02x29 - Imperfect Strangers

[bunniefuu]

They've assigned us
five more trouble accounts

in addition to the six
we took on last week.

The question is,
how can we keep up?

Scheduled overtime, weekends?

Unfortunately, things
have already started

falling through the cracks...

Missing status reports, delays
in your market surveys.

You can't deny there's
a lot on your plate.

I just need time to
get things in sync.

Relax. You're not
being reprimanded here.

What I'm getting at

is they're sending
reinforcements.

At my urging, Bruce has
authorized the appointment

of another junior exec
position to our department.

It'll be a job
on par with yours,

both of you reporting to me.

Good news, isn't it?

We could definitely
use another player.

Since we are a team,

I want you to be involved
in the hiring process.

Seriously?

Reviewing resumes,
auditing interviews,

the works.

You have to sit next
to this person

eight hours a day,

you should have some say
in who gets hired.

Don't you agree?

Yes. I'd love to be
in on the process.

Thanks, Amanda.

It just seems
the fair thing to do.

Matt, you've got to tell me
where Michael is.

Do I look like
a directory to you?

I haven't seen him for days.

Ever since Kimberly came back,

it's like I don't even exist.

Can you believe
he's acting this way?

Save it for someone
who gives a damn.

What is your problem, anyway?

That's just it, Sydney.

I don't have a problem anymore

because you are finally getting

exactly what you deserve.

How about that?

Sometimes...

wishes do come true.

Excuse me for a moment.

What do you think
you're doing here?

Not that it's any
of your business,

but I happen to be
looking for my husband.

That you have the nerve

to call him that amazes me.

Well, actually,
it's not so nervy

considering I have the marriage
license to prove it...

not to mention the ring.

Not so fast, honey.

We're going to have
a little talk.

Who the hell do you
think you are?

Shut up!

Oh, what was I thinking?

The noble doctor has
risen from the grave,

and I'm supposed to step aside

and let her reclaim her life.

I don't give a damn
about the doctor

or her accident or her coma

or her broken engagement.

That's old news. So is your
being in Michael 's life.

Get this clear, you
opportunistic little bitch.

If anything's old news
around here, it's you.

If you think that shotgun
marriage you arranged

is going to protect you,

then you are dumber
than you look.

Now you stay the hell
out of our lives,

and you won't get hurt, O.K.?

What, I'm supposed
to be afraid of you?

My professional advice?

You bet your ass.

I must admit I never
expected "Lunch with Mother"

to be inked
into my daily planner.

Long overdue, I'd say.

Well, I hope you haven't
been waiting long.

I had a pile
of resumes to tackle

before I could leave.

We're on the hunt
for a new junior exec.

If you're hiring, you
should be aware that Chas

has an extensive
background in marketing.

Really? I had no idea.
How's Thai sound?

There's a great place
down the street.

Perfect... except
I have to cancel.

I wish you would have called.

I know, and I do apologize,

but we were driving right past.

I thought it would
be easier for me

to stop by and tell you.

Well, another time then.

There's no point in you
skipping lunch entirely.

Chas is waiting for me outside.

He's dropping me off
at a meeting nearby.

So why don't you
eat lunch with him?

You could look at his resume.

Thai is his favorite food.

Move. There you go.

Jo, you have a second?

Sarah, hi. What's up?

Well, I know you're busy,

but I was hoping
to pick up copies

of last week's sh**t
for my portfolio.

Sure. They're at my apartment.

Well, mainly I wanted you
to meet Hank, my boyfriend.

Hank, this is Jo,

the photographer I've
been telling you about.

Nice to meet you.

Likewise.

Hank just moved out
from Sioux City

to be with me
through this career stuff.

You're my anchor, you know.

Good to know she won't
be out here alone.

There's no way I'd let her be.

From everything Sarah tells me,

it seems like
a twisted business.

I got to make sure
she stays normal.

Hank thinks I'm going to
do this big change thing.

I wouldn't worry about that.

She handles herself pretty well.

All of and modeling?

Somebody's going to try
to take advantage.

That's a given.

