[ Sam Narrating ] There are always a few surprises associated with time travel.
Some of them are small.
And some of them are not so small.
Leaping into the life of a working woman taught me that surprises and problems come in all shapes and sizes.
Some were easy to handle.
Some were difficult.
And some were a pleasure.
But that's the great thing about quantum leaping--
I can always count on it... being a surprise. (music) [ Final Chord ]
- [ Applause ] - [ Audience Shouting ]
Oh, boy.
[ Shouting, Applause Continue ]
Bravo! Bravo!
[ Dog Barking ]
[ Whines ]
- [ Barking ] - [ Thinking ] Oh, God. I'm supposed to be blind.
Encore! Encore! Encore! Encore!
Chopin. Chopin, come here.
Encore! Encore!
Andrew, you were fantastic.
[ Chanting ] Encore! Encore! Encore! Encore! Encore! Encore! Encore!
- Encore! Encore! - They, uh-- They want an encore.
- Well, of course they do. Don't they, Chopin? - [ Growling ]
M-M-Maybe he's right. Maybe we oughta just skip it.
[ Growling Continues ] I don't know what's wrong. I mean, I've never seen him like this.
Well, neither have I. Aren't you goin' out?
Uh-- Bravo!
Yeah. Right. Bravo!
Out. [ Shouting, Applause Continue ]
[ Whining ]
(music) [ ''Chopsticks'' ]
[ Murmuring ]
[ Whining ]
(music) [ Continues ] [ Murmuring Continues ]
[ Audience Chuckling ]
Bravo! (music) [ Continues ]
- (music) [ Ends ] - [ Barking ]
[ Applause ]
[ Applause Continues ]
Andrew, you never cease to amaze me.
I can't wait to see what you're gonna play tomorrow night.
[ Girl ] I'm so proud of you, I can't stand it.
What I wouldn't give to be in your shoes.
I think we could work something out.
Oh, no. I could never do what you do.
All those people?
No, never. Step up.
[ Man ] Hey, taxi! Taxi!
I don't belong in the limelight, but you do.
- What's wrong? - Wrong? Oh, uh, nothing.
I was just-- I was just wondering what year-- [ Laughing ]
what time it was, and I thought I'd ask the news vendor.
That's incredible. How did you know we were at a newsstand?
- I just-- I heard the newspapers rustling in the wind. - [ Whining ]
Hey, what's wrong with your watch?
My wa--
It's 1 1 :30. Oh.
I guess I'm still kind of a little keyed up from the concert.
- Mind if I ask you a question? - As long as it's not about anything personal or professional.
[ Chuckles ] What made you decide to play ''Chopsticks''?
Um, it's the only thing that came to mind.
[ Both Chuckle ]
Why are we stopping?
Because I told Mama I'd be home by midnight.
Your mother? I know. I know.
She still thinks I'm about 1 4.
Well-- But let's not get started about her again.
You should at least wait until you meet her before you make up your mind.
I mean, I'm sure the two of you will get along just great.
You know, I've told her all about you,
and she's just so anxious to make a good impression, you know.
She just wants to wait until everything is just right before--
Michelle, it's okay.
It'll wait.
Sorry.
Look, do you want me to pick up your other tux at the cleaners tomorrow?
Uh, if-- You know, if it won't be a problem.
No. No, that's what assistants are for, even if they are unpaid.
[ Both Chuckle ]
[ Chopin Whining ]
- Well, you take care of the maestro, Chopin. - [ Barks ]
[ Whining ]
Bye.
2-D. [ Dogs Barking ]
- Bonsoir, Mr. Ross. Bonsoir, Chopin. - [ Barks ]
Going out for a walk? Oh, they are tyrants.
Twice a day, rain or shine.
Ici, Napoleon. Ici,Josephine.
Au revoir, Mr. Ross. [ Whines ]
[ Barking ]
Au revoir.
[ Whining ]
[ Barking ]
Yeah,yeah,yeah. All right. Not you too.
