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09x06 - The Gift of Life

Episode transcripts for the TV show, "Knots Landing". Aired: December 27, 1979 – May 13, 1993.*
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A spin-off of Dallas, it was set in a fictitious coastal suburb of Los Angeles and initially centered on the lives of four married couples living on a cul-de-sac, Seaview Circle.

09x06 - The Gift of Life

Post by bunniefuu »

[narrator] Next on Knots Landing.

Greg, I am going to die.

I wanna give you some more time.

Well, it's too late.

Don't get upset. I mean, I...

If you get upset, I'm going to get upset.

Please, I really need your help.

How are the twins?

They're fine.

Got a birthday coming up.

Go look after Daddy.

'Cause he really needs you now.

I want to be alone. It's my choice.

Will you quit saying that? Your choice, your choice.

What the hell am I, nothing?

[theme music playing]

How long does it take to bring up one lousy car?

Greg, I've got a brain tumor.

I should have parked it myself.

It's cancerous, it's inoperable, it's terminal.

Just because one lousy quack says it's terminal?

All we have to do is find a decent doctor.

But I got a second opinion.

-Then we'll get a third. -Well, I've had a third.

Then we'll get a hundred more opinions.

And then you'll accept it?

No, I will not accept it. Get in the car.

[intriguing orchestral music plays]

That guy should be arrested for impersonating a physician.

You're making a big mistake if you trust that bozo.

He's... he's just joking.

[Greg] I don't want to hear about probabilities.

My wife isn't one of your statistics.

[phone ringing]

The group is good, Mom.

I'm telling you, we're really good.

The group has never performed in public before, Michael.

-Well, not together, no, but... -Right!

...these guys have played with a lot of real,

-well-known bands. -Oh, really? Like who?

What difference does that make? You've never heard of anybody.

Michael, that is no way to persuade your mother

to agree to anything.

Okay, look, I'm sorry.

It's just that we're really good.

Well, then I hope you'll be able to get a job,

you know, at another club.

-Excuse me. -Mom, look, come on.

Business right now at Lotus Point is so bad.

What harm can we do?

Michael, you don't want people to think

that that I gave you the job because you're my son.

You want... you want to be judged on your music,

not on your connections.

So let us play because we're good, then.

Not because I'm your son.

-Okay. -At least come to a rehearsal.

-I said okay. -Okay. Great.

-When? -Well, not right now,

if that's what you mean.

Tonight?

-Well, I can't tonight. -When?

All right, Michael, look.

You just give me your rehearsal schedule,

and I will come and see you whenever I possibly can.

Okay. Okay.

-Thank you. -Okay. Just tell me whether

-or not you approve of this. -I do, I do.

You don't even look at it.

I don't work here anymore, remember?

[laughs] I'm just asking your opinion.

I know, and then you're going to ask my opinion

about a hundred more times, right?

Yeah.

-Just call me. -I will.

You know, I really enjoyed working with you, Gary.

You're a good guy, you know that?

[chuckling]

Make a great epitaph.

-"He was a good guy." -[knocking on door]

-You're not gone yet? -[Laura] I'm going, I'm going.

-Did you offer her a raise? -Yes, I did,

and I told her how much we'd miss her, but, um, hmm.

You say that to everyone who vacates an office.

-I know, I know. -Not true, not true.

Look, if you want, we'll, uh, keep your office just as it is,

so when you come back, it'll be just as it is.

-That's okay. -Uh, listen, you promised

you'd consult with us.

[Laura] Oh, yeah, you call me.

I will, I will.

I might not answer.

I thought you might like this as a souvenir.

-Your parking space sign. -[Laura] I know what it is.

For the woman who has everything.

[Laura] Oh, boy.

Oh!

Listen, um,

Mack and I are really excited about being Meg's godparents.

Look at her. Aww!

I was trying to think of something to get her.

But what do I get a child that has everything?

Nothing.

Just remember, this is a private ceremony.

It's you, Mack, me, Greg, and Shorty there.

[laughing] Yeah.

I'm very flattered.

Oh, um, that reminds me.

We are having the annual staff party this Friday,

and I want you to come.

-Well, I can't. -Oh, please?

No, I really can't.

You have to.

-Why? -Why?

Uh, If I told you

this was a surprise farewell party for you,

then it wouldn't be a surprise.

You have to let 'em do it?

Can I help it that you're so popular?

Come on. You have to go

-to your surprise party. -Okay, all right.

It's a deal, as long as you go shopping

with me for Meg that morning, okay?

You got it.

