The Cutting Edge

It's 1 :00. It's 1 :00 in the afternoon.

I got a game.

The hell happened to the alarm? I'm supposed to be on the ice.

You say, "nein."

-Yeah, 9:00. What happened? -Yeah, "nein."

Badge. Shirt.

You say, "nein alarm." Is mistake?

No. No mistake.

This is great. Late for the Olympics. I'm just about four hours late, Rita.

-"Rita"? -I don't believe this.

"Rita"?

-Leta? -"Leta"?

Anita.

Namen, Gita.

Gita.

This is the Olympics, Kate. Thirty million people...

...just called their families in from the kitchen to watch the replay.

What do you think this is, Kate? Junior Pairs '82?

No. As I recall, in '82 you were still humiliating me in private.

Maybe because you were still listening.

If I'm going deaf, it's because I've had you...

...screaming in my ear for the last nine years.

He's not giving me anything to work with.

Rick, this is impossible.

I wanna see your ass in the air.

Until Hercules here learns how to lock his grip...

...this will have to do.

-Name, son? -Dorsey, U.S. hockey.

Hell, son, they're just about to start.

Kate, this has to stop right now.

Rick knows what's best, honey. He got us here.

How sweet. He lets us tag along.

You're gonna go back out there, apologize, and get to work.

I wouldn't bet the ranch, Dad.

-Where do you think you're going? -I'll be in my cell.

What--? What are you--?

Does this go up to the ice?

Does this go up to the ice?

-What? -Does this go up to the ice?

Is that all you have to say? Were you raised in a barn?

Honey, where I'm from, we stand for the national anthem.

If you're just joining us from the men's downhill...

-...you're in for a big surprise. -West Germany was supposed...

...to be easy for the United States, but here in the third period...

... West Germany is up by a goal. Doug Dorsey, down to the last dime...

...of a two-minute penalty for high-sticking.

-He can't wait. Neither can the fans. -Come on.

Four, three, two, one.

Dorsey running out.

They'll hit him with the breakaway. It's offside.

Doug Dorsey, the phenom from Mayhorn, Minnesota.

What a super story, Bud. A junior from Minnesota State.

Talk about being on the fast track.

There are at least 1 2 NHL clubs that'd love to have him on their roster.

Just an incredible young athlete.

If you haven't seen him before, you're in for a real treat.

We're talking about one of the finest skaters in amateur hockey today.

There was a piece this week. A writer called him:

"The Minnesota Machine. "

U.S.A., U.S.A., U.S.A.

For the record...

...you've lost 1 8 degrees of peripheral vision in your right eye.

Now, in most cases, this would be considered an inconvenience.

-But for a hockey player-- -So how long before it comes back?

You've had extreme trauma to your occipital lobe.

Doc, how long?

You got a blind side, Doug.

It's a permanent condition.

-So there's an operation, right? -I'm afraid not.

Some micro-laser thing.... You open me up and--

Doug, I've specialized in ophthalmic surgery for over 1 5 years.

Okay, you don't do it, but somebody, somewhere.... Down in Mexico City...

...they shoot shark piss up your nose, you sit in traction for eight months.

Doug...

...I'm sorry.

I don't see professional hockey in your future.

-See you at the game tonight, Doug. -Not if I see you first.

-See you, Mike. -Mike.

Anybody seen my wife?

Ice-time meltdown.

You're listening to WICV, Duluth, Minnesota.

We're gonna warm you up.

-Hi, Doug. -ln a hurry. Any mail?

-No. -I got a game. Make me a sandwich.

Little brother, Snyder can't make it. I need a hand.

-I got a game. -Hi, Dougie.

-It's Friday night. -Make me a sandwich.

-I need a hand. -I need a sandwich.

Dougie, wait a minute.

Doug, I got no place else to go.

You're my brother, not my boss, okay?

Douglas, I'm not asking you, I'm telling you.

Will you get off my back? I'm no bartender. Get used to it.

What the hell's that mean? What makes you so special?

You're playing in a goddamn bar league.

Hey, Walt, at least I'm playing.

Hey. Your 23rd letter arrived today.

Detroit Red Wings.

It's over, little brother. Everybody knows it but you.

-Give me that. -"Doug, sorry about the eye.

-Next time you're in town... -Give me that letter.

-...we'll buy you a ticket." -Give me that goddamn letter!.

What are you gonna do?

You gonna fight me?

Are you gonna fight the world? Everybody?

Well, put me on the list, pal. Come on, let's go.

You want something to eat, make it yourself.

All right, Kate. Enough.

Lovely. Let's do it again.

Do we or do we not have eight minutes left?

Enough for today.

Perhaps you are wanting to take shower, da?

All right.

What he needs is a ride to the airport.

I've got laundry that can skate better than that.

He lasted a month.

You should've been making her singles skater.

So where do we go from here?

Two years, eight partners.

This one too small. That one too big. Too loud.

Too much sweat. Not enough sweat.

Jack, she is tremendous skater.

Everyone is saying this.

Petite. Powerful. Intelligent.

But always is coming the big B.

What a bitch.

-What about Spindler? -Spindler?

Spindler say before he skate with her...

...he wear garlic from neck and sleep with cross.

Who is left?

I am....

I am at bottom of barrel.

Then you find another barrel.

You are bigger than I think.

-What? -You are much bigger than I think.

I'm spending much time watching video of you...

...Mr. Douglas Dorsey.

You are very exciting skater.

If you're a reporter, you're a little late. The story's been done.

No. I am coach.

What, you goof on me, my brother buys you a beer?

What means "goof"?

-Are you the Swede? -No, I'm Russian.

My name is Anton Pamchenko.

From the Leafs. I can't believe it. You got my letter.

I'm in the best shape of my life. I'm like a rock.

I skate five, six hours a night, speed drills, stick drills, roadwork.

I am not hockey coach.

-What is this? -Maybe nothing.

Here.

You try.

Those are figure skates, pal.

I should've held out for more.

This way.

-You got your own rink. -We have ice every day.

That's not Spindler.

Where the hell is Spindler? I thought you said he'd be here.

No. You said Spindler. This is Dorsey.

Mr. Douglas Dorsey.

Dorsey? Never heard of him.

Douglas is beautiful skater.

You're that hockey player.

How you doing?

-Nice to meet you. -ls tryout.

Is tryout.

Oh, my God.

-What, my hand? -What do you do?

Soak them in battery acid?

I know they're rough, but I've never had any complaints before.

Oh, I'm terribly impressed.

What is this, final stages of Ukrainian alcohol psychosis?

Who's checking out who here?

I don't know how many shots you've taken to the brain...

...but this was your audition. And let me assure you, it's over.

Snow White, I'm no figure skater. I'm a hockey player.

Then what are you doing here?

Get him out of my building.

-What? -Get him out of my building.

Temperamental? I can think of another word for it.

-ls that what you told him? -It's a big secret?

-Who do you think you are? -I know exactly who I am.

A guy who came a long way for lunch.

Please don't let me keep you from the trough.

I'm sorry, buddy. I wouldn't wish this on a snake. I'm out of here.

Enough.

Introduction is over. Conversation finished.

Mouths closed. Ears to be opened.

Pairs means two. You have no partner.

You're skating nowhere.

And where are you going? Oh, back to Siberia?

Skating on small pond is big excitement.

Believe me, Gretzky...

...I am last person who's coming to look for you.

Good.

We skate.

You are taking her left hand, and your right hand is at her waist.

Good. The line is beautiful.

Now I am counting a beat.

You push off on four. Katya will lead.

Hey, hold on. What's the deal with these...