[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[footsteps approaching]
Hello, Rose-Ann.
It can't be that late. You're early, aren't you?
Early?
I feel like I've been standing on my feet for a week.
Cleaning up after a bunch of slobs.
Hey, what you been up to?
Where's my supper?
- I'm just gonna get it. - "I'm just gonna get it," what?
I'm just gonna get it, Rose-Ann.
That’s better.
I can't have some proper respect in my own home.
Now, who's been guzzling my gin?
I don't know, Rose-Ann.
Oh, I know darn well
there was a slug or two in the bottom of this.
The old bum!
When he gets home, I'm really gonna pin his ugly ears back.
[clatters]
Why in the hell did you have to leave
that thing there?
And they're all loose!
Why ain't they all been strung together?
Answer me!
Answer me, can't you, or would you like a slug in the puss?
(Ole Pa) Quiet, bigmouth!
Button it up for once in your life.
Oh, you no-good, old drunk.
You been guzzling my gin again, ain't you?
Get lost!
For crying out loud!
Could have broken my lousy neck.
How did all that junk get on the floor?
Ask her.
Ask Lady Selina.
Come on, now, no dinner ready, no beads strung.
What's with you?
I'm sorry, Rose-Ann.
I went out today, and the time just...
You went out? Where?
- Just in the park. - The park?
How the hell did you get yourself to the park?
Mr. Faber took me.
After he come with the bead s.
Faber? He's got a nerve.
Wasn't his idea. I've been at him for ages.
Oh, you've been scheming behind my back, have you?
Well, listen, you get any more big ideas like that
and you tell me about 'em.
You understand?
I'm sorry, Rose-Ann.
I didn't think you'd mind.
Well, I do. I do mind, see?
You seen my specs anywheres?
No, Ole Pa.
Rose-Ann?
- Rose-Ann? - What?
If I promise to get all my work done on time
couldn't I go again, tomorrow?
Who do you think around here has got time
to take you walking in the park?
Yeah, old Faber don't come tomorrow.
You could take me, Ole Pa.
Drop me off on your way to work.
No, he can't, 'cause you ain't going.
Please, Rose-Ann.
What you got against it?
It sticks out a mile, stupid.
When you gonna do your beads?
I'll take them with me.
I'll work double-quick in the park.
If I don't do twice as much work the first week
I'll give up the idea, I promise.
Says you.
When're you gonna do your work around here?
I'll get up earlier
and I’ll stay up longer.
I want my supper on time, like I'm used to.
It'd do you good to skip supper
once in a while, blubber-belly.
Oh, listen to old beer-belly talking about blubber.
(Ole Pa) Only one thing messing up your idea, Selina.
- And it ain't fatso's supper. - What, then?
Nobody to bring you home.
You could. I can wait.
Many a time I'm not on my way
till good and dark.
Is that all?
Dark's nothing to me.
I'm always in the dark.
How about that?
So you are.
You hear that, Rose-Ann?
With a face like hers, I wouldn't want to go
parading around the streets.
My face? What's wrong with my face?
If you could see, y-you'd know.
It ain't true.
There's nothing wrong with my face, is there, Ole Pa?
No, it's alright.
Pay no attention to her.
Her face is a mess.
Now, come on, get moving with the supper.
I got a heavy night in front of me.
[beads rolling]
And would you clean up those beads?
Forget about the park, Selina.
You got a nice, quiet life here.
No problems.
Where's my purse gone?
Have supper on time tonight.
And as for you
try and get home sober for once, pig-face!
Oh, go jump in a lake!
[door shuts]
(Selina) Ole Pa?
Does this look better, Ole Pa?
Will you take me if I wear this?
[chuckles] Okay.
Get some clothes on you, then
and take that God-awful hat off.
You don't want none of Rose-Ann's trappings.
You sure, Ole Pa?
I mean, if my face is so bad..
It ain't bad.
It's just your eyes.
It's only that people are so nosy.
When you was a kid
they was always at it.
"Poor little girl," they'd say.
"What happened?"
[chuckles] Oh, Rose-Ann used to get so mad.
Well, come on. Get a move on.
I ain't got all day.
Thank you, Ole Pa.
Thank you for being nice to me.
Can't do this every day.
No, just sometimes.
(Selina) It feels good, the grass.
Come on.
Mr. Faber said it was green.
What's green like?
Green is green, stupid. Same as the trees.
I wish I knew green.
I can remember blue.
The sky's blue, ain't it?
Yeah, sometimes.
Here you are.
Now, you sit here by this tree.
And you stay put, see?
Okay.
Thanks again, Ole Pa.
And, Ole Pa, my face..
You're sure it's not too bad?
Ole Pa?
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[birds chirping]
Oh! What is it?
Ooh! Oh.
Get off! Uh.
(Gordon) May I help you?
Who's there?
You seem to have a problem.
Anything I can do?
There's a, a crawly thing down my back
and I can't reach it.
[whimpering]
I got it. Alright, alright.
It's a..
It's a caterpillar.
And he seems just as frightened as you are.
Oh, thank you, sir.
It's alright.
Oh! Holy mackerel!
My beads!
Oh.
I'm sorry.
I'll never find them in all this.
Here, let me.
(Selina) Sure is kind of you to help, sir.
(Gordon) Nonsense. It was my fault.
What do you do with them?
String 'em.
That’s clever.
Do you ever make mistakes?
Mistakes?
Even a fool couldn't make mistakes with this.
So easy even a blind girl can do them, right?
Yeah, that's right.
Never seen you here before.
I only been once before.
Do you come here much?
Mm-hmm. Nearly every day.
Are you out of a job, then?
No, I work nights
but I live around here.
There.
Every bead back in the box.
Thank you, sir.
Well, I hope we found them all.
So long.
You must be very tall.
Eh?
Your voice sounds tall.
Oh, about six feet and a bit.
Excuse me, is that very much taller than me?
Well, let's see, I'd say you're about..
...five feet four inches or so.
Which would make me about nine or ten inches
taller than you.
Any more questions before I go?
I'm sorry, I don't usually talk so much.
I got to get moving, I promised I'd get
two day's work done by tonight.
Oh, cripes! The damn things is all mixed up.
Damn things are all mixed up, you should say.
