Get yourself up here
- I am Vicki Rusk - Warren Schmidt
John was so excited to meet you
Oh! gosh, you shouldn't have!
Smells delish
I hope you like beef stew
Hey, there he is
- How are you - Good, good
Can I take your jacket?
Sure
Something burning?
Oh, no, no no
I just lit a couple of matches that's all.
Shall we adjourn to the living room? while Vicki...
- You're almost done aren't you hon? - Oh, just about. John...
- Warren brought us beer - aw, thank you Warren
Here, have a seat
Right there take that one
Okay
so, ah, what do you do back in Au Clair?
well, my brother and I we have a shoe store
Ya, it's a Famous Footwear And ah...
well, people will always need shoes
Vicki here, she's an occupational therapist
So, that's our day job, you might say.
How about yourself?
Oh, I was in the insurance game but...
I'm retired now
Okay boys… dinner is served
Now these, this is a couple we met in Kansas when we were in Kansas
remember I was telling you about the guy with wooden leg?
We loved them
we spent a whole weekend with them out in Kansas
And this is Roger, Denise and their daughters
Now, Denise is your oldest?
No, she's the middle one. They live out in Delaware.
And these little cuties are Katty and Sloan
A girl named Sloan, I've never heard that one before.
Neither have we
Do you have pictures of your daughter with you?
Umm... No
Not on me... I don't.
Nothing in your wallet?
Well...
I might have one of George Washington
Or Abraham Lincoln
Who?
Oh! Hey! we're a little low on truth serum...
If I go get us another 6 pack, you guys will be okay?
I'll be back in a flash.
Here's a little cart we got them for Christmas. Is that cute?
- Oh that's darling. - adorable little dresses
And these are their Christening dresses
That's quite a family you've got there.
you and John are very lucky
Oh, I know, we really are
Would you mind if I make an observation?
Sure
You put a pretty good face on things considering everything you've been through lately.
And I know, I've just met you
but, I have good instincts about people and...
The feeling I get from you is that...
despite your good attitude
and your positive outlook
I think inside...
you're a sad man.
Well...
Does take quite an adjustment there when you lose a spouse
Ya, but something more than that... I see something more than grief and loss
something deeper
Like what?
Well, I just met you, but...
my guess is anger
Ya, anger and
I don't know, maybe, fear, loneliness
I am kind of lonely
See there, I knew it.
Can I tell you something?
I'm listening
I've only known you for an hour or so
and yet...
I feel like you understand me better than my wife, Helen, ever did
even after 42 years of marriage
42 years.
Maybe if I'd met someone like you earlier.
Oh, you sad man... you sad, sad man
Oh, you sad man.
Get off me, are you insane?
God! What is wrong with you?
I don't know what of ideas you got mister...
But you better go right now
I'm sorry
No, no go! I don't care about sorry, go!
Go!
Can I have my jacket?
Go!
Ray?
It's Warren
I know we separated on a bit of a sour note...
But I just thought I should call and tell you that
I've done some thinking, and... some soul searching, and...
well...
I just wanted to tell you that I'm willing to talk about this because...
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Helen?
What did you really think of me?
Deep in your heart.
Was I really the man you wanted to be with?
Was I?
Or were you disappointed?
Too nice to show it.
I forgive you for Ray.
I forgive you.
That was a long time ago
I know I wasn't always the king of kings
I let you down
I'm sorry, Helen
Can you forgive me?
And so, Ndugu
I must say it's been a very rewarding trip
And this morning
I awoke from my night in the wilderness completely transformed
I'm like a new man for the first time in years...
I feel cleared
I know what I want, I know what I've got to do
and nothing's going to stop me ever again.
Meanwhile, along with usual check
I'm enclosing a little something extra to spend as you please.
Yours very truly
Warren Schmidt
Warren, how grand to see you again.
Well, I hope I'm not intruding
Not at all, I was happy to get your call and learn you were finally in town.
I'll bet that trip did you a lot of good after all you've been through.
I sent you a card. Did you get my card?
Oh, yes
Lovely card, thank you
But I want to say it to you in person
I am so sorry about Helen
I only met her that once
but we talk often on phone after the engagement
She was a fine, fine woman
A fine, fine human being.
Thank you
So, what can I get you to drink, I'll bet you can use a cocktail?
Oh no, I'm fine
I'll just wait 'till the kids get here
Well, I'm having Manhattan
Well, what the heck, make it 2
Okay
That's better
This last week has been so stressful
The only way that Helen is lucky
And I do mean the only way...
is that she didn't have to go through this week with Jeannie and me
the florist, the dress, the relatives, the travel arrangements
the motels, the bridesmaids, the groomsman, the gowns
And you realize how many people still have not RSVP?
Oh, Warren...
