Harvey Fierstein credited as playing...
Elmer
- Elmer: Mama, they call me sissy, but I'm not a sissy. I'm not. Mama, why do they call me sissy?
- Elmer's Mama: When someone calls someone a name, it doesn't really matter what the name is or what it means. They're just trying to be hurtful. Calling names has nothing to do with anything but being cruel. When someone calls you a name, it says nothing about you. But it says that the name-caller is not a nice person. Do you understand?
- Elmer: I think so, but what does "sissy" mean?
- Elmer's Mama: "Sissy" is a cruel way of saying that someone does not act like a... a real duck.
- Elmer: Oh. Well, what's a real duck?
- Elmer's Mama: To me, I think I'd have to say that a real duck is one who stands up for himself. A real duck is one who makes up his own mind. A real duck is one who does the right thing and takes risks and isn't afraid to try. A real duck isn't afraid of new things or to learn. But most of all, I think a real duck is one who is willing to follow his own heart, no matter what anyone else says. Does that make sense?
- Elmer: I guess so. You think I could be a real duck, Mama?
- Elmer's Mama: I think you've got just about the chance of anyone I ever met.
- Elmer: I want to make something clear. I am the same duck I always was. I am a big sissy and proud of it. I haven't changed.
- Elmer: [to his father] You asked if I'd like to play a nice game of ball. Well, if this is your idea of a nice game, then I think you people have been out in the sun too long. Run! Catch! Hit! Swing! You people need to get yourselves a hobby! Stamp collecting. Monster truck racing. Bowling! Anything that will let you know that there is a whole world of possibilities out there. And this ain't one of them!
- Elmer: I don't want to be different. I'm not trying to be different. It's just the way I am.
- Elmer's Mama: I know, baby.
- Elmer: I want to be like the other ducklings, but I don't 't feel like them.
- Elmer: Words are powerful tools that can hurt someone's feelings. Choose them carefully, and always... SAY WHAT YOU MEAN! QUACK!