- What? - Are all mixed up.
You sound like the radio.
I do? How's that?
Different.
Kind of sure.
Lots of things is different on the radio.
Are different on the radio.
Oh, I'm sorry. Are different.
That's better. Like what, for instance?
You know, like "God" and "Jesus" not really
being swear word s.
I love the church stuff.
Only Rose-Ann, s he won't have it on.
And Ole Pa, he says religion's a lot of bunk.
[chuckles]
Ole Pa, is that your father?
He's my grandfather.
He lives with us.
We never heard of my father after I got this.
Does it look bad?
No, it doesn't look bad.
How did it happen?
It w-was when I was five.
One night, after I was in bed.
Harry, that's my father.
He come home unexpected.
He was in a war or something.
(Rose-Ann) Just a minute!
(Selina) Rose-Ann, that's my mother.
She had one of her friends in.
Harry, he got mad
and he sliced up Rose-Ann's friend to a mush.
[grunting]
Then Rose-Ann threw the bottle.
[s creams]
It was meant for Harry.
That’s too bad.
I'm sorry.
Well, I got to be going. Bye-bye.
Excuse me.
I know something happened to my face
but is it, you know..
Well, somebody said it was a bit of a mess.
A mess? No.
You got a couple of scars around your eyes.
That's all.
- No kidding? - No kidding.
Bye.
[instrumental music]
Thank you.
[music continues]
(Gordon) Hi there.
I brought you a present.
A present?
Why should you bring me a present?
I don't know.
Here.
Take it.
It's glasses..
...like Ole Pa wears for reading.
Not quite. They're sunglasses.
Sunglasses?
It's very kind of you, but what are they for?
Never mind. Put them on.
- There. Just as I thought. - What?
Now you're a very pretty girl.
Pretty? Me?
Yeah. No sign of a scar.
Your face looks perfect.
Perfect?
Oh, you're pulling my leg!
[chuckles] No, I mean it.
All because of these glasses?
Mm-hmm.
[chuckles] Sounds like magic.
Yes, it is. A kind of magic.
Hey, would you like something to drink?
Yes, please.
I love them.
Are you wearing glasses?
No, but I often do.
Here.
Lots of people do.
Why?
Oh, to keep the sun from being too bright.
To hide behind.
You'd be surprised how many people
wear dark glasses to hide behind.
You?
Sometimes.
What's the name of this wonderful drink?
Wonderful drink? It's just pineapple juice.
You like it?
Yes, I do. I want to thank you.
It's alright, I guess stringing beads
is awful thirsty work.
Oh, holy smokes! The beads!
I'm way behind with the beads.
Those beads seem to mean a lot in your life.
Sure do.
It's my work, and I promised to do double today.
If someone'll help with them, all mixed up like this.
I'll tell you what.
Uh, I could give you a hand
for a couple of minutes, if you want.
Thanks, but you got better things to do.
Well, it's my fault they're all messed up
and I wouldn't want them on my conscience
for the rest of the day, boy.
So..
Well..
...let’s see.
I think you're a real nice person.
You mind telling me your name?
Gordon Ralfe.
My name's Selina.
Selina D'Arcey.
- Selina? - That's right.
How do you spell it?
S-E-L-I-N-A.
Oh, Selina.
That’s a lovely name.
- How did you say it? - Selina.
Selina.
[giggles] It sure does sound better.
It sure does.
You like this work?
Nobody likes work, do they?
How long you been doing it?
Um, five or six years.
Five or six years?
Ooh!
Even while you were in school, huh?
I never been to school.
Why not, for heaven’s sakes?
Well, you know, being blind and all.
Well, that's no reason. There are blind schools.
Never kind of come up.
I guess Rose-Ann was too busy.
Can't you read braille?
What's that?
You're not serious.
You mean you've never heard of braille?
Haven't you been taught any of the things
blind people do nowadays?
I ain't been taught nothing.
Oh, that’s not possible.
It's okay. I get by.
[scoffs]
[typewriter keys clacking]
[thuds]
[groans]
What, did you hurt yourself?
No. I'm doing the Watusi.
Maybe you really need that.
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
Excuse me.
Is anyone there?
Is anyone around?
Is there anyone here?
[music continues]
(Ole Pa) Selina!
Selina, where the heck are you?
Selina!
Get a load of lover girl and her sunglasses.
What did you say, Rose-Ann?
I said, dumbbell, I said I got me
a brand-new pair of sunglasses.
They belong to somebody else.
[chuckles] Not anymore, they don't.
I found them in the park.
Whoever dropped them might come
looking for them today.
Says you.
[gargling]
Shut up in there. Do you have to behave like a pig?
[blows raspberry]
So, you had your day in the park, hmm?
Mm-hmm.
How was it?
It was like, wow!
You sick or, uh, something?
I never felt finer.
Oh!
You feel like "wow" now?
I, I-I washed your nylons, Rose-Ann.
I cleaned up.
I didn't skip nothing.
Except my supper.
- That don't matter, I suppose. - Yes.
And what about your beads?
I done them.
I done quite a few.
You just better.
Ah, watch where you're going.
And what's more, I'll have a thing or three to say
if I get home tonight and find out
that kid's been in the park again.
(Rose-Ann) Oh, look at the time!
I'm warning you, both of you.
Drop..
...dead!
- Ole Pa? - Shut up.
Did Rose-Ann still have the glasses?
What glasses?
You know, the sunglasses, when she went out.
I don't know.
I don't think she did.
There's your choppers, Ole Pa.
I know. I got eyes.
[glass clinks]
Here.
Mr. Faber will take me to the park today.
You'll pick me up, won't you?
I don't mind how late.
It don't matter how late, Ole Pa
just as long as I'm back in time for Rose-Ann's supper.
You heard what your ma said.
- Yes. - Well, then.
[instrumental music]
[door shuts]
[music continues]
[humming]
[music continues]
Ooh!
[music continues]
[dog barking]
Oh.
[barks]
Ooh, hello, Scum-dog!
Best dog in the world.
I sure am glad to see you.
And how is my best worker today, hmm?
It's getting so late, Mr. Faber.
You still got time to get me to the park, ain't you?
Uh-huh! It's the park again, is it?
Yes. Please?
I work good in the park.
Look.
Ooh!
