Melrose Place s04e27 Episode Script

2395119 - Triumph of the Bill

I'm looking for Arthur Field.
I'm sorry, I'm afraid women are prohibited on the premises.
If you'd care to leave a number Oh, that's all right.
I see him there.
Arthur, I've been trying to reach you for a week.
I am sorry, Mr.
Field.
I explained our policy.
That's all right, Jack, I'll take care of this.
She works for me.
Thank you.
Like to sit down, Amanda? Yes.
My D&D contract renewal still hasn't been signed.
Are we having a problem here? No, not at all.
You're next on the docket.
I'm glad you stopped by.
I wanted to talk to you about Billy Campbell.
What about him? He's quite an asset to D&D.
Nailing the Midnight Sun Vodka account, the boy's on the fast track.
Oh.
I'll let him know that you're pleased.
Let's give him a little plum.
You know, the Coastal Advertising Conference opens tomorrow.
Let's let him give the keynote address, showcase him.
I was planning on giving that speech myself, like I do every year.
Why don't we give Campbell the ball this time? The point is Amanda, I want you to nurture the boy, help him flourish, shepherd his rocket to the stars.
So that would make me the mother ship? You are invaluable, Amanda.
And now you'd better skedaddle before Jack out there has me up on charges.
Thanks.
Morning.
So, did Field talk to you? I've got the speech, at the Coastal Conference right? I haven't decided about that yet.
Okay, I'll decide for you.
You don't have the authority.
Of course I don't, just trying to make your life a little easier.
Try bringing me a cup of coffee.
'Kay, then do I get to give the speech? It's supposed to be about ethics in advertising, Billy.
That's hardly your strong suit, lately.
I'll take off my suit.
I'll give the speech naked, just for you.
Alison? Yes? You have the keynote address.
What?! Have it ready by tomorrow.
Amanda, thank you.
What an honor.
You can't do that.
Mr.
Field told me Billy, I'm sorry.
I didn't-- The hell you didn't.
Everyone says I'm too strong Like a lock that's missing its key You can look but you won't find What it takes to get into me But every time you get too close Everything about me gets weak Steady, girl Can't ever let him know Come on I tell myself you're not gonna shake me I tell myself you're too weak to take me I tell myself it's not use it's too late I'm falling in love Or that I hate you Can't fight it, as hard as I try I'm falling in love or that I hate you I'm helplessly out of my mind Hey, what's with these flowery flannel nightgowns you're into lately? It helps keep me warm, Michael.
What are you doing? I'm trying to jog my memory.
The hand bone is connected to the breast bone, and the pelvic bone is connec-- [gasping.]
Please.
[clears throat.]
Don't.
Hey, I thought marriage was a physical contact sport.
Why am I in the penalty box here? You're not, it's just not a good time right now.
Okay.
So, um, when is a good time? Because if I'm doing something wrong, I want you to tell me.
I'll fix it.
But we need to get some excitement back in our life.
Go ahead.
I'm ready.
That's okay.
I gotta get to work, anyway.
You blew it, Betsy.
Now it's my turn.
And Rita knows how to take care of her man.
[shower running.]
Want me to soap your back? [Michael.]
Whoa, baby, I like how you soap.
You working on a new look? I, uh was looking for Jane.
I've been calling you for two days.
Are you avoiding me? Actually, yeah.
You told me you were in town for the weekend.
We had one great night, no complications.
That was my intention.
Then what are you doing in my life? Hey, it's my life, too.
I met Jane at the conference, she asked me to interview, and I got the job so here I am.
Well, what a coincidence.
Some people would call that destiny.
Well, I call it over.
I'm in a relationship with Jane right now.
I don't mind.
Just means our time together will be even more special.
I don't know what you want.
Hi, guys.
Hey.
Claire, do you mind getting those patterns out of the car for me? Sure, glad to be of service.
Ugh, I can't believe this deadline they gave me.
