03x15 - Best Intentions

[bunniefuu]

- Have you told Richard? - What?

That I'm leaving him or that I'm pregnant?

The Ewing family can go hang

if this is Val's chance to make something of herself.

Now, you take that story to your friend.

Do you think it could be a bestseller?

[scoffs] Possible.

Joe, I really appreciate what you're doing.

It's nothing.

It'll be different. I'll change. I mean that.

There are some things you just can't change, Richard.

Like what? I mean, like what?

I just don't love you anymore.

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[car door opens]

[birds chirping]

[instrumental music]

[car door shuts]

[car door shuts]

[female #1] 'Good afternoon, Warren, Southland Real Estate.'

'One moment, please.'

'May I have your name?'

'Thank you.'

'That line is busy. Please hold.'

'Thank you.'

[phone ringing]

'Good afternoon. Warren, Southland Real Estate.'

[phone ringing in distance]

'Thank you.'

[Scooter] 'Wait a minute.'

'Look, I'm going to need about ten more minutes'

'and I get right back to you, okay?'

'Thank you.'

[receiver clatters]

Well, you're a sight for sore eyes.

Oh, uh

I was gonna put up drapes.

They might get suspicious.

I think they already are.

Hey, what is it?

Nothing.

Laura, you've been acting very strangely lately.

What's wrong?

I don't think we should see each other anymore.

Aside from work, I mean.

[sighs] What brought this on?

I'm pregnant.

Richard is the father.

[sighs] Wow.

[chuckles]

Wow.

- You sure? - Has to be.

I'm almost three months along.

So what now?

I wish I knew.

[keys clacking]

[murmuring]

- Mama. Please. - Oh.

[keys clacking]

Well, how's Richard taking it?

He doesn't know yet.

What?

I was going to tell him that we were through.

And then I found out I was..

I.. Oh, God, I just cannot think straight.

Laura, let me help you.

[Laura sighs]

Look, the best thing you can do to help me right now

is just to let me work this out for myself.

Are you sure?

You know, we've got a pretty good thing going between us.

I know

but, Scooter, you've got to understand

that I have to get my priorities straight

and I just don't know how you fit in.

Do you know how much I care about you?

I care about you too.

Well, then, come live with me.

I'll get an apartment. You can bring Jason.

That is not the answer.

Well, I, I was--

I know, I know, I know, I know.

You were just trying to help.

But right now I don't want any help.

I don't want any advice.

I just, I just wanna be left alone.

[keys clacking]

Got it.

[chuckles]

- Sweet Pea? - Hmm?

Is everything alright?

Everything's fine, mama.

[giggles] What's the matter?

You run out of words?

Nope.

I am finished.

- Finished? - Yeah.

[both laugh]

- Isn't that wonderful? - Yep.

Only exactly, what is it you finished?

Well, I don't know exactly what you call it.

- Lordy, you've done all this? - Yep.

Oh, no. Mama, wait a minute. It's private.

Oh.

I'm sorry, I-I guess I'm just a little bit nervous about it.

[chuckles]

Well, Valene, looks like you've written a book.

No, I don't know if it is a book.

Started out as a journal assignment for class

and just sort of grew.

I mean, I don't know what it is

or if it's any good or anything.

Oh, when I write a song

I know in my soul

when it's a really fine song.

Well, that's a talent, I guess I don't have.

At least not yet.

Oh, Lord, I'm late for class.

Uh, look, I want you to leave everything here

just like it is.

And I do not want you

messing with this while I'm gone.

- Oh, mama. - Well, I wouldn't dream of it.

Okay.

I'll see you around 4 o'clock, alright?

- Bye, sugar. - 'Bye, mama.'

[door shuts]

[car engine starts]

[soft music]

Uh-huh.

Yeah, yeah, but, Pete

I still think that tube needs to be a larger diameter.

It's just cooling down too fast in the smaller stock.

[phone ringing]

Yeah, I know, I know, it's only money.

Okay, see what you can do.

