02x17 - Michael's Game

[bunniefuu]

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Don't you look at me ♪

♪ In the haggard state I'm in ♪

♪ What you took from me ♪

♪ I'll never get it back again ♪

♪ But there's a time to fall ♪

♪ And there's a time to fight ♪

♪ The time for standing tall ♪

♪ Is finally in my sight ♪

♪ We're fed up beat 'em down ♪

♪ k*lling on the ground ♪
♪

Well, this is a surprise.

Yeah, scrambled with cheddar,
just the way you like them.

No, no, no, I can handle that.

Go sit down. Go ahead.

Coffee's on the table.

And...

Uh, sweetheart,
I do need your help.

Michael, please
don't call me that.

Well, why not?
Robert's out of town.

I mean, he's, uh, in San Diego

on business or
something, isn't he?

Yeah, still, it's
not appropriate.

Thank you.

You know, if you're becoming
this self-sufficient,

maybe it's time you move
back into your own place.

Oh, come on, Jane, just
give me a little more time.

I'm making such good progress
being here, you know?

You have no idea.

The physical therapist
thinks it's nothing

short of a
miracle, and I told him

it was all due to you.

We'll see.

It's Robert, isn't it?

He's trying to get you to
kick me out, I know he is.

Robert has been amazing
under the circumstances.

Still, it's just
so much more pleasant

when it's just the two of us.

I mean, it kinda gives you the
feeling of déjà vu, doesn't it?

Well, get over it,
he's gonna be back

tomorrow morning.

Feels weird being the other man.

Michael, you are not
the other man.

You are a houseguest,
whose days are numbered.

Whatever you say, sweetheart.

Michael.

Hey, Jo, don't feel
like you have to feed me.

I mean, crashing on your
couch for a few days

while I look for my
own place, that's as big

as an imposition
as I plan to be.

I'm glad to do it.

When I first moved here,
I didn't know a soul.

I had to stay in
this cheap motel.

It sure woulda been a lot
easier if I had a friend.

Well, I'm lucky
I found you then.

And I almost didn't go to
that reunion, you know?

Neither did I.

You know what's funny?

Small decisions you
make turn your life

in a whole new direction.

Reed?

Thanks.

What the hell
are you doing here?

You didn't say a word about
moving here last weekend.

I know.

Everything I've
been through, uh...

I'm looking for a new
place to start over,

where people don't know me.

And seeing you...

it inspired me.

Yeah, I know that feeling.

I guess I kind of moved
here for the same reason.

It does seem like L.A.
is the city

that anyone can
reinvent themselves, huh?

And, hopefully, people
here aren't as nosy

as they are everywhere else.

Not in this building.

In fact, everyone here is
nosy to the extreme.

And they're gonna be
dying to know all about

this handsome stranger
I have on my couch.

Well, don't worry because, uh,

discretion is my middle name.

Look, just the same, let's,
um, take it slow, okay?

I mean, last weekend
was wonderful.

But, this is
real life, you know?

Mm-hmm.

I mean, first and
foremost, we're friends.

And anything from there,
well, we'll see.

Yeah. We'll see.

♪ ♪

Miss Woodward, I hope you
understand the gravity

of the situation we're
dealing with here.

If you are privy to
your father's whereabouts,

and you withhold
that information,

you yourself are liable
to be arrested

on charges of aiding
and abetting a felon.

Your time's up, gentlemen.

I won't be speaking
to you any further

without the presence
of my own counsel.

Maybe I didn't
make myself clear.

I said get out, now.

Fine.

By the way,

my father is still innocent
until proven otherwise,

whether you find him or not.

Sure, Miss Woodward,
of course he is.

Sydney? Michael.

God, you're walking so great.

Yeah, thanks.
Did you get the girl?

You know, a "Hello,
how are you?"

might be nice once in a while.

Hey, look, Syd, Barbara's
coming back tomorrow,

so I don't have much time.

Now, it's gotta happen tonight.

Did you get the cash?

Yeah, I did. Sure.

Well, let's see it.

All right, half now,

and half when I get the tape.

Wait a second. Where is she?

I want to meet her first.

Sorry, Michael.

You're just gonna have
to trust me on this one.

All right.

Here's the hotel room number.

