03x18 - Exposé

[bunniefuu]

They bought my book.

- Ha-ha, you're kidding. - No.

- Val, how wonderful. - Oh, honey. That's great.

If this is a novel about the Ewings

it's got to be pretty hot stuff.

Probably none too kind to Gary's family.

It's sort of based on things I heard about Gary's family.

'Or just things I know about from my own experience.'

Gary's gonna be real upset when he reads it.

I'm sure the publishers only want it for the scandal value.

Well, I hope they want it because it's good.

There's nothing to discuss.

You cannot publish this book and that's all there is to it.

[theme music]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

Hey! Where are you going?

I was just gonna fix you breakfast.

- Good morning. - How was the run?

- Oh, it's great. - Good.

Come on inside and I'll fix you something to eat.

- Uh, no, honey, I can't. - What?

Well, Abby and I've got a breakfast meeting

with Max Craig this morning.

Now, look, he's got the biggest trucking company in the city

and he may want us to convert his entire fleet.

We could well be on our way to our first contract.

[Val] 'Okay. That's great.'

So, hold good thoughts until, uh, oh, say, 09:30.

- Okay, darling, I will. - Good morning.

- Hi. - Hi.

Listen, Gary, I went over that proposal last night

and there are some big discrepancies

in the input output figures.

- Still? - Yeah.

I'll explain the whole thing to you

in the car on the way to the meeting.

But I think that we're gonna have to sit down

again tonight and revamp the whole proposal.

Okay. I'll come over after dinner, then.

Well, why don't I fix dinner for you?

That way we can get our work done faster

and he'll be home before you know it, Val.

I'll fix Gary's dinner.

You can meet afterward.

[instrumental music]

Uh, remember, hold good thoughts

for our breakfast meeting.

I will, Gary.

Good luck.

I think where the discrepancy lies

is that we're confusing the refined product

with the unrefined product.

Abby, I don't even see how that's possible.

It's possible. Besides which is not us, it's Pete.

He's been doing it when he sends in these reports..

[door opens]

- Did the mailman come yet? - No, mama.

- Oh. - Not yet.

Seems like he gets here later every day.

Well, you know what they say, mama. Watch Pop.

Valene. Don't you even care if your book is accepted or not?

Well, of course I do, mama.

But you know what Joe said?

They only write if they don't want it.

If they want the book, then they call you.

If they don't want that book

then there's something wrong with them.

Mama, you don't really think it's got a chance, do you?

I told you it did.

Oh, come on, can you actually imagine

my first novel getting published?

I can see you in the bookstores now.

Signing autographs.

[both laughing]

- And go down talk shows. - Oh, mama, come on.

- Cut it out. - I mean it.

[both laughing]

You know, when I'm running

I got this fantasy about seeing it in bookstores

you know, or just seeing someone walking around

carrying it with them, you know, like they're reading it.

[both laugh]

Or just, I don't know, just the idea

that so many people

would be reading the words that I wrote.

Oh, it's gonna happen for you, sugar.

I just feel it in my bone.

[laughing]

[sighs] Yeah, I just wish that

Gary had read it before I send it off.

Mama, give me your honest opinion. What do you think?

Would you.. How am I gonna say this?

See, um..

...I made it up for my own imagination, of course

but it-it's sort of based on things

I heard about Gary's family or

or just things I know about from my own experience.

Do you think that..

[sighs]

Well, I'm just afraid that Gary's gonna be

real upset when he reads it.

Oh, he's gonna be so proud of you, honey.

I mean, his family is full of scoundrels and scallywags

and it's about time somebody told the truth about them.

- You really think so? - Yeah.

[instrumental music]

Hmm.



Yes. That'll be fine.

I'll see you then. Bye. Ah, Richard.

You wanted to see me, Mr. Parkhurst?

Yes, yes, grab a chair.

Sam Weston and Fred Jessup.

[phone ringing]

They're coming into town.

They're the investment managers of the IWL pension plan.

Now they'll be staying at the Beverly Sherwin.

Uh, Mr. Parkhurst, I told you before

I don't wanna do this anymore.

