An Analysis Of The Five Language Styles Found In Sam’s Utterances In The “I Am Sam” Movie

APPENDICES

THE TRANSCRIPT OF I AM SAM _MOVIE

1. In the Restaurant

Sam: Oopsie. Decaf double tall nonfat capp for Bruce. Bruce: You got it, buddy.

Sam: That's a wonderful choice, Bruce. Bruce: Thank you, Sam. Take care.

Sam: It certainly is. One Caramel Macchiato. It's very hot.

Sam: Good morning. Vanilla grande no-foam latte. That's a wonderful choice.

Customer: Thanks, Sam.

Sam: Yeah.

2. In the Restaurant

George: Hey, Sam. They called. It's time for you to go. Sam: Oh, yeah, it's time.

George: It's time, buddy.

Sam: It's time for me to go now. It's time for me to go now, George! George: Good luck.

3. In Hospital Sam: Rebecca!

Gertie: You the one responsible for this? Sam: I'm sorry.

Gertie: Too late for sorries. Get over here and hold her hand. Are you okay? Nurse: Got a live one, Gert.

Gertie: Good. Come on. Focus and breathe. Jamison: This is it.

Sam: This is it. This is it. Jamison: And it's a girl! Sam: It's okay.

Gertie: What's her name?

Sam: Lucy in the sky with diamonds. Lucy Diamond Dawson. You're my daughter. I'm your father.

4. At The Street

Rebecca: Get them to make the bus stay.

Sam: They're leaving. I'll get them. They're leaving. Excuse me. Hang on one second, please. Becca! Becca! The bus is going!

5. In the Apartment

Sam: Uh-oh. Didn't you just go to sleep? Let me see. OK. Lucy, you look beautiful this morning. You look very beautiful. Look at that, Lucy. Nose. OK. Yeah, I-- Oopsie.

Annie: What the hell are you doing to that baby?

6. In the apartment

Annie: What's the matter with the baby, Sam?

Sam: Everything is just so tiny, tiny. Will you come over here and help me? Annie: You know I can't do that. What does her mother say?

Sam: Her mother said, "This isn't my life... and I didn't want a baby with you. I just needed a place to sleep."

Annie: What if the baby's sick? Bring her over here. Sam, babies need food every two hours.

Sam: Sorry. I'm sorry, Lucy in the sky.

Annie: You know... critics and fools said that that song... had some mysterious meaning, but John always said... it came from a picture his son Julian drew... of his friend Lucy O'Connell.

Sam: So I made a good choice?

Annie: You made an excellent choice, Sam. Now, what time does this little diamond wake up?

Sam: What time does this little diamond wake up? She wakes up all the time. Annie: Let's just assume she wakes up at 6:00. Keep your TV on Nickelodeon. I

want you to feed her first... when "Hogan's Heroes" comes on. And then again. Wait until "I Dream of Jeannie." And then, feed her when "I Love Lucy" comes on.

7. At the apartment

Sam: We have to be quiet. I've seen nothing. I know nothing! Such a nice man for an officer. What are you doing? I'm just getting Lucy asleep... and you're making noise and everything.

Rhodes: Oh, sorry. We're here for video night.

Brad: Eight years every Thursday video night, and you forgot? Sam: I'm sorry.

Brad: It's always every first Thursday of every month...

Sam: Video night at Sam's house. And I forgot. Yeah, and I forgot.

Ifty: Becca's gone. "Gone with the Wind." 1939, directed by Victor Fleming. That was a very sad movie.

Robert: Here we go. Everything changes now. Soon you'll forget about Wednesday night at IHOP... and then Friday night at karaoke... and I got hit by a car today.

Sam: You did?

Robert: It was probably that guy from the V.A. Brad: Did you bring "Kramer vs. Kramer"?

Robert: I see what's happening here. I see. So this is all my fault now.

Brad: Don't tell me you forgot again. I broke a date with a daydream to come here.

Robert: It's your mother.

Estelle: Hi, Robert. Hello, boys. It's me, Estelle.

Brad: Ma, I told you. Video night's over at 9:00. It's only 6:30.

Estelle: Well, I guess I'll just wait downstairs. Sure there isn't anything. I can get you?

Brad: No, Ma. You can wait downstairs. That's fine. Estelle: OK. See you later, Rob.

Robert: Bye, Estelle.

Ifty: What a pretty baby. Hi, little baby. Sam: Doesn't she look smart?

Ifty: She does. She looks smart. That baby looks so darn smart. It's amazing how smart she is. She's very smart. She really does. I think she's really beautiful. Of course she looks smart. She's already reading the paper.

8. In restaurant

Sam: Double Macchiato, low fat, low foam. That's a wonderful choice. Customer: Oh, my God!

Sam: An ice cube went down— Customer: Thank you. Oh, my God. Sam: Can I get another drink, please? Customer: Iced cappuccino.

Sam: That's a wonderful choice. Customer: Thank you.

Sam: Yeah.

9. On the apartment hallway

Sam: Annie, I can't take her to work anymore... because she's too big now. Lucy: Annie.

Sam: That was her first word. Lucy: Annie.

Sam: See?

Annie: People worry you're not smart.

10. At the park Lucy: Papa.

Sam: Yes. Oh, you smell so good. You can tell a lot about people by the way they smell.

