Original subtitles

Hey, ready for lunch?

Starving. What do you want to eat?

I was thinking about the cafeteria.

You don't want hospital food. What's wrong with hospital food?

Sorry.

Is it a menu?

Why would you order up when you've got a cafeteria right downstairs?

You ever tried a chip beef?

Well, actually, these are for caterers. You're looking at the new chairman of

the benefactors' ball, which is just two weeks away. Jesse, please temporary

insanity and quit. Why? This is my one chance to show the hospital board that

I'm good at things that matter to them. Jesse, your record in the ER is

exemplary. You saved many, many lives.

Yeah, but how much money have I raised?

You're a resident. They don't expect you to raise money.

Exactly. And my residency ends in less than a year. And if I have any chance of

staying on as an attending, I need to impress the hospital board. And what

better way than with money?

So bribe him. Can we eat now? You do not know what you're getting yourself into.

All I have to do is show up. I mean, this thing has practically run itself

the past 30 years.

That's because Martin Gaylord always catered to it, but he's retiring this

Look. I've put together some pretty good ten keggers in college. I mean, throw

in a couple hundred buckets of Captain Cluck's chicken legs and you've got

yourself a party. Now, that's one fundraiser I'd go to. Yeah.

Sorry.

What do you got?

A charcoal grill blew up at a party. We got smoke inhalation, minor burns, cuts

and bruises.

Nothing serious.

Oh,

Mrs. Tangert, I am so sorry. We'll pay for everything. Just send all the

hospital bills and the repair costs to me.

Oh, and you're going to be fine. And don't worry about your wedding

next month. It's on us.

Oh, and don't worry about your son's bar mitzvah. Our gift, our treat.

Oh, I'm ruined.

Oh, it's not so bad, Mr. Andrews. Everyone loved the food until they were

wearing it.

Accidents happen, even to the best chefs.

This was no accident.

Excuse me, I couldn't help notice your bed. Are you a police officer? Well, I'd

like to report a crime.

My charcoal grill was sabotaged.

Udon noodles were flying everywhere. Somebody could have been killed.

I didn't know noodles were lethal.

Well, they are if they're uncooked and flying off the grill at 80 miles an

Can I have your name, please?

William Andrews Caterer. And this is not the first time a caterer's equipment

has been tampered with lately.

Someone is trying to sabotage all the caterers in this town, and I have a

good idea who.

Well, there's one caterer off my list.

You know, it's just sheer luck that somebody wasn't seriously hurt. And if

somebody is really sabotaging caterers, it could happen again.

Oh, not at my ball.

You better hope not because next time somebody could get, you know.

One.

I'm in deep trouble.

Jesse, what's the big deal? Just pick someone and walk away.

This is the benefactor's ball. And you want it to be the most popular

benefactor's ball in community general history.

Of course I do. Okay, here's what you do.

Send out the invitations, collect the donations, and cancel the ball.

I think if people pay $500 a plate, they're going to expect to see something

it. They expect to spend a fortune on an ugly dress or a rented tuck so they can

socialize with people that they've been trying to avoid all day long.

Then they have to listen to boring speeches honoring someone everybody

yet they suck up to them for one reason or another.

And then they have to wait two hours for the valets to find their cars.

Why do people go to these things in the first place?

It's not that they want to. They have to.

So you mean people are going to have a rotten time no matter what I do?

Don't worry.

Everybody's going to blame you anyway.

Hi.

The arson squad checked out Andrew's kitchen.

Apparently it looks suspicious, but they haven't found anything concrete yet,

except for the noodles. You came all the way down here to tell us that?

Well, Jesse's in a real tough spot right now. He needs all the help he can get.

Hey, thanks.

Besides, it's Tuesday.

Pigs in a blanket. Anybody want to join me in the cafeteria?

Are you kidding?

With a full 24 hours notice, I could handle 500 people.

Hugs to Janice.

Uh, can we help you?

Are we set for Thursday's wrap party?

Say yes, because they're wrapping two days early. As in tomorrow? I know it's

impossible. Now just get it done.

I'm sorry I don't have time for this meeting after all.

What meeting?

Well, good news is, looks like Thursday I'm open. Can we say lunch -ish? Not

easily.

