Original subtitles

I don't know a recent Saturday I've sold more.

Why are you so glum?

Were you bothered by those waitresses making a fuss?

No.

But, honest, what are you supposed to do when people keep commenting on your looks?

I don't even know what they mean - "Beat 'em off with a stick."

Well, if that's your only problem -

It's not.

I got my report card.

Three C's, two D's...

and an incomplete.

I see you studying so hard, Tom.

What do you think the problem is?

I just have to try harder.

I will.

I will. I will.

I will! I will

I will, I will, I will. I will!

Thanks, Dad. This talk helped.

Can you, um...

sign it, please?

Do you think it would help if I got you a tutor?

That'd be great.

It'd better help though. What can you do with yourself if all you can do is look good?

I'm frequently asked what special difficulties are involved...

in being graduated from high school two months shy of my 15th birthday.

I sometimes think it was the difficulties themselves which enabled me to do it.

If I'd been appreciated, or even tolerated...

I wouldn't have been in such a hurry to graduate.

And I hope the next student who comes along and is able to excel...

isn't made to feel so much an outcast.

But I'm looking forward to college...

and this is the happiest day I've had in a long, long time.

So, I thank you...

and I forgive you.

Slug him. Slug him!

Go ahead, Steven. Take your last licks.

But this will heal! What I'm gonna say can never be erased!

It'll scar you forever!

Ready? Here it is.

You'll never make more than $19,000 a year! Ha, ha, ha!

Cream him!

Take him.

Okay! What about this?

You'll never leave South Boston, and I'm gonna see the whole damn world!

You'll never know the pleasure of writing a graceful sentence...

or having an original thought!

Think about it.

$19,000- not bad.

Dear Felicio, It's truly amazing to me...

that we live a world apart and yet have the same favorite music.

I love the picture you sent me...

and have it up on - Oops.

And have it -

And have it up on my bulletin board. The drawing -

Honey.

Good God, Jane!

Daddy! Don't ever do that to me!

Look, It's time for you to go to sleep.

I just have two more pen pals. Then I'm all done.

Finish quickly. I don't want you getting obsessive about these things.

- Good night. - Good night.

All right.

"Obsessive."

"Obsessive."

Dad, you want me to choose my words so carefully.

Then you throw a word like "obsessive" at me.

Now, unless I'm wrong - please correct me if I am -

but obsession is practically a psychiatric term...

concerning people who don't have anything else...

but the object of their own obsession...

who can't stop and do anything else.

Well, here I am stopping to tell you this, okay?

So would you please try and be a little bit more precise...

instead of calling a person something like "obsessive"?

Good night.

Hey, it's me.

Um, it's 30 minutes before you have to meet me in the lobby.

Nudge your mate. Uh, I don't think there's time to eat...

but there's probably a cafeteria at the bus depot once we get down there.

I love working with you two. It saves me a call.

Yeah.

- Hi. - Hey.

Gotta turn on your television right now.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is on The Today Show, Good Morning, America and The Morning News.

I think he's live on two of them.

At 6:00 on The Wake-up News they used the wrong missile graphic.

And they called me this morning to say they want us to take even cheaper rooms on the road now.

Now, listen. Arnold just said he's making...

$3 million a movie now, but he's not ever gonna change.

He's still the same person when he was making $2 million a movie.

He feels no different.

He also bought a brand-new condo with Maria they're gonna furnish tastefully.

Half hour in the lobby.

Okay. I'll see you in the lobbies.

There he is. Hi. I'd like to talk to you for a second.

- Just a few questions. - No.

- Well, I came all the way from Washington. - Move away from me.

"There might be a band and bunting...

um, at the bus depot for J.D. Singer's return from war.

- Last week, he was decorated by a president for heroism in the war" - - No, watch this.

I want you to watch this. You weren't there for it. Watch.

- How does it feel being home? - Get the fuck - Fuck. Fuck.

Fucking! Snot! Fucking!

- You want to use that? - Depends on how big a news day it is.

- Thanks. - I can't believe you said that!

- I'm very proud of that. - He really opened up to you, man.

If this were a war that was sanctioned by the United States -

if it were Korea or World War II or Vietnam...

- then obviously coming back would have a different- - 40-10.

You really oughta work on your speech.

Oh, no.

It makes me nervous to think about it. Let's do this.

I'm not expecting any big homecoming.

We are being increasingly influenced...

by the star system.

The network anchormen are so powerful they comprise our last best hope.

Our profession is in danger.

So, where do you want to go eat?

The current group is clearly qualified, tied still to our best traditions.

- But who follows these men? - Excuse me.

We are being pressured...

- to take a loyalty oath - - Wow.

Oh, I've known so many women like that.

They don't like their looks, so they're angry.

Excuse me.

All of you know what I'm talking about.

We're - We're all trying to act tougher than we are.

But we care.

So...

we're all secretly terrified by what's happening, aren't we?

Catch you later.

I was gonna talk about other trends, but -

"Magazine shows, news as profit...

the historic influence of Entertainment Tonight...

the danger, the hope...

the dream, the question."

Oh!

I was gonna show you a tape...

a story carried by all networks on the same night - the same night -

that not one network noted a major policy change...

in Salt II nuclear disarmament talks.

Here's what they ran instead.

Go ahead. Please show the tape.

I know it's good film. I know it's fun. I like fun.

It's just not news.

Well, you're lucky you love it. You're gonna get a lot more just like it.

Good.

Thank you.

I don't think there'll be any Q and A.

Hi.

Hello.

I just wanted to tell you how great you were.

My name's Tom Grunick.

Thank you.

Yeah.

They hated me.

I don't hate them.

Well, they say if you can reach even one person, it means something.

And you did that.

Would you like to have dinner with me?

Sure.

You know what I'm saying? Another thing I can't stand -

- Is this dull? - No! No. No. No. No.

Another thing I can't stand is when White House reporters bullshit with each other after a briefing...

and then one of them has a theory...

and the other quotes it in his story as, "White House sources say" -

- That actually goes on? - Yes.

I am not tired. My room is right down here. You want to keep talking?

Yeah, sure.

Oh, come on.

Even I'm not that hard on myself.

No, really.

I got this job on a fluke.

And wait till you hear how it ends up.

I was doing sports at this station.

The newspaper ran this untrue story...

that I was leaving...

and they got these tons of protest mail.

So -

So they made me anchor.

So, great. Right?

Except I'm no good at what I'm being a success at.

How are you at back rubs?

It's sort of normal, the way you feel.

In graduate school, everyone thought the only mistake...

the admissions committee made was letting 'em in.

Listen to me. You keep thinking I'm somebody who -

who lacks confidence.

That's not it. I know. I can talk well enough...

and I'm not bad at making contact with people.

But I don't like the feeling that I'm pretending to be a reporter.

And half the time, I don't get the under -

the news that I'm talking about.

It's not that I'm down on myself. Trust me.

I stink!

I trust you.

I didn't even have a chance to become really good at sports.

- You know, I wasn't bad. - What about the obvious remedy?

Reversing things. Maybe getting a job at a newspaper.

I don't write.

But that didn't stop me from sending my audition tapes...

to the bigger stations and the networks.

Well, come on.

It is your life. Nobody is tying you to the fast track.

Did you go to college?

So, you're not well educated, you have almost no experience...

and you can't write.

Yeah, and I'm -

and I'm making a fortune.

It's hard for me to advise you...

since you personify something that I truly think is dangerous.

Uh-huh.

I agree with you. You're not qualified. So get qualified.

You can insist on being better prepared.

You don't have to just leave it with...

"Uh, I don't write, I'm not schooled...

I don't understand the news I'm reading, but at least I'm upset about it, folks."

Whoa.

Just what do you want from me anyway, permission to be a fake?

Stop whining.

Do something about it.

Oh.

Well, you don't have to start right now.

I hated the way you talked to me just now.

And it wasn't just because you were right.

Oh, God.

Oh, God.

No. No. No. It wasn't just the speech.

The same thing happened with this guy.

I have passed some line someplace.

I am beginning to repel people I'm trying to seduce.

- He must've been great-looking, right? - Why do you say that?

Because nobody invites a bad-looking idiot to their bedroom.

- Okay, let's do me. - Sure.

I feel like I'm slipping.

But do people who are actually slipping feel that way...

or is it always the really good people who are moving up...

who invariably think they're slipping because their standards are so high?

This conversation is not worthy of you.

- I'd give anything if that were true. - Good night.

Wouldn't this be a great world if insecurity and desperation made us more attractive?

If needy were a turn-on?

Call if you get weird.

- Mmm? - Take care, doll.

I will.

I was just thinking it was the shortest phone conversation we ever had.

Um, I never told you the reason I was telling you everything before.

Hey.

