All language subtitles for Rent-a-Groom 2023

[♪♪]

[♪♪]

[wind blowing]

[birds chirping in distance]

- [sighs]
- [indistinct chatter]

MAGGIE: Isn't it magical?

[chuckles]

Sure, Grama.

Though I can't tell
if the bride's wearing

little glass slippers or not.

I bet they were high
school sweethearts.

He proposed to her on
a vacation in Paris.

The engagement ring rolled
up in a pair of his socks.

She's gonna jump off that cake,

and ride off on a
pumpkin any minute.

[chuckles]

WAITER: Oh. Hmm.

I've always loved this place.

They do such wonderful
little weddings here.

I remember when your
dad married your mom.

He was so nervous.

I had to tie his
bow tie for him.

[chuckles]

I guess that's one good thing

about having a bum
ticker at my age.

I'll be seeing them both soon.

Grams, please don't
talk like that.

Allan does take good care of me.

He's probably back home,

mixing up my dinner hour
medicinal cocktail right now.

That should buy me
a few more hours.

Save the dramatics
for your readers.

I'd always imagined I'd
keel over at my typewriter.

You still have a typewriter?

Still, it isn't how you die.

- It's how you live.
- Hmm.

MAGGIE: I'm proud
of my writing.

I'm glad I was able to bring
some happiness to some people.

Even if were a little corny.

Hey.

You are still
Barmont publishing's

number one author.

And I'm most thankful for that.

But I'm most proud
of my granddaughter.

Honey.

I know it hasn't
always been easy

living with a substitute
mom who spent more time with

imaginary heiresses
and farm hands,

and less time at school
plays and birthday parties.

With Mom and Dad gone,
you had to be a mom twice.

Still.

[indistinct chattering]

There is one thing I'd
like to see before I go.

Okay, Grams. Come on.

We are not having the marriage
discussion again, are we?

It isn't about marriage.

It's about your happiness.

Whether you're married or not,

I just wanna leave knowing
that you're with someone.

I don't want to have
this conversation.

Not now.

You can't plot out my life like
one of your stories, Grama.

[gasps, groans]

Grams. Grama!

- Are you okay?
- [groans]

- Pills.
- Pills!

[groans]

- TRACEY: Here, here!
- [groans]

I just want you to be happy.

Grams, I'm happy!
Take your pill.

With someone.

I... I... I am. I have.

Please. Your pill.

[whimpers]

I'm engaged.

[gasps]

- MAGGIE: Really?
- I was gonna surprise you today.

I'm engaged.

Does he make you happy?

Yes, so happy.

Mrs. Westmoreland. Is
everything all right?

I think so.

Grams?

I think I'll just get her home.

[♪♪]

I'm so sorry. I should
have been there.

No, no, no, no, Allan.
It was a girls' day out.

- Mm.
- MAGGIE: Mm-hmm.

ALLAN: All right, come
on. Margaret Westmoreland.

What are we going
to do with you?

[groans]

- You okay?
- Mm-hmm.

You are grounded, young lady.

I'm all right.
Really. I'm all right.

TRACIE: No, Allan.
It's okay. I got her.

I'll go steep the tea.

TRACEY: Let's get you inside.

MAGGIE: Mm.

Sweetheart, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I upset you.

Oh, Grams, no.
I'm... I'm sorry.

I upset you,

and you can't
afford to get upset.

I'm all right now.

Okay.

I have to go.

Wait. You're engaged?

Yeah, Grams. I'm engaged.

I'm happy for you.

Me too. I'll talk to you soon.

I want to meet him.

ALLEN: I got it.
See you, sweetie.

[indistinct chatter]

[phone ringing in background]

SHELLEY: Hey, Tray. Shall we get
right to the morning madness?

First book is a new
one from Gardner.

TRACEY: Sci-fi, historical
fiction, satire hybrid?

- CONNIE: Good morning, Tracey.
- Yes.

Carl wants you to fix
its identity crisis.

Tracey? Tracey.

Carl wanted me to
give this to you.

Okay. Thank you, Connie.

Next, is the Cartwell Saga.

Carl wants you to turn
this epic into a novella.

Take it to the chop shop,
and get the blow torch out.

Hey. I'm just the one who
brings you the jalopies.

You're the one who
makes them run.

How's your grandmother?

Yeah. They're still
not really sure.

The doctors say
she's getting worse.

Could be weeks, could be days.

Oh, Tracey, I'm so sorry.

TRACEY: Yeah.

Though she did perk
up a little bit

after pressing me
on my love life.

SHELLEY: Oh?

No, nothing to tell. Just...

A little white lie?

- Yeah.
- Nothing wrong with that.

Sometimes, telling people
what they wanna hear

can be the best medicine.

Yeah. Maybe.

And tell her we all miss her.

This place has
been pretty gloomy

these last few months.

Okay.

SHELLEY: Bring it in.

Mm, thank you.

My pleasure, my treasure.

Yeah.

Oh, I need a coffee.

[indistinct chatter]

[phone ringing]

[exhales] Okay.

[clears throat]

Tracey Westmoreland.

ALLAN: Tracey? It's Allan.

Allan? Oh, my God.
What's... what's happened?

ALLAN: Your
grandmother made tea.

What? What do you mean?

ALLAN: The other day
when you came to visit,

what did you talk about?

Oh, Allan, I'm sorry.

We got on the marriage
discussion again.

I think I may have upset her.

ALLAN: You may have
just cured her.

Like I said, she walked to
the kitchen this morning.

Completely unassisted?

ALLAN: And made tea for two!

Wedge of lemon, the good China.

Oh, glorious!

And the doctors were here.

They say she's responding to
her medication much better.

You... you're kidding.
That's... that's great!

ALLAN: Great? It's
a full-on miracle!

We are talkin' Holy
Ghost power over here.

Then she told me of
another little miracle.

She said she's going to
meet a man in your life?

You know, I'm not
one to be morbid,

but I think it's wonderful

that you want your
grandmother's last days

to be filled with joy by
having found joy yourself.

Oh, you're an absolute angel!

[chuckles awkwardly]

ALLAN: You know, if I weren't
married, I'd snap you up myself.

Mm. But I guess Hector

would have something
to say about that.

Thanks, Allan. I gotta go.

Can you give my love to Grams?

ALLAN: I will.
See you, sweetie!

See ya.

[♪♪]

[keyboard clicking]

[♪♪]

You must be Tracey.

Mm.

Rob Humphries.

You look exactly
like your picture.

It's great to meet you.

- TRACEY: Please.
- May I?

Okay.

[Tracey chuckles]

So, uh, tell me
about the service.

ROB: Right.

Well, Rent-a-Groom
deploys folks like me

for all kinds of circumstances.

Jealous friends, creepy bosses,

amorous coworkers.

We can play boyfriends,
long-lost loves,

right up to full-on fiancés.

Once, I actually played an
overbearing older brother.

Uh, Humphries.

That's your... that's
your last name?

Actually, it's a stage name.

I'm a... I'm an actor.

And a fan of Casablanca.

I took the name from Bogey.

- Humphrey.
- Bogart. I get it.

[chuckles]

Well, I hope you're a fan
of Raiders of the Lost Ark,

because I'm changing
your name to Jones.

[chuckles] Okay. Uh, great.

Well, usually, the agency
supplies the back story,

but I can see you have a
very thick folder there.

Mister Humphries.

Not Jones.

Rob.

I have created a complete
character profile

including a modest job at
a junior accounting firm

and a cabin in the mountains.

May I?

[chuckles]

Wow.

