Exclusively!
And with more offices in Virginia
than any other savings and loan,
because of that, conveniently!
I dare you to stop me
in my Super Cop Clobberer.
Anybody who'd try to stop him
has to be totally stupid.
Stupid?
Hey, Mumbly, come back!
- Huh?
And make it snappy.
... images of snow
that fell over the whole weekend,
and the blizzard
is called one of the worst ̶
As you can see.
One of the worst in that city's history.
They have not been too lucky,
actually, in the Midwest.
As soon as they dig out,
another storm heads their way
and there is one out west
that might be hitting them very soon.
We've been very lucky that way.
Every time it snows...
- ...your friends out here.
Friends? Ha! I have no friends.
Big Bird,
we came to see you drive.
Well, it's a little too late now, isn't it?
Well, Big Bird,
how about letting one of us...
-Good morning, Louise.
-He's dead, Chance.
--The old man's dead.
-I see.
-He wasn't breathin'.
And as cold as a fish.
I touched him just to see.
I came to see your drawings.
- Chance.
- You sure you could spare the time?
I'm surprised you have any time at all for me.
Then I... covered him up.
Pulled a sheet over his head.
Big deal!
Nobody looks through anything of my stuff.
- Big Bird.
- Lord.
What a morning.
Yes, Louise.
It looks like it's going to snow.
Have you seen the garden?
It feels just like it's going to snow.
Damn it, boy.
- But I love you too.
- Is that all you've got to say?
Well, I do. That's the way it works.
That old man is lyin' up there,
dead as hell,
and it just don't make
any difference to you.
I'm not sure I understand.
Lord. Chance.
♪ I love him 'cause he has to be fed ♪
Chance, I'm sorry for yellin' like I did.
No, sir, I just don't know
what I was expecting.
♪ Different people, different ways ♪
Suppose I better
gather you up some breakfast.
Yes, please.
I'm very hungry, Louise.
♪ I love him 'cause he's sugar and spice ♪
♪ But I love you ♪
-I'll make you some eggs.
-♪'Cause you're awfully nice ♪
♪ Sugar and spice love
Awfully nice love ♪
♪ Tiny and small love
Yellow and tall love ♪
You're gettin' it!
♪ Everyone loves through all their days ♪
♪ Different people ♪
There are lots of animals in the barnyard.
Wanna go with the rooster and see them?
c*ck-a-doodle-doo!
c*ck-a-doodle-doo! c*ck-a-doodle-doo!
♪ It's a Sealy ♪
♪ Posturepedic morning ♪
Feelin' so good it shows.
Because Posturepedic is designed
in cooperation with leading orthopedic surgeons
for no morning backache
from sleeping on a too-soft mattress.
♪ It's a Sealy Posturepedic morning ♪
- Keep in the shade, Alvin.
- Yowsa, Miss Kittling, ma'am.
I won't have the horses
standin' in the sun.
- Did you hear me?
- Yowsa.
- Stay in your seat.
- Yowsa.
- Keep your hat and gloves on.
- Yowsa.
-And your coat buttoned.
- Yowsa.
Yowsa, miss.
Yowsa.
Well, ain't you the gentleman
this morning.
I'm gonna go now, Chance.
Yes.
You're gonna need somebody.
You ought to find yourself a lady, Chance.
Well, I guess it oughta be an old lady,
'cause you ain't gonna
do a young one any good,
not with that little thing of yours.
You're always gonna be
a little boy, ain't ya?
Good-bye, Chance.
--Good-bye, Louise.
- Will you give me a tour?
- Gladly.
- - The safe is in Mr. Jennings' bedroom.
--That'll be stop number one.
He and my father used to ride together
back in the '30s.
--Before I was born.
You're facing the right way, Barbara.
-You hear that?
- Here's what you can win in this game. Look.
It's a new car!
This morning the president
met in the Oval Office
with foreign dignitaries
and cultural exchange students
from the Republic of China.
He presented them with a statue
of the American eagle,
our symbol of peace and freedom
throughout the world.
The president warmly encouraged
future trade relations and...
- Why, hello.
We thought we heard something.
I'm Thomas Franklin.
Hello, Thomas.
I'm Chance, the gardener.
-The gardener?
-Yes.
Yes. Of course.
Mr. Chance, this is Ms. Hayes.
Mr. Chance, I'm very pleased to meet you.
Yes.
Yes.
We're with Franklin, Jennings and Roberts.
The law firm handling the estate?
Yes, Thomas, I understand.
So what I'm talking about
is sex and the single granny.
Are you waiting for someone?
An appointment?
- I thought, what am I gonna do?
- Yes.
Louise will bring me my lunch.
Who's gonna date me now?
All kidding aside, Mr. Chance,
may I ask just what you're doing here?
- I live here.
- She must know a lot about everything.
There is no mention of a gardener.
In fact, according to our inventories,
there hasn't been a man
employed here since 1933.
Except for a Mr. Joe Saracini,
a brick mason
who did some repairs to a wall.
He was here
for two and a half days in 1952.
Yes.
I remember Joe.
He was very fat,
had short hair
and showed me pictures
from a funny little book.
-Some pictures?
-Yes.
Of men and women.
Just how long have you been
living here, Mr. Chance?
Ever since I can remember.
Ever since I was a child
I've worked in this garden.
Then you really are a gardener?
My roses.
We will need some proof
of your having resided here, Mr. Chance.
You have me.
- I'm here.
That's where Joe fixed the wall.
Are you related to the deceased,
Mr. Chance?
I don't think so.
My.
That's a nice car.
Do you drive it, Mr. Chance?
I've never been in an automobile.
-You've never been in a car?
-No.
I've never been allowed
outside of the house.
You can call me Ray,
or you can call me Jay,
- or you can call me...
-I used to listen to the radio.
Then the old man
started giving me television sets.
This one has a remote control.
Maybe there's another
gum machine someplace.
You see? This is my bed.
This is my bathroom.
- This is my sink.
This is my toilet.
- This is my bathtub.
Here is my closet.
No. May I see your tickets?
You have a very handsome wardrobe,
Mr. Chance.
Yes.
I'm allowed to go to the attic
and wear any of the old man's clothes.
-They fit me very well, don't they?
-Yes.
It's amazing how those clothes
have come back into style.
Why is the bed like this?
I-I-I like to sleep
with my head facing the north.
I sleep better that way.
Yes, I've heard about that.
Could you show us something
with your address?
But this is facing west.
-What is facing west?
-The bed.
Is this airline safe?
Madam, we're very proud
of our safety record.
We haven't had one accident
since we started flying.
I see.
- When was that?
- Last week.
Mr. Chance, I would like to know
what sort of claim you're planning to make
against the deceased's estate.
- Ready to take off?
- Take off what?
The plane. To Washington.
Is that where you're going?
The garden is a healthy one, Thomas.
I-I... I-I have no...
claim.
I see. Would you be willing
to sign a paper to that effect?
You're the whole group?
I don't know how to sign, Thomas.
Just a ding-a-ling
and a pig that thinks he's the Red Baron?
Sure!
Very well, Mr. Chance.
I have no alternative but to inform you
that this house is now closed.
If indeed you have resided here,
you have no legal right to remain.
You'll have to move out
by, let's say, noon tomorrow.
I don't understand "move out."
Call me, or have your attorney call me
if you change your mind about signing.
Flicker wraps
every blade with a hair-thin wire...
Come on, Sally, let's grab a bite.
... for a very close shave
without nicks and cuts.
