Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–2000): Season 8, Episode 25 - Aunt Bea's Pickles - full transcript

Is there a cake?

You're a girl. Bake one.

Valerie would
check it for poison.

Come on, Kel.
We're working kind of

last-minute here.

David only decided on a
surprise party last night.

Hmm. Oh, did we
get her a present?

No, but David got
her this lovely trinket,

that he had me
pick it up for him.

Oh, can we all put
our names on it?

Surpri... Oh.



Sorry we're late.

What is this?

Uh, I brought Valerie a dress.

Oh, a Donna Martin original.
How exceptionally giving of you.

Call me a sucker on birthdays.

They'll be on the racks
tomorrow at MayaLee's.

Oh, I love that store.

You guys are in business.

Congratulations.

Thanks.

So, you finished
the whole order?

Oh, only 20.

I thought the store said they
didn't need them until Friday.

Yeah, but they said
if I got done early,



I could just take
them over there.

Donna, you were in the
emergency room last week.

I know, and now I'm fine.

Don't worry. Thank you,
but this is a good thing for me.

All right.

I just heard a car.

Don't touch that switch.

Too late. Don't hit the switch.

You were supposed
to be watching.

David was gonna
hit his flashers.

Oh, just get over there.

Surpri...

Well, where's our birthday girl?

Late, luckily.

23 years ago, 11:18 a.m.

And she's still a late riser.

Just like her mom.

Well...

there's my boy.

All right, those are the
headlights I was looking for.

David and Valerie are here.

I can't wait to see her.

I have the most
marvelous surprise for her.

You know, I like this house.

Really? You didn't seem
too crazy about me taking it.

Well, I wanted to be with
you, but I'm glad it's here.

Hmm...

Mmm, where we can be alone.

Alone? It's your birthday.

All the more reason.

Mmm.

Surprise!

Happy Birthday, sweetheart.

Happy Birthday.

I called everyone yesterday. I
thought for sure you overheard.

Next year, you got to

give us a little more warning.

Yeah, I kind of
wish I had some, too.

Let me get you a birthday drink.

Look at that expression.

It's like you're 12
years old again.

That was her
first surprise party.

She just burst into tears.

Um, Brandon,

let me help you with that.

No, no, no. Let him get it.

This is your party. It's
all about you, honey.

You felt it, didn't you?

Feel what?

Bill, she's onto us.

Uh, on to what?
What, what's going on?

The ring.

We're getting married.

Congratulations.

Oh, thank you. Thank you.

Well, uh, you guys
will be sisters now.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ You're 15 going on 20, baby ♪

♪ But you're still in
your daddy's hair ♪

♪ You want a piece
of something, honey ♪

♪ Better come on up for air ♪

♪ You think you're
so amusing, baby ♪

♪ Like someone in a magazine ♪

♪ Get off your
painted pony, mama ♪

♪ Come and get your
feet on the ground ♪

♪ Ooh, girl... ♪

I'm looking for the
Donna Martin Collection.

Oh, well!

Right this way. It's
a very limited edition.

Even more limited,
since we just made a sale.

What time did you get here?

Oh, about five minutes
before the store opened.

Donna, I got to tell you
I'm really proud of you.

Thank you. Oh, wait, wait.

That woman right there, she's
the one that bought my dress.

Oh, well, that's...

Is she returning it?

It's probably the wrong size.

What are you doing?

Okay, we'll just...

Excuse me.

Are you returning
this dress? Yes.

Why? Do you like it?

Oh, yes, I do very much.

I was just wondering
why you don't.

Is it the cut or
the fabric, or...?

I thought it was a

Donna Karan, at this price.

I was almost out
of the store when I

realized it's a Donna Martin.

Whoever that is.

Right.

Val, stop.

I'll finish this
later, all right?

I want to give you something.

I want to help.

I don't care.
You're not going to.

You're not going to clean
up after your own party.

Especially one you hated.

Oh, it was my mother who
turned it into a firing squad.

It's not your fault.

Yeah, she just wasn't thinking.

She didn't care.

Val, she's in love.

It'll pass. Even
without a wedding.

I mean, I'm supposed
to meet Kelly in an hour.

