01x08 - Lonely Hearts

[bunniefuu]

Hats make no sense.
Really, what good is a hat in L.A?

Sandy, we're talking about
the ultimate accessory here.

Hats give a woman presence,
the chance to make a statement.

You got his attention.

Mr Tall, Dark and Cute,
he's checking you out.

You know, actually,
maybe I'd skip the hat altogether.

That's exactly what I was just saying.
See, Rhonda?

Admit it. You sell hats for a living.

No, no, but I'm really glad

I looked through the window
when I just did.

Destiny strikes again.

You've got to be a model
or an actress or something.

Does it show that much?

If you weren't, I was gonna
suggest you become one

because you've got
all the... you know, the right...

- Measurements?
- No. Well,

yeah, but, I mean, actually...

I'm Sandy. This is Rhonda,
and you're?

Paul.

Well, we better get going.
See ya, Paul.

- He was cute, wasn't he?
- So why are we leaving?

Hey, Sandy, wait up.

Look, I know it's last minute,
but are you doing anything tonight?

Well...

We can go to the movies anytime.

I just thought dinner.

- All right.
- Fine.

How about Angelini's on Third.
: : , --] : : ,
Say . ?

OK, I'll meet you there.

Great.

See you then.

- Bye.
- Bye.

Why don't these things
ever happen to me?

I don't know.

I love Angelini's.

So...

...tell me about yourself.

Well, what's to tell?

I came here from a small town.

I'm still trying to figure out
what I wanna do.

- The usual search.
- Yeah, like everybody these days.

The way we met was really weird.

Oh, yeah. Good weird or bad weird?

Oh, it was a good weird.
It was a funny weird.

Let's start over.

Yeah, breaking the ice is such a pain.

You did OK this afternoon.

Yeah, well, I want to tell you,

I have never done anything
like that in my life.

So red wine OK?

Actually, I like white better,
if that's OK.

Oh, sure, sure. White wine it is.

Rough day at work?

I swear to you, if I had a g*n
I would sh**t that car.

First, I get stuck
in the parking garage.

Then it stalls on Olympic.

I've got like people
honking and yelling at me.

I left Century City at . .

So I guess it's safe to assume
you didn't get to the grocery store.

- With Betsy any stop is a risk.
- Betsy?

I should've named her
Benedict Arnold.

How does a car know
the exact perfect time to stop?

It's like she knows.

If you ask me, you've got two choices.

It's either an exorcism
or get rid of it.

Tomorrow's Saturday.
We'll go car shopping.

Oh, sure, just like that. You clearly
have not seen my bank account lately.
: : , --] : : ,
What do you think credit's for?
Get a loan, low APR.

I'm the son of a salesman.
Now is the time to buy.

Come on, Billy.
Who's gonna loan me money?

You'll qualify, trust me.

Every time I trust you,
something terrible happens.

- Oh, really?
- Really.

Really?

Anyway, I never dreamed
I'd be in the nursery business.

I just kinda stumbled into it,

but I found it really fascinating,
you know, all the different varieties.

People never realize, it's where
you plant, not what you plant.

Really?

So tell me about this town
you grew up in.

It was... it was small.

It was nice, but it was small.

South Carolina.
Great plant life down there.

Spanish moss, water lilies.
Summers must've been amazing.

Yeah, they were a lot of fun.

There's this place in Venice,
on the beach,

they've got terrific desserts.
: : , --] : : ,
Paul, this has really been a lot of fun,
but I've had a really long week.

I'll see you home.

- We brought separate cars.
- That's OK, I'll follow you.
: : , --] : : ,
- You don't really have to do that.
- I insist.

You didn't think I'd let you
get away that easily, did you?

Oh, great building.

I'd k*ll for a place like this.

Well, thanks. I had a good time.

Which is yours?

Upstairs.

I'd love to go out with you again.

Paul, that's really sweet, but my life
is real complicated right now.

So, what if I call you,
say, in a few weeks?

