04x18 - Celebration

[bunniefuu]

You don't want to make me angry.

I told you that before.

What are you going to do, Abby, k*ll me?

You can't do that.

I'm a valuable piece of property.

And you're just what you said you are.

A piece of meat.

We tried and we failed.

[Richard] 'You failed, not me!'

I've given everything I have to this marriage!

I think you should move out.

[Ciji] 'I don't ever want to see you again.'

And if I do...I'm going to tell everyone

how Tony Finnis goes around beating up old ladies.

Ciji, you wouldn't do that.

Don't be stupid.

You can sue me.

But after tonight, Ciji Dunne is done.

Don't push it, Abby.

Diana told me you were planning to

go to New York and that she'll be going with you.

I honestly don't think this is the time

or the place to discuss Diana's future.

I'll do everything in my power

to keep her from leaving with you.

If you were any kind of a woman

he wouldn't have left you in the first place.

- Stop it! - Ah!

[thudding]

Ciji!

[theme music]

[music fades]

[instrumental music]

♪ I fell in love today ♪

♪ I never thought I'd feel this way ♪

♪ I've been so tired of one night stands ♪

♪ Now I'm ready for a new romance ♪

♪ Ooh it's a mystery ♪

♪ Do you know ♪

♪ I can't figure it out ♪

♪ Ooh it's a mystery ♪

♪ Do you know ♪

♪ What I'm talking about ♪

♪ Do you love me ♪

♪ Do you want me ♪

♪ Baby it's crazy give it a chance ♪

♪ I think I like this new romance ♪

♪ It was only yesterday ♪

♪ And love felt so far away ♪

♪ Then you smiled and asked me to dance ♪

♪ Now I'm ready for a new romance ♪

♪ Do you love me ♪

♪ Do you want me ♪

♪ Baby it's crazy give it a chance ♪

♪ I think I like this romance ♪♪

[instrumental music]

Aw!

We have to stop meeting like this.

Ah-ha, joke!

[chuckles]

That's why I like-I like coming over here.

You always lose for a laugh.

[groans]

Thanks. Ciji.

Ciji.

- I need a drink. - Uh-uh, not for me.

You've drunk all my liquor. Look, if you want to come up

I'll fix you some coffee and something to eat.

Oh, that's no way to treat a friend.

I'm serious. You can't come over here

every time you get loaded and you think I'm gonna

fix you something to drink. Now, you can either sit here

or come up and try to straighten up, alright?

What'll it be?

Take me to me.

- He-he. - Come on.

- Come on over here. - Yeah, okay.

[Gary groans]

[Gary sighs]

- Come, on. - Huh!

[mumbles]

Let me help.

Uh, okay.

- You got it? - Yeah.

[Gary] Yeah, I'll get-I'll get the, um, door.

- Right there. - Where's the door? Okay.

[Gary] There's a hole for you guys to keep.

[Ciji] Uh, there's this thing right here.

[Gary] Huh. Okay, I got it. Okay.

[birds chirping]

New dress?

No, I bought it for the opening of Daniel.

I thought I'd wear it to Ciji's party.

Oh, yeah.

It's nice.

And you better check with Ciji first, though.

Make sure it doesn't clash with her tuxedo.

Why do you keep making those dumb remarks?

Or, uh, is she going in drag, too?

Richard, stop it!

Just curious.

Why do you keep using Ciji as a scapegoat?

Scapegoat for what?

Look, it's over, okay?

It's nobody's fault. And if it is, it's ours.

[Laura] 'Stop bringing Ciji into it.'

It's over?

The marriage.

Why don't you just admit it, okay?

[Laura] 'We'll, uh, we'll try to remain friends'

'and go our separate ways.'

I think you should move out.

'Soon.'

Now.

[instrumental music]

[thudding]

And then what? Ciji moves in?

Richard, stop it.

It's us. It's not anybody else.

We tried and we failed.

You failed, not me!

[Richard] 'I've given everything I have to this marriage.'

You-you-you-you think I don't know what's going on?

