03x03 - The Searchers

Episode transcripts for the TV series, "Sweet Magnolias". Aired: May 19, 2020 – present.*
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Follows "three South Carolina women, best friends since childhood, as they shepherd each other through the complexities of romance, career, and family.
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03x03 - The Searchers

Post by bunniefuu »

- ["Destination" by Nickel Creek playing]


- You don't owe me ♪

One more minute of your wasted time ♪

You act like it's all fine ♪

It isn't hard to leave ♪

Knowing that I'll be getting life

On track ♪

I wanted to believe ♪

I've gotta make a destination ♪

Find where I belong ♪

This time I've got no hesitation ♪

I'll be movin' on ♪

To where I belong ♪

I'll be movin' on ♪

Over the line I've drawn ♪

I'm already gone ♪

[music fades]

["Tease Me" by Laurent Lombard playing]

Pretty quiet over there.

Well, I could be doing something else.

[laughs] No! What? No! You missed a spot.


- There's a spot on you. I should get that.


- Stop. It's not been two weeks. [laughs]

I thought I was being friendly,

helping clean your porch.

You were.

And I am helping a friend wash his truck.

But I do not need a friend's help

to take a shower.

Mm. Well, what if that friend

helped with your list

of things to do around the community

while in the shower?

I would not be focused on the list.

[chuckles] Okay, serious face.


- How's the list going?


- [sighs] I don't know where to begin.

You know, you strike me more of a Jeep guy

than a truck guy.


- I always wanted a truck as a kid.


- Boys and their Tonkas.

[chuckles softly]

Growing up, my neighbor had

a huge, shiny silver GMC Sierra.

When I was six,

he let me sit in the driver's seat.

It was

[stammers] The only way to describe it

is that it changed my life.

And, yes, I know how lame that sounds.

No, that's sweet.

When I signed my first contract

with the Braves,

I bought one.

A reward for making my dream happen.

I didn't realize I was helping wash

a dream machine.

Well [exhales deeply]

I have different dreams now.

[gentle music playing]


- No. Mm
-mm. Mm!


- [laughing]

Hmm. Yeah,

so that's how you wanna play it?


- [screams] No!


- No, no, it's good.

[both laughing]

[sultry piano music playing]

[Ronnie sighs] Oh man.

You're lookin' mighty sexy.

[Ronnie chuckles]


- [Dana Sue chuckling]


- Always, baby.

[Ronnie] Mm.

What's got you feeling so frisky?

Mm. Doing our homework.

Oh.

Does this feel like

me speaking your love language?

[chuckles] It feels like you're trying

to get my engine going.

[chuckles] Maybe physical touch

is how I should be communicating with you.

[exhales deeply] I love what you're doing,

but Okay. [stammers]

We're gonna ace

this love language assignment

and show Pastor June how serious we are

about having the strongest marriage

she has ever seen.

But after I finish the dishes

so we can focus on our homework together.

Are you telling me physical touch

isn't your love language?

[inhales deeply] It dang well may be,

but maybe it's not.

Maybe it's acts of service or gifts

or words of affirmation.

Could even be quality time.

But my point is,

I won't know until we explore all of them.

You're right.

I wanna find the best way

to say how much I love you.

I'm gonna do the same.

But right after we discover physical touch

is the love language we speak. [laughs]

[laughing] You can speak it all you want.

[gentle music continues]

[Ryan sniffs] Mm!

You knew I was coming

[Helen laughs]

and you baked a cake.

Oh, my grandmother used to sing that song,

and I loved it.

So, how are your cousins in Houston?

Delighted to have the armoire and lamps.

Well, you're a good cousin

to drive all that out there.

I'm surprised you didn't stop

in New Orleans on your way back.


- I wanna go there with you.


- Mm. Well, that sounds like fun.

But in the meantime,

what are we gonna do

back here in Serenity?


- We're gonna go on our first date.


- [laughs] I'm pretty sure we covered that.

No, no, no.

I mean the first date of our new chapter.

I want it to be romantic

and joyous, magical.

As beautiful as you are.

That is so perfect.


- You get to lick the spatula.


- Oh.


- Mm.


- Hmm.

[chuckles]

[quietly] Hey.


- Do I detect signs of a water fight?


- I have no idea what you're talking about.

You were supposed to be doing chores,

not having fun, okay?


- I would get in trouble.


- No, you would not.

And we weren't doing chores.

We were bonding.

Oh, did you have fun bonding?


- [sighs]


- See?

It was a chore

because you can't have fun doing a chore.

No, no, that is not true.

With the proper attitude,

chores can be fun.

Too late, Mom.

I read Tom Sawyer in fifth grade.

I'm just saying, if you wanna bond,

shouldn't you do something

genuinely fun and casual?

