07x19 - Florence's New Job

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Well, we're movin' on up
Movin' on up

To the East Side
Movin' on up

To a deluxe apartment
in the sky

Movin' on up
Movin' on up

To the East Side
Movin' on up

We finally got
a piece of the pie

Fish don't fry
in the kitchen

Beans don't burn
on the grill

Took a whole lot of tryin'

Just to get up that hill

Now we're up
in the big leagues

Gettin' our turn at bat

As long as we live,
it's you and me, baby

There ain't nothin' wrong
with that

We're movin' on up
Movin' on up

To the East Side
Movin' on up

To a deluxe apartment
in the sky

Movin' on up
Movin' on up

To the East Side
Movin' on up

We finally got
a piece of the pie

Oh, what you doing,
Mrs. Jefferson?

Trying to get these pages
all sorted and stapled.

Well, if you need some help,
you shoulda asked me.

Oh, good. Staple these.

You shoulda asked
me yesterday.

Today's my day off.

Keep this up and
you're going to have
a lot of days off.

I'm just kidding,
I'd be glad to help.

Besides it'll give
me somethlng different
to do around here.

What do you mean?

Well, when I first
took this job it had
a lot of challenges.

Things like digging
Mr. Jefferson's hair out
of the bathroom sink.

But after six years,
the thrill is gone.

But then again, so is
most of his hair.

Hey, Weez.
Oh, hi, George.

Florence, get this
place cleaned up.

Another challenge.

George, this is
Florence's day off.

The way she works, every
day is her day off.

Take it easy, George.

Weezy, I don't have time
to take it easy.

Mr. Claymore will
be here any minute.
Who's Mr. Claymore?

He's the owner of the
St. Frederick Hotel.

He's coming here
to talk about a
cleaning contract.

Wouldn't you normally
meet him at his office?

Weezy, from what I hear,
there's nothing normal
about this guy.

I don't understand.

Let me put it this way, he
came to New York in ,

he tried to get a hotel
room and couldn't, so he
bought his own hotel.

He sounds a little crazy.

He ain't crazy, he's rich.

And when you're rich
and crazy, they call
you "eccentric."

I been calling you the
wrong name for years!

See Weez, if I can land this
contract, this is my first
hotel account.

And this is just
the beginning!

Today it's the St. Frederick
and Mr. Claymore.

Tomorrow, it's Travelodge
and Mr. Lodge!

What a nice dream!
Yeah, I know.

Now help me get these
papers out of the way
before he gets here.

Oh, but, George I'm right
in the middle of putting
together

the newsletter for
the Help Center.

Come on Weez, don't
be so selfish.

You're always
thinking about you.

It's time we started
thinking about me!

Now look, if Mr. Claymore
was to come in here and see
this place all messy,

you think he's gonna hire
me to clean his laundry?

Okay, George. I'll go
up to Helen's and work
on the newsletter.

Florence, you want
to come with me?

No, she don't.
I want her here to
wait on Mr. Claymore.

Uh-uh. This is my day off
and I ain't doing nothing.

I'll pay you double time.
On the other hand,

an idle mind is the
devil's workshop.

All right! When Mr. Claymore
leaves here

and I got his business,
I'm gonna feel ten feet tall!

Well, at least it'll
double your height.

See you later, Florence.
Okay, Mrs. Jefferson.

Oh, excuse me. Is this
the Jefferson residence?

Yes, it is.

I'm Arthur Claymore,
owner of the
St. Frederick Hotel.

Oh, yes. Nice to meet
you, Mr. Claymore.

I'm Louise Jefferson.
Hello.

And this is
Florence Johnston,
our housekeeper.

Hi, Florence.

Is something wrong?

Oh, no, excuse me.

But I ain't never met nobody
who owned their own hotel.

Except in a Monopoly game.

Well, I have to run.
It was nice meeting you.

Florence, would you
show Mr. Claymore in?

Okay, Mrs. Jefferson.

Mr. Claymore, this is in.

Can I take your coat?
Ah, thank you, yes.

You know, I had
a cheese omelet

in the coffee shop
at your hotel about
a couple of weeks ago.

Oh?

You don't remember me, huh?

Was it a good omelet?

The best.

You know, if you'd had
that omelet a month ago,
you would've hated it.

Was it around that long?
No!

My old chef was lousy.

You know who cooked
that omelet you ate?

Well I didn't check
it for autographs.

An irate customer, he
said my food was garbage.

I said, "If you think you
can do better, try it."
He did.

I hired him on the spot.

Just like that?
Yes.

Well, when I see talent,
I move fast.

So, you're here to talk
dirt with Mr. Jefferson?

Yeah.

