Family Ties

Elyse, I can't believe all this luggage.

There shouldn't be more suitcases

than members of the family.

I don't know how to break this to you, Steven,

but these are Mallory's.

Ours are still upstairs.

Okay, ready to go.

Let's hit those slopes.

Mallory, where are your skis?

Skis? Why would I bring skis?

It's a ski trip.

Oh, that's the outdoor part, mom.

Let's not forget the great indoors.

Parties, boys...

Games, boys.

I'll get your skis.

Are you gonna ski with me this year, Alex?

No way, Jennifer.

I tried skiing with you last year,

and it didn't work out.

I'll stay on the bunny slope with you this time.

I promise.

That's what you said last year,

a-and then as soon as we got up there,

you dragged me off to Deadman's Gulch.

Why do you always have to ski the top?

Because it's there.

Okay, this should do it!

Everybody grab a bag or two,

and let's go for it.

Okay. Okay.

Honey.

Okay. Oh!

It's coming down pretty hard.

Well, what do you want to do?

I say we all make a run for it.

Ready? Okay!

Come on, bundle up.

Okay, let's go!

Yay!

Here we go!

Here we come!

Aaah!

Maybe we could go away for the fourth of July instead.

Well, maybe the storm will pass in a few minutes.

Meanwhile, we'll have to stay here.

Stay here?

For Christmas?

Oh, it'll be nice.

Just the family at home in front of the fire.

What are we, a hallmark card?

Sounds good to me.

Maybe we could open up a few Christmas presents early.

Now you're talking my kind of Christmas.

I don't... I don't know.

I'm against this.

Tradition says you don't open presents

till Christmas morning.

Hey, is that big blue one for me?

Keep your tiny little hands off that.

That's my present to mom.

Steven, I want you to open this one first.

It's from me to you.

Well... well, really, it's for the whole family.

Oh, no.

Another "whole family" gift?

Not another trash compactor.

A photo album.

And unless I missed my guess,

there's a brand-new camera to go along with it.

No, no camera.

Oh, just an album, huh?

No camera?

Yeah, just the album. Don't you remember?

We said we were gonna be creative this year

and make gifts, instead of spending

a lot of money Christmas shopping?

Well, I-i know we said it.

I-I just didn't know we meant it.

Why don't you just open the album?

Hey, peace corps pictures!

I'd rather have a trash compactor.

Where'd you dig these up?

Well, that's the surprise.

See, the whole album is filled with pictures

from the time that we met until the present.

Oh, thank you, honey.

That's very sweet. Oh!

Hey, look, there's one of Alex as a baby.

Why is he wearing a tie?

Those are beads.

Alex wearing beads?

I want this one enlarged.

Hey, look.

It wasn't my choice to be born in Africa.

Oh, I got to sit down.

Me too.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Are you okay?

Yeah, is it hot, or is it just me?

Oh.

It's 109.

It's just you.

Did you happen to hear

the weather forecast for tomorrow?

I did, Elyse.

It's gonna cool off a little tomorrow.

They say the old Mercury

will be dipping down to about 105.

The humidity should be about minus 14.

Is this at least a record-breaking drought

we're living through?

No, no. There was a longer one last year.

In fact, this is still last year's drought.

Sorry I brought it up.

I shouldn't talk about it.

The more I talk about it, the more it bothers us.

You're right. Let's not bring up the drought again.

Dry enough for you?

Max.

I'm sorry, Elyse.

The drought is really starting to get to me.

And it's not just me, either.

I saw a camel buying an airline ticket.

Look. Look, Max.

It's not that bad, and don't forget,

tomorrow the villagers are doing that big rain dance.

I'm glad you told me. I was gonna wash my car.

Look, we can't let them go through

with this rain ceremony, can we?

Why not? It sounds fascinating.

No. It's ridiculous.

Look, I want to see the end to this drought

as much as the next man,

but, uh, we can't have the people going off

and performing some crazy ritual

that perpetuates superstition and fear.

Why not?

It gives me the willies.

There's something to be said

for their way of life as it is now.

You know, they...

They live in Harmony with nature.

They... they have a close, intimate connection to the land.

You can't take that away.

And... and just give them a-a toaster oven and...

And an alarm clock in return.

How 'bout we throw in some flashlights?

Some of those guys get a big kick out of that stuff.

Can I ask you a personal question, Max?

Yeah, sure.

Why did you choose Africa as a place

to do your Peace Corps service?

I didn't.

My first choice was Miami Beach.

I mean, why did you join at all?

Oh, um...

It was Kennedy's speech, I guess.

It really inspired me.

It made me ask

not what my country could do for me,

but, rather, ask not what my country...

had done.

Could do.

O-or I could do. You know what I mean.

Hey, it's a tough speech to remember.

Was that a "here comes the baby" scream?

I'm gonna take that as a "yes."

Max, can you go get Dr. Ellis, please?

Sure.

Okay, honey, hold on. I'm comin'.

You know, I think I remember it now.

It's, "ask not what your country..."

Max!

Oh, oh!

Are you feeling okay?

Fine. I'm just a little nervous.

Okay, okay.

Just relax.

Uh, try to take your mind off this.

Oh, okay.

So, uh, read any good books lately?

Forget books. What... what about movies?

We haven't seen a movie in 10 months, Steven.

Elyse...

Do you realize what's gonna happen?

We're going to have a baby.

I know.

It doesn't feel real.

It does from here.

Elyse!

It's raining!

Come on out here!

I'm busy, Steven!

Oh, it's a miracle!

Oh, let me have a sip of your sleeve.

We're gonna be a mother, Elyse.

I mean, we're not both gonna be a mother.

One of us will be the mother.

The other one will be the father.