Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–2000): Season 6, Episode 19 - Nancy's Choice - full transcript

- speech yet?
- No.

Because I am not going to win.

Humility.
Nice touch, Keats.

But I read that piece
you wrote about abortion,

"Nancy's Choice."

Unfortunately,
it is far too credible.

Thousands of girls
like Nancy

have unwanted
pregnancies every year.

But she's the only
one I know

who had her story told
by a brilliant writer.

Thank you.



I'm serious.

The Collegiate
Press Club award

is as good as
on your mantel,

which is why if you don't have
a speech on my desk by 2:00,

I'm gonna
write it for you.

Let me guess:

"And a special thanks
to Brandon Walsh."

See? Writes itself.

Didn't we give everyone
their assignments already?

Yeah, hours ago.

So as soon as you guys finish
your next issue,

the mini-bar's on me, okay?

All right, cool.

Good. Good.



All righty.

Corrupting
the troops, I see.

Yeah, well, I'm trying.

How you doing, Brandon?

Good.

Susan, you should
be proud of me.

I pressed my suit and
spit shined my dress shoes.

What's the occasion?

Jonathan's coming to the
awards dinner tomorrow night.

Cool.

I got a column to write.

Excuse me.

You knew he'd come.

Sure, to hang out,
maybe to write a story.

But not to be your date.

You're my date.

Right, that's why Jonathan
got his suit pressed

and his shoes shined.

Jonathan was editor of the paper

when I wrote the story
about Nancy.

I didn't invite him,
the committee did.

Hey, it's not your
professional relationship

I'm concerned with.

Come on, we've been over this.

Yes, we have.

You keep telling me
it's over and it's not.

So, have a nice day.

Kelly, I'll get
right to the point.

The semester's
not a month old

and you've already
missed several classes.

Are you sure?

'Cause I... I... I've been
late a couple of times.

I've been sitting
in the back.

Maybe I just missed
attendance or something.

This is the third class
of mine you've been in.

You've never sat
in the back before.

What can I say?

The commute's been hell.

Kelly, you're
a bright student.

Too bright for me
to believe

your absenteeism is
a result of a SigAlert.

Um...

I've had some personal problems,

and maybe that's been affecting
me more than I realized.

Sorry to hear that.

But there's a big test
coming up.

And I'd really like to see you
do well on it.

Oh, I'll do my best.

That's all I can ask for.

Hi.

New professor?

Just got tenure.

She's cute.

- You should ask her out.
- Oh, sweetheart...

I know, I know,
keep my matchmaking to myself.

But I can't help it, Dad.

I don't even remember
the last time you had a date.

It has been awhile.

"Awhile" without a date
is like a month.

You've gone years.

That's an eternity.

I'm doing the best I can.

Well, maybe
you're too picky.

That's sweet of you to say,
but the truth may be

I'm just not the one
who's getting picked.

Oh, come on.

You're handsome,

brilliant...

You've got a sweet
and refined,

kick-ass daughter.

- What more could a woman want?
- I have no idea.

But if you find out,
will you let me know?

This is ridiculous, okay?
We're all going to the

journalism awards dinner
tomorrow night.

There's got to be
someone you can bring.

There is.

But you've already
got a date.

You know, winning
a collegiate press club award

is going to put your
career in high gear.

Yeah, that's if I win.

Oh, you'll win.

You always do.

Why did you show up
for this, Jonathan?

I was invited.

Jonathan...

I came here to cheer you
on to victory, Suse.

After all, who else knows

how much you sacrificed
for this story?

Right.

I'm sorry, I...
I didn't mean that.

I didn't.

Column's on your desk.

Brandon, please wait.

You should go.

Yeah.

Please, sit down.

What for?

For another discussion
about how

there's nothing going on
between you two? I'll pass.

There is nothing going on
between us, okay?

But I don't blame you
for thinking that.

Will you please just sit and
listen to what I have to say?

Please?

Fine.

I'm listening.

Jonathan is pro-life.

He didn't want me
to tell Nancy's story.

So?

So, he thinks
what she did was wrong.

He also thinks
I infringed on her privacy.

Did you?

Well, sort of.

I mean I did talk her into
letting me do the story.

And how does she feel
about it now?

I think it helped her heal.

That's more important
than what Jonathan thinks.

