Nicholas, what's wrong?
I don't think
I wanna talk about it.
Oh.
Well, now, listen,
you can't keep your troubles
all bottled-up inside.
You'll get ulcers.
Well, see, I've been trying
and trying at something
for a long time.
And every time I try
well, it just
doesn't work out.
I'm ready to give up.
And this something
means a lot to you?
Sure does.
Well, then you just
gotta keep trying.
You see, anything that's
worthwhile never comes easy.
Well, I don't know, dad.
This one is pretty tough.
Well, you just keep trying
over and over again.
The key is perseverance
but you must never give up.
- Never.
- Ever?
'No matter what the obstacles'
no matter
how many times you fail
you just keep pounding away
with all your might.
And if you pound
often enough and hard enough
you will succeed...eventually.
- I will?
- Oh, yes.
But you must never give up,
never.
Right.
I gotta ask you something.
Can I have a raise
in my allowance?
- No.
- Dad, I got to have a raise.
- I said no, Nicholas.
- I need a raise.
- Nicholas?
- A raise, please?
Nicholas, this is going
far enough!
Not until I get a raise.
- What I said was not--
- Dad, give me a raise.
- No.
- Yes.
- I've had it.
- Please, dad?
- No!
- Yes, dad.
You know you're gonna
give me an ulcer.
You're gonna give me a raise.
- No.
- Yes.
- 'No!'
- Yes.
[theme music]
♪ There's a magic
in the early morning ♪
♪ We've found ♪
♪ When the sunrise ♪
♪ Smiles on everything around ♪
♪ It's a portrait
of the happiness ♪
♪ That we feel and always will ♪
♪ Oh eight is enough ♪
♪ To fill our lives with love ♪
♪ Oh we spend our days ♪
♪ Like bright
and shiny new dimes ♪
♪ If we're ever puzzled ♪
♪ By the changing times ♪
♪ There's a plate
of homemade wishes ♪
♪ On the kitchen window sill ♪
♪ And eight is enough ♪
♪ To fill our lives
with love ♪♪
I can't believe
you're this interested
in psych A, Elizabeth.
- You kidding? It's fascinating.
- Oh, yeah?
Today, we learned
all about Pavlov's Dogs.
Do you realize that if it wasn't
for his saliva experiments--
Oh, I don't think
I wanna hear about this.
- Why not?
- Because it's gross.
See, now, I just elicited
a condition response
to a condition stimulus.
You did?
Yeah, the stimulus was saliva
and the response was,
"It's gross."
[scoffs]
Congratulations.
Now, take rats, for example..
Elizabeth, please?
Can we get off this subject?
Sure.
What you wanna talk about?
Something pleasant.
Okay. How's that new guy
you're dating?
You just can't get off
the rats, can you?
[doorbell ringing]
- Hi, Mr. Bradford.
- Hiya, Jill, come on in.
We'll have to give Tommy
a few minutes
to pry himself away
from the mirror.
Thanks.
You know, I-I can't get
used to these new customs.
What new customs?
Well, you know, the girls
picking up the boys
for dates.
Actually, we're double-dating.
Ernie's waiting outside
in his father's car.
We're going out to celebrate.
- What's the occasion?
- I've been accepted to USC.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Tommy, have you
heard the news?
Oh, I heard
and I think it's great.
- Are you ready to go?
- Sure am.
Well, wait,
speaking of college.
- We were?
- Yeah, we are.
Have you heard anything yet?
Well, actually, I haven't
sent anything yet.
Tommy.
Now, dad, I know
what you're gonna say
but I've got until
the end of the month
before the deadline.
We have talked
about this before.
Let's talk about it later.
Bye, dad.
- We will talk about it.
- 'Later!'
- Okay.
- 'Goodbye, Mr. Bradford.'
Goodbye, Jill.
It has to do
with avoidance behavior.
Which is why Nancy paid you
to finish doing the dishes.
Uh-huh.
She became frustrated because
I wouldn't stop talking about
her frustrations with some guy
who she thinks is a rat.
When actually, I'm the one
who should be frustrated
because she wouldn't let me
talk about real rats.
Uh-huh.
So, how much is
she paying you, anyway?
Can I be totally honest
with you, Elizabeth?
- Sure.
- Not enough.
[telephone ringing]
I'll get it!
Hello?
Auntie V! It's Auntie V!
What? You're kidding!
- Auntie V is--
- Engaged?
- That's what she said.
- Holy mackerel.
I didn't even know
she was divorced.
