Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983–1987): Season 2, Episode 3 - Double Agent - full transcript

When an ex agent writes a tell-all book exposing suburban spies like Amanda, a literary ransom ensues.

Amanda, you're missing
The Arlene Francis Show.

I'm coming, Mother.

Now, Jamie, remember,
if it does rain...

you don't have to step in every
single mud puddle on the way home.

- How about half?
- None.

Philip, watch out
for your brother.

Don't walk through any vacant
lots when you come home.

- And stay on the sidewalk.
Right. BOYS: Stay on the sidewalk.

- Bye. Have fun today.
- Bye, Mommy.

- Amanda.
- Study hard.

Yes, Mother, I'm coming.



But, Mr. Harriman, won't publication
of your book, The Suburban Spy, uh...

- compromise our national security?
- Not really.

- Have you heard the weather...?
- Shh! This is very interesting.

It's all about spying
in the suburbs.

- About what?
- This ex-spy.

He wrote a book exposing all the people
who worked in his agency. Now, listen.

Our security agencies have
become increasingly involved...

with the use of amateur,
civilian employees.

- Well, is that necessarily bad?
- Ha, ha. There's not a doubt in my mind.

Especially in light of
the recent proliferation

of intelligence-gathering
activity.

It seems as if everyone is
getting involved in espionage.

The butcher, the baker,
teachers, housewives.

- Oh. Our friends, neighbors?
- Can you imagine?



I can imagine.

The insidious part of this is that these
people are not trained professionals.

The question we have to ask is
can we entrust our national security...

to these amateurs?

Just think, Amanda...

what havoc one of these untrained,
unqualified people could cause...

I mean, if they got
in over their heads.

- I'm thinking.
- Yeah.

What about this exaggeration that
you put into the average housewife?

I mean, are they gonna
find themselves involved?

I can give you a
specific example...

of when the so-called everyday
housewife was not only involved...

she was the agent in question.

Mother, I really think we
ought to do the laundry.

Just a minute.
This is getting good.

It was right here in Washington,
one of Washington's suburbs...

when this young mother of
two came within a whisker...

of blowing Operation Sandstorm, one of
our most sensitive intelligence operations.

- Oh, no.
- Do you think he could be talking about...

- Gwen Dorsett?
- Probably.

I never really trusted her.

This little fiasco could have
escalated into World War III.

And all because a amateur was
sent to do a professional's job.

I see that you're very
passionate about this.

- What's the matter?
- I just have a little headache.

It's all that typing and
watching television.

It probably is the
television. Turn it off.

No, no. Just a minute. It'll
all be over in a few minutes.

- That's what I'm afraid of. Uh...
- I was a top operative.

- Mother?
- Yes?

I think I probably better run to
the drugstore and get some aspirin.

All right, honey. The fresh air is
gonna do you good. Go ahead.

I've devoted several
years of my life...

to our intelligence
organizations...

and it pains me greatly to see
them deteriorate to their present level.

Maybe I should give Gwen a call.

Regenerate our
security institutions...

Can you believe that?

After all his crummy spy novels,
Harriman hit the big-time with an exposé.

Too bad your client will
never see it published.

You sure we're
doing the right thing?

After all, if this book is a bestseller,
I stand to make 10 percent.

What if it isn't? Our
mercenary days are over, pal.

I'm not into living out of foxholes either.
I just wonder if there's another way.

I don't think so. I think we
stick to our original plan.

If we get the Russians and the
U.S. in a bidding war for that book...

you'll make 10 times the
money if it were published.

If we can get Harriman
to go with the program.

He'll go along with it.

One way or another.

Excuse me, Mr. Harriman. That exclusive
interview you promised Insider Magazine?

- Sure, let's go right over here. Ahem.
- Oh, thank you. Thank you.

Forget it, Scarecrow,
you're wasting your breath.

You're really gonna
go through with this?

You think that, uh, I was
out there for my health?

You know the handstands I had
to go through to get on this show?

Yeah. You know the
handstands your fellow

agents will have to
make just to stay alive?

Don't be so melodramatic.

Nobody has to die if
the agency plays it smart.

- Hmph.
- Oh, it's gonna cost them.

They're gonna have to bring in all their
operatives, gonna have to train new agents.

But whatever the price,
it's not gonna be enough.

You're still bitter, aren't you?

What do you think? They stick me in
some jungle outpost for one lousy mistake.

Well, that one lousy
mistake cost three lives, pal.

Look, the agency owes me.
This is my way of collecting.

