Hey.
Three dollars.
Thank you.
Best tacos in town.
I get them with the green sauce.
- They're hotter than blue blazes.
- I bet your stomach appreciates that.
Hey, you kidding?
Don't you worry about me.
My stomach's
made out of cast iron.
Listen to that guy. He's nuttier than
a fruitcake. He ought to be put away.
I'm sure he's spent some time
in a mental hospital.
And they turn him loose
in that condition?
Hey, they don't have any choice.
Against the law to keep him in
unless he's a danger to himself
or somebody else.
The place he's got left to go
is the streets.
I told you, stay away from here!
You're scaring off my business.
Now get lost!
America... America...
Somebody ought to do something
about people like that.
Yeah.
Hurry up and finish.
We got an appointment.
Where?
In a place where they're trying
to do something for people like that.
I've never seen so many
for-sale signs.
You'd think there was a toxic waste
dump in the neighbourhood.
No, that's no toxic waste.
But something that scares people
just as much.
Let's go.
- Hi, Miss Ryder?
- Sharon Ryder.
And you must be Jonathan
and Mark.
Right, I'm Jonathan Smith,
Mark Gordon.
I'm the house manager.
We've been expecting you.
Come on in.
Thank you.
Dr. Gage.
- Oh, are you all right?
- Yeah, I'm fine.
Dr. Gage,
these are our house helpers,
Jonathan Smith and Mark Gordon.
Oh, Terry--Terry Gage.
- How are you?
- I'm glad you're here.
The place looks like
it could use some work.
- Yeah.
- Yeah, only I'm not the man to do it.
There's a very poor correlation
between house plumbing
and psychiatry.
Don't worry about it.
We'll take care of the plumbing.
Appreciate it.
Our people
will be arriving very shortly
and this old fixer-upper
still needs a lot of fixing.
How many residents
are you gonna have?
Eight.
And we're really very excited
about it.
Dr. Gage has been trying to establish
a halfway house in this town for years.
What took so long?
Community resistance mostly.
- People just don't want us around.
- It's funny.
Few people would object
to living near a hospital or a clinic.
But the thought of living next door
to someone with a mental disorder
scares most people silly.
They're here.
Looks like we're in business.
- Yeah.
- Excuse me.
Jon, let me ask you something.
Are we gonna be living here
with them?
Yeah, we're gonna be living here
with them.
Now, let's get fixing the plumbing.
- Hi.
- Hello.
- Don't worry about the bags yet.
- Welcome.
Agnes.
Here we go. Come on.
Yeah.
Hey, this is a nice room, right?
I mean, you got lot of sun, nice view.
What do you think?
Anybody have a preference
what bed you get?
We could toss a coin.
I don't care.
Well, that makes it a lot easier.
Listen, why don't you take
this one over here?
Let Tom have the one
closer to the bathroom.
When you get older, the old kidneys
need shorter walks, right, Tom?
Need any help unpacking?
Yeah.
Well, listen, you guys need anything,
you just let me know, okay?
Is jogging allowed?
Jogging, sure. That's a great sport.
Helps shake the cobwebs
out of the old noodle.
I've been thinking
about taking it up myself.
We'll get together, huh?
Talk to you later.
This is a lovely dress.
Thank you. I made it myself.
You did? Really?
I wish I could knit. I never learned.
Anne, isn't this beautiful?
Peggy made it.
She almost never talks.
Peggy, I understand you're married.
- And you have two children?
- Yes.
How often do you get to see them?
Oh, they come to visit
on the weekends
and Dr. Gage
lets me go home sometimes.
I'll bet you're looking forward
to going home permanently.
Someday.
I'm just not ready yet.
I understand.
Oh, my gosh, look at the time.
I've gotta go start dinner.
I've got a lot of people to cook for.
I sure could use some help.
Can you wait
until I finish unpacking?
Sure.
Anne, what about you?
Well, maybe you can help
another time.
Hey, Mark, do me a favour.
Turn that water on, will you?
Okay, you can shut it off.
- That's all fixed.
