Masters of Sex (2013–2016): Season 3, Episode 11 - Party of Four - full transcript

Previously on
Masters Of Sex...

The thought of not seeing
you every day

is not something I'm ready
to accept just now.

And your wife?

My wife and I have
an understanding.

So, what if I keep coming here...

because we love each other?

What are you doing here, Libby?

I am so sick of pretending
all the time.

I want you to be my wife.

Dennis went to my dad...



and my dad had
to show Dennis

a book on how to fix
his broken penis.

It's incredibly common
and perfectly normal.

- Ow!
- John!

In two weeks, Bill and I are
going into Little Brown

to present the initial research
for our second book.

If he finds out about us,

he might even keep me
out of the work,

which he's done before.

All these women either
want to marry me

or they look at me like
I'm some sort of torturer.

This is what I've been
saying all along.

This program doesn't work!

Look, if... if you're not comfortable
with the surrogacy work,



then... we can't continue.

I just want it to be us again...

together.

That's what I want, too.

I think the doc

is a little worried about
Mr. Logan's presence.

So, Bill sent you to...

pump me for information?

Maybe I can spare you
a lot of grief

by sharing with you a tidbit
I have picked up...

Trying to control other people
doesn't work, ever.

The only person you can control
is yourself.

I certainly hope that
you didn't tip him.

Of course I tipped him.

Who gets into a taxi

and says,
"We're from out of town.

Take whatever route you'd like"?

The man drove us
through Brooklyn, Bill.

Ah, so what if he did?

It was worth the extra $2 to
get a view of that skyline,

don't you think?

No, I don't.

Betty said that The Times
gave this place four stars.

Apparently, it's nearly impossible
to get a reservation.

Well, I would've
been just as happy

to order a BLT from room service
and call it a night.

Nonsense.

Today went just about as well
as it could possibly have gone.

I say you and I have more
than earned ourselves

a five-course dinner.

Well, that is very
generous of you to say.

Because given how you
monopolized that meeting,

the most I've earned,
I would think,

would be a dinner roll
and a butter pat.

Virginia,
can't you let it go, please?

It all worked out.
Let's enjoy the evening.

- May I take your coats?
- Yes, thank you.

I'll keep mine,
thank you very much.

Are you sure? I think you'll
be more comfortable...

Is this yet another thing

you would like
to overrule me on?

The lady will be
keeping her coat.

In case I throw a
drink in his face

and need to make a speedy exit,
which is entirely possible.

Why don't I give our name
to the... to the host?

What is the fastest

you've ever seen someone
get through a meal here?

Masters, you say?

I'm not seeing anything
in the book, sir.

Are you sure your reservation
was for tonight?

Quite sure.
Can I take a...

Is there a problem?

There it is.
That's us.

Mosher, party of four?

Well, Mosher, Masters...

if it was a bad connection,
someone could've easily misu...

Mosher. Mas...
See?

Bill, that is entirely possible

if you were calling
from a submarine.

And "two" doesn't sound anything
like "four. "

- We are a party of two.
- I'm confused, sir.

Didn't you say that yours
was a party of four?

I did.
No, we're four, Virginia...

you, me, and the Logans.

Her name's Alice, isn't it?
Uh, Dan's wife?

What are you doing in
the lab at this hour of night?

And what's all that
noise going on?

Not while the children
are awake.

Oh, come on.

All right, kitty cats,
it's time for bed.

10 more minutes.

You said that
20 minutes ago.

Yeah, but it's almost over.

Come on, Lib.
Just let them watch the end.

It's fine.

You know,
for a football coach,

you are a bit of a pushover.

- Oh, really?
- Mm-hmm.

Okay.
Come on, guys.

You heard your mother.
It's bedtime.

Hup, hup. Let's go.
Set goes off.

Ice-cream bowls in the kitchen.

Johnny, I want to
see some hustle.

Jenn, put some pep in your step.
Come on.

Mr. Edley's kidding.

But 10 more minutes,
and that is it.

No more negotiating.

- Okay.
- Okay.

However you want me to be,
I'll be.

She's joining...
they're joining us?

Why do you look
so surprised?

- We discussed this.
- We did not.

- Are you certain?
- Quite certain.

Absolutely cer... I've never been
more certain of anything

in my life.

Well, maybe...
Ah, you know what?

I... I mentioned it to Betty.

That's right. I did.
I must've forgotten.

I'm sorry, Dr. Masters.

Is it possible you thought
you made a reservation

in the same way you thought
you told your wife

about your dining companions?

I am not his wife.

Mosher, party of four.

Good evening, Mr. Mosher.
Right this way, sir.

Deirdre will take you
to your table.

What is going on here, Bill?

- What do you mean?
- What are you up to?

Why would you ask Dan
and his wife to join us?

You've barely even
said two words to him

since he set foot
in our office.

You've rejected any social
overtures he's made to you.

