Homeless to HarvardI loved my mother so muchShe was a drug addictShe was an alcoholicShe was legally blindShe was a schizophrenicBut I never forgot that she loved meEven if she did itAll the timeAll the timeLisa, give me the money! It's mine! God, it's mine! You freak. Give it to me! Give it to me！Let go, mom!I gave a hundred to you！Just come, I gave 100 to you！to one of you！We're forced to live on! Every month! It is ...It's...It's the same damn thing! You can put it in your arms, so we can starve!It's mine! I didn't take it! Give it to me! Give it to me! It's mine!We're hungry. I can’t! We need food, mom!What did you ever do for me, huh?! I gave you life! Tell me go out to the street and sell myself for it? Huh? Do you want me to do it? I know I do it sometimes, right?I need it.[Monologue]I wanted that smile.Oh, god! I wanted that smile so much. I was pathetic, wasn't I?Don't take the aqueduct! Mummy! She’s taking the aqueduct!What the hell difference does it make？She'll get mugged！Who cares!Dad, we'll cop her, if we can't she'll get mugged!Always a big production!See they fixed the light for a change.Not easy to break them againNo, No, No. She's ok, see the water runs downhill.There's no waterNo, No. Don't you know what aqueduct is? The aqueduct carried water to New York City for like over a hundred years they did that. And they close it down, but now the ghost water right? He carried your mother along.[Monologue] My father, you could sit down on a couch and talk to my father. You just can't talk to him for long. He knew so much. He got all the answers right on JEOPERDY. He was a genius, every answer, every time. That’s the thing. Your parents are your Gods. I look to them as an example of what I should find everywhere on the world. They paid so little attention to my needs .but then I felt that their needswere so powerful that ... It didn't make me feel hurt or angry that they didn't look into me. Because I felt ok. This just must to be the human condition to be so. And then the world came in.You took my husband, you little bustard, I'll kill you.No, mummy!I'm not your mother. I did your favor. I shouldn't have trail on you!Help me clean up this Liz. They see this they're gonna take us, too.NO! NO! NO! It's my house. Don’t take me！Get out! NO！Don't take！No fasten!What happened to the window?She threw the ****.Such you on fire, take me...Come on jeanWhy don't take a medication? good girl！She takes it! She just takes too many other things on top of it...OK OKThis place is a mess！What happened here？I fell down.Oh oh oh, Jean put the knife downAll right where's the phone?We don't have one!This woman doesn't fitYou're kiddingYou girls have choice. Clean this place up, help your mother.How about my father？Ignore her. She's a ... She's a feminist.I can take you any time I want. You keep skipping school. You keep living like the animals.Hey hey, where are you going? Come back here. Come back. You’re gonna go to a home. Do you know what home is like? There are girls. They'll beat you dull, take everything you have. You can't have anything! You have to clean bathrooms. You’ll work there if you don't work here.Back up! Back up. It’s not a show! You got nothing better to do, huh? [Monologue] Couldn't they see? Anyone could see. She was in so much pain. There were struggles so much on the surface so there if anyone cared to look. It wasn't like she was running off from being a good mother to somebody else... She just didn't have any more to give.Oh, somebody stinks!What is that?[Monologue] I was always the smelly kid in class. We *** on the bucket to shower, but daddy laughed at her doing, said she had to marry a doctor she has so many expectations. I didn't have any expectations. So therefore, I guess, I stunk. And I itched from *** and it burned between my legs. My teachers were always telling not to finch it, and my underwear. I didn't know what to do about underwear. I just wore it until it fell apart.All right! People! Thank you! Rest is over.