I mean, she did bother
to get divorced, didn't she?
Oh, yeah, it was
finalized Tuesday.
Today is only Thursday.
That's two whole days.
V is slowing down.
And she's as mysterious as ever,
she won't let on anything
about the guy,
where she met him.
All she says that she wants
our family to meet him.
And it might be sooner
than we think.
[rock music]
- It's true.
- It is not true.
- I just haven't had the time.
- You have to.
You've just being
avoiding it.
You're beginning
to sound like my father.
In this case,
he happens to be right.
Tommy, all I want
is for us to be together.
Look, we're not gonna
be together anyway.
I couldn't get into USC
if I wanted to.
- I just don't have the grades.
- That's why I'm saying.
You could go to a community
college and then transfer.
If you just apply yourself,
you could get the grades
and then we could be together.
[music continues]
- Did you hear that?
- Tommy, will you listen to me?
- Ernie, did you hear that?
- He's okay.
- Okay? The guy is great!
- Bradford, you're crazy.
You are lot better
than he is.
- You think so?
- I know so.
Tommy, promise me
you'll do those applications.
Okay, I promise, I'll try
and get them done tomorrow.
- Will that make you happy?
- You know it will.
I love you, Tommy.
[music continues]
[guitar music]
Hiya, Tommy. Uh, some more
college applications for you.
Thanks.
The stock is getting
pretty high, isn't it?
Oh, dad, let's not
go into this again, okay?
- I said it would get done.
- Does that mean that it will?
- Yes, it does.
- I don't believe you.
I'm beginning to believe
that you have no intentions
of ever filling out
these applications, ever.
Dad?
I mean, do you realize
how important
the college education is?
Well, you've certainly
told me enough times.
Well, then I'll just
have to keep on telling you
till I get it through
that head of yours.
What we're talking about
is the rest of your life
your future.
We've talked about
my future before.
My future is music,
my music.
Alright, you can make
your music in college.
- I can?
- Yes.
Come on, it's not like
I'm asking you to give up
all your dreams.
All I'm saying is to give
yourself a little backup.
Some insurance, just in case.
Look, dad,
I know what you're saying.
I know you do
but if you would just
sit down and think about it
I mean, really think about it
I think you'd agree.
[sighs]
Okay, I'll think about it.
And fill out
the applications?
And fill out
some applications.
Thanks.
Now, if you'll leave me alone
maybe I can get
some of these done.
Yes, of course.
If you want me to help you
fill out the applications..
No, no, I'll do just fine.
Thanks.
Very good.
[sighs]
[guitar music]
[car horn honking]
[guitar music]
(Joannie)
Alright!
Heaven's sakes.
[honking continues]
Hey, what's going on?
I don't know.
- It's Auntie V, you guys!
- Okay! Alright!
- Oh!
- There he is.
- Hello, sweetheart.
- Hello.
- Hello, darling.
- Oh.
- All the ladies here, hello.
- Hi.
- Auntie V.
- How are you, darling?
- Hi, Auntie V.
- Oh, there's so many of you.
- Hello.
- Hi.
Hiya, V,
congratulations again.
Tom.
Oh, you're gonna
love him, Tom.
I'm sure he will.
Tom, the bags.
Oh, yes, right.
I'll be right back.
Hi, there, I'm Tom,
V's brother.
Welcome, welcome.
Here, I-I'll give you
a hand with those.
Here you go.
[chuckling]
Come on.
Oh.
Alright, here.
Boy, oh, boy, people these days,
imagine you give them a buck
and they-they laugh at you.
So, V didn't tell me
what you name was.
Uh, Jerry.
Oh, and how long
have you known each other?
- About ten minutes.
- Oh.
[laughing]
That's funny.
You've got a sense of humor.
I like that,
and believe me, Jerry
you're gonna need one
around this house.
- Oh, I believe you, pal.
- No, just call me Tom.
Well, V, I got to admit,
I'm gonna like Jerry here.
He's got a good sense of humor.
We're gonna get along
just fine.
That's swell, Tom.
Why don't you two
go for a ride in his cab
and maybe he'll let you play
with the meter.
'Girls, let's help Ben
with the bags.'
Ben?
- Hi, Ben.
- I love you.
[indistinct chattering]
I'm off in a couple of
minutes, Tom.
You wanna go for a beer?
[indistinct chattering]
[instrumental music]
[guitar music]
So, how'd you two meet, anyway?
We met in the airport
in San Francisco.
