07x29 - Thicker Than Water

[bunniefuu]

[theme music]

A press conference was called today by Abby Ewing

to respond to charges made yesterday

by former United States Senator Gregory Sumner.

He threw doubts on the safety of the drinking water

here at Lotus Point.

Abby Ewing, her husband Gary Ewing,

and Karen MacKenzie are co-owners

of the Lotus Point Resort and Condominium Complex.

In Mr. Sumner's press conference yesterday,

he shocked residents with the news

that Empire Valley was once a toxic waste disposal site.

According to him,

these chemicals could have contaminated

the water supply in the area.

A full-scale investigation is underway

at Galveston Industries,

spearheaded by former State Senator Billie Henderson.

[somber music]

Ben, I see you got my message on time.

I did, yes, thank you very much.

There she is. Scott, let's move up close.

There's Mrs. Ewing approaching the podium now.

Cut! Let's get in the middle of this. Come on.

[somber music]

[camera shutter clicks]

Well, thank you for coming out here so early in the morning.

[somber music]

Yesterday, Greg Sumner announced

that due to the polluted aquifer that serves the area

as contiguous with Empire Valley,

the water here at Lotus Point might be contaminated.

Well, let me put a stop to that rumor right now.

There is absolutely nothing wrong

with the drinking water here at Lotus Point.

We have had a team of top health experts test the water

since we received word that there was a leak

at the waste site at Empire Valley.

All of us here are unified in our desire to protect

the health and wellbeing of our staff and our guests.

Now, I have been drinking this water for years.

I drank it yesterday, the day before,

and I will continue to drink it.

To your health, ladies and gentlemen.

[camera shutter clicks]

[dramatic music]

[camera shutter clicks]

As a matter of fact, it's good. [chuckles]

Now, please don't get the idea that we're not concerned.

We certainly are, and we are... we are monitoring

our water supply daily,

but there is absolutely no reason for panic.

Oh, Mr. Ferrano, can I speak to you for a minute?

Sure, Mrs. MacKenzie. Take it by the tennis court.

-No, have him wait. -Hold it a second.

-Come on, make up your mind. -Sure, [inaudible].

[somber music]

Mr. Ferrano, this is a little difficult for me,

so I guess I just might as well be direct.

We're closing Lotus Point, but we hope to reopen soon.

But why? I thought we were doing so well.

[sighs] Well, we have a problem.

There is no problem. I want to make that clear.

I want your viewers and your readers to know that.

Mrs. Ewing, it seems both you and Senator Sumner agree

that there's water contamination at Empire Valley,

but how do you plan to prevent the possibility

of future contamination of your water?

We are addressing ourselves

for that very question right now,

but we plan to keep Lotus Point open as the cleanup proceeds.

Can you tell us anything about the cleanup?

Now, Galveston Industries formerly owned Empire Valley,

but isn't it public knowledge that your husband,

Mr. Ewing, is presently a part owner?

Now, is he prepared to make

this enormous financial commitment to this cleanup?

My husband is currently working with the EPA

and other state and federal agencies

to implement the cleanup.

[man] Now, Mrs. Ewing, how do the other owners

of Empire Valley feel

about this enormous undertaking?

[Abby] We're all in agreement.

-Even Mr. and Mrs. Gibson? -Who?

My research shows that half of Empire Valley

belongs to the children of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Gibson.

-How'd you swing that, Ben? -When did you get rich?

I'm not rich.

We stand together in our desire to clean up Empire Valley.

Now, I would be very happy to answer

any other questions you have.

I just wanna make the public very aware

that we are all fine here at Lotus Point.

You've had a few phone calls already.

They can wait, we've got a lot to do.

First, I want

all the department heads called here immediately.

You don't have to ask Ferrano or Gerard.

And, Robin, get me Mark Green from Guest Relations

on the phone.

Right.

[sighs]

[Peter] I'm not interested in politics.

All I want is the money that I'm entitled to.

You're just trying to buy me off

with this political stuff, aren't you?

I'm offering you power, not just money.

We'll make a real nice, comfortable settlement

for you and your mom.

And we should start boogying right along.

And if I'm still not interested?

You're not hearing me, kid.

Watch my lips.

You run for the Senate, you are my kid brother.

That's the good news.

[sighs] The bad news is,

if you don't run for the Senate,

you're staring down the throat of a 10-year legal battle.

