01x23 - My New Partner

[bunniefuu]

I've thought about it
and I respect your feelings,

but Amanda and I still
want to see each other.

She said it wouldn't affect
your work together,

and as far as things around here,

I don't see why
it should get in the way.

Good. I'm glad you two
have it all figured out.

Thanks for the update.

You know I wouldn't do anything to
hurt you, and I don't see how this will.

I mean, let's just be
one big happy family.

Sounds cosy,
in a perverse sort of way.

I'm glad you're taking it so well.
I knew we could work it out.

So... you sleep with her last night?

- I can't believe you're asking me that.
- Come on.

You two talk about me.

Yeah, well... No, we don't.

- Look, some things are more private.
- We're family, remember?

- Spill.
- We didn't do it, all right?

- There are limits.
- That's exactly my point, Billy.

I told you I didn't want you dating
Amanda because she's my superior.

I told you it made me uncomfortable

because I feel it's
a violation of my privacy,

and none of that mattered to you.

So you have a good time
with your girlfriend.

Leave me out of it.

Your juice and toast is ready, ma'am.

You in my bed, and now breakfast.

What'd I do to deserve this?

Well, you got a job.

- Oh, my God! What time is it?
- It's OK, relax. You got an hour.

- You want some coffee?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

So, what is all this service?

You turning into
Florence Henderson on me?

No, you know what it is?
I'm happy.

I woke up and realized I've got
just about everything I've wanted.

I got a solid relationship,
a good job...

Oh, yeah,
and a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Hell, doesn't take much
to keep you happy, does it?

Where I'm from,
that makes me a millionaire.

I've spent so much of my life
trying to ruin it,

and suddenly I turn around
and it's worth something.

Well, I'm glad you're happy.

What I'm trying to tell you is that...

...you've got a lot to do with that.

And...

...thanks.

You're welcome.

And if we keep this up,
you're gonna be late

- for your first day at your new job.
- Wait.

- You mean a lot to me too, you know.
- Things keep getting better and better.

- Come on.
- No!

Go, go.

Alison, I worked on these overnight.

It's a better approach for the
ladies' underwear than for the men's.

- What do you think?
- Looks good.

Alison, are we OK?

Yeah. Should we take these to Lucy?
The copy fits what you've done.

I meant us.

I talked to Billy last night.

It's fine if you two want to see
each other, but let's not talk about it.

I had no idea that my going out
with him would upset you.

Oh, come on, Amanda,
I gave you lots of signals.

I don't do signals, Alison.
I'm straight with people,

and I expect the same
from people I work with.

You want straight?

I work for you.
I am new to this position

I don't want to jeopardize it
by making demands on you.

- Anyone could understand that.
- If I were you,

I'd take a look
at your feelings for Billy.

It seems he's a hell of a lot more
than a roommate to you.

Rusty calls me over and tells me he's
not gonna be able to pay me this week.

No big deal, but...
Some accounting thing.

Do you need cash? I don't have much,
but you know I'll share it with you.

Thanks, I've got
a couple of weeks' cushion.

It just reminded me of my old man.

Anytime a company messed
with his money, he'd go nuts.

If they were a dollar short, a day late,
he would slug somebody and lose his job.

Well, we get smarter
with every generation.

I mean, you still have a job.

Remind me to tell you about today.

Hello?

Oh, yeah, hi.

You got me now.
What do you want?

It's my husband's lawyer.

I told you I don't want his damn money,
I just want a divorce, OK?

Charles doesn't care about being fair,
he just wants to cover his butt.

I don't care.

I don't want to owe him anything.
Just send me the papers, OK? Goodbye.

Nothing like a call from that jerk
to ruin an evening.

That whole family just drives me crazy.

Their lawyers, their toadies,
they're just so paternalistic.

Everything's about buying you and
shutting you up and keeping you down.

- How much do they think you're worth?
- Fifty grand.

Might wanna think about taking it.

There's nothing funny in this, Jake.

I can't get bought.
My pride cannot be bought.

Not any more.

- Is that a joke to you?
- No, it's not.

I'm sorry.

It's OK.

I just can't wait till this
doesn't get to me anymore.

- See you later.
- Billy, wait a second.

Look, I've been trying to figure out
how everything got all messed up.

My part in it, you know?

I guess sometimes
I can be a little rigid.

- I'd say so.
- It's not all my fault.

I don't wanna argue about it.
I'm going out with Amanda.

