American Woman (2018): Season 1, Episode 2 - Changes and the New Normal - full transcript

Ugh...

How long have you and Mr. Nolan

been married, Mrs. Nolan?

Um, almost 16 years.

And is it your intent
to file for divorce?

I don't know.

I don't even know why he was arrested.

Well, according to the complaint,

your husband has been charged
with two counts of fraud

for selling nonexistent
beachfront lots in Florida

for a company called, uh,



"Vera Cruz Estates."

Does that mean anything to you?

No.

Vera Cruz Estates is a
fictitious holding company

for several thousand acres
of worthless swampland.

So it appears your husband

was involved in a pyramid scheme.

I'm sorry. I don't know what that is.

Uh, that's an illegal investment scam.

And that's why you now find yourself

in this situation that you are now in.

I'm not even sure if there is a way out.

Mrs. Nolan...

Mrs. Nolan?



Sorry to be the one to
have to tell you this, but

you're bankrupt.

The only asset you have left

is the house.

Your husband put it in your name,

probably to protect it from creditors,

but the mortgage hasn't
been paid for four months,

and the bank intends
to start foreclosure

in the next 30 days.

I should have been more
involved with our finances.

I don't even have a checking account,

because Steve said I
couldn't handle money.

Is there no money left?

$126 in our joint checking account.

I took it out so Steven

couldn't spend it on his girlfriend.

Ugh, men. They're built to cheat.

Every time they take their pants off,

they see that one-eyed
monster hanging there,

just begging them to get in trouble.

There's a visual I could
have lived without.

I have to figure out a way
to pay off the mortgage.

Oh, my God!

I'm so stupid.

I'll write a check for your mortgage.

What? No, I can't take money from you.

I'm happy to do it.

Kathleen, that's very generous,

but that would just be a Band-Aid.

I need to figure out

a solution for the long-term.

Plus, money has a way of
messing up relationships.

Not so fast.

- I'll take a check.
- What?

I have no problem taking
money from friends.

You can make mine out to cash.

You're funny.

Becca?

- Jessica!
- Ready, set, go!

Splashy, splashy!

Don't pull up...

Hey, Daddy, watch me!

I didn't mean to hurt you.

Then why did you?

I don't know.

Now, I know that's not
a good enough answer.

But I want my life back.

I want to be with you and the girls.

Besides, you can't raise them

on your own. What are you
going to do for money?

Thought I'd dabble in
Florida real estate.

If we do this together,

we can make it work.

I know we can.

The girls miss you.

Yeah. I miss them.

And I... I don't want
to lose any more time.

I couldn't even believe how much

Jess had grown in two weeks.

You know, it feels like yesterday

when she was born.

Do you remember that cocktail party

we had for the Bensons?

When you told me you were pregnant?

Of course, I remember.

I thought you were going to fall over.

Yeah.

Well, the doctor said we
probably couldn't have one.

I mean, we were both
just so over the moon.

Here, Jess...

Yeah.

Well, it's been a rough road lately.

But it wasn't all bad, was it?

No. It wasn't.

I miss you.

I want you to give me another chance.

We had a good life and we
can put it back together.

Oh, and I...

I have this court date coming up.

And I want you there.

- In court?
- Yeah.

I've never been in trouble before,

and my lawyer thinks, you know,

judge will go easy on me.

Especially if he sees
that I'm a family guy.

I see.

Yeah.

Well, I might not have to go to jail.

Maybe just...

you know, probation, fine.

I'm not going to court with you.

You should leave.

Wait, you're mad at me
because I need your help?

Say something.

You always need me to
do something, Steven.

That's what our whole
marriage was about.

You needed me to do something.

You needed me to take
care of the girls or

make small talk with other
wives at business dinners,

but when did you stop needing me?

- Steven? Just me?
- Well, I do need you...

- I do need you.
- No, you don't.

Don't lie.

Why don't you have any
goddamn gratitude?

This life that you have:

I gave it to you.

All of it.

You know, when we were together,

you never had to worry about anything.

Maybe that was the problem.

Shit.

What's the matter?

There are no signatures
on these loan documents.

- Shit.
- Huh?

I didn't notice that.

What about the bird?

Did the bird notice anything?

Mr. Bishop?

I was gonna send these
loan documents downtown,

but then I noticed that

they didn't have any signatures.

Oh.

These are for Arnold Taper.

Don't worry about it.
It's not a problem.

I've known Arnold for 15 years.

I'll just give him a call
and have him come by.

Back then, we didn't have
half this paperwork.

We'd give loans on a handshake.

Gentleman's agreement.

When a man's word meant something.

Something else?

I heard that Craig Barron is
moving to Arizona next month.

He is.

Well, I'd like to be
considered for his position.

Of senior loan officer?

Yes.

Jeff is interested in the position.

I've been here almost a
year and a half longer.

Mm-hmm.

And I have more experience

in the loan department than Jeff does.

Look, here's the problem

single gals like you
never consider, Diana.

