Original subtitles

Our story thus far.

A face from her past reminds Billy Eichhorn of the events leading up to the

opening of Scruples.

Take the money, child.

Billy, as a young girl, goes to live in Paris on her aunt's savings. There she

is seduced and deceived by a handsome aristocrat.

Once we are married off, your money will be ours.

I have no money.

Heartbroken, she decides to go to secretarial school in New York City.

where two people live who will later play an important part in Billy's life.

Spider Elliot, a struggling photographer.

Find me a face that talks to me, and I'll talk to you about an assignment.

And Valentin O'Neill, an aspiring dress designer.

I think your stuff is exciting. I think it's sensational.

But you cannot ram your ideas down other people's throats.

Opportunity knocks when gorgeous model Melanie Adams shows up for a series of

test pictures, while Valentin lands a job as a designer.

Billy, now a secretary for one of the world's wealthiest men, accompanies

Ellis Eichhorn on a business trip to California, where she loses her heart.

I love you.

And I want to be your mistress.

Thank you.

But no.

Why not?

Because I want you to marry me.

Back in New York, Spider and Melanie are getting their first taste of success.

And excess.

Jealous of the relationship, Valentine enters into a brief affair with her

boss. Well, this is the night.

I'm saying yes to everything.

Billy, now Mrs. Ellis Eichhorn, is encouraged by her husband.

Keep busy with something you enjoy, something you're good at.

Fashion, perhaps.

You got class, kid.

But their happiness is short-lived.

Ellis suffers a stroke.

And they move to California while he convalesces.

Oh, that's Jake Cassidy, the new male nurse. He doesn't quite like the park,

does he?

I'd like to invite you to a party.

Would serve you right if I did go.

Just think of all the stories you'd have to listen to.

At the party, Billy is drugged and taken advantage of.

And returns home to tragedy.

Is it else, Marianne?

An hour ago.

Oh, my God.

In a moment, Billy continues to remember her past

Billy! Hi.

I was on my way to Giorgio's and I saw your car outside.

How you doing?

Oh.

Help me pick out something to wear as the wife of the head of a studio for a

soundstage party.

I can't. I have a thousand things I have to do yet. You mustn't panic.

Scruples is going to be a huge success.

I'm psychic when it comes to Beverly Hills boutiques.

Billy, Ellis would be proud of you.

If I do it right, yes.

You'll do it right.

I'm scared, Susan. Reality is closing in, and I need people to run scruples. I

need buyers, designers, retailers, experts. They have to be experts.

Well, go to New York and buy them. You can afford the best.

Help me find a schmata for the party, and then we'll have lunch at the bistro

and put our heads together.

Between the two of us, we must know everybody who's anybody on 7th Avenue.

That's probably true.

What will I wear?

Hey, a soundstage party. All you really need is blue jeans.

Well, real ones now. Come on. There's a Jack Frost Army Navy surplus in Santa

Monica. We'll have lunch at the beach. Let's go. Fantastic.

Get

off

my back, Al. It's a lousy two Gs.

I'll get you some money in a couple days.

Will you take 500 to win on Della Cadorce in the third?

Now?

That creep.

Why don't you lay off the pony?

Why don't you lay off telling me to lay off?

file today is one of this reporter's favorite Hollywood personalities, Vito

Orsini. If Vito Orsini isn't as familiar to you as my friends Newman, Redford,

and Pacino, it's because he isn't a superstar.

He's a super producer-director. Yes?

And in my book, that's about as super as you can get, don't you agree?

Come in.

If I'm disturbing you, I can... No, no, no, come on in.

Uh, Mrs. Icron, I have some bills here. If you have some time, we can go over

them. Well, just leave them there. Have you checked them?

Yes, ma'am. They're all in order.

Okay. Thank you.

If a director can be considered the auteur of a motion picture, then

certainly a producer, director of Vito Orsini's caliber must indeed, in all

fairness, be dubbed the creator.

You know, there are very few men... In this business, who can function

effectively, indeed brilliantly, in both capacities.

Through the courtesy of Kurt RV Studios, we have a film clip from Vito Orsini's

first picture. You know, this has become a cult favorite.

Some even consider it to be perhaps one of the most artistic endeavors ever to

come out of this town.

Hello? This is Harriet Toppingham. Harriet Toppingham?

Oh, it's always a pleasure to hear from the boss lady of fashions and interiors.

Did I catch you in bed?

No, I am not in bed, Harriet.

What can I do for you?

I want to do something for you, Kurt.

I want to send you the next Faye Dunaway.

No, strike that, Marilyn Monroe.

Her name is Melanie Adams, and she's on the cover of our September issue.

She's wasted this medium. She should be a movie star.

Strike that, she will be a movie star.

Wonderful. Well, send her out. I'll test her.

You won't be sorry, Kate.

Terrific. Stay in touch, Harriet.

Next time I'm in New York, we'll lunch it.

Bye-bye.

If that old battle axe wants to do me a favor, she must be desperate.

Desperate people make me nervous.

Nose around.

I'll try to find out what it's all about.

It's settled.

You're going to California.

I can't wait to tell Spider Elliot.

Maybe he could be my agent.

Melvin, listen to me.

You're going to be a very important motion picture person now. I know it.

But you can't waste your time and energy on an unimportant, unemployed fashion

photographer like Spider Elliot.

Hollywood.

Harriet, I don't know how to thank you. I'm sure you do.

You might as well realize that you don't have a choice in this.

I have gone away from you for good.

Can't be any more convincing.

Melanie.

You see, that's why she was so mysterious on the phone.

Too bad you're not Catholic, Elliot.

You could have been exorcised.

You never liked her, did you?

