Family Ties (1982–1989): Season 2, Episode 21 - Diary of a Young Girl - full transcript

♪ I bet we've been together
for a million years ♪

♪ and I'll bet we'll be together
for a million more ♪

♪ oh, it's like
I started breathing ♪

♪ on the night we kissed

♪ and I can't remember
what I ever did before ♪

♪ what would we do, baby

♪ without us?

♪ what would we do, baby

♪ without us?

♪ and there ain't no nothin' ♪

♪ we can't love
each other through ♪



♪ ooh-hoo

♪ what would we do, baby

♪ without us?

♪ sha-la-la-la

Well, Jen, you're all set.

You've got your stuffed animals,

your clock radio,
and your baseball cards.

Is there anything else
we can get you before we go?

Yeah.

Get me out of here!

I don't want to have
my tonsils out.

Honey, we've been through this.

Having your tonsils out
is a very simple procedure.

There's nothing to worry about.



Have you had yours out, mom?

Wha... no.

Dad?

Uh, let's see...

Uh. No, I-I've still got mine.

Mallory?

I wanted to.

Nice chatting with you...

Uh, no, you don't. No, come on.

Come on, sweetheart.

I apologize if he isn't,

but is this person
related to you?

Why does everybody
always ask us that?

This is our son, Alex.

See? Will you let go
of me now, please?

With pleasure.

Alex, why are you
in a white coat?

He's been making rounds.

I was making an informal survey

of the quality of care
in this institution.

My sister is gonna be up there
on that table tomorrow,

and I want to make sure
everything is okay.

By the way, I think
Mrs. Ferguson in 104

could use another
20 milligrams...

Alex!

You're going to
have to leave now.

Visiting hours are
just about over.

Please don't tell anyone
he's my brother.

They might take it out on me
when I'm unconscious.

Don't worry, young lady.
We are professionals.

We don't let
our personal feelings

interfere with our work.

A pox on you!

Don't worry, Jennifer.
Everything's gonna be fine.

Honey, just relax
and try and get some rest.

Okay?

I'll try.

Don't worry, Jen.

You'll be back in your own bed
tomorrow night.

Sleep well.

Bye. Bye.

You know, Jen, if I were you,

I would stretch
this thing out, you know?

I mean, have one tonsil
out tomorrow,

have another one out
in a month or so.

You double your sympathy.

Come on, Dr. Keaton.

Yeah, I promised Mrs. Ferguson

I'd check on her.

Bye.

Jennifer: Dear diary...

Well, here I am in the hospital.

I'm not scared.

Well, maybe a little.

Okay, I'm petrified.

What if something happens to me?

What if I never
see my family again?

I know I complain a lot
to you about them,

but I love 'em.

What if I never
get to say I'm sorry

for all those bad things
I've done?

I don't know why I've been
acting so childish lately.

Maybe it's because I'm a child.

Mallory and I used to have
so much fun together

when we were younger.

Now she's a lot more
interested in boys and clothes

than she is in me.

I guess I'm jealous.

I could understand
being interested in clothes,

but the part about boys,
I just don't get it.

Mallory, do you want to
play checkers tonight?

Do I look like I'm dressing
for checkers, Jennifer?

No, I'd say that's more
of a Parcheesi outfit.

Mallory, you promised
you'd play with me.

I got everything all ready.

Jennifer, I don't have
time for childish games.

I have a date tonight.

Do I look all right?

Your cheeks are uneven.

What do you mean?

I mean there's more red stuff
on one side than the other.

I don't have any red stuff on.

Wow, then you're
really in trouble.

Jennifer, you're
making me nervous.

You're always nervous
before a date.

No, I'm not.

Then why'd you brush your teeth

seven times in the last hour?

Maybe she's going out
with a dentist.

I happen to be going out
with Kevin Jenkins.

I've had a crush on him
since the beginning of the year.

Do you mind, Alex?

No, I don't mind.

How does Kevin feel about it?

He doesn't know.

Oh.

That's Kevin. I'm not ready.
What should I do?

We'll, uh... We'll entertain him

while you're making
yourself presentable.

Okay.

We'll, uh...

We'll set him up
in the guest room.

Yo. Come on in.
You must be Kevin.

You must be Alex. Yeah, yeah.

Guess, uh...

Guess Mallory's told you
a lot about me, huh?

Yeah. How'd your shock
treatments work out?

Fine. Uh, just... Fine.

Good.

