Fame (1982) s01e12 Episode Script

I'd like you to meet the new Julie Miller.
That was my number.
I'm not gonna lose out to a mannequin.
I'm going to your apartment to get some background material on you.
And that's all? It's easy to fall under the spell of these kids, Jeff.
You and I have had our differences but the one thing I used to say about you is, you could mind your own business.
You got big dreams.
You want fame.
Well, fame costs and right here is where you start paying in sweat.
Slower, slower.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Come on, Mom, slow.
Inhale.
That's it.
That's right, relax.
Exhale.
That's right.
- I'm okay now.
- Of course you are.
There's nothing so scary about job hunting.
You only hyperventilate when things are going badly.
This is something good.
Miss Grant says she'll probably be able to help you find a job.
But Miss Grant has better things to do than offer job counseling to one of her student's mothers.
She wants to help you out.
It's what she does all the time for the kids.
But, Julie, I am not one of the kids.
That's why I think this is some kind of imposition.
Look, Mom, can we debate this on the way to school? I've got a rehearsal, and I'm gonna be late unless we get a move on.
You go ahead.
I'll be along.
Are you sure you're not going to chicken out? So I'll be late for one rehearsal.
That's no big deal.
Where's Miller? I did not get up before I was barely asleep to be told to hang out.
A featured performer does not hang out.
Doris, lighten up.
No.
If you let these things slide, they get to be habit-forming.
And so does this.
Look, you leavin' ain't gonna make things any better.
Yes, it will.
Trust me.
What's with her? She thinks she's the only one that's got to get up? Some people wake up better than others.
Mornings are to Doris what the polka is to Leroy.
You want private sounds, you buy your own cassette.
- People, we came here to rehearse.
- We are rehearsing.
I'm getting cues.
So cue me.
Tell me, where can I get these things cheap? - Here.
- Hold it! You wanted to rehearse? I'd like you to meet the new Julie Miller.
You think this is a joke? This is not a joke.
I am dead serious.
She was gonna play a mannequin anyway.
We might as well use the real thing.
- She's gonna have a fit if you do that.
- No, wait.
Maybe it will work.
Listen, we have to rehearse.
That's the important thing.
I tell y'all what-y'all tell her.
I don't wanna have no part in that conversation.
I'll tell her.
She'll understand.
- She's an adult.
- If she's an adult, what's she doin' here? If we're not gonna get anything accomplished- Yeah, come on.
Let's play the music.
Let's do it.
Come on! But that worked! I think it was fine! Yeah, it wasn't bad.
It was kinda different.
I don't know.
I gotta go to the bathroom! - So, what did you think, huh? - It was fantastic.
- Unfortunately, it was terrific.
- What's that mean? Well, if you think that conversation with Julie's gonna be tough when you tell her you replaced her for rehearsal with a dress dummy imagine that conversation when you tell her you replaced her, period.
With a dress dummy, period.
Are you serious? It was better with a dress dummy than with a human being.
Julie will absolutely plotz.
! - Julie's not here either.
- She's probably sick.
When she hears about her replacement, she'll be terminal.
May I have your attention, please.
Who is he? That's curiosity, Leroy.
I asked for attention.
Would you join us, Mr.
Harris, please? Class, I'd like to introduce Mr.
Jeffrey Harris.
Hi.
Yeah, but who is he? I'll tell ya, Leroy.
I'm that lower form of humanity known as a student teacher.
- I'm sorry, Miss Sherwood.
I can explain.
- After class.
Mr.
Harris is a graduate student.
He'll be assisting me for a few weeks.
Any questions? You will notice, Mr.
Harris that when one asks for attention one often gets questions and when one asks for questions, one gets nothing.
I like surprises.
Now, let me see.
I should have something in here that applies to someone who's not still in school.
Meaning someone my age? No.
Meaning someone who's not still in school, period.
I sure hope you don't come on like that to would-be employers putting yourself down before they get a chance to.
I might, if I ever get a chance to face a would-be employer.
That's a no-no, isn't it? Yeah.
And so is baby talk like "no-no.
" Maybe this was a bad idea.
Mrs.
Miller, let me decide that, okay? It's just that I haven't done anything except be a mother toJulie and a wife to my husband.
Till I sorta got fired off that job too.
Well, what about volunteer work? Hobbies? Personal interests? - Do they count? - Sure they do, if they're all you have.
Well, then, I guess they count.
Fill this out for me, okay? - A mannequin? - Look, Julie.