- Great legs!
- ♪ Ain't gonna cut ya ♪
What about medical records?
Could you give us the name
of your doctor or dentist?
I have no doctor or dentist.
Did you know that Mounds
have no artificial ingredients?
-- Really?
I see.
Well, good day, Mr. Chance.
Good day, Sally.
Good day, Thomas.
Mr. Chance.
From our family to yours.
With no artificial ingredients.
Every day of the week
you're doing new things,
and every day there's a new
Washington Post to help.
Here's how my teleporter teleports.
First I break up your moleculars.
Pardon me for intruding at a time like this,
but were you very close to Max?
Are you kidding? We were inseparable.
-- Max!
Joggers knee and swimmer's...
We have tennis elbow,
joggers knee and simmers ̶
Rather ̶ "Simmers. "
And swimmer's what?
I'm sorry. All I can think of is trunks.
Let's see. Swimmer's...
- Tennis elbow, joggers knee and...
Jim's back was broken in three places,
his skull was fractured
and his chest crushed.
He's a paraplegic,
but after a year in a hospital
he went back to school,
got his Masters degree
and now looks to the future.
You get depressed
and, you know, this kind of thing.
And it's momentary.
It usually hits at night. But, uh...
- Damn, man!
Excuse me.
I'm very hungry.
Could you give me some lunch?
It's an all-girl show, sir!
It's an all-girl show!
Come right in!
It's an all-girl show, sir! Come right in!
It starts right now! Come right in, sir!
Excuse me.
Could you please tell me
where I can find a garden to work in?
A garden? What you growin', man?
There is much to be done
during the winter.
I should start the seeds for the spring
and work the soil.
Bullshit.
Who sent you here, boy?
Did that chicken-sh*t as*h*le Raphael
send you, boy?
No.
Mr. Thomas Franklin told me
I must leave the old man's house.
-He's dead, you know.
-Dead, my a*s.
You tell that as*h*le
if he got somethin' to tell me
to get his a*s down here hisself.
-Yeah.
-You got that, boy?
Check it out.
- What? What's that?
- Come on, man!
--TV changer, man!
Go on. Break his toy.
Now move, h*nky,
before I cut your white a*s.
If I see Raphael, I will give him
your message. Good day.
You won't have a good day
if you don't get out of here!
- Don't show your h*nky face in here!
Excuse me.
That tree is very sick. It needs care.
Yes, sir. I'll report it right away.
-Thank you.
-Good day, sir.
Good day.
W-4.
- I'm very sorry, sir! I didn't see you!
- Can't move. My leg.
- My Lord.
This is terrible, sir.
I hope you're not badly injured.
No, I'm not badly injured,
but my leg is very sore.
-It's not broken, is it? Can you walk?
-I hope not.
-Perhaps I should call an ambulance.
-Well, let's have a look. Do you mind, sir?
- No. I'd like to look.
- What's happened?
- Mrs. Rand, it's...
- My goodness.
-Your leg.
-Yes.
It should be examined.
We could take you to a hospital.
-There's no need for the hospital.
-A doctor should look at that.
-I insist. We'll take him to a hospital.
-I'm very sorry, Mrs. Rand.
-I never saw the man.
-It's really no one's fault, David.
Thank you, ma'am.
I've never ridden in an automobile before.
I assure you, sir,
David is a very careful driver.
-I understand.
-Very good.
These situations can be so trying.
Everyone seems to make such a to-do
out of a simple little accident.
Is your leg feeling any better?
No, it isn't.
I see.
This is just like television,
only you can see much further.
You know, why don't you come to our house
and we could take care of you there.
-Your house?
-Mm-hmm.
My husband's been very ill.
The doctor and the nurses are staying with us.
Hospitals can be so impersonal.
-I agree.
-Fine.
That'll save a lot of unnecessary fuss
and it'll be that much more pleasant for you.
David, we'll go right on home.
And, Jeffery, would you please call
and tell them we're on our way?
Yes, ma'am.
Would you care for a drink?
Yes, please. I'm very thirsty.
Thank you.
May I watch television, please?
Why, yes. Certainly.
- And now the piece of resistance.
John Travolta is not worried...
- May I ask your name?
Thank you, Bowzer.
Now let's say hello to our two players.
-- Chance.
--Chance?
Chance, the gardener.
Chauncey Gardiner?
Mr. Chauncey Gardiner. I see.
Are you related
to Basil and Perdita Gardiner?
No, I'm not related to Basil and Perdita.
Well, they are such a wonderful couple.
My husband and I
are very good friends of theirs,
and we often visit their island.
Thank you.
I'm a New York Yankees fan,
but, Bart, I gotta respect the Dodgers.
They played one heck of a game.
They did, indeed.
- Who asked him?
- Ye ̶ What?
- Who asked him?
- That's right!
Did you lose something?
Yes, I lost my remote control.
I use it to change the channels.
I work as an associate in a real estate firm
and part-time in a nice restaurant.
- My hobbies ̶
Your car comes equipped
with a number of warning devices.
-Your brake lights warn traffic behind you ̶
-I'm sorry.
to slow down when you do.
You wouldn't think of driving
without your rearview mirror.
And yet some people still drive
without a Fuzzbuster.
When they unwrapped the chopsticks
to be used by the Chinese guests,
the packages were clearly stamped
"Made in Taiwan. "
I know it's important to stay informed
of all the latest events,
but, uh, well, I find
there's so much to assimilate
it can become quite muddling at times.
They placed
the chopsticks around the table.
- If the Chinese were upset ̶
I even put that basketball
underneath my pillow.
-- Maybe that's why I can't sleep at night.
I need help, ladies and gentlemens!
I need someone to stand beside me.
I need ̶ I need someone to set a pick for me
at the free-throw line of life.
- Someone I can pass to.
Someone to hit the open man
on the give-and-go.
So, cheerleaders, help me out!
♪ Basketball jones ♪
- ♪ I got a basketball jones ♪
- That sounds so sweet!
-♪ I got a basketball jones ♪
-Yeah!
♪ Baby, ooh-ooh-ooh ♪
I want everybody in the whole stadium
to stand up and sing with me!
♪ Basketball jones ♪
- ♪ I got a basketball jones ♪
- Yeah!
I got more moves than Ex-lax!
-♪ I got a basketball jones, oh, baby ♪
- I'm bad!
-♪ Ooh-ooh-ooh ♪
- I can dribble with my tongue!
Here I come down court! Try to stop me!
♪ Basketball jones ♪
Can't stop me
because I got a basketball jones!
-♪ Basketball jones ♪
- Here I come!
-♪ I got a basketball jones, oh, baby ♪
- I can make a hook shot with my eyebrows!
-♪ Ooh-ooh-ooh ♪
-Yeah, I can dunk it with my nose!
- ♪ Basketball jones ♪
- ♪ I got a basketball jones ♪
- Yeah!
♪ I got a basketball jones ♪
♪ Baby, ooh-ooh-ooh ♪
♪ Basketball jones ♪
♪ I got a basketball jones ♪
♪ I got a basketball jones
Baby, ooh-ooh-ooh ♪
Good evening, ma'am.
Wilson, would you take Mr. Gardiner
to the third floor guest suite?
Yes, ma'am.
And I'll see you after Dr. Allenby
has a look at your leg.
Thank you. Yes. Yes.
I've never been in one of these before.
It's one of Mr. Rand's.
Since he's been ill.
I see.
Does it have a television?
No.
But Mr. Rand does have one
with an electric motor.