I'll, uh, take care of things from this end.

[sneezes]

Uh-huh, yeah.

Pete, you don't have to remind me

we're short of time.

Uh, yeah. Alright, alright.

I'll talk to you later.

Gesundheit.

Uh, thanks.

[sniffles]

Oh, some business we started here.

It's like throwing money down a rabbit hole.

At this rate we'll have our methanol

on the market by 1988.

What, is Pete having trouble with it still?

Yeah. He says it's as temperamental

as an old mule.

You know, we can't just

keep pouring money into this thing.

Hey, Gary. Come on. Relax.

Give Pete a chance to work things out.

We're pioneers.

Pioneers never have it easy.

Ah. I guess.

Ah.

Did the, um

printer call about the prospectus?

Uh-huh.

As a matter of fact, I have to pick it up in about

a half an hour.

I'm going out tonight

so I thought I'd leave early and read it at home.

Oh. Well, then, would you, uh, drop a copy off at my house?

Sure.

There's a key in the planter if nobody's home.

Okay.

Hey.

It's gonna work, you know.

[chuckles]

Thanks, I needed that.

[clears throat]

Eh..

[chuckles softly]

- I'll see you later. - Uh-huh.

[engine rumbling]

[car door shuts]

[doorbell rings]

[keys jangling]

Oh, Abby.

Oh. Lilimae. I'm.. Oh.

Oh, dear. I didn't realize anybody was home.

- Mama, let me help you. - No.

Oh, Val's gonna k*ll me.

Why? What's.. What is all this?

It's the Lord's way of telling me I shouldn't have.

Shouldn't have what?

Oh.

I thought I'd just peek at the first couple of pages

but, well, the temptation is too great.

What are you talking about, Lilimae?

Oh, being a sneak.

This is Val's writing

and she'd have a fit if she knew I read it.

It's all about the Ewings of Dallas.

- Really? - Hmm.

Well, of course, the names have changed

but, uh, it's them, alright.

Right down to the nastiest thing J.R. ever did.

- You're kidding. - Mm.

[chuckles]

Oh, really? Uh, well..

Who's, uh.. Who's read? Has Gary read it?

Oh, no. Nobody has.

Uh, Val says it's just for practice

for that writing class she goes to.

Well, she doesn't think much of it

but I think it's good.

[both chuckle]

Well, maybe Val just needs a little encouragement.

Lord knows I try.

You know, I have, uh

I have some friends in publishing.

Maybe if you let me read it, I could..

Oh, no, you can't. Val won't allow it.

Well, you know what, Lilimae?

If I went and had it copied

I could read it, and Val would never know.

[rustling]

Well..

[birds chirping]

[sighs]

Richard, I'm pregnant.

[groans]

By the way, honey, I'm pregnant.

Yeah.

Where everybody's wife is not pregnant

please move to this side of the room.

Not so fast, Avery.

[Richard] 'Out, out, I want you out. Someone dog..'

'Dog, ow.'

Out. Out, out! I want you out.

'Someone dog, oh..'

'Come on, dog.'

[Richard sighs]

[exhales]

Come! Come!

[claps] Good dog. Good boy.

[door shuts]

[Laura laughs]

- What's so funny? - 'You are.'

Look what the monster did to my tennis racket.

Oh, that's a shame.

Well, you've got others.

Whose dog is that, anyway?

At the moment, your son's.

He and Olivia found him

on their way home from school.

I'm going to call the pound.

Where's the phone book?

He probably ate it.

What are you doing home anyway?

I thought you were working late.

I cancelled my appointment.

Just to be with us. How flattering.

Could you do that later, Richard?

Yes. Uh, hello.

Uh, I've got a stray dog in my backyard.

Could you..

Hold. They always put you on hold.

Hang up, please.

[Richard] 'Yes. Uh, my name is Richard Avery.'

'I live at 1-6-9-7-5 Seaview Circle.'

'Could you send someone over right away'

'to get a stray dog?'