[Monologue] My teeth ached. I was hungry.Settle! Thank you![Monologue] The teacher's words never seemed to reach me. Words just seemed... fall on the floor.Hold me the test. There's no point that...NO, I'll take it.But you've been here what? For 3 times this month?NO, I'll take it. It doesn't look that hard.Oh, Liz, stay here. You do smell, you know? Doesn't your mother tell you that you gonna...NO. It's my fault. I just forget.OK.Well, when you have shower tonight, you wanna, you wanna wash back here? Ah, I've been saving some things for you. There and here. How did you do that? You're never in school.I read a lot.Yeah? What do you read? Encyclopedia. The lady upstairs, Eva, she find it in the Dumpster, the whole set ... well, except for the Erdos.If you asked me about Erdos, I would have got it wrong. I was just lucky.Oh, Lizzy! You have to come to school. NO, I mean it. Look, it's ridiculous you're way too smart not to be here. I don't understand why don't you come?I will.[Monologue] How could I tell her that school made me sad? I didn't know how to talk to her. I didn't know how to talk to anyone. My house wasn't a place you could come out of and be normal.We have to come every day. OK? If you don't, and I will call CHILD WELFARE. Th at’s not a threat. It's a promise.Eva, look what I've got.100Yes, encyclopediaGood, you gotta make good marks. You don't wanna be an idiot. And you keep up now, you hear me? Now your mother's back.My mother's back?Well, we had a nice quiet couple of months, didn't we?[Monologue] The only good thing about my mother being taking away to the nut house was that when she came back she was my mum again. She cooked and she cleaned more than she even to be a court sonographer. For me, that was a good quiet couple of months before the drugs came back in.Mummy?Lizzy.Are you ok?I’m OK.Pumpkin, you look real good.Glad you're home, mummy. You’re glad you're home?This hospital won't too bad.It's too green, the walls. And there were bars on the windows.I'm sorry. You had to say that, you know.But I'm glad you're home.Look! Look! I...I got 100! NO NO. 100 is good. 100 is perfect. Didn’t you ever get 100?I ain't go to school. I ran away too young. Don't you ever run away from home?I won'tLiz, I'll always be here for you.I know, mummy.I'll always be here. ALWAYS.I know, mummy.I’m sick. I'm sick. Liz, I... I have AIDS. No No They say... don't be afraid. They say... I might... they say I could live forever, OK? But I can't live here. I gotta go home.This is home.No, home to my pop's. I wanna take you and Lisa.No No mom. You have to stay here.I can't stop the drugs. And I can't do it when your daddy around.But you'll be alone.Liz, this is already gonna over, just pack up your things and let's go.No you said pop's gonna beat you. You said he raped your sister.Since what it has to be now.No, stay hereI can'tStay mummy![Monologue] Everything was falling apart. I thought if I could stay I could stop it. But if I stayed, everything would somehow stay the same.Just open the door. It's no use. We know you're in there.Where are your mother and sister?They are gone.Where's your father?He's gotta get some food, he'll be right back.Your teacher called. You’re still not going to school. You’re never in school. We gotta do something about this. Miss Wonder warned you, I warned you, and every one year case workers warned you.This's been going out for years. We all said clean up this place and go to school. Clean up and go to school. You have done neither one of them, have you? Elizabeth, have you?NoSo what we gonna do?I don't know.I do. You’re going into the system. I’m taking her.But but things are better now. My daddy buys me big potatoes everydayYou're not paying the rent. You're not getting her to school.I tell her to go. I told you to go to school. She's gotta mind of her own. She'sa feminist.This is not a joking matter. Pack her suitcase. Now!No No NoI'm sorry.I'll go to school. Please!This isn't working. We need an adult who's responsible.My grandpa's responsible. My grandpa will take me. My sister's there.Your sister goes to school.I'll go to school, I'll go to school. Please!Don't make a fuss. I'll talk to him. And if he'll take you. You'll be out in 24 hours. I’m sorry.And if he won't?You'll have time to figure out how you wanna live your life.[Monologue] Figure out my life. Do people really do that? Do they do that while they are falling down into a deep dark hole? Buzzed in, locked in. It was like visiting my mother. Only I was in the crazy house now. And I didn't get out in 24 hours, I didn't get out in 24 days. No one wanted me. They just left me there.Why don't you go to school? That’s the big problem we've got here. Why don't you go? From what I can see, you've got a discipline problem.Liz？