"So, have you written your acceptance" " speech yet?" " No." "Because I am not going to win." "Humility." "Nice touch, Keats." "But I read that piece you wrote about abortion," ""Nancy's Choice."" "Unfortunately, it is far too credible." "Thousands of girls like Nancy have unwanted pregnancies every year." "But she's the only one I know who had her story told by a brilliant writer." "Thank you." "I'm serious." "The Collegiate Press Club award is as good as on your mantel, which is why if you don't have a speech on my desk by 2:00," "I'm gonna write it for you." "Let me guess:" ""And a special thanks to Brandon Walsh."" "See?" "Writes itself." "Didn't we give everyone their assignments already?" "Yeah, hours ago." "So as soon as you guys finish your next issue, the mini-bar's on me, okay?" "All right, cool." "Good." "Good." "All righty." "Corrupting the troops, I see." "Yeah, well, I'm trying." "How you doing, Brandon?" "Good." "Susan, you should be proud of me." "I pressed my suit and spit shined my dress shoes." "What's the occasion?" "Jonathan's coming to the awards dinner tomorrow night." "Cool." "I got a column to write." "Excuse me." "You knew he'd come." "Sure, to hang out, maybe to write a story." "But not to be your date." "You're my date." "Right, that's why Jonathan got his suit pressed and his shoes shined." "Jonathan was editor of the paper when I wrote the story about Nancy." "I didn't invite him, the committee did." "Hey, it's not your professional relationship" "I'm concerned with." "Come on, we've been over this." "Yes, we have." "You keep telling me it's over and it's not." "So, have a nice day." "Kelly, I'll get right to the point." "The semester's not a month old and you've already missed several classes." "Are you sure?" "'Cause I..." "I..." "I've been late a couple of times." "I've been sitting in the back." "Maybe I just missed attendance or something." "This is the third class of mine you've been in." "You've never sat in the back before." "What can I say?" "The commute's been hell." "Kelly, you're a bright student." "Too bright for me to believe your absenteeism is a result of a SigAlert." "Um..." "I've had some personal problems, and maybe that's been affecting me more than I realized." "Sorry to hear that." "But there's a big test coming up." "And I'd really like to see you do well on it." "Oh, I'll do my best." "That's all I can ask for." "Hi." "New professor?" "Just got tenure." "She's cute." " You should ask her out." " Oh, sweetheart..." "I know, I know, keep my matchmaking to myself." "But I can't help it, Dad." "I don't even remember the last time you had a date." "It has been awhile." ""Awhile" without a date is like a month." "You've gone years." "That's an eternity." "I'm doing the best I can." "Well, maybe you're too picky." "That's sweet of you to say, but the truth may be" "I'm just not the one who's getting picked." "Oh, come on." "You're handsome, brilliant..." "You've got a sweet and refined, kick-ass daughter." " What more could a woman want?" " I have no idea." "But if you find out, will you let me know?" "This is ridiculous, okay?" "We're all going to the journalism awards dinner tomorrow night." "There's got to be someone you can bring." "There is." "But you've already got a date." "You know, winning a collegiate press club award is going to put your career in high gear." "Yeah, that's if I win." "Oh, you'll win." "You always do." "Why did you show up for this, Jonathan?" "I was invited." "Jonathan..." "I came here to cheer you on to victory, Suse." "After all, who else knows how much you sacrificed for this story?" "Right." "I'm sorry, I..." "I didn't mean that." "I didn't." "Column's on your desk." "Brandon, please wait." "You should go." "Yeah." "Please, sit down." "What for?" "For another discussion about how there's nothing going on between you two?" "I'll pass." "There is nothing going on between us, okay?" "But I don't blame you for thinking that." "Will you please just sit and listen to what I have to say?" "Please?" "Fine." "I'm listening." "Jonathan is pro-life." "He didn't want me to tell Nancy's story." "So?" "So, he thinks what she did was wrong." "He also thinks I infringed on her privacy." "Did you?" "Well, sort of." "I mean I did talk her into letting me do the story." "And how does she feel about it now?" "I think it helped her heal." "That's more important