Touched by an Angel

( Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife" playing )

: Don't worry.

What's going on here, Tess?

His name is James Block, and he's headed for trouble.

The kind of trouble he can't buy his way out of.

Police!

You have the right to remain silent.

Is he going to jail?

Not James.

That man always manages to wiggle out somehow.

He's been cheating the law

almost as long as he's been cheating death.

Death? Well, what's wrong with him?

Heart condition.

Years ago the doctors told him

he wouldn't make it to 30,

and he's been running scared ever since.

What's he afraid of?

Something that's just about to happen.

But he's going to get a second chance,

and he needs you to help him make it count.

Look out, old Macky's back!

( Della Reese & The Verity All-Stars' "Walk With You" playing )

Played up your heart condition for all it's worth,

and... with a little fancy footwork,

got the state to let you off with six months.

Community service.

Six months? Seems kind of long.

James, you broke the law.

People go to prison for bribery.

Other people go to prison.

I told you he can get me out of anything.

Yeah, but he won't need to anymore, right?

You said this would be the last time.

You promised.

I know. I'm just telling you how terrific this guy is.

He's the best lawyer in the business.

He's also the most expensive lawyer in the business.

Which means he'll be able to buy us

something extra special for our wedding present.

Oh, you're coming to our wedding?

Any idea when that's gonna be?

I was thinking after this community service,

maybe you and I... Come on, James,

the marriage license is gonna run out

before we even use it.

You didn't let me finish.

I don't have to.

I don't wanna hear you make me another promise you won't keep.

I love you, Rachel.

I love you the way Bobby Darin loved Sandra Dee.

But could he help it if he had a bad heart?

Guys like me and Bobby, you gotta cut us some slack.

You know, he only made it till he was 37.

I could be gone like that, Rachel.

I'm livin' on borrowed time, you know.

I've heard this song before.

But you didn't let me finish!

I guess living with me for eight years

would drive anyone crazy.

Well, you'd better think of something

to improve her mood.

We've still got the federal charges to deal with.

So? So?

The feds are gonna be harder to handle.

She knows where the bodies are buried, so to speak.

What if they make her testify?

You don't have to worry about Rachel.

Okay.

You're the boss.

Report to the county hospital tomorrow morning, 9 a.in.

Community service. Who's up at that hour?

You are.

( Woman speaking indistinctly over PA )

James should have been here over an hour ago.

Oh, he will have a good excuse. He always does.

But he's about to learn a very important lesson.

There's no use trying to sweet-talk Tess, huh?

No.

Hi, Tess. Hey, Monica.

Good morning, Amy Ann.

How are you feeling today?

Well, I haven't been coughing as much,

but I didn't sleep so good.

Too quiet.

Jelly donut?

Your favourite kind.

Mmm.

A little bit of heaven.

Elvis bought somebody a Cadillac once

for bringing him jelly donuts.

Yes, he did.

Do you want me to buy you a Cadillac?

Course not, Tess.

Sometimes people just do things for other people

because it's the nice thing to do.

Oh, thank you, Amy Ann.

That's very sweet.

Was there something else?

Please, Tess, can I have my record back?

No. Do you want your jelly donut back?

I promise I won't play it so loud.

Monica, help me. I need my Elvis.

Tess, she needs her Elvis.

What she needs is to remember

that there are other people on this floor

that need rest and not "Blue Suede Shoes."

Come on.

Everyone deserves a second chance.

Well, I'll think about it.

You two run along now.

I got some serious behind to kick.

Hi. I'm James Block.

I believe I'm a little early for my 11:00...

Don't even try it. But you didn't let me finish.

I don't have to. I'm your supervisor.

My name is Tess.

Well, Tess, I'm a big boy.

I don't need supervising, so just point me to my office.

Now, let's get a few things straight.

First... ( cell phone rings )

Hold that thought, Tess.

I'll be right with you.

Hello.

James,

we got a problem.

They've just issued a subpoena for Rachel.

We can't let her take the stand, so...

you've gotta do something. Now.

Okay, thanks, I'm on it, uh, Aunt Margaret.

Um, yes, I'll be there as soon as I can.

I love you too.

It's my aunt Margaret. She's taken ill.

I'm gonna have to go.

Your aunt Margaret died in Seattle in 1973.

Now, let's finish going through my rules:

You will be on time.

You will do your community service.

And there will be no more phone calls.

How did you know about Aunt Margaret?

You'd be surprised what I know.

Now, you got some scrubbin' to do.

There's a hospital chapel down there

that needs some serious elbow grease.

Take this. Go.

Now.

Go.

Hello?

Hi, Rachel. It's James.

I've just called to say that I love you,

and I want you to marry me right now, today.

Just like that?

What's going on, James?

I don't know. I-I think it's this community service.

I think it's really working.

It's like being in this hospital has opened my eyes

to what's really important in life.

I now realize how much I need you.

Oh, you should see me, Rach.

I'm down on my knees in the hospital chapel.

It's like, for the first time in my life, I'm...

I'm... I'm keeping my promise.

Please, Rach, don't let me down.

James, are you sure?

I've never been more sure.

Listen, it's, uh... It's 10:30.

Meet me at noon, county hospital.

And, Rach...

I love you, baby.

I love you too.