c Birds Cooing ]
c C1icking sound ]
c Footsteps Approaching ]
c Be11s To11ing ]
c seagu11s squawking ]
Mr. Roberts.
c Man Narrating ] 1 am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice.
Not because of his voice or because he was...
the sma11est person 1 ever knew...
or even because he was the instrument of my mother's death,
but because he is the reason 1 be1ieve in God.
What faith 1 have, 1 owe to simon Birch,
the boy 1 grew up with in Gravestown, Maine.
1t is simon that made me a be1iever.
c Boy ] Hi, Mr. Roberts !
d Uh, he 1ikes bread and butter d
d Uh, he 1ikes toast and jam d
d And that's what his baby feeds him d
d And he's her 1oving man d
d We11, 1 1ike bread and butter d
d 1 1ike toast and jam d
d That's what baby feeds me d
d 1'm her 1oving man d
d Uh, he 1ikes bread and butter d
d Uh, he 1ikes toast and jam d
d That's what his baby feeds him d
d And he's her 1oving man d
d We11, she don't cook mashed potatoes d
d she don't cook T-bone steak d
- d she don't feed me peanut butter d - c Woman ] And wi11...
- d she knows that 1 can't take d - strengthen your heart a11 ye that wi11 hope in the Lord.
d Uh, he 1ikes bread and butter d
d Uh, he 1ikes toast and jam dd
1'm gonna 1eave you a1one with your thoughts now.
And when 1 come back we'11 ta1k about...
what we've just read.
si1ent1y and serious1y,
- c snoring ] - that's how 1 want you to think.
c Narrator ] our sunday schoo1 teacher was an unhappy woman...
by the name of Miss Leavey.
Her name suited her perfect1y, as she was a1ways 1eaving c1ass.
c A11 Gigg1ing ]
- He's so cute. - c Boy Groans ]
c Narrator ] simon Birch was so tiny that we 1oved to pick him up.
Hey, put me down.
1n truth, we cou1dn't resist picking him up.
We thought it was a mirac1e how 1itt1e he weighed.
Cut it out, you assho1es.
Hey, no tick1ing.
- c sighs ] - c simon ] 1'm warning you.
c Boy ] Pass him to me !
c Miss Leavey ] simon Birch ?
Down !
c Narrator ] 1 never understood Miss Leavey's reaction.
Did she think simon c1imbed up there on his own ?
or that 1eaving us a1one with our thoughts had so empowered us that...
simon was 1evitating up to heaven ?
But simon was no rat. As vivid1y as any story in the Bib1e,
simon showed us what a martyr was.
simon Birch was the sma11est de1ivery...
every recorded in the history of Gravestown Memoria1 Hospita1.
c Doctor ] okay, Mrs. Birch...
the nurse is gonna give you a shot here to he1p with the pain...
- and then we'11 get started. - okay.
- c sneezing ] - Gesundheit !
- ooh ! - ooh ! - Doctor !
- c Baby Cooing ] - oh-oh, dear.
oh.
c Narrator ] simon's father owned the Birch Granite Company.
Mr. Birch was a big be1iever in the rock.
And just about everything in their house was made from granite,
- c Approaching Footsteps ] - inc1uding Mr. Birch.
Eh--
- c Babies Cooing ] - c Doctor ] Excuse us, p1ease. Excuse us.
Excuse us, p1ease. Heh !
c Narrator ] A1ong with just about everything e1se...
simon was born with an undersized heart.
The prognosis wasn't good, and Dr. We11s warned...
the Birches that simon probab1y wou1dn't 1ast through the night.
Fit-Fit right there in the pa1m of my hand.
But he did.
sti11, the comp1ication seemed too great, and Dr. We11s warned...
the Birches that simon probab1y wou1dn't 1ast through the week.
But he did.
c Birds Chirping ]
The Birches didn't know what to make of their pecu1iar, 1itt1e disappointment.
so they made nothing of it at a11.
c Mr. Birch ] 1'm going to work.
c Narrator ] Weeks turned into months.
And months turned into years.
Come on, we're 1ate.
No, you're 1ate. 1'm just riding with you.
c Narrator ] The doctors proc1aimed simon a mirac1e.
And he was quick to remind any of us if we forgot.
c simon ] Not so fast. s1ow down.
- 1'm a mirac1e, you know. - Yeah. Yeah.
c Narrator ] But even mirac1es can't go on forever.
And a1though we never ta1ked about it, it was never far from our minds.
c Man #1 Laughs ] Here they come,
the Wenteworth bastard and his granite mouse.
c Man #2 Laughs ] Hey, Birch, nice sidecar. What you use ? A matchbox ?
- c Bicyc1e Be11 Rings ] - Have a nice day.
Goddamn kids got no respect these days.
c simon Laughs ]
- dd c Rock ] - c Ma1e Radio Announcer ] 1t's another beautifu1...
autumn day friends, and so sit back, re1ax...
and so 1et ''Big Daddy'' Dave Barton do the driving...
as we cruise on down the highway of hits here on WGV...
the sound of Gravestown.
Let's c1ick on the turnsti1es of our wax fi1es.
This one goes out to our Gravestown Tigers.
d This cat named Mickey came from out of town, now d c Continues, 1ndistinct ]
c Narrator ] Baseba11 is a 1ot 1ike 1ife for a 12-year-o1d.
You spent most of your time waiting for the excitement to begin...
on1y to discover 1ater that it's a1ready past you by.
c Man ] Think out there, boys. okay ? When you're out there, think !
- 1 was just thinking. - Yeah ?
- Last year we p1ayed in the squirt 1eague, right ? - Uh-huh.
- And this year we're in the peewees. - so ?
Do they want us to p1ay baseba11 or urinate ?
Anyway, 1 was just thinking.
c Narrator ] My mom got pregnant during her senior year at high schoo1.
The fact that she refused to divu1ge my father's identity...
- upgraded it to a fu11-f1edged scanda1. - Hi, Joe !
Hi, Miss Wenteworth.
Hi, simon.
How's my 1itt1e do11 ?
Your mother has the best breasts of a11 the mothers.
- Yeah. - And she sme11s the best too.
- 1 know. - she's so sexy that...
sometimes 1 forget she's someone's mother.
- okay ! okay ! - 1 was just being honest.
We11, what if 1 said the same thing about your mother ?
1'd have you committed.
c Narrator ] Nobody knew her secret. Not even me.
- And 1 wou1dn't know it to this day, if it wasn't for simon Birch. - ooh !
c Whist1es ] Birch, on deck.
Go get 'em, simon.
You go, simon. You'11 be wonderfu1.
c Narrator ] simon 1oved baseba11.
1'm not sure why.
He rare1y got to p1ay and when he did, he was ordered not to swing.
His strike zone was minuscu1e.
Ho1y shit !
c Boy #1 ] Ha ! Look at this kid.
- 1t's the friggin' hobbit. - Nah, it's Thumbe1ina.
- You're both wrong. 1t's a pinch-hitting munchkin. - c Man ] okay, a11 right.
- Let's p1ay ba11. - c Miss Wenteworth] Do your thing, simon.
- show 'em how it's done. - okay, Foster, he's yours.
- O-1. - Good eye, Birch.
- Good eye, son. - c Coach ] Foster, easy.
- You don't need your fastba11 on this guy. - c Crowd Chattering ]
- O-2. - A11 right. Lay it in easy, now.
1'm trying. shit !
- Zero, three. - That was great !
- Way to watch. - Thank you, Miss Wenteworth.
c Man ] A11 right. Let's go Foster, buddy. Right in there, buddy.
- Ba11 four ! - shit !
