14x06 - The Price

[bunniefuu]

[romantic music]

Paige.

Hi.

Hi.

No?

Uh-oh.

-It's an uh-oh, isn't it? -Bill.

Say no more.

I know an uh-oh, when I see one.

I'm sorry.

I don't know what I was thinking last night.

I'm going to make some coffee while you get dressed.

Hey, Paige.

Can't undo it, you know.

It was a mistake.

-Still happened. -It was still a mistake.

I'll get the coffee.

[theme music]

[Nick] It's called passion. It reminds me of you.

-Extravagant. -Of course.

It's my way of saying thank you

for making my staying here so pleasant.

You are one cool customer.

Excuse me? Cool customer?

I hope that's idiomatic.

Yes, it is.

In this case, it means one who cannot afford all this.

Afford? What's this afford?

How to explain?

Afford refers to the relationship

between what something costs

and what one has earned.

Oh, forgive me, earned.

That would not be an easy concept for you, now would it?

How to explain?

You're making fun of me.

No, I'm having fun.

-[telephone rings] -Oh.

-Nick. -No. I'm hearing bells.

Calm down. Hello?

Yes, Vanessa, what is it?

No, this really isn't a good time right now.

Is that what you're calling about?

Vanessa, I cannot fight

your little workplace battles for you now.

Ed Hirsch has been with the station a long time.

Find a way to get along with him.

You're very good at that. Goodbye, dear.

You're so important they can't do without you.

Well, someone has to be in charge.

And even a little scorpion like Vanessa Hunt

needs guidance now and then.

I think maybe in business

you are the scorpion.

I mean, the Queen Scorpion.

And Vanessa wants to be my apprentice.

Yeah, but the queen rules alone.

I know.

[soft instrumental music]

-Val? -Hi.

It's just me.

I didn't mean to scare you.

I just popped out.

Wow, that's crazy, isn't it?

No, it isn't.

You're used to it.

I've just put a casserole in the refrigerator.

Gary and the kids would eat nothing but hot dogs

if it were up to them.

You've been very helpful to them.

-Oh, you know. -Sure.

-I mean, they're my friends. -Yeah, of course.

You guys were really close, like sisters.

[sobs] I gotta go, honey.

[panting]

Come in.

I've scheduled the second vote on the Sports Complex

for the next committee meeting,

which means we have a lot of work ahead of us.

I already talked to the sponsors

and they're willing to extend their commitment on the project.

Well, that's terrific.

I'll have Legal drop the contract

as soon as we get it approved.

And here I have the preliminary agendas that we need to discuss.

Excuse me?

This looks nice.

Zoning use, city planning...

There's four pages of permits here.

What did you expect? An E ticket to Disneyland?

You'll also find Gary Ewing's resume in here.

I think he'll be perfect for projects manager.

This guy's got a good background in construction.

I'd like to meet him.

-Okay, I'll set it up. -Wait a minute.

Aren't we moving a little fast here?

This guy is heading the entire construction outfit.

Who is Gary Ewing, anyway?

Oh, why don't you ask his employees at Tidal Energy?

Hi, Billy. Cliff.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Tidal Energy went bankrupt, didn't it?

Claudia, you weren't invited to this meeting.

Well, maybe I should have been

so that Cliff and Bill can get the real story.

Wait a minute. Did Tidal Energy go bankrupt?

Yes, but it wasn't Gary's fault.

It wasn't?

Didn't he run the company

and put up the money and mortgages his ranch?

Was a lovely ranch.

Unfortunately, the bank took it over

because he couldn't pay his bills.

And you want this guy to spearhead

our construction costs?

He can do it.

Now, Claudia, this project is going to happen,

so you may as well resign yourself to that fact.

The only one who's going to resign, Paige, is you

after the committee hears of this fiasco.

Gentlemen.

[Claudia clears throat]

Claudia doesn't want this to happen.

She will do anything to slow it down.

Yeah, but what about what she just said?

