May the Wind Be Always at Your Back
As a prize for the best students, Carlos Ramirez invites Bridgett Faulkner and Joel Bascomb to dinner. Bridgett, 15, aware of being homely, refuses and bucktoothed Joel, 13, follows her example, but Sister Bertrille persuades them to go. At the restaurant, Carlos teaches Bridgett to dance. When Bridgett compares herself to beautiful Candy Cain, Carlos tells her Candy was once an unhappy, skinny teenager. Bridgett, who came from Ireland with her fisherman father, tells Carlos he loved to dance. She pronounces the Irish blessing "...May the wind be always at your back..." Touched, Carlos kisses her hand. Infatuated, Bridgett tries to improve her looks with mudpacks and ironed hair. Worried when Bridgett neglects a paper needed for a scholarship, Joel reports to Sister Bertrille. She asks Carlos to explain things to Bridgett. Emulating Candy, Bridgett arrives to lunch with Carlos in high heels and mini skirt. When Candy appears, Bridgett feels Carlos only pitied her. Sister Bertrille discusses Bridgett's unhappiness with Mother Superior. Bridgett feels Joel betrayed her. Joel wants Bridgett to get the scholarship, hoping to join her later. He follows Sister Bertrille's suggestion and offers Bridgett a shell, telling her how he feels about her. Breaking in on Carlos' date with Candy, Sister Bertrille persuades him to give a party. Bridgett, suddenly mature, reaches an understanding with Carlos. Joel, enjoying his dance with Janet, Carlos' niece, closes his eyes and crashes into the drums. Later, as Bridgett leaves for college, everyone sends her off with the Irish blessing.