There are tabs if you...

Rob Jones it is.

I can live with that

the few days we'll
be working together.

Although, I don't expect
you to memorize everything.

I'll be there, of course,
to keep you on track.

I just... I need
attention to detail.

[chuckles]

Okay. I mean, I
love this stuff.

Sounds like fun actually.

Mr. Humphries... Uh, Mr. Jones.

I wanna be clear with you.

I need this to go
by the numbers,

and in an expeditious manner.

Right. Of course.

Okay.

Do you know who Margaret
Westmoreland is?

The romance writer.

The Cassandra Robards series.

My mom used to read
those when I was a kid.

She loved them.

TRACEY: Hmm.

Ah. Wait. Westmoreland.

Are you related to her?

She is my grandmother, yes.

You kidding me?

- TRACEY: No.
- Wow. Wow. Your grandmother.

Yes.

She is, um... she's very ill.

Oh, gosh. I'm... so
sorry to hear that.

My parents died when
I was very young.

And Maggie raised me by herself.

Sounds like a... Like
an incredible lady.

Well, ever since I
was a little girl,

she one day dreamed of
walking me down the aisle

to marry Mr. Right.

This is Mr. Right.

- Oh.
- With her illness,

she won't be there
for the wedding day.

This is about a couple
of weeks of joy.

She needs to believe
completely in this engagement.

Absolutely.

I assure you, I will
not let you down.

So, when do we start?

Tomorrow...

at my grandmother's house.

[exhales sharply]

[door knocking]

Yep?

How is Barmont Publishing's
greatest fixer this morning?

You know, got my head under
the hood of another one.

Ah, well, that's the problem

when you're the
best at something.

You get stuck there. [chuckles]

- Believe me, I know.
- TRACEY: Mm.

Sounds like you
could use a break.

Let me take you to lunch.

I'm afraid it's leftovers at
the desk for me again today.

TODD: Mm. Dinner it is then.

In fact, I think it's about time
we popped the cord on that Dom.

I got a good feeling
about this sci-fi series.

I can't.

Hey. Listen.

It was one date.

- It was a mistake.
- I had a great time.

It's not what I mean, Todd.

- We work together.
- I agree.

We work very well
together in fact.

TRACEY: Exactly.

And I would like to
keep it that way.

One drink. Call it a do-over.

I'm going to my
grandmother's house tonight.

Right.

Of course.

[clears throat]

How is Maggie doing?

Better surprisingly.

Mm. Mm-hmm. That
is good to hear.

Good to hear.

Amazing to think that
this whole company

started with her first
Cassandra novel 30 years ago.

Thirty-one actually.

TODD: Yep.

Everything's gonna
change around here

once I get the
editor-in-chief position.

Hey, but don't worry.

Nothing's gonna change
between you and I.

I need Barmont's best
fixer on my team.

[clicks tongue]

Mm. Okay.

All right. Well... [exhales]

back to makin'
millions. [chuckles]

Just kidding.

I do pretty well, though.

And, uh... give your
grandmother my best, okay?

You got it.

Can you close my door,
Todd, please? Todd...

TODD: Janice! How
the heck are ya?

[dog barking in distance]

Okay. Thank you. [chuckles]

Are you ready?

- Ready.
- Okay.

[foot falling]

Right. Engaged.

[door bell]

[foot falling]

Sweetie!

TRACEY: Hi, Allan.

Good evening. I'm...

An absolute dream boat.

[chuckles]

ALLAN: Get in here.

Welcome.

TRACEY: Thank you, Allan.

ROB: Thank you.

ALLAN: Make yourselves
comfortable.

I'll just be in the
kitchen eavesdropping.

[Tracey chuckles]

[gasps]

MAGGIE: Cassandra Robards.

Appointment with Destiny.

Grams.

It was my mom's
favorite in the series.

Mine, too!

I had all the framed
covers at the old house.

But it seemed a little
vain to put up 20 books.

I figured one would do.

It's a good one.

Oh!

[chuckles]

It's so nice to
finally meet you, Rob.

It's an honor to
meet you, Mrs...

Maggie. Call me Maggie.

Maggie.

Hi.

Grams, I mean... you look great!

I feel pretty great, too, kiddo.

[chuckles]

MAGGIE: This way.

[chuckles softly]

ALLEN: Tea, anyone?

MAGGIE: Thank you, Allen.

ALLEN: Of course.

Don't forget your little
pair of teeth, my sweet.

MAGGIE: Mm-hmm.

Cheers.

I'll be upstairs,

watching my little
murder shows for a while.

You kids have fun.

I hope you like Earl Grey.

Mm-mm! My favorite.

Help yourself to the strudel.

I baked it fresh this afternoon.

You baked strudel?

MAGGIE: Of course.

That's funny.

I don't remember so
much as a single cupcake

on any one of my birthdays.

ROB: Thank you.

I pulled it out of the archives.

I found this wonderful,
old Austrian recipe

for pear strudel

when I was doing
research for book four.

One Vienna Summer.

Yes. You read it.

Well, over my mom's shoulder.

Impeccable taste, both of you.

So, your folks,

they'll be coming
to the wedding?

My mom has passed.

And my dad, well, he's
not really in the picture.

MAGGIE: I'm sorry to
hear about your mother.

I understand what that
kind of loss means.

Thank you.

I know she would
have loved Tracey.

And she would've been
thrilled to be in-laws

with the great
Margaret Westmoreland.

[chuckles]

Charming fellow. Wherever
did you find him?

Well, Rob's accounting
firm does some consulting

for the publishing company.

Hmm.

TRACEY: One day, we just kind
of fell into each other's arms.

Fell? More like crashed.

[chuckles]

The ski hill didn't look quite
so steep from the bottom.

- Ski hill?
- ROB: Hmm.

When did you take up skiing?

[splutters] I...

Whitefish. March. A
beautiful time of year.

You know, I think it was
the early morning glare

off the white mountain caps.

First run of the day.

Pristine powder.

Nothing but the sound of
the wind through the trees.

Just...

[imitates wind whooshing]

Oh, my goodness.

I was racing down the mountain.

The Arctic chill at my back.

And nothing but
virgin snow before me.

As I rounded a bend, a...

a mother deer and her fawn.

I swerved to avoid them,
and then I was in the trees.

[pants] Miraculously, I
survived the Alpine chaos,

just to run straight into a
pack of spring break skiers.

I'm a ball of
bindings and goggles.

And when I finally came to rest,

I looked up, and I...

I saw an angel.

Oh, my goodness. Tracey!

Why didn't you
tell me about this?

It was just a work
thing, you know?

[chuckles]

- Team building.
- Mm.

Hmm.

- ROB: Hmm.
- So, she rescued you?

[chuckles]

It's perfect.

- Yes.
- Perfect.

[chuckles softly]

The, uh... the, uh,
consulting came later.

You don't speak
like an accountant.

[chuckles]

Hmm.

I'm gonna refill the teapot.

Rob...

darling, how about a
tour of the kitchen?

Of course, my love.

[chuckles]

TRACEY: Let's go right now.

What on earth are you doing?

Oh, just a little improvising.

Improvising?

Oh, come on, Tracey.

This is Margaret Westmoreland.

She doesn't want tax
returns and office parties.

Okay. Listen, Rob.

[chuckles]

I'm not paying you
to be James Bond,

or Heathcliff, or
the king of Siam.

I'm paying you to
be Robert Jones,

accountant, and my fiancé.

If you could just stick to
the script for the next hour,

we can wrap this up,

and both get back
to our own lives.