Harriman, don't do it. Don't make
another mistake that might cost more lives.

Scarecrow, this
interview is over.

- Now, listen to me, man...
- Don't touch me.

Lee, I know you asked me
never to come without calling...

but this might
be very important.

I was watching
television with Mother...

You saw Harriman on the Talk
Back With Arlene Francis Show.

- Yes. Did you see it?
- Unfortunately.

That was me he was talking about.
Operation Sandstorm, remember?

- I remember, yes. We all remember.
- I know.

Now, I know this is
very upsetting to you.

Yes, it is.

What are we gonna do?

We are doing everything we can.

Yes, sir. Of course,
sir. Like what, sir?

Legal Department is working on
an injunction to stop publication.

If that doesn't work?

You and your family will
be taken care of. Believe me.

Amanda, if worse comes to
worse, we'll give you a new identity...

and move you to
another part of the country.

Oh, no. Not in the
middle of the school year.

There are worse catastrophes.

- Melrose here.
- Lee.

Maybe if I just went and
talked to Mr. Harriman myself...

No, forget it, Amanda,
I already tried.

Nothing I said
made any difference.

That was Legal. Our request
for an injunction was turned down.

- Ugh.
- No.

Sir? Please, sir.

Would you let me talk
to Mr. Harriman myself...

and let him see someone whose
life would be completely ruined...

if he publishes this book?

- Amanda...
- Please, sir.

I suppose it can't hurt, and
we're running out of options.

Billy, I'm telling you, you're wasting
your time. The guy will not budge.

Then you must
have a better idea.

Come on, I'll drive.

Thank you, sir.

Watch your bag. DOORMAN:
Your limousine right here, sir.

- All right, now, Amanda...
- Yeah?

Look, Harriman is a
bottom-line type of guy, all right?

When you get in, go straight to
the point. Don't get off on tangents.

No, I won't. I'll just tell
him what the problem is.

Because if you state your problem,
you define it, then you can solve it.

Just get inside, state
your case, and get right out.

Right. Lee, I was thinking.

Now what?

Well, you're in that
book too, aren't you?

Yeah, I suppose.

If you are, they would probably
have to give you a new identity...

and relocate you
too, wouldn't they?

Yeah, probably. So?

Well, we wouldn't get to
see each other again, I guess.

- Yeah.
- You know.

Yeah, I guess not.

Why?

Just thinking.

- Well, uh...
- Probably get in. Yeah.

Excuse me.

Now, remember what I told you.

- Keep it short and sweet.
- I will.

- Sure you wanna go in there alone?
- I think it's better that way.

Yeah, it is. I'm liable
to punch his lights out.

Okay.

- Go on.
- I'm going.

- Lee.
- What?

It's open.

A man! In my room! He's
got a gun! He's in there.

No, no. That way!
That... You see him?

Uh, excuse me, Mr. Harriman?

I'm sorry to barge in on you like
this. I know you're very busy, um...

My name is Amanda King.

I just thought that I would like to come in
here and talk to you for a few minutes...

and tell you a little bit
about myself and, uh...

I do have two little boys,
uh, Philip and Jamie.

If they were to be given new identities,
they wouldn't know who they were...

and they might lose
their place in school...

Oh! Hey, what's going on?

Ugh!

Sir, are you all right? Huh?

- Ma'am, is he all right?
- Sure. Harvey, are you all right?

- Yeah. What happened?
- Okay.

Amanda.

It might not make any
difference to you, Mr. Harriman...

but I've read almost every
one of your novels and I, uh...

Well, enough of that. Let me
just get right to the bottom line.

He's not listening to me.

- What?
- He won't listen to me.

Not listening to a word I say.

He can't hear you
because he's dead.

Oh, my gosh.

People, we have a problem.

Whoever murdered Harriman and stole his
manuscript didn't do it for our benefit.

So what? Whoever has the book is
gonna be selling it to the highest bidder.

Sooner or later,
they'll contact us.

Unless the Russians make
an offer they can't refuse.

We can't take that chance. Start
contacting our information brokers.

- Get a line on this.
- We'll get right on it.

- Uh, Lee, would it be all right...
- Amanda, no.

- You cannot go along.
- Why not?

I've read all of Mr. Harriman's spy
novels and I could probably help.

I know you are upset, but I don't
see how that can possibly help.

Don't be hard on her,
Scarecrow. She has a stake in this.

Thank you, sir.

Look, where I'm going, it's dirty
work. You won't like it, believe me.

