The Lake House script

You coming or not?

-All right, l'll get her to you right away. -Appreciate it.

-Hi. -Hi.

Dr. Klyczynski to ER, stat. Dr. Klyczynski to ER, stat.

-Hi, excuse me. -Yeah, just a minute, okay?

-Fill this out for me and wait over there. -No, l'm-- l'm Dr. Forster.

l was told to report here.

You'll  be covering 22 patients on rounds today, this floor and the next.

-Twenty-two? -Quiet morning.

lf you get into trou ble,  beep me, but don't make it a ha bit.

The med students will help you out with scutwork.

What's he doing here? l ordered an MRl, stat.

-Transport said a bout four hours. -He could  be dead in four hours.

Never mind. Dr. Forster, MRl.

-A right, two lefts, elevator to two. -Okay.

Follow the signs. Hustle  back here for rounds.

Dr. Kly--

-Are you taking me somewhere? -l certainly hope so, sir.

-How are you feeling today? -Am--? Am l gonna make it?

Yes. A bsolutely.

Alex!

l made my famous spinach pie. The trailer's nice and toasty.

l can't.

Look, it's really cold out here. Don't get sick on me or anything.

l never get sick.

So l heard you  bought a house, and apparently l'm the last one to know.

l thought l mentioned that.

Wait.

Where?

Outside of town. Up the shore a little  bit.

Up the shore? There's no houses--

Oh, God. You don't mean that thing with the stilts and the--?

-You all right? -Yeah. Are you crazy?

Why would you take that house, Alex?

lt's made of glass. There's no privacy.

Mona?

Get yourself some  boots.

Hey, Gonzalez!

-Four-thirty. -You lost?

-Yeah. -Takes a while to get your  bearings.

-l'm Madhvi. -Kate Forster. Hi.

Oh, wrong floor. Where'd you do your residency?

Just a little community hospital up on the North Shore.

Dear new tenant, welcome to your new home.

As the previous tenant, let me say...

...I hope you'll like living here as much as I did.

I filed the change of address with the post office...

...but you know what a crapshoot that can be.

So if anything slips through, would you do me a favor and forward my mail?

I'd appreciate it. My new address is below.

Thanks in advance. P.S.:

''Sorry a bout the paw prints  by the front door. They were there when l moved in.

Same with the  box in the attic.''

Paw prints? What the hell is she talking a bout?

Hey,  ba by girl. Hi. Hi. Hey.

Fix the light.

Get dog food, huh?

Get human food.

Hey. Hey.

Hey, come here.

Sixty degrees on Valentine's Day. Can't  be Chicago.

The TV says it's glo bal warming.

The ice bergs start melting, water covers the Earth.

Thank God we won't live to see it.

What's this?

That's nothing. lt's one of your father's.

-Dostoyevsky? -Oh, yeah.

lt's a bout a guy who  breaks the neck of a poor woman with an axe...

...and, so far, keeps wandering around regretting it.

This is good.

-Oh, yeah? -Yeah. lt's really good.

l'll meet you there.

What are you thinking?

My folks are coming into town.

Nothing.

When your father passed away, it was hard. lt still is hard.

Holding his  books, l feel like he's with me somehow.

Knowing that he was once on the same pages...

...reading the same words.

Oh, my God! Some body call an am bulance!

We need an am bulance at Daley Plaza.

A man has  been struck  by a  bus. Get an EMT crew here. Sir--

Get out the street. Get on the sidewalk.

-On the sidewalk. Off the street. -Sir?

Get on the sidewalk! Get on the sidewalk!

l'd like to get the foundation on num ber 1 7 dug today.

Look, l know you're kind of new around here, kid.

What?

l can't get to 1 7 until at least next week.

Come on, Mulhern. That's  bullshit and you know it.

Take Clemens and Rodriguez off of roofing.

Jorge can run the  backhoe they're not using on 1 4...

...and gra b four or five of those other guys...

...who are doing nothing on seven and 1 0.

Paulie, Carlos, Frank, Danny, and what's-his-name, the tall guy?

-Rafael. -Rafael.

-Let's go. -Okay.

-Ready? -Yeah.

-Well, l need it to 1 0 and 1 1 . -Hey!

Housekeeping ER to the Suture Room, please.

Housekeeping ER to the Suture Room.

-Hey. -Hi.

l heard a bout Daley Plaza.

EMT said you fought hard for the guy.

Yeah. Really knocked myself out.

Kate, I'm going to tell you what I tell every young doctor.

Hopefully, you'll be the first to listen.

On your day off, get as far away from this place as you can.

Go someplace where you feel most like yourself.

Dear Ms. Forster:

I got your note...

...and I'm afraid there must be some kind of misunderstanding.