We're gonna make sure of it.

You guys really think

you're gonna stop your
parents from getting married?

She doesn't even
know what love means.

He's a convicted
felon. Call me optimistic.

You sure didn't
seem it last night.

It's just that I hate birthdays.

I mean, ever since I was a kid.

Fake sentiments, smiling
on command for the camera.

"Look, honey. See
what a happy family

we are!" Please.

Val, I'm trying to make
you feel better here.

I'm sorry.

It's just that my mom
used to give me a charm

for my charm
bracelet every year.

Uh, the-the one on your bureau?

Yeah, I hated that thing.

But I've never been
able to get rid of it.

Kind of like my past.

Well, it's the
thought that counts.

Yeah, this will bring
up the bad ones.

Janet, go home.

Oh, thanks, but I
think I'm going to stay.

You're sick.

Well, it beats

starving.

No sick pay.

Ah, maybe that's for me.

I entered a contest
for medical insurance.

So, keep your fingers crossed.

Beverly Beat.

What's the matter
with you, Steve?

You sick, too?

Yeah, maybe a little.

I went by Ted's office today.

You found him?

Yeah, I found him,
after a few phone calls.

Say, 50 or so.

I found out that Ted's company
merged with Whittier & Leeks.

So I went down to
those offices today.

Didn't even get past the
lobby before I found this.

Corporate newsletter.

Yes. This is Ted himself.

Recently promoted.

Is he Barbie's dream date,

or what?

Well, maybe right for
Barbie, not right for Jill.

They're soul mates already.
Wait till she sees him in the flesh.

So what's on your agenda?

Maybe not the best day for this,

but, uh...

I've got a job interview
at the Chronicle.

What if they're happy?

I mean, they are our parents.

It's a nightmare. It's a train
wreck waiting to happen.

Oh, I don't know.

Where'd you get that?

This? My mother.

Your father?

Mm-hmm.

What's next?

Twin sweater-sets?
Forced sleep-away camp?

All right, you've
covered the options.

What's the plan? Okay.

I'm gonna talk to
your dad, but my mom

is completely deaf to me.

Luckily, she's going to
be eager to please you.

Me?

Yeah. Hit her low.

Hit her really hard with
the truth about your dad.

Well, when you say it like that,
it makes me want to defend him.

Look, this is no time
for family pride or loyalty.

I mean, do you want
to be sharing holidays

and birthdays and-and
matching outfits with me

for the rest of your life?

Hi.

You said you had Ted's address.

His office, actually.

You could invite me in.

Oh, I did.

When I thought you
were someone I knew.

Someone I loved.

Someone I nearly made love with.

Jill, I know you don't know me,

but I know you.

Your letters...

Were addressed to Ted.

Did I mention

by opening them, you
committed a crime?

Come on, just give me a chance.

Ted's phone number.

The name of his company.

Anything.

Did you ever wonder why

he never came looking for you?

No.

I'm sure he thinks I just
stopped writing to him.

I'd have found you.

Come on, give me a chance.

Go out with me as me.

Steve Sanders.

And then if you can resist
my overwhelming charm,

my animal magnetism and

charismatic personality,

then I'll give you Ted.

This is blackmail.

Yeah, I guess.

But it's for a good cause.

One date.

Steve Sanders.

All right, so,
tell me the truth.

Have you ever got to
say "Stop the presses"?

I read your previous
submissions.

They were really good.

But your work
this year is great.

Thanks.

How did you, um, come across it?

I keep an eye on
the smaller papers.

It's my job to steal the
next Bob Woodward.

I should be so lucky.

I'm afraid there's no
room for negotiation.

We know what a job here
can do for your career later.

Working for a big city daily,

it's, uh, it's kind
of a dream of mine.

Here's a temporary ID.

Come by tomorrow after lunch,

and we'll get you started.

That's it?

Unless you want
me to reconsider.

That's okay.

Thanks.

Ms. Stanley.

Uh, right... Jamie.

Uh, I finished up at Personnel.

I just wanted to
say thanks again.

Brian Carter,

this is Brandon Walsh,

our new Metro reporter.

Oh, you just starting
up? Yeah, yeah. You, too?