At 112 pounds, Calamity Jane...

will have till the end of
the round. No holds barred.

Now stepping into the mud,
her challenger. From Stockholm...

- I'm gonna tear her apart. Watch this.
- Oh, yeah?

Oh, no! Not me again!

Look at that, you're clean as a
whistle and I ruined my new sweater.

Look... Ahem. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
But let me put it to you this way:

Information dealers are
like worms, low forms of life.

- Right. Right.
- Okay?

I am talking about
dark corners, mud...

- places just like this.
- Right.

I have one particular worm in mind.
I'm gonna go look for him out back.

- Good.
- No, no, no. You just wait here for me.

You want me to wait here?

Yes. Please. Just wait for me.

- Okay. I'll wait here.
- All right.

- Lee.
- What?

I'll be waiting here.

Good. Good.

Ooh!

You pig!

Whew.

- She likes me. Really.
- Yeah, I can see that.

Whew. August Riley
Swann, at your service, sir.

Just cut the bull, will you? Tell
me what you know about this book.

- Is that the way you treat a friend...?
- Now, Augie...

unfortunately, we
are acquaintances.

And if you stretched the
point, even business associates.

But never, ever, in your wildest
imagination, could you consider us friends.

- Now tell me, what have you got?
- Gee, I'm sorry you feel that way.

Come on.

Okay. It's the usual deal. High
bidder gets it. I'm the middleman.

I get a percentage from them
and a percentage from the buyer.

- I wanna know who contacted you.
- Ha. Come on, Lee, you can't...

I just changed the rules. I'll
ask it! Who contacted you?

- Watch the jacket.
- Come on!

Okay, okay.

Uh, tell you the
truth, I don't know.

I swear! It was at a drop
site. I never saw anybody.

If you're not telling
me the truth, I'm...

I'm telling you like it is.

Now you listen to me. I can't
answer those kind of questions.

I'm an information
broker and a middleman.

The only reason I'm even alive right
now is because I don't reveal my contacts.

Ha. Thank God for small favors.

Oh, go ahead, joke about it.

But if I'm dead, who's
gonna deal you information?

Oh, I know, you'll find somebody
else. But let me ask you this...

you think he'll play square
with you the way I do?

Hey, did I ever give
you false information?

On purpose? Did I ever jack up
my price in the middle of a deal?

- Come on.
- Outrageously?

You could do a lot worse, pal.

All right, all right.
You made your point.

This must be pretty important, huh? Or you
wouldn't have gotten so bent out of shape.

It's very important. A lot of
innocent lives are at stake.

Tell you what...

forget the usual down payment.
The pages are yours, on the house.

What do you mean, pages?

From the book. They were
dropped off with the ransom demand.

And there you go, folks,
another great match.

Here's Mud in Your Eye.
Not exactly the Olympics...

but what do you want
for a $5 cover charge?

Where's the telephone?

Hey, these girls aren't cheap.

But they do fight dirty.

Free. This time.

You can make it up to me later.

Money is always the bottom
line with you, isn't it, Augie?

What's this? I'm only
doing this because I like you.

Yeah, sure, and also
because you're a super patriot.

Well, that too.

Let's just say I owe you.

- Oh, excuse me.
- Amanda, uh, what are you doing here?

Looking for a phone
to call my mother.

Where have you
been hiding this one?

August Riley Swann,
at your service.

Augie, she's not your type.

Don't be so sure. We could
use a clean-cut all-American type.

- Hi. You ever done any wrestling?
- Hi. No.

- No matter, they fake most of it anyway.
- Augie.

- Here. You ever want a tryout, okay?
- No, thank you.

- I don't think I will.
- Are you sure?

I can get you a cut rate on dry
cleaning. Take my card. Just take my card.

What?

- Amanda, we have work to do.
- Gotta go.

- Okay. You sure?
- Sure.

- Change your mind, let me know.
- You'll be the first.

- Augie Swann.
- Get out of here.

Okay.

Oh, well.

Do I have mud on my face?

- This could be what we're looking for.
- Yeah.

- Amanda.
- I know, no need to know. But I do.

I'm probably in this.

Please, Lee, just
one little peek?

- Okay. One peek.
- Thanks.

- Lee?
- Hmm?

I have a question.

- What?
- Well...

we're gonna take these
pages back to the agency, right?

And they'll read them, be sure
this is the right manuscript...

then make some kind of a deal
to get the whole thing back, right?