Losing a part, that kinda thing happens in show business all the time.
John Wilkes Booth hardly worked at all towards the end of his career.
That was my number! I'm not gonna lose out to a mannequin! Julie, the number works better this way.
Okay.
Okay.
I'm sorry I was late.
It couldn't be helped.
- You don't have to punish me for it! - That's not what's happening.
- It's nothing personal towards you.
- Isn't it? How come you weren't replaced? Or you? Because we showed up on time.
This seat taken? It is now.
I was beginning to think I was gonna have to eat with the teachers.
- You make that sound terrible.
- It's not, if you happen to like teachers.
That's some attitude for someone who's gonna be a teacher.
- Don't you wanna be a teacher? - Let's just say I'm not obsessed with it.
If that's so, then why do it? Do you get to do everything you want to do? - No.
Not always.
- Well, maybe we ought to start a club.
The "We'll be happy even if we can't do everything we want to do" club.
- Two members.
You and me.
- Okay.
Ah, we have a quorum.
Any old business? Any new business? Any ideas for a secret handshake? Any reason why cafeteria food always has to look like this? Don't worry.
As soon as your mother returns the questionnaire I'll figure out where to send it.
Thanks a lot, Miss Grant.
I really appreciate your helping her.
- She's so timid about all this.
- I don't see why.
New York is just like Grand Rapids- just bigger, noisier and more terrifying.
- Tell me about it.
- You don't look terrified.
- You look happy.
- I do? In fact, you look positively radiant.
Thank you.
Excuse me, Miss Grant.
I gotta run.
I promised Mr.
Harris a tour of the place.
Thanks again.
Girl, what do you think about that? I think just what you think.
So, what's the verdict after one day in the trenches? Fascinating, confusing fascinating, scary and fascinating.
It's easy to fall under the spell of these kids, Jeff.
That's what makes teaching here all the more difficult.
TakeJulie Miller.
What about her? You'll be reading some of her compositions.
They're beautiful.
As beautiful as she is.
They make me remember what it was like to be 1 7- so tentative vulnerable.
- I've noticed that aboutJulie.
- Really? Yeah.
We had lunch together and she gave me a walk-around tour of the place.
Okay.
I'm glad you said that.
Now we can get right down to cases.
Sit down.
I don't know what they tell you in education classes these days but I know how it works here.
It's a thin line we have to draw with these kids.
We have to care to listen, to teach.
But we can't step over that line.
- It can't become personal.
- Did I give the impression that it was? I don't give this mini-lecture unless I think it might be required.
Whoa.
I'm sorry.
I should have realized you couldn't know what I was doing.
Which was? Education was not my first major in college.
Journalism, yes? I check up on the people I'm going to be working with.
Well, I just thought there might be a way to combine the two.
How? I'd like to do an article about the school.
Oh? For a newspaper or- Well, I'll hit some of the little magazines I sold to as an undergrad.
Publicity couldn't hurt a place like this.
What does Julie Miller have to do with this? I want to write it from her point of view- the Grand Rapids girl in the Big Apple.
- Has she agreed to it? - She loves the idea.
Okay.
Sorry.
Wrong lecture.
- An article about me? - Yeah.
Well, from your point of view.
- I don't know.
- Well, why not? Some of the older kids, they could tell you a lot more about the school.
I've thought about that but I want the readers to learn about the school just the way you did.
Besides, you have to do it.
I told Miss Sherwood you'd already agreed.
- But you didn't even ask me.
- So I'm asking you now.
How'd you like us to spend time together without people looking at us cross-eyed? Unless, of course, you can't stand to hang out with someone of my generation.
Yeah.
I can stand it.
You'll return to work tomorrow.
Creative writing in class.
Bring pencils.
No excuses.
Julie, can we work during lunch? Sure, Mr.
Harris.
- How's the article developing? - Oh, it's really coming together.
So's your teaching.
Hey, that's great.
Not too bad.
You know, Mr.
Chips was one of my favorite movies but I wonder if we could drop some of the teacher-student stuff between you and me.
- Such as? - Forget the "mister.
" MeJeff, you Julie.
Sure.
You told me when you first came here you thought your father was right to stay in Grand Rapids and you and your mom were wrong in coming here.
Yeah.
I did think that then.
But I didn't realize what this school was.
I didn't even think I could fit in here.
But I can, and I do.
And I'm glad.
"Craft counselor in a summer camp.
Decorations chairwoman for the PTA.
