Beauty and the Beast (1987–1990): Season 1, Episode 22 - A Happy Life - full transcript

This is where the wealthy
and the powerful rule.

It is her world,
a world apart from mine.

Her name is Catherine.

From the moment I saw her,
she captured my heart

with her beauty, her warmth,
and her courage.

I knew then as I know now,

she would change
my life... forever.

He comes from a secret place,
far below the city streets.

Hiding his face from strangers,
safe from hate and harm.

He brought me there
to save my life.

And now, wherever I go,
he is with me in spirit.



For we have a bond stronger
than friendship or love.

And although we cannot
be together,

we will never ever be apart.

Hi. This is Catherine Chandler.

Would you tell Joe that I
probably won't be in today?

Yeah. Must be that flu.

All right, thanks, Charlene.

Every year,
when this day comes around,

it brings something different.

I can't believe
it's been 20 years.

Strange thing is,
it just hit me

like it's never
hit me before.

It just
came crashing down.

It's the loss of her



and what that meant.

I don't think the loss
of a mother or a wife

is ever behind you.

I just felt her
so strongly this morning.

Her memory, all the things

we never got
to share.

Wondering... what she
would think of me now.

She very much wanted you
to have a happy life.

Your mother didn't
have a lot of happiness

in her childhood.

She wanted
that for you.

A happy life.

Come on, get dressed;
I'll take you to lunch.

I promised I'd see
Nancy Tucker.

She's in from Westport.

Oh. How she's doing?

I haven't seen
her for a while.

She's got two kids.

I'll find out if
she's having a happy life.

Thanks for coming.

Here we are,
past and present

converged
over shrimp salad.

It's really
great to see you.

I want you to come
up to Westport.

Spend some time with us.

Rebecca and Bill
moved up last year,

and they live
three blocks away.

Really?
Mm-hmm.

That sounds great.

Bring somebody
if you want.

Is there a man in your life?

Are you in love?

That's a very enigmatic look.

It's rather complicated.

Oh, it always
was with you.

The guys you ended up with
never understood you.

This one does.

What's the problem?

Is he married?

No.

Gay?

No.

Uh, unemployed?

Behind bars?
What's left?

None of that.

We'll talk about it next time.

Does he make you happy?

That's all that matters, Cath.

I didn't know that she'd
been sick for a long time.

I was ten when she died.

The sadness must have been
overwhelming.

It was.

But what I felt this morning...

what I feel now,

is deeper and
more terrifying

than anything
I felt then.

Yes.

The loss.

A terrible
feeling of loss.

Not just my mother,
but a part of my life.

Safety. Simplicity.

Things I've never been
able to know before.

I saw an old
friend today,

and I looked at
her, and I knew

that she had
those things.

I was happy for her,
but it made me sad.

Perhaps these feelings,
these memories,

are calling out
to remind you.

Of what?

Something you need.

I don't know...

Of what you long for.

My life is full of
complications and risks.

I don't know how to
have a simple life.

Catherine...
your mother's memory

reminds you
of your aloneness,

of the family you
lost when she died,

of all the friends
you left behind

when our paths crossed.

Because that secret
that you carry now,

our secret,
sets you apart

from your past,
your friends,

even from the family
you are yet to have,

the children waiting
to be born.

Catherine, the burden you bear
with that secret,

is your aloneness.

Know that our bond,
our dream exists

at the cost of all
your other dreams.

Know that, Catherine.

It's worth it.

The Omansky case
just got remanded
back to a new trial.

Oh, they threw out
the partner's confession?

Yeah, and now we go
back to square one
and build a new case

independent of
the confession.

Go down to the vaults,
bring it all back up.

All right.
Go through
everything.

Police reports,
witness interviews,

evidence files,
all the transcripts.

And we got to move;
they're going to be pushing.

They know we're
at a disadvantage.

Okay.

Okay.

So, how can
I help you?

I'm not sure.

I'm not even sure you can.

Give me a chance.

I'm not even sure
why I'm here.