I'll explain it to you later.

In fact I'll have it documented.

-Over lunch? -No, I can't.

I have another appointment.

It's okay, I'll tell you what she says.

I'm sorry, I'm busy

and besides I need a little time to find the documentation.

I really need to get started, so if you'll excuse me.

Yeah, right.

Our next group hails from England

with five solid gold hits and four platinum.

-[knock on the door] -Co...

[door closes]

What are you doing here?

[Nick] Visiting an old friend.

What a wonderful surprise.

How did you find me here?

Did you see the show?

I haven't had the pleasure yet, no.

I found out through a close friend, Claudia Whittaker.

-You didn't tell her? -No, not a word.

Not even that we are friends.

She happened to mention your name.

-She did? -Yeah, I know.

Casual conversation.

She compared you to a scorpion.

-Oh. -Very favorably, of course.

Nick, I'd love to visit with you

but I have a show to do.

I'll stay and watch.

It's not permitted.

Then I'll leave. Come back when it's over

so we can go and have a drink together. Mm?

-I can't tonight. -Tomorrow?

-Nick, I... -Vanessa, I got it.

I'll call you.

Do not keep me off too long.

[tense music]

Nick.

Darling, we are friends, no?

Friends keep each other's secrets, okay?

Smile.

That's it.

Ciao.

Thanks.

-What are you doing here? -Look.

Bill, you're very nice.

And I know what I did wasn't fair.

No, what you did was fair.

Not doing it again, that's not fair.

Please don't make jokes about this.

Sorry. I have a habit of that. Bad habit.

I want you to know that it isn't you.

Well who is it?

Excuse me.

Forgive me for interrupting, but you are Bill Nolan.

-That's right. -My name is Genji Watanabe.

I'm honored to meet you.

When they broadcast the World Series in Japan

my three brother and I would always watch you pitch.

In our country they call you the Nolan Express.

No kidding, the Nolan Express.

I like that.

I'm sorry to interrupt your lunch.

-Very nice to meet you. -Nice to meet you.

Thanks for stopping by.

Strike out.

[speaking in Japanese]

-Don't you love it? -Love what?

-Being a star. -I'm not.

I am. Well, I was.

-Are, seems to be. -In Japan, maybe,

here with you...

Strike out.

Well, if you're not getting any place, why bother?

-Ego. -Ego?

Well, it seems to me I've been punishing your ego.

No, you see, with me, it's all appearances.

You're probably the classiest, best looking woman

I've ever hung out with.

Now people see us together and only think

that we might be sleeping together.

Good for my ego.

I can't believe you could be that shallow.

Hey, I'm a ball player.

They don't get much shallower.

Did you know that if you're a non-profit organization

the city will waive all your filing fees

and they're legally obligated to hold a special hearing

to help speed up construction?

If everything goes right

we can move up the start date six months.

Did you write that on the palm of your hand?

Oh, you actually memorized it?

After our meeting I went downtown to City Hall

-did some digging. -So I see.

-You are impressed, right?

A star in Japan, and I might not be

as shallow as you think.

-So how about dinner? -Just had lunch?

Sales.

I hate to badger people.

-Real estate, public relations. -Oh.

I'm so much better at personal relations.

[romantic music]

Katie.

I just came to get a few things.

Of course.

-You know, Mr. Schillace? -Nick.

My daughter Kate.

-Nice to meet you. -Nice to meet you.

I won't be long.

-Maybe I should leave. -Not on your life.

I'll be right back.

-Need any help? -No, thanks.

-Katie, about Nick... -You what, you love him?

You want to marry him or you just sleeping with him?

-I'd like to explain. -Explain what?

How old he is, Mother? What about that accent?

I mean, please, the two of you are on the couch

-making out like a couple. -You don't even know him.

I'm sure his IQ is very hottie.

Just because I'm your mother doesn't mean

I don't have feelings or needs.

Mother, please.

