Original subtitles

And finally, special thanks to Ashley Schaeffer for filling in today.

You guys are tough. I hope I didn't embarrass myself.

Well, you certainly didn't pull any punches with Harvey.

So, tune in next sunday when we have the regular group back

here on focus New York.

Hmm ?

How good did you look on that TV show ?

Well, it's not meet the press, but I think I did really well.

I mean, how good did you look on that TV show ?

You are turning my first ever television appearance

into a sexual thing ?

I'm trying to.

How nice.

Don't get me wrong. I think you're bright, intelligent, articulate,

and you generally kick butt. It's an added bonus that...

I'm really turned on.

It is, is it ?

Definitely. When I grew up watching TV,

I always fantasized about the women.

Farrah Fawcett, Linda Carter...

...betty rubble.

She's a cartoon character, Mike.

But she had a hot little body.

Everybody have a good weekend ?

Too lazy to leave my apartment. You ?

I actually paid guys to come over

and move the refrigerator closer to my couch.

Get yourself a bedpan,

you can lay down friday night

and call it a weekend.

Oh, Stuart, one day,

you're going to make some woman very, very unhappy.

Mayor's approval ratings came out.

And ?

Ahh...

ooh...

I'd like to make a silly noise, too,

but I don't know what these numbers mean.

It's actually a very predictable poll.

Goes up with good news, down with bad news.

What you want to watch for is a long, steady...

drop.

Ooh.

This is the slump of all slumps.

They hate us. I don't understand it.

They elected us in.

This wasn't a military coup.

All right, Paul. Let's see if we can

start turning the tide on this one.

We're gonna introduce our nominee for public schools chancellor

Joel Bronstein. He's an exceptional candidate.

So let's use him. Let's drum up a little excitement.

You got it, Mike. This is

going to be like an afternoon at the circus.

Nikki, Carter, throw together a focus group.

Find out what's on people's minds.

This is exciting.

Chance to see democracy in action.

Allowing the citizens to speak directly

to the people responsible for governing them.

I'd like to be a part of that. What ?

No, nothing. I've just never seen this side of you before.

This is the side that loved the lion king, right ?

Hey. Professor Bronstein. Good morning.

Good morning, Michael. I hope I didn't get James here into any trouble.

I dragged him over to the regency for breakfast.

Mike, $11 for 2 eggs.

Back in Wisconsin, I once bought a dozen eggs for 60 cents.

There were 4 double-yokers.

I bet your family still talks about that.

See you later, Jim. Sure.

Jumping ship, egg boy ?

What ?

Kissing up to the new public schools chancellor.

Go work under him. Maybe leapfrog a few positions.

Gamble he's a candidate down the line.

Stuart, he was the dean of students at Columbia.

When I showed up freshman year,

I was this unsophisticated geek.

And he told you it was ok to be that way forever ?

I just owe a lot to that guy.

That's fine. But you're in line behind me.

Remember that. You have got to know your place.

Stuey, fetch us another cup of coffee, chop-chop.

Chop-chop.

Remember, let's try to pump this up a little.

Mike, please, I'm a master at this.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Mayor.

What the hell was that ?

What, are you kidding ? I killed out there.

Good morning.

Now, as you all know, the retirement of

Raymond Rodriquez

has left us with

very large shoes to fill.

But we feel confident that we have found a worthy successor.

So, ladies and gentlemen, my nominee

for the new public schools chancellor... Joel Bronstein.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Good morning, everybody.

I think I'm a familiar face to most of you here,

and you've already received a copy

of my proposal for curriculum reform,

so I don't really think I have anything to add at this time.

Whoo-boy. This is exciting.

The conventional wisdom is that the public school system is beyond repair.

Why would you want to take this on ?

That's very funny.

My wife asked me that very same question last night at dinner.

Actually, I myself am a product of the New York public school system,

and I can think of no more worthy task

than restoring that great institution

to its former glory.