Never done anything
like this before.

On the phone,
you mentioned

the anniversary of
your mother's death.

On Monday, 20 years.

It hit me pretty hard,
very unexpectedly.

I've been feeling
pretty bad ever since.

Feeling like how?

Like...

...my life is impossible.

Like I'll never be able
to find happiness.

Everything just feels hopeless.

What feels hopeless?

Everything.

My life.

What used to make me happy
suddenly makes me...

It feels painful...

tragic.

Do you think
these feelings

might have anything to do
with what happened

when you were attacked
a year ago?

How do you know about that?

It was in the papers.

As I remember it,

a lot of circumstances
were left unresolved.

That's not why

I'm here.

Why are you here?

I suppose to reconcile
myself with my mother's death.

Are you sure?

Are you sure

that's the issue?

Why don't you tell me?

I wish I could.

But I think you have
to tell yourself first.

It's a relationship
I'm involved in.

Yes?

A relationship I've never talked
about with anyone.

You haven't
introduced Vincent

to any of your
friends or family?

No.

Is it that he doesn't want

to take part in your life
or you don't want him to?

He can't.

Why not?

He's not able to.

He has to live separate
and apart from me,

from my life.

For reasons I'm not able
to go into.

Do you want
to end it?

No.

I don't want to.

What do you think
you're getting out
of this relationship?

Everything.

He gives me everything.

All the things I never
had before.

So what's the problem?

A part of me wants to go
and be with him,

live with him in his world.

And a part of me is just
a woman living in New York

and trying to be happy.

And that feels
impossible?

It is impossible.

Vincent?

It's your move.

Perhaps we should continue
this game at another day.

Well, with all due
respect, Vincent,

I think perhaps
we should.

What is it?

What's distracting you, son?

As if I had to ask.

She's in great turmoil.

Don't worry yourself
about me, Father.

I sometimes feel, uh...

that I'm standing
on the bank of a raging river,

watching you trying
to swim across.

How can I not worry?

I'd be a fool.

And yet, Vincent,

at the same time, I have
to marvel at your courage.

Catherine swims across
that river as well.

She faces
the same dangers,

shows the same courage.

And in many ways, the toll
on her is even greater.

You really think that's so?

On her side of the river,

there is no one standing
on the bank watching.

On her side of the river,
there is no one

praying for a safe passage.

On her side of the river,
Father,

there is no one but Catherine.

Then I shall stand watch...
and pray

for both of you.

Hello?

Hi, it's Nancy.

That's so funny.

I was just thinking of you.

Thinking of coming up
for a visit?

Nothing that specific.

Well, listen, next Friday
is Rebecca's birthday,

and a bunch of us are
getting together,

and I thought it might be a good
chance to get you up here.

I don't know, Nance.

I've got a load of work,
just a lot of loose ends.

Oh, no excuses.

Jenny Aronson is coming,
and you can get a ride with her.

Well, I'll work on it.

I'll call you early in the week.

Rebecca's big brother,
Buddy, will be there.

You will stoop
to anything, won't you?

To get you up here,
you're damn right.

I will do my best.

You'd better.

Okay. Bye.

Have you finished
the breakdown

of the neighbor's
testimony?

I just put it on your desk.

When?

Half an hour ago?

No, that was the billing
manager's testimony.

I asked you to break
down the neighbor's testimony.

Oh, God, Joe.

I got it mixed
up somehow.

I don't know how I did that.

I'll have it on your desk
by the end of the day.

All right, look, Cathy,

we got to stay

of this now, okay?
I know.

He's overcome
tremendous hardship.

He's suffered
great pain.

And yet, he has the most
beautiful spirit.

The most generous heart
of anyone I've ever known.

But you say
it's impossible?

We can never have
a life together.

How can that
fulfill you?

It does fulfill me...

in ways I never knew existed.

It's the rest of my life
that doesn't seem to fit.

Then how can you
find the happiness

that you say you want?

You do want
to be happy?

