Masters of Sex (2013–2016): Season 3, Episode 4 - Undue Influence - full transcript

Previously on Masters Of Sex...

We began discussing
a potential investor,

Mrs. Johnson and I immediately agreed

that you were the right man for the job.

I'm interested in a fragrance
that says "I want you.

Go to bed with me, you
can't live without me."

- Uh, you want to...?
- To enlist.

I cannot have our son come home

in a flag-draped coffin.

I-I don't...
I don't want to do that.

It's in your mom's book.



Jesus, don't be such a prick tease.

He showed me three apartments.

That is a really big step.

But if I don't do
something about this now,

then that's all it will
ever be, just talk.

You can walk, too, Libby.

Walk away, I mean.

Walk away from my life?

- Like you?
- It's Joy.

And they're calling it
a brain aneurysm.

You need to come work for me.

But I'm happy where I am.

Come where you're wanted, Barton.

Where you're respected.



What's the story?
Married, single?

Uh, married, yes.

"During the first 35 years
of the 20th century,

the publishing houses of America

printed more than a 1/5 of
a million different books.

Most of them were deadly dull.

Many were financial failures.

So why did I have the temerity
to write another book?

And after I had written
it, why should you bother

to read 'How To Win Friends
And Influence People'?"

May I help you find something?

Um, uh, yeah.

I-I was looking for,
uh, "Giles Goat-Boy."

You're in for quite
a treat with this one.

Prepare to have your notions of
the American novel torn asunder.

Excuse me.

I couldn't help but
overhear your conversation,

and I'm quite certain

you're not buying the
book you really wanted.

Buzz off.

Is there something
I can do for you?

Because you've been browsing
for quite a while now.

In fact, there is
something you can do.

Three months ago, my book
"Human Sexual Response"

was in your front window.

Now it is tucked away
behind reference books

in a part of your store that
gets very little foot traffic

and has only got three copies.

Look, if you had a
question about your book,

why not just walk over
to the register and ask?

Because while you
were scaring customers off,

I was working and observing.

And it's clear to me that you
would sell far more copies--

People who have bought
your book tend to call ahead

instead of buying it off the shelves.

So we either have it waiting
for them behind the counter,

or we ship it out.

Now that we settled that,
buy a book or leave.

In fact, Dale Carnegie would
be an excellent choice,

since I'm inclined to believe

that winning friends is
not your strong suit.

Uh...

Where's-- where's your mother?

She's next door.

Helping the Edleys.

Are you gonna go next door, too?

I will.

Not now, but... soon.

I need to stay here to look after you.

So...

Go to bed.

Tessa?

Have you seen my letter from Henry?

I could have sworn I left it
right here on the nightstand.

You did.

Now I'm putting it back
on the nightstand.

So you just--
you took it without asking?

You were asleep.

Besides, you take my
strawberry-meringue lipstick.

As if I would want such a thing.

All right.

So, what do you think?

He doesn't sound good, does he?

The part where he talks
about not feeling well.

That rash and sweating, fever, nausea.

It's 120 degrees there.

Can't you just focus on the part
where he says he found a dog?

Henry always wanted a dog.

"The rain never stops.

And since I chose the wrong MOS,

I keep pulling guard
duty 10 hours a night."

What is MOS?

And what are they guarding?

It's the base.
It's like a little city.

"If I get transferred
to the motor pool,

I'll mostly just be ordering parts,

and occasionally will go along on convoys

to deliver ammo and other supplies."

Do you think that
I could call somebody?

Call about what?

About Henry.

And I told you-- I didn't
take your lipstick.

Can you just drive me to school?

I'm always late when I stay over here.

This was a very
respectable run, Dr. Masters.

15,000 copies is nothing to sniff at.

That's it?

One edition, and--
and our book is done?

How can that be?

We at Little, Brown
feel we will have reached

a saturation point in sales.

Everyone interested in the book

will have likely already purchased it.

What about word of mouth?

Don't you expect that to boost sales?

In fact, I have
a sense that the book

is actually gaining momentum.

You sense it?

Yes.

I've been doing some of my
own research in the field,

where I have seen that
demand for the book is,

if anything, uh, growing.

Well, we are getting
calls almost every week

from medical schools interested
in using it as a textbook.

But not just as textbooks.

The general public has a real
appetite for this material.

Many of them are simply embarrassed

to be seen buying it.

