(ticking)
(ringing)
(music) %%
Girl: Dear dad.
Mom and Martin are going to Europe this Summer,
And I was wondering if I could come stay with you.
It's okay if you're busy, or going somewhere,
But I've thought about it a lot
And I get worried that time is running out.
I would like to get to know you better.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Your daughter, Alison.
%%
(exhaling loudly)
(sighing)
%%
(bottles clanking)
%%
(background chatter)
Hi, dad.
%%
Hey, your room's back here.
Not much, but... Private.
What's the matter?
Well, where are you gonna sleep?
I'm gonna sleep on the couch.
You don't have to give up your bed,
I'll sleep on the couch.
I'll take the couch; I don't want to talk about it.
Why don't you go on, get settled,
And I'll cook us some supper.
Okay.
(sighing)
(ticking)
(radio playing)
(scraping grill)
Oh, that doesn't work.
(footsteps)
So, how come you live like this?
I told you what this place was like in my letter,
Did I not?
I know, it's just -- this place could be so nice, if you --
I didn't mean anything bad by it; it is nice here.
%%
(water lapping)
%%
(brakes squeaking)
%%
Alison Dodge!
San Diego, California.
Daughter of Al Dodge, handyman and trailer trash.
How goes it, Dodge?
Good, Auggie, good.
Oh, that's the ticket, that's the ticket.
Can't complain.
Days are warm, nights are sweet.
Nevertheless, time and tide wait for no man.
%%
Look alive, Romeo, here comes a buzzard!
Hey, Auggie.
%%
Alison: Who's he?
Al: Auggie.
He's weird, huh?
He used to be an English teacher.
How did he know my name?
It's a small town; Auggie knows everything.
I need those nails.
That's what it says here.
I need 'em by Monday.
It says that here, too.
You want me to put all this on your account?
If I still got one.
(chuckling)
Is your daddy in his office?
Nailed to it.
Al: Hey R.J., how y'all doing?
They tell each other dirty jokes,
Then they forget and tell the same ones again,
And they still think they're funny.
Isn't that funny?
So how's your visit going so far?
Okay, I think; it's nice here.
Oh, God, believe me --
I grew up here and "nice" only goes so far.
I guess that's why I left, although, I came back.
It's a little more interesting this time around.
How so?
Well, your dad and I go out sometimes, nothing serious.
I'm only telling you because he probably won't.
I don't think he wants to tell me much.
Well, your dad's a good man.
It's just, he's not very -- vocal about his feelings.
(men laughing)
There's that same old joke again.
(giggling)
Listen, if you need anything, you let me know, okay?
I will; thank you.
(birds chirping)
Sandy says you and she go out sometimes.
She's very pretty.
Must have a lot of men asking her out.
She said it wasn't anything serious,
But I think she really likes you.
Can I help?
Oh, damn!
Ow, ow, ow!
(giggling)
Now, what the hell is so funny?
I'm sorry.
It's just like when you see someone
Step in dog poop, you know?
It's just funny.
I could hand you stuff.
I don't need anyone to hand me stuff.
(crickets chirping)
%%
You're her father.
It isn't working out.
She shouldn't have asked me to come up here.
Yeah, but, she did.
Well, why the hell couldn't she have just left things alone?
Oh, sometimes I just want to smack you.
That girl is trying to reach out to her father.
She's becoming a woman.
Yeah, well, it isn't working out, that's all!
Damn it to hell, Dodge, she's your daughter!
Your own flesh and blood; don't blow this one!
Okay, right about now,
I'm not sure whether you're stubborn or stupid.
Either that or you're scared.
I am not scared!
%%
(thunder rumbling)
It's raining.
Sometimes when it rains on Sundays,
We stay in and watch DVDs all day.
I prefer to go to the movies,
But staying in can be fun sometimes.
I usually make sandwiches and popcorn,
Which you don't have.
How about I make us eggs and toast?
You can have scrambled, or an omelet,
But not fried, 'cause I'll break the yolks.
(refrigerator door slams)
So what do you want?
Dodge, what do you want?
Nothin'.
How do you work like this?
How do you make toast without a toaster?
I hate toast.
You can't have scrambled eggs without toast.
I ain't having any eggs.
Eat that before it gets cold.
There's nothin' worse than cold scrambled eggs.
I suppose I should get used to dorm food.
The college says all freshmen have to live on campus,
But mom and I checked,
And they don't offer apartments with kitchens to underclassmen.
Next time we're in town,
We should really pick up some O.J.
Water just doesn't seem right with breakfast.
You should eat that before it gets cold.
