Let's go, people.
Let's go, people.
Morning meeting.
Murphy, please.
This is a work area
not a dessert cart.
By the way
Here are your phone messages.
Thanks, Miles.
What are you doing with
my phone messages?
Where's my secretary?
In jail.
What?
She was selling
uninspected meat
out of the back of her car.
Okay.
Everybody settled in?
I appreciate you giving me
all your attention because ...
Barbara Walters called.
She wants me
to give her
Boris Yeltsin's
private phone number.
What planet is she on?
I need your full attention.
Because we're approaching
a critical time in the broadcast ...
Can you believe this?
The dry cleaner lost
my gabardine slacks.
See you in court, pal.
A critical time because
the November sweeps...
What's this about?
My mother's lawyer called.
Important.
Why would he
be calling me?
I better find out.
I'm stunned.
Did you see that?
She totally ignores me.
Like I'm invisible.
I'm the Jewish Claude Rains.
Did she do this to the
last guy who ran the show?
Or do I just have the word
"victim" written on my forehead?
The second one.
It's kind of nice though.
It balances the "kick me" sign
on your butt.
Don't listen to them, Miles.
At times
it may seem otherwise
But I'm sure Murphy
really cares about you.
Could you tell I was lying?
I'll never get the hang of it.
Miles:
Look who's decided
to help us
Put our little news show
on this week.
Or are you making
another pastry run?
Miles, I'd like to be excused from the meeting.
Oh, really. What brilliant excuse
did you come up with this time?
The dog ate your homework?
Your report card
fell in a puddle?
My mother died.
Oh, dear lord, Murphy.
This is unbelievable.
How did it happen?
Do you know?
It was this morning.
Her heart gave out on her.
Just like that.
Frank:
Where was she?
At home.
Was there anyone
with her?
Yes. She was with Mr. Yamakawa,
the gardener.
Oh. well,
that's good.
At least
she wasn't alone.
No, she wasn't.
She was with Mr. Yamakawa,
the gardener.
Ohh. Ohh.
Ohh. Ohh.
Can you believe that?
My -year-old mother
was having an affair
With her -year-old gardener.
What an amazing woman.
Full of life
right to the very end.
I want you to take
all the time you need
to get through this.
We'll cover for you.
If there's
anything you need...
That's okay.
I don't need
any help.
I just need to make
a few calls--
Some arrangements...
Eldin...
I'll be back soon.
It's Murphy time.
Phil, drinks for
everyone in the bar.
Dinner too for that matter.
It's on me.
What? Why so depressed?
Neil Diamond release
a new album?
This is a perfectly normal
reaction to tragedy.
I remember
when my Uncle Grady died.
For days, the whole family
Walked around
like it didn't bother them.
Actually,
it didn't bother them
Because we all hated
Uncle Grady.
But that's
not the point.
The point is you're hiding
your feelings of remorse.
And that's not too healthy.
I'm not hiding anything.
My mother wouldn't
want me to cry.
In the last year
We took care of a lot
of unfinished business.
In fact, it was the best year
we ever had.
Besides, this came by
special delivery today.
It's from my mother.
In the event of her death
She instructed her lawyer
to have it delivered to me.
Listen to this, everybody.
"My dearest Murphy
"I don't know how I died
"But I hope it was quick,
a little scandalous
"And that everyone in town
is talking about me.
"This is a list of instructions
for my funeral.
"One: You are not to cry
a single tear. It's not the Brown style."
She's still telling me
what to do.
"Secondly, make sure
I'm dressed well.
"I'd like to wear
my red suit,
"My black fedora
with the ostrich plume
"And my emerald brooch.
"It cost your father a fortune
and it will k*ll him
To see me
buried in it."
Then she ends it
like this:
"Well, Murphy, I have no idea
where I am right now
"But I'm sure it will be fine
"As long as they have
room service.
"I also don't know
if it's allowed
"But if I can, I promise
I'll come and visit you
"Before the night is over.
"Look for me.
Much love, mother."
Is this woman a rarity,
or what?
Now I ask you, is this the kind of person
who would want people
Sitting around a bar,
crying into their beers?
It certainly doesn't seem that way, Slugger.
Maybe you're right. Maybe we should
celebrate her spirit.
Absolutely.
That's the way
It's always been done
in my family.
I'd like
to make a toast.
All rise.
To Avery Brown--
One hell of a broad.
Hey.
Hear! Hear!
Avery Brown.
Miles:
Well, hey, there!
It's Murphy's father.
Just in time.
Grab a brewski.
Put on your party face
And let's all
have a good time.
What the hell's
the matter with you, Silverberg?
A woman just died.
I know, sir.
I think I'll join her.
Dad.
Ah, there's my Suzy Q.
How are you holding up, kid?
I'm doing fine, Dad.
Why are you here?
I heard the terrible news this morning.
I grabbed the first plane
out of Chicago
so I could be with you.
I thought we could
spend the night here
And then drive up
to Philadelphia together
for the funeral.