Oh, um,

please invite Greg.

Sure.

[nurse] Hey, Laura, let's try again.

-Make a fist for me. -Okay.

You better get it right this time.

-[nurse] Just be still. -Okay.

-[nurse] Needle stick. -[squeals] Ow! Ow, ow, ow, ow!

[nurse] Laura, I'm sorry, I missed.

Your veins have been stuck so much in these last few weeks.

Bend this up for me.

Let's try the other arm, see if we have better luck.

-[ominous music plays] -Okay, [indistinct].

-Make another fist. -[Laura] Okay.

[nurse] One more [indistinct].

There we go.

I can't believe that this guy is so busy

that he has to squeeze us in,

but we got to get up there

because we don't want to be late.

He's doing us the favor.

[Laura] Greg, come here a minute.

Look, this is one of Helen Fuller's.

Come on, we're going to be late.

Do you like it?

It's great. It kind of looks like I feel.

I've always wanted to own one of hers.

So we'll buy one.

-It's $35,000. -$35,000?

We'll buy two of them, but first let's go upstairs.

Well, I'm not going.

-What are you talking about? -I'm not going.

I've seen my last specialist. No more doctors.

I want to have a... a really romantic lunch with you.

I want to go someplace really expensive.

Don't you think you're being a little irrational?

I'm not being irrational.

I'm just sick and tired of being poked and...

and prodded like some... some rabbit at show and tell.

This isn't fun for me!

I know it's hard on you.

But don't you think you owe it to yourself,

to your children, and to me to try and get better?

I have done everything I can to try and get better.

-No, you haven't. -Yes, I have!

How can it hurt to see one more doctor?

[groaning]

Look, I am not going to spend what little time I have left

subsidizing half the doctors in the world.

-We're talking one doctor! -Greg, I am dying!

I don't accept that.

Well, you're being irrational.

Do you think that I wanted this to happen?

Think of me. Think of how I feel.

I am thinking of you! All I do is think of you!

I want to give you some more time.

Well, you can't. It's too late.

-It's not too late. -[somber music plays]

You're not asking me to accept an illness here.

You're asking me to accept death.

You're acting like you're already dead.

You probably already made the funeral arrangements.

[sighing]

Look, I'm going to go to a really great restaurant.

Please come with me.

I'm going upstairs to see a really great doctor.

I think you should come with me.

[gentle piano music plays]

Ca... What is that? Ca... cachexia?

Uh, papilledema?

Sounds like a lot of mumbo-jumbo, doesn't it?

I don't know anybody who could get through medical school

having to read all this.

I think they should lighten it up a little, don't you?

Like in The New Yorker with cartoons.

Throwing a little going-away party for me at the office.

Do they know how soon you're leaving?

Or how far you're going?

Or how long you're going to be there?

[scoffs]

It's pretty funny, isn't it?

No. No, I haven't told 'em.

I mean, it's hard enough to handle the word "cancer"

without adding terminal.

Probably put a damper on things, don't you think?

-I'll pass. -Okay.

Meg's baptism is on Sunday.

-I'll pass there, too. -Oh, come on, Greg.

What am I supposed to do?

Go watch some guy in a funny costume

hustle his mumbo-jumbo

and wish our daughter a great life without her mom?

You're not taking a philosophical position

by being at your daughter's baptism, you know?

You've seen your last doctor. I've seen my last church.

[gentle music playing]

Goodness, I'm late. I got stuck at work, at the office.

Oh, that's okay. That's okay.

I'm just glad you're here, or else

I would have spent twice as much money.

[Karen laughs] Hello, baby.

-Meg. Oh, Meg. -Is business picking up?

Oh, that's the problem, no.

Well, this will brighten your day.

I want you to help me pick out a few things for Meg.

Oh, it's not like the old days, you know?

We could yell at each other across the yard.

Now we have to make appointments to see each other.

-That's pretty. -Yeah?

What do you think for the ceremony, huh?

[Karen gasps]

I love it.

Oh, it's just perfect.

How about this one for her first birthday?

Oh!

Makes me want to run out and buy kids' clothes.

That's why I always wanted a daughter.

I always wanted to buy these... these little girl things,

-you know, as a kid? -Well, that's a little big.

Well, this is... this is for her second birthday.

Oh. [chuckles]

And, uh,

this is for when she turns three.

-Pretty cute, huh? -Whoa, wait a minute.

And then I got this one for when she's four.

Laura, I've heard of planning ahead,

but this is really planning ahead.

Well, I have to plan ahead.

Why?

