He's not a bad guy.
Yes, he is a bad guy.
- Are we talking about Robbie? - Yes.
He made a mistake.
An assumption really, a bad assumption.
SIMON: Yeah, he's a bad guy,
who made a bad mistake in making a bad assumption.
I mean, I made a mistake but it was an innocent mistake.
You didn't know you bit someone on the neck?
How does that happen?
So, what was Robbie's mistake?
Uh, we'll talk about that later. When you're 18.
Take the bread to the table.
Will you just forget about that?
And you, take the salad in.
I know what we're talking about.
He took her to a motel. Why do I have to take the salad anywhere?
Because the salad needs taking. And he didn't take her to a motel,
he tried to take her to a motel, and...
Go.
- We gonna wait for Matt and John? - They're running late, go.
Maybe he'll realise what a stupid thing he did and apologise.
But an apology won't change who he is,
and he's a very dishonest young man,
who had dishonourable intentions toward my daughter.
Yeah, I know. Still,
in retrospect, maybe I overreacted,
maybe I misled him into thinking that
I was the kind of girl who'd like to be taken to a motel for Valentine's Day.
There will be other guys.
- But not like Robbie. - I hope not.
Hello, loved ones.
We're a very lucky family, you know that?
No, wait, wait, wait. I want you to hear this.
- I got this letter today. - And we'd all love to hear it.
I thought the pot roast was done.
Pot roast?
Yes, but I have a nice swordfish steak for you, but it can wait two minutes.
The letter.
Well, it's just a letter from a kid asking me to pray for him.
It wasn't Robbie, was it?
No, this...
This is from a kid who's having a bad life.
As oppose to a kid who's leading a bad life. Ha, ha.
What?
We were all thinking it.
Why would he want you to pray for him?
Probably because prayer can change lives.
I know that.
I just wondered why he would want you to do it instead of somebody else.
Well, he wrote, "Dear Man Who Works for God."
So maybe that's it,
because I work for God.
But anyone can pray.
And change things for real?
- Yes. - Mm-hm.
- Absolutely. - Then I know what I'm praying for.
Me too.
- Me too. - I definitely know what I'm praying for.
That didn't go the way you planned, did it?
No.
Hey.
- Wanna eat? Are you ready to eat? ANNIE: One, two, three.
[BABY BABBLES]
[SIGHS]
[ANNIE SIGHS]
You're tired, huh?
Yeah, I'm a little tired, but very happy. Thanks for asking.
ANNIE: Mm.
I love you. Good night.
I love you too.
You're not tired and happy.
I'm happy, I'm very happy.
If you're not too tired, would you like to read that letter from that kid to me?
Yeah, I was hoping you would ask.
"Dear Man Who Works for God:
I need your prayer this Sunday.
Two years ago, my brother was killed by a boy who brought a gun to school.
After that, my dad started drinking again
after being sober for almost seven years.
That meant my mom had to start working two jobs.
I take care of my baby sister and I walk her to school,
but it's scary to think someone could shoot us too, and I'm afraid
nothing is ever gonna change unless people like you
ask God for help for people like me."
There's no signature on it.
I wonder why he wrote to me.
Maybe he heard I was shot last year.
Maybe, but how would he know unless he went to our church?
I don't know a family that fits this description,
so I don't think they're part of the congregation.
I hope I can find them and help them.
I hope so too.
I love you.
[SIGHS]
[ANNIE SIGHS]
Now I'm all awake.
I miss Deena.
I miss Robbie.
Her parents haven't even decided when I can come over again.
Even if I forgave Robbie for what he did,
Mom and Dad would probably never let him come over again.
- I'm going to bed now. - Good night.
- Good night, Luce. - Aren't you going to bed?
You're just gonna stay up all night moaning about your love lives?
[IN UNISON] I don't have a love life.
Come on, you two, get some sleep, you've been like this for a week.
You'll feel better tomorrow,
and the next day you'll feel better than that, and so on and so forth.
All right, all right. Good night.
Pray that Robbie finds a way to get back in good
with the me and the family.
And pray that I get back in with Deena's family.
