01x22 - Elyse D'Arc

[bunniefuu]

♪ I bet we've been together
for a million years ♪

♪ and I'll bet we'll be together
for a million more ♪

♪ oh, it's like
i started breathing ♪

♪ on the night we kissed

♪ and I can't remember
what I ever did before ♪

♪ what would we do, baby

♪ without us?

♪ what would we do, baby

♪ without us?

♪ and there ain't no nothin' ♪

♪ we can't love
each other through ♪

♪ ooh-hoo

♪ what would we do, baby

♪ without us?

♪ sha-la-la-la

now, bernice, you have
a list of all the councilmen

who are in our corner
and have come out

against the construction
of the high-rise, right?

Right.

And, Phyllis, you have a list of
all those who are on the fence?

- Right.
- Okay.

I have a list of all the pizza
parlors in the neighborhood.

I say we eat. I'm starving.

Elyse, this re-zoning bill's
got to be stopped.

If it passes, all the
recreational land in town

will be turned
into condominiums.

Do you have a copy of the bill?

Oh, yeah. Right here.

You know, one thing in our favor

is the opposition
is incredibly disorganized.

They're sloppy,
unprepared, confused...

Can't seem to find it.

I know, it's
in my brown purse. No.

No. Wait. I'll look upstairs.
Just a minute.

I don't know why you're fighting
me on this, Jennifer.

It just doesn't sound right.
That's all.

Okay, let me try
and explain it to you again.

You're what's called a consumer.

You buy gum, candy, a pair
of wax lips every now and then.

Right.

Right. Okay. Now, you need
money for all this, right?

But I get an allowance.

That's true,
but don't you remember?

Oh, yeah. I've been hard hit
by inflationary pressures.

That's right.

Now, I am willing
to supplement your income

by cents a week,
in exchange for a service.

I mean, what could be
more reasonable?

Alex, I don't want
to clean your room.

Why don't you clean
your own room?

I could do that, Mallory,
but that'd be the easy way out.

By paying Jennifer to do it,
I'm allowing her to participate

in the American
free-enterprise system.

Don't do it for me, Jennifer.
Do it for America.

You have no shame at all.

Hi, kids. Where's your mother?

Uh, in the living room.

What's the occasion?

Kids, your father just won

the midwest regional
Murray award

for outstanding pbs documentary.

- Yay!
- Yay!

Which documentary
was this for, dad?

Uh, the last one
in our wildlife series,

"the egret's regret."

I can't believe it.

That documentary

was so obviously biased,
so slanted.

You did the whole thing
from the egret's point of view.

Alex, your views on this subject
are well-known.

We got your letter
down at the station.

Personally, I thought

"bleeding-heart bird-lovers"
was a bit strong.

Okay, be real quiet.
I want to surprise her.

- But, dad...
- Shh!

And now, the winner
of the Murray award

for outstanding locally produced

public-television documentary.

May I have the envelope, please?

The winner is...

Steven Keaton.

Is, um...

Elyse Keaton here?

Steven!

Elyse. I won the Murray award
for "the egret's regret"!

Oh, Steven, that's wonderful!

I know how hard you worked
to get that on!

Oh, I am so proud of you!
I'm happy! I'm excited!

- Elyse.
- I'm coming!

I was hoping
we could celebrate tonight.

Oh, I'm sorry, sweetheart.
I can't.

Any chance you'll be done soon?

Well, let's see.

We have to write up the petition

and coordinate
the canvassing teams,

uh, name the group leaders,

and then
make about phone calls.

I think soon's
a little optimistic.

I think June's
a little optimistic.

Maybe we can celebrate
tomorrow night.

Sure. It's no big deal.
I just wanted some of your time.

We got the show on the air.
That's what counts.

- Yeah.
- We can celebrate any time.

Oh, we will, too.

What's an award, really?

Silly way
to encourage competition.

I'd like to thank
my parents, of course,

and my first scout leader.

That's right, guido.

The table by the picture window,
tonight at : .

Oh, and guido,
it's a special occasion,

so a bottle
of your best champagne.

I won the Murray award.

"The egret's regret."

I don't know.
I thought we showed both sides.

Okay. See you tonight.

Good morning.

Sorry you weren't awake
when I came up last night.

That's okay.

What would you say if I told you

that I was able
to wangle us the table

by the window at guido's
tonight at :

for our Murray award
celebration?

Oh! I only have one problem
with that. I can't make it.

That's a tough thing
to overlook.

Well, I have a late meeting
at work tonight.

I have to do some drawings
for a new building,

and we're bidding
on the project tomorrow.

Let me call guido right back,
see if he can take us any later.

Oh, great.

Mom, Mallory says I can't go
with you and her tonight.

Tonight? Where are we going?