" Oh, that's good.
"Luncheon coordinator for your golf club?" Well, that's pretty creative, in its own way.
Edward had another name for me.
He called me a dilettante.
I bet you never had that problem.
I bet you never flitted around looking for something to do.
Who? I had to find something quick, or else there'd be no me left to do it with.
Me too now.
But dancing isn't just "something to do" is it? It means much more than that to you.
True.
See, I never had that.
Julie's growing, she needs me less and less with each passing day and, frankly, I'm scared and lonely and a whole bunch of things, none of'em good.
That's exactly what we're gonna change, Mrs.
Miller, starting now.
Why are you spending all this extra time with me? Because you're worth it.
Once you believe that, you're not gonna need me or anybody else to help you out.
Now, let's figure out your schedule.
Hold it.
Hold it, everybody.
- You want something? - I'd just like to watch.
Mr.
Harris, teachers aren't supposed to watch rehearsals.
They're kinda supposed to let us sink or swim on our own.
- Don't you wanna be in a magazine article? - What kind of a magazine? Well, I'm not sure yet, but somebody'll be interested enough to publish it.
Well, I'm sorta the star of this number and if you wanna know how my name is spelled, it's L-E-R- Let's just let the man watch the rehearsal.
We can figure out your billing later.
Right.
Just forget I'm here.
All right, y'all.
Let's take it from the break.
A five, a six, a five, six, seven, eight! It might be old hat to you but to someone like me who's never seen a number put together before, it was a trip.
Yeah, I suppose so.
It's just that particular number, it's not my kind of thing.
What I'd like is to tour your old high school- kind of a study in contrasts.
But I don't think the subway goes to Grand Rapids.
No, but I'd be willing to bet you brought your old yearbook with you to New York.
As a matter of fact, I'll bet you were on the yearbook committee.
- You mean it shows? - Assistant editor, right? No.
I sold ads.
Actually, I sold one ad to my father.
Well, show it to me.
At my apartment? - Yeah.
- I don't know.
Look, Julie, what's the big deal? I'm going to your apartment to get some background material on you.
And that's all? And because I don't wanna wait until tomorrow to see you again.
Oh, no! You can't look at this! That seems like a million years ago.
- It was another world back there.
- Yeah-Well, yes and no.
People in Grand Rapids were always warning Mom and me about how rude and cold New York was going to be, but it's not like that.
And the other thing is, kids in school- they always say how out of touch and square everyone is in the Midwest.
That's not true either.
But I don't think they believe me.
How could anyone not believe you? - Can I ask you a question? - Sure.
I've asked enough of you.
Why are you teaching if what you really want to be is a journalist? Well, teaching is steadier.
It's less risky, and- And what? And there's a part of me that's afraid I'm not quite good enough to cut it as a journalist.
Hey, welcome to the club.
You know, everyone in the school has some of that.
Wondering whether or not we have something special inside.
That just comes with the territory.
Say no, and I'm gone.
I wasn't sure if I should cough or throw cold water on you.
I didn't expect you back so soon.
This is Mr.
Harris.
"Mister"? You're not on a first name basis, at least? He's a teacher at the school- Actually, I'm just a student teacher.
No, you're not, Mr.
Harris- not after I call the school.
I'm really sorry Miss Grant didn't have any job leads for you.
But she's gonna keep trying, right, Mom? - Maybe I'll make us some tea.
- I don't want any tea, thank you.
How long's this gonna go on? - What? - The silent treatment.
Julie, you told me about the article.
Okay, I take that into consideration.
You tell me it's a first-time thing.
Okay, I'll hold off calling the school.
But if you expect me to be delighted or outgoing about the whole thing I think that's expecting a bit much.
Mom, nothing happened between Jeff and me, and nothing will.
But there's something you ought to know.
He's the first guy I've met since we left Grand Rapids that I really care about.
I hope you don't take that away from me too.
- Mr.
Shorofsky, you're a musical person.
- I like to think so.
Then you can't pass up the best buy ever made by a musical person, can you? I have a strong feeling I can do just that, quite easily.
Without even listening to what it is? You have exactly one minute and 43 seconds.
This place that sells radios, stereos, stuff like that they're having a two-for-one sale.
On what? Or am I gonna be sorry I asked? On a portable cassette player.
- With the funny little earphones? - Yeah, that's it.
I could swing half the price on one if you'd- Music is meant to be enjoyed by everyone, Mr.
Amatullo.