I'm not tying up the God lines with either of those prayers, got it?
What do you expect?
I mean, she's doing the best she can considering the only two guys
she's ever been in love with are Jimmy and Rod.
What about the other one?
- What other one? - The one you both liked.
The guy with the big lips? You know.
Oh, we don't speak of him.
SIMON: Hmm.
I miss Deena.
I miss Robbie.
Please, God, give me a pony.
I really, really want a pony.
If you give me a pony, I'll never, ever do anything wrong again, ever.
This is Ruthie Camden,
and I'm asking you for a pony. And sooner is better than later.
Amen.
Hey.
You believe that stuff your father was saying about prayer at dinner?
- Why? - What difference does it make why?
You must be asking for a reason.
No, I'm just asking.
You thinking of praying that you pass your test so you don't have to study?
- No, I'm studying for it. - Then why are you asking?
Forget it, it's not that important.
Ha, ha, You were praying, weren't you?
Yes. Yes, I was, and if you must know,
I was praying to find a woman to have dinner with.
Just a nice woman, good conversation,
good food, a simple request from a simple man.
I thought you swore off women.
I was being supportive of you since you swore off women.
Oh, so you're not really being supportive,
you're just pitying me and then going behind my back
and asking God for a woman to have dinner with.
I could ask him for a woman for you to have dinner with if you like.
No, thanks, I'll ask him myself if that's what I want.
- So are you? - None of your business.
That's between me and...
You know, I'm not praying for something stupid like that.
Guess what.
I'm getting a pony.
What pony? What are you talking about?
I'm talking about the power of prayer.
I asked God for a pony last night and I'm sure I'm going to get one.
Should you break the bad news or should I?
- I. - You're not getting a pony.
You know, by "I," I meant me.
- What he said. - Why not?
I prayed for it and you said prayer has the power to change lives.
So I'm changing mine with a pony.
But it doesn't work like that.
Yes, it does. Simon asked for a dog and he got Happy.
- No, I got Happy. - God got you to get Happy.
RUTHIE: So why can't God get you to get me a pony?
What's the difference?
You big bunch of non-believers.
I'm getting a pony.
So which one of you is gonna take that on?
Hey, you never know, she might get a pony.
I'll go.
- Can we talk? - Why?
I've already talked to God.
And did you get an answer?
Well, if I get the pony, the answer is yes.
If no pony shows up, God didn't hear me.
[BABIES CRYING]
I'll be right back.
You heard me, right? Ruthie Camden.
Pony. Today. If you can. And we both know you can.
Please, please, please.
You know what you need?
You need to get your mind off Robbie, so I'm taking you out.
Not what I was praying for.
You realise Mom and Dad are probably praying
that this guy never calls you again
and that could possibly cancel out anything you're asking for, so--
[SIGHS]
You think Ruthie might get a pony, but you don't think Deena's parents
are gonna change their mind about me?
- That's not what I said. - Are you praying against me?
- What? MARY: Because that's not right.
You can't just cancel out what I want with what you want
just because you're you and I'm me and Robbie is Robbie.
Of course not.
Okay, thank you.
You should keep your work at the office.
- The world is my office. - Don't we know it.
Thought you were going to the library.
Thought you had to work.
You're out here trying to find Miss Right, aren't you?
What if I am?
What's the matter? Don't you believe in God?
No, I just thought I'd do my part.
Yeah, that's what I thought too.
Oh, so you did ask God to get you a woman.
Maybe. Maybe I was just having a cup of coffee.
RAVEN: Excuse me.
Do either of you know where the hardware store is?
- Yes. - Yes.
[PHONE RINGS]
Hello?
Sergeant Michaels.
- That was quick. - Don't get excited.
All I have is a list of names of children under 18 in the county
who died violent deaths in the last two years.
MICHAELS: But it's a long list and it's not broken down by location.
So it doesn't identify where each kid was killed.
It's the best I can do right now.
I can help you out first of the week if you like.
The letter says this Sunday,
so I'm thinking there's some reason for that.
I... I need to find this kid by Sunday.
It's Saturday, you do know that, don't you, Reverend?