Jonathan was my mentor.

A lot of the way I think
and the way I work

came from our relationship.

His disapproval
was very difficult for me.

Is it still?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Do you like this one?

Mm, too sophisticated.

Hmm...

What about this one?

Too perky.

Here's one I bet
you'll like.

Mmm, I'll say.

Hey! Pay
attention to me.

You brought me along
to look at dresses.

- I'm looking at dresses.
- Yeah, my dresses, Steve.

Now you tell me.

Well, I gotta tell you, Elle,

I've been a very, very bad boy.

Really?

Give me some sugar, baby.

Easy, lover.

What's this?

Honey, like you didn't know.

You're a guy! You're a guy!

Steve!

D'oh!

Elle... what a surprise.

It's nice
to see you again, Steve.

Again?

Clare, this is Elle.

Elle, this is Clare,
my girlfriend.

Oh.

Lucky lady.

Yeah, well,

I'm beginning
to wonder.

Well, I don't know
about you guys,

but all this shopping
has got me toasted.

My dogs are barking.

Yeah, well, it was good
seeing you again, Steve.

Oh, and the next time

you're in Palm Springs,
don't forget to look me up.

Okay?

Don't ask.

I'm asking.

All right, we went out
on a date last spring.

Mm-hmm.

It didn't go
according to plan.

Well, she seemed
to think it did.

Well, when it comes to Elle,
looks can be deceiving.

Oh, boy.

What time are your parents
leaving to Santa Barbara?

Well, they said they want
to be there by dinner.

Can't wait, I've never
been there before.

Oh, it is so great.

Hiking up the mountain,

horseback riding, sailing.

My dad's got his
boat up there.

Sounds like just what
the doctor ordered.

Yeah, and it's our
first trip together.

First of many.

Hi.

So you guys are going away
for the weekend, huh?

Yeah.

What are you doing?

I'm sorry, you must
have me confused

with someone else.

I'm Donna Martin,
your ex-friend.

I think I'll go
get the check.

Look...

I'm sorry, okay?

I've been a
real bitch.

That's an understatement.

Yeah, well, I've been down,
you know?

Things got a little out
of control.

Well, I needed you badly, Kel,

and you weren't there.

I know.

I'm sorry.

I'm just worried about you.

Line forms to the left.

Yeah, it must be tough

having people around you
that care.

All right.

Then it's settled.

We'll laugh at your jokes.

We'll be on your side
in all the arguments.

And generally make
Jonathan's life a living hell.

Good. This awards dinner
may not be all bad after all.

Aw, speak for yourself.

I still don't even have a dress.

I thought you guys were

shopping all afternoon.

Um... I think it's my turn
to do the dishes.

Steve? Dishes?

What's wrong with this picture?

He saw some old flame today.

It totally freaked him out.

And did it freak you out?

No. Whatever, you know?

Normally, I wouldn't have cared,

but when it drives him
to dishpan hands,

it kind of makes me wonder.

Did you get a name?

Yeah. Elle.

Elle?

From Palm Springs?

You start cleaning, I'll scream.

Clare, you really have

absolutely nothing
to worry about.

Elle's very, uh... unique.

You know, if you're trying
to reassure me,

you're not doing
a very good job.

Would you excuse me?

So, how did he look?

Don't start, please. Just...

Still tall, dark and handsome?

You didn't tell her, did you?

Tell me what?

There is something
going on

between you and that woman,
isn't there?

No way. No way.

Never. Never was,
never will be.

They kissed.
They groped.

What are you...?

They had a
misunderstanding.

Yeah, well, with Steve, that's
par for the course, okay?

There's something
different about this.

I want to know what.

Elle has a peeky.

You guys must really think
I'm stupid, huh?

Clare, um...

Elle is a transvestite.

No. There's none of that.
She's full-on man.

I think I know a beautiful woman
when I see one, okay?

I thought so, too.

Don't touch me like that.

You know,
if you told me the truth,

I'd probably deal with this.

But, lying to me,
you're just making it worse.

That was brave,
telling her the truth.

First time, too.

Won't happen again.

That a boy.

Ah! These two on the right
are my favorites.

Yeah. Mine, too.

Definitely. I'm sure
he'll love them.

I hope so.

You know, I owe you for this.

Of course you do.