As far as I know, the lake house has been empty for several years.

Maybe your note was intended for the Sandburg house down the shore--

''--since no one has lived in this house for years.

But l'm curious a bout the paw prints.''

Dear Mr. Wyler, I'm very familiar with the Sandburg cottage...

...and I can guarantee I never lived there.

I'm old-fashioned, but I don't think a cottage should be over 6000 square feet.

So let me try again.

I used to live at the lake house, then I moved.

Now I live at 1 620 North Racine in Chicago.

I'd appreciate it if you would forward my mail if you get any.

Oh, by the way, it's 2006.

Has been all year, ask anyone.

2006?

What does she mean, 2006?

God.

Oh, God.

-Good morning, Mr. Wyler. -Morning, Mr. Wyler.

-Morning, sir. -Morning, morning.

Hello, Mr. Wyler.

Mr. Wyler.

Sir.

Well, o bviously, l derived my inspiration...

...for the metaphor of the fugue, the loop--

Yeah.

-Two hours of that shit. You kidding me? -What are you talking a bout?

-He didn't say a word. -Sadistic,  bitter,  bitter old man.

l think you're  being a little overdramatic.

Where are you going?

Man, l love that place.

l can't  believe that thing's still running.

Yep.

You look like shit.

l missed you too.

Hey, forget a bout him.

-Condos. -Riviera Estates.

-You're joking. -l don't  believe this.

l come  back after four years...

-...and l get this in front of me. -What?

My  brother thinking he's Frank Lloyd Whatever.

-Oh, come on. -Dad keeps you hostage...

...in that little mythmaking factory of his...

...while you haven't  built so much as a phone  booth or a hamster cage.

That's funny you say that, actually.

l have a hamster cage in mind. A development of them, actually.

Prefa b, no foundations. What do you think a bout that?

See, that's what l'm talking a bout. You have vision.

Speaking of which...

...l'd like you to know l  bought a house.

-Where? -On the lake.

A lake house. So you are making some money.

Well, it's a dump. Been a bandoned for years,  but--

So you got an a bandoned, haunted lake hou--

That's as good a reason as any...

...for selling out and joining the fla b by-developers' guild.

-How a bout this? l even got a dog. -You got a dog?

He just showed up at the house from out of nowhere.

-What are we doing here? -l have to deliver a letter.

lt should  be here. 1 620 North Racine.

But...

...there's nothing here.

Are we meeting someone? Does some body live here? What?

Yeah.

l thought so.

Should we ring the  bell?

Dear Ms. Forster:

I went to 1 620 North Racine, and it's not there.

It's just a construction site.

From the pictures it looks nice, but not for another 1 8 months.

What am I missing here?

Maybe you got the address wrong, because you got the date wrong too.

You really wanna play this game.

lf you are truly in the year 2004...

...then...

... be forewarned.

Remem ber that day? You were not happy. Remem ber that?

l know.

Okay, my mystery correspondent, I get it.

Just in case you really are where and when you think you are...

...you'll need this.

There was a freak late snow that spring and everyone got sick.

So plenty of rest, lots of fluids. Doctor's orders.

Snow. Right.

Yeah, come to papa.

Jackie.

Jack.

Jack, come on. Come on, girl. Come on, come on. Jack.

''lmpossi ble, l know. Not possi ble...

... but it's happening.''

Okay.

Where am l?

Very clever.

''The lake house.''

The lake house. As you can see, l, too, am at the lake house...

... but l'm getting tired of these games so l'm leaving, okay? Bye.

Thank you. Bye.

May be we should introduce ourselves properly.

I'm a doctor, dedicated to curing the sick.

At least, trying to.

I'm an architect. I like to build.

And while I wouldn't say my current project is ideal...

...it allows me to be here, in this place, and that's enough for now.

But tell me something. If you're working in a hospital in Chicago now...

...where were you before, in my time?

Two years ago, in your time...

...I was working in internal medicine in Madison.

Tell me about the future.

What's it like in the year 2006?

I'm afraid the world's pretty much the same.

Of course, we all dress in shiny metal jump suits and drive flying cars...

...and no one talks anymore because we can read each other's minds.

But the truth is, man from the past...

...not much has really changed in 2006.

Speaking of the past, though, I've been thinking about the paw prints.

-How is that possible? -Well, l think we have the same dog.

Oh, yeah? What's yours like?

According to the vet, mine is eight years old in my time...

...six in yours.

She's skinny, has sad eyes, snores, and sleeps like a person.

I don't know why, but I call her Jack.

Hello, Jack.

It's nice out here.

Let's not go out for dinner. Let's stay here.

-Hey. -We have to eat.

What are you doing? You're supposed to  be asleep.

I'll cook.

I thought you didn't like to cook.

