03x22 - Living Dangerously

[bunniefuu]

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

[whirring on camera]

[seagull screeches]

[soft rattles]

[Lilimae] You-you can't live this way, Valene.

Waking up depressed, going to bed depressed.

- I'm not depressed, mama. No. - Oh, no?

[Lilimae] Well, then how come you don't talk to anybody anymore?

How come you avoid even your best friend?

How come you-you can't even talk to Gary

much less look at him?

[Val] Mama, look, just let me handle it my way, okay?

[Lilimae] Oh, yes, indeed.

But handle it, Val.

Do it.

[Val] Well, it's not that simple.

[Lilimae] It is simple.

- Your husband is having an-- - Sh!

Mama.

Your husband is having an affair

with Abby Cunningham, right under your nose.

You don't know that.

Oh, come on, Valene.

Well, have you seen him?

Well, no.

Alright, neither have I.

And neither has anybody else.

So could we please talk about something else?

You could ask Gary.

I mean...straight out, face to face.

I have.

Well, what does he say?

- Huh? - He says no, mommy, he says no.

[scoffs]

You don't believe that, do you?

I don't, I-I don't know, look, mama

I don't want to talk about this anymore, do you understand?

Well, there's nothing else to talk about.

I'm obsessed with the subject.

Well, please leave me out of your obsessions.

Oh, yeah.

Well, look, if you want to talk about something

let's-let's talk about what I'm going to wear tomorrow.

For the meeting with Neal Henning?

- Yeah. - Oh!

Ooh, aren't you excited?

No, but..

Your first professional meeting

as a professional writer.

[chuckles]

Mom.

[machine whirring]

[sneezing]

[door creaks]

Oh, here you are.

What?

I want to ask you something.

I'm listening.

[whirring stops]

Now, you're listening.

I want to know what's going on.

I'm fighting my way down

to bare wood before we're finishing.

Excuse me.

[whirring]

[whirring stops]

That is not what I meant.

Who is having an affair with who?

I mean whom?

What?

Well, people talk.

People? What people?

Well, you and Lilimae and Val and Uncle Joe.

You're always whispering.

And then I come into the room and everybody shuts up.

Or you change the subject.

What, don't you think that I can tell?

I hadn't noticed.

Why? What have you heard?

Nothing, that's why I'm asking you.

Well, you must have heard something.

Why else would you assume

somebody was having an affair?

[soft chuckle]

Mother, are you going to tell me or not?

Not.

[whirring]

Mother, I'm 18 years old.

I'm going to college in the fall.

I may not know everything about everything

but I'm old enough to know when something's going on.

Now, who's having an affair?

You don't have to yell.

Anyway...why should I tell you anything

if you won't tell me anything?

I don't know anything.

And how do you know there's anything to tell?

Never mind.

[clinks on door]

Oh, boy.

[whirring]

I know you're beige nick.

No, come on, mama, that's too plain.

Ah. With the pink Aberdeen then

w-with your turtleneck tall.

Oh, it's not special enough.

What did you do with my dark blue suit?

I sent it to the cleaners.

Mama, would you please make Gary some supper?

I have to work on my revision.

- Okay. - Revisions For what?

For her meeting with Neal Henning tomorrow afternoon.

At his hotel.

Mama, that turtleneck top's a strange color green.

- It's not going to match. - Match? It'll be stunning.

Stop there.

Mama, he's not my date, he's just my editor.

Oh, Valene, you are a beautiful woman.

People expect you to dress with flare and style.

- You mind eggs, Gary? - I don't want anything.

Why'd you send my suit to the cleaners?

So that you could have it back

for the c*ck party on Friday.

No, I'm not going.

I don't want to be thrown to the wolves.

What wolves?

The reporters that are going to be there

asking me questions about my family.

[Gary] 'Did this chapter really happen?'

Did that? Is Jay Earl like that?

But this party isn't for the press.

It's for the book dealers and for Valene.

Besides, nobody's read the book yet.

I mean, Valene is still revising.

Gary, I would like for you to be there.

For moral support, if nothing else.

You've got a publishing contract.

That's all the moral support you need.

I got a meeting to get to.

[somber music]

[clinks]

And I picked up a few of those

frozen takeout dinners from that French deli.

- Oh, great. - Here.