Perhaps it is as Colette says.

Extreme beauty arouses no sympathy.

Why is my whole life falling apart?

You think I'm just being paranoid?

You see Harriet Toppingham rubbing noses with your little friend Melanie, and a

week later the friend is in California, and all your bookings have been

cancelled? You're not paranoid.

You have been blackballed by Mrs. Toppingham.

Why? Why?

For a man of the word, you're very naive.

I think I better get back to my loft and make my bed.

I wasn't meant for a sloth.

Zut alors, I forgot to do my bed.

Hey, wait a minute, I'll do it.

Thanks. I don't want to be late for work.

Oh, how are things going at John, Prince and Associates?

Well, Prince is in the provinces promoting his label.

Why, either way, we associates are at play.

That's why I'm taking all my stuff in with me.

I will pick up a stick on my way home.

Beth, you're not going out for lunch? No.

So could you try on something for me?

Sure. In my office, if you don't mind.

I did.

John Prince shall be thy label, and there shall be no label before him.

So help me, Prince.

I am sorry, Mrs. Icahn.

Mr. Prince is in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia?

Yes. We had an appointment this morning. I'm buying for my store scruples, you

know.

Well, let me get you some coffee, and then I'll show you some things I know

you'll want to see. Just show me the clothes, please.

Of course.

This way, please.

I love it.

Each one is better than the last.

I didn't know I was so gorgeous.

Oh, Beth, you're divine.

Why don't you show your designs to Prince?

The worst thing he can do is kill you.

With his ego, that's the best he could do.

Valentin, emergency.

It's Mrs. Eichhorn.

She's coming in and she is mad as hell.

Oh, God, help me put my things out of sight.

Valentin?

You're Valentin, aren't you?

Yes, hello.

I must tell you that the print's designs are unbelievably dull. There isn't one

exciting piece in that entire collection.

Mrs. Icon, your taste is far beyond that of the women you will be buying for.

That's nonsense.

But this is more like it here. Look at this.

Mrs. Icon, these are not available.

I mean, they are not part of the Prince collection.

Well, that's obvious.

Yeah.

What about that dress? What dress?

The one you're wearing. It's lovely.

Now, I would buy that dress.

I can't. It's my dress.

Just something I ran up at home.

Billy, darling.

Forgive my tardiness, dear lady. I hadn't forgotten you, but the

Philadelphia airport was sucked in. I had to hire a car and a Grand Prix

driver, but here I am.

Come, let's go to the showroom. I have some exquisite things for you to see.

I've already seen them.

You know, it's really a shame these aren't for sale.

It's an even bigger shame they're not yours.

Bye. Bye-bye.

In my office, young lady.

March!

I want this collection of garbage out of the room and out of the building in ten

minutes.

He's going to kill her. She should be so lucky.

I take you from Wilton and Company, a swatch house, give you the opportunity

of a lifetime, you put a knife in my back. How dare you show her your

designs? She insisted.

I should have recognized you for what you were.

Just another image-saving discard from that closet queen, Alan Wilton. I see.

Enough. No one may talk to me like that. I won't stand for it. I quit.

You're fired.

Too late. I quit anyway.

That's hamburger.

We French, we are frugal race.

Especially when we are unemployed.

Oh, Val, you've got gorgeous boobs.

Hey, they're small, but they're nice.

Perky, pointy, piquant.

All those nice words that start with P.

Are you drunk?

Well, listen, if I'm not, I have wasted a half a bottle of vodka.

Polish.

Yours.

Val, I've wanted to say that for a long time.

This could be my last chance.

What are you talking about?

Well, I am packing it off. I'm taking it up.

I'm... I'm leaving.

Why?

Why?

Oh, it's very difficult to make a long story short when you're faced.

Try.

Open the bottle, please.

Valentine O'Neil?

Valentine, this is Billie Eichhorn.

I had a ghastly time buying your phone number out of John Prince.

Your own doing, Mrs Eichhorn.

Yes, I'm sorry for that.

Accepted. Bye-bye. No, wait, wait, please.

I can't.

I'm in the middle of a crisis.

My phone number is 555-2882. Please call me back.

Yes.

Well?

I can't get arrested in this town.

I mean, I am Mark Lousy all up and down 7th Avenue.

I haven't seen my family in so long that my mother wants me to take a picture of

myself and send it to her so she can see what I look like.

My kids' sisters, they want me to give them advice on how to handle passes from

dirty young men. Maybe I can get my old job back at St.

I. Magnin.

I. Magnin?

Yeah, it's Beverly Hills.

California?

Yeah.

Yeah. Maybe I should make the move.

I can still scrounge up the air for her.

Fair.

When we're around, Tripp.

I don't know. It depends.

And Melanie Adams?

Val, I'm serious now!

I know you're serious.

Want some wine?

Not if there is any more of that Polish vodka left.

Hello. I've been waiting for your phone call, but I'm afraid patience never has

been my long suit.

Valentin, your designs are superb, and I would like very much for you to come to

the coast and work for me at Scruples as my designer.

Without a designer, we'd simply be another expensive store.

Now, you'll be my buyer, too, of course, and you can go to Paris and New York as

often as you like for the collections.

Valentin?

Yes? I know what John Prince was paying you. I'll give you double that.

With a year's contract and options, of course.

Give me an answer, yes or no. I have personnel problems. A buyer, a designer,

a retail expert, and I must get this all straightened out before I go back to

California.

You want ice?

No. Right.

Valentin, are you there?

I won't triple what Prince was giving to me and my partner comes with me.

Your partner?

Michael Elliott.

Loads of retailing experience.

I've never heard of him.

I'm Magnin.

Uh, fine.