Something Ty and I aren't assigned

as punishment when we're grounded.

Well, thank you so much

for this careful analysis, Dr. Kyle.

What is your suggestion?

You and Coach Cal should do something

with a group so it's fun and chill.

No pressure.

A group, huh?

Yeah, like Amanda and Andy

are kind of a thing,

but they're going to the Forager Festival

tonight with a group to keep it chill.

All right.

That's not a bad idea.

Now before you go to the festival tonight,

I want you to bond with the lawnmower.

And have fun.

[upbeat country music playing]

Hey, what's up? Are you and Bex okay?

Fine. I decided

I couldn't wait until you got home,

so Bex and I took a walk.

Wait for what?

To bring you this.

[Isaac] Your brother sent me this?

He's been so worried about me

since I came back here,

but I keep telling him I'm fine

because I have wonderful friends.

Don't worry. He sent something for me

and Peanut too.

[chuckling] Oh, very nice.

Is he there on vacation?

When we were little,

we always wanted to go to the Big Apple

so we could ride the subway,

see the Empire State Building,

to track down Spider
-Man.

So, are the web sh**t

in the bottom of the box or


- I know. It sounds silly now.


- Mm, not at all.

Achieving a goal is always awesome,

no matter how big or small.

No one in my holler

had ever left Tennessee,

much less a place as cool as Times Square.

We were gonna be the first to go,

and now he's done it. [chuckles]

It would've been fun to go with him.

[calm music playing]

But I'm adulting here in Serenity now,

and I'm super happy.

Well, adulting doesn't mean no life.

We should go have fun.

Like this Forager Festival tonight.

The scavenger hunt?

It's all Dana Sue's been talking about

this week.

I don't know. I haven't left Bex

for more than an hour with all of y'all,

and I am not asking any of you

to give up your night off.

Didn't Em from Howie's office

say she'd watch Bex whenever?

Yeah, but it's such short notice.

Let's forage. [chuckles]

I'll have

the usual.

Good morning.

Oh!


- Erik Whitley, right?


- Mm
-hmm.

Sorry if this is presumptuous.

I just wanted to introduce myself.

I'm Kathy, the new assistant manager

at Z's Place.


- Ah.


- [Kathy] You know it?

I do.

[Kathy] Oh, good.

Well, I guess it's kismet

that made me bump into you this morning.

'Cause for days,

all I've heard is people talking

about what makes Sullivan's so good.

[both laughing]

It's Dana Sue's restaurant.

Well, grapevine around town tells me

you're the secret w*apon in her kitchen.

No, she put together a good staff.

I love the humility.

I could just eat you for breakfast

with some fried green tomatoes

on the side. [laughs]

But I won't because

I want to hire you.

For what?

To come run the kitchen at Z's.

Reinvent the place with me.

I wanna put your talents on display.

[chuckles]


- I appreciate the compliment.


- [Kathy] Mm
-hmm.

But I'm fine at Sullivan's.

Hmm.

[solemn music playing]

Mm.

If you ever change your mind

[whispers] Have a good day.

[pensive music playing]

[upbeat music playing]

Oh!

Miss Paula! [laughing]

Aw, honey.


- Ooh.


- [Paula exhales]

Oh, it looks like somebody's starting

a new project.

I have been watching way too much HGTV.

[chuckles]

How are ya?

Well, by that, I mean,

how are things going with Ryan?

Oh.

Well, if they were any better,

I'd have to be twins to hold all the joy.


- Oh!


- [laughing]

That is wonderful!

I know. I know.

You know, we should sit down

and have a real catch
-up.

I know.

Well, I'm I'm free for lunch.

Unless you're in urgent need

of putting that paint to use now.


- Splendid.


- [chuckles]

Sullivan's?


- Uh


- Mm.


- Wharton's.


- Yeah, Wharton's.


- Yeah.


- Yeah, come on. Let's go.


- Aw, honey, I know that story.


- We need to talk about that.

I'd like to put an herb garden

on the roof.

We can start small.

Basil, oregano, chives.

Take another look

at the bottom of that pot.

Annie, what are you doing?

Texting Jackson

to see how things are going in Virginia.

[Isaac splutters] Maybe some lemongrass.

[Dana Sue groans]

Bailey, what part of closing early

did you miss? Put on some speed.


- Yes, Chef.


- [Annie] Need my help?

Nope.

Give me 15 minutes, then we can go home,

get in the zone for the scavenger hunt.

I was talking to Jeremy,

and he'll hook us up with

Isaac, right now,

I have time for two things.

Cleaning and figuring out

where we're gonna put

the Forager Festival trophy

when I bring it in here tomorrow morning.

[upbeat music playing]

Oh!

Buck got it here in one piece.

