Long Way Home, The (1998)
Posted: 02/11/24 19:06
♪ ♪
Geez, I hate to see that go.
What, that old sofa?
Had my first sex
on that sofa.
If you can call it that.
Get outta here.
Mom almost caught us.
Carol Amory. Remember her?
Uh-uh.
Last I heard, she was
teaching second grade somewhere.
Damn good sofa.
Here's Dad.
I thought he wasn't coming.
Changed his mind, I guess.
I also thought he wasn't
supposed to be driving anymore.
We're doing the best we can,
Pete.
Thought you weren't coming.
You drove over?
I didn't have time to saddle
the horse.
We're doing pretty good.
You're gonna come outta this
real nice.
You interested in that lamp,
Marybeth?
Yeah.
I think so.
It's in good shape.
I'm real sorry about this,
Tom.
Tom, can you do any better
for me on this mower?
Talk to Bonnie.
Tom.
Harvey.
Very fine piece right here.
Oh, I made that for Donna.
Our 25th anniversary.
It's worth five times
that much on the worst day
of the week.
You know what they call yard
sales? Legal thievery.
You gonna get along all right?
Sure.
Could be worse.
Burt Kemper's boy put him in a
home last month.
Least your situation is better
than that.
Could be lots worse.
I think we can give it one
more day, Dad.
We've did a lot better than I
thought we would.
What happens to the stuff
that isn't sold?
We'll just have to dump it,
I guess.
See if the Goodwill wants
anything.
You take your medicine, Tom?
Yes, Doctor.
You forgot yesterday.
Well, I remembered today.
What's for dessert?
Strawberry Surprise.
How many is that today?
First one.
I thought I saw you light one
up this morning, Dad.
You know what the doctor
said.
Well, at least you changed
your mind.
About what?
Hitchhiking.
It would've been an
adventure.
Oh yeah, so would jumping off
a cliff. Briefly.
You know, I don't know about
you, but I sure wouldn't mind
driving across country in a
$50,000 automobile.
That car is not me.
So, why did you accept it?
My father likes to give me
things.
It would've hurt his feelings.
Ah, well, that's very
sensitive of you.
"How sharper than a serpent's
tooth it is...?
Huh?
"... to have a thankless
child."
Sure is a long way
to drive alone.
Adam...
So how long you think
you'll be gone?
I don't know.
I've never driven across
country before.
I'm in no hurry.
To get there, or to, uh,
get back to me?
Most of the best stuff was
sold, hon.
But...
I managed to save some things,
you know, like I said I would.
Oh, I saved our bed.
For my room.
It's a bit of a tight squeeze,
but I've been trying to remember
if it was Kenny and Pete both
who were started in that bed...
I think it was just Kenny.
I don't know.
Anyway, I saved it.
Oh, and you remember that
cabinet I made for you on our
25th? Yep.
I think we saw this.
It's a really old one.
Didn't we see this?
[laughing]
Yeah, I remember that part.
Oh, yeah.
[chuckling]
Very good.
I think I've already
taken that, Bonnie.
Twice a day.
You can't get absent-minded
about your medicine, Tom.
[chuckling]
It's warm in here.
You're sitting in a draft.
It's time for bed, don't you
think?
Oh, God, she is funny.
Whatever happened to her?
[chuckling]
He's still talking to
himself.
Maybe you would too, if you'd
been all alone like he's been
the past couple of years.
I thought he'd stop now that
he's got us to talk to.
Guess he prefers talking to
himself.
[laughing]
♪ It would be great to be ♪
♪ Lost for a while just to ♪
♪ Disappear ♪
♪ And let the world take over ♪
♪ Get out there, girl ♪
♪ And see what's... ♪
[music fades]
♪ Wouldn't it be great to be ♪
♪ Lost for a while ♪
How far you going?
Chicago.
Oh, I'm not going through
Chicago.
Whatever.
You're living on the edge a
little bit, aren't you there?
What?
Hitching.
I'm careful.
And I've got Mace.
I thought about hitching
myself.
♪ And let the world ♪
♪ Take over ♪
[engine rumbles, stops]
[door slams]
Whatcha doing?
Not a whole lot.
Same thing I did yesterday.
I hate to see you just
sitting around doing nothing,
Dad, I really do.
I'm retired.
And I don't play bingo.
You got mail.
Me?
You "Mr. Thomas Gerrin"?
Yeah, last time I checked.
It went to General Delivery.
Somebody didn't know your
address.
My check come?
Comes Thursday.
Isn't today Thursday?
Tuesday.
I thought it was Thursday.
I gotta get started on the
kitchen before Bonnie divorces
me, uh, you wanna help?
Say when.
Okay.
Ronnie.
Can't be.
[door closes]
Four.
Five...
Six, seven...
Eight.
Uh-huh.
So, who was that letter
from today?
Huh?
That letter you got.
Without an address.
Oh.
Somebody I used to know a long
time ago.
Who's that?
You don't know her.
Haven't seen or heard of her
in years.
A woman?
Used to live here in
Beaumont.
Says it's been 55 years.
55 years?
How'd she know you'd still
be here?
Still alive, you mean?
What does she want?
She says she just wanted to
say hello.
You gonna write her back?
That's two, three, four.
Triple word is 12.
The average couple talks to
each other 29 minutes a week.
Are you sure?
29 minutes a week.
That's only two hours in an
entire month.
Honest to God, I read it
somewhere.
Hard to believe.
Scary, I know.
Are you married?
I'm taking Tom into town to
cash his check.
You need anything?
Couple of C batteries.
Anything else?
Nope.
Okay.
I'll meet you in the coffee
shop in about an hour, okay?
Yeah.
You wanna get your
prescriptions filled,
or should I?
I'll do it.
Thanks.
[distant marching band music]
Hi, there!
Aah!
What's this?
Looks like a circus to me.
Hasn't been a circus around
here in 20 years.
30.
[man laughing]
Hey! Hey!
What's that?
Oh, thank you!
Keep coming, keep coming--
tie it up there.
Hold, right there, that's good.
Hey.
Hey, grab that stack.
[phone ringing]
Hello?
Here?
Why would he be here?
I thought he was with you.
You check the barbershop?
What about the Paradise?
I'm standing in it.
I've looked everywhere.
Maybe he decided
to walk home.
Why would he walk two miles
home when I've got the car?
Well, we both know he's been
kind of absent-minded lately.
If he decided to try and walk
home, and he had one of his
spells, he could be lying on the
side of the road right now.
Look, you stay right there,
I'm driving in.
Maybe you'll see him on your
way.
Okay.
You're a little early for the
show, old-timer.
What? Oh.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I must've fallen asleep.
You okay?
Yes, uh-huh.
I'm Marco.
Oh, hi.
Come on.
With rain lightly starting
late tonight and early tomorrow
morning.
Expect winds...
15 miles an hour
with some stronger gusts.
The possibility of rain is 30--
Compliments of the house.
Oh, are you sure?
Yeah, free advertising.
How you feeling?
Much better, thank you.
Good, you from
here in Beaumont?
Yep, all my life.
Yeah, I grew up here, too.
With a name like Marco?
Well, it used to be Mark.
Left when I was 16.
Haven't looked back.
Oh, you ran away and joined
the circus, did you?
Yeah, something like that.
Come on, I'll buy you a cup
of coffee.
No point in us going crazy
looking for him.
He probably bumped into Harvey
or some other friend of his.
I'm sure he'll call.
Kenny, we've got to have him
looked over.
I can't handle this.
Don't start this again.
You're as stubborn as he is.
I'll see you at home.
You're just never going to
find me leading one of those
lives of quiet desperation.
I will swallow pills first,
I promise you.
Know what I'm saying?
Mmm.
I was born on Barrow Street,
then we moved over to West
Pike Avenue.
West Pike.
Yeah, the Harrisons used to live
on West Pike.
d*ck and Evelyn.
Maybe you remember them?
Don't believe I do.
Oh, yeah, they're dead now,
the both of 'em.
How long's the circus
gonna be here?
I've got a granddaughter that's
supposed to visit next month.
Just the weekend.
Oh.
Bonnie was in here looking
for you, Tom.
Oh, yee-gods.
I forgot, I was supposed to
meet my daughter-in-law here.
Uh, what time you got, Patty?
Half past 4:00.
You're kidding.
Well, thanks for the pie.
You need a ride home?
No, no, it's not a long walk,
and I know a shortcut.
Why don't you come by
tonight or tomorrow night?
Look for me.
I'm the guy in the top hat.
You got it.
Okay.
Oh, no, no, Ivy, there's
nothing to worry about,
just ask Harvey if he's seen
him.
Okay.
Yeah, I will.
I'll let you know.
Okay.
Now, where is that darn path?
I know it's along here
someplace, isn't it?
We used to take it going to the
br*wnings, remember, hon'?
I don't know, I'd swore it was
right along here someplace.
And I-- now, wait a minute.
Hey, wait a minute.
There it is, see?
I knew I hadn't lost
all my marbles.
Ow!
Oh, oh...
Oh...
Ow.
Oh.
Oh...
[bird cawing]
Ow. Oh...
Oh...
Hello?
Hello, anybody out there?
Hello?
He's about 5'10",
5'11", I think, isn't he?
Used to be.
People kinda shrink when they
get older.
He just cashed his Social
Security check.
Um, there's not much we can
really do tonight.
You call me first thing in the
morning if he hasn't shown up.
We will.
Ow.
Oh, boy.
Oh...
Kids must be fit to be tied.
[coughs]
Oh!
Ahh...
Ha ha.
I'll tell 'em that I was
kidnapped and held for ransom
until I overcame my captors
and made my escape unscathed.
Hah.
Ow.
Well, maybe a little scathed.
Hi.
When did you see him last?
Bonnie dropped him off in
front of the bank yesterday
around 1:00.
But we know he was in the coffee
shop about 3:30, 4:00.
You sure he didn't say
anything about...
visiting a friend?
Nope.
And we've called everyone.
He's gettin' on a bit.
Maybe he just forgot to tell
you where he was going.
Is he okay?
He gets dizzy sometimes,
loses his balance.
That's why we moved him in
with us.
He can't have gotten
very far.
Let's give it a couple more
hours-- my guess is,
he'll turn up safe and sound.
And if he doesn't?
We'll go and find him for
you.
Deal?
God.
Let her drop.
Thank you so much.
How'd you hurt your leg?
Ah, it happened yesterday.
I was trying to climb a tree.
You shouldn't be in
such a hurry.
Funny thing is, I'm not.
Spare's still a little soft.
Better check it at the next
station.
Is there anywhere to eat
around here?
I could use some breakfast.
Well, there's Hilly's Inn.
Food's not great, but it won't
k*ll you, I guess.
I don't know about the rooms.
It's about a mile down the road,
if you're not too fussy.
Life is risk.
Which way are you headed?
That way.
Oh, well, hop in.
I'm Leanne, hi.
Tom.
That one word or two?
I'm sorry?
Leanne.
One word or two?
One.
