03x02 - What It's All About...

[bunniefuu]

[Mindy] I love these.

[Emily] I guess.

What kind of flowers say,

"Hey! Welcome back to the office.

Sorry I betrayed you"?

It's only been two weeks

since she had that baby.

What kind of flowers say,

"Go back to bed, hon"?

I know, right?

But since the McDisaster,

I've had to work double time

to prove to Madeline that I'm loyal

or I could end up fired at two places.

Oh, my God, then where would I live?

How's Alfie?

I don't know.

He barely responds to my texts.

I just want to jump on the train

to London and tell him how I feel.

But I'm single-handedly

holding down the fort at Savoir.

Well, Madeline is lucky to have you.

Forget flowers.

Just get her a little bouquet

of Emily Coopers.

Except most of our French clients

are jumping ship to Sylvie's firm.

Ugh! Madeline has no idea

how bad things are.

- But she will soon.

- [chuckles]

This is going to be the longest day.

Actually, the day after tomorrow

is the longest day.

It's solstice.

Oh, well, thanks for the pagan

calendar update.

It's a thing in Paris.

The whole city celebrates.

It's my favorite.

Called Fête de la Musique.

The band and I will play in the third.

Mindy, you should be playing

at the jazz club,

not busking on the streets of Paris.

Does Benoît know you turned them down?

No, no, I don't want to break up the band.

And I didn't want to work

in two places at once.

I saw how that went for you.

Oh, glad I could be your cautionary tale.

Honestly, same.

Bonjour!

She's back!

Oh! Everybody's here now! It's a party!

Emily, this is Josette, the au pair.

Enchantée, Josette.

[Madeline] And you know Jack.

[Emily] Yes! Hello there, Jack!

We met once in the hospital.

You were very popular.

Because he's the biggest baby

they delivered in months!

They kept calling him le grand baby.

I thought that's why they kept me there

for three extra days.

To do "perineal re-education."

The more pressing matter

is that Chicago doesn't understand

why Sylvie and the entire

French office walked out.

I left out the part

where you followed them.

I appreciate that.

And I hope you know that I'm here for you.

I knew re-staffing would be a priority.

So I called a couple

of French recruiting firms.

Chasseurs de tête, as it were,

and I have a stack of resumes.

Well, our only real concern

is replacing one person.

Sylvie.

That's all that matters to Chicago.

They're working on it.

[in French] Rimowa, Pierre Cadault,

Maison Lavaux, Zimmer hotel, and you.

Our calling card.

It's so beautiful.

So potential clients get a sense

of the talent they are surrounded by

when they sign with Agence Grateau.

Make sure Sandrine at Tiffany gets one

before our meeting this afternoon.

We should post

a picture of the box to our social.

One small problem. We don't have a social.

Your dress for

Pierre's Museum retrospective.

Direct from his atelier.

My very own Cadault.

They asked that you not

eat or drink anything while wearing it.

And they'll need it back. Dry cleaned.

We should also make sure Sandrine

gets an invitation to Pierre's show.

It's important everyone knows

he's our client.

[cell phone chimes]

Let's go. I don't want to be late

for a meeting at Tiffany.

Oh, uh, Sylvie set that meeting last month

before she left.

Well, the meeting's with Savoir,

not Sylvie, so we're going.

Come on!

Oh. [groans]

Bonjour.

Merci.

Check out those two business mavens.

I hope they're not our competition.

They look pretty fierce.

[both chuckle]

[Emily clears throat]

Bonjour, Sandrine.

Je suis Madeline Wheeler from Savoir.

Bonjour.

I had a meeting

with Sylvie Grateau at this time.

No, no. You're meeting was with Savoir.

Sylvie no longer works for us.

I'm Madeline Wheeler.

And this is my associate

Emily?

[in French] Oh, this isn't possible.

[in English] No, not again.

My apologies, Sandrine.

This woman has the nasty habit

of showing up at my meetings.

Your meeting is for Savoir.

We are Savoir.

[in French] Not you.