Ha! [chuckles] Hope he didn't give himself

a hernia doing it.


- He brought it over on his truck.


- Ah.

But why?

Oh, when I was spring
-cleaning,

your mom asked if she could have it,

so I sent it over.


- Spring?


- Mm
-hmm.

School starts in a week.

Time is relative.

[both chuckle]


- Why did Mom want it?


- I assume because your grandpa built it.


- With his own hands?


- Uh
-huh.

[stammers]

He built the dining room table.

He made the twin beds in the guest room.

My darling Walter could do almost anything

he wanted to when he set his mind to it.

Mom always talks like he was

a sit
-and
-read
-a
-book kind of guy.

Yeah, well, what better place

to sit and read a book than at a desk?


- [both chuckle]


- Never thought of that.

Your grandfather had

a variety of gifts and passions.

Some he shared with everyone,

and and and others he didn't.

[pensive music playing]

He never let himself be defined

by one thing.

He was always more than he appeared to be.

Hmm.

[chuckles]

[uplifting music playing]

Hello, my darling.

Uh

How are things?

Well, they would be better

if I could find my thermometer.

Well, have Dana Sue send dinner over.

That's what I do when I don't wanna cook.


- When's the last time you wanted to cook?


- Oh

Besides, Sullivan's is already closed

for the festival.

[Paula] Ah, the festival.

So with Katie away at science camp

and the boys going on the hunt,

I thought you and I could take in a movie,

make a girls' night.

Oh, I wish I could,

except now I'm going on the hunt with Cal.

To the hunt with Cal?

Or on the hunt for Cal?

We're being just friends, so we thought

we would try a friendly group activity.

Oh, okay.

Where is that thermometer?

I'm learning new things about him.


- Mm
-hmm.


- Like he's allergic to mango.

Who's allergic to mango?

But

But all I wanna do is kiss him.

[Paula chuckles]

We are trying to focus

on building our friendship

so it's not just physical.

[inhales sharply]

Well, if you two are worried about

things between you getting too hot

[Maddie sighs]

maybe a friendly chaperone in your group

might help to keep things cool.

I wonder where you could find one.

[chuckles]

[Paula] Yep. Me. Me!

[Dana Sue chuckles]

Dana Sue Sullivan,

I crown you queen of the hunt.

[chuckling]

I love a victory crown.

[chuckles] But shouldn't Trent

and the festival organizers

be the one to bestow this

on the once and future queen?

Now, wouldn't you rather arrive with one

to establish your dominance

from the get
-go?

Mm.

Trying to speak

the love language of gifts, hmm?

Hon, thank you.

This was a perfect thought.

I have to go to Maddie's.


- See you at the hunt.


- [grunts]

Are you gonna show Helen and Maddie

your crown?

Many thanks, my lord.

[door closes]

[blues music playing in background]

[patrons chattering indistinctly]

[Kathy] You're pretty darn quiet.

A rough day.

Oh. Considering the way you look,

I'd be worried if it was a good one.

Huh? If you don't wanna tell me about it,

we can sit here in silence,

or I can show you some stupid thing

on the Internet.

Nearly lost a patient today.

A little girl about my daughter's age.

Anaphylactic shock.

She couldn't breathe.

Was starting to turn blue.

It was touch and go for a minute.

But you saved her.

Well, if her parents had been

even a couple of minutes later

But you saved her.

Want another?

Heroes discount.

Yeah. [sighs]

One's enough.

[both chuckle]

[Bill] Until dinner.

If you'd like to join me

[upbeat music playing]

Made of 24 karat plastic.

[all laughing]


- It's actually really sweet.


- Yeah.

So, why did Pastor June tell him

to buy you a crown?

He's trying to see if gifts

is my love language.


- [Helen] Mm.


- [Maddie] Is it?

[Helen inhales sharply]

You were sayin', Dana Sue.

Yes. Gifts is definitely not

my love language, but maybe it's his.

And if so, then tonight,

ooh, I'm gonna give him

the biggest gift of all.

We're calling it a gift now?

[laughing loudly]

The Forager Festival trophy.


- Oh!


- [Helen laughs]

Somebody's sure of herself.

[Dana Sue] This is the first time in ages

that Ronnie and Annie and I

get to do this as a team.

And what rhymes with eligible?

[fingers snapping]

Inevitable.

Does it?

[laughing] Oh please!

The only reason that you might win

is because this ringer

is staying home with Ryan.


- Pammy Anton called you a ringer once.


- Yes, she did.

That's 'cause you rang

the opening cowbell,

not because of your skill. [laughs]

[Helen] Y'all are wrong.


- [all laughing]


- No.

Oh, you know

what does rhyme with eligible?


- [Dana Sue] Huh?


- Inestimable.

