07x13 - Look at Us, We're Walking

[bunniefuu]

♪ Who can turn the
world on with her smile ♪

♪ Who can take a nothing day ♪

♪ And suddenly make
it all seem worthwhile ♪

♪ Well, it's you, girl
and you should know it ♪

♪ With each glance and every
little movement you show it ♪

♪ Love is all around
No need to waste it ♪

♪ You can have the town
Why don't you take it ♪

♪ You're gonna
make it after all ♪

♪ You're gonna
make it after all ♪♪

Morning. [Murray, Ted] Morning.

Mr. Grant in yet?
Yeah. He's in the studio.

Anyone know what
kind of mood he's in?

Terrific. In the elevator, he
let me play with the buttons.

Uh, why are you
worried about Lou, Mar?

Because, Murray, I
have got to get a raise.

Do you know that I have
worked here for seven years,

and I have only
$400 in the bank?

I mean, I have got to have
more money. I need a...

- You're getting on in years?
- No, Ted.

You're not getting on in years? Time
doesn't stand still for any of us, Mary.

I know, Ted. It's just that that's
not the reason I need more money.

- I happen to need more money...
- Because you're a clothes horse?

[Groaning] Oh!

Ted, it's none of your
business if she's clothes horse.

Yes, it is. Georgette's
always asking me...

"How come you've got
more clothes than she has?"

I had to tell her that all
your dresses are reversible.

Uh, look, you really don't expect
Lou to give you a raise, do you, Mar?

He's going to talk you out of it,
just like he does everything else.

No. Not this time, Murray.

I spent all weekend rehearsing
just what I'm going to say to him.

There is no way in the
world he can turn me down.

Oh, yeah? Well, suppose he
says, uh, "I just gave you a raise."

Mr. Grant, my last raise was two
years, 11 months and three weeks ago.

All right, what about,
uh, "I'm sorry, Mary.

The station can't afford
to give you a raise."

Mr. Grant, WJM grossed 13.6%
more this year than last year,

and 21% more than
the year before that.

- Good.
- Suppose...

Suppose Lou says... [Raspberry]

What'll you say to that, Mary?

I don't know, Ted.

- Not as prepared
as you thought, are you?
- Don't you worry.

There is no way in the world
he can say no to a raise this time.

Morning, Mary.

[Door Slams]

[Exhales]

[Lou] Come in.

Mr. Grant? Yes?

Mr. Grant, there's something
I'd like to discuss with you.

Sure. What is it?

Well, it's kind of important,
what I want to discuss, Mr. Grant,

and I would really
appreciate it if,

while I'm discussing it with
you, you could look at me.

Okay. Mr. Grant, in
almost three years,

I... I haven't... had a...

Could you not look at
me in quite that way?

What way would you
like me to look at you?

I don't know. What
other ways have you got?

How's this?

That's... That's good.

Mr. Grant, I've come to
a very important decision,

and I think you should
know that I'm not asking,

I am demanding a raise.

Mary, I think you deserve a
raise as much as I deserve one.

Oh, well, thank you, Mr. Grant.

But I can't get one.

And do you know why I can't?

Because you're so good.
I-I'm not sure I understand that.

If I go upstairs and thr*aten to
quit, well, they'd just let me quit...

because they know
they've still got you.

Same thing if you
thr*aten to quit.

They've still got me.

You mean, you're...

You're saying the reason
we can't get raises...

is because we do our
jobs so well? That's right.

If we were both incompetents,
we'd have 'em over a barrel.

Unless...

we both go in together...

and we both thr*aten to quit.

Oh, uh, no, Mr. Grant. I-I
really, you know... [Clears Throat]

I wasn't that desperate. I just was
thinking about a few more dollars.

You know, just something to,
you know, sort of make ends meet.

A few dollars, Mary? Yeah.

Say, Lou... In a minute, Ted.

Okay. A few dollars, Mary?

How much of a raise were you
hoping for when you came in here?

Well, I don't... I
was hoping for...

a thousand dollars a year.

[Lou] A thousand
dollars? Too much, right?

Forget a thousand dollars.
You're gonna get $2,000!

$2,000?

Forget $2,000. $4,000!

Oh. Yeah.

[Chuckling] Hey, Lou.

While we're on the subject of
raises, how about one for me?

[Raspberry]

[Mouthing Words]

He'll be here in a
moment. [Both] Thank you.

Oh, Mr. Grant, I'll tell you,
I'm so excited about this.

I was thinking about it
all last night. [Chuckles]

I mean, we're really
gonna do it, aren't we?

Gonna stick together and force
'em to give us a lot of money.

Now, Mary, be
calm. I know. I know.

And to tell you the truth, I'm just
sort of up. Yeah, yeah, I know you are,

but we have to go over
a little strategy, huh?

