Original subtitles

Let them all speculate.

Rumors are far more interesting than the truth, even in this crowd.

The only reason this crowd bots communicate is to look for their names

column. Well, tell them I'm on hiatus while I produce Mark Merrill's play.

I don't think you realize just how risky investing in a play can be. You could

stand to lose a lot of money.

What's money when it's someone else's?

Really? You have investors?

I have my sources.

God's a thought of other people's money in your hand.

You can't even hold on to a pair of earrings.

Oh, damn, my favorite pair of Lisa Jenks.

Do you want me to help you look?

I'm sure someone will find it.

I'm lucky that way.

Here we go.

So what did you do all evening?

Grading papers, working on my play, making dinner, not necessarily in that

order.

Oh, and Carrie stopped by earlier.

She's actually got some pretty good ideas.

It's all very exciting.

Except for one continuous aching annoyance.

And what's that?

I miss my wife.

What's the matter?

I just need a few minutes in a hot tub.

Doing what?

Passion, love, sex, lovey, violence, religion, justice, and death.

I called

the

Globe to get Alex's number. They'd already dumped their file. Good

Hey, she's not as bad as she seems.

You know what our problem is, Peter?

We delude ourselves into thinking that women are actually warm, sincere, loving

creatures. Then along comes someone like Alex or Deanne, and it's like, reality

check.

So what are you trying to say?

Never deal with the female species.

I mean, beyond procreation, I guess.

By God, I think I'm in love.

Hey, I don't think you're in need of the Heimlich maneuver unless that ice

cube's stuck in your throat.

If it is, it's melted by now.

How you doing?

You're Peter Fairchild, aren't you?

Yeah.

Rachel Dennis.

Carrie's friend from boarding school.

I'm meeting her here.

Rachel, wow.

It's been a long time.

You've grown up.

I'd say we've both grown up, and rather nicely, I might add.

Um, Gil Chase, Peter's dear old friend.

Amazing. It didn't scar.

What didn't scar?

A cut, if I remember correctly, on the right side of the chin. When we were

skiing, you starred with Kerry.

Poor boy hit an ice patch, left a trail of blood.

Spring break years ago.

Lucky me, huh?

Oh, I don't know. Sometimes a little scar can be sexy on the right face.

You see this?

I got that when I was playing third base in Little League.

So, Rachel, what are you doing in New York?

Oh, I thought you knew. I'm the new fashion editor at Communique.

That's wonderful. Congratulations.

And I'm rooming with your sister.

Temporarily, at least, until I find my own place.

Must be like old times.

Almost.

Anyway, it was fantastic seeing you again, Peter.

Don't be a stranger.

Your childhood friends were the love of my life.

Bill, I hardly even know her.

Well, I'm about to.

We're cutting two paragraphs from the body of the piece, but otherwise I'm not

touching it.

I think Christopher did a wonderful job.

No, I absolutely will call and tell him myself.

Okay. Talk to you soon.

Want to see me? Yeah.

This is personal business, so I'll keep it short.

How unusual.

The theater you booked to produce Mark's play has never even heard of you.

And there's no production scheduled.

Well, there must be some kind of mix -up.

Where'd you get your information?

I went to the theater.

Personally.

You have no right to spy on me.

And you have no right to play games with my husband.

Games?

Where'd you find it?

Right where you left off.

I saw Mark yesterday. I must have lost it then.

Yes, I know.

We tell each other everything.

It's very comforting to be with a man you trust.

Of course, that's probably beyond your experience or capability.

Now, are you going to tell Mark the truth or am I?

I guess you're not leaving me with much choice.

Leland Hopkins, please. Carrie Fairchild calling.

One moment, please.

Hello? Leland, it's Carrie.

How are you?

Fabulous. How's the theater?

Even more fabulous.

That's wonderful. Listen, Leland, I need a small favor.

So you actually sold this one, too?

I sold the entire show.

This is no accounting for taste. As if you had any. Now, to what do I owe the

honor of this visit?

I want you to be the first to know that I'm in love.

Oh, God. Who is this poor girl?

