01x11 - Family Day

[bunniefuu]

Previously on
Brothers and Sisters:

- Wake up, wake up, wake up, Justin!
- He'll be OK.

- Really?
- I'm recommending rehab facilities.

The Army's gonna buy
the land for mil?

As long as the owners
of the land sign off.

- OK.
- Holly Harper is one of the owners.

I'll sell you my share
for half its value, in cash.

And?

I want the other half
in Ojai Food stock.

- No way.
- I could use somebody like you

- on my communications staff.
- You're offering me a job?

You got a deal.
You'll get a check for half in a month,

and you'll be officially
a shareholder in Ojai Food.

Welcome to the family business.

The light within me
salutes the light within you.

With our awareness on our breath,
let's slowly exhale.

- Namaste.
- Namaste.

Wow, that was awesome, Maya.
Seriously.

I can hardly move,
but I'm completely energized.

Thanks, Justin.
You're getting a lot stronger.

I'm gonna get a mango smoothie.
Want one? I'm buying.

I'm allergic to mangoes.
They make my lips swell up.

Well, we wouldn't want that.

Um, what about a banana smoothie?

Justin, I'm on staff here.
I can't date patients.

- It doesn't have...
- Mr. Walker, you have a visitor.

Oh.

Only in California
would a rehab look like this.

Oh. You know, when I came in I think
I saw that guy with the funny hair.

The one that hosts that reality show.
What's his name?

The anonymity pledge
prevents me from telling,

but I will tell you this:
That's not his hair.

- So how's it going?
- It's good.

They make me go to, like, four
different kinds of therapy a day.

For three weeks I've done
nothing but talk about myself,

so as a matter of fact, I'm sick of me.
How are you doing?

That senator chasing you down
to take that job?

He wants to meet and discuss it.

But, you know, I'm just...
I'm just not right for that.

I'm better at complaining
about politicians than working for one.

Yeah, but isn't this your chance
to sort of play the game

instead of doing
the color commentary?

He's good-looking and Republican.
I don't know much, but that is rare.

I don't know.
I can't figure out... why me?

- You're perfect for this job.
- I have zero experience in politics.

That didn't stand in the way
of our president.

I'm not sure he's your best example.

You didn't spin asking me
to keep your brother out of Iraq.

You took responsibility. The party
needs honest people like you.

It doesn't make any sense. Why me?

I'm beginning to think you
have either low self-esteem

or fishing for compliments.

You can't possibly be that blind
to your own value. Thank you.

We talked twice, once on camera,
for about probably minutes.

I don't buy shoes without walking
around longer than that.

See these shoes? I bought them
on the Internet. Sight unseen.

Never had a problem. I'm a very
good judge of quality, Ms. Walker,

and how things are gonna fit.

- Did you just compare me to shoes?
- You started it.

The point is you don't know me
well enough to offer me

- the number two spot on your team.
- All right.

Come up to my place in Santa Barbara.

I'll take a crash course
in Kitty Walker.

Right, and we'll start with
how I don't date potential employers.

Especially those who are
going through a divorce.

Well, I think we
just ruled out low self-esteem.

You'll have lunch
and a professional conversation.

If you consider that a date,
your social life must be pretty lame.

- It is.
- That, I can't help you with.

You can't be serious.

I didn't say that I was gonna take it.
I said that I was considering it.

- Why you?
- What the hell does that mean?

Because it's absurd.
You can't work for this guy.

Why, Kevin?
Because he's a Republican?

- He's against gay marriage.
- There are lots of people,

for instance, me,
who have no problem with gay people,

but still believe that marriage is
fundamentally a religious institution

that has nothing to do with the state.
And that does not discount civil unions

- or domestic partnerships...
- Oh, come on, Kitty!

That's a cover people
provide for people like him

- who hate people like me.
- Please. Let's not make it personal.

I'm s... Personal?

Kitty, in ten years... in years,

when I'm mature enough
to sustain a committed relationship,

I would like to get married.
That's personal.

