(PIANO MUSIC PLAYING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
James and Cynthia Green?
- Yes. - Right this way, please.
(SIGHS)
EVETTE: Okay. James and Cynthia Green.
Thirteen Oak Lane Road, Stanleyville.
Yeah.
Wait. You didn't answer what makes you qualified.
Oh, we know. There wasn't much space.
We had so much to say.
Also here on page four.
In response to,
"What experience or experiences
have best prepared you,
you only wrote "Timothy."
Yes.
EVETTE: The only chance you two have is
if you put it all on the table.
We agree.
That's why we want to use our time to tell you our story.
Okay.
There's just one thing.
You're going to find it hard to believe.
CINDY: This all began last September.
We'd been trying for a number of years,
and Dr. Hunt finally gave us the news.
First of all, you couldn't have tried harder.
Or done more.
We have explored every medical option at a great cost to you.
But there comes a point when you...
You have to accept...
(BREATHING SHAKILY)
I am so sorry.
(ELEVATOR DINGS)
Hold it!
Come on, honey. Come on. Come on.
Oh! Can you push the button for me? Push it right there.
Good job! What would I do without you?
High-five!
(CHILD BABBLING)
(CAR HORNS HONKING)
CINDY: So we drove back home.
JIM: We went back to work and on with our day.
We'll get a puppy.
(VOICE BREAKING) I don't want a puppy!
- Bye. - Bye.
Hey, Tommy.
Here you go. I'll see you inside.
Good job.
CINDY: Like all good stories,
the Stanleyville pencil factory,
this museum and this town begins with a dream.
Stanley Crudstaff, our patron.
This is his original desk over here. Please follow me.
You hungry?
(ANSWERING MACHINE BEEPS)
BRENDA ON MACHINE: Hey, sis!
Uh, just checking in to make sure you're still up for tomorrow.
We'd be willing to host.
The kids just bought Ban' a new grill. You wouldn't believe it.
(MACHINE BEEPS)
Hi, this is Allen Rust with the Sisters of Mercy Hospital.
Please call me back about an outstanding balance. Thank you.
(ANSWERING MACHINE BEEPS)
(SIGHS)
(CINDY SOBBING)
Honey.
We're moving on.
(SNIFFLES)
(SIGHS)
(SNIFFLES)
WOMAN ON TV: You can see we've got some dirt here.
But in order to make good growing soil...
(FOOTSTEPS DESCENDING STAIRS)
...and a good growing bed for your garden,
you've got to get down a good 12 to 18 inches.
I can't do it. I can't move on.
Then move out of the way.
For years, we've been thinking about
what our kid would have been like.
Don't.
We can move on tomorrow.
Just for tonight,
can we have a kid?
You heard what the doctor said.
Give it up! Give it up.
There we go. Never give up!
Our kid
would never give up.
You know what else I think?
- I can't. - Our kid
would have your good heart.
This isn't funny, Jim.
But our kid would be funny.
Not make fun of other people funny,
or burp and fart funny,
but funny like...
Funny like Uncle Bub.
JIM: You know that, uh,
that kind of kid that you always believe.
Someone honest. You want a truth-teller.
Yeah, I do. I want one like that.
But our kid can't be perfect.
I don't want one of those annoying perfect kids.
How about this?
Honest to a fault.
- Yes! We have a winner. - Yes! Yes!
- Would our kid be musical? - Definitely.
Clarinet like me, drums like you, or...
I don't know what kind of instrument.
All I know is our kid...
Our kid would rock!
- Ah! We so agree. - Our kid would rock!
Write that.
Artistically.
Picasso with a pencil.
Yes.
A glass half-full person.
Love and be loved.
How great an athlete are you picturing?
You were terrible at soccer.
That's not true.
Not true.
I was a big klutz.
All right. How about this? How about this?
Just once, our kid,
amazing kid.
Got to score the winning goal.
(BOTH YELLING TRIUMPHANTLY)
Touchdown! Go, Green!
Yes! That's our kid!
(BOTH LAUGHING)
(CHUCKLES)
Now what?
(WIND BLOWING)
(CREAKING)
(RAIN POURING)
(THUNDER CRASHING)
(THUNDER CRASHES)
(EXHALES)
(SIGHS)
We got some rain.