Rachel Dennis.

Do you know her?

I know that she's not some airhead model who will succumb to your devastating

charm. What's that supposed to mean?

She's a world -class fashion editor with a world -class divorce settlement

coming her way.

Who needs a nice Wall Street broker to help her invest and forget?

You're dreaming.

What are you saying? I'm not good enough?

No, it's just that she's obviously a very ambitious lady whose criterion in

extends far beyond romance.

God, you make it sound so calculating. I mean, you're beautiful, successful,

ambitious. You're not going to go date some guy just because he's got money or

power.

Excuse me.

Nicky Sheridan.

I cannot stop thinking about your thighs as I run my tongue in the back of...

I agree. That is a wonderful picture. Certainly one of my favorites.

I'll meet you at the gallery at 8, but I've only got an hour. Linda's dragging

me to some benefit.

I'm not sure if I can make it then. I'm meeting with a client.

Damn right you are.

Me.

Clients.

Sometimes I wonder if they're worth all the aggravation.

You should meet some of the jerks that I've got to deal with.

Part of the game.

I guess.

Bad news first, okay?

Yeah, I guess. What's wrong?

I feel terrible, Mark.

All my negotiations for the theater were with the wrong person.

It was someone who loved your play but had absolutely no authority to make any

decisions. And I believe them.

So what are you saying? The theater's out?

Yes, for now.

You know, Carrie, maybe we should just rethink this whole arrangement.

Well, wait.

Don't you want to hear the good news?

There is any.

Tomorrow night, the Hampton Theatre Company will present a stage greeting of

your play.

Stage greeting?

So fast?

How? Well, the piece they scheduled fell through at the last minute.

So everything's in place.

We have to move quickly. Are you on board?

I don't know. It just sounds so last minute.

Well, what are your reservations?

No, no, no. No reservations.

Why not? Let's do it.

Fabulous. You and Stephanie will stay with me at our family cottage in

Southampton. That sounds nice. I'll talk to Stephanie and... Let me know.

Don't lose faith in me yet, Mr. Merrill.

I just landed an exclusive first look at the Milan Spring Collection.

Brilliant, isn't it? That's fantastic.

How'd you do it?

Hopefully, Stephanie, I didn't lose my connections at British Vogue by moving

here.

Can I get five pages of next week's issue?

I'll let you know.

What's my competition?

Circulation figures.

Rachel, don't ever take things off my desk.

I'm sorry.

You know, I didn't mean to pry.

No. No.

I'm sorry.

Is everything all right?

It's just... Yes.

Thanks for the scoop.

I'll get to these as soon as possible.

You got it.

Good afternoon, Mr. Rush's office.

Hi, it's Stephanie Wells calling.

I need to set up a meeting with Mr. Rush as soon as possible.

It's urgent.

Hey, honey.

Sorry I'm late.

Today was hellish.

Well, mine was no picnic either.

Is everything okay?

Something from the bar? Vodka martini, dry up, two olives.

Oh, my God.

I'm turning into my father.

Oh, that is one frightening thought.

So, what happened?

You first.

Well, Carrie met me after school with some bad news.

Tell me. The theater fell through.

I'm sorry, honey.

I knew you were asking for trouble the minute you got involved with that girl.

She's nothing but talk.

Well, not quite. She's already arranged for a staged reading at a theater out in

the Hamptons tomorrow night.

What? Yeah, I don't know how she threw it together so quickly, but she's

us to their family cottage.

And somehow I don't think we're talking fast roof here.

Well, I can see that you're just thrilled.

Oh, I am. I just wish I'd known earlier.

Now I'm not sure I can make it.

Why not?

I scheduled an urgent meeting with Alan Rush for tomorrow night.

Well, can't you change it?

You know those reports I've been devouring?

They're circulation figures, and they're full of discrepancies. Big, frightening

discrepancies. I wish I hadn't even noticed, but now that I have, I have to

sure that Alan's aware.

Why do you always feel it necessary to go above and beyond the call of duty?

Surprisingly enough, some people actually find that an asset.