[Sylvie in English] That's the confusion.

We are Agence Grateau now.

It's my new company.

I believe you've seen Sylvie's box.

Rimowa, Pierre Cadault?

Zimmer et Maison Lavaux.

[chuckles]

Excusez-moi, madame,

I'm not sure if you realize

but when Gilbert Group acquired Savoir,

you all signed a strict non-compete.

Okay, I'll let you two fight this out.

Sandrine.

Read your contract, Syl.

Or better yet, have your lawyer do it.

Come on, Emily.

I can't believe you called her "Syl."

Emily, get your head in the game.

At the very least, Maison Lavaux

should be working with us.

You had a relationship with Antoine.

Not like Sylvie did.

I should hope not, but we need

to make it very clear to Antoine.

He cannot work with Sylvie

without legal repercussions.

I have a long-standing

relationship with Sylvie.

I'm a creature of habit,

what can I say?

And I am a creature

of enforceable contracts.

Sylvie may have left Savoir,

but she cannot take our accounts.

What is she talking about?

She signed a non-compete.

With the Gilbert Group,

whose lawyers

do not take these matters lightly.

Then have them call my lawyers.

Now, if you'll excuse me,

I have a meeting with my new CFO.

Alfie?

[Alfie] Hello, Emily.

Wait, you're the new CFO?

You're supposed to be in London.

Well, Antoine offered me a job.

I was going to tell you,

but it's just been so busy.

You've been in Paris this whole time

without telling me?

Okay. Why don't you two lovebirds sidebar

this conversation for your own time?

- Let's go.

- You'll be hearing from our lawyers.

So you're suing me for not calling you?

Emily, I just need to know.

Are you on my team or not?

Yes, of course I am.

Then how did you not know

your own boyfriend's here in Paris

working with Antoine?

Because, I guess, he's not my boyfriend.

[sighs]

Emily, I am sorry,

but you are getting played.

We both are.

Try not to disappoint me a third time?

- Bonjour.

- Bonjour.

- [in French] Glass of white wine, please.

- Of course.

[in English] It's not nice to drink alone.

Hi!

- Can I join?

- Yeah, of course.

And it's not nice to eat alone either,

which is what I do most nights

waiting for Gabriel.

- The life of the chef's girlfriend.

- [Gabriel] Hey.

Salut, mon amour.

Emily, this is a surprise.

Hi.

So I have some interesting news.

Alfie is in Paris working for Antoine.

I think I'm wanted in the kitchen.

Wait, you knew?

We both did.

Did he finally call you?

No!

I walked into Antoine's

and they introduced me to his new CFO.

He asked us not to say anything.

He wanted to tell you himself.

But you guys are my friends.

I wish he didn't put us in the middle.

I can't believe you didn't tell me.

You've kept things from me before,

didn't you?

Sorry, I should have told you about Alfie.

Look, I really

want to be friends, Camille.

And that means

we have to trust each other.

I want that, too.

I really do.

Hey, Cooper.

I'll let you two talk.

So I guess everyone knows

you stayed in Paris except for me.

What's going on?

How did you end up working with Antoine?

I got to spend a lot of time with him

at my going-away party that you missed.

I had a few ideas about Maison Lavaux

and I guess he really liked them.

- This all happened at the party?

- No, not all.

You see, once I got to London,

Antoine asked if I could come back.

He wanted to hear more.

So I did.

And by the end of this amazing lunch,

he asked me to be his CFO.

I mean, it all happened pretty fast.

So why keep it all from me?

I was picking up the hints

that you and I weren't on the same page.

I didn't want you to think

I was coming back to Paris for you.

No, I'm really sorry you felt that way.

I didn't make this up.

I put myself out there,

and you left me hanging.

I I don't know what to say.

You don't have to say anything.

It's been really nice to see you, Cooper.

Dinner's on Antoine.

[door opening]

Oh, my God,

Alfie's been here the whole time.

How did you know?

We basically live in a dorm.

