01x19 - Single White Sister

[bunniefuu]

Look, isn't this incredible?
The light on the water...

Some places it's pink,
and other places it's almost black.

Wow.

- I know, you.
- Hey! No.

Look at that face. Smile.

- Put that down.
- Come on.

I'm gonna take that
away from you right now.

All right.
This is supposed to be work.

All work and no play
makes Jo a very dull girl.

Woman. Woman, Jake.

- And I'm anything but dull.
- Yeah, I'm sure.

Let's go. I have everything.

You finished already? It's only . .
That's fast work.

- We've got time for breakfast.
- Breakfast.

What is this? The Collected Poems
of William Carlos Williams?

Yeah, have you ever read him?
He's my favorite.

You were gonna read me poetry
on the beach.

- I thought it was gonna be all work.
- Right. I read him for myself.

- I find him inspiring.
- That's all right.

I've never been into poems.

I think you should read it.

Personally, I'm more inspired
by Harleys.

Too bad you don't drive one.

It is kinda small.
It's kind of a girl's bike, isn't it?

A girl's bike?

Hey, I'll show you a girl's bike.

OK.

OK. I'm scared.

Get that.

Hello?

Sydney? No, slow down. What?

You're in LA? Now?

You're kidding. Wait there.

Sydney, no, no, no. Don't take the bus.
I'll come pick you up.

All right, downstairs at baggage claim.
I'll be there in less than an hour.

- House guest.
- What is she doing here?

I don't know, she mumbled something
about a long weekend.

Did you ever sneak off
for a couple of days during college?

Of course not. How do you think
I got into medical school?

Look, hon, all I'm saying is
your sister should have called first.

She did. From the airport.

I've gotta get up,

I've got cardio funk this morning.

Cardio funk?

You shouldn't have to teach cardio funk.
You're a dancer.

- A dance teacher.
- Whatever.

So how much are you working today?

I was thinking we could check out
a new restaurant in Newport.

I'm sorry.
I got low impact at . tonight.

You've left tomorrow night open?

You know we've got dinner
at Denise and Howard's?

How could I forget?

What are you gonna wear, baby?

I don't know. The way you've been
talking about those guys,

I don't have anything good enough.

Except the dress you bought me
for the symphony.

Why don't you wear that dress
you saw in that window?

- You'd look beautiful in it.
- Oh, yeah.

And at $ a pop, it's a real steal.

- We can afford it.
- "We"?

Terrence, don't buy me that dress.
I mean it, now.

- You're running away from me?
- I'm gonna be late.

But I'm not gonna see you till tomorrow.

I might not live.

I need something to sustain me
through these lonely hours, baby.

Shut up.

Catch me.

I had to get out of there.

I had to come see you,
at least for a few days.

- You're not mad?
- No, of course I'm not mad.

We always said you were
gonna come out and visit.

- Did you tell Mom and Dad?
- No.

You know how they are
about me and school.

I can wait for Dad to see
the plane ticket on his Visa bill.

By then he'll only
be bitching about the money.

- You really should have told them.
- Come on, Jane.

Do you want me here or not?

Hell, Dad's lucky
I didn't go to Acapulco.

God, could you imagine?

So where does
the sightseeing tour begin?

I want to see where John Belushi d*ed.

Now I've got to go to work.

But Michael promised
to take you to lunch.

- Michael hates me.
- No, he doesn't.

- He's just under a lot of pressure.
- It's OK, Jane.

He hates me.

Syd, listen, just one favor
while you're here, OK?

Don't smoke in the apartment.

Welcome to LA.

Michael, you are so cool to do this.

- My pleasure. Thanks.
- You're welcome.

I know you and I haven't been
like total buds,

but I thought maybe this trip
could bring us all closer.

- So you're doing this for the family?
- You could say that.

So how's school? You like this college
better than the last one?

Next subject.

School's never been
my big thing in life.

I'm not like you and Jane.
You know, perfect.

My older brother, Daniel,
was on the Sacred Heart football team

the year we made district.

The nuns used to say his name like this,
"Your brother... Daniel."

I know that look.

I threw his MVP trophy
in the trash masher one night

when he was on a date.
He still doesn't know what happened.

- I've heard about your temper.
- That's right.

I'm not perfect.
And neither is Jane, for that matter.

