The Cider House Rules

TRAIN BELL RINGS

'In other parts of the world, young men leave home

'and travel in search of a promising future.

'Their journeys are often fuelled by dreams of triumphing over evil,

'of love, or the hope of fortunes easily made.'

'In St Cloud's, not even the decision to leave the train

'is easily made. It requires an earlier, more difficult decision.

'Add a child to your life or leave one behind.

'The reason people journey here is for the orphanage.'

-Good morning.

-We have an appointment.

Come in. We're going right upstairs to see Dr Larch.

'I came as a physician to the abandoned children

'and unhappily-pregnant women. I had hoped to become a hero

'but there was no such position.

'In the world of lost children, there were no heroes.

'I became the caretaker of many, the father of none.

'Well, in a way, there was ONE...'

Here he is.

'His name was Homer Wells.'

I named him after the great writer.

You know Homer, of course?

Of course, yes.

I made his name Wells because I could tell he was very deep.

'In truth, Nurse Angela named him.

'Her father drilled wells. She had a cat named Homer.'

Bye-bye.

KNOCKING

'Good night, you princes of Maine.'

Can we see the doctor?

You kings of New England.

ALL: Good night.

Doctor? There's something wrong with him. He never makes a sound.

'He didn't cry. Orphan babies learn there's no point in it.'

Could we look at someone different?

HE GURGLES

'Thus was Homer Wells returned. He was too happy a baby.'

Bye, Homer.

'One family had a gift for getting sounds from him.'

SCREAMING

'They beat him. He couldn't stop crying.'

SCREAMS

Shhh. Shhh.

It's OK. Nobody's gonna hurt you any more.

'Here in St Cloud's I try to consider,

'with each rule I make or break,

'that my first priority is an orphan's future.

'Twice adopted, twice returned, it didn't bode well.

'And yet, it was always clear to me that he was a special boy.'

"..Near the angle of the rib."

'With Homer's future in mind, I began his tutorials.'

If you're gonna stay at St Cloud's, I expect you to be of use.

'Our lessons were, in part,

'the expression of a father's love.'

Homer?

'But in failing to withhold love,

'in making the orphanage his home,

'had I created a true and everlasting orphan?'

-No!

-Keep breathing. You're gonna be OK.

'He learned to look after abandoned children,

'and to deliver unwanted babies.'

Relax!

'Long ago, I had decided that sometimes it was the women

'who needed to be delivered.

'I chose my own path. No-one would ever choose for Homer Wells.'

MUSIC: "Ukulele Lady" by Gus Kahn and Richard A Whiting

# I saw the splendour of the moonlight

# On Honolulu Bay

# There's something tender in the moonlight

# On Honolulu Bay

# And all the beaches

# Are full of peaches

# Who bring their ukes along

# And in the glimmer of the moonlight

# They love to sing this song

# If you like-a ukulele lady

# Ukulele lady like-a you... #

Dr Larch?

# If you like to linger... #

Dr Larch?

# The ukulele lady lingers too... #

Dr Larch?

We have two new patients. One to deliver.

-Coming.

-# And me... #

-First pregnancy?

-Yes, for both.

I presume you'd prefer handling the delivery?

I don't wanna do abortions. I have no argument with you doing them.

Don't you feel obligated to help women who can't get help elsewhere?

One, it's illegal. Two, I didn't ask how to, you just showed me.

The only thing I can teach you is what I know.

In any life, you have to be of use.

Of use...

CRYING

Oh, good, Carla. It was perfect. Everything's gonna be fine.

-SHE SOBS:

-I don't wanna see it.

You don't have to, dear.

I don't even wanna know what sex it is. Don't tell me.

-You're gonna be OK.

-And your baby is, too.

I don't wanna know!

-That's a big boy.

-SHE GROANS

Let me see him. I wanna see him.

-Would you join me in the nursery?

-OK.

SHE SOBS

CRYING

The adopting couple's waiting in your office.

Life is waiting. Let 'em wait.

Where's the name tube?

Nobody's named this one yet.

Oh, it's my turn. Henceforth you shall be Little Dorritt.

BABY CRIES Oh, no. You don't like that, do you?

He's a boy, that's why.

Can't a boy be a Dorritt?

I don't think so.

-You do it.

-OK.

Henceforth you shall be Little Wilbur.

I'm not crazy about the little.

OK. Just Wilbur, then.

We haven't had a Wilbur in a year or so, have we? We did have dozens.

He sniffs the ether. I've seen him.

He's too tired to sleep. He has to.

He smells of it.

Doctors smell like ether.

You don't smell like ether.

I'm not a doctor. I haven't even been to high school.

You've studied for years.

I'm not a doctor.

Sorry, Homer.

# ..I saw the splendour of the moonlight... #

-FUZZY COUGHS

-Fuzzy's not uncommon.

Something's wrong with the premature babies of alcoholic mothers.

They're susceptible to everything that comes along.

I haven't heard that.

I haven't, either.

You will. Those morons who write the books should do some research here.

Isn't he just underdeveloped?

When doesn't he have bronchitis?

I wouldn't call his infections underdeveloped.

-HE COUGHS

-Come on, Fuzz.

Here we go. Feet up.

There you are.

Sit up straight.

HE WHEEZES

Wilbur, can you come out here, please? >

There you go.

Hi, Homer.

Hey. What is it, Mary Agnes?