- Take your base. - c Muff1ed Chattering ]
- c Boy ] Whoa ! - c Boy ] Take a 1ook at that !
c Foster ] Be waiting for you next time.
Your head's bigger than your strike zone, pa1.
c Grunts ]
c Narrator ] Pitchers a1ways threatened to hit simon, but it rare1y happened.
1 think they were afraid of ki11ing him.
Hi ! How's it going ?
d Ah, 1isten everybody d
- d Especia11y you, gir1 d - c Boy ] six, seven,
- eight, nine, ten. - d 1s it right to be 1eft a1one d
d Whi1e the one you 1ove is never home d
d 1 1ove too hard Ah, my friends sometimes say d
- d But 1 be1ieve 1 be1ieve d - c Both ] Timber-r-r !
d That a woman shou1d be 1oved that way d
d But it hurts me so inside d
- d To see her treat me so unkind d - Race you to the quarry.
- d somebody, somewhere d - 1'm gonna beat you. 1 know a shortcut.
- No, you don't. - d Te11 her it's unfair Can 1 get a witness d
d Can 1 get a witness d
- d Can 1 get a witness d - one year good 1uck.
- d somebody d
d 1s it right to be treated so bad d
d When you've given everything you have d
d Even tossin' in my s1eep d
d 'Cause 1 haven't seen my baby a11 week d
d Now you chicks do agree d
- d That this ain't the way 1ove's supposed to be d - To1d you 1 knew a shortcut.
d Let me hear you d
d Uh, 1et me hear you say, yeah d
- oh, man, that's co1d. - 1t's freezing.
- d Up ear1y in the morning d - oh, man, my ba11s just turned into marb1es.
My ba11s just turned into BBs. c Gigg1es ]
dd c Continues, 1ndistinct ]
c sighs ]
- Time me. - simon !
- P1ease ! - Why does it matter how 1ong...
- you can ho1d your breath ? - 1 don't know. 1t just does.
one Mississippi. Two Mississippi.
Three Mississippi. Four Mississippi.
Joe.
- c Gir1s Gigg1ing ] - c sighs ]
- Hi, Joe ! - Hi, Ann.
Hi, Marjorie ! What are you guys up to ?
- No good. - Where's simon ?
He's around.
- He's so adorab1e. - Like a 1itt1e do11.
Time ! Time ! Time !
- Thirty Mississippi. - Thirty Mississippi ?
Thirty Mississippi ? 1 counted 34 Mississippi.
You know, why do you have me count it if you are just gonna count yourse1f ?
1 want a verification.
- Hi, simon. - d You give me fever d
d When you kiss me fever when you ho1d me tight d c Continues, 1ndistinct ]
- c Gir1s Gigg1ing ] - When did they get here ?
- About 14 Mississippi. - Marjorie's got breasts.
- Yeah. - And soon they'11 be boobs.
- 1 know. - Maybe she'11 1et us touch them sometime,
- if we paid her. - Why don't you ask her ?
- oh, uh, Marjorie ? - stop it ! stop it !
Uh, simon has a question for you.
- What is it, simon ? - Nothing. Good-bye.
He wants to know, uh, maybe if he paid you...
cou1d he touch your bre--
- He wants to know if he cou1d touch your bre-- - Quiet ! okay ?
- He wants to know if-- - c Gigg1ing ]
- He wants to know-- He just wants to know-- - c Gigg1ing Continues ]
- 1 think Marjorie 1ikes you. - she 1ikes you.
- she said you were cute. - she means cute 1ike a baby turt1e is cute.
- Gir1s don't kiss baby turt1es. - How do you know ?
1 just know. 1f you were me,
you'd know too.
But things wi11 be different...
once God makes me a hero.
You know, you shou1dn't ta1k about this hero stuff, simon.
- Why not ? - Because it's weird.
- The other kids tease you enough as it is. - 1 don't care. 1t's the truth.
But you don't have any proof.
1 don't need proof. 1 have faith.
Your prob1em is that you have no faith.
1 got faith. 1 just want proof to back it up.
c Joe Narrating ] We 1ived in my grandmother's house, a monster of a p1ace.
- 1t was frequent1y mistaken for the Gravestown 1nn. - c Grandmother ] shoo ! shoo !
- 1t's not an inn. - The fact that never ceased...
to irritate my grandmother.
But then again, most everything irritated my grandmother.
- Hi, Grandmother. - s1ow down.
c Joe Narrating ] Particu1ar1y simon Birch.
- Hi, 1adies ! - That creature.
c Joe Narrating ] But that's not to say that she didn't have her kind side.
1n fact, when our maid Hi1die got cancer and had to have her 1eg removed,
Grandmother hired two more maids,
one just to 1ook after Hi1die.
Hi1die never worked another day in her 1ife.
And as the years went on, she even began to 1ook 1ike my grandmother...
- and not 1ike a maid at a11. - That chi1d is positive1y...
- unnatura1. - Most pecu1iar.
- And his voice 1ike-- - A mouse.
More than one. Like mice.
- strang1ed mice. - c Laughs ] strang1ed mice.
Very good, Hi1die.
He11o, everyone !
What's wrong with you ?
- There's nothing wrong with me. - Hi, Mom.
- c Hi1die ] somethin's goin' on. - Yes, something's going on. You 1ook a11... shiny.
We11, 1 met a man on the train.
- The good 'o1 Boston and Maine. - You're pregnant ?
c Chuck1es ] Mother, 1 just met him.
The 1ast time you met a man on the Boston and Maine,
- you came home pregnant. - Mother.
- Am 1 gonna have a 1itt1e brother ? - Everyone, p1ease.
1've on1y spoken with him, but 1 1ike him very much.
- Mmm. - Mmm.
so, when do we get to meet this Mr. Wonderfu1 ?
c Doorbe11 Rings ]
c Hi1die, Grandmother Together ] Good Lord.
c Grandmother ] Yo1anda !
Hey, wait up ! Wait for me ! 1 wanna see too.
c Grandmother ] simon Birch, get away from there. You'11 scare him off.
1 can't see. 1 can't see.
- He11o, Ben. - He11o, Rebecca.
- We were just ta1king about you. - Rea11y ?
- Come on in. - Thank you.
You must be simon...
and that wou1d make you Joe ?
Nice to meet ya. 1 heard a11 about you from your mom on the train.
- What's in the bag ? - Joseph !
oh, no, no, that's okay. Uh, as a matter of fact, Joe, this is something that 1 bought for you.
c Joe Narrating ] My mother's dates were a1ways bringing me presents...
in their feeb1e attempts to win me over, but it never worked.
- so, Joseph, what do you say ? - Nice bag.
1 te11 you what. Um, why don't 1 take this...
and just put it right over here on this tab1e.
And then you can take a 1ook at it if you fee1 1ike.
1t's probab1y some stupid Legos or something.
oh, um, cou1d you guys do me a favor ?
Uh, just keep an eye on the bag for me.
And, uh, give me a ho11er if it moves.
okay ?
Thanks.
c Grandmother ] You're a drama teacher ?
- They teach that ? - We11, what 1 try and do, Mrs. Wenteworth,
is-is use the theater to get students to express themse1ves...
- in ways they norma11y cou1dn't. - How do you do that ?
We11, one way that 1 found works we11 is by introducing props.
- Young peop1e seem to respond to that. - What kind of props ?
We11, kind of 1ike the one 1 just 1eft out there in the ha11.
Matter of fact, there cou1d be a 1itt1e drama unfo1ding just as we speak.
We'11 soon see.
- c Laughing ] - oh, boy, that's a 1ot of peas.
Why don't 1 just put a few of these back here ?
1 don't need that many peas.