And believe me,

you'll run out of sympathetic ties

to wear in court.

Also, I think it's time to stop

those monthly payments to Sylvia.

Your mom seems like a practical person.

Have you talked to her about this?

No, I'll leave that up to you.

If you're ever gonna be a Galveston kid,

now is the time.

I'm only gonna let it happen if it happens on my terms.

So, if you're willing to gamble, I'll see you in court.

So just run a recap and I'll see you back there, alright?

Ben, wait for me.

Well, boss, you sure took me by surprise.

Any inside dope for your own general manager?

I'm really sorry, Ben.

Everything happened in such a hurry.

I had to move fast to counteract any damage

Greg's innuendos might have caused.

Where are Karen and Gary?

Well, Karen should be here any minute.

And... who knows with Gary these days?

Look, Ben, I took it for granted that you and Val

would be behind us in the Empire Valley cleanup.

It's fine with me.

[dramatic music]

[Karen] I know this comes as a shock to all of you.

I... I really hate doing this to you and your families

on such short notice, but believe me,

the insurance covers it all and by that time,

we'll be back in business.

-And I promise-- -What's going on here, Karen?

-Excuse us, please. Thank you. -What is going on?

I'm telling the staff we're closing Lotus Point.

[scoffs] Well, I'm out there giving a press conference

telling everyone we're never closing Lotus Point.

-...what you're doing? -Why don't you tell

your partners what you're doing?

[sighs] Eric, I'm very sorry,

but this is between your mother and me.

I'd just like to hear what you have to say.

-Eric. -It's alright, honey.

-I'll talk to you later. -Sure.

How dare you, Karen?

Where the hell do you come off closing Lotus Point?

I've got as much at stake here as you do ,

and how did you manipulate Gary into this?

I don't know where Gary is. He knows nothing about this.

My son almost died because of the water here.

If there's any possibility this could happen to anyone else--

The water is fine, Karen.

-It's fine and you know it. -Just the drinking water, Abby.

Who knows how long that'll be safe.

Oh, stop being so melodramatic.

While you're so busy being self-sacrificing,

you're forgetting you have partners to deal with.

-Now, I am sick-- -What is all the yelling about?

-My God. -[sighs]

Are you aware of the fact that Karen,

Karen by herself, is closing down Lotus Point?

No. Karen?

Charlie Lee died.

It was arsenic poisoning. I had no choice.

[sighs] Well, Abby, what did you expect?

Well, I've been here trying to keep Lotus Point open, Gary.

Where have you been?

I went to Dallas

to see if my family had financed the clean-up.

-Will they? -No.

There's no oil under Empire Valley,

so they're not interested.

And I can't sell my family stock,

so I'm afraid we're on our own this time.

Well, I don't understand what the big problem is anyway.

Greg Sumner has offered to buy Empire Valley and clean it up.

I don't care what he's offering.

I'll never agree to sell.

[dramatic music]

[birds chirping]

[dramatic music]

But why does he want you in politics?

That's not important. What is important

is that he has never said that he can prove

I'm not his brother.

I have listened and I have waited

and he's never said it.

-We got him. -Well, you could fool me.

The bank called this morning.

He's canceled my support checks.

Well, that's just to force us into a fast decision,

but we want half of Galveston Industries,

remember?

Peter, have you discussed this with Abby Ewing?

No, what's to discuss?

Well, to get some advice. She knows the man.

-I'll call our lawyer. -Oh, lawyers.

All they're interested in is papers and percentages and...

You know, I feel it in my bones.

This time, he means business.

Yeah, but so do we, and he knows it too.

That's why he wants to bargain with us,

because he knows we're gonna win in court.

Don't you see? We've done it.

Why in God's name do you wanna sponsor

Peter Hollister for the State Senate?

-'Cause he's my brother. -But you were a US Senator.

I mean, you've got the clout and the influence and the money.

That's exactly the point. I can put him in office.

I could be Colonel House to his Woodrow Wilson,

Louie Howe to his FDR. Don't you see?

I'll be back in politics. It'll be like the good old days.

But why Peter?

Fate, I guess.

He's got the looks, moxie, and as my brother,

he's got the money, honey.

In no time at all, I can have him in the United States Senate.

Then the next step is the big chair.