This is just fine.
You will take me there, won't you?
I shall be glad to.
More than glad.
Oh, thank you, Mr. Faber.
Which one of these is the prettiest?
I, uh, I think the one with the white spots.
- This one? - That's it.
Do you see a pair of sunglasses around?
I forgot where I put them.
I'll look.
[dog bark s]
[chuckles] Oh, here they are.
- Thank you. - You're welcome.
Do I look okay?
You look lovely.
Oh! I never heard you coming.
I hope you've been working hard today.
Yeah. I done a lot.
Just stopping for lunch.
Hey, you want some?
What you got there?
Crackers.
Crackers?
Crackers is for the birds.
Well?
Come on, let's go get something.
Ooh, how did I get up like that?
That was easy. You lead the way.
- Who, me? - Yes.
When we get to the exit, I'll show you what to do next.
I don't know how to get to the exit.
Then, you'll have to learn, won't you? Come on.
It's not so difficult if you know a little geography.
Now, can you feel the sun on you?
Sure. It’s hot.
Now try facing straight towards it.
- Here? - Good.
Now, about this time of day the sun is roughly
in the South, which means you're facing South.
Now raise your left arm.
Now that's East. Huh?
Now, raise your right arm. That's West.
And the nearest exit is West from here
so which way do we g o?
(both) That way!
Good.
[instrumental music]
We're on the path.
Turn right.
Now, it’s smooth sailing.
This is a parking meter.
Oh.
It costs ten cents to park..
...or five bucks if you try to be a wise guy.
Come on. Now, we want to cross the street, right?
So we have to stop the traffic.
- Stop the traffic? - Yes, that's no problem.
Now feel for this post here.
About level with your waist is a button.
- Here? - That's it. Press it.
That's the signal for the traffic to stop.
It'll take a minute or so but I want you to listen for it.
[tires screeching]
Now, one step down..
...and count your steps as you go across.
One step up.
There you are.
Now, there's a delicatessen a little bit further on.
Wait! Don't we have to let the traffic go?
No. That's automatic.
Wait a minute.
[car engines revving]
How about that!
I could just about kill Ole Pa.
He never told me none of this
nor Mr. Faber, neither.
Well, most of us take too much for granted.
Now, the next thing, I want you to tell me
when we get to the delicatessen.
- How will I know? - I think you'll know.
It's here someplace, ain't it?
- Right. - I thought so.
Mm! Whatever they're cooking it sure smells good.
[cash register dings]
They make great corned beef sandwiches here.
You like corned beef?
I love corned beef. Mm.
Still hot, too.
Here's your drink.
Uh, no, thank you, Gordon.
It's pineapple juice.
Uh, I don't care to drink anything today.
[whispering] You don't have to worry.
A few steps from here is a place for little girls
to wash their hands, et cetera.
I'll show you how to get there any time you say.
- Oh. - Now, how about that drink?
- I would love a drink. - Here.
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
You need a..
...partner for stringing beads with this system.
If I ever took up stringing beads
seriously, boy, I'd..
...I would stab myself.
[no dialog]
[both laughing]
Stop. Stop, please!
Please, Gordon, don't make me laugh anymore.
Oh.
What's the matter?
Okay.
Straight ahead.
It's wonderful to have a friend.
You know, that's gonna be my favorite word from now on.
I know a better word.
Well, perhaps, friend doesn't mean so much to you.
I suppose you got lots of 'em.
A few.
Well, what's your word then, or is it a secret?
Uh.. Tolerance.
- Tolerance? - Yeah.
Don't think so much of that.
What's it mean?
Well, it mean s...
Oh, I know!
Like, when I've got a headache
Rose-Ann says, "You'll just have to tolerate it."
Well, it means more than that.
It means you don't knock your neighbor
just because he thinks or looks different from you.
That’s a pretty good word, too.
I'll bet you're full of tolerance.
No, I'm not, not by a long shot.
What a gorgeous smell.
Oh, it’s a rose garden.
[bell tolling]
It's 5 o'clock. I gotta go to work.
Oh, do you have to?
I certainly do
if you expect to live a life of luxury
swilling down pineapple juice.
[chuckles]
Do you think you'll be coming this way tomorrow?
Tomorrow is Sunday.
Oh, cripes, so it is.
There.
How about Monday?
Mr. Faber comes Monday.
Noon, Monday.
Thank you for my lovely day, Gordon.
[birds chirping]
[barking]
[Selina laughs]
Oh, hello, Scum-dog.
This is my lucky day.
Good evening, Selina.
Me and Scum-dog, we were just taking
a little walk in the park.
Uh, you want us to walk you to home?
Oh, Mr. Faber, how tolerant you are!
Yes, yes.
You are a fine and tolerant friend.
No, just walking.
Scum-dog!
[bell tolling]
You are here again?
Yeah. Ain't you glad you're going out?
Sure am.
[footsteps]
(Sadie) Yoo-hoo!
Hi, Rose-Ann. How's the girl?
Hi, doll. Sit down and take a load off.
Hello, Sadie.
Man, dig that crazy ghost!
Hey, you hear a ghost telling me "Hello," Rose-Ann?
Please, Sadie, not that again today.
You standing for her giving me lip, Rose-Ann?
Selina, tuck in your tongue.
Get Sadie and me some coffee, huh?
Yeah. Bring me a glass.
With pleasure.
Are you gonna let her get away with that?
Aw, Sadie, come on, it's Sunday.
Take it easy. The kid didn't mean nothing.
Yeah? Well, I wouldn't take any of that
upstage malarkey from her.
Thank you, dear.
You want a drop?
Uh, no, thanks, honey. I'm sticking to Coke today.
Kind of cleans out my system for the week.
Yeah, well, I suppose you got to watch yourself.
You ain't exactly Marilyn Monroe anymore either.
Maybe not.
It makes me spit when I think of what I could have been.
Well, that's it.
Neither one of us is getting any younger.
No. We ain't getting any younger, are we?
[bell tolling]
[thinking] You think you'll be coming this way, tomorrow?
(Gordon) Tomorrow is Sunday.
(Selina) How about Monday?
(Gordon) Noon, Monday.
Noon, Monday. Noon, Monday..
