Wake up, lady. Another workday.
More coffee?
No, thanks, babe.
I gotta get to work kind of early today.
What's that?
It's a computer programme
I've written.
It should save
the company thousands.
- They'll like that.
- We'll see.
Oh, I called the hotel.
Our room's been confirmed.
Yeah?
You mean we're finally gonna have
that wildly romantic weekend
you've been hounding me about
for all these years?
Yeah. Don't you think we deserve it?
A lot.
But I gotta get to work
to pay for this wild weekend.
You wanna meet me for lunch?
Say about : at Ramone's?
- I think I can make that.
- Sounds good.
- Bye.
- Bye-bye.
Jonathan, look, Lon Chaney's star.
Boy, this guy scared the bejabers
out of me when I was a kid.
The man of a thousand faces.
Oh, look, here's another one
of my favourites:
- Michael Landon.
- Never heard of him.
What, are you kidding? Bonanza,
Little House On The Prairie.
Sorry, it doesn't ring a bell.
I keep forgetting
you've been dead for years.
Look, don't you have
enough pictures yet?
Not until I find Bette Davis.
I promised my sister,
next time I was in Hollywood,
I'd get a picture of Bette Davis' star.
You know,
we could find it a lot faster
if you'd use the stuff
and tell me where it is.
It's a block and a half from here.
Block and a half?
Why didn't you tell me that?
Because we got an appointment
to meet somebody here.
Hey, pal,
let me give you a hand there.
There we go.
How do you like that?
You try to be nice to people.
Think it would've k*lled that guy
to say, "Thank you"?
- Why should he?
- I helped him up the kerb.
Where do you think
someone like that would be
if it wasn't for people like me?
It was people like you
that built the kerb.
Come on, we got a bus to catch.
I thought we were gonna meet
somebody here.
We just did.
Ma'am, we've gotta lift that seat up
to let a passenger onboard.
Some people think the whole world
should just get up
and move aside for them.
Good morning.
- Oh, nuts.
- What's the matter?
This darn lift.
We've been having trouble with it.
Come on, I gotta get off.
I work here.
I'm sorry, sir, it's broken down.
I'll have to call it in.
Wait a minute.
How long is it gonna take this time?
- I have got to get to work.
- So do I, driver.
How long are we going to be
sitting here because of him?
We're not. I'll call it in, a maintenance
truck will meet us en route.
Come on, if you keep going,
I'm gonna have to get another bus
to bring me back here.
I'll be late for work.
I've gotta get off this bus.
Excuse me, driver.
My friend and I
can carry the man off the bus.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I can't allow that. Company policy.
What policy?
Look, what if you drop him?
Who do you think he's gonna sue,
you or the bus company?
What if you hurt your back,
who are you gonna sue?
Get the picture?
I'm sorry, sir. If you wanna file
a complaint with the bus company--
What good is that gonna do?
Is the bus company gonna get me
another job when I lose this one?
You ought to show a little gratitude.
The city has spent millions of dollars
on this equipment
just to get you people around.
What more do you want?
I want it to work.
Jonathan, can't you just use the stuff
and fix that lift?
No, he's supposed to be
late for work.
Why?
- So he'll get fired.
- Get fired?
Why would the boss want him fired?
Because Mr. Secrest has a more
important job waiting for him.
He just doesn't know it yet.
You're here early.
I thought I'd b*at you.
I had some time to k*ll.
I never knew you drink in the middle
of the day. What are we celebrating?
I was fired today, Patty.
The lift on the bus broke down again,
and I couldn't get off.
I was two hours late to work.
But it wasn't your fault.
I mean, didn't you explain?
Yeah, I explained. I gave him
handicap excuse number :
Failure of public transportation.
He was just tired of hearing it.
But, Wayne, anyone can be late
for work a few times.
It's not that, Patty.
You don't understand.
They were looking
for an excuse to fire me.
I don't believe that.
I mean, maybe you're just being
overly sensitive.
No. Damn it, no.
I lost a bearing on my wheel.
Remember, I told you about that.
And my chair wouldn't roll.
I overheard some guy
talking to the boss.
Guy says,
"Well, what if there's a fire?
Who's gonna carry old Wayne
down five flights of stairs?"