Well, I don't normally handle
the cleaning contracts,

but my executive
housekeeper just quit
to go with another hotel.

Oh, that's too bad.

Maybe it's for the best. If
she hadn't quit, I'm afraid
all my maids would have.

Was she that bad?

Oh, worse, worse.
Her motto was,

"If you can't beat
'em, kick 'em."

She didn't seem to understand
that maids are people, too.

You know, when I was
president of my maids' union,

I spent a lot of time
trying to tell folks

that maids work much
better for people when
they respect 'em.

You were president of
your maids' union?

Yeah, for two years straight.
Well...

Your fellow maids must have
had a lot of respect for you.

I guess so. But then again,
I bought the donuts.

Florence, you've got a
wonderful sense of humor.

Oh thanks, I'll tell
Mr. Jefferson you're here.

Oh Mr. Jefferson...
Mr. Jeff...

Damn it, Florence.
Will you quit yelling?

I'm sorry, but I just
wanted to tell you that...

Just shut up and listen.
Look...

This Mr. Claymore might
be a nut, but treat him
like a king.

Maybe I should kiss his feet?

No, he might see
through that.

One more thing, try not to
say nothin' stupid in front
of him.

Oh, don't worry.
You've done a good job
of that already.

Say what?

Mr. Jefferson,
meet Mr. Claymore.

Ah!

Mr. Claymore! I wasn't
expecting such a young man!

Oh!

Have a seat!
Yes, thank you.

Oh, wonderful!

Why didn't you tell
me he was here?

I tried, but you were
determined to make
a fool of yourself.

Good job.

You've got a nice place
here, Mr. Jefferson.

Oh, thank you. Oh, by the
way, just call me George.

Okay, George.

Good. And I'll call you

Mr. Claymore, okay.

Would you like a drink?
Sounds good.
Scotch on the rocks.

Same for me. Florence?

Oh, none for me thanks.
It's too early in the day.

You'll have to excuse
Florence, she ain't
much of a maid.

Really? It looks like
she does a nice job of
keeping your place clean.

Yeah, I guess, you know.

Oh, you know, I was just
tabulating something.
Yeah.

I figured...
Oh, excuse me,

I've got to go to the kitchen
to get the ice.

You think you can find
your own way?

It's a good thing
Mr. Claymore's here
or I'd speak my mind.

Mmm-hmm,

and that would
be a short speech.

You'd still need a ladder
to understand it!

Florence is really sharp,
you know.

Yeah. If her mouth
was a buzz saw,

there wouldn't be a tree
left standing for miles!

You know, it's a shame
she works for you.

Hmm, tell me about it!

I need an executive
housekeeper for my hotel,

and I think somebody
like Florence would
be right for the job.

Are you serious?

Of course I am.
Would you mind if I just
mentioned it to her?

Florence, an executive?

Excuse me.

What's the matter with him?

Florence, I run my
business on instinct.

My instinct tells me that
you'd make a good executive
housekeeper in my hotel.

Me, an executive?

Well, what does an
executive housekeeper do?

Well, for one thing,
you'd supervise a staff
of over people.

You'd make up the schedule
for the room attendants,
deal with the unions,

handle the cleaning
contracts...

Hold it! Wait a minute.
What'd you just say?

Oh, uh,
deal with the unions?
No, after that.

Handle the cleaning contracts?
Oh, that's it!

So she'd be the one
who decide who gets your
hotel's cleaning contract?

That's right.
Huh.

Florence, you know, I think
Mr. Claymore's right.

You'd be an expert
executive housekeeper.

Wait a minute, Mr. Jefferson.
I know what you're thinking.

You want me to take that
job so you can get that
cleaning account.

Florence, I'm shocked!
How could you say a thing
like that about me?

Mr. Claymore, are you offering
me a job?

Florence, I told you when
I see talent, I move fast.

Well, you sure do.

Would you like some
time to think it over?

Of course she'd like some
time to think it over.

Okay, she's thought it
over, she'll take it.

Mr. Claymore, I'm flattered,

but I don't know nothing
about working in a hotel.

We have a training program.
All our new executives have
to complete that program.

Is it hard?
Well, it's not easy.

But if you really want
something, you have to
work for it, right?

Yeah, but, I...
I don't know what to say.

You'll also have an
administrative assistant.

She knows all about
the hotel business.

Well, why don't you make
her executive housekeeper?
No!

Well, quite frankly, Florence,
I offered her the job.

But she has a young son
she likes to spend as much
time as possible with him.

I need someone who's
gonna stay on the job
til it's done.

Mr. Claymore, I don't
know what to say.

Say yes!

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

You stay here and try
to form the word "yes."