I was on my way to New York
and Ben had just arrived
from Cleveland.
- Cleveland?
- Mm-hmm.
- Ohio.
- Right.
(V)
Ben was in San Francisco
on a convention.
- Aluminum siding.
- Really?
Yeah. Uh, here,
let me give you a card.
They call him "The aluminum
siding king of Cleveland."
[Ben chuckling]
'Here.'
Oh, gee.
Oh.
Gee, that's a...little crown
and everything.
So, anyway, I was standing there
trying to find a magazine
and Ben came by trying
to find the men's room.
- Well, it was a long flight.
- Auntie V.
Oh.
[chuckling]
So, we got to talking
and one thing lead to another..
Anyway, here we are,
three months later.
(all)
Aww.
Guys..
Yes, never been to Sacramento.
Been to California
but not Sacramento.
Oh, really?
We'd love to show you around.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
I'm looking forward to it.
[knocking on door]
Come in.
Tommy, aren't you coming down
to join us in the living room?
- Yeah, in a while.
- Well, it's not polite.
V is anxious for you
to get to know Ben.
- I'll be down.
- Alright.
But don't take too long.
How are the college applications
coming?
- They are not.
- Why not?
Because I've made
a decision, dad.
I'm not going to college.
[dramatic music]
I thought you said
you're gonna think about it.
I did think about it
and I made a decision.
Oh, yeah,
the wrong decision.
The wrong decision for you.
The right one for me.
Now, dad, we've been
over this before.
I can't wait until I'm .
I'm in my prime now
and I've gotta take advantage
of my ability
while I've still got it.
But do you know
how tough it is?
I mean, do you know how stiff
the competition is out there?
I don't think realize
how great the odds are
on making just a decent living
much less hitting it big.
[sighs]
I know they're not good.
Look, dad, there's this
guitarist down at Nikki's place.
His band is hot.
They've even cut an album.
Now, I'm better than he is,
a lot better.
And someday
I'm gonna be up there.
And I'm not gonna wait
four years to get the chance.
What are you gonna do right now?
I don't know.
Well, you better
make up your mind.
Because from now on, young man,
you're on your own.
[instrumental music]
[door slams shut]
[guitar music]
[knocking on door]
Come on in.
Hi.
Do you realize, young man,
that you haven't been downstairs
more than five minutes
since I got here?
I know, I'm sorry, Auntie V.
I just...kinda had
a lot on my mind.
Wouldn't have anything to do
with a certain person's decision
not to go to college,
would it?
[scoffs]
News sure travels
fast around here.
I thought you wanted to be
a professional musician.
Oh, I do,
more than anything.
So be one.
[scoffs]
Auntie V,
it's just not that easy.
Nobody said
it was going to be.
Oh, I know that.
But I also know
that it doesn't have to be
made impossible, either.
That's exactly what dad's
trying to do by cutting me off.
Oh, I see.
I just wish there were a way
I could prove myself.
I know I'm good enough.
Well, if you really think
you are..
...I might be able to help.
You're kidding?
I know a record producer
in Los Angeles.
Maybe he can arrange
to have you heard somewhere.
You mean it?
But you have to be sure
you are really ready.
Oh, I'm sure I'm ready.
Okay.
Does anybody know
what dad's doing today?
Well, I heard he was trying
to get up the fourth for golf.
- Maybe Ben could play.
- Hey, good idea.
Great idea, except Ben
doesn't play golf.
Oh, that would tend to slow
the game down a little
wouldn't it?
Auntie V,
I've got a great idea.
Why don't you two play tennis
with Joannie and myself?
- Oh, yeah.
- Oh, I don't think so, Nancy.
Oh, why not, Auntie V?
As I remember,
you're a great doubles player.
- Yeah.
- Well, Ben doesn't play tennis.
He's not much for sports.
Well, Auntie V, you-you
can't stay inside all day.
It's beautiful out there.
(Abby)
I have an idea.
Why don't we all
go to Old Town?
There are these
two antique shops
that you would just love, V.
Oh.
Why don't you go, Abby?
We'll just hang around
here today.
Ben's kind of a home body.
If that's the way you want it.
You mean, you're just gonna
sit around on a Saturday?
Well, Ben's a little
tired, Nicholas.
He's not used to travelling.
Oh.
Speaking of Ben, where is he?
Oh, boy, you've got
some serious problems, Tom.
Some very,
very serious problems.
- I do?
- Well, look here, blisters.
[tapping]
See that?