[sobbing]
[sniffles]
[footsteps]
[blowing nose]
[paper bag rustles]
[footsteps receding]
[birds chirping]
[whistling]
[Gordon whistling]
Don't stop, Selina.
[whistling continues]
[chuckles]
You thought I wasn't coming, didn't you?
I was a bit worried.
I'm sorry. Something came up.
I haven't even done me marketing yet
and Monday is me day for that.
Would you like to help me?
Oh, I sure would!
I won't be a nuisance though, will I?
Sure you will, but I could use your advice.
(Gordon) Asparagus, chili beef
minestrone, clam chowder
tomato, chicken gumbo
turkey noodle
uh, kangaroo tail, vichyssoise
vegetable, or just plain pea.
Kangaroo tail sounds interesting.
Kangaroo tail?
I'll bet you it tastes interesting, too.
Alrighty.
It's freezing!
Ice cream section.
Strawberry, chocolate, vanilla
and all sorts of fruit flavors.
Hey, do they have pineapple?
Pineapple?
Pineapple.
[clangs]
Pineapple sherbet. You want some?
I guess so. It's not easy to choose.
- Makes you feel kind of greedy. - One pineapple sherbet.
And one vanilla for the experience.
Now, what's next?
Eggs, bread, milk. That's over here.
- Hey, hop on. - Huh?
Step up.
Continuing along aisle three
on your right, exotic fruits of the earth.
Pear s, pineapples, peaches.
There's apricots, plums, mango, lychees.
Libby’s wonderland.
And on your left, spices from the Orient.
On aisle five
candy, cookies, cereal, pickles.
Aisle six, prepared foods
canned soups and vegetables
cereal, baking goods.
Forward!
Whee! Yahoo-hoo!
[laughing] Oh!
Almost forgot. I'm out of detergent.
Now, this is where I really need your help, hmm?
Alright, there's Swish.
Keeps your hands soft as velvet.
Good. Whizz?
- Retains your girlish skin. - Marvelous.
Jiffy?
Jiffy makes you feel like a princess.
Oh, beautiful! Froth?
Froth. I never heard that one.
That one's just for washing dishes
but that's the one we need.
Let’s go.
[Selina laughing]
Off you get. No room for passengers now.
Oh, this sure is fun.
And the way Rose-Ann always gripes about marketing!
You know what this is?
Tomato.
Don't buy this one. It's too soft.
Thanks, kid.
Go get me some orange s.
- Me? - Yeah.
Straight ahead.
- How many? - A dozen.
[rumbling]
Did I drop one?
Take them from the top. It's safer.
Nine.
Ten.
Eleven.
Twelve. Twelve.
That's it.
Now, all we have to do is pay.
It'll cost a fortune.
- You must be very rich. - Not so you'd notice.
[cash register dings]
- What's happening now? - They're adding it all up.
- In their head? - No. On machines.
They don't use heads anymore.
Here are your beads.
We're gonna have to dump the rest of this stuff.
My pad's just around the corner. You don't mind, do you?
No, I don't mind.
Here, turn to the left.
And, whoa!
[laughing]
[door closes]
Oh, man, what’s happening?
What do you think is happening?
Is this an elevator?
- Yes. - Oh.
I thought we was gonna hit the ceiling!
[door open s]
Now, this is a hallway.
- Jeepers! - What is it?
Carpet in the hall?
[laughs]
Shh! Don't laugh so loud.
You're too much.
Oh.
- My, it's cool in here. - It's air-conditioned.
Is it all new?
- No, why? - It smells new.
Come, you sit down over here while I go dump this stuff.
[music on radio]
You sure you're not rich?
Quite sure.
Hello.
You been taken care of?
It's alright. I'm just waiting for Mr. Ralfe.
Oh, where is he?
He's in there putting some stuff away.
Well, maybe I can help you, then.
Uh, what, uh, what was it you wanted?
Nothing. I'm a friend of his.
I see.
Oh, please, sit down. This noise.
[turns radio off]
I'm Mark. I'm, uh, Gordon's brother.
Oh.
[chuckles] He must have forgotten his manners
leaving you alone like this.
Just sit down. I'll, I'll go dig him up.
Say, bro, what goes on here?
Hi! What happened, the hospital burn down or something?
I'm whipped, man, I just dropped in for a shower
and some sack time.
Oh, what's with little Orphan Annie out there?
[sighs] Nothing.
She says s he's a friend of yours.
- Yeah, that's right. - Since when?
I never saw her before.
Well, since a few day s.
Where'd she come from, this, uh..
Selina.
Well, thanks. Where'd you meet her?
In the park.
In the.. Oh, man!
You're picking up chicks in the park now?
Knock it off. That kid's blind.
Oh, yeah, I thought there was something a bit off-center
but I still don't get it.
It's very simple.
She's blind, and she needs help.
She's just a friend.
Very touching.
Man, you gotta be out of your mind.
The most you're likely to get out of this
is a kick in the pants.
Why don't you go take a shower and cool off?
You want some lunch?
No, thank s. I had mine.
- That was Mark. - I know.
Talks fast, doesn't he?
Yeah. He’s a bit wound up.
He's been having a tough time at the hospital.
(Selina) He been sic k?
No, he works there. He's an intern.
And he thinks he's one great ball of fire.
What do you think?
I think he's one great ball of fire.
I thought you thought that.
Open that.
[music box chiming]
[chuckles]
[singing in foreign language]
[chuckles] Where did you get it?
It belonged to my grandmother.
Can we play it again?
How do you wind it up?
Look, I'm starved. Come on.
Bring it in the kitchen, and I'll show you how.
Okay.
(Selina) Oh.
Mm! This tastes real good.
I'm glad you like it. It's nothing special.
Maybe it's because we're sharing it.
It's great eating and talking.
Man!
Most of the time I have the radio on
but you can't talk to the radio.
- There's your milk. - Oh, thanks.
Mm!
Whoo.
[music box chiming]
It sounds so gentle.
I bet your grandmother was just like that.
Sweet and gentle.
- What was her name? - It was Pearl.
Well, that suits her.
I, I had a friend called Pearl, once.
Hmm?
She used to come up to the room
and, and play with me.
We had a lot of fun together.
Me and Pearly was great buddies.
- Not anymore? - No.
Rose-Ann, she put a stop to that.