That's why
I'm taking a cut.

Well-deserved.

By the way,
do you have any blow?

Excuse me?

I asked if you had any blow.

You got the urge?

No, but I see you still do.

I'm using, not abusing.

Better living through chemistry.
Is that it?

Back off, Valerie.

I tried that,
but it didn't work.

Try again.

What's going on?

No, nothing much.

We're just
going over some slides

to show the collector
who wrote Valerie about me.

He's in town.

Are we done?

Yeah.

And you'll call me
when you hear?

Right.

Thanks.

Why are you doing this?

Money.

That figures.

- Why else?
- Call me crazy,

but I figure a career boost

might let him see that
he doesn't need to do drugs.

Here's a little news
flash for you, Valerie.

You're not his
guardian angel.

I told you he was using, Kelly.

Instead of helping him,
you decided to join the party.

You can throw your life away...
that's fine by me...

but Colin has too much talent
to throw away his.

Morning.

Morning.

It would be if I wasn't up
all night studying.

You know what?

I've got just the thing.

I don't think so.

Come on.
Breakfast of champions.

Truth is, I did a lot more
than studying last night.

I did some thinking.

And, um... I don't want
to do coke anymore.

That's a switch.
What about last week?

I binged, that's all.

No problem. That just means
there's more for me.

I want you to stop, too.

Funny girl.

No, I'm serious. It's no good.

Kelly, I'm not quitting.

How am I supposed to stop
if you're always doing it?

It's called willpower.

Colin, please.

Where's my column?

What's the big deal?

I'll run it tomorrow.

It was supposed to run today.

I think it needs
some more reporting.

Oh, really?
Do tell.

Well, I think
it needs a second source,

and a quote from someone
nonpartisan would be nice.

What?

I'm just doing my job.

Well, if you'll excuse me,

I, uh, have
some reporting to do.

Good luck at the awards.

Brandon, I need
you there tonight.

No, you don't.

You have Jonathan.

Have a nice day.

Right.

I'm glad you liked the slides.

Well, not so much
your early work,

but what you've done recently
shows real maturity.

Really? You,
you think so?

No question.

New techniques,
new insights.

You've really grown
into your talent.

I feel like I've, you
know, found my stride.

Well, I think Mr. Penn wants
to look around,

see if anything catches the eye.

No problem,
take your time.

This guy knows
a ton about art.

And he loves your work.

Yeah, it's been a long time
since someone's felt that way.

Listen, about yesterday,
I know you meant well.

If this is another brush-off,
I don't want to hear it.

No.

I tossed out my stash
this morning.

Good.

Can I ask you
about this one?

Yeah, yeah, on my way.

Colin.

Listen,
you have a gift.

If you take care of it,

your career will take care
of itself.

Thank you.

This one.

- You like it?
- This is really special.

- What about Dean Lewis?
- She had plans.

Professor Claypool?

I called her; her boyfriend
answered the phone.

Ouch.
Enough about me

and my somewhat
nonexistent social life.

Can we just find the ballroom
an-an-and have a good time?

Fine by me.

Oh, this can't be happening.

Do you know that
ravishing creature?

Yeah, too well.

Twice in two days.

I must be living right.

Well, that's a matter
of opinion, isn't it?

Clare, you look fabulous.

I love your dress.

Thanks.

A. Milton Arnold,

but please call me Arnold.

Uh... what are you
doing here?

There's a journalism
awards presentation.

A friend of mine organized
the dinner.

Yeah, that's why
we're here, too.

Hope it's fun.

Hmm, small world, then.

Don't remind me.

I... didn't catch the name.

Uh...
Arnold, this is Elle.

Elle, this
is Arnold.

Hello, Arnold.

Hello, Elle.

I know it's not
much notice,

but would you and your friend
care to join our table?

Actually, my friend's

probably too busy to sit.

But I'd love to.

Good. May I?

Mm-hmm.

Oh, they're so cute.

Come on.

You look like hell.

Thanks, Nat, you really know
how to make a guy feel better.

Well, from what
you told me,

you need a good
kick in the pants.

Nat, I... I just
can't figure it out.

They break up
because of this story, right?

But then when the article
gets nominated,

he flies in
for the awards dinner.

It doesn't make sense.

Get out of your own way.

The guy was invited.

