All language subtitles for Benson s01e15 Chain of Command

Excuse me.

Would you get on that thing and tell the
governor that I'm still out here? The

governor knows that. You did tell him,
the lieutenant governor?

The governor knows that, too.

Does he know that I have lots to do?

Oh, like what?

Well, I... Lots.

Well, does he always keep important
people waiting?

Never.

Excuse me again. I hope you don't mind
my saying this, but there's something

about your eyes.

Oh, please.

No, not really.

They're all wrong.

I beg your pardon?

You're using the wrong liner for the
shape of your face.

It is. supposed to be some kind of an
insult.

Oh, no, no, no, not at all.

If I was going to insult you, I'd say
something about your clothes.

Mr. Sherman, why don't you just have a
seat?

Don't take it personally.

Really? Is there someone else in the
room?

I was just giving you a professional
opinion.

You see, I used to be in ladies'
cosmetics.

I'll bet you it was stunning.

It was my business, Benson. Hey, you
want to wear makeup? It ain't nobody

business.

Is the governor feeling better today?
Not really.

Would you two like me to leave the room?

What a nice idea.

Hey, hold on a second, Benson. I can't.
I've got to see the governor. Yeah, but

what about me?

I've seen you.

Governor.

Governor. Governor.

If you veto this highway appropriation
bill, you might as well veto your

What's that knocking?

A woodpecker.

How are you, Benson?

Fine, sir.

Question is, how are you?

Oh, I'm fine.

Is he really?

No, he is not really fine, and
whatever's affecting him is affecting

just his balance.

Uh,

Taylor, I am not going to sign this
highway bill.

This is a gross waste of the taxpayer's
money.

Oh, no, no, just a minute.

It's, well, it's, uh... Highway robbery?

Let me call you a doctor.

No.

You must remember that politics is
sometimes a matter of give and take.

Yeah, we give and they take.

Governor, now I've seen you the last few
days. You've been staggering around the

mansion like a wino walking on a
waterbed.

Now, you don't drink, so I know it's got
to be something else. I've just slipped

a little. That's all lost my balance.

He won't let me call the doctor. He
insists he's well enough to work. I

to a doctor now. I've got too much to
do. Well, let me get him over here.

Doctor here, good luck.

Well, I'll tell him it's for tennis.
He'll be here in ten minutes.

I can't believe they tried to slip this
one in. Governor, sir, highway

appropriation bills are practically
automatic. They always pass.

In the past, they passed. The past is
past.

Let me get the doctor over here.

Marcy, send for Dr. Phillips.

Governor, if you don't sign this bill,
you're going to lose campaign money.

Without campaign money, you don't go on
TV.

Without TV, you're going to lose the
next primary. I don't care.

Hello, Governor.

Sorry I'm late. Hope I didn't keep you
waiting.

Oh, no, not at all. It's a matter of
time. Good, good. We'll be with you in a

moment. Right, right.

Now, where was I? I don't care.

You don't?

No, that's what you were saying. I don't
care.

The consequences.

Now, this state needs highways.

Absolutely right.

But, but, but what?

Well, that's all right, sir. You go
right on ahead.

I was going to say that the state needs
highways, but this bill is scandalous.

Just what I was going to say.

What a coincidence.

Governor, the highway interests are
going to back someone else.

Well, let them. I'm not going to sign
this bill.

I can't tell you how glad I am to hear
you say that, sir.

And you agree with me? Well, sir, I
think everyone knows how I lean.

Whichever way the wind blows.

All right, then, as far as I'm
concerned, this matter is settled. Now,

move ahead.

Ponson, what are you doing?

Holding you up.

Oh, I think you should know that I don't
have any money on me.

You are concerned about your father, you
are?

He's going to be all right. But don't
worry. I'm sure he's going to be all

right.

Just wish he'd hurry up about it.

Hi, Katie.

Oh, Vincent.

Did you talk to the doctor?

Yeah, I sure did.

How is he?

Well, he seemed like a nice enough guy.

I mean the governor.

Relax, sweetheart. I'm getting to that.

Katie, what your father has is nothing
serious.

Oh, good.

Well, he's got some kind of middle ear
infection.

That's what's been affecting his
balance.

