oath and contract

John Holt: Caleb, is there anything in you that wants to save your marriage?

Caleb Holt: Maybe. If Catherine wanted to. But she doesn't. She wants divorce.

John Holt: Is that what you want?

Caleb Holt: I want peace. But what difference does it make? She signs the papers, dad, it's all over.

John Holt: Have you agreed to start the process with her?

Caleb Holt: No, but I think we both understand where this is all headed. I've got plans to meet with my lawyer tomorrow.

John Holt: Caleb, I want you to do something for me.

Caleb Holt: What?

John Holt: I want you to hold off on the divorce for 40 days.

Caleb Holt: Why?

John Holt: I'm gonna send you something in the mail. Something that'll take you that long to do.

Caleb Holt: What is it?

John Holt: It's what saved our marriage.

Caleb Holt: Dad, if this is a religious thing, I'd rather you didn't.

John Holt: Look at it as a gift from your father. Take one day at a time. Then see what happens. Please son. If for no other reason; do it for me. I'm asking as your father.

Caleb Holt: 40 days?

John Holt: 40 days.

Michael Simmons: 40 days? Does Catherine know?

Caleb Holt: I'm not gonna tell her. If she wants to go ahead and file, it's up to her.

Michael Simmons: Divorce is a hard thing, man.

Caleb Holt: Well, if it brings peace...

Michael Simmons: But Caleb, you want the right kind of peace.

Caleb Holt: What do you mean by that?

Michael Simmons: You know what that ring on your finger means?

Caleb Holt: It means I'm married.

Michael Simmons: Yeah, well, it also means you made a lifelong covenant by putting on that ring, by saying your vows. The sad part about it is when most people promise for better or for worse, they really only mean for the better.

Caleb Holt: Catherine and I were in love when we got married. Today we're two very different people, all right? It's just not working out anymore.

Michael Simmons: Caleb, salt and pepper are completely different. Their makeup is different; their taste and their color. But you always see 'em together. And when you... Hang on a second.

[Michael glues a salt and pepper shaker together]

Caleb Holt: What are you doing? Michael, what did you do that for?

Michael Simmons: Caleb, when two people get married, it's for better or for worse, for richer or for poor, in sickness and in health.

Caleb Holt: I know that. But marriages aren't fireproof. Sometimes you get burned.

Michael Simmons: Fireproof doesn't mean a fire will never come, but that when it comes you'll be able to withstand it.

Caleb Holt: You didn't have to glue them together.

[Caleb picks up the shakers and starts trying to force them apart]

Michael Simmons: Don't do it, Caleb. If you pull them apart now, you'll break either one or both of them.

Caleb Holt: I am not a perfect person, but better than most. And if my marriage is failing, it is not all my fault.

Michael Simmons: But, Caleb, man, I've seen you run into a burning building to save people you don't even know. But you're gonna let your own marriage just burn to the ground.

Caleb Holt: Michael, you are my friend. And I have allowed you to speak freely to me on this job. Don't abuse it.