05x01 - The Magnolias Take Manhattan

[bunniefuu]

- ["Destination" by Nickel Creek playing]
- ♪ You don't owe me ♪

♪ One more minute of your wasted time ♪

♪ You act like it's all fine ♪

♪ It isn't hard to leave ♪

♪ Knowing that I'll be getting life
On track ♪

♪ I wanted to believe ♪

♪ I've gotta make a destination ♪

♪ Find where I belong ♪

♪ This time I've got no hesitation ♪

♪ I'll be movin' on ♪

♪ To where I belong ♪

♪ I'll be movin' on ♪

♪ Over the line I've drawn ♪

♪ I'm already gone ♪

♪ Gone ♪

[music fades]

[siren blaring in the distance]

- ["Manhattan" by Ella Fitzgerald playing]
- ♪ We'll have Manhattan ♪

♪ The Bronx and Staten Island…♪

[women giggling]

♪ It's lovely… ♪

Okay. One more stop.

Look at that.

♪ …the zoo ♪

Yep.

Oh!

- Savor the moment.
- [giggling]

I bring you to Tiffany's,
and we're not going in?

- Mm-mm.
- Lead me not into temptation.

Okay, this could very well be

the "something blue" I need to complete
my wedding ensemble.

[Dana Sue] You don't even have
your dress yet.

She's got the man.
Everything else is the details.

♪ And tell me what street
Compares with Mott Street in July ♪

[all laughing]

♪ Sweet pushcarts gently… ♪

{\an8}- And the windows.
- You two.

{\an8}♪ …gliding by ♪

- [woman] Yes.
- That's so funny!

♪ The great big city's a… ♪

- Are those cosmos?
- Yes, they are.

We prefer margaritas.

- Yes.
- We do.

- [women] Cheers.
- Cheers.

♪ We'll turn Manhattan ♪

♪ Into an isle of joy ♪

♪ And My Fair Lady is
A terrific show they say ♪

- ♪ We both may see it close ♪
- I'm always so inspired when I'm in here.

- ♪ Someday ♪
- [Helen] Oh.

[squeals] Okay, I recommend
the Watch Hill, which are these.

Okay. Smells like old money.

- Gonna do it?
- Yeah. You want one?

Until that thing is breaded and fried,
keep it away from me.

- [laughs] Down the hatch.
- Oh.

Here we go. Ready?

♪…into an isle of joy ♪

Yes!

[music ends]

[all] Pour it out.

- [laughing]
- [Helen] Mmm.

[Dana Sue] Mmm.

Is it just me,
or do the margaritas here taste different?

- It's the altitude.
- It's sharing new heights with friends.

Clever. Really clever.

You'd think she was in marketing
or something.

I cannot tell you how much it means to me

that you two are here
for Nell's book signing.

I pushed so hard to get on Nell's team,

and when Lucas gave me the green light
to take point on her event, I just…

[inhales deeply] Ah! She's a star.

- You're a star.
- You two are my good luck charms.

I did not wanna do this without you,
and I know it took a lot for you

to come up here for it,

especially with Annie's graduation
next weekend.

- Which you're coming home for…
- Of course.

And Ty coming home from Copenhagen
to attend said graduation is just a bonus.

[Dana Sue] Yeah.

But while you're here,
there is so much I wanna show you.

I can't believe
it's only your second visit.

It's only been six months.

[chuckling] And it is much more important
and efficient

for you to come home
on the weekend on a regular basis

and let everyone in Serenity
love on you there.

[Maddie] Which I deeply appreciate,

but, I don't know, there's just something
about having you all here,

sharing in the excitement
of the city and my job. It just…

[exhales] It makes it all feel so…

Dazzling and breathtaking.

Possible.

Oh.

Your love and support, and Cal's,

it helps me balance the hurt of being away
from all the people that I love.

Isn't it fascinating that we can
run the race and win the trophy

but still feel our blisters?

Mm-hmm.

We fight the good fight,
we finish the race, keep the faith.

And we do it together.

- [chuckling]
- [glasses clink]

[gentle music playing]

[splatting]

[Katie] Oops!

So… close.

[Paula giggles]

Look at it this way.
If you give up on Pluto, you're done.

