02x18 - Arousing Suspicions

[bunniefuu]

Michael... you're still in pain.

And I'll be in pain
for a while, Jane.

I'm a doctor.

I wouldn't do anything

to jeopardize my own recovery,

even though I know
you secretly love...

waiting on me hand and foot.

Just like old times.

All right, Michael, at least let
me drive you to the hospital.

No, no, no, no, no, no.

It's time I start
doing things on my own.

I'll just take the bus.

You haven't taken the bus
in your entire life.

Maybe not the old me,

but this is a new start.

Uhh.

I know how lucky I am.

Jane, I know I got
a second chance at life,

and I'm going to do
it right this time.

I hope so.

You've only been here a week,

but I'm going to miss
having you around.

Hey, I'm moving out of your
apartment, not your life.

Besides, a boat
can be very romantic.

Mm-hmm.

Morning, Jo. Hey, Reed.

What's this?

Your lease.

End of the year
and it's time to renew,

unless you're planning
on moving out.

I certainly wouldn't blame you after
all your problems with Jake...

Sorry to disappoint you,
Amanda, but I am staying here.

Great. I've included a
standard rent increase.

I hope that won't

be a problem for you.

Not at all.

Then we're all set.

Bye.

Like she needs another bucks

a month from me.

This woman has more
money than Midas.

Amanda's rich?

Yeah, in a capitalistic, greedy,

screw-everyone-else sort of way.

How can one woman
drive me so crazy?

I've been asking myself
that very same question.

I'll call you later.

sh**t.

Do you always bring
this much work home?

Jo said you were a workhorse.

Guess that's what it
take to be successful.

Jo said I was successful?

Well, she didn't have to.

It's obvious.

I mean, you own your own
apartment building,

you drive this great car,

you're an executive
at that ad agency.

Somebody doesn't get all that

without being smart in business.

Yeah, well, not everyone around
here appreciates my business sense.

Well, I do... I wish some of
it would rub off on me.

You're interested in business?

Yeah. I hooked up with this
beautiful -foot cruise boat.

I want to open
a charter service.

Sounds interesting. Good luck.

I'll need it.

My proposal looks
impressive on paper,

but it's hard to convince
investors they can make

% on their money.

%?

Well, there's, uh, no inventory,

low overhead.

All I do is drive the
boat and cash the checks.

It's a beautiful boat.

Yeah. Yeah, you said that.

Oh, I did?

I'm sorry. I just
got carried away.

Just be glad I didn't give you
the hard-sell sales pitch.

Maybe you should.

All right.

The Marina.

Dock , slip .

The Pretty Lady.

How's : ?

You got it. Great.

Yeah, you have a nice day, too.

You jerk.

My landlord has just closed
my building for a week.

Emergency fumigation.

You know, Californians
are such hypocrites.

Animal rights just
disappears as soon as

a few rats move in.

We have to get
this story out, you know.

Billy, I've got to find
a place to stay, okay?

Why don't...

Why don't you just stay with me?

You can have my room
and I'll stay in Alison's.

Well, it's not
a totally stupid idea.

Gee, thanks.

We've got to work together
day and night anyway.

Might as well
share the same space.

Where are you going?

To get my stuff...

unless you want me to
share your underwear, too.

Thanks for being such a sport.

I'm still not convinced
this is a great idea.

Why? She needed a space
and we have plenty.

Besides, I can work late here

instead of the office.

I know. It's just that we're finally
getting our lives together.

I liked having
time alone with you.

I like it, too, and we'll
have plenty of privacy

in your room.

Mmm! It'll be like having kids.

We'll have to be very
quiet when we make love.

Mm-hmm.

O.K., you guys, knock it off.

I'm still at that
impressionable age.

And I don't fill my head with crazy
ideas about stable relationships.

Can I keep my bathroom
stuff in your john?

Uh, sure. Take Billy's
side of the sink.

I hope you have enough room
in your fridge,

because I brought
my own groceries.

No offense,

but I'm strictly organic.

They have warning labels
on ice cubes these days.

It could be worse.
She could be twins.

I heard that, Campbell,
because I have great hearing.

Which reminds me, our beds
are only a hall apart, so...

you're not moaners, are you?