Dr. Bronsteen, this morning my station, channel 10 news,

came into possession of a videotape

of a grateful dead concert from 1971

that shows you smoking marijuana.

Do you have any comment ?

As I recall... it was an excellent show.

Yeah. Ok.

Didn't you guys do a background check on Bronstein ?

Yes, but forgot to ask the question,

"have you ever smoked a doobie on film ?"

Hi ! I saw you on TV !

Katie Couric's got nothing on you.

Oh, thank you, Roberta.

I can't believe the response I've gotten from being on that show.

I have a by-line in the paper four or five times a week,

and then I'm on TV once, and I'm getting calls from my parents, old roommates.

Even my high school boyfriend called.

That's a lot of calls.

And you won't believe this.

The local ABC affiliate wants me to audition today.

You should do that. You'd be great.

What should I wear ? My pinstripe suit, maybe ?

Uh, yeah, that'd be good.

That new blue dress I got ?

Uh, yeah, I like that one.

Or I could just go as a pirate.

Eye patch, sword, hook.

Yeah, that would work.

Did you say something about a hook ?

You caught me.

I'm sorry, honey. I'd love to enjoy this with you,

but I can't stop thinking, like, how do I keep the Mayor

from becoming a centerfold in Hightimes magazine.

It's okay. Just wish me luck.

Luck ? You don't need luck. You're gonna kill 'em.

Wait a minute, what high school boyfriend ?

James is in your office with professor Bronstein.

I hope you put him in the nonsmoking section.

Michael. I just wanted to tell you

how sorry I am about everything.

I didn't even know a tape existed.

It was 25 years ago.

Yet on television, it looks like yesterday.

Another miracle of videotape.

Now, Michael, I know we're both

in a pretty tight spot here, but

if you're game, I'm ready to fight this.

Oh, we're game.

In fact, I'll bet we've already got a game plan.

Uh, yeah, there will be a nice show of support.

We'll make a few calls we've even got

a few public service announcements planned.

Public service announcements ?

Yeah, like, "stay off drugs...

take it from someone who's been there."

We're still working on it.

I think I understand.

Joel.

Michael.

Don't worry about a thing, sir.

We'll get going on this right away.

Mike is a genius at things like this.

I can tell.

Man, that was great seeing you guys together.

You two are, like, the biggest influences in my life,

and I'm embarrassing you.

Let me go get started on these announcements.

Well, I've got one.

Bronsteen will put a chicken in every pot...

and also put some pot in every chicken.

Little joke there.

We're gonna do this.

Thanks, Mike.

You really are the best.

I do understand the board of education's position, ma'am,

but seriously, if you consider the time frame involved

and the nature of professor Bronstein's offense,

I mean, it's really...

it's really no worse than a speeding ticket.

And... and... and we've all gotten our share of speeding tickets, right, ma'am ?

Really.

Spotless record.

Congratulations.

Well, actually, it's more like a parking ticket.

Not a one.

Wow. You do...

you do... you drive a car, ma'am ?

Ok. Great. Well, what professor Bronstein did,

it's really a lot like...

driving a car.

I really don't know how, ma'am.

Why are you still doing this ?

It's a long story.

Mike, we've got a list of 10 other candidates,

all of them as qualified as Bronstein,

and I'll bet at least 7 of them have never smoked pot.

Not on film, anyway.

Hell, Jenkins is 85.

Worst case there, he's addicted to Metamucil.

You are so sensitive, Stuart.

We ought to send you out to the senior citizens homes.

Hey, I'm just trying to help.

You have fun tonight.

Hey, Stuart.

Yeah.

Got a copy of that list ?

I thought you'd never ask.

The Mayor's in your office.

We got the latest approval ratings ?

Right here, Mike.

No. This is a mistake.

These are the disapproval ratings.

How bad can it be this time ?

Ohhh...

this focus group report you guys gave me is ridiculous,

and I am not going to pander

to the whims of a few disgruntled...

hoo-ah.

