07x07 - A New Step

[bunniefuu]

[waves craashing]

[music]

Right.

Chuck chuk chuk.

You're doing better, Mr. Ward.

Rather than go star, I'll take a date with the teacher.

Now you're losing the b*at, Mr. Ward.

Well, it wouldn't be a total oss. I hope I'm getting someplace with you.

Look, I think that would be just about enough this night.

Oh.

Yeah, I'm sorry you've learned the basic

step now. Now all you have to do is

familiarize yourself with it and I'll

see you on the next Friday. How's that?

-See you Friday, too. -Thank you. Good night.

Goodnight.

[music]

[closing box]

Lazy, Mr. Ward.

Why I ever started these nine adult classes,

I'll never know there's such a four.

Eight months ago when you started them, you

said, and I quote, because you were bored.

Hmmm.

I was.

Phil d*ed. I didn't know what to do with myself. And I still don't.

Honey, when you're lonely and bored

yes, and feeling sorry for yourself.

Oh.

Look around.

Find come on a little worse off than you are.

Give them a hand.

Are you suggesting that I race little boy

Scouts for little old ladies on street corners?

You are in a mood.

Yeah, maybe I am. Here, you finish that.

Thanks.

I've got to get to the market for a close and see you tomorrow, honey.

Good Night.

Not an easy job shopping for one, is it?

Buy a head of lettuce and throw half of it away.

[music]

When you're lonely and bored, find someone a

little worse off than you are. Give them a hand.

[music]

Dance?

But Mrs. Fry, some of them can barely walk.

I realize that, Doctor, but look, I'm a very good teacher.

Please, couldn't I just try?

Well, of course we'll let you try. And we'll do

everything we can to help you make it a success.

Thank you.

Then when do I start, Doctor?

Well, give me two weeks to work up some interest.

We have a wreck hall. It's certainly

no ballroom, but it should do the job.

It's at the end of the hall on the right.

Why don't you take a look at it if you go out.

thank you I will,

and then I'll see you in about two weeks alright.

-Goodbye for now. -Goodbye, Doctor.

[sound of steps]

Easy, Pete. Just easy now.

You're trying to rush it. Just one step at a time.

Head out, boy. Eddie.

[music]

Oh, Pete, you can't rush it.

-But this time. -How do you know?

What do you know about it?

You may not screwed into these

Barb wired, so just leave me alone.

Come on up, Pete. What are you going to do? Just lay there?

Why not? I'm not going anyplace

I like it here. So just leave me alone, will you?

Pete, I know how hard it is to get used to these things.

No, you don't. You don't know. So don't try and tell me that you do.

I know because I've got them on. You can't tell me

anything because you've never had these bear traps on.

Okay, Pete. I'll get your chair.

[music]

Ah.

Are you alright?

Yeah.

Alright I will be in a minute.

Oh.

I thing these things are just strange, that's all.

Miss Fry. I think hours is the first day are enough.

Come on, Doctor, help me up, will you?

I'm alright.

Just got me up again.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Thank you.

Is this really necessary?

Yeah I think it is.

If I'm going to teach these kids to dance, I've got to realize their

restrictions, what their problems are. Wearing these bear traps.

Well, come on, take them off. You can

come back tomorrow for another trial.



Oh, no.

Once I get these things off, I'm never going to put them on again.

I'll work with them today until I figure out.

Then I'm going to give them back to you with my compliments.

But you go ahead, Doctor. Go on. I know you've got a hospital to run.

I am Sure, you'll be all right.

No.

But I'll holler loud. Someone will come and pick me up. Go ahead.

I'll look in on you later.

Oh, no, please don't. Just forget about me, doctor. I'm fine, really.

I hope.

Oh, hi.

Hi.

Oh, no, please, come on in.

Okay.

You're new around here?

What?

- You're new around here? - Oh yeah.

I am.

I was just going to play the phonograph. Okay.

Oh good.

If I'd known one was here, I'd have had a blaring.

