Touched by an Angel (1994–2003): Season 1, Episode 3 - Tough Love - full transcript
A famous journalist takes a hard line regarding her daughter's drinking problem -- but her granddaughter may pay the price.
Wow.
This smells incredible, Tess.
Honey, will you wake up
and stop smelling the coffee?
Sooner or later,
you've got to drink it.
It's like life.
You never really know
how good it is
until you taste it.
And all coffee
doesn't taste the same.
What's espresso?
I always hear about espresso.
Strong and bitter.
Some people like it like that.
Straight-ahead,
rich, undiluted.
But there's another side
to an espresso kind of life:
Heartburn.
Well, that's the price you pay
for all that flavor.
You make it sound so dangerous.
Well, I've had my flings
with danger.
But my choice of coffee
is a good ol' cup of Joe.
Straight-ahead, honest,
no camouflage.
'Cause when you try to hide
what's underneath,
you just end up
feeling miserable.
Well, what are you doing here?
Monica, you're going
to meet a woman now
who doesn't know how
to deal with a plain cup of Joe.
So she keeps covering it up
and smoothing away the edges.
I found him.
You found him?
One of them?
But they seem so happy, Tess.
I made it.
Look who's here!
( laughing )
Happy birthday, baby!
( laughing )
Oops.
Oh, Mom!
Any questions?
♫ When you walk down the road ♫
♫ Heavy burden, heavy load ♫
♫ I will rise
and I will walk with you ♫
♫ I'll walk with you ♫
♫ Till the sun
don't even shine ♫
♫ Walk with you ♫
♫ Every time, I tell you
I'll walk with you ♫
♫ Walk with you ♫
♫ Believe me,
I'll walk with you. ♫
Great.
Oh, just get out of the way.
How do you get yourself stuck
in something like this?
Oh, get out.
Hello.
What?
Are you Elizabeth Jessup?
Who wants to know?
( laughs softly )
Can I help you?
No, I don't need any help.
What do you want?
My name is Monica.
I understand that you're writing
your memoirs
and I've been sent to help you
finish them.
Well, Monica.
I have never had a deadline
in my entire life
that I didn't make.
Once I turned in
a story in Saigon
on the back of my last
clean T-shirt. Hmm?
So you can go back
and tell those
pathetic publishers that
Elizabeth Jessup
has never missed a deadline.
But your manuscript was
due two months ago.
Yeah, well, that was
their deadline.
As far as I'm concerned,
I'm right on schedule.
Before you leave, you see
a newspaper around here?
See? Kids, they don't care.
They don't care where
they throw the thing.
Up, down, on the porch,
through the window.
Most of the time it ends right
up here on the roof.
Can I help you?
What is this, your big break
or something? Hmm?
You sit at the feet
of a legendary journalist
and one day you write
your own book
and you call yourself
my protégé?
Is that what this is?
You're not that legendary,
you know.
I'm "not that legendary,
you know."
Oh, brother, this...!
( Gasping )
Would you still
like me to leave?
Or should I stay?
Hmm.
Well, this is just a trial run
'cause I really don't need you.
But if it gets you a paycheck,
I guess you could stick around.
Want a drink?
Oh, I'd love a cup of
non-fat, decaf mocha latte
with a little nutmeg
on the side.
Or a cup of Joe.
I got iced tea.
Well, I haven't worked up
to tea yet.
But how about some water?
Do you take dictation?
Yes, perfectly.
I'm really fast.
Good.
I might send you out
a lot to do research.
I'm a stickler for detail.
It's my trademark.
Uh, yes, I know.
( Phone ringing )
Oh, I'll get it.
Uh-uh. No, no, no, no!
Don't answer that!
I've been getting a lot
of crank calls lately.
I can handle it.
Hello.
This is Monica.
Mrs. Jessup's new assistant.
( laughing )
Yes, it happened just like that.
Uh, certainly.
Would you hold on?
It's your daughter
and she wants to know
what time you want
them to come over.
Come over for what?
Well, it looks like you
invited them to dinner.
Oh, yeah.
I forgot about that.
Yesterday was my
granddaughter's birthday
and some idiot waiter
dropped the cake
and I suggested they might
come over tonight
and we could try again,
but... uh...
How about 8:00?
Great.
We'll see you then.
Bye-bye.
Gosh, you haven't
even met Sydney
and already you're
talking like her.
She sounds lovely on the phone.
Mm-hmm, that's because you
haven't met her yet.
The child's been contrary since
the day she was born.
Which, I might add, was at
a most inconvenient time.
The Six-day war.
I go into labor in London,
fly home and have her and don't
get back till day seven.
Wouldn't you know it?
But a baby.
That's so much grander
than any assignment.
Yes, like I said,
you haven't met her yet.
The girl's picture is next to
"milquetoast" in the dictionary.
No, seriously.
The only thing we have in common
is we always choose
the wrong men.
Hers die on her and...
( sniffing )
I just wore mine out.
Monica?
M... Oh... Monica.
Well, this looks beautiful.
( laughs )
And where the hell
did you find this china?
I haven't seen it since
Kissinger came to dinner in '75.
Man, could he eat.
I found it in the back
of your china cabinet.
Hope you don't mind.
Hmm, and what's this?
Our conversation
in the car today.
Get out.
"So, there I am
"standing on the Great Wall
of China,
freezing my blooming bottom
off..."
"My blooming bottom"?
Well, I, uh...
I-I did a wee bit of editing.
( Doorbell ringing )
Mmm.
They're here.
( Doorbell ringing )
Coming.
Very nice.
Hi.
Mom. Sydney.
Oh, there she is. My girl.
Oh.
Hi, Grandma.
Hi, sweetie.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
ELIZABETH: She loves
that music box.
Oh, you must be Monica.
Hello, Sydney.
Hi.
Monica's my new assistant.
I've just hired her
and I have begged her
to stay for dinner.
Oh. Good.
The house looks so together.
I was inspired.
Anybody want a drink?
Something smells good.
Mom hasn't cooked
a real meal in years.
( "Amazing Grace" playing )
So, Beth, I hear you had
a birthday yesterday.
You know, seven is a very
important age.
I know.