His ear?

Yeah. His ear?

There's something wrong with his ear?
That's what I said. Is there something

wrong with yours?

But it's going to be all right. Oh,
sure. He just has to get some rest and

his medicine, and he'll be well before
we know it. Great. See ya. Where are you

going? To make Daddy a get -well card
before he gets well.

Taylor heard the governor cannot
function. Yes, he can.

From a sickbed?

Taylor, this state cannot get along
without strong leadership.

We've done all right so far.

Taylor, I'm taking over. Look, the
Constitution is very clear on this

This is a crisis situation.

It will be if you take over.

I get it, Sherman. You can't try to take
over every time the governor sneezes.

It is a simple infection.

Gentlemen, why are you fighting me on
this?

Have you read the latest poll?

No.

You just happen to have one handy.

Look, the people of this state actually
prefer me to Governor Gatling by 11

percentage points.

If you can believe the polls.

I hate to put it this way, fellas, but
the people want me.

And if the governor's popularity keeps
going down while mine keeps going up,

well, I could be the next governor.

And I'll remember who helped me out.

I'd be happy to show you out.

supposed to be in bed.

How are you feeling, sir?

Oh, well.

Swell.

Well and swell.

What the hell?

This is functioning?

It's, uh, the medication.

He gets a little light -headed.

How long does this last? Every four
hours.

Nothing to worry about.

See? Does the governor look worried?

Gentlemen, I'm afraid that I'm going to
have to invoke emergency powers.

Governor. Governor, where?

I made you look.

We better get him to bed before he
floats away.

Okay, who wants to go skinny dipping?

fit to serve.

Oh, is it my serve?

What's the score?

This is only temporary.

Well, I'll only take over temporarily.

Well, now, come on. Let's get you out of
here. You're in kind of bad shape.

Oh, me?

No. I'm solid as a rock. You'll find out
later when we go skinny dipping.

Sherman Jr.

Listen, Phil, how would you feel about
backing me against the governor in the

next primary?

All right, well, how would you feel if I
told you that the governor was planning

to kill the highway bill?

But that I think I can get it through
for you.

Yeah, I thought that might change your
mind.

You're right, right.

Well, it was wonderful talking to you
too, Mother.

Bye -bye.

My mom.

Been with me every step of the way.

Defrosting your desk?

I work for the governor, not Ed Sherman.

While the governor's sick, Sherman is
acting governor.

And he's acting very badly.

Do you know that he gave his own
secretary time off, but he's running me

Well, I'm not going to take it anymore.

I just keep this handy for emergencies.

In case you have to sleep in your desk.

What is Sherman doing here anyway? Why
isn't he at the Capitol where you

Oh, they're redecorating his office.

Adding more mirrors?

Yes, well, I'll certainly look into
that.

The sooner the better, Taylor.

That's telling him.

That man is a complete moron.

The only qualifications he has for
political office is straight teeth.

Probably cap.

What's wrong with politics today? The
amateurs are ruining the business.

Well, I have had it. I'm leaving.

Get in line. Now, wait a minute, you
two. Sherman's only going to be here a

couple of days. If you leave, who's
going to keep an eye on him? We've got

hang in there and make sure he doesn't
use this time to hurt the governor's

chances for re -election.

Interesting.

Enjoy it, Taylor.

It's as close as you're ever going to
get.

Will you two knock it off? We've got to
pitch in and do the best we can while

this obnoxious person is in the mansion.

I hear you.

You're going to say those things? Why
don't you say them to my face?

Okay, you're obnoxious. But in this
case, we were talking about Ed Sherman.

Are you a bad judge of character?

He's a nice young man who remembers to
call his mother.

How do you know that, Miss Krause?

I heard him in the kitchen.

He promised her he'd get the highway
bill through.

He didn't? Yeah, he did.

Maybe she's a teamster or something.

What else did he say, Cross?

Stinson, please, what do you think I am,
some kind of listening tom?

He can't sign that bill.

I thought you wanted it signed.

Yes, but by the governor. If anybody's
going to get financial backing for the

next campaign, I want it to be Governor
Gatling, not Ed Sherman.

So Sherman's going behind the governor's
back.

Well, with the shape the governor's in,
he could go right under his nose.

