Original subtitles

Won't you? Won't you? You surprised me, Benson. I thought you'd let me fall.

No, you caught me off guard.

I'm glad you were there. I would have broken my tureen.

No, I better not touch that one.

I'll be right back.

I have to show this to Lily.

All right, people.

Gather round. Gather round.

Come now, Benson. The sooner we get finished, the sooner I can get out of

Promise?

This trans -allied deal is of crucial importance to the future of our state.

could mean 3 ,000 new job openings.

I sure hope one of them's yours.

Leon J.

Whitley is the owner of Trans -Allied. He is going to be a guest in this

mansion, and he is a very demanding man. His smallest demand is absolute

perfection.

So until we get his signature on the dotted line, we are going to stroke Mr.

Whitley and pamper Mr. Whitley and do everything Mr. Whitley wants.

Now, let me see the seating chart for the dinner.

As soon as it's finished.

You haven't finished it? I haven't started it.

And why not?

Because I don't have a list of the guests.

I don't believe this. I am surrounded by incompetence. Now, someone was supposed

to provide a guest list. And exactly whose job was that?

Yours.

Well, in that case, I'm sure I must have delegated it.

Morning. Ask Marcy.

Ask Marcy what? About a guest list for the train's allied reception.

Clayton gave it to Lily to approve.

Show Lily this, show Lily that. Where does he ever dig her up, anyway?

Clayton brought her in because she knows Mr. Whitley. That's why she's the

official hostess. So let's face it, it can't hurt the governor to have a

competent and attractive woman by his side.

Well, Marcy, you could have done that.

No way.

Well, I could have done it. No way.

Hey, you guys. Anybody know where my father is?

Well, he's been in conference all morning, hon.

Well, if you see him, tell him his daughter says hello.

Better make that his daughter, Katie.

Honey, I know you haven't seen very much of your father lately, but he's been

awfully busy making arrangements for the reception with Lily.

Oh, Marcy. Hi, Daddy.

Oh, hi, sweetheart. Don't you look pretty this morning.

What'd you think of the story I wrote for English class? Oh... I haven't had

time to read it yet, sweetheart, but I will.

Marcy, oh, darn. Now, what do I want to see you about?

I'm afraid I don't know, sir. No, no, no, of course you don't. I don't even

know. Something I'm supposed to do.

Read my newspaper?

Oh, that too.

Oh, Marcy, here's the guest list for the reception. Oh, thanks, Lily. Oh, that

was it, the guest list.

Here you go, sir. Thank you, Marcy. Here you go, Benson.

That was fun. Let's change places and do it again.

Gene, in exactly 20 minutes.

You're meeting the trans -allied lawyers at the Capitol building. Oh, well, then

we'd better hustle.

Afterwards, I'm going to take you to lunch at my favorite Japanese

Oh, I love Japanese. Do I have time to change my socks?

I think our official hostess just asked the governor for an unofficial lunch.

What do you think of her, Benson?

Lily? I think she's very nice.

Yeah.

It's just weird to see Daddy with a girlfriend.

Katie, Lily is just your father's official hostess. It's like a job.

She's just here to greet people with him, go to cocktail parties with him,

dinner with him and dance with him, that's all.

Like I said, it's weird to see Daddy with a girlfriend.

Here you go, Marcy.

One seating chart.

Oh, thanks.

Oh, that's much cooler.

Got things under control?

Yeah, somewhere.

Did you ever get in touch with that air conditioning man?

Yeah, I spoke to his answering machine. He sounds like a very competent man. I

hope to meet him someday.

Oh.

Marcy, make a copy of this VIP list for me. Ah, Benson, I'm delighted to see you

here. I'm sure you are, Clayton. What is it? Do you notice anything peculiar?

You sure you want him to answer that?

I am referring to the bead of perspiration above my left brow.

Nice touch.

Gives you a human quality.

Benson, I never perspire. I am hot, and it's your fault.

You two want to be alone.

The air conditioner is broken. That is why it is hot.

I'm working on it. Have you called the repair people?

Yes, I left a message at the beep.

