Benson (1979–1986): Season 1, Episode 14 - Just Friends - full transcript

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(DOG BARKING)

Is the Governor in?

No, he took some people out
to Meadowland Industrial Park.

Well, what's that?

One of my dumb school projects.

Yeah? What's it gonna
be when it's finished?

It is finished.

Oh, uh, what is it?

You mean, you can't tell?

Of course I can.



Surface of the moon.

Close, it's an Indian village.

These silver things are teepees.

Katie, very few Indians

made their teepees
out of aluminum foil.

You find some
construction paper,

I'll show you how
to make a teepee.

You will? Yeah.

Gee, thanks, Marcy.

How come you
didn't offer to help?

Well, sometimes the
best help is no help at all.

Und that is what
you are, no help at all.

Look, Marcy, we can cover
the teepees with this leather

which I found in
my clothes closet.



This is one of your
old nightgowns, isn't it?

That is a very good
idea, Miss Kraus.

I've got some
green felt at home.

So maybe I can make some
ground cover and some trees.

Maybe we'll even put
a canoe in the lake.

Don't make it look too good.

The government will take
it away from the Indians.

I'll get started on the teepees.

Oh, yes, it is an ideal
industrial site. Yes.

Oh, Benson, have
you met Mr. Walker?

No, how do you do,
sir? How do you do?

Benson's my director
of household affairs.

Well, I'm sure I'm
happy to meet you.

This is Mrs. Walker.

It isn't. It isn't?

It is. Told you.

It can't be.

Benson, this is Mrs. Walker.

She's married to Mr. Walker
of Walker Components.

I can't believe it.

You're married to her?

To the best of my
knowledge, yes.

Well, what do you know?

Everything, I hope.

Benson. Carol.

Benson! Oh, Carol.

Benson. Uh, Carol...

They've met. Yes, I see.

Carol always did have a big
warm welcome for old friends.

I just love reunions, don't you?

Benson, you look wonderful.

I told you about
Benson, didn't I, dear?

Oh, are you... Are
you that Benson

who was taking Carol out
when she fell in love with me?

Well, no, actually I'm the
Benson who was taking Carol out

when she fell in
love with your car.

Oh, the good old days, huh?

Well, they weren't
all that good.

They weren't all that bad.

(CLEARS THROAT)

Sir, shall we adjourn to your
office and conclude our business?

Taylor, we are a long way
from concluding anything.

Howard, I really
can't understand

how it is that you can resist

these tax incentives
we're offering.

Sir, we haven't
offered them yet.

Oh, that's it.

Well, well, isn't
this something?

How long has it been since
you two have seen one another?

10 years. 20 years.

No. Yes.

That's not possible.

It may not be
possible, but it's true.

I'm not that old.

Yes, you are.

Benson, you haven't changed.

You mean, he's always
been this charming?

Always.

I'll never forget the day
you got married. Oh?

Yeah, it was October the
tenth. A cold and rainy Saturday.

Now, how on earth
did you remember that?

Well, I'd been hanging outside
the chapel crying in the rain.

I caught pneumonia and
they took me to the hospital.

Oh.

And I heard you
were so brokenhearted

the day you left the hospital,

you took one of
the nurses with you.

Two, they were small.

Marcy, would you
come in, please?

Now?

And bring your pad.

Just when you were
getting to the good part.

You gave me nothing but
good things to remember.

Same here.

I hope you mean that.

We came close.

It just didn't work
out, that's all.

So, Mrs. Walker Components.

Isn't it wonderful?

Whoever thought Howard
would be so successful.

You did.

Are you all moving
into the state, or what?

Well, Howard's got eight factories
spread out over three states,

and he's thinking about
consolidating them here.

Eight factories?

I said it was wonderful.

For Howard.

How about you?

Look, we're only gonna
be here for a week.

Why don't you and I have lunch?

Now there's an idea.

One of the worst I ever heard.

Benson, it'll be just
like the old days.

In the old days we
didn't get around to lunch.

We're older now. We
need the nourishment.

Yeah, well.

Come on, give me one good
reason we can't have lunch.

Carol.

There's one.

Come in and join us,
please. In a minute.

Howard, would you mind
if I had lunch with Benson?

Not at all.

He's on the Governor's staff.

You can write it off, my dear.

You heard him.