Oh, right. Yes, strategy. Okay, what
do we do? Just let me do the talking.

Okay. And relax.

Right, right. Relax, calm.
And it really is gonna be fine.

'Cause this guy is green.

He's new to the station. He's
never had to deal with me before.

Oh, what a terrific picture.

Look... His wife and
children laughing... Yeah.

Opening their Christmas
presents. Yes. Yes.

What a sweet guy he must be.

We're gonna k*ll him.

[Door Opens]

Good morning. Sorry I'm late.

Lou Grant. Good
to meet you, Lou.

[Stuttering] R-R-Really good.

And this is Mary
Richards. How do you do?

You're M-Mary Richards.

Well, I'm glad we had this
op-opportu... chance to get together.

Right. Right. Now, Mel, I
know you're a busy man,

and we've got a news show to put
on, so why don't we just get to the point?

Mary and I each would like a
raise. You see, we're a team.

Sure. I see.

Well, you'll find
that I'm a man...

who doesn't like
confrontations or ultimatums.

In fact, that's why
I left the network...

So I could get away
from the p-p-pressure.

Well, there's a great way
to get away from pressure.

Just give us what
we want. [Laughs]

- You were saying?
- Oh, the-the n-network
thought I left...

because of those things I had.

- Things?
- Oh... breakdowns.

Actually, they were
only t-t-tension spasms.

I'm a lot better
off here at WJM.

It's so much more c-calm here.

Smart move. Now,
Mel, about our raises...

Well, yeah. I'll tell you what.

Why don't I, to avoid
any unpleasantness,

write down what I think would
be a fair offer for each of you?

That all right with you, M-Mary?

Yes. That'll be fine.

Now, Lou, you're executive
producer. Been here for...

- Eleven years.
- Eleven years.

- Well, I think you should get, uh...
- Twelve years in May.

All right. And, uh, Mary,
you've been here for...

Seven years. Never
absent, never late.

Well, let's see how
much you should get.

I was just noticing what a
beautiful family you have.

They're really lovely.
Thank you. Uh, it's not mine.

The pictures belonged to
the last man who worked here.

I just keep them
around to r-remind me...

that he lost his job because he
spent too much time with his family.

I, uh... I think you'll
find this very fair, Lou.

[Weak Chuckle]

This is less than we make now.

Can't blame me
for trying. [Giggles]

Are you gonna make
us a real offer or not?

O-Okay. Tell me what you...
Tell me what you think of this.

You're not dealing
with children here.

We came here to discuss
a raise, not to be insulted.

Now, either you make us
a realistic offer right now,

or we're walking right now.

Right, Mary? Uh, probably.

What do you say to that?

Boy, uh...

You've really got
me in a corner here.

What can I say when my producer
and my executive producer...

both thr*aten to q-quit?

Just that you've got two
weeks before I replace you,

and if you're not back to work
within that time, at the salary I offered,

I'll personally see to it that neither of
you works in a television newsroom again.

[Whimpering] You can't do that.

Now, Lou, as I said, I don't like pressure,
but I can get t-tough when I have to.

Didn't work at a n-network
for nothing, you know.

Now, you have to excuse
me. I have a meeting to go to.

But you don't scare us. We're
walking. That's right. We're w-walking.

Look, please
understand. It's business.

Personally, I love you both.
I think you're great people.

In fact, I'm hoping you'll change
your minds and come back...

to be a part of the family again,
back where you're appreciated,

where you'll have the warmth
of WJM to embrace you.

If not, I'll see to it that you both
die in the gutter. Have a nice day.

[Knocking] It's open.

- Hi.
- Hi. You want a beer?

Mr. Grant, it's
9:00 in the morning.

Oh, yeah. Some wine?

[Sighs]

Do you realize that we've
been out of work for two weeks?

I don't know about you,
but I'm going crazy...

sitting around the
house with nothing to do.

Mary, I've got something to do.

I'm painting this chair.

This is the 27th coat.

I figure it'll take a
year and a half to dry.

Mr. Grant? Mm-hmm?

I think we should seriously
consider going back to work.

I know, Mary. So you tell
me on the phone every day.

I want to go and
renegotiate our contract.

If you don't want to go with me,
that's all right. I'll do it by myself.

Believe me, they need us...

far more than we need them.

You really think so? Oh, sure.

[Knocking] Yeah,
come on in. It's open.

Hiya, Mary. Hi. Lou.
[Lou] Hi, Murray.

Oh, Murray, it's so good
to see you. It's so good.

Why, uh, thank you,
Mary. Thank you.

But you were just over
at the house last night.

Well, I just miss
the office so much.

Oh. Well, I just
thought I'd stop by...

and see how things were goin'.

I can't tell you how much we all
miss you down at the newsroom.

