Quantum Leap (1989–1993): Season 2, Episode 5 - Blind Faith - February 6, 1964 - full transcript

On the eve of the Beatles first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964, Sam has more than a few butterflies in his stomach when he leaps into a blind concert pianist, Andrew Ross. His girlfriend, Michelle Stevens is a meek young woman who still lives at home with her domineering mother. Sam learns from Al that unless something is done, Michelle will become the fourth victim of the Central Park Strangler. Sam has a plan to save her, but his immediate concern is just how he is going to perform a scheduled concert at Carnegie Hall.

There are always a few surprises
associated with time travel.

Some of them are small.

And some of them are not so small.

Leaping into the life of a working
woman taught me that surprises

and problems come in
all shapes and sizes.

Some were easy to handle.

Some were difficult.

And some were a pleasure.

But that's the great thing
about quantum leaping...

I can always count on it...
being a surprise.

Oh, boy.

Oh, God. I'm supposed to be blind.

Encore! Encore!
Encore! Encore!

Chopin. Chopin, come here.

Andrew, you were fantastic.

Encore! Encore! Encore!
Encore! Encore! Encore! Encore!

- Encore! Encore!
- They, uh... They want an encore.

- Well, of course they do.
Don't they, Chopin?

M-M-Maybe he's right.
Maybe we oughta just skip it.

I don't know what's wrong.
I mean, I've never seen him like this.

- Well, neither have I.
- Aren't you goin' out?

Uh...

Yeah. Right.

Out.

Andrew, you never cease to amaze me.

I can't wait to see what you're
gonna play tomorrow night.

I'm so proud of you, I can't stand it.

What I wouldn't give
to be in your shoes.

I think we could work something out.

Oh, no.
I could never do what you do.

All those people?

No, never. Step up.

I don't belong in the limelight,
but you do.

- What's wrong?
- Wrong? Oh, uh, nothing.

I was just...
I was just wondering what year...

what time it was,
and I thought I'd ask the news vendor.

That's incredible. How did you know
we were at a newsstand?

I just... I heard the newspapers
rustling in the wind.

Hey, what's wrong with your watch?

My wa...

- It's 11:30.
- Oh.

I guess I'm still kind of a little
keyed up from the concert.

Mind if I ask you a question?

As long as it's not about
anything personal or professional.

What made you
decide to play Chopsticks?

Um, it's the only thing
that came to mind.

Why are we stopping?

Because I told Mama
I'd be home by midnight.

- Your mother?
- I know. I know.

She still thinks I'm about 14.

Well...

But let's not get
started about her again.

You should at least wait until you
meet her before you make up your mind.

I mean, I'm sure the two of you
will get along just great.

You know, I've told her
all about you,

and she's just so anxious to make
a good impression, you know.

She just wants to wait until
everything is just right before...

Michelle, it's okay.

It'll wait.

Sorry.

Look, do you want me to pick up
your other tux at the cleaners tomorrow?

Uh, if... You know,
if it won't be a problem.

No. No, that's what assistants are for,
even if they are unpaid.

Well, you take care
of the maestro, Chopin.

Bye.

Bye.

2-D.

Bonsoir, Mr. Ross. Bonsoir, Chopin.

Going out for a walk?
Oh, they are tyrants.

Twice a day, rain or shine.

Ici, Napoleon.
Ici, Josephine.

Au revoir, Mr. Ross.

Au revoir.

- Yeah, yeah, yeah. All right.
- Not you too.

I'm... I'm sorry?

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." That's all you
hear now. Or, "Paul's my favorite."

"He's so dreamy.
Did you know that John was married?

Ain't that the pits?"

It's probably just a phase.

It's bad enough we've got this jerk
stretchin' necks in Central Park.

But now they got us pullin' double
shifts protecting these damn Brits,

so they can stay in one piece
long enough to play Ed Sullivan.

Personally, I'd rather see...
Topo Gigio.

A really big show!

Okay, okay.

I got your peanuts. Chopin is worse
than the kids on the beat.

- Well, take care, maestro.
- Yeah, you, um...

You too, Pete.