And look here, cracks.
And look at this...chips.
You have got blisters,
cracks and chips, Tom.
Wow.
I had no idea.
Oh, yeah, I saw it the first
time I looked at the house.
You know, if I were you,
I'd give some serious thought
to aluminum siding.
Oh, gee,
I don't know, Ben.
Oh, you could save yourself
a lot of money
- And grief.
- Really?
Sure, that's one of the
beautiful things about siding.
It's absolutely
maintenance free.
'You know, you would never ever
have to spend another dime'
'on the outside
of this house?'
Well, you know,
actually I haven't spent
that much money, anyway.
Yeah.
What did it get you?
Blisters, cracks and chips.
You don't know much about
aluminum siding, do you?
- No, actually, I don't.
- 'Let me tell you something.'
Even the salt from the ocean
spray will not hurt it.
- No kidding.
- 'My word of honor.'
By the way,
how far away is the ocean?
[chuckles]
Around miles.
Oh, boy, that close, huh?
- You don't mean that?
- Oh, absolutely.
One good stiff breeze..
[blowing air]
...you could be in real trouble.
Abby tells me
you like college, Elizabeth.
Yeah, I didn't at first
but I guess it kinda
grew on me.
Have you decided
on a major yet?
No, not really,
but I'm pretty interested
in the psychology class
I'm taking.
It's a lot of fun.
- Psychology? Fun?
- Well, sure.
Like yesterday,
we spent the whole lecture
doing word association
and then we had to answer
questions
about our partner
based on their response.
It was great.
- That sounds interesting.
- Yeah, it really is.
And you would be surprised
how accurate it was.
[chuckles]
- Auntie V?
- Hmm?
How'd you like
to give it a try?
- Now?
- Sure, why not?
- Sure, why not?
- Okay, now, I'll start.
I'll say a word
and then you say the first word
that pops into
your head, okay?
- Ready?
- Ready.
- Apples.
- Oranges.
- Men.
- Husbands.
- Husbands.
- Ben.
- Ben.
- Men.
- Men.
- Ben.
- Ben.
- Men!
- Hold it.
- Bathroom.
- No, Auntie V.
- Yes, Elizabeth.
- Stop!
- Go!
- No, the game is over.
- Oh.
[sighs]
It was much more fun in class.
I was enjoying that.
Hello, family, is there
anything I can do to help?
Since when do you volunteer
to help with dinner?
Ah, since I found
my true direction in life.
I used to be nothing
but a lazy adolescent.
Now I'm an adult beginning
the path to my destiny.
Well, for tonight
your destiny is the salad.
and it's right over here.
Have you heard anything yet?
- He's calling me at :.
- Who's calling at
- That's only ten minutes.
- Who's calling at
Alright, I'll listen to,
"Hi, dad."
I'll accept "Welcome home."
But "How was your golf game?"
will not be tolerated
in this house tonight.
That bad, huh?
[groans]
I'm gonna have these clubs
aluminum sided.
Hey, great, that'll give
Ben something to do.
(Tom)
'Nicholas.'
[telephone ringing]
I'll get it.
Hello?
Uh, yeah, she is,
just a minute.
Auntie V, it's for you.
- 'Oh, that's him.'
- That's who?
- Is it
- Just about who is it?
- I don't know.
- Shh!
Yes?
Hello, Mike.
Oh, there is?
Oh, does it have
to be that soon?
- Oh, is it him?
- It's him.
- It's who?
- Oh.
Uh, hold on a second, Mike,
I'll ask him.
There's an audition
for a backup musician
for a group called "Biplane",
you've ever heard of them?
Are you kidding?
They're great!
Well, the competition
is expected to be very stiff
but you can have an audition
if you want it.
- I can?
- Mm-hmm.
'You've gotta be there
day after tomorrow.'
You sure you wanna do this?
I'll start packing right away.
Thanks, Auntie V.
Wait a minute,
where is he going?
Mike, thanks a million.
I'll have Tommy call you
for details.
- Bye-bye.
- V, what is going on here?
I got Tommy an audition.
- Where?
- Los Angeles.
V..
We better have a talk.
- The study?
- The study.
He would have done it
himself eventually.
- I just helped him a little.
- Oh, come on.
"Pushed" would more adequately
describe it.
If he's going to ruin his life
he can ruin it
without your help.
- Tom, you are--
- Oh, please, don't say it.
I'm too mad to hear you
tell me that I'm overreacting.
How could you do it, V?
