Original subtitles

Hello, I'm calling from the trip. I'd like to confirm a quote. Getting around

two hours. Can you come and register me how much money was involved?

Was it over $1 ,000?

Was it over $10 ,000?

You mean she hasn't seen her mother in 35 years?

That's right. Some bureaucratic moron lost her file. You'd be surprised how

displaced persons are still displaced.

After all that time, she still took the train from New York?

All that time, what difference does it make? The flight from Bucharest was her

first. It really frightened her.

Magda Negalesco?

Yes? I'm Joe Ross from Los Angeles Tribune.

At this moment, I am so very nervous.

How long has it been since you saw your mother?

37 years.

37 years next month.

I thought she was dead.

Can you remember the last time you saw her?

Oh, yes.

She was sick then, and it was very cold.

They send the old and the sick to the left, and they send the young and the

healthy to the right.

And she went to the left.

When did you realize she was still alive?

Two years ago.

I got a letter from a group that has refugees.

Just like that it comes.

After these years, a letter comes, and my mother is alive.

Do you think you'll know her?

A daughter would always know her mother.

the budget hang on a minute charlie we got breaking news here they're mario's

veal piccata he slices the veal so thin you could read through it low fire the

restaurant that is news the lemon sauce where mario gets his lemons he's not

telling but you and i can't buy them I say the only way to judge an Italian

restaurant is by the fettuccine. Is that any good? Good. A hundred years ago,

he'd have been burned as a witch.

Blue, did you read my reunion piece? Not yet. Where did you find this place?

It's Slug Reunion. I was out in Pasadena. I mean, I'm never in Pasadena.

was trying to get back on the freeway. Now, did you ever try to find a freeway

on -ramp in Pasadena? They hide them. So I was wending my way west on the

surface streets, and I was somewhere between Eagle Rock and Glendale.

Working up a huge appetite.

And I see this place.

Mario's Trattoria.

The best Italian food since Minneapolis.

That's the capital of North America.

Got that mother -daughter reunion stuff. How's this story look?

Good, but who hasn't read it yet?

Let me take a look.

Hey, that's a real grab.

Wait, did you take these? No, Lisa took them. She asked me to bring them up. I'm

kind of worried about them. I think they look pretty good.

What was she worried about?

She said the whole story kind of got to her.

Yeah, it kind of did.

I guess it means more to her than most people.

What do you mean?

Well, she's adopted.

Adopted? I didn't know that.

Well, Lou, when are you going to take us to Mario's?

Find your own Mario's.

Hey, Italiano. Yeah.

Where are you people from?

This is Italy.

Ah, yes. I heard of it.

You see, Mario, I brought my newspaper, friends. We'll make you famous.

Mr. Glenn, I've been famous.

I was in New York.

Trattoria Firenze. Two and a half forks. People fighting to get inside.

The best people.

Outside, on the line. They curse Mario that they don't make it fast enough.

If you will excuse a Jewish word, who needs the aggravation?

Sounds like the newspaper business.

Then I'm sorry for you. Look, do something smart.

Find some other kind of work. Something quiet.

With enough time to be happy and to do the job right.

Maybe you've got something there, Mario.

Sure. What's important?

When I finish work, it's a pleasure for me to go to the house.

Excuse me.

Isn't it great?

All weekends, everyone in the family works in this place.

That's nice.

Must be an Italian tradition.

Not my family. We're going to be in the same car if we're in ten minutes. Yeah,

but you know what town your parents are from. You could probably trace your

family back for generations.

Not even sure what date I was born in. You're not?

I'm adopted.

But I've been thinking about trying to find my real mother.

Why do you want to do that?

Curiosity, I guess.

Who are the parents who raised you?

My dad died a few years ago. My mother's wonderful.

I couldn't love her more.

But who do I come from?

When I was a teenager, I used to have this picture of my real mother, this

old lady washing dishes in a truck stop at night, alone with her thoughts.

Lisa, have you asked your mother about your background?