Nancy, put me down for Thursday. Lunch -ish with Dr. Travis.

Who are you?

Cynthia Bennett.

Apparently that's Cynthia Bennett.

That's right. All 300 lobsters tomorrow.

So they take the red -eye. I don't care if they have jet lag. Just get them

here. She's a caterer.

Oh, and they pinned a detective shield on me.

I tell you, Miss Bennett, I was very impressed with your bid for the

benefactor's ball.

Don't take this the wrong way, but you're a fool.

Now, what exactly would be the wrong way to take that?

Anyone with a calculator and a copy of Bon Appetit can knock off an impressive

bid. But can they deliver on what they promise?

Well, if I knew that, I would have hired someone already.

You know, there are a lot of wannabe caterers out there.

But there's one thing I've got that they can only dream of.

Four -digit cell phone bill?

References.

Wow. Is this the real Annette and Warren?

Give them a call and ask.

And be sure to mention my name to the person who answers.

You'll get through.

Ruth and Demi?

Whitney and Bobby Denzel and Pauletta Baryshnikova. Can I borrow this for a

while? Is Fred Breyer in there?

Well, it sounds like Cynthia Bennett did a great job for you. Thanks for your

time. Hey, you know what? As long as we're talking here, I've got this great

idea for a movie where Rambo actually teams up with Rocky.

I'm sorry, I've got to go. I'll call you later with the details.

What do you got?

You're going to love this, Doctor. Something you have never seen before.

You're kidding.

No, she's not kidding. BP, pulse. Through the roof.

Hyper tachycardia. Yeah, well.

So, take a look.

Okay,

here we go. Voila.

A feast for the eyes as well as the palate.

Hi, I'm Fred.

Fred McCarran. Helen Froehling.

And we put the fun back.

into fundraising. And the ball. Back into your ball.

And isn't it supposed to impress me?

Well, not as a thing to your benefit.

Of course. Of course.

Personally, I like to think of it as a quick introduction to our unique style.

Our unique style.

Oh, yes. We think that food is first, but fun is foremost.

Well, you know, we have our own unique style here where we use the emergency

room for actual emergencies and not sales calls. Now, get out.

I'm sorry, Doc. We tried something, and, well, it just didn't work. But keep

this in mind. The entire hospital will be buzzing about this for days. When you

get right down to it, isn't that what you want to get with a benefit? That

you know.

Um, you know where to find us? We're in the book.

I've read every proposal, studied every menu, and I've called every reference,

and I've come to the conclusion that there is only one man.

Who can handle this job.

And that man is you, Mr. Gaylord.

Excellent pitch, Dr. Travis.

Superb. You know, if you had been on my staff and looked after my sales, I might

have been able to retire years ago.

So then you'll do it.

And it's going to be a glorious evening with you in charge.

See you at the dessert table.

No, hold on.

I can't.

Says who?

Dr. Travis.

I have catered more than my share of parties in Hollywood.

And call it jaded or whatever, I believe I've seen one too many 60 -ish ex -star

trying to pass himself off to everyone as just being 22.

Well, I gotta tell you, if I was making enough money to put a big old diamond

like that on a metal bracelet, I would find it very difficult to just walk

This, my good man, is purely for self -protection. You see, when you have a

peanut allergy, you want... People to know why you quit breathing.

And this diamond's the best way I know to get their attention.

That's a good point.

Well, now, you must know all the caterers. Maybe you can recommend one

Certainly.

But I won't.

You like it?

Who are all these people, Jesse? I don't know.

Uh, the party would be for... Not a clue.

Then what are we doing here?

Eating. You said you were taking us to a fabulous party.

And here you are.

You dragged us all the way across town to help you select a caterer. Who else

could I turn to?

Jesse, sooner or later you're going to have to make a decision for yourself.

I know that, but before I choose, I need a little guidance. I don't know.

I've got to talk to these people.

Amanda, you have natural elegance. You could blend in with these guests and see

what they think of the party. And, Mark, to me, gourmet means sesame seeds on a

bun. You have a sophisticated palate.

You could tell me if this food is worthy of $500 a plate.

Steve.

It's a nice tie.

You know, I have to admit that veal Prince Arloff looks a little better than

anything I've got in the freezer.