(SHUSHING)
Everything (KISSES) is going to be (KISSES) fine.
(DOOR OPENING)
Honey, did you say something?
I said we...
(EXCLAIMS IN SURPRISE)
(GASPS) What?
(EXHALES)
JIM: I think it's gone.
Jim.
Wait. Wait.
(MUSIC TINKLING FAINTLY)
(GASPS)
Oh!
Hi.
- Hi. - Hi.
I'm Timothy.
(WHISPERING) That's a common name.
Well, can we get you cleaned up?
Yeah, um, do you have a towel?
- Yeah, we do. - Yeah.
This feels about right.
OPERATOR: 911. State your emergency.
(STAMMERING) Yeah, I'd like to report a missing...
This is Jim Green. 13 Oak Lane Road.
Hey, Jim. It's Marty from the factory.
I'm just picking up a few extra hours.
Oh, Marty.
We have in our possession a...
Ah, God, I don't know how to say this.
Has anybody reported a missing...
Jim? Jim, are you there?
CINDY: I ran away from home once.
I can't remember why.
And I didn't get very far.
What about you?
Did you run away?
No.
- Come on. (WATER SPLASHING)
I bet your parents are worried and
wondering.
JIM: - Cindy! (FOOTSTEPS ASCENDING)
Honey!
(PANTING)
There's something you need to see.
Actually there's something you need to see.
Hi.
Well, look who cleaned up good.
(LAUGHING)
Er...
(CLEARS THROAT)
Mmm.
Hmm!
Hmm?
Hmm.
- Are those... - Yes. Mmm-hmm.
Please don't ask about my leaves.
- Okay. - No.
But you can look at them.
If you want.
Not everybody has these.
Yep.
CINDY: Do you mind
if I...
(WINCES) - Sorry.
Now my mind is racing with even more questions.
Honey, you need to go look out back.
I'll just be right outside.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
Hi.
(SOFTLY) on.
(POLICE SIREN WAILING)
(SIREN CHIRPING)
Oh.
Oh, hey! Donnie!
False alarm!
We thought we had a burglar.
(PANTING)
it was just a raccoon family
that we, we... I chased it away, so everything's...
- Everything's fine. - You sure?
Yeah, we're sure. Everything's good.
Jim, is there something you're not telling us?
OFFICER: Yeah.
Uh. no. Why?
(MUD SQUELCHING)
Come on, Jim. We're on strict water rationing.
Turn in your sprinkler, and we'll let this one slide.
(STAMMERING) But it rained.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
No, it didn't.
Unless it only rained in your yard.
(BOTH CONTINUE LAUGHING)
What do you know?
Amazing, huh?
Well, Green, it's your lucky day.
Yes, it is.
There you go. You had the right idea.
Back in there, back in there. All righty.
(TIMOTHY GRUNTING)
Thank you.
You're welcome.
We really like to eat fresh, healthy food here. A lot of vegetables
from our own garden.
I guess I'm known primarily for my tomatoes.
I do a lot of canning.
But I'm also a firm believer in the late-night snack.
Hey, how is it going?
Good.
This is Jim, and I'm Cindy.
Yeah, feel free to call us...
- Cindy and Jim. - Cindy and Jim.
Why would I?
That's no problem. You can...
- Call us Mr. and Mrs. Green. - Mr. Green.
Not many people do, but...
Mom, really?
Dad.
(WHISPERING) Can I talk to you, Jim?
- He called me "Mom." - Yes, he did.
- He called you "Dad." - I know. I know.
Fifty-four girl names on the list,
and there was one boy, and it was...
BOTH: Timothy.
Is he for us?
I'm getting that feeling.
(SOFTLY) - Be careful. - Yeah.
Careful, careful.
CINDY: There you go.
JIM: It was as if, all of a sudden,
everything had changed.
CINDY: There he was, leaves and all.
JIM: Didn't matter where he came from.
CINDY: He was ours. JIM: Yeah, we were his.
CINDY: And we were a family. JIM: We were a family.
Have we lost you? Are you still with us?
JIM: It's kind of crazy, right?
I've heard crazier.
- Really? - No.