She doesn't know. She brought me out from North Carolina when I was four.

She's always right. The Department of Rec is there.

Well, I tried that.

Nothing. I read about a place where people who are adopted and want to meet

their real parents can register, and parents who want to find their natural

children can do the same. This agency tries to put them together.

Oh, I know. I'm registered.

But no luck so far.

It might be impossible.

Don't say that word around reporters.

You can always find these things out if you know how to dig.

Can't be different than tracking down a story.

If I was in your shoes, I'm not sure I'd want to do that.

Why do I feel like I'm in high school sneaking around behind my mother's back?

Because you are.

Did you ever think of telling her what you're trying to do?

Of course I have.

But it would really hurt her feeling.

She's been great to me.

This is the oldest album we have.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Oh, cowgirl.

Or a nun.

Which one were you here?

When did you ever see a nun wearing a six -shooter?

Joe, what are we supposed to be looking for?

I don't know. Maybe I'll know when we find it.

Well, I really hate to see you go to all this trouble.

That's what an investigation is, trouble. You should have seen what I

through when I nailed that Board of Education guy with the phony military

record.

It's drudgery, but it's part of the job.

What is this?

Well, that's my baptismal record.

Lisa Ann Carruthers, that's me.

Margaret and Jack Carruthers, my adoptive parents.

Nothing we didn't already know.

Oh, I'm sorry.

It's okay.

The glue's old.

What is it?

What? Looks like a number.

569904 -5 -3, or is it a 7? It's hard to tell.

What does it mean?

I don't know. It could be something. It looks official.

Well, I think it's Margaret's handwriting.

Lisa?

Oh, hi, Mom!

We're up here!

Oh, God, I don't want her to see this. I don't want her to know what we're up

to. Oh.

How will she? She just will.

Is it okay to come up?

Uh, just give Joe a chance to get his clothes on. Hey, cut that out. That's

funny.

Hi, sweetheart. Joe.

Hi, Margaret. Hi, Mom.

How was open house at school?

Oh, only five parents showed up. The parents of the best kids, naturally.

Did you have a nice evening?

Oh, Lisa's just showing me some of her photos. She may have some talent.

I think you find the lights better in the living room.

Right.

Did you have a chance to look at that apartment?

Oh, it wasn't an apartment, really.

More of a converted garage.

Almost converted.

I was afraid I'd be asleep and a car would drive in.

I'm sure you'll find something.

Soon.

So you think it might be the number of a reduction plant? I don't know.

It might be worth a shot.

Do you know anybody in Greensboro?

Nope.

Greensboro's in North Carolina.

That's very good, Donovan. Devil Hill is in North Carolina.

Could you save the geography lesson?

The University of North Carolina is in Chapel Hill. You might try finding

somebody who graduated from the School of Journalism there.

Who?

Do you still keep in touch with anybody from down there? Can you contact that

good old boy in Networking North?

You mean the Tar Heel Typing and Chowder Society?

Yeah, the guys in journalism.

Well, I could check around and see if there are still any survivors in

Greensboro. That's great. Let me know what you find out.

You too.

You too what?

You sure you want to get involved in that?

Who wants to find your mother?

That's my point exactly.

You went through your childhood once. Why go back to your past?

High school reunions are dramatic enough.

Hello.

Not now, Corrine. There's a deadline snapping at me like a wild alligator.

Likely overall, darling. I love the metaphor.

I happen to know that your deadline was passed 20 minutes ago.

Now, once again, dear, what about it?

About what?

The little Italian ristorante in Eagle Rock. It's not a ristorante. It's just a

joint. Your friends would like it. Sounds adorable.

Anyway, it's not in Eagle Rock. It's in Glendale.

Carmine's bit Italy.

I was just going to take my sister there.

Wait a minute.

You wouldn't have told me so easily.

What's the real name, Lou, and where is it?

Gee, I forget.

I know I can be candid with you, Lou.