You have half an hour, but you owe me. Okay.

There's Cynthia Bennet. I hope you don't mind if I go chat with her for a little

while. No, no, I'll just hang around here and wait for someone to admire my

Yeah.

Are you up there?

Okay,

try to think of it this way. If you go on stage without inhabiting the part,

you're just a person mouthing lines. Isn't that what Stanislavski said?

Well, the same is true with them.

When folded perfectly, point sharp, edges crisp, it's a napkin. Until then,

just a balled -up piece of cloth.

Now, take these rags into the kitchen and don't bring them back until they're

napkins. Tuck the points tightly under the long fold.

A solid napkin is a monument to the meal.

Oh, good evening.

Evening. You enjoying the party, Dr. Sloan? Lovely. Very nice.

Oh, thank you.

Oh, Stanislavski would definitely approve.

Yes, well, most of the waiters on the party circuit don't really care about

job. It's just what they do until the real career kicks in. So in order to

motivate them, I have to speak in terms that they can understand.

Hmm. I can see why caterers like working with you.

I try to do a good job.

Although I must admit, I'm surprised you're working with this particular

caterer. Cynthia, we've done hundreds of parties together.

Even though Willie said she sabotaged his party? You could have been hurt.

Explosions aren't Cynthia's style.

Besides, she can do more damage with an ugly rumor and a cell phone than a

thousand pounds of dynamite.

Excuse me, Dr. Sloan. I have a jewelry crisis.

I know you're waiting for an answer, Goldie, but Kurt's birthday is the same

night as the benefactor's ball.

Now, I'm not stringing you along, I promise.

Just give me a little more time.

All right.

Well, Dr. Travis, I'm so glad you could make it. I hope you're enjoying the

party. Oh, yeah. The food looks great. The decor is beautiful.

And all the guests are having a great time. Oh, I knew you were a man who

appreciate quality.

Oh, it would have been fun to work with you.

Oh, well.

What do you mean, oh, well? What do you mean?

Well, I can't keep turning away business hoping you'll choose me, not when my

regular customers want me for the same night.

I tell you what, don't make any plans until tomorrow.

I'll have an answer for you by then. I don't know. My people are getting antsy.

Nine o 'clock sharp. You can wait until then.

Nine o 'clock.

Thanks.

Is this a great party or what?

Can we leave yet?

Mind if I eat my food first?

Why don't I have to watch?

What's wrong?

I think it was a shrimp toast.

You know what your problem is? You don't have a stomach for fine food.

Shrimp toast?

Veal prince aura.

No offense, Mark, but as you get older, the digestive system gets a little

twitchy. You may want to stay away from the rich foods.

Bill Prince Orloff?

Cheese balls.

Amanda, all these years in the path lab, who would have thought that you had

such a tender little stomach?

You know, something I don't think is Amanda's stomach. Four hours.

Is he all right?

Call 911.

Sorry I'm late.

Anything come up during the autopsy? Yeah, my breakfast, thanks to you.

That hasn't happened to me during an autopsy since I was in med school. Hey,

well, look, I didn't cook the food last night. You didn't eat it either.

Probably a good thing since the lab said it was full of salmonella.

So Cliff Furlong died from food poisoning?

Well, not exactly. He was taking digitalis and diuretics for a heart

But that combined with salmonella caused his potassium levels to drop so much so

that his system shut down and he died.

So this was an accident.

No, the salmonella levels in his blood were way too high to be simple

contamination. Somebody tampered with that food, which makes a murder.

So everyone got poisoned just so someone could take out this guy?

I don't think so.

Mr. Furlong wasn't even supposed to be there.

He was the last man of day to one of the other guests.

So then technically it was an accident.

Well, not if the food was deliberately tampered with.

You know, I think Willie was right. Somebody sabotaged his grill.

Maybe the same person that tampered with Cynthia Bennett's food.

Or Willie was getting back at Cynthia for what she tried to do to him.

It doesn't matter how it happened. Cynthia Bennett is not going to be

my benefactor's ball.

Hold on. Think about it.

Jesse, you do that and the sabotage paid off.

You think all this sabotage is about who I pick for a caterer? Yes. Well, then I

quit. Well, unfortunately, that's not going to solve the problem.

It will for me.