Yeah, to something that's got to

remind him
why he got dumped.

So he's a little cracked.

That doesn't explain why
you're on your fourth cup.

You think I should go?

Unless you're giving up,

you got to fight
for what you want.

Easier said than done.

They got some kind of bond
between them, these two.

Oh, so I suppose the
answer's going to come to you

by sitting here, huh?

Is that a hint?

Fine, I'm going.

Good.

Crazy...

So, Arnold Arnold?

Yeah, that's right.

All my friends used
to call me Arnold Squared.

I've never seen
my dad flirt like this.

I'm telling you, Clare,
it's not going to end well.

You know, this whole
jealousy thing...

i-it's bugging me, all right?

I am not jealous.

I'm only looking out
for your father.

My old man is
having a good time

with a beautiful, young woman
who's totally into him.

You mess that up,
we're finished.

Tell me, Clare,

does your father prefer
clams or mussels?

Ugh.

Excuse me, is this seat taken?

It is now.

Didn't think

you were going to make it.

You must have
been disappointed.

Ah...

Clare, Chancellor, Elle.

Elle?

You remember me.

I'm touched.

How could I forget?

Explanation?

Uh, sh-he's
the chancellor's date.

No, the real
explanation.

And to think
I almost didn't come.

So, what did I miss?

- Hey.
- Hey. Pull up a stool.

Oh, no, no, I'm just
picking up some stuff.

Hello, my sweetheart.
What'll it be?

Two pieces of peach pie.

- You got it.
- To go.

You sure you can't stay?

No. Um, I'm, uh, meeting
Colin at his place.

Well, I hate to say it,

but Colin's not exactly
on the, uh, top of my "A" list.

Yeah.

He, uh, told me about
you confronting him.

You're not your sister's
keeper, you know.

Somebody's got to be.

Colin is not
doing drugs anymore,

and neither am I.

Oh, you quit?

Cold turkey?

Yeah. Yeah. I mean...

things just got, uh,
out of control for me.

It was like a binge.

- A binge?
- Mm-hmm.

Yes. Like a reaction
to bad news.

My dad and everything.

Right.

Crying is
a reaction to bad news.

Insomnia.

Blowing off homework.

Not doing coke.

Okay, whatever
you say, Dr. Freud.

The point is that
I'm done with it.

I thought
you would be relieved.

I would be if I believed you.

Well, believe this...

I, um, pulled an
all-nighter last night,

took a big test
today... all clean.

So, when was the last time
you thought about cocaine?

What do you mean?

You know exactly what I mean.

When was the last time
you thought about doing a line?

This morning.

But I didn't do it.

Kel, it's called

white-knuckle sobriety.

Eventually you're
not gonna be able

to take it anymore,
and you're gonna let go.

No. You're wrong about that.

Whatever you say.

Two slices to go.
Anything else?

Nope. That'll be it.

You're kidding me, right?

Well, if you don't believe me...

believe this.

10,000 reasons
to stay clean.

What are you talking about?

Don't you see?
Sterling Penn

didn't just happen to walk
into the After Dark.

He came as a sign.

- I know... manna from Heaven.
- Exactly.

I mean, just when
you were about

to blow your talent
up your nose,

he came as a
reminder not to.

Nice try, Val, but I'm afraid
you have it all backwards.

Well, I don't see how. I mean,

he bought your paintings, right?

He bought two of my paintings.

Each one I painted high.

So?

So, come on, Val, all that stuff

about new techniques,
new insights?

How the hell do you think
that all happened?

Well, it's like he said.

I mean, you grew
into your talent.

You're damn right I did.

With a little help
from my friends.

You're finished, right?

I mean, you told me
you threw away your stash.

Like an idiot,
I threw away my stash.

But thanks to you
and thanks

to this check, I can afford
to correct that mistake.

Colin, you don't
need coke to paint.

No.

I only need it to paint well.

And the award
for best spot reporting

goes to Kerry Middleton
of the Brown Daily Herald.

Kerry couldn't be here tonight,
which means, of course,

if we all don't tell her,

I'll be happy to give her award
to the runner-up.

Just kidding.

That's Pete Conrad...
the guy walked on the moon.

Yeah, I loved his
keynote speech.

Susan,
you're next.

Forgive me for asking,

but what did you
write about?