All right.

My lawyers will drop the contracts. When can you be there?

I will let you know.

Say when.

Elliot? When did you do it? I'm nagging. Oh, I park cars at Christmas time.

Oh, dear.

What's the problem?

I will tell you when we sober up.

Cheers.

Santé.

Santé?

It's all right, Linda. My door is always open to Miss McGregor.

Don't tell me, Maggie, you're upset.

No, Kurt, I am furious.

I drive all the way out here to interview one of your so-called stars.

And you know what she did?

She stood me up for an agent.

And I broke my stupid nail besides.

Who is she?

She shall be nameless.

In my column, on my television show, everywhere.

Nameless. Okay.

Come with me. I gotta check on a screen test.

Then we'll come back here and talk about it.

Who are you testing?

A kid named Melanie Adams.

Nobody. Strictly a favor.

Do you have a Band-Aid? I'll get you one.

So, how's Vito?

Delicious.

Excuse me, we're supposed to meet Mrs. Eichhorn here.

Miss O'Neill?

My name's Jake Cassidy. I work for Mrs. Eichhorn.

She wanted me to tell you that she won't be able to make it.

She wants you to go over to the lawyers.

I can drop you.

We're all set, Mr. Harvey, but I don't know about the girl.

She's somewhere else.

Yeah, let's just get it over with.

All right. What do you think, Pat? You can always use another orange, you know.

She's absolutely beautiful, too.

Gorgeous.

It takes more than that.

You ready? All right, let's settle down, everybody. We're going to try for one.

Melanie, just relax and nice and easy.

You're going to start up there and just do whatever you feel.

Say whatever comes into your mind, all right?

I'm not very good at that.

Well, just do the best you can, all right?

I'll try. All right, let's settle down.

Are you ready, honey?

Yeah. All right. Roll sound, please.

Marker.

When I was a little girl, I had bad dreams.

I used to cry a lot in the night.

My mother would hold me in her arms, like this.

And she would talk to me, like this.

Golden slumbers fill your eyes.

Smiles awake when you arise.

Sleep, pretty baby.

Do not cry.

And I will sing a lullaby.

Oh, rock you, rock you, lullaby.

Care is heavy, therefore sleep you.

You are care, and care must keep you.

Oh, sleep pretty baby.

Do not cry.

And I will sing a lullaby.

Rock you, rock you, lullaby.

My arms around you when you wake.

My love all there for you to take And

I

was

Is she stone?

She's in another world.

Who cares?

She's magic.

Melanie Adams.

You shall not be nameless.

Yeah, I'll give him the message.

As soon as he comes in. Okay.

Come on.

He says you owe him $3,000 with interest.

What a creep.

Well, he says that you... He'll get his damn money.

How, Jay?

I don't know.

You know, maybe you could borrow one of your salary.

Yeah.

Maybe I could at that.

Well, I gotta go to work, honey.

Bye.

Me too, honey.

These are not the terms we agreed to at all.

These are slave wage contracts, Mr. Hillman. You should be ashamed of

yourself.

The Yale Law School, Harvard University, Fairfax High School should be ashamed of

you too.

These are the terms Mrs. Icahn outlined to me.

Then she should be ashamed of herself.

Good day and goodbye.

I'm sorry.

You should be.

You know that per diem expense check, the walking around money, counselor?

Better make that walking away money.

Well?

Oh, it's not worth a cry, huh?

It was too good to be true, anyway.

I don't give a damn for the money.

I wanted the job, Elliot. I wanted there to be a place for me. A place to work. I

know. I know. I know. Let's get drunk.

Nah.

I'll see you later back at the motel, okay?

I've got some business I want to do.

You'll be okay.

Melanie has such broad shoulders.

Miss O'Neill, I'm with the law firm of Strasburg, Ellipkin, and Hillman.

Hi, I'm Don Grimm.

I'm an associate of the firm.

These are for you, for Mr. Josh Hillman.

Is Mrs. Eichhorn in?

I'm Billy Eichhorn.

Spider Elliot.

Well, I imagine you found it easier parking here than you do at I-Magnon's

during the Christmas rush.

You checked?

I checked.

Now, you come to Camelot, you don't expect the lady of the house to answer

the door.

Even in Camelot, the servants get a day off.

Hope this won't take very long.

Nope, just long enough for me to try to convince you to stick to your agreement

that you made with Valentin O'Neill.

And you?

Me? Forget about me. I was just along for the ride.

Had a few wild ideas about merchandising, but Val is different.

She's special.

She's the most exciting original young designer in America today.

And are you speaking as an expert?

Ah, come on. So Val oversold.

Since when was that a crime in the retail business?

All right. Go on.

Scruples could make her an important designer.

And she could make scruples an important store.

Are you in love with her?

You know, you're what my mother used to call a heartbreaker, Billy.

Why don't you just keep your heartbreaking sexist?

And don't break hers.

Would you like a drink?

Yeah, anything.

Desk, do you have an airline reservation service at the hotel?

I hold.

What do you want?

Well, I wanted to apologize for what happened in my office and for sending a

boy to do a man's job.

I'm on the phone.

Can't get a dial tone?

An airliner.

I like trains better anyway.

Don't you?

presented to the Duke of Wellington by the merchants and bankers of London on

the first anniversary of the Battle of Wales. Looks like Benjamin Smith.

It is Benjamin Smith.

All right, so you know something about antiques and the talents of Valentino O

'Neill.

But about merchandising, let's hear some of these wild ideas.

Well, what you need is a concept.

See, what scruples itself should be like, not necessarily what you go into

it, because what you buy and you sell, that'll follow naturally once the

concept is right.