No one calls me Lee
and lives to tell about it.
Got it.
So, where am I, anyway?
Kansas.
Oh, I know that,
I meant where in Kansas?
Oh, about 150 miles
this side of Wichita.
You might've heard of Wichita.
And the nearest town is
Beaumont, that's a
mile and a half back that way.
Where you headed?
California.
Oh, whereabouts?
Carmel.
Up near San Francisco.
Is that anywhere
near Monterey?
Right next door.
I'll be damned.
Why?
I just got a letter from
somebody in Monterey, California
the other day.
You have friends in Monterey?
No, not-- not--
well, not exactly.
I've got a friend, maybe.
Oh.
Hmm.
I'll be damned.
55 years?
You're kidding!
She kept tabs on me, she
says, through an old girlfriend
of hers.
Who was she?
Her name is Veronica.
Deacy, Veronica Deacy.
No, I mean, who was she?
Oh.
We almost got married once.
Almost.
I hate that word.
Unless you almost
fell off a roof.
No, I didn't mean it like
that, I meant it the other way.
"Of all sad words of tongue or
pen, the saddest are these:
it might have been."
You know, like that.
That's a quote, I guess.
So, why didn't you?
Marry Veronica Deacy?
Oh, that's a long story.
[door opens, slams]
Why are you going to California?
Oh, I live there.
My family does. It's home.
Your heart there?
I'm sorry?
"Home is where the heart is."
That's a quote.
Oh.
What do you do?
Work-wise.
I was a cabinetmaker.
What are you now?
Nothing.
Nobody's nothing.
Well, I'm retired.
Oh, I am never gonna retire.
I don't know what I'll be
retiring from, but I know I'm
not going to do it.
Sometimes you have to.
They make you.
Oh, golly, that reminds me.
Excuse me, I'll be right back.
How ya doin'?
I'm doing fine,
how are you doing?
Travelin' with your granddad,
are ya?
No, he's not my granddad,
I'm just with him.
Did ya hear that?
Says she's "with him."
I think she's pulling some leg
here, don't you?
She can pull on mine anytime.
What's your name, sweetheart?
Ophelia.
Ooh, that's a pretty name.
What do you say me and you ditch
old granddad here for a bit,
get to know each other some.
Oh, he's really not my
grandfather.
He's my lover.
You see, I used to be a hooker.
Until I met George, and then
he just turned my life around.
Now we're engaged.
You're quite the little
smartass, ain't ya?
What's my tab?
Seven even.
You ought to get that
phone fixed.
Yeah, I know.
Why won't you believe me?
Do I look like a dishonest
person?
I mean, I know it's hard to
believe, but so many things are
these days, haven't you noticed
that?
How'd you like to notice
a smack in the mouth,
you wise-ass little b*tch?
Let's go.
Let go, you Neanderthal.
Huh?
Don't do that.
Your little girl here's got
quite the mouth on her,
ain't she.
Let go!
Hey, hey!
Come on now, Russ.
Let's just see if it tastes
sweeter than it talks, eh?
Russell, knock it off now!
You old son-of-a-b*tch!
Hey, Russ, come on,
take it easy!
Hey, cowboy.
Aah!
Let's call it a day, son.
Aah!
Do me a favor, mister, and
get this girl outta here!
Well, the restaurant wasn't
all that great, I think we
should pass on the motel.
What do you think?
[car alarm chirps]
I think that we should hurry
right along out of here as fast
as we can.
[engine starts]
You called everywhere?
Unless he's got a buddy or
two I don't know about,
and I don't think so.
They're dropping like flies.
You check the hospital?
Three times.
They're getting tired of hearing
my voice.
Well, could be he's lost,
wandering around someplace.
Oh, come on, Pete.
Dad could walk the whole county
blindfolded at midnight.
Well, maybe not anymore.
I don't know if all his gears
are meshing lately.
Better let the sheriff handle
it, go home and wait it out.
Go home and wait it out?
We're not talking about the
family dog here.
Kenny, I think you're
overreacting.
Better than not reacting at
all!
Look, I know you two don't
always see eye to eye, but--
He's got you right where he
wants you, just like always.
You don't know what you're
talking about.
I hate to say I told you so.
But if we'd done my idea...
I hope someday your kids'll
say they want to put you in a
nursing home. You might
see things differently then.
Yeah, well, at least they'll
know where to find me.
I take it that was Mace.
I think I used it all up.
Wow, you were great.
With the stick.
My hero.
It scared the hell outta me.
Felt good after, though.
Gee, I've never been in one
of these before.
It's like floating on air.
Yeah, it was a present from
my father.
Let me know when you want me
to drop you.
How far are you going?
Uh-oh.
Do you think that they're
coming after us?
Maybe they're not
coming after us.
Maybe they liked the Mace so
much, they're coming back for
more.
What do you think?
I think we'd better not let
'em catch us is what I think.
Good thinking.
I'm really sorry about this.
Watch it!
[car horn honking]
Let's get out of here.
[phone ringing]
[ringing continues]
Hello?
Hello, Bonnie? It's me!
Tom!
[whirring, clanging]
It's Tom!
Tom!
Tom? Tom is that you?
I can't...
I want you to know
I'm all right!
I said, "I'm all right!"
Hey, would you fellas knock that
off for just a second?
[whirring, clanging]
[muttering]
I'll call you back when I find
another phone, huh?
Tom, where are you?
Tom!
[dial tone]
It's gonna take a week to
restore it to some semblance of
its former glory.
[groaning]
How's your leg?
Fella goes to a doctor,
he says, "Doc, every time
I do this, it hurts."
Doc said, "Don't do it."
[laughing]
That joke is so old, that
only someone as young as you
could laugh at it.
How's your elbow?
Girl goes to a doctor, says,
"Doc, it hurts when I go--"
So where were you heading
when fate threw us so
dangerously together?
Ah, home.
Where your heart is?
My heart is not there.
Why not?
It's not my home.
I lost my home recently.
Sold it.
I live with my son and
daughter-in-law now.
You have a wife?
She passed away.
Be three years this April.
I'm sorry.
It gets easier, so they say.
How many kids?
[chuckling]
Two daughters in Florida.
Two sons here.
Two daughters-in-law,
seven grandkids.
One of the daughters-in-law is
in the process of not being
that.
Ah. Marital discord?
Pete's wife.
She's been cheating on him for
years.
Well, do you have any
brothers or sisters?
Had a brother
and three sisters.
They're all gone now.
I'm an only child.
You don't sound too thrilled
with your living arrangements.
Well, my arm got
twisted a bit.
I get a touch of high blood
pressure now and then.
I'm fine, but the kids
got all in a panic.
Well, at least you're
with your family.
My boyfriend's parents put his
grandmother in an old age home
last year-- she lasted
two months, and that was it.
That can happen,
they tell me.
You've got a boyfriend, huh?
Yeah. Yeah, I guess so.
Though I kind of feel like
I need my space right now.
I know that feeling.
[both laughing]
Well, you got a week to k*ll
before you get your car.
No, I'll just pick it up
on the way back.
From where?
California.
Uh-huh.
Well, what are you--
you gonna rent a car, you gonna
fly out?
No, I'm gonna hitchhike.
What? Hitchhike!
What the heck would make you
do a damn fool thing like that?
It's what I wanted to do in
the first place.
It was written.
Huh?
It's an Arabic thing.
It's what they say when
they believe that something was
meant to be.
"It was written."
You gonna get home all right?
Sure.
How'd you like some company?
What do you mean?
To California.
How would you like some company?
What company?
[silent]
You're putting me on.
I've got money, plenty.
I cashed my check yesterday.
Wait, wait.
You're telling me you want to go
to California? With me?
Just like that?
Just like that's maybe the
best way, maybe the only way.
And I won't slow you up.
You really want to hitchhike
to California?
You better say yes or no,
before I lose my nerve.
But you don't have your
clothes or your toothbrush
or anything.
And what about your kids?
I'll call 'em at the next
stop, and I'll buy whatever I
need along the way as I need it.
You're serious.
It was written.
He gave you no indication
where he was calling from?
He might've.
I couldn't hear.
It sounded like maybe he was in
a lotta trouble, and he couldn't
talk.
Let's not go jumping to
conclusions just yet.
We'll do a little poking
around, see what we can find.
At least we know he didn't
get hit by a car or anything.
Your Dad got a beef with
anybody?
Nobody I can think of.
Except maybe his doctor for
telling him not to drive.
This is harder
than I thought.
I've got an idea.
Why don't I go back in the
bushes, and then
when a car stops,
which I have no doubt they will
do for you, you tell' em that
you're saddled with a guy with a
bum ankle, and up I'll pop.
Now, they gotta be too
embarrassed to turn us down
unless they're totally lacking
in human feelings.
A distinct possibility.
Do you think it'll work?
Well it did for
Claudette Colbert.
Who?
In a movie.
Here comes one.
[silent]
So he got extremely upset.
You know, he couldn't
understand.
If only he'd had the courage
to understand.
You know, sometimes it takes
courage to understand.
Courage is character.
Character is destiny.
You know what I mean.
Took the words right
out of my mouth.
Here's where I turn off.
Maybe you can pick up a ride.
There's a bus that'll stop,
though, if you flag it.
Thanks a lot!
Much obliged.
Hey, what was she talking
about, do you know?
I'm working on it.
Your father is gonna be upset
about that car.
Not really.
He'll just be glad I wasn't
hurt.
You, too, of course.
Oh, that's nice to hear.
I know those who'd be more upset
about the car than those who
were in it.
Not my Dad.
He's one of the good ones.
What's he do?
He was a lawyer.
Retired, is he?
No.
Not exactly.
It's kind of a long story.
How far's the next town,
do you know?
A real town? 60 miles?
Maybe more.
Oh, my God.
That is amazing.
I never knew anybody who could
do that.
I never knew anybody who
thought that was amazing before.
[laughing]
Hey, there's the bus!
There's only one unit left.
In the nick of time,
fortune smiles.
Maybe we should try the next
one along.
Why? We'll take it.
I'm her granddad.
$32 for a double.
Coffee shop opens at seven.
I haven't had a shower in
two days.
Maybe you were beginning to
notice!
I thought it was me.
Oh, I hate you.
How's it feeling?
I think it's gonna take
a microwave to thaw it out.
Well, the swelling's gone
down.
Yeah.
We'll just get a bandage and
wrap it up.
It'll be okay.
I hope so.
So what are your plans for
the millennium?
Huh? The what?
New Year's Eve, 2000.
The 21st Century.
It's gonna be here before you
know it.
Well, I never
thought about that.
I don't know, I hope I'm still
alive, I guess.
Oh, morbid.
Me, I'm gonna be in Paris.
New Year's Eve,
me on top of the Eiffel Tower.
I don't know about you,
but I am wiped.
Please tell me
that you don't snore.
No, no...
Nope, don't snore.
[faucet running]
Oh...
How come you didn't
come to bed?
I did come to bed.
Well, I meant all the way.
I came far enough.
You didn't even get
undressed.