A woman's right
to choose.

Did you ever wonder why men
never have the right to choose?

I don't know, Steve,
maybe it has something to do

with the fact that men
don't have a uterus or ovaries.

Or, uh, morning sickness,
labor pains,

C-sections or
sagging breasts.

Aren't you glad
you asked, big guy?

You make pregnancy

sound like a burden.

I think it's such a gift.

Have you ever
been pregnant?

Uh, no, I can't
have children.

Ooh, I'm so sorry.

That's okay.

Don't say a word.

Personally, uh,

I don't think that men or women
should have the right to choose.

You don't believe in abortion?

No. No, I don't.

Actually, that's why Susan said

you guys broke up...
you didn't want her

- to write the Nancy story.
- Really.

- Is that what she told you?
- Yes, it is.

Would you care to elaborate?

And now, the award

for best feature article.

The nominees are:
Susan Keats

from the California
University Condor;

Peter King
from the Harvard Crimson...

Susan, win or lose, you
did the university proud.

Hear, hear.

Cheers.

...from the Dartmouth Eagle;

and Jerry Lairmen

from the Michigan Daily News.

And the award
for best feature article

goes to Susan Keats

of the California Condor.

Congratulations.

Thank you very much.

You, uh, you don't know
how much this means to me.

I'd like to accept this award
on behalf of all the women...

who every day have to face

this very difficult
and very personal decision.

Women who, regardless
of the choice they make,

have to live
the rest of their life...

with the consequence
of their action.

If Nancy were here tonight,

I can't say she might not regret
her choice to have an abortion.

The effects are that profound

and the consequences
are that lasting.

That's why winning this award
is very special...

it honors more than choice,
it also honors courage.

Thank you.

- Hi.
- Perfect timing.

The souffl? is in the oven.

Oh, I can't believe
you did all of this.

Eh, it's no big deal.

It only took me
about... six hours.

Well, I guess I should

ace my psych test more often.

Actually, we do have
a little more to celebrate.

Not that your doing well
isn't reason enough, but...

But what?

I sold two paintings today.

You did?

Oh, that's fantastic!

You will not believe

for how much.

Um... $5,000.

Nuh-uh. $10,000.

You're right,
I don't believe that.

I feel like I'm
finally on my way.

I'm so proud of you, baby.

We should be proud
of each other.

And we should
celebrate right now.

My thoughts exactly.
You stay right here.

What are you getting?

I thought we agreed
no more coke, Colin.

What'd you say?

I couldn't hear you.

I, uh, I-I said...

I-I hoped that
you got some champagne.

Are you kidding?

Cashed the check,
got the Dom.

I am so happy right now.

Toast.

To a very beautiful and
brilliant future psychologist.

And to a successful

and incredibly sexy artist.

Cheers.

Mmm.

Ah.

Ladies' room fetish.

Love it.

Blush?

I want you to
leave now.

Oh, and disappoint
square Arnold.

Square Arnold hasn't
had a date in a decade.

Well, good, then maybe
he won't mind the equipment.

You know, female-wise,
the guy's ego is in the tank.

If he finds out the only woman
interested in him is

a man,
he'll never recover.

You did.

Please don't...

I'm begging you,
don't do this.

Give me one
good reason.

I'm in love with
his daughter.

Spoilsport.

Hi.

You're a good guy, Steve.

Don't tell anybody.

How far did you, um,

get with Elle?

You know, I don't,
I don't really want to know.

Mm.

It's Perfect.

You think?

Yeah. You honored the people
who deserved it.

Like you said,
they're the courageous ones.

I don't know.

Nancy's not even
her real name.

And if she's so brave,

why did she insist on
using a pseudonym?

You said it yourself:
She wants her privacy.

She does.

Still, I think she'd like
to know about the award.

You should call
her and tell her.

Well, that shouldn't
be too difficult...

I'm Nancy.

What?

The story, it's mine.

You had an abortion?

Yeah, last year.

Jonathan?

How'd that happen?

You mean how could we have
been so irresponsible?

Yeah.

I was lost.

My sister had
just been killed,

and I needed to...

You know what?

I don't have the right
to ask you that question.

You don't owe me
an explanation.

Yes, I do.

When I found out my sister
was dead, I went numb.

Actually, I went for the vodka,
and then I went numb.