- No, hey, I want you to go.
- Good, cos I am.

Good.

What I meant was
I didn't do it on purpose.

I think I've been
kind of jealous of Amanda.

She's beautiful, and talented

and accomplished,

and... she's going out with you.

- Me? You're jealous because of me?
- Partially, I think, yeah.

Why else would I be making such a fuss
about you two going out?

You got me.

Anyway, go ahead,
I don't want you to be late.

I just think we should talk, like...

...tomorrow?

I just think we should try
and figure out what kind of...

...feelings we have for each other.

Sort of air it out.

Yeah.

We'll talk.
That'll be good, about us.

Good night, Billy.

Good night.

- You're doing great.
- Thank you.

- Be careful.
- All right.

Hold on.

OK, here we go. Ready?

It's so much fun.

OK, triple double.

- I dare you.
- Here we go.

So you're from California,
where'd you learn to skate so well?

You won't believe this,
but when I was younger,

my dad wanted me to be a figure skater.
So I saw a lot of lessons.

So you competed?

Once, but I broke my wrist
during a fall,

so my dad sort of lost interest.

All because you fell?

No, because I failed
in front of people.

That's cold.

Doesn't he appreciate you?
You're smart and beautiful.

He's a little demanding.
I didn't wanna be Peggy Fleming anyway.

- Who did you want to be?
- I don't know.

Georgia O'Keefe, I guess.
What about you?

John Belushi. Live hard, die young
waiting for room service.

Somehow I don't buy that.

- I'm not as sophisticated as you.
- That's not true.

- You promise you won't laugh.
- Promise.

Hemingway.

I've loved him ever since I was little.

I read The Old Man And The Sea
and For Whom The Bell Tolls.

I read it all.

He chose every word carefully,
you know?

Each sentence was crafted
with care and strength.

It was no frills but it was,
it was beautiful and passionate.

You know something, Billy?

I think I'm starting to fall for you.

Stop thinking so much.

What's up, Billy?

Things have gotten complicated,
so we gotta talk.

- Come on in.
- You don't have company?

- Jo's not around?
- No, she's upstairs in her apartment.

- Coffee?
- Sure.

Thanks.

So, what's so important that you've
gotta discuss this at the cr*ck of dawn?

I had to get out of the apartment
before Alison woke up.

I can't face her
until I figure this thing out.

- So the date went well?
- Better than that.

She really digs me,
I mean a lot.

When I took her home,
I didn't make a move.

I kissed her and split.
I think she wanted me to stay.

- I know she wanted me to.
- What did you leave for?

Because of the guilt.
I kept thinking about Alison.

You're too sincere.
Since you can't do anything about that,

go talk to Alison, find out
if there's anything going on,

and then if there is, then...

I don't know what to do just...

All right, all right.

I'll calm down and I'll
just talk to her tonight.

Problem is, I can never figure out
what women are saying.

Who can?
But you gotta give it a sh*t.

Thanks, Dr Ruth.

Ma'am, sign here please.

I don't believe it.

- Thank you.
- You're welcome.

Alison, they're beautiful.

Who are they from?

"To Alison, from someone
who has always cared for her.

Meet me at sh**t tonight."

No name?

- A mystery man.
- Not really.

- What do you mean?
- Nothing.

Come on, Alison. Who is it?

Well...

I don't want to cause trouble,

but you mentioned that I should
look at my feelings for Billy.

I started to think there was something,

at least enough that we
should talk about it.

So I told him, you know,
that we should talk, and...

...I guess he thinks there's
something to talk about too.

Well, did you?

- What?
- Talk.

I guess we will tonight.
I guess that's why he sent the flowers.

I didn't want to get in between
anything with you and him.

We're just gonna discuss things.
Maybe we will stay friends,

but at least everything
will be out on the table.

Good.

If you're through mooning over the
flowers, we should get back to work.

Well, I guess you
figured it out by now, huh?

Figured what out?

You know, with the way business
has been going and all...

Are you letting me go?

- Get serious, I'm your best mechanic.
- Calm down.

I'm letting everybody go,
including myself.

The bank is foreclosing
on the shop, OK?

I guess I never had
much of a head for business.

- So when's the last day?
- Today.

End of business.

I kept thinking I could pull it out...

Hey, I'm sorry.

No, I'm sorry.

These things happen.

Jake, I know there's a couple
of checks I can't make good on

so I've worked it out with the bank
so you can keep your bike.

Same deal, you just pay them,
all right?