than what Jonathan thinks." "Jonathan was my mentor." "A lot of the way I think and the way I work came from our relationship." "His disapproval was very difficult for me." "Is it still?" "Yeah." "Yeah." "Do you like this one?" "Mm, too sophisticated." "Hmm..." "What about this one?" "Too perky." "Here's one I bet you'll like." "Mmm, I'll say." "Hey!" "Pay attention to me." "You brought me along to look at dresses." " I'm looking at dresses." " Yeah, my dresses, Steve." "Now you tell me." "Well, I gotta tell you, Elle," "I've been a very, very bad boy." "Really?" "Give me some sugar, baby." "Easy, lover." "What's this?" "Honey, like you didn't know." "You're a guy!" "You're a guy!" "Steve!" "D'oh!" "Elle... what a surprise." "It's nice to see you again, Steve." "Again?" "Clare, this is Elle." "Elle, this is Clare, my girlfriend." "Oh." "Lucky lady." "Yeah, well," "I'm beginning to wonder." "Well, I don't know about you guys, but all this shopping has got me toasted." "My dogs are barking." "Yeah, well, it was good seeing you again, Steve." "Oh, and the next time you're in Palm Springs, don't forget to look me up." "Okay?" "Don't ask." "I'm asking." "All right, we went out on a date last spring." "Mm-hmm." "It didn't go according to plan." "Well, she seemed to think it did." "Well, when it comes to Elle, looks can be deceiving." "Oh, boy." "What time are your parents leaving to Santa Barbara?" "Well, they said they want to be there by dinner." "Can't wait, I've never been there before." "Oh, it is so great." "Hiking up the mountain, horseback riding, sailing." "My dad's got his boat up there." "Sounds like just what the doctor ordered." "Yeah, and it's our first trip together." "First of many." "Hi." "So you guys are going away for the weekend, huh?" "Yeah." "What are you doing?" "I'm sorry, you must have me confused with someone else." "I'm Donna Martin, your ex-friend." "I think I'll go get the check." "Look..." "I'm sorry, okay?" "I've been a real bitch." "That's an understatement." "Yeah, well, I've been down, you know?" "Things got a little out of control." "Well, I needed you badly, Kel, and you weren't there." "I know." "I'm sorry." "I'm just worried about you." "Line forms to the left." "Yeah, it must be tough having people around you that care." "All right." "Then it's settled." "We'll laugh at your jokes." "We'll be on your side in all the arguments." "And generally make Jonathan's life a living hell." "Good." "This awards dinner may not be all bad after all." "Aw, speak for yourself." "I still don't even have a dress." "I thought you guys were shopping all afternoon." "Um..." "I think it's my turn to do the dishes." "Steve?" "Dishes?" "What's wrong with this picture?" "He saw some old flame today." "It totally freaked him out." "And did it freak you out?" "No." "Whatever, you know?" "Normally, I wouldn't have cared, but when it drives him to dishpan hands, it kind of makes me wonder." "Did you get a name?" "Yeah." "Elle." "Elle?" "From Palm Springs?" "You start cleaning, I'll scream." "Clare, you really have absolutely nothing to worry about." "Elle's very, uh... unique." "You know, if you're trying to reassure me, you're not doing a very good job." "Would you excuse me?" "So, how did he look?" "Don't start, please." "Just..." "Still tall, dark and handsome?" "You didn't tell her, did you?" "Tell me what?" "There is something going on between you and that woman, isn't there?" "No way." "No way." "Never." "Never was, never will be." "They kissed." "They groped." "What are you...?" "They had a misunderstanding." "Yeah, well, with Steve, that's par for the course, okay?" "There's something different about this." "I want to know what." "Elle has a peeky." "You guys must really think I'm stupid, huh?" "Clare, um..." "Elle is a transvestite." "No." "There's none of that." "She's full-on man." "I think I know a beautiful woman when I see one, okay?" "I thought so, too." "Don't touch me like that." "You know, if you told me the truth," "I'd probably deal with this." "But, lying to me, you're just making it worse." "That was brave, telling her the truth." "First time, too." "Won't happen again." "That a boy." "Ah!" "These two on the right are my favorites." "Yeah." "Mine, too." "Definitely." "I'm sure he'll love them." "I hope so." "You know, I owe you for this." "Of course you do." "That's why I'm taking a