Couldn't you at least
spit out the shells?

Disgusting.
Come on. Get in here.

Oh, Mama!

Ma, you scared me.

Do you have any idea what time it is?

No. I'm sorry.
I guess I lost track.

How thoughtful.
I'm sitting here wondering...

if my only daughter is lying in a gutter
somewhere, and you're sorry.

I just went out for ice cream with a couple
of the girls after we finished studying.

- Which girls?
- Marcia and Aggie.

You could have called me.

I would have, but I didn't know
what time it was and...

I don't know.
I guess we just got to talking,

and before we knew it,
it was past midnight.

Well, that's a conversation
I would like to have heard...

since I know Marcia and Aggie spent
the entire night studying in the library...

without you.

You checked up on me?

You forgot something.

I guess it was too heavy, huh?

So, what do we do now?
Play 20 questions?

I went to a concert.

It was a recital at Carnegie,

and I got offered a ticket
at the last minute and I went.

That's wonderful.

I kill myself putting you
through nursing school,

and you go gallivanting through
the city with God knows who.

I wasn't with anyone.
It was just a concert.

And when you flunk your finals, it will
be more than just a concert, won't it?

And when your husband leaves you
with a hungry two-year-old...

and you don't have any
way to earn a living,

it will be more than just a
concert, won't it?

And when you wake up
20 years later...

and you realize that you're no longer
young and good-looking,

but you're tired and you're worn out
from tryin' to support that baby,

it will be more than
just a concert, won't it?

Yes, Mama.

Michelle.

Darling, no Prince Charming...

is gonna come along
and sweep you off your feet.

You have got to learn
to fend for yourself once I'm gone.

Yes, Mama.

Nursing is a worthwhile profession.

You earn a steady dollar, and there
will always be someone who needs help.

And remember:
A fool's dreams may be dreams,

- but they also belong to a fool.
- But they also belong to a fool.

Give Mama a kiss.

- Good night, dear.
- Good night, Mama.

What good is a piano bench
without piano music in it?

Well, most people sit on it and play.

Easy, boy. Easy. It's just Al.

That reminds me of a girl I used to know.
She had an act in Tijuana.

Her name was Evita Evilitita.

She used to lie on her back on the bench...

and play oldies with her toesies.

Then she would kneel on the bench and bend
over and play modern music with her...

Al... Al, I get the picture
and thank you.

She used to close the act singin' the
national anthem in 40 different languages.

Evita Evilitita.

Where do you suppose he
keeps his music around here?

I've been lookin' all over for it.

Sam, Andrew Ross is the Ray Charles
of classical music.

Um, Al, how does, uh...

How does Andrew
learn how to play all this?

- He plays by ear.
- Oh, boy, oh, boy, oh, boy.

Is there any chance I might leap outta
here before the concert tomorrow night?

Let's see.
We are in New York City.

- Today is...
- February 6, 1964.

Right. Oh, that's three days before
the Beatles play the Ed Sullivan Show.

- Al, why am I here?
- Sam, the women fainted...

and screamed
when they saw them on TV.

That's how come the next day,
I went out and bought a long-haired wig.

Got ya. All right. Let's see.

According to Ziggy,
Andrew's concert was a huge success.

- It won't be now.
- And... Oh, boy.

After the concert,
Michelle was strangled in Central Park.

- Is Ziggy sure about this?
- As sure as he ever is about anything.

Wait a second, Al.

We're forgetting something.
Andrew is blind, but I'm not.

I can prevent anything from happening to
Michelle in the park after... the concert.

Al, what am I gonna do?
I can't play a concert.

- Sure you can.
- I can?

- I'll help you.
- You're a concert pianist?

I couldn't play Chopsticks
in Chinatown.

- Then how?
- Trust me.

Come tomorrow night,
you will give a bravura performance.

- Al...
- I guarantee it.

Chopin, he's... he's gone.

Venez ici!
Josephine, Napoleon!

Josephine! Napole...

We want the Beatles!
We want the Beatles!

We want the Beatles!
We want the Beatles!

They're here! They're here!

Oh! I touched him! I touched him!