- Did you see that ? - What ?
- 1 think it moved. - You're imagining it.
- Maybe it's a puppy. - Not un1ess it's a dead puppy.
Yeah. He wou1dn't bring a dead puppy on the first date.
1t's something e1se.
1 bet he's just putting us on. 1 bet there's nothing even in there.
He's just p1aying a joke on us. Go ahead and open it.
- 1'm not opening it. - Don't you wanna see what's inside ?
What 1 want to do and what 1 do are two separate things.
1f we a11 went around doing what we wanted a11 the time, there'd be chaos.
You open it.
- c screaming ] - c screaming ]
- The prop. - c Joe ] What was that ?
- c simon ] 1t's a monster ! - c Both screaming ]
- c Ben ] You're okay. - c Joe ] He1p ! - 1sn't he terrific ?
- c simon ] He's going to eat us. - c Ben ] You're okay. 1t's just an armadi11o.
- A what ? - 1t's a stuffed armadi11o. see ?
1 picked it up on my way through san Antonio 1ast week.
1t's not that bad once you get used to it.
c Ben ] What do you think, Joe ?
- 1 don't want it. - Can 1 have it ?
We11, why don't you, uh, uh, give it a chance !
Maybe it'11 grow on you.
d For your 1ove d
c Ben ] so shir1ey Temp1e says to senator McCarthy...
- 1 didn't say, ''commie,'' 1 said, ''Moppie.'' - c Rebecca Laughing ]
Uh, Mom ? Can simon s1eep over ?
We wanna spend the night out under the stars.
sure, honey, as 1ong as it's a11 right with simon's parents.
- They don't care. - Wi11 you do me a favor anyway and ca11 them ?
dd c Continues, 1ndistinct ]
c Line Ringing ]
- c Mr. Birch ] Yeah ? - Can 1 s1eep over at Joe's tonight ?
- 1 don't care. - 1'm ready for my good-night kisses.
- oh, Mom. - Me first ! Me first !
oh, don't you ''oh, Mom'' me. Get up here. Mm-whaa !
Good night, honey. Love you.
simon, isn't it a 1itt1e coo1 outside ?
Don't you think you need a sweater ?
1t's hard to find sweaters my size.
They have to make them specia1 and my dad says they're too expensive.
Here.
- How about that ? - Thank you, Miss Wenteworth.
- Mm. Love you. - Good night, Ben Goodrich !
Bonsoir Monsieur Birch.
Buenas noches, senor Wenteworth.
c Disgusted sigh ]
c Rebecca ] You boys stay in the yard.
c simon ] 1 1ike him.
c Joe ] 1 don't.
Maybe God sent him to be your father.
God sent me a screwba11 with an armadi11o ?
God has a p1an for everyone, inc1uding Ben Goodrich.
- dd c Radio, 1ndistinct ] - c Dog Barking ]
We11, he's not my father.
My rea1 father is out there somewhere.
Mr. Hanson has your eyes.
- The shop teacher ? - And he's a 1efty, 1ike you.
That's 'cause he chopped off his right thumb with the tab1e saw.
1 didn't say he was a natura1 1efty.
Maybe he chopped off his thumb on purpose to show your mother...
how much he 1oved her, 1ike Van Gogh with his ear.
1 can't see my mom being attracted to a meta1 shop teacher.
Art or Eng1ish maybe, but not meta1 shop.
1 don't understand why she doesn't just te11 you.
You're a1ready a bastard. You might as we11 be an en1ightened one.
- she said she'd te11 me when 1'm o1d enough. - When's that ?
1 don't know. soon, 1 hope.
c Joe Narrating ] Things were getting serious between my mother...
and the armadi11o-wie1ding Ben Goodrich,
enough so that one sunday she brought him with us to church.
c seagu11s squawking ]
Hi, Joe ! Hi, Miss Wenteworth ! Hi, Ben Goodrich !
c Rebecca ] Hi, simon !
1 have something for you.
- You made that for me ? - 1 did indeed, my 1itt1e do11.
1 think it's gonna be getting coo1 pretty soon and you need to have...
a beautifu1 sweater just for you.
Hopefu11y, a good fit.
so, 1et's see ?
oops ! c Chuck1es ] oh, my goodness.
We11,
what a very 1ong piece of yarn.
- He 1ooks 1ike a hobo. - 1t's perfect.
Just 1ike you.
Come on.
c Reverend ] B1essed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
1 said 1 wi11 confess my transgressions unto the Lord...
and Thou forgave us the inequity of my sin.
- The Word of the Lord. - c A11 ] Thanks be to God.
1'd 1ike to take a few minutes to discuss some...
of the upcoming activities on the church ca1endar.
Here we go.
- What's wrong, simon ? - Who knows what God thinks about current events ?
- Does someone have a question ? - Uh, no, sir.
Uh, Your Honor, no--
Father, thank you. No, sir.
1t's a1ways nice to see new faces in the congregation.
Uh, 1'd 1ike to invite them...
to join my wife and chi1dren and, uh, myse1f...
for coffee and donuts downstairs after the service.
- What does coffee and donuts have to do with God ? - simon Birch, be quiet.
simon, is there something you'd 1ike to share with the rest of us ?
1 said, ''What does coffee and donuts have to do with God ?''
They're mere1y refreshments so peop1e can socia1ize and, uh, discuss the upcoming activities.
Whoever said that church needs a continenta1 breakfast ?
- simon ! - 1 doubt that God is interested in our church activities.
- simon ! - 1f God has made the church bake sa1e our priority,
then 1'd say we're a11 in a 1ot of troub1e.
simon, that is enough !
- c Grunts ] - Chi1dren may be excused...
to go to sunday schoo1.
c seething ]
- c Ms. Leavey ] simon ? - Yes, ma'am ?
Don't you fee1 that you owe Reverend Russe11 an apo1ogy ?
- simon ? - 1'm thinking.
We11, you can just sit there and think...
unti1 you apo1ogize to poor Reverend Russe11.
C1ass dismissed.
Joe, dismissed.
- see you 1ater, a11igator. - After a whi1e, crocodi1e.
- Reverend Russe11. - Go on outside, Joe.
- He didn't mean anything. - stop making excuses for him.
1f simon is going to be a member of our congregation,
he has to start behaving 1ike a norma1 person.
- He is a norma1 person. - simon Birch is not a norma1 person.
Just go on outside, Joe.
c sighing ] We11...
are we, uh, ready to apo1ogize ?
He's thinking about it.
simon.
What do you think you're doing sitting in a corner ?
- Thinking about God. - 1n a corner ?
Faith is not in a f1oor p1an.
c sighs ]
- Keep him here. - But for how 1ong ?
As 1ong as it takes.
- Mom. - Hi, honey. Where's simon ?
Didn't your mother ever teach you...
how to keep quiet during mass ?
Tsk. What am 1 saying ?
of course she didn't.
Your parents don't go to church, do they, simon ?
see, that's because they don't be1ong here.
And neither do you.
speaking out of turn, disrupting the c1ass,
te11ing the other chi1dren that-- that God has a specia1 p1an for you.
c Miss Leavey ] What kind of nonsense is this ?
And what kind of nonsense is this ?
- He11o, Rebecca. - Come on, simon.
1 was just-- No, wait. 1 was--
- out. - 1 was teaching him a 1esson.
- c Rebecca ] And what 1esson is that ? Humi1iation ? - oh, man, this is so boss.
- This is a11 my fau1t. - Hey, don't take a11 the credit. she's my mom.
Te11ing the chi1dren that he's some kind of hero. That he's--
- That he's God's instrument. - And who's to say he isn't ?
- Who do you think wou1d win in a fight ? - Good question.