If it's a
question of perception,

perhaps we should change the perception.

Try to get it discussed in
more populist forums--

like women's magazines, for example.

A favorable article or two
isn't gonna make the difference.

As we said from the
start, the only real way

to get readers comfortable with this work

is to get you two out in
front of the rank and file,

the regular folk.

Oh, so we'll go out in
front of the general public,

and you can prepare for a second printing.

But the only way a
second printing is happening

is if the book sells out.

And the only way for the book to sell out

involves a lot more work from you--

more interviews, more lectures,
personal appearances.

Heck, maybe a whole tour of the Midwest.

I cannot put my neck on the line
with Little, Brown headquarters

if you aren't willing to get out
there and pound the pavement.

So, are you two willing to
take this show on the road?

We are. Absolutely.

We'll have to
look at our schedules.

Do you like it?

Mm-hmm.

Tell me.

I like it.

Oh, but--

But what?

The truth, Margaret.

I just want the
kind of sex where...

So we should
keep that appointment.

And Jo?

What do we tell them about Jo?

This is about us, Graham.

Just us.

Ann Arbor is a 10-hour drive.

Betty, we're gonna need
you to follow up with--

The Little, Brown man?
I'm on it.

Hello, hello.

I'm afraid your Lambert Airport
delayed us with the luggage.

Mr. Logan and company.

Allow me to introduce you
to my research assistants.

This is Mary Lynn, Mary Ann, and Trudy.

They've just flown in from New
York with our fragrance samples,

and we are ready to get
straight to work--

after you sign Mary Lynn's book.

All she's talked about since
she stepped on the tarmac.

It would be
an honor, Dr. Masters.

I'm something of a scientist myself.

Oh. What kind of science?

Astrology.

Uh, I don't seem to have a--

I come prepared.

I'm a Virgo.

Uh, Mary Lynn... was it?

"To a fellow intellectual

and woman of science."

And you should know, ladies,

that Mrs. Johnson is the role model

for all young women of
intelligence and ambition.

Degree in psychology, expert in her field,

and she is also eminently gracious.

Being an Aquarius.

Betty!

Uh, is the exam room ready

for Mr. Logan and his backup singers?

Come this way, girls.

I can't make any promises
about the acoustics.

Is Mrs. Edley a turnip?

Johnny keeps saying she's a vegetable.

But vegetables don't sit
in wheelchairs or get dressed.

First of all,
Mrs. Edley is not a vegetable.

And her husband helps her get
dressed, or her caretaker.

But she can't wear
pants anymore, can she?

Of course she can.

Mrs. Edley can wear whatever she wants.

But why is Mrs. Edley like that?

Something went
wrong with her brain.

Can that happen to you?

No.

No, of course not.

I mean, um...

It won't happen to me.

How do you know?

Is daddy gonna have to
dress you every day?

Honey...

I am fine.

I am completely fine.

Nothing is gonna happen to me.

Okay.

How about the
week with Columbus Day?

Mm, Tessa's
off school that week,

which actually makes it worse.

When she's in school, at least
I know where she is all day.

The week after, then.

That is George's
yearly fishing trip,

so I'll have Tessa with me then, too.

Well, Tessa can stay with Libby.

I impose on Libby enough.

So, when exactly
are you available?

I hear a phone ringing somewhere.

Not here.

I'm just trying
to be practical here, Bill.

We can't just drop
everything and hit the road.

We have patients to see.

We have a new investor
breathing down our necks.

Oh, Dan Logan and The Shirelles?

They are not a priority.

Yes, but other things are.

I got another letter
from Henry last night.

And I need to get to the bottom
of what's happened to him.

What's happened to him?

Yes, he says that he's sick--

in his letters.

Sweating, fever, nausea.

Oh, well, those are
all common reactions

to a tropical climate.

Malaria being
another common reaction.

Well, it's possible.

But it's more likely a stomach bug...

or a reaction to anti-malarial pills.

He could have a mild
case of gastroenteritis.

Food poisoning.

The beginnings of ulcerative colitis.

Even a bad sunburn could
produce a similar reaction.

The symptoms are too general
to say anything definitively,

but I wouldn't worry.

I'll stop
worrying as soon as I know.

As for now, let's just
be smart about work.

If we have to tour the Midwest,
we should divide and conquer.

Divide?

What-- you mean tour separately?