Come on, my parents used to
call her Perfie, short for perfect.

Well, not totally.

You know, Jane can be
a little insecure at times.

- About what?
- Her new job.

- This new boss, Kay Beacon.
- Really?

She'll come out on top.
She always does.

Don't say I never did anything for you.

"Alison Parker and guest"?

The Advertising Association ball
was for vice presidents and up.

It is. But since I'm on the board
of the LA Advertising Association...

Let's just say you've got a friend
in a high place.

- Anybody ever go to stag these things?
- Oh, come on.

Don't tell me you can't get a date.

I haven't been seeing anybody
since I stopped seeing Keith.

Oh, yeah, well, you can't ask him.

Why don't you take
someone from the office?

Actually, there is somebody.
But I don't think he even knows I exist.

- Who?
- Danny Baker.

Oh, in accounting?

Well, he's cute. Do it.

Come in.

- Danny?
- You got a message for me?

No. I just wanted to come in and say hi.
How you doin'?

- Fine. How you doin'?
- Fine.

Listen, I've been invited to this ball,

this Advertiser's Association ball.

I was wondering if
you'd like to join me.

Oh, that's really sweet. Really.

But I'm already going
with Kendra Hale, in creative.

But thanks very much for thinking of me.

I'm very flattered, Elinor.

- Hi, hon.
- Hi, babe.

What are you doing here?

Sydney rented a movie.
I didn't want to disturb her.

You've been wonderful.
Thanks for taking her out.

You're welcome. I think for
the first time, we actually got along.

Really? I am so glad.

I think we should get a departure date.

She'll be gone by the end of the week.

She's got to get back to school.

Whatever you say, Perfie.

- What?
- I got an earful at lunch today.

She's pretty jealous of you, Jane.

- Your parents played favorites.
- They did not.

I'm outta here.

By the way, my parents didn't
give me the nickname. She did.

Really?

Here, I'll get it.
You have to pull up, then out.

Thanks.

Watch your feet.

I'm sorry, I know I haven't
been the most wonderful host.

I heard you had a good time
with Michael.

Yeah, he was really cool.

I think he was seeing those sights
for the first time.

I'm sure he was.

Jane,

if I tell you something,
you promise not to tell Mom and Dad?

- Yeah, sure.
- I'm not just ditching classes.

- I dropped out of school.
- Oh, Syd. Again?

I hated that place so much.
I couldn't seem to make friends.

Everybody already knew each other.

The sororities were closed,

not that I'd ever
want to be in one, anyway.

I got a C in Theatre,
a D in Spanish, an F in Econ

and an F in Intro to Accounting.

That's why I didn't
go home for Christmas.

Mom and Dad said that if I bombed out
of one more school, then that was it.

Whatever that means.

Well, what are you gonna do?

I thought maybe I could
stay here with you guys.

I mean, just a little while,
until I get my act together.

I can't face Mom and Dad yet. Please?

Michael won't mind, will he?
I mean, I'm really trying to get along.

Sure.

I mean, of course, you can stay
as long as you like. Come here.

I walked right
into Danny Baker's office,

opened my mouth
and made a complete fool out of myself.

- It couldn't have been that bad.
- He called me Elinor.

He didn't even know my name.

Maybe it was that bad.

I can't go to work.
I'm the joke of the week.

I haven't felt like this
since the eighth grade.

What are you doing this weekend?

I have my Martin McAfee
screenwriting seminar, remember?

- The one you ridiculed?
- Oh, yeah.

- I got an idea.
- What?

I was just with my buddy, Tom Brooks.

- He just broke up with his girlfriend.
- Great. Rebound.

Why? Worse comes to worst,
you'll make a good friend.

We'll go get a drink
tomorrow night.

Just the three of us. Come on!

Come on, we'll have a good time.

All right.

Thanks, Billy.

You're welcome, Elinor.

What are you doing?

You're taking your name
off the mailbox?

- Yeah, something like that.
- Whoa, wait a minute.

Don't you think you're taking
this privacy thing too far?

The postmaster does
have a right to know.

This came for me.
It's from my husband.

- How did he find you?
- I don't know.

- Send it back.
- However did he find this address?

- This gets me nervous.
- What does he want?

I don't know. I should have known
it was too easy just to disappear.