Hi, popsYou get your mother. Jean, come out here. She's here.I'm leaving for school, but I wanna see you first.Thanks, Lisa.Don't screw this up. We're doing OK, and don't expect too much. She's dying.Lizzy!Mom[Monologue] When I think of my life. This is the time I like to think of. When I got back. When mother's mind was clear. There was no cocaine. so her schizophrenic seemed about to working. And we go to the cafe, and sit, and talk, and eat hamburgers. We were together. Even with her bad eyes, I think she could see me. Well, she could see my outline. And for a while, I had my mother again.And we went to park.Yeah, I remember. We used to side down that hill, remember? You put down that old card board, we pretend it was slide.You remember that? How about the tickle monster?Well, we screamed and laughed about that one.I was a good mom, wasn't I? Wasn’t I?Yeah, mom, sure, you were fine.Well, I'm real glad we were all together, you know. You and me and LisaWhat if dad went off drugs too? Wouldn't it be great? Maybe we could even go back to the university avenue.Yeah..., your dad. He's in a shelter right now. I'm afraid that he lost the apartment. He can not even order the rend, so...What about my stuff?Got thrown outAll of it, even my encyclopedias?Look, pumpkin, I'm really sorry, you know, they bordered the whole place. There was nothing we could do. Just, you know, crap happens, I mean. Look, you know, I gotta go around the corner and see a few friends. Just for a minute, ok? You finish your burger, and ...and I'll be right back. Just be a minute, baby.[Monologue] So that was that. No going back. I hadn't kept anything together. I've only made things worse. If I would only go to school. If I would only... If I would only. So, that part of my life was over. I guessed the new part had begun.Elizabeth Murray？and you're her mother？I'll take you to your class now.Are you gonna get home ok?Yeah, I'm gonna see my buddies, you know, they could take care of me.Maybe I should just come with you.You gotta stay in the school. They will take you away again, just go go.So we have nouns, verbs. Chris? Adjective and preposition[Monologue] I wasn't the smelly kid any more. I've learned to shower every day at the group home. And my clothes, even if they came from the thrift shop, all fit, but I still didn't know how to be in school. I still didn't know how to be normal.People, can we try to settle down?Chris, would you like to try diagram No.12?You find it amusing, Miss.Elizabeth？Please don't call me that.It's your name according to these forms.Liz or Lizzy.Liz or Lizzy is a nick name.Are nick names.No, I'm afraid not.Jesus, call the girl she wants to be called.Elizabeth is a fine name. The name of a queen. The Elizabeth's age was the age of Shakespeare. What's your problem with it?My mother calls me Elizabeth, when she's going insane.Liz then.Bobie, the sentence.So where did you go to school before this.I didn'tHow did you ***?I was at the group home.Is that freaky?But you're not a freakNOIt's too bad. I am. My birthday's coming up.Yeah? When?You'll know. I'm gonna wear my dad's ***coat. I’m gonna come to school with nothing on but my *** coat and a pair boot. From far show all the teachers. Happy Birthday. You don't believe me?Yeah, I do.No, you don't.[Music] Ha Ha Ha, check it out.Don't throw it out before meI won't.It's a great place, I never had so comfort before.Pop's gonna cranky. We have to by safe, by the way.Liz, I'm waiting for the phone, those contest things.She never gonna win.Ok, you know what. Shut up. I don't care. I just gotta dial his number before I forget it.Does anybody get high *** news, come on.Bobie, you*** test's until like a week.Hey, can I just have that chicken for lunch.SureIs this already?Some drunken lady.Oh, she'll drain on the door.Oh, I'm going out the window.I don't feel very good. Could you help me, please?Oh, here she blows.All right, upI'm a good mom. I just need a hug, I want a hug.