Murphy Brown (1988–2018): Season 2, Episode 15 - Subpoena Envy - full transcript
Nahum did you see his eyes shift mr.
Olsen I have a lease agreement showing
that ships involved in toxic dumping off
New Jersey can be traced back through
dummy corporations to you here at Rico
chemical lease agreements obtained from
an anonymous source within your company
source never expected a source you see
that bead of sweat right here see it boy
I could look at this all day
did you use any time for lunch my golly
you're right oh I see you're all jealous
okay fine you'll just have to wait to
see it on the Emmys excuse me miss Brown
oh boy here we go again okay first of
all you're 20 minutes late not a good
sign on your first day and if you are
any of the following a smoker a
manic-depressive a trivia expert a nest
graduate a fan of Donald Trump or a
collector of Nazi memorabilia this isn't
going to work
I'm not here to work for you thanks God
you've been subpoenaed to testify before
a grand jury what I love your show bye
Justice Department is starting an
investigation into Reiko chemicals want
me to testify they're after my source
I've been subpoenaed you brought honor
to all of us at FYI I'm so proud of you
you call yourselves Newsies a problem
here Murphy you can't tell them your
source of course not I have to uphold
the cause of journalistic integrity and
protect the freedom of the press but if
you refuse to testify you to go to jail
Asians Murph I'm happy for you
what's this drink do I detect a little
subpoena Envy I can't help it it's
something I've always wanted the
accolades the media coverage not to
mention the dinner they throw for you at
the Press Club can I smell it
guys I'd hate to rain on the parade but
don't you think we might be jumping the
gun here I mean how many journalists
really go to jail anymore who's the
judge Norman Whitley chauvinistic
conservative sexist I'm in
are you evil will do anything to get out
of this a great send-off could've been
me this party could have been from me
we'll stop it Frank it's getting old
Murphy I met with legal they're putting
together a strong appeal they assure me
they will have you out in a couple of
hours hey don't spring me too fast give
me time to down some chow and a mess
hall it'll play better on Council you
people are so strange I am sorry but I
hate the idea of you being in prison
Murphy they'll call you names like fish
and squeal and then some cool matron
will throw you into this big cement room
hard and embittered woman and chances
are by then I'll be more interested in
you car key
mr. Fredricksen you can't just show up
here it's very dangerous I know but I
had to talk to in my office
mr. Fredricksen an anonymous source
shouldn't be showing up in a reporter's
office I know but I heard they were
gonna throw you in jail until you reveal
who I am is that true
well yes but it's all part of the job it
gets a little dirty sometimes a little
rough but what can I say Ms Brown when I
brought that evidence I didn't think it
lands you in the pen I'm not gonna let
that happen
I'm gonna go to that judge and come
forward right now hey let's not be rash
about this mr. Fenner if you come
forward your days and shipping and
handling would be over I know but didn't
you tell me you were up for a promotion
well you can kiss that goodbye but put
you in jail doesn't seem like the right
thing to do right what could be more
right than providing for your family
your lovely wife Brenda wasn't it and
how many children did you say you had
four five one one no siblings to rely on
your child needs you mr. Fredricksen now
why don't you just let me take the rap
on this one really this is my job this
is what I'm paid to do well I suppose
you're right of course I'm right now why
don't you go back to work and stop
worrying about me I'll be fine as brown
you are a remarkable woman I will never
forget this oh go on
and this is our recreation center this
is where ladies like to socialize when
they're not involved in other activities
ah wait a minute I think there's been a
mistake I was supposed to be transported
to a prison nestled brook is a federal
minimum security facility the board of
Corrections thought that because of who
you are you'd be much safer here than in
a county lockup look I don't mean to
complain ivy but supposed to be doing a
hard time you know the pen of the river
in the big house oh that's cute actually
you'll be in bungalow 3 it's past the
tennis courts and just before the pool
well I guess that's everything dinner is
at 6:00 in the Monticello room
