Uh-oh.
Somebody left something
in the copy machine.
"Brock wilder
"Sat gazing at his captors
"Knowing full well
if he divulged the information
His life would be..."
I'll take it.
I'm closer to the trash.
Maybe it's important.
Did anybody lose this?
"Brock wilder
sat gazing
At his captors, knowing..."
Oh, good heavens,
frank
It's mine.
What is it?
Just something I've been
working on.
A novel.
You wrote a novel?
Will you stop it,
frank.
I just started writing it
to fill up my free time.
What's it about?
Who's brock wilder?
He's a c.i.a. Agent foiling
an attempt by t*rrorists
To seize control
of nuclear arms.
May I have that?
"Tall, lanky,
a man of few words
"Brock would not let
his facial expression
Betray the emotions
churning within him."
Gee...
Now who does
that sound like?
Please, frank.
I'm not ready
to show it around.
I finished it last night
An$ame to make a copy
for doris.
Sure, let your wife read it.
But not me,
your friend.
Who once shared with you
A poem he wrote for darlene
in research--
A very personal poem...
You needed a word
that rhymed with "stamina."
Let me read it, jim.
I'm already hooked.
Please?
Oh, all right, frank.
You can read it.
Great!
Jim, did you get
that memo miles sent
About the annual sponsors
meeting?
Yes. We have to make
the keynote address.
We can work on it tonight.
It's a date.
Jim wrote a novel.
For pete's sake,
frank.
You wrote
a novel, jim?
How come you never
mentioned it?
I'm not sure it's very good.
I just finished it.
It needs polishing.
Writing a novel
must be very private.
When you're ready
to have it read
I'd be honored to.
Thank you for understanding.
Murph, it's about
this c.i.a. Agent, brock wilder.
Kind of the strong,
silent type.
Oh, you let frank read it?
He offered his opinion.
Counting doris, that makes two.
I'm not comfortable
showing it
To more people right now.
Oh, of course I understand.
I understand perfectly.
You know what
I'm thinking?
That time you checked me
into the betty ford center
And I told you about
My deepest fears
of failure
Which is nothing compared
To the time frank gave you
the name of a carwash
But if you prefer frank...
You'll make me miserable
until you see it?
You bet.
You can read it.
Read what?
Jim's written a novel.
He's not ready
to show it
But we can read it.
We can?! Oh!
This is
so exciting.
I was looking
for something new to read.
I just finished
Millie's book:
the story of a white house dog.
I'll make copies
for each of you.
But please don't mention it
to anyone else.
Of course.
Of course.
Morning, people.
Oh, all right, miles.
You'll have a copy tonight.
Hey, did you watch
the b*ll*ts play last night?
Bernard king was playing
like a...
Hall of famer.
What are you doing?
Just looking at your hair.
Your "smoky blond
shoulder-length tresses
"Which smell
like the warm summer nights
Of lost youth."
Let me see those legs
"that go on endlessly
And look like carvings
from heaven."
Frank, what are you
talking about?
Jim's novel.
Jeez, all that intrigue and sex.
Who knew he had it in him?
The writing
wasn't bad...
I'm not looking
for a literary review.
I'm talking about the woman
jim's character meets.
The foreign correspondent
named monique.
The one he has the hot,
passionate affair with?
It's you.
What?!
Oh, come on.
Don't tell me
you didn't notice.
Monique is a successful,
outspoken journalist
With a fiery temper
who always plays to win.
Did you start your car
With the garage door
closed again?
It's interesting
That jim has a secret attraction
towards you
And I missed it.
Hey, murph, what about
that elevator scene?
I never thought two people...
(Knock at door)
Hi.
Hi, miles.
You're just in time.
Frank's gone insane.
Let's watch.
I have something important
to discuss, monique.
A-ha!
Murphy, I see the potential
for awkwardness
That could disrupt
the balance
Among people
who must work here
Day after day.
So I hope
no one will do anything
To encourage anything
or anything.
Am I making myself clear?
No! What kind of language
is that?!
Encourage what?
Goings-on and such.
I read the elevator scene.
You are reading things into this
that aren't there.
If you don't believe me,
go talk to jim.
Talk to jim
about this?
That would be like talking
to my father about sex.
Jim's obviously had
thoughts about you
In the back of his head.
Only now they've come
to the front of his head
And out his hand
and onto paper.
Something bad is going
to happen.
I'm not going to listen
to this anymore.
You know,
you guys are both crazy.
The walk.
The walk.
Jim:
oh, hello.
Did everyone have
a pleasant evening last night?
Anything of interest or note
to occupy your time?
I just want to say
I read your novel
and I'm seeing your name
At the top
of the best seller list.
Did you like it?
I'm so glad.
Did anyone else read it?
We liked it too.
Oh, jim, I just finished
reading your book.
And it was really good.
Thank you, corky.
I'm very flattered.
But I want to ask you
about the woman--
The one brock has
the affair with
The aggressive,
overbearing, pushy one
Who always
gets her way.
Did you realize
You were writing
about murphy
at the time
Or was it just
an accident?
Murphy?
You think monique
is murphy?