But they want to change my hair.

Nothing drastic, sir.

Just a slow, gradual fade to a more youthful brown.

So it's about age.

Not age, sir. Perception... of age.

Look at Dick Clark. Not a gray hair on his head,

and he's as popular today as he was 100 years ago.

They don't like my gestures, my cadence...

my height.

Are you sure they have

the right Randall Winston here ?

Actually, sir, they prefer "randy."

Randy ?

Only 2 people in my life have ever called me randy...

my wife and my...

basketball coach.

Still rings in my ears.

"Hey, randy, go back door."

I'm guessing that was your coach.

Look, sir, I know these seem like superficial issues,

but you've seen the numbers,

and as crazy as it seems,

if we don't do something to boost your image,

everything we're working towards is in serious jeopardy.

Excuse me. Mike ? I'm sorry.

The press is on me like locusts,

and every question's about Bronstein.

Did he inhale ? Did he exhale ?

Did he roll his own, or did he smoke it out of a gong ?

Please just consider these suggestions.

Yeah, but too tall. How do I work with that ?

Look, this office does not revolve

around one man's adolescent indiscretions.

There are other more positive things

we are focusing on here.

We're opening a new subway station today.

James, do you have that speech ?

All right. Uh...

"as you shuffle down into this gaping hole..."

"...to be driven into a dark abyss,

try not to be overwhelmed by the insignificance of your life."

Say, that's inspiring.

Sorry, Mike. I guess I'm a little depressed.

You can't let this Bronstein thing affect your work.

Mike, this is unfair.

He's getting raked over the coals

for something that happened 20 years ago.

There's not a lot we can do about it.

You said there'd be a show of support for him.

Yes, yes, a show of support,

not actual support.

That's why they call it a show.

You seen cats ?

Those are not real cats.

You don't feel a bit guilty

about any of this ?

Feel ?

This is politics, James.

I receive. I sense the mood of the public,

I respond, I shape it.

I don't have time to feel.

So that's the way it works ?

That's the only way it works.

Mike, I lost you there on "sense the mood of the people."

How does that work ?

Okay, look for the red light on the camera,

and action.

See that ? You haven't even said a word,

and already I'm loving it.

Action, Ashley. Please.

You still haven't said a word.

And yet I'm still riveted.

You do eventually speak, right ?

Could I just get some water, please ?

Thank you.

Oop ! Oopsy-daisy.

Okay. I'm ready.

Uh... police today apprehend the, uh...

oh, wait, I'm sorry. Do I... um... do I stick to an inverse...

- Cut ! - No. I...

hey. Great !

Bravo ! Bravo !

Ahh, nice try, Mike.

No, no, come on. Hey,

there was a rawness there, a humanity.

People want to watch news and say, "hey, I could do that, too."

And you gave that to them.

Do you think I should try again ? They offered me another audition.

They did ? They... of course they did.

Yeah. What do you think ?

Well, I think that you should do

whatever it is you think you should do.

Come on, I want your opinion.

Mine ?

Do you see anyone else in the room ?

No.

I wish I did.

Okay, I think that you should go for it.

So you're saying I should just pick up

and leave the job at the paper that I love.

No. You know what ? No.

No, you love that paper.

You should stay there forever and ever.

But what if this is the greatest opportunity of my life, you know ?

Ahhh...

this is unbelievable ! You're not even trying !

Are you kidding me ? I'm working my ass off here.

Mayor in yet this morning, Janelle ?

Not yet.

Listen, James, I'm sorry about, uh...

don't even worry about it. It's nothin'.

Great. Nice suit.

We have a problem with the certificate we're supposed to give

to the transit authority employee of the month.

Problem ? Us ? You gotta be kidding.

They just arrested the employee.

Apparently he masterminded

a $4 million token laundering scheme.

How'd they catch him ?

Uh, his wife turned him in.

So now it's the transit authority...

spouse of the month.

