Original subtitles

Mahjong.

From the 19th-century teahouses of China

to kitchen tables in small towns today,

family and friends gather around these tiles

sharing food, laughter, and the stories of their lives.

When the Chinese invented mahjong,

they gave us the gift of community and connection,

reflecting life through its tiles...

chance, choice, and, of course, change.

Take the flowers.

Some sources say the flowers

are representative of the four seasons.

Then there are the four winds. Direction.

You never know where it will take you,

but in life and in mahjong, the hand you're dealt

matters far less than how you choose to play it.

Ronni? Come on! It's beautiful!

It's literally perfect.

Honey, you outdid yourself.

Okay? As always.

I'm telling you, your house is my favorite restaurant.

All right, ladies. Game on.

Ooh!

Good luck, friends.

And I said, "That's fine, Evan,

but if you take location services

off your phone again,

you can pay the bill yourself."

Oh!

I bet that ended the conversation real fast.

Nine bam.

Oh, you know it did! Flower.

I can't believe little Savannah's going to college.

- Right? - That's going way too fast.

- I know. - It still feels like

yesterday we met at the PTA meeting

where Caroline Bennett had a fit and quit.

Two dot.

Wait. Do you remember how dramatic her exit was?

"None of you appreciate all that I do!"

If I had a dollar

for every time I screamed that at the top of my lungs,

I would never have to sell a house again.

Savannah finished packing last night.

Savannah finished packing, or you finished packing for her?

I plead the fifth, Shelley.

These kids, they want to be so independent

until it's time for the hard labor and then...

Yep.

It's, "Can you do it for me, Mom?"

Seven bam.

That sounds eerily familiar.

Oh... I see my future in you.

Thankfully, I still have a year.

Take copious notes.

I will.

I'm not here! I'm just grabbing my yearbook.

We're doing a signing at Christa's.

Great conversation!

You are so calm, Ronni.

I was a complete wreck when Alex went off to college.

Oh, you're still a wreck, Melissa...

and it's been two years.

Sorry! Sorry.

How dare you, Carly?

Okay, in my defense,

I am only a partial wreck now, not a complete wreck.

Noted. Green dragon.

Savannah is smart, responsible...

if I did my job right.

Soap.

Are you kidding me? You did a great job.

Especially after the divorce.

Yes, or, hear me out,

you could start dating again.

I don't want to fly solo anymore.

West.

I'm out of here. Bye!

I love you!

And just like that, she's gone.

Guess I'll have to get used to that.

Mm-hmm.

Just like you'll have to get used to this...

Mahjong!

- No! - What?

How?

We just started!

Nurse Ronni?

Brandon? Oh, your knee?

Not that pesky swing set again?

Ugh.

Did you hold on real tight, like we talked about?

And you pumped your legs real good?

Real good, Nurse Ronni.

Okay, well, then that is not on you.

I'm gonna go have a very serious chit-chat

with that swing set.

What do you say?

Yeah.

Yeah?

Got a minute, Ronni?

Yeah, I'll be right there.

All right, let's see. Oh, I think you're gonna live.

Should I be worried?

No word yet on next year's budget cuts,

but that's not what I wanted to see you about.

For the fundraiser this weekend, Mr. Lee was gonna teach poker,

and now he has a family emergency in Utah.

Can you step in?

Oh...

Gloria, I have no idea how to play poker.

Unless it's on a slot machine in Vegas,

I'm clueless.

But you did give me a refresher

that one time I filled in with your mahjong group.

It's the perfect replacement.

Oh, you want me to teach mahjong?

- Yes. - Uh, I mean...

if you think people would be open to me teaching...

Are you kidding? They'd be so open to you.

If anyone can draw them in, it's Nurse Ronni.

I would be happy to.

Thank you.

No problem.

You know how big dorm rooms are, right, Savannah?

There's a storage area you can rent in the building,

if you need to.

I love you, kiddo.

You go get 'em, okay?

I'm not gonna cry.

Neither am I.

I'm not gonna cry more.

Good!

Aww...

Oh, I love you.

You know, it's not too late.

Your father and I could still drive you.

Mom, we talked about this. I'm fine.

I know. I know. I know.

I'm so proud of you.

From starting the STEM club

to getting accepted into the Technology Institute...

Early acceptance.

Early acceptance!

And entry into the pre-fall STEM program.

There's no one here to hear you bragging about me.

Oh, well, then I take it all back.

You promise to text me as soon as you get there?

Okay.

Love you!

So... Ron.

Mike.

The house.

Right.

I was kind of hoping you'd forgotten.

Nah, come on, you knew this was coming.

Yeah, but I thought you might wait

for her car to clear the driveway first.

We had a deal...

you two stay in the house till she's off to college,

and... then we sell.

I remember.

Look, Laura's condo is too small for us,

and this is... this is a lot of house.

It's more than just a house, Mike.

It's my home.

It has been for 15 years,

and it was yours until five years ago.

It's not gonna be easy to just walk away.

You're right.

That was insensitive,

and I-I didn't mean anything by it.

And I-I know we had a deal.

I've already spoken with Melissa

about what we need to do to get the house ready to sell.

The touch-ups, repairs...

and, of course, all the old plumbing issues.

Look, I'm not saying tomorrow, 'kay?

Take some time, fix it up,

but we gotta get the ball rolling, okay?

I can help.

I've got it.

I do.

'Kay.

I've got it.

Turn them clockwise,

remove the pipe,

and check the washer inside.

If it's cracked, you'll need to replace it,

but if it looks okay, clean it off.

It's so easy.

Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Ahh...

No need to pay for an expensive plumber.

Anyone can do it!

And that's the D.I.Y. Annie way!

Sure. Anybody can do it.

Hey, kiddo.

Your mom said that she and your dad

are gonna be here real soon.

But you'll still do the basketball game with me,

right, Uncle Ben?

Are you kidding me?

That's the whole reason I came was the basketball game.

Do the basketball game?

Oh, one second.

So you want to try some games?

Uh... hey, kiddo.

Show Grandma around the school. I'll be in in a minute.

Hey, sorry, hi-hi! Do you need help with that?

No, I-I got it.

Okay. Oh... okay. Uh, all right.

Then you don't need me to tell you

about the obstacle on your right!

Yup...

- Sorry. - Thanks. Okay. Got it.

- You sure you got that? - I got it. I got it.

I certainly won't guide you past...

kids! Kids, yup.

I got it. I got it! I got...

Oh! Okay.

Uh... sorry.

Sorry about that.

That's okay.

Disaster averted. No trips to the E.R.

Well, there's still time today.

Yeah. Uh, well, in that case, are you sure that I can't...

Ronni! Let me grab that for you.

We're going to set up in the assembly room.

Okay. Thank you.

Well, uh, thank you for not helping me.

You're welcome.

It was my... not pleasure.

Well...

I'll probably not see you in there.

Ladies and gentlemen,

can I have your attention, please?

Come learn about the age-old phenomenon

that has been sweeping the nation...

mahjong!

The American variation.

Mahjong is a game

that requires curiosity over expertise.

In fact, every mahjong expert at some point in time

has looked at these tiles and thought, "Huh?"

Come play! It's only four tickets!

It's for a good cause!

Yes. We have one victim!

No, I'm kidding.

Four players, one table, countless memories.

