Original subtitles

Are those nominations?

Come on, baby.

Come on. One time for Uncle Frank now. Come on, baby.

Come on. Come on.

Well, well, well, well, well, well, well, well.

What is it? Chip's Deli proudly announces its new special, the Luke

Ginsburgers. Hey,

what do you think you're doing?

Well, I have a piece of paper.

I'm standing at the fax machine.

If you guys can't figure out the rest, you're way overpaid.

How can anybody win so early for her, anyway?

Oh, the same reason you are. The Humboldt nomination's come out today.

So? How can you say that?

It's the most prestigious award in journalism.

It's been won by Walter Cronkite, Eric Severide, and, well, let's just say if

all the Humboldt winners play a softball game against all the Miss America

winners, only one person can play on both teams.

Let me take a shot here. Is it David Brinkley?

Quite a crowd for 8 .30 on a Monday. This wouldn't have anything to do with

today being Humboldt Day, would it? Oh, is it really? Oh, please, you're

embarrassing yourselves.

The Humboldt nominations will not, I repeat, not be coming over that fax

machine. Yes, all your schemes have been foiled and your spies have confessed.

We will be following a strict chain of command.

I and only I.

We'll be receiving the nomination so that the information may be disseminated

a civilized... I wasn't nominated!

Don't you get that list!

I won't get rid of this list!

Standing achievement reporting.

Franklin, tell them I am in the seat! I must be brown! High noon for gun

control! Ooh, baby, how sweet it is!

the military.

Everyone in this room could be court -martialed. And nobody could be openly

either, Mark, Jeffy, Susan.

Who are we up against?

Oh, you actually left something for me to read.

Sam Donaldson. No competition.

Leslie Stahl. No competition.

And Peter Hunt.

No... Huh?

Your piece on Somalia made the cut. Way to go. First year on FYI and you're in.

Yeah, thanks. Are we out of half and half?

Everyone's in early. It must be Humboldt Day.

I can tell by your faces who's been nominated. Murphy, yes. Frank, yes.

Corky, so sorry. And Peter, yes.

No. How should I know? The man's a sphinx. I'm just glad I could be the

announce it. You people have a lot to learn about the chain of command.

And don't you ever make me jump like that again.

Frank, did you vote for me? I voted for you.

Oh, yeah, sure.

Wire.

Did you vote for me? I voted for you. Why would I vote for somebody besides

Oh, come on, Corky. The concept of an industry spending an evening

congratulating itself is ridiculous.

Plumbers don't give out golden plungers.

Carpenters don't compete for the golden screw. Why should journalists have

awards? Is that why we got into this business?

Well, partly.

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful time. But unfortunately, I've already

aside that evening to unpack my winter woolens. No, see here.

As a member of the Humboldt Board of Governors, I will not be humiliated by

of my own. It is an honor to be nominated, and you're going to that

have to track you down, dress you in a tux, and strap you to the hood of my

Yes, sir.

Don't give in.

You yourself said all the words are stupid.

I think we should all boycott this year.

You want to be my date?

Okay.

He's getting drinks. You too.

You don't even give Peter a chance.

Would it kill you to be nice to him? I don't know.

There you are.

Hey, pull up a chair, Jim. No, I've been assigned to table 26. You're not

sitting with us? I'm afraid not. Board of Governors asked its members to spread

out this year, so I'm afraid I won't have the pleasure of spending the

discussing the same old topics with the same old people I see every day of the

week, year after year.

Shame, isn't it?

stuff to talk about.

Anyone see the Joy Luck Club?

No. Not me.

Me neither.

Hello. Looks like we're sharing a table this evening.

Hi. I'm Cuff.

Cuff.

Nice to meet you, Cuff.

And what are you and your associates here for?

MTV News.

We were nominated for our Rock the Vote special on the power of the youth vote

in the Clinton election.

Dial, senior anchor of FYI.

Oh, right.

I told you he wasn't David Hartman.

Corky, you came after all. What a beautiful gesture of love and support.

Miles, don't sit there. Peter's sitting there.

So Peter can sit over there. It's not like you two are on a date.

Yes, we are.