No, no, I, I can't.

I got The Hound of the Baskervilles

in my backyard.

Oh, that's ridiculous. I..

Okay. Okay.

[receiver clatters]

He can't send someone until tomorrow morning.

Oh, he's probably tearing up--

Richard, I got to tell you something.

Maybe if I took him back to where the kids--

Richard!

Look, if you were here, when the kid gets home

like a mother should be

things like this wouldn't happen.

I mean, now I've got to take care of it.

Alright, take care of it.

Well, what's the matter with you?

Oh, forget it.

[footsteps receding]

[door shuts]

[door opens]

[door shuts]

[keys clattering]

[sighs]

"A family in Texas."

Yahoo!

[inhales deeply]

[exhales]

[sighs]

I don't know what to say.

Well, you could say that it's a..

...complicated and confusing mess

but then I already know that.

Karen.

Don't.

I, I don't know why

I just don't want to be comforted.

What do you want?

I don't want to be pregnant.

I don't want to be married to Richard.

I don't want to have to make all these decisions.

- Have you told Richard? - What?

That I'm leaving him or that I'm pregnant?

No, neither.

Laura, look--

Karen, don't lecture me, okay?

Okay.

I just, I cannot be married to that man anymore.

There is nothing left to our marriage.

There's no love, there's no communication.

If, if I tell him that I'm pregnant..

...he's just gonna use that to hold on.

You won't say anything, will you?

No.

You promised me that you won't tell.

I-I promise.

But what are you gonna tell him?

That I'm leaving.

- Now? - Uh-huh.

And that's, that's all I'm gonna tell him.

[kisses] Thanks, Karen.

[door opens]

[Karen] 'Laura.'

Laura, wait. Wait!

- You have to tell Richard. - I can't.

No, you have to.

I mean, you just can't have an ab*rtion

without letting him know.

- It is the only way. - No, it's not.

That's not true.

Look, I'm not saying

that you have to ask his permission

but you do have to talk to him.

I mean, like it or not, you're in this thing together.

Oh, there's nothing together about this relationship.

Hey, how'd you get pregnant?

Playing solitaire?

[chuckles] It's cute.

Believe me, it was a freak event in our household.

But it happened.

Well, when you put a couple in the same bed

night after night, the law of averages says--

Laura, will you stop making light of it?

Look, it, it wasn't against your will.

It matters that the two of you made love.

Now there's consequences and..

And, and you're just gonna have to deal with it together.

I can't.

I won't.

Oh, honey.

You're my friend and I love you.

Just listen to me.

If you have the ab*rtion

without discussing it with Richard

you're going to regret it.

I mean, even if he never finds out about it.

You're gonna, you're gonna feel guilty and bitter.

And if he ever finds out about it..

Well..

Either way..

...it's just gonna lead to bitterness.

So?

The marriage is over.

But you're still parents together.

If-if the marriage is over

who's to say divorce can't be civil?

[insects chirping]

You try.

Try to save something.

For Jason's sake.

I hate you.

[chuckles]

I know.

[mellow music]

[sighs] Well, you're right, Lilimae.

It's good. It's very good.

[Lilimae chuckles]

It's the kind of story you can't put down.

[chuckles] Oh, it certainly is.

Now, the question is

what are we gonna do with it?

But, honey

you said you knew some way to get it published.

Well, yeah, I have a friend

who has connections in publishing.

I think what we ought to do is show it to him

and let him take it from there.

Oh.

But Val didn't want anybody to read it.

[sighs]

We can't very well get something published

if we can't have anybody read it, can we?

Oh.

Val's gonna be so mad at me.

[sighs]

Whatever you say, Lilimae.

Besides, there's that other matter

which would just complicate things anyway.

What other matter?

The Ewings of Dallas.

What do you mean?

You said it yourself.

What Val has written is just a..

...thinly disguised exposé

of dirty dealings in the Ewing family.

Even if Val wanted her book published

I think the Ewings would

probably move heaven and earth to stop her.

