01x12 - Father Figure

[bunniefuu]

- Thanks, Nat.

- I can'’t believe it'’s already time for the winter festival.

- Yeah.

- I'’m still thawing out from last year.

- What, what'’s the winter festival?

- Oh, it'’s a big party that the town puts on every year

to celebrate the joys of winter.

- It'’s a diversion, to keep people'’s minds off

how cold they are.

- Don'’t listen to him.

It'’s fun, there'’s food and games and--

- And sledding--

- And snowball fights--

- And at the end of the festival

there'’s hot cider and an evening sleigh ride.

- What'’s the father and son cross-country ski challenge?

- It'’s a race.

- Fathers team up with their sons and race around town.

- It sounds like fun.

- It is.

Especially when you'’ve won years in a row.

- It'’s a new year, Cade.

Maybe your streak will come to an end.

- Sure, Emil. You said that last year and what happened?

You ended up face down in a snowbank.

- There you go, boys.

- Who'’s that?

- Cade Mulrooney.

Goes to Peterskill Academy, buncha spoiled rich kids.

They think they'’re better than us.

- Yeah, just because they'’re rich and smart

and b*at us at everything.

- Now, boys, this race is not about winning.

It'’s about having fun and being with your loved ones.

If you happen to b*at the boys at Peterskill in the meantime,

that'’s just icing on the cake.

- Wish I could join the race,

but it'’s only for father and sons, right?

- Well, I could be your father, Dan.

- Really? But is that legal? - Well, sure it is.

I mean, Laurie is your sponsor at Plumfield,

I don'’t see why he can'’t be your father for the day.

- Well that'’s great, thanks.

- Nick, do you think you could be my father

in the father son race?

- Father son race?

- Yeah, it'’s a cross-country ski race at the winter festival.

- Sure.

- Thanks, Nick.

I mean, with you and me on a team, there'’s no way we can lose.

- Ah, except for me and Laurie. - Or me and my dad.

- Alright, boys, that'’s enough bragging.

Head inside and start unpacking.

- Nick and I are gonna win--

- Well, that'’s nice of you.

- Yeah, just don'’t wanna let him down is all.

- Don'’t worry about that.

It'’s just for fun. You don'’t have to win the race.

- Oh, I'’m sure we won'’t.

I'’ve never put on a pair of skis in my life.

We'’ll be lucky if I'’m even standin'’ at the end of it.

- We'’ll have to do something about that then, won'’t we?

- Not a word of this to the kids.

- Don'’t worry, it'’ll be our little secret. OK, you ready?

- S'’pose I'’d better be.

- Alright. Now you push off with your right foot,

and at the same time you take your left hand

and push off with the left pole. So, it'’s opposite.

OK, and then you do the same thing with the opposite side.

Ready?

Right foot, left pole.

There you go, that'’s it,

there you go, good, good, you got it--

Oh, oh!

OK, um-- everybody falls when they'’re just beginning.

And some people even fall when they'’re not beginning. Here OK--

Ready, one, two, three, up, ohh--

Ow!

- Sorry.

- That'’s alright.

- You know, put me on a ship in forty foot waves,

I can walk a straight line.

But skis, that'’s something I ain'’t been around much.

- If you can get your balance at sea,

I'’m sure you can master this.

Alright, come on up,

okey doke, oh good, OK.

Ooh! It just might take some time.

- The race is in two weeks.

- No problem.

- Hey, I think I'’m starting to get the hang of this.

- Good, good, ohh!

Hold on!

- So, the race starts here in town,

then goes out through the woods and back.

Now, it'’s two laps--

the father does the first and the son does the second.

- And the trick is not to go too fast

on the final turn into town, cause it'’s really icy.

- I'’ll remember that.

Listen, you kids stay here.

I gotta go in and pick up that material Mrs. Jo ordered

for the quiltin'’ contest.

- OK.

- Boys get to race and girls get to enter

the mother daughter quilting contest.

- Well, what'’re you so mad about?

I mean Miss Jo said she'’d enter with you.

- I don'’t wanna make a quilt, Nat. I wanna race, like you.

- You should be glad you'’re not.

