Northern Exposure (1990–1995): Season 6, Episode 10 - Realpolitik - full transcript

Marilyn invests $5000 in a husky which she brings to work; Chris develops a crush on new Cicely mayor, Maggie and the new doctor goes up river to meet Joel for golf.

CHRIS: Chris in the Morning,
election room central.

The polls have closed.
The people have spoken.

We have ourselves
a new mayor elect, Cicely.

I know some returns
are just coming in
from Coffee Pot Mountain,

but according to
our early tallies
and early exit polls,

KBHR predicts the new
winner to be... Ta-da!

Mary Margaret O'Connell.

RUTH-ANNE: Oh, Walt.

(RUTH-ANNE LAUGHING)

Hi!
Hi!

Congratulations.
Congratulation, my dear.



The better man was a woman.

Oh, thanks, Walt.

Citizens of Cicely,

I'd like to compliment
the last of the clean
campaigners.

To the shrewdest,
toughest, most decent
political opponent

I've ever had the pleasure
of being trounced by.

Well spoken.

You're not out of grub,
are you?

No, there's plenty.
Help yourself.

Thank you.

Hey, Walt, sorry you lost.

Didn't really want
the job anyway, Ed.

Of course, the stationery
would have been nice.

And the occasional junket.



Yeah.

And I hope you understood
my backing Walt.

Oh, sure. Everything's fair
in love and politics.

But I will be looking
for your future support
on the council, though.

Hey!
Hey.

Look, I realize
it's a little early to be
worrying about an agenda,

but I just made my first
dump run this morning.

I can't believe how far
you people have to drive
just to get rid of your trash.

Well, the upside, though,
is you don't have to listen

to those garbage trucks
at 5:00 a.m .

Yeah. Well,
I was just thinking.

I don't know
why the town doesn't just
have a central dumpster.

Cut way down
on the trips people make.

You know, it's funny
you should mention that.

'Cause that exact idea
was brought up

during the public meeting
last January.

During the cold snap.

Right after they found
Buford Mento.

Solid as a popsicle,
100 feet from the dump

with a hefty bag
in each hand.
Wow.

(DOG BARKING)
Here's our boy.

Here you go.

Huh, boy, huh?
Okay, come here.

You believe
this rascal fought off

an attacking bull moose
in the dock race of champions?

Thirty below.
Half the field scratched.

All he does is turn around
and lead his team
to a course record.

(WHlNlNG)

Naturally, his racing days
are behind him.

Pure Husky, right?

For generations.
Monadnock line.

Pedigree like
the Windsors of Buckingham,

only less inbreeding.

What's his stud fee?

Well, I've gotten
as much as $500,

and never less than three.

What are you
selling him for?

Oh, I shouldn't be
selling him at all,

but I'm letting him go
at five large.

Five thousand?

Oh, you handle him right,

you could be whole again
inside a year,

and after that,
he's a cash cow.

How many times
has he sired?

Let's just say he's never home
on a Saturday night.

Is that it?
lsn't that right?

Members of
the city council,

it is a great pleasure
to formally introduce to you

our newly elected mayor,
Miss Maggie O'Connell.

Hear, hear!
Welcome, Maggie.

Good to have you aboard.

Thank you,
councilman.

(SIGHS) Well.

(SIGHS)
Okay, first of all,

allow me to say that
I realize this is not
a formal public meeting,

but Michelle has requested
permission to cover it

for Maurice's paper.

Any objections?

Can't see
anything wrong.

It's okay
with me.

Great. So ruled.

Well, let's get down
to business.

Council
will come to order.

Okay, the agenda
calls for

debate on
council bill R-433.

Now, this relates to
resource conservation.

I'd like to start
with a related subject.

It's crazy that each of us
has to drive our own trash
out to the fill.

I don't think any of us
wants to move the dump
to town, your honor.

Oh, no, I'm talking
about a dumpster.
RUTH-ANNE: Oh.

And when it fills up,
a truck picks it up
and empties it.

As soon as you
bring in vehicles,
you're talking big bucks.

There just isn't
a tax base for it.

There's a trucker in Sleetmute
who'll provide the service
on a per load basis.

I think the Mayor's
on to something.

HOLLING:
We could park a dumpster
at the vacant lot on Hasberry.

And I think my colleague
and good friend
Councilman Vincoeur

is showing
his stripes again.

