Blue Sky (1994) Movie Script
well, now, it takes
more than a robin
to make the winter go
and it takes
two lips of fire
to melt away the snow
well, it takes
two hearts a-cookin'
to make a fire grow
and, baby
you've got what it takes
you know it takes
a lot of kissing
to make a romance sweet
ooh, it takes
a lot of lovin'
to make my life complete
and it takes a lot of woman
to knock me off my feet
and, baby
you've got what it takes
I said hmm
uh-huh hmm
you know you've got
just what it takes
because it takes more
than an effort
to stay away from you
it'd take more
than a lifetime
to prove that I'll be true
but it takes
somebody special
to make me say I do
and, baby
you've got what it takes
what's down there?
Probably just whales, sir.
Take it down.
But, sir-
Take it down!
Yes, major marshall.
Uh, sir, isn't that your-
Yeah. Beautiful,
isn't she?
Daddy.
Major marshall.
Shit.
B44682, bradford.
B11567, hall.
Major.
Over here.
What the hell are you
gonna do about your wife?
Is the colonel concerned
about my wife, sir?
She's a disgrace to the army
and she's endangering your job.
My job, sir, is to evaluate
radiation hazards to united
states army personnel.
My wife's not enlisted.
Why doesn't the colonel concern
himself with the men who are...
Rather than the mammaries
of women who are not?
That's very close
to insubordination, marshall.
It'll be noted along
with all the other incidents.
Very good, sir.
Don't make any waves, marshall.
I don't like waves.
Very good, sir.
The guest officers
from nato are visiting, sir.
caro, caro.
Hello, baby.
This is yves.
Yves is from France.
This is my husband.
Bonjour, major.
You have a very lovely home and
a very beautiful mademoiselle.
Thank you. I'm glad you have
a chance to see the average
american housewife in action.
Gentlemen, I think
we must go now and
prepare for dinner.
No, don't go.
Senorita.
Make them stay.
Please stay.
Really, we must go.
Bonsoir, monsieur.
Enchante.
Bonsoir.
Hasta la vista.
Hasta la vista.
Au revoir.
Ciao.
Auf wiedersehen.
Arrivederci.
Ciao. Au revoir.
Ciao.
Why you want
to spoil my party?
You went too far today.
Half the people on this base
saw you at the beach.
Oh, jesus christ.
Brigitte bardot strips
for millions, she's a goddess.
I sunbathe topless
and I'm a scandal.
You're not brigitte
bardot, remember?
What's the matter?
I don't make you happy?
Come on, have a drink.
You'll feel better.
I'd feel better
if I didn't have to worry
about you screwing around.
I've been good
for two years.
That's not
what it seemed like
this afternoon.
I've got a severe
radiation leak on site.
The colonel is
looking for any excuse
to discredit me.
Ooh.
I sure gave him two good ones
today, didn't I?
Well, yes, you did.
Where are the children?
At the cinema, mi amore.
Well, pack up your
old kit bag, pal.
You're alabamy bound.
Don't worry about it, bob.
I'm tired of paradise.
You know, this transfer
didn't come out of nowhere.
Anawalt was not happy
you filed that report
with the a.E.C.
Neither was I,
but so it goes
in this man's army.
Uh, carly's from somewhere
down south, isn't she?
Yes. Virginia.
Well, maybe she'd be
a little happier
closer to home.
She ran away from home, bob.
She likes paradise.
Mom will never make it.
Oh, yes,
of course she will.
It's her, daddy.
Well?
What do you think?
of course you'll make new
friends, honey. You always do.
As soon as we get there,
we'll go looking...
For the most beautiful
southern belle doll.
Maybe we'll find
a scarlet o'hara.
She's too old for dolls.
I am not.
Not everybody spends
every waking minute
buried in a book.
It's good to read.
Alex might just
wind up a famous writer
like her aunt gail.
She's not famous.
She writes obituaries
for her church bulletin.
you know, I got a good feeling
about fort matthews.
I think we're going
to be very happy here.
'cause I'm goin' to alabama
with a banjo on my knee
I don't think
I've got the words right.
camptown ladies
sing this song
do dah do dah
camptown race track's
five miles long
oh do dah day
g'wine to run all night
g'wine to run all day
bet my money
on a bobtailed nag
Come on, girls.
oh, the do dah day
No, not "all the do dah day."
it's "somebody bet on the bay."
g'wine to run all night
g'wine to run all day
bet my money on a bobtail nag
somebody bet on the bay
Come on, girls.
I wished I was
in the land of cotton
old times there
are not forgotten
look away, look away
look away
dixieland
I wished I was in dixie
away
The ball was
out of bounds.
I'll get it.
I said come in here right now.
God, what a dump.
Is this the best
we could do?
We have lived in worse,
and your mother has always
made it your home.
oh, they had cats.
We'll have this place
in "a" number one condition...
In no time at all.
Our own furniture
is not even gonna be here
for six weeks, hank.
What are we supposed
to do in the mean time?
Mom, why don't you come
and help us make the beds?
no, you girls do it, okay?
You make the beds.
First dibs on beds.
It's yours.
Look at this, hank.
It's all clawed to bits,
like a-
People live like animals
and then they just leave
their shit behind them...
For everybody else
to take care of.
Honey, you're tired.
You're exhausted.
Why don't you lie down?
In what? In a litter box
like some stray cat?
It's starting again.
I'm not gonna live here, hank!
I hate this place!
Carly, cut it out.
You're a big girl. This
isn't the end of the world.
No, it's just the same goddamn
world we had in washington,
Only it's worse.
Look, everything that was
on the right is on the left.
Right and left
and right and left
and right and left!
Only it's worse
and we're all ten years older!
These rooms are smaller!
Get me out of here!
Carly, it's okay.
We were okay in germany.
We were okay in washington.
We're gonna be okay
in alabama.
Don't talk to me so carefully.
I hate it when you
talk to me like this.
Stop it right now!
Stop it!
No!
No, I'm not
gonna live here!
I won't live
in this fleabag!
Carly!
Carly!
Where the hell
are you going?
Carly!
Get out of the jeep.
- God damn you!
I hate you!
- Carly!
I hate you. I hate you.
Well.
May I help you?
Eighteen years
of shitboxes and...
Packing and moving and...
New neighbors
and ugly bases and...
Now this cat piss.
Have you seen that place?
Are you okay, dear?
You get out of here!
Don't worry about it.
I'll handle this.
- I hope so.
- Get him out of here.
Carly.
Nobody's gonna hurt you.
- Don't you touch me.
- I wouldn't let
anybody hurt you.
I can see it.
I can see that radiation
just coming off of you.
No. No, you get your goddamn
contaminated hands off me.
Carly, do you trust me?
Do you think I know you?
Do you? Hmm?
Well, listen to me then.
You have nothing
to be afraid of.
Do you want to go home?
Hmm?
So, come on.
Let's go home.
Come on.
Come on.
Come on.
The car.
Is she okay?
What happened?
Mom's fine.
She's... Tired.
She needs
a little rest,
that's all.
Do you still love me, daddy?
Mm-hmm.
Do you love me?
Oh, yeah.
Do you love me?
Yes.
Do you love me?
Yes, I do.
Do you love me?
Yes, yes.
Do you love me?
Oh, yeah. Yes.
She's got
to see somebody.
You can't keep
running after her
and playing baby-sitter.
Your mom's fine.
She's spirited,
she's energetic.
Sometimes she wears
herself out with all
the traveling and moving.
Don't worry about it.
I can handle your mom.
We can all handle
each other's problems.
Dad, we didn't move here
just because of the project
you're working on.
You don't know what project I'm
working on. That's classified.
You don't know a thing about it.
Maybe you and mom want to live
in your own little world
of make-believe and secrets,
But we don't.
Her famous aunt gail
we're always hearing about-
alex.
Well, you heard mom yesterday.
The most popular girl
in richmond?
She grew up on a chicken
farm outside of norfolk.
She needs help.
She needs help arranging
the furniture and unpacking
the suitcases, miss freud.
Sit down there.
The perfect pancake.
Perfect.
Girls, I know it's hard
on you, but your mother
loves you very much.
And I know you love her.
Through all the ups and downs
I've come to realize...
That what we call love
is really the exchange
of energy over time.
It's simple quantum mechanics.
You take water, for example.
Sometimes it's water,
sometimes it's ice,
Sometimes
it's steam or vapor-
It's always the same old h2o.
It only changes it's properties.
Your mother's like that.
She's like water.
I made a decision
a long time ago just
to love her basic properties.
Little did I realize, I'd gone
nuclear fission in that water.
Get it?
Get it?
I made a pun.
I went nuclear fishin'.
It's a pun.
You're a riot, dad.
And we both know
a lot more about love now.
See you later, ladies.
- He's blind and she's crazy.
- They're perfect
for each other.
Nobody woke me up.
You know how I always like
to make breakfast the first
morning in a new house.
How are the beds?
Okay.
I'm sorry.
You're always sorry.
Well, I guess
they add up, don't they?
I'm just a sorry, sorry
excuse for a mother.
If you say so, mom.
No, you're a good mother.
You know, life hands you
a lot of surprises, alex.
I guess I must be
one of yours.
Good morning, sir.
Colonel johnson?
Yes, sir.
End of the corridor.
Major henry t. Marshall
reporting for duty, sir.
- Major marshall,
good to have you here.
- Thank you, sir.
This is my executive officer,
lt. Colonel george land.
Major, we've heard
good things about your work.
Thank you, sir.
I'll let you two
get down to business.
Sit down, sit down, major.
Your trip go okay?
Your family settling in?
Yes, sir.
They're professionals.
Good, good.
Hi there,
I'm vera johnson.
And on behalf
of the fort matthews
women's welcoming committee,
I would like to welcome you
to our little community.
Thank you.
I'm carly marshall.
Thank you so much.
Flowers.
Oh, come in. I'm sorry.
You just come right on in.
- Oh, what a beautiful
doll collection.
- Thank you.
So, you've been
stationed in hawaii?
For two years,
the last two years.
Have you ever been
in mexico or south america?
Yes.
See, my father was
in the diplomatic corps...
And of course
we traveled extensively
all over the world.
My lord, when I was
growing up I don't think
I was in the same place...
For more than six months
at a time.
Well, the officer's wives,
we're doing a show.
Ooh.
It's sort of a musical revue.
Do you need any dancers?
Thank you.
Cream and sugar?
No, thank you.
You see, we're
on point here.
We've got a nuclear test program
that's become something
of a political football.
And I just don't like to see
us getting kicked around.
Yes, sir.
I appreciate that.
I mean,
if this damn test ban
is ratified, major,
You and me are slated
to be among the first
to get our butts kicked.
As I understand it,
if the test ban is ratified,
We simply abandon atmospheric
tests and go underground.