Well, you got undressed
enough for the both of us.
Are you a morning grump,
by any chance?
No. Ow.
You're upset.
Why are you upset?
Well, I may be an old man,
but I'm not that old, damn it!
What old?
For you to be doing a damn
striptease right in front of me!
Striptease?
I got undressed,
I was going to bed!
I couldn't help
but notice that.
Why are you so upset?
Jeez, you're like my
grandfather!
I'm not your grandfather.
And even if I were...
That's not what I meant!
What I meant was, you're old!
That's not what I meant.
That's not what I meant!
Eaten yet?
No, I waited for you.
Coffee and orange juice,
please.
Have you chilled out?
I mean, are you still mad?
I know what chilled out
means.
Oh, you're not that old.
I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have flown off
the handle.
Sure you should've.
It was insulting, what I did.
I didn't-- I didn't mean
to insult you, I just--
I wasn't thinking, you know?
I'm really sorry, really.
Let's order.
I'm so hungry I could eat
Nebraska.
It's on me.
No, let's split it.
You already paid me enough
last night.
Don't pay any attention to
her, she has a twisted
sense of humor.
So what do you think?
About what?
Me going to see Veronica,
Ronnie.
Oh, I think it'd be cool.
Yeah, why?
For freedom.
You know what I mean?
No.
"Freedom is the length of the
chain between the imagination
and the stake of reality."
I'll have to think that one
over.
I spent ten days on a
reservation last summer.
This really amazing Native
American woman gave it to me.
It's supposed to help guide me
towards my purpose.
And what is your purpose?
I'll know it
when I get to it.
Well, look who's here!
What, you know this guy?
[all silent]
California?
Last time I saw this guy,
he was on his way home.
Which was about 20 minutes
away two days ago.
He's taking the long way.
The scenic route.
Well, I wish I could take you
all the way.
We're about three hours from
our next stop.
You see the show in Beaumont?
Never made it.
I didn't know there were
little circuses still traveling
around.
When I was a kid, I always
wanted to run away
with the circus.
And now, for the 11:00 news
update.
Authorities in Beaumont are
looking for an elderly man who
has been missing since Friday.
Thomas Gerrin is described as
being 75 years old, about
5'10", and 170 pounds.
That'd be me.
He was last seen at a
restaurant near Beaumont
on Friday afternoon
in the company of a young girl
in her early 20's with blonde
hair and wearing a red leather
jacket.
That'd be you.
Relatives fear Mr. Gerrin
may have suffered a loss
of memory or some other
disorienting episode,
but the possibility of foul play
has not been ruled out.
If you have any information
as to the whereabouts of this
man, contact...
What's going on?
I suffered a disorienting
episode.
Oh, don't look at me!
I had nothing to do with it.
You have got to call your kids.
What the hell's the matter
with them? Spreading it all over
the radio like that.
You just walked off without
telling anyone?
Well, I'm over 21.
I can do what I damn well
please.
Couple of dizzy spells, and they
treat you like a little child.
At least let them know
you're okay.
I will. I will.
Call 'em and tell 'em you ran
away with the circus.
Yeah.
Do you know anything about
this girl?
Not a thing.
You think maybe she and your
dad might've been up to
something?
Like what?
Some kinda May-December
situation?
Are you kidding me?
We're talking Tom Gerrin here.
Fella over in Dexter,
80 years old, just had a kid
with his 26-year-old wife.
It was in the paper a couple
of weeks back.
My father was married to the
same woman for 50 years.
He hasn't got any interest in
women anymore, least of all a
girl young enough to be his
granddaughter.
Happens more than you think.
I'm tellin' ya.
He's not getting enough oxygen
to the brain.
Had an uncle on my mother's side
went through the same thing.
This is how it starts.
Excuse me, Sheriff.
You got a call.
They're not gone but
a couple-- three hours.
It was him.
I got his name right here
on the register.
Hers too.
They shared a room.
I'd have called quicker,
but I just now heard it,
on the radio.
[people cheering]
Ah-oo!
[silent]
[bell dinging]
Winner!
Thank you.
♪ ♪
Have you got something slow?
Mm-hmm.
Great. Excuse me.
♪ ♪
I haven't danced for a long
time.
Oh, it's like riding a bike.
Yeah, haven't done that
lately, either.
So, you haven't called them
yet, have you?
Have you seen a phone?
God, you'd think I was some kind
of a fugitive from justice,
wouldn't you?
The way they put it out like
that on the radio.
That ticks me off.
I bet you were a good father.
I did the best I could,
you know, at the time.
I supported 'em, sent 'em to
college, those that
wanted to go.
If that's not enough,
then sh**t me.
Of course, they've all got a
grievance, you know.
That's the fashion.
I got a daughter who says
I was distant.
My shop was 15 yards
from the house,
she saw me every day
of her life.
"Distant."
What kind of bull is that?
About how long?
They caught a ride,
about an hour ago.
They'll be well over the
state line by now.
I got no jurisdiction.
I'll send a fax.
How could he do this to us,
after all we've done for him?
Honey, we don't know the
whole story.
And what've we ever done for him
that was so special, anyway?
I broke my back with that
yard sale.
I invited him to come
live in my house.
You think he'd take his medicine
if I didn't force him to
twice a day?
He's my father.
What's the alternative?
Don't answer that.
Kenny, you know I love him.
But he's Pete's father, too.
And your sisters,
what about them?
Why are we the only ones who
care?
Pete'd put him in a home.
He's already as much as told me.
Kenny, this was supposed
to be our time.
The kids are finally out of the
house, and now we've got Tom
to worry about.
It's like having another child.
No, it's not.
We are not responsible for him
every moment.
Kenny, look at me.
We have not made love since
the day your father moved in
here.
For God's sake, Bonnie, do we
have to talk about this now?
When would you like to talk
about it, Kenny?
We can't talk about it when
he's back.
Well, maybe he won't be back.
Would that make you happy?
Thank you.
You're welcome.
What's that?
This-- a plane.
Let's see.
Be careful, it's very sharp.
It's kind of beautiful,
isn't it?
For a tool.
Kinda came into my mind
to keep it.
Everything was being sold off.
Why?
I told you, I'm retired.
How come?
I just got old.
Oh, right.
I keep forgetting.
Could I have a coffee please?
Right.
What would your boyfriend
think about you hitchhiking
across the country?
Not much.
Besides, he doesn't really
tell me what to do, so...
You've got a long freedom
chain, huh?
You remembered.
I gave it some thought.
You think he's gonna wanna
take you back once you decide
you've had enough "space"?
He picked me 'cause he knew
I wouldn't stay.
You're kidding.
No, it's all subconscious.
See, me, soon as I get into a
relationship with someone really
normal and nice, someone I can
really count on, I run screaming
for the hills.
I had a shrink who told me once
it's because I don't believe
there is such a thing as a
healthy marriage.
Why not?
You ever seen one?
I was in one.
Your wife think so, too?
Far as I know.
The subject never came up.
I'm not saying it was perfect.
You know, I had a temper
when I was younger.
She just got quiet.
I think quiet is worse than
yelling, if you ask me.
Yeah, we don't yell.
Repression is really big where I
come from.
Then you'll be looking over
at her sitting on the couch,
30 years later, and your heart
kinda hurts because
you love her so much.
Comes and goes.
You gotta be in it for
the long haul, I guess.
You miss her a lot,
don't you?
Excuse me.
Would you by any chance be
Mr. Thomas Gerrin?
Would you mind showing me
some I.D., sir?
Okay, you got me.
What can I do for you, officer?
You are Mr. Thomas Gerrin.
I haven't robbed a bank in
ten or twelve years.
We've been asked to keep an
eye out for you, sir.
By who?
We got a fax on you.
As I understand, your folks are
somewhat concerned as to your
well-being.
Have you talked to them lately?
No, but I was just gonna
call 'em.
I'm not breaking any laws, am I?
No, sir, no, you're not.
Not as far as I know.
You gonna tell 'em
you saw me?
Well, I imagine they'd
appreciate hearing that you're
okay and haven't fallen in
harm's way, don't you?
Yeah, well, if I go home,
they're gonna lock me in
that cellar again.
He's kidding.
Where you headed, sir?
Home.
Soon as I finish my coffee.
Why don't you ring your folks
and tell 'em that?
I will, I'll do that.
That's the ticket.
Have a nice day now.
Okay, thank you.
Thank you.
So are you?
Huh?
Are you heading home?
I've come too far to turn
back now.
Whereabouts you headed in
California?
Monterey.
Well, I can take you as far
as Stockton if you like.
It's not too bad a hop from
there to Monterey.
Well, we'd be much obliged,
thank you.
You related?
Uh, no. No.
I thought maybe you were her
grandpappy.
I wouldn't mind that, but no.
We just met up on the road.
If you don't mind me saying,
you're kind of a peculiar pair
to be hitchhiking.
Are we?
Daddy?
What? It's all right.
You all right, love?
Everything's okay.
You were probably just dreaming.
It's okay, you all right?
Okay, everything's okay.
Where are we?
Almost through Nevada.
Oh, boy, California,
here we come.
♪ Always together ♪
♪ Through all kinds of weather ♪
♪ We took the long way home ♪
He was lying to that cop.
I guess.
He'd have been home by now,
for sure.
Could be on his way.
Could be he'll never come
back.
Why wouldn't he come back?
Well, why would he take off
in the first place?
I don't know.
Maybe we shouldn't have made him
sell the house.
Maybe.
Maybe he felt like he was
getting in our way,
living with us.
Well, you know what I think.
We're the ones that're taking
care of him, not you.
And you see how much he
appreciates it, don't you?
What do you want from him?
Nothing, I don't want
anything from him.
What's your beef with him,
anyway?
What'd he ever do to you?
Nothing, not a damn thing.
Pete, I know
he's not perfect.
I know better than anybody.
Yeah, but you're still trying
to prove something to him.
Don't you know you can't get
blood from a turnip?
Why do you think Marcie and
Janice moved so far away?
They like the weather down
there.
After the funeral,
after Mom died?
I saw one of Janice's kids
sitting on Dad's lap,
and I started to cry.
I had to leave the room.
I never sat on Dad's lap.
Which way you going?
That way.
Oh, well.
I guess this is it.
Leanne, I want you to know it's
been a real pleasure.
I guess there's a motel or two
around here somewhere.
Oh, don't be ridiculous.
We're here.
Huh? Oh.
What a dump, huh?
Yeah, I was hoping for
something a little nicer.
Are you sure this is okay?
Mm-hmm.
Hello?
Anybody home?
Hiya, beautiful.
Hi, Daddy.
This is Tom Gerrin.
He's been traveling with me.
My father, Craig Bossert.
Hello.
How do you do, sir?
I've invited him to stay.
Good.
The prodigal daughter.
Hello, Mother.
You arrived safely.
The plane crashed, and I'm
the sole survivor.
And who have we here?
This is you.
That's the john.
Relax, it's only a bedroom.
Uh-huh.
Would you like something to
drink?