Now, he's been calling Jane every
night, so he's plenty lonely.

And horny? Yeah, exactly.

So, you make sure
the woman is hot,

and she knows what she's doing.

She'll do her best, Michael.

Good. But I'm warning you,

Robert really loves Jane.

Just because you turned to jelly

over a beautiful woman,
doesn't mean he will.

Oh, yeah, well, I got
a thousand bucks there

that says he's no better
than the rest of us.

And you make sure you call
me when you get the tape.

You got that?

Bruce? You wanted to see me?

Ah, Amanda, sit down.

What's this all about?

Well, it seems as if
we have a little bone

of contention here between
you and Alison.

Really? I had no idea.

You took me off
Microcomp, Amanda.

I landed that account.

You were behaving
unprofessionally, Alison.

Chasing after the client
romantically?

I'm sorry to say,
but it got in the way

of you doing your job.

Our personal relationship,
such that it was,

in no way impinged
upon my performance.

Just ask Mr. McMillan.

Alison, would you
mind if I had a word

with Amanda alone?

Of course.

Amanda, I'm going to put Alison

back on the Microcomp account.

I think it's only fair,
since she brought it in.

Fine, I have no
problem with that.

Hopefully, this time
she can keep things

at a more productive and
professional level.

Now, if there's nothing
else, I really am swamped.

Well, actually,
there is one thing.

Yes?

I'm very much aware of what
you've been through

this past week, and my
sympathies are with you.

Thank you. I don't know

what you've heard through
the rumor mill, but I can

assure you that it's
not as bad as it sounds.

Well, just the same,
I feel it would be prudent

if you took a couple
of personal days.

You know, to just sort
of straighten things out.

Personal days?

Just go somewhere and relax.

Alison can cover for
you while you're gone.

I'm sure she'll do her best.

I mean, what kind of catastrophe

could happen in two days?

You should have
seen Amanda's face

when they told her she
had to give Microcomp

back to me, it was priceless.

That's great.

See, I told you,
it pays to be assertive.

Yeah.

I feel kinda bad, though.
She told me after I left,

they encouraged her to
take a couple days off,

'cause the situation
with her dad.

Why, is she losing it at work?

No. But today,

there was a detective in her
office asking questions.

Not exactly conducive to
a strong corporate image.

Amanda will bounce back.

I know.

But, while she's gone,
I was thinking

I could use this as
an opportunity to show

the guys upstairs what
I can really do.

Kind of pitch a few ideas

that I could
never get past Amanda.

Ah, do an end run. I like that.

It's just so devious.

I hate to take advantage
of Amanda's misfortune.

Isn't that exactly what
she would do to you?

Eh.

I guess I like to
play by the rules.

The only rule in business
is there are no rules.

He's in the living room.

Well, I'm just
making some chicken.

Don't worry, he's
not gonna be here

that much longer, I promise.

You said he'd be out by the
time I got back tomorrow.

Almost.

Do you want me to kick him out?

I mean, this is getting
a little absurd.

No, no, I'll handle it.

I miss you, honey.

I'm so lonely without you.

No, I really am.

Yeah, me, too.

Listen, uh, I'm gonna
go down and grab

a bite to eat at the
lousy hotel dining room,

then I'm gonna hit the sack.

Got an early morning tomorrow.

All right, you sleep tight.

I will.

I'll be dreaming of you.

Bye, honey, I love you.

♪ ♪

Hello?

Hello.

You've been here for
a few days, haven't you?

Yeah.

Do I know you?

No, no, no.

No, I've been here for
a week... from St. Louis.

I'm trying to sell a computer
system to the San Diego Zoo,

something that'll
regulate feeding times.

Feeding times?

For all of the animals.

See, we wanna put sensors
in all of the feed troughs

so that the computer can determine
how much the giraffes are eating

and how much protein the
rhinos are getting and...

The truth is, I swear I won't
bore you with any of this,

if you'll please
let me join you.

I'm just so damned
tired of eating alone.

I'd k*ll for an hour's worth
of intelligent conversation.

Sit down.

Are you sure it's okay?

I never do this.

Sure. We can trade

horror stories about
this lousy hotel.

Trust me, I've got a few.

Diane Adamson.

Robert Wilson.

Nice to meet you.

