All language subtitles for Palm.Royale.S01E01.ATVP.WEB-DL.DDP5.1.Atmos.H.264-FLUX.en[cc]

[narrator] It's all a blur.

A hazy, crazy blur.

[person] Try, Maxine.

[Maxine] All I do is try.

All I ever wanted was to belong.

To be a somebody in this world.

But there's a catch
when a woman wants to be a somebody.

And that catch is everyone else.

["Why Don't You Do Right" playing]

[Maxine]
It was the beginning of the season.

Those heady months,
when the wealthiest descend on Palm Beach

to mix and mingle like crabs in a barrel.

Question is, which crab bit me?

Was it...

Evelyn Rollins,

the self-appointed Queen Bee,

and stalwart adversary
in the fight against pediatric cancer?

Her advocacy made her a superstar.

Volunteer of the Year nine years in a row.

- I am one humbled volunteer.
- [audience applauding]

[Maxine] Or was it Dinah Donahue?

The ambassador's wife.

Have a good day.

See you at the club.

[Maxine]
She was poised to dethrone Ms. Evelyn...

if her libido
didn't get the better of her.

It could've been any one of the ladies
in The Shiny Sheet.

The widow, who was as fizzy and dizzy
as a glass of champagne.

Or the sugar heiress
with thirty million to spare.

And a mobster husband.

[groans]

There's an old saw here that goes:
When you first come to Palm Beach,

you think you're the oldest
and the richest,

and then you realize you're
the youngest and the poorest.

I had only been in Palm Beach two weeks.

But I already knew the Palm Royale,
the most exclusive club in the world,

was where I belonged.

Crabs be damned.

- [server] Your Grasshopper.
- Oh.

You found the crème de cacao after all.

We sent someone out for it.

Well, that is what I call
"going above and beyond." [chuckles]

- [chuckles]
- Oh, oh. Wait.

Don't you need me to, uh, sign for it?

Excuse me?

- Did I spill? [chuckles]
- In a manner.

[Dinah] You're not going to believe this.

Perry said the women stormed
into the Oak Room,

demanded a table, said it was their right.

- It's a men's only lunch.
- [Evelyn] Mmm.

- I'm all for segregation of the sexes.
- [Raquel scoffs]

Private spaces
for our private faces, I say.

[Dinah] If this is
the state of the feminine world in 1969,

- can you imagine what 1970 will bring?
- [sighs]

- Communists.
- [gasps]

Ladies, a country can fall.
No thing of beauty is safe.

- [Raquel scoffs]
- No thing of beauty is safe.

Palm Beach is
the last American sanctuary, ladies.

It goes to hell, I'm fleeing to Capri,
and this country can lose my number.

- [members chuckle]
- [chuckles]

I long for a kinder, gentler time,

when a woman's capacity
to humiliate herself wasn't so bottomless.

So true.

Mrs. Nixon weighed in,
said women already have equal rights.

They simply need to choose
to exercise them.

- Hmm.
- Exactly. Did you know she was a teacher?

- [Evelyn sighs]
- Yeah, Pat Nixon,

before becoming First Lady. A teacher.

Fascinating.

She lifted herself up from that lowly
station all the way to the White House.

[inhales sharply] I marvel, Mrs. Rollins.

You know my name.

Of course I do. You're in The Shiny Sheet.

[inhales deeply] All y'all are.

Read about you every day.
You're family to me.

- Mrs. Davidsoul.
- Oh.

[inhales sharply] Mrs. Donahue.

Mrs. Kimberly-Marco.

- We don't know you.
- I'm Maxine Simmons. Charmed.

- I'm not interrupting, am I?
- Actually...

I loved what you said about the death
of gentility. I mourn. I mean, I mourn.

- We certainly live in opportunistic times.
- Mmm.

Hear, hear.

Now, where were we?

Ladies, let's raise a glass to the feting
of our dear Dinah.

[Mary] Oh.

[Evelyn clears throat]

- Pleasure.
- [Evelyn] Mm-hmm.

To the volunteer of the year,

our very best friend
and pediatric cancer's worst enemy.

Don't make me blush, Evelyn.

- [Evelyn chuckles]
- Oh, who's doing your gown for the ball?