I get to learn how to read.
Wow.
Your mother must be
very proud of you.
Oh, I am.
She's my very special girl.
Anyone else want some iced tea?
I want some.
Oh, dear, you're
too young for iced tea.
But I'm seven now.
I know, that's what I mean.
Now where was I?
Oh, yes, Paris.
God, I love Paris!
One day I'm going
to take you, Bethie.
And we'll stroll
the Champs Elysees together
and eat croque monsieur
at midnight
on the banks of the Seine.
Mommy, have you even been
to Paris with Grandma?
No, I haven't, honey.
Your mother wasn't interested
in Paris, dear.
Travel makes her anxious.
It wasn't the travelling.
No?
No.
( "Amazing Grace" playing )
I think the last lover I had in
Rome was a new-wave director.
Now what was his name?
For heaven's sake. Mother?
Don't give me that
holier-than-thou
pious little look of yours,
Sydney.
When was the last time
you had a lover?
Might do you some good,
you know.
A-a good brisk walk
in the morning
always does me a lot of good.
( laughing )
That's enough
"iced tea," Mother.
( "Amazing Grace" playing )
Can we please just have the cake
and get this over with? Please?
What cake?
I'll get it.
Oh...
for heaven's sakes, Bethie.
Aren't you tired
of that damn thing by...
Give it to me.
I can't stand it another minute.
That's it!
That's it! Come on, Bethie,
we're going to go.
Oh, don't go.
Here, have some birthday cake.
No, I'm sorry, Monica.
This party is over.
Uh, we'll be back tomorrow.
Can you save us some? Thank you.
She wants some cake, Sydney.
What she wants
is a sober grandmother.
Come on, sweetie.
Sydney, I'm sorry.
I didn't realize.
What?
That your mother has
a drinking problem.
My mother doesn't have
a drinking problem.
My mother is an alcoholic.
A little harder.
Good. Doing good. Okay.
Now, see, this is the first rule
of journalism, darling.
You must learn to type
faster than you think
so you don't miss a story.
I think pretty fast, Grandma.
Yes, you certainly do,
and you're going to make
a wonderful reporter.
I didn't come here
to clean out your files, Mother.
Can you just give me
a general vicinity
where I can find this?
Sydney, why do you need
your birth certificate?
Because I got promoted,
and the bank is running
a new security check system.
Okay, Sydney's
birth certificate, um...
Check the file
under "M" for Middle East.
( Sighs )
Got it.
Wow, look at this.
"Dear Liz...
from Moshe Dayan."
Whoo!
She was quite a woman.
She still is.
( Typing )
Yeah.
( Typewriter bell dings )
Mother, what is this?
What is it, dear?
You're speaking at the
Mayor's Centennial Kickoff?
Uh, I don't want to talk
about that right now, honey.
It's not until the 15th.
This is the 15th.
Guess I'm not going, huh?
No, but they're expecting you.
No, they're expecting
a beautiful, intrepid
foreign,
roving correspondent, and...
( sighs )
Let's face it.
I'm not as roving
as I used to be.
Lift those wrists up.
Well, maybe it's time
you started again.
MAN: And so, on this, the 100th
Anniversary of our city,
it is only fitting that
the best of the best be placed
in our time capsule
to represent us for eternity.
( Camera shutter clicking )
Which leads me
to Elizabeth Jessup.
Elizabeth's distinguished career
as a journalist
of international reputation is
second to none.
And her awards
are too numerous to mention.
Oh, go on.
But they include
the Foreign Press Medal,
and of course,
the Pulitzer Prize.
Yes.
She has been courageous
in the face of war
and disaster...
and even politics.
( laughter )
She has brought honor
to herself,
and credit to her hometown.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Elizabeth Jessup.
MAN: Yeah.
( Applause )
( camera shutter clicking )
Legendary.
Thank you.
( Clears throat )
I can't tell you
what a thrill it is
to be here with you today.
And the reason
I can't tell you is
because I forgot
to write my speech.
( Microphone feedback )
( laughter )
But I am touched
that you're including me
in your time capsule,
or my writings, rather.
( laughter )
I can't imagine
I'd be comfortable
inside that thing.
( laughter )
But it would be
a great honor to be interred
with, um...
What did you say is
in there, Mayor?
A pound of wheat.
A picture of our new library.
Boy.
That ought to set their hair
on fire in 2094.
( Uncomfortable laughter )
How about a nude picture
of me instead?
( Microphone feedback )
Or all of us.
Right now.
That would do it, wouldn't it?
Whoo!
"Those guys a hundred years ago
sure knew how to make history,"
they'll say.
That reminds me.
I saw the mayor naked once.
( Clears throat )
Dived right into a pool
at the country club,
and his shorts fell off.
Talk about a news flash.
Mom, shh. That's enough.
Struggled against
significant obstacles
of the time...
I-I'm sorry.
Uh, she's on antibiotics,
and she shouldn't be drinking
right now.
I'm not finished.
Mom, let's go.
You never like to see me...
in the spotlight,
do you, Sydney?
ELIZABETH ( laughing ):
You never...
Elizabeth Jessup.
( Applause )
Mother, please sit down.
I will not.
I'm going home.
How dare you tell people
I'm taking antibiotics.
Now where's the bathroom?
Mom? Mom?
( sighs )
Do you have any idea
what it's like
to watch your own mother
self-destruct?
( Sighs )
( bird singing )
( sighs )
Yeah, I love her.
She's... she's my mother,
but I've given up.
No, you must never
give up, Sydney.
You know... you know what
the really hard thing is?
Is that I know, I know
what I need to do,
and I-I know what
it's going to take.
It's just I can't do it alone.
Well, then, I'll help you.
"The mayor's comments were
followed by the raucous
"and humorous reflections
of Pulitzer Prize-winning
journalist Elizabeth Jessup."
"Raucous."
They loved me.
I'm surprised
they can spell "raucous."
( doorbell rings )
I'll get it.
What did I say? Don't get that.
I'm sorry, Elizabeth,
but this time I have to.
( Footsteps )
Is something wrong?
( Sighs )
Mom, we're here today because...
because we love you.
Good.
Same here.