Yeah, I know. I'll be by to pick up the list.
Good luck.
[SIGHS]
Help.
This is all my fault, you know.
What's your fault?
God is not answering my prayers, because I'm really not very deserving.
Yes, you are, and maybe he is.
Maybe God is telling you that there is no way you're ever going out
with that big fat liar, seducer, delinquent again.
Hey, you're talking about the guy I loved.
Yes. I'm talking about the guy you loved.
The real guy you loved. Not this pretty picture you keep painting in your head.
Why would God or anyone else want you to get back with Robbie?
- There must be a reason. - But there isn't a reason.
There's no reason at all.
You need to get out of the house. You and Simon both.
Why don't we do Mom and Dad a favour
and take Sam and David out for them?
It could be fun and we could be helping them at the same time.
I don't wanna have any fun,
I don't wanna help anyone
and I just wanna sit here and be miserable, okay?
Okay, but I'm going to get out of the house.
Great. Because misery does not love perkiness, perky.
Whatever.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
Would you like to get out of the house for a while?
Not unless it's to go over to Deena's house.
What if it's to go with me to take Sam and David out?
I mean, we could go down to the Glenoak promenade,
and walk around and get some fresh air and do some people-watching.
I don't wanna see any people other than Deena.
And if I leave the house and her parents give in and she calls,
I don't wanna miss the call.
Okay, good luck with that.
It's not a matter of luck, it's a matter of faith.
You don't necessarily get everything you ask for when you ask for it.
I'm sure Deena will call.
I am also sure she's not gonna call today,
because her parents said they'd reconsider in a couple of weeks.
Parents say stuff like that all the time.
- Okay, then I'll just go by myself. - Enjoy.
[WHIMPERS]
But having a pony all my own isn't the same as riding around in a little ring.
I'm volunteering to load up the twins in the car
and take them to the Glenoak promenade for a stroll.
- If it's okay with you. - Thank you. What a generous offer.
No problem. You wanna come?
Hello? What if the pony comes and I'm out for a stroll?
I've had about all I can take of everyone and their prayers.
I wish Dad had never brought up the whole subject.
Well, he did, and it's a very interesting subject.
[BABY GURGLES AND ANNIE SIGHS]
[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE]
- We blew it. - No, you blew it.
She was clearly attracted to me and I am clearly attracted to her.
I don't think so. Maybe you're attracted to her,
but she was clearly attracted to me.
And if you could have left us alone,
maybe I would have had a chance to ask her out.
You asked her for her phone number,
she responded by asking for our phone number.
"Our" being the keyword here. That was her way of getting my number.
No, it wasn't.
She was just being polite and safe.
Women don't always give out their numbers.
We spent hours with her, we weren't strangers.
We both told her our entire life story,
except for you, who left out the fact that you are on the rebound.
I'm not on the rebound, Shana and I didn't break up.
We're just free to see other people, people like Raven.
I asked for a woman to have dinner with and got it, but you got in my way.
No, I asked for a woman to have dinner with and I got it,
but you got in my way.
Well, I asked first and you horned in on my prayer.
- I'm gonna go study. - I'm gonna study too.
Why don't you study at the library?
[MOUTHS] Help me.
Maybe you should just call her.
I can't, her parents told me not to until they say so.
- Why don't you call Robbie? - What would I say?
I don't know.
I don't even know why you'd wanna call him.
I don't know why you'd want Deena to call.
- Because I miss Deena. - Well, I miss Robbie.
Yeah, Robbie is a no-good scoundrel. I mean, Deena is practically an angel.
She's no angel,
she left a hickey on you that looked like a third-degree burn.
So? That wasn't her fault, she was merely reciprocating.
No she wasn't, she was retaliating. Big difference.
There's a difference between goofing around with your girlfriend
and giving her a hickey and lying to your girlfriend
so you can take her to a motel to have sex.
Okay, it is time for you to shut up now.
No, you shut up.
[WHIMPERS]
[SIGHS]
If I forgive Robbie and you forgive Robbie,
then maybe Mom and Dad will forgive Robbie.
