Original subtitles

Previously on Masters of Sex...

As soon as the mic picks up people talking,

the tape recorders in my office start recording.

I can't imagine any new hire agreeing to be listened in on.

If we had tape recorders in this office two months ago,

we wouldn't be staring down the barrel of criminal charges.

The charges are pandering and prostitution.

But my job at Little Brown is on the line

with this new book as well.

You're sure Virginia understood to bring a date?

She wouldn't have said yes if she were still mad

about us hiding that we're married.

It's a fucking key party with coats.

Who does this belong to?

- All right! - Whoo!

If you think that we're going to bed,

you're insane.

I think the damage is done whether we mess around or not.

I just got back from the doctor.

I'm pregnant.

My girlfriend's parents are in town.

Are you the carpool buddy or the office colleague?

Next-door neighbor.

I want you to do something for me

for the sole purpose of giving me pleasure.

[moaning]

Let's not make too much of it.

Let's not make too little.

And bosses shouldn't sleep with their employees.

It happens.

Maybe he's the guy for you, Virginia.

Oh.

♪ sultry music ♪

♪♪♪

I thought she was being cagey in her intake,

but Virginia disagrees.

She wants to first rule out any physiological issues.

Was Virginia like that the other night?

What are you talking about?

I know how much you like take charge women.

What?

Was she the boss in bed, too?

- Nance, come on. - I'm curious.

What about the rule? We don't share specifics.

I think this warrants an exception, don't you?

The woman's a world renowned sex expert.

Maybe I could, uh, could learn a thing or two.

Well...

she's an attentive lover.

Attentive--

[click]

I can always tell it's you heading this way.

You walk with purpose.

Did something happen?

Your wife seems to think so.

I'm, uh, "an attentive lover"?

W--where did you hear that?

Does it matter where I heard it, Art?

It was a swingers' party.

She saw us go into a bedroom together

a-and she knows you stayed till morning.

And yet I vividly remember telling you

that you needed to be honest with your wife

about what did not happen between us.

She just assumed.

She didn't just assume. You confirmed it.

She wouldn't think any less of you, Virginia.

In fact, quite the contrary.

No, it's you that she would think less of, isn't it,

if we didn't have sex?

Sounds like your problem to deal with

with your wife.

Is this about Bill?

You shared some pretty intimate truths with me that night.

I-I think it's...

I think it's safe to assume that the man--

Oh, it's not safe to assume anything.

But something happened between you and Bill--

a rupture of some sort--

and you're worried if he thinks you and I slept together--

Are you familiar with the concept of a stand-off, Art?

Essentially, it's two people holding guns

at each other's heads.

There may be things that you think that you know

about my private life, certain assumptions that you've made,

and there certainly are things that I know about yours,

things, that if I chose to tell your wife,

would devastate your marriage.

But I don't want to have to do that.

Besides, you're an asset to the clinic.

We would hate to lose you.

I'll...talk to Nancy.

♪ lightly edgy music ♪

♪♪♪

I'm sitting there in my car, right?

Fifteen minutes till Sheryl's shift ends.

And all I see is that red neon sign across the street,

flashing that word: "cocktails."

Start doin' the math.

Is there enough time for me to knock one back

before Sheryl punches out?

Will she smell the booze?

Then I think how it took me 20 years

to get 20 days of sobriety, and...

seems like it's too much to give up.

Thanks for listening.

[applause]

Thank you, Jerry.

Tonight, someone in the group is here for his last meeting.

Congratulations, Bill.

90 meetings in 90 days-- that's no small feat.

Now, traditionally, before a person leaves us,

they take this time to tell the group something they've learned

or something they'd like to share.

Good luck...to you all.

[group murmuring]

Good night and good luck.

You're a regular Edward Morrow.

What was I gonna say?

I never belonged here.

Well, you made that very clear,

sitting there checking your watch,

letting us all know that we're wasting your time.

I'm sorry. I genuinely am.

I wish I had time to worry

about Jerry and the cocktail bar,

but I got other problems.

Like?

Like a trial that starts tomorrow.

I-I'm not fighting some parking ticket here.

I'm fighting to preserve my reputation,

my clinic,

all the people I employ there.

I mean, if these trumped up charges stick--

Trumped up, huh? So, I'm guessing

you had nothing to do with bringing it on yourself.

Is that right?

Can we not?

I need to win this court case

so I can clear away the mess of my life

and start fresh.

Well, my cab is waiting,

so if you wouldn't mind signing my form.

[sighs]

- Are you married? - I was married for 26 years.

Now I'm divorced.

Potential Juror number 11, before your divorce,

did you and your husband ever seek

any kind of counseling or therapy?

Yes, we did.

Have you ever heard of the defendants?

Only that they wrote a smutty book.

♪ dramatic notes ♪

Your honor, the defense moves to dismiss Juror number 11

"for cause."

I haven't read the book,

but I did read their excellent paper

on "Sex and the Aging Female" last year.