I ran into Camille crossing the quad

and I heard you two were

having drinks in the commons.

[laughs]

- But seriously, are you okay?

- No.

I'm just confused.

I'm kind of mad, but he looked so good.

- Suit?

- Suit.

Spread collar shirt.

I wanted to poke my finger

above his tie knot and pull it down.

Hot.

He said he felt like he put himself

out there and I didn't reciprocate.

- Well, you didn't.

- Well, I was wrong.

And now he's really hurt

and he's completely closed off.

And he's working for Antoine!

- That's

- How crazy is that?

[singing] What's it all about, Alfie? ♪

Huh?

The Dionne Warwick song?

"Alfie"? Come on!

What's it all about

When you sort it out, Alfie? ♪

Okay, I got it. I get it, I get it.

I deserve this.

I didn't realize what I had

until I lost it.

No, no, he's hurt,

but that doesn't mean you lost him.

Really?

Yeah, but you have to really put yourself

out there if you want him back.

Yeah, well, the American dream

turned into the French nightmare.

Best to you as well.

[in French] You're gonna make some other

marketing firm really happy one day.

Voilà. Au revoir. Au revoir.

This is so hard.

Madeline sent emails

to all of our clients,

they want to know what's happening.

All our business is kaput.

No, we still have Pierre Cadault.

And the non-compete clause is only valid

for one year, it's not forever.

So we have no clients.

We'll find new ones, Julien.

You didn't think starting a business

was going to be easy, did you?

No.

[in English] Hey, Madeline,

can I get your approval on

- Bonjour!

- Oh, you're pumping!

Yeah. Jack's on a nursing strike.

So French.

[chuckles]

Anyway, I'm happy to report

that the non-compete went out.

I bet Sylvie sh*t her pants.

Is this the best course of action?

It's not necessarily

driving business our way.

Yes, but it's keeping it

out of Sylvie's hands

while we find ourselves

a French president.

You know what someone said to me recently

when I was in a tough spot?

Push. Even when it hurts.

- Hey!

- Hi!

- Luc!

- Emily!

I've missed you.

I missed you, too.

If Madeline hadn't come back out here,

we'd still be working together.

- True, but Sylvie's ego is also to blame.

- Mmm.

I know she's hurting,

but we built up so many relationships

over the years just to lose them.

I feel terrible.

We are all suffering.

I am usually like a big cock.

What?

You know, proud, tall,

protector of the flock.

A rooster.

Yes! The rooster.

The cock, or the rooster,

is a symbol in France.

Able to sing

even when their feet are in the sh*t.

That is me.

But right now

even I cannot sing.

Then I think we need

to do something about it.

I am going to walk the labyrinth

at the Jardin des Plantes.

Would you like to join me?

Actually, we're interviewing

for a new president of Savoir

and I have just the person for the job,

but I'm going to need your help.

Why didn't I think of this before?

Luc, you're the perfect candidate!

You've got the experience,

you know the brands, you know luxury.

No, no. No, no, no. It's not me.

There's only one person

who is right for this role.

And that is

Sylvie.

I'm sorry. What?

Sylvie has all the relationships.

Pierre, Lavaux, Zimmer, Rimowa.

All those clients want to work with her.

Not with me.

She's what Chicago

bought in the first place.

The only one

who can replace Sylvie is Sylvie.

Okay. This is an ambush.

We are hurting. You're hurting.

Sylvie's pride is damaged.

You made your point.

And now you need to apologize

and to beg her to come back.

Why don't I just s*ab myself in the eye?

And the French love flattery.

You have to talk to French people

in a certain way.

They like to hear sweet things.

"Bonjour, bonsoir, après vous, merci."

Remember. French is

the language of diplomacy.

[sighs]

And you have an opportunity here

to be a diplomat.

Ambassador Madeline Wheeler, anyone?

- Yeah?

- [chuckles] That's stupid.

Plus, Sylvie won't want to meet me.

I know where she'll be tonight.

And you can be there, too.

Come to Pierre Cadault's retrospective

at costume museum. Both of you.