It simply does not stop
By the way, we do still need that check for the church
Did Jeanie mention it to you?
because we've needed it for some time now
and actually it's been a problem
Roberta
What?
I can't make it god damned thing to work I mean somebody really screwed it up.
Would you excuse me?
None of your fuckin problem. don't you have enough to deal with?
That's why I offered to come over and help. You know, I am trying to help!
Well this is no help! I mean, look at it, what do you expect me to do now?
Well, I will fix it. But you have to tell me how you want it.
I'm not a mind reader.
I'll do it myself! Like I have to do everything else around here.
- Just get out - I'm not a mind reader.
Do you understand English? Get out!
I am sorry
You met Larry last time?
Just briefly
He's like a little boy
Ever since our divorce,
he thinks the only way he can get my attention is by causing a fuss
I understand it, I do... I just...
I feel sorry for him
My first husband was exactly same way
he turned out to be real ass hole
Now, Randall, he knows how to treat a woman
Honestly, don't you think he's something special?
Well, I know Jeannie seems to be very taken with him.
Well, that always helps, doesn't it
When I had my hysterectomy
that boy did not leave my side for one minute
not one minute.
People used to raise their eyebrows
because I breast feed him 'till he was almost 5
and I say, well, you just look at the results
I had raised a sensitive devoted boy
who has turned into a sensitive, devoted man.
And he's also quite easy on the eye
If I do say so myself.
Don't you agree?
Oh, look who's here.
Dad, how's it hangin'?
Fine
You're finally here. I'm stoked. Hi mom.
Oh God... how was your trip? I was a little worried.
Oh, just great, ya...
Did run into a lot of traffic getting into town this afternoon
we ended up here and off the 25 on to 70 and that wasn't any better.
I guess it must have been construction or accident or something.
That's Denver for you.
You won't catch me driving on Interstate
What you want to do next time is get off 25 at Spear
and take a left... that'll turn into 1st, which will lead you directly to Gaylord.
Oh, that's good to know
Here Randall, bring daddy to the kitchen
Jeannie, I need to talk to you about something
Sure, Dad, can you wait?
It's very important
I need some time with you alone
Definitely, maybe after dinner
Say, Randall
How was that investment situation work out for you?
You never called me
Don't bring that up
You mean that pyramid scheme?
No, it wasn't
All I know is I lost 800 bucks
Well, if you stuck with it a little longer
you would've seen results
- You bailed out too soon. - Can we change the subject, please?
You just didn't find enough quality reps of your own
and you screwed the whole thing up for me too
You didn't take time to understand
how that power system works
principle, ownership, wealth
As father of groom
I'd like to welcome our guest
Larry, we know who you are
and you're going to have plenty of chances to make toast
tomorrow, and the next day...
Let me finish, please
Can't we just enjoy our food?
Okay, enjoy your food
but I have something I want to say
anyway, I just wanted to acknowledge that we're
gathered together around this table
as a family for the very first time
And on behalf of Sandra and myself
I wanted to welcome Warren
who has journeyed a very long way to be with us here tonight
And Warren, we really, really love Jeannie very, very much
I also want to say how proud I am
Larry
You're embarrassing yourself
You're embarrassing me
- You're embarrassing Sandra - No, he's not
Sandra, please?
Anyway, I am done
You're interrupting me I am already done.
Why do you have to spoil a perfectly enjoyable evening?
Why do always do this?
Why do you have to be so negative?
I'm not negative
you're just trying to grab all the attention
I'm not negative. That's not negative?
All I was doing was welcoming somebody into the family
Larry, we've been welcomed by you
thank you so much
Would you please just drink your fucking milk and shut the fuck up?
Get some rest
See you tomorrow
- Warren - Larry
Get some sleep
Very nice to meet you too
- Jeannie - Yes?
I still want to talk to you
Oh, yeah, right
Well can it wait?
Because we got a really big day tomorrow
No, it can't
Take your time, I'll get the car started.
- Good night Warren - good night
What's up?
You're making a big mistake
Don't marry this guy… Don't do it.
What are you talking about?
The other night I had a dream
and it was very real. Your mother was there.
and you were there and you were aunt Estelle...
and there was a...
it wasn't really a spaceship, it was more like a blimp, or orb of some kind.
a then a bunch of weird creatures came out
and started to try to take you away
and you want to know what?
they all looked like Randall
Do you understand
and I was jumping up trying to save you
Dad, it's okay
You're just wigging out a little and
Mom is not here to calm you down, so...
No. This isn't like that
I am begging you don't marry Randall
this guy is not up to snuff he's not in your league.
I can't let this happen. I will not allow it.
I mean, look at these people
All of a sudden you're taking an interest in what I do?
You have an opinion about my life... now?
Okay, you listen to me
I am getting married the day after tomorrow, and
You're going to come to my wedding
and you are going to sit there, and enjoy it and support me
or else, you can just turn right around right now
and go back to Omaha
You come back here
I'm talking to you young lady
Good morning, Mr. Sleepy Head
Warren, what is the matter?