But I believe in Pluto.
I don't want her to get left out.

Yeah, but no kid or planet
can go to school dripping blue paint.

I was just so excited.
Didn't mean to squeeze the paint so hard.

We know, honey.

Kyle, would you care
to take your sister upstairs?

Gently.

Katie, hop in the shower
and see how much paint comes off.

[scoffs lightly]

[Paula laughs]

I shouldn't have let her wait until
the night before the project was due.

I should have kept better track.

All kids wait until the night before.
It's practically tradition.

Even so, Maddie never would have allowed
this to happen.

It is



Don't rub it in.

In second grade, Ty erupted more times
than the volcano did,

and he finished at 1:00 a.m.

Now, Kyle's fourth-grade solar system,

he made tearful pleas
that there would only be six planets,

and he finished at midnight.

Now, Katie stumbled at the finish line,
but there were no tears, and it's 10:37.

So… progress.

You are a great parent,
and you play a winning game.

She decided she likes blue hair.

Nana disagrees.

- [Cal chuckles]
- Yeah.

I wish you'd been here
for my solar system.

Thanks, bud.

How about we save the universe
for your little sister?

[gentle music playing]

If it weren't for this erosion conference,
I'd stay longer.

My heart will hold firm.

And to make sure that you miss me…

Oh.

- Pecan tarts.
- Easier than a whole pie.

I wanted to make sure you had a taste
of Sullivan's and Friends on the road.

Most of these won't make it
to my destination.

At least three
will be gone by town limits.

In fact…

[moans]

So good.

[both chuckle]

[chair scraping]

We've been saying goodbye long enough.
I'll let you close up.

- We aren't even here.
- You two take your time.

Good night, Michael. See you soon.

He is the boss.

All right. So long, everyone.

I'll see you all when I return
for our six-month anniversary.

[gentle music continues]

I didn't realize being together six months
qualified as an anniversary.

- Apparently, neither did Isaac.
- But he'll figure it out.

Right?

I can't decide.
I wanna see everything on Broadway.

Well, you all are the visitors.
I'm not gonna decide.

Helen, we have to narrow it down.
Play or musical?

You know, I do like a good musical.

Oh, it's May. We should see something
that's been nominated for a Tony.

Absolutely.

All right, my friends.

She's right up ahead.

- Ah.
- Mm.

[gentle music playing]

[Dana Sue] You come here for inspiration?

[Maddie] Well, it's always been
one of my favorite books.

And Manhattan's a… wonderland.

[all chuckle]

Filled with amazing but crazy characters
that I'm always trying to make sense of.

[Dana Sue laughs]

[Maddie] But mainly,

I like to see Alice

surrounded by all of her friends.

Well, I'm the Mad Hatter.

I'd put on a tea party that would make
theirs look positively tame.

I suppose I'm the White Rabbit,

always trying to impose order on chaos.

Perfect.

So, Alice,

what do you wonder
when you come up here to Wonderland?

I mean, besides marketing strategies
for your authors.

I think about
all the rabbit holes in life.

The moments that we fall into,
sometimes without even realizing, that…

spit us out in surprising places.

And then we end up gathering
the most amazing people around us

that it… doesn't even matter

that we didn't end up where we thought
we wanted to go in the first place.

Better not be regret talking.

Never.

[Dana Sue laughs]

Because there are
more rabbit holes ahead, you know.

And we will slide through them with style.

It's faith.

That we're on the journey
for a righteous reason.

- Mm-hmm.
- And gratitude.

For all the lessons.

Sometimes hard.

And for the company.

[all chuckle]

You know,

we are allowed to climb it.

- In these heels?
- No, Maddie.

- Come on!
- Please!

- Kick 'em off.
- Maddie, stop.

I'm doing it.

[keys jangle]

[mysterious music playing]

Isaac?

Bailey?

- Chef.
- Chef.

Are you two all right?

We're fine. We just keep hearing…

[rattling]

Hearing what?

Little tiny feet in the ceiling.

You think we have rats?

Not that tiny.

What?

- Raccoons.
- Raccoons.

- What?
- What?

I'm sure
it's just a trick of the acoustics.

The range hood echoing.

[rattling continues]

You… you gotta go.
You can't be late for your appointment.

