Rich Man, Poor Man - Book II (1976) s01e06 Episode Script

Last on "Rich Man, Poor Man": - What's goir on? - What's it look like? We're on strike.
- How come? - Talk to my father, president of the local.
You're not the kind of man who goes back on a promise.
What the hell happened? Get off my back.
- Are you gonna keep the plant open? - I've got army contracts.
If I can't fulfil them, Westco could be out of business.
Celebration time.
I'm just back from Nam and I hooked the job I've been looking for - A&R man.
How 'bout that? Scab! You rotten scab! I didn't hire you to think! You're not an A&R man or a producer.
You're a schlep who sets up chairs and runs for coffee.
That's your job! We got ourselves a deal? I'll have to go into the studio and cut a demo.
- Can you set it up? - We got a deal.
- What are you doing with a gun? - That's my business.
If I really care for a lady, whatever way she's made seems perfect.
Mm.
- It's time for me to go.
- Oh.
- I wish I didn't have to.
- Oh, me too.
- I don't want to leave.
- Aw, I know.
(sighs) - Sorry? - Not at all.
I just hope we'll be able to handle this.
You know, working together and We will.
We'll keep it loose and easy.
I hope your other men friends won't mind seeing less of you.
I intend to take up a good deal of your time.
You are so lovely.
(door buzzer) Hello, Mother.
Diane! What are you doing here? I was homesick for New York.
Can I come in? Of course.
Oh, honey.
It's good to see you.
Sure.
Oh, hi.
Uh Diane, this is Rudy Jordache.
- Uh, this is my daughter, Diane.
- How do you do? You're better-Iooking than your photos, Senator.
Thank you.
- I hope I haven't interrupted anything.
- No, no, you haven't.
I just came by to bring your mother some papers.
Senator Jordache is my client, Diane.
You should have called.
- I'd have picked you up at the airport.
- That's OK.
Actually, I met this man on the plane.
A little younger than you, I'd say.
Not as handsome, but very attractive.
We spent the whole flight in the lounge.
He thought I was a model so I told him I work at Bergdorf's.
He gave me a lift.
He wants me to go out with him on Wednesday.
Well, I can see you ladies have a lot to catch up on.
- It was nice to meet you, Diane.
- Sure.
Good night, Maggie.
Call me on that injunction.
Sorry to have kept you up so late.
Oh, that's no problem.
Good night.
Why didn't you tell me you were coming, honey? Did anything happen out there? Not really.
I just couldn't stand Daddy's new wife.
I just got your letter.
It didn't say anything about leaving.
That's cos I just split tonight.
I caught the redeye out of San Diego.
I guess I should have called before I came barging in on you.
I would have if I'd known.
He's really nice-Iooking.
Yes, he is.
You know, you may have embarrassed him.
- How? - I think you know.
You mean you think I was coming on to him.
Mother, get off it.
Are we gonna have to go through that stuff again? I hope not, Diane.
I really hope not.
(rings) - Oh, Senator.
- Good morning.
Sorry to come by early.
I hoped to catch your father before he left for the plant.
- Well, uh, can you wait a minute? - Sure.
Daddy? Mars got a right to some privacy in his own house.
What do you want? - I thought we'd talk, just the two of us.
- We talk at the negotiating table.
The lawyers do.
I think we could do better alone.
- Daddy, don't make him stand there.
- All right.
- Can I get you a cup of coffee, Senator? - Uh uh, thank you.
All right.
I came here because there's something wrong.
Negotiations are going nowhere.
Not my fault.
If this goes on, we lose our government contracts.
The plant will close down.
We'll all lose.
What sense would that make? - It's not my doir.
- And it's not mine.
- Would you like some more coffee? - No.
Thank you.
All right.
- Cost of living is the issue.
- Let's talk about it.
What about the pension fund? - We want a bigger slice of the pie! - Is that from you or the National Union? They got no jurisdiction over a wildcat strike.
Why is it when we bring up the cost of living, their observer whispers in your ear and you talk about the pension fund! - It's a valid issue.
- It's garbage.
You know it.
It's a way to throw sand in the machine, stall negotiations.
You came here to tell me what our strike is about is garbage? I came because I'm not ready to give up on you.
I've watched your stubborn face for three days.
You're under pressure.
The national's forcing you to keep the strike going.
Nobody's forcing me.
I'm my own man.