Florence, there is one
thing about the job
I should probably tell you.

The new manager I just
hired reminds me a lot
of Mr. Jefferson.

He's short?
No!

No, he's a good manager,
gets results.

It's just that some people
consider him a tough man
to work for.

But I think you
can handle him.

I don't know, Mr. Claymore.

The job pays $ , a year.

I mean, it's...
thousand dollars!

Mr. Claymore, It's for you.
Oh, thank you, George.

I left your number
with my secretary.

Oh, Ms. Jefferson,
Ms. Jefferson, guess what?

You got a call from
Billy Dee Williams.

No, no this is for real!

Mr. Claymore offered me a
job as executive housekeeper
at his hotel!

A job?
Yeah!

And it pays $ , !
Do you think I oughta take it?

Uh, but
that would mean

you wouldn't be
working here anymore.

Yeah.

But, Florence, at that hotel
you'd be an executive!

Yeah!

But we wouldn't get to
see each other as much.

Yeah.

And we wouldn't get to
see each other as much.

Yeah!

George, how can you be
so happy about this?

I'm happy for her.

I'm happy for her too,

but, I'll miss her.

Look Weez, that's the good
part. She can still live here.

What? You mean, I can live
here without working here?

Yeah, We're used to it.

You can stay here
as long as you want.
What do you say to that, Weez?

Well, I...

But then again, I...

Look,

all I want is what's
best for Florence.

Are you sure you'd
like this job?

Well, it sounds
kinda interesting.

Well, then I think you
oughta give it a try.

You do?

Look, Florence, you've
been telling me you were
looking for a challenge.

And this certainly
sounds like one.

Yeah. But what if I take
the job, and I can't do it?
Then I got nothing.

You'll never know whether
you can do it or not,
unless you give it a try.

Well, Florence,
what do you say?

Mr. Claymore, you got yourself
an executive housekeeper!

All right! This calls
for a celebration!

Florence, pour us
some champagne.

Pour it yourself.
I don't work here no more.

Hello, Elena.
Hi, Leo.

Meet your new boss yet?
Not yet.

She's upstairs having
breakfast with Mr. Claymore.

Oh, oh.
Hey, nice picture.

My son drew that.

Little Ray?
Hey, the kid's good.

You know that's one
of the prettiest sunsets
I've ever seen.

It's a chicken.

A chicken?

Oh, well, don't go by me.

I'm a city boy.

I like little Ray.

How come you don't bring
him around anymore?

Beause the last time
he was here, you taught
him the difference

between a full house
and a flush.

He's only seven years old,
he shouldn't be playing poker!

I know. He took me
for six bucks.

Really?

Aw, what a kid!

Oh, excuse me?

Yes, may I help you?

I'm Florence Johnston, the
new executive housekeeper.

Oh, nice to meet you,
Ms. Johnston. I'm your
assistant, Elena.

Oh, hi, Elena.
Call me Florence, please.

You got it.

Have you met Mr. Block
our manager, yet?

No, he was supposed to have
breakfast with Mr. Claymore
and me,

but he had to meet somebody.
Something about bringing
a convention into the hotel.

Oh. Why don't I get us some
coffee while you check
out your new office?

Okay.

Oh, hey! Nice picture.
Who drew it?

My son, Ray. He's only seven.

He's got a great eye
for sunsets.
That's a chicken.

Oh. Nice feathers.

That's a barn.

This is paper, isn't it?
Yeah.

Nice paper.

Hello?

Elena?

Come in, please!

Florence. I was trying
to buzz you.
Oh, you were?

There's a Mr. Jefferson
here to see you.

Oh, Mr. Jefferson?
Tell him to come in.

Hey, hey, hey!

Florence, I thought I'd
drop by and see how your
first day is going.

Well, I ain't
doing nothing yet.

Ah, just like your
other job, huh?

Just kidding.

Elena, this is
Mr. Jefferson, my boss.

I mean, he used to be my boss.
Now we just live together.

I mean,

his wife lives with us, too.

I used to be the
Jeffersons' maid.

Gotcha. Nice to meet
you, Mr. Jefferson.

Yeah, I know.

Hey, Florence, look!
I brought you a little
something for your office.

Oh, Mr. Jefferson,
you shouldn't have!

Yeah, I know.

"Florence Johnston,
Executive Housekeeper."

It's beautiful!
Yeah, me and Weezy are
real proud of you.

This Is just our way of saying
good luck on your new job.

Oh, what's this?

Oh, that's just one of my
business cards, you know.

You got my card and my number,

in case you ever want to
give me some good news.

Oh, by the way,
here's my bid for
your cleaning contract.

