04x03 - Encounters

[bunniefuu]

[theme music]

[instrumental music]

Yeah, I love parties like this.

Especially when you don't know anyone.

Oh, my God, there's truffles in the paté.

These are all your friends.

Oh, Mack, will you relax?

You know, they're my neighbors.

Remember, they're only here to judge you.

[speaking in foreign language]

[Karen sighs]

You're not eating any pasta, you're Italian...

The pasta is to die for.

Oh, thanks, but I'm sorry about the paper plates.

- It's Laura's idea. - What is that?

Oh, just a little shallots, morel, creme fraiche.

And what the hell is that?

Mushrooms, onions and cream.

'Oh, Richard, you should open a restaurant.'

Don't torch the tarts. And one nervous breakdown.

[Karen chuckles]

I don't get that.

It's a lawyer's joke.

[Karen chuckles]

I still don't get it.

Well, in civil law, you have.. Are you gonna eat everything?

He's so big.

Takes after his father.

[Kenny] 'He's gonna be a real lady k*ller one of these days.'

[Richard] 'Just like his father.'

What? Nine pounds three ounces.

Wow.

You look pretty as a picture, sweet pea.

You don't think it's too--

What?

I don't know, too, uh, frumpy.

Oh, you look darling.

[sighs] No, I'm going to wear the gray.

Oh, honey, you have changed three times.

These are your neighbors. They love you.

It doesn't matter what you wear.

The new baby isn't going to say

"Oh, Val, I don't like that dress."

[Val chuckles]

Mama, you go on ahead

and I'll, I'll be there in a minute.

Oh, but, Valene..

Go on now. I'll-I'll be there in a minute.

[phone rings]

Go on.

Hello?

Val, it's me. Gary.

I don't want you calling here.

[Gary] 'Don't hang up. I need to see you.'

Um..

The things we have to talk about.

I have nothing to say to you.

And I don't want you calling here anymore.

Goodbye.

[hair dryer whirring]

You can't go on avoiding him, sweet pea.

Why not?

I can do anything I want. He did.

You go into that party now?

Oh, but sugar--

Stop it. I have work to do.

- Go on. - Oh..

[somber music]

- How long were you in labor? - Three weeks.

[Richard chuckles]

Oh, everybody, take some more food.

I'm sorry about the paper plates.

My wife doesn't like to do dishes.

It's alright.

I was going to ask you about it.

Hello, everybody.

[Richard] 'Hi, Lilimae.'

[all] Hi, Lilimae.

Laura, this is for the baby.

Oh. Thank you.

Oh, isn't he the darlingest thing?

'Oh, good space between his eyes.'

Now, that means he'd be very wise.

Lilimae, come here. I want to talk to you.

Joe? Huh?

Where is Val?

Oh, she's at home

sticking her head in the sand like an ostrich.

Oh, one call from Gary, and she falls to pieces.

She can't fall apart now.

She's got too much work to do.

Her publicist to set up a meeting with Hilda Grant.

[gasps]

I've seen her on TV.

Isn't she the one they call the Bouncing Barracuda?

That's the one.

Don't believe it, it has his name on it.

I can't stand it.

- I'm gonna go get a refill. - Oh, okay.

Look, we have initials on it.

This is, this is your first designer blanket.

'See that?'

'Daniel.'

Look, maybe I better have a word with Val.

Oh, Joe. Would you?

I mean, you're the only one she listens to.

She certainly doesn't listen to me.

You know, I was thinking

I could help her with those interviews.

[Joe chuckles]

Well, people would like to hear about the mother

of a famous writer, huh?

So, Joe, did you catch that game last night?

No, Mack, I didn't.

Look, you'll have to excuse me.

I've got some business to attend to.

But I want to introduce you to Lilimae Clements.

Lilimae. Mack.

- I'm pleased to meet you. - My pleasure.

Oh, you're Karen's new beau.

[Mack chuckles]

Your intentions are honorable, I presume.

Ooh, look at that.

"The search for the little boy..

"...little boy, parents."

[doorbell rings]

[doorbell rings]

- Who is it? - 'Joe.'

Oh.

[door opens]

- Hi. - Hi.

Aren't you coming to the party?

Um, I've really got to finish those revisions.

Yeah.

