The Big Chill Page #4

My style may be too direct.

Perhaps given my style

I seem more nakedly...

...opportunistic or jerky or...

What was the other thing?

- Manipulative?

- Whatever.

All that's happening is

I'm trying to get what I want.

Which is what we all do, but

their styles are so warm...

...you don't realize

they're trying to get what they want.

So my transparent efforts

are more honest and admirable.

Why does this sound

like a massive rationalization?

Don't knock rationalization.

Where would we be without it?

I don't know anyone who can go a day

without 2 or 3 rationalizations.

They're more important than sex.

Nothing's more important than sex!

Ever gone a week

without a rationalization?

What's your shoe size?

Six and a half.

Still the best way to determine

if it's ready.

- Meg, what's your shoe size?

- Who wants to know?

What, it's about a six and a half?

It used to be, but now it's seven.

- Your feet grow as you get older.

- I wish everything did.

How much longer?

Everything's getting cold.

After 12 years you haven't

learned to make anything else?

- I've improved on it.

- Now it's edible?

- The meal is ready. Let's go.

- J.T. Lancer!

Let's go watch this incredible show!

Oh, my God!

Come on, Sam.

Jesus.

Look at that hunk of man, kids.

He's so handsome.

Jesus!

Look out!

You forgot your Dramamine.

- Turn that off.

- No, it's great!

Does the suit

come with the machete?

You're dashing.

Dashing!

Why are you doing this to me?

You look great!

There she is.

I interviewed this girl.

Where is this?

I'm going to Hollywood.

"I want a Margarita now!"

Kids, don't try that at home.

That's a warning.

Watch out for that stick shift!

- Two at once?

- He's done a lot of pec work.

My favourite part!

Here it is.

- Say, baby, let's eat.

- Come on, big guy!

- The pasta's ruined now.

- You get money when that airs?

One thing I do want is

a Cosmic Invaders game for my trailer...

...so Nick and I can watch it

and kick back.

- What? I don't want to hear this.

- What do you mean?

Video games?

You relax with video games?

Don't knock video games.

I let you guys out of sight and you

develop moronic interests.

Don't knock morons.

Would you prefer we got

into heavy drugs?

That might be better.

No offense, Nick.

He should be here.

I feel like we should've

had a chair for Alex.

Of course, we don't have

enough food.

This is all so familiar.

I love you all so much.

That sounds gross, doesn't it?

No, it doesn't.

I feel I was at my best

when I was with you people.

I know what you mean.

When I lost touch with this group...

...I lost my idea of what I should be.

Maybe that's what happened to Alex.

We expected something of each other then.

We needed that.

Not me.

Getting away from you people

was the best thing to ever happen to me.

I mean, how much sex, fun,

friendship can one man take?

Had to get out in the worid,

get dirty.

No, I think Sam is right.

There was something in me then...

...that made me want to go to Harlem

and teach ghetto kids.

I was going to help the scum, as I so

compassionately call them now.

Some of them are scum.

Some of us are scum.

So what's the thrust here?

We were great then and we're sh*t now?

I don't buy that.

That's not what we're saying.

I don't know.

I'd hate to think it was all just...

...fashion.

What?

Our commitment.

It wasn't.

We accomplished things.

- All evidence to the contrary.

- You're just taking a position.

Sometimes I think

I've put that time down...

...just so I can live with

how I am now.

Help me with these bleeding hearts.

I know what Alex would say.

What?

What's for dessert?

I'm not cynical about dessert.

- Want to load the dishwasher?

- I'd be thrilled.

I think I've just been too slow

to realize...

...that people our age with histories

like ours...

...having gone through the same stuff...

...could be dishonest, unprincipled,

backstabbing sleazeballs.

Could have told you that

a long time ago.

I was prejudiced in their favor.

I thought because they look like us...

...and talked like us they would

think like us.

I know that Richard

will always be faithful to me.

That's nice.

A little trust.

Fear of herpes.

It's not right.

Alex is still warm.

Can't blame Chloe.

She's a kid.

Michael hasn't changed.

Wait.

What?

Ever meet Michael's girlfriend,

Annie?

She's great.

She teaches the fourth grade.

Still teaching in Harlem.

It's not right.

I can't keep my eyes open.

I don't want to

go to bed, but I must.

- You really don't want to?

- I must.

But you don't...

...want to?

Come with me.

What?

You want me to what?

Come on, Sam.

Don't make me say it again.

You've given me a massive headache.

You're not going to

use that old excuse, are you?

You've got good genes.

Where'd Chloe go?

She's coming right back.

No, I'm not in the mood.

Wait a minute.

What is that, a lude?

You want it?

Do you take a half?

Full stomach, I'd take a whole.

Right, I'm sure you would.

What the hell. L'Chaim!

There's a shift in your

perceptions of the world.

Forever you're responsible for another

living thing.

It's wonderful.

But it's a huge commitment.

A commitment that has nothing to do...

...with legal names

and legal obligations.

I'm sorry, Meg.

I'd love to help you but I can't.

You know, you're something.

I love you.

- Really, I can't.

- I accept that!

I mean, I really love you.

You're a nice person.

Really?

So you want to f***?

Just kidding!

Then one day I was driving home.

They were running a tape

of one of my shows.

I heard myself talking

to someone who had called up.

Someone in real pain.

I listened for about 45 seconds.

And I'm talking...

...like I know them and understand...

...and have something

useful to say about their lives.

The worst part was they

believed me.

I quit the next day.

You helped me.

I was 15 and my family was

living in Oakland.

And I used to

listen to you every night.

One night I called you up.

I was upset and thought

something was wrong with me.

- Like I was a pervert.

- What did I say?

That I'd be okay if I did

my homework...

...and went to bed at a reasonable hour.

You were right. It was okay.

You helped.

I don't want to discuss this now.

Why? You have more people

to tell about the stock thing?

It's really a charming side of you.

Remind me to

get more cocaine tomorrow.

If you tell everyone about the stock deal,

it will blow up in your face.

Who will you tell next? Michael?

He came down here to find investors for

that moronic club of his.

- He came down for Alex's funeral.

- Maybe.

You are in no condition

to discuss this now.

You can't change people's lives!

Who do you think you are,

John Beresford Tipton?

I'm going to sleep.

How can you go to sleep?

I'm not even tired.

Some say suicide is

the ultimate act of self-absorption.

Alex didn't commit suicide.

It was an accident.

That's right, he was shaving.

Alex had hairy wrists.

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