I think it'll be an interesting hobby for the next few years.

-Has he agreed to this? -The kid's no dope.

[phone rings] Yes?

[woman on phone] Abby Ewing to see Mr. Sumner.

Put your clothes back on. Send her in.

Hello.

Did I forget an appointment we had or something?

[chuckles] No, no.

I came to talk to you about Lotus Point,

and this is something you'll be interested

in too, Mrs. Sumner.

Oh, I'm interested, Mrs. Ewing.

So am I, now that we've established

the fact that we're all interested,

what exactly is it we're interested in?

[chuckles] You know, your announcement yesterday

did more harm than the pollution.

Did you think that was gonna convince Gary

to sell you Empire Valley?

My offer still stands.

I will clean up Empire Valley when Gary sells it to me.

If he says he'll clean it up, he'll clean it up.

[chuckles] I was wondering

which side of the fence you'd be on.

Look, I want you to know that my two reckless partners

would rather see Lotus Point go down the drain

than sell it to you, they're ...

They're like Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.

But I have a suggestion, if you would deed the land

for 99 years to Gary

and give him a written guarantee,

I might be able to convince him to sell it to you.

Do I need her?

All I need to do is wait him out.

Well, you might just have a long wait.

[sighs] Karen and Gary just closed down Lotus Point.

[dramatic music]

-Hi. -Hi.

-Hi, guys. -Hey, Mom.

-Hi. -Here, let me take your coat.

-Oh, thanks. -Do you want a cup of coffee

-or anything? -No.

-No? -Well, then sit down,

take a load off your feet, set them up.

Mack, I'm fine.

What do you say we all go see the movie, huh?

-No, I really don't think so. -Yeah. Oh, come on.

Then we can go get some Chinese food afterwards.

-Sounds good to me-- -Oh, for God's sake...

Won't you just let me be miserable?

Stop trying to cheer me up, I had to walk around all day

with a happy face like nothing happened,

telling everybody we're reopening

when I don't even believe in myself.

[sad music]

Mom, we just want you to know how bad we feel, that's all.

I know you do.

And I feel bad too.

For all those people out of work,

for their families.

It has to be devastating for them.

My head knows I did the right thing.

But the pit in my stomach, I feel so lousy.

So, won't you let me be miserable?

[chuckles]

Look at you guys.

Maybe this isn't as bad as...

I still have my family, and Eric's better.

And we're all together, and I'm very, very hungry

because I haven't had anything to eat all day.

[laughs] Well, I'll go get some Chinese food.

I'll go with you.

I love you.

I know you do.

But I'm going with them.

[sighs]

[soft music]

There is no problem. I wanna make that clear.

I want your viewers and your readers to know that.

Mrs. Ewing, it seems both you and Senator Sumner agree

that there's water contamination

at Empire Valley.

It may not have reached Lotus Point yet,

but how do you plan to prevent the possibility

of future contamination of your water?

-Well... -Valene...

Abby Ewing is on the TV. She's giving a press conference.

-...open while we implement... -[Val] What?

-Can you tell us... -Come on down.

Abby is at Lotus Point.

She's telling all about the drinking water.

[man] Isn't it public record that your husband,

Mr. Ewing, is presently part owner?

Now, is he prepared to make

the enormous financial commitment to this cleanup?

My husband is currently working with the EPA

and other state and federal agencies

to implement the cleanup.

-What are you talking about? -Look.

-...owners of Empire Valley... -There she is, big as life.

-We're all in agreement. -Even Mr. and Mrs. Gibson?

Who?

My research shows that half of Empire Valley

belongs to the children of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Gibson.

-How'd you swing that, Ben? -When did you get rich?

Are the Gibsons participating in this cleanup?

I'm gonna have to call Ben.

Well, there's nothing embarrassing

about inherited land.

I still think it was a fine gesture of Gary's.

You know, Ben and I talked about it.

He knows Gary didn't mean any harm.

-Mama, I wanna hear it. -...fine.

Since that early morning press conference at Lotus Point,

we have just learned that this well-known

family resort complex has been closed.

Poor Karen, she must feel awful.

-[sighs] -Oh.

Come on, Ben, please, please, please answer.

Oh, Julie, good, hi.

Fine. Listen, is Ben anywhere around?

Oh, yeah, okay.

Well, listen, if you see him before you leave,

could you tell him that I called?