Given some of the test results
I've been looking at, I think
that's the way to go.
Well, I can
appreciate that.
But we're a team here.
We have to present one
consistent point of view.
You understand that.
You're a soldier.
Yes, sir. I am a soldier
and my duty is science.
Well, I'm just reminding you
that we work for the army,
Not the a.E.C., congress,
or popular science.
You understand?
Yes, sir.
Good. That will be all, major.
If I hadn't gotten married,
I was going to hollywood
for a screen test.
Well, you sure are pretty enough
to be in the movies.
I took ballet too.
Did I tell you?
I just love
getting the flowers
after a performance.
Carly, these are just
the greatest bunch of gals
you'd ever want to know.
Now, they're just
all gonna make you feel
real at home. Come on.
Ladies, help has arrived.
Mom's gonna kill you.
No, she won't.
Let's play a joke on her.
What kind of joke?
We'll both go and lay down
on the living room floor
and pretend we're dead or sick.
Hello. I'm home.
Where's mom?
I don't know.
Probably at the movies.
She didn't leave a note?
Actually, school
was pretty good.
The principal
and his custodial staff
took turns raping me,
While governor wallace himself
stood there and watched
and welcomed us to alabama.
I guess that's what you'd call
southern hospitality.
Oh, daddy's home.
I missed you.
I'm glad to see you.
Sorry I'm late.
Hello, girls.
ta da
I've decided
to become a makeup artist.
My face is my easel.
Honey, you're much too fair
to wear that dark eye shadow and
much too young to wear makeup.
I told you.
Wife, I hope you got
food in those bags.
Oh, I got that and more.
We are gonna have
a party tonight.
Lookee here.
That, my dear, is for you.
Goody.
And for my sweet man.
To replace the one
that was lost in that move
to japan or germany or alaska.
Thanks, mom.
Will you teach me?
As soon as you wash
your pretty little face.
A selmer.
Thank you, sweetheart,
I've been missing a clarinet.
Did you know that your daddy
worked his way through college
playing in a band?
My daddy? No.
Major squarehead?
Oh, yeah.
I found that in a pawn
shop along with-
For alexandra.
It's 'cause you're so smart
and you see things
so clearly and-
Well, you can be
the family historian.
Thank you, mom.
It's got film
and flashbulbs and-
Well, you just pose us
and shoot away.
Mom, what did you get?
I get to make us
a indoor picnic.
All right, now we'll see
who's hot and who's not.
Play us some old bop, pop.
Come on, honey.
Dance with me.
I'll teach you how, okay?
Try this.
Everybody,
say "shit."
Shit.
Enjoy your drinks.
Alex, I've told you young ladies
do not chew gum in public.
I am not a lady,
I'm a teenager.
Teenagers keep
wrigley's in business.
Spit it out.
Carly. A double vodka
martini on the rocks,
Two shirley temples
and vermouth.
- So, where's our host?
- Right over there.
Oh, at ease, major.
This is a party.
Colonel johnson,
I'd like you to meet
my wife carly.
Pleased
to meet you.
How do you do,
colonel?
Carly, hi.
Vera, hi.
Major marshall, it's so good
to meet you at last.
Mrs. Johnson, carly's told me
how kind you've been to her.
Oh, we've been having
so much fun at rehearsals,
haven't we?
I'd like you
to meet my son glenn.
This is mrs. Marshall.
Mrs. Marshall,
how do you do?
Rebecca and alexandra.
You're going to west point
in the fall?
Yes, ma'am, if they'll have me.
They haven't turned down
a johnson in five generations.
They'll be lucky to get you.
I've always said that
vince was born to command
and I was born to demand.
it's lucky you two
found each other.
Would you two like
to play some croquet?
Go on.
Go on, go play.
Okay.
You've got a real bevy
of beauties here, major.
I envy you.
And you are
a flatterer, colonel.
the kids seem
to hit it off real good.
- Alex isn't very shy.
- No, you know she gets
that quality from me.
Lord, you should have seen
when I was pursuing the major.
I just ran him ragged
till I finally let him catch me.
- Hi, girls.
- Hi.
I thought you and mom
were going to another party.
We are.
Mom went over to help
mrs. Johnson with her makeup.
What are you doing?
Probably stay home
and watch tv.
Why don't you go check out
the teen center?
'cause any place
that calls itself
the teen center...
Is probably full of people
who can't make friends.
We've been here two months
and neither one of you
has brought home a friend.
Dad, most of your colleagues
around here...
Are dedicated to a program
of armed nuclear destruction.
I think they're cretins
and that makes their
offspring sub-cretins.
If you have a problem
with sub-cretins, don't sit
at home and complain about it.
Go forth and enlighten them.
Yeah, maybe I'll start the first
teens for test ban club.
That should make me
real popular around here.
Run away from home
and change your name first.
I really
appreciate this, carly.
Oh, I like to do it.
You always look
so stylish.
Women like you
are the reason that men
like women in the first place.
well.
A woman's charm
is mostly illusion
after all.
I suppose we all have
to grow old some day.
I just don't think
you gotta look bad
in the process.
I see these fine
little lines in my face.
They're called wrinkles, honey.
You might as well
get used to it now.
I look in the mirror sometimes
and I see this old woman
lurking there...
Just waiting to grab me.
Oh, I just get so frightened.
Carly, you have
such an active imagination.
I've seen you
in those rehearsals.
Come on, don't you think that
good posture and keeping fit
and keeping active...
Is all a part
of keeping young too?
Maybe if you're a woodpecker.
Welcome to the fort matthews
hail and farewell dance.
Come on and dance with me.
No.
Yes. Yes, you can.
I can't dance.
Major, I'm glad
you could make it.
Yes, sir.
This is ray stevens
from the atomic
energy commission.
I have heard that gentlemen
from the a.E.C. Are much better
dancers than military men.
Is that true?
My husband won't
dance with me.
The only time I really
enjoyed dancing was when
I was in the service.
That was years ago.
Hmm.
It's left up to me to uphold
the honor of the military
on the dance floor.
Shall we?
You two just share some
atomic secrets or something.
I don't know
if I can take this.
Oh, yeah, you can.
You like it.
I didn't risk my ass in guam
so some damn harvard boy...
Could run this country
into the toilet.
If he can't stand up
to the damn communists,
let us do our jobs.
To hell with nevada,
we'll use havana
for a test site.
I know you're
a strong supporter
of underground testing.
Hell, that's only my stated
position in about 30 extremely
obscure reports.
You guys must be burying
those reports deeper
than the moscow subway.
Do you have any children,
mr. Stevens?
Four. I know
what you're thinking.
My oldest daughter wants
to form a test ban club
right here on the base.
Sometimes I feel
that way myself.
Think we ought to join?
No.
You sure?
No.
Let me have another one.
my heart I can't control
you're, oh, my very soul
my only prayer will be
someday you'll care for me
but it's only
make
believe
Uh-oh, here comes
a stop sign.
Time to go, carly.
I want to stay.
This gal's a real dynamo, major.
If we harness her energy,
We won't need reactors.
Come on, daddy.
Dance with me.
Time to go.
Now. Let's go.
Then I'll dance
by myself.
That is an exceptional woman.
No!
Something should
be done about this.
Yeah, well, I can always
requisition another one.
You're a pig.
Well, you know,
when you're just sitting around
and you're not doing anything-
A moment of time
when nothing's happening.
Mm-hmm.
Well, I call that a "noment."
And then when it's
really hot and you're too
lazy to get up and do anything,
Well, I call that
a "sloment."
A "sloment," huh?
What do you call this?
A tongue kiss.
People were
laughing at you.
Oh, just because you never
have any fun doesn't mean...
You have to spend
your entire life ruining mine.
Son of a bitch.
Why is mom all wet?
She had an accident.
Hi, daddy.
Ten hut.
Ten hut.
As you were.
How's it going, hank?
Busy, sir.
Well, you're going
to be a lot busier.
We just got word that some
seismologists in finland
have detected evidence...
That the soviets have detonated
an above-ground device.
The brass must be thrilled.
We're off the bench and back
in the ball game.
You bet your ass we are.
Everything we do from now on
becomes that much more vital.
Those bastards push in
a pile of chips,
We better be able to raise
the bet, right?
Right.
We can maximize
our opportunities
real quick, especially you.
As of 0800 hours Friday,
4, 28, you are t.D.Y.
To operations h.Q...
At the nevada test site
in mercury.
To what do I owe
this honor, sir?
Stevens from the a.E.C.
He was real impressed with you.
You get a clean slate
to start with this time.
I knew vince johnson
wasn't such a bad guy.
This is a real
vote of confidence in your-
Carly, do you
remember your bible?
Of course I remember my bible.
You know grandpa was a preacher.
All right. How did
david steal bathsheba
away from her husband?
He bought her a drink.
No, silly.
He sent her husband away
into battle where he was killed.
Second samuel, verse 15.
Monsieur, your car
is waiting.
Tell him I'll be
right- right there.
I don't want anything
to happen to you.
The only thing that ever
happens to me is that I just-
I miss you too much.
Do you really have to be gone
for two whole weeks?
Yes, I do, baby.
Well, that's enough time
for you to convince them
to abandon nuclear weapons.
Yes, it is.
You bet.
Ooh, daddy.
What?
Will you call me every night
just before I go to bed?
No, it's too expensive.
of course, I will.
I love you.
I love you too.
Bye, daddy, bye.
Be good.
Hundred sixty
millimeter mortars...
About the strength
of two hand grenades.
Don't worry though.
They're all spent.
They used
to train g.I.S back here
in the second world war.
You can't tell anybody
about this place.
Never.
I like it.
I wouldn't want
to live here, but...
It's nice.
It's private.
Let's get hitched
and live here forever.
To an army man?
They're too weird.
Last year, colonel harris
took his family to nevada
to watch the a-bomb go off.
That was their vacation.
Look, I'm not ashamed
of what they're doing.
I mean,
the manhattan project
ended the last war.
Maybe project blue sky
will prevent the next one.
Do you know why
they call it blue sky?
They're gonna detonate
a big one underground
to track radiation.
But you can't see radiation,
You can't feel it
or taste it or smell it.
So only a handful of people will
actually know where it is...
And the rest of the country
could be swimming in the stuff,
But for all they know
the sky is just
as blue as ever.
Yeah, well, what
they don't know
won't hurt them.
No wonder west point
snapped you up.
And if I married you,
I'd end up just like my mom.
Yeah, you talk gibberish
sometimes, alex.
- Catch.
- No!
What the hell was that?
They weren't supposed
to start maneuvers
for another two weeks.
Well, maybe them cubans
sprung a sneak attack.
Jesus.
Let's get the hell
out of here.
What in the hell are you
doing here, mister?
What do you know?
What's happening?
Calm down, calm down.
