Original subtitles

Aggie? Oh, Peter.

Where's my smile today?

Morning. You gotta bail me out. It's National Secretaries Week, and I got a

meeting five minutes ago.

And you didn't get flowers for Christine yet, did you?

They're for Terry. Christine's my executive assistant, and she loves to

me. Too bad. No National Executive Assistants Week, as far as I know.

They get nicer than marigolds, but not as nice as roses.

Oh. Jealousy.

Leave it to me.

I always do.

Come here.

Come on, Maggie. You know I feel ridiculous with these things. Now, trust

This brings out your natural color.

Pink?

With computers doing our thinking for us, now all we need is a worrying

Who says computers don't already worry? We sit here punching them all day long,

not giving a second thought to their inner workings.

It's funny how everybody perks up when a new director of hotel operations comes

on board.

Better look sharp, then. Here he comes.

Morning.

Well, good morning.

Good morning. Good morning, Mr. Hayward.

Oh, Mr. Hayward. Julie Gillette.

Julie, very nice to meet you.

And you, sir.

I'll keep up the good work. If you have any problems, my door is always open.

Maggie. Hello, Christine.

These are for Terry from Peter.

Oh. National Secretary's Week.

Uh, she'll be back in a minute.

Everything?

Come on, now.

I don't want to burden you with my problems.

Don't be ridiculous. You'll feel better.

What is it?

My daughter's coming to visit me from Rome.

Oh, that's wonderful.

I didn't know you had a daughter.

Well, I don't, really.

I gave her up for adoption right after she was born.

I knew I couldn't raise her right, so... You haven't seen her in all these

years.

But I followed her life as if she were still my own.

She's marrying a local boy named Roger Easton.

Oh, Ruth Easton's son?

You read the society pages, too, huh?

Well, you should be very happy for her.

I am.

Why so down?

So when her daughter's adoptive parents died in a plane crash, Maggie thought it

would be nice to get back in touch with her.

And she wrote the letter on St. Gregory's stationery.

Yeah, she was ashamed to let her daughter know she was just a flower lady

in a flat on Mission Street.

And now the daughter thinks she lives here at the hotel.

With all the trappings.

What a mess.

Well, it's hard enough meeting your mother for the first time without also

finding out she lied to you.

Then, of course, there's Ruth Easton.

Oh, no, no, no, no. Not over there. I want it over here.

Ruth, this is the St. Gregory.

We've done all this a hundred times. Yes, and done it poorly a hundred times,

doubt. As chairwoman of this ball, it all reflects on me.

I'm sure we'll sell all the tickets, the children's hospital will make a lot of

money, and everyone will be happy. I swear, Victoria, you really should set

sights higher.

Now, I haven't wanted to say this, but when you chaired the ball last year, the

food was mediocre at best.

Señor, señor, higher, higher.

Caliente. Well, I had no trouble making myself understood when I was in Acapulco

last winter.

Oh, young man. No, no, no.

Mr. Hayward wants the entire staff briefed on the new computer system we're

putting in.

The enhanced keyboard with a parallel interface.

This will be a cinch.

Looks like you found someone who knows computers, Myra. Mr. Hayward, I've been

taking a refresher course after work.

Very industrious. Sounds like you aren't planning on spending your entire career

behind the reservations desk.

I figure the more I know, the more valuable I'll be in another position.

Well, you get the right idea.

Keep it up.

Can I have some people just get under your skin?

Well, Mrs. Cabot is ready to shoot, Ruthie.

Hi, Maggie.

Megan.

I'd like a room for two nights.

Did you make a reservation?

No, but I brought cash.

How's that?

Not enough, huh? Wait a minute.

How about now?

Megan, didn't we get a cancellation this morning on the Essex suite?

Yes.

Then we haven't filled it yet?

No, sir.

It's a shame to have that room empty.

Better put Miss Lewis in there.

Yes, sir.