Got some steaks and some hamburger.

[paper rustling]

Oh, and I-I made-up a few quarts of chili

which you can defrost.

- Here. - Hmm.

And I was making some veal Parmesan

which you can just freeze and then put in the microwave.

Why, you never took this good care of me

when we were living together.

Come on, Richard.

Hey, I was kidding.

Really, I didn't mean anything by that, this is great.

You sure you're going to be okay?

I'm fine.

[clinks]

You know, I really didn't think it was such a good idea

for you to come home from the hospital so soon.

I'm telling you, I'm fine.

You don't have to take care of me like this.

I mean, look, all this frozen food is great

but, uh, you don't have to do this.

Let's face it, I'm a better cook than you are.

Alright, okay.

But you sure you're going to be okay here by yourself?

Go, I'm fine.

Oh, look, I, uh, I brought these.

You left them in the car when I drove you home.

Oh, yeah, my tranquilizers. I don't really need them.

Now, come on, if the doctor says you should take them..

I'll take them if you stop worrying about me.

What are you doing tonight?

Uh, Karen asked me to come over

I'll probably go there.

Okay, well, you-you call me if you want, I'll be home tonight.

Okay.

Oh, well, take care of yourself.

[soft clinks]

[soft rattles]

[tires rustling]

Gary Ewing to the floor, Gary Ewing to the floor, please.

- Gary Ewing to the floor. - He went to the bank.

I don't see Abby here either.

Uh, went to get her watch fixed.

Oh, well, if you believe that

I'd like to get you in a game of five cards draw.

- I didn't say a word. - But they're all together.

And I'm going to be here when they get back.

Lilimae, look, maybe we should just stay out of this.

[Karen] 'I mean, it's none of our business.'

If my daughter's happiness

isn't my business, I don't know what is.

Look, I'm meeting Laura for lunch.

Why don't you come along?

I'm not gonna stand idly by

while Val's being made a fool of.

Come on, Gary won't be back till after lunch anyway.

Well, alright.

[clinks on phone]

When I get my hands up you'll see

and I'm going to shake him till his ears fall off.

[instrumental music]

[bell rings]

Oh.

What kept you on?

I was driving around.

Oh, renewed guilt.

No, the damn book.

There's going to be a c*ck party Friday.

I passed.

Oh, good.

We'd have our own party right here.

[smacking lips]

Why don't you go?

I mean, you're the one that got it started on its merry way.

I was only trying to help Val.

You were only trying to help Abby.

Come on, Gary.

It's our time together. Let's not waste it.

[music continues]

[smacking lips]

[moans]

[smacking lips]

[giggles]

[moans]

[Valene] 'Capricorn Crude?'

[Neal] Yes, a-a family in Texas

seemed a bit parochial.

Our salespeople have an obligation to sell books.

They thought the title change would help.

Ooh, and-and the cover.

What do you think?

Um, "Capricorn Crude, The Saga Of Conquest."

It's, uh, catchy.

As the marketplace for books is very tough..

...first novels get swept under the rug every other day.

[instrumental music]

But our sales people, they know how to cope.

[Neal] For instance, they've come up with

'a series of... personal appearances.'

[cheering on TV]

[doorbell rings]

[instrumental music]

- In a minute. - 'It's the Money Time.'

[male #1 on TV] 'The easy money show where everybody wins.'

'That everybody just could be you and you.'

[doorbell dings] Coming.

[male #1 on TV] 'Now here's your Easy Money Master of Ceremony.'

- Well, hi, there! - Hi!

We were doing some marketing and got you some things.

[cheering on TV]

Thanks, but you didn't have to, you know, I can go out.

Oh, it was no trouble.

I'm really glad you're back, Richard.

So am I.

[chattering on TV]

We were really worried about you.

Thanks, I'm okay now.

[baby coos]

I'll put these away.

[chattering on TV]

Where'd your mommy go?

Wanna come with me a little bit?

Hmm? Wanna come play with me?

Was that your finger?

[babbling]

Oh, yes, you like that.

[laughs]

What a baby.

Look at the silly, let's look at the silly TV.

Look at these silly people on the TV.

What are they doing?

What are they doing on the TV?

What are they doing? Look at them.

Look at them.

- Look at the-- - What are you doing?