Everything's under control.
It's all right.
Alex, honey, are you okay?
Vince, I think we gotta take
him to the hospital it looks
like he needs stitches.
Let's see.
And he needs a swift kick
in the butt even more.
Are you hurt?
No.
Excuse me, I'd like
to apologize for my son.
I'm afraid he was off-limits
with your daughter.
Well, boys will be boys.
Yeah. I'd like
this area secured now.
Nobody goes in or out.
Go home, everybody.
The show's over.
I want to know what you
were doing up there.
Just what you told me to do.
Making friends with glenn.
I want to know exactly
what the two of you
were doing up there.
What do you mean by "exactly"?
Well, was an old grenade
the only thing that went off?
I can't believe you.
You don't even care about me.
You just want to know
about all the sex stuff!
Don't you sass me, sister!
I am not your sister!
Well, if I had a sister,
I would tell her everything!
Especially... About boys.
Ew, boys.
What are you-
what are you doing here?
I've come to kidnap you
and take you to the woods.
I left my knife at the bungalow.
Will you come with?
Glenn, that place
is dangerous.
- Not anymore.
My dad had it cleaned up.
- If my mom finds out-
She's gonna be at rehearsal
for hours. Come on.
I've gotta finish up
my chores.
All right,
but I gotta help.
That's what I'm here for.
Okay, come in.
All right.
Wait. Come back here.
come in, rad two. Over.
Base station, this is
rad site two. Over.
Rad two,
hold your place.
This underground stuff
is not like the old days.
Look at all this junk.
Hell, at bikini, you could
feel the wind from the blast
through the atmosphere.
Flying particles
as big as corn flakes.
We're coming up
on 60 seconds, sir.
all cameras report.
Ground cameras, report. Over.
camera one ready.
camera two ready.
camera three ready.
- Camera four ready.
- Camera five ready.
...Forty-seven, forty-six
forty-five, forty-four-
nuclear underground test
number 001, clear and counting.
All systems green.
All safeties are off and ready.
All personnel
in position and holding.
Standing by.
Final lock position
procedure complete.
What the hell is that?
Let's take a peek.
...Twenty, nineteen, eighteen,
Base station,
this is rad site two,
We have two civilians
on horseback heading
right towards site.
- Punch up a camera
on those cowboys.
- Base station, base station.
We gotta get
them out of there.
Please advise.
we cannot detonate.
Abort the test!
- It's too late.
- ...Three, two, detonation.
it's venting!
Radiation's
right off the scale.
Base station,
this is rad site two.
We have massive radiation
venting in sector four.
Rad two, return to base.
Rad two, return to base.
General, sir,
we gotta find those guys.
The fox has left
the henhouse, major.
I beg the general's pardon,
we are not talking
about chickens, sir.
We're talking
about human lives.
These things happen, major.
Every tv station and every
radio station in this state...
Was notified of this test.
They were in the wrong place
at the wrong time.
I beg the general's pardon,
but that is bullshit.
Those men have been cooked.
There's ways
to handle it, major.
We'll be notifying the local
medical authorities.
These men will
come in for treatment.
They'll be taken care of.
- Very good, if they're alive.
- Goddamn it, marshall.
We've gotta keep a lid on it.
There will be no
talk about this, major.
You can't even tell your dog.
Back away from the door, hank.
Let's go have a drink.
It's criminal.
They should be found.
Right.
No, it's a crime.
Right, they should,
but we can't.
So forget it.
They're exposed.
It's too late to do
anything for them, pal.
It's too damn late.
Jimmy, I have dedicated my life
to counting alpha particles...
And beta particles
and gamma rays.
I monitor radio iodine levels,
I calculate isotopic
half-lives-
Things you can't see
or hear or feel,
Things unknowable
to the common man...
Who winds up dead as shit.
It's a crime.
Your work's done here.
Forget about it.
It's a goddamn crime,
and I am going to forget
precisely nothing...
And no one.
Fayrene, two more.
Bravo.
Good night, ladies.
Good night.
Good night.
Good night, girls.
I am so hot.
Uh-oh, here she goes.
Oh, next year
we should do gypsy.
Yeah, wouldn't our husbands
just love that.
God, I could
never do that.
Good night.
Good night.
Good night.
You know, I bet you really
could have been in movies.
I wanted that.
I really did.
You know, sometimes I think
I could just disappear...
And no one would ever
know I'd been here.
That's why we have children,
and mine need tucking up
about now.
You want a ride?
No.
Okay.
If the show is as good
as the rehearsal,
You got a hit.
How's glenn?
He's okay.
You know, that routine might
be a little risque for the base.
It might overexcite
some of the men.
I thought men joined the army
looking for adventure.
You've been watching
too many war movies.
I hate war movies.
I need your help.
Zip me up.
You know,
zipping you up...
Is not exactly
what I had in mind.
No?
No.
No.
Meet me outside.
Glenn, maybe this
isn't such a good idea.
It's all right.
Come on, let's go.
Let's just go.
Oh, my god.
Oh, don't you-
Come on, let's go.
Get away from me!
alex, open the door.
I'm gonna tell him.
Alex, please.
Please what?
Please talk to me or
please don't tell daddy?
You're not even sorry
for what you did, are you?
You're just afraid
of getting caught!
That's not true.
how could you
do this to him?
Everybody's
gonna find out.
If I don't tell him,
they're all gonna laugh
at him behind his back.
I hate you!
I'm gonna tell him.
When?
Operator.
Long distance, please.
City and state, please.
Mercury, nevada. 7458.
One moment, please.
a.E.C., mercury.
Major hank marshall, please.
call for major marshall,
line one.
Line one, major marshall.
this is hank marshall!
Hank?
Daddy, when are you
coming home?
Sweetheart, you're gonna
have to speak up!
I can barely hear ya!
I have to-
I have to tell you something,
and it's hard for me to-
What is it, baby?
I can't hear!
After rehearsal... Tonight,
Vince johnson drove me home.
And-
I can't hear you, baby!
I'm sorry! You're gonna have
to speak up now really loud!
Wait a minute!
I'll try to find
a different line!
I said...
After rehearsal tonight,
vince johnson drove me home!
vince johnson drove me home.
Just a mistake, daddy.
And-
I-I- I can't-
Hi, daddy!
Hello, baby!
She's at the officers' club.
Tonight's the show.
Oh, lord, where is she?
Check the motels.
Ah, here she comes.
Lock up your husbands, girls.
Hello.
Boy, am I nervous.
I just hope I don't
trip or something.
Don't' worry.
We've been practicing
for weeks.
You'll be fine.
What have you got
to be worried about?
I'm the one with two left feet.
Hey, why don't you girls
come over to my house for
some dinner after the show?
Sounds great.
I could use a break
from the kids.
Can I talk with you,
vera?
Why? Sit down
and have a drink...
And go over
the gory details?
The things you like
to share with friends.
People like you
come and go, carly.
You mean just one less
christmas card to me.
five minutes, ladies.
Can I still do
my number?
Oh, my god.
Is that all you can think of?
musicians, places, please.
All my life,
people have told lies about me.
Even when I was little,
Other girls used
to make up stories.
fernando's hideaway
fernando's hideaway
At least one of them's
got nice legs.
fernando's hideaway
I need to talk to you.
Later, marshall.
Now. I need to
talk to you right now.
- It's not the time to-
- I need to talk to you
right fucking now.
This is a personal matter.
Don't you think we oughta
discuss this-
It's not personal.
It has to do with blue sky.
fernando's hideaway
ole
Look, I'm not gonna
talk about this shit...
With you now or any other time,
all right?
Colonel johnson, 48 hours ago,
we irradiated 2 people
in mercury, nevada,
Who are now facing blindness,
leukemia and bone cancer.
One more word, mister,
and I'll see you
court-martialed.
hank! Hank!
You don't have
the balls for that.
You're just jealous
because you can't
satisfy that nympho.
Hank!
Hank!
Oh, god.
I just hurt all over.
Maybe we can
call it even, daddy.
I doubt it.
We've done
too much damage
to each other.
I'm the one all bandaged up.
I can't even imagine
what it's gonna look like.
I always loved
looking at you.
I even enjoyed
other men looking at you.
But you always take
everything right over
the edge, don't you?
It didn't mean anything.
You know that.
Oh, I know
it didn't mean anything.
Just like
all the other times.
But it meant a lot to me.
I don't know how much longer
I can go on. I'm tired.
I'm real tired.
I gotta go see
about the girls.
She's gonna be fine.
Doctor says she can
come home in two days.
Lydia, will you take
the girls home, please?
go on.
At ease.
Mrs. Marshall,
this can't come off
for another week,
And it'll heal up
just fine.
In a few weeks, you'll
need a magnifying glass
just to see it.
I'm gonna need dark makeup
and heavy lisle stockings
for the rest of my life.
Now, now,
you just relax.
You've got a visitor
coming up.
Who?
I don't know.
Brought you some flowers.
Thanks.
Hank's in big trouble.
You should know that,
carly.
Well, this whole thing,
it doesn't... Look good
for anyone.
It's real... Messy,
and I like to keep
a clean base.
Besides, I-
Well, I feel...
Personally responsible.
We're both responsible.
You don't know...
How much I need him.
Nobody understands that.
Well,
There is...
One way we could
get him out.
Maybe.
Daddy, I brought
some good news.
Vince johnson
has figured out a way
to help us out of all this.
He had me
sign some papers...
To put you in the hospital
for just a couple weeks,
Just for observation,
and then the whole thing
is written off to stress.
You've had me committed?
No! No!
It's not as bad as it sounds.
It's hardly gonna affect
your record at all.
Is that
what he told you?
Yes.
That's what he told me.
He also told me...
That the only other alternative
would be a court-martial.
A court-martial is what
I wanted. It's my only chance
to tell what really happened.
A court-martial would mean
eight years in prison, he said.
It would mean
a dishonorable discharge.
No pension, no transfer,
no nothing.
Darling,
this is a setup.
We've been set up.
Major, we have orders
remanding you to base hospital.
Let me see them.
This was a verbal authorization
from colonel johnson, sir.
All right.
Get me somebody from
adjutant general's office.
Our orders are to remove you
from base stockade
and remand you to b.G.H.
Get me somebody from
the adjutant general's office,
then I'll consider moving.
Consider this, sir.
You either stand up now,
Or we'll drag your ass out of
here so fast your butt won't
say good-bye to your shorts.
Do I make myself clear, sir?
Major hank marshall.
Which room is he in?
- I'm sorry, ma'am.
He's not allowed visitors.
- No. I'm his wife.
I'm mrs. Marshall.
Of course I can see him.
Mrs. Marshall, there are
procedures to be followed
in the hospital.
Well, how long do
those procedures take?
About two weeks.
Two weeks? For what?