[Monologue] She couldn't take living straight. Why should I expect her to take dying? Isn’t dying the hardest thing anyone's ever done?Everyone’s gone.Except youYeahSo where's your pos gonna sleep?HereSleep with his daughter?Oh, I don't think like that.Yeah, but you don't know.He did her sister, when she was real younger. She told me that.Why her sister, not her?I figure he did them both.So her sister crazy, too?Yeah, and their mother, too. That’s why that I didn't wanna come here.You know, my mom's getting back with my dad.I wish my mom would.He does stuff to my sister.You don't have a sister.Lucky for her.Did you tell your mother?Yeah, I told her.But she left him and she cursed him out, she just gonna call the cops and now she's getting back with him.You know, I asked her how she could do that? and she said she missed him. She missed him, Huh? I was 7 when he first stuck it in.Chris, Chris don’t. Moving with me.Stay here?What's your grandfather gonna say?He won't know. I will. We'll work it out, so I never see you. He won't get up until late from work. He's like a robot, anyway, out atAnd back at six. OutPop, she has no place to stay.It's not my problem. OUT!Leave her alone. Don't...Your mother's dying. Your piece of trash father walked out and stuck me with a lot of these. Did I ask my fellows of my age, did they? What are you doing? All right, that suits me. You end up a trash anyway, just like your parents.So I leftYou wanna go and get your stuff or you're gonna leave me out here alone[Monologue] Do any of us bargain for our lives? It seems to me that we just fall into them. And we have to do the best we can. My mother was dying. My father was gone. But I had to believe there were roads would rise up to meet me. I was 15 when I went out to the world. What’s a home anyway? A roof? A bed? A place where when you go there they have to take you .If so, when I was 15, I became homeless.Spare some change?Get a jobHow are doing tonight?God bless you kid.Spare some change?[Monologue] but some times I felt like I never had a home in my life.Let's goCome back![Monologue] and another time I knew where ever my mom was, that's where my home was.[Monologue] Month by month, she was fitting away.Liz?Yeah.Where did you go?I've ... I've been staying with friends.I miss you.Pops… he hated me and I couldn't stay here.Lisa said you stop going to school.I'm gonna go back.When?When you get better.This is me... This is me. I at the bars, 'cause I shake. I can't stop shaking.I think that's... that's because of the drinking. You know you should probably stop.OK OKYou're gonna get better, you know. I love you mom I love you.Get over there.Hey guys wait up. I'll catch you later. I'm just gonna... byeMomWe took up a collection.She isn't coming here anymore, 'cause she thinks we always laugh at her.She's dead honey. She died yesterday morning.[Monologue] Sometimes I feel like there's a skin on the world. And those of us who were born under it can see throw it. We just can't get throw it. My mother's being buried under section, the charity plot. My mother was in there. Strangers had put her in there. Was she naked? Was she frightened? No, she was gone.Come on. Let’s go.No wait a minute. There should be a service. There should be a priest what's supposed to happen.When you go, we're gonna. Bury him. That’s all.It's a SHE! That’s my mother.There's no priest?Not these cases. You didn't know that?She's dead. Put her into the ground[Monologue] Priest or no priest. What did it matter? She was gone. She was already rotting. Was I supposed to believe she found eternal peace?So you come with us?Just goHey wait[Writing] Jean Murray, beloved. Mother of Elizabeth and Lisa Murray 1945-1996 OKListen, I'm gonna out of here ok?Liz, just I can't... I can't... I can't do this anymore.You know, so, I'm going.Where?Group home? Crazy house?This? This is crazy! You should come with me.Yeah, so, see you around.[Monologue] People die. Things decay. Everything that seemed so solid is meaningless. All that left is gestures we make. Gestures and air, that’s what we remember, I remember riding with my mother through the slips. The year ending. But her arms were warm around me when I was little and she was well. That was long ago. Maybe it only happened once. Maybe she betrayed me a thousand times. It didn't matter. Math was always a weak subject. We remember what we choose.Get out of thereWhere are you gonna put the stone?It's no stone here. There's no room.