I'll admit it gets pretty funky,

but it's not a total
snake pit out here.

There are some decent
people in the business.

Like Jo, for instance.

That's different.
I'll put it this way.

I felt a lot better

when I found out this Jo person

Sarah kept telling me about

turned out to just be a woman.

Yeah, I bet you did.

Isn't he the sweetest?

Yeah. Have to get back to work.

O.K. See ya.

See ya.

Although your resume
is very impressive,

there are other people
I have to meet.

So what would work best

is to have you come in
for an interview.

Amanda, maybe we
should clear the air

before we go any further.

I really want this job.

And I'm really sorry
about the other night.

You came on pretty strong.

I didn't appreciate it.

Hang me. I'm a flirt,

but a harmless one.

At work, it'd be
strictly business.

Oh, that goes without saying.

So let's say
I decide to overlook

your little indiscretion.

There's still a question
I have in my mind.

Why should I hire you?

Because I have a
degree in marketing,

two years at Harper
Advertising in New York,

been a media consultant
for three years,

and as you pointed out earlier,

I'm young...

and very aggressive.

Yes, you made that
abundantly clear.

I believe you need more.

One thing... my work
means everything to me.

I put % into it.

Anyone on my team

has to share
the same philosophy.

Then we have that in common...

and probably a lot more.

Ohh...

Michael, what are you doing?

Going to lunch...

alone.

Zombie woman lives,

and you drop everything

and go running back to her?

That sums it up.

You can't do this.
I won't let you.

Watch me.

Hey, get out of my face!

Michael, you have to
listen to me.

Kimberly's crazy.

She cornered me in the hospital.

She threatened me, grabbed me.

She practically broke my arms.

It takes every ounce
of restraint I have

not to break your arms myself.

Game's over, Sydney,
and you lost.

Please, Michael. We're married.

I'm your wife.

No. You are my ex-wife.

Now back off

before I run over
your toes accidentally.

While you were out,

I came up with some resumes.

Oh, actually, Alison,
I've hired someone.

This is Chas Russell,

our new
junior account executive.

What? Already?

Nice to meet you, Alison.

I look forward to coming aboard.

Right. Me, too.

So how did this
come about so quickly?

Where did you find him?

Chas is my mother's fiancĂŠ,

which I guess makes you

my future stepfather,
doesn't it?

How interesting.

But I won't insist
you call me Dad.

Oh, thanks. I'd appreciate that.

So, Chas, when do you start?

Tomorrow morning.

Nothing like jumping right in.

Well, congratulations.

Can I speak with you?

Of course.

You should probably call Mother

and tell her the good news.

I'm sure she'll be thrilled.

This morning you said we'd
work on this together,

and by noon you hire someone?

Considering the volume
of work we're expecting,

it seemed best to hire
someone right away.

I knew you'd agree about Chas.

He's the best candidate
for the position.

So, being related
has nothing to do

with speeding up the process?

Alison, I lobbied hard

to get someone in here
to help you out.

You assured me
you were a team player.

I hope you can
put your bias aside

long enough to prove that.

Kimberly?

What are you doing
out here in the dark?

Just thinking.

Something's the matter.

Talk to me.

Does this have anything to
do with that idiot Sydney?

Sort of.

You know...

at first it was hard for me
to deal with the fact

that you'd gotten over me
so quickly.

How many times
do I have to tell you?

It wasn't like that.

I wondered how you could
have slept with someone else

so soon after...

and gotten married.

I was crazy with grief.

I was confused. I was lonely.

Plus...

I thought you were dead, honey.

I know.

I understand it all now.

Well...

Thank God you do.

There's something
I have to tell you,

something I haven't told
another soul.

After the accident,

I had what they call
a near-death experience.

I rose above myself.

I could see everything
that was going on,

the paramedics,

the emergency room,

you.

I've been
to the other side, Michael.

I've been to hell and back...

and it taught me something.

I can never compromise myself
for a man again.

O.K.

So, what are you saying?

That before...

we did things your way.

This time...

we're going to do things my way.

Okay, The name of the perfume
is "Entangled,"

so let's have some sensuality.