We're doing everything
we possibly can
for major marshall.
Right.
And I'm jackie kennedy,
and flying saucers
just stole my dog.
But I don't want
to see him there.
Daddy will be home soon.
It's taken me two weeks
to get permission
to visit him.
Now, he's gonna need a hug
from his little baby.
Besides, there's nothing
to be scared of.
It's a hospital,
but he's not sick
or anything like that.
Besides,
we're gonna have a-
We're gonna have
a picnic. Now-
You're not even dressed!
Go on! Get dressed!
I don't want to be late.
You want me
to fix your hair?
I can do it myself.
Okay.
Daddy likes mayonnaise.
Daddy likes
a little pepper.
Now, everyone here
is under temporary sedation,
So don't be alarmed,
mrs. Marshall.
His condition
can change instantly.
Daddy!
I ma- I ma- I ma- I ma-
I made-
Made these for us?
They al-almost...
Done.
Alex, you go after your sister.
Hi, daddy.
I brought you a picnic.
I bet you could use
some good coffee, huh?
Excuse me, ma'am.
Uh! Damn!
he's a nuclear engineer,
for christ's sake!
They got him making wallets!
How can they do this to him?
They?
You! You did this!
Stop it!
It's your fault!
What are you doing?
Just wiping off
the ice cream.
welcome to the fort matthews
memorial day parade.
Participating in our
memorial day parade...
Is the maxwell air force base
drill team and color guard.
Fort matthews is
under the command of
colonel vincent p. Johnson.
Joining the military band,
we have the selma high
drum and bugle corps.
Today we are
honored to have...
Local veterans of
the first world war on hand.
Let's have a big
round of applause for
our patriotic doughboys.
Coming onto
the parade ground next...
Is our fine pratville high
marching band,
Playing "host of freedom."
They can't do this to daddy.
Mom, what are you doing?
You will burn in hell,
you lying son of a bitch!
You lying son of a bitch!
You think craziness
is hereditary?
I don't know,
But it's not exactly
something we could
ask either one of them.
Mommy,
what are we gonna do?
Here's yesterday's mail.
There's a letter here
for dad from nevada.
Daddy.
Alex! Alex!
Alex, wake up.
Becky! Becky, get up.
Quickly!
Come on, girls.
Get up.
We're going on a trip.
Hurry up. Pack a bag.
Help your sister.
Get up!
It's the middle of the night.
We'll beat the traffic.
Thank you.
Girls, wake up!
I got some breakfast.
Eat up.
oh
sometimes I get
a good feeling, yeah
something's got
a hold on me, yeah
oh, it must be love
oh, something's got a hold
on me right now, child
oh, it must be love
let me tell you now
I've got a feeling
I feel so strange
everything about me
seems to have changed
step by step
mom, let's stop. Please?
no, baby.
We're not gonna stop.
we haven't slept
in two days.
I just can't sleep
till I get daddy out.
oh, hey, hey, yeah
oh, it must be love
you know it must be love
let me tell you now
something's got a hold
on me, yeah
oh, it must be love
oh, something's got a hold
on me right now, child
oh, it must be love
What are you gonna
say to 'em?
You can't just
walk up and say, "hello.
My name is carly marshall,
And you've been
contaminated."
How about, "howdy, howdy.
Sure is nice to meet
some real cowboys."
Didn't think there were
any of them left.
Maybe there aren't.
Maybe they're
already dead.
Oh, shut up.
hello there?
There's a lady out there.
She wants to talk to you.
My wife tells me
you're concerned
with our health.
Well, yes, I am.
Of course I am, but
mostly it's my husband.
You see, he was in
a helicopter that day.
He saw it.
- He tried to stop the test,
but it was too late.
- What's done is done.
The army, they're drugging him
and holding him against his will
in some mental hospital.
But you can help me.
How can we do that?
I was just hoping that
you would come with me
to the newspapers.
You see, you could
tell them just how sick
you've been...
And how nobody,
nobody even bothered
to come by here...
And explain to you
what had happened.
They would have
to understand that
my husband's not crazy.
He's not crazy at all.
Don't believe
we could do that.
It's true.
She's telling you the truth.
It ain't our way.
We don't like
to make a fuss.
That's right. 'sides,
there's gonna be
another one tomorrow.
For tomorrow morning,
about 10:00, 10:30, right?
I'll tell you what.
We're gonna be out here
working, right, nick?
If my government tells me
there's no danger,
Then, by god,
I got to believe them.
Why, that-
I don't mean to be rude,
but that is so stupid.
That is just plain stupid.
Mom, why don't we go?
Take this lady
back to the house
and tell her good-bye.
Come on, sweetie.
He's the boss.
Good luck.
we've got
the pilot's letter and
we've got dad's reports.
Why don't we go
to the newspapers
without the cowboys?
That's all we really need,
isn't it?
Mom?
Mom?
Mom?
Alex. Alex, wake up.
Alex, mom's gone.
welcome to
our underground bunker.
This is our test site today.
The tower is used
to drill deep enough...
To place the device
securely underground.
The cables you see are linked
to monitor and record...
Every reaction
the material may provoke.
In this way, we can assure...
Our full strength
and your full safety.
Excuse me, general.
Who's that?
not again.
Abort detonation!
Get a squad out there
immediately.
Get off your horse.
You're under arrest.
ma'am!
Aside from almost
blowing yourself sky high,
what the hell were you doing?
General, I am simply trying
to get my husband out of
a mental hospital.
You are well on your way
to going there yourself.
Did you know that my father
is a very prominent
businessman?
In fact, he owns...
Several television stations
back home in virginia.
He has copies of those reports,
those classified reports,
And if he doesn't
hear from me by noon today,
he's gonna release them...
To the, uh,
new york times.
Mrs. Marshall, please.
Threats and fantasies
don't help.
The army knows
exactly who you are.
I know who you are.
And you know my husband.
You know that there is not
a crazy bone in his body.
Not as crazy
as his wife.
You know, I've been
called that all my life.
That and a lot worse,
and it doesn't bother me
in the least.
You can tell people
whatever you want about me.
Just release my husband.
Mrs. Marshall,
we're not here
to make deals.
We can have you arrested
on 20 violations
and throw away the key.
And what are you gonna
tell those reporters?
Hmm? What are you
gonna tell those reporters
and their cameras?
I'm their story.
Today's newspaper
is tomorrow's trash.
- And I don't give
a goddamn-
- general. General.
Mr. Stevens.
My husband said
that you were a fair man.
Won't you help him?
Authorities at
a nuclear test site
in mercury, nevada,
Arrested an unidentified woman
this morning...
Who was attempting to interfere
with a scheduled weapons test.
hey, look!
That's mrs. Marshall!
That's mrs. Marshall!
Mom, come here!
Mrs. Marshall's on tv! Mom!
according to the army,
The woman was carrying
literature linking her
to the communist party.
The army also claimed...
The woman is a member
of a fundamentalist
religious sect.
Officials refuse to disclose
the identity of the woman...
Goddamn bitch.
Pending further investigation.
The test has been postponed
due to weather conditions.
Also in the news,
members of the naacp-
Ben, this is the game plan.
Prepare discharge papers
for hank marshall right away.
We could be in deep shit.
What are you doing, dad?
I've gotta go to the base.
You're gonna discharge
major marshall?
You said he was dangerous.
You said he was crazy,
he was mentally ill.
He is, but it's
a little more complicated
than that, glenn.
- It's a military matter, okay?
- I thought this was
a matter of justice.
That's what I told alex
when she said
her dad was framed.
I've got to go.
This doesn't concern you, son.
I used to be proud when
you called me your son.
All my life,
you've lectured me
about honor and justice...
And the johnson
tradition.
I believed all that.
Those words lost their meaning
for your father a while ago.
This is a personal war
between a man and a woman
that he wanted to screw.
It's as simple
as that, glenn.
Just get me
out of here.
Glenn!
Dr. Vankay's
waiting for you, colonel.
Vince.
Ben, is everything okay?
What the hell are you
doing here, george?
I was ordered here, vince,
by general nieremberg.
To do what?
I was ordered...
To provide for the safe
treatment and the discharge
of hank marshall.
I was also ordered
to relieve you as
commanding officer,
Pending further orders,
effective immediately.
Ohh. You just sleep,
babies.
Ohh.
Ow.
what's wrong?
My leg fell asleep.
We've been driving
for two days.
I wanted to get here
as fast as I could.
I didn't know
if you would be waiting.
Next base,
I'll be different,
I promise.
There won't be a next base.
I've quit the army.
Oh, the girls
are gonna be real...
Happy to hear that.
What about you,
mrs. Marshall?
Are you happy?
Only if you still want me.
Come here.
Sir, aren't you
gonna find teaching
to be a little bit tame?
When I was in nevada, son,
I decided I could no longer
contribute...
In any manner
to nuclear warfare.
I think the university is
a perfectly fine place...
To twist innocent young minds
over to my point of view,
don't you agree?
- Oh!
- Can you see mom
as a professor's wife?
It is california.
Maybe things are
a little looser there.
Daddy, I want a shot
of you and glenn.
What?
I want a shot
of you and glenn.
Come on. Get closer.
Closer.
wow!
Great car, mom!
what have you done?
We're going
to california, daddy.
We can't drive up in front
of the brown derby
in that old jalopy.
I liked
that old jalopy.
Now, nobody has said
anything about my hair.
- You look like
elizabeth taylor.
- There.
You have said
the secret word,
And you qualify for a ride
in my new convertible.
Come on, sweet boy.
Well, let's go.
Come on, daddy.
You drive.
well, now, it takes
more than a robin
to make the winter go
and it takes
two lips of fire
to melt away the snow
well, it takes
two hearts a-cookin'
to make a fire grow
and, baby
you've got what it takes
oh, yeah
you know it takes
a lot of kissin'
Tell me about it.
to make a romance sweet
Aha.
ooh, it takes
a lot of lovin'
to make my life complete
mmm, and it takes
a lot of woman
to knock me
off my feet
and, baby
you've got
what it takes
I said
mmm hmm hmm mmm
uh-huh, mmm
you know you've got
just what it takes
because it takes
more than an effort
to stay away from you
it'd take more
than a lifetime
to prove
that I'll be true
but it takes
somebody special
to make me say, "I do"
oh, yeah?
and, baby
you've got what it takes
uh-huh
mmm hmm hmm mmm
mmm
you know you've got
just what it takes
Because- you're back
in my spot again, honey.
I like your spot.
to stay away from you
I can't stay away.
Let's do it again.
it takes more than
a lifetime, daddy
oh, yeah.
to prove that I'll be true
now it's you.
but it takes
somebody special
like me, baby.
to make me say I do
and, baby
you've got what it takes
Say it again.
Come on. Let's do it
one more time, all right?
and, baby
you've got what it takes
One more time, brook.