You've barely even tolerated
the research

that he asked us to conduct.

Which was unfair of me.

It was?

Absolutely.

Virginia,
I was threatened by him.

I see that now.

What are you doing?

Looking for that
bald man on TV

who pops out with
his hidden camera.

I thought he was taking up
too much of our time.

"Our time?"

All right, your time.

I didn't like having to
indulge his curiosity,

which was shortsighted of me.

So what if his projects didn't
amount to anything?

The man opened his
checkbook to us.

Now we have a book
contract to show for it.

So I thought it was the right
thing to do to show him a...

you know, a little appreciation
for the support he's given us.

Well, that's...

Huh.

Well, it's not awkward for you

that I invited his
wife along, is it?

Why would that
be awkward?

I'm asking you.

And I'm answering...
rhetorically.

No, it's not awkward, Bill,
unless you've imagined us

having to eat standing up
in the coatroom.

While you figure this out,

I'm going to go freshen up.

Shall I have Colette
check this for you?

You are not to check
that coat, Bill.

The lady will hang on to it.

You're still here?

Hey, Johnny.

Uh, yeah, I noticed
the light was out,

so I thought I'd fix it before
I went home to my house.

Where's my mom?

Your mom is in
reading to Jenny.

Um...

Could you... could you maybe
help me with something

- in my room?
- Of course.

- Absolutely.
- Bring the ladder.

Bring the ladder?
Okay.

All right.
Let's go.

- Good evening, ma'am.
- Good evening.

May I offer you
something, ma'am?

No, thank you.

Are you sure?

We have some lovely new scents
as well as the classics.

Channel.

I think that's Chanel.

Oh, is it?
I don't speak French.

This one's new, Promesse,
and we have Ambush by Dana.

That would certainly be
appropriate to the occasion.

- Excuse me?
- Yes?

Uh, there...
there's no paper in here.

- Would you mind...
- Oh! Oh, gosh!

I'm so sorry, ma'am.
Right away.

Uh, um, there you go.

I should've checked
the stall beforehand.

- It's all right.
- Oh, gosh.

See?
I'm still learning.

They usually have me
answering the phones,

but Carol Anne,
the girl who's usually here,

she slipped in the kitchen
two days ago

and knocked out her two
front teeth, got a black eye,

and they won't let her
back to work

'cause it looks like her
boyfriend beat her up.

You can't have that in a
nice place like this, right?

Ambush you said?

- What are you doing?
- Didn't you...

No,
I s... I said no thank you.

Oh, I'm so sorry, ma'am.

May I have
a wet towel, please?

Yes.

Oh.

Here.

Hey, you don't like it?
It's not so bad.

It's the...
The gentleman that I'm seeing,

he... he has an aversion to me
wearing fragrances of any kind.

An aversion?
Allergies, you mean?

No, no. It's... he has, uh,
a very sensitive nose.

Occupational hazard.
It's fine. I'll live. Thank you.

Did I get him?

Uh, no,
he's over there now. See him?

- Where?
- Quick!

Oh.

- Got him.
- Are you sure?

Flat as a pancake.
You want to see?

No, that's okay.
I trust you.

Come on.

I'm not afraid of them
or anything.

Just don't like them.

I get it.

Is there anything else
you're not too fond of?

I don't really like thunder.

Oh, well, come on.

Does anyone like thunder,
really? An

Maybe timpanists, you know?

In the orchestras,
with the big drums?

They probably like it.

You're probably right.

You know what I'm afraid of,
Johnny?

What?

Letting people see
that I'm afraid.

It's like, what are
they gonna think?

This big, tough football coach...

every time he goes
to the doctor,

he's got to shut his eyes
and whistle a tune

when he gets a shot.

- You do that?
- Yeah.

Every single time.

Here.
You play the doctor.

I'll play me. All right?

- Okay.
- All right.

Time for your shot,
Mr. Edley. Are you ready?

I guess.

Now, look, you said you weren't
gonna tell anybody, right?

- I promise.
- All right.

And you won't tell mine?

I won't tell a soul.

All right.
Get some sleep.

- Good night, Mr. Edley.
- Good night, Johnny.

Well, I'm sorry you didn't have
my girl make the reservation.

I have some pull here.

I invested in Gordon's place
in Midtown a few years back.

Excuse me,
could you tell Chef Ostroff

that Dan Logan is with
the Masters party...

that's the reservation
that's gone missing...

and ask if he can
accommodate us?

Apparently,
they're booked until...

And that we're very much looking
forward to the tartare tonight.

It's not on the menu,
but they make it when I ask.

- Dan? Nice to see you.
- Virginia.

You're alone?

Uh, Alice is on her way
from uptown.

I must say, Virginia, I wasn't
expecting your invitation.

The invitation didn't
come from me.

Oh, well, my secretary said
a woman called, so I assumed.

That wasn't you?
Then who...

