Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–2000): Season 2, Episode 24 - The Pit and the Pendulum - full transcript
Brandon becomes involved with a young woman named Marcie St. Claire, whose father, Dixon St. Claire, is Jim's new client and has plans for tearing down the Peach Pit to make way for a new shopping mall. Brandon then begins a major...
Here we go, ladies and gentlemen,
the world table-cup playoffs.
lt's all right. The action is fast,
he's moving, he's grooving.
- Flag on that play.
- Thank you very much.
Come on, come on.
Ladies and gentlemen,
is this world-class action or what?
- Shut up, rabbit, shut up.
- One of our contestants is nervous.
lt's young Sanders
from Beverly Hills,
obviously outclassed
by the world champion.
- Hey, hey, hey. Yes, yes!
- Ladies and gentlemen:
- The cup!
- The cup!
Why don't you and your fans
stomp on my dishes next time?
That way they'll be sure
to get broken.
Sorry, Nat. The action just got
a little fast and furious, that's all.
l'm glad someone's
keeping busy around here.
Can we start cleaning up this place,
or do l have to do everything myself?
The Peach Pit.
L.A.'s newest fun spot.
He's been like this
for the last two weeks.
- Oh, hey, excuse me, Willie.
- Excuse me, bro.
Nat, before l forget,
we're almost out of mustard.
What happened to that last shipment
that was delivered?
Came in about two months ago.
You know how many jars
we go through a week.
No, Brandon, l haven't a clue
how to run this place.
l've just been doing it
for the last 20 years.
Look, Nat, if you want to fire me,
go ahead, okay?
Just stop biting my head off
every time l open my mouth.
Hey, come on back.
Come on.
lt's not you, believe me.
l'm just going through
a little rough patch.
Really? l hadn't noticed.
lt's what l get for remodelling this place
just in time for the recession.
Nat, should l start looking
for another job?
Nah, you're okay. You're part time.
l can be flexible with your hours.
lt's Willie l'm worried about.
- Why, what's wrong with Willie?
- He wants a raise.
l can't blame him.
He's worked here for five years.
He's got a family to support,
another on the way,
but l'm practically carrying
the guys in the kitchen as it is now.
- You're not gonna fire him, are you?
- l don't want to.
But l'm not made of money.
Something's gotta give.
- Hi, Mom.
- Well, hello there.
- Aren't you forgetting something?
- Like what?
Like the preliminary meeting
of the Teen Advisory Board.
First part is sort of like
a demographic.
You're gonna need to ask people,
their age, their sex, their interests.
You think Dad would mind
if l let this become Brenda's thing?
Nice try.
Mom, l just can't get psyched
about being a teen consultant
for a shopping mall.
Brandon, you promised your father
you'd help.
Now, this is a very important client.
He's counting on you.
Let me get the questionnaires,
you'll see what l'm talking about.
Excuse me.
Hello, who's that?
Well, why don't you go in
and find out?
Besides, your father just saw you.
Brandon, why don't you join us?
- So this is the prodigal son.
- Yeah, about 45 minutes later.
- Hey, l got held up at work, okay?
- Oh, that's a likely story.
You'd better be nice to me
or you're gonna lose your token male.
Does that mean you're gonna help
pass out questionnaires?
Do l have a choice?
- No.
- Yes.
Well, l'm glad that's cleared up.
- Sandwich?
- No, thanks.
No, thank you.
Well, l must say,
this is no ordinary shopping mall.
Well, nothing my father does
is ordinary.
- Your father is Dickson St. Claire?
- Yeah.
- Well, l guess it isn't what you know.
- And don't you ever forget it.
lf those two ever get together,
we could retire.
Oh, Jim.
Dad, are they actually gonna put
a real lake in the middle of this thing?
What the plans call for.
lf we get a variance
from the zoning board.
Well, that's what we're here for.
You got yourself
a heavyweight client, Dad.
Very impressive.
Glad you approve.
Your father's really a great guy,
but l guess you already know that.
He's okay, for a dad.
l just wanna know one thing.
How come your dad cares
what teenagers think
he should put in his mall?
Because l asked him to.
- l like Marcie, she's very dynamic.
- Yes, and she's hitting on my brother.
Oh, Brenda, forget it.
Marcie St. Claire
goes to college for God's sakes.
She is the president of her sorority.
Kelly, all sorts of girls have been
throwing themselves at Brandon
ever since we turned 1 2 years old.
You begin to be able to recognise
the signs after a while.
- l don't know exactly--
- Yeah.
No, but this is...
Just two minutes. You have to
fill out this questionnaire.
- Okay.
- St. Claire Development Company
is conducting a survey
on the west side to determine--
Brandon,
why do we need another mall?
- lt's not just another mall.
- Oh, l can see that.
lt's a ''total environmental experience.''
Who put you up to this?
Donna, this isn't a quiz. l mean
there are no right or wrong answers.
Yeah, it's not that hard.
Yeah, they just wanna know
what your favourite stores are.
Well, l like the ones
that take credit cards.
l suppose l shouldn't even ask you
to fill out one of these?
No.
Andrea, l don't know if they've done
an environmental impact survey.
lf they didn't care about
the community,
they wouldn't bother
with this questionnaire.
What about noise abatement?
Traffic control?
Are you gonna fill it out or what?
Okay, let me see, David wants
a music store and a coffee house.
Donna wants high fashion
at discount house prices
and a coffee house.
Okay, Steve wants
a Ferrari dealership, a bowling alley,
a batting cage, an lMAX theatre, and
a virtual reality amusement arcade.
What is that?
l don't know.
But he also wants a coffee bar.
- Well, Bren, you sure called this one.
- What?
l see she works fast.
College girl. Her clock's ticking.
- Hi.
- Hi.
- Hi, so you making the rounds?
- Oh, yeah, yeah.
l've been to Beverly, Crossroads,
Palisades, Santa Monica.
- Big day.
- Yeah.
Well, Brenda and l are done.
Wow, thanks.
So, how about Brandon?
How's he doing?
He's over there with Andrea.
And that could take hours.
Look, Andrea, they're waiting for me.
lf you've got any problem with this,
talk to her. She's in charge.
Maybe l will.
Give me a break, would you?
My father hardly ever asks me
to do anything for him.
Do we have to bring
journalistic ethics
and professional integrity
into everything we do?
l don't know, Brandon.
She looks awfully professional to me.
Look, l don't know if you guys
are interested,
but there's a party at school
next week.
lt's sort of a joint
fraternity/sorority type thing.
Sure, l'll pass.
No, it's not a formal.
lt's a lot of kids hanging out.
- We'd love to come, wouldn't we, Kel?
- Definitely.
- What sorority are you in, anyway?
- Tri Gams.
- Well, the best in the West.
- Yeah, yeah, they're a good group.
Oh, and the theme of the party is
''Am l Blue.''
- So use your imagination.
- Great.
Just promise me you'll introduce me
to the cutest guy there.
- No problem.
- So should l bring Brandon?
No, l'm bringing Brandon.
- How's it going?
- lt's going pretty good.
How's it feel
to be back in high school?
Good. l love the architecture
of Southern California.
All these open plazas.
Back in Minnesota,
all we had was a big brick building.
- And a lot of snow.
- Same here.
- Where'd you go to school?
- Switzerland.
So architecture's your thing, huh?
Yeah, my dream is to design
great buildings
and then build them with my father.
- Going into the family business, then.
- That's the plan.
- Hey, Willie.
- Hey, my number man.
- Here on time for a change.
- Yeah, thanks.
- Don't look at me like that.
- Just couldn't do it, could you?
What can l tell you?
lt's a Peach Pit tradition.
Our motto is,
''Who needs to make a profit?''
- You're a good man, Nat.
- No, you wanna know a good guy?
- See that picture up there?
- Yeah.
That's my dad,
Salvadore Bussichio.
- The one next to Steve McQueen?
- Yup, Sallie fed him.
Carried him for two years.
l was 1 0 years old.
Those were the days.
Who else did you know?
l knew them all.
Nothing lasts forever.
Balanced.
lnnovative.