You have meddled into
this family's life before
but do you realize
what could happen this time?
I'm telling you
it would've happened anyway.
You don't know that.
He could have changed his mind.
He wasn't going
to change his mind.
- You didn't know that!
- I know Tommy.
- He's a lot like me.
- Oh, great.
Next thing I know he'll be
traipsing all over the world
collecting wives
like souvenirs.
That's not nice.
Uh, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean that, V.
The hell you didn't.
[dramatic music]
[instrumental music]
(Abby)
'Come on, Tommy,
you better be going.'
[clearing throat]
Break a leg, kid.
Bye.
Good luck, Tommy.
Thanks, Abby.
- Is dad, uh..
- I don't know where he is.
Yeah, well, tell him
I said goodbye, huh?
Hey, we better get
going, Bradford.
Yeah.
Oh, uh, wish me luck.
[indistinct chatter]
- 'Have fun.'
- 'Have fun.'
[music continues]
Well, good luck, Tommy.
Thanks, dad.
Let's go, Ernie!
[music continues]
Don't worry,
Tommy will be alright.
- Really?
- Yes.
[music over radio]
You think this thing will
make it all the way to LA?
No sweat.
It sure is making
some interesting sounds.
It's excited.
It's never been to LA before.
Yeah, well, you won't be
needing this from me
much longer, anyway.
You'll be able to get
something really hot
like a red Jag.
Ernie, don't you think
you're jumping to conclusions?
Just thinking positive,
that's all.
My guidance counselor says
you should always
think positive.
Yeah, well, your guidance
counselor drives a Rambler.
Yeah, that's probably
why he also says
"Do as I say, not as I do."
He says that a lot.
Well, let's just get this
audition over with first.
Then we can think
about new cars.
Okay, but I'm telling you, Brad,
you're gonna be a big star
in spite of your attitude.
I can feel it.
You know something, Ernie?
You're crazy.
But I hope you're right.
That's my man.
[both laughing]
Alright.
[knocking on door]
Come in.
Hi, V.
- Are you okay?
- I'm fine, Tom.
Listen, I'm-I'm sorry
about what I said yesterday.
I'm sorry for walking out.
I always did that
when we were kids, too.
Hmm, but in those days
you'd stay mad for weeks.
I'm older now.
The days are more valuable.
- Does that mean I'm forgiven?
- Oh, of course.
Tom, I know how you feel about
the way I've lived my life.
You certainly made
no secret of it.
Oh, but I never
condemned you for it.
Oh, you never
approved either.
But I-I really thought
you'd like Ben, though.
Oh, I do like him.
He's very...stable.
Oh, he is.
He takes such good care of me.
He loves me so much.
I need that Tom.
'I've done a lot of
wild things in my life'
and I just cannot live
that way anymore.
He's very..
Well, he's very good for me.
And I-I think
I make him happy, too.
I'm glad for you both.
I wish you much happiness.
Oh.
Thank you,
Tommy, belly button.
Thank you.
I love you.
(Ernie)
Look at this place, will you?
It's a zoo!
Can you believe the size
of these billboards?
- I know.
- Oh, think of it, Bradford.
You're gonna be
up there someday.
- Ernie.
- I can't help it.
It's just like Barbra Streisand
in "A Star Is Born."
Now, Ernie, don't wig out
on me, not now, okay?
[sighs]
Sorry.
[horn honks]
First thing we gotta do is
find us place to sleep tonight.
I heard the Beverley Hills
hotel is very nice.
I heard my guidance counselor
talking about it.
Ernie, you know something?
You gotta start seeing less of
your guidance counselor.
A lot less.
Whoa!
Look at that.
[telephone ringing]
Hello? Tommy!
Hey, how you doing?
Super. We just cruised
Sunset Boulevard.
The hotel room is beautiful.
Oh, yeah, I bet it is.
Sure.
Hey, hold on,
here's Abby.
- Hey, Tommy, how are you?
- Oh, yeah, everything's great.
It really is.
The audition's first thing
in the morning
so we're gonna hit
the sack early.
- Are you very nervous?
- Well, a little.
Listen, Tommy, your dad
really wants to talk to you.
Uh, Abby, uh, would you
just tell him I'm okay?
I wanna concentrate
on the audition.
Yeah, but, Tommy,
it would maybe help if you do.
- Abby, please.
- Okay.
Will you promise to talk to him
after the audition?
- I will.
- Okay.
- Hey, good luck.
- Alright, thanks, Abby.
- Bye-bye.
