All language subtitles for Lou Grant s03e22 Influence

A &E's Lou Grant is brought to you in
part by IBM.

Solutions for a small planet.

Hello, I'm calling from the Trib. I'd
like to confirm a proposal.

How much money was involved?

Was it over $1 ,000?

Was it over $10 ,000?

They're going to design a house that
would be totally underground.

Uh -huh.

How much further?

A friend of mine built one in
Pennsylvania.

Except for the chimney and the solar
collecting cells, the entire structure

sunk below the frost line.

Isn't that an exciting concept?

It sure is.

This friend of yours, what is he, a
groundhog?

Hey, can we have this discussion when we
stop to rest?

Have you ever thought about space?

Outer space?

Architectural space.

I'll give you an example.

What was out there before they built Los
Angeles?

Page -brushing drive -ins?

A desert basin surrounded by hills with
a perfect climate. A glorious, wide

-open space.

What potential for the city of tomorrow?

Instead, we have the city of the day
before yesterday.

Watch it, Nick.

Nobody planned... Nobody saw the
totality.

How much further?

gonna love this shot.

Tell us the whole story.

Hey, don't tell me you're out of shape,
you.

I'm really surprised.

Oh, those long legs. Give me a break.

That is Farron Lake, where we were this
morning.

There's nothing out there but
wildflowers and coyotes. Where's the

It's a dry lake and a delicate ecology
that affects this whole part of the

state. 60 miles from here to Los Angeles
and no direct way to get here.

It really is beautiful.

And a very dumb place to build an
airport.

Ah, now I know why you made me walk 400
miles.

The great Nick Boyer is going to do
another piece on the rape of the

in the name of progress.

Ah.

Eric is convinced I don't play him more
because he's my son.

He won't acknowledge the fact that
Richard is averaging 28 points a game.

many points does Eric average?

Four. So who would you play?

My son.

I don't want to end up in a nursing
home.

The Rosalie's going to call you about
dinner Saturday night.

Didn't I say yes to that last week?

She likes to be sure.

Also, I get the feeling she wants to
talk to you about my staying late after

work.

What are you talking about? I never see
you here past six.

That's the point.

I've got myself in a poker game with
Rossi and a couple of guys from sports.

Rossi? Betting real money?

Losing real money, you'll be happy to
know.

Anyway, I told her I was working here.

Would you cover for me? It'd go a long
way towards enduring domestic bliss.

Last night.

I knew I could count on you.

Compassion. That's what makes a great
city editor. Thanks.

Hey, Adam.

Do you have those printouts on treasury
bills?

Yeah, on my desk.

Well, this story's driving me nuts.

I always hated math.

Do me a favor.

If Lou asks, just say you and I were
playing poker last night, okay?

Yeah, sure.

What's up?

That's personal. It's kind of
complicated.

Help me out, I'll help you out with your
math.

Oh, okay.

I understand.

Adam, Adam.

Wait a minute.

It won't work.

Lou knows we couldn't have been playing
poker last night because he was here

with me working on the T -bill story
till 10 o 'clock. He was?

Yeah.

Well, that's okay. Forget I mentioned
it. I get the stuff.

Did you hear that?

Yeah. So?

What's he doing, fooling around?

Welcome to the 20th century.

Adam Wilson?

He's Mr. Straight, Mr. Family Man.

Did you ever meet Rosalie?

Formidable lady.

City desk, Lou Grant.

Oh, hi, Rosalie.

Yeah, just fine.

I've been looking forward to your dinner
on Saturday, and I didn't forget.

Gee, I'm kind of busy.

I'll be right there.

Well, my wife, my ex -wife...

Used to complain when I stayed late,
too.

You know how it is. The work is so
unpredictable.

Let me talk to Adam about it.

The guy's just too conscientious.

I'm sorry.

Is it that time already?

Yes. Luncheon is at 12. We have all that
traffic.

I'll take my car.

No, let me drive. You make me nervous.

And if I make you nervous, you at least
have the good grace to keep your mouth

shut.

Listen, I'm on my way. I'll tell whoever
it is I just left.

Oh, who is it?

Andrew Van Dusen, you want to tell you?