Well, it's just

that I'm wondering
whether you're not using

this impossible,
problematic situation

with Vincent to avoid a
commitment to the real thing.

It is the real thing.

If I'm going to help you at all,

I'm going to need more
to work with, more information.

Okay. Like what?

Why is this relationship
a secret?

What makes it
impossible?

Is he a fugitive?
Are you concerned
about his safety?

In a way.

Well, you're an attorney.

Surely, you must know
that anything you say to me

will be kept confidential.

I'm sorry.

I made a promise.

Why did you come to me?

I'm not sure.

I guess because I needed
to talk to someone about it.

To let someone else know.

Why don't you?

I can't.

Joe?

What's up?

I'm going to have to
take some time off.

What?

I need to get away for a while.

When?

Right away.

Joe, you know
I wouldn't

be asking...
Cathy, you can't leave.

The Omansky case is a mess.

I've got ten other fires
to put out.

I can't let you go.

I can't even believe
you're asking.

Then, I'll have to quit.

All right, Cathy, what's wrong?

I'm having
some personal problems.

Really?

I can't go into it.

Plus, you always say trust me.

For my sake,
for the sake of the work,

I need a break.

Well, you're all right?

I mean, it's not your health?

I'll be okay.

All right, all right,
don't worry.

You take some time off.

Take as much
as you need.

I'll get Ellis and one
of the interns to help out.

Thanks. I appreciate it.

You know...

you work yourself
too hard.

And I take advantage.

We all work too hard.

Yeah.

But I pushed it.

I knew you were trying
to prove yourself.

And you gave me the chance to.

It's okay.

I owe you Radcliffe.

If there's anything I can do
for you,

I mean anything...

I won't hesitate.

Good.

You've got a friend here, kiddo.

I know that.

Oh, there she is.

Catherine.

Hi, Dad,
sorry I'm late.

Hi, Kay.

Nice to see you.

How are you?

Actually,
I'm pretty good.

Are you?

Yes, I am.

We'd better get
to our seats.

I am so happy you
could join us.

Where are all the
proceeds going again?

I keep losing track.

I'm going to take
some time off work.

Good. Good idea.

Got any plans?

On Friday, I'm going
to visit Nancy Tucker

up in Westport.

Then, I just may rent a
car and take a long drive

up through New England.

It's a great time
of the year.

I can't tell you
how glad I am

that you're
going to do that.

Me, too.

I forgot how sad it was.

I'm have to go
get a tissue.

I'm here.

Catherine.

Tell me.

Tonight, I went
to a piano recital.

I was actually
feeling okay.

And then I sat down,
and he started to play

the Grieg Piano Concerto,

the one that we heard
in the park that night.

Was it beautiful?

Yes, it was beautiful.

And I kept remembering
how much you loved it.

And I wanted you there
with me so badly.

It became unbearable to me,

almost physically painful.

I just had to run;
I actually ran from it.

Vincent, what are
we going to do?

We have to do something
before there's nothing

left for either of us.

This was the risk we faced.

Now... what?

Now...

...perhaps we awaken
from our dream...

...return to our lives.

No. Let me come below.

Let me live in your world.

Let me try.

Catherine, you have
a life above.

To leave that now would be to
turn your back on who you are,

on who you were to become.

That, you must never do.

What am I to do?

You're in such pain,
I know.

Vincent... I don't think

I have the strength
to continue.

Then you mustn't continue.

Maybe if I just went
away for a while.

Catherine...

It must end.

No.

It must.

I don't want that.

How can you say that?

To see you in such pain
because you dare to love,

knowing that I am the reason,
the cause of that pain,

is more than I can bear
to live with.

It mocks our dreams,

so it must end.

Catherine, you have a life
waiting to be lived.

No.

Let the memory
of what we are,

of what we shared

remind you that love in its
deepest and purest form exists.

Use that memory
to give you the courage

to love... someone else.

I can't.

You must.

No.

Wait. Wait!

Nancy? It's Cathy.

How would you feel if I came up
a little early?

Are you sure?