Jane, I think there's something that we need to talk about here.
Just a sec, sweetie, I have to find this brocade.
Yeah, well, I've gotta get something off my chest.
I love the way you put your feelings first.
I'm sorry.
I've been so busy.
I'm all yours.
What was it you wanted to say? Oh, you know, it went-- it went right out of my mind.
Okay.
So, my speech starts out, "Every ad exec must fight the urge "to violate ethical principles, but we all stumble-- I do, you do, my CEO does " You could rewrite that later.
What do you mean rewrite it? I mean that you're not gonna say at a national convention that I have ever acted unethically.
I don't believe this.
Well, you'd better believe it, because that's what advertising is about.
And if you can't do that, maybe you don't belong in this business.
Billy Campbell! How the hell you been? Hey, Dennis.
You still advertising that designer snake oil? I'm about to sell one great celebrity, pal.
Julie Newmar.
She's signing with us to do commercials.
I thought she got out of show business.
Well, it's comeback time.
And this is a major coup for us.
She's never done ads before.
We're targeting family appeal, real wholesome values.
From a bottom-feeder like you? Dennis.
Excuse me.
May I steal you away for a few minutes.
You just stole my heart in a few seconds.
Julie Newmar, meet Billy Campbell.
Big fan.
I've seen all your stuff.
Billy Campbell, you're such a big liar.
I won't hold it against you.
Oh, hold something against me, please.
I don't know what you're selling, but it's fun listening to the ad.
Well, you ain't heard nothing yet.
Well, that's true of most ads.
I'm sure you'll do better next time.
Hi.
How's it going? Cool.
Everything's cool.
No more weird interludes? No more blackout spells? I wasn't blacking out.
I just I just wasn't myself.
You thought you were going crazy the last time we talked.
You called yourself Betsy, ordered Tupperware.
That was just some role-playing therapy.
Everything's under control now.
Why am I not reassured? Hey, come on.
We all have different personalities inside us.
You almost killed Amanda once.
You'd probably kill for her now.
Are you thinking about killing someone? [laughs.]
Give it a rest, Pete.
I'm not a danger to myself or anyone else.
Which reminds me, I won't be needing those downers anymore.
Well, from the looks of you, I don't think you're well enough to justify that, Kimberly.
I know I am.
I just need your confidence in me so I that don't lose any ground.
You see, those pills deaden my senses, and I need to get in touch with my real feelings.
If we try it your way, the first sign of trouble, you must resume your medication.
Agreed? Agreed.
I've got to get to the hospital right now.
You keep in touch.
Mm-hmm.
Doctors are such idiots.
[Sydney.]
Knock, knock.
Yes? You again.
What is it this time? Did Bobby jump bail on you? No, he wouldn't do that to me.
But he does need a job.
Can you give him one? Why should I? Bobby knows this company inside and out.
You couldn't even begin to fill his pants.
No, filling his pants would be your job description, I suspect.
You rode his coattails while he laid groundwork.
And now that the dust is settled, you're on easy street and he's in the toilet.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, that's way too many metaphors for me to sort.
All I'm saying is someone had to set him up to take the fall.
And you're sitting pretty right now.
You're sitting in Bobby's chair, as a matter of fact.
I hope you're not suggesting that I had something to do with this crash.
If the crash fits.
His father brought him down! It was strictly a family matter.
Everybody knows that! Oh, really? Yes, really.
Well, then, why would you have a problem hiring him? Don't overplay your hand, Sydney.
I'll think about it.
Let's just leave it at that.
Okay.
Did you do what you were supposed to do? Jake is an honest man, if you can believe that.
He won't cheat on Jane.
Well, he did cheat on her with you at the design conference, if I recall.
Which reminds me, you owe me a bonus for seducing him so fast.
But he's got the guilts now, so he won't touch me, period, exclamation point.
Okay, fine, tell Jane that you slept with him.