Oh, Sandy, I touched him!
I touched Ringo!

Oh. Oh!

Uh, here, here. Here.

Thank you. Thank you.

Chopin just saved you
a jaywalking ticket.

Pete.

Uh, Pete, I hate to tell you this,
but you ever think about takin' a shower?

Now, is that any way
to talk about my best gal?

Sorry, ma'am.

So... What, they got ya
guardin' the Beatles?

Nah. They got me babysittin'
these teenyboppers...

who are ready to drop their skirts
for these Liverpool longhairs.

Paul, I love you!

Women.
I, for one, don't understand 'em.

I guess that's why
I stuck with Daisy here.

I guess everything'll settle down
again once they leave town.

Maybe. But we still got
the twisto runnin' around.

I just heard on the radio
they found another body in the park.

Well, I gotta get outta here.
They must be leavin'.

See ya later, Pete.

What's wrong? You look upset.

- You aren't sick, are you?
- No. No.

It's just, uh... It's just a little
case of, you know, stage fright.

Come on. The chances of you having
stage fright are about as likely as...

a B-movie actor
becoming president.

- Stranger things have happened.
- Okay.

One extra lean 'stram on rye,
hold the kraut, push the "O."

One turk club, toasted,
lettuce, extra 'matoes.

Excuse me, Miss.
Um, you forgot the mustard.

- How did you know that?
- I, uh... I...

I didn't smell it.

No. See? No... No mustard.

That's incredible.

God, wouldn't it be wonderful
to have a sense of smell that sensitive?

Not with my husband's feet, no.

You know, you...
you have a very pretty smile.

I do?

I mean,
from the sound of your laugh,

I can tell that you
have a very pretty smile.

- No, it's not.
- You oughta try it more often.

Well, I don't get much chance around the
hospital, but it's different around you.

Well, it can't be my jokes.

It's just that around you,
I feel... I don't know... relaxed.

Like I can be me.

Now, about tonight...
no Carnegie Hall, no excuses.

Well, you don't really give
a fella much choice, do ya?

Not when it comes to eating
my mother's tuna casserole.

I'll do anything to get outta that.

When, um...
When am I gonna get to meet her?

Well, um, I invited her to go
to the concert tonight, you know,

but she's been working real hard.

A curse of being a single parent,
I guess.

All she wants to do at night
is fall into bed.

But she said she's really
looking forward to meeting you.

She must really be proud of you,
studying to be a nurse.

It's all she's ever wanted.

- And you?
- I don't know.

I like being around great music.

Well, then, you... you better stop
hangin' around with me.

Oh, my gosh!
I'm gonna be late for class!

You haven't finished.
You haven't... haven't, uh...

Listen, tonight after the concert,

let's... let's go have dinner.

Some place really nice.
You pick it.

- I don't know anyplace really nice.
- Okay.

Um, some place that's really
kind of just a little nice.

- I'd have to ask.
- Your mother?

No. Okay, dinner tonight.

Great.

Taxi! Taxi!

Andy was brilliant.
His technique flawless.

I didn't know how Al was going
to get me through the concert...

without ruining Andy's reputation.

After all, Chopsticks
might be funny once, but twice?

What?

Again?

I thought dogs only ate once a day.

Come on. Come on.

Your mother is afraid of cats.

- Hi, Sam.
- That wasn't very funny.

I thought it was.

- You would.
- I did.

Gee, this dog eats better than I do.

This dog works harder than you do.
What'll it be, Chopin?

You got your Mutt Morsels.

Sam... You're right. How could it
possibly taste as good as it sounds?

"Barko Bites.
Sam!

Shaped like tiny little cats
for the treats dogs love to eat."

Now, there's a neat trick...
a blind man reading a dog food box.

- You should have said something.
- I did.

I did. I said, "That's a neat trick...
a blind man reading a dog food box."

- You don't understand.
- Oh, I understand perfectly well.

Now, we can keep this real simple.

I don't like the sound of this, Sam.

What you do with your own life
is your business.

If you want to persist in this
blind charade, I won't stop you.

- But if you continue to see my daughter...
- You're Michelle's mother?