Because there's a lot of things I'm not going to be able to do

with Meg.

[mournful music plays]

Don't get upset. I mean, I...

If you get upset, I'm going to get upset.

Okay? I'm sorry, please.

Please, I really need your help.

Just give her these things on her birthdays, okay? Huh?

[Greg] I want you to take your own x-rays.

I understand that, sure, doctor. I underst... I understand that.

Thank you.

[Laura] For Karen.

Wear them in good health and, of course, in good style.

Meg, this is your grandmother's cameo.

Now, Jason, I don't expect you to wear this,

but someday, if you...

I feel so terrible.

I arranged all this before I knew.

Stop apologizing. It's okay.

You know, you don't have to stay.

I could just... I'll just make an excuse.

It's all right. I could use a few left, right?

It's overdue, I think. Right?

[indistinct chatter]

Here they come. Here they come.

-[clamoring] -[Michael hushes]

[Gary] Where's the band?

[all] Surprise, surprise!

-Laura! -Here we go!

♪ For she's A jolly good fellow ♪

♪ For she's A jolly good fellow ♪

♪ For she's A jolly good fellow ♪

Just a second, Mom. I got a great surprise for you.

Wait, just listen.

We finished rehearsing, and we're ready to play for Laura.

Just come over and meet the lead singer, would you?

-No, no, I... Not now, Michael. -[baby crying]

Mom, come on, please. We're all set and ready to go.

No, not now, Michael.

♪ Which nobody can deny ♪

[emotional piano music plays]

[Laura] I think I know what this is.

What is it? What is it?

I said I think I know what it is, but I'm not positive.

-[Gary] Eh, so far. -[Laura] So far.

Well, that's great! It's a desk calendar. Thanks.

What does it say?

To help you plan your vacations.

[Gary] Yes, well, this way you can count the days

until you get back to this place.

-[Laura] Thanks, Gary. -[Gary] You're welcome.

[Laura] Oh, you guys shouldn't have gone all this trouble.

Really, you shouldn't have.

I'm glad you did, and I deserve all this and more,

but you shouldn't have.

[woman] We all wish we could be doing what you're doing.

You know, quitting work, taking off.

[Karen] Excuse me.

-[woman] Oh, wait a minute. -[Karen] Let me see. Excuse me.

-Excuse me. -Oh, God.

Oh, it's a travel alarm. Thank you. That's great. Thanks.

[woman] You can travel, read, spend time with your kids.

You're so lucky, Laura.

[Laura] Yeah, I'm lucky.

[woman] We're so jealous of you.

[Laura] Yeah? Well, don't be.

[woman] Well, we are. We are so jealous of you.

[Laura] Yeah, well, this is just the result

of good, clean living, you know?

[Laura] Meggy, bedeggy. [vocalizing]

Yeah. Yeah.

-You're so cute. -How's she doing?

Well, she's usually a good sleeper, knock on wood,

but not right now.

Right? Right?

That's right.

Oh!

[Valene laughs]

She is so beautiful.

I missed you, you know?

We really haven't seen enough of each other.

I know.

I missed you, too.

-Your hair looks cute. -Yeah?

-You like it? -Yeah.

Finally made it into the '80s, huh?

[laughs] Oh, stop that.

Talking about all my ponytails and braids.

No, for better or worse, this is the new me.

Well, I kind of like the old you, too. She wasn't so bad.

It's funny, you don't know somebody,

and all of a sudden you look back,

and you've got a whole history with them.

The first time I met you in the cul-de-sac,

I knew there was a kindred spirit.

Nothing's changed that, you know.

Nothing.

-Nothing? -Mm-mm.

-You. Thank you. -[knocking on door]

-Oh. -Hi.

[Karen] Hi.

[Valene vocalizing]

Everybody's beginning to wonder what's happened to you.

Why don't you watch Meg until Carolyn gets here, okay?

Sure. No problem.

You're just as pretty as your mommy.

Well, it takes time. Excuse me.

Mom, just come over and say hello.

-Just... just hi. Come on. -Oh, Laura.

What can I say?

Well, let's see, you could say, um,

"You know, Laura, I'm really going to miss you."

And I could say, "Yeah, right."

Or you could say,

"Gosh, I'm really glad you're going to be out of my hair."

And I could say, "The feeling's mutual."

[chuckling]

I think these, um, farewell parties are overrated.

Don't you?

See...

-Hi. -Hi.

I was looking for the guest of honor.

Well, she was in here just a minute ago.

Hi, sweet.

I'm just filling in until Carolyn gets back.

How's she doing?