Leon J. Whitley demands that every room he enters be exactly 65 degrees. No

more, no less.

and he carries his own thermometer with him to make sure.

Sounds like a fruitcake to me.

You're right, Benson. We are dealing with a powerful, powerful fruitcake.

And if things don't go exactly according to plan, right down to the last

meticulous detail, this state can bid a fond farewell to 3 ,000 jobs.

Make that 3 ,001.

Yours.

Do I make myself perfectly clear?

Uh -huh. And when Mr. Whitley is through with his thermometer, I have a perfect

place to put it.

No sugar.

I'll wait here till he gets back.

Hey, Benson, there's a guy in a kitchen with 80 pounds of liver pate. Dad wasn't

supposed to be here until tomorrow.

Oh, wonderful, Benson. Where are you going to put 80 pounds of pate?

On a ritz. Cracker.

Where have you been, Peter?

Hey, what's it to you?

Please spare me your macho moments.

I had a photographer getting pictures of Lily and the governor at lunch.

Did Daddy come back with you? Why do you need pictures of them? Well, I got a

feeling about those two. You know, I wouldn't be surprised if he stayed house

nuptials. What a headline. Governor picked a lily.

What are nuptials?

If we told you, you'd never really learn the word.

Dictionary's on the desk.

You know, it would be great for his image if he got married again.

Married?

When you hear the beep, leave your message.

Benson again from the governor's mansion.

The air conditioner still broke, Herb. It didn't cure itself.

You have such a wonderful voice. I hope to meet you someday.

Would you like to know what I look like? I'll describe myself.

I'm an angry black man with flaring nostrils. Now, Herb, listen here.

How do you like that Herb's machine hung up on me?

What are you doing?

Calling him back.

In a minute, Liebling.

Benson hasn't finished making a fool of himself yet.

You in charge?

Completely.

Delivery. Sign here, please. She'll do it.

It's me again, Herb. I need a signature.

She'll do it.

Herb, listen. What's the matter? You got a broken arm?

No. You want one?

sing until I know what it's for.

It's 200 Cornish game hens. I hate those bite -sized chickens.

Too bad. It's Mr. Whitley's favorite. He thinks everyone should eat it. Lady, I

ain't got all day. Oh, all right. Come on. I'll show you where to put them.

Okay, Katie, what can I do for you?

Oh, excuse me. I'm looking for Benson.

You're too late. He died.

No. I just spoke to him this morning. He went fast.

Then it's not too late to freeze him till they find a cure.

Freeze him?

Yeah, they call that cryogenics.

Many are cold, but few are frozen.

You mind if I use that?

Cryogenics is a hobby of mine.

But ice sculpture is my life.

Being hassled is mine. I'm Benson.

Ralph Kropnik.

And you're the guy who's going to do the ice statue.

Oh, that's cold.

Sorry, occupational hazard.

So, uh, what kind of statue do you want for tomorrow?

Surprise me.

Okay, if you step over here, I'll show you a few examples of my work.

I'll talk to you later, Benson.

All right, sweetheart.

Slides? Ice doesn't travel very well.

Polar bear, we'll take it. Don't rush into anything.

Here, look at this one.

A whale. I love whales. We'll take a whale.

It's a mack.

Don't settle.

Another whale.

It's impossible.

I don't have two.

My mistake. It's my wife in Miami.

Would you excuse me a minute?

You Benson?

Yeah, me Benson. Well, then it's for you, Lucky. I ordered flowers for the

table, not the stable. Hey, Herb, listen here.

Herb, Herb, wait a minute. Now, listen, get over here early in the morning.

Now, now, don't tell me to cool it. That's your job.

Benson, did you know the air conditioner's broken?

Loosen your tie.

It is loose. Well, tighten it.

Dave, his horseshoe is terrific.

It's not ours. It's got to go back. No, wait, it can't.

Listen, we'll have Katie hand it to Whitley. It'll make a great picture.

Pete's our image man. Ralph's our ice man. Ice sculptor.

Sorry, occupational hazard.

Would you like to see my slides? Sure.

