Beauty and the Beast (1987–1990): Season 2, Episode 5 - God Bless the Child - full transcript

With Catherine's help, a pregnant teenage hooker is welcomed into the tunnels. Complications arise when she falls in love with Vincent.

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.

I don't know what's
happening to me.

I'm on the street,
I keep moving,

Like if I'm not'm
around tomorrow...w?

believe me, no one's
even gonna notice.

I just can't...

I'm listening.

What's your name?



Lena.

Lena.

Are you alone
right now?

I'm always alone.

Look, just forget it.

It doesn't matter.

It does matter.

No, you're wrong.

I just want it
to be over.

Lena, think, there must
be someplace you can go,

someone you can talk to,
a friend?

God, I'm scared.

My shift is over in...
about 15 minutes.

Can you meet me
for a cup of coffee?

How does that sound?

I don't know.

Where are you calling from?

Broadway...

down by 12th.

We can just talk if you want,
that's all.

Okay?

Yeah, okay.

Good.

I know a diner
two blocks from where you are.

I'm glad you came.

Free cup of soup, right?

Sure. Why not?

I know it's hard,

opening up to a stranger.

I have a tough time
with that myself.

But you sounded...

I'm not exactly sure
why I'm here

or what I can do.

You could just tell me
what's on your mind.

Or if you want, we can just sit.

You never told me your name.

Catherine.

I... did what I had to do.

You don't know
who the father is?

No.

That's okay.

Then how come it feels so bad?

Lena...
It's gonna

grow up to be just like me.

When I think of that...

Your baby...

is about what can be,

not about what is.

If you don't believe that,
then nobody will.

I'm not saying it is easy,
because it isn't.

But it is possible.

Don't tell me that.

'Cause you don't know.

Things don't change,
not on the street.

You...

look into the houses,

and... you can see
what it's like inside.

You see the lights,

the Christmas tree,

people...

talking and laughing,

and... you get this cold feeling

on the outside, like...

you're never gonna be the one

who's in there.

There was something
in her voice.

I don't know,
a calling out

to be a part of something,

to belong.

She's really just a girl,

alone in a
dangerous city.

And it's Christmas.

So many come into your life,

Catherine.

This girl must have
truly touched you.

She's dying, Vincent.

The streets are killing her.

And she's fighting to
hold on to her spirit.

And she's carrying a child.

She told me that she would
rather see the baby die

than bring another life

into this world.

How can it be that this world
could have no more to offer her?

I've talked
to a dozen social workers

at a dozen shelters,

but I don't think...

I know... she won't respond.

She doesn't have
the strength anymore,

or the hope.

Then she has lost her way.

I am afraid to think of what
might happen to her, Vincent,

if she's left alone.

She's so far away
from herself.

I broke every rule
by going to see her.

Perhaps Father can break
a few rules of his own.

You were a prostitute?

Was there nothing else
for you to do?

What has Catherine told you
about where we live?

She told me...

it's a secret place

where people live together
and take care of each other.

I thought she was
making it up.
No,

she wasn't making it up.

We have made a life together
down here.

We've built a home,
and yes,

we really do try
to take care of each other.

And each of us
is also responsible

for keeping this place safe

from those
who wouldn't understand.

I can keep a secret.

Whatever may happen?

Whatever happens.
Good.

Now, I'm going to ask you
a difficult question.

Ordinarily, there's a process

by which people
come to live with us.

It's a slow
and gradual process.

Our friends above,

like Catherine,
act as our eyes and ears,

judging need...

trustworthiness.

Sometimes, as with you,

we are forced
to make exceptions.

But we must ask ourselves:

Why should we risk everything
we've worked so hard to create?

Why should we trust you?

It's all right.

Just... tell him
what you're feeling.

What I'm feeling?

I'm feeling you've got
no reason to trust me,

and I should just
save you the trouble

and walk out
of here myself.

But I can't.

I got someone else
to think about now.

And it's not fair

that this baby
should have to suffer...

just 'cause it's unlucky enough

to get stuck inside of me

instead of someone else.

You give my baby a chance
for something better

and I won't mess it up.

Don't be frightened.

You spoke your heart.