cut." "Well-deserved." "By the way, do you have any blow?" "Excuse me?" "I asked if you had any blow." "You got the urge?" "No, but I see you still do." "I'm using, not abusing." "Better living through chemistry." "Is that it?" "Back off, Valerie." "I tried that, but it didn't work." "Try again." "What's going on?" "No, nothing much." "We're just going over some slides to show the collector who wrote Valerie about me." "He's in town." "Are we done?" "Yeah." "And you'll call me when you hear?" "Right." "Thanks." "Why are you doing this?" "Money." "That figures." " Why else?" " Call me crazy, but I figure a career boost might let him see that he doesn't need to do drugs." "Here's a little news flash for you, Valerie." "You're not his guardian angel." "I told you he was using, Kelly." "Instead of helping him, you decided to join the party." "You can throw your life away..." "that's fine by me... but Colin has too much talent to throw away his." "Morning." "Morning." "It would be if I wasn't up all night studying." "You know what?" "I've got just the thing." "I don't think so." "Come on." "Breakfast of champions." "Truth is, I did a lot more than studying last night." "I did some thinking." "And, um..." "I don't want to do coke anymore." "That's a switch." "What about last week?" "I binged, that's all." "No problem." "That just means there's more for me." "I want you to stop, too." "Funny girl." "No, I'm serious." "It's no good." "Kelly, I'm not quitting." "How am I supposed to stop if you're always doing it?" "It's called willpower." "Colin, please." "Where's my column?" "What's the big deal?" "I'll run it tomorrow." "It was supposed to run today." "I think it needs some more reporting." "Oh, really?" "Do tell." "Well, I think it needs a second source, and a quote from someone nonpartisan would be nice." "What?" "I'm just doing my job." "Well, if you'll excuse me," "I, uh, have some reporting to do." "Good luck at the awards." "Brandon, I need you there tonight." "No, you don't." "You have Jonathan." "Have a nice day." "Right." "I'm glad you liked the slides." "Well, not so much your early work, but what you've done recently shows real maturity." "Really?" "You, you think so?" "No question." "New techniques, new insights." "You've really grown into your talent." "I feel like I've, you know, found my stride." "Well, I think Mr. Penn wants to look around, see if anything catches the eye." "No problem, take your time." "This guy knows a ton about art." "And he loves your work." "Yeah, it's been a long time since someone's felt that way." "Listen, about yesterday, I know you meant well." "If this is another brush-off, I don't want to hear it." "No." "I tossed out my stash this morning." "Good." "Can I ask you about this one?" "Yeah, yeah, on my way." "Colin." "Listen, you have a gift." "If you take care of it, your career will take care of itself." "Thank you." "This one." " You like it?" " This is really special." " What about Dean Lewis?" " She had plans." "Professor Claypool?" "I called her; her boyfriend answered the phone." "Ouch." "Enough about me and my somewhat nonexistent social life." "Can we just find the ballroom an-an-and have a good time?" "Fine by me." "Oh, this can't be happening." "Do you know that ravishing creature?" "Yeah, too well." "Twice in two days." "I must be living right." "Well, that's a matter of opinion, isn't it?" "Clare, you look fabulous." "I love your dress." "Thanks." "A. Milton Arnold, but please call me Arnold." "Uh... what are you doing here?" "There's a journalism awards presentation." "A friend of mine organized the dinner." "Yeah, that's why we're here, too." "Hope it's fun." "Hmm, small world, then." "Don't remind me." "I... didn't catch the name." "Uh..." "Arnold, this is Elle." "Elle, this is Arnold." "Hello, Arnold." "Hello, Elle." "I know it's not much notice, but would you and your friend care to join our table?" "Actually, my friend's probably too busy to sit." "But I'd love to." "Good." "May I?" "Mm-hmm." "Oh, they're so cute." "Come on." "You look like hell." "Thanks, Nat, you really know how to make a guy feel better." "Well, from what you told me, you need a good kick in the pants." "Nat, I..." "I just can't figure it out." "They break up because of this story, right?" "But then when the article gets nominated, he flies in for the awards dinner." "It doesn't make sense." "Get out of your