Original subtitles

Where are Mr. and Mrs. Connolly?

Mr. Connolly. If you'll just sign this, please. Oh.

Oh, the champagne is up in your room. The roses will be up at seven.

Oh, and the maitre d' will take care of the cake for tomorrow night.

You know what I love about this hotel, young lady?

Yes?

Nothing's changed in 25 years.

Thanks.

See those two?

Yeah.

25 years and he's still courting her.

Yeah. Okay, no.

Yeah.

Peter, have you cleared the royals for me?

I should do.

Any idea why she's here?

Finds out soon enough, huh?

Welcome to St.

Gregory, Mr. Deere. I'm Peter McDermott. Oh, how do you do?

I've heard a lot about you.

All good.

Why don't you be Peter and I'll be Leslie, all right?

That's a deal.

Oh, this is Craig Chase.

My right hand.

Some say it's my left as well. How do you do? Mr. McDermott. Mr. McDermott,

got you in the royal suite. I'm sure you'll be comfortable.

Oh, you know, every time I toy with the idea of buying a hotel in San Francisco,

I have to slap my own wrist.

Why's that?

St. Gregory is still the best, and I never was able to settle for being

two. Well, it's nice to know you're appreciated by the company.

Leslie.

It's been a long time.

Yes, it has.

I've thought about you so often.

I've thought about you, too.

The rumor mill has you planning six luxury hotels in the Caribbean. This is

a rumor anymore, Vicki.

I finalized the deal yesterday.

Oh, congratulations. I'm happy for you.

I couldn't think of a better place to celebrate than right here with you. I'm

flattered. Oh, forgive me. You haven't met Craig Chase, my assistant.

Victoria Catholic. Hello, Mr.

Chase. My pleasure, Mrs. Catholic.

Cocktails in my suite tonight. Now, don't forget. I wouldn't miss it.

If I had any sense.

I'd hide you in a closet until she's checked out.

All right.

All right, listen up, listen up, listen up.

It's great to see you all again.

Tomorrow night, tomorrow night, I want to see all of you people at the Cow

Palace, you promise?

I read about your Central Porter concert.

These guys really bring them out, don't they?

manage them for nothing.

JJ, that was Diz Wilder. You want to ruin the story? Oh, come on. We can do

better than this. Look, book me a room. We are not leaving until we get a real

story. Okay.

July and August were up 22%, and then we lost the JVM convention.

That hurt us in September.

The conventions giveth, and the conventions taketh away.

You never met Stephen, did you, Peter?

Oh, you were probably still in school when he died.

No, from what I hear, he was a good man to have known.

Stephen Randall Cabot.

the toast of Philadelphia.

The last of the Renaissance men.

He had an immense capacity for living.

And there were two women in his life.

One was me, and one was my best friend.

Leslie Devere.

Oh, she was the brilliant one.

The star -crossed child.

But he married me.

So we also had good judgment.

I don't think she's ever forgiven me.

I even think it's the reason she followed me into the hotel business.

Why is that?

To win.

To beat me any way she could.

Well,

Vicki, what do you think of your old friend now?

It won't be long before I'll have more beds in the Caribbean than Hilton.

If you're happy about it, Leslie, then I am too.

Frankly, I never thought that bigger was necessarily better.

Big is important these days, Vicki.

You should try to expand your horizons a little.

If you sit still, one of us just might come along and swallow you up.

Excuse me.

Yes? May I have a dance?

I'd love to.

Any idea why we're here?

Not a clue.

You know, Leslie Devere doesn't seem at all like she's been described.

No?

Well, they say that Jack the Ripper was misunderstood, too.

I have a suspicion that things are not going the way that you planned.

What is that supposed to mean?

Triumphant return.

Everybody is envious except the one person you care about.

Is everything all right?

Mm -hmm.

I feel her anger as strongly now as the day she walked away from me.

Oh, jackpot.

Great. I knew there was a reason for this press party. Uh -huh.

Start shooting.

Got it.

Bam. Take a look at this.

Beneath the breast of this rocker beats the heart of a preppy. Yeah, hold it.