I'm-- I'm sorry?
''Yeah, yeah, yeah.'' That's all you hear now. Or, ''Paul's my favorite.''
[ High-pitched Voice ] ''He's so dreamy. Did you know thatJohn was married?
Ain't that the pits?'' [ Chuckles ]
- It's probably just a phase. - It's bad enough we've got this jerk stretchin' necks in Central Park.
But now they got us pullin' double shifts protecting these damn Brits,
so they can stay in one piece long enough to play Ed Sullivan.
Personally, I'd rather see... [ Imitating Ed Sullivan ] Topo Gigio.
A really big show!
- [ Barks ] - [ Chuckling ]
[ Whining ] Okay, okay.
I got your peanuts. Chopin is worse than the kids on the beat.
- Well, take care, maestro. - Yeah, you, um--
You too, Pete.
Couldn't you at least spit out the shells?
[ Belches ]
Disgusting. Come on. Get in here.
[ Whines ]
Oh, Mama!
Ma, you scared me.
Do you have any idea what time it is?
No. I'm sorry. I guess I lost track.
How thoughtful. I'm sitting here wondering...
if my only daughter is lying in a gutter somewhere, and you're sorry.
I just went out for ice cream with a couple of the girls after we finished studying.
- Which girls? - Marcia and Aggie.
You could have called me.
I would have, but I didn't know what time it was and--
I don't know. I guess we just got to talking,
and before we knew it, it was past midnight. [ Chuckles ]
Well, that's a conversation I would like to have heard...
since I know Marcia and Aggie spent the entire night studying in the library...
without you.
You checked up on me?
You forgot something.
I guess it was too heavy, huh?
So, what do we do now? Play 20 questions?
I went to a concert.
It was a recital at Carnegie,
and I got offered a ticket at the last minute and I went.
That's wonderful. [ Chuckles ]
I kill myself putting you through nursing school,
and you go gallivanting through the city with God knows who.
I wasn't with anyone. It was just a concert.
And when you flunk your finals, it will be more than just a concert, won't it?
And when your husband leaves you with a hungry two-year-old...
and you don't have any way to earn a living, it will be more than just a concert, won't it?
And when you wake up 20 years later...
and you realize that you're no longer young and good-looking,
but you're tired and you're worn out from tryin' to support that baby,
it will be more than just a concert, won't it?
Yes, Mama.
Michelle.
Darling, no Prince Charming...
is gonna come along and sweep you off your feet.
You have got to learn to fend for yourself once I'm gone.
Yes, Mama.
Nursing is a worthwhile profession.
You earn a steady dollar, and there will always be someone who needs help.
And remember: A fool's dreams may be dreams,
but they also belong to a fool. But they also belong to a fool.
Give Mama a kiss.
Good night, dear. Good night, Mama.
What good is a piano bench without piano music in it?
- Well, most people sit on it and play. - [ Barking ]
- Easy, boy. Easy. It's just Al. - [ Whining ]
That reminds me of a girl I used to know. She had an act in Tijuana.
Her name was Evita Evilitita.
[ Whines ] She used to lie on her back on the bench...
and play oldies with her toesies.
Then she would kneel on the bench and bend over and play modern music with her--
Al--Al, I get the picture and thank you.
She used to close the act singin'the national anthem in 40 different languages.
Evita Evilitita.
Where do you suppose he keeps his music around here?
I've been lookin' all over for it.
Sam, Andrew Ross is the Ray Charles of classical music.
Um, Al, how does, uh--
How does Andrew learn how to play all this?
- He plays by ear. - Oh, boy, oh, boy, oh, boy.
Is there any chance I might leap outta here before the concert tomorrow night?
Let's see. We are in New York City. [ Beeping ]
Today is-- February 6, 1 964.
Right. Oh, that's three days before the Beatles play the Ed Sullivan Show.
Al, why am I here? Sam, the women fainted...
and screamed when they saw them on TV.
That's how come the next day, I went out and bought a long-haired wig.