All right, okay.
more than a robin
to make the winter go
and it takes
two lips of fire
to melt away the snow
well, it takes
two hearts a-cookin'
to make a fire grow
and, baby
you've got what it takes
you know it takes
a lot of kissing
to make a romance sweet
ooh, it takes
a lot of lovin'
to make my life complete
and it takes a lot of woman
to knock me off my feet
and, baby
you've got what it takes
I said hmm
uh-huh hmm
you know you've got
just what it takes
because it takes more
than an effort
to stay away from you
it'd take more
than a lifetime
to prove that I'll be true
but it takes
somebody special
to make me say I do
and, baby
you've got what it takes
what's down there?
Probably just whales, sir.
Take it down.
But, sir-
Take it down!
Yes, major marshall.
Uh, sir, isn't that your-
Yeah. Beautiful,
isn't she?
Daddy.
Major marshall.
Shit.
B44682, bradford.
B11567, hall.
Major.
Over here.
What the hell are you
gonna do about your wife?
Is the colonel concerned
about my wife, sir?
She's a disgrace to the army
and she's endangering your job.
My job, sir, is to evaluate
radiation hazards to united
states army personnel.
My wife's not enlisted.
Why doesn't the colonel concern
himself with the men who are...
Rather than the mammaries
of women who are not?
That's very close
to insubordination, marshall.
It'll be noted along
with all the other incidents.
Very good, sir.
Don't make any waves, marshall.
I don't like waves.
Very good, sir.
The guest officers
from nato are visiting, sir.
caro, caro.
Hello, baby.
This is yves.
Yves is from France.
This is my husband.
Bonjour, major.
You have a very lovely home and
a very beautiful mademoiselle.
Thank you. I'm glad you have
a chance to see the average
american housewife in action.
Gentlemen, I think
we must go now and
prepare for dinner.
No, don't go.
Senorita.
Make them stay.
Please stay.
Really, we must go.
Bonsoir, monsieur.
Enchante.
Bonsoir.
Hasta la vista.
Hasta la vista.
Au revoir.
Ciao.
Auf wiedersehen.
Arrivederci.
Ciao. Au revoir.
Ciao.
Why you want
to spoil my party?
You went too far today.
Half the people on this base
saw you at the beach.
Oh, jesus christ.
Brigitte bardot strips
for millions, she's a goddess.
I sunbathe topless
and I'm a scandal.
You're not brigitte
bardot, remember?
What's the matter?
I don't make you happy?
Come on, have a drink.
You'll feel better.
I'd feel better
if I didn't have to worry
about you screwing around.
I've been good
for two years.
That's not
what it seemed like
this afternoon.
I've got a severe
radiation leak on site.
The colonel is
looking for any excuse
to discredit me.
Ooh.
I sure gave him two good ones
today, didn't I?
Well, yes, you did.
Where are the children?
At the cinema, mi amore.
Well, pack up your
old kit bag, pal.
You're alabamy bound.
Don't worry about it, bob.
I'm tired of paradise.
You know, this transfer
didn't come out of nowhere.
Anawalt was not happy
you filed that report
with the a.E.C.
Neither was I,
but so it goes
in this man's army.
Uh, carly's from somewhere
down south, isn't she?
Yes. Virginia.
Well, maybe she'd be
a little happier
closer to home.
She ran away from home, bob.
She likes paradise.
Mom will never make it.
Oh, yes,
of course she will.
It's her, daddy.
Well?
What do you think?
of course you'll make new
friends, honey. You always do.
As soon as we get there,
we'll go looking...
For the most beautiful
southern belle doll.
Maybe we'll find
a scarlet o'hara.
She's too old for dolls.
I am not.
Not everybody spends
every waking minute
buried in a book.
It's good to read.
Alex might just
wind up a famous writer
like her aunt gail.
She's not famous.
She writes obituaries
for her church bulletin.
you know, I got a good feeling
about fort matthews.
I think we're going
to be very happy here.
'cause I'm goin' to alabama
with a banjo on my knee
I don't think
I've got the words right.
camptown ladies
sing this song
do dah do dah
camptown race track's
five miles long
oh do dah day
g'wine to run all night
g'wine to run all day
bet my money
on a bobtailed nag
Come on, girls.
oh, the do dah day
No, not "all the do dah day."
it's "somebody bet on the bay."
g'wine to run all night
g'wine to run all day
bet my money on a bobtail nag
somebody bet on the bay
Come on, girls.
I wished I was
in the land of cotton
old times there
are not forgotten
look away, look away
look away
dixieland
I wished I was in dixie
away
The ball was
out of bounds.
I'll get it.
I said come in here right now.
God, what a dump.
Is this the best
we could do?
We have lived in worse,
and your mother has always
made it your home.
oh, they had cats.
We'll have this place
in "a" number one condition...
In no time at all.
Our own furniture
is not even gonna be here
for six weeks, hank.
What are we supposed
to do in the mean time?
Mom, why don't you come
and help us make the beds?
no, you girls do it, okay?
You make the beds.
First dibs on beds.
It's yours.
Look at this, hank.
It's all clawed to bits,
like a-
People live like animals
and then they just leave
their shit behind them...
For everybody else
to take care of.
Honey, you're tired.
You're exhausted.
Why don't you lie down?
In what? In a litter box
like some stray cat?
It's starting again.
I'm not gonna live here, hank!
I hate this place!
Carly, cut it out.
You're a big girl. This
isn't the end of the world.
No, it's just the same goddamn
world we had in washington,
Only it's worse.
Look, everything that was
on the right is on the left.
Right and left
and right and left
and right and left!
Only it's worse
and we're all ten years older!
These rooms are smaller!
Get me out of here!
Carly, it's okay.
We were okay in germany.
We were okay in washington.
We're gonna be okay
in alabama.
Don't talk to me so carefully.
I hate it when you
talk to me like this.
Stop it right now!
Stop it!
No!
No, I'm not
gonna live here!
I won't live
in this fleabag!
Carly!
Carly!
Where the hell
are you going?
Carly!
Get out of the jeep.
- God damn you!
I hate you!
- Carly!
I hate you. I hate you.
Well.
May I help you?
Eighteen years
of shitboxes and...
Packing and moving and...
New neighbors
and ugly bases and...
Now this cat piss.
Have you seen that place?
Are you okay, dear?
You get out of here!
Don't worry about it.
I'll handle this.
- I hope so.
- Get him out of here.
Carly.
Nobody's gonna hurt you.
- Don't you touch me.
- I wouldn't let
anybody hurt you.
I can see it.
I can see that radiation
just coming off of you.
No. No, you get your goddamn
contaminated hands off me.
Carly, do you trust me?
Do you think I know you?
Do you? Hmm?
Well, listen to me then.
You have nothing
to be afraid of.
Do you want to go home?
Hmm?
So, come on.
Let's go home.
Come on.
Come on.
Come on.
The car.
Is she okay?
What happened?
Mom's fine.
She's... Tired.
She needs
a little rest,
that's all.
Do you still love me, daddy?
Mm-hmm.
Do you love me?
Oh, yeah.
Do you love me?
Yes.
Do you love me?
Yes, I do.
Do you love me?
Yes, yes.
Do you love me?
Oh, yeah. Yes.
She's got
to see somebody.
You can't keep
running after her
and playing baby-sitter.
Your mom's fine.
She's spirited,
she's energetic.
Sometimes she wears
herself out with all
the traveling and moving.
Don't worry about it.
I can handle your mom.
We can all handle
each other's problems.
Dad, we didn't move here
just because of the project
you're working on.
You don't know what project I'm
working on. That's classified.
You don't know a thing about it.
Maybe you and mom want to live
in your own little world
of make-believe and secrets,
But we don't.
Her famous aunt gail
we're always hearing about-
alex.
Well, you heard mom yesterday.
The most popular girl
in richmond?
She grew up on a chicken
farm outside of norfolk.
She needs help.
She needs help arranging
the furniture and unpacking
the suitcases, miss freud.
Sit down there.
The perfect pancake.
Perfect.
Girls, I know it's hard
on you, but your mother
loves you very much.
And I know you love her.
Through all the ups and downs
I've come to realize...
That what we call love
is really the exchange
of energy over time.
It's simple quantum mechanics.
You take water, for example.
Sometimes it's water,
sometimes it's ice,
Sometimes
it's steam or vapor-
It's always the same old h2o.
It only changes it's properties.
Your mother's like that.
She's like water.
I made a decision
a long time ago just
to love her basic properties.
Little did I realize, I'd gone
nuclear fission in that water.
Get it?
Get it?
I made a pun.
I went nuclear fishin'.
It's a pun.
You're a riot, dad.
And we both know
a lot more about love now.
See you later, ladies.
- He's blind and she's crazy.
- They're perfect
for each other.
Nobody woke me up.
You know how I always like
to make breakfast the first
morning in a new house.
How are the beds?
Okay.
I'm sorry.
You're always sorry.
Well, I guess
they add up, don't they?
I'm just a sorry, sorry
excuse for a mother.
If you say so, mom.
No, you're a good mother.
You know, life hands you
a lot of surprises, alex.
I guess I must be
one of yours.
Good morning, sir.
Colonel johnson?
Yes, sir.
End of the corridor.
Major henry t. Marshall
reporting for duty, sir.
- Major marshall,
good to have you here.
- Thank you, sir.
This is my executive officer,
lt. Colonel george land.
Major, we've heard
good things about your work.
Thank you, sir.
I'll let you two
get down to business.
Sit down, sit down, major.
Your trip go okay?
Your family settling in?
Yes, sir.
They're professionals.
Good, good.
Hi there,
I'm vera johnson.
And on behalf
of the fort matthews
women's welcoming committee,
I would like to welcome you
to our little community.
Thank you.
I'm carly marshall.
Thank you so much.
Flowers.
Oh, come in. I'm sorry.
You just come right on in.
- Oh, what a beautiful
doll collection.
- Thank you.
So, you've been
stationed in hawaii?
For two years,
the last two years.
Have you ever been
in mexico or south america?
Yes.
See, my father was
in the diplomatic corps...
And of course
we traveled extensively
all over the world.
My lord, when I was
growing up I don't think
I was in the same place...
For more than six months
at a time.
Well, the officer's wives,
we're doing a show.
Ooh.
It's sort of a musical revue.
Do you need any dancers?
Thank you.
Cream and sugar?
No, thank you.
You see, we're
on point here.
We've got a nuclear test program
that's become something
of a political football.
And I just don't like to see
us getting kicked around.
Yes, sir.
I appreciate that.
I mean,
if this damn test ban
is ratified, major,
You and me are slated
to be among the first
to get our butts kicked.
As I understand it,
if the test ban is ratified,
We simply abandon atmospheric
tests and go underground.