[somber music]

Oh.

You're right, Lilimae. You really are.

I-I think we're just gonna

stir up trouble if we butt in.

We ought to just let Val turn in her journal

get an "A," and we'll forget the whole thing.

No.

The Ewing family can go hang

if this is Val's chance to make something of herself.

Now, you take that story to your friend.

And don't worry..

...I'll handle Val.

You be sweet.

Bye.

[insects chirping]

[door shuts]

Oh, yeah.

[chuckles softly]

[machine beeping rhythmically]

Well, Jason's asleep.

He's, uh..

He's real sad that you found the dog's owner.

Oh, is that supposed to make me feel guilty?

No, no.

He just doesn't understand why he can't have a pet.

Because kittens turn into cats and scratch the furniture.

And dogs need to be walked.

Can't put them in daycare centers like kids.

[machine beeping rhythmically]

Richard, could you please put that down a minute?

We really need to talk.

All you wanna do is talk

and somehow you always end up saying the same thing.

Well, you never know

you might find out something different.

Go ahead, talk.

Turn that off.

[machine beeping]

Are you happy?

Oh, boy.

Just answer me.

Yeah, I'm happy.

I'm happy World w*r III hasn't started, anything else?

Our marriage.

Our marriage is fine.

How can you say that?

You're angry all the time, and I'm miserable.

You're miserable because your expectations are too high.

I mean, you expect marriage to be

candy and flowers and constant attention.

That's not what marriage is.

What is marriage, then?

Two hostile people treating each other cruelly

and ignoring one another?

Just because I don't hang on your every word

doesn't mean I ignore you.

You do ignore me. You avoid me and ignore me.

I've been trying to tell you something all day

and all I get are wisecracks and put downs.

Look, you got something to say? Say it. Nobody's stopping you.

I'm pregnant.

See, you always makes such a big deal out of everything.

Richard.

I'm pregnant.

Pregnant?

[birds chirping]

Well, off to the car wars.

Yeah. You go.

I'll do the dishes.

Thanks.

[phone ringing]

Hello.

Oh. Hi, Abby.

Joe?

Yes, he's here.

One minute.

Hi.

Hi, Joe, it's Abby.

Tell me, you have friends

in the publishing business, don't you?

Yeah, that's right, I do.

Well, sure, what can I..

[chuckles softly]

What can I do for you?

Fine, no problem.

What's it about?

Right. Okay.

I'll be over later.

How about a couple of minutes, huh?

[chuckles] No, no. I'll see you a little later.

Bye-bye.

[receiver clacks]

[chuckles]

And what does, uh..

...Abby want?

Company.

I bet.

- Seriously? - What?

Seriously, what did she want? Why did she call you?

She wants my body.

Joe.

I'm the only available hunk--

Are you or are you not gonna tell me

why she called?

Not.

Okay.

Why aren't you gonna tell me?

Because you always have to know everything.

I don't have to know everything.

Definitely not everything.

Some things.

This.

Curiosity in and of itself is not a bad trait.

But always having your curiosity satisfied

that could be bad for your character.

Anyhow, it's none of your business

why Abby called me.

You're incorrigible.

- Not only that. - What?

I never change.

- Three dollars. - Five.

- It used to be a dime. - Inflation.

[mumbles]

- She wants me-- - Yeah.

[sighs]

She wants me to read a manuscript.

Get it to a publisher if it's any good.

What kind of manuscript?

[chuckles] How would I know? I haven't read it yet.

That's not worth five dollars.

Well, I take what the traffic will bear.

For five dollars, you could have made something up.

What do I know?

Bye.

Bye.

[chuckles softly]

[birds chirping]

Oh, God, it's 9:30.

[Richard] 'Good morning.'

If you're worried about Jason, don't be.

Olivia promised to deliver him to his classroom.

Here. Breakfast?

Oh.

Richard, eggs Benedict, fresh orange juice.

This is beautiful. Thank you.

There's a price.

[sighs]

I want you to listen to me.