- That's improbable.
- Don't take this job.

- I'm warning you...
- Wait, wait, wait a minute.

You're, you are warning me?

- No, I'm just saying...
- Well, don't.

Don't say anything because I don't want
to hear what you have to say.

Kevin and Kitty had this huge fight.
And they never fight, ever.

I met Senator McCallister once.
He came to Afghanistan

and talked to the troops.
Dude's like a w*r hero.

Kevin says he's a political gay basher.
There's the nanny scandal.

He's gorgeous. Clouds my judgment.

You can always tell Kevin he put on an
apron and cooked blueberry pancakes

- for the base. That might help.
- No. Know what?

I'm staying out of it.
I've got enough on my hands with Ojai.

- I thought you hit pay dirt.
- No, we did, literally.

The land's worth twice what Dad
invested, but the dirt also pays Holly.

As a beneficiary, she's rich.

She put half into the company...
Don't ask.

...leaving her one
of our largest shareholders.

Should be as fun as a root canal.

Oh, honey. I got to go. You look good.
Hang in there, babe.

Hey, check out the wheels.

All right, let's go! Let's pick it up!

I want an office here at Ojai. I don't
want to be a passive stockholder.

I want to be a part of this company.

That's just not possible.
You can vote at the stockholder meeting.

Well, possibly I made a mistake.

- Maybe I should sell my stock.
- OK.

That might be best. I hate to break
this up, but we have a meeting.

- Can we talk later?
- I think Westco Food might be

interested in buying them
or one of your other competitors.

And that would make your stockholder
meetings pretty interesting.

Why don't you tell us
what you have in mind?

I have a number of projects
that I have been considering.

Cute. That's adorable.
It's not how business is done.

There's a process.
Everything is vetted.

Do you think it is possible for you
to listen to anything I say objectively?

Um...

We'll find you an office.
Just try to stay out of the way.

She's working there?

- I thought you knew.
- No.

Everybody's coming here
and telling me stuff, OK?

- It's making me really tense!
- No, no, honey.

Now don't get tense.
Are they feeding you enough here?

I'm late for arts and crafts.

All right. All right.
Love you!

It's not as
if we have much choice, Nora.

- What's she planning on?
- We're not sure.

- I want an office too.
- If you're trying to drive me crazy,

- I can walk from here.
- I can counteract her.

- Who counteracts you?
- Despite what you might think,

in between changing diapers
and reading The Velveteen Rabbit

, times, I actually helped
your father build this company

from a -acre farm
to what it is today.

I worked in budgeting
and hiring and a lot of other things.

- It's like riding a bike.
- Right off a cliff.

Nora, the situation
is awkward enough for me...

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow,
bright and early.

- Someone accept my resignation.
- Oh, stop it, Saul.

If anyone's resigning, it's me.
Take a breath.

Tell me what we're supposed to do,
I'll decide whether I should breathe.

We'll do exactly
what they both want us to do.

What does that mean?

We'll give them enough rope
to hang each other.

Good morning.

I realize this is a bit awkward,

but with the company
in such a positive place,

I figured it was time for me
to step up to the plate.

- Have you decided?
- Yes. I'm going to be working here.

Excuse me,
if I seem a little shocked.

Just so you know,
it was not my idea to double up,

but we're so short
on office space around here.

Yes, Sarah mentioned that.

Well, should we get to work?

Yeah, it's very exciting.

I am having the best time.

I'm so glad. I took the liberty
of bringing you a latte.

Great. Great. OK, I'll
get back to you at the end of business.

OK. I didn't... Wow.

They make those headsets tiny, I didn't
know you were talking to somebody.

Just vendors. Thank you.

It's nonfat. But don't be insulted.
I just order out of habit.

Very considerate of you.

I stop and pick one up every morning.

If you would like,
I would pick you up one too.

- Only if you let me pay for yours.
- Oh, nonsense.

We'll start a coffee fund.

That way whoever's
buying the coffee, they just...