Well, that got the boss
to thinking real good,
worrying, you know,
about the insurance and all that stuff.
I knew right then
my days were numbered.
What about
that computer programme?
That's supposed
to save the company thousands.
You should've been there.
I put two real good scratches
on each one of those discs.
Then I sailed those floppies
through the room
till it looked like an expl*si*n
in some Frisbee factory.
You know, this weekend
couldn't come at a better time.
Patty, let's not, all right?
Wayne Secrest,
you've been promising me
this time together forever.
We made a deposit on the room,
and I'm going.
Now, are you going with me?
Or are you going to wallow in self-pity
for two long miserable days alone?
I got all the luggage in the car.
Great. I'll be with you
in just a minute, babe.
- Is something wrong with your chair?
- No.
Haven't you ever heard about
the squeaky wheel getting the grease?
- Yes?
- Mrs. Secrest, I'm Jonathan Smith.
This is Mark Gordon.
We wondered if we could talk
to your husband for a minute.
- Wayne?
- Yeah, babe?
These gentlemen
wanna speak with you.
They're with the handicap
awareness group.
Don't need them.
I'm well aware that I'm handicapped.
We're with Action
to Advance the Handicapped.
I'm Jonathan Smith,
this is Mark Gordon.
Well, you caught us
at kind of a bad time, fellas.
We were just
on our way out the door.
- Okay, what can I do for you?
- We need your help.
That's a good one.
I'm sorry to laugh,
but I can't even help myself.
I was fired from my job today.
So right now I'm feeling
kind of useless to anyone.
And why were you fired?
I suppose the reason was
for being late,
but the lift on the bus
wouldn't work again.
Well, that's just the kind of thing
we're working on.
We need people to demonstrate
the problems of the handicapped:
access to public buildings,
restrooms, buses--
Look, I'm sorry, guys.
I'm no crusader.
I can just barely
take care of my wife and myself.
I sure as hell am not gonna take on
any more new burdens right now.
You know what they say, Mr. Secrest,
the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
All we wanna do is make
a little noise right now, draw attention,
make people more aware
of the problem.
No, I'm sorry.
Patty and I are on our way out
to the Bridgemoore Hotel right now
for a weekend of fun and relaxation.
Beyond that,
I make no commitments.
We understand.
Look, let me leave you my card,
just in case you change your mind.
You have a nice weekend.
Thanks, we will.
- May I help you?
- Yes, we'd like to check in.
- Mr. and Mrs. Secrest.
- Secrest, yes.
That's Room .
Sounds like the ninth floor.
We asked for a room
on the first or second floor.
I'm sorry, , that's all we have.
That better be a good view.
Glad you came?
What do you think?
I think you avoided the question.
Just tell me you're having a good time.
It's allowed, you know.
I'm having a good time.
It's all because of you, Patty.
You're the best thing in my life,
babe.
You're the reason
I'm gonna make it.
- I don't know what I'd do without you.
- Wayne, knock it off.
You will never be without me,
so don't even think it.
Patty, you deserve so much more.
So come dance with me.
Oh, Patty.
You heard me, it's a Sadie Hawkins.
You can't refuse.
Where's that guy think he's going?
Well, maybe it's time
for the rumba contest.
Oh, boy, is it hot in here
or is it just me, Al?
- It's you. I'll cool you.
- No.
Hey, you. Hey.
Oh, my God.
- Now you're going to get it.
- No, no, no.
No, no, no, don't. I give up.
Here, get back at me.
Hey, look.
Hey, you wanna have
some real fun?
- Let's smoke it.
- Hey, Harry, you better not.
Come on, come on, come on.
There's nothing funnier than seeing
people running all over the place.
Dear God.
Fire alarm.
- Is there a fire?
- I don't know.
I'm not hanging around to find out.
Now, the elevator's shut down
during a fire, so use the stairs.
Oh, my God. Wayne, Wayne.
- Wayne, I'm locked out.
- No, no, wait.
God, Wayne.
Elevators aren't working.
We have to take stairs.
- I can't.
- Yes, you can. We have to.
- Wayne, come on.
- No, Patty, go.
No, I won't. My husband needs help.
Can you help us?
I'll tell someone he's up here.
Patty, damn it, go.