-Now calm down. >

-Run along now. >

What is it?

Look.

Oh, erm... Did you bite it?

Did you bite it?

I don't remember.

Erm... Yeah. That looks like you bit it. You'll be fine.

Maybe I was kissing someone.

I think you bit it in your sleep. Story time, Fuzzy.

Oh, Lord, support us all the day long

until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes,

and the busy world is hushed,

and the fever of life is over and our work is done.

Then in thy mercy

grant us a lodging and holy rest...

SHE SOBS

..And peace at the last. Amen.

Amen.

"A dog, which had lain concealed, ran backwards and forwards

"with a dismal howl. Collecting himself for a spring,

"he jumped for the dead man's shoulders.

"Missing his aim, he fell into a ditch, turning over as he went.

"And striking his head against a stone, dashed out his brains."

Oh!

-Ugh!

-End of chapter.

GIGGLING

That's it. Till tomorrow.

COUGHING

Good night, you princes of Maine. You kings of New England.

COUGHS

-MIMICS DR LARCH:

-Princes of Maine.

Whoa!

John? You all right?

Why does he say that every night?

Maybe to scare us?

No, you jerk.

Dr Larch loves us.

But why does he do that?

-He does it because we like it.

-Do you like it, Curly?

Yeah.

I like it, too.

Watch the door.

You get Copperfield. Buster's mine. Nobody touches Fuzzy.

Attack!

SHOUTS AND SCREAMS

Surprise!

HE COUGHS

-Darn!

-Ow!

Got you!

Hey!

SHOUTS AND YELLS

What do you think you're doing?

Children! No fighting. Share the snowballs.

HE COUGHS

Fuzzy, Fuzzy. Listen to you. You've been running.

COUGHING CONTINUES

THEY YELL

OK! Over here!

I know the type. They'll take a baby.

CHATTER

Mary Agnes.

-COUGHS:

-Come here.

Fuzzy.

Curly.

FUZZY COUGHS

John.

Hazel.

Andy.

They wanted a girl, Curly.

Nobody ever wants me.

Oh, hey, hey. Come on.

Come here.

You're the best, Curly. We wouldn't let just anyone take you.

Dr Larch wouldn't let just anyone take any of us.

Well, that's true.

Nobody's asked for me, have they?

Nobody special enough, Curly.

-You mean someone asked?

-Only the right people can have you.

What d'you say we go unpack your suitcase? It's movie night.

KING KONG ROARS

Look! Kong thinks she's his mother. He thinks so.

He doesn't think she's his mother.

He does so!

That's why he holds her.

HE SIGHS

Fuzzy? How can SHE be his mother?

He just thinks she is.

(They want to replace me! The board of trustees wants to replace me.)

(They just want you to hire some new help.

We don't need help.)

WOMAN GASPS

ALL GROAN

Homer? I need you.

Come on!

It's your fault.

ALL CHANT: Kong, Kong!

I thought you'd taken care of this. It's your splice.

It's YOUR splice. You blame me for everything.

We need a new movie and projector. That's what needs replacing.

-We have a delivery.

-Would you get this one?

She's a patient, right? She should see a doctor.

Homer, you are a skilled and gifted surgeon

with near-perfect gynaecological procedure.

I mean that I'd rather fix the movie tonight.

OK. Sure.

You splice. I'll deliver.

Come on, Fuzz. Let's go. Come on.

Doesn't Kong think the woman is his mother?

-Yes, he does.

-It's why he loves her.

It's your turn. I'll get this.

OK.

Story time.

"The personal history of David Copperfield. Chapter one. I am born.

"Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my life,

"or whether that station will be held by another, these pages must show.

"I was a posthumous child.

"My father's eyes had closed upon this world

"six months when mine opened on it."

(His father's dead, right?)

(That's right, Fuzz.

Is your father dead?)

(Cirrhosis. It's a disease of the liver.)

(Uh. What? A liver killed him?)

(No, alcohol killed him. He drank himself to death.)

(Did you know him?)

(Barely. It hardly mattered.

Did you know your mother better?)

(Hmm. But she's dead now, too. She was a nanny.)

(What's a nanny do?

She cares for other people's children.)

-(Did she grow up around here?

-No. She was an immigrant.)

(What's an immigrant?)

(Someone not from Maine.)

(Oh.)

Let us be happy for Hazel. Hazel has found a family.

Good night, Hazel.

'ALL: Good night, Hazel.'

CHEERING

BIRDS SING

THEY CHATTER

WOMAN GIGGLES

SHE GIGGLES

I was dreaming about you. How beautiful you were.

Oh, you weren't.

-I was.

-That I was beautiful?

You were. You are.

It was fantastic.

It was just the ether, Wilbur.

-Hi.

-Hi.

Do you ever think of trying to find your parents?

Not really.

Why not?

They never did the things parents are supposed to do.

Dr Larch did those things and the nurses.

I wish I could meet mine, anyway. Sometimes.

What for?

Well...

I'd like to show them that I can cook a little.

-Mm-hm?

-And that I can drive a truck.

Mm-hm.

Sometimes I want to meet them so I can kill them. So I could kill them.

HE GIGGLES

You know I'd never kill anyone.

Mm-hm. I know.

Get off me!

-I think SHE could.

-< What the hell are you doing?

I don't think so. No. She's just an emotional girl.

-What's she so emotional about?

-She got left, didn't she?