Okay.

I was up most of the night

thinking about us and another child.

I think a baby would get us back on track.

That's an old wives tale.

Yeah, but you're not an old wife, you're young.

So am I.

I mean, we-we can change.

We need to have something in common again.

We've lost sight of each other in the last couple of years.

You lost sight of me. I didn't lose sight of you.

Maybe.

That's the first thing I'll change about myself.

[slurps]

Richard.

Look, I-I know how I am sometimes

but I think we've been dwelling too much

on what's wrong.

I mean, the things that haven't turned out like we planned.

But we can turn out right.

The baby will be the starting point.

From this point on

let's concentrate on what's good and right in our life

and-and try to make it better.

Things aren't that easy, Richard.

Give it a chance.

I know we can make it this time.

[keys clacking]

[printer whirring]

[knocking]

- Hey. - Hey.

Hey, you. Time to go home.

Don't two and two make four anymore?

[sighs]

Unless they changed it and forgot to tell me.

[sighs]

I've been trying to finish up these production reports

on the methanol company

and all of a sudden

none of these figures make any sense.

Can't you do it tomorrow? You look beat.

You don't sound too good either.

Unless you want me doing it on your time.

I've got a day job, remember?

Hey, I'm on your side.

I'm sorry. I just..

Look, when I started this methanol business

I told you it wouldn't cut into the time

I spent working for you.

Well, you're no good for me if you're exhausted.

Why don't you just get some sleep?

And if you have to do the methanol stuff on my time

I'll just look the other way.

[chuckles]

Thanks.

Uh, I think I'll just finish up these reports.

Don't worry about me.

- I'll lock up. - Why don't you lock up?

Yeah.

[keys clacking]

[printer whirring]

[keys clacking]

[printer whirring]

[sighs]

Oh, hi.

Hi.

Where are the kids?

Scattered to the four winds.

Mmm.

Everybody eat?

Yeah.

Well, I'm hungry.

In fact, I'm starving.

What are you reading?

Abby's manuscript?

How is it?

It'll cost you.

What is it?

Forget it. It's not worth it.

Anyway, I got kind of nervous

when they said you had to pick your own subject.

It's always easier when they tell you

what to write, you know.

So I..

Tony, you listening to me?

Hm?

Oh. Uh.. Yeah, sure, go ahead.

Would you please put that stuff down?

I want to tell you about this.

Good.

So, anyway, I decided why not

write about something close to me

about myself and the people I know?

You know, it's funny, I always used to think

I had such a dull life.

But once I started writing about you and mama and..

...all your family in Dallas

it started to sound real exciting.

Of course, I did make up

a couple of things in a few places

just to make the story better.

But you don't have to make up much

when you got people like Jay..

[snoring]

[sighs]

[chuckles softly]

Think I could persuade you to take off a month

before you get too big?

Well, that depends when you have in mind.

A little trip.

Just the two of us. Sort of a second honeymoon.

- Yeah? - Mm-hmm.

Where would you like to go?

I got it all worked out. France.

A month on a houseboat, touring the wine country.

I went to a travel agent

and I got posters and maps.

I made a couple of reservations.

Here. This is what we'll do.

We'll start..

...uh, here, in Carcassonne

and we'll go up through Toulouse

Moissac, along the Garonne, and we'll end up in Bordeaux.

We'll taste wines here

that you can't even get in the States.

Do you think we could go to Chateau Villeneuve?

I hear the arches are magnificent.

Villeneuve.

The wine's lousy.

But that's alright.

We'll, we'll sip the arches.

You know, as a matter of fact

there's a guy in the office

who told me about a place near there

a private chateau we could stay in.

I mean, they don't just let anybody in.

But if you know the right people..

Anyway, I'll take care of it.

- Well, it sounds nice. - Nice?

It's the vacation of a lifetime.

We'll-we'll get to go to Chateau Lafite Rothschild

and Margaux and O'Brien.

I mean, these are the..

These are the greatest vineyards in the world.