Your Honor, the prosecution moves

to dismiss potential Juror number 22 "for cause."

Do you have strong opinions about people who engage

in sexual activities beyond the standard missionary position?

How do you feel about a woman who marries someone

for financial support?

- Do you believe in evolution? - What is your opinion

of people who have sex outside of marriage?

If you were the last hold-out on the jury,

but you believed the defendants to be innocent...

And if I prove my case beyond a reasonable doubt...

...would you surrender your beliefs,

or would you hold fast?

...what will your verdict be?

- Guilty. - Guilty.

Guilty.

We shouldn't have gone with the man

in the sweater vest-- that was a mistake.

How many juries have you picked, Bill?

Because I've picked plenty. And every time

you tug on my sleeve or whisper in my ear,

all you do is signal to the courtroom

that you don't trust your lawyer.

I didn't mean to undermine you.

What I don't understand is

why we aren't talking about settling.

If there are no guarantees, why roll the dice?

Settling makes the most sense.

You want to plead guilty to sexual deviance?

Because I'm telling you, the prosecution

will stop at nothing short of that,

and that is a plea that will scare your clients away.

We are in the exact same position if we lose.

I disagree. A loss won't be a defeat.

It'll only be a temporary setback.

Temporary?

We appeal, again and again if we have to,

each time to a higher court.

which could actually be preferable to an outright win.

A long, drawn-out case? How is that preferable?

We take it to the national stage.

We defend the cause of scientific inquiry.

This thing could go all the way.

All the--all the way to the Supreme Court?

This isn't about some indiscretion

in an exam room.

This is about the right of scientists to pursue knowledge.

Okay. I'd like to review your opening statement.

Come on, Bill.

Not to find fault. I just want to make sure

that you have accurately explained

the precise nature of our work.

If you're gonna argue that we were acting as scientists,

then you'd better have the science right.

I'm still drafting it.

Understood. Um...

Excuse me.

Good of her to come. Always helpful

to have the supportive wife sitting in the gallery.

On the way to being ex-wife.

Let's hope the jury doesn't find out she filed for divorce.

Well, I hear they put that on hold.

I gather there's been some kind of...thaw.

I'll see you tomorrow, bright and early.

The husband's a real philanderer,

and the wife's dyspareunia presents

as almost completely psychosomatic.

It did not begin until she discovered her husband--

T-there's...something,

b-before we go up there,

that I need to tell you.

W--

[sighs]

What is it?

I get the feeling someone's been listening in

on our conversations.

What do you mean?

A-a few of the things I've said to you

behind closed doors

have... been repeated back to me.

By whom?

Virginia.

What? What kinds of things?

What have we said that would concern her?

She...you know,

just seemed aware of some discussions we've had

about clients, assessments,

things she couldn't have known unless someone had overheard.

I--What, Betty? Lester? You think they're listening?

All I'm saying is we should be aware.

Of what? That we're... we're working in an environment

where two people-- two colleagues--

cannot confer in private? You're okay with that?

Just--just forget it.

I didn't say this to get you worked up.

I will not forget it.

I'm gonna find out what's going on.

This isn't the Soviet Union.

[elevator bell dings]

Mom, come on! You're gonna miss it.

Why does she take so long?

You know how she is with the curlers

and the tweezers and the lotions.

The boat's leaving now.

If the boat's leaving now, why am I hurrying?

Because our future's written in pencil, not in ink, Ma.

Are you sure you don't want us to stay home?

No. I want you to leave and have fun.

You've done too much already.

Oh, uh...hi!

Uh...

Excuse me, um...

I didn't know.

Hello?

Mom, Dad, you know Betty.

Betty lives down the hall.

I water the plants when she's away.

But you're not away.

I got mixed up. I thought that...

you were going to visit your parents.

Oh, no. Yeah, no, I-- Uh, they came to visit me, so...

But they're, uh, going on a gambling cruise this morning.

Yes.

That...sounds fun.

Yes.

Well, um, it was nice to meet you.

- Nice to meet you too. - Nice to meet you.

Yes. We can confirm the 2:00 appointment.

Great. Thank you very much.

Bye.

Good morning.

I, uh, spotted some backlogged dictations,

so I've been transcribing them.

Uh, here is the updated Devlin file for this afternoon.

Thank you.

Dr. Virginia, before you go...

I've been reading your book looking over the files.

There is a revolution going on here.

The problems that you treat,

the way that you treat them without mocking or judgment...

I have to say--

please let me say--

I could not be prouder to be here helping you.

Thank you for giving me this job.

Uh, well, thank you.

Oh! Duty calls.

Reproductive Biology Research Foundation.

Uh, have you looked into Guy?

Ghee?

The guy that you hired.

His name is Ghee,

and yes, I've called his references.

They all gave glowing reviews.

But have you done a background check?

I want to make sure that we know

everything we need to know about him,

why he's so keen to be working here.

You don't think that's a tad paranoid?