Tell her that uh you do him everyday at lunch.
Tell you what, make it an extra 50 and I'll jump Jane's bones.
Do whatever you want.
Just get it done.
Jane? Mm-hmm? I have something to say.
Mm, you think the hem line's too high? No, I mean-- I feel really terrible about this.
You've been such a friend.
What are you talking about? Me and Jake have been having an affair.
[laughs.]
Claire, that's ridiculous.
Well, he said you wouldn't mind, but-- Look, I don't know why you'd think I'd buy this? Because it's true.
[Jake.]
That's bull.
What, you forgot you did me all night long? No.
I mean we were together once, but it didn't mean anything.
What? I tried to tell you yesterday.
I met her at the bar at the hotel the night of the design conference.
So you are having an affair? No.
Jake, you slept with me and then with her.
What do you call it, double dating? Jane, I did it once, I'm sorry.
I haven't done it again.
You know how we were fighting that night.
Oh, so that makes it okay? No.
Well, I hope you and your little tramp are very happy together.
Excuse me.
I need some air.
You're fired, bitch.
What are you doing here? I got some sandwiches.
I thought we might talk.
About what? I don't know, we've been through a lot lately.
And you seem pretty remote.
I don't know where we stand.
How about apart? Don't you think it deserves one last chance? I'm willing to go the extra mile.
You know, you're so preachy.
Just like at my engagement party when you lectured me not to marry Jane.
You didn't love her.
She didn't love you.
Marriage is a business, Jo.
My business folds without a designer.
And I'm out of business.
You mounted a good show without her.
Those were her designs we used.
You stole her dresses and then lied to me? You'll believe almost anything, won't you? You act like you just hate me.
I loved you, and it was the biggest mistake I ever made.
Do you think that I want a life of peanut butter and jelly? I want caviar, I want lobster, I want style in my life! And to win at any cost.
You just figured that out? I always win.
No, you don't.
You didn't win when Jane set off the sprinklers on your bogus show.
She had the stones to do that? I gotta hand it to old Jane.
You are a putrid excuse for a human being! I can't believe I tried to work this out! I can't believe I left Jake for you! I can't believe that you're still here.
I'm already gone.
I decided to define it intuitively.
Ethics is listening with your conscience.
Billy, are you listening? Did I tell you I talked to Julie Newmar? She's totally charming.
I can't figure out why she retired.
Time goes by.
Age is just one more glass ceiling.
You can be beautiful, talented woman in the world, and you hit 40, adios.
Getting your excuses ready early? I don't need any excuses.
I have the keynote address, remember? Touché.
I will say this for your actress.
She has one annoying habit.
She plays the TV too loud.
Your room's next to hers? Yeah, she kept me up half the night, I'm exhausted I wonder how that idiot, Dennis, got her to sign on with them.
Money talks.
Are you going to listen to my speech or not? I've got to meet somebody first.
I'll tell you what, I'll come up to your room later and I'll show you how it's done.
I know how it's done.
I was hoping to teach you some listening skills.
The contract's in my suite.
I'll sign it in the morning, if everything's okay? Oh, it's okay.
And we already paid for these.
If the tabloids ever get ahold of those photos, you can kiss my Snow White comeback good-bye.
Hey, you're talking to Mr.
Mum's-the-word, Miss Newmar.
And to show good faith there are no other copies? Nope, the negatives are in there, too.
As soon as you sign your contracts, you get your first paycheck.
I've never been paid so little.
As soon as you're in the public eye again, your price will skyrocket.
No question.
Everybody wins.
Turned in the job with Alicia to become a mechanic.
So you like this job, huh? Ow! I love it.
Then this is what I want for you.
Well, for you, for me, that is what I want.
What are you talking about? About moving in with me.
I think you should move in.
I think I need to go solo for awhile.
I just need some space.
Well, you're not going to have any space soon.
I mean, you're getting evicted, right? Yeah, there's that.