Hi. I'm Jennifer.

You're Jennifer?

You know, from the way
Mallory described you,

I thought you were just a baby.

Ha ha...

Ahem.

Uh, that... that's funny,
isn't it?

Yeah. Goo-goo.

Tell me, Kevin,

how is it that you, uh...

That you know our dear sister?

I sit in front of her
in biology.

Mallory's had a crush
on you for a long time.

Uh, Jennifer...

I didn't know that.

I don't think
you were supposed to.

Oops. Silly me.

You know how us babies are.

So... Uh,

where are you two
young people off to tonight?

Well...

I thought we'd go see the, um...

The nuclear-disarmament film.

Mallory said
she loves documentaries.

Did she?

She's also said
that she's interested

in a lot of the same causes
that I am...

Disarmament, protecting
our natural resources,

improving diplomatic relations
with third-world nations.

That's our Mallory.

So, Kevin, can I interest you

in some swampland in Florida?

Kidding. Joking.

Well, I got
another shock treatment.

I gotta go.

They, uh, double the voltage
if you're late.

Are you saying
that Mallory just pretended

to be interested in those things
because I am?

You got it.

You mean, she wouldn't
be interested

in a documentary
on nuclear disarmament, then?

She might be interested

in what the protesters
are wearing.

I think I get the picture.

Hi, Kevin.

Love your sweater.

See what I mean?

Well, uh, Mallory, suppose you
tell me where you want to go

since you don't
like documentaries.

But I love documentaries.

That's not what I hear.

Jennifer,

what have you been
telling Kevin?

Just making small talk.

And what kind of movies

does Mallory really
like, Jennifer, huh?

Why are you asking
her what I like?

Because maybe she'll
tell me the truth.

What is that supposed to mean?

Well, Jennifer's been
telling me quite a lot.

Oh, really?

Well, maybe you'd like
to bring her along

with us on the date.

Maybe I would.

I'll get my coat.

Maybe you'd rather not
go out at all.

Well, maybe you'd rather not go.

Fine. Let's not go.

I have to wash my hair
tonight anyway.

Me too.

I mean, I have to shave...

Again.

Well...

See you around.

Yeah. We'll see you.

Ready for checkers?

That was really
horrible, Jennifer.

Jennifer: I knew I was
being horrible.

But I just couldn't stop myself.

I wanted Mallory to stay home

and play with me
like she used to.

I wish I'd grow up already.

Then maybe I wouldn't
do so many stupid things,

like the way I blew up at dad

when he wouldn't
let me have my way.

It started like any other day.

Mom was late,

Mallory was looking
in the mirror...

Alex was being pompous.

Hi, kids. Bye, kids.

I will see you tonight.

Whoa, wait a minute.
Wait a minute.

What is it, Alex?

Ma, don't you know that
the key to a successful day

is a good breakfast?

Girls, make your mother
some breakfast.

Frankly, I just don't
have time today.

Mom, can I go to the movies
with Chrissy tonight?

Now, honey, you went
to the movies

with Chrissy last night.

That was Chrissy's birthday.
It was an exception.

I don't like you going out
on a school night

two nights in a row.

Well, if dad says yes, can I go?

No. And I don't
want you to ask him.

I don't like it
when you do that.

Now I got to run, honey.

Mom.

I worry about you.

I know the feeling.

Hey. Morning, dad.
Mallory: Hi, dad.

Oh, hi, Alex. Hi, sweetheart.

Hi, daddy!

Oh, sweetheart.

Gee, don't you look
very handsome today.

Well... Thank you, Jennifer.

No, I mean it.

You know, the way a man dresses
tells us a lot about him.

That tie, for example,

says that you're
an open-minded individual.

That's what they say.

One tie is worth
a thousand words.

That's very funny, dad!

Did you guys hear that?

Say it again, dad, please.

One tie is worth...

Dad... We heard it.

Hey, take it easy, dad.

My side hurts from laughing.

Ooh.

Daddy, I was thinking
of going to the movies

with Chrissy tonight.

You know Chrissy...

The one who thinks you're
such a wonderful man.

I got to get out of here.

Uh... What did your mother say?

Mom?

I know she was talking
about how happy she is

being married to a man like you.

I can't take it, either.

Jennifer...

You went to
the movies last night.

It was Chrissy's birthday.
It was an exception.

I don't want you going out
two school nights in a row.

Do you and mom rehearse?

Jennifer.

Okay, we'll compromise.