I'm counting!

OK! Hurry up.

Copperfield!

I go first!

I'll be on Buster's side.

Look!

Her temperature's 104. Scoot down.

Come on. Good girl. That's a girl.

It won't hurt when I look. I'm just gonna look.

SHE MOANS

SHE GASPS

Did you...do something to yourself?

-It wasn't me!

-Did you go to someone else?

I would have never stuck that inside me.

You've been very brave, and I'm gonna put you to sleep.

Homer? I want you to see this.

You won't feel it any more.

You've been very brave.

(We'll make it deep.

-You're sure?

-Yes.)

(The foetus is unexpelled. The uterus is punctured.)

(She has acute peritonitis.)

(There's a foreign object. I think it's a crochet hook.)

Take this.

If she had come to you four months ago

and asked for a simple D and C, what would you have done?

Nothing! This is what doing nothing gets you.

It means that somebody else does it. Some moron who doesn't know how.

You should have come to me.

What did she die of?

She died of secrecy. She died of...ignorance.

Oh.

Homer, if you expect people to be responsible for their children,

you have to let them choose whether or not they want to have children.

How about expecting people to control themselves?

How about this child? You expect HER to be responsible?

I'm not talking about her.

I'm talking about...adults. You know who I mean.

What?

It's a marvel to me that you have such high expectations of people.

I'm happy I amuse you.

Consider this. What choice does Buster have? What are HIS options?

Nobody will ever adopt him.

We're sitting beside you. We could have ended up in the incinerator.

Happy to be alive under any circumstances. Is that your point?

Happy to be alive? Yeah, I guess so.

You're it!

Hey, pass it here.

So many children. Are they all orphans?

It IS an orphanage.

-Who wants chocolate?

-I do.

Hi. OK. You're getting in the car.

Hi.

-Hi.

-Hi.

-I'm the best.

-You are?

Wow. The best at what?

The best one.

-The best one, huh?

-The best one of all the kids.

-You are?

-Seems like the best one.

It's not your turn!

Let's take care of that. Blow.

I really am the best. I just have a cold.

Sorry! They're not used to seeing a car like this.

It's OK. I don't mind.

Come on. Come on. Let's get out. Come on, now.

Good morning.

Morning.

-Dr Larch.

-Candy.

I'm Wally. We brought some chocolates for the kids.

How thoughtful. Come on, Curly.

So Mrs..?

Candy. Candy Kendall.

Wally. Wally Worthington.

How many months are you?

Erm, two.

Erm...

Are you the... Are you doing the...?

Dr Larch will perform the procedure.

-THEY SIGH

-Good. I mean...

I was just curious.

The woman you delivered is complaining of pain.

OK. I'll take a look. Couple of minutes. Thank you.

RATTLING

You OK?

Yeah. I think it was the ether.

The smell must have got to me.

Oh, God. This is all my fault.

Steerforth got into the pantry. He's eaten the pie dough.

-He's in the hall, throwing up.

-He's a pig.

Don't call him a pig, dear. >

He IS a pig! >

What kind of planes you flying?

B24 Liberator.

Oh.

Liberator.

You enlisted?

They wouldn't take me. I'm class four. I have a heart defect.

Is it serious?

No. It's not serious. I'm not supposed to get excited.

I try to keep calm all the time.

-I can't imagine much strain here.

-CHUCKLING: Yeah(!)

How is she?

-She's fine.

-Good.

Boy or girl?

It's all over.

I would really like to have a baby one day.

I really would.

You can have as many as you want. You'll have beautiful children.

Oh, yes, I'm sure.

You'll have princes of Maine.

You'll have kings of New England.

You should find yourself some fresh air.

SHOUTING

-You're not!

-Oh, yes, I am!

COUGHS

I don't feel so good.

What's a runt? Copperfield called me one.

-I was kidding.

-Here.

Orange is my favourite colour. Should I keep the teeth orange?

Homer, look!

Look, look!

Homer, when is Halloween?

It's at the end of October.

Is that soon?

-HE COUGHS

-It's a few months away, Fuzz.

It's the best time. Homer?

What is Honolulu?

It's a city.

-Oh.

-WHEEZES:

-What's the moonlight like?

WHEEZING

I've never been there, but I think that it'd probably be very bright.

Why do we get pumpkins only once a year?

HE COUGHS Don't get too excited, Fuzzy.

Get me outta here! >

VOMITING

Ugh! That's disgusting. Ugh! >

Stop it right now. >

Hey.

Hey. How's she doing?

-She's fine.

-Good.

Good. Yeah.

I... I was wondering if you could give me a ride?

Sure. I'd be glad to.

Erm, ride where?

Where are you going?

Back to Cape Kenneth.

Cape Kenneth? That sounds fine.

OK.

Doubtless you will let me know what worthwhile,

or at least useful thing, you find to do?

I didn't mean to leave here to be useless.

I'll find a way to be of use.

I suppose there are other ways.

Of course.

Are you so stupid you think you'll find a more gratifying life?

You'll find people like those we get here.

Nobody takes care of them. You won't be able to, either.

There's no taking care of anybody. Not out there.

You know I'm grateful for all that you've done for me.

I don't need gratitude.

I know about my condition.

It's your heart. You ought to take it with you.

Going where? Does he have a plan?

Will he be back soon?

He's just leaving. You were the one

who says he needs to see the world. That's what he'll do.