Those audition tapes I sent out - I've been hired by your network for the Washington bureau.

So I'll probably be seeing you at work.

What?

Sorry.

They didn't hire Peter Stiller from The Times, and he had a great audition tape.

You wanna start going over who they could've gotten?

They can't take on people like this for network news.

For God's sake, what is going on?

Okay. What about this? Here's a tough ethical one.

Would you tell a source that you love them...

just to get some information?

- Yes. - Yes.

- Me, too. - Sure.

- You bet. - Jennifer didn't know there was an alternative.

Here's a good one.

They allow us to have cameras at an execution in Florida.

Do you broadcast tape of the guy in the chair when they turn on the voltage?

- Sure. - Why not?

- Absolutely. - You bet.

Nothing like wrestling with a moral dilemma, is there?

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Speak to you later.

Okay, Bobby. Go back to 9:45:46. The sound bite in the alley.

It starts, "So why were you in Angola?"

- You know, we could go all - - Please, Bobby! We're pushing.

- So why were you in Angola? - Why were you in Angola?

- Politics? Money? - Money?

What brings you up as a mercenary?

Well, that's where the job's at, you know? That's what I get paid to do.

They said I should observe the - They said it would be okay.

We're working here! You can stand over in the, uh, uh -

- Play back the last line. - Thanks.

- Bobby - - You said something about -

Let me hear it.

Jane. Jane! We need it in 14 minutes. We're putting it directly into the feed.

Jane Craig. Just a second. Let me hear it.

...have a different meaning. What did you expect...

- when you - when you came back this time? - Here.

- Thank you. - It's a long time since I've seen my folks...

but, uh, I'm not expecting any big homecoming.

Stop there.

Doll, I want to shoot the Homecoming from a Norman Rockwell book I have in the office.

- You don't have enough time! Not a chance! - I'll be right down. It's real tight.

All right. I have to tell Ernie about this because there isn't enough time!

Yes, there is!

I don't think she's gonna make it.

It was a surprise at the Soviet embassy in Beirut.

- You want copy? - Yes, doll. Fifteen seconds.

Ooh.

Okay, Bobby. Just a two-second dissolve to the Rockwell.

- Now should I - - Just a two-second dissolve!

Jesus! We have three minutes! Why do you do this to me?

Is it because I won an award?

Homecoming - Norman Rockwell's enduring portrait.

The return of a fighting man has always been one of the more moving ceremonies of war.

We have a minute and a half.

It's my responsibility to tell the control room and New York that we won't be ready.

- Uh-uh. We'll be ready. - In 84 seconds?

- Fifteen seconds. Oh, God! - You're saying, "Oh, God"?

- Lay it in, Bobby. Back it up. - They're gonna go up and the screen will be black.

And they're gonna go to black because we're not there!

What about careers, huh?

- We're not gonna make it! - Bobby.

- Whoops. - "Whoops"?

Bobby, Bobby, Bobby.

- Blair. - Oh, God!

- Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby. - Blair!

- You got it! - We'll make it, Blair!

Go!

Hey! Watch it there!

Whoo!

Whoa!

Open the damn door! Thank you!

- Hey! - Wow.

Ow!

Call New York. We won't be ready.

- No, there she is. - Okay. Stand by.

- Five, four, three, two, one. - Here!

- Here it comes. - Take it!

Aaron Altman was there.

In other times with other purposes there might be a band and bunting at the bus depot...

- Guys? - for J.D. Singer's arrival home.

Homecoming - Norman Rockwell's enduring portrait.

The return of a fighting man has always been one of the more moving ceremonies of war.

Tearful women, proud men, excited children.

But J.D. Singer was right.

His homecoming was no big deal.

Aaron Altman, Lincoln, Nebraska.

An American comes home.

That's your news. I'm Bill Rorish.

Good evening.

Look at that smile.

That was good work.

His, uh -

- Hey, Bill smiled. He liked it. - No, Bill loved it. That's a big smile.

I haven't seen Bill smile like that in weeks!

- Good piece. - Thanks, Ernie.

I gotta see it again. Ernie?

He did smile.

D-Don't tell anyone I did this.

- Oh - - I'm sorry if I got in the way.

It was - It was - It was totally impressive!

It was - It was just a great piece!

You weren't. Thanks.

- How does it feel being here? - Oh, I can't believe I'm here.

- Uh, do you know where Martin went? - I think he went downstairs.

- Okay, thanks. - I can't believe I'm really here, you know?

No, I'm wrong. He went to Research.

I can't believe I'm really here.

- No kidding. If you're through work now, we could - - No.

Aaron and I go to Central America on Wednesday, so I am cramming.

I thought you were incredible in there.

E-Everybody was.

I know how much I have to learn. If I could - I mean, i-i -

I would really a lot appreciate it if -

"Really a lot appreciate it"?

You make me nervous.

Anyway...

if I can pick your brain -

if -

I-I can't help you. Sorry. I'm not here to teach remedial reporting.

And it has nothing to do with the fact that I left your room instead of staying there?

Oh!

Please.

You're gonna have to understand something.

This isn't personal.

Okay.

- Good night. - Good night.

Okay, okay. Estábien. Estábien.

- ¿Va a haber tiroteo? - Sí.

- ¿Qué tan malo puede ser? - Malo.

Gracias.

Oye.

Para un americano, no hablas mal español.

Really? Well, I'm sure you speak English very well too. Thank you.

Ready for this? He says they've been engaging the Sandinistas regularly.

He thinks there's gonna be shooting tonight.

Look at her.

Hey. If anything happens to me, you tell every woman I've ever gone out with...

that I was talking about her at the end.

That way they'll have to reevaluate me.

Put on the boot.

No! Manny, no!

What the hell? No. Stop, stop, stop, stop.

We are not here to stage the news. Wait and see what they do.

Sir, you - you can do whatever you want.

It's your choice.

Okay.

He just said he's scared.

- Okay, let's get this. - Too dark!

No, it's not too dark. Just go!

Aaron, go.

The first shots were fired not 10 seconds ago from over there towards the east.

The contras -

The contras feel they must be outnumbered. This is so small a unit. That's a given.

Still, they've managed to hold their ground -

despite the fact that their weapons have been acting up...

either misfiring or jamming.

No new shipment of arms is expected until tomorrow.

All they got today... were the shoes.

Great line at the end, man. It could have been great. It was great.

- Did you get a shot of the boots? - Yeah. Of course.

- So then we can cut back to that at the end. - To the pan of the supply boxes.

I can't believe I just risked my life for a network that tests my face with focus groups!

I don't feel good.

- Stand by - - The proposal calls for electing a president...

from among several candidates.

- We got the graphic on in two seconds. - Hi.

How's it goin'?

- C.C., we need control of five - - ...chosen by the military command.

A firefight along the Nicaraguan border when we return.

Audio is up full here.

The first shots were fired not 10 seconds ago from over there towards the east.

Freeze. Freeze it back over E.S.S.A.

Congratulations, you two.

Finally got a piece in a few minutes early, huh?

I hear Bill saw it this morning, and he loved it.

- No kidding? - Yeah.

No one's checked the spelling on these Chyrons.

There's a guy downstairs. Clerk brought him in and vouched for him.

He says he has something to say about gays getting promotions at State.

Maybe I could buy you dinner sometime soon.

I-I just got back. I don't know which end is up.

Okay.

Jane, Bill Rorish wants to speak to you at the break.

- Now. - Wow.

I've never heard of him handing out compliments in the middle of a show.

- Jane? - Yes.

Darling, if it gets any better than that, I'm going to have to bring you up here to New York.

Thanks. I - I just wish you'd kept the first 20 seconds.

But thank you.

Well, the, uh, visual with the shoes at the end was just perfect.

God, he loved the boots!

Aaron should be hearing this so I can have an extra witness.

Well, you always want to give the credit away, don't you?

No, I don't. He happens to deserve the credit.

- He's right here. - l’II speak to you soon.

He had to read over some new copy.

Oh?

♪♪

What?

Is it okay if I watch you tape that interview downstairs?

- Yes. - Thanks.

The contras have only a few months -

Laugh so they don't think I'm dying inside...

but have so much style that I just said something funny.

What'd he say?

Oh, I'll never tell.

A year and a half ago I made some stupid remark about his hairline.

He's never gonna forget it! This way.

Okay. I'll meet the crew there then.

Right. Could you give me that address one more time?

Right.

Yeah, it's good to finally be getting to work.

17204 Colorado.

Right. Like the state. Yeah.

17204.

Got it. 1-7-2-0-4?

Yeah. Bye.

1-7-2-

1-7-2-0-4.

Jane? I've got a story.

Jane?

- Hi. How are you? - Wait. I need you.

I got a story.