- More like the Wicked Witch of the East.
- I'm surprised you know.

- She never told me about you.
- Or is it the Wicked Witch of the West?

- How'd you get in here?
- The door was open.

I guess being blind,
you couldn't tell.

Yeah, th... that's right.

Personally, I don't give
a damn what your scam is

as long as it doesn't
hurt my daughter.

Look, Mrs. Stevens...

No, you look,
and I know you obviously can.

No one is going to take
my daughter from me. No one.

Now, either you stop seeing her,
or I expose you for the fake that you are.

Five minutes, Mr. Ross.

Chicken.

I'm sorry.

I really am.

C-Come in.

- Can I help you with that?
- What?

Oh. Uh, yeah.
I'm... I'm just a little nervous.

Oh, I'm sure you'll be great.

You sound pretty certain of that.

That's because
I have confidence in you.

But, um, not enough confidence
in yourself to tell your mother about me.

She paid me a visit today, Michelle.

- I was going to tell her...
- But you didn't.

I couldn't. You don't
understand what it's like...

to be told by someone that...
that you have no talent...

that you'll never
amount to anything...

and that you're not pretty enough
for anyone to ever want.

- But you are pretty.
- No. You're just saying that.

No, no.

I'm not just saying that.

It's true.

God, I'm such an idiot.
Don't listen to me.

- You're not an idiot.
- Yes, I am.

Only an idiot would complain
about their life to you.

I mean, people must have said horrible
things to you, but you still keep going.

- How do you do that?
- Sometimes...

I feel like a scientist
in the middle of an experiment...

that nobody else believes in.

But then,

you just have to tell yourself that you're
the only person you can listen to...

that you have to forget
about the others.

But I can't do that to my mother.

I mean, she's been stuck with me
ever since my dad left.

She's worked herself to the bone
to put me through nursing school.

I owe her at least that.

Michelle, she wants you to believe that.

But you owe her your love,
not your life.

Two minutes, Mr. Ross.

Thank you.

How'd you get so smart?

I guess I just see things
a little differently.

Al.

Come on. Don't do this.
I can't go on without you.

Without who, Mr. Ross?

Uh... Uh, just... Chopin.

I don't know. He just seems a little
reluctant to take me out on stage tonight.

You know, sometimes...

Come on, Al. Where are you?

Sam, you can do better
than Chopsticks.

Al...

He says he wants to play.

Sam, for your eyes only, a solo edition
of the Grieg Piano Concerto in A Minor.

I told you not to worry.

- Al, I can't play this.
- Of course you can play it.

Try it.

Try it!

My God, I'm playing the piano
in Carnegie Hall.

It's no big deal.

You've played here before.

I mean, you'll...
you'll play here later.

I mean, you'll play here sometime
in the future when you're 19.

You know what I mean.

All I need now are some sequins
and a candelabra.

Another night at the library?

I was going to tell you.

Oh, really? When?

- After you flunked out?
- Mama...

Or after he broke your heart?

I'm sorry.
There's no smoking backstage.

Michelle, I let her in here because
she said she was your mother,

but I can't have her
smoking backstage.

Mama, please.

- Why do you treat people like that?
- Because that's the way people treat me.

But maybe if you...
If I what?

If I were soft and sweet like you?

Wake up, Michelle.
The world is not carnations and tuxedos.

Not for you and me.
Look out there and listen.

He is a star.

Do you honestly
believe that he wants

someone as ordinary as you
clinging to him everywhere he goes?

- Why are you doing this to me?
- Because I don't want to see you get hurt.

You're just jealous that
I have a life and you don't.

Oh!

- He's not blind.
- What?

Your wonderful, sensitive
concert pianist is not blind.

It's an act, Michelle, just like
everything he's ever said to you.

Thanks, Al.

My pleasure.

Mrs. Stevens, what...

You can see her!

Michelle!

We want the Beatles!

Michelle!

Sam! Sam, over here!

- What's the matter? What happened?
- Al...

A flashbulb exploded in my face.
My eyes are on fire.

We gotta get you
to a hospital real fast.