"Addressee unknown."

Simple as that.
You're gone.

I want you to come by
the shop today, all right?

I've got a surprise for you.

I've had enough surprises
for one morning.

I'll see you at noon, all right?

She wants to stay
till she gets her act together.

But, honey, what am I gonna say
if my parents call?

The truth.

Jane, why is it every time
you get involved with Sydney

- you end up doing things you regret?
- Because I'm the nice sister.

- Morning.
- Morning.

- Hi.
- Whoa, Jane, great dress.

Thanks. Kay kind of notices
what I wear, so...

Kay. Listen to that.

You're on a first name basis
with Kay Beacon.

- What's she like?
- Terrifying.

- But I'm learning a lot.
- Wow, that must be so cool.

I'd love to see
what it's like at the studio.

- Maybe I'll take you there sometime.
- Really? Boy, that'd be so amazing.

I don't have much to do today.
Is there any chance?

I won't get in your way or anything.

Oh, Syd, I don't know.
I'm brand-new.

It might be kind of weird.

Maybe I can visit with Michael
at the hospital.

All right, you can watch
for a couple hours.

- And then you're on your own.
- Thank you.

Ain't it a beauty?
Overhead-valve V -cubic-inch engine.

And look at that chrome.
Rusty's letting me pay in installments.

I love it.
When can I take it out?

You'll get your chance.

This is really a great surprise,
really, Jake.

I gotta get back
working on those prints.

Now, wait a minute, wait a minute.
Now your surprise...

...is right over this way.

Stand right here, OK?
Right there. Ready?

Guys, get out of here,
leave me alone for a minute.

- It's your bike. I don't get it.
- It's yours.

- Jake, I can't accept this.
- Keep it as long as you want.

We'll work something out
as soon as you can afford it.

- I'm sorry. I can't.
- Why not?

Thank you for the thought.

That's her.
She's coming here.

Don't take this the wrong way,
but let me handle this, OK?

We need color in this drawing.
The forest-green range,

none of that eggplant shade
you seem to find so electrifying.

- Who are you?
- Kay, this is my sister, Sydney.

- She's from out of town.
- I've been watching Jane work.

- Fascinating.
- She just stopped by for a minute.

- You're interested in design?
- Kind of.

I mean, it's a hobby of mine.
I read all the fashion magazines.

- You've got an eye.
- Seriously?

Is there any chance I could? I mean,
I know this is really out of line.

If I promise not to bother anyone,
would it be all right

if I hung around
and watched the action today?

- I could help out.
- Sydney,

I don't think Kay wants
you hanging around here.

- I like your belt. I think it's great.
- Really?

There's a newspaper stand on the corner.
The LA Times,

The New York Times
and Women's Wear Daily.

- I'll be back in two minutes.
- And I get to wear your belt to lunch.

She's cute.

A $ Victorian necklace.

I'm like,
"You can't just give it to me."

She's like, "I'm Kay Beacon,
I can do whatever the hell I want."

She's so cool.

- Kay giveth and Kay taketh away.
- You are so cynical.

You've been in LA too long.
I'm not kidding, she was so nice to me.

She was asking about our family,
what Jane was like growing up.

- It was hilarious.
- It was?

Kay's got a great sense of humor.

Jane, it is so typical of you
to have the perfect boss.

What else do you expect from Jane?

I got it.

Let's see that.

Hello.

Hi, Mom.
Yeah, great.

Oh, you did?

Sydney?

Seriously? She wasn't?

No, I'm still here.

I remember her saying something about

going to a friend's college
over winter carnival.

Yeah. I'm sure she said that.

All right, Mom,
I wouldn't worry about it.

OK, say hi to Dad.
All right, bye.

Thanks.

Whoa, Terrence sent you this?

Yes, just because he noticed me
admiring it in a window.

Isn't he sweet?

You don't sound
like you're jumping for joy.

I'm jumping, I'm jumping.

I think I'm getting allergic to roses.

The flowers, the dress, the nightgown,

the trips to Aspen,
the fancy dinners...

- He's smothering me.
- Smothering you

or treating you the way
you deserve to be treated?

Rhonda, I have seen you
date guys who stand you up,

- who cheat on you, who borrow money...
- I know, I know.

How many Saturday nights have we spent
together watching some old movie?