It'’ll save you the embarrassment of losing to me.

- You'’re entering the race? - That'’s right.

- Why bother?

She'’d have a better chance of winning than you.

- Well, anyone would have

a better chance of winning than you.

- I'’ll have you know I'’ve won this race for the past years.

- That'’s just because I wasn'’t in it.

- Well, you won'’t be in it this year either,

seeing that girls aren'’t allowed.

If I were you, I'’d steer clear of the race as well.

I'’m not good at avoiding little kids when they fall.

Wouldn'’t want to see anyone get hurt.

- Hey!

I'’m not gonna fall.

- I don'’t know, it can get pretty rough out there.

You think you'’re tough enough, huh?

Come on, show me how tough you are.

Come on.

- Leave him alone.

- Enjoy making your quilt. Both of you, sorry girl.

- Well, I'’ll make a really big quilt so I can bury you in it!

- I'’ll see you sissies-- - See you at the finish line.

- What is wrong with you?

- What?

- You'’re just gonna let him push you around like that?

- Here ya go, Nan.

Gonna make a nice quilt.

- Oh yes, lovely.

- You all right, Nat?

- Yeah, sure.

Ya ain'’t said a word since we got back from town.

Something on your mind?

- Nick, did you always know how to fight,

or did you have to learn?

- Huh, some of it I learned,

most of it I just picked up along the way.

- You get in many fights when you were a kid?

- Some, no more'’n most boys.

- You see, now that'’s my problem.

I'’ve never been in a fight.

- Never? - No, never.

Back in Boston, Dan and Jasper used to do the fightin'’ for us.

And when they weren'’t around

I usually just stayed outta trouble.

- Oh, nothing wrong with staying outta trouble, Nat.

- You'’re right,

but what about when someone tries to pick a fight with you--

they push you, they call you names-- what do you do?

You fight back, that'’s what you do.

You stand up for yourself. But I never do.

Guys like Cade start makin'’ fun of me, and I don'’t do anything.

You know what, it'’s bad enough when Dan stands up for me,

but now I got Nan tryin'’ to stand up for me, too.

- How '’bout I teach you how to fight?

- Really, you'’d do that?

But Miss Jo doesn'’t allow fightin'’ at Plumfield.

- Well, we won'’t be fightin'’.

I'’ll just be showin'’ you how to defend yourself.

- Yeah, sure.

- But still probably better

if she don'’t find out about it, all right?

- OK, it'’ll be our little secret.

- Alright.

- Hello, Nan.

- Hey, Franz. Can, can I ask you a question?

- Sure.

- You know, when you first started to teach at this school,

and everybody thought you were too young and inexperienced--

How, how'’d that make you feel?

- Well, I, I was nervous at first--

- But you wanted to teach, right?

- Yeah.

- Well, of course you did.

You wanted to teach real bad, but people didn'’t let ya,

like there was some stupid rule saying that you couldn'’t do it,

it made you mad cause people didn'’t wanna give you

the chance to show that you could do it.

- What'’s this about, Nan?

- Well, I, I want you to be my father.

- Excuse me?

- In the father son ski race in the winter festival.

My father can'’t make it,

and I was kinda hoping that you'’d take his place.

- Well, I don'’t think that'’s possible.

- Well, of course it is.

Laurie'’s being Dan'’s father, and Nick and Nat are pairing up.

- That'’s fine.

But it leaves you with one small problem, you'’re not a boy.

- Well, you can leave that one up to me.

- Alright, whenever you'’re ready, give it a sh*t.

- Oh!

You moved it, Nick.

- Course I did. When you'’re fightin'’ somebody,

he ain'’t gonna hold still for ya, either.

And you'’re winding up, tipping me when you'’re gonna throw.

Punch fast. Jab and recover.

Remember, the other guy'’s gonna be punching right back at ya,

so keep your guard up, be ready for it.

Good.

Hey, and never ever take your eyes off your opponent.

And if he takes his eyes off of you,

that'’s when you deliver.

- Alright.

- Alright, give it another sh*t.

Now see, you lost your balance, watch your stance.

Get your feet square under ya, bend at the knees.