Hello?

Quaid, it's JJ.

I'm at the St.

Gregory in Diz Wilder's room.

Diz Wilder? A black fox? That's right.

The one who never allows stories or pictures?

Right now, Van is shooting his shorts.

Well, what else have you got?

Oh, just his address book and diary.

His tailor, his music.

In about two seconds, we'll have him.

Yes. Yes, all right, Mr. Ambassador.

Hold on a moment.

Peter?

Peter? It's Ambassador Leahy about Prince Philip's arrival next month.

Can you take it now and work out a schedule?

Certainly.

Excuse me.

He'll be right with you, sir.

Thank you.

Here he is.

Hello, Ambassador.

She certainly doesn't leave just the mundane matters to her general manager,

does she?

Dance with me, Leslie.

I promise not to step on your feet.

I think I know now how to make this a very worthwhile visit.

Really? How?

She once took something I needed.

Now I'm going to take something she needs.

Hopeless romantic, David Connolly.

Recreating our wedding day all over again.

Including Liberace. You think he'll play as time goes by again?

How could he resist such a lovely lady on her silver anniversary?

Cheers.

Cheers, love.

Lunch with me tomorrow.

I need help.

Oh? Well, all this publicity about the Caribbean deal is fun, but I've got to

get down to the business of making it work.

Do you know Evan Mallory?

Of the Regency? Yes.

Yes, I do. Ruth Tremaine at Sheraton?

We've met.

Can either of them handle the top executive spot?

Six super luxury houses?

Ruth could do it. I'm not so sure about Evan.

I'm not so sure about either of them.

But I think I know someone now who has perfect credentials.

Who's that?

You.

I want you.

And I'm going to get you.

Any idea what you're going to tell our friendly editor now that we can't

deliver?

We'll deliver.

Yeah.

Here they come.

Wait.

That is Diz Wilder.

I will not pose for your filthy magazine. How many times do I... I'm

Whenever you need the police, you can't find them. Look, mister, I think the

lady wants to be alone.

Please, take me out of here. Away from that guy.

I'm happy here at the St. Gregory lesson.

You're too young and too smart to stop halfway up the hill.

You think the only good view is from the top of the hill?

You bet it is.

I'm already general manager of the best house in the city.

I'm talking about putting you in charge of all six.

Six times the problem.

Yes, and the power.

Now, we'll put together the best... staff in the world, and you'll run the

You can build yourself a house on the beach.

I'll even get you a damn boat if you want one.

Think about it.

And I pay whatever it takes.

Get tied up with that porn merchant at the hotel.

It's some creep that started following me.

Well, I'm glad I was there to lend a hand.

Me too.

Well, since we're sharing an umbrella, maybe we should share some names. All

right. My name's John.

Oh, I'm Kathy, the Des Moines Kathy.

Kathy from Des Moines. How do you do?

Hello.

What are you planning to do today?

Well, just some shopping, I suppose.

You mind if I tag along?

I would love it.

So what do you do for a living?

I haven't traveled.

Oh. Well, you keep loose hours.

Can you really afford to take all this time off?

Yeah. This morning I decided that I'd just spend the day doing nothing.

I'd meet a pretty young lady, have a burrito, maybe stop by and see an old

friend. I'm not going to be a drag?

No, not at all. You're very nice, Kathy. You're straight.

I mean, I meet a lot of nutso's in my business.

Kind of forgot what it's like to be around someone who's real.

Someone who doesn't want anything.

You could have consulted me.

Craig, it had nothing to do with the fact that you... Really?

But you could have, you should have.

Six years' work on this venture together, and you offer the top spot to

you've known one day?

Did you think it was automatically yours?

I don't give a damn about the job. I'm only worried about you.

You don't want him. You don't know anything about him.

This is all just part of your one -upsmanship game with Victoria.

Craig, what do you want?

Don't you know that all I ever wanted was you?

I love you, Leslie.

All I ever wanted was for your plans to be my plans.

Now I... I'm not so sure.

Peter, the operators are having a little trouble keeping up with Miss Devere.