own way." "The guy was invited." "Yeah, to something that's got to remind him why he got dumped." "So he's a little cracked." "That doesn't explain why you're on your fourth cup." "You think I should go?" "Unless you're giving up, you got to fight for what you want." "Easier said than done." "They got some kind of bond between them, these two." "Oh, so I suppose the answer's going to come to you by sitting here, huh?" "Is that a hint?" "Fine, I'm going." "Good." "Crazy..." "So, Arnold Arnold?" "Yeah, that's right." "All my friends used to call me Arnold Squared." "I've never seen my dad flirt like this." "I'm telling you, Clare, it's not going to end well." "You know, this whole jealousy thing... i-it's bugging me, all right?" "I am not jealous." "I'm only looking out for your father." "My old man is having a good time with a beautiful, young woman who's totally into him." "You mess that up, we're finished." "Tell me, Clare, does your father prefer clams or mussels?" "Ugh." "Excuse me, is this seat taken?" "It is now." "Didn't think you were going to make it." "You must have been disappointed." "Ah..." "Clare, Chancellor, Elle." "Elle?" "You remember me." "I'm touched." "How could I forget?" "Explanation?" "Uh, sh-he's the chancellor's date." "No, the real explanation." "And to think I almost didn't come." "So, what did I miss?" " Hey." " Hey." "Pull up a stool." "Oh, no, no, I'm just picking up some stuff." "Hello, my sweetheart." "What'll it be?" "Two pieces of peach pie." " You got it." " To go." "You sure you can't stay?" "No." "Um, I'm, uh, meeting Colin at his place." "Well, I hate to say it, but Colin's not exactly on the, uh, top of my "A" list." "Yeah." "He, uh, told me about you confronting him." "You're not your sister's keeper, you know." "Somebody's got to be." "Colin is not doing drugs anymore, and neither am I." "Oh, you quit?" "Cold turkey?" "Yeah." "Yeah." "I mean... things just got, uh, out of control for me." "It was like a binge." " A binge?" " Mm-hmm." "Yes." "Like a reaction to bad news." "My dad and everything." "Right." "Crying is a reaction to bad news." "Insomnia." "Blowing off homework." "Not doing coke." "Okay, whatever you say, Dr. Freud." "The point is that I'm done with it." "I thought you would be relieved." "I would be if I believed you." "Well, believe this..." "I, um, pulled an all-nighter last night, took a big test today... all clean." "So, when was the last time you thought about cocaine?" "What do you mean?" "You know exactly what I mean." "When was the last time you thought about doing a line?" "This morning." "But I didn't do it." "Kel, it's called white-knuckle sobriety." "Eventually you're not gonna be able to take it anymore, and you're gonna let go." "No." "You're wrong about that." "Whatever you say." "Two slices to go." "Anything else?" "Nope." "That'll be it." "You're kidding me, right?" "Well, if you don't believe me... believe this." "10,000 reasons to stay clean." "What are you talking about?" "Don't you see?" "Sterling Penn didn't just happen to walk into the After Dark." "He came as a sign." " I know... manna from Heaven." " Exactly." "I mean, just when you were about to blow your talent up your nose, he came as a reminder not to." "Nice try, Val, but I'm afraid you have it all backwards." "Well, I don't see how." "I mean, he bought your paintings, right?" "He bought two of my paintings." "Each one I painted high." "So?" "So, come on, Val, all that stuff about new techniques, new insights?" "How the hell do you think that all happened?" "Well, it's like he said." "I mean, you grew into your talent." "You're damn right I did." "With a little help from my friends." "You're finished, right?" "I mean, you told me you threw away your stash." "Like an idiot, I threw away my stash." "But thanks to you and thanks to this check, I can afford to correct that mistake." "Colin, you don't need coke to paint." "No." "I only need it to paint well." "And the award for best spot reporting goes to Kerry Middleton of the Brown Daily Herald." "Kerry couldn't be here tonight, which means, of course, if we all don't tell her," "I'll be happy to give her award to the runner-up." "Just kidding." "That's Pete Conrad..." "the guy walked on the moon." "Yeah, I loved his keynote speech." "Susan, you're next." "Forgive me for asking, but what did you write about?" "A woman's right to choose." "Did