Now, I have work to do,
you know?
Mom...
we're concerned about you...
and your drinking.
( Door closes )
This is Anita.
She's a counselor
at the New Hope Center.
Hello, Elizabeth.
I've spoken with your
family, and they've
expressed to me
their love for you.
They also feel that
your drinking
is getting in the way
of your relationship with them.
They also agree
that unless you get some help
for your problem,
you can no longer
be part of their lives.
They've written you letters
about their feelings
and how your drinking
has affected them.
I drew mine with pictures.
Elizabeth...
after you hear their letters,
Sydney and I
have arranged to take you
to the New Hope Center
for our rehab program.
This is the single
most asinine thing
you have ever done
in your entire life.
Mom, we want to help you.
Help me, my ass.
You're trying to control me.
And I won't have it,
do you hear?
I won't!
Now what I do in the privacy
of my own home
is none of your business.
ANITA: That's just the
point, Elizabeth.
It has become their business.
That you'll use my granddaughter
to get back at me
for a problem that you
have had with me
ever since you could talk
is reprehensible!
Mom, your drinking
is hurting her, too.
Get out of my house.
ANITA: You realize,
Elizabeth,
your family will not have
any contact with you until...
I said, get out of my house!
Elizabeth, please...
Get out! All of you! Get out!
And don't you ever come back.
You too, get out!
Get out.
I'm available at this
number 24 hours a day.
Whenever you're ready.
Out!
Hello?
Elizabeth?
Oh...
Oh, Elizabeth.
You don't want
to give her that.
( Sighs ): Tess...
Am I glad to see you.
It didn't go at all well
yesterday.
Why do you think I'm here?
You got some tomato juice?
I don't think so.
Oh, never mind,
I'll make it myself.
Lots of iced tea, though.
Why didn't you tell
me from the start?
Well, when you met Elizabeth,
you made friends with
a very strong and talented
and interesting woman.
If you had known then
what you know today,
you might have just seen
the alcoholic and not the woman.
And that's who we love, and
that's who we want to help.
But she doesn't want any help.
Then it's up to you
to help her want it.
This could take years.
You got somewhere to go?
Tess, it's awful watching her
destroy herself like this.
Well, think how it looks to her.
ELIZABETH: She's back...
Little Mary Sunshine.
But she talks to herself
just like me.
This is not comforting.
I think I'm going to leave
the two of you alone.
ELIZABETH: Well, if you insist
on being here,
I could use a Bloody Mary
with some zip in it right now.
Well, here's one.
I'm afraid it's a bit
zipless though.
Whew.
It reminds me of Moscow
with Gromiko.
( Chuckling )
Elizabeth,
don't you get tired
of feeling like this?
Don't you see what
this is doing to you?
You know where
the door is, sugar.
All right...
I'm sorry about yesterday.
And I can understand
if you're worried,
but Sydney always overreacts.
I have learned how to drink.
I had to.
Wasn't easy being a woman in
my business and it still isn't,
but when I was starting out,
it was really a boys' club.
And if you wanted in, you drank.
Only trouble is.
I've had a couple of bad years,
so I'm home a lot now and...
Okay, maybe I drink
a little more.
Sydney sees that
and jumps to conclusions.
Don't worry about it.
It took a lot of courage
for Sydney to do
what she did yesterday.
Yeah, well... ( clears throat )
I am who I am,
and she still doesn't get that.
I wish you could've seen
her face
when they introduced you
the other day.
She's so proud of you.
Sure has a funny way
of showing it.
She's showing you that she loves
you enough to fight for you.
Well, did you come here
to work or to gab?
Got a lot of stuff for you
to look through.
( Doorbell rings )
Mom.
So I can't come in now?
Mom, I'm just trying
to help you.
Then how about showing a little
kindness and letting me in?
I can't.
I can't put up
with what you're doing.
All I'm doing is trying to give
my granddaughter a birthday gift.
And she can't accept it.
Well, why don't we ask her?!
Mother... Mother, not until
you get some help,
some professional help,
we can't have anything
to do with you. I'm sorry.
Sorry?
You're not sorry.
You're jealous.
This is just the stunt your
father would've pulled.
This house is falling apart.
And here it is.
The pin from my ejection seat.
The pilot gave this to you?
Honey, we lost two wheels
in ground fire.
There was no way I was going
to try to land that thing.
He thought it was
the least I deserved.
( Chuckling )
Well...
time for iced tea.
You think Sydney's right,
don't you?
Yes, I do.
If I want to see Beth,
I guess I have to play along
and show up at a meeting
or... something.
I deeply resent this though,
just for the record.
So I guess I better
find that silly card...
that I threw away.
Here it is.
Mm. She must've been
dropping these things
like bread crumbs.
All right, ready or not,
here I come.
Look at them.
This is pathetic.
They're here to get
help, just like you are.
Bobby.
We'll be starting real soon,
so, uh, just take a seat, huh?
Thank you.
Well, he seems pleasant enough.
Reminds me of kindergarten...
Too many bright, smiling faces.
I'm sorry,
this is a nonsmoking meeting.
You got to be kidding.
There are smokers' meetings.
They're listed
in your directory.
I can get you one.
Fascist.
See?
This is why I didn't want
to get involved in this.
They want to dictate every
detail of your life to you.
Well, to hell with them.
Elizabeth...
I'm so glad to see you here.
Well, look who's here.
I've been doing
a lot of thinking,
and there's something
I want to tell you.
If ever you come to my house
and try that trap again,
I will personally
rip out your arms
and use them to play
you like a marimba.
How dare you try to turn
my family against me.
I understand your anger,
Elizabeth.
You don't understand oatmeal.
And if I ever catch you
near me or them again,
I will sue for harassment
and assault.
Now come on.
I feel like champagne.
Well?
Are you coming?
I'm sorry, Elizabeth.
Well...
guess this means you're fired.
I guess it does.
"I understand your anger,
Elizabeth."
( knocking on door )
I'm coming.
( Jazz music playing )
( knocking on door )
♫ I used to lie awake
and wonder ♫
♫ If there could be ♫
Bethie...
Crossing enemy lines, are you?
Come on in. Come in.