We're all aware
of the Canadian proclivity

for socializing
anything that moves.

I think we should all
confine our comments

to the merits
of the proposal.

I think it would behoove
the honorable Mayor to
examine the city's books.

The Cicely treasury couldn't
afford to rent a Tonka truck.

lsn't that right,
Councilman Stevens?

Councilman Stevens?

Hmm?

The judicious expenditure
of government resources

can have a multiplying effect.
Everybody will benefit.

Who's going to foot the bill

for this esteemed gentleman's
20-some bags a week?

I resent that.
Okay, come to order!

With all due respect,
Madam Chairwoman,

I think you're going to find
an unbridgeable chasm
between some of us

on the question of government
as social panacea.

Don't you agree,
Councilman Stevens?

Yes, absolutely.

Everybody knows
where I stand on this issue.

The natural order of things
moves along best

when unimpeded
by artificial stimuli.

You can quote me on that.

The chair believes

that the government
has a responsibility
to be constructive.

I mean,
if it's going to exist,

why shouldn't it promote
the public good?
Hear, hear.

Is this not
what the democratic process
is all about?

Right.

At the next meeting,
expect a formal proposal
with hard numbers.

(WHlMPERlNG)

(THUDDING)

You should notice
an improvement

in the next
two to three days, okay?

So you just call me
if you need a refill
on that prescription.

Okay, thanks.
All right, take care.

Hey, Dr. Capra.

Hey, this must be
the new guy.

Ah, excuse me,
Marilyn.

I don't want to get off
on the wrong foot here,

but really,
this is no place for pets.

He's not a pet.

What do you mean?

Well, the thing about huskies,
Dr. Capra,

they're not like other dogs.

They're work machines up here,
practically
public transportation.

He's an investment.

Marilyn doesn't even
like dogs,

she's a cat person.

Well, maybe we
could just keep him

by the side
of your desk there.

What's his name?

Chuck.

Chuck?

Hey, Chuck.

Well, what can I do
for you, Ed?

I almost forgot.
Ruth-Anne sent me over.

Got a letter for you,
just came in.

What is this?

„Dear Phil, what do you say
to a round of golf Friday?

Warmest regards,
Joel Fleischman.”

I didn't even know
there was a golf course
around here.

Dr. Fleischman's
a pretty good duffer, too.

Do you know he once
beat the club pro,

out at the pitch and putt
on Finger Lake?

Where is Dr. Fleischman,
exactly?

Every time I ask someone,
they change the subject.

Manonash village.

Where is that?

Up river.

Just past Dead Man's gorge.

Not a bad trip, though,
if you make it before
the ice flows start.

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

(SIGHS)

Hey, Chris!

It's kind of late, isn't it?
What's up?

Nothing.

Just out riding,
took Umiak Road
up to the dump.

6.4 miles each way.

Look, if this is about
the dust up
at the council meeting,

don't worry, we're not gonna
lock-step on everything
just 'cause we're friends.

Is something wrong?
No.

Can I come in?

Yeah, sure.

You want some tea
or something?
No.

Okay.

(SIGHS)

Quite an inaugural
outing today.

Oh, yeah.

You know, I don't know
why Ruth-Anne got her nose
so out of joint.

I don't think I was
unprofessional, do you?

Are you kidding?
You were born for this job.

The way your hands
just fit around that gavel,

the timbre of your voice,

the way you
called us to order,

your mastery
of Robert's Rules.

What are you doing?

I'm sorry.

Maggie, that won't...

No. Chris, I want you
to leave, okay?

Come on.
I want you to leave.
Right.

Okay. Come here.
Come on.

All right?
All right, all right?

Now! Bye!

See you.

It's hard to believe
there'd be a regulation
course way out here.

I wonder if the club has
any kind of restaurant.

You want authentic
Alaskan cuisine,
Manonash is your place.

Great. What I wouldn't give
for a nice salmon filet

and a bottle of
Sterling Chardonnay.

This is Manonash.

This is Manonash?
Are you sure?

Oh, jeez! Ah!

JOEL: Whoa, whoa,
Dr. Capra.

Oh, hello.
Dr. Fleischman send you?

Oh, I'm Dr. Fleischman.

Oh.

I'm glad you could make it.
How was the trip?

Fine.
Yeah?

Fine, yeah.