- You look very busy.
- Just rolling calls.

Oh. Are you? Rolling calls.

- I got to take this. Holly Harper.
- You have to take...

Hey, Paul!

I feel like an idiot.
I have nothing to do.

I refuse to just sit there and watch her
while she seems to be running

a multinational corporation.
I'm just twiddling my thumbs.

I've got to get to work.
Why don't you sort it out.

Find something to do with her thumbs.

God, this office is drab. Hasn't anyone
thought about hanging curtains?

- You want to be in charge of that?
- No.

Nice try, though.

OK. OK, fine. Do you know how to create
invoices for the shipping department?

- I'll learn.
- All right. Let's go.

Hey-ho!

- Hi, Mommy!
- Hi, sweet pea.

- Thanks for walking the kids home.
- No problem.

Would you mind taking
the trash cans out to the curb?

- Now?
- Please.

All right.

OK.

Thanks, babe.

- Paige?
- Yeah?

Who opened this bottle?

It's OK. You can tell me. Was it Gabe?

Oh, honey. Run upstairs.
I'll be right up to give you your sh*t.

- Gabe.
- Yeah.

Where's the vodka?

- It's in my backpack.
- Get it. Now.

- Thank you.
- I'm sorry. I was just...

I'm sorry, OK? Just please
don't tell my dad. OK?

Please?

Please.

Hey.

What did you do?
Relocate your office?

You accused me
of taking things too personally,

so I've compiled research
on McCallister's voting.

- Unbelievable.
- We should talk about this.

- This is litigating.
- It would be nice if you listened.

This reminds me of when
you thought I stole your Walkman.

- You cross-examined me.
- It wasn't cross-examination.

- You weren't under oath.
- Lawyers are not made, they're born.

OK, fine, counselor, talk.

This is a copy
of the Republican-sponsored

constitutional amendment to ban gay
marriage, which your boss voted for.

He's not my boss.

You and I have argued
about these issues for years.

We agreed to disagree times.
You've never had a problem.

Before it was just rhetoric.

No. No, it's never been just rhetoric.

You know, when people ask me,
how can you let your sister

spew all that right-wing garbage
on television and not disown her,

I tell them it's
because I know she loves me.

I know she wants what's best for me,
what's best for this country.

But the day you start working for that
guy, it's not about what you believe in.

It's about what he does.

There's not one thing
in all this legislation,

all these speeches, that suggests
he will do what's best for me.

In fact, there's a lot
of evidence to the contrary.

All I'm asking

is that you consider that
before saying yes to this offer.

That's all.

Fine.

I will.

Really?

Mm-hm. Really.

Why is it that this family thinks I am
incapable of rational conversation?

- Well...
- Ah... Mm-mm.

Court is adjourned.

I mean, you know, I think I got
through to her, but I...

I can't be sure.
Has she said anything about McCallister?

Are you not able to talk? Is this some
kind of therapeutic exercise?

- Pass me notes?
- I'm not telling you anything.

Every time I open my mouth,
someone in this family has a fight.

I need you to do me a favor.

Thursday is family day.
Spread the word. You guys are up.

- Up for what?
- It's part of group therapy.

They call in families,
you participate in group.

And when you say "participate,"
you mean?

You share your feelings.
The whole family.

Have you told them about our?
I mean, warned them about our family?

Hey, what if I bring back two of us?
Me and Tommy.

It has to be everyone. This is
non-negotiable. I need everyone there.

OK. OK. I guess
we could use a little therapy.

Ojai Foods, always fresh.

Ojai Foods, always fresh.
Please hold on.

Ojai Foods, may I help you?
I understand. You need Accounting.

Oh, I'm sorry.
I gave you the storage room.

Yes, please hold on.
Sir, there is no need to shout.

And there is certainly no need for you
to shout so loudly. Please hold on.

Is there something wrong
with the phones?

People aren't getting through.

- Yeah?
- Well, this makes sense.

- I'm filling in.
- Uh, please, please,

until Gladys gets back, right?