I'm sorry if you disapprove or that I've embarrassed you

but you're not a little girl anymore.

I am not going to marry Nick.

I'm not even going to fall in love with him.

But he is an attractive man

who thinks that I'm attractive too.

And if I'm not allowed to pass judgment in your life,

please don't do it on mine.

You're right.

I'm sorry.

I'm the last person to judge your personal life.

Hi darling. How are you?

Fine.

Meg.

Daddy and I are going to be inside

if you need anything, okay?

We'll be fine, Karen.

Well.

What do you want to do today?

-Nothing. -Nothing?

I can't believe that.

-Wanna pay dolls? -No.

How about catch? We can play catch.

I don't want to.

Oh, here are some cards.

Do you play Spit or w*r?

Oh, here's Old Maid. That's always a fun game.

Meg, honey, what's wrong?

I'm not supposed to talk to you.

You're a stranger.

I'm not a stranger, honey.

I'm your grandmother.

And there's a law that says I have a right to be here.

Why do I have to play with you?

Because that's the law.

And if you don't, well

I might go back and tell the judge and

he might just say that you had to come and live with me.

-No! -Well, you never know.

No!

What was that about? What did you say to her?

What have you said to her?

You've poisoned that child against me.

We've done no poisoning. Why don't you just leave?

You ought to make her play with me.

Make her try to understand.

Please, get out of here.

I will, for now.

But my lawyer and I are going to have a talk with that judge.

See if we can't do something about your attitude.

Here's the agenda for tomorrow's committee meeting.

[Claudia laughs]

You do like to live dangerously, don't you?

Well, if you're talking about the Sports Complex

I don't think there's anything dangerous about it.

But the committee voted against that project

unanimously, if I recall.

Well, I think I can change their minds.

I think you overestimate your influence with this company.

Well, we'll find out tomorrow, won't we?

Paige?

I received this lovely postcard from Greg and your mother.

I thought you'd like to know that...

[laughs]

they landed safely.

Thanks.

-No luck? -Judges.

Won't return my calls.

They pick up the phone and knows it's me.

What are you looking for?

Aspirin. I've got a headache.

It's psychosomatic.

Don't analyze my headache, okay?

Just tell me where the aspirin is.

I know we always had a bottle of aspirin in the cupboard.

-That was before Meg. -What?

We're child safe now. They're in the bathroom.

-Right. -You want me to get you some?

What for? It's psychosomatic.

Did you put her to bed already?

Yeah.

She wanted to sleep in our bed and...

I told her okay.

Sure. You gotta say okay.

Mack, I feel like I'm living in an endless nightmare.

I just want to wake up.

I want our old life back.

Me too.

I don't think we're so child safe.

-Play. -No!

-I said play. -No!

Then it's w*r!

No! No! No!

- You are mine. -[screaming]

Mine!

No, no!

Mine!

Mine!

[screams and cries]

Sweetheart, I'm here.

Oh, honey. I'm here.

[shushing]

It's a dream, sweetie.

It's just a bad dream.

She was taking me away.

She was hurting me.

Who sweetheart?

That lady.

She said I have to live with her.

Mommy.

Oh, honey.

[shushing]

It's just a dream.

You're okay.

It was just a dream.

A Sports Complex for underprivileged children.

It's a wonderful idea.

It's a noble idea.

It's a generous, compassionate, humane plan

to help the less fortunate people of Los Angeles.

And, Paige, I applaud you. I do.

Of course.

I also have to ask myself

"is that what the people of our inner cities want?"

A large, impersonal organization

telling them how to run their communities?

Will they listen to us telling them how they screwed up

and then how we're going to make it better for them?

I don't think so.

Now, Paige, it's a wonderful idea, it is really, bravo.

But can the Sumner Group

afford to intrude where we are not wanted?

[Paige clears throat]

Claudia's right.

We can't solve all the problems of our inner cities.

But we can do what the Sumner Group does best.