You don't have a family to support.

Jeff has a wife and two children.

And I take care of my mother.

So I also have a family to support.

All right, fine.

I'll consider you.

May I have your word on that?

A gentleman's agreement?

Thank you.

Honey. Honey, do you think
this is a good idea?

Oh, this? Mm.

Um, yeah. A great idea.

Oh, honey, listen to me.

Tomorrow is going to be
huge. It's our first day.

I just...

I think I'm a little nervous.

So I think...

I think we should get
a good night's sleep.

Don't you?

Yes.

I mean, I guess so.

We are going to set this town on fire.

You'll see.

Good night.

Good night.

What's wrong?

Does it bother you that I
have money and you don't?

What?

Bonnie said that money sometimes

can mess up a relationship,

and I'm starting to think
that she might be right.

Oh, my God, no.

Not at all. Baby, that has
nothing to do with it.

I want to feel close to you.

I...

And our sex life is...

well, it's a little lacking.

Baby, I'm sorry.

Let's just...

let's get through our first day.

Once we get that under
our belt, I'm sure that

all this anxiety I'm having
is going to go away.

- Think so?
- I know it.

Set this town on fire?

Good night.

I think Melissa's mom was talking

to Angela's mom about you.

Angela's mom needs to
worry about Angela.

That girl is strange.

I'm gonna drop you off at the
house to do your homework.

Where are you going?

I have to go shopping with your aunties.

Aunt Diana got me an
appointment tomorrow

with a wonderful employment agency.

- So I need to get a suit.
- Are you gonna work?

Yes, I am.

What do you know how to do?

I'm not really sure yet, sweetie.

Then how are you gonna get a job?

I'm gonna buy a goddamn great suit,

do my hair, wear my highest heels,

and fake it!

You know what you need? Palazzo pants.

What I need is something
cheap that says,

"This woman may have no work experience,

but she's gonna be fantastic."

You must have some work experience.

I worked at Dairy Queen
when I was in high school.

- Oh, I love Dairy Queen.
- You do?

- Yeah.
- Ice cream, right?

Mm-hmm.

We need to find you something
by Yves Saint Laurent.

Uh, Yves Saint Laurent isn't cheap.

Yeah, but she'll wear it forever.

Oh, look. This is nice.

At these prices, I'd
have to wear it forever.

Oh, look. They're hiring here.

I can't work at the May Company.

Everyone we know shops here.

It would be humiliating.

Hi.

What do you think?

Have you never been on a
job interview before?

No.

Well, unless the job involves tassels,

it's probably not appropriate.

A suit isn't gonna fix
Bonnie's problems.

She needs a new man.

A man who's not in danger
of being incarcerated.

She needs a rich benefactor.

Like a sugar daddy?

No, makes it sound so tawdry.

It can be a win-win situation

where everyone gets what they want.

I could take her down to the Palm.

It's crawling with rich

middle-aged divorcees and widowers.

Depending on a man is how Bonnie

got in trouble in the first place.

She's not like you.

She's only had a year of college

and no real skills.

Her beauty is her biggest asset.

Better?

Yeah... What? No.

You know, work can be rewarding.

And it's great for your self-esteem.

Is that why you drink a bottle

of chardonnay every night

and complain about
that sexist Mr. Bishop

and that you're going
nowhere in your job?

No.

Sometimes I prefer sauvignon blanc.

I'm just trying to help
Bonnie play to her strengths.

- What do you think?
- Oh.

I'd hire you.

Very professional.

It feels right.

I think even my ass looks
smarter in this suit.

Mrs. Nolan?

I realize it's a little thin.

Twiggy is thin. This
résumé is nonexistent.

Your last job was working as a

transportation supervisor?

What exactly did that entail?

Driving my kids to school.

And back from school.

Unless they take the bus.

That probably doesn't count, does it?

Not really.

I was hoping that all my years

of being a wife and mother would have

some sort of relevance
in the business world.

It doesn't have any relevance, does it?

Not really.

Is there something you think
might be right for me?

- Do you type?
- Of course.

You're attractive, that's
definitely a quality

men look for in an executive assistant.

Do you have nice legs under there?

Don't hide them...
anything that can make you

stand out in the secretarial pool

is definitely a bonus.

God knows your résumé won't do it.

Don't mention your kids in an interview.

A lot of people are nervous

about hiring women with children.

- They are?
- They feel like your focus

wouldn't be on the job
or that you'd have to

leave work because one
of your kids was sick.

Oh, don't worry.

I don't allow my children to be sick.

I left some folders on my desk.

Make sure you photocopy
them before you leave.

Okay, Eric, so this is for a soap opera,

so dialogue is a little over the top,

but that's what those
lonely housewives want,

so have fun with it.

- Got it.
- Ready?

"It's over, Michael. I
can't live like this.

It's all a lie."

"You're wrong. It's not a lie.

"When we kiss and your
soft, warm lips meet mine,

"that's not a lie.