That way he can get around by himself.
How long do we stay in here?
How long?
I don't know.
We'll see what the doctor says.
I've seen it done before
in a film on television, in a hospital.
-Mm-hmm. This won't hurt at all.
-And i ̶
It did hurt.
Well, there's no apparent damage
to the bone,
but just to be sure I'll have Wilson
wheel you down for an X-ray.
X-ray?
By the way, Mr. Gardiner,
I'd like to ask you something straight out.
-Straight out.
-Yes, sir.
Are you planning on making
any sort of claim against the Rands?
"Claim."
That's what Thomas asked me.
Thomas? You can pull
your trousers up now, if you'd like.
Who, uh... Who's Thomas?
Thomas Franklin. He's an attorney.
-An attorney.
-Yes.
Then you wish to handle this matter
through your attorneys.
There is no need for a claim.
I don't even know what they look like.
Well, then.
You caught me off guard there,
I must admit.
- I don't see anything.
- Thank you.
Now, the only thing we have to look out for
is minor hemorrhaging,
which isn't serious
but could cause trouble later on.
- Tell me, Mr. Gardiner.
Would it be possible for you to stay here for
a day or two so we could keep an eye on it?
Yes, I could stay here.
- Does this house have a garden?
- Why, yes. Many.
-Good.
-Keep your weight off that leg, Mr. Gardiner.
Yes.
Mr. Wilson, please wheel Mr. Gardiner in
for X-rays after you've finished unpacking.
-Yes, Doctor.
-Thank you.
- DieHard. Sold o ̶
- ♪ Sometimes you don't ♪
Ever watch a game on TV
and see the players chuggin' down this stuff?
Ever wonder why?
Mmm!
I miss you so when I'm out.
How are you feeling?
No headaches?
No, it's been a fairly good day.
- Better than yours, so I've been told.
- You heard about it?
I may be a shut-in, but...
-I'm sorry you had to go through all that.
-No, it was nothing. Nothing, really.
Just sounded worse than it was.
And Mr. Gardiner is a very reasonable man.
Reasonable.
I'd like to meet a reasonable man
for a change.
Why don't you ask this Robinson for dinner.
Gardiner. Gardiner.
Chauncey. Chauncey Gardiner.
- Ro... Gardiner.
You think you're well enough
for dinner, Ben?
Constance, I want fresh blood for dinner.
Yes, sir.
I'll have them set another place.
My God, Eve, you'll freeze.
No. I just...
I just wanted to get some fresh air.
- How's Mr. Gardiner?-
Doesn't seem to be too serious.
But it is a rather large contusion
and I'd like to keep an eye on him,
so I suggested that he stay here
for a couple of days.
Here?
Mr. Gardiner stay here?
Why? Is that necessary?
No, not necessary.
But, uh, helpful.
Don't worry.
He might be a breath of fresh air.
He is different, isn't he?
You know, he's very, um... intense.
Perhaps.
Actually, I found him to have
quite a sense of humor.
Well...
That's a very small room.
Yes, sir, I guess that's true.
Smallest room in the house.
Yes, uh, I guess that's true.
Mr. Gardiner.
Welcome to Rand Memorial Hospital.
-Thank you.
-Can I help you to the table, Mr. Gardiner?
Thank you.
- I feel very good in here.
That's the oxygen.
When I first got sick,
I had this entire room glassed in...
so they could pump in some extra oxygen.
Keeps my spirits up.
You must be very ill.
Aplastic anemia, Mr. Gardiner.
Aplastic anemia.
The bone marrow doesn't
supply enough red blood cells.
Not a damn thing they can do about it.
They can keep me comfortable.
Prolong my life with...
steroid therapy
and these transfusions.
But what makes my blood boil...
That is,
what there is of it, Mr. Gardiner,
is that this is usually
a young person's disease.
Well, here I am, getting along in years,
and I'm about to die
of a young person's disease.
I've never seen anything like this
on television.
Please. Lie still, Mr. Gardiner.
You'll join us for dinner,
of course, Mr. Gardiner?
Yes, please. Thank you. Thank you.
I'm very hungry.
And so am I, my boy.
So am I.
Do you know Raphael?
No, sir, I don't believe I do.
Because I have a message for him.
Yes, sir?
A small black man gave me
a message for Raphael.
Well, I still don't believe
I know the man, Mr. Gardiner.
Now, please, lie still.
Is there anyone we could notify for you?
No.
The old man died and Louise left.
I'm... I'm very sorry.
Well...
Well, I do hope your injury won't prevent you
from attending to business, Mr. Gardiner.
Mmm.
Do you need a secretary?
No, thank you.
My house was shut down.
You mean...
You mean your business was shut down?
Yes.
Shut down and closed by the attorneys.
What'd I tell ya?
That's exactly what I mean.
The businessman today
is at the mercy of kid lawyers from the SEC.
It's happening to everyone, I'm afraid.
The way things are going,
they'll probably legislate the medical profession
as we know it right out of existence.
Yes.
Right out of existence.
Well, it's a damn shame.
Well, what are your plans now, Mr. Gardiner?
Or may I call you Chauncey?
Chauncey's fine.
So then, what are your plans, Chauncey?
Well... I'd...
I would like to work in your garden.
Ben, I know exactly what he means.
Isn't it wonderful to be with the trees
and the flowers like that?
I never had much feel for it myself.
I'm a very good gardener.
It's such a...
a pleasant way to forget one's troubles.
Yeah, well, isn't that
what any businessman is?
A gardener.
He... works on...
flinty soil...
to make it productive
with the labor of his own hands.
He... He waters it...
with the sweat of his own brow.
He makes a thing of value
for his family and for the community.
Yes, indeed, Chauncey,
a productive businessman
is a laborer in the vineyard.
I know exactly what you mean, Ben.
The garden that I left was such a place.
But I don't have that anymore.
All I have left is the room upstairs.
Come on, now. Wait a minute, Chauncey.
You've got your health.
For God's sake, man,
you can't let those b*stards get you down.
You gotta fight.
I don't want to hear anymore from you
about that "room upstairs."
That's where I'm going.
And too damn soon.
It's a very pleasant room, Ben.
Yeah, I'm sure it is.
That's what they say, anyway.
You know, Chauncey ̶
there are thousands of businessmen,
large and small,
in your situation.
I've given the matter
a good deal of consideration
for some time.
They've been harassed long enough by
inflation, increased taxation,
all sorts of indecencies.
After all, they're our strongest defense
against the pollutants
of our basic freedoms,
as well as the well-being
of our middle-class.
I've been thinking about starting
a financial assistance fund.
Tell me, Chauncey, would you
have any ideas on that subject?
No, Ben.
Reluctant to speak, huh?
Well, I can understand that.
After a man's lost everything,
anger tends to block out rationality
for a while.
But you work on the idea.
Water it.
Fertilize it.
I will, Ben, yes.
I'm sure you'll sprout some thoughts
in a few days.
I will, Ben, yes.
Sorry, sir.
I thought you were going to come out with
another one of your jests about the elevator.
Excuse me.
Elevator.
Yes, sir. Elevator.
Chauncey.
I just wanted you to know how delighted I am
that you're staying with us
and how dreadful I feel about your leg.
Thank you, Eve.
You lifted Ben's spirits tonight
to such an extent.
Do you know that?
He liked you so much, Chauncey.
He really did.
Ben is very ill, Eve.
I've seen that before.
I know.
He reminds me of the old man.
Does he?