Dynamic.
High Point Centre
combines commerce and leisure
for an urban community
on the edge of the next millennium.
l can't believe they put my ice rink
in there. That was my idea.
- You and a few other people.
- There's your coffee house, Bren.
Guys, these are fantastic.
- Did you try the spinach souffle?
- Not yet.
Too bad my mom's not here. She's
been craving spinach for a week.
- Her mother's pregnant.
- Really?
Second marriage?
No, not really. See, it's a long story.
lt is the A-list in town.
And the response to the presentation
has been superb.
- You done good, Pops.
- Well, we're getting there.
So, Jim, how does it feel to be on
the ground floor of something so big?
Terrific. Brandon,
l want you to meet Art Peters.
He's project manager for St. Claire.
Hey, how you doing?
- Can l talk to you for a second?
- Can it wait a minute?
- l want Art to meet your mother.
- No, it really can't.
- Excuse us.
- Excuse us.
What's wrong?
High Point Centre
crosses Olympic to Larrabee.
Yeah.
That's the corner
the Peach Pit is on.
We'll talk about it at home.
They're gonna tear it down,
aren't they?
Brandon, we'll talk about it at home.
You made your point.
lf there's nothing more to say,
- there's nothing more to say.
- Brandon, you're not being fair.
Fair?
You tear down The Peach Pit,
you might as well rip out Nat's heart.
This has got nothing to do with fair.
You're getting
a little carried away here.
How could you not
tell me about this?
l only found out about it
a half hour before you did.
- The address is all over those plans.
- l never put it together.
Brandon, how's Dad supposed to know
the address to the Peach Pit?
Thank you. At least
one of my children
is willing to give me
the benefit of the doubt.
How can l give you
the benefit of the doubt
when you put
a gag order on me?
That's not what l said.
What l said is,
do not discuss this with Nat
until l had a chance to talk
to Art Peters first.
l have to sell Nat out
so you can cover your butt.
Brandon! You apologise
to your father right now.
l'm sorry.
You know, l do have
some influence with these people,
but it's not gonna do any good
if they find out my son
gave confidential information
to someone
they may be in negotiations with.
Dad, you're talking like
l'm some kind of industrial spy.
Brandon, millions of dollars
are riding on this.
Not to mention my reputation.
- But, Dad, we're talking about Nat--
- This is not a request, Brandon.
Fine.
Good night.
Forget it, Bren.
l don't wanna talk about it.
Brandon.
You're asking me to choose
between Nat and Dad.
As far as l'm concerned,
there is no choice.
Yeah, l hear what you're saying.
But let me tell you
what kind of guy Nat is.
The other day he tells me
he can't afford to keep the Pit open
unless he lets Willie the cook go.
Well, l show up the next day,
and Willie is still there.
Look, l'm sure they'll give Nat
a lot of money for the place.
Money's not the issue, Bren.
Nat's family built that place.
lt's his life. Haven't you
heard him talk about the old days?
Brandon, l know.
l like Nat, too. l mean
he even named a milkshake after me.
But we're talking about Dad here.
Yeah, well, l don't want anything to do
with the DSC Development Company
or the Teen Advisory Board,
or any other part of it.
- lncluding Marcie?
- Yeah.
- What about the party Friday night?
- How can l look Marcie in the eye
after l know everything
that's going on?
Brandon, l thought you liked this girl.
And she sure likes you.
l can't do it, Bren.
There's more involved here.
Brandon, come on.
We may wind up going to this school.
l don't know about you, but
l wouldn't mind meeting new people.
Then go.
Fine, l will.
And so will Kelly and Steve,
Donna and Dylan.
And anybody else who's not so
wrapped up in their own principles
that they've forgotten
how to have a good time.
Fine, l'll go.
Brandon, don't do me any favours.
l mean, if you're gonna be a jerk,
stay home.
Hi, guys.
Hello, come on in. l'm Mike.
Are you friends of the bride
or the groom?
Me?
- l'm dying.
- Dylan.
So, where's the keg?
Sorry, but we're still on suspension
for our last blowout.
Why do you think
we're all feeling so blue?
Hey, you guys, don't listen to Mike.
He's a lush.
We have a great coffee bar,
there's cappuccino, there's espresso.
l love what you've done
with the decor.
Yeah, even the painting's blue.
Who did that?
Donna, it's Picasso.
During his blue period.
l guess Donna won't be majoring
in Art History.
- Brandon.
- Hey, baby.
l think you've got the wrong party.
Well, l figured there'd be enough
blue bloods here as it was.
Mooch, no,
this is Brandon Walsh, he's okay.
- How you doing, man?
- Good.
- l should've known you were a rebel.
- Yeah, that's my brother.
Always swimming upstream.
Are we gonna go dance?
So, l guess you're gonna want
to dance, too, huh?
No, let's not and say we did.
l mean, l'm not like
a wallflower or anything,
but some people just weren't meant
to boogie. Know what l mean?
l think l'm in love.
Steve, remember,
l'm not your date tonight.
Shut up and dance.
You know, l can definitely see myself
going out with one of these frat boys.
Really? l could definitely
see myself in this frat.
- Oh, really?
- Yeah.
l'm exactly the kind of guy
they're looking for.
l guess you do have what it takes.
- All except for one thing.
- What's that?
The grades.
This campus is so beautiful. lt's like
a park, right in the middle of the city.
Yeah, except l wish there were
more trees and less people.
- What, you think they're snobs?
- Not exactly.
There's just this attitude
that goes with joining a fraternity.
Like they're all junior members
of the Masters of the Universe Club.
Yeah, when really
they're just a bunch of geeks.
lf l ever go to college,
remind me not to join a fraternity.
- lf?
- l don't wanna go.
Come on, of course you do.
No, l don't. And if l ever do go,
l'm definitely not going here.
Why are you so down on this place?
Remember that big modern building
we walked passed on the way in?
- Yeah, it's the Student Centre, right?
- lt's the McKay Student Centre.
- Your father went here?
- No, my dad never went to college.
But when he cut them a cheque,
they gave him a degree.
Well, at least some of his money
went for something good.
He thought that the endowment
would buy him some respectability.
You don't know
how lucky you are, Bren.
You and Brandon, l mean your dad,
he's a straight shooter.
You can trust him.
You can trust his motives.
There are no strings attached.
l think Donna's
made some new friends.
Yeah, yeah, well,
Mooch is a goofball, but he's okay.
Actually, his parents
own half of Orange County.
- lt's not what you know, right?
- That's right.
And you know me.
Come on,
l wanna show you something.
- Where are we going?
- You'll see.
- What's this?
- Wait a second.
lt's not like l have a choice.
l can't see anything.
Most girls get dollhouses to play with
when they're little.
My daddy gave me these instead.
This was his very first solo project.
He basically took a dying waterfront
and brought it back to life.
And he won an award for this one.
Well, actually, he won an award
for almost everything in this room.
But as an architecture major,
this one is my favourite, by far.
lt's strong, but it's graceful.
And you stand right here in this spot
and you feel so tiny,
but so empowered.
You know what l mean?
Yeah, l do.
My dad is gonna like you.
Does that matter?
- What?
- Whether or not your dad likes me?
- Well, l guess that depends.
- On what?
On what matters to you.
Brandon, as soon as High Point
gets approval,
things are gonna move very fast.
You'll be right in on the ground floor.
Are you offering me a job?
Well, l don't have the authority
to do that.
But it just so happens my father's
coming into town tomorrow.
For the planning commission hearing.
Right.
ls it really that easy?
l just meet Dickson St. Claire,
and l'm set up for life?
lt's a little more involved than that.
But l think you can handle it.
You're used to getting
everything you want
anytime you want it, aren't you?
Yeah.
You're right.
l'm coming on a little strong, aren't l?
l guess that's sort of the downfall
of being an only child.
You feel like you have to be in control
of every situation
so you don't get disappointed.
Well, l can't say
l'm not impressed by all this.
And flattered. Really.
Why don't we go some place
and celebrate?
l know just the place.
All right, so you got your bun.
You got your burger.
You got your other patty.