It's only for a few days.

I'm sure as soon as you get to
know her you're gonna like her.

Why? You don't.

Welcome to Ristorante Mancini!

Tonight we have prepared all of

the signorina's favorites.

I can't believe
you did all this.

I thought you'd be exhausted after
your first day back at work.

No, it was just the opposite.

There was something about
going back on my own terms.

Last time I went to the hospital
I was fighting for my life.

Ooh, veal piccata!

Yes, it was the least I could do
after all you've done for me.

Michael...

No, no.

A month ago, I didn't
know if I could survive,

but you were there for me.

After all I put you through.

You opened your house
and your heart.

Well, I'm just glad
you're feeling better.

Oh, I am feeling fantastic,

and I owe it all to you.

Do you know that you're the most
important person in my life.

That you always have been.

In fact, you have
been my inspiration.

You're not going to break out
into a song now, are you?

No, no, no,

but I do want you to know

that I'm going to
do everything I can

to win back your trust.

And so maybe someday

you'll be able to forgive me.

I am forgiving you, Michael...

a little at a time.

I don't understand.

How do you run a business

on a boat you don't own?

The owner has
financial problems.

I know we can get a great deal on this
boat if we come up with a cash offer.

So you just need investors
to help buy the boat.

Well, that and getting
set up costs a fortune.

You have your
commercial insurance,

licenses,

I have to hire a first officer,

and get the electrical up
to code for the musicians.

Sounds expensive.

Well...

Now, about the engines...

Twin marine diesels,

turbo V- s.

Overhauled about a year ago.

How many hours
run on them since?

I don't know,
less than a thousand.

The top running speed?

Ha ha ha...

knots, but we won't
cruise over knots,

and no, I don't know
who installed the heads.

Excuse me?

You've asked me
every other question.

I figured that was next
on your list.

I should have told you that boats
are a passion with me, too.

I was practically raised
on my father's yacht.

In fact, he used to dock
his boat in this marina.

Really?

Ahem.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Are you afraid of me?

Hardly.

Mm-hmm.

You think this is a ploy
to get you down here?

No, I don't think that.

Maybe you should.

Very funny.

O.K., lady sailor...

you want to go for a ride?

I'd love to.

Great, great, great.

Why don't you run the
lines and, uh...

let's go?

Reed! Reed!

Reed, wait up!

O.K. lines are clear!

Amanda, come up here,
ride with me.

Good morning.

Oh, God. If you say so.

Were you about to take a shower?
Mind if I go first?

Boss man only gave me
minutes break and, you know?

I'll be really quick.
O.K.? Thanks.

Uh...

sure.

I only live here.

Hey.

Did you guys work all night?

Mmm, almost.

We got a lot done.

If we keep it up,

we can make the deadline.

What happened to
my orange juice?

Oh, Celia polished
that off hours ago.

That was my juice!

I spent minutes
squeezing that last night.

I'm sorry.

I told her it was O.K.

We were on a roll,

and she uses any excuse
to stop working.

Come here.

You know, it's weird.

It's actually working out.

Celia and I are getting along,

and the article's great.

This time we spend together
might be just what we need

to establish a good
working relationship.

Great. Call me when
the shower's free.

There you go... one lease
signed, sealed, and delivered.

One stipulation.

You stay the hell
out of my life.

Jo, I thought we had a
truce on the Jake issue.

This is about Reed.

I saw you on his boat.

I assure you it was business.

Knowing his taste in
women, I don't doubt it.

Then what's the problem?

Amanda, you have this habit of going
after other women's boyfriends.

You've got money,

you've got a good job,

you have looks that apparently
some men find appealing.

You have plenty of attributes
to lure them into your lair.

You don't need to claw at
every unmarried man you meet.

I have never
clawed after anyone.

And Reed approached me.

Look, I don't know what
your interests in him is,

but I know that his interests
in you are purely financial.

Then you have nothing
to worry about, right?

What the hell
was that all about?

Jo's paranoia has reared
its ugly head again.

She thinks I have my
sights set on Reed.

What gave her that idea?

My meeting last night
was on his boat.

What? It was business.

He's looking for investors
in his charter company.