He's leaving. He'll need clothes and money.

Let him make some money. That's part of seeing the world.

This was bound to happen. He's a young man.

He's still a boy.

Out in the world... Still a boy.

Just find him some clothes, Wilbur.

He could use some clothes.

Is Homer leaving?

Homer.

It'll be all right. Children, up on the porch.

< Say goodbye. Wave from here.

-Bye.

-Bye.

< Bye, Homer.

Come on.

SHE GROANS

-I can walk. Put me down.

-I wanna carry you.

-It's OK.

-Here. Let me.

Wally, put me down.

OK. OK.

-Coming with us?

-Mmm.

Good. You never know when you'll need a doctor.

-I'll put the top up.

-No.

-You might get cold.

-I want some fresh air.

She'll be just fine.

Is he coming out?

-Bye, Homer.

-Bye, Curly.

I'm sorry I have to go.

It's not fair. You're too old.

I couldn't find Buster. Could you tell him that I...?

FUZZY COUGHS

-­

-Don't go too far!

Bye!

Wave, Homer!

Let us be happy for Homer Wells. Homer has found a family.

Aren't we all happy for Homer?

ALL: Yes.

-Good night, Homer.

-ALL: Good night, Homer.

< Good night, Homer.

The army gave me leave when my father died.

Now I'm on leave to help Mum with the apple harvest. She's no farmer.

She's short of pickers.

He thinks apples are boring.

I never said they were boring.

You did. You said apples weren't exactly flying.

-They aren't.

-I think I'd like the apple business.

You're over-qualified.

-Not really. I need a job.

-Where are you headed?

I don't know.

-What will you do?

-I don't know.

Is your family in the apple business too, Candy?

No. But I work there. I like it.

My dad's a lobster man.

-Oh, wow.

-Mm-hm.

I've never actually seen a lobster.

Are you serious?

Never seen the ocean, either.

Y-you've never seen the ocean? That's not funny. That's serious.

-RADIO:

-'..the entire front. At least it's cheering to remember

'that the Russians have recaptured everything the Germans took.'

WAVES CRASH AND GULLS CRY

GULLS CRY

It's beautiful.

Yeah.

Do you have cramps?

They'll ease up soon. As long as the bleeding isn't heavy, it's normal.

It should taper off tomorrow.

Catch!

-All right.

-Throw it back.

OK.

All right!

Put your fingers on the laces.

Here's China. Here's India. It's a seven-hour round-trip flight.

This part's called flying over the hump.

How high do you fly?

I have to fly 15,000 feet in the first 35 minutes

otherwise I won't make it over the first mountains.

It's dangerous, huh?

Actually, I volunteered.

Did you really?

If you do want a job, picking apples isn't that dull.

Yeah? I would love that, Wally.

See you around, Homer.

Oh, yeah.

-Thank you.

-Mm-hm.

For everything.

Hi, Sam.

Hi, Dad.

C'mon and meet my mom.

By the way, I've been at a wedding. OK?

If it comes up, I met you there.

Wally? Is that you?

Mom. This is Homer Wells.

-How do you do?

-Good.

He's the most over-qualified apple picker.

Really? Were you a friend of the groom's?

He's a friend of everyone. C'mon.

In that case, will you stay to dinner, Homer?

Another time. Come on. You gotta meet Mr Rose.

You used up all the hot water!

You used my soap!

It's too cold for soap.

They're migrants. They pick the fruit.

They travel up and down the coast with the seasons.

The trick to Mr Rose is that you have to let him be boss.

'Scuse me.

The sink's backed up again, Wally. You said you'd get a plumber.

Homer, this is Mr Rose's daughter, Rose.

-You a plumber?

-He's a picker. He's gonna stay here.

-He's staying here?

-Yeah.

This daughter of mine, she's just Miss Hospitality, ain't she?

New picker? You got lots of experience, I expect.

He's got no experience. He's a fast learner.

Mr Rose will teach you the apple business.

Why, I believe this is history. We are making history, Wally.

Ain't we? We making history, having him stay with us.

Why don't you show him around?

Your name is Rose Rose?

Pretty, ain't it?

You like to read?

I really can't read that good.

Homer?

What does this say, here?

"I looked at the stars and considered how awful it would be for a man

"to turn his face to them as he froze to death and see no pity

"in all the glittering multitude."

More.

Since you the one who's smart enough to read, what's this here?

It's a list of rules, it seems.

Whose rules?

I imagine they for us, I s'pose.

Go on, then. Read 'em, Homer.

"One. Please don't smoke in bed."

LAUGHTER

It's too late for that. Keep reading.

"Don't operate the grinder if you've been drinking."

They ain't our rules.

I don't see no need to read 'em.

OK.

'Good night, you princes of Maine. You kings of New England.'

Remember this.

In the morning, when the grass is wet, it can make it slide.

BOTH LAUGH

Feel that?

Almost like flying.

Watch out for the trees!

The trees are flak. Anti-aircraft fire from the geeks on the ground.

Whoo-hoo!

Hey, Homer.

-Hey.

-I was showing Homer the orchard.

Kind of a geography lesson.

-Really? What's that?

-What?

Looks like you were giving him flying lessons.

He loved it.

He thinks you like being hit by branches.

I liked it.

Really?

Yeah.

Unbelievable.

Thank you very much.

Hey! What's wrong with you?

Sorry.