Well, that's what I'm saying.
It's a space thing.
Just until you get rolling again.
Where would I sleep? I have a sofa bed.
It's perfect.
I hate those things.
No, no, it's for me.
I love sofa beds.
No, really.
And you have to pay half the rent.
There will be no deadbeat roommates allowed.
Please, Bobby.
For me.
You really are cute.
And I do appreciate everything you've done for me.
If I do this, this has to be platonic.
Of course, I mean, what did you think? I think I've been through the mill, and I'm not really ready for an actual relationship yet.
Just think of me as a passing ship.
You sure you want to do this? Walk me to my car.
You know, Howard Hughes began his career building airplanes.
You could parlay this into all sorts of things.
Okay, I'll just tell him.
Michael, I've become three different people.
You see, sometimes I'm this woman Betsy.
She's a dangerous prude.
But then, Rita, she's the strong one.
She protects us from her.
Have you ever read the book "Sybil"? Michael.
I'm going completely and totally insane again.
Hey, Kimberly.
You know, some yo-yo parked his Triumph in your spot.
I'm the yo-yo.
It's my bike.
And I'm taking you on a road trip.
Come on.
Let's ride.
So, is this the "biker chick picks up the doctor" fantasy? [Billy.]
You know, I think you should revise this last paragraph, Alison.
Al? Are you asleep? [door unlocking.]
A little surprise for you when you wake up, Alison.
[knock on door.]
Yes.
Arthur Field, Amanda.
There's a rumor going around that you've assigned the keynote address to Alison Parker, could that be right? Well, yes, actually.
I did.
Perhaps I didn't make myself clear in our earlier discussion.
I wanted Billy Campbell to give that speech.
Yes, I understood your preference.
My preference is to renew your contract.
Is that clear? Crystal.
Then let's indulge my preferences, shall we, Amanda? Have a good day.
[dial tone.]
Amanda, would you go over today's schedule with me? Yeah.
What's this? What? Racy photos of Julie Newmar from years ago, and a confidential contract? Really? Yeah, I heard that some stuff was stolen out of her room last night.
Let me see.
Whoa.
What are they doing here? I have no idea.
We could always claim that somebody planted them.
Well, obviously, somebody planted them.
I didn't steal them.
Don't worry, we'll cover for you.
I'm just amazed that you would try to end run me on one of my projects.
Your project? Julie Newmar? Clearly there's a personal agenda fueling competition between you two.
I have no personal agenda.
No, of course not.
The only thing to do is return these to their proper owner.
The only ethical thing.
Can I have a beer? Bad day? I can't believe what a world class sleaze ball Richard turned out to be.
Let me guess, as soon as he found out that you couldn't help his career, he lost your phone number.
What is it with me, Jake? Violence, humiliation.
Do I invite this kind of stuff? Some guys don't need an invitation.
I think this is just a case of Richard happens.
Let's see, before he happened all over me, he trashed Jane.
And he broke us up to do it.
We were good together once, you and I.
You made it pretty easy.
I'm gonna go away for a couple of days and clear my head, figure out what's next.
You want to come along? Hmm.
I guess you really love her, don't you? Yeah.
I guess I do.
Lucky you.
We appreciate you coming.
Why all the mystery? Well, I can't tell you how we got these but I would like to apologize.
If this is some tabloid set-up, you'll spend the rest of your life in court.
No, no, no, no, it's just a friendly gesture.
We know how to keep hot-water secrets.
Thank you very much.
I'll remember that.
We just want to help.
Julie, you know you can trust your biggest fan.
I've been in this business long enough, Mr.
Campbell, to know who I can trust.
Well, it's a shame the way people take advantage.
Your contract, for example, I happened to notice that it stinks.
And I will say that you are worth a lot more than they're paying.
What they're paying and what I'm worth has nothing to do with my salary, thank you very much, Let's cut to the chase.