Yeah. Hey, if you're
all finished here,

I'll walk you out.

We can go grab
a beer, celebrate.

Great, sounds good.

Thanks again.

Sure.

Get a nice cold one.

Yeah.

Did you, uh, get a chance
to look around this place?

A little bit, yeah.

You boys just get jobs?

Yeah, I'm Brandon Walsh.

Uh, Brian Carter. Timmy McCourt.

I've seen your byline
on hundreds of stories.

It's an honor.

Thank you.

Jamie bring you up to speed?

Yeah, yeah, briefly.

Listen, I know you're busy,

but if you got a
couple of minutes

tomorrow and could
show us the ropes,

it'd be greatly appreciated.

I'm afraid I'll be on

the other side of those ropes

tomorrow, kid.

The real reporters
are going on strike.

The real reporters?

You guys are scabs.

Hey.

Hmm?

I was up all night
thinking of those dresses,

doubting all the choices I made.

Well, now you got Sally
what's-her-name on the phone.

The buyer from MayaLee's?

Oh, great.

She's probably
calling to tell me

they shipped all my dresses
off to a discount store.

Okay, ready for this.

Hello.

Yes, this is Donna.

What?!

Are you kidding?

All of them?

Oh, my God.

Uh, sorry.

Y-Yes, sure.

Um, okay, I'll need,
um, two weeks

for production.

Okay.

Um, thank you.

Thank you so much.

Bye.

Oh, my God, oh, my God!

They sold, they sold.
Every single dress sold.

Now they want to buy 20 more.

We did it. You did it.

I can't believe this.

Wow.

Okay.

Um, I'm going to pay you back

all the money you gave me.

There's no rush.

Or we could take the money

and we could open a
shop, just like you said.

Why don't we take
one step at a time?

You don't think it'll work?

I think you're taking
on a lot right now.

You're letting it count
for way too much.

Now, your dresses
sold, but if they hadn't,

you'd be just as
talented, just as good.

You have that much faith in me?

Yeah, I do.

That means everything to me.

Thank you.

So they're taking
these reporters' articles

and putting them online?

Right, and they're
not paying them

any more for it,
and that's their beef.

Well, good morning, Janet.

Hi, guys.

Bagels are on the counter.

Your suit from the dry cleaners

is on your desk.

Oh, and here's a little reminder

of the rules of the road.

Hmm.

This parking ticket
is for your car.

Yeah, I was double parked,
picking up your dry cleaning

five minutes before the place

closed last night.

Couldn't go this morning?

No, I couldn't
because I was busy.

And you said you needed
your suit for a meeting tonight.

Meeting?

Well, not really a meeting.

It's more like a... date.

Date with Jill?

Yes, yes.

Date with Jill.

Yes. Mm-hmm.

Janet, if you mind doing

these personal
favors, just say so.

I think that's
what she's saying.

Don't you have to get
to work, someplace else?

You got the job
at the Chronicle?

Yeah, dig out the resumes.

We're gonna need a new editor.

Look, look, look, look,
I'll double back here

until you find somebody.

It's no big deal.

Oh, no, you won't.

This is the big-time, Brandon.

You're not gonna screw it
up by trying to do two jobs,

not even for your best
friend, your partner,

the guy who discovered you.

Okay, I get the picture.

So why do they need you so soon?

The, uh...

the reporters went
on strike this morning.

Oh, so, um...

you didn't actually get the
job, you took someone's.

Someone who left on

a matter of principle?

When I got the offer,

I didn't know they
were gonna strike.

Well, you know now.

I've waited a long
time for a job like this.

And this is how
you want to get it?

You know what?

No one's starving
at the Chronicle,

no one's breathing coal dust.

This union thing's
a thing of the past.

So's this break,
if I don't take it.

Well, take it.

Don't.

She has a little cash

from the sale of a house.

You can do better.

I don't want your
mother's money.

Look, I, I know I was
a terrible husband

and a worse father, and I'm
sure Kelly's told you about that.

Enough.

But I didn't appreciate what it
meant to come home to someone.

Now I do.

You're lonely.

Find another sucker.

All right, I-I was selfish

but never lonely.