It would be a wonderful coup if I could present my readers with an amusing new

restaurant. But no, Mr. Grant doesn't want a restaurant to prosper.

Oh, if only I could be like you, ruthless.

Don't worry, Corinne. You're getting there.

Hello? Lisa, it's me, Joe.

I have something to tell you.

But do you remember that number we found on the back of that baptismal

certificate? And I thought it looked official.

Yeah? Well, it was. Donovan came through. A friend of his who still works

newspaper in Greensboro traced that number. It's your adoption file.

Just like that?

What did he find out?

Well, you have the name of your natural mother.

Sure you want to know?

Yes.

It's Augusta Swan Hart.

That's pretty.

As pretty as yours, Alexandra Hart.

Alexandra Hart.

I wonder who she is.

Lou Grant will continue in a moment here on Returns to Lou Grant.

Roast beef on rye.

Cheeseburger.

Hamburger, and instead of the coleslaw, I'll have scotch.

Here. Oh, thank you.

Hi. Do you want to order?

I couldn't eat.

Flipper just came from North Carolina.

I think it's my birth certificate.

Already? Yeah, your friend sent an express mail.

Gee, that was nice of him.

Come on, come on. Aren't you going to open it? I'm dying to find out what's

inside. Well, maybe she'd rather open it when she's alone.

No, she wouldn't. Come on.

Okay.

Alexandra Hart, female.

So far, it's right on.

Seven pounds, two ounces.

Born 535, November 21st, 1955.

Oh, no.

What's the matter?

November 21st.

I always thought my birthday was November 22nd.

What's the difference?

Well, it makes me a Scorpio instead of a Sagittarius.

All these years, I've been reading the wrong astrology forecast.

Gee, well, we hired you. We thought you were a Sagittarius.

You've got to think twice about this.

Mother, Augusta Swanhart, occupation artist.

Oh, wow.

She was an artist.

Father, Frederick Alanhart, occupation printer.

See, it's in your blood.

Unbelievable.

It's fascinating. It's like discovering a whole new person.

Yeah. It is.

It's like everything I thought about myself is different.

Well, now that you have their names, what's our next step?

I don't know.

Your friend said they don't live in Greensboro anymore.

Their father was a printer. I tried the printer's union.

Thanks, Lou. That's very helpful.

Sure. Maybe they still live somewhere in the South. I have a connection in

Nashville. Why would you think they're still in the South with the way people

move around in America?

Forget I said anything.

Father's a good angle. Also, I know a guy who works on a Memphis paper. We can

call and ask him to check the city directories and phone books.

Well, you do find your parents.

What are you going to do then?

I don't know.

I guess I'll just decide that when the time comes.

Arthur, I have checked everywhere around Atlanta.

There is no Augusta Hart, there is no Augusta Swan, and...

The only Frederick is 22 years old. He plays rhythm guitar in a rock group and

he has no relation.

Thank you, Susanna.

Keep trying, will you?

I checked the yellow pages.

Remember, he was a printer.

I have checked the yellow pages. There is nothing under Hart.

Well, maybe it's not under his name.

Maybe he works in the back shop of your own paper.

Arthur, do you know how many printers there are in Atlanta?

Oh, Arthur.

I know that we go back a long way.

So I'll tell you what I'm going to do for you.

Better still, I'll get an intern to do it. It'll be good training.

Thank you, Susanna. I owe you one.

You owe me more than one, Arthur Donovan.

But, Lou, that's the lead.

Oh, you can start the story at one grab down and say the same thing.

Then you don't have the part about these street vendors losing their livelihood.

But the point is they're posing a health problem. That's what you say here.

It's a story about free enterprise.

It's a story about food poisoning.

I was the one who was there. I was the one who covered it. I know what the

is. Yes, he is. Hang on a minute.

Billy, it's for you. National.

Oh, it's about Lisa. I've got to take that.

Fine. Take it.

You lose by default.

Billy, dear, I adore your office.

That's fun.

I would never have thought of putting those two colors together.

