Original subtitles

Old man Barrett.

Yeah? I thought he was dead. Not him. Not until he figures a way to die and

a profit.

It's my first day.

Where do I go?

Personnel, think floor. Thank you.

Burgers. And we're going to do it in all the departments. Not the whole store,

certainly. Yes, of course the whole store. China's a big country.

But can we get Chinese goods for every department?

No, but so what? The promotion can still be store -wide.

And in both stores.

I don't know, Paul. People in the suburbs still feel funny about China.

you mean, funny?

They're communists, for God's sake. Shane, maybe we could include some time

these products. What century do you think they live in out there, anyway?

I run a store out there, Billy. I'm sorry. You don't. All right, all right.

there any security problems?

Doesn't seem like it. I'll have to check the plans first. Everybody, don't

forget to copy Morrison on your memos. Yeah, one shoplifting problem.

Anybody steals anything, they'll be back in an hour for more.

Okay, okay.

Now, look, everybody knows what has to be done. And remember... better to

a brilliant plan than to be too conservative up front. So let's go. Get

All right?

Robert?

Did you happen to see this?

Yeah.

Hey.

Hi. What are you doing reading the financial pages?

Oh, I bought fresh fish for breakfast.

Oh, that's gorgeous.

What is it? It's velvet.

You'll find her at the Cotillion Club, third floor. Thank you.

Hi, uh, can I feel two?

Sorry.

Don't believe everything you read in the papers.

It wouldn't be in the paper if you didn't want it to be.

Rumored merger.

Beringers and trans -allied stores.

Rumors! No, this means you've already started the ball rolling.

How could you shut me out of a decision like this?

I knew you'd be against it. You're damn right I'm against it. Trans -allied can

ruin a store.

I'm the store, Paul. I made it and I can do what I like with it. I wasn't born

rich like you.

Oh, come on. What does that have to do with a merger?

Earn something on your own.

Build something from nothing.

Then I'll let you share my decisions.

Learn how to stay married to a woman. Then we can talk.

The merger, Pop.

Let's stick to the merger.

Excuse me. Mr. Paul, there's a call from the loading dock. They said it's an

emergency. You know.

I've been waiting for this.

Thanks, please.

That's what I'd like to know. Let's go, pal.

Get up there.

Open it.

You don't want to do this, buddy. Take my word.

No?

Open the trunk.

All right. It's your funeral.

Hey, hold it.

Hang on to him, would you, Nick?

You can't do that.

It's not your merchandise.

You're damn right it's not my merchandise. It's garbage.

And Sony Cabinets bought his Sonys by Behringer's customers.

Mr. Behringer, you don't think I had anything to do with this, do you? Shut

Behringer.

Look, you're a Behringer.

And this is a can of worms you definitely don't want open.

You made the necklines funny. I made the necklines fine.

God made their necks funny. Where's Laurel?

Changing.

Stacy? She's not here.

75, just till Friday, huh?

John, this is Stacy, remember?

The girl you dumped. The girl you lied to. The girl who caught you cheating

every time I turned around.

If I lend you the money, you're going to spend it on another girl. Now, why

would I want to do a thing?

Bye, John.

Where are you from, Tammy?

Marion, Ohio.

Well, nothing in Marion, Ohio has prepared you for John Higgins.

So, until a little of that Ohio wears off, don't even look at him. Why not?

Why not? Because, honey, you will turn to a pillar of salt.

Where were we? Yes, charges and sentences.

I didn't mean to startle you. I'm really sorry.

Don't ever do that again.

I won't. Believe me, you know how it is. I figured we're not exactly strangers.

I have to go to work. Wait a minute. I came to see you. Not now.

When?

I don't know. Houston.

Look, I'm a little confused here. Help me out.

We were together at a convention in Houston, right? We had a great time. We

to know each other really well. And it was terrific.

Sure, Max.

It was terrific.

So why not leave it at that?

We will not press charges in the matter of the television sets.

Inform the police. Good day. But Paul said that... Paul is an employee here,

you are, Morrison. Good day.

If you and my son hadn't barged in like Batman and Robin, we might have had a

case against those thieves.

Now they could have a case against us.

That'll be all.

We're getting a divorce, Gloria. Let's get it.

I thought you were satisfied with the settlement.