But, Peter, I don't have... Don't worry. It's already paid for.

Last -minute cancellations lose their deposit.

Oh, I can't let you... Forget it. It's done.

Have someone take Miss Lewis's bag.

Front, please.

I'll pay you back for this.

You pay me incarnations.

White.

Julie, how'd it go?

Oh, great.

I think I've got a pretty good feel for the system.

I need a quick study.

Well, computers are becoming more and more important around here, and I want

move ahead right along with them.

You know, you might be just the person I need.

The transition from the old system to the new has to incorporate everything,

I need someone conversing with both systems to help me out.

I guess that's me.

I guess it is.

I'm under the gun on this. How would you like to put in some OT tonight?

I'll authorize it.

Sure.

Good. Come up to my office after your shift.

I'll be there.

In the governor's favor, Maggie.

Everything is so clean.

Just the way a home should be.

Thank you, Mr. King.

Too gorgeous.

This isn't me, Peter.

Thanks for trying.

Anyone with half a brain can see I don't belong here.

Didn't you just hire a new girl in the beauty salon?

Just today.

Well, I sure hate trying out these new people on our guests without knowing how

they're going to turn out. You know, you're right. The last time we had

new down there, we had an epidemic of purple hair.

I hate to ask you, Maggie, but you could be our guinea pig.

Would you mind?

Peter McDermott, you can't keep doing this.

Doing what?

This hair hasn't seen the inside of a dryer in 20 years. And even if this

a genius, I'll still be a disaster from the neck down.

What size are you?

About eight,

last time I checked.

Bingo.

I just helped Mrs. Cabot clean out her closet. Half of Knob Hill would kill for

her hand -me -downs.

Now all we need is a little time.

When will your daughter be here?

Not till tomorrow. Perfect. We'll start with a hairdresser. And a manicurist.

Beautiful hands are a must.

Not every woman in old clothes can manage to look like Cinderella.

But every woman should use what Mother Nature gave her.

If Father Time hasn't already taken it away from me.

I never should have written to Lisa. She'll see right through me.

Relax. Everything's going to be fine.

If only you knew how long I've dreamed of seeing my daughter again.

And now it's happening.

I'm afraid.

Afraid of what, Maggie?

Afraid she'll be ashamed of me.

Perfect.

Well, I think that does it.

Thank God. I didn't know it was going to give out first, my eyes or my brain.

Well, you did wonderfully.

Saved me a week's work.

Thanks. Glad I could be of help.

How glad?

What?

Things could go very nicely for both of us, Julie.

We're a good team.

You know what I mean?

I'm not sure I do.

You said you wanted to get ahead.

I can make it happen.

I don't want to get ahead like that.

Don't be so naive.

Use what you've got.

Mr. Hayward, no.

You be good to me, I'll be good to you.

Sorry, you've got the wrong woman.

Margaret Lewis.

And you're Lisa?

It's good to meet you.

And you too.

Why did you write to me after all these years?

I thought it might be a good time for you to have someone.

We don't even know each other.

We are blood, though.

I gave you up when you were a month old.

Your father thought you looked like me.

Who was my father?

A frightened man.

Scared of life.

Of responsibility.

He left me when you were two weeks old.

I never heard from him again.

What did you do?

I was scared, too.

If only I had known that life isn't always as hard as it might sometimes

You would have kept me?

I would have.

What would my life have been like then?

Different.

Very different.

So, how did your fortunes turn?

My fortunes?

Living in a suite at the St. Gregory is not for common folk.

Well, that's a long story.

Tell me about you.

What's Roger like?

He's everything I've always wanted.

You'll meet him this afternoon.

My future mother -in -law is having a cocktail party for us. I told her you'll

be coming.

Oh, how nice.

You must know Ruth, don't you?

No.

I haven't had the pleasure.

Late night, huh?

Not really. Why?

You're gonna OD on that stuff.

Something wrong?

How did your work with Drew Hayward go last night?