Mahjong is a game you don't play to win...

well, some of us do...

but it is a game about belonging,

community...

and mahjong is a game that is proven

to improve cognitive abilities and memory.

Come play!

Oh, thank you.

- Mahjong! - Mm-hmm.

Do you play?

I'm a beginner.

I played a couple of times with some friends,

but then my son begged me to move closer.

Boys want to keep an eye on me.

No, boys wanna be nearby in case you need them.

Hello again.

Hello again.

Do you have a child here at the school?

A nephew, Brandon North.

Oh... Brandon of the recurrent skinned knees.

Ahh.

You know, I think

that he is single-handedly responsible

for keeping the bandage companies in business.

Wow! You'd think we'd get

some sort of family kickback for that.

Mm. Well, come. Take a seat.

Oh! Don't mind if I do.

Uh, oh, no, no, don't mind if I don't.

I'm happy to stand back and watch.

I gotta do basketball with Brandon.

That's in an hour.

Um, unless you're afraid, Mister...?

Ben.

Mr. Ben, and no, I'm not afraid.

I just wouldn't wanna, you know,

show everybody up,

on account of my skills, which are, uh...

none.

Come on, Mr. Ben, take a seat.

It's for a good cause.

If only for the school's bandage budget.

Oh, tickets.

I gotcha. I gotcha.

Let's... mahjong.

- Ooh! - Mm...

Uh, north.

That was a good play, Birdie.

See, she looked at her tiles,

and then the different combinations on the card,

and she decided which combo she was most likely to get.

I got lucky. I picked another six dot.

Mm... lucky.

Mahjong is 50% skill and 80% luck.

Mahjong math. It's a thing.

Okay.

A good strategy is to count

how many tiles you have toward your preferred hand.

Birdie has one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight...

nine out of 14.

It is time for her to commit.

Hmm, read 'em and weep.

Wow... that is just a hot mess.

What are you talking about?

It's not a hot mess. I got three pairs.

Bim, bam, boom!

That do not go together.

But... if you move these eights here

over there,

a dragon there...

Mm-hmm?

Bim, bam, bam,

you have the set-up for a great two-four-six-eight combo.

All right, and what if

I don't want to let go of my fives yet?

Or my nines?

Do you have a problem with commitment?

I don't.

- Yes. - No! What are you doing to me?

Get out of here!

I'm joking.

Well, good, because you have the set-up

for a great marriage between these bams and the dragons.

It's time to put a ring on it.

All right, and what happens if the next tile

sends me in a completely different direction?

Well, mahjong is like life.

You can't just straddle the line.

You have to make a choice and stick with it.

You know? Sometimes it means you give something up,

but other times, it means you find something

that you didn't know you were looking for.

Yes, ma'am.

Oh, yes. That's great.

That's a great one.

Okay, and, yeah, this is really coming along.

All right. Just...

Ah, ah, ah, ah. I think I got that.

Let's be honest,

you're a bit of a hazard with this thing.

Fine, but only because I'm exhausted

from teaching four different games.

I can't say until you send the offer,

then I need to discuss it with my client.

- Let's go. Hey. - Hey. Hey, kiddo.

Hey!

Uh, we have to get Brandon to soccer,

and we promised we'd take Birdie home,

but Henry's call is taking forever,

so, uh...?

Uh, yeah.

Yeah, no, I'll-I'll take Mom.

She's on the way.

- Yeah? You don't mind? - No.

Okay, Ben, thank you.

He told me no work calls today.

- I don't know. I don't know. - No, it's all right.

We can't be late for soccer, can we?

Bye, Nurse Ronni. Let's go.

- Bye, buddy! - Good luck, kid.

Give us at least 48 hours to mull it over.

Well, it looks like you're stuck with me, Ma.

Uh, I'm gonna help Ronni out...

Oh, good idea. I'll wait in the car.

Okay.

I still think I should've stuck with those pairs.

If you like losing.

You're a great teacher.

Do you give a lot of lessons?

Uh, thank you.

No, this is actually

the first time I've ever done it.

I'm... I'm more just a passionate player.

Well, you're good.

Thank you. And thank you for your help.

Well, you know, I had to go way out of my way here.

Ohh.

True North Construction. Is that your company?

It is, yeah. I'm a general contractor.

Could you recommend a handyman?

I-I just... I'm trying to get my house ready to sell,

and I might've tried a few repairs

that were a bit over my pay grade.

Let me guess... D.I.Y. Annie?

How'd you know?

Oh, you mean "Destroy It Yourself Annie"?

Yeah.

We clean up a lot of her messes.

I knew it!

Yeah. Are you one of these

kinda do-everything-yourself people?

Ah... it's kind of what happens when you're the default parent.

Ah, and what about the, uh, non-default parent?

He can't help?

Oh, my ex? He offered,

but I-I told him I have it covered,

which clearly, I don't.

Tell you what.

Call Jeff.

Thank you. Is he reasonable?

It's just I have

lots of little repairs and things that I need to do,

and my-my job might be changing.

He is.

You tell him Ben sent you.

Okay.

Well, it was nice not meeting you.

It was nice meeting you.

Stay away from D.I.Y. Annie.

I have already unsubscribed.

Good!

Have a great time.

So, they did it.

They reduced my job down to part-time.

I'm so sorry, Ronni. I tried.

No, I know you did. Thank you.

I hope you'll consider staying on with us,

but I understand the salary cut might make that untenable.

When do you need to know by?

I wish I could tell you to take your time, but...

Thanks. I understand.

Ah!

Just the person I was looking for.

Ben? Uh, what are you doing here?

Uh, well, um...

here's the deal.

So, my mom has not stopped talking about mahjong,

or how much she loved playing again...

or, uh, you.

Well, it's... it's not me, it's mahjong.

No, no, she-she wouldn't even have sat down

if not for how welcoming and-and inviting you were.

I really liked her too.

Good! Um...

she's a little lonely,

and I admit,

I might have begged her to sell her place

and buy a new place at Blue Sky West,

the retirement community.

Yeah, yeah, no, I know it. Is she happy there?

Uh, well, she's not unhappy,

but there is a mahjong club,

and it is only for seasoned players,

and she's just not really meeting people.

So as you can imagine, my guilt level is at, like, ten,

and I generally like to keep it below a six.

Well, I'd be happy to have her sub into my group sometime.

Or... maybe...

you could do at Blue Sky West

what you did so beautifully here?

You know, you could get people engaged,

and recruit some players, and maybe...

set up a game for my mom.

And in return,

I would do all of the repairs on your house...

on the house.

For free.

Y-yeah, no, I know what "on the house" means,

and that is exactly my budget.

- Really? You'll do it? - Yeah.

I mean, because, honestly, that would take my guilt

down to, like, a three... three-point-five?

Yes.

You, sir, have a deal.

Okay.

Okay.

If I could review dates on the app,

I would say, "Three strikes, and you are off."

Hey! I met Chris online.

And I got this blazer online, and we are very happy.

Hi.

- Mm. - Sorry to interrupt.

Ben. Uh, ladies, this is Ben.

He's the one who I told you about

who is helping me fix up the house.

Uh, Ben, these are my friends, Carly, Shelley, and Melissa.

- Hi. - Hello.

Hello!

Hi. Nice to meet you.

Uh, do you have paper towel?

Uh, yeah, in the hall closet.

Okay.

- Okay... - What?