You were drunk?

We both were.

What did Jonathan say
when you told him?

Well, let me see if I can
remember his exact words.

Oh, yeah.

He said, "Will you marry me"?

I'm sorry.

Yeah, so am I.

So, does it change anything?

Knowing that I'm Nancy?

How do you mean?

I had an abortion, Brandon.

Does that change anything?

Are you asking for
my political opinion?

You know what
I'm asking you.

Yeah, I do.

And...

And it doesn't change a thing.

Gee, I hope
I'm not interrupting.

No, Jonathan, actually,
your timing is perfect.

For once.

I'll see you back inside.

You know, I'm doing
my best to hate that guy.

I've tried.
It doesn't work.

Yeah, well, I'm trying
to hate you, too.

Is that why you came here
tonight, Jonathan?

To remind me?

I came back because
we never talked about it.

You made your choice
and that was it.

That's not true.

Are you saying

- I could've changed your mind?
- No.

I wasn't going
to change my life

because of an accident.

Oh, that's a great way to talk

about a child.

Spare me the sanctimonious
crap, Jonathan!

You were pro-choice until you
realized you didn't have one.

That's a low blow.

It was supposed to be.

I'm sorry.

You know, I didn't think
that I could forgive you.

But, uh, I was wrong.

Congratulations.

I still can't believe I won.

Well, you're going to be famous.

A big star, Susan, just
like you always wanted.

Yeah. Just like.

Yeah.

What a great evening.

I can't remember the last
time I had this much fun.

Oh, come on,
a great guy like you?

I don't believe it.

Well, let me, uh, let me
convince you over drinks?

Dad, you drove us, remember?

You guys take the car.
I'll grab a cab.

- What do you say?
- I'd love to...

Unfortunately, I have an
early flight tomorrow.

Flight?

Where are you going?

New York.

A modeling assignment.

Will you be gone long?

Well, not in New York.

Oh, then you'll be back soon.

No, no. That is, after
New York, I'm off to Paris

and then Milan,
so...

I see.

Hey, you are a great guy,
Arnold Arnold.

And I know you're going to
make some woman very happy.

Thank you.

I know you're going to do
the same for some guy.

I hope so.

Thanks.

- The things I do for love.
- Hmm.

Are you okay?

Yeah...

I am.

You heard the lady.

I'm a catch.

Yep, you are.

That feels so good.

Man, your back is
just full of knots.

Why don't you relax?

Let it go.

How?

I mean, instead of helping
Colin kick his habit,

I just made everything worse.

Yeah, well, you did your best.
That's all you can do.

Like my dad always said,
no good deed goes unpunished.

You know, I think Kelly's
really trying to quit.

Maybe she can influence
him a little bit.

Or he'll influence her.

Kelly's pretty tough
when she wants to be.

Better?

Yes, much.

Okay, your turn.

- All right, great.
- Shirt off.

My back has been
killing me.

David, have you
been working out?

Oh, a little bit.

You look great.

Thanks.

You feel great.

Wait, did you forget
about my massage?

No. I'm just going for
the full-body variety.

You left this inside.

Thankfully your purse
goes with my outfit.

It's heavy.

You know, doubting your decision

doesn't mean you made
the wrong one.

Yeah, I wish I could
be sure of that.

You'll always wonder
what might have been.

At least now I see
what your connection

with Jonathan is.

He forgave me.

That was important to you, huh?

Now if I can only
forgive myself.

Is there anything I can do?

Just hold me.

Colin Robbins, if I
did not know better,

I would think that you're
trying to get me drunk

and take advantage of me.

I am taking advantage of you.

I'm trying.

Well, you're doing
a good job.

Keep up the good work.

Tonight was a perfect night.

Good food, good wine...

Okay souffl?.

But great souffl? maker.

You know what would taste
so good right now?

I do.

But we can't.

Said we wouldn't.

It's a good thing

you threw out our stash.

You did throw it
out, didn't you?

Of course I did.

Most of it.

Oh, you're a bad boy.

I feel terrible, too.

Am I forgiven?

- Uh-uh.
- Uh-uh?

Uh-uh.

Never.

What?

Nothing.

- Come on. What?
- Nothing.

What do you want to do?

Same thing as you.

Then what are we waiting for?

Get it.