No, I did it just for you, Corinne. I've got to take this.

Now, darling, word has reached my ear that you and Lou and several of his

favorites have slept together at an ever so tucked away tiny Italian bar. I

promise not to tell.

Hi, Ryle. Billy, dear.

Russ, can you hold on a second?

Please, darling, don't make me put your feet to the fire.

Hi, Ryle. This is Billy.

Billy, I'm so glad you called. It's great to talk with you again.

Yeah, me too. How have you been?

I'm assistant city editor now.

There have been other changes, too.

I got divorced last year.

Gee, congratulations.

Funny you should call. I've been thinking about you.

Now, Riles, this is kind of a business call.

Anything at all, just name it.

Okay, I'm trying to locate a woman named Augusta Swan Hart. That's Swan with one

N, Hart, H -A -R -T, or her husband, Frederick Allen Hart.

There must be a lot of Harts in Nashville, but let me try.

So, Billy, when are you coming out?

Oh, gee, Ryle. I don't know.

All I need is a hint.

Just the name, address, and telephone number. Look, if Lou's secret

you put it in that column of yours, that's the end of it. And if he finds

told you, that's the end of me.

Darling, my readers don't ruin restaurants.

They make them. Yeah, and the price is a lot.

If people have to worry about the prices, then they should eat at home.

I know he found the place on his way home from Pasadena, so that means it has

be either Eagle Rock, Lindale, or the outer reaches of Burbank. Could be

Anaheim. You don't lose sense of direction.

I rarely mention this, but I do keep an enemies list.

You know, maybe the Hart's own property at that time. They'd be on the tax

record about 55.

Okay, I'll check on that. How'd you do? I got a proposal of marriage.

And an invitation to visit Nashville and two passes for a date night at Disney

World. But nothing else.

I still got my lines out, but so far I haven't caught any swans.

We're just not having any luck, are we?

Don't count on luck.

Luck only comes with hard work.

It's too early to give up. We've got a whole section of the country to cover.

You're an inspiration to us, Russie.

I feel embarrassed that you're all working so hard on this.

You could be doing a lot of other things.

With a mother named Augusta Swanhart, you could be an heiress who could show

appreciation of the people who helped her out.

Well, I do thank you. Don't thank us too quickly. We might be out of leads.

That's just the kind of defeatism we don't need around here. Come on, don't

sit there stuffing your faces. Think.

Am I the only one interested in finding Lisa's mother? You have a wonderful way

of enlisting Arthur for it. Oh, I don't know. I'd follow him anywhere.

But I did have a thought.

Lisa's 25 years old.

What happens if we go back 25 years? That puts us in the early 50s. What does

that do for us?

Howdy Doody.

Marilyn Monroe.

Ike. The Exile.

Joe McCarthy.

General MacArthur. The Korean War.

That's it. The father might have been in the army.

Or he might not have been.

But we had the draft in this country then. Chances are he was registered.

I'm calling Washington to see if it's on record.

That's terrific.

We'll see.

Lisa, let's go. We've got to be in Covina in 30 minutes.

Oh, that's right.

Really sweet.

Rossy, have you gone soft on the skirt?

I think he's kind of nuts about the dam.

Looking at me is flushing.

Come on, you guys.

Lou Grant will continue in a moment here on A &E.

What is it?

That's from me, Charlie.

Department of the Army acknowledging your inquiry.

It's research for a story?

Kind of.

Well, not really.

I was curious about something.

Your curiosity is expensive. You know how much these things cost?

See, it's about Lisa Carruthers. She's adopted, and a lot of us are trying to

help her find her mother.

Don't you find sometimes that your jobs interfere with the newfound hobby you

have, being tracers of lost persons?

We're doing a lot of this in our spare time, Charlie. Like what, nine to six?

No. Lunch hours, after work.

We're trying to fit it in. Yeah. Well, I know it's important, but you can't fit

the crib in, too.

Hey, Rossi, you might be interested in this.

Yeah?