Remember me? I'm your editor.

You can't fool me.

Those revisions are nothing.

Well, tell you the truth, uh..

...I really don't feel like to party tonight.

[Joe] 'Oh, come on. Food's great.'

And the baby is asking for you.

Well, yeah, I'm sure

I'm sure he wants to really know where old Val--

Val. Relax. Hm?

Listen.

I know that your marriage is on the rocks

but do you really think that you are the only person

that this is happening to? Hmm?

Those people out there are your friends.

'The care about you.'

They know what you're going through

and they want to help you.

Val.

Sooner or later..

...you are going to have to face them.

No, I am not.

I don't ever have to face 'em

'cause I don't want to be here.

I don't want to live in this house.

I don't want to coo at their babies or

or make small talk at the mailbox anymore.

'You know, the only reason I'm here'

'is because of this book.'

Because, because I have to be here.

But as soon as I get that taken care of

I'm getting out of here.

So don't you dare tell me

that I'm going to have to face 'em sooner or later.

''Cause I don't want to face anybody if I don't want to.'

And I'm telling you, I don't want to.

[somber music]

[door shuts]

[door shuts]

[Kenny] 'This is his first party.'

The dimple, it's just like yours.

Kenny and Ginger.

They have a baby too, you know?

Yeah, maybe one day you guys'll grown up..

[indistinct chatter]

[Ginger chuckles]

Richard seems so up.

He's got his first job interview tomorrow.

- He's really excited. - Oh, great.

It'll be good for him to get back to work.

Yeah, well, uh..

I'm afraid of the pressure, though, you know

it has not been that long

since he checked himself out of Stony Brook.

Oh, just look at him.

He looks like he can handle anything.

Look at my head. You know what you're going to be?

A chef.

Not a lawyer, not an accountant

not a doctor.

You're going to be a chef. You know that?

Yeah, well, I sure hope you're right.

Mm. Here's one.

"Gorgeous California rustic, very private

"spectacular views.

"Three bedrooms and a den.

"Pool, spa, sauna.

"Close to schools.

"Owner desperate, will carry great terms."

I think we ought to see that one, don't you?

Mm.

Very private.

Right now we could be sitting in our own sauna

giving each other a rub down.

I just lost my job, remember?

What better time for rub downs and sauna?

What am I supposed to buy this house with?

Monopoly money?

You're going to be getting your inheritance.

I can't spend money I don't have yet.

Also, I don't know how much is coming

or when it's coming.

- Even if it's coming. - We'll sell my house.

You know how long it'd take in this market?

Yeah.

I've got two kids who are beginning to wonder

where their mother lives these days.

We've got to find someplace we can all live together.

Well, I'm just not ready yet, okay?

- I can't buy a house. - 'What are you waiting for?'

There's too many things left unfinished.

Uh, loose ends.

[Abby sighs]

Val, huh?

I should've known.

Anytime you're depressed and moody

it has to do with your ex-wife.

Well, she's not my ex-wife yet.

And, yeah, since you bring it up

I've got to talk to her.

Too many things left dangling.

- Things to say. - Like what?

"Sorry, honey. I found someone who's better in the sack."

No.

Things to be dealt with.

There are lawyers to deal with things.

Look, I can't go start something new

until I'm finished with the old, alright?

[intense music]

Where are you going?

Gary, you can't wait to start something new.

You're already in it.

No, no, that's not what I meant, Abby.

I don't want you to go.

You don't know what you want.

Abby.

[Abby groans]

[both grunting]

[romantic music]

Mrs. Fairgate.

[Karen] Oh, come in, Wayne.

You wanted me to look for a good deal on parts.

[Karen] Uh-huh.

I think I found something.

Oh, really?

[Wayne] 'The whole parts inventory.'

It was for dealer up north. Only he's gone bankrupt.

'The distributor said he'll sell the whole shipment'

'for 30, maybe 40% off.'

Hmm. That's some discount.

Yeah. Only we have to buy the whole carload as is.

Well. Sounds okay.

And pay cash, $25,000.

Not so okay.

What do you think?

It's a lot of cash to lay out.

It's too good a deal to pass up.

I agree, let's do it.

- You sure? - Yeah.

[phone ringing]

No, really, if you think it's a good deal

then, uh, go do it.