A real nipsu ultra of wine.

And the food.

I mean, we could eat on the boat if we want.

You know, they get some kid

who's three weeks out of Cordon Bleu

and they try to point him off on the tourists

but I really want to hit some of the three stores, not you.

I mean, the best part of it is that we'll be alone.

I mean, it'll be just the two of us.

[kisses] For a whole month.

Mm. It'll be great.

Here, take a look at this. That describes the tour.

I thought the spicy parts were the best.

Mm. Well--

But you really think it could be published?

Certainly isn't great literature

but it's spicy, fast moving.

It ought to sell.

That's what publishing is all about.

- That's wonderful. - Yeah.

So who's the author?

Friend of mine.

[sighs] Listen.

Do you think it could be a bestseller?

[scoffs]

Possible.

What's the next step?

I like to get it to Neil Henning

over at Kismet Press.

Do you know him?

Neil was a student of mine when I first got into teaching.

I am very impressed, Joe.

- Tell me, Abby. - Mm.

What's in this for you?

- Me? - Yeah.

Oh, nothing.

Just doing a friend a favor. Same as you.

A friend who's worked very hard and very long

to realize a dream.

Oh.

And is this your..

...friend's dream or your dream?

Well, there's a song cue if I ever heard one.

♪ My dream is your dream ♪

♪ Your dream is my dream ♪

[inhales deeply]

[exhales]

Joe, I really appreciate what you're doing.

It's nothing.

Nevertheless..

...I appreciate it.

I can't believe that anybody would do such a thing.

I-I just don't believe it.

No, honey, don't go getting all upset.

It's too late, mama. I already am upset.

We didn't show it to just anybody, you know.

Only to Abby's friend who says--

I don't care what he says, mama.

You had no right.

Don't you know what the word private means?

Oh, honey.

And you.

Look, Val, I can understand why you're angry.

But what's done is done.

Now, the point is we have to figure out

how to take advantage of this situation.

Yeah, but what situation?

What is going on here?

He likes it.

He says it's good.

- But-- - 'Val, listen to me.'

Listen to me a minute, will you?

Look, your project is not just night school homework.

It is a-a readable, publishable book.

It could even be a bestseller.

Oh, come on.

Now, the person that I talked to

knows what he's talking about.

I don't believe this.

Believe it, Val.

This is your chance to be somebody.

Well, I'm not sure I wanna be somebody

if this is what it means.

It's too late.

You're already somebody

because you have written a..

You've written a book that can move people.

It can..

It can get them out of themselves

for a little while

leave them feeling warm and satisfied.

And that's a real talent, God given, just like mine.

'It'd be a sin to bury it'

'in some old trunk in the basement.'

Your mama's right, Val. She really is.

What have you got to lose?

Send a copy to this publisher.

I mean, the worst that can happen is that--

Wait a minute, wait a minute, both of you.

God, this is all just..

It's going too fast.

I'm gonna have to talk to Gary.

Well, talk to him then. But do it tonight.

I mean, you got to hurry with these things.

He really said, he thought it was good?

Oh, yeah.

Well..

[car approaching]

Hi. I was just going to stick these in your mailbox.

- What is it? - Uh, your wills.

Just sign them and give them back to me.

Thanks.

You know, it's, uh

it's not bad luck or anything.

It's just smart.

Especially, now that you have a baby.

I suppose you're right.

You know, uh..

Aaron, Molly's going to have a playmate

in the not too distant future.

She is?

You're looking at the father.

[laughs] You're kidding.

Alright.

No, I mean, look, I'll admit it.

We were pretty surprised.

But now that we know

we're both really happy about it.

Oh, Richard. That's wonderful.

Yeah, I mean

it's no secret Laura and I have been having some problems

but, you know, ever since we found out about the baby

we, we've been so close.

You know something?

If it weren't for Aaron and Molly

Ginger and I probably wouldn't be together today.

And if I had lost her

it would have been the biggest mistake I ever made.

