Abduction of Innocence (1996 TV Movie)

Lucie Arnaz: Helen Steves

Quotes 

• Helen Steves : [the morning after Robert orders Clare to drop out of the school play; he is now going back to Seattle]  I wish you didn't have to leave so soon.

  [She kisses him] 

  Helen Steves : Have a safe trip.

  Robert Steves : All right. I'll call you later.

  [Clare emerges from the house and runs after him] 

  Clare Steves : Dad!... I'm sorry about last night.

  Robert Steves : Well, just make sure it never happens again, okay?

  Helen Steves : Bob, you *could* be more gracious.

  Robert Steves : That's what she could've been, too.

  Clare Steves : You're right, as always - I quit the play, told the director exactly what you told me. I lost some face in the process, but... well, that's one lucky understudy.

  [Her father nods approvingly] 

  Clare Steves : So when are you coming back?

  Robert Steves : Late tonight - Well, more likely tomorrow... or maybe the next day, if not the day after that.

  Clare Steves : [smiles]  In other words, you have no idea. That's okay, Dad; I'm used to it.

  [They hug] 

  Clare Steves : Well, see you whenever I see you.

  Robert Steves : Maybe we can go to a movie this Sunday, or something.

  Clare Steves : [half-joking]  Gosh, I don't know; is that gonna cut into my SAT-prepping time?

  Robert Steves : [smiles]  That's my girl.

• Helen Steves : [in the kitchen, shortly after Robert has left for Seattle; Helen is working on her laptop computer]  ... So did you two patch things up?

  Clare Steves : I gave in and did as he said, if that's what you mean.

  Helen Steves : ...Clare, how do I reset the paragraphs on this thing?

  Clare Steves : You have to click "format."

  Helen Steves : I knew that.

  Clare Steves : Mom, my friends are throwing me a belated birthday party tonight...

  Helen Steves : Clare!

  Clare Steves : Laura promised, behind my back, that I would come. I can't just not show up, or none of them will ever speak to me again.

  Helen Steves : No, no - you know how I feel about *deceiving* your father like this.

  Clare Steves : It's better than all-out defiance, isn't it? I tried passive resistance and that didn't work, so... Can't you talk to him?

  Helen Steves : Honey, I don't believe that would do any good. You know how he is. I mean, once he makes up his mind about something...

  [sighs] 

  Helen Steves : ... Look, I know you think he's too strict, but...

  Clare Steves : You're calling him *strict?* That's like calling the K2 a molehill! All the other kids in my class are being what, and who, they really are... you know, normal teenagers. He makes me feel as if I froze in time at age 10, without even telling me when or where I've gone wrong.

  Helen Steves : And sometimes you *behave* like you're 10 years old.

  Clare Steves : Well, I picked the wrong shoulder to cry on, didn't I?

  [laughs] 

  Clare Steves : He let me have more fun when I *was* 10 than he lets me have now. I'm the only girl at my school who doesn't go to dances or have dates - the Odd Lady Out, as it were.

  Helen Steves : There are more important things than dates and dances. It means a lot to your father that you get into a good college.

  Clare Steves : Other girls my age get into fine colleges. They aren't nearly as wealthy, and they don't live like nuns in the meantime.

  Helen Steves : [laughs]  Oh, Clare! It's not that bad!

  Clare Steves : How would you know? Did your parents raise you the same way?

  Helen Steves : [grins and shakes her head]  ... Touché, Clare. Go on, have fun at the party.

  Clare Steves : Seriously? Thanks a lot, Mom!

  Helen Steves : Just see to it that you're home by 11 sharp. And pray to High Heaven your father doesn't get back before you do!

• Robert Steves : [on the phone, at dinner]  ... I really can't believe this, Al. When I left, the Canadians said all outstanding issues had been resolved. All of a sudden, they get cold feet?

  [He scoffs; Clare comes in] 

  Robert Steves : I know it's a lot of money...

  [Clare greets him with a kiss] 

  Robert Steves : ... but it's a good deal for everyone! Yeah - you tell McKenzie to call me at home tonight. Right - any time up till midnight. If I can't do this by phone, I'll have to come back tomorrow.

  [He rings off and turns to his wife] 

  Robert Steves : ... I don't know what happened. When I left, everything was done. Now the whole deal's falling apart. I may have to go back to Seattle in the morning.

  [He turns to their daughter] 

  Robert Steves : ... Hi, honey. How are you? Anything exciting happen while I was gone?

  Helen Steves : Clare got an "A" in math - and in the rest of her major subjects.

  Robert Steves : That's fantastic! See, didn't I say you could do it?

  Clare Steves : I always get an "A" in everything, don't I? That was your rule - anything below 90% might as well be an "F"... I also got offered the role of "Emily" in OUR TOWN. I didn't even audition; the director just came up to me during lunch and...

  Robert Steves : [sighs, cutting her off]  I thought we talked about this.

  Helen Steves : [half-joking]  Or at least *you* did.

  Robert Steves : [nods, serious]  Bingo.

  Clare Steves : I just felt so lucky to receive this role. It'd be awkward if I had to...

  Robert Steves : [cutting her off again]  I thought we all agreed - no extracurricular activities this semester. S.A.T.s are coming up. *That* should be your focus.

  Clare Steves : Did all of us really agree on that? Or did *you* agree on it for all of us?

  [He looks at her dangerously] 

  Clare Steves : ... Same difference, huh? Well, YOU haven't needed to explain that *repeatedly* for everyone at school. Heck, most of THEM find time for extracurricular stuff - and even jobs. If they can juggle that kind of load...

  Helen Steves : [to her husband]  Honey, the play only lasts a couple of weeks.

  Robert Steves : I'm sure there'll be rehearsals every night - no. Next semester, we'll see; but right now, your top priority should be making a good college.

  Clare Steves : [deflated]  Meaning you think I don't care about that at all, just because it isn't all I *do* care about!

  [She excuses herself from the table and storms out of the dining room] 

  Robert Steves : [his voice dripping sarcasm]  Well... I'm glad I rushed home to be with my family.

  [He excuses himself from the table as well. Helen sighs]