[instrumental music on TV]

I was just playing with the baby.

She gets really nervous with strangers.

[male #1 on TV] 'Johnny, your phone dialing partner.'

'Charlie, her dialing partner..'

Richard seemed like his old self last night.

Telling stories, laughing.

[soft chuckle]

[Laura] He's all wound up, isn't he?

Well, yeah, but he's functioning.

He's been to my house for dinner

and played racquetball with Kenny.

He went running with Val one morning.

And he's not sleeping.

- Not hungry? - Uh-huh.

You know, it's funny, when I brought Richard home

from the hospital, he seemed almost..

...I don't know unfocused.

I feel so bad leaving him there.

And, why did you?

Lilimae.

Well, if she's worried about him

he did have a nervous breakdown.

Maybe you'll feel better if you move back.

Oh, no, I couldn't do that.

No, he's okay.

We'll-we'll keep an eye on him, right, Lilimae?

[intriguing music]

For heaven's sake.

[tires rustling]

[Lilimae] 'Would you look at that?'

[bell rings]

So that's where they are.

What?

Just keep your eyes peeled.

[tires rustling]

I say ten seconds.

One, two, three

'four, five, six...seven.'

[music continues]

Look, he beat me.

Unbelievable.

[instrumental music]

Straight up against the desk.

Bossy.

[chuckles]

[rustling]

- Thank you. Thanks. - Yeah.

Oh.

[rustling]

Okay.

Wouldn't it be nice if it was all together when we opened up?

- Yes. - But it's not.

What a mess.

Is this a crib?

Well, it will be once we get it assembled, hopefully.

Do you see any instructions anywhere?

[music continues]

[rustling]

- This? - Oh, thank you very much.

[paper rustling] Let's see.

First step, make sure you have all the required parts.

Why don't you get dad to put it together?

Because we-we're trying to manage on our own.

Why?

I've explained to you several times, honey.

Your dad and I have problems

and that's why we're not living together.

I want to see dad.

He's been ill, honey, and as soon as he's well enough

I'll take you to see him, okay?

[music continues]

Here...why don't you put the crib together?

[soft rattling]

It's lurid, it's cheap, it's vulgar.

I mean, I can't tell you how disgusting it is.

Come on, Val, why don't you tell us how you really feel?

I mean, why did I ever write that stupid book?

Oh, come on, Val.

You're not really upset about the book.

You're upset about the cover.

No, it's everything.

I mean, it's the cover, it's-it's Neal Henning.

It's that stupid title he dreamed up.

Capricorn Crude is a great title.

Maybe, but the-but the jacket sounds like a centerfold.

And chapter eight, you know what he wants me to do with that?

You know, the one where Melissa gets burned in the fire?

He wants me to rework it

so that the fire is deliberately set by CR.

That was my suggestion.

Your suggestion?

Whose side are you on?

Believe me, Val, yours.

If CR has one of his own men set the fire

then you got a threat going right through the book.

[Joe] 'He's a man who will do anything at any time.'

It is a classic b*mb ready to explode.

No, there's no way that I'm going to do that to Gary.

- To Gary? - Yeah.

This is no time to worry about what Gary thinks.

What do you mean?

Well, I-I-I just hate the way he-he's holding you back.

Val, why don't you, um...talk to Neal?

He'll respect you for what you say.

And remember, bottom line, he knows how to sell books.

Excuse me, look, I gotta go do some work.

Bye.

Karen.

[instrumental music]

[knocks on door]

Who is it?

[Richard] 'Hi, it's-it's me.'

[clinks on door]

- Hi. - Hi.

I-I called you earlier.

Oh, I was- I was over at Terrance.

I made ossobuco for the entire family.

[chuckles]

That's great.

Yeah, it was good.

I'm doing fine, I'm getting out.

I'm...taking charge of my life.

Cooking ossobuco.

Good.

The reason I dropped by is that, uh..

...I was talking with Ginger today.

And she says you're not taking your Lamaze classes

'because you don't have a labor coach.'

But I just wanted you to know that I-I'd, I'd be glad to.

I mean, if you want to, I mean, I-I'd like to, in fact.

Thanks, Richard, but there's more to it than that.

Well, sure, fine.

I just wanted to let you know I'm available

in case you change your mind.

Well, I don't think I will change my mind.