You are the one who knows all the girls, Richard.

I'm a lawyer.

Yes.

And you're a very good lawyer at that.

Those recommendations you made on the Orlando account

they were quite valuable.

Thank you.

You know, I think we have a chance

to set a precedent in that case.

I mean, it-it-it would open up

a whole new area of investment for us.

So you said in your notes.

[laughs]

You know, I'd like to give you a shot at that case

'let you really run with it, see what you can do.'

I think it would be good for the firm.

I'm sure.

[sighs]

Now, what are we gonna do about this, Richard?

I wish you would take care of these guys.

They come into LA, expecting some excitement

and I'm afraid I've promised them something.

I was counting on you to back me up.

Is this quid pro quo?

Pardon?

Can I count on you to give me the Orlando account?

I'll see what I can do.

[instrumental music]

Oh, Richard.

Make them flashy.

Those Labor guys always seem to like them flashy.

[indistinct chatter]

- Hi. - Right back there. Hi.

Oh, Laura. Oh, darling.

So good to see you.

Oh, I really did miss you.

Oh, I missed you guys too.

You got to come visit me. I-I found a wonderful condo.

Oh, you real estate people always find the best thing.

Oh, you better believe it.

Look at you. Oh, you look wonderful.

Can you feel the baby kicking yet?

Oh, yeah, every time the interest rates go up

a percentage, the baby kicks.

[laughter]

Well, I just..

...I just came by to pick up a few things

and I thought I'd say hi.

Richard and I are going over our taxes tonight.

See ya.

Laura.

How are you doing, really?

You know, being on your own again?

Well, I'm not on my own. I've got Jason.

Yeah, but I mean, without Richard.

It's okay.

We had to do it.

Don't you ever get lonely?

Oh, sure, I'd be lying if I said no.

But when something's over, it's over.

Time to move on.

Besides, when things get really bad

I take a long bath

and I remember all the rotten times and it passes.

[chuckles]

- I love you. - Oh.

Bye.

- Bye, Lilimae. - Bye, honey.

Do you believe her?

Does she believe her?

[instrumental music]

You know, Harry said we can deduct that trip to Sonoma

because I was looking at property for Scooter after all

and we had dinner with the Dictors

so it makes it a business expense for both of us.

Remember the picnic we went on?

I can't find any of the receipts

so I hope you've got them.

We got that great Cabernet from that little family winery

cheese, sausage and that great sourdough bread.

And we drove down to Muir Beach.

I remember watching you.

You were sitting there next to the water

with the sun in your hair.

I remember thinking how beautiful you looked.

Funny, you never said anything about it to me.

And that little inn we stayed at

the Big-four poster bed.

Richard, I came here to go over these tax forms

not to talk about our relationship.

Yeah, but we were so happy that weekend.

It wasn't that long ago.

So one happy weekend because of good sex

does not make up for the rest of it.

I know, but if we could be that happy for a weekend

I mean, doesn't doesn't it prove

that-that we have some place to start?

No. Mm-mm.

I mean, it's crazy for us not to be together.

We belong together, especially now that--

Richard..

Richard, we agreed to do our taxes

and not to get into any of this.

I can see that your word is no better than it used to be.

Look, I-I-I'm sorry.

Goodnight.

I'm sorry.

[dramatic music]

[door shuts]

[door bell blaring]

Hey, I like your pajamas.

You want me to make you some tea, mama?

- Well, that'd be nice. - 'Val?'

Yeah.

Val, have I got news for you?

What?

I know I could have called

but I had to come over and see the look on your face

when I told you.

Tell me what?

I just got a call from my friend Neil Henning in New York

- Oh, I knew it! - Shh.

And they had an editorial board meeting over dinner

and decided you're gonna get

the official call tomorrow with all the details.

But he had to call me as soon as he came home.

Well, come on, come on. What are you talking about? Decided what?

You're gonna be a published author, Val.

They loved your book and they wanna buy it.

Oh, no! You're kidding me!

Ah, congratulations.

[both cheering]

[laughs] You.

But if we make the fuel injection system

part of our converter package

it's just gonna jack up the cost

an extra $350.