- Won't somebody help us?
- Patty, go.
- Go, get down there.
- Help us.
Damn it, get down there now!
Move it, now. Come on!
Everyone, it was a false alarm.
No fire.
- Thanks.
- You bet, man.
Okay.
I haven't been that scared
since Nam.
In fact, I don't think
I've ever been that scared.
At least in Nam, you just had to watch
out for yourself and your buddies.
Last night, I had to protect Patty,
and I couldn't even get her
to leave me.
I could just see us
burning up on those stairs.
I've never felt so helpless
in my whole life.
You know, Wayne, our organisation
hears stories like yours all the time.
That's why I called you, Jonathan.
I'm ready to help. What can I do?
Madam Mayor,
we at the Thatcher Corporation
are proud indeed to have you
rededicate the Thatcher Building.
As you know, this structure was built
in by my late grandfather
and founder of the company,
Hiram Thatcher.
And if he were here today,
I feel certain that...
I'd say this is the audience
we've been looking for.
- Guess it's time for me to go on-stage.
- Good luck.
--has been restored
to its original elegance
and will enjoy another years
as a landmark in our community.
And now may I present to you
the scissors to cut the ribbon.
Madam Mayor.
Madam Mayor,
I have something to say.
Hey, you.
I wish you'd let us
take you to a hospital.
I'm all right. I've survived a lot more
than a bump on the head.
In that case, maybe you can tell us
what happened out there.
I came here for a job, Mr. Thatcher.
If you'd had a ramp,
I would've come down the easy way.
Looked to me like he rolled down
on purpose.
Nobody pushed him.
Is that right?
Did you come down those steps
on your own?
I was just trying to get
your attention.
And you have.
I can tell a phoney lawsuit a mile away,
young man.
Are these your witnesses?
Just relax, Mr. Thatcher.
I'm not here to sue anyone.
Then what is this all about?
You've done a great job
restoring this old building, sir.
You spent a lot of time
and money on it.
But I am just a little ticked off
that you didn't think about me.
Why didn't you make a way
so handicapped people
could get into your building?
Why didn't we do that?
I guess
that we just never thought about it.
That's why we're here,
to get you and people like you
to think about it.
Build us a ramp, Mr. Thatcher.
Put in a*t*matic doors.
Widen the bathroom stalls.
That's all we ask.
Goodbye.
Wait.
Now you've had your say,
let me have mine.
How about a job?
We could use a man like you
around here.
Doing what?
I don't know. What is it that you do?
I'm a computer programmer.
Well,
then that's what you'll do for us.
You'd give me a job just like that?
You'd hire me without checking
my work experience or my references?
I don't see why not.
I'm afraid I'm gonna have
to turn you down, Mr. Thatcher.
I want a job, not a handout.
Just a minute.
Who is that man, anyway?
Watch the : news, Mr.Thatcher.
You'll find out.
Mr. Secrest.
The Thatcher Building
was the scene of a most courageous,
or some might say foolhardy stunt
by a disabled American veteran today
when the double amputee drove his
wheelchair off the front of the building.
It occurred during rededication
of the newly renovated building
just as the mayor and the president
of the Thatcher Corporation
were about to cut the ribbon.
Why did you do it, Mr. Secrest?
I did it to draw attention to the plight
of handicapped people.
I'm real tired of everyone
giving lip service to the problems
and blessed little
ever being done about it.
There's a saying that
the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Just call me Squeaky.
That's it from the Thatcher Building.
I call you a lunatic.
This is Gail Lewis reporting
from downtown.
Wayne Secrest, whatever was
in your mind to pull a stunt like that?
I don't know, babe.
I was just sitting up there
trying to get somebody's attention.
And I just wanted
to make a speech, is all.
Then this guard came for me,
and I could see the whole thing
going into the dumper,
and I just pushed off.
Jonathan, is that the kind of thing
your group promotes?
No, this is not exactly
what we had in mind.
You promise me not to do anything
like that again.
You think I'm crazy?
You've seen the last
of my daredevil career.
I tell you, you made
some people sit up and take notice.
That's just what we needed.
I don't know, Mark. You know,
maybe it was a slow news day
and they needed some filler
and I gave it to them.
You know: Whacked out Viet vet
takes dive, film at .