Okay, thanks.

Look, I know you probably
got a lot of bids. So,
you just evaluate them all,

and whichever one you decide
is the best, pick it.
Okay.

I mean, look, don't be
influenced by close,
personal friendship.

Okay, if you insist.

Now remember, when you decide
who to give that contract to,

don't be thinking about the
time I lent you $ , with
no interest.

I won't give it a thought.
Good.

Or the time I bought you
that plane ticket to Hawaii.

It's forgotten.

And the time you were sick,
I sat up with you all night.

You never did that.

Okay, so I owe you one.

Would you like some
coffee, Mr. Jefferson?

No, thanks. I gotta run.

Look, Florence, you take all
the time you need to decide
who to give that contract to.

Okay.
I'll call you in an hour.

How long did you work for him?

Six years,
going on twenty!

Elena can I ask
you something?
Sure.

Why didn't you take this job?

Well, you see,

you have to work so hard,
and so late at night,

so that while you're
sweating out a problem,

I could be spending the
time with my son, Ray.

Watching him paint
feathers on a barn.

Couldn't your husband babysit?

Well, I'm divorced.
My ex lives in Illinois.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Yeah. I wish he'd
move farther west.

Good morning, ladies.

Oh, hello, Mr. Block.

Florence Johnston,
Lyle Block.

Oh, Florence, sit, sit.

And you sit, too, Elena.

At your own desk.
Yeah. Right.

Well, it's so nice to
meet you, Florence.

Same here, Mr. Block.

Hey, call me Lyle.
We're both executives, right?

All right, Lyle.

I'm sorry I missed your
meeting with Mr. Claymore
this morning.

That's okay. He filled
me in on most everything
I needed to know.

Good, Well, Florence, let's
get to know each other, okay?
Fine.

Well I have a Master's degree
in Management.

I'm a Colgate man.

Well, I use Crest myself.

" % fewer cavities!"

Hey, that's a good one,
Florence!

Hey, hey, hey, gimme five!

You know, our last
executive housekeeper had
no sense of humor at all!

I mean zero, zip!

I heard she was pretty
tough on the maids.

Yeah, well, she had
her good points.

You know, I really
sympathize with you
executive housekeepers,

having to ride herd on
a bunch of illiterate,
uneducated maids.

So tell me, Florence,
what was your last job, huh?

I was a maid.

Uh, a maid?

M-A-I-D.

See? Some of us
can even spell.

Where were you a maid?

At the Jeffersons'.
Oh, at The Jeffersons, yes.

I don't think
I know that hotel.

Oh, the Jeffersons ain't
a hotel. It's an apartment.

An apartment?

Yeah, you know, one of
those things with four
walls and a ceiling?

But, but I don't understand.

You went to college and
you don't understand
what an apartment is?

Uh, Florence, do you
mean that you've never
worked in a hotel before?

That's right.

Are you telling me
that for the job of
executive housekeeper,

Mr. Claymore
hired a neophyte?

Neophyte?

I ain't no neophyte,
I'm a Church-going woman!

Oh, I get it. Where's
the tape recorder, huh? Huh?

Is it here?
Tape recorder?

Yes, yes, Mr. Claymore
put you up to this, right?

This isn't no joke.
Mr. Claymore hired
me for real.

Oh, come on, Florence,
do you think I'm a fool?

Am I under oath?

Uh...

This is for real, huh?

Yes.

Face facts, Florence.
You're In over your head.

Do you have any idea
what it takes to be
a hotel executive?

Well...
I'll tell you what it takes.
It takes training!

It takes experience.

Do you think I'm
here for my looks?

Definitely not.

I'm getting my training
from the management course,
and Mr. Claymore...

Oh, yes, yes, I know,
Mr. Claymore, hmm.

Well, Unfortunately for me,
if he hired you,
I can't fire you.

But there is a way to make
this easy on both of us, yes?

Yeah?

Well, uh, It's very simple.

You see, all you
have to do is quit.

What do you mean, quit?

Hey, Florence, you
don't want a desk job.

I mean, you were a maid!

You're used to the action!

The smell of the cleanser,
the roar of the vaccuum.

Soap is in your blood!

I mean go back to what
you know best.

March to the beat of
Janitor In A Drum!

You make it sound tempting.
Well?

But not as tempting as seeing
your butt leaving my office.

Okay, Florence.
Now, I tried to be civil.

I give you three days before
you fall on your face.

And when you do, don't expect
me to be there to pick you up!

Look, Mr. Block, you may
not have faith in me,

but I've got enough faith
in me for both of us!

I'm gonna show you that
I can be the best darn
executive housekeeper

that this hotel has ever seen!