That said, it's your time to use as you choose.
I just have two words for you.
Tick tock.
JIM: Oh, right. CINDY: Oh.
Okay.
So...
(DOORBELL RINGING)
(DOORBELL RINGS AGAIN)
I think she forgot.
Ah, you're always early.
(WOMAN CHUCKLES)
(BANGING ON DOOR)
Hello!
Hi.
Hello there.
I'm Timothy.
BRENDA: Nice to meet you, Timothy.
Jim!
I got here last night. I came from the garden.
(FOOTSTEPS RUNNING)
Oh.
That's unusual.
Hi, sis! Okay, good.
Well, I'm glad you guys met. Jim?
JIM: Yeah!
I'm coming. Hey. Hi, Brenda.
Who was that?
- Oh! - Are we early?
(CAR HONKING) - Oh, gosh.
I didn't think so.
(LAUGHING NERVOUSLY)
Jim?
There we go.
CINDY: - Jim! - I'm on it!
Okay, kiddo, you ready to meet some people?
- Mmm-hmm. - Good, because we're not.
(WHISPERING) Yeah, yeah, yeah. Good.
- Okay. - Okay.
Now, all the kids you're going to meet today,
they come from their moms' tummies.
Whereas you come from...
- The garden. - Yes!
I don't know about you, but I have a tendency to over-share.
So maybe we just keep some things between us for now.
Like the garden or your leaves.
Why?
Because they may not understand.
Can you understand that they may not understand?
- I think so. - Yes?
- Mmm-hmm. - Good!
Let's go get ready to meet some people.
Okay.
Hold the corner down. Thank you.
Hey. Hey, everybody.
Here's what's happening.
It's no secret that we've been trying to have a family
and we got some good news.
I know it's all of a sudden.
His name is Timothy.
And please don't ask too many questions.
BRENDA: When were you going to tell me,
and how old is he, and where did he come from?
It was all very sudden and kind of miraculous.
Huh.
I mean, I thought you were trying to have a real kid.
I mean, you know, one of your own.
He felt like mine from the first time I saw him.
I'm sorry.
These are the coals. I'm going to put that down for a second.
Well, with a little heads-up, I could've helped with the clothes at least.
Hey, guys.
- Hey. - Hi.
- How's it going? - Yeah, good. You know.
- Is it going? - Yeah.
How's everything going over there?
(WHISPERING) Who invited him?
I didn't think he would come.
Hi.
- Oh, hello. - Hey, Timothy.
Hey.
This is my dad.
Hi, Grandpa.
- Uh... (JIM CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
Call me Big Jim.
TIMOTHY: Okay, bye!
Okay.
Timothy, come here.
"Grandpa"?
This is my Aunt Mel and my Uncle Bub.
They practically raised me.
- Hello, Timothy. - Hi.
Hello, young man.
Hello, old boy.
Did you know I invented
the peanut butter and jelly sandwich?
Did you know I'm a big fan of your work?
(LAUGHING)
Well, goodbye.
- Hi, I'm Timothy. - Hi.
Hi. Hi.
Hi.
- Hi. - Hey.
So you all came from your mom's tummy?
How was that?
This all you got?
I know.
Who wants to play?
JIM SR.: The object, boys and girls, is to dodge,
so how about we start with you?
ALL: Oh!
Out! You're out!
You got to move!
You got to dodge the ball, Timothy.
JIM SR.: Come on! Gotta move, gotta move, gotta move.
Into prison. You're out.
CINDY: You have to coach him
because he clearly doesn't understand.
Timothy, Timothy. Timothy, Timothy.
Look, it's just down to five kids.
Move your feet. Move around. Keep an eye on the ball.
JIM SR.: You're going down.
Stick and move, stick and move! Come on!
Oh!
Get in there. Go. Help him out.
Oh!
(BOTH LAUGHING)
Ahh!
Let's just call this...
I don't think this is a good idea.
You're not going to spoil all the fun, are you?
- No, but... Could you just... - Go, go, go, go.
Okay. Hey. Here we go, here we go, here we go!
You got to dodge the ball. Move your feet.
CINDY: Take it easy, Big Jim. This is not the Olympics.
BRENDA: The thing about these kids is
you never know what you're getting.