I'd like to do something.

It's my baby, too.

I know. But if you're involved, I'm gonna be tense

and apprehensive, and that's bad for the baby.

[soft music]

Yeah, okay.

I understand.

That's all.

How's Jason?

He's fine.

He's asleep.

Well, give him a big hug for me.

Tell him I'm getting better and better and I'll see him soon.

I will.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

[clinks on door]

[crickets chirp]

[thud]

Take it, Gary, it's the one Val wants you to wear Friday night.

I-I told you both I'm not going.

Oh, yes, you are.

Gary, I mean it.

You're going to that party.

What, are you threatening me?

Well, score one for the blonde kid.

[instrumental music]

That's exactly what I'm doing, threatening you.

With what?

With what I saw.

While I was enjoying lunch today.

And just what did you see?

Oh, two butterflies.

You're threatening me with butterfly.

Yes, I am.

They flitted out of this apartment house across the way.

First one, then the other.

[Lilimae] 'Completely oblivious to the fact that'

Karen and Laura and I had seen them.

- Karen and Laura? - Mm-hmm.

[clinks on door]

Oh, guess what, sweet pea?

What?

Well, Gary has decided to go to the c*ck party.

Haven't you, Gary?

Yes, it's really important to you.

Gary, I told you that it was fine.

Fine, I'll be there as soon as I get off work.

Why did he change his mind?

[soft thud]

[water splattering]

Why don't you try throwing to the driveway?

Okay. Here.

[tires rustling]

Oh, look out, kids!

Abby!

- Abby. - Bye, have fun.

Abby, I want to talk to you.

I'm sorry, Lilimae, I'm late for work.

This won't take long.

[water splattering]

Look, I know what's going on, and I want it to stop.

Well, Lilimae, if you're talking about inflation

or the arms race, I agree, I do too.

[tires rustling]

[Michael] Lilimae, you're getting your feet wet.

Oh, my.

[water splattering]

- Oh. - Right.

A one, a two.

Alright.

He's not home.

He left the sprinklers on.

[stammers]

This lawn's going to be a lake.

Now why didn't one of you shut off the water?

[water splattering]

It's not like Richard to leave the sprinklers running.

[footsteps]

[water splattering]

I mean, his nice lawn's getting ruined.

Yeah, he left his garage door open too.

Well...he'll probably be home soon.

You be sweet.

[Eric] Come on, let's go.

Alright, a one, a two.

Alright.

[Neal] Hmm.

Oh, yes, chapter ten. Wonderful.

Yeah. Now, see, um, I was hoping to eliminate most of that.

Why?

Well, because I-I feel that I went too far

with Mary Sue, you know, to make her that kind of a woman

I-I think that it's just it's too cheap and it's too obvious.

Kiddo, this book is not exactly subtle.

Obvious is what we're going for.

So let's make it as effective as we can.

Yeah, but that's not what I intend.

- 'Now..' - What?

This is fiction,

Which is now being sold as fact.

Oh, no.

Not admittedly or ever.

And the further we move Mary Sue from Sue Ellen Ewing

the less trouble we're going to have from the Ewing's lawyers.

You know, but see, that's not..

What is it?

Th-that's just not fair to anybody.

Can we move on?

[clicks tongue]

Yeah, sure.

[instrumental music]

[Karen] He's been gone all day.

It's a good thing we turned the sprinklers off.

We'd have had to build an ark and climb aboard.

The front door was unlocked.

Well, sometimes he's absent minded.

Look, I'll look after the place till he gets back.

Why are you so concerned, sugar?

Oh, something that happened yesterday.

What?

I brought him some things back from the market

and while I was putting him away, he picked up the baby.

Before I knew what I was doing, I screamed

and I grabbed the baby away from him.

Oh, my.

[sighs]

He was hurt and humiliated.

And if anything happens to him because of me..

...I'll never forgive myself.

- 'Line one..' - Um...don't leave that there.

[female #1] 'Line one.'

[clinks on drawer]

[paper rustling]

Oh, that's terrific, just stuff it in

so I can't get anything out.

Never-never mind, I'll do it myself.

- Karen, it's alright. - I said I'll do it myself.

[paper rustling]

- Alright. - Do you wanna ease up?

- Ease up? - Yeah.

You've been testy all day.