That's preposterous.
Ha! I told you.
So you two also thought..?
Oh, this is rich.
How could any
rational person
Entertain
such a notion?
Hello, everyone.
Doris.
Doris.
Doris.
Doris.
It's doris.
How lovely
to see you here.
I didn't expect a visit
from you
But it's always welcomed.
I came to see murphy.
Murphy?
Murphy?
Murphy?
Murphy?
Oh?
I was wondering if you'd like
to have lunch with me today?
It's been so long
since we've done that.
Actually, I promised
some orphans
I'd take them...
I really want
to do this, murphy.
I really want to have lunch.
Okay.
After all, it is the second
most important meal of the day.
How about phil's
at : ?
Good. I can run a few errands.
Well, good seeing
all of you.
Good-bye, dear.
Murphy, see you at : .
I see you had some luck
at the shopping game.
Yes, there are
some lovely shops
On connecticut avenue.
I found a luggage store
jim would like.
Although
he isn't on the road
As much
as when we married
Years ago.
A different person
might have worried
About her husband being gone
so much, but not me.
Of course, some woman
Might cast her spell
over him
And draw that sweet,
unsuspecting man
Into her clutches
But I know I could
invite that woman
To the hardware store
That's next
to the luggage store
And put her face
in a vise.
I think I'll have
the chef salad.
Doris, I know
what this is about.
Monique is just a character
that jim made up.
Jim simply does not have
that kind of imagination.
A man who owns
pairs of brown socks
Does not suddenly
wake up and think
"There's something I'd like
to try in an elevator."
I want you to listen to me
Because I value
our friendship very much.
There are things I'll never know
about jim that you do
And there are things I know
that you never will.
I know how
he taps his knee
Under the anchor desk
three times for luck
Before every broadcast
And that he didn't want anyone
to see he cried
When we did our piece
on vietnam veterans.
I know he always orders
lemon shrimp and fried rice
On show night.
And I know something else.
I know jim dial loves doris dial
very much
And he loves me too--
As a friend.
The jim we both know
Isn't going to jeopardize
either of these relationships.
I feel more than
a little foolish
Like some
jealous housewife.
Murphy...
No need to apologize.
Hello there.
Jim.
Hello, jim.
And I'm happy
to see you too, doris.
Ah, you've done
some shopping.
What have we here?
Oh, good heavens.
So, here you are...
Having lunch.
Jim, everything is fine.
It's fine, dear.
Oh, well, I knew it would be.
I was just passing by
Because I wanted the pleasure
of seeing your face
In the afternoon
But I've seen it now
So I'll just
be on my way.
What time can I expect you home?
Murphy and I have to finish
a project together.
It could go pretty late.
Doris:
I see.
Don't work too hard, dear.
Murphy, after lunch
Perhaps we'll stroll
by that hardware store
So you know
where it is.
Jim:
why don't we open
With that demographic chart
of our audience
Then the sponsors will know
who is seeing our ads.
Sorry.
My fault.
Go ahead.
No, pick it up.
I'm not sure we should start
with a lot of facts and figures.
It might be better
to end with this one.
We should talk about
the tradition of legs
In broadcasting.
Meaning f.y.i.
Has great staying power
Thus using the term "legs"
Meaning, to be there when others
have tried to k*ll themselves.
What else
could you have possibly meant?
I'm going to get a cup of sex...
Coffee!
All the information we need
is here.
Let's put this
after this.
This goes here,
this goes there.
What's this chart?
It's the quarterly report
Of incremental
ratings expansion.
You read it across like so.
Jim, did you
just smell my hair?
I was merely clearing some dust
from my nasal passages.
Would you like to go
to phil's and work?
Yes.
It would be good
to see phil.
Very good to see phil.
I work better
On a full stomach.
I'm not really hungry.
Corky.
Corky.
Oh, hi.
I thought I could tiptoe in
for some coffee.
Ooh, you did?
Now my train of thought
is shot to hell.
I can't work like this.
Enjoy your evening.
I knew it. I was right.
You wrote about murphy.
I don't want to hear.
What happened?
There I was in the office
with good old murphy.
Suddenly she began
to look different.
I found myself
with certain feelings.
I smelled her hair.
Oh, god, no!
That's it.
Starting tomorrow,
all the women wear hairnets.
Okay, let's not panic.
Looking at women
and thinking about women
Is normal,
even if it's murphy.
Do you fantasize
about every woman in the office?
Well, yeah.
It doesn't mean anything.
When I met murph,
I tried to pick her up.
She opened her mouth
and it k*lled the fantasy.
This is the important thing
to remember:
This won't change
your relationship with murphy.
It's a game between the ears
that men get to play.
The situation is different
with me.
I put my thoughts about murphy
in print.
Men... We're nothing
but animals.
Do women talk about us this way?
It's not in their nature.
...and on a scale
of one to ten
I'd give frank's butt
a seven.
When I met frank,
he tried to pick me up.
He was cute, but his pants
were baggy in the seat.
That k*lled it for me.
Do you think jim
has a hairy chest?
Oh, god, jim...
I know there's a way
to handle this.