It's our first mother/daughter
yoga class tonight,

and she can't come.

Why not? She's a mother.
I'm a daughter.

I say we're in business.

You don't even know
what yoga is.

So what?

I didn't know what sex was,

and I went to
sex-education class, didn't I?

Well, this is different.

Well, I hope so.
That was really boring.

I don't know, sweetheart.
Your dad and I have plans.

Mom, you promised.

Let me talk to him.

Well, i-it took some doing,
but we're in at : .

We don't have
the window table...

Is there a chance
we can do it any later?

Elyse, you k*ll me sometimes.

I'm sorry, sweetheart.

I-i completely forgot
about this yoga class

the girls and i signed up for.

It's at : tonight.

And we can't miss
the first class.

They teach you how to breathe.

You already know how to breathe.

Inhale, exhale,
keep alternating.

You won't have any problem.

Oh, please, daddy, can we go?

Please, can we? Can we? Please?

Oh, okay.

They love it when you beg.

I'll call guido and try
to change the reservation.

Okay.

Mom, there's a call for you
on the other line.

Oh, thank you, honey.

Okay, Jennifer,
I'll tell you what.

I've been thinking it over,

and I'm willing to raise
the base pay

for cleaning my room
to cents a week.

A quarter you see up front,

the rest I put
in a trust fund for you.

When do I get the money?

When you're .

Forget it. By then,
I'll be too old to enjoy it.

Guido... Take it easy.

I think we can discuss this
as two intelligent adults.

What I'm trying to tell you
is that any table will do.

N-now, come on,
i don't mean any table.

Won't the cash register
get in the way?

Oh, n-never mind, I'll take it.
See you at : . Hmm.

Just got a call
from Cathy speering.

She needs to see me tonight.

Tonight... our tonight?

She's a member
of my women's support group,

and we made a commitment
to be available to one another.

We made a commitment,
too, Elyse, remember?

People threw rice.
You wore a white dress.

Do the words
"for better or for worse"

ring a bell?

They're about to have a fight.

Is it over daddy's Murphy award?

It's not a Murphy award.

It's a Murray.

And we are not
about to have a fight.

I simply want to take
your mother out to dinner

to celebrate,
and some conflicts have arisen

due to your mother being
somewhat overcommitted lately,

and we're trying
to resolve them.

That's all.

Isn't that right... Dear?

That's right... Sweetheart...

Although your father
has neglected to mention

that all of this has happened

at an unusually hectic period
for me.

But I am sure he's
mature enough to realize

that although I'm doing
everything humanly possible

to be flexible, outside
commitments must be fulfilled.

It's a fight.

We got to get to school.

Tell us who wins.

I'm sorry, sweetheart,
but Cathy sounded really upset.

She's afraid her husband's gonna
leave her for another woman.

What gives her that idea?

He hasn't been home
for dinner in eight months.

So maybe he's on a diet.

Couldn't you tell her
you were busy tonight,

that we had special plans?

That you wanted to spend
the evening with your husband?

Look, I don't think
she should be alone tonight.

She's called me
in her hour of need,

and I just don't feel
like I can turn my back on her.

Well, when you put it like that,
it's pretty tough to say no.

Okay, look.

You do what you have to do.
Go over there tonight.

I'll make a special dinner here,

and we'll celebrate
the minute you get home.

Thank you, sweetheart.
You're terrific.

Okay.

He-e-e-y, guido.

Good evening.

Or should I say good morning?

I didn't realize it was so late.

Things got kind of heavy
with Cathy.

Hope I didn't cause
any problems.

Nah.

The recipe specifically says

"allow veal to sit
six hours before serving."

Should be just about ready.

I'm sorry.
I just couldn't leave Cathy.

Well, are you home to stay now,
or is this just a pit stop?

Of course.

- Where would I be going now?
- I don't know.

I'm sure there's someone in
trouble somewhere in the world.

It's : A.M. in London.

Perhaps some English woman
is completely out of tea.

Look, I know
i said I'd be home early,

but tonight was an emergency.

It's always an emergency, Elyse.
It's not just tonight.

I haven't spent consecutive
minutes with you all week.

Okay. Okay.

I know I've been spreading
myself a little thin lately,

but you know how I am
once I make a commitment.

And I think you could be
a little more flexible!

Oh. Ah, ah, I see.

Yeah, my fault.
I'm not flexible enough.

Maybe if I were an undocumented
alien with an overbite,

or if they were
planning to re-zone our bedroom,

I would be able to get
a little of your time.

Look. I'm not in the mood
for a fight tonight.

Not in the mood to fight?
Not in the mood?

Wait, I'll put on
the theme from "rocky."

Why do we have to fight now?!

Because the odds are,

when you are in the mood,
you won't be here!

Steven, it just so happens
there have been

a lot of demands
put on me lately.