No, I don't like to cook.

ls she gonna marry him?

-What do you think? -l don't know. He's kind of old.

-Where are you going? -Okay, he's not that old.

My mom's last  boyfriend was  bald.

He was nice...

-... but my mom didn't marry him. -No?

''There's always something  better coming around the corner.''

That's what she says.

May be that's what that lady should do. Wait for something  better...

-...to come around the corner. -May be.

But if she's not careful, she could spend her whole life waiting.

Do you want me to bring anything back with me?

Yes. What about a nice bottle of wine...

...to celebrate?

-What time shall I come back? -Seven o'clock.

Sorry I haven't made it to the mailbox lately.

It's been a long week. All night shifts.

Good to hear from you. I thought you left me.

You should know that you're my only connection to the future.

How come we never talk about the things we like?

Well, let's see. Reading the classics to Jack.

-Who's his favorite? -Dostoyevsky.

For me, this city, on a day when the light is so clear...

...that I can touch every detail...

...every brick and window in the buildings I love.

Come on, take a walk with me this Saturday. Let me show you.

You're crazy. Why are you going through all this trouble for me?

No trouble. Summer's here.

Okay, your turn. Favorite things.

Where to start? Okay.

When I smell the flowers before I see them.

When it starts to rain just as the picnic is ending.

And I love the smell of Jack's paws.

You didn't forget to mention your husband, did you?

Well, of course I love my husband, who is also a doctor.

Plastic surgeon for small farm animals.

Good. I'm married too.

I've got eight children, and none of them look like me.

-I'm worried, Kate. -I would be too.

I'm single.

Me too.

Number 2 7.

She's a beauty. My father used to tell me...

...she was the grandma for all the houses in the city.

He used to take me on walks like I'm taking you now.

-Alex? -Kate?

I wish we could have done this walk together.

So, what do you think?

He sounds like a nice  boy.

Sounds like a nice  boy. Anything else?

-He has wonderful penmanship. -Mother...

...look at the date on the letter. The date.

-You mean the time thing? -Yes.

-That's just a detail. -Just a detail?

A bout the.... The other day...

...it was not a good moment. l was in a hell of a hurry.

Of course.

You've got some nice pieces here.

Oh, yeah. Music's fine, music helps.

lt's like Nietzsche says:

-''Life would  be senseless--'' -''Without music.''

l guess l told you that, huh?

Pour yourself a drink.

Can you appreciate a good wine  by now?

You  bet.

You know, you'll have to forgive your father for  being curious...

... but where have you  been all these years?

l thought your Kerouac days were  behind you.

-l'm sorry, what? -What?

Oh, you can come up, if you like.

What are you working on?

Oh, l'm just-- l'm just remem bering things.

lt's not such an easy jo b, let me tell you.

Nor is it particularly innocent, in my case.

Your father is writing his memoirs.

-Are we in it? -What do you think?

Do you wanna  be?

Do you?

Of course. You were all a part of your father's life.

Why are you talking to me in the third person?

Well, l-- l don't--

Because l'm writing a bout myself, l suppose. Why, doesn't it suit you?

l thought you might like these.

What are these? Something you've  been working on?

No, they're-- They're yours.

From a house l just  bought on the lake.

Oh, yes, l heard. They said some sleazy little condo developer...

...had snapped it up.

Oh, come on. lndulge your father.

Can't you take a little joke, for God's sake?

Come on.

Tell me.

Where have you  been? l really want to know.

l was trying to forget you.

Or forgive you.

Did you succeed?

No.

Let me know if you need any help remem bering.

Oh, yeah, l will.

Charging 360. Get 1 milligram of epi. Have 300 amio ready in case we need it.

-All clear? -Clear.

Hold compression, start  bagging.

He's got a rhythm. Slow.

-Do we have a pulse with that? -We got a pulse, thready.

-lt's getting stronger. -Long days, these days.

I just worked 30 hours straight.

Every time I stop to take a breath...

...I realize how isolated I've let myself become.

Believe me, you can get a bit desperate.

That one? Okay. There you go.

Nice move. Very nice. Nice.

It's not that I'm complaining, I love my work.

And our tour through Chicago opened my eyes to its beauty.

But my heart still misses the lake house...

...and its trees.

I miss those trees so much.

Don't worry, Kate. We'll be together in time.

Even if we're far apart, I'll find a way to be close to you...

...and take care of you.

Katerina.

Take this.

-You should eat more. You too skinny. -l'm not too skinny.

Remem ber how you used to eat when you were little?

-With your hands. -Yes, l remem ber.

Now, did you or did you not write to each other?

-To your father? -No, to Clark Ga ble.

Yes, to Dad.

l....

What, Mom?

Before your father--

Yeah?