Work went fine.

It's the fringe benefits I wasn't too crazy about.

Fringe benefits?

Our new director of hotel operations has his own set of rules for what it takes

to get ahead.

Oh, no, Julie.

Did he?

He tried, but I didn't let him.

Good for you.

Yeah, good for me.

I've got a head full of knowledge, and all the new boss cares about are my

visible assets.

Why don't you tell someone?

Maybe I should.

But somehow I feel like this goes with the territory.

I've got to be able to handle stuff like this.

An executive can't be a crybaby.

Don't be so hard on yourself.

You have nothing to prove to anyone the guy was out of line.

This is the figure I'm concerned about.

You could run all this data and see if we can find some sort of... They told me

downstairs you wanted to see me.

Yeah, yeah, come on in.

Mary, could you excuse us a minute?

Have a seat.

I'll stand, thank you.

Did good work last night.

Caught a few things that we would have missed.

Thank you.

I just wish I could say the same thing for the way you handled yourself.

What?

Well, you overreacted.

I think given the situation, I acted properly.

No, situations aren't given.

Situations are created.

And you created one of panic.

I don't think we're reading off the same page, Mr. Hayward.

Julie, try to understand this.

Now, you want to get ahead, right?

Of course.

Well, the kind of people I'm looking for to put into positions of responsibility

around here have to be diplomats, people who know how to handle any situation,

cool, independent heads.

I think I'm like that.

Well, I thought you were, too.

But last night you failed your first test.

I'm not dupered, Mr. Hayward. That was no test.

Now, you see, this, this is the perfect example. Just learn to go along.

Feel out the situation before you commit yourself.

Now, I don't want you to worry. You're going to do well here. But you need to

learn how to play the game.

My way.

Planning on working late with the boss?

I don't think that'll be anything regular.

Don't be so sure.

Drew does his best work at night.

Do you have a problem with me?

Not me.

I've already been through it.

Through what?

You're almost as naive as I was.

I guess he finds that quality endearing.

After all, he did reward me with what I wanted.

A promotion.

If you have something to say to me, why don't you just say it straight out?

Okay.

If you're going to give it the office, make sure you know what you're getting

return.

In advance.

From what I've heard about my daughter's future mother -in -law, she'll cut my

veins open to make sure my blood is blue.

So what?

It's Lisa you care about. You don't know that she's anything like Ruth Easton.

But I don't know that she isn't either.

I don't know anything about her.

Well, get to know her then.

Oh, I wish I could.

I feel like an imposter.

If Lisa could pass Ruth Easton's test, so can you.

I don't know, Julie.

Guys that smooth are nothing but trouble.

Be smart and go to Mr. McDermott.

I feel like a little kid running to a teacher. I should be able to handle this

on my own.

He doesn't play by the rules, Julie.

It's his game. I just need to learn how to play it.

Don't get any ideas.

Go talk to Mr. McDermott and be done with it.

I don't know where she is. This whole thing is making me very uneasy.

Relax. She sounds charming.

Roger, I'm still not sure your mother approves of me, and here I am bringing a

total stranger into the picture. She's your mother, honey, and my mother does

approve of you.

Barely. Oh, I hate testing the relationship like this.

You have nothing to worry about.

Plenty of time for that later. Right now, I'm anxious to meet my new

counterpart.

I believe she's just walked in.

Margaret Lewis.

I'm Ruth Easton.

So glad you could come.

Thank you. You look familiar.

I understand that you live at the St. Gregory.

Have we met?

No, I don't think so.

And you've lived in San Francisco for a long time?

Mother, I think all that can wait.

Oh, I'm sorry.

This is my son, Roger.

And, of course, you know your daughter.

Come, let me introduce you to everybody.

I'm sure you know most of them already.

I knew this was a mistake. Your mother is uncontrollable. Yes, I'm well aware.

Why don't you do something about it? Not now, Lisa. Please, let's just enjoy the

party.