Paul, it's only a postponement. It's a third postponement. I'm sure you and

girlfriend can wait a little longer. Listen to me. This is between us. You

me. Your father suggested divorce. It's his marriage, damn it.

Why are we doing this, Gloria?

Our marriage was never much.

Let's just let it go.

Maybe we can salvage something.

Into this friend.

I have enough friends, Paul.

I don't understand what you're being so self -righteous about. You were

unfaithful to me from the beginning. That's not true. It is true. The only

you've ever been faithful to is Berenger's. This damn store is your

is your family.

It's an extension of yourself.

I can't even get you out of here long enough to take me to a decent

And the only reason that you think you're in love with... her.

It's because she's a part of it, too.

I wanted to share all of this with you.

You were never interested.

I tried to make you happy, Paul.

And I failed.

But I seem to have the power to make you unhappy.

Now, that may not be a lot, but it's the only power I've got, and I am not about

to let it go.

The Beringer Bear.

This has always been a tradition here.

And as you know, only a moderate seller. But now that we no longer have a toy

department, we have to find a way to keep him alive.

He'll be great in lingerie. Why not? We'll have one dressed in pajamas and

slippers. In sportswear, we'll have one in sneakers and a sweatshirt. What am I

doing here?

I'm housewares.

Housewares. We'll feature the bear in a chef's cap and an apron.

Don't make me come up with these ideas. Please, I want you to give me your ideas

how we can best sell them in your own department. Jane, can I speak to you a

moment, please?

Paul, I'm glad you're here.

Maybe you have some ideas how we can sell the bear.

You don't want to hear my ideas.

Yes, I do.

We all do.

Okay.

When we shut down the toy department, I decided to keep the bear because he

represented a Behringer's tradition. What I did not agree to do was to

him.

I think the bear should simply remain the bear.

I want your concepts and your budgets tomorrow.

Thank you.

that way in front of the buyers how can i be effective if you humiliate me come

on i'm vice president in charge of merchandise i'm supposed to have some

authority nobody's challenging your authority contradicting me is a

shane you asked me i told you you didn't want to hear my ideas you insisted you

didn't have to listen you know what i really feel what

Good morning, Eileen.

I saw the paper. I don't think a merger is necessarily a bad idea.

You say that.

Speaking of mergers, what about the one you're trying to dissolve?

It's going to wrinkle.

Oh, no.

Yeah, she's remarkable.

I don't blame Gloria. She's got the best.

She doesn't want to let go.

Thank you.

Berenger's would be very effective as a chain, with a centralized buying

operation and everything.

That's not the point. The point is he's doing this whole thing from Berkeley

without consulting any of us. What did she say?

We don't do night, Paul.

I don't see married men in my own time.

I'm having dinner at my father's. We have an arrangement. Stop over later.

I'm serious.

I'm as modern as the next woman, but as long as you're married... They need you

in couture. It's Mrs. Bennett. She says she has to talk to you personally.

Thank you, Eileen.

Forget about the merger now. We've got a real crisis.

To you.

You know, you're really cute.

Thanks. Hey, that's a compliment, not an insult.

I hate being cute. Cute is for pom -pom girls. Try to leave all that behind me.

Well, you know, it looks awfully good on you.

Cammy. Customer.

Fifty bucks, and that's my bottom line.

It's for my high school reunion.

I have to look successful, but... Not dowdy. It doesn't look dowdy. It, uh,

looks smart.

For $175, it should look brilliant.

Of course, you have to picture it with the right shoes.

Cammy, run over to the shoe department, ask for Julio. Tell him to bring a pair

of the Grimaldi pumps in black.

Uh, your size?

Uh, seven and a half.

Fine. Make a sales girl out of you, yes.

Oh, and I have got a scarf.

It will transform that dress into a whole different outfit. So it'll be like

getting two outfits for the price of one.

That's the price of a scarf.

My husband's being named man of the year by the friars, and I have nothing to

wear. I ordered a dress from Estelle months ago.

Estelle is having a nervous breakdown.

Really, she says she can't finish her orders.

She may be checking into the hospital. I'll be with her in the next bed if I

don't get that dress.

Of course you'll have the dress, Marjorie. I personally guarantee it. I

have to tell you how much I spend in this store.