Some sexiness.

The "morning after" look.

Yeah. A little more,
a little more,

like you put it on yesterday,

and you spent all night

making passionate love
to Tom Cruise.

O.K., hold it.
You're blushing here.

What?

You want me to leave?

No, it's O.K. It's my fault.

Who's blaming you?

Sometimes Jake makes me
a little nervous, too.

Let's keep the thoughts
more pure, O.K.?

Tell me about
this boyfriend of yours.

We've known each other
since high school.

Yeah? What else?
What does he do?

He's a farmer by trade.

He worked his dad's
cornfields back home.

Cornfields?

What's he planning
on doing here?

I don't know.

He'll figure out
something, though.

He's stubborn that way.

He won't even ask me for help.

I'm familiar with that type.

We've had our rough times,

but neither of us are too
proud to work them out.

Wait a minute.

Did you guys used to date?

Hello! We're sh**ting here.

We're not exchanging
biographical information.

You did, didn't you?

O.K., Entangled...

the stuff that makes you feel

like everything good in life...

when you wear it.

It's kind of cute here, huh?

Yeah.

It's nice.

Small, but comfortable.

Like a junior Lauren's,

complete with a pool.

Good thing you guys like it,

because it's
our new headquarters.

I'm throwing a party tonight

for all the girls
who've signed back on.

Your taking over
was real smooth, Syd.

Yeah. You're a natural.

My personal life may suck,

but I've still got a career.

Yeah.

Amanda.

You're home early.

I forgot a report.

May I have a word with you?

Sure.

What's up?

Uh, maybe you're not
aware of this,

but the pool is for tenant use.

I'd appreciate it if you'd
ask those women to leave.

I can't have friends
over for a swim?

According to the lease...

Uh-uh. I have every right

to have people over for a swim.

For a visit,
for an overnight stay...

Even for a party,

as long as management's
informed in advance.

So I'm having a party tonight.

Consider yourself informed...

but not invited.

It's probably electrical.

Which means?

Damn it!

Which means
we're not going anywhere...

anytime soon.

So, what are our options?

Well... we could
hitch a ride back tonight,

and I could
deal with this tomorrow.

Or I radio back

for parts to be run out
from the mainland...

Do a quick fix.

You don't want to leave
the boat all night?

Not if I can help it.

I'm O.K. for a Catalina
sunset, how about you?

As long as I b*at Hank
back from the Lakers game,

I'm cool.

We're cool.

I wish I could say
that makes three of us.

I'm supposed
to have dinner tonight

with Amanda and her mother.

He's, um, stuck in Catalina.

Problems with the boat.

Jake's going to miss out
on our celebration.

Yes, he is.

Well, the party must go on.

To begin, I think
a toast is in order.

To Chas's future at D and D.

And, uh... to Amanda,

my new boss, and a great woman.

Well, of course, she's great.

She takes after
my side of the family.

Ambition,

talent,

drive...

common traits in our bloodline.

This is something Daddy always
said he wanted to see...

The two of us a family again.

I thought the subject of
your father was off-limits.

Oh, it is.

I wasn't talking
about him per se,

just the fact that he...

always hoped
for our reconciliation.

It's something he always
tried to impress upon me.

You know... forgiving you.

You may not think so,

but Daddy didn't spend
his life bad-mouthing you.

In fact, he always
tried to be fair

about your reasons for leaving.

I'm sorry, Amanda,
I don't mean to be rude,

but Palmer wouldn't know "fair"

if he tripped over it.

Daddy may have been flawed,
but he was a good man.

In my mind, he still is.

Your father made it illegal

to come within feet
of my own daughter.

How do you figure that is good?

There wasn't much choice.

You weren't exactly rational.

Your being around
would probably have proven

more damaging than anything.

Is that the story he told you?

We both know that your father
is a master manipulator.

Fine,

but at least he was there,

working several jobs so I
could attend good schools...

Painted himself quite
the martyr, didn't he?

We should move on.

He was a devoted father.

And you're in no position
to dispute that.