I know, but we're getting another

ten miles per gallon.

And what we're selling here, after all

is fuel economy.

I think strictly from a public relations standpoint

it's a brilliant idea. If I do say so myself.

Uh, I don't know.

Give me those cost projection figures again, will you?

Uh, sure, if I can find them.

I just handed them to you.

[door bell rings]

Who can that be?

They're here somewhere, Gary.

- Val, hi. - Hi Abby.

Gary, I mean, I know I'm interrupting

but I-I just couldn't wait to tell you.

They bought my book.

- Ha, ha, you're kidding. - No.

- Oh, Val, how wonderful. - Oh, honey, that's great.

Huh! I'm very proud of you.

I know. I can hardly believe it myself.

Oh, Val, you believe that. That was a wonderful book.

I'll tell you what, as soon as we finish here

I'll come over and we'll really celebrate.

Well, do you have any idea how long you think that'll be?

Well, I don't know. What do you think?

Ah. Not more than an hour.

Ah, look, why don't we get

those figures together for Craig in the morning

and finish up the rest of this some other time?

Half hour, tops. I'll be home before you know it.

Oh, good.

See, Joe's friend called him from New York and he said

they're gonna give me a call in the morning

and then they're gonna just send the contracts out.

Oh, that's great.

I'm very, very proud of you.

Thank you.

[instrumental music]

- See you in a bit. - Okay.

[female #1] 'Honey, you're all tense.'

[Richard] Tell me about it.

Having problems at work?

Hmm.

What's the matter? Don't they appreciate you?

Something like that.

Well, it helps if you talk about it.

- What's the use? - I don't know.

Sometimes it helps to get it off your chest, you know?

Besides, I'm a very good listener.

- Hmm. - It's part of my job.

You're very good at your job. You know that?

[laughs] Yeah, I know.

[laughs]

You're gonna hang up your shingle as a therapist.

Okay.

Okay. So tell me your troubles. It's included.

Wait, let me get some more oil.

[grunts]

Oh.

Mm. Poor baby.

Just tell Marni all about it, okay?

Well...I'm a lawyer.

[instrumental music]

I'm a good lawyer.

But they don't want a lawyer. They want a pimp.

- They use a lot of call girls? - You should know.

How many times have I called you and asked you for names?

[chuckles]

Parkhurst, Jansen and Stearns

runs its whole business with hookers.

We entertain a lot of out of town clients.

Theory is you show them a good time

they take your recommendations.

So we hire high class call girls.

What the hell? It's all tax deductible anyway.

And guess who's in charge of the entertainment.

Richard Avery, former attorney.

'Current pimp.'

'Current chump.'

- Come on, Joe. - Oh, Karen, enough already.

You wanna know about Val's book, ask her.

You think I haven't?

She doesn't wanna talk about it.

Not until Gary's ready.

- Makes sense. - Why?

Is it about Gary?

- Not a nickel. - Okay.

Oh, so it's about Gary and the Ewings, right?

Of course.

What else would Val write about

that was so sensational.

She's written a novel about the Ewings.

No wonder she's been so worried about, about Gary.

Why she wanted him to read it.

No wonder..

- Uh-huh. - Uh-huh?

- Uh-huh. - Okay, Bulldog Drummond.

- No wonder what-- - Abby.

- Ha-ha! - That explains, Abby.

I was wondering why she was so eager to get involved

why she was so determined to help Val publish that book.

- It's her friend. - Oh, no.

If this is a novel about the Ewings

it's got to be pretty hot stuff.

Probably none too kind to Gary's family.

Gary might be dead set against airing his family's

dirty laundry in public, especially since

his father just passed away.

She doesn't need me in this conversation.

I'm going to store to get some sugar.

That would cause problems between Val and Gary.

Oh, wouldn't Abby just love that?

So there's poor Val

all those months in writing class

just doing a project, no real plan in mind.

And in walks Abby

ready to take advantage of the situation again.

Hoo! I wonder if I should say anything to Val.

Joe, what do you think?

Well, I don't have any answer for it either.

[sighs] We'll talk later.