Hey, thanks.

Animal, can I speak to Lisa?

When did she leave?

What have we got, Joe?

The Telex. Came to it from Washington with your father's military.

Oh, what's this?

Frederick Allen Hart.

He took basic training in Fort Bragg.

Specialist in communications.

Really? That's odd.

He transferred to the infantry. It's usually the other way around.

Korea Pyongyang. He was awarded the Bronze Star for valor.

Twice.

He was killed in action.

Oh. I'm sorry.

I just met him and already he's gone.

He died someplace called Hill 322, March 9th, 1952.

You sure?

Yeah, that's what it said.

What's the matter?

That was three years before I was born.

Who told her?

Nobody I know would.

Hush, hush.

Mario's Pretoria on Hyperion is the favorite of nude persons on the prowl

sublime Italian food.

Let this be our little secret.

It's all open.

Mario's parking lot will be full of Mercedes and people wearing purple

boots. We discovered the place. Now we'll never be able to get in again.

I'm not surprised she did it. I just want to know how she did it. Who spilled

the beans?

Who did?

I don't know.

How did you find Mario's? Who told you?

Nobody.

You said you found it taking a shortcut home from Pasadena. I know where you

live. And I have a rough idea where Pasadena is, so I drove around till I

it.

Peeling paint, faded awning, motorcycle repair shop next door, no valet parking.

Really tacky.

And I said to myself, this looks like Lou Grant.

I've done Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana.

I think I'll try Tennessee after lunch.

All we know for sure is the man's name on my birth certificate couldn't be my

real father.

So however you look at it, Lisa Carruthers or Alexandra Hart is

Just what I wanted to hear.

But your mother is a lead, and she might still be a painter. And if she is, she

could be a good one, which means art critics would know her, and I've been

calling them all over the South. Joe, just a minute.

I'm not sure that I want to go through with this anymore.

Lisa, we can't stop now.

Let me play out this last hunch.

I think you can stop calling.

Toto.

Yeah. Yes, just a minute. It's for you.

Yeah?

You can transfer it.

I already placed this call to Charlottesville. You want me to forget

Yes, this is Joe Rossi.

Thanks for calling me back, Mr. Gossage.

Look, I know this is a long shot, but we're trying to find an artist. A woman

named Augusta Swan Hart.

We have a hunch she might be living in the South.

You do?

Lisa.

Someone's going to be getting on the phone, Mr. Gossage. Lisa Carruthers. She

works with a newspaper.

Yes, I know Augusta Swan.

What about her?

Well, we're interested in locating her.

Why is that, Mr.

Rossi? It's a personal matter.

I know there's a tendency on the part of people on the coast to feel that we are

somewhat naive in this part of the country, but my guess is that there's a

here. Oh, you wouldn't be calling.

Mr. Gossage, may I say something?

Lisa, will you hold it off a second, okay? I'm adopted, and I have reason to

believe that Augusta Swan is my natural mother.

This is off the record, Gossage. What you are telling me is intriguing.

There may be even a good human interest story.

Our readers are big on that.

I told you this is not for publication.

Could you please tell me about my mother?

Well, she's prominent in local art circles.

She used to teach at the university and on occasion still exhibits.

Is there any other family?

Yes, I believe there's a daughter in town and a son -in -law.

Can you tell me, is she well?

Well, actually, I've heard that lately she's not in good health.

Now, Miss Crothers.

I've given you some information. Can you tell me how long you've been looking

for her?

I don't think Miss Carruthers should answer any questions. This is a personal

matter. We'd appreciate it if you'd respect that.

You are putting me in a very difficult position.

We do the same for you, Gossage, and you know it.

I wonder about that, Mr. Rossi.

I really do.

Lou Grant will continue in a moment here on A &E.

already. Hi, Pop.

No, I just had to type up some caption information for that stuff that I shot

yesterday. My good stationery. Oh, must be pretty fancy photos.

I'm sorry.