Conceive. Seems to me you've got a lot of high-powered competition on that

street.

What you've got to do is make sure that shopping at scruples is fun. I mean,

simply a hell of a lot of fun.

Because after all, buying clothes should be as satisfactory as a good roll in the

hay.

You're selling sex.

Aren't we all?

To the naked eye, scruple should appear dignified, tasteful, elegant, like

yourself. But when you look deeper, you should begin to sense something else,

something sensual, erotic, smoky,

full to bursting, like yourself.

My, my, you really do believe all those male locker room stories about the

yearning, aching. throbbing young widows with pulses pounding, senses burning

with desire.

Let's see, what's that cliche?

Once they've had it, they can't live without it, huh?

Do you?

Depends on the widow.

You smile nice.

Your concept is good.

But it's not enough.

You're right.

I donated the what should.

The how-to comes with the price tag.

You're also a good salesman.

You know what?

I'll call Josh Hillman.

Great. I'd better tell Val before she gets back on a plane to New York.

You really are in love with her, aren't you?

you bored yet no i'm having a wonderful time but i must go

valentine you like me

well tell me the truth why do you ask so many questions

hey i'm a lawyer and i think i'm

falling in love with you you must not

Don't seem to have a whole lot of choice Well you answer my question

Do you like being a lawyer I hate it

But I'm very good at it made me very rich in my world those two facts are

unassailable What did you want to be well till I was 16 I won't be a train

conductor Then I wanted to be a justice on the United States Supreme Court

Well, only room for one Jewish justice at a time.

Supreme Court judges live forever, you know.

Longer than anybody.

Except maybe widows of very rich men.

What is your wife like?

Dedicated.

To what?

Good works.

And tennis.

Oh.

Don't go back to New York, Valentin.

I've never felt like this before.

You're married.

Well, hypothesis.

What if I weren't? Still be a chance for us?

I'm not a hypothetical person. I'm French.

What's that?

It's my beeper. Your what?

Someone in the office is trying to reach me. Oh.

You never answered my question.

Yes. Yes is a chance.

Yes, I like you.

Jake?

This is I corn I'm in the study. Would you come here for a minute, please? I'd

like to talk to you.

Yes now, thank you

Men

He's came in the man.

Who sent him?

Someone from the party, I would imagine.

Oh, that's cold, Mrs. Eichhorn.

Was there a note?

But I want those negatives, Jake. Can you get them for me?

Gee, I don't know. I'd try.

But they might be expensive.

How much do you think they're worth?

Well, the guy who sent them probably figures he can sell them to the scandal

sheets. With scruples opening and all, he can get big bucks for them. Ten,

fifteen thousand, maybe.

What do you think I should do?

Well, I don't cut into this kind of thing, Miss Eichhorn, but all things

considered, I mean, if it was me, I'd really want those negatives.

Exactly.

Are they in your room?

Mrs. Eichhorn.

Do you know why I kept you on?

You needed me.

But not for the reasons you think.

That night, someone altered my drink.

Someone took pictures of me. I was set up, Jake.

And it had to be you. I wanted you right here.

I could keep an eye on you until I was sure.

And the irony of it all is that I almost was beginning to think that I was wrong

about you.

So, let's get to business here. I am prepared to pay you for the truth and

the negatives.

I'm waiting.

Okay. I sent him.

I didn't want to do it.

But I needed the money. I got obligations, you might say.

I don't feel good about this, Mrs. Eichler.

$150. What the hell is this?

It's your severance pay.

Look, lady, I gave it to you straight. Some of that scandal... Now I'll give it

to you straight. This entire conversation has been recorded.

If so much as one of those pictures shows up anywhere, including your

bathroom wall, you go to jail.

Now get packed and get out.

That tape I want... Where is it?

I ain't kidding. Now give it.

Go to hell, Jake.

Call the police!

Let him go! Let him go!

Get out!

Well, yes, I like.

Did you buy this before our meeting yesterday?

Uh, yeah, yeah.

That confidence you could hustle me, huh?

Hustle you? No, I'd hustle the salesperson.

No money down.

No money? Mm-hmm.

Saleswoman.

Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I thought so.

Are you coming in?

Right there.

Val. Hi.

Good morning. You must have heard the good news about the stay of execution.

Mm-hmm.

Josh told me.

Josh?

Josh Hillman.

Oh.

Great, huh?

I suppose Billy and you celebrated over breakfast?

Come on, though.

What are you, Elliot?

A wind-up sexual clone?

She's not even my type. She's every man's type.

Your men did a wonderful job.

Night.

Marianne, is Spider Elliot around?

Oh, he went scrounging, Miss McGregor. I'm not sure when he'll be back.

Valentine might know. She's inside.

All right. Y'all ready for tomorrow?

Good night.

Good night.

Valentine.

Honey, could you do me a favor and give Spider a message? This is important.

I interviewed this actress this afternoon, and she made me promise I

would personally come over here and deliver this.

But I have a taping tonight. I can't wait.

So... Melanie Adams.

How did you guess?

I'm psychic. I never heard of an actress named Melanie Adams.

Well, you will.

She just finished a picture for Kurt Harvey, and she is going to be the next

Garbo. You watch.

On the bankable.

There. Have him call her.

I'll try to remember.

Okay. Everything looks gorgeous, by the way. See you tomorrow.

Nice ever to stop by.

You think so?

I think I'm going to leave that one alone.

Oh, hey, guys.

Hey, look what I picked up for us down in Pasadena. I was out visiting my

folks, you know, and this was sitting right on somebody's front lawn. It's the

garage sale.

What do you think?

You should have bought the garage.

Yeah, well, it's a nice piece.

Yeah, so is yours.