My thought exactly.

Thanks.

You got that, Carter ?

Uh-huh. Yeah.

Mike, I need your help here.

Yeah. What you got ?

Chief Nader says the fire department

won't co-sponsor the Mayor's neighborhood safety program.

Tell you what. Rewrite the proposal.

Call it the Nader initiative.

We'll let him take credit for it as long as he stays on the team.

Nader's a sweet old guy.

He's just concerned about his own job security.

Yeah, well, he should be.

He keeps yanking us, he'll find himself out on the street.

The man's either with us or against us, period.

Obi-Mike has taught you well,

but, Luke, I am your father.

T minus 30 minutes.

Mike, any change on our position on Bronstein ?

No. No, we, uh, we still...

we gotta let him go.

But, uh, we're going to do it gently.

We're going to go to bat for him.

We'll highlight his distinguished career as an educator.

He's still a friend of this administration.

Whoa. What are you talking about ? We gotta dump this guy.

Excuse me ?

Well... I hate to interrupt your violin solo,

but in case you haven't noticed, we've been taking on water.

This guy Bronstein's just an anchor, Mike. He's dragging us down.

James, I know that's not how you feel about the guy.

I'm sorry. Feel ?

I thought we went over this, Mike.

This is politics. We really don't have time to feel.

What happened to old James ?

I miss him. I want him back.

You can't have him back.

He's come over to the dark side,

and together we shall rule city hall as father and son.

Hey, James.

What ?

Easy, young Skywalker.

I come in peace.

Want a drink ? I'm buying.

Fine. I'll take a rum and coke.

Since when do you drink rum ?

Ok. Just a coke.

2 cokes, please.

Why don't you take off your tie and relax a little ?

Mike, I'm comfortable.

When was the last time you wore one of those ?

My sister's wedding.

She's been married several times.

I'm getting used to it.

Is this your first real job, James ?

Oh, god. Did you come over here to fire me ?

No. I usually do that sort of thing over the phone.

I remember my first real job.

It was in the office of this, uh,

state senator from Brooklyn.

My first day at work,

this little old lady comes in.

She's, like, this big.

No. I swear to god.

I held her in the palm of my hand the whole time.

She's really mad because she's got this streetlight

outside her bedroom window,

and it keeps blinking.

"Blink, blink, blink all night long. It's driving me crazy."

So anyway, she wants it fixed.

She doesn't care if it's on or off.

She just, you know, not with the blinking.

So, what happened ?

Oh, I don't remember.

That's a beautiful story.

My point is this, James.

Every morning in this city,

8 million people wake up, turn on their faucets,

they want to see clean, fresh water coming out of there.

They want, you know, safe streets.

They want clean subways, good football teams,

and when they don't get them, they get mad.

And when they get mad, they come to me.

Mike ?

The water in my faucet comes out brown.

This is what I'm saying.

So if I were to take all the brown water

and all the blinking lights,

if I were to take that personally,

I would probably be very, very sad most of the time.

But, Mike...

it's really, really brown.

James, take it up with your super.

You don't have any time to feel ?

I get happy, sad, and hungry.

Every once in a while I'll let a little something else slip through.

Bronsteen ?

Maybe.

Mike, it's just such a damn shame.

Well, James, you're going to carry that pain with you

a lot longer than I am

'cause you're different than me.

And, uh, that's ok.

Sometimes I wish, uh, I was different from me.

Really ?

Nah.

I know you're excited I got the job, but this is ridiculous.

Oh, come on, come on. One more time.

Please. Mike.

No, that's enough.

Ashley, Ashley.

You are sick. There is something wrong with you.

Uh-huh.

Oh, for god's sake, all right.

This is Ashley Schaeffer reporting live for channel 10 news.

Today police are investigating the disappearance of more than two million dollars

in municipal funds from a Nassau county armed truck.

Oh, baby !

Sit, Ubu, sit. Good dog.

Moo.

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