- Okay, bye.
[sighs]
Well, this is it,
the big time.
[indistinct chattering]
Relax.
I'm trying to
but it'll be a lot easier
if you take your own advice
and relax yourself.
I can't.
I'm too nervous.
Oh, great.
I didn't realize there'd be
so many guys trying out.
Auntie V said the competition
was gonna be stiff.
Well, just think positive.
Think to yourself, you're better
than all these guys.
Uh-huh.
- I hope.
- Ernie?
Sorry.
Okay, you guys
we're gonna start
the try-outs now.
Those of you
who'll be auditioning
will take your turn in playing
in the recording studio.
In case you don't know,
that's the recording studio.
[all laughing]
'Okay, would you do me
a favor?'
Keep it down in here
so we can hear the auditioners.
Uh, Eddie DeNaut.
Where's..
- Right here. You ready?
- Mm-hmm.
- Right this way.
- Yeah.
Hey, they started yet?
Oh, the first guy
just went in.
[guitar music]
Hope this doesn't take all day.
My last audition was packed.
I've got another
in exactly an hour.
- I'm just sick of these things.
- Not much of luck, huh?
[music continues]
Hey, you're better
than this guy.
Oh, come on, Ben,
come with us. Hey.
Oh, thanks, girls,
but, uh, don't worry about me.
I'm gonna be fine right here.
But we really
want you to go.
- We're gonna have a good time.
- Really.
Shopping with Auntie V
is an experience, Ben, really.
You can help her
pick out a dress.
Of course, she never
listens to anybody.
I don't know.
Look, Ben,
we made the decision for you.
- You're going.
- Right.
And you're going
to have a good time.
[sighs]
[yawns]
Excuse me.
Hey, Auntie V,
what do you think of this one?
Oh, I don't know, Joannie,
it's kind of plain.
No, nothing unique about it.
Hmm.
Now that's more like it.
Oh, Auntie V,
that's beautiful.
Oh, yes, like you are.
[laughs]
- You like it, Ben?
- Well..
You hate it?
Oh, no, no, no,
it's not that at all.
It's just very attractive,
it's just..
Well, Vivian,
that's impractical.
Oh, since when have you known
Auntie V to be practical?
Hey.
[all chuckling]
Well, I-I just..
I thought it would make
a nice party dress, that's all.
Yeah.
Well, but, I mean,
how many times
would you wear it, and..
...at that price?
[laughs]
Well, I guess...
I guess you're right.
Of course, I am.
Here, now this dress
makes a lot more sense,
it really does.
Don't you think?
May I help you
find something?
Yes, I'll-I'll take this one.
V, V, I'm gonna take care
of this now.
No, Ben,
I have plenty of money.
Vivian, you are gonna
have to get used to the idea
of a man
taking care of you.
[laughs]
I guess I'm out of practice.
[laughs]
I guess you are.
[clearing throat]
- Do you take credit cards?
- Yes.
[sighs]
[guitar music]
That guy should consider
switching instruments.
Maybe spoons or something.
Come on, Ernie,
it wasn't that bad.
You know what I think?
I think you got it made.
Uh, Mitchell Ackerman.
'You're up.'
You know, that guy
doesn't have a chance.
What makes you say that?
Well, you heard him.
All he does is go
from audition to audition.
How good can he be?
Yeah.
[guitar music]
Ernie, this guy is great.
He sure is better than anyone
we've seen in Sacramento.
[music continues]
Yeah.
Including me.
[music continues]
So you haven't told us,
have you set the date yet?
Oh, no, no, it depends
on Ben's schedule.
But you'll be the first
to know, I guarantee it.
- Uh, after V, that is.
- Yeah.
And we hope that you can
both be there, we really do.
Is the wedding gonna be
in Cleveland?
Yeah, we got the church
all picked up
and this terrific little place
for the reception
that is gonna be just perfect.
V, do you think that you will
be happy in Cleveland?
Well, of course
she will, Tom.
Cleveland is a very
exciting city.
Do you know that
Cleveland is the most
ethnically diverse city
in the United States?
Wow.
Yeah, they got over
different ethnic groups
right there in Cleveland.
Sixty.
I did a job for a Latvian
just last month.
From Latvia.
Refaced the whole outside
of his house in a, uh..
...Number Blue, oh.
Oh, that must be nice.
Oh, you kidding?
It was beautiful.
Remember, V?
You saw the picture.
What?
The Latvian
that I did the job for.
Oh, yes, mm-hmm.