That's Vernon. Stay away from him till he gets to know you better.

Then you best stay away from him even more.

Homer!

Lieutenant's calling. You'd better watch your ass, Homer.

Hey, Wally.

-You gettin' along OK?

-Yeah.

-Guess what?

-What?

I'm shippin' out today. It's a little sooner than I expected.

I wanted to make sure that you're settled and happy.

Are you bored? Do you think you can stick it out?

Of course. I'm grateful for the job.

It's good to know you're overseeing things.

-Good.

-Ready, Homer? >

Yeah. Look, Wally, thanks.

I'm lucky I met you.

I'm the lucky one.

-I am.

-You wanna fight about it?

I'm kidding.

Oh, OK!

-Take care of yourself.

-OK. Bye.

OK, Mr Rose.

That's right. That's good. Turn and pull.

Turn and pull.

Turn and pull. That's good. Mind how you're picking mostly cider apples.

All these drops here? They're good only for cider.

Golden rule, Homer, you wanna

pick the apple with the stem.

See that? That's the bud for next year's apple, the spur.

If you pick it, you're picking next year's apple before it gets to grow.

You wanna leave that on the branch.

-OK.

-Let me see you work.

Yeah. That's good.

That's much better. That's better.

I can see you got yourself some education.

Them good hands you got.

They know what they doing. Ain't that right?

I guess so.

All right.

Keep on working. I be right back.

'Wilbur? Wilbur?'

Wilbur? Wilbur? You should read this.

It's from the board. Another letter.

"Some new blood might benefit you."

"Someone with new ideas in obstetrics and paediatrics."

I think they're testing some ideas for our next meeting.

Dr Holst seems nice. I think he only wants to help.

He's a goddamn psychiatrist! Of course he wants to help.

-He'd be happy to commit me.

-Be careful of Mrs Goodhall.

I must be more than careful.

She has enough Christian zeal to start her own country.

I'd like to give her a little ether.

-What are you gonna do?

-Take this.

"Homer Wells, born Portland, Maine,

"March 2nd 1915."

Homer was born here. In what was it? 1922?

"Graduated Bowden College 1935. Harvard School of Medicine,

-"1939."

-That's you, Wilbur. You went there.

"An internship, and two years of training, Boston lying-in.

"He is a skilled gynaecological and obstetrical surgeon... "

-That's not him!

-"Experienced in paediatric care."

Wilbur, you're making this up.

Angela, the board is going to replace me.

That is what the new blood is for.

Replace you with someone who won't give abortions?

We can only guess at that. They are against the law.

So are these credentials.

I trained Homer. His credentials are as good as mine.

Don't be holy to me about the law. What has the law ever done for us?

So? What do you think about my candidate?

Homer doesn't have any diplomas.

Come here, Edna. Please. Come here.

He will have them.

Oh, Wilbur!

I don't know.

All of them on there.

Pack 'em tight.

What you think you doing?

-All aboard, Mrs Worthington.

-Thank you.

How's the crew? Got any rotten apples?

Good crew, ma'am.

-You tryin' to break my finger?

-It was an accident.

Well, maybe we got one bad apple but it's nothing we can't handle.

I see. How's young Homer working out?

Good. He's a smart young man. Wally was right about him.

Real hard worker.

Morning, Mrs Worthington.

Come up to the house. I got some clothes might fit you.

I've got some things for you.

Rose don't really need any more pickin' clothes.

Don't be a party pooper.

I have a beautiful blouse for you.

-Hey, Rose Rose.

-Homer.

-Hey.

-Hi.

How you feeling?

When I'm not thinking of Wally, I'm fine.

I'm not really good at being alone.

Oh.

I feel much better.

Hey, listen.

Maybe if you're free, you'd like to have dinner at my dad's?

OK.

You haven't seen a lobster, yet.

-No.

-Well, good.

HORN HONKS

You're hungry, right?

INDISTINCT CONVERSATION AND LAUGHTER

-What is that?

-It's a drive-in movie theatre.

Is the movie outside?

-Yeah.

-Oh, can we see it?

-OK.

It's closed because of the blackouts.

Oh.

It's so big.

You smoke? Want a cigarette?

OK.

Wally would kill me if he saw me doing this.

There you go.

Thanks.

So you like movies?

Yes. I've seen only one, though.

You've seen only one? Which one?

Ah, King Kong. It's really good.

SHE LAUGHS

Mmm. Ugh.

Wilbur, it's a pie apple. Look, try one of those.

So he's an apple expert, now?

Oh, my, yes. That's a far superior taste.

And crisp, too. So many apples are disappointingly mealy.

He picked these for us himself.

You don't find it depressing that he's picking apples?

Or that he can't be bothered to write to us?

It's a gift.

I'll show him a gift. I'll send him a gift he can use.

"There goes Jimmy Stewart to enlist. A very popular screen star.

"Now he's Lieutenant Stewart.

"Crossing the equator, novices are introduced to the realm of Neptune.

"Boxing matches help to relieve the monotony of long weary days at sea."

It looked like you liked it.

I DID like it. But it's no King Kong.

First she loved him, then she didn't. Then no-one else could have him.

She DID love him.

How many women have you known?

And what did she die of, exactly?

She was torn apart. She died of a broken heart.

Oh. Well.

I just... I need a better medical explanation.

Torn apart? At least King Kong knew what he wanted.

What're you doing with Candy?

