after school.

I'll say a big one.

We both thank you.

Oh, by the way,

I've got somebody coming
by the church later.

I want you and the rest
of the vestry to meet him.

What guy?

Well, he's a guy I met

at the job fair--

a guy who can type, file
and play the organ...

You know, depending
on the budget.

( chuckles )

You don't mind that I'm filling
in as treasurer, do you?

No, I'm thrilled.

Really.

Good.

I just
didn't want

my being thrilled
to make you feel

like you had
to be thrilled

if you weren't...
you know, thrilled.

I'm thrilled.

( kids conversing )

So, I talked to Mary--
everything is set.

Great.

There's no reason

to be nervous--
it's just Mary.

See, for me,
"Mary" and "nervous"

are pretty much always
in the same sentence.

Trust me--
I live with the woman.

I've seen the many moods
and faces of Mary Camden--

the cold one,
the intimidating one,

the scary
and the angry one.

Those are
a lot of faces

and none of them
friendly

to a floundering
science student.

It doesn't matter.

They're all just a front
Mary uses to cover up
her insecurity.

So when she explains
something to you,

just smile so she knows
you understood it.

Show your teeth--
you have nice teeth

and you don't show them
nearly enough.

Perfect.
That's it?

That's your advice
for dealing with your sister--

smile, show some teeth,
basically look pretty?

Mm-hmm.

( class bell ringing )

( organ playing "When the Saints
Come Marching In" )

( music ends, light applause )

Not one of my best performances,

but I'd like
to play it for you again

in a couple of days.

Are you kidding?
That was great.

MAN:
It really was.

Thank you very, very much.

We'll be in touch.

Yeah...

Thank you.

Sure.

Nice meeting everyone.

You, too, Ron.

What'd you think?

Can the choir use him?

Absolutely.

And if he can drown out
the altos every weekend,

I'll write him a check myself.

( light laughter )

So?

So?

Did you read this résumé
before you passed it out?

"Wilder Correctional
Facility."

You know, he didn't even
have to put that down.

He was just being honest.

Come on, Eric,
let's be practical.

You think that's what
he was in Wilder
for-- honesty?

The man's a convict.

Ex-convict, Lou.

What are you in for?

Field hockey
physical.

Same, kind of.

Tetanus shot, baseball.

Field hockey, huh?

It's no baseball, but at least
you get to swing a stick.

Yeah, well, I like it.

Sorry about
your shot.

SIMON:
Ah, it's okay...

It's really the waiting I hate.

It's the waiting
that really gets to you,

the thinking about the shot,
imagining the shot,

actually feeling the shot
in your skin,

not the shot itself.

You know, maybe
I should call Mom

and have her come down here.

Oh, no, I'm okay.

Once it's,
you know, over.

Of course, who knows
how long it could be?

I mean, how important

is Simon Camden's tetanus shot?

Look at that girl
over there--

she looks like she's about
to throw up any minute.

I hope she doesn't.

I hate that sound,
don't you?

And why does every
waiting room smell?

It smells like sweat,
old cooties,

that stuff they
wipe your arm with

before they give you a shot.

Man, it's hot in here.

Of course, you could
just check here

and we'd be off to fresh air
and cool breezes.

No, no, no,
we're not going to do that.

We can come back later
when it's less crowded

and they've had time
to fix the thermostat

and air it out in here.

Like... like tomorrow?

Tomorrow's good for me.

We'll come back tomorrow.

Whatever you say.

I'm the puppet master.

But we'd get an organist and an
assistant for the price of one.

That's completely
practical.

For you, yes,

but the vestry
doesn't feel that
it's practical

to test out Ron's
rehabilitation

with our budget and
limited resources.

Ron's done his time;
he deserves a second chance.

I have a good feeling about him.

Well, not everyone's
lucky enough

to have your barometer
about people.

The vestry feels
that hiring someone
with Ron's record

to work around so much cash
is like, you know,

letting the fox in
to guard the hen house.

And having seen their budget,

frankly, I understand their
concerns and priorities.

Understand or share?

Look, I'm the practical one
on our team, Eric.

I... I need more than
a feeling to go on.

I also need
more than a ledger sheet.

Just give it
a little time.

They've agreed to reconsider
their position.

All anyone is asking you

is to do the same before
you make your decision.

All right, fine.

You know, they knew
I wouldn't go

for a security system
all along,

so they elected you treasurer

so they could use you
to influence me.

Oh, really?

I thought maybe they elected me

because they knew the budget
had to be done in a hurry

and they knew I could do it.