Don't worry, Wayne

if I seem unenthusiastic

it's not because of the parts deal.

It's..

[sighs]

I've been going through these work orders

from the day of Sid's crash.

Did you find anything new?

[Karen] No.

Just the initials of everybody

who worked in the shop that day.

Fred, Pete, you, Mike.

Can't believe any one of them would have

tampered with Sid's car.

'Did we have any extra help on that day?'

Not that I know of.

I left early that day for the dentist.

I wo, I wonder if Sid

got someone to take over for you.

I doubt it.

Usually when one of us takes off

the others pick up the slack.

'But he might have.'

Well, if I knew who worked on the car..

...I'd know who k*lled Sid.

I wish I could help you, Mrs. Fairgate

but like I said, I went to the dentist.

Well, I guess that..

...police must have gone over all of this anyway.

Yes, ma'am.

I'm going to get the ball rolling on this parts deal.

[chuckles] Oh.

I'm sorry. Yeah. Let's do it.

Thanks.

[suspenseful music]

Believe me, Gary

count yourself lucky to be out of the car business.

It's getting worse and worse.

Well, I didn't say I was out of it.

I've just left Knots Landing motors, that's all.

Computers, video.

That's where you'd be nowadays.

That's where you ought to be.

[Gary] Yeah, maybe.

No, maybes about it.

I'm thinking of selling out myself.

[chuckles] Well, I'm in no hurry.

I don't blame you.

If I were you, I'd..

I'd be doing the same as you.

Dropping out of the rat race for a while.

Enjoying being single again.

'Not a bad life, is it?'

Got a nice pad?

Yeah, it's okay.

I'll bet.

What do you have? Down by the beach?

Uh-huh.

I hear it's okay down there.

And, uh..

...I've seen those ladies.

Look, don't get me wrong.

I love my wife, but..

...you single guys..

'Admit it. It's, um..'

'It's like coming alive again'

'after having been asleep for years, right?'

[chuckles softly]

[Reese] 'I can imagine it.'

'It's a different world out there now'

'than when we got married.'

'Well, I'll tell you something.'

'I envy you.'

She bought the deal.

Bukowski is out.

He's got nothing to do with it this time.

Who says he has to find out?

We got it.

All systems go.

[suspenseful music]

- Ah. - Cheers.

Yes.

Oh, it was a great coup to get Hilda Grant

to do an article on Val before the book came out.

'And I promised her'

'this would be the scoop of the decade.'

When that book appears

Val Ewing's name is going to be on everybody's lips

and Hilda will know about it first.

[Joe] 'I'm sure that Val is too modest'

'to tell you about some of the advanced words'

she's been getting.

But everybody who's read it

says it's one of the best first novels

to come along in years.

Come on, Joe, nobody says that.

[Bess] 'Oh, oh.'

And how she wrote it. I mean, that is a book in itself.

Val Ewing, a ninth grade dropout

'gets a high school equivalency diploma'

'then starts taking'

'college writing classes at night'

starts writing an exercise that turns into a bestseller.

Now, what publicity agent

could come up with anything better than that?

No, but I mean, it hasn't even been published.

Oh, honey, it's a bestseller. Don't worry.

Alright, alright. Come on, come on.

Look, let's talk turkey.

This book is really about the Ewings of Dallas, right?

[suspenseful music]

[instrumental music]

[Richard] Hello.

Hello.

Hi. Can I help you?

Are you the owner?

No, I'm Martha Deeds, but I represent the owners.

Oh, uh, hi. Richard Avery.

- Mind if I look around? - Sure, go ahead.

I'll be with you in a minute.

This the bar?

Mm-hmm, that used to be the bar.

Dance floor?

Mm-hmm, that used to be the dance floor.

[Richard] Mm-hmm.

And we have a wood burning fireplace right there.

Yeah.

What kind of food did they serve?

Bad.

Oh, you want to see the dining room?

- Come. - Yeah.

Well, gotta go and hustle those bucks.

Thank you.

Now, listen, Gary

I know every car dealer in town

so if I see an executive slot opening

you can bet the name Gary Ewing will be right in there.

- Uh, no. - I insist.

I know what it means to be on your butt

I've been there myself.

