All language subtitles for The boost (1988)_Subtitles03

[car horns honking]

[sirens wailing]

[phone ringing]

Ned Lewis.

Who?

My bank?

A guy from my bank?

My bank sent
some guy over.

God, I can't be
that far overdrawn.

All right.
Yeah, tell him
I'll be right down.

-Ned Lewis?
-Yeah.

Lenny Brown.
Can we talk
in your office?

So you're from
Manufacturer's
Hanover Trust?

No, where did you
get that idea, Ned?

I thought you
told Johnny--

I told Johnny
I was from Equity
Appreciation Associates.

Maybe he got
the idea that was a bank,
but I'm no banker, Ned.

I want to talk to you
about saving $250,000
on your income tax this year.

Is this a joke?

Cattle feed is
highly leveraged.

The write-off this year
is 4-to-1.

It's all been blue sky
and it's perfectly kosher.

Look,
I made $28,200 last year.
I'm just a working stiff.

No, I was talking about
the interest income

from that money
your father gave you.

What money?
My father didn't
give me any money.

Your father
is Edward Lewis
at Dreyfus, right?

Where'd you get
an idea like that?

My father's
a professor at CUNY.

This girl you went out with,
she works with my wife.

-She mentioned you.
-What girl?

She said your father
was some famous guy
about money

and I put two
and two together.

Teaches economics.
Hardly famous.

[chuckles]
You don't know
anybody who could use

a $250,000 tax shelter,
do you?

Not personally.

I'm such a schmuck.

Sorry.
Wrong me, I guess.

Thanks for not
jerking me around,
you know.

I leave a piece of
my soul on the floor

every time I do
this song and dance.

No problem.

Go out like a battleship,

come back like a raft.
Thanks.

You've really got
a 4-to-1 write-off?

That's what they tell me.

Hey...

Can I buy you lunch
as my way of apologizing?

No, that's okay, really.

Please,
I'd like the company.

Yeah? Okay.

It's just so funny.
I got the--

I could never
be in sales.

It hurts your
feelings too much
when you get turned down.

Sometimes I get discouraged,
maybe even a little depressed,

but you got to shrug it off.

I could let it get to me,
go around fractured,

But thank God
I got somebody at home.

She won't ask,
"Did you make the sale?"

She'll just give
a hug and a kiss
and I'm whole again.

Len,
you're a lucky man.

Ah, I know that.

I keep reminding myself.
You got a wife or anything?

No, nothing.

You'd have to take
second best anyhow.
[chuckles]

If you saw
Linda and me, you know,
at a restaurant like this

you'd say,
"There's a mismatch."

I've seen it
in people's eyes.

"How did a guy like
that get a girl like her?
He must be rich."

Not that I'm not trying.

You know,
here's the funny part.

Money doesn't mean
a thing to Linda.

It's nice to
hear somebody talk
about his wife that way.

You know, most of the guys
I know, they put their wives
down all the time.

Would you like
to meet her?

Yeah, sure.
Sometime.

You could come to dinner.
Here's my card.

-So, what do you think?
Tonight?
-Tonight?

-Yeah, dinner at our place.
-You're sure?

You don't want
to check with your wife?

I'll tell her I met a guy,
invited him to dinner.
She'll say, "Great, no sweat."

You'll wonder how
a schmuck like me

Wound up with
a beauty like Linda.

[car horn blaring]

Funny way
to start a friendship,

me thinking you
were someone else, huh?

Well, back to the salt mines.
Got to catch a cab.

Thanks for lunch.

Anytime.
See you tonight, okay?

-Right.
-Bye-bye.

[cars honking]

[doorbell buzzing]

Linda?

[soft music playing]

Linda, Ned is here.

[sighs]

Welcome to CasaBrown.
Let me take your coat.

Linda, Ned is here.

It's still raining,
huh?

Linda?
Oh, Linda.

This is Ned Lewis of
the Financial Journal.

Hello, Ned.

Pleased to meet you.

-Was I right or was I right?
-You were right.

Is she, like,
the most beautiful
girl you ever met?