I also think they knew
they could trust
me to be fair,

which, oddly enough,
is more than you knew.

So, are you a real fireman
or do you just answer the phone?

Oh, so this is
the right number

if I have
an emergency?

No, no, no,
everything here is fine.

How about you?

Did you have to put out
any fires today?

Really?
How many?

What are you doing?!

I'm really sorry about this.

What are you doing?

Checking the numbers
on my phone list.

What are you doing?

These numbers are
for emergencies only.

Well, Simon says most of
the numbers on my phone list

are probably wrong,

and I don't
want to wait

until there's an emergency
to find out if he's right.

I don't think Simon meant
the numbers on the front page.

He wasn't specific.

You... stay off the phone.

Got it?

Got it.

Well, that number was right.

So, the cranial nerves
go from the brain

to the periphery
of the body.

And there are
12 pairs of nerves

with one of each pair going
on each side of the brain.

I guess
that's pretty clear.

And listen, don't forget
about the 12 pairs,

because there's
a really, really easy...

WOMAN:
♪ Tu m'appartiens ♪

♪ Mon valentin ♪

♪ Tu es jeune ♪

♪ Tu es... vibrant ♪

♪ Tendre et si frais ♪

♪ Tes lèvres si douces ♪

♪ Je t'aime, oh, je t'aime ♪

♪ Quand on danse, j'ai peur ♪

♪ Je crois que ton corps et
ton coeur ne fassent... qu'un ♪

♪ Mais je m'en fiche,
je pense... ♪

...a German and Finn
viewed some hops.

What have I done?

You'd be wired
in every corner, of course,

and we'd put motion
detectors and alarms

on every window
and door.

Great, great.

I thought
we were going
to reconsider

each other's
position.

Well, we will.

This is just a preliminary step.

Getting estimates is
a preliminary step;

this looks like a decision.

You never intended
to give Ron Kramer

any further thought,
did you?

Yes, and we have, and
our position is the same.

Do you even know
what he served
time for?

I don't care what he served time
for; the point is he served it.

Well, what
about you?

You don't sound

as though you've rethought
your position either.

It's still a security system.

Eric, the church is wide open.

Well, that's the difference
between us, Lou--

I think people should always
have access to what's inside.

So, how'd
the tutoring go?

What'd you think
of Jimmy?

He was okay.

Ha!

"Ha" what?

I know what you thought of him:

You thought if he had
six more arms

he could be a babe-ol-octopus.

What?!

I didn't think that.

What kind of mind would?

A clever mind, a mind who sees

through your mask
of disinterest

and borderline
repulsion.

You're in love with him,
aren't you?

You have got to be kidding.

It's not your fault--
he's magnetic.

No, no, no, listen,

you were the one who asked me
to tutor him, remember?

I have no interest
in Jimmy--

none.

Look, if I were facing
a firing squad

and saying one appealing
thing about him would
save my life,

I would have to use my last
breath to ask for a blindfold.

You're awfully passionate
for someone who
doesn't care.

I care that you've lost
your mind, that's it.

Lost it

or finally found it?

You know what I mean!

( crickets chirping )

We keep those
locked at night.

Can I help you
with something?

Yeah, maybe.

I came by to pick up a hymnal.

I thought I'd learn the music

in case you needed
me on Sunday.

That's great,
but it doesn't
look like we will.

I'm afraid we won't have
the money in the budget

to replace that
position right now.

Oh... okay, uh...

that's too bad.

Maybe next time.

Maybe.
Good night.

You know,
you never told us

what you were
serving time for.

Well, I stole bread
to feed my family.

I wish I could say that,
but the truth is I...

I wanted a lifestyle that
my income couldn't support

and I didn't think
it wouldn't hurt anybody

if I used the bank
that I was working for

to help me try and get it.

But I was wrong...
selfish.

Just stupid.

Wrong.

I understand.

I'm sure you do.

Good night.

( tries door )

The doctor's office called.

They apologized
for not getting you in.

I guess the place was
pretty busy, huh?

Packed.

Well, they're open Saturday

and they'll take you right in
if you get there early.

We'll be there, yeah.

Good.

See...

the thing is,

I took Simon to get his shot
last year

and... we kind of ducked out.

Me, too.

I figured.

Did he do his
"waiting room smell" stuff?

Yeah.
Yeah.

Some of his best work.

He's good,
he's very good,

but... he has
to get this shot.

And he'll get it,
I promise.

Good enough.

Take your Walkman with you.

He can't get to you
if you can't hear him.

Good idea.
Thanks.

We got to band together
at a time like this.

Yeah.

Yes, my sister Mary.