Oh, wow, I love your work. It's so lifelike. It looks just like a fat lady

the sand.

That's my wife.

You've got a lovely smile.

So, how'd you get into this line of work?

It's the Krupnik tradition.

Interesting.

I promised my father.

May he rest in peace.

That Krupnik Ice would live forever.

He must have been very proud of you. He was.

Would you like to see him? What? You have a picture of your father?

I have my father.

You have your father?

We're not with me. He's back at the ice house. Frozen.

That's him.

Oh, excuse me. Am I interrupting something?

Fortunately, yes.

Darling, this is Ralph Krupnik. You do?

Ooh.

Sorry, occupational hazard.

Oh, yeah, I had a job once that involved occupational hazard.

What job was that?

Combat.

Yeah, I was in the Navy on a destroyer in the Coral Sea, and people were trying

to kill me.

Well, not our people. Of course, the enemy.

Although we did have some fairly rough times in San Diego.

You see, back then... Uh, Governor, is there something you wanted to ask me?

Oh, is it hot in here or is it me?

Yes, it's hot in here. The air conditioner's broken. Oh, good.

I was afraid I was having hot flashes.

I'm not getting any younger.

Well, there's a lot of that going around.

Daddy, there you are. I've been looking all over for you. Have you got a minute?

Of course I do, sweetheart.

Will you help me decide what dress to wear for tomorrow?

Honey, I'd love to.

Great. I'll go get the dress and be right back. Now, don't move.

Oh, is it all right if I get a glass of water? Okay, I'll be right back.

If you showed me the room, I'd get an inspiration.

I bet if you found it yourself, I'd get some work done.

All right, I'll show you more slides. All right, I'll show you the room.

It was nice to have met you, sir.

You don't meet the governor of the state every day. I do.

Occupational hazard.

Gene, Whitley's limousine is here.

Oh, I'll bet Whitley's furious. He won't be here till tomorrow.

No, Gene, you misunderstand.

Whitley is here now. He came a day early.

Arriving unexpectedly is one of his quirks.

He likes to catch people with their pants down. Oh, you'd think with all

money he'd rather flake out.

Oh, wait till you see it, Benson. This afternoon, Katie proudly handing Whitley

the horseshoe of flowers. Everybody's smiling. We're gonna make a great

Well, maybe I'll like it better when I see it framed.

Oh, Benson, how's the air conditioning?

The repairman should be done any moment. Time to save the whale.

Who has thought what it's gonna be? A whale, isn't that fascinating?

How'd you get into this line of work? My father was in ice. Still is.

Excuse me, Governor, have you... Oh, I'm sorry.

Folks, Benson, if you see Lily, will you tell her I'm not in my office?

Yes, one minute. Benson, it's the florist on the phone. They said the

was delivered by mistake.

Too late. Pete wants it for a picture.

Well, what should I tell him? Be creative.

I'm sorry.

Benson's not here right now.

When will he be back?

I don't know. You see, the police just took him away.

That's right, the police.

Yes, he did seem nice, didn't he? We were all very surprised, too.

What's that?

Yes, if he beats the rap, I'll have him call you. Bye.

Thank you so much. What are friends for?

Benson, can I talk to you for a minute? It's getting late. Shouldn't you be

getting dressed?

This is important, Benson.

What is it? Well, I'm finished.

You see, Herb, once you decided to fix it, it didn't take long at all. It

take me long because I didn't fix it. Benson, about Daddy and Lily.

You didn't fix it? Keep calm. The parts will be in on the 15th. Give or take a

week. Parts?

Benson, is anybody we know getting married?

Katie, please, you're going to have to find a way to fix that air conditioner.

Benson, the stoves aren't working.

Maybe the pilot lights out. Oh, no, I have to turn the gas off to check the

conditioner. Well, then turn it back on. I can't. I broke the handle. Call the

gas company. You call the gas company. How can I serve 200 Cornish game hens

that are only half cooked?

Tell them it's a German recipe.

Are you going to sign for this or what? No, I'm not going to sign for it.