Mr. Parkhurst.

- I want the Orlando account. - Just like that?

I've been here long enough to deserve it

and that account will show you what I can do.

In due time, Richard.

In due time.

By the way

how are you coming along with that other little project?

No more little projects, Mr. Parkhurst.

No other special assignments

until I know I have the Orlando account.

Those other assignments

as you call them, are important to me.

Exactly. And the Orlando account is important to me.

Do I make myself understood?

Yes.

[male #1] 'What do you mean, you don't wanna do it?'

I just changed my mind.

Honey, this series on prostitution

is the hottest thing we've done this year.

And a bit on corporate pimping is the most expl*sive part.

- You can't back out now. - Look, I've got to.

I thought about it, and I just think

too many people are gonna be hurt.

What's going on here?

Is somebody paying you off

to keep your mouth shut?

No. No, no, it's nothing like that.

Sure.

Too bad.

'I thought you'd make a good actress.'

- I am a good actress. - I know.

That's why I was gonna recommend you to a producer

friend of mine who's doing a movie of the week

part of "The Kid's Sister."

It's not a big part, but an interesting one.

Now, what difference does it make now?

W-what do you mean? You mean..

...you'll recommend me if I help you?

One hand washes the other.

You wanna put that in writing?

[laughs] I can't guarantee that you'll get the part.

Mm-hmm.

But I'll do everything I can.

You got a really good shot.

[woman on TV] 'County secretaries call it rug ranking.'

'Paying office workers according to the importance'

'of their bosses, rather than according to the work they do.'

'When Los Angeles County opted'

'to reclassify some 1500 secretaries'

'by the rank of their departments'

'and bosses last summer'

'the county employees association'

'filed an unfair labor practices complaint'

'with the county Employee Relations Commission'

'charging that the county refuses to neg..'

[groans]

[instrumental music]

[phone rings]

Hello.

- I called to thank you. - 'For what?'

For being a good listener

giving me the kick in the pants I needed

to tell Parkhurst where to get off.

Oh, Richard, hi.

[Richard] I, I thought I'd return the favor.

I'm sitting here staring at a really disgusting meatball

sandwich and thought maybe I could take you out to dinner

and listen to your troubles.

'At least you'd get a good dinner out of it.'

Richard, I would love to, but um, I'm..

- I'm working. - Oh.

Well, uh, some other time, maybe.

Yeah. Yeah, may be.

[instrumental music]

That's a better dessert than cookie.

[chuckles]

Hey, I got to make some calls right now.

Yeah. Come on. We'll have dessert later on.

[sighs]

Yeah, Bobby, it's Kenny.

[door bell rings]

- I'll get it. - Thanks.

Uh, yeah.

We're gonna lay down some more tracks tomorrow.

'Can you be there, 8 o'clock?'

- Oh, Richard. - Hi.

Didn't I just hear Erin Molly?

No, She's been asleep for about an hour.

Oh, it's funny. I was walking by.

I thought I heard her crying.

I was sort of in the mood to play with the baby.

Well, come on in.

No, no, that's okay. She's asleep.

Come on, visit with us.

We haven't seen you in a while.

Listen, can I get you some dinner or anything?

Uh, no, no, thanks.

I-I already ate. I'm-I'm stuffed.

- Are you sure? - Yeah.

- I will get you a coffee. - Great.

I know, he's a lunatic. All clarinet players are.

Look, he's the lunatic. I want tomorrow.

Yeah. 8 o'clock.

Yeah, probably two sessions.

Okay. See you there. Bye.

- Hey. - Hi.

I-I was walking by, I thought I heard, Erin Molly

so I popped in to see how she was doing.

She's doing great. She's already a full-fledged person.

Yeah.

You know, you live right next door

to somebody with a newborn

and you don't see them for a week or two.

They change completely.

It's incredible.

Take your eyes off them for a second they grow up.

- Here we are. - Alright.

I mean, not that Jason's a grown up or anything.

Hey, he's working on it.

Mile a minute. Yeah, black, please.

It's so quiet over there. My house without Jason.

I bet it is.

Hey, the truth, I can't quite get used to the quiet

this time of day.