I'm sorry.

Hold on a moment.

What?

That is the guy fixing your house?

Yes.

"Yes."

You never said he was a hot handyman!

Oh, shh! He is not a hot handyman.

Um, yeah?

Okay, yes, he is hot, okay?

- Mm-hmm. - But he's not a handyman.

He's a contractor.

Oh. Mm-hmm.

And he is the uncle of a kid at my school.

- Uncle. Okay. - Oh, yeah.

He's just helping me with my house...

- Uh-huh. - And I barely even know him.

Okay, you know what?

Methinks the lady doth protest too much.

- Mm-hmm! - Did I tell you

that I have an interview at the hospital?

Ah. She also doth deflect.

- Ah, yes, she doth. - Thank you.

Mm-mm.

Uh, the school said

I could take as much time as I want,

but I just... I want to feel settled.

Well, you could just walk right into the other room for that.

Settle right down.

Oh, God.

You are relentless.

- Ahem. - Oh!

Uh, sink is fixed. No more leak.

I'm gonna head out.

Great. Thank you.

No problem.

Hey-hey, uh, Ben?

Can you... can you just come back here

and help us with something?

Um, dating apps... yay or nay?

Ooh! Um... nay?

Yeah, no. I tried 'em after my divorce,

and, uh, I think I prefer things to happen more organically.

- Okay. - Ooh.

Let's not interrogate Ben about his love life.

- Mm-hmm. - Thank you, Ben.

Mm.

You know, I agree, Ben...

organic is best.

You know, like, at... work.

Or school!

Or both.

- Oh? - Okay!

Good night. Thank you.

Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow.

Ladies.

Bye.

- Bye! - Bye!

Buh-bye.

Oh, my gosh! I cannot with you!

Oh, what do you mean? That was my best behavior.

- Let's be clear. Okay. - Yeah.

- Oh, you're blushing! - She's blushing!

- I am not. - Oh, you are.

- You are! - It's just... it's hot in here.

Is it hot? Oh, Ben! You know what?

It's hot in here!

I think she needs to fix the thermostat too!

And then he's gonna have to be here for weeks.

Yes!

And so I began working for the district

when my daughter started kindergarten,

so I could be there to tuck her in at night,

but now that she's off to college,

I'm looking for something more than just part-time.

Well, you've had an impressive nursing career,

but it has been 17 years since you worked in an E.R.

We are looking for someone

with more recent triage experience,

who can hit the ground running.

I was worried about that.

I'm so sorry we brought you all the way down here,

but if anything opens up outside of the E.R.,

I will keep your resume on file.

Thank you.

Oh, is that a mahjong tile? Do you play?

Every week.

It's kind of my therapy.

Oh! I wish we knew how.

My book club is always looking

for fun new activities to do at our meetings.

Don't you... read books?

Oh, no. I mean, we pick a book every month,

but we never read it.

Well, I definitely recommend mahjong.

It's great for the brain, much like reading.

We're not reading Catcher in the Rye this month.

We could use some good brain power activities.

There's plenty of great how-to videos online.

I could point you to some.

Oh, we prefer the socializing.

I guess it's yet another escape room

for the book club.

Thanks for stopping by.

Thank you.

Let's see what we're dealing with here.

It's not too bad. A few bumps.

A few holes that need to patched.

We can do this.

I assume we'll have to paint over the accent wall.

Buyers do like a nice, neutral paint.

Most go for what I call Resale Gray,

or Back-up Offer Beige.

Occasionally, they even laugh at my jokes.

Hmm?

Oh, sorry. It was funny.

You okay?

Yeah.

I'm just adjusting to my new normal.

I'm not used to clean, silent, and lack of teenage judgements.

Yes, I hear teenagers are very good

at reminding you how uncool you are.

I could be that for you...

if you like?

It's just, it's all happening so fast.

I knew it was coming, but...

this has been my home for 15 years,

and I just, I hate the thought of someone else living here.

It's not just a house. It's your home.

It just kills me

to have you paint over this.

What if I say

that buyers can have this whole house,

except for this one wall?

Hey, are you hungry?

What do you say we, uh, we'll go pick some paint colors,

and I could take you to my favorite lunch spot?

I'd like that.

Maybe... we'll find a nice Over-Asking Alabaster.

Oh! See, that's funny.

That's funny.

I can see why this is your favorite lunch spot.

Yeah, when I have time to get away for lunch.

What do you think? Best fries you ever had?

Absolutely.

But I make a casserole with similar ingredients

that I dare say is better.

Well, that sounds like a challenge.

You know you're gonna have to make it for me.

Maybe.

Oh, "maybe"?

Um, can I help you prep for tomorrow?

Mm? No, I'm over halfway done.

Oh, of course you are.

You think it's being the default parent

that makes you so independent?

I-I'm only asking as the, uh, default son.

I learned pretty early in my marriage

that it was gonna fall on me

if I wanted to get anything done.

Let me guess.

He had a very important, very stressful job?

- Yeah, an architect... - Ahh.

With an assistant and two interns,

but way more stressful than an E.R. nurse saving lives.

Oh, I've got one of those.

My brother, actually.

Uh, he's a lawyer,

and he always has some case

that is far more complicated than you could ever fathom.

Oh, that's rough.

So you understand.

I understand.

I think that's ultimately

one of the reasons why Mike and I got divorced.

Yeah.

What about you? Your marriage?

If you don't mind me asking.

No, I don't mind.

We were young, Victoria and I were 22,

and, uh, yeah, we stuck it out for a long time,

but I just ultimately realized

that, you know, no matter what I did,

I couldn't give her the life she wanted.

I wasn't gonna make her happy,

and so, you know, we live and learn.

And grow.

Grow, yeah, and then regress...

a little bit, and then, hopefully, grow a little more.

Lots of books.

Lots of books.

- Podcasts, too. - Mm-hmm.

And a lot of therapy.

Therapy! Yeah.

Yeah.

You get it.

I get it.

Well... I should get going

to finish prepping for your mom's tomorrow.

Yeah. Well, I'd love it if you let me help you.

Mm, when the time's right.

We made it.

Hi! Come one, come all.

I, uh, I got this under my door.

Mahjong and free snacks?

What's the catch?

Uh, there's no catch.

Hmph. You say that,

and then you try to sell me a timeshare.

No, thank you.

We're just looking for people who want to learn mahjong

and have fun with Birdie here.

Yeah.

Okay.

But the second you put on a hard sell

or try to get me to join some random cult...

I'm out.

Understood.

Have fun.

What do you want to do with that tile, Alice?

I think it really likes you.

It might wanna... move in with you?

Nice...

and then...

a little of this...

a little smoosh-up there...

Ooh! Mahjong!

Oh!

See, Alice?

Sometimes...

the tile that you didn't know you were looking for

falls right in your lap.

Oh!

Next week? Same time, same place?

Absolutely. I'll reserve the room.

So, let's go have some snacks.

Oh! Yes.

Seems like everyone had a great time.

I think your plan is working.

You even won over Alice.

Honestly, I think you could've sold her a timeshare.

Oh. And I was speaking with the director,

and apparently, a bunch of people wanted to join,

but they'd already signed up for Zumba,

which I've never actually tried,

but I'm pretty certain would kill me.

Oh! This was much better, Marsha.

Beginners were welcome here.

Speaking of which, I was talking to my supervisor.