Given some of the test results
I've been looking at, I think
that's the way to go.
Well, I can
appreciate that.
But we're a team here.
We have to present one
consistent point of view.
You understand that.
You're a soldier.
Yes, sir. I am a soldier
and my duty is science.
Well, I'm just reminding you
that we work for the army,
Not the a.E.C., congress,
or popular science.
You understand?
Yes, sir.
Good. That will be all, major.
If I hadn't gotten married,
I was going to hollywood
for a screen test.
Well, you sure are pretty enough
to be in the movies.
I took ballet too.
Did I tell you?
I just love
getting the flowers
after a performance.
Carly, these are just
the greatest bunch of gals
you'd ever want to know.
Now, they're just
all gonna make you feel
real at home. Come on.
Ladies, help has arrived.
Mom's gonna kill you.
No, she won't.
Let's play a joke on her.
What kind of joke?
We'll both go and lay down
on the living room floor
and pretend we're dead or sick.
Hello. I'm home.
Where's mom?
I don't know.
Probably at the movies.
She didn't leave a note?
Actually, school
was pretty good.
The principal
and his custodial staff
took turns raping me,
While governor wallace himself
stood there and watched
and welcomed us to alabama.
I guess that's what you'd call
southern hospitality.
Oh, daddy's home.
I missed you.
I'm glad to see you.
Sorry I'm late.
Hello, girls.
ta da
I've decided
to become a makeup artist.
My face is my easel.
Honey, you're much too fair
to wear that dark eye shadow and
much too young to wear makeup.
I told you.
Wife, I hope you got
food in those bags.
Oh, I got that and more.
We are gonna have
a party tonight.
Lookee here.
That, my dear, is for you.
Goody.
And for my sweet man.
To replace the one
that was lost in that move
to japan or germany or alaska.
Thanks, mom.
Will you teach me?
As soon as you wash
your pretty little face.
A selmer.
Thank you, sweetheart,
I've been missing a clarinet.
Did you know that your daddy
worked his way through college
playing in a band?
My daddy? No.
Major squarehead?
Oh, yeah.
I found that in a pawn
shop along with-
For alexandra.
It's 'cause you're so smart
and you see things
so clearly and-
Well, you can be
the family historian.
Thank you, mom.
It's got film
and flashbulbs and-
Well, you just pose us
and shoot away.
Mom, what did you get?
I get to make us
a indoor picnic.
All right, now we'll see
who's hot and who's not.
Play us some old bop, pop.
Come on, honey.
Dance with me.
I'll teach you how, okay?
Try this.
Everybody,
say "shit."
Shit.
Enjoy your drinks.
Alex, I've told you young ladies
do not chew gum in public.
I am not a lady,
I'm a teenager.
Teenagers keep
wrigley's in business.
Spit it out.
Carly. A double vodka
martini on the rocks,
Two shirley temples
and vermouth.
- So, where's our host?
- Right over there.
Oh, at ease, major.
This is a party.
Colonel johnson,
I'd like you to meet
my wife carly.
Pleased
to meet you.
How do you do,
colonel?
Carly, hi.
Vera, hi.
Major marshall, it's so good
to meet you at last.
Mrs. Johnson, carly's told me
how kind you've been to her.
Oh, we've been having
so much fun at rehearsals,
haven't we?
I'd like you
to meet my son glenn.
This is mrs. Marshall.
Mrs. Marshall,
how do you do?
Rebecca and alexandra.
You're going to west point
in the fall?
Yes, ma'am, if they'll have me.
They haven't turned down
a johnson in five generations.
They'll be lucky to get you.
I've always said that
vince was born to command
and I was born to demand.
it's lucky you two
found each other.
Would you two like
to play some croquet?
Go on.
Go on, go play.
Okay.
You've got a real bevy
of beauties here, major.
I envy you.
And you are
a flatterer, colonel.
the kids seem
to hit it off real good.
- Alex isn't very shy.
- No, you know she gets
that quality from me.
Lord, you should have seen
when I was pursuing the major.
I just ran him ragged
till I finally let him catch me.
- Hi, girls.
- Hi.
I thought you and mom
were going to another party.
We are.
Mom went over to help
mrs. Johnson with her makeup.
What are you doing?
Probably stay home
and watch tv.
Why don't you go check out
the teen center?
'cause any place
that calls itself
the teen center...
Is probably full of people
who can't make friends.
We've been here two months
and neither one of you
has brought home a friend.
Dad, most of your colleagues
around here...
Are dedicated to a program
of armed nuclear destruction.
I think they're cretins
and that makes their
offspring sub-cretins.
If you have a problem
with sub-cretins, don't sit
at home and complain about it.
Go forth and enlighten them.
Yeah, maybe I'll start the first
teens for test ban club.
That should make me
real popular around here.
Run away from home
and change your name first.
I really
appreciate this, carly.
Oh, I like to do it.
You always look
so stylish.
Women like you
are the reason that men
like women in the first place.
well.
A woman's charm
is mostly illusion
after all.
I suppose we all have
to grow old some day.
I just don't think
you gotta look bad
in the process.
I see these fine
little lines in my face.
They're called wrinkles, honey.
You might as well
get used to it now.
I look in the mirror sometimes
and I see this old woman
lurking there...
Just waiting to grab me.
Oh, I just get so frightened.
Carly, you have
such an active imagination.
I've seen you
in those rehearsals.
Come on, don't you think that
good posture and keeping fit
and keeping active...
Is all a part
of keeping young too?
Maybe if you're a woodpecker.
Welcome to the fort matthews
hail and farewell dance.
Come on and dance with me.
No.
Yes. Yes, you can.
I can't dance.
Major, I'm glad
you could make it.
Yes, sir.
This is ray stevens
from the atomic
energy commission.
I have heard that gentlemen
from the a.E.C. Are much better
dancers than military men.
Is that true?
My husband won't
dance with me.
The only time I really
enjoyed dancing was when
I was in the service.
That was years ago.
Hmm.
It's left up to me to uphold
the honor of the military
on the dance floor.
Shall we?
You two just share some
atomic secrets or something.
I don't know
if I can take this.
Oh, yeah, you can.
You like it.
I didn't risk my ass in guam
so some damn harvard boy...
Could run this country
into the toilet.
If he can't stand up
to the damn communists,
let us do our jobs.
To hell with nevada,
we'll use havana
for a test site.
I know you're
a strong supporter
of underground testing.
Hell, that's only my stated
position in about 30 extremely
obscure reports.
You guys must be burying
those reports deeper
than the moscow subway.
Do you have any children,
mr. Stevens?
Four. I know
what you're thinking.
My oldest daughter wants
to form a test ban club
right here on the base.
Sometimes I feel
that way myself.
Think we ought to join?
No.
You sure?
No.
Let me have another one.
my heart I can't control
you're, oh, my very soul
my only prayer will be
someday you'll care for me
but it's only
make
believe
Uh-oh, here comes
a stop sign.
Time to go, carly.
I want to stay.
This gal's a real dynamo, major.
If we harness her energy,
We won't need reactors.
Come on, daddy.
Dance with me.
Time to go.
Now. Let's go.
Then I'll dance
by myself.
That is an exceptional woman.
No!
Something should
be done about this.
Yeah, well, I can always
requisition another one.
You're a pig.
Well, you know,
when you're just sitting around
and you're not doing anything-
A moment of time
when nothing's happening.
Mm-hmm.
Well, I call that a "noment."
And then when it's
really hot and you're too
lazy to get up and do anything,
Well, I call that
a "sloment."
A "sloment," huh?
What do you call this?
A tongue kiss.
People were
laughing at you.
Oh, just because you never
have any fun doesn't mean...
You have to spend
your entire life ruining mine.
Son of a bitch.
Why is mom all wet?
She had an accident.
Hi, daddy.
Ten hut.
Ten hut.
As you were.
How's it going, hank?
Busy, sir.
Well, you're going
to be a lot busier.
We just got word that some
seismologists in finland
have detected evidence...
That the soviets have detonated
an above-ground device.
The brass must be thrilled.
We're off the bench and back
in the ball game.
You bet your ass we are.
Everything we do from now on
becomes that much more vital.
Those bastards push in
a pile of chips,
We better be able to raise
the bet, right?
Right.
We can maximize
our opportunities
real quick, especially you.
As of 0800 hours Friday,
4, 28, you are t.D.Y.
To operations h.Q...
At the nevada test site
in mercury.
To what do I owe
this honor, sir?
Stevens from the a.E.C.
He was real impressed with you.
You get a clean slate
to start with this time.
I knew vince johnson
wasn't such a bad guy.
This is a real
vote of confidence in your-
Carly, do you
remember your bible?
Of course I remember my bible.
You know grandpa was a preacher.
All right. How did
david steal bathsheba
away from her husband?
He bought her a drink.
No, silly.
He sent her husband away
into battle where he was killed.
Second samuel, verse 15.
Monsieur, your car
is waiting.
Tell him I'll be
right- right there.
I don't want anything
to happen to you.
The only thing that ever
happens to me is that I just-
I miss you too much.
Do you really have to be gone
for two whole weeks?
Yes, I do, baby.
Well, that's enough time
for you to convince them
to abandon nuclear weapons.
Yes, it is.
You bet.
Ooh, daddy.
What?
Will you call me every night
just before I go to bed?
No, it's too expensive.
of course, I will.
I love you.
I love you too.
Bye, daddy, bye.
Be good.
Hundred sixty
millimeter mortars...
About the strength
of two hand grenades.
Don't worry though.
They're all spent.
They used
to train g.I.S back here
in the second world war.
You can't tell anybody
about this place.
Never.
I like it.
I wouldn't want
to live here, but...
It's nice.
It's private.
Let's get hitched
and live here forever.
To an army man?
They're too weird.
Last year, colonel harris
took his family to nevada
to watch the a-bomb go off.
That was their vacation.
Look, I'm not ashamed
of what they're doing.
I mean,
the manhattan project
ended the last war.
Maybe project blue sky
will prevent the next one.
Do you know why
they call it blue sky?
They're gonna detonate
a big one underground
to track radiation.
But you can't see radiation,
You can't feel it
or taste it or smell it.
So only a handful of people will
actually know where it is...
And the rest of the country
could be swimming in the stuff,
But for all they know
the sky is just
as blue as ever.
Yeah, well, what
they don't know
won't hurt them.
No wonder west point
snapped you up.
And if I married you,
I'd end up just like my mom.
Yeah, you talk gibberish
sometimes, alex.
- Catch.
- No!
What the hell was that?
They weren't supposed
to start maneuvers
for another two weeks.
Well, maybe them cubans
sprung a sneak attack.
Jesus.
Let's get the hell
out of here.
What in the hell are you
doing here, mister?
What do you know?
What's happening?
Calm down, calm down.
Everything's under control.
It's all right.