Wow, nice shorts.
I was thinking --
Please, please!
Just five minutes... Of silence?
(rain falling)
(sighing)
Alison: Will it rain all day?
Well, it doesn't rain all that much, but when it does,
It just, it tends to go on a bit.
All day?
Well, how the hell do I know?
You live here.
I thought you could tell by looking at the Sky or something.
The Sky.
It's raining, it's overcast.
Jeez.
(sighing)
All right, I need a beer.
(door slams)
Where's the bottle opener?
Oh, I put all of the silverware in this drawer,
And all of the bottle openers and stuff in this one.
I don't want this stuff in here!
I don't want the bottle opener in the drawer.
I want it on the shelf, where it always is, all right?
Jeez!
This isn't working out.
It was a mistake you coming out here.
Well, I've only been here a few days; I think we're doing fine.
We're not doing fine!
Well, maybe if we --
Maybe if we what?
Maybe if we call your mama and tell her you're coming home!
You said I could come here for the Summer.
What is the point?
You leave now, you'll be better off.
You won't have to waste your whole Summer in this hole.
It's my Summer to waste.
(rain falling)
Yeah, well, that's fine with me.
(scoffs)
Hey, we gave it a try.
It just didn't work out.
I'd like to go now.
It's lousy weather today.
Look, I'll take you into town tomorrow.
If it's all the same to you,
I'd rather not spend another day of my life as trailer trash,
Thank you very much!
Hey!
It's raining!
Would you come on in out of the rain?
No, thank you!
I'll take you to the bus tomorrow.
No, thank you!
You're gonna get sick.
Just take me to the bus now, please!
Get out of the way.
(kicks door)
Give me this.
I've got it.
Just give me this --
I said I've got it!
Jesus, you're stubborn.
Yeah, I wonder where I got that from!
(door slams)
(sobbing)
(phone ringing)
Woman on phone: Hello?
Hi, it's me.
Alison, are you all right?
You were supposed to call.
Yeah, he doesn't have a phone.
Who doesn't have a cell phone these days?
You can't live like that!
Yeah, no TV, either.
No TV?
Dodge hasn't changed a bit.
Listen, Alison, are you sure you want to do this?
He is still the same after all these years.
You know what, honey?
I was going through your things and I found your passport.
If it's that bad, then come home right now.
It's not that bad.
It's right on the lake, and there's a beach, and a cove,
And a little boat with a dock.
And we cook outside.
I want you to reconsider Europe.
Martin really wants you to come.
This is our last chance before you go to school.
Honey, I'm really worried about you.
Just come home.
I'm fine; everything's okay.
It's actually kind of nice.
Sunsets on the water and --
Tell her you'll call her back.
Why?
Just tell her.
Alison?
Alison, are you there?
Tell her you'll call her back
In ten minutes.
Hello, honey?
Hello?
Hello, Alison?
Are you there?
Alison?
Someone has to use the phone for an emergency.
Well, you tell them they just have to wait.
Mom, I gotta go.
Are you sure you're okay?
Everything's okay, I'm fine; write me.
Honey?
I love you.
I love you, too.
Bye.
You said I could come!
I wouldn't have come all the way out here if you told me not to!
I know that, I just --
You didn't tell me that you were rude,
And impossible to get along with,
And lived in a pigsty.
Auggie: The Dodges!
The king and Queen of moonlight bay.
See the children standing by the shore,
Hear the mighty waters rolling evermore!
Hello, Gilly?
Auggie.
%%
You oughta see all the books that old guy has.
So, how come, all of a sudden, you want me to stay?
I didn't say that.
Then what are we talking about here?
Haven't you ever done something
You didn't have any idea why you did it?
Yeah, coming all the way out here.
Okay.
I'm rude.
I'm impossible to deal with, and...I look like a pig.
That's right.
I'll only stay if you say you want me here.
I got this job I could use some help with.
If you're interested.
What does it pay?
(birds chirping)
Hey, you're not high enough.
I'm as high as I'm gonna get.
Oh, come on, Alison.
(hammer pounding)
Here.
What?
The stupid nails.
I need them nails up here.
Well, that's just too bad.
If you want 'em, you're gonna have to come get 'em.
You just come on up, high enough for me to see you,
And I'll just -- I'll come down and get 'em.
%%
See?
That wasn't so bad, now, was it?
Will you just take the damn nails?
Such language.
Just bring them the rest of the way.
Like hell, I will!
Jeez, Alison, I got a two-by-four right there,
Nailed along the edge, right by your hand.
Now, put your foot on it, and then, just lift yourself on up.