Would you be interested in teaching a weekly class?

Teaching a class?

Yeah. You're a mahjong teacher, right?

I... am.

She is! She's the best...

uh, teacher, actually.

The best?

- Mm-hmm. - Great!

Uh, so how about next week? We'll give you a call?

That would be great.

Perfect.

Okay, Teach.

Quite the green thumb.

Thank you.

Buyers love a nice garden.

That's what Melissa keeps saying,

but I do this for me.

This is my other meditation.

So, I was thinking...

today was so much fun...

Ah, you were incredible!

And...

can I ask you...

when did you realize that...

you could really go for it,

and make your company, do it full-time?

Oh, uh, well, I was working for a local builder,

and he fell behind on some jobs,

so I stepped in,

and I guess I did a good job and got some referrals,

and I was off to the races.

Start small, build a reputation.

You make it sound so easy.

No, it was not,

but, you know, the first client's the gateway.

You already have that with Blue Sky West.

Hurdle number one... accomplished.

True.

Yeah, I mean, people today were having so much fun,

and at the fundraiser, people really enjoyed it.

Even when I had my interview at the hospital,

the personnel manager

was talking about wanting to learn mahjong.

Call her.

What?

Call her.

No, I can't...

you can't just call somebody out of the blue!

Of course you can. You want my phone?

- No! I don't need your phone. - I'll give you my phone.

No, I have a phone.

Okay. I'll... I'll do it.

You got it.

Okay.

Ellen speaking.

Hi, Ellen, this is Ronni Rice.

I'm the school nurse, and we talked about mahjong?

Of course I remember. What can I do for you, Ronni?

Uh, well, I was recently hired to teach mahjong,

and I've been thinking a lot about what you said

about your book club,

and wanting to learn, and...

I was wondering

if you would like me to come and teach a lesson.

Seriously?

That would be amazing. We'd love that.

Uh, can you send over your rate sheet?

Rate sheet?

Yeah, absolutely, I will send one right over.

Great! Wonderful. Thanks, Ronni.

Thank you.

Bye.

What's a rate sheet?

Oh, I see.

Finally, she needs my help.

Don't get too used to it.

Hi!

Ronni! Come in.

Oh, is, uh, this gonna be enough for everyone?

Oh, every, uh, set has enough tiles for four players.

Oh, we're 11 tonight.

Uh, 11?

Oh, I-I... I thought you said four.

Oh, my goodness.

I can't believe I forgot to tell you.

Uh, we started at four,

but then everyone wanted to join,

so we're 11.

I'm so sorry! What a knucklehead.

No. That's okay.

Uh, you know, uh, it's just like in the game...

we'll pivot.

I was so excited, I bought myself a set of tiles,

so we can use that, if it'll help.

Oh, gosh, that would be great! Thank you.

Do you happen to have

another table that we can play with?

Oh, I thought maybe

we could sit around the dining table?

Oh, okay, we will figure that out later,

uh, because, um,

two tables and then, uh, eight players...

so we'll rotate the other three people in.

And what will they do while we're playing?

They will watch and learn.

Huh.

Um...

uh, well, I-I didn't start playing

until my daughter was in school,

and it was around the mahjong table

that I-I found my-my friends for life,

so I'm very...

I'm excited to be sharing that community with all of you.

And I made this for you...

it's gluten-free and made from almond flour.

I've been told it's delicious.

Yeah, gluten isn't the issue.

We have two nut allergies.

Oh, okay, we're just gonna put that away.

All clear. No nuts.

So...

let's... let's, uh, let's sort this out.

Okay.

You are on track for any like numbers.

Ronni? I really need some help over here.

Okay.

- Excuse me? - Ronni?

What's the one bam bird thing?

Ronni, can I talk to you for a sec?

So, those two are our more scrutinizing friends...

Can they play soon?

Because if they don't, I will never hear the end of it.

Yeah, I'm trying to move the game along

as fast as I can so I can rotate them in.

I have no idea what I'm doing here.

Okay.

Hi? Excuse me? Over here.

Maybe we should've read the book.

Who is it?

It's Ben.

Oh! Hey, Ben.

Hi.

Wow, you look great.

Thank you.

I... wasn't expecting you.

Yeah, sorry, I realized I left my compressor here,

and I need it for a job in the morning.

Where are you off to looking so nice?

Girls' night.

Turns out my side hustle was kind of a bust.

No. The book club that doesn't read?

Yeah, they also don't communicate well,

they don't do nuts,

and they don't like me.

Oh, I find that hard to believe.

They did like the game, those who got to play.

I just learned that I had

nothing planned. No contingencies.

Well, now you know.

You will be prepared for the next one.

If there is a next one.

So... I'm going out.

It's ladies' night, we're gonna go

to Tequila Mesa for some karaoke.

I go there all the time with my buddy, Gary,

to play pool.

I can't believe I haven't seen you.

Uh, well, it's been a minute since I've gone.

You know, this is... this is a crazy coincidence.

I was actually thinking about going out tonight

to have a little fun as well...

That is a coincidence.

Maybe to Tequila Mesa.

What are the odds?

Well, maybe I'll see you there.

Maybe that would be fun.

And then one of the scrutinizing members

stands up and announces, "This is boring..."

and just storms out!

That's so rude.

So, needless to say, I will not be invited back.

Next up is Carly!

Come on up!

I'm going to go pick a song.

- Get it! - You got it!

Do it. Do it!

Hi.

Hey!

Surprise, surprise.

- You made it! - We did!

Uh, this is Gary.

Gary, Shelley, Melissa, and uh, this is Ronni.

Hi, Gary.

- Hey. - Hi.

Hello.

Charmed.

Uh, I'm Shelley.

I am a single mother, I am a museum curator,

and I like early mornings.

Ah, so you're on the apps too?

Is it that obvious?

You get sort of used to giving out your résumé

before anything else.

It's ruined me for small talk!

You know what? I should sue.

We all should.

Well, I'm divorced.

A physician's assistant.

Night owl, but only because I work in a hospital.

So, Gary, do you rent or own?

Melissa!

Well...

You are gonna love Carly.

Her voice is incredible.

- Yeah? - Mm-hmm.

Are we gonna get you up there at some point?

If the moment arises.

And now, here's Carly with her song!

Woo!

Hello, everybody!

The song I am about to sing is...

for my girl, Ronni,

who is in the midst of starting a new chapter,

which isn't always easy, right?

But... we believe in her.

This one's for you, Ronni!

♪ I am unwritten ♪

♪ I can't read my mind ♪

♪ I'm undefined ♪

♪ I'm just beginning ♪

♪ The pen's in my hand ♪

♪ Ending unplanned ♪

♪ Staring at ♪

- Woo! - ♪ ...the blank page ♪

♪ Before you ♪

♪ Open up the dirty window ♪

♪ Let the sun illuminate ♪

♪ The words that you cannot find ♪

♪ Reaching for something in the distance ♪

♪ So close you can almost taste it ♪

♪ Release your inhibitions ♪

♪ Feel the rain on your skin ♪

♪ No one else can feel it for you ♪

♪ Only you can let it in ♪

♪ No one else ♪

♪ No one else can speak the words on your lips ♪

♪ Drench yourself in words unspoken ♪

♪ Live your life with arms wide open ♪

♪ Today is... ♪

♪ ...where your book begins ♪

♪ The rest is still unwritten ♪

♪ The rest is still unwritten ♪

♪ The rest is still unwritten ♪

Oh, I love you!

