The Facts of Life (TV Series)

Fear Strikes Back (1981)

Nancy McKeon: Jo Polniaczek

Quotes 

• Dorothy 'Tootie' Ramsey : Boy, Natalie, the next time you ask me to walk home with you, make sure I wear my track shoes.

  Natalie Green : It was getting dark.

  Jo Polniaczek : At noon? You're right. You never know when a total eclipse is just going to sneak up on you.

  Natalie Green : Sure, you can make jokes, but I've had my eyes opened. I know my limitations. I don't think any of you know what it's like to be a woman.

  Blair Warner : You're kidding, I'm sure?

  Natalie Green : It means that you're weak and helpless, and you don't have a chance out there.

  Dorothy 'Tootie' Ramsey : I wonder how much a sex change costs?

• Natalie Green : You can all go to the city and pretend like nothing's happened, but I can't. I know what's out there.

  Jo Polniaczek : The world is out there, Natalie! Remember the world? You used to like it.

• Self-Defense Instructor : [after Jo demonstrates an impressive level of confidence]  You know something about self defense?

  Jo Polniaczek : Me? Self defense? A little.

  Self-Defense Instructor : Ok. I'm coming towards you and I want your money.

  [Jo ably defends herself and gets cocky; he turns the tables] 

  Self-Defense Instructor : Now what do you say?

  Jo Polniaczek : It's in my back pocket.

• Blair Warner : You realize of course you'll have to pick someone else.

  Jo Polniaczek : Not on your life. I already got my leather jacket, my boots, and come this Friday night, I'll be Easy Rider.

  Blair Warner : You can't go as Peter Fonda. He's a man!

  Natalie Green : She was always a whiz at biology.

  Jo Polniaczek : It's not Peter Fonda. It's what he represents: bikes, freedom.

• Edna Garrett : I don't want you girls to panic about this situation. The school is taking every possible precaution.

  Jo Polniaczek : Yeah, that's why all those workmen were here this morning. They're installing alarms.

  Edna Garrett : You're telling me. I didn't realize those things were so sensitive. I slammed the refrigerator door this morning and bells started ringing, I thought I'd won the "Secret Square."

  Blair Warner : But will alarms be enough?

  Edna Garrett : Oh, it's not just alarms, Blair. They're arranging for closed circuit television, electric gates...

  Jo Polniaczek : I know all about these precautions. They may keep a few people out, but mostly, they lock people in.

• Blair Warner : I've been up almost every night with Natalie this week.

  Jo Polniaczek : We've all been up with her. Those nightmares of hers are getting worse.

  Blair Warner : Maybe she'll feel better once the man is caught.

  Jo Polniaczek : Caught? The chances of finding that creep are zilch.

  Edna Garrett : Jo, the police are doing everything they can.

  Blair Warner : Mrs. Garrett, last night Natalie woke me up to walk her to the bathroom. That's just down the hall!

  Edna Garrett : Blair, a dark hallway can be very threatening after an experience like Natalie's.

• Self-Defense Instructor : Don't look for trouble. You don't want to put him away. You just want to get away. Always avoid confrontation.

  Jo Polniaczek : [laughs]  Until I finish this course.

  Self-Defense Instructor : Always! Listen, whenever anybody jumps you, you NEVER have the upper hand, so don't try to play it.

• Jo Polniaczek : You wanna know something weird? We all must have walked that same street a hundred times. It's right in the middle of town.

  Blair Warner : Do we have to talk about it? Can't we just pretend it didn't happen?

  Edna Garrett : I don't think we can do that, Blair.

  Jo Polniaczek : Face it, Pollyanna. There's a lot of crime around.

  Blair Warner : I know that. I watch Hill Street Blues.

• Jo Polniaczek : You can't go as Jane Fonda.

  Blair Warner : Why not? Who are you going as?

  Jo Polniaczek : Peter Fonda.

• Edna Garrett : [about the women's safety course]  Defense is part of it. Anybody interested?

  Natalie Green : Not me. I have a silly aversion to being hurled over someone's shoulders.

  Edna Garrett : But who knows? Maybe you'll have a chance to do some hurling.

  Jo Polniaczek : Ah, then count me in!

• Blair Warner : He was gonna be mine for the party if it hadn't been for you.

  Jo Polniaczek : What did I do?

  Blair Warner : He was up to "Blair, would you like to go to the..." when you practically ran him over with your hopper.

  Jo Polniaczek : The word is "chopper."

  Blair Warner : Hopper, chopper, what's the difference?

  Jo Polniaczek : I can't help it if he goes speechless every time he sees me. Face it, Blair, it's just... some kind of animal thing.

  [shrugs] 

  Blair Warner : I thought you had that mange under control.

  Jo Polniaczek : Well, at least I saved him from being railroaded into a date.