I just wish I knew
what it was.
It's so obvious.
He clearly wants you.
You have to get that fantasy
out of his head.
Men have always
been attracted to me.
It's a curse.
Let's deal with one fantasy
at a time.
You respect jim,
but he's a man.
He has no control
over himself.
You're a woman.
It's your responsibility
to heal the relationship.
Otherwise, you'll never
be able to face him.
We're supposed to work together
tomorrow night.
What do I say to him?
"Pass me a pencil
"And try to ignore
my ripe, inviting lips
That make a man
forget his own name."
Murphy, you'll talk
about this problem.
You have to get it out
in the open.
Discuss it.
It's the only way.
Avoidance is always
the answer.
She'll try
and get you to talk.
Women always do that.
Be evasive. Keep moving.
Don't let her pin you down.
Work talk only.
No chit-chat.
Chit-chat is death.
Jim, before
we get to work
We have to talk
about something.
It's late.
Got to go.
Murphy, I really don't think
there's time to talk.
We have a lot of work
ahead of us.
An incredible amount.
This can't wait.
We have too much to do.
How about wo ping's
for dinner?
I like the shrimp...
You want me,
and we have to talk.
The fried rice is good.
I'll have that.
Jim, we can't ignore
what's going on between us.
We have to talk about it
Because it's not going
to just go away.
I think you have
a little crush on me.
I think you'll feel better
if you admit it.
No.
Jim, I want you
to look at me.
Come on.
Look at me.
No.
Jim, please.
You know how important
this is.
Now, come on,
look at me
And tell me what's going
through your mind.
Good. Good.
Now. What are you
thinking?
I was thinking how attractive
those glasses look on you.
Well, thank you.
That wasn't so hard,
was it?
Now, let's go
a little deeper.
In fact, I'll start.
Once we were sitting
at the anchor desk
And just for a flash
I wondered what kind
of underwear you were wearing.
Really?
Really.
Once you get these things
out in the open
It seems sort of silly.
Yes, I guess it does.
Now it's your turn.
Have you ever imagined
anything about me?
Well, actually...
Come on.
I know this is hard.
I was just now thinking
about something...
Yes. Go on.
About you and me.
Right.
Making wild, crazy love
in this chair
Or on the xerox machine...
While ernie the janitor
is in the next room.
This has been helpful.
Let's get back to work.
Dear lord, what was I saying?
Where did that come from?
Let's get back to work.
No, no.
Page three...
We can't go back.
We have to talk this through.
No. If we ignore it,
it will go away.
I've obviously
been carrying around
A lot of very strong feeling
for you
Buried so deep
I wasn't even aware I had it.
When did it start?
Probably in rome
When we found
that little cafe
When we were researching
the vatican bank scandal.
Remember that?
Rome? Little cafe?
Nope, doesn't ring a bell.
I remember it so vividly.
I watched the way you ate
your pasta primavera
With such... Passion.
Then we walked outside
Into the hard rain
Your hair all wet
and tousled
Then you got into a fight
with that cab driver.
Oh, yeah...
He tried to overcharge us.
I got out of the cab
And cracked his headlights
with my umbrella.
That was fun.
Fun?
He was only slightly smaller
than a refrigerator.
He punched me.
My nose bled all over
my custom-made shirt.
You have a way
of antagonizing people.
Whenever we travel
I have to defend you
every five minutes.
Imagine a life like that.
It could be exciting...
Our blood always racing.
Like that time in paris.
What time in paris?
We had just finished our story
on mitterrand.
We went to the cinema
to see apres amour.
I remember sitting there
in the dark with you
The smell of your perfume
enveloped me.
Then you started yelling things
at the screen.
The picture stank.
People smearing
each other with brie
Isn't my idea
of good storytelling.
I had to get out
of there.
I remember you driving us
to the hotel.
My life flashed before me.
Driving on the sidewalk
at the louvre.
Men don't like that...
And never letting people
finish a sentence...
That's not true.
Ah. You see?
God, you and me.
I can see myself
in ten years--
Talking to strangers
just to hear my own voice.
I could forget
about furniture I liked.
Maybe I could keep one
of my peggy lee albums.
What was I thinking?
I must have been insane.
Lord. I'm feeling much better...
Like some awful fever
has broken.
You were right, murphy.
I'm so glad we talked.
Aren't you?
Oh, yeah.
I feel really great
about myself now.
Maybe I'll just
top off the night
By trying on a bathing suit
under fluorescent light.
Now that that's settled,
let's finish this up
So I can get back to work
on my novel.
Your novel?
Isn't that how
all this trouble started?
Oh, it's just
a little rewrite.
Monique will be a lovely,
and I hope forgiving, redhead
Brock's been married to
for years.
I like it. I like it a lot.
Thank you, murphy.
It's so nice to know
I can count on you
Even after I've made
a complete ass of myself.
Hey, you've always
been there for me.
I love you, jim.
I love you, murphy.
So. Shall we get
some work done, slugger?
You're on.
Oh, by the way
Miles told me something
at phil's last night
About a dream he had.
You were in it and...
Well, you may want
To have this same conversation
with him.