Yes. You can
take the further venues,

and I'll take Chesterfield.

Chesterfield is 20 minutes away.

Fine. Then
you take Chesterfield,

and I will hold down the fort here.

Have you read our book, Virginia?

It's by Masters and Johnson.

A collaborative effort by two
writers, one male, one female.

So we're perceived as a team because...

we're a team.

I'm just trying
to be practical, Bill.

"I will quote many
great men in this book,

and one of the greatest,
John D Rockefeller, said,

'The ability to deal with people

is as purchasable a commodity
as sugar or coffee.'

And that ability to deal with people

comes down to one all-important
law of human conduct.

If we obey this law, we shall
almost never get into trouble."

I'm turning in now.

Good night.

Yes.

Good night, Lib.

"In fact, if obeyed,

this will bring us countless
friends and constant happiness.

The law is this--

always make the other
person feel important."

Your wife is going to be thrilled.

You made an excellent choice.

Especially for a fur virgin.

It's just a term we use

for a man who's never bought a fur before.

Yes, well...

I'm not prone to extravagant gestures.

But sometimes it's important to, um...

to demonstrate how-- how
much you appreciate someone.

And...

I'd like to thank you for
your assistance today...

Elsa.

Why aren't you dressed?

Is that another letter from Henry?

No, it's not another
letter from Henry.

Well, then
why are you hiding it?

What happened?

I got suspended from school.

For cutting class...
starting today.

Feel better?

Pay attention to what she tells you.

Okay.

She's just going to be
alphabetizing files...

and helping with the rolodex cards.

What's that?

I don't understand.

Just-- just open it, Virginia.

Do you like it?

I-I don't know what to say.

Do you know what John Dewey said?

"Every great advance in science

has issued from a new
audacity of imagination."

Uh, sorry. John... Dewey?

My point, Virginia, is...

you have been that and more.

You have been audacious, tireless,

dedicated, and brilliant.

And it's only fitting that you
should have a token of...

well, of-- of my appreciation...

of you.

10:00. First victim's up.

Betty, there is a
reason knocking was invented!

Betty, uh, what about Barton?

Out for the day...

as planned.

You can try it on later.

Of course, I've
followed all your triumphs.

Graham will tell you.

Any mention of
you two in the papers

she clips and puts by my morning coffee.

Well, we do go way back, Margaret.

And you do look wonderful.

She's certainly not
the woman I met a year ago.

You've blossomed like a flower, Magpie.

I'd like to think
it was because of me

that's made a difference.

But what really happened
is, she's met herself.

Sounds silly put that way.

Well, it doesn't matter
how it sounds if it's the truth.

Aww.

Graham is teaching me not
to care what people think.

He didn't understand why I took pains

to come on Barton's day off.

Well, it's been--

it's been three years since the divorce.

So, Barton is aware
that you've remarried?

Oh, no.

Graham and I aren't--
I mean, maybe one day.

So, you're, uh, living together?

Yes, and enjoying
each other day by day.

My old self
would be scandalized.

My new self is, um...

Following your path.

Yes.

Are you familiar with the
works of William Glasser?

Reality therapy?

Graham and I met in a workshop, and...

Reality therapy
is about personal choice,

personal responsibility,
personal transformation.

And it's helped me not be afraid

to tell Graham what I need...

um, including in bed.

Which brings us to you.

I, um, a li-- I'm a little
quick off the starting block.

What am I saying?

- No euphemisms.
- Right.

I have been
ejaculating prematurely.

You can help
with that, can't you?

And for the two of you, sex is?

It depends. Sometimes
I can last a minute or two,

and sometimes it's over
before I enter her.

And does she
physically stimulate you

in any way prior to intercourse?

There's no need.

Once we begin, I'm--
I'm ready to go.

A little too ready.

And Margaret?

It can take me a while.

And Graham doesn't
satisfy you in other ways?

He wants to. He tries to.

But I want it to happen with us together,

looking into each other's eyes.

You think I've read too
many romance novels.

Well, simultaneous
orgasm is a romantic notion,

but it's not the norm.

But it's happened for
us before, in the beginning.

And I think with help,
we could get back to that.

Is this-- I don't know.
Is this what you do?

Is this-- you rehash the past?

Because I don't particularly
like to look back.

"What are you going to do about
your life beginning today?"

Is what Glasser would
have us ask ourselves.