--there was this  boy.

Did you love him?

Yeah.

Well, why didn't you marry him?

So that you could ask me this question someday.

Looks smaller.

When did he complete it?

You weren't  born yet, and l was 8.

Cor busier meets Frank Lloyd Wright.

You know, Dad played cards with  both of them.

-Sharing a joint. -Yeah, well....

Can't swim.

There should  be a stairway down to the water, a porch, a deck.

Here, you're in a-- ln a  box.

A glass  box with a view to everything that's around you...

... but you can't touch it.

No interconnection between you and what you're looking at.

l don't know, you know. He's got this  big maple growing...

-...right in the middle of the house. -Containment.

Containment and control.

This house is a bout ownership, not connection.

l mean, it's  beautiful. Seductive, even.

But it's incomplete.

lt was all a bout him.

Dad knew how to  build a house, not a home.

But you know...

...l think he wants us to do what he couldn't.

But admitting that...

...would mean admitting that he came up short in some way...

...that he could do more.

And that tortures him.

Do you remem ber being here with Mom?

l remem ber she tried to make it work here...

...with us...

...with him.

Hey, what a bout Visionary Vanguard?

-What a bout it? -Come on.

You can't convince me you're gonna be happy  building salt boxes for tourists.

No body's gonna admire you for that.

-Admire me for that? -Yeah, Visionary Vanguard.

That's your idea.

l can't. But you can keep the name.

No, come on. lt's gotta  be you and me.

Henry, l'm sorry, l can't.

l just....

-What? -l've got other plans.

You have a girlfriend?

No....

No.

-What is that? You hesitated. -No, l didn't hesitate.

Come on, man. l don't have any time for that.

What does time have to do with it?

Oh, you're gonna think l'm crazy.

My dearest Mr. Wyler:

Are you willing to play a game with me?

Two years ago today, I was taking the 1 45 train to Madison...

...from the Riverside station and I forgot something there.

It was a gift from my father.

If you find it, can you please put it in the mailbox?

It would mean a lot.

Yours, Kate.

-Final call for the 5:46 to Madison. -Do you really wanna know? Come on.

-All a board. -Okay.

l'll call you.

Kate, I found it. I have it with me.

One day I'll get it to you. Trust me.

I know how important it is to you.

You might not remember, but we saw each other.

At least, I saw you.

You never told me how beautiful you are.

Well, maybe you saw somebody else.

That was a bad hair year for me.

Long brown hair. Gentle, unguarded eyes.

Okay, okay, okay.

You saw me.

But I still don't know what you look like.

Well, why don't we just get together in the future...

...and you can let me know what you think.

lt's a date.

Okay.

Why don't you call me July 1 0th, 2006...

...at 9:05 p.m.

-Hello. -Kate?

-Yes. -It's Morgan.

Morgan.

I'm in Chicago. I came for a meeting, but it was canceled...

...so I thought I'd give you a call.

Hey, have you eaten?

-No,  but l'm not-- -Neither have l. l realized l'm starving.

-We could gra b a quick  bite. -Okay.

-Yeah? -All right.

-Hey, wait up. -Watch out, man.

-All right. -Looks pretty good.

-Perfect. -No, Morgan, it's--

-lt's not. -No, no, trust me.

lt's-- Okay.

Hi there.

One sec. Could you hold on for a moment?

-We'd love a ta ble for two. -The name?

We don't-- We don't have a reservation.

l'm sorry, sir, we're  booked until Octo ber.

Octo ber?

Well...

...l'll get  back to you.

That went well.

lt's no  big deal.

Oh, come on, stop it.

lt's the  best restaurant in town. No body gets a ta ble here.

-No, it's not that. -Well, what is it?

l didn't do this right.

-There wasn't a meeting. -You'd see me if there was no  big deal.

-lf it was just-- -Am bush.

--you know, coffee, and coffee can turn into dinner...

-...dinner can turn into-- -Turn into what?

l do sometimes get a few steps ahead of myself.

Morgan, a few steps? You're always leaping 1 0 steps ahead.

We were dating, what, a week?

And you had our entire future mapped out for us?

ln my residency, you were picking out real estate. l'd go to your house...

...you'd have the entire town in your house to meet me.

l do seem to remem ber that you made pretty fast friends with one of them.

What are you talking a bout?

You know what l'm talking a bout.

-That guy. -What guy?

-The guy l caught you making out with. -l wasn't making out with him.

What, are we in junior high school right now?

What do you call it, then?

A kiss.

lt was just one kiss with some random guy that just--

Years-- You know what?

Gentlemen...

...unit 381 on Riviera Estates is complete.

Congratulations. You did a good jo b.

-One down.... -Forty-four to go.