Got ya. All right. Let's see.
According to Ziggy, Andrew's concert was a huge success.
It won't be now. And-- Oh, boy.
After the concert, Michelle was strangled in Central Park.
[ Whines ]
- [ Sam ] Is Ziggy sure about this? - As sure as he ever is about anything.
Wait a second, Al.
- We're forgetting something. Andrew is blind, but I'm not. - [ Whining ]
I can prevent anything from happening to Michelle in the park after... the concert.
Al, what am I gonna do? I can't play a concert.
- Sure you can. - I can?
- I'll help you. - You're a concert pianist?
I couldn't play ''Chopsticks'' in Chinatown.
- Then how? - Trust me.
Come tomorrow night, you will give a bravura performance. [ Beeps ]
- Al-- - I guarantee it.
[ Barking, Sniffing ]
Chopin, he's-- he's gone.
[ Dogs Barking, Distant ]
Venez ici! Josephine, Napoleon!
Josephine! Napole-- [ Car Horn Honking ]
[ Girls Chanting ] We want the Beatles! We want the Beatles! [ Girls Screaming ]
We want the Beatles! We want the Beatles!
- [ Girl ] They're here! They're here! - [ Screaming Continues ]
[ Horns Honking ]
Oh! I touched him! I touched him!
Oh, Sandy, I touched him! I touched Ringo!
Oh. Oh!
Uh, here, here. Here.
[ Shouting ]
- [ Barking ] - [ Horn Honking ]
Thank you. Thank you. [ Whining ]
Chopin just saved you a jaywalking ticket.
[ Nickers ]
Pete. [ Sniffs ]
Uh, Pete, I hate to tell you this, but you ever think about takin' a shower?
Now, is that any way to talk about my best gal?
Sorry, ma'am.
So-- What, they got ya guardin' the Beatles?
Nah. They got me babysittin' these teenyboppers...
who are ready to drop their skirts for these Liverpool longhairs.
[ Screaming ] Paul, I love you!
Women. I, for one, don't understand 'em.
I guess that's why I stuck with Daisy here.
I guess everything'll settle down again once they leave town.
Maybe. But we still got the twisto runnin' around.
I just heard on the radio they found another body in the park.
Well, I gotta get outta here. They must be leavin'.
- See ya later, Pete. - [ Whines ]
[ Michelle ] What's wrong? You look upset.
- You aren't sick, are you? - No. No.
It's just, uh-- It's just a little case of, you know, stage fright.
Come on. The chances of you having stage fright are about as likely as...
a B-movie actor becoming president.
Stranger things have happened. [ Woman ] Okay.
One extra lean 'stram on rye, hold the kraut, push the ''O.''
One turk club, toasted, lettuce, extra 'matoes.
Excuse me, Miss. Um, you forgot the mustard.
- How did you know that? - I, uh-- I--
I didn't smell it. [ Sniffs ]
No. See? No-- No mustard.
That's incredible.
God, wouldn't it be wonderful to have a sense of smell that sensitive?
Not with my husband's feet, no.
[ Both Chuckling ]
You know, you-- you have a very pretty smile.
I do?
I mean, from the sound of your laugh,
I can tell that you have a very pretty smile.
No, it's not. You oughta try it more often.
Well, I don't get much chance around the hospital, but it's different around you.
Well, it can't be my jokes. [ Chuckling ]
It's just that around you, I feel-- I don't know-- relaxed.
Like I can be me.
Now, about tonight-- no Carnegie Hall, no excuses.
Well, you don't really give a fella much choice, do ya?
Not when it comes to eating my mother's tuna casserole.
I'll do anything to get outta that.
When, um-- When am I gonna get to meet her?
Well, um, I invited her to go to the concert tonight, you know,
but she's been working real hard.
A curse of being a single parent, I guess.
All she wants to do at night is fall into bed.
But she said she's really looking forward to meeting you.
She must really be proud of you, studying to be a nurse.