How many other Marys

have you been flashing
your pearly whites at

in hopes of passing science?

Your sister and me?

Are you crazy?

Crazy like a fox, my friend.

I saw how comfortable
you two were with each other.

You're the one who came up

with this whole
tutoring thing, not me.

And you jumped at the chance.

No, I didn't-- you made me.

But admit it--
you didn't mind it, did you?

Of course I mind.

I also mind failing science.

( phone line clicks )

Is there someone else
on the line?

No.

Why are you listening
to my conversation?

I'm not listening.

I'm just waiting
to use the phone.

It's still your turn, Jimmy.

I don't want a turn.

You can have the phone.

This conversation is over.

( whispers ):
Yes!

( dial tone buzzing )

( touch tones beeping )

( whines )

LUCY:
Why are you waiting
to use the phone?

( phone beeps off )

I need to call
the poison people.

Huey drank the water
out of Happy's dish.

Ruthie, you cannot use
emergency numbers

because your imaginary
friend drank out
of your dog's dish.

You can only use them if real
people have real emergencies.

( sighing ):
Okay.

Thirsty, girl?

Your water dish was
practically empty.

MATT:
Okay, just so you know,

we're going back
to the doctor's

first thing in the morning--
I'm not kidding.

Fine-- I never had a problem
with it, you did.

Yeah, well, there's
something about jamming

a long, sharp piece of metal
into my arm

that gives me a problem.

But we're going anyway.

A long, sharp piece of metal?

Jammed into my arm?!

I'm a dead man.

( crickets chirping )

( exclaims )

Maybe we do need to get
a security system.

Annie forgot
to bring this home.

Eric, if you have a minute,
we need to talk.

Yeah, shoot.

I spoke to your friend
Ron Kramer.

Embezzlement.

( laughs )

Come on, Eric,
give me a break.

Well, he stole some money.

I mean, he screwed up,
big time, once.

I'm not saying what
he did was right--
it's not--

but he didn't kill
or maim anybody,

and a lot of
guys who do

are back on the street
in less time
than Ron served.

If you're trying
to help yourself here,

you have a thing or two to learn
about a sales pitch.

Ron Kramer has a lot
of knowledge and expertise,

and because no one's willing
to give him a second chance,

it's all going
to waste.

We'd be lucky
to get

what he has to offer.

I mean... he's flawed;
he... he's not dangerous.

No, no, he's just untrustworthy.

( exhales ):
I don't think he's the same man

who made those choices
a few years ago.

And knowing the man
he is today,

I can't go with a security
system over a human being.

I just can't.

I know, and that's
what makes you

a wonderful,
compassionate minister...

and a lousy businessman.

( chuckles )

Thanks... I think.

See, I just thought
that you were supposed

to represent your parishioners
and their values.

( whispering ):
Oh.

No.

My job is to represent
the church and its values

to the best of my ability.

Now, most of the time, I do that

with the support
of the parishioners.

Sometimes I do it
in spite of them,

but that's my job
as minister of this church.

And you are... for now.

I'm sorry?

We love this church
as much as you do,

and if we think your judgment

is jeopardizing
its financial health,

we will not hesitate to petition
for your removal.

Well...

follow your heart, Lou.

It's the only practical thing
to do.

( birds singing )

( slams door )

I can't believe
that that man

actually wants
to have me removed

because I want to give
another human being
a second chance.

He's scared, Eric,
and cautious.

What do you expect
from cautious people?

Well, I thought...
I hoped that you
were on my side.

This isn't about sides.

It's about understanding
each other

and doing what's best
for the church

given the limited monies
available.

That's it-- you know,
having an organist
would be nice,

but it's not a necessity
right now.

Neither is
a security system.

I know that.

What's necessary is our
commitment to our fellow man,

and I don't know how Marv
and Lou don't see that.

They do;

they just see it differently.

They think their obligation
is to keep the church safe

and the doors open
for their fellow men and women

to walk through
every Sunday.

And they're right, but doing one

doesn't mean
we can't do the other.

I know, but it makes it riskier.

Faith without risk... is easy.

And risk without faith--
your kind of faith--

is scary.

( computer keys
clicking )

I love you.

You're okay.

I...

You've been saying
some incredibly
wise things

that... that I've had
a hard time hearing,

maybe because
I've been so busy

saying some incredibly
dumb ones.

The vestry is lucky
to have you
as treasurer...

and I'm lucky you're
still talking to me.

Apology accepted.

I've just been so caught up
in this whole thing

that I've
ended up being

everything I find
so frustrating in Lou--

narrow-minded and
short-tempered and...