I lost a nine iron
in some choppy water
about a mile back,

but other than that,
I'm just surprised that

there's a golf course
this far off the beaten path,
you know.

Yeah.

Well, let's get your stuff
and we'll head on out.

Thanks, Dale,
I got it.

Yeah, see you.
I got it.

Thank you.

Come on.

This is a good day
for golf, huh?

Yeah. Yeah,
it's beautiful.

What would you say
the bottom line is
for a stud fee?

Four hundred?

He usually gets five.

Five, huh?

Well, nice Arctic coat.

Those ears could be
a little longer, though.

He's not a show dog.
Shorter ears are better
for the cold.

Ah, well,
walk him around for me.

Not too prancy.

I bet he can cover
some ground.

(MAURICE CHUCKLES)

Yeah, Marilyn,
looks like you got
a real champion there.

Those pads could be
a little thicker.

His father won the lditarod
twice.

If your Chuck makes
beautiful music with
my Countess Cassamasima,

I could have a wheel dog
that'll fill out my team.

Well, let me take him
and introduce
the beautiful couple.

(CHUCKLING)
I'll be back
and write you a check.

Come on.

Slide me
that pan, Chris.

Chris?

Yeah.

Thanks, buddy.

I did something really crazy
last night, Ed.

I did a triple gainer
into the Grand Canyon
of craziness.

I made a pass at Maggie.
Oh?

Yeah. Of course,
she threw me out.

I mean, completely took her
by surprise, you know.

She wasn't the only one.

I don't know
where it came from.

It just blindsided me.

I couldn't figure it out
until now.
You know what it was?

No.

It was the gavel.

The gavel?

Yeah, her role, the mayor?

This power, this authority.

I don't know why I didn't
figure it out until now.

I've always
had this thing, Ed,

for powerful women.

It's kind of like
it's hard-wired
right to my loins,

you know what I'm saying?

Can you hand me
the slotted screwdriver?

Yeah.

It goes all the way back
to the ninth grade.
Mrs. Goad.

Talk about a tight ship.
Absolute rule.

Couldn't lie my way
into a hall pass,

no matter how hard I tried.

And when I got
sent to jail,

when that judge sentenced me,
'cause I can see it right now.

She's sitting there
with that back erect,

head cocked ever so slightly,

that jet black robe
setting off
that alabaster skin.

Mmm, the honorable
Claire Dawson Chandevalle.

She's throwing the book
at me, Ed,

and all I want to do is
suck those little white
earlobes.

Let me show you this.

Here it is, look at that.

Time magazine?

Janet Reno.

That's the reason
I couldn't throw
this thing out, Ed.

Now I understand.

All right, doctor.

What about your clubs?

I manage pretty well
with the shillelagh.

Although I must admit,
every time I stare
down a par five,

I fantasize about one of
those Callaway War Birds.

Why? What have you got here?
Some graphite shafts?

No, carbon-graphite.

Nice.

Got a wedding tomorrow.

Oh.

Tell me,
what do you think of Cicely?

Pretty peaceful, huh?

Well, you should have seen it
before it was overbuilt.

What's the gun for?

Just high altitude
migratory fowl, mainly.

Pretty nice, huh?

It's a new Browning.

(COCKS GUN)

It's got enough stopping power
for anything
we might come across.

Not that we will.

(EXCLAIMS)

I want my money back,
and I want it now!

What happened?

It's what didn't happen
that concerns me.

Our agreement
is null and void

based on
his lack of performance.

He didn't do it?

(LAUGHING)
Didn't?

He might as well
have been introduced
to a brown rice cake

for all the interest
he showed in my bitch.

Maybe it wasn't
the right time.

Marilyn, the Countess
was all over him
like a cheap suit,

all to no avail.

He's nothing but a pantywaist.

Did you feed him something?

He had no appetite
of any kind.

Hmm. Maybe you scared him.

The only thing
that he's scared of
is doing his carnal duty.

I'll write you a refund.

And then there's
Angie Mingus.

I know that you
suspect Meniere's,

but I'm wondering
if a vestibular neurectomy
is what's called for.

What with
the debilitating vertigo
and the hearing loss.

Yeah, well, you got
one other option.

You know, you could
do a labyrinthectomy.

That's my thought
precisely.

Why are we stopping?

This is it.

PHIL: This is what?

This is the first tee.

You're serious?
Yeah, first hole.

310 yards,
dog leg to the right.