Betty, we're in the middle of a criminal trial,

thanks to our last eager recruit.

Fine. I'll do more digging.

In the meantime...

The outline for the new book.

May it rest in peace.

The note says Little Brown is returning the material

since they've passed on publishing.

♪ somber music ♪

♪♪♪

Call Bob Drag at Little Brown.

Make an appointment for this afternoon.

- In New York? - Book two plane tickets.

And don't let Drag make any excuses.

Tell him Bill and I are only in town for a few hours.

Oh, God, I hope Keller's a better lawyer

than he is a speller.

Little Brown has dropped us.

Well, they dropped us weeks ago

when we didn't show up for the press conference.

I mean officially.

They've sent back the outline and sample chapters.

Oh. That's very considerate of them.

They could've just thrown them in the trash.

Bill, I don't think that we should wait

for the court case to be resolved

before trying to revive Little Brown's

interest in the book.

Why not reinvest them now? That way they can capitalize

on any publicity that the case garners.

- I'm sorry. Now? - If we wait for a verdict

and it's unfavorable,

we'll look like we're scrambling.

Before a verdict, we can better position ourselves.

Fine. So call Bob Drag

and tell him we have a world-class attorney

who apparently never learned "I before E except after C,"

and tell him that, one way or another,

we will emerge victorious.

I say that we do one better

and we go to New York

and we tell him that in person.

But we--we're in the middle of a trial.

And besides, the publisher is your purview.

Yes, but we'll make a much better case

that Masters & Johnson are back on track

if both Masters and Johnson are in that room.

Together.

I've already asked Betty to book the first flight.

You just...assumed I'd go?

I...hoped.

There--there's no way. I have to review this statement,

and, uh, I'm working on a list of questions

for the prosecution's witnesses.

You really don't think that Keller's got that covered?

What if he doesn't?

You know, he may have dazzled you with his Supreme Court talk,

but... you know, appeal could take years.

This has been hanging over my head long enough.

A win would mean a fresh start.

Fresh start? That's what you want?

- Mm-hm. - Seems to me that you've been

backsliding, more than anything.

The other morning when I dropped off Libby's coat,

it seemed that you and she-- you two--

Libby and I are considering reconciling.

Well, that's...curious.

Can I ask why? What's changed?

Why would things be different between the two of you now?

Well, we're gonna work to make things different.

Do you remember what you said to me

when I was considering getting back together with George?

You asked me why I would want to make the same mistake twice.

And you were right.

There was nothing between us

but a familiar old pattern.

Trust me, Bill. Falling into old patterns...

can be dangerous.

Dangerous.

You want a fresh start?

Then come to New York.

We can...both reinvest

in what has always given us the most satisfaction...

The work.

♪ somber music ♪

♪♪♪

I'm gonna put my focus where it belongs, on--

on the court case.

But I think you're right.

You--you should focus on reviving interest in the book.

And I'm sure you'll be up to that task without me.

♪♪♪

I don't need prepping, because I'm not testifying.

And I'm not so stupid that I would reveal

Bill's and my situation.

He's the father of my children.

I don't want him to end up in jail.

All right. But the press will accost you

on the courthouse steps, try to get you to say things.

You can't hide from the cameras.

They'd rather catch you running away than standing still.

I have no intention of running, Mr. Keller.

I seem to remember a party

where I was left holding a plaid cape.

Are we through, then?

Not quite.

So, some reporter focuses a camera on your gorgeous face:

"Mrs. Masters, your husband is charged

with pandering and prostitution."

What do you say?

This case was trumped up by an overzealous prosecution

bent on destroying my husband's years of scientific work.

I am very proud of what my husband has accomplished

and of his contributions to science.

- Oh, my goodness. - You know,

I'm beginning to believe this whole thing

was just an excuse to make me sit down with you.

And my fancy footwork in the courtroom didn't impress you?

- I could see you watching me. - We are done here.

How about a drink? Come on. It's five o'clock somewhere.

I know a great little jazz club just a couple blocks away.

What do you say?

I'm very proud of my husband's accomplishments

and his contribution to science.

He's definitely the spy. He's the one

that took the photo of us and showed it to Bill.

Yeah, but not before he showed it to you,

which means he's not a snitch.

Well, we'll see what he says when we confront him.

Reproductive Biology Research Foundation.

Lester?

Yes, and who am I speaking with?

Okay, he's not here. Let's come back.

Lester?

Look at this.

[tapes whirring]

No, I'm sorry. The whole morning is completely full.

But I can give you a noon appointment.

That's the earliest that I have.

Or we could try for the next day.

I have a, uh, 2:30.

They've got the whole place wired.

Labeled and organized by room, date, time.

Why? If they were taping us to train us,

wouldn't they tell us?

It's like they want to catch us at something.

You might expect this if there'd been complaints

or if we'd been foisted upon her by a superior.

You think Virginia is behind this?

God, to think how many offers I had--

Boston Lying-In, UCLA, Columbia Presbyterian.