Please, Reese, let me get this.

If you insist.

Stay in touch, okay?

Right. See you, Reese.

Listen, if you guys don't mind

I'd like to run the bar down a couple times.

I can't seem to remember the arrangement.

Are you trying to tell me

this has nothing to do with the Ewings?

Well, um, no. See, it's fiction.

Um, I use the Texas background

'cause that's what I am familiar with.

But you're J.R. Ewing's sister-in-law.

Uh, this book exposes all sorts of shady dealings

that we've all heard whispers about.

How am I going to explain this? See, um..

...I made it up.

I'm a writer, so I used my imagination.

Uh, what I think Val is saying

is that we want to leave it up to the reader

to draw his own conclusions.

[Joe] 'And what difference does it make'

who inspired the book?

The book is a good book.

It's got a strong plot, interesting characters

'and it can stand on its own.'

Yes, and I would prefer to leave my in-laws out of it.

I heard that your sister in law begged you not to publish this

for fear it would block the adoption of her baby.

I thought the lady just said

she would prefer to leave her in-laws out of it.

Joe.

Joe, Hilda is trying to find a hook

and we just have to help her find one.

Then let her write about the book.

And the one your husband read about it.

He was so upset

that it led to the breakup of your marriage.

In fact, the price of your great success

is your marriage.

Uh, waiter.

Ooh.

Look at a size of this place.

What sort of a place are you planning?

French?

Italian?

Chinese?

What?

I was asking you what sort of restaurant you're planning?

Oh, no. No, it's just a dream.

I shouldn't even be wasting your time.

Well, turning dreams into reality.

That's my game.

Yeah, well, my problem is, turning reality into reality.

[piano music]

No, can't make it Thursday.

If you could make it Wednesday morning..

Not Wednesday, huh?

How about Friday in the late afternoon?

Chucky, can I have a glass of water, please?

[sighs] Thanks.

The acoustics in here so lousy

we sound like we're ten feet under jelly.

Sounds fine to me.

Thanks.

You've been in here before?

One night for drinks?

Uh, no.

Well, you should come in some night and hear me sing.

Maybe I will.

If you're still up for it after you hear me rehearse.

[chuckles] That bad?

No, I don't know why I said that.

I think you might like me.

Yeah, I think I might.

Come in any night, okay?

I'll do my best.

[piano music]

♪ Lying beside you ♪

♪ Here in the dark ♪

♪ Feeling your heartbeat with mine ♪

She needs work.

Giving her over to Hilda Grant for her first interview

is like throwing her to the wolves.

Hilda Grant has a readership of 3.5 million.

[Joe] 'Come on, she's a gossip columnist.'

[Bess] 'Look, you work with her, you give her some polish'

'and she'll be very good at this'

'once she gets used to it.'

♪ So here I am ♪

♪ With open arms ♪

♪ Hoping you'll see ♪

♪ What your love means to me ♪

♪ Open arms ♪♪

[applauding]

That was great.

What's your name?

C-I-J-I.

Ciji?

You got it.

[Gary sighs]

[keypad clicking]

[phone ringing]

Hello?

Lilimae, it's Gary. Don't hang up.

Well..

I've got to talk to Val.

I know I'm not welcome around there

but it's important that I see her.

Now, there are just too many things left hanging--

Be here at four.

[receiver clatters]

[receiver clatters]

[woman on PA] 'New car sales. Line one.'

Hi. I'm supposed to ask for Wayne Hardman.

Harkness, that's me.

Harkness, right.

I, um..

I'm having problems with the steering.

It seems a little loose.

- Let me check it for you. - Okay.

Thank you.

[Daniel cooing]

[Wayne] Well, look at you.

You've got one hell of a smile.

- Boy or girl? - Boy.

He does have a nice smile, doesn't he?

Except the doctor says it's probably gas.

Nah. It's a nice smile.

Just like his mother.

[Laura chuckles] 'Thanks.'

You've got a nice smile, too.

I'm one of the lucky ones.

What do you mean?

With perfect teeth.

The kind that never has to go to the dentist.

'Never had a cavity in my life.'

'Would you believe I haven't even been to the dentist'

'in five, maybe six years?'

[Laura] 'Hi, Karen. How are you?'

Oh, hi.