Are you nuts?
The guy's an ex-con.

You don't know nothing about him. And I
don't want to know anything about him.

I'm not interested
in Reed or his business.

As a matter of fact,
he's very strange.

The whole thing
gives me the creeps.

Come back upstairs.

I haven't had breakfast yet,
and I'm starving.

Oh, thanks.

Hey.

I had dibs first.

You want to flip
for it or share?

Share.

Matt Fielding.

Jeffrey Lindley.

So, Matt Fielding...

you come here often?

Almost every day.

I work at the hospital
over on La Cienega.

Oh, you're lucky,
it's my favorite place.

I work in Long Beach,

so I can only get here
on my days off.

Oh, Long Beach, what do you do?

Like I said, it's my day off,

so the last thing I wanna
do is talk about work.

I mean, I'll talk about yours.

What are you, a doctor
or something?

Not in this lifetime,

although the other day I did
treat my own paper cut.

Hey.

I work in social services,

handling mostly indigent cases.

They always seem to be stuck

at the bottom of
the priority list.

I help people make sure
they get their benefits,

housing, that sort of thing.

A man with a social conscience.

I like that.

Doctor Weston to radiology,
Doctor Weston to radiology.

Mmm.

Hi.

Oh, God.

What do you want?

I just found out my court
date is on Friday.

I want you to be there.

Wrong.

I need your support, Michael.

You're the only one
who knows about my arrest.

I could go to jail.

I took a big risk for you,

setting up that hooker
with Robert.

Could you just do one thing for me?
Just be there.

Look, Syd, I've already done
more than enough for you.

I posted your bail, remember?

I did you a favor,
you did me a favor.

We're even.

I thought we had
an understanding.

The only thing you
need to understand

is that there is
no understanding.

There never has been.

Capisce?

I'll tell Jane.

You'll tell Jane what?

Everything.

I'll tell her about
the prostitution.

I'll tell her about.

Robert's hooker.

You say one word about
any of this to Jane,

and I'll tell the cops that you
graduated from whore to pimp.

What's that supposed to mean?

You set up Robert
with the hooker.

That's called pandering.

Legally, it's illegal.

Now gee, Sydney,

that would be your
second offense in a month.

Could really hurt your
chances in court Friday.

You can't ignore me, Michael.

You can't just shut
me out of your life.

I just did.

Because of budget cuts
and the economy,

they had to close down
the halfway house,

and for the first time since college
I was out looking for a job.

Sounds like you did pretty good.

In a way but all I do is I
push papers, file forms.

I really, uh...

I miss working hands-on
with the people in need.

I'm sorry. I've been
talking for an hour.

You must be just bored to death.

Not at all.
It's very interesting.

You're very interesting.

I'm, uh...

parked over there.

I'm parked over there.

You know,

I, uh, I never asked
you what you did.

Yeah, you did.
I dodged it, remember.

Yeah, right. Your day off.

Unfortunately, it's not mine.

Would you like to...

Yeah.

Meet again for lunch,
or something?

How about I make us dinner
at my place?

I'm a disaster in the kitchen,

but a genius at the barbecue.

Sounds good.

Let me give you my
home phone number.

Thanks.

Maybe I should have yours,

just in case something comes up.

I don't have one.

I can't take calls at work and
my phone hasn't been installed

in my new apartment.

I'll get in touch
with you if that's okay?

Sure. No problem.

Take care.

You, too.

Hey, anyone home?

Hey, Jo.

This is a nice surprise.

Was it something I said?

No, it was something
you didn't say.

I saw you take Amanda out
on the boat last night.

You should've called.

If I knew you were coming...

You wouldn't have
invited Amanda?

No, but, uh, I would
have waited for you.

Jo, it's just business.

But you know how much
I... I dislike Amanda.

Oh, God, why be delicate?

I despise her.

Of all the people
to ask for money...

Jo, I didn't know there was
such bad blood between you two.

I saw a ripe opportunity,
I went for it.

But do you know
how it made me feel?

You just went to her first,
you didn't even ask me

if I wanted to invest.

You know the other morning you were
complaining about a $ rent increase.

I was complaining about Amanda,

not money.