We can profit through tax incentives

and we can create jobs.

At the same time

we can get favorable publicity for ourselves

which in turn, brings us new clients and new money.

Let the Sumner Group do what it's always done.

Only this time

let's do it for the entire community

not just for ourselves.

I think we're ready to take vote.

All those in favor of funding

the Nolan Templeton Sports Complex.

[upbeat music]

Opposed.

I look forward to seeing you at the groundbreaking ceremony.

[Bill] How'd you do it anyway? Magic?

[Paige] In a way, I said the magic words

"we can make money from this."

[Bill] I like your style, always have, always will.

I might not know a lot about baseball

but every now and then

I can throw a mean curveball or two.

You see, you're a lot more like me than you think.

I am nothing like you

but I'm in too good a mood to argue with you.

Tesoro.

Don't be such a bad mood. To me you're a winner.

What did I win, Nick? A Sports Complex I didn't want?

Paige's smug little smile

every time I look out the window of my office.

No, you still have the Sumner Group.

My brother gave that to me.

Because he knew you could run it.

And you do it very well.

Nicola?

-Nick! -Stefano!

Gwen, now you're talking.

Guess what, Billy boy?

I'm going down to spring training this year.

I'm going to see all my boys in Florida.

-Sounds great. -It is great.

Why don't you come with me?

I'd love to.

Doing a little business here.

Your loss.

You miss playing baseball?

As much as you'd missed the Sumner Group

if you had to leave it.

But that injury that benched you.

-I mean, couldn't they? -Fix it?

-Yeah. -They had, many times...

Still can't throw a curveball.

Not as good as yours anyway.

[Nick] Not like you.

Nobody makes branzino like you, Stefano.

Nobody... is like you, Claudia.

Talented

hard working, and underappreciated.

[Stefano] In the cucina, I am a professional.

As a businessman, a promoter

disaster.

Well, at least your life isn't a complete disaster.

I mean, you have your endorsements,

now you've got the Sports Complex.

I never said my life was a disaster.

It's far from it.

All I ever wanted to do was to play baseball.

And I got to do that, and I did it well.

Now it's time to move on to something else.

The c*ck eyed optimist.

Well, you know, not always. I mean...

Sometimes I'm watching a game on TV, you know,

see my teammates out there.

May not be in there...

I'm sorry.

Hey, Paige,

unless I want your pity...

[indistinct chatter]

This place is dither than Kansas.

Let's go.

You see, this is what happens.

[speaking in Italian]

Excuse me. I'm so sorry.

Hi, I'm Nick Schillace

Buona sera, buona sera.

I couldn't help admiring your bracelet?

I've been trying to find one just like it.

-Did you buy it here? -No, Italy.

I was afraid of that.

May I have a closer look, please?

Sure.

The Italian touch.

Look at the workmanship.

I'm guessing you bought this in one of the little shops

on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, right?

Yes, exactly.

It's exquisite, really.

Thank you.

Did you ever eat here, by any chance?

No, we were just driving by.

Our friends are waiting for us in the car.

Oh, please, You must come back.

It is like one of the little charming trattoria in Florence.

[woman] It's that good? Really?

[Nick] I had pasta and fish tonight.

What can I tell you?

Wonderful.

Let's give it a try.

Sure,

[Nick] Great choice.

[Paige] I hope you're not going to try anything.

[Bill] Try what?

This, parking.

What is this, high school?

Paige, look at this car, bucket seats.

Now how am I going to make a pass at you

in a car with bucket seats?

If there's a way, you will find it.

Besides, I liked high school.

So did I,

Well, this aspect of it anyway,

You're just an old fashioned girl.

Yeah, I guess.

So are you going to tell me?

-Tell you what? -We went to bed.

We made love, we woke up

and I was persona non grata.

Was I that bad?

We made love because...

because there were things going on in my life.

-Your mother's wedding? -That was one of them.

There were things...

that made me feel lonely.

Needy and...

-And you were there. -Great.