No question.

He loves me.

[Ned]
What do you do?

[Linda]
I'm a paralegal at
a corporate law firm.

[Ned]
Sounds interesting.

[Linda]
Dull as dishwater.

Lenny's the talent
in the family.

She's being modest.
You should see her dance.

You dance?

Does she dance?
She dances like a dream.

I wanted to be a ballerina.
I guess most little girls
do, but--

No buts about it.

You'll have
whatever you want.

That's a promise.

I'm happy just
taking classes.

Uh, I'm a little too old
to be a professional.

Now, I bet you never
heard a beautiful girl admit
to that, huh, Ned? Huh?

So, how long have
you been with Equity?

Oh, Equity
Appreciation Associates.

Well, I'm not
really with them.

I'm freelancing. I do PR work,
some favors here and there.

The problem with EAA
is they won't give me
any decent leads.

That's how I wound up
barking up your tree
this morning.

[chuckles]

Lenny told me
about the mistake.

I didn't know whether
to laugh or cry.

He was sort of
counting on that sale...

-Honey.
-...to break
into the business.

That thing doesn't
mean anything to Ned.

Does it?

-What kind of thing?
-Hustling for money.

You're above all that,
writing for a big paper
and everything.

I worry about money, Lenny,
just like everybody else.

But you got some backstops.

You start falling down
that well...

You got some
slats across to catch
yourself, all right?

I saw a funny thing
on the bus today.

A man got on
with a French horn--

You got your
professor father.

You got an education.

You got the Financial Journal.
You can't fall too far.

The bus driver wanted
the man with the French horn
to pay an extra fare

because the French horn
took up so much room.

My old man's
an ex-printer on disability.

My mother is
a secretary for the Ladies
Garment Workers Union.

So the man with
the French horn,

he said that he
would play a concert

for everybody instead,
and he did...

I got a high school
education!

...all the way
across 86th Street.

It was beautiful.
I cried.

I drank
too much wine.

You only had two glasses.

You're just tired.

Work too hard.

Yeah.

I'm a little tired,
I guess.

What do you think of Ned?

He seems very nice.

I wonder if we could
get a little blurb

in the Journal about
Manny's Pizza Parlor.

You know,
how he started.

It's a great
success story.

Lenny,
you can't ask him.

It's the Financial Journal.

It'd be worth
a grand.

[sighs]

My heart falls
in on itself when
you look at me like that.

Lenny...

I love you.

It hurts me to see
you belittle yourself.

I know.

You're right.

Sometimes I think
I can't cut it.

No matter how hard I try,
like, I'm in quicksand.

And the more I struggle...

[sighs]

The deeper I sink.

It'll be all right.

Don't ever leave me.

Silly,
I'd never leave you.

I know things look bleak.

Things are not bleak,
Lenny.

I'm very happy.
Don't you know that?

Just stick with me...

Please.

Till I fall off
the Earth.

Come to bed.

Make love to me.

Good morning.
Hallis-Richardson.

May I say
who's calling?

One moment, please.

[phone beeps]

Mr. Rogers on 7.

[phone beeps]

Good morning.
Hallis-Richardson.

Shit.

[receptionist] Please hold.

[phone beeps]

Reception.

Yes, Mr. Hallis.

They're ready for you,
Mr. Brown.

Thank you.

-[man] Ah. Mr. Brown.
-Call me Lenny.

[door closes]

Gentlemen,
Mr. Brown has
applied to be

our sales rep on
the Connecticut project.

Tell us a little bit
about yourself, Mr. Brown.

Gentlemen, I won't bore you
with the reading of my resume,

some of which
is even true.

I assume you all
know how to read.

Besides, we're born again
with each new project.

And all your past
successes and dean's list
semesters don't cut much ice

when it comes
to the big question:

will it sell?

Then tell us, Mr. Brown.
Will it sell?

Sure, oh, yeah,
it'll sell.

Over the life
of the partnership,

I guess everyone will enjoy
some small tax benefits,

realize a nice, safe,
though modest return
on their investment.

You don't need me
for that.

But will it soar?