Okay?

Understood. I apologize.

It won't happen again.

Okay.

Thank you.

[clears throat]

MAGGIE: "Young man,
you're simply too short."

MAGGIE: He pops on
the casting director's

high heel shoes,
turns to me, and said,

"How do you like me now?"

[laughs]

Unbelievable!

I didn't realize you
had a say in casting.

How many of your
books did they adapt?

Oh, I don't know.
A dozen, I think.

Simply amazing.

Well, we could listen to
Grama's old Hollywood stories

all night long, but...

we should probably
let you get some rest.

Nonsense!

I was thinking of
putting some music on.

Perhaps finding out if this
young man knows how to tango.

Mm.

Tracey's probably right.

I got two left feet anyway.

[chuckles]

Happy wife, happy life, huh?

Indeed.

MAGGIE: Well, I can
certainly see that.

I may not be here for the day...

Grams, come on.

But I will rest easy,
knowing she's happy.

[kisses]

- MAGGIE: Thank you.
- Thank you.

- MAGGIE: Goodbye, darling.
- Mm.

[kisses]

Okay.

I'll talk to you
tomorrow, Grams, okay?

MAGGIE: Okay.

[indistinct chatter]

TRACEY: Someone's birthday?

[chuckles]

TRACEY: Oh, no.

I didn't think you
were the marrying type.

Carl. Well...

Oh, I can't wait to meet
him at the engagement party.

Engagement party?

- CARL: Yeah.
- What?

Who said anything about
an engagement party?

Your grandmother. Yeah,
she called me last night.

Maggie called you?

CARL: Yeah. She
told me everything.

I just think it's
wonderful, Tracey!

I haven't heard her
that happy in...

[sighs]

CARL: years.

I, for one, think
this is great news.

It's like the whole
office is ecstatic.

Oh. It's exactly
what we all needed.

Just to see Maggie again.

Oh! Oh!

You couldn't have
planned it any better.

Hey, girlfriend.

How come your best
friend is the last person

to hear about all this? Hmm?

Come here.

SHELLEY: Who's question mark?

TRACEY: Get in here!

SHELLEY: Ouch.

[door closes]

Okay. I'm not engaged.

What? What are
you talking about?

It's all over the office.

I hired a guy.

Okay, what?

TRACEY: No, no. Not like that.

My grandmother is dying.

Don't say that!

TRACEY: It's the
truth, Shelley.

I went to go see her last week.

We got on the marriage
argument again.

She just about keeled
over right there.

I panicked, and I blurted
out that I'm engaged.

SHELLEY: You lied
to your grandmother?

I tried to tell you.

And you said all that
stuff about white lies

and good medicine.

Well, that's a little
more grey than white.

Yeah. Well, then she
wanted to meet him.

So, I called this
rent-a-groom place.

Rent a groom?

I'll explain
later. But just...

you can't tell anyone.

Please, Shelley...

Okay, okay. I get it.

TRACEY: Okay, look.

As far as this
office is concerned,

this engagement is real.

All right.

I'll play along
for Maggie's sake.

I just hope you know
what you're doing.

So do I.

So, is he cute?

♪ I'm going through changes ♪

♪ It's going faster... ♪

TRACEY: I'm sorry.

I'm sure this will
be the last time.

I just... I need
you there tonight.

- Thanks.
- Thank you.

The whole office?

So, we have a full
house tonight.

It's just a quick, little
thing at a restaurant.

Ah, Dinner Theatre.

The blue rinse crowd.
Try the buffet. Got it.

I need you on your
best behavior.

No improv, right?

Tax returns all the way.

Okay.

So, tonight, eight
o'clock, Hollingsworth's.

Um, no. No.

So, we... we...
we can't go there.

I used to work there.

It's her favorite place.

Well, someone will recognize me.

It'll blow my cover for sure.

You're that famous, huh?

[chuckles]

There's this great little
French bistro, Annabelle's,

over on the East Side.

Tell her it was our
first date place.

She'll love it.

You are creative. I
will give you that.

Just a little improvising.

[scoffs softly]

All right. I'll make
the arrangements.

Just make sure you
pick me up on time.

Haven't missed a
curtain call yet.

[♪♪]

[door opens and closes]

[clears throat]

ROB: You look lovely.

Thank you.

You look lovely, too.

A lovely couple then.

Well, gotta look
the part, right?

- [chuckles]
- [chuckles]

Like you said, "Gotta
look the part, right?"

[chuckles]

ROB: It's on loan from
a... a good friend.

I get it.

It's a... it's a prop.

- Yeah, yeah.
- [Tracey chuckles]

Something like
that. Try it on.

There. Now, we both
have our motivation

for the next scene.

[foot falling]

TRACEY: Thank you. [chuckles]

[engine revving]

[Allan chuckles]

[Maggie chuckles]

MAGGIE: I'm so excited.

Oh, really?

MAGGIE: There they are.

[car door closes]

MAGGIE: You look breathtaking!

She's all yours.

[kisses]

Um, Grams.

Where did this new
wardrobe come from?

MAGGIE: This old frock?

I wore it to my last
book signing in New York.

I'm pulling out all the stops.

Maggie, you look heavenly.

Aw.

Speaking of, this
Annabelle gal...

I'm sorry about the
last-minute switch.

Oh, not at all.

I've been going to
Hollingsworth's for years.

And this place, talk
about enchanted.

Wherever did you find it?

Sometimes, you just
stumble upon something,

and you... you fall in love.

[chuckles]

[grunts softly]

Well, if the house
sparkling is any indication,

it's love at first sight.

[chuckles]

MAGGIE: Such a gentleman.

[breathes deeply]

MAGGIE: This is lovely.

[indistinct lyrics
in backgrouund]

ROB: Oh, here, let me.

TRACEY: Just two
red wines, please.

Uh, thank you.

- Maggie.
- Thank you.

Yes, yes, yes.

[glass clicking]

Ladies and gentlemen.

It gives me great pleasure
to introduce to you

my granddaughter Tracey
and her fiancé Rob.

[clapping]

I've written many
stories in my time.

And I've sent many characters
on wile adventures,

looking for love.

But it's often when we stop
searching for something

that we find it.

So, I'd like to propose a toast.

To letting love find you.

[glass clicking]

- Here.
- Thank you.

ROB: I think you
could use a drink.

- Yeah.
- [Shelley clears throat]

The mystery man at last.

Shelley. This is
my fiancé, Rob.

Rob, this is my best
friend, Shelley.

The one with the big mouth.

I've heard all about you.

I didn't know accountants
were so good-looking.

- Uh, Shelley, dear.
- [chuckles]

I don't think this
fine restaurant

wants to be the scene
of a murder tonight.

Oh, my good God!

TRACEY: What?

This ring.

It's enough to make a
girl weak in the knees.

It's just a prop.

It could've fooled me.

Yes. Well, maybe you should
go rest your weak knees.

Keep your mouth shut, okay?

Don't worry about me.
I'll keep my mouth shut.

Listen, are you available
the next couple of weeks?

I have this ex-boyfriend
I wanna drive crazy...

Shelley!

Okay.

SHELLEY: Hi!

TODD: Hey, Shelley.

SHELLEY: They invited you.

What was that about?

She knows.

Knows what? [chuckles]

Tracey, you look...

[blows kiss] ...delicious.

- Okay.
- Todd. This is my fiancé, Rob.

Rob.

ROB: Mm.

[sighs]

It is truly an honor
to meet the man

who, uh, melted the
ice queen's heart.