Ojai Foods, always fresh.
Please hold on.

Her son is playing in a basketball game.
An important game.

He's ten.
How important can it be?

Tommy, I'm surprised at you.
And you're gonna be a parent soon.

- Ojai Foods! What?
- Doug? Doug?

- We could use a hand.
- Please hold on.

Oh. OK, Doug, listen to me.
If they start to shout, just hang up.

There's no reason to put up
with that kind of behavior. Yeah.

Don't hang up on them. Mom, the shipping
department never got their invoices.

- I got a little backed up.
- Well, just get them down there ASAP.

Let me just tell you this: You
could improve performance all around

if you used the word
"please" every now and then.

Yeah.

Whoa! What the hell is this?

It's a puppy. What a good puppy.

Oh...

I thought it might be nice if people
brought their dogs to work occasionally.

- I sent e-mail.
- What?!

I read this wonderful study about it. It
relaxes people, lowers blood pressure,

not to mention depression.
Office productivity soars.

Office productivity soars? Great.

Doug!

After my dad d*ed, we gradually
scaled back the cattle business.

Now I just keep a few horses and
the kids have their ponies and ducks

- and rabbits and a goat named Milly.
- Are these your kids?

Yeah. That's Jack.
He's eight and Sophia, she's ten.

Going on .

The kids haven't been out
since Courtney filed for divorce.

- I'm hoping they come soon.
- They're beautiful.

Thank you.

- Here you go.
- Oh, thank you.

All right.
You suggested that I was rash.

I wouldn't have offered you
a job if I knew you?

- Wouldn't.
- What disqualifies you,

- apart from lack of experience?
- Wasn't that enough?

Nope.

Frankly, I don't
think I know you well enough

to know that I want to work with you.

- Now we're getting somewhere.
- You know, I'm sorry. Really.

Let me just put that another way.

Well, no. You want to get
to know me better. That's reasonable.

- What's the g*n for?
- We're Republicans. It's foreplay.

I'm kidding.

No, we just need to find her a niche.

But in the basement
behind locked doors.

What's going on?
It's like a pound.

- Don't allow dogs where you work?
- You kidding?

They bite, Tommy.
It's a litigator's nightmare.

Come on. We're gonna
be late for the meeting.

Notice how she made a meeting
sound like a trip to the zoo?

Speaking of outings, tomorrow's
family day at Justin's clinic.

- Family day?
- Yeah. It's a group sharing thing

where you share things in a group.
Anyway, he wants us all there.

This is not because he slipped.

No. They do this with all families.

- With this family?
- Now, don't start.

If your brother wants us there,
we're going. End of discussion.

Hey, Mom, listen to me.
This is your first board meeting,

so just take it in. You don't have
to say anything. It's OK to be quiet.

Why would I say anything?

Tommy.

Let the record show that this board
has heard from the audit committee,

compliance and
the compensation committee.

Due to the fact there's no more
relevant business, the board holds...

Excuse me. If it's all right, I would
like to present something to the board.

Very well. The chair recognizes
shareholder Holly Harper.

Thank you. First of all,

I would like to thank everyone
on the board for such a warm welcome.

It means so much to me being here today.

If you could just take one, please,
and then pass it on.

It is my understanding

that one of the goals
of Ojai is new investments.

As you will see, in this case,

this is a vineyard called
Greendale Vineyards.

At its full capacity, the winery will
produce , cases annually.

Tim, if you will?

Could you direct your attention, please?

Good job. All right.

Why do I get the feeling
you've never touched a g*n?

I've never served in the Army
and I've never had to defend my house

against an att*ck by soda cans.

You might be surprised
by how much you enjoy it.

Here. Let me show you.

I used to watch my dad when I was a kid,
but he never let me touch his r*fle.

Let's see.

Right in here.

Right there.
Just squeeze the trigger gently.

He just gave me
my own r*fles to play with.

When you did my background check
my NRA membership didn't turn up.

Apparently not.