you ever wonder why men never have the right to choose?" "I don't know, Steve, maybe it has something to do with the fact that men don't have a uterus or ovaries." "Or, uh, morning sickness, labor pains," "C-sections or sagging breasts." "Aren't you glad you asked, big guy?" "You make pregnancy sound like a burden." "I think it's such a gift." "Have you ever been pregnant?" "Uh, no, I can't have children." "Ooh, I'm so sorry." "That's okay." "Don't say a word." "Personally, uh," "I don't think that men or women should have the right to choose." "You don't believe in abortion?" "No." "No, I don't." "Actually, that's why Susan said you guys broke up..." "you didn't want her" " to write the Nancy story." " Really." " Is that what she told you?" " Yes, it is." "Would you care to elaborate?" "And now, the award for best feature article." "The nominees are:" "Susan Keats from the California University Condor;" "Peter King from the Harvard Crimson..." "Susan, win or lose, you did the university proud." "Hear, hear." "Cheers." "...from the Dartmouth Eagle;" "and Jerry Lairmen from the Michigan Daily News." "And the award for best feature article goes to Susan Keats of the California Condor." "Congratulations." "Thank you very much." "You, uh, you don't know how much this means to me." "I'd like to accept this award on behalf of all the women... who every day have to face this very difficult and very personal decision." "Women who, regardless of the choice they make, have to live the rest of their life... with the consequence of their action." "If Nancy were here tonight," "I can't say she might not regret her choice to have an abortion." "The effects are that profound and the consequences are that lasting." "That's why winning this award is very special... it honors more than choice, it also honors courage." "Thank you." " Hi." " Perfect timing." "The soufflé is in the oven." "Oh, I can't believe you did all of this." "Eh, it's no big deal." "It only took me about... six hours." "Well, I guess I should ace my psych test more often." "Actually, we do have a little more to celebrate." "Not that your doing well isn't reason enough, but..." "But what?" "I sold two paintings today." "You did?" "Oh, that's fantastic!" "You will not believe for how much." "Um... $5,000." "Nuh-uh. $10,000." "You're right, I don't believe that." "I feel like I'm finally on my way." "I'm so proud of you, baby." "We should be proud of each other." "And we should celebrate right now." "My thoughts exactly." "You stay right here." "What are you getting?" "I thought we agreed no more coke, Colin." "What'd you say?" "I couldn't hear you." "I, uh, I-I said..." "I-I hoped that you got some champagne." "Are you kidding?" "Cashed the check, got the Dom." "I am so happy right now." "Toast." "To a very beautiful and brilliant future psychologist." "And to a successful and incredibly sexy artist." "Cheers." "Mmm." "Ah." "Ladies' room fetish." "Love it." "Blush?" "I want you to leave now." "Oh, and disappoint square Arnold." "Square Arnold hasn't had a date in a decade." "Well, good, then maybe he won't mind the equipment." "You know, female-wise, the guy's ego is in the tank." "If he finds out the only woman interested in him is a man, he'll never recover." "You did." "Please don't..." "I'm begging you, don't do this." "Give me one good reason." "I'm in love with his daughter." "Spoilsport." "Hi." "You're a good guy, Steve." "Don't tell anybody." "How far did you, um, get with Elle?" "You know, I don't, I don't really want to know." "Mm." "It's Perfect." "You think?" "Yeah." "You honored the people who deserved it." "Like you said, they're the courageous ones." "I don't know." "Nancy's not even her real name." "And if she's so brave, why did she insist on using a pseudonym?" "You said it yourself:" "She wants her privacy." "She does." "Still, I think she'd like to know about the award." "You should call her and tell her." "Well, that shouldn't be too difficult..." "I'm Nancy." "What?" "The story, it's mine." "You had an abortion?" "Yeah, last year." "Jonathan?" "How'd that happen?" "You mean how could we have been so irresponsible?" "Yeah." "I was lost." "My sister had just been killed, and I needed to..." "You know what?" "I don't have the right to ask you that question." "You don't owe me an explanation." "Yes, I do." "When I found out my sister was dead, I went