Now you know you're
supposed to go
straight home after
school, don't you?
Your mother must be
having a heart attack.
But I miss you.
( Sighs )
Bethie...
look...
I'm... I'll make you a deal.
Come here.
You see this?
I want you to have this.
It's your favourite.
'Kay?
Then I'm going to give
your mother a call,
and you're going to go
home with her, okay?
Thank you.
All right, sweetie.
Why don't you come on in here
and watch the news
on television.
Do I have to watch the news?
You don't want to grow up
to be an uninformed
citizen, do you?
All right, come on.
Just don't make it too loud.
I got a headache.
WOMAN ( on TV ): And she wishes the
mayor who recently said he believes...
( fire crackling )
percent chance of showers...
( coughs )
( coughing )
Grandma!
Grandma!
Help me, Grandma, please!
Help me!
Grandma!
Grandma!
( Coughing )
Grandma! Grandma!
( Gasping )
Grandma! Grandma, please!
( Coughing )
( glass breaks )
( coughs, gasps )
BETH: Help me, Grandma, please!
Help me!
( glass breaks )
( siren wailing )
( coughs )
You got a little
smoke inhalation.
It isn't really serious,
but I'd recommend...
Mm-mm. I am not interested
in your recommendation.
I want out of
this place right now.
Don't want to spend
another minute here.
Ms. Jessup, you probably
shouldn't leave
in this condition.
Oh, honey, I have had
some conditions,
and believe me,
this is not one of them.
Now, I don't know
how I got in here,
but I can tell you
how I'm going to leave.
Through that door right now.
Look, let me keep
you here overnight
just for observation.
Take a good look.
Sydney,
take me home.
I should've known
you'd be drunk.
Sydney, please.
I don't need a lecture
right now.
It was very,
very nice of you to come.
Thank you.
Now just... just take me home.
I can't believe this.
You have no idea, do you?
Don't take that tone with me.
Don't you know what happened?
Well, it, um... it could've
been the radiator.
Could've been the furnace.
It could've been... they never
got the thing right,
I don't know.
You don't know
because you were drunk.
A neighbour saw somebody
carry Beth out just in time,
and it wasn't you.
You were passed out on the lawn.
You left my baby to die.
Bethie was there?
She's unconscious.
She took in a lot of smoke.
Sh-She's not responding
to sound or anything.
Sydney...
No, no, no. You leave us alone.
( Monitor beeping )
Okay... okay... okay.
If you can hear me,
this is Elizabeth.
And, uh...
and if you're really there,
I can't imagine why
you'd want to listen to me.
But Kissinger always said,
"Don't waste time
with the middleman...
Go to the top."
So...
I...
I could use some help here.
TESS: ♫ Amazing grace ♫
♫ How sweet the sound ♫
♫ That saved a soul like me. ♫
Excuse me.
Um... when a person
is in a coma,
they can hear what's going on
around them, is this true?
Sometimes.
I've had several patients
who respond to voices, music,
and a regular soap opera.
Thank you.
Is this what you're looking for?
Don't be afraid,
Elizabeth.
I'm an angel.
I was sent to you,
and I've been with you
all this time.
It was you.
You pulled Bethie out.
What else do you remember?
My cigarette...
I started it?
Yes, you did.
Oh, my God...
Oh, my God!
( Sobbing ): Oh, my God.
You've come to punish me.
No.
No...
No...
God loves you.
Why?
Because you're Elizabeth.
Not Elizabeth
the journalist,
or the prize winner...
or the alcoholic.
But because you're you.
God loves you.
Elizabeth, this is not
who you were created to be.
You spent your whole life
running
and running, trying
to catch up with
something that was
never there for you.
But all you've done is
go farther and farther
away from that precious love
that is always there for you.
Oh... now?
Now you've almost
lost that completely.
I'm sorry.
( Loud sobbing ): I'm sorry.
Oh, God, I'm so sorry!
What am I going to do?!
You just did it.
( Electronic beeping )
( music box playing
"Amazing Grace" )
Nurse! Nurse!
MAN: And it's really
made a difference,
and I just want to say thanks.
So thank you.
Thank you, David.
So do we have
any newcomers today
who'd like
to introduce themselves?
If you would just say
your first name
and anything about yourself
that you feel
comfortable sharing.
Yes.
My name's Barry.
ALL: Hi, Barry.
Hi.
Actually,
this is my second time,
but I didn't say
anything before.
I'm just back.
That's all.
That's all I can do right now.
ANITA: Thank you, Barry.
Anyone else?
Well, I think we have some
birthdays to celebrate today.
So who wants to go first?
Hi.
My name is Sydney,
and I'm an alcoholic.
ALL: Hi, Sydney.
Hi.
And as of today
I've been sober for one year.
( Applause )
I used to say that I was
an alcoholic
because my mother
didn't love me.
But nothing changed
until I admitted that
I was an alcoholic
because I didn't love myself.
Uh, I used to think
my mother was so glamorous.
She would go
to the most exotic places.
She would meet
the most famous people
and-and drink champagne
in crystal glasses from Paris.
I adored her.
But...
I always knew that she
was sorry that she had me.
I guess I-I cramped her style.
So, I... I tried
to make her happy
that I was born.
I drew her pictures.
I-I sent her letters
on the road.
I tried so hard to be
somebody that she could love.
But I couldn't compete
with the champagne.
And the harder I tried
the more I saw myself
through my mother's eyes,
which was dull, unexciting
and stupid.
And then one day I'm pouring
a drink for myself
in the afternoon,
and my little girl
comes in the house, and...
she looks at me and she says,
"Mommy, I'm so glad
that you were born."
And finally...
finally, for the first time
in my life...
( sobs )
so was I.
Mom?
Sydney.
I'm so sorry.
And I'm so glad you were born.
Happy birthday.
Do you mind sharing it with me?
Hello.
My name is Elizabeth...
and I'm an alcoholic.
ALL: Hi, Elizabeth.
Ah.
Any marimba playing
going on in there?
Beautiful music, Tess,
beautiful music.
That's going to be some kind
of interesting book of memoirs
she's going to write.
Aye, it'll be worth waiting for.
It always is, baby.
It always is.