A slice of Swiss and American.
You got your tomato, you got your
lettuce, you want Bermuda onions?
- Only if you are.
- Yeah, well, you only live once, sure.
Here we go. Got the top.
Thank you, Willie.
And voila,
The Peach Pit Mega-burger.
That is wonderful.
You know who used to like
her burgers like that?
Marilyn Monroe.
- You're kidding.
- Yeah.
She's the one who thought
to add the Swiss.
Go on, tell her, Nat.
Well, she used to come in here
all the time.
And l could always tell
when she was starting a picture
because she would always switch
from fries to cottage cheese.
This place has like real history in it.
Okay, who else
used to come in here?
Montgomery Clift.
And Natalie Wood.
- Sal Mineo.
- Steve McQueen.
Yeah, they're all gone, now.
- They all used to eat right here, huh?
- Yeah.
Now we get the occasional celebrity
stopping by,
but business isn't what it used to be.
Hey, Ruben, take these, please.
l'm very proud of you,
you're moving up in the world.
- Thanks.
- Well, the food's still incredible.
- Enjoy it while you can.
- What do you mean?
- They're tearing this place down.
- Why?
To make room
for High Point Centre.
- Wow, l had no idea.
- That's okay, neither does Nat.
According to my father, that's
the way DSC Development wants it.
So you basically brought me here
just to make me feel bad, is that it?
No, l thought maybe if you, you know,
got a feeling for the place, you could...
l could what,
l could talk to my father?
Yeah, something like that.
Exactly what do you expect
him to do?
Stop two years of research
and development dead in its tracks?
Better yet, have him call the bank and
tell them he's called the whole thing off
because he's tasted
the world's greatest cheeseburger?
l'm sorry, but the real world
doesn't work that way.
Why don't you tell me the way
the real world does work then?
l thought l already did.
Good night, Brandon.
- Hey, Willie.
- Hey, Bran.
- Nat, is that you?
- Hi, pal.
Nice threads, who died?
Come to think of it,
last time l wore this
l put my old man in the ground.
Still fits, though.
But no.
Nobody died. Not yet, anyway.
What are you talking about?
Well, l was gonna have to tell you
sooner or later.
l guess this is as good a time as any.
A developer's got big deal plans
for this neighbourhood.
They're talking about putting in
some ferkockteh shopping centre,
with a lake in the middle.
l don't know.
Anyway, there's a meeting tonight.
And l figured l'd better show up.
Nat...
l knew.
- What?
- My dad's company is involved in it.
lt's called High Point Centre.
l should have told you sooner, l'm
sorry, but my dad put his foot down.
l understand, Brandon.
Business is business.
Talk about coinkydinks.
Listen, you gotta have a lease
on this place, right?
That's the rub.
When l remodelled this joint, l agreed
to some changes in the fine print.
Things aren't as ironclad
as l thought they were.
You gotta fight them on this.
l can't fight them, Brandon.
They're bigger than me.
They're richer than me.
God knows
they got better lawyers than me.
Well, they gotta give you something.
You can take the money
and start over.
lt doesn't work that way, Brandon.
They're gonna squeeze me
until l don't have a pot to cook in.
And at my age...
What am l gonna do?
Get a job at McDonald's?
Nat.
l'm not even gonna go
to this meeting tonight.
l mean, why the hell should l?
There's nothing anyone can do.
Let's face it, after tonight's meeting,
the Peach Pit is history.
Mr. St. Claire is going to say
a few words,
and then he'll toss it to me.
Sounds like you've got
all your ducks in a row.
lsn't that one of your ducklings?
Brandon,
what are you doing here, son?
What, are you kidding? Miss out on
a chance to meet Dickson St. Claire?
lt's not what you know, Dad.
This may not be
the best time, Brandon.
Looks like a perfect time to me.
- Brandon.
- Marcie.
Daddy, this is my friend,
Brandon Walsh.
- He's Jim Walsh's son.
- Dickson St. Claire.
- How are you?
- Your father's been a big help.
Brandon was actually my point man
on the Teen Board, Daddy.
- That was a very fine idea.
- l found it very educational, sir.
Marcie tells me that you share
some of her interests
in architecture and urban planning.
Yeah, l do. Although l think
my favourite subject is history.
Well, l was a history major
at Stanford.
You come talk to me
when you're applying to schools.
- Maybe l can help.
- That's very generous. Thank you.
Daddy, l think they're ready for us.
- A pleasure to meet you.
- Thanks.
- Good luck, sir.
- Thank you.
Ladies and gentlemen,
you have been very patient with me
and l don't want to take up
any more of your time,
but l'd like to thank
my daughter Marcie
who coordinated
the Teen Advisory Board.
Her research provided
many of the innovative aspects
which our plans now include.
ln fact, Marcie,
correct me if l'm wrong,
l don't think you found one teenager
who had a negative response
to our project.
No, not really.
Well, there may have been one, sir.
Excuse me?
Look, l know l'm out of order.
But l worked
on the Student Advisory Board,
and l'm starting to have
second thoughts about it.
Excuse me, young man, but
the community will have
ample opportunity to enter
their thoughts into the public record.
That's good. Somebody should
take the time
to listen to what the little guy has to
say before you let the bulldozers roll in.
l've only lived in L.A. for a year,
but l've been here long enough to see
that somebody better make
some kind of effort
to save what little history
this town has left.
l don't know what's going on here,
Walsh, but control your son.
What kind of stunt do you think
you were pulling in there?
Somebody had to stick up for Nat.
For heaven's sake,
Nat is a grown man.
- lf he was so concerned, where is he?
- l'll tell you where.
He's at the Peach Pit,
trying to figure out
what the hell to do
with the rest of his life.
You were gonna talk to them,
you were gonna take care of Nat.
- l did.
- Obviously you weren't very effective.
Brandon, you don't know
a thing about business.
Now, l did what l could.
Art Peters said they'll pay him
a fair price for his lease.
When High Point's built,
they'll offer him a prime location.
What's wrong with that?
That could take years.
What's he do in the meantime?
Brandon, would you
get off your soapbox?
Do you have any idea
what you're doing to me?
l'm sorry, Dad. l'm sorry
you got caught in the middle,
but you know and l know that
this hearing in here is just a formality.
These people have the juice
to railroad this right through,
no matter what l say,
no matter what anybody says.
Now you told me
to keep my mouth shut.
Said you had everything under control.
Well, l did and you don't.
lt's a free country and l'm not
gonna keep my mouth shut anymore.
Brandon, l respect your passion
and l respect your friendship with Nat.
But you've got to choose
your battles in life, son.
l did.
Yeah, l guess you did.
You guys, that looks great.
What's going on here?
You don't have to fight this
all alone, Ace.
Andrea told us what you did
last night. l'm proud of you.
lf l would've known
they'd tear down the Pit,
l never would've signed up
for the Teen Board.
l been going to the Pit
since l started Little League.
l remember Nat's father.
Oh, me, too. Sal used to sneak me
homemade cookies when l was little.
You know, B, l'm not much
for joining things,
but we can't let this place go.
Andrea, everything's set.
l'm gonna broadcast live
from the Peach Pit this afternoon.
And l'm only gonna be playing music
from Nat's jukebox.
- Cool.
- Very cool.
l talked to my friend at the Times,
she said the Feature desk
might be able to free
someone up to come down.
You guys.
Brandon.
- Can l talk to you for a minute?
- Yeah.
Look, it's bad enough
that we don't see eye-to-eye on this,
but did you have to get
our friends involved?
l didn't ask them, Bren.
They want to help Nat.
Well, what about Dad, Brandon?
l heard him and Mom talking.
They really chewed him out
after the hearing.
l guess he's really had it
with me, huh?
You'd think so, wouldn't you?
As angry as he was with you,
do you know
what l heard him tell Mom?
That you reminded him of Grandpa.
- How's this?
- That looks great, Donna.
Andrea, l'm gonna have to meet
you guys down there after school.
- What's wrong?
- Nothing.
lt's just something l gotta
take care of. Bye, guys.
- Bye.
- Bye.
- Brandon, what are you doing here?