Why can't I just hand things to you?
'cause I thought you were so tough.
(sighing)
%%
Now, that wasn't so hard, was it?
I could get killed up here.
Well, just think before you move,
Watch where you're walking; you'll be fine.
%%
(sighing)
Whew.
That wasn't so bad.
Yeah.
What about them nails?
Oh, shoot.
Slide down there on your butt.
That two-by-four will stop you.
No way, I'll slide right off.
Or is that what you want?
No, but I do want the damn nails.
%%
(birds chirping)
(faucet running)
Do you play the piano?
Yeah, sometimes.
Will you play something for me?
I'm in the chorus at my school.
My teacher says I'm not that bad,
But it's a small school,
And he doesn't have a lot of talent to work with.
It's beautiful.
Yeah.
You ever do "moonlight bay" in chorus?
I've never heard of it.
You've got a funny idea what real music is in school.
My granddaddy and I used to play that together.
(piano playing)
%% candlelight gleaming on silent shores %%
%% lonely night dreaming 'til we meet once more %%
%% far apart her heart is yearning %%
%% with a sigh for my returning %%
%% with the light of love still burning %%
%% as in days of yore %%
(birds chirping)
(brakes squeaking)
These are eightpennies; I wanted 16s.
Serve yourself next time.
Listen, I got people waiting.
See you tonight?
Well, I want to talk to you about that.
C'mon, Dodge, I'm making pot roast.
Alison could use a decent meal.
Well --
You're gonna flake on me.
It's just --
I don't think it's such a good idea.
Why?
I mean, the three of us, having dinner together --
It doesn't feel right.
Man: Hey, Sandy.
We don't have all day.
Okay, all right; just a minute, please.
Okay, I'll think about it some more.
You know what?
Don't strain yourself.
Jamie!
Woman: Yeah, Sandy?
(background chatter)
Auggie: Alison Dodge!
Of san Diego, California.
Daughter of Mr. Al Dodge, handyman and trailer trash.
Thou still unravished bride of quietness.
Foster child of silence.
And slow time.
(lips smacking)
%%
Forever piping songs, forever new.
Beauty is truth, truth beauty.
That is all ye know on earth and all ye need to know.
There's a booth inside, with powdered walls as well as seats.
(laughter)
What do you think?
I think they're all jerks.
Not them, that bit of English lit.
It was beautiful.
"ode on a Grecian urn" -- food for thought.
Now on to more earthly things.
Man: I was thinkin' --
Maybe you could just touch-up this one.
I could do that.
Probably save you some money.
That would cost you a whole lot more next year
When you have to redo the whole darn thing.
What do you mean, "next year"?
That's a solid piece of wood.
Was.
It's rotting away.
(sniffs)
You know, I think I can put my hands on a piece of timber
That wouldn't cost you a penny.
And I'd just charge you for the painting,
And of course, the new design work.
What design work?
Thought I'd spruce it up a little bit,
Make it catchy, you know, get you some more
Of the drive-by traffic to stop in for a bite,
Of course, you don't want that out...
No, that's -- that's good.
Maybe a picture of a taco.
How much is all that gonna cost me?
Not much.
But enough.
I'll tell you what --
You don't charge me too much for the sign,
And I won't hold how long it takes you to finish against you.
What are you doing?
Vinegar.
Don't you like vinegar on your fries?
It's an English thing.
Ketchup is for fries; vinegar is for salads.
You need to spend some time abroad, my dear.
I just passed on that one.
Well, I don't approve of ketchup, but be my guest.
No, I'll try one.
Huh?
So, what was that poem about?
Oh, the timelessness of beauty --
Or the beauty of timelessness.
Thou still untasted tater of the French.
(gulping)
So, you're a vinegar fry convert, my dear?
The best I've ever had.
We'll meet again.
What do you say, skip?
How's it going, Auggie?
(birds chirping)
Hey.
Hi, I'm Tim Spooner.
They call me "spoon."
Are you new around here?
Oh, c'mon.
Come on, what?
Well, it's not spring break,
So I'm either carnival folk, passing through, or a tourist.
So you're gonna have to do better than that.
All right.
Are you a carny or a tourist?
Well, I'm staying with my dad for a few weeks,
So I guess that makes me a tourist.
So, who's your dad?
Al Dodge.
Get out!
Dodge is a dad?
Well, that is still to be determined.
Okay.
Hey, do you want to maybe see a movie with me this Friday?
I don't know.
Well, ask your dad, Al.
I'm a good guy; he knows my dad.
I'm gonna have to think about it.
Okay.
%%
Since I don't have a phone, how can I get back to you?