Hello?

Hello?

Elena?

Let's make that two days,
huh?

Ta-da!

Well, what do you think?

Oh, Florence,
how smart you look!

Yeah, you don't look
nothing like you.

I went shopping
last night.

Now that I'm an executive,
I figure I better start
dressing like one.

Well, you've been
an executive
for two days now.

How does it feel?
I still
can't believe it.

I wonder if I died
and this is heaven.

No, can't be.

Let's face it, Florence,
it's for real.

You are the executive
housekeeper of
the St. Frederick Hotel.

Yeah, and you know,
this is the kind of job
I've always wanted.

I mean, I'm dealing
with interesting people.

Yeah, like drycleaners,
for instance,

I'm making good money.

Well, you should.
I mean, it's your job
to make sure

that the sheets and towels
in the hotel are
sparkling clean.

Yeah, and making
challenging decisions.

Like who gets
the hotel's
cleaning account?

George, you're being
too subtle.

Oh, you think so?

Yeah. Why don't you
try skywriting?

Oh, by the way,

we'll be making
a decision on
that contract today.

Oh!
But I gotta tell you,
Mr. Jefferson,

some of those bids
are pretty close.

They are?

Yeah. Oh, I'll make you
some more coffee.

Oh! Don't be silly.
I'll make it.

You got a long day
ahead of you. Sit down.

Oh, where will
I find the coffee?

On the bottom shelf
above the sink.

Want me to
give you a boost?

Good one, Florence.

Oh, that must be
Angie.
Angie?

Mmm-hmm. One of
the maids at the hotel.

I met her two years ago
at one of the maids'
union meetings

and now we're
working together.

Oh, small world,
isn't it?

Yeah, if you don't
have to clean it.

Hi, Angie.

Whoo-whee, girl.
That is some outfit.

Diana Ross, move over.

Oh, Miss Jefferson,
this is Angie Houston.

Hello, Angie.
Hi, Miss Jefferson.

And Angie, Miss Jefferson
is the best boss
anybody could ever have.

Oh, I don't think
that's true.

I think Florence
is the best boss
anybody could ever have.

Oh, Angie.

Miss Jefferson, yesterday
Florence held a meeting
with all of us maids,

and she told us
that we would all be
treated with respect.

She said more,
but I couldn't
make it out

because everybody
was screaming,
"Hallelujah!"

Oh, Angie,
we'd better get going

before the boss
starts screaming.

Florence,
you're the boss,
remember?

Nice meeting you,
Miss Jefferson.

Same here, Angie.

Did you hear that,
Miss Jefferson?

She called me "boss."

How come it sounds
so good on me

and so bad on
Mr. Jefferson?

I'll see you later.

Well, I better go get
changed for work.
Okay.

Like they say,
"Another day,
another penny."

Uh, that's
"another dollar."

Honey, speak
for yourself.

See you later.
Mmm-hmm.

Ah, good morning,
Florence.

Oh, hi, Betty.
How you doing
this morning?

Child, at my age

any day that I wake up
and don't hear
harps playing,

I'm doing fine.

Oh, I see I got
Angie on my floor
again today.

Oh, yeah,
ain't she great?
Yeah.

Great at getting
other folks to do
her work for her.

What?

Now, don't get me
wrong, Florence,
I like Angie.

But she's got
more excuses for
getting out of work

than my old man's got
for getting out of loving.

Are we talkin' about
the same Angie?

Yeah.

Yesterday, I went into
this room where she's
supposed to be cleaning,

and there she was,
laid up on the bed,

looking at
The Young and the Restless.

Maybe you should
have a talk with her.

I've tried.
She won't listen to me.

Okay. I'll have
a talk with her.

Good. Oh, and Florence,
we are all very happy
to have you here.

Thanks, Betty.

Of course, now,
after that last
bozo we had,

we're happy to
have anybody here.

Hi, Elena.

Oh, Florence,
you should've
seen little Ray

when I dropped him off
at school today.

Well, I bought him
a new briefcase

and when he went to
class carrying that,

he looked just like
a little congressman.

Yeah? Well, then,
in that case,

all he needs for
his little briefcase
is a little bribe.

See you later,
Florence.

Oh, Angie,
just a minute.
Hmm?

I wanna talk to you.

I was just talking
to Betty and she...

And she told you about me
watching television in
one of the rooms, huh?

Well, yeah.
Hold it, Florence.

Say no more,
I get the message.

Good.

Next time, I'll put
a "Do Not Disturb"
sign on the door.

Angie!
Was just kidding!

No more soap operas.

From now on
I'm gonna be the hardest
working maid you got,

if for no other reason
than to make you look good

as the new executive
housekeeper, honey.