They have issues sometimes. Medical or
otherwise.
And if he has any issues, we'll deal with them.
- Like any normal kid. - Okay.
I mean, that's not normal.
JIM SR.: Hey!
Oh, my...
Hey. What did you do that for?
Out! You are... Uh-oh!
- Come on. It's dodgeball. - Big Jim, honestly.
EVETTE: I can't believe I'm about to say this,
but what did you say to your father
after he bonked the boy with leaves in the head?
Hmm. It's complicated.
- I didn't say anything. - Mmm-hmm.
Really?
JIM: But I made a vow
that I would do things differently than my dad.
I would be much better...
Jim decided that he would be the father he never had.
What about you?
I decided that
our son would not be seen as different or weird.
He'd be treated like a normal kid.
Yeah.
Because that's what he was going to be.
Just a... A normal kid.
Incredible.
Good color, strong veins.
Yeah. They're beautiful, aren't they?
Most unusual.
Can you cut them off?
But they're perfectly healthy. Why would you...
Oh, right.
Timothy, Reggie and I go way back.
He's amazing with plants,
and if there's anyone who can do this, he's the guy.
You know, when I was your age,
I had a wart on my thumb.
The other kids, they used to call me "The Warthog."
Kids can be so cruel.
You know, my dad, he had a doctor burn that puppy off,
and after that, nobody made fun of me at all.
We don't want anyone to make fun of you.
That's what this is about. What do you think?
Okay. Go for it.
Okay.
Okay. You may feel a slight pinch.
Okay. Take a deep breath.
We're here, pal.
This isn't going to work, is it?
No.
CINDY: You take them to the doctor, right?
You give them medicine that doesn't taste good,
they get shots that hurt.
That's the job.
We thought we were doing our job.
(SCHOOL BELL RINGING)
What did you put in there? He's about to fall over.
Anything he might need. Notebooks, pencils.
There's a box of tissues on the bottom and some Band-Aids.
There's a whole first aid kit actually, just in case...
Variety of healthy snacks,
treats and Graham Crackers. I know you like them.
And then a flashlight and some batteries.
Mom, I think I can handle it from here.
Oh, there's an extra pair of socks!
- Have a great day! - Okay, bye!
That's too much pressure.
Have the day you have.
(CINDY HUMMING)
(VOCALIZING)
This morning you were late for work,
there's a jelly stain on your sweater.
And frankly you seem inappropriately cheerful.
I know, but there is good reason.
We've had a young boy come to stay...
Is there something about my expression
that suggests I'm the least bit interested?
No, ma'am, nothing about your expression is...
And you continue to talk because...
I'm sorry.
(CELL PHONE RINGING)
Hello?
Best-case scenario, reduced hours.
Limited layoffs. Limited.
Like you lose your job and you lose your job.
Not you specifically, but some of you.
Worst-case scenario,
my aunt and my father will have no choice but to close the factory.
(WORKERS CHATTERING QUIETLY)
- I know. (CELL PHONE RINGING)
I don't want that to happen.
Nobody wants that to happen.
And I'm not saying that that's...
I'm sorry, Green?
Are we disturbing you?
Hi, honey.
CINDY: Jim, the school called.
- What's the matter? - How fast can you get here?
Thank you so much for coming so quickly.
We take these matters very seriously.
- Thank you. - Come. Come. He's here.
Timothy!
No!
Hey, who did this to you?
He won't give us the names of the kids.
What happened?
Art project.
Art project?
Let's get this art project cleaned up.
Just let me.
CINDY: - Jim... - Timothy.
This kind of thing happened to me when I was your age.
Yeah.
And all I wanted was for my dad to have my back,
and he didn't.
So here's what we're going to do.
You're going to tell me the names
of the boys that did this to you.
Okay?
And I will handle it.
(WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY)
(COUGHS)
(DOORBELL RINGING)
Hey, boss.
Green.
(SIGHS) I guess you heard what happened.
Yeah, they called me home.
Yeah, me, too.
TIMOTHY: What's going on?
Your father's handling this.
I didn't really mind.
Your kid ratted my boys out.
(STAMMERING) He didn't rat them out. That was my fault.
So you ratted my boys out.