- Thanks.
- Sure thing.

Well...

Good knowing you, Jake.
Take care.

- Alison, how's it going?
- Good.

- You remember Terrence?
- How are you?

Well, recently, pretty darn good.

- Rhonda, have you seen Billy?
- No, not since this morning.

We better get rolling
or we'll be late.

I'm taking Mr Symphony here
to see some experimental dance.

I just hope he doesn't snore.

- Have a good time.
- Thanks.

- Bye-bye.
- Bye-bye.

Hi, can I have a soda water
with lime, please? Thanks.

Man, this family comes in, right?
This cute little family, right?

All three of the six-year-olds
are named Mark.

And the father, of course,
is Mark as well.

He's got this thing.
That's all right by me.

When you're trying to corral them,
they don't know who you're talking to.

There's Mark one, there's Mark two,
there's Mark Twain...

There was a joke there.

A bad one. Anyway, so I get
this idea of playing cowboys.

So I go into the house and get rope
and tie them all up, for their picture.

Their mom thought it was great.
Pretty good, huh?

- No blindfolds or gags?
- No.

What's on your mind, Jake?

Well...

I was thinking about you
not taking that money from Charles.

- What about it?
- Don't take this wrong,

but only a rich person would do that.

Taking you out to dinner
doesn't mean I'm rich.

I'm working for a living.

- You know what I mean.
- No, I don't.

I thought we understood each other.

This is about pride, Jake.
I'm too proud to take his money.

This is who I am.
That's who you are too.

I'm about survival.
You threw that money away.

You know that is crap.

I threw away an old life
so I can get one of my own.

I know you can understand that.

Yeah, I guess I do.

You've been acting weird all night.
What is the matter?

I got laid off today.

The shop's closed. I guess Rusty
didn't know how to run a business.

- I'm sorry.
- That's OK, I'm gonna survive.

It's just, as soon as I get used to it.

Damn it, Jo, I liked that job.

- Nobody's hiring motorcycle mechanics.
- Don't worry, you'll find something.

You're smart, you're inventive,
you've got friends like me.

At least someone's
bringing home the bacon.

Thank you. I'm sorry, miss,
but your card's been declined.

I'm so rich.

- Do you have any cash?
- No.

- No?
- I told you I got laid off.

Just a minute, please.

Yes?

Could I have one more of these, please?
Then I'm going home.

Billy, you don't have to
go through all this.

It's not Billy.

It's me.

- I hope you're not disappointed.
- Keith, what are you doing here?

Maybe making a fool out of myself,
I don't know.

But I can't stop thinking about you.

- I never stopped caring for you.
- I told you it was over and I meant it.

Now. I'm gonna go home, and I'm
going to pretend this didn't happen.

Goodbye. I mean it.

Alison, I just want to talk.

Damn it, Alison, please!
I'm still in love with you

and you're still in love with me.
That's all that counts.

Honesty counts,
and respecting wishes.

- I don't tell you one thing...
- A big thing. You were married!

That's old news, Alison.
I'm divorced.

The only thing standing in the way
of our happiness is you.

Don't blame me, don't do it.

I was honest with you.
I told you how I felt and what I needed,

and what do you do? You wait three
months and you trick me into seeing you.

I don't think you respect me
any more than you ever did.

Well, if I had called you,
would you have seen me? Would you?

No. Now you're rid of me,
are you happy?

Don't miss me?
I miss the hell out of you.

I stare at your picture,
I pick up the phone to call.

I don't because you don't want me.
I don't know why

because I'm not married anymore,
and I love you.

What is it, Alison?

You've stopped loving me?

You never did? What?

Of course I didn't stop loving you.

Damn.

Thanks for walking me home.

- Thanks for the flowers.
- You're welcome.

Can I see you again soon?

Yeah.

Yeah, I'd like that, but...

I can't just hop
back in for a relationship.

We've got to kind of... start over.

That's fine.

Wonderful.

Can I kiss you goodnight
on our first date?

OK.

I've got to go in.

OK. I'll call you tomorrow, all right?

OK.

Goodnight, Keith.

Goodnight, Alison.

There you are.

- So, what the hell is going on?
- Oh no.

- Billy, we were supposed to talk.
- Yeah, we were.

Forget about that. You know
what happened when I got home?

Amanda called, and she was ticked off
because I sent you a dozen roses.

I said, "What are you talking about?"

Then she tells me
what went on at work

and that you told her
that I sent them.