Not until the first time I had to
say good-bye to your mother.

Are you still selfish?

Look, I don't want this,
and neither does Kelly.

I mean, she's your daughter.

Doesn't that matter?

We'd like your blessing, Val.

If you hurt her,

if you so much
as disappoint her,

I'll call your parole officer.

I'll file false charges.

I'll do anything to...
What, to protect her?

So will I.

When he was
married to my mother,

he forgot birthdays,
anniversaries.

Finally, he just forgot us.

Your father loves you.

Well, that's how he
treats the people he loves.

You think he's changed.

I thought he had, too.

Thought he'd finally realized

what it was like to
be loved by someone.

And now he finally has.

You want me to have all this
information before I do this.

But you know,

you can never really
know someone completely.

Valerie's father...

I know.

You learn not to think about it,

not to notice

the silence.

I'm good at shutting things out.

But I don't want to
shut your father out.

He thinks we have
a chance together.

I just think you should,
um, take a look at his history,

his actions.

That's all I'm saying.

We're getting married,

Saturday at St. Timothy's.

This Saturday?

Great.

Brandon, hey.

Hey, Brian.

Lovely weather
we're having, huh?

Yeah.

So how many times you get
turned down by this newspaper?

Uh, once before I graduated
and then again last June.

Who'd you think was cooler,
Superman or Clark Kent?

Jimmy Olson.

Ace reporter.

What do you think they want?

Money.

It's always money.

You know, it's a union shop.

If we go in there and work,

we're scabs.

That doesn't bother you?

I got kids to feed.

Scab! Scab! Scab!

It was a nice restaurant.

Come on.

They brought you the wrong food,

the table wouldn't stop jiggling

no matter how many sugar
packets I stuffed under the legs,

and that waiter was rude.

You handled it like a pro.

It's not what I had planned.

That's okay.

You're not who I thought
you were, and I still

felt...

Yeah?

What I felt, anyway.

But I am in love
with someone else.

Someone you don't even know.

Didn't you know
me from my letters?

We're gonna need a pen.

Whittier & Leeks.

They're downtown off Sixth.

Make sure you ask for Ted

in the International
Department specifically.

He's new there, so

he's not gonna
be on the directory.

Aren't you gonna
write this down?

I've wanted this for so long.

I flew all the way here.

If it doesn't feel right,
you don't have to do it.

Okay.

You do it.

How am I supposed to do that?

You're very inventive.

Just get him there.

I'll have to go through with
it if he's in the same room.

Oh, boy.

Okay.

To you.

For believing in me.

Mm, hey.

That's from the store.

Why don't you deal
with it tomorrow?

I just want to see what it is.

A check for the dresses.

Oh, it's a mistake.

They already paid us.

I'll deal with it.

You said it was
cash on delivery.

Remember we went
to dinner to celebrate?

Noah?

The money you got for
the dresses came from me.

The store bought
them on consignment.

So they pay us if and
when they sell the dresses.

A store like MayaLee's?
No, they wouldn't do that.

I got a friend in corporate.

An old buddy of mine.

So, you cut a deal
behind my back?

Look, after the overdose
and getting fired,

I wanted to help you.

Help me what?

Believe in yourself.

Even though you don't?

Yes, sir, we got your ad,

and we placed it according
to your specifications.

Okay, so you go into the
guy's office and what happens?

Well, I tell him I'm
a potential investor.

You?

Yeah, and, uh, we're meeting
in the restaurant tonight

to review my portfolio.

Do you even have a portfolio?

Please. After tonight, I
won't even have a girl.

Hmm. Did Jill call?

Sir, I-I understand
that you're upset.

Any messages for me?

Thank you. Janet,
you get bagels?

I... listen I will recheck
the order. No bagels.

What are we gonna do without
bagels? And I will call you back, okay?

Bagels are brain food. Poppy
bagel, my cup of coffee...

and a shmear... You guys?

I happen to think that I'm good

at my job, but there is
only so much I can do.

And especially
when I am swamped,

sick and underpaid.

Aren't you supposed
to be at work?

I couldn't cross
the picket line.

I'm glad.

Yeah, selfishly, so am I.