Miss Leavey is meaner, but she's a smoker. Your mom cou1d out1ast her.
We can't have him ta1king that way.
1t frightens the other chi1dren.
oh, 1 think it's you it frightens, Miss Leavey.
What ? Why wou1d 1 be frightened of 1itt1e simon Birch ?
Because that chi1d has more faith than you'11 ever know.
- c Together ] Ahh ! - oh, goodness gracious.
Come on, you two.
Come on, boys. Let's go find Ben.
- My jacket ! - oh, that's okay, simon. 1'11 get it for you.
Thank you, Miss Wenteworth.
You know what, simon ? Thank you.
strike three ! You're out, batter.
c Joe Narrating ] october 3O, 1964.
our team was getting beaten bad1y by Horseshoe Bay.
This wasn't an a1together uncommon occurrence,
but on this particu1ar day, for no particu1ar reason,
Coach Higgins decided to pack it in, so we cou1d a11 go home.
1t was a decision that wou1d haunt the poor man for the rest of his 1ife.
simon ! c Whist1es ]
You're up.
c Woman ] Come on, simon. Come on.
c Boy ] Just make contact with the ba11.
- c Man ] oh, no. - c spectators Murmuring ]
simon, swing away.
- What ? - You heard me. swing the bat.
- Yes, sir. - c Man ] A11 right, set 'em up and knock 'em down.
c Woman ] You got it, simon.
c Man ] Pitch this one home.
Ba11... one.
simon.
- swing the bat. - 1t was too high.
Come on, simon. You can do it.
- send it over the fence. - Be sure to 1et go of the bat, so you don't go with it.
c Man ] A11 right. Let's go.
- Ba11... two. - simon.
swing the bat. swing.
- 1'm picking my pitch. - Ah, for Christ's sakes.
c Man 1n Distance ] Rebecca !
c No Audio ]
c A11 Chattering, 1ndistinct ]
- sh-she's dead. - c A11 Gasping ]
c sobbing ]
1'm sorry.
c Crying ] 1'm sorry.
- c Be11 To11ing ] - c Reverend Russe11 ] Lord, grant that 1 may seek more...
- to comfort, than to be comforted, - c Be11 To11ing Continues ]
to 1ove, than be 1oved.
For it is by se1f-forgetting that one finds...
Hear our prayers on beha1f of Thy servant, Rebecca.
And grant her entrance into the 1and of 1ight and joy,
in the fe11owship of Thy saints.
1n sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eterna1 1ife...
through our Lord, Jesus Christ, we commend our sister, Rebecca.
And we commit her body to the ground.
Earth to earth, ashes to ashes.
And dust to dust.
The Lord b1ess her and keep her.
Amen.
c Ben ] Mind if 1 join ya ?
Whatcha got there ?
simon's baseba11 cards. He gave 'em to me.
Hmm.
1 don't get it. stupid baseba11 cards are...
simon's favorite thing in the wor1d.
Maybe that's why he gave them to you.
1 don't want 'em.
That's a good thing because 1 bet you he wants 'em back.
c sighs Deep1y ]
- 1 sti11 don't get it. - Maybe it's his way of saying, ''sorry.''
That he sti11 1oves you.
1 mean, he's trusting you with them, right ?
- so what shou1d 1 do ? - 1 don't know.
Give him somethin' in return ?
somethin' that he knows you want back.
c Knocking ]
What's this ?
1t's for simon. Make sure he gets it.
- c Woman screaming ] - c Thudding sound ]
c Crickets Chirping ]
My mother found the armadi11o.
- she fainted. - For rea1 ?
Just 1ike in the movies. screamed and dropped.
- Coo1. - 1t was pretty boss.
Here.
You know, when 1 first saw the bag, 1 thought that maybe the baseba11 was in it.
- What ? Why ? - 1 don't know.
You did take it, didn't you ?
Why wou1d 1 want to possess that fated baseba11 ?
We11, somebody took the ba11.
Who e1se wou1d want it ?
- Maybe he was there that day. - Who ?
Your father. Maybe he took the ba11.
1'm sorry, Joe.
- 1t was out of my hands. - What do you mean ?
1'm God's instrument. 1 wish it was someone e1se.
- But he wanted it to be me. - simon, it was an accident.
There are no accidents. God has a p1an for a11 of us.
There's no p1an, simon. Don't you understand that by now ?
- But God-- - There is no God.
1t's 1ike be1ieving in santa C1aus or the Easter bunny.
- 1t's a11 bu11shit, simon. - Don't say that.
My mom is dead because she got hit by a baseba11,
and you're sma11 because you were born a sick baby.
That's it. Just stop trying to make sense of it a11. You can't.
Joe.
simon.
c sobbing ]
c Whispering ] 1nto paradise...
may the ange1s...
1ead you.
c Joe Ye11ing 1n Distance ] simon. simon.
1 hear you. What do you want ?
What do you want from me ?
simon, it's me.
oh.
1 thought you were...
someone e1se.
c sobbing ]
1'm sorry.
1 know.
c Crying ]
Come on. Let's go home.
c Together ] Timber-r-r !
c Laughs ]
one year good 1uck.
oh ! oh, man, that's co1d !
- 1t's freezing ! - My ba11s just turned into prunes.
My ba11s just turned into raisins.
Look !
Come on. 1'11 race you to the dock.
Nah, 1 don't think-- Ready, set, go.
Hey, cheater !
c Laughing ]
c Joe Narrating ] When someone you 1ove dies,
you don't 1ose them a11 at once.
You 1ose them in pieces, over time.
Like how the mai1 stops coming.
What 1 remember most to this day was my mother's scent.
And how 1 hated it when it began to disappear.
First from her c1osets and drawers,
then from her dresses she had sewed herse1f,
and fina11y, from her bed sheets and pi11owcases.
simon and 1 never ta1ked much about that day on the baseba11 fie1d.
1t was too painfu1 for both of us.
For as much as 1 1oved my mother,
1 knew that simon 1oved her just as much.
she was the on1y rea1 mother he ever had.
Hi, Grandmother.
Grandmother ?
Joe.
Come here.
sit down.
Your mother was very proud of you.
Do you know that ?
she didn't want any other chi1dren.
Just you.
1'm o1d, Joe. 1 won't be around forever.
- Grandmother, don't say that. - shh.
And when 1 die,
there wi11 be no one 1eft to 1ook after you.
so, we have to decide what's to become of you.
What about my father ?
on1y your mother knew who that was.
she never even to1d me.
We11, what if 1 cou1d find him ?
1 mean, if he cou1d just meet me. 1f he knew what 1 was 1ike.
You can't think that way.
You have on1y yourse1f to depend on now.
Understand ?
You go wash up.
c Joe Narrating ] 1 knew then that p1aying the guessing game...
with simon wasn't going to be enough anymore.
1 no 1onger just wanted to know just who my father was,
1 had to know, and 1 was running out of time.
dd c ''Theme From Peter Gunn'' ]
suspect at 2:OO.
- Mr. Van Gundy ? - He taught your mother piano, right?
That was five years ago, simon. 1'm 12, remember ?
oh, yeah. You're kind of sma11 for your age, aren't you? c Laughing ]
suspect sweeping.
- Mr. Prescott ? - He a1ways saved the best cuts of meat for my mom.
1 don't see how pork chops cou1d 1ead to intercourse, no matter how good they are.
dd c Continues ]
- Hi, Ben. - Hey. - dd c Ends ]
- What are you guys doing ? - We were just-- - 1t's persona1.
oh.
- Hey, Ben. - Hey, Bob. How are you ?
c Together ] Hi, Mr. Baker.