Taylor!

Yeah?

Didn't the governor leave some bills to
be signed?

Such as what?

Oh, I don't know. There were several.

I was thinking of the highway
appropriations bill in particular.

Last time I recall, they were on the
governor's desk.

Taylor, I just came from the governor's
desk. They're not there.

What did you do with them, man? Those
are important bills.

I didn't do anything with them. I'm
looking for them. You better find it.

governor's just going to be furious.

Listen, Benson.

Nope.

I don't even know what I'm going to ask
you. Doesn't matter.

The answer's still the same.

I see.

Never mind.

I have a meeting at the Capitol tomorrow
morning at 11.

I'll sign the highway bill then.

Uh, just a word to the wise.

I don't know whether you're aware of
this, but the polls indicate I could

well be the next governor.

Thanks for the warning.

Where is it?

Don't worry.

I took care of it.

But he's going to sign it when he goes
to the Capitol. How can we stop him? We

can't. Can't? This country wasn't built
by people who said can't, Taylor.

What do you suggest?

Beats the hell out of me.

Well, that's a lot of help.

But I do know Sherman is a guy who makes
his decisions based on whatever the

opinion polls say.

So? So maybe we can find a poll that
would change his mind.

I know a poll that could change his
mind.

Leo Wozniak.

He weighs 250 and can bite a pipe in
half.

Taylor. Well, we have no time to get an
opinion poll taken. Why not?

We've got until 11 o 'clock tomorrow
morning. Oh, sure, Benson. We'll just go

out in the street and ask people what
they think of the highway bill.

There's a thought.

What, just the three of us?

Four. You're forgetting Krauts.

Well, that's a good idea, but we need
her. Oh, come on, Benson. To have any

credibility, we'll have to poll at least
1 ,000 people.

That's only 250 people apiece.

There must be something else we can do.

Yeah, we can kiss the governor's second
turn goodbye.

All right, we better get started.

Okay, I'll start with my friends. Marcy,
you start with your friends. Taylor,

you start with whomever you can find.

521, 522, 523, 524, 525... Shh!

521, 522, 523, 524... Here are my last
75.

575, 576... 521, 522, 524... And here
are Marcy's 35,

too. 535, 536... My!

Those are Marcy's.

I could tell. They're in English.

Who is Officer Thorpe? He was the
arresting officer.

Who got arrested? Me.

For approaching men on the street in the
middle of the night.

Don't worry. I cleared it all up and I
got the entire precinct to sign the

Who are Dee Dee and Lorraine?

I met them in the paddy wagon.

Nice girls, but terrible dresses.

Ah, Benson.

Here you are.

What happened to you?

It was late.

I wasn't thinking.

I threw a truck stop, so I figured a cup
of coffee, a piece of pie, a few more

signatures, and I'm done for the night.

Well, you should have known better than
to tell a bunch of truckers that

highways are a waste of money. I
realized that when I had to keep

of them repeatedly in the knee with my
faith until he calmed down.

So how'd you get out of there?

As a gesture of goodwill, I allowed one
of them to back his 18 -wheeler. truck

over my moped.

You had a pretty bad time, huh?

They even ate my pie and made me watch.

Well, here, you take the keys to my car,
wash up, and go out and get the rest of

your quota. You're still 40 short.

No, Benson, I've got over 200 of them. I
can't get any more.

We did.

Benson, it is very late. I have got a
headache.

I am very tired. My feet are getting
sore.

I'm whining.

And I'm going.

Ah, hello, Governor.

You feeling better? Oh, yes, much
better, thank you. Want to sit down?

Watch out for the table.

Can I

get you anything?

No, thank you.

It's nice just to sit here and watch the
room go by.

You could use some more rest.

5 .21, 5 .22. Don't let me interrupt
what you're doing.

5 .41. What are you doing?

Oh, I'm working on an opinion poll.

Oh.

Can I ask my opinion?

No, I already know your opinion. That's
why I'm doing this. I see.

No, I really don't. I don't follow.

It's probably best.

You want me to help you back to your
room?

Thanks. Anyway, it's more of an
adventure by myself.

Bye, Bunsen.

Shouldn't we synchronize our watches or
something?