[Monologue] In a week, there would be no trace of her. But what did it matter? This wasn't the real world. We really only lived in each other's hearts. She lived in my heart. But I lived nowhere. I was all alone in the world. You’re 16 years old with 8 grade education, and you run down that *** there were ended a worse place that you ever dreamed. You’ve burned every bridge, you've worned out every welcome and everyone who's ever believed in you. You’ve let down.Eva, I don't wanna be an idiot. I wanna go to school.I'm Liz Murray. I have an appointment.At 9:30?It's 10:30.I'm sorry, the subway got stuck.I'm sorry, too. But it's really too late. School started 3 weeks ago. It's just about full. Kids get here on time, honey.I read the br***sure,” intensive student participation for the development ofa just community.”I just need one chance.You can wait and talk to David. But he's got a meeting right after.[Question] What is your dream? For your life? For your school.[Monologue] I knew that at that moment I had to make a choice. I could submit to everything that was happening in living life of excuses or I could push myself.I could push myself and make my life good.Hey, we'll get you by Friday.OK thank you.Oh pleasure guysElizabeth?Liz.Liz, I'm sorry. We're making our last decisions now. I'm already late.Can I just talk to you for just a minute? 30 seconds?It's the application. It's a whole big essay question, too.I've already done the essay. I really want this.I haven't had a lot grownups improved to be trustworthy or for the long runs, so maybe I don't know how to talk to you, but ...My parents both use drugs, a lot of them. I won't go near them, but...but I guess I, kind of, lived that life style. I’m embarrassed now about how layback I've been. I mean, I've never even really been school except for the 8 grade. But...Your grades are very good in elementary schoolI used to show up. Last week I took the test, that's how I get promoted. I’m smart. I know I can succeed. I just... I just need the chance. I need the chance to climb out of this place I've been born in. Everyone I know just angry, tired. They’re trying to survive. But I know that there's a world out there .that's better. That’s better developed. I wanna live in it.Why no?My mother died of AIDS. She died a couple of months ago. It was real slap on the face. I guess I always thought that she was gonna get better and take care of me. It’s pretty stupid huh? S he’d never been taking care of me. I took care of her. She was my baby. But now she's gone. So...Now it's time to take care of yourself. Can you get here on time? Liz?I'll sleep here if I have to.Ok, you're in.But you told the others you won't know until Friday.You're in.Thank you. You just change my life.That's worth Miss.You just fulfill the paper work. You got your transcripts and that's just the easy stuff, address, phone number. We have to have a meeting with parents or your guardian. Get that in. we're good to go.Dad.Hey, Lizzy.I need your help, please.Such a production. Such a production. Why don't you just stay in the Browx and go to konedy.I don't know how to go to a normal school.Why? Why? This isn't a normal school?Oh, it's public, but it's like private.Dad Dad. I think I can do this.Yeah? That’s good. I don't think I can do this.Yeah you can! You can! Just say you're a long horn truck driver. That’s why I just don't ever see you. We’re living with your girl friend now also.Oh, you give me a girl friend?Eva.Eva! Oh, that's not good. Eva is old enough to be my mother.Dad. I just need an address you know, a phone number they can call. They can't know I went homeless. They’ll call the city. And I'll be locked up again.Mr. Murray.I'm Peter. Peter Phinidy.I never actually married Lizzy's mother.Sit down please.I'm gratefully taking my daughter in this pretty nice place.We are still new. We have a big ambitionYeah, so is Liz I guess. She's a feminist. I’m expecting you know it already. Her mother was beautiful actually. Like a movie star. Her mother was also a kind of a feminist too, or something. Anyway I thought when I met her she was just, you know, spirit. but actually she was completely insane.We need you to sign right here. And give us contact information address and phone numberUniversity Avenue.Is that an apartment? Yeah 2b3b 3b, yeah, that's right. That’s right. We moved upstairs.Phone number?557.........Sorry my memory