That's another question.

And I'm afraid
the answer is no.

When your aunt Peggy
and the cousins get
off the train,

you're not gonna rush
them over to this mall,

Because you don't
really identify with it.
Sure, it's quaint, I guess.

But it's also boring.

People struggle against
smallness all their lives.

Let them identify
with something big.

You got a duplex theater here.
Show "A" or show "B."
That's it.

There's a place in Toronto
that has 17 screens.

There's another one
in Beverly Hills--

Connecticut is
not in Beverly Hills.

Everybody wants
a taste of Beverly Hills,
even in Connecticut.

Especially in Connecticut,
believe me.

You want people coming
to your mall,

not just because
they can buy things here

that you get
cheaper somewhere else.

You want them to
have an experience.

You know
what I mean.

You didn't
stand a chance, kid.

[phone ringing]

Thanks.
Excuse me for breathing.

Nothing personal.

You had vision,
talked a kind of poetry.
It scared them.

These guys wear
suspenders and belts.

I should've told them
what they wanted to hear,

Give less than I got,

but I can't give
less than I got.
I don't know how.

My name is Max Sherman.
Let me buy you a drink.

Thank you.

Cheers.

[slurping]

-[Siren wailing]
-Got family?

Uh, a wife.

We haven't had time
to have children yet.

Yeah, me neither.

So, where are you from?

I got a couple
things out here,
some stuff in Texas.

My major operation
is California,
Southern California.

You live out there?

I live where the money is.

[chuckles]

You don't think
this New York crowd

would have anything
to do with me

unless I could move
millions of bucks
around, do you?

Your wife work?

Yeah,
she has a great job.

Yeah,
lucky for you, huh?

I do all right.

Everything I do is
just a lot chancier,
that's all.

Yeah, you just
probably haven't found

the right products yet,
the right territory.

Got any suggestions?

LA, Southern California.

Real estate that
won't ever go bad.

Every year in LA,

there's this whole crop
of people

who never had money.

And this year,
they made a ton of it.

And then they find out that
the government wants half.

"Whoa, what's this?"

Yeah, that's where
I come in.

You got to know
a little about taxes and, uh,

limited partnerships.

But most of all,

you got to know how to sell.

You're describing me,
Mr. Sherman.

Well, did you ever take a vow
to stay in New York?

Los Angeles is a great place.

We don't have any friends
in Los Angeles.

We don't have
any friends here.

We have each other.
We'll still have
each other, you and me.

Linda,
this is my big chance.

What about my job?

You're not
gonna work in LA.

For a change,
I'll be supporting you.
You can dance.

No no, we should...
Maybe we're
going too fast.

We should just take
this a step at a time.

The hell with that.
You don't step through life.
"Teacher, may I?"

It goes too quick for that.
You got to leap through life!

What about our apartment
and all our stuff?

This dump? This junk?
You think I'll take
this crap to LA?

We'll get new furniture
that's right for LA!

You think
a successful man in LA

asks his wife
to park her behind
on junk like this?

Forget about it!
Come and get it!

-We're out of here!
-Are you crazy?

Come on! Are you with me?
Let me see you leap!

[shrieks]

[tires screeching]

[people chattering]

[woman over PA]
Flight 701, Honolulu

is now in
final boarding.

Lenny, look.

All passengers
please proceed
immediately to the gate.

I'm Lenny Brown.

Yes, sir. Mr. Sherman
arranged for your car.

May I carry your bags?

Thank you.

[laughs]

-Coat?
-Oh! Thank you.

Come this way, please.
Just follow me. Excuse me.

[woman on PA] Mr. Martin,
Mr. Anthony Martin,

please meet your party
at B-5, baggage claim area.

[sighing]

Oh.

[giggling]

[Lenny laughing]

Mr. Brown, would you
hit the "play" button

on the cassette machine,
please?

Thank you.

[Max]
Welcome to LA.

Sorry I couldn't pick
you up myself, kids,
but business is business.

I had my girl fix you
up in a little place
in the Hollywood Hills.

I think it'll be
comfortable for you.