Hey, guys. Hi, Joe.
You know, 1 didn't get a chance to ta1k to you after the funera1.
There were a 1ot of peop1e.
That's because your mother was a very specia1 person.
- c Gasps ] - You need anything,
just ca11, okay ?
- okay. - okay.
We11, good 1uck on your first day of schoo1, guys.
Just give me a ho11er if you need anything, Ben.
The office isn't usua11y much he1p.
okay, thanks.
1 might try out for the swim team this year, Mr. Baker.
That's great, Joe.
1'm a swimmer just 1ike you. 1'm just 1ike you.
Hey, either you guys taking any drama courses this fa11 ?
so, you know what 1'm gonna do ? 1'm gonna finish off my errands,
and, uh, if you guys fee1 1ike it, uh, come say ''hi'' tomorrow.
okay ? A11 right.
Bye, Ben.
- He ca11ed my mom a specia1 person. - A ''very'' specia1 person.
They did spend the night ta1king at the parent-teacher conference.
Why didn't you mention this before ?
1t's a parent-teacher conference, they're supposed to ta1k.
Not a11 night. Especia11y with a gym teacher.
What did you think they were doing ?
Discussing your future in dodgeba11 ?
Mr. Baker.
Yeah.
Let's go ! Let's go ! Keep your 1egs kicking !
Keep your 1egs kicking right to the end !
- c Whist1e B1ows ] - Hey, that's great. That's great. Good work.
Good work, you guys. That's pretty good for a first day of practice.
sean, good work. Grab a towe1.
Terrific !
We'11 see you guys tomorrow.
c Gasping ]
- c Gasping ] Fifty-four Mississippi. - shh. God, simon.
- 1t's a new record. - News f1ash. Nobody cares.
1 care.
- c Grow1ing ] - Did you hear that ?
shh.
c Grow1ing Continues ]
- What is it ? - Aah ! 1t's a horse.
- c Chain Ratt1ing ] - c Dog Grow1ing ]
c snar1ing ]
Nice dog.
c Man ] Brutus ! Brutus, where are you ?
c Man Whist1ing ]
Come on.
1t's 1ocked.
- We11, 1 guess that's that. Come on. Let's go. - Wait !
Do you think if 1 gave you a boost, you might be ab1e...
to reach the mai1 s1ot and un1ock the door ?
- No. - oh, come on !
You're a1ways saying that God has a specia1 p1an for you, right ?
- That he made you this size for a reason. - 1 don't think God's p1an...
inc1udes breaking and entering.
We're not breaking anything ! Come on, p1ease ?
- ow, ow, ow. - Did you get it ?
ow ! Got it ! oh !
1t's 1ocked ! Now, 1et's go !
- Are you crazy ? - 1've got to know.
We11, go on.
We11, is it our ba11 ? Does it say ''Tigers'' ?
Come on, Joe. What's it say ?
- 1t's-1t's not fair. - Joe ?
- Joe ! - 1t's not fair !
c Brutus Barking ]
1t's not fair.
c siren B1aring ]
d Nowhere to run to, baby d
d Nowhere to hide d
d Got nowhere to run to, baby d
d Nowhere to hide d
d 1t's not 1ove 1'm runnin' from d
d Just the heartbreak 1 know wi11 come d
dd c Continues, 1ndistinct ]
What the he11's the matter with you boys ?
Baker fai1 you in phys ed or something ?
- simon didn't do anything. This is a11 my fau1t. - 1 he1ped you break in.
- No, he didn't. - You cou1dn't have done it without me.
- shut up, wi11 ya ? - c officer ] Nice try, Joe.
Now, the way that 1 figure this,
you can either do hard time right here in prison,
or you can do community service.
Community service.
That's what 1 thought.
And 1've a1ready ca11ed the reverend, and he'd be just de1ighted...
to have the two of you he1p him with his Junior Lamb's Winter Retreat.
But that's over Christmas break.
Yeah, we don't want to babysit the stupid third graders at some dumb camp.
Fine ! 1'11 just go out there in the back room and get your prison uniforms.
- okay, okay ! We'11 do it. - c Chuck1es ] Good.
Now, Joe. 1'm gonna ca11 your grandmother to come and pick you up.
- oh, she doesn't drive. - We11, 1've got to have somebody pick you two up.
1've on1y got two men on tonight and they're both out in the fie1d.
- What about my parents ? - Joe, do you have any other re1atives ?
- No, sir. - Did you ca11 my parents ?
Yes, 1 did.
What did they say ?
They said that...
maybe that we shou1d 1eave you here for the night.
1 guess they thought it might teach you a 1esson.
Anyhow, 1 gotta get you guys outta here.
Do you know anybody that might come down here at this hour of the night ?
- Yeah. - Who ?
Yeah, who ?
c Big Daddy ] Just about to 1and in WGV. Let's c1ick on the turnsti1es on our wax fi1es.
- Ben ? - Yeah ?
- Are you mad ? - No.
We11, baff1ed, but not mad.
1 assume you had a good reason for doing what you did.
- The reason is that Joe went psycho. - shut up, simon.
That's a good reason as any.
- 1t is ? - sure.
Everyone's got to reserve the right to go a 1itt1e nuts every now and then.
- Life isn't a1ways so easy. - or fair.
oh, it's certain1y not fair.
Hey, you guys want to go get,
uh, some pizza or a hot dog or somethin' ?
- You want to take us for pizza ? - Yeah, it's 9:OO. Aren't you hungry?
1t's not that. 1t wou1d be 1ike...
rewarding us for bad behavior.
- But if you rea11y want to. - No, Joe.
1t wou1dn't be right to take advantage of Ben 1ike that.
No pizza for us.
okay.
1ce cream ?
c Joe ] so, now 1 don't know if 1'11 ever find out who my father is.
Maybe she figured you weren't ready for the truth.
Ben ?
Do you know the truth ?
No. 1 guess your mom was just gonna te11 me when she was ready.
But if you did know, wou1d you te11 me ?
Yeah.
Yes, 1 wou1d.
Ben ?
Did Miss Wenteworth ever ta1k about me ?
c Chuck1es ] A11 the time, simon.
Everybody ta1ks about you.
That's how we keep from gettin' bored.
- Did she te11 you about my destiny ? - simon !
What do you mean ?
- 1'm going to be a hero. - You are ?
Pretty vague job description, isn't it ?
- How you gonna do that ? - 1 don't know.
1 keep waiting for God to show me a sign.
Like the burning bush in the Ten Commandments.
c Chuck1es ]
But 1 guess he doesn't go in for that kind of thing anymore.
We11, uh, you know, you got to be a 1itt1e patient.
1 have been patient, but 1'm running out of time.
simon, you're 12 years o1d !
You've got a11 the time in the wor1d !
1 don't think so, Ben.
c Joe Narrating ] Time is a monster that cannot be reasoned with.
1t responds 1ike a snai1 to our impatience.
Then it races 1ike a gaze11e when you can't catch your breath.
simon and 1 were in such a hurry to get to the answers at the end...
of the road that we never took time to read the signs a1ong the way.
How cou1d we have known that everything was working together for a reason ?
c Miss Leavey ] And so 1 expect each and every one of you...
wi11 1end a hand in making this...
the best Christmas pageant ever.
so, now, are there any vo1unteers for ro1es,
- or sha11 1 just choose ? - We11, 1'11 p1ay Joseph !
Good for you, Eddie.
- Looks 1ike 1 got the 1ead. - What 1ead ?
1t's the Virgin Mary, Eddie.
What does Joseph have to do with anything ?
A11 right, now. Any vo1unteers for Mary ?
Beautifu1, beautifu1 Mother Mary.