It's all she's ever wanted.
- And you? - I don't know.
I like being around great music.
[ Chuckling ] Well, then, you--you better stop hangin' around with me.
[ Laughs ]
Oh, my gosh! I'm gonna be late for class!
You haven't finished. You haven't-- haven't, uh--
Listen, tonight after the concert,
let's-- let's go have dinner.
Some place really nice. You pick it.
I don't know anyplace really nice. Okay.
Um, some place that's really kind of just a little nice.
- I'd have to ask. - Your mother?
No. Okay, dinner tonight.
Great.
Taxi! Taxi!
[ Sighs, Slaps Legs ]
(music) [ Classical ]
[ Sam Narrating ] Andy was brilliant. His technique flawless.
I didn't know how Al was going to get me through the concert...
without ruining Andy's reputation.
After all, ''Chopsticks'' might be funny once, but twice?
(music) [ Continues ]
What?
[ Barking ]
Again? [ Chuckles ]
I thought dogs only ate once a day.
Come on. Come on.
Your mother is afraid of cats.
[ Growling, Barks ]
[ Laughing ]
- Hi, Sam. - That wasn't very funny.
I thought it was.
[ Sam ] You would. I did.
Gee, this dog eats better than I do.
This dog works harder than you do. What'll it be, Chopin?
You got your Mutt Morsels. [ Barking ]
Sam-- You're right. How could it possibly taste as good as it sounds?
''Barko Bites. Sam!
Shaped like tiny little cats for the treats dogs love to eat.''
Now, there's a neat trick-- a blind man reading a dog food box.
You should have said something. I did.
I did. I said, ''That's a neat trick-- a blind man reading a dog food box.''
You don't understand. Oh, I understand perfectly well.
Now, we can keep this real simple. [ Whining ]
I don't like the sound of this, Sam.
What you do with your own life is your business.
If you want to persist in this blind charade, I won't stop you.
But if you continue to see my daughter-- You're Michelle's mother?
More like the Wicked Witch of the East. I'm surprised you know.
She never told me about you. Or is it the Wicked Witch of the West?
How'd you get in here? The door was open.
I guess being blind, you couldn't tell.
Yeah, th-- that's right.
Personally, I don't give a damn what your scam is as long as it doesn't hurt my daughter.
- Look, Mrs. Stevens-- - No, you look, and I know you obviously can.
No one is going to take my daughter from me. No one.
Now, either you stop seeing her, or I expose you for the fake that you are.
[ Knocking On Door ] [ Man ] Five minutes, Mr. Ross.
- [ Whines ] - Chicken.
I'm sorry.
I really am.
[ Knocking On Door ]
C-Come in. [ Door Opens ]
Can I help you with that? What?
Oh. Uh, yeah. I'm-- I'm just a little nervous.
Oh, I'm sure you'll be great.
You sound pretty certain of that.
That's because I have confidence in you.
But, um, not enough confidence in yourself to tell your mother about me.
She paid me a visit today, Michelle.
I was going to tell her-- But you didn't.
I couldn't. You don't understand what it's like...
to be told by someone that-- that you have no talent...
that you'll never amount to anything...
and that you're not pretty enough for anyone to ever want.
But you are pretty. No. You're just saying that.
No, no.
I'm not just saying that.
It's true.
God, I'm such an idiot. Don't listen to me.
You're not an idiot. Yes, I am.
Only an idiot would complain about their life to you.
I mean, people must have said horrible things to you, but you still keep going.
How do you do that? Sometimes...
I feel like a scientist in the middle of an experiment...
that nobody else believes in.
But then,
you just have to tell yourself that you're the only person you can listen to--
that you have to forget about the others.
But I can't do that to my mother.
I mean, she's been stuck with me ever since my dad left.
She's worked herself to the bone to put me through nursing school. I owe her at least that.
Michelle, she wants you to believe that.
But you owe her your love, not your life.
[ Knocking On Door ] [ Man ] Two minutes, Mr. Ross.