- We need to investigate this.
- I'll take care of it. Just go see the DJ.

DJ? Are we converting to a disco at night?

[exhales] Wedding DJ.
Helen and I each have our duties,

and I've been entrusted
with the music selections.

Lucky man.

At our wedding, the one decision
I was in charge of, Katie made for me.

You're such a thoughtful partner.

Plus, you have the best taste in music
of anyone I know.

I appreciate both sentiments.

[rattling continues]

Go. Trust us. We'll check the fans.

We'll take care of everything. We'll cover
for you through your honeymoon.

If you've planned that yet.

Have you planned yours?

Do as I say. Not as I… didn't do.

Just go.

All right.
My checklist and I thank you all.

I kind of liked the disco idea.

[Cal scoffs]

[disco music playing]

♪ Get on up ♪

♪ When life knocks you down ♪

♪ You take it to the top ♪

[disco music ends]

[door opens]

Hey, sorry. Let me change and--

Dad, you don't need to.

You said you'd be late,
so I thought I'd get things going.

But I was so late,

you're basically finished. I'm sorry.

- It's fine.
- It's not.

Daddy-daughter time is sacred,
and it's more precious

with every passing week.

This job, the Bike Barn…

Is the most excited
I can remember you ever being about work.

I'm proud of you, Dad.

That means a lot to me, baby girl.

Courtney, Jeremy, and I are working hard
to grow our business.

And I want our e-bike tours
to be a reason people come to Serenity

so they can see the beauty
and joy of this place, but…

I don't know, I keep

thinking about how my joy

is packing up to leave for college.

I'll call you every day.

You know what we're going to do
tonight for daddy-daughter time?

Hm?

I'm going to teach you

to take a decent picture on your phone
so you can keep me up on the new tours.

It's gonna take a lot of work.

Can I have a cookie first?

[gentle music playing]

[gentle music ends]

[Latin music playing]

Oh sweet Lord Almighty.

Sir, if I take this last bite,

I'll have to admit
that I could eat another slice

and perhaps another slice after it.

My new friend, Augusto,
this pizza is transcendent.

[Dana Sue] Mmm.

Well, I won't stop you from eating
or flattering me.

Why do you think I walk everywhere?
So I can eat here anytime I want.

Augusto, I admit I don't like it
when people ask me my kitchen secrets.

- She's known to show them to the door.
- Sternly.

This lovely lady?

Thank you, but don't compliment me
when I'm trying to butter you up.

[Dana Sue laughs]

But if you could even hint
at how you get the sauce

to reveal such waves of flavor, I--

Chef Dana Sue, I can't tell you.

I respect that.

I have to show you.

Come. Lady. Come with me.

Come here.

[Augusto laughs]

Whoo.

Wait, do I smell dill pickles?

Actually, yes, you do.

This pizza is my version
of the Cuban sandwich.

[speaking Spanish]

All the sacred flavors,

only in a pizza.

How did I miss that when I was eating it?

It's because the flavors
don't compete for attention.

They work together,

each ingredient appreciating
the part it plays

but recognizing that the whole…

[speaking Spanish]

…it's richer together.

Heh?

And I always cook in my mother's pot

just in case
the flavors forget their place.

- [Dana Sue laughs]
- [speaking Spanish]

Here I thought all the magic
was in the crust.

Oh, it is. It is.

Because if the foundation doesn't hold

when you lift the slice up,
it just falls apart.

So my mother's sauce, my father's crust,

and it still works together
after 34 years.

Sorry. I don't know why…

[chuckles] It's because you value
the… the balance.

You cook from your heart.
[speaking Spanish] Heh?

The people notice that.

- That's exactly what she does.
- She feeds our souls.

Uh-huh.

I put in a bid on old man
Wilkinson's place for my teaching kitchen.

What? Why didn't you tell me?
Why didn't you tell me?

She didn't tell me.

Well, she didn't tell me either,
but I'll still let her make her pizza.

Hold on.

[speaking Spanish]

- Oh, thank you, sir.
- [Helen] Take a picture.

[gentle music playing]

Jeff Hershberger got cast
in The Lost Colony up in North Carolina.

- Can you believe it?
- That's fantastic. For him and for you.