Do you want to ask me why, Gary?

- Leave it alone, Karen. - Why should I?

Because it's none of your business.

Don't say it's none of my business.

Val is my friend and I love her

and I don't want to see her hurt.

Fine. Then you'll make it your business

not to tell her, won't you?

Excuse me.

[instrumental music]

[thud]

[clanks]

[crickets chirp]

There's tea if anyone wants it.

It's all my fault.

Oh, will you cut it out? Come on.

You acted perfectly naturally on the spur of the moment.

Richard's smart enough to figure that out.

Then, where is he?

Maybe he went for drive in the country.

Then why did he leave the sprinklers on?

Because he has to drag everyone into this drama

making it impossible for anyone to lead a normal life.

I'll try and phone the Health Club again.

Would you call the Highway Patrol too?

Listen, if they have anything, they'll give us a call.

[clinks on door]

[door creaks]

[thuds]

- Any word yet? - Uh-huh.

Uh! Well, I couldn't find him.

I didn't know where to look, actually.

Anyone call the doctor?

Twice.

Well, anyone for coffee or tea?

Might as well.

[sighs]

[clinks on door]

Richard.

[thud]

[Lilimae] 'Richard.'

What is this? A surprise party?

- Where have you been? - The movies.

Since noon?

[Richard] 'Well, I went to one and then I felt like seeing another'

and then I went to another one.

What's wrong with that?

Nothing.

I used to do that in New York all the time.

Laura?

[soft music]

[thuds]

What's she doing here?

Well, I called her.

Well, you left the sprinklers on and the door was unlocked.

Well, I-I decided to leave on the spur of the moment.

I guess I forgot to lock the door.

[Richard] 'Look, I appreciate your concern'

but I really wish you hadn't bothered Laura.

I'm sorry.

I-I thought you might be at her place.

No, we're trying to stay out of each other's lives.

I mean, I'm trying to get on with mine

and she's trying to get on with hers.

Hey, come on, Richard.

We'll have some coffee and cake.

I don't want any cake.

I'm alright.

I just want to be left alone.

[door thuds]

[scratching on paper]

Can I watch the program now?

Not until you finish your homework.

It's a cultural program, the ballet.

Oh, I didn't know you were into culture or the ballet.

Watch this.

Oh, that's great, you know, but what you really got to do is

put more oomph to it.

Like...this.

Okay, like this.

- Right? - Yes.

[Diana] Yeah, it's great.

You're very talented.

Thank you, that's what Gary says.

Oh, how does he know?

He's seen me. He's here a lot.

Well, come on, Makarova.

I think it's time to finish your homework.

I have to give this back to him.

To who?

Gary, it's his calculator.

Hello.

- Hi, sweetie. - Hi, mom.

[smacking lips]

Everything alright here?

[clicks on calculator]

I'm so upset.

Why didn't I just tell her about Gary?

So why didn't you?

Because she's having enough trouble with your

buddy from New York, whatever his name is.

Stop bugging me about the book.

Can't you just talk to, what's his name? Neal.

I did.

Look, he is an important figure in publishing.

I am an obscure teacher.

Besides, they're extenuating circumstances.

- 'Hello.' - Hello.

- Extenuating circumstances? - Yeah.

- Hi. - Hi.

Um, Joe...uh, could we talk a second?

Val, I'm sorry, I got nothing new to tell you.

Oh, no, that's not it. See, um..

...look I-I'm not sure

that I can handle all of Neal's..

It seems there are extenuating circumstances.

Confidential.

She has a right to know.

Okay.

Look, uh..

...a day before Neal came out here, his boss retired.

That started the struggle for the job.

Which Neal has been working for, for three years.

So he's out here romancing hinterland book dealers

and sweating out some low priority first novel. Huh?

So if he's a little testy, it's got nothing to do with you.

I don't know. I mean, how does that affect me?

Why don't you just rely on his judgment?

That's a big help.

No, no, daddy, I'm fine.

Really, I'm-I'm handling it okay.

- 'And how's Jason?' - He's okay.

Well, or at least he will be.

[Hank] 'Well, has he seen Richard yet?'

No, he hasn't seen him.

[Hank] 'When do you think you're going to let them see each other?'

Uh, whenever I think that Richard is well enough.