Lucy: Daddy, why does the snow flake? Sam: Because snow-- because snow flakes. Lucy: Daddy, what is mustard made of? Sam: Because it's yellow ketchup. Lucy: Daddy, why are men bald?

Sam: Sometimes they're bald because their head is shiny... and they don't have hair on it. So their head is just more of their face.

Lucy: Daddy, are ladybugs only girls... or are there boys, too? And if there are, what are they called?

Sam: Yeah, the Beatles.

Lucy: Daddy, where does the sky end? Why does the moon follow me home? Why is the sun orange? Where does the hour go in Daylight Savings? Daddy, do I look more like you or Mommy? Daddy... Do you think she'll ever come back? Sam: Paul McCartney lost his mother when he was little. And John Lennon lost his mother when he was little. Annie says that sometimes God picks the special people. That's what Annie says.

Lucy: Daddy, did God mean for you to be like this... or was it an accident? Sam: What do you mean?

Lucy: I mean you're different. Sam: But what do you mean? Lucy: You're not like other daddies. Sam: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Yeah, I'm sorry.

Lucy: It's OK, Daddy. Don't be sorry. I'm lucky. Nobody else's daddy ever comes to the park.

Sam: Yeah, we are lucky. Aren't we lucky?

11. In the restaurant

Grace: Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity. Sunnyside up, not too runny. two sausage links. French pancakes instead of buttermilk. Fruit topping on the side. The Funny Face special. I think it's funny when you say "Funny Face special." French, not buttermilk. Fruit topping on the side. Not on top. You're getting a funny face.

Sam: That's a wonderful choice. Thank you, Grace. Thank you very, very, very, very much.

Grace: You got it, Sam.

12. Children shoe shop Sam: Is that too big?

Lucy: I think that's a little too big.

Sam: You need a pair of good, sturdy school shoes.

13. At the bedroom

Sam: (reading story) "And I will eat them here and there. "I will eat them anywhere." "I do so like green eggs and ham. "Thank you, thank you, Sam I am." One more time?

Sam: OK. "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss. "I will eat them with a mouse. "And I will eat them here and there. "Say, I will eat them anywhere. "I do so like green eggs and ham. "Thank you, thank you, Sam I am." One more time?

Lucy: Daddy, it's my first day of school tomorrow. I don't want to be too sleepy. Everybody says Bob's Big Boy has the best hamburgers. Can we go there Wednesday instead of IHOP?

Sam: But Wednesday is IHOP. Lucy: Just one time?

Sam: Yeah, but Wednesday is IHOP. Can I read just the beginning? Just the beginning. "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss.

14. In the classroom

Lucy: There are four stages of a butterfly's life. The first three stages are from egg to larva to cocoon. Last...

Sam: They're hard to remember because there's so many stages. It's hard to remember.

Lucy: 33 days. It lasts 33 days.

15. In Bedroom

Sam: "They per..." "They perched in... "Si-- silen--" Lucy: Silence.

Sam: Yeah. Silence. "They perched in silence for a long time." Your teacher gave you a really hard book this time. That's really a hard book to read. "How can we be so..." Differ—

Lucy: Different.

Sam: Oh, yeah. OK. "How can we be so different and feel so much alike?" Lucy: I don't like that book. Let's read "Green Eggs and Ham."

Sam: Yeah! OK. "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss. "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss. "I am Sam."

16. At the restaurant

Lily: Hey, you. Hey, handsome. "Premature baby claims he's Cupid. Has arrow to prove it." You believe that?

Sam: But if he has the arrow, that's the only thing. Lily: You got a good point.

Sam: This is the lnternational House of Pancakes quiz. And Lucy found the word "beet." I want to surprise her and find the word "carrot"... but it's hiding. Lily: Carrot!

Sam: Where?

Lily: C-a-r-r--carrot. Carrot. It's right there.

Sam: And you're smart. You would be a good mother. Do you tell good stories? Lily: I got stories up the wazoo.

Sam: Really?

Lily: You come with me and relax... and I'll tell you some nice stories.

17. In the Principal office room

Wright: It gives us great insight into what she must be feeling. Mr. Dawson, it's becoming clear... that she's holding herself back in the classroom. It's as if she's literally afraid to learn. No one

doubts that you love your daughter. But the Department of Child and Family Services... contacted us. They shared with us that your records show... that your intellectual capacity... is around that of a seven-year-old. Our concern is what happens when Lucy turns eight.

Principal: Mr. Dawson, do you understand... what Ms. Wright is trying to tell you about Lucy?

Sam: John wanted to try new things. And it wasn't Yoko's fault. No, it wasn't Yoko's fault. Annie says you can hear it on The White Album. Because John wanted to try new things.

18. In the bedroom

Lucy: (Reading a book) "They perched in silence. How can we be so diff--" Diff...diff-- I don't know that word.

Sam: Yes, you do. That's the word that starts with a "D." Lucy: I'm tired.

Sam: I don't believe you. Lucy: Are you calling me a liar?

Sam: Yes. I think you have to read the word.

Lucy: No.

Sam: Yeah, you have to read that word.

Lucy: No.