- Thanks, Jonathan.
You're a miracle worker.
Yeah, that he is, that he is.
Oh, boy.
Mark, what's wrong?
Oh, I think that's his stomach
thanking him for lunch.
I must've got a bad jalapeño.
Well, there's some antacid
in the upstairs bathroom.
No, I'll be fine.
Besides, the last time I was up there,
Tom had locked himself in.
Boy, you got some weird people
in this house.
Well, I mean,
all but that Mrs. Ward, Peggy?
I mean, she seems so normal.
What's she in for anyway?
Hey, Mark.
I have reaction depression,
Mr. Gordon.
Or you might say
a nervous breakdown.
I'm sorry,
sometimes I talk without thinking.
It's all right.
Part of the cure
is being able to explain your illness.
Is there something I can do?
Well, let's see.
You could start frying the taco shells.
Taco shells?
Excuse me,
I think I will try those antacids.
Oh, boy.
Taco shells.
I'll get it. Oh, boy.
Yeah?
I'd like to speak to someone
in charge here.
I guess I'm gonna have to do.
What are you selling?
My name is Raney.
, across the street.
I'm president
of the homeowner's association.
It's about time some of the neighbours
started coming by.
Mark Gordon.
This is not a social call.
I'm here to inform you
that your trash barrels
are sitting out there by the kerb.
Yeah, well, we just moved in.
We had a lot of trash.
We figured we'd get it out early
so we wouldn't miss the pick-up.
The homeowners' covenants
and restrictions
clearly prohibit refuse receptacles
from being in view before p.m.
the night prior to scheduled pick-up.
And that's what you came by
to tell me?
I brought you a copy of the code
for your enlightenment.
Isn't it customary
to bake the new neighbours
a plate of brownies
or something like that?
We never wanted you people here.
But since you're here,
we expect you to abide
by the same rules as the rest of us.
Really nice talking to you.
Grouch.
Hey, how you doing, buddy?
How you doing?
Good to see me, huh?
You miss me?
Hey, Pete.
Hey, how you doing, Dad?
- Hey.
- It's good to see you.
Oh, you're looking good, son.
I guess college food
agrees with you.
Well, coach has got us
on a new weight-training programme.
I'll teach you how it's done, huh?
Hey, I can still take you in the best
of five falls, and don't you forget it.
- How long you staying?
- Semester starts in a couple weeks.
Well, come on in.
Your mom's cooking supper.
- We'll surprise her.
- Say, Dad,
what's with the for-sale sign?
I wrote you about what was going in
next door, didn't I?
- The halfway house.
- Yeah, well, it's happened.
Now everyone's trying to get out
while we still have our shirts.
Hey, guys, I heard this joke.
You ready?
Guy buys this parrot, see,
and he is told that this parrot
speaks languages.
So he takes the parrot home, see?
And, well,
the parrot never says a word.
And, well, the guy,
he gets kind of mad, you see.
And...
I'm beginning to understand
how this guy feels.
At the hospital,
they didn't want us talking
during meals.
Jay, listen to me. All of you.
You're not in the hospital anymore.
This is a home.
Your home.
You're much freer here
to do as you please.
Yeah, and you see, the dinner table
is the best place in the house
to just gab and carry on.
That's right.
So let's use this time
to discuss house duties.
With a family this size,
we have to share the cooking,
the cleaning, the laundry.
Hey, I could use some help
with the house too.
It needs a lot of work. Needs some
paint, and that front yard's a mess.
Any volunteers?
I always loved flowers.
I could plant some.
You're hired.
You'd trust us to paint the house?
Sure I would. Painting, repairs.
What about you, Jay?
Can you swing a hammer?
I can try.
- You got a job.
- Right.
It isn't fair.
City council has shoved
those people down our throats,
and now the property values
are dropping out of sight.
Mr. Meyers, it seems to me the reason
property values are dropping
is because everyone's trying to sell.
Of course they are.
Who wants to live next door
to a mental facility?
I'm afraid to go to work
and leave your mother here
with people running around loose
like that.