hello hello yes Sherman Murphy Brown so
what are you in for insider trading
Sydney Lewis eight counts of
embezzlement I didn't do it I wish you'd
stop introducing me that way back it was
a setup I didn't do it
Murphy I believe we met once
Millicent Bain right congresswoman Bain
you siphoned half a million dollars from
a school bond and do you reelect ssin
campaign yes well that was a long time
ago long before I knew the Lord
and why are you here Murphy oh it's a
First Amendment case I'll just be here
for a couple of hours long enough to
have my press conference you'll be
hearing about it soon so what's the
story on this place well uh women are
committing more and more white-collar
crime isn't it wonderful
we're finally starting up the economic
ladder we've come a long way baby
believe it my summer camp was rougher
than this place well perhaps you didn't
realize we also have jobs around here
it's considered a major part of our
rehabilitation yeah I work in a
videotape library no one rewinds they're
such animals
it's crochet look do you want to join us
for making lap ropes for a nearby
convalescent home it's just a little
thing we do to give something back to
society gee I think I'll take a pass
I've got to prepare for my interviews so
I'll just leave you to your arts and
crafts maybe you want to knit a shovel
and dig your way out of here
this can't be the right place there's an
ice sculpture class on the front lawn
for God's sake June you must have come
from my press conference we've come to
lend you a moral support Murphy you'll
understand if I don't look up I've never
been in a prison before and I'm trying
to deal with my fear and disgust
this is nice kind of puts a damper on
the martyr thing do you mind so where's
the press setting up not in front of the
tennis courts I hope funny thing they're
not showing up what talk about your bad
timing
those First Amendment stories are hot
this week seems that a performance arts
student in Arkansas did an erotic
interpretation of the Last Supper the
university pulled his grant he's suing
so so a naked Pontius Pilate makes
better copy than an anchorwoman doing
time in the faculty lounge at Bryn Mawr
please Murphy how can you defend the
Constitution in a prison that serves
breathe Edward Amuro never ate three hey
I'm sorry how do you think I feel I'm
sitting here with the committee to free
Ivan Boesky looking at the floor Corki I
can't help it I love your carpet boy
this really stinks come on let's get out
of here Oh Murphy my appeal did come
through well it's not gonna be much
longer Murphy that darn legal system
it's just a little trickier than we
thought oh wow they've got one of those
stri masters one of those
miles I don't want to stay here
they make us get up at 7:00 we have to
make our beds I have a roommate who has
an autographed picture we all know
Helmsley on the one
Murphy all you can do is try to be
patient and top it out this is great
let's see what this does
I hate this place Oh Murphy
it is horrible here I might have to use
the sauna after this
you don't understand this place isn't
what it seems tomorrow they're gonna
give me a job
oh come on Murphy how bad get a job here
be
I'm sorry the warden can't be disturbed
yes I can take a message
could you talk a little slower please I
don't know shorthand reprieve wait a
minute that doesn't look right i before
e hey slow down okay I did ask you
nicely and now I'm telling you slow down
hello governor Murphy yes warden perhaps
you'd care to explain this to me it's
that letter you asked me to type I made
a few changes
Murphy you do not punch up a lead on a
letter revoking someone's parole look at
these typos there there there
you've been doing this for a week now
you're still not getting it what exactly
is your problem well it's not so easy
trying to type something when someone is
constantly interrupting you with phone
calls to be made and pestering you for
files she could easily get herself
perhaps you'd rather spend the rest of
your time here gutting trout in the
kitchen
hey there chain gang girl
here's that change of clothes you wanted
finally give it this is nice I
particularly like that color selection
for the East Wing move dusk excellent
choice
what is this
I found it in the back of your closet
behind all those boxy suits you always
were I don't know why it'll wear more
often it was a Halloween costume from
ten years ago I went as a hooker I asked
you prepared a always men hate pantyhose
you walk in the bathroom the first thing
you see these two sugary little legs