[Hank] 'And you're thinking that maybe never?'

No, no, I-I know I said that.

But...but he's okay.

He's getting better steadily.

I-I see him improving every day.

I'm confident that Richard is fine.

I just think that-that he and Jason have to adjust

to the idea of being apart before they have visits.

[Hank] 'Well, whatever you think is best, honey.'

Oh, daddy, hold-hold on a second, there's a call waiting.

[soft music]

- Hello. - 'Hello, Mrs. Avery?'

- Yes. - 'Your husband is down here.'

[female #1] 'And Mr. Parkhurst has asked me to call you.'

Oh, no.

[female #2] 'Could you come down here right away, please?'

Okay. I'll be right there.

[female #1] 'Good, thank you.'

[clink on phone] Daddy, I've got to go.

- 'Anything wrong?' - No, no, no, nothing's wrong.

- 'Okay, take care, I love.' - Okay, I love you too.

- 'I'll call you.' - Bye-bye.

[clink]

[sighs and murmurs]

[tense music]

[thuds]

Okay, I was stupid.

I shouldn't have gotten involved with that call girl, Marni.

But how was I supposed to know she was tape recording

everything we said?

We've been through this ten times already.

Going over it again isn't going to change a thing.

Now, why don't you go home and take it easy?

Look, I'm letting you off the hook, Parkhurst.

Even though what you did was unethical

immoral and downright unfair.

Richard, don't force me to call security.

Call 'em.

[knocking on door] Come in.

Ah, Mrs. Avery, come in, come in.

I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner.

[sighs] Look, Mr. Parkhurst, it's simple.

I've got to take charge of my own life.

So I sat down with a pencil and a pad

and I listed my priorities.

Step one was to get my job back.

Richard..

You know damn well I could sue you.

Mrs. Avery, would you please get him out of here?

Come on, Richard, let's go.

What are you doing here?

Look, don't put yourself in this position.

You've got to have some self respect.

That's why I want my job back.

[scoffs] Look around here, what do you see?

I mean, beyond all the art and the plants

and the furniture, nothing.

[Laura] Oh, Richard, you're a good lawyer.

You don't want to work for this man.

[instrumental music]

No, I don't.

[clinks on door]

[thuds]

[thud]

[clinks on door]

[click on switch]

[music continues]

[thud]

Here, sit down, I'll make you some tea.

No, I-I don't want anything.

[keys rattling]

So, Richard, what are we going to do?

Do?

I think you're trying to do too much too soon.

What do you mean?

Why don't you let me take you back to the hospital?

Look, I was a little edgy this morning

so I went to see Parkhurst.

It-it wasn't entirely pointless.

I-I-I got rid of a lot of hostility.

Richard, please.

No, I can't handle it there.

Okay, alright, it was just a suggestion.

[keys rattling]

Suggestion.

[paper rustling]

[sighs]

Here's your mail.

Thank you.

[paper rustling]

Well, how about another doctor?

Look, I don't want another doctor.

I-I-I respect this woman.

I-I just don't wanna be, you know

I-I don't want to be isolated that way.

The answer is for me to be involved

and working and around people I like.

Look, will you just sit down and relax?

I'll make us some tea.

I've got a little Brie in the refrigerator

and some of those salt free crackers you like.

[instrumental music]

[soft rattles]

[liquid burbling]

[suspenseful music]

[paper rustling]

[whistling]

[rattles]

Hi, Laura, come on in.

Uh, Kenny, I really need your help.

Is that the sitter?

Hi, Laura.

What's the problem?

Well, I, uh, I've been with Richard and..

...I'm moving back in.

And I was wondering if you could keep an eye--

Wait, you moving in?

I thought you decided not to.

Here, read this.

"I'm too tired, too frustrated.

"Nothing to look forward to.

"Another g*n.

"This time it won't be an empty gesture

when I point it to my temple."

Oh, Laura.

Well, he hasn't done anything yet.

I-in fact, I found that crumpled up and thrown away.

Yeah, but he's got the notion in his head.

Maybe you should call the doctor.

I will...but she'll just tell me what she told me before.

Don't move back unless it's for good.

I don't think I can cope with that right now.

What about taking him back to the hospital?

He won't go.

What can we do?

Well, if..

...if you could just help me pick up Jason

and some things for tonight.