Andrew Van Dusen?

Dutch, what are you doing off the golf
course this early? It must be raining.

How's Dotty?

How nice.

Oh, well, just a minute.

I'll see.

I'll just take a look at my calendar
here.

No, it is fine.

At Alessandro's.

I'd be delighted.

See you then.

I didn't know your families were on
speaking terms.

Oh, Mr.

Hume. That was in the 20s when his
grandfather and mine were at war over

and water rights.

My father put most of that to rest, but
we were still considered too ill

-mannered and aggressive to be included
in the circle.

The circle? That's the crowd that meets
for lunch at Alessandro's. They do more

than that. They move mountains.

We wouldn't have a museum if it weren't
for the circle.

I've heard.

I don't think they've ever asked a woman
to come, even for cocktails.

I can see why they'd want you. The trip
has a lot more clout than it used to.

Has it occurred to you they may have
another reason, Mr. Young? What would

be? They may like me for my legs.

What is that?

Oh, that's Nick Foyer's desk.

I should have known.

He salvaged that door from the old city
room.

I find his taste in furniture every bit
as irritating as his writing style.

Why must he pontificate so?

Well, he's a critic of urban planning.

Oh, I've noticed.

He hasn't seemed to find anything like
it in Los Angeles ever since we took him

in. Who found him, anyway?

I did.

Lou Grant will continue in a moment here
on A &E.

Billy!

You don't like it.

It's full of holes.

You're talking about the impact of Asian
refugees on the county budget, and

there are no quotes from the county.
That's just sloppy reporting.

Well, I was counting on... Huh?

Never mind.

I'll get them.

Adam? Hi, what's up? The refugee story.

What about it?

Adam, I really needed those quotes you
were going to get me from your contact

the county planning office.

Didn't I do that for you? No, you
didn't.

Oh, I'm sorry, Belize.

Lou's no fun when he's ticked off about
his story. Well, as long as we get him

today. Today is rough. I'm tied up with
Treasury Bill interest notes with Rosie.

You know he never learned fractions?

Adam, I covered for you with Lou.

All right.

I'll tell you what.

Here's the private number for the county
commissioner.

That's better than the planning office
anyway.

Great.

I owe you one, slugger.

You know, I'm always the first to
complain whenever the print shop screws

pictures. I gotta say, the reproduction
on this Farron Lake stuff is fantastic.

Look at this.

Nice shots.

Mm -hmm. I noticed they also reproduced
Nick Boyer's prose with great clarity.

Referring to the airport, he used
boondoggle and white elephant in the

sentence. Do you notice he's already
calling it Edsel International?

Gee, this is pretty.

It seems a shame to spring an airport on
such an unsuspecting place.

What the pictures don't show is how high
those mountains are. I mean, a pilot

taking off is really going to have to
pull back on the old stick to clear

Not to mention how far it is from L .A.

To me, it takes less time to fly from
city to city than it does to drive to

airport. This one's 60 miles away. How
do they expect people to get there?

The lawyer's got a suggestion that we
put people in pneumatic tubes and shoot

them out.

I think Mrs. Pichon would like to put
Nick Boyer in a pneumatic tube and shoot

him to the moon.

I think you

know everyone, Margaret.

I haven't met them all, but I recognize
them.

Big Montgomery, the telephone company, I
know him.

I know Fred Clark of Clarkson's stores.

The gentleman in the gray suit with
white hair, I can't place.

Oh, that's John Robertson.

John Roberts. That's John Roberts.

He doesn't look anything like the
publicity photos we've been running for

past 20 years.

Good Lord.

Where's Ray Hitchcock?

Oh, he went off to Washington to accept
a cabinet post. Of course.

But the way things are going there, I
expect him back soon.

Well, it's about time we had a pretty
face at this table. Yes.

Margaret, we're delighted to have you
with us.

Up to now, Mike McAfee's been our
prettiest face.

But does he dance as well as I do? No,
he doesn't.

Thank you. It's nice to be here.

Yes, dear Margaret.

Margaret.

Well, I sit on the board of the South
Central Community College, and none of

redevelopment that we talked about after
the Watts riots has really happened.