- Grayman for Ceil Chapman, as one does.
- Mm-hmm.

But it isn't about the gown or the party.
It's not my night.

- It's cancer's night.
- [Evelyn] Mmm.

[Mary] Yes.

To be honest,
I really thought it was going

to be Evelyn's year...
[clicks tongue] ...again. [chuckles]

- We all did.
- I may not be volunteer of the year...

[inhales sharply] ...but that only opens up
my calendar to rise to a higher station.

- [Dinah] Oh, yeah.
- [Evelyn chuckling]

- [Dinah] Who needs a top up?
- [Evelyn] Darling you know I do.

- [club ambassador clears throat]
- Oh. Oh, well, thank you. [chuckles]

Do you mind if I just finish my drink?

This kind sir went through quite an ordeal
commandeering the crème de cacao.

[clicks tongue] I will allow you
your dignity another four seconds,

or that kind sir
will drag you out by your toenails.

He's a veteran of Korea. He can do things.

Thank you for your service, soldier.

[club ambassador]
How did you get past security?

I came in the back.

There are no doors
in the back of the Palm Royale.

I never said I used the door.

- I used the wall.
- Most athletic.

My athleticism is just
one of my many positive attributes

that would make me a wonderful addition

to the roster of members here
at the Palm Royale.

You will never be
a member of the Palm Royale.

[inhales deeply]
It's a high bar, I know. [chuckles]

But one I could surely reach,
just given the chance.

As you know,
to even start the membership process,

I need another member to nominate me.

And how can I get that if I can't get
to know anybody? [breathing deeply]

I'm just a really nice person,

new to Palm Beach, looking to make
a friend or two. [chuckles]

The Palm Royale represents safety
in a rapidly changing world,

embodying that which is sacred.

Refined companionship,
sanctity and a deep heart conviction

that beauty is not dead. [chuckles]

- [clears throat]
- Okay. Stand up.

Robert will take your picture.

[breathes heavily]
You will not regret this.

- [Robert] Come on.
- I promise. Oh! Thank you!

- Come on, let's do this.
- Thank you! Here? Okay.

Oh, my gosh. [chuckles]
This is so exciting. [sniffs] Okay.

No, no. Wait. No. How about this?

[Maxine] Oh, it's the Grand Ballroom.

So much bigger than it is in pictures.

Why, on this very dance floor,

Marjorie Merriweather Post refused
the advances of one Joseph Kennedy...

- Wow.
- ...father to the deceased president.

- [chuckles]
- Incredible. Hey, hey.

- This way, please.
- Oh... It smells good.

- Someone making a graham cracker crust?
- [scoffs] Sourdough.

[chuckles] Top of the morning, pals.

[sniffs] Mmm. Oh. All right.
Well, okay. Until next time.

- Hope not.
- Well, Robert, I hardly knew you.

[chuckles]

[Maxine] Ever since my pageant days,

I've maintained a posture
of relentless positivity.

When I was doing pageants,

the other contestants would
always underestimate me.

The same seemed true
for the entire isle of Palm Beach.

The ladies who ruled it all vying
for a shot at being one thing:

queen of the season.

But soon they'd love me.

Soon these old money mavens
would see my value

and affirm what I've always known...

that I belong.

One simply must trust that the path
to personal glory will reveal itself

if one remains resolutely sunny.

[grunts]

[grunting]

I'm so glad we're the same size, Norma.
This one was a real hit.

Oh. Hydrangea print maxi, dare I?

Dare I do.

Ooh. [exhales deeply]
These are some impressive baubles, Norma!

Purses.

Mmm. Gucci croc clutch.
Should I? Yes, I should.

- [door lock clicks]
- [door closes]

[sighs] You are too good to me, Norma.

I'll have these back by tomorrow.
It's a scorcher out there.

The weather lady said you could take
an egg and actually fry it on the asphalt.

I might just try it.

Okay.

[sighs]

[sighs] I'm gonna make you so proud.

You get some rest. Okay.

[monitor beeps]

[people chattering]

[Maxine] True, at the present moment,

I found myself in less than
stellar accommodations.

But this was merely
a temporary base of operations

until I stepped into my destiny.

[Richard Nixon] ... urgent problem:
the war in Vietnam.