Well, come by the store; I'm there every day but today.
'kay.
%%
Auggie: It's genetic!
There's a 100,000 years of evolution
Tied up in the connection.
You're only the latest edition.
Nothing in the universe is more connected to her
Than you are.
Well, I had it, and I let it go.
So, everything changes.
The theory of entropy -- there's only growth and decay.
Get it back.
It'll be just a little different.
(tarp rustling)
I lost my chance at it.
I lost my keys a couple of years back.
Door's been unlocked ever since.
Numero uno ?
Yep, that's the one.
(straining)
Let me get back here.
"the time has come, the walrus said,
To talk of many things:
Of shoes -- and ships -- and sealing-wax --
Of cabbages and kings."
It's only too late when you're dead, my friend.
(motor revving)
(water splashing)
(sighing)
Hey, you know,
Swimming usually requires one to get in the water.
I'm not a very good swimmer.
But you live ten minutes from the ocean!
I'm not a big fan of the ocean.
Besides, why do you need to be a good swimmer
If you live in a big city?
Oh, all right, well, here -- give me a hand up.
Uh-huh.
C'mon.
Give an old man a hand here, I'm pruning up!
I may be 17, Dodge, but I'm not stupid.
Ow, ooh, Alison!
Dodge?
(gasping)
(splashing)
You bastard! (laughing)
I could drown, you know!
No, no, just stop making such a fuss.
Just stand up, just stand up.
(gasping)
Right there, okay?
All right.
Now, I'm gonna teach you to float.
Uh-uh.
Oh, come on!
You're not gonna drown.
I didn't lie about the roof, did I?
I was right, c'mon.
Here, let me show you.
(gasping)
Yeah, the funny thing about the human body is it floats.
What you do is you arch your back.
There you go.
Put your head back, and relax.
(sobbing) I can't.
(laughing) you can do anything you want to if you want to.
(heavy breathing)
I'll sink like a rock.
Only if you believe that, you will; now, just try it.
(breathing calms)
Okay?
All right, just relax.
Okay.
(furious splashing)
Damn you, I knew you'd do that!
Oh, c'mon, I didn't leave you; I'm right here.
You're doing fine.
You learn to swim, you get wet.
You choke a little bit; life's like that.
Let's try it again.
All right, here you go.
Now, hold your breath.
Hold your breath.
(quick, deep breaths)
%%
(laughter)
I did it!
You did it!
I did it!
%%
(crickets chirping)
Well, I'll be back in a little while.
It's fine -- I mean, I've gotta finish my book.
Stay out as long as you like.
%%
(engine starts)
(engine revving)
How's that for an apology?
You know what I like about having sex with you?
(laughing) yeah, I do.
Oh, you're a laugh a minute.
Yeah, well, it wasn't laughing
You were doing a couple minutes ago.
"oh, Dodge, Dodge, Dodge, Dodge!"
Okay, okay, I'll admit, it was all right.
All right?
Hell, that was great.
It's not possible for a man to know
When it's great for a woman.
Oh, I do know when it's great.
Well, that's because you know everything.
Mm-hmm.
Do you want a drink?
You're supposed to get me drunk,
Then take advantage of me.
See, well, that would make the process
More rewarding than the accomplishment.
(loon calling in distance)
%% we were sailing along on moonlight bay %%
%% you could hear the voices ringing %%
%% they seem to say you have stolen my heart %%
%% now don't go away %%
%% as we sang love's old sweet song %%
%% on moonlight bay %%
Al: Short, simple strokes; don't dig so deep.
(paddles pounding)
Trying to win a friggin' race?
You don't have to be rude.
(sighing)
You gotta concentrate on what you're doing.
I am concentrating.
Try harder.
Why don't we just use the motor?
Because you've got to learn to survive
With the basics.
It's like learning to drive a stick.
Nice, smooth strokes.
Firm grip on the handles, symmetrical action.
Short strokes.
How's that?
That's better.
Yeah, not trying to win a race...
Yet.
Well, now that we got this thing licked,
When do we move on to fishing?
All right.
Use the little fish to catch the big fish.
And the big fish likes to eat the little fish,
And since we like to eat the big fish,
The cycle is complete.
100,000 years of evolution and more.
They should give you your own show on cable.
What?
%%
(chuckling) wow!
What?
You can learn just about anything on the internet.
I'm not completely a mall rat.
(reel clicking)
(sizzling)
Yeah, it was his religion, trout season.
He spent the whole winter making and repairing flies,
Talking to his pals about last year,
And getting ready for opening day.