Bill, uh,
did you have Betty

make these arrangements?

Why, yes, I did.

Why don't I have them
check that?

Okay.

Thank you.

- I am so sorry.
- Mm-hmm.

I had absolutely no idea.

Bill orchestrated this entire
thing without telling me.

Why would you bring your wife?

Because when the invitation
came in, presumably from you,

my secretary called Alice
to confirm the time

without consulting me.

- And there you are.
- Hello, darling.

Mm.
You made it.

I would like to
introduce you to...

Virginia Johnson.
Hello.

Finally.
I'm so glad you called.

Danny just thinks
the world of you.

Talks about you nonstop.

Is that right?

And, my goodness,
you're just a slip of a thing.

I... I don't know why I always imagined
you'd be much bigger boned.

Mrs. Logan, I presume.

- Alice, please.
- Bill Masters.

I'm just delighted that you and
your husband could join us.

Now, there has been a little
snafu with the reservation

- that we're working out.
- Mr. Logan,

I am so sorry to keep you
and your party waiting.

We have a table for you
if you will follow Jacques.

Ladies?

It's all who you know, Bill.

Whom.

It's whom.

Uh,
this is a table for two.

We're a party of four.

Well, five,
if you include the coat.

And may I ask,
where do you sit your patrons

who don't have pull...
the scullery?

I'm terribly sorry.

This is the only table we have
available at the moment.

Perhaps we should wait for
something else to open up.

I'm afraid we are
fully booked, sir.

Or come back another time.

Oh, don't be silly.

We can all squeeze in.
Can't we, Alice?

Absolutely.
It'll be cozy.

You're sure I can't check...

I'm quite sure, thank you.

May I get you started
with a cocktail? Ladies?

A Manhattan, please.

Alice?

So, she'll have a tonic water
with a squeeze of...

Uh, white wine, please.

But, honey...

I'd like a glass
of white wine, Dan.

Do you have an objection
to that?

Why don't we make it a spritzer?

First, uh, can I suggest

that we start with a bottle
of your finest champagne?

We're celebrating.

Ooh.

What are you doing?

It was slow to drain, so...

What?

You can't fix everything
in the house.

He's only gone two days.
He's gonna come back and notice.

Oh, really?
Bill's gonna notice?

Come on.

Well, you do have
to be more careful

in front of the kids.

You can't take my hand
under the dining-room table

or reach under my skirt.

Oh, they didn't see that.

But they could have.

You can't call me Lib
in front of them, either.

- Did I do that?
- Mm-hmm.

Oh.

You know,
"pass the ketchup, Lib.

Those potatoes were delicious, Lib. "

All right.
I have this fantasy, okay?

Now, don't laugh at me,
but I have this fantasy

that, you know, the kids
will start calling me Paul.

Not right away, but just
eventually, you know?

You know how Howie has
that thing with "L's"?

I secretly hope
he never loses it.

I know. Well, if you
drop the "L" off of "Paul,"

that becomes "paw," right?

And then maybe the older kids
start calling me pa,

and then, pretty soon,
that's what I am to them.

You know, their pa.

You wouldn't have a problem
with that, would you?

To "Human Sexual Inadequacy. "

"Human Sexual Inadequacy. "

Do we really want
to toast that?

It's the name of Bill and
Virginia's next book.

Oh, I see.

Well, then,
congratulations, you two.

How exciting.

After the success
of the first one,

I'm sure this one was
pretty much in the bag.

No hard sell required.

Yes, you'd think,
wouldn't you,

that all we needed to do was let
the couples work that we've done

speak for itself.

But Bill felt the need
to up the ante.

Virginia, please, let's not.

Oh, let's.

Virginia's upset with me

because I... deviated slightly
from our agreed-upon script.

I wouldn't say "deviated,"
and I wouldn't say "slightly. "

I'd say that you hijacked
the meeting entirely.

Uh, Bill told them

that we intend to include
a chapter in the next book

on our work with surrogates.

Mm. I thought you were
phasing that out.

Yes, well, Bill revived
it this afternoon

and committed us to continuing
with the program.

Only after the
Little Brown team

seemed disinclined
to move forward.

Not disinclined,
and even if they were,

that doesn't mean
that you should jump in

and offer up research
that we both decided

to postpone for the
foreseeable future.

They never would've committed
to so large an advance, Virginia.

The last time that we
were short hard evidence

that our research
would yield solid results...

the impotency work... you argued
that it was wrong to promote it.

Do most people assume
you're married?

You seem married.
Don't they seem married?

They're not married.

In fact, Bill has a
very lovely wife.

Mm, you've met?

No, but I've seen
her picture on your desk.

You don't bring her along
when you travel?

- I don't.
- Oh, why's that?

Surely she would like a trip
to New York, wouldn't she?

Yes, but we do have
three children at home.

Oh.
Do you have pictures?

I don't, no.

Really? No pictures?
Not a one?