- [chuckles]
- [chuckles]

So, seriously, how'd you do it?

No, no. Let me guess.

You're a crown prince, heir
to the throne of Moravia,

and, uh, gave it
all up for love.

ROB: No. Afraid not.

Oh, well, I got it.

You are a secret agent,

masquerading as an
international playboy.

You're hiding here until
the heat blows over, and

Tracey here is your cover.

[chuckles]

That sounds a lot like the
plot to my third novel, Todd.

[chuckles]

You wanna be careful I don't
sue you for plagiarism.

[chuckles] Oh, Maggie.

May I just say on
behalf of the entire

Barmont Publishing family
how truly honored it is

to have you here this evening,
and looking so radiant.

Why, thank you, Todd.

Perhaps I'll have you
deliver my eulogy.

Maggie...

don't even talk like that.

Of course, I'd be honored to,
uh, read at your funeral...

Cool your jets, Todd.

I'll probably screw
everything up,

and outlive all of you.

[laughs]

Oh, Maggie.

Dinner is served.

Yum. [chuckles]

[whistles]

ROB: I guess I've always
had a thing for numbers.

A passion really.

And most kids hate the idea
that math is all around us.

It's in the portions of
food on your dinner plate.

The number of friends and family
you can sit around the table.

The number of beats per
minute of the heart of a man

madly in love.

Well, there's... there's
a pureness to math.

And a beauty.

You know, a certain
completeness in combination.

The sum is greater
than its parts.

You sure don't talk
like an accountant.

[laughs] Accountant, right.

I still like the
international playboy angle.

Nope. Numbers guy.

[laughs] Oh, okay, Mr. Einstein.

Hey, Rob, what firm did you say

you were working for again?

Robinson & Younger.

TODD: Is that right?

You know, I think I know a
couple of guys over there.

What's the manager's name again?

Let's not bore the party with...

Roger. Roger McLaren.

Roger. Right. Right.

So, he would know you.

ROB: That's highly unlikely.

They don't let me out of
the cellar very often.

- [chuckles]
- [chuckles]

[laughs]

No. To be honest, I haven't
had much of a chance

to mingle since transferring
here from Chicago.

Oh, sure, sure.

Of course, of course.

But you've been doing some
consulting with our company.

Did you know that, Carl?

Oh. I don't really
handle the books.

Oh, yes.

Anyone actually seen this guy?

SHELLEY: Of course, Todd.

- Really?
- Yeah.

I've corresponded with
Rob a couple of times.

I just never made the
romantic connection.

Chicago. Is that
where you're from?

Yes. Born and raised.

I... I grew up around
restaurants actually.

My dad started out as a waiter
at a little French place

just like this.

An engagement party
would break his heart.

Really?

ROB: Oh, sure.

He'd say, "There's one less
bachelor come here to eat

every night."

- [chuckles]
- [Shelley chuckling]

He was a little old-fashioned.

I see.

After my mom died,

he decided to open up a
little place of his own.

He did all right.

But I saw the toll
it took on him.

Being the face of a business,
it's hard on family life.

People don't wanna
see the waiters.

They wanna see you.

He was hoping that he'd hand
the whole thing over to me,

but... I went a
different direction.

Into the exciting
world of numbers.

[laughs]

Yeah. Yeah, something like that.

[chuckles]

But now, I'm... I'm
ready for a new journey.

I... I don't know if
it was the moonlight,

reflecting off the pool
that lit up her eyes

when I first saw them.

Pool?

I thought you were skiing.

Skiing?

The... the pool came
after the skiing.

Yeah. Mm-hmm. Right.

TRACEY: We, um...

I would just like to thank
you all for being here

this evening.

This is as much for my
grandmother as it is for us.

Thank you, both of you.

[chuckles]

And with that, I'm afraid
we must bid you all adieu.

ROB: Mm.

Okay.

Darling, shall we?

Of course.

[clapping]

- TRACEY: Okay.
- Nice to meet you all.

- SHELLEY: Bye.
- And nice to meet you, Robert.

ROB: Todd.

What did I say
about improvising?

The pool was a little slip.

A little slip.

I just though we needed

to get back to the
romantic stuff.

[sighs]

Oh, come on. The
crowd was loving it.

Hmm. I guess it
did go over well.

Thank you for the save on
the accounting manager.

I did not have that in
the character profile.

- Hey. I did my research.
- Okay.

[Todd laughs]

- Tracey.
- Todd.

- Numbers guy.
- Hi.

- [laughs]
- [chuckles]

Thanks for coming,
Todd. It was a pleasure.

You could've warned
me about Todd.

I'm sorry.

Such a lovely evening.

So, what have you
planned for the wedding?

I know Claude very well
at the Somerset Tea House.

It's such a romantic place.

- It'd be perfect!
- TRACEY: Mm.

We were thinking of
keeping it a small affair.

Justice of the peace
and a few friends.

Hmm.

I see.

Well, I guess it shouldn't
matter to me anyway.

Well, it wouldn't hurt us
just to look at the place.

Oh, bless you, darling.

I was hoping that
you would say that.

Allan and I can meet you
there tomorrow at noon.

We'd be delighted.

Delighted.

Very well.

Onward, driver.

ALLAN: But, of
course, mademoiselle.

I'll see you later!

- Love you.
- MAGGIE: Love you, sweetie.

[Allan chuckling]

[door bell clicks]

What was that?

This was supposed to be it.

A couple weeks of joy.
That's what you said.

I'm game if you are.

I'll even give you a discount.

A discount.

No skiing or pool
stories, all right?

Yes, dear.

Don't "Yes, dear" me, Rob Jones.

[chuckles]

[♪♪]

[door bell rings]

Good morning.

Hi.

Two milk, one sweetener, right?

Yeah.

How did you know that?

Attention to detail.

[chuckles]

What are you doing here?

I thought we'd do a
little acting exercise.

- Get in the character.
- A what?

Come on. Get your coat.

Trust me, you'll love it.

TRACEY: Okay.

[chuckles]

Can you tell me
where we're going?

[chuckles]

ROB: Trust me.

Okay.

ROB: I had this bit part
on this Western TV show

a few years back.

TRACEY: Mm-hmm.

ROB: I played this juggler
in this traveling group

of performers.

I had two lines.

"The show must go on."

And "Pardon me, ma'am,
but I do believe your cow

just ate one of
my juggling clubs.

[giggles]

[chuckles]

I had three minutes
of screen time,

but I took three days,

and I developed this...
this whole backstory

for this juggler.

- Backstory?
- Yeah.

Like, well, how did he end
up with this motley crew?

And did he come from a
long line of jugglers?

Or did he earn a degree
in projectile throwing

from a prestigious
juggling university?

I... I even gave him this
slight Swedish accent.

[chuckles]

ROB: I figured he grew up
juggling pickled herrings.

TRACEY: Oh, wow.

ROB: It's called
an origin story.

You see, even though I
only had a couple of lines

and a... a few
minutes' screen time,

the backstory made the character

more... more real,
more... more alive.

Even if you did
stink of herring.

[chuckles]

Like, what about us, huh?

What's our origin story?

Oh. I think you rolled that out

with your skiing-slash-
pool party gig.

Yeah. That's how we
met, but who are we?

Tell me about this
Rob Jones guy.

What attracted you to him?

Uh, the usual things.

He's honest, hard working.

Sensible shoes.

Sounds like a real
prince charming.

[chuckles]

He, um...

he has a nice smile.

Really? [chuckles]

Mm-hmm.

And, um,

a chihuahua named Louie.