Gee Dad, isn't this a little
out of character?
It's been two years
since we've seen each other.
You've called me twice,
and written to me once.
I thought things
were going to change between us.
I got in a little over my head,
Murphy--
Running a newspaper,
a new wife, a new child.
You know how it can get.
But the point is
This is the last time
The three of us
can be together as a family.
Oh, nice family--
You, me,
and a dead person.
We're a regular
Norman Rockwell painting.
You know, Dad, I really hadn't planned
on having company tonight.
Oh.
Well, okay.
If that's what you want.
I guess I can stay
in a hotel.
Ow.
Since you went
To all the trouble
of coming here...
That's my Suzy Q.
Well, what do you say
we hit the road, huh?
I thought it might be nice
If we could spend
the night tonight
Reminiscing
about the good times.
Dad, there weren't
any good times.
That's not true.
I can name at least
a dozen right off the top of my head.
Well, maybe not a dozen.
Eight? Five?
Actually, it's not good
to dwell on the past.
No gas station
in Washington
Will break a fifty
after : .
You didn't have to go
after the attendant
With a squeegee.
Eldin. Hi.
Hi.
I feel so bad.
Mom's gone.
Oh, Eldin...
I know,
but we can't cry.
She said
she didn't want that.
Is he still here?
Why is he still here?
Hello, Mr. Brown.
Eldin, what's in
this trunk?
I don't know.
It came a few hours ago.
Look who it's from.
It's from... mother.
First the letter,
now this.
What are you talking
about?
What letter?
I don't think she'd mind
if you read it.
And now this trunk.
I think she's in there.
What?
What?
I mean, I can't help but think
She's playing
this big practical joke on us
And when we open
this trunk
She'll pop right out of there,
and surprise us all.
Although, I don't
see any air holes.
Oh, I must be in
some deep state of denial.
Why is he still here?
Eldin, look, maybe
it would be better
If you went home
and got some rest.
I'm sure tomorrow things
will seem better.
No, I don't think
I'm going home.
I'm going to go
to the painter's bar
And have a cappuccino
in her honor.
Then I'm going to take
my pants off
And drive around town.
What? Why?
It's something we do
in the Bernecky family
When a loved one dies.
We don't know why.
I think there was some kind
of miscommunication
Down the line somewhere.
Anyway, no one wants
to be the first
To break tradition
So we're stuck with it.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Good night, Eldin.
Okay. Here I go.
This letter is unbelievable.
The woman has actually
found a way to reach out
From the grave
And still get to people.
How about that bit
about coming back for a visit?
Is that great?
If anybody could figure out
how to haunt people, she could.
Yeah, she's the one
who could do it, all right.
She is definitely the one.
(Clears throat)
You want to open it?
Well, we might as well
get it over with.
(Thunder booming)
Or we could call it a night.
Good idea.
(knocking)
Mother?
Are you asleep?
No.
I heard a noise.
When?
Before.
Before when?
A couple of minutes ago.
It was a loose shutter.
No, it did not sound
like a loose shutter.
Was it a "thunk, thunk?"
No. "ping, ping, ping."
Ping, ping, ping?
Like a clogged drainpipe.
Water rising?
That would make
that "ping, ping, ping" noise?
I guess
that's what was it.
I guess
that's what it must have been.
Why are we sitting
in the dark?
I have no idea.
Murphy, I know why
we're having trouble sleeping.
It's that damn trunk downstairs.
It's time to open it.
I guess you're right.
Let's just get it over with.
What's the big deal?
(Thunder booming)
Stop that!
I hate that!
Here goes.
You know,
it's a funny thing.
I always thought
that I'd be the first to go.
Aw, Dad.
Yeah, I was sure she'd
figure out some way to k*ll me.
Would you give me a hand here?
Oh, yeah. sure, sure.
Look at this.
It's just a bunch of old stuff
from the attic.
What the heck is this?
That's my putter.
That's my favorite putter!
I swear I spent
the past years
Looking everywhere
for this damn thing.
"Murphy, this is
your father's favorite putter.
"He spent the last years
looking for the damn thing.
"I stole it
from him
"After Thanksgiving, .
"He got drunk
"Put my hat and shoes
on the turkey
"And introduced it to the family
"As my sister
from out of town.
"So, I'm passing the putter
on to you, Murphy.
"Hide it well.
The honor of the Brown women
depends on it."
No, you don't, Avery.
This is mine.
I'll just take that.
Thank you very much.
(Thunder booming)
When is this damn storm
going to blow out of here?
Oh, look at this.
The old photo album.
Oh, boy, now we're talking.
I tell you, Murphy.
We had some wonderful
good times, the three of us
And they're all documented
right here in this book.
Okay, but any photographs
of me in that home perm
Go straight
into the fireplace.
What's that?
That's the Fourth of July
at our house at the shore.
What's that hole?
I think that's where i was.
Yeah, look.
You can see my shadow
right there on...
She cut me out
of this picture!