You certainly don't. And that's besides the point. You're a valued Behringer's

customer and we won't let you down.

We never have, have we?

No.

It's our high school reunion.

She has to look spectacular.

Uh -huh.

Not in that thing.

With the right shoes.

Let's dowdy.

Dowdy. Give me the shoes, Julio.

Let's see here.

Uh -huh.

Now, you need more material right in there. You see that? A little less in

The trouble is I'm short -waisted, and my hips are too wide. Don't blame your

figure. Blame the dress. It's wrong. Now, maybe with some radical

Yeah, a little nip here.

Never mind. I can't. I just don't have any more time.

I've taken too much time off from work. I'll try to come back.

I don't believe this again.

Now, I could make it look ten times better than she looked in that case.

not your job, Julio.

I'm telling you, Miss Bradley, you have gotten three warnings already and

nothing, nothing stops you. Yeah, well, old Mrs.

Berringer used to say it's not a good sale for Berringers unless it's a good

for the customer, and I believe that. Old Mrs.

Berringer is dead, Julio.

I'm reporting him. I'm not kidding.

She'll probably come back. She said she would.

What happened to Matt?

He wore me down. I agreed to dinner with him, so he'd leave me alone.

Oh, Laurel, I'd like you to meet Jane Mills. She's with the Lincoln Agency.

Oh, hello.

Sorry to interrupt you at your work, Laurel, but we've been trying to call.

I guess you haven't received the messages.

In any case, we've seen your work in Beringer's fashion shows and ads, and

impressed. Thank you.

We understand you don't have an agent. No.

We'd love to represent you.

You have the looks and the poise that could make you one of the busiest models

in New York.

I don't think so.

We think so.

And we're one of the most experienced model agencies in town.

No, I meant, I don't think I'm interested.

I'm happy at Beringer's. Oh, well, you wouldn't have to leave Beringer's. With

only one or two outside jobs a month, you could supplement your income.

Supplement? She could quite droopily. Into the store, Debbie.

I'm definitely available. Debbie.

I guess I'm not going to be a chef.

Thanks for the offer, though.

You warned me.

Apartments are so expensive and hard to find. We've got an extra bed. Well,

actually, it's a convertible sofa.

Check out of the hotel.

Catch a cab. Come over to this address. If Margie's relationship lasts, you can

move in. If it doesn't, well, if it doesn't, we'll cross that bridge when we

come to it. This is so nice of you, Stacy.

What am I doing?

Laurel's beautiful.

You're so damn cheerful.

I'll probably be suicidal in a week.

Will it be okay with Laurel? Oh, it'll be fine. I'll ask her. Laurel doesn't

care too much about a lot of things.

you

knows everything.

And the place was buzzing this afternoon. Jane Mills, here to see

She wanted to represent you, didn't she?

I'm not interested.

And you turned her down.

Can I say something to you for your own good?

Please don't.

You're beautiful.

You are a fine model.

And the Lincoln Agency wants to represent you. Believe me, they will

your problem.

Laurel.

Laurel, it does not matter to anybody except you.

May I borrow your ivory necklace?

The Lincoln Agency is the big time, and you are throwing away a chance of a

lifetime for nothing.

I'll get it.

leave, may I borrow your necklace?

Not unless you promise that you'll call Jane Mills tomorrow.

Yes or no?

I'll get the lousy necklace.

Okay, okay.

Hi. Hi.

I'm the new roommate.

I know, it's basically.

35 stores in one fell swoop. That's not to be sneezed at, Paul. 35 Behringers,

and in one fell swoop, Behringers has lost its uniqueness.

I don't know, Uncle Paul.

Neiman Marcus merged with Bergdorf Goodman and neither lost its

Well, it wasn't exactly a merger, darling. They were bought.

Besides, that was a marriage of two aristocrats, whereas a trans -allied?

Not even in our league.

We keeping you up, Billy?

Unfortunately.

Hello, everybody.

I don't believe she brought that idiot to Grandpa's. Babsy, you devil.

I missed you.

Where you been, huh? Up to my neck in candy.

John, this is... Everyone, you all know John, I think.

Melody, darling, say hi to John.

You look terrific, Mel.

Grandpa!

Nice, nice.

Very nice.