Sam: Yeah. Here it is. There's the picture where they're all perched. Now read the word.

Sam: I'm your father... and I'm telling you to read the word. I can tell you to because I'm your father.

Lucy: I'm stupid.

Sam: You are not stupid. Lucy: Yes, I am.

Sam: You are not stupid, because you can read that word. Lucy: I don't want to read it if you can't.

Sam: No, because it makes me happy. It makes me happy hearing you read. Yeah. It makes me happy when you're reading.

Lucy: "They perched in silence for a long time. 'How can we be so different... and feel so much alike?' mused Flitter. 'How can we feel so different... and be so much alike?' wondered Pip. 'l think this is quite a mystery."'

Sam: Keep going.

19. In the restaurant (Hamburger Hamlet)

Waitress: We don't have French pancakes. We have French toast.

Sam: No, I don't want French toast. I want French pancakes. like at IHOP. Just the same kind like they have at IHOP. That's what my favorite breakfast is, OK?

Lucy: They're those thin pancakes. Waitress: The crepe pancakes?

Sam: I don't even want crepes. I want to have French pancakes... with the fruit topping on the side. That's what I want to have, please. Thank you.

Waitress: We don't have that, though, sir. Do you want regular pancakes and jam—

Sam: I don't want something else! Why did you ask me that? Waitress: I'll see. Maybe they have something—

Sam: Yeah, ask Bob! Waitress: OK.

Sam: Ask Bob's Big Boy. Because the customer's always right. Waitress: I understand that—

Sam: The customer's always right.

20. In Apartment

Sam: Because when Lucy comes through the door... everybody says, "surprise!" You gotta stop bouncing for a second. You'll say, "surprise!"

Children: Can we keep bouncing?

Sam: You'll have to come down. After Lucy gets here and we say, "surprise." So you have to assume surprise position. Should we rehearse it one more time? Assume the surprise position. Annie was supposed to warn us. Brad, hit the light. Surprise!

Conner: It's not her.

Margareth: Hi. I don't know if you remember me. I'm Margaret Calgrove... Department of Child and Family Services. We met at the police station.

Sam: Put the present there. You have to hurry, because Lucy's coming. Come on, hide with us. Come on, over here. Annie said Lucy's

coming up the stairs right now. So you have to assume the surprise position.

21. In the court

Judge: Ms. Calgrove also cites... Mr. Dawson's mental delays which raise serious questions... about his ability to properly parent. I find at this time... it's not in the best interest of the child to remain in the home. And I order her detained... until a formal jurisdictional hearing. Mr. Dawson. Is there anything you'd like to add?

Sam: I wanted to make it a really special surprise party. So I went, and I got plates at the Pic 'n' Save... in yellow and in pink-- Like a princess. And then I went to the toy store... and I got balloon with the helium in them.

Judge: Mr. Dawson? Sam: Yes.

Judge: It sounds like you gave her such a lovely party. Sam: Yes, I'm sure it was.

Judge: Right now, I want to talk to you about your legal rights.

Sam: OK. There's room at this table... if anybody wants to sit next to me. Judge: I just want to talk to you about your legal rights... so if you have not

already retained legal counsel... the court will appoint someone for you... to present your case on January 5. OK? That's a month from now...

Judge: No, Mr. Dawson. You will have monitored visits... two times a week for two hours. And now we're moving on to 4-D, Parker—

Sam: What do you mean?

Judge: You will see Lucy two times a week for two hours.

Sam: Why isn't Lucy going home with me? I want her to go home with me. Judge: Not today. Thank you, Mr. Dawson. 4-D. Parker vs. Van Wert. Thank

you.

22. In the Apartment

Ifty: Of course the judge picked the lawyer. For God's sake, put it together. She's the one who took Lucy away from you... so it's time that you get your own lawyer now.

Sam: You guys think I'm guilty?

Ifty: No, Sam. You didn't kill anybody. I miss Lucy, Sam. Brad: Me, too.

23. In Rita Harrison’s century city office Sam: How do you do? I'm Sam.

Rita: Mr. Dawson. It's a pleasure. Since somebody made a mistake... unfortunately we only have a little time. Hold my calls unless it's my kid.

Sam: That's a wonderful choice.

Rita: Can we get you something to drink? Sam: Is it for free?

Sam: OK. Thank you. Yes, I would like a glass of milk. Rita: Did you get that, Patricia?

Patricia: Yes.

24. At the restaurant

Sam: I'm ready to make coffee. Decaf nonfat latte. It's coffee up to here, nonfat milk up to here... and chocolate or cinnamon sprinkles.

George: That's pretty good, Sam. I'll think about it. We'll come up with a promotion that's good for you.

Sam: But I know what that means. When I worked as a janitor at the La Reina Theater... I asked Mr. Jenkins if I could be a ticket-taker... and he said he would think about it. And Jimmy Peters got the job. And he let his friends in for free.

George: I promise you, Sam. We'll come up with something for you. You have my word.

Sam: Word, words, words. I need more than that. I need to make coffee. I need to pay my lawyer.

25. At the ballroom’s hotel

Rita: I am celebrating congratulations to us. These are the moments. Good night.

Sam: By any chance, did you call your friend? The one that does this kind of work?