Paul, you seem like a great guy, but
trust me, the timing's just not right.

Nice meeting you.
And thank you for dinner.

OK. Well...

Then... later, I guess.

Good night.

So another one bites the dust.

- How long were you there?
- Whole time.

I oughta slap you.

I needed fresh air. I didn't think
you'd wanna be interrupted.

I wish you had.

- Not the greatest date of your life?
- Nope, not even close.

- You can tell all that after one date?
- I can tell right away.

If there's no spark,
then no matter what he says,

how romantic he gets,
it's just not happening.

When it's someone right, you know it.

Girl who waits for perfect guy
might be waiting forever.

- You're waiting up for me?
- Hoping for a vicarious thrill.

Sorry, not tonight.

At least tell me how he kisses.

I'm living in a building of voyeurs.

You don't have to be specific.
Just give me a general indication.

Rhonda, I've kissed walls
with more passion.

Ouch.

We'll take your old car in trade,
that's your down,

then work out
a friendly payment plan,

and you're driving away
in a new automobile.

These don't look exactly new.
: : , --] : : ,
Sixty days parts, days labor.

Anything goes wrong, just bring it back,
and it's taken care of.

Risk-free buying, we call it.

Let me do the talking.
Just excuse us for a sec.

OK, now the key here
is to play hard to get, OK?

Oh, my God, it's beautiful.

- I've always wanted a convertible.
- Alison...

How do I look?

Like you were made for each other.

Shall we talk numbers?

Why can't we be in the office when
he's talking to the sales manager?

It's a ploy. We'll get our price.
He already said your credit is fine.

He said, "No credit is good credit,"
whatever that means.

- Three hundred dollars?
- It's a trade-in.

Expect less
than if you sold it yourself.

I worked three summers in high school
for it. It's worth four times that.

Sorry, honey,
best we can do is low book.

We're out of here. Come on.

- Wait...
- Sorry, Phil, we're shopping.

He'll stop us before we get
halfway there.

You watch, he won't let us
get to the car.

What now, O great son of salesman?

Easy.

You'll sell the car yourself.

And when we come back
we'll have real bargaining power.

Well, it's about time. We were
about to file a missing persons report.

If you settled for normal buns
instead of whole wheat,

- I'd have been here an hour ago.
- We gotta eat right.

- Paul?
- He stopped by to see you.

Surprise!

I would've called,
but I didn't have your number.

- I'll go put these on some ice.
- God, those are beautiful flowers.

Guy works in a nursery,
you can't beat that.

They said you'd be right back,
so I waited.

Hope you don't mind.

We grow our own roses
at the nursery. So I thought...

Thank you, these are very nice.

I like your friends.

I'll go put them in some water.

Sandy, he's very charming.
Where'd you find him?

We were shopping, trying on hats...

You're not getting this, are you?

What? So you had one lousy date.

- That's not the point.
- What's the point?

The point is, if he's not rich,

in the movie business or Jake,
then you're not interested.

All I'm saying is you'll never know
anything until you give him a chance.

Paul, thanks for stopping by, but I've
got a lot I've got to do today, so...

I'll just...

- Walk me to my car?
- OK.

Paul, maybe I didn't make
myself clear last night...

I gotta say, after seeing your life
this way, up close and personal,

it doesn't really seem
all that complicated.

Paul, when I said that
I was trying to be nice.

- Oh, I see.
- You seem like a great guy.

I'm sure there's lots of women
in your life. I just...

- What I'm trying to say is that...
- I'm not really good enough for you.

- That's not it, really.
- Don't worry about it.

I can take a hint.

Nice meeting you, Sandy.

Nice meeting you too.

- Good luck.
- You too.

Back over again today as those
Santa Ana winds continue to hang on.

It's a good morning for staying
inside or heading to the beach.

Whatever you do, don't go to work.
And for those that must venture out...

- What is this, going away?
- Yeah. Houston, a couple of days.

I told you last week.
They're having an aerobics seminar.