Some public official skipped a week on his Christmas club?

The House Armed Services Committee has a secret report...

which says that the Allen fighting vehicle the army poured a fortune into...

plain won't work.

- I've got it cold, confirmed. - Hmm.

- They have $5 million in this thing already. - Billion.

Right, billion. Okay. Of course.

They said I could have any producer I want...

and I want you.

One committee source referred to it as a $5 billion metal sculpture...

too ugly to look at and too big to bury.

Over time, however, costs have doubled...

and the system has had serious problems.

- Did you write this? - I write for you sometimes.

Not because you have to.

The suspension system had to be redesigned -

because of the vehicle’s extra weight.

The addition of the TOW missile has meant the Allen can carry only six infantrymen.

- Oh, come on. - The heavier armor has caused the vehicle to sink in shallow water.

General Elton McGuire is in charge of the weapons system.

- Have just a second? Please. - No.

General - General, I don't want to bother you anymore.

- Or your family. - So Tom rates two cameras, huh?

But tomorrow there's gonna be a mob of me out here.

So if you have anything to say, sir, why not say it now the way you want.

That's great. That's great.

I think it's great you left in what you said. Just great.

Yes. Please, let's never forget, we're the real story, not them.

Yeah, I know. I went back and forth on it.

I liked it. He's not afraid of being human.

- Shh! - The general will appear tomorrow...

before the House Armed Services Committee.

- Tom Grunick, the Pentagon. - And as if the pentagon...

- didn't have enough problems, tonight it announced... - Thanks, Jane.

- that its new Action Army helmet is defective. - Sure.

Tom?

Um, my youngest wanted to meet you.

- This is Elli. - Hi, Elli.

- Hi. - You should be honored.

- She never wanted to meet anyone here before. - Dad.

But she said that she just loved you on television just now.

Hi, Elli. Remember me?

I-I'm not sure. I'm - I'm sorry.

I've been to your house.

And Aaron was on that, uh, 14-day raft trip with us last year.

- Oh, yeah. - I had that big yellow raincoat on.

- Oh, yeah. - It had a hood.

- Yeah. Hi! - Yes.

- It was over my head. - Yeah. Your hair's different.

- Yeah. - Hi.

Hi, Elli. She knows me.

Hi, Dad.

Did you see it?

Great. I'll send you a tape.

I'm sorry I haven't called.

Things got a...

little bumpy for a while.

No, it's not important. I'm fine.

Hey, Dad?

I think I just may be able to do this job.

Well, I'm - I'm glad you were sure.

Ah. Our host.

- Come on in. - Sorry we're late. It's Jane's fault.

- Watch your attitude. - Smells good.

It is good. Anne's been working all weekend.

I don't know why we have to feel defensive about it.

Newspapers are in business to make money.

Why not us?

I mean, they criticize us for supposedly pandering...

while they run Wingo games.

Exactly right.

Excuse me. I'm paid to mix.

Good-bye, Paul.

Take care, Paul.

It takes a certain kind of courage to talk like that in front of the president of the news division.

You think anyone who's proud of the work we do is an ass-kisser.

No. I think anyone who puckers up their lips...

and presses it against their boss's buttocks and then smooches is an ass-kisser.

My gosh.

For a while there, I was attracted to you.

Well, wait a minute. That changes everything.

So they wouldn't renew my magazine subscription because of money.

I can't believe it.

- It's happening all - - Martin, would you excuse us for a minute?

- No. - Ah, go away.

Well, you know, I've been meaning to ask you -

Ah, forget it.

This is very awkward.

I see Tom around you a lot.

And it's such a small office, and I'd like to see him outside of work.

Unless there's some reason for you to mind, in which case I just won't do anything.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Do I mind? Why would I mind? No.

Wait.

I do mind.

I mean, I think about him outside of work sometimes...

but I know I don't respect him.

So what am I talking about? What am I saying to you?

You're saying stay away from him.

- I can't be. - We don't have to settle this definitively right now.

Wait a minute. Wait a minute!

♪♪

- Wanna sing something? - Slippery.

I will call you.

I'll go in the other room right now and call you.

I've made a study of these things.

Tell me one person who ever left television news to work on a newspaper.

You're right.

It sure looks good.

After all these years, we have a life.

- See you. - Sure. See you.

Hey.

- Hi, Tom. - Hi.

Hi.

It's the first time I've seen you dressed like this.

You look so clean and pretty.

What do you mean? Clean?

Well, at the office you always have this sort of film over you.

I've got to find someone.

It's important. Excuse me.

Jennifer.

Hey. Jennifer!

Forget what I said. You do whatever you want to with Tom.

There's nothing I'm gonna do right this second.

Oh, come on. It's your day off.

You're entitled.

Hi.

A plane just shot up one of our bases in Italy.

- Casualties? - Uh - This could be very, very -

That's it!

Okay, right away.

Ernie?

Tom? Tom.

- Yeah. - What is it?

A Libyan plane just shot up one of our bases in Sicily.

This might be a good time to tap that source of ours.

You might have an angle or something. Jennifer, we need you.

Jane, we want you to exec produce a special report.

- What? - A Libyan plane just shot up one of our bases in Sicily.

It's all still happening.

Since Paul is here, he's made out the assignments -

Uh, Jennifer at the White House. George at the Pentagon. Martin at State.

And we're gonna need an anchor, since Rorish is on his boat.

So we're gonna do the whole report this afternoon from here with Tom.

What?

- You're - You're not gonna use him at all? - It's not my choice.

It's 1:35, and it's Tom.

Um, you can reach me at the office.

Paul, forgive me. I'm really sorry. Pardon me for interrupting, but -

Paul, uh, yes, I need to talk to you outside for just a minute.

Great.

Tom's not ready for the job you're about to hand him. Not near ready.

Not by the longest shot.

Now, Aaron spent six weeks in Tripoli. He's interviewed Qaddafi.

He reported on the '81 story.

I think he's essential to do the job we're capable of.

And I think it's my responsibility to tell you that.

Okay, that's your opinion. I don't agree.

It's not opinion.

You're just absolutely right...

and I'm absolutely wrong.

It must be nice to always believe you know better...

to always think you're the smartest person in the room.

No, it's awful.

You better get going.

Hey, Ed!

Would you come on?

- Nervous? - Excited.

Tell George and Jennifer to try and cover everything...

without Tom having to ask additional questions.

- Okay, Bobby says we gotta - - Did you hear what I just said?

Do you have that? Take a breath.

Hmm.

And the most important thing -

make sure his earpiece works.

Have backups ready. That's never been more vital.

He must be able to hear me at every second, and clearly.

Can someone get a picture of E-2C Hawkeyes...

so I can do it on the paint box?

We're going to the White House.

Tom.

- We have 20 minutes. - Shit!

- You can wait in the studio. - I got Tom's copy.

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

Stand by animation.

Ready V.T.R. one and two.

Ready to announce.

- Ready on camera one with cue. - Roll some three-quarter inch. Okay. Stand by.

- Good luck, Jane. - Ready.

- All right. I need five. - Six.

- All right. And stand by, please. - Thirty seconds to air time. Ready.

All the remotes checked in? Everyone here is programmed clearly?

- Got it. - Yeah, everyone's good.

Executive producer. Wow!

Stand by V.T. five.

- How many seconds to air? - Thirty seconds.

- All right. Stand by camera one, please. - ♪♪

Camera two, center it up. Just a little bit to the left.

- Tom, can you hear me? - Ready V.T. one and two?

Tom, can you hear me? Tom?

Tom? Tom?

Tom! Tom!

Damn it! He can't hear me! I told you, if there was one thing -

I can hear you. I was just teasing.

- On five, four, three - - Stand by.

- And announce. - Two, one -

- And cue him with effects. - A special report with Tom Grunick.

Good afternoon. A Libyan fighter plane attacked...

a United States military installation at Comiso, Sicily, at 10:07 a.m., eastern time.

The Libyan MiG-21 was itself shot down by American F-14 jets.

- Oh. - The base, a U.S. naval air station on the island of Sicily.

There are some 500 men and women stationed there.

The Libyan bombs destroyed a navy warehouse which just 30 minutes earlier...

had been crowded with servicemen.

♪ Ooh, ooh ♪

- ♪ Bought a one-way ticket back ♪ - ♪ Ticket back ♪

- ♪ One-way ticket back ♪ - ♪ To the life ♪

♪ I can sing while I read ♪

♪ I am singing and reading both ♪

♪ Leavin' ♪

♪ On that midnight train to Georgia ♪

♪ Leavin' on that midnight train ♪

The Libyan MiG-21 dropped all four of its bombs...

on the U.S. air station in Comiso, Sicily.

The heat-seeking missiles virtually disintegrated the plane on contact.

