Rich Man, Poor Man - Book II (1976) s01e19 Episode Script

Last on "Rich Man, Poor Man - Book ll": Dillon forced a committee meeting.
He filed a censure motion against you.
They must vote it out of Paxtors committee first.
A comforting thought.
You need a simple majority in the committee to quash this censure move.
- Who can I count on? - Can you fly your mother in? Well, Senator Jordache.
- My, how well you're looking.
- What are? But then, of course, an Aspen tan is always so very attractive, isn't it? Oh, come on now, Rudy.
I know you.
You're the all-time rational man.
You plan, you think, you know This isn't a courtroom, I'm not a hostile witness.
You can't cite me for contempt if you don't like my answers.
- I did what I had to do.
- You sat here with me, working out strategy, figuring who we could count on.
- I warned you this could happen.
- Warned me? That you'd put my career on the line as a reprimand? Is that your idea of slapping my wrists? You waited quite a while before you saw a doctor.
I guess I was hoping it wasrt true.
- Do you know who the father is? - Yes.
You're not still letting what happened between us get to you? Ramona, everybody makes mistakes.
- We were a mistake, that's all.
- I know.
What are you gonna do, pick up guys? What difference does it make? What's the matter with you? Stay.
Are we playing doubles? - Doubles? - Your wife, is she playing? Oh, Claire.
Claire is keeping to herself these days.
- Yes, she had the flu the last time.
- Well, I try to respect her wishes.
- How do you do that? - By leaving her to herself.
Kate.
Stay.
Do you really wanna buy it for a guy like Falconetti? Tricorp Hotel.
He works as a security guard.
- What'll you have? - Bourbon and water.
(knock at door) - Who is it? - Al Barber.
Shut the door.
That blond kid I've been asking you about, what does he want you for? Look, I've told you, I don't know anything about I'm sick of you.
You've been trouble since the day you landed here.
Every time I tell you to do something, you do just the opposite! I want to start again, only this time I don't want no fairy tales.
Now, who's that kid? I live in this in this closet.
And I don't go anywhere and I don't see anyone.
But do I complain? No, there's never a peep out of me.
That kid, he's downstairs and he's packing a piece.
Now, why does he want to blow you up? Well, you see, there was a misunderstanding.
He seems to think I had something to do with the death of his father.
Did you? Yes.
You stay right here.
Don't stick your head out of this room.
And don't answer the phone, unless it rings once and then stops.
That'll be me.
Barber, I'm the last person that would want to cause trouble.
You see, Mr Estep and I, we have a deal.
And I certainly wouldn't want to foul that up.
What the hell is he keeping you around for? We have a mutual interest.
What? - You know him? - Uh-uh.
- You sure? - I'm positive.
Bourbon and soda, Scotch on the rocks.
- What's the matter? - It's my fault.
- It's been a long day.
- Sorry.
- That picture didn't help any.
- What picture? The one that made you jump.
- I'm just clumsy.
- Did you meet him here at the hotel? I never saw him before.
Give me another setup.
Look, I know he's the kind of guy you want to forget.
Only, I can't.
Are you a friend of his? Then why do you want him? I got an old debt to settle.
- Are you gonna hurt him? - If I find him.
He's freaky, you know.
I went out with him once.
He had a gun.
And the things he wanted to do When I wouldn't, he started pounding on me.
I was sore for a week.
I'll tell you, there's still positions I can't get into.
- Where is he? - He's got a room above the kitchen.
Second floor, 242.
Awful place.
It's got bugs.
They come from the kitchen.
He ought to feel right at home, the cockroach.
Thanks.
Hey.
Hurt him a little for me, will you? Falconetti.
- Who is it? - Al Barber wants to see you right now.
- I gotta get dressed.
- Hurry up.
He's burned about something.
All right, all right.
Falconetti, shake it up! Falconetti! That's a rather lengthy deposition.
Mr White's been taking it for the past two days.