Makin' history, I suppose.

LAUGHTER

You ain't getting into no trouble?

No trouble.

That Candy, she the nicest girl I know.

She's the most beautiful girl. I don't know if she's the nicest.

She's the nicest AND most beautiful girl I've known.

That sound like you in trouble.

Big trouble.

-Oh, no, ah!

-THEY CHUCKLE

-I'm not in trouble.

-Yeah, you is.

I know when people are in trouble. You is.

His name is Homer Wells. His poor resume is the best I've seen.

I find it hard to believe that the board would be interested in him.

He looks like an excellent young man. A first-rate candidate.

He looks like a bleeding-heart missionary moron to me.

Do you know him?

No, nor do I want to. He's working in India.

I wrote to him, weeks ago. He's either too holy or busy to answer.

-Ow!

-Sorry.

C'mon.

I fail to see how someone courageous enough

to make a commitment to a foreign mission

is automatically to be dismissed.

Does it snow there? One winter here and he'll be sent south in a coffin!

He seems exceptionally qualified.

It's the Christian thing that bothers me.

I just don't see it as being of much use around here.

A little Christianity couldn't hurt!

Anyway...

I was just showing you this guy

as an example of what's available.

I didn't think you'd be interested.

We're very interested.

Very.

You wouldn't object to meeting him?

Well... It wouldn't hurt to meet him. What's his name again?

Dr Homer Wells.

It's a nice name. Very New England.

Very Maine.

A very local-sounding name.

Very.

JAZZ MUSIC

Told you. If I appear to want it, they don't want it.

If I appear to hate it, they've just gotta have it.

Excuse me, I just want to ask you something.

Edna, dance with me? Let's be foolish tonight. Come on.

Does he know he's supposedly in India? Does he want to return?

He's a field hand.

What could possibly hold him there?

Is there any satisfaction in this role?

Homer! It's time to go.

-Oh.

-OK.

By now we're using them early Macs and them Gravensteins.

The cider's too watery. We don't get good cider

until we pick them Golden Delicious,

them Russetts, them Baldwins, you know?

What about worms? Don't the drops have worms?

That's the protein, man.

Jack?

What the hell you doing, man?

That'll ruin this batch of cider. I can't have that.

You're gonna have to go fishing.

Swimming?

Swimming, fishing -

I ain't fishing out no cigarette.

Jack. Come on down here, man.

What business are you in, Jack?

Tell me what business you're in.

Say the apple business. It's the only business you wanna be in.

-Huh!

-Hey, Jack! You don't wanna do that!

Come here, now.

Tell him you're in the apple business. You're gonna get killed!

-Jack!

-Tell him the apple business!

Shut up, Peaches.

Back off, Jack.

Aarrgghh! Uh. Uh.

Now.

I'm in the knife business, Jack. I'm in the knife business!

You don't wanna be in no knife business with me.

It's time for you to go fishin'.

He's kinda fast, ain't he, Jack?

The good news is, you're already half undressed for swimming.

Shit. That Jack too slow to get me. I'm so fast I cut my own self.

You really showed him, huh? You just about cut your hand off.

All you cut off him was his clothes.

You don't go to jail for cutting a guy's clothes off. Ain't that right?

Ain't that right? Ain't that right, Homer?

Easy! Easy. OK.

OW!

Not too much gas. You wanna go right in here.

-You really want to be gentle on the gas. OK!

-SHE LAUGHS

That's the one. We want to stay right there. Got it?

Slowly, slowly! OK. Got it!

You're a natural. You were born to drive a car like this.

So this is a speaker. It's where the sound for the movie comes out.

Oh. I love this place. This is...

Have you seen a lot of movies here?

Yes and no. When you come here, you don't really care about the movie.

You don't care about the movie?

Why are you so crazy about movies?

It was my favourite night at the orphanage, movie night.

We'd all... We'd all race into the dining hall.

Everyone wanted to sit in front so we'd be packed in so tight,

you could feel the kid next to you breathing.

You don't miss it?

I miss things.

I miss people. I miss reading to the boys.

You had so much responsibility, huh?

I didn't ask for any responsibility.

Just a little privacy. Well, you're in luck.

Privacy is what drive-in movies are all about.

Scrunch down like this.

Come on, scrunch down! All the way.

And then give me your arm.

Put your arm around me.

You just cuddle and hug and you know...

You don't really watch the movie.

I would watch the movie. SHE GIGGLES

WOMAN ON FILM MOANS

HE WHEEZES

SHE MOANS

-Ugh!

-HE WHEEZES

Sorry, Fuzzy. It's Homer's splice again.

Fuzzy?

Fuzz?

If the little ones ask what happened,

tell them that Fuzzy was adopted.

OK.

So. What happened to Fuzzy?

He was adopted.

Good.

Will they believe that?

Yes. Because they wanna believe it.

Shouldn't we tell Homer?

If Homer wanted to know what was happening here, he could call us.

I think it was a nurse or a nanny who adopted Fuzzy.

Someone who could take care of him.

They had a better breathing machine

than the one that Dr Larch built.

I think we should be happy for Fuzzy, OK?

He found a family. Good night, Fuzzy.

ALL: Good night, Fuzzy.

Homer. Morning, everybody.

ALL: Morning.

-There's mail for you, Homer.

-Thanks.

Rose, I brought those clothes for you. Let's see if they fit.