Mary, Mary, Mary.
Who wi11 it be ?
Marjorie ?
Wou1d you 1ike to be our Mary this year ?
- Yes, ma'am. - Good gir1 !
A11 right, now. Which one of our...
future stars c Chuck1es ] wou1d 1ike to be the Three Wise Men ?
Hm ?
Three Wise Men. Who's it gonna be ?
A11 right.
Gary, A11en, Matthew, you wi11 be the Wise Men.
Now 1et's see what we've got.
Ah, we11, we've got the shepherds,
but they don't have a 1ot to do.
c Joe Narrating ] Miss Leavey a1ways tried to downp1ay...
the ro1e of the shepherds, but we weren't foo1ed.
We knew they were the p1um ro1es because a11 you had to do...
was stand around with a staff and try not to 1augh...
at the poor saps that got stuck with the speaking parts.
A11 right. Hands-Hands down. Hands down.
Uh, Joe, Me1anie, Ming, Tommy.
You wi11 be our shepherds.
A11 right. Now, 1et's see what's next.
We've got-- oh, the ange1.
Yes, the ange1.
The wonderfu1 ange1 of the Lord...
suspended high, high above everyone e1se... c Whist1es ]
the wonderfu1, magnificent ange1 of the Lord.
Aww !
- 1 can't ! 1'm afraid of heights ! - We11, then, this wi11 be...
the perfect chance to face your fears.
- Can't 1 be a donkey or somethin' ? - You're an ange1.
You have your own specia1 pi11ar of 1ight for a11 the wor1d to see.
- We11, 1'11 switch with Howard. - c Miss Leavey ] No ! - Yeah !
-1 cou1d be Joseph. Joseph does nothing. -To1d ya.
You are going to make a wonderfu1 ange1, Howard.
- But-- - Thank you.
- c Howard, Muttering ] Psycho. - c simon ] What about me ?
We11, simon, you know what ?
- You have the most important ro1e of a11. - No.
Without you, there wou1d be no p1ay.
1'm not p1aying the baby Jesus, so just forget it !
- You're the on1y one who fits into the manger. - 1 won't do it !
Come on, simon. 1t'11 be fun.
- c Chi1dren Laughing ] - d Never know how much 1 1ove you dd
Easy ! 1t says swadd1ing c1othes. swadd1e it !
simon, that is so cute !
- 1 1ook 1ike a burn victim. - c Laughs ]
- You made her 1augh. - she's 1aughing at me.
What's the difference ? she 1ikes you.
Everyone 1ikes the swadd1ing baby Jesus.
- 1t's great ! - You rea11y 1ike it ? We11, thank you.
Why does Ming get a11 the gir1s ?
But, uh, things wi11 be different...
once God makes you a hero, right, simon ?
- Right ? - Huh ?
oh, yeah. 1 guess.
c Miss Leavey ] You ! You, you, you, you, you, you ! okay, okay. Come on.
so, is everybody ready for dress rehearsa1 ?
- No. - What now, simon ?
What are those ?
- They're turt1edoves. - They 1ook 1ike they're from outer space.
The audience won't know what they are.
They're doves, simon ! The audience knows what a dove is !
They're giant doves ! They're as big as ha1f a donkey !
They're actua11y kind of frightening !
oh, 1ook what 1 found wandering off. A turt1e.
c Laughing ] oh ! A 1itt1e turt1edove ! Look at that.
oh, so how's the rehearsa1 going ?
c Laughing ] He1p. P1ease ! 1'm gonna strang1e him.
1 swear to God ! 1'm gonna strang1e that 1itt1e granite mouse...
if it's the 1ast thing 1 do, with my bare hands !
- 1'm gonna strang1e him ! 1'm a 1itt1e fragi1e right now. - simon.
- Hey ! - You'11 get these back after the pageant.
1f you can stop yourse1f from ruining our p1ay.
Understand ?
Any questions ?
Does God have a p1an for us ?
1 1ike to think he does.
Me too ! 1 think God made me the way 1 am for a reason.
We11, 1'm g1ad that, um, that your faith, uh...
he1ps you dea1 with your, um,
you know, your-your condition.
That's not what 1 mean.
1 think 1'm God's instrument.
That He's gonna use me to carry out His p1an.
1t's wonderfu1 to have faith, simon,
but, uh, 1et's not overdo it.
c Deep Breath ] God's instrument.
c Chi1dren Ye11ing ]
- c Crying ] - Hey, kid. You okay ?
- Hey, kid. - Hi. What's wrong ?
My dad's makin' me go on a retreat tomorrow.
- Why are you crying ? - 1'm scared of a11 the other kids.
They're a 1ot bigger than me.
- Not a11 of them. - Are you going too ?
And 1'11 make sure nothing happens to you. 1 promise.
Now get over there with those other f1ying monkeys where you be1ong.
We're turt1edoves.
Quack. Quack. c Laughing ]
- You're good with him. - Litt1e kids a1ways 1isten to me...
because of the way 1 1ook.
- Too bad Marjorie isn't six years o1d. - Not funny !
The star of Beth1ehem is not a pinata.
Marjorie ! Marjorie ! You spit that gum out right now !
The Virgin Mary does not chew gum.
Where are we going ? You get down from there !
Get down from there now ! 1t's not safe !
1've got ha1f a donkey here. What good is that gonna do me ?
1 need a cigarette.
Monsters.
oh ! oh, he11o, Agnes.
c Laughing ] He11o, Reverend. Hi.
- dd c Piano ] - Ah, ready for tonight ?
Abso1ute1y. c Laughing ]
d Joy to the wor1d d
d Miss Leavey's dead d
d They gui11otined her head d
d We took it from her body d
d And f1ushed it down the potty d
d And watched it go round and round d
d And watched it go round and round and never saw it go down d
d Joy to the wor1d Miss Leavey's gone d
- oh, Agnes. - oh ! oh !
d she's buried in the 1awn d
dd c Continues ]
d Repeat the sounding joy d
d Repeat, repeat the sounding joy d
d He ru1es the wor1d with truth and grace d
Psst ! Psst !
- d And makes the nations prove d - Thank you.
- d The g1ories of his righteousness d - Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas to you too. - d And wonders of his 1ove d
- Merry Christmas. - Merry Christmas.
d And wonders of His 1ove d
d And wonders Wonders of His 1ove dd
dd c Piano ]
c Choir ] d Away in a manger d
- c Audience App1auding ] - d No crib for a bed d
d The 1itt1e Lord Jesus d
d Lay down His sweet head d
d The stars in the sky d
d Look down where He 1ay d
- d The 1itt1e Lord Jesus d - c scattered Laughter ]
- d As1eep on the hay dd - Go, go.
d We three kings of orient are d
d Bearing gifts we traverse afar d
d Fie1d and fountain d
d Moor and mountain c Mumb1ing Lyrics ] dd
c Audience Laughing ]
c Choir ] d The catt1e are 1owing d
d The baby awakes d
d But 1itt1e Lord Jesus d
d No crying He makes d
- d 1 1ove Thee, Lord Jesus d - c Grunting ]
d Look down from the sky d
- d And stay by my crad1e d - c Audience Gasping ]
- d Ti11 morning is nigh dd - c Grunting ]
c Audience Laughing, C1apping ]
- Be not afraid. - c Audience Laughing ]
- c Howard Whining ] - For 1 bring you great joy.
c Gasping ] Be not afraid !
For-- F-- c Grunting ]
- c Miss Leavey ] For-- - simon.
Are you okay ?
For 1 bring you great...
joy !
oh, man ! oh, man !
- c simon Gasping ] - oh, oh, man !
simon, what is it ?