It's when I get home till about 9 o'clock.

Going to bed and getting up.

That takes some adjusting but..

...somehow this is the worst time.

Oh, I-I don't mean the worst. I mean the strangest.

Hardest to get used to.

Richard, why don't you come to dinner tomorrow night?

Come early so you can play with the baby.

Oh, thanks.

I-I might take you up on that.

We'll count on it.

I mean, not that I'm saying that this separation is wrong.

I mean I-I can see now that it's been inevitable for years

and I'm sure some good will come of it one way or the other.

I'm all for the separation.

It's just that

this time of night, it's just a little bit strange.

Oh, you wouldn't believe the things they put in these

contracts, movie sales, serial rights

and merchandising.

Can you imagine that?

Well, you have a lawyer look at it before you sign anything.

Oh, of course we will.

Joe says it looks to him like it's a pretty good deal.

Hmm.

You know, don't I..

I really wish that you'd read the book.

- I will. - No, no, I-I mean, really.

I mean, I can't sign any of this until you have.

Why, does it expose all our secrets?

No, just I'm not gonna tell you

anything about this until you've looked at it, okay?

Okay, I'll read it. Now give us a kiss.

- Do you promise? - I promise.

I thought you were the one who misses

me so much while I'm not here.

- Well, I do a little bit. - Yeah, a little bit.

- Give us a kiss. - I'll give this kiss.

Mm.

[instrumental music]

Val?

[music continues]

[music continues]

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

Gary?

Darling?

- Darling. - 'In here.'

[music continues]

How long have you been up?

All night.

I was worried about you.

- You read it? - Yep.

Well?

[sighs]

I know how much time you put into this

and I know how much it means to you.

And for somebody who never wrote anything before

it's very good.

Amazing, really.

I'm very proud of you.

I think you've got a real talent as a writer.

But Val, you can't be serious

about wanting to publish this thing.

Well, I don't know, Gary. See, that's why I wanted you to--

All the skeletons of my family's closet

is laid out on paper.

Every character in the book's a member of my family.

My-my brothers, my father, my mother, our daughter.

You, me. Val, how could you do such a thing?

Well, see, Gary, all writers start out with characters

that are familiar to them, and I-I just fictionalized them.

You mean you made them into villains and fools?

No, I didn't.

Gary the first thing that every writer learns

is write about what you know.

'Now, I may have started with ideas based on things'

that have happened to me.

You know, like when J.R. took Lucy and kept her from us.

But as I was writing it, it just grew and grew.

And it-it really came from my imagination.

I mean, I made-up half of what's in the book.

Well, nobody's gonna know that.

They're gonna think it's real people.

But Gary, why should they think that?

"A Family in Texas" by Valene Ewing? Come on, Val.

And don't tell me you'll change your name because I'm sure

the publishers only want it for the scandal value.

Well, I hope they want it because it's good.

Well, I'm sorry to disappoint them, but they can't have it.

Gary.

Honey, there's nothing to discuss.

You cannot publish this book. And that's all there is to it.

[instrumental music]

[children cheering]

[knock on door]

- Dad! - Hey big boy. How are you?

Mr. Avery? I'm not supposed to--

Oh, it's okay. I just brought him a present.

But...but Mrs. Avery said that--

Oh, yeah. And Mr. Avery said it's okay.

Okay?

So, what do you think?

[grunts] Alright.

Isn't that what you wanted? Electric basketball.

Got another surprise for you, too.

- What? - Oh.

Something like swimming

fishing, sailing, snorkeling

week off from school, lying on the beach, eating pineapples

learning to sunfish.

Sounds great.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Avery. I--

That's okay. It's alright. Really.

Richard, what are you doing here?

Dad says I can take a week off from school.

Trip to Hawaii. Grayson owes me a favor.

He's got a condo in Maui. Says we could use it for a week.

No, that's out of the question.

But, mom.

No, the answer is no.

Linda, could you please take Jason up to his room

and we'll talk about this later, okay?

Come on, J.

Richard.

Richard it's bad enough that you'd try to manipulate me

but using Jason to do it is really rotten.