And that would be a good way for us to get back together, wouldn't it?
Hello.
- Hi. - So how old are they?
They had their first birthday on Valentine's Day.
- And how old are you? - I'm 16.
[GASPS]
[MAN CHUCKLES]
- Cute boys. - Thanks.
- You're a little young, aren't you? - Young for what?
- To be having babies. - Oh, no, no, no.
- These are my brothers. - Right.
No, no, they are. They're my brothers. My mother has seven children.
Oh, seven, is it?
And how many will you have before you realise the error of your ways?
I will pray for you, young lady.
Do me a favour. Pray for yourself, you old bag.
Oh.
Brothers. They're my baby brothers.
[PHONE RINGS]
Hello?
- Hi, Matt? MATT [OVER PHONE]: Yes.
- This is Raven. - Hi, Raven.
I was hoping you'd call.
You guys were so great showing me around today, that I wanted
to know if you could come over for dinner with my family tonight.
- I can come. - And John?
Yeah, I think he's free.
Why don't I ask him?
Are you free tonight?
Raven wants us to come to her house and have dinner with her family.
Thank you, Lord.
Yes, I'm free.
ERIC: Where is everybody?
I sent them all to separate corners.
- Who? Who's fighting? - All of them.
Why? Who are they angry with?
Mary and Simon are mad at each other,
Simon's mad at Deena's parents,
Lucy's mad at the general public and Ruthie's mad at God.
- How did this happen? - You.
Evidently prayer is a very controversial subject.
Is this your final answer?
- I'm having the same kind of day. - Oh.
- I didn't find the kid. - Maybe you're not supposed to.
- Is that your final answer? - Mm-hm.
Now you're mad at me?
Maybe.
Oh.
- Are you still mad at me? - No.
No, I'm not mad,
I'm feeling pretty silly for having acted that way.
I'm very sorry.
You're probably right, I'm probably not supposed to find this kid.
I just don't know why, but I don't have to know why.
But you still wanna know, nonetheless?
I can't help myself.
[PHONE RINGS]
- Hello? - Eric? Sergeant Michaels.
I think I've got your suspect.
Name's Jonathan Smith.
MICHAELS: 638 Ora Avenue. South side of Clarksville.
- Do you want a ride over? - No, I'll go myself. Thanks.
So I was wrong.
I'll be back as soon as I can.
Great, I come in to see you and you're leaving.
I'm sorry, Ruthie, can it wait?
Sure. Why not? It's only a pony.
ERIC: Mm-hm.
ANNIE: Oh, wait, please.
- I just wanna ask you something. - Okay.
Why do you want a pony? Is it because Simon has Happy?
Is it because you need to go somewhere?
Is there a reason, or do you just want it?
Does it make a difference why I want it?
- Probably not, I'm just curious. - I want it because I need it.
- For...? - I need that feeling
of being carried away to someplace.
Like being carried away from Earth back to heaven,
or being carried by angels when I came to Earth.
Do you remember that feeling?
- I'm not sure. - I do.
And I think I could get it from riding a pony.
I could ride it just all over the place.
Wind in my hair, laughing and happy and free.
Like that.
Maybe you do need a pony.
Maybe we all need a pony.
I know this old saying:
"Sometimes if your need is great enough
and your want is small enough, it shall appear."
How do you do that? How do you need it and not want it?
Well, maybe if you quit asking for the pony
and just keep telling yourself the thing you told me,
about how you got here and how you're leaving,
and the way you feel a need for a reminder
of how wonderful that journey is...
Maybe you could write that story or even draw it.
Yeah, draw it. I'm an artist, that's what I'm gonna do.
I'm sorry about what I said about Deena.
She is pretty angelic.
And if Robbie were a different guy, I'd be a very happy woman.
Or if you were a different woman,
say the kind of woman that likes that kind of guy, then you would be happy.
I can't believe that they thought I was a teenage mother.
And even if I were, they wouldn't know anything about it.
- Who are they to judge me? - I don't know.
I think Deena loves me just the way I am.
The only problem is her parents don't love me the way I am.