♪ I'd rather live in his world ♪

♪ Than live without him ♪♪

- Insert on V.T. five - - All remotes, stand by, please.

- George, you ready? - Yeah. Should I cover everything...

or should I say something for Tom to ask me about?

Cover everything.

Okay. We're going to George.

Say, "The Joint Chiefs are meeting.

We have George Weln at the Pentagon."

...flew back to the White House, according to his aides, to better monitor the situation.

George Weln is at the Pentagon...

and reports that the attack, presumably by a lone Libyan pilot...

has resulted in a massive movement of U.S. military might.

A lot of alliteration from anxious anchors placed in powerful posts!

...attack on the U.S. base was the work of a single Libyan pilot...

or if the pilot was acting on instructions from Libyan leader, Mu'ammar Qaddafi.

- New copy coming in. - We now have Qaddafi on the screen.

- We have effects. - Qaddafi's Chyron is ready.

- It's Aaron. - You look a little soft on two.

- Yes? - Hi.

Listen. The pilot that shot down the Libyan in 1981 is stationed right here.

Maybe you can get him.

Also, Tom should say that the F-14 is one of the hardest planes to fly...

and they're nicknamed "Tomcats."

- Thank you. - Said Qaddafi, "This is not war."

The F-14 is one of the most difficult planes to master. They're called Tomcats.

George, isn't the F-14 Tomcat...

one of the most difficult machines for a pilot to master?

- I think you're right. - In the '70s, the first crop had a number of crashes.

There was trouble with them in the early days back in the '70s.

Thank you, George. Jennifer Mack is standing by at the White House -

I say it here, it comes out there.

- Jennifer? - The White House is preparing...

- a list of contingency plans. - Six. All right. And stand by, please.

Hi.

- Me again. - Hi.

Listen, Qaddafi doesn't foam at the mouth or anything.

When you speak to him, he, uh -

he seems not at all nuts.

Uh, he seems like a leader. Very impressive self control. That's what's so crazy.

Okay, good. And we have the '81 pilot on the way in. Nobody else will have him.

You're welcome.

- So how does it feel to be executive producer? - I gotta go.

Me too. Gotta go. Very busy here. Gotta go.

We're very busy.

Okay, stand by, camera one. Center up.

We're going to remote three.

It's the Gulf of Sidra.

The name of the U.S. commander is Nathan Benchley.

In the summer of 1981...

two Libyan jets suddenly attacked two American F-14s -

The plane they got in '81 was an Su-22.

Today they got a MiG-21, which is a better plane.

- ...that the gulf is part of Libya's territorial waters - - You're doing really well.

a view not shared by other nations, including the U.S.

After a brief dogfight, both Libyan jets were downed by the American fighters.

- The name is Nathan Benchley. - The commander of one of those planes, Nathan Benchley, is at the Pentagon.

- So, Commander, it must have been tougher... - That's great. That's great.

today shooting down the MiG-21.

The one you got was an Su-22.

What's it like at the moment of confrontation?

- What's it like to be in a real dogfight? - Okay. After this guy we’II go for a wrap-up.

You’II have about 10 seconds. Ask him how does he know when he has a hit.

Do you know you have a hit from one of those screens inside your cockpit...

- or can you actually see your missiles strike... - That's good. That's good.

- the other plane with your eye? - That's good.

The equipment is very sophisticated...

but, uh, from a pilot's point of view, you like to see it to confirm it.

Thank you, Commander.

It has always been considered an outlaw nation...

but, strangely, some of those who have interviewed Qaddafi...

find him, in a phrase we like to use in this country, very presidential.

- Nice, Jane. - Jane Craig. Just a minute.

Then we're gonna go to Martin Klein at State for the message from Libya.

Then you're gonna have the carrier pilot from the Sidra -

What!

No! You missed him? We only have 10 minutes left!

How can you talk to me about parking problems?

- Shh! - No! Not you'll try! You'll do it!

Do it! Or I'll fry your fat ass, Estelle! Good-bye!

I had no idea she was this good.

Tom. Tom.

Fill for a second.

- Tom? - Go.

The latest message seems to indicate...

that the Libyan pilot was acting on his own...

- without authority from anyone else. - Stand by, camera two.

In other words, I think we're all okay.

- Okay, Tom, wrap it up. - Who the hell cares what you think?

The Libyan government has disavowed any prior knowledge of the attack.

I'm Tom Grunick reporting from Washington.

Good afternoon.

Animation.

- Thanks, everybody. - We are out.

Nice job, Tom. Everybody on the floor, thank you so much.

Good job, buddy.

Thanks. Hey, man, you're great.

Never so proud of one of my decisions.

Jane, great work. Really, you know?

- Really. - Well, there were no major gaffes anyway.

Oh!

"No major gaffes."

You were brilliant!

- Josh, great stuff. - Thank you.

- Congratulations, Jane. - You guys are so good. You guys!

- Thank you, Jane. - Thanks, Jane.

- Thanks, Ernie. - Sure.

You know, this was important for Tom.

- There's that bonding thing that happens between the public and an anchorman. - I've gotta watch Paul address the troops.

It's not the conventions anymore.

It's this kind of moment.

- Oh, hi. - Hi.

Wow!

- Hey, Mr. Iceman! You were great. - You too.

- Great job there. - Yeah, you too.

- Good work, Tom. - Thanks.

What a baptism, Tom! Congratulations.

Thank you. With all the help you get, it's easier than local.

- Where's Jane? I'm still juiced. - Uh, she's back there.

Thanks.

- Can I help you gentlemen? - We're here to play the new news theme.

You're an amazing woman.

What a feeling, having you inside my head!

Yeah. It was... an unusual place to be.

It's, like, indescribable.

You knew just when to feed me the next line.

You knew the m - second before I needed it.

There was like a rhythm we got into.

It was like great sex!

- You have to celebrate with me. - Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Everybody's going to the bar down the street. What's it called? Cap's?

I'm going over to Aaron's.

But maybe I'll hook up with all of you later.

How long do you think you'll be... there?

It starts off with this very high-tech "syntho-sequency" type thing.

- Like this - - ♪♪

- That's the news. - ♪♪

And the strings take the melody.

♪♪

Al does the countermelody.

Big finish!

♪ Bah, bah, da, da ♪♪

I got chills.

Wasn't Tom great?

Well, it worked. It worked.

Really?

It was good?

Your calling in that information -

You are the classiest guy I know.

Here. Have a beer.

Celebrate.

God, it was so strange watching him.

What's the next step, lip-syncing?

Okay, okay, okay.

You know, I've been doing some of the most important thinking of my life today.

I wonder if this is the right time to tell you about it.

Whatever you think.

I figured out why it is I'm so hung up on getting a chance at weekend anchor.

It's because if I do it well...

then they'll pay me more, and my life will be great, and they'll treat me better.

- That's why. - Sounds like you may be onto something.

Which means I'm at their mercy.

And who wants that?

Now, I don't want to tell you where this thought has led me.

Why not?

In the middle of all of this, I started to think about the one thing...

that makes me feel really good and makes immediate sense -

and it's you.

Oh, bubba.

I'm gonna stop right now.

Except I would give anything if you were two people.

So I could call up the one who's my friend...

and tell her about the one that I like so much.

All right. I'm - I'm -

I'm not gonna say anymore...

primarily 'cause I'm about to pass out.

- Come on. I'll walk you to the corner. - You get some sleep.

- Right now? After I walk you to the corner. - Well -

- Yes. - Oh, all right.

Come on, baby.

You were stunning today.

- You have someplace to go now, right? - Yeah, yeah.

Good night.

Well, I felt something.

Hey, um, we're going to Cap's Bar on 17th and Vermont.

Connecticut's clear on Sunday, so take that, uh, over to 15th...

and then straight down Vermont...

and we should bypass Thomas Circle that way.

If you don't go over 40, we should catch mostly green lights.

We tried -

I didn't think you'd make it.

Well, I thought I'd check and see if - if all of you were still here.

But, you know, I'll just go in and join the gang. And you two go on.

The gang's, like, gone. We were the last ones. There's no more gang.

Oh.

Well, I'll, uh - I'll go in and have a burger.

Jennifer, you want another burger?

- Yeah. - Hey, I know how to have a burger by myself.

I just feel like a little solitude.

I sure know that feeling.

Hey, terrific work today.

Right back to you.

Thanks.

- Good night. - Good night. Good night.

- I feel great. - Are you sure you don't want me to get a taxi?

- What for? - Well, I don't know.

Why?

You have the greatest car and the greatest driver...

in all of Washington.

- You look a little confused. - I'm not.

Ooh.

Give me some of that.

- Where's the bathroom? - Oh, through the closet.

Wow!

I'm so tired of being defensive about my closet.