hanging over the shower rod like
creatures that are alive you look away
but it's too late
the mood is gone Elvin I want you to go
back to my house and bring me something
I can wear without being mistaken for
Jessica hi I can see your rehabilitation
still has a long way to go I'd like to
leave oh and don't feel you have to
hurry home because I took up the
floorboards in your foyer and I don't
think you can make the jump obviously
we'll need to review the intercom
procedure but first I am still waiting
for that letter
I'll need lunch reservations for 1:30
and get me a first cup of coffee this
one is stale
hello mr. Fredricksen this is Murphy
Brown okay you know we have a talk since
that day you came by the office and I
thought maybe you'd like to stop by for
a little visit and we could just you
know chat they say you can say that
sandy
just give me boardwalk which one very
large very red hotel which makes the
rent thousand dollars listen
Murphy maybe we can cut some sort of a
deal I had to liquidate my hard assets
to fight off this hostile takeover
Marvin gardens well excuse me I was just
trying to thin our economies bloated
middle management inside trader dope in
an inside track
a minute Sydney what do you think you're
doing nothing I was just making change
just making change my eye you're
skimming money from the bank and you're
real good at that aren't you
I didn't do it okay congresswoman I'll
take your railroad and we're even a
little bailout from the private sector
roll the dice Beth just give me mu I'm
out
me too me too quitters yes mr.
Fredricksen I came as soon as I could so
this is where they put you it's nice
don't be fooled mr. Fredricksen it's
still a jail and I'm a prisoner stripped
of my personal freedoms do you mind
Edna we'd like a little privacy here's
why I asked you here mr. Fredricksen we
have a little problem we do yeah you
know when we decided you shouldn't come
forward to testify it made sense but
that was many many days ago and now I
heard they're having trouble bringing an
indictment against Rako it looks like
the bad guys are winning that doesn't
seem fair no it doesn't we need to do
something do you have any ideas mr.
Fredricksen no not really
okay well looks like we should just sort
through this and see if we can't come up
with something now I guess I could cave
in and give your name to the judge but
now that would be turning my back on
freedom of the press so that leaves us
with what
what hey you know what this is starting
to sound like I think your original
instinct was right
you can come forward and nail these guys
really nail them
doesn't that sound right no not coming
forward was the best thing I ever did
that that promotion that we talked about
well I got it plus the a company car
into four weeks vacation and and with
the salary that they gave me I got some
new power tools and and a brand new
stereo system it's not as nice as the
one you've got here but it's nice but if
you don't come forward nothing will
change I'll still be here waiting Miss
Brown I know that is the one thing that
has been bothering my conscience now
that I see this I mean this is really
nice it's not what it seems
last night my cable went out I'm sorry
Ms Brown I know that my testifying would
speed things up for you but but I've
come too far to do that I hope you
understand
you're by this Brown no I don't
understand hey get back here you you
little rat
snitch Stewie
our son will calm out
bet your bottom dollar event tomorrow
they'll be
two more just remember when you speak to
keep your voice down you don't want to
startle her
Murphy Murphy grandpa I have good news
happy news the judge heard your appeal
and granted your release he ruled that
your First Amendment rights outweighed
the courts need for the information do
you understand
it's over after all these weeks I'm free
I can't believe it come on Murphy I'm
taking you home I have to say goodbye to
some people
well I'm getting out just like I said
goodbye
you know we've shared some pretty hard
times together but I believe that when
you look back on this you'll come to
understand that my time here meant
something freedom of the press is not
just an abstract principle it's the
backbone of our society I believe it was
Oliver Wendell Holmes who once said the
dam blocking the TV I'm ready to go now
miles well warden looks like I'm getting
out of this stinking toilet oh no you're
not
we have a problem a big problem what oh
I think you know your was $45 in late
videotape charges
hey're miles $45 are you kidding