Thank you!

- Yeah! - Woo!

Gloria?

I don't normally hear from you over the break.

I wanted to leave you alone

and give you some time to decide, but...

we've been getting a lot of calls about you.

What kind of calls?

People heard about your mahjong lessons

at the end of school fundraiser,

and they're interested.

Oh!

But I don't really know what to tell them.

I mean, there've been at least ten.

Seriously?

Well, I tried telling you, Henry.

I left a message

explaining exactly what I was planning to do, and...

I'm-I'm not gonna let Mom's birthday go by the wayside

because of a case.

Okay, yeah. Bye.

Sorry.

Is everything okay?

Oh, yeah, just, you know...

"default son" business.

Do you wanna talk about it?

Oh, there's not too much to talk about.

You know as well as I...

we do what needs to get done, right?

We do.

What's going on with you?

Uh, well, since the school fundraiser,

people have been calling the school

and asking about my mahjong lessons.

See? It's not over.

It's a hiccup.

I just...

What?

I don't know.

Uh, before my disastrous lesson,

I was thinking

maybe this could be less of a side hustle,

and more of a hustle-hustle?

Yeah. Why can't it be?

You got the interest, you know?

It's just gonna grow the more you do this.

I...

Look, I don't want to lose my home,

and am I insane to think

that I could teach mahjong full-time,

get a loan,

and buy Mike's half of the house?

I think you can do anything you put your mind to.

You're so positive!

You've got the time.

Do everything you need to do. Put the plan in place.

Shoot for the stars.

Is that what you did?

It's what I always do.

Okay. I'm gonna go for it.

I'm gonna take the Ben North approach...

- Uh-huh? - And I am going to...

I'm gonna go after what I want.

And what I want is to keep my home.

That's a plan I can get behind.

Okay.

Yeah, you have two great hands here,

but you're gonna wanna break up with one of them.

Friends...

sometimes divorces are sad, but you just gotta do it.

Break up with those tiles.

Seven bam.

Nice, Barbara!

Thank you.

There are over 40 variations of mahjong

stemming from the original Chinese game.

Number-one rule of mahjong,

a joker can never, never, never, not even ever,

not even for mahjong,

be played as a single tile or part of a pair.

You know, you two live in the same area.

You're halfway to a foursome.

I would love that!

You know, I've been going to bridge lessons at our club,

but this is way more fun.

What club?

The Windward Country Club.

Oh, it's nice there.

They have a lot of activities, but they have never done this.

Huh...

- Mahjong! - Oh...

Savannah!

Sorry I missed your call.

I was in class.

It may be a pre-college program,

but it's enough work for an entire semester.

Ugh! At least you're getting credit.

Yeah, and I'm learning a lot.

So, your message said you needed my help,

which is shocking,

because you've never asked for my help.

I asked for your help all the time!

Doing the dishes,

cleaning your room...

You've never asked for help for you.

Right. Okay. Well, listen.

My first mahjong lesson at the house went amazing,

so I could really use your help

with designing the business cards,

the website, flyers...

and my social media is lacking.

I only have four followers,

and they're my best friends and you.

You need a good name first.

I have one.

"Learn Mahjong with Ronni."

Mom, that's so boring!

You need something

that can go viral,

that makes people go,

"Hmm, cute! Hire her."

Or maybe they'll just say,

"Hmm, I want to learn mahjong. I hear she's good. Hire her."

You won't get attention

until you figure out how to stand out.

Come up with a catchy name, and I'll create a fun logo.

Okay, if that's what you think it needs.

That's what I know it needs.

Text me the name.

All right. I'll text you when I have it.

I love you.

Love you.

Okay.

Guest room is painted.

I would leave the windows open for a couple hours

just so the fumes don't get to ya.

Will do.

What's all this? You feeding an army?

Sort of. I have my first big lesson at the house today,

and I might have overdone it on the food.

So now I'm playing fridge Tetris.

You went full Ronni.

I did. I did.

Actually, could you, uh, help me with something?

I'm sorry.

Could you repeat that? Could I...?

Could you please help me eat some of the food?

Pfft... I mean,

it would be rude of me to say no.

You're... clearly in a crisis.

Clearly.

Yeah, I'd like that. I'll go wash up.

I love this yard.

Mm.

I love my firepit.

I love my garden.

I love it. I love it. I love it.

I've thrown some really great parties here.

Here's to... many more to come.

Hope I make it on that guest list.

Probably not.

I'm sure I can squeeze you in.

If... I get to keep the house.

Ah, come on.

You just gotta believe you can have what you want.

Do you have what you want?

I don't think anyone's ever asked me that before.

Probably because

you come across so competent and capable,

and like you have it all covered.

Mm. That sounds a lot like somebody else I know.

Well, as someone who might be a little bit like that...

I get it.

But I have been learning recently that...

sometimes it's okay to get a little bit of help,

to not have everything covered.

Thank you...

for all your support.

Mm.

Well, you make it pretty easy.

And, you know, it doesn't have to be a one-way street.

I'm actually a really good listener.

About four years ago, my dad got sick,

and, uh, Mom needed a ton of help,

and my brother's career

was kind of just taking off at that time.

And so it was me who stepped up.

Of course you did. 'Cause that's who you are.

I did it willingly.

I think there's a lot of value to that.

For some of us,

service is our love language.

Mm, and for some people,

their love language is food.

Never forget the food.

I would never forget about food!

I guess I don't know how to be any other way.

Neither do I.

It's Mike.

I forgot he was, uh, coming by.

Okay, no problem.

I will, uh, get things cleaned up out here.

Thanks.

Thanks for letting me come by.

Mm-hmm.

I, um, I wanted to talk to you about this in person...

the house.

I actually wanted to talk to you too.

I'm working on something,

and I'm gonna try to get a loan and buy you out.

Oh, that's great.

No, that's great, I love that for you

if you can make it work, but...

there's this house

that Laura and I have had our eye on, and...

Mike... you said I had time.

Uh, I know I did,

but it's going on the market soon, and...

Well, how soon?

I'm gonna need time to figure things out.

I'm sorry, Ron,

but we're making an offer as soon as it lists.

And when is that?

You have a month.

Again, I-I'm sorry. I...

I'll see you soon.

I was just not expecting such an accelerated timeline.

I don't know what I'm gonna do.

What? You, who have raised more money for the PTA

than any president before or after you?

You are Ronni! You can do anything!

Except knit. That one is not your thing.

That's true.

I mean, what was it? Was it a potholder, or a scarf?

- I think it was a sweater? - Was it, though?

I know! Oh!

Oh, Savannah's almost done with my website.

Oh.

But she says I need a better name.

Okay.

How about... Tile It Up?

Mm, sounds like a home improvement show.

How about Ronni's Tile Time?

See, now, that show has Muppets.

The Winning Draw.

Ah, that sounds like

I'm hosting a reality competition or something.

Yeah.

Ooh! Get Your Mahj On.

- Ooh! - Yes! Yes?

Uh... no, Savannah says it needs to pop.

Okay, well, I thought that popped, but, um,

I guess we'll keep thinking, because you know what?

We are very brilliant.

And exceptionally clever.

And don't forget gorgeous.