And I'd sit there watching him, praying that this'd be the year
He'd invite me to come along with him.
Did he ever ask you?
No.
When I was 11, my mama made him take me.
Oh, I couldn't sleep, I was so excited.
We left in the dark and I sat in the back with some of the guys,
Listening to 'em talking about men stuff and --
God, it was so exciting.
And then, my first cast, I lost my footing,
And I fell on my ass.
I lost the rod.
One of my daddy's favorites.
He didn't say a word.
He just left me to spend the day wet and watching.
(picnic table creaks)
Did you ever go again?
Never did.
He left not too long after that.
He took all his fishing gear and his clothes,
And we never saw his sorry ass again.
(birds chirping)
Do you and Sandy have sex?
(coughing)
Alison, that's none of your damn business!
I know you do it; I know about these things.
You don't have to get upset.
I just want to talk about it.
Not about you and Sandy, but...
You haven't done it yet, have you?
I'm 17, for Heaven's sake!
Have you?
No.
I just thought we could discuss it sometime.
Mom won't talk about it, or...Can't, more like it.
(coughing)
Did you and mom have good sex?
Oh, Lord.
Would you just let me eat my dinner?
(horn honking)
(background chatter)
Auggie: Alison Dodge!
Of san Diego, California!
Daughter of Al Dodge, handyman and trailer trash.
Spring has sprung, Summer's half done,
Roses are red, violets are blue, 23 skidoo.
What's up, Auggie?
Oh, can't talk now.
How come you call out my name every time you see me?
Gotta go, I'm late.
For what?
For a very important date!
Be good to your dad, he's bullheaded, but a good man.
I'll give him a few more chances
Before I trade him in for a newer model.
Yeah, that's the ticket!
%%
(sea birds chirping)
(wind chimes clanging)
"Natasha, at that moment,
Felt so full of emotion and tenderness
That there was not enough for her to love,
And know that she was loved.
What she wanted to know at this instant,
Was to embrace her beloved, speak to him,
And hear from him the words of love that filled her heart."
Auggie Sinclair, of Lake Havasu, Arizona.
Strangest of greeters and reader of moldy books.
Roses are red, violets are blue, I thought today I'd follow you.
(sarcastic laughing)
War and peace.
This was your important date?
Did you ever read it?
No.
I barely got through the cliff notes.
It was too big.
Well, it is big.
But everything inside it is big.
It's grand, in fact.
Reading is salvation, freedom.
It feeds the mind and soul.
You read much?
Mostly thrillers and mysteries.
My mom and I trade off paperbacks.
Drivel.
This here's the good stuff.
So, what are you going to do with yourself?
Get to know my dad...
Before it's too late.
A-ha.
I'm going to college in the fall.
Good.
And after that, I don't really know.
No hurry; I still don't know.
(metal clanging)
What are these for?
You'll see.
Those are for the top.
(splashing)
Sometime after they introduced the striped bass,
They noticed the local fish population was declining.
In fact, it was very nearly wiped out, and these --
(splashing)
They snag their lines and piss off the local fishermen,
But the natives are coming back.
Me and a bunch of the guys take turns doing habitat duty.
Havasu pyrotechnics, what's that?
Oh, that's the local fireworks barge,
You know, fourth of July and stuff.
Every now and then,
He shoots off funeral ashes, too.
Hmm.
(splashing)
Alison?
Hey!
Alison?
(splashing)
Alison!
Gotcha!
Oh, jeez, Alison!
I'm sorry, I couldn't resist.
Don't ever do that again!
I guess I wanted to see if you really loved me.
Yeah, well,
Just because of that, you're grounded for a week.
Ha!
You can't do that, though.
I kind of have a date tomorrow night.
I met this boy in town and --
I'm sorry, I should have asked you first.
His name's Tim Spooner; he said you knew his family.
I thought you'd want to get me out of your hair
For a little while.
It's your decision; it's got nothing to do with me.
You want to go out?
You go out.
Well, you want to give me a hand?
(splashing)
(logs clanking)
(engine revving)
Thought I might find Alison here.
Well, she ain't.
What's wrong, Dodge?
Nothing.
(hair dryer blowing)
What movie you going to see?
Probably some mindless popcorn flick.
There wasn't much to choose from.
He's picking you up?
Yeah.
How do I look?
Jeez, Alison, you're gonna stop traffic.
Your...Thong thing is kinda showing, there.
Oh!
Listen, I know Ed Spooner, and he's a good guy,
But I don't know much about his kid.
I've been trying to stay away from that kind of stuff --
You know what I'm trying to say, just...Be careful.