Who's Jeff Hershberger?

A talented actor
a couple years older than Kyle.

He always gets the lead
in Serenity Public Theater shows.

For the last three years.

But with him out of the running,
I have a shot at Petruchio

in Taming of the Shrew this summer.

I'm so excited for you.
I know you've wanted this for so long.

I know. My very first LTR.

Wait.

- LTR?
- Long-term relationship.

And get this. Michael said
he's coming back for our anniversary.

That's so sweet.

But I wasn't counting,
and I have no idea what to get for him.

- Bake him a pecan pie.
- Perfect.

I'm a one-trick pony already.
I'm such a bad boyfriend.

You're wonderful,
and it's the perfect role for you.

I knew you were a star back
when I saw you in Midsummer Night's Dream.

You'd be a great Petruchio.

Thanks. I just… I hope
I can impress Max enough to cast me.

Of course you will.

- How do you do it?
- Practice. Give it a try.

You are not a bad boyfriend.

In the play or real life?

What's out of sync?

- Me.
- It's okay.

[chuckles]

[Helen humming]

- You hear her?
- Uh-huh.

[chuckling] She's over there having
her own little wedding rehearsal.

Dana Sue, I told you, we're not gonna do
a whole bunch of wedding talk.

This weekend is about Maddie.

Well, Nell is a romance writer,
so wedding talk seems appropriate.

Oh, and this venue
seems so appropriate for a little girl

who always wanted to live
in the prettiest bookstore in the world.

You remember that?

Of course.

I also remember
arguing about which one of us

was gonna sleep in the fairy-tale section.

I was always about the cookbooks,
even then.

All hail the Cooking Queen.

[Dana Sue] This is gonna be
an amazing party,

and I want you to come home
and throw one just like it

for the grand opening
of my teaching kitchen.

Well, I'm glad you like it,
and I really think Nell will like it.

- And I pray Lucas will like it.
- Why would your boss not like it?

Well, let's just say
I might have begged you

to come up for the signing
because I needed extra good energy.

Trying to please a boss
who can't be pleased?

- You and Ronnie should talk.
- [Helen] Wait.

- Courtney?
- [Dana Sue scoffs]

Later. This weekend's about Maddie.

Lucas doesn't believe in signings,
and he loves social media.

So I might have persuaded him
that this would be a party

where books just might get signed,
and it'll go viral.

He doesn't treat our authors
with the respect that they deserve.

So I need this party to be exceptional
to change his mind.

Good thing the White Rabbit
and the Mad Hatter are here

helping you throw this tea party.

I'm glad the new medication's
easing your arthritis.

I even crocheted
a little bit the other day.

And pretty soon, I will be quilting again.

Your quilts are so lovely, Miss Eustice.

You bring my heart medicine by
one afternoon, I'll start you one.

- Heart medication? We don't--
- She means Bex.

We stop by after church on Sunday,
just to say hi.

Dr. Howie, you need to bring Wendy by.

If this thing's getting serious,
I need to know if I approve.

Just another service
of the Serenity Mobile Clinic

and Gossip Wagon.

[Howie chuckles]

[crickets chirping]

[ball thuds]

[dramatic music playing]

Hey.

You stood us up, Ronnie.

Again, Ronnie.

I'm sorry. I was… working.

- Again, Ronnie.
- [Erik] We're starting to feel neglected.

Cal, please don't.

All work and no play. It's bad for you.

Are you saying that as my doctor?

Would it help?

Ronnie, we really needed you tonight,
and you let us down.

[Ronnie] Oh, I get it.

Needed my patented Sullivan layup to win?

I don't wanna hurt your feelings,
but we managed to win without you.

We need you to help us to convince Cal
to coach the alumni game.

I'm tired of coaching.
I wanna play this year.

I can't coach. I'm Mr. Mom this summer.

Do it anyway.
And please, leave the bike alone.

So you're encouraging Cal to find room
in his hectic schedule for a little fun?

Yeah, it's like Howie said. All work and…

[Ronnie chuckles]

[exhales deeply] I walked
right into that one.

[Cal laughs]

We're worried about you, man.
Dana Sue's out of town.

You should be hanging with us,
not working.

You're all successful men.