What for?
She came home early one day and raised hell.
What were you up to?
Mm, nothing much.
She got mad because Pearl was colored.
You know, black?
She said I could never have a black friend.
- Did you ask her why? - Unh-unh.
When Rose-Ann gets going, you don't bother about why.
You just keep out of the way.
Pity, Pearl was colored.
Anyhow, she never came no more.
When was this?
Hmm, a long time ago.
I was only nine, but I miss Pearl a lot.
She was my only friend till now.
She used to teach me things, too.
Everybody ought to have a friend.
Well, go on. Tell me about your grandmother.
Where'd she get the music box?
Oh..
It was a present.
- From a man? - That's right.
And did he marry her?
No, he didn't.
Why not?
I don't know why not, uh..
I don't know all the details.
See, my grandmother was..
- Yes, go on. - Well...
Well, the man, he was, uh, from a different world.
You know, he was very rich and important.
And she?
She was just a beautiful woman.
Oh, go on. Tell me some more.
- I don't know any more. - You must know some more!
The man..
...he was her lover.
Yes?
Yes, they were lovers.
Ah-ha!
[laughing]
"Ah-ha!"
What are you laughing at?
You sound so experienced.
You're a baby.
I'm no baby, Gordon. I got experience.
You have, have you?
Yeah. I been done over, about a year back.
I don't know who he was.
(Selina) Some fellow Rose-Ann brought back.
[Rose-Ann screaming]
I could tell they'd been drinking.
(Rose-Ann) Don't pay no attention to her.
(male #1) I ain't no circus performer.
(Rose-Ann) Oh, but she can't see nothing.
(male #1) Yeah, but, uh, you better get rid of her.
(Rose-Ann) Uh, alright. I'll go find the old man.
He can take her for a while.
[door slam s]
(male #1) You're quite a find.
- Come on! - No!
(Selina) Rose-Ann! Ole Pa!
Knock it off! Yeow!
I'll teach you to bite, you little bitch, you.
- Rose-Ann! - Get away from there.
(Selina) Rose-Ann!
- Get over here! - Ole Pa!
[Selina sobbing]
(Selina) No! No!
[intense music]
(Selina) Ole Pa blew his top when he heard about that.
Rose-Ann had to take another room down the hall.
I don't think she ever forgave me for that.
You know..
I always used to think Rose-Ann was having a good time
for herself on that bed of hers.
I know better now.
I feel a bit sorry for her sometimes.
Are you still there, Gordon?
I'm... here.
[giggles]
[chuckles]
[music on stereo]
[vinyl player clicking]
[instrumental music]
What do you think of the book?
I never knew you could feel words
but I can't read it any more than an ordinary book.
You will.
As a matter of fact, that one was written by a blind woman.
She was deaf and dumb as well.
- Don't seem possible. - Certainly is.
Come, we have to g o.
[music box chiming]
Would you like to take it with you?
You mean it?
[music stops]
- Oh! - It's yours.
[chuckles]
[music box chiming]
(Rose-Ann) Get a load of lover-girl and her sunglasses.
(Selina) What did you say, Rose-Ann?
(Rose-Ann) I said, I got me a brand-new
pair of sunglasses.
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[wind blowing]
[thunder rumbling]
[rain pattering]
[thunder rumbling]
[sobbing]
No! No!
No!
No! No.
Aah! No!
[s creaming]
[Selina sobbing]
You’re safe now.
[whimpering]
Don't cry.
Don't cry anymore.
Here, take my coat. Put it around you.
[whimpering]
You poor baby.
Don't cry.
[shuddering]
I... I can't stop gulping.
You will. You will.
What made you come?
I don't know.
Is it dark?
- Yep. - I'm glad.
Why?
It makes you more like me.
It's stopped.
Yeah.
Seems to be all over now.
Is your grandfather coming for you?
- Yes. - Good.
Because I have to get back to work.
- Is there a step? - Yeah, two.
- Don't let go. - I won't.
- You okay? - Uh-huh.
I love you so much.
Don't be silly, Selina.
- I do love you. - Stop it.
You hardly know me.
Here's your tree.
You sure your grandfather's coming?
Ole Pa?
Oh, sure, he's bound to come soon.
Thank you for comin' back.
I was crazy to get scared.
It's time I grew up
and-and stopped acting like a kid.
I'll be fine now.
I'll be fine.
Ole Pa, he's bound to come soon.
(Ole Pa) Selina!
Selina, you're still here?
That’s him now.
He's plastered for sure.
(Ole Pa) Selina!
You blind broad.
(Ole Pa) Selina!
Don't let him see u s.
(Ole Pa) Selina!
Where the heck are you?
You poor darling.
(Ole Pa) Selina!
Here!
I'm here, Ole Pa!
[instrumental music]
[snoring]
[music continues]
Oh, my darling.
[chuckles]
[instrumental music]
[snoring]
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
(Selina) Where's your lunchbox, Ole Pa?
I don't know.
Maybe I left it in the saloon.
I don't know.
Ole Pa, you want I should punch
the time clock for you this morning?
You speaking to me?
Yeah, you're gonna be good and late, ain't you?
I'll punch the clock for you.
Huh.
Thanks, Rose-Ann.
That’s good of you.
Oh! I feel terrible.
Oh, that’s tough.
Poor old fella like you oughtn't have to rush.
(Ole Pa) You alright, Rose-Ann?
Oh, I'm fine.
I feel good and rested.
Sadie treated me to supper last night.
We took it easy.
Beats me how anybody could take it easy
with that broad.
Well, she don't make it exactly hard to get now, huh?
[both laughing]
Ow!
Don't kill yourself. It wasn't that funny.
Oh, I got to get goin'.
Poor old buzzard.
You're gonna be real late this mornin'.
What, with taking Selina to the park and all.
What'd you say?
You're gonna be in a real bind if you take her with you.
Like hell.
Like hell you are, or like hell you ain't, huh?
Like hell I ain't!
I'm finished with that baloney
going into the park
in the middle of the night in pourin' rain.
Wonder I ain't dead. Nuts to that!
Goodbye, Selina.
Goodbye, Rose-Ann.
[door shuts]
You didn't mean that, Ole Pa, did you?
You are takin' me, aren't you?