No, no thanks.
You promised.
I know.
Bonnie? It's me.
I'm fine, I'm in California.
California?
What the hell's he doing in
California?
He says he felt like having a
swim in the ocean.
I don't know who the girl is,
he didn't say. He didn't--
He didn't say, okay.
Pete.
If we hear from him again,
I'll call you.
You think you know somebody.
Come to find out,
you don't know him at all.
I'd sure like to know why he
took off.
Was it us?
All my life, all I ever
wanted was to be close to him.
Now that he's retired,
I thought...
People have different ways of
being close.
I guess.
What brings you
to California, Mr. Gerrin?
Do you have family here?
No, no ma'am, no family.
It just came on me
to take a trip.
Impulse.
Impulse, yeah, that's it,
yeah.
It's a shame about the
accident.
It was a beautiful car.
Tell you the truth, I really
enjoyed the hitchhiking.
Especially the company.
Likewise.
And how long will you be
staying with us, Mr. Gerrin?
As long as he likes.
By all means.
I'm sure it'll be no trouble
at all.
I had to thr*aten him with
bodily harm if he didn't come.
He wanted to go to a motel.
She can be persuasive.
Oh, she can.
Well, you know what the Arabs
say.
[chuckling]
[knocking]
Since when do you have to
knock?
How's it going?
I like your traveling pal.
He's a trip.
A trip on a trip.
But, ahem.
Hitchhiking?
"O, but I love the danger."
I think Emily Dickinson had
something else in mind other
than hurling oneself into the
voracious jaws of a lunatic
America.
Come back, Shane.
He got a letter, too, Tom.
Of a summoning nature,
as well?
I don't think so.
I think he made it that,
though.
Interpretation is all.
So?
You still haven't answered my
question.
How are you doing, Daddy?
How do I look like I'm doing?
A lot worse than I expected.
Your Mother didn't give you
the full rundown in her letter?
I asked her to be specific.
What's Daddy's 11th
Commandment, class?
Thou shalt not tap dance.
Correct.
I think she did some
tap dancing.
She said that the operation
turned out "iffy," but she
didn't give me a clue
about this.
I think "iffy"
about says it all.
Do me a favor, kick off
your tap shoes, please.
I've got maybe three weeks.
If I knock off the jogging.
She should've told me.
Why didn't she tell me?
If you'd known,
you'd've flown.
Calm down.
I considered opting for
belated notification.
And I never would've
forgiven you.
I know.
I think your visit may be
a little longer than planned.
A certain degree of pluck and
fortitude will be asked of you,
you understand?
I'll try to measure up.
You're aces with me, kid.
Will it be all right with you
if I started measuring up
tomorrow?
I love you so much, Daddy.
Why didn't you tell me?
Your father didn't want you
to worry.
You would've let him die
without seeing me.
Don't be ridiculous.
You didn't want me here.
You wanted him all to yourself,
right up into the end.
You had to be in control.
As usual, you see only what
you want to see.
I'm going to bed.
[door slams]
Want to swim?
Never learned how.
Get out.
No. I might flounder a bit
if there's a lifeguard handy,
but...
My dad taught me when I was a
baby.
Yeah?
You're fond of your Dad,
aren't you?
Yeah.
But I...
I take it you and your mom don't
exactly see eye to eye.
Maybe she did the best
she knew how.
I don't mean to pry, but he
doesn't seem exactly up to par.
Your dad?
He's dying.
I'm sorry, sweetheart.
He's such a young man.
Life isn't fair, is it?
He's working, though.
He does some stuff in the
morning and some at night.
As a consultant now.
Yeah, but I mean he's still
at it, he's working.
Why wouldn't he be?
Well, a fella in his
condition, physically, he might
just want to call it a day.
He won't go gently
into the night.
You know what I mean?
I think so.
So?
You gonna look her up?
Oh, I already did.
You did?
Yes, she's listed
in the phone book.
Well, are you going to call
her first, or are you just gonna
show up on her doorstep
and blow her mind?
See, I haven't decided.
What do you think is the best
way?
You nervous?
Oh, as cool as a cucumber.
Liar.
Pants on fire.
55 years, wow.
God. You must've been, like,
what, in your 20's?
Yeah, 21, 22.
I'm surprised she still
remembered me.
Were you her first lover?
Oh, lighten up.
Yes.
How old was she?
19.
Really. That's late.
I lost my virginity
when I was 15.
Why do we say that?
"Lose our virginity."
Like we left it on the bus or
something.
Well, I got you this far.
Now, you're on your own.
What's the worst that can
happen? She dies of shock.
Okay, okay, I'm going.
Now, you call me when you're
ready, and I'll pick you up,
okay?
Yeah.
It's not what you think, hon.
I don't know what it is,
but it is not what you think.
Hello.
Oh, my stars.
Hi, Ronnie.
It's Tom.
Tom.
Yeah, Gerrin.
Tom Gerrin.
Well, I guess I knew that,
didn't I?
You still take lots of sugar?
Too much, so they tell me.
If we listened to "they",
we'd be dead and buried already.
You could've knocked me over
with a feather, Ronnie, I guess
you know that, huh?
When your letter came.
What about you ringing my
doorbell?
What on Earth are you doing
here?
Well, I don't know, I was
just taking a little walk,
and one thing led to another.
You're not gonna start
teasing me again already, are
you?
No, no, I really mean it.
I bumped into this young girl.
You ran somebody over?
No, hell, I wasn't driving.
I was walking.
I mean I met her, on the road.
And it turns out she was, eh,
coming to Carmel.
So we started talking.
And-- thank you.
She lives here, her folks.
College girl.
So we got to talking, you
know, one thing lead to another.
Before I knew it,
I was going with her.
We thumbed it.
You're not telling me you
hitched rides all the way from
Kansas, are you?
So help me God.
What's Beaumont like now?
The same.
Only different.
This town sure is pretty.
How long you been here?
36 years.
Oh.
24 in this house.
Wow.
It's a lovely family.
Yeah.
Three girls and one boy.
The girls are all married now
and scattered around.
Seven grandkids.
Wow.
My boy was k*lled in Vietnam.
Oh, God, I'm--
I'm sorry to hear that, Ronnie.
Oh, seems so long ago.
Most things do, don't they?
Yeah.
You told me about Charlie's
passing in your letter.
Eight years ago.
Have you seen the ocean yet?
And what about Jack,
how's he?
Oh, Jack was k*lled in the
w*r in France.
Oh, what a shame.
Yeah.
I was real fond of Jack.
So there's only me left of
the bunch of us.
We went to visit his grave,
though, on the anniversary of
the Invasion.
You know, '94,
the 50th anniversary.
I guess you were in the w*r,
too.
Oh, yeah, sure.
Charlie was hurt real bad.
At Iwo Jima.
Hmm.
Lost an arm. His left arm.
He used to say he was my right
hand man.
[laughing]
You ever miss home?
For a while, after we left.
Charlie did, more than me.
Seems like yesterday
right now.
What does?
The day I heard that you and
Charlie got married and left
Beaumont.
Why did you, anyway?
Leave Beaumont?
I wouldn't have been too
comfortable there after
we got married,
you being there.
I wouldn't have been too
comfortable myself.
I'm still trying to place
Donna Wallace.
I think she was two grades
behind you.
I used to wonder why you
didn't want to marry me.
Well, who says I didn't want
to marry you?
You never asked.
Well...
Why didn't you ever ask then?
I didn't think you wanted me
to.
I thought about it a lot.
Being married to me?
Oh, yeah.
You should've asked.
Boy, those were the best
pork chops I have had
in a long time.
I'm glad I had 'em.
If I knew you were coming,
I'd have baked a cake.
Remember that song?
Oh, sure.
♪ If I knew you were comin' ♪
♪ I'd have baked a cake ♪
♪ Baked a cake, baked a cake ♪
You can still sing.
Yeah, well, the pipes are
a little rusty.
Like everything else.
Listen to you.
A man who just walked half way
across the country.
Oh, hey, you're exaggerating.
There was a little walking,
but not all the way.
How long are you planning on
staying in Monterey?
Well, I guess I'd better be
heading back tomorrow.
Oh, that's when Betsy was
just born. That's her.
[both laughing]
I put on lots of weight with
Betsy.
You seem to have lost it all.
Charlie sure kept his looks,
didn't he?
He was a handsome man,
I'll give him that.
You have a picture of Donna?
Yeah, sure.
Nope, I can't place her.
I... I heard about her
passing away a couple years ago,
but I didn't think I should
write you, so soon after.
Then it took me a while before
I could work up the nerve.
I'm glad you did.
[doorbell]
Be right with you.
Mm-hmm.
Well,
I don't expect we'll be
seeing each other again ever.
Well, today was more
than I ever expected.
Me too.
And you never can tell,
can you?
About what?
Well, you might just get it
into your mind to pay a visit to
Beaumont.
I could show you the new sights.
You never can tell.
Maybe you'll think about it.
I've been thinking about it
for the past two hours.
What do you mean?
Fact is, I'm going to visit
one of my daughters and her
family in Pennsylvania in April.
Are you?
And I've been thinking how it
would be if I just dropped by
Beaumont on the way back.
Oh, I think that's
a darn good idea.
[both laughing]
Why don't I just do that
then?
Okay, will you?
I'll write. Let you know
when I'll be coming.
Good.
Safe home.
[engine starts]
[phone ringing]
Hello.
It's me.
Where are you?
It's him.
You still in California?
You coming back?
What's going on, Dad?
I'm leaving tomorrow, I'll be
back in a couple of nights.
Tell him, tell him
we'll come and get him.
Let me handle this, will you?
I'll be getting in a little
late, there's a layover in
Wichita.
Day after I get home,
we'll have a talk.
You and Bonnie and Pete and me.
Uh-huh. What about?
Some things that need fixing.
Is he coming home
or isn't he?
Yeah, he's coming home.
What kinda things, Dad?
Fixing how?
Well, things like Bonnie
always wrapping me up in
blankets all the time.
Listen, Dad, I know we--
You know that little shed
you've got out back that's
crammed full of junk you
never use?
What about it?
That would make a fine
workshop.
A workshop? For what?
We'll have a talk.
There's a lot of things I want
to tell you.
You and Pete both.
Give my love to Bonnie, hmm?
I'll see you in a couple nights.
Dad...
I'm glad you're coming home.
I am too, son.
There's just a couple of
minutes.
Good.
I'm awful glad you almost
ran me down.
Me, too.
Here, I want you to have
this.
I'm just gonna buy some new
tools.
Tom...
I want you to be good
to your kids.
And you let them be good to you.
There's not as much time
as we think. You know?
I'm beginning to, yeah.
[engine starts]
I have something for you,
too.
What, your freedom chain?
Oh, no, I can't... please.
No, I want you to have it.
It would mean a lot to me.
Maybe it'll guide you back
to your purpose.
Leanne, you're a good girl.
The next time you meet
a good boy,
you stick with him, you hear?
Yeah.
Well then, uh...
so long, I guess.