you can buy a brand-new tape for half
that I think you should wait this
Olsen I have a lease agreement showing
that ships involved in toxic dumping off
New Jersey can be traced back through
dummy corporations to you here at Rico
chemical lease agreements obtained from
an anonymous source within your company
source never expected a source you see
that bead of sweat right here see it boy
I could look at this all day
did you use any time for lunch my golly
you're right oh I see you're all jealous
okay fine you'll just have to wait to
see it on the Emmys excuse me miss Brown
oh boy here we go again okay first of
all you're 20 minutes late not a good
sign on your first day and if you are
any of the following a smoker a
manic-depressive a trivia expert a nest
graduate a fan of Donald Trump or a
collector of Nazi memorabilia this isn't
going to work
I'm not here to work for you thanks God
you've been subpoenaed to testify before
a grand jury what I love your show bye
Justice Department is starting an
investigation into Reiko chemicals want
me to testify they're after my source
I've been subpoenaed you brought honor
to all of us at FYI I'm so proud of you
you call yourselves Newsies a problem
here Murphy you can't tell them your
source of course not I have to uphold
the cause of journalistic integrity and
protect the freedom of the press but if
you refuse to testify you to go to jail
Asians Murph I'm happy for you
what's this drink do I detect a little
subpoena Envy I can't help it it's
something I've always wanted the
accolades the media coverage not to
mention the dinner they throw for you at
the Press Club can I smell it
guys I'd hate to rain on the parade but
don't you think we might be jumping the
gun here I mean how many journalists
really go to jail anymore who's the
judge Norman Whitley chauvinistic
conservative sexist I'm in
are you evil will do anything to get out
of this a great send-off could've been
me this party could have been from me
we'll stop it Frank it's getting old
Murphy I met with legal they're putting
together a strong appeal they assure me
they will have you out in a couple of
hours hey don't spring me too fast give
me time to down some chow and a mess
hall it'll play better on Council you
people are so strange I am sorry but I
hate the idea of you being in prison
Murphy they'll call you names like fish
and squeal and then some cool matron
will throw you into this big cement room
hard and embittered woman and chances
are by then I'll be more interested in
you car key
mr. Fredricksen you can't just show up
here it's very dangerous I know but I
had to talk to in my office
mr. Fredricksen an anonymous source
shouldn't be showing up in a reporter's
office I know but I heard they were
gonna throw you in jail until you reveal
who I am is that true
well yes but it's all part of the job it
gets a little dirty sometimes a little
rough but what can I say Ms Brown when I
brought that evidence I didn't think it
lands you in the pen I'm not gonna let
that happen
I'm gonna go to that judge and come
forward right now hey let's not be rash
about this mr. Fenner if you come
forward your days and shipping and
handling would be over I know but didn't
you tell me you were up for a promotion
well you can kiss that goodbye but put
you in jail doesn't seem like the right
thing to do right what could be more
right than providing for your family
your lovely wife Brenda wasn't it and
how many children did you say you had
four five one one no siblings to rely on
your child needs you mr. Fredricksen now
why don't you just let me take the rap
on this one really this is my job this
is what I'm paid to do well I suppose
you're right of course I'm right now why
don't you go back to work and stop
worrying about me I'll be fine as brown
you are a remarkable woman I will never
forget this oh go on
and this is our recreation center this
is where ladies like to socialize when
they're not involved in other activities
ah wait a minute I think there's been a
mistake I was supposed to be transported
to a prison nestled brook is a federal
minimum security facility the board of
Corrections thought that because of who
you are you'd be much safer here than in
a county lockup look I don't mean to
complain ivy but supposed to be doing a
hard time you know the pen of the river
in the big house oh that's cute actually
you'll be in bungalow 3 it's past the
tennis courts and just before the pool
well I guess that's everything dinner is
at 6:00 in the Monticello room
hello hello yes Sherman Murphy Brown so