What the hell?
Look. Here's our
brand-new Oldsmobile.
There's me, there's mom
And there's another hole.
She's cut me out
of all of these pictures!
That woman has defaced
our family history.
Why, there's got to be
some evidence of me
In here somewhere.
Aha! There.
See our spruce tree?
That's Christmas, .
I cut that spruce tree down
myself.
From the Hennessey's front yard.
They came over
on Christmas Eve and took it back.
You're always looking
on the negative side.
Murphy, you were always
very, very tough.
You refused to believe
in Santa Claus
Because you'd never heard
the reindeer on the roof.
So that night, I got the ladder
And stomped on the roof.
I knew it was you.
You did not.
I did too.
Reindeer don't whinny
And have
a smoker's cough.
I actually thought we were
going to have a good Christmas
Until I look out my window and saw mother
taking your ladder away.
You must have been stuck
Up on that roof
half the night.
Just a couple of hours...
Until I lost my footing.
It's a good thing
that gardener
Planted those hedges down there.
Mr. Yamakawa?
Whatever happened to him?
Still enjoying his work,
from what I hear.
You know, dad,
it was that Christmas Eve
That I became
a good journalist
Because I decided
I should never believe
in anything I couldn't see.
(Thunder booming)
Oh, come on!
Oh, come on!
Oh...
Oh, look at this.
That's the old
Indian blanket.
Oh, boy, does this
bring back memories.
Great ones.
Remember that night
in the summer
We camped out together
in the back yard?
We got two broomsticks
and this blanket.
And I made a tepee.
I got the flashlight,
and we sat in the tent
And we told ghost stories
all night long.
Oh, Dad,
it was so great.
That's really the kind of thing
you wish you could relive.
(Thunder)
And every night
Whenever a full moon shines
over the lake
You can hear the wind.
Or is it really
the voice...
(Shrieking:)
Of the hatchet lady?!
(Gasping)
I got you.
After all these years,
I finally got you.
And what is that
on my kid's face?
A smile?
Okay, I guess things weren't
really as bad as they seemed.
You know
I always wondered
what made a guy
Who always seemed so busy
for this kind of stuff
Decide to build
that wonderful little tepee
For his daughter?
Oh, well...
Uh... no...
Murphy, I don't want
to talk about that.
It's embarrassing.
Your reputation as an old
curmudgeon is safe with me.
What made you do something
so sweet?
Actually?
Your mother threw me
out of the house that night
And I didn't have
Any place to sleep.
Aw, geez.
Aw, geez,
this is unbelievable.
We were this close
to being a real family.
This close. What else
are you going to tell me?
I suppose that time you to
that splinter out of my knee
You were only doing it
Because you
needed the wood!
I tried, Murphy. I tried.
I guess I'll just have to throw
in the towel on this one.
You can't make up
for all the lost time
In one night, Dad.
(Crying softly:)
Ohh...
That's your hat.
That's your
baby bonnet.
Damn it!
This isn't fair.
If you didn't want me to cry
Why did you send me
all this stuff?
How could you do this
to me, mother?
How could you leave me now?
I need you now.
No, dad!
You were never there
when I needed you
And it's too late.
Wait a minute.
How long are you going to go on
punishing me for the past?
When are you going to drop
all this baggage
And get on with things?
Are you putting this on me?
Where have you been
for the last two years?
I'll tell you where.
With your -year-old wife
and your year-old son.
Well, that's all very nice
Except you forgot
the part of your life
That lives here in Washington.
This is not the way
I taught you
To look at a story.
There's two sides to everything,
and you're going to hear mine.
You think you
don't have a father.
I think I
don't have a daughter.
You didn't show up
at my wedding.
You didn't call
the day my son was born.
How do you think
that made me feel?
I don't know.
Well, I'll tell you.
Lousy.
Like you didn't care...
And to tell you the truth,
I don't think you did.
I didn't want you
to get married again.
I wanted you
to be with mother.
She really loved you.
And I really loved her.
I still do
But, honey,
we couldn't live together.
I felt that I deserved
some kind of a life...
But you couldn't accept that.
I didn't think
it mattered.
Oh, it matters.
It matters more
than anything.
Especially now.
A grandchild is coming.
I want that child to know
Who Bill Brown is--
Warts and all.
Will you let me?
Oh...
Okay...
Okay...
Okay, you're choking me.
Sorry about that.
I don't think
I've seriously hugged anyone
Since Nixon resigned.
Boy, this has been some day,
hasn't it?
What time is it?
Uh... a little after midnight.
Well, I guess mother's
not coming after all.
Oh, I don't know.
I think she just did.
What do you say
we call it a night?
Good idea.
Do you mind if I take
The Indian blanket?
Why, it's yours,
of course.
By the way,
where's my putter?
Your putter?
Gee, I don't know.
Murphy Brown,
I'm your father.
If you don't tell me
what you did with my putter
I'll take the television
out of your room tonight.
Murphy:
Good night, Dad.