Get some new record. This is just

about all there is to do around here.

Oh well.

Hadn't you heard?

There's going to be a dance class.

Yeah I heard.

It really clipped me. A dance class.

That'll be a sight to see.

A traffic jam of wheelchairs.

Careful now, don't be so disdainful.

I'm going to be the teacher.

You are?

You are going to teach dancing?

Oh, well, you see, I just came in here.

There you are. Pete, the doctor wants to see you right away.

In a minute.

Right now, Pete. Come on.

Okay okay.

[music]

When are you going to start this class of yours?

In two weeks.

-See you then. -Okay.

If you can manage to cut out with those

iron fences wrapped around your legs. Well

Maybe there's hope for me.

Oh but.

[music]

Nothing.

[music]

Maybe I will be putting these on again.

Oh, brother.

Hello.

Oh, hello come on in.

Is this what the dance class is going to be?

Yes. I'm Polly Fry.

My name is Norman Willis.

How do you do, Norman?

-Are you the teacher? -Yes, I am.

Do you think I'll be able to dance anything?

I can't even stand up without this piece you know.

Well, I know that.

Hello.

Come right in.

Ah.

I happen to know there are several girls who

are going to be in the class who also use kings.

And why don't you and your partner hold on to

the same king? Use the same pair, you know?

-Yeah, I guess that would work. -I think you would.

Do you want to put some music on it? That makes you more pleasant honey.

First I am going to show you the basic step in the foxtrot.

Norman, would you turn the music off for a moment, please.

That's right.

Now I'm going to the boys part first.

Ah.

The man always starts with the left foot. Now,

that's very important. I want you to remember that.

Now, watch my feet and I'll show you first. Ready?

Left foot, forward, side, close. Right foot, back, side, close. See?

Left foot, forward, side, close. Right foot, back,

side, close. Now, will you try it with me, please?

Remember, it watch my feet. And left foot, forward. Ready?

Left foot, forward, right, close. Right

foot, back, side, close. All right, Peter.

Come along. Now. We're going to have to do this

together in a minute. Ready? Left foot, please. Forward.

Left foot, forward. Good. Right, close.

Right foot, back, side, close. Very good.

[music]

Forward, side, close. Back, side, close. Good.

Forward, side, close. Back, side, close. Good.

Forward, side, close. Back,

Never worse, much of it, don't you? No. At least I've got a good excuse.

[laugh]

Back, side, close. Forward, side.

[screaming] [felling down]

Oh.

[laugh]



Now, that's a new step, isn't it?

[laugh]

That's very effective, Peter, but too hard on a sailbone.

Come on kids.

Set Fred and Ginger on their feet again. Oh, up we go.

Give me you hand.

Here.

Thank you, Galahat.

Thank you.

Well, now, blessed is he who can laugh or he shall have company.

[laugh]

Well, take your partners again and let's get this

ball rolling. Come on, Peter. I'm over this way.

There you are, ready?

Now, forward, tight, close, good.

Right, close. Forward, tight, close.

Quick quick slow. They're really good.

They're old, dear young man, we are. Keep those things going.

Everybody in this class dances. Some

on their feet and some on their seat.

Keep going, honey, that's fine.

Play with music, darling. Oh, it's very good.

Peter, what's the matter with you?

Not getting anywhere.

Are you trying to ruin my reputation as a teacher? Come on up.

I can't do it.

Oh, now, look here.

You got it this way. Ours is not to succeed,

but to continue to fail in good spirit huh.

Okay, Jesse, you and your machines can take a break.

Florence.

Put the fox trot back on again, will you, please?

Thank you.

And smile, you're on television.

You never run down, do you?

Well.

How come you're so happy? Do you have that much to smile about?

Peter, God gave us our faces. We make up the expressions.

And that sourpuss is man made hmm.

Okay now.

There you are. Ready? And forward, side, close, back.

Careful of the backboard. That always throws you.

[laugh] I mean, literally every inch of this

floor and I are on the most intimate of turn.