If you don't want me
going to the movies

on a school night...

I won't go to school tomorrow.

All right.
That sounds reasonable...

Wait a minute!

No way, Jen. Cut it out!

I thought you guys were
supposed to be so...

Liberal, so open-minded.

Sure had me fooled.

Jennifer, I thought
I made myself clear.

This discussion is over.

You can't go.

Come on, dad.

Chrissy's father
said she could go.

Well, I'm not Chrissy's
father, I'm your father.

Too bad for me, isn't it?

Hol... a minute ago,
I was father of the year.

Yeah?!

Well, things change fast
around here, buster!

And I'll tell you
another thing...

That tie... is right-wing!

Jennifer: Dear diary...

Guess who.

Good guess.

I keep waking up.

I guess it doesn't matter
if I'm tired in the morning

'cause they're just gonna
put me to sleep again.

I sure hope my surgeon's

getting a good night's
sleep, though.

I just dreamt that I went home
after the operation,

and nobody recognized me
without my tonsils.

There was another girl
living in my room

who looked just like me,

but she was a lot nicer
than I am.

She didn't argue with anyone,
not even Alex.

You remember Alex,
don't you, diary?

Sure, you do.

How could you forget him?

Girls, girls. I need your help.

I need you to rehearse with me.

I'm trying out for a part
in the school play.

Now, what I'd like you to do...

Mallory. Yo, Mallory.

Uh, where you going?
Aren't you gonna help me?

No, Alex.

I have too much respect
for the theater.

Besides,
"Gilligan's Island's" on now.

Alex, why the sudden
interest in the theater?

I have always been
interested in the theater.

Jennifer, the theater

happens to be
a link to the past.

It's an art form
as old as man himself...

A continuum of Judeo-Christian
amusement as we know it.

Besides, Melanie Parker's
playing the female lead.

Say no more.

Uh, look, the, uh...

The play we're doing

is called
"A Streetcar Named Desire."

I'm trying out for the role
of Stanley Kowalski.

It's a part that calls for
raw, unbridled manly passion.

Maybe they'll let you
work the lights.

Jennifer, can you put down
the apple, please?

Why?

Well, because
you can't read lines

and chew at the same time.

Brando could do it.

You're not Brando.

That makes two of us.

All right?

Hey, there, Stella, baby.

All right. Okay, all right.

Why you laughing?

Your accent.

You sound like Deputy Dawg.

I happen to have a perfectly
acceptable Southern accent.

Susie Sperber's from Virginia,

and she doesn't talk like that.

I'm not doing Susie Sperber.

I'm doing Stanley Kowalski.

Look, Jennifer, this is
very important to me.

Okay.

Okay, all right. Listen...

I'm gonna go outside

and pretend I'm calling you
from the street.

I want you to stand right here

and pretend you're answering me
from the balcony.

Gotcha, Stanley.

Okay.

Hey, there, Stella, baby.

Stella-a?

Hey, Stella!

Jennifer!

Hey, Jennifer!

Jennifer:
Alex didn't get the part...

Or Melanie Parker.

Why did I give him
such a hard time?

Sure, he's not a normal person,

but he's a good brother.

Stella!

Jennifer: He always helps me
when I need it.

Mom says I should be nicer.

She's right.

I think I feel worst of all
about the way I treated her.

It's not easy for her
going back to work

after all these years.

I haven't made it any easier.

I hope you like this.

I've never made soufflé before.

No kidding.

Is there a power saw
in the garage?

I'm... i-I'm sure
we'll love it, uh...

Won't we, kids?

Well, I suppose it's within
the realm of possibility.

Ahh.

Well, what do you think?

Uh, Jennifer, can you pass me
the water, please?

Sure.

Thank you.

I think you went
a little overboard

on the pepper, Mallory.

I only put in a cup.

Boy, if mom keeps working
through dinner,

we're all gonna lose
a lot of weight.

I'm gonna get some
leftovers from the fridge.

Jennifer, your mom's
working very hard now.

I'm sure she'd rather
be home for dinner.

But it's a new job, and there's
a lot for her to learn.

Yeah, Jennifer. Once she knows
her job is secure,

she can slack off.

You know, Mallory,
in your own unwitting fashion,

you just explained
why socialism can never work.

I wish mom were home more often.

I keep forgetting
what she looks like.

That's her, Jennifer.

Hi.

What a day!

The computer kept printing out

football standings
instead of floor plans.