You're saying this guy died for a party? Well, it's not just any party, Steve.

Whoever gets the benefactor's ball replaces Martin Gaylord at the very top

the catering world.

A lot of money and prestige involved.

Something to kill for. I think I'd better have a talk with Cynthia Bennett.

Right after I throw up.

The bad news is you're still dehydrated. The good news is you won't be having to

eat our hospital food.

Give him 25 milligrams of Compazine and keep the fluids going.

Yep. Thanks a lot.

Uh, Mr. Horn, aside from your queasy stomach, how are you feeling?

Lucky. This is the first time in ten years as a cater waiter that I've gotten

food poisoning.

Ten years? Wow.

I guess the career as an actor didn't quite pan out.

Not all of us cater -waiters are doing it to pay for acting classes or a chance

to slip someone a spec script.

Some of us are professionals.

For nine years, I worked exclusively for Martin Gaylord.

Now, would you have any idea who would want to ruin Willie Andrews and Cynthia

Bennett? Fred McCarron and Helen Froelich are the obvious ones.

Next to Cynthia and Willie, they're the best.

And they haven't been struck yet.

Wow, so you must know everybody in the catering scene, huh?

If they're worth knowing, they started with Mr. Gaylord.

Do you know Captain Cluck?

You know, let me ask you. If you were arranging a big social event, who would

you hire to cater it?

Me.

I mean, no offense, Mr.

Horn, but I'm your waiter.

So was Martin Gaylord when he started out.

No one is born a caterer, Dr. Travis.

You do have to get your start somewhere.

I realize that. This is the benefactor's ball. I mean, it's hardly a place to

get your start.

Sorry.

Ah, Dr. Travis.

Would you kindly direct me towards Emerson Horn's room?

Mr. Gaylord, I can do better than that. I'll escort you myself.

Sure. The least I could do for Community General's new man of the year. Hello.

Congratulations.

The man of the year has traditionally been a recognized humanitarian and a

generous benefactor to the hospital.

Well, then explain David Hasselhoff.

The point is, I hardly qualify.

But without you, the benefactor's ball wouldn't be the premier fundraising

that it is today. You're directly responsible for raising millions of

donations. Let's face it.

You're irreplaceable. Thank you. I'm very honored.

So, man of the year, who should replace you?

Ah, if you named me man of the year simply as a ploy to get me to select a

caterer, I'm afraid you are in for a very grave disappointment.

So are you, unless you like Captain Cluck's chicken fixings.

Dr. Travis, I simply cannot select a caterer. It's like asking a father to

his favorite child.

Hey, um, you could tell me which one would be most likely to sabotage his

competitor.

All of them.

I'm afraid they all have my ambition and none of my ethics. However, they can

throw a fabulous party.

Good luck, Dr. Tata.

Of course I understand, Ingrid. We can't afford to take chances.

I've done every party she's ever been to, and now I'm not good enough to cater

bachelorette party for 35 of her supermodel friends.

After last night, can you blame her?

She probably didn't want her friends to spend the next day throwing up.

They're supermodels, Detective.

That's what they do anyway.

Cynthia can't come to the phone right now. She's busy vomiting. If you'd like

leave a message... Hello!

Why don't you just shoot me?

The thought crossed my mind at about 3 o 'clock this morning.

So I'm the bad guy?

That's what I'm here to find out.

You know anything about the explosion that ruined Willie Andrews' party?

Well, of course I do. Thanks to his misfortune, I was about to get the

for the benefactor's ball.

What are my chances now?

It was up to me.

Well, with me and Willie Andrews out of the running, that just leaves the

dastardly duo, Fred McCarron and Helen Froelich.

There must be a thousand other caterers in this town.

Yes, but only three who trained in a Martin Gaylord.

Anyone else is just fast food.

Hey, I was never poisoned by Burger Boy.

And I smoked six packs a day for 12 years. Does that mean I shouldn't worry

about lung cancer?

Well, Fred and Helen did do it. It wasn't a very subtle plan.

They stand out like a topless dancer at a funeral.

So you've been to one of their events?

no hard evidence on anyone.

Just a lot of accusations and sour stomachs.

Fresh enough for your magnesium hydrochloride? No, thanks.

I got a drive.