[laugh]

Well, good. You can't smile. Good for you, Peter.

Forward, back, Close.

[music]

Quick, quick, slow. Quick, quick, slow. Quick, quick,

slow. Quick, quick, slow. Very good. Quick, quick,

slow. Good. That's wonderful, Peter. Well, it's

, kids. Goodbye, and I'll see you on Thursday.

Goodbye, Peter, you're getting better

every day. You're just wonderful.

You're the only one I can dance with.

No, that's because I'm the only one you ever ask.

Starting next week, I want you to stop being

so shy and ask the girls to dance you here.

I'm not shy. I just want to dance with you.

Now, if you think I hold you up or lead you, you're wrong.

You dance very well. Now you don't need teacher anymore.

Would you like a cold drink?

Oh, no, I can't, Peter.

I have to get back to the studio for a lesson.

You work too hard.

Oh.

Teaching you kids isn't work my fun.

We're not exactly kids you know.

We may seem younger because we're slightly

restricted but we're not kids just the same.

Alright, Grandpa. I'll get to your crutch.

I don't use crutches anymore. I can manage with a cane.

Now, you know very well I didn't mean to offend you when I said that.

What's the matter?

Why are you so touchy today?

Because you never seem to have any time for me.

You always have to rush off someplace.

I'm sorry, Peter, but I have to go.

Okay.

Goodbye.

Peter.

Come here.

Sit down.

You are a baby.

I'm not.

And sixteen and I should be a man but I'm not

And I wish you had quit reminding me that I'm not and never will be

Peter, don't, please don't.

Don't treat me like that. Or yourself. Neither of us deserve it.

I'm sorry.

I am.

[smiling]

Well.

How about that cold drink?

No, you have your lesson.

That's alright. I could call and tell him I'll be

I'm alright.

Really.

It's just that every once in a while it

kind of chokes me and I have to spit it out.



I'm all right. Honest.

I get along a lot better than you give me credit for.

See you Thursday.

You're a wonderful man, Peter.

The best of all qualifications. The combination great men are made of.

Courage and kindness.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Goodbye, Polly.

Goodbye, Peter.

[music]

[telephone ringing]

Hello.

Yeah speaking.

Oh, hello Peter how are you?

Fine.

No, I'm just through with my afternoon class.

Well, certainly, if you're in the neighborhood.

Fine.

In about five minutes.

Alright see you then.

[putting telephone down]

[music]

Oh, hi, Peter.

Hi.

Come on back here in the office.

I'm putting some coffee on.

Isn't that funny? I knew you would, so I brought some donuts.

Oh, wonderful. Put it right there.

I guess it isn't really funny?

What?

That I knew you'd have coffee on, so I brought some donuts.

Oh.

Some people get to really know each other really well

when they really like each other, don't you think?

[laugh]

Well, maybe we should have a mind reading actor.

Don't laugh at me.

Oh, now, listen. You've got a something so super sensitive.

I like to laugh.

And since you think you know me so well.

You should have guessed by now that I'm not laughing at you, Peter.

I'm laughing with you.

Sorry.

[smiling]

Oh, here. Put those diet wreckers on that Platon.

They're half jolly and half chocolate. I hope you like that.

Oh, you do read minds.

They're my absolute favorite.

I bet they just tear the weight right off of you.

-You sure don't have to worry. -What?

Your figure is just right, I think.

Oh, thank you.

They're having a dance at school next week.

Would you go with me?

No, Peter, I've already told you.

I'm not the only one your dance with.

You do very well.

And I told you you're the only one I want to dance with.

That's nonsense.

Oh, really.

Dancing with a partner without braces

would be a big help for you, Peter.

There must be some nice young girl

on your class that you'd like to ask.

But I'm asking you.

Well, you just don't take your dancing teacher dancing.

Sit down.

Why don't you try one?

Do you ever go out with fellows?

Oh.

Yes, sometimes.

Dancing?

Sometimes.

Do you go out with just ordinary

I mean. Will not fellows like me, just.

