Original subtitles

Nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl.

You see, made me the car to

take us over the road.

of the heavy load.

This is a man's, man's, man's world.

But it won't be nothing, nothing.

Not a woman or a man.

Morning.

Oh, jeez.

Where is everybody?

Every Thursday morning at 10 o 'clock, we have a meeting.

Not a surprise, not a new idea.

But is anybody ever here, in their seats, ready to go?

At least you're here, Frank.

At least someone appreciates the importance of... Frank?

What?

Frank, are you all right?

Oh, I'm fine, Miles.

No, you're not.

You're using Jim's cup.

What, are you crazy?

I just got a call, something I forgot about.

Locked it out, I guess, but there it was.

My dentist appointment.

I tell you, all the blood left my head.

I knew I wouldn't pay to be on time. The meeting hasn't even started yet.

Frank, how come your head's all white?

Dentist appointment.

Oh. Oh, my God, isn't that Jim's cup?

You know, tardiness is a sign of hostility.

I don't deserve this. Sorry I'm late, everyone.

Although it looks like I haven't missed anything.

I leaned against the sink in the men's room. Got the front of my pants all wet.

Tell me if it looks funny.

Fine, really.

Here we are.

You just sit for as long as you want. Use the phone. Am I walking too fast?

Murphy!

I was just in a car accident with these people. What? Oh, my God. Are you all

right? Yes.

Yes, we are.

This is the fender bender. A cat ran into the street. Mr. Bickner stopped. I

behind him. This is Myrna and Bob Bickner. This is... Oh, Murphy, you

to introduce them. We watch you on television every week. Yes. We know who

of you are.

You're the one with the lovely voice.

Oh, you're always doing something dangerous.

You're the other blonde one.

We don't know you.

Miles Silverberg, executive producer of FYI. How nice.

He's not on the show.

Now, there's a phone right here.

Oh, yes, we just have to call the church.

And tell them that we'll be late for the senior citizen's car wash.

I'm in charge of the chamois.

I'm stuck behind him for six blocks while we move along at parade speed.

But do I get impatient?

No. I tell myself, I don't always have to be in a rush. I can drive to work a

little slower today.

All of a sudden, he stops. I slammed on the brakes, but there wasn't anything I

could do.

It's a miracle you were all able to walk away.

Well, it's not such a big deal. I just tapped his bumper.

I could have fixed it myself with a tire iron, but Bob was afraid I'd damage my

reproductive organs.

I want to pay for everything, you just give me a call. You are such a nice

I know that I'm going to have to make you a batch of my special butternut

cookies. Well, Murphy, I'm glad we ran into each other.

meeting rolling.

That's odd.

It's always right here.

People, I know there was some unexpected excitement this morning, but we've got

a lot to cover. Buckle down, all right?

Frank, isn't that Jim's cup?

Oh.

I guess it is.

Well, that's enough work for now. Let's take a pint.

Just one more cookie. I really mean it this time.

That's it.

Boy, these are great. That little Mrs. Bickner sure knows how to bake.

Oh, no.

Not again.

Why do you do this to yourself, Robert? Why do you keep coming back? Can't you

just accept the fact you don't have what it takes to be my secretary?

The last time you were here, we had to talk you down off the Xerox machine.

No, Miss Brown.

That was the old Robert. You are looking at the new, improved Robert. No more

stuttering, no more fumbling, no more voices telling me to dress up like you.

I have been to therapy.

Oh, really?

Robert, I have six letters waiting to be typed, a call to be made turning down

Noriega's request for an interview, and I need research done on every pesticide

study in the last 20 years. Domestic or international?

Maybe I'm the crazy one, but I'll give you one more try. One. You won't be

sorry, Miss Brown.

Hi, Murphy.

I was just upstairs and I heard the news.

Tough break.

I'm really sorry.

Who would have guessed, huh?

I just came down here to let you know that we're all behind you 100%. If

anything I can do for you, just let me know.

Miles, what are you talking about?

Nothing. Wait a minute.

What's going on here?

Well, you know that nice elderly couple who've been sending you cookies all

week? Yeah.

The ones who invited us all over for dinner and charades next Thursday? Yeah.

They're suing you for $1 .5 million.

I'm glad you were able to meet with me. I thought it was important that we have

a chance to talk face to face without any lawyers.

You know, they see a celebrity involved in an accident, and before you know it,

they've talked nice people, people like yourselves, into doing things they

ordinarily wouldn't. Oh, Howie's not like that. Howie? Our grandson.

Your grandson is your lawyer? We're very proud of him.

Don't you think Howie is making a little... too much out of this? After

wasn't there. He didn't see how I just tapped you. Don't worry, dear. You don't

have to pay the 1 .5 million. Your insurance dies.

We wouldn't take it from you.

That's not the point.

Insurance is for people who really need the money.

Admit it.

You're not really hurt now, are you?

Well, we're suffering from loss of consortium.