It's all I could find. Did you see where I left some sports magazines? I think

they're up here. Oh, I saw them on the shelf.

Since when did you get interested in baseball?

I'm not.

This is for my remedial English class.

Whatever happened to the classics?

This is a world series issue. It is a classic. See you for dinner.

Bye, Mom.

I did it.

Yeah, did what?

Wrote to my sister in Charlottesville.

Why didn't you just write to your mother?

Oh, well, I was afraid to do that. You know, Mr. Gossett said that she wasn't

the best of health.

It could be quite a shock.

Not the most convincing excuse I ever heard.

Well, it's easier for me this way, okay?

Except for one thing.

Yeah?

I'm afraid to mail it.

Why? How will we ever get to meet her?

Maybe I'd better go back to work.

Oh, sure, fine.

After all the time we put in, just forget about it.

Look, Joe.

Maybe I'll get into something bigger than I can handle if I open that door.

What are you really afraid about?

What's the worst that can happen? Lisa, you are who you are. Nothing can change

that, not even meeting this woman.

I don't know.

The thing is...

If you don't go through with this now, you will have a question in your life

you'll never be able to resolve.

Well, what do you think?

Oh, that's a good speech, Mrs. Pinchot. I like the sentiment.

Mr. Grant, you haven't said anything.

Is this for before dinner or after?

After. Be nice if you added on a little transportation joke.

Transportation joke?

Do you know a good transportation joke?

I do. It wouldn't work. It's about the subways. It's a little off color.

Well, if either of you can think of a nice, clean joke about buses, call me by

five.

Oh, Mr. Graham?

Yes? I understand you're the one who's discovered the restaurant everyone's

talking about.

Mario's.

It's nice to know my city editor is a trendsetter.

It's not much of an atmosphere, but the food's terrific.

Matthew and I used to love to find little restaurants nobody else knew

How would you like to try it?

Is this an invitation to dinner?

Sure. Why not?

I will. Bye.

Have you seen Lisa?

She's got a long -distance phone call.

I think she's still out on that ticket scalping story with Billy. They should

back. Someone just called for her from Virginia, Charlottesville. Is that still

going on? I haven't heard about it for a couple of days.

Ticket scalpers are not the most articulate people I've ever interviewed,

should be able to squeeze four graphs out of it. At least we got some good

hearts. Here's a message for you, Lisa.

From Charlottesville.

My sister.

You okay?

What's going on?

The police just got a call from Charlottesville.

You want to use my phone?

Billy, do you mind? We'll use Lou's office.

Caleb? Whatever you say, Rossi.

Oh, thanks, operator.

I'll wait.

Hello?

Is this Bess Gresham?

Yes, it is.

Hi, this is Lisa.

I mean, Alexandra.

Oh, yes, I got your letter, Lisa.

It was a bombshell.

My lord, we're all up in the air here.

Did they run a story about it in the paper down there?

I talked to the art editor.

No, we didn't see anything.

Well, I know it's true. You are my sister.

That picture you sent is the image of Mother at your age.

How old are you?

Twenty -five.

How old are you?

I'm twenty -nine. I have three children.

Three?

I'll be darned. I'm an aunt.

I just can't believe this.

I know.

Lisa, I'm glad you wrote to me instead of to Mother.

She isn't well. She's living with us, you know.

We'll tell her as soon as we can.

Tell her that her daughter, Alexandra, is very anxious to meet her.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Hot stuff. Here we go. There you go.

We said it would only be a few minutes. That was nearly an hour ago.

I don't think it'll be much longer. We're out of neck.

Those people are great.

I'm sorry about this.

Quite all right.

I'm sure the food is worth the wait.

Hey, Mario, how are we doing on our table, huh?

We are next, right?

Oh, no, no. You're not next. We're next.

Oh, no, no. You're mistaken. I saw you come in after we had been here.

Well, I was just outside parking the car. She was here before both of you.

No, I distinctly saw this young lady come in when I was here. Mr. Grant was

parking the car, but we really are next.

