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[theme music]
[theme music]
-Whew!
AL (OFFSCREEN): Pretty simple, huh?
-Can't you just fade in or something?
-You tell me how to fade in agitated carbon quartz, and
I'll make the scientific journal!
-Just don't sneak up on me.
-You still don't remember our project?
Bad enough I have to give ***-and-Jane explanations to
the president.
I've got to give you one, too.
All right.
One end of this string represents your birth.
The other end, your death.
Your tie the ends together, and your life is a loop.
Ball the loop, and the days of your life touch each other out
of sequence.
Therefore, leaping from one point in the string to
another--
-Would move you backward or forward
within your own lifetime.
-Which is our project!
Quantum leap!
-I can't remember.
Al, I wish you would stop doing that.
-What?
-Walking through things.
-(IRRITATED) What, you want me to walk around something that
isn't even here?
All right, I'll walk around it.
There, how that?
-Why--
Why isn't it here?
-I'm a hologram to you, right?
Well, you and everything around you is
a hologram to me.
-You're in the imaging chamber.
-You remember?
-Vaguely.
A cavern somewhere.
-New Mexico!
-What year is it there?
-You'll find that out.
If we get you back.
-If?!
-Well, see, Ziggy's theory is really-- it's a load of crap.
I mean, you've got to believe that God or time or something
was just waiting for your quantum leap to uh--
to correct a mistake.
-A mistake in time?
-Something that happened in the life of Captain Tom
Stratton in '56, since he's the one you bounced out.
Once that's put right, you'll snap back like a ***'s
suspenders.
-Once what's put right?
-Tom Stratton was killed trying to break
Mach 3 in the X-2.
If Ziggy's right, all you have to do is
break Mach 3 and live.
-Hey!
-No way.
-Hey, pal, it's not my theory!
-There's got to be another way.
-The next one's only got a 52% chance it'll work.
-I'll take it.
-It requires you to be at ground zero during an atomic
detonation.
You asked.
-What else have you got?
This isn't an shopping list, you know.
The odds drop into the low teens after that.
Your best shot is freezing the brain until all electrical
activity has ceased.
-That's called death.
-I never said it would be easy.
Hey slow down, will you?
I'm fighting a hangover.
All right.
You want a sure thing?
I got it for you.
You don't do anything.
You just live.
Barring accident death or a fatal disease, you'll be back
in 40 years.
That's your safest option.
-And Tom Stratton?
Well, he'll go on living forward from
where he's at now.
Technically, he could end up the oldest man alive.
-Well, what about Peg and Mikey?
I don't want to hurt them, but I can't go on pretending I'm
Tom.
-Hey, they were going to lose him on Monday anyway.
Of course, if you bust Mach 3 and survive, they could have
him around for another 30 or 40 years.
-I can't fly!
-I'll be your copilot.
-You're a hologram.
-I'm also an ex-astronaut.
The hardest part about flying is taking off and landing.
The B-50 does the first part of that for you.
After that, you just fire a couple of rockets, hang on to
the stick, and ka-za-zoom!
Mach 3.
-The second part?
-Landing.
You could never land the X-2, not even with my help.
So you don't.
-I eject?
-Mm.
X-2 does a crash and burn, you float back to Earth on a
pillow of silk.
The moment you touch down, you leap forward, Tom leaps back,
and the broad and I are gone to Las Vegas!
-It might work.
-Of course it'll work.
-A minute ago you said it was crap.
-That was before I thought it out.
[music playing]
[music playing]
PEGGY (OFFSCREEN): Tom?
SAM (OFFSCREEN): You should be asleep.
-And you shouldn't be?
-[sighs]
You're worried about breaking the record
tomorrow, aren't you?
-No.
Oh, honey, you'll do it!
You're going to be the fastest man alive.
Tom.
Promise me.
-What?
-No, you have to promise first.
-[chuckles]
That's--
That's silly.
How can I promise something if I don't kn- know--
-Just--
Just promise.
-I promise.
-Now, what did I promise?
-I'll tell you tomorrow night.
[music playing]
[music playing]
-Thanks, guys.
-Well, ready to become the fastest man on Earth?
-Heh.