What's that?

RATTLING

Ain't you gonna open it, Homer?

-No.

-Mind your business now, Peaches.

-Sorry.

-It's OK.

Ahh!

OK. OK.

There.

It's glass. Look at that.

Isn't that beautiful?

Give me your hand.

-Feel that?

-Umm-hmm.

The ocean rubs it against the sand and smooths it.

It takes a year to get like that.

Come on!

-SHE LAUGHS

-No!

You're too fast!

Argh!

-Oh!

-SHE LAUGHS

HE SIGHS

SHE GASPS

THEY MOAN

He volunteered.

Nobody volunteers for the Burma run. He said so himself.

He just leaves me here. He wants me to just wait for him?

Oh, God! He knows me.

He knows I'm not good at being alone.

This was right. I know this was right.

This was right.

Just tell me. Do you want me to stay or go?

I don't know.

I really don't know. I just...

I think we should just wait and see.

OK.

Are we all set?

Yeah.

Goodbye, Arthur. Thank you for your hard work.

My pleasure.

Have a safe trip, Rose.

-Take care of yourself.

-See you next year.

-Bye.

-Bye.

Don't freeze to death.

Don't get into no trouble.

You freeze to death if you want to.

Shut up, Jack.

So you're staying?

Olive told me.

You could have told me yourself.

I'm just waiting and seeing.

Like you said.

'Dear Dr Larch. Thank you for your doctor's bag,

'although it seems that I will not have the occasion to use it,

'barring an emergency. I am not a doctor.

'With respect to your profession, I'm enjoying my life here.

'I enjoy being an orchardman. I've never enjoyed myself as much.

'The truth is, I wanna stay here. I believe I'm being of use.'

I've looked at so many women... I've never...

I've never felt a thing. I mean, I've seen everything.

Just felt nothing.

With you it...

If I look at you, it hurts.

(Come here.)

'Homer, I thought you were over your adolescence,

'that time when we imagine we have awful things to hide

'from those who love us.'

Homer?

'Do you think it's not clear what's happened? You've fallen in love.

'Whatever you're up to can't be good for your heart.

'But the condition can be made worse by worrying.

'So don't worry about it.'

LAUGHTER

'Dr Larch, what I'm learning may not be as important as your teaching,

'but everything is new to me.

'Yesterday I learned how to poison mice. Field mice girdle apple trees.

'You use poison oats and corn.

'I know what you have to do. You have to play God.

'Killing mice is as close as I want to come to playing God.'

'Homer, here in St Cloud's, I've had the opportunity of playing God

'or leaving practically everything to chance.

'People of conscience should seize the moments when they can play God.

'There won't be many. Do I interfere when women tell me

'they can't have an abortion? That they must have yet another orphan?

'I do not. I do not even recommend.

'I just give them what they want.

'You are my work of art, Homer.

'Everything else has been just a job.

'I don't know if you've got a work of art in you,

'but I know what your job is. You're a doctor.'

'I'm NOT a doctor.'

'They're going to replace me.

'They're looking for my replacement.'

'I can't replace you. I'm sorry.'

'Sorry?

'I'm not sorry, not for anything I've done.

'I'm not even sorry that I love you.'

I think we've lost him to the world.

Come on. Come on. Give me it. Come on!

-SHE GIGGLES

-OK. You can have the book!

You can have the book. But please don't tickle. Agh!

SHE GIGGLES

-ENGINE REVS

-Who is it?

I don't know.

It's Mr Rose.

Hey!

-Hey, Homer.

-Hero! How you doing?

Good. Miss Candy.

Good to see you.

Welcome back.

Hey, Miss Candy.

Hey, Homer. I see you ain't freeze your ass off.

< That's fine, I'm sure.

-Hi, Miss Rose.

-Peaches. How are you?

-Good to see you.

-You too.

-< No, leave it.

-Miss Candy.

Mr Rose.

-Welcome back.

-Thank you.

This place feels just like home.

-Nicer than home!

-How d'you make it feel so nice?

-Hey, Rose.

-Rose!

Good to see you again. How are you?

Where's Jack?

He... He wasn't up for the trip this season.

He didn't know his business.

Ain't that right, Muddy?

Umm-hmm.

Muddy, half of these is bruised.

It ain't got no stem.

-What is this?

-That's a spur.

You're in too much of a hurry.

You shakin' the tree to get these apples down? They're all bruised.

Ain't you gonna eat with us, Rose?

She used to eat with us.

Maybe she ain't hungry today.

She ain't hungry each morning. She's sick each morning.

SHE RETCHES

Hey, Rose. How are you feeling?

You must like watching people be sick.

I don't like watching anyone be sick.

Rose. How many months are you?

You know?

Do you know? Rose?

What d'you know about it?

I know more than I'd like to know about it.

Don't trouble yourself about it. It ain't your business.

All right.

SHE SOBS

What am I gonna do with a baby?

I can't have a baby. What am I gonna do with a baby?

Well?

Whatever you wanna do, Rose. I can help.

If you don't wanna keep the baby, I know where you can go.

You think Daddy gonna let me go anywhere? Huh?

I ain't goin' nowhere.

Why don't you just... go back to your pickin', Homer?

I can take care of it by myself. All right?

What do you mean?

I mean I can take care of it myself.

It's OK.

Don't do anything, Rose.

Don't do anything to yourself, OK?