- Mm-hmm. - All true.

I'm gonna stop by Windward Country Club tomorrow.

I left a message with their activities director.

Haven't heard back, so I'm just gonna show up.

- Oh, that place is chi-chi. - Mm-hmm!

Yeah, I don't know if they're gonna let me in.

Do you remember when I was trying to get

that listing for that house on Noble Road?

What did you say to me?

"Go for it"?

No! You said, "March down there,

and you tell them why

you are the perfect person to sell their house...

but don't be pushy about it."

I did say that, didn't I?

But that works for you.

You're a salesperson. I'm not.

I'm afraid if I go in there like that,

they'll just think I'm weird.

Well, just remember to be you, and you'll be good.

Right! Be you, you know? Friendly, school nurse...

can make a beautiful potholder/sweater/scarf.

You couldn't be weird if you tried.

Aw... you got this, Ron.

And you know what, I have a good feeling about Windward.

And I have a good feeling about you.

Mm! Aw, I love you.

Oh, we love you.

I love you too, but you know what I love?

This is a great name. Get Your Mahj On.

- Come on! - Get Your Mahj On!

I actually like it.

Get Your Mahj On!

Thank you for calling Windward.

Good afternoon. Are you a member here?

Uh, no.

Are you a guest of a member?

Actually, no.

I'm here to see Lisa, in your activities department.

Oh, do you have an appointment?

No, but, uh, you see, I teach mahjong,

and I was hoping to talk to her

about giving lessons to your members.

This is a private club, ma'am.

We do not allow solicitors.

Oh, I'm not selling anything. I'm here to offer a service.

For money?

And fun...

and community, uh, brain dev...

No one gets inside

except members or guests of members.

I just wanted to drop off some information,

tell her about my classes.

And yet, our rules remain unchanged.

No one gets inside

except members or guests of members.

Maybe you could just call her?

Ronni!

Barbara! Hi.

Mrs. Moore? Good afternoon.

I just came by to see Lisa in activities, but...

"members only."

Uh, hello, Frederick.

I'm here to pick up my son from his swim lesson.

Of course, Mrs. Moore. Welcome.

Well, are you coming?

She's my guest, Frederick.

Of course she is, Mrs. Moore.

I've watched her in action.

She is the best teacher around, you know?

Oh, I have no doubt about that.

I'm sort of a big shot around here.

I can tell!

Six dot.

- Oh! - Hi.

I didn't expect to see you here today.

Oh, I'm just helping Ronni a little.

Mm. You've been doing that a lot.

Mm-hmm.

I'm just saying.

Mom...

Mom! Can you not? Hey, can you not?

Sorry that I can't make it to your place today.

I've got to finish this job up on 18th Street.

We had a permit issue, and...

You don't have to apologize.

You have already gone way above and beyond our deal.

Well, when people care about each other,

they show up.

Yes, they do.

Ronni?

Are you gonna come to my birthday brunch?

It's my 70th!

Oh, that's so exciting!

And I'm honored to be invited.

I would love to come, if that's...?

Oh, I would love to have you.

Well, then count me in.

Yay!

Oh, Ronni?

Um, every lesson, more fantastic than the last.

Well, that's because you keep winning.

Exactly!

I have told everyone on my block.

It really is a marvelous game.

Ha! You're marvelous!

Thank you.

Just marvelous!

I'll see you next week!

Bye!

Such a different Alice than the first time.

Yeah, this Alice seems to be a big fan of adjectives.

"You're marvelous! You're marvelous, darling!"

Oh, that's right...

I'm the marvelous Mrs. Mahj.

That's it!

The Marvelous Mrs. Mahj. That's the name!

That's the name.

Mm, this is so good!

- Right? - It's great!

It looks like a real business.

It is a real business!

Have I told you lately that my daughter is a genius?

Mm, once or twice.

Have I told you lately

that my daughter has changed her major again?

No!

I'm not worried, though,

because there are so many jobs

in the philosophy sector of corporate America.

Oh!

Help me!

Okay, Ronni,

when your business takes off, please hire Alex.

I will, but just hold off on sending me her résumé.

I have a long road ahead of me.

Okay, so, what's the next step?

Gotta get these gorgeous flyers out.

- Those are great! - Oh, pretty!

Marketing starts the conversation...

Word of mouth keeps it going.

Yes, that will be your bread and butter.

Which we know is your favorite food.

They'll tell two friends, then they'll tell two friends...

Two friends? We will accept no less than 10!

Okay! - Mm-hmm!

You know, I don't even know, do I have ten friends?

- I do! - Of course you do.

I can give 'em...

No, I don't want... no, I don't want your second-hand friends.

Okay!

Ladies, I just heard from Windward.

That woman that I'm always telling you about?

She vouched for me,

and they want me to come teach a class.

Word... of... mouth.

Show all that to the bank,

and they will see you're serious.

Oh, man...

I should've had Savannah do the posters

for the Chinatown event

that the Cultural Center took part in.

Mine look like a fifth-grader did it.

- Oh, honey. - It's been going on for years.

All the businesses in Chinatown promote it.

- People know about it. - That's true. Okay.

Also, um... Gary's coming.

You waited this long to say that Gary is coming?

Yes! I wanted to build the tension. Did it work?

- Yes, it did. - Yes, it worked!

Listen, you need to invite Ben.

Now, that is an idea I can get behind.

- Mm-hmm. - Ronni?

It's time.

I agree. Mike moved on,

and I think it's time for you to do it too.

I guess I can think about it.

Yeah, you can.

He's a pretty great guy...

and I haven't felt this way about anyone since Mike.

Invite him.

I said I'll think about it.

Invite him!

Did you not just hear me?

Invite him!

Okay. I will.

Yeah. I'm sorry. I had to go that hard.

Pardon me one second.

Hey, sorry.

I was early.

Um, they're from the appraisal company.

Appraisers?

Yeah, for the house.

I know what an appraiser is.

We need to know what the house is worth.

It's been 15 years since we bought it.

There's a lot of appreciation.

And I told you that I'm working on something.

I'm teaching mahjong now. I have clients and...

You can't just decide one day,

"I'm gonna turn my hobby into my job."

Watch me.

I have a meeting at the bank on the 26th to get a loan

to buy you out for your half of the house.

Look, not my business,

but whether we sell it or you buy me out,

we still need to know its value, right?

Fine.

Get the appraisal done...

but we are not listing it yet.

You got three weeks, Ronni, to try your mahjong thing.

And I'm taking it.

Hi, Frederick!

I'm actually on the list today.

Ronni Rice.

I'm here to teach a mahjong lesson.

It's gonna be fun. You should come by.

Welcome to Windward.

Thank you.

Barbara! You came?

I reserved a whole table.

My group's already in there.

Oh, it means so much to me. Thank you.

We're so excited.

Oh, me too!

Ohh.

Hi!

Here's my group.

All ready to play.

Oh... okay.

We just want to get these kids off their videogames

for a few hours.

Oh, I get it.

Hi.

Guys?

Guys.

Phones down! Heads up.

Hey, guys.

Don't worry.

Mahjong is very similar to video games...

except in mahjong, you use tiles instead of ammo,

but... every move you make affects how the game unfolds,

and the key is to anticipate the other players' next move

so you can pre-fire and make the winning hand...

kind of like a Victory Royale.

- Okay. - Oh, that's cool.