Oh, thank you. When you set a price, let me know.

Okay. Did you see Maggie?

No, no, I didn't. What'd she want?

She left this for you. Important message, she said.

Ah.

If you're gonna take that monstrosity upstairs, don't let us keep you.

Come on, Josh.

Hey, wait a minute.

What did I say?

Well, she's a complicated piece of machinery.

Then I suspect you know that better than I do.

Good night, Spider.

Uh, yeah, yeah.

Your friend Spider is really catnip to the ladies.

He has very round heels.

If he were a woman, he would be a hooker.

The way you'd get on him if I didn't know better.

I think there was something between you.

But you don't have to know better.

I do.

Billy.

Hi.

Hi.

Well, this is it.

Readier we will never be.

I'm scared, Spider.

I keep having these nightmares about banner headlines and women's wear.

Billy's folly opens and then the whole world just bursts into laughter at me.

The whole world?

Are you talking the entire world here, right? I mean, you're not... Beverly

Hills, that's bad enough.

Now, nobody is going to be laughing at you. I guarantee it. They'll be too busy

spending money.

That's right.

Come on, let's have a drink.

Can I take a rain check? I want to get here extra early in the morning.

What about you?

No, I have something very important to do first.

See, tomorrow I am closing one door of my life.

And I'm opening another.

Good luck, Princess.

Good luck to you too.

Are you okay?

I'm fine. Yes, I'm fine.

Good. Well, congratulations.

Thank you. And thank you for everything, Spider. I mean that. Yeah, here we're

celebrating at Montmaison.

Oh, yeah. Well, Val's declined, but I'm game.

Could we do it another time, please?

Please. Of course. All right.

Let's see.

And did you get your blue sweater here?

Oh, lovely.

They have written some really great stuff.

I'm going to see the show. I'm going to see it after a while. And there's a

great show coming up. Excuse me, darling. I'll be back in a minute.

Why don't you sit with me while we see the show together? Let's all sit

together.

Hello, Billy.

Edouard, I thought you left.

I couldn't.

Not without making things right.

Who, you?

We'll be in California for a week.

Perhaps you can have dinner with us one night.

I'd like you to meet Florence, my wife.

You like her?

Excuse me, Edouard. I have things to do.

You're still angry at me, aren't you?

How is your hunting lodge?

Beautiful, no doubt.

You wouldn't recognize it. The house and grounds have been completely renovated.

And the forest has been restocked with game.

Must have cost a fortune.

Well, Florence is a war.

Very generous woman.

Excuse me, please.

You hate me, don't you, Billy?

No.

I did.

I must admit that I did, but I am almost grateful to you now.

Because if I'd had money then, you would have married me and I would have become

just another one of the dull young contesses.

And I would have lived my life in sort of a French version of Boston. The food,

the clothes would have been a little better, but...

That's all.

I wouldn't have liked that life, Edouard.

Nor the woman I would have become.

And I do like my life now.

I'm very happy with who I am.

I'm very glad for you, Billy.

I'm glad also that you've finally come to see that I was right.

Right about what?

You've forgotten your Lord Byron.

Man's love is of man's life a thing apart.

It is woman's whole existence.

Billy, a man has other considerations he must honor first.

But perhaps now, if you understand that, we might resume our relationship on a

more realistic level.

Oh, Billy, darling.

Now we have made things right, Edward.

You may leave.

And so, Scruples has become the newest in boutique on fabled Rodeo Drive.

And non-show business personality, owner Billy Icorn, has joined the pantheon of

important Hollywood names.

And so now... This beautiful, wealthy widow of industrialist Ellis Eichhorn is

off to the Cannes Film Festival, where she will houseguest with the Curt Arbys.

Hmm? Sounds fun to me.

Put it back, Jake.

Just a loan, baby.

I was gonna leave a note.

I mean it, Jake. Put it back.

Now.

Consider it payment for services rendered.

Sort of, uh, uh, severance pay.

Put it back, and then pack your things and get out.

Nobody tells me to get out.

What do you mean, Vito, did I read the book?

Would I sit down on a $5 million deal if I hadn't read the book?

Like a shot.

It's just another love story, Vito.

Two people turn themselves inside out for two hours on the screen before they

finally hop in the sack.

The audience today is making out five minutes after they meet one another.

This is nothing to them, nothing.

Why do you think they'd pay to see your version?

You just explained why.

The kind of logic they teach you at Harvard.

Yale.

You don't want to do this picture, Kurt.

Alito, you had three flops in a row.

Artistic success, sure.

Raves from all the right critics.

But nothing in the box office.

Look, I'm not saying you couldn't come back.

You're a big talent.

Maybe a genius.

And I'm not saying your picture couldn't make it, or the special handling Arby

Studios could give it.

And as a vehicle for the right actress.

Melanie Adams.

You saw the rough cut of the one we just finished. She's great, isn't she? She'll

do. The bottom line, Kurt.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm going to take a chance.

Give me a handshake.

Ballpark figure five mil. We'll put up the money you produce.

And direct.

My baby all the way.

Vida.

You're a good director, but you work slow.

Slow as money. Five million becomes ten.

You produce.

We'll find another director.

Where are you going?

To find five million dollars.

Don't forget, we're having cocktails and dinner later tonight.

Susan's counting on you.

She's already fixed you up with a dinner partner.

And you can't afford to turn down a free meal, Vito.

I saw your last picture.

Someday, Kurt, I'm gonna kill you.

Pat, is this story really that good?

Terrific.

Maybe I ought to read it.

You must be a foreigner.

This pool wasn't really meant to be used by beautiful women.

It's too ugly.