I'm telling you, man, babies bring people together.

All I can say is you're looking at living proof right here.

Well, I'll be over pretty soon to get a diaper lesson.

- I'm a little rusty. - I'll bet you are.

Well, you came to the right place.

Congratu.. Cong..

You know what I mean?

- Thanks. - 'Night.'

[insects chirping]

[sighs] What a day.

The printers are on strike, so I had to get that copy

in three days earlier than I expected.

This cold is k*lling me.

Alright, darling, just forget about that for right now.

Come on over here and eat your dinner.

Come on.

You want a glass of milk?

Uh, no. Just some ketchup, please.

Um..

Something kind of crazy happened today.

Yeah. What?

Well, um..

Mama and Abby showed that stuff

that I wrote in journalism class

to this fellow who knows a lot about publishing.

Mm-hmm.

And he said that

he thought it was good enough to be published.

- Yeah? - Yeah.

Great.

He even said he thought

it has the makings of a bestseller.

Well, now I don't believe that

but I just thought

that maybe I ought to talk to you about it--

Wait-wait a minute. Who is this fella?

I don't know. Just somebody that Abby knows.

[chuckles] Okay, let me guess.

He only needs a thousand bucks

to get the presses rolling, right?

Gary.

I-I-I am good, you know.

In class, they all say that--

I don't doubt that, I..

Look, uh..

...writer spends years developing a talent.

You can't expect to just

walk into one creative writing class

and walk out Ernest Hemingway.

Well, I didn't know that

you were such an expert on the subject.

[sighs]

I just don't want to see you get hurt

if a rejection slip comes.

Well, why should you assume that there'll be one?

I mean, you obviously think that the idea

of me writing something good

or something that's worth reading

is just a big joke, right?

No.

Well, then why'd you say that?

[sighs]

[somber music]

I'm going upstairs.

[sighs]

[light switch clicks]

I'm sorry, honey, I really am.

I wish you'd read what I've written

before you pass judgment on it.

I love you, Valene.

And there's nothing I want more for you

than success, happiness, everything you want.

'I've been a little preoccupied lately'

I admit that.

But I'll pay attention now.

[somber music]

[kisses]

I think that there's a couple of things, Gary

that we ought to talk about

before I go ahead and send this off.

[phone ringing]

Yeah.

Hi, it's Abby.

Listen, there are some figures on this prospectus

that don't jive.

I think we ought to go down to the office

and check our original numbers.

Maybe even call Pete.

[sighs] Tonight?

[sighs] Uh, okay.

Um, I'll see you in a little bit. I'll drive.

Yeah. Bye.

[receiver clacks]

- Uh, honey. I'm sorry. - Don't. Never mind.

[sighs]

[kisses]

Remember when you were pregnant with Jason

and you wanted to have natural childbirth?

And I said, fine

as long as I don't have to be there.

[chuckles]

This time I want to do the whole thing.

Lamaze, Leboyer.

I think we should do it all together.

Except maybe morning sickness.

Yeah, who knows, maybe I'll get into that too.

[chuckles]

You know, we really should talk to Ginger and Kenny.

They went through the whole number with Aaron and Molly.

You know that Kenny was telling me

when the baby was born that they didn't cut the cord--

Richard! Stop it!

What?

We have to stop fooling ourselves.

Babies do not fix bad marriages.

Yeah, but yesterday everything was fine.

I mean, I thought we worked all of this--

Look, breakfast in bed and trips to France

does not make everything okay.

I should have stuck to my plan.

I should have not gotten caught up in your fantasy.

Fantasy? What fantasy?

Richard, I'm moving out.

Moving out?

What?

Move out? What are you talking about?

We can't just go our separate ways.

- Not now. - Yes, we can.

Look, I just don't think that there is any love

or communication left between us.

Why not? Where did it go?

You have worn me down, Richard.

There is just too much anger.

I can't see myself clearly. I can't see you.

- Well, that's why the baby-- - Forget the baby.