Yeah, so long.
♪ ♪
Geez, I hate to see that go.
What, that old sofa?
Had my first sex
on that sofa.
If you can call it that.
Get outta here.
Mom almost caught us.
Carol Amory. Remember her?
Uh-uh.
Last I heard, she was
teaching second grade somewhere.
Damn good sofa.
Here's Dad.
I thought he wasn't coming.
Changed his mind, I guess.
I also thought he wasn't
supposed to be driving anymore.
We're doing the best we can,
Pete.
Thought you weren't coming.
You drove over?
I didn't have time to saddle
the horse.
We're doing pretty good.
You're gonna come outta this
real nice.
You interested in that lamp,
Marybeth?
Yeah.
I think so.
It's in good shape.
I'm real sorry about this,
Tom.
Tom, can you do any better
for me on this mower?
Talk to Bonnie.
Tom.
Harvey.
Very fine piece right here.
Oh, I made that for Donna.
Our 25th anniversary.
It's worth five times
that much on the worst day
of the week.
You know what they call yard
sales? Legal thievery.
You gonna get along all right?
Sure.
Could be worse.
Burt Kemper's boy put him in a
home last month.
Least your situation is better
than that.
Could be lots worse.
I think we can give it one
more day, Dad.
We've did a lot better than I
thought we would.
What happens to the stuff
that isn't sold?
We'll just have to dump it,
I guess.
See if the Goodwill wants
anything.
You take your medicine, Tom?
Yes, Doctor.
You forgot yesterday.
Well, I remembered today.
What's for dessert?
Strawberry Surprise.
How many is that today?
First one.
I thought I saw you light one
up this morning, Dad.
You know what the doctor
said.
Well, at least you changed
your mind.
About what?
Hitchhiking.
It would've been an
adventure.
Oh yeah, so would jumping off
a cliff. Briefly.
You know, I don't know about
you, but I sure wouldn't mind
driving across country in a
$50,000 automobile.
That car is not me.
So, why did you accept it?
My father likes to give me
things.
It would've hurt his feelings.
Ah, well, that's very
sensitive of you.
"How sharper than a serpent's
tooth it is...?
Huh?
"... to have a thankless
child."
Sure is a long way
to drive alone.
Adam...
So how long you think
you'll be gone?
I don't know.
I've never driven across
country before.
I'm in no hurry.
To get there, or to, uh,
get back to me?
Most of the best stuff was
sold, hon.
But...
I managed to save some things,
you know, like I said I would.
Oh, I saved our bed.
For my room.
It's a bit of a tight squeeze,
but I've been trying to remember
if it was Kenny and Pete both
who were started in that bed...
I think it was just Kenny.
I don't know.
Anyway, I saved it.
Oh, and you remember that
cabinet I made for you on our
25th? Yep.
I think we saw this.
It's a really old one.
Didn't we see this?
[laughing]
Yeah, I remember that part.
Oh, yeah.
[chuckling]
Very good.
I think I've already
taken that, Bonnie.
Twice a day.
You can't get absent-minded
about your medicine, Tom.
[chuckling]
It's warm in here.
You're sitting in a draft.
It's time for bed, don't you
think?
Oh, God, she is funny.
Whatever happened to her?
[chuckling]
He's still talking to
himself.
Maybe you would too, if you'd
been all alone like he's been
the past couple of years.
I thought he'd stop now that
he's got us to talk to.
Guess he prefers talking to
himself.
[laughing]
♪ It would be great to be ♪
♪ Lost for a while just to ♪
♪ Disappear ♪
♪ And let the world take over ♪
♪ Get out there, girl ♪
♪ And see what's... ♪
[music fades]
♪ Wouldn't it be great to be ♪
♪ Lost for a while ♪
How far you going?
Chicago.
Oh, I'm not going through
Chicago.
Whatever.
You're living on the edge a
little bit, aren't you there?
What?
Hitching.
I'm careful.
And I've got Mace.
I thought about hitching
myself.
♪ And let the world ♪
♪ Take over ♪
[engine rumbles, stops]
[door slams]
Whatcha doing?
Not a whole lot.
Same thing I did yesterday.
I hate to see you just
sitting around doing nothing,
Dad, I really do.
I'm retired.
And I don't play bingo.
You got mail.
Me?
You "Mr. Thomas Gerrin"?
Yeah, last time I checked.
It went to General Delivery.
Somebody didn't know your
address.
My check come?
Comes Thursday.
Isn't today Thursday?
Tuesday.
I thought it was Thursday.
I gotta get started on the
kitchen before Bonnie divorces
me, uh, you wanna help?
Say when.
Okay.
Ronnie.
Can't be.
[door closes]
Four.
Five...
Six, seven...
Eight.
Uh-huh.
So, who was that letter
from today?
Huh?
That letter you got.
Without an address.
Oh.
Somebody I used to know a long
time ago.
Who's that?
You don't know her.
Haven't seen or heard of her
in years.
A woman?
Used to live here in
Beaumont.
Says it's been 55 years.
55 years?
How'd she know you'd still
be here?
Still alive, you mean?
What does she want?
She says she just wanted to
say hello.
You gonna write her back?
That's two, three, four.
Triple word is 12.
The average couple talks to
each other 29 minutes a week.
Are you sure?
29 minutes a week.
That's only two hours in an
entire month.
Honest to God, I read it
somewhere.
Hard to believe.
Scary, I know.
Are you married?
I'm taking Tom into town to
cash his check.
You need anything?
Couple of C batteries.
Anything else?
Nope.
Okay.
I'll meet you in the coffee
shop in about an hour, okay?
Yeah.
You wanna get your
prescriptions filled,
or should I?
I'll do it.
Thanks.
[distant marching band music]
Hi, there!
Aah!
What's this?
Looks like a circus to me.
Hasn't been a circus around
here in 20 years.
30.
[man laughing]
Hey! Hey!
What's that?
Oh, thank you!
Keep coming, keep coming--
tie it up there.
Hold, right there, that's good.
Hey.
Hey, grab that stack.
[phone ringing]
Hello?
Here?
Why would he be here?
I thought he was with you.
You check the barbershop?
What about the Paradise?
I'm standing in it.
I've looked everywhere.
Maybe he decided
to walk home.
Why would he walk two miles
home when I've got the car?
Well, we both know he's been
kind of absent-minded lately.
If he decided to try and walk
home, and he had one of his
spells, he could be lying on the
side of the road right now.
Look, you stay right there,
I'm driving in.
Maybe you'll see him on your
way.
Okay.
You're a little early for the
show, old-timer.
What? Oh.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I must've fallen asleep.
You okay?
Yes, uh-huh.
I'm Marco.
Oh, hi.
Come on.
With rain lightly starting
late tonight and early tomorrow
morning.
Expect winds...
15 miles an hour
with some stronger gusts.
The possibility of rain is 30--
Compliments of the house.
Oh, are you sure?
Yeah, free advertising.
How you feeling?
Much better, thank you.
Good, you from
here in Beaumont?
Yep, all my life.
Yeah, I grew up here, too.
With a name like Marco?
Well, it used to be Mark.
Left when I was 16.
Haven't looked back.
Oh, you ran away and joined
the circus, did you?
Yeah, something like that.
Come on, I'll buy you a cup
of coffee.
No point in us going crazy
looking for him.
He probably bumped into Harvey
or some other friend of his.
I'm sure he'll call.
Kenny, we've got to have him
looked over.
I can't handle this.
Don't start this again.
You're as stubborn as he is.
I'll see you at home.
You're just never going to
find me leading one of those
lives of quiet desperation.
I will swallow pills first,
I promise you.
Know what I'm saying?
Mmm.
I was born on Barrow Street,
then we moved over to West
Pike Avenue.
West Pike.
Yeah, the Harrisons used to live
on West Pike.
d*ck and Evelyn.
Maybe you remember them?
Don't believe I do.
Oh, yeah, they're dead now,
the both of 'em.
How long's the circus
gonna be here?
I've got a granddaughter that's
supposed to visit next month.
Just the weekend.
Oh.
Bonnie was in here looking
for you, Tom.
Oh, yee-gods.
I forgot, I was supposed to
meet my daughter-in-law here.
Uh, what time you got, Patty?
Half past 4:00.
You're kidding.
Well, thanks for the pie.
You need a ride home?
No, no, it's not a long walk,
and I know a shortcut.
Why don't you come by
tonight or tomorrow night?
Look for me.
I'm the guy in the top hat.
You got it.
Okay.
Oh, no, no, Ivy, there's
nothing to worry about,
just ask Harvey if he's seen
him.
Okay.
Yeah, I will.
I'll let you know.
Okay.
Now, where is that darn path?
I know it's along here
someplace, isn't it?
We used to take it going to the
br*wnings, remember, hon'?
I don't know, I'd swore it was
right along here someplace.
And I-- now, wait a minute.
Hey, wait a minute.
There it is, see?
I knew I hadn't lost
all my marbles.
Ow!
Oh, oh...
Oh...
Ow.
Oh.
Oh...
[bird cawing]
Ow. Oh...
Oh...
Hello?
Hello, anybody out there?
Hello?
He's about 5'10",
5'11", I think, isn't he?
Used to be.
People kinda shrink when they
get older.
He just cashed his Social
Security check.
Um, there's not much we can
really do tonight.
You call me first thing in the
morning if he hasn't shown up.
We will.
Ow.
Oh, boy.
Oh...
Kids must be fit to be tied.
[coughs]
Oh!
Ahh...
Ha ha.
I'll tell 'em that I was
kidnapped and held for ransom
until I overcame my captors
and made my escape unscathed.
Hah.
Ow.
Well, maybe a little scathed.
Hi.
When did you see him last?
Bonnie dropped him off in
front of the bank yesterday
around 1:00.
But we know he was in the coffee
shop about 3:30, 4:00.
You sure he didn't say
anything about...
visiting a friend?
Nope.
And we've called everyone.
He's gettin' on a bit.
Maybe he just forgot to tell
you where he was going.
Is he okay?
He gets dizzy sometimes,
loses his balance.
That's why we moved him in
with us.
He can't have gotten
very far.
Let's give it a couple more
hours-- my guess is,
he'll turn up safe and sound.
And if he doesn't?
We'll go and find him for
you.
Deal?
God.
Let her drop.
Thank you so much.
How'd you hurt your leg?
Ah, it happened yesterday.
I was trying to climb a tree.
You shouldn't be in
such a hurry.
Funny thing is, I'm not.
Spare's still a little soft.
Better check it at the next
station.
Is there anywhere to eat
around here?
I could use some breakfast.
Well, there's Hilly's Inn.
Food's not great, but it won't
k*ll you, I guess.
I don't know about the rooms.
It's about a mile down the road,
if you're not too fussy.
Life is risk.
Which way are you headed?
That way.
Oh, well, hop in.
I'm Leanne, hi.
Tom.
That one word or two?
I'm sorry?
Leanne.
One word or two?
One.
No one calls me Lee
and lives to tell about it.
Got it.