You remember what it was like
to start something new.

Plus, I got Jimmy Sinclair looming over me
through his daughter, Courtney.

I just wanna be a good partner
to her and to Jeremy.

Where is Jeremy right now?

Helping Noreen put Bex to bed.

And you should be where?

Buying the first round.

Oh, the first two.

[Ronnie] Right.

- [Isaac laughs]
- [Erik] Boom.

[Erik laughs]

[Erik] You know, I'm thinking maybe three.

[video call line ringing, chimes]

- [Cal] Hey.
- Hi.

I'm so excited.
I just… I wanted to show you.

[gentle music playing]

Brilliant.

I wanted the design
to match the style of Nell's book,

which is nonlinear and surreal.

I think it's gonna be a big hit.

You're a big hit. Clearly.

[chuckling]

Wait, so how did
Katie's solar system project go?

Oh, it's, uh… it's orbiting at school.

Your mom told me to tell you 10:37.

That's a new record. Good job.

Thank you. I'll take it.

[chuckles] So everything else
is good there?

As well as can be without you.

Uh, we miss you, and we can't wait for you
and Ty to come home next weekend.

But… yeah.

All smooth sailing here.

Aye, aye, Captain.

Perhaps when I get home,

there'll be time
for a little private cruise.

Huh.

With some mood lighting, candlelight,

some wine.

Uh, Maddie, you… you need to go.

But, honey, I haven't even gotten
to the good stuff yet.

Behind you.

[footsteps approach]

- Mads.
- Lucas.

- All ready for the big night?
- Yes, sir. Absolutely.

Again, I get
the whole Southern sweetheart thing,

but you don't have to call me sir.

How far over budget did you go?

Well, I'm actually a little under.

I've made some friends
in the bookseller community

and a friend at a bakery,
and a wine shop and a deli.

I was able to craft some good deals.

I took a risk in giving
one of our top authors to such a new hire.

But you're winning me over.

Southern charm and all.

I'm impressed.

Thank you… sir.

[exhales deeply]

[mouthing] Was that him?

[mouthing] That's him.

That glitter glue
is gonna melt in the hot sun,

so don't use too much.

Thank you, o wise one.

If you don't like advice,

we're gonna have a tough time
as housemates this summer.

[chuckles] Last chance to back out.

Are you kidding me?

With my sister studying abroad,
you're like the human shield

between me and my grossly
back-in-love-with-each-other parents.

Precisely why I wanted to give Miss Helen
and Chef Erik their space this summer.

Then there are those
with unexpected space this summer.

Growth means change. Change means growth.

That how we're labeling
your breakup with Ty?

They're not officially broken up.

Yet.

I do hate this on-again, off-again,

texting, not-texting thing
we've been doing since Christmas.

I hear more from Olivia
than I do from him.

How you didn't crush him under your heel

when he told you to put your dreams
on hold, I don't know--

CeCe, Ty promised to come back
from Copenhagen for graduation.

I am compelled to point out

he promised to come back
for spring break and did not.

Don't be so prelaw.

[chuckles softly]

He'll come, or he won't.

He'll break my heart again,

or he won't.

[pensive music playing]

Whatever he does,
I'm going to have an amazing graduation.

[chuckles]

Hey, why don't we have
an anti-graduation party?

I mean, anti-prom was so fun.
Why not do it again?

- Anti-Fourth of July too?
- Don't write off the whole summer.

I want to experience exciting things.

New and fun things.

I let Kyle convince me
to audition for summer theater.

That's awesome.

I finally get to go to court
with Miss Helen.

[Annie] Wow.

I better step up my search.

Here's to a whole summer of fun.

For the Mini Magnolias.

Cheers.

- Cheers.
- Cheers.

[all laugh]

[applause]

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Absolutely incredible.

You did it again.

Oh.

- I had Nell sign a copy for each of you.
- Look at that.

"To Helen, have a fabulous wedding
full of light and love. You deserve it."

Aw.

"Dana Sue,
I can't wait to try your cooking

or even learn a recipe or two from you."

I talk about the two of you a lot,
if you couldn't tell.

- [Dana Sue] Yeah.
- [all laughing]

If you'll excuse me…

Yeah. Go. Go. Go.