All right, ladies...

and four very intelligent gentlemen...

Let's play.

All right, I'll see you guys at the car.

Hey, great job! Great job.

It was really fun.

The boys said, and I quote...

"That was fire."

And two of the ladies want to play again,

so now I have a foursome

that started that day at your house.

Yay!

Can I book you for a private next week?

- Absolutely! - Oh, great. I will call you.

Okay.

So, it helped that Savannah's a gamer,

because I was able to speak their language

and really get them interested.

Well, you're on a roll! You won over the teenagers,

now you're gonna win over the Director of Adult Education.

If I could teach a class at the community college,

then I could really show the bank that I'm serious.

- Thank you. - Of course.

Plus, I'm teaching another class at my house next week,

and I already have nine people confirmed.

Boom. My mom's telling everybody she knows,

and everybody she doesn't know.

So, um... it's totally last-minute,

but Shelley runs the Chinese Cultural Center,

and it's part of this event in Chinatown,

and it happens to be tonight.

It's very dressy,

and special, and it means a lot to Shelley,

and, uh, I'm gonna be there,

so, um...

So...?

Oh, I see.

I see what's happening here.

You haven't seen me dressed up,

and you can't wait another minute.

Is that...?

It's like you're in my head.

Good! I thought I was reading that right.

Uh... I would love to go on a date with you.

I didn't say anything about a date.

Well, you didn't have to. I'm in your head, remember?

And I would love to go on a date with you.

I mean, if that's what you're asking.

That is what I'm asking.

Now get in there.

Knock 'em dead!

I'll be at the hardware store down the street.

What we usually like to try with our adult education program

is a trial one-day seminar.

I-I would absolutely be willing to do that.

Then, if there's enough interest,

we book more,

but it doesn't always work out that way.

Of course.

You have to have enough students to make it worth your while.

Exactly.

But mahjong is very popular right now.

I'd like to try it once.

Great!

How's... Saturday from nine to one?

Perfect! I will be there.

Hi.

Hey.

You look amazing.

You clean up nicely too.

Shall we?

So make sure you grab a card from the table outside,

and then you can add your wish to the wishing tree,

and I can tell you

from personal experience,

that those wishes often come true.

Originating in the mid-to late 19th century,

most likely in a region near Shanghai,

mahjong evolved from a older card game...

Gary.

To a popular pastime using bamboo and bone tiles.

She's so good, isn't she?

Spreading internationally in the 1920s,

it adapted to regional variants,

like Japanese and American mahjong.

If you take a look around,

we have Chinese games set up for you,

we have Chinese chess, Fan Tan, and...

you can take a look

at the bamboo and bone tiles that I was talking about.

Do you know...

that mahjong means "sparrow"?

For the clicking noise... of the tiles.

That's one of my favorite sounds.

Mahjong is a critical part of Chinese culture...

come with me...

and a pivotal part of my own childhood.

I still remember falling asleep

under the table

to the sounds of the clicking tiles

as my grandmother and my mother played,

and then, when I got older,

I was able to play with them too.

Some of the best memories of my childhood.

Oh, wow.

These are stunning.

That's the word that I would use.

- Thank you. - Thanks.

You know, she's not wrong about the wishes coming true.

You speak from experience?

Yeah.

Well, last year,

I wished for Savannah to get into the Technology Institute...

done.

And the year before,

she got accepted into a very competitive STEM camp.

All right, how about this? New rule...

this year,

you don't get to wish for Savannah,

or for anybody else.

This year, you wish for Ronni.

Okay.

But then you have to make a wish for you, too. Okay?

Okay. Yeah.

I-I can help you...

'cause I know what I'd wish for you.

Oh, yeah? What's that?

You should wish for whatever it is

that you want to see happen.

You know, if you'd said that to me

a couple weeks ago,

I'd probably would have had a pretty different answer,

but now...

You look frozen.

Thank you.

Well, would you like help with your wish?

No!

I can't say my wish out loud. It won't come true.

Says who?

Says the rule of wishes... since the dawn of time!

Okay. Uh, I guess.

Well, then,

you should just write whatever's in your heart.

All right.

Give me the pen.

Okay.

You're up.

Did you wish?

Oh, he likes her.

I love this for her.

Oh, I'm happy for him.

He's been looking for someone for a long time.

Since his divorce, actually.

He hasn't found someone that was the right fit.

Mm.

I guess when you find someone so exceptional,

you cannot believe

that they haven't been snatched up yet,

and you start to feel like

you can't imagine your life without them.

You'd do anything in your power to hang onto them.

I agree.

It's... rare to find

what Gary and Shelley have.

Yeah... exactly.

Those two.

Oh... sorry, man.

Ah...

pardon me.

Well, um, would you... wanna come in for a drink?

I would love that.

Uh...

let me... let me just get something from my car

real quick.

Okay.

Thank you very much.

Cheers.

Mm.

Ahem. I have something for you.

What?

It's heavy.

What is it?

Oh, I saw it in the shop window.

Thought you might appreciate it.

Oh, wow...

It's beautiful.

Consider it an investment in your business expansion.

Thank you.

Should we break it in?

Can you play with two people?

Yes.

I'll teach you.

If you're trying to figure out my tells,

I'll tell you straight up, I have one...

sheer panic.

Well, do you want me to help you?

I-I don't know if you know this,

but I'm actually a mahjong teacher.

- No! - Yes.

- Well, that's convenient. - Yeah!

- Please. - Okay.

Yeah, I don't know.

Um, sorry.

So, this is very much a game

that asks you to trust what you cannot see.

Well, that sounds scary.

It can be...

but even if you don't get a good draw...

you stay in the game,

because...

things can turn around for the better...

in an instant.

So just...

throw caution to the wind?

Trust the journey?

That's what I'm learning to do.

Hmm.

Even more so

when I have a really special hand.

I think I'm getting the hang of this...

more so than I ever have.

I think you're doing great.

I'm not talking about the game.

Neither am I.

I didn't know if there'd be much interest,

but there's more than was expected.

Wow!

I know.

I'll grab some more supplies when I head out for the snacks.

Here, hold these?

Oh, sure.

- And this. - Okay.

And, uh, this.

Okay!

Hey!

Hey.

What are you doing here?

Is that...

the famous casserole

you were talking up that day on the waterfront?

Maybe.

Aww...

I figured you'd be so busy

you probably wouldn't take lunch,

so I thought maybe I could get you to take a break...

for a picnic?

Oh, she's good.

She is good!

I know the perfect spot.

Taking a break.

Mm... all right...

I don't want you to get a big head about this,

but this might actually be the best thing I've ever eaten.

Success!

And your timing was perfect.

I don't think I would've had a chance to eat.

I've gotta finish this project,

and then I'm heading to the restaurant

to talk to the manager about my mom's birthday.

Well, ask Henry to help.

I shouldn't have to.

You know... uh...

as I have been

allowing a little bit of help into my life lately,

I'm realizing that...

things might've been

a little bit easier with Mike

if I had just...

you know, told him what I needed,

instead of expecting him to read my mind.

Maybe I would've been a little less frustrated.

Sometimes it's just easier to do it yourself.

Is it, though?

It is not. No.

Well...

in the immortal wisdom of you...

Hmm?

Call him.

Do you need my phone?

Do you need my pho... I got a phone!