One -armed juice on the rocks with straws. Hey, Miles.

Isn't it fun?

FYI goes to the prom.

No, didn't care about that event either. Sour grapes.

No, college -age girlfriend.

Oh, Peter, look, your tie's all crooked.

I had a college -age girlfriend once.

I was in college at the time.

That was good because I don't think people should date people who are much

younger or blonde.

Now you're perfect.

If you say so.

Murphy, how about a club soda? I'm really very thirsty. Aren't you thirsty?

just nauseated. Oh, let's get a drink and wash that away.

I think you'll find our Humboldt ceremony is very exciting. This year at

Awards, Madonna performed live and Neil Young joined Pearl Jam on stage for

Rockin' in the Free World.

Three years ago, Mark Russell played here and performed the Iran -Contra

So, Corky and Peter are on a date. Did you know that? Sure, everybody knew it.

Well, I didn't know it.

Hey, could I get you something?

Club soda with lime, please. Gin and tonic? You got it.

It's just that I never put those two together.

Not that it's my place to decide who should be dating who. After all, I'm her

boss, not her chaperone. And besides, maybe he really likes her. Maybe he

her innocence refreshing.

Maybe he just wants to ride her like a dolphin at SeaWorld.

I asked for a club soda with lime.

I don't think so.

You are not going to believe what I just overheard. These two guys were talking

about how a certain network news division is going to have to make major

cutbacks. Well, it doesn't take a genius to know what that means. I'm out.

Frank, would you mind jumping back over the Grand Canyon and walking me through

this? Look, it's got to be our network. Between Letterman and that murder -she

-wrote lady, they can't even afford to buy whiteout.

Besides, as the two guys were leaving, one of them said, now, this is for your

information only.

For your information.

FYI, get it?

Sure, that's one possibility.

But it could also stand for, Frank, you're insane!

It makes perfect sense. The minute Peter joined FYI, I knew one of us would have

to go. No news magazine could tolerate that much rugged appeal.

Could we be rational for just a moment here? Who is your source?

I don't know. Some guy wearing wingtips.

Well, look, I couldn't see that while I was in the men's room.

I'm going to try to find him.

Aren't you, please, on the rocks?

With straw.

You got it.

You can get that for her right after my club soda with lime. She was here first.

I am having such a wonderful time.

I know you think Peter's arrogant, but I can see the bright light that shines

within his soul and the rippling muscles of his chest when he wears a tight

shirt.

Excuse me, can I just look at a bottle of vodka?

I can't help it. I'm not like you.

I can't go a decade without physical contact.

Baby, you've had your peak, but I still have the hunger.

Jeez, Corky, then eat a roll. But don't try and think of someone who's not right

for you.

Murphy, why don't you think... Oh.

Oh, my God. Of course.

How could I have been so insensitive? Murphy, you have a thing for Peter.

What? Smart, sexy, hunk of a man like that. Of course you do. You have your

needs, too.

What?

Sometimes it's so hard for me to think of you as a sexual being.

Corky, try... Trust me, the only thing I want from Peter is to see him cry like

a baby when I beat him for the Humboldt.

I'm so glad.

But still, I can't help but think there's a part of you that still wonders

you're still attractive to men.

You know, after you've reached a certain age and gone through childbirth.

But you know, Murphy, there are some special exercises you can do.

Some even at your desk.

I want my drink and I want it now.

Lady, I'm not a mind reader.

What do you want?

Bob's soda with wine. I told you six times.

I don't think so.

Well, that's it. I'm out.

What are you talking about?

I found a second source.

A pair of dress loafers just confirmed the wing tips.

You know how those network guys treat us?

Like bugs.

And they are overgrown to dis... six children playing with a giant magnifying

glass, turning up the heat, watching us squirm. Well, Frank Fontana is not a

bug. I am a talented, respected journalist, and it's time they

What's going on with Frank?

Oh, he heard some rumors about cutbacks at FYI.

Cutbacks? What cutbacks?

If there were going to be cutbacks, somebody should have told me.

There's a chain of command for cutbacks.

I'm going to go see what I can find out. I better talk to Frank.

I better stay here.

I did it.