- l came to see Art Peters.
l don't understand you.
Where are your loyalties?
Marcie, this has nothing to do
with loyalty.
lt has to do with money and politics.
Two subjects l think
you're quite familiar with.
Fine, fine. lf you wanna be
a knee-jerk bleeding-heart, go ahead.
But don't you for one minute
think you're a threat to my father.
What is it with you and your father?
You're so hung up
being daddy's little girl,
you're afraid to be your own woman.
- Why did you come here anyway?
- To apologise to Art Peters.
To tell him my father had nothing to do
with what l did last night.
Now look who's hung up
on his father.
lt's not the same, Marcie.
And you know that.
Hey, Nat. Where is everybody?
We're supposed to have
a press conference in 1 5 minutes.
- l sent them home.
- Why?
- Sit down. l'll get you a piece of pie--
- Hey, hold on, tell me what's going on.
They made me an offer
l couldn't refuse.
You know, business is business.
So, what about everything you said?
What about the Pit?
lt was a fair offer.
l mean they could have stiffed me.
That's it, they offer you
a lot of money and you're out?
l know what you were trying to do
for me and l love you for it.
But things have a strange way
of working out sometimes.
So, what's everybody gonna do?
l'll take care of Willie,
Ruben and the girls.
- Give them a little severance.
- What about you?
l'll manage.
Maybe l'll buy a boat, sail away.
Yeah, ever since l got out of the Navy
l've always wanted to see the world.
Maybe when you get out
of high school,
you can be my first mate,
if you want.
You let me down, Nat.
l thought we were fighting
for something important.
Something bigger than you and me.
But guess l was wrong.
lt's not the first time.
That bacon smells great. How about
making me one of those things?
Here, why don't you just take this one.
l'm not real hungry anyway.
Brandon, how long
are you planning to shut me out?
You said your piece last night.
Let it go.
- lt's over and done with.
- Yeah, l guess it is.
- Congratulations.
- For what?
Come on, Dad.
We both know what happened.
St. Claire went and
threw so much money at Nat
- that it turned his head around.
- Brandon, your life is based
on so many false assumptions,
it's staggering.
Please, do we have to go through
all this again?
Yes, because l'm fed up with Brandon
accusing me of being the villain here.
First of all, this may come
as a surprise to you.
But Art Peters and Dickson St. Claire
actually make decisions
without consulting me.
Second of all, Nat made a deal.
What is wrong with that?
So it's all about the bottom line, huh?
You, Nat, St. Claire,
you're all the same.
That's right. We are all the same.
We all have responsibilities.
We all have to worry
about boring things
like mortgages and meeting payrolls
and putting food on the table.
Brandon, think about it.
lf High Point Centre goes through,
it'll create hundreds,
maybe thousands of jobs.
That's a lot of bacon, lettuce,
and tomato sandwiches.
Gee, thanks for explaining that
to me, Dad.
Otherwise,
l may have never figured it out.
Poor Brandon.
Poor Brandon? What about me?
ln the past 24 hours,
l've been accused of being
Simon Legree, lvan Boesky,
and the Sheriff of Nottingham
all rolled up into one.
Oh, Jim. lt can't compare.
l mean, he's lost a hero today.
Yeah, he thinks l let him down.
Jim, l was talking about Nat.
You're right. l've been replaced.
So, Nat took the deal?
Yeah, l wonder what they gave him.
Probably a lot.
- That property is worth a fortune.
- Great.
- You know, l'm gonna miss that place.
- Yeah.
Well, not half as much
as Brandon will.
Hey, Jim. Cindy called.
- l got your pie. Let me box it for you.
- Thanks.
- Here we are.
- Great.
- Pretty good crowd tonight.
- Yeah, just my luck.
Business is picking up
as we're closing down.
- Put it away, it's on the house.
- Thanks, Nat.
l'm just thankful that some
of the Walshes are still talking to me.
Yeah, Brandon's pretty bitter
about this.
l can't blame him.
He fought for me and l crumbled.
Don't beat yourself up.
You did what you had to do.
Yeah, but l never thought
l'd feel lousy about being lucky.
- Say, would you do me a favour?
- Sure.
Anything, you name it.
Well, l got these papers
from the St. Claire people.
l gave them to my attorney.
But l was just wondering
if you could take a look at them, if...
Let me see them.
This is what they offered you?
l asked for a favour on this one, Art,
and what do you do? You lowball him.
Your friend Bussichio
accepted our first offer.
What was l supposed to do? Tell him
that he should be asking for more?
Besides, it might be
a moot point anyway.
What are you talking about?
Haven't you checked
your voicemail?
Not since l left the office.
You better come in, Jim.
We have a lot to talk about.
Where did you go?
l rode my bike down
San Vicente to the beach.
Had to clear my head.
What's going on?
Brandon...
...the money for the High Point Centre
fell through.
You gotta be kidding me. That's great.
Yeah, well, he doesn't share
your same enthusiasm.
l'd grim up before l went in there
if l were you.
And, Brandon,
l just want to say one thing.
l love Dad a lot.
And l wanted this project
to happen for him.
But l'm really glad the Peach Pit
is still gonna be there.
Yeah, me too.
l want you to know one thing,
you were right to stand by Dad.
Thanks.
We told DSC that the deal
could fall through
and nobody took us seriously.
When l tried to tell Art Peters
about this,
you know what he
told me, Brandon?
He said l wasn't a team player.
Do you know how that made me feel?
l think l'm starting to get an idea.
What did l expect?
They never listen
to the bean counters.
All they want us to do
is crunch the numbers
and make them look good.
Are you gonna
come out of this okay?
You mean am l gonna get fired?
No, probably not.
But even if l did, you don't have
to worry about your old man.
l may never make the big bucks,
but l've learned to play the game.
And from what l've seen
this past week...
...l'd say you're a chip
off the old block.
Thanks.
Don't let it go to your head,
you're still wet behind the ears.
- Guess l went a little overboard, huh?
- Yeah, you did.
But your grandpa
wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
- Does Nat know about this yet?
- Not yet.
Brandon, what are you doing here?
l thought l'd come by
and help you clean the place out.
Thanks, pal. l didn't think
l'd get to see you here again.
What, are you kidding?
And miss the fire sale?
Did you call
the restaurant supply company?
You could probably get 50 cents
on the dollar for most of this stuff.
That's not a bad idea.
Hey, you know this may be
a real collectable item someday.
- Mind if l keep one of these, Nat?
- Yeah, sure.
Help yourself.
Brandon, you know,
l never put this place up for sale.
- They came to me.
- l know.
Everybody hopes for that pot of gold
at the end of the rainbow,
but l never asked for this,
you gotta know that.
You know what you ought to do, Nat,
you ought to have an auction.
Get an auctioneer, you could
probably sell most of this stuff.
Probably get top dollar for it too.
You're getting a good head
for business.
l know what you should do
with these pictures on the wall.
You should donate them
to the county museum,
that way you get a huge tax break.
Especially for the autographed one
of Steve McQueen.
What's gotten into you? You can't
put a price on something like that.
Oh, come on, Nat,
everything has its price.
l guess l deserved that one, huh?
- Nat--
- lt's okay.
l've been a heel. l mean,
l sold you kids out for short money.
You must think l'm disgusting,
l don't blame you.
- Nat--
- Let me get it off my chest, okay?
- l really hate myself for what l--
- Nat!
The deal fell through.
They aren't building
the High Point Centre.
- What?
- You heard, no High Point Centre.
- You're kidding.
- No.
The Peach Pit
is open for business, pal.
That's the best news
l've ever heard in my life,
and l'm never gonna forget
who l heard it from.
Nothing could possibly
make me happier.
You wanna bet?
Hey, guys, come on in.
lt's showtime.
- All right!
- Yeah.
Nat, l'm so glad
things worked out for you.
All right, hey, give him some loving.
- Great, great.
- Thank you.
- Thanks, thanks.
- Oh, Nat.
Congratulations, Nat.
- Couldn't get rid of you.
- Thanks, Jim.
Paisan, what do l gotta do
to get a little service around here, huh?
