06x05 - Nell Goes Back To New York

Episode transcripts for the TV show, "Gimme a Break!" Aired: October 29, 1981 – May 12, 1987.*
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Nell Harper is the no-nonsense housekeeper and surrogate mother for police chief Carl Kanisky's children: Samantha, Julie and Katie.
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06x05 - Nell Goes Back To New York

Post by bunniefuu »

♪ Gimme a break, now I know what it takes ♪



♪ Gimme a break, now I know what it takes ♪


♪ I'm putting a new face on the old one ♪


♪ Ready for anything


♪ Playing with fate, not a moment too late ♪


♪ I'm showing the whole world nothing can get me down ♪


♪ O-o-o-oh


♪ Gimme a break


♪ Yeah, yeah ♪ gimme a break


♪ 'Cause I sure need one ♪ gimme a break


♪ Yeah, yeah ♪ I finally know where I belong ♪


♪ Gimme a break


♪ Yeah, yeah ♪ gimme a break


♪ 'Cause I sure need one ♪ gimme a break


♪ Yeah, yeah ♪ I finally know where I belong ♪


♪ Gimme a break!


See you at the ribbon-cutting ceremony at glenlawn's new hospital.


Oh, lucille, I'll finish designing


That poster for the mardi gras


Right after my yoga class, okay?


Oh, henrietta, don't forget our french class tomorrow.


Viva la france.


Oh, I am so bored.


Yeah, nell, sure you're bored.


The thing is, you have got to keep busy.


I am keeping busy, grandpa!


I mean, I'm doing really valuable work


For this community.


Wasn't it me who found glenlawn zoo


Its very first kingfish pelican?


It d*ed, nell.


I know that, grandpa. I know.


But I spent two weeks


Trying to raise money for his funeral.


I mean, I got letters from zookeepers all over the world.


Here's one right here.


Got to face up to it, nell.


Your life moved to new york three weeks ago,


And you didn't.


Oh, please, grandpapa. Addy wilson is not my life.


No, joey was.


You know, we have been through this a hundred times.


Joey is with his father.


He's where he belongs, and he loves it there.


You know that. I know that.


Everybody knows that.


I just have to get adjusted to the situation,


That's all.


Grandpapa, get on the phone. Call the airport.


Get me on the first flight to new york city.


New york? What, was that letter from joey?


Yes, but I don't have time to explain.


Just call the airport, okay?


Shouldn't I tell addy you're coming?


No, grandpapa. She gave me a key to her apartment.


She said I could come back there any time I want.


[ Both giggle ]


You know, it's a good thing you're not hungry.


I don't know what's taking that roast so long.


I put it on at :.


But you didn't turn the oven on until :.


Oh, addy, thank god you are home.


Nell!


This has been the worst day of my life.


No, this has to be the second worst day of my life.


When they took joey from me,


That was the worst day of my life.


What are you doing in new york?


Who are you?


My date.


Oh, sweetheart, I think my taxi might still be outside.


Why don't you grab it? Nell!


I'm so sorry, but I'm just miserable.


Joey is , miles away from me with a total stranger.


You're cute.


I bet you you're a dentist.


As a matter of fact, I'm a lawyer.


Ahh!


This is obviously a sign from heaven.


I always knew you were black.


Counselor, I have a problem you got to help me with.


You see, nell's foster child


Went back to live with his dad,


And nell's a little upset about it.


Upset? Moi?


That's french for "me."


Now, listen.


Here's a letter I got from my little boy.


"Dear aunt nell, I'm having a great time with dad.


I like it when we eat cold pizza for breakfast."


Can you believe that?


Cold pizza for breakfast?


Why, I never.


We had it for breakfast this morning.


Mm-hmm.


[ Both laugh ]


Listen.


"Dad's great about not making us clean our rooms.


He even lets me wear my sweatpants to school."


You hear that? Sweatpants.


Sweatpants!



When my little joey lived with me, he never sweat.


I'm calling phil donahue. This is a cry for help.


Well, just because the father's a little lenient with the boy


Doesn't make him incompetent.


Get out!


Who is he, anyway?!


He's nothing but a total stranger!


Not to me, he isn't.


Addy, you heard the letter. He's miserable.


Nell, he said he was having fun.


Oh, butt out. Who's talking to you, anyway?


I'm talking to my lawyer.


Listen how he signed this.


"Sincerely, joey."


Sincerely?


What -year-old boy is sincere?


You know what? It doesn't even look like his writing.


I bet his father wrote this letter


To throw me off the track.


I don't think you have much of a case.


And he calls himself a lawyer?


You're not all that cute, either.


Andrew, I think you'd better go.


Why?


Don't leave on my account.


I don't want you to hear what I'm about to say to nell,


Although if you stay on the island of manhattan,


You can still hear it.


Listen, andrew, I'm really sorry, okay?


It's just that...i'm just so upset about joey.


I don't know what to do.


His father would have to be proven totally unfit


For you to take the boy away from him.


And, so far, it doesn't sound like you can prove that.


Ooh! I'll prove it.