So, where am I, anyway?
Kansas.
Oh, I know that,
I meant where in Kansas?
Oh, about 150 miles
this side of Wichita.
You might've heard of Wichita.
And the nearest town is
Beaumont, that's a
mile and a half back that way.
Where you headed?
California.
Oh, whereabouts?
Carmel.
Up near San Francisco.
Is that anywhere
near Monterey?
Right next door.
I'll be damned.
Why?
I just got a letter from
somebody in Monterey, California
the other day.
You have friends in Monterey?
No, not-- not--
well, not exactly.
I've got a friend, maybe.
Oh.
Hmm.
I'll be damned.
55 years?
You're kidding!
She kept tabs on me, she
says, through an old girlfriend
of hers.
Who was she?
Her name is Veronica.
Deacy, Veronica Deacy.
No, I mean, who was she?
Oh.
We almost got married once.
Almost.
I hate that word.
Unless you almost
fell off a roof.
No, I didn't mean it like
that, I meant it the other way.
"Of all sad words of tongue or
pen, the saddest are these:
it might have been."
You know, like that.
That's a quote, I guess.
So, why didn't you?
Marry Veronica Deacy?
Oh, that's a long story.
[door opens, slams]
Why are you going to California?
Oh, I live there.
My family does. It's home.
Your heart there?
I'm sorry?
"Home is where the heart is."
That's a quote.
Oh.
What do you do?
Work-wise.
I was a cabinetmaker.
What are you now?
Nothing.
Nobody's nothing.
Well, I'm retired.
Oh, I am never gonna retire.
I don't know what I'll be
retiring from, but I know I'm
not going to do it.
Sometimes you have to.
They make you.
Oh, golly, that reminds me.
Excuse me, I'll be right back.
How ya doin'?
I'm doing fine,
how are you doing?
Travelin' with your granddad,
are ya?
No, he's not my granddad,
I'm just with him.
Did ya hear that?
Says she's "with him."
I think she's pulling some leg
here, don't you?
She can pull on mine anytime.
What's your name, sweetheart?
Ophelia.
Ooh, that's a pretty name.
What do you say me and you ditch
old granddad here for a bit,
get to know each other some.
Oh, he's really not my
grandfather.
He's my lover.
You see, I used to be a hooker.
Until I met George, and then
he just turned my life around.
Now we're engaged.
You're quite the little
smartass, ain't ya?
What's my tab?
Seven even.
You ought to get that
phone fixed.
Yeah, I know.
Why won't you believe me?
Do I look like a dishonest
person?
I mean, I know it's hard to
believe, but so many things are
these days, haven't you noticed
that?
How'd you like to notice
a smack in the mouth,
you wise-ass little b*tch?
Let's go.
Let go, you Neanderthal.
Huh?
Don't do that.
Your little girl here's got
quite the mouth on her,
ain't she.
Let go!
Hey, hey!
Come on now, Russ.
Let's just see if it tastes
sweeter than it talks, eh?
Russell, knock it off now!
You old son-of-a-b*tch!
Hey, Russ, come on,
take it easy!
Hey, cowboy.
Aah!
Let's call it a day, son.
Aah!
Do me a favor, mister, and
get this girl outta here!
Well, the restaurant wasn't
all that great, I think we
should pass on the motel.
What do you think?
[car alarm chirps]
I think that we should hurry
right along out of here as fast
as we can.
[engine starts]
You called everywhere?
Unless he's got a buddy or
two I don't know about,
and I don't think so.
They're dropping like flies.
You check the hospital?
Three times.
They're getting tired of hearing
my voice.
Well, could be he's lost,
wandering around someplace.
Oh, come on, Pete.
Dad could walk the whole county
blindfolded at midnight.
Well, maybe not anymore.
I don't know if all his gears
are meshing lately.
Better let the sheriff handle
it, go home and wait it out.
Go home and wait it out?
We're not talking about the
family dog here.
Kenny, I think you're
overreacting.
Better than not reacting at
all!
Look, I know you two don't
always see eye to eye, but--
He's got you right where he
wants you, just like always.
You don't know what you're
talking about.
I hate to say I told you so.
But if we'd done my idea...
I hope someday your kids'll
say they want to put you in a
nursing home. You might
see things differently then.
Yeah, well, at least they'll
know where to find me.
I take it that was Mace.
I think I used it all up.
Wow, you were great.
With the stick.
My hero.
It scared the hell outta me.
Felt good after, though.
Gee, I've never been in one
of these before.
It's like floating on air.
Yeah, it was a present from
my father.
Let me know when you want me
to drop you.
How far are you going?
Uh-oh.
Do you think that they're
coming after us?
Maybe they're not
coming after us.
Maybe they liked the Mace so
much, they're coming back for
more.
What do you think?
I think we'd better not let
'em catch us is what I think.
Good thinking.
I'm really sorry about this.
Watch it!
[car horn honking]
Let's get out of here.
[phone ringing]
[ringing continues]
Hello?
Hello, Bonnie? It's me!
Tom!
[whirring, clanging]
It's Tom!
Tom!
Tom? Tom is that you?
I can't...
I want you to know
I'm all right!
I said, "I'm all right!"
Hey, would you fellas knock that
off for just a second?
[whirring, clanging]
[muttering]
I'll call you back when I find
another phone, huh?
Tom, where are you?
Tom!
[dial tone]
It's gonna take a week to
restore it to some semblance of
its former glory.
[groaning]
How's your leg?
Fella goes to a doctor,
he says, "Doc, every time
I do this, it hurts."
Doc said, "Don't do it."
[laughing]
That joke is so old, that
only someone as young as you
could laugh at it.
How's your elbow?
Girl goes to a doctor, says,
"Doc, it hurts when I go--"
So where were you heading
when fate threw us so
dangerously together?
Ah, home.
Where your heart is?
My heart is not there.
Why not?
It's not my home.
I lost my home recently.
Sold it.
I live with my son and
daughter-in-law now.
You have a wife?
She passed away.
Be three years this April.
I'm sorry.
It gets easier, so they say.
How many kids?
[chuckling]
Two daughters in Florida.
Two sons here.
Two daughters-in-law,
seven grandkids.
One of the daughters-in-law is
in the process of not being
that.
Ah. Marital discord?
Pete's wife.
She's been cheating on him for
years.
Well, do you have any
brothers or sisters?
Had a brother
and three sisters.
They're all gone now.
I'm an only child.
You don't sound too thrilled
with your living arrangements.
Well, my arm got
twisted a bit.
I get a touch of high blood
pressure now and then.
I'm fine, but the kids
got all in a panic.
Well, at least you're
with your family.
My boyfriend's parents put his
grandmother in an old age home
last year-- she lasted
two months, and that was it.
That can happen,
they tell me.
You've got a boyfriend, huh?
Yeah. Yeah, I guess so.
Though I kind of feel like
I need my space right now.
I know that feeling.
[both laughing]
Well, you got a week to k*ll
before you get your car.
No, I'll just pick it up
on the way back.
From where?
California.
Uh-huh.
Well, what are you--
you gonna rent a car, you gonna
fly out?
No, I'm gonna hitchhike.
What? Hitchhike!
What the heck would make you
do a damn fool thing like that?
It's what I wanted to do in
the first place.
It was written.
Huh?
It's an Arabic thing.
It's what they say when
they believe that something was
meant to be.
"It was written."
You gonna get home all right?
Sure.
How'd you like some company?
What do you mean?
To California.
How would you like some company?
What company?
[silent]
You're putting me on.
I've got money, plenty.
I cashed my check yesterday.
Wait, wait.
You're telling me you want to go
to California? With me?
Just like that?
Just like that's maybe the
best way, maybe the only way.
And I won't slow you up.
You really want to hitchhike
to California?
You better say yes or no,
before I lose my nerve.
But you don't have your
clothes or your toothbrush
or anything.
And what about your kids?
I'll call 'em at the next
stop, and I'll buy whatever I
need along the way as I need it.
You're serious.
It was written.
He gave you no indication
where he was calling from?
He might've.
I couldn't hear.
It sounded like maybe he was in
a lotta trouble, and he couldn't
talk.
Let's not go jumping to
conclusions just yet.
We'll do a little poking
around, see what we can find.
At least we know he didn't
get hit by a car or anything.
Your Dad got a beef with
anybody?
Nobody I can think of.
Except maybe his doctor for
telling him not to drive.
This is harder
than I thought.
I've got an idea.
Why don't I go back in the
bushes, and then
when a car stops,
which I have no doubt they will
do for you, you tell' em that
you're saddled with a guy with a
bum ankle, and up I'll pop.
Now, they gotta be too
embarrassed to turn us down
unless they're totally lacking
in human feelings.
A distinct possibility.
Do you think it'll work?
Well it did for
Claudette Colbert.
Who?
In a movie.
Here comes one.
[silent]
So he got extremely upset.
You know, he couldn't
understand.
If only he'd had the courage
to understand.
You know, sometimes it takes
courage to understand.
Courage is character.
Character is destiny.
You know what I mean.
Took the words right
out of my mouth.
Here's where I turn off.
Maybe you can pick up a ride.
There's a bus that'll stop,
though, if you flag it.
Thanks a lot!
Much obliged.
Hey, what was she talking
about, do you know?
I'm working on it.
Your father is gonna be upset
about that car.
Not really.
He'll just be glad I wasn't
hurt.
You, too, of course.
Oh, that's nice to hear.
I know those who'd be more upset
about the car than those who
were in it.
Not my Dad.
He's one of the good ones.
What's he do?
He was a lawyer.
Retired, is he?
No.
Not exactly.
It's kind of a long story.
How far's the next town,
do you know?
A real town? 60 miles?
Maybe more.
Oh, my God.
That is amazing.
I never knew anybody who could
do that.
I never knew anybody who
thought that was amazing before.
[laughing]
Hey, there's the bus!
There's only one unit left.
In the nick of time,
fortune smiles.
Maybe we should try the next
one along.
Why? We'll take it.
I'm her granddad.
$32 for a double.
Coffee shop opens at seven.
I haven't had a shower in
two days.
Maybe you were beginning to
notice!
I thought it was me.
Oh, I hate you.
How's it feeling?
I think it's gonna take
a microwave to thaw it out.
Well, the swelling's gone
down.
Yeah.
We'll just get a bandage and
wrap it up.
It'll be okay.
I hope so.
So what are your plans for
the millennium?
Huh? The what?
New Year's Eve, 2000.
The 21st Century.
It's gonna be here before you
know it.
Well, I never
thought about that.
I don't know, I hope I'm still
alive, I guess.
Oh, morbid.
Me, I'm gonna be in Paris.
New Year's Eve,
me on top of the Eiffel Tower.
I don't know about you,
but I am wiped.
Please tell me
that you don't snore.
No, no...
Nope, don't snore.
[faucet running]
Oh...
How come you didn't
come to bed?
I did come to bed.
Well, I meant all the way.
I came far enough.
You didn't even get
undressed.
Well, you got undressed
enough for the both of us.