But I know you've got to go to that party.

Why, this is more important, Val will understand.

And maybe you could just keep an eye

on Richard until we get back?

Sure, is he over there now?

- Yeah. - Okay.

Kenny, he doesn't know that I found that.

Oh, well, alright, here.

Does he know that you're moving back in?

Uh, no.

I don't know what he knows.

Sometimes he seems totally out of touch with reality.

And...sometimes I think he's planned all of this.

Everything.

Well, I'm on my way.

Thank you.

[clinks on door]

[thud]

Well, it's not the end of the world, right?

Richard can make the effort, so can I.

[instrumental music]

I rest my case.

[chuckles]

You call that rest?

The evidence is conclusive.

We were made for each other.

Well, I think further tests are needed.

We'll conduct this experiment again tomorrow.

[smacking lips]

- Where are you doing? - To that c*ck party.

- Oh, yeah? - Yeah.

That's what you think.

Abby, come on, this is serious.

- I know. - No, no.

No! Uh-huh.

No! No, you can't go, please.

No!

[both giggling]

Abb, I'm serious.

Really, I got to get to that party.

We'll have our own party.

We just did.

Abby, don't make this any harder for me

than it already is.

You know, I'd rather be here than go.

Then stay.

[smacking lips]

[inhales sharply]

[music continues]

Oh, that's not fair.

[chuckles] I'm learning.

[rustling]

[tires rustling]

Nobody walks in.

Last night I took a stroll around the block

and a cop stopped and asked me what I was doing.

[male #1] 'It's not as if I was carrying'

'a newspaper wearing a raincoat.'

[chattering]

No, but I heard you very well.

[laughs]

[chattering]

Mrs. Ewing, are we to infer that your book

is an expose of the Ewing family in Texas?

The book is fiction.

And I do hope that you will accept it for that.

Translation, it's the Ewings alright.

Well, some of it is based on the Ewing family.

But most of it is my interpretation

of that part of the country and the..

...the people who live there.

Really?

Excuse me, please.

I doubt that.

[soft chuckle]

[Gary] Stop looking at me like that.

Like what?

I'm smiling.

See?

I'm not Val, you know.

What's that mean?

[Abby] 'I'm not your jailer or your mother.'

I don't tell you where to be and when to be there

and how to dress and how to get there.

Okay, okay, I get the message, come here.

Well, I wanted to see that book.

But I didn't want to be seen wanting it.

[instrumental music]

So I snuck up to the clerk and I ask him

"Do you have a copy of The Mating Scene?"

Well, what do you think he does?

He shouts all the way across the store

"Hey, Charlie, this guy wants that new sex book."

[laughing]

Excuse me, I need to talk to you.

Excuse me.

[chattering]

Joe has told me that you are one of the finest

and most sensitive editors in the business.

God, not now.

But I don't understand you.

See, on the one hand, I'm supposed to disguise

these characters so as to avoid a lawsuit.

[chattering]

And on the other, you walk in here

and you tell these people that it isn't disguised.

Val seems to be having a hard time.

- Really? - She'll be alright.

- 'Spoiler there.' - Good luck.

[Val] 'I'm sorry. I'm afraid that I am.'

- Just kidding. - 'I know what I'm saying.'

[Valene] 'I can trust you completely to look out..'

- Excuse me. - 'Go on.'

[Valene] 'I've got to admit that I found you..'

I wonder where Gary is.

He'll be here, don't you worry about that.

[Valene] 'Of course, I want my book to sell, that's not the point.'

'It's just that..'

[plate clinks]

Come on, open your eyes.

This is the real world.

Hey, folks.

Let's cool it, huh?

Yes, we are here to build goodwill, remember?

I'm all for goodwill.

I just don't understand your ground rules, that's all.

She is acting like little Nell from the country.

Neal, it's the first time out of the gate.

Have fun.

Hmm.

Then why you going?

If you have to ask..

[scoffs]

Obligation.

Abby...don't make this

any more difficult for me than it already is.

Me make it difficult?

Let me ask you something.

Where would you rather be right now?

Here...or at that c*ck party?

What do you think?

[soft chuckle] Them why are you going?

[phone rings]

There's no answer.

[clinks on phone]

Where's Gary?

Well, he'll be here.