- Houston.
- The only place hotter than here.

Speaking of which,
I think I need some air.

Oh, Sandy, there's a card. Here it is.

It says,

- "Little bit of home. Love..."
- Paul.

Excuse me.

It's the original paint,
and all the tires are new.

The mileage is pretty low
when you consider the age.

May I?

Starter's shot. You need
all new gaskets and hoses.

Water pump's ready to blow.
Likewise the battery.

How do you get it going, wind it up?

No, it starts. Let me show you.

Honey, I know a dog when I see one.

Wait a minute. She's not a dog.

This car has seen me
through a lot of years.

Lot of winters too.

Rust underneath.
Midwest, am I right?

Salted highways
cut a car's life in half.

Sorry, honey, not for me.

Thanks.

I was direct, I was right to the point.

I told him forget it,
that there was no chance.

He said OK. I mean, he was
actually pretty understanding.

It was so much easier back home.

Yeah, Daddy had a shotgun.

Jake, I'm serious. No, listen to me.

In a small town, when you meet someone,
if you already don't know the guy,

chances are you've gone to school
with his sister or know his cousins.

There's no mystery involved.
Then you come to a place like L.A.

I mean, it's huge.

Strangers come up to you
out of nowhere.

All you go on is what they tell you.

- We were strangers when we met.
- That was different.

Yeah. We were both lonely.

What're you saying,
I should give this guy a chance?

No.

I just think you should
consider why you're not.

It's still there, you know,
right in front.

I drove by twice today.
I think the salesman even saw me.

Every time he sees you
the price goes up. You guys playing?

Oh, they called.
Your loan was approved.

- They're chomping at the bit.
- Maybe I should just forget it.

Nobody's gonna buy Betsy anyway.
Nobody in their right mind.

- Rack 'em up.
- I think we should discuss this.

I'm doing everything I can.
I've got signs, ads in the paper.

I'm talking about this Betsy business.
People don't name their cars.

I know. It's just...
I've always called her that.

Alison, we're talking
borderline obsession here.

I mean...

...ascribing human qualities
to an inanimate object.

You might need therapy.

Has problems forming
male-female relationships,

so substitutes relationships
for mechanical devices,

like her car.

Thank you, Dr Freud.

It's a car. I know it's a car.
A piece of metal.

- Rusted metal.
- So I've had her for years,

but it's time to move on,

break those ties.

Buy the convertible.

Buy the convertible.

I'm gonna need two more draughts.

Sandy, whatever he wants, it's on me.

Paul came through
for the halfway house.

Three new trees for the backyard.

- Shade, finally.
- Nursery needed a write-off.

I'll be late for the airport.
Still taking me?

Yeah. Let's do it, let's do it.

- See you later.
- Catch you next time.

Paul, I have no right
to tell you what to do.

If this is some attempt
to ingratiate yourself...

They needed some trees, Sandy.
It came up...

I don't care what they wanted.
I tried to be really nice up until now,

- but you're just not getting it.
- You didn't like the lilies.

That was wrong, this whole thing was.
There is nothing between us. It's over.

That's just stupid to say.

There was never anything,
and there's not going to be.

OK! I get the message.

I'm not supposed to socialize
with customers.

Go ahead. Go back to work.

Hey, Paul.

- How's it going?
- Not great.

Here, let me steal a couple of these.

She's a picky lady.

What are you gonna do?

Look, man, it's not like
this was all me and not her.

I mean, when we first met,
she was really friendly.

Yeah, I was attracted to her,

but she was, you know, flirting
just as much as I was. Maybe more.

Yeah, well, that's Sandy.

So I came on a little too strong.

I still think, underneath it all,

that she likes me.

Even if she doesn't now,
she will. In time.

You know, Paul...

...I wouldn't count on it.

- A guy's got to try, right?
- Right.

Thanks for the beer, Jake.

- Good job, Jake.
- You flirted with him.

That's what he said?