And then on the way home,
Steven,

the car started acting up.

Will you take
a look at it, please?

It's in the engine...

But it's spreading.

We're having leftovers
tonight, mom.

I kind of ruined dinner.

But I'll make it up to you
when I cook breakfast tomorrow.

Did I mention I'm having
breakfast in Europe tomorrow?

Looks like somebody forgot
to do the breakfast dishes.

Whose turn was it?

Mine.

Oh.

Why didn't you do them?

Guess I forgot.

Oh. It's your responsibility
to remember.

What's the difference?

You're gone all day.
Who's gonna notice?

Well, just because I'm working

doesn't mean you can shirk your
responsibilities here at home.

Why not? You do.

Uh, Mallory?

I think this would
be a good time

for you and me to be
anywhere but here.

Alex, for once in our lives,
I agree with you.

I think I'll go with them.

Not until you tell me
what's going on.

I'm just tired of doing
so many chores all the time.

Well, nobody likes chores,
but everybody has to do them.

Alex and Mallory didn't
have to do so many

when they were my age.

We're not talking
about Alex and Mallory.

We're talking about Jennifer.

Since when did you care
about Jennifer?

What do you mean?

Mom, if you cared about me,

you wouldn't have had me last!

Jennifer!

Well, it's true.

When Alex and Mallory
were young,

you were always home for them.

I hardly ever see you.

W-why didn't you tell me
you felt like this before?

Because you were too busy.

Oh, it looks like
we have a real problem.

Look, why... why don't
you sit down... sit down,

and we'll talk?

Oh, I don't have time.
I have to do my chores.

You know, mom, ever since
you started working,

it's been no fun around here.

Hope you're happy.

Oh!

Jennifer: Poor mom.

She got stuck
with a spoiled soufflé

and a spoiled brat.

How could I be so selfish?

I'm so proud of her
for going back to work,

and being so good at it.

I want to be just like her
when I grow up,

except for one thing.

I want a nicer daughter than me.

Well, diary, I know one thing...

If I make it through
this operation okay...

Which I probably won't,

the first thing I'm gonna do

is tell everyone in my family
how sorry I am

for all those selfish things
I did to them.

Oh, sure, Mallory,
go ahead and laugh.

I am never gonna be able
to show my face

in this hospital again,
and you think it's funny.

I'm sorry, Alex.

It's just I've never
seen a man faint before.

Well, keep it down.

There's nothing to be
ashamed of, Alex.

It happens to a lot of people
when they give blood.

Yeah, those two old ladies
in front of me

looked really woozy.

Great.

The next time the family
gives blood,

just drop me off
at the nearest quilting bee.

I think she's waking up.

Jen, you okay?

No... Shh.

Don't try and talk.

The doctors want you
to save your throat.

Don't worry, your voice
will be back in a day or two.

The operation
went just fine, Jennifer.

The doctor said it was so easy,

he could have
done it blindfolded.

In fact, he wore... Steven!

I'm just...

What a trouper!

I think she wants to
play charades.

Uh, writing, writing a book.

A book, a book title...

"From Here to Eternity."

Alex: No. Uh, no.

Uh, no... "No, no, Nanette"!

You know, I think maybe
she wants a pencil and paper.

Honey.

I didn't know you kept
a diary, Jennifer.

I thought I was
the only one who did.

No, no. Yours is
the only one we read.

"You would have been
a great Stanley."

Uh, thanks, Jennifer.

I think I make
a pretty good Alex.

What is she talking about, Alex?

I don't know, dad.

Is she still under sedation?

"You look very pretty
when you go out on dates."

Yeah. Definitely
still under sedation.

Thank you, Jennifer...

I'm afraid you'll
have to leave now.

Our patient needs her rest.

Okay. See you later, Jen.

Oh...

I heard about your little
mishap at the blood bank.

I hear you dropped like a stone.

Great.

No, honey. No, no.
No more games.

Just listen to the nurse and
try and get some rest, honey.

We'll be back later, okay?

Steven: Bye-bye. It's okay.

Bye.

Hon, time for a nap.

You trying to tell me
something, dear?

Oh. I see.

You want to play charades.

Oh.

You want me to read this.

"I love you."

Well, isn't that sweet, dear?
I love you, too.

Oh, I see. This is for them.

Well, I'm sure
they know you love them.

Now you try to get some sleep.

We love you, too, darling.

That's my girl. She's right.

Yeah.