Eve, are you going to leave
and close this house when Ben dies?
W-Why, I-I-I...
I don't think so.
Good night, Eve.
Good night, Chauncey.
-Good morning, Mr. Perkins.
-Good morning, Mr. Riff.
-Nice to see you again.
-Thank you.
We have an additional guest with us today ̶
Mr. Chauncey Gardiner.
I see. Shall we set up the communications
in the usual place?
-Of course.
-Okay, let's go to work.
Would you like a car, sir?
Yes, I would like a car.
-Yes, sir.
-Thank you.
Send up number seven, please.
Chauncey, there you are.
What are you doing on that leg?
-It's fine today, Robert.
-Now, shame on you, Chauncey.
You should let me be the judge of that.
Please sit in the chair.
I swear, Chauncey, between you
and Benjamin I've got my hands full.
Say, that is coming along.
The swelling's gone down considerably.
Your limousine, sir.
Fine. Thank you.
Are you... going somewhere?
No.
Anyway,
the president has volunteered
to sit in for Ben at the convention.
Quite a nice gesture.
They're due here soon, I believe.
I know about the president coming, Robert.
- You do, do you?
- Yes.
Ben would like me to meet the president.
- He would, would he?
- Yes.
How will I know when it's 10:00, Robert?
Well...
it's ten after 9:00 now.
A-And if you don't see a clock...
well, I'm sure someone will have the time.
I understand.
I'm going to walk.
Walk? Well, yes. Hell yes. Walk.
You're meeting the president, aren't you?
Yes. Yes.
I've watched him on television.
It's very precise, sir.
It's 10:00.
Thank you, Jim.
Mrs. Aubrey, the president is arriving.
Chauncey!
Up and around this morning, are you?
I like to walk, Ben.
Well, that's good news, my boy.
You look much better today, Ben.
It's all makeup.
I asked Nurse Teresa to fix me up a bit.
I didn't want the president to think I was
gonna die while he was talking to me.
--I see.
Nobody likes a dying man, Chauncey,
because nobody knows what death is.
You seem to be an exception, Chauncey.
That's one of the things I admire about you ̶
your admirable balance.
You seem to be a truly peaceful man.
Thank you, Ben. Thank you.
Nurse Teresa did a very good job, Ben.
Mr. Rand, the president is arriving.
Just show the president into the library.
We'll be along in a few minutes.
It's an old habit that goes along with power ̶
keep 'em waiting.
- Not now, Arthur.
- But, sir...
No, I'm going to meet the president...
on my own two feet.
Chauncey.
Shall we go?
That's a very good idea, Ben.
When I was younger,
I had thoughts of public office.
But I found, Chauncey,
that I was able to contribute more
as a private citizen.
Of course my wealth provided me
with considerable influence.
But I've tried, Chauncey,
believe me, I've tried,
uh, not to misuse that power.
It's extremely important, Chauncey,
that we don't allow ourselves
to become blinded
to the needs of our government,
no matter how strong the temptation.
I've been labeled a kingmaker,
but I've tried
to keep myself open
to the voice of the people
and I've remained honest to myself.
That's the main thing.
-Good morning, Mr. Rand.
-Good morning, Mr. Rand.
Good morning, gentlemen.
Where the hell is he?
Mr. President.
Ben.
It's good to see you. You look terrific.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Your visit has helped to raise my spirits.
Well, I've missed you, my friend.
Come, sit down.
Take a load off your feet, huh?
Hello, Mr. President.
Hello.
Mr. President, I want you
to meet my very dear friend,
Mr. Chauncey Gardiner.
Mmm.
On television, Mr. President,
you look much smaller.
I must warn you that Chauncey's
not a man to bandy words.
Really?
Well, Mr. Gardiner, I'm a man who appreciates
discussing a frank discussion.
-Will you be seated?
-Yes, I will.
-Ben, I was wondering if you had a chance...
-Yes?
-Did you happen to have a chance to go over...
-Yes?
Ben, did you read my speech?
Overall, pretty good.
But I think, Mr. President,
that it's very dangerous
to play around with temporary measures
at a time like this.
Well, Ben, I mean, uh...
I sympathize with you,
and I know how difficult it is
to be straightforward.
But I tell you right now, Bobby...
-Hi.
-Hi.
I'm Riff. Secret Service.
Huh? Well, of course.
What you're saying, Ben, is that...
you don't think I should take the chance.
Absolutely not.
Mr. Gardiner, do you agree with Ben,
or do you think we can stimulate growth
through temporary incentives?
As long as the roots are not severed,
all is well,
and all will be well
in the garden.
-In the garden?
-Yes.
In a garden,
growth has its season.
First comes spring and summer,
but then we have...
fall and winter.
And then we get spring and summer again.
-Spring and summer?
-Yes.
Then fall and winter.
Yes.
I think what our insightful
young friend is saying...
is that we welcome
the inevitable seasons of nature,
but we're upset by
the seasons of our economy.
Yes.
There will be growth in the spring.
- Mmm.
- Mmm.
Mmm.
Well, Mr. Gardiner, I must admit,
that is one of the most refreshing
and optimistic statements I've heard
in a very, very long time.
I admire your good, solid sense.
That's precisely what we lack on Capitol Hill.
Well, I must be going.
This visit has been most enlightening.
- Yes, it has.
- Yes.
And, Ben,
thank you for your time and thought.
Nonsense.
Thank you for taking time out
with a dying man.
Now, I won't have any of that.
Why don't you listen to
your friend Chauncey here.
This is a time to think of life.
That's right, Mr. President.
Now, you take care, Ben.
And you take care too, Bobby.
Chauncey.
Bobby.
He's a decent fella, isn't he, the president?
Yes. I'm glad he came, Ben.
Kaufman, I'll need some information
on Mr. Chauncey Gardiner's background.
Gardiner. Yes, sir.
-I'd like it sometime today.
-No problem, chief.
You know, Chauncey,
you don't play games with words...
to protect yourself.
No, you... you're direct.
Do you remember what I was
talking to you about last night?
- No, Ben.
- Sure, you do.
My plan for financial assistance
to businessmen.
Well, I think you're just the man
to take charge of an institution like that.
- huh.
I understand, Ben.
Yeah.
And, Chauncey,
I know you're not a man
to act on the spur of the moment.
So don't feel that you
have to rush into a decision.
Thank you, Ben.
Now, Chauncey,
I'm afraid I must excuse myself.
I'm awfully tired.
I'm sorry you're so sick, Ben.
We have 60, 000 tulip bulbs
up there, Chauncey.
It is so glorious when they bloom.
Of course, the roses are my favorites.
We have 20,000 rose bushes.
And over here, we plant
something different every year.
I haven't quite decided
what we'll plant this year.
And that's the gardener's house.
And this is the greenhouse.
I like to watch the young plants grow.
-It's wonderful, isn't it?
-Yes.
Young plants do much better
if a person helps them.
You know, Chauncey,
Ben told me that the president
was very taken with you this morning.
Chauncey, last night you mentioned
an old man that died.
You must have been very close to him.
I was. Yes.
I'm sorry.
Um,
you mentioned also
that Louise had gone also.
Were you very close with Louise?
Yes, I liked Louise very much.
She was his maid.
His maid.
Yes.
I see. That's ̶
So stupid of me.
I thought maybe she was perhaps someone
you were romantically involved with,
or maybe a sister.
No.
She... used to bring me my meals.
She was very kind to me.
Chauncey Gardiner,
Mr. Rand's close friend and adviser,
was at the meeting this morning.