You're not hearing me.

This has nothing to do with Ciji.

Oh, no?

Which side of the bed does she like?

[drawer thuds]

[Lilimae] 'Val?'

'Valene, honey, I'm home.'

[Val] 'Hey, you gonna be ready in time?'

[door closes]

Morning, Lilimae.

You been out so early?

Good morning, Chip. Yes, I have.

Oh, and I see why.

You've been shopping for a dress for the party tonight.

Oh, how'd you figure that out?

Well, you know, what you need is an unbiased opinion.

It's not every day that one gets

to attend a Jeff Munson party

even if it is in honor of that nobody.

Since when is Ciji Dunne a nobody?

Since I pulled the wool off my eyes.

Ciji is in this for Ciji and nobody else.

I have never met anyone so ruthless

scheming, sleeping her way to the top.

Well, I'm going to try not to think of it that way

so I can enjoy the party.

- You ready, mama? - Huh.

If you want Karen and me to drop you off, you better hurry.

Oh, I'll be down in a jiffy.

[Chip] You know, Val, you don't have

to worry about Gary and Ciji anymore.

She dumped him flat.

What makes you think I'm worried, Chip?

Well, see, with Ciji once she knows

she's got a guy hooked, she loses interest.

I mean, it's pretty common knowledge

that's why Gary's been hitting the bottle so often.

So, he won't feel it when she really cuts him loose.

Look, Chip, I'm not interested, okay?

- Mama! - You're right, Val.

[Chip] I won't bring it up again.

[Lilimae] I didn't realize it was so late.

I'm gonna be late to class.

[Lilimae] Oh, no.

[door closes]

[instrumental music]

[engine rumbling]

[keys clanking]

[knocks on door]

[knocking continues]

[door opens]

- What do you want? - I'm looking for Gary.

- He's not here. - Are you sure?

I hear he comes by here quite a bit lately.

I haven't seen or heard from him in a few days, sorry.

Ciji, look, I thought you weren't the type

to go chasing after a drunk.

I thought you told him he could have his bender by himself.

[Abby] 'I'm not chasing after him.'

I need him to sign some papers.

Besides, why I'm looking for him is none of your business.

Yeah, well, if I see him, I'll tell him you were here.

Hey, I think I want to see for myself.

I don't care what you want. This is my place.

You keep your hands off of me.

You come in and stay out, and you stay out.

You don't want to make me angry.

I told you that before.

I'm terrified.

[Abby] 'Don't be terrified, just be careful'

because if I find out, you lied to me.

What are you gonna do, Abby, k*ll me?

You can't do that.

I'm a valuable piece of property.

[Ciji] 'You've got too much invested in me.'

- Really? - You know it.

[Abby] 'Well, I've got a hell of a lot more invested in Gary.'

And you're just what you said you are.

A piece of meat.

I said piece of property!

Oh, God.

[door closes]

[instrumental music]

[Karen] I didn't know Lilimae was left handed.

[Val] She's not.

I just read a magazine article saying that Picasso

[chuckles] sometimes switched hands while painting

so, she decided to try it, too.

[Karen] Oh, that's what I love about Lilymae.

She never skimps on inspirations.

Actually, I once took a class on Picasso in college.

Ask me anything you want about him, I'm an expert.

He was a very interesting man, Picasso.

[Karen] Did you know that once he thought a painting was finished

he never went back to it, no matter what anyone else said.

That's what made him such an original.

He was...so consumed with life

and the seeking of fresh horizons

that he simply never looked back.

The past was dead even before his paints were dry.

- Karen. - Yeah?

I know what you're doing.

Of course you do.

I'm discussing Picasso.

Do you know what he once said to a critic

who attacked him for creating a...new art form?

I've got no idea what.

[Karen] "Only cowards dwell in the past.

The artist must reach for tomorrow."

That's what he said.

Let it go, Val.

- I thought I had. - 'No, you haven't.'

Well, it makes me mad that I haven't.

But your anger is such a waste.

Where I come from

anger is better than helplessness..