I want to welcome you.

Good luck, Lena.

Come.

I'll come to see you soon.

What's that sound?

Oh, that's how
we communicate

with each other,
tapping upon the pipes.

Come on, really?

Yes, really.

It's all right.
Now, don't worry.

Sit-sit down.

Okay, breathe.
Breathe deeply.

Breathe into the pain.

It's a false alarm.

And rest assured,

your baby's heart
is strong and regular.

Come...

I'll take you to your chamber.

It's a stone's
throw from mine,

so I'll be close
when you're ready.

And don't worry,
I've delivered a hundred babies.

Father, Father!

Look what I made
for Vincent.

Oh, it's beautiful!
What is it?

It's a pen holder.

Why, of course.

What else?

And I happen to know
that's exactly what he needed.

I'm giving it
to him right now.

Uh, Samantha.

This is Lena.

She's our new friend.

Hi. Bye.

Who's Vincent?

He's, uh, one of us.

Go now, child, and rest.

Please, Father,
you promised.

Tell us a story
about Vincent.

Aren't you at all
tired of that?

No, Father, please.
No.

It's great,
it's Christmas.

Very well,
very well.

It was the 12th of January...

the coldest day in the year.

You're the one who found
him, right, Father?

Near St. Vincent's
Hospital?

Not exactly, Samantha, no.

He was found

and then he was
brought to me.

And he was wrapped in rags,

rather like
a present,

but nobody wanted him

because of the way he looked.

"Throw him out," they said.

"He's not our problem."

"We don't want him.
Leave him to the topsiders."

Yes, Vincent was different,

and you see, people are terribly
afraid of what they don't know.

But soon, very
soon afterward,

the people-- and they were
mainly your parents

and grandparents--
they accepted Vincent

and they grew to love
the very differences

that at first made
them so afraid.

You left out the part
about his being sick.

I'm so sorry.
You're quite right,
I did, Samantha.

When Vincent first came to us,
he was very tiny and very sick.

And he cried
for three straight days.

And he cried for
three straight days.

And no one thought
he would survive.

But you knew, didn't
you, Father?

Yes, I felt a strength
in him.

But then there came a time
of terrible darkness

in our world...

A time we must
never forget.

Then when I
brought a friend...

Are you all right?

I was just listening.

A man on whom
I built...

Well, it's Father's time
to be with the children.

It's time for you
to be in bed.

Are you worried
about the delivery?

I just wish it'd
be over already.

That's what
everyone says.

Yeah?

Yes.

Good night now.

Good night.

Mary?

Hmm?

Can I ask
you something?

Of course.

I heard Father
talking back there.

About Vincent.

What did you hear?

Not much.

Just that he's different
from everybody.

Vincent is very special to us.

Here you go.

In some ways
it's his fate.

It's his life that
holds us all together.

He protects us...
and we protect him.

Will I ever get to meet him?

You'll meet him.

You sleep now.

You're Vincent.

Yes.

Mary said this
was the best water.

Want some?

No, thank you.

Don't turn away.

What's wrong?

You don't understand.

I've been hearing
about you.

It's almost like
you don't exist.

You're never around.

There are reasons.

What reasons?

We didn't want
to frighten you.

I want to see you.

Lena...

Don't be afraid.

I'm not afraid.

Don't punish yourself for
feeling alone, Lena.

I'm trying not to feel
that way anymore.

Good.

It's hard.

It's all I'm used to.

But I never...
would have dreamed

that there was
a place like this.

Or anyone like you.

Sometimes if you
let your mind go,

you can accept
things you wouldn't
believe possible.

Yeah, I got real good
at letting my mind go.

Where has it taken you?

Promise you won't laugh?

The mountains.

Every day I used
to pass this travel agent.

I could see a poster
through the window.

Deep green mountains.

That's where I went.

Don't you sometimes feel

like your whole life
could be different?

It can be.

Vincent, have you ever been
to the mountains?

No.

Me either.

God.

How do you feel?

Like I'm about
to explode.

Is your back hurting you?

It's killing me.

Come here, Vincent.

Now I want you
to bend over
just a little.

Now, Lena, I want you
to wrap your arms

around his neck.