The rumor is that it was designed by the Hotel Association in Cannes to

discourage wealthy Americans from renting private villas.

Pardon, monsieur.

Sorry.

Darling, I'm really having second thoughts about Vito Orsini as Billy's

dinner partner.

What? Vito. He hasn't had a hit for heaven knows how long.

What with scruples and all. Well, I mean, really, it's really Jerry Brown

time now.

In fact, Vito's having an affair with Maggie McGregor, which is, of course,

her own business.

What'd you say?

I said I wish Jerry Brown were in town.

Great.

I always like to brief my guests before they meet one another.

I learned my lesson years ago.

Seating ex-husbands and ex-wives.

Who's going to be my dinner partner?

Actually, I haven't made my final decision.

I've been considering that distinguished man over there. Another one with a great

tan? He's ex-CIA.

Section chief, Eastern Europe.

Some people told me he was a mole.

Well, now, I don't usually listen to gossip, but he does have some wonderful

Kim Coby stories.

I don't think he's actually my cup of tea. What else would we call it?

I don't suppose you'd be interested in former Nazis or actors?

No, no, no. What about that producer you'd mentioned? Vito Orsini? Is that

his name?

Well... Vito?

This is Billy Icon.

How do you do?

Pardonnez-moi.

Oh, I didn't recognize you without your sunglasses.

The better to mentally undress you, my dear.

Well, considering what I was wearing, that shouldn't have been difficult.

That's true, it wasn't.

Oh, dear.

Kurt's stuck with a distributor. Excuse me.

That's movie talk.

You in the picture business?

You look familiar.

No. But I like movies, especially one of your street lamps. You saw it?

Twice. You must spend a lot of time on airplanes.

I think we're going to be dinner partners.

Thank you.

I, uh, I hope you don't mind sitting below the salt.

Susan Harvey's got the idea that I'm on the verge of permanent failure, and this

is where they put the poor relations.

Do you mind?

It's not the ideal place from which to hustle five million dollars.

You don't by any chance have five million dollars, do you?

Not on me, no.

My luck.

You're staring.

You should be used to people staring at you.

Of course that would require you staring at them, and I don't think that's your

style.

No?

I don't think formal dinner parties make your heart beat faster.

Not even above the salt.

Are you totally committed to dining here?

Not totally, no.

If you can stand the culture shop, I know a place that might amuse.

Where staring is not only permitted, but mandatory.

And on the way up the coast, you can stop and watch the sunset.

We're done.

Cheapest transportation I could find.

Oh, okay.

Can I drive this?

Sure, be my guest.

Yeah, a girlfriend of mine had one of these when I was in secretarial school.

Always wanted to drive us, little devil.

This is great.

Is it safe?

It only has to hold together till the end of the week.

Then it can turn into a pumpkin.

This is the best move you ever made, Tony.

Darling, have you seen Billy? I haven't seen her in over an hour.

No, I thought you were going to fix him up with Vito.

I think I did.

When do they start trick-or-treating?

It is like Halloween, but only for the very rich.

Oh, the very poor.

Who's that exotic blonde over there? Is she a movie star?

She is a he.

He is waiting for his lover, who is a woman, who only likes men in women's

clothing.

You're joking. Perhaps.

Well, no joke about those three over there.

They've got $900 million with which to establish a film industry in their own

country. They're over here to look for talent.

But nobody wants to go over there and live at any price.

But if they go back without a film industry, they might get killed.

So they're getting edgier.

That's right.

You hungry?

Starving.

How does this sound?

Sounds fantastic.

Well, I got something better in mind.

You give good parties, lady.

Billy's not home yet, is she?

Don't tell me you're worried.

Well, of course I'm worried. He's probably after her money, and it's all

going to be my fault.

Who wouldn't be after her money?

Don't judge others by yourself.

She probably just needs a good roll in the hay.

The only roll Vito needs is a bankroll.

Oh, you are so coarse.

I should have known better than to marry anyone from Bayonne, New Jersey. Mother

warned me.

You know, Sue, I think you're the one that needs a good roll in the hay.

Good luck.

My version of the French version of the hero sandwich.

You raided the lot. You stay at a pension before? Long time ago.

How did you find this place?

I stayed here last year and the year before that and three years ago.

No, that year I had the honeymoon suite at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes. Were you

on your honeymoon?

No, but I needed a big place to entertain my suitors.

Money men from all over the world fighting to force their cash on me.

For any picture I wanted to make, I had a hit that year.

Have you ever been married?

Um, no.

Why not?

I have a mistress.

What's her name?

The names change.

Oh.

Sometimes she's a drummer.

Sometimes she's a comedy.

Sometimes she's a love star.

Sometimes she's a hit.

And the summertime is a she's a flop.

Doesn't it ever bother you to be up one day and down the next?

Fickle business.

Oh, I'd be afraid people were laughing behind my back.

If I let that bother me, I'd be in Elkhart, Iowa, selling farm machinery,

just like you'd be in Hartford, Connecticut, or Providence, Rhode

Island, or wherever, playing life safe.

Boston, how did you know?

Trace of a new England accent.

Well, would there be a part for me in one of your love stories? As a

character?

Let's see.

In the script, it would probably say, Billy Eichhorn is a beautiful young

woman who does not have a fixed center to her life.

So she goes to the Cannes Film Festival to find... distraction.

Then we go on from there.

Well, does she fall in love?

Does she find the true love of her life and live happily ever after?

Alas, alas, the script isn't finished yet.

Well, finish it.

Story problem.

His mistress is very demanding.

Come on.

Where are we going?

I am taking you home. No.

Oh, yes.

I haven't touched my sandwich yet.

I'll take it with you.