And impassioned, which
is one of the reasons
I married you.

Your smile's
another reason,

and I miss seeing it.

And making up's
another reason,
but I don't have time

because I have
a report to finish.

Any chance that I
could take a look
at that report

and your
recommendations?

Sure--

tomorrow when I present it
to the board.

Uh, hey...

I really love you, too.

Can I give you
a lift?

Absolutely.

Thanks.

Are you going to tell
the kids good-bye?

Hey, guys,
we're out of here.

MATT:
Okay, see you later.

They're doing fine without us.

The one time you actually
want Simon out of his room

and he won't come.

SIMON:
It's just a wooden door,
you know.

I can still hear through it.

Good, now hear this:
Dad wants me

to take you to get
your tetanus shot,
and I'm going to,

and it's not going
to be that bad.

Oh, right, and at what point

after the long, sharp piece
of metal pierces my flesh

does "that bad" start?

I'm not
going.

Look, I'll go get
a screwdriver

and maybe we can take
the doorknob off
or something.

Thanks.

Look, why are you making
such a big deal out of this?

What if the needle goes
right through my arm?

It won't.

How do you know?

Because it's not long enough.

Oh, really?

Well, it was plenty long enough
when you didn't want to go.

( grunts angrily )

What are we doing?

We're trying to get Simon
out of his room.

He barricaded himself
in there

and we can't
get him out.

( phone beeps,
dial tone buzzing )

( touch tones beeping )

( phone line ringing )

OPERATOR:
Glenoak 911.

Please state the nature
of your emergency.

Is this the right number
for the police department?

Yes, it is.

What is your emergency?

I don't know.

Is being barricaded in your room
an emergency?

MATT:
Come on, Simon.

We all have to face
our fears sometime.

Why?

Maybe we should just stay afraid

and avoid our fears altogether
out of respect.

Simon!

( growls )

What's going on?

Oh, so you're talking to me now?

Not really.

It's more like
a fact-finding mission.

( siren approaching
in distance )

Wait, let me get this straight.

You want Simon out of his room?

SIMON:
Every word--
I can hear every word.

( siren approaching )

Why don't you just wait
until I get hurt

and then give me the shot?

MATT:
It doesn't work
that way.

( sighs )

( ball thuds )

( sighs )

( whines )

( pounding on door )

MAN:
This is the Glenoak
Police Department.

Open up.

( Happy whining )

Are you all right?

So far.

( conversation on police radio )

I was just on my way out
to get a tetanus shot.

Well, that's
another number right.

I'll meet you in the car.

I can't believe you really came!

Ruthie,

you know what happens
when you call 911

and it's not
an emergency?

It means
someone else

may really be hurt or in danger

and we're not there for them
because we're here.

I'm sorry.

I'll never call you again.

I hope you
never have to.

Thanks, officers,
thanks a lot.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

DISPATCHER ( over radio ):
Car 141 to 100 South Baker...

Let's have it.

I don't know what
you're talking about.

The phone list-- cough it up.

I promise I won't use it again.

It makes me

feel powerful.

Maybe so, but the power
went right to your head

and to your dialing finger.

They're not that far
from each other.

( groans )

( sighs )

( sighs )

Hey, guys.

How are you?

Okay.
Fine.

SIMON:
No, I only need
to get one shot.

I can handle two;

I just signed up
for one.

The other one's
for your brother.

NURSE:
I checked your chart
and you're way overdue.

Really?

It seems like
just yesterday.

Don't worry,
it'll be over like that.

Just get it
over with.

It is.

I'll see you
guys later.

Tell your parents
I said hello.

Okay.

Come on,
you big baby.

What's that?

It's a note
from Jimmy

canceling our tutoring session.

I guess you can put your
paranoid fantasies on hold

because he couldn't even
give it to me in person.

Mom found it taped
to the door.

You know that freak-out
interrogation I had with you?

I had one with Jimmy, too.

You have a lot to learn
about trust.

I know.

I should've trusted Jimmy.

You still don't get it!

You should've trusted me!

And more
importantly,

you should've trusted
your own judgment.

Would Jimmy ever cheat on you?

Would I ever do anything
to hurt you?

So why don't
you trust that?

I don't know.

I guess I just let
my imagination
get away from me.

Oh, yeah, you did
a lot more than that.

You hurt Jimmy's chances
of passing science

and you turned
this whole situation

into a girls-fighting-
over-a-guy thing, which I hate.

And even worse,
you turned it

into a sisters-fighting-
over-a-guy thing,

which I hate even more.