♫ Amazing grace ♫
♫ How sweet the sound ♫
♫ That saved a wretch like me. ♫
This smells incredible, Tess.
Honey, will you wake up
and stop smelling the coffee?
Sooner or later,
you've got to drink it.
It's like life.
You never really know
how good it is
until you taste it.
And all coffee
doesn't taste the same.
What's espresso?
I always hear about espresso.
Strong and bitter.
Some people like it like that.
Straight-ahead,
rich, undiluted.
But there's another side
to an espresso kind of life:
Heartburn.
Well, that's the price you pay
for all that flavor.
You make it sound so dangerous.
Well, I've had my flings
with danger.
But my choice of coffee
is a good ol' cup of Joe.
Straight-ahead, honest,
no camouflage.
'Cause when you try to hide
what's underneath,
you just end up
feeling miserable.
Well, what are you doing here?
Monica, you're going
to meet a woman now
who doesn't know how
to deal with a plain cup of Joe.
So she keeps covering it up
and smoothing away the edges.
I found him.
You found him?
One of them?
But they seem so happy, Tess.
I made it.
Look who's here!
( laughing )
Happy birthday, baby!
( laughing )
Oops.
Oh, Mom!
Any questions?
♫ When you walk down the road ♫
♫ Heavy burden, heavy load ♫
♫ I will rise
and I will walk with you ♫
♫ I'll walk with you ♫
♫ Till the sun
don't even shine ♫
♫ Walk with you ♫
♫ Every time, I tell you
I'll walk with you ♫
♫ Walk with you ♫
♫ Believe me,
I'll walk with you. ♫
Great.
Oh, just get out of the way.
How do you get yourself stuck
in something like this?
Oh, get out.
Hello.
What?
Are you Elizabeth Jessup?
Who wants to know?
( laughs softly )
Can I help you?
No, I don't need any help.
What do you want?
My name is Monica.
I understand that you're writing
your memoirs
and I've been sent to help you
finish them.
Well, Monica.
I have never had a deadline
in my entire life
that I didn't make.
Once I turned in
a story in Saigon
on the back of my last
clean T-shirt. Hmm?
So you can go back
and tell those
pathetic publishers that
Elizabeth Jessup
has never missed a deadline.
But your manuscript was
due two months ago.
Yeah, well, that was
their deadline.
As far as I'm concerned,
I'm right on schedule.
Before you leave, you see
a newspaper around here?
See? Kids, they don't care.
They don't care where
they throw the thing.
Up, down, on the porch,
through the window.
Most of the time it ends right
up here on the roof.
Can I help you?
What is this, your big break
or something? Hmm?
You sit at the feet
of a legendary journalist
and one day you write
your own book
and you call yourself
my protégé?
Is that what this is?
You're not that legendary,
you know.
I'm "not that legendary,
you know."
Oh, brother, this...!
( Gasping )
Would you still
like me to leave?
Or should I stay?
Hmm.
Well, this is just a trial run
'cause I really don't need you.
But if it gets you a paycheck,
I guess you could stick around.
Want a drink?
Oh, I'd love a cup of
non-fat, decaf mocha latte
with a little nutmeg
on the side.
Or a cup of Joe.
I got iced tea.
Well, I haven't worked up
to tea yet.
But how about some water?
Do you take dictation?
Yes, perfectly.
I'm really fast.
Good.
I might send you out
a lot to do research.
I'm a stickler for detail.
It's my trademark.
Uh, yes, I know.
( Phone ringing )
Oh, I'll get it.
Uh-uh. No, no, no, no!
Don't answer that!
I've been getting a lot
of crank calls lately.
I can handle it.
Hello.
This is Monica.
Mrs. Jessup's new assistant.
( laughing )
Yes, it happened just like that.
Uh, certainly.
Would you hold on?
It's your daughter
and she wants to know
what time you want
them to come over.
Come over for what?
Well, it looks like you
invited them to dinner.
Oh, yeah.
I forgot about that.
Yesterday was my
granddaughter's birthday
and some idiot waiter
dropped the cake
and I suggested they might
come over tonight
and we could try again,
but... uh...
How about 8:00?
Great.
We'll see you then.
Bye-bye.
Gosh, you haven't
even met Sydney
and already you're
talking like her.
She sounds lovely on the phone.
Mm-hmm, that's because you
haven't met her yet.
The child's been contrary since
the day she was born.
Which, I might add, was at
a most inconvenient time.
The Six-day war.
I go into labor in London,
fly home and have her and don't
get back till day seven.
Wouldn't you know it?
But a baby.
That's so much grander
than any assignment.
Yes, like I said,
you haven't met her yet.
The girl's picture is next to
"milquetoast" in the dictionary.
No, seriously.
The only thing we have in common
is we always choose
the wrong men.
Hers die on her and...
( sniffing )
I just wore mine out.
Monica?
M... Oh... Monica.
Well, this looks beautiful.
( laughs )
And where the hell
did you find this china?
I haven't seen it since
Kissinger came to dinner in '75.
Man, could he eat.
I found it in the back
of your china cabinet.
Hope you don't mind.
Hmm, and what's this?
Our conversation
in the car today.
Get out.
"So, there I am
"standing on the Great Wall
of China,
freezing my blooming bottom
off..."
"My blooming bottom"?
Well, I, uh...
I-I did a wee bit of editing.
( Doorbell ringing )
Mmm.
They're here.
( Doorbell ringing )
Coming.
Very nice.
Hi.
Mom. Sydney.
Oh, there she is. My girl.
Oh.
Hi, Grandma.
Hi, sweetie.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
ELIZABETH: She loves
that music box.
Oh, you must be Monica.
Hello, Sydney.
Hi.
Monica's my new assistant.
I've just hired her
and I have begged her
to stay for dinner.
Oh. Good.
The house looks so together.
I was inspired.
Anybody want a drink?
Something smells good.
Mom hasn't cooked
a real meal in years.
( "Amazing Grace" playing )
So, Beth, I hear you had
a birthday yesterday.
You know, seven is a very
important age.
I know.
I get to learn how to read.
Wow.
Your mother must be
very proud of you.
Oh, I am.
She's my very special girl.