Dan doesn't like to bring
me on his adventures, either.

- Oh, and why's that?
- I have a theory.

Oh, I would love to hear it.

Another breadbasket, please?

Well, with so many more
women in the workforce,

I think it's easier for a man,

especially one
as handsome as him,

to conduct his business
unencumbered by a wedding ring.

Wouldn't you agree, Virginia?

I'm asking you as a woman.

I really wouldn't know.

It's not unlike
your approach, Bill.

You tantalize the buyer with
the promise of something

that you may not actually
be able to provide.

I'm not blind.
I know I married a flirt.

But it got me a
three-bedroom apartment

overlooking the Museum
of Natural History.

Hey, might want
to slow down a bit, dear.

Mm.

You might want to stop squeezing
my leg under the table.

What was the name
of the woman in Dallas?

The linen heiress?

Danny sold her on the idea

of including lavender sachets
in her seet shets.

Sheet... sets.

That's hard to say.

Especially after two
glasses of champagne.

Well, may I propose
another toast?

- Mm!
- I vote no.

Um, I'm sorry.
Was that rhetorical?

I love your
sense of humor, Virginia.

It's very New York.
Are you Jewish?

To you, Dan.

To me?

Well... well, we could never
have gotten to this point

without your financial support.

Hm.

Well, that's, uh...

That's kind of you to say, Bill.

Well, it's absolutely true.

- Isn't it, Virginia?
- It is.

Uh, you have kept us afloat.

And I am happy to report

that the advance
we received today

will more than cover our
operational costs from now on.

So we're not just able
to repay you in full.

We're also able
to provide you

with a significant return
on your investment.

Thank you.

To the end of our journey.

Hear, hear.

Come on, you two.
To happy endings.

So this is yet another thing
you've just decided, Bill,

that our work with Dan is over?

Well, isn't it?
I'm sorry. Do you disagree, Dan?

You made an investment.

It paid off...
handsomely, I may add.

When I engaged your services,
we entered into a partnership.

Oh.
Did you see it that way?

A partnership?
What? Like Virginia's and mine?

No, actually,

because I don't make
decisions unilaterally

without her participation.

Well, perhaps you
can clarify for me.

Uh, what is the argument for,

uh, perpetuating
this arrangement?

Your venture into, uh...
lubricants?

Lotions.

Lotions.
I'm sorry. You're right.

There was a company in Seattle

that Danny did
a lotion line with.

He was working very closely
for many months

with the most darling
Japanese chemist.

What was her name... Emiko?

I'm so sorry that you don't
consider our efforts worthwhile,

but I have certainly
granted you latitude

to pursue the things
you find interesting.

I thought the scent was lovely,

but Dan didn't like me
to wear it.

It's funny. He objects to me
wearing fragrance of any kind.

Isn't that silly, Virginia?

For a man in his
line of work to have...

What's the word?

An aversion?

You know what
occurs to me, Bill?

Is that you planned this dinner

before you knew how the meeting
with your publisher was gonna go.

Well, it's like you
said yourself...

a positive outcome
was virtually assured.

Our last book was
a best-seller.

No, no. But then it means
you must've come prepared

to offer up the surrogacy work
over Virginia's objections.

Anything to get your
publisher on board

so there would be cause
for celebration tonight

and a reason to say to me,
"Thank you. Here's your hat.

Don't let the door hit you
on the way out. "

Dan, Alice,

I am so sorry to have
to cut this short.

It was lovely to meet you.

- You're leaving?
- I'm afraid so.

I knew there was a reason
I held on to my coat.

You're sick?

Yes. Of him.
If you'll excuse me.

- Virginia...
- Go to hell.

There's something I need
to talk to you about.

It's about us and
about the future.

It's okay.
It's a... it's a good start.

You don't think it...
it feels too dire?

I mean, maybe there's a more
casual way to get into it

so Bill's not immediately
on his guard.

No, I don't... I don't...

I don't think the downbeat
is the problem, honey.

I think you just need to be more
honest and be direct with him.

Just tell him what you want.

What do I want?

Well...

Do I... do I ask for a
divorce right away,

or do I want a separation first
and then a divorce?

What do I say when
he asks me why?

I mean, he is gonna
ask me why.

Well, what if he does?
What are you gonna tell him?

I don't want him to know
it's because of you.

I... I think that just
makes it... harder.

Well, look, you had many reasons
to leave him before me, right?

- I mean...
- Yeah.

Just not the courage.

Right.

I think he'll be shocked.

And then... maybe angry.

I don't think he'll yell.

I mean, he might, but...
I think he would be too scared

that I would say something
about Virginia

to ever accuse me of anything.

No, what I'm...

What I am most afraid of is...

What if he doesn't care?

You know?

What if, when I tell him,

I look in his eyes
and all I see is relief?

Can I help you?

- Elizabeth Masters?
- Yes.