The hell you are. That table's mine, and I'm going to get it. Come on, fella.

Let's not get this way. It's dinner time.

We came out for a pleasant evening.

Yeah, don't stop making such an issue of it, huh?

Take gravity, Rayden.

I'm sorry, Mr. Grant. Please be patient.

The next table will be yours. Good.

Everybody hear that?

Yeah. Yeah.

Maybe let's all hold this for a while.

Mr. Grant, do they make these breadsticks here?

I don't think so.

Good.

It's stale.

Mm -hmm.

Lou, you know the story I did about boat builders who had to close down out here

and some of them had to move back to the southeast?

Yeah.

I talked to one of those guys in Norfolk, Virginia yesterday. It got me

thinking about transplanted Californians going back east, sort of a reverse

migration. You think there might be a story in that?

Probably not.

Norfolk.

That would be about a couple hours' drive from Charlottesville.

Charlottesville? Oh, yeah.

You mean the place where Lisa's mother's from.

It would be about two hours from Norfolk.

Rossi, if you want to take off for a few days and go back with Lisa, do it.

You've got some time coming.

This could turn into a story.

No, it won't.

There's no way.

So stop making excuses, and if you like the girl, go.

Thanks.

at Mario's last night. Oh, lucky you.

I was lucky to get a table without getting into a fist fight.

Well, it's good to know that Mario is doing so well.

He's doing rotten.

The place was a mess. It was the least pleasant experience I've had in an

Italian restaurant since Amzio.

Don't hold back, dear. Let me know what it was really like.

Well, it was impossible to get served.

You couldn't get into the joint.

The place was swamped with people, and he's not equipped to handle that.

Why don't you stay on your own side of the paper, you restaurant wrecker?

You mean it's gone downhill since the article appeared?

Like Jack and Jill.

Good heavens, that's just awful.

Well, see what you've done to poor Mario?

Poor Mario? Poor me? It's my reputation.

It's the last bug I'll ever give him.

We just drive around the block a couple of times.

It's too late. Look.

Beth? Hello, Lisa. Welcome.

I don't believe it.

Your hands are as cold as mine.

This is kind of unreal, isn't it? I'm so glad you're here.

Hi, I'm Joe Rossi. Oh, forgive me. This is Joe Rossi. Hi, how do you do?

I'm Bess Gresham, Lisa's sister.

Bess?

Bess? I keep forgetting to give you back this pen.

Thanks, Lorraine. I want you to meet someone. This is my sister, Lisa

and her friend, Mr. Rossi.

How do you do?

Well, have a nice visit.

Nice meeting you all.

It's a lovely house.

Maybe you'd like to come in.

That would be nice.

Is Mother inside?

No, she's not.

We took her down to Richmond to go shopping.

Shopping?

Didn't she know that I was coming?

You see, Lisa, I haven't been able to tell her about you yet.

I don't understand, Bess.

Why haven't you?

You don't know Mother.

It's not going to be an easy thing to bring up to her.

Come on inside and tell me all about you.

Lou Grant will continue in a moment. You're on A &X to Lou Grant.

Did you see this review in the Tampa section?

Which one?

The movie that was excruciating? The art exhibit that was uninspired?

Or the concert that was lackluster.

The restaurant that was the pits.

Dwight Harris' dining out house.

He warned the world to stay away from your friend Mario's at Eagle Rock. Said

couldn't figure out what all the fuss was about.

There wouldn't have been a fuss except for that damn Corinne.

It's just a nice little neighborhood place that never meant to be anything

it wasn't. And she ruined it. Is that why you want to see me? No, no, no.

Actually, it was about Rossi.

I wanted to tell him I liked his Navy story. It occurred to me I hadn't seen

for a few days.

Is he sick?

No, he just took some vacation. He went to Charlottesville with Lisa.

He thought she shouldn't face it alone.

You know, there could be a story in that.

What? Rossi caring enough about a girl to do something nice for her?