- [panting]
- [trampoline creaking]

[Nixon]
Since I took office four months ago,

nothing has taken so much of my time

and energy as the search for a way
to bring lasting peace to Vietnam.

[pants]

I know that some believe that

I should have ended the war
immediately after the inauguration.

[gargling]

- [Nixon] I want to end it.
- [spits]

[Nixon] The American people...

I have tried to present the facts
about Vietnam with complete honesty,

and I shall continue to do so
in my reports to the American people.

- [Maxine clears throat]
- [pedestrian] Oh, thank you.

Oh. Hiya! Have a moment for your sex?

Pardon and excuse me.

Well, maybe you've heard,

monumental change is in the air,
and you're a part of it.

I'm Linda Shaw.

Maxine.

- Maxine.
- Mmm.

Yeah, you are.

I'm, um, part of a group of women

dedicated to raising the collective
consciousness of the global sisterhood.

- I love that. But listen, Linda...
- Yeah.

...I do have a nail appointment.

I would love a couple minutes
of your time to ask you about yourself.

- About me?
- Yeah.

Oh. Well, fire away.

Do you work, Maxine?

- Oh, God, no.
- You want to work?

God, no.

Studies have shown
that women who stay at home

display feelings of agitation and sadness.

Hiding their anxiety
and their despair behind a smile,

when, frankly, they're dying inside.

I'm not dying inside.

You've heard of the problem
that has no name?

Since it has no name, no.

Betty Friedan coined it.

Unhappy women have been immersing
themselves with the idea

that they're not supposed to
have any ambition outside their own home.

Here. It's an invitation
to our Thursday circle.

You should come.

"Our Bodies, Our Shelves."

It's a bookstore. Safe space dedicated
to lifting the underserved.

The woman, the woman of color,
the native woman,

and all types of sexualities.

[sighs] I do appreciate your spiel.

It's just...
We're heading into charity season,

and my time is simply not my own.

Maxine!

Are you not aware that all women are
fighting for their very right to exist?

Honestly, I think you're being a little
dramatic and kind of presumptuous.

[inhales sharply] You look well-fed,
and I mean that in a... in a nice way.

You're clearly educated.
Plus, you're an American.

Do you want to know what I see
when I look at you, Linda?

I see a vibrant woman

whose only limitation is
a lack of imagination for herself.

But I do hope
you have a fabulous party, truly.

What color does one wear
when being feted for volunteerism?

When the entire town
is raising its glass to you.

What color is the dress?

Oh, no dress yet.
Just musing aloud, Mitzi.

Lots of ladies are digging Zimbalist pink.
For a pink, it's really a neutral.

I love that. Let's try it.
[inhales sharply]

Did you see The Shiny Sheet this morning?

It said, "Evelyn Rollins poised to rule
the town despite setback."

I'm not a reader.

Mitzi, I'm disappointed. Don't you want
to grow up someday and not work?

I'm gonna model. Been studying
all my free Saturdays at The Barbizon.

- Mmm.
- [chuckles]

Well, just don't take on too much debt
with your education.

[sighs]

Okay, tell me you don't love me.

Why, it's the feted volunteer
at a Cuban restaurant.

What in the H
is Dinah Donahue doing in West Palm Beach?

What do you think they're talking about?

Oh, that has all the markings
of a lovers' quarrel.

[Mitzi] How do you know?

[Maxine] See the way
he knocked over that chair?

That is passion for you
if I've ever seen it.

[sighs]

There he goes, storming off.
[sighs] Oh, this isn't good.

- Mmm. Oh.
- Oh, look at her. She's crushed.

Oh, now she's slumping over her car.

Mitzi, it's an opening in the path
to personal glory.

[sighs]

[Maxine] Poor Dinah was distraught.

I couldn't very well just sidle up
on her like a perfect stranger.

- Sure, she was in pain.
- [sobs]

[Maxine] But if I confronted
her vulnerability publicly,

she'd never let me into her confidence.

- It had to be done very carefully.
- [grunts]

[Maxine] The introduction, discreet.