You know, the food's lousy,

but the wine list is
actually not half bad.

Oh, I... I can't.

Um, I've got an early morning.

Will you please
let me treat you?

It's the least I can do.

Bring us a bottle of
the ' Chateau Lafon.

Right away, ma'am. Thank you.

Hey! Did you ever
hear of knocking?

I've got the master key.

You see, I thought
that if I was lucky,

I might surprise you
in the shower.

You're amazing.

One minute you're ready to
evict me, the next minute

you want to...
Practically r*pe you?

Call me unpredictable.

Can't we start over?
Put this all behind us?

I am so sorry for everything.

Just pick up where we left off?

Yeah.

I've decided to take
a few days off.

I haven't had
a vacation in ages.

So, what would you say
to five days in Hawaii,

leaving tomorrow?

Oh, I'd say someone
up there likes me.

♪ ♪

Well, what happened?

I... I ran into these gorgeous
scarves in the gift store.

And I was so busy trying them on

that I didn't hear the
last call for the flight.

He was livid.

He thought I'd been
abducted or something.

Your check, sir.

Oh, please, allow me.

I can't.

Please.

All you have to do is make sure

that I get to my
room in one piece.

Absolutely.

Thank you, Robert.

You more than fulfilled
your hour's quota

of scintillating conversation.

Likewise.

How about a nightcap, hmm?

Oh, I... I can't.

Uh, I got an early...

No. No, no, no.

Yes.

♪ ♪

Um, you're... you're
married, and I am...

A very handsome stranger.

Come on, it's just
the two of us, hm?

One night, nothing more.

No one is ever going to know.

♪ ♪

Amanda has been handling
the Mountaintogs account

for two years now, and I
think we are going about

this entire campaign
the wrong way.

Why do you say that?
Sales are almost double

what they were three years ago.

But, Amanda is still treating
this like a niche campaign.

She's not doing her homework.

The bottom line

is that I think the
client is ready to walk.

Yeah, actually, I've
been sensing that.

They've intimated that
they feel our approach

is outdated, one that isn't
propelling their company

into the ' s.

And what would you suggest?

Well, as long as Amanda's away,

I would like the
opportunity to present

a few of my ideas to the client.

It definitely couldn't hurt,

and it very well may
save this account.

Why not?

Clients always love
to hear new ideas,

even if they hate them.

You set the meeting.

Just make sure you keep
Amanda in the loop.

I sure will.

Mm, thank you.

This is great, I feel like
I'm in Hawaii already.

Yeah, me too.

What are you doing?

Oh, making a phone call.

To who? The office.

Stop worrying, they'll get along

fine without you for
a couple of days.

I know, but I'd be able
to relax a little more

if I knew everything
was going well.

Is that what this
vacation's gonna be about?

You running to the phone
every five minutes

to check in?

No, just this one
time, I promise.

Amanda Woodward's office.

John, it's Amanda.
What's going on?

Oh, hi, Amanda, how's your trip?

Oh, it's just wonderful,
I'm on the plane

and just
checking in for messages.

I wanted to make sure
everything was going okay.

Don't worry, everything's
going just great.

Alison really seems to have
everything under control.

She's totally covering
the Mountaintogs account.

What? What are
you talking about?

She's got a meeting set
with them tomorrow morning.

They called your
office to confirm.

What the hell are
you talking about?

I didn't authorize her
to take a meeting

with that account.

Get her on the phone, now.

I can't.

She's in a meeting
with Bruce upstairs.

Fine.

Tell Alison I will be in to
see her tomorrow morning.

Vacation's over.
We're going home.

You can't be serious.

Completely. Alison is
gunning for my job.

♪ ♪

Do you have it?

Get in here.

Where is it?

Let's see that money. Ah.

Here, give it to me.

I just got it and saw it.
Is it hot.

Okay, okay, play it for me.

You were right, Michael.

Diane said it was the
easiest money she ever made.

Robert didn't suspect a thing.

And she didn't even have
to kick him out of bed.

The minute they finished
doing it, he couldn't wait

to get the hell out of there,
he felt so guilty.

♪ ♪

Yeah, guilty, my ass.

Oh, yeah.

♪ ♪

Who is it? Robert.

Oh, God, how I missed you.