Sam: If you get back in touch with her... and you find her number, will you call me? I'm just in the middle of-- It's a special—

Rita: Yeah, I'll call you. Sam: OK. Yeah.

Rita’s Friend: Is that the new janitor?

Rita: Oh, it's a... a case I'm helping out with... sort of a pro bono thing. What's that supposed to mean?

Patricia: Cracker went down the wrong pipe. Rita: You think I don't do pro bono?

Rita’s Friend: Have another glass, please. On me. No, on you. It's pro bono. Rita: I do pro bono.

Rita’s Friend: I know. You go, girl. You just spread that love. Spread it all around.

26. In Social workers office Sam: Lucy!

Lucy: Daddy?

Sam: I'm here. I'm here. Lucy: It's Daddy. I told you!

Sam: Oh, shoot! I spilled it all. Hi.

27. In a private room in social workers office Sam: And guess her name is. Her name is Rita Harrison. Lucy: Lovely Rita Meter Maid?

Sam: Yeah, and Harrison like George. Lucy: Is she going to help us?

Sam: She can't help us... but if she ever finds her friend's number... who does this kind of cases, she's gonna call me. You've grown.

Lucy: Have I?

Sam: Yeah. Because your ears are bigger... and your eyes are older. Guess what I'm gonna get when I get my next paycheck? I'm gonna get an answering machine... because then you can call and leave a message. You can say, "Hi. This is Lucy."

Lucy: We can't afford an answering machine.

Sam: Yeah, because I'm gonna get a big promotion... a promotion that's big. Lucy: They'll let you make coffee?

Sam: Always set your dreams high, Lucy. Lucy: I'm sorry, Daddy. It was all my fault.

Sam: Don't say that. It was not all your fault, so don't say that.

28. In a private room in social workers office Sam: Excuse me.

Rita: I'm sorry.

Sam: Hi! Did you get in touch with your friend? Because I need legal advice now. You said I couldn't afford you... so I have to talk to somebody.

Rita: That's why I told you I would be your lawyer pro bono.

Sam: I don't understand exactly what you mean. You told me that you would be my lawyer?

Rita: Sam, I'm your—

Sam: Golly, because I must have misunderstood. Rita: I told you that when we first met.

29. At the street

Rita: Go, for Christ sakes! Green means "Go." Sam: I don't like to go to shrinks. You and me both.

Rita: Right or left? Which is it gonna be, bonehead? Right turn ahead. Right on Vermont? That'll be another 20 minutes, you idiot!

Sam: Did your mommy make you go to a shrink, too? Rita: No. Well, sort of.

Sam: I spent the whole time talking about her. Rita: Well, that's nice. Office.

Phone machine: Dialing home. Rita: Office! God damn it!

Sam: You're going much faster than everybody else. I wonder if you noticed that, because I noticed that.

Rita: Go!

Sam: No more shrinks. I'm sorry, Mrs. Dawson... but if I were you, I wouldn't waste any more of my time. Sorry, Mrs. Dawson, but I think you should put Sam in a home. Sam in a home.

30. In the consultation room

Therapist: Mr. Dawson, you do understand... that since I'm a court-appointed psychologist... the traditional client-therapist confidentiality...will be waived.Do you understand that?

Sam: That the confidentiality will be waived. Therapist: Good. Let's begin.

Sam: I went to a doctor one time who had an orange office. All the walls were painted orange. Do you know her? She has an orange office... and she's in Van Nuys.

Therapist: I wanted to ask you about Lucy. How old is she now? Sam: She's six. She's seven. She just had a birthday, I think. Therapist: How was that party?

31. At the apartment

Phone machine: "press the red button for record." Ifty: Let's start with the O.G.M. Brad: What? I don't know. Joe: I don't think it's working.

Robert: I think it's because it's a used machine.

Brad: It's not used. It's pre-owned. A guy bought it for his auto shop... and then he got a secretary.

Joe: Testing, 1, 2, 3.

Sam: That's a good code. I can remember that--1, 2, 3.

Robert: 4, 5, 6.

Ifty: 7, 8, 9.

Brad: 9, 10, 1 1, 12.

Ifty: Quick. You're recording.

Sam: Hi. This is-- Hi. This is Sam. I'm not home.

Brad: No, you really don't want to say that... because you don't want to tell them you're not home.

32. On the staircase

Sam: We have a lot to go over, and I have five minutes. Rothman, Glenn, Harrison, Williams... is on the 29th floor. That's 29 floors up... and the elevators are actually over there.

Rita: Keep up. Got to do my cardio. 120. Got to get to 125 to make it count. I need that list of names from you... people who can testify that you're a good father... despite your handicap. Just my husband. I didn't mean your handicap. I meant your disability. The fact that you're retarded-- that's not the right word. I don't know what to call you.

Sam: Sam. You can call me Sam.

33. At the restaurant

Rita: I don't think you realize what you're up against. We have to be in court in three days... and we don't have a decent witness. Now, you've got to know someone who can testify... who's been to college... or has a degree of some kind... or has some way of expressing themselves... that will make the court believe you deserve... to get your daughter back. I need coffee. Big, tall.

Sam: Tall is the smallest.

Rita: Yeah, of course. Once you think of this person... and there has to be one person, call me at work. Because I'm going back there now... to my seven other cases. What? Mrs. Robeck. I'm on the 405. The traffic is horrible.