Thanks, Angie.
All right.

Hope I wasn't
too hard on her.

Hello, Florence.
Oh, hi, Lyle.

Am I interrupting
anything?
Of course not.

Well, I should be.
A little something
called, "work."

Florence, are you aware
that rooms through

haven't been
cleaned yet today?

No, Lyle.
Ah.

Then you're probably
also unaware that
occupying those rooms

are some very
important kangaroos.

Kangaroos?
Well, no wonder those
rooms need cleaning.

Uh, no, no, no.
The Kangaroos are a club.

And it took me four full days,

using every bit of charm
and personality I have,

to book that convention here.

Yeah? What did you
do with the other
three-and-a-half days?

Oh, it's cute,
Florence. Cute.

But while you're down
here making jokes,

those Kangaroos are up in
their rooms, hopping mad.

Florence, which one
of the maids was assigned
to clean those rooms?

Uh, let's see.

Angie Houston.

Well, you had
any complaints
about her before?

Well, I had a little
talk with Angie
this morning

and she's promised
to do a good job
from now on.

Oh, how nice.

Well, I want you
to talk to her again
and tell her

that if she messes up
one more time,
she is fired.

Gone, 'ed.

Hi, Chief.

Earl, don't you
know how to knock?

Sure.

Like that, Chief.
Yeah, like that, Earl.

Florence Johnston,
right?
Right.

Right.

You wanna know
how I knew her name,
Chief?

Uh, you saw
her nameplate.

No, I never even
noticed that.

How did you know
her name, Earl?

I met her yesterday.

Earl, why did you
come barging in here
anyway, huh?

I just wanted
to tell you not
to worry, Chief.

That New York's number
one house detective has
solved the case.

Oh, did we hire
that guy from
the Waldorf, huh?

Hey, Chief...

Okay, Earl, okay.
What case is it
this time?

Okay.

The case of
the missing tips.
Ah.

Missing tips?

Oh, yeah. You see,
for the past couple
of months

some of the maids have
been complaining
about tips

that the guests say
they left but the
maids can't find.

So, what's been
happening to
the tips, Earl?

Okay. Someone's been
stealing them.

Who?

One of the maids,
Angie Houston.

Angie Houston?
Are you sure?
Oh, yeah.

You see, I observed her
entering and leaving
room .

So?

So, Miss Houston
isn't assigned
to clean room .

So?

So, I walked up to
her and I asked her

if she could give me
a $ bill for five ones.

So?

So she gave me this.

You'll notice the bill
has a blue mark
in the corner.

So?
So?

So it's a specially
marked bill.

I left it on the pillow
in room as bait.

Oh, I see.

And Miss Houston
took the bait.

Hey, that's good,
Chief.

Earl, I think
we can handle this.

Right, Chief.

Oh, by the way, Chief,
I found out

how that pole in the
parking garage got bent.

How?

Okay. A car
ran into it.

Well?

Oh, Lyle, I really
can't believe Angie's
been stealing tips.

I have the proof
right here.

I'm sure you'd agree that
this type of behavior

simply will not
be tolerated.
Yeah, but...

Stealing is grounds
for dismissal.
Yeah, but...

So, call Miss Houston
into your office and
fire her immediately.

Yeah, but, Lyle...

Me? Fire her?

I've never fired
anybody before.

Especially not
a friend.

I don't even know
if I can do that
kind of thing.

Florence, you're
an executive now

and you just have to
realize that firing people
is part of your job.

I like to think of it
as one of the fringe
benefits.

Angie, you know that
stealing is grounds
for dismissal.

And here at the
St. Frederick it simply
will not be tolerated.

Therefore, you're fired.

Oh, Angie, don't look
at me like that.

I don't like this any
better than you do.

And I can see that some
things about this job
ain't gonna be easy.

You know what I mean?

Uh, Earl!

I was just, uh...
No need to explain.

Okay, let me, lemme
piece this together.

Okay, you have
to fire someone,

and you don't know how
to do it, so you're
practicing on a mop.

Earl, that's incredible!

How did you know that?

Hmm, I'm a detective.

Besides, I had to
fire someone once.

But I did one
thing different.

What's that?

I used a broom.

Come on, Earl.
Did you actually
ever fire anybody?

Well, almost.

You see, for a
while I had my own
detective agency.

And I caught my bookkeeper
embezzling from me.

I didn't know what to do.
I just...

I just couldn't
bring myself to say,

"You're fired, Mom."

Uh, was there something
you wanted, Earl?

Oh yeah, I'm looking
for my $ bill.

The one with the
blue mark on it.

Oh, yeah,
Mr. Block has that.