Willie, fire up the grill.
- All right.
- You got it.
Music to my ears.
Hi, thanks. Hi.
Thank you. Excuse me, thanks.
the world table-cup playoffs.
lt's all right. The action is fast,
he's moving, he's grooving.
- Flag on that play.
- Thank you very much.
Come on, come on.
Ladies and gentlemen,
is this world-class action or what?
- Shut up, rabbit, shut up.
- One of our contestants is nervous.
lt's young Sanders
from Beverly Hills,
obviously outclassed
by the world champion.
- Hey, hey, hey. Yes, yes!
- Ladies and gentlemen:
- The cup!
- The cup!
Why don't you and your fans
stomp on my dishes next time?
That way they'll be sure
to get broken.
Sorry, Nat. The action just got
a little fast and furious, that's all.
l'm glad someone's
keeping busy around here.
Can we start cleaning up this place,
or do l have to do everything myself?
The Peach Pit.
L.A.'s newest fun spot.
He's been like this
for the last two weeks.
- Oh, hey, excuse me, Willie.
- Excuse me, bro.
Nat, before l forget,
we're almost out of mustard.
What happened to that last shipment
that was delivered?
Came in about two months ago.
You know how many jars
we go through a week.
No, Brandon, l haven't a clue
how to run this place.
l've just been doing it
for the last 20 years.
Look, Nat, if you want to fire me,
go ahead, okay?
Just stop biting my head off
every time l open my mouth.
Hey, come on back.
Come on.
lt's not you, believe me.
l'm just going through
a little rough patch.
Really? l hadn't noticed.
lt's what l get for remodelling this place
just in time for the recession.
Nat, should l start looking
for another job?
Nah, you're okay. You're part time.
l can be flexible with your hours.
lt's Willie l'm worried about.
- Why, what's wrong with Willie?
- He wants a raise.
l can't blame him.
He's worked here for five years.
He's got a family to support,
another on the way,
but l'm practically carrying
the guys in the kitchen as it is now.
- You're not gonna fire him, are you?
- l don't want to.
But l'm not made of money.
Something's gotta give.
- Hi, Mom.
- Well, hello there.
- Aren't you forgetting something?
- Like what?
Like the preliminary meeting
of the Teen Advisory Board.
First part is sort of like
a demographic.
You're gonna need to ask people,
their age, their sex, their interests.
You think Dad would mind
if l let this become Brenda's thing?
Nice try.
Mom, l just can't get psyched
about being a teen consultant
for a shopping mall.
Brandon, you promised your father
you'd help.
Now, this is a very important client.
He's counting on you.
Let me get the questionnaires,
you'll see what l'm talking about.
Excuse me.
Hello, who's that?
Well, why don't you go in
and find out?
Besides, your father just saw you.
Brandon, why don't you join us?
- So this is the prodigal son.
- Yeah, about 45 minutes later.
- Hey, l got held up at work, okay?
- Oh, that's a likely story.
You'd better be nice to me
or you're gonna lose your token male.
Does that mean you're gonna help
pass out questionnaires?
Do l have a choice?
- No.
- Yes.
Well, l'm glad that's cleared up.
- Sandwich?
- No, thanks.
No, thank you.
Well, l must say,
this is no ordinary shopping mall.
Well, nothing my father does
is ordinary.
- Your father is Dickson St. Claire?
- Yeah.
- Well, l guess it isn't what you know.
- And don't you ever forget it.
lf those two ever get together,
we could retire.
Oh, Jim.
Dad, are they actually gonna put
a real lake in the middle of this thing?
What the plans call for.
lf we get a variance
from the zoning board.
Well, that's what we're here for.
You got yourself
a heavyweight client, Dad.
Very impressive.
Glad you approve.
Your father's really a great guy,
but l guess you already know that.
He's okay, for a dad.
l just wanna know one thing.
How come your dad cares
what teenagers think
he should put in his mall?
Because l asked him to.
- l like Marcie, she's very dynamic.
- Yes, and she's hitting on my brother.
Oh, Brenda, forget it.
Marcie St. Claire
goes to college for God's sakes.
She is the president of her sorority.
Kelly, all sorts of girls have been
throwing themselves at Brandon
ever since we turned 1 2 years old.
You begin to be able to recognise
the signs after a while.
- l don't know exactly--
- Yeah.
No, but this is...
Just two minutes. You have to
fill out this questionnaire.
- Okay.
- St. Claire Development Company
is conducting a survey
on the west side to determine--
Brandon,
why do we need another mall?
- lt's not just another mall.
- Oh, l can see that.
lt's a ''total environmental experience.''
Who put you up to this?
Donna, this isn't a quiz. l mean
there are no right or wrong answers.
Yeah, it's not that hard.
Yeah, they just wanna know
what your favourite stores are.
Well, l like the ones
that take credit cards.
l suppose l shouldn't even ask you
to fill out one of these?
No.
Andrea, l don't know if they've done
an environmental impact survey.
lf they didn't care about
the community,
they wouldn't bother
with this questionnaire.
What about noise abatement?
Traffic control?
Are you gonna fill it out or what?
Okay, let me see, David wants
a music store and a coffee house.
Donna wants high fashion
at discount house prices
and a coffee house.
Okay, Steve wants
a Ferrari dealership, a bowling alley,
a batting cage, an lMAX theatre, and
a virtual reality amusement arcade.
What is that?
l don't know.
But he also wants a coffee bar.
- Well, Bren, you sure called this one.
- What?
l see she works fast.
College girl. Her clock's ticking.
- Hi.
- Hi.
- Hi, so you making the rounds?
- Oh, yeah, yeah.
l've been to Beverly, Crossroads,
Palisades, Santa Monica.
- Big day.
- Yeah.
Well, Brenda and l are done.
Wow, thanks.
So, how about Brandon?
How's he doing?
He's over there with Andrea.
And that could take hours.
Look, Andrea, they're waiting for me.
lf you've got any problem with this,
talk to her. She's in charge.
Maybe l will.
Give me a break, would you?
My father hardly ever asks me
to do anything for him.
Do we have to bring
journalistic ethics
and professional integrity
into everything we do?
l don't know, Brandon.
She looks awfully professional to me.
Look, l don't know if you guys
are interested,
but there's a party at school
next week.
lt's sort of a joint
fraternity/sorority type thing.
Sure, l'll pass.
No, it's not a formal.
lt's a lot of kids hanging out.
- We'd love to come, wouldn't we, Kel?
- Definitely.
- What sorority are you in, anyway?
- Tri Gams.
- Well, the best in the West.
- Yeah, yeah, they're a good group.
Oh, and the theme of the party is
''Am l Blue.''
- So use your imagination.
- Great.
Just promise me you'll introduce me
to the cutest guy there.
- No problem.
- So should l bring Brandon?
No, l'm bringing Brandon.
- How's it going?
- lt's going pretty good.
How's it feel
to be back in high school?
Good. l love the architecture
of Southern California.
All these open plazas.
Back in Minnesota,
all we had was a big brick building.
- And a lot of snow.
- Same here.
- Where'd you go to school?
- Switzerland.
So architecture's your thing, huh?
Yeah, my dream is to design
great buildings
and then build them with my father.
- Going into the family business, then.
- That's the plan.
- Hey, Willie.
- Hey, my number man.
- Here on time for a change.
- Yeah, thanks.
- Don't look at me like that.
- Just couldn't do it, could you?
What can l tell you?
lt's a Peach Pit tradition.
Our motto is,
''Who needs to make a profit?''
- You're a good man, Nat.
- No, you wanna know a good guy?
- See that picture up there?
- Yeah.
That's my dad,
Salvadore Bussichio.
- The one next to Steve McQueen?
- Yup, Sallie fed him.
Carried him for two years.
l was 1 0 years old.
Those were the days.
Who else did you know?
l knew them all.
Nothing lasts forever.
Balanced.
lnnovative.
Dynamic.
High Point Centre
combines commerce and leisure
for an urban community
on the edge of the next millennium.
l can't believe they put my ice rink
in there. That was my idea.