- Any day of the week. - Lilimae--

- Anger is real, live feeling. - Okay.

And if it's the only thing my girl's got to lash back with

then she needs to stay angry.

[Lilimae] 'I mean, don't take Val's anger away from her, Karen.'

She needs it.

You lash out.

You lash out all you want, honey.

'I mean, curse, rail.'

You take a swing at somebody.

Stick pins in a rag doll if that helps.

'It's your anger.'

And don't let anybody tell you you're not entitled to it.

Okay, come here. Let me see what you did here.

What is this?

Well, I had a sudden inspiration

and I just went with it.

I call it Peace and Picasso.

[chuckles]

- What do you think? - I love it.

What do you..

Diana..

...I thought you were gonna go to the dressmakers this morning.

You're just gonna leave without telling me?

No.

No, of course not.

Hi.

How come you didn't go to the dressmaker?

I'm gonna go now.

I just wanted to stop at home to get you these...for tonight.

[Chip] Oh, wow.

Those are gorgeous.

They were my father's.

Oh, wow. What a thoughtful thing to do.

You were just gonna split without even telling me?

Diana.

Come on, now. I want to go to New York.

It's gonna take me a while to get established there

and I gotta get things going for me.

Hey, that's perfect.

Well, I have a lot of contacts in New York.

I have money.

I can help.

Oh..

It's nice to know I can count on you.

You won't skip out on me?

Hey..

If you can't trust me, who can you trust?

[chuckles]

[engine rumbling]

[car horns]

[phone rings]

- Mack? - 'Yeah.'

Mack, get the phone.

[Mack] 'I will, I will. I just made some coffee.'

- Come on. - Oh, good.

No, stick around. I just made it. It's fresh.

Watch out for the kitchen floor. It's still wet, don't slip.

I'll do the windows after I finish your phone call.

Hello?

Hello, Mack. Uh, it's Abby Cunningham.

I'm sorry to bother you.

[Mack] 'Hi, how you doing? What's up?'

[sighs] Well, I hate to burden you with my problems

but I've been trying to find Gary.

- 'He hasn't home yet?' - No.

He's been out on this bender and I don't know where he's been

and I don't know how bad it's gotten.

How can I help you, Abby?

[Abby] 'Do I call the police?'

'Do I call the hospital?'

No, there's nothing official that they can tell you

until he's missing for 48 hours.

Well...if I leave the house to go looking for him

I-I might miss a call.

- If I stay home-- - 'That's your best bet.'

Just go home. And I'll make a couple of calls

to some friends downtown and, you know, professional courtesy.

- Thanks, Mac. - 'Okay.'

Bye-bye.

Man, this guy.

[phone dialing] It's Gary.

Captain Reedy, please.

[tense music]

Uh, James Westmont, please.

Abby Cunningham.

Well, why don't you see if you can get him out of the meeting?

It's real important that I talk to him.

[sighs]

Jim, hi. It's Abby.

Uh, look, we've got problems.

Well, I don't know.

If I knew, I wouldn't be calling you.

You're the lawyer. You tell me what to do.

Well, right now, for all I know

Gary Ewing could be a bum on skid row.

And if he is...where does that leave me?

Well, you find out.

Who does she think she is, anyway

threatening me in my own apartment?

She's not even his wife, for God's sake.

- Ciji-- - I feel real sorry for Gary.

You know, I do. I want to help him.

A-a-but everything's becoming so twisted and tangled.

Look, look, this is between Gary and Abby, okay?

They've gotten themselves into this mess.

Now, you have more important things to worry about.

Like tonight, for instance.

You have to make this a night that-that nobody will forget.

So, I want you to go home, get some rest

and you'll be absolutely smashing.

[chuckles]

- Okay? - Okay.

- Thanks, coach. - You're welcome.

- I'll see you later. - Okay.

[door opens]

[door closes]

Couldn't wait, could you?

Well, I got news for you.

This is my house, and I want you out.

- Ow! Richard, let go! - Richard, Richard, come on.

- Stay out of this. - You're hurting me! Ow!