I gave them all up to be treated

like an untrustworthy incompetent by a woman

- who isn't even a doctor! - Shh, shh.

We cannot stay here, Art.

How will it look to a potential employer

if we jump ship not even two months in?

I don't care how it looks.

I'm surprised that you do.

Or maybe I'm not. You spent the night together.

She's worked her many charms on you.

Look. I'm just trying to imagine things from their point of view.

I think they're letting us in on a process that, until now,

has only involved the two of them--

that's gotta be difficult.

If it doesn't get better, we leave.

Okay.

Mr. Drag?

[sighs]

How was your flight?

Uneventful. There was some turbulence--

I wasn't really asking.

I was being what we call "polite."

It's a concept that may be

somewhat foreign to you, Mrs. Johnson.

You see, showing up at my office like this

after I made it absolutely clear to your secretary

that I wasn't available this afternoon

would be what we call "impolite."

I understand.

Though I worried that it would be more impolite

to not at least stop by and say hello when I was

just around the corner meeting with Simon & Schuster.

They're so excited about Human Sexual Inadequacy.

The keep saying it's gonna be another best-seller.

Did you meet with Mr. Simon or Mr. Schuster?

Bob Simon has been dead for ten years,

but nice try.

The point is Bill and I are very loyal to you,

especially after everything we put you through in St. Louis.

Don't. The two of you have been nothing but trouble,

and the last thing I need is trouble.

Did you change offices?

Didn't your office used to be upstairs?

Excuse me, please. I'm gonna be late for a launch party.

Oh, well, why don't we meet up after the party?

I haven't even begun to tell you about the new work we're doing:

fetishes, deviance.

We treated a man a couple of weeks ago

with a predilection for his wife's high heels.

- Wearing them? - Copulating with them.

He'll make a compelling case study for the new book.

What?

Too bad you're wearing that.

I'd take you to the party, but it's black tie.

Isn't Saks just around the corner?

How'd it go?

Well, I think they're all down for the count.

And Johnny snores now, which is kind of odd.

Uh...what are you doing?

A woman in my group gives them away

in exchange for frozen casseroles.

She hates to cook.

Want some?

No.

I'll take a drink, though, if you're pouring.

I noticed on Saturday

that the back porch light was out.

I thought I'd fix it.

Fixed it myself.

[liquid splashing]

You found the right screwdriver?

I'm not helpless, Bill.

Uh...

what about the disposal?

It's fine.

Bill, if there's anything broken,

I will let you know.

- Thank you. - Mm-hmm.

How about us?

Can I fix us?

Those, uh, three wishes of yours were a good start.

Don't you think?

Maybe you could

think of a few more items to add to the list,

and I could check them off one by one.

Hmm.

Seemed to work the other night.

I think the other night is proof

that neither of us quite knows how a separation works.

Is that a bad thing?

I guess not.

We're just in uncharted waters.

So, these, um-- these uncharted waters...

Is there any chance of

what happened the other night happening again?

[laughs]

Or...

we could experiment a little.

What we did the other night-- I gather that there's a way

that we can do it to each other

at the same time.

I believe there's even

a number for it.

♪ light music ♪

♪♪♪

I cannot apologize enough for what happened in St. Louis.

The way Bill and I left you hanging

with all those reporters.

It was just, well--

Don't make me relive it.

Well, the good news is we're back on our feet,

and we're days away from having

this whole trial business behind us.

A white wine, please, and for the lady...

A white wine as well.

Our lawyer, Bram Keller-- he thinks that this trial could

be as important as Scopes.

Didn't Scopes lose?

He did. Yes. But we won't.

And even if we do, Keller assures us that any outcome

works to our advantage.

If we win, great. If we lose, we appeal.

We become a cause celeb.

- Hello, Arnold. - Bob.

Arnold, I'd like to introduce you to Virginia Johnson,

of Masters & Johnson.

Arnold Ketterman.

Arnold runs things around here.

Oh, it's a real pleasure.

Virginia and I go way back.

Is that right?

'Scuse me.

What was that?

What?

Another white wine, pronto.

♪ ambient dinner music ♪

I believe what we just did...

violates section 1-1, subsection 010,

of the Missouri criminal code.

[both laugh]

Don't worry. I won't bring it up in court.

In court?

Keller's not gonna put you on the stand, is he?

Section 546, subsection 260,

of the Missouri Revised Statutes:

"a wife cannot be forced to testify against her husband."

How are you smoking that stuff

and still managing to recite legal code?

You tell me.

- Here. Try it. - No. I'm fine.

Oh, come on, Bill. You're a research scientist.

Aren't you a little bit curious?

All right. One puff.

I believe they call it a hit.

Do they?

Oh!

[Libby laughing] [Masters coughing]

God, it smells like a wrestling mat.

- Ohh...this bed is great. - Mm.

When did you get it?

There was a Sears across the street from the Salvation Army.

I went there right after I gave away all your clothes.

The woman there didn't even blink,

she'd seen it so many times.