I just told the president of the network that if I don't win the Humboldt

tonight, I am quitting FYI. You did what? He thought he was calling this

Well, tonight, I put my money where my mouth is. I did a great piece on Miami,

and I believe in my work. I believe in my work, too, Frank, but not enough to

throw it all away because of a pair of talking shoes.

I don't expect you to understand. They didn't bring in somebody to cover the

same beat as you do. They didn't put you in a position where you feel like

you've got to prove you can still do what you've been doing for 15 years.

Frank, you're not the only one who has to prove something. I haven't won the

Humboldt in four years. I'm getting older in a business that likes its women

perky. Look at me, Frank. Is there anything perky about me?

No.

Exactly. Which means I need to win the Humboldt as much as you do. Only now I

can't root for myself because if I win, you'll quit. Look, Murph, I did what I

had to do. And no matter what happens, I can live with it. Because if I don't

believe in Frank Fontana, who will?

Oh, God, what have I done?

Frank, I checked with the network brass and there aren't going to be any

cutbacks at FYI. No one's out.

So you see, if you'd gone through the chain of command, you could have avoided

this needless worry. I just told the head of the network that if I didn't win

the Humboldt tonight, I'd quit.

You did what?

You're so strong.

Now, isn't it nicer out here?

Quieter. More private.

Corky.

Look, we need to talk.

I think I gave you the wrong impression here.

It's not that I don't think that you're great. It's just that I'm all wrong for

you.

You don't know that. Yes, I do.

I could never go on a hayride.

I heckled the screen all through Sleepless in Seattle, and with the

this moment, I'm a self -centered guy who's not going to change. Do you

understand what I'm saying?

little place on the coast of Virginia.

If we leave now, we could be there in less than an hour.

But I thought you said you were all wrong for me. Oh, what do I know?

I'm a bad judge of myself, but I think the right woman... No, no.

What you said is probably true.

This wouldn't work.

And I'm sorry about the kiss.

I guess there's just sometimes a woman needs to know she still has it.

And by the disappointed expression on your face, I guess I still do.

I still want to hear about your sorority rush week.

Oh, you.

You just make me feel so good.

Scott, Rod.

I'm a good -looking guy, aren't I?

I just pour the drinks.

You two war rats, what are you doing here? Yeah, we had a layover in D .C.

network invited us, and we never turned down a free meal or a chance to trap

Stone Phillips in a bathroom and mess up that hair.

Say, how's our life stateside? Not too rough on you, I hope? Oh, man, it's

brutal. This cummerbund is killing me.

What are you guys up to next?

Cherry Yebo.

I was just in Sarajevo last week. Oh, yeah, we heard. For a whole six hours?

Just long enough to stand in front of some bombed -out building, file your

report, and get out?

Who told you that? The cameraman you sent in four days ahead of you to get

footage. Man, you used to hate that when the big shots came in at the last

second. Ah, come on, guys. I've dodged my share of scuds. Besides, these news

magazines, they run on a very tight schedule. You've got to write them,

got to edit them, you've got to... Ooh, editing. That must really get the

adrenaline going.

Well, they're either bombing the city or the awards are starting.

It's good to see you, buddy.

Yeah, hey.

Hope you went. Yeah, thanks.

It's okay, Stone. They're gone. You can come out now.

You're fine.

Have it your way.

The ceremony's started. You might want to get in there.

Ah, the moment of truth.

Aren't you coming? No, remember, I don't care.

Oh, drop the act. You care.

And I'll tell you why.

Because for all your brashness and arrogance, this anchor business is

than you thought.

And when they announce the winner is and some other name like mine is called,

you'll have to admit you're not the best. Oh, come on now. I know what's

on here.

From the moment I joined FYI, you've been jealous of me.

Me? Jealous of you?

Freud might disagree, but believe me, there is nothing you have that I want.

How about your old life?

Remember the days when you could pick up and go at a moment's notice?

Sacrifice everything for a story?

Well, I still can.

They used to automatically engrave your name on the Humboldt. Not anymore.

And when they announce, and the winner is, and some other name, like mine, is

called, you'll have to admit you're slipping. Oh, what are you talking

don't need some award. And the winner for individual achievement in reporting

is... Murphy Brown.