The key to winning is keeping your balance.

- Exactly.

But remember, you don'’t have to actually win the race.

It'’s having fun that'’s important.

- Right, fun.

- Yeah, we'’re, we'’re havin'’ lots of fun.

- Lots.

- Good. Nick, it'’s :.

Remember that thing I was helping you with?

- Oh, the thing. Ah, why don'’t you get going,

finish up your chores, and we'’ll talk later.

- Sure, Nick. See ya, Miss Jo. - Bye, Nat.

- Y'’know, I'’m still real sore from yesterday.

- I know, but don'’t worry, every day'’ll get easier. Trust me.

- Ahh--

Ahh...

This ain'’t gonna work.

- Yes, it is.

- No, it ain'’t.

- Listen, this isn'’t gonna work unless you approach it

with the right attitude.

The reason you can'’t do it is because you don'’t think you can.

Or maybe you don'’t want to.

- What?

- Nat is so thrilled that

you'’re participating in this race with him.

Whether you finish first or last,

or fall on your face at the starting line,

it doesn'’t matter to him.

You know that.

What you'’re doing for him is wonderful.

He'’ll be so proud to have you as his father.

- Father...

Alright, let'’s try it again.

Again.

You'’re tippin'’ me. I know when you'’re gonna punch.

- Nick, I can'’t do it.

- Sure you can.

- No, I'’m not gettin'’ it. It'’s just a waste of time.

- Nat, the only reason you can'’t do it

is cause you don'’t think you can.

Trick is believing it, knowin'’ you can do it.

You get that confidence in ya and the rest is easy.

Now come on, try it again.

- Ugh-- - Again.

Again, again, c'’mon faster.

- Ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh--

I, I did it! I hit your hand!

- Sure did. Now do it again, same way.

- Ugh!

Ugh!

Ugh!

- Push off with the opposite side, that'’s it--

That'’s perfect. It'’s getting easier, isn'’t it?

- Yep.

- OK, push a little harder, pick up some speed.

- I'’m still standing.

- I can see that.

Look out for the tree! - Aah, aah, aah--

Go left, go left, ohh, oy--

Ah...

- I'’m gettin'’ it.

- Alright Nat, good. You can stop now.

Nat, take a break.

Punching real good. My hands are stingin'’.

- Really? You mean I'’m hittin'’ you hard?

- Real hard. And your form'’s lookin'’ good too.

You'’re keeping your weight balanced.

You keep this up, nobody'’s gonna wanna tangle with you.

That boy Cade'’s gonna be on the ground

before he knows what hit him.

- You know, Nick, um,

I really appreciate you doin'’ this for me.

- I didn'’t do much of anythin'’.

You always had it inside of ya, I just helped ya find it is all.

- Um, can I go again?

- Sure.

I think I'’m gonna need to get some pads for my hands.

They'’re startin'’ to swell up.

- Nan, what are you doing?

- You'’ll see. I told you, it'’s a surprise.

- I can hardly wait.

- Is anybody coming?

- No, not yet, anyway.

- Alright, almost ready.

You ready?

- Yes.

- Alright, here I come.

Well, whadaya think?

- Where'’d you get those pants?

- Oh, well, well they'’re Nat'’s.

A little bit baggy, but I got this belt to hold them up.

Do you think I could pass for a boy?

- Well, I'’d have to say yes.

- Well, then you better start practicing your skiing,

cause we'’re gonna win this race.

- Nan, I don'’t know.

I mean, I, I don'’t look old enough to be your father.

- I already thought about that.

Here, put this on.

- What is it?

- A fake moustache.

- Nan, if we get caught--

- If we get caught, then we get disqualified.

But at least we tried.

And besides, we'’re not gonna get caught,

cause neither me or you are gonna tell anybody,

are we?

It'’ll be our little secret.

- Oh, dear.

- The coast is clear. I'’m gonna make a run for the flag.

- Alright, if they start firin'’, crawl back fast as you can.

We'’ll cover you.

- Right. - Alright.

- Now on three, one, two, three!

- It'’s Dan makin'’ a run for it!

- Go, go on! Get him! -Cover me, Nan, come on!