Oh, I'm fine
I'm just a little stiff in my neck
I'm okay
Did you fall out of bed?
- Let me help you - No, no
I think I'm better off on hard surface.
I don't know
It still seems pretty weird for this to be happening today
of all days
Sorry, Jeannie
I'm sure I'll rally in a couple of hours. This Advil's kicking in pretty good.
We've been really stressed out here the last two weeks
while you were out on your little trip
We've been kind of just barely holding this thing together and
so now for you to just crap out on us
I think it's the bed
No way
That's a Auqua-red Z-9000 it's top of the line
It's definitely not the bed
I don't know...
I think I need something firmer
Alright, fine, let's deal with this, OK?
Dad, where is that receipt that I gave you?
Receipt?
Yeah, for the programs at the printers you were going to pick up?
- It's over there - Where?
On the chair
I guess now Randall, you're going to have to pick them up
What do you mean? I don't think so. I gotta to go get Brian and David at the airport
I can't do everything, Randall
I can not do everything!
I know.
Get off of me
I'll do it. Thanks for everything, Dad
- Jeannie - fuck you!
Anybody hungry?
I can eat a horse
How about some chicken noodle soup?
Wonderful
Anything for me in the bedpan?
Yes
Jeannie told us all about your little panic attack last night
and I don't blame you
It's a perfectly natural reaction
in the beginning, I had my own reservations
as the veteran of 2 failed marriages
I have learned a lot
about what works and does not work between 2 people
I can tell you these kids are in very good shape
They have a very healthy relationship
spiritually, emotionally and physically.
And you already know how famously they get along as friends, but
Did you know that their sex life is positively white hot?
The main reason both my marriages failed was sexual
I am extremely sexual person. I can't help it.
It's just how I'm wired...
Even when I was a little girl,
I had my first orgasm when I was 6 in ballet class
Anyway, the point is, that I have always been very easily aroused
and very orgasmic
Jeannie and I have a lot in common that way
Clifford and Larry... they were nice guys, but
they just could not keep up with me. Anyway,
I don't want to betray Jeannie's confidence, but
Let me assure you
that whatever problems those 2 kids may run into along the way,
They will always be able to count on what happens between the sheets
to keep them together.
More soup?
No
I think I'm fine now
How are we doing?
Just dandy. Couple of more Advil ought to do it.
You look like you need something stronger. Give me a second.
I have these left over from my hysterectomy
They've expired, but I think it's OK.
- What is it? - Percodan
I guarantee you, within a half an hour, you'll be on cloud 9
Following the procession
Im going to have the bride and groom accompany me
and I'd like the best man and the maiden of honor to follow closely, all right
But don't forget to leave the bride and groom space
They need room to maneuver, in here
and the father of bride, Mr. Schmidt
will have seat in the front row right there
Alright?
Mr. Schmidt?
You want to go ahead and take your seat in front row right there?
Please?
If I could be permitted a personal note
I learned about love from my parents
Two extraordinary people who were married 62 years
And they're here, right here in this room tonight
I can feel them
Hello, Mom, hi, Pop
I miss you
I love you
I know that every time I look at Randall and Jeannie I just think...
Randall's hands and mine are a lot alike and...
Jeannie's hands are...
You seem to have come around pretty good there, Warren
that stuff you gave me... Wow!
you gotta write the name of that down for me.
Really does the trick.
I know what'll really get you out of woods
as soon as we get home, I'm going to fire up the hot tub
and you're going to take a long soak before bed.
sleep like a baby
tomorrow you'll be good as new.
How does it feel?
This is incredible
I had no idea.
it's indescribable
Didn't I tell you?
Mind if I join you?
That's better
Oh, what a night!
I was very moved.
I've been so stressed these these last few weeks, that I...
kind of lost sight of the fact that my
little boy is getting married
so's your little girl
you think about it from the day they're born... now it's here
It's a miracle
Just think, after tomorrow, we'll all be one big family.
and I'm going to insist you consider this your 2nd home
I'll set a place for you at the table for Thanksgiving and for Christmas
Oh, and we don't give traditional gifts at Christmas
We make them. We're a very creative family.
It can be a painting, or a poem, or a song
Whatever inspires you
Oh, and of course, it goes without saying,
you'll come with us to our time share up in Brokenridge
It'll be just you and me while the kids are out on the slopes
Here we are, a divorcee and widower
Sounds like perfect match to me.
What's the matter?
I have to go to bed now
Just like that?
We were having such a nice talk
I'm all tuckered out, thank you, Roberta
Good night
Let us pray
Dear heavenly father
Our hearts are filled with great happiness.