Excuse me?

We haven't been able to have sex at all since the accident.

Come on.

Has it really been that different for you?

Oh, yes. We have sex every day.

Wait a minute.

You're going to tell me you have sex every day?

You don't. Oh, yes.

Every day?

Until the accident.

I'm afraid I haven't been able to uphold my conjugal duty.

It's the damnedest thing. I get all ready to go, and then I remember the

of that white car of yours coming at me in the rearview mirror.

And so you're... I mean, you think this is worth... Come on, $1 .5 million?

You don't know Bob.

Nothing like this has ever happened to us before.

We've been playing the lottery for three years. Haven't won fit.

And now, now we'll be able to travel and redecorate the house. I've had my eye

on a table, sir.

You look, Mr.

and Mrs. Bickner, you seem to have the idea that suing me is going to

doctor's appointment.

Then we're going to test drive a Range Rover.

Goodbye, dear.

Goodbye.

Frank, you can't drive home from the dentist.

Because you don't have a car. Remember, I dropped you off.

Yes, I'm sure Jim still loves you.

Frank, honey, it's spelled just like it sounds. F -O -N -T -A -N -A.

I'll see you in a few minutes.

Yes, I'll tell her. Thank you.

Oh, good morning, Miss Brown.

No, Robert, it isn't. I was just sitting in my car listening to a radio call -in

show. The topic was Murphy Brown, should her license be revoked.

600 people paid 50 cents a piece to vote against me.

Miss Brown, the phone... has been ringing off the hook. The Times, the

public safety organizations, and a few concerned citizens.

I told these people you had no statement at this time. These are referred to

your publicist, and these I took the liberty of reporting to the police.

Robert, I'm impressed. Today's mail, hot tea.

Did you sleep with a hat on or something?

No.

Have you seen the world globe?

Under your picture, it says, stay out of her way if you're old and gray.

There's six more stanzas inside.

What's wrong with my hair?

It's flat.

God, when did they take this picture?

You yell at a parking attendant one time.

Murphy, this is getting way out of hand.

Now, are you ready to listen to me and talk to our lawyers?

You know, I... I remember a time when you didn't need a lawyer before you

breathe. Back when Jacoby and Myers were just a couple of kids sitting around a

go -kart track waiting for a pileup.

You've got your reputation to think about.

Okay, okay. I just want to scare off this Howie character. The way he's put

dollar signs in the Bickner's eyes, they really think they're going to get this

money. Yeah, too bad. They really are sweet people.

I hate this hair.

the last time I go to Ted Koppel's barber?

Hello, sweetheart.

Oh, don't you look nice.

Miss Brown?

Hi, I'm Howard Sudhoff.

I'm representing Grampy, uh, Mr. and Mrs. Bickner.

Hello, Mr. Sudhoff.

Please, Howie.

Howie. This is my attorney, Roger Moreland and his associates.

Wow.

Associates. Great.

I brought some homemade cookies. I didn't know there'd be so many of you. I

there's enough for everyone.

So we get started.

I stood behind you in a bank once.

You probably don't remember.

No, the nature of your compensatory claims will require serious scrutiny by

parties concerned.

And certainly a lengthy litigious confrontation would be both painful and

embarrassing for Mr. and Mrs. Bickner.

We have precedence. You tell him, Howie. Right, right.

Oh, here's one.

Case in Philadelphia.

Kirkham v. Campbell, 1981.

Plaintiff was struck from behind in a one -way residentially zoned area,

suffered reoccurring nightmares, extensive psychoanalysis, blah, blah,

blah, blah.

Plaintiff was awarded...

1 .75 million. Wow.

Interesting,

Counselor, but I believe in that particular case the defendant was

speed limit, which would negate it as a precedent in this case.

Great response, Rog.

Okay, the other case has to do with a guy right here in D .C.

He suffered post -traumatic stress disorder that resulted in a loss of

consortium after a T .A. kind of like this one.

Do you believe my grandparents?

They did it every day.

Don't forget Wiggins versus Hofstadter. I know, Grandma.

It has to do with a woman who was a sudsucker like Murphy.

I'm sorry. What did you say?

What did she say?

Sudsucker. It's kind of like a hooch hound.

We'd hate for Howard to have to bring all that up in court.

But he would.

Hold on here. I haven't had a drink in almost a year. Mr. Sudoff, the issue

isn't relevant in my client's case.

That's what I thought, too, Rog.

But as luck would have it, people keep seeing her coming in and out of Phil's

bar. Now, all I got to do is raise a little doubt and, well, you know the

routine, huh?

You know, we haven't really explored an out -of -court settlement. What?

This is a good idea. I think we should talk about it.

No, no. We want our 1 .5 million.

And if you won't do it, Howie, we'll find a lawyer who will.

What are you trying to do to me, you greedy little leeches?

I've had it with you and your stupid cookies.

There must be a stick of butter in each one. What are you trying to do, kill me?