You can't let people treat you like this. Come on.
How long you been at this parenting thing?
Are you really going to fight all his battles for him?
- You think that's wise? (CINDY CLEARS THROAT)
Hi!
It was really important to Jim that the Crudstaff boys
take responsibility for what they did to Timothy.
- Yeah. - And did they?
BOBBY: We were having fun.
He didn't fight back. He didn't even cry.
It wasn't any fun.
I think what the boys
are trying to say is next Saturday
we're having a birthday party pool bash,
and we'd love it if Timothy would come.
Yes!
EVETTE: Oh, please. Don't tell me
you took him back to the house of the boys who bullied him.
He really, really wanted to go.
So you let him decide what was best.
I thought it was time he learned to fight his own battles.
We just forgot to ask if he could swim.
Nice socks, Green!
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear Bobby
Happy birthday to you
(BOTH GASPING)
(COUGHS)
(GROWLS)
CINDY: So was it fun?
JIM: - How did it go? - Were they nice?
Were you the man?
I kicked a girl in the head.
- What? - Why?
Well, she tried to pull down my socks.
What? Did she see you?
I don't think so.
- Maybe. (GROANS)
I'm sure she didn't see him.
You cannot let anybody see your leaves, honey.
I know, but
what do I do about the girl I kicked in the head?
Jim?
Well, if you see her coming, just run the other way.
- Okay. - Yeah. Yeah.
(PANTING)
You know I saw.
Look.
No.
Just look.
Why?
You'll see.
(WHISPERING) Wow.
You're not the only one with a secret.
You coming?
Okay.
It's perfect.
Whoo!
JONI: Look at that nest!
I get inspired from this street, you know,
for my sculptures and my art.
TIMOTHY: Yeah.
I always get inspired by nature.
CINDY: I almost forgot.
Compliments of the Crudstaffs.
And, please, tell your friends.
Thanks.
We're all working hard.
I know. It's going to be fine.
CINDY: - Jim. - Hey, honey.
It's not really a good time.
Look out your window.
Remember when he said he kicked a girl in the head?
- Yeah. - Is that her?
Because this is too soon. He's too young.
You told him to run the other way
when he saw her, and he... He's not running!
TIMOTHY: Whoa!
See you.
Yeah. See you.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
JIM: Timothy?
Timothy!
CINDY: That night, our plan was to sit Timothy down,
just as parents. Go right at it.
EVETTE: Right at what?
JIM: Well, we were going to have...
CINDY AND JIM: "The talk"
JIM: ...that you have that we
didn't really know how to have.
CINDY: That was the plan. The talk, that night.
JIM: Hey, buddy. CINDY: But then...
What is it?
Sweetie, it's your Uncle Bub.
We got to go. Come on.
- Are we too late? - No, no.
Bubbles is still with us. (CHUCKLES)
I brought your favorite cookies.
If I can get them past the police, I'll leave you one.
BRENDA: At least it's not ice cream.
Remember the year that you started to lose your hair
and you convinced Brenda and me
that if we gave you ice cream at night, it would grow back?
(LAUGHING)
Cinderella, do you remember that painting you made?
No. What painting?
You know, when your mom was your age
she was quite an artiste.
Not really. I was not.
Oh, she was never happier
than when she had a paintbrush in her hand.
That's right.
She worked on this one painting for days.
Wouldn't let anybody see it. Had to get it right.
You remember that?
No.
It was a self-portrait.
(STAMMERING) We didn't get it. It was ahead of its time.
We all laughed.
Boy, did you cry.
You ran away,
and when you came back, the picture was gone.
You'd thrown it away.
Oh!
I always felt so bad about that.
No!
Oh, Bub!
AUNT MEL: We're going to take a little break.
Bubbles, you're going to have a little rest.
Let Timothy stay, huh?
Okay. You okay?
It's okay, Mom.
Okay.
We're right here.
Hey.
Something you want to ask me?
Is it true you also invented the BLT?
(BOTH LAUGHING)
I mean, I would have brought my kids if I'd known.
- Shouldn't he be resting? - Maybe you should get him.
- I'm on it. - No, let them be.
(INAUDIBLE)
(LAUGHING)
I never thought I'd hear that laugh again.