Ooh, I've missed you, too.

Mmm.

You were all I could think
about for five straight days.

I had trouble sleeping,
I've gotten so used

to having you next to me.

Is Michael here?

Mm-mm, I don't know where he is.

He knows you're due back
today, he's probably trying

to give us some space.

And, I think you
make him nervous.

Good.

I've been doing a lot
of thinking, Jane,

and I want him
outta here tomorrow.

He can take care of himself.

Whatever you say.

Put the bag down slow, Missy.

Real slow.

And shut the door.

What the hell are you
doing with my g*n, Reed?

You scared me half to death.

Ah, I found it while
I was looking

for some cleaning supplies.

You were snooping?

Give me that thing.
Hey, hey, hey.

These toys are real dangerous.

I hate 'em.

Well, I happen to
be fond of them.

I don't think you're
gonna be needing it

anymore, now that I'm around.

Reed, you... you can't
just come waltzing in here

and making all these assumptions

about our relationship.

We're friends.

Really good friends.

Really, really,
really good friends.

♪ ♪

Oh, man, they've been
in there for hours.

What the hell is taking so long?

Maybe your VCR's on the blink.

Is it?

You know this for a fact?

Just a guess.

You know, Robert got there
right after Jane got home.

Maybe somehow, I don't know,

he saw it first without her.

This is so exciting.

I can't believe
it really worked.

It hasn't, Sydney.

Not yet.

So, tell me about your trip.

What'd you do all that time?

I told you, I just worked
out of the San Diego office.

They're shorthanded,
so the partners

shuttle people
down there from L.A.

whenever the caseload
gets too heavy.

Mmm.

Anything to save a buck.

But, I hate it.

I'm just gonna tell them I
don't want to do it anymore.

Good.

Do you want some water?

Yeah. I'll get it.

No, no, no. I'll get it.

You stay here.

♪ ♪

Get out. Huh?

Get the hell out of my house!

Jane, what's going on?

What were you really doing
in San Diego, Robert?

Legal work or making tapes
for the Playboy Channel?

What are you talking about?

Come see for yourself.

Oh, my God.

You don't understand.
Then explain it to me.

It's an old video, it... it's
of me and an old girlfriend.

You're lying.
The date and the time

are recorded in the
corner of the screen.

This tape was shot last night.

Jane, don't you see that
someone's trying to set me up?

All I know is that's
you and another woman.

No, Jane, it's not like that.

How could you do this to me?

You don't understand.
Oh, yes, I do.

I understand all too well.

Jane, I love you.

Yeah, right.

Get out.

Give me the tape. No.

I want something
to remember you by.

Jane, trust me,
it is not like that!

Get out.

Get out!

Jane, please.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

Morning, Jane.

I think I finally got these
eggs the way you like 'em.

Where were you
last night, Michael?

At sh**t.

I waited up for you until
: in the morning.

Really?

Oh, gee, I'm sorry, hon.

I... I knew Robert was
coming home, you know,

and I wanted to give
you guys the space.

I didn't mean to make you worry.

You sent me that
tape, didn't you?

Excuse me?

You know what I'm talking about.

Um, I really don't, Jane.

I don't have any idea what
you're talking about.

I know it was you, Michael.

I know you had something
to do with this.

Hey.

Hey, hey, come on now.

Don't...

Tell me... tell me what happened.

Somebody sent me

an anonymous
videotape last night...

of Robert making love
with another woman.

Um, wow.

Robert, Prince Charming?

I don't believe it.

I couldn't either.

Aw, please, Jane.

Now, you've accused me of a
lot of crazy things before,

and I'll admit, I was
even guilty of a few.

But, how the hell do you
figure making me responsible

for Robert having an affair?

Not only that, but, you
know, secretly getting it

on videotape?

And, uh, mailing it
to you anonymously?

I don't know.

I don't know how you would
do it, but someone did.

Yeah.

Somebody who was trying
to nail Robert.

♪ ♪

What do you mean?

Well, come on, Jane.

He's a divorce lawyer.

A damned good one,
I should know.

There must be plenty
of disgruntled husbands

and wives out there who...
Well, let's say,

aren't very happy with him.

Yeah, he does have
his share of enemies.

Yeah.