[laughs]
V, you don't seem to be, uh..
'Don't seem to be with us today,
is anything wrong?'
Oh, no, of course not.
I was just thinking
about my wedding dress.
What color it oughta be.
Any decisions?
Anything but a Number Blue.
[laughs]
Oh!
[laughing]
[instrumental music]
[birds chirping]
- Hi, son.
- Well, you were right.
Oh, about what?
Everything.
- Tommy.
- I just wasn't good enough.
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
Tommy, I'm sorry.
You don't have to be sorry,
you were right.
I was the one who went and made
an idiot out of myself.
No, no, I wasn't right.
And you didn't make
an idiot out of yourself.
It took a lot of guts
for you to go down to L.A.
And fail.
You know,
what I'm gonna tell you now
isn't gonna make you feel any
better after what happened
but did you ever stop
to think that maybe
this all happened for the best
rather than later when it's
too late to turn back?
Yeah, maybe.
Have you thought about
going to college?
I thought about it.
I'm going.
I'm glad.
Yeah.
You won't regret it.
You made the right decision.
I know you did.
[scoffs]
[door slams shut]
Elizabeth..
What's wrong?
I'm in need of
a great deal of therapy.
Why?
For ever liking psychology.
What happened?
The professor is crazy,
certifiable.
He should be doing those
experiments on himself
instead of those poor
little rats.
Those poor little rats?
He obviously has
a personality trait disturbance.
I mean, he is
emotionally immature.
It was very apparent
by the anti-social behavior
he demonstrated today.
You flunked the test.
I flunked the test.
He said I was over-analyzing.
'Me, over-analyzing?'
The man obviously has
a lot of sadistic tendencies
that he's not concealing
very well.
Right, Elizabeth.
He obviously is out to get you.
Out to get me?
Oh, come on, Nancy,
don't be a paranoid.
- Hi, Auntie V.
- Hi, Tommy.
Didn't you go to
school today?
No, I, uh, stayed home
and filled out
these college applications.
What did you do?
Oh, I bought a dress
I should've bought yesterday.
I, um..
I heard about Los Angeles.
I'm sorry.
Yeah, well.
I'm sorry I let you down.
You didn't let me down.
And you shouldn't
let it get you down.
There will be other auditions.
No, not for me, there won't.
I'm gonna be at, uh..
...whichever one of these
colleges will have me.
You're not giving up
your music, are you?
I'll still play for fun.
But L.A. taught me a big lesson.
I gotta learn to live
with my limitations.
Tommy, it was only one audition.
Auntie V, I don't wanna
live my life
going from one audition
to another.
I thought you said college
wasn't right for you.
It'll have to be.
I mean, it's a lot safer
than music
and it guarantees me a future.
Is that what you want,
a guarantee?
[clicking tongue]
I don't know, I guess so.
I just know that I can't take
too much more disappointment.
Yesterday's was enough
to last a long time.
[sighs]
[instrumental music]
Oh, dear.
(Ben)
'This is an interesting show,
isn't it?'
(V)
Yes, yes it is, Ben.
It comes out at :
in Cleveland.
Oh.
Isn't that Switzerland, V?
Lucerne, I loved it there.
You've been there?
I went mountain climbing there.
You're kidding.
Oh, I used to go all the time
with my second husband,
Jacques, the Belgian.
Gee, mountain climbing..
Will you take me there sometime?
Well, I don't think I'll be
doing much climbing anymore.
You took Susan skydiving
when she wanted to go.
I've changed, Nicholas.
That was the old me.
I like the old you, better.
Nicholas.
(male # on TV)
The boys will enjoy climbing
into the engine of the old..
Doesn't matter.
It's been a long day,
I'm gonna rest before dinner.
- Are you alright, honey?
- I'm fine.
Watch your-your television show
I'll..
...be down a little later.
Hmm.
(male # on TV)
Producing machinery, textiles..
[sobbing]
- Are you okay, V?
- Oh, I'm fine, Tom.
I'm just a little tired.
[door closes]
You know, Nicholas didn't mean
what he said.
Yes, he did.
And you know what?
He's right.
I like the old me better, too.
I can't marry him, Tom.
Isn't that terrible?
I have never not gone through
with a marriage before.
No, no, no, no,
it's not terrible.
No, not if that's
what you feel.
I'd die, I would die.
I'd curl up in Cleveland
and stop living.
I can't be somebody
I'm not.
It's okay, V.
He's so safe, so secure.