Oh, yeah? Hey, you
look really good, Lou.

So how are things
in the newsroom?

Well, it's, uh, not the
same without you two. Yeah.

You hear that, Mary?

Boy, it really must be m*rder
to put on that show without us.

- How do you manage?
- Oh, I don't know.

I, uh, guess the show
just sort of runs itself.

- Oh?
- Oh, well, you know, uh...

Harry edits the film.
I write the stories.

Ted reads 'em, and
then we go on the air.

[Murmurs]

But, Murray, uh, who steps
in when there's a crisis?

Well, knock wood, we
haven't had one since you left.

Uh, do you, uh...

Do you happen to know
how Price feels about all this?

Yeah. Now, look.

- I think he is really very
upset about you two leaving.
- Mm-hmm?

Now, I saw him for
the first time last week,

and, uh, well, he
was actually stuttering.

He always stutters.

Oh. Uh... Well, I,
uh, better get to work.

I'll see ya, Mar. Uh, Lou.

Yeah. Oh. I forgot
to mention one thing.

Look, I really respect what
you two guys are doing,

but you better come back soon.

Because I am so lonely, I'm
starting to get along with Ted.

Mr. Grant, there's a time
when it's smart to give in,

and I think this is the time.

Mary,

let me tell you
what this is all about.

It's not money.

The thing to remember is...

that when people like Price
think you're scared of them,

they own you.

Now, all my life I've
worked for other people.

Probably always will.

And they always
think I'm independent,

that I'm not scared of them.

And do you know why they
think that? 'Cause you're so tough?

No, because they're so stupid they
don't know I'm afraid of losing my job.

Of course I'm afraid. Who isn't?

But I don't let them find
out, because once they do,

they own me.

I don't want them
to own me, Mary.

For some dumb reason,

I don't want them to own you.

So, what do you
say? Are you with me?

Oh, shut up and get me a beer.

[Doorbell Rings]

Hi, Mary. Georgette, hi.

Well, we haven't seen you
since you've been out of work.

Ted will be right in. We just thought
we'd stop by and cheer you up.

Oh, that's sweet, Georgette. I
could use a little cheering up.

Today just hasn't
been a good day.

The dryer in the
laundry room broke.

I'm having to hang all my
wet things all over the place.

- I just hope it doesn't rain.
- It never fails.

The minute you wash
your underwear, it rains.

Hi, Ted.

Oh, Lord, Mary. It's come to
this? You're taking in laundry.

No. No, Ted, I'm not. Georgette,
we've gotta do something to help her.

From now on, we're bringing
all our laundry to Mary.

Ted, if you'll just slow down...
You're gonna get everything...

The sheets, the pillowcases.
Ted, I am not taking in laundry.

This is my laundry.
I don't want yours.

[Laughs] Oh, thank goodness.

Mr. Wong would
never have forgiven me.

Would you like some
coffee? Yeah, great.

How are the kids?

Oh, fine, Mary. Oh,
the baby's so cute.

I wish you could
see some pictures,

but we're not the
kind of parents...

who like to bore people with
baby pictures, so we don't have any.

Oh, that's too bad. I
haven't seen her in so long.

The baby looks
just like Georgette.

She does a sensational
imitation of her.

Georgette, do some of the
faces she did this morning.

No, Ted. Oh, go ahead.

Oh, okay.

This is what she looked
like when Ted tickled her.

Show the one she made when
I asked her if she wanted a kiss.

Okay, that's this one.

Wait'll you see this one, Mary.
This is when I threw her up in the air.

That's really darling.

So, what's new with you, Mary?

Well, I... Oh, listen. Before you
answer, I better call the sitter.

That is, if I can
get through to her.

She's probably calling
Europe on my phone.

How is everything going, Mary?

Oh, Georgette, this isn't
a good day to ask me.

I tell you, for the first
time in my life, I'm...

No, I'm not gonna
bother you with this.

Mary, don't be silly.
I'm your friend. Tell me.

For the first time in
your life, you're what?

In debt up to my earlobes.

Well, what a classy
place to be in debt up to.

Oh, Georgette, the rent
is three days overdue.

I don't know where
I'm gonna get it.

I don't have any
money in the bank.

My parents offered to help, but I'm
not gonna accept money from anybody.

I never have.

Well, you're gonna take
some money from us.

No, I'm not, Georgette.

Okay, listen, Mary
Richards, and you listen good.

You are taking our money.

Georgette, I can't.

I don't understand a world where
it's okay to take love from somebody,

but not to accept a few dollars.

If you don't let us help
you, you're not our friend.

Okay. Thanks, Georgette.
And I'll pay you back really soon.

Oh, I know. I know.
Hey, Ted! Ted.

I was right. She
was on the phone.