You know, spending a week

together as a family wouldn't do us any harm.

We're not a family.

Not like that. Not now.

This is my home with Jason and you're welcome here

if you're invited and if I'm here.

But you just can't drop by anytime you feel like it.

[sighs] Look, I'm sorry.

Next time, I'll call your secretary for an appointment.

You know something, Laura?

You've become a real drag.

[door slams shut]

Would Val actually withdraw her novel

because Gary doesn't want her to publish it?

Indeed, she would.

He says it would hurt his family.

Oh, poor Val.

She was so excited.

Maybe she could publish it under another name.

- Oh. - She shouldn't have to do that.

Maybe it's just the only way.

She won't do it.

Now, I know Valene believes in standing by her man.

I believe in it too.

But if you want my opinion

I think Gary ask for too much standing by.

I mean, when the shoe's on the other foot

he doesn't exactly stand by her.

When it's something Val doesn't want him to do?

- Like what? - Oh, never mind.

All I'm saying is that Valene

has given her whole life to Gary Ewing.

Everything bad that's ever happened to them

happened because of his family.

She has a lot of feelings

a lot of hurt because of them.

All she did when she wrote that book

was to talk about the hurts.

I mean...every word is the truth.

It's not like she lied.

Yeah, well, I-I feel, I feel badly for her. I..

Publishing a book will be good for her

good for her own view of herself.

Maybe I should talk to Gary.

No, I don't think so, Joe.

This is between husband and wife.

Oh, you're right, Lilimae.

Maybe I should talk to Gary.

[male #2] 'Al, can I see you up in the booth?'

[male #2] 'Okay, everyone, 30 seconds to air.'

Nervous? Don't be.

Yeah, I know. I just wish I knew we were--

- Doing the right thing? - Yeah.

You are.

The best thing you ever did for yourself.

Okay, everybody places.

[male #2] 'Five seconds. Quiet on the set.'

[sighs]

[Chris] 'Tuition in the business world.'

High class call girls who never walk the streets.

They don't have to.

Their services are charged to expense accounts

provided to key clients

'by corporations who are anxious for their business.'

'Cindy, do you have clients in this category?'

[Cindy] 'Yes.'

'Well, how does it work, exactly?'

[Cindy] 'Well, like, there's this brokerage firm'

'that uses a lot of call girls.'

'And, like, once they were entertaining this group of'

visiting Japanese investors.

And I guess they wanted to make sure that

the guys had a good time when they were in LA

so they had one of their executives throw a party.

Myself and several friends of mine

were brought in to, uh, you know..

...do what we do.

[Chris] 'Yeah, Thank you, Cindy.'

'So there was one executive with this firm'

'whose job it was to set up the party?'

[clears throat] Yes, right.

Cindy, would you say that this is fairly

common practice in the business world?

[chuckles] I'm never out of work.

Corporate pimping it sounds like.

Cindy, we're gonna play a tape you made of one of these

corporate p*mps talking about his job.

I believe the man we're about to hear

works for the brokerage firm you just mentioned.

Hey, wait a minute, you said that was for background only.

[Richard on tape] 'Parkhurst, Jansen and Stearns'

'runs this whole business with hookers.'

'We entertain a lot of out of town clients.'

'The theory is if you show them a good time'

'they take your recommendations.'

'So we hire high class call girls.'

[instrumental music]

'What the hell, it's all tax deductible anyway.'

'And guess who's in charge of the entertainment.'

'[bleep] former attorney.'

'Current pimp.'

'Current chump.'

[Chris] 'Tax deductible.'

'So it's actually us'

'Mr. and Mrs. taxpayer..'

'...who are supporting this practice.'

'This is Chris Wilson.'

Didn't he say what time he was coming home?

No, mama, he didn't.

He just had Marsha call to say

that he wouldn't be coming home for dinner.

- Working with Abby again-- - Mama!

Please.

Well, it just doesn't make any sense.

Here you're ready to sacrifice your whole career for his sake

and he won't even call you to say he won't be home for dinner.

You don't see him making any sacrifices for you, do you?

Mama.