- You and a few other people.
- There's your coffee house, Bren.
Guys, these are fantastic.
- Did you try the spinach souffle?
- Not yet.
Too bad my mom's not here. She's
been craving spinach for a week.
- Her mother's pregnant.
- Really?
Second marriage?
No, not really. See, it's a long story.
lt is the A-list in town.
And the response to the presentation
has been superb.
- You done good, Pops.
- Well, we're getting there.
So, Jim, how does it feel to be on
the ground floor of something so big?
Terrific. Brandon,
l want you to meet Art Peters.
He's project manager for St. Claire.
Hey, how you doing?
- Can l talk to you for a second?
- Can it wait a minute?
- l want Art to meet your mother.
- No, it really can't.
- Excuse us.
- Excuse us.
What's wrong?
High Point Centre
crosses Olympic to Larrabee.
Yeah.
That's the corner
the Peach Pit is on.
We'll talk about it at home.
They're gonna tear it down,
aren't they?
Brandon, we'll talk about it at home.
You made your point.
lf there's nothing more to say,
- there's nothing more to say.
- Brandon, you're not being fair.
Fair?
You tear down The Peach Pit,
you might as well rip out Nat's heart.
This has got nothing to do with fair.
You're getting
a little carried away here.
How could you not
tell me about this?
l only found out about it
a half hour before you did.
- The address is all over those plans.
- l never put it together.
Brandon, how's Dad supposed to know
the address to the Peach Pit?
Thank you. At least
one of my children
is willing to give me
the benefit of the doubt.
How can l give you
the benefit of the doubt
when you put
a gag order on me?
That's not what l said.
What l said is,
do not discuss this with Nat
until l had a chance to talk
to Art Peters first.
l have to sell Nat out
so you can cover your butt.
Brandon! You apologise
to your father right now.
l'm sorry.
You know, l do have
some influence with these people,
but it's not gonna do any good
if they find out my son
gave confidential information
to someone
they may be in negotiations with.
Dad, you're talking like
l'm some kind of industrial spy.
Brandon, millions of dollars
are riding on this.
Not to mention my reputation.
- But, Dad, we're talking about Nat--
- This is not a request, Brandon.
Fine.
Good night.
Forget it, Bren.
l don't wanna talk about it.
Brandon.
You're asking me to choose
between Nat and Dad.
As far as l'm concerned,
there is no choice.
Yeah, l hear what you're saying.
But let me tell you
what kind of guy Nat is.
The other day he tells me
he can't afford to keep the Pit open
unless he lets Willie the cook go.
Well, l show up the next day,
and Willie is still there.
Look, l'm sure they'll give Nat
a lot of money for the place.
Money's not the issue, Bren.
Nat's family built that place.
lt's his life. Haven't you
heard him talk about the old days?
Brandon, l know.
l like Nat, too. l mean
he even named a milkshake after me.
But we're talking about Dad here.
Yeah, well, l don't want anything to do
with the DSC Development Company
or the Teen Advisory Board,
or any other part of it.
- lncluding Marcie?
- Yeah.
- What about the party Friday night?
- How can l look Marcie in the eye
after l know everything
that's going on?
Brandon, l thought you liked this girl.
And she sure likes you.
l can't do it, Bren.
There's more involved here.
Brandon, come on.
We may wind up going to this school.
l don't know about you, but
l wouldn't mind meeting new people.
Then go.
Fine, l will.
And so will Kelly and Steve,
Donna and Dylan.
And anybody else who's not so
wrapped up in their own principles
that they've forgotten
how to have a good time.
Fine, l'll go.
Brandon, don't do me any favours.
l mean, if you're gonna be a jerk,
stay home.
Hi, guys.
Hello, come on in. l'm Mike.
Are you friends of the bride
or the groom?
Me?
- l'm dying.
- Dylan.
So, where's the keg?
Sorry, but we're still on suspension
for our last blowout.
Why do you think
we're all feeling so blue?
Hey, you guys, don't listen to Mike.
He's a lush.
We have a great coffee bar,
there's cappuccino, there's espresso.
l love what you've done
with the decor.
Yeah, even the painting's blue.
Who did that?
Donna, it's Picasso.
During his blue period.
l guess Donna won't be majoring
in Art History.
- Brandon.
- Hey, baby.
l think you've got the wrong party.
Well, l figured there'd be enough
blue bloods here as it was.
Mooch, no,
this is Brandon Walsh, he's okay.
- How you doing, man?
- Good.
- l should've known you were a rebel.
- Yeah, that's my brother.
Always swimming upstream.
Are we gonna go dance?
So, l guess you're gonna want
to dance, too, huh?
No, let's not and say we did.
l mean, l'm not like
a wallflower or anything,
but some people just weren't meant
to boogie. Know what l mean?
l think l'm in love.
Steve, remember,
l'm not your date tonight.
Shut up and dance.
You know, l can definitely see myself
going out with one of these frat boys.
Really? l could definitely
see myself in this frat.
- Oh, really?
- Yeah.
l'm exactly the kind of guy
they're looking for.
l guess you do have what it takes.
- All except for one thing.
- What's that?
The grades.
This campus is so beautiful. lt's like
a park, right in the middle of the city.
Yeah, except l wish there were
more trees and less people.
- What, you think they're snobs?
- Not exactly.
There's just this attitude
that goes with joining a fraternity.
Like they're all junior members
of the Masters of the Universe Club.
Yeah, when really
they're just a bunch of geeks.
lf l ever go to college,
remind me not to join a fraternity.
- lf?
- l don't wanna go.
Come on, of course you do.
No, l don't. And if l ever do go,
l'm definitely not going here.
Why are you so down on this place?
Remember that big modern building
we walked passed on the way in?
- Yeah, it's the Student Centre, right?
- lt's the McKay Student Centre.
- Your father went here?
- No, my dad never went to college.
But when he cut them a cheque,
they gave him a degree.
Well, at least some of his money
went for something good.
He thought that the endowment
would buy him some respectability.
You don't know
how lucky you are, Bren.
You and Brandon, l mean your dad,
he's a straight shooter.
You can trust him.
You can trust his motives.
There are no strings attached.
l think Donna's
made some new friends.
Yeah, yeah, well,
Mooch is a goofball, but he's okay.
Actually, his parents
own half of Orange County.
- lt's not what you know, right?
- That's right.
And you know me.
Come on,
l wanna show you something.
- Where are we going?
- You'll see.
- What's this?
- Wait a second.
lt's not like l have a choice.
l can't see anything.
Most girls get dollhouses to play with
when they're little.
My daddy gave me these instead.
This was his very first solo project.
He basically took a dying waterfront
and brought it back to life.
And he won an award for this one.
Well, actually, he won an award
for almost everything in this room.
But as an architecture major,
this one is my favourite, by far.
lt's strong, but it's graceful.
And you stand right here in this spot
and you feel so tiny,
but so empowered.
You know what l mean?
Yeah, l do.
My dad is gonna like you.
Does that matter?
- What?
- Whether or not your dad likes me?
- Well, l guess that depends.
- On what?
On what matters to you.
Brandon, as soon as High Point
gets approval,
things are gonna move very fast.
You'll be right in on the ground floor.
Are you offering me a job?
Well, l don't have the authority
to do that.
But it just so happens my father's
coming into town tomorrow.
For the planning commission hearing.
Right.
ls it really that easy?
l just meet Dickson St. Claire,
and l'm set up for life?
lt's a little more involved than that.
But l think you can handle it.
You're used to getting
everything you want
anytime you want it, aren't you?
Yeah.
You're right.
l'm coming on a little strong, aren't l?
l guess that's sort of the downfall
of being an only child.
You feel like you have to be in control
of every situation
so you don't get disappointed.
Well, l can't say
l'm not impressed by all this.
And flattered. Really.
Why don't we go some place
and celebrate?
l know just the place.
All right, so you got your bun.
You got your burger.
You got your other patty.
A slice of Swiss and American.
You got your tomato, you got your
lettuce, you want Bermuda onions?
- Only if you are.
- Yeah, well, you only live once, sure.
Here we go. Got the top.