I just don't want you to miss this, that's all.

I'll call Alan first thing tomorrow, see if this can't wait till Monday.

Thanks. Hey, I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important to me.

I know.

Here you go. Thanks.

Yeah, hi, it's me.

Things are moving along quicker than expected.

Grab a pencil, darling.

I'm only going to say this once.

I'd love to join you, but I've got an 8 a .m. deposition.

It's okay. I just need your expert advice.

What's the problem?

Rachel Dennis.

This is getting real boring. I need a strategy.

Ask her out to dinner.

No, the thing is, I gotta get to know her first, and without a little help

my friends, our paths are never gonna cross.

I see.

Well, you may be in love.

Is that the key to her heart? No, the key's to my family's house in the

Hamptons. Carrie's spending the weekend there. I was supposed to drop this off

by myself, but if you'd like to messenger it over for me, you may just

her houseguest, Rachel Dennis.

You gonna be there?

Unfortunately, no. The Central Park Arboretum's holding the benefit tonight.

I'm on the committee.

There's no way I can bathe her. That's too bad.

I owe you one, buddy.

Just get over there now before she leaves for work. I'm on my way.

Who is it?

Hey,

come in.

What are you doing here?

Peter asked me to drop these off for you.

For your weekend in the Hamptons.

Is this some kind of backwards attempt at getting an invitation?

Well, now that you insist, yes, I'd love to join you.

We'll be leaving from the downtown heliport at 5 o 'clock sharp.

I'll be there.

Carrie, do you have a white silk blouse?

Yeah, underneath the Agnes B. jacket you borrowed yesterday.

Thanks, you're welcome.

Hey, Rachel, Gilchase. Nice to see you again.

Lovely seeing you.

So, are you going to be joining us in the Hamptons this weekend?

You were planning a weekend without me?

Not really. The Hamptons Theatre is doing a reading of Mark Merrill's play.

At first it was just going to be Peter, Nicky and I, and now it seems to be

turning into a house party.

Is it?

Well, I could certainly use a weekend away.

Do you think you've got room for one whole guest?

I do.

Definitely.

There's always room for you, Rachel.

Great. I'll go throw some things together then.

I'll see you out there.

You too.

I'm so glad you'll be there to support Mark's play.

See ya.

Yes, yes.

Tell Mr. Rush I'll be meeting him this evening as scheduled.

And I'm sorry for the confusion.

Of course, as well. Thank you.

Damn it.

Yeah, Steph, where do you keep your bathing suits?

You'll find one anyway.

Any, uh...

I have some bad news.

Alan won't reschedule. I'm sorry.

Really?

Well, I can't say I'm not disappointed.

Look, if it weren't so urgent, it'd be a different situation.

You don't need to explain.

Just, I'm going to miss you. That's all.

Me too.

But I know you're going to be a huge hit tonight.

Do you remember what time I met you for dinner last night?

No, it was 9, 9 .31.

Looks like someone accessed my computer at 10 o 'clock last night.

Well, maybe the cleaning lady is surfing the internet.

Yeah, maybe.

All right, look, I gotta go.

I'll call you tonight.

I love you.

I'm sorry Stephanie couldn't make it.

Well, you've got your stepfather to thank for that.

I have my stepfather to thank for a lot of things.

Geez, what did you do, pack for a month?

These tiny cups just have weight limits, you know. Just give it to me.

After you.

All right.

Wait a sec, what about Rachel?

I don't know, but if she doesn't show up in the next 30 seconds, we're taking

off without her.

There she is.

Oh, my God.

Sorry, traffic was horrendous. Carrie was ready to take off without you. I

convinced her to wait.

I don't think Peter would have allowed that to happen. Peter's not coming.

No, why not?

He had to show up for some charity event for the Central Park Arboretum.

Oh, yeah, the Arboretum. Very worthwhile cause.

If you like trees.

Hi, I just came by to tell everyone that unfortunately I'm not going to be able

to make it.

But I wish you a lovely time and best of luck with your plane, Mark. Thank you.

Bye.

Bye.