And, um, you know,

maybe you're being
too hard on him.

I mean, all it proves
is that anyone can slip.

Anyone.

We're targeting
the same upscale demo

that the skiwear manufacturers
captured in the ' s.

In a nutshell,
my approach is this...

"You don't have to
climb mountains

to wear Mountaintogs."

Thank you. Finally,

somebody's
listening around here.

That's exactly what
we're trying to do.

Right, without losing our
base of real enthusiasts.

They're our bread and butter.

Granted, but still... Morning.

Sorry I'm late, I just
heard about the meeting.

Amanda, I thought
you were in Hawaii.

A change of plans.
Sorry about this.

It's okay.

Look, you got some great ideas
there.

We'll think about it.

Uh, why don't I see you
out and get you validated?

Thank you. Thank you.

Not so fast.

Just what the hell do
you think you're doing?

Amanda, relax, I was just trying

to safeguard the account.

Safeguard? You mean
steal, don't you?

Trying to keep the client
who's practically

out the door is what
I call doing my job.

Oh, don't give me
that crap, Alison.

You're poaching, and
poachers get shot.

Bruce, what's
going on around here?

Amanda, would you relax?

See, this is why I
don't take vacations.

Don't be so paranoid.

Alison had some good ideas
and the client responded.

But I landed that account, I've
been working on it for months.

How dare you allow
Alison to waltz

right in and take over?

I'll do whatever I think
is good for this business.

Now, I've told you before,
I think you're overworked

and overstressed.

And this is one account I'd
like to see Alison handle.

♪ ♪

You're doing great, Michael.

That oughta do it. Ohh, great.

Thanks.

Okay.

Michael.

Robert? What the hell

are you doing here? Thanks.

I think you know
exactly why I'm here.

You set me up.

But, trust me, you are
not gonna get away with it.

When I get through with
you, you're gonna wish

you never survived
that damn accident.

Now, you listen to me.

You low-life piece of scum,

you think you can walk
into my life,

try and r*pe me for
everything I'm worth,

and then steal my wife?

Who the hell do you think
you're dealing with?

Jane sees right
through you, Michael.

And trust me, despite
that damn tape,

she knows there's a big
difference between you and me.

Oh, yeah, right.

And the difference is
I cheat with doctors.

Not whores.

♪ ♪

Yes?

What do you want?

I need the files on the
Mountaintogs account.

Forget it.

Amanda, I spoke to
the guys upstairs.

They're going to insist.

Then speak to my assistant.

He'll get you what you need.

Fine.

You know, Alison...

This isn't very sporting of you.

Well, to tell you
the truth, Amanda,

I am tired of playing
by the rules.

Then you better watch your step,

'cause I can play dirty,
too, and trust me, I will.

Billy, it's Amanda.

We need to talk, tonight.

Hello?

Tell me your day's
going better than mine.

No luck?

Ah, sure could use a nice
dinner to cheer me up.

Meet me at the marina? Special
place I'd like to take you.

Sure. Great.

All right, meet me
at the pier at : ,

and, uh, dress casual.

See you there. Ciao.

So, what's up?

Alison, she's after my job.

Or hasn't she told you?

Alison? Come on.

Don't play innocent
with me, Billy.

As you know, I'm
been going through

some tough times personally,
and Alison has just moved

right in and taken
advantage of the situation.

So, what do I have to
do with any of this?

Talk to her for me.

Get her to back off,
or I'm gonna start

playing as dirty as she is.

And the truth is, I wouldn't
wanna hurt you.

What are you talking about?

Well, if things go on this way,

I no longer have any
interest in protecting.

Alison's feelings.

I'm gonna tell her
everything about you,

and me, our little
night together...

See ya.

My boat looked kinda like that,

only sleeker and a
few feet longer.

I called her Dancing Waters,
'cause that's exactly

what she did, she just
danced across the sea.

Where is she now?
Oh, I don't know.

They put her up for auction
while I was in prison.

Sold her for
cents on the dollar,

probably to some
middle-aged cowboy

that, uh, takes her
out twice a year.

Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah, so am I,

but I'm moving on,
and you know what?

You're a big part of that.

So, where are you
taking me to dinner?

I haven't decided yet.

Ooh, there.

That's the one.

Shh, come here, come here.