I get the point, OK?
I get the point.

- It's just a little terrifying.
- Rhonda, if it wasn't terrifying,

it wouldn't be love.

- Good night, Syd.
- Jane.

Thanks for what you did
on the phone today.

I know how hard it is for you
to lie to Mom and Dad.

You know what I went through
all those times.

Really? It was hard for you too?

You made it look so easy.

- Kinda makes you hate yourself.
- Yeah.

One of these days
they're gonna be proud of me.

Come on, Syd, they're proud of you.

Remember that summer house

Mom and Dad had
up on the lake in Michigan?

And you and me had to share a bed?

And I convinced you that a woman
had drowned in the lake that year.

And every night her dripping wet ghost

would walk the floor of the house.

Creak, creak.

Drip, drip.

Creak, creak.

Drip, drip.

- You were so mean to me.
- Are you kidding?

I think I was more scared
than you were.

You know, this is so great,
being out here.

You don't know
how much it means to me.

I'm glad you could come to me.

Seeing you and Michael and how
committed you are to what you do,

it makes me realize that's what I need
in my life. I need a direction.

You will. Someday, I mean.
It takes time.

- Can I tell you something scary?
- What?

I think I have
found a direction, an interest.

- Something I really think I can do.
- Sydney, that's great. What?

- You'll laugh.
- Of course I won't.

I want to be a fashion designer.

Sydney, after only one day?

I know you just got the job
at Kay Beacon,

and I'm not gonna ask you for a job.

I'll find something on my own.

I'll live for cheap.
You can do that out here.

I'm not gonna give up, no matter
how scared I get. I'm not gonna fail.

- Not now. Not ever again.
- Don't you think you're rushing things?

What about school?
Finish school and then do this.

School just isn't
an option for me anymore.

I'm here, Jane.
I'm here to stay.

Jane, you're right.
We're ODing on forest green.

Do eggplant.
Your instinct was correct.

- All right.
- This is nice.

- You're getting better.
- Thank you.

- Hey, guys. What's going on?
- Sydney.

I know, I know. I was gonna stay home
and type up a resume.

I noticed you barely touched
your breakfast.

- I thought you might want these.
- Not on the sketches.

Chocolate. My favorite.

- Mine too.
- They go better with milk.

I'll get some, Kay.

Sydney, wouldn't you rather be out
sightseeing than hanging around here?

That's all right.
I like running errands for Kay.

Fine. Run a couple of errands
if you have to.

Don't get the impression
you have a job here.

OK, Jane. I get the message.

Hey, Jake, the photos came out great.
You wanna see?

- Pass.
- Wait a second. Wait, stop.

Jake, you're really taking this
the wrong way.

I can't accept something from you
if I don't have anything to give back.

- I didn't know we were keeping score.
- Wait, I'm not keeping score.

- It's just too much pressure.
- What pressure?

What do you think I want from you?

I thought if I gave you the bike
it'd make you happy,

which would make me happy.

I don't want anything from you.
I'm not your husband.

I can't believe I let you
talk me into a blind date.

Relax. Tom is dying to meet you.

- Two drinks, and I'm gone.
- Fine.

- Hey, Tom.
- Hey, Billy, how you doing?

- Good to see you.
- Yeah, you too.

- Hi.
- Hi.

Tom, that's Alison.
Alison, Tom.

Hi, Alison.
It's very nice to meet you.

It's good to meet you too.

- Well, let's get some beers.
- Here, sit down.

Oh, thanks.

Beer? Hey, how about dinner?

Oh, that sounds great.

Sure.

So Billy tells me you're in law school.

Yeah, third year at UCLA.

I'm spending most of my time
over at the DA's office.

Wow, that must be interesting.

Oh, yeah, it can be.

You don't make the bucks,
but it beats corporate law

- most people are chasing after.
- Where's the waitress?

So, what do you do, Alison?

She's in advertising.

Yeah. Probably sounds boring to you.

No, no, no.
It sounds great.

OK, time to hang it up for the night.
We've got some serious partying to do.

Everybody's heading
to this cool club, Flaming Colossus.

Thanks, but no. I've got to finish
cutting these by tomorrow.

- Don't be a dweeb. It's Friday night.
- I can't. I promised Kay.

- This isn't my vacation.
- What's she gonna do?