No. There's no time for that.
Michelle's probably in the park already.

- God, my eyes are hurt!
- Oh, Sam.

Water, Al.

There's a fountain
across the street, Sam.

A fountain. Go!

Sam, watch out!

Thanks, buddy.

Now... get me across the street.

I owe you one, Chopin.

Al,

I... I can't see.

I can't see.

I may as well be blind.

That's it, Sam. Straight ahead.
Come on. You're doin' fine.

No, we're not.
We're wastin' too much time.

What do you mean, wastin' time? Most people
would be at the hospital right now...

having their eyes looked at
before they lost them!

While Michelle loses her life?
I'll risk my eyes. Come on. Let's go.

- Go faster, though. Go!
- All right. Let's go. Let's go. Come on.

- Now wait. Hold it, hold it.
- What? What's the matter?

There's a fork in the road now.
We gotta make a choice.

Which way, Chopin?
Which way to Michelle?

He's pointing this way, Sam.
Come on. Let's go.

Al, wait. He's on to something.

What is it? Chopin, what?

Sam, it's Michelle's purse.

- Pete!
- Michelle?

Oh, my God, Pete! Thank God!

Oh, God!

No!

- Michelle!
- Straight ahead, Sam.

There are steps down.
There are a lot of 'em.

You're almost at the bottom, Sam!
Be careful. Let Chopin go after 'em.

No! No!

Pete, no!

Pete! Remember, Pete?

- Help!
- Andy, it's Pete!

- Pete.
- Chopin's got him down.

The handcuffs are on the ground.

- Get his handcuffs!
- Where?

- Right in front of you.
- Careful!

- How far?
- Two feet.

Andy!

He kicked 'em, Sam.
Now they're over to the right.

Andy, be careful!

Don't let him move, Chopin.
Don't let him move.

Get him off of me!
Get him off of me!

Watch out!

- Good boy, Chopin.
- Andy!

Oh!

I gotta take care of girls
that wander in the park.

You understand, don't ya?
It's my job.

This never would have happened
if you'd stayed away from my daughter.

Mother, he saved my life.

How can you love a man
whose whole life is a lie?

What happened at the theater
was a misunderstanding.

Andy explained it to me.

He smelled your perfume
when he walked up to us.

You poor, innocent thing.
You don't have a clue, do you?

- Mama!
- My God.

You are blind.

Mother!

Go on. Go after her.

I'm not goin' anywhere.

Go on.

I wouldn't be too sure about that.

Al, I think I can see you.

How many fingers?

- Four.
- Close enough.

- It's gettin' better, Al.
- Remarkable things, the eyes.

The tears form a natural cleanser.

- It's good to see ya again, Al.
- Oh, I know.

I know.
I'm a sight for sore eyes.

We saved her life,
and I'm still here.

Well, you saved her physical life.

I don't know about her emotional one.

You know what I mean?

Yeah.

Yeah, I do. Chopin.

Come on. Come on.

Stay away from us.

- If that's what Michelle wants.
- She doesn't know what she wants.

Because you've made
all her decisions for her,

based on your life, on your problems.

My problems?

Michelle wasn't abandoned by her
husband and left with a child to raise.

- Let's go, Michelle.
- Mother...

Michelle loves you, Mrs. Stevens,

probably so much
that she'll go with you,

sacrifice her life to satisfy your anger.

- Is that what you want?
- I want her to have it better than I did.

- I love her!
- I know you do.

But it's a smothering love,

choking the life out of her
just as surely as Pete was.

And you won't, huh?

I hope not.

You going with him?

I want to,
but not if it means leaving you, Mama.

Maybe, um... Maybe it's time
I made my life a little easier.

I mean, why... why should I be up
all hours worrying about you?

I mean, why should I?
I have a life too, you know.

Y-Yes, Mama.

It's not over for me,
not by a long shot.

No, Mama.

Maybe somebody else should...
should take up the load.

Yes, Mama.

Oh, Mama.

That was very well done, Sam.

I think you opened her eyes.

Stop clowning around
and read the commercial.

Oh, my God. I'm a deejay.