[Helen] Hmm.

Are you a Nell Winters fan?

Uh, well, I'm new to her work, but yeah.

Me too.

I, uh, always say that the romance genre
is for emotionally evolved men too.

Mmm. [chuckles]

[R&B music playing softly]

Hey, he was flirting with you.

What? No, he wasn't.

Yes, he was.

[Dana Sue] Oh. [chuckles]

Well, I… I guess when you're happy,
and you're not looking, you miss things.

I guess.

[laughing]

[Maddie] Oh, Stacy!

[Maddie laughs]

This is an awesome, awesome event.
Thank you for inviting me.

Now I know how the bestsellers do it.

Pretty soon, you'll be a bestseller,
reading your book at your event.

[laughs] Stop. I'm not even published yet.

Stacy Mara.

Maddie snuck me a copy of your manuscript.

I hope you don't mind.

It was marvelous.

What an honor. Thank you, Nell.

Thank you, Maddie.

She's wonderful. Isn't she?

Never in my career
have I received the level of support

Maddie has given me and my book.

[Stacy] Oh.

Well, not that I've written a lot,
but I do know how important it is

to have a community
to support you and your vision.

Nell, perhaps you'll write a blurb
for Stacy's debut.

Yes, please.

I must.

I knew you two would get along.

But let's meet some of
the book influencers that I invited.

[jazz music playing]

[Dana Sue] Start spreading the news!

[Helen laughs]

Are you daring me, Dana Sue?

Maddie Townsend has triumphed.

That is because I have the best friends
that God ever put on this earth.

[Helen exclaims] I love New York.

Oh, I love her.

[Helen laughs]

[jazz music ends]

I don't want you to do this
to make me happy.

I want you to do it to make you happy.

What? Tell me.

I'm just nervous.

I haven't done this before.

You are going to be amazing.

[exhales deeply]

Okay. I'm ready.

Let's do it.

"What?"

"Will you not suffer me?"

"Nay, now I see."

"She is your treasure.
She must have a husband."

"I must dance barefoot
on her wedding day."

"And, for your love to her,
lead apes in hell."

"Talk not to me."

"I will go sit and weep."

"Till I can find occasion of revenge."

[inspirational music playing]

That was…

Uh… Give me notes.
I can… change. I can… I can go again.

Don't change a thing.

That was amazing.

[chuckles]

[inspirational music swells]

- [Maddie softly] Oh my goodness.
- [Dana Sue] Oh!

[Helen chuckles]

You take my breath away.

You say that about every dress.

It's the truth.

It's not helpful. [laughing]

I still love the mermaid.

Ah, I don't know.
It wasn't me, I'm afraid.

Well, nothing is you according to you.
Share your vision with us so we can help.

[exhales] That's just it.

I spent half my adult life
thinking about a certain kind of wedding.

Certain type of gown.

Certain someone waiting for me
at the end of the aisle.

[whooshes] b*llet dodged.

[Helen chuckles]

[Dana Sue laughs]

Which makes it all the more important
to get this right.

I waited a long time and…

and worked through a lot

to find my dream man, and I just…

I just want my dream wedding
to be as… as flawless

as his smile in the morning light,
you know?

[sniffs]

But I'm worried.

Why?

Why?

[Helen laughs nervously]

Could the dream be in my grasp? Or…

is something gonna go wrong?

Oh, don't worry.

Something goes wrong at every wedding.

[chuckling]

For example, sometimes,
the heels you bought

are way too uncomfortable,
and you decide to go barefoot.

[laughing] Yeah.

Then you make everyone
in the wedding go barefoot too.

That sign said "shoes optional,"
not "shoes prohibited."

That made for some good dancing,
didn't it?

- It sure did.
- Yeah.

Or your kids and your fiancé,

who's also occasionally a big kid,

decide that a surprise Halloween wedding…

[all laughing]

…is the only appropriate way
to commence your union.

But you go with the flow.

And things turn out hauntingly well.

[Helen sniffs]

All I want is for everything
to continue to go this wonderfully.

[Maddie] It will.

Happily ever after.

[Helen crying softly]

- Right?
- Yeah.

Miami, San Francisco,
Portland, Jackson Hole.