Look, I always had a problem with space, and it was getting so I couldn't find anything.

And you know how you're always buying new things?

So I converted a bedroom.

Wait till you've been doing it for 16 years.

Hey, I think it's a great solution.

Not only the storage, but you can see everything you have.

Do you do bunny rabbits?

Jennifer!

Isn’t this a great date?

Morning.

Good morning.

- Yeah. Yeah, we are. - God help me.

Well, they've been looking at just about everything -

foreign bureaus, domestic bureaus...

all kinds of personnel, even equipment.

Anyway, they seem to be very, very serious...

about making me cut 24 million from the budget.

Now, this is going to mean massive firings.

Um, I'm doing whatever I can.

But I did want you to be aware...

of this very serious situation.

Now, we're going to also be covering...

the Alaskan serial killer trial on a continuing basis.

I'd like it to be assigned out of Washington...

which means we're going to have to get someone on a plane to Anchorage.

We can't fool around anymore.

Jane?

Who do you think, George Weln or Jennifer?

Jennifer.

J-Jennifer.

Um, Jennifer.

Hire the Hoover Group tomorrow.

- Night, Emily. - Good night, Jane.

- Hi. - Come on. I'll buy you a drink.

There's a big thing, uh, going on over at the Italian embassy.

Well, I'm not sure I'd be good company tonight.

Ehhh, I'll be the judge of that.

I'll get my coat.

Two, please.

Tom?

I'm all right.

- Heavy hitters. - Yeah.

- How you doing? - Great.

Network news, Washington.

I love it.

What do you do when your real life exceeds your dreams?

Keep it to yourself.

You know, yesterday I really wanted to know your reaction...

to how we did with the Libyan report.

I was going to ask, but I think I'm -

- I'm a little intimidated with you. - Oh, stop it.

You can't talk about feeling intimidated when you're on top of the world. It's unseemly.

I'm not buying into any of that.

I have a load to learn. I'm not gonna act as if -

- You have the job you have. - Shut up for a second.

Okay.

Pretty peppy party, isn't it, pal?

I made one rule for myself when this started...

and I realized I was gonna take a lot from you people...

because of being from sports.

- And that rule was? - Never to pretend to know more than I did.

Can you name all the members of the Cabinet?

- Okay, let's drop it. - What?

I mean, I am not gonna take a test for you.

I mean, if that came up in conversation -

We're conversing.

Oh, no. The names of the Cabinet have slipped my mind.

Say, do you know 'em?

Okay, don't name them for me. Just tell me if you know.

- Yes, Aaron, I know the names of the Cabinet. - Okay.

All 12?

Yes!

There's only 10.

- You're feeling good, aren't you? - I'm starting to, yeah.

Hey, we may do capitals of the states next.

Fifty, right?

Hi. There you are.

- Is this it? - Yes.

I am so exhausted.

Punchy.

Sick tired.

I can't think, and I can't move.

I'm just a dead lump...

of poured-out flesh.

Would you like to come up?

Maybe we could just sit here, talk a little.

Okay.

I'm going to have to do a story from beginning to end on my own.

Eventually.

I have an idea for something.

What?

If I tell you, can you manage not to put it down...

or - or - or tell me why it won't work...

or is in bad journalistic taste or anything like that?

Yes, Tom, I think I can manage.

Okay.

It's about women who are attacked by someone they know on a date.

Ugh!

I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't say anything. I didn't mean it, I didn't mean it, I didn't mean it.

Well, keep it that way.

Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute. I didn't say anything!

Stand.

- I'm innocent before I'm - Whoo! - You're not innocent.

You're guilty before you can be innocent.

Door to door.

Hello?

Jane?

Yes?

Tom?

Tom, is that you?

Yes.

Hey, you called me!

Is it - Is it your story?

No, um -

Are you going to the correspondents' dinner?

Why? You need me for the story?

No.

- Are you going to go? - Uh-huh.

Maybe I get off work -

I'd like to go.

- Good. - We could go together.

So -

So, you like me, huh?

I like you as much as I can like anyone who thinks I'm an asshole.

"Street cops say - " That fits.

Was that last cut good for you, Bobby?

- She says that he raped her. - Uh, yeah. Good.

- Then we find out they've been out together two, three times. - Thank you for asking.

- Thank you. - How are you gonna prove a crime?

According to the F.B.I...

there were more than 87,000 rapes reported last year.

Most people think of a rapist as a violent stranger...

but today an attack may be what's called "date rape" -

being forced to have sexual intercourse against your will with someone you know.

It's just, you wanna find a nice guy.

Um, so, anyway -

Um, it was that "give him a chance" thing.

- Hi. - Shh!

I was lonely.

So we went to a movie.

And when he brought me home he said, could he come up for one beer?

And then he would go.

So, how do you say "no" to that?

- My cousin Donna. - Really?

So first, um...

it was kind of like this wrestling match...

which was awful enough because...

it got very violent.

- What is this? - Uh-uh.

I'm a modest person.

And he ripped my clothes off...

and he forced me to...

make love.

And then he stayed in my apartment...

and he forced me more times.

Oh, my God.

I'm sorry.

I promised myself I wasn't gonna cry.

Um, it's just...

this whole thing has just messed me up.

Can I turn on the news for a second?

All right. Sex, tears - This must be the news.

- I'm sorry. I'm in a pissy mood. - What's wrong with it?

Nothing. I think you really blew the lid off nooky.

...day or week to do about it.

The victims often remain too terrified to talk...

the police powerless to perform properly...

and all the social welfare groups can finally do is monitor this epidemic...

of crime without punishment.

Tom Grunick, Annandale, Virginia.

Malcolm West, on trial for the murders of 15 men...

has led police to four more bodies south of Wodahamlet, Alaska -

Nice work. I-I gotta get a crew off the clock.

What did you think?

It moved me.

I did relate to it. I really did.

It was...

unusual for you to cut to yourself when you teared up...

and that might not have been...

my choice...

but it was real and it got me.

And I think a lot of the time I'm too conservative about that kind of stuff.

- Okay? - Okay.

The body count now 19.

Tomorrow the jury returns to this site -

Hey, Tom, gosh, that was really swell tonight.

- Good. - Four more bodies...

now taken from the frozen earth.

Jennifer Mack, Wodahamlet, Alaska.

♪ Eastern's got the right time ♪

- How are you? - Oh, hi.

I was - I just was writing you a note.

Uh, what do you say we take a walk?

Outside?

- Yeah. - Hmm.

Come on.

I'm not suggesting the worst will happen.

It's just that somebody with your brilliance...

gets nibbles about - of other jobs now and again.

Maybe down the road you should look into it.

Oh, damn.

Those fucking jerks. They want to fire me.

All I know is, they gotta fire a large number of people.

They're not even going by seniority.

Th-There's a recklessness in the air.

- Do one thing for me. - What?

Get me one shot at anchoring the weekend news.

They've never seen me do that. It could turn it around for me.

I - I could do that this Saturday.

Yeah. Everybody wants off for the correspondents' dinner.

Do it then!

Yeah, but - but please, prepare carefully.

This couldn't happen at a better time.

Prepare what? You have Saturday's news handy?

It's a long while since you read the news.

I'll have somebody work with you on it, just on superficial performance things.

Pl - Please.

Okay.

- I think I'd better be alone for a while. - I understand.

- I'll go with you. - Thanks.

This is very uncomfortable for me.

Because - And I don't mean this as a knock, but we approach these things so differently.

We sure do.

And I don't mean that as a knock either.

Okay, go ahead.

I'll just tell you what I think. You can disregard it if you want.

All right. I just don't know how effective this is gonna be because of our different approaches.

Okay.

- "Reports tonight - " - Wait.

- What? - Your coat jacket is rising up in back.

Okay.

When you sit, sit on your coat jacket a little.

That'll give you a good line.

- "Reports tonight - " - Look at the monitor!

Okay.

"Reports tonight from far down on the Arabian Peninsula...

- indicate that heavy fighting continues... - Your jacket, Aaron.

for a second - " What are you doing? Don't touch me.

- Sit on it. - No, but just don't handle me!

- Sit on it! - I'm sitting on it!

- Now look. - Don't fi -

Fantastic tip!

That's great.

"Continues for a second day between government and rebel forces in pro-Soviet South - "

- No, no. - No.

Don't let your eyes move from the beginning of a sentence to the end of it like that.

- You don't want to look shifty, do you? - No.

And the right side of your face is the good one.

- Go - Go ahead. - They're gonna let me do the news like this?

"Heavy fighting continues for a second day between government and - "

Try to punch one word or phrase in every sentence.

One idea per story.

Punch.

You were smokin' there toward the end.

The pointers were great. I'll study the tape.

I go this way.