Sam: You want this for here or to go? Rita: Dorothy?

Sam: Oh, no. No. Tow truck is towing your car. Rita: Son of a bitch.

Sam: It's towing your car.

Rita: No, wait! Stop! It's my car. Stop.

34. In the apartment

Sam: But, Annie, it's just one day. And Lucy needs you because you went to college... and you can give the right answers. And we can't lose her. Annie: I'd make it worse for you. I can't do it. Don't you think I would if I

could?

35. In courtroom Sam: Hi, guys.

All: Hi, Sam. Boy, you did a wonderful job making those signs. Brad: You're welcome, Sam.

Ifty: Good luck, buddy. Joe: Go get 'em. 36. In courtroom

Sam: I think they want you to stop. Rita: Really? Thank you, Sam.

Sam: Yeah, OK. Brad's wearing a tie today... and I think the tie looks wonderful on you, Brad.

Brad: You look great, too.

Joe: There's a lady-- she's writing everything down. Watch what you say. Sam: I have the best friends in the whole world.

37. In the restaurant

Sam: You made her cry. Rita: I got lucky.

Sam: Oh, no. That's not nice to make her cry. Rita: Only in there.

Sam: And your secretary when you hated your desk.

Sam: Green and yellow on the same plate. Could you separate the lima beans... from the corn, please?

Rita: Sam, don't be impossible. Can I have the spinach omelette-- only egg whites, no fat, no oil, no butter.

Waitress: And extra mushrooms? Rita: Absolutely.

Sam: My treat. Rita: No, no, no—

38. In front of toilet

Lucy: Daddy! Daddy! She said we could go to the park. Sam: What happened? What made her change her mind?

Lucy: I started crying in the bathroom... so she thought we needed more time. Let’s go come on.

39. On the bus Sam: There's the park.

Lucy: Let's not get off. Let's keep going. Sam: No, Lucy, that would be wrong.

Lucy: Tamara's mommy lost her case... and she hasn't seen her in six years. She had five different mommies, and one of them hit her.

Sam: I would never let that happen to you.

Lucy: That's what her real mommy said... and now they won't even let her talk to her. Daddy. It's the only way to be together. We'll start a new life... get new names, live in a new apartment... and they'll never find us.

40. In social workers office

Sam: That's Rita. Hi! It's 3:00 in the morning. Hi!

Rita: What were you thinking? What were you possibly thinking? Sam: I wanted to be with Lucy.

Rita: That's ridiculous! Willy, stay here with me. What could you possibly gain by kidnapping your kid... in the middle of a custody hearing?

Sam: Lucy told me—

Rita: I don't want to hear it! Can you possibly explain this to me? Who is the goddamn parent?

Sam: Me.

41. In The Courtroom

Tunner: These responsibilities include... busing tables, replenishing the Sweet 'n Lows... sweeping up the place?

Sam: Yeah.

Tunner: Aren't these Mr. Dawson's only responsibilities? Because he doesn't have the mental capacity... to run a cash register or even make a cup of coffee.

George: As a matter of fact... Sam and I were discussing a promotion... we were going to put into effect next week.

Sam: Hooray for me! Thank you, George.

Tunner: Thank you, George. That's very nice. After eight years, Sam can make a cup of coffee... and he can certainly help Lucy with her geometry.

Rita: Objection.

42. In the car

Rita: Sam has his big day on the stand tomorrow... and we need to do a little bit of work... so he's as effective as you were.

Sam: I want to be as effective as you were, Annie.

Rita: On the Porsche, the door handle... is a little hidden by that thingamajig. So, if you're having trouble finding it—

Annie: No!

Sam: I think maybe Annie's not exactly ready to go yet.

43. In the kitchen

Sam: There you are. You gonna come see the movie? It's the best part. Rita: It's getting late. We better get to work.

44. In Rita’s office room

Rita: Our strategy is... we're aggressively pursuing a support system. I'm going to ask you... "How are you prepared to help Lucy at school?" Sam: Let me see. Let me see.

Rita: Sam, I told you, you have to stop saying that. It makes you look stupid. OK, try again. You say you will find her a tutor. Then I say, "How will you pay for it?"

Sam: Could you slow down? Why do you eat so fast? Rita: We have been over this a million times.

Sam: Yeah.

Rita: You found her a free tutoring service at the YWCA. Sam: But I didn't. You did.

Rita: Can you grasp the concept of... manipulating the truth? Not lying. Just a little tweak here and there.

Sam: No. You're so lucky. You get to play with Willy any time you want. Rita: He doesn't want to play with me.

Sam: Yes, he does. Yes, he does. He does. He thinks you don't want to play, maybe.

Rita: That's ridiculous. Of course I do.

Sam: Tweak.

Rita: I drove around after work yesterday till 9:30... looking for that frigging Raptor scooter!

45. In the living room

Rita: You buried yourself. You've got to do better. Sam: I kind of think we're the same smart.

Rita: What does that mean?

Sam: I know the bus routes better than she does. Rita: How does that make you the same smart?

Sam: Doesn't every parent want their kid to be smart?

Rita: That's true, but the issue here is that... at the age of seven, Lucy is smarter than you.