During the hours he supposedly
worked all those jobs,

he was probably
in one of three places...

With another woman,

at the track,

or scheming with other
lowlife criminals.

If you have to tear him down
to make yourself feel better,

maybe you should remember this...

You left when I was .

That doesn't exactly
make you a saint.

Excuse me.

Chas!

Amanda...

I want to explain
Hillary's behavior.

That would take a team
of psychiatrists.

She spends night and day
in a ruthless business.

Sometimes that
self-protecting thing

crosses over
into her personal life.

But she cares about you.

Very much.

And so do I.

Look, I... I'm fine.

I just need to cool off
and think things over.

We definitely have some
rough edges to smooth out.

Do you want me
to drive you home?

I'll take a cab.

You should probably
get back to the table.

Sure?

Positive.

I don't want you

to end up in the doghouse
because of me.

But thanks for being
so understanding.

See you at the office tomorrow.

Mmm. I love L.A. when
the air gets like this.

You mean, when the wind
blows the smog away,

and it's crystal
clear... for a day?

The skies always
look like this in Iowa.

I knew she'd say that.

How much longer will it be?

The parts should be here soon.

Once I get started,
another hour, two tops.

Why, you getting sleepy?

Yeah. I think
I'll go take a nap.

Since Hank's been here,

I haven't gotten much sleep.

That's not what I meant.

We haven't even,
you know, done anything yet.

Ah, young suppressed lust.

Speaking of lust,
how are you and Amanda?

We're good.

Can I ask you
something personal?

Of course.

Think you'll be together
a long time?

I don't know. Maybe.

We have a good time.

We understand each other.

We talk.

I'm not sure we want the
same things for the future.

Like what?

Well, a family.

She's a career woman.

I respect that...

but you love kids.

What about you?

You ever see yourself
with anyone?

Are you suggesting that
Junior here needs a father?

Not a bad thing to
have around the house.

Yeah. Sure.

But it's nothing I can plan.

I mean, "Would you
make a good father?"

isn't the question guys like
to hear on a first date.

You'd be a good father, Jake.

I mean, when that time comes.

Don't.

You guys doing O.K.?

Hey, Syd, I'm so impressed.

Catered food, a little
imported champagne.

So, what's next,
house in the hills?

If I play my cards right.

It is so great that
everybody's together again.

I really missed our family.

Thank you, Sydney.

What can I say? It's my job.

You call this a party?

Yes, it's true. My lawyer
finally earned his keep

and got me off
on a technicality.

You're looking at...

a free woman, ladies.

Where's our fair hostess?

Welcome back, Lauren.

You must have
psychic powers, Sydney.

How did you know today would be

a great day to celebrate?

Just looked into
my crystal ball.

Guess we have to do the
renegotiating thing.

It's funny
you should mention that

because it occurred to me
on the way over,

it's not going to be necessary.

What do you mean?

The party's moving, Sydney.

Attention, ladies.

There's been a change
of location this evening.

Everybody head to my house

for a welcome home party
to end all parties.

I'll see you all there.

No straggling.

See you, Sydney.

Bye, Syd.

And before I forget...

you owe me $ , .

No way, Lauren.

It was - , remember?

Your memory's pretty bad
for someone so young.

I distinctly recall it
being - .

We agreed on an even split.

When can I expect my money?

I've got in the bank.

I could withdraw it tomorrow?

And the rest?

As... soon as I can get it.

Wrong answer.

By the end of the week.

And don't plan on coming
back into the fold

to make the cash, Sydney.

You're on your own now.

You did a good job
while I was away.

Too good, really.

Amanda, hold it.

Weren't you planning on
saying goodbye this morning?

Actually, no. I wasn't.

I'm sorry about
dinner last night,

but what could I do?

How about show up?

I couldn't...
The boat...

Of course. The boat,
the bike, Jo.

There's always some reason
you can't be there for me.

You could've caught
a ride in before dark

and dealt with the boat
in the morning.

When am I going to be
a priority for you?

You are. You have been.

Did you have an O.K. time
with your mom?

No. Not really.

I needed you there.

Hey, did something happen?