Shh, shh, just come on.

Where are we going?

Shh, just come on.

Reed, what are we doing?

Come on, we're just gonna
have a little bit of fun.

I don't understand, do
you know these people?

People? What people?
I don't see any people.

I just see a beautiful boat
that's ours for the night.

Oh, I'm out of here,
you're crazy.

Oh, Jo, come on. No.

Jo, Jo... Jo, Jo stop.

I was just joking.

This is my surprise.

This boat, the Pretty Lady.

I, uh, I got a job this
afternoon as its captain.

It's owned by this rich
guy from San Marino,

who takes it out twice
a month up to Catalina.

Anyway, I'm moving
on it tomorrow.

Yeah. No, no, no,

I swear, it's true.

I... I was just playing around.

Come here, I want to
show you something.

No. No, come on.

Come on.

It's okay.

That's it.

Forgive me?

Ohh.

You jerk.

Don't you ever lie to me again.

Oh, I won't. I swear.

♪ ♪

Nope, this isn't
exactly what I meant

by taking it slow.

I don't know, I've been wanting

to sleep with you for ten years.

That's slow enough for me.

Well, that's it then, huh?
You got what you wanted?

Oh, come on, you know
that's not true.

Ohh, I just... this isn't
what I planned, you know?

I'm not ready to jump
into something.

I... I thought it'd be nice
to rediscover each other

as friends first.

If that's the way you
want it, then, uh,

let's go back to being friends.

It's too late.

Good.

Listen, uh...

You know, when you've lost your
freedom for a couple of years,

you get the urge to
cut away all the fears

and expectations, and
just experience life.

I'm open, Jo.

Whether you want to hurt me
or love me, I don't care.

Just, please, don't
tell me to wait.

Mmm.

Come in.

Amanda, can we talk?

I'm all ears.

Um...

I've been giving
this a lot of thought.

And I've decided I want to
give you your account back.

Had a little talk
with Billy, did you?

Billy? No.

Billy has nothing to
do with this, it's me.

Everybody has their own
way of doing business,

and what I've discovered is
that this isn't my style.

No, I didn't think it was.

You know, the truth is, Alison,

the reason I got so upset
isn't because you stepped

on my territory, but that for
the first time I can remember,

I felt really vulnerable,
and I needed a friend.

And it hurt to see that
I didn't have one here.

I'm sorry.

Sometimes it's tough to know
where to draw the line.

Hey, I'm always lived on the
side of personal advancement,

so, I won't hold it against you.

This time.

Um, so, use my ideas, or not.

The account's all yours.

Oh, no, the last thing
I wanna owe you

is a personal debt.

You keep the account.

Are you sure?

Absolutely.

Okay.

And next time, I want
to be there for you.

Don't worry about me, Alison.

I think we know where we
stand with each other.

Just don't blow this account,

because I won't be
there to catch you.

Right.

There you are.

Yeah, it was a long day.

Yeah, for me, too.

Amanda called me
into her office.

We had a really
interesting talk.

Heart-to-heart.

Oh, my God.

Whatever she told you,
it is not what you think.

I know.

At first, she tried to
come off like the victim,

but when I left, somehow
I still felt like

she had the upper hand.

It's hard to know
what to believe.

Alison, you have
to listen to me.

No, Billy, I am through
listening to you.

You told me to go after that
account by any means possible,

and I hated myself for it.

So, I told Amanda
that I was wrong,

that she could
have the account back,

even though I basically
did save it for her.

You did?

And what'd she say?

That she didn't want it.

Told me I stole
it fair and square.

And that's it?
That's all she said?

Yeah. And she laid

some guilt trip on me
that I totally fell for.

I'm sorry.

I guess I'm not the
piranha you thought I was.

It's okay, you did
the right thing.

You definitely
did the right thing.

♪ ♪

Michael, what's going on?

Just a little dinner
I whipped up.

You shouldn't do this.

Why?

You know...

Sometimes it takes
a brush with death

to get your priorities in order.

And if that's what it took...

then it was worth
every bit of pain

I've had to endure.

Please, don't do this.

Jane.

What do you say we put
the past behind us,

like... I don't know,
like some bad dream?

I love you, Jane.

I never stopped loving you.

Please, believe me.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