Touched by an Angel

Taxi! Taxi!

Let's go, please. Keep it moving. Keep it moving. Come on.

That was lovely, Tess.

Where have you...

Where have you been?

Uh, just walking. I've been a bit depressed.

You still have to show up for work.

Angels don't call in sick.

Anyway, you have no business being depressed.

It's a wonderful world out there,

and you got a chance to be an angel in it.

I know that,

but, Tess, haven't you ever felt disappointed by mankind?

All the time, but we don't get depressed. We get to work.

I suppose so, but some days it's not that easy.

I mean, have you seen the newspapers?

The headlines make me want to weep.

Do you believe everything you read?

There's so much hatred and sadness and confusion.

And hope. I don't know, Tess.

Sometimes it seems so hopeless,

as if it would take a miracle to change the direction the world is moving in.

That's exactly how the world is changed, one miracle at a time,

and one of those miracles is gonna happen here tonight.

A miracle here? It's not gonna change everything,

but it's gonna change everything for everybody in this room,

including an angel.

No, Tess, I don't feel up to it today.

That's exactly why you're going to be the one to hand this miracle out.

I have one miracle to give away?

That's right.

To anyone, any miracle, no limits?

No limits, no restrictions. Just go ahead and blow somebody away, baby.

Tess, I don't think I want the responsibility.

That's your assignment, angel girl.

Make a choice, decide who gets the miracle,

and the Father will make it clear to you later.

Noah, I'm going on my break now.

Ten minutes, two breaks every night,

and if you want this job,

don't bring that dog in here anymore.

He was just visiting.

Come on, baby.

Let's find you a friendlier corner.

One miracle, your choice. Get going.

Gimme me breakfast, kid. One Irish whiskey, coming up.

I paid the gas bill. It went up again.

All the more reason to hang out here. Save on heat at home.

Perfect Manhattan up?

One perfect Man for my perfect man.

Gotta keep paddling harder and harder just to keep your head above water.

Why am I always behind the eight ball?

Why did God invent whiskey?

I don't know, Claude. Why?

So the Irish couldn't rule the world.

(LAUGHING) That's a good one, isn't it?

Yes, it's a good one, Claude.

You're an angel, Marie.

What would I do without this woman?

Think that fella's coming in again tonight?

Yeah, I hope so. This place could use a pick-me-up.

Oh, just you wait. I'll take him tonight.

Nobody beats Claude Bell four nights in a row.

Here's hoping that guy shows up, Ernie.

He's gonna bring good luck for you for lotto. I know it.

Big jackpot tonight. You play the usual?

I've worked at the Taft Hotel for 17 years.

I've drunk perfect Manhattans for 20,

and I've played the same lottery numbers for the last 15 years.

6-12-8-2.

Our wedding anniversary.

Here's to the steadiest guy I know.

Here's to Chicago, my lousy fate.

I don't believe in fate.

So what? You don't believe in anything.

What can I do you for, miss?

Oh, I'd love a cup of coffee.

Do you have any decaf mocha lattes?

This is Chicago, miss, not Seattle.

Coffee I've got, candy drinks I don't.

Then a cup of coffee it is, please.

You have a lot of big talkers in here, huh?

And the biggest one hasn't even showed up yet.

They tell me everything, and it's all lies,

but behind every lie I can see the truth.

Really?

You're new around here, aren't you?

You have a lovely place here.

I'd like to fix it up, hire somebody to help, but...

Pipe dreams.

I'd hang the dry wall myself, but only the lower half would be nailed.

You've made this room work for you, though.

Well, yeah.

We had a little excitement here a few years ago.

Joint got shot up and so did I.

I figured I had to close down or build these ramps.

Closing down was tough. The ramps were easy.

Noah, what's a five-letter word for Islamic warrior?

You got me, Loafer.

How about "Ernie"?

That's a five-letter word for barfly.

New lady here, Loafer.

Loafer gives every newcomer a shoe reading.

A shoe reading? She's uncanny.

She can tell you everything about a person by studying their footwear.

Greetings, greetings and salutations.

Buddy! Hey, here's the man.

A little gift for my friends.

Courtesy of Airmaster Fans, the ceiling fan of your dreams.

Oh, thank you so much.

Take and enjoy.

Senor, amigo, my compadre.

Where's my old friend Mr. Martini?

(ON RECORDER) Where's my old friend Mr. Martini?

What the heck is that?

Oh, just another microchip miracle, Claude.

Something they gave out at the sales meeting this morning.

Ah, Marty! There he is.

My old chum.

Oh, God, let me get drunk tonight.

Oh, here's to that. Hear, hear.

Mmm.

Hey, a newcomer.

Let me call Mr. Wizard.

Hello, there.

Uh, name a card. Any card.

Uh, jack of hearts.

Very good.

Now just a quick visit to the red phone.

Excuse us.

Hello, Mr. Wizard?

Well, hang on. Let me find out.

And your name, dear, is? Monica.

Ah.

Mr. Wizard, here's Monica.

Hello, Mr. Wizard?

Yes. Well, yes, you are.

Uh, goodbye.

He was right.

Tess, how did he know that?

That telephone call is just an old bar trick.

These people are amusing themselves to death, and I mean to death,

and don't you get caught up in it,

because you've got an assignment.

Tess, everyone here needs a miracle.

You can see it in their faces.

How can I pick just one? I can't.

I want to give the miracle back.

No dice, baby. You've got to make a choice.

Need a mirror?

Thanks.

Oh, man, what a wreck.

I'm Monica. I'm new here.

What about you?

Ah, Bemidji.

That's in Minnesota, right?

Bemidji.

Yeah, up north.

Friendly place?

People are people wherever you go.

Well, people can surprise you if you give them a chance.

What's your name?

Amethyst.

Like the February gemstone.

That's when you were born?

October.

My mother screwed that up, too.

Yeah, so, nice talking.

Amethyst, would you like a miracle?

I need a one-night miracle, a place to sleep.

No, I'm talking about an all-your-lifetime miracle.