Ready as I'll ever be.
-Oh.
What'd you think of this, Tom?
-Well, I'm not sure how useful it'll be to
gauge a memory loss.
But filling it out last night sure brought back a lot of old
ones for me.
-[laughing]
[music playing]
[music playing]
-Oh, my *** are as big as Marilyn's.
-Lucy, you're five months pregnant.
-Well, maybe she is, too.
Why else would a guy like Miller marry her?
-Guess.
-Sally, he's a writer!
They're only used to the finer things in life.
-Honey, there is nothing finer in life.
-You are so bad!
[both laughing]
[SOUND OF AIRPLANE IN DISTANCE]
BIRDELL (SINGING OVER RADIO): There's a yellow rose in Texas
that I am gonna see.
Nobody else could miss her not half as much as me.
She cried so when I left her--
-Hey, wait a minute.
Listen to this.
BIRDELL (SINGING OVER RADIO): --it like to broke my heart.
And if I ever find her, we nevermore will part.
-If you don't clear this radio, Captain Birdell, the
only yellow rose you'll be seeing'll be the one I'll
shove up your afterburner.
That clear?
Over.
BIRDELL (OVER RADIO): Uh, that's a roger, Edwards.
-Read this.
-Date of birth--
August 8, 19--
53?
Well, that's a typo.
He means 1923.
-Keep reading.
-"What had the most positive impact on me in
high school?" Answer--
"miniskirts"?
"What had the most negative impact on me in
high school?" Answer--
"pantyhose"?
-It's time to man up, Tom.
-Hey, Tom.
This is going to sound a little weird, but right before
I got the fire warning light, I sweat I
smelled coffee brewing.
-Maybe it was one of Weird Ernie's gremlins.
-Yeah, maybe.
-Good luck, Tom.
-Where are you, Albert?
Hm.
-"When feeling lonely, I rent a video and microwave some
popcorn--" This is gibberish.
-Very creative gibberish.
Captain Stratton has answered each question as if he had
been born in '53, and lived in the future.
-Then this whole memory loss thing is another
one of their hoaxes?
-I'm afraid so.
-Well, how stupid do they think I am?!
Pet rocks.
Waterbeds.
What was it he said he was expelled from college for?
-Uh, streaking.
-He's got a sick mind, doctor.
They all do.
-Maybe they have to.
-Ohhhh-kay.
Huh.
[clears throat]
Albert?
[nervous chuckle]
[breathing heavily]
[music playing]
[music playing]
PILOT (OFFSCREEN): Locked tight.
All set, Captain.
Good luck.
SAM (OFFSCREEN): Edwards, Mother Hen.
Level at 25,000.
-Roger, Mother Hen.
You are clear to drop.
PILOT (OVER RADIO): Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four,
three, two, one.
-Albert?
Bombs away.
(SCREAMING) Albert!
PILOT (OVER RADIO): X-2, Chase One.
Do you have a problem?
Over.
-I can't fly.
AL (OFFSCREEN): Relax.
I can.
-Al?
Al?
Where are you?
AL (OFFSCREEN): Right here.
PILOT (OVER RADIO): Hey Tom, you reading me?
Come in X-2.
-Follow my lead.
Lay it off one and two.
[loud throttle sound]
-(LAUGHING) It's a kick in the butt, ain't it?
Match my movements.
-Where the hell were you?
-I was at the Laker game.
It went into overtime.
-A ball game?
I nearly died because you were at a ball game?
-It wasn't just a ball game.
It was a playoff game.
At the party later, I met this dish named Martha.
-I guess I can thank god you didn't spend the night with
this Martha.
-Well, I did.
Coming up on Mach 1.
-Coming up on Mach 1.
[loud boom]
-Mach 1.3, 50,000, nosing over.
-Mach 1.3, 50,000, and n-- no-- nosing over.
-Now ease the stick forward.
That's enough.
-Mach 1.7, 56,000.
Mach 2, 68, 69.
-Mach 2.
68, 69.
-Full at 70,000 Mach 2.4 on a profile.
SAM (OVER RADIO): Level at 70,000, Mach 2.4.
On a profile.
-Wow!
It's incredible.
What now?