It's so bush-league, Luce.

( tearfully ):
I know-- I'm sorry.

Yeah,
you should be.

( both laugh lightly )

Uh, Lucy, Mr. Moon is here.

He'd like a word with you
in the living room.

Hey.

Hey-- I've got
something to say.

I was afraid of losing you,
and because

I'm a little bit afraid
of your sister in general,

I dropped off a note earlier
canceling my tutoring session.

Being more afraid
of my mother's reaction
to an F in science,

I've returned, on schedule...

um, a few courteous
minutes early, in fact.

While I appreciate

that you're a passionate,
whimsical creature by nature,

you also need to appreciate my
need for a passing science grade

and just accept the fact
there's nothing going on

between your sister and me.

You should know me
well enough by now

to know that I'm not
a free-love kind of guy.

You're right.

I'll go tell Mary you're here.

Okay. Thank you.

What did they do
to this door?

I don't know.

I was on the phone.

Yes, I heard.

And what did I
tell you?

Never use a Phillips

when a flathead
will do.

Thank you.

Now, about the phone...

Stay off it.

That's right,

and tell me why.

Because the policeman told me

if I call when
it's not an emergency,

they might not be able
to help somebody else

who's in big trouble
because they're at my house.

That's right,
and you're not allowed

to use the phone without
asking an adult first,

understand?

Can I have my
phone list back?

Uh, you can have your list

when you have permission
to call someone.

That's a good idea.

I can't handle that phone list.

But I still really want it.

I know.

We'll get this monkey off your
back one day at a time, okay?

Okay.

Who ratted on me?

Um, your brothers and sisters,
the police, three neighbors

and the mailman.

That's what I figured.

You know, if Mom
had a real job,

we could eat like kings
every night.

Your mother does have
a real job.

She takes care of all of us
and this house

seven days a week,
24 hours a day.

Look, Dad, just because she gets
into your stuff at church

doesn't mean we can't use a
little time off from her here.

So are you going
to hire that ex-con?

How do you know
about Ron?

There are no secrets
in this house.

You hired him,

didn't you?
( sighing )

Think he'll show up?

I don't know.

Sometimes all you can do
is trust people.

Like I trust,

for example,
that you and Simon

actually got
tetanus shots today.

You don't have to trust me.

I got proof.

ANNIE:
This has been a week
filled with choices,

and the church's annual budget
underscores, I think,

exactly how costly
those choices can be.

We've also talked this week

about the need
for sound business

versus the need
for compassion,

and ironically,

it is the church's budget
that gives us our first

and best place to talk about
the business of compassion.

The budget is
a series

of credits
and debits, uh,

projections
and returns,

but it's more than that.

It's a moral document.

We usually don't see it this way

because we tend
to put money on one side

and values on the other and
assume that the two never meet.

But they do... in the budget.

How we invest
our money

is a direct reflection
of the choices we make

day in and
day out.

If you want
to know

what our values are,
our hopes, look
to the budget.

It'd be easy if we were
just dealing with money

because all of us
have lost money on something.

It is our hope
and faith

that we fear
losing most

because they are
so hard to come by

and nearly impossible
to replace.

But we lower our risk
by investing in each other,

our community
and our faith.

The budget--
this budget--

is where we decide what kind
of people we want to be.

This annual
report

is respectfully
submitted

by Annie Camden,
treasurer pro tem.

I think you know

what my recommendation is.

( bells ringing )

CHOIR:
♪ Holy, holy, holy ♪

♪ Lord God almighty ♪

♪ Early in the morning
our song shall rise to thee ♪

♪ Holy, holy, holy,
merciful and mighty ♪

♪ God in three persons,
blessed trinity ♪

♪ Holy, holy, holy... ♪

So, where is this guy

you want us all
to invest in?

He'll be here,
Lou,

just show
a little faith.

Hey, sorry, sorry.

I had to take three buses
this morning.

See you.

CHOIR:
♪ Holy, holy, holy,
merciful and mighty ♪

♪ God in three persons,
blessed trinity ♪

♪ Holy, holy, holy,
all the saints adore thee ♪

♪ Casting down
their golden crowns ♪

♪ Around the glassy sea ♪

♪ Cherubim... ♪

We'll give this some time
and see how it plays out.

That sounds fair.

( choir still singing )

But it's not over.

Well, you know where to find me.

CHOIR:
♪ Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God almighty ♪

♪ All thy works
shall praise thy name ♪

♪ In earth and sky and sea ♪

♪ Holy, holy, holy,
merciful and mighty ♪

♪ God in three persons,
blessed trinity. ♪