It is not something one uses to tune out the world while one tunes in on bad music and, worse, ball games.
It is also not something one uses to avoid listening to one's teachers or learning one's schoolwork.
Mr.
Cobb! Over here.
- Listen, I wanna thank you for coming.
- No problem.
- Have a seat, please.
- Thanks.
Close, but no cigar.
You're kidding.
Jeff, two years ago I would've bought it.
It's clear, concise, interesting.
Yeah, and that's no longer in style? - Right.
- What are you talking about? I'm talking about my magazine having a new owner who has a philosophy about our readership.
They want short words, simple ideas served up with a little flesh and scandal.
- That's not the way you used to operate.
- Things change.
Life goes on.
You tell me I sold out, I'll have to agree.
And I'll also have to add, I got a hell of a good price.
Sorry, my friend.
Look, I wanna wish you the best of luck with this teaching thing.
David, wait a minute, please.
Look, this teaching thing might turn out to be short-term for me.
I think I can deliver what you want.
I'd like to take another shot at it.
Okay.
Great.
Just as long as you understand what we're lookin' for.
Short words, simple ideas, flesh and scandal.
Have fun.
Talk to you soon.
It's the newest thing.
It's kinda the pirate look meets the sweat suit.
Looks like Donald Duck meets the Creature from the Black Lagoon.
You think I made that up? That is a direct quote from Glamour East magazine.
- Do you hate it? - Well, does it come in lavender? No, no.
Lavender's dead wrong.
Hey, you're not wearing it.
Coco is.
- Not unless it's lavender, I'm not.
- What do you think, Mr.
Harris? - Coco should have the color she wants.
- I won't wear it if it's- Coco, if I return it once my mother figures it's okay.
She figured I inherited it, my not being able to make up my mind.
But more than once and she's gonna get suspicious.
Suspicious about what? Come on.
What's she talking about? - Well, you see sometimes- - Doris, dummy up.
- I'm not gonna use it.
I'm just curious.
- See, sometimes- You better let her tell.
She'll explode if you don't.
Are you saying you have to buy your own costumes? What buy? We use a credit card.
- You have a credit card? - I have a mother who has a credit card.
So you buy the costume, use it in the show and then return it.
I admire your ingenuity.
If we didn't do stuff with ingenuity, the only play we could do is Oh, Calcutta.
! Hey, look, we got time for one more rehearsal.
Let's not blow it.
- Mr.
Harris, you interested in a bargain? - Danny, come on! One, two, three, four.
- I talked to my mother last night.
- Not here.
Okay? Everything's gonna be all right.
She's not exactly thrilled, but everything's gonna be all right.
It was a really long session.
We'll get together and I'll fill you in.
Okay? Thank you, Miss Miller.
Now take your seat, please.
Julie, what are you doing after school? I'm not sure.
Why? I thought you'd like to see the number.
Kind of rubbing my nose in it, aren't you? No, I want you to see that the number is better and that we weren't picking on you or punishing you.
Oh, well, I can't.
I've some stuff to do with the article.
And the article writer? Yeah, he's doing it from my point of view.
I bet he is.
You and I have had our differences but the one thing I used to say about you is, you could mind your own business.
Now, if you've taken up sleaze as a hob- Mr.
Harris, when you're ready.
Okay.
Time out for education.
Now, yesterday we were talking about the tools of journalism, which are- Truth, clarity and the facts.
I am so proud of you, I can't see straight.
And the best part is, you got it all on your own.
What are you tryin' to do, put me out of a job as a career counselor? Don't you try it! - Good afternoon, Mr.
Shorofsky.
- Hi.
You know the coffee they talk about on radio and TV? The stuff the man did not buy because it wasn't good enough? Somebody bought it.
Has Danny Amatullo mentioned anything about a sale on cassette players to you? - Yeah, he said something about- - Did you agree to buy it? Well, I'm sure he'll find his way back to me.
Yeah, is Mr.
Cobb in forJeff Harris, please? At first I was there just to apply for the hostess job at his coffee shop.
Showing people to their tables, that kind of thing.
But he saw something in me because he decided to try me out as a collector.
- You mean, like for unpaid bills? - Oh, no, no, no.
Going around to other bars and restaurants he has contacts with and picking up- I don't know, receipts and things.
Charlotte, dear I think you'd better tell me more about this job of yours.
Mr.
Shorofsky, have you seen Jeff Harris? - Faculty lounge.
- Thank you.
A numbers runner? They thought I looked like someone who could be a numbers runner? No.