She calls Paradise Island and San Juan like it was L .A.

Well, ask her if she wants a bank of private lines.

I don't suppose you'd be willing to share with me what she's doing here.

I mean, it is a little like Kimball's visiting Macy's.

She's a guest here, Crystal.

What she's doing here is her business.

Well, hello, Mr. Conley. How are you?

Fine, fine.

I just wanted to confirm my reservations for Liberace's show tonight.

I'm sorry, sir, but he closed last night.

Oh, no.

What am I going to say to Martha Jane?

Anything I can do to help?

Well, the Conleys thought they were seeing Liberace tonight.

It's their anniversary.

Yes, he played on our wedding day.

25 years ago, today.

I came all the way from Cleveland.

Isn't Liberace still in the hotel?

He had some personal appearances today.

Doesn't leave until tomorrow.

Maybe I can get Seymour's manager to get them an autographed picture or

something. Oh, anything.

Yeah, it's really nice.

He seems to get off on just looking at people and talking about simple things.

You know, I'm getting some color stuff now to fill in your copy.

Look, I gotta go.

Oh, pictures.

What about pictures?

Would you relax?

We've got pictures.

I'll see you later.

Everything okay in Des Moines?

Yeah, the whole family wanted to say hello.

How was your mom?

Terrific.

Worried about me as usual.

I have to go see a friend.

You want to come?

Yeah.

I still think we're about ten minutes too long, Seymour. I'm going to ask Bo

take the boogie -woogie out of the beginning.

What about the cape?

I'm going to wear the black diamond mink. Oh, great.

And please don't forget to call Roger.

He wants you to make a personal appearance at your museum on the 10th.

Hi, Lee.

Hello, Miss Francis. Hi, Christine.

I was just coming by to see if I could get a second of your time. Sorry, we're

kind of late for a public appearance.

Ride down with us? Sure.

Oh, I heard about that couple that came in all the way from Cleveland and missed

the show.

I feel terrible about that.

Well, we thought if you could autograph a picture to them personally.

Of course.

It's the least I can do.

thank you well that's quite a view yes

Believe it.

There have been moments over the years when I've said I shall never see John

again. Well, fortunately, I never listen to what I say.

Who is that thin girl?

This is Kathy from Des Moines.

I'd like you to meet Dr. Casimir.

I was wrong.

You're not so skinny. In fact, if you weren't with my best pupil, I could go

you myself.

First things first.

You will play for me the fantasy.

Then we get drunk and mess with the girl.

I can see you have trepidations.

You haven't practiced.

Practice every day, you fool.

Or else you wind up like one of those dimwits that make a living with

pianos and tight pants.

You know, I never heard anything as beautiful.

Dr. Casimir once thought I'd be, uh, well, that was years and years ago.

Does he know what you really do?

The travel business.

No, he doesn't.

You know, Kathy, it felt so good having you with me today.

Gave me a chance to just be myself.

Aren't you usually yourself?

No, I'm almost always somebody else.

You know, in Des Moines, we can get arrested for this.

San Francisco.

They give out permits.

Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you... I'm sorry.

I just need the August receipt.

Peter, may I say something?

Sure.

I was just thinking a little while ago.

I've never really come out and said how much I enjoy working here.

I'm glad.

I mean working for you.

You've been more than just a boss.

You've been a friend.

Well, if you decide to... Christine.

Please.

Let me finish.

I just want you to know...

If you decide ever to leave, St. Gregory would survive.

It would just never be the same for me.

Not ever.

What about me?

I'm not surprised.

I didn't even feel right thinking about it without saying something to you.

Well, Leslie should have, of course.

I know.

You know, this sort of thing should be exciting.

Everybody wants to be wanted.

Try and have a good time with it.

But don't think I don't care about the outcome.

I'll fight if I have to.

I hope so.

I'll only insist on one thing.

Whatever decision you make, you mustn't let Leslie's rivalry with me enter into

it.

It must be your choice.

this every day, you fool, or else you wind up like one of those dimwits that

make a living with electrical pianos and tight pants.

