TATEH
Sshhh. Don't cry. Don't be afraid. I'm here. We're together. Sshhh. Look! Ssshhh. Look what I've made for you.
(He shows her a small handmade "flip book".)
See the silhouettes.
It's a little book of silhouettes
When you flip the pages, they move.
Look how nice!
This is you on skates
Turning pretty figure-eights
On the smooth, cool ice...
We are gliding, gliding on a pond.
Close your eyes. Close your eyes.
We are gliding, gliding far beyond
Close your eyes. Close your eyes.
Feel the wind as you pirouette...
Are you happy yet?
Are you happy yet?
Your Mameh would tell you:
"Imagine you're fearless.
Imagine you're fearless
And soon, you won't fear!"
When I am afraid
I imagine your Mameh
She skates just ahead
Can you see her?
She's here!
And we're gliding, gliding far away
Pirouettes, figure-eights, silver skates...
Just down the track
Glide with me, little one
Glide with your Tateh
We'll never look back!
CONDUCTOR
Philadelphia! Last stop, Philadelphia!
(calling to an unseen engineer)
All clear!
(TATEH and THE LITTLE GIRL disembark from the train. The conductor notices the flip book.)
CONDUCTOR
My kid would like that. How much?
TATEH
It's not for...A dollar?
CONDUCTOR
It's a deal. What do you call it?
TATEH
I...
CONDUCTOR
It's gotta have a name. I'm not paying this much for something without a name.
TATEH
They move. I call them...movie...books!
(The CONDUCTOR goes.)
TATEH
Your father is a smart man! With this money, we'll get a clean bed and a hot bath, and tomorrow we will make more of these
and we will sell them for two dollars. Tateh's movie book! Everyone will want them. They just don't know that yet!
We are gliding, gliding far away
Pirouettes, figure-eights, silver skates
Just down the track!
Glide with me, little one
Glide with your Tateh
We'll never look back!