You go on, tend to your book dealers.

[soft chuckle]

[instrumental music]

You call him again.

[clicks on phone]

Now I know, don't I?

Oh, boy.

Now that the cul-de-sac is buzzing with the subject

I can just hear everyone.

"Oh, that Abby is such a manipulator.

'Oh, how she must have manipulated Gary."'

What's the point, Abb?

[sighs]

The point is..

[soft music]

Gary wants to be here.

[Abby] 'And he's going there.'

When Gary's with Abby, he's..

[exhales] ...alive and excited and sexy.

When he's with Val he's bored

and frustrated and guilty and obligated.

You want to be here..

...yet you're going there.

You tell me who's the manipulator

me or Val?

It's not that simple.

[smacking lips]

[music continues]

You know it is that simple.

Where do you want to be?

You know where.

Then why are you going?

Now, why did you send me your manuscript?

To have it published.

Let her answer.

Well, to have it published, yes, but I-I..

[line ringing] He's not at home.

He's not at the dealership.

At least he's not answering the phone.

Maybe his car broke down.

Are you serious?

No.

[instrumental music]

Now, there is no such thing

as a slightly titillating book.

Either it's titillating or it isn't.

You haven't changed.

Everything is black and white.

Come on, let's sit down.

Either she's interested in making royalties or she isn't.

Well, of course, I'm interested.

But the last thing in the world I want to attract is

the kind of reader that will respond to that book jacket.

Neal...she has integrity.

[Joe] 'You remember that word?'

[Neal] 'Are you trying to tell me how to edit this book?'

- Somebody's got to tell you. - Excuse me.

[music continues]

Your mind is back in New York

where they're still fighting over that job you want so bad.

Wrong.

[chattering]

I got the job.

[chuckles]

Well, alright, congratulations.

With the power to hire and fire.

So what? I don't work for you.

Why don't you?

I could use a West Coast editor

who thinks he knows more than I do.

[chattering]

- Where did Karen go? - I don't know.

- Yes, you do. - No!

[music continues]

Did Val leave?

I'm afraid so, why?

Because I'm now in charge of her book.

So, that's wonderful.

[knocks on door]

[instrumental music]

It's probably one of Terry's boyfriends.

[knocks on door]

Don't worry, they'll go away.

[smacking lips]

[knocks on door]

[Karen] 'Gary, Abby.'

I don't believe this.

[doorbell buzzing]

[Karen] 'Gary, open up.'

[instrumental music]

[rustling]

[clinks on door]

Get dressed and get out of here.

- Karen. - You, shut up.

- Come on, Gary, you're going-- - I'm getting--

[music continues]

[gasps]

Val.

[instrumental music]

[tires rustling]

[brakes screech]

[clinks on door]

[thuds]

[thud]

[crickets chirp]

[rattling on door]

There she is.

- Bag's in the car. - Righto.

[music continues]

Okay.

Hi.

[smacking lips]

[crickets chirp]

[tires screech]

[crickets chirp]

[thud]

[tense music]

[clinks on door]

[thuds]

[clinks on door]

[brakes screech]

[thud]

[keys rattling]

[music continues]

[keys rattling]

[banging on door] Val!

Open up, please!

[banging on door]

[Gary] 'Val, come on, open up! Damn it!'

'Val! Valene, we got to talk.'

[banging on door] Val!

Val! Valene, we got to talk!

[banging on door] Val, damn it! Open the door!

[banging on door]

'Val! Open up!'

[music continues]

[banging on door]

Valene!

[click on suitcase]

[banging on door]

[rattles on door]

Val, Val, please, you don't understand.

We can talk, we have to talk.

In fact, honey, listen to me, please.

Please...don't do this! Don't do this!

Come on.

Val! Val, please!

[engine ignites]

No.

We've been together to listen, Val.

Listen, come-come on.

Come on, come on, listen, stop.

Val, we gotta talk about this.

[tires screeching]

Valene, honey!

We'll sit down and talk about it.

You got to, Valene!

[engine revving]

Valene, damn it, stop the car and listen to me.

Val!

[sobbing]

[Gary] Valene! Valene!

[music continues]

[panting]

Val!

[crickets chirp]

[tires screeching]

[Gary panting]

Val!

[theme music]

[music continues]

[outro music]