Well, you were right to do it.

- The clothes? - No, the bed.

It's great.

Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!

[laughing]

Ah.

So, come on. What else should we have done differently, Lib?

- Hon-- - Oh, the sex. I know.

I know. But what else besides that?

Come on, Bill. We're having a nice time.

Let's not drudge up the list of grievances.

Well, now's your chance.

I can't promise I'll always be this open to hearing them.

Fine. Fine.

We should've had friends.

- We had friends. - No. Real friends.

Not just Virginia.

You know, other couples and...and neighbors.

We should've had dinner parties and played music,

played charades.

Three words.

First word.

You.

Mm. Second word.

Sounds like.

Eat.

Sounds like "eat."

Back. Eat back.

Past tense.

Ate. Sounds like "ate"!

Rate. Mate. Hate.

Hate. You hate...

I hate charades.

[laughing]

No, you're right. You're right.

I should've tried harder to meet new people.

I never enjoyed it.

I don't understand that.

Well...

I don't know, I...

I'm always afraid people won't like me.

- Why? - Because...

people don't like me.

[giggles]

Oh, we should've had more fun.

We should've travelled more.

We travelled.

Oh, not just to medical conventions.

We should've taken the kids to Disneyland.

You wanted to go to Disneyland?

Why didn't you say?

Bill Masters on the spinning teacups?

Isn't that what we just did?

Mmm, I believe they also have a ride

called the Carousel of Progress.

- Progress? - Mm.

Sounds about right.

You want to go around again?

Mommy.

Honey, did you have a bad dream?

I'm so sorry. Let's go get you a snack and tell a story.

What was it? The monsters again?

- Yeah. - Aww.

The whole novel is narrated

by a guy who's being held captive

on a planet called Tralfamadore.

- Ah. - He's on exhibit

in some kind of alien zoo

where aliens come to study him.

He's this crazy, traumatized ex-soldier

Slaughterhouse-Five, you say?

I will make sure to pick up a copy.

Will you excuse us just for a moment?

Bob, if this is your way of saying

that I need to sleep with you

to get the book published--

Oh, please. I have no interest in sleeping with you.

Well, you are certainly behaving like you do.

You're the one that wanted to come.

I wanted to talk about the sexual inadequacy book,

not act it out.

So you've done your talking.

Go ahead. Leave.

Why are you doing this, Bob?

Perhaps I should just talk to your boss.

Mr. Ketterman, was it?

Because I have a feeling this little performance

was intended for him.

Don't. You can see what kind of man he is.

Golf games, fishing trips, hunting.

For some reason, he's gotten it into his head

that I don't pass muster.

The small office, no secretary...

he's demoted you.

Didn't give me the new Norman Mailer,

which just about broke my heart.

Now I write titillating ad copy for Jacqueline Suzanne.

- I see. - It can't be a coincidence

that it happened right after my fiancée called off our wedding.

I-I'm so sorry to hear that.

I know what Ketterman thinks, what all of them think.

And I can tell you it's not true.

Either way, Bob, groping me is not the solution.

This was a bad idea coming here with me tonight.

Wait. Wait.

Are you familiar with the Latin phrase, "quid pro quo"?

I'll be honest with you.

I need to take this book deal back to Bill.

A lot depends on it.

So that's the quid.

What's the quo?

Mm-mm.

Have a little.

You know if you don't eat them, I'm gonna.

Ever since these contractions started,

I feel like the Hindenburg.

You're having contractions? Why didn't you tell me?

It started this morning. My mother said

it's nothing to worry about.

Your mom, Edith Schiff, MD?

I called Barton too.

He said the same thing.

You should have told me.

Well, you're never around.

And don't say you wish you were. I know.

My mom has been helpful.

She--she...filled our freezer with food.

And you should see the nursery.

My dad painted it. It's perfect.

I'm glad they're being useful. They've been here long enough.

Have they booked their train tickets home?

Well, that's the thing, Bets, um...

I just don't know how to ask them to leave

before the baby comes.

You use words.

"I want to do this on my own." That's all you say.

They'll never believe that.

Nobody wants to have a baby on their own.

You'll make them believe it or you'll call them and say

that the World Book salesman is coming

and he's being surprisingly supportive.

I don't care what you say. Just say something.

But I want them to stay.

Oh, God.

Just for a few days. Just until the baby comes home.

Until it's not a few days.

Until it's a few weeks.

Try to understand, Bets.

You understand.

If I am not at that baby's birth,

then I am gonna be the neighbor in this baby's life forever--

at his birthday parties, his piano recitals,

every time your parents are around.

And what about when he's older? When he can talk?

Are you gonna ask him to lie about me then?

You have to tell them the truth.

What? That I'm in love--

That I'm in love with a woman?

I can't do that.

It'll surprise 'em. It might even shock 'em.

But, Hel, they seem like nice people.

It might be okay.

I know them. I know how this story ends.

It ends with me never seeing them again, and--

and you can't ask me to never see them again.