(MACHINE BEEPING RAPIDLY)
COACH CAL: Next.
JIM: After that, we needed to get Timothy back to just...
- Hi. - ...being a kid.
Coach Cal doesn't see it.
Next.
Help us out here, Coach.
This would be really good for him.
This is the best possible way for him to make some friends.
CINDY: Go! Go! Go! Go!
Come on, Green. Let's see what you got.
CINDY: That's right. Let's see what you got!
Eye on the ball.
Oh, my gosh!
(CHILDREN LAUGHING)
Take the smiles off your faces.
CINDY: Is your ankle all right?
He's good.
Come on, Green!
Eyes on the ball!
Oh, dear God.
Why are you smiling?
I can only get better.
(BLOWING) Erasers, run it out! Come on. Hustle up!
- Green. JIM: - Nice job.
Run, run, run!
Don't cut any corners.
Excuse me, Coach, I just want to say
(STAMMERING) that I'll be working with him
around the clock if necessary
just to get him to the next level.
Oh, tell me you're not those kind of parents.
The type that get over-involved, over-invested.
We are definitely not those kind of parents.
Then we won't have a problem.
- Jim. - Come on! Run it out!
Come on, Timothy. Come on, run faster. Yes, yes, yes!
COACH CAL: Run it out, Erasers!
What is she doing here?
I don't know.
There are so many girls.
Yeah, okay.
Which means it's possible to find the right girl.
Use your feet. Your feet.
What your dad wants to say but isn't
is that it would be a mistake to focus on just one fish
- when there are so many... - Fish?
JIM: Keep your eyes on the ball.
Use the inside of your foot. All right?
CINDY: Jim! Could you...
What your mom is trying to say...
CINDY: Right.
(EXHALES)
Well...
- Oof! - Okay.
Come on.
Listen. I know the feeling.
You do?
When I was about your age, I met a girl.
She was an original.
Creative, artsy type.
So... I know the pull.
Jim? Where you going with this?
What happened with the girl?
(INHALES DEEPLY)
I married her. Right.
Not what I had in mind, but...
It's true.
Okay! Keep your eye on the ball,
inside of the foot, stay on your feet! Go!
- Wow! - Oh! Perfect!
- Perfect, perfect, perfect! - Look at that!
CINDY: It's not that we wanted him to be perfect.
That's what we're looking for!
- We wanted it to be perfect. - Let's go again.
His childhood.
And just when we started to get the hang of it at home...
JIM: Things got complicated at the factory.
Looking good, Brian.
Boss wants to see you. In his office.
- Now? - Now.
JIM: You want to see me?
Sit.
Heard your kid joined the Erasers.
Yes. Yes, he did.
Is he good? Hope he's good.
Well...
That's a confidential list. First round of layoffs.
Of course, my aunt and my father
might decide that that's not enough.
But these are all good, hard-working people.
Green, you don't decide who we let go.
You'll just be the one to tell them.
Night, guys.
TIMOTHY: Oh, why couldn't the skeleton cross the road?
Why, sweetie?
Because it had no guts.
(LAUGHING)
TIMOTHY: Ooh! I got another one.
Buddy.
Not tonight.
If you will excuse me.
Dad?
JIM: That Halloween, your morn went as a pencil.
CINDY: - A blue pencil. - Mmm-hmm.
TIMOTHY: Hmm.
- It was a good costume. - It was.
My head was the eraser.
(LAUGHING)
I had seen a lot of pencils,
but I had never seen one quite like your mom.
Breathtaking.
But I was too scared to even talk to her,
so I wrote her a note.
Yeah.
- What did it say? CINDY: - It said...
"it feels to me that with a pencil"
"anything is possible."
That is so true.
Hey. Pass me that book. Yeah.
All of these...
All of these notebooks from that day,
I just filled them with ideas
of things that I wanted to make.
Because I thought to be a part of making something,
that was a great feeling.
God, to think that we may not be making these any more.
Why not make a new kind of pencil?
- That's easier said than done. - Yeah.
Well, you can design it
and you can draw it.
Then you guys can both build it.
I want to write a note to Joni.
Good night.
CINDY: How do you tell your child something's not possible?