Evening, Daddy.

Barbara, you look trim and fit.

Well, I look trim and fit because I feel trim and fit.

What an example to us all. To all except my son.

fear paul here is extremely trim and fit listen if you'll excuse me sit down oh

but pop you see i gotta go to the gym so i too can be trim and fit seriously

pop i've got opera tickets congratulations okay next tickets all

Well, it's nice to see you too, Paul.

Your father invited me. Of course you couldn't say no.

Why would I?

He said he wanted the whole family here.

Our marriage is over, Gloria.

The sooner you and my father accept that, the happier we'll all be.

Hey, Pop, I'm not kidding. I'm running late, okay? And as much as I love these

warm family gatherings... All right.

I'll make my announcement now instead of after dinner.

Announcement? As soon as the trans -allied merger is in place,

I'm going to retire.

What? And of course, that's wonderful news for Gloria and Paul,

isn't it?

Are you sick?

Is that why you're retiring?

I'm not sick. I don't get sick. I'm retiring because I feel like retiring.

I've earned it. I'll drink to that.

You'll drink to anything.

Paul will succeed me as chairman of the board and chief operating officer.

What do you say, Paul?

How do you like being kicked upstairs?

I'll send you a telegram.

You do that.

Who gets Paul's job?

The president?

I, for one, won't run if nominated, and I certainly wouldn't serve if elected,

so why don't I just leave?

Go to your game. I want to hear everyone's views before I make my

recommendation. But not now, not here. This is a social evening.

We'll discuss it at the board meeting.

Now, let's have dinner.

You're going to retire after the merger's effect.

When all the I's are dotted and all the T's are crossed, then I become chairman.

Did I offer my congratulations?

Why are you doing this? They're creating a totally new company that I'm against

and putting me in the driver's seat.

If I appointed you first, there wouldn't be a merger.

We don't know anything about trans -allied.

I don't want to be at the wheel when damage just goes down.

That's always a possibility, isn't it?

Interesting. Positively Byzantine.

It's going to be a lot of fun watching this family fight their way through

I don't know how comfortable this is. You can put your clothes in the hall

closet, and I'll give you Margie's half of my dresser, okay?

Laurel, thanks so much for letting me stay here. I really appreciate it. No

problem.

Good night. Good night.

She's so beautiful.

You'll need some sheets and blankets. I'll get them.

Oh, can you get that? Yeah.

Hello?

Hi, Tammy.

It's John Higgins.

Hi. I just didn't want you to go to bed without knowing someone in New York is

thinking about you.

Thank you.

Pillar of salt, girl.

I'm not kidding.

They remind me of you and Paul a little.

Are they a fine match?

You were the match of the decade.

A great family of retailers and a great family of importers.

Your marriage...

Help to turn Berenger's into the giant it is today.

The best is yet to come.

Of course it'll be you, Todd.

Who else would it be? I'm not worried.

Good.

You're a winner.

That's why I married you.

Not like my mother and her string of losers.

Look at her fawning over that boy.

That boy is not much older than you.

And she's my mother.

I think you're being too hard on her.

Sort of admire her.

It's because you didn't grow up with her.

You know, I never knew from one day to the next who my father would be.

Only that he'd be some jerk.

They won't go outside the family.

Her interest doesn't even sell stock to outsiders.

They're certainly not going to let a stranger be president.

Paul doesn't know yet, but I've been having talks with the trans -allied

They like what I'm doing with the suburban store, and I love what they've

mind for their interest.

Anybody can see he's only after her money.

I know I get your mother's vote.

Grandfather.

I think your grandfather might vote for me, too.

Anybody could seduce him away from her.

I'm in. I feel it.

I should do it myself.

Look, I washed John Higgins out of my hair a long time ago.

I'm concerned for you.

I can handle myself.

Maybe, but let me give you a preview of coming attraction.

John Higgins is going to ask you out.

You'll have a wonderful time.

He'll look at you and you'll feel more deeply appreciated than you've ever

He'll get you into bed.

He'll knock your socks off.

You're trying to scare me off. You're doing a really bad job.

Cammy, you'll want more. You'll get less. You'll see him with other girls

their socks knocked off. And pretty soon... Soon he'll call you, if he's in

neighborhood or needs a loan.