The only thing that matters
is right now.

The past may hold some answers.

Well, I've spent most of my life

trying to make my two ex-wives

and a handful of girlfriends happy.

And looking back on it now,

I don't-- I don't even
think I liked them.

But I-I like this one...

because she doesn't want
to look backwards, either.

Now, if you have some
practical advice to offer--

We do.

Our treatment involves, uh,

a system of physical
reconditioning that allows a man

to regain control of his
ejaculatory response.

But if simultaneity
weren't always the goal?

It's only good
when it's us together.

That's a tall order.

In the beginning,
oh, our bodies fit together.

We-- we were attuned to
each other so acutely.

The pleasure was more than physical.

It was...

you'll laugh, but spiritual.

I've never had that before.

I don't want to give
up on having it again.

Uh, Dr. Scully!

That's my name.
Don't wear it out.

Oh, what are you
doing here on your day off?

I'm here to see a patient.

Oh, no, you're not.

Uh, not in my book.

And my book's the only one that counts.

So scoot. Out.

Barton.

Margaret.

Hello.

Are-- are you here to see me?

N-no.

Actually...

Margaret, um...

So, what happens next?

We-- we switch?

Oh, I-I see.

Uh...

You must be...

This is Graham Pennington.

This is my husband, Barton Scully.

- Oh, your ex-husband.
- Oh, yeah.

I say it sometimes, too.

"My wife."

Well, I'm keeping you all

from something very important, I'm sure.

So, uh, I'll just, uh...

I'll just...

Oh, his pants
were hanging off him.

Did you see? Has he been sick?

He's fine.

Why has he stopped wearing hats?

He's prone to colds, you know.

Margaret.

I'm-- I'm sorry.

How long has it been?

Since we signed the papers.

Barton insisted we cut off contact.

I thought he was being selfish
and protecting himself,

and then I--

I realized it was his way of
letting me make a new life.

Which you seem to have done.

Have I?

Falling in love with another
man where sex is...

Well, Graham and Barton
have very different issues.

Premature ejaculation is
not an indication of...

lack of attraction to the opposite sex.

So you know.

I've known for some time.

Two men, Bill.

Two men with sexual dysfunctions.

I...

I think it's got to be me.

Margaret, I'm sure Graham

could reassure you that he desires women.

Well, that would require him

knowing the truth, why
my marriage ended...

Why I insist on face-to-face sex...

Why I can't do anything to him orally...

Why I need him to see me, my body.

Margaret, I understand your need

to protect Barton's privacy,

but surely you can tell
Graham in confidence.

Have you told anyone?

I told him some version
of what I told Vivian--

that-- that I had...

other men...

That the divorce was my fault.

And as a result, my own daughter
wants nothing to do with me.

But I tell myself, in time,
Vivian will forgive me.

But if she knows her
father sleeps with men,

Barton will lose her forever.

But it haunts me,
carrying around a secret

that doesn't belong to me
and isn't mine to tell.

I can't see
anything to worry about.

A little breakthrough bleeding

is entirely normal with the pill.

You're sure?

It's-- it's not the sign of a--

a blood clot or a vascular problem?

That's an odd question.

It's just, um...

my neighbor had a stroke--
or an aneurysm.

I'm not exactly sure
what the difference is.

And it's, um, awful.

I guess I just got frightened.

Have I made you come in for nothing?

It's no problem, really.

I mean, working here has been a refuge.

Well, most days.

And bringing new life into the world...

Nothing beats that.

Yes, of course.

Well, with all the trouble I had,

I-I know exactly what that's like.

You know, that's
why, uh, I was surprised

when you said you were on the pill.

I mean, all the single
girls are on the pill now.

Married ones, too.

Many with boyfriends on the side.

Oh!

In my job, you see everything, of course.

I was having cramps, and
it helps keep my cycle regular.

I'm surprised

that you couldn't talk
to Bill about all this.

I think it's nicer
for a husband and wife

to maintain a little mystery in that area.

Don't you agree?

For your mom, if it's
a business card like this,

it's okay to staple.

And voilã.

She's a rebel, your mom.

She's a guard at a labor camp.

Oh, she's doing the right thing

making you come in here and work.

When I got suspended, my
mom didn't even care,

didn't even notice.

And, believe me,
no good came from that.

All right. For these, all caps,
last name, comma, first.