Mom, are you afraid?
I don't know.
I haven't met any of them.
I just don't know.
Get out of here, you crazy sickos.
Hey, Mr. Meyers, that's your son.
- Hey, you kids.
- Leave them alone, Pete.
- But, Dad--
- It's none of your business.
You don't live here anymore, we do.
If it's going to take something like this
for them to get the message, so be it.
Let's get some coffee.
Hello.
Would you like a flower?
Pretty, isn't it?
Mindy.
Come back here.
I told you not to go near strangers.
Now, stay with me.
See you later.
Hi, can I help you?
Are you one of the...?
I mean, do you live here?
Yeah, I'm Jonathan Smith,
assistant house manager.
Oh, finally, someone in authority.
Well, what can I do for you?
I wonder if you're aware
that any home improvements
or landscaping must first be approved
by the homeowners'
architectural committee.
Improvements? You mean planting
some flowers and painting the house?
A written approval must be granted
before commencement
of any home-improvement project.
- Failure to comply will result--
- Jonathan.
Well, I got her all chopped up.
We got limbs all over the backyard.
Good job.
- I'll get her all stacked up.
- Good enough.
Doesn't it worry you
to be around mental patients like that?
Oh, no, I'm used to it.
Of course, the sad part is,
he's not a mental patient.
He's a member of the staff.
Dear Lord.
We'll get this one. It's cheaper.
But I don't like applesauce.
Well, it doesn't matter what you like.
It's on the list.
Well, I won't eat it.
Look, they're watching us.
Stop that. You want people to talk?
People talk.
And people point and people laugh.
Get used to it.
- Hey, how you two doing?
- Almost done here.
- Have you seen Peggy?
- She's over where the vegetables are.
I'll see if she needs any help.
Let me help you.
I don't know how I did this.
It happened to me once.
My little girl knocked over
a whole display of tuna cans.
I was so embarrassed.
Did you drop this?
Oh, yes.
It must have dropped out
of my purse.
- Handsome men.
- Thank you.
I have one son.
Only he's all grown up now
and away at college.
He's home for semester break.
That's why I'm buying all this food.
- I bet you're proud of him.
- Very.
How old's your daughter?
She would have been last April.
I'm Sally Lowell.
- Peggy Ward.
- Are you new in the neighbourhood?
I just moved here yesterday.
Oh, you'll like it here.
The people are real friendly.
It's a great place to raise kids.
Well, I'd better get a move on.
I'll see you again, Peggy.
I'm sure I will.
I hope so, Sally.
- Bye-bye.
- Bye.
Hey, looks like you made yourself
a friend, huh?
- You got everything?
- Yes.
We're on our way, then.
Hey, hey, pal, pal,
leave me alone, will you?
Hey, hey, hey, now, I said get lost.
Stop!
Hey, pal, are you all right, huh?
That was all my fault.
I was stupid to throw the ball
like that.
Looks like I owe you a dog.
- It's all right.
- Hey, wait a minute.
You have to go?
I mean, you saved my dog's life.
I haven't even had a chance
to thank you yet.
My name's Pete.
- Well, I'm Anne.
- Thanks, Anne.
I raised this little guy from a pup.
He's a nice dog.
His name is Willie.
Say, I haven't seen you
around here before.
Where do you live?
There.
Peter.
I'd like to talk to you for a minute.
Yeah, wait a minute. Be right there.
I gotta go.
Peter, that girl you were talking to
lives in that house.
- So?
- So?
So she's ill, Peter.
For God sakes, don't get involved
with somebody like that.
I don't think what she has
is catching, Mom.
Besides, I was just thanking her
for helping me save Willie's life.
All right, everybody take a bag.
Here you go. Watch the eggs.
Excuse me.
The mailman left this in our box
by mistake.
Thank you.
From your boys?
Yes.
Thank you.
Peggy lost her little girl last year.
She drowned
in the family swimming pool.
Peggy blamed herself.
She's fighting back,
but she's not quite there yet.
Hold on. I gotta rest.