Richard, what are you doing?

[screaming]

- Let go! - Leave her alone!

- Come on, leave her alone. - Richard!

[thudding]

[door closes]

[baby crying]

I'll never forgive you for that.

Never.

Hi, don't you think we should be getting ready?

It's after 5:00 p.m.

Well, I wanted to make sure that

Michael and Eric had something to eat

other than potato chips for dinner.

Tuna fish?

Well, you gotta remember, though

that Michael loves extra mayonnaise

and Eric's really into alfalfa sprouts.

Uh-huh.

What are you doing down here?

I just wanted to borrow some earrings for tonight.

Oh, sure, they're in my jewelry box on the bureau.

Okay.

[plate clanking]

Uh, actually, I did want to talk to you about something.

Ah.

Um, but I want you to promise me

that you wouldn't say anything until I'm finished, okay?

Okay.

It looks like Chip is going to be moving

to New York pretty soon.

[Diana] 'And when he does, I'm going to go with him.'

- What? - Yeah.

You said you wouldn't say anything until I was done.

I want you to know that Chip did not talk me into this.

It was my own decision.

I can't handle this, Diana.

Why didn't you tell me this tonight?

I wanted to prepare you because when Chip says it's time

I'm gonna pack and go.

[stammers] W-what is this?

Is this a sudden impulse, honey?

I mean, have you thought this out? What about school?

Mother, there are tons of fashion schools in New York.

The point is, is that I really love Chip

'and I want to be with him wherever he goes.'

Well..

I didn't realize it had gotten so serious.

Well, it has.

[Diana] 'It's gonna be okay.'

I know what I'm doing.

Honest.

[instrumental music]

[indistinct chatter]

[Ginger] It's a gorgeous view, isn't it?

Admit it, this is better than staying home

and watching game shows.

[Kenny] Yeah, it sure is.

[dog barks]

[Ginger] We have so much to be grateful for.

Beautiful daughter, good health.

We love each other, and we've even got money in the bank.

I say we're doing alright.

[Kenny] Yeah, they're American dream revisited, that's us.

[Ginger] Hey, Kenny, you know, I was thinking

we could ask the sitter tonight to stay until tomorrow.

That way, after Ciji's party--

Hey, have you already got a sitter?

Of course, Mrs. Rogers.

Well, counselor, I told you when the invitation came.

If you want to go, that's fine, but help me out.

Munson wants you there.

Why are you being so obstinate?

Because I'm not gonna grovel

at the feet of the great Jeff Munson, and that's why.

You know, you're being a jerk.

You're being a jerk.

Okay, so you're angry.

But why take it out on Munson?

He's not against you.

And if you think ruining your own career

is going to affect Gary and Abby one iota, guess again.

You give in once, you spend the rest of your life giving in.

I wish you'd understand that.

What I understand is you have a life to live

and a family to take care of

and a gigantic talent you're letting go to waste.

[Ginger] 'Now, if you're willing to destroy all of that, fine.'

But do it someplace else.

Not in front of your wife and daughter

who happen to love you very much.

[instrumental music]

[Mack singing indistinctly]

- Mack! - 'What?'

[water splattering]

Do you have to sing in the bathroom?

[Mack] 'No!'

But by popular demand,

I now do bedrooms, too.

- Whoa, love of my-- - Okay, honey, don't.

- Don't. Cut it out, please. - What?

Put on some clothes. One of the kids might come in.

So what? They can call me Mahatma Gandhi.

Come on. What's bothering you?

Nothing.

Something I said?

- Something I sang? - Look, just do me a favor.

Don't look for trouble. Let's get dressed

go to the party, and have fun, okay?

Hey, hey. This is your husband you're talking to.

Aren't we supposed to share things?

Come on. Tell me.

Tell me.

Honey, I'm sorry.

[sighs] I'm sorry.

It's not you, it's Diana.

She came to me a half hour ago and she..

[inhales and exhales]

She said Chip is planning to move

to New York and she's gonna go with him.

When?