- [tires squeal]
- [horn honks]

[sobbing]

- [horn honks]
- [tires squeal]

[tires screech]

- [screams]
- [grunts]

- [screams] Oh! Oh, God!
- [groans]

[breathing shakily]
Oh! Oh, my God! Oh, my Lord! Oh, my...

- Are you all right? This is all my fault.
- [sighs]

- No, I... I... I'm fine.
- [gasps]

Uh, it's... it's... it's...
it's just a scratch.

A scratch? I convexed your bumper.

- [sighs]
- You must allow me to pay for the damage.

Oh, no, please, I couldn't accept that.

We've met before, yes?
Mrs. Simmons, was it?

It was... [stammers] ...is. Um, well, yes.

Please, I'd feel much better

- if you'd take some...
- Please, no.

How about just buy me lunch instead?

- [gasps] Your forehead, it's hemorrhaging.
- What?

- We must hail an ambulance.
- Oh, no, please.

I-I don't want to cause any attention.

Maybe you could, uh, just drive me
to the emergency room?

I will do you one better, and I will take
you to my personal physician.

If you insist.

It's amazing that you could get me
in here so fast. I really appreciate it.

It is the least, honestly. Dr. Prescott is
on the pediatric cancer board with me.

Our families have known each other

- going back some 75 years.
- Oh.

My grandmother
is his mother's second cousin removed.

That is quite a connection.

Do you have family, Maxine?

Yes, my husband.

- Hmm.
- He's a pilot.

A well-decorated airman,
very well-known in pilot circles.

And he's the only scion
of a plastics and mouthwash fortune.

Plastics and mouthwash?

- Mm-hmm.
- Huh.

Well, there's only one family
in both plastics and mouthwash.

Hmm.

Is he a Dellacorte?

[chuckles] Yes. Yes, he is.

Should have led with that.

Well, I'm new to Palm Beach.

- Gathered.
- I didn't want to come off tacky.

Well, I've only been here myself
going on three seasons.

And look at how far you've come.
Feted in year three.

[sighs] It's been a hasty rise. [chuckles]

Wow. [chuckles]

What do you say, after this,
you and I go grab a couple of Cobb salads?

I-I would love to bend your ear
about potentially joining the club.

Maxine, may I be honest? I feel terrible
for the position I've put you in.

[inhales deeply] But I fear a friendship
between us simply won't be in the cards.

- Why not?
- It wouldn't be the thing, that's all.

It's lonely being the new girl, Dinah.
You should know that.

If I were to sponsor you,
the initiation fee is $30,000,

with another 500 in monthlies.

Be honest,
do you have that kind of money, Maxine?

- Gee... [chuckles] ...I'm a wee insulted.
- [chuckles]

Maxine! Your clutch
is from Gucci's 1960 collection.

It's lovely, certainly quality,
but I'm sad to say it gives you away.

[Dr. Prescott] Dinah!

To what do I owe the pleasure, kiddo?

Hello, Percy! Oh! Maxine here is feeling
off after a minor traffic thumping.

- Oh, let's take a look.
- Aah!

- [sighs]
- So, what happened, sweetie?

Dinah plowed into my Belvedere.

- Dinah?
- [gasps]

- You were involved in this accident?
- She was.

I'm absolutely fine.

After I'm done with Maxine,
I'm giving you a full once-over.

- That won't be necessary. [chuckles]
- [Dr. Prescott] I insist.

[Maxine] I mean, you should listen to him,
Dinah. He's right.

What if there are extenuating
circumstances on your internal organs?

I said no. [chuckles]

I agree with Maxine, Dinah.

- You're here. Let's be on the safe side.
- I don't want to be examined. [chuckles]

- I'll give you a sedative.
- Oh.

I don't want a sedative.
I would like to leave, please.

Maxine, would you hurry
the fuck up. Please!

Dinah, you're hysterical.
N-Now, I insist you take a sedative.

I'll take care of this. It's nothing
a little girl talk can't fix. Okay.

You okay in there?

[Dinah sobbing]

[sighs] Dinah? Honey, he's your doctor.

You said he's family.
Why won't you let him take a look at you?

I have a feeling this outburst

doesn't have anything to do
with the accident, does it?

[Dinah] No.

- [sighs] I'm an amazing listener.
- [Dinah sniffles]

- That's very kind, but...
- No, but listen... Dinah, Dinah,

I don't know any of the people
that you know.