No, it's... it's nothing urgent. It's just ...

Okay, thanks a lot. Okay, bye-bye.

♪ Smile, an everlasting smile ♪

♪ A smile could bring You near to me ♪

♪ Don't ever let me Find you gone ♪

♪ 'Cause that could bring A tear to me ♪

♪ This world has lost Its glory ♪

♪ Let's start a brand new story Now, my love ♪

-Sylvia, hello. -Hello.

Well, thank you for seeing me at such short notice.

I... I hope I didn't interrupt your dinner.

No, no, not at all.

I figured if it were that important to you,

I could certainly make time.

We do have mutual interests.

Well, I'm glad that you feel that way.

I got it, Mama. B--

-Gary! -[scoffs]

I've had more enthusiastic greetings.

No, I... I thought it might be Ben.

-Oh. He's not here? -No, it's just Mama and me.

And the kids are sleeping upstairs.

-Come on in. -Who is it?

It's Gary, Mama.

-Oh, hi, Gary. -Hi, Lilimae.

What a nice surprise.

-Would you like some coffee? -Yeah, sure, that'd be fine.

I was kind of hoping Ben would be here.

Well, actually, he should have been by now.

Why don't you just... Oh, here, let me get this out of the way.

-[chuckles] I'm sorry. -Thanks.

I was sorry to hear that you had to close Lotus Point.

Well, yeah, we're all very disappointed.

-Karen especially. -I'm sure.

I'm gonna try to go over and see her after dinner.

[sighs] Val ...

[sighs]

I wanna take back my gift of Empire Valley to the twins.

-Gary. -L... Let me finish.

This gift was something for me as well as for them.

You know how I feel about them no matter what you say.

It was, I'm afraid,

the proverbial road of good intentions.

Well, of course I know that.

I don't know if Ben told you.

He was at the press conference.

He didn't tell me, but I mean, I saw it on television.

Well, it may have been a little awkward for him,

and I'm sorry about that.

No, I... I don't think that it was awkward for him.

I mean, we both know that you meant to do

something special for the children.

And Gary, I just... I just want you to know that...

we will always be grateful to you for that.

Thank you.

[soft music]

[waves crashing]

[soft music]

-Hey. -[gasps] Oh, Ben...

You're always sneaking up on me.

-You're packed? -[chuckles] Yeah.

Listen, I wanted to ask you, I've got a few boxes,

you know, some records and some old clothes and stuff,

and I was wondering if it, if it was okay

if I leave them here with you.

No problem.

Oh, good, thanks.

Did you find a road manager yet?

No, but I've... I've got some feelers out.

I think I might have found someone.

Oh, please, let him be nicer than you know who.

Well, he's a little nicer, but not much.

I've been thinking about what you said.

Are you telling me you're gonna go?

I guess I'd be the best man for the job.

Oh, Ben, that would be great!

[screams] I'm so happy.

Oh, it's gonna be so much fun.

[laughs]

[doorbell buzzing]

[doorbell buzzing]

-Hi. -Hello. Do come in.

Thank you.

Don't tell me you were just in the neighborhood.

What are you doing, working out your frustrations?

-Do I look frustrated? -Nope, you look fine.

I just felt like celebrating.

Celebrating today?

I just heard about the Lotus Point closing.

It's only temporary, I... I have insurance.

That's good to hear.

-You wanna open it? -Okay.

If you'd have warned me, I'd have chilled some glasses.

I chilled the champagne.

Peter, I... I think the time has come for you

to settle with Greg Sumner.

Abby, we're doing very well.

Better than I expected. Be patient.

I have been.

-Do you know he offered me a-- -Yes, I do.

And those kind of offers don't come around very often,

so you, my dear young friend, are going to accept.

I am?

You should lose that smugness

before I stop paying your lawyer bills

and have a chat with Greg Sumner

about my visit to your mother.

My insurance.

The turn of the screw.

Your educated mind is gonna come in

very handy very soon, Senator.

-You're up to date. -Up to the minute.

And the sooner you sign that document,

the sooner you're going to learn that being rich

and powerful is a very nice way to live.

Any other requests?

Mm-hmm.

Open the champagne.

[dramatic music]

I told Mr. Mack MacKenzie that you called, Mr. Ken.

Alright. No, he's not in yet.