[mellow rock plays over radio]

Thank you.

I'm glad to catch you alone, Arnold.

I was hoping for a chance to speak candidly with you.

Uh, I'm sorry. I promised Updike his gin.

Dr. Masters and I have had a bit of a situation with Bob Drag.

As you know, our first book, it was a best-seller,

created a huge following-- so huge, in fact,

Hugh Hefner has just come on board as an investor--

Mrs. Johnson, is this a-- is this a sales pitch?

No, no. This is about-- this is about Drag.

I fear that he may have poisoned the well

here at Little Brown.

Well, it seems to me that you two did that to yourselves.

Didn't you?

The lawsuit?

No. Bob should have made it clear that that would have

absolutely no negative impact on the book.

Bram Keller has taken the case,

and he thinks it could go all the way to the Supreme court.

We're gonna be on the front page

of every newspaper in the country.

That's free publicity for a book that you could be publishing

if it weren't for Drag.

Bob Drag is barely hanging on here.

He wouldn't purposely tank a winner.

But he did,

and for the most bizarre, petty reason.

If you even knew the details...

You going to tell me?

I would really rather not.

You're wasting my time.

Okay. All right. I'll tell you.

But you have to promise to keep it to yourself.

We let Bob participate in the first round of research

for Human Sexual Response.

Now, before you say anything,

I know it was a conflict of interest.

We shouldn't of done it.

But he was so eager, adamant.

We couldn't say no.

So, you can imagine his fury

when we couldn't include his data or his case study.

Because he's light in the loafers?

Hardly.

You saw the way that he was pawing me tonight.

His sexual stamina is off the charts.

Refractory period non-existent.

Including him would've completely skewed our data.

No wonder his fiancée left him. Poor girl couldn't keep up.

Bob Drag is one long and large erection.

I don't think he even saw you. Thank God.

Why would it be so bad if he did see me?

You know, nothing would make the kids happier

than if we were back together.

Oh, Bill, please.

We could be a family again.

You know how I said we were in uncharted waters?

- Mm-hmm. - Yeah, well,

here's the most amazing thing about them for me.

For years, I have been afraid

to tell you about the things I've known

because I was afraid you would leave me.

But...I'm not afraid anymore.

You've left me, and I'm fine.

[sniffs]

I'm better than fine.

So, you know how to go it alone.

Doesn't mean you have to go it alone.

But there are other reasons why we shouldn't be together, Bill,

reasons that I am no longer afraid to say.

Okay.

So, tell me.

I want to know.

Remember that first spring that you were in med school?

I made all those flashcards for your exams

because it seemed like something that a wife would do,

and I had reason to believe I might someday be your wife.

Ruth, my roommate, told me that you'd asked for my ring size.

But then you called

and you said you were going away for the summer.

I knew that it was another girl.

That was the only explanation

for why I didn't hear from you all summer.

And, uh, I've seen the photographs

tucked away in the box in your closet...

you waterskiing

with Dody on your shoulders.

The two of you about to take off together

in her brother's plane.

And then at the end of the summer, she broke your heart,

and you came back to me.

Well, because I-I realized

that you were better for me.

Because you realized

that I wasn't going to hurt you like that.

Because I couldn't.

Because you didn't love me.

I loved you very much.

Yes. Yes.

But not in that way.

Not in the way that makes you want

to take off together in a plane.

It's the same way that you love Virginia.

Come on, Bill.

When the two of you are together,

it's like you're... you're in this bubble.

It's like you...you speak some secret language

only the two of you can understand.

But we hurt each other, Lib.

Not as much as you make each other happy.

Bill,

why have we endured all this pain,

all this suffering

if not for the two of you to end up together?

You belong together, Bill.

And I belong with someone who makes me feel that way.

♪ emotional music ♪

♪ light music ♪

♪♪♪

Oh, Dr. Bill.

Sorry. I-I was just, um, I was just freshening up.

Are you living here?

Flopping. Temporarily.

Until I get enough money to find something more permanent.

This is not a shelter, Guy.

This is a place of business.

Look, we...

we've had this trouble before. I'm--I'm sorry.

I'm gonna have to ask you to... pack your bag and go.

You firing me?

Yes.

Just like that?

No...warning? No shot over the bow?

It's just goodbye?

Let's not make this any more dramatic than it has to be.

I'm sure you'll find other work.

Not this kind of work.

I mean, not in this kind of place.

Is this about the background check?

Betty told me that Dr. Virginia asked for a background check,

so I figured you knew about everything that happened

over there...

in that beautiful little jungle paradise called Vietnam.

You were a soldier.

And after four months of exemplary service,

I was dishonorably discharged six weeks ago.

I'm sure from all the clients you see here,

you can guess why.

We treat dysfunction here, Guy.

Homosexuality is not a dysfunction.

Heh. Tell that to the Army.

And my poor father.

We've been at each other's throats ever since I got back.

He told all the neighbors that I got shot in the arm.