numb." "Actually, I went for the vodka, and then I went numb." "You were drunk?" "We both were." "What did Jonathan say when you told him?" "Well, let me see if I can remember his exact words." "Oh, yeah." "He said, "Will you marry me"?" "I'm sorry." "Yeah, so am I." "So, does it change anything?" "Knowing that I'm Nancy?" "How do you mean?" "I had an abortion, Brandon." "Does that change anything?" "Are you asking for my political opinion?" "You know what I'm asking you." "Yeah, I do." "And..." "And it doesn't change a thing." "Gee, I hope I'm not interrupting." "No, Jonathan, actually, your timing is perfect." "For once." "I'll see you back inside." "You know, I'm doing my best to hate that guy." "I've tried." "It doesn't work." "Yeah, well, I'm trying to hate you, too." "Is that why you came here tonight, Jonathan?" "To remind me?" "I came back because we never talked about it." "You made your choice and that was it." "That's not true." "Are you saying" " I could've changed your mind?" " No." "I wasn't going to change my life because of an accident." "Oh, that's a great way to talk about a child." "Spare me the sanctimonious crap, Jonathan!" "You were pro-choice until you realized you didn't have one." "That's a low blow." "It was supposed to be." "I'm sorry." "You know, I didn't think that I could forgive you." "But, uh, I was wrong." "Congratulations." "I still can't believe I won." "Well, you're going to be famous." "A big star, Susan, just like you always wanted." "Yeah." "Just like." "Yeah." "What a great evening." "I can't remember the last time I had this much fun." "Oh, come on, a great guy like you?" "I don't believe it." "Well, let me, uh, let me convince you over drinks?" "Dad, you drove us, remember?" "You guys take the car." "I'll grab a cab." " What do you say?" " I'd love to..." "Unfortunately, I have an early flight tomorrow." "Flight?" "Where are you going?" "New York." "A modeling assignment." "Will you be gone long?" "Well, not in New York." "Oh, then you'll be back soon." "No, no." "That is, after New York, I'm off to Paris and then Milan, so..." "I see." "Hey, you are a great guy, Arnold Arnold." "And I know you're going to make some woman very happy." "Thank you." "I know you're going to do the same for some guy." "I hope so." "Thanks." " The things I do for love." " Hmm." "Are you okay?" "Yeah..." "I am." "You heard the lady." "I'm a catch." "Yep, you are." "That feels so good." "Man, your back is just full of knots." "Why don't you relax?" "Let it go." "How?" "I mean, instead of helping Colin kick his habit," "I just made everything worse." "Yeah, well, you did your best." "That's all you can do." "Like my dad always said, no good deed goes unpunished." "You know, I think Kelly's really trying to quit." "Maybe she can influence him a little bit." "Or he'll influence her." "Kelly's pretty tough when she wants to be." "Better?" "Yes, much." "Okay, your turn." " All right, great." " Shirt off." "My back has been killing me." "David, have you been working out?" "Oh, a little bit." "You look great." "Thanks." "You feel great." "Wait, did you forget about my massage?" "No." "I'm just going for the full-body variety." "You left this inside." "Thankfully your purse goes with my outfit." "It's heavy." "You know, doubting your decision doesn't mean you made the wrong one." "Yeah, I wish I could be sure of that." "You'll always wonder what might have been." "At least now I see what your connection with Jonathan is." "He forgave me." "That was important to you, huh?" "Now if I can only forgive myself." "Is there anything I can do?" "Just hold me." "Colin Robbins, if I did not know better," "I would think that you're trying to get me drunk and take advantage of me." "I am taking advantage of you." "I'm trying." "Well, you're doing a good job." "Keep up the good work." "Tonight was a perfect night." "Good food, good wine..." "Okay soufflé." "But great soufflé maker." "You know what would taste so good right now?" "I do." "But we can't." "Said we wouldn't." "It's a good thing you threw out our stash." "You did throw it out, didn't you?" "Of course I did." "Most of it." "Oh, you're a bad boy." "I feel terrible, too." "Am I forgiven?" " Uh-uh." " Uh-uh?" "Uh-uh." "Never." "What?" "Nothing." " Come on." "What?" " Nothing." "What do you want to do?" "Same thing as you." "Then what are we waiting for?" "Get it."