Yeah, he's writing me and
the lunch off at the same time.

Come on, please?

Okay. Day after tomorrow?

Mmm-hmm, great. Around 12:30?

Mmm-hmm. Okay.

We're at the Marquis Plaza.
Come on up to the suite.

No, no, no, I'll meet
you in the lobby.

Benson,

we're only gonna have
lunch and talk about old times.

What are you afraid of?

Old times.

Do you like it, Katie?

Oh, sure.

But I'm sort of feeling guilty that
I haven't been much help on this.

Oh? Well, as soon as Marcy is
finished, you can help put it away.

There, how does
the canoe look? Neat.

Ja, considering it is paper
painted to look like birch bark

instead of the real thing.

I'm sorry, I just didn't have the
time to go out and skin a tree.

I don't know how you
can pick on my canoe

when you've got a Navajo rug
sitting right outside a Sioux teepee.

That rug took a whole
day to knit und it stays.

Well, I'm sure it does.

But how can you logically
explain its being there?

Somebody brought
it in a fake canoe.

Hi, Marcy, any calls?

Yeah, just that
one on your desk.

So, how was lunch? Overcooked.

Besides overcooked? Cold.

Oh, come on, Benson.

I was there when your
old flame walked in.

I saw those sparks flying.

Well, that was it, just sparks.

The fire died out
a long time ago.

Could this wait?

So, what happened?

Well, Marcy, it
was all kind of sad.

Most people fall in
love and get married.

Carol got married
and then fell in love.

With her husband?

Of course, with her husband.

So, what's the problem?

He doesn't have
time for her anymore.

So?

And, well, then she
talked and I listened,

she cried and I consoled.

She got angry and I calmed her.

Then the wealthiest woman I know

stuck me with the check.

Were you expecting more?

No, but you were.

You still care about her.

Oh, yeah. I can't
stop caring about her.

She meant a lot to me.

What kind of a
guy takes his wife

to an industrial
park for a vacation?

Oh, stop, this was a
vacation? Mmm-hmm.

You know, from
everything you told me,

I figured she had everything.

Everything except Howard.

Unfortunately, that's the
price a wife pays sometimes

when the husband
becomes rich and powerful.

You know, this never
would have happened to her

if she'd married you.

Taylor. Sir?

Sit down.

I can't.

Governor, Benson has single-handedly
ruined your political career.

We don't know that, Taylor.

Oh, please, we had Walker
Electronic Components

in the palm of our hand.

They are tiny little
things, aren't they?

No, Governor, the factories.

The factories that
we lost last night?

(KNOCK ON DOOR) Come in.

Marcy said it was important.

What's the problem?

Benson, I heard some very
disturbing news this morning.

Oh? (IMITATING) Oh?

We were counting on Walker
Components building a plant here.

Yeah? (IMITATING) Yeah.

And, I was confident
that if Howard did,

other industrialists
would follow suit.

Meadowland's an ideal
site for all sorts of industry.

Well, of course it is.

'Cause if I had a plant,
that's exactly where I'd put it.

Good, there's
plenty of room for it.

Well, what's that
got to do with me?

(IMITATING) What's
that got to do with me?

Mr. Walker was to
sign the papers today.

He just called and
said the deal's off.

The deal's off? Did he say why?

Why? Yes, why?

Don't act innocent, Benson.
You know perfectly well why.

Mrs. Walker just informed
Mr. Walker that she is leaving him.

She's leaving him? What for?

For you!

Oh, my God!

How could you do this, Benson?

Just as we were trying to nail
down a deal with Mr. Walker,

you were nailing
Mr. Walker's wife.

Taylor, you keep
flapping your tongue,

I'm gonna nail your mouth shut.

Gentlemen, please.

I will not tolerate this
type of discussion.

Sir, Mrs. Walker left
Mr. Walker for Benson.

What is left to discuss?

Plenty.

Marcy, I can handle this.

Well, you've done a
lousy job of it so far.

So what if Carol and
Benson had a thing once?

So what if they had
a hot, torrid romance

and could hardly keep
their hands off one another?

Marcy, do you mind?

All that is past,
Taylor. It's over.

He isn't a hot, wild, young
thing anymore. He's...

Marcy.

Matured.

Some things get better with age.

Like cheese.

None of this is true, Taylor.
Where did you hear it anyway?

