_____________________dealing with unavoidable loss and moving on.
Sunday, February 25, 2007 ; 12:20 PM

THE GUARDIAN. Ashton Kutcher & Kevin Costner

(Jake tattoos his deceased friends' initials on his arm)

Ben Randall: (refering the the accident that killed all of Jake's friends) I've read the report Jake. Your blood alcohol level was zip that night. I'm guessing there was a flip for designated driver, you lost.

Jake Fischer: I guess that just makes it all go away, huh?

Ben Randall: No, it doesn't make it all right, it just makes it an accident. At least that's how it reads. You were 16 years old Jake. I'm not your priest, but if I was I think maybe you deserve a pass.

Jake Fischer: You're giving me a pass? You think you know everything, with your psychobabble bullshit. Why am I here? Why are you here, huh? You're too old to be doing this, you washed up here. You don't want to be teaching a bunch of kids in a pool, am I right? I don't give an eff what you read or who you talked to. You don't know about me. I have me under control.

Ben Randall: I can see that. The only difference between you and me is that I don't wear the ones I lost on my arm. I know where you're at, Jake. I'm there myself. I ask myself everyday why I was the one who survived.

Jake Fischer: And?

Ben Randall: And if I can't answer that for me, I'm certainly not going to try to answer that for you. Have a seat. I want you to start being a member of this team. The team you have now. You have a gift, Jake. You're the best swimmer to come through this program, hands down, by far, and you've got a whole record board to prove it. But you know what I see when I look at it? I see someone fast enough who's going to get there first. I see someone strong enough who's going to last. I see someone who can save a life maybe no one else could. You really want to honour the initials on your arm? Then honour your gift. Save the ones you can, Jake. The rest, you've got to let go.

xoxo -

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