A Bike Barn
in every tourist hub in the country.

Isn't it a little premature
to think about franchising, Courtney?

We need to have a vision, a target.
Otherwise, how do we aim?

- I was thinking that exact thing.
- I knew you would. Tell me what you see.

We're connecting people with nature
so they respect it and enjoy it.

We have a consistently sold-out schedule,
so we're ready to grow.

We need an assistant to help with booking,
maintenance, and another dozen bikes.

Good.

[laughs]

Hey, hon'.
Bex and I thought we'd eat in ten.

We just need 15.

We can talk tomorrow, Courtney.

Having dinner together
is important to Noreen, Bex, and me.

And I suppose you have dinner
with your family too.

Not at all.
My wife's out of town. My kid's busy.

- I can stay as late as you need me.
- What a go-getter.

You're welcome
to have dinner with us, Ronnie.

Then again, I should go pack.

I'm headed out first thing
to check on other investments.

Be back soon.

You have a good night.

[gentle music playing]

Is there a problem with Courtney
I should know about?

We said we were going to treat her
like a partner, not just an investor.

I am treating her like every partner
I have at the co-op.

Listening, engaging,
and setting respectful boundaries.

You might wanna try it too.

[scoffs] Are you saying
I'm not handling her right?

He's saying she's gonna run you
in the ground if you let her.

Come on in. Join us for dinner.

I heard a rumor of lamb chops.

Uh, thanks. I have some bookkeeping
I should… I should get to.

[gentle music ends]

Celebrating a six-month anniversary
is cool. Why are you so worried?

I don't know how to do this.

How to find joy in building
a relationship with someone wonderful?

I've never really dealt
with anniversaries before.

Most of my relationships
don't tend to last long enough.

All the more reason to celebrate.

Explore this new territory together.

Just let go of the anxiety
and embrace the joy.

On the subject of embracing joy…

Go ahead and stand.
That's the reason I asked you over.

To stand here and celebrate
that you have Helen's house to yourself?

It's practically your house too,
so maybe it's something else?

I just said yes.

I'm asking you to stand with me

as my groomsmen.

For your wedding?

That's where groomsmen are most effective.

- I don't know what to say.
- I'm just gonna say yes.

[all laugh]

[glasses clink]

So the bachelor party…

Decorating the car.
Oh, getting you to the church on time.

Is there anyone else?
We should connect with them right away.

One other.

Yet to be asked.

In the meantime, whatever we can do,
we will do. Your wedding, your call.

I like the sound of that.

"I'll attend her here and woo her
with some spirit when she comes."

"I'll attend her here and woo her
with some spirit when she comes."

"What's done is done."

Wrong play.

Where in Shrew does it say
we're going to be late for school?

I thought you two left.

He's still mourning
his imperfect callback yesterday.

Uh…

I'll wait on the porch, Kyle.
For three minutes.

[door opens and closes]

The beauty of Shakespeare
is iambic pentameter,

but I added a word
and destroyed the rhythm.

I'm toast.

That's rough.

[sentimental music playing]

Aren't you gonna try a baseball metaphor?

"Even the darkest night

will end."

Les Misérables?

Am I speaking your language?

You're saving my universe.

My pleasure.

Now get to school.

[grunts]

Yep.

[sentimental music ends]

[jazz music playing]

This was a fruitful adventure.

[laughing] It was.

Ah, she's worth searching
both sides of the river for.

- Perfect gift for our perfect friend.
- Yeah.

- Mm-hmm.
- I think she'll love it.

- I agree.
- Yeah.

We don't have to stop shopping, do we?

No, ma'am.

[laughing]

I've got to get shoes.

[jazz music ends]

[phone ringing]

Please, have a seat, Mads.

- Thank you for coming in.
- Thank you.

You might have heard talk about us
being acquired by a new publishing house.

That's just gossip, right?

The acquisition has, in fact, closed,
and while there may be severe cuts,

you and I will do quite well.

Severe cuts?

The new CEO
is shuttering this entire imprint,

but you and I and Nell Winters
will move to a new one.

- What about everyone else?
- The rest will be set free.

You mean cut loose.

You spend all day with writers.

Surely you can come up
with a better way to phrase it.