As in my inestimable ability

to win the scavenger hunt.

What? No.


- No.


- Maddie.


- I'm coming out of retirement.


- [Helen laughing] No!


- You ready for this?


- [Helen] No, I'm not!


- After the Serenity skeleton debacle?


- [Maddie] What?

My expert legal skills

were the only reason

that you weren't banned

from the festival for life.

That was so many years ago, okay?

And let's be clear, okay?

We did nothing wrong.

The skeleton just happened to go missing

for a few hours

after we visited the old hospital, okay?

It is not our fault that other people

couldn't find it. It's not our fault.

We are not the one

Peggy's mother wrote an editorial about.

I don't I don't remember an editorial.


- 'Course you don't.


- That's convenient.

What was that called?

Dana Sue, do you remember?


- Of course I remember.


- Wait, I think I have it here on my phone.

"How pregnant women

should behave in public."

[Maddie] Oh please!

[Dana Sue, Helen laughing]

I'm not one for margarita math,

but where was Katie at that time?


- [Helen laughs]


- A
-boom! [laughing]

Cal and I, we just thought

it would be good for us

to experiment with comforting the losers.

I mean, our friends after we win.

So

both of you are doing the hunt?

Yeah.

Um

Will you just hold that margarita for me,

if you don't mind?


- I'd be happy to.


- [Helen] Yes.


- Where are you goin'?


- [Helen] Um

I'm just gonna put together

a scavenger hunt team.


- [Maddie] What? Mm.


- [Dana Sue gasps]

Mm
-mm
-mm. Mm
-mm
-mm.

Whoo! [exhales]


- Throw it down, Dana Sue. Let's go.


- Mm
-mm. Mm
-mm
-mm. Mm
-mm.

[energetic country music playing]

[crowd applauding, cheering]

[indistinct chattering]


- Who's your third?


- It's just us two.

Can't. Rules state

you have to have a team of three.

Well, nobody told us that.

What are we gonna do?

Gonna lose. That's what you're gonna do.

[Maddie] Woo
-hoo! Yeah!


- Mom!


- Listen here, you two.

Think of it as a blessing

to know from the start

that defeat is your destiny.

All these chumps are gonna spend the night

thinking they can win,

only to discover the sad truth.

Oh please.

The wind of fate blows

towards Team Sullivan. Excuse me.

One Sullivan was bad enough,

but now two of 'em

[whispers] Are unstoppable.

We never intended to win.

We just wanted to have some fun.


- Then go read a book or fly a plane, yeah?


- [Isaac chuckles]

'Cause we are here to conquer.

And prattle endlessly.

Oh yeah.


- What?


- Bring it.


- [Isaac] Yes!


- I'll be on your team.


- [Noreen laughs]


- Benedict Annabelle!

[laughs] Oh, this is

so unfortunate, Dana Sue.

Um, Isaac, how many people did Cal say

need to be on a team to compete?


- Let's see. Oh!


- [Isaac laughs]

Dana Sue, at least you'll have

plenty of time to polish that crown

before you have to give it

to tonight's winner.

Team Vreetownaddox!


- [Dana Sue laughs]


- [Ronnie] What?


- That's our name?


- [Ronnie] Oh my! [laughs]

I've learned to think of this

as the silent festival.

Okay. Okay, okay, okay.


- Forget Team Vreetownaddox.


- [Dana Sue laughs]

Tonight we are Team Red!

[Paula] Uh
-oh. She's going back

to calling herself Red again.


- [Maddie] Yes. [grunting]


- Go to the ATM, and get bail money now.

[stammers] Well, I mean,

it can't be that bad. Can it?

You've never met a professional athlete

as competitive as a Magnolia.


- [Dana Sue] Helen?


- [Helen] Mm.

Join our team.

Oh, I think not.


- Uh


- Ryan's on his way.

Come on. Think about how fun it will be

to eviscerate Maddie.

What? Wait a minute.

Tempting, but it is time that you two

take your rightful place in my shadow!

Who wants to be on Team Helen and Ryan?

[Gabe] Are you kidding me?

You all right?

Ty, as my best friend,

I think you can understand

there are some things

more important than our victory tonight.

Gabriel Weatherspoon! Watch your mouth.

No disrespect, Mrs. Sullivan,

I will still be participating.

Cassie Lithgow needs a third.

It's like fate is opening up a door, man.


- I get it, man. Go, go.


- That's what I'm saying.

I'm all about supporting romance,

but now we're a man down.

Boys, one of you should join

Team Decatur. Yeah?

'Cause you know what Decatur rhymes with?

Winner.


- [Ronnie groans]


- [Helen laughs]


- [Annie laughs]


- Go ahead, join her if you wanna lose.

Join us if you wanna live.