Will you know?

Oh.

Yes.

It doesn't bother you to be the only one that's different?

Well no.

Peter why don't you figure it this way.

Ah.

People like to look at things that are different. you know?

Things that interest them, like

a dress or a suit or a haircut or these bases.

Now, the fact that they are of interest, that shouldn't upset you.

On the contrary.

Why don't you try to show people

what a wonderful job they do for you?

Explain away their curiosity you know boy.

Well, by handling them and yourself so easily that

people will only feel respect for you.

Respect?

Yes.

well.

Believe it or not, that's what all good things in life are based on.

You won't go dancing with me.

And it's not because of these?

No, it's not.



It's because I don't want all of your young friends to think that

you couldn't get anybody but your mother to go to the dance with you.

-Well, anytime they'd think that. -well.

I was going to the dance is just a silly idea anyway.

Not at all, Peter.

For you to go to the dance with your young friends is a very good idea.

But a good idea isn't enough.

You've got to stick to it.

Until it proves to be one.

See?

Okay okay.

You'd think if I asked one of the girls.

There's one girl who talks to me.

She comes up and talks to me all the time.

Oh good.

Well, then why don't you ask her to date?

Well she's real popular.

Well, then all the more reason to ask

her right away. Do you know her number?

-Yeah, I think so. -There's the phone, they might have.

I had to call her a couple of times last month.

We were on a debate team together.

[dialing number]

Hello Dorothy?

This is Peter.

White.

Would you like to go to the dance with me.

Well don't sound so funny sure I can dance a little.

Yeah okay.

Bye.

[putting telephone down]

Well.

She said she'd be delighted.

Now, why would she say a thing like that?

Because she was probably delighted.

Well I'm not.

I wanted to go with you.

Oh, Peter, for heaven's sake, you're impossible.

Go on, eat another donut.

[music]

You.

[music]

Hi, Peter. How'd the dance go last night?

[music]

Sure.

You go out dancing all the time.

Only you forgot to tell me that you left your armor at home.

Well.

Peter, you know.

Pete, you know that first day in the hospital, the day that we met, I

well, I had those braces on because I was trying to find out how

How the poor cripples get along.

Boy was I wrong about knowing you.

Was I way off?

You were just using guinea pigs for some screwball experiment.

[music]

was I ever wrong?

well.

[closing door]

No matter how screwball the experiment.

It has been successful.

Successful?

You've made us feel that we can do what you

can do when you know all the time we can't.

You can, Peter. You are.

We can't.

We can't take these things off you can.

All that guff about leading a normal life.

Sure, you lead a normal life. Why shouldn't you?

Big deal.

I'll tell them at the hospital about your miraculous recovery.

Oh, Peter.

[falling down]

-I help you out. -Get away from me.

Alright.

Here.

Yes Peter you.

You could say I used you. I guess.

See I was born my life was pretty empty.

I wanted someone to give to you.

You boys and girls seem to.

Be able to use what little I could give.

Yes, I guess I did use you. But I

hoped I earned the right a little bit.

Now, whether you believe it or not, my

wearing those braces gave you faith in me.

What's more important, Peter?

It gave you faith in yourselves.

Yeah.

Yeah I guess.

But now I feel that you've cheated me, cheated us all.

Yes, deception is wrong, I admit that. But

well, Peter, weigh it against the good.

Weigh it against the fact that last night you

escorted one of the most popular girls in your school

to dance.

Yeah.

I guess that's why I came.

To tell you that last night. I had the best time of my life.

You gave me that time, and I came by to say thank you.



We'll say it.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

I've got some coffee on in the back room. You

want to come on and tell me about the dance?

Well, they didn't play many foxtrot.

-Is that so? -Rock and roll, mostly.

Oh.

Dorothy doesn't like rock and roll anyway.

Do you know that she'd been waiting all year for me to ask her around?

You're kidding.

Well, not dancing, of course. She didn't know I could.

I bet you it is surprised for her.