I'm Detective David Ascher... St.
Louis Police.

- Has something happened?
- May I come in, please?

What's going on?

Dr. Masters?

Um, no.

This is Mr. Edley.

Paul Edley.
I live next door. What's...?

And Dr. Masters?
Is he home?

No, he's out of town.

And your children?

My children are asleep.

I need to ask your son
a few questions, Mrs. Masters.

It won't take long.

Questions about what?

You can't just knock on the
door in the middle of the night

demanding to talk
to a 12-year-old child.

I'm sorry, Mr. Edley,
but if you're not family,

I need to ask you to leave.

And, ma'am, I need you
to wake up your son.

Virginia, I'm sorry.
Please, come back.

Get away from me.

Please,
don't leave like this.

Dan was right.
You set me up.

You knew that this was going to
happen before you left St. Louis.

I can explain. Just let me get
my coat, and we'll go together.

Give that to me. You think I'm
going to get into a cab with you?

Well, fine,
we'll go in separate cabs,

but just at least let me
put you into one. Hello?

I can manage myself.
Give me back my purse, Bill.

Just one second.
Hello? Can someone please...

What were you thinking?

What did you hope
to accomplish today?

Or was it enough
to simply humiliate me?

I can't find my coat.

Here.
Here!

Virginia, I... I'm sorry.

I didn't want it
to happen that way,

but I needed you
to see for yourself.

See what?
That he has a wife?

You think I didn't know
that already?

You're not his
first affair, Virginia.

You're just his most recent.

Well, that is my problem
to deal with, isn't it?

That doesn't bother you?

What I do and whom
I do it with

outside of the office is none
of your business, Bill.

Well, you make it
my business

when you concoct some
ludicrous research program

to keep that man
around our office.

Lotions.
Really?

What choice did I have?

The last time I was honest
with you about having a lover,

you cut me out of the work
for a whole year.

So either way,
whether I tell you or not,

I end up in the exact same place...
on the outside.

Excuse me.
Number 36.

It's a sable.

Anything you want
to ask me first?

Have you got a gun?

I do.
You want to see it?

Sure.

I've never fired it in the
line of duty, though.

Have you fired it otherwise?

Well, not this particular one.

I go hunting with my son
sometimes.

He's about your age.

Your dad ever take you hunting?

Not really.

What kind of things you and
he like to do together?

Um, well, he, uh...
he works a lot, so...

Ah. Yeah.
Uh, what's he do?

- He's a doctor.
- What kind of doctor?

He teaches people
how to make babies

and how to make their parts
fit together in the right way.

"Their parts?"

It's okay.

Uh, my husband conducts
clinical research...

I know what he does,
Mrs. Masters.

I just want to hear
from your son.

Johnny...

Has your dad ever shown
you how your body works?

You know,
pointed things out to you.

Like, uh,
when you're getting dressed

or in the bathtub
or in the shower?

No.

Has he ever shown you
how his body works?

Of course he hasn't,
Detective.

Mrs. Masters, please.

Of course he hasn't.

Has he ever shown
any of your friends

how their bodies work?

I don't know.

You've never heard him talk
about those kind of things

with any of your friends?

With my friends?
No.

Someone who's not your friend?

This is very important, Johnny.

Who has he talked to?

So, once he talked to Dennis.

Dennis Daughtry?

And he talked to him
about his body?

When was this?

Few weeks ago.
After the party for the team.

Well, I was there.

I... I didn't see your father
talking to Dennis.

You were putting Howie to bed.

Dennis was waiting for
his mom to pick him up.

That's what he said.

And what did you hear
them talking about?

- I don't remember.
- You don't remember

what you told Martha Geiss and
Olive Lambert on the playground?

No.

Because they said you
told them something

about Dennis and your father.

What did you tell them,
Johnny?

It's okay.

You don't remember saying

that your father had to show
Dennis how to fix his penis?

What?
What?

Yes, but...

I didn't mean... I just... I just
said that 'cause I was mad.

And why were you mad?

Because I hate that kid.

He's an asshole.

Johnny.

And... and dad's
always so nice to him.

How is he nice to him?

He just is.
He...

He talks to him...
Spends time with him.

Spends time with him

in ways that are different than
the way he spends time with you?

He doesn't spend
time with me.

That's not true, Johnny.

He likes Dennis more.

- No, sweetheart.
- Mrs. Masters.

Johnny...
I need to know.

Have you ever seen
your father and Dennis

have any kind
of physical contact...

Okay, that is enough, Detective.

I am not done here, ma'am.

Yes, I would say
you are done.

I am not gonna subject my child
to any more of this.

I can bring him
down to the station

- if that's what you prefer.
- Do not threaten me, sir.

- Johnny, I need you to go to y...
- I'm sorry.

It's okay. It's okay.
You didn't do anything wrong.

I'm sorry.

No one's mad at you, honey.