It wouldn't be the first time,
would it?

I did not flirt. You were there
the first night, you heard it.

Hey, to some people,
flirting just comes naturally.

You know, Jake, you really
piss me off sometimes.

Oh, now I'm a bad guy too?

No, I was just stupidly hoping
for a little compassion from you.

Well, I'm sorry. Wrong gender.

Good night, Sandy.

Jeez, what a night.

- Good night, Doug.
- Good night, Sandy, take care.

Rhonda?

"Sandy, went to Houston.
Remember to water the ficus."

Houston.

Sandy, hi, babe, it's Paul.
Just wanted to talk.

I'm thinking about you. I'll call back.

Monday, . am.

Still not home? OK.

I just... I was thinking about us

and how great we are together.

Anyway, bye.

Monday, . am.

Sandy...

... where are you, baby?

I mean, you shouldn't...
you shouldn't be out this late.

Monday, . am.

I called the bar, they're closed.
Just pick up, honey.

Oh, man.

That guy's over the deep end.

It happened to me recently.
I mean, real obscene phone calls.

- You're kidding me. When?
- A couple months ago.

He always seemed to know
when Michael was at the hospital.

I can't believe you don't tell me
these things.

- I knew you would freak.
- I am freaking. For how long?

I don't know, a week,
maybe ten days.

I read about this technique where
you blow a whistle into the receiver.

- It worked.
- Good thing.

This is the same thing.

OK, Sandy, the guy
definitely has a crush on you.

But I don't know, some people
would call that flattery.

- Honey, this isn't flattering.
- Well, I don't know.
: : , --] : : ,
I rejected him,
and he obviously couldn't handle it.

But what if this guy's got
a screw loose or something?

I mean, nobody really knows
anything about him.

He seemed like a nice guy
at the pool.

All right, I'm sorry.
Obviously, this was a mistake.

We're your friends.
That's what we're here for.

- Good night, everybody.
- Sandy!

Sandy.

Forget it, Jake.

You said it yourself. Wrong gender.

This thing with you guys,
it's like Alison and her stupid car.

You know, when something
comes along that's good,

really exceptional,
it's hard to get rid of it.

So you start asking
all these questions.

"Am I too picky? Sensitive?
Is the next one gonna be as good?"

Human nature. You're trading in
something that works

for the chance to find better.
: : , --] : : ,
- Too early for this.
- I'm talking about you and Sandy.

- Billy, I realize that.
- Let me finish.

I think there's a good metaphor here.

The point is you and Sandy...

You and Sandy got too close
for comfort, so you split.

But now neither one of you can deal
with the other one finding someone new.

- In other words, I'm jealous.
- Not of Paul,

but maybe of his ability to express
his emotions so easily.

- Sandy thinks he's got a screw loose.
- Exactly.

- Really? He's got a screw loose?
- Hate to break up your metaphor.

Sandy. It's early for you.

I'll see you guys.

He called again last night
after I left. I went to the police.

- What'd they say?
- What do you think?

It's not enough. They can't touch him

unless he makes a specific threat.

Stalked a lot of women, have you?

Dealt with a lot of cops.

Why didn't you talk to me?
Why didn't you tell me?

- I would've gone.
- Because you believe me

or don't want to see me
make a fool of myself?

Because I believe you.

- What am I gonna do?
- I'll tell you what you won't do.

You're not gonna deal
with this thing by yourself.

I'll take you to work
and pick you up tonight.

I'm not gonna leave you alone
for a second.

Thanks.

What do you think? Great ride, huh?

Yeah. I like the color too.

Me too. That's why I bought it.

I'm a sucker for colors.

- The gas mileage is OK?
- Oh, it's great.

It's... what?

- Twenty-five miles to the gallon.
- That's great.

Look, Debra,
I've got to get to work, so...

Oh, well, it's mechanically OK, right?

Cos after I buy it there's just
gonna be nothing left for repairs.

I mean, if it breaks down,
I'm dead meat.