I'm also, uh, on the Council
to Prevent Handgun v*olence.

So am I.

- What about immigration?
- All for it, as long as it's legal.

- Family values?
- Against.

Families are ruining this country.

Divorce is the bedrock
of this great nation.

It's funny. What about gay marriage?

- Nonissue.
- Really?

Then why vote in favor
for the ban on gay marriage?

Because it was never
gonna pass anyway,

and I needed to pacify leadership
to get my education bill into committee.

I get it. You don't want
to work for a hypocrite.

I vote for an amendment
to ban gay marriage,

and I can't keep my marriage afloat?
That what you think?

Nah.

My brother,
whom I respect very much, is gay.

That's what he thinks.

- He thinks you hate gay people.
- He's right about the vote.

I learned a tough lesson.
I wouldn't do it again.

But I'm not a hypocrite,
and I don't hate gay people.

As for my own marriage, my wife of
years and the mother of my children

cheated on me.
She accused me of cheating on her

so she could get a better settlement.
She knows I won't fight it.

- Because you're a public figure?
- Because I'm a father.

Airing our dirty laundry
in the media, no matter how false,

is only gonna
end up hurting the kids.

That's gonna go on
as long as I'm getting a divorce.

Since that's being handled by divorce
attorneys, that could be a while.

I need someone on my staff who
understands how the media thinks.

Someone who can help me deal
with the endless gossip and innuendo

that people are spinning as the truth.

Know anybody?

This is something
that William Walker believed in.

He felt very strongly that Ojai Food
should be in the wine-making business,

so I hope that his wisdom survives
in this board's decision.

Yeah, thank you, Holly.

That's very impressive and we
will give it a lot of serious thought.

On that note, I would like to say...

Saul, I, too,
would like to address the board.

- You would?
- Yes.

OK. Of course, Nora.

William and I also
talked about many, many things

when we were married.

And I would like to...

...share some of my thoughts with you.

Uh... It was on Oprah. I...

They have this avocado where
they've taken the fat out of it.

It's a...

...SlimCado. SlimCado.

It's a SlimCado,
and it's really very, very good.

And I can't help but think
that it might be a gold mine for us.

I think we should
consider seriously investing in it.

What did I say before that meeting?

- You told me not to speak.
- I told you not to speak!

- Do you have any idea why?
- You didn't want to be embarrassed.

Listen, Holly being here is the price
of keeping this place afloat.

Mom, you, you're...

You're just making things worse.

Hey. Am I running late
for Justin's rehab confab?

No, you've got time.

I've been reading all these books
on addiction for Justin.

Yeah? Learn anything?

Yeah, that it's a mistake
to overlook the early warning signs.

You're about ten years
too late for that.

Yeah, not really. Listen, Joe,
I... I screwed up with Gabe.

- Why'd you do it, Gabe?
- These guys were having a party

- and I wanted to go. Stupid.
- We're all in agreement.

- I'm sorry.
- We appreciate your apology, Gabe,

but it's not gonna cut it.
Not by a long sh*t.

We can't let you break rules
of this house, not to mention the law.

- Break the law? Are you kidding me?
- Wait a second. Let's just chill. OK.

- She's not gonna call the cops.
- That's not what I meant.

What I'm saying is that Gabe needs to
realize there are lines he can't cross

- without facing the consequences.
- Fine. Let's not get carried away.

- So, Gabe, you go upstairs.
- You're not helping him.

Gabe, go upstairs,
I'll talk to you later.

I can't believe you would
undermine me in front of him.

Don't overreact. It's not
gonna help to come down on him

like a ton of bricks right now. I know
my own kids. I'll handle it later.

This is so classic. Don't you see it?

First, he convinces me
to team up against you,

- now he's got you teamed against me.
- OK, we got Justin's thing.

Let's suspend the psychobabble
until after I shower.

I am trying to be a good mother.
I know that's what he wants here.

- He has a mother.
- But she's not here. And I am.

You guys make me sick!
OK? Just let me be who I am!