- Yeah. Something like that.
- It's not a very good deal.

For once I agree with you,
Amanda, but it's out of our hands.

Billy will have to
make that decision.

No, these aren't the
pages. This is fiction.

This stuff is from one
of Harriman's novels.

What?

How could you be so stupid?

I don't understand how you survived
those years we fought in Africa.

How was I to know it was the wrong
book? It was the book in his hotel room.

You're his agent. Don't
you read his material?

No. I just try to sell
it, I don't critique it.

Jeez, I don't believe it. The
chance of a lifetime and you blow it.

Maybe you should handle it. It
wasn't my idea to kill Harriman.

You had access to
him. He trusted you.

Maybe the Russians won't
know it's the wrong book.

- We can persuade Augie to contact them.
- Ha, ha.

So they can kill us when
they find out they've been had?

The Russians would never pay
as much as the Americans would...

to get the book back.

No, our best bet is try to get
ahold of the real manuscript.

Well, that's great. How
do you propose to do that?

Lucky for you, I have read your client's
books and I find him very predictable.

This episode of the wrong book
is straight out of Burial in Munich...

which gives me an idea
where the real book is hidden.

Yeah? Where?

You'll find out soon enough...

after a refresher course
in breaking and entering.

Whoever took this book might not
know they have the wrong one yet.

Could be.

Which means if we
find it before they do...

I wonder if he could possibly
have hidden it where the...

No. I don't think he really
could possibly have done that.

Amanda, right now we are not
exactly overwhelmed with options.

Well, in one of
Mr. Harriman's books...

It was either Burial in Munich or
The Dishonored Student, I'm not sure.

Anyway, the hero had just
fallen in love with a double agent...

Oh, Amanda.

I'm sorry. Did anyone check
Mr. Harriman's apartment?

And his hotel room in
Washington. Both of them. Twice.

What about the microwave?

- The microwave?
- Yeah.

Did anybody check the microwave?

I don't... I... I... It may
have a false panel.

Come on, we've got a long
drive. He lives in Baltimore.

Uh, Amanda, why
don't you be a lookout?

You know, in case we
need a quick getaway.

- Oh, okay.
- All right.

- Go! Come on! Go!
- That's them?

Yeah! Come on. Put it in gear.

No, no, no! Amanda,
get it in gear!

Put it in gear. Come on.

- I can't get it in gear.
- Never mind.

Just never mind, huh?

You know I don't know
how to drive a stick shift.

Oh, I know.

Next time I'll drive.

- I'm sorry.
- Yeah.

Mom, can we watch
a space show tonight?

Sure, you can.

- Amanda.
- Yes, Mother?

Could I see you in the
kitchen for a minute?

- Amanda.
- Yes, Mother?

This is the first time in modern history
you've let the boys stay up past bedtime...

especially on a school
night. Now, what is going on?

Nothing's going on, Mother.

Amanda, did I ask you
embarrassing questions...

about why it took you six
hours to go to the drugstore...

- to buy some aspirin?
- No, Mother.

And what about that outrageous tale
about how you got your sweater ruined?

- At a mud-wrestling bar?
- Mother, that's the truth.

Now, the film company that I
work for, IFF, wants to buy a book...

and the contact
was at this... bar.

A mud-wrestling bar?

Well, Mother, you know how
crazy those movie people are.

Amanda, what is the problem?

Mother, have you ever thought
about living someplace else?

Yes. Sure.

Just the other day I saw
this wonderful English Tudor...

- right over on...
- No, no. I mean...

maybe, I don't know, another
part of the country, you know?

California maybe. It's nice
there all year. It never gets cold.

Or maybe if you'd like something a
little slower paced and less hectic.

Well, how about, um,
Idaho, someplace like that?

Amanda! Amanda! Have you
taken leave of your senses?

I mean, how could you even consider such
a thing in the middle of the school year?

You have been acting very strange
since your visit to Dr. Goodman last...

- Is it something serious?
- Is what serious?

The diagnosis. Dr. Goodman's?

Mother, no, I'm not sick. I just thought
maybe a little change in our lives...

Amanda, you have never
welcomed change in your entire life.

That doesn't mean I'm sick.

I'll get it.

Hello? SLEECE: Mrs. Amanda King?

- Uh-huh. Just a minute. Amanda.
- Yes, Mother?

You swear to me
that you are not sick.

I swear to you
that I am not sick.

Okay.

- Thank you, Mother.
- Yeah.

- Hello? SLEECE:
Congratulations.