So...

She bring her boyfriends around here?

My mom?

What boyfriends?

Come on. You've met them.

Him.

The latest one.

I'm not so sure he's a keeper.

Look at you, going
on a fishing expedition.

What about you, huh?

When do I get to meet your boyfriend?

"International lubricants."

See, this is why I can't bring
Matt anywhere near this place.

Why can't these people

just figure out this sex
stuff on their own?

Well, thanks to your
mom, they don't have to,

which is a big plus, trust me.

In my day, people understood the
plumbing in their bathrooms

better than their own ducts and pipes.

What do you really need to know?

As long as you're being careful.

Oh, you know all about that, huh?

You and Matt?

Better than my mom.

What Matt and I do won't leave
you with a crying Baby Lisa

that keeps you up all night long.

That's why I'm
calling you, Sergeant Ivey,

because there isn't anybody else.

Oh, I see. I see.

So, once you reel them in,

you have no interest in
any follow-up whatsoever?

Despite sending boys 8,000
miles away into some jungle?

Yes.

Yes, I do see.

And thank you not at all.

So, we're ready in the testing room.

Got 12 scents,

six of which aren't even
commercially available yet.

You're not listening to a
word of this, are you?

I'm sorry. I...

I have a sick child.

Hm.

So you need to go home?

No. I have a
sick child in Vietnam.

He's serving in the army.

He sent me a letter, and I'm
worried that he has malaria.

Well, like you said, he
is in the middle of a jungle.

You were listening
to my phone call?

Certain decibel levels do carry.

But you're right.

He likely does have malaria-- or dengue.

I served in the Pacific.
Came down with both myself.

- Really?
- Mm-hmm.

So, could you tell
me what this sounds like?

Mm-hmm.

Now, I'm no doctor, and these
symptoms seem fairly general,

but if this is malaria
and it's bad enough,

they could toss him out
on medical discharge.

Really?

Is that really true?

It is.

I'll tell you what.

Let me get on the horn,
talk to some people I know,

see if I can find some
more information for you.

Now, I can't promise anything,
but it's worth a shot.

Hmm?

Please don't say that
if you don't actually mean it.

If this is just you being charming

and you have no intention of
actually helping me here--

I wish there had been someone

to help my mother when I was overseas.

That's all I'm offering, Virginia.

We need two questionnaires
in the conference room.

Mrs. Scully and Mr. Pennington
need a follow-up appointment.

And have we finalized the tour dates?

Uh... that's a real
bugaboo, that book tour.

Which days has Virginia agreed to?

So far, zero.

Betty, it is your job

to pin Virginia down on these dates.

It is your job to get her
to commit to a schedule.

She's a grown woman with her own--

Do you know what JP Morgan said?

I don't. We're not close.

"A person has two
reasons for doing something.

One that sounds good..."

And the real reason.

You've been reading Dale Carnegie.

What? That's...

Don't-- Ridiculous.

I know that book by heart.

Dale's a local boy. Our
paths crossed back when...

It's a long story.

But it has come in very handy
many times in dealing with you.

The point I'm trying to make is--

Is that people have a
real reason for doing something.

They also have a real reason
for not doing something.

Yes.

So when it comes to Virginia,

let me give you some real reasons

for her not doing something.

She has an infant with a babysitter

who can't keep out of the liquor cabinet,

she's got a teenager
suspended for cutting class,

and she's got a son fighting
in a war 8,000 miles away.

Does that sound like someone
about to drop everything

and go on a book tour of the Midwest?

Virginia's babysitter's drinking?

Know what else my friend Dale says?

3/4 of the people you will meet

are hungering and thirsting for sympathy.

Give it to them, and they will love you.

I'm here because I'm suspended.

Yes, your mother told me.

I only hope it's not for drinking...

because if this is starting
to be a pattern with you,

having witnessed it firsthand...

It's not a pattern.

And what do you care, anyway?

I care because... your
mother is overextended.

She can barely take care
of her many obligations

without you adding more press--
Tessa.

Tessa, I'm talking to you.

I see Dale's book is
really working its magic on you.

By the way, we need to cancel our
subscription of Doll Parade.

It's the stimulation of
last resort for the fellas

when they're, you know, donating.

Go on, rip off the wrapper
and see what the problem is.

Why is a girl in a bathing
suit wrapped in brown paper?

