The Golden Girls1985

Sophia Petrillo:
[in response to one of the other elderly residents' telling her how good it is to have her back again] Well, it's good to BE back. They may not have wanted an activities director here, but they've GOT one! So come on - - let's get **active**.

[clicks on a portable boombox with a tape of dance-music, then turns amicably to an elderly Black gentleman in a wheelchair who's sitting a few feet away]

Sophia Petrillo:
Mr. Lewis, would you like to dance?

[He shrugs agreeably, so Sophia puts a hand on his shoulder and grips the wheelchair's arm in her other hand, then slowly waltzes them around in a small area, while the man just sits still and blithely goes along for the ride]

Sophia Petrillo:
Oh, I can see that you've had LESSONS.

Mr. Porter:
[hearing the commotion of the impromptu elders' party and hurriedly showing up in the room with a shocked disgusted expression] Oh, for cryin' out loud - - what's in tarnation's going on here?

Sophia Petrillo:
[in an innocent but determined tone] Seniors' dance night, Mr. Porter... care to join us?

Mr. Porter:
[giving a unimpressed impatient wincing wheeze and waving his arm to halt the festivities] Okay, come on - - party's over. Everybody back to bed!

Mr. Lewis:
[in a pleased, slightly dreamy tone] I danced tonight - - first time in 27 years!

Sophia Petrillo:
[staring at Mr. Lewis with a slightly startled expression] Why, Mr. Lewis - - you can SPEAK! How come you've never spoken before?

Mr. Lewis:
[grinning broadly] Nobody was LISTENING - - not until YOU got here.

Mr. Porter:
[sulkily] I'VE been here - - you could have spoken to ME.

Mr. Lewis:
[twisting his mouth in disgusted revulsion] Well, ah dohn LIKE **you**...!

Sophia Petrillo:
Don't you SEE, Mr. Porter? You're not LISTENING to these people - - I mean, you ignore their thoughts and feelings, and you make them feel old.

[turning to address Dorothy, who has been standing by during this conversation]

Sophia Petrillo:
And Pussycat, you make me feel old, too - - you treat me like I'm not capable of making my own choices.

Dorothy Petrillo Zbornak:
[gently but fervently] Well, Ma - - I did it because I CARE about you! I was afraid of losing you if I didn't look after your well-being.

Sophia Petrillo:
[understandingly but a little pointedly] I know that. But Pussycat, give me air. I know that you love me, but perhaps we can **both** start making decisions about me - - **together**.

Dorothy Petrillo Zbornak:
[putting her arm around Sophia and hugging her close] We will, Ma.