Kyle, Ty, allow me

to welcome one of you to our team.


- What's your Venmo?


- Oh.

Helen Decatur.

Those boys were raised better than that.

Aunt Helen,

you can't buy this kind of talent.

Yeah, that's right. She can't.

But we claim you as a kindred spirit.

Tonight, you are a Sullivan.

Oh yeah! Yep.


- [Dana Sue laughs]


- [Ronnie] Ow!


- Ty.


- [Ty] Auntie Helen.

I bet Forager Festival champion

will look really good

on your college application.

Hmm.


- [Dana Sue] Okay.


- Hold on.

[Dana Sue] Let's do this. [chuckles]

Maybe I should call Em.

Bex has never had a sitter,

and she could be giving Em

a horrible time.

Hey, Bex is having a great time.

You will too

if you give yourself permission.

[rock and roll music

playing in background]


- Hey, why aren't you with Jackson?


- He's out of town with his mom and Nellie.

If I'd known that Gabe was gonna drop out,

I could've been on your team.

Hopefully, it would've gone better

than last time.


- When I almost fell out of a tree.


- I caught you. You were okay.

[Noreen] Are we ready?

Yes, we are.

[crowd cheering, applauding]

[indistinct chattering]

How are ya? Doin' okay?

Good, good, good, good.

It's good to see you. You doing well?


- Hey, how are you?


- All good.

Excellent, excellent.

[Peggy] Mr. Mayor.

I've left messages with Henrietta,

but since you are here,

I thought I'd give you the opportunity

to set the record straight

about the recall.

I've got a hunt to kick off.

[rock and roll music continues]

[clears throat]

Hey, y'all. How's everybody?

Good? All right.

[music ends]

Ladies and gentlemen of Serenity.

Oh, you too, Moose.

[chuckles] I'm glad you're here tonight.

Listen, y'all know the rules,

so I'll make this quick.

Every team must have three players.

When the bell rings, you can open up

the envelope and look at the list.

You have three hours

to find as many as you can.

Take a photo or video for proof.

Now, before we get started,

I'd like to thank our sponsors.

As always

It's not Times Square, Garth,

but it's gonna be fun, and I


- Hey, Garth!


- Hey, Garth!

[Trent continues speaking indistinctly]


- Sorry I'm late.


- [Helen] We haven't started yet.

I went to Wharton's to surprise you

with a milkshake, but they are closed.

Well, everything closes for the festival.

Besides, a true hunter

does not need ice cream to sustain her.

Mm. [chuckles]


- Hey, Kyle, you see that? Over there?


- [Kyle] What?


- Ooh! Gotcha!


- [Kyle grunts]

You still think you're gonna win?

You know, I never realized Memorial Park

has no recycling bins.

We should add that to the list.

Done.

These are my words of affirmation.

You are going to win this.

[Dana Sue] That's not affirmation.

That's truth.

So is the fact you're beautiful.

I can affirm both of them.

[gentle music playing]

Ronnie Sullivan,

you are my one and only.

[chuckles softly]

And I should tell you that more often.

I will tell you that more often.

[chuckles]


- So, who's ready for the hunt? Let's go!


- [crowd cheering]

[cowbell ringing]

Go!

[upbeat country music playing]

Hey, sorry.

Just you remember,

tonight, she is not your mother.

She is not your grandmother.


- He is not your brother.


- Hey.

They are not your family.

Ryan and I, we're your family now.

They are the enemy.

If you see one of them dying in a ditch,

you don't stop.

You call 911, and you keep going

'cause you don't wanna get sued.

I don't think my mom would sue me.

She's not the one who'll take you to court

for dereliction of duty. That'll be me.

[squeals] You ready?


- Let's do it.


- Yes, ma'am.

[pensive music playing]


- [Helen laughs]


- [indistinct chattering]

[breathing heavily]

[pensive music continues]

[calm music playing]

[camera clicks]

First clue. Success.

Where to next?

Uh, the old chapel schoolhouse.


- Chapel slash schoolhouse.


- Let's do it.

I like the herb garden idea.

[chuckles] Well, you are

an easier audience than your mom.

Did she say no, or was she just distracted

by everything going on?

I don't know. Maybe distracted.

What you've gotta do is

hunt for a better way

to get her attention.

[chuckles] Well, you are the expert.

When I wanted her to understand

how I felt about my birthday party,

I made sure to stand

directly in front of her.

Everything I said was clear and concise.

Then I smiled a lot and cried a little.


- [chuckling]


- It worked.

Thanks. I will give that a try.


- At least most of it.


- [people shouting indistinctly]

Did you decide what kind of birthday party

you wanna have?

[phone chimes, clicks]

Uh, getting there.


- What'd I miss?


- How's Bex?