I got a sick feeling that tomorrow,
I'm gonna be yesterday's news
and nothing will have changed.
Good morning.
You sound like a sour tuna fish.
What's the matter?
I just woke up and realised
I don't have a job to go to.
It's not a very good feeling.
Did you get the paper?
- Ta-da.
- Let me see that.
Yesterday's news, huh?
You're on the front page.
I don't believe it.
They were talking about you
on the radio.
People were calling in.
You've got a new name now,
Squeaky.
Hello?
Yes, it is. I'm Mrs. Secrest.
Oh, my God. Really?
It's the Bigelow Show.
They want you to be a guest.
The Bigelow Show.
That's national television.
So, what do I tell them?
Say yes, of course.
Yes, yes. We'd be happy to come.
You've gotta be kidding.
I'm not kidding. I was so nervous
before the Bigelow Show,
I didn't know what to do.
I'm in makeup and I'm smiling
and I'm trying to be friendly
and my mouth is so dry from nerves
that my upper lip sticks to my teeth.
The makeup guy put some Vaseline
on my teeth
so my lips would slide down.
You didn't come off that way.
You looked great.
Thanks.
Do you realise what you've
accomplished the past few weeks?
Had hundreds of calls,
people wanting to help.
And some very nice contributions.
Yeah, Thatcher wanted me
to let you know the ramp's going in.
They've converted the doors
and working on the restrooms.
Not bad for two weeks' work.
And speaking of work,
Thatcher's been watching
your interviews.
He's been impressed by them.
He'd like to offer you a job
in public relations.
Wayne, you'd be great at that.
Come on, Patty.
You know why he's offering me a job.
You bet I do.
I've watched you
these past weeks too.
Patty's right.
Knock that chip off your shoulder
and take a better look at yourself.
People like you,
they listen to what you have to say.
If that isn't what it takes to be
a PR man, I don't know what is.
Look, he sent over a proposal.
At least take a look at it.
- Wayne.
- Gee.
Not bad for starters, huh?
And a company car.
Fully converted so you can drive it.
I haven't driven a car in years.
Well, would you like to take it for a spin
after dinner?
What?
I took the liberty of driving
the car over tonight,
just in case you happen
to accept the proposal.
He accepts.
I guess I accept.
Well, that's it, you know.
It's the same, except for the brake
and the accelerator.
They're both up here. Nothing to it.
- Ready for a spin?
- Roger.
All right, take it easy, you know.
Drive around the parking lot a little bit
till you get used to it.
- Gotcha.
- All right.
All right.
Hey, I'm driving, I'm driving.
All right. Look, Ma.
What a lead foot.
Take it easy, take it easy.
All right.
There.
All right. This is great.
Honey, I'm home.
How was your first day?
Don't ask.
What happened?
What happened?
I'll tell you what happened.
I was brilliant.
You scared me to death.
I'm a natural for this job.
It was made for me.
I got right in there and I had ideas,
and they really liked them.
They weren't just being nice
to a guy in a chair either.
They really liked them.
Great bunch of people too.
There's this guy named Fred,
funny guy.
We hit it right off.
What are you grinning at?
My PR husband.
No cooking for you tonight.
We're gonna go out and celebrate.
Are you sure?
You've been working all day.
Yeah. Ain't it great?
Now go get dressed.
Yes, master.
Tell you what, after we eat,
we'll go to a drive-in movie.
A drive-in?
Yeah, we're due.
I haven't been to a drive-in
since high school.
We need to do a little necking, huh?
You'd better not let my father
hear you say that.
You know how daddies
are about their little girls.
No, but I'd sure like to find out.
You always wanted kids.
Four of them, right? Two of each?
Right now, I'd settle for just one.
I'm not afraid anymore, Patty.
I know it's kind of sudden,
with the job and all that's happened,
but I feel like I'm ready for a family.
I know I can take care of them.
I love you.
I love you too.
The movie's starting.
That didn't used to stop us.
We didn't used to sleep together
either.
Is that an invitation?
- Yes.
- Accepted.
Hey, turn it down.
Turn it down, would you?
We're trying to hear the movie.
Hey, homes,
you got a problem, man?
No, I don't have a problem.
We're just trying to hear the movie,
okay?