For the union of Randall and Jeannie
Love is patient, love is kind
Love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude
it does not insist on its own way
I shall love you every day of my life
And when I say every day I mean every day
When I say day I mean all 24 hours
all 1440 minutes
all 86,400 seconds
Do you Randall Mead Hertzel
take Jeannie Boardwine Schmidt as your lawful wedded wife?
I do
and do you Jeannie Boardwine Schmidt
take Randall Mead Hertzel to be your lawful wedded husband?
I do
I now pronounce you husband and wife
I can tell there's something different in his voice, and
remember Randy you called me up
he says, Dennis
I met this girl last night, and uh, ya, uh,
this sound a little weird coming from me, but,
But... this is one chick
I might actually want to see again.
Then he told me a bunch of other stuff which I'm not at liberty to go into right now.
But what was in his voice 2 years ago
was confirmed here today.
You guys are just a great couple
you both really helped me through that thing a couple of months ago
and I'll never forget
I love you guys
Randall and Jeannie forever
Hoist them, let's go
They want a little smooch. Come on. Lets have a little smooch here.
Come on, these people paid good money
OH, Oh, there's children here.
All right, now I'd like to turn things over to the... do you want us all to leave or...
I'd like to turn things over to the proud father of bride
Mr. Warren Schmidt
I didn't get much sleep last night so...
forgive me if I'm a little foggy
but you know...
today is special day
we're here to mark crossroads in the lives of 2 people
Crossroads... where they come together and...
now walk along a new road...
it's not the same road that they were on before... it's a new road...
a road that... um...
As many of you know I lost my wife recently
And Jeannie lost her mother
Helen and I were married 42 years
she died very suddenly
I know we all wish she could be with us today
and I think it would be appropriate to acknowledge just how...
pleased she was that Jeannie had found someone
to share her life with. A companion.
A partner.
I recall the day when Jeannie first told us she's been proposed to
we hadn't met Randall fellow, so
we were understandably a little suspicious
Later, she brought him home for Christmas
so we could get a look at him
I remember there was a big snow storm and...
Randall here helped me shovel off the front walk
he pitched right in... yup.
But that brings me to what I really want to say
what I want to say... what I really want to say is...
thank you, to you, Randall
for taking such good care of my daughter
especially recently, with our loss...
Ever since I arrived here couple of days ago
I have so enjoyed getting to know Jeannie's new family
Roberta
Thank you for your generosity
for opening your home
your talent in kitchen is...
Larry, your wonderful eloquence
Sandra, your skill with handicrafts
is truly remarkable
that item you showed me is so very artistic
Duncan, I haven't gotten to know you very well, but...
I could tell from our brief conversations,
that you are a very thoughtful young man
Everybody else, terrific people
terrific
and in conclusion...
I just want to say on this special day...
this very special day...
that I am very...
pleased
Here! here!
Dear Ndugu
You'll be glad to know that Jeannie's wedding came off without a hitch.
Right now she and Randall are on their way to sunny Orlando...
on my nickel, of course.
As for me, I am heading back to Omaha
I'm driving straight through this time
and I made only 1 stop
the impressive new arch over the Interstate
in Carny, Nebraska
An arch that commemorates the courage and determination of the pioneers
who crossed the state on their way west.
You really got to see it to believe it
and it kind of got me thinking
looking at all that history and reflecting on the achievements of people
long ago, kind of
put things into perspective.
My trip to Denver, for instance, was so insignificant
compared to journeys that others have taken
the bravery that they've shown
the hardships they've endured
I know we're all pretty small in big scheme of things
And I suppose the most you can hope for is to make some kind of difference
but what kind of difference have I made?
what in the world is better because of me?
When I was out in Denver, I tried to do right thing
tried to convincing Jeannie she was making big mistake
but... I failed
now she's married to that nin-com-poop and there's nothing I can do about it.
I am weak
and I am a failure
there's just no getting around it.
relatively soon, I will die
maybe 20 years
maybe tomorrow, it doesn't matter
Once I am dead and everyone who knew me dies too
it will be as though I never even existed
What difference is my life made to anyone?
None, that I can think of
None at all
Hope things are fine with you
Yours truly
Warren Schmidt
Dear Mr. Warren Schmidt
my name is Sister Nadine Gottier
of the order of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart
I work in a small village near the town of Imbaya
in Tanzania
One of the children I care for is little Ndugu Umbo
the boy you sponsor
Ndugu is a very intelligent boy
and very loving
He is an orphan
Recently he needed medical attention
for an infection of the eye
but, he is better now
He loves to eat melon
and he loves to paint
Ndugu and I want you to know
that he receives all of your letters
he hopes that you are happy in your life and healthy
He thinks of you everyday and he wants very much your happiness.
Ndugu is only 6 years old
and cannot read or write
but, he has made for you a painting
He hopes that you will like his painting
Yours sincerely,
Sister Nadin Gottier