Now I know how my patients feel.

All our problems are solved.

Funny, I still feel nauseous. The board's been trying to raise money for a

MRI suite, right?

Right. So I got this great idea. What if I got them one?

How? I'm hosting a gala fundraiser a week from today right here in the lobby.

Sort of like a dry run for the benefactors ball.

You RSVP for the party right there in the community general's admission form.

Not a bad idea, Jesse. Who's catering?

Fred and Helen.

But they're the ones that are probably behind all the sabotage. Yeah, so the

evening should go by without a hitch. So look sharp.

Nice turnout.

Yeah, and we're saving a bundle on overhead.

No room or furniture rental, plenty of parking, and free decor.

Be careful, Jesse. You're starting to sound like a bit of a demonstrator.

I see you're plainly wised up and want with a real chef from downstairs.

Would you go with macaroni and cheese or the chip beef?

They're both great.

You know he wasn't raised that way. He's going to be so depressed when he lifts

that lid and finds that there's lamb medallions and champagne.

Don't look. Let's see that lady following the food cart.

That's Jan Curran. She's the society editor for the Los Angeles Chronicle.

always first in line for the food. And last to leave the bar.

If she writes about this in her column, you have arrived in society, Dr. Travis.

See, Mark, I told you there's nothing to arranging a little fundraiser.

Except your caterers may be killers.

So, you arrest them after the ball.

I've got to hand it to you. The food is great.

I love it when they put little bacon bits in the meatloaf. No bone.

Oh, my God.

That's hospital food.

Yeah, and it's hot, too. You better get a plate quick.

We're ruined.

I'm ruined. What's the problem?

Well, no one's going to pay $250 a plate for our slop.

Hey, that's a bargain compared to what the hospital usually charges a patient.

My rival in society.

Oh,

I'm so sorry, but this is for the tubal ligation patient in room six there. Your

meal is on the way.

Just step on up and enjoy our bar.

Where's the good stuff?

I don't know. Somebody must have hijacked the truck. What do you mean?

Do you really know how to throw a party?

I always thought it was a crime the way food is served in hospitals.

Until now, I never knew what it really was.

This isn't a joke, Mr. Andrews. It's exactly what it is, Lieutenant.

It's just a harmless prank. It's just... Like what those two scoundrels pulled

on me when they blew up my charcoal grill.

You said Cynthia Bennett did that.

Yeah, well, that's what I thought, you see, until all those people got poisoned

at our party.

And how do I know you didn't do that?

I'm not that kind of person.

You're just the kind of person that would break into their kitchen, lock the

chef in a freezer.

I tossed them a down jacket first.

Destroyed everything they cooked and steal their van.

I returned it.

Yeah, that reminds me. You parked in a handicapped spot.

That's a $2 ,000 fine.

So why don't you just convince me that you didn't contaminate Cynthia Bennett's

food and in doing so kill one of her guests?

I didn't destroy everything Fred and Helen cooked.

I dropped it off at a homeless shelter.

And you saved the receipt for your taxes.

The point is, Detective, I'm an artist.

Food is my form. It's my life.

I'd never waste good cuisine, whether I cooked it or not, and I certainly could

never poison it.

Not even for the lucrative catering contracts you might land if you got the

benefactor's ball?

I wouldn't.

But Cynthia, Fred, and Helen, they're not like me.

No.

They might.

Willie was released on bail this morning.

On a murder charge?

I only had enough to charge him with joyriding.

The chef he locked in the freezer refused to file a complaint.

Why? Well, I think it may have had something to do with his new job at

catering company at twice the salary that he was being paid by Fred and

Ah, shame.

So we're no closer to finding our saboteur or the guy who murdered poor

Furlong. At least Willie's prank wasn't lethal.

I guess you've never had the hospital's butterscotch pudding.

You know, we can't take the chance the next prank won't be lethal.

Where are you going?

I want to talk to Jesse. We need to buy ourselves some time.

Well, the good thing is it's a simple break, so we'll keep this cast on her

about six weeks, and you'll be arm -wrestling your brother Jasper in no

But next time, don't do it on a granite countertop. I really can't talk right

now, so we have to make this fast.

I'm with a patient. You want to get out?

Say hello to Elton John.