"When my hand touches your perfect body,

"softly, barely there, yet
impossible to ignore,

"that's not a lie.

"When we're together in our bed,

"the ecstasy of our love, so passionate

"it might consume us, that's not a lie.

"Because I can feel it all now. Here.

"As real as I can feel my own body,

"flesh, bone, blood, and
the heart that pumps it.

"And that heart is not a lie,

because it beats for you."

That's it.

What? Oh, is it?

Oh, it is.

What did you think?

Would you like me to try
something different?

Hmm? No.

Will you excuse me for a minute?

That was terrific.

Kathleen.

Greg, what's wrong?

You all right?

Hey.

Becca.

Hello? Bonnie?

Your daughter let me in.

I brought you my world-famous quiche.

I thought you could use
some home cooking.

Thank you. That's very sweet.

Isn't that what you brought
to Mrs. Watchouski's wake?

It's the only dish I
really know how to make.

How have you been?

Great.

Really?

Well, I'm trying.

Oh, Steve.

I mean, God... what a double whammy.

Well, the real estate world is small.

My brokerage works closely with Steve's.

I'm fine, Sherry.

I know that when I found
out that my David

was having an affair with that

tacky bitch Trudy Nelson, oh,

I wanted to crawl into a
hole and never come out.

You know, this house is amazing.

Three bedrooms, a pool,

and is that an Amana stove?

Oh, I could get you a great
price for this place.

Have you decided when you
want to put it on the market?

I'm not selling the house.

It's worth considering.

The interest rates are very low.

I don't care what the
interest rates are.

I'm not tearing my children away

from their friends and their school.

But it's a seller's market right now.

Are you really giving
me the hard sell now?

It's important to strike while the iron,

or in this case the market, is hot.

Thank you so much for
stopping by, Sherry.

I'm gonna give you a
30-second head start

before I shove that quiche up your ass.

Mom! Mom.

There's a man stealing our car!

What do you think you're doing?

Think I'm repossessing your car.

You got to pay your bills, lady.

I've tried calling you
over and over again.

Now fix it right this time!

- Hi.
- Hi.

Come on, girls.

My card.

For when you're ready.

- Mom?
- Honey.

- Why are you awake?
- I'm scared.

I had a bad dream.

Oh, there's nothing to
be scared of, baby.

When I used to have bad dreams,

Daddy checked in the
closet and under the bed

to make sure there weren't any monsters.

I can come and check for you.

It's not the same.

No.

It isn't, is it?

Why are you cleaning the pool?

Because it's green.

And we don't have a pool boy anymore,

so now Mommy has to do it.

And you can't tell anyone, okay?

Why?

I just don't want people to
know that anything has changed.

It's none of their business.

Things have changed, haven't they?

I suppose they have.

Are we poor now?

No. Why would you say that?

Becca says we're poor.

She said that poor people
can't stay in their house.

They have to leave.

Are we gonna have to leave, Mom?

No.

We're not gonna leave, baby.

I promise.

Come here.

Doesn't look like you have
any prior retail experience.

I have years of experience
with high-end retail,

just from the perspective
of an avid shopper.

And who better to sell
to rich housewives

than someone who used to be one?

Someone with retail experience?

Look, I can't type, and

my résumé is starving,

but I know I can do this job.

I'm smart and determined,

and if you give me a
chance, I promise you

I will be the hardest worker you have.

I also have dozens of rich
friends who can be blackmailed

into not shopping at Neiman Marcus.

What's this?

Just a little gift we
picked out for you.

Go ahead. Open it.

Oh, my.

It's beautiful.

Look, how sweet.

I could put the girls'
pictures in there.

We were actually thinking our pictures.

But that works, too, I guess.

I think things are
changing for the better.

To changes.

Changes.

Thank you very much.

You're gonna look fabulous
in the Oscar de la Renta.

Two hours in, and you're a pro.

- I speak designer fluently.
- Ooh.

- Bonnie.
- I'm Louise.

How long have you worked here?

Long enough to learn
some tricks to stop me

from drinking the perfume
by the end of the day.

I hope you don't take
this the wrong way,

but you don't look
like the kind of woman

who works in a department store.

Oh, what do I look like?

Like a woman who shops
in a department store.

I used to be,

but I'm on sabbatical.

Are you okay?

Yes, I... I just see someone I know.

Oh.

I think it's time for your coffee break.

Why don't you head back and get
a cup while I wait on her?

Louise, um...

I'll wait on her.

Thank you, though.

Are you sure you want to?

No.

But I can't keep hiding forever.

Hmm.

- Bonnie.
- Hello.

You have such good taste.

Do you mind if I ask your opinion?

What do you think of these?

They're very cute.

What are you, about a size seven?

I'll go in the back and
see if we have them.

Go in the back?

Yes, I work here now.

What? Is this a joke?

No.

Oh, my God.

Don't worry. I won't tell anyone.

Oh, honey. Of course you will.

I'll be right back with those shoes.