Look, has he gotten my messages? All right, I'd like to speak to Mr Barrows.
How convenient for him.
How long will he be in court? (trumpet plays) No, I would not like to leave a message, I would like to speak to either Mr White or to Mr Barrows.
You do that.
You tell them I called.
Again.
Thank you.
(trumpet plays) (trumpet plays) Where did you find that? Well, I was looking for some extra hangers and, Io and behold, on the top shelf of the closet, I find the secret vice of Rudy Jordache, United States senator.
- I'd forgotten I had this.
- Play something.
Are you kidding? I haven't played this thing since high school.
- And that was a hundred years ago.
- Ah, the Harry James of - Port Phillip.
- I bet all the girls just swooned over you.
As a matter of fact No.
(she laughs) You were restless last night.
One time you were hanging on to me for dear life and the next minute you were trying to push me out of bed.
I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to keep you awake.
That's all right.
You've got a lot to be restless about.
Just before I fell asleep, my mother's face popped into my mind.
I don't know why, but there she was looking at me with those moist eyes of hers.
I haven't really thought about her for years.
That's the way I always remember her, just on the verge of tears.
I needed you last night.
And now? I still need you.
But you're feeling guilty about Maggie? When did that start? Lately I've been having a craving for a cigarette.
It must be the tension.
You're falling apart, Senator.
Next, you'll be having an affair with two women.
Ignoring it isn't gonna change anything.
You make a joke out of it? I could whine if you like.
These feelings for Maggie, you take it so easily? No.
Sometimes I think I might be pushing you too hard.
Maybe I shouldn't have just shown up here.
Maybe we need some room to breathe.
I keep telling myself, with these hearings, that I don't have time to make a decision.
But that's an excuse.
I just don't want to face the fact that I have to make a choice.
Well, you don't have to do it right this minute.
Come on, Harry.
For old times' sake? Oh, all right.
(plays bum note) - No wonder nobody swooned.
- I think I've lost my lip.
Now, wait a minute.
I don't give up.
(plays perfectly) Who said living in the past was all that bad? The present isn't a bad place to be either.
I am a United States senator, Eddie.
I can't get anyone to return my phone calls.
Every prominent attorney in New York and Washington is suddenly unavailable.
That's rough.
It is more than that.
My career is on the line.
The United States Senate is about to take on one of its own, with all the power and the resources of the government, and I'm standing out there like some kid with a cap gun.
I need an established law firm to handle my defence.
People with the means to dig up material, find witnesses.
Have you tried White and Barrows? White's either on another line or taking a deposition, same thing with his partner.
I went to law school with Harley White.
I'll see if I can arrange a meeting.
I was hoping you could do more than that, Eddie.
Rudy, I know we've been your attorneys for eight years, but we're corporation lawyers.
We'd be lost at those censure hearings.
I'm asking for your help.
Not as a man who's put a lot of money into your pocket, but as a friend.
Rudy, don't you do this to me.
Don't you use friendship to push me up against the wall.
Things have changed in Washington.
It's dangerous to buck the powers that be.
I've had a lot of doors slamming in my face, ever since I went after Estep.
But nothing like this.
You want to know a secret, Eddie? I'm scared.
For the first time in my political career, I am frightened to death.
You're frightened? Those guys in the White House, the ones around Nixon, they keep lists.
Either you're for them or you're an enemy.
If you're an enemy, your name goes on a list.
And I'm on the list.
That's why doors keep slamming in my face.
From the minute you went after Charles Estep.
(buzzer) Yes.
Tell her I'm busy, I'll be with her in a minute.
I can still call Harley White for you.
It's long distance.
Don't waste your money.
Rudy, isn't there any way you can make peace with them? Too late.
Even if I had the inclination.
Well, you know if there were anything I could do I'd do it.
Keep telling yourself that, Eddie.
Maybe it'll help you get to sleep.
Hello, Rudy.
Maggie.
I didn't realise you were the VIP in there with Eddie.