I just need a few minutes alone
with the detective.

- But, mom...
- It's okay. Please go.

I'll be in in a second to
tuck you in. Go on. Go on.

I don't know what you think
is going on here.

I don't know who said what, if
some silly girl on a playground

twisted my son's words to make
it seem like my husband...

The boy confirmed
with his mother

that your husband showed him
pictures of a naked man.

My husband is a doctor.

If he showed that boy
images in a medical textbook,

I am sure there is a perfectly
reasonable explanation for it.

Without his mother's knowledge?

I would say any mother

who leaves her son at a party
isn't fit to judge.

Mrs. Masters, can you
tell me the circumstances

under which an adult showing
a minor explicit sexual images

can be considered
appropriate behavior?

My husband would
never hurt a child.

And yet it sounds to me
as if he's hurt your son.

You need to leave, Detective.

That's fine.

I will have to follow up,
of course.

And when you do,
our lawyer will be present.

Hmm. Well,
let's get our check, shall we?

We barely just ordered.

I think this dinner's over,
wouldn't you say?

I don't want to go.

- Alice, come on.
- You can go.

Alice.

Are you not hearing me?
I'm staying.

Do you want me to
make a scene?

You want to finish the bottle.
That's it, isn't it?

So how long have you
managed to go this time?

Three months?

I'll go to a meeting
in the morning.

I'm sorry.

- You're not.
- Are you sorry?

Yes, I am.

For being with her,
or for rubbing my face in it?

You know I wouldn't have chosen
for you to find out this way.

Is there a good way to meet
your husband's mistress?

Can't you even pretend?

I've never denied I was
with any of them, Alice.

I've always been straight
with you.

You can't claim it's unfair

when it was you who proposed
this arrangement.

What choice did I have?

Alice, I don't want to
do this here. Let's go.

I'm asking.

What choice did you leave me
with but to look the other way?

You do not want to go
down this road. Trust me.

Oh, why not?

Because you don't think

your behavior leaves me
without a choice?

Every time you disappear
down that bottle

and I have to come find you

or you threaten
to hurt yourself.

It brings you back.

Admit it, you like fixing me.

I used to.

Can't say I've done such
a good job of it lately, have I?

You always like the ones
that need fixing.

Tell me.
How is this one broken?

She's not.

Come on. What is it?
Financial problems?

Childhood abuse? An ex-husband
who's stalking her?

Virginia's different.

They're all different until
they're all the same.

I'm in love with her, Alice.

Now, you've never heard me
say that before.

What kind of partnership
do we have, Bill,

if you marginalize me
every time I've upset you?

How are we equals if you're
always able to exact a price

for me wanting something
outside of work?

I know you're angry,
and rightly so,

but eventually you will see
that this is for the best.

I am saving you from that man.

"That man" is someone that
I could be happy with.

I... I really don't
think so, Virginia.

And... and why is that?

Because of the kind of man
you think he is,

or because I'm just not entitled
to a life outside of work?

You're...
you're entitled to one.

You just don't want one.

That was the argument

that you made to me
in the hospital,

when I was in labor,

that... that my ambivalence
is the problem,

that I should embrace
the part of me

that cares about work
above all else.

Hell, I thought you meant that.

But I see now the person that
argument really serves is you,

that you were just
looking out for yourself.

You're always just
looking out for yourself.

Why do you love her?

Ally...

Tell me.
I promise I won't get mad.

There's no easy way
to explain it. I...

It's okay.
Just tell me as a favor to me.

Well, for one,

her life doesn't start
when I arrive

and stop when I leave.

She has other things
she cares about.

I'm not her whole world.

- That's a good thing?
- Yes, it is.

Why?

It's okay.
I know.

You need a partner,
not a project.

And I'm a project.

But I wasn't always.

Was I?

Does she make you laugh?

Yes.

I used to make you laugh.

You still do make me laugh.

But not enough

to make up for all
the other stuff.

Madame and monsieur,

prepared especially for you,
steak tartare.

Bon app?tit.

You think I want to keep
you tethered to your desk?

I said what I did

because you needed permission
to stop hating yourself.

- I don't hate myself.
- No?

You want to want a man,
Virginia,

because, as unconventional
as you consider yourself,

you're still your
mother's daughter,

and she told you you
need one to be happy.

But I know you.

A relationship
will never satisfy you

the way your work will.

It lights you up.

It gives you a purpose
so much more consequential

than waiting for a
man to come home.

And... and what?

Check his collar to see
if there's lipstick on it?

That is too small a life
for you, Virginia,

and it is a waste of what
you have to offer the world.

Excuse me.

By any chance, are you those
people from the sex book?

Masters and Johnson, right?

We just loved your book.
Uh, if there's any way, uh...

Oh, Rog and I would just be
so tickled if we could just...

If we could just
get an autograph.

- I'm sorry.
- Excuse me.

Alice.

Dan, what is it?