She's laid in
some food and vino,

so you should celebrate
if you feel like it.

Tomorrow, at 9:00
in the morning, we work.

In the meantime,
unpack, relax, have a swim.

[both]
"Have a swim"?

[screaming]

[Linda laughing]

[screams]

There you are!

You thought you were
gonna be next to an air shaft.

[both laughing]

I wonder what
they're all doing tonight.

Who?

The poor people
of the world.

It's like a dream,
isn't it?

Want to wake up?

No, never.

Me neither.

Last one to
the other side loses.

[both laughing]

If everything
works out...

Which it will.

...there's only
one thing I want.

Anything.

I want a baby.

Take two, they're small.

I mean it.

Can we?
If everything works out?

You would make such
a terrific mother.

Are you serious, really?
Would you want to?

We can go through
the motions.

She's a heartbreaker, kid.

Didn't I tell you?

Can you see her with me?

My mother used to say,

"There's a lid
for every pot."

Down to business.
Did you do your homework?

I'm ready.

This is it.

[Lenny]
The appreciation
on this particular building,

because of the proximity
to the harbor,

the good air quality
and ample parking,

is going to outstrip most
comparable properties.

The write-off for the purchase
of the building and
the conversion of the offices

Should run 2-to-1 over
the seven-year investment.

We've had a ruling
from the IRS

classifying us
a limited partnership,

but for tax purposes,
and since most of your

deductible losses will
count towards this tax year,

it's really a question
of giving money to Uncle Sam

or owning a percentage
of prime property.

What's the price per?

$20,000 a unit,
Dr. Shapiro.

All right, Lenny,
I'll take five units.

[chuckles] You're in.
Dr. Bishop?

I'll talk it over
with my wife.

It's going to be
a very popular offering.

We can't guarantee
there'll be any units left--

All right, five.

Great.
By Friday, the partnership
should be fully invested.

A 2-to-1 write-off
this early in the year
as solid--

Lenny,
you already sold it.
Don't buy it back.

[laughing]

[all chattering]

Bonjour.
This way, please.

[sighs]

Enjoy your lunch,
Mr. Sherman.

-Yes, thank you.
-You're welcome.

Been here before?

[laughing]

This is my table.

Any guest comes with me,
he knows where I'll sit.

Look around you.
A lot of tables, right?

Wrong.

Five tables.

All the rest of the people
come here to eat.

Food's pretty good.

Those tables...

Strictly for Michigan.

The people probably
read about the place

from the hotel
magazine.

These tables...

Ray Tucker,

manages the money
for half the Rams,
all the Raiders,

everybody you ever
saw on TV,

5% off the top.

Carter Davis, oil.

Ricky Holtz,
builds airports.

Doc Gertz,
used to be a chiropractor,
now he produces movies.

And me.

We don't come here to eat.

So, what are you saying, Max?
I shouldn't order any food?

Eat, eat.
Just don't look hungry.

George?

[phone rings]

Hello.

[secretary]
I have Mrs. Brown
on the phone, sir.

Oh, thank you.

-Hello? Hello?
-[Linda] Hi.

Hi. Hi. You still love me?

Who was that?

My secretary.
You ready for that?

I don't know how
to act around her.

I'm afraid she'll tell me
I'm doing something wrong.
[chuckling]

How's your office?

We could live in it. Guess how
much money I made in the first
hour on the job today,

how much I earned for us?

-I don't know.
-Just guess.

-$100.
-Try $5,000.

[Linda gasps]
That's impossible.

I swear to God, people here,
baby, can't wait to lay off
their money.

I had two doctors
that didn't wait
for my whole pitch.

They were in too big a hurry
to go generate more money!

It's not to be believed!

God, why did we take
so long to find this place?

We're gonna be rich,
you hear me? Rich!

I like what you
did in there, kid.

You put in a good day,
made a good dollar.

We can go home,
and have our drink.

Like the house?

Beautiful, Max.
Thanks a lot.

It's only rented
by the week.

Out here, you gotta
start scoring baskets
right off the bench

or you're out of the game.