Yes. Now, we're talkin'!

[chuckles]

Okay. Well, what about this
Tracey Westmoreland character?

Hmm?

Let's see.

She... she does
wear sensible shoes.

[chuckles]

But she's also got
this gorgeous red pair

of patent leather heels

that she wears for
special occasions.

She works as an editor
at a publishing firm,

but she secretly wants to start
a hippie commune in Oregon.

I did spend a lot of time
wandering the wilderness

in my... in my youth.

After my parents died, I, um...

I closed myself off
a little I guess.

My grandmother was great.

I mean...

she just lost her son and
her daughter-in-law, but...

she stepped right in...

with... unconditional love

for a sad and angry
12-year-old girl.

We should... we should
probably get back to port.

Don't wanna be
late for the ball.

Listen, Tracey, I...
I wanted tell you...

when I was telling about
my mom last night, I...

I meant no offense
to your folks.

It's all right, Rob. I know.

Sometimes life is a series of...

half truths.

I know.

Maybe Rob Jones knows a
little bit more about life

than just sensible shoes.

Maybe.

He... he does know what
it's like to be a...

a sad and an angry little kid.

My mom really did die...

when I was nine.

[sighs]

[sighs]

Come on.

I don't wanna leave Maggie
standing at the altar.

CLAUDE: Good morning. And welcome
to the Somerset Tea House.

Are you here for tea or a tour?

We're meeting
someone for a tour.

Oh. Forgive me. It's
Tracey, isn't it?

TRACEY: Yeah.

CLAUDE: Oh, my. Your
grandmother. How is she?

Better. We're
meeting her here.

And you're considering
having your ceremony here?

[gasps]

Wonderful!

It's just a tour.

Well...

[sighs]

may I be so bold as to confess

that your love for one
another simply radiates

from your very beings?

[chuckles]

It's that obvious, huh?

- Good morning, lovers!
- Good morning, lovers!

ROB: Maggie.

MAGGIE: My little dance
routine last night reminded me

I still need my
wheels now and then.

- Mm.
- TRACEY: Mm.

Hello, Claude.

Oh, Mrs. Westmoreland.

May I say what an honor
it is for us to host you.

This will be an
event to remember.

It's just a tour.

Wonderful!

Feel free to make
yourselves at home.

Roam the grounds
at your leisure.

We can't wait to help you
celebrate your magical day!

Well, we're just heading
up for another service

this afternoon.

I will be in the event room
if you have any questions.

Right. Let's go out
into the sunshine.

Onward, driver.

[chuckles] But, of
course, mademoiselle.

Wonderful.

[chuckles]

MAGGIE: It's beautiful.
Simply beautiful.

ALLEN: It certainly is.

MAGGIE: Would you two kids
mind doing me a favor?

TRACEY: What's that, Grams?

Could you just stand over there?

You know, so I could
just take a picture.

Grama, really?

Maggie, we'd be delighted.

[sighs]

[hums]

- Stop it.
- [chuckles]

TRACEY: Well, here we at.

- EVENT PLANNER 1: It's Chad.
- It really is quite magical.

[chuckles] Yeah, wish I could do
a disappearing trick right now.

ROB: Smile.

TRACEY: Mm.

EVENT PLANNER 2: Oh,
my God. It is him.

[event planner chuckling]

I'm so embarrassed.

- ROB: Oh.
- But I just had to meet you.

[giggles]

Are you coming back
for a second season?

Second season of what?

EVENT PLANNER 1: Sinners
of the City. [gasps]

Chad the mechanic!

Ladies, I'm sorry.

I'm not... I'm not
who you think I am.

You were so sexy.

EVENT PLANNER 1: Oh,
my God! Oh, my God!

I'm not who you think I am.

[shrieks]

[Rob grunts]

[event planner 2 squealing]

ROB: Ladies, ladies.

EVENT PLANNER 1:
You were so...

[shrieks]

[screams]

[giggles]

ROB: Ladies, please. Please.

[both giggles]

[speaks indistinctly]

EVENT PLANNER 2: Oh, my
God. I can't believe it.

[event planners squealing]

TRACEY: Sinners of the City?

It was a bit part.

A terrible show a
couple years back.

I totally forgot about it.

Well, let's hope we don't
run into anymore "Chad" fans.

Oh, my goodness.

Look at this chair.
This is incredible.

Hello. May I?

- Really?
- Yeah.

- I got it.
- No, I got it.

- I got it!
- I got it.

- Oh, you got it.
- Thank you.

Oh, and it goes backwards,
are you kidding me?

ALLEN: Careful.

ROB: Let's really
take this for a spin.

Let's get the cars.

Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!

TRACEY: It's okay. Let's
go. He does this every day.

ALLEN: What?

TRACEY: Yeah. He,
like, volunteers.

And this I believe is
your stop, my lady?

Let's get in the car.

- ALLEN: So comfortable.
- TRACEY: Okay.

- ROB: Ooh!
- Slowly.

Oh.

- ALLEN: Ah, yeah.
- MAGGIE: Uh-huh.

ALLEN: Uh-huh.

[Maggie groans]

Well, all right,
sweetie. I'll call you.

I'd like to have you both
over for dinner again soon.

Maximize my time with you.

Sounds good, Grams.

Feet in. Take care, Tracey.

[Tracey chuckles]

And, Rob.

I kinda wanna call you Chad now.

[both laughs]

Chad!

You can't... get outta here.

ROB: I totally
forgot about that.

It wasn't supposed to
come out till next week.

TRACEY: So, you model as well?

Oh. Thank God they haven't
seen the commercial.

An ad campaign and a commercial!

Are they spinning this
into a mini-series as well?

[chuckles]

Do you have any sunglasses?

ROB: What for?

To hide your face?

Look, I'm a working actor.
What am I supposed to do?

I'm not responsible for
reruns and ad campaigns.

I just don't like surprises.

ROB: Well, it's been a while

since I've to submit
a resumé for a job,

but I can assure you
it's a rambling list

of corny commercials
and cop number two guys.

I can't help it if Chad
the mechanic pops up

every once in a while.

[groans]

Lisen, um...

I really do appreciate
everything you're doing

for my grandmother.

I know this must
be tough for you.

But if you need me,
I'll be there...

for both of you.

[chuckles softly]

Hold onto it... for now.

[chuckles]

Thanks, Rob.

[foot falling]

[indistinct chatter]

TODD: Hey! There's
little miss fix it.

Hello, Todd. How
was your hangover?

TODD: It was great.
Thank you for asking.

How was the weekend
with the crown prince?

He's an accountant.

TODD: Oh, right! I'm
sorry I keep forgetting.

You know what's weird is
I actually phoned over

to Robinson & Younger,

and they've never
heard of a Rob Jones.

I'm sure if someone were
to call Barmont Publishing

and ask for a Todd Pearlman,

they might get a
similar response.

[chuckles softly]

That's not true.

Look, maybe I don't wanna
see you get hurt, okay?

I think you're
makin' a big mistake.

Okay. He's an accountant
you like numbers, okay?

I get it. But I know
numbers, you know?

I... what number am I
thinking about right now?

One.

Lucky guess. See, we're
succinct. We're...

Todd. This has been super fun.

Tracey, I can give you numbers.

TODD: Trace?

[sighs]

TODD: Shelley,
did you miss me?

[♪♪]

[keyboard clicking]

Got some beaters for our
in-house grease monkey.

Hello, Miss Miracle Worker!

Got some clunkers, and
they're out of gas.

He was telling the truth.

Come again.

Rob.