Well...I'm going up to bed.

It's late and I'm tired.

Well...home is the sailor.

Home from the sea.

Hi, Lilimae.

[exhales]

Hey, honey.

Didn't realize you'd be working late again tonight.

Thought we had a lot to talk about.

- About the book? - Yep.

I thought that was all decided.

Well, Gary, I know what you decided

but...don't you think that

I might have something to say about it too?

Look, Valene, I'm really very tired.

I've been working every night this week trying to put this

deal together and it's beginning to look like

we're never gonna make it.

So you mind if we just skip the argument?

No argument, Gary, we have got to talk about this.

I mean, you can't be out working late every single night

and expect to make these decisions by remote control.

I mean, maybe I-I won't even publish that book

but it's got to be because we decide together.

And not because you forbid me to do it.

Okay, Valene, let's just cut to the bottom line.

What's it gonna take for you not to publish that book?

What?

I don't want that book published.

What's it gonna take?

Stop seeing, Abby.

Okay, It's a deal.

What?

What, do you want me to quit my job

get another job so I don't have to see her?

Move to another neighborhood--

Oh, come on now, Gary, this is ridiculous.

I just wanna get this settled

so we can stop having these stupid arguments.

Well, it's not like they're not justified.

I mean, you're always having these constant meetings

with her every night and every weekend.

Okay, how's this?

I'll only work with Abby at Knots Landing Motors

during normal business hours.

How's that?

- It's silly. - No, it's not.

Well, Gary, I-I can't make you do something

if you don't really wanna do it.

I wanna do it. Deal?

[instrumental music]

Do you really mean it?

And, you don't publish that book, deal?

Deal.

[Gary] So that's the deal.

Val's gonna withdraw the book from publication

and I'm only gonna work on this methanol thing

during normal business hours.

- You're kidding. - No.

So I guess you're gonna have to cancel those

meetings we planned for this weekend.

Oh, Gary, we need that work time

if we're gonna make this deal with Craig.

Yeah, well, we're just gonna have to work on it

at the office. It won't be that bad.

Oh, Gary, I don't believe this.

[chuckles] I really don't.

Val knows how important this business is to you

and all she can think about is

the few hours you have to spend away from her.

I'm sorry, Gary, but I think she's being very petty.

Yeah, maybe. But that's the deal.

Well, I don't understand why you put up with it.

Because I don't want this book published. Not the way it is.

And if spending a little time with her

is the way to prevent that..

...then it's a small price to pay.

Well, I guess you know best.

I-I was up all night, Mr. Parkhurst and--

- Sugar? - Uh, no, thanks.

And I worked out a plan of attack--

- Twist of lemon? - Yes.

Uh, which will establish our position

should a lawsuit be required.

It won't be.

We're releasing a statement

to the press this afternoon, Richard.

I'd like to read it to you so there'll be no surprises.

Well, you see, I-I've worked out of a letter of my own--

Richard, please. Please.

"Parkhurst, Jansen and Stearns announced today

"that Richard Avery, an attorney with the firm

"has tendered his resignation

"pending an investigation into alleged improprieties.

"It was brought to the firm's attention that Mr. Avery

"in his zeal to attract clients

utilized his connection with known prostit*tes."

Because you insisted on it. I had no connections.

"...wishes to assure its clients

"and customers that this is an isolated incident.

"None of the alleged improper acts

"involve participation or knowledge

of any other employee or corporate officer."

This is outrageous. You think I'm gonna stand for this?

There's nothing you can do about it, Richard.

Please spare yourself the embarrassment of trying.

This is so unfair.

That show was on the air.

People are understandably upset.

They need a scapegoat, a sacrificial lamb.

And unfortunately, you're the one

whose voice was on that tape.

That was dumb, Richard.

Everything I did, I did because you asked.

What should I do? Fire myself?

[chuckles]

[instrumental music]

[birds chirping]

- Val. - Hmm?

You're crazy, you know that?

[chuckles] Maybe.

And Gary is crazy for not letting you publish the book.

Yeah, but see, it was my decision, not his.

I'll tell you, I would not let anyone push me around like that.