She looks beautiful from here.

How are the twins?

Fine.

Got a birthday coming up, huh?

-That's right, they do. -Three years old already.

Three.

You going to have a birthday party?

I don't know, we might.

Call me if you do.

[baby cooing]

[rock music playing]

Can I have a club soda, please?

Make that your best club soda, bartender.

On me.

Hi.

I've been watching you all afternoon.

I've just been dying to meet you.

-You don't work here, do you? -No.

Ed Tweed. Computer hardware, software, et cetera.

Mm. Well, I'm really not in the market, thanks.

What is that perfume you're wearing?

Baby Spit Up.

-It's very nice. -Oh, yeah?

Look, I'm really flattered, but...

Well, hey, look, you'll be more than flattered.

You will be eternally grateful.

Oh, my lord, my lord, help me.

-[groaning] -Are you all right?

Oh, yeah. This gentleman's trying to pick me up.

Excuse me, pardon me.

You know, you should have been nice to him,

because you really can't afford to lose any more customers.

-Mom. -Ladies.

-What? -Mom.

Mack says it's okay to play.

-He wants us to play. -Mack.

-Play what? -Michael's group is ready to play.

-Nothing. -Let them play.

-That's great. -Yeah, we're all set up to go.

-No. -Why not?

Come on, life's too short. Let's go.

-Okay? Okay. -Okay, thanks, Mom.

I'm sorry.

Oh, I'm... I'm sorry about this party.

-I'm sorry. -Oh, come on, stop it.

I'm having a great time.

Oh, you know what? I forgot to open your present.

Oh, don't open it. I... I told Marsha not to give it to you.

-Why not? -It's... it's the wrong size.

It's... just, I'd like to return it if...

Oh, it's a watch. It's beautiful.

A lifetime guarantee. Swell.

Oh.

[Mack] This better be good, Michael.

-What are you gonna play? -[Michael] Hey.

[Mack] It's on?

One, two, one, two, three.

♪ When I get to heaven ♪

♪ Will there still be Rock 'n' roll? ♪

I really need this, right?

♪ When I get to heaven ♪

♪ Will there still be Rock 'n' roll? ♪

[band member] One, two, three, four!

[rock music playing]

All right, who wants to go... You do?

Okay, let's go. You're the lucky lady with the lucky number.

♪ Buddy on the bended knee makes light of Bobby B ♪

♪ Every step that Tommy takes chugs down to the breeze ♪

♪ Time b*mb George makes the Beach Boy jumps ♪

♪ Chubby Checkers let's it go Tacky Wizard classics for ♪

♪ Robin dance, Sly Stone, Buckinghams, Rolling Stone ♪

♪ Sammy Sam, Edward Style, clubs instill CCR ♪

♪ When I get to heaven ♪

♪ Will there still be Rock 'n' roll? ♪

♪ When I get to heaven ♪

♪ Will there still be Rock 'n' roll? ♪

♪ Laughin', jokin', dancin' in the streets of gold ♪

♪ When I get to heaven ♪

♪ Will there still be Rock 'n' roll? ♪

[song continues]

♪ When I get to heaven ♪

♪ Will there still be Rock 'n' roll? ♪

♪ When I get to heaven ♪

♪ Will there still be Rock 'n' roll? ♪

♪ Laughin', jokin', dancin' in the streets of gold ♪

♪ When I get to heaven ♪

♪ Will there still be Rock 'n' roll? ♪

[song continues]

♪ Don't wanna be knockin' On heaven's door ♪

♪ But when you hear me knockin' ♪

♪ I hope there'll be some rockin' ♪

♪ Cause if it's all gone, baby ♪

♪ I'll be gone, gone ♪

[music continues]

♪ LA, Chi-Town, Phoenix, Motown ♪

♪ Denver, San Fran, Texas, Alabama ♪

♪ Boston, Philly and St. Louie ♪

♪ Minneapolis, St. Paul, Little Rock, Arkansas ♪

♪ Cleveland, Muncie, SeaTac, New Orleans ♪

♪ Lauderdale, Maui... ♪

♪ When I get to heaven ♪

♪ Will there still be Rock 'n' roll? ♪

♪ When I get to heaven ♪

♪ Will there still be Rock 'n' roll? ♪

♪ Laughin', jokin', dancin' in the streets of love ♪

♪ When I get to heaven ♪

♪ Will there still be Rock 'n' roll? ♪

♪ When I get to heaven ♪

♪ Will there still be Rock 'n' roll? ♪

♪ When I get to heaven ♪

♪ Will there still be Rock 'n' roll? ♪♪

[cicadas chirping]

[glass shattering]

-[baby crying] -[sighing]

[dog barking]

It's not fair.