This is the perfect place for you

and Sylvie to bump into each other.

What a bonne idée.

Not such a bonne idée in my book.

I may be running out of options.

[groans]

Any tips on where I can

find a dress last minute?

Bien sûr.

So cool!

Ne touchez pas, madame!

[chuckles]

Sorry, I can't help myself.

No, no, no.

I should not be touche-ing the couture.

This was a very special collection.

Put Pierre back on the map

for a lot of people, so I totally get it.

Nicolas de Leon.

Yes, I know, of course.

I know everything about you.

Your father runs JVMA,

home to almost every important

luxury brand.

He has three sons, all in the business.

You are the youngest, but you're

supposed to be most like your dad,

all the way down

to his love of racing cars.

Emily Cooper, Savoir.

Savoir!

You are all behind Ringard,

the collection

that's reinvented Pierre Cadault.

- [chuckles]

- I know a few things, too.

Well, then you know

how successful we can be.

I would love to meet you for lunch or

a drink to discuss your marketing needs.

If you've really done your homework,

you would know that we do our marketing

for all of our brands in-house,

- but I hope we can still have that drink.

- Of course.

Excuse me.

I just saw a friend of mine walk in.

What are you doing here?

I'm just stealing your shine,

as per usual.

Take it. I have too much.

My plus one arrived.

Where's my other plus one?

Um

Pumping.

It's such a struggle

not working with you guys.

Hopefully, after tonight,

everything will be fixed.

Madeline is going to ask Sylvie

to come back to Savoir!

I I don't think it's that shocking.

It's a couture car crash.

Oh, merde!

[exhales]

Bonsoir, Sylvie.

[chuckles]

Well, you definitely wore it better.

Really, Madeline?

First Savoir, now this?

Are you actually trying to be me?

[laughs]

Wow, Sylvie.

Where did you get that?

At Louez le Runway.

It's a rental?

That's disgusting.

No, they have

a very rigorous cleaning process.

[clears throat]

Look, uh

Sylvie.

I may be able to put on the dress,

but you

have a way with clients and culture

I can't even begin to emulate.

I took for granted

what you bring to the company and

I am

I'm sorry.

But let's be honest. We're both suffering.

I don't want to beg, but, well, here I am.

We would love to have you back

as president of Savoir.

Wait. Let me understand.

First you try to destroy my company,

then you want me to work for you?

With me.

And with a substantial

pay package increase,

including taking off

the entire month of August,

something we in America

only can dream about.

[chuckles]

Oh. [chuckles]

What a tempting offer.

[chuckles]

Will I still have the pleasure

of reporting to the board in Chicago?

Well, the pleasure would be theirs.

Perhaps I could visit

corporate headquarters?

How about a Cubs game

and a tour of the Loop?

Let's not forget the deep dish pizza.

Until it's coming out of your ears.

[both laugh]

Oh, God, you make it sound so enticing.

But

me and an American company,

it's like you in that dress.

It just doesn't fit.

[Madeline clears throat]

Sylvie, come on.

You're down to one client.

Yeah.

I may only have Pierre

but one marquee client is enough.

[Pierre] May I have

your attention everyone, please?

[in French] Thank you

to the Decorative Arts Museum

for this wonderful tribute.

So many beautiful memories here.

I've been blessed with a long career.

And I look forward

to it getting even bigger.

[in English] And that is why

I'm thrilled to announce

that JVMA will be

acquiring Pierre Cadault.

[crowd applauding]

- Did you know about this?

- No.

This is a shock.

Even worse than the dresses.

JVMA doesn't work

with outside marketing firms,

which means that Pierre

is going to drop Sylvie.

Well, well, well.

Seems like you're now

down to zero clients.

And my offer just expired.

And for the record,

I think I wore it better.

[sighs]

[in French] I really wish you'd

talked to us

before turning down Madeline's offer.

- Are you joking?

- Oh, no.

We sacrificed a lot to work with you.

Julien.

[in English] Pierre, over here!