- Yeah. - I'll tell you who people don't love.
Teenage mothers.
If I just hadn't lost my temper,
if I had just talked to him, if I had just told him that I felt hurt,
then he probably would have understood.
We could have driven by his house and met his parents,
and then we could have come home
and Mom and Dad wouldn't have known anything had happened.
Me and my big mouth.
Why is it that when someone just up and volunteers to pray for you
for no reason at all, you just wanna smack them?
But he did lie to you, and to Mom and Dad.
MARY: Okay, but what if he didn't lie?
And what if he didn't take me where he took me?
What if he just came over here and kissed me good night at the door?
That's not what happened.
There must be a way to change what happened.
You think? I mean, I hope you're right, but I don't think so.
If I could change what happened, if I could change the fact that I bit Deena,
I would, but it's not possible, is it?
Aha.
Dad said that with prayer all things are possible.
But do you think that means a prayer can change what was or what is?
I guess either.
Sorry, I'm still feeling the sting of being completely humiliated in public.
Do you have any idea what she's talking about?
No.
[SIGHS]
Let me know right from wrong.
Let me stop myself before I do something wrong,
and if I go ahead and do it,
let me take the right action to correct whatever I've done
that missed the mark.
You know what would be nice for you to do for me
after I've put up with you and all of your breakups with Shana?
- What's that? - Stay home. Please stay home.
You know, I would, but I seriously don't think that Raven is interested in you.
Ha. You think you've rebounded to the point
that you're ready to get involved with another woman?
If God thinks I'm ready, then I must be ready.
- He wasn't answering your prayer. - Was too.
MATT: I'll drive. JOHN: No, I'll drive.
You may wanna leave before I do.
[PEOPLE SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY AND SIRENS WAILING]
You wouldn't be Jonathan, would you?
- No. - Mister,
you don't wanna be sitting out here too long. It's dangerous.
I knocked on the door but no one seems to be home,
so I'm just gonna wait a little longer, it's important.
Did Jonathan do something wrong?
Are you taking him to jail?
No, no, he didn't do anything wrong,
nothing at all, he's... He's just a friend.
Already got it.
Come in, come in, welcome.
Mom, Dad, these are the two guys I told you about.
This is my friend John, and this is John's roommate, Matt.
MATT: Hi.
My roommate, Matt.
- Nice to meet you all. - Nice to meet you too.
Raven's been talking nonstop about both of you all day long.
- Mom... - Come on in.
Proud that there are some fine young men in the world
who don't judge people,
or, to be exact, my daughter, by the colour of her skin.
Sometimes that's a problem for her.
You two are the answer to our prayers.
[MOUTHS] Thank you, Lord.
- Jonathan? - Yes.
- I'm Jonathan. - I'm Eric Camden, the minister.
The man who works for God.
I believe you wrote to me.
I've been waiting a long time to talk to you about this.
I'm sorry.
My dad sent me to my uncle's house
to borrow some money.
And then I had to go with my uncle to get my dad's liquor.
Well, I was hoping that I might be able to help your dad and your mom.
How are you gonna do that?
Yeah, I'm not sure, but maybe if I could talk to them, I could find a way.
If my dad finds out that you think I asked you to do something for him,
he's gonna beat me severely about the head, man.
[JONATHAN SIGHS]
Look, I don't know why you came here.
I didn't ask you to come here.
- But the letter... - Can't you read?
The letter asked for you to pray for me.
I sent it to churches all over the world,
and asked all the men and women that work for God to pray this Sunday.
You notice I didn't sign that letter?
That's because I didn't want you to know who it's from.
I don't want anyone to know who it's from.
Because of your circumstances?
No, because I'm not selfish.
And you think I'm the only kid who had his life ruined by a gun?
Kids just like me all over the world are suffering.
I figured if no one knew who they were praying for in particular,
they'd be praying for all of us in general.
So please, just do what I asked and pray.
And get everyone you know to pray.
The man upstairs will take care of all of us.
Have a little faith, Reverend.
Mr. Stewart, I have the greatest respect for your daughter.