Then I have plenty of time
because she hangs up on me,

because you never show up,

I get to figure out you've gone
psychotic and sent the roses to yourself

just so you could screw up my life.

You know, I saw this
on the late show once.

They had to k*ll her with a stake to
the heart and dump her in the Danube.

- It was a mistake.
- No kidding.

They were from Keith.

And?

- Really want to talk about this?
- Absolutely, I'm fascinated.

First, things between us
have been confusing for me lately,

and I guess for you too.

Anyway, I was pretty lonely
after the break-up,

and I guess I displaced some
of my emotions on you.

I'm sure that something with me is
the last thing you're interested in.

Somewhere before
throwing myself in front of a train.

That's what I thought.

So I met Keith
and Keith's divorced now,

and we're going to start
going out again, I think.

Don't be mad, all right?

Why should I be mad?
I'll just work things out with Amanda.

I hope things for you and Keith
turn out better this time.

- You think I'm crazy?
- Everybody's crazy.

I'm gonna hit the sack.

I just don't understand how Rusty
could've screwed up that business.

I could've made that place work.

He never kept track of stock.

This one supplier
kept dropping off racing cowls,

Rusty just kept buying 'em.

Must've lost a ton of money on that.
And he was a lousy mechanic too.

- Jake...
- Wait a minute.

- No.
- What? What?

I think I could run that business.

I don't see why not.

OK.

All right, I will then.

Yeah, yeah.

You see, this blue shirt says,
I dress casually on purpose,

where the white shirt would say,
this is the best I can do, you know?

- Is this jacket really gonna match?
- It doesn't have much of a choice.

Just kidding, you look great.
The bank's gonna love you.

- But will they give me a business loan?
- Why not? They gave Rusty one.

- That's reassuring.
- I'm just kidding.

You look great, you are gonna get
this loan because you are dynamic

and you are handsome
and you are, oh, so smart.

They'll love to give you a loan.
Let's go.

I have to get to work.
You knock 'em dead. Come on.

I'm sorry, Mr Hanson,
but you have no collateral.

My collateral is my business talent
and my expertise.

I know that shop inside and out,
and I know motorcycles.

Just because it was mismanaged doesn't
mean I can't turn a profit with it now.

You have no experience
running a business,

and no credit history except for the
motorcycle loan you're paying off to us.

Look, for us to even consider
making this loan

we'd have to have at least percent
of the purchase price in cash.

But this place loaned Rusty
the money to start the shop.

- I'm a better risk.
- That was in the ' s, Mr Hanson,

and this "place", as you call it,
almost went belly-up from bad loans.

Look, I'm sorry.

All right.

All right. Thanks.

By the way, Rusty had the payments
on your motorcycle set much too low.

We'll be sending you a new payment book
with new amounts very shortly.

Thanks again.

Amanda, wait.

- What's up?
- I've been looking for you.

Sorry, I was in a pointless meeting
with Lucy.

Someone is suing Maximum Advantage
over their bra design.

- How will that affect our campaign?
- It won't, hopefully.

We're gonna go ahead with it anyway.
Besides, if they can't take a joke...

So...

...is everything OK with us?

It's OK, don't worry about it.

I talked to Billy, everything's fine.
We're going out Friday.

And I'm sorry for my part too.

- Nothing is a one-way street, is it?
- I guess not.

I wanted to make it up to you both
by having you over for dinner tonight,

if you're free.

You can meet Keith
and we can put all this behind us.

Sure, that would be nice,
if it's OK with Billy.

- Yeah, I'll call him.
- That's all right, I'll do it.

Tacos, quesadillas, chips,
tons of salsa,

and six cold cervezas.

I don't think I've ever opened this door
when you didn't have a bag of food.

What can I say?
It's how I deal with bad news.

I can't believe the S and L doesn't see
what a great investment you are.

It's OK. Look right here.

A warehouse looking for a stockman.

There's a Denny's opening up.
I'm sure I can bus tables there.

I don't think so.
We have something to celebrate.

I spoke with Charles' attorney,

- and I'm taking the money.
- Good for you.

At least one of us will make it
through the winter.

No. I'm only taking it for one reason.

Use it for a down payment
on your motorcycle shop.

Thank you, but I can't take it.

Don't be crazy.

What did you say,
only rich people throw away money?

That was owed to you.
I'm not your charity case.

- I'm investing the money in a business.
- No, you're feeling sorry for me.