Listen, two weeks before I left Ohio, I was supposed to get married.

If I married Kenny, I would have had a wonderful husband, a terrific house,

eventually two great kids.

I would have played canasta with his mom. I could have done some volunteer

and every now and then I might have been able to take a class. Now, that scares

me a lot more than your John Higgins.

That's why I bolted. You want to make a bet, Santa?

Two years from now, your Kenny is going to be looking pretty good.

And, honey, then it might be too late.

Maybe. I gave myself one year to prove I could make it on my own. Now, if it

turns out that I can't, then I'll reconsider.

In the meanwhile, bring on your John Higgins of the world.

I'm ready.

Bad chance.

Turn off the lights, please, Max.

I thought we'd order up some champagne.

I don't get it.

What don't you get, Matt?

You.

We meet out of town at a convention. We hit it off like gangbusters. First date.

Today I come to see you, you're cold as ice.

Okay, finally, I wear you down and we go out to dinner. And you hardly talk.

Come back here with me.

No sweet talk, no small talk, nothing. Just through the door and into bed.

It's what you want, isn't it?

Yeah, sure, but it's not all that I want.

I'd like to, you know, I'd like to talk a little. I'd like to get to know you a

little bit. You know.

Yes. Mr. Barringer's on his way up.

Thank you, Thomas.

Hi.

Hi.

Looks like you've just seen your wife.

Father's idea.

Nice little family gathering.

May I come in?

He also announced his retirement, my promotion, and his commitment to the

merging.

I love the evening.

Want a drink?

Yeah, I could use it.

And then it was Melody and Babs glaring at each other.

You know, typical mother -daughter warmth.

You know what I think?

What do you think?

I think we ought to just chuck it all and run away together.

You don't mean that.

You don't want it, and I don't either.

And I've got to get out of this marriage.

We have an agreement.

We're going to stick to it.

Shane.

Oh, please.

You know how hard this is for me.

Damn your agreement, Shane.

I wasn't doing anything. No.

It's all right. It's all right. Everything's going to be okay.

I'm not coming any closer. I'm not coming any closer.

I'll leave the room.

Here are your clothes. Here are your clothes. Get dressed.

Get dressed and I'll take you home.

All right? It's okay.

Hey, the checks in the mail, guys. What's the chance that you really buried

I'm sorry about last night. No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come. I

have just thrown you out that way.

The truth is I was scared.

Scared? Me? Yes, scared of you.

Scared of my feelings when we start making love again. I get to needing you

much. At least this way I can handle it.

Can you?

Because I'm not sure I can anymore, Shane.

You're so damn wrong for the two of us not to be together.

We are together.

14, 16 hours a day, six days a week. Listen, we're the most married couples.

And we love each other, too.

Don't you dare leave that out.

You don't need to convince me how much I love you. I know, believe me. Better

than anyone.

Well, then why? Because you're married.

Are you afraid if we make love that's going to take the pressure off and I'm

going to get a divorce?

Yeah. There's no way that's going to happen.

I have a nice life, you know.

Nice job, great boss.

You know, I might rather have a perfect little gem of a life for one than an

imperfect, incomplete two.

It's going to happen.

I promise you it is going to happen. Is it?

Yes.

Swear.

I can't go back to personnel.

Personnel's the one who fired me. I've got to talk to Miss Bradley.

She's not in yet.

Mr. Barringer, then.

Mr. Paul Barringer is not in yet. And Mr. Simon... Never mind, never mind. I'm

not that desperate.

I'll wait for Miss Bradley or Mr. Paul Barringer.

Which one are you waiting for?

Any of them.

I'm not particular.

I'm a relative.

Oh.

Well, I'm not.

I can't lose this job.

I got a wife, mother, baby, and a sister to support.

Do you know how it happened?

Where's he now?

Okay, I'll be right there.

Now, don't get your hopes up.

There are a hundred things he could want to see me about.

Yeah, nothing important enough to make him call us at 7 .30 in the morning to

get you to come in.

Mr. President.

Later.

Why don't you wait here? I'll get a taxi.

No, no, wait a minute.

You heard him. No broken bones.

I'll walk with you, otherwise I'm dipping up.

You're gonna get yourself killed.

They never kill you.

Can't pay them if you're dead.