She's fine. Em said

Okay, I promise. I'm done.

Permission granted

for all of us to have a blast.

Woo
-hoo!

[stammers] No, no. How about this one?

Ty's gonna be so embarrassed

by getting b*at by his little brother,

he'll have to move in with Nana.

[laughs] We are gonna dominate

your mom and Aunt Helen so hard,

they're gonna legally change their names

to Dana Sue's Friend

and Dana Sue's Other Friend.

[Kyle laughs] Yeah.

I hope this was easier to ring

when the fire wagon was here.

Maybe Uncle Ronnie's gonna make Annie

bring him breakfast in bed for a month

after she loses.


- [grunts]


- Kyle, for her to lose, we have to win.

For us to win, we need to ring this bell.

But you're missing out on our trash talk

and fun in the meantime.

All right.

I am going to enjoy baby girl

bringing me breakfast in bed

for the next year

Ooh!

just so she can get a look at our trophy.


- Ah! [laughs]


- Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.

I'ma do you one better.

[playful music playing]

You're gonna wind up

with bragging rights too, Kyle,

because you're gonna be

the hero to ring this bell

so that my beautiful wife

can wear her crown with pride.

How could I be a bigger hero

than I already am?


- [Dana Sue chuckles]


- [Ronnie grunts]


- [bell rings]


- [cheers] I am a hero!

[playful music continues]

[Helen] Come on. [sighs]

I should've stopped at the water station.

You guys want a cup?

Oh, no, thanks.

I'm good. Thank you.

[camera clicks]

I always wondered why

they didn't pull this down after the fire.

Especially once they built

the new community center.

Yeah, you know Serenity.

We hold our history

a tad tightly sometimes. [chuckles]

Besides, the moment your aunt

and some of the other ladies

started calling this

[in posh accent] "The Garden Theatre,"

we all knew

it wasn't coming down. [chuckles]

I can't remember. Wasn't it something

before it was the community center?

Yeah, before the mill closed,

it was a union hall.

Every year, they'd do

the Christmas parties here.

And sometimes,

they'd have a a big fancy dinner

for all the the union leaders.

I was I was eight

the first year

that Daddy was president of the local.

My mama must have dragged me with her

to every store in two counties,

trying to find the perfect dress.

She finally gave up and made her own.

[sentimental music playing]

That night when she walked

out of her bedroom

in that green dress

that she had sewn by hand

Daddy took one look at her,

and he dropped to a knee.

He said he was kneeling

out of deference to her beauty.

And in humble thanks to God

for giving him the best wife ever created.

[laughing]

Oh, come on!

[calm music playing]


- I didn't even know this place was here.


- Oh? Well, I know all kinds of secrets.


- But the food could have been better.


- Sorry about that.

Oh! The company more than made up for it.

And we'll find a better place next time.

Yeah. [chuckles] Next time.

I don't mean to presume.

No. Presume away.

[both chuckle]

[phone chimes]

Uh

Oh, Bill, I I hate to cut our time short.

I've gotta take care of this.

[solemn music playing]

Okay. [mumbles] Oh!


- Ow!


- [Cal] Hey!


- [Paula] Oh, honey.


- Are you okay?

Untended tree root.

That's dangerous. Add that to the list.

List? Do I want to know?


- You have a pretty amazing daughter.


- Yeah.

She's making a list

of all the community hazards.


- [Kyle] Where is it?


- [Dana Sue] No, under there. Get in under.


- [Ty] Kyle, I already looked in that spot.


- What'd you do this time, Red?

[chuckles]

Whatever do you mean?

[chuckling]

[Maddie, Helen exclaim]

Where is it?


- You tell us.


- What?

Our team has been looking for

that ridiculous beast for five minutes.

His house should be under the stairs.

Like the skeleton should have been

in the old hospital lobby?

Maybe we're thinking about this all wrong.

North of the original house

of learning. I

The chapel was also

the first schoolhouse, right?

About a century before my time,

thank you very much.

[chuckles] But, yes, and the mascot

has always been the blue fox!

North! The foraging fox! [grunts]


- [grunts]


- [chuckles]

And the fox box, where he lives,

goes under the steps.

Until you hid it.

I didn't touch it!

What did you say to Trent

the last time he tried to ban you?

[softly] I accidentally moved Mr. Bones.


- [chuckles]


- That was your idea.


- You better not.


- I feel like they need an ump.


- No.


- Do you have any vodka in that pack?


- I was innocent. I was


- [groans]


- [whispers] I was in the bathroom.


- Want some?

I didn't know anything happened

until Sheriff Buchanan questioned us.


- Maybe someone


- But it was your idea.

You were supposed to be the lookout,

then your bladder betrayed us.


- [Helen] You wanna fight?