Just remember that you're not just reading the news, you're narrating it.

Everybody has to sell a little. You're selling them this idea of you.

You know, you're sort of saying, trust me, I'm, um, credible.

So when you feel yourself just reading...

stop...

and start selling a little.

Okay. So long.

You look like... this porcelain thing.

You look beautiful!

You look beautiful.

That's gorgeous.

- What are you carrying? - I spilled rum on the tan jacket.

- Oh, baby! - Help me pick something out.

- Um - - Come on!

Okay.

I'm thinking the gray suit.

Tom, why don't I meet you there. I got some last-minute stuff I gotta take care of.

Hey, how did you resolve your dilemma? Did you rent the tux or buy it?

I knew it. How much?

Wow.

Okay. I'll see you there.

- I didn't know you were going with him. - You're not gonna wear that shirt.

No. Blue.

- Let me look at the gray. - Look.

- Not bad, right? - Yeah. It looks nice.

- So, help me pick a tie. - Okay.

You brought all of 'em.

- How much was the tux? - 1,140 bucks.

- No! - Yes.

- Try this one. - Okay.

Not bad.

I read about it in a magazine. That's how you can make sure you don't put on too much perfume.

Could you at least pretend that this is an awkward situation for you?

Me showing up while you're getting ready for this date.

It's not a date.

It's coworkers going to a professional conclave.

I hate missing it.

- I wish I could be there. - Me too.

If it gets a little dull before 11:00, you'll drop by the studio.

- I'm not sure I'll be able to. - If. If not, I'll have the tape.

I'll wait for you afterwards at my house. Okay?

Okay. Great.

- Good luck. - Thanks.

Have a good time tonight.

You too.

The Marriott.

What is it? What's the matter?

What are you doing?

Oh, no.

My little tailor.

You were all wrinkled and schmutzy.

I've got shoulders.

Good?

Thanks.

Maybe I'll just stand here and guard your corner.

I'll be here when you get back. Thanks very much.

Don't take Connecticut. Go 19th to -

Taxi!

I want you to go with the stakeout.

You never know. Maybe they'll talk to you.

All right, I'm gonna go get a cellular.

- Hey, Nick. - Yeah?

- Read this over, see what you think. - Sure.

- Aaron. - Hey, George.

- What are you doing here? - Anchoring.

Anchoring the weekend news. Gonna anchor it.

Hey.

- Way to go. - Thanks.

This is terrific, Aaron.

This is a pleasure to read. Really.

There's water on the set, in case I get an attack of cottonmouth?

Yeah, sure. You'll be fine.

- Oh? Glitz? - Yes, I know what you mean.

It works for most people.

The L.A. Times is a great outfit to work for. Best severance pay in the business.

He was lecturing me.

Finally, I just said, "I'm sorry.

I refuse to look at it as a negative that I'm young...

and my news appeals to people my age."

And it isn't as if he just didn't hire a 26-year-old producer himself.

No kidding. 26?

Well, hello, Tom.

He moves and smiles and moves and smiles.

If he doesn't see me soon, we're not supposed to be together.

I-It's for me?

- Hi, Jane! - Hey, Arlene!

It's incredible who's here.

- Who? - Me.

- That's an outlaw dress. - Thank you.

- Wow. Yes! - Oh!

Okay, 20 seconds to air.

- Fifteen seconds. - ♪♪

Ten seconds.

Cue graphic.

The Weekend Report with Aaron Altman.

Go, Aaron.

Good evening.

In mood and language better suited to an espionage novel...

than the delicate world of the Western alliance...

the British foreign secretary today pounced on what he termed...

"the nest of professional spies and amateur traitors...

who are turning NATO headquarters into an instrument...

whose only true function is folly."

We begin our coverage with Edward Towne in London.

Take it.

The British foreign secretary used the annual meeting of NATO's...

- foreign ministers as his forum for denouncing... - She's coming in now. Twenty seconds!

breaches of security.

Any breach of security...

- Gee whiz. - could upset the delicate balance in Europe.

- Think I'm starting to perspire a little. - Don't worry.

Information involving NATO military deployment was passed on to Eastern Bloc nations.

Are you seeing this?

The information was apparently delivered in coded messages...

- Go Chyron. - Got it.

written on discarded paper bags from the NATO cafeteria.

- At least six cafeteria workers are under investigation. - Five seconds!

Edward Towne, London.

The sub bases referred to are located in five countries -

Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, as well as Great Britain.

This is more than Nixon ever sweated.

Our own State Department was rocked...

not only by the revelation...

but from the highly unusual persistence of the state press corps.

- Nice touch. - Martin Klein reports...

on the ruckus at Foggy Bottom.

- The State Department's reaction... - Just how noticeable is this?

- to the security breakdown at NATO... - Huh?

was a swift and unusual public criticism of the alliance -

- Are you hearing me? - Do you have a bigger one?

Oh, good, Susie. Hurry!

Ten seconds!

Will severely limit NATO's ability -

Five seconds!

- Martin Klein, State Department. - Everything's fine, Aaron.

A bomb exploded on a railroad bridge outside of Madras, India...

sending a passenger train hurtling...

- Josh, your hand's in! - more than 200 feet...

- down a mountain slope. - Josh, your hand's in! Your hand!

- Railway officials in New Delhi... - Get your hand out! Josh!

- said the bomb had been wired to the suspension bridge. - Your hand! Your hand!

You know, he wrote some beautiful stuff.

120 people were reported injured.

At least 22 people dead.

- Commercial. - I wish I were one of them.

♪♪

Remember Brinkley's great line? "It's as irrevocable as a haircut."

May I check your purse?

I actually picked up some decent stuff at yard sales.

I like those.

- And I thought - - Can I have your autograph for my wife?

How are you doing, Paul?

- Tom. - Hi.

You're finally learning to be flexible.

I'm glad you changed your mind about Tom.

Ma'am, can I check your purse?

I'd like to know what the contents are myself.

Excuse me, sir. May I see that briefcase? I'd like to check the contents, please.

Mmm.

Can I see your purse, please? Thank you.

- We gotta go. - Huh?

- I'm sorry. - What?

I -

- You okay? - Great.

Sorry I pulled you away from that dinner.

Those things can be a lot of fun. Everybody tries to be funny.

All of a sudden there's all these people trying to make political careers...

out of how many laughs they get.

Uh, one year the - the -

Why can't I let go of this woman?

Well -

At least kiss me when you do that.

You just can't stop editing me, huh?

This is hysterical.

I was half hoping I wouldn't have a good time tonight.

You know why?

Because you're nuts?

Right, right. Isn’t she fun to tease?

Ohh.

What?

More and more lately...

when I've been watching you in action...

and seeing all your...

energy, I've been wondering...

what it'd be like to be inside all that energy.

Me too.

I don't remember ever saying anything like that exactly.

I don't know why I just did.

Oh, let's see. Wait a minute.

Well, I can think of two reasons.

- What? - Three. I just thought of a third.

If you talk about it, you don't have to do it.

- That's not it. - Good.

Another is, you're trying to make it all about sex and heat and nothing else.

Or...

it's that great feeling...

that you don't want to hold anything back.

You know, intimacy.

- Oh, shit. I'm a creep. - What?

I forgot all about Aaron. I promised I'd stop by and see how he did.

- Oh. Well, I'd like to know. I'll go along. - No!

I'll - I'll - I'll be back at your place as soon as I can.

- Jane! - What happened?

Don't run off like everything's settled the minute you make up your mind.

He might be weird. He can talk more freely if I go alone.

- Why is that so hard to understand? - It's not that it's hard.

It's just that I'd like you to give me a minute so I can... catch up.

Okay. Sorry.

Don't yell at me like that again. You scared the life out of me.

It's open!

- I was in the shower. - How'd it go?

- You didn't see it or talk to anybody? - No.

- Then it went very well. - Did it really go well?

- Define your terms. - Do you feel good about it?

No.

- Do others feel that you did well? - No.

- Then what was good about it? - I lost six pounds.

Aaron, will you tell me?

It was great!

There I was, writing my little first-rate copy...

sitting on my jacket, punching my one thought.

Except I had this historic attack of flop sweat.

They're never gonna let me anchor again, ever.

Oh, yeah, I lost one of your shoulder pads. I think it drowned.

- How was your evening anyway? - What do you mean, "flop sweat"?

You're making too much out of this. I'll bet you were the only one aware of it.

- People phoned in. - Stop kidding with me!

- I want to know what happened. - I'm not kidding.

There were complaining phone calls because you were sweating.

No! Nice ones worried that I was having a heart attack.

If all that happened, how come you're so chipper?

I don't know. I don't know!

At some point it was so off-the-chart bad it just got funny.

My central nervous system was telling me something.