What's this?
That’s your lunch.
You are taking me to the park, aren't you?
No!
I'm all through with that hula-hula.
[door shuts]
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[upbeat music on radio]
[music continues]
[vehicle horns honking]
[tires screeching]
[horns honking]
Oh!
[skateboards whirring]
[horns honking]
[skateboards whirring]
[dramatic music]
Watch it. Leave me alone.
[Selina grunts]
Help me!
Somebody! Please help me!
You sick, honey?
No, I'm blind.
Can you get me across the street?
Sure. Come on.
[music continues]
Watch your step.
Take it easy. Okay?
[music continues]
[Selina grunts]
Are you alright?
Yeah, I'm alright.
W-where am I? W-which side am I on?
What?
I'm blind. I-I can't see where I am.
Well, you've no right to be out alone.
Where do you live?
73. 73, Pine Street.
Why, that's around the corner. Come on.
[upbeat music on radio]
[indistinct chatter in distance]
(man on radio) And now in a moment, "Five O'Clock Forum."
This topical program is brought to you each day
by Swish, the detergent..
(Gordon) It's 5 o'clock. I gotta go to work.
(Selina) Oh, do you have to?
(Gordon) I certainly do.
If you expect to live a life of luxury
swilling down pineapple juice?
(Selina) Uh, I'm blind! I can't see where I am!
(male #2) Why, you've no right to be out alone.
No right.
No rights at all!
Do I have to take this?
Do I have to?
[sobbing]
[grunting]
I hate you, Ole Pa!
I hate you, you dirty, drunken, selfish old bastard!
I hate you!
I hate you, too, Rose-Ann!
You filthy, cheap, stinkin' whore!
You mean, ugly, slobbering cow!
I hate you both!
I hate everybody!
Everybody in this lousy, stinking world!
I hate 'em! I hate 'em all!
[sobbing]
I hate 'em!
I'm goin' mad!
I know I'm going mad!
Oh!
Oh, my darling..
Gordon! Oh, my darling Gordon..
[woman laughing]
[knock at door]
Who is it?
(male #3) I got a message.
There’s nobody home.
I've got a message for D'Arcey.
Mrs. D'Arcey ain't here.
Your name is Selina?
My name is.. Yeah, that's my name.
I got a message for you from my father.
Your father? For me?
Yeah, Mr. Faber.
He said to tell you he had a phone call
from a friend of yours. From Mr. Ralfe.
He wanted to know if you're sick or something.
Are you sick?
No. No, I'm not sick.
Well, then, if you're not sick, he said he'd meet you tomorrow.
He said you'd understand.
I understand. Oh, yes, yes, yes!
- Okay? - Okay, thank you.
Oh!
[knock at door]
- Yes? - I almost goofed.
Papa said he had to go through the park tomorrow.
You wanna go?
Oh, yes. Tell your father, yes, please.
Okay. Bye now.
Goodbye! Bye.
Oh!
[instrumental music]
[giggling]
Ooh!
Those eggs were great!
I think I'm going to hire you as a full-time cook.
You couldn't afford me.
I think I'll make my brother, the doctor, pay half.
I won't have you share me with Mark.
I'm going to give you my phone number.
You could have called yesterday, you know
and saved yourself a lot of grief.
Wouldn't have done no good.
We haven't got a phone.
There must be a pay phone somewhere nearby.
Maybe.
I'll walk you home today, and we'll find one.
I don't know how to phone, Gordon.
Now..
We'll take care of that, too, at the same time.
Ow! Oh, Gordon, I'm sorry!
It's alright. It's alright.
It happens to me all the time.
I never break anything. Really, I don't.
Why did I have to break somethin' of yours?
Just forget it.
Forget it.
Was that a kiss?
That was a kiss.
Kiss me again.
Oh, Gordon.
Gordon.
Oh..
Oh, I wish I'd never been done over.
What did you say?
Nothin'.
Oh..
I'm sorry.
You were much sinned against.
(Selina) Are you angry with me?
No.
Do you think I'm bad?
Dirty?
No, I don't.
I said what I did
because I love you so much.
I know why you said it.
I'm glad you said it. You brought me back to earth.
I didn't want you to come back to earth.
I wanted you to make love with me.
I know.
[instrumental music]
Thank you.
Wait.
[exhales]
Hey, can I try a puff?
You won't like it.
[blows]
Don't blow. Draw.
[coughing]
I told you.
You, you really like that?
[coughs]
It helps me to think.
Are you thinkin' now?
Mm-hmm.
Thinkin' about you, as a matter of fact.
Oh! What about me?
You cannot go on living the way you are.
It's a dark-age story.
I don't know what else I can do.
Well, there must be some way.
I'm alright, Gordon. Really, I am.
I've-I've never been so happy before.
That’s good, Selina.
But we have to look ahead. Things change.
I don't want anything to change!
I just want to go on being with you.
That's just it, you can't be with me all the time.
I don't want you to go on living
with Rose-Ann either.
I'll think of somethin'.
And if I'm gonna walk you all the way home
it’s time I got changed.
[music on stereo]
Hello! This is a surprise.
Mark?
You know, I'm always finding you abandoned.
I don't know why you put up with it.
Don't you get mad at him?
I could never get mad at Gordon.
Well, where is he this time?
He's changin' his clothes.
- Oh, excuse me. - Uh-huh.
Hi.
You bring that girl here every day now?
No, it's just the second time.
Well, maybe you better make it the last.
Wait a minute.
Since when are you my keeper?
Listen, I don't wanna be your keeper
but I don't like to see you wasting your time either.
I think that girl comes from a trash heap.
Maybe, but she isn't trash!
Given half a chance, s he could... be something.
You plannin' on providin' that chance?
I think I can help.
How?
Get her in a school.
You planning on educating a white girl?
Man, that's not your job!
Let whitey educate his own women.
They never given us anything but a hard time.
Okay, Mark.
Let's not get into a political argument.
This is a personal matter.
(Mark) Yeah, too personal for my liking.
What do you mean by that?
I mean, that nobody takes this kind of interest in a girl
if there isn't something in it.
You’re off your stick.
Yeah? Alright, then tell her.
Tell her she can never really mean anything to you.
Look, on race and politics, we don't agree.