I hate to see you walk away
from something you want so bad.

And for what? A union
that won't let you in

because its members have a lock

on all the jobs.

Hi. I'm Donald Tucker.

I'm looking for Steve Sanders.

Oh, I almost forgot. Donald.

I'm Steve. This
is Brandon Walsh.

How you doing?

Uh, he's here for your job.

Oh. I read your stuff,
man. Very impressive.

Uh,

Donald, I'm sorry. The
position is no longer available.

I thought I was

going to the
Chronicle, but I'm not.

Sorry.

I-I laugh

when I'm nervous.

Like on job interviews.

There is no more job.

Sorry.

Happens when I'm

disappointed, too.

Well, what happens

when you meet a pretty woman?

Well, I-I-I don't.

Not like he means.

You understand.

Sure.

Beverly Beat. Look, I'm really

sorry about the editor position.

Um, Brandon, it's a Brian

Carter from the Chronicle.

Yeah?

Uh-huh. Maybe we
can use your services,

after all. Yeah,
what's going on, Brian?

Have you ever done
any undercover pieces?

You know, posing
as someone, say...

an investment banker named
Ted? Brian, I can't hear you.

Brian, speak up.
I can't hear you.

Hey, I'm on a story.

A section of a state-funded
housing project collapsed.

Was anyone hurt?

No, but it's right on the heels

of the board's safety approval.

Hey, stay by the phone.
I'll feed you the facts.

Brian, I didn't take the job.

I haven't got time to do
the research and write it up.

I don't think I can do that.

Brandon,

this is my first piece.

I need to work
with a good writer.

That'd be you. I'll
call you when I'm in.

Yeah.

Come on, Val.

The rehearsal starts at 4:00.

I'm not going.

Okay, your mom stole
the show on your birthday.

All right, her timing was bad.

I-I don't think
her motives were.

Oh, David, she
doesn't listen to me.

Bad news? She
doesn't want to hear it.

If it gets in the way
of her having a man.

No, it doesn't matter
how much he hurt me...

coming into my room
night after night...

This isn't about
Bill Taylor, is it?

No, it's...

It's not. It's...

my father.

When I was a kid, he, uh...

I was sexually abused, David.

I didn't know.

Yeah, that's what she
said when I told her.

Well...

You knew I was damaged.

Turns out, I'm
completely broken.

How old were you?

Eleven.

I became really quiet.

Withdrawn.

Instead of asking
me what was wrong,

my mom decides to
invite half the school over

for my 12th birthday party.

My dad, um...

buys me this-this jacket.

Black mink.

We didn't have
that kind of money.

I thought everybody knew.

It was guilt talking.

Val, it was his
fault. It wasn't yours.

My 13th birthday...

There was this huge blizzard.

My dad was in Chicago,

and he was stuck there
because the airport was closed.

The snow was piled up so
high outside our house that

nobody could get in or out.

It was the first time in
a long time I felt safe.

So my mom and I decide...

to bake a cake.

It was...

it was chocolate
with vanilla frosting.

Nothing ever tasted so good.

Noah?

Donna. Hey, look, I'm
kind of busy right now.

I'll make it quick.

I'm sorry.

You made a shrewd business move.

It just happened
to hurt my feelings.

Look, I knew eventually
you'd sell your designs.

With everything
you've been through,

I didn't think you could wait.

Well, my faith in
myself, it's pretty strong.

It's my faith in men
that's been tested

this year... to the limit.

Thanks for the ride, man.

Yeah, sure. You know,
if you're freelancing,

you could have
e-mailed this here.

Or worn a disguise.

What are they striking for?
Ergonomically-designed seats?

Espresso machine in
the break room? What?

Salary. Pension.

Reprinting rights.

What do you think?

I think I'd be happy

with what they're getting now.

See ya.

That guy was here
before. Is he a reporter?

You made the right
choice yesterday.

Scab! Management stooge!

You're taking our jobs, scab.

Tell Donald the job's open.

Yeah.

There you are.

Is that what you're wearing?

Uh, Val is here to give you
her support. She could probably

use yours as well.

She's always had my support.

You look lovely.