How much do you owe, Billy?

These guys?

Not very much. A few thousand.

Five, I think.

Hey, hey, listen.

These are old debts.

I mean, everything is under control.

Well,

then don't ask me about it.

If it's something I happen to like... What, do you like getting beat up?

Not any more than you do.

What's that supposed to mean?

I get beat up by thugs. You get beat up by Papa Simon.

Damn it, Billy.

No, no, you think it.

I mean, he watches over every move you make. He runs your life.

And he never asks your opinion about anything.

And you want to know why? Because he doesn't care what you think.

For that matter, he doesn't care what you feel anyway. I mean, he merges a

and you've got to read about it in a newspaper.

You can't even get a divorce without his interference.

That's what I like about being the kind of... Because then he leaves me alone.

Listen, I, uh... Hold on a second. I don't feel so good.

You okay?

Sit down.

You all right? You okay?

Yeah, yeah. It's just a little dizzy. My ribs are killing me.

Hey,

if you knew the real difference between us...

When we're not getting beat up, you never have any fun. And I do.

Leo, they're wonderful. I know I'm a great designer. I feel it deep inside.

See, all my life, I've been dressing and undressing people in my head.

Huh? Huh? Oh.

Oh, they're...

Good. Yeah, they're better than good.

See, I've got a way, using just a little more fabric in each garment to make

adjustments for women with different shapes.

I know how to make any woman look better in clothes than she's ever looked in

her life.

And that's why I beg you to talk to your brother.

Please, help me to get my job back. Don't beg me, Julio.

Don't ever beg anybody.

You're much too talented to beg.

You don't need a job.

You need a partner.

How about me?

Are you serious?

Yes, I'm serious.

The Julio Morales line, exclusively at Barrington.

I don't know what to say.

Say yes.

Yes.

Julio Morales doesn't have the right sound.

How about Julian Laurel?

Anything you say.

All right, partner.

A free lifetime service contract.

Sir, I'm not sure. Those televisions, if you had sold them with free lifetime

service contracts, you'd have had a good scan.

I don't understand. Lie to me, Sonny, and you're out of here.

Customer had a problem with his set.

Called his own repairman.

The repairman told him the set was no Sony. Four hours later, Paul knew.

And would have traced it straight to you if I didn't first uncover for you. Sir,

just shut up. Shut up and listen.

And learn something.

Barringers is going to have to recall every one of those television sets you

sold out there in the suburbs.

300 sets.

300 genuine Sony innards deducted from your profits this quarter, all because

you were too dumb to think it through one more step.

Free lifetime service contracts. Next time, think better.

Get out.

And talk.

Forget being president of Behringer's.

I understand, sir.

But I wish I could convince you that I... You can't. Not because you're a

You poured the extra profit into your department, and that's good.

But because you're just not smart enough.

We'll watch it, buddy.

Take it easy.

I thought you told me you were going to control that famous temper of yours.

It's not that big of a deal. It is to me. What difference does it make who the

president is?

What really matters is who's got the power.

It may not matter to you. It matters to me. I want that title.

I want to be president.

Todd, you keep playing ball with us, and you'll be president of Beringers. What

about Simon? Forget about Simon.

Once trans -allied takes over, Simon Berenger... We put

all of our people in.

And you are one of our people, right?

Wake up, little Susie, huh?

There you go.

I'm supposed to bring you these?

Uh, hi.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, if it were only this easy to get all women to do exactly what you wanted.

I hear you don't have too much trouble on that score.

Uh,

the inimitable Stacy's been telling big -band John stories again, huh?

Hmm.

What'd she tell you?

Never mind.

You know, you're really cute.

Oh, that's right. You hate cute.

Who would you rather be?

Sophisticated? Like her?

Oh, I think that can be arranged.

Let me see here. Here. Let's see.

Sophisticated.

Okay. Like that.

Zeke, I don't know, you're still pretty cute. You're adorable.

Really?

What can we do about it, huh?

Hey, I'll, um, pick you up at seven, okay?

Is that a bet?

Miss Bradley, I don't know what to do next.

I'm out of leads.

I'm out of places to look, people to talk to.

So you're saying it's hopeless.

I'm saying that it's been five years. I feel like a thief taking your money.