Sam: But in some ways, I'm smarter than she is. Rita: You got to be firm on this.

Sam: In some ways, she's-- In some ways, I'm smarter than her. In some ways, I'm smarter than you, Mr. Turner. In some ways, I'm smarter than you, Judge McNeilly.

Rita: Whoa. Take it down. Want some marshmallows? This is my husband's. He'll never notice. He has ten more just like it. Try it on.

Sam: Will you look that way? Rita: In there.

Sam: I wasn't exactly sure how to tie this. Does it look bad?

Rita: No. Very, very good. Cross over once. And loop this around... and up inside of the neck. And then pull up on the skinny part.

Sam: Oh, yeah. Yeah.

46. At the restaurant

George: Today's your big day, buddy. Making coffee. You ready? Sam: Thank you, George.

George: What time you got to be in court?

47. In court

Rita: What the hell happened to you? Sam: I'm late.

Rita: What's that smell? Mint? Sam: No, no. The blender exploded.

Rita: Look at me. Slow down, because Lucy needs you. Sam: Yeah, Lucy needs me.

Judge: We need you, Ms. Harrison.

Sam: I go in there now, because it's my turn. Rita: Go sit.

48. In the court

Tunner: Mr. Dawson, your lawyer just objected. You didn't have to answer that question. You can't even follow simple rules... you've been observing day after day.

Rita: Objection. Your Honor— Judge: Overruled.

Tunner: What makes you think you can raise a 7-year-old? A 10-year-old? A 13-year-old? You know what that means? She'll be six years more advanced than you. What makes you think you can do that? What makes you think you can do that? What makes you think you can do that?

Sam: I have had a lot of time, see, to think about what it is that makes somebody a good parents and it's about constancy. And it's about patience, and it's about listening. And it's about pretending to listen

even when you can't listen anymore. And it's about love, like she said. See, Billy has a home with me and I made it the best I could. And it's not perfect and I'm not a perfect parent and sometimes I don't have enough patience. And I forget he's just a little kid. But we built a life together and we love each other. And if you destroy that it'll be irre--irrep-- Let me see. Let me see.

49. At the apartment

Rita: I can go... at least another nine rounds. But you gotta let me in. Please. Sam. There you are. Now I can see those kind eyes. So, George says that you needed a break from work.

Sam: I don't really want to work there anymore.. because there's too many people. Rita: Then maybe we can find you a quieter job, because-- Remember that was one

of the judge's conditions... that you earn more money. You have to keep earning more money... so that you can get a new apartment... and Lucy can have her own room... for when you get her back.

Sam: Yeah, except that Lucy doesn't need me anymore. She has a new family now... and she doesn't need me anymore.

Rita: Is that what she said?

Sam: It's because I know that. Because I just know that.

Rita: Well. That's the first stupid thing I've ever heard you say. Sam, you can get Lucy back. The court favors reunification. But, Sam, you have to fight for her.

Sam: Yeah, but I tried! I tried hard! Rita: Try harder!

Sam: Yeah, but you don't know! Rita: I don't know what?

Sam: You don't know what it's like when you try... and you try and you try and you don't ever get there! Because you were born perfect, and I was born like this! And you're perfect!

Rita: Is that right?

Sam: People like you don't know. Rita: People like me?

Sam: You don't know what it's like to get hurted... because you don't have feelings. People like you don't feel anything.

Rita: You think you got the market cornered on human suffering? Let me tell you something about people like me. People like me feel lost and little and ugly... and dispensable. People like me have husbands... screwing someone else far more perfect than me. People like me have sons who hate them. And I've screamed horrible things to him... a seven-year-old, because he doesn't want... to get in the car at the end of the day. And then he looks at me with such anger... and I hate him then. I know I'm failing you. I know I'm disappointing you. I know you deserve better, but get in the fucking car! Every morning, I wake up and I fail. And I look around, and everybody seems to be pulling it off... but somehow I can't... no matter how hard I try. Somehow...l'll never be enough.

50. At the park

Sam: Get off the grass, Dino. OK, come on. Be careful, because you're gonna get hurt. Guys, be careful of the pictures. Be careful of the pretty pictures.

Randy: Sam, you're early.

Sam: All the lights were green. When I was walking here, all the lights were green.

Randy: There's a reason for the court schedule. You stopped showing up. Lucy's had to rebuild her whole life, Sam.

Sam: I want her back. I know I can get her back.

Sandy: That's not up to me. But I'm just gonna tell you... I'm gonna do everything in my power... to protect that little girl from getting hurt again. Whose dogs are these?

Sam: These are supplemental income. Because I wash and I walk and I feed the dogs. Sam Dawson has everything for your canine needs.

Sandy: Let me go get your daughter.

51. In front of Randy’s House

Sam: Everybody behave like a gentleman... because Lucy's gonna come out here... and first impressions are very important.

Lucy: You never even came! You never called! You forgot about me! How could you forget me?

Sam: No, I didn't forget you! I would never forget you! I hate you! Will you not be mad at me for one second? Because I want to tell you one thing, OK? Because last night, I was writing you a letter... and then

the words, they got too big. Gesundheit, Floppy. Floppy has a cold. And then I said... "Dear Lucy, I'm sorry I maybe hurt your feelings... "and I was thinking about you all the time. "Lucy on a hammock... "and Lucy at school... "and Lucy in the sky and kisses and hugs, Daddy. "And P.S. I love you, like the song. "P.S. I love you like in the song."

