- "Healer": Small-time crook Jackie Thompson finds that a rock possesses special abilities. "Children's Zoo": An invitation to a unique zoo offers a girl a solution to her bickering parents. "Kentucky Rye": Drunk driver Bob Spindler finds himself in an unusual bar after an accident.—A. Nonymous
- CHILDREN'S ZOO SYNOPSIS:
Debbie Cunningham (Jacklyn Bernstein) is a 4-year-old girl trapped in a very dysfunctional household. The only child of her parents, Sheila and Martin, Debbie is alone and nearly neglected-- her parents are too busy constantly bickering with one another, and everyone around them, to give her the love and attention she needs.
Debbie is near timid one morning as she shows her parents an invitation she's received to attend a Children's Zoo. The invitation proudly proclaims this zoo as one of the finest zoos that can be found, made especially for young children. Martin and Sheila decide to take Debbie there, although they show they are reluctant to do so and are taking her, mainly because they feel it will get her out of their hair for a little while.
Debbie and her parents are met at the entrance by the zookeeper, a friendly young woman named Melody (Sydney Walsh). As Debbie presents her invitation, Melody kindly asks Martin and Sheila to go through a set of doors on the side to the waiting area for parents. She says that the full experience of The Children's Zoo is best gained by letting the children explore it on their own. Melody then gently guides Debbie to the children's entrance into the zoo proper.
As Debbie walks down a hallway, Melody's voice comes through speakers, telling her to press the large button beside each enclosure to hear the parents speak. A release lever near the button will open that one enclosure.
As Debbie arrives at the first enclosure, we see that this is no ordinary zoo. Each enclosure is a living quarters-- and prison-- for a set of parents. The first few sets are as loud and boorish as Morton and Sheila. Their reactions on seeing Debbie are that of people forced to wait hours for car repairs. All the parents are desperate to get out, though their tones show they are more ordering Debbie to release them, than asking. Debbie listens to each set for a minute or so, and then walks on.
She passes by a few couples who are asleep, despondent, depressed, barely responsive to her. One middle-aged couple tries to bribe her with all sorts of sweet-tasting treats they know how to make.
Debbie reaches an enclosure where a man sits near the window, while his wife lies on the bed nearby. Noticing Debbie, the man calls his wife over, and they approach her with an air of timidity approaching Debbie's own. They note that she's one of the youngest children to visit the zoo in a while. Their son was seven when he brought them there, and it seems like a long time ago. The husband passionately says that he and his wife have learned their lesson. They're making do in their cell as best they can until the right child comes along, and when that child finds them, they will be the best parents they can be. Debbie's face seems to light up a bit as the man and woman slowly smile and put an arm around each other's shoulders.
Debbie arrives back at the foyer of the zoo with her new parents. Melody congratulates her on having made an excellent choice, cheerfully wishing the new family well as they begin life again. As Debbie and her new parents exit the zoo, Martin and Sheila are seen inside an enclosure, yelling and sniping after Debbie, Melody, and everything else around them.
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What is the English language plot outline for Healer/Children's Zoo/Kentucky Rye (1985)?
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