I found Mr. Gardiner
to have a feeling for this country
that we need more of.
To quote Mr. Gardiner,
a most intuitive man,
"As long as the roots of industry
remain firmly planted
in the national soil,
the economic prospects
are undoubtedly sunny. "
- What is it?
-Doctor.
-Decorel. Five milligrams.
- What's wrong?
- Now, I know that many of you ̶
Put your arms up. Put your arms up.
- Ben.
I think you'd better leave, Eve.
-Will he be okay?
-He'll be fine. He'll be all right.
I've got you, Ben. I got you.
Come on, Chauncey.
But I have decided
there are no temporary stopgaps.
So I'm gonna rethink my position
and find another solution.
And you'll be very pleased to know that
your founder and chairman of the board,
Mr. Benjamin Turnbull Rand,
agrees with me on this.
For once.
Gentlemen, let us not fear the inevitable
chill and storms of autumn and winter.
Instead, let us anticipate
the rapid growth of springtime.
Let us await the rewards of summer.
As in a garden of the earth,
let us learn to accept and appreciate
the times when the trees are bare
as well as the times
when we pick the fruit.
Chauncey, I... I'm just so very grateful
that you're here with us.
So am I, Eve.
It's been an exhausting day for Ben.
He's resting now,
and there's no cause for alarm.
Mr. Gardiner.
I have a telephone call for you.
Telephone call?
Yes. Sidney Courtney,
the financial editor of The Washington Post.
Would you care to take it, sir?
Yes.
In my office.
Well, go. Go, Chauncey. I'll be just fine.
Yes, you'll be fine, Eve.
He's such a kind and sensitive man.
Don't you think?
-He's not there.
-Not there?
Mr. Courtney, are you there?
Yes, he's there.
Where is he, there or here?
He's on both lines.
Good afternoon. Rand.
I told you not
to call me at the office.
Good-bye.
Are you there?
Yes, I'm here.
Well, hello, Mr. Gardiner.
I saw the president's speech
at the Financial Institute today.
I wonder if you'd care to comment
on the meeting between Mr. Rand
and the president and yourself.
Yes. It was very nice
meeting the president.
What we'd like to know are some facts.
Um, such as what is
the exact relationship between yourself
and the First American
Financial Corporation?
I think you should ask Mr. Rand that.
Well, yes, sir. But Mr. Rand is ill,
so I'm taking the liberty of asking you.
What? Say that again.
-I said that, uh, since Mr. Rand is ill ̶
-Yes?
I'm taking the liberty of asking you.
Yes, you are.
You should ask Mr. Rand that.
Of course.
Just one quick question,
Mr. Gardiner. ̶
Will you hold a minute, please?
Mr. Gardiner.
I have the producer
of The Gary Burns Show on the line.
Yes.
I have watched that show.
Of course.
They would like you to appear
on the show tonight.
The vice president was scheduled,
but he had to cancel.
They asked if you would be interested.
-Yes. I've been on television.
-Fine.
Hello, Mr. Hull?
Mr. Gardiner has agreed to do the show.
He's been on television.
Yes. The show will be taped
and then shown at 10:00,
but he is to be there...
What do you mean, he's got no background?
That's impossible.
I quoted the man on national television.
He's a very well-known man.
We're well aware of that, sir.
He's a close friend and adviser
of Benjamin Rand.
For Christ's sakes, we've got
volumes of data on ̶ on Rand.
I plan to contact Mr. Rand, sir,
just the minute we ̶
I do not want Ben disturbed.
Now, we have other ways of gathering
information than to trouble a dying man.
Use whatever agencies are necessary
to put together a detailed history
of Chauncey Gardiner.
Have it in my office tomorrow at 7:00.
-Gotta take a leak.
-Right, chief.
Of course, Mr. Gardiner,
your position in the financial community
carries a lot of weight.
But what caught Gary's interest
was your down-to-earth philosophy.
I see.
Do you realize more people
will be watching you tonight
than all those that have seen
theater plays in the last 40 years?
- Yes?
- Yes.
Why?
Hell, I don't know.
Good.
-This way.
-Thank you.
Yes.
Gardiner's laconic.
He plays his cards very close to the chest.
And the scuttlebutt
is that he's a strong candidate
for a seat on the board
of First American Financial.
Kinney, what have you
come up with on his background?
Nothing.
Yeah, yeah. Skip the levity.
I know it's ridiculous, but there is no
information of any sort about Gardiner.
We have no material on him.
Zilch.
Here. I want your shoulders
to go right on this ̶
Pad. No, wait, you have to
put your head through the hole first.
- Head in the hole.
- Head in the hole. Right. Okay.
Now, stretch your legs out,
push your body ̶
Thought you might need this
about now, Mr. Gardiner.
It gets pretty hot
underneath these lights.
Thank you. I'm very thirsty.
Well, now that you're up,
all you have to do is enjoy it.
Now, if Gary wants to interrupt you
or ask you a question,
he'll lift his left forefinger
to his left eyebrow.
All right?
...distinguished financier
and presidential adviser ̶
-I understand.
-Mr. Chauncey Gardiner.
-Good.
-Thank you.
You're very welcome.
Nurse Teresa did Ben's makeup.
Really? Did she do a good job?
Yes, it looked just like this.
-Looks like you're up, Mr. Gardiner.
-I am?
Gary's ready for you now.
Yes.
-Good luck.
-Good luck.
-This way.
-Thank you.
Mr. Gardiner.
Well, how very nice to have you
with us this evening, Mr. Gardiner.
Hello, Gary.
This is Miss Annie Lawson.
Mr. Chauncey Gardiner.
Hi. How do you do?
- Hello.
- Mr. Gardiner.
- Yes. Yes.
- Would you... join me?
-Well ̶
- Excuse me.
I'd like very much to thank you
for joining us on such short notice
and filling in for the vice president.
Yes. Yes.
It's always, uh, somewhat surprising
to find men like yourself
working so intimately with the president,
and yet somehow managing
to remain relatively unknown.
Yes, it is surprising.
- Yes.
- Yes.
Of course.
Well, your anonymity is certainly likely
to be a thing of the past from now on.
Good.
Well, I assume,
since the president quoted you,
that you're inclined to agree
with his view of the economy?
Which view?
The president compared
the economy of this country to a garden,
and he stated
that after a period of decline,
a time of growth would naturally follow.
Yes.
It is possible for everything
to grow strong.
And there is plenty of room
for new trees and new flowers
of all kinds.
So you're saying, Mr. Gardiner,
this is just another season in the garden,
so to speak.
Yes. Yes.
A garden needs a lot of care
and a lot of love.
And if you give your garden
a lot of love, things grow.
But first, some things must wither.
Some trees die.
-It's that gardener.
- Fresh, young saplings ̶
Yeah. Chauncey Gardiner.
- take their place.
No, he's a real gardener.
He does talk like one.
But I think he's brilliant.
That is very interesting,
indeed, Mr. Gardiner.
But what about the bad seasons?
Doesn't a country need
to have someone in charge
who can see it through
these periods of crisis?
A leader, capable of guiding us
through the bad seasons
as well as the good?
- Yes.
-That b*stard.
Yes. We need a very good gardener.
And I do agree with the president.
The garden needs a lot of care.
It is a good garden.
- Its trees are healthy.
I realize this might be an extremely difficult
question for you to answer, Mr. Gardiner,
but do you feel
that we have, in your words,
a very good gardener in office
at this time?
Jesus.