AL (OFFSCREEN): Punch 3 and go for it.
SAM (OVER RADIO): Mach 2.4, 2.5.
Outside skin temperature, 685.
Mach 2.7, skin temperature 750.
AL (OFFSCREEN): Ride her, cowboy.
Mach 2.8.
-You hear that?
-Mach 2.9-- yes.
[alarm sounding]
-Tony didn't smell coffee.
He heard it perking.
-It's the fuel, Sam.
The heat is boiling the fuel.
Shut 'em down, Sam!
Shut 'em down!
Shut 'em down!
[alarm sounding]
[alarm sounding]
AL (OFFSCREEN): Pull, Sam!
Eject!
[loud explosion]
[siren approaching]
SAM (OFFSCREEN): I'm still here!
Aw, damn it, I'm still here!
[siren approaching]
SAM (OFFSCREEN): Al!
-You know, Captain, we could be combing the desert with
tweezers and little glass jars, looking for
what's left of you.
You guys are all alike.
Losing your plane's worse than losing your wife.
AL (OFFSCREEN): I'd trade my ex-wife for
any wreck they got.
-I'm still here.
-Hmm, about time you realized it.
-What now?
-I'm going to take your blood pressure.
-Well, we could try the A-bomb theory.
-No, thank you.
-Well I'm sorry, but it's necessary.
-It's not my theory, Sam.
I never bought into that good-deed,
put-time-right goal.
Not really.
-So I'm stuck here.
-I don't think so.
-Maybe not.
-A few tests at the hospital, and you should be able to go
home.
-Maybe you could leap back when you least suspect it.
Like tonight, when you're sleeping.
-You really believe that?
MEDIC (OFFSCREEN): Absolutely.
AL (OFFSCREEN): I don't know.
MEDIC (OFFSCREEN): I don't see any reason to
keep you in the hospital.
AL (OFFSCREEN): But in the meantime, there's no reason
for me to stay here.
I would feel really bad if-- if Martha woke up and found
out that I'd gone without even saying "good morning." You
know, it's not nice.
-Unless your blood pressure keeps elevating.
PA SYSTEM: Dr. Berger, please contact the ward nurse.
Dr. Berger, please contact the ward nurse.
-Daddy!
-[chuckles]
Hey, hey, I'm OK!
-Peg went into premature labor when she heard the crash.
-It's OK, I'll be right--
Look, I know you want to be with your mom, and you will.
But right now, I want you to stay with Sally and Lucy, OK?
They're both pregnant, and they're very frightened.
You understand?
-Yes, sir.
-She'll be fine, son.
I promise.
-Tom, what--
DOCTOR (OFFSCREEN): She dilated any further?
-Tom.
Tom!
Oh!
[gasping]
Oh!
I knew you'd keep your promise!
-It'll take more than a gremlin to kill me.
-Hey, did you set a record?
-I guess so.
Oh, I'm so proud of you!
Oh!
Oh!
Oh!
Oh!
-Look at me.
Look at me.
Take a deep breath.
Hold it.
Let it out like this.
[both breathing]
-[chuckles]
OK?
-Where did you learn to do that?
-Pre-med.
-Oh, Tom.
-Excuse me.
Tom?
-I'll be right back.
-Tom, this is Dr. Blaustein.
-It's not good, Captain.
The baby's going to arrive at least nine weeks premature.
The nearest neonatal intensive care unit's in LA.
Now, we've got a plane standing by.
But considering the shock that your wife's been through, I
don't want to risk moving her.
-It's your decision, Tom.
I'd recommend delivering here and flying the baby to LA.
-The baby won't have a chance.
-Not much.
But your wife will.
PA SYSTEM: Dr. Cooper to OR 3.
Dr. Cooper to OR 3.
-How far apart are the contractions?
-It--
It's early labor.
It's just started.
-How far dilated?
-Two centimeters, and the *** is partially effaced.
-Then it's early enough to stop.
-Captain, once labor's started, you can't stop it.
-Of course you can.
Start her on a beta sympathomimetic.
-A what?
-A beta sympathomimetic.
I'm not sure which one.
Obstetrics isn't my specialty.
Probably ritodrine or terbutaline.