From Mr. Walker.

Well, Mr. Walker is wrong.

Oh, really? He got it
from a very reliable source.

Oh, really, who? Mrs. Walker.

Oh, really?

You still got it, kid.

Thanks very much
for the help, Marcy.

I don't know what I
would have done without it.

Yeah.

It seems the Walkers
had an argument last night

and Carol said if Howard didn't have
time for her, she knew a man who did.

Then she packed her
bags and left the hotel.

Where are you
hiding her, Benson?

I'm not hiding her anywhere!

Taylor, you have jumped to some

remarkably asinine conclusions.

Carol may have
mentioned Benson's name,

but when people are angry they
say a lot of things they don't mean.

Please, Marcy, I got it
from the horse's mouth...

Wait a minute, I know how
to get to the bottom of this.

Benson, are you breaking
up the Walkers' marriage?

No.

All right, that clears that up.

Maybe for you, but someone
I care about is getting hurt.

Where are you going?
I'm going to talk to Howard.

Oh, I wouldn't talk to
him now. He's very upset.

He's upset?

I'm getting blamed for something

I haven't done in 20 years.

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

Howard.

Benson!

Carol, what are you doing here?

I was just about to
ask you the same thing.

I thought you hit the road.

You mean you know
about last night?

Know about it?

Your husband would
make a hell of a town crier.

Where is Howard?

He went out. Looking for me?

I don't know. Is he armed?

Don't be silly.

I don't know where he is.

He was gone when I
got back this morning.

You stayed out all night?

I was walking and thinking.

While Howard sat here steaming.

I didn't know what to do.

You were full of
ideas last night.

This is wonderful.
He probably thinks

you were out with me all night.

I know that's
what I would think.

Well, I'll explain it to him
as soon as he gets back.

You want some coffee?

Coffee? Are you out
of your mind, Carol?

We don't know what's
in your husband's mind

and you're asking me if I
want to drink his coffee?

I'm sorry, Benson.
It's all my fault.

You've got that right.

Oh, now, now, now,
don't start that. Come on.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to
drag you into this.

Well, I don't mind getting dragged in,
just so long as I don't get carried out.

I don't know what got into me.

I deliberately tried to
make him feel jealous.

Oh, really?

Well, congratulations,
it worked.

I've never seen Howard
like this. I don't understand it.

Well, if he sees us like
this, he won't understand it.

You're right. Yeah.

I'm gonna go and
see if I can find him.

(SCREAMS)

I found him.

No, no, Benson.
Not the closet. No.

Benson, not in the bedroom!

Carol, are you there?

HOWARD: Carol. I'm coming.

Window. The window?

Well, you can't stay
here. He'll see you.

Carol, are you all
right? I'm coming.

(SHUSHING)

You can't stay there.

Well, what do you
want me to do, fly?

Well, can't you move that way?

I can't move any way at all.

You've got to. Just
don't look down.

Don't what? Look down.

(YELPS)

Carol.

Benson, I've got to
open the door now.

By the time I get to the door,
you'd better be out of sight.

HOWARD: Carol, you
left the chain on the door.

Carol?

(SIGHING)

What kept you? I,
um... Are you all right?

Oh, I was taking a nap.

Where were you last night?

Howard... Never mind.

I don't really want to know.

Carol, I'm grateful
that you're safe,

but now that you're
back, I'm leaving.

Howard.

Oh, Howard, don't go.

Carol, let go of me. I can't.

Carol, let go.

Oh, yes. Yes, dear.

Howard, why are you doing this?

You've never been
jealous before.

You've never given me
reason to be jealous before.

Howard, there is nothing
between Benson and me.

Carol, you are between
me and the door.

(GASPS)

I love you.

Bell Captain,
this is suite 3401.

Would you please send
someone up to get my luggage?

While they're at it, tell them
to set up a net down there.

Yes, yes.

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

Yes, five minutes
will be just fine.

Forgive the intrusion,
Carol, Howard.

Not at all. Please come in.

I just couldn't let you leave
without at least trying to resolve

what appears to be some
kind of misunderstanding.

I appreciate your concern,
Governor, but I don't care to discuss it.

(WOMAN SCREAMS)

WOMAN: What are
you doing out there?

Sorry, lady, pigeon control.

Mrs. Walker, this is
a very delicate matter.