'Cause it's good for circulation.

But the magazine itself, it's a dog.

The guys need more skin.

So I'm canceling it.

Hello?

Um, I brought some dinner
for you and Joy...

Unless the caretaker--

No, I fired the caretaker.

It looks like you
had good reason to.

No, not really.

I was just, um, watching her
get Joy dressed this morning,

and it occurred to me that, um,
Joy's birthday is next week.

So I thought, "What should I do?

Should I plan a party
or buy her a present?"

And then suddenly I...

All I wanted was that nurse gone.

I just wanted to be alone
with her, just the two of us.

I understand.

Um, that must be--

It's a nightmare.
That's what it is.

And you want to know the real truth? Um...

I don't see why I should
buy Joy anything...

'cause she's already gone.

It's like she's dead.

It's like sitting here day and night...

with a corpse.

A corpse?

What a terrible thing to say.

Joy is sitting right here.

You have no idea what she knows

or what she feels or cares or-- or hears.

For you to just write her
off like that is criminal.

Joy is the woman that you
married all these years ago,

and you have to remember and
honor who she is-- still.

Treat her with the same dignity
and respect that you always did.

We're gonna give her a bath...

Together...

Now.

Whew.

Your elevator's out.

I was worried you weren't eating enough.

Now I understand those
four flights of stairs

are what's keeping you so thin.

Beef bourguignon.

May I come in?

Of course.

Sorry. I'm not much of a housekeeper.

As if that's news to me.

It's very... pleasant.

"Pleasant."

That word.

Whenever we'd go to a restaurant
and you didn't like your meal,

you'd always smile and
say, "It's very pleasant."

Well, this time I mean it's pleasant.

Knowing you, I was worried you'd
take the first place you saw.

This was the first place.

Why don't I put that in the fridge?

Why don't I
put it in the fridge,

and you make us a drink?

Your gentleman
friend seems very nice.

Quite a firm handshake.

Sorry about how that happened.

I'll be honest--
I'm not sure what to think,

given you and this man

have cause to see Bill
and Virginia already.

Has it occurred to you that you
might not be ideally suited?

And how long
should Graham and I

wait to address our
sexual issues, Barton?

30 years?

No, of course not.

I just want you to be happy, Margaret.

Well, I actually think I've found a way.

And it starts with telling
the truth about everything.

Who's J?

J?

All those dishes
in the refrigerator

with instructions taped to them--

"Reheat in a 350-degree oven
for 15 minutes. Love, J"?

Who's J?

Mm. Is it a man?

"J" is Judith.

She lives in the building. She
leaves me dinner sometimes.

And notes with hearts.

It doesn't mean
anything, Margaret.

Not to you, perhaps,
but what do you mean to her?

We're friends. We
enjoy each other's company.

I took her to dinner on New Year's.

We play Cribbage.

Does she know?

About you?

You mean what kind of man I am?

That I'm the kind who can't
cook, who can't keep house,

who, after a failed marriage of 30 years

is grateful for the friendship
of a-- a nice middle-aged woman

who occasionally stops by with meatloaf

and stays to watch "Perry Mason"?

And after "Perry Mason"?

Not that it's any
of your business, Margaret,

but we're not having a
sexual relationship.

Well, neither were you and I.

Now, I understand why you can't
be honest with your daughter,

and I pay the price every
time I call Vivian

and she hangs up on me,

but this woman, this new woman,
she deserves to know the truth.

She deserves to know what kind
of future she can expect.

You're out of line, Margaret.

Why?

Why are you the only one
who gets a choice in this?

What are you talking about?
You moved on.

With-- with what's-his-name.

Well, then let
me tell him the truth.

Let me tell him why our marriage ended.

How I choose to conduct
my private life is my business,

and mine only.

Barton, what have you and I

learned through all of our pain

if you're lying to a woman
who cares about you

and I can't tell Graham

why sex is the only way I
know that he loves me?

Tell Judith.

Let me tell Graham.

You're asking too much, Margaret.

I'm sorry.

Oh, for the love of God...

Nice to see you again, Leslie.

Really?

'Cause I'm not sure it's so nice at all.

I do think we can agree

that a little controversy
can be a good thing.

Can't it?

Drive sales.

Certainly didn't hurt "Women
In Love" or "Lolita," did it?

If you're comparing
those books to your book,

your book isn't dirty.