Thank you, Willie.
And voila,
The Peach Pit Mega-burger.
That is wonderful.
You know who used to like
her burgers like that?
Marilyn Monroe.
- You're kidding.
- Yeah.
She's the one who thought
to add the Swiss.
Go on, tell her, Nat.
Well, she used to come in here
all the time.
And l could always tell
when she was starting a picture
because she would always switch
from fries to cottage cheese.
This place has like real history in it.
Okay, who else
used to come in here?
Montgomery Clift.
And Natalie Wood.
- Sal Mineo.
- Steve McQueen.
Yeah, they're all gone, now.
- They all used to eat right here, huh?
- Yeah.
Now we get the occasional celebrity
stopping by,
but business isn't what it used to be.
Hey, Ruben, take these, please.
l'm very proud of you,
you're moving up in the world.
- Thanks.
- Well, the food's still incredible.
- Enjoy it while you can.
- What do you mean?
- They're tearing this place down.
- Why?
To make room
for High Point Centre.
- Wow, l had no idea.
- That's okay, neither does Nat.
According to my father, that's
the way DSC Development wants it.
So you basically brought me here
just to make me feel bad, is that it?
No, l thought maybe if you, you know,
got a feeling for the place, you could...
l could what,
l could talk to my father?
Yeah, something like that.
Exactly what do you expect
him to do?
Stop two years of research
and development dead in its tracks?
Better yet, have him call the bank and
tell them he's called the whole thing off
because he's tasted
the world's greatest cheeseburger?
l'm sorry, but the real world
doesn't work that way.
Why don't you tell me the way
the real world does work then?
l thought l already did.
Good night, Brandon.
- Hey, Willie.
- Hey, Bran.
- Nat, is that you?
- Hi, pal.
Nice threads, who died?
Come to think of it,
last time l wore this
l put my old man in the ground.
Still fits, though.
But no.
Nobody died. Not yet, anyway.
What are you talking about?
Well, l was gonna have to tell you
sooner or later.
l guess this is as good a time as any.
A developer's got big deal plans
for this neighbourhood.
They're talking about putting in
some ferkockteh shopping centre,
with a lake in the middle.
l don't know.
Anyway, there's a meeting tonight.
And l figured l'd better show up.
Nat...
l knew.
- What?
- My dad's company is involved in it.
lt's called High Point Centre.
l should have told you sooner, l'm
sorry, but my dad put his foot down.
l understand, Brandon.
Business is business.
Talk about coinkydinks.
Listen, you gotta have a lease
on this place, right?
That's the rub.
When l remodelled this joint, l agreed
to some changes in the fine print.
Things aren't as ironclad
as l thought they were.
You gotta fight them on this.
l can't fight them, Brandon.
They're bigger than me.
They're richer than me.
God knows
they got better lawyers than me.
Well, they gotta give you something.
You can take the money
and start over.
lt doesn't work that way, Brandon.
They're gonna squeeze me
until l don't have a pot to cook in.
And at my age...
What am l gonna do?
Get a job at McDonald's?
Nat.
l'm not even gonna go
to this meeting tonight.
l mean, why the hell should l?
There's nothing anyone can do.
Let's face it, after tonight's meeting,
the Peach Pit is history.
Mr. St. Claire is going to say
a few words,
and then he'll toss it to me.
Sounds like you've got
all your ducks in a row.
lsn't that one of your ducklings?
Brandon,
what are you doing here, son?
What, are you kidding? Miss out on
a chance to meet Dickson St. Claire?
lt's not what you know, Dad.
This may not be
the best time, Brandon.
Looks like a perfect time to me.
- Brandon.
- Marcie.
Daddy, this is my friend,
Brandon Walsh.
- He's Jim Walsh's son.
- Dickson St. Claire.
- How are you?
- Your father's been a big help.
Brandon was actually my point man
on the Teen Board, Daddy.
- That was a very fine idea.
- l found it very educational, sir.
Marcie tells me that you share
some of her interests
in architecture and urban planning.
Yeah, l do. Although l think
my favourite subject is history.
Well, l was a history major
at Stanford.
You come talk to me
when you're applying to schools.
- Maybe l can help.
- That's very generous. Thank you.
Daddy, l think they're ready for us.
- A pleasure to meet you.
- Thanks.
- Good luck, sir.
- Thank you.
Ladies and gentlemen,
you have been very patient with me
and l don't want to take up
any more of your time,
but l'd like to thank
my daughter Marcie
who coordinated
the Teen Advisory Board.
Her research provided
many of the innovative aspects
which our plans now include.
ln fact, Marcie,
correct me if l'm wrong,
l don't think you found one teenager
who had a negative response
to our project.
No, not really.
Well, there may have been one, sir.
Excuse me?
Look, l know l'm out of order.
But l worked
on the Student Advisory Board,
and l'm starting to have
second thoughts about it.
Excuse me, young man, but
the community will have
ample opportunity to enter
their thoughts into the public record.
That's good. Somebody should
take the time
to listen to what the little guy has to
say before you let the bulldozers roll in.
l've only lived in L.A. for a year,
but l've been here long enough to see
that somebody better make
some kind of effort
to save what little history
this town has left.
l don't know what's going on here,
Walsh, but control your son.
What kind of stunt do you think
you were pulling in there?
Somebody had to stick up for Nat.
For heaven's sake,
Nat is a grown man.
- lf he was so concerned, where is he?
- l'll tell you where.
He's at the Peach Pit,
trying to figure out
what the hell to do
with the rest of his life.
You were gonna talk to them,
you were gonna take care of Nat.
- l did.
- Obviously you weren't very effective.
Brandon, you don't know
a thing about business.
Now, l did what l could.
Art Peters said they'll pay him
a fair price for his lease.
When High Point's built,
they'll offer him a prime location.
What's wrong with that?
That could take years.
What's he do in the meantime?
Brandon, would you
get off your soapbox?
Do you have any idea
what you're doing to me?
l'm sorry, Dad. l'm sorry
you got caught in the middle,
but you know and l know that
this hearing in here is just a formality.
These people have the juice
to railroad this right through,
no matter what l say,
no matter what anybody says.
Now you told me
to keep my mouth shut.
Said you had everything under control.
Well, l did and you don't.
lt's a free country and l'm not
gonna keep my mouth shut anymore.
Brandon, l respect your passion
and l respect your friendship with Nat.
But you've got to choose
your battles in life, son.
l did.
Yeah, l guess you did.
You guys, that looks great.
What's going on here?
You don't have to fight this
all alone, Ace.
Andrea told us what you did
last night. l'm proud of you.
lf l would've known
they'd tear down the Pit,
l never would've signed up
for the Teen Board.
l been going to the Pit
since l started Little League.
l remember Nat's father.
Oh, me, too. Sal used to sneak me
homemade cookies when l was little.
You know, B, l'm not much
for joining things,
but we can't let this place go.
Andrea, everything's set.
l'm gonna broadcast live
from the Peach Pit this afternoon.
And l'm only gonna be playing music
from Nat's jukebox.
- Cool.
- Very cool.
l talked to my friend at the Times,
she said the Feature desk
might be able to free
someone up to come down.
You guys.
Brandon.
- Can l talk to you for a minute?
- Yeah.
Look, it's bad enough
that we don't see eye-to-eye on this,
but did you have to get
our friends involved?
l didn't ask them, Bren.
They want to help Nat.
Well, what about Dad, Brandon?
l heard him and Mom talking.
They really chewed him out
after the hearing.
l guess he's really had it
with me, huh?
You'd think so, wouldn't you?
As angry as he was with you,
do you know
what l heard him tell Mom?
That you reminded him of Grandpa.
- How's this?
- That looks great, Donna.
Andrea, l'm gonna have to meet
you guys down there after school.
- What's wrong?
- Nothing.
lt's just something l gotta
take care of. Bye, guys.
- Bye.
- Bye.
- Brandon, what are you doing here?
- l came to see Art Peters.
l don't understand you.
Where are your loyalties?
Marcie, this has nothing to do
with loyalty.
lt has to do with money and politics.