I'm not like you!
Why would anyone want to be like you?

Look at yourselves! What's wrong with
you? Or have you all had lobotomies?

Can we at least thank your family
for coming here today, Claire?

I would rather eat glass.

OK, why don't we stop there?

Poor kid. I'd sh**t you
if you talked to me like that.

- What does that mean?
- Justin.

You want to come up now?

- Uh, yeah, sure.
- And bring your family, please.

- Guys, let's...
- OK.

That's us.
Everybody sit down. Where's Julia?

- Morning sickness, but it's all day.
- Well, Kitty, you come over here.

Sit next to me.
Kevin, sit with your brother.

- Mom.
- Thanks, Mom.

Introduce yourself
to the families.

Sure. I'm Justin Walker
and, uh, this is my family.

- Hey.
- Hi.

Thank you for coming.

All this is a really important
part of Justin's recovery

and just you guys being here
is a really healthy gesture.

So how are you feeling?

Uh, totally weird.

A little panicked. Surrounded.

But otherwise, great.

Part of what this
is about is accountability,

which we talk a lot about here.

So I think Justin
has some things to say to you.

Go ahead.

I would like to apologize
for some things. Um, a lot of things.

It's OK. We all love you so much.

I'm the most lovable person
in the world, Mom.

That sounded cynical. If you're upset,
tell your mom why you're upset.

I've done some things
any human being would be ashamed of

and I know that's hard to believe, Mom,

but in order for this to work,
I need to make amends, OK? So just...

OK. But whatever you've done,
it's fine. I know you didn't mean it.

Mom, just let him talk. Please.

Who do you want
to apologize to first?

Uh, Kevin.

Remember when we
were cleaning out the attic

and you couldn't find
your Princess Leia Star Wars figure?

The one with the sl*ve-girl outfit?

- Well, yeah, yeah. Why?
- I sold it to a kid to buy dr*gs.

What? Justin, I had that since tenth...
That thing was in mint condition!

It's in the original packaging.
It's worth bucks!

I sold it for .

Well, why didn't you
just ask me for the money?

- To buy dr*gs?
- Just accept his apology.

This is his amends to me.
Talk when you get your own amends.

Speaking of which, Kitty, I'm sorry
that you had to find me half-dead.

Well, I was there too.
We found him together.

- Mom.
- Tommy, stop "momming" me.

If you had your way,
I would never speak at all.

- Easy.
- I'm sorry for that morning.

It's the worst thing I ever
could have done. I'm sorry.

You found out they
were calling you back to the w*r.

I'm not asking for forgiveness. I want
you to understand I know what I did.

- OK. Yes.
- Can I finish?

Sarah and Joe. There was a time,
I don't know if you remember,

I promised to baby-sit and I called you
and said my car had broken down.

- Yeah.
- Right.

- You were high?
- Yes. I was in Vegas.

I could barely speak,
so I can't believe the car story worked.

- I can.
- How did I become the problem here?

I'm the one everybody's gonna blame.

Gabe's my kid.
Don't criticize how I parent.

He's my child now too, OK?
Wake up, Joe. Look around.

Do you want him here?

- What's wrong with Gabe?
- He got into the vodka.

This is none of their business.

When we were young, we did our share
of experimentation. All of us.

Are you saying I sat around
while my children got sloshed?

We're not at work now.
You have to stop shushing me!

Stop arguing.
It's been going on all week.

- What did you expect?
- Find her something to do.

I had no idea I was a burden, while your
father's mistress is such a big asset.

Look! Wait a minute!

- We are here to talk to Justin.
- Let's get on with it.

Kitty's late for her new job.

- Oh, Kevin.
- I didn't know it started.

I kn... I kn... Oh, God, I knew it!
What happened to weighing it?

- I did, I took it.
- You took it?

- Yes.
- Congratulations. He's hot.

Congratulate her on stripping me
of my constitutional rights.

Marriage is not a constitutional right.

Maybe you better wait for a guy
who actually wants to marry you.