I just wanted to apologise once again for my actions,
and I promise to be more trustworthy in the future.
[LINE RINGING]
STEWART [OVER PHONE]: Hello? - Mr. Stewart, I have the greatest--
STEWART: Do you have any idea what time it is, young man?
I'm so sorry, sir. I was just anxious to apologise again.
I have the greatest respect for your daughter,
and I'm sure I'll be able to find more appropriate ways
to show it in the future.
STEWART: All right. Ahem. Deena, Simon's on the phone.
Thank you.
[SIGHS]
I think I'm gonna give up on praying.
I don't think it's gonna do any good.
And I don't think Robbie is ever gonna change.
- And that's God's fault? - I don't know whose fault it is.
Maybe it has nothing to do with being anyone's fault.
Maybe it has something to do with Robbie growing up
and taking responsibility for himself
and learning to have respect for other people.
But if drunks can get sober, and addicts can get straight,
then can't a bad guy just get good?
I don't know,
but it wouldn't hurt if he did become a good person.
So if that's what you want, I'll pray for it too.
- You will? - I will.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
- Good night, you two. - Sleep tight.
I've gotta ask you both a favour.
But mostly you, Dad, since you're the one who brought this whole thing up.
Okay, fire away.
Could you pray that Robbie changes from bad to good?
You know, that he becomes a good person.
We'll try, honey. We'll try.
Just don't expect a quick response, okay?
Because it could take years and years.
And you have to realise that even if he does, as you say, go from bad to good,
he might end up with some other young woman.
It could happen.
It could happen, but please don't ask for that.
If it happens, it happens.
Okay.
Thanks, Mom and Dad, and thank you, Lucy.
You've made me really happy.
[SIGHS]
Do you have anything you'd like me to pray for?
Yeah.
Pray for all the brave young teenage mothers out there,
like your friend Corey.
Pray that they have the courage to be good parents
in the face of all the criticism and ridicule and hardships and...
Okay, about this Robbie guy...
- Where are you going? - Uh, I left a number downstairs.
I've gotta call a man about a pony.
[HUMMING]
Have a nice time?
Oh, yeah. You going to church tomorrow?
Maybe we can go together. My dad's church, your dad's church, either one.
Uh, I would, but, uh, my mom asked me to do her a favour.
Old Klip Klop here was made for children.
Loves children, likes the lightness and sweetness of them.
So you take it easy,
and she'll know where to take you and how to bring you back.
She does this all day, every day, so you have nothing to fear.
I'm not afraid at all. Thanks, Mr. Watson.
Okay.
Hi. I'm new. Do I just sit anywhere?
Yeah, sure, anywhere.
I'm Andrew Mann. What's your name?
Lucy Camden.
So your name's Andrew?
Yeah.
So it's an Andrew, just not an Andrew Nayloss.
Very funny.
Let us pray.
Our father who art in heaven,
ALL: hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,
for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen.
ERIC: Please be seated.
My son Matt and my daughter Ruthie
have chosen to worship elsewhere this morning.
Ruthie was feeling the need to experience God through nature.
She's taking a ride on a horse, an answer to one of her prayers.
[ALL LAUGH]
My family has been talking a lot this week about prayer.
What to pray for, how to pray, when to pray,
whose prayers get answered, whose don't.
All the questions that all of us, I imagine,
have asked ourselves at one time or another.
These, uh, discussions
came about when I shared my feelings about a letter I got in the mail,
sent anonymously.
And although I managed to track down the author of the letter,
he's asked to remain anonymous.
However, he had a request,
and I will now pass his request on to you.
Please say a prayer today for the millions of children in the world
who have become victims of violence.
Violence at home, violence in the streets,
violence in their schools.
Please ask God
to help those children who are trying to recover
from the death of a playmate or a friend or a family member.
Please ask God
to heal those families whose lives have been ripped apart
because of a violent injury or death.
Please pray for children everywhere.
Pray that they might have peace.
If we won't stop the violence in our children's lives
by taking the right actions and by behaving responsibly,
then the very least we owe them
might be the most powerful thing we can give them:
our prayers.
A moment of silence, if you will.