Even got me a little sling to wear for whenever I go outside,

'cause he's petrified that his pals at the Elks Lodge

are gonna find out that I got sent home

for giving another private a blowjob.

All right. I--

I can't let you live here, but...

I'll ask Betty if she'll advance you some money

from your first paycheck

so you can find yourself a rental.

[phone rings]

Should I get that?

- Yes. - Oh...

I'm gonna be late for court.

Good morning, St. Louis, it's 7:35 a.m.,

and here's a quick look at today's weather.

Current temperature is 64 degrees--

Bill.

Glad I caught you.

The prosecution's sent over a new witness list.

There's a name on it I don't recognize.

They can do that? Just introduce a new witness?

Yeah, trial by ambush, but yes, they can.

I need to know what the witness is gonna say.

Uh...here it is.

Eliot Laskin.

Hmm? Bachelor.

Lives in an apartment in Rock Hill,

works at the Shawnee Country Club,

before that as a bellhop at the Park Chancery Hotel--

The Park Chancery?

He...he's got nothing to do with this case.

Prosecution thinks he does.

Well, believe me. He doesn't.

You know him?

They're trying to bring up my private life to...

somehow impugn my credibility.

Solid tactic. Your credibility is fair game.

I'm your attorney, Bill.

You got to tell me what we're up against here.

[huffs]

Okay, they're gonna call him to testify

that, for the last ten years,

Virginia Johnson and I have been...

meeting at the Park Chancery.

Meeting?

Ah, meeting.

Okay, well, adultery is against the law,

so they plan on portraying you as a criminal.

For committing a crime that hasn't been prosecuted

in 100 years?

If they want to bring this in,

it's going to get in.

Look, it'll be worse for her than it is for you.

Adultery sticks to a woman more than a man.

You're a doctor who works long hours with a gorgeous woman.

You study sex together. Of course you dabbled.

No one will blame you.

You know, it'll forever be what people think of

when they hear Masters and Johnson.

We won't be the dispassionate scientists,

studying a cause for the greater good.

We'll be cheaters,

our sexual behavior informing our results.

It'll be on the court record.

It'll be in the press.

Hell, in-- in my obituary.

[sighs]

I can't distance myself from her professionally.

Nor would I want to.

Our partnership has yielded good work,

and hopefully with more to come.

But our--

but our affair...

was a mistake.

And I can't allow evidence of that mistake

to be following me around for the rest of my life.

I think we should take a plea.

I told you, Bill, a plea is the one avenue

that leads to certain defeat.

There'll be no appeal, no glory.

But it'll be done.

Even if I did pursue one,

there's no way Virginia would get on board.

I sold her on staying the course.

You saw her eyes light up when I said "Supreme Court."

I need to put this behind me.

There's nothing in my book.

There's--there's no appointments at all.

I-I was told by Dr. Masters to clear the whole day.

I spoke on the telephone with Mrs. Johnson,

and she personally confirmed these dates with me.

- You're sure, Harriet? - Of course I'm sure.

And I am sure that you're right, but Mrs. Johnson didn't tell me.

Can I help with something?

There's been a terrible mix-up.

I'm sorry.

Dr. Masters and Mrs. Johnson are unreachable today.

The Clavermores have travelled all the way from Philadelphia.

Clavermore. Of course.

I thought I recognized you.

Didn't Time magazine call you "The Man Who Fights Fire"?

Mr. Clavermore

runs the largest asbestos manufacturing plant

I think in North America.

And you must be Mrs. Clavermore.

- I'm Dr. Leveau. - Well...

I, uh, I work very closely

with both Dr. Masters and Mrs. Johnson.

I can assure you if they were here,

ooh, they'd be mortified by what's happened.

Happily, I think I can provide a solution.

Why don't I begin your intake?

Helen?

Hel?

Hey.

Hey. What's wrong?

I did what you said. I--

I told them the truth about...

myself, and...

you, and the baby.

Oh, honey.

What did--what did they say?

Nothing.

They just packed their stuff and left.

I couldn't stop them.

And I've been calling and calling, and...

it just rings and rings.

They...

they must have pulled the c-cord out of the w-wall.

I keep thinking about this dollhouse I used to have

when I was ten.

[sniffles]

Three stories. My dad made it.

So many rooms, and...

I'd lie on my stomach with my dolls--

the father and the mother and the daughter--

and I'd put them in different rooms

and make up things that they'd say to each other.

And I knew...

that I was never gonna live in a house like that...

...or have a family like that family.

My family will always be my own mother and father.

And now--now--

And me.

Me.

And you.

And this baby.

We're your family.

And...and we're gonna take care of each other.

♪ soft music ♪

♪♪♪

Yeah.

All rise.

I'm so sorry.

I came straight from the airport.

Good news, Bill.

- I need to talk to you. - I need to talk to you.

Bob Drag is back on the book.

And I talked to the head of publishing.

They are putting it on the priority list.

[gavel pounds]

Bailiff, call the jury in, please.