- Ohh! - Ohh!

- I got ya, Dan. You'’re out!

- Nice goin'’...

- Shut up, Tommy.

-Nice one, Nan! - Oops, sorry.

- Come on! Let'’s go!

- C'’mon, hit him. - Get her, Nan!

- We'’re gettin'’ low on snowballs.

- I'’ll make some more.

It'’s really quiet over there. Maybe too quiet.

- They'’re probably out of snowballs.

- Maybe, or it might be a trick.

- Well, there'’s only one way to find out.

- Nat, what'’re you doing?

- He'’s making a run for it! He'’s making a run for it!

-He'’s gonna get the flag! He'’s got the flag!

- [The kids]: Yes!

- I did it!

- Nat made a run for it?

- b*at ya, Nan!

- Almost done here, Nat. Just makin'’ some pads.

- Pads?

- Uh yeah, for our skiin'’ lessons.

Ah, make it easier for when I fall.

- I don'’t think you'’ll be falling anymore, Nick.

You'’ve really improved.

I think you'’ll finish the race on your feet.

Wanna hear something amazing?

Ever since you agreed to be Nat'’s father in the race,

his confidence has soared.

I heard

that he captured the flag in the snowball fight today.

And just now Emil tried to take his scarf.

Nat demanded that he give it back, and he did.

Emil backed down.

All these years,

Nat'’s been yearning for a father'’s influence--

- I'’m just playin'’ the part, Jo.

I mean, I like to think of myself

as a friend to these boys,

but I wouldn'’t go callin'’ myself much of a father.

- I would.

- Over there'’s the icy part

where everyone always slides around.

- Yeah, like you.

- This year I'’m gonna get a big lead at the beginning,

so I won'’t have to rush later on.

- Can'’t get a big lead unless you pass me, Emil,

and well, that ain'’t gonna happen.

- Actually, a big lead is a big mistake.

- Is that a fact?

- Yes, it'’s better to stay back and see what you'’re up against.

Let them work hard, by the end of the race

when they'’re still huffin'’ and puffin'’,

you'’re fresh and ready to fly past them.

- We'’ll keep that in mind, Nan.

- You guys wanna lose the race, it'’s fine by me.

- Look--

- Well, look who it is.

Come to watch me ski? You just may learn something.

- That guy talks too much.

- Somebody has to shut him up.

- Yeah.

- What'’s he doin'’?

- The only person that'’s gonna

learn somethin'’ here Cade is you.

- Is that so? Well, who'’s gonna teach me? You?

- That'’s right.

You always wanted to know how tough I am,

I'’m ready to show ya.

- You are, huh?

What, do you wanna fight? - That'’s right.

- Nat, just take it easy-- - Dan, stay outta this!

C'’mon--

- Some other time. - Nat!

- C'’mon, c'’mon--

- Go on then, go on!

- Nat!

- Go on Nat, come on, go on...

- Stop this.

- Nat! - Nat! What are you alright?

- That'’s it, this is enough!

- Dan, leave me alone!

C'’mon, c'’mon!

- Nat, are you alright?

- Nat?

- Nat? C'’mon, Nat...

Oh, my God, Nat...

Go get help!

Go get the doctor, go!

- What'’s going on here? - He hit his head.

C'’mon, Nat...

- His pulse is weak and rapid. His breathing is shallow.

I'’m afraid he'’s lapsed into a coma.

We won'’t be able to accurately access the amount of damage

until he wakes up.

- When will that be?

- I don'’t know.

He'’s sustained a severe blow.

You know, we should prepare ourselves

for the possibility that he may not wake up.

- Is there anything we can do?

- Mmm-hm, keep his head raised at all times.

A cap of ice water and vinegar

might further reduce the swelling.

- I'’ll get it.

- You can also apply fever blisters

to the back of his head.

Other than that...

I'’m afraid all we can do is wait.

Um, when you'’re with him,

it might not be a bad idea to speak to him.

I have seen in the past how a familiar voice can have

a great impact on bringing someone back from a coma.

I'’ll see myself out.

- How'’s Nat doin'’?

- Asia'’s with him now.