Wayne taking good care of you?

Oh, yeah.

I'll put my best man on right away.

Thanks, Wayne.

[Laura] So Daniel's in the market for a sedan, I think.

[door opens]

[door shuts]

Mama.

Oh. Hi, sugar. How'd it go?

Oh, it was awful.

- Oh. - Just awful.

Hateful woman.

I just want to go on upstairs and lie down in the dark.

I just want to hide.

Oh, would you get me..

Valene.

Did you let him in this house?

Valene, I don't like him any more than you do

but you've got to talk to him.

Listen, all--

I told you that I didn't want to see him

or talk to him again ever.

Five minutes. That's all I'm asking.

Honey, what are you afraid of?

Now, the only way to get rid of him

is to talk to him and settle things.

You tell him to get out of here.

- I'm going to talk to you. - I said out.

I'll go, but first we talk.

I'll go somewhere so you can be alone.

Valene, we got to talk sometime.

Oh. Talk to him, Val, please.

If you don't, you're just holding on to the past.

You are absolutely right. I am.

And the next time I tell you

to keep somebody out of this house

you better listen, or you can just get out too.

[Gary sighs]

Damn it, Valene!

[door shuts]

[knocking on door]

Valene, open the door!

Damn it! All I want to do is talk.

[somber music]

[door opens]

[door shuts]

[somber music]

I called Alan

about the weekly costs at his restaurant

and he sent me a breakdown.

- Richard. - Look.

Wine, food, payroll, rent, insurance, equipment.

Look what he makes.

How'd your interview go today?

Look at the profit margin.

I mean, our costs would run slightly higher

'because I want to spend a little bit'

'more money on wine.'

I mean, Alan doesn't serve anything over 15 bucks.

I think we ought to have a wine list

with a little bit more range.

- Even so-- - Richard, you're a lawyer.

You had an appointment at a law firm today

and I want to know how it went.

It was fine. They, uh..

They want to start me off at 37.5.

You're kidding. Oh, that's great.

That's great, honey, isn't it?

What'd you do? Sign a lease for the restaurant?

[Richard chuckles]

Oh, my God.

You did, didn't you?

Laura, I-I can make it work.

Did you leave a deposit?

How could you do something like that

without talking to me about it first?

I'm talking about it now, Laura.

This is a wonderful opportunity.

When are you going to change?

I thought the whole idea

of our moving back together again

was so we could share and work things out between us.

Laura, we will share.

Believe me, with this restaurant

I'm going to need all the help I can get.

I've got to sit down.

- Yeah, you, you.. - I've got to sit down.

You do that, you sit down. I'll finish my salad.

You want a little blue cheese in it?

[Laura sighs]

Karen!

- What are you doing here? - Mack.

I thought I was going to pick you up.

I found out. I know who k*lled Sid.

- What? - Wayne Harkness.

Uh, he clocked out early that day

but then he came back or he never left.

But, he-he-he..

He did the brake job.

- Yes! - No, no, no, Karen.

Come on. We checked everybody out.

Harkness. The guy who did the dentist, right?

Yeah, well, that's what he says

but I, but I know he's lying.

If he's lying, so is the dentist.

Is that so unprecedented? Oh, come on, Mack.

Come on, what? What do you want me to do?

If it's Harkness, fire the guy.

Fire him? Why would I do that?

So he could go and do it to someone else?

Do what to someone else? Huh? You can't prove anything.

Look, we can make..

We can make him to..

We can make him confess.

I mean, right now, he trusts me.

I could work on him.

We could..

I could work on him. We could, we could nail him.

I mean, this is so unthinkable that I could win.

Wrong. The only thing you're going to do is fire the guy.

I am not. Why would I do that? I'd lose my advantage.

What advantage?

First you say the guy's a k*ller.

Then you want him working for you?

- Yes. - Why?

So the kids can become orphans

instead of just losing their father?

You want me to let a k*ller go free?

Do you know who you're playing with here, Karen? Huh?

These are bad people.

If this guy's involved now, it's a big "if"

so pay attention.

If he is involved

then he's connected to Angelo Bukowski.

Now, these are bad people, okay?

And I don't want you mixing with them.

I want you alive, sweetheart, okay?

Huh?

