Papa Hemingway in Cuba

In the way of things, fathers are by tradition in compassion

supposed to leave their sons at least a little legacy

of wisdom to help them get through life.

But I don't remember my father ever saying anything memorable.

Except those seven words he said that Christmas season,

when I was four years old.

Wait here, son.

I'll be right back.

I grew up an orphan, like many other children

abandoned during the Depression.

And as a young boy, I ran off to pursue my dream of becoming a writer.

It was that dream that gave me hope during those dark years.

That, and a bigger-than-life writer and adventurer...

By the name of Ernest Hemingway.

Many years later, I was working as a reporter at The Miami Globe.

I had written Hemingway a letter, but I couldn't get it right.

It had to be perfect.

Heartfelt and genuine.

What do you say to the man that changed your life...

And never even knew you?

I needed to tell him how much he had meant to me.

Copy!

Scotch, rocks.

How's it going, Jimmy?

Don't ever get married, Eddie.

Did you get into another fight with Maxine?

Yep, she was so pissed off she ripped all the wires out

from under the dash of my new Chevy.

Wow!

The things we put up with just for that micro-second of ecstasy.

A man should never marry.

Yeah, don't worry, it's my goal in life not to.

- I got to go, Eddie. - All right.

I was due home hours ago.

Adiós!

Deb, what are you doing?

This is a beautiful letter.

Well, look at you, the Nosey Nancy.

Do you always read other people's mail?

No, I saw the address on the envelope.

"Ernest M. Hemingway.

"Finca Vigia, San Francisco de Paula, Cuba."

Okay, I know what it says.

"You gave me hope when I thought there was none left.

"In my darkest moments, you were my friend."

Deb, that's a personal letter.

If I got this letter, I'd fall in love with you instantly.

Well, it wasn't addressed to you.

You're just afraid to send it, aren't you?

Okay, I'm...

I'm not afraid to send the letter.

That's too bad.

It's none of your business, I mean, it's a personal letter.

- You're a Nosey Nancy, too. - (CHUCKLES)

City desk, Myers.

This is Ernest Hemingway.

Oh, really? This is Ernest Hemingway?

I got your letter.

Hello?

Hello?

- Uh... Yes, sir. - And it's a good letter.

Well, thank you.

I've read it about 10 times.

Mr. Hemingway, your work has meant so much to me...

I, uh...

My whole career is...

I don't think you're old enough to have a whole career yet, kid.

I've been reading your stuff in The Globe,

you have a tendency to underwrite.

- Which is good. - Well, thank you.

- You covered the Korean War? - Uh...

Are you really talking to Ernest Hemingway?

I... Yeah, from 1951 to '52, yeah.

Yeah, that's what I did.

An honorable profession if you do it right.

Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

"Sir" not necessary.

You can call me Papa, everybody does.

- Okay. - Like you said in the letter...

I'm your friend.

It's a good letter, kid.

You like to fish?

I don't know the first thing about fishing.

I've never been fishing. I don't even know what to wear.

- What do you wear on a boat? - A hat.

Okay, I don't want to wear the hat.

Why? It's a great hat.

- I don't want to wear a hat. - It's a great hat.

It is a great hat. Did you get this hat for me?

Yes, I got you the hat. It's going to block the sun.

Thank you for sending the letter.

You're welcome.

Hola.

Good morning.

- (ENGINE REVVING) - Whoo!

- Ed Myers. - Gregorio.

Mucho gusto.

Okay.

Flight okay?

They fed me rum daiquiris on the plane, I'm half bombed.

Not a bad way to start the day, huh?

Come on.

Let's go find you a fish.

- Now, watch the tip of your rod. - (LINE WHIRRING)

When it goes up, then you can get some line back.

Easy.

That's it.

Feels like a fucking whale.

Nah, it's a tuna, a little one.

Ah! Now. Now, he's turned around. Now you can get some line back.

- (LINE SNAPS) - (BOTH EXCLAIM)

You've got to ease the rod back.

If you jerk the rod like that, something's got to give.

Usually, it's his face.

Ah, cheer up, kid.

No virgin does it right the first time.

It's a good day, you'll get another chance.

And up! Here we go! Reel it in!

Here we go. Easy.

And up! Reel!

Oh, she's a beauty! Look at her!

Beautiful!

Keep working.

Now you're fishing, kid. Now you're fishing!

Okay, okay. Now reverse the engine.

- Turn the wheel a little. - You know, I think you better do this.

Look, kid.

The only value we have as human beings are the risks we're willing to take.

Now, fuck it. Dock her.

That's it now. Easy. Ease in.

All right. Now put her in reverse.

That's it.

Nice job. - Thank you.

You could turn off the engine anytime.

Oh, right.

Ah, what the hell, kid.

You know all this, I talk too much.

- Boring. - I wouldn't say you're boring.

I'm just so fucking shy.

You're among friends here.

It's the power of less.

Pick a number

between one and ten.

Six.

Complete short story.

Six words.

"For sale, baby shoes, never worn."

Señor Hemingway?

- Ah... - Please.

- You're quite a pretty young lady. - Thank you.

- Excuse me? - Okay.

Can I get one as well?

Yes.

I couldn't find your sugar.

I read an AP article that said he's the biggest tourist attraction in Cuba.

It said thousands of tourists come from all over the world

just to get a glimpse of him.

Yeah, I've never seen anything like it.

He draws a crowd wherever he goes. Thank you.

The only place he gets any real privacy is at sea.

Must be awful to be that famous.

What's his wife like?

Oh, I haven't met her yet, I'm supposed to meet her this weekend.

Oh, this weekend? I got the weekend off.

I was hoping maybe we could go to the Keys.

Well, they've invited me to the Finca.

It's their house. I'm gonna go to their house.

Oh, wow! That's great.

- Yeah. - We'll go another time.

God.

Gracias.

Papa working.

Miss Mary swimming.

Oh!

Oh, hello.

You must be the kid.

Uh, yeah. I guess I am.

Edmund, isn't it?

Eddie.

Hello. I'm Mary Hemingway.

Yeah, I know.

Hi.

Ah, Papa showed me your stories. You write very well.

We're both impressed.

Thank you.

I didn't embarrass you, did I?

No, no, no. No, no.

How God made me.

My perfect pocket Rubens.

Why, thank you, kind sir.

We do have a generally good alliance, don't we?

Based upon your great beauty and the wondrous blondness of your hair.