She didn't know, she just wanted to prepare me.

Because when Chip gave the word, she was taking off.

[chuckles]

That guy's a schlump.

Everybody knows he's a creep.

Yeah, well, I know that, and you know that.

Try to convince Diana.

Hey.

The next time you tell me not to look for trouble..

...make sure you remind me.

[door opens]

[door closes]

Gar?

Gar?

[keys clanking]

[paper rustling]

[soft music]

"Thanks for the bed, Gary."

[paper rustling]

[car honks horn]

[metal rattling]

What are you doing, Richard?

What does it look like I'm doing?

Richard, look.

Munson's been planning this party for weeks.

He's gonna be very upset if Ciji doesn't perform tonight.

Oh, she can perform tonight.

But, uh, this is her swan song.

Richard.

Hey, listen, pull yourself together here.

You're behaving irrationally.

Look, business has tripled

since Ciji started singing here at--

I don't care about business.

You can foreclose. You can burn me up.

You can sue me.

But after tonight, Ciji Dunne is done.

Don't push it, Abby.

Oh..

...you look very pretty, mama.

Oh, thank you, sweetie.

Oh, I hope we all have the time of our lives tonight.

We beautiful people showing the rest of the poor mortals

what the word gala means.

Yeah, well, we'll just have to do our best, mama.

Oh, I'm so excited.

[phone rings]

Hello?

Hello?

[Gary] 'Val, it's me.'

Gary?

Where are you?

[Gary] 'Oh, I'm sorry, Val.'

Are you alright?

- 'Yeah, I'm great. Val..' - What?

[Gary mumbling] 'Help me, um..'

Gary, wait, wait, wait. Don't hang up.

Just tell me where you are

and I'll come there and I'll help you.

- 'Uh--' - Gary?

Hello?

What did you do?

You had no right to do that.

[Val] Don't you know he's in trouble?

It's not your trouble, Valene.

- I don't care. - Now, you stay out of it.

He's not worth it.

He has other lady friends to help him now.

Now, you stay out of it!

What do you think you're doing?

Where are you gonna go?

For heaven's sake, Val

I'm not gonna let you do this.

What are you gonna do, look in every bar in the city?

Now, Jeff is coming for us.

We have a party to go to.

- Uh, w-w-wait-- - Don't you dare.

- No, I'm not. - Valene.

I'm not gonna let you do this.

Please, honey, please.

Think of what you're doing.

[sighs]

- Valene. - Mama, he needs help.

And I'm not going to turn my back on him.

I'm sorry, but I'm not.

Valene. Now--

[instrumental music]

[door closes]

[thudding]

Look at this place.

Daniel, my big dream.

Looks like some damn cathedral to her.

[paper rustling]

Santa Ciji.

Thanks, partner.

You're not blaming me for this, are you?

Yeah, if you hadn't insisted on

turning this place into a nightclub

she wouldn't be here.

Tonight wouldn't be here--

[Abby] 'And you wouldn't be here either, Richard.'

Because this place would have been bankrupt a long time ago.

[chuckles] And I would have been better off.

And you know something?

So would you.

What are you doing here?

The biggest night of our life.

[Chip] 'I'm here to help you celebrate it, you knucklehead.'

We have nothing to celebrate together.

Ciji, come here.

Sit, down.

I've been giving us a lot of thought these last few days.

And as corny as this may sound, I realized..

...that I really do love you.

That's not gonna work anymore.

Ciji, I'm serious.

Look, Tony, I'm gonna tell you this one more time, okay?

I want you out of my life.

[Ciji] 'I don't want you to manage me'

'or marry me, or be the father of my baby.'

And after tonight's party, I don't ever wanna see you again.

And if I do..

...I'm gonna tell everyone how Tony Finnese

goes around beating up old ladies.

Ciji, you wouldn't do that.

Don't be stupid.

[instrumental music]

[door closes]

[doorbell rings]

Kenny, can you get that?

What'd you do, forget to cancel the babysitter?

It's probably Mack and Karen.

I asked them if they'd pick me up.