It's not fair.

[Karen crying]

♪ Marguerite, go wash your feet The board of health Is across the street ♪

Oh, sweetie pie.

You know, they used to tease your grandma with that song

when she was a little girl.

Yeah. You're named after your grandma, you know?

Marguerite Catherine.

She had red hair, too, Meggie.

Just a little bit darker than yours.

And her mother had red hair, just like yours.

She used to put tea in her hair to keep it red.

Is that crazy, huh?

-You know what, Meg, though? -[baby crying]

Aww, what's wrong, honey?

What's wrong? Let me see.

What's wrong? [gasping]

What's that? What's that?

Do you know that you are a fourth-generation redhead?

Is that incredible?

You know, it's good luck to touch the hair of a redhead.

Do you know that, Meggie? Huh?

Did you know that? Huh? Yeah.

I wish it were true.

I wish that were true.

Your grandma was something else. You know that?

She went to college.

She had a career when nobody else was doing that.

And your great-grandmother, Meggo,

went around the world on her honeymoon,

all by herself.

All by herself. Yes.

Because your grandfather, because he didn't want to go.

Oh, Meggie.

I'm not gonna be able to see who you take after, you know that?

I'll miss that part.

I won't be able to pass on all those things

my mother said to me.

Meggo, you know what? You know what?

They're gonna tell you that you can't wear pink

when you grow up.

Like, redheads can wear pink, Meggie,

don't you let anybody tell you differently.

I'm gonna miss you, Meggie.

I'm really gonna miss you.

But you're not gonna miss me,

because you're never gonna know me, huh?

It's really hard on your daddy though.

He doesn't even want to talk about it.

So you gotta do your homework,

brush your teeth, and look after your daddy, all right?

Okay?

Promise. Look after your daddy.

'Cause he really needs you now.

[melancholic music plays]

I love you, Meggie.

[birds chirping]

[laughs] She's smiling right at me.

-I didn't see it, did you? -No, I didn't.

You sure did. Show these ladies, huh?

Take a good look at these two women.

I hope you don't grow up to be like them.

They're afraid to admit the truth, huh?

Right here in the house of God, shame on these women.

She smiled right at me.

Ready when you are.

[birds chirping]

Oh, come on, let's just get started, okay?

-[Mack] We can wait, Laura. -Yeah.

The description of how long we're gonna have to wait

comes to mind, you know, until something freezes over.

-I heard that description. -Yeah.

[priest] This is a special day, Laura.

Let's celebrate it with the same joy

with which you welcome this child into the world

as a gift from God, the source of life.

What name do you give your child?

Marguerite Catherine.

[priest] And what do you ask of God's church

for Marguerite Catherine?

Eternal life.

[priest] You have asked to have your child baptized.

In doing so, you are accepting the responsibility

of training her in the practice of the faith.

It will be your duty to bring her up

to keep God's commandments as Christ taught us,

by loving God and our neighbor.

Do you understand what you are undertaking?

Yes.

Mack?

By the mystery of your death and resurrection,

bathe this child in light.

Give her the new life of baptism

and welcome her into your holy church.

-Lord, hear our prayer. -[Karen] Lord, hear our prayer.

[Mack] Lead her by a holy life to the joys of God's kingdom.

-[Laura] Lord, hear our prayer. -[Karen] Lord, hear our prayer.

Make the lives of her parents and godparents

be example of faith to inspire this child.

[Mack clears throat]

-Lord, hear our prayer. -[Karen] Lord, hear our prayer.

Keep her family always in your love.

-Lord, hear our prayer. -[Laura] Lord, hear our prayer.

Hey. Don't cry. If you cry, I'll cry, okay?

I'm not crying.

[priest] My dear brother and sisters,

we now ask God to give his child new life in abundance,

through water and this Holy Spirit.

Excuse me.

[Karen sighing]

Who's that?

I was wondering if I had to pass through a faith detector

or something in order to get in here.

Oh, it's okay with me.

Ooh, look who's here. Huh?

-Look who's here. -Sorry I'm late, Father.

She always smiles when I come in her room.

May God bless the mother of this child.

She thanks God for the gift of this child.

May Laura be one with Marguerite

in thanking him forever in heaven.

May God bless the father of this child.

He and his wife will be the first teachers

of their child in the ways of faith.

May they be also the best of teachers,

bearing witness to the faith

by what they say and do.

Amen.