So, let's drop this.
Tell her that she can't fit in here.
If she could see, s he'd know that already.
I said drop it!
Let me handle this my way.
Well, this isn't your way!
Damn it, facts have always been facts to you, no half-truths.
You've rammed that down my throat often enough.
Now, you go out there and tell her the score, man, or I will.
Don't tell me what to do.
She doesn't have to know the score.
I want to get her settled somewhere first, is that clear?
Yeah.
Well, just make sure you can see the forest.
Make sure the trees aren't gettin' in the way.
[music continues]
[music stops]
Let’s go.
I've got it.
5-5-5-3-2-6-8.
Right.
[whispering] ...3-2-6-8
Now, pick up the receiver.
Here's a dime.
- In there. - Yeah.
[telephone dings]
This one?
(Gordon) Mm-hmm, that's the one.
[telephone whirring]
Operator?
I'm blind, and I can't read the dial.
Would you please get me
5-5-5..
...3-2-6-8?
Thank you.
They're doin' it.
[chuckling] It's ringin'!
[both laughing]
The number doesn't answer.
It's a shame to trouble him for nothin'.
I'm sorry, I wasn't in.
What's that?
Well, your money comes back when nobody answers.
Here.
Hey! Here.
You keep it for good luck.
- Now, you got that? - Yeah.
Okay.
He ain't much trouble.
I'm not havin' that mangy old buzzard.
And I should have thought you'd be glad to lose him.
But you don't mind Selina.
Well, that's different. She can do the chores.
When can I see it, Sadie?
I'll take you around there tonight.
Oh, it's a swell place. You'll love it.
Oh!
How about that?
Seventy-three.
You sure you can manage from here?
I'll be fine, Gordon.
- Bye. - Bye-bye.
She's gettin' to be a big girl now.
See you later.
[footsteps]
Hello, Rose-Ann. You're early.
Oh, you clean up this room today?
Yes. Yes, I did, Rose-Ann.
Don't you lie to me.
You've been out again, hmm?
I cleaned up before I went out.
Yeah? It doesn't look like it to me.
What's wrong with it? Tell me and I'll fix it.
I'll tell you what's wrong. I seen you with that nigger!
- That what? - That black man!
(Rose-Ann) You k now what I always told you about colored trash!
(Gordon) I don't k now all the details.
- See, my grandmother was... - Yes, go on.
(Gordon) Well, the man, he was, uh, from a different world.
(Selina) And she?
(Gordon) She was just a beautiful woman.
(Rose-Ann) What you grinnin' at?
What you been up to with him?
He's teaching me things..
...wonderful things.
I just bet he is!
I bet you're learnin' some swell things
from that black buck!
Shut up!
Don't you daresay
those ugly things about Gordon!
He's a lot better than anybody...
Don't you tell me to shut up
you ungrateful little chippy!
Ow!
- Ow! - Oh!
Hit me, would you, your own mother?
Is that what you're learnin' from your black boyfriend?
Ow! Stop it! I hate you!
If I ever, if I ever catch you
with him again, I'll beat the hell...
What the hell is goin'on here?
What are you trying to do to Selina?
You stay out of this one, you stupid old drunk!
Who are you calling stupid?
Why, you three-buck broad, you!
[grunt s]
You, okay, you black-hearted bitch
if you want to fight..
You filthy old bum!
In all my 35 years
I never saw such a filthy old bum!
And you're my own father!
Thirty-five years?
Forty-five is more like it!
And you look every bit of 45.
[grunt s]
(Ole Pa) And you're a fat 45-year-old whore!
Do anything, anytime for a buck!
And what wouldn't you do for a buck?
What wouldn't you do for a buck, you pig?
Cow!
[panting]
Selina!
(Rose-Ann) Selina!
Come on out.
[Rose-Ann panting]
Get out! Selina!
[Selina screaming]
(Rose-Ann) Ow! Get out of here!
Get out! Get out!
Hey, Ole Pa!
[s peaking in foreign language]
- Are you alright? - Mind your own stupid business!
Well, I guess it is our business.
We thought you were trying to scream
the whole bloody building down.
I don't agree. This is a private argument!
Yeah! Come on, get out of our house! Go on!
Hey, keep your hands to yourself!
Yeah, does he know what goes on across the hall
when he's out workin'?
Yeah, you!
Yeah, she-she wiggles her fat can at the grocer!
[s peaking in foreign language]
I got one of 'em.
Ah! Did you see the look on his face?
We fixed 'em. We fixed them good!
[both laughing]
Oh..
[Selina gagging]
Stop that. Stop it, Selina.
Leave her be. She's sick.
Come on, get up. Get up.
- I can't. - Oh!
- Come on.
Easy with her.
Oh! Easy.
Oh, what a mess!
What are you sitting down for?
- Clean it up! - What?
You heard me. She'll just make it worse.
Then you do it. She's your kid.
I'm gonna take a bath.
[water running]
I feel so sick, Ole Pa.
Me, too.
I'm an old man, Selina.
Too old.
I can't clean it up.
I'd like to, but I can't.
I'm going out to get plastered.
Do you understand, Selina?
Don't go out.
Not tonight, Ole Pa.
I have t o.
Sorry, Selina.
I'm a no-good old drunk.
I'm a flop!
[door closes]
[alarm clock ringing]
Come on, out of it.
I got a lot to do today.
And I settled your hash, too.
Killed two birds with one stone.
What do you mean, Rose-Ann?
We're movin' out of this dump.
Moving out?
Shh, keep your voice down.
He don't have to know everything.
[whispering] But why are we moving?
Me and Sadie got plans.
You and Sadie?
Quit talking like some parrot.
Me and Sadie are going in together.
We got a new place. Sadie says we can make some real dough.
Doing what?
Don't ask stupid questions.
All I know is, I got a chance
to get out of that crummy hotel job.
And I ain't gonna miss it.
I don't wanna go any place with that Sadie.
You'll do as you're told, and consider yourself lucky
that she'll have you after what we've seen.
Well, what about Ole Pa?
Nothing about Ole Pa.
There ain't gonna be any room.
Couldn't I stay here and look after him?
I don't want to leave Ole Pa.
Oh, that would suit you, wouldn't it, on your own?
No telling what you wouldn't get into.