So, if you have something
to get off your chest, well, I'm your gal.

[Dinah breathing heavily]

Let me in.

[Dinah whimpering]

[breathes shakily]

Oh, baby girl, it's okay.

You just tell me everything.

[Dinah sniffles, whimpers]

Don't leave anything out.

I can't have it, of course.

Well, just pass it off as your husband's.

[sighs] That's what my friend Krissy
back in Atlanta did.

It might come out the wrong color
for that particular ruse.

Oh.

There's a doctor in San Juan
who takes care of these things.

My friend, Heather Quincy Moneypenny,
has availed herself of him multiple times.

But... [sighs] ...both his discretion
and forceps are questionable.

Well, still... [pants] There's your answer.

I can't just disappear.

Perry arrives for the season on Friday,

the ball is Saturday,
and then there'll be no getting away.

- [mouthing words] Oh, right. [pants]
- [sighs]

[Maxine] Oh, look, I don't mean to push,
but there's another option.

Have it. Go with your Cuban. You love him.

He's the tennis pro at the club, Maxine.
[scoffs]

It's romantic. [sighs]

Romance.
Here's what I've known of romance.

My first husband was a real rake.

- Oh.
- His hefty trust fund

fanned the flames of his incorrigibility.

And when I committed the unforgivable sin
of turning thirty...

- Oh.
- ...he found another.

And I ended up with a Park Avenue
floor-through and a hefty settlement.

And now, here I am with Perry.

[sighs]

- And six months north of 40.
- [chuckles]

And one of these years, soon, I predict...

he will move on.

I will be traded in for some gamine widow

who's lost her husband in a "tragic
sailing accident." [chuckles]

And when that happens,

the Palm Beach estate and my jewelry
collection will... [inhales deeply]

...keep me company. [chuckles]

Until some old codger
in oil decides that he's lonely,

and that I won't embarrass him at parties.

I'm at peace with the knowledge
that my marriage will fail,

but I could never initiate its demise.

I would lose everything if I did.

[inhales deeply] So you see,
only the poor can afford to know romance.

[inhales deeply]
Well, that's certainly true for me.

I mean, I don't mean to
suggest that I'm poor.

- [chuckles]
- I'm rich in love.

I believe in love above all else.

Love is a lie.

- No, it isn't.
- It is.

- It isn't.
- It is.

- It isn't.
- [door opens]

- I should get you home.
- [door closes]

No! No, you've done
too much already, please.

There's no need to be proud with me,
Maxine. I do hope we're past that.

[gasps]

You live here?

Oh, only until the house is ready.

Ah, well.

- Thank you, Maxine, for everything today.
- [sighs]

Maybe we can do it again tomorrow.

Get into a car accident.

Tell a perfect stranger
all my secrets. [chuckles]

Break a man's heart.
I can't say I want to do any of it again.

I guess I meant the friendship part.

I'm new in town and I'm so, so lonely.

You're very good at making things awkward.
You must work on that.

I didn't mean to say anything
to make you uncomfortable.

And yet, here we are. [chuckles]

Yes.

[sighs]

I can find you something closer that works
with your deadline.

You would do that for me?

Dinah, I'm very resourceful.
And oh-so discreet.

[shakers rattling]

Simone de Beauvoir wrote
in The Second Sex,

"One is not born,
but rather becomes woman."

Linda and I have discovered
three cultural notions of femininity.

Woman as inferior.

She is not worthy of equal pay
because she's lesser than.

Burned alive.

Woman as passive.

She leaves the politics to her husband and
can't be bothered getting off the couch.

Beheaded.

Woman as a beautiful object.

She is the locus of desire,
a body to be plundered.

She self-destructs.

Let's take a moment.
Stay in this with open-eyed silence.

Look at a partner. Don't be afraid to cry.

[door opens, bell dings]

- [Linda] Give in, right. Give in.
- Linda.

Oh, Maxine. Hi, I'm... I'm s...
I'm glad you came.

Listen. Listen, we have a sister in need.

- Okay, um, we're just in...
- [gasps]

What a beautiful tablescape. [chuckles]

That's our Linda.

Hmm.