Hell, those didn't come out 'til the late '70s.
-Excuse us a minute, doctor.
Captain, the only reason I'm not kicking you from here to
the flight line is that woman down the hall needs you.
-She doesn't have to deliver.
I know what I'm talking about.
-Now you're a doctor.
-Evidently.
-Tom, considering what you've been through today, I'm going
to make an allowance for your behavior up to now.
But if you persist in wasting our time with this little sham
you and Captain Birdell are trying to perpetrate, mister,
I'll see you never fly again.
-It's not a sham.
Those answers are true.
-Doctors Ernst was right.
You are one sick ***.
-Alcohol.
A 5% solution of ethanol alcohol in dextrose and water,
intravenously administered, will stop labor.
The technique was developed in the '60s.
Beta-sympathomimetics replaced it in the '70s, but it'll
still work.
Use your brain, damn it.
What will intravenous 5% solution of alcohol do?
-Get her instantly drunk.
Which will interfere with the oxytocins her brain's
releasing to stimulate the uterine contractions.
-Thank you.
-Did you hear any of that, Barry?
-Yeah, I did.
-What do you think?
-I don't know.
Let's give it a try.
Nurse?
Uh, prepare an IV.
PEGGY (SINGING DRUNKENLY): Que sera, sera.
Whatever will be, will be.
The future's not ours to see.
Que sera, sera.
What will be, will be.
[both giggling]
-Well, what do you think, boys?
-We have Doris Day for a patient.
Well?
-She's going to have one beaut of a hangover, but she's not
going to deliver.
Do you want to tell me how in the hell Captain Stratton--
-Barry, do me a favor.
Don't ask.
-Hey, flyboy, the squares are gone.
You wanna boogie?
I love you.
-I love you too, Peg.
[peaceful music playing]
[peaceful music playing]
[music changes]
[crack]
[cheering]
[stadium music playing]
-Hey, Fox!
Fox, whatcha posin' for?
Ain't nobody gonna take your picture!
-Nice catch, Foxy.
SPORSTCASTER: This is it, folks.
Down to five, the last of the ninth.
Unless the Bombers can pull a miracle and win this final
game of the '68 season, it's the cellar for the
third year in a row.
The bottom of the ninth is brought to you tonight, as it
has been all year long, by Shneck and
Shneck Funeral Parlors.
Serving Waco and the Texas Hill country for 43 years.
-All right now, put some fire under it.
Hustle, boys, now hustle!
We're gonna beat these Oakies.
[dog barking]
[dog barking]
-Fox, do something!
-You me--
Why me?
-He's your dog.
SAM NARRATING: He knew.
The little sucker knew.
And he wasn't going to stop barking until they all knew.
Stray dogs are pretty common in the farm belt, and one of
the first things my dad taught me was how to face
the wild ones down.
You look them straight in the eyes, and you let them know
who's boss.
Course, it had been a long time since I was a kid.
[dog whining]
SAM NARRATING: Then again, once you've got the touch, you
never lose it.
-That's the damndest thing I ever saw.
-How'd you teach him that, Foxy?
-Augh!
SPORSTCASTER: Barnes lines a solid shot down the aisle in
right center.
Pace is chasing it back into the corner.
Barnes is rounding first.
[cheering]
SPORSTCASTER: Here comes the throw to second, and he--
he's safe!
Well, the-- the Bombers get their second hit of the game,
and it's a double!
Whoa!
-No wonder they're in the cellar.
They've got about as much enthusiasm as a $10 ***.
-Come on.
-I want to watch the game.
-Will you follow me?
-I can't.
I'm up after Matt.
-Yeah, right.
-Something wrong, Fox?
-Uh, no.
I'm, uh--
I'm--
I'm gon--
I'll be back in a minute.
I'm just gonna-- y--
y'know.
-Make it snappy.
-Ha!
-Next son of a gun that swings at the first pitch I'm gonna
fine 50 bucks!
-Al!
How'd you get here so fast?
-It's been a week since you quantum leaped.
-A week?
A couple of minutes ago, I was in a hospital with Peg!
-Well, you've been bouncing around in time, Sam.
It may have seemed like a couple of minutes to you, but
we've been popping champagne for six days.