When your husband... My ex -husband.

When your ex -husband stole your daughter, he had the whole world to hide

We're no closer to finding them today than we were five years ago.

Then maybe tomorrow.

Keep looking.

My report, such as it is, and your videotape.

Maybe you need it for reference. I've already duplicated a copy for myself.

I'll see you in a month. Or sooner, if you hear something.

Of course.

We don't understand who you... Will you get your job back?

Mommy, this is better than my job. Much better.

This is a partnership.

What does she pay you for this partnership?

She doesn't pay me. We split everything 50 -50.

Splitting comes after you make the money.

What do you live on while you make it?

Oh, we haven't worked out the details yet.

All I know is we're equal partners.

50 -50 coming and going. Her money, my talent up front, 50 -50 when the profits

roll in.

And she is Mrs. Barringer?

She's Mrs. DeGava, Mr. Simon Barringer's daughter.

Mrs. Barringer, she doesn't need money coming in every week.

You're a Morales, you do.

Why do you say that, Anna? You don't know anything about them. You know why I

say it?

Because I have a brother who taught me how important it is to know who you are.

Well, this is different.

What makes it different?

Oh, stop it. This is a dream he's had all his life. We are just trying to

protect him.

He's lost his job. He's got no money coming in. The rent is due. You don't

to be a financial wizard to know that that means trouble.

Look, I don't have to know all the Beringers to know that when one of them

offers a chance like this, you take your chances and go for it. Who's talented?

Well, my head was teeming with ideas.

Good evening.

Oh, John, is that for us?

It's so beautiful.

Now I know I'm in New York.

I might have just died.

Can we put the top down?

Should we put a ponytail?

No, not yet. Come on.

Rub his ears.

Okay.

Oh, you want to squirt him in your squirt gun. I don't think he likes that.

Come here, baby.

Get that scrubber in there.

Get that scrubber on him. Huh? Get that scrubber on this dog. Wait until dad.

Wash him right there.

Get him right there.

Right there.

Over there.

Now, put some water on him.

Wherever we go, whatever we do, we're going to go through

it together.

We may not go far, but sure as a star, wherever we are, it's together.

Deborah, what are you doing up so early? Have you been out all night?

I had to talk to you.

Something's happened.

Something very exciting.

You're not getting married again?

No.

Nothing like that.

Thank goodness.

I'm, uh... I'm going into business.

And I need your help. I think that you could... Well, we could make a lot of

money. I didn't think you cared about making money, only spending it.

I've met a very talented young designer, and I want to go into business with

him. You don't know anything about business.

Well, I know about fashion, and I know that Julian is good. Well, he's better

than good, Daddy. He's going to be very important one day.

I'll bet he's very charming, too.

No. Daddy, it's nothing like that. I'm serious about this.

Seriousness doesn't become you, sweetheart.

Daddy, look.

You have braved Billy and Paul to go into business.

You taught them how the store worked so they could step into your shoes. Look,

nobody expects anything from you.

Well, I want the same chance. Darling, you're much too pretty to worry about

profits and loss.

It'll put lines in your face.

Daddy, I want this.

And I want to be...

business -like about it, so I'll sign a note and pay interest.

Business -like?

All right. Show me your credentials.

List your accomplishments, your many achievements.

Convince me that everything in your past has readied you for this wonderful

opportunity.

Come on, tell me.

I... What, Barbara? Tell me.

I want you to have some faith in me just once.

Now, why would I have faith in you, Barbara?

Why would anyone?

Look, I'll buy you a new dress.

In fact, I'll buy you a whole new wardrobe, if you like.

But I'm afraid that I can't buy you a designer.

I'm going to do this, Daddy.

With you or without you.

And I'm going to make it work.

Good morning, ladies.

Good morning, Mr. Barringer.

You're kidding me.

I thought that was turned over to the police two days ago. Well, he refused to

sign a complaint, so the cops had to let the guys go.

Did he tell you why?

That's from Bloomingdale's.

Forgive me. He said something about how we blew it, and it was how his lawyer

told him that the crooks could sue us.

It doesn't make any sense. Does it, Nick?

I've been a cop for 20 years. I know something about the rules of evidence.

You and I did it by the book.

Did you tell him that? He was doing the telling, Paul. He wasn't into listening.