Have fun.

Let's go.

Wait a second. What happened?

Come on.

You'll get.

Law school should prepare you for anything you want to do, Peter.

There's nothing at Harvard Law that quite prepares you for a hostile jury

distrusts your every word.

What about politics?

Politics is an option, but right now I like the idea that I'm actually doing

something rather than running for something.

Of course, if my father were still here, I think we all know how he'd feel about

that.

Would you excuse me, please?

Alex, what are you doing here?

I'm on the benefit committee. Can't you tell?

Wait a second. I need to talk to you. Not now. I can't afford to lose this

Come on. I've been trying to reach you. Where have you been?

Pounding the pavement.

Unfortunately, when you get fired from the Globe, the New York Times isn't

exactly banging down your door.

What can I do?

Stay out of my life, please.

Sorry. I can't do that.

Peter!

What a surprise.

I thought you'd be with Carrie in the Hamptons. No, I promised to be here.

Rachel, I'd like to introduce you to... I'll have another vodka tonic, please.

Coming right up.

I'll find you later.

No, darling, they find us. That's their job.

Now, who did you want to introduce me to?

I swear I don't know a single soul.

Judging from the attention you're getting, a lot of men wish that wasn't

case.

Thank you.

Alex,

there you are. We've got to talk.

So talk, but you gotta do it while I'm pushing baby quiche. If you never want

see me again, tell me now and I'll stop harassing the hell out of you. Of course

I want to see you again, but this wasn't exactly the rendezvous I had in mind.

Then let's discuss our options.

I can't talk to you here. I have to work.

What time do you get off?

Around one.

Will you meet me at the Zink Bar downtown?

I think so.

Yeah.

Fine.

I'll be waiting.

Okay.

I'll see you then.

Stephanie,

before you begin, can I give you a little word of advice?

Absolutely.

Don't ever call an emergency meeting for a Friday night and then try to

reschedule.

I apologize.

Maybe she didn't tell you, but Carrie arranged a reading of my husband's play

tonight in the hamper. Could we skip to the urgent business?

Of course.

Comparing advertising revenue with sales figures, I discovered that our

newsstand and subscription sales are down.

But our internal audit says that circulation is up over 100 ,000 copies.

the surface, this discrepancy appears to be to our advantage, but I'm nervous

how advertisers will react if they ever find out.

Stephanie, if I was looking for an accountant to run my magazine, I would

hired an MBA.

I'm a detail -oriented person, Alan.

I oversaw every aspect of my publication in Seattle. Now you're in New York.

Things run differently here.

I still have an obligation to our advertiser. You have an obligation to

which is to focus on the content of the magazine.

What's happening, what's hot, what sells.

You want to crunch numbers? Go balance your checkbook.

Fine. I think you made your point.

I just don't have time to explain the intricacies of our accounting procedures

here.

Understood.

I'm terribly sorry to have wasted your time.

Not at all.

I'm always available when you have a problem.

Talk to you Monday morning.

Of course.

Have a nice weekend.

Listen, thank you very much for coming. It was a pleasure. Thank you for your

company's donation. The plaque's going to look lovely at the Arboretum.

Thank you very much.

I understand it was your doing.

Thanks very much.

Have a lovely evening. Safe journey home.

Jackson.

Peter.

I must say, I'm impressed.

You really know how to work a crowd.

Anything to make people part with their money, as long as it's for a good cause.

I mean, the way these Fortune 500 people talk, you'd think treasury bills were

the most exciting thing on the planet.

I know the feeling, except with me, everyone wants to talk fashion.

I think your little fan club back there would settle for any subject.

If I'd wanted to hobnob with Eurotrash, I never would have bothered to have left

British Vogue.

So, now that you've fulfilled your philanthropic obligations, what's the

stop on the old party set? Oh, Rachel, Rachel, you've got the wrong fairchild.

The next stop is my head hitting the pillow.

Well, I hate to waste such a lovely evening.

I think I'm going to walk all the way home.

All the way to Carrie's?

In that, I don't think so.

But a big brother you must have been.