I gotta rest.
Come on, Mark,
I mean, we're almost home.
Listen, if I don't sit down,
you're gonna take me back
to that house in an ambulance.
You go on.
Okay.
I'm gonna die.
I'm gonna die.
Now watch this.
Oh, wow, it's a flame thrower.
No, dummy, it's a catapult.
We're gonna fry
that five-headed dragon.
- You missed.
- I'll just make another one.
- Wait, let me try it.
- No, after me.
It's neat.
Come on, hurry up. I want a turn.
Whose catapult is this?
Hey, Jerry, look.
Oh, no, let's go, let's go.
Let's get out of here.
Hey, you, what are you doing?
- Did they get the fire out?
- It's out, nobody got hurt.
Good.That's good.
Look, Jay,
there's a police officer downstairs.
He wants to talk to you.
What about?
Well, someone saw you run away
from the fire
and they think
you might have started it.
No, it was those boys.
The one across the street
and his friend.
They did it.
Then why'd you run away?
I was scared.
The fire got so big so fast.
It scared me.
But I'm safe here.
I just wanted to get home.
I know.
Why don't you come downstairs
and tell the officer what happened?
Hey, you don't have to be afraid.
There's nothing to be scared of.
Come on.
I'm telling you, we gotta do something
about those people.
That nut could have b*rned down
the whole neighbourhood.
All--
All right, all right, see you then.
Mr. Meyers?
What's he doing here?
He ought to be locked up.
Is this the man
you saw running from the fire?
There's no doubt about it.
Mr. Meyers, is Jerry home?
What if he is? So what?
I'd like to speak with him, please.
Jerry, come down here.
What's this all about?
This man claims
that your boy and another kid
were in the vacant lot
at the same time.
And they could have started the fire.
That's insane.
But what do you expect
from a pyromaniac?
Of course he's gonna
blame somebody else.
Jerry, were you in the vacant lot
this afternoon?
No, I was at Matt's house.
He'll tell you.
Satisfied, officer?
Hey, Jerry,
you know, accidents happen.
Could you've started that fire
by accident, it just got out of hand?
- No.
- Now, that is all.
I won't have you
badgering my boy anymore.
Besides, you've got your firebug.
Put him away.
And while you're at it, close down
that cr*cker factory over there
before the whole neighbourhood
goes up in smoke.
I believe you, Jay.
We all know it was those two boys.
They're just too afraid to admit it.
Unfortunately,
the board is gonna require Jay
to undergo psychiatric testing.
Just to satisfy the community.
But I didn't do anything.
Jay, I'm sorry.
But until those tests are arranged,
I'm afraid you won't be allowed
to leave the property
without a house manager with you.
You mean, I have to be guarded?
Like a criminal?
We can't afford
to make waves right now.
I didn't do it. I didn't do it.
I didn't do it. I didn't do it.
A boy named Pete brought him.
Would you like to go downstairs
and thank him?
I'll just be a second.
Who's this dress for, anyhow?
A lady linebacker?
My mother-in-law. She's very large.
Now, hold still.
I'm just modelling it, okay?
Hey, hey, whatever turns you on.
Cute, cute.
I told you I owed you a dog.
Oh, he's beautiful. Thank you.
It's my pleasure.
Come on, will you?
How long is this gonna take?
It'll be just a minute. Here, hold this.
Will you listen to that?
It's : .
The rules prohibit loud music
from playing after : .
- I'm putting my foot down.
- Be careful, Harold.
I'll get it.
Yeah?
Oh, it's you, man.
What do you want?
Run, Martha, run.
Raney. Raney.
Well, I tell you,
I know it was those kids.
Ought to wring their necks.
Oh, come on,
what good would that do?
It would do me good, I'll tell you that.
I'd like to pinch their little heads off
one at a time.
But it wouldn't solve our problem.
Yeah, I guess you're right.
Why don't we forget our troubles for
a while? Tomorrow's Founder's Day.
The neighbourhood's gonna have
a picnic. Why don't we join them?
You don't really think
we'd be welcome there?