52. At social workers office Rita: Hello, Mr. Dawson. Sam: Yes. Hello, lawyer. Rita: Shall we?

53. In the restaurant

Rita: Sam, there's one option we've never talked about. I know what you went through... the last time you took the stand.

Sam: I didn't like that at all.

Rita: We could give the foster parents guardianship... and then we could try... for the most incredible visitation rights... and it would almost seem like joint custody.

Sam: You're saying I don't have a chance. That's what you're saying. Rita: No. I'm not saying you don't have a chance.

Joe: That's what you said last time and now look where he is.

Sam: But she's not saying that I don't have a chance. So tell me that I have a chance.

Ifty: Oh, my God. Sam, you guys... it's video night at my house, and I'm not even there.

Joe: Check.

Brad: Sam, get your dessert to go.

Sam: Because, OK. Wait. This is really hard to say. For me, this is a very hard thing to say... but I'm gonna stay and have my dessert here with Rita... and I'm not gonna go to video night tonight.

Brad: What?

Joe: Gee, that figures. I knew that was coming.

54. In front of Randy’s house Lucy: Daddy?

Sam: Hi.

Randy: What are you doing here? Sam: I live here.

Randy: What do you mean you live here? Sam: Actually, I live here.

Lucy: This is where you live? So close to me?

Sam: Yeah, because I wanted to be close. I wanted to be closer to you... so I live here in that apartment. It's number nine. And number nine is like October 9... when John Lennon was born... and his son was born on October 9, too. Lucy: John met Yoko on November 9.

55. In the apartment

Lucy: Daddy! Did you know that Warren G. Harding... was the 29th president of the United States? Remember, the 29th president... in case the judge asks.

Sam: What are you doing out here? Lucy: I missed you.

Sam: You could get really hurted. And it's really cold... and you don't have enough on to keep you warm.

56. In front of Randy’s house Randy: What--?

Sam: She couldn't sleep, so she came to my house.

Randy: Give me my daughter. Give us Lucy. Come here. Easy, Sam. Thank you.

Sam: Sometimes if you rub her belly... and then if you tell her two stories... and give her half an IHOP corn muffin... then sometimes she sleeps. When she can't sleep.

Randy: We'll be fine, Sam. Good night. Sam: Good night.

57. In the apartment

Sam: Everybody behave yourself. Oh, how wonderful. You brought Willy. Hi, Willy.

Willy: Hi, Sam.

Sam: It's good to see you. We have to close the door because the dogs go out.

Rita: My husband left this when he moved out. Sam: Lovely Rita.

Rita: OK, let me see. They're going to put Randy on the stand tomorrow first... and then you.

Sam: They're a very nice couple. And she's pretty, and they have a nice house... and she's smart, too.

Rita: Sam, I worry. I worry sometimes.

Sam: Do you worry that you did something wrong?

Rita: I worry that I've gotten... more out of this relationship than you. Sam: I have the lawyer that never loses.

Rita: That's me.

Sam: And the manager at the Pizza Hut's gonna testify... and that's good. Rita: Absolutely.

Sam: And Annie said that George thinks-- that George Harrison couldn't-- maybe, he couldn't write a song... but then he wrote "Here Comes the Sun"... and she said that it was one of the best songs on "Abbey Road."

58. In front of Sam’s apartment

Randy: She's OK. Sorry. She fell asleep in the car. I was gonna turn back and tuck her in... in her room. You know, that I-- in her room that I made for her. Because I tried to make a really nice room for her. But I was afraid she'd wake up at our house... and want to come home.

Sam: That's a girl.

Randy: I have to apologize to you... because I was gonna tell that judge... that I could give Lucy the kind of love she never had. But I can't say that, because I'd be lying. I hope...

Sam: I hope you're saying what I think you're saying. I hope you're saying what I think you're saying.

Randy: I am. Bye. I'll see you in court tomorrow. Save me a seat, Sam. On your side. OK? Sam: Yeah. I'll save you a seat on my side. Bye. Randy: Bye.

Sam: Randy? If I tell you a secret... that I can't do it by myself... will you tell the judge on me?

Randy: No, Sam.

Sam: Promise?

Randy: I promise.

Sam: Because I always wanted Lucy to have a mother. I always wanted her to have a mother. Help. I need somebody. Help. Not just anyone. And you're the red in her painting. Because I think you're the red in her painting.

50. At the park

Sam: Get off the grass, Dino. OK, come on. Be careful, because you're gonna get hurt. Guys, be careful of the pictures. Be careful of the pretty pictures.

Randy: Sam, you're early.

Sam: All the lights were green. When I was walking here, all the lights were green.

Randy: There's a reason for the court schedule. You stopped showing up. Lucy's had to rebuild her whole life, Sam.

Sam: I want her back. I know I can get her back.

Sandy: That's not up to me. But I'm just gonna tell you... I'm gonna do everything in my power... to protect that little girl from getting hurt again. Whose dogs are these?