After the baby's born

things are going to go back to the way they were before.

No, no, no, they won't.

It-it'll be different. I'll change. I mean that.

There are some things you just can't change, Richard.

Like what?

- God, why-- - I mean, like what?

I just don't love you anymore.

I see.

Well, in that case

what are you going to do about the baby?

Have an ab*rtion.

- What? - An ab*rtion.

[screams]

[Richard sighs]

[insects chirping]

[somber music]

I'm sorry I did that.

[insects chirping]

I've never done that before.

I still can't quite believe I reacted that way.

You said ab*rtion and I saw Jason.

It wasn't rational.

I heard you say it.

And I thought..

...she doesn't want my baby.

One word, you just wiped me away.

But I..

But I shouldn't have hit you.

I, I had no right, no matter what.

[insects chirping]

[somber music]

Forgive me. Please.

I forgive you.

Your really mean that?

I want to have the baby.

Laura.

Richard, could you just leave me alone for a minute, please?

I'm very grateful.

Don't be grateful.

I want the baby.

I love you.

[somber music]

[instrumental music]

[Lilimae] 'Val, he's here.'

Val.

Alright, mama.

Come on down.

Yoo-hoo.

Good afternoon, ladies.

Young man, you be sure

this gets where it's going and pronto.

Or you'll answer to me.

- Mama. - It's a book.

My daughter here wrote it. How about that?

Well, I and the US government

guarantee you we'll get there.

Maybe we should have delivered it ourselves.

All the way to New York?

Oh. Oh, I'm so tickled for you.

I could just..

What's the matter?

I don't know, it's just..

- Huh? - A funny feeling.

It all happened so fast.

I feel like I left something undone.

Oh, it's all there, sugar. I checked it myself.

Okay.

[engine sputtering]

Laura's threatening to leave

was the best thing that ever happened to us.

It really opened my eyes.

Thank you.

It did?

Yeah, I-I mean, I felt sick, panicked.

Anyway, that's, uh, that's all behind us.

We're going to have the baby, and..

...it's going to be a new beginning.

Well, Richard, I-I'm very happy for you.

But?

No buts. It's just that I..

I hope you realize it's going to take more than

enthusiasm to make things work out.

That's exactly how I've been making myself think about it.

I mean, how hard it's going to be.

But whatever it takes

that's what I'm going to give it.

Good.

You ever hear yourself on a tape recorder

and you say, that's not my voice?

Yeah.

Well, then you realize that

you're hearing yourself the way other people hear you.

Well, that's what it's been like for me

the past couple of days.

I-I, it's as if I've been bugged and I'm hearing myself.

And all I keep hearing is how I..

...put it down all the time.

I never listen to her.

You know, I think I've been afraid that

if I let her be all she could be

she'd be better than me.

No more. I'm going to keep myself bugged.

I'm going to make myself hear myself.

Well..

...Richard, that's wonderful.

But..

I mean, what if you do all that

and it still doesn't work out?

Why shouldn't it?

Because people change.

And sometimes

however good the intentions

they grow apart and--

Oh, that's great. That's just what I wanted to hear.

No, Richard, I'm just--

No, no, no.

You're just playing street corner shrink again, Karen.

I mean, you just can't stand the fact

that poor jerky Richard

might just have turned a corner in his life.

No, Richard. No.

Well, look, I can do it alone

without your help, thank you.

Can I have a check, please?

Check, please.

[sighs]

Just played the tape.

What?

I just heard how I sounded.

And?

And listen, I..

I appreciate what you're trying to do.

I mean, prepare me for the possibility

of the things may not work out

but they will.

See, you'll see.

Hey. You know..

...you're a nice guy.

[chuckles]

No, I'm not.

But I'm working on it.

[car rumbling]

[car door opens]

[car door shuts]

[insects chirping]

[door opens]

[door shuts]

Laura.

Laura.

[suspenseful music]

Laura!

Laura.

[music continues]

[sighs]

[somber music]

[theme music]

[music continues]