You and I will prove it.


We'll prove it if we have to go to the supreme court.


Is thurgood marshall still in?


Believe me, you can learn to love her.


I think I love her already.


Good night.


Good night.


Get out of my life, nell.


But you gave me a key.


Who thought you'd use it?


Nell, you have turned this whole evening


Into a total disaster.


Look at this -- still got half a bottle of wine left,


Just enough to pour over your head.


[ Sighs ]


So, what are you gonna do about joey?


You don't care.


Yes, I do.


No, you don't.


Yes, I do.


Addy, I didn't mean to ruin your date.


Yes, you did.


But you heard the letter.


I've got to get joey back from his father.


Oh, honey, honey, you miss joey so much,


You have just lost touch with reality.


I knew you didn't care!


You have got to learn to live without him.


Nobody cares!


Nell, I care!


What are you doing?


I am calling tim.


No!


Nell!


Look, the only thing that's gonna satisfy you


Is for you to see the two of them together


And prove to yourself that joey is all right.


The last thing I want to know is that joey is all right.


Did I really say that?


Oh, honey, honey, you're human.


Look, nobody could blame you


For feeling possessive about joey.


I mean, he's lived with you for so many years.


Oh, come here.


Come on over here.


I want you to sit down. Come on.


We're going to talk about something


That'll take your mind off joey.


I mean, after all, he's not the only subject in the world.


So, what's new?


Oh, addy, please.


You know me. Nothing is new.


What's new with you?


Well, I met this great guy --


An attorney, andrew malone.


Smart...sexy...


And on his way home.


Addy, can you ever forgive me?


No.


Please?


[ Chuckles ]


How's your new job?


Oh, nell, the job is fun.


I mean, new york is so different.


It's scary, but it's exciting.



Yeah... Must make glenlawn look like


The boring hole it really is.


Oh, glenlawn is fine.


It's just another way of life.


So is being dead.


Well, if you really feel that way,


Why don't you move here?


Me? No, no, not me in new york, honey.


New york is just too -- it's too...


Exciting?


Nell, look, you're the one who told me,


"If you don't like it, change it."


Yeah, but I was talking about your hair.


All right, nell.


Look, do you want something to eat?


I could take the roast out of the oven.


That's all right.


I'm just gonna take the next plane back to glenlawn.


But you just got here!


There's probably nothing wrong


With the way that tim is raising joey, anyway.


Honey, I do not believe this.


I mean, you came all the way out here because of joey,


And don't you want to see him?


Of course I want to see him, addy,


But I don't want him to see me.


I don't want him to see how miserable I am without him.


I just got to see his cute little face before I go, okay?


Where are you going?


I'm gonna go to his apartment. I'm gonna look in the window.


He lives on the th floor.


Addy, where is his school?


You shouldn't go over there. It's not safe at night.


Not now, pea-brain!


In joey's letters,


He says that every day after school,


They go to the playground.


Yeah?


So, this is what you and I are gonna do.


No, no, no, no.


Yes, addy, you and i.


No, no, no, no --


Addy -- you and i.


Okay, nell, now you've seen joey. Let's go. Not now, addy.


I mean, my poor baby's not eating right.


I can tell.


His hair has lost all its shine.


Nell, that happens to cats, not children.


Addy...


Excuse me, excuse me, sir.


Would you mind moving the sign?


You see, I'm trying to watch my little boy there.


Sorry, lady. I got to trim these trees.


Excuse me, excuse me, sir.


You see, if you so much as even touch


One leaf on this tree,


I am calling the sierra club.


Now, are you gonna move the sign?


Come on, let the man trim the tree.


Only god can trim a tree.


Not unless he's in the union.


Listen, are you going to move this sign or not?!


In a word, not.


Listen, you dried-up piece of driftwood,


You don't tell me not, I tell you!


Not.


Why, I never.


[ Indistinct conversation ]


Aunt nell?!


Aunt nell, is that you?


No, little boy. I'm not your aunt nell.


Your aunt nell is in glenlawn.


Ooh, hide me.


Aunt nell!


Aunt nell!


Joey.


Q$ oh, honey.


I miss you.


Oh, I missed you, too.


I thought you were in california.


I just happened to be passing by,


Just happened to be in the neighborhood.


Oh, joey.


Here's some fried chicken.


Here's some macaroni and cheese.


Ooh, and here's some collard greens.


Ooh, honey, and here's some biscuits,


And here's some gravy.


Wait, wait, I forgot something.


Here is some leftover roast pork.


Okay?


Oh, joey, it's so good to have you back.


Honey, you know what?


If you clean your plate really, really, really good,


Aunt nell has a surprise for you.


Your favorite -- lemon meringue pie!


[ Laughs ]


Thanks, aunt nell.


I think that represents all the major food groups.


I think I'm gonna get ready for my faculty meeting.



Well, joey, dig in.


It's gonna be a while before your father gets here.


Okay, aunt nell, but I have to save some room for dinner


Because dad's taking us out for pizza.


Joey, pizza is not good nutrition.