Well, no offense.

I wouldn't have asked
you to invest anyway.

Why?

Love and business don't mix.

Didn't you learn anything from
that fiasco at Jake's bike shop?

Yeah, I learned something, I learned
that love and support go hand in hand.

Without one, you pretty much
don't have the other.

Come on, Jo. Please, please.

Don't leave.

No, I really don't want
to stay, Reed.

I have to go think about
this relationship,

about where we're going.

About where you're going.

Come on, no...

Billy?

Billy?

"Gone to sh**t.
Back in an hour.

"Billy and Celia.

"P.S. We need your input.

No fair playing favorites."

Is Michael here?

No. He's working
the night shift.

That's good.

I need to talk to you, Jane.

It's about Michael.

God, you believe him, don't you?

What are you talking about?

You think Michael's changed.

I don't just think it, Sydney, I've
been living with him for a month.

What does that prove?

You were living with him for three years
and didn't know what he was really up to.

Oh, and you do?

I know he hasn't changed.

He wants you back,

and this whole "starting
a new life" routine

is all an act.

Good night, Sydney.

Don't you remember?

You tried to warn me

that Michael doesn't care about

anyone but himself,

that somehow he makes
people do what he wants.

Like sleep with
their sister's husbands?

Like sleep with anyone
who could pay the price.

Remember all that money I had?

I wasn't a model.

After Michael used me,
I was so depressed.

You were mad at me,

and I'd screwed up
everything I loved.

I met this woman who told me I
could make a lot of friends.

I didn't understand at first.

They were so nice to me.

Jane...

I was a prost*tute.

Sydney, if this is some kind
of twisted love-sick lie...

You think I'd lie
about being a hooker?

I've even got a court
date Friday to prove it.

I tried to quit. I got arrested.

Michael bailed me out.

Michael knew about this?

Oh, yeah, he knew.

He used it against me

to blackmail me into doing
something really horrible.

Michael made me arrange the date

with Robert.

The girl in the video was a
hooker that I worked with.

Oh, my God.

I am so sorry, Jane.

I know that being
with Michael was wrong.

He just kept pulling me back in.

I didn't know how
to stop loving him.

I know.

He keeps doing
the same thing to me.

Come here.

I'm sorry, Sydney.

I should have taken
better care of you.

How long have you been up?

A couple hours.

I've been having trouble
sleeping all night.

Why didn't you wake me?

I could've taken your mind
off your job worries.

No, it's not that. It's Reed.

This whole thing's
got me really bothered.

Jake, I told you
it was just business.

I know. It's Jo
that I'm worried about.

Jo?

I think Reed is up to something.

I can't believe this.

Come on, even you said
he gives you the creeps.

I mean, what was it?

Was it something that he said?

Something that he did?

No. It's just a feeling. The guy's
a little peculiar for my taste.

Like what? What did he do?

I don't know.

Maybe it's because
he has the perfect answer

for every question I ask.

But that doesn't make
him guilty of anything.

The guy's a con artist.

He had a good enough sales
pitch to get you on his boat.

But I didn't buy anything.

Because you're smart,

and you're not falling in
love with him like Jo is.

On behalf of myself and Jo,
let me remind you,

Jo's business is no longer
any of your business.

I'm sorry I kept you
up all night.

I'm sorry for forgetting
we were sisters.

If you're ever in trouble again

or just need to talk,
you come to me. All right?

Hey, Sydney,
how the hell are you?

I'm fine.

You're screwed.

Jane.

Hey, what's going on here?

Is there a problem?

No. Not anymore.

Gosh, it seems we have
a misunderstanding.

I don't know what
Sydney told you...

She told me the truth, Michael.

Excuse me?

You are going to believe your
two-bit slut of a sister...

Yes, I believe her.

This whole time I've been blaming
her when it has been your fault.

And you let me blame her.

Oh, right, and then I dragged her kicking
and screaming into the whorehouse.

Sydney has made mistakes,

but you gave her
plenty of motivation.

It's bad enough you're
a cheating, immoral pig

but you didn't have to bring
my sister down with you.

Wait, wait, if this is the thing with Robert,
I was just trying to protecting you.

Oh, save it, Michael.