If you really gave a damn about them, you wouldn't let the plant close.
- That's your doir, not mine.
- Oh, for God's sake, will you talk to me?! I do my talking across the bargaining table.
All right.
I'm going to warn you.
I'll do anything it takes to keep that plant open.
And that includes bringing in non-union workers.
(sighs) You know, it's too bad, Scotty.
I think we could have made it if you really were your own man.
Hey, you're not on strike.
Get those trucks through.
- We don't cross picket lines.
- I got orders.
You got a contract to deliver 'em.
The pickets come down, we go in.
If I get the trucks out here, will you make the delivery? - Long as we don't cross no picket line.
- You got a deal.
(horn blares) - What's goir or? - Wes, go on back.
You're short a driver.
(honks horn) - Give me the keys.
- (crowd jeers) You want 'em, take 'em.
- Give me the damn keys.
- Give him the keys.
- Aw, come on, Scotty.
- Give him the damn keys! Let's go.
OK, let's load 'em up.
I'm sorry, Senator.
He's still on the phone with Mr Haldeman.
(phone rings) Mr Goodwirs office.
Yeah, I understand, Bob.
Right.
I'll send a confirming memo this afternoon.
Rudy, how are you? - You tryir to tell me something, Marsh? - What do you mean? You haven't returned my calls.
I've been out there for ten minutes.
You know how it is around here now that our man is in.
Oh? I thought LBJ still had a few months to go.
Practically in.
I'm sorry.
Please sit down.
What can I do for you? Care for a drink? No, thank you.
Marsh, I want a meeting with Jake Logan.
- What would you want with Jake Logan? - Come on.
Logars president of the National Union.
You know what's going on at my plant.
From what I read, it's a wildcat strike.
Since when do you believe anything you read? The strike's directed by the national.
If it goes on longer, I'm out of business.
You don't need me to get to Logan.
Pick up a phone.
I've tried that.
He keeps giving me the same line: "The national's got nothing to do with the strike.
Deal with the local.
" Only he has the local in his pocket.
Now I wanna find out whose pocket Logars in.
- And you want me to play matchmaker.
- Yes.
We came a long way together, Rudy.
It's rare when a mars elected to the Senate first crack out of the box.
Marsh, I appreciate everything you did for me, and everything the party did.
Not enough to go the route.
Not enough to repay the people who sweated for you.
You act like I'm leaving politics just to spite you.
I promised some important people you'd campaign for Mr Nixon.
You left me with a lot of egg on my face.
I'm still not out of the doghouse.
I'm sorry.
But next time, don't promise something you can't deliver.
On this Logan thing - I wish I could help you.
But you can't.
OK.
I get the message.
Doors have been slamming in my face all over Washington lately.
I thought maybe you'd leave yours open.
For old times' sake, if nothing else.
We have been through a lot together.
I thought maybe that was won'th something.
It is.
But I'm dealing in the present, Rudy, the here and now, the art of the practical.
And it's no longer practical to do me any favours.
Rudy.
Nothing personal.
It never is with you, Marsh.
It never is.
Whoa! Ha ha ha! Hey, look, isn't it your Ramona chick? Yeah, it is! Hold it! What's goir on? Hey, slow down! You're gonna dump us in a storm drain.
Hey.
Wesley! You and Ramona get into a fight or something? - Yeah, something like that.
- She two-time ya? No, nothir like that.
Well, then you'll get together again.
Yeah, I don't know.
You said you bought a car.
- Yep.
- Well, which one is it? - This one.
- Sure.
- Nah, next year.
- Right, next year.
You think I'm kiddir, don't ya? I'm not kiddir.
What may I show you gentlemen today? I'm Billy Abbott, here for the TR4 I picked out yesterday.
Yes.
The paperwork is just about finished.
Be ready in a minute.
We'll be here.
- So what turns you on? - In cars? Mm-hm.
- The camper, I guess.
- Ramona wouldn't like that.
- Yeah, she would.
- Uh-uh.
This.
You got the wrong girl.
Listen, friend.
That's what Ramona would say she likes because that's what you like.
What she really likes is something else again.
- How do you know? - She's a chick! At 15 to 50, deep down, where it counts, chicks are all the same.
Is that what it says in your All About Chicks handbook? Yeah.
It says there's two things a woman wants in a man - success and money.
My experience tells me that's a fact.
Must have lousy experience.
What my chicks want is me.