And Peter Hunt.

We have a tie.

But you're hurting. I thought you didn't...

I just

pushed

myself my way up here so that I could be the first one on the podium to accept

this.

Meaning one chunk of glass.

Well, I can honestly say I've never been so disgusted with myself in my entire

life.

Thank you all.

I am back!

Before we wait for... Morning, people. This won't take long.

You know, when I got to work today, there wasn't one phone message.

What are you doing?

Packing up my coffee mug. I'm leaving, remember?

You are not fit down.

I said if I didn't win the Humboldt, I was going to quit, FYI. Well, I may not

have won, but at least I still have my dignity.

You can't quit.

Why not?

Because I'm quitting.

What? You're quitting? It's his job.

Every time I get out in the field, I just get started on something. I get

back here, shoved into a suit, and stuck behind a desk.

I can't take it anymore.

Playing roller derby with Murphy last night was the most exciting thing that's

happened to me since I came to FYI. And how often can I count on that happening?

Once, maybe twice a month?

Peter, you can't just leave. You have a contract. A contract with an out clause.

Hey, this isn't about contracts.

I'm sorry, Miles. I made up my mind.

Peter, just wait a minute. Oh, no, no. Don't tell me you're going to try and

talk me out of this. Me?

Yeah, right. No, I just wanted to tell you I've got some of your stuff in my

office. Your Game Boy, your Walkman, that extra set of car keys you thought

lost, your spare tire. I'll just go see if I can find it.

So, I suppose you've already told the network about this.

No, I thought I'd let you break it, too.

Oh, great.

I'm finally the first to know something.

And now I get to tell them one of their Humboldt winners is leaving.

No, but it'll be okay.

It's not like they'll lop off my head, shove it on a stick, and parade me

the commissary like a giant Tootsie Pop.

I've got to talk to the executive.

Oh, uh... Hey, Peter.

Look, man, I know we've had our problems, but I want you to know that I

you. Just like me, you were willing to throw all this away for what you believe

in.

Good luck, man.

Thanks, Frank.

This is so great. He's gone. The network knows I'm willing to walk. I bet I can

renegotiate big time.

Keep pushing it, Frank.

Just keep pushing it.

Peter, I'm terrible at goodbyes, so we'll just save it for later when you're

about to go.

Well, my office is all packed, Jim. The movers are going to pick up the boxes.

This is it.

Oh, well, goodbye.

Peter, I understand why you have to go.

And I just want you to know that someday you will meet somebody else, and you'll

forget all about me.

Deep blue pools in my eyes.

My full red lips.

No, I'm not saying it'll be easy.

But I promise, you won't forget.

Oh, you'll forget this too.

There you go.

If you ask me, it looks a little low.

Can I close the door?

Yeah, why not? I'm heading to Sarajevo tomorrow. I might as well start living

dangerously.

Um... Look, this isn't easy for me to say, but... Well, no matter what's

happened between us in the past, I, uh... I just want you to know I think

a hell of a journalist, and having you around probably pushed me to work a

little harder, so... Even though I'm not very good at sharing, I just...

I want you to know I'm proud to be co -winner of this year's Humboldt with

Okay.

So then I guess this is goodbye.

You know, it just occurred to me that I probably affected you, too.

Affected me?

Nope, not really.

Very few people who meet me are unaffected. I mean, I've sat next to

planes, and within five minutes, they have very strong feelings about me.

Not me. So long.

I'm beginning to see what's happening here.

I affected you on such a profound level that you can't even express it. So not

only did I affect you, I affected you more than you affected me.

You want to talk profound?

You're the one who invited me in here and then closed the door.

Hey, you want to go? Go.

No, no, no, no, no. I'm not going until you accept the fact that you did not

affect me. Well, then I guess you're not leaving and I'm beginning to think

that's exactly what you want.

Well, I want...

I think that's exactly what you want. Oh, yeah. Like I really want to keep you

here. Like I really want to stay.

You are so wrong.

Then why are you still here?

Why are you still here?

Pizza in here.

You know, once this pizza's gone, I'm gone.

Yeah, that's what you said at lunch.