We're not terrifyingly  behind schedule, just alarmingly.

lt'll  be okay. The guys are getting to know their jo b...

... but we could use another  backhoe.

And the water on 1 4 needs to  be resealed.

Shut up.

-What? -l'm kind of disappointed in you.

-Why? -You're supposed to  be on top of things.

-l thought l was. -Well, you never noticed these.

Remem ber? You told me to get them.

Right, right.

Not exactly what l had in mind,  but....

-You like them? -l like them.

l think we should go out. Tonight. lf you're not doing any--

Jack? Jack.

Hey, Jack.

Jack!

Come on, Jack!

Alex, wait for me!

Jack!

Jack!

Jack!

Jack!

-Yours, l take it? -Yeah. Yeah, sorry. Thanks.

Come here, Jack.

What were you thinking, huh, girl? What were you thinking?

-She's never run off like that. -You gotta keep an eye on them.

-What's his name? -Her. Jack.

Jack. lt's a good name for a girl.

l should get one like you for my girlfriend. She loves dogs.

-Hey, have we met  before? -No, don't think so.

-Morgan Price. -Alex Wyler.

-Hey, man, you need a hand with this? -Yeah.

-Okay. -Lived here long?

Just a few months. l've got a place on the lake.

-The lake, really? l've  been thinking-- -Alex. Oh, good.

-Thank God you found him. -Yeah.

Mona, Morgan. Morgan, Mona.

-Well, hello. -Hi.

-lt's good to meet you. -Nice to meet you too.

Nice  boots there.

Just so you don't think l'm gonna drink all this  by myself...

...l'm having friends over tonight for a party. You two are welcome to come.

Oh, hey, Alex.

Take my card. l might  be looking...

-...to rent a place on the lake myself. -Okay.

lt's Kate, my girlfriend, she's never really liked this place...

...and l promised we'd look for something new once she finishes her residency.

So if you hear of anything....

-Sure. She's a doctor? -Yeah.

Alex.

-Great to meet you, Morgan. -Great to meet you.

Hey, Morgan, what time's that party at?

Eight o'clock. lt's Kate's  birthday.

lt's Kate  birthday.

Come on, Jack.

-Hi. -Hi.

-What can l get you? -Glass of white wine, please.

-Thank you. -You're welcome.

According to most accepted social norms...

...a person should not drink alone after 1 0 p.m...

...unless they have a good excuse.

What's yours?

Gosh, don't have one.

l do.

My youngest left for college this morning.

Marie.

One day she's splashing around a wading pool in diapers...

...then she's packing up a Volvo and driving to California.

l just hope she knows what she's getting into.

Don't tell me.

-Premed? -Bingo.

-Hey, how are you? Good to see you. -l'm well, thanks.

l want you to meet some friends of mine.

Alex, Mona, the Wootch.

-Susan, Johnny. -Hi.

Let's get you something to drink. Come on. Bar's  back here.

Come on. Hey, this is Marjorie.

Why didn't you mention it was today?

We would have had a cake for you or something.

Oh, it's just time passing.

l hate making a  big deal out of it.

You keep a lot to yourself.

Nothing wrong with it.

But l've sometimes wondered what else you have in your life  besides work.

Family? Boyfriend?

Well, l did. Once.

His name was Morgan.

Morgan? Morgan.

That's a y name.

Surprise!

Happy  birthday, Kate.

-Happy  birthday. -Happy  birthday.

We got you.

-This is Kate, o bviously. -Hi, Kate.

This is Alex and Mona.

-Hi. -Hi.

This guy's gonna help us find our lake house.

Right?

You haven't had cake.

Anyway, well, I ended it.

And l'm happy now, and it was the right thing to do.

So who is it you write to?

l couldn't help-- Every time you get a  break at the hospital...

-...you're writing something. -There is someone.

lt's kind of a long-distance relationship.

-How did you meet? -We haven't.

-What? -No.

-The story of my life. -You're kidding.

Keep everything at a distance.

Everyone.

The man who was standing in front of me...

...the one that wanted to marry me...

...him, l push away. l run from him.

ln the meantime, the....

The one man l can never meet...

...him, l would like to give my whole heart to.

He must write one hell of a letter.

lt's nice.

lt's safe.

-Christ, he's in prison, isn't he? -No.

-You're one of those women, aren't you? -No.

No, he's just a guy who lives on a lake. He's an architect.

Oh, my God.

Happy  birthday.

Thank you.

-l hope it's a great year for you. -Thank you.

l'm Alex.

The lake-house guy.

Oh, yeah. How you doing?

May l?

So you're gonna-- You're gonna find us a place on the lake, huh?

-l hope so. -Yeah.

lf l can.

You're a real-estate agent?

No, l-- l just have a lake house.

ls it nice?