These.

Oh, good.

Oh,

they're the best I ever saw.

You did it, kid.

Got a great heart story.

Well, I can't ride it.

Telling you, Quaid, I can't do this to the guy.

He deserves better.

The story goes in with pictures as planned.

I can't do it.

Not with my byline.

Then I'll write it with my byline.

Sorry, kids. It's too good to pass up.

Wade.

He'll know I lied to him.

He lied to you, babe.

David, that was the most wonderful anniversary dinner a lady could hope

And you know, I particularly enjoyed my date.

Well, I'm sorry the main attraction didn't work out.

Mr. and Mrs. Connolly, I'm sorry we've had a bit of an accident up on the sixth

floor. One of the water pipes burst and... Oh, everything's fine. If you

right in there. Maybe some things you ought to claim. Thank you very much.

Ah, Mr. and Mrs.

Connolly.

Glad to see you. Come this way, please.

Why did he put us at a table?

Where are our things?

Maybe you've got to bring them to us.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

The St. Gregory proudly presents that man who is famous throughout the world,

Mr. Showmanship Liberace.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Tonight I'd like to begin by playing...

A request or two. Do you have any favorite numbers you'd like to hear?

When did you do all this?

Maybe the lady down in front. Do you have a favorite song you'd like to hear?

Well, Mrs. Connolly would... I mean, we'd like to... As time goes by?

My pleasure.

All right, thank you, John.

And remember, the hollandaise on the side.

Oh, what a shame. Craig couldn't join us.

Yes.

Well, he was called away on business. You know how it is.

That was well, though.

Gave us a chance to gab, just like the old days.

The old days are over, Leslie.

We're not a couple of schoolgirls anymore.

Staying up all night, giggling over boys.

Oh.

Isn't that what we are doing, Vicki?

With a new cast of characters and higher stakes?

We're finally getting around to it, aren't we?

Peter told you.

All right.

Why not?

If, uh... If I asked you to withdraw your offer, would you?

Why?

There are a dozen owners all over the world that you're equally vulnerable to.

But you have other motives.

Not true.

He's the best man for the job.

It's business.

No matter.

Peter's a sensible man.

He's reluctant to make such a lateral move anyway.

Glad to hear it.

So, I've upped the ante.

I've offered him the senior vice presidency of Devere International.

Oh, I know you wouldn't dream of standing in the way of that kind of

move, would you, Victoria?

Got a minute for me?

Sure, what's up?

You know, my old man once told me that if you don't tell a person what you

it means you don't really care that much.

So I figured I better tell you.

I hope you stay on here.

Who said I was going anywhere?

The whole place is talking about it. Mr. Veer spread the word fast.

Well, I haven't made a decision yet.

Okay?

Okay.

Just remember, my life's on your hands.

Without you around here, who's going to keep me on a straight and narrow?

Everything changes, Billy.

Nothing stays the same.

Sorry I'm late.

You know that I thought about you all last night.

Yeah, I didn't sleep much either.

Today's the day you have to go home, right?

Yeah.

Look, Kathy, there's something I have to tell you.

No, don't.

Please.

I... I just came to give you this back.

That's it.

Did anyone ever tell you that you are bewildering?

that I love it.

Look, I gotta go.

I'm sorry, I just...

I thought this meeting should be on your turf.

Victoria, I don't know what she told you, but if it sounded fait accompli, it

isn't. Oh, I know.

I know you would have told me.

It's everything I've ever wanted.

My own house on the beach, great fishing.

I understand.

And I know I'm being used.

I know I'm just a pawn in all this.

But I've got the opportunity to use it to my advantage.

And I'll tell you.

I don't feel very comfortable about it.

Peter, everybody has dreams.

Everybody wants something more.

Don't be so hard on yourself.

Besides, I probably couldn't match the salary she's offering you.

Well, it's not that. Anyway, I wouldn't do that to you.

All right, then.

I can't offer you the house on the beach or any of those other things either.

Just know this.

No matter what you decide, my respect, my admiration, my affection

for you won't change.