You don't want to slice
'cause you'll end up in
those nettles over there

and they're strong enough
to puncture a coconut.

There's actually
a hole out there,

is that what
you're telling me?

Yeah. That's what
I'm telling you.

I think you should
consider a long iron,

just for control's sake,
you know.

Plus the wind's
quartering left to right

so the ball carries
pretty well in this air.

(ROARING)

PHIL: What is it?

That's all right.
Sorry. False alarm.

Go ahead.

(ROARING)

What club do you need?

Ah, five iron.

Five iron?

Thanks.
Sure.

It's okay,
we're all right.

That's the devil's club.

Yeah, tell me about it.

No, no, the tall rough
you're in over there,

that's the devil's club.

How about a mulligan?

Oh, it's playable.
I mean, there's nothing
to justify a re-tee.

Oh.

If you add up the gas
people use to drive
to the dump in a whole year,

it'd more than pay
for the program
that I'm proposing.

Well, I see our new mayor
is working overtime

lobbying that misbegotten
trash plan of hers.

Now, Maurice,
I think we're all obliged

to find out a little bit more
before we pass judgment.

I've heard
all I need to,

thank you very much.
And I'm with Maurice.

You turn on the big
government machine,

and it's impossible
to turn it off.

Do you mind if I use that
statement for attribution?

Be my guest.

I don't know why you've all
got your BVDs in a twist.

I'm the only support
that the Mayor's got.

Well, I certainly hope so.

What's so bad about
saving everybody driving
to the dump once a week?

Shelly, this proposal
has „blank check”
written all over it.

Projects like this
could grow like top seed.

Mmm-hmm, thank goodness
Councilman Stevens
is on the record

opposing boondoggles
like this, right, Chris?

(WHISTLES)
Chris?

Yeah, I want
to see some...

(CLEARS THROAT)
Some firm figures.

Chris, this isn't
about figures.

This is about big brother
stepping in and saying,

„We can't even
take out our own garbage
without his help.”

What do you think?

Yeah.

Hey, Marilyn,
what's up?

I'm returning Chuck.
He's defective.

Defective?

He's no good at breeding.

Maurice brought him back,
and the same thing happened

when I left him with
Tanya McAllister's female.

Well, I don't know
what you've been feeding
that dog, Marilyn,

but there was sure
nothing wrong with him
when he left here,

that much I know.

I want my money back.

Come on,
this is just buyer's remorse.

I'm sorry, Marilyn.

You said he could do it.

Look, any time a dog like this
changes hands,

there's just gonna be
a period of adjustment.

I want my $5,000.

Now, wait a minute,
I know what it is.

There's logging going on
over near your place,
isn't there?

Don't start that.
You said he'd be a good stud.

That's like a warranty.

Listen, Marilyn,
you and I go way back.

For the sake
of our friendship,
I'd take him back,

but as a businessman,
I just can't make
that kind of precedent.

I'm sorry.

Come.

PHIL:
I've seen medial
epicondylitis

from tennis, golf,
repetitive motion syndrome,

but never from
harpoon throwing.

Of course, I'm treating Ank
the same way I'd treat
Pete Sampras.

Just strengthen
the flexor pronators.

Let me ask you something,
is there any spur formation?

Nothing so far.

All right, well,
that's encouraging.

Okay, now, there's not much
safe room on the approach.

It's pretty much all-carry,
obviously,

but why don't we let
these guys play through?

(LAUGHING)

Hey, Jerry, Kenny,
why don't you guys
play through?

We're in no rush.
Great.

PHIL: Hi.

Hey there.
How you doing?

Thank you.

JERRY: What do you think
you want to use, seven iron?

KENNY: Looks pretty good.

Those guys are good.

Dried seal fat.

Thanks.

You know, it's funny.

My practice in LA,
what little general care
I did,

I spent 90% of the time
just referring patients
to specialists.

Nothing more than
a high-priced sorting machine.

You know, but...

Now it feels very hands-on.

Yeah, it's a shame
we're so ill-prepared, huh?

Well, speak for yourself,
Joel.

I admit it, you know,
I'm just feeling my way here,

but, I mean,
it seems to me our knowledge
of the gross physical body,

that's just part
of the picture.

Is it?

There's the subtle body
and the mental body.

Aren't we just studying
an incomplete physiology?

I know that our training,
you and me,

in Western medicine,
it's just...