Um, David, can you, uh...

go talk to the minister?

He's supposed to
give me a reading.

I'm okay here.

All right.

Reverend Mayfair has an
appointment in 15 minutes.

I wonder if you wouldn't
mind standing in for your Dad.

Okay. Did he call?

Well, how could he?

I've been running
errands all morning.

All right, I will
check my machine.

Maybe he called there.

Bill told me about your visit.

Mom, like I've said before,

I don't think you
should marry him.

Where's my

bride?

Hi!

Dad, you're 45 minutes late.

I know, I know.
Darling, I am so sorry.

I had a meeting, then traffic.

I'm gonna get

you a cell phone.

I don't like being out of
touch with you. No, I don't.

Another brilliant
deflection by Bill Taylor.

He's late and doesn't
call, and it's her fault for not

having a cell phone.

Well, I'll give it to her
for a wedding present.

David, how are you?

Do I detect defeat?

Maybe he's changed.

They do look good together.

Yeah, they do.

Do you think Ted's here?

I mean, how will we

recognize each other?

Uh, I've got it all worked out.

I'm gonna use the phone.

I'll be right back, okay?

Okay.

I'll just be a minute.

Ted Slafsky. Nice to meet you.

I've read every financial
trade paper I could.

That's great.

The thing is, Donald...

Ted.

We're not doing a
financial exposé here.

See that girl over there?

Sitting alone on the other
side of the bar? Mm-hmm.

Well that's Jill,
and I am absolutely

head over heels, arrow
through the heart crazy about her.

Well that's good, I guess.

No, Donald. It's not good.

See that guy?

Covered with waitresses?

Mm-hmm.

That's Ted, and
Jill's in love with him.

Whoa.

That's right, Donald. Whoa.

But the thing of it is, she's
never met him in person.

She's only read his letters.

That is true love.

Ah, is it?

Because if she met someone

who she thought
wrote those letters,

someone, let's say,
with a little less...

assuming presence...

Someone...

Who looked like me.

Would she still want him?

So, it's a test.

Yes, yes.

It's a test. A love
test. A test of true love.

But you're changing all
the variables, not just looks.

It's not a fair test.

You love this girl? You
want her to be happy?

Yeah.

Even if it makes you miserable?

Because that's
the test of true love.

You're right.

I hope you're ready
for this, because I'm not.

Ted...

uh, you don't know me,

but I set this meeting up.

Ted, this

is your pen pal, Jill.

Jill, this is Ted.

Jill?

Uh-huh. Hi.

I'm Steve.

You stopped writing.

I thought I lost you.

Steve Sanders.

Hey. Hey.

Um, can you take a break?

I want to show
you some sketches.

Sure. Let's go downstairs.

No, the bar's all sticky.
It'll ruin my sketches.

Well, we'll get a table.

It's so loud.

What are you doing with these?

I bought 'em.

What?! Is this
all a joke to you?

They weren't selling. They were

in the store for one day!

I was gonna tell you about it.

When, after I caught
you in the first lie

or now that I've caught
you in the second? Which?

If you listen to me... No!

I don't need to.

I can see how little
you think of me.

Morning.

Mr. McCourt, uh,
good to see you.

Thank you.

Janet Sosna, this is...

Timmy McCourt. I'm a big fan.

Thank you. Pleasure to meet you.

What can I do for you?

How you doing?

Good.

Saw your byline on

the housing project story.

It was a good piece.

Thanks.

I've got another story for you:

back in the 1930s,
guy meets gal.

Love on the old assembly line,

making a couple
of bucks an hour,

but of course, you
know, you can double that

because they're both working.

And yet the kids,

they kids are still growing
up in a house with dirt floors.

Let me guess.

No union, no
benefits, no overtime.

However,

by the 1950's, they
are solidly middle class.

And you know what?

The youngest kid
even goes to college.

American dream.

You're looking at it.

Take the story, don't take

the job.

Mr. McCourt, I've waited
for an opportunity like this

for a long time. It
doesn't come easy.

Neither does what
we're fighting for.

Hi.

Dad, you're not dressed.
Where's your suit?

At the, uh,
cleaner's, I suppose.

Don't do this.