They thought you looked like the last person who would be a numbers runner.
That's why they picked you.
I feel so- I am so dumb! - Charlotte- - Oh, damn! Okay, then, try this.
There's a credit card scam for ripping off department stores.
They use the credit card thing to get costumes- and some of the costumes would knock your socks off- Yeah, yeah.
Photo opportunity.
Correct.
We could build a case for some racial tension between some of the students.
Drugs? That's something I didn't get into, but there must be some drugs around.
There is in every other school I ever heard about.
The angle is, these artsy-craftsy kids are tripping out on the taxpayers' money while the rest of us go to hell in a handbasket- Baby.
Are you really into whatever that is, or can we talk for a minute? No, not really.
But I don't think I'm much good for talking either.
Certainly not aboutJeff, or me being on the outs with the other kids.
I sorta had something else in mind but I suppose it's related in a way.
- Your job hunting? - Also related, but no.
Then what? Julie, I think it's time you and I started to consider some unpleasant realities.
We're both terribly unhappy and maybe we ought to consider the possibility that this really isn't the place for us and we oughta think about going home.
Back to Grand Rapids? Just something to think about.
I know you're not into performing so why do I have the feeling I'm about to hear a song and dance? No way.
What you are going to hear is the straight dope.
This whole place runs on one thing- ambition.
Wanting the spotlight.
If you understand that, then you can understand that an ambitious person has to do things that he or she isn't always thrilled about.
That's my situation.
I'm going to have to hype this piece in order to get it published and that's what I'm going to do.
If that doesn't mesh with some romantic fantasies you've got about life so be it.
Regardless of who it hurts? This place is nothing but young people.
They bounce back real quick.
Am I interrupting something? Not the way I was just playing.
- Here.
- Hey, what's this? It's a peace offering.
- I didn't know we were mad at each other.
- Oh, we're not.
Well, not you and I.
Just you and Coco and Leroy and Doris and this whole mannequin thing.
It's breaking up that old gang of mine.
Makes a nice song title, but a lousy lifestyle.
What piece is this? It's a poem you wrote for Sherwood's class a couple of months ago.
I bet you didn't know you could write lyrics, huh? I've got chemistry next hour.
Let me know what you think.
- Bruno, I'm not a singer.
- Don't be silly.
Up until 30 seconds ago, you weren't a lyricist either.
Ciao.
Julie, did your mother recover from her little adventure yesterday? Tell her I'll call her tonight.
I'm not gonna let a little thing like that get her down.
I'm sorry, Mr.
Shorofsky.
- Beg your pardon? - I said I'm sorry for bumping into you! No problem.
World Series.
You like baseball? What baseball? The New York Philharmonic versus the London Symphony.
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
Julie, why aren't you in school? What's wrong? I'm fine, Mom, really.
I am in school.
I gotta talk to you before you do something rash, like canceling the lease.
You haven't, have you? 'Cause if you have, you still have time to stop it.
Julie, slow down.
I can't understand a word you're saying.
I can't leave New York.
I just can't leave.
And you can't either.
I'm not gonna let you just give up.
- We'll talk about it when you calm down.
- Well, I'm not gonna calm down.
I'm in love.
I'm really in love.
- After what you said he was gonna do? - I don't mean Jeff.
I don't care about him.
I'm in love with this place with this dirty, grimy, loud city.
Mom I'm in love with people that dance with dress mannequins.
Give me everything you've done so far and forget about sending it into the magazine.
Because if you do there's going to be a letter to the editor a week later telling how you hit upon a female student in order to get some of that information.
They don't print anonymous letters.
It won't be anonymous.
I guarantee you.
You wouldn't do that.
You told me this place runs on ambition.
Well, that's true.
It also runs on people knowing what they want and being willing to pay the price.
If the price that I have to pay is my reputation getting scuffed up a little I'll pay it.
That's all.
Julie, you haven't got the guts.
Try me.
Well, I've got some papers here to return to you.
Pretty good, most of them.
For example Montgomery here's the Atlantic Monthly piece you turned in.
Terrific stuff.
Martelli the Rolling Stone column could have been lifted from the magazine it was so exact.
That's because it was lifted from the magazine.
Miss Miller here's your version of the New York Times book reviews.
And here's the research material you handed in with it.
I must say, I was surprised by the strength in your work.
It was very mature.
If it was mature, I'm surprised you could understand it especially since I didn't hand in any research material.
I love you, mannequin!