Look...

...I'm gonna be honest with you.
That is gonna be a problem.

I think you either need
a more reliable car

or more money for repairs.

Oh. OK.

Well, I guess I'll keep looking then.

- That's my advice.
- Thanks.

And thanks for the test drive.
It's a great color.
: : , --] : : ,
Yeah, good luck.

Building's quiet.

Thanks for everything, Jake, really.

No problem.

If you need anything at all,
I'll be right downstairs.

Thanks.
: : , --] : : ,
Jake! Jake!

The window is open.
It's always closed.

OK, wait here.

Hi, we're not here right now.
Please leave a message.

I'm working late at the nursery,
the flowers all around me.

Imagining you,
the petals sticking to you,

your scent mixed with the flowers.

Listen to me,
you sick son of a bitch...

- Where does this son of a bitch work?
- Sullivan's Nursery.

When I'm gone,
lock the deadbolt and the chain.

And don't open the door for anyone.

If you hear anything, anything at all,
you call . You understand?

- Where are you going?
- Never mind.

So, anyway,
I hope you got my surprise.

I just need to find ways to...

Who you got there on the phone, Paul?

You're on private property.

Another call to Sandy's machine?
Is that what it is?

You come near her again,
and I'll k*ll you.

Sandy, it's me.

He won't bother you anymore.

I think that you should
stay here tonight.

I think about it.

About that first night
we spent together,

that crazy restless night.

It was too hot to sleep,
to do anything.

You'd just moved in,

mystery man in apartment one.

Remember we swam and we talked,
we talked all night.

Just like now.

I was so lonely and scared.

That's the first time I let
anyone see that side of myself.

And there you were...

...this quiet stranger.

Are we too much alike, is that it?

Jake?
: : , --] : : ,
It's late.

Go to sleep.

So it's the glue factory, huh?

When I first got her,

the first couple weeks,

I'd come down in the middle
of the night just to check on her.

When I left for college,
I fit everything I owned

into the backseat and trunk.

Betsy and me on this big adventure,
just the two of us.

I was always the designated driver

because I never drank.
Part of that honor student thing.

I had this fear of something
happening to my brain cells.

My GPA falling, expulsion,
my parents' wrath.

Once these fraternity boys
actually picked Betsy up

and put her on the stairs
of the administration building.

Only ticket I ever got.

That's it? Just one? That's amazing.

I lost my virginity in the backseat.

Here?

The guy I was seeing didn't have a car.

Never mind.

I guess saying goodbye to Betsy is
kinda like cutting the cord, you know?

Why is it every time
you think you're grown-up,

something comes along to show you
how much farther you have to go?

At the risk of sounding rhetorical,
I have no idea.

Smells...

...interesting.

It's a real country breakfast.
We got eggs, corned beef hash, bacon.

You must be out of grits.
Come on, squatez-vous.

It's not good if it's cold.

Oh, I forgot ketchup. Be right back.

Where's yours?

Dieting... perpetually.

It's excellent.

Nice having someone
to cook breakfast for.

It's nice having someone cook
breakfast for you, occasionally.

Did you ever notice that it's just
depression or loneliness

or fear that brings us together?
Only the extremes.

It's that way with some people.

Think we're missing something?

I wouldn't know.

- Mr Hanson?
- Yeah.

Need to ask you a few questions, sir.
Would you mind stepping outside?

- Jake Hanson, is that your legal name?
- Yeah.

How long have you been
at this address?

Sandy, what's going on?

That's fine, Mr Brubecker
lodged a complaint.

We're here simply
to ask questions, get your side.

It's up to the DA
whether or not to file charges.

He's been bothering a tenant
at this building, a woman.

Sandy Harling. Do you have
some proof of this?

He's been harassing her. Last night
we're sure he broke into her apartment.

- You're saying you were provoked.
- No. I'm saying we were provoked.

God, this is all my fault.

- Jake's had enough trouble.
- Sandy, we're sorry, man.