I will triple this offer if you sign with us.
We will do twice as good a job, and we are very discreet with our own clients.
Well, you certainly know all the pressure points, don't you? Yes, I just want to do what's best for everybody.
For someone so young and charming, you're very cold.
I suppose that's considered a plus in your business, but I don't like it, Mr.
Campbell.
However, I'd rather have you with me than against me, and have all these extra zeros in my salary.
Yes I'll sign it.
How did you pull that one off? Looks a lot like blackmail to me.
No, just good salesmanship, Alison.
Close call, Amanda.
If Alison is implicated in this theft, it's gonna be a huge exposure problem for D&D.
I didn't steal those pictures.
Especially embarrassing if she's giving the talk on ethics.
What are you saying? I think you should bow out on the keynote address.
Say you got sick.
But I didn't do anything! Alison, I know you didn't steal them, but Billy may have a point politically.
I'm pulling you off the speech.
What? Just to cover our bases.
Billy, can you handle it on such short notice? Sure, anything for the firm.
You planted those contracts, didn't you? You arranged this whole thing.
Yeah, let's see.
I drugged you to sleep last night, I snuck out on the balcony, slipped into Julie's room-- He set me up! Don't you get it? Yes, I get it.
But D&D owns Julie Newmar now, because of Billy.
What have you done for the company? A hell of a lot! And I stayed honest doing it.
Well, that's terrific, Alison.
And I'm sure you'll get recognized someday for it.
Recognize this.
Billy made me look guilty, and he's holding it over both our heads.
I just saved your bacon, Alison.
A little thanks would be nice.
Thanks.
I guess that's my cue to leave.
Join me for a drink, Amanda? You know, at D&D, we won an award for our Goldenrod Shampoo campaign.
[applause.]
Oh, thank you very much.
But is there really any difference between shampoos? Now we make people think that one is better.
They buy the illusion that we've hyped.
The illusion of glamour and the promise of sex because sex is what sells, my friends.
Sex is our best lie.
And, of course, lying is what we really do best.
I know I do.
I'm-- I'm a liar.
And a-- And a thief.
And an empty shell.
I've I've I've stolen accounts.
I've plagiarized campaigns.
I've lost every friend.
I've lost every human impulse.
But then I'm a huge success.
So it's all worth it.
Because it doesn't matter if you're alone.
Because when we're hot, we're always alone.
So say it loud! I lie! And I'm proud! [sparse applause.]
[loud applause.]
You're the man.
Congratulations, maestro.
Everything I am I owe to you, Amanda.
And don't you forget it.
Come here, I want to show you something.
Show me what? And what do you expect in return? I just want to see all your great moves.
You've seen them before.
I want to know what I'm buying.
Buy now pay later.
Give me a hand with this one, will you? You were right.
Sex sells.
[knock on door.]
Yeah? Well, you're looking relaxed.
Hey, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a good cigar.
Michael told me about the motorcycle ride you took him on.
He's concerned you're getting a little too free-spirited.
Yeah, well, Mike is just overreacting, as usual.
I'm becoming exactly who I want to be.
As long as you don't lose your real self along the way.
Kimberly, you're not only a patient of mine, you're important to me.
I know, I know, you told me all about your sister.
It's very touching.
And I've got everything under control.
Please, don't worry about me.
Well, I must say, I'm more than a little concerned by your mood swings.
Oh, well, then.
Maybe you need a session.
Shall I start the meter ticking? Listen to me.
I'm very concerned that this facade of strength is hiding an enormous amount of boiling fear and the lid's about to blow.
Ooh, look out, she's gonna blow.
Ooh! Guess my safety valve is working.
When did you start this nasty little habit? When I gave up chewing gum.
Kimberly, I insist you start seeing me everyday again.
Mmm.
Your Rorschach or mine? And go back on your medication.
Uh-uh, don't need it.
I'm a miracle cure.