It's narrow.

Well, I still think
there's a valid distinction

to be made between

a man of medicine
and a medicine man.

I've been treating
a woman in the village

for chronic migraines.

Visual prodromata.

Now, a year ago,
I would have ran right to
sumatriptan or codeine,

instead, I approached it
with what's called Tui Na.

Now, this is
a Chinese therapy,

it's been around
a good 2,000 years.

Basically, it's
an acupressure technique

that's based on
energy points.

It turns out,
irrefutably,

this is a far more
effective prophylaxis.

I think we can move on.

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

Hey, Chris.

Hey.

(STAMMERING)
What do you want?

Well, I was hoping that

I wasn't on the top of your
„life's too short” list,

on that bozo impersonation
I did the other night.

Oh, Chris.

I mean, we all do
goofy things sometimes.

What? What's that?

It's a special delivery.
It's from your father.

(EXCLAIMS)

Yeah, I was
over at the store,

and it came in and I thought,
„Oh, I'll just run it over.”

Ha! Wonder
what he sent me.

You want to come in?

That'd be nice.

Boy, you know,
this is odd,

'cause I didn't even tell him
I won the election.

Neiman Marcus!

(EXCLAlMlNG)

Giorgio Armani?

Have you ever seen
anything more elegant
in your whole life?

Is this the ultimate
power suit or what?

Oh, yeah.

Wow,
that's your color.

(GIGGLES)

Navy blue.
Hey, why don't you...

Why don't you
go slip it on?

Yeah, okay, I will.

Hey, there's some bubbly water
in the fridge,

if you want some,
help yourself.

Do you know, I don't
really understand this,

because my dad's
a generous man,

but do you know
one of these suits
costs $1,500 to $2,000?

PHIL: We're never going
to find my ball, Joel.

Why don't you just nick me
a couple of strokes?

I'll take a drop
from here.

It's right up ahead.

JOEL: You lie four,
if I'm not mistaken.

You're not really
keeping score, are you?

Well, yeah, you're
1 7 through three holes
and I'm 1 2.

(CHUCKLES)

Come on, Joel.

It's in the water.
I can take the drop.

JOEL: No, that's
partially immersed.

That ball's playable.

Pitching wedge
with enough loft.

Decent approach,
and you can still salvage
yourself a double bogie.

You're dreaming.

Listen to me.

Getting the ball
where you want

is not much different than
my using energy channels
to ease migraines.

It's the union
of mind and the body.

The interconnectedness,
you understand?

I don't know, Joel.

I always thought
holographic golf

was for guys with
pony tails and flip phones.

Me, too. And then I...

I took a couple of lessons

from this old local pro
up here named Morris Aniak.

Now this guy is incredible.

He lost three of his fingers
on his left hand to frostbite

and he can birdie
almost any hole at will.

He opened
a whole new game for me.

He taught you
on this course?

He's saved most
of the top players up here.

I didn't even have
a chip shot until Morris.

Now, what he would say is
don't rush your swing.

Okay?

Just let the power radiate

from your inner core
through the club head.

I'd be happy
if I don't top the ball.

Whoa!

Nice.

Voila!

I don't think I really have
the proper blouse to sell it,
and heels would be nice.

But it's great style,
don't you think?

Hmm.
It fits you perfect.

(SIGHS) Yeah.

Why don't you just stand up
on your tippy toes
a little bit?

What?

You know, as if
you had proper heels on?

Wait a minute.

Wait a minute,
this package didn't have
any return address.

There wasn't any postage,
either.

Hmm?

My dad
didn't send this.

No?

No, you bought this,
didn't you?

Come on. Come on, Chris,
tell me the truth.

Tell me the truth!

All right, I bought it.
I didn't think you'd take it

if you knew
it came from me.

What has gotten
into you lately?

Chris, how could you
make up a story like that?

I'm thumbing through
Mirabella, right?

And I see this beautiful
Armani suit and I think,

„Hey, Maggie,
suit, power...”

Yeah, well, you know what?
You just better hope
you kept the receipt.

Could you
just turn around,

you know, one time,
and say, „Come to order”?

Don't take it off.
Look, let me go
into the closet

and get some shoes.
No. No, no, no, no.

I'll give you
your skirt back tomorrow.
Oh, come on!

Leave. Leave.

Out!

Come to order.

I hate you.