[doorbell ringing]

- Kenny! - Alright.

[indistinct conversation on TV]

[door opens]

Hiya, Mack. Ginger's not quite ready yet.

Oh.

In the old days, we'd make some dumb

remark about not being ready, huh?

Yeah, times sure have changed, haven't they?

No, not really.

She just probably had to, uh

put the baby to bed and feed her and all that

and then change and come out here

looking like a million bucks all in 20 minutes, huh?

- Yeah, I guess so. - He-he.

It really hasn't changed that much.

Just that we don't make dumb remarks about it anymore.

- Right. - Yeah.

She probably had to make you dinner, too, huh?

I suppose so. I don't remember.

Hey, so you're not coming, huh?

Hey, look, Mac, I don't want to hear about it, alright?

Hey, what do I look like, Karen?

Man, you're talking to McKenzie.

I know when to mind my own business.

You don't want to go to that party tonight?

I wouldn't go either.

Well, thanks. I needed that.

Why go celebrate somebody else's big night?

I don't.

Listen to some singer somebody else developed.

Hey, I developed her.

[Mac] 'Listen to those songs somebody else picked.'

I picked every one of her songs.

That's what I mean.

Why go to a Jeff Munson party after

he had you bounced off the album?

Bounced off? He begged me to produce that record.

I turned him down.

I didn't know that.

[indistinct chatter on TV]

[chuckles] Mac, I see what you're trying to do, but it's not gonna work.

I got the shaft on that deal

and I am not going to their stupid party, period.

Hi.

Wow.

Whoa, the way you look.

Hey, you know what?

I don't blame you for not going tonight.

I'd be ashamed to go out with a woman looking like this.

The way you look.

[chuckles] Wow, the way you look.

That's the biggest compliment I can think of, right?

How you doing, sweetheart?

Fine, Mack.

Goodnight, Kenny.

- You look sensational. - Thank you.

It's gonna be a great night. Night, Kenny.

[door thuds]

[indistinct chatter on TV]

[door knocks]

Yes?

[Val] 'Ciji?'

'It's Valene Ewing.'

'Please open the door. I want to talk to you.'

- I can't, I'm getting dressed. - 'Please!'

[Val] 'I had a call from Gary'

'and if he's in there with you, I want to see him.'

He's not here.

[Val] 'I don't believe you.'

[door opens]

[Ciji sighs]

[door closes]

- You satisfied? - Where is he?

- I don't know. - Yes, you do.

Now, you tell me where he is.

I'm telling you, I don't know.

Look people have been dumping their garbage on me

all day long and I'll be damned if I'm gonna take it from you.

Now, I need to get dressed and get out of here.

And I need to find him.

He called me and he told me he's in trouble

And I want to help him.

- You want to help him? - Yes, I do.

How can you stand there and tell me you want to help him

after all the things you've written about him?

Look, why don't you just get out of here, okay?

Wait, wait, stop that.

How could you have written all those terrible things

about him and sleep at night?

[Ciji] 'Are you that desperate to get back at him?'

No, I'm not.

Those words were never meant to be published.

They were stolen from me!

Why did you write them in the first place?

How could you stoop so low?

[Ciji] 'Just because you couldn't hold on to him'

'you had to betray him with a bunch of lies.'

How could you possibly say that I betrayed him?

I had more love for him than you could ever possibly know!

I loved him with all my heart!

Oh, yeah, you love him so much

you have to let the whole world know that

that you married this poor, helpless drunk!

Oh, that's love!

Oh, yes, you did!

I saw it, and I saw him read it.

- And I saw what it did to him! - No, that's not--

- What kind of a woman are you?! - Stop it!

If you were any kind of a woman

he wouldn't have left you in the first place!

- Stop it! - Ah!

[thudding]

Ciji.

[Val] 'Are you alright?'

Get out of here.

I'm sorry.

Get out!

[door opens] I'm sorry.

[door closes]

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

- Good evening. - Name, please?

- It's us. - Name?

[clear throat] Powell, it's us.