- Hang on. Everyone take a deep breath.

[Dana Sue inhales]

[exhales]

Mom, have you seen North today?

I can't believe

Not an accusation.

I'm just asking a question.


- I have not.


- [Ty] Aunt Helen?

I've been with you the whole time!


- Aunt Dana Sue?


- Nope.

[Ty] We need to consider

somebody took North.

[gasps] Sabotaged us.

Which does mean that no other team

will find it or get the points.

You are so right, honey.

[chuckles]


- Team Red, we can still win! Let's go!


- [Dana Sue shouting]


- Let's go!


- Come on!

Let's go!

[all shouting indistinctly]

I did suggest a movie.

Which bobbing buddy

proclaims the true spirit of Serenity?

[ducks quacking]

This scavenger hunt was designed

to teach people town history,

not to have it spoon
-fed to them.

I don't remember learning anything

about dinosaurs in this lake.

I know we have a lot of birds,

but parrots and peacocks

Wait, it's not the creature.

It's the color.


- Hey.


- Serenity High is blue and gold.


- The blue peacock.


- [scoffs]

Then red for all of the blood,

sweat, and tears that built the town.


- [Ty chuckles softly]


- I can't.


- [Ty and Ryan hesitate] Green.


- Yay!

Because the town founders believed

that the spirit of Serenity would be ever

[Ty and Ryan] Green! [chuckling]

Get in there.


- [chuckles]


- [camera clicks]

All right. Got it. Come on.

Now don't dawdle, you two.

We only need a photo

with a bust of four Johns at the library.

That gives us just enough time

to get back to Veterans' Park

before the bell rings again,

and then it's all over,

except the winning. [chuckles]

She's thought this through.

[uplifting music playing]

I thought you handled that brouhaha

back there very diplomatically.


- I wanted us to make it out alive.


- [chuckling] Appreciate it.

I really mean it. When I worked overseas,

I saw all kinds of disputes

over land, weapons, livestock.


- What you did was very impressive.


- Thanks.

The way you de
-escalated the situation

and resolved the conflict,

that's a valuable skill.

[Ty] Really?

You demonstrated more intuition back there

than professionals I've hired.

Wait, people get paid to do that?

Conflict resolution? Yes, sir.

I know so much about getting into fights.

It makes sense

I know how to help get out of 'em.

I don't know what your plan is,

but you strike me as a natural.

I appreciate it.

[uplifting music continues]

[Annie, Isaac, Noreen laughing]


- Uranus!


- Neptune!

And Pluto still counts. Pluto!

[laughing continues]

[Annie] Whoa!

Thank you.


- [Isaac grunts]


- [Noreen] Oh!

As proud of us as I am

for remembering all the planets,

and in order,

what does this have to do with Serenity?

Fergus Ericsson organized our chapter

of the Amateur Astronomers Association

when he was in high school.

Then he went to work

at Kennedy Space Center after college.

He came to visit a couple years ago.

There was this party in town square

with a bunch of telescopes.

He told us that whenever you wonder

if you can achieve a dream,

look at the moon,

and remember a few people walked on it

because a whole bunch of people

believed in each other.

[Isaac] Well,

it's not up yet,

but it's coming.

Thank you so much

for talking me into this.

For getting me out of the house.

For helping me feel weightless.

Tonight, I did random ridiculous things

and felt joy as I haven't felt

since I was a little girl.

Things I wanna teach Bex.

Thank you, Isaac. And you too, Annie.

[chuckles]

[uplifting music playing]

[all chuckling]

That's it. That's the missing piece

of my birthday plan.

The what now?

What Noreen said.

That will be my theme.

To celebrate the kind of girl I was

now that I'm turning 16.

And here I thought

the missing piece was moon shoes.

[Annie, Isaac chuckle]

[pensive music playing]

[door opens]

[footsteps approaching]

Oh.

Thank you for meeting me here.

I'm glad you changed your mind.

I haven't.


- Oh.


- But I will hear you out.

Why should I come work for you?

I want to make Z's Place

a tourist destination.

One of the premier restaurants

in the South.

Mighty big ambitions.

Every single day we get to put dreams

on a plate and serve 'em up to people.

Our dreams physically sustain people.

That's a nice thought, but

My first job was here.

Back when it was

Courthouse Grill. [chuckles]

I didn't know you were from Serenity.

Uh
-huh. I started here in high school.

Poured everything I had into this place

and thought maybe one day

it might be mine.

[solemn music playing]

Instead, the owner sold it to somebody

with a different dream, so I moved on.

But now the universe

has brought me back around.

At Z's, I'm finally ready

to see my dream take shape.

And all I need is Serenity's best chef.

Do this with me, Erik.

There's only three minutes left.

There has to be

something else around here.