Let me do my job. You pay taxes, don't you?

So let the cops do their job. Why don't you do that?

Because that's what I did the first time.

And they blew it.

[footsteps receding]

You're going to take the stairs?

Laura.

Laura, I know you expect me to apologize.

I know you're angry with me

but I've done some crazy things in my life.

I don't blame you for thinking

this is just another one of them.

But it's not. It's different.

It's not just that I like food. I-I know about food.

I think I'd be good at running a restaurant.

I think the reason I always make a mess of things in law

is because I never should have been

a lawyer in the first place.

I became a lawyer because..

...my father wanted me to be a lawyer

because it was expected of me, because where I was brought up

the only way to become respectable

to-to make any money was to be a lawyer.

I never liked it.

It's never right for me.

It's the restaurant. It's right, I feel it.

[mellow music]

[sighs] Alright.

You want me to get the deposit back in the morning?

That'll make you happy?

Alright. I'll get it back in the morning.

- Hey, Gary. - Hey, Kenny.

- How are you? - Good.

Hey, uh, we don't have a lunch date or anything.

No, I was just in the neighborhood.

Oh, well, listen, I'm on my way to the bank.

Then I'm going to scoot home and grab some lunch.

- You want to join me? - Uh, no.

Actually, I wanted to tell you about this singer I heard.

Now, I know I'm no expert, but..

Come on, come on. I met this girl yesterday

um, it's a funny name, I can't even remember.

Anyway, she's terrific

and she sings down at Balducci's.

Now, look, even if I'm wrong

the food there is great.

And I thought it'd be a good way

to get to see you guys.

You know, I feel kind of awkward around the cul de sac.

Yeah.

So I thought maybe tonight, um

you and Ginger would like to join Abby and me?

Unless you think Ginger would feel funny.

No, it sounds like a great idea.

It's a date. Why should she feel funny?

[Ginger] I feel funny, Kenny.

I'd feel funny about going out with Gary and Abby.

I don't see why, hon.

Who is this singer?

And what does Gary know about music anyway?

Honey, the singer has nothing to do with it.

That's just an excuse to get together with us.

Gary feels very awkward these days.

Hah.

Uh, Lilimae, do you think you could babysit tonight?

No, I'm afraid not.

Bye.

That's alright. We can leave Aaron, Molly with Laura.

Don't you want to go see Laura and Daniel?

[suspenseful music]

Wayne.

Wayne? Are you here?

[music continues]

Wayne!

[Wayne] 'Here, Mrs. Fairgate.'

Oh, there you are.

I'm sorry, I didn't hear you.

Looking for me?

Well, yeah. Um..

- I was just wondering.. - Wondering?

Yeah, I-I was wondering about the-the parts deal.

It's set.

The deal is going through.

Good, good.

Yeah. All set.

We got the terms we want.

It's a moneymaker.

That's, that's very good.

You just, um, tell me

the date and the time of delivery, and..

You know, I have to get the money together.

Yeah. No sweat.

Very good.

Okay then.

Okay, here we go. Move a little forward.

Do this with your hair.

- Like this? - 'That's great.'

And I'd like to get a shot of you

next to your husband's favorite easy chair

wherever that may do it.

- Okay, now. - Let's go.

Oh, I'm sorry, forget the easy chair.

Wait a second, Jenny.

Let's pull her around a little bit like..

Where's your wedding ring?

I don't wear it now.

Well, could you get it? Because it would really help.

We agreed that we were not

going to go into her personal life.

[Bess] 'I told you, that's what sells books.'

Okay, wait a minute, Jenny. Great.

Listen, you don't want to wear the wedding ring, okay?

So we'll get a picture of you taking it off

and throwing it away.

'I mean, we've got to exploit'

'this jilted housewife angle, you know?'

Bess, we are not going to exploit Val in any way

so forget about it, alright?

Give me a nice big smile.

'That's beautiful.'

Book that dredges up scandals

about one of the most notorious families in the country

her in-laws in a result

as a result of that, her husband leaves her.

Now, if that's not exploitable

then you don't know much about what the public wants.

I feel stupid, I don't feel like..

You look great.

Just move forward and just say, "Hi, everybody."

Hi, everybody. Hi.

Okay, great. Just kind of move this way.