She's not feeling well.

I'll go.

Will there be any more
comings and goings tonight,

or may we serve you
your dinner?

Are they gonna
put him in jail?

No.
Of course not.

But he'll find out, won't he,

that... that I said the thing
that got him in trouble?

It's not about what
you said, Johnny.

It's about how people
took what you said.

And they will come to see

that dad was just being nice
to that boy.

Yeah, but he's...
he's gonna know

that I started it,
and it's just...

It's gonna give him another
reason to hate me.

Your father doesn't hate you.

He doesn't like me.

What are you talking about?

Johnny,
your father loves you.

You're always telling dad to
spend more time with me.

If he wanted to,
you wouldn't have to ask.

Can I tell you a little secret?

I think your father
is afraid of you.

Afraid of me?

Of showing you how
much he loves you.

- I don't think so.
- No.

When you were a little baby,

he was scared to hold you,
because...

Well, because I think
he was afraid

to love something
he might hurt.

You were so perfect that
he didn't want to ruin you.

How would he do that?

By... passing on to you

the things he doesn't
like about himself.

Like what?

I don't know.

Maybe things that he feels like
he got from his father.

Dad didn't, uh...
didn't like his father.

Why not?

Uh...

he didn't think his father
liked him very much.

Why?
What did he do?

I don't think he cared
about being a good father.

He was an angry man,

and he didn't know what
to do with his anger, so,

it came out in ways
that hurt daddy.

Which is why he
left home so early.

He was not much older
than you.

So they never made up?

They were just... mad
at each other forever

and then just never...
never made up?

I was hoping it'd be better
between dad and me someday.

What if I ruined that?

Oh, honey,
of course you didn't.

Of course you didn't.

Are you all right?

The room is spinning.

Come sit.

Okay.
Thank you.

- A wet towel, please?
- Yes.

Thank you.

May I offer you some
mouthwash, ma'am?

Yes, thank you.

Um...

Ugh, what a disaster.

You weren't there when
the steak tartare arrived.

It was the three glistening
egg yolks on top that did it.

Ugh, God.

Do either of you ladies know

if "E-Yew De-Toilet"
is mouthwash?

Uh... perhaps you could,
uh, get my friend

a soft drink from the bar.

Okay.

Actually, we could've
been friends, you and I.

Can't we still?

I think it's a little awkward,
don't you,

seeing as how my husband's
in love with you?

Don't insult me
by acting surprised.

Danny told me.

He... he told you...

He always tells me.
We've been through this before.

Did you think you
were different?

They all do.

Enjoy him, Virginia.

He's a lovely man.

A true gentleman.

He'll always open
the door for you,

he'll never forget your birthday,

whisk you away
on business trips,

and take you in his arms
and dance with you

even though there's
no music playing.

And when he shows up
at your doorstep

and tells you that he wants you to
spend the rest of your life with him,

in that moment,
he will think he means it.

I didn't know
what to say to him.

Of course, he completely
blames himself.

Well, are... are charges
gonna be filed?

I don't know.

What, the detective
didn't say, or...

No, Paul, I told you.
It ended abruptly.

I... I asked him to leave.

And what did Johnny tell
you actually happened?

Tell me?
Nothing. I didn't ask.

You didn't ask him to elaborate
on what he saw?

Why would I?

This is just a...
a misunderstanding

that's gotten out of hand.

It's... it's Bill's work

that makes him vulnerable
to accusations like this.

Well, it's his work and his
lack of judgment, I think.

You don't seriously think...

No, he didn't do anything wrong.
I know that. For sure.

I know what kind of man
my husband is.

Well, he's the kind of man

who... who's had a mistress
for over a decade.

Yeah, but that's
something he did to me, Paul.

He... he wouldn't hurt a child.

Never.

I woke up every morning
for a decade

thinking that I was a
happily married man.

All the while, my wife was
planning on leaving me.

You think you know someone,
and you don't.

You have to get out. Now.
Before Bill comes home.

I'll look into renting
you a house

for you and the kids
across town.

I can't do that, Paul.

You can't do what?

You can't take steps
to protect your children?

I am protecting them...

from the false impression
that their father is a monster.

Because, if I leave now,
that is what I am saying.

Not just to the world,
but to my children.

And there's no taking it back.

No matter what happens,

no matter if the charges
are dropped,

he will forever be the man

their mother didn't want
under the same roof.

Won't leaving Bill
always say to them

that you think that you're
better off without him?

Yes.

Better for me.

He has been a bad husband...
Bill.

I have reasons to leave him
that are a mile long,

but... I don't have
good enough reason

to take those children
away from him.

Because he's been
such a great father.

I'd be a better one, Libby.
You know that.

It doesn't matter.
It doesn't matter.

He is the father
that they have.

He is the father that Johnny
needs to know loves him.

Because... because,
without that,

it just... it just plays out
in exactly the same way.