I think we should all take turns sitting with him.

- Yeah, that'’d be good, Mrs. Jo.

- I'’d like to go into town tomorrow,

speak to the parents of the boy who hit him.

Maybe even the sheriff.

We can'’t let this as*ault go unpunished.

- Mrs. Jo?

Nat started the fight.

- What?

- I know, it'’s hard to believe.

We didn'’t believe it, either.

But Cade, he didn'’t wanna fight. He tried to walk away.

- Nat threw the first punch.

That'’s when Cade fought back.

- Why would he do such a thing?

- I, I don'’t know.

Cade was picking on him a few days ago.

But it'’s not like Nat to pick a fight.

- Jo?

Last few days, I been teachin'’ Nat how to fight.

- What?

- I know, I, I shoulda told you.

- You'’ve been teaching Nat how to fight?

- That other boy'’d been pushing him around,

and Nat was upset that he didn'’t know how to defend himself,

so I thought I'’d show him.

- You know how I feel about fighting.

- I know, but Nat came to me. He wanted to learn.

And I don'’t think there'’s anything wrong

with somebody knowing how to fight to defend themselves.

- No, but did you bother teaching him when not to fight?

- I didn'’t think he'’d actually go pick a fight with the boy.

- I cannot believe you would do such a thing.

- I was just tryin'’ to help him.

- Really? Well, why don'’t you go upstairs and look at him!

And then you can see how much you'’ve helped him!

- "For several days after leaving Nantucket,

nothing above hatches was seen of Captain Ahab..."

Never thought I'’d actually be readin'’ to you, huh?

"The mates regularly relieved each other at the watches..."

-"There she blows! There she blows!

A hump like a snow hill.

It'’s Moby d*ck."

-"...speed, almost in an instant as it were,

rushing among the boats with open jaws, and a lashing tail,

offered appalling battle on every set.

The heedless of the irons--"

- Mind if I sit with him?

- Sure.

- You know, I'’m not so good at readin'’ yet,

so I'’ll just sit here and talk to you for awhile,

if that'’s alright with you.

Not so good at talkin'’, either.

Look...

I shouldn'’t have been teachin'’ you how to fight.

I should have been teachin'’ you how to avoid fights.

But you already knew how to do that, didn'’t you?

You were doing just fine until I come along--

I'’m sorry, Nat--

- Nick...

Hey, Nick.

- Hey, Nat!

Welcome back.

- [span tts:fontStyle="italic"]Bring him along[/span] [span tts:fontStyle="italic"] very gently.[/span]

Make sure that he doesn'’t overexert himself.

He has been through quite a trauma.

- I'’ll see you out.

- Thank you, Doctor.

Well, how'’s he doing?

- Ah, he'’s doing better.

- Finished. Do you want some more?

- No, thanks.

- Alright then, why don'’t we let him rest.

The doctor says he shouldn'’t over exert himself.

- Sure.

- Good to see you back, you had me worried.

- Are you warm enough?

- Yes.

- Yeah?

- Mrs. Jo?

I'’m sorry for fighting.

- I know.

- How long will I have to stay in bed?

- A week or so.

- But I'’ll miss the father and son race.

- Oh, I'’m afraid you'’ll have to sit this one out.

You'’ll need plenty of time to heal.

- Tell Nick I'’m sorry.

- Oh... I will.

I know you didn'’t mean for this to happen.

And I do believe you

when you say that you were trying to help him.

But Nick, he is still a young boy.

You don'’t realize the impact you have on him.

On all the children.

They look up to you...

they hang on your every word,

watch your every move, trying to be like you.

- I never asked '’em to look at me that way.

- Well, they do, Nick and... - Well, they shouldn'’t.

Look, maybe I should just step back,

do my job and not get involved with '’em so much.

- It'’s too late for that.

You already are involved whether you like it or not.

You'’re a father figure to them.

There are so many wonderful things

about being a father, Nick.

You were nervous about skiing,

but I could see the pride in your eyes

when Nat asked you to be in the race with him.

But with being a father

also comes a great deal of responsibility.

And I guess the question that you are left with...

is "do you want to accept that responsibility?"