Of course, I wouldn't mind company.

Good. Because there's no way I'm letting you walk home alone.

Okay, everybody, quiet, please.

Quiet.

Thank you.

First, I want to thank you all for coming to this celebration of a

talent.

You know how I feel about your work, and tonight those feelings were shared by

us all.

Here's wishing you only successes in the future, with me being responsible for

all of them.

How you doing?

I don't know. My feet still haven't touched the ground.

I just wish Stephanie could have been here.

Me too. Maybe next time.

Look at that guy. One success and his head's like twice its normal size.

Since when are we jealous of someone who writes?

What's wrong with you tonight, anyway?

Hey, I was lured out here under false pretenses.

Still sulking about Rachel Dennis.

Hey, I thought you'd be happy.

I'm in love.

I'll be happier when you grow up.

Oh, excuse me. I'll be right back. Sure.

Hello?

Hi, Carrie.

It's Stephanie.

Hello? Can you hear me?

Yes, I can hear you just fine. You don't have to shout.

Sorry.

Listen,

I'm still in the city.

Well, I certainly hope you're not calling from here. We'd never forgive

missing Mark's reading.

So how'd it go?

What can I say? Your husband's a star.

Everyone loves him as much as me. That's wonderful.

Right now, I'd like to have a word with the star himself.

Sure. I'll try to find him. Don't go away.

I'm

sorry,

Steph. There's no sign of him anywhere.

Well, okay.

We'll just... I

didn't

realize it was such a long walk.

Sorry.

I'm just a little beat.

Well, yeah, this will help you sleep.

I must say, Carrie only buys the best.

You go ahead. I'll stick to water.

Are you sure that you and Carrie are really related?

Now, where were we?

You and your ex -husband.

Oh, yes.

The less said about that one, the better.

Besides, if one can't find something nice to say, one shouldn't say anything

all.

He really hurt you.

I'll be fine.

But no matter how mature we may think we are, you don't know how devastating a

divorce is until you've actually gone through one of your own.

I wouldn't know.

And I don't ever plan to find out.

You remember that, Peter.

When it go and get tough.

Am I detaining you from something?

Or someone?

It's almost one.

I really should get home.

You know, I was watching you tonight, Peter.

Do you know who you reminded me of?

Your father.

You knew him?

We met once. He came to the school to visit Kerry.

I don't know why I remember it so well.

But then again, he was hardly a man one forgets.

Sometimes I feel like it's so far in the past that maybe my mind's playing

tricks.

It's like I can't tell the difference between what I hear about Dad and what I

actually remember.

I don't mind sharing him with the world, but I still have the right to keep some

things for myself.

Of course you do.

But you already have the best thing of all.

He's inside you.

I saw it tonight.

I hope so.

It's a comforting thought.

Shall we taste through it?

Rachel, I really gotta go.

Let's plan something with Carrie when she gets back.

Good night, Peter.

Sleep well.

You're waiting there for someone.

She's got long, dark, curly hair, rather slim.

Sort of attractive in a rather common way.

Depends on what you consider common.

Then she's there.

Would you tell her that Peter Fairchild called to cancel?

Oh, could you do me one last favor, please?

Could you tell her that he made this call himself?

I mean, there's no point in pouring salt on the wound.

Okay, Peter called to cancel. I'll tell her that.

Thanks. You're a love.

If someone had told me six months ago that I'd be where I am right now... You

know, Mark, it's one thing to be humble and honest, but why do you always have

to sell yourself short?

I don't sell myself, period.

That's your job.

And you sure have done it well.

All I've done is expose your work.

I'm not the genuine talent here.

You know, it's funny. Stephanie assigns freelance pieces all the time.

He thinks you'd be thrilled to give you first crack.

Conflict of interest, we agreed.

But you said you needed exposure. I'm just surprised you wouldn't try to help.

What do you get out of all this?

It's a nice change of pace to be taken seriously.

And to help someone whose talent I respect.

I saved the best for last.

Gary?

I don't know if this is a good idea.

That's right. Take it off.

Take it all off.