SHE SOBS Rose? You hear me?

Rose!

-Go!

-< Homer!

I think we should take her to St Cloud's and let her decide.

She doesn't feel she can.

We have to help her, right?

We need to do something, don't we?

Homer?

-Hey.

-Hey.

I have some clothes for you. I keep forgetting to bring 'em.

I don't need no clothes. Thanks.

I know what's going on, Rose.

Homer told me.

You don't know this, but...

I got pregnant about a year ago.

Do you want to have this baby?

No.

Who's the father? Does he know?

We can take you to a safe place. Homer knows this doctor...

I can't go nowhere.

Why?

Rose! Listen to me. You can tell me.

No.

SHE SOBS

It's OK.

Morning.

Morning, Mr Rose.

I'm gonna be up top. OK?

(Mr Rose!)

Oh!

He's the father.

What?

Mr Rose is the father!

Her baby! Mr Rose is the father.

-What? Are you sure?

-I can't believe this.

I knew something was wrong. What's she gonna do?

We have to keep her away from that bastard.

Mr Rose?

Homer.

-I know you ain't ready for lunch.

-HE CHUCKLES

Is it true?

What's that?

Erm... Are you...

sleeping with your own daughter?

You've been staying up too late at night.

You're having sex with your daughter?

Ain't nobody having sex with my daughter!

You're lying. Aren't you ashamed of yourself?

What do you care who hears? They know already, don't they?

They know.

You don't know your own business!

I know you don't wanna be in no kind of business with me. I know.

-Cut my clothes. I've got others.

-You talking to me about lies?

These people took you in. That boy Wally is away at war!

She's your daughter!

And I love her!

Ain't gonna do nothing to harm her.

She's pregnant!

No! No!

He was over Burma when he was hit.

There were no crash injuries, just disease.

When they were hit, the crew chief and the radio man jumped out.

All on Captain Worthington's orders.

(Come in.)

The Captain was still flying the plane.

None of them could see the sky.

They never saw the plane crash.

They never saw Captain Worthington's parachute.

He was missing for 20 days. Why?

He followed the Irrawaddy River all the way to Rangoon.

He managed to avoid the Japs but the mosquitoes...

So it's malaria.

It's encephalitis B.

-What's that?

-Captain Worthington

is paralysed from the waist down. He won't walk...

-I'm sorry.

-When is he coming home?

In about a month. By the end of October.

Just tell me. I'll do whatever you wanna do.

Nothing.

Isn't that like waiting and seeing?

No.

Nothing's nothing.

I want Wally to come home.

I'm afraid to see him, too.

I know.

Oh, don't do that, Homer.

I just want to sit and do nothing.

Do nothing.

It's a great idea, really.

Maybe if I just wait and see long enough,

I won't have to do anything or decide anything, you know?

Maybe if I'm lucky enough,

someone else'll decide and choose and do things for me.

What are you talking about?

But then again, maybe I won't be that lucky.

And it's not my fault. It's not your fault.

That's just it. Someone's gonna get hurt and it's no-one's fault.

I don't wanna talk about this.

If we just wait and see,

maybe you won't have to choose and I won't have to do anything.

What do you want from me? Wally's paralysed! What do you want from me?

Nothing. I'm sorry.

You're not the one who has to do anything.

-Where you going?

-I have to go. You have to let me.

You ain't going nowhere in the middle of the night.

Hey! Hey.

No, man. This ain't none of your concern!

-Listen to me...

-This is my daughter!

I believe you've got your own mess you've gotta deal with.

-I wanna go.

-Ain't that right?

Ain't that right?

My daughter done told you and I done told you.

This ain't none of your business.

You even know what your business is? Do you?

What is your business?

The doctor business. I can help.

That's all I'm saying. I can help.

RATTLING

Five minutes. Two volsellum forceps.

Curettes.

Forceps.

Cervical stabiliser. Vulval pads.

Set of Sims.

Dakin's solution.

She's my little girl, Homer.

She's gonna be all right, Mr Rose. Nothing to worry about.

Ready?

Fellas?

C'mon, guys.

I'm stayin', Homer.

OK.

If you stay, you make yourself of use.

Watch her breathing.

HE BREATHES ERRATICALLY

You better go get some air.

Oh!

-HE MOANS

-God!

-HE MOANS

-Oh, God!

HE SOBS

Hey.

The heat will help the cramps ease.

The bleeding will be a lot less within two days,

but keep checking the pad.

As long as it's not heavy, it's normal.

That Vernon keep asking where you, Rose Rose and Homer's at.

Tell that Vernon to mind his own business, Muddy.

Told him y'all sick.

Tell him whatever you want. You crew boss today.

HE CHUCKLES

You readin' the rules, Homer?

Umm-hmm.

What are they?

"Please don't smoke in bed."

We heard that one, Homer.

"Please don't operate the grinder if you've been drinking.

"Please don't go up to the roof to eat your lunch."

That's the best place to eat lunch.

"Please, even if you are very hot, do not go up to the roof to sleep."

Go up to the roof to sleep? They must think we're crazy.

They think we need dumb-nigger rules.

The last one. "There should be no going up on the roof at night."

Now, why don't they just say don't go up on the roof?

That's it?

That's it.

That don't mean nothin' at all.

And all this time I've been wondering about it.

They outrageous, them rules.

Who live in this cider house?

Who grinds up them apples? Pressing that cider?