If I cheated on my fiancé and played
musical chairs with my career,

- I'd get a little more play.
- This is what I was afraid of.

They're usually much better behaved.

- Mom...
- Stop "momming" me, Tommy!

Excuse me. Hey!
Hey! Come on!

OK.

Oh. I think it's clear what this
family dynamic is all about.

Justin, you want to say something?

Look, I love you guys very much,
but I am so sick of all your problems.

You guys are always fighting
and making up with each other,

and that's the way you like it.

And you liked me because I was
the one person you didn't fight with.

Because I was the cute one.
I always had a smile on,

so you didn't see me like I really was.
And Tommy?

You have lately,
and I thank you for that.

Look, if you guys love me,
you'll just stop taking care of me.

And you'll call me out on my crap.

And then... And then we'll fight.

The same way you guys fight.

God.

Good morning.

I have coffee.

Kevin.

What are you doing here?

I stopped by
on my way home from the gym.

Why do all you gay people
work out so early?

"All you gay people"?

After six, all the treadmills
in front of the mirror are gone.

- So can we talk about the job?
- I couldn't not take it

because you didn't want me to.
I... It's what I want, Kev.

- I'm not gonna argue with that.
- Wow.

This is working.

Will you please
just promise me one thing?

That you will argue
with him every time he's wrong.

I promise.

Thank you. Go back to bed.

I promise to argue with you
whenever you're wrong.

Wow. You, you...
You really have been working out.

- Can you really tell?
- Yeah, you look good.

I need to work my pecs a little more.

- It's not fair! She's not my mother!
- Yes, she is.

In this house, she is your mother.

I've seen for myself
how fiercely she loves you,

so trust me, pal,
she's a lioness protecting her cub.

- By what, grounding me?
- That is what we decided together.

OK, Gabe, so, for the next month,

on the nights that you're here,

no Internet, no iPod and no television.

What the hell
do you want me to do then?

Try hanging out with us
and your brother and your sister.

Fine. Can I go now?

Sure.

I think I succeeded
in making him hate me.

Hey, he hates us both now.
You happy?

No, I need a drink.

- Think there's any vodka left?
- Don't make me ground you.

This is yours. I switched to decaf.
I got too jittery this week.

Thank you.

- What are you doing?
- I'm packing up my desk.

Do you need any extra Post-its?

Why are you leaving?

I've had some bad ideas in my life,

but thinking I could work here and share
an office with you is one of the worst.

- No offense.
- None taken.

I shouldn't have brought up William
at the board meeting.

- It was insensitive and...
- Passive-aggressive?

I was very nervous.

And it wasn't exactly
a friendly audience.

Anyway, I'm sorry.

The truth is you and I had very
different relationships with him.

I'm not surprised he talked
to you about his work.

Well, it was all we could talk about.

He kept his family private,
and I didn't really want to know anyway.

But being here around all these Walkers,
watching you all together...

Well, I never had that. A family.

You always want
what you can't have, I guess.

Isn't that funny. I never did.

Well, that's about it.
I really didn't accumulate too much.

I really want to wish you luck.
You obviously have a knack for this.

I'm just an old working girl
who seems to have gotten lucky.

I thought all you actresses had it easy.

You have assistants to do
all the mundane things for you.

Assistants? I was practically
unemployable in Hollywood.

I went from temp job to temp job.
How do you think I learned how to type?

I don't know
the first thing about you, do I?

Well, who knows?

Maybe we'll be friends someday.

Maybe.

But not today.

Mom, where are you going? Wait, wait.

You can't boss me around anymore.
I'm totally useless here.

I know that.
But you know what?

It wasn't always that way.
I was once an executive secretary.

- You were?
- Yes, I was. To a wonderful man.

Mr. Stanley Elliot. He was a president
of a big manufacturing company.

He used to say to me, "Nora,
one day, you're gonna run this place. "

- And he meant it.
- What happened?

Sarah was born
and then Kitty and you

and Kevin,
and last but not least, Justin.