Here comes Monty's little pitch for the
shopping center again.

Well, you got it, wouldn't you? It's
good for the community and good for

business. Monty's got my commitment for
$30 ,000.

We're ready to put a store in if anyone
else will. Well, you always did like to

live with changes.

There never was progress without risk,
John.

You suppose we can get Kyle Lewis in on
this? Why not? Well, Kyle says if

anybody wants to anger this thing, that
his bank will guarantee low -interest

loans to the local merchants.

Okay, that's a start.

Monty, why don't you tell him that...
Fred and Steve have agreed.

Agreed? I haven't agreed to anything.

Who else can we hold on here? We could
always use a good

food store.

And once things start rolling, all the
rest will just want to come aboard.

Is that right? I think so.

Hey.

Yeah, you got him.

I'm sorry to bother you at this hour.

This is Jess down at McKenna's.

Jess.

Jess! Jess.

Uh, did I forget to tip you?

No. Hey, look, Lou.

There's a guy down here from your office
who gave us a bad time.

He created quite a ruckus.

I managed to calm him down, but I think
somebody better come here and take him

home.

I appreciate it, Jess.

Okay, I'll come down.

Who is it?

Oh.

Somebody's going to come and get you.

Lou Grant will continue in a moment here
on A &E.

Grant.

Lou Grant.

Listen, sorry to be calling you like
this.

Adam's with me, and he's just a
little... I know what he is, Lou. And

little. It's probably a lot.

Yeah. So I'm going to put him in a cab.

He's not coming here.

You don't mean that.

I mean it.

And Adam knows I mean it.

Good night, Lou.

I wish I'd give you your night's sleep
back, but all I have is eggs and whole

wheat toast.

Thanks. I'd feel a lot better if you
went jogging.

I'm too tired.

You're the one who should feel lousy.

I'm a veteran.

Aren't you eating?

Breakfast on an empty stomach?

Never.

Oh, I'm really sorry.

It's okay.

I've seen worse.

I've been worse.

It won't happen again.

Don't worry about it. I love being a
hero.

But, Adam, you got to admit, there is
something going on around here.

Whatever it is, Lou, you can trust me. I
swear I'll never tell anyone.

With you at work, is there something at
the paper?

No.

I mean, it's a grind and it can get to
you, but nothing else.

What is it, then?

You and Rosalie?

We have problems like anybody.

I guess the question is whether or not
they're worth solving.

I can't tell you that.

I don't know.

Lately, it seems everything ends in a
shouting match.

Rosalie's the one who throws the dishes,
by the way.

You really don't want to hear this, do
you?

Well, no.

Listen.

I know I've been getting tanked a lot
lately.

But that's no big deal.

I'll cut it out.

What about Rosalie?

How's she handling it? She's okay.

You can ask her yourself Saturday night.

Oh, yeah.

Can I bring anything?

Just a chest protector.

I'm so impressed with the way they
handled the shopping center deal for

Central. The city's been trying to get
that going for years.

Oh, Mr.

Hume, I have no illusions about
businessmen.

But they managed to combine their self
-interest with what I think is good for

the city.

How's the food?

Excellent. In that case, I join.

Only to have lunch at Alessandro's, of
course. They haven't asked me yet.

This is only my first date.

Charlie. Oh, hi.

Miss Pichon. I put that story on the
sculpture garden on your desk. I thought

want to talk to you about it. I'll be
here all day.

You mean the Van Deer's and sculpture
garden. Yes, we're all looking forward

that. Some people are.

But you're not.

I put what I think in the story.

I take it you don't approve.

Of course not.

The city's going to spend $2 million on
a rehash of the same design concepts

they were using in 1941.

It's the same architectural firm.

That firm has built a great many
buildings for this city.

Yes, some of them are ugly.

You asked me and I told you.

Tomorrow's paper is going to be a lot of
fun.

I don't think that went over too well.

You really have a knack for stumbling
into the hornet's nest.

Well, sure.

When I hear that buzzing, I guess it's a
challenge.

I say to myself, what can I do to knock
that thing down and not get stung?

How fast can you run?

That sure smells good in here.

I don't know what. I haven't even
started cooking yet.