He was telling the truth about
his upbringing in Chicago.

Oh, yeah?

Wow. He is prolific.

Is Chad the mechanic on there?

I don't know.
But look at this.

Look at his bio.

Born in Chicago.

Mom died when he was very young.

Raised by his father, and
like most aspiring actors,

he waited tables.

Mm-hmm.

He was telling the truth.

[clears throat]

What?

You're falling for this guy.

What? No, of course, not.

[scoffs] No.

Yes, you are.

I've never seen you look
at a real guy like that,

let alone a picture of one.

Don't be ridiculous.

I'll admit he's... he's cute.

[chuckles]

He definitely looks the
part. I'll give him that.

He's an actor after all.

So?

I'm just saying, you
can't believe everything

you read on the web,
especially on an actor's bio.

He's actually very sweet, too.

True. He's a real Romeo.

And you make a great Juliet.

Stop.

O Romeo, Romeo. Wherefore
art thou, Romeo?

Deny thy father and
refuse thy name.

Not a lot of people know the
next line of that speech.

Classically trained.

Sorry, I was in
the neighborhood.

Can I take you for lunch?

I wanna ask you something.

[clears throat]

That's up to her! [laughs]

SHELLEY: I could
eat, but whatever.

Okay, bye-bye.

Yeah, yeah. I... I
would love to eat.

I'll just get my bag.

[door closes]

[indistinct lyrics]

[indistinct chatter]

TRACEY: Can I ask
you something?

Shoot.

Are you really from Chicago?

I am.

So, the other night at the party

when you were talking
about your past,

your mom and dad... were
you telling the truth?

I was.

I just figured it
was easier that way.

[chuckles]

I realized I might have been
going off script, but it just...

it felt right.

Honestly, it was... it was nice.

[chuckles]

See, sometimes, acting's
all about improvising.

[chuckles]

If things change, then
you... you roll with it.

TRACEY: Mm.

And if your partner
has a great idea,

you go with it.

It's called... chemistry.

Hmm.

Like Laurel and Hardy,
or Newman and Redford.

Bogey and Bacall.

[chuckles]

Exactly.

So, what did you...

what did you wanna ask me?

I just wanted float
something past you.

I mean, you have this
knack for problem-solving.

Mm-hmm.

They don't call me the
fix-it gal for nothing.

[Rob chuckles]

Even if it's crazy, and
it doesn't make any sense?

But when you think
about it, it kinda does?

Yeah. I mean, life
is crazy, right?

A lot of things in life
don't, I mean, make sense.

Okay. Here goes.

I'm going to be a dad...

I hope.

What?

In a streaming series. A part.

Oh!

My agent just called.

They wanna see an audition tape.

It's a tiny part,
but it's recurring...

if I get it.

A part. Yeah.

Hey. But they shoot
the pilot here.

Oh, really?

Yeah.

Then it's just back to
LA. I just don't know

whether I should send
the tape in or not.

I'm done with
rejection, you know?

TRACEY: Mm. Mm-hmm.

ROB: But it's not a mechanic.

[chuckles]

It's a cop show.

Would you read it?

You know, as an editor,

you could tell me what
you think of this guy.

You know, how I should
approach this character.

- Sure.
- Really?

[Tracey chuckles]

Because I was
thinking of packing

this whole acting
thing, and, you know,

maybe become a real accountant.

No, Rob. If...

if the part's good,
I'm... I'm happy for you.

I know you'd understand.

You know, Joe Pesci was
going to quit acting

right before he got Raging Bull?

- Really?
- ROB: Hmm.

Didn't know that before.

Maybe I could stop by
your office this afternoon

with... with the script.

Yeah. Sure.

[chuckles]

[indistinct chatter]

SHELLEY: Tracey,
Tracey, Tracey. Tracey.

Do you ever work?

Oh, I've been working.

Fact-checking on your boyfriend.

He's not my boyfriend.

Pull up his bio.

There, look.

Oh, wait.

Look.

What?

Remember what he
said about his dad?

He was a waiter in
a French restaurant,

and he opened up a
little place of his own.

He did all right.

His father is Arthur
Hollingsworth.

Founder and CEO of the chain

of Hollingsworth's
fine-dining restaurants.

Okay. So?

So? It means he's loaded.

Why would he lie about that?

It's not exactly a lie.

More of an act.

SHELLEY: Hi, my name's Rob.

I'm not a real serial
killer, but I play one on TV.

- Boo!
- Ah!

[laughs]

I'm so sorry.

Hello, Shelley. Oh.

We have to stop
meeting like this.

Robert Jones, hello.

- Back to my fact-checking.
- TRACEY: Mm.

[chuckles]

You up for a read?

ROB: So, I thought we
could run some lines even

if you don't mind playing
a gum-smacking waitress.

I'm the hitman who
knocked you up.

But I'm trying to go straight.

Can I ask you
something personal?

Who's improvising now?

Tell me about that restaurant
that your dad opened.

My dad?

TRACEY: Yeah. I saw the photo
buried in your bio page.

You and your dad, it
was a recent picture.

You know you pay an agent
to update those things.

Is your dad Arthur
Hollingsworth?

Yes.

And why does that matter?

Because my dad is
Arthur Hollingsworth.

Imagine being the son of
one of the most successful

restaurateurs in the country.

Then imagine saying
"No" to that fortune

when it was offered to you.

Sounds a lot like
being the granddaughter

of one of the greatest
romance novelists

of the 20th century.

Exactly.

I spent most of my
life in that shadow,

and it was awfully cold there.

So, I decided to step
out into the light

and just happened to be
in the light of the stage,

Well, a prominent name could
have opened doors for you.

If I'm gonna make it,

I wanted it to be
because I earned it.

Not because who my father is.

There's no shame in that.

[phone rings]

Oh, it's Maggie. Hello.

- MAGGIE: Hey, hon. Got a minute?
- Yes.

MAGGIE: What are you doing?

Actually, we're
just having a drink.

Is everything okay?

MAGGIE: Yes. Can I see you?

- TRACEY: Sure.
- MAGGIE: Tomorrow.

Tomorrow? Yeah, I'll be there.

MAGGIE: Say "Hi" to Rob.

Yes. I'll tell him
you say "Hello."

MAGGIE: Okay, bye, hon.

Okay, bye.

Maggie is coming to
the office tomorrow.

A big announcement.

Thanks for hearing me out.

Thanks for being honest.

MAGGIE: I'm afraid I've
done something crazy.

What are you talking about?

Completely selfish, I know.

What's going on?

I spoke with Claude.

Went by a few days ago
to pay for the attack

of the Chad fans in the gazebo.

- Okay.
- And something struck me.

Just felt right.

Grama, what have you done?

I booked a wedding
rehearsal for you and Rob.

[indistinct chatter
in background]

[claps]

A dress rehearsal really.

You're kidding.

Maggie! What a
pleasant surprise.

What's going on?

They're having a
wedding dress rehearsal.

- Wait...
- That's wonderful!

What's so wonderful?

Oh. Uh, Tracey and Rob

are having a wedding
dress rehearsal.

Oh, yippee!

I'm sorry, sweetie. I
should have spoken to you.

I know you both want
a small ceremony.

And you can still have it.

This way, no matter
what happens,

I can say I was there with you.

Oh, Grama.

[grunts]

I'm just asking
for this one thing.

The rest is up to
you, I promise.

Okay, Grama.

And you're all invited.

This Saturday at the
Somerset Tea House.

And I want you all
in your Sunday best.

[clapping]

Whoo!