Now, Mr Abbott.
If you'll just sign right there, she's all yours.
Fine.
Enjoy her, sir.
Thanks.
This is the lady of the moment, huh? Huh? How do you like her? She's nice.
Congratulations.
- You goir home? - No, I gotta pick up a part for my bike.
See ya later.
Oh, by the way, don't let any of 'em fool ya.
Handbook says all women.
- Hey, lady, want a ride? - Oh.
Hi, Billy, how are you? I'm ridir high, wide, and handsome.
You got a car.
It's nice.
- Come on.
Be my first pretty passenger.
- No, I'll walk, but thanks.
- What's the matter? You seem down.
- Do I? I noticed Wes didn't wave when we passed you.
What's with you guys? - Nothing.
Nothing.
- Come on.
Get it off your chest.
Well, it's just that there's this strike at the plant and Wes and I are on different sides.
That's rough.
Come on, sit down.
Talk to me.
OK, just for a minute.
You seem pretty torn up about it.
I thought you said you and Wes were just friends.
L-I meant we don't Make it together? Yeah, but it's more than friends.
- Hope it works out.
- Me too.
- I want to take you for a ride.
- No, I really wanna walk! Just a little spin around the block.
Cheer you up.
(honks horn) - How do you like her? - Very nice.
- I'm gonna show you what she can do.
- Oh! Billy! Come on.
This is what she's built for! Oh! - One more time! - No! - Oh, don't! - Whoo! - Do you feel better? - Oh, wow.
Good.
Listen, Billy, there's something I've gotta say.
It's been bothering me.
I let you kiss me that night we all went to New York but I shouldn't have.
I had too much to drink.
I just want you to understand that I really care for Wes.
But I turn you on.
- That's not true.
You do not.
- Be honest, Ramona.
- I've gotta go.
- Give me ten seconds.
- What for? - Just ten seconds.
No, I don't want Now, tell me you don't feel anything.
(phone rings) - Hello? - Hello, Rudy.
Marsh Goodwin.
Yes, Marsh, what is it? I may have found a solution to your problem.
Oh? What would that be? Let's meet in New York.
Five o'clock, the Sherry-Netherland.
We'll talk it over.
I'm not free this afternoon.
This evening, then.
Any place you want.
My apartment, eight o'clock.
I don't know how convenient it'd be to come to your place.
My place or no place.
All right.
Your place, eight o'clock.
See you then.
- How's it goir? - What can I do for you? Not a thing, thanks.
I'm doir very well for myself.
God, I'm sorry.
I've got a terminal case of preoccupation.
Uh, well, how's the job going? I got a promotion and a raise.
Found some sure-bet talent.
Things could be worse.
- Sounds great.
Congratulations.
- And I got a car.
- I know.
- How? - Well, you used my name for a reference.
- Yeah, so? So the dealer called me, asked me to guarantee the loan.
What did he do that for? I told him I could handle it.
It's not unusual.
Your credit is marginal.
OK.
Look, if I can't handle my payments, I want that on my head.
I don't want you thinking I'm a freeloader.
I don't.
What do you want from me? You used my name to get a car and that's OK with you.
But it's not OK for me to cosign.
That hurts your pride.
Well, you can't have it both ways, Billy.
All right, then I'll take it back.
You know you remind me so much of myself at your age.
So determined not to need anyone.
Maybe it was because there wasrt much love in my family.
My parents never showed us much affection.
Perhaps they were afraid to.
They drove Tom away.
We drifted apart.
When we did get to know each other, it was too late.
It was the same with your mother and me.
Don't let it happen to you, Billy.
You pay a price for trying to do without people.
All right.
Maybe that's the way it was with you.
All I know is you got what you set out for - money, success - and you're someone.
You didn't ask for help.
You made it on your own.
Right, I did it all alone, and that's where I ended up - alone.
I'd hate to see that happen to you.
So if you'll accept the offer, I'll cosign for the car and you'll be responsible for the payments.
I don't need a car anyway.
All right.
That's your decision.
If you do decide to keep it My car is in the shop.
I could use a ride into New York.
I know, I know.
I got most of it.
No, no, no.
I'm just a few bills short.
A day, two at the most.
Well, I'm gonna talk to someone who owes me more than I need.
Believe me, Carl, this guy's good for it.
I'm leaving this minute.
- Mr Greenberg, you sent for me? - What? You sent for me.