You have to give me the benefactor's ball, or Cliff Prolong's death has no

meaning. Is this about that guy that died at your party?

Well, maybe you can live with that guilt, but I can't.

Thanks, Elton.

You're a candle in my wind.

Let's talk about that brunch.

You just put a sling on that and we'll schedule a follow -up in three weeks.

I'm

not

going to say a word. My food speaks for itself.

Security, will you escort this man out of here? Yeah, well, just try it, buddy.

Just one little bite.

Hey, bon appetit.

I am ready to cancel this ball.

Jesse, you can't cancel the ball. That's the biggest donation of the year. We

need him.

But I doubt we're going to be able to unmask our saboteur by then.

So what do we do?

We need to put somebody in charge who's above reproach.

Captain Cluck.

Grilled cheese sandwich.

Grilled cheese, huh?

Of course.

Just because I'm a caterer doesn't mean that every meal is truffles and caviar.

I do enjoy the basics, too.

So, here we have povolone, mozzarella, parmesan, and

goat cheese on homemade sourdough bread, lightly brushed with hand -churned

butter. Well, as long as it's just the basics.

So, fellows, we didn't come down here for lunch now, did we, or did we?

Well, no, we didn't, Martin.

Here's the problem.

All of your protégés are so eager to get that benefactor's ball account, they're

sabotaging each other's parties, trying to narrow down the field.

Well, that's exactly why I chose to retire. I'm afraid the business has

much too brutal.

I do not have the stomach for it anymore.

Pardon the pun.

The trouble is it's gone way past bad -mouthing the competition and stealing

each other's cooks. Somebody died because of those pranks.

We're afraid that no matter who I pick, the sore loser is going to strike out at

the ball and someone else could get hurt.

So we were thinking, no one can take your place at the top if you're still

there. But I do have to retire sometime, you know.

Oh, of course you do. But could you just hang on for one more event?

I'm in trouble, Mr. Gaylord, and only the best can get me out of this. And

that's you.

You made the benefactor's ball the high point of the social season. Now, you

wouldn't want to see your legacy disgraced, would you?

Leave everything to me.

Aha! Congratulations, Doctor. You played your part very well.

Oh, really? What part?

The part Martin Gaylord wrote for you.

Don't you see? All of our reputations are ruined. The only thing that's left

us to cater this social season is our own weight.

Madonna's plumber won't even return my calls.

Hey, look, you guys did this to yourselves.

The only reason Gaylor retired was because it was less humiliating than

broke. He was a dinosaur. We, the Ice Age. When we quit, his business was

finished. Well, Cynthia's the one with the golden Rolodex.

Willie's the culinary genius.

And Ellen and I... We're the joy.

So then Martin Gaylord was the saboteur.

Yes, he's the one who blew up my charcoal grill and poisoned Cynthia's

got us to go after each other.

The competition eliminates itself, and he's the only caterer left standing.

All he needed was a sucker in charge of the ball to play along.

I hate to say it, but there are theories as good as any. It could be Gaylord.

Would it also be any of the others, too?

Everybody's got a motive. It doesn't make my job any easier.

Your job? What about my job? My future here at the hospital is at stake.

What are we going to do?

I think the only thing we can do is have a party.

How could you think about a ball knowing what we know or don't know?

You know?

Everything that's happened is centered around that ball. I think the only way

we're going to find out the truth is to have the ball.

Gentlemen, wrench or tuxedo, this is going to be a killer.

Knife, nose ring.

Get out.

Hello.

A little old to be starting as a cater waiter, aren't we dear?

I'm embarking on a career change.

I see.

You photograph well.

No previous service experience?

I worked at Burger Boy one summer while I was in high school.

Balance.

Act like you're a waiter.

Walk.

Smile.

Let's see some teeth.

Offer me something on your tray.

Studs only.

I beg your pardon?

No dangling earrings.

Studs only.

No other jewelry, normal hair, light makeup, shower, and wear underwear.

I -9, W -4, contact information.

And rules of cater -waitering.

Welcome to the benefactor's ball, Miss Bentley.

They're supposed to be in circles, not ovals.

Yes, sir.

Daisy's on the canisters.

Flop in the megaphones, not film.

Relax, Doctor. Everything's going to be just fine.