Look, the writing is good.

Right, wait, I've got a great idea.

Wait a minute.

We'll get a picture of your husband

and then a shot of you

looking at the picture of your husband

while you write your next book.

- I love that, that's terrific. - Perfect.

Okay, wait a second.

Look over your shoulder as you're leaving.

[clamoring]

Sweet pea, you've got to cooperate.

Bess, you push too hard

and it's always going to turn out like this.

I'm sorry, okay?

Um, I'm sorry.

Look, we'll call you later. Let's go. Jenny.

She needs help. I mean it.

Oh, I'm so afraid she's right.

[knocking on door]

[Joe] 'Valene. It's Joe.'

I'm in the tub.

[Joe] 'Can I come in? I want to talk.'

No, please. I don't want to talk.

[Joe] 'Well, we have to talk.'

'So pull the curtain.'

No, I don't want to talk.

[Joe] 'Valene, I'm going to come in.'

[door opens]

So?

So?

I don't want..

...every woman who comes into a supermarket just..

...picks up a magazine to be..

...to be reading everything about..

'...Gary and me.'

I got that.

So you don't like it. You don't want it.

Now what?

Everything. I mean..

[sniffles]

I just don't know what's the matter with me.

I just..

...can't seem to take it anymore.

Where does it say

that life is always going to turn out

the way you want it and the way you like it, huh?

Why don't you get your exemption

from the human race?

- Um.. - 'Valene.'

'In any given lifetime'

there are always going to be periods

when it all hits the fan

when your life really falls apart.

And so what?

I don't know anyone who hasn't had times like that.

Including..

If you don't stop and think about it

every damn one of your neighbors.

So, you can cry out

and beat the air and say, why me?

Why me?

When you ought to be asking why not me?

And I want to tell you something else.

What?

You're not the only one who was involved here.

Sure. You wrote that book all by yourself.

But the moment you sign that contract with the publisher

you sent your baby out into the world

and there's absolutely no way that you can control it now.

'There are a lot of people who have a stake in that book'

'publishers, the publicists and me.'

- You? - Yeah, me.

[chuckles]

Didn't it ever occur to you?

That this was my first job as an editor

and that it's important for me that that book succeed.

Well, I didn't even think about that.

I don't know.

Of course, not.

You're too busy holding your breath

kicking your feet and crying out, I won't.

Making life miserable for the rest of us.

Am I really making everybody else's life miserable?

Mm-hmm.

[Joe laughing]

[insects chirping]

[door shuts]

"If two sets, "A" and "B" of speaker systems

"are to be used simultaneously

"each speaker system must have a normal

"impedance of eight ohms or more."

- Richard. - Ow!

Do you have to do that now?

Yeah, well, if I'm going back to work

I won't have time to do any of this stuff.

Well, why don't you just wait till tomorrow?

I'm almost done.

"Use caution connected speaker system."

I have a present for you.

What is it?

Well, open it.

[rustling]

It's a box.

Your savings account.

It's the down payment on Cherry, Richard.

I thought you didn't like the restaurant idea.

Well, I just didn't want you to

go through another disappointment, that's all.

But if you really think you could make it work..

You don't trust me this much.

Surprise. I do.

[mellow music]

Who is that girl?

A singer, I heard.

She's pretty good.

Cute too.

Oh, wow.

[Gary chuckles]

[crowd applauding]

[piano music]

♪ Lying beside you ♪

♪ Here in the dark ♪

♪ Feeling your heartbeat with mine ♪

♪ Softly you whisper ♪

♪ You're so sincere ♪

♪ How could our love be so blind? ♪

♪ We sailed on together ♪

♪ We drifted apart ♪

♪ And here you are ♪

♪ By my side ♪

♪ So now I come to you ♪

♪ With open arms ♪

♪ Nothing to hide ♪

♪ Believe what I say ♪

♪ So here I am ♪

♪ With open arms ♪

♪ Hoping you'll see ♪

♪ What your love means to me ♪

♪ Open arms ♪

♪ Living without you ♪

♪ Living alone ♪

♪ This empty house seems so cold ♪

She is good.

Her wardrobes are off.

Yeah, I know.

Needs to be simpler.

Yeah, less, less flashy.

Oh. Valduche's Restaurant?