What are you waiting for?

This feels great.

Carrie, what?

Carrie.

All right.

That's very good. Now, give me back my underwear.

If you want them, come and get them.

if you want them.

Carrie, this has been a perfect evening.

I planned it that way.

That's why I don't want to spoil it.

I know.

Thanks for tonight.

And everything.

Not quite everything.

Alex, what happened to you last night? I showed up, you weren't there. I just

wanted to make sure you're okay.

I'm fine, thanks.

And I was there.

And I got your message.

What message?

Peter, I'm tired of playing games.

The truth is, this just isn't working.

That's your opinion?

Yeah.

I missed you this weekend.

Hi, Owen.

Want something to drink?

No, I'm fine.

Fine?

Fine

is

an understatement.

What do you want to do for dinner?

Actually, that's what I came up here to tell you.

I've made other plans.

Excuse me?

Alan, you've really come to mean a lot to me in the last year, and we've had

some times I'll never forget.

But I think our relationship may have run its course.

You met somebody this weekend?

Alan, I told you I was with friends.

At my house?

That's right, your house.

Your pool, your piece of Long Island. As long as you're making a list of my

holdings, let's not forget your gallery.

That is not fair, Alan.

I made that gallery.

Maybe you did, but I paid the rent.

Well, look on the bright side.

Now you won't have to.

Listen to you, the big businesswoman.

Honey, you can just kiss that business goodbye.

Is that a threat?

Bet your ass.

You know, I thought this was going to be hard for me, Alan, but you just made it

real easy.

Oh, no.

This will be anything but easy.

Stop.

Hey. Back.

I see.

How'd it go?

Fantastic. The audience loved it. They laughed at the right places and then

applauded at the end.

And then afterwards carried through this great party.

That's what it sounded like when I called.

You did?

I never got a message.

Somehow that didn't surprise me.

Still, you could have called this morning.

Let me know how it went.

I'm sorry. I overslept and barely made the one o 'clock flight back.

It's been quite a night.

Actually, yeah, yeah, it was.

Well, I don't get it. Are you mad at me or something?

You know, Mark, every day I have to go into my office and be

the big boss.

I have to be tough enough to get their attention,

smart enough to get their respect.

And human enough to feel good about myself.

So I hope you understand.

It is very important for me to feel safe at home.

Because there's no way that I can keep my guard up

24 hours a day.

I can't help my heart.

It's okay.

I'd remarry my ex if I could wear that.

That's great.

Excuse us, Rachel.

Alan, what is it? What's wrong?

Read!

Though both newsstand and subscription sales of Communique have fallen, their

circulation figures are somehow on the rise, at least according to an internal

report. A miracle or just the new math?

Advertisers would like to know, as would any adult who can count. My God, how

did this happen? You tell me.

I haven't discussed it with anyone.

Not even your husband?

Alan, that's crazy. In New York?

Happens all the time.

I don't know what to say.

Except that last week somebody accessed my computer.

Then it's your job to find out who that someone is.

I'm not sure, Peter. I'll try to find her.

Is that Peter Fetcher?

Mm -hmm. I'll take it.

But he's calling for Carrie.

Well, then go and fetch her.

And don't ever address me in that tone again.

Rachel Dennis.

Here. How sweet of you to call.

Oh, you were?

Well, I don't think that she's in.

Thanks again for Friday night. I really enjoyed our talk.

When do we hit our next benefit?

Well, you made the last one bearable.

Listen, darling, I'm due in a meeting.

It was really nice to hear your voice again. I'll speak to you soon.

What are you doing at my desk?

I'm sorry, my phone's been down all morning. There's just no place around

to have any privacy.

Which you need with Peter.

Why?

Because I don't broadcast my conversations with him or with anybody

Rachel, I'm going to make this very clear.

You're welcome to stay at my loft for as long as you like. You can wear my

clothes, drink my champagne.

You can run up my phone bills with Transatlantic Call.

You're welcome to anything.

Except my brother.

No one's good enough for Peter. How sweet. I didn't say no one.

I said you.

Was it at that?