She was probably
drinking all my liquor too.

That's the last time I'm ever
gonna let my mother babysit.

Ted, forget about that.

I have wonderful news
for you. Really? What is it?

Mary has agreed to
accept money from us.

[Pinched Voice] Good.

How much money has
she agreed to accept?

We haven't discussed it yet, but I
thought you could give her a blank check.

Okay.

Wouldn't it be better
if you signed it?

Better for whom?

Please, I can't. This is
too embarrassing for me.

I really can't
accept your money.

I don't know about
you, Georgette,

but I wouldn't want
to embarrass Mary.

Ted, if you don't
give Mary the money,

I'm gonna tell everybody that
you... Okay, okay, okay. Not that.

- I'll give it to her.
- Tell everybody what?

Oh, it could be any
one of a hundred things.

I'm not worried
about this, Mary,

because I know you're
not the kind of person...

to take advantage of the situation
and fill in some crazy amount.

Ted, just give Mary the check.

[Sighs]

Ted, thank you,
and I'll pay you back.

Whatever's good.
Whatever's good.

Good-bye.

Mr. Grant? This
has gone far enough.

I don't know about you, but I am
marching myself into Mel Price's office,

and I am renegotiating
my contract.

If you want to go with me,
you are more than welcome.

If not, I'm gonna
do it by myself.

Don't tell me things
aren't that bad yet.

I just accepted money
from Ted Baxter.

[Knocking] Mr. Grant,
there's someone at the door.

I'll have to call you back.

Mary, I just want you to
know that I'm ashamed...

of the way that I acted before.

You can write any amount
you want on that check.

Any amount you need.
$500, if you need it.

Ted, I'm not gonna
cash the check.

In that case,
make it a thousand.

Mary, I'm telling you, this is a
mistake. He's gonna own you.

Somebody better, Mr. Grant.
I can't afford to keep myself.

Good morning. How are you?

Good morning. Well, thank
you. Good. What can I do for you?

Well, it's been some time since
our negotiations broke down,

and since you haven't as yet
found anyone to replace us...

No, but we are v-very close.

You are? Mm-hmm.

Don't... Don't give us
that. He-He's bluffing.

Mr. Grant... He's just
saying that to scare us.

It's all right. I like a man with
a f-false sense of bravado.

He's bluffing. Continue.

As I was saying, Mr. Grant
and I were wondering...

if you would like to reopen
the, uh, negotiations.

Certainly.

Well, I mean, there's
nothing to negotiate.

I have just so
much money for you.

Uh, here's the figure.

The two of you can divide
it up any way you like.

That'll be fine. No,
it won't. It stinks.

He's just throwing a slab
of raw meat on the table...

and having us fight over it like
a couple of slobbering animals.

- And we won't do it.
- Oh, Mr. Grant, why not?

Mary, this is our final offer.

I'll leave the two of you alone to
figure out how you'd like to split it up.

Sure hope you're
coming back, Lou.

I l-like you.

You're like me...
Honest, straightforward.

And by the way, I
was b-b-bluffing before.

Well, what sort of a
raise did he offer us?

It's not bad, Mr. Grant.

$5,000 a year to
split however we like.

Mm-hmm. So how do
you want to divide it?

I don't care. It doesn't
matter. You decide.

Oh, no. No, Mr. Grant, please.
Don't put me in that position.

Mary, you negotiated the raise.
You decide how we split it up.

Just remember that I've been
working here for 11 years...

12 years in May...

And I think I've been
doing a good job.

Oh, Mr. Grant, please
don't do this to me. I'm, uh...

I'm just a guy who's...

had to work hard all his life.

Never had the benefit
of a college education.

Never saved any money.

And what with having to
raise three wonderful children,

alimony payments...

[Chuckles] I don't know how
many good years I have left.

All I ask is to have
a little something...

put aside for the
time when I need it.

So go ahead. You decide.

All right, I'll tell
you what we'll do.

You write down
how much you'd like,

and I'll write down
how much I'd like.

Maybe it'll work out.

Fair enough.

[Mouthing Words]

- How much did you write down?
- $5,000.

$5,000!

Right. Now, if you wrote down a
zero, Mary, we've got no problem.

Oh, ho, ho. That's
very funny, Mr. Grant.

- Did you write down
a zero, Mary?
- No, I wrote down three zeros...

With a two in front.

Oh. That's what it would
take to make you happy?

2,000?

Well, yes.

I mean, really happy.

So happy that you'd sparkle
and light up like a Christmas tree?

That's what it would
take? That would do it.

Then it's worth it, damn it.

It's worth it to see you light
up like a Christmas tree.

Mary, I'm gonna spend 2,000
bucks just to see that smile.

[Laughs] Thank you, Mr. Grant.

I got rooked.

[Mews]