Alex, honey, are you okay?
Vince, I think we gotta take
him to the hospital it looks
like he needs stitches.
Let's see.
And he needs a swift kick
in the butt even more.
Are you hurt?
No.
Excuse me, I'd like
to apologize for my son.
I'm afraid he was off-limits
with your daughter.
Well, boys will be boys.
Yeah. I'd like
this area secured now.
Nobody goes in or out.
Go home, everybody.
The show's over.
I want to know what you
were doing up there.
Just what you told me to do.
Making friends with glenn.
I want to know exactly
what the two of you
were doing up there.
What do you mean by "exactly"?
Well, was an old grenade
the only thing that went off?
I can't believe you.
You don't even care about me.
You just want to know
about all the sex stuff!
Don't you sass me, sister!
I am not your sister!
Well, if I had a sister,
I would tell her everything!
Especially... About boys.
Ew, boys.
What are you-
what are you doing here?
I've come to kidnap you
and take you to the woods.
I left my knife at the bungalow.
Will you come with?
Glenn, that place
is dangerous.
- Not anymore.
My dad had it cleaned up.
- If my mom finds out-
She's gonna be at rehearsal
for hours. Come on.
I've gotta finish up
my chores.
All right,
but I gotta help.
That's what I'm here for.
Okay, come in.
All right.
Wait. Come back here.
come in, rad two. Over.
Base station, this is
rad site two. Over.
Rad two,
hold your place.
This underground stuff
is not like the old days.
Look at all this junk.
Hell, at bikini, you could
feel the wind from the blast
through the atmosphere.
Flying particles
as big as corn flakes.
We're coming up
on 60 seconds, sir.
all cameras report.
Ground cameras, report. Over.
camera one ready.
camera two ready.
camera three ready.
- Camera four ready.
- Camera five ready.
...Forty-seven, forty-six
forty-five, forty-four-
nuclear underground test
number 001, clear and counting.
All systems green.
All safeties are off and ready.
All personnel
in position and holding.
Standing by.
Final lock position
procedure complete.
What the hell is that?
Let's take a peek.
...Twenty, nineteen, eighteen,
Base station,
this is rad site two,
We have two civilians
on horseback heading
right towards site.
- Punch up a camera
on those cowboys.
- Base station, base station.
We gotta get
them out of there.
Please advise.
we cannot detonate.
Abort the test!
- It's too late.
- ...Three, two, detonation.
it's venting!
Radiation's
right off the scale.
Base station,
this is rad site two.
We have massive radiation
venting in sector four.
Rad two, return to base.
Rad two, return to base.
General, sir,
we gotta find those guys.
The fox has left
the henhouse, major.
I beg the general's pardon,
we are not talking
about chickens, sir.
We're talking
about human lives.
These things happen, major.
Every tv station and every
radio station in this state...
Was notified of this test.
They were in the wrong place
at the wrong time.
I beg the general's pardon,
but that is bullshit.
Those men have been cooked.
There's ways
to handle it, major.
We'll be notifying the local
medical authorities.
These men will
come in for treatment.
They'll be taken care of.
- Very good, if they're alive.
- Goddamn it, marshall.
We've gotta keep a lid on it.
There will be no
talk about this, major.
You can't even tell your dog.
Back away from the door, hank.
Let's go have a drink.
It's criminal.
They should be found.
Right.
No, it's a crime.
Right, they should,
but we can't.
So forget it.
They're exposed.
It's too late to do
anything for them, pal.
It's too damn late.
Jimmy, I have dedicated my life
to counting alpha particles...
And beta particles
and gamma rays.
I monitor radio iodine levels,
I calculate isotopic
half-lives-
Things you can't see
or hear or feel,
Things unknowable
to the common man...
Who winds up dead as shit.
It's a crime.
Your work's done here.
Forget about it.
It's a goddamn crime,
and I am going to forget
precisely nothing...
And no one.
Fayrene, two more.
Bravo.
Good night, ladies.
Good night.
Good night.
Good night, girls.
I am so hot.
Uh-oh, here she goes.
Oh, next year
we should do gypsy.
Yeah, wouldn't our husbands
just love that.
God, I could
never do that.
Good night.
Good night.
Good night.
You know, I bet you really
could have been in movies.
I wanted that.
I really did.
You know, sometimes I think
I could just disappear...
And no one would ever
know I'd been here.
That's why we have children,
and mine need tucking up
about now.
You want a ride?
No.
Okay.
If the show is as good
as the rehearsal,
You got a hit.
How's glenn?
He's okay.
You know, that routine might
be a little risque for the base.
It might overexcite
some of the men.
I thought men joined the army
looking for adventure.
You've been watching
too many war movies.
I hate war movies.
I need your help.
Zip me up.
You know,
zipping you up...
Is not exactly
what I had in mind.
No?
No.
No.
Meet me outside.
Glenn, maybe this
isn't such a good idea.
It's all right.
Come on, let's go.
Let's just go.
Oh, my god.
Oh, don't you-
Come on, let's go.
Get away from me!
alex, open the door.
I'm gonna tell him.
Alex, please.
Please what?
Please talk to me or
please don't tell daddy?
You're not even sorry
for what you did, are you?
You're just afraid
of getting caught!
That's not true.
how could you
do this to him?
Everybody's
gonna find out.
If I don't tell him,
they're all gonna laugh
at him behind his back.
I hate you!
I'm gonna tell him.
When?
Operator.
Long distance, please.
City and state, please.
Mercury, nevada. 7458.
One moment, please.
a.E.C., mercury.
Major hank marshall, please.
call for major marshall,
line one.
Line one, major marshall.
this is hank marshall!
Hank?
Daddy, when are you
coming home?
Sweetheart, you're gonna
have to speak up!
I can barely hear ya!
I have to-
I have to tell you something,
and it's hard for me to-
What is it, baby?
I can't hear!
After rehearsal... Tonight,
Vince johnson drove me home.
And-
I can't hear you, baby!
I'm sorry! You're gonna have
to speak up now really loud!
Wait a minute!
I'll try to find
a different line!
I said...
After rehearsal tonight,
vince johnson drove me home!
vince johnson drove me home.
Just a mistake, daddy.
And-
I-I- I can't-
Hi, daddy!
Hello, baby!
She's at the officers' club.
Tonight's the show.
Oh, lord, where is she?
Check the motels.
Ah, here she comes.
Lock up your husbands, girls.
Hello.
Boy, am I nervous.
I just hope I don't
trip or something.
Don't' worry.
We've been practicing
for weeks.
You'll be fine.
What have you got
to be worried about?
I'm the one with two left feet.
Hey, why don't you girls
come over to my house for
some dinner after the show?
Sounds great.
I could use a break
from the kids.
Can I talk with you,
vera?
Why? Sit down
and have a drink...
And go over
the gory details?
The things you like
to share with friends.
People like you
come and go, carly.
You mean just one less
christmas card to me.
five minutes, ladies.
Can I still do
my number?
Oh, my god.
Is that all you can think of?
musicians, places, please.
All my life,
people have told lies about me.
Even when I was little,
Other girls used
to make up stories.
fernando's hideaway
fernando's hideaway
At least one of them's
got nice legs.
fernando's hideaway
I need to talk to you.
Later, marshall.
Now. I need to
talk to you right now.
- It's not the time to-
- I need to talk to you
right fucking now.
This is a personal matter.
Don't you think we oughta
discuss this-
It's not personal.
It has to do with blue sky.
fernando's hideaway
ole
Look, I'm not gonna
talk about this shit...
With you now or any other time,
all right?
Colonel johnson, 48 hours ago,
we irradiated 2 people
in mercury, nevada,
Who are now facing blindness,
leukemia and bone cancer.
One more word, mister,
and I'll see you
court-martialed.
hank! Hank!
You don't have
the balls for that.
You're just jealous
because you can't
satisfy that nympho.
Hank!
Hank!
Oh, god.
I just hurt all over.
Maybe we can
call it even, daddy.
I doubt it.
We've done
too much damage
to each other.
I'm the one all bandaged up.
I can't even imagine
what it's gonna look like.
I always loved
looking at you.
I even enjoyed
other men looking at you.
But you always take
everything right over
the edge, don't you?
It didn't mean anything.
You know that.
Oh, I know
it didn't mean anything.
Just like
all the other times.
But it meant a lot to me.
I don't know how much longer
I can go on. I'm tired.
I'm real tired.
I gotta go see
about the girls.
She's gonna be fine.
Doctor says she can
come home in two days.
Lydia, will you take
the girls home, please?
go on.
At ease.
Mrs. Marshall,
this can't come off
for another week,
And it'll heal up
just fine.
In a few weeks, you'll
need a magnifying glass
just to see it.
I'm gonna need dark makeup
and heavy lisle stockings
for the rest of my life.
Now, now,
you just relax.
You've got a visitor
coming up.
Who?
I don't know.
Brought you some flowers.
Thanks.
Hank's in big trouble.
You should know that,
carly.
Well, this whole thing,
it doesn't... Look good
for anyone.
It's real... Messy,
and I like to keep
a clean base.
Besides, I-
Well, I feel...
Personally responsible.
We're both responsible.
You don't know...
How much I need him.
Nobody understands that.
Well,
There is...
One way we could
get him out.
Maybe.
Daddy, I brought
some good news.
Vince johnson
has figured out a way
to help us out of all this.
He had me
sign some papers...
To put you in the hospital
for just a couple weeks,
Just for observation,
and then the whole thing
is written off to stress.
You've had me committed?
No! No!
It's not as bad as it sounds.
It's hardly gonna affect
your record at all.
Is that
what he told you?
Yes.
That's what he told me.
He also told me...
That the only other alternative
would be a court-martial.
A court-martial is what
I wanted. It's my only chance
to tell what really happened.
A court-martial would mean
eight years in prison, he said.
It would mean
a dishonorable discharge.
No pension, no transfer,
no nothing.
Darling,
this is a setup.
We've been set up.
Major, we have orders
remanding you to base hospital.
Let me see them.
This was a verbal authorization
from colonel johnson, sir.
All right.
Get me somebody from
adjutant general's office.
Our orders are to remove you
from base stockade
and remand you to b.G.H.
Get me somebody from
the adjutant general's office,
then I'll consider moving.
Consider this, sir.
You either stand up now,
Or we'll drag your ass out of
here so fast your butt won't
say good-bye to your shorts.
Do I make myself clear, sir?
Major hank marshall.
Which room is he in?
- I'm sorry, ma'am.
He's not allowed visitors.
- No. I'm his wife.
I'm mrs. Marshall.
Of course I can see him.
Mrs. Marshall, there are
procedures to be followed
in the hospital.
Well, how long do
those procedures take?
About two weeks.
Two weeks? For what?
We're doing everything
we possibly can
for major marshall.