[whispering]
We're in the middle of a ritual,

and we're communicating
through the eyes, so...

My friend needs an abortion.

- Help us, Lord.
- [gasps]

[monitor beeping]

[Maxine] I made a friend, Norma,
an honest-to-goodness friend.

She's a member of the social set.
An honoree at that.

Can you believe it? [sighs]

I know it sounds so crass
when I say it out loud.

But I know that you know
I have a vast amount of love in my life,

a vast amount. [sighs]

Just hanging on gets harder
as the years pass.

I'm trying to do it with a smile, Norma,
I really am. [sighs] I'm just tired.

Stop it, Maxine!
Pity is for the pitiful! [huffs]

[sighs] Oh, Norma!

[sighs] Why don't you have anything
from this decade? [sighs]

[sighs]

I wish we were the same shoe size. [sighs]

[sighs]

You really are hanging in there,
aren't you, Norma?

[chuckles] Honestly,
you are an inspiration.

I am the only one that ever visits you,
you know.

[grunts] See you tomorrow.

[Evelyn] Make sure it's taken care of.

[Nurse] Yes, ma'am.

- [Evelyn] I'll be back tomorrow.
- [door closes]

[Maxine] She had no idea anyone had eyes
on her.

She looked so, I don't know...

human.

Stolen?

They won't be missed.

Are they stolen?

Uh, the family
is really struggling right now.

So I think they'll part with them
for the right price.

I'll give you 20 for the lot.

Twenty dollars?

[grunts] 20,000.
Are there more where these came from?

There's a lot of struggling in the family
at this moment.

[server] There you are ma'am.

Thank you.

[all gasp]

Oh! Oh, heaven must be missing an angel.

- Oh! Dinah! [chuckles]
- Oh.

Grayman. [sighs]
Have any of the other ladies been in?

They have. But you are the honoree.
I wouldn't let you recede.

What is Evelyn wearing?

Sleeves.

[laughs]

[Grayman chuckling]

You're terrible, Grayman.
Evelyn's doing her best to keep up.

Well, she's slipping.

Mmm. Her husband has had her
on a real roller coaster,

in and out of hospice all these years.

[Grayman] Oh, yes.
He's simply on his last leg.

Opportunities for ascension
left and right.

Grayman. She said she had her sights set
on something higher.

The only thing higher
than pediatric cancer is the Beach Ball,

and we all know
that's not happening this year.

The end of an era.

It's just so sad, isn't it?

[Dinah] Hmm.

I hate to be the one to rush this along,

but we have to go
meet a friend for... for tea.

Yes, yes.

Grayman, I'll send someone
for it on Thursday?

- It will be ready.
- Whoo!

[Dinah, Grayman chuckle]

[Maxine] Bye, Grayman.

[sighs] I appreciate you
not saying anything in front of Grayman.

He's a gossip of the worst sort.
But my word, can he drape.

We all have our place.

Yes.

Maxine, I do love Eddie.

Understand? I can't have his child.

Of course you can't.

And he can never know about this.
It would kill him.

He won't. Don't worry.

Do you read The Shiny Sheet?

- No.
- You should.

Well, the women in those pages
have no identity, no worth, no impact.

Those women are a credit to their sex.

They're raising great money for
good causes, and look good while doing it.

Forgive my language,

but I don't concern myself
with the shenanigans of vapid poons.

Linda didn't want to come?

Linda finds women like your friend...
[inhales deeply] ...very triggering.

Dinah... She'll be okay, won't she?

She'll be fine.

And who are these women anyway?
I didn't even bother to ask.

They're all nurses,
an underground collective.

The doctor lets them use this place
after hours.

It's honestly
the best you can do in Florida,

as clean and as safe
as money can currently buy.

She's a new friend, and I just
wanna make sure she's okay. [chuckles]

Maxine, you're a feminist.

- [laughs]
- [Virginia chuckles]

Me? [laughs]

Which one's gonna look out for her
over the next couple of days?

- It's me.
- A little spotting is normal,

but keep an eye out
for excessive bleeding and fever.

If anything does go wrong,
which it shouldn't, you were never here.

Technically, you're a fugitive, so zip it.

[sighs]

Right on, sister.