Yeah, you'll love it. You're gonna rent it after l move out.

Oh, really?

Kate, have you...

...read Persuasion?

What?

-By Jane Austen. -l know who it's  by.

Yeah, it's.... lt's my favorite  book.

Why did you  bring something like that up? What made you  bring that up?

l just-- A friend of mine gave it to me recently, and l was wondering...

...what it was a bout.

lt's-- lt's wonderful.

-Yeah. -Yeah.

lt's a bout....

A bout waiting.

These two people, they-- They-- They meet.

They almost fall in love, but the timing isn't right.

They-- They have to part.

And then...

...years later, they-- They meet again.

They get another chance.

You know,  but they don't know if too much time has passed.

lf they waited too long, if it's...

...you know, too late to make it work.

Why do you like that?

l don't know.

Don't get me wrong. lt's  beautiful in a kind of--

-No, it's terri ble. -lt's terri ble.

-That's terri ble. -lt's terri ble.

That's--

Yeah, it's-- That's terri ble.

lt's a personal question...

... but have you ever  been through anything like that?

-Me? No. No, no. -No.

When l was....

When l was 1 6...

...l was completely in love with this guy.

He played guitar...

...and l ran away from home...

...and went to San Francisco so l could go live with him.

Yeah, he convinced me l had a  beautiful voice...

...and l dreamed of  becoming a singer.

l love San Francisco.

Yeah, he was-- He was my first love.

Pro ba bly the only one.

-He must have  been a great guy. -l don't-- l don't know, l--

He may have  been. lt didn't last long enough for me to find out.

Yeah. Truth is, l--

l can't even remem ber what he looked like.

-Really? -Yeah.

Then that's too  bad.

My dad-- My dad showed up, actually.

-You were in trou ble. -He came in.

Yeah, l was in trou ble. He yanked me  back to Chicago.

Yeah.

And he was sick, and he--

He had these-- These dreams of me  becoming a doctor, you know?

You know, and eventually, they  became my dreams too.

He was right.

You know, l-- l feel good helping people.

Then he died.

Kate.

What?

l....

You...?

l just....

What?

Do you know this song?

Yeah.

-Do you sing? -No.

No body wants to hear me sing. You don't wanna hear me sing.

l-- l didn't mean, you know....

But, yeah.

But l can dance.

Kate.

Hey.

Alex was-- Alex was just telling me a bout the-- The lake house.

-Yeah, it sounds-- Sounds really great. -Great.

Alex, it's late.

Yeah.

Yeah.

-Good night. -Good night.

lt was you.

-You working tomorrow night? -Yeah.

Why didn't you say anything?

You would've thought l was crazy or drunk. Or  both.

Yeah,  but...

...l liked you. You should have said something.

How? You were with your  boyfriend.

You know what? Excuses, excuses. You are a coward.

l'm not a coward.

Oh, really? Well, what a bout your girlfriend?

What? l told you already...

-...she's not my girlfriend. -He's not my  boyfriend either.

Oh, really? Well, what is he, then? Your  brother?

We have a comedian. What'd you have, a clown for  breakfast this morning?

Wonderful. Our first fight.

You could write a song a bout it and go sing it in San Francisco.

What?

Hello.

Hey, Henry.

What?

You'll let me know if you need anything?

Yes, l will.

-Hi. -Good afternoon.

l'm looking for my father. l don't know which room he's in. Simon Wyler?

-Mr. Wyler, the architect? -Yes.

l'm Anna Klyczynski. l'm the Attending for your father.

Hey. What happened? How is he?

He's okay. He's had a heart attack. Fortunately, relatively minor.

His vitals are fine and he's sta ble...

... but it will require an intervention.

He's agreed to schedule it for tomorrow.

Good to see you're taking it easy.

Well, you-- You didn't need to come. l'm perfectly well.

Perfectly all right.

Well, you had a heart attack, Dad.

l had an episode, for chrissake.

Nothing more.

Appreciate it if you kept everything in its perspective.

Well then, l just wanna let you know l'm here if you need anything.

Coffee.

What?

You heard me.

Coffee.

There's something I never told you, Kate.

You see, it was my father who built the lake house.

I mean, with his own hands.

And it was a long time ago, before he was famous...

...when he still had a family and worshipped my mother.

Her name was Mary, and the house was a gift for her.

She was smart and funny.

She could have done anything, but chose to take care of my brother and I...

...and help him build his career.

You see, the more successful he became, the more impossible he was to live with.

Finally, she just couldn't take living with him anymore.

She left him.

Within a year, she got sick.

Unfortunately, she never learned how to stop loving him.

He wasn't at the funeral.

When I asked him why....

Go on, Alex. What did he say?