I think it would be a good idea if we left now.

And another thing. I think there's something a little sick about people who

sex every day.

Get yourselves a hobby, you bitters.

Jim?

Jim? Frank's here.

I know your nose is still out of joint, but I'm worried about him.

He disregarded doctor's orders to stay home. and he took a cab here.

I think he's been into the pain pills.

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

Jim?

Jim? Jim?

Jim? Jim?

Jim?

supposed to stay home today?

I was. I was at home, sitting there, watching the fish tank.

And then I thought, boy, I wish I had a fish.

Pleasant chatting with you. Jim, I got something for you at the fish store.

They wouldn't sell me any actual fish.

This is for you.

gesture from someone who's obviously trying to heal a relationship which he

treasures very very much oh darn it all how can

i stay mad at such a pathetic display thank you for the mug oh jim i love you

i think i'm gonna throw up

magazine called. They wanted to know if they could get a picture of you next to

the skid marks.

I can't pick it anymore.

Everyone hates me.

I've tried not to let it bother me. People have hated me before, but I dealt

with it better. I was younger.

I was tougher.

I was drinking.

Oh, come here.

This is all going to pass.

No, it isn't. I saw a car in the parking lot that had a bumper sticker that

said, I break for Bickners.

That's right.

You just let it all out. We'll hold your phone calls. No one can bother you in

your office.

Thank you, Robert.

What would I do without you?

Did you ever think you'd hear me say that?

Well, actually, that's something I needed to talk to you about. I'm

What? Why?

I've been offered another job. A network job.

Network job? What kind of network job?

Vice President of Comedy Development.

What?

I know. When I applied for it, it was just another exercise in positive

thinking, but...

Before I knew it, they were taking me to lunch, telling me they liked how I

dressed, saying I had an interesting spin on things.

Whatever that means.

Well, look, um... I'd love to stay and talk with you some more, but I'm meeting

with the Charles brothers in 20 minutes.

They're pitching me some new idea about a bunch of accountants.

I don't know. I think workplace comedies are dead, but...

Why so glum?

Let's see that smile.

Maybe I can help.

Everyone who's facing a lawsuit, take one step forward. Not so fast, Murphy.

Don't play with me, Miles. I've hit old people. I've got nothing to lose.

Listen to this.

Our lawyers pulled some district files and found out that the Bickners had

gotten three fix -it tickets in the last six months for faulty brake lights. So?

So, that means we can show contributory negligence on the part of the Bickners,

which means the Bickners' case is severely undermined, which means...

The Bickners have reconsidered and are dropping the suit.

You're kidding.

Nope. It's all in the works. Just a few signatures back and forth and it's over.

This is great.

The Gray Panthers will quit sending me hate mail.

I don't have to wear a Jane Paul.

you I don't love you, tell you that we're through.

And I've tried, but every time I see your face, I get all choked up inside.

When I call your name, oh boy, it starts to flame.

Binding in my heart, tearing it apart.

Everybody now, sugar pie. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, Aretha.

Give it a rest.

Eldon, I had a great day. You want to know why?

Because evil doesn't always win out. Because I beat some people at their own

game. Yes, I pulverized the Vickners to ruthless, despicable monsters of greed,

and I beat their stinky little brains out.

We're going to celebrate with some microwave brownies. Ha!

Information.

Yeah, I need the number of that Betty Ford place.

Bob, this is Myrna.

We're the Bickners.

Oh, the Bickners.

We just dropped by to say hello to Miss Brown.

Melvin, who was that at the door? The Bickners.

What are you doing here, Bickners?

Myrna made you a blueberry pie.

I crimped the edges.

You did hear from Howie, didn't you? You do understand that this lawsuit is

over. Oh, yes, we know that. We just wanted to make sure there's no hard

feelings. That pie there looks pretty heavy. Maybe I ought to take that. Oh,

well, thank you, young man. Aren't you an angel?

Here's a quarter.

Oh.

My nanny used to give me quarters.

Murphy, we mostly came by to say something.

Well, Myrna and I thought it over, and life's too short to hold grudges. So, we

forgive you. Excuse me?

Just because you squelched any hope for financial security in our golden years,

that's no reason for us to harbor resentment.

Look, let me explain something to you.

What you tried to do was wrong.

These kind of lawsuits hurt everyone. We all end up paying for it with higher

insurance premiums to the point where a lot of people, people like yourself,

can't even afford car insurance at all.

That's a very good point, Murphy.

But with 1 .5 million in our pocket, higher premiums wouldn't have been a

problem for us.

Well, Bernard and I have got to be on our way.

Yes. Now that this nasty lawsuit is off Bob's shoulders.

His manliness has returned.

Why, all day, he's been pawing me like a dog in a kennel.

I can see why.

Well, you've got to go.

So long, Murphy.

Now, try to get a little rest.

You look dead tired.

Bye.

Well, thank heaven they spared us our lives.

Bob?