Indeed it is. Your name, please?

[chuckles] How many times have we been here?

I don't know, but if you tell me your name, I'll look it up.

[chuckles] I don't believe this.

It's alright, Mack.

[chuckles] Uh, McKenzie.

Thank you.

This way, Mrs. Fairgate.

What is it with this guy?

[Diana] That's the way Maître d' are supposed to act.

Union rules.

Thank you.

Maître d', I'd like to see Richard.

- Avery, the owner? - He's not here.

- He's not here tonight? - Where is he?

Probably counting the number of times you've been here.

[chuckles]

[Karen] How come Richard not be here?

[Mack] 'Oh.'

'That's no big deal.'

Mack, hi.

- Hi. - Um..

Did you talk to your friend downtown?

Yes, I have. They're checking

and no one has answered to Gary's description

'in jails or hospitals.'

I don't know if I should be relieved or not.

Gary's been through this before.

I'm sure he'll make it.

[Ginger] 'Anyway, he shouldn't worry about it.'

Yeah, join us.

[indistinct chatter]

Oh, oh, please, sit over here by me.

Hi, has anyone seen Ciji?

Hi.

- No. - Not tonight.

Maybe she's nervous and just staying in her dressing room.

No, I already checked, and no one answers in her apartment.

Well, certainly she wouldn't miss out

on the biggest night of her life.

Ciji doesn't miss out on much of anything.

Uh, Laura, where's Richard?

I haven't seen him either.

Well, maybe Ciji and Richard and Gary have

decided to have a party on their own.

[chuckles]

[indistinct chatter]

That's nice.

Bad joke.

Very bad joke.

[sighs] Well..

- Place looks nice. - Yeah, yeah.

No. No, it's great.

Everything is great.

Right. No.

No, the musicians haven't gotten here yet

but it is still early.

There's no such thing as early for musicians.

Track them down.

The sound okay? Good.

The photographer? Great. Okay, listen.

Now, get Ciji in front of the poster right in the..

What?

[Jeff] 'Well, call her.'

'Tell her we're sending a car for her.'

How can that be?

How long have you been trying to get in touch with her?

'Wait, hold it. Hold it.'

We've got 12 major critics

and a house full of invited guests

who expect to hear Ciji Dunne launch

her album 90 minutes from now.

'Without Ciji Dunne, it's not gonna be'

'much of a celebration, now is it?'

So, don't you tell me to take it easy

and don't you take it easy either, go find her.

I've gotta leave, Lilymae.

I'm sure Val will be here any second.

Yeah, but I've been waiting for a half an hour

and as you heard, I have a big problem down at the hangout.

Maybe when she gets back, I'll be..

Oh, if you only knew how much this party means to Val.

- I mean, she's been.. - Val.

Oh, Val.

- What happened? - Nothing happened, mama.

Please.

I'm sorry, Jeff. I-I can't go with you tonight.

That's nonsense. Go up and dress.

I don't want you to wait. I'm not going.

Valene.

Valene!

[instrumental music]

[door closes]

[door opens]

[Jeff] Ciji?

[suspenseful music]

Ciji?

[door closes]

And, of course, I think you will agree

that since Ciji has been here at Daniel

the, uh, the atmosphere

the-the style of the whole restaurant has been..

- Excuse me. - Oh, good evening, Mr. Roberts.

How are you?

- Hi. - Hi.

Oh, where have you been?

I've been kind of worried.

Worried for me?

Diana, hey, I wouldn't have missed sharing

this evening with you for anything.

You look sensational.

So do you.

Excuse me, have either one of you seen Ciji?

Isn't she here?

No, I think Richard really upset her.

[Diana sighs]

[Karen] Chip.

Can I, um, see you for a minute, please?

[chuckling]

[sighs]

Diana tells me that--

Mrs. MacKenzie, I have to tell you..

...that gown is fantastic on you.

Diana told me you were planning to go to

New York and that she'll be going with you.

Oh, now, now, wait a minute.

Now, I admit I told her I was planning to move

but coming with me, that was strictly Diana's idea.