- I don't need a... - Do you need my phone?

- I have a phone! - I don't need your phone.

He's not gonna make time.

I know him.

Give him a chance to prove you wrong.

Actually, I do need a phone.

Henry said he would handle everything,

so hopefully there's flowers and food, and...

Wow!

Looks great!

It's... yeah.

Aw, there's the birthday girl. Hi, Mom!

Hi!

He pulled it off.

- This looks great! - Yeah.

Now you should go tell him.

Happy birthday!

Oh!

Is this a bad time?

No. No, not at all.

Uh... it looks really good.

Almost as good as you could do?

I mean... might even be better.

Uh, listen.

I-I owe you an apology.

I should've let you weigh in more with Mom,

after the stroke.

Yeah, you should have.

You know, I want us to be in it together with Mom,

but y-you gotta show up.

I know.

I know I wasn't always present with Dad either.

But when I did try,

you didn't seem to care about my opinion.

I know, I guess I just felt more comfortable doing it all,

knowing that it was gonna get done,

but that wasn't fair to you...

and I know that you only want what's best for Mom.

I'm sorry I shut you out.

It was not my intention.

I'm sorry if I wasn't there.

So... we talk?

We make any big decision together?

Sure.

Except you're gonna take the lead with Mom...

for a little while,

because there is

a certain mahjong teacher

that I would like to spend some time with.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

Join the party?

Yeah.

Uh, hey...

Yes, I see it here.

These are my employment documents

from the school...

and this page has accounts receivable

from recent classes and private lessons.

You can see here that I have been teaching

at the retirement community for over a month now,

and hopefully that will continue.

This is great,

and we love to support small business owners,

but for this type of loan,

we'd need more proof of income from the lessons.

Uh, well, isn't this proof of income?

We'd need to see long-term, steady income,

or contracted work too...

but it seems like you have a great thing going.

Come back in a year with all of your records,

and that should be more than sufficient.

I-I don't have a year.

I'm sorry, Ronni,

but it won't be approved with only the guaranteed income

from your part-time job with the district.

I'm really sorry.

Thank you.

Hey. What's all this? What are you doing?

I'm getting a head start on packing.

What? Why?

What did the... what did the bank say?

That I show real promise,

that they love supporting small business owners...

and to come back in a year,

when I have a proven track record.

Ronni, I'm so sorry.

I mean, there's gotta be something we can do.

There's not.

She was very clear about that.

And it's not "we," Ben, it's me...

this is my problem,

and I will handle it, like I always do.

Hey, don't do that!

That's not the fighter that I've come to know.

I'm out of time.

It's done.

Mike said the end of the month.

It's not the end of the month yet.

We'll... we'll finish fixing up your house...

Ben! It's not my house anymore.

Okay.

I'll, uh... I'll give you some space.

Yeah, so...

I decided I'm gonna throw a party here...

a mahjong party, this weekend.

You know, before the house belongs to someone else.

Well, don't you worry. You are in good hands.

We'll list the house at the high end of the market,

and it should sell very quickly.

Thanks.

I guess, then I'll, um, buy a condo

with my half of the sale.

Something with a community room,

so I can still do my mahjong lessons.

Good! You're not giving up on the business!

No way! I have a wait list.

Thattagirl!

Yeah, I'm-I'm gonna stay at the school

until I can do it full-time,

but... yeah, I'm in it for the long haul.

Good, then you can buy an even bigger house,

with an even better backyard.

- Mm-hmm! - Oh, hey...

and I happen to know a fabulous realtor.

- Do you? - I do!

She is gorgeous,

funny... always gets the right price.

- I can't wait to meet her! - Oh! How dare you?

Nice!

So, uh, have you talked to Ben?

Mm-mm.

What happened?

I lashed out at him. I...

he tried to help.

And we all know how much you love that.

It was a moment.

We all have those little moments.

I've already had six of 'em tonight.

Hey there.

How did you know where I was?

I stopped by your worksite,

and your foreman said you actually took a lunch today,

so... good job.

Yeah. Well, you know, a friend of mine...

said that I should, uh, ask for what I want, you know?

Try letting others take the lead.

Oh, she sounds very smart.

She is all that and more.

I owe you an apology.

All you've ever done is believe in me, and...

Ah, no. You had gotten bad news.

I get it.

I should know better

than to try and fix things for you.

I like when you fix things with me, not for me.

More of a team.

I like the sound of that.

We've made it through 100% of our fights,

so it feels like a pretty good start.

So, any interest in going to a mahjong party tomorrow?

I could be talked into it.

What is mahjong again?

Just remind me one more time?

- Hi! - Hi.

Um, I'm Ronni Rice,

and I'm here to pick up a check.

Oh.

You're just the person I've been wanting to see!

Hey, Tom!

We've had such spectacular feedback.

Your post-class survey scores were off the charts.

Wow! I am so flattered.

And we've had way more interest than we ever anticipated.

That's amazing.

Uh, well, I'm here,

if you want me to teach any more classes.

I'm very glad to hear you say that, because...

we have a proposal for you.

I'm listening.

There's some permanent part-time

adult education faculty here,

and we'd like to offer you a position.

- Seriously? - Seriously.

Now, we can offer four ongoing courses per quarter,

beginning and intermediate,

and it would be year-round.

Oh...

that is, uh...

Now, your contract would be non-exclusive,

so you could still teach elsewhere, if you want.

I'd be under contract?

Yes. Would that be a problem?

Uh, n... no! Absolutely not!

Uh... count me in.

Great! Okay. Come on. Come with me.

You've got the pre-approval.

Wh...? Really?

I love it when these things work out.

Oh!

Ben? Ben!

Hey! I just finished setting up the tables.

You are never gonna believe this.

Oakview Community College, they gave me a contract,

so the bank approved my loan!

I get to keep the house!

You're kidding me!

It's a full house.

- It's so exciting. - Mom!

Savannah?

What-what are you doing here?

What about your classes?

I'll be back Monday morning, but I couldn't miss

your last big hurrah at the house.

Oh, I'm so happy for you.

Hey. How's it going?

- And you are just in time! - Hmm?

Uh, excuse me, could I have everyone's attention, please?

Uh... this was supposed to be the last hurrah for the house,

the last time I had anyone over for a lesson,

a party, a get-together...

but I am happy to say, that is no longer the case.

Oakview Community College

has given me a contract to teach there,

so the bank approved my loan.

I get to keep the house!

Come here.

Ahh!

- Oh! - I'm so happy for you.

And since you're gonna be so busy...

we are here to help

You know, I could find you some commercial space

to rent for hosting tournaments.

I'll cut my commission in half.

You don't even charge me a commission!

Exactly.

I couldn't have done this without you.

Aw.

Now, come here.

There's someone I want you to meet.

Ben, Savannah.

I wanted you two to finally meet.

It is nice to finally meet you.

It is nice to finally meet you too.

It's a mess in there!

But it's my mess...

and I can clean it tomorrow.

I have something for you.

What is... that?

Savannah's growth chart.

I made an executive decision.

I knew how hard it was gonna be for you to part with it,

so...

When did you do that?

Weeks ago... before I painted the wall.

It's perfect...

for new beginnings...

in my freshly done old house.

I like that.

And with an unexpected hand

and a pivot or two,

I found love,

all while surrounded by the bestest of friends...

and the best part is

the rest is still unwritten.