Someone was being kind.
- Have you heard from Diane? - No, no.
Police aren't encouraging.
You don't find a runaway unless they wanna be found.
- She'll be getting in touch.
- I hope so.
Well, I'm due inside.
- Maggie, I tried to call you several times.
- I know.
It seems like this is my week for not getting phone calls returned.
To tell you the truth, Rudy, I didn't know what to say to you.
And I figured we both could use some time to cool off.
- You seem to have managed it.
- Thank you.
I don't want to bash you with your skis any more, if that's what you mean.
Are we ever going to sit down and talk like two rational people? Ah, I'll tell you, I am so bloody sick of being rational.
You know, I kind of liked myself the other day in your office, all sort of unreasonable emotion and jealous and angry.
Cleared my sinuses.
If I call you when I get back from Washington, will I get an answer? - You won't know until you try.
- Oh, come on, Maggie.
Meet me halfway.
Why? I mean, what's in it for me? You won't know until you try.
Can I call you? If you'd like.
Would you excuse me? (Annie sings "You've Made Me So Very Happy") A minor setback, you said.
He'll survive, you said.
I love the way Annie sings this song.
I'd like her to open the act with it.
You were after my stepfather from the beginning.
Your stepfather's a big boy.
He's capable of taking care of himself.
- What do you think of the song? - You conned me into helping sink him.
No.
No, you conned yourself into thinking you wouldn't hurt him by giving me Franklirs name.
I just made it a whole lot easier to accept all those things I offered you.
I don't like myself for a lot of reasons, the main one being I listened to you.
You're right.
There is something eating at me.
Maybe it's ambition, maybe it's fear.
But whatever it is, I'm not feeding it at Rudy's expense any more.
I'm afraid that, for better or for worse, we're stuck with each other, Billy.
I'm not part of your family, Estep.
From now on, think of me as an orphan.
You stole confidential information in a Senate investigation.
You could go to jail for that.
I made a mistake, right.
But I'm not gonna compound it by crawling into bed with you.
Your new record company, my $200,000-a-year job, your big plans for Annie, just shove 'em! Billy.
However this ends, we're both going to be there at the finish.
You wanna come after me, fine.
I'll be waiting.
But not here.
- That's it! - (Annie) What are you doing? You're not cut out to be a singer, especially for him.
- I open in a few days.
- Come on, we're going home.
- I have a contract.
- Yeah, he can sue us! Annie, go to your dressing room, get your things, I'll meet you upstairs.
You can't buy 'em all, Charlie boy! Yeah.
That's right.
Two one-ways to New York.
Annie Adams and Billy Abbott.
Do you have a connecting flight from New York City to Washington DC? Yeah, right.
That's just one - Billy Abbot.
Yeah, that's a round trip too.
Right.
All set.
We leave at six.
My handy-dandy little manager.
The one who'll make all my dreams come true.
- Have I let you down yet? - Yes.
When? Right now.
You sure are acting awfully loose and fast with my career, Billy.
You were the one who came here kicking and screaming.
I finally woke up to the fact that you were right.
Vegas isn't your style.
It's a stepping stone.
You said so yourself.
Baby, the world is full of stones.
We'll find another.
- The record company that Charles owns - Charles? has ten times the amount of money for promotion than Greenway has.
Charles? You mean he's been dipping into more than your professional career? You dirty-minded little hustler.
You think the shortest distance between two points is an angle.
I've finally found someone who's talking straight to me for a change.
- Charles? - Yes.
Charles.
- He thinks I should do movies.
- Oh? He has a movie studio too? He's thinking of buying one.
Estep doesn't care about you or your career.
He's after me.
He wants to tie me into knots.
And he's using you to do it.
I know you two have a problem.
Did he tell you what that problem was? He doesn't like how you're handling my career.
And I gotta say I'm starting to agree with him.
Annie.
It doesn't matter what promises he made you, it wasrt for the reasons you think.