I realize it's no one's affair
but yours and... Benson.

Sir, please.

Forgive him, he's
under great strain.

But he was just here,
outside the window.

Governor, that's impossible.

Not really.

Benson, what are
you doing out here?

Enjoying the view.

Aren't you afraid
of catching cold?

Frankly, sir, catching a cold
is at the bottom of the list.

Excuse me, Governor.

Benson, it is perfectly
clear what's going on here.

But you'll just have to stay
out here until Howard leaves.

You can do it. Just stay calm.

You come out here
and try to stay calm.

Benson, I've done a little
mountain climbing, you know?

Taylor, look down.

(GASPING)

Benson, why don't
you come on in now?

I can't, sir. I was here with
Carol when Howard came in.

You mean Carol was
out here with you?

No, no, no, no, no!

I'm hiding from Howard.

Oh!

Well, you picked
the perfect spot for it.

I'd never think to
look for you out here.

Find out what he's doing.

BOTH: What's he doing?

He's in the bathroom.

He's in the bathroom.

Well, help me in.

I'm gonna try to
make it to the door.

Governor, he can't come in.

The entire
project's in jeopardy.

But it's cold out there.

Sir, we're talking about
$100,000,000 in revenue here.

But can we put a price
on a man's health?

Could we talk
about this tomorrow?

Stay out! You're
trying to ruin everything.

He's coming!

Mr. Walker, can't
we talk this out?

No, Taylor, we can't.

Coffee, anyone?

Oh, yes, thank you.

Danish, Governor?

No, actually, I'm a mix...

Thank you. A little Irish.

Before you check out,

don't you think you should
look in your drawers?

I beg your pardon?

I mean, you may have
forgotten something.

I have forgotten nothing.

I shall just collect my toilet articles
and then I shall be on my way.

(DOOR CLOSES)

Okay, quick! Get
him out the door.

Benson.

TAYLOR: The closet!

Gentlemen, if you don't mind,

I should like to
speak with my wife.

Well, it's about time.

I knew you two
would patch it up.

Sir, I... I think he
wants us to leave.

Oh, no, we can't
leave now, not with...

In the... Yes, we can.

Carol, Howard. I'm
sorry about everything.

I hope everything turns out
just fine and hang in there.

Carol.

I can't afford all this
emotional upheaval.

I have to run a business.

Howard, nothing happened.

Carol, please, I trusted you.

You've been running around
with this Benson fellow,

and then you want to convince
me that nothing happened?

Okay, that's it. Goodbye.

Hey, Howard, how you doing?

What were you doing in there?

Well, I was thinking of
renting, but it's a little small.

Nothing happened, eh, Carol?

Now, look, Howard, I could have
let you walk right out that door

and you'd never have
known I was here, right?

You're not really gonna
try to waste my time

with an absurd
explanation, are you?

You want to hear absurd?

What about two people
busting up 20 years of marriage

because they won't take five
minutes to talk to one another.

Howard, we had
lunch, that's all.

But you let me believe that something
was going on between you and Benson.

Well, maybe she
just wanted to see

if you cared enough to object.

You do object, don't you?

Strongly.

There, see, he does care.

Benson, I am perfectly capable

of telling my wife
how I feel about her.

Well, then, why don't you?

Howard, I let this woman
get away from me once.

Now, if you're fool
enough to leave her here,

I won't make that mistake again.

Howard, I'm sorry...

No, no, no, no,
no. It's my fault.

I think we both owe Benson
a phone call, to thank him.

All right.

I'll try to catch him
down in the lobby.

You're welcome.

Take care of yourself, sugar.

How does it look, Katie?

Like an A-plus.

Your ride's waiting, Katie.

One minute.

Mr. Walker signed the
contracts yesterday, Benson.

Oh, that's terrific.

Katie, you're gonna be late.

There, it is finished.

Do you like it, Benson?

Yeah, it's great.

BOTH: Thank you.

You're doing nice work, Katie.

Well, I will carry
it out to the car.

No, thanks, Miss Kraus.

I've decided to take
my aluminum teepees.

That kid's gonna be all right.

Wonder why she didn't
take the Indian village.

Well, she can't
take credit for that.

After all that
work we did on it.

It's enough to drive me crazy.

She can't take
credit for that, either.

NARRATOR: Benson is videotaped

before a studio audience.