Are you a morning grump,
by any chance?
No. Ow.
You're upset.
Why are you upset?
Well, I may be an old man,
but I'm not that old, damn it!
What old?
For you to be doing a damn
striptease right in front of me!
Striptease?
I got undressed,
I was going to bed!
I couldn't help
but notice that.
Why are you so upset?
Jeez, you're like my
grandfather!
I'm not your grandfather.
And even if I were...
That's not what I meant!
What I meant was, you're old!
That's not what I meant.
That's not what I meant!
Eaten yet?
No, I waited for you.
Coffee and orange juice,
please.
Have you chilled out?
I mean, are you still mad?
I know what chilled out
means.
Oh, you're not that old.
I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have flown off
the handle.
Sure you should've.
It was insulting, what I did.
I didn't-- I didn't mean
to insult you, I just--
I wasn't thinking, you know?
I'm really sorry, really.
Let's order.
I'm so hungry I could eat
Nebraska.
It's on me.
No, let's split it.
You already paid me enough
last night.
Don't pay any attention to
her, she has a twisted
sense of humor.
So what do you think?
About what?
Me going to see Veronica,
Ronnie.
Oh, I think it'd be cool.
Yeah, why?
For freedom.
You know what I mean?
No.
"Freedom is the length of the
chain between the imagination
and the stake of reality."
I'll have to think that one
over.
I spent ten days on a
reservation last summer.
This really amazing Native
American woman gave it to me.
It's supposed to help guide me
towards my purpose.
And what is your purpose?
I'll know it
when I get to it.
Well, look who's here!
What, you know this guy?
[all silent]
California?
Last time I saw this guy,
he was on his way home.
Which was about 20 minutes
away two days ago.
He's taking the long way.
The scenic route.
Well, I wish I could take you
all the way.
We're about three hours from
our next stop.
You see the show in Beaumont?
Never made it.
I didn't know there were
little circuses still traveling
around.
When I was a kid, I always
wanted to run away
with the circus.
And now, for the 11:00 news
update.
Authorities in Beaumont are
looking for an elderly man who
has been missing since Friday.
Thomas Gerrin is described as
being 75 years old, about
5'10", and 170 pounds.
That'd be me.
He was last seen at a
restaurant near Beaumont
on Friday afternoon
in the company of a young girl
in her early 20's with blonde
hair and wearing a red leather
jacket.
That'd be you.
Relatives fear Mr. Gerrin
may have suffered a loss
of memory or some other
disorienting episode,
but the possibility of foul play
has not been ruled out.
If you have any information
as to the whereabouts of this
man, contact...
What's going on?
I suffered a disorienting
episode.
Oh, don't look at me!
I had nothing to do with it.
You have got to call your kids.
What the hell's the matter
with them? Spreading it all over
the radio like that.
You just walked off without
telling anyone?
Well, I'm over 21.
I can do what I damn well
please.
Couple of dizzy spells, and they
treat you like a little child.
At least let them know
you're okay.
I will. I will.
Call 'em and tell 'em you ran
away with the circus.
Yeah.
Do you know anything about
this girl?
Not a thing.
You think maybe she and your
dad might've been up to
something?
Like what?
Some kinda May-December
situation?
Are you kidding me?
We're talking Tom Gerrin here.
Fella over in Dexter,
80 years old, just had a kid
with his 26-year-old wife.
It was in the paper a couple
of weeks back.
My father was married to the
same woman for 50 years.
He hasn't got any interest in
women anymore, least of all a
girl young enough to be his
granddaughter.
Happens more than you think.
I'm tellin' ya.
He's not getting enough oxygen
to the brain.
Had an uncle on my mother's side
went through the same thing.
This is how it starts.
Excuse me, Sheriff.
You got a call.
They're not gone but
a couple-- three hours.
It was him.
I got his name right here
on the register.
Hers too.
They shared a room.
I'd have called quicker,
but I just now heard it,
on the radio.
[people cheering]
Ah-oo!
[silent]
[bell dinging]
Winner!
Thank you.
♪ ♪
Have you got something slow?
Mm-hmm.
Great. Excuse me.
♪ ♪
I haven't danced for a long
time.
Oh, it's like riding a bike.
Yeah, haven't done that
lately, either.
So, you haven't called them
yet, have you?
Have you seen a phone?
God, you'd think I was some kind
of a fugitive from justice,
wouldn't you?
The way they put it out like
that on the radio.
That ticks me off.
I bet you were a good father.
I did the best I could,
you know, at the time.
I supported 'em, sent 'em to
college, those that
wanted to go.
If that's not enough,
then sh**t me.
Of course, they've all got a
grievance, you know.
That's the fashion.
I got a daughter who says
I was distant.
My shop was 15 yards
from the house,
she saw me every day
of her life.
"Distant."
What kind of bull is that?
About how long?
They caught a ride,
about an hour ago.
They'll be well over the
state line by now.
I got no jurisdiction.
I'll send a fax.
How could he do this to us,
after all we've done for him?
Honey, we don't know the
whole story.
And what've we ever done for him
that was so special, anyway?
I broke my back with that
yard sale.
I invited him to come
live in my house.
You think he'd take his medicine
if I didn't force him to
twice a day?
He's my father.
What's the alternative?
Don't answer that.
Kenny, you know I love him.
But he's Pete's father, too.
And your sisters,
what about them?
Why are we the only ones who
care?
Pete'd put him in a home.
He's already as much as told me.
Kenny, this was supposed
to be our time.
The kids are finally out of the
house, and now we've got Tom
to worry about.
It's like having another child.
No, it's not.
We are not responsible for him
every moment.
Kenny, look at me.
We have not made love since
the day your father moved in
here.
For God's sake, Bonnie, do we
have to talk about this now?
When would you like to talk
about it, Kenny?
We can't talk about it when
he's back.
Well, maybe he won't be back.
Would that make you happy?
Thank you.
You're welcome.
What's that?
This-- a plane.
Let's see.
Be careful, it's very sharp.
It's kind of beautiful,
isn't it?
For a tool.
Kinda came into my mind
to keep it.
Everything was being sold off.
Why?
I told you, I'm retired.
How come?
I just got old.
Oh, right.
I keep forgetting.
Could I have a coffee please?
Right.
What would your boyfriend
think about you hitchhiking
across the country?
Not much.
Besides, he doesn't really
tell me what to do, so...
You've got a long freedom
chain, huh?
You remembered.
I gave it some thought.
You think he's gonna wanna
take you back once you decide
you've had enough "space"?
He picked me 'cause he knew
I wouldn't stay.
You're kidding.
No, it's all subconscious.
See, me, soon as I get into a
relationship with someone really
normal and nice, someone I can
really count on, I run screaming
for the hills.
I had a shrink who told me once
it's because I don't believe
there is such a thing as a
healthy marriage.
Why not?
You ever seen one?
I was in one.
Your wife think so, too?
Far as I know.
The subject never came up.
I'm not saying it was perfect.
You know, I had a temper
when I was younger.
She just got quiet.
I think quiet is worse than
yelling, if you ask me.
Yeah, we don't yell.
Repression is really big where I
come from.
Then you'll be looking over
at her sitting on the couch,
30 years later, and your heart
kinda hurts because
you love her so much.
Comes and goes.
You gotta be in it for
the long haul, I guess.
You miss her a lot,
don't you?
Excuse me.
Would you by any chance be
Mr. Thomas Gerrin?
Would you mind showing me
some I.D., sir?
Okay, you got me.
What can I do for you, officer?
You are Mr. Thomas Gerrin.
I haven't robbed a bank in
ten or twelve years.
We've been asked to keep an
eye out for you, sir.
By who?
We got a fax on you.
As I understand, your folks are
somewhat concerned as to your
well-being.
Have you talked to them lately?
No, but I was just gonna
call 'em.
I'm not breaking any laws, am I?
No, sir, no, you're not.
Not as far as I know.
You gonna tell 'em
you saw me?
Well, I imagine they'd
appreciate hearing that you're
okay and haven't fallen in
harm's way, don't you?
Yeah, well, if I go home,
they're gonna lock me in
that cellar again.
He's kidding.
Where you headed, sir?
Home.
Soon as I finish my coffee.
Why don't you ring your folks
and tell 'em that?
I will, I'll do that.
That's the ticket.
Have a nice day now.
Okay, thank you.
Thank you.
So are you?
Huh?
Are you heading home?
I've come too far to turn
back now.
Whereabouts you headed in
California?
Monterey.
Well, I can take you as far
as Stockton if you like.
It's not too bad a hop from
there to Monterey.
Well, we'd be much obliged,
thank you.
You related?
Uh, no. No.
I thought maybe you were her
grandpappy.
I wouldn't mind that, but no.
We just met up on the road.
If you don't mind me saying,
you're kind of a peculiar pair
to be hitchhiking.
Are we?
Daddy?
What? It's all right.
You all right, love?
Everything's okay.
You were probably just dreaming.
It's okay, you all right?
Okay, everything's okay.
Where are we?
Almost through Nevada.
Oh, boy, California,
here we come.
♪ Always together ♪
♪ Through all kinds of weather ♪
♪ We took the long way home ♪
He was lying to that cop.
I guess.
He'd have been home by now,
for sure.
Could be on his way.
Could be he'll never come
back.
Why wouldn't he come back?
Well, why would he take off
in the first place?
I don't know.
Maybe we shouldn't have made him
sell the house.
Maybe.
Maybe he felt like he was
getting in our way,
living with us.
Well, you know what I think.
We're the ones that're taking
care of him, not you.
And you see how much he
appreciates it, don't you?
What do you want from him?
Nothing, I don't want
anything from him.
What's your beef with him,
anyway?
What'd he ever do to you?
Nothing, not a damn thing.
Pete, I know
he's not perfect.
I know better than anybody.
Yeah, but you're still trying
to prove something to him.
Don't you know you can't get
blood from a turnip?
Why do you think Marcie and
Janice moved so far away?
They like the weather down
there.
After the funeral,
after Mom died?
I saw one of Janice's kids
sitting on Dad's lap,
and I started to cry.
I had to leave the room.
I never sat on Dad's lap.
Which way you going?
That way.
Oh, well.
I guess this is it.
Leanne, I want you to know it's
been a real pleasure.
I guess there's a motel or two
around here somewhere.
Oh, don't be ridiculous.
We're here.
Huh? Oh.
What a dump, huh?
Yeah, I was hoping for
something a little nicer.
Are you sure this is okay?
Mm-hmm.
Hello?
Anybody home?
Hiya, beautiful.
Hi, Daddy.
This is Tom Gerrin.
He's been traveling with me.
My father, Craig Bossert.
Hello.
How do you do, sir?
I've invited him to stay.
Good.
The prodigal daughter.
Hello, Mother.
You arrived safely.
The plane crashed, and I'm
the sole survivor.
And who have we here?
This is you.
That's the john.
Relax, it's only a bedroom.
Uh-huh.
Would you like something to
drink?
No, no thanks.
You promised.
I know.