Your Honor...

What is it, Dr. Masters?

I would be willing to discuss a plea

if the prosecution would be willing

to drop the charges against Mrs. Johnson.

[onlookers murmuring]

Your Honor, may we discuss this?

My entire negotiation with Little Brown was based

on the fact that we would fight these charges

and not plead guilty.

Listen to her, Bill. I still believe we can win.

Can you give us a moment?

I thought about it, and you were right.

We shouldn't roll the dice.

The book, Bill. Our reputations.

Our reputations are gonna be tainted.

Only if we plead--

Eliot Laskin,

the bellhop from the Park Chancery Hotel,

is gonna testify.

Keller's made it clear it's gonna be much worse for you

than it is for me.

Do you really want all the work you've done,

everything you've achieved, to be thrown into question?

Now, like you said many times,

the surrogacy program was my idea.

It was my mistake,

and now I'm gonna make it right.

Judge is waiting.

Your Honor, the prosecution will dismiss

the charges against Mrs. Johnson

if Dr. Masters will agree to plead guilty

to the charge of sexual deviance

and to pay a fine of $500.

Your Honor, I will plead guilty to the charge.

You're a public figure, Dr. Masters,

so I must point out

that if you accept this plea,

you will be required to go into that courtroom

and stand in front of a jury and the press,

and admit to being a sexual deviant.

Sexual deviant.

I'm a scientist who's spent decades of my life

researching sex.

Even I don't know what that means.

How can something deviate when there is no norm?

No two humans would... paint the same painting

or write the same poem or compose the same opera,

so why would we expect two humans

to express their sexuality in the same way?

In fact, if there is one thing

the years of research has taught us,

it's that no being's sexual response

is formed on an assembly line.

There is no shape... it must take.

It's as particular

and individualistic as...

a kiss.

And where there is such infinite variety,

there's no norm.

There's only deviation.

Your honor, I am willing to plead guilty

to sexual deviance,

because I am a sexual deviant,

because we are all sexual deviants.

♪ soft music ♪

Go out there and say that to the jury.

We can still win in the court of public opinion.

The charge is sexual deviance.

How do you plead, sir?

Your honor, I ask you:

how can something deviate when there is no normal--

I'm gonna stop you right there, Dr. Masters.

There will be no oration in my courtroom.

The charge is sexual deviance.

How do you plead?

Guilty.

[murmuring, chatter]

I thought you were a man who liked winning.

And yet, your client just pleaded to sexual deviance.

It was not my idea. Believe me.

It was his entirely.

But why?

I don't understand. It's-- it's not like Bill not to fight.

A witness was gonna come forward.

Things were gonna be said that would've been bad for Bill,

bad for Virginia, and...

and it would have been entirely embarrassing to you.

Well,

I do want to put all of that behind me.

So does your husband.

Ex-husband.

Well, that right there-- that's a fresh start.

What is your position on marijuana?

Firm represented LeMar.

They're marijuana activists based in Washington.

So I say legalize the plant.

And oral sex?

Um, legalize that too.

I'm a huge proponent. Why are you asking?

What about marriage?

I've had three,

each one more acrimonious than the last.

I don't plan to ever stand at the altar again.

What about dinner?

My favorite meal of the day.

I mean how would you like to take me to dinner?

Yes, please.

There are 50 reporters from every newspaper

and television station in the country.

Now is your chance to do your speech.

- Bill-- - Please, don't.

No. I have to. I have to say thank you

for what you did for me,

for the sacrifice that you made.

- It wasn't a sacrifice. - Bill--

It wasn't. I did not do this for you

or Libby or anyone else.

I did it for myself.

And I'm sorry if it's ruined things for the book.

I--I care about the book, of course,

and I care about all of the work,

but I care more about the two of us.

I know that you've always tried to protect me.

You put my name on the study so that I would get credit.

And now you sacrifice your reputation

so I don't get the blame.

I know what you did, Bill,

and I know why you did it.

We have been through... a lot,

the two of us.

But now, finally,

we are back where we belong.

Together.

What do you-- what do you mean, "together"?

I mean I--

I want us to be together.

♪ soft orchestral music ♪

♪♪♪

[reporters shouting questions]

I'm grateful for the opportunity

to speak to you today.

I thought there was nothing for me in this program,

because, well, I'm not an alcoholic.

But I've come to realize that, uh,

I am an addict...of sorts.

Some of you, all it takes is

a flashing neon sign for cocktails.

For me, well, I can pass that same sign a thousand times

and never even notice it.

For me, it's...

it's something else.

It's a passing glance.

Fingers brushing against my shoulder.

The linger of perfume when she's already left the room.

Her hand in mine.

In an instant, I'm r-- I'm ready to give everything up.

I'm--I--I'm prepared to throw it all away.

My work,

my pride...

...my self-respect.

♪ emotional music ♪

♪♪♪

I'm Bill,

and I'm here to ask for your help.

♪♪♪