what are you in for insider trading
Sydney Lewis eight counts of
embezzlement I didn't do it I wish you'd
stop introducing me that way back it was
a setup I didn't do it
Murphy I believe we met once
Millicent Bain right congresswoman Bain
you siphoned half a million dollars from
a school bond and do you reelect ssin
campaign yes well that was a long time
ago long before I knew the Lord
and why are you here Murphy oh it's a
First Amendment case I'll just be here
for a couple of hours long enough to
have my press conference you'll be
hearing about it soon so what's the
story on this place well uh women are
committing more and more white-collar
crime isn't it wonderful
we're finally starting up the economic
ladder we've come a long way baby
believe it my summer camp was rougher
than this place well perhaps you didn't
realize we also have jobs around here
it's considered a major part of our
rehabilitation yeah I work in a
videotape library no one rewinds they're
such animals
it's crochet look do you want to join us
for making lap ropes for a nearby
convalescent home it's just a little
thing we do to give something back to
society gee I think I'll take a pass
I've got to prepare for my interviews so
I'll just leave you to your arts and
crafts maybe you want to knit a shovel
and dig your way out of here
this can't be the right place there's an
ice sculpture class on the front lawn
for God's sake June you must have come
from my press conference we've come to
lend you a moral support Murphy you'll
understand if I don't look up I've never
been in a prison before and I'm trying
to deal with my fear and disgust
this is nice kind of puts a damper on
the martyr thing do you mind so where's
the press setting up not in front of the
tennis courts I hope funny thing they're
not showing up what talk about your bad
timing
those First Amendment stories are hot
this week seems that a performance arts
student in Arkansas did an erotic
interpretation of the Last Supper the
university pulled his grant he's suing
so so a naked Pontius Pilate makes
better copy than an anchorwoman doing
time in the faculty lounge at Bryn Mawr
please Murphy how can you defend the
Constitution in a prison that serves
breathe Edward Amuro never ate three hey
I'm sorry how do you think I feel I'm
sitting here with the committee to free
Ivan Boesky looking at the floor Corki I
can't help it I love your carpet boy
this really stinks come on let's get out
of here Oh Murphy my appeal did come
through well it's not gonna be much
longer Murphy that darn legal system
it's just a little trickier than we
thought oh wow they've got one of those
stri masters one of those
miles I don't want to stay here
they make us get up at 7:00 we have to
make our beds I have a roommate who has
an autographed picture we all know
Helmsley on the one
Murphy all you can do is try to be
patient and top it out this is great
let's see what this does
I hate this place Oh Murphy
it is horrible here I might have to use
the sauna after this
you don't understand this place isn't
what it seems tomorrow they're gonna
give me a job
oh come on Murphy how bad get a job here
be
I'm sorry the warden can't be disturbed
yes I can take a message
could you talk a little slower please I
don't know shorthand reprieve wait a
minute that doesn't look right i before
e hey slow down okay I did ask you
nicely and now I'm telling you slow down
hello governor Murphy yes warden perhaps
you'd care to explain this to me it's
that letter you asked me to type I made
a few changes
Murphy you do not punch up a lead on a
letter revoking someone's parole look at
these typos there there there
you've been doing this for a week now
you're still not getting it what exactly
is your problem well it's not so easy
trying to type something when someone is
constantly interrupting you with phone
calls to be made and pestering you for
files she could easily get herself
perhaps you'd rather spend the rest of
your time here gutting trout in the
kitchen
hey there chain gang girl
here's that change of clothes you wanted
finally give it this is nice I
particularly like that color selection
for the East Wing move dusk excellent
choice
what is this
I found it in the back of your closet
behind all those boxy suits you always
were I don't know why it'll wear more
often it was a Halloween costume from
ten years ago I went as a hooker I asked
you prepared a always men hate pantyhose
you walk in the bathroom the first thing
you see these two sugary little legs
hanging over the shower rod like
creatures that are alive you look away