Please don't do this.

I thought you didn't
want us to get married.

Believe me, Valerie's the
last person I want as family,

but it would have been worth it

if it'd meant you
could've kept a promise.

You were so sure I wouldn't.

Why did you even propose to her?

It was the way she looked at me.

I, I saw a second chance.

She believed in you,

even though she
knew she shouldn't.

I know the feeling. Never again.

Kelly, it's...

Never again, Dad!

Just, um, just
explain it to her, hmm?

How, when I don't understand?

Yes, you do.

We both wish you
were wrong about me.

Got a minute?

Listen to me.

When you overdosed, I mean,
you were just laying there.

And I was helpless. I
couldn't help you at all.

I just couldn't stand to
see you that way again.

I'll make you a deal.

Next time I have a problem,

I won't go for the
medicine cabinet

if you won't go for your wallet.

When I get scared,
and I lean on you...

support me, don't lie to me.

Okay.

Okay.

By the way, Burnett's
department store called.

Oh... the head buyer
wouldn't even meet with me,

so I dropped off a sample.

They probably just want me

to come and get it.

Not unless you can be in Madrid.

That's where she is
on vacation, wearing it.

Yeah.

She wants a
hundred more to sell.

There any side
deals, sales incentives,

favors for an old friend I
should know about here?

Nope, this is all you.

Is this the tie you chose?

What do you mean, "Is this...?"

Would you ever
wear a tie this stylish?

Look at that tie you have on.

What'd I get her?

A toaster.

It's a serving
piece. They'll love it.

You have Janet buying
your wedding presents now?

Do you see how badly
I need a girlfriend?

Oh...

Ted and Jill are probably
married right now.

You did the right thing.
Feels good, doesn't it?

Mildly.

So, how's the new
editor working out?

Oh, took him for a,

a get-to-know you drink.

Mm-hmm. He got to know me.

Passed on the job.

Can't say I blame him.

I'm not going to
work at the Chronicle.

Shouldn't one of
us be disappointed?

Best job I never had.

I'm really proud of the work

I didn't do there.

Coming back to the Beat?

Throw in a medical plan,
sick days, paid overtime,

I'll think about it.

Mm... all right, all right.

Aw, geez.

Welcome back.

Hey.

Oh, thank goodness.
Now we can get started.

Mom, wait. Um, where is he?

He's not coming.

Abby, I'm so sorry.

Well, he, he's late.

He'll be here.

I don't think so.

He's nervous.
I'll, I'll talk to him.

We'll work it out.

What happened?

I mean, he can't do
this. What did he say?

What difference does it make?

He's not coming.

I'll, um, go tell the guests.

Mom?

Mom, wait.

It's all right, I'm fine.

It doesn't matter.

It was just a lark; crazy.

I didn't think that...

Mom, don't do this, okay?

Don't pretend this
isn't happening.

God, take it from me.

If people don't
know you're hurt,

they don't know to help you.

Oh, honey!

I'm so sorry.

You did very well
at the church today.

It was good having Valerie there

equally invested,
sort of like family.

Your worst nightmare.

Once I got used to
it, it wasn't that bad.

No, no, leave it.

I like it.

All right.

That's my ID tag
from the Chronicle.

I won't be needing
that anytime soon.

Can I have it?

Why?

A reminder:

I have one good man in my
life who makes hard decisions,

stands by them.

I got it.

Did you come to say good-bye?

To thank you.

Well, invite me to the wedding.

I won't come,

but I'll send you a gift.

I already picked one out.

We did talk about marriage.

Did I mention my
low threshold for pain?

But mostly I talked about you.

About all the things
you did to get to know me

and what you did last night...

for me.

What about Ted?

He was everything
I thought he'd be.

But you're more.

Hi. Hey.

Is, uh, your mom
on her way home?

Yeah, she hugged me so tightly

when she said good-bye.

She's never done that.

Well, she loves you.

I forget that sometimes.

Along with all the
happy memories.

My father took those with him.

Well, they're yours. Sometimes
you just need someone

to help you reach them.

It's chocolate on the inside.

With vanilla frosting.

You made this?

Happy Birthday.

Thanks.