Yeah.
Take these to the studio.
They're lead sheets for the Danny Miller session.
Yes, sir.
Right away.
Anything else? The Bell Sisters are cutting their single.
They wrap at five.
I don't want to keep Danny waiting.
Five o'clock, on the nose.
And after they wrap, I want to get everything set up with Danny.
I gotta go out now for an appointment I got.
I'll be back at five to hold his hand.
Mr Greenberg.
Are you OK? What do you mean, am I OK? You look tired.
Why don't you go home after your appointment, get some rest? I can handle Danny.
What are you all of a sudden? The Red Cross? L-it's just that I value you, Mr Greenberg.
Sometimes you ride me pretty hard.
I guess sometimes I need it.
You're right, so I'll be back at five.
But thanks.
Be there.
Annie? Billy.
Grab your guitar and get down here.
Right.
I've got it all arranged.
You're cuttir a demo.
Right away, so get down here! (music playing) (music stops) Beautiful, girls.
That was really terrific.
- We'd like to take it again.
- What for? When you've got perfection, you don't mess with it.
- Blow 'em off.
- Says who? Says Ulysses S Grant.
Like the man said, girls, it was perfect.
- Thanks a lot, Billy.
- Any time, girls.
Good night.
- All right, what's the setup? - One vocalist and a guitar.
- No backup? - No backup.
- Hello? - Who are they? - My backup.
This is - I said you and a guitar.
Well, I hear this song with a bass and a piano.
I'm sorry, but I have no budget for a bass and a piano.
Well, if they go, I go.
OK.
All right.
Let's just do it, OK? The studio's booked at five o'clock again.
- Please.
- OK.
No backup, huh? Well, let's get it on a little, OK? Whoa, the games people play now Every night and every Hey, what the hell do you think you're doir? what they say now Never saying what they mean I give you an hour, you're 15 minutes late.
Then you waste 20 minutes indulging yourself.
You're gonna blow it.
And you know what you're gonna blow? A million bucks.
Because you wanna fool around.
I thought you wanted to be a pro.
Any time you're ready.
All right, let's try one.
Maybe we'll get lucky.
(sighs) Mama, leave the front door open tonight Don't know when I'll be back or if I'll be all right But I do figure on being pretty late So, Mama, leave the front door open tonight I've seen a lot of things that made me think Standing here beside you at the kitchen sink Oh, now, the mountains in the desert stand mighty proud and tall But they just don't compare to this feeling at all I used to stand straight I felt pretty strong I knew who I was till he came along Then he showed me some things I never knew And now I don't know what to do So just give me a smile and everything will be right So, Mama, leave the front door open tonight You're beautiful.
Beautiful.
Let's hear it.
Mama, leave the front door open tonight Don't know when I'll be back or if I'll Go home, huh? Get some rest, huh? - Mr Greenberg - What do you think I am, a schmutz? A poor dumb schmutz who's gotta be led by the hand by a boy genius? I was just tryir You think I don't know what goes on in this company? I am this company, Abbott! Were you gonna run another one of your cockamamie groups past me with my own tape recorder, and this time I'd buy it.
Because you know trends and I don't.
Because you know music and I don't.
You been in this business three minutes.
You know nothing.
And you'll spend my time and my money behind my back with two beards and a wedding dress and sell it to me?! Well, I've had it with watching my back.
Get out.
Stay out.
The dumb schmutz is firing you for good! - Wind it off, would you, Ed? - Yeah.
- Who was that? - My boss, Mr Greenberg.
Was he mad.
What was he so mad about? Uh, he, um never gave approval to cut the demo.
I sneaked you in and he caught us.
It's OK, it's OK.
I'll handle him.
Anyway, we got this little baby.
When he hears this, he'll be on his knees thanking me.
Let's go.
Wait, let me hear the playback.
Are you crazy? You wanna get me fired? It's all here and it's beautiful.
Come on, guys, let's go.
Hoo! Buy you a beer, hey? (door buzzer) Hello, Rudy.
Come in.
Well, I wish I had a place in New York like this.
I'm always in hotels, living out of a suitcase.
Well, at least it makes it easy - room service, telephone messages.
Everything done for you.
You wouldn't have a spare Scotch lying around? Help yourself.
I did a lot of soul-searching after you left the office.
I realised friendships do count, even in Washington.
Oh, it's one thing to be practical.