Go on, it's all right.

Take the pressure
off the spine.

Now, Vincent, very slowly
I want you to lift her up.

Just a little.

How's that feel?

Better.

You let
her down now.

If it hurts,
it's all right to cry out.

If you can, try not
to raise your legs yet.

That's it.

Keep them straight.

Well, you're
doing fine.

Remember, breathe in
when you feel the
muscles contract,

breathe out when
they release.

That's good.

Breathe with
the contraction.

You're very
close now.

It won't
be much longer.

Be brave.

I'm trying.

That's good.

You're almost there.

Don't bear down yet,
don't bear down.

Short breaths.

That's right.
That's good, Lena.

Let the baby
do the work.

Go ahead, cry out
if it hurts. It helps.

It's time now, Lena.

Bear down.

There we go.

There's a good girl.

It's a little girl.

A girl?

Yes, a daughter.

I'd almost forgotten
how much it hurt.

Let me tell you something--

it hurts.

When I look at her, I forget.

She's amazing.

Isn't she?

I mean, yesterday she wasn't
even here.

Now suddenly there's
this new life.

You have a lot
to be proud of.

You're very lucky.

I guess I was due
for some good luck, huh?

You deserve it, Lena.

And no one can take
it away from you.

I didn't...

think it was possible.

So much has
happened so fast.

And it feels incredible, Cathy.

Like I filled up
a part of me

I didn't even know was there.

Hello.

Hello.

How about Rosalind?

No... Imogen.

Please, Father, Imogen?

What's wrong
with Imogen?

Well, for one thing
it's difficult to pronounce.

It was good enough
for Shakespeare.

Well, if it's Shakespeare
you're set on, then
why not Juliet

or Maria?
What's going on?

Oh, we were discussing
possible names

for the child.

After every birth,
the child is welcomed

into the community
with a naming ceremony.

Don't you think Lena
should have a say in it?

Of course.
Yes, by all means.

We were just, uh...
speculating.

I see.

Here, Vincent.

It's okay.

Hold her. Go on.

Our time together
is always so short.

Tell me something,
Vincent,

before I have to go.

What should I tell you?

Tell me how it felt
to hold a baby in your arms.

There are no words.

Hello, Vincent.

Come in.

Byron. You've
already finished?

No, not yet...

but I'm liking it.

Especially
the letters.

Then you should keep the book.

Thank you.

Vincent...

when we met...

do you remember we talked
about feeling alone?

I remember.

Well I've been thinking...

it doesn't have
to be that way.

Not anymore.

All these things keep coming
back into my head--

Everything
we've talked about.

Things I never talked
to anybody about before.

And I keep thinking about
when the baby came...

how you were there,
close to me...

close to her.

Let me love you, Vincent.

Lena.

I can feel your heart.

I will always cherish
the moment we first met--

how you saw me...

how you accepted me.

You did the same for me.

I know.

But... what you ask now...

is impossible.

Why?

Because...

my heart is bound to another.

Catherine?

Yes.

Do you love her?

With all that I am.

With all...
that I can ever become.

But she's not here.

Why isn't she with you?

She is where
she needs to be.

I-I can't expect...

But if she's not here,

how can she love you?

Lena, you don't
understand.

Her love opened
the world for me.

What... do you think
you've done for me?

Don't you see?

I've never loved anybody before.

So clearly, she has
misplaced her feelings,

projecting them onto you.

It's more than
that, Father.

There is something
true between us.

Then you believe her love
for you is real?

It is what Lena believes.

To deny that would be unfair.

Perhaps Catherine
could speak with her,

help her understand.

No, Father.

Not now, not yet.

Lena is still too fragile.

Vincent,
you must be very careful.

Allow time to come
between yourself and Lena,

and hope in the meanwhile
she will gain some perspective.

All her life, she has known
nothing but rejection.

And now,
just when she's come so far...

You cannot encourage her,
Vincent.

I know.

Lena will not be alone
in this, that I promise you.

I'll have a word
with Mary.

And I'll be there
for Lena myself.

Father.

When Lena came to me,
there was a moment.

A pull, beyond thought...

when I felt
what it might be like

to be someone else's
possibility.