Thank you.
How'd you get so smart?
I guess I just see things a little differently.
[ Whines ]
Al.
Come on. Don't do this. I can't go on without you.
Without who, Mr. Ross?
- Uh-- Uh,just-- Chopin. - [ Whines ]
I don't know. He just seems a little reluctant to take me out on stage tonight.
You know, sometimes-- [ Barking ]
[ Applause ]
[ Applause Continues ]
- Come on, Al. Where are you? - [ Whines ]
Sam,you can do better than ''Chopsticks. ''
[ Whines ]
Al--
[ Barking ]
He says he wants to play.
[ Audience Laughing ]
Sam, for your eyes only, a solo edition of the Grieg Piano Concerto in A Minor.
I told you not to worry.
- Al, I can't play this. - Of course you can play it.
- Try it. - [ Whines ]
Try it!
(music) [ Continues ]
My God, I'm playing the piano in Carnegie Hall.
It's no big deal.
You've played here before.
I mean, you'll-- you'll play here later.
I mean,you'll play here sometime in the future when you're 1 9.
You know what I mean.
(music) [ Continues ]
All I need now are some sequins and a candelabra.
[ Whining ]
Another night at the library?
I was going to tell you.
Oh, really? When?
After you flunked out? Mama--
Or after he broke your heart?
I'm sorry. There's no smoking backstage.
Michelle, I let her in here because she said she was your mother, but I can't have her smoking backstage.
Mama, please.
[ Squishing Cigarette With Shoe ]
- Why do you treat people like that? - Because that's the way people treat me.
But maybe if you-- If I what?
If I were soft and sweet like you?
Wake up, Michelle. The world is not carnations and tuxedos.
Not for you and me. Look out there and listen.
He is a star.
Do you honestly believe that he wants someone as ordinary as you clinging to him everywhere he goes?
Why are you doing this to me? Because I don't want to see you get hurt.
You're just jealous that I have a life and you don't.
Oh! [ Crying ]
He's not blind. What?
Your wonderful, sensitive concert pianist is not blind.
It's an act, Michelle,just like everything he's ever said to you.
(music) [ Ends ] [ Applause ]
- [ Whining ] - [ Audience Shouting ''Bravo'']
[ Applause, Shouting Continue ]
Thanks, Al.
My pleasure.
Mrs. Stevens, what--
You can see her!
[ Chopin Barks ]
[ Crying ]
Michelle!
[ Barking ]
[ Shouting, Applause Continue ]
[ Girls ] We want the Beatles!
[ Girls Screaming ]
Michelle!
[ Screaming Continues ]
[ Groans ]
Sam! Sam, over here!
What's the matter? What happened? Al--
A flashbulb exploded in my face. My eyes are on fire.
[ Al ] We gotta get you to a hospital real fast.
No. There's no time for that. Michelle's probably in the park already.
God, my eyes are hurt! Oh, Sam.
- Water, Al. - There's a fountain across the street, Sam.
A fountain. Go!
- [ Horn Honking ] - Sam, watch out!
- [ Barking ] - [ Tires Screech, Horn Honks ]
[ Groans ]
Thanks, buddy.
Now... get me across the street.
[ Horns Honking ] [ Water Splashing ]
I owe you one, Chopin. [ Barks ]
Al,
I-- I can't see.
I can't see.
I may as well be blind.
[ Al ] That's it, Sam. Straight ahead. Come on. You're doin'fine.
No, we're not. We're wastin' too much time.
What do you mean, wastin' time? Most people would be at the hospital right now...
having their eyes looked at before they lost them!
While Michelle loses her life? I'll risk my eyes. Come on. Let's go.
Go faster, though. Go! All right. Let's go. Let's go. Come on.
[ Twigs Snap ]
[ Footsteps ] [ Gasps ]
[ Grunts, Panting ]
[ Shouting ]
[ Gagging ]
[ Groaning ]
[ Whimpering ]
Now wait. Hold it, hold it. What? What's the matter?