I won't be late.
You'll probably still be out by the time I get back.
(honking)
We might stop for some food after the movie, okay?
Don't worry, I'll be fine.
Have fun.
I will!
Be careful!
(leaves rustling)
(engine revving)
Alison: What's public school like?
It's...You know, school is school.
Hopefully during the course of the day,
Something manages to stick in your mind.
I'm going to state in the fall; I guess something stuck.
(vinegar dripping)
That's gross.
Give it a chance.
It's how they do it in England.
England?
It's okay.
I'm going to Europe.
I went, two years ago, with my mother and my stepfather.
They wanted me to go again this Summer,
But I came here, instead.
I don't know about you, now.
You have vinegar on your fries, passing up a trip to Europe --
You're weird.
(laughing)
Well, I got a chance to meet you.
Yeah.
(knocking)
Damn.
Hey, can't a man buy a drink here?
(smashes to floor)
You need more?
(sighing)
(laughing) that's good.
(bar cupboard slams)
You take it easy, okay?
No lectures tonight, please.
Oh, yeah!
(sighing)
Where's Alison, you ask?
She's gone on a date.
With some itchy kid,
Whose hormone-ravaged brain is just focused on one thing.
Yeah, just remember, you got a little itchy side to you, too.
Yeah, I do... For you.
Ooh, baby, not tonight.
No, no, I'm doing my toenails, and then I'm going to bed.
With me.
No, c'mon, Al, you can't just come over here
Any time you feel like getting lucky,
And then leave me to sit around wondering the rest of the time.
And if you're hungry on the way out,
You can eat some of that pot roast
That you were too busy for the other night.
(ice clinking)
(country music playing)
Hey, Jeff, c'mon, set me up, here, man.
Over here, c'mon!
Bartender: Hold on!
Any day now, you know?
Right here.
Hey, three boilermakers.
You just wait your turn, pal.
Screw you...Freak.
(crashing)
Yeah?
Time to go, guys.
Hey, hey, hey, hey!
Hey, you know the old man doesn't like
The locals messing with the tourists.
Yeah, but, hey, --
Make it easy on both of us, Dodge, c'mon.
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, all right.
This used to be a nice place, you know?
Used to be!
Bar patron: All right, whoo-hoo!
(engine sputtering)
(inhales)
I hope that was okay.
It was.
I should go inside.
Yeah.
I'm glad you asked me out.
Me, too.
I'm sorry the movie wasn't any good.
Doesn't matter.
Can I see you again?
Yes.
Don't.
You okay?
Well, did you have a good time with lover boy?
You're drunk.
(laughing)
So, what'd you do all night with the stud, huh?
We saw that stupid superhero movie,
And got a bite to eat.
Is that all?
I thought that was none of your business,
You know, my life and all.
Yeah, you're my kid and my responsibility,
So you better know it is damn well my business.
Really?
Yeah.
And what about the past ten years, then, huh?
Now, what's that got to do with anything?
All of a sudden,
You're going to play the role of the concerned father?
Give me a break.
Oh, you don't like what you see?
Not the perfect little daddy you used to dream about
Every night before you go to sleep, huh?
Oh, well, isn't that just too bad for you?
Do you have any idea what it's like
To be six years old, and have your father
Walk out on you and never come back?
And then, maybe, just maybe, if I was lucky,
You'd send me a Christmas or birthday card
Three months after the friggin' fact,
If you even remembered at all!
Change the record, all right?
You're good at walking away, aren't you?
That way you don't have to take responsibility for anything.
Just walk away
And never come back, and never say why.
(ascending piano notes)
It's easy to walk away
When others can be left to pick up the pieces.
(glass smashing)
Now, you get the hell out of here.
Go on, get out of here!
Get out!
You are a bastard.
And I hate you.
(heavy breathing)
Look...
Alison.
Alison, honey, listen to me, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Don't lie to me!
You didn't want me here in the beginning,
And you don't want me here now!
Don't say that, no, no --
Why not?
I had to beg you to let me come out here this Summer,
And when I did, you made things so awful, I'd want to leave!
I hate you!
(gasping) I hate you for leaving me alone.
I hate you for leaving my mother.
(sobbing) I hate you for never writing me.
(heavy breath)
I hope you drink yourself to death.
Look, I'm not letting you walk out here at night;
It's not safe.
I don't want you!
Take me to Sandy.
(breathing heavily) okay.
(ice clinking)
Is she all right?
Not that I could see.
What the hell happened?
Didn't she tell you?
She was incoherent.
I held her 'til she fell asleep.
It'd probably be better you hear it from her.