We have to at least clean up, don't we? I mean, you'll lose your kitchen

privileges.

You know the French.

Can

we

have lunch tomorrow?

I'm sorry, but I'll be busy all day.

I gotta land on a couple of characters with frozen Deutschmarks.

Well, the next day, then.

It depends.

Promise me.

I can't.

Well, then I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying right here.

You're very aggressive.

It's your own fault, you know. I think I'm falling in love with you.

And impulsive.

Oh, yes.

Good morning.

Breakfast in bed.

Courtesy of a flat tire and a gracious landlady. She's Italian, incidentally.

Want some coffee?

I want you.

Nobody in the history of the world ever smelled as good as you.

I love you, Vito Rossini.

I'm crazy about you, Billy Eichhorn.

You know, Ellis Eichhorn told me that when the right man came along, I would

know it in my heart and my mind.

And he was a very wise man.

And very rich.

I knew I'd seen you somewhere before.

This morning I remembered.

Mrs. Ellis Eichhorn.

Where are you going?

I have to shave, change attire, go into Cannes, and hustle.

Marry me.

No.

Why not?

You have too much money.

That's an absolutely ridiculous middle-class reason.

Probably.

Well, let's live together, then.

Anyway, the man is supposed to ask the woman.

You're a male chauvinist.

Italian.

Same thing.

You're serious, aren't you?

I wish you were a poor young starlet.

And I was the all-powerful movie producer who could say, there, that's

the girl, that's the one I want to make a star.

Then I'd have something to give you.

You're deluding yourself.

We're arguing about...

Money and pride.

If we were married, your money would be my money.

Never. And what about the pride?

You're in a rollercoaster business. You will have your own money again.

Then we'll talk.

I want you.

And I'm going to have you.

You're very bossy, you know that?

And greedy.

Spider? This is Billy. I'm calling from Antibes. What are you doing in scruples

on a Sunday?

That's the price of success, Billy.

Listen, I'm trying to find Josh Hillman. I called his home. He's not there. He's

not in his office. He's not anywhere.

I thought Valentin might have an idea where he was. Then I called her hotel

and she's checked out.

Yeah, Val moved into an apartment today.

Well, please find Josh for me. It's very important.

Yeah, no problem.

Hey, are you having fun?

Oh, Spider, I'm in heaven.

Sounds like nice country.

Oh, it's beautiful.

Listen, you will find him for me, huh?

Yeah, sure, no problem.

And I'll see you soon, huh?

Okay, bye-bye. Thank you.

Excuse me, sir.

We have to announce everybody.

Valentin O'Neill, please.

Miss O'Neill, there's a Mr.

Elliot down here to see you, so I send him up.

He wants to speak with you.

Hey, Val, I've got a housewarming gift for you. Can I come up?

I'm very tired, Elliot, and nothing is where it should be yet. Can we make it

another time? This is getting heavy, honey.

Are you excited where you want it?

Eva, would you give Josh a message for me?

A message?

Yeah, tell him that Billy wants him to call her as soon as possible.

Well, if I hear from him, I will let him know.

Another time, okay?

Yeah, sure.

Thank you.

Right on.

Billy wants to speak to you. Why didn't you want him to know I was here?

It's not proper.

Val, it's Spider.

Josh, don't argue with me.

Why do you think Billy wants to speak to you?

I don't know. Are you jealous?

You know better than that.

Oh, Val, sometimes you're no fun at all.

Spider.

Hello, Melanie.

I'm so glad.

Can I come in? Sure.

I wasn't sure.

I didn't think you wanted to see me again.

You know me, Spider.

I was just crazy.

New place, new people, new life.

New life.

Well, it certainly agrees with you, you know, this is Arby's house. He's letting

me use it while they're in con It even has a screening room I'm here alone

So what have you been up

to oh I've been really busy with scruples and I've been doing little

photography now

Look wonderful.

I shouldn't. I just came from class.

Class? Yeah, my acting coach has me working on parts that stretch me.

I'm doing St. Joan.

I haven't had a drink in months.

No? It's wonderful.

No pills?

Terrific.

Nothing earthly?

Could we sit down?

Sure, sure. I'm sorry.

This is where I do most of my rehearsing. It has the feel of a...

Cathedral, if you just think about it. Yeah, yeah, sure does.

I missed you.

Oh.

What kind of kiss is that for the maid of Orleans, right? Oh, I'm sure there

was another side to Joan. Uh-huh.

What's the possibility of my getting a drink out of you?

Miss Spider Elliott, I do believe you're frightened of me.

You bet.

Make love to me, Spider.

It's been so long.

Yes, he did.

Billy. Josh.

Hi. Hi.

I wasn't expecting you till tonight. I know, I know. I caught an earlier plane.

Well. Not bad, huh? No. For the cost of crack, I can see this.

Well.

What's the problem?

How much stock in RV studios would I have to own in order to control the

company? Why would you want to control the company? There's a picture I want

made, and RV's blocking the terms.

Whose terms?

Vito Orsini. It's his picture.

Talented man.

I'm going to marry him.

Well, that's a big surprise.

He's a very lucky man.

Don't say anything to him. He doesn't know it yet.

You're wonderful, Billy.

How much stock?

7% of the outstanding common shares usually control any company.

All right, buy 10 just to be on the safe side.

Well, what do you find so amusing about all this?

Billy, when Ellis died, I sent you a complete breakdown of all your stock

holdings as sole owner of Icorn Enterprises.

Didn't you read any of that material?

Well, why should I? I trust you.

Because you could have saved me a 12-hour plane ride. You already own 15%

of RV Studios.

You're kidding.

No.

Josh, that's wonderful.

Yeah. Thank you.

That's great.