Two subjects l think
you're quite familiar with.
Fine, fine. lf you wanna be
a knee-jerk bleeding-heart, go ahead.
But don't you for one minute
think you're a threat to my father.
What is it with you and your father?
You're so hung up
being daddy's little girl,
you're afraid to be your own woman.
- Why did you come here anyway?
- To apologise to Art Peters.
To tell him my father had nothing to do
with what l did last night.
Now look who's hung up
on his father.
lt's not the same, Marcie.
And you know that.
Hey, Nat. Where is everybody?
We're supposed to have
a press conference in 1 5 minutes.
- l sent them home.
- Why?
- Sit down. l'll get you a piece of pie--
- Hey, hold on, tell me what's going on.
They made me an offer
l couldn't refuse.
You know, business is business.
So, what about everything you said?
What about the Pit?
lt was a fair offer.
l mean they could have stiffed me.
That's it, they offer you
a lot of money and you're out?
l know what you were trying to do
for me and l love you for it.
But things have a strange way
of working out sometimes.
So, what's everybody gonna do?
l'll take care of Willie,
Ruben and the girls.
- Give them a little severance.
- What about you?
l'll manage.
Maybe l'll buy a boat, sail away.
Yeah, ever since l got out of the Navy
l've always wanted to see the world.
Maybe when you get out
of high school,
you can be my first mate,
if you want.
You let me down, Nat.
l thought we were fighting
for something important.
Something bigger than you and me.
But guess l was wrong.
lt's not the first time.
That bacon smells great. How about
making me one of those things?
Here, why don't you just take this one.
l'm not real hungry anyway.
Brandon, how long
are you planning to shut me out?
You said your piece last night.
Let it go.
- lt's over and done with.
- Yeah, l guess it is.
- Congratulations.
- For what?
Come on, Dad.
We both know what happened.
St. Claire went and
threw so much money at Nat
- that it turned his head around.
- Brandon, your life is based
on so many false assumptions,
it's staggering.
Please, do we have to go through
all this again?
Yes, because l'm fed up with Brandon
accusing me of being the villain here.
First of all, this may come
as a surprise to you.
But Art Peters and Dickson St. Claire
actually make decisions
without consulting me.
Second of all, Nat made a deal.
What is wrong with that?
So it's all about the bottom line, huh?
You, Nat, St. Claire,
you're all the same.
That's right. We are all the same.
We all have responsibilities.
We all have to worry
about boring things
like mortgages and meeting payrolls
and putting food on the table.
Brandon, think about it.
lf High Point Centre goes through,
it'll create hundreds,
maybe thousands of jobs.
That's a lot of bacon, lettuce,
and tomato sandwiches.
Gee, thanks for explaining that
to me, Dad.
Otherwise,
l may have never figured it out.
Poor Brandon.
Poor Brandon? What about me?
ln the past 24 hours,
l've been accused of being
Simon Legree, lvan Boesky,
and the Sheriff of Nottingham
all rolled up into one.
Oh, Jim. lt can't compare.
l mean, he's lost a hero today.
Yeah, he thinks l let him down.
Jim, l was talking about Nat.
You're right. l've been replaced.
So, Nat took the deal?
Yeah, l wonder what they gave him.
Probably a lot.
- That property is worth a fortune.
- Great.
- You know, l'm gonna miss that place.
- Yeah.
Well, not half as much
as Brandon will.
Hey, Jim. Cindy called.
- l got your pie. Let me box it for you.
- Thanks.
- Here we are.
- Great.
- Pretty good crowd tonight.
- Yeah, just my luck.
Business is picking up
as we're closing down.
- Put it away, it's on the house.
- Thanks, Nat.
l'm just thankful that some
of the Walshes are still talking to me.
Yeah, Brandon's pretty bitter
about this.
l can't blame him.
He fought for me and l crumbled.
Don't beat yourself up.
You did what you had to do.
Yeah, but l never thought
l'd feel lousy about being lucky.
- Say, would you do me a favour?
- Sure.
Anything, you name it.
Well, l got these papers
from the St. Claire people.
l gave them to my attorney.
But l was just wondering
if you could take a look at them, if...
Let me see them.
This is what they offered you?
l asked for a favour on this one, Art,
and what do you do? You lowball him.
Your friend Bussichio
accepted our first offer.
What was l supposed to do? Tell him
that he should be asking for more?
Besides, it might be
a moot point anyway.
What are you talking about?
Haven't you checked
your voicemail?
Not since l left the office.
You better come in, Jim.
We have a lot to talk about.
Where did you go?
l rode my bike down
San Vicente to the beach.
Had to clear my head.
What's going on?
Brandon...
...the money for the High Point Centre
fell through.
You gotta be kidding me. That's great.
Yeah, well, he doesn't share
your same enthusiasm.
l'd grim up before l went in there
if l were you.
And, Brandon,
l just want to say one thing.
l love Dad a lot.
And l wanted this project
to happen for him.
But l'm really glad the Peach Pit
is still gonna be there.
Yeah, me too.
l want you to know one thing,
you were right to stand by Dad.
Thanks.
We told DSC that the deal
could fall through
and nobody took us seriously.
When l tried to tell Art Peters
about this,
you know what he
told me, Brandon?
He said l wasn't a team player.
Do you know how that made me feel?
l think l'm starting to get an idea.
What did l expect?
They never listen
to the bean counters.
All they want us to do
is crunch the numbers
and make them look good.
Are you gonna
come out of this okay?
You mean am l gonna get fired?
No, probably not.
But even if l did, you don't have
to worry about your old man.
l may never make the big bucks,
but l've learned to play the game.
And from what l've seen
this past week...
...l'd say you're a chip
off the old block.
Thanks.
Don't let it go to your head,
you're still wet behind the ears.
- Guess l went a little overboard, huh?
- Yeah, you did.
But your grandpa
wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
- Does Nat know about this yet?
- Not yet.
Brandon, what are you doing here?
l thought l'd come by
and help you clean the place out.
Thanks, pal. l didn't think
l'd get to see you here again.
What, are you kidding?
And miss the fire sale?
Did you call
the restaurant supply company?
You could probably get 50 cents
on the dollar for most of this stuff.
That's not a bad idea.
Hey, you know this may be
a real collectable item someday.
- Mind if l keep one of these, Nat?
- Yeah, sure.
Help yourself.
Brandon, you know,
l never put this place up for sale.
- They came to me.
- l know.
Everybody hopes for that pot of gold
at the end of the rainbow,
but l never asked for this,
you gotta know that.
You know what you ought to do, Nat,
you ought to have an auction.
Get an auctioneer, you could
probably sell most of this stuff.
Probably get top dollar for it too.
You're getting a good head
for business.
l know what you should do
with these pictures on the wall.
You should donate them
to the county museum,
that way you get a huge tax break.
Especially for the autographed one
of Steve McQueen.
What's gotten into you? You can't
put a price on something like that.
Oh, come on, Nat,
everything has its price.
l guess l deserved that one, huh?
- Nat--
- lt's okay.
l've been a heel. l mean,
l sold you kids out for short money.
You must think l'm disgusting,
l don't blame you.
- Nat--
- Let me get it off my chest, okay?
- l really hate myself for what l--
- Nat!
The deal fell through.
They aren't building
the High Point Centre.
- What?
- You heard, no High Point Centre.
- You're kidding.
- No.
The Peach Pit
is open for business, pal.
That's the best news
l've ever heard in my life,
and l'm never gonna forget
who l heard it from.
Nothing could possibly
make me happier.
You wanna bet?
Hey, guys, come on in.
lt's showtime.
- All right!
- Yeah.
Nat, l'm so glad
things worked out for you.
All right, hey, give him some loving.
- Great, great.
- Thank you.
- Thanks, thanks.
- Oh, Nat.
Congratulations, Nat.
- Couldn't get rid of you.
- Thanks, Jim.
Paisan, what do l gotta do
to get a little service around here, huh?
Willie, fire up the grill.
- All right.
- You got it.
Music to my ears.
Hi, thanks. Hi.
Thank you. Excuse me, thanks.