Um, you have a Mr. Gary Ewing there

he's with a party of four.

I-I wonder if you could, uh

uh, have him come to the phone. It's an emergency.

♪ But now that you've come back ♪

♪ Turned night into day ♪

♪ I need you to stay ♪

♪ So now I come to you ♪

♪ With open arms ♪

Hello?

[Lilimae] 'Oh, yeah, it's Lilimae.'

Oh, I hate to bother you, but, uh..

I'm stranded.

Val's not home

and I didn't know who else to call.

How'd you know where I was?

Uh, my car broke down, and I don't

I don't belong to the auto club

and I got no money for a taxi.

Lilimae.

I'm all alone here, and I'm scared to death.

Alright. Where are you?

Uh, I'm at the shopping mall on Sycamore.

Underground garage. Fourth level.

Okay. I'll be there as soon as I can.

[Abby] What's going on?

- It's an emergency. - What kind of emergency?

Lilimae, her car broke down. I got to go pick her up.

Gary, give me a break.

Look, do me a favor.

Go sit down and I'll see you in ten minutes.

Let somebody else be the Good Samaritan.

Abby, I can't just leave her there.

I'll be back in ten minutes.

Good. I won't be here.

Val, honey.

It's your mama.

Something awful's happened.

♪ Nothing to hide ♪

♪ Believe what I say ♪

♪ So here I am ♪

♪ With open arms ♪

♪ Hoping you'll see ♪

♪ What your love means to me ♪

♪ Open arms ♪♪

[all applauding]

- Hi. - Hi.

What happened to your friend?

Oh, he saw the check coming and took off.

We're his ex-friends, Kenny and Ginger Ward.

I'm a record producer.

I think that's why he thought he could stick me with the tab.

We loved your song.

Do you care to join us?

Oh, sure, I'd love to.

I always got time for record producers.

So what kind of records do you produce?

Hits. Just hits.

- Hi. - Where's Gary?

He had a Boy Scout meeting.

Is he coming back?

Frankly, I don't give a damn.

Well, um, tell me

do you, uh, have a contract with anybody?

No, uh-uh.

[phone ringing]

Dispatch.

Oh, Harkness, uh..

Yeah.

I got a minute, that's all.

Okay, she's ready to go.

[suspenseful music]

[car door opens]

Uh, I'm a little nervous, Harkness.

What if Angelo finds out?

Angelo is not gonna find out.

Well, what if he did? I mean, what do we do?

What do we say?

Marco, just cool it.

Angelo sitting home with that wife.

He's just counting his dough.

Angelo is not interested in small fry like you and me.

Okay, so, uh, I'll see you next week.

[receiver clatters]

[engine rumbling]

Mama.

Hi..

Are you alright?

What happened?

[car door opens]

[car door shuts]

You'll be grateful to me, lady. You'll see.

[car engine starts]

[engine rumbling]

She's right. We have to talk.

There's nothing to say.

We can't let our life together go

without even talking about it.

You didn't have anything to say to me

all that time that you were going to Abby.

Now there's nothing left to talk about.

I can tell you I'm sorry.

Well, I don't care.

How've you been?

I don't need anything from you.

[somber music]

How've you been?

I miss you.

- Well, you've got Abby. - 'I still miss you.'

You'll get over it.

I'm sorry you're so angry.

Well, why not?

I'm supposed to just take you in?

No matter what you do to me.

I'm not supposed to get angry.

I'm just supposed to forgive you.

No, I don't blame you for being angry.

Well, then don't try and take it away from me.

'Cause right now I am.

I am mad, angry, hurt.

It's all I've got to hold on to

and I'm not giving it up.

[somber music]

I want to try and work things out.

There is nothing left to work out.

Uh, not after all we've been through--

Don't you dare touch me.

- Valene, Abby and I-- - Don't..

Don't you say it.

Don't you dare humiliate us both by lying.

Well, at least, give it a chance.

Why?

So you can turn around and do this to me again.

Because if you walk away now

you're walking out

on everything we ever had together.

Dammit! I know what I've done.

But it's never all just one person.

- Valene. - Hm.

Don't do this.

You can't give up on us.

[somber music]

Goodbye, Gary.

Gary..

[music continues]

[theme music]