- I don'’t know if I can.

- Then you'’d only be hurting them more by staying.

Nick?

Nick?

- Bess, don'’t cover my eyes.

- Oh, sorry.

- So, why do I have to wear this many scarves?

- Dr. Pierce said that you could only go to the festival

if we keep you warm.

- I recommend we put a blanket on him.

- Good idea.

- Well, the wagon'’s hitched. You all set?

- Yes.

- Nat, is that you?

- Yeah.

- Well, you look warm.

- Where'’s Nick?

- Uh...

Nick'’s not gonna be coming to the festival.

But we are.

And we'’re gonna have a wonderful time.

- Missed that, there you go.

- Nat, you wanna try it?

- You'’re next?

- No.

- Oh, try it.

- So, Jo, what do you think?

- I picked the colors.

- Isn'’t it gorgeous?

- It'’s lovely.

- The colors are lovely, Bess.

But the stitching, that'’s what catches the judge'’s eye.

That'’s why Daisy and I spent so much of our time

on the intricacy of our design.

- Yours is nice too, Meg.

- Well, we'’ll just have to let the judge decide, won'’t we?

- Where'’s your quilt, Jo?

I thought you and Nan were gonna make one.

- Oh, Nan didn'’t want to participate.

- Oh, where is Nan anyways?

- I don'’t know. I haven'’t seen her since we came into town.

- Folks, can I have your attention?

It'’s time for the father son ski challenge,

so all participants make your way to the starting line!

- Well, that'’s my cue.

- Try not to hurt yourself.

- Thanks for the vote of confidence.

- Good luck. - Good luck! Bye.

- There you go.

- Finally, they just called for the race.

- Franz, your moustache.

- Oh, right.

- Well...

Why don'’t you just pull this down a little tighter,

so it won'’t blow off durin'’ the race.

- Thanks, Asia.

- And you might wanna fix your moustache.

Go on, both of you, go ahead.

- Thanks.

- Have a good time.

- Oooh, just about ready.

- Bend your knees, bend your knees.

- Skiers to the starting line!

- Asia, sit here.

Nat! - Yeah?

- Come sit by me.

Ooh, hot cider!

Mmm... you warm enough?

- Yeah. - OK.

- My uncle couldn'’t make it.

He sent his butler in his place.

- I'’m sure he'’ll do fine.

Go on now, good luck!

- Hey, Emil, I saw your "father."

He'’ll be lucky if he even finishes the race.

- Hmm.

- Mind if I join you?

- Nick, Nick!

You'’re here.

- I wouldn'’t'’ve missed it for the world.

- Skiers take your mark!

- Alright, let'’s go, Mr. Laurie.

- Set?

Go!

- Go, Mr. Laurie!

Come on!

- Is that Franz?

- You got me.

- C'’mon, Franz, come on--

- Here they come!

- C'’mon, Dan! - Let'’s go, Mr. Laurie.

- Well, it'’s about time.

- Just go!

- Whoo! Come on Toby, go!

Come on Toby, goooooo! Go!

- That'’s it, I'’m not waiting any longer.

- Ah!

Hey, no fair, you pushed me!

- I did it!

- It'’s a girl!

- It'’s Nan!

Alright, Nan!

Whoo! Good job honey, good job!

- She can'’t win, she'’s a girl!

Disqualify her!

- Fine, disqualify me.

Give him the ribbon.

But you know I b*at you.

You can remember that every time you look at that ribbon.

- Give it to her.

- Alright, Nan, yeah...

- Here.

- Ok, Nat.

- Nan...

I can'’t take it.

- Of course you can. You woulda b*at me anyways.

Well, you wouldn'’t'’ve, but I want you to have it.

- Thanks.

- Alright!

- It'’s o'’clock.

Three o'’clock, our skiing lesson.

Figure I got a whole year

to practice up for next year'’s race.

Me and Nat are gonna win it, just you watch.

- Are you sure you'’re ready for this?

- Probably slip up again,

hit the snow a few more times, but...

I'’m gonna keep at it,

keep tryin'’ till I learn to find my balance.

Will ya help me?

- Of course.