Benson, my ice is melting. Talk to this guy.

Benson, Whitley wants a sandwich. He's hungry.

I don't do sandwiches.

Do I have to take a number or something? Katie, go upstairs and get dressed.

Okay, don't sign for it. We're going to send you the bill anyway.

What about the stoves, Benson?

What about the sandwich, Benson?

Benson, yes, Benson. Now, let me ask you something, Ralph. Do they have to be

dead before you can freeze them?

Go to the table on the south lawn and make sure they got plenty of punch out

there. Have you seen Katie?

No, why?

Well, Pete's looking for her. Well, I'm not surprised he can't find her. I have

never seen such confusion. It's a disaster.

Oh, come on, Gretchen. With no stove and no air conditioning, moving the party

outside was inspired.

Inspired? We start with an elegant reception and he turns it into a picnic.

Boss, believe me, working with you is never a picnic.

Oh, don't let her get to you. Everyone loves the barbecue.

I think you saved the day. But not my whale.

Anybody need 32 gallons of ice water?

Come on, Ralph. Let's join the party. It'll make you feel better.

I'm really not in a party mood now that my whale's gone.

Oh, don't be down. You still have your father.

We're ready for the pictures of Whitley and the flowers, and now I can't find

Katie. I've looked all over for her. Ah, Peter, there you are. Mr. Whitley is

growing impatient. Where is Katie?

Katie? Oh, don't worry. I'll bring her along in a minute. You'd better.

Whitley's ready to walk.

Lovely barbecue, Benson.

We're trying to impress the president of one of the world's largest

conglomerates, and the governor of our state is wearing an apron that says,

me, I'm the cook.

Benson, you've got to help me find Katie. Pete, I've got my hands full

governor is depending on you. I'm depending on you. You should have

the governor. I've got 200 people waiting out there to be fed. What about

We've got 3 ,000 jobs on the line. What about them? Oh, all right. Oh, thanks,

Benson. Well,

get going!

Mind if I grab the bite while you're looking?

That depends.

Would you mind if I grabbed your throat while you're eating?

Get going!

Why aren't you at the party?

Because. Because? Is that all you have to say?

I'm a woman of few words.

Well, I'm a man of little patience.

I noticed that in the living room.

So that's the problem.

Oh, Katie, things have been so busy around here the past few days.

And just plain crazy since Mr. Whitley arrived.

But, Katie, you should know I didn't mean to snap at you.

I didn't mean to snap at you either, Benson.

between me and my daddy.

But running away and hiding won't help.

If you have a problem with your father, you should talk to him.

I've tried talking to him, but he's always too busy.

Well, now isn't the best time.

But he's not too busy for Lily.

And after they get married, she'll move in and then he'll never have any time

for me.

Just hold on a minute.

Who said anything about your father getting married?

Pete, Clayton.

Everybody's talking about it.

Maybe now is the best time.

You stay here.

I'll go get your father.

And Katie, one other thing. What's that?

While you're sitting there, don't sign your father's name to anything.

Okay, smile.

Gorgeous. Okay, now if we could just hold that for one more and smile.

Uh, Peter, perhaps, uh, perhaps we could get a picture of Mr. Whitley signing

the contract?

Tell my lawyers, finish reading the contracts.

I believe they've read them three times, sir. Then they'll read them nine more

times if necessary.

Of course, sir.

Well then, Peter, why don't you get them shaking hands?

Clayton, I know how to do this.

Okay, uh, could we have the two of you shaking hands?

Great. Smile.

Don't you have enough yet?

In case you haven't noticed, the heat in here is unbearable. Right, sir. Now, if

I could just have you under the words trans -allied, Mr. Whitley.

I'm sorry this dance is taken.

Where do you think you're going?

To see the governor.

Can't you see he's busy?

Not with you blocking my view.

Oh, that's a gem. Now, if we could just get a smile, Mr. Whitley.

Haven't you caused enough damage for one day?

That depends on how soon you let go of my arm.

Benson! Now with the banner. Excuse me, Governor.

Smile!

We have a small emergency.