Anyone else want some iced tea?
I want some.
Oh, dear, you're
too young for iced tea.
But I'm seven now.
I know, that's what I mean.
Now where was I?
Oh, yes, Paris.
God, I love Paris!
One day I'm going
to take you, Bethie.
And we'll stroll
the Champs Elysees together
and eat croque monsieur
at midnight
on the banks of the Seine.
Mommy, have you even been
to Paris with Grandma?
No, I haven't, honey.
Your mother wasn't interested
in Paris, dear.
Travel makes her anxious.
It wasn't the travelling.
No?
No.
( "Amazing Grace" playing )
I think the last lover I had in
Rome was a new-wave director.
Now what was his name?
For heaven's sake. Mother?
Don't give me that
holier-than-thou
pious little look of yours,
Sydney.
When was the last time
you had a lover?
Might do you some good,
you know.
A-a good brisk walk
in the morning
always does me a lot of good.
( laughing )
That's enough
"iced tea," Mother.
( "Amazing Grace" playing )
Can we please just have the cake
and get this over with? Please?
What cake?
I'll get it.
Oh...
for heaven's sakes, Bethie.
Aren't you tired
of that damn thing by...
Give it to me.
I can't stand it another minute.
That's it!
That's it! Come on, Bethie,
we're going to go.
Oh, don't go.
Here, have some birthday cake.
No, I'm sorry, Monica.
This party is over.
Uh, we'll be back tomorrow.
Can you save us some? Thank you.
She wants some cake, Sydney.
What she wants
is a sober grandmother.
Come on, sweetie.
Sydney, I'm sorry.
I didn't realize.
What?
That your mother has
a drinking problem.
My mother doesn't have
a drinking problem.
My mother is an alcoholic.
A little harder.
Good. Doing good. Okay.
Now, see, this is the first rule
of journalism, darling.
You must learn to type
faster than you think
so you don't miss a story.
I think pretty fast, Grandma.
Yes, you certainly do,
and you're going to make
a wonderful reporter.
I didn't come here
to clean out your files, Mother.
Can you just give me
a general vicinity
where I can find this?
Sydney, why do you need
your birth certificate?
Because I got promoted,
and the bank is running
a new security check system.
Okay, Sydney's
birth certificate, um...
Check the file
under "M" for Middle East.
( Sighs )
Got it.
Wow, look at this.
"Dear Liz...
from Moshe Dayan."
Whoo!
She was quite a woman.
She still is.
( Typing )
Yeah.
( Typewriter bell dings )
Mother, what is this?
What is it, dear?
You're speaking at the
Mayor's Centennial Kickoff?
Uh, I don't want to talk
about that right now, honey.
It's not until the 15th.
This is the 15th.
Guess I'm not going, huh?
No, but they're expecting you.
No, they're expecting
a beautiful, intrepid
foreign,
roving correspondent, and...
( sighs )
Let's face it.
I'm not as roving
as I used to be.
Lift those wrists up.
Well, maybe it's time
you started again.
MAN: And so, on this, the 100th
Anniversary of our city,
it is only fitting that
the best of the best be placed
in our time capsule
to represent us for eternity.
( Camera shutter clicking )
Which leads me
to Elizabeth Jessup.
Elizabeth's distinguished career
as a journalist
of international reputation is
second to none.
And her awards
are too numerous to mention.
Oh, go on.
But they include
the Foreign Press Medal,
and of course,
the Pulitzer Prize.
Yes.
She has been courageous
in the face of war
and disaster...
and even politics.
( laughter )
She has brought honor
to herself,
and credit to her hometown.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Elizabeth Jessup.
MAN: Yeah.
( Applause )
( camera shutter clicking )
Legendary.
Thank you.
( Clears throat )
I can't tell you
what a thrill it is
to be here with you today.
And the reason
I can't tell you is
because I forgot
to write my speech.
( Microphone feedback )
( laughter )
But I am touched
that you're including me
in your time capsule,
or my writings, rather.
( laughter )
I can't imagine
I'd be comfortable
inside that thing.
( laughter )
But it would be
a great honor to be interred
with, um...
What did you say is
in there, Mayor?
A pound of wheat.
A picture of our new library.
Boy.
That ought to set their hair
on fire in 2094.
( Uncomfortable laughter )
How about a nude picture
of me instead?
( Microphone feedback )
Or all of us.
Right now.
That would do it, wouldn't it?
Whoo!
"Those guys a hundred years ago
sure knew how to make history,"
they'll say.
That reminds me.
I saw the mayor naked once.
( Clears throat )
Dived right into a pool
at the country club,
and his shorts fell off.
Talk about a news flash.
Mom, shh. That's enough.
Struggled against
significant obstacles
of the time...
I-I'm sorry.
Uh, she's on antibiotics,
and she shouldn't be drinking
right now.
I'm not finished.
Mom, let's go.
You never like to see me...
in the spotlight,
do you, Sydney?
ELIZABETH ( laughing ):
You never...
Elizabeth Jessup.
( Applause )
Mother, please sit down.
I will not.
I'm going home.
How dare you tell people
I'm taking antibiotics.
Now where's the bathroom?
Mom? Mom?
( sighs )
Do you have any idea
what it's like
to watch your own mother
self-destruct?
( Sighs )
( bird singing )
( sighs )
Yeah, I love her.
She's... she's my mother,
but I've given up.
No, you must never
give up, Sydney.
You know... you know what
the really hard thing is?
Is that I know, I know
what I need to do,
and I-I know what
it's going to take.
It's just I can't do it alone.
Well, then, I'll help you.
"The mayor's comments were
followed by the raucous
"and humorous reflections
of Pulitzer Prize-winning
journalist Elizabeth Jessup."
"Raucous."
They loved me.
I'm surprised
they can spell "raucous."
( doorbell rings )
I'll get it.
What did I say? Don't get that.
I'm sorry, Elizabeth,
but this time I have to.
( Footsteps )
Is something wrong?
( Sighs )
Mom, we're here today because...
because we love you.
Good.
Same here.
Now, I have work to do,
you know?
Mom...
we're concerned about you...
and your drinking.
( Door closes )
This is Anita.