(crickets chirping)
(birds chirping)
(sighing)
He's not gonna do anything, Alison.
We'll just go and ask for your things.
You know, I know the fact that he was drinking last night
Doesn't make up for what happened, but...
(sighing) God, I'm tired of defending him.
(exhales)
(sighing) c'mon.
Let's go get your stuff.
We came to pick up Alison's things.
Talk to her.
I don't, I don't know what to say.
You gonna leave it like this?
Alison?
I'm gonna wait for you out by the car.
No.
Hey, I want you to take a moment and talk.
I don't have anything to say to him.
Well, you have to say, "good-bye."
I was just reading about Robert, this --
Little boy in your neighborhood you used to play with?
Moved away.
You wrote me about him seven years ago.
I got all your letters.
Never realized you wrote so much over those years.
Guess I was afraid, to read what you wrote.
(birds chirping outside)
%%
Why didn't you answer my letters?
Why didn't you answer them?
I just figured you'd be better off
With your mama in san Diego.
I want to know why you hardly ever wrote back to me.
I didn't want to get to know you.
I thought it would hurt too much.
You never thought about how much I was hurting?
I thought you'd forget about me.
(sniffles)
The only memory I have of you
Is when I was five, and we were at the zoo.
It was a beautiful day.
And you let me ride the pony three times.
And the line was so long, but you stuck it out.
Everything was perfect.
And then you left.
I remember the way you used to smell,
And I remember how much mom cried
In the weeks after you left.
I left your mama, not you.
I got left behind, too!
Why?
I wanna know why.
I used to come in,
And look at you while you were sleeping.
And I'd think about how perfect you were.
And how I wouldn't be any good for you.
I don't know if you can understand this, but --
I was afraid I would damage you somehow.
It was wrong, what I did.
And I'm sorry.
Why did you say I could come out here?
'cause I wanted you to.
'cause I knew, this might just be my last chance.
%%
(sobbing) I don't want my life to be like this anymore.
Me, neither.
(birds and crickets chirping)
%%
(sniffling)
Do you like her?
Sandy?
'cause I like her.
Yeah, I like her.
Are you guys sleeping together?
(laughing)
Yeah, we are sleeping together, okay?
She likes you, you know.
Yeah, I know.
All right.
What do you think of that?
It's gotta be bigger.
Bigger, huh?
How much bigger?
Well, at least twice as big,
Or you'll never see it from a passing car.
Twice?
No way.
(engine revving)
(brakes squeak)
(engine revving)
Well, you're right --
That sign needs to be at least twice as big.
And one more thing, dad.
%%
Yeah!
Let's see it, here.
Oh, yeah, oh, yeah, great idea.
(giggling)
%%
That didn't get me anything.
(scoffing)
Now, hold it...There.
(coughing)
%%
(scissors snipping)
%%
I'll see ya later.
%%
She's pretty, Tim.
Hey, Tim.
(cash register jingling)
%%
It's a one-way Journey up a long hill --
A job that begins on day one,
And ends when they plant you in the ground.
The secret is, knowing it, then accepting it.
That's what will set you free.
That, and making sure you keep some poetry in your heart,
And a smile on your face.
That's the ticket, all right.
I make a darn good sandwich, though.
Listen up, I'm done with this for now.
Why don't you take it?
It's Tolstoy.
Then we'll talk about what you've read
Next time you come to visit.
Okay.
In the meantime, we'll finish our lunch,
Then go play some chess.
(giggling)
(crickets chirping)
(water bubbling)
Why'd you say yes?
I like Alison.
I don't know, having dinner with me --
Seems to be above and beyond the call of duty.
Don't press your luck.
You look great.
%% you have stolen my heart now don't go away %%
%% as we sang love's old sweet song %%
%% on moonlight bay %%
%% we were sailing along on moonlight bay %%
%%
Alison: I had sex with Tim last night.
Jeez, Alison, why did you go and do that?
I mean, I did ask you to hold off,
Or at least not tell me about it, right?
I just need to talk about it.
(sighing)
I need to know why I have more questions now,
Than before I did it.
Well, how can I talk about what it feels like for you?
You can help me figure out what the guy is thinking.
What the guy is thinking?
See, the thing is, the guy just isn't thinking.
Or at least, parts of his brain that normally do the thinking,
They don't seem to work when sex is involved.
You mean, they just want to take care of themselves,
And that's it?
(sighing)
Well, aren't women supposed to have orgasms, too?
Oh, Lord, this is just part of my eternal punishment, isn't it?
Please?
Okay.
(sighing) yes, women are.