When he's through with you, baby, you're gonna hurt.
He'll see to it.
He's not like that.
You see, he cares for me aside from my career.
- Would you hear a word I said to you? - Probably not.
You're a big girl.
Just like my stepfather's a big boy.
Stay here, Billy.
Share this with me.
One thing I always hated about school - biology.
Never could help see those poor, helpless little frogs getting all cut up.
Try to protect yourself in the clinches, Annie.
And just remember all I ever wanted was the best for you.
Wes.
(screams) Shut up! Shut up! I just got tired of waiting for lover-boy outside.
You see, I've been waiting all afternoon.
I know he's gotta come home sooner or later.
If I had something like this waiting here, I know I'd make it sooner.
What do you do for him when he comes home? You be good.
Be real quiet.
Argh! Give me some of that.
Get up.
Get up! That wasrt nice.
You see before lover-boy gets back, you and me, we're gonna have some fun.
Stop! Drop that gun.
Drop the gun or Drop the gun or I'll break her neck.
Drop it! Put it down! - Let her go.
- Don't you move.
Don't move.
Get off! Stay! You're gonna die, just like your daddy did.
Wes, don't! Wes, don't! - Wes! Wes, don't! He's gonna kill you.
- For God's sake.
Wes! I'm sorry.
Are you all right? It's OK.
He's gone now.
I'm not going after him.
- What - Don't try to talk now.
It's all right.
- What did he want here? - Nothing.
- What, Wes? - It's all right now.
- Hold me.
Please hold me.
- I've got you.
I've got you.
Can you walk? Come on.
- Lie down.
- No.
Come on.
Lie down.
Are you OK? Yeah, I'm fine.
You're quite a little street fighter.
No, I'm just lucky.
Diane.
Maybe now you understand why I kept saying you couldn't stay.
- Diane, you're going home.
- Wes, I told you.
But I'm not listening any more.
You're going back where you belong.
I belong here with you.
This time I'm not putting you on a bus.
I'll call your mother to get you.
- No.
- Go and get cleaned up.
Then we'll get something to eat.
Tomorrow your mom will take you home.
Wes, how can you do this to me? - Diane, it's for your own good.
- I know what's for my own good.
Not this time you don't! Wes, I love you.
And I don't want to leave you.
Diane, you're going home.
Will I Will I see you again? - I don't think so.
- Because you don't want to? Cos there isn't any point to it.
I'll call your mother.
I love you.
Yeah, I'd like to place a person-to-person call to New York City.
To Mrs Margaret Porter.
No, I don't know the number.
She's in the Manattan book.
Yeah, I'll wait.
Yeah.
I'll call again.
Thanks.
She's not home from work yet.
What do you feel like eating? There's a good Chinese place down the street.
Is that OK with you? (running water) Diane? Diane? Oh, my God.
It's a sure bet Franklirs gonna be a witness.
There has got to be more to this whole thing than John Franklin.
If it were, it would just be his word against mine.
He wouldn't push for the hearings unless he was sure he'd get a verdict he wanted.
Well, that still leaves us with two problems.
What does Estep plan to throw at us and how do we fight it? It's a funny feeling.
A while ago, I was at a committee table asking the questions, now I'm going to be in the witness chair answering them.
Well, would be nice if we knew what they're going to be.
It's like waiting for the other shoe to drop.
(buzzer) Is there a secretary out there? Yes? - Maggie.
- Word's out you need a good mouthpiece.
But I warn you, I don't work cheap.
Maggie Porter, my aide, Ken Catani.
- How do you do? - Miss Porter.
- Maggie.
- Maggie.
If you're wondering about qualifications, five years with the Justice Department, on Bobby Kennedy's staff at the investigation of Hoffa, working knowledge of the Hill and several very good Congressional contacts.
- Grab her.
- Wait, we haven't discussed my fee yet.
Well, in that case, lawyer and client would like to be alone and Senate aide could use some sleep.
Keep the faith.