If I took that, you'd own me
the same way he owned you.

- Jake, that is not true.
- Well, whatever.

- I'm not gonna take it.
- You're being so stupid.

I don't think so.

I don't think so.

I'm really disappointed in you.

It's three bucks for the food
and two for the beer. Mail it to me.

People value what they're told to
by the media.

If that wasn't true,
you and Alison wouldn't have jobs.

You're being awfully simplistic.

Well, we do try to convince people
to buy things, that's true enough.

Did anybody see
How To Get Ahead in Advertising?

It's this English film.
It's really cool.

This ad exec, he's got a boil,
he thinks he's got a boil,

and he's picking at it and it
turns out to be this other head growing.

And it's evil and takes over his body.

- I did see it and it was terrific.
- What made it terrific

was that it was a metaphor
for the soullessness of advertising.

Please.

Don't you think "soulless"
is a little strong?

OK, I overstated my point
and I'm sorry.

But let's face facts.

Popular culture doesn't value
anything of a profound nature.

Ecology and survival of the planet
might be nice

but there's no money in it,
so we don't sell it, do we?

Sierra Club advertises,
Earth First advertises.

- Where have you been, in a cave?
- Probably.

- Anybody for coffee?
- That'd be nice.

- Yes, please.
- Billy, would you help me, please?

The environment gets tons of publicity,
but that's not even the point here.

Call off the politically correct whale.

She is goading him.

Until you stop advertising
useless destructive products,

we'll continue to slide into oblivion.

Keith, no offence, but I find your
statements so irritating and pompous

that it's hard to put into words
and I am too tired and too bored to try.

I'm sorry you feel that way.
I'm just being honest.

- Billy, could you take me home, please?
- Sure.

Well, Alison, thank you.
It was a lovely dinner.

- Thanks for coming.
- It was great.

- Goodnight.
- Bye.

I feel like I ruined the entire evening.
I'm really sorry.

No, don't be silly.
Let's just clean up.

Well, sometimes I mouth off
a little bit.

I find it hard to shut up
when I feel passionate.

She was baiting you.
I don't know what got into her.

- Billy must've said something.
- He never did like me.

To tell you the truth,
I'm glad that they're gone.

Gives us time to hang out,
get reacquainted.

I agree with a lot of what you said
about pop culture and the environment.

Advertising should be
a force for good, and not...

...just follow the public mood.

You feel so good.

So do you.

Why don't we...

...go into the bedroom?

I'm sorry.

I need more time.
I don't want to get swept away again.

I really want to be able
to see where I'm going.

So, I'll follow you, OK?

It's a deal.

OK, let's finish up with the dishes.

Thank you for getting me out of there.
I'm sorry I lost my temper.

- Was I bitchy?
- No. You were great.

Pompous and irritating?
I couldn't have said it better myself.

- Lucky we didn't plant a Kn*fe in him.
- No kidding.

- What does she see in him anyway?
- You got me.

Well, we never did get any coffee.
You want to stop someplace?

I've got coffee.
Let's go to my place.

That's a great idea.

Can we talk?

Yeah, come on in.

I'm sorry.

I was kinda rude down there.

That's OK. I just...
don't want to argue anymore.

Look...

I remember my father was always angry.
I never really knew why.

I figured out it was
because he was afraid.

He was afraid to take anything
from anyone and give anything.

I guess he managed to put
a little of that fear into me.

So...

...does your offer still stand?

Of course it does.

This is an investment, right?
You wanna invest in me and motorcycles?

Yes. This is the only reason
I took the money.

So... we're in business together now?

- We'll get a lawyer and do it official?
- Yes!

So, what made you change your mind?

I'm so proud of you.

- I got an idea.
- What?

I'm gonna take you someplace special.
Get your jacket.

- Where?
- Come on.

What?

- Come on, Jake, where are we going?
- You'll see.

Yes, very good bottle.

It's a good thing your key still works
or we'd be out on the sidewalk toasting.

To our partnership
and the opening of Jake's Bikes.

Now, you're what they call
a silent partner, aren't you?

Yes. Yes, Mr Hanson.

Silent as I can be.

You're right, this view is spectacular.

It's all right, I guess.

But what about this one?

Oh, my God.

So you like it?

Yeah.

To tell you the truth,

all the girls I've slept with wore
t-shirts or football jerseys to bed.

Well, you're with a woman now.

It's about time.

So do you have to tell Alison
that you won't be home tonight?

Alison?

Alison who?