my mind totally short.So that's it? I gotta stuff to do.Thanks for coming.Thank youCan I start now?It's refreshing to have someone who wants to come to school.I'm gonna walk him out.All right. Oh, they give tokens to you?No, I gotta a jobYeah, I remember when you were a kid you used to beg grossories down the *** road and put the food in fridge. How old were you?Eight.I'm not a people person. You understand that. I’m not a people person. Liz There'snothing to do with you. You know. It's not personal.You came today though. I love you dad.Oh, don't do that. Don’t love me. It wastes of energy.You when I was little. You were the most interesting thing in my world. Everyone around was just talking about drugs or sex or you know, just trying to survive the day. But you always had ideas. It’s because of you I know there's another way of being.Are you ok?Yeah yeah, I'm fine. They take care of me find at the shelter. Actually I'm gonna get my own apartment. You know they like to do that. You can come and stay with me, visit me, any timeYou own an apartmentYeah they like to do that. They keep people like me at the shelters. You know the people the patience. People with AIDS. Hey, listen, no no no a lot is changing. I've got all these medicines now and I'm clean. So I'm gonna live forever. I’ll be fine. I'm gonna live forever. Stay in school. I blew this, but you can do this.Goff Tanken.Remember the main. anybody? Frank or Prushen Woorf? Yo, do you get BISMARCK? You didn't get BISMARCK.I didn't get BISMARCK, either.I thought BISMARCK was a kind of roll.Kaiser roll.So is BISMARCK a Kaiser?Stop talking about food. You’re making me hungry.Dave, are we getting textbooks next year? 'cause I'm keeping losing these things.Emmm... textbooks... Why don't we use textbooks? Anyone?Too heavy?They are, but not cigar (a kind of sugar)They’re too expensive. The school is too poor.I'm keeping my cigars today.You new girl.Her name is LizYeah, Dave. She’s been here a week. Try to remember.Liz, sue meTextbook text...book...Open it up. What did you see?WordsWhat kind of words?The words of the author.NO NO, this is important. And what we have here?A lot of other people's wordsWhy do I want you to have them?Because one point of view gives you a one-dimensional worldCigars cigars! BISMARCK. Marks the guy who sold me the babble gums cigars. Why on earth would we confine ourselves to his story——historyBut isn't that the deal day? I mean is there official history?NO girl, tell him what history is.History is all of us. All our stories count.That’s it. Grab your papers. I'll be in the launch if you wanna talk about it.Hey Liz, it's yoursHey new girlYou let me in but you don't remember my nameOh I remember your name. I just like the others gaining up your side.You’re pretty smart.So are youYou gave me an A-.Yeah, I thought it was a very good paperHow do I make an A?Liz, an A- is an excellent mark. This is your first school work and what? Forever?If my words count, I want them to be right.Well, *** is a good one, but ...What’re you still doing here?Algebra.Yeah well, it's after 11. I'm locking up.How many classes are you taking?The regular 5, and the Saturday programming, the night school, French and the after school ,science, ten!Now you see why I need the before school maths.Seem awful a lotI'm 17. I don't wanna be 21 before I finish high school.So you're trying to do -years high school in 3 years?You need before school maths, too.Yeah, you'll kill yourself you know?NO I'm gonna live.[Monologue] I had it down. The B-train took 70 minutes to do its entire run. I’v e been back 4 times, and I would get to school just a little early. And David would let me in. For the first time my life had some order I can count on Chris？Chris？Chris？What’re you doing here?Hanging outWhat about the home? So why don't you look for me?I did. I've been looking for a long time. You haven’t been in any ever places?I'm here now. I’m going to a new school. And I like it.hey hey come on. It’s great. We’re together.Last one out, first one in.No that describes you, David.how did you get so dedicated？Well, I'm such a privilege jerk. I want it to give something back. This is?My friend, Chris. My best friend.Hi Chris.HeyI want her to come here too.It's not a party, it's a tough place. But she's good enough for you, she's good。