Yes.
Yes.
Some plants do well in the sun...
and others grow better in the shade.
Sounds as if we need
a lot of gardening here.
- We certainly do.
It's for sure
a white man's world in America.
It is possible to be flooded in one part...
Here, I raised that boy
since he was the size of a pissant...
and I'll say right now,
he never learned to read and write.
No, sir.
Had no brains at all.
And stuffed with rice pudding
between the ears.
Shortchanged by the Lord
and dumb as a jackass.
Look at him now.
Yes, sir, all you got to be
is white in America
to get whatever you want.
Gobbledygook.
What sort of gardener
would you be, Mr. Gardiner?
I am a very serious gardener.
I'm sure you are, Mr. Gardiner.
I'm sure you are.
-Remarkable.
-We'll be right back in just a moment.
You're fond of him too, aren't you, Eve?
Yes.
That's good.
Your own voyage to a private cove.
That's good.
May I take your coat, Mr. Gardiner?
Bravo, sir. Outstanding. Outstanding.
Time is the Rolex Datejust.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Okay, Sally, I'll see you in 20 minutes.
- Quaker State Motor Oil.
- Okay.
So, what oil filter am I using?
Are you kidding?
I won't be long. I've just gotta
talk to her about this Gardiner.
Good night.
Look, uh, Johanna, this ̶
-I said good night!
-Okay.
Chauncey.
Tomorrow night,
uh, Senator Rowley's widow
is holding a reception
for the Soviet ambassador,
and it's pretty obvious that Robert here's
not going to allow me to attend.
So you'd be doing me a great favor
if you would attend in my place
and escort Eve.
Yes, Ben.
I would love to escort Eve.
You and Eve should...
create quite a stir.
I can already hear the gossip.
Chauncey.
You have the gift of being natural.
That's a great talent, my boy.
I hope the entire country
was listening.
The entire country.
♪ I'd like to get to know you ♪
♪ Have a chance to show you ♪
♪ Around for just a while ♪
Darling, what's wrong?
I can't.
I just can't right now.
I'm sorry, dearest. I just, uh ̶
I just can't.
♪ Touch of Coca-Cola ♪
♪ I really kind of think we should ♪
♪ Go walking and talking
and dance through the night ♪
We'll fix up one of Ben's for you.
Sophie insists on black tie.
I see.
-Chauncey?
-Yes?
I don't have very many friends, you know.
And Ben's friends are, uh,
oh, quite a bit older than I am.
Quite a bit.
Good night, Chauncey.
Good night, Eve.
h*-h*-h*. He was very clever.
Keeping it at a third-grade level.
That's what they understand.
Yeah? Well, I don't understand
why he was in Jennings' house.
What was up his sleeve
when he pulled that stunt with us?
What was he doing and why?
Who knows?
Maybe the government
had something to do with it.
You know, Sally?
He made a fool out of me.
-And you know what that means, don't you?
-No.
Any political future I had
is right down the toilet.
Jesus, the thought of spending
the rest of my life as an attorney...
Well...
That is really a downer.
And, Christ, Sally, I almost forgot.
Johanna is starting to think
something's going on.
Sid, be reasonable.
I have been everywhere.
There's no place left to look.
Try again.
Sure, try again. Where?
There's nothing.
It's like Gardiner never existed.
Try again.
Sid, it's useless.
I said, try again.
Up yours, Sid. You try again.
I quit.
-Good morning, sir.
-Good morning, gentlemen.
- Good morning, Mr. President.
- Sir, we were unable to ̶
-This is not what I requested.
-come up with any information
before Mr. Gardiner appeared
at the Rand's.
This information goes back
a day and a half.
-Right, chief.
-I want the standard file. You know that.
Right, chief.
- Well, where is it?
- They, uh ̶ Right, chief.
Kaufman, what the hell
are you talkin' about?
The, uh, Bureau has some data, sir,
but it's ̶ it's not pertinent.
-Well, I'd like to hear that data.
-Yes, sir.
His suits were made by a New York tailor,
handmade... in 1928.
The tailor went out of business in 1933
and later took his own life.
His underwear ̶
all of the finest cloth ̶
the factory was destroyed by fire in 1948.
This man carries no identification.
No driver's license.
No wallet. No credit cards.
Computers have analyzed his, uh ̶
- Miss Davis.
- vocal characteristics.
I'd like my eggs poached
this morning, please.
But they cannot determine
his ethnic background.
♪ It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood ♪
♪ A beautiful day for a neighbor ♪
♪ Would you be mine? ♪
♪ Could you be mine? ♪
--Come in.
♪ It's a neighborly day
in this beauty wood ♪
♪ A neighborly day for a beauty ♪
♪ Would you be mine? ♪
♪ Could you be mine? ♪
Chauncey.
Have you read the newspapers?
I don't read papers, Eve.
Well, you're described
as one of the principal architects
of the president's speech last night.
And your comments on the television show
are side-by-side quoted with the president's.
I like the president very much.
He's a nice man.
Isn't he?
-♪ Won't you please ♪
-Yes, he is.
♪ Won't you please ♪
♪ Please won't you be ♪
-You're very nice too.
-♪ My neighbor? ♪
- Hi, neighbor.
There's somebody at the door.
Let's see who that special person is.
It's Mr. McFeely. Hi, Mr. McFeely.
- Speedy delivery! Good day to you.
- I'm so glad you brought it.
Come in, will you?
- I have the slides right here.
- Can I see how it works?
-Yes. Will you sit over here?
-All righty.
Got a few minutes here.
- You don't mind my being here like... this?
- This is the stereopticon.
That's right.
No, Eve.
I like you to be here.
- I guess you look right in here, don't you?
-You do?
That's right.
That's good. They're funny.
There's two pictures come together
to look like one.
They look a little deeper too, don't they?
Yes. That's good.
There are lots of pictures here.
But right now, I'd like to sing
about something even more special.
And that something is you.
♪ You are my friend
You are special ♪
♪ You are my friend ♪
♪ You're special to me ♪
♪ You are the only one like you ♪
♪ Like you, my friend, I like you ♪
♪ In the daytime, in the nighttime ♪
♪ Any time that you feel
is the right time ♪
♪ For a friendship with me ♪
♪ You seem F-R-I-E-N-D special ♪
♪ You are my friend ♪
-♪ You're special to me ♪
-Chauncey.
♪ There's only one ♪
--♪ In this wonderful world ♪
- ♪ You are special ♪
- Here.
♪ In the daytime ♪
- ♪ In the nighttime ♪
♪ Any time that you feel
is the right time ♪
♪ For a friendship with you ♪
♪ You seem F-R-I-E-N-D special ♪
♪ You are my friend ♪
♪ You're special to me ♪
♪ There's only one ♪
Chauncey, thank you.
I'm so grateful, Chauncey. Thank you.
♪ You are special ♪ You are.
I would've just opened up
at the slightest touch.
I would've just opened up, you know?
You know that.
But you're so strong
that I can trust myself with you.
I'm glad you didn't open, Eve.
Move the picture
back and forth until it's in focus.
I see.
Is it in focus yet?
Well...
I'll show you another one.
- See? There's two of that too.
Waterfall.
Well, a long time ago
people didn't have television,
but they still liked to look
at interesting pictures.
And they would put pictures like these
in a special viewer.
Thank you.
And they would look at them
very, very carefully.
Here, I'll show you another one.
They looked like cards.
Flash cards from schools or something.
But they're really photographs.
Take a careful look at them.