This is not a negotiation! All right, all right, Pete.
Whatever you say.
Tomorrow morning, we're gonna start.
If you're not there, we're gonna consider re-hospitalization.
Got it? Got it.
[door closes.]
All I want to do is be your lover All I want to do is be your friend Hey, how's it going? I um misplaced a blouse order and signed for the wrong fabrics.
I guess something's putting you off your game.
Yeah.
It's just hard to manage the business part when I'm concentrating so hard on the design part.
Where's a jerk like Richard when you need him? Probably out setting his sights on you.
I'm not such an easy target anymore.
I could run interference for you if you want.
I'm not so sure I can trust you either.
Well, same here.
I took you to that fashion show, and then I find out that you set off the sprinklers? Come on, Jake, I admit that was a mistake.
A mistake? He deserved it.
Well, I deserve the truth.
I don't even know who you are anymore.
Who am I? I am someone who hurts when my lover sleeps with a stranger.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I know I'm partly to blame.
No, just because we were fighting at the hotel, doesn't give me a reason to act like well, so juvenile.
I know I've done some nasty things lately.
But you forgave me.
So why shouldn't I forgive you, I wonder? I don't know.
Why? I don't know.
I don't know why I do the things that I do.
Sometimes I just don't think.
It's like I'm on auto pilot.
But you've gotta believe me when I tell you that it's about you.
Only you.
You're the one.
Richard Hart, down and out in Beverly Hills.
You just love watching someone with breeding go under, don't you, Jake? Is that the reason you came? No, I came 'cause Jane's not having a great time either.
Not that you care about anyone but yourself.
Oh, I care a lot about her.
I just wish she'd dump your sorry ass.
Now, what the hell are you doing here? Proposing a deal.
I want you to go back into business with Jane.
What's the catch, Hanson? Do you want to, I don't know, photograph my books, call the IRS? No, I just want what's best for Jane.
No hard feelings, she can come back to work for me.
That's not the deal.
The deal is you're partners, 50/50.
But you take orders from her and stay out of her personal life.
You must really have it bad for her, Jake.
Like I said, that's none of your business.
I think now it's half my business.
Yeah.
Last night was quite a coup, Billy.
Water cooler material.
Thank you very much, Mr.
Field.
Public speaking is usually not my cup of tea.
No, no, no, no, not the speech.
Oh, you mean getting Julie Newmar to sign on with us.
Yeah, I feel really good about that.
No, Billy, the real conquest.
What was Amanda Woodward like in the sack? Well, we didn't really-- Oh, come on, Billy, everybody at the convention was talking about it.
Now, come clean.
How did the ice queen melt? And I want all the details, Campbell.
This is the information age.
Well, whatever you gentlemen can dream up, it was better.
[laughter.]
Well, I didn't expect to see you here this late.
You left the convention a little early, from where I was sitting.
Yeah, well, Billy's speech pretty much capped off the weekend for me.
So, what are you doing here now? Getting a jump on the competition? That's what you do, isn't it? Jump the competition.
The whole company heard you two in your bedroom last night.
I do what I have to to get ahead.
I intend to be the last one standing at the end of the game.
Ah, must be pretty hard to stand at all, you spend so much time on your back.
So this isn't about the keynote speech, this is jealousy over Billy? I have no claim on Billy.
This is about choices, Amanda.
I choose to win.
You can't do it alone.
We should be pulling each other up, not down.
I tried with you, Alison, I handed you the keynote address.
You gave it to me to hold Billy back.
That wasn't for me, it was against him, so that you could climb higher.
Climb? I'm just hanging on.
This is as high as the old boys' club let's us get, just enough to see the top of our heads.
Well, I'm through climbing.
I just came to get my things.
Oh, don't tell me.
You're not quitting again? Watch me.
I will.
From the top floor.
You think you're gonna sneak into the big room inside Billy's pocket? Billy, my dear, is snugly in mine.

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