Keep it down.
- The movie, homes.
- No problem.
Turn it down.
Come on.
You got a bad attitude, man.
We're just a few citizens watching
a movie, trying to have a good time.
And you come out of nowhere
screaming and shouting demands.
We're just trying to watch the movie,
okay?
We're just trying to listen to the movie,
all right?
Tell you what, man.
Why don't you get out of your car?
Be a man, huh?
Then tell me what to do.
I wanna go.
Wayne, please, I wanna go.
Wayne, we did the right thing.
When is running away
ever the right thing?
They were five g*ng members
looking for a fight.
Just forget about it.
It's those punks from the drive-in.
They followed us.
Breakfast will be ready
in a minute.
I'm gonna skip breakfast
this morning.
I've got a presentation to make
and I wanna review it.
Hey, you're not still upset
about last night, are you?
No, no, you were right.
That's history.
Good.
Well, don't forget
to pick up the tuxedo after work.
Tomorrow's the big night.
I'll remember.
- I gotta get going.
- Okay.
I'll see you after work.
And don't forget.
- To pick up the tuxedo.
- Sorry.
You should be.
I'll see you later.
Jonathan.
Jonathan, will you look at this?
I pick up this tuxedo at the rental place.
Look at these sleeves.
Couldn't you just use the stuff
and make it fit?
Well, I could, but I think you're gonna
look funny with little bitty short arms.
Oh, that's cute, Jonathan.
That's really cute.
Come on, I have to give Wayne
Man of the Year Award.
- They asked me to. I can't-
- That's the phone.
I know that's the phone.
What?
Well, you're not sure of that.
All right, I'll tell you what,
you stay right where you are.
We'll find him.
And don't worry.
Jonathan, that was Patty.
Wayne didn't show up for work today
and she's afraid...
Jonathan?
Jonathan.
Who the hell are you, huh?
I'm the old man, remember?
The one you tried to ride off the street
last night.
That was you?
You ain't got no legs, man.
No wonder you couldn't fight.
Don't try it, Vato.
I'll tear your legs off just like mine.
What are you gonna do?
You gonna take us down right here?
You gonna k*ll us all?
That's right.
But first, you're gonna know why.
Yeah, tell them why, Wayne.
I wanna hear it too.
Jonathan.
Hey, go on, tell them.
Tell them how you went to Vietnam
and had your legs blown off.
Then you came home and found out
nobody really gave a damn.
Don't try it.
Get out of here, Jonathan.
Hey, don't worry about me being here,
Wayne.
Go on, waste them.
It'll make you feel better.
Get some revenge on the little scum
over here
who humiliated you
in front of your wife.
Of course, don't expect
the newspapers to say that. Oh, no.
All they're gonna say, you were just
another whacked-out Nam vet
who went over the edge.
I don't give a damn what they say.
No, of course not.
The only thing that's important to you
is to prove you're still a man.
Oh, Patty's gonna be proud of you,
Wayne.
She can tell everybody
how you had a wife who loved you,
how you had people
who needed you.
But that didn't mean anything.
The only thing that was important
was k*lling hoods like this.
What a hell of a waste of your life,
Wayne.
Hey, man.
Wait a minute.
Gracias, man.
It's time for you to introduce Wayne.
I cannot. You do it.
I'm not supposed to do it.
You're to introduce him.
- I know, but I can't get up there.
- Why can't you get up there?
- My sleeves.
- Come on, just go introduce him.
May I have your attention, please?
Your attention?
It gives me great pleasure to introduce
man of the year, Wayne Secrest.
I wanna thank you all
for this very great honour.
There's no question
that throughout our lives,
we're continually learning
new lessons.
We have to in order to grow
as human beings.
That's why we have to go out
and teach, never stop teaching,
making each other aware
of the special needs and problems
of handicapped people.
How else can we learn
unless we know?
Give us a chance to get to work,
and we'll do the job.
Give us a chance
to be a part of the world,
we'll make it a better world.
I learned a lesson about myself
last night.
I learned that your manhood
isn't measured by your legs.
It's not your ability to stand tall
and face a fight.
Your manhood, your humanness,
it's in the mind.
It's in the heart.
It's in your soul.
Thank you all very much.
Thank you.