He said, ''She was dead to me the moment she stepped out of the house.''

And then he gave me one of his architect-of-the-year grins.

l hope you appreciate this.

l had to sneak past three nurses and your Attending.

Oh, jeez, it's hot.

lt's not decaf, is it?

lt should  be,  but it isn't.

That's not  bad. Thank you...

...son.

-You're welcome. -Where's your  brother?

l sent him away. He wasn't feeling well.

-You know how he is, he worries. -Yeah, l know.

He gets that from your mother, l'm afraid.

She always worried too much.

What are you looking at?

Oh, yeah, here, take a gander.

lt's a proposal for a museum.

-Who is it? -Someone new.

Oh, l like the walkways, where the light falls.

What are the materials?

Granite. Aluminum.

White panels are straight out of Meier...

... but the interior color coming through the front windows, that's different.

lt's not new, but it's clean, uncluttered.

l like it.

When was the last time you were in Barcelona?

Years ago, with you, Mom and Henry.

Do you remem ber visiting Casa de la Caritat?

The almshouse.

That's right. You mentioned Meier.

His Barcelona museum stands in the same area as Casa de la Caritat.

lt drinks the same light.

Meier designed a series of louvered skylights to capture that light...

...and cast it inward to illuminate the art within,  but indirectly.

And that was important, because although light enhances art...

...it can also degrade it. But you know all that already, you son of a gun.

Now, this...

...where do you suppose this is to  be  built?

l have no idea.

-Oh,  but you said you liked it. -Conceptually.

Now, come on.

You know as well as l do that the light in Barcelona...

...is quite different from the light in Tokyo.

And the light in Tokyo is different from that in Prague.

A truly great structure, one that is meant to stand the tests of time...

...never disregards its environment.

An architect takes that into account.

He knows that if he wants presence, he must consult with nature.

He must  be captivated  by the light.

Always the light. Always.

Hey. l have an emergency. Take my shift. Please.

Hello.

-Mr. Wyler? -Yes.

This is Dr. Klyczynski at Chicago City Hospital.

I'm afraid I have some difficult news for you.

I'm so sorry, Alex.

I wish somehow I could be there with you...

...that we could sit together and look out over the water and the light...

...in this house your father built.

I could be a shoulder for you like you've been for me.

And tell you that everything is gonna be okay.

If I could do one thing for you today...

...from here...

...one small, simple thing from the future...

...I hope this is it.

It won't be published for a couple of years...

...but I don't think you should have to wait that long.

I hope it helps you know how much you were loved.

Pick a place. l'll  be there, l promise.

Tomorrow, what do you say?

But, Alex, it won't  be tomorrow for you.

-You're gonna have to wait two years. -l know, l don't care. l'll wait.

Are you sure? l don't know.

l do. l've never  been so sure of anything in my life.

Okay. l'll see you in two years, then.

See you tomorrow, then.

Kate...

...where would you like to go?

ll Mare.

When were you hoping to dine with us?

Two years from tomorrow.

-Two years from tomorrow? -Yeah.

-Two years? -From tomorrow.

-Hi. -Hello. Name?

Forster.

-Can l have your name? -Wyler.

Or Wyler, l'm-- l'm really not sure.

l think we should  be a ble to accommodate you.

-Great. -Wyler?

Wyler.

Your waiter will  be right with you.

Good evening, miss.

Complimentary.

-Thank you. -Good luck.

Another glass for the lady?

You weren't there.

You didn't come.

l don't understand.

Something must have happened. I'm sorry.

I've got two years, Kate. We can try again.

No, Alex, it's too late.

It already happened. It didn't work.

Don't give up on me, Kate.

What about Persuasion? You told me. They wait.

They meet again, they have another chance.

Life is not a book, Alex.

And it can be over in a second.

I was having lunch with my mother at Daley Plaza...

...and a man was killed right in front of me.

He died in my arms.

And I thought:

''It can't end just like that on Valentine's Day. ''

I thought about all the people who love him, waiting at home...

...who will never see him again.

And then I thought:

''What if there is no one?''

What if you live your whole life and no one is waiting?

So I drove to the lake house looking for any kind of answer.

And I found you.

And I let myself get lost.

Lost in this beautiful fantasy where time stood still.

But it's not real, Alex.

I have to learn to live the life that I have got.

Please don't write anymore.

Don't try to find me.

Let me let you go.

Hello.

What? Sorry, hold on. l can't hear you. l'll  be  back, sorry.

Hello. Hold on. Hold on.

Hello.

Hi.

How long are you here?

-l'm at a  bar with some friends. -Come.

Well, don't get too excited.

l find that hard to  believe.

lt is good.

And it was really good to hear your voice.

l was surprised how good it was to hear your voice.