Yes. But it's over now.

I just want to forget about it.

Well, tell me how
I can help you do that.

I owe you.

Take me to dinner
tomorrow night,

just the two of us.

And be there, no matter what.

Yes, I am in a rush,

especially since those charts
were due here yesterday.

I can't believe with
all these risk takers,

there's no weekly poker game.

Strange but true.

Why not start one up?
Pick a night.

Thursdays? What do you say?

Perfect.

I'll get them myself.

Somebody mention poker?

Chas here has had
a brilliant idea...

A weekly poker party.

My wife has her committee
meetings on Thursday night.

We can have it at my place.

I play a mean five-card draw.

We'll play five-card
stud, no wild cards.

buck limit per hand?

Deal. I'll spread
the word upstairs.

Remind me to thank Amanda
for bringing you on, Chas.

We've really needed someone
like you around here.

A half-hour break
with the big boss.

Must be nice.

We just grabbed a soda.

Right.

So, do you have the
Stewart Company analysis?

No, but I started it.

You do know it's due
by the end of the day.

Maybe you'd better finish it.

Excuse me, but I have
my own reports due.

Look, Amanda told me
that it was your job

to help me out.

Now would be a good time
for you to start doing it.

Sarah?

He kept yelling.

I told him I didn't
do anything wrong.

It's O.K. Slow down. Relax.

Tell me what happened.

Huh?

Hank...

What, you had a fight?

He hates that I'm around
other men all the time.

He hates that I model.

He wants me to quit
and come back home with him.

When I told him
I wanted to stay,

he got so mad...

Sarah, did Hank hit you?

Yeah.

I know he's afraid of losing me.

He's like a different person.

He slapped me. He threw me down.

What am I going to do, Jo?

What am I going to do?

For starters, you're not
going back to Hank.

It's O.K. You're going
to stay with me.

It'll be safe here.

I'll make sure of that.

They called me in
for emergency surgery.

There is an emergency here.

It just doesn't happen
to be an appendectomy.

What... wait.

Yesterday you bit my head
off for kissing you,

and today...

Is this what I was like,
Michael...

before the accident?

Like this?

Not exactly.

But it works for me.

Jane, it's Sydney.

I know you're there.

I didn't think
you'd open the door.

Don't make me regret it.
What do you want?

Your compassion?

No, really, Jane.

I know that I've been
awful to you,

but I never meant to be.

It just happened. I screwed up.

I am screwed up.
I know that now.

Are you telling me
you've seen the light?

Because I don't care.

I'm begging you.

You shouldn't beg.
It's not becoming.

Please, Jane,
you don't understand.

I don't have anything left

or anyone...

and I'm scared.

I'm so scared. See,
there's these people,

and I owe them some money.

And let me guess.
You don't have it.

No.

Whatever you've done,
whatever you do,

you're responsible
for your choices.

Not anyone else,

and certainly not me.

They'll hurt me, Jane.

I have to go,
my dinner is getting cold.

Is it that easy
to not care about me

and forget how it
used to be between us?

Jane, we're still sisters.

Deep down I know you still love me.
You have to.

I'm in trouble,

and if you don't help me,

then there's only one way out.

I can't pity you anymore.
Too much has happened.

I hope you find
your way, Sydney.

I really do.

Jane!

Please!

I'm begging you!

You gotta help me.

Jane, you don't know what
I'll have to do. Jane!

Please don't turn
your back on me.

Please.

Oh, Sydney.

Hi.

Will you be around tonight?

Depends. Why? What's up?

Well, I have Sarah
staying with me.

You know her boyfriend...
little Hank from the country?

He knocked her around
and took off.

She O.K.?

Yeah, but she's
pretty shaken up.

She thinks he might
come looking for her.

Maybe you should call the cops.

They can never do anything
anyway till it's too late.

You know what? Never mind.

I'd be here, except I have
this thing with Amanda.

Maybe you should get
Billy or Matt.

No. Don't worry.

She's probably just
being paranoid,

and it's making me paranoid.

Hank's probably
gone back to Iowa.