Oh.

Oh, thanks.

Uh, look, Lou, this is a little awkward.

Adam and I had a fight and he left 20
minutes ago.

Oh.

What should I do?

I don't know.

I got plenty of stuff in the kitchen. I
might as well cook it.

Why don't you stick around?

Okay. I'll put these in water.

Where's Eric?

He's staying with a friend in the
building.

Can't say that I blame him.

You saved more things from the fire than
I thought.

It's all rented.

Have you and Adam been looking for
another house?

Oh, real estate's gone crazy, even since
the brush fire.

And, of course, we were underinsured.

So I don't think we'll be able to
replace what we had, not unless we move

east.

Is that what you're thinking?

Well, that's what I'm thinking.

I can't speak for Adam.

He got pretty loose last night.

Loose? Well, you know, we had a few
drinks.

Lou, why don't you call it by its right
name? He's an alcoholic.

Alcoholic? You don't believe that.

He's dependent on alcohol. He may be a
very charming drunk, but he's still a

drunk. I've known... I've known drunks.

Adam was just blown off steam.

Try living with it.

We're in a tough business, and Adam's a
good editor. He works hard, and he puts

a lot of pressure on himself.

He's really done a number on you, hasn't
he?

I care about him, if that's what you
mean. I care about him, too, but

I wonder if it isn't that a masochism.

I don't even know what he's escaping
from.

Probably me.

You see, I'm the heavy in all of this,
and I am tired of keeping the family

together.

You thinking of letting go?

Lou, I know his pattern, and he's
drawing you in.

He'll get you to cover for him.

First you'll be encouraging him, then
you'll be chewing him out. There'll be

lots of emotion, lots of guilt.

I know you think you can save him from
himself, but take it from me. I know.

He'll get burned.

The idea is to connect our present
airport with the new one at Ferron Lake.

So how can they do that over 60 miles of
deserts, mountains, highways, cities?

Layer induction, motor track, cushioned
vehicles, gentlemen.

Oh, sure, my kid's got one. I had to put
it together for him.

Oh, yeah.

What is that?

It's a train. Floats on a layer of air
and travels hundreds of miles an hour.

The airport's a zoo these days.

Ever try getting your baggage the same
day you arrived?

But this one's a pipe dream. It's
totally impractical.

Environmental problems?

Partly. It's a basin out there like a
miniature L .A. They say a city of half

million people will spring up around
that airport. They'll all be choking on

smog. Also, these mountains right here
are going to be a problem for airplanes

trying to land.

It took me three hours to get out of L
.A .X. last New Year's weekend.

Another airport's not such a bad idea.

There has also been a significant
diversion of tax funds into this area. A

of money is going into development.

Financial should cover that.

Where's Adam?

Oh, I saw him down at McKenna's earlier.

Oh, no.

I shall leave there.

He might be heading down to the
commodities exchange. Big gold price

Big enough to miss a budget meeting?

I guess so.

Okay, thank you. Yeah, I'll get back to
the commissioner later.

Philly.

5 .30.

I know.

I'm kind of in trouble here.

What's the matter?

I can't rent my lead.

First thing to do is relax. Get up, take
a walk. He'll come to you.

I know what I want to write. I just
don't have the statistics, the cost per

record you sent.

And now you realize it?

What, you're working on that with Adam?

Uh, yeah.

I'm sorry, Louie, he's just not back
yet.

Not your fault.

I know he's got the stuff. He did the
interview.

Maybe he left his notes.

I'll look.

Do what you can.

to go through your desk to get some
notes for Billy, and what do I find?

Vodka.

Did you find the tomato juice in the
other drawer?

The worst thing you could do right now
is be a wise guy.

So it's there to clear the nasal
passage.

Settle the stomach on a rough day.

A vault.

Did Billy get what he needed?

Oh, don't be mad at me.

If it's one thing to go out at night,
fall apart and act like a slob.

But not here.

What's the difference between taking a
belt from the desk drawer working a

while? Going out for lunch and dining
three scotch rocks like a gentleman.

There's a big difference.

It's different if you can handle it. If
you're in control.