Not a chance.
Here.
I see.
But you could take a girl of that age?
Yes, I understand.
Alright.
Ye s.
I'll be there tomorrow at 3:00.
Thank you.
[telephone ringing]
[ringing continues]
Thanks to you, doll, I've seen the last of that place.
I told them just what they could do with their lousy job.
Well, good for you.
I've been waiting to do it for years.
You should have seen the expression on their faces.
[Rose-Ann laughing]
It's mighty nice of you, doll, to give me a hand.
I wasn't looking forward to packing all this stuff.
Well, we're partners now, ain't we?
Selina?
Can you believe it?
After the smack around I gave her last night.
Ah, get going on this stuff, honey.
I'll be back as soon as I can.
[dramatic music]
[music continues]
Come on, Speedy Gonzales, get a move on.
Look, Rose-Ann, I told you the place.
There ain't any sense in me coming, too.
I wanna make sure.
[instrumental music]
Congratulations! You made it!
- Oh, Gordon.. - Hello!
Oh, Gordon, I tried to phone you
but you weren't home.
Why? W-what happened?
Well..
...Rose-Ann's taking me away.
I won't be able to get here anymore.
Where is she taking you?
I don't know exactly
but she's leaving her job.
She's moving in with Sadie.
They're going to start..
...one of those places.
[sniffling]
[crying]
Oh, Gordon.
Well, that..
...Rose-Ann must be some dame.
Oh, she sure is.
Come, let’s sit over here.
And just put the whole cock-eyed idea out of your mind, Selina.
How can I?
I can't help wondering what might happen to me
in a place like that.
Just forget it.
Now, there are laws against what Rose-Ann and Sadie
have in mind.
And a word or two in the right place
will soon take care of that.
The cops won't do anything.
The cops like Rose-Ann.
You don't know anything about it, so stop worrying.
I can't help worrying about it
while it hangs over my head.
It is not hanging over your head, not anymore.
In a few days, I hope you'll be leaving Rose-Ann for good.
I've found a school for you.
A school?
At my age?
People go to school at all ages.
But if you can stop Rose-Ann starting her place
I won't need to go to school.
And things can stay just the way they are.
The way things are, Selina, isn't good enough.
You do want to learn how to live properly, don't you?
Yes, I do.
But this school..
...is it far away?
Not too far.
I'll be with strangers.
They'll laugh at me.
I don't think they will.
Ain't there something else we can do?
I think, this is best.
Will I still be able to see you?
Of course, you will.
- Oh.. - Okay?
Okay.
You know, I think it's about time you fixed me some lunch.
Okay, Gordon.
Come on.
Jeepers, I nearly forgot.
There's something I gotta get.
Ooh.
[birds chirping]
I'm gonna miss my lunch.
Oh, come on!
I hope it’s still okay.
Defy me again, would you, you little tramp?
- Wait a minute. - Oh, and as for you.
I got a good mind to call a cop.
From what I hear, that wouldn't be such a bad idea.
What? Wait till I get you home, blabbermouth.
Let me go!
Selina!
No!
[groaning]
It's alright. Be quiet, be quiet. It's alright.
Take your filthy hands off my kid!
Leave her alone, Mrs. D'Arcey.
Did you see that? He struck me.
He struck me!
You can't get away with this.
That's my daughter, he's got there!
That’s my daughter!
Ain't anybody going to do nothing?
Selina!
You come back here!
[breathing heavily]
You realize what you're doing?
You fool, you blind little fool, come back here!
You..
(Rose-Ann) Selina!
Selina! Selina!
Whose side are you on? Don't you care what happens to the kid?
She ain't a kid anymore, Rose-Ann.
[door unlocks]
Selina?
Yes, Gordon?
[chuckles] What are you doing in the dark?
Oh, sorry.
It’s okay.
Ole Pa's always doing that.
Well, it's all set.
They can take you tonight.
They're sending a whole school bus for you.
They'll call when it's on its way.
[kettle whistling]
Oh, I-I put the kettle on.
I thought you'd like some coffee.
They wanted to know how old you are.
I told them 18. That's right, isn't it?
Yes. April 23rd.
Look, you must..
[telephone ringing]
Gordon Ralfe.
Yes, that's right.
Thank you.
Yes, she'll be ready.
That was the school.
The bus is on its way.
Already?
When will I be able to see you?
Oh. I'll be around.
Are you married already?
What do you mean "already?"
I mean, I mean, I thought
like, you've never said, um..
You've never said you were married.
Uh, I was thinking if you were already married
then that's why..
I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have asked.
Please be tolerant.
It's alright.
You can ask me anything.
No, I'm not married.
I've never been married.
Then why don't you be..
Why don't I ask you to marry me?
Not ask, just marry. You don't have to ask.
Come.
We'll take these inside.
There's something I want to talk about
before the bus arrives.
I'm not wrong, am I?
You do love me, don't you?
Of course.
Gordon, you've gone away from me.
Everything is changing.
No, I haven't.
Come on.
I thought you'd gone away.
Sit down. Come.
Selina, there are many kinds of love.
Most of them have nothing to do with marriage.
You mean, you don't want to marry me?
I believe there are reasons why it wouldn't work out.
Because of my being blind?
Because of where I come from?
Selina, you'll meet many new people
men and women.
You will see lots of things differently.
And after a time
you'll be able to tell.
We'll both be able to tell
whether what we feel for each other
has anything to do with marriage.
How long is all this gonna take?
Let’s say a year from today.
A year?
A year’s forever.
I couldn't hold out longer than a week.
A year is not forever, Selina.
Now, you listen to me for a minute.
There's something I want to tell you about me.
I know everything I need to know about you.
I love you.
I know you're good and kind.
I know you're colored...
- What's that? - And I...
And I think you're beautiful.
Beautiful?
Most people would say the opposite.
Well, that's because they don't know you.
[doorbell buzzes]
[mellow music]
It's time to say goodbye, Selina.
[music continues]
Gordon, do I really have to go?
Yes, darling.
For a while.
How did you learn about me?
Rose-Ann saw us together yesterday.
[knock at door]
You want me to come with you?
And have to say goodbye again?
[music continues]
Ms. Selina D'Arcey?
She's ready.
[instrumental music]
[music continues]