Alex

- I've always known

that in another life I was, or will be, a dolphin.

- Lane three, Alex Archer.

Lane Four, Maggie Bennett.

Lane Five, Tressie Cooper.

Lane Six, Stacy Long.

Yes, Mr. Jack.

Head up, I know.

Take your marks.

- And Alex Archer as always

taking a very strong pace out in front.

Good start.

Keep it steady.

Easy, easy, like I told you.

Nearly at the turn.

Archer in front about to turn.

Damn.

Oh, that was a bad turn from Archer.

Help.

And a challenge to Archer.

From lane four.

A very strong challenge.

Who is she?

From Margaret Benton.

Maggie.

- Come on, come on, push yourself.

You can do it.

Come on, Alex.

A very strong challenge indeed.

Alex Archer is unbeaten this season.

And the final yards of the junior 110 yard freestyle.

I don't believe this.

I make it 66.7,

a possible New Zealand record.

- Certainly a major upset for Alex Archer

until today the favorite for Olympic selection.

You were wonderful.

I'm so proud of you, you swam like a champion.

Your father will be so pleased

to have seen you do that.

Absolutely marvelous.

It was in the turn, wasn't it?

And this.

I'll beat her next time.

Hmm, we'll see.

How do you do?

How do you do?

Hello, Miss Hadler, Women's Day.

How do you do?

This is my daughter Margaret.

- Hello, Margaret. - Hello.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Give her a wave.

My last stress was a wrinkled turn.

Quite an upset, Mr. Jack.

You're new to us Mrs. Benton.

We haven't seen you before.

- Yes, we've just come over from Singapore.

(together) Singapore?

So a dark horse for running.

Oh, much too soon for that.

Damn.

Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn.

Don't worry, Alex.

From Singapore?

- Must have fed her on atomic rice.

And her mom, talk about posh.

You got some competition now, Alex.

Good race.

Thank you.

I'll get ya next time.

Excuse me.

I'd really like you to come.

Thanks for the lift, Mr. Archer.

Right.

Well, see you tomorrow, kid.

Okay, bye.

Bye.

See ya later.

I suppose you'll be asking Andy.

What?

Your young man.

We're just friends.

Oh, yes.

The kettle's on.

- I thought you were gonna

pick up the stuff before we went.

You are going, aren't you?

I haven't got anything to wear.

We'll make you a dress

and dad'll teachyou the foxtrot.

You'll pick it up in two minutes.

Oh, dear.

All her posh friends will be there.

You're as good as them, dear.

Andy wouldn't go with me.

* Do you wanna dance and hold my hand

* Come on baby tell me I'm your man

* Oh baby do you wanna dance

Lost there, girlie?

Yes.

But never again.

* Do You Wanna Dance by Robert Freeman *

* Do you do you do you do you wanna dance

* Do you do you do you do you wanna dance

* Do you do you do you do you

* Wanna dance with me

* Do you wanna dance to a stomping band

* Come on baby take my hand

* Oh baby

* Do you wanna dance

* Do you do you do you do you wanna dance

* Do you do you do you do you wanna dance

* Do you do you do you do you

* Wanna dance with me

- This thing right here on your shoulders.

That's the plow into the water.

I didn't see her.

Because your head wasn't right.

I've always won my races.

That's before you raced her.

Alex, now this one is serious competition.

I lost on the turn, that's all.

I can beat her.

If you get your head right.

Um, piano, hockey, ballet

and I wanna be in this year's school play.

The Mercado.

- Well, how do you find time for all of it.

Oh, I just keep moving.

See ya.

Thanks.

Um.

Who are you bringing to the dance?

(laughing) Um.

Someone.

Andy?

Yeah?

- Maggie Benton's having a dance next week.

Is she?

Yes.

Would you like to go?

With Maggie Benton?

No, with me you dull brain.

Yes, I would like to.

- What are you grinning at, Julia Foxton?

Alex Archer, slow down.

Alex Archer?

Principle part of the verb (speaking Italian)?

(speaking Italian)

Miss Welland.

Just relax, it's easy.

You make it look so easy.

At least you're the right size

for a prima ballerina.

I want to be a doctor.

Dad says I have to be a nurse.

Just keep on him, Julia.

I would.

- Alex, you cannot talk and do ballet.

Sorry, Miss Wylie, of course.

* A wandering minstrel lie a thing of shreds

* and patches and ballet songs and snatches

* And dreamy lullabies

All right, Alex.

And you can shoe horn our rehearsals

into your packed agenda?

Yes, Mrs. Macrae.

Good.

Right, Bronwin.

Hockey?

The team was short.

What else have you got on?

Not much.

Alex?

A place in the Olympics.

That's what this season's about.

Si, signor.

I know.

Ready?

Si, signor.

Go.

That's enough.

Now this was a birthday present, don't lose it.

No, mom.

Ta-da.

Oh, Alex.

- What's that stuff you got on your pongs?

Your date's here.

Hello, Alex.

Hi, this is Andy.

Andrew Richmond.

Hi.

How do you do?

Young Alex Archer.

So you're the one giving my wife grey hairs.