Macy's? Behringer's.

Well, I admire your honesty, kid.

Todd Hughes is my way into Behringer's.

I want some men, but Behringer's are out.

This guy's a hothead, but I can handle him.

He reeks of ambition.

Just like Stella's saying. You can see right through him.

You be careful.

Hotheads never think ahead.

I hate working with hotheads.

This man won't be a problem.

I can control him.

What the hell is it about this I don't like?

I think you're being too careful.

I spend my life being careful. It's kept me alive.

I'm not going to stop now.

We've got Simon Berringer right where we want him.

You've got a lot of hate in you, Danny boy.

That might be what I don't like.

Since when are you in love with the Berringers?

I'm the guy that taught you to hate them.

Maybe I shouldn't have been such a good teacher, huh?

Well, Grandfather, every detail has been planned.

My first move into trans -allied, right up into this merger.

There isn't anything that you and I haven't thought about over and over. It

reeks too much of a vendetta. That's what I don't like.

Any family ever deserved a vendetta.

Berringer's. Look, Simon Berringer deserves everything you give him. You

child, and a real man doesn't treat children like that. All I'm saying is

let revenge be the main reason for what you're doing.

Revenge is best when it sweetens the pot, not when it's the whole reason for

doing business.

Don't be good business.

Beringer's will be ours.

Simon Beringer and his entire family will be out in the street.

It'll be good business.

I promise.

As long as it's not what you live and breathe for.

The lawyers told me not to press charges. That's why.

If you two hadn't played cowboy... Pop Morrison was by the book.

Look, don't argue with me. Take it up with the lawyer. Which lawyer?

Who the hell knows?

They all look alike to me.

Come on, Pop. You got another lawyer's name? I've got to?

Now you're telling me what I've got to do? Whose store is this anyway?

Ours. I built it to you. It's just a cheap meal ticket.

Okay, fine.

Look, see if you can find the lawyer's name for me. I'd like to talk to him.

Make sure we don't make the same mistake again.

I'll try.

Anything else?

Sir? The merger.

Oh, give it up, Paul.

All right, I will.

Just tell me why you decided to do it this way.

The same time as your retirement. Merging the store, leaving it against my

to rent an outfit I don't believe in. Maybe I wanted to see if you were

of doing something difficult with your life. You've never had to.

Don't you think I'm a little old for a character -building exercise? No, please

leave me alone now, Paul. I'm eating lunch.

You know, I think I know why you're doing this. The merger, the retirement.

not interested.

You aren't.

Well, maybe Mr. Ludwig here would like to hear it, huh? He would. No, no, thank

you. You know, all my life, all our lives, all three of us kids have heard

you built this place from nothing and how inadequate we all were. So far, this

is a very good theory.

So when I see retiring, merging the store, I find myself thinking, wait a

minute.

We're forgetting something here.

We're forgetting that it wasn't Simon Barringer that built this great store.

Get out of here, Paul.

You're not entertaining me anymore.

No, we're forgetting it was Sarah Barringer that had the vision, the

guts that made Barringer's.

Look, if you don't like what I'm doing with this store, with the merger, quit.

Yes. But don't stand there making up fairy tales.

Yes, it was Sarah Barringer, wasn't it, who did the real work, the thinking.

Of course, times were different then. She couldn't let the world know that it

was really her.

That would have humiliated her husband.

And we all went along with the myth. We kids, Mr. Ludwig here, everybody.

You see, Pop, it's all starting to make sense now, isn't it?

A year ago, Sarah Berenger died.

But ever since then, Simon Barringer's been living in fear. And without Sarah

tell him what to do, he knows he's gonna fail. Shut up, Paul!

Enough! In fact, Simon Barringer's a man consumed with fear.

And he knows that the next time there's a crisis, his children are gonna find

out that he's the worthless one, not them.

Don't you ever do that again.

So, Simon Barringer.

Merge with trans ally, take the money, give his son the job of the powered

outsiders. That way, if Berenger's fails, everybody will blame the

son. Simon will come out smelling like a rose, telling the world he told him so.

Survive in me, not in you.

I'll kill you.

Go ahead, try.

Try and kill Berenger's too, but I'll be there and I'll stop you.

Because Berenger's is ours.