No, that'll be a 1,000. Cash.

Dinah didn't pay you?
Honestly, that seems like a lot.

We work on a sliding scale.

You look like you can afford it.

[exhales deeply]
That is so kind. [chuckles]

- [Dinah sighs]
- [chuckles]

[inhales deeply] Aw. [sighs]

[Maxine] Got it?

[inhales sharply, chuckles]

I keep thinking about how beautiful
what could have been, could have been.

But this was right.

Of course.

[gasps] You might be the only true friend
I've ever had.

[chuckles]

[sniffs] Hmm.

[Maxine sighs]

Mmm. You're a real peach, Maxine.

Oh! It's nothing. [breathes heavily]

I... Oh!

Honestly, I feel tip-top,
like none of it ever happened.

[Maxine] Oh?

Hmm. You're good. [chuckles]

Would you mind running to Ceil's
to pick up the gown for Saturday?

I called Grayman. He's expecting you.

Don't you have people for that?

I have you, my pal.

Oh, I'm so glad you feel that way.

[stammers] I don't wanna be uncouth.

But since you're feeling sweller
than expected,

um, I was thinking maybe you would
reconsider sponsoring me. [chuckles]

I'm not gonna sponsor you, Maxine.

I have the money. I do...

Yes, Dellacorte millions.

I never told you how Douglas and I met.

- He of plastics and mouthwash?
- Yeah.

He was a judge
at the Miss Chattanooga pageant.

You don't say.

Anyhoo, I was a finalist. Uh, had already
gone through evening gown, swimsuit,

and now it was time
for the interview portion.

Ugh, this was a category
I usually excelled at.

This time,
the question flat-out stumped me.

"What is your greatest flaw?"

[chuckles] I mean, it's the kind of
question that pageant girls

are supposed to answer
with deprecating humor

while still acknowledging one's appeal.

You know, like, "My sister says I'm too
generous for my own good" or some such.

But I honestly couldn't think of one flaw.

So I said so. [chuckles] I was honest.

I said, "Look, I'm pretty darn happy
with who I am."

And I lost.

I went into interview with high marks,

but because I thought too much of myself
and I refused to lie,

I was destroyed.

Douglas was the only judge
that thought it was a good answer.

He voted with the other judges
against me. But do you want to know why?

Because if I would have won,
I would have gone on to Miss Tennessee,

and then Miss America, and I would
have belonged to the world.

And Douglas wanted me to belong to him.

I have lost the thread here, Maxine.

I'm asking you to help me...

belong.

Why do you want it so badly?

Why do you?

You don't know what it's like
to be a real person, Dinah.

It's scarier than you think.

"Real."

If you take a right out of the drive,
three estates over,

the Dellacorte mansion.
But you knew that, of course.

I... Actually, I did.

And did you know that the owner of
that estate hosts the annual Beach Ball?

I did. Of course I did. [chuckles]

And did you know that there will be no
Beach Ball this year, Maxine?

Because the last Dellacorte is
at death's door.

And I assure you that when she goes,

that will be the end of the Beach Ball
and the end of the Dellacortes.

You are a liar, Maxine.

But you said I was the only true friend
you've ever had.

I never said any such thing.
I'd like you to leave, please.

Now who's the liar?

You are!

Jesus!

[cries]

[sniffs, sighing]

I had hoped to see it on her
one last time,

but I suppose I'm forced to wait for
The Shiny Sheet.

I hope she makes a showing.

- She will.
- [chuckles]

Grayman.

Oh. Hello.

Should Mrs. Donahue call you
if she needs any adjustments?

My clients are free to call me anytime,
day or night.

Mrs. Donahue knows that. [chuckles]

I'm sure she'll be fine.

[clears throat, hums] Why wouldn't she be?

[stammers] I certainly didn't mean to
suggest anything.

But you did.

Grayman, it is so great to know
that Dinah has your support

during these difficult days.

[Grayman] Oh, of course.

[Maxine] And as her friend,
I'm so very reassured by that.

- Hmm.
- Hmm.

[chuckles] Mrs. Rollins is waiting.
You should see to her. I insist.