Sam: These are supplemental income. Because I wash and I walk and I feed the dogs. Sam Dawson has everything for your canine needs.

Sandy: Let me go get your daughter.

51. In front of Randy’s House

Sam: Everybody behave like a gentleman... because Lucy's gonna come out here... and first impressions are very important.

Lucy: You never even came! You never called! You forgot about me! How could you forget me?

Sam: No, I didn't forget you! I would never forget you! I hate you! Will you not be mad at me for one second? Because I want to tell you one thing, OK? Because last night, I was writing you a letter... and then

the words, they got too big. Gesundheit, Floppy. Floppy has a cold. And then I said... "Dear Lucy, I'm sorry I maybe hurt your feelings... "and I was thinking about you all the time. "Lucy on a hammock... "and Lucy at school... "and Lucy in the sky and kisses and hugs, Daddy. "And P.S. I love you, like the song. "P.S. I love you like in the song."

52. At social workers office Rita: Hello, Mr. Dawson. Sam: Yes. Hello, lawyer. Rita: Shall we?

53. In the restaurant

Rita: Sam, there's one option we've never talked about. I know what you went through... the last time you took the stand.

Sam: I didn't like that at all.

Rita: We could give the foster parents guardianship... and then we could try... for the most incredible visitation rights... and it would almost seem like joint custody.

Sam: You're saying I don't have a chance. That's what you're saying. Rita: No. I'm not saying you don't have a chance.

Joe: That's what you said last time and now look where he is.

Sam: But she's not saying that I don't have a chance. So tell me that I have a chance.

Ifty: Oh, my God. Sam, you guys... it's video night at my house, and I'm not even there.

Joe: Check.

Brad: Sam, get your dessert to go.

Sam: Because, OK. Wait. This is really hard to say. For me, this is a very hard thing to say... but I'm gonna stay and have my dessert here with Rita... and I'm not gonna go to video night tonight.

Brad: What?

Joe: Gee, that figures. I knew that was coming.

54. In front of Randy’s house Lucy: Daddy?

Sam: Hi.

Randy: What are you doing here? Sam: I live here.

Randy: What do you mean you live here? Sam: Actually, I live here.

Lucy: This is where you live? So close to me?

Sam: Yeah, because I wanted to be close. I wanted to be closer to you... so I live here in that apartment. It's number nine. And number nine is like October 9... when John Lennon was born... and his son was born on October 9, too. Lucy: John met Yoko on November 9.

55. In the apartment

Lucy: Daddy! Did you know that Warren G. Harding... was the 29th president of the United States? Remember, the 29th president... in case the judge asks.

Sam: What are you doing out here? Lucy: I missed you.

Sam: You could get really hurted. And it's really cold... and you don't have enough on to keep you warm.

56. In front of Randy’s house Randy: What--?

Sam: She couldn't sleep, so she came to my house.

Randy: Give me my daughter. Give us Lucy. Come here. Easy, Sam. Thank you.

Sam: Sometimes if you rub her belly... and then if you tell her two stories... and give her half an IHOP corn muffin... then sometimes she sleeps. When she can't sleep.

Randy: We'll be fine, Sam. Good night. Sam: Good night.

57. In the apartment

Sam: Everybody behave yourself. Oh, how wonderful. You brought Willy. Hi, Willy.

Willy: Hi, Sam.

Sam: It's good to see you. We have to close the door because the dogs go out.

Rita: My husband left this when he moved out. Sam: Lovely Rita.

Rita: OK, let me see. They're going to put Randy on the stand tomorrow first... and then you.

Sam: They're a very nice couple. And she's pretty, and they have a nice house... and she's smart, too.

Rita: Sam, I worry. I worry sometimes.

Sam: Do you worry that you did something wrong?

Rita: I worry that I've gotten... more out of this relationship than you. Sam: I have the lawyer that never loses.

Rita: That's me.

Sam: And the manager at the Pizza Hut's gonna testify... and that's good. Rita: Absolutely.

Sam: And Annie said that George thinks-- that George Harrison couldn't-- maybe, he couldn't write a song... but then he wrote "Here Comes the Sun"... and she said that it was one of the best songs on "Abbey Road."

58. In front of Sam’s apartment

Randy: She's OK. Sorry. She fell asleep in the car. I was gonna turn back and tuck her in... in her room. You know, that I-- in her room that I made for her. Because I tried to make a really nice room for her. But I was afraid she'd wake up at our house... and want to come home.

Sam: That's a girl.

Randy: I have to apologize to you... because I was gonna tell that judge... that I could give Lucy the kind of love she never had. But I can't say that, because I'd be lying. I hope...

Sam: I hope you're saying what I think you're saying. I hope you're saying what I think you're saying.

Randy: I am. Bye. I'll see you in court tomorrow. Save me a seat, Sam. On your side. OK? Sam: Yeah. I'll save you a seat on my side. Bye. Randy: Bye.

Sam: Randy? If I tell you a secret... that I can't do it by myself... will you tell the judge on me?

Randy: No, Sam.

Sam: Promise?

Randy: I promise.

Sam: Because I always wanted Lucy to have a mother. I always wanted her to have a mother. Help. I need somebody. Help. Not just anyone. And you're the red in her painting. Because I think you're the red in her painting.