But, it isn't always as easy as it seems.
Why?
Well, for us, it's not about the act.
It's about the feelings -- before, during, and after.
Sometimes you get it right.
Sometimes you never do.
Well, enough people must,
Or no one would be excited about doing it.
(chuckles) well, guys would.
But, yes, you will learn how to figure all that out.
Tim put his clothes on as fast as he could.
I think he felt more awkward than I did.
Did you...Use... Precautions?
Tim did.
Yeah.
Thanks.
I know that wasn't something you wanted to hear,
But I really needed to say it.
(sighing) don't mention it.
And I mean that, don't mention it!
Alison: Look out.
I thought maybe you could use some wheels.
Thank you.
Well, it's just a bike, you know.
Yeah, it is, isn't it?
Huh.
I'll see you later.
(background chatter)
%%
Sandy: How long have we known each other?
Oh, a couple of years.
Sometimes I feel like I barely know you.
You knew enough to kick me out of your bed.
I've been thinking about that.
Don't stare at me.
I like staring at you.
What's gonna happen to us?
Well, if we're lucky,
We'll grow old, and die in our sleep.
That's encouraging.
That's life.
I keep thinking some tall, blonde stranger's
Gonna ride into town and sweep me off my feet.
(laughing)
How about a bum in a beat-up, old, pickup truck
While you're waiting?
%%
(wind chimes clanging)
(street noise)
I've got a better idea.
(loons calling)
Can I say something?
Sure.
(paper rustles)
Auggie Sinclair, of Lake Havasu, Arizona.
Strangest of greeters, and reader of books.
The Summer has gone, and you have left to sing your song.
That's the ticket.
(button clicks)
(fireworks exploding)
%%
You see, the cars are gonna come around the corner here,
And they're gonna slow down, and they're gonna turn,
And they're gonna look at that sign,
And say, "hey, look, fish tacos!
Boy, I'm hungry for fish tacos!"
It's a good-looking fish taco.
(laughing)
Good job...Wow!
Do you like it?
(laughing)
I like it; I like it a lot.
Mm-hmm.
%%
(wind chimes clanging)
(boat creaking)
%%
Men must endure their going hence,
Even as their coming hither.
Ripeness is all.
(exhaling)
(water faucet squeaking)
(faucet running)
%%
So, you finish packing?
Almost.
I laid my stuff out for tomorrow.
I just have a few things left in the bathroom.
Hey, don't you go leaving
Any of that girlie stuff in my bathroom.
I don't want people around here getting the wrong idea about me.
I don't think we have to worry about that, Dodge.
You are one of a kind.
Last swim?
How 'bout it?
Alison: Ever wish on a star when you were a kid?
Oh, yeah, all the time.
Once at Martin's parents' cabin, at lake arrowhead,
I snuck out, spent the whole night in a field,
Watching the Sky until the sun came up.
It was so peaceful, and beautiful.
(fire crackling)
I like doing stuff like that, being alone.
I guess I'm a lot like you in that way.
Well, it's late.
I guess I'll take a shower and get some sleep.
'night.
'night, Dodge.
%%
Voice of Auggie: Alison Dodge!
Of san Diego, California.
Daughter of Al Dodge, handyman and trailer trash.
Roses are red and violets are blue,
I can't think of a girl more beautiful than you.
%%
(piano playing)
I can't sleep.
Me, neither.
You know, you never took me to celebrate.
Celebrate -- celebrate what?
I learned how to swim, I designed a sign,
I caught my first fish, I lost my virginity --
Jeez, Alison!
%%
This is a wonderful place.
No, it's just a little tin shack on wheels in a desert town.
There are better places.
This is not a shack.
It's a palace.
And you are the king.
And I am the Queen.
Not much of a kingdom.
It's full of the best things in life --
Good people, slow days, cool nights...
And you.
%%
I wish this Summer didn't have to end.
Oh, oh.
Almost forgot.
You didn't have to do that.
Thank you.
I didn't need that other one, anyway.
Just something else I lost at timeless bay.
(laughter)
(bus engine starts)
%%
Do you love me, Dodge?
(chuckling) you sure do ask a lot of questions.
Do you?
%%
I do love you...
Very much.
I love you, too.
%%
I'll see you real soon.
You can count on that.
Yeah.
%%
Alison: I spent many holidays and vacations
With my father after that Summer.
He and Sandy were married the following year,
And I was the maid of honor.
Before he died, Al got the opportunity to teach
Both of his grandchildren how to fish.
I miss him very much.
I'll never forget that Summer,
And what it meant to both of us.
%%
{{{ the end }}}