Do you know what hurts the most?

I really thought
you had changed.

This whole time after
everything we've been through,

I found myself
attracted to you again.

Jane.

I thought I saw the old Michael,
the Michael I fell in love with.

I have changed.

No, you haven't.

You are exactly the same and that's
what scares the hell out of me.

Please, Jane, come on.
Let me explain.

You didn't...

You know, I read
your notes last night.

You were right on target.

You're a good editor.

Oh, well,

it's what I do at D and D,

except with jingles and
slogans, instead of prose.

I hope you don't think
I didn't like the article.

It was really great. Oh no.

You and Billy
write well together.

Yeah. I bring out
the best in him.

Actually, I think we bring
the best out in each other.

He's got talent.
I hate to admit it.

Oh, man. Don't tell
him I said that.

If he thinks I respect him,

he's gonna be impossible
to work with.

Don't worry, Celia.

Your secret's safe with me.

Cheers.

I suggest we put the flautist
on deck for the ceremony

and in the salon
for the reception.

How many people can we invite?

No more than .

Um, why don't you check
out the stateroom?

I'll be down in just a moment.

Thanks.

It's a cute couple.

More investors?

Investors? Customers.

They want to have their
wedding on the boat.

You're kidding?

Customers already.

That's some operation
you got going.

It's not an operation, Jake.
It's a business.

Whatever you say.
It's a pretty big boat.

You run this thing by yourself?

Yeah, I've run boats
this size myself.

For charters,
I'll hire a first mate.

Let me guess. Uh...

your unemployment ran out.

You've come looking for work.

No. Thanks for
thinking of me, though.

Uh-huh. I don't
have time for games, Jake.

What do you want?

I just came to see what
all the hoopla's all about.

I'll see ya. Yeah.

Great work, you guys.

This article's terrific.

I'm proud of both of you.

Maybe you should think about making
this new living arrangement permanent.

Then she could write
the obituaries

after we k*ll each other.

I'm serious.
Even the brass upstairs

is impressed with you guys.

You're two of the best staff
writers we've ever hired.

You're not making this
a permanent partnership.

No, just the opposite.

We want to make one
of you junior editor.

Come on, don't joke.
After this week together,

we're very close to the edge.

I'm not kidding.

The junior editor
position has opened up,

and you're both being
considered for the job.

Unfortunately, most of
your writing for Escapade

has been done as a team,

and we need to
some individual work.

So this is your test article.

You've never seen it before,

and it's subject matter you've never
researched for this magazine.

I'm sorry to make this
into a competition, guys,

but it's really the only way
to make a fair assessment.

So, what are we suppose to do?

Edit the article.

You'll be evaluated
on your notes, your input,

and, uh, deadline
is tomorrow noon.

Good luck, guys.

Hi.

Hi.

I saw your light on, I thought
you might want to share a movie?

Gee, Syd, I don't know.

Even if it's The Parent Trap?

Oh, God. I haven't
seen that since...

The weekend we both had the mumps
and watched it in bed together.

Come on in.

Hey, for old time's sakes, get
the comforter off my bed.

O.K.

Hello?

Hey, babe.

How are you?

Michael, what do you want?

Oh, just to talk, Jane.

You listened to Sydney.

All I'm asking
is that you listen

to my side of the story.

Michael, have you been drinking?

No, I haven't been drinking.

It's these stupid pain pills.

Hurts so much, Jane.

All the time.

Stop it.

Stop trying to lay
a guilt trip on me.

I need your help, Jane.

I... I can't get through
this without you.

I never could. You know that.

I...always had to be
the big man,

but I... I never accomplished
anything on my own.

I need you, Jane.

I need someone in my life.

Fine.

Make it someone else.

Hi. Listen, I know you're busy,

but I hope you have time
to accept an apology

and a peace offering.

Hey, Jo, you didn't
have to do this.

Yes, I did. I was being a
real jerk the other day.

Without boring you with sorted details,
let's just say that I've had bad luck

in the love department.

My ex-husband
and Jake and Steve.

Steve?

Trust me.
You don't want to know.

Anyway, I just... I'm g*n-shy
about getting involved again.

And dating an ex-con isn't
exactly solid footing.