Hi.

Well, thank you, Maggie.
Mmm-hmm.

(CHUCKLES)
I didn't know
you were moonlighting.

Do you mind
if I sit down?

Please.

Do you know that
I was on the plane today

with the mayor
from Trapper Creek?

And there's talk of plows
on Petersville Road this year.

Mmm-hmm.

And I'm trying to get him
to take it the extra mile
to the Talkeetna turnoff.

Which means all that
campground traffic

would be routed
through Cicely.

They've been
talking about that
ever since I've been up here.

But, this year, I think
it will really happen.

And where else are
all those campers going
to stock up with supplies

but your store?

I know when I'm being
jawboned, Maggie.

This is a quid pro quo for
my vote on the dumpster,
isn't it?

Well, I just want
my administration

to get off to a good start,
Ruth-Anne.

And, you know,
I just feel that if I could
push this motion through,

it will herald a new day
for Arrowhead Burough
politics.

Maggie, I don't doubt your
sincerity for one moment.

I just think
that it's poorly placed.

I'm voting „no”
on dumpster central.

But I will support you
on snowplows on Petersville.

Yeah, okay.

PHIL: I never dropped
a 30-foot downhill putt
in my life.

It's as if the ball were
connected to a string.

What did you call it?

Well, it's not me.
It's what Morris taught me.

Blending, right?

Yeah.

Keep your senses open.

And letting your
lnstincts recalibrate
with each new factor.

(CHUCKLES)

Yeah, this is
unbelievable.

If somebody told me
a month ago

I'd be playing golf
by moonlight

in the Alaskan
wilderness...

All right, well,
it's a long five, okay,

so you've got to
carry those trees

and just pick up
as much real estate
along the way as you can.

Powered, huh?

If you do it right,
you should be able to see it

before you get there.

See the ball?

Well, I'll give it a shot.

I can see the ball
just exactly the way you said.

It bounced twice
and bit the green
between two traps.

This is incredible, Joel!

Joel?

Joel?

Joel?

(MUSIC PLAYING)

(CHATTERING)

(MEWING)

Marilyn, aren't they
too cute to live?

Only six weeks old
and they can already meow.

Oh, so soft.

He's the runt.

They're free, Marilyn.
No room at the inn.

Take your pick of the litter.
What do you say?

Uh-uh.

Why not? I thought
you loved kitty cats,
Marilyn.

He wouldn't like it.

Oh, too bad.

Hey, Marilyn,
champion Husky stud?

Don't you mean Husky dud?

(PEOPLE LAUGHING)

„Tempers flared
when Councilwoman Miller
suggested that

Councilman Vincoeur's
support of the proposal

was motivated by
potential cost savings

to commercial users
like himself.”

(BELL RINGS)
MAN: Order's up.

(LAUGHING)

That council meeting's today,
isn't It?

9:00 a.m .
Uh-huh.

Michelle, what's
your slant on this?

I don't want to tell you
how to write your story,
of course.

It's pretty obvious
we're on opposite sides
of the fence on this, Maurice.

I guess the point is,
if I do my job right,

neither of our opinions
should matter.

Mmm-hmm. Of course.
I just hate to give forum

to the friends
of the welfare state,

if you get my drift.

(CHUCKLES)

How do you
take your coffee?

You abandon me in the woods
in the dead of night,

and you want to know
how I take my coffee?

What happened to you,
Joel?

I was hungry,
I couldn't sleep!

I could have been
mauled by a bear!

What were you thinking?

You did fine, okay?

You didn't panic,
you didn't lose your head.

You take sugar?

I don't understand,
Joel.

Where did you go?

I was
never very far.

Well, that's great,
that's just great.

How am I supposed
to know that?

I'm not sure
I could find my way back
in broad daylight.

Phil, I think you could have
found your way.

It's nice and hot,
huh?

Hey, congratulations.

Some round you played
yesterday.

You beat my pants off, Joel.
Am I missing something here?

Oh, God, that's good.

Look,

you understand
as a doctor

that it would be hard for me
to turn over my practice

to some colleague
without some assurance.

And you measured that
by my golf game?

It's the focus.
Attention to detail.

It's the head,
it's the heart.

Head and heart.

Now, when you
treat Maurice...

He is not very good
about

taking the full course
of his antibiotics,

so you just gotta
stay on him.

I'll remember that.

Thank you.