- d You give me fever dd - c Gu1ps ] Boobs !
- c screams ] - c Audience Laughs ]
- Get her, simon ! - Ho1y shit !
c Chi1dren Laughing ]
c Ye11s ]
- oh, shit ! - c Audience Gasping ]
- Let go of me ! - 1'm trying to he1p !
Uuh !
- ohh ! - c Chi1dren screaming ]
- 1 don't fee1 so good. - 1f you vomit on this stage,
1 swear 1 wi11 1eave you up there...
- ti11 next Christmas ! - c Howard ] Ho1d on !
Uh-oh.
- c A11 Gasping ] - Yeah, yeah ! Get it !
c screaming ]
1'm gonna kick your ass, you 1itt1e perv.
Hey, 1eave him a1one. Pick on someone your own size.
- okay. - oh !
- 1 to1d you this was a bad idea. - c Chi1d ] Fight ! Fight !
oh, shit !
- 1'm gonna honk ! - c A11 Gasping ]
- oh, no. - simon !
c Gagging ]
oh, no !
- c A11 Gasping ] - c Chi1dren screaming ]
c Choir ] d The stars in the sky d
d Look down where He 1ay d
- d The 1itt1e Lord Jesus d - c Chi1dren screaming ]
d As1eep on the hay dd
c Howard ] Can 1 get down now ?
c Door opening ]
c Footsteps Approaching ]
Congratu1ations, simon.
You've just given us our first fu11-contact Christmas pageant.
We11, do you have anything to say ?
- Can 1 have my baseba11 cards back ? - No you may not !
oh, simon. c sighs ]
- What happened tonight ? - 1 don't know.
c sighs ] sex makes peop1e crazy.
c Chuck1es Nervous1y ] That may be, uh-- That may be true.
But, uh, that is no kind of answer.
simon,
you spend more time sitting a1one in a corner downstairs...
than you do with the other chi1dren.
You, uh, frighten them with your stories...
- about being an-an instrument of God. - They're not stories.
And you interrupt my sermons and you refuse to apo1ogize.
1'm out of ideas, simon.
1 can't speak to your parents because,
we11, they don't attend church.
And 1-1 can't speak to Rebecca because--
because, uh...
um--
simon, what 1'm trying to say is that...
a11 of us around here--
We11, we need a break from you.
so, once this a11 simmers down,
and Marjorie A1bright's father accepts your apo1ogy,
we'11 ta1k about you coming back.
- What about the retreat ? - Joe wi11 go a1one.
And it's about time 1 had a ta1k with him too.
simon, 1'm sorry.
but, as the Bib1e says, ''There is severe discip1ine...
for him who forsakes the Way.''
''To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good.
To f1og a nob1e man is wrong.''
Proverb 17, Verse 26. That's, uh, very good, simon. c Chuck1es ]
But perhaps you know this one as we11: ''Fo11y is bound up in the heart of a chi1d,
but the rod of discip1ine drives it far from him.''
- ''Good sense makes a man s1ow to anger, - simon.
- and it is g1ory to over1ook the offense.'' - c sighs ]
simon... what do you want me to do ? Hmm ?
What do you want me to say ?
1 want to know that there's a reason for things.
1 used to be certain, but now 1'm not so sure.
1 want you to te11 me that God has a p1an for me.
A p1an for a11 of us.
P1ease.
simon...
1 can't.
okay, you grabbed her boobs and ya pu11ed her into the manger.
Big dea1. 1t cou1d have happened to anybody.
We11, maybe not anybody.
Who cares what Reverend Russe11 says, huh ?
Him and his wife, they're the two most miserab1e peop1e we know.
c Coughing ]
- You okay ? - Yeah.
Where are ya goin' ?
- Home. - Why ?
1t's Christmas.
1 cou1d go get the bike.
1'11 wa1k.
- simon ? - c Coughing ]
c Labored Breathing ]
c Joe ] simon ?
simon !
simon's sick.
- How sick ? - He's just sick, a11 right ?
But 1've gotta see him before 1 1eave on the retreat.
You can see him when you get back.
But can't 1 just come in and see him for a coup1e seconds ?
Go on, now.
simon's sick.
- 1 know. - so was 1 when 1 heard what he did 1ast night.
The who1e town's ta1kin' about it.
What a 1itt1e screwup.
Hey ! Your son is not a screwup. He's a hero.
What the he11 are you ta1king about ?
1 said he's a hero.
And you don't deserve him.
1 want you to know that.
c Engine starting ]
c Joe ] ...six, seven,
eight, nine,
- ten, e1even, - Thank you. And God b1ess you.
twe1ve--
Uh, is that it ?
- We're one short. - c simon ] 1s that supposed to be a joke ?
Have fun. okay ?
- P1ease te11 me you're coming. - 1 just came to say good-bye.
But what are you gonna do without me ?
We11, first, 1'm gonna sneak into Reverend Russe11's office and get my baseba11 cards back.
sounds 1ike troub1e. sorry 1'm gonna miss it.
We11, 1 bet you boys are going to be very sad to know that...
Miss Leavey has taken a 1eave of absence.
she's going to spend some time with her mother in Connecticut.
okay, Joe. Let's go.
c sighs ] simon, you shou1d be home resting.
You better go.
Yeah.
- so, uh, 1'11 see ya in a coup1e days, right ? - sure.
- Get better, okay ? - okay.
c Coughs ]
c Joe Narrating ] 1 wish 1 cou1d remember every detai1 of that weekend.
Even now, 1'11 sometimes sit and try to remember the co1ors, the sounds, the faces.
But it on1y comes back to me in bits and pieces.
1f on1y 1 had known, 1 wou1d have paid c1oser attention.
But you're never prepared for the moment that changes your 1ife.
c Chi1dren Chattering, Laughing ]
Whoa. Hey. Hey, you okay ?
Yeah.
- Take it s1ow. - You're very good with them, Joe.
You shou1d see simon. He's the one they rea11y 1isten to.
c sighs ] Don't te11 me you miss him a1ready. 1t's on1y been one day.
- He's my best friend. - Yes, 1 know.
c Lock C1icking ]
Gotcha !
- c Whispering ] Miss Wenteworth. - c Reverend Russe11 ] And how did you end up...
with simon Birch as your best friend ?
1 don't know. Maybe it's because we both know how it fee1s to be an outsider.
Teased or... whispered about.
-They tease you ? -Yeah, you know, the Wenteworth bastard,
and stuff 1ike that.
We11, peop1e-peop1e can be very unforgiving at times, Joe, uh--
1'm sorry.
- c Chi1d Ye11ing ] Joe ! - Looks 1ike somebody needs me.
Joe.
You can ta1k to me... anytime.
c Footsteps Departing ]
c Coughs ]
God, no wonder she kept it such a secret.
You're sure we're doin' the right thing, huh, simon ?
We promised him, Ben.
- c sighs ] - You promised him too, remember ?
You're right. 1 did.
c Door opening, Knocking ]
c Joe ] Reverend Russe11 ?
Reverend ?
Uh... 1 need the keys...
to the kitchen.
Reverend ?
A 1efty.
Just 1ike me.
What do you mean ?
1 met your mother 13 years ago. 1 was coming to Gravestown to interview at the church.
- No. - she was going to the city to buy a present for her mother.
stop it.
1'd never seen anyone 1ike her, Joe. And 1 fe11 in 1ove.
- Right there on the Boston and Maine. - c simon ] Joe ! Joe !
c Joe ] simon.
Did you hear what he said ?
He's 1ying, right ?
Joe--
Joe !
Let him go, Reverend.
Joe.
- Joe. - c sniffing ]
A bastard.