CARL: You know, this is just
like the surprise marriage

in the fifth Cassandra novel.

Remember, where she falls
for the Swedish prince!

- Yeah.
- Oh!

It's a regular, old fairy-tale.

Mm-hmm.

We don't have to do this, Tray.

It's my grandmother's
dying wish, Shelley.

[phone rings]

Sure. One last show then.

Maybe.

Maybe?

What if it's not a show?

What do you mean?

Rob wants to meet to
discuss some big news.

So, you have fallen
in love with this guy.

I don't know.

Maybe I have.

[chuckling]

[sighs]

I guess she likes insurance ads.

Actually, it's the series, I
guess, Sinners of the City.

It's been streaming
nonstop online.

[chuckles]

Oh, that reminds me.

I have not had a chance
to read Walk the Talk.

But I think you would make

a wonderful hitman-slash-
long-distance daddy.

- Thank you.
- Yep.

Though as a working mom,

I would not consider that
a stable job for a child.

[chuckles]

Well, that's kinda what I
wanna talk to you about.

What kind of a career can an
actor carve out in this city,

you know, without going to LA?

It's very tough.

Which leads me to
my big announcement.

I think she brought friends.

- Run!
- Ooh!

I love you, Chad! We love you!

- [pants]
- My agent told me

there's even an online petition

to bring Chad back.

No.

- [chuckles]
- Although,

I did die in a horrible
dishwasher accident.

Wow!

- [chuckles]
- I think we may have lost them.

- Okay.
- Here. Come on here.

I wanna tell you something.

Oh. Speaking of jobs,

my grandmother has one
more favor to ask of you.

- Hmm.
- She's booked a

dress rehearsal for the wedding.

A dress rehearsal? But I thought
we were having a small ceremony.

I mean, Rob and
Tracey Jones, that is.

Hmm. We are. And
that's the story.

It's kind of a... Like
a wedding gift, I guess.

It's more for her really.

And, hey, if you're
gonna have a wedding,

why not have the greatest
living romance novelist

planning it for you?

- [chuckles]
- [Tracey laughs]

Well, that's exciting.

Mm-hmm.

But I think I have you beat.

Really?

I'm not gonna be a dad anymore.

Oh!

Broke up with the
waitress already, huh?

[chuckles] The pilot,
it got picked up,

and they want me for the lead.

Rob! What?

- [chuckles]
- [Rob laughs]

I have a wardrobe
fitting on Saturday.

We shoot here for
a couple weeks,

and then it's off to LA.

Oh, my goodness!

[Rob chuckles]

Wow! That's...

that's incredible.

But the dress
rehearsal's on Saturday.

[sighs]

Well, maybe we can postpone it.

Maggie's already
paid for everything.

But... but this is it.

This is my Joe Pesci moment.

- [chuckles]
- Mm.

No, wait. Wait, Tracey. I'm
sure we can work it out.

Don't worry about it, Rob.

I'll figure something out.

No, listen, Tracey.

I'll call my agent.

We'll postpone the
wardrobe fitting.

I'll be there.

I guess that means you'll be

relocating to LA now, right?

Well, I have to for the show.

But Saturday, I'll...
I'll be there.

I... I promise.

One last performance, right?

[sighs]

[♪♪]

Hi.

TRACEY: I feel
like such a fool.

I mean, rent a groom.

The name says it all.

He plays the romantic lead
in a lot of girls' fantasies.

I mean, I hired him
to play that part.

[sighs]

[slurps]

It was fun... playing a couple.

[inhales]

I just thought it...

might become something more.

You got caught up in the show.

I don't blame you.

- Right?
- Yeah.

Well...

we just have to get through
one last performance,

and I can write him
back out of my life.

[♪♪]

Hello, Rob.

Dad.

Been a long time.

There years this May.

You all right?

Yeah. Actually, I'm really good.

You had dinner?

I'm not staying long.

Drink then.

Sure.

Thank you for coming. Take care.

So, what are you drinkin'?

Club soda's just fine for me.

Two club sodas, please.

WAITRESS: Of course.

Listen, I didn't
come here to fight.

I came here because I wanted
to tell you two things.

Okay.

First...

I'm an actor.

I know.

I've seen the
insurance commercial.

No, no, no. Not that stuff.
A real actor. I got a part.

A lead part in a series.

It's a great part.

It's what I've been
working for my whole life.

Congratulations.
I'm happy for you.

Here's your drinks.

You are?

Of course!

All I've ever asked from
you is you work hard

for whatever it is you want.

For me, it's this
place, you know?

I was hoping the

dream could be shared.

Turned into more of a wedge.

I mean, I guess you had
a right to push me away.

- I didn't push you away.
- ARTHUR: Oh.

Three years of the
silent treatment

is not exactly a gentle nudge.

I said I didn't
come here to argue.

Well... why are you here?

I wanted to talk to
you about the ring.

- The ring?
- Yes.

Mom's ring.

Mom's ring.

I've met someone, Dad.

Mom's ring. So, it's serious?

Yes.

I'm in love.

[Arthur chuckling]

That look on my face
when I met your mom.

You are so much like her.

You follow your heart.

Oh, she would be so
proud of you right now.

I miss her.

I miss her, too.

Just make sure you keep
following your heart.

It led you through these doors.

Looks like it led you
into someone else's heart.

So, when do I get to meet her?

Well, if all goes well,

I'll need a table for
two for Saturday night.

- [indistinct chatter]
- [mumbles, laughs]

Whoo!

[laughs]

Are you trying to
set a world record?

TODD: I'm invincible.

You say that now.

Hi. My name's Trevor.

[grunts] Turn that up.

ROB: I was once just like you,
not sure which insurance plan

was right for me and my family.

But now that I'm with
Stanfield Insurance,

we all sleep better at night.

Because in life,
you just never know

when to expect the unexpected.

[car pass by]

ROB: Stanfield Insurance.
We expect the unexpected.

Do you know that
guy? I know him, too.

Only his name ain't Trevor.

It's Brad.

See, a while back,

I was trying to get back
with my ex-girlfriend.

And then this guy shows up,

and she says he's
her fiancé. Only...

yeah, he wasn't.

Turns out, she hired this
guy to act like her fiancé.

[gasps]

They call it Rent-a-Groom.
You call them,

and then they show up
and ruin your life.

Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.
Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.

[laughs]

There! Oh, I got
you. I got you.

Oh, you're going down.
You're going down!

Okay.

- [indistinct chatter]
- [door knocks]

SHELLEY: Hey.

TRACEY: Hey.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!

What's the matter?

You worried about the
wedding rehearsal tomorrow?

Oh, no. Everything's perfect.

Dress was bought,
flowers are ordered.

My groom is leaving for LA.

Yeah, no.

Everything's going
according to plan.

Whoa.

You want him to stay?

I want him to want to stay.

So, you're upset because
you fell in love with him?

I fell in love with
him by mistake.

And that's his fault?

Well, now's your chance to
blast him with the truth.

He's in the boardroom
waiting for you.

Rob's here?

Yes.

Tell him, Tracey.

Well, what if it
doesn't change anything?

Well, what if it does?

ROB: It's called Rent-a-Groom.

ARTHUR: Rent-a-Groom?

You aren't a gigolo, are you?

Dad, no. It's not like that.

People... well, women
pay me to pretend

to be their love interests.

ARTHUR: But you say you quit.

This morning.

ARTHUR: How long
were you doing this?

Three years. Three
very long years.

I think I've been
engaged maybe 20 times.

And I've had some doozies.

But it's finally over.