- Kay's cool.
- Yeah, to you.

- She's my boss. There's a difference.
- Why can't you just lighten up?

Syd... Come on, Sydney, we're leaving.

Go out and have a great time.
We'll talk about this when you get home.

Suit yourself.

He's been arrested three times,

so the guy's got a record
for reckless driving.

What does he do
at the courthouse?

He runs into a cop car.

The same cop that is scheduled
to testify against him.

God, your eyes,
they just sparkle when you laugh.

Whoa! Look at the time.

- Oh, I didn't notice.
- Isn't it getting late for you, Tom?

Don't you always
have something in court?

Yeah, you're probably right.

Listen, Alison,

it was really great meeting you.

Yeah.

Listen, Tom,

we never talked about this thing
I have to do on Saturday night.

- Oh, my God. I left the stove on!
- What?

I left the stove on in the apartment.
Come on, we gotta go.

Tom, we'll do this again soon.

- What is your problem?
- I'm sorry. I started to feel weird.

That I liked him?
It was gonna solve my problem?

That something was gonna
go right for once?

If you didn't want it,
why did you set us up?

I didn't know.
When I saw you there together,

I realized I don't want you
dating one of my friends.

Fine. I won't date your friends and
I won't go to this advertising thing.

Thanks for your help.

Really, it was time
for a sea change in the symphony.

And Esa-Pekka's taste
is so wonderfully esoteric.

Wonderful.

I mean, maybe to you. But come on,
we are talking about LA audiences.

Really.
All they want is Tchaikovsky.

Fire up the ,
load the cannons and they're happy.

- I love the Overture.
- Well, we all do.

That's the point.
It's so overplayed.

No, Terrence.
Rhonda's right.

The problems cut
much deeper than that. Tchaikovsky?

Nobody knows Tchaikovsky anymore.

We're talking about a complete
social, moral and spiritual vacuum.

A generation that spends its days
driving from the mall to the gym.

So, what are you saying?

I'm saying we are
in a cultural famine.

Well, I think there are real famines
to worry about, Denise.

- And what exactly do you do?
- Rhonda's a dancer.

- Oh, with what company?
- She's between companies right now.

So she's considering her options,
and the options look good.

Excuse me, Terrence.

- I teach hip-hop aerobics.
- My point exactly.

What is wrong with you?

Why do you have to lie
to your friends about what I do?

- Is the real me enough?
- It is the real you.

No! The real me sleeps in a T-shirt.

I am an aerobics instructor,
not a ballerina.

I like my clothes,
even without designer labels.

The real me would rather be
kicking it at the mall, shopping

or working out than sitting around
with a bunch of pretentious windbags

thumbing my nose at the world.
That's right.

The real me is somebody
you would despise.

Well, thank you, Rhonda. Thank you
for having such a high opinion of me.

You don't think I know
who you really are?

You'd rather hurt somebody
who cares about you

- than risk being hurt yourself.
- You bet your sweet ass.

Good night, Terrence.

Jane, I didn't think I'd find you up.

We had the best time.
Flaming Colossus is, like, unbelievable.

Do you know what time it is?
I was worried sick.

I know, late. Come on, Toto,
we're not in Kansas anymore.

Lighten up. I have the most
incredible thing to tell you.

Did it ever occur to you

that this career you picked
after three seconds

is something that matters to me?

You shoulda heard me
talking you up to Kay.

Don't, all right?

You're gonna ruin everything
I've been working toward.

- I was only trying to help you.
- Help?

You dropped out of college.

Start figuring out
how you're going to help yourself.

When the snow falls
the flakes spin upon the long axis

That concerns them most intimately

Two and two to make a dance

The mind dances with itself

Taking you by the hand

Your lover follows

There are always two

Yourself and the other

The point of your shoe
setting the pace

If you break away and run

The dance is over

You can look in the Blue Book for the
value of a William Carlos Williams.

But I don't think
you can measure it in dollars.

So just don't say
that you never gave me anything.

Well, I do have to admit,
I love that bike.

I wanna show you these sh*ts
from the beach.

God, they're k*ller.

Hold on.

Hello.

How did you get this number?

No, you listen to me.

Don't you ever, ever call me again.

Who was that?

My husband.

Good morning.

If you're not gonna talk to me,
you can just tell me.