Another son without a
father becomes a father...

who doesn't know
how to love his son.

And if...

If I stay, they have a chance
to fix what is broken.

Libby, are you, um...

Are you saying that this is
what you need to do now,

for the time being,

or what you need
to do forever?

Is there nothing
I can get you?

Just the check, thank you.

Alain, annulez la commande.

On annule tout?

Mais j'?tais sur le point
de servir!

Oui, je sais.

N'en dites pas
un mot au chef.

- Amenez l'addition, vite.
- D'accord.

Right away, monsieur.

So, I have to ask.

How exactly did you expect
things to go tonight?

Just the way they did.

Really?
With Virginia storming out?

Well, I saw her, uh, leaving

a little closer to dessert,
but yes.

Alice's presence helped
speeding up her departure?

I'd say, in the grand
scheme of things,

your wife's upset was a little
more your doing than mine,

wouldn't you?

You're a son of a bitch, Bill.

And a misguided one if you think
that alienating Virginia

is the way to win her back.

That is your end game,
isn't it?

Or are you afraid admitting that
will give me an edge?

An edge?

I'm sorry.

I... I hate to be the one
to break it to you, Dan,

but she's finished with you.

Uh, it may not happen right
away, but it... it's inevitable.

- It's over.
- Mm.

And how do you figure?

Well, because that's
what Virginia does.

She never mentioned the name
Ethan Haas to you?

He was a doctor.
Promising future.

Would've done anything
for her,

including walking away
from another woman.

Virginia called the whole thing
off a few days before

she was supposed to join
him in Los Angeles.

Broke his heart, poor fellow.

But I'm sure yours
is more resilient.

So you're saying

she changed her mind
completely on her own

with no interference
from you?

Oh, no,
I asked her to marry me.

Only, uh, it wasn't on bended
knee with a ring in my pocket,

if that's what
you're imagining.

No, the marriage
I proposed to her

was a marriage of the mind,
a true intellectual partnership,

and I did it without
uttering a word.

All I did was put her
name next to mine

on that, uh, first paper
we presented at Wash U.

It was my vow to her,
you know,

that that was who we would become...
Masters and Johnson.

It's who we are.

You know, it's how
people think of us.

It's how we think of ourselves.
Virginia, too.

Hm.
And that was 10 years ago.

The bloom is off the rose.

Hm.
Perhaps.

Which is why I've decided
to give her my name.

Just my name...
no "MD" after it...

and put it together with
hers on the next book.

Kind of a renewal
of our vows.

And you think that's gonna
make a difference?

It's a little too late.
You've pushed her too far, no?

Well, in my experience,

when the train is pulling
out of the station

and you're not on it,
you run twice as fast

and twice as hard to make sure
it doesn't leave without you.

I bet you're damn good
at chess, Bill.

And if we played,

you'd probably have the
whole game figured out

before I even made
my opening gambit.

It's quite possible.

Mm. All this strategizing,
it's exhausting.

You must be really tired.

Plotting every move,

anticipating every countermove
so far into the future

that you completely lose sight

that there's a far easier way
to get what you want.

Which is what?

Tell her how you
feel about her.

But I bet that never
occurred to you, did it, Bill?

Well, guess what.
It occurred to me.

So, I guess that's...
checkmate?

I'm sorry to interrupt.

There's a call for you
from St. Louis, Dr. Masters.

They said it's an emergency.

Well, what time is the flight?

It's about an hour and a half.

You all right?

She's a little shaky.
You should get her home.

Car's out front.

Okay.

I'll take a cab to the airport
as soon as possible.

Good night, Virginia.

That was Betty.
Uh, Libby had to track me down.

Something's happened.
I need to get home.

What is it?
The kids?

I don't know.

Uh, Betty didn't
have the details,

but she has me booked on a flight
that leaves in 90 minutes.

Do you need me
to come with you?

No, no. We left our
things in the hotel.

You should stay the night and
bring them home with you.

All right.

Virginia, I...

I... I want you to know that, uh...

This is not the time, Bill.

We have a cab for you, sir.

Go.

Excuse me, madam.

May we serve you
your dinner?

- All right.
- Very good, madam.

Jacques, uh,
please seat madame

and tell the kitchen
to resume service.

May I?

Thank you.

Vivre mon demain

Mon bonheur te ressemble

Tout les deux,
vous allez si bien ensemble

J't'le dirais Jamais,
Jamais assez

Tout ce que tu fais
m'fais de l'effet

What are you doing here?

I left her.

Alice.
I've left her.

Dan...

I love you,

and I want to spend the rest
of my life with you, Virginia.

I mean it.

?a n'va pas plus loin

J'veux pas voir derri?re

Vivre mon demain

Un dernier verre de sherry

De ch?ri mon amour

Comme je m'ennuie

Tous les jours se
ressemblent ? pr?sent

Tu me manques
t?rriblement