Give us a smile.

[in French] I have to say, I feel a little

blindsided, Pierre.

Until the deal was final,

I had to keep it secret.

I promise we'll talk tomorrow.

But tonight is about Cadault, not Grateau.

[chuckles]

[in English] Smile, darling.

Smile, my dear.

Sylvie, thank you for meeting me.

Well, congratulations on your acquisition.

Not sure why we're meeting.

I know you do all your marketing in-house.

Yes, we do.

But I love the work

Savoir has done with Pierre

I'd like to bring you on board

to work for the Cadault line exclusively.

Well.

I have a firm now

and staff to think about.

We expect you to bring your own staff.

As much as I love Pierre, I've never

worked with only one client.

As I understand it, right now,

you don't have any clients.

I believe I'm throwing you a lifeline.

Well, thank you for your generous offer.

Let me think about it

and I'll get back to you.

You have until the end of the day.

It's the longest day of the year.

Should give you enough time.

[in French] So what happens

to Agence Grateau?

It dissolves.

We would be employees of JVMA.

I know you made a sacrifice

to come with me

and so I wanted to discuss this with you.

It's a good offer.

It's a huge company.

I'm sure there are amazing benefits.

You'll have your holidays.

You won't have to worry,

everything will be taken care of.

We'll all be secure.

What do you think, Luc?

I say stick to your g*ns, Sylvie.

We can do this.

You didn't think starting a business

would be easy, did you?

Are you sure?

Yes!

Yes!

[sighs in relief]

Thank you.

Let's go enjoy the Fête de la Musique.

[Sylvie chuckles]

[Luc laughs]

[music playing]

[Mindy singing] Smile

For your heart is aching ♪

You know, I'll give it to Paris.

Even when you're having a bad day,

the city is looking great.

It's feeling good, it's having fun,

and it kind of rubs off on you, you know?

Solstice is a very important time

of the year.

It brings so much opportunity.

Yeah. It's like the sun saying,

"Okay, let's try this again."

[Alfie] Gabriel!

- Alfie!

- Hey.

- Good you could make it.

- How's it going?

- Hi.

- Hey.

So

I was thinking and you were right.

I wasn't giving you all you deserve.

And after you left,

all I could think about

was how much I miss you

and how much I messed up.

Look, if you don't mind, Cooper,

I've had a really long day,

and I'd rather not talk about

our relationship history right now.

Let's just enjoy the music.

[singing] That's the time

You must keep on trying ♪

Smile, what's the use of crying? ♪

You'll find that life

Is still worthwhile ♪

If you just smile ♪

[crowd cheering]

Merci à tous.

Thank you so much.

You can find us most nights

and weekends on the Pont des Arts Bridge

Well, actually,

you can find as two at Pont des Arts,

but you can find Mindy

at La Trompette Bleue

where she'll be performing

three nights a week.

[crowd cheering]

What is going on?

You wouldn't answer

the club owner's calls,

so he called Benoît

and he accepted the offer for you.

- I don't want to give this up.

- Hey, you have to.

You should be playing in that club.

We'll be your biggest fans.

Well, I'll be your fan.

He can be a groupie.

Is that okay?

- I'm so happy for you!

- Hi.

Um

Can I borrow this?

What are you doing?

Putting myself out there.

[laughs]

- I [clears throat]

- [feedback buzzes]

What's it all about ♪

Alfie? ♪

Oh, my God.

Is it just for the moment we live? ♪

What's it all about ♪

When you sort it out, Alfie? ♪

Are we meant to take

More than we give? ♪

Or are we meant to be kind? ♪

- [playing chords]

- [chuckles]

I believe in love, Alfie ♪

Cooper, what have I got to do

to get you to stop singing?

Without true love we just exist, Alfie ♪

Until you find the love you've missed ♪

- You're nothing, Alfie ♪

- Alfie ♪

[crowd cheering]

[Mindy] Yeah!

You're crazy, Cooper.

You know that.

[laughs]

[crowd cheers]