It was a hell of a party, too.
Gooshie, he got so wasted he had Ziggy
printing *** pictures.
And you know Brenda, the cute little redhead in coding?
She got so turned on!
-No, I don't know Brenda.
All right?
I don't remember Brenda, and I certainly don't care how
turned on she got.
I'm in a real identity crisis here, Al.
I mean, one minute I'm Tom Stratton, and the next I'm a
ball played named Fox.
-Tim Fox.
32-year-old third baseman for the Waco Bombers.
According to Ziggy, you hit 415 in '63 and got called up
to Chicago, where you broke your leg sliding into second,
and got sent back down to recover.
That was five years ago.
-Oh, boy.
-Hey, come on, Sam, we're missing the game!
-The hell with the game!
-It's your last one in organized ball.
In a couple of minutes, you're going to fly out to center.
The Bombers' are gonna finish another season in the cellar,
and you're going to hang up your spikes.
-Then what?
-Well, you're going to open up a Kentucky
Fried Chicken franchise.
You'll marry a girl named Sue and have two kids.
Course, you don't have to be around for all of that.
Soon as we can figure out what needs to be put right, you'll
leap out of here.
-Like fly the X-2 to Mach 3 and live?
-Wha--
hey, Ziggy blew it.
-Yeah.
-He didn't research it enough.
Originally, Tom Stratton not only died, but his wife went
into premature labor, and the baby was stillborn.
-And now?
-Tom's alive!
Peg gave birth to healthy baby girl, seven
pounds eight ounces.
Funny thing, they happened to name her Samantha.
Seems like someone wanted both Tom and Samantha to survive.
-Yeah.
-Come on!
Jackson's up.
He's gonna hit a homer with one on.
-You're a vampire!
-What?
Neurological holograms don't reflect, Sam.
Obviously, when it comes to quantum physics, you're still
a mental slug.
But we can talk about this later.
Come on, I hate to miss the game.
-You already know how it's going to end.
-I knew how it was going to end when I took Brenda into
the filing room.
I still took her.
-[sighs]
[crack]
-There's the home.
-Why didn't I leap all the way?
-12 years in a blink isn't bad, pal.
A couple more of those, you'll be back home.
-If I leap forward again.
What if I leap back?
-That is always possible.
-In other words, I could be bouncing
around in time forever.
-No.
Nobody lives forever.
What does Ziggy say I have to put right to leap this time?
-He isn't saying.
-What?
-He's depressed.
-He's a computer!
-He's got a big ego.
I think he knows what you have to do.
He's just afraid to print it out in case he's wrong.
-Who created this Ziggy?
-You.
Quantum leap is your project, Sam.
You're the genius behind it.
At least you were before your brain got magna-foozled.
-No, no.
See, I'm a medical doctor.
I found that much out.
-You hold six doctorates, Sam.
Medicine is just one of them.
Your special gift was quantum physics.
"Time Magazine" even called you the next Einstein.
The truth is, if there's one guy who could figure out how
to bring you back, it's you.
-And I can't even remember my name.
-[sighs]
It's Beckett.
Sam Beckett.
SPORSTCASTER: Over the Shneck and Shneck
billboard in center field!
And the Bombers have pulled within a run.
Whoo-ee.
-Long distance?
OPERATOR (OVER PHONE): Long distance.
-Yes, I--
I'd like to call a John Beckett in Elk Ridge, Indiana.
And I--
I--
I don't have the number.
OPERATOR (OVER PHONE): John Beckett?
-Yes.
Yes, ma'am.
Beckett.
OPERATOR (OVER PHONE): One moment, please.
[phone ringing]
JOHN BECKETT (OVER PHONE): Hello?
-Dad?
JOHN BECKETT (OVER PHONE): What?
Who is this?
Hello?
Hello?
Look, whoever this is, I got no time for tomfoolery.
-Please, don't hang up.
JOHN BECKETT (OVER PHONE): Who is this?
-I'm--
I'm, a Beckett.
My father and your father are related.
JOHN BECKETT (OVER PHONE): How?
-They're, uh, brothers.
I'm John's son.
JOHN BECKETT (OVER PHONE): John's son?