But not going off by yourself in the
afternoons to get tanked. Not screwing

on the job.

Am I screwing up?

Yeah. You stand a good chance of getting
yourself fired.

Maybe that'd be just as well.

You know, you're like a little kid just
asking for it, seeing how far he can go.

You pick a fight with your wife just
before I come over and then leave her

the embarrassment of facing me. You let
your fellow reporters down.

Look what you did to Billy. Now this.

Don't upset yourself about it, Lou. It's
really not worth it.

This morning you told me it was no big
deal, that you could stop drinking any

time. Well, you know something? I don't
believe that anymore.

I don't think it can stop. And that's
what worries me, pal.

Lou Grant will continue in a moment here
on A &E.

Power is the ability to command men and
women.

Greatness is the ability to use power
wisely.

Who said that?

My mother.

She'd also say it's not good enough to
sit around on your what's -it and be

rich.

You didn't need any motivation.

I always had a feeling for business.

But it took me a while to understand
that I also had to make a contribution.

My husband felt the same way.

He felt his contribution was to tell the
public about your father.

Yes, I remember the number of breakfasts
that were spoiled because the tribune

had just arrived.

Must have been an educational experience
for you. Yes, I learned how to swear.

You must admit, Matthew was a good
newspaper man.

He was good.

You're better.

Oh, Judge, I don't know.

Since you took over, the Tribune is not
just a local paper.

It has national influence.

We're proud of you, Margaret. You've
done an extraordinary job.

You must know that we have an ulterior
motive in asking you to lunch.

We'd like you to join us on a permanent
basis.

Obviously.

Now, that was the fun part.

Now, I don't want you to think that
we're running a school here, but you

little homework to do before our next
session.

The Emerald Plan.

That's a study made on the feasibility
of the Farrand Lake Airport project.

Oh, yes. I believe our environmental
writer has had some unkind words to say

about this project.

Well, you've noticed.

Of course.

But don't ask me to be critical of one
of my employees.

Well, perhaps if he read this, he would
answer some of his objections.

Now, my main concern is not that a few
people disagree, but that the public as

whole does not have the facts to
understand what we're trying to

I'll read it very carefully.

Good.

You can expect a short quiz next
Tuesday.

Do you know who paid for this thing?

The county.

Uh -huh. The county only paid for half.

The other $250 ,000 was picked up by the
Los Angeles Business League.

Now, to begin with, that is an
unprecedented coalition between

private industry.

You're not getting my message, Mr. Hume.

Enlightened. A new airport is
desperately needed.

It will create jobs, commerce, and
economic growth.

Now, we should sell this project to the
public because it's in their best

interest. Whose best interest?

A lot of guys who own property out
there.

Mr. Hume, read the plan.

And you will see that a lot of guys gave
an enormous parcel of land to the

county. For the purpose of building this
airport.

Mrs. Pinchon, we've already devoted a
lot of space to this.

Much of it negative.

Not all of what we learned is negative.

We're just trying to present a balanced
view.

You're not going to get a puff piece
from Nick Boyer. You know that, Mrs.

Pinchon. We used to do that when this
paper and everyone else wanted to push

growth for the sake of growth in Los
Angeles. I'm glad those days are over.

If Mr. Boyer...

He's not the writer I want. Maybe he
shouldn't write these stories.

I'm in charge of what's published, and I
think he's doing a good job.

I'm surprised to find you so inflexible,
Mr. Hume. I'm surprised to find you

trying to push our paper in a very
dangerous direction.

You may make any assignments you wish.

But I'm telling you to reevaluate the
kind of coverage we're giving this

airport. And the kind of person who's
covering it.

See, this newspaper that comes to my
office for the Los Angeles Business

is the day I say adios, muchachos. She
must have been in a bad mood. What would

you think in a memo to her? More than a
mood.

She wants us to sell the public.

Maybe we should put somebody else on
fairly. See if Boyer's angle holds up. I

think Boyer is doing fine.

Excuse me a minute.

Hi, Rossi.

Can I talk to you for a minute?

For you, I'm always available.

You mind, Charlie?

Don't you take Boyer off that story.

What is it?

I was wondering, what are you doing
tonight?