Well, I just want you to know that I'm against it.

And I'll do everything in my power

'to keep her from leaving with you.'

[chuckles]

Mrs. M, I appreciate your candor

but I honestly don't think this is the time

or the place to discuss Diana's future.

[male #1] 'Jeff, where have you been?'

[clapping]

Oh, our gracious host has arrived.

Now, if we can get Ciji to show up

we can start the celebration.

Wrong, Richard isn't here either.

After all his preparations for this party

it doesn't make any sense.

[indistinct chatter]

Excuse me. Enjoy yourselves.

[instrumental music]

[indistinct chatter]

[door closes]

Where have you been?

Out.

You look awful.

You know, we've been planning this party for weeks

and everything has gone wrong.

Even Ciji hasn't shown up.

Oh, really?

How lucky can I get?

[metal rattling]

[water sloshing]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

- An original.. - 'Thank you.'

[indistinct chatter]

[chuckles]

Thank heavens for Mrs. Rogers.

Well, I'm glad I showed you the error of your ways.

Well, I'm sorry, but it was actually the thought of Ginger

unescorted and looking like this that brought me here.

[sighs]

Uh, one thing about Mrs. Rogers

she doesn't know how to tie a tie, and neither do I.

- I do. - I know.

Pre-tie's the way to go.

Hi, babe.

Maybe it's not.

[indistinct chatter]

Thank you very much.

[door opens]

Karen, I've been looking for you.

Oh, Lilimae, look wonderful.

Oh, thank you Karen, dear.

- Where's Val? - She's not coming.

- What happened? - Well, I can't say for sure.

But I think she ran into Gary

and whatever happened between them

has left her as shaken

and miserable as I've ever seen her.

Lilimae.

Well, I'm not saying anything.

Especially to you.

Please, Lilimae

this is no time to hold a grudge.

Look, we all know that Gary has been on

a terrible binge these last few days.

Now, if Val has seen him or might know where he is

we could maybe stop him from getting himself k*lled.

Well, Val didn't say where she'd been.

I-I'm not even sure she saw Gary.

All I know is, Valene has been through

something that's hurting her real bad.

[sighs]

[grasshoppers chirping]

[phone rings]

[phone ringing continues]

[phone ringing continues]

[soft tense music]

Hello?

[Gary] 'Uh..'

'Uh, it's okay.'

'It's all gonna be okay.'

'I p-promise.'

[instrumental music]

[engine revving]

[car door opens]

[car door closes]

[engine rumbling]

Ladies and gentlemen if I could have your attention, please.

[Jeff] 'While we're waiting for Ciji to arrive'

'we have a special surprise for you.'

It gives me tremendous pleasure

to present to you this evening, Ms. Ginger Ward.

[audience clapping]

[whistling]

[instrumental music]

♪ I could feel the magic when we met ♪

♪ You simply took my breath away ♪

♪ I never thought I'd feel that way ♪

♪ Cause I never had before ♪

♪ There was something special in your touch ♪

♪ Something more than just desire ♪

♪ Ooh I could feel the fire ♪

♪ And each day ♪

♪ I feel it more and more ♪

♪ Yes it's you ♪

♪ You're the one ♪

♪ My life's all about ♪

♪ Yes it's you ♪

♪ You're the one ♪

♪ I can't live without ♪

♪ I can't live without ♪

♪ And I never want to ♪

♪ Spend a single day ♪

♪ Without your arms around me ♪

♪ So don't ever let me go ♪

♪ Just let your love surround me ♪

♪ Yes it's you ♪

♪ You're the one ♪

♪ My life's all about ♪

♪ Yes it's you ♪

♪ You're the one ♪

♪ I can't live without ♪

♪ I can't live without ♪

♪ And I'd never wanna spend a single day ♪

♪ Without your arms around me ♪

♪ So don't ever let me go ♪

♪ Just let your love ♪

♪ Surround me ♪♪

[waves crashing]

[instrumental music]

[music fades]

[ending theme music]