Jane, sweat pouring down my face, make-up falling into my eyes...

people turning on this fusillade of blow-dryers on my head -

All so I could read introductions to other people who were covering the stories...

which is what I like to do anyway.

Yes.

And I'm chipper 'cause you finally showed up.

I'm gonna cook for us.

Tequila and eggs sound good?

I have to be someplace.

Now?

I told what's-his-name - Tom - that I'd meet him.

Well, call him up.

It can wait. Right?

I don't know.

Uh -

I may be in love with him.

I knew it.

Get out of my house now. I want you out of here. Get out of here.

I'm not kidding! Get out of here!

You go to hell!

Come back here. Come on.

- Don't go. - This is important to me!

I think it's important for you too.

Come on. Sit down.

Sit down.

- What is this? - I'll take it.

What?

Give me one minute, please!

This is tough!

Jane.

Okay.

Let's take the part that has nothing to do with me.

Let me just be your most trusted friend now, the one that gets to say all the awful stuff. Okay?

I guess.

Yes.

You can't end up with Tom...

because it totally goes against everything that you're about.

Yeah.

Being a basket case.

Oh, I know you care about him.

I've never seen you like this with anybody.

So don't get me wrong when I tell you that Tom...

while being a very nice guy...

is the devil.

This isn't friendship. You're crazy. You know that?

What do you think the devil's gonna look like if he's around?

- God! - Come on!

No one's gonna be taken in by a guy with a long, red, pointy tail!

Come on! What's he gonna sound like?

No.

I'm semi-serious here.

- You're serious that you're - - He will be attractive.

He'll be nice and helpful.

He'll get a job where he influences a great, God-fearing nation.

He'll never do an evil thing. He'll never deliberately hurt a living thing.

He'll just, bit by little bit...

lower our standards where they're important, just a tiny little bit.

Just coax along, flash over substance, just a tiny little bit.

And he'll talk about all of us really being salesmen.

And he'll get all the great women.

Hey, Aaron!

- I think you're the devil! - You know I'm not!

How?

Because I think we have the kind of friendship where if I were the devil...

you'd be the only one I would tell!

Well, you were awfully quick to run after Tom's help when -

All right, fine! Yes!

And if things had gone well for me tonight, then I probably wouldn't be saying any of this.

I grant you everything!

But give me this.

He personifies everything that you've been fighting against.

And I'm in love with you.

How do you like that?

I buried the lead.

I've gotta not say that out loud. It takes too much out of me.

Stop.

I never fought for anyone before.

Does anybody win one of these things?

- Hello? - Hi.

Hi!

Where are you?

I - I-I can't get away just yet. I'm at Aaron's.

Oh.

Well, when?

I'm not sure.

He seems like he had sort of a - a mishap on the news.

I know. I taped it.

Well, it wasn't as bad as he thinks, was it?

It wasn't unprecedented or anything.

Not if you count Singing in the Rain.

Do him a favor. Don't treat it like a tragedy. You want me to talk to him?

Uh-uh.

He says you can hardly notice it.

Um -

- Um - - Let me talk to him.

- Don't say anything about anything. - Let me talk to him.

- Hi. - Hi.

I'm sorry I'm tying up Jane. I didn't realize you two would be going this late.

- Sorry. - Don't worry about it.

I'll - I'll put her back on.

Thanks.

Hi again.

I'm sorry about this -

What?

Don't worry. That sounds more important.

Let's -

Let's forget about tonight.

I don't know...

if that's absolutely necessary.

I have my father coming through tomorrow. I should get some sleep.

Uh-huh.

I'll see you at the office.

Good night.

- Hello? - Yes?

Okay.

Good night.

"Good night"?

Jane...

I am not some chore that you have to finish so you can stay on schedule.

Okay, great, Grunick. Easy shots now, huh?

Good night.

He just canceled.

He had a chance to think and he canceled.

I ca - I can't breathe.

Damn it!

Over a guy.

Well, Jane...

thanks for stopping by.

Good night.

People Screaming ]

Screaming Continues ]

Well, he's on assignment right now.

- Hi. - I kept trying to call you.

You never called me.

Were you just diddling me? Is that it?

I'm great if I'm helping your career...

but when I'm a woman for a second I get immediately fucked around by you?

Jane, this is my dad.

I'm very pleased to meet you, sir.

Please forgive what I said.

I'm sorry.

Yeah, just light up a room and leave, huh?

- Whew. - You want my opinion?

- The thing that's easy to miss about Jane, Dad - - You want my opinion?

And it's okay if you don't.

Yes, I would.

The way she just acted is not the way an affectionate person acts.

Yes, it would be my pleasure.

I've sent Pete and Gabe to cover the F.B.I. -

Rorish.

Just when do you start telling people?

Almost immediately, Bill.

I'd like to take everybody out after the show.

Fantastic.

- Hello, Donny. - Bill. What a surprise.

- Good to see you again. - Bill Rorish.

Hi, Mr. Rorish.

Bill, this is hard on all of us.

And it's no time for compliments...

but I think it's extraordinary of you to come down here for this.

Well, if we're not here for one another during the tough times...

we're not a news organization.

Bill!

Welcome back to Washington...

Bill.

Well, thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

I'm going to Justice. I'll call you.

I forget - Is she on the list?

This is a brutal layoff.

And all because they couldn't program Wednesday nights.

Okay. Crew's on its way. Thanks.

You could make it less brutal by knocking a million or so off your salary.

Yeah, the guy in Cleveland who's done the brain cell transplants.

He's got a big lab there. Does experiments.

A bad joke. I'm sorry. Awful.

It's a miserable day.

And that was just some kind of sick joke defense mechanism.

It just doesn't indicate any of my feelings, not one.

It just shows the kind of stress this represents for all of us.

No excuse for it though.

- Mm-mmm. - Bill.

Tom. Well, it's about time. Pleasure.

- It's good to see you. - Thank you.

I feel terrible about what happened.

What did he say?

He said, um...

that he liked you...

because you looked like you had fire and honesty.

No -

Did he really?

Yes.

This is scary.

What?

Come here. Come here.

Uh...

Paul canned me.

Well, my brother will feel great.

Now he's not the only screw-up.

- Tom. - Yeah?

Paul wants to see you.

- Bob, I just found out. - Sons of bitches!

- Ernie. - What?

- They're calling from work. - Eh, tell them I'm on my way in.

It's Paul.

He'll just be a minute.

I hate this so much.

You know, I'm just old enough to be flattered by the term "early retirement."

That's wonderful.

What a lovely line.

Now, if there's anything I can do for you -

Well, I certainly hope you'll die soon.

Tom.

This is a severe cutback, Tom.

Twenty-seven people in this bureau alone...

including technical personnel.

We're going to reorganize at the same time.

We're going to drop you out of Washington and assign you to London.

You knew they were gonna offer me this before I ever went in there.

It's kind of, uh, surreal, isn't it?

I can't stand this! This is not -

We care for each other too much to be dishonest, so let me tell you the simple truth.

I'm leaving.

No matter who they replace me with here, they were gonna make me leave anyway.

The fact that it's you takes some of the sting out of it.

Let's get drunk!

And I don't think you're any better than I am.

Goddamn. No, I'm not.

And it's right now so that we don't get crazy.

Are you out of your mind?

Please. I'll come with you.

Have you guys seen Jane?

She's back there... getting my job.

The first woman bureau chief we've ever had here.

Hmm?

What did they do with you?

They booted me out of Washington.

- Hmm? - Impossible.

There isn't a system in the world that wouldn't value one of us.

Why? What'd they do to you?

It's what he did. I'm proud of him.

They told me they'd keep me...

'cause they could plug me into any story and my salary was in line.

The cost-efficient reporter.

So I quit.

Jane, I gotta tell you something.

Yeah?

Except for socially, you're my role model.

- Yeah. - There's just so much I want to say to you.

I don't know how.

We're gonna get 'em back.

Oh, Donny!

- You packing up tonight? - Mm-hmm.

I'm sorry they're sending you down, but I'm sure you'll make it back.

- Where are they sending you anyway? - London.

- London? - Yeah.

- That's a promotion. - I don't think so.

Yes! That's where they sent Rorish, for God's sake, before they made him anchor!

I can't believe you!

They're grooming you for it all! You don't even know it!

Keep it down, will you.

Hey, let me ask you something.

You only had one camera crew on that date rape piece, right?

- Yeah. - Mmm.

- You sticking around for the farewell party? - No.

I don't know how much fun it's gonna be to watch Martin Klein and Ernie...

turn in their credentials to the security guard.

Hi, Hank. Can I speak with my wife?

No message. I'll, uh - I'll see her at home.

Okay, bye-bye.

This is one story they're not gonna cover.