Reservations wants to know if you're extending Maggie's stay.

Yeah, tell him another night, at least.

You don't sound happy about it.

I'm beginning to wonder if we did the right thing.

You saw how she looked when she left for the party.

Like a fish out of water.

She'll be okay.

This is what she wanted. A chance to get to know her daughter.

It's just too bad there's so many other people involved.

You did the right thing.

Go work it out.

It's a lovely party.

Ruth's parties always are.

Well, she's had plenty of practice.

When we're in Rome, we don't go to many of these.

Between Roger's shipping business and my responsibilities at the museum, there

just isn't time.

Sounds like you have a nice life.

We do.

Before we met, I wasn't sure what you'd be like, but I told myself that all I

wanted... To see that you were happy. You mean that you made the right

Yes.

I guess we'll never know how it would have been the other way.

Does it really matter now?

You turned out to be everything I'd hoped.

Imagine living at the St.

Gregory and not knowing a soul at this party.

It does seem strange.

Alan, be a dear, look into it for me.

Is Mr. McDermott still here?

He's in there with someone now, on the way.

Will he be long?

He shouldn't be.

Have a seat.

Julie, something wrong?

And the craziest thing was that he'd hidden it all in the kitchen. In the

Julie,

have you met Drew Hayward, our new director of operations?

Yes. Julie's already done some fine work for me.

We should be flattered. Back at Cornell, Drew was the toughest critic on our

football team.

You're the one that taught me, Peter. Games aren't necessarily won by the best

players, but by the team with the right attitude.

Did you want to see me?

No.

No, it was nothing.

Good night.

Good night.

Morning. Morning.

Morning.

Julie, would you like me to set up an appointment for you with Peter today?

No, it was nothing.

Sure looked like something was bothering you last night.

Maybe later.

You just let me know, okay?

Julie, you're being stupid.

Dermot's a fair man.

Why should I put him in the middle? Especially when it's my word against his

college buddy.

Well, Julie, you gotta think of yourself.

I am.

That's why I'll handle it myself.

Lisa's a fine girl, Peter.

And I think she's starting to open up to me a little.

That's great.

Well, in the meantime, who's minding your flowers?

Oh.

Friend, Peter, I just can't thank you enough for what you've done.

Helping me to meet Lisa like this instead of... I don't think it would

any difference.

Oh, yes, it would.

As much as I'm starting to feel for her, she's still one of them.

And I'm just me.

It's better like this.

You ought to have more confidence in yourself, Maggie.

A hotel suite and new clothes.

Haven't made you a different person.

Oh, I forgot.

Lisa and I are going shopping to find her a dress for tonight's charity ball.

Now relax, she's paying.

I'm so nervous.

Can you imagine me going to garden parties for balls?

Maybe you found your niche.

Oh, I found my niche a long time ago. It's right over there.

And a steady diet of Ruth Easton would sour me on the good life real quick.

Megan's covering for me. I haven't got much time.

I thought we were beginning to understand each other better.

We are.

Come on, Julie.

Let's talk, huh?

What were you doing in Peter's office?

I felt I had an obligation to discuss what happened with him.

Why didn't you follow through?

I guess I wasn't sure he'd believe me.

Well, I'd say that's an accurate assessment.

But you didn't take the gamble to find out.

I like that.

A hotel is no place for recklessness.

You're conservative, intelligent, attractive.

Strictly a clinical observance.

You've heard that I am looking for a new assistant manager.

I'm recommending you for the job.

Why?

I don't want to go outside.

I want to establish a policy of promoting from within.

And you are the best we've got.

I won't by any chance be working closely with you in this new position, will I?

And you're cautious, too.

You'll do well.

Mr. Hayward, I'm flattered and appreciative.

But I want there to be a clear understanding between us.

We will be working together some, at least until a new computer system is set

up.

As long as it's just work and you have no other expectations.

Agreed.

Look at the hill.