We were nuts not to believe you.
The indications were there.

What makes a person
go over the deep end like this?

I don't know.
Something from his past...

...the times, this city. Who knows?

I don't know.

I don't know what to do.
But I've got to do something.

Luigi. Salvatore. Maybe Carlo.

You know, something male this time.
Male and Italiano.

No, Billy, from now on
they're all just cars.

Cool. I understand.

Afraid to make
the commitment so quickly.

Would you stop looking
for hidden meanings?

- What's gotten into you?
- Nothing.

Maybe it's just my roommate obligation.

To look for hidden meanings
in my every thought and action?

- To express your feelings for you.
- What?

Alison, you know you have trouble
talking about your feelings.

And you bottle everything up inside.

I know this sounds immodest, but
I think that my coming into your life

really was fortunate for you.

You arrogant jerk.

That's it. Good.
Let it out, let it out.

Here we go. All ready
for your John Hancock.

The only time I have trouble is when
I listen to your dime-store psychology.

What's this? This is not
the price we agreed on.

That's after interest.

This is madness.
I could buy two cars for this.

- You love the car.
- Not this much.

I am gonna be in debt
for the rest of my life.

Actually, just three years.

For something I'm not even
passionate about?

Alison, it's a little late.

Wait!

Stop! Hold it!

I want my car back.

- Alison, think about this.
- I have. It's not worth it.

There's a time to let go
and there's a time to hold on.

Still a few good years left in Betsy.
I'm keeping her.

Put it down.

- I guess I'm just not ready.
- Yeah.

Excuse me.
: : , --] : : ,
- Sandy.
- Hello, Paul.

This is Mrs Sullivan.
She's the owner of the nursery.

Mrs Sullivan, did you know
that Paul obsesses on women

and then calls them late at night?

- Would you excuse us?
- No! I want your boss to know.

I want the whole world to know
exactly what you've been doing to me.

Sandy, please,
can't we just talk about?

Please what? Please go away?

No, not unless you drop
those charges against Jake.

He was protecting me.
He doesn't need this.

I just wanted to go out with you.

- You don't know me.
- Give me a chance...

That's my choice, not yours.

You know what I'm talking about,
what this city does to you.

- I don't care.
- That doesn't make sense!

How can anybody be alone
in a city this large?

That's no excuse, Paul.

I came here
from a small town like you.

You expect so much, remember?

Then you get here, nobody wants
to get close, nobody wants to say yes.

All this time alone,
you wonder, "What's wrong with me?

What's wrong with them?"

And then... then I saw you
through that store window.

I couldn't let you get away.

And my feelings don't matter, right?

- What's important to me doesn't count.
- No, no. I love you.

You don't love me.

You love the idea of being in love.

When it's not mutual, it's this.
This is obsession.

I didn't want to hurt you.
I want this to work.

It's not going to work, Paul.
It never will.

The phone calls...

I just wanted you to need me,
wanted to get a chance.

So you just broke into my apartment!

To be near you. To be close.

You call me
or you come near me again,

and I'm going back to the police.

OK.

I'll stop.

I'll leave you alone.

Sandy.

I'm sorry.

- Hi.
- The charges were dropped.

- You don't seem surprised.
- No, I'm not.

- They brought him in for questioning.
- Good.

Going after a guy like that
is really stupid.

- I made sure we weren't alone.
- Next time, I go with you.

- You were in enough trouble.
- Well...

Come on. I'll walk you home.

- You don't have to.
- I know. Maybe I want to.

What's this?

It's something I do.

What?

Wake up in the middle of the night
when I know there's a scary movie on.

- And the ice cream?
- It's part of the ritual.

All this talk about growing up.

I don't feel so bad
about needing Betsy anymore.

This hurts my feelings,
you know. I'm very sensitive.

I just have one thing to say to that:
Move over.

I love scary movies.

- It's a primal thing.
- It's an immature thing.

Who's gonna know?

Watch the movie, Billy.