Mine's in the shop.

Remind me never to blow up a bridge with
you.

Good morning. Good morning.

Uh, Marcy, is the governor in?

Yes, I am.

Oh, I think you misunderstood.

I meant the governor.

I'm the acting governor. What did you
want? The real governor.

Oh, it's nothing. I just signed for
something that came special delivery for

governor, and I thought it might be
important. But never mind.

Uh, wait just a minute, Benson. That
might be official business.

I'll take it. And I'd like to let you
have it.

But it's more personal.

If you'd like, I'll see to it that the
governor gets it. Would you? I'd

appreciate it. I'd like that envelope,
please.

Well, it's just some sort of opinion
poll.

A what?

I'm sure it can keep.

Yeah, the last thing we need around here
is another opinion.

No, it will not keep. I'll take that.

Oh, all right. The governor's been
waiting for this. I'll just take it up

him. Let me take it, Taylor. Oh, no,
Benson, this is my responsibility. Let

No, let me.

Let me. Let me. Hold it!

Stop right there. Hand it over.

Oh, this is not official business. The
governor paid for this poll out of his

own pocket.

Don't give me technicalities.

Do you know what you're doing? You're
tampering with the mail. For the good of

the people, Taylor.

You people don't seem to realize how
important it is that I be informed of

everything.

From now on, I want to be... God.

You're after his job, too?

Have you seen this?

I've seen it. He wouldn't even let me
hold it.

It's a survey of the public's attitudes
towards the new highway bill.

Really? Yeah, according to this survey,
90 % of the public is against it.

Really? We had it figured around 87%.
I've got to get over the capital and

that thing.

I think I can save you a trip.

I found it.

Here it is.

Good.

Aren't you afraid you'll hurt yourself
with the special interest groups?

Of course I am, but how can I turn my
back on 90 % of the people?

Let's hope they never turn their backs
on you.

That's my laundry list. You just vetoed
my bathrobe.

Just testing my pen.

Where's the bill?

Very good. I'll just take that over to
the Capitol for you.

I'll take this one myself.

But I do appreciate all your help. Oh,
don't thank us. You did it all yourself.

No, no.

I really mean it. So do I.

So how does it feel to be back on your
feet, sir?

I'm sitting down, Taylor.

And you're doing it very well.

I appreciate your support, Bunsen.

Especially on the stairs.

It's his office.

Of course. I thought you were supposed
to be in bed for another week.

The doctor said he was well enough to
come back to work.

Oh, good.

Glad to hear it. Then why aren't you
smiling?

Thanks for keeping the chair warm for
me, Ed. How did it go?

Fine. Fine, sir.

Do you know we were absolutely correct
on that highway appropriations bill? The

public is overwhelmingly against it,
according to this survey I received.

What survey is that?

It's a sort of unofficial random
sampling of all the people we could find

night. At a rather strange hour.

In some rather strange places.

You took that poll?

With a little help from my friends.

Well, that's worthless.

So is the highway bill.

You deliberately gave me a phony poll to
keep me from signing that bill? You

stole that poll.

Hey, I told you it was for the governor.

Did you hear this?

I thought you were against the highway
bill, eh?

Oh, well, yes, I am.

And I was, right from the very first,
but... Sir, are you aware of the sort of

thing that your so -called staff has
been doing? What my staff does, they do

of loyalty to me.

And I don't think it's because of my
smile or whatever.

It's because he's honest.

That's a word you can look up when you
get home.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some
work to do.

In case you forgot, here's the door.

Just a little piece of advice, amigo.

Don't ever try to make a fool of me
again.

Don't have to.

You're doing a great job all by
yourself.

Hi, sugar.

Hi, Vincent.

Want to taste my special breakfast?

No, what's so special about it?

My dad said just having my breakfast
every morning made him well in a hurry.

you want to try it?

Yeah.

Do you like it?

Yeah, well, I can see how this will get
your father out of bed in a hurry.

Did it make you feel better?

Well, just one sip of this and you're
glad to be alive.

Two raw eggs, Pepsi, mayonnaise, grape
jelly, chocolate milk, and alfalfa

sprouts.

Oh, cross.

Would you like to try Katie's special
drink here?

is videotape before a studio audience.