You have such wonderful restraint not buying anything.

Oh, I have all the clothes I need.

I've always been taught that a woman never has all the clothes she needs.

They say a woman who has sons will always lose them.

But a woman's daughter grows up to become a friend.

You'll have to come visit me in Rome.

Have you ever been?

Lisa, there's something I have to tell you.

What is it?

What's wrong?

I don't expect you'll ever feel right calling me mother.

I know that's someone else for you.

But if you ever feel like it, my friends call me Maggie.

If I'm going to get a promotion at the St. Gregory, I've got to deal with Drew

Hayward. He's going to be around for a long time. Look, I've heard about stuff

like this. You can't win. Why don't you back away and let me handle it?

You're not going to fight my battles, Billy. Besides, all I need is to watch

ease you out. Then how would I feel? He's not going to ease me anywhere.

Don't underestimate him.

He's locked in.

He's going to get what he wants.

Don't take the job, Julie.

And what?

Sit at the reservation desk for the rest of my life?

All I'm saying is be smart.

Protect yourself.

The more I think about it, the more I am sure you should insist on a prenuptial

agreement. Mother, we have discussed this to death. Lisa is not a gold

She has her own money.

Oh, Roger, there is money and there is money. And you have a lot more at stake

if this marriage doesn't work out. Right.

I have a lot more at stake, Mother, not you.

Oh, you've done very well in the family shipping business. And I've offered to

buy your share.

Oh. I don't want your money, you're my son.

Then stop interfering.

Well, all I want is for you to be happy.

Then leave us alone.

Us? Letha and me.

You're trying to come between us, Mother.

If she were the right girl for you, I wouldn't be able to.

You are so modest, Mother.

She's adopted, Roger.

We don't know her family.

Come.

Sorry to bother you. Do you have a minute?

Sure.

Here for a drink? No, thanks.

You don't mind if I have one, do you? It kind of takes the edge off a long day.

So, what's on your mind?

I've been considering your offer.

I'm going to have to turn it down.

Now, I assume that the job and career move still appeal to you, so I can only

surmise that you're afraid of me.

I'm not afraid of you.

That's just not the way I want to get ahead.

You know, I'm not sure we understand each other yet.

See, I'm in a position here to make your life either very easy or very

difficult, no matter what job you're in.

I think the people here know what they can expect from me.

Any changes in the way I'm treated will just look suspicious.

Pretty cocky. What have you got, a rich uncle or something?

Excuse me. I think I'd better go.

Thank you for your consideration.

Let me by, please.

See, I'm offering you a pleasure cruise to the executive suites, Julie.

Don't be a fool.

You are afraid of me, aren't you?

You got nowhere to go, honey.

As big a pain in the neck as Ruth can be, I must admit she's on a wonderful

putting this ball together. Yes.

Two days ago, you were ready to strangle her.

Yes. And two days from now, I'll be ready to again.

But not tonight.

Mrs. Easton requests that you take your seat so that we can begin the

ceremonies. Oh, it looks so beautiful.

Oh, Peter.

I'd like you all to meet my daughter, Lisa. Hello.

And, of course, you all know Roger. And Lisa, this is Peter and Christine and

Mrs. Cabot. How do you do, Lisa?

And... Alan.

Hi, Alan.

That's a beautiful boutonniere, Peter.

And you would know that, wouldn't you, Maggie?

Do you know, if I had known we had a flower expert in our midst...

I would have had you do all the table arrangements.

What are you talking about, Mother?

Well, odd, isn't it, what turns up when someone's about to marry money?

What's going on here? It seems that your future mother -in -law's connection

with the St. Gregory isn't that she lives here, but that she peddles flowers

by the rear entrance.

You're missing a beautiful ball.

I'm sorry I embarrassed you.

Mr. McDermott tells me you're famous in the neighborhood.

I am what I am.

Never had any money, but I was happy.

Why? I suddenly felt I had to be something more. I'll never know.