This endless acting.

You know how hard it is to
fake being madly in love?

I mean, I'm a good actor, but,

whoo.

And then there's
engagement party.

And all her little friends.
I tell you, it's agony.

It's just this part I'm playing.

It doesn't mean anything.

And I'm tired of
pretending that it does.

I can't wait to tell her.

I'm ready for the real thing.

[sniffles, sobs]

ARTHUR: Well, son, I
think you definitely made

the right decision.

Thanks, Dad.

And thanks for calling.

ARTHUR: Bye, son.

[sighs, chuckles softly]

[phone rings, beeps]

ROB: Tracey, hey. I
waited at the office.

Connie said you had to
step out to take a...

Tracey, please call me.

I'd really love to talk about...

[sobs]

ROB: Hey, Tracey.
It's Rob again.

Um, I'm not sure if I did
something to upset you.

But, uh, if we could meet...

[sniffles, sobs]

[birds cripping in background]

[indistinct chatter]

Good afternoon, folks.

And, Maggie, you look
absolutely gorgeous.

Thank you, Rob. You don't
look so bad yourself.

Oh, well, it is a special day.

[chuckles] Have
you seen Tracey?

Oh, no. Rob, it's...

bad luck to see the
bride before the wedding.

- [chuckles]
- MAGGIE: I don't think

a dress rehearsal wedding
counts, sweetheart.

She's inside.

Thank you, Maggie.

Well, we'll see you all
after the big moment. Oh.

Everything is perfect.

I couldn't have written
this better myself.

Good luck.

[indistinct chatter continues]

[door knocks]

Hey. You're not
supposed to be here.

I'm sorry, I know.

Give me that.

You look absolutely stunning.

Just getting in the costume.

I half expected you
to send a stand-in.

No. I said I'd be
here, didn't I?

Five minutes to curtain.

Can I talk to you
about something?

There you go.

Getting off script again.

No improvising, remember?

Or are you directing
this show as well?

Places, everyone. We
can't keep Maggie waiting.

Well, can we talk after?

Just hit your mark,
and say your lines.

We can wrap this whole thing up.

[birds cripping]

[indistinct chattering]

[sighs]

[Claude blows raspberry]

Oh, my goodness.

I am excited...

[chuckles]

and nervous.

This is not my real
job, you understand?

But I have always
wanted to do this.

And when Margaret Westmoreland
asked me to preside, well...

Shh!

Hi, darling.

[kisses]

[kisses]

[chuckles softly]

- Excited?
- Mm-hmm.

CLAUDE: Dearly beloved,
we are gathered here today

to witness the union
of Robert Jones

and Tracey Westmoreland.

[car pass by]

Marriage is a sacred bond.

A commitment to one another,
born from the seed of destiny,

nurtured with true love,

to blossom into the
flower of matrimony.

Before we proceed,
I must ask you both

if there is any
impediment to this union.

Actually, there is
something I'd like to say.

-Tracey- -I object!

[guests gasp]

I object, because
this man is an actor.

[guests whispering]

Oh, my God. It's true.

I'm not really a
justice of the peace.

Not you, idiot. Him!

- Todd!
- His real name is

Robert J. Hollingsworth.

He works for an outfit
called Rent-a-Groom.

Tracey, what's he on about?

Tracey hired this
guy to fool Maggie.

Tracey, is this true?

Yes. It's true.

Grams, I'm so sorry.

I never meant for
it to go this far,

but now that it has,

I'm glad this little
charade is over.

Charade? Is that all
this had been to you?

Yeah, Rob.

It was just a part I'm playing.

It doesn't mean anything.

[sobs]

I'm tired of pretending
that it does.

- Hey, Tracey. Wait, wait...
- SHELLEY: No, no, no. No, no.

Wait, please.

SHELLEY: Tray.

[sobs]

Maggie, I am so, so truly sorry.

No, I'm sorry. This
is all my fault.

The ring that is
on Tracey's hand...

it belonged to my mother.

I was gonna give it to
Tracey for real this time.

But I can see now that
that's not what she wants.

These last few days
have been filled

with a few half-truths,

but there is one thing
that is... very real.

I truly love your granddaughter.

[guests gasp]

[whimpers]

Walk away!

[gasps, groans]

Maggie! Maggie!
Maggie? Maggie? Maggie?

Give me a hand.

[abulance sirens in background]

[indistinct chatter]

Hey, Tray. How's the
new batch of jalopies?

[sighs]

[♪♪]

Any word about your grandma?

It's been two weeks
since she collapsed.

Doctors are trying to
stay optimistic, but...

I can't help thinking...

I did this.

No, Tracey. Don't say that.

I thought it would
make her happy.

I thought...

[sobs, sniffles]

[phone rings]

It's the hospital.

TRACEY: Grandma.

[sobs]

How are you?

Ring.

Ring?

Oh, right, the prop ring.
I totally forgot about it.

Yeah. I think I
threw it in my purse.

You wanna see it? Yeah?

Okay. It should be
in here somewhere.

You're right.

I should probably
mail it back to him.

Or directly to the prop
house he got it from.

Not a prop.

It's real.

His mother's.

I don't understand.

Find his father.

Oh.

Can I help you?

Yes. Are you Arthur
Hollingsworth?

I am.

Mr. Hollingsworth, my name is...

Tracey Westmoreland.

Yes.

You look exactly as
Rob described you.

I think I have something
that belongs to you.

I've not seen that
in a long time.

Let's grab a seat.

It belonged to my wife. Lucille.

When she passed away, Rob
asked if he could have it.

He said he wanted to
put it on the finger

of the girl he loved.

I guess he found her.

I called him the day before
your dress rehearsal...

to ask him if he was sure.

That kid's never been more
sure of anything in his life.

He even quit that
Rent-a-Groom job.

He did?

That very morning.

He said they were
parts he was playing.

He was tired of pretending.

Said he wanted to make it real.

And he wanted to make
it real with you.

Can I ask you, Tracey...

why the cold feet?

I think I heard the wrong end
of that phone call earlier.

Hold onto it.

[sobs]

Thank you.

[♪♪]

Aw, sweetie.

Well, did I miss anything
while I was away?

TRACEY: Grams.

Did you find his father?

Yes.

And the ring?

I have it.

Grams. I never
meant to hurt you.

Oh.

Listen, kiddo.

I've written enough
romance novels in my time

to know what true
love looks like.

I think I may have
believed your story

because you were
falling in love.

You can't fake that.

So, I have one question for you.

Yes?

Why are you still sitting here?

Hmm?

ALLAN: Tracey.

I don't know where
they're shooting,

but I know they wrap today.

- Then...
- He leaves for LA.

[birds cripping]

Hi.

[♪♪]

Hi.

How did you find me?

Shelley told me you were here.

Maggie, is she all right?

She had an accident.

Right after you left
the dress rehearsal...

- Oh, no.
- She's all right.

She... she just woke up.

[chuckles]

She filled me in...

on this.

I went to see your dad.

You did?

He told me everything.

But you're still here.

The show, I thought
it went to LA.

Yeah, it did without me.

I quit.

- But, Rob...
- Tracey.

I thought this was my big break,

but I realized over
these last few days...

you...

you've been my big
break all along.

And I've been racking my
brain on the drive over here

how to play the scene
where I run across town

and find the beautiful
book editor, and tell her

how madly in love I am with her.

I think I can help
you run some lines.

[smooches]

What do I do with this?

Hold on to it.

It'll play in the later scene.

[chuckles softly]

[giggles]

[♪♪]