The interesting thing about them
is that they're two.
One, two.
And they look very much alike.
Here. I'll show you another one.
Mr. Thomas Franklin, please.
Is Mr. Franklin in?
Certainly. This is Dr. Robert Allenby.
Would you tell Mr. Franklin
that I'd like to speak to him?
It concerns Chauncey Gardiner.
Mr. Gardiner, what was your reaction
to The Post's editorial
on the president's speech?
I did not read that.
But, sir, you must've at least glanced at it.
I did not glance at it.
Mr. Gardiner, The New York Times spoke
of your "peculiar brand of optimism."
What was your reaction to that?
I do not know what it means.
Sorry to persist, sir,
but it would be of great interest to me
to know just what newspapers you do read.
I do not read papers. I watch TV.
Do you mean, Mr. Gardiner, that you
find television's coverage of the news
superior to that of the newspapers?
I like to watch TV.
Thank you, Mr. Gardiner.
You're welcome.
Well, few men in public life have the courage
not to read the newspapers.
None that this reporter has met
have the guts to admit it.
Chauncey, I've never seen anyone
handle the press the way you do.
You were so cool and detached.
-Thank you, Eve.
-Eve. Eve!
- Sophie. How are you?
- I'm fine. How are you?
- I'm very well.
I'd like you to meet Chauncey Gardiner.
Hello, Vladimir.
And this is Mrs. Skrapinov.
-Natasha.
-Hello, Natasha.
-Very nice meeting you.
-And you.
You must sit with us, my friends.
-We have much to discuss.
-I agree.
Eve, let's let the men talk.
Would you two excuse us for a moment?
Regretfully, we shall yield
the pleasure of your company
to others.
I shall yield too, Eve.
Yes. Well, you have a nice chat.
Shouldn't we, Mr. Gardiner,
get together more often
to exchange our thoughts?
It's strictly at the rumor stage now,
Lyman,
but there's something in the wind.
Something rather big in the wind, I'd say.
So whose files were destroyed,
the CIA's or the FBI's?
I don't know.
You may find, my friend, that we are
not so far from each other, huh?
Not so far.
We are not so far from each other.
Our chairs are almost touching.
Bravo. Bravo.
Our chairs are indeed almost touching.
And we want to remain seated
on them, correct?
We don't want them snatched out
from under us, am I right?
Because if one goes, the other goes.
And then ̶ boom-boom and boom-boom.
What is it about his background
that they're trying to cover up?
A criminal record?
A membership in a subversive organization?
h*m*, perhaps.
He told me that he had been living there
since he was a child,
working as a gardener.
He showed us a room in the garage
where he said he stayed.
And I ̶ Well, I didn't really believe him,
of course, but why the act?
Tell me, Mr. Gardiner,
do you, by any chance,
enjoy Krylov's fables?
Now, I ask you that
because there is something, um ̶
there's something Krylovian about you.
Do you think so?
I believe that you know Krylov.
Um ̶
So, you know your Krylov
in Russian, do you?
Mr. Gardiner, I must confess,
I had suspected as much all along.
Excuse me, but would you
tell me your name again?
A dash of American humor, eh?
Vladimir Skrapinov.
That's a very nice name.
And yours, uh, Chauncey Gardiner.
Chauncey.
Gardiner.
He must have been involved
on some major financial level
with the deceased.
- ̶
- Mr. Jennings.
But our firm has no record
of any such transactions.
Mm-hmm.
Chauncey, you had the Russian ambassador
eating right out of your hand.
You know that?
I didn't know you spoke Russian.
It's incredible.
It is extremely useful
to speak Russian today.
Are you proficient in other languages?
He's so modest, Ambassador Gaufridi.
He just never advertises his accomplishments.
You know, he never ̶
Maybe you should talk
to somebody, darling.
No.
No, that...
No, that wouldn't do any good.
Hello, Ronald.
-How are you?
-Just fine.
Good. I am fine too.
-Good. Good.
-Yes. Good. We're fine.
Yeah, fine.
Mr. Gardiner, uh, my editors and I
have been wondering
if you would consider
writing a book for us.
Something about your political philosophy.
What do you say?
- I can't write.
- Of course not.
Who can nowadays? Listen, I have trouble
writing a postcard to my children.
Look, uh, we can give you
a six-figure advance.
I'll provide you with the very best
ghostwriter, proofreaders.
-I can't read.
-Of course you can't.
No one has the time.
We-We glance at things.
We watch television.
Tsk.
I like to watch TV.
Sure, you do. No one reads.
He's very, very sexy.
Don't leave me alone with him
for too long.
You say he showed you his garden?
Well, he said it was his.
He walked us through it.
I see.
Mr. Franklin,
I must ask you and Miss Hayes
to keep this incident with Mr. Gardiner
strictly to yourselves.
There's no telling what
he could have been involved in.
It could be an extremely
confidential matter, so...
-Mm-hmm.
-Please, not a word.
-Of course, Doctor. I understand.
-Fine.
-Thank you very much.
-Certainly.
Glad to be of help.
Well, I heard he speaks eight languages,
and on top of everything else,
holds a degree in medicine as well as law.
Isn't that true, Eve?
Well, I don't know, Senator,
but it wouldn't surprise me.
He's very attractive.
Isn't he?
You know, I've never met anyone like you
in Washington before.
Yes, I've been here all my life.
Really? And, uh,
where have you been all my life?
Tell me, Mr. Gardiner.
Have you ever had sex with a man?
No. I don't think so.
We could go upstairs right now.
Is there a TV upstairs?
I like to watch.
You like to, uh, watch?
Yes.
You wait right here. I'll go get Warren.
Is it me?
Is it something I've done?
No, sweetheart, it's not...
No, it's... it's not you.
This never happened
when you were a senator.
It's not that. It's just that I...
- I ̶
- Chief.
-Yeah, Kaufman. What is it?
The CIA or the FBI
destroyed Gardiner's files ̶
-What?
- before anyone could get to them.
Why?
Neither agency will admit to a thing.
All right.
Get Baldwin and Honeycutt over here.
I'll be right down.
I feel so close to you, Chauncey.
I feel safe.
Ben understands my feelings for you,
by the way, and he accepts them.
Ben is very wise.
Or thirdly,
the man's file has been destroyed.
Now, I'd like some answers.
Gardiner's not a foreign agent.
There are now 16 countries
investigating the man.
I see.
What about the third question?
Is it possible to erase
all traces of a man?
Highly unlikely, sir.
In fact, the boys around the Bureau feel
that the only one capable
of pulling this off
would be an ex-FBIman.
I don't think that's entirely true, Grover.
What do the boys around Intelligence feel?
Well, Mr. President,
they don't quite know.
It's very difficult...
for me to say good night to you, Chauncey.
It's very hard...
for me to leave you.
It's very hard for me too, Eve.
No.
Sell all 750,000 shares...
of CCT.
Let's see.
Sell a million shares of Inland Oil.
And, Mrs. Aubrey,
have 30,000 shares of Standard
transferred into your account.
That's for you.
Ben.
Robert.
I was just cleaning up some loose ends.
Getting rid of the dead wood, so...
so Eve wouldn't have to cope with it.
Ben, I'd like to talk to you
about Chauncey.
Chauncey?
You know, Robert,
there's something about him
that ̶ that I trust.
He makes me feel good.
Since he's been around...
the thought of dying...
has been much easier for me.
Chauncey. I couldn't stand it.
Good morning, Bob.
He doesn't know,
but I do have something.