I've got this big presentation
at work I've got to prepare,

and it's put me
under a lot of pressure.

Then this re-zoning thing
came to a head,

and then Cathy called, and i
felt a little obligation to her.

But, hey, if I've been
neglecting my better half,

well, excuse me!

I'm sorry I wasn't here
to celebrate with you,

but if you want to celebrate
right now, hey, I'm all for it!

Get out the hats!
Get out the streamers!

Get out your Murray!
Let's celebrate!

Just the two of us?

Won't that be
a little lonely for you?

What would you suggest?

I don't know. Let's call
amnesty international.

They've got a lot of guys
with time on their hands.

I'm sure they can round up
a fun crowd for us.

Steven, that's it.
I'm just exhausted.

I'm gonna go sleep
in the other room.

Oh, no, you don't.

A lot of things
may have changed,

but it's always been
the man's prerogative

to sleep in the other room!

Be my guest!

I will!

Elyse.

Yes, Steven?

You know that pact we have...

Always resolve
all our differences

before we go to sleep,

never go to bed angry?

Oh, Steven.

Well, it's off.

You guys better get going.
Dad's gonna be here any minute.

I don't get it, mom.

Why do we have to leave because
you and daddy had a fight?

You don't have to leave
because we had a fight.

You have to leave
because we want to make up.

Daddy's gonna be really upset

when he finds out
it's just you and him tonight.

You want to bet?

- Table's all set, mom.
- Oh, thank you, love.

This is a funny way of being mad
at someone, isn't it?

Making him a special dinner?

Well, you see, your dad and I

had a little misunderstanding
last night,

and we both said some things
that I hope he's sorry for.

And tonight, we're just
gonna celebrate his award

with a nice, quiet evening
at home.

Nice, quiet evening
at home, huh?

Is that why you're wearing

"ravage me" perfume?

I said quiet, not boring.

Ahh.

Hello, Steven. Welcome home.

Hi, mal.

Alex.

Hi, Jenny.

Come on, Steven.
I think it's time we made up.

I may not be ready.

But after our, uh, discussion
last night, i-i was thinking,

and I was very tired
and on edge,

and I'm sorry
that some things were said.

And I'd like
to make it up to you

with a special dinner,
just the two of us.

Just the two of us?

Yes.

I told mom you would be mad.

Well, you know,

you weren't the only one
who said some things.

I'm sorry, too.

Does that mean
you're ready to make up?

Sure, what the hell. I'm easy.

He doesn't look mad.

He's covering.

Well, I'm going to go up

and slip into
something irresistible.

Stay out of my closet!

Okay, now, Alex, you're gonna
take Jennifer to Chrissy's

and Mallory to Susan's
and you're going to Peter's,

and you'll be back here
at : , right?

- Right, mom.
- Okay. Have a good time.

You have a good time too, mom,

uh, within bounds.

What are bounds?

Phyllis!

Hi, Elyse. Sorry
to barge in like this,

-but we just found out from ed Phillips...
- Why are you here?

That the opposition
is gonna try

to sneak through
the zoning bill tomorrow.

Our only chance to save it is to
call all the councilmen tonight.

Tonight?
Why does it have to be tonight?

Well, we haven't much time.

They've scheduled the session
for : tomorrow morning.

Oh, you've got plans.
I'm sorry. I didn't even notice.

Look at you.
You're all dressed, and...

That's "ravage me," isn't it?

Yes, well, actually,

Steven and I had
a special dinner planned.

Now, that is
powerful stuff, Elyse.

I don't think
you'll make it to dessert.

W-well, hey, I'm really sorry
that I can't help you,

but this has been put off,
and...

Let me help you with this stuff.

Elyse, which goes better
with this jacket,

the dark brown or the gray?

Is Elyse Keaton here?

Hi, Steven.

Hi, Elyse. What's going on?

They moved up the re-zoning
vote on us. It's tomorrow.

So?

So, it's important
we take action tonight.

Elyse, it's important
we take action tonight.

Yes, i-i know.
You see, it's okay.

Everything's gonna be moved
over to bernice's house,

and they're gonna work there.

We'll be out of here
in a second.

If we can carry all this stuff.

I have complete
confidence in you.

It's really raining out there.

Come on! Don't be
such a marshmallow!

A little rain never hurt anyone.
It's good for the crops.

We're not carrying crops.

Ahh, it's just a sun shower.

Steven, we can't send them out
in rain like that.

You're right.

Uh, ladies, there's an
inflatable raft in the garage.

Steven!

All right, all right,
all right, all right!

Ladies, ladies, stop.

Wait a minute. Stop.

All right, uh, look, ladies.

Um... I guess you can, uh...

Work here.

But we'll be in your way.

I know.

To Murray?