I could catch a train tonight.

Okay. See you soon.

Grand Central.

What is that thing?

It's a melon baller.

Life wouldn't be
the same without it.

A melon baller?

Stick with me, and you'll
learn all the secrets.

Uh, just another
nuclear accident.

Take over here, will you?

Come on, that's it,
be brave.

You are too fast for me!

I'm an old lady, you know?

How old?

Same age as your mom.

That's old.

Talk about compulsive men
over 35.

I mean, he asked me to take
my shoes off

before I walked
into his apartment.

What did you do?

I took my shoes off.

You are truly a
disturbed person,

You know that?

Oh, yeah?

Don't forget to make a wish.

I don't believe you.

I swear it, it's true.

Well, why didn't you
ever tell me?

I don't know.

I guess because you
were Rebecca's friend.

And you didn't want
to jeopardize your sister's

social life by dating
and dumping one of her friends?

No.

More like, I didn't want
Becky in a position

to know everything
I was doing.

How long are you going
to be in Westport?

Through the weekend.

Do you think we could
spend some time?

Say tomorrow?

I'd really like that.

Why don't we talk
about it tomorrow?

What we shared will never die.

I'll always be with you.

Goodbye, Catherine.

Be happy.

Oh, Vincent.

Your hair.

The sunlight

in your hair
is so beautiful.

Catherine...

The colors.

It's like another world.

I feel like I'm seeing it
for the first time.

Where shall we go?

Everywhere.

I want to show you
everything.

And we can go together?

Yes, together.

Catherine, how can this be?

Because it's what
I wished for...

more than anything.

I dreamed of this.

The two of us in sunshine.

Vincent, you are so beautiful.

Catherine, I'm
a part of you.

What you see in me is the beauty
in your heart.

It's all so perfect.

This moment.

I've never been so happy.

If only it could last forever.

It can. It will.

I love you so much.

What?

What's wrong?

Vincent.

Vincent!

Cathy? Are you all right?

No. No.

What a night.

Nance, I'm sorry.

Don't be silly.

It just tears me apart

that we can never
share a life together.

You're sure there's
nothing else you can do?

I'm sure.

Maybe it's enough.

I want a home like this

and children and a family.

It's sad knowing that
that may never be.

We all make
our tough choices.

Don't you think
there are days and nights

when I regret not having gone
to Paris to study?

Not ever doing something
with my photography?

I was good.

You were better than good.

I'll never know where
I could have taken that.

Cath, I love my life.

I love being a mother,
but it's not the only path.

It was a hard adjustment.

Paul and I have been
through some sticky times.

Don't think I haven't
had my doubts.

Hmm.

I guess the anniversary
of my mom's death

reminded me of all
those choices.

It's forced me to take a
look at myself and wonder,

"What she would
think of me?"

Would she be proud?

Does my life
honor her memory?

All those things.

I don't know.

I know.

I know what she'd think,
because I know what I think.

Cathy, of all of us,
you're the one that's come

the greatest distance
and gone the farthest.

I mean, when you were
in law school,

we used to joke about you
majoring in fashion law.

You've overcome
a terrible accident.

You've changed your life.

Now you're giving to others.

And you have this
extraordinary relationship.

You should be so proud
of yourself.

We're all so proud.

And to hell with what
anybody else thinks

about what you should
or shouldn't do.

I mean, when all
is said and done,

you've got to follow
your heart.

It's the only thing you
can ever really count on.

That's what Vincent
always says.

Will we ever meet him?

I'm beginning to think
that anything is possible.

I think I'm going to
head back to New York.

Right now?

Yes.

But it's 4:00 am.

I need to get back.

There's not a train
until 5:20.

Could I borrow your car?

You're serious.

You said, "Follow
your heart."

I can't wait.

All right, sure,
take the car.

Paul can pick it up

on Monday.

Oh, thanks, Nance,
for everything.

Oh, forgive me.

Forgive me for doubting.

What we have is
all that matters.

It's worth everything.

Everything.