Who cares if we're not?
We live here. We have a right
to be there as much as anybody else.
- I don't know.
- Oh, come on, Sharon.
The only way I know for people
to get to know each other
is to bring them together.
And what better place
to come together than a picnic?
You know, you're right. Let's do it.
That's great, we'll have hamburgers,
potato salad, and softball,
three-legged races.
- I love it.
- I gotta make a list.
We're gonna need some things
at the store.
You make the list, I'll pick them up.
- Thanks.
- Yeah, stop and get a big jar of olives.
You can't have a picnic
without olives.
Wait till you see this.
What are you doing?
This is a moat. Watch.
Just take the flaming ball
and you hit the dragon's head.
Are you crazy?
You're gonna start a fire.
No, I won't.
That's what the moat's for.
If it bounces off,
it'll just go into the water.
Ready, aim, fire.
Too short.
We gotta hurry up, though.
The dragon's attacking
and he's breathing fire.
Hurry up, get him.
Ready, aim, fire.
- Oh, no.
- Come on, let's get some help.
- Help!
- Help!
- Someone help!
- Fire, there's a fire!
- Help!
- Help, someone!
Fire, fire!
- Fire, fire.
- There's a fire.
Upstairs!
- What's wrong?
- House burning.
- Oh, not again.
- Yeah.
Call the fire department.
- Jerry, Jerry, what's happened?
- It's all right, folks.
There's nothing to worry about.
The fire's out.
What the hell happened?
The boy here
was playing with a lighter.
He set some papers on fire
and it ignited a plastic bag
in the closet.
We found one of these dragons
in the lot the other day after the fire.
We don't know how long it had
been there or where it came from.
Jerry can tell you.
It's time to tell the truth, son.
You lied to us?
You were in the vacant lot that day?
How did the fire get started, son?
It was an accident.
We didn't mean to, honest.
But you let somebody else
take the blame.
That's the worst part.
Do you realise
you could have b*rned this house?
We could have lost everything.
Oh, thank goodness
you put the fire out.
Don't thank us, ma'am.
It was your neighbour.
It was Jay, Mrs. Meyers.
You remember him.
He's the pyromaniac
that lives across the street.
Potato chips, marshmallows.
Oh, napkins.
I'm gonna get some napkins.
Are you ready?
I don't think I'll go.
Come on, have some fun.
Maybe another time.
Peggy.
I'd like to see you out here
a minute, please.
- Is something wrong?
- No.
You've got company.
You didn't think you were gonna go out
and have a picnic without us, did you?
Oh, I missed you.
I love you.
Hey, everybody, let's go.
Time for a picnic.
Now, don't worry about being crowded.
I brought the waggon.
- Plenty of room for everyone.
- Great.
What a perfect day for a picnic.
Hey, neighbours.
Hey, we'll see you over at the park.
Can you imagine the nerve?
They're taunting us,
is what they're doing.
They know perfectly well
they're not welcome.
Of course they do.
Well, it's a big park.
We'll just see
they keep their distance.
That's right, we'll just ignore them.
Why should we ignore them?
They're our neighbours.
You've got to be joking.
They're crazy.
- Aren't we all sometimes?
- Sally?
- Mom's right, Dad.
- What?
She's right. You judged those people
without ever knowing them.
They're part of this neighbourhood
like us.
They should be
at the neighbourhood picnic.
You were the one
who was always trying to tell me
you couldn't stand people
who were prejudiced.
Don't blame me now
for listening to you.
What's gotten into you,
letting your boy talk to you like that?
He's not a boy.
And it's none of your business,
anyway.
Ready?
What's gotten into them?
Those people are the reason
that we all have to sell out.
No.
We're the reason. There's nothing
wrong with those people
that getting to know them
wouldn't cure.
Well, I'll be damned
if I'm gonna socialise with them.
In that case, we better not put
these things in your waggon.
Come on, let's have a picnic.
As God is my witness,
you're going to be sorry.
God is your witness.
But he's the one who's sorry.
For both of you.