Maybe I could change my plans...

Have dinner earlier or later.

No. It'll be fine.
Just enjoy your dinner.

Hello?

Hey, I didn't think
I'd catch you home.

I was going to leave a
message on your machine

confirming tonight.
We're still on?

Sure. What time
were you thinking?

Uh, : , : . Why?

No reason. : is fine.

Is there something else
you'd rather do tonight?

No. No. Why?

You sound, I don't know, odd.

I guess I was
just preoccupied...

with the boat and other stuff.

You know, work stuff.

Jake, if you can't
be with me %,

then let's reschedule.

Because I'm not interested
in playing second fiddle

to everything else in your life.
Not tonight.

I promised we'd have dinner,

and I'm keeping my word.

Tonight I'm all yours.

I'm here about the ad.

You got experience?

Yes.

How old are you, honey?

Don't worry. I'm legal.

Why does a nice package
like you want to work here?

Look, the ad says it
pays up to $ a night.

At this point in my life,

that's enough of a reason.

O.K., Red.
Let me explain things.

It's mostly
a white-collar clientele.

Bachelor parties,
businessmen, tourists,

people like that.
Strictly a class act.

Now, you sure
you got experience?

Yeah.

I got experience.

Ah, there you are.

Hello, Dr. Levin. How are you?

Fine. Fine. Perhaps a better
question is, how are you?

I am very happy to be back.

You were sorely missed,
Kimberly.

We're all grateful
to have you home.

Kimberly...

I hope you don't
take offense to this,

but I heard that you're
seeing Mancini again.

I realize it's none
of my business,

but if it's true,

I feel compelled to tell you
you're making a mistake.

Why do you say that?

You were one of the
best doctors on staff.

You were on the fast track.

A rising star.

And then your
association with him...

look where it led you.

You almost lost everything.

I'm very aware how destructive

our relationship was
in the past.

Then break it off
for your career.

Hell, for your own good.

You really despise Michael,
don't you?

Despise? No.

I simply have zero
respect for the man.

He's a loose cannon
with a huge ego.

In medicine, that's
a dangerous thing.

Yes, it is.

May I share something
with you, Dr. Levin?

Of course.

The truth is, I'm on a mission.

It will all be
very clear to you soon.

I've been waiting downstairs
for minutes.

We're supposed to be
at the caterers at : .

Give me a few minutes. Thanks
to Amanda's new flunky,

I'm more swamped than ever.

She hires some help,
and your hours get longer?

Maybe it's because
he's not only a jerk,

he's also her future stepfather.

I thought Amanda
only hired young people

so she could whip them
into submission.

He is young, which would
be fine if he was good,

but in two days, he's done zip,

while simultaneously
endearing himself

to the president of the company.

And he makes more than I do.

If you have to work harder
because Amanda hired family,

you should be
compensated for it.

Let Personnel deal with it.

Maybe I'll tell her myself.

Hey.

You look like you've got
the weight of the world

on your shoulders.

Nothing that heavy.
Just relationship stuff.

Want to talk about it?

With the presentation
due in an hour,

I can't let my personal life
distract the professional.

You're a pretty amazing
woman, Amanda.

You don't have to try and
make me feel better.

Really, I'm fine.

No, honestly.

You've got so much to juggle,

and you never drop a ball.

It's all mirrors,

and you're an easy audience.

Like I told you before,
I'm very serious.

About what?

About the fact that you're...

one of a kind.

I've never met anyone
like you, Amanda.

You're rare, precious.

Not even your mother
can hold a candle to you.

I thought you agreed to keep
this strictly business.

I guess you haven't noticed,

but it's way past : .

Open up in there!

I know you're in there!

I know you're in there, Sarah!

I'll handle this,
O.K.? Don't worry.

Listen...

Hey!

We're going home now.

Let go of her.

This is none of your business.

It's police business if you
don't let go of her now!

You think I'm taking
orders from the bitch

that fills her head
with this modeling crap?

Like hell.

Hank, don't!

Let go of her!

Billy, Matt, we need help!

Back off, lady!

Let her alone, damn it!