Okay, I solved that one!

Earl!
Hi, Chief.

What are you
doing in here?

It's about my $ bill.

Ah! Yes, well
I'm keeping that.

Evidence!

Boy, you're
learning, Chief.

Well, Florence,
I bailed you out
with the Kangaroos

who complained
about Angie's work.

Oh, and how did
you do that, Lyle?

A-ha!

Well, I personally
delivered a bottle of
champagne to each of them.

Really?
Mmm-hmm.

I did that
two hours ago.

Oh.

Was yours domestic
or imported?

Domestic.
Aha!

Well, now that
you've fired Angie,

we won't be having
anymore problems
with Kangaroos.

Uh, Lyle?
Hmm?

Well, you did fire
her, didn't you?

Well, I thought I'd let
her finish out the day.

Oh, how admirable.

And, in fact,
why stop there?

I mean, let's give
her a gold watch and
a going-away party.

Excuse me.

Um, it's about
the cleaning
contracts. I...

I narrowed down the
bids to those who
do quality work

and I looked to see
which one had the
lowest bid, and...

Oh, Lord.
Don't tell me.

Mr. Jefferson's bid
wasn't the lowest.

You told me.

Are you sure?

I double-checked
all my figures.
See for yourself.

Blue Sky Cleaners
is the lowest bid.

Oh, how am I going
to tell Mr. Jefferson
he didn't get the account?

Well, you could always...
Hold it, hold it, hold it.

I mean, you're an
executive at this hotel

and you can't tell some
cleaner his bid was too high?

But, Lyle.
You don't understand.
He's a friend.

Oh, I understand,
all right.

There are a lot of things
about this job you can't do.

Oh, but Mr. Block...

Elena, why don't you
go sit at your desk

before we find someone
to sit there for you?

Oh, and another
thing, uh...

Contact Angie Houston
and tell her

that Florence would love
to see her immediately.

Yes, sir.

Florence, you may not
realize this,

but I'm a very
understanding man

and I understand what
you're going through.

You do?
Oh, of course.

Now, it's hard for you
to fire Angie Houston

because she's
a friend, right?

Right.

And it's hard for
you to tell this
Jefferson fellow

he didn't get the
cleaning contract

because he's a
friend, too, right?

Right.

Yeah, well,
tough noogies.

What?

Florence, you're too soft.

I mean, if you want
to make it to the top,

you gotta be
hard as a rock.

Cold, ruthless.

A mean, lean,
executive machine.

I don't want
to be like that.

Oh, well, then maybe
you don't want to be
an executive.

Well, maybe I don't.

And maybe you've
made a mistake
taking this job.

Maybe I did.

Maybe you'd be happier
somewhere else.

Ain't no maybe
about that.

Maybe I should tell
Mr. Claymore how you feel.

Maybe you should.

All right.

I mean, he will be so
disappointed to hear this,

as I am.

Well, I guess I won't be
needing this anymore.

Florence, Angie's
on her way down.

Well, I just might
not be here when
she gets here.

What do you mean?

I mean, maybe
Mr. Block is right.

Maybe I do belong
behind a vacuum cleaner
instead of a desk.

Oh, but Florence...
Hey, Florence, Elena.

How's it going?

Not too well.
Florence?

Mr. Jefferson,
if you're here to talk about
the cleaning contract,

you might as well
talk to Elena.

What? But you're
the executive housekeeper.

Not anymore I'm not.

What?
Florence is thinking
of quitting.

Quitting? But, Florence,
I thought you said
you loved your job here.

Well, I do, but I don't
like some of the things
I gotta do.

She has to fire
one of the maids.

Well, that ain't
no big deal.

Just call her in
your office and say,
"You're fired."

But she's a friend.

Well, then say,
"You're fired, friend."

Well, firing Angie
ain't the only thing
I gotta do.

I also gotta tell one of
my very best friends

he didn't get the
cleaning contract.

No problem! You just
set him down here and you...

Say what?

I'm sorry, Mr. Jefferson.
I wish there was something
I could do,

but Blue Sky Cleaners
came in with a bid
lower than yours.

Excuse me a
minute, Elena.

Okay, I'm leaving.

But please,
just promise me you won't
start throwing things.

Hey, come on, Elena.

Do I look like
that kind of a guy?

Okay, I promise.

Florence, please.

Brace up,
Mr. Jefferson.

Okay, I'm braced.

Pretty please?

Now, see?

I can't go around
hurting people like
this all my life.

I mean, I know
how much you cared
about that contract.

Well, damn right
I care about the contract.

See?
But...

But not as much
as I care about you.

What?

Look, Florence, you said
you liked your job here.