Are you the lady I met at Eddie's office? The one who wasrt sure she wanted me to call her? Oh, that was the female part.
Lawyer part's here now.
Oh.
Amazing how you can separate the two.
Ah, takes years of practice.
- Are you serious about this? - Yes.
I spoke with Eddie after you left.
He gave me a rundown on your problems finding an attorney for these hearings.
That the only reason? Look, my being here has nothing Scratch that.
has very little to do with our personal relationship.
Rudy, you went out on a limb for me when you hired me and I think now's probably a very good time to repay the debt.
Sounds logical.
All right.
Look, we both have a lot of things to sort out about us.
But these hearings have to be out of the way.
Maybe I am selfish, but the sooner they're over, the sooner I know where we stand.
There's nothing wrong with being a little selfish.
That reminds me.
Mr Heath made it clear that I am not representing the firm, so I've taken a leave of absence.
That is if you want me to represent you.
Best offer I've had all week.
Only offer you've had all week.
Well, then, Miss Porter Looks like you're hired.
Again.
(knock at door) I was on my way to the airport when you called.
Thanks for coming, man.
How is she? Oh, it looked a lot worse than it was.
She didn't lose that much blood.
I thought they kept attempted suicides in the loony bin for observation.
I didn't go to the hospital.
Something that called itself a doctor fixed her up.
You got any Scotch? After what that guy charged me, you're lucky that isn't water.
Need some money? No, just somebody to rap with for a while.
Why did she do it? I was going to send her home.
Now, that's a lady who doesn't take rejection well.
Billy, what the hell am I gonna do? Still wanna send her home? I guess.
Then get her a ticket and say goodbye.
It's not that easy.
Afraid she'll do that again? Yeah, but this time I might not be around to stop her.
Oh.
How do you feel about her? I like her.
Wes, you like orange juice.
You don't make it your life's work.
I can't help it.
I feel responsible for her.
Why? It was her first time.
Wes, everybody's a virgin at one time or another.
Wes.
It's all right.
I'm here.
Look, maybe I shouldn't tell you this, but you'd better know everything.
Last time I saw Ramona, I told her you were here.
Yeah? Well, she didn't exactly burst into song.
What did she say? That things werert that simple between you two any more, and then she split.
Well, that's encouraging.
You know, Billy I'm just not sure about a lot of things.
I mean, what it's all about You think you got problems? I got a story to tear your heart apart.
You got it made and you know it.
Oh, yeah? It's a crummy world, you know? It's full of snakes.
I got 'em crawling all over me.
So when you got somebody that cares for you, really cares for you, you shouldn't do anything to hurt 'em.
You got a woman right there who's willing to kill herself for you.
These days, that's pretty hard to come by.
Hi.
- Don't.
- I have to.
Miss Scott, you are pregnant.
- I'm not looking for an easy score, OK? - OK.
- Don't.
- I have to.
You know that time I told you I wasrt looking for an easy score? I wasrt looking to become a monk either.
Not here, Wes.
OK.
- Don't.
- I have to.
I made a mistake.
Worse for me than for you.
I knew that, even while it was happening.
And I really think, if I wasrt such a fool, we could have loved each other very much for the rest of our lives.
- Don't.
- I have to.
Miss Scott, you are pregnant.
We could have loved each other very much for the rest of our lives.
Miss Scott, you are pregnant.
Miss Scott, you are pregnant.
I'd like the travel office, please.
Yes, I'd like a plane to Las Vegas.
(# organ music) Do you, Wesley Jord-ache take this woman - Diane.
- Diane.
to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love, honour and cherish till death do you part? - I do.
- And do you, Diane Porter, take this man Wesley to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love, honour and cherish till death do you part? I do.
Slip her the ring.
It'll cost you five bucks extra if you want to keep it.
Very well then.
By the power vested in me by the state of Nevada, I now pronounce you man and wife.
That'll be 25 bucks.
You may kiss the bride.