[Richard Nixon on TV] But as
President of the United States,

I would be untrue to my oath of office
if I allowed the policy of this nation

to be dictated by the minority
who hold that point of view,

and who try to impose it on the nation
by mounting demonstrations in the street.

- [sighs]
- [knocking]

Oh! [mutters, winces] Coming!

Ouch! It's tight. [groans]

Coming!

That's my dress.

Oh. I was just trying it on for size.
I'll take it off.

Why did Grayman and Evelyn Rollins bring
me a basket of cupcakes from Ganache?

Um, I don't follow...

In Palm Beach, Ganache cupcakes
are reserved for the sick.

But you're not sick.

Someone gave them the idea I was.

Ugh, oh! How could I have been so stupid?

Oh, I'm... I'm so sorry.
Did you manage to put them off?

What else did you tell them?

Nothing. Please believe me.

I'm not the kind of woman that would ever
betray another woman. I'm a feminist.

You're a bitch.

I really don't like the way that
you're talking to me right now, Dinah.

I'm not nothing.
I'm a person of tremendous value to you.

[scoffs] Is any part of you real?

What? What is that supposed to mean?

Oh, hi, darling.

Oh. Hi. [chuckles]

Well, ain't you looking snazzy?

[squeals] Just for dinner. [laughs]

How was Arizona?

Arizona was Arizona.

[laughs] Oh! Uh, and this is Dinah,
my new very good friend. [chuckles]

Captain Douglas Dellacorte Simmons.

A pilot?

- [Maxine] Hmm.
- And a Dellacorte?

Uh, why don't you go in there and,
uh, wash your paws?

I'm having some meat loaf sent up.

- Mmm. [chuckles] Yummy.
- [chuckles]

That. That is what I hope for you.
Real love.

I know how much your station means to you,
the financial value of your marriage.

[sighs] And I don't want
to make this awkward, Dinah.

I want to be a good friend to you.

Honestly, you're just making it
really hard for me.

$30,000.

Welcome to the club, Mrs. Simmons.

Mrs. Dellacorte.

I just want you to know
how happy I am to be here

and that Dinah would vouch
for my character.

Your Grasshopper.

Thank you, soldier.

Didn't think I could do it, did you?

I'll be at the bar
if you need anything else.

Robert? Don't underestimate a Dellacorte.

- I would never.
- Hmm.

How long do you think she'll last?

She's toast.

[Maxine] Told you I'd make you proud.

I did it.

I really did it! [chuckles]

[squeals]

[people applauding]

- Could you hold this? Thank you.
- Sure.

She's positively glowing.

I share this with
the good women of Palm Beach,

who know better than anyone
that charity does indeed begin at home.

[people applauding]

[waltz music playing]

- [laughs] You were born for this.
- Ah.

Aw, thanks, babe.

[chuckles, squeals] Whoo!
[chuckles, gasps]

Douglas. I couldn't be
more surprised to see you.

- [chuckles, breathing sharply]
- Evelyn, it's been too long.

Yes, it has.

[stammers] Evelyn,
this is my wife, Maxine.

- Hi.
- I believe we met last week.

You didn't tell me who you were, darling.
You should have.

You know now. [chuckles]

[chuckles]

Be a love, Douglas.
Fetch we girls some champers.

- Of course.
- [chuckles]

You two, behave.

[Evelyn chuckles] You too. [chuckles]

[laughs]

[chuckles] He was always
such a lovely boy.

[chuckles] Yeah.

[chuckles] Lovely and, um, wayward.

[sighs] It's positively
such a beautiful night. [chuckles]

- Isn't it?
- Hmm.

Dinah looked absolutely smashing,
didn't she?

You know, in the end, I suppose it was
right that they honored her instead of me.

She certainly is the more charitable of
the two of us.

But of course, you already know that.

Excuse me?

She sponsored you. And I would never,
ever, after what you did.

[chuckles] I didn't do anything to Dinah.

Not Dinah, Norma.

You don't think I know what's going on?

Douglas was the apple of her eye.
She had such high hopes for him.

Instead, he was tricked by
an also-ran pageant queen.

You don't belong here.

[gasps]

[person] What happened, Maxine?

[Maxine] I have no memory
of the incident in question.

And that either makes everyone else liars...

or...

[gunshot]

...I snapped.