- You don't have any regrets, do you?
- I should, the way you guys treat me!

- Mom.
- No. No.

No.

Tommy, you know, I read
Mr. Elliot's obituary in The Times

not too long ago and I felt so sad
because I realized

there wasn't anybody left who knew me
the way I was then. The way he knew me.

Whatever else I could have been in
this life was buried with old Stanley.

I made my choices. I just forgot for
a minute they were the right choices.

I've got to go.

One more thing.

Ojai should buy that vineyard.
It's obviously a very good deal.

Could you excuse me for a minute?

I've got the LA Times.
They want to know why I want to keep

my divorce proceedings sealed.
Got any ideas?

Hi, this is Kitty Walker.
Who's this?

Benny. Hi, how you doing?
No. No, I work here now.

No, I'm not kidding.

Listen, about those,
uh, divorce proceedings,

I'm gonna call you back
with a full statement.

I'll talk to you tomorrow.

- Good morning, senator.
- Good morning, Miss Walker.

Oh, um...

What full statement
were you referring to just now?

The one I'll be writing today
as your new communications director.

Where you tell
the truth about your divorce.

About how you never
had sexual relations with that nanny.

You're kidding.

Mm-mm. Every time you hold back
or try to conceal something,

you're giving them another story.

The story is, "McCallister
is still concealing something

from his constituents. "
You are gonna have a chronic

character problem that will follow you
unless you tell the truth now.

And, yes, there will be
a fair amount of unpleasantness,

but I'll be here to get
you through it. That's my job.

And how will my kids get through it?

Well, that's your job.

And your brother?

Is he OK with you working here?

He'll survive.

Don't go voting for any more
amendments to ban gay marriage.

Don't worry. My brother
wouldn't let me do that.

Wait a minute.
You have a gay brother?

Yeah. And a cute one too.

Why didn't you tell me that?

My brother's sexual orientation
doesn't come up in an interview,

but you're, you know, a staffer now.

Well, is he single?

Kitty, do you want both
of our brothers to k*ll you?

Hm.

I got this towel
when you guys were still married.

Lead singer of the Rotting Monkeys
threw it and I caught it.

It smells like ass, but it reminds me
of when we all used to be a family.

I love this towel.

Thanks for sharing, Claire.
That was great.

OK, Justin,
you want to come up now?

Why does he always have to follow her?
It's not fair.

Hello.

Um, I'm supposed to think of something
that would help me stay clean.

So, uh... this is it.

My mom sent me this tape
when I was in Afghanistan.

They say when you're a drug addict,

you're supposed to think of something
that you want to live for.

Um, and I've thought a lot about that.

Back then too,
and, uh, the thing I live for is...

...is my family. They kind of
had a bad day here yesterday.

That's not really who they are.

This. This is who they are.

Hi, sweetie. How are you?

I was gonna write another e-mail,
but Mrs. Silver told me

that I should send a tape,
which I thought was such a good idea.

Not as hi-tech,
but you get to hear my voice. Lucky you.

Actually, I have some amazing news,
so let me lead off with that.

Joe and Sarah are pregnant again.
She just told me two nights ago.

Can you believe it? I really can't think
of a better mother than your sister.

And she works.
She's like this super mom.

Tommy, Mr. Newlywed,
is doing so well at Ojai.

Dad's giving him more responsibility.
It's a family business, after all.

And speaking of work,
Kevin is doing much too much of it.

I wish he'd take some time off.

But he is going
to the gay pride parade this year.

He won't let me go with him though,
which I guess I understand.

Kitty's back in New York. I listen
to her radio show from time to time.

I don't agree with a word she says,
but it's so nice to hear her voice.

And your dad couldn't be better.

He carries your picture
everywhere he goes.

You can't imagine
how proud he is of you.

We all miss you beyond words,
my sweet boy.

You're my light.

I know what you're doing
takes so much courage.

Please, come home
as soon as you can.

Life is so much less without you.