Right.
And I'm jackie kennedy,
and flying saucers
just stole my dog.
But I don't want
to see him there.
Daddy will be home soon.
It's taken me two weeks
to get permission
to visit him.
Now, he's gonna need a hug
from his little baby.
Besides, there's nothing
to be scared of.
It's a hospital,
but he's not sick
or anything like that.
Besides,
we're gonna have a-
We're gonna have
a picnic. Now-
You're not even dressed!
Go on! Get dressed!
I don't want to be late.
You want me
to fix your hair?
I can do it myself.
Okay.
Daddy likes mayonnaise.
Daddy likes
a little pepper.
Now, everyone here
is under temporary sedation,
So don't be alarmed,
mrs. Marshall.
His condition
can change instantly.
Daddy!
I ma- I ma- I ma- I ma-
I made-
Made these for us?
They al-almost...
Done.
Alex, you go after your sister.
Hi, daddy.
I brought you a picnic.
I bet you could use
some good coffee, huh?
Excuse me, ma'am.
Uh! Damn!
he's a nuclear engineer,
for christ's sake!
They got him making wallets!
How can they do this to him?
They?
You! You did this!
Stop it!
It's your fault!
What are you doing?
Just wiping off
the ice cream.
welcome to the fort matthews
memorial day parade.
Participating in our
memorial day parade...
Is the maxwell air force base
drill team and color guard.
Fort matthews is
under the command of
colonel vincent p. Johnson.
Joining the military band,
we have the selma high
drum and bugle corps.
Today we are
honored to have...
Local veterans of
the first world war on hand.
Let's have a big
round of applause for
our patriotic doughboys.
Coming onto
the parade ground next...
Is our fine pratville high
marching band,
Playing "host of freedom."
They can't do this to daddy.
Mom, what are you doing?
You will burn in hell,
you lying son of a bitch!
You lying son of a bitch!
You think craziness
is hereditary?
I don't know,
But it's not exactly
something we could
ask either one of them.
Mommy,
what are we gonna do?
Here's yesterday's mail.
There's a letter here
for dad from nevada.
Daddy.
Alex! Alex!
Alex, wake up.
Becky! Becky, get up.
Quickly!
Come on, girls.
Get up.
We're going on a trip.
Hurry up. Pack a bag.
Help your sister.
Get up!
It's the middle of the night.
We'll beat the traffic.
Thank you.
Girls, wake up!
I got some breakfast.
Eat up.
oh
sometimes I get
a good feeling, yeah
something's got
a hold on me, yeah
oh, it must be love
oh, something's got a hold
on me right now, child
oh, it must be love
let me tell you now
I've got a feeling
I feel so strange
everything about me
seems to have changed
step by step
mom, let's stop. Please?
no, baby.
We're not gonna stop.
we haven't slept
in two days.
I just can't sleep
till I get daddy out.
oh, hey, hey, yeah
oh, it must be love
you know it must be love
let me tell you now
something's got a hold
on me, yeah
oh, it must be love
oh, something's got a hold
on me right now, child
oh, it must be love
What are you gonna
say to 'em?
You can't just
walk up and say, "hello.
My name is carly marshall,
And you've been
contaminated."
How about, "howdy, howdy.
Sure is nice to meet
some real cowboys."
Didn't think there were
any of them left.
Maybe there aren't.
Maybe they're
already dead.
Oh, shut up.
hello there?
There's a lady out there.
She wants to talk to you.
My wife tells me
you're concerned
with our health.
Well, yes, I am.
Of course I am, but
mostly it's my husband.
You see, he was in
a helicopter that day.
He saw it.
- He tried to stop the test,
but it was too late.
- What's done is done.
The army, they're drugging him
and holding him against his will
in some mental hospital.
But you can help me.
How can we do that?
I was just hoping that
you would come with me
to the newspapers.
You see, you could
tell them just how sick
you've been...
And how nobody,
nobody even bothered
to come by here...
And explain to you
what had happened.
They would have
to understand that
my husband's not crazy.
He's not crazy at all.
Don't believe
we could do that.
It's true.
She's telling you the truth.
It ain't our way.
We don't like
to make a fuss.
That's right. 'sides,
there's gonna be
another one tomorrow.
For tomorrow morning,
about 10:00, 10:30, right?
I'll tell you what.
We're gonna be out here
working, right, nick?
If my government tells me
there's no danger,
Then, by god,
I got to believe them.
Why, that-
I don't mean to be rude,
but that is so stupid.
That is just plain stupid.
Mom, why don't we go?
Take this lady
back to the house
and tell her good-bye.
Come on, sweetie.
He's the boss.
Good luck.
we've got
the pilot's letter and
we've got dad's reports.
Why don't we go
to the newspapers
without the cowboys?
That's all we really need,
isn't it?
Mom?
Mom?
Mom?
Alex. Alex, wake up.
Alex, mom's gone.
welcome to
our underground bunker.
This is our test site today.
The tower is used
to drill deep enough...
To place the device
securely underground.
The cables you see are linked
to monitor and record...
Every reaction
the material may provoke.
In this way, we can assure...
Our full strength
and your full safety.
Excuse me, general.
Who's that?
not again.
Abort detonation!
Get a squad out there
immediately.
Get off your horse.
You're under arrest.
ma'am!
Aside from almost
blowing yourself sky high,
what the hell were you doing?
General, I am simply trying
to get my husband out of
a mental hospital.
You are well on your way
to going there yourself.
Did you know that my father
is a very prominent
businessman?
In fact, he owns...
Several television stations
back home in virginia.
He has copies of those reports,
those classified reports,
And if he doesn't
hear from me by noon today,
he's gonna release them...
To the, uh,
new york times.
Mrs. Marshall, please.
Threats and fantasies
don't help.
The army knows
exactly who you are.
I know who you are.
And you know my husband.
You know that there is not
a crazy bone in his body.
Not as crazy
as his wife.
You know, I've been
called that all my life.
That and a lot worse,
and it doesn't bother me
in the least.
You can tell people
whatever you want about me.
Just release my husband.
Mrs. Marshall,
we're not here
to make deals.
We can have you arrested
on 20 violations
and throw away the key.
And what are you gonna
tell those reporters?
Hmm? What are you
gonna tell those reporters
and their cameras?
I'm their story.
Today's newspaper
is tomorrow's trash.
- And I don't give
a goddamn-
- general. General.
Mr. Stevens.
My husband said
that you were a fair man.
Won't you help him?
Authorities at
a nuclear test site
in mercury, nevada,
Arrested an unidentified woman
this morning...
Who was attempting to interfere
with a scheduled weapons test.
hey, look!
That's mrs. Marshall!
That's mrs. Marshall!
Mom, come here!
Mrs. Marshall's on tv! Mom!
according to the army,
The woman was carrying
literature linking her
to the communist party.
The army also claimed...
The woman is a member
of a fundamentalist
religious sect.
Officials refuse to disclose
the identity of the woman...
Goddamn bitch.
Pending further investigation.
The test has been postponed
due to weather conditions.
Also in the news,
members of the naacp-
Ben, this is the game plan.
Prepare discharge papers
for hank marshall right away.
We could be in deep shit.
What are you doing, dad?
I've gotta go to the base.
You're gonna discharge
major marshall?
You said he was dangerous.
You said he was crazy,
he was mentally ill.
He is, but it's
a little more complicated
than that, glenn.
- It's a military matter, okay?
- I thought this was
a matter of justice.
That's what I told alex
when she said
her dad was framed.
I've got to go.
This doesn't concern you, son.
I used to be proud when
you called me your son.
All my life,
you've lectured me
about honor and justice...
And the johnson
tradition.
I believed all that.
Those words lost their meaning
for your father a while ago.
This is a personal war
between a man and a woman
that he wanted to screw.
It's as simple
as that, glenn.
Just get me
out of here.
Glenn!
Dr. Vankay's
waiting for you, colonel.
Vince.
Ben, is everything okay?
What the hell are you
doing here, george?
I was ordered here, vince,
by general nieremberg.
To do what?
I was ordered...
To provide for the safe
treatment and the discharge
of hank marshall.
I was also ordered
to relieve you as
commanding officer,
Pending further orders,
effective immediately.
Ohh. You just sleep,
babies.
Ohh.
Ow.
what's wrong?
My leg fell asleep.
We've been driving
for two days.
I wanted to get here
as fast as I could.
I didn't know
if you would be waiting.
Next base,
I'll be different,
I promise.
There won't be a next base.
I've quit the army.
Oh, the girls
are gonna be real...
Happy to hear that.
What about you,
mrs. Marshall?
Are you happy?
Only if you still want me.
Come here.
Sir, aren't you
gonna find teaching
to be a little bit tame?
When I was in nevada, son,
I decided I could no longer
contribute...
In any manner
to nuclear warfare.
I think the university is
a perfectly fine place...
To twist innocent young minds
over to my point of view,
don't you agree?
- Oh!
- Can you see mom
as a professor's wife?
It is california.
Maybe things are
a little looser there.
Daddy, I want a shot
of you and glenn.
What?
I want a shot
of you and glenn.
Come on. Get closer.
Closer.
wow!
Great car, mom!
what have you done?
We're going
to california, daddy.
We can't drive up in front
of the brown derby
in that old jalopy.
I liked
that old jalopy.
Now, nobody has said
anything about my hair.
- You look like
elizabeth taylor.
- There.
You have said
the secret word,
And you qualify for a ride
in my new convertible.
Come on, sweet boy.
Well, let's go.
Come on, daddy.
You drive.
well, now, it takes
more than a robin
to make the winter go
and it takes
two lips of fire
to melt away the snow
well, it takes
two hearts a-cookin'
to make a fire grow
and, baby
you've got what it takes
oh, yeah
you know it takes
a lot of kissin'
Tell me about it.
to make a romance sweet
Aha.
ooh, it takes
a lot of lovin'
to make my life complete
mmm, and it takes
a lot of woman
to knock me
off my feet
and, baby
you've got
what it takes
I said
mmm hmm hmm mmm
uh-huh, mmm
you know you've got
just what it takes
because it takes
more than an effort
to stay away from you
it'd take more
than a lifetime
to prove
that I'll be true
but it takes
somebody special
to make me say, "I do"
oh, yeah?
and, baby
you've got what it takes
uh-huh
mmm hmm hmm mmm
mmm
you know you've got
just what it takes
Because- you're back
in my spot again, honey.
I like your spot.
to stay away from you
I can't stay away.
Let's do it again.
it takes more than
a lifetime, daddy
oh, yeah.
to prove that I'll be true
now it's you.
but it takes
somebody special
like me, baby.
to make me say I do
and, baby
you've got what it takes
Say it again.
Come on. Let's do it
one more time, all right?
and, baby
you've got what it takes
One more time, brook.
All right, okay.