Believe me, I read your book
before I agreed to stock it.

You're absolutely correct.

But what if people thought it were?

What I'm proposing is that
you take every last copy

you have left,

wrap it up in plain brown paper,

and create a display for the front window.

And?

And watch.

With no sign, no explanation,

curiosity will get the better of people.

You tell someone he can't have something,

suddenly it's all he wants.

Next thing, people are in the
store asking a question,

making a purchase.

With all due respect,

you're a scientist, not a salesman.

Just test me and-- and see.

Try it.

And if it doesn't lead
to increased sales, I'll, um...

I'll buy every last copy.

"Wouldn't you like a magic
phrase to stop arguments,

end ill feelings, create goodwill,

and make the other person feel better?

Yes? All right, here it is.

Say, 'I don't blame you one
iota for feeling as you do.

I understand how you feel.'"

I've been meaning to come over, Paul.

I wanted you to know that,
uh, I looked into it,

and in neurology, Dolan is the best.

There's no one better.

I-I understand how you feel.

You can't
begin to know how I feel.

My life is over.

It's just fucking over.

There's nothing left.

I have nothing left.

You're home early.

Uh, yes.

I, uh...

I'll, uh-- I'll
have dinner shortly.

I was thinking today, um,

about when you were first
named head of the department

at Maternity.

You-- you thought the
position had gone to Carlisle,

and then they handed you the job.

Yes. That was, um...

a long time ago.

And you wanted to celebrate.

We wanted, the two of us,
to celebrate together...

because you said that I had been--

I remember you used the
word "instrumental"

in helping you win the job.

You were instrumental.

Do you remember what you did?

I... took us out to dinner.

I think I-I bought

the most expensive bottle
of champagne on the list.

It's the army.

They like to keep you waiting,
remind you who's in charge.

Well, I had no idea

that we would be waiting for two hours.

I'm sorry. I know I dragged you here.

You didn't. I volunteered.

And my assistants can hold down the fort.

You mean Snap, Crackle, and Pop?

God, you are so like her...

A girl I used to know.

Here it comes again.

The old Dan Logan charm.

Again, my apologies.

That wasn't a line, by the way.

It's true.

She had dark hair like you.

And a brother who hadn't
made it home from France.

I met her at a USO dance.

You were probably still in grade school.

I used to go to USO dances.

Oh, so you are old
enough to remember?

Barely.

I was 18, when it ended.

She was the only girl in the
room I wanted to dance with.

But I hadn't been to
Arthur Murray at that point,

and the dance floor was crowded.

Nearly broke the poor thing's ankle.

But she just laughed.

She put her arms around my neck

and made me carry her off the dance floor.

She told me later she liked
being the center of attention.

Didn't care what anyone else thought.

There's something very...

intoxicating about a woman like that.

What happened to her?

I still had six months
before I shipped out.

We didn't let the time go to waste.

And after the war?

After the war, it
was back to real life.

And back to
the girlfriend at home.

Back to my wife.

But that girl...

- Did you love her?
- Very much.

Then how does a man

just walk away back to his fiancã©e?

Wife.

Maybe you were afraid.

Afraid that if you ran off with that...
dazzling girl...

that you would never really measure up.

If that's how you
want your story to end.

But I never gave her the chance

to see that the Dan Logan
charm wears thin...

or so I'm told.

And your wife?

Is still my wife.

And still none the wiser.

No.

Much wiser.

He's ready for you.

I had the worst day imaginable.

I didn't know who else to call.

I'm glad you called.

Matt...

Okay.

So, what happened today?

It was awful.

Did you get suspended again?

I found out something...

really bad about my mother.

Did you find one of
those dildos in her bedroom?

Did you walk in on her with some guy?

Please tell me that you read
some weird fantasy in her diary.

You know what, Matt?

I'm really not in the mood
to talk about it after all.

Geez.

Tessa.

You want to talk,
you don't want to talk.

I mean, I'm trying here.

But make up your mind.

My mind's already made up.

So, why don't you undo your belt,

and I'll put my mouth on you?

Yeah?

Why not?

You obviously misunderstood me.

We had an agreement. And that was--

I understood the agreement.

And I did it.

And then it worked, just as you said.

You've sold out?

Every last copy.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I just can't-- I can't go home yet.

I don't want my daughter
to see me like this.

Well, at least he
doesn't have malaria.