I know, but...
Okay.

Look, this is your
big chance. You may
not ever get another one.

Everybody's given a
certain number of years
on this Earth.

You've already used
up most of yours!

You know what I mean.

Just remember,

you said I could have my
old job back if I want it.

Yeah, sure, Florence, but...

Life was much easier
when I was just a maid!

Maybe so, but were you
happy being just a maid?

No.
All right.

Listen. Me and Weezy were
talking about you last night.

I mean, she misses you,
but she's real proud of you.

She thinks that you
can do anything you want
if you set your mind to it.

What do you think?

Florence,
you may not have noticed,

but I'm not the
easiest person in
the world to work for.

No?

It's true.

Now, look. If you can put
up with me for six years,

you can do anything.

Mr. Jefferson,
you said it all.

Excuse me, Florence.
Angie's here to see you.

Should I send her in?

Why not?

I mean...

I am the executive
housekeeper.

Okay!

Hey, thanks,
Mr. Jefferson.

Don't mention it, Florence.
I'll see you tonight.

Oh, you know,
I think I'll rush
home tonight

and cook you and
Ms. Jefferson a big dinner,
just like I used to.

Oh, come on, Florence.
I've had a bad enough
day already.

Hey there, Florence.

Oh, girl, I just
love what you've done
with this office.

Now, what did you want
to talk to me about?

Um...

Angie, I might as well
come right to the point.
Mmm.

I hear you've been
stealing tips.

Who told you that?

It doesn't matter who
told me. Is it true?

Well, sure.

You mean you admit it?

Sure.

I don't understand.

Let's not beat around
the bush, honey.

I know what
you're gonna say.

You do?
Sure.

Okay, how much
do you want?

What?
How about %?

Angie!
All right, all right.
%.

Angie, we're talking
about stealing.

Oh, come on, Florence.

"Oh, come on" nothing.
You've been stealing
tips from the maids.

I can't let you
get away with that.

Hey, look, Florence,

I know you gotta make
a good impression on whitey,

but you can
level with me.

I mean, after all,
we are sisters.

Well, maybe in your book.

But where I come from,
sisters don't go around
ripping each other off.

So, what are you saying?

I'm saying you're...

I'm saying you're...

I'm saying you're...

Fired?
You heard me.

You're serious,
aren't you?

Yes, I am.

Oh, wow.

Florence,
you are a trip.

I mean, honey,
you are really a trip.

Now, look, Angie...
Who do you think
you're fooling

sitting behind
that desk?

You ain't nothing but
a maid, just like me.

So while you're sitting
there gloating over

what a hot number
you think you are,

why don't you try
remembering that, honey,
you are still black.

Hold it, little bit.

Now, I have worked just
as hard as you have,

but I ain't never
took nothing that
didn't belong to me.

So don't be running down
no guilt trip on me.

Because in the black
race I belong to,

self-achievement comes in
way ahead of stealing.

You know, baby,
I bet you would've
changed your tune

if I had offered you
%, huh?

Well, I'll just take
% for the maids
who earned it.

Now, I done
fired you once.

And if I have to
fire you again,

it's gonna hurt you far
worse than it does me.

'Cause you are going to be
the only person standing
in the unemployment line

with a mop for a tail.

Okay! Okay! Okay!

Florence,
are you all right?

I will be as soon as
my blood stops boiling.

I'm so glad
you're staying.

I am, too.

Florence?

Oh, hi, Mr. Claymore.
How are you?

Hello, Mr. Claymore.
Hello, Elena.

Florence,
Lyle came to me
a few minutes ago.

He was in
a very good mood.

I should've known then
something was wrong.

He told me you said
you weren't happy here.

Why, Mr. Claymore,
I'm very happy here.

But I thought you
were going to quit?

Quit? Well, why in the
world would I quit, Lyle?

Hold it.
Hold it, Florence.

Did you fire
Angie Houston?

Yes.

Well, did you take care
of the cleaning contract?

Yes.

Good!

Well, you see, Mr. Claymore?

She's getting to be more
and more like me every day.

Well, I'm sure Mr. Claymore
is willing to overlook that.

Oh, I knew my
instinct was right.

She's a real gem,
huh, Lyle?

Oh, yes sir, sir.
Yes!

Keep up the good
work, Florence.

Thank you,
Mr. Claymore.

Florence, you made
a fool out of me!

Oh, go on, Lyle.
You deserve the
credit for all that.

Florence, today
you got lucky.

But one of these
days your luck is
gonna run out

and when it does,
pardon me when I gloat.

Oh, Lyle?
Hmm?

Let me show you
something I learned
from my last employer.

Yeah, what's that?