I don't know. I don't plan that far in
advance.

Want to get something to eat?

Gee, Rossi, I was probably going to do
some work.

You're not going to skip dinner, are
you?

Well, to be honest with you, I'm a
little tired. I was looking forward to

home, throwing out some soup, and
hitting the sack early.

How about lunch tomorrow?

Well...

It would be better if it were dinner
tonight.

What's the big deal about tonight?

Boy, you know, you're not an easy ask.

Maybe I should have brought flowers.

Okay, okay, you won me over.

How do you feel about Chinese food?

I could really get up for Chinese food
tonight.

I was thinking more of Italian.

Italian?

Great. Luigi's.

Carmine's. Carmine's? Where's that? At
Father's house. I'll give you a ride

after work.

There is nothing like homemade pasta.

This smells fantastic.

Oh, Wayne Luke.

Thanks. How are you doing, Carmine? Oh,
I'm fine. I still got my club soda.

Yeah.

This must have taken hours to prepare.

Oh, no, no.

Oh, Joe's grandmother. She used to make
lasagna noodles by hand.

I mean, she would roll out the dough and
cut it with a knife. That was an all

-day affair.

Joe got me that pasta machine last
Christmas.

I figured it would be a good investment.

I've been dying to do this, but Joe
would never ask.

Yeah, yeah.

Come on, let's sit down.

Lou, you sit over here.

Oh, boy.

This is nice.

You know, I didn't see Adam around much
today. How is he? I guess he's okay.

Best though.

Uh -huh. Seems like he's going through
something.

Yeah, he is.

I saw you guys arguing.

You look pretty upset.

I want to talk to you about it.

I don't think we should talk about
Adam's problem right now.

Actually, I thought he came over here
tonight.

Maybe... Is this the way you interview
people? You call this drawing people

Hey, give me a chance, will you?

Look, Lou.

There's no nice way to butt into
somebody else's business.

My son thought maybe I could help out.

Having some experience in this area.

Being a recovering alcoholic.

Oh.

You know, I've been sober now for 14
months.

Well, it's still an everyday battle.
That's why we call it recovering.

I appreciate what you're saying,
Carmine, and what you've been through.

But I'm not sure that Adam's an
alcoholic.

I mean, he drinks more than he should.
From what Joe tells me, this guy Adam

got a problem.

And so do you.

How do I have a problem?

Well, what was happening with you guys
arguing was very familiar to me.

It's a pattern that alcoholics and
people close to them can easily fall

I'd come over and find him passed out in
bed with a lit cigarette. Can you

imagine that, falling asleep with a lit
cigarette, if I hadn't come by? Hey,

Joe, maybe your father does want to talk
about it.

That's all right, Lou.

It's like looking at an old photograph.

Maybe you don't like what you see, but
it's still you.

It got pretty intense. I went a little
crazy.

I was so angry.

I felt guilty. I didn't know what to do.

I wound up going to a shrink.

You did?

I'd appreciate it if that didn't go any
further.

And then I got into a group for families
of alcoholics. He tried to get me to

go, but I was too smart for that.

Right. Then he cracked up his car. God's
little hint that I should join.

So what you're saying is I should try to
get Adam to go to some kind of group?

He'd never do it.

Things only started to change when I
realized it was his problem, not mine.

more I played his game and allowed
myself to scream and yell, the worse it

for both of us.

The best you can do, and this may sound
cruel, is back off. Don't play.

That's tough.

Yeah, the tough part is when you say my
life can be okay, even if he's messing

up. You mean I shouldn't try to help the
guy get himself straightened out?

No. If he's going to do it, he's going
to do it by himself.

Well, I don't think that I can go around
Charlie Hume.

Of course not.

Tell him you're acting on my
instructions, if you like.

You know, I am working on the Asian
refugee story. I don't want this to

interfere with any of your regular
assignments.

But I would like some results as soon as
possible.

I'm concerned about our coverage of
Ferrand Lake. I'm not at all happy with

way Mr.

Boyer has been allowed to handle it.

I want a detached, objective
investigation.

Well, I'll see what I can find.

I don't know how much we can stretch it.

They ain't telling a story.