Why don't I go turn it in

so that we don't miss the deadline?


- Yeah, but don't you think


- I think we've done enough for tonight.

All right, sweetie.

Whew!

I need a cookie.

Well, I'd offer to carry you,

but there's that whole no
-touching thing.

Oh.

I mean, this is silly, don't you think?

This whole no
-touching thing?

Mm. No. It's a good idea.

I mean, if I was able

to hold your hand all night

or kiss you in the moonlight,

we wouldn't have found anything.

Or noticed that we need

to add painting the curbs to the list.

It feels like everywhere we went,

I saw Trent's broken promises.

We'll fix them.

One by one. If you want my help.

I'd love to do this with you.

Speaking of sharing

I think there's something else

I should tell you about my truck.

Dream truck.

[chuckles softly] Yeah.

First thing I did

was drive it home to show my dad.

[gentle music playing]

He came out of the trailer,

walked around it one time,

and he said

he hoped the dealership

would let me return it

when I washed out of the majors.

[somber music playing]

Then he went back inside.

I'm so sorry.

That entire season, all I did

was try to prove I'd earned my truck,

that I was gonna keep my truck.

And right before the playoffs

Pop had a massive heart att*ck.

And that was it.

We never made up.

Thank you for sharing that with me.

[somber music continues]

[people chattering indistinctly]

[upbeat rock and roll music playing]

[indistinct chattering]

[sighs] Honey, I'm tuckered out.

Don't tell me

you're getting too old for this.

[scoffs] Never.

Okay.

Wherever you hunt, I will hunt.

Whoever you decimate, I will decimate.


- [chuckles]


- And your trophy shall be my trophy.

And your win, my win.

[chuckling]

Well, I don't think June would appreciate

that paraphrasing.


- But I won't tell.


- [both chuckling]

Instead, I'll brag about

how well we are speaking

each other's love language.

[upbeat rock and roll music

continues in background]

As long as I'm with my queen,

I'm the luckiest man alive.

[Dana Sue chuckles]

I haven't had this much fun hunting

in a long time, thanks to you.

And now I can't wait to see

what you plan for our first date.

Wasn't this it?

I promised you

romance, joy,

magic

and beauty.

And we had all that tonight

here in Serenity,

where you are happiest.

You are magnificent.

[upbeat rock and roll music continues]

And she didn't have any trouble

getting to sleep?

[Ty] How'd y'all do?

Who knows? But we had a blast.

[Maddie chuckles]

It's not too late to surrender.

Anytime you want, Red.

[chuckles]

[chuckles] Looks like you wore him out.

[chuckling]

We had a good night.

And Maddie, I have to tell you,

Kyle was so fun.


- Good job.


- Thank you. You know what they say.

It takes a good community,

and Serenity is one.

[both chuckling]

[chuckles] Uh

What was that for?

Have I told you how proud I am of you?

Uh, thanks?

[Kyle, Ty exclaim]


- Oh my God.


- Sorry. [laughs] Ooh!

Yes! Isaac!

Let's go.


- And high five?


- Of course.

[Ty] Come on. Great job. Great job.

So, did you, um, thoroughly enjoy

your first hunt?

[chuckles]

How could I not enjoy an evening

with you and your daughter?

Oh! [chuckles]

Well, you are now

a full
-fledged citizen of Serenity.

And, um, I thought

you deserved a memento.

[Cal] What is Is it


- Is that the the fox?


- Shh.

[quietly] Yes.

Just think how much fun it's gonna be

when that beast suddenly appears

on Maddie's kitchen counter

in a few weeks. [laughing]

I can't tell if I'm your favorite

or you're trying to get me k*lled.

[laughing] Aw!


- My dear.


- [quietly] Okay.

Can I have your attention, please?

It is my honor to announce that the winner

of this year's Forager Festival is

[drumroll playing]

Team Downey, Fitzgibbons, and Sullivan.

[crowd exclaiming]

We did it!

[Noreen shrieks]

[Dana Sue shrieks]

[crowd cheering, applauding]


- That was close.


- This close.


- [man] Get you next year!


- [Dana Sue] Annie!

[crowd continues cheering]


- [Dana Sue] Annie!


- [man] Good job!


- Good job, guys.


- [Trent] I hope everybody had a good time.

[crowd cheers loudly]

[Trent] It's exciting to see

the whole town come together

and and enjoy being neighbors.

That's why I started the Forager Festival

when I came into office ten years ago.

[solemn music playing]

To celebrate the wonderful people

in this community.

I'm excited to leave you with that gift.

Because I'm resigning as mayor.


- [crowd exclaims]


- [woman] What?

Effective immediately.

[microphone feedback squeals]

[crowd murmuring]

[tense music playing]

[closing theme music playing]
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