It's another to turn your back on people you care about.
Believe it or not, I care what happens to you.
Hell, I've been in politics long enough to know nothing goes according to plan.
Just cos I wanted you be a power in the Senate doesn't mean it's right for you, the kind of life you want.
Why should I let my disappointment get in the way of our friendship? Are we expecting someone? You wanted me to play matchmaker, didn't you? Jake Logan? - (door buzzer) - How's that for timing? Good evening, Senator.
Charles! Thank you for coming.
We appreciate it.
- May I? Marsh.
- Care for a drink? - No, thank you.
- I think I'll just freshen up mine.
Very nice.
- Vitali? - Mm-hm.
Oh, Rudy's a connoisseur.
You should see his place in Whitby - beautifully done.
You have a very loyal friend in Marsh.
He's gone out of his way to help you find a solution to your current problem.
I don't know if I'm it but Marsh thinks I might help.
For my money, the only thing that LBJ ever said that made any sense was: "Come, let us reason together.
" That's what we're about to do.
Ah, yes, reason.
The last time we met at Ambassador Haviland's estate, you struck me as being rather rigid in your attitude.
Has anything happened that might have changed that? A lot's happened, Mr Estep.
But I don't have to tell you that.
I told Charles about the Pentagon being all over you, Rudy.
But with the strike on, there's nothing Rudy could do.
Well, Jake Logan is an old friend.
If you like, I could try to convince him to intercede with the local union, settle this strike of yours once and for all.
Very generous.
That's not the only problem.
Most of Rudy's business is with the Pentagon.
And when Mr Nixon ends this war, he's gonna have to diversify.
A loan could be arranged.
We're talking heavy dollars - six, seven million.
No, we're not, Marsh.
We're talking about ten million and it can be done.
Whew.
Well, I'm beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
What about you, Rudy? (chuckles) I know what's wrong with all this.
- You, here, in my apartment.
- What are you talking about? The man with the most to lose comes when he's called.
You've just finished outlining how much I have to lose, but here you are.
- Why? What are you afraid of, Mr Estep? - This is no way to solve anything.
The SEC investigation I'm pushing against your company? Hardly.
We both know that you have enough evidence to send three, maybe four, of my very smallest fry to jail for less than six months.
What are you afraid I'll find, huh? What's won'th ten million dollars to keep me from looking? - I offered you an opp - You offered to buy me! All that money to look the other way, forget you exist.
I can't forget, not what you did to Calderwood, to DeeCee Enterprises, to my electronic shipments to Vietnam.
- What you're trying to do to my company.
- All right! You want it with the gloves off, that's the way you got it.
That strike will never end.
It will last until the army cancels every contract you've got.
- Your company will be down the tubes.
- Let's talk this out like reasonable people.
It's a good thing you've decided to give up your political career because as of right now, you don't have any career! Charles.
You're like a man who tries to jump while he's already falling.
Jake Logan, you Must be awfully crowded in Estep's pocket.
I tried to save you.
I threw you a line and you cut it off.
I told you before, never promise anything you can't deliver.
No matter what you think, I am your friend.
I could almost believe that, if you werert shaking so much.
I am shaking cos I'm scared.
That man you just told to take a flying leap, you don't know how high he reaches.
I'm beginning to.
You wouldn't believe what's starting to happen.
It's like a giant blanket that covers everything.
Rudy, I'm telling you, you're gonna get smothered.
Who are they? - Are you Scotty? - Yeah.
- We're gonna help.
- I didn't ask for any help.
- Your deliveries are getting through.
- That's my problem.
Not any more.
Call National.
I will.
You wait here.
You're awfully quiet.
- Yeah, I guess I am.
- What's on your mind? Rudy, uh Look, I want to give you the chance to get out of our relationship.
Why? Diane.
Having her here with me is going to complicate my life a lot.
And take up a good deal of my time.
Diane has problems, Rudy.
She and I have problems between us and I owe her.
I mean, I really owe her, and it's not gonna be an easy debt to pay.
Well, I decline the option.
Whatever the problems are, we'll work them out.
If I can help you with Diane, I'd like to.
- Move the car.
I'm going through.
- Like hell you are.
Oh! Oh! - Get down! - Oh! Oh! Argh! Break it up, break it up.
Hey, Senator.
Senator! All right, break it up! All right, now! - Wes.
Wes.
- Wes!