I'm not a doctor, but I think you're supposed to take it by the teeth food,

by the gulp.

I think I'll go check on my undercover operative.

Howdy, Gardner.

Good evening, Duke.

Thank you.

Nice, huh?

If you ever ask me to do something like this again, I expect to see you in

fishnet stockings and heels as a gesture of sympathy.

We're needed waiters, and I needed an extra pair of eyes.

You seen anything yet? No.

Well, I've got men stationed at the service center and sent at all the

Anybody that gets in doesn't get out.

That is a good look on you.

Enjoy the party, sir.

Hello, Susan.

Oh, hi, Dr. Regan. Nice to see you.

The board of directors is very impressed.

With Susan.

It's not too late for them to cancel payment on their checks.

Feels I'm very optimistic.

Well, maybe I've been to too many parties lately.

That is the one thing a cater waiter

never does.

Eat before the last guest has left and all the glasses and linens have been

repacked. I don't work very well on an empty stomach.

You won't work at all if I catch you touching the food again.

Do I make myself clear?

Yes.

Here's looking at you, kid.

May I offer you some punch?

Not so fast.

Here's another fine mess you got us into.

Oh, that's it. The party's over. My career's ruined.

Hollywood,

if nothing else, is a spectacle.

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the 31st Annual Benefactors Ball.

Everyone enjoys a good movie explosion, but the best special effect is this

smile on a child's face.

The happiness born of the good health your generous contributions to Community

General make possible.

So, tonight, everyone, please enjoy the party. Please enjoy all

the many surprises.

And most of all, please enjoy the giving.

Amazing save, Martin.

Oh, thank you. But that was absolutely nothing. You should have seen when the

white tigers got loose at the county zoo benefit.

Well, I tell you, if you weren't man of the year, I would make you man of the

year. Man of the year. You've got to be sitting at the table of honor. I've got

a speech to make in ten minutes.

I

know

it's very pretty.

But it does have to go on to one's lap eventually.

Not this one, Martin.

Mr. Horne.

A little problem with this napkin.

Oh, it looks fine to me. Sharp points, firm body, tight base.

Look at the other nappy from the table.

Floppy points, flat bodies, loose base. This is ridiculous.

I'm terribly sorry.

Oh, don't be. Save Mr. Galen's life.

I don't understand.

Jesse told me that you were allergic to peanuts. Yes. This napkin's covered with

a thin film of peanut oil.

You touch this to your lips, you could go into anaphylactic shock.

You going somewhere?

I'm working a party, in case you hadn't noticed.

Looks to me like you're trying to flee the scene of an attempted murder.

Don't be ridiculous.

This was the only... Neat napkin on the table because it's the only napkin on

the table that you folded.

You know, you were right. Someone was trying to pit you against one another,

it wasn't Martin Gaylord.

It wasn't Mr. Horne.

You're basing this laughable accusation on a folded napkin?

No, you also worked at Willie's when the grill blew up, and you worked at

Cynthia's when everybody got food poisoning.

I work 100 parties a year.

Besides, I got poisoned, too.

Remember?

Well, that is where you made your mistake.

Now, what is it that every cater waiter does not do?

Never eat until the last guest has left and make sure all the linens and glasses

have been repacked.

That is the only way you could have been sick with the others.

You ate before the guests left.

Disgusting. Just to make sure that nobody suspected him of being involved

sabotage.

Did you really think that I enjoyed being a waiter?

No one in their right minds wants to do that their entire life.

I had my dreams.

To be an actor?

A caterer.

And I told you that, Martin. You promised to teach me, to take me into

company, and then when it was time to retire, all you said was, keep up the

work, Horn.

Well, you could have gone out on your own.

How could I possibly compete against them without your help?

I wanted to humiliate you, to ruin your reputations.

I never thought that the Salmonella would kill anybody.

No one was supposed to get hurt.

Up until Martin Gaylord came out of retirement, at least.

Then you saw a one -time opportunity.

You were going to kill him because you knew they would all be here.

Who wouldn't have thought they killed him after the stunts they pulled?

You'd be the only one left in business who trained under Martin Gaylord.

This is what I call a party.

Boy, it sure was.

How are you going to top this one next year?

Next year?

Yeah.