Oh, and alcohol
poisoning is better?

Sweating, nausea.

Why don't they just call
it "drank himself stupid"?

Well, kids are stupid at that age,

and he's on his own for the first time--

Exactly.

A boy who can't even hold his liquor

has now volunteered for a combat unit?

And they let him?

Why didn't they call me? Tell me?

He's 18.

Henry promised me

that he would not take a combat position.

We had a deal that he would
scrub latrines, do laundry.

Just 'cause he's in a combat unit

doesn't mean he's not gonna be okay.

You don't know him.

Henry cried when Bambi's mother died.

He used to hide under the
covers during thunderstorms.

But he's a soldier now.

And you know what a soldier does?

He gets through the day.

That's it.

He wakes up, makes his bed, eats
his breakfast, does his work.

He doesn't wonder what's
gonna happen tomorrow.

He doesn't look around the bend
to see what's coming next week.

He lives one moment to the next,

and at the end of the day, goes to bed.

And when he wakes up in the morning,

he does it all over again...

because anything else
is either speculation

or suffering a future pain
that will likely never happen.

One second after another--

that's how I got through the war.

That's how your son's
getting through the war.

And that's how you'll
get through this war...

'cause it's the only way.

...alone in this house
if you aren't married.

Well, it's a family home,
and I'm the last of the family.

The dishes are in the rack.

That lovely beef stew saved for leftovers.

Who did you say made that for you?

One of the girls at the office.

They, uh...

Why don't I walk you up to your apartment?

Or...

I left some extra food out for the cat.

I don't think she'd miss me too
much if I stayed the night.

Oh, I'm sorry. I've shocked you.

No, no.

Not at all.

I don't know how to say this,

but I think I owe it to you to be honest.

You're still in
love with your ex-wife.

No, that's not, uh...

No.

There were...

some difficulties in our marriage,

problems that still exist with me.

I'm, uh...

Uh...

I'm on medication...

for high blood pressure.

Comes with certain side effects.

Oh, I see.

I haven't wanted to tell you

because I've been enjoying
your company so much.

And, uh, nowadays,

women seem to think that
sex is so important.

Yep.

Not all women.

Oh!

Do I have the wrong night?

It's...

Thursday.

I'm sorry, Jo.

I thought it was Friday.

Is that nightie new?

It looks pretty on you.

Doesn't it, Graham?

Come here.

Sleep well, Magpie.

You too.

Both of you.

Lights on or off?

Off, please.

Hello?

Hello?

Bill.

Uh...

I'm sorry, but tonight's
not really a good night.

Tessa's here.

Oh, I-I know.

I-I just wanted to--
wanted to talk to you.

- About?
- Some good news.

Uh, Little, Brown have agreed
to a second run of our book.

That's fantastic.

Does that mean that we are
moving ahead with the tour?

Uh, actually, the more
I thought about the tour,

the more I realized it may
not be, uh, the best time

for you to be on the road.

Uh, well, it's not ideal.

So instead, we're gonna
try a new marketing strategy--

wrapping the books in brown paper.

It's a way of eliciting
curiosity from the public...

Selling the book as
something mysterious...

Illicit, even.

Really?

Why I'm really
here, though, is, um...

Uh, to talk to you about Henry.

Have you heard anything more?

Maybe we could call someone.

You know-- to get a definitive answer.

Actually, I've
already taken care of it.

It's not what I thought it was.

So he's-- he's not sick.

Well, that-- that's-- that's good news.

Uh, also, I've, um...

I realized that, um...

that this gift-- the coat, I mean--

was a surprise to you...

and an odd gesture-- for me, anyway...

Fur being the kind of thing a-a man...

uh, buys for his wife.

Um...

You know, to be honest, I...

I-I was reading this, uh, silly book.

A huge best-seller, of course.

An advice book that goes
about as deep as a thimble.

Um, you can't believe the things
on the bookshelves these--

Um, all that aside...

I meant what I said.

None of our success would
have happened without you.

So why-- why shouldn't you wear something

that makes you feel good?

It's gorgeous, Bill...

and so generous.

But I...

Look, tonight we have
several things to celebrate--

the second run of our book,
Henry now malaria-free.

So I-I was wondering, have you eaten?

No.

Can I take you to dinner?

All right.

Good.

There's, uh, kind of a chill in the air.

If only you had a coat.