Well, how about this?

City News Service reports the Harbor
Freeway became a giant feather bed when

pounds of goose feathers were scattered
across several miles when two semis

collided. What was the other truck
carrying? It was empty.

Too bad I wasn't carrying tar. It could
have been a story for it.

You need 200 words?

How did you know?

I have a little gem on the rising cost
of economy cars. It's in the computer.

Sent from Helen.

You're welcome.

Luke, can I ask you something?

You have 75 bucks.

What for?

I made a mistake in my checkbook. One of
those dumb arithmetical errors, and I

bounced a check.

That's too bad.

I need some cash till the end of the
week. Just till Friday's paycheck.

I don't know, Adam.

Did I catch you at a bad time?

No, it's not that.

I just don't know if it's such a good
idea.

What do you mean? You're talking to the
Bank of Sherman Oaks.

I want to make a deal with you.

Okay, I'll pay you back with 18 %
interest.

I'm serious.

The deal is I no longer cover for you
every time you're not here, every time

make a mistake.

It's not good for either of us.

I'm sorry.

You understand?

Yeah, I understand.

Next time I won't come to you.

No.

Not next time.

This time.

Stiff me for 75 bucks?

If you want to put it that way, yeah.

I'm going to stiff you.

Some deal?

Thanks a lot, Lou.

Lou Grant will continue in a moment here
on A &E.

Lee, get Mr. Hume up here right away.

Go down there and lasso him if you have
to.

Oh!

Hello. I didn't have to get Mr. Hume. He
just walked in.

Send him in.

I assumed that you wanted to see me.

Miss Pinchot?

One of my Ainsley teacups is broken.

It's part of a set my great -grandmother
brought over from England. I doubt it

can be replaced.

I'm sorry to hear that.

I want you to fire Nick Boyer.

Did he break your teacup?

Now or never, hysteria.

Being whipped up by the backers of the
Ferrand Airport plan is an attempt to

stampede the public into a hasty
decision, the results of which will have

negative impact on this area for the
next 50 years.

That is tendentious.

He's pushing his own opinions again.

You're right. It's a critical piece.

We say news analysis in this little box
in the corner.

I'm tired of being embarrassed.

Having to defend his opinions when they
are clearly not my own.

I don't care to discuss this any
further.

But I have no basis for firing the man.

The basis is that your publisher is fed
up with his negative, one -sided point

of view.

We have enough obstacles to progress in
this city. I don't need another one on

my payroll.

And if you won't fire him, I will.

What's the matter with her?

Ever since she started having lunch at
Alessandro's, she's been acting like

she's Captain Quee.

What's she trying to do, impress these
people?

I wouldn't be surprised.

I don't know what to do.

They're nothing.

Everyone in authority goes a little
screwy once in a while.

There's that story about the president
who had made crazy decisions that his

aides would just sit on, and a few days
he'd come back and he'd say, did you do

such and such?

And they'd reply, not yet, sir. And he'd
say, thank God.

Of course, Mrs. Pinchot isn't president.

Thank God.

Lugarat.

Who is this?

Adam Wilson.

You've got to be kidding.

It's borderline. Really borderline. I
don't think they've got a case.

They can't hold you on a speeding
ticket.

I wouldn't interrupt your sleep for a
speeding ticket.

They say I was under the influence.

Do I sound drunk to you?

Adam. Of course not.

Rational. I'm in control.

The other ones are being unreasonable.

What did they hit you with?

Ah, it's drunk driving.

Probably come to a $300 fine and maybe
weekends.

Weekends? 6 p .m. Friday to 6 p .m.
Sunday in the county jail.

For 10 weeks.

Sounds kind of rough.

How can I do that to you?

Well, it's not my first offense.

Oh, I see.

So, here I am on both knees, asking you
to come down and bail me out.

I can't know the answer.

Hey, pal, you're my dime.

I spent it all on you.

Sorry.

I told you.

We have a deal.

No, I thought we were friends. Friends
don't make deals.

Do you get another phone call?

No, I don't think so.

All right, I'll make it for you.

Oh, please, not Rosalie. I couldn't
stand it here. I told you so right now.

No, not Rosalie.

