All Quotes

"Anna: Alright, that's it for today! [The children have been playing for almost an hour, and it is starting to get dark]"

"[Much to Anna's surprise, the children moan. They don't want to stop. Even Kate, who has spent most of the time watching, is disappointed]"

"Anna: Sure! Grand! [The children fall to the ground in exhaustion] What a start! You showed so much potential!"

"Tom: You were awful."

"Anna: Now listen, everyone. While you were practicing, I called the school board and joined a league. Our first game is tomorrow in Austin."

"[The children stare at Anna, stunned. They haven't expected this]"

"Larry: Tomorrow? You mean, like the day after today?"

"Tom: That's what we call tomorrow."

"Sue and Lou: In Austin?"

"Nick: That's like a million miles afar. Forget it."

"Anna: All you have to do is believe in yourself."

"Tak: Why not?"

"Anna: Just try. Sheriff Tom and I believe in you. Don't we, Sheriff Tom?"

"Tom: Uh––oh––yes. Sure."

"Kate: Even if we did decide to go. How are we going to get there? Walk?"

"[Anna turns to Tom]"

"Anna: Sheriff Tom, could you do me a personal favor?"

"Tom: Name it."

"Anna: Help me drive the children to Austin."

"Tom: Hey, I'd love to. [It is pretty obvious, however, that he can think of at least silly nonsense he'll really rather do]"

"Anna: One more request. [There are ten all together]"

"Tom: Anything."

"Anna: I'm short a player. Whaddya think?"

"Tom: I'd never pass for a twelve-year-old."

"Anna: I meant, what about finding us another boy?"

"Larry: Whaddya say, Deputy Dog? You going to help us?"

"[Tom frowns, thinking. Then he pulls Anna aside]"

"Tom: Look, I'll drive the midgets to Austin. I'll get another player. I'll paint the stadium if you want. But you have to do one stuff for me."

"Tom: It's a small town."

"Bomma: She went running. [Then she adds with a laugh] Probably looking for the easiest fashion out of bounds."

"[Tom thanks Bomma and drives away, a man with a mission. It isn't long before he sees a lone figure jogging along Old Country Road, a complete two miles from Bomma's place. As he gets closer, he sees that the jogger is a woman in a brightly colored athletic outfit. He has found the new schoolteacher]"

"[Tom grins appreciatively. Then he swiftly combs his hair and checks it in the rear-view mirror. Then what if I'm not a star quarterback anymore, he thinks to himself. I yet have what it takes. But just in case, he decides he'll stay inside the car where the new schoolteacher won't notice his slight paunch]"

"[Tom turns on the car siren and picks up speed. He races past the schoolteacher, noticing her head turning to see him as he whizzes side-by-side. Seconds later, he hits the brakes and turns the car around as if on a dime. That ought to impress her, he thinks. Then he guns the engine and races back down the road. As he comes up alongside her, he hits the brakes again and brings the car to a jolting, tire-squeaking stop]"

"Tom: Excuse me, ma'am. Sheriff Tom Palmer, Lane County. I've had an APB out of Austin. Bank robbers. Heading this fashion. Driving a Chevy with a–– [He suddenly lost his train of thought. Then he notices the schoolteacher's jogging outfit] A white top and a red bottom. You see this?"

"[The schoolteacher is running in place next to the patrol car]"

"Anna: Only car I've seen is yours, Sheriff Tom Palmer."

"Tom: Call me Tom."

"Anna: Call me Anna Montgomery, Sheriff."

"Tom: You can drop the sheriff part."

"Anna: I'm sorry I can't help you. [Tom puts his car into reverse and slowly follows alongside]"

"Tom: Where'd you say you were from?"

"Anna: Surrey."

"Tom: Where?"

"Anna: Surrey, England."

"Tom: I'm planning a trip to England. Real soon. I've always been interested in English...nonsense."

"Anna: I've always been very interested in America. I had no idea it would look like this."

"Tom: Not an entire lot worth seeing around here. Of course, there are a few local points of interest. The Elma Armadillos were at one time a football powerhouse. [He grins appreciatively] That was back in the days if I played."

"Voice: Like she cares?"

"[Tom cranes his head around. Nick, Larry, Jeffrey and Evan have ridden up alongside the car and are brazenly eavesdropping on the conversation]"

"Tom: Zip it, midgets! As I was saying. This town at one time had a real football dynasty. There's a billboard off Main Street, documents some of the achievements. You might want to take a look at it. That's me on the left side. Of course, a big twister last year took off the top of my head, but you can yet see the resemblance if you're coming in on Route Forty-nine."