He keeps following closer all the time.
What is it?
Chauncey, what's wrong?
All right.
I'll squeeze, you'll squeeze.
-Chauncey.
-And so will he.
What's the matter, Chauncey?
I don't know what you like.
-I'm sorry.
-I like to watch, Eve.
What do you mean, you like to watch?
I like to watch.
You mean, me?
You mean you'd like to watch me...
do ̶ do it?
It's very good, Eve.
No, no, no, thanks.
I never touch the stuff, never.
- No?
- No.
- Cigar then?
- Yeah, I'll have one of those.
Thanks.
Thanks very much.
- Sit down, Rico.
-Yeah, thanks.
-Mmm.
-Chauncey.
Now, listen, Rico.
I'm gonna talk to you,
but you're not gonna hear a word I say, see?
This is inside dope, and if it gets out,
it'll be just too bad for somebody.
You know me.
All right. Get this.
Pete Montana's through.
Yeah?
Well. And I thought he was such a big guy.
He's through.
Suppose I were to tell you
that from now on,
you were Pete Montana,
that you were to take over his territory
in addition to your own.
-Chauncey.
-Would you shake on it?
One of the first things
you should know about me, my darling ̶
Would I?
is that I'm a little shy.
All right, it's set.
I'm doing a lot for you, Rico.
But when I get you planted,
I'll expect plenty of service.
You'll sure get it.
Permit me then to drink
to the new boss of the north side.
Thank ya.
- You look great, boss.
- Feels terrible.
You know, there ain't none of us ever been
invited up to eat at the Big Boy's dump.
And nobody ever crashed a gate
except Pete Montana.
If you think I'm goin' out
in this harness, you're crazy.
You look fine, boss.
Go on. Go on, take a peek.
- I don't know.
Don't you look fine!
I guess maybe I don't
look so bad after all.
Yeah.
Hello.
- Hello, Big Boy.
- Hello, Rico.
Yeah.
Yeah, thanks.
Thanks very much.
Well, you're rather
lit up tonight, aren't you?
- Yeah ̶
How strong is my abdominal muscle?
- This next exercise is trying to ̶
sort of explore,
and with any explorer, go slowly.
Knee to the chest,
and experimenting with the weight,
and going at this slowly.
- Please, nobody leaping up.
No, Chauncey!
Chauncey, where did you go ̶ go?
Chaun ̶
Well, that's not my way of teaching,
although some teachers do.
I find this way's kind of smarter.
And don't be frightened of it.
It's important to know
that, yes, you could roll over.
Plan on a cut down.
I'm gonna put in a CVP line.
No.
No more... shots.
No more.
It's not good, Ben.
I know.
I know.
You uncoil my wants.
Desire flows within me.
And when you watch me, my passion ̶
it dissolves the desire.
You set me free, Chauncey.
And I reveal myself to myself,
and I am drenched... and purged.
Mr. Gardiner?
Mr. Rand would like to see you.
I would like to see Ben.
Chauncey.
Yes, Ben?
Are you going to die now?
I think I'm going to surrender
the horn of plenty...
for the horn of Gabriel.
Give me your hand.
Let me feel your strength.
Chauncey.
I hope that you'll stay here...
with Eve.
Take care of her.
She cares for you.
Watch... over her.
She's a delicate flower.
A flower.
Yes, Ben.
There's...
so...
so much left to do.
I've spoken to them ̶
my ̶ my associates.
They're eager...
very eager
to meet you.
Tell Eve...
He's gone, Chauncey.
Yes, I know, Robert.
I've seen this before.
It happens to old people.
Will you be leaving now, Robert?
Yes, in a day or two.
Yes.
Eve is staying.
She said she will not close up the house.
You've become
quite a close friend of Eve's,
haven't you... Chance?
Yes.
Yes.
I...
I love Eve very much...
Robert.
And you really are a gardener, aren't you?
I-I am... a gardener.
Well, I'll go and tell Eve about Ben.
I understand.
I understand?
I know that Ben said
keep it small and quiet.
And I don't want to go
against Ben's wishes.
--But I thought it would be good,
while our close friends are carrying Ben
to his last resting place,
to read from his quotes.
"I have no use for those on welfare.
No patience whatsoever.
But if I am to be honest with myself,
I must admit that they have
no use for me either.
I do not regret having political differences
with men that I respect.
I do regret, however...
that our philosophies...
kept us apart."
Yes. I agree.
Except he's so boring.
-What about Max?
-He could never take an election.
- Correct.
- "I could never conceive" ̶
The people of this country
need to be awakened.
- "I could never convince" ̶
- What about Lawson?
He's charismatic, exciting.
He's a bit too exciting, I'm afraid.
-If they start bringing up things about ̶
-Gentlemen, time is running out.
We must come to a decision.
"...a good bowl of chili every now and then.
I have heard the word 'sir'...
more often...
than I have heard the word 'friend.'
But I suppose...
there are other rewards for wealth.
I have met with kings
during these conferences.
I have suppressed bizarre thoughts.
Could I beat him in a foot race?
Could I throw a ball further than he?
No matter what our facades,
we are all children."
What about Chauncey Gardiner?
But what do we know of the man?
Absolutely nothing.
We don't have an inkling of his past.
Correct. That could be an asset.
A man's past cripples him.
His background turns into a swamp
and invites scrutiny.
Up until this time, he hasn't said anything
that can be held against him.
The mail and telephone response
from his appearance on that Burns show
was the highest they've ever had.
And...
And it was 95% pro.
Well, I'm certainly open to the idea.
It would be absolute lunacy to support
the president for another term.
That is exactly why I agree
with Ben's final wishes.
"I was born into
a position of extreme wealth.
And I have spent many sleepless nights...
thinking about extreme poverty.
I've lived a lot, trembled a lot,
was surrounded by little men
who forgot that we enter naked
and exit naked
and that no accountant
can audit life in our favor."
I do believe, gentlemen, that if we
want to hold on to the presidency...
our one and only chance
is Chauncey Gardiner.
"When I was a boy, I was told...
that the Lord fashioned us
from his own image.
That's when I decided
to manufacture mirrors.
Security...
tranquillity...
a well-deserved rest.
All the aims I have pursued...
will soon be realized.
Life...
is a state of mind."
I understand.
Still clear in there, boys?
Can you read that?
What was the message, Mr. Gardiner?
Now get this, h*nky ̶
--Right.
Sorry. Carry on.
Okay.
- Sound speed.
- Marker.
- All set?
Mm-hmm.
What was the message, Mr. Gardiner?
Now get this, h*nky.
You go tell Raphael
that I ain't taking no jive fr ̶
Sorry.
That I ain't taking no jive
from no Western Union messenger.
You tell that as*h*le, if he ̶
-Did you see me going?
-No.
Yes. You tell that as*h*le...
-Sound speed.
-Marker.
...ain't taking no jive
from no Western Union manager ̶
messenger.
Manager? What am I saying? Sorry.
...from no Western Union messenger.
You tell that as*h*le,
if he got something to tell me,
to get his a*s down here ̶
himself!
- Almost.
- sh*t!
Marker.
What was the message, Mr. Gardiner?
It's slightly long,
but I will try to remember it.
Now get this, h*nky.
You go tell Raphael...
that I ain't taking no jive
from no Western Union messenger.
You tell that as*h*le,
if he got something to tell me,
to get his a*s down here himself.
Then he said
that I was to get my white a*s
out of there quick,
or he'd cut it.
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Being There (1979)
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