Thanks.

Well, the council
will come to order.

If you'll all refer
to your proposal handouts,

paragraph B,
revenue sources.

This program can be funded
for a six-month trial

with an $8 per 10,000
annual assessment.

And an on-site fee
of $1 per load.

We can just put
a collection box
outside the dumpster.

And it will be fair.
I mean, the more
you chuck out,

the more you chip in.

It's never going to work.

How are you gonna know
who's paying and who's not?

Councilman, I have yet
to yield the floor,
you're out of order.

Sorry.

This is not just about
trash and dumpsters.

This is our chance
to say something to
the people who put us here.

That government
isn't the enemy,

that it could be
a positive force.

That there can be
change for the better
every once in a while.

Councilwoman Miller?

I think I'm speaking
for the majority sentiment,

when I say that
I respectfully oppose

Madame Mayor's motion.

The anthropologists
who brought

blow dryers
and Mister Coffees

to the natives
of Papua New Guinea

learned their lesson.

Progress is not always
what it's cracked up to be.

I move that
we vote on the motion.

Seconded.

Okay.

Council secretary, are you
prepared to record the vote?

Prepared, Madame Mayor.

Councilman, how about ye?

In keeping with Cicely's long
tradition of independence,

I vote nay.

Councilwoman Miller,
how vote ye?

For the reasons
I've just stated,

I feel I must vote nay.

Councilman Vincoeur?
And how about ye?

It is with great pride
and admiration

for the farseeing principles
espoused by the chair,

that I vote yea.

Councilman Stevens,
how vote ye?

Honorable Mayor,
fellow council members,

might I take a moment
before I vote?

Proceed.

You all know me.

You know I've been part of
the Fiscal Restraint crowd

for a very long time.

This is an idea
whose time I think has come.

Yes.

Therefore, I vote yea.

Madame Mayor,
go ahead and vote. I will...

I will move that the vote
be recorded and certified.

In accordance with
the governing rules
of this body,

I hereby break the deadlock
by voting...

Wait a minute,
this is wrong.

I can't do this.
This is a sham.

What?

I won't do this.

I don't accept your support,
Chris, based on...

What it's based upon.

I don't understand,
what's it based on?

MAGGIE: Look at you.

You're steamrolling
your own convictions

because of some screwball
fixation with me!

Why don't you two settle this
after the meeting?

How do you vote, Mayor?

You're making a mockery
out of the process.

I mean, our hearts
and minds is one thing,

but vote with your conscience,
not your penis!

I hereby exercise
my prerogative under

council rule 1 4,
section B,

to give you the opportunity
to reconsider your vote.

Councilman Stevens,

how do you wish to
have your vote recorded?

Well, in that light,

I vote nay.

The chair votes aye.

The motion is defeated
three to two.

First shot out of the box,
a home run.

How could you just
throw it away like that?

Because I did
what I thought was right.

It's not like
I don't understand
the Chris thing.

But you can't sit there
and double-think the motives

of everyone
who agrees with you in life.

It's hard enough
dealing with the people
who hate your guts.

Well, look,
I brought a matter
to the town's attention,

and it was decided
upon its own merits.

Fair and square.

Well, I don't get it.
You lost.

Michelle, Chris asked
that I give you this.

What is it?

It's a press release.

He'd like you to publish it
in the Telegraph.

(EXHALES)

„Councilman Chris Stevens,
citing physical exhaustion

and the burgeoning
demands of the office,

has tendered his resignation
from the Cicely City Council

effective immediately.

The councilman
expressed his appreciation

to those citizens who have
supported him in recent years,

adding that he hopes
to devote more time

to his art
and to his friends.”

Did he say anything else
about his reasons, Ed?

I have no comment
at this time.

Look, other than what's
in the press release.

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

I don't know how to
describe it, Michelle.

It was so utterly bizarre.

I mean, here's this
Columbia med graduate,

who was responsible
for the welfare
of this entire town

just a few short weeks ago.

Well, whatever it was,
it had to have
made more sense

than the city council
meeting did.

What happened to this man?

I mean,
here Maggie was poised
to do something great.

We could have had
a dumpster.

(SIGHS)

Transitions
are always hard.

But it's
gonna get better.

I know it will.

Maybe it's this place.

(SlGHlNG)

Is the heat on?

(I'LL BE AROUND PLAYING)

Come.

Sit.