He's had a hectic schedule the last couple of days.

Look, I'll make sure

that he tries to get back to you today.

Okay? Thanks, bye.

Oh, I'll be right with you. Please, have a seat.

Mack MacKenzie's office. Yes, that's right.

Sign each of the forms, have them notarized,

and get them back to us as soon as possible.

Then we'll process them immediately.

I'll make sure Mr. MacKenzie sees 'em as soon as they arrive.

Yeah, thank you.

I'm sorry, the bell goes off early around here.

-Can I help you? -I'd like to see Mr. MacKenzie.

-Do you have an appointment? -No.

-But he'd want to see me. -I assume it's personal.

Why don't you call back later and I'll check with him

for a definite time?

Oh, when do you expect him?

Oh, I wish I knew. He's been on the go a lot.

Whom shall I say dropped by?

Oh, my name really wouldn't mean anything to him.

Well, you can tell him Paige Matheson.

Okay. Are you sure you don't wanna leave any message?

No. No, I'll try later.

Okay.

Mack MacKenzie's office.

Oh, hi, Michael. No, he's not in yet.

I have no idea when he's coming in today.

You wanna leave a message?

Uh-huh! Right.

Here we go, here we go, my big boy.

Oh, there we go. Oh, what a big boy.

Bye-bye, Bobby.

[clattering]

More coffee?

Ben.

-Hey, you want a refill? -No, thanks.

You're gonna be late.

Mom and I are going shopping for the kids today.

They've outgrown all their play clothes.

Growing so fast.

Would you come over here and sit down

for a minute, please?

What?

Would you please come over here

and sit down for a minute?

Sure.

What?

Cathy is having trouble getting her tour on the road.

She's had another argument with her road manager.

In fact, this time, she's fired him.

Well, I thought that was all getting taken care of.

I mean, she seems so excited about the tour.

There's gotta be somebody to do it.

There is. I said I would go on tour with her.

[suspenseful music]

-What? -It's all worked out.

I'm gonna take a leave of absence.

Jim Hansen's gonna fill in for me at work.

I should be on the road for about six weeks.

Six weeks?

[scoffing] This kinda sounds definite.

I mean, we haven't even talked about this.

It seems like

you've... you've already made up your mind, haven't you?

I have. I wanna go, and Cathy needs me now.

But we need you too.

I think maybe that we ought to talk about this.

[sad music]

I mean, now that Gary wants to take his gift back,

there's no more Empire Valley. I...

Doesn't that make you happy?

Well, it doesn't make me unhappy.

But one thing has nothing to do with the other.

Why not?

I think we need a little time away from each other.

I think a little space would do us both some good.

I don't need it.

I do.

[sad music]

[soft music]

Hi, Ted. How are ya? Sorry, I'm late.

I got held up at county court as usual.

I'd like this to be a nice evening.

I know how you feel about Peter,

so please don't give me any last minute lectures.

Okay, I'll be a good little wifey and keep my mouth shut.

I just hope this isn't going to set a precedent.

When Peter and Sylvia get here, we're gonna sign the papers,

and then you're gonna have a brand new brother-in-law.

And I'm going to have a political protege.

Why does that man make me so nervous?

You know, his father was a scoundrel

and I trusted him.

-Maybe that's why. -Relax.

You're getting what you wanted,

more money than you ever hoped for.

Well, I'll believe that when I see it.

You don't think this is some kind of trap or anything?

Ostrenga is there.

He's been working on the contracts all day.

You're not gonna pull a fast one on me

and surprise me

with something either, are you?

Stop worrying. It's simple. We sign and we celebrate.

I agree it's not half,

but who wants to wait 10 years?

Besides, you may be the mother of a budding politician.

[door knocking]

Good evening.

-Hello. -Mr. Ostrenga, Mr. Waller.

You remember my mother, Sylvia Lean?

-Yes. -Nice to see you.

Good evening, everyone.

-Mrs. Lean. -Hello.

-Peter. -Hi.

Well, this is a rather momentous occasion.

Beginning of a new family alliance.

Sorry about stopping payment on that check, Mom,

but I promise it'll never happen again.

-Why don't you sit right there? -Thank you.

Laura, you're over there.

Pete, why don't you come here and sit in the big guy's chair?

Come on, I'll stand right there next to you

and we'll just kind of slide these papers back and forth

in front of each other. How's that sound, bro?