But it was just a moment.

Shh...

Don't cry.

Go to sleep.

Don't you know, I never
had a momma to sing to me?

Don't you worry.

Nothing like that is ever
gonna happen to you.

You're not gonna be
anything like me.

You're gonna have
a different life.

You're gonna have a real family.

And they're never gonna do
anything to you you don't want,

except teach you things
you need to know,

and take care of you when
you need taking care of.

So don't you worry.

Hmm?

Vincent.

I didn't mean
to wake you.

I couldn't sleep.

Please, cover yourself.

Lena.

Don't be afraid.

I want to stay
with you tonight.

Please, Vincent.

For the first time,
it means something to me.

Don't send me away again.

Lena, you must go.

She's gone.

She fled in the night.

Her child...

She left her child behind.

Mary is watching
over her.

You couldn't have done
anything, Vincent.

Lena wasn't ready.

It's my fault
for not seeing that.

No, Catherine.

It was I who didn't see
or didn't want to see.

That she would leave?

That she would fall in love.

She was so vulnerable
and so frightened...

and yet I saw a part
of myself in her.

And I thought
if I'd just reach out to her,

she would accept my friendship.

Her need was too great.

Perhaps I should have
come to you sooner.

I understand why you didn't.

There was no gentle way...

to refuse her love.

I'm sorry, Vincent.

I'm sorry for what's happened.

I fear for what
is still happening,

for Lena.

I know.

I'll try to find her.

Happy Christmas.

I'm looking for a girl.

She's about 20, blonde,
her name is Lena.

Hey...

what she can, I can do better.

I'm sure you can,
but it's her I'm looking for.

What's her name again?

Lena.

Yo.

Anybody know a Lena?

Lena who?
Nah.

No luck, lady.

What you want her
for, anyway?

She's in trouble.

Who isn't?

Try Maurice, at the Penthouse.

989 Avenue C.

Hello?

Hello?

Maurice?

Maurice?

Hey!

Are you Maurice?

Some people call me Maurice.

Would you mind
putting down the flashlight?

Not if you don't mind
putting down that purse.

I'm looking for a girl.

Lena, right?

Word travels fast on the street.

Faster than light.

Street speed.

Then you know where she is.

I'm an information broker.

Does that mean yes?

It means I got to get
my commission.

Twenty-five dollars?

Woman, I don't sell

the time of day
for that kind of chump change.

Uh, then I'll have to owe you.

What you think,
I'm running a credit store?

Don't think
I'm gonna forget the debt.

1157 39th Street.

Apartment 202.

What do you want?

I came to see how you were.

Nothing you say is gonna
make me go back there.

You're your own
person, Lena.

I can't force you.

But your baby's down there.

She belongs there.

So do you.

I hate it there.

It doesn't matter-- it's not
a real place to me anymore.

This is real?

This is what I know.

This is what I do.

I do anything.

Anything you want,
I'll do it.

And you're okay
with that now?

Damn right.

It keeps you alive.

Keeps me alive.

A week ago,
you said it was killing you.

So that was then.

Things change.

What things?

Things.

Like your voice?

You don't even sound the same.

Don't you see
what you're doing?

Painting your face,
putting on this costume.

You're trying to make yourself
into someone else.

Don't... you give me that.

It hurts me to see
you like this.

I can't...

You remember what you
told me that first night?

About being outside?

That cold feeling.

Well, you can hide
there if you want,

but you've got a place
on the inside now,

with friends,
people that care about you.

It's your choice.

If you want me to leave,
just say so.

Leave.

If you ever want
to talk to someone...

I'm there.

Please...

...don't leave.

It's Vincent?

I love him.

I know.

So do I.

Welcome home, Lena.

Thank you.

It has been said that

the child is the meaning
of this life.

Today we celebrate the child,

this new life that has been
brought into our world.

We welcome the child...

with love,

that she may
be able to love.

We welcome
the child with gifts,

that she may
learn generosity.

And we welcome
the child with a name,

upon which, I believe,
Lena has decided.

Catherine.

Her name's Catherine.

Isn't it time
for the presents now?

Yes, Samantha, it's time.