But remember, whatever you do, do it for you.

I want out, Eddie.

Now that you cracked it big for five or six good years, you figure you want out.

Look, things change.

You said it, kid.

You know, it doesn't seem that long ago when you turned to me and said, Eddie, I

got it, and I can make it. I remember that, but it was a long time ago. A real

musician, not some two -chord bump.

You said, Eddie, I'm willing to sell out to make the bread. And you did it. You

sold out. You got rich. But now rich isn't good enough for you. So now what

hell do you want me to do? Do both, dummy.

Two kinds of music too complicated for you?

Or maybe you're too old to do something new.

Hey. What, Nick?

Thought you might want to, uh, see this.

What? What is it?

is she called for a bellman.

Checking out.

That doesn't mean he's going with.

Sometimes these things take months.

Contracts have to be drawn. Everything.

Are you leaving us, Christine?

Arrested for this in Des Moines?

That's a hell of a story. What does a J .J. stand for?

Jennifer Jane.

Well, Jennifer Jane. You got a nice touch.

Diz on a tiz.

It's pretty cute. I love it. Girl reporter breaks rocker down.

Please, stop it. Who was it you were sleeping with last night, Jennifer Jane?

The rocker or the travel agent? That's not fair.

This is fair?

Why the hell didn't you just ask me?

Sure. I suppose I should have said something like, Hi, I'm a reporter.

I'd like to spend the day with you. Well, it would have been honest.

What's honest about running around as someone in the travel business?

And why this fear of interviews? Are you afraid somebody might not like the real

man? You know, he's not a bad guy.

Yes.

The day... With John, the travel agent.

That was real.

Miss Francis?

Hi. Mr. Liberace asked me to give you this.

I've promised Martha, Jane, and David that I will play on their 50th.

I'll hold myself available October 12, 2008, Liberace.

Isn't that dear?

Oh, do you think it's too early to make our reservation?

A little.

Goodbye. Bye. Thank you.

You're not smiling.

Does that mean I'm not going to like this?

Is Leslie here?

Leslie?

Yeah, well, I asked her to meet us here, if that's all right. It won't take

long.

Hello? Here I am.

Hope I'm not late.

Thank you.

You two have given me a real problem.

Victoria, you've been everything a man could hope for in an employer, and then

some.

And Leslie...

You'd offer me the chance of a lifetime.

One that may never come down the road again.

So, I've made a decision without considering either one of you.

Not even myself.

I've made a decision out of respect.

Stephen Randall Cabot.

30 years ago, he was in love with both of you.

They married Victoria.

If I accept your offer, Leslie,

I'd always know it had something to do with that.

So, I'm staying home.

Looks like you're always destined to get the man.

Stephen asked me to marry him and I did.

You can't change that.

But you must never think he didn't love you.

Then why?

Because he loved me too.

In a different way.

And maybe just a little bit more.

You're a reporter.

Not for long.

I'm looking for something else to do with my life.

Why?

Can't it be a shame to blow a promising career as a reporter over a rocker with

an identity problem?

Let's just say that I lost my integrity as a journalist.

I treated you no better than the people who write those rags you buy in the

supermarket. I'm sorry.

Would you be interested in a second shot at me? I mean, a real exclusive.

Ten days in Paris with Black Fox.

Be nice to see if we can get along just being ourselves.

I don't have a toothbrush.

Well, we'll just have to go shopping again.

It could have been very good, you know.

I know.

But I am leaving with something I didn't have.

Like what?

After all these years, I think there's a chance that Vicki and I can be friends

again.

You know, between the two of us, we could run the industry.

I hope you find a good man for your new venture.

I know just the guy.

Craig.

And I know just where to find him.

Hey, who's mining the store around here?

Miss Francis, this is Mr. McDermott. Mr. McDermott is the manager of this

hotel.

Perhaps you can find something for him to manage.

Well, let's see.

We have a lot to catch up on.

Okay. Hudson called regarding the Builders' Convention.

They've requested 14 rooms as usual. And the Chronicle wants to do an interview

with you over the holidays. I think you should go.