You're like me.

You hear the name Easton, and right away you feel inadequate.

Not you.

You were raised well.

Not well enough, it appears.

She won't let me forget it, either.

You don't have to take anything from Ruth Easton. Married to Roger, I would.

Don't let her come between you. That's what she wants.

Ruth Easton gets what she wants. Look what she's done to you.

She caught me in a lie.

You haven't done anything to be ashamed of.

All you've done is fall in love with her son.

Peter, you wanted to see me?

Miss Gillette just told me a story I don't want to believe.

What's that?

That you tried to force yourself on her.

I think what we had was a misunderstanding.

Why don't you tell me about it?

Is it really necessary to get into this? I don't want to embarrass anyone,

especially myself.

I'm listening.

Well, I'll take the rap for bad judgment.

Julie is an attractive woman. I've been in these situations before, so have you.

It's best to just walk away.

I didn't.

He's lying.

She wanted to get ahead.

Dropped a few subtle hints about how much.

She seemed like such a nice girl. I wasn't sure that I was hearing her

Are you saying that she came on to you first?

No, no. I think initially I was just as guilty as Julie was.

I knew what we were leading up to.

I guess that's why in a...

weak moment, I offered her a job that she wasn't qualified for.

What? I was stupid.

After I gave it some thought, I knew that I had to cut it off, so I called

in tonight and told her that this just wasn't a situation that I wanted to open

myself up to.

That's it?

Well, she didn't like it, but I thought you understood.

Till now.

Well, that's not what Julie's told me.

I can imagine.

I'm sorry, Peter. It's my fault for letting her think that she could get

far with me.

One of you isn't telling the truth.

Peter, if this is going to undermine my effectiveness here, you know all you've

got to do is ask and you can have my resignation.

I don't want a resignation. I just want the truth.

How many times have you gotten away with this, Mr. Smooth?

You're lying.

And I'm the only one who knows it.

But I'm just a lowly female clerk.

You're the worst kind of bad I've seen.

Look, how long do we have to continue this farce?

I didn't want to do this.

I actually hoped you'd tell Miss McDermott the truth.

But once you won't... I'm not afraid of you.

That's just not the way I want to get ahead.

I'm not sure we understand each other yet.

I am in a position here to make your life either very easy or very difficult.

Let me by, please.

I'm offering you a pleasure cruise to the executive suite, student.

Peter, I, um, can explain. You've got ten minutes to get out of my hotel.

Where have you been?

Everyone's looking for you. You mean your mother's looking for me? Lisa, not

now, please.

Yes, now.

I'm through trying to be what your mother expects me to be. We have to have

own life.

You know the way she is, and why can't you just put up with her?

Your mother hurt a very nice lady tonight, and all that lady was trying to

was be what your mother expected.

I love you.

If you love me, let's just go away and get married without your mother.

You two come in here. Everybody's asking where you are.

Mother, if you're about to announce our wedding date in there, I would suggest

you stop.

Lisa and I will be getting married in Rome.

On a date of our own choosing.

But that's impossible.

I've arranged everything.

Then rearrange it.

One long -stemmed rose, please.

You're leaving?

Noon flight.

I wanted to bring you something.

A round -trip ticket. I hope you'll come to the wedding.

My only child's wedding? I wouldn't miss it.

Too bad we didn't find each other a long time ago.

I could have learned a lot from you.

He just caught me on a good day.

I'll write you, okay?

Hey.

Thank you, Mother.

I thought you were taking the day off.

I decided not to.

I'm proud of you.

You handled yourself very well. It could have gotten ugly.

He never played ugly.

I guess that's why it was so scary.

I hear you're going to computer school.

Yes, sir.

The wave of the future, they say.

Glad you're a part of it.

Mr. McDermott?

You used to play football with Drew Hayward if it hadn't been for the tape

recorder, who would you believed?

He never was my favorite team player Good

morning, St.. Gregory