I thought that's what I wanted,
safety and security.
Somebody to take care of me.
I want more, Tom.
I need more, I always have.
[sighs]
You think he'll understand?
I know he will.
Oh, God.
You're always there
when I need you.
[chuckles]
I guess that's what
little brothers are for.
Thanks for the help.
I just listened.
And understood.
Tom?
There's someone else
in this house
who could use some
understanding, too.
Tommy.
I just..
I don't know
what to say, V.
I'm sorry, Ben.
I really am.
I mean, I thought
we were doing
just fine, I mean..
- You never said anything--
- That was..
That was my fault.
I guess I was trying
to convince myself
that this is what
I really wanted.
I can change, V.
I can do all those things,
I mean..
Mountain climbing
and all that.
Hell, I might even
get to like it.
Ben..
V, I've got it.
Let's go have breakfast
in Acapulco.
What do you say?
'We could leave right now.'
Ben, is that what you
really want?
No.
[chuckles softly]
No, I guess it isn't.
But I don't wanna lose you, V.
- Being alone is..
- 'I know.'
Believe me, I know.
Well, we've got one thing
in common.
One thing isn't enough,
is it?
[sighs]
Listen,
do me a favor, will you?
Send me a post card
from Acapulco.
Oh.
Oh.
Tommy.
You're up late?
Yeah, a lot of bills.
That's too bad.
Oh, hey, look, don't wanna
keep you up too late, huh?
Tomorrow's a school day.
Tommy.
Yeah.
How are things going
with the applications?
Okay, I guess.
You know, they're going slow
but I expect to have a few more
out tomorrow.
Well, what do you think?
I don't know.
I don't think
I have much of a chance
to bigger schools, but, uh..
...I might have a sh*t
at some of the city schools
'and community colleges.'
No, I-I mean..
what do you think
about college
about-about going to college?
That's an awfully weird question
coming from you.
Well, I-I just want to
find out if you-if you think
you are doing the right thing.
Well, you said yourself that--
No, no, let's not talk
anymore about what I said.
Let's talk about
what makes you happy.
College will make me happy.
Are you sure?
Look, dad, it-it doesn't
really make any difference
what's gonna make me happy.
I wanted to be
a professional musician
but I wasn't good enough.
Who says?
Some guy that's about five times
better than I am.
Oh, well, that doesn't mean
that you can't be
better than him someday.
I mean, you'll practice,
you'll learn
you-you'll gain experience.
I could fail.
Well, then you just
pick yourself right up
and try again.
Oh, and take another chance
of getting sh*t down again.
Yes.
Sometimes we have
to take chances.
Well, whatever happened
to playing it safe
and having some insurance?
Well, safe is alright for me.
I'll always think that college
is the right thing.
But you aren't me.
You see, maybe college isn't
the right thing for you to do.
But that's your decision
to make.
Don't make it
because you're afraid.
Make it because you think
it's the right thing.
And if I told you I wasn't going
to college, you wouldn't care?
Of course, I'll care.
I'll always want what's best
for you because you're my son
and because I love you.
If you decide
not to go to college
it'll be hard
for me to accept.
But you're gonna do things that
I wouldn't always go along with
and I'll just have to
learn to live with it.
Sometimes it's hard
for a father to let go.
But what if I can't
make it as a musician?
I'm willing to bet
that you will make it.
You're my son, right.
[chuckles]
Dad..
...am I too old to hug you?
I hope not.
You know something?
You're okay.
- Just okay?
- Yeah.
There are some things that you
just have to play it safe.
- Stick to "okay."
- Right.
[chuckling]
Goodnight.
[instrumental music]
[instrumental music]
[indistinct conversation]
Are you Mr. Bradford?
I most certainly am.
What is all this?
Free aluminum siding
for you and your family.
Compliments
of a Mr. Ben Blanchett
of Cleveland.
Pretty exciting, huh?
Yes, it's very exciting
but I don't want my house
aluminum sided.
But it says here, you have
blisters, cracks and chips.
I don't care. I still don't
want my house aluminum sided.
Mr. Bradford, blisters,
cracks and chips?
- Take it back.
- Take it back?
I can't take it back,
it's signed and paid for.
- But I don't--
- Okay, man, dump it here.
Now, wait a minute,
hold it, hold it.
Come on, come on,
lets hustle.
I don't..
This..
We don't have all day,
you mansky. Let's move it.
Take it..
Abby!
Abby, please!
Abby!
[theme music]
[music continues]