She's a counselor
at the New Hope Center.
Hello, Elizabeth.
I've spoken with your
family, and they've
expressed to me
their love for you.
They also feel that
your drinking
is getting in the way
of your relationship with them.
They also agree
that unless you get some help
for your problem,
you can no longer
be part of their lives.
They've written you letters
about their feelings
and how your drinking
has affected them.
I drew mine with pictures.
Elizabeth...
after you hear their letters,
Sydney and I
have arranged to take you
to the New Hope Center
for our rehab program.
This is the single
most asinine thing
you have ever done
in your entire life.
Mom, we want to help you.
Help me, my ass.
You're trying to control me.
And I won't have it,
do you hear?
I won't!
Now what I do in the privacy
of my own home
is none of your business.
ANITA: That's just the
point, Elizabeth.
It has become their business.
That you'll use my granddaughter
to get back at me
for a problem that you
have had with me
ever since you could talk
is reprehensible!
Mom, your drinking
is hurting her, too.
Get out of my house.
ANITA: You realize,
Elizabeth,
your family will not have
any contact with you until...
I said, get out of my house!
Elizabeth, please...
Get out! All of you! Get out!
And don't you ever come back.
You too, get out!
Get out.
I'm available at this
number 24 hours a day.
Whenever you're ready.
Out!
Hello?
Elizabeth?
Oh...
Oh, Elizabeth.
You don't want
to give her that.
( Sighs ): Tess...
Am I glad to see you.
It didn't go at all well
yesterday.
Why do you think I'm here?
You got some tomato juice?
I don't think so.
Oh, never mind,
I'll make it myself.
Lots of iced tea, though.
Why didn't you tell
me from the start?
Well, when you met Elizabeth,
you made friends with
a very strong and talented
and interesting woman.
If you had known then
what you know today,
you might have just seen
the alcoholic and not the woman.
And that's who we love, and
that's who we want to help.
But she doesn't want any help.
Then it's up to you
to help her want it.
This could take years.
You got somewhere to go?
Tess, it's awful watching her
destroy herself like this.
Well, think how it looks to her.
ELIZABETH: She's back...
Little Mary Sunshine.
But she talks to herself
just like me.
This is not comforting.
I think I'm going to leave
the two of you alone.
ELIZABETH: Well, if you insist
on being here,
I could use a Bloody Mary
with some zip in it right now.
Well, here's one.
I'm afraid it's a bit
zipless though.
Whew.
It reminds me of Moscow
with Gromiko.
( Chuckling )
Elizabeth,
don't you get tired
of feeling like this?
Don't you see what
this is doing to you?
You know where
the door is, sugar.
All right...
I'm sorry about yesterday.
And I can understand
if you're worried,
but Sydney always overreacts.
I have learned how to drink.
I had to.
Wasn't easy being a woman in
my business and it still isn't,
but when I was starting out,
it was really a boys' club.
And if you wanted in, you drank.
Only trouble is.
I've had a couple of bad years,
so I'm home a lot now and...
Okay, maybe I drink
a little more.
Sydney sees that
and jumps to conclusions.
Don't worry about it.
It took a lot of courage
for Sydney to do
what she did yesterday.
Yeah, well... ( clears throat )
I am who I am,
and she still doesn't get that.
I wish you could've seen
her face
when they introduced you
the other day.
She's so proud of you.
Sure has a funny way
of showing it.
She's showing you that she loves
you enough to fight for you.
Well, did you come here
to work or to gab?
Got a lot of stuff for you
to look through.
( Doorbell rings )
Mom.
So I can't come in now?
Mom, I'm just trying
to help you.
Then how about showing a little
kindness and letting me in?
I can't.
I can't put up
with what you're doing.
All I'm doing is trying to give
my granddaughter a birthday gift.
And she can't accept it.
Well, why don't we ask her?!
Mother... Mother, not until
you get some help,
some professional help,
we can't have anything
to do with you. I'm sorry.
Sorry?
You're not sorry.
You're jealous.
This is just the stunt your
father would've pulled.
This house is falling apart.
And here it is.
The pin from my ejection seat.
The pilot gave this to you?
Honey, we lost two wheels
in ground fire.
There was no way I was going
to try to land that thing.
He thought it was
the least I deserved.
( Chuckling )
Well...
time for iced tea.
You think Sydney's right,
don't you?
Yes, I do.
If I want to see Beth,
I guess I have to play along
and show up at a meeting
or... something.
I deeply resent this though,
just for the record.
So I guess I better
find that silly card...
that I threw away.
Here it is.
Mm. She must've been
dropping these things
like bread crumbs.
All right, ready or not,
here I come.
Look at them.
This is pathetic.
They're here to get
help, just like you are.
Bobby.
We'll be starting real soon,
so, uh, just take a seat, huh?
Thank you.
Well, he seems pleasant enough.
Reminds me of kindergarten...
Too many bright, smiling faces.
I'm sorry,
this is a nonsmoking meeting.
You got to be kidding.
There are smokers' meetings.
They're listed
in your directory.
I can get you one.
Fascist.
See?
This is why I didn't want
to get involved in this.
They want to dictate every
detail of your life to you.
Well, to hell with them.
Elizabeth...
I'm so glad to see you here.
Well, look who's here.
I've been doing
a lot of thinking,
and there's something
I want to tell you.
If ever you come to my house
and try that trap again,
I will personally
rip out your arms
and use them to play
you like a marimba.
How dare you try to turn
my family against me.
I understand your anger,
Elizabeth.
You don't understand oatmeal.
And if I ever catch you
near me or them again,
I will sue for harassment
and assault.
Now come on.
I feel like champagne.
Well?
Are you coming?
I'm sorry, Elizabeth.
Well...
guess this means you're fired.
I guess it does.
"I understand your anger,
Elizabeth."
( knocking on door )
I'm coming.
( Jazz music playing )
( knocking on door )
♫ I used to lie awake
and wonder ♫
♫ If there could be ♫
Bethie...
Crossing enemy lines, are you?
Come on in. Come in.
Now you know you're
supposed to go
straight home after
school, don't you?
Your mother must be
having a heart attack.
But I miss you.