You're the star of page 91 of The
Suburban Spy. Operation Sandstorm?

- Who is this?
- We know all about you, Mrs. King.

Where you live, your family.

And since we have your phone tapped,
I wouldn't bother calling the police.

Now, listen carefully.

Mother, I'm gonna go back to the drugstore
and get some more headache medicine.

That other headache medicine
just didn't work. Good night.

- Good night, fellas.
Okay. BOYS: Good night.

You can watch your space program
but you go to bed right after that, okay?

Night.

Hmm.

I think I will call Dr. Goodman.

Hello?

Anybody here?

Mr. Swann?

I'm here.

- Amanda.
- Aah!

All right. Hold it! What?

- Sorry.
- I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. Didn't you
ever see Wait Until Dark?

Uh-uh.

- I just had to make sure you were alone.
- I'm alone.

You sure? Because these people I talked
to, they sound like they mean business.

Their instructions and
demands are in there.

It says that from now on,
they will deal only with me.

Yeah. I guess for some reason
they don't trust me with $2 million.

I peeked.

No way. We are not
sending you out there alone.

Sir, I have to go. They're
watching my house and my family.

Your family is safe. We've got men
surrounding your house right now.

But we're not gonna do anything?

Amanda, it's against agency policy
to pay any kind of ransom demand.

But, Billy, this could be our only
chance to really nail these guys.

Now, I say we stuff the
briefcase with bogus cash...

disguise Francine and
send her in Amanda's place.

No, no. It's too risky. If they
specifically asked for Amanda...

we have to assume that they'll
be watching her very carefully.

Sir, I'm not a brave person,
but I wanna go through with this.

I appreciate your offer,
Amanda, but I couldn't...

Excuse me, sir. I don't mean to
interrupt, but I think maybe Lee is right.

I think this might
be our only chance.

And, um, well, my
name is in that book.

And all of our names
may be in that book.

And until we smoke
these people out...

well, our families will
never really be safe again.

- We could wire her.
- Put a homing device in the briefcase.

Francine and I run a backup.

First sign of anything
smelling sour, we pull the plug.

I guess it's up to you, Amanda.

Are you sure you wanna
go through with this?

Yes, sir.

- Hello? SLEECE: Okay,
Mrs. King, now listen up.

I can see every move you make.

Now, I know how agencies work.

So, what do you say we start
off by getting rid of the wire, huh?

- What wire?
- Don't play games with me, lady. The wire!

Right.

Damn it! They're on to us.
They made her take her wire off.

Off. SLEECE: That's better.

Now, just outside of that phone
booth you'll see a brown paper bag.

- Yes.
- In that brown paper bag is a satchel.

Take the money out of that
briefcase and put it into the satchel.

Right.

A lot of money.

And we just lost
our homing device.

They're making her change briefcases.
Good thing we used that fake money.

Yep. A lot of money. All mine.

- Damn it.
- Here you go.

- Okay.
- That's good work, Mrs. King.

If you turn around, you'll
see a bus pulling up...

- to the stop next to you.
- Right.

I want you to get on that bus
and take it to Chelsea Street.

Get off and go to the
nearest phone booth. Now.

Right.

Oh! Hello!

Whoa!

Wait. She just got on the 55 crosstown bus.
Ryko has missed her. Has anyone got her?

Affirmative, Scarecrow. Bus is heading
west on Lincoln. I'm right on her tail.

They're approaching the
bus stop. I'm still with them.

Come on!

Go, go!

Hello?

You have to be faster
than that, Mrs. King.

You've got five minutes to get to
your next set of directions. Move.

Okay.

She's moving again.

She's in a hurry.

Affirmative, Scarecrow.
Don't let her out of your sight.

Damn it! Francine, pick her up
on Grove, coming out of the alley.

Pick her up on Grove,
coming out of the alley.

Got it. We've made her.

Billy, I'm getting
a bad feeling.

She's been in there too long.

I think you're right, Scarecrow.
Go in there and get her out now.

Affirmative. All right,
wait here for me.

- Amanda King?
- Yes?

Get on. You're supposed
to come with me.

You're kidding.

Amanda, wait!

No, no, no.

Go in there and wait.

Billy, if I had any clues I
wouldn't be on the phone with you.

What have you got
on the license plate?

Uh-huh.

Okay. I got it.

Come on down, babe.

I got a few questions
to ask you, pal.

Buzz off, turkey. Aah!

Maybe you'd like
to rephrase that.

- Yeah.
- Yeah.