Course, if the network doesn't cover it it must not be important.

So why worry about it, right?

I'm going to miss you.

You're a prick, in a great way.

You know what I mean.

No, I liked the way it made me sound.

Okay.

Be good.

See ya.

We'll figure out who's hiring. Okay?

I don't see how anybody knows what they're doing here now.

- It's not fair, Donny. - Thank you, Jane.

- Bye, sweetie. - Good luck.

Oh! Sorry.

I keep telling myself it's just a job, but -

- Oh, Donny. - What I always wanted to tell you is that -

Jane, Martha'd like to see you, if you get a chance.

Okay.

This is the third cutback in four years.

These people.

It's all so awful.

It just hurts.

Physically. Doesn't it?

Like something's wrong with your bones?

Like your...

organs are shifting inside your body.

Maybe I haven't been here long enough.

Hey, congratulations on the promotion.

Congratulations? How can you say that... to me?

I'm sorry I can't stand here feeling bad because I don't feel worse.

This has happened at every station I've ever been to.

Do they owe you any time off?

Fourteen weeks.

I think it's crazy for you to come in here tomorrow morning and start a new job.

I have a week before I have to get to my new j -

Let's get the hell away to some island, fast, and - and -

and find out how we are together away from this.

Well...

I just think...

that's an extr - extraordinary proposal.

That's "yes"?

That's more than "yes."

That's "You bet!"

Hello?

Bastard! Sneak! Quitter!

- Speaking. - I just found out.

You didn't say anything to me. You just resigned.

- Will you meet me now? - Oh, no, I can't.

- Maybe next week. I got - - No!

I'm going away tomorrow. Please.

All right, I'll meet you at the place near the thing where we went that time.

Okay, I'll meet you there.

Anyway, my agent says he has a very hot prospect - the number two station in Portland.

The general manager there says he wants to be every bit as good as the networks.

Personally, I think he should aim higher.

Tell me the God's honest truth.

Are you leaving because of me? Because if you are -

Ernie said you're lucky if you can get out while you can still cry.

Which means I should have quit this place three years ago.

You're just trying to say all great stuff...

so I'll feel even worse that you're not around.

Let's go.

I just wanna s-s-sit here f -

I mean, the feeling to stay here...

is powerful.

Why is that?

Maybe the best part of your life is over and you don't wanna get up and start the bad part.

You are now required to sit here with me.

Come on.

Be smart for a second. What do you...

think will happen to us?

What will happen?

Okay, that's very easy.

Five, six years from now I'll be back in town to collect an award...

representing the surge in foreign coverage by local stations.

What will they call the award?

The Euchy.

Yes.

Anyway, I'll be walking along with my wife and my two lovely children...

and we'll bump into you...

and my youngest son will say something and I will tell him...

it's not nice to make fun of single, fat ladies.

You won't be able to stay mad at me, right?

I hope so.

No, I'm not really mad.

I'll miss you. We'll talk. We'll always be friends.

We'll get hot for each other every few years at dinner, and we'll never act on it.

Okay?

I gotta go.

Jane?

Do you know how Tom had tears in his eyes in that interview he did with that girl?

Ask yourself how we were able to see that when he only had one camera...

and it was pointed at the girl during the entire interview.

I'm fairly sure I was right to tell you.

It was just -

This whole thing has just messed me up.

Maybe more than it should have.

Can you - I'm sorry.

Uh -

Are you okay?

Yes. I'm sorry.

Don't be silly. What are you sorry about?

The way you were looking at me, I just went.

We just need a -

Okay, we just need a minute more of your time...

uh, so he can shoot from behind you...

- Uh-huh. - toward me, and, uh -

That way we have someplace to go when we cut.

I sit here, I nod my head and I look nerdy.

Okay.

Tom, it kills me we didn't get you on camera.

So powerful seeing your reaction.

- Really? - It was.

For a second there I thought you were gonna cry yourself.

That would have been something.

Give me a minute.

Fuckin' -

Oh, that's amazing.

Pardon me, miss. Could you tell me where we could catch a bus to Washington?

- Turn right. - Thank you very much.

See? I told you we'd didn't have to take a taxi.

Look who's the organized one.

- I got everything. - I'm not going.

Why?

I saw the - the taped outtakes of the interview with the girl.

I know you...

acted your reaction after the interview.

I thought since I almost did it the first time, but -

But I get you.

That's not the reason you're not coming.

Of course it's the reason. It's terrible what you did.

We disagree on how god-awful it was.

Why don't you come with me, we'll disagree, and we'll get a tan at the same time.

Jesus, if you're gonna be glib about this, I'm gonna lose it!

Jane, keep it down. Jane.

- I was - I was up all night and - - Jane.

It made me ill.

That's better.

- You could get fired for things like that. - I got promoted for things like that.

Working up tears for a news piece cutaway?

You totally crossed the line between what is ethical and what is garbage!

It's hard not to cross it. They keep moving the little sucker, don't they?

It -

- It just proves that the differences we - - This is a one-way argument.

We have six days.

If you go and we fight and we hate it, we'll come home.

If you don't go, that's a much bigger deal. I leave for London right after that.

So it'd be a very big deal if you'd... s-stay -

The plane is boarding. You're good at deadlines. Here's your ticket.

It's amazing.

You commit this incredible breach of ethics, and then you act as if I'm n -

I'm giving you a hard time about nothing.

Try and get this. When you edited that piece -

I'm leaving now.

Gate E-2.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Dupont Circle, please.

Don't take the Beltway, because at this time of day there's gonna be a -

Go any way you want.

But New York Avenue's faster.

When they told me Bill had decided to retire...

and offered me the evening news...

I thought it was the same kind of joke we used to pull at the station...

turning someone's prompter off in the middle of a show.

But when they heard my reaction they thought I was kidding.

I told them I'd be their anchor, but I didn't want to be the managing editor...

that there were people better qualified than I to control the content...

and if there weren't, we were all in trouble.

And now to something more important.

I'd like to introduce my fiancée.

Lila?

- Oh! Aaron. - Congratulations.

Aaron. Wh - Lila. Li -

- Lila, this is Aaron Altman. - Hi.

- Oh, yeah. - Look at this kid.

He couldn't possibly belong to anyone else.

- What's your name? - Clifford.

- Clifford. - Hey, Cliff.

Do you know who this is?

The big joke?

- Ohh! - Ooh.

I don't know where -

- You know, Jane's down here. - No.

- I'm taking Cliff over to see her. - Can I come along?

Yeah!

Um, um, I'll meet you back at the place? Is that okay?

- Yes. - You'll be okay.

- Come on. - No!

We'll see Jane now, we'll call Mommy later.

- The speech was magnificent. - Thanks.

- Oh, I forgot to say something about the speech. - I appreciate it.

- Tom, we are proud of you. - Thanks.

Hey, guys! Come over here!

Hey.

Hey!

Hey, what is this? My life is rushing in front of my eyes!

Clifford, come on over here! I wanna show you something!

Clifford!

Clifford, come on! I wanna show you something.

Picnic?

Well, I thought for ol' Cliff here. But who knew about this?

It'll be great though.

- So, what, did you get in last night? - Yeah.

Extreme culture shock.

You are more adorable than your pictures.

Look at you.

Look what I got for you, Cliff.

- Whoo! - Whoa!

- Whoo! - Right there.

That's terrific! Let me see it. Come here.

Are you any closer to a decision?

I think so.

Aaron, they've been talking to me about being, uh, managing editor.

Really? Whoo!

I'm... gonna take it.

- Oh, that is - - Jane, what a job.

A great surprise. I didn't think we had a chance.

They told me you wanted to stay in Washington.

Well...

there's a guy.

But, um, he says he'll fly up a lot.

Hmm. Well, we should talk.

Do you have time for dinner? I'd like you to meet Lila.

I'm sorry, but I was really looking forward to that.

I'm gonna go back in a few hours.

Well -

It's so good to see you.

- It's nice to see you. - Hey.

Congratulations on history's longest winning streak.

Yeah, if you ever get restless in Portland, let me know.

Why?

Okay.

Bye, boss.

- Hey, Cliff. - Where are you going?

Cliff!

- Go back to your father. - Come on, Cliff.

Come on.

Daddy.

- So, who's the guy? - Oh, well, we met about, uh -

three months ago.

Uh, he works at the surgeon general's office.

He loves boating...

so he's been getting me into water skiing.

I like it!

So, doll, what about you lately?

Well, uh...

- my wife got this new job. - Great.

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

It starts off with this very high-tech "syntho-sequency" type thing.

- Like this - - ♪♪

- That's the news. - ♪♪

And the strings take the melody.

♪♪

Al does the countermelody.

Big finish!

♪ Bah, bah, da, da ♪♪