If it's small, it can wait. Smile!

Does that do it? It's not quite what I wanted.

What's the problem, Benson? It's Katie. I think you should talk to her.

No problem, sir. You're free tomorrow at ten.

If you could switch positions so that you're to the right of the Governor...

Get a little grin going here.

Okay, smile.

She's hiding in your office.

It's a small office, I'm sure. We'll find her. Okay, big smiles, everybody.

Why is she hiding in my office? Maybe there's an air conditioner in there. No,

no, no, the whole system's off. She's heard a lot of gossip. She thinks you're

getting married. Smile.

Married? Who would I marry?

Lily Maxwell?

No, I don't think so.

But Katie does, and she's afraid of losing you, sir.

Oh, I see. Well, I'd better talk to her. You all excuse me, please. Governor

Benson.

Well, if I'm not needed any longer. Wait, Mr.

Whitley, Benson, please.

I'd like to get some shots of you smiling, if you don't mind. I do mind.

I'm glad I haven't signed those papers yet.

Let me tell you something.

If I ran trans -allied as sloppily as your governor runs a social event, I

wouldn't have a company to move to this state. You're right, Mr. Whitley. Of

course I'm right.

An event like this shouldn't break down. It should run like a well -oiled

machine. I hear you talking, Mr. Whitley.

Transalliance reputation is built upon the customer's confidence that we can

deliver the goods. Yes, sir.

Deliver the goods.

And when we deliver those goods, they work. I couldn't agree with you more. I

mean, who cares how hard everybody worked to make this party a success?

It's a shambles. And all because of one crummy air conditioner only a month old.

A month old?

Why didn't you get it repaired?

Couldn't get the parts.

Well, Serge, you're right.

Should have ordered a trans -allied air conditioner. We did. Trans -allied is

just one of ours.

Pete, try not to leak that to the press. Press.

Hold on there a minute, Benson. Could prove embarrassing, huh?

Aren't you being a little bit unreasonable?

I don't think so.

Everybody worked very hard to make this a fine reception for you, but all we got

from you and your air conditioner was a lot of hot air. Now, we can't do much

about the air conditioner, but as for you, lighten up.

Well, I suppose I have been a little bit of a...

Hey, uh... Take a word. It'll be right.

So, uh, Mr.

Ridley, how about one more picture, this time with a smile?

Well... You heard the man smile!

May I come in?

Honey, when Benson said you'd come in here to hide...

Make perfect sense to me. Lord knows I have come in here to hide many a time. I

always get found, too.

Katie, don't you think if I were going to get married, I'd have told you myself

instead of waiting for you to find it out someplace else?

Then you're not going to marry Lily?

No.

Because you love me more?

Well, honey, it's not a contest.

The day may come when there is another woman in my life. I may even marry her.

Will you love her?

I expect so.

I'm not the type to marry for money.

But, sweetheart, it won't change how I feel about you.

I mean, what if you were to marry, uh... What is his name? With the freckles?

Roger? Roger, right. Roger. What if you decided to marry Roger?

Daddy, Roger's a creep.

You may change your mind. And what if you did?

And you love him.

Would you still love me?

Sure.

You mean you'd love both of us at the same time?

Yeah.

They're different kinds of love, right?

Right.

Honey, no matter what happens,

will always love you just as much as I do today.

And I'll always love you.

Daddy, can we go to the barbecue now? Sure.

I'm starved. Oh, me too.

And listen, later on, maybe we can roast some marshmallows over the barbecue.

I might tell a few stories.

Benson, we did it. Whitley signed the papers and Transallied starts

of the new plant next month.

Congratulations, sir. Oh, no, you did it, Benson. You won Whitley over.

No, I didn't win him over. He insisted on fixing the air conditioner and I let

him. Is that why it's so cold in here?

Yes, it is cold in here.

He didn't seem to be happy unless he had a wrench in his hand. Well, he

certainly seemed happy at the barbecue.

You know, I never figured him for a tenner.

Well, as I remember correctly, sir, he was singing bass until Krauss spilled

barbecue sauce on him.