What about Stacy Mara?

She's unpublished.

Nell Winters has four books
under her belt. There's no comparison.

Well, on a talent level, there is.

Stacy won't even get her first book out
if you do this.

We have to nurture her.

These are the hard decisions
we have to make.

Publishing isn't what it used to be.

If people can't rise above the noise,
what are you gonna do?

Help them rise.

I took this job
to help get fresh voices into the world.

People with new ideas and experiences
and solutions to today's problems.

This is what I stuck my neck out for
to bring you along.

Passion for the artist.

But you need to focus on the select few
and let go of the other assets.

Assets?

You mean authors.

[Lucas exhales]

People that I care about.
People who need our help.

Hmm.

You're ripping the heart
out of good literature

by not raising
the next generation of talent.

With no Davids, the Goliaths of the world
will just win without a fight.

Whose side are you on?

Well, the authors, of course.

Well, since you put it that way,
we'll let you go too.

Have fun saving the world
on somebody else's dime.

Excuse me?

You're fired.

["Manhattan" by Sara Bareilles playing]

♪ You can have Manhattan ♪

♪ I know it's for the best ♪

♪ I'll gather up the avenues
And leave them on your doorstep ♪

♪ I'll tiptoe away ♪

♪ So you won't have to say ♪

♪ You heard me leave ♪

♪ You can have Manhattan ♪

- ♪ I know it's what you want ♪
- [cell phone vibrating]

♪ The bustle and the buildings ♪

- [cell phone vibrating]
- ♪ The weather in the fall ♪

- [cell phone vibrating]
- ♪ And I'll bow out of place ♪

[phone chimes]

{\an8}- ♪ To save you some space ♪
- Hey.

{\an8}Oh, good. We caught you.

{\an8}- I was actually--
- Here.

{\an8}- Mom, guess what?
- Hey, Kyle.

{\an8}I got Petruchio in the summer play.
I just got the email.

{\an8}[Katie squeals]

{\an8}That is so wonderful.

{\an8}I wasn't perfect in my callback,
but Cal reminded me.

{\an8}You don't have to be perfect
to catch your dreams.

{\an8}So true.

{\an8}- You're gonna be wonderful in the show.
- Lily got Bianca, and Sophie is Kate.

{\an8}And this Kate got an A
in her science project.

{\an8}We all got an A
in Katie's science project.

[all laughing]

Well, I'm… I'm so proud of everyone.

And I can't wait to see you all
and hear all about it when I get home.

[Kyle] Hurry up and come home, Mom.

Sooner than you think.

Okay, I gotta run.

{\an8}- I miss you all so much.
- [Kate] Love you.

- Mwah, mwah.
- [video call chimes off]

♪ Hang onto the reverie ♪

♪ Could you do that for me? ♪

♪ 'Cause I'm just too sad to ♪

♪ You can have Manhattan ♪

♪ 'Cause I can't have you ♪

We haven't even left,
and I'm already planning our next visit.

[Dana Sue chuckles]

[Dana Sue] Well, maybe we can even come
with our men. Wouldn't that be something?

Oh, the woman of the hour.

[Dana Sue chuckles]

It required great restraint,
but we waited to order until you arrived.

That's awfully small
for a wedding dress, Helen.

Hmm.

This is for you.

We're so proud of you
and everything you're accomplishing.

Your dreams, all your hard work.

It's bearing fruit.

We know that you came here
to support art, Maddie,

but this is to remind you
that you are the art.

[Maddie exhales]

♪ You can have… ♪

Look at the amazing woman in that mirror.

♪ I'll settle for the beach ♪

The world is at her feet.

♪ And sunsets facing westward ♪

♪ With sand beneath my feet ♪

Not so much.

♪ I'll wish this away… ♪

I…

got fired.

♪ When I was one half of two ♪

Oh, Maddie.

What?

Whoa.

- [quietly] Maddie.
- What do I say?

[Maddie sniffs]

How do I…

[Dana Sue] Mm.

[crying]

What do I do now?

You jump down
that rabbit hole, dear heart,

and you let it carry you home…

[exhales]

…with us.

["Manhattan" continues playing]

["Manhattan" ends]

[closing theme music playing]

[closing theme music ends]