Aunt nell, ricky simpson eats pizza every day,


And he's '" already!


But does little ricky have shiny hair?


I don't know. He shaves his head.


[ Crying ]


Addy! My baby done joined a g*ng!


You need help.


Here, joey, drink up your milk, honey.


I'll be right back.


I'm going to go get you


A chewable all-purpose multivitamin.


Just whose side are you on, anyway?


I'm only feeding that little boy a balanced meal.


Balanced?! Yes.


Balanced for the pittsburgh steelers.


It is not! It is too!


You are stuffing him!


I am not! You are too!


All right, I'm stuffing him.


I want him to grow up to be a pittsburgh steeler.


Nell, look at you.


You're spying on joey now


Just like you spied on him at the playground.


That is no way to have a relationship.


I've been spying on you all these years,


And we've never been closer.


Joeyaunt nell?


Yes, honey?


I think I better start on my homework


Before my dad gets here.


All right, but eat first.


You see? Tim obviously stresses education.


You know, addy, I wish you would spend half as much time


Putting stuff in your head as you do putting stuff on --


Ow!


That's what you get. Put your hand in the water.


Baby.


Oh, addy, you're right, you're right.


Just have to face the fact


That joey is not coming back to me.


I have to face that.


Now you're talking.


Addy?


Hmm?


Did you mean what you said about new york?


What? [ Doorbell rings ]


Did you mean what you said about --


Do you still want me as your roommate?


Yes!


You do? Yes!


Nell, this is fantastic!


Aunt nell!


Yes, honey, what?


My dad's here!


Okay. Listen, tim's here.


I'm going out there and tell him I'm moving to new york.


Oh, addy, I hope he doesn't think


That I'm going to interfere.


You?


Hi, tim.


Hi, nell. It's nice to see you back in new york so soon.


It's good to see -- whoa!


My goodness, matthew, look how big you got.


And what -- wait, what happened to your teeth?


I lost them. You lost them.


Yeah, and he got cents from the tooth bunny.


That's tooth fairy.


I told you, dad.


[ Chuckles ]


Boy, they really are getting big, aren't they?


So, how long you gonna be in town?


Well, we were just deciding.


You're it! You're it!


Well, you look wonderful.


Life in glenlawn must really agree with you.


Not really. The pelican d*ed.


Oh, congratulations!


No, dear, that's the rabbit. I said the pelican.


Pelicans don't mean baby?


Excuse me.


Would you guys -- hey.


Listen, could you guys just keep it down?


Could you sit on the couch?


Why?


Why?


Because I said so.


[ Chuckles ]


Now, you were saying?


Well, addy is here all alone,


And I was thinking maybe I should move to new york.


Come on, you guys, you're making too much noise.


Could you kind of cut it out?


Cool it!


Joey, take matthew into addy's room


To see addy's computer...now.



[ Sighs ] come on, matthew.


We have to go see the computer again.


Again?


You know, tim, you're really gonna have to learn


To control joey just a little better.


I mean, when he was living with me, he...


[ Sighs ]


I'm interfering again, aren't i?


Oh, no, no.


No, no, I'm sorry.


Listen, tim, I owe you an apology.


I haven't been completely honest with you.


You see, I flew back to new york


To take joey away from you.


I mean, I spent five hours in the nonsmoking section


Just plotting the whole thing.


I mean, I spied on him


And then I tried to bribe him with a decent meal --


Multivitamins and lemon meringue pie.


Anyway, I want you to know that I am moving to new york now,


And I realize that joey cannot be a part of my life,


And I want you to know


I'm not going to try to do anything behind your back.


What I did was dishonest.


Sit down for a minute.


Okay.


Listen, uh...


I really want to quit my job.


I really want to go back to sea.


See, I'm just not cut out to be, you know,


A single parent.


I mean, I really love them, you know, I really do.


But I'm just not good at it.


And you --


You are wonderful at raising a little boy.


I mean, look at joey.


I mean, he turned out great.


So...


Well, what do you say?


Mnh-mnh, no, no.


How do I know you're not gonna come back


And try to take joey away from me again?


I give you my word.


You know, as long as I can see him whenever I get a chance.


Really?


Cross my heart and hope to fly.


No, tim, that's "to die."


Tim, I don't believe it.


I'm gonna have joey back with me.


Little joey's gonna be back with me.


I don't believe -- joey's gonna be back with me.


Hmm.


Just joey, huh?


Well, I hadn't thought about little matthew.


Yeah. He's really very little, you know.


He may never get any bigger.


[ Gasps ]


Tim, I'll take him.


Oh, you're terrific!


I'll go tell the boys. [ Laughs ]


[ Whistling ]


Nell, I am so excited about you moving in here with me!


And if you change your mind


And decide to go back to california,


I will never speak to you again.


Oh, it's gonna be so great having a roommate!


Aunt nell! Aunt nell!


Aunt nell! Aunt nell! Oh, aunt nell!


Aunt nell!


Make that "roommates."


♪ Gimme a break


♪ Gimme a break


♪ Gimme a break
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