Oh, boy, come on. I got to go to the Carlton.

Billy, look, if it's all the same to you, I think I'd rather go home now.

You're crazy.

Well, look who's talking.

Oh, here.

In case you want to know what the poor folks in Beverly Hills are up to.

Have a good trip. I will. Bye.

Billy, say no more.

It's Vito's picture all the way.

There have to be the usual overrun clauses, of course, to protect the

minority stockholders.

That's standard stuff.

Vito will be agreeable, I'm sure.

This is really very cooperative of you, Kurt.

What's business when we're talking about friendship and people's happiness?

Vito's a lucky man.

Not exactly sure what you mean.

Word is out about you two.

Now, have no fear.

My lips are sealed.

Hey, Pat, we got a hell of a picture on our hands.

Let's get a hold of that crazy Italian genius.

Thank you again for making this all so easy. I'm sure it wasn't.

Billy, in this game, you win some, you lose some.

My time, happily, I've won more than I've lost.

It's the only way to stay in business.

Goodbye.

Vito Orsini will make you a beautiful picture. Bite your tongue.

Orsini marries her. He's in the driver's seat. He'll own controlling interest at

the studio.

I didn't realize that. The picture's got to be a dog.

We'd better see to it.

Oh, don't.

Your landlady let me in.

I'm going to give that lady a tip she'll never forget.

You've been crying.

Oh, it's nothing.

Vito, we have to be realistic about this.

My money isn't going to go away. I couldn't get rid of it even if I tried,

and I really don't want to. I don't blame you.

I know there's other men in this world who can't be bought, but I'm not in love

with them.

I'm in love with you.

And I'm in love with you.

Well... I talked to Kurt Harvey.

He's gonna finance the picture. And on my terms. The way I wanted it.

I'm glad.

That means I'm self-supporting now. You realize that?

Get your bags packed.

We're going back to California.

I gotta get a writer, a cameraman, set a schedule for Mirrors.

Mirrors? That's the title of my picture.

But you are not going anywhere with me unless you promise four things.

All right.

First, you marry me.

Oh, Vito.

Second, you promise never to give me the walls, Rose.

I'll try.

Or a surprise party. That's three. Okay.

I promise. What's four?

Stop sniffing.

I love you.

Oh, I love you. I love you.

to Vito Orsini.

Isn't it wonderful?

Well, I have only one thing to say about that, Valentin, and it's not

congratulations.

i'm home where have you been europe

how nice i told you i forgot

you know sandy

well when we

finish this game you can tell me all about it oh marvelous shot sandy

How is Europe?

Josh?

Hi. You're back so soon. Yeah, I missed you.

Oh, so awful.

Come in, come in.

Tell me all about Europe.

You haven't been home yet.

Yes, I have. Well, no, I haven't.

Depends on how you look at it.

Doesn't matter, though.

From now on, this is home.

But, Josh, I'm a very respectable woman. Yes, I know. You go put on your favorite

pretty party dress. I've got a table booked at the bistro for 9 o'clock.

Most unwise.

A lot of your friends will be there.

I call out for a pizza.

Well, from now on, we go anywhere we like.

I've decided to ask Joanne for a divorce.

A divorce?

It won't be final for six months. We'll have to wait till then to get married.

Married?

You made this decision without telling me?

I haven't even told her yet.

You knew how I felt. I thought you felt the same way.

Don't you want to marry me?

I thought you were a very respectable woman.

Yes, I am.

But six months, and I have so many things to do. Billy is getting married.

I have a new dress to design.

You don't want to.

I didn't say that.

Then you will.

Maybe. Is that definite?

Yes. Is that definite maybe?

Definite maybe.

I love you. I'll get a pizza. Yeah, well, anchovies this time.

No!

Welcome home, Mrs. Eichhorn. Thank you, Edward.

Oh, certainly, sir. Excuse me one moment, sir.

Oh, that's just beautiful. It's beautiful.

I think it will work. Oh, yes, it'll work.

It's so good to be home. I can't believe it.

But you look so happy.

I really didn't think I could ever be this happy again.

Time can be kind, Billy.

But only if you're ready and willing to take the next step, I found.

I love you.

Say something good stuff for me. Hi. The champ is back. How you doing? Tell us

about the festival, how was the picture, and when are we going to meet the lucky

guy? Well, I don't know where to begin.

That's the beginning.

All right.

Once upon a time, there was a fairy princess, and she was lying around the

magic pool in a hot blue bikini. Mrs. Eichhorn.

This gentleman says he must see you. Mrs.

Eichhorn. Yes?

I'm Lieutenant Bakersmith, Los Angeles Police Department.

Thank you, Marianne.

What can I do for you at the time?

Can we talk privately?

Oh, it's all right. No, no.

They're family. It's all right.

What is it?

Do you recognize this person?

Yes, his name is Jay Cassidy.

Uh-huh.

He used to work for you, is that correct?

Mm-hmm.

He's in some sort of trouble.

Have you seen him recently?

No, not since he left my employ.

Did you ever see him with this woman?

No, but then I never made his business my business, Lieutenant.

Lieutenant, don't you think you ought to tell Mrs. Eichhorn what this is all

about? Are you a lawyer?

No. No, I'm just a friend.

Are you suggesting I need a lawyer, Lieutenant?

No, ma'am. I'm not suggesting anything.

We're investigating a homicide, and we'd like to talk to Cassidy.

Now, if he should contact you, we'd appreciate your letting us know.

Fine. Okay. Thank you for your time.

Are you okay?

Yes, fine.

No matter what Cassidy has done, I'm sure it's got nothing at all to do with

you.

Right?

I don't know, Spider. I really don't know.