It could have been anybody.

No, I was attracted to you.

Well, thank God for that.

I wouldn't want to be used

like some kind of a sex object.

I haven't had much luck with my attractions lately.

In fact, I have made

amazingly horrible choices in men.

I need to be careful.

Well, I'm going to be around for a while.

I know.

Glad?

I don't know yet.

[instrumental music]

Nick, have you ever thought of running a restaurant?

Claudia, come on.

I'm a great weekend cook

but in a restaurant

you need an artist like Stefano In the kitchen.

In the kitchen, yes

but up front...

you, like tonight.

Never thought of that.

Well, think about it.

The bank is going to close it.

We could pick it up for a good price.

We'll even call it "Nick's".

I think you two would make a formidable pair.

Oh, Claudia.

No, I can't let you do this.

Of course you can.

[Nick sighs]

Why would you do this?

-Why? -Yes, why?

Because it will keep you in town and in my bed.

And then you'll keep having to please me and make me happy.

And even though I know you are a rogue and a scoundrel...

I like having you around.

I deserve you.

I think we deserve one another.

Think about the restaurant.

Let me know.

[Bill laughs]

-I don't think so. -Why not?

-Kate. -Hi.

Is something wrong?

-I can come back another time. -Don't be silly.

Hey, she can come back another time, she said so.

Bill! This is Kate.

-Good to meet you. -Good to meet you.

Goodnight, Bill. Come on in.

I spoiled something, didn't I?

He'll keep. Now, what's going on?

Something terrible has happened.

The worst thing. I don't know how.

Kate, What happened?

Gary and I...

-Well? -We...

-We... -When?

Right before the memorial service.

Whoa.

Was really weird.

I mean, I came into his bedroom

and he was cleaning out Val's closet

and then he went to sit on the edge of the bed.

I don't know. I just felt so bad for him, you know?

So I was trying to comfort him and...

I don't know. I still can't believe it.

You made love with Gary right before Val...

-Yeah. -Oh, my God.

-Almost. -What?

We were going to.

Oh, thank God.

-I would have. -But you didn't.

No, He stopped. Not me.

Well, you've always liked Gary.

I mean, when someone's in trouble and...

they're suffering, you want to comfort them.

There's nothing wrong with that.

What?

Well there's nothing wrong with the feeling.

What about the doing?

Is there anything wrong with that?

-But you didn't. -Right?

Right.

But I was on my way. I mean, no thanks to me.

Wife not buried yet.

That's not a problem.

Is that her bed? Let's do it in there.

I was going to do it.

See. I would have done it.

Kate, maybe what you did was wrong,

but you're not the type of person to chase after hearses

and seduce grieving widowers.

I'm young. Give me time.

Come here.

-I'll call you later. -Okay.

Next.

What are you doing?

Everything okay?

Yeah, everything's fine.

Don't worry, I'm not coming in.

I just wanted to say goodnight

♪ Good night sweetheart ♪

♪ Yes, it's time to go ♪

[vocalizing]

♪ Goodnight, sweetheart ♪

♪ Yes, it's time to go ♪

[vocalizing]

♪ I hate to leave you ♪

♪ But I really want to say ♪

♪ Good night, sweetheart ♪

♪ Goodnight ♪

Goodnight.

[judge] Didn't we settle this?

I thought we settled it.

Judge. It's just not going to work.

Didn't you say it was her first visit?

I'm sure it was stressful for everyone.

Stressful?

Meg wakes up in the middle of the night screaming

thinking that Mary's coming to take her away.

I'll continue to monitor this situation.

But I'm not about to cut the woman's rights short now.

Rights? What about our rights?

That woman's a convicted felon.

So you've told me over and over again.

Now

if you'll excuse me...

courts supposed to be in session.

[sighs]

What are you doing here, Robeson?

My sister was very upset by her visit.

Save it. What are you really doing here?

I thought we could save everyone a lot of headaches

if we came to some sort of accommodation.