( Sighs )
Bethie...
look...
I'm... I'll make you a deal.
Come here.
You see this?
I want you to have this.
It's your favourite.
'Kay?
Then I'm going to give
your mother a call,
and you're going to go
home with her, okay?
Thank you.
All right, sweetie.
Why don't you come on in here
and watch the news
on television.
Do I have to watch the news?
You don't want to grow up
to be an uninformed
citizen, do you?
All right, come on.
Just don't make it too loud.
I got a headache.
WOMAN ( on TV ): And she wishes the
mayor who recently said he believes...
( fire crackling )
percent chance of showers...
( coughs )
( coughing )
Grandma!
Grandma!
Help me, Grandma, please!
Help me!
Grandma!
Grandma!
( Coughing )
Grandma! Grandma!
( Gasping )
Grandma! Grandma, please!
( Coughing )
( glass breaks )
( coughs, gasps )
BETH: Help me, Grandma, please!
Help me!
( glass breaks )
( siren wailing )
( coughs )
You got a little
smoke inhalation.
It isn't really serious,
but I'd recommend...
Mm-mm. I am not interested
in your recommendation.
I want out of
this place right now.
Don't want to spend
another minute here.
Ms. Jessup, you probably
shouldn't leave
in this condition.
Oh, honey, I have had
some conditions,
and believe me,
this is not one of them.
Now, I don't know
how I got in here,
but I can tell you
how I'm going to leave.
Through that door right now.
Look, let me keep
you here overnight
just for observation.
Take a good look.
Sydney,
take me home.
I should've known
you'd be drunk.
Sydney, please.
I don't need a lecture
right now.
It was very,
very nice of you to come.
Thank you.
Now just... just take me home.
I can't believe this.
You have no idea, do you?
Don't take that tone with me.
Don't you know what happened?
Well, it, um... it could've
been the radiator.
Could've been the furnace.
It could've been... they never
got the thing right,
I don't know.
You don't know
because you were drunk.
A neighbour saw somebody
carry Beth out just in time,
and it wasn't you.
You were passed out on the lawn.
You left my baby to die.
Bethie was there?
She's unconscious.
She took in a lot of smoke.
Sh-She's not responding
to sound or anything.
Sydney...
No, no, no. You leave us alone.
( Monitor beeping )
Okay... okay... okay.
If you can hear me,
this is Elizabeth.
And, uh...
and if you're really there,
I can't imagine why
you'd want to listen to me.
But Kissinger always said,
"Don't waste time
with the middleman...
Go to the top."
So...
I...
I could use some help here.
TESS: ♫ Amazing grace ♫
♫ How sweet the sound ♫
♫ That saved a soul like me. ♫
Excuse me.
Um... when a person
is in a coma,
they can hear what's going on
around them, is this true?
Sometimes.
I've had several patients
who respond to voices, music,
and a regular soap opera.
Thank you.
Is this what you're looking for?
Don't be afraid,
Elizabeth.
I'm an angel.
I was sent to you,
and I've been with you
all this time.
It was you.
You pulled Bethie out.
What else do you remember?
My cigarette...
I started it?
Yes, you did.
Oh, my God...
Oh, my God!
( Sobbing ): Oh, my God.
You've come to punish me.
No.
No...
No...
God loves you.
Why?
Because you're Elizabeth.
Not Elizabeth
the journalist,
or the prize winner...
or the alcoholic.
But because you're you.
God loves you.
Elizabeth, this is not
who you were created to be.
You spent your whole life
running
and running, trying
to catch up with
something that was
never there for you.
But all you've done is
go farther and farther
away from that precious love
that is always there for you.
Oh... now?
Now you've almost
lost that completely.
I'm sorry.
( Loud sobbing ): I'm sorry.
Oh, God, I'm so sorry!
What am I going to do?!
You just did it.
( Electronic beeping )
( music box playing
"Amazing Grace" )
Nurse! Nurse!
MAN: And it's really
made a difference,
and I just want to say thanks.
So thank you.
Thank you, David.
So do we have
any newcomers today
who'd like
to introduce themselves?
If you would just say
your first name
and anything about yourself
that you feel
comfortable sharing.
Yes.
My name's Barry.
ALL: Hi, Barry.
Hi.
Actually,
this is my second time,
but I didn't say
anything before.
I'm just back.
That's all.
That's all I can do right now.
ANITA: Thank you, Barry.
Anyone else?
Well, I think we have some
birthdays to celebrate today.
So who wants to go first?
Hi.
My name is Sydney,
and I'm an alcoholic.
ALL: Hi, Sydney.
Hi.
And as of today
I've been sober for one year.
( Applause )
I used to say that I was
an alcoholic
because my mother
didn't love me.
But nothing changed
until I admitted that
I was an alcoholic
because I didn't love myself.
Uh, I used to think
my mother was so glamorous.
She would go
to the most exotic places.
She would meet
the most famous people
and-and drink champagne
in crystal glasses from Paris.
I adored her.
But...
I always knew that she
was sorry that she had me.
I guess I-I cramped her style.
So, I... I tried
to make her happy
that I was born.
I drew her pictures.
I-I sent her letters
on the road.
I tried so hard to be
somebody that she could love.
But I couldn't compete
with the champagne.
And the harder I tried
the more I saw myself
through my mother's eyes,
which was dull, unexciting
and stupid.
And then one day I'm pouring
a drink for myself
in the afternoon,
and my little girl
comes in the house, and...
she looks at me and she says,
"Mommy, I'm so glad
that you were born."
And finally...
finally, for the first time
in my life...
( sobs )
so was I.
Mom?
Sydney.
I'm so sorry.
And I'm so glad you were born.
Happy birthday.
Do you mind sharing it with me?
Hello.
My name is Elizabeth...
and I'm an alcoholic.
ALL: Hi, Elizabeth.
Ah.
Any marimba playing
going on in there?
Beautiful music, Tess,
beautiful music.
That's going to be some kind
of interesting book of memoirs
she's going to write.
Aye, it'll be worth waiting for.
It always is, baby.
It always is.
♫ Amazing grace ♫
♫ How sweet the sound ♫
♫ That saved a wretch like me. ♫