Look, I'm sorry, OK?

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

I'd like to make it up to you
if you'll let me.

Don't bother.

I called the writing seminar and told
them that I'm forfeiting my deposit

because I'd like to take you
to your advertising ball,

or dance, or whatever it is.

If you'll let me.

You're gonna rent a tux?

And put off your career move?

To go on a date with me?

Why?

Because that's what friends do.

Thanks, Billy.

You don't expect me
to get you a corsage, do you?

Just kidding.

- How long is this gonna go on?
- It's my sister. I can't throw her out.

- You don't have to.
- After what I said,

I can't imagine she'll be around
much longer.

OK.

So, what are you up to today, Syd?

Figuring out how to help myself, Jane.

Fine.

I cut the skirts on the bias.
I thought they would swing better.

- Oh, you did?
- Yeah, it just seemed like...

- I don't know, I thought it would...
- You're right. Nice job.

So where's Syd?
Every synapse in my brain

is screaming for chocolate doughnuts.

I hope she gets the ones with sprinkles.
They're so festive.

I don't think
Sydney's coming in today.

k*lled her, have you?

A little sibling-rivalry humor.

What's going on between Sydney
and you is painfully obvious.

The poor kid idolizes you,
and she just wants to be you.

That doesn't leave space for you.

I know. I've tried to tell her that.
It's been hard.

She's real sensitive.

Sorry. This isn't your problem.

It becomes my problem
when she's here hours a day.

I know, I know. I'm sorry.
I mean, obviously this was crazy.

She never had interest in design.

She picks something
she's guaranteed to fail at,

- and when she fails...
- She hates herself.

How do you know so much?

Let's say the psychological profile
rings a bell.

I wouldn't worry too much
about Sydney, Jane.

She'll land on her feet.
Her type always does.

In fact, I believe
she's landing already.

Hey, Syd.

Hey, Kay.
Hope you like sprinkles.

They were out of the plain ones.

What are you doing here?

Didn't Kay tell you?

When we were at Flaming Colossus,
she hired me as her personal assistant.

I tried to tell you last night, but you
were too busy playing Mom and Dad.

Excuse me.

- Only if it's OK with you, of course.
- Yeah, I mean, it's fine.

- Maybe he went for a drive.
- Forget it.

I've called his car phone,
the restaurant phone,

the office phone, his home phone.
I even beeped him.

Nothing.
You know, the worst thing is,

if I were him,
I'd freeze me out too.

He's upset.
Maybe he'll calm down.

Not after what I said to him.

And who is playing
this romantic music?

I hate this building.
Someone's always playing their stereo.

It isn't a stereo.

I'd tell you you were beautiful,
but you'd tell me I was wrong.

So I'd tell you you were wonderful,
but you'd tell me I was wrong.

So I'd tell you that I love you
more than anything in this world,

but you might try to k*ll me.

So I guess I've gotta get to the point.

Rhonda...

...will you marry me?

Terrence, I'm crazy about you,
but this is all happening so fast.

Rhonda, I've made a lot of money
in my life just following my instincts

and taking chances.

I don't need another year to know
that you're the right woman for me.

I don't know what to say.

Say yes.

Yes?

Yes. Yes.

Yes!

I don't get it.
She and Kay developed this weird bond.

I think Kay's about
as mentally healthy as your sister.

If my brother did this to me,
I'd k*ll him.

I just want her to be happy,
but my job, my apartment...

- What's next, you?
- So how... so how long is she staying?

I'm wondering when she's gonna let my
parents know she dropped out of school.

Do you smell that?

She's smoking. Damn it!

I told you, no smoking.
You promised!

Sorry, forgot.

- Can I finish this one?
- No.

Jane, I'm sorry.

Look, you know how grateful I am.

If you want me to quit the job, I will.

But I'm learning so much from you.

And you know how much I love you.
I really do.

I love you too.

- Good night, Sydney.
- Good night, Jane.

Hi, can I help you?

I don't know, maybe you can.

I'm looking for someone.

Actually, my wife.
Her name's Beth Reynolds.

- I was told she lived here.
- No, I'm sorry. Never heard of her.

She's a pretty girl.
Dark hair about to here. From New York.

No, nobody's moved in
or out of this building for years.

- OK. Thanks.
- Sure.