You said that you're innocent,

and I trust you.

I just... my judgment's
been really rotten lately,

and so I second-guess
everything.

Jo, the last thing I want to do

is complicate your life.

If anything,
you're a welcome relief.

You know that all of my
years in high school,

you are the only
pleasant memory?

I'm so glad
we found each other again.

And we've wasted a lot of time.

Let's not waste any more.

You're right.

A boat can be very romantic.

What can I do?

The salad's in the fridge,

and the tongs are... beats me.
They're in there somewhere.

Check the drawers.

Should I trust a guy
that doesn't know

where his salad tongs are?

I've been here two weeks. I still
can't find my remote control.

Finally got your phone in.

Oh, it's been in.

It just hasn't
been turned on yet.

The phone company
works - . So do I.

At least you have regular hours.

Yeah, sometimes.

Where were you living before?

Believe it or not,
a place, uh...

smaller than this.

You just told me your phone
wasn't hooked up.

Yeah, I guess they must have
turned it on

while I was at work.

Maybe this isn't
such a good idea.

Matt.

Matt, hey.

You know...

we're just having dinner.

No. We're playing games.

You've avoided every
question I've asked.

Look, if you're
seeing someone else...

It's not someone.

It's...

it's something.

Come on.

Meet the real Jeffrey Lindley.

Lieutenant,

U.S. Navy.

I don't understand.

You're an officer.
That's pretty impressive.

Why hide it?

U.S. Navy and gay?

Not exactly compatible terms.

What about "the don't
ask, don't tell" policy?

It'll work maybe...

years.

But Navy regulations aren't
nearly as brutal as my family's.

My father's a retired
vice admiral.

His policy is...

just don't.

Period.

Your parents
don't know you're gay.

No, and I can't tell them.

I'm their only son.

I...

I've been groomed
for the m*llitary

since I was .

I'm sorry I lied to you, Matt,

but I can't risk the truth.

I have to keep my secret
to keep my job...

and my family.

Your Honor, the people
ask the court

to remand Miss Andrews for
days on a charge of solicitation.

Counsel, I've read this
case file.

I don't see the grounds.

Miss Andrews,

why don't you just tell
the court what happened?

A couple of months ago,

I was going through
a really tough time.

Ahem.

That's not an excuse.

It's just what was
happening in my life.

Anyway, um...

this girl at work...
Ellen...

She introduced me
to Lauren Etheridge.

You know, the one in the papers.

I was so alone...

and she was very friendly.

They took me to parties.

I don't know how it happened,

but I started working for her.

I took two...

jobs.

It was awful.

I told Lauren I wanted to quit.

You wanted to stop
the prostitution?

Oh, yeah.

Big time.

I knew it was wrong.

She was even trying
to get me hooked on cocaine.

When I told Lauren
that I wanted to quit,

she got very angry.

Did Miss Etheridge thr*aten you?

Not really...

but she scared me.

Anyway...

ahem.

This guy came into the bar...

the cop...

and told me that
Lauren sent him.

I was afraid that if I
didn't do what he said,

something would happen to me.

Your Honor, this is
highly irregular.

What is irregular, Counselor,

is your so-called evidence.

At best, it's flimsy.

At worst, it's entrapment.

Ahem. Now because this is
Miss Andrews' first offense

and because the prosecution
has virtually no case,

I'm going to dismiss
all charges.

A word of caution, Miss Andrews.

This will be
your only second chance.

I don't want to see you
in my courtroom again.

You won't, Your Honor.

I promise.

Sydney.

First, let me say,

you both did excellent work.

Good enough to make
the promotion decision

very difficult.

We're gonna give
the promotion to Billy.

Congratulations, Campbell.

Thank you.

We need you to start right away.

The sooner the better.

Great. Now here's
the exciting part.

The junior editor job is
with our sister magazine

in New York.

New York?

Yeah, you know, the big city
on the East Coast...

the one with the decent
basketball team?

New York?

Is that a problem?

No, not at all.

That's...

the Big Apple. Lady Liberty.
That's great.

Good. We're going to miss
you around here, Billy.

Yeah.

New York?

God, what am I going
to tell Alison?