- To you.
- To the three of us.

Elyse, uh, we can't find
the environmental-impact report

that was done in .

Oh, uh, the third drawer
to the left, brown folder.

Uh, we can't find
the coffee, either.

Second cupboard
to the right, red bag.

Isn't this romantic?

It could be.

Elyse... Let's face it.

This isn't working.

Of course it's working,
sweetheart. Just relax.

Let's talk about your award.

I really don't want to talk
about the Murray.

I just want to have a nice,
romantic dinner with you.

Coming through! I forgot to ask who
wanted decaf, who wanted regular.

Still think it's working, Elyse?

I'm not saying
there are no bugs in the system,

but let's make the best of it.

Two decaf, four regular.
That is a surprise, huh?

I mean, you would think that
more people would want decaf.

It just goes to show you.
You never know.

Go on with what you were saying.

Elyse.

Not being able to spend time
with you

these past few days...

No! No trouble at all!

Don't be silly. None. Go.

Look.

The fight we had last night

reminded me
how much you mean to me.

It's made me understand

that we have to take
better care of us,

of our relationship.

Sometimes the world
is too much with us,

and we forget
the really essential things.

But...

But some things never change.

And no matter
how much time goes by.

♪ we must remember this

♪ a kiss is just a ki...

Excuse me. I-i didn't mean
to interrupt.

It's just that we are two votes
short of defeating the bill.

Can you think of any other
councilmen that might be swayed?

Uh, m-Max...
Try Max blumenthal.

Blumenthal. Right.

♪ a sigh is still a sigh

I'm sorry, Steven.

All I'm trying to say

is that you're
very important to me.

Last night,
alone in the guest room,

i-it felt so strange
not having you next to me.

And I realized that...

There would be a terrible void

if I suddenly
found myself without...

Ralph jetland.

No, not him.

No, no, I think
Ralph jetland could be

talked into voting with us.

Elyse!

Well, I'm sorry, Steven.
I've got to tell bernice.

I'll be right back.
Just a second.

Okay, Steven. Now we're alone.

Oh.

Hello.

Hello. Hello, bernice.

Hello, Phyllis.

Oh, stop it, Steven.
They're gone.

How'd the vote count go?

We think we have enough to win.

We'll know for sure tomorrow.

Steven! You're soaking wet!

I've been walking around
since I left.

For three hours, in the rain?
My goodness!

I didn't say I enjoyed it.

Well, come on upstairs
and change.

No.

Well, Steven, you're
going to catch cold.

Elyse, I have
some things to say to you,

and I'm not changing my clothes
until I say them.

You have every right
to be angry.

I am angry.

I'm just not sure
if I'm angry at you

or at me or at condominiums.

I'm confused.

Part of me feels selfish,

and part of me feels neglected.

All of you looks wet and soggy.

Won't you come up and change?

I'm trying to explain
something to you

a-and to myself.

Look... all of the things

which have been taking up
your time

this past few days
have been wonderful.

Your career,
spending time with the kids,

helping distraught women.

Even though part of me wants you
around the house all the time,

I love the fact
that you're never here.

That didn't come out right.

I think I know what you mean.

It's just that
i can't help feeling

that at some point
during the past few days,

you could have said no
to someone besides me.

It seems like you're
just taking me for granted.

It's because
I'm taking you for granted.

So I was on the right track.

But don't think
I'm taking for granted

the fact that you let me
take you for granted.

If I understood that,
would I be happy?

Oh, I meant it as a compliment.

You see, i-i was brought up
to think of a husband

as the be-all and end-all
of my existence,

that a man should be
the center of my life

and that I should
learn to live in his shadow

and sublimate
my ambitions to his

and wait on him hand and foot

and satisfy his every need,
answer his every desire.

Well, you can see how ridiculous
that is, can't you?

Can't you, Steven?

Oh, Steven.

Sorry. A momentary lapse.

But of course i don't want that.

No, you'd hate it.

Well, maybe "hate"
is too strong a word.

Steven, it's been
your support and encouragement

that's allowed me to grow
and become the woman I am.

I don't know another man

that I could be fighting with
right now.

I'm flattered.

But when things get hectic

and I'm being pulled
in all directions,

I find that
I'm shortchanging you

because I know that you'll
always be there for me.

I want to be there for you.

But I know I haven't
been there for you,

that I wasn't there
to share your award

because I was doing things.

I know I've got to learn
to say no to other things

so that there'll be time for us.

So from now on, if it's
between clean air and you,

clean air's got to go.

Don't do that, Elyse.
Clean air is important.

All right. Clean air stays.

Let's see.

What about...

I know...
Planned parenthood.

You can't give that up.

Okay. Okay.

I know...

Pets without partners.

There's one. That can go.

Though I hate to think
of all those lonely pets.