Kenny didn't want me to do the demo either.

But after I did it, he was proud of me.

You've got to stick to your g*ns.

But see, it's different for you two than it is for me.

I mean, your singing is really important for you.

And that's how it should be.

And your career is just as important to you.

And it's giving you both a feeling of

of independence and wanting to stand on your own.

And I-I really love that about you and I admire it

but I know it's not me.

A career just isn't important to me.

I mean, not as important as my marriage is.

I mean, you can be happy separated from Richard

living alone, starting on your own again.

But...I just don't ever want that for myself.

Nobody says you have to leave, Gary.

Yeah, I know, but I-I just could never be

happy doing something that would hurt him.

Doesn't he realize what you're doing for him?

[chuckles] Yeah, he knows.

I mean, we both feel the same way.

We've struggled too hard to get what we have now

and it's important to both of us to protect it.

[doorbell rings]

[Laura] I don't know why you have to make it into a choice.

[sighs]

Come on, Richard. I told you not to stop by.

Please.

What's wrong?

TV shows some stupid hooker.

It's gonna be all over the papers.

- Uh, Laura, maybe-- - No, no, that's alright.

Everyone's gonna know about it in the morning anyway.

I'm gonna have to sue.

I could sue the company for breach of implied contract

but my only defense would be

that I was only following orders.

I don't think that'll be effective.

So I'm gonna have to sue the station.

They left themselves wide open by using the name of the firm.

'Now, it would be a lot easier'

'if I had Parkhurst, Jensen, Stearns'

behind me, but I don't.

So, I'm gonna have to get them

for slander and libel and invasion of privacy.

Richard, what are you talking about?

I'll put you in on the details later.

See, the-the-the point is that

I can clear myself but it's gonna take a lot of time

and a lot of money, and I'm gonna need your help.

Richard, you're not making any sense.

I'm in trouble, okay?

And all I need to know is now are you with me?

Richard, I--

Just give me a yes or no answer

Laura, are you with me or are you with them?

Richard, just tell me what happened.

I'm in a..

I don't know what happened.

[Richard sobbing] 'Laura..'

[instrumental music]

[indistinct]

[crying]

[softly] It's okay.

It's okay.

Shh..

It's alright.

Yes.

Well, Mr. Craig, I--

I was sure that once you saw the figures

you'd want to make the deal.

Yes. Sure.

Well...right now?

Uh, well, I, uh..

...as a matter of fact, Mr. Ewing

is in a meeting right now and he's liable to be in it all day.

How about tonight?

I know that you have to go to New York in the morning

and we're as anxious to close the deal as you are

so tonight would be about the only time.

Okay.

Okay, good. I'll, um..

I'll call you back with the time and the place, alright?

Terrific.

Right. Bye-bye.

[instrumental music]

- How would you to do that? - Goodnight, Gary.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

Yeah, well, I can't do it tonight.

Well, Gary, I don't know what to do.

Mr. Craig has to go to New York in the morning.

It's tonight or never.

And we can't pass this up.

Can't we meet with him this afternoon?

He's in meetings all afternoon.

What do I tell him?

Val, either we meet with the guy tonight or we lose the deal.

The whole business goes down the drain.

Yeah, but, Gary, I thought that we made a deal, too.

I mean, it hasn't even been 24 hours.

It's a stupid deal.

I don't mean that. I just..

Valene, you cannot make these arbitrary rules.

Look, Abby and I are in this business together

and unless we give it our best shot

we're gonna lose everything we've put into it so far.

Now, that ain't gonna do our marriage any good either, is it?

No, it isn't.

Look, we'll just meet with the guy

close the deal and come right home.

You ain't gonna miss me.

That's where you're wrong.

But you do understand?

Yeah, I understand, now, just go on, Gary

and do what you have to do, go on.

[dramatic music]

Is that those publishing contracts you're signing?

Yes, Mama.

Oh, Val, I'm so proud of you.

I knew you and Gary could work this out.

You and Gary did work this out, didn't you?

Huh?

Yes, mama, We did.

Oh.

[laughs]

[instrumental music]

[theme music]