1 wish 1 never knew.
1 wish 1'd never found out.
- 1 must sound 1ike a baby, huh ? - No.
- Big goddamn baby. - No, you don't.
- 1 wish 1 cou1d go home again. - 1 know.
Back to the way things were.
1 know, pa1.
c Crying ]
1 guess simon's gonna ride on the bus with Joe.
- He'11 be a11 right. - Ben, it was a mistake.
1 wanted to take care of her, but she said she didn't need that.
- We11, that sounds a 1ot 1ike Rebecca to me. - Yeah.
Haunts me every day of my 1ife.
Wish 1 cou1d take it back. 1--
1 just wish it never happened.
We11, there's a beautifu1 kid over there who wou1dn't be here if it hadn't.
Ben ?
c Joe ] ...e1even,
- twe1ve, - and he ranks thirteen.
- Hey, you came. - 1 to1d you 1'd be here. Come on.
- c Engine starting ] - Up we go.
Thanks.
c simon Coughing ]
You okay ?
1 was thinking.
Maybe this was your destiny.
To he1p me find my father.
Yeah. Maybe.
c Big Daddy, 1ndistinct ]
...that our boys shou1d be returning home in just a matter of weeks.
- c Boy #1 ] Come on. Give it back. - c Boy #2 ] You started it !
Ca1m down, guys.
- Watch out ! - c Gasps ]
c Chi1dren screaming ]
c Tires screeching ]
c G1ass shattering ]
oh, God !
c Chi1dren screaming ]
- 1 can't-- 1 can't stop it ! 1 can't stop it ! - oh, good Lord.
- c Bus Driver ] oh, no ! - oh, my God !
oh, good Lord !
c A11 Gasping, screaming ]
oh !
Reverend Russe11 !
1 can't sw- 1 can't swim !
Hey, where are you going ? Come back.
okay, everybody, just stay ca1m. okay. We're going to get out of here.
Hey, come on. Ca1m down.
c Grunting ]
- c Gasps ] - c Hysterica1 screaming ]
Just 1isten to me.
c No Audio ]
stop it !
1'm not going to 1et anything happen to any of you. Understand ?
c Chi1d Crying ]
Now, the current is very strong.
so 1'11 take you to Joe... one at a time, and Joe wi11 he1p you on shore.
- Go ! - okay.
c Grunting ]
You first, now you. You're after him.
- c sobbing ] - c Grunting ]
c simon ] Don't worry. 1t'11 be okay.
- 1 got you. - c Crying ]
Now, you. Come on. Let's go. You're next.
We11, that's it. Come on. simon, 1et's go.
Wait. We're missing one.
- c Gasps ] - c Crying ]
simon !
Joe !
c Gasping ]
c Whimpering ]
My foot's stuck. 1'm scared.
Hang on.
c Whimpering ]
c Joe Gasping ]
- Aah ! - Come on. 1 got ya.
c Grunting ]
c 1nha1es Deep1y ]
c Grunting, Gasping ]
c Crying ]
Come on, stuart.
- 1t's okay. - c Crying Continues ]
1 got him.
- Where's simon ? - He's inside. 1'11 get him.
- No, no ! Let me. - c Joe ] simon !
Get him. Get him, Joe.
Pu11 him through the window.
Pu11 him out, Joe.
- Joe ! - simon ! - No, no, no, simon !
simon !
Let me.
c Gasping ] simon !
Joe !
c Gasping ]
simon !
okay, Joe. Keep his head above the water.
c Chi1dren Whimpering, Crying ]
Hmm. Hmm.
- Get 'em up to the road. - What about Joe ?
We got him. Joe !
Come with me, boys.
Here. Down here. Here. Hurry !
Come on.
Come here, chi1dren.
Come on. Come on.
Come on.
Come on, Joe.
simon.
Don't 1eave me.
1 want to see simon.
Father Russe11,
1'11 see you on sunday.
He's got a visitor.
simon...
1 heard what you did for those kids.
The who1e town's ta1king about it.
1 just wanted you to know...
that 1 think what you did... was rea11y brave.
And you're a hero,
simon Birch.
c sighs ]
Jesus, simon,
you 1ook 1ike shit.
Hey.
Are the kids okay ?
Yeah.
They a11 made it ?
Even stuart.
Did you see how the chi1dren 1istened to me...
because of the way 1 1ooked ?
Yeah.
That window was just my size.
Extra sma11.
Extra, extra sma11.
That was over 2OO Mississippi.
Nobody 1ikes a showoff.
Promise me.
Yeah.
- You'11 take my baseba11 cards. - No.
Take them and share them with Ben. P1ease ?
okay. 1 promise.
simon ?
Yeah.
You're the best friend 1 ever had.
1 know that, stupid.
c Crying ]
- Joe ? - Yeah.
1 got to go now.
okay.
see you 1ater, a11igator.
c sobbing ]
c sobbing Continues ]
c Birds squawking ]
c Birds Chirping ]
Timber-r-r !
one year good 1uck.
c Joe Narrating ] Winter 1eft its icy chi11 behind.
And soon it was spring and summer again.
Grandmother passed away that June...
fo11owing a stroke.
And because Hi1die was a1ways so content to just fo11ow her 1ead,
she had a stroke of her own and died in Ju1y.
We buried them side by side.
1t's the way they wou1d have wanted it.
Ben Goodrich 1ega11y adopted me...
just two days before my 13th birthday.
Not a day goes by that 1 don't thank God for bringing him into my 1ife.
With simon's he1p, 1'd fina11y found my rea1 father.
There is a prayer 1 say for simon Birch.
1t's the same prayer that he said at my mother's grave...
that night 1 found him in the darkness.
1nto paradise...
may the ange1s 1ead you.
c Birds Chirping ]
c Boy ] Dad ?
Dad ! 1'd 1ove to stay here in the graveyard a11 day,
but 1've got a game, remember ?
okay, simon. 1'm coming.
You know, 1 was just thinking about that.
Last year, you p1ayed in the squirt 1eague, right ?
- Yeah. so ? - This year you're a peewee.
so, what do they want you to do, p1ay soccer or urinate ?
Anyway... 1 was just thinking.
c sighs ]
c Car Door shuts ]
c Car Engine starts ]
d Time passes d
d The wor1d changes d
d 1'm sti11 d
d The same o1d kid d
d And your jokes sti11 d
d Bring me 1aughter d
d As if you d
d sti11 were here d
d And it hurts d
d When 1 smi1e d
d 'Cause my heart sti11 remembers d
d When you were around d
d 'Cause you were there d
d When no one was d
d Just when 1 thought nobody cared d
d No, no, no d
d You showed me 1ove d
d 'Cause you were my friend d
d You a1ways to1d me, yes d
d And 1 am sti11 here, yeah d
d Because you were there, yeah d
d oh d
d You're my best friend, yes d
d There are no accidents d
d God has a p1an for everyone d
d And He brought you in my 1ife d
d To show me what a good friendship was d
d 'Cause you were there d
d When no one was d
d When no one was No, when no one was d
d Just when 1 thought nobody cared d
d Just when 1 thought that nobody cared d
d You showed me 1ove d
d You showed me 1ove You showed me 1ove d
d 'Cause you were my friend d
d You were my friend d
d You a1ways to1d me, yeah d
d You a1ways to1d me d
d And 1 am sti11 here d
d 1'm sti11 here 1'm sti11 here d
d Because you were there d
d You were there, you were there You were there d
d oh, yeah Because you were there d
d You were there, you were there You were there d
d 'Cause you were there d
d You were there, you were there You were there d
d Because you were there, yeah d
d ooh, because you were there dd