but it's too late
the mood is gone Elvin I want you to go
back to my house and bring me something
I can wear without being mistaken for
Jessica hi I can see your rehabilitation
still has a long way to go I'd like to
leave oh and don't feel you have to
hurry home because I took up the
floorboards in your foyer and I don't
think you can make the jump obviously
we'll need to review the intercom
procedure but first I am still waiting
for that letter
I'll need lunch reservations for 1:30
and get me a first cup of coffee this
one is stale
hello mr. Fredricksen this is Murphy
Brown okay you know we have a talk since
that day you came by the office and I
thought maybe you'd like to stop by for
a little visit and we could just you
know chat they say you can say that
sandy
just give me boardwalk which one very
large very red hotel which makes the
rent thousand dollars listen
Murphy maybe we can cut some sort of a
deal I had to liquidate my hard assets
to fight off this hostile takeover
Marvin gardens well excuse me I was just
trying to thin our economies bloated
middle management inside trader dope in
an inside track
a minute Sydney what do you think you're
doing nothing I was just making change
just making change my eye you're
skimming money from the bank and you're
real good at that aren't you
I didn't do it okay congresswoman I'll
take your railroad and we're even a
little bailout from the private sector
roll the dice Beth just give me mu I'm
out
me too me too quitters yes mr.
Fredricksen I came as soon as I could so
this is where they put you it's nice
don't be fooled mr. Fredricksen it's
still a jail and I'm a prisoner stripped
of my personal freedoms do you mind
Edna we'd like a little privacy here's
why I asked you here mr. Fredricksen we
have a little problem we do yeah you
know when we decided you shouldn't come
forward to testify it made sense but
that was many many days ago and now I
heard they're having trouble bringing an
indictment against Rako it looks like
the bad guys are winning that doesn't
seem fair no it doesn't we need to do
something do you have any ideas mr.
Fredricksen no not really
okay well looks like we should just sort
through this and see if we can't come up
with something now I guess I could cave
in and give your name to the judge but
now that would be turning my back on
freedom of the press so that leaves us
with what
what hey you know what this is starting
to sound like I think your original
instinct was right
you can come forward and nail these guys
really nail them
doesn't that sound right no not coming
forward was the best thing I ever did
that that promotion that we talked about
well I got it plus the a company car
into four weeks vacation and and with
the salary that they gave me I got some
new power tools and and a brand new
stereo system it's not as nice as the
one you've got here but it's nice but if
you don't come forward nothing will
change I'll still be here waiting Miss
Brown I know that is the one thing that
has been bothering my conscience now
that I see this I mean this is really
nice it's not what it seems
last night my cable went out I'm sorry
Ms Brown I know that my testifying would
speed things up for you but but I've
come too far to do that I hope you
understand
you're by this Brown no I don't
understand hey get back here you you
little rat
snitch Stewie
our son will calm out
bet your bottom dollar event tomorrow
they'll be
two more just remember when you speak to
keep your voice down you don't want to
startle her
Murphy Murphy grandpa I have good news
happy news the judge heard your appeal
and granted your release he ruled that
your First Amendment rights outweighed
the courts need for the information do
you understand
it's over after all these weeks I'm free
I can't believe it come on Murphy I'm
taking you home I have to say goodbye to
some people
well I'm getting out just like I said
goodbye
you know we've shared some pretty hard
times together but I believe that when
you look back on this you'll come to
understand that my time here meant
something freedom of the press is not
just an abstract principle it's the
backbone of our society I believe it was
Oliver Wendell Holmes who once said the
dam blocking the TV I'm ready to go now
miles well warden looks like I'm getting
out of this stinking toilet oh no you're
not
we have a problem a big problem what oh
I think you know your was $45 in late
videotape charges
hey're miles $45 are you kidding
you can buy a brand-new tape for half
that I think you should wait this