Oh, this is fine, Mr. Sumner.

Both you gentlemen looked over these papers?

We have.

Papers are ready for signature.

-Good. -What do you say, Pete?

Let's do it.

[suspenseful music]

[Gary] You know, I feel like those guys in Philadelphia

with Legionnaires' disease at their hotel.

[Mack] You know, I've been calling Sacramento all day.

I can't oil the wheels to move any faster.

Even if I did, I don't know how long

it'd take for the cleanup.

Government is not like private industry.

You know, I never asked for Empire Valley.

I think Galveston knew there was a curse on it.

[scoffing] What do you think, Mack?

Well, I wanna tell you what you wanna hear,

but I don't know how long it's gonna take.

It's just gonna take a lot of time.

Well, I know the longer it takes,

the tougher it's gonna be to reopen Lotus Point.

Damn it. What does Sumner want with that man?

You know, even if I sell it to him

for 50 cents on the dollar,

I don't think we can trust him to clean it up.

Sell it to the son of a b*tch.

[laughter]

Congratulations to the lucky mother.

Oh, thank you.

And to the even luckier son.

[laughs]

A pop for the henchman.

-How about you, dear? -No, no, I'm on the wagon.

I'll have a little.

Congratulations to one big happy family.

[Mack] Come on, you gonna have breakfast?

Later.

Are you gonna get up and get dressed?

Later.

Are you gonna stay in bed all day?

Look, fine, stay in bed all day.

Relax, kick back,

but I wanna tell you something, Karen.

You didn't do anything wrong.

You tried hard and you tried damn hard.

I know, but all those people with families to feed,

how long could I make them wait?

If I would've sold sooner,

maybe none of this would've happened.

Hey, look, you didn't know the clown prince

was gonna implicate Lotus Point, did you?

Come on, Karen.

Look, I got to hustle.

No more moping around.

And since you didn't join me for breakfast,

you owe me for lunch.

One o'clock at the beach. One o'clock, the Chez Marcel.

-Okay. -Okay, one o'clock, good, okay.

[birds chirping]

-Hi. -Hi.

Look at you.

Packing for the road is never easy.

-Oh, my, I remember. -Thanks.

Well, first you have to plan for cold weather,

then hot weather with all that jumping around.

And laundry is never easy.

I know, I know, I'm trying to think ahead.

Well, you have to think ahead.

Look, I just stopped by before you left

to give you this for good luck.

Oh, Lilimae, thanks.

I know it's gonna be wonderful, Cathy.

-Oh, I hope so. -Oh.

Val tells me that Ben is gonna manage your tour?

Yeah, he is.

Listen, if you've come here to discuss Ben,

He... well, I want you to know it was his decision.

Well, that may well have been,

but I'm sure that he decided in a moment of passion

when he was disturbed about something else

or just not thinking clearly.

Well, I think Ben knows what he wants and what he's doing.

Well, I don't think he does.

This tour of yours is gonna take him away from Valene.

It could ruin their life together.

You have got to tell him not to go.

Lilimae, I'm not trying to ruin anybody's life.

-Cathy. -Please don't lay that on me.

I don't know why you've come to me.

-Cathy. -You should talk to Ben.

You're being selfish.

You're only thinking about yourself.

-I'm not being selfish. -Yes, you are.

I'm thinking about Ben.

He has a right to some happiness.

Well, he has that at home.

Look, don't you even care about Valene and those children?

-It's not up to me. -Cathy.

It's not up to Valene and it's not up to you.

Cathy, you don't realize what you're doing.

-It's Ben's decision. -It's not.

Look, Lilimae, I don't wanna talk about--

Cathy!

[sobs]

[dramatic music]

[cries]

Those are two good people.

And they've been good to you and me.

I'm sure when you think this through...

you'll know what to do.

I wish you all kinds of luck with your tour.

I know it's gonna be just fine.

[dramatic music]

[cries]

[door opens]

Let's get this over with as fast as possible.

Empire Valley is yours. Lock, stock, and toxic barrel.

Peter will have the henchmen draw up the necessary papers.

Yeah, I'll take care of it this morning.

I could tell Mr. Ewing is in a rush.

Does he have to be here?

Careful, Gary, you're talking about blood.

This boy's my brother.