There's a fork in the road now. We gotta make a choice.
Which way, Chopin? Which way to Michelle?
[ Chopin Barks ]
He's pointing this way, Sam. Come on. Let's go.
[ Whines ] Al, wait. He's on to something.
What is it? Chopin, what?
[ Barks ]
Sam, it's Michelle's purse.
[ Panting, Screams ]
- Pete! - Michelle?
Oh, my God, Pete! Thank God!
Oh, God!
No!
[ Screaming ] [ Barking ]
Michelle! Straight ahead, Sam.
- There are steps down. There are a lot of'em. - [ Shouting ]
You're almost at the bottom, Sam! Be careful. Let Chopin go after 'im.
- No! No! - [ Chopin Barking ]
- Pete, no! - [ Growling ]
Pete! Remember, Pete? [ Shouting ]
Help! Andy, it's Pete!
- Pete. - [ Al ] Chopin's got him down.
- The handcuffs are on the ground. Get his handcuffs! - Where?
Right in front of you. Careful!
[ Sam ] How far? [ Al ] Two feet.
- [ Michelle ] Andy! - [ Growling Continues ]
He kicked 'em, Sam. Now they're over to the right.
[ Michelle ] Andy, be careful!
- Don't let him move, Chopin. Don't let him move. - Get him off of me! Get him off of me!
[ Michelle ] Watch out!
- Good boy, Chopin. - [ Michelle ] Andy!
Oh!
[ Whines ]
[ Police Radio Chatter ]
I gotta take care of girls that wander in the park.
You understand, don't ya? It's my job.
This never would have happened if you'd stayed away from my daughter.
Mother, he saved my life.
How can you love a man whose whole life is a lie?
[ Michelle ] What happened at the theater was a misunderstanding.
Andy explained it to me. [ Siren Wailing ]
He smelled your perfume when he walked up to us.
You poor, innocent thing. You don't have a clue, do you?
[ Strikes Match ]
- Mama! - My God.
You are blind.
Mother!
- [ Barks ] - Go on. Go after her.
I'm not goin' anywhere.
Go on.
[ Al ] I wouldn't be too sure about that.
Al, I think I can see you.
How many fingers?
- Four. - Close enough.
- It's gettin' better, Al. - Remarkable things, the eyes.
The tears form a natural cleanser.
[ Sniffs ]
- It's good to see ya again, Al. - Oh, I know.
I know. I'm a sight for sore eyes.
[ Whines ]
[ Sam ] We saved her life, and I'm still here.
Well, you saved her physical life.
I don't know about her emotional one.
You know what I mean?
Yeah.
Yeah, I do. Chopin. [ Chopin Barks ]
Come on. Come on.
Stay away from us.
- If that's what Michelle wants. - She doesn't know what she wants.
Because you've made all her decisions for her,
based on your life, on your problems.
- My problems? - Michelle wasn't abandoned by her husband and left with a child to raise.
- Let's go, Michelle. - Mother--
Michelle loves you, Mrs. Stevens,
probably so much that she'll go with you,
sacrifice her life to satisfy your anger.
- Is that what you want? - I want her to have it better than I did.
- I love her! - I know you do.
But it's a smothering love,
choking the life out of her just as surely as Pete was.
And you won't, huh?
I hope not.
- You going with him? - I want to, but not if it means leaving you, Mama.
Maybe, um-- Maybe it's time I made my life a little easier.
I mean, why-- why should I be up all hours worrying about you?
- I mean, why should I? I have a life too, you know. - Y-Yes, Mama.
It's not over for me, not by a long shot.
- No, Mama. - Maybe somebody else should-- should take up the load.
Yes, Mama.
Oh, Mama.
[ Crying ]
That was very well done, Sam.
I think you opened her eyes.
[ Whining ]
(music) [ Rock And Roll ]
Stop clowning around and read the commercial.
(music) [ Continues ]
[ Thinking ] Oh, my God. I'm a deejay.