What I'm thinking, we have done stories on the rights of parents who adopted

children who are afraid that the natural mother...

Might change her mind and come after her.

Yeah, but we've also done stories about adoptees, and they're right to find out

about their backgrounds.

Right. But there's still something more intriguing that we haven't done.

What? What about the natural mother who gave up her child?

Now, doesn't she have the right to privacy?

She made the decision. Shouldn't she be left alone?

She's inside?

She's in the living room.

Go on.

I'm Alexandra.

Yes.

Yes, I see that you are.

Ness showed me a picture of you at my age.

We look so much alike.

I'm so glad to see you.

I know that this is difficult.

But you don't know how long I've looked for you.

Thought about you.

The years I've wondered who you were.

And now... I never expected to see you again.

I was hurt at first.

But now I'm beginning to understand why you did what you did.

Small town, illegitimate child.

The pressures must have been enormous.

Then you do understand.

There's so much I want to know.

About you.

About your life.

Your work as a painter.

Your paintings are beautiful.

Did Bess tell you that I'm a photographer?

She mentioned something about that, yes.

Can you tell me about my father?

Who was he?

Did you love him?

It must have been so hard for you.

Poor mother.

Get your hand off me.

You get away from me.

Who are you?

You have no right to be here.

I made a mistake 25 years ago. Must I be reminded of it now?

Come on, come on. Let's see where he is.

You sure they're still open?

Uh, the dinner car probably hasn't come in yet. At 8 o 'clock?

I say the chic people don't dine before 10.

If we sit down now, we can probably squeeze in a dinner before they get

I guess we can take our pick.

So you're the man that made Mario's what it is today, huh? Say it up. Say it up.

Do you have a reservation?

Hi, Mario. How's it going?

Wonderful, wonderful.

Yeah? This is wonderful?

What customer?

That's my cousin Benedetto. I'm a cop at that.

Hey, I'm sorry.

I'm really sorry. I guess the review of our paper is what did it. That wasn't

fair. We know how good your food can be. Listen, business was booming.

I was thinking about to expand the kitchen and to add on another room. Then

think to myself, wait a minute.

This is what I came up here to get away from.

Then your review came out.

And they saved me from success.

Now, the new customers are gone.

The older customers are back.

And it's what it used to be.

What do you recommend? Is there a special of the day?

For you people, everything is special.

Order whatever you like.

Something bocca, vile marsala, scongigli sigiliano.

My kitchen is poised and ready.

Sounds terrific.

All right, you name it. What's it going to be?

You guys want to all go in on a pizza?

I dragged you all that way for nothing.

It wasn't for nothing.

You got a sister out of the deal.

That's right.

So, how are you feeling now?

Disappointed.

A little rejected, maybe.

She said I was her mistake.

You want to know something?

She's my mistake.

I should never have gone after her.

I guess I expected a real sentimental reunion.

Mother and daughter rushing into each other's arms.

I just never imagined that she'd shove me away like that.

Yeah, I know. It's been very rough.

But I think you made a giant circle and found your way back home.

I'm glad I went through it.

I wanted to find my real mother, and I did.

Hi, Charlie.

Morning, Ronnie.

How's everything been?

Fine. I mean, since I've been away.

You've been away?

Yes, since Tuesday.

No kidding.

Hi, Billy.

Hi, Runcie.

Did you pick up my mail?

No. Huh.

Imagine being out of town three days and not getting any mail.

You've been out of town three days?

Sorry I couldn't get back sooner.

I want to really put you in a bind.

Three days without.

No, you're all fine.

Hi, Lou.

Where have you been, Rossi? Are you working for us or not?

How the hell are we supposed to put out a paper with everyone taking off on me?

Take this garbage and see if you can make some sense out of it. You got ten

minutes.

Okay, Lou.

Ten minutes?

You'll have it.

To infiltrate the underworld, Mac assumes the identity of a shady charmer.

Hudson and Susan St. James star in Macmillan and Wife, next on A &E.