- Welcome, Mrs. King.
- Aah! Oh, ha.

I wish you people wouldn't
always do that to me.

Oh, I'm sorry, but I
have to make sure...

I'm alone. I know. I am.

I can see that.

- You take direction very well, Mrs. King.
- Thank you.

Actually, you got here a
little sooner than I expected.

Well, that man on the
motorcycle drove real fast.

Oh, I'll bet.

But, uh, let's see
what we got in here.

Well, if it's all right, I
suppose I can be going now.

Oh, not quite. Not quite.

You see, uh...

Oh, you don't really
wanna do that, do you?

- Mm-hm. Come on, Mrs. King.
- Ouch!

This way, Mrs. King.

That might keep you out of
circulation for a little while. Goodbye.

Not so fast, pal.

Now, the gun. Slide
it over here, easy.

All right. Now, let's remove the cuffs
before your buddy decides to come back.

Good idea, but a little late.

Toss it over there.

Let's not keep our new
friend out of the fun.

Put the other one through there.

Looks like a good time to
start our retirement party. Unh!

Too bad there's only
room for one at that party.

Should give me
a nice head start.

By the time they identify
your dental charts...

I should be on some
South American plantation.

Lee, I want you to know
that I'm not at all worried.

I know you're a highly
trained professional agent...

and I'm sure you have a
plan to get us out of this.

- Don't you?
- Not at the moment.

- No plan?
- No.

I'm very sorry to hear that.

Brooks isn't as smart
as he thinks he is.

Come on. Maybe we can get close
to that fire extinguisher. Come on.

- You mean pull this?
- Yes.

Too heavy. It's not gonna work.

Look, Amanda, see if
you can slip your arm on it.

This is as far as it'll go,
my wrist. My hand is bigger.

- Maybe we could, uh...
- Ah! Give me your belt.

- What?
- Take your belt off.

Take your belt off. Take off
your belt. Take your belt off.

I'm not sure I wanna hear
this. What are you do...?

Please don't make
me ask you again.

- What?
- Just take your belt off.

I can use the little
metal prong in your belt.

Maybe we can use it
to undo the handcuffs.

Look, it worked on Jamie's bike.

All right. Here.
All right, come on.

- I have to take it...?
- Yes. You have to...

I'll take it off.

- Okay. Sorry. I'm sorry.
- Hurry. Hurry. Ah!

- Oh, I'm really very sorry.
- Yeah.

- Come on. The fire's getting closer.
- I'm trying.

Okay.

- Oh, my gosh.
- Come on.

- Get me out of here.
- Right.

- This little thing in here.
- Yeah.

Just...

- There.
- There.

The other one. Come on.

Yeah.

Come on. Hold up. Hold, hold it.

Hey, hey. Come on,
sleeping beauty. Let's go.

Here, take him.
Hold on to him for me.

Amanda, go on, get out of here.
I got some unfinished business.

Get out of the way!

Battalion 14, go ahead.

Battalion 14, respond
to... Thank you.

Come on, pal. Get up.

Well, looks like your retirement
plans are all washed up.

Go on. Get him out of here.

Oh.

Oh.

- Yeah.
- It's lucky it's not real. It's ruined.

Oh, Amanda.

- What's the matter? You seem nervous.
- No, I'm not nervous.

Amanda, relax. Sleece
and Brooks are in jail

and the only copy of
the book burned up.

Right. I'm not worried.
I'm not nervous.

- Lee.
- What?

What am I gonna say to her?

- What? To Arlene?
- Yes.

What do you usually
say to someone new?

She's not someone new,
she's famous. She's a celebrity.

I don't know how
to talk to a celebrity.

Just talk to her the way
you would anyone else.

The way I... Sure. I'll be fine.

Here she comes.

- Oh, Arlene.
- Hello.

I'd like you to meet a
friend of mine, Amanda King.

Amanda, Miss Arlene Francis.

- Oh, I'm so pleased to meet you too.
- And so pleased...

I'm so... So very... I said...

I took a...

- Are you all right?
- Oh, yes. I'm fine. I just...

Well, I guess I'm a little
nervous about meeting you.

I knew that I was very
excited about meeting you.

I didn't know I'd be so nervous I
couldn't talk. That never happens.

I can talk in any situation.
Mother always told me:

"Amanda, you never have to worry about
your gift of gab, you've got it and..."

Well, I guess I've really made
myself look kind of silly now.

No. I just was amazed that you were
able to say all of that in one breath.