You mean if we give you a million dollars?

Or is that still the asking?

Mack, please don't make it worse.

That's all right, ma'am.

Mr. Mackenzie, I'm a reasonable man,

A million dollars is a lot of money.

If you want to make me an offer, I'm here to listen.

Yeah. We'll think about it.

That's all I can ask.

Thank you both for your time.

-That's extortion. -Yeah, pure and simple.

Good, we've got 'em then.

-It's his word against ours. -But there's two of us.

Well, maybe I'll talk to the DA.

No, go to the judge first.

-I did. -When?

This morning. Just now. I just came from there.

Mack, why didn't you tell me?

I'm sorry for not telling you.

I just didn't want to upset you any more than your job.

How can I be any more upset than I am?

Maybe I'm just tired of telling you every move I make.

Why are you acting like this?

Like what? Concerned about our daughter?

No. Crazy over our daughter.

Irrational. Always on the attack.

Offending people we need on our side.

Like who? The judge.

He's sleepwalking half the time

And the other half we need him.

I'm not going to listen to this.

Mack.

[instrumental music]

[Nick] Vanessa.

-[Vanessa gasps] -So rude of you

to refuse my calls.

You used to have better manners, you know.

I'm sorry I I've been busy and I didn't know how to get in touch.

Oh, I should have left the phone number, huh?

Souvenir, right?

No, present from the station.

How generous.

I thought he had brought it with you as a

reminder of dear Treadwell.

Yeah.

You two were so devoted to each other.

Nick, could you help me with my zipper please?

It seems to be stuck.

It really is wonderful to see you again, Nick.

And you're going to seduce me now, right, Vanessa?

I hope you're not going to cause any problems for me, Nick.

Why would I want to do that?

Well, I don't know, but...

I have nothing for you except what I have.

And you can always have that.

Vanessa.

Vanessa, please, please

please, please, please.

Well, I know it isn't much,

but what I have here

this little job,

it's the sort of thing I've wanted for such a long time.

And you seem to be doing it very well, huh?

[Vanessa sobs]

I'm really happy now.

I seem to have a future here.

Please don't spoil it for me.

Please.

Hmm. Listen.

Why would I want to spoil your future for you, mm?

Especially...

since your future...

and my future...

can be equally radiant.

What are you doing?

Nothing.

We don't have a million dollars.

I know we don't have a million dollars.

I want to see how much we do have.

They have courts, judges and lawyers.

The rest of the fouled-up system won't help us.

You can't make a deal with people like this

even if we had the money

even if we could get it.

They'd never stop bleeding us.

Any other suggestions?

-Yes. -What?

Come on, what?

We could go to Greg,

-Greg? For what? -He could help.

What can he do that we can't do?

I don't know.

But we should ask him.

That woman is Laura's mother.

He must know something we don't.

-Then why hasn't he told us? -You never give him a chance.

Every time we see him, you got your finger in his face.

-He's a powerful man, Mack. -He is nothing Karen.

He belongs on our side.

-He could help us. -Why should he?

-Why would he? -For Meg's sake.

-He is her father. -I'm her father.

And as her father,

you should be willing to do anything

to help her.

Even swallow your pride.

Pride's got nothing to do with it.

And I don't want to talk about it anymore.

What's happening to you?

To us.

Come in.

Hi,

Hi.

I had fun last night at dinner.

Me too.

You think we can do it again sometime.

I think so.

Think we can do it again tonight?

-[intercom rings] -[Paige] Mm.

Yes.

A Mr. Watanabe is here to see Mr. Nolan.

Who?

Thank you. Mr. Watanabe.

The guy from the coffee shop, the Nolan Express.

Oh, him. I wonder what he wants.

Well, I can't keep a fan waiting.

I'll be back in a minute.

[knock on door]

Mack.

Hi, Paige.

What is it? Something wrong?

No, everything is fine.

What's going on?

I need a million dollars.