My god, he moved to Australia when I was just a kid.
Listen to me, telling you what your father did.
[chuckles]
-That's all right.
JOHN BECKETT (OVER PHONE): What's your name?
-Sam.
JOHN BECKETT (OVER PHONE): Well, I'll be darned.
I've named my boy Sam.
-How 'bout that.
JOHN BECKETT (OVER PHONE): You don't sound Australian, Sam.
-Well, I, I, I--
I travel a lot.
SPORSTCASTER: I don't believe it!
Flash hit a stand-up double.
-I don't want to disappoint my dad, but I--
I don't think I'm going to be able to make it home for
Thanksgiving this year.
JOHN BECKETT (OVER PHONE): Well, I know he'll understand.
-I hope so.
It doesn't mean I don't love him.
I do.
And I--
I miss him a lot too, even.
Even if I never--
I never told him.
JOHN BECKETT (OVER PHONE): He knows.
-You think so?
JOHN BECKETT (OVER PHONE): Well, a boy can't feel about
his dad the way you do with his knowing it.
-Maybe.
But when I don't show up for Thanksgiving, it's-- it's
gonna hurt him.
JOHN BECKETT (OVER PHONE): Sam, it's nice to have the
children home for the holidays, but sometimes it
can't happen.
You're a young man, trying to make your mark in the world.
And how you go about doing that's a lot more important to
your father than showing up for turkey.
At least, it would be for me.
-Coming from you, that means-- that means a lot.
JOHN BECKETT (OVER PHONE): Now, you can't make it to
Australia for the holidays, but we're a lot closer.
Why don't you come up here?
We've got plenty of room, and Mom's pumpkin pie's taken a
blue ribbon in the Elk Ridge county fair for 10 years.
-Well, I don't know if I'll be able to, but I'm--
I'm sure gonna try.
JOHN BECKETT (OVER PHONE): Well, it doesn't have to be
Thanksgiving, either.
You want to drop by here any time, you're welcome.
-I'll remember that.
Goodbye.
(VERY QUIETLY) I love you, Dad.
-Hey, Dad, that calf is gonna drop any second.
-I'll get my sweater, Sam.
I just talked to my Uncle John's son from Australia.
He may come for the holidays.
-Can he milk cows?
-[laughs]
Come on.
-Thank you.
SAM NARRATING: You know, maybe this quantum leaping isn't
such a bad deal, after all.
Getting a second chance to put things right, to make the
world a better place.
Who knows what I can accomplish before I'm done?
[cheering]
-Thanks, Al.
-Go fly out.
-I don't know Al, maybe I'm here to win this one.
-They tying run is on second, and the potential winning run
is coming up to bat!
-Hey, Fox.
Tim, this is my last year, too.
And, uh, I don't want to end it in the cellar.
-(CROWD CHANTING) Foxy!
Foxy!
Foxy!
Foxy!
-Give me one with a four-bagger in it, son.
-Go on, Foxy.
-Are you serious, Sam?
You notice who that kid kind of looks like out there?
-Yeah.
-Yeah?
Yeah?
You're going to fly to center.
-Fox flied out to center.
I'm not Fox.
-Ha, ha!
You're not Roy Hobbs, either!
[thunder sounds]
-Fox, representing the winning run, steps to the plate.
A switch hitter, Fox has 28 home runs this year, 12 of
them batting left-handed.
[cheering]
-Be patient in there now!
Be patient!
-Strike one!
[crowd groans]
-Well, now, at least there's someone around here who can
follow orders.
-Strike two!
[crowd groans]
-That last one had to be over 100 miles an hour!
-I'll get the next one.
UMPIRE (OFFSCREEN): Did you ask for time?
-No.
Play ball.
UMPIRE (OFFSCREEN): All right, let's go.
-When it comes to that final out in life, whether you pop
out, ground out, or fly out, remember--
Shneck and Shneck will always be there to bring you home.
Fox steps back into the box.
He digs in.
Behind 0 and 2 in the count, he looks determined not to let
another pitch go by.
UMPIRE (OFFSCREEN): Strike three!
[music playing]
[music playing]
[cheering erupts]
[music playing]
[theme music]