Bonnie? It's me.
I'm fine, I'm in California.
California?
What the hell's he doing in
California?
He says he felt like having a
swim in the ocean.
I don't know who the girl is,
he didn't say. He didn't--
He didn't say, okay.
Pete.
If we hear from him again,
I'll call you.
You think you know somebody.
Come to find out,
you don't know him at all.
I'd sure like to know why he
took off.
Was it us?
All my life, all I ever
wanted was to be close to him.
Now that he's retired,
I thought...
People have different ways of
being close.
I guess.
What brings you
to California, Mr. Gerrin?
Do you have family here?
No, no ma'am, no family.
It just came on me
to take a trip.
Impulse.
Impulse, yeah, that's it,
yeah.
It's a shame about the
accident.
It was a beautiful car.
Tell you the truth, I really
enjoyed the hitchhiking.
Especially the company.
Likewise.
And how long will you be
staying with us, Mr. Gerrin?
As long as he likes.
By all means.
I'm sure it'll be no trouble
at all.
I had to thr*aten him with
bodily harm if he didn't come.
He wanted to go to a motel.
She can be persuasive.
Oh, she can.
Well, you know what the Arabs
say.
[chuckling]
[knocking]
Since when do you have to
knock?
How's it going?
I like your traveling pal.
He's a trip.
A trip on a trip.
But, ahem.
Hitchhiking?
"O, but I love the danger."
I think Emily Dickinson had
something else in mind other
than hurling oneself into the
voracious jaws of a lunatic
America.
Come back, Shane.
He got a letter, too, Tom.
Of a summoning nature,
as well?
I don't think so.
I think he made it that,
though.
Interpretation is all.
So?
You still haven't answered my
question.
How are you doing, Daddy?
How do I look like I'm doing?
A lot worse than I expected.
Your Mother didn't give you
the full rundown in her letter?
I asked her to be specific.
What's Daddy's 11th
Commandment, class?
Thou shalt not tap dance.
Correct.
I think she did some
tap dancing.
She said that the operation
turned out "iffy," but she
didn't give me a clue
about this.
I think "iffy"
about says it all.
Do me a favor, kick off
your tap shoes, please.
I've got maybe three weeks.
If I knock off the jogging.
She should've told me.
Why didn't she tell me?
If you'd known,
you'd've flown.
Calm down.
I considered opting for
belated notification.
And I never would've
forgiven you.
I know.
I think your visit may be
a little longer than planned.
A certain degree of pluck and
fortitude will be asked of you,
you understand?
I'll try to measure up.
You're aces with me, kid.
Will it be all right with you
if I started measuring up
tomorrow?
I love you so much, Daddy.
Why didn't you tell me?
Your father didn't want you
to worry.
You would've let him die
without seeing me.
Don't be ridiculous.
You didn't want me here.
You wanted him all to yourself,
right up into the end.
You had to be in control.
As usual, you see only what
you want to see.
I'm going to bed.
[door slams]
Want to swim?
Never learned how.
Get out.
No. I might flounder a bit
if there's a lifeguard handy,
but...
My dad taught me when I was a
baby.
Yeah?
You're fond of your Dad,
aren't you?
Yeah.
But I...
I take it you and your mom don't
exactly see eye to eye.
Maybe she did the best
she knew how.
I don't mean to pry, but he
doesn't seem exactly up to par.
Your dad?
He's dying.
I'm sorry, sweetheart.
He's such a young man.
Life isn't fair, is it?
He's working, though.
He does some stuff in the
morning and some at night.
As a consultant now.
Yeah, but I mean he's still
at it, he's working.
Why wouldn't he be?
Well, a fella in his
condition, physically, he might
just want to call it a day.
He won't go gently
into the night.
You know what I mean?
I think so.
So?
You gonna look her up?
Oh, I already did.
You did?
Yes, she's listed
in the phone book.
Well, are you going to call
her first, or are you just gonna
show up on her doorstep
and blow her mind?
See, I haven't decided.
What do you think is the best
way?
You nervous?
Oh, as cool as a cucumber.
Liar.
Pants on fire.
55 years, wow.
God. You must've been, like,
what, in your 20's?
Yeah, 21, 22.
I'm surprised she still
remembered me.
Were you her first lover?
Oh, lighten up.
Yes.
How old was she?
19.
Really. That's late.
I lost my virginity
when I was 15.
Why do we say that?
"Lose our virginity."
Like we left it on the bus or
something.
Well, I got you this far.
Now, you're on your own.
What's the worst that can
happen? She dies of shock.
Okay, okay, I'm going.
Now, you call me when you're
ready, and I'll pick you up,
okay?
Yeah.
It's not what you think, hon.
I don't know what it is,
but it is not what you think.
Hello.
Oh, my stars.
Hi, Ronnie.
It's Tom.
Tom.
Yeah, Gerrin.
Tom Gerrin.
Well, I guess I knew that,
didn't I?
You still take lots of sugar?
Too much, so they tell me.
If we listened to "they",
we'd be dead and buried already.
You could've knocked me over
with a feather, Ronnie, I guess
you know that, huh?
When your letter came.
What about you ringing my
doorbell?
What on Earth are you doing
here?
Well, I don't know, I was
just taking a little walk,
and one thing led to another.
You're not gonna start
teasing me again already, are
you?
No, no, I really mean it.
I bumped into this young girl.
You ran somebody over?
No, hell, I wasn't driving.
I was walking.
I mean I met her, on the road.
And it turns out she was, eh,
coming to Carmel.
So we started talking.
And-- thank you.
She lives here, her folks.
College girl.
So we got to talking, you
know, one thing lead to another.
Before I knew it,
I was going with her.
We thumbed it.
You're not telling me you
hitched rides all the way from
Kansas, are you?
So help me God.
What's Beaumont like now?
The same.
Only different.
This town sure is pretty.
How long you been here?
36 years.
Oh.
24 in this house.
Wow.
It's a lovely family.
Yeah.
Three girls and one boy.
The girls are all married now
and scattered around.
Seven grandkids.
Wow.
My boy was k*lled in Vietnam.
Oh, God, I'm--
I'm sorry to hear that, Ronnie.
Oh, seems so long ago.
Most things do, don't they?
Yeah.
You told me about Charlie's
passing in your letter.
Eight years ago.
Have you seen the ocean yet?
And what about Jack,
how's he?
Oh, Jack was k*lled in the
w*r in France.
Oh, what a shame.
Yeah.
I was real fond of Jack.
So there's only me left of
the bunch of us.
We went to visit his grave,
though, on the anniversary of
the Invasion.
You know, '94,
the 50th anniversary.
I guess you were in the w*r,
too.
Oh, yeah, sure.
Charlie was hurt real bad.
At Iwo Jima.
Hmm.
Lost an arm. His left arm.
He used to say he was my right
hand man.
[laughing]
You ever miss home?
For a while, after we left.
Charlie did, more than me.
Seems like yesterday
right now.
What does?
The day I heard that you and
Charlie got married and left
Beaumont.
Why did you, anyway?
Leave Beaumont?
I wouldn't have been too
comfortable there after
we got married,
you being there.
I wouldn't have been too
comfortable myself.
I'm still trying to place
Donna Wallace.
I think she was two grades
behind you.
I used to wonder why you
didn't want to marry me.
Well, who says I didn't want
to marry you?
You never asked.
Well...
Why didn't you ever ask then?
I didn't think you wanted me
to.
I thought about it a lot.
Being married to me?
Oh, yeah.
You should've asked.
Boy, those were the best
pork chops I have had
in a long time.
I'm glad I had 'em.
If I knew you were coming,
I'd have baked a cake.
Remember that song?
Oh, sure.
♪ If I knew you were comin' ♪
♪ I'd have baked a cake ♪
♪ Baked a cake, baked a cake ♪
You can still sing.
Yeah, well, the pipes are
a little rusty.
Like everything else.
Listen to you.
A man who just walked half way
across the country.
Oh, hey, you're exaggerating.
There was a little walking,
but not all the way.
How long are you planning on
staying in Monterey?
Well, I guess I'd better be
heading back tomorrow.
Oh, that's when Betsy was
just born. That's her.
[both laughing]
I put on lots of weight with
Betsy.
You seem to have lost it all.
Charlie sure kept his looks,
didn't he?
He was a handsome man,
I'll give him that.
You have a picture of Donna?
Yeah, sure.
Nope, I can't place her.
I... I heard about her
passing away a couple years ago,
but I didn't think I should
write you, so soon after.
Then it took me a while before
I could work up the nerve.
I'm glad you did.
[doorbell]
Be right with you.
Mm-hmm.
Well,
I don't expect we'll be
seeing each other again ever.
Well, today was more
than I ever expected.
Me too.
And you never can tell,
can you?
About what?
Well, you might just get it
into your mind to pay a visit to
Beaumont.
I could show you the new sights.
You never can tell.
Maybe you'll think about it.
I've been thinking about it
for the past two hours.
What do you mean?
Fact is, I'm going to visit
one of my daughters and her
family in Pennsylvania in April.
Are you?
And I've been thinking how it
would be if I just dropped by
Beaumont on the way back.
Oh, I think that's
a darn good idea.
[both laughing]
Why don't I just do that
then?
Okay, will you?
I'll write. Let you know
when I'll be coming.
Good.
Safe home.
[engine starts]
[phone ringing]
Hello.
It's me.
Where are you?
It's him.
You still in California?
You coming back?
What's going on, Dad?
I'm leaving tomorrow, I'll be
back in a couple of nights.
Tell him, tell him
we'll come and get him.
Let me handle this, will you?
I'll be getting in a little
late, there's a layover in
Wichita.
Day after I get home,
we'll have a talk.
You and Bonnie and Pete and me.
Uh-huh. What about?
Some things that need fixing.
Is he coming home
or isn't he?
Yeah, he's coming home.
What kinda things, Dad?
Fixing how?
Well, things like Bonnie
always wrapping me up in
blankets all the time.
Listen, Dad, I know we--
You know that little shed
you've got out back that's
crammed full of junk you
never use?
What about it?
That would make a fine
workshop.
A workshop? For what?
We'll have a talk.
There's a lot of things I want
to tell you.
You and Pete both.
Give my love to Bonnie, hmm?
I'll see you in a couple nights.
Dad...
I'm glad you're coming home.
I am too, son.
There's just a couple of
minutes.
Good.
I'm awful glad you almost
ran me down.
Me, too.
Here, I want you to have
this.
I'm just gonna buy some new
tools.
Tom...
I want you to be good
to your kids.
And you let them be good to you.
There's not as much time
as we think. You know?
I'm beginning to, yeah.
[engine starts]
I have something for you,
too.
What, your freedom chain?
Oh, no, I can't... please.
No, I want you to have it.
It would mean a lot to me.
Maybe it'll guide you back
to your purpose.
Leanne, you're a good girl.
The next time you meet
a good boy,
you stick with him, you hear?
Yeah.
Well then, uh...
so long, I guess.
Yeah, so long.
♪ ♪