[chuckles] The Galveston boys.

The Galveston boys, I like that.

Pop did get around, you know.

Yeah, well, old pop stuck me with this waste dump

and now it's yours to clean up.

That's the deal I'm making.

You clean it up.

Because I wanna reopen Lotus Point,

so I'm gonna want dates, times, and a hard and fast schedule.

If you're playing a game this time,

it'll be the last one you play.

[door opens]

[Mark] Mack, would you like another cup of coffee?

No, thanks. Do me a favor,

-get rid of these, will you? -Sure.

Hey, Mark, this is the only Chez Marcel on the beach, right?

Yeah, I'm sure of it.

Would you like to order something while you're waiting?

-No, thanks. -Okay.

[doorbell rings]

Hi.

Hi.

Is this Mack MacKenzie's house?

Sure. Oh, I mean, yes.

[laughs]

-Is he here? -No, no.

Oh, I was wondering when you might be expecting him.

Well, I'm never really sure. Usually after work. Soon.

Uh, would you like to come in and wait?

-Thanks. -Okay.

I keep missing him at his office.

Yeah.

Are... are you a friend of Mack's or something?

Well, I've never met him. I just need to see him.

Oh, you'll like him. He's a great guy.

Well, that's good to hear.

Yeah.

Can I offer you something, a juice, soft drink, anything?

No, I'm fine.

Sure are.

Is this a picture of him?

Uh, yeah, that's... that's Mack and my mom.

You have a lovely house.

Thanks. My mom recently redid it.

-She has good taste. -Yeah.

I'm not keeping you from anything, am I?

Oh, no, no, not at all.

I'd enjoy keeping you company.

[chuckles]

[Peter] This has been a day of celebration.

Feels like New Year's Eve.

It is for you.

Beginnings are always exciting, aren't they?

Just think,

all that Galveston money behind you.

Sounds good to me.

Did you ever think when you hatched

this little scheme that it'd mean a political career?

Uh, no.

But Greg will make it happen.

I was a big supporter of his

when he was running for the Senate.

Now, I'll do the same for you, only with his money.

[chuckles]

There's some kind of irony in that somewhere.

Oh, by the way, I talked to a stringer

and I'm gonna look at your settlement agreement.

We'll have that money making money.

Didn't get half.

Hey, don't pout. You made a very good deal.

If he knew the truth, he'd be out on your ear, you know.

But he doesn't have to know the truth, does he?

He's gonna put you on top.

And I'm gonna make sure nothing happens

to get in the way of that.

I guess I should be thankful.

Just remember who to thank.

[soft music]

That's the way to thank me.

[dramatic music]

I don't know what to say.

There's nothing to say. I'm just going on the road.

Why do I feel like this is goodbye

and you're just trying to make it easy for me?

For crying out loud, Valene, you married a newsman.

Do you think I would give it all up?

My job, my wife, and kids?

Aren't you?

I've got to get away from here.

I told you it's my problem.

I'll go, I'll work it out, and I will come back.

You'll see, the time will pass very quickly.

[dramatic music]

I don't want you to go.

Don't make this any more difficult than it is.

I have got to go.

I'll call you tomorrow. You've got my itinerary

in case you need to get ahold of me, right?

[dramatic music]

[door opens]

[door closes]

So, tell me, did you study in Paris

for a long time, or...

Two Summers.

I'm not very good at languages,

but living in France, you learn very quickly

if you want to survive and not starve.

[both laugh]

[chuckles]

[speaking Spanish]

Well, I took a little Spanish in high school.

No, only French. That was enough of a k*ller.

Okay.

-Karen. -Hey, Mack.

-Hi, Mack. -Is your mother home?

Oh, no, I thought she'd be at Lotus Point this afternoon.

She was supposed to fill out some forms by three o'clock.

I was supposed to meet her for lunch. She didn't show up.

Peggy, yeah, did you hear from Karen?

No, let them wait. Take, yeah, take a message.

Tomorrow. And go home. Thank you.

[soft music playing]

Oh, Mack, Mack. I want you to meet somebody.

This is... this is Paige.

-Hi, Paige. -Hello.

-Okay. -She's been waiting to see you.

Waiting to see me?

Yes, I've wanted to meet you for some time.

-Oh? -I'm your daughter.

[laughing] Right.

[tense music]

[theme music]