There's an aid group for alcoholics.
They've got a 24 -hour hotline.

Maybe they'll come down. Lou,

you know these cops.

I thought maybe you'd come down and talk
to them. You saved my life last time.

Hey, Lou.

It's ten weekends.

Turn the number.

I'll make the call for you.

Well, it's pretty convoluted, but it
comes down to some interesting facts.

Good. Go on.

The Los Angeles Business League, which
paid for half of the Emerald Plan, is

dominated by ten men, all of whom have
very heavy downtown interests.

Two years ago, this group of men gave a
thousand acres to the county for the

airport. Yes, I know all about that.

Well, I thought that was pretty
magnanimous.

So I did some digging, and from what I
can find out, they held on to thousands

of surrounding acres, hiding behind
dummy corporations.

When that airport goes in, they stand to
make millions.

Now, of course, if the airport project
is voted down, that property that they

own won't be worth much.

Oh, boy.

Would you like to see a list of the men
involved I Suppose so

I Wonder if I'll see any familiar names

We don't often see you down here. I need
to have some copies made.

Juilliard sick?

This is personal.

Oh, I see.

Billy Newman will be talking to you
about Ferrand Lake. She has some new

information. Great. I look forward to
it.

It seems Mr. Boyer just barely scratched
the surface.

That's probably true.

A very bold, far -reaching scandal.

Scandal?

Miss Newman has proof.

Well, that's interesting.

Yes.

Everyone loves a scandal.

No one thinks of the victim on the other
end.

Usually the victim is the public.

Yes, and sometimes people who consider
themselves very wise can be taken in.

Yeah.

I know what you mean.

I sit on the board of the South Central
Community College.

None of the... And none of the
redevelopment... Hello,

Margaret. Let me get you a drink.

No, thank you. I won't be staying long.

I wanted to give you this in person.

There's a copy inside for each one of
you.

Margaret, your hand is trembling.

This is not a very happy moment for me.

I think I'll...

Make it as brief as possible.

Margaret.

Just a minute, Margaret.

I think you're being rather quick to
judge what any one of us would do for

opportunity.

Thank you. I no longer consider myself
one of us.

These charges will be very difficult to
prove.

I suppose we can now look forward to
more attacks on the Farrand Lake plan in

the Tribune? Would you like me to cancel
your subscription?

Oh, Margaret.

You're the same obstructionist maverick
your old man was.

Thank you, Doc.

All right, now we're going with the
changes in the food price inflation

Adam, I know that there's a lot of
digging involved, but when do you think

can see it?

I'll have it tomorrow.

We don't need it right away.

The recession could wait a day or two.

That's all right. I'll have it tomorrow.

Thank you, gents.

And we're having another poker game. How
about it, Charlie? You've got some of

my money.

I've been putting it to good use.

When's the game?

Let's say Wednesday night at my place.
How about you, Adam?

Wednesday's no good for me. I've got a
meeting.

Well, Thursday then.

Ask Lou to join us. He'll play if you
do.

You ask him.

How's it going?

How long did it take your old man to
stop thinking you sold him down the

I don't know, Lou.

Locked it out of my mind it was such a
rough time.

Don't worry.

It can only get better.

Excuse my dropping by like this.

Not at all.

I was on your floor. I thought I'd drop
by.

Residents of the tower are always
welcome.

I, uh, got your memo about Farron,
right?

Yes. It's going to be a good story.

I suppose we owe it all to Mr. Boyer.

Not all, but he does have good
instincts.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

I take it Mr.

Boyer's still on staff.

Uh, when you made that decision, I had
so many things on my desk, I just...

Couldn't get around to doing it.

Thank God.

And what is Mr. Boyer working on now?

I caused a lullaby in the lobby.

It's about the effects of canned music
in public places. He says it's a

violation of people's auditory rights.

Interesting. He says it's dehumanizing.

He's using the Trib building as an
example.

Have a nice day.

When it comes to catching criminals,
Poirot and Marple are the masters of

mystery. Tonight on the Agatha Christie
Mysteries. Now, Ed Asner stars as an

aging cop who tangles with a
rambunctious rookie. On Police Story,