So how was your meeting?

-lt was good. -Yeah?

Yeah, l-- l got the jo b.

-Really? -Yeah.

-Well, congratulations. -lmagine that.

Yeah. A telecom company. l'll  be in-house counsel. Pays well.

And it's here...

...in Chicago.

Well...

...it's great news.

Hey.

What?

Jack.

Hey, Jack.

Jack.

Are you gonna come down this weekend?

Don't you miss me a little  bit?

Oh, just a little  bit. Not a lot, huh?

Okay. No, l heard you. Yeah.

Kate, l'm gonna have to call you  back, okay?

Still wanna rent a lake house?

lt's what Kate wants.

How the hell do you know what Kate wants?

Trust me.

Hey, you. l know you.

Whatever you want out  back.

What do you think?

You're fixating. You know?

Why do you keep tweaking the lake house?

Why don't you do your own work?

Because it's hers.

You're talking a bout the girl from the future.

Kate.

And you're still writing with Kate?

-No. -Why not?

She asked me not to.

Why?

Time.

Hey, come on.

This is a good thing. You know, you need a real woman.

-A woman-- -Henry, listen.

Listen to me.

While it lasted, she was more real to me than any of that stuff.

She was more real to me than anything l've ever known.

l saw her.

l kissed her.

l love her.

And now she's gone.

She's gone.

And Duckett squirts through.

First thing--

How could the Ab Scissor four-minute ab machine--?

--and your potatoes cooking on the top.

It's nice out here. Let's stay here.

But we have to eat.

We can eat here. I'll cook.

I thought you didn't like to cook.

No, I don't like to cook.

But I have a chicken in the icebox, and you're eating it.

What about all the washing-up afterward?

-We'll eat with our fingers. -Could you turn that down?

Don't we need any plates?

Yes. One for you, and one for--

''There could have  been no two hearts so open...

...no tastes so similar...

...no feelings so in unison.''

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six...

...five, four, three, two, one.

Happy New Year!

Come in.

Hi.

Hi.

What do you think?

This is what l gave up lunch for?

-l know it needs work. -Work? How a bout a wrecking  ball?

l found an architect who specializes in renovations.

l made an appointment for tomorrow.

Am bush.

Come on.

We can't stay in my apartment. We've  been there over a year.

l wanna keep moving forward.

-lt's a new firm. -''New'' as in inexperienced?

No. ''New'' as in cheap.

Hi, Dr. Forster. We'll  be with you in a moment.

Great, thank you.

Oh,  by the way...

...happy Valentine's Day.

Oh, God, Katie, l didn't get you anything.

l'm sorry. l've just  been so swamped and....

Doesn't matter.

-What is this? -lt's glo bal warming.

Dr. Forster? Hi, l'm sorry to have kept you waiting.

-Hi. Good to see you again. -Dr. Forster. You too.

-Hi, l'm Morgan. -Hey, Morgan. Vanessa Vander beck.

So o bviously, the first thing you see is what we had talked a bout. The atrium.

That's stunning.

So we were a ble to do it with all the glass panels in the metal structure?

-Yeah. -Can l--?

Wanna get a  beer after work?

l'm sorry, l can't. l'm taking Vanessa out for Valentine's Day.

Wait.

Say that again.

lt's Valentine's Day today. l'm taking out Vanessa, my girlfriend.

Cold champagne, some oysters, may be a little chocolate.

-What's the date? -lt's Fe bruary 1 4th.

-Fe bruary 1 4th, 2006. -Yeah.

-Stunning. Thank you so much. -Our pleasure.

Thank you. Henry will make sure you have everything.

Great. They were a bsolutely  beautiful.

Thank you.

What?

Katie, l gotta get  back to work.

Who did this drawing?

My  brother did, actually.

Who's your  brother?

Alex Wyler.

Did you know him?

Yeah.

Yeah, l know him.

Do you know how l can get in touch with him?

ls he--? ls he anywhere that l can...?

l'm sorry.

He died...

...two years ago today, actually.

There was an accident.

Where?

Kate.

Wait, just stop. Just stop.

Goddamn it, answer me.

What is the matter? Kate.

Kate!

Sixty degrees on Valentine's Day.

This cannot  be Chicago.

The TV says it's glo bal warming.

Nothing wrong with that.

lt's a dangerous thing.

Alex...

...I know why you didn't show up that night.

It was you at Daley Plaza that day.

It was you.

Please, don't go.

Just wait. Please.

Don't look for me.

Don't try to find me.

I love you.

And it's taken me all this time to say it, but I love you.

And if you still care for me...

...wait for me.

Wait with me.

Just wait. Wait.

Wait two years, Alex.

Come to the lake house.

I'm here.

You waited.

[ENGLlSH]