Don't worry about me,
Max.

This is the work
I was meant to do.

You can sell, no question.
You got an instinct
about that.

You know, selling's more
important to me than money.

Every time I sell something,
it means somebody
believes in me.

Right.

First month,
build a little bank account.

Then after that,
I expect you to pay your
fair share of the rent, okay?

-Okay, Max, no problem.
-All right.

This isn't your car.

Excuse me,
this isn't his car.

No, it's yours.

You need a car in LA.

You expect me
to be your chauffeur?

Go on,
get behind the wheel.

Jesus!

Max,
this is a Mercedes!

Don't have a coronary.
It's only a lease.

Down the road,
if you want to buy it,
I'll make you a good deal.

In the meantime,
enjoy it.

I don't know
what to say, Max.

That's a first for me.

Get behind the wheel.

Yes, sir.

You can find
your way home?

Yeah, I think so.

He thinks so.
Go on, get out of here.

Tomorrow morning,
9:00 a.m.,

-we'll make some more
money together. Right?
-Right.

Got a new guy,
huh, Mr. Sherman?

Yep. This one
could be a keeper.

This is my spot.

A girl comes
to dinner with me,
she knows where she stands.

-Still there?
-What?

-The Mercedes.
-What Mercedes?

You think that's funny?

Okay, don't ever do
that to me again.

[laughing]

[Lenny]
There'll be a bank
on the corner here,

We're negotiating
with B of A.

Over at that end,
a frozen yogurt joint,

fish and chips next,

dynamite new
Mexican franchise,

and a possible
fitness and aerobics center,

which is nice 'cause
it brings in traffic.

I'll put in $75,000.

Great.
I'll need a check.

I'll pay cash.

Cash?

What kind of business
are you in, Bob?

Leisure activities.

[snickering]

-[piano playing]
-[woman] ...three, four,
en seconde, one,

two, three,
high tight kick,

and five, six,
seven, to plie.

And one, two, three, four.

En seconde,
one, two, three, tight kick,

five, six, seven, plie--

♪ Happy birthday to you

♪ Happy birthday to you

♪ Happy birthday
Love of my life ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you

Thank you.
It isn't my birthday.

Excuse me, ladies.

Who says it isn't?
Sorry. Excuse me, sorry.

Come on.

Excuse me.

I love you so much.

-Now...
-What?

You remember?
The James Bond movie?

-Yeah.
-Remember?

How you went
crazy for the car?

Oh, Lenny!

Can we afford this?

I don't know.

I had to work
a whole month
to buy it.

Oh, Lenny!

It's beautiful!

Ooh!

[gasps]

[laughing]

-He's adorable!
-She is.

-Where did you get her?
-City pound.

I got you a $40,000 car
and a $2 mutt. Go figure.

Hi.

Here's your ticket.

[giggling]

[tires screeching]

You didn't tell me
there'd be valet parking.

I didn't know.
Classy guy.

Where's he get
his money?

Washing cars.

[people chattering]

[music playing]

Lenny Brown!

You made it, man!
Good, good, how are you?

Joel, this is
my wife, Linda.

What else?

A real person,
and lovely to look at.

I'm charmed right
out of my socks.

[laughing]
See?

Hey, everybody!

This is Lenny Brown,
who is so hot,

he's gonna make the rest of us
look like welfare mothers.

[all laughing]

And his charming wife...

-Linda.
-Linda.

Eat, drink,
make contacts.

[sighs]

Where did you say
you met him?

Oh, he bought
into a deal.

He's a young guy
with 42 car washes
and mega tax problems.

Want to eat something?
Here's a little buffet.

He throws a nice party.

What's really nice is
Uncle Sam pays for half.

And he wasn't
even invited.

I'll, uh,
call you tomorrow.

I just made a sale.

-That's good, Lenny.
-Good?

My commission's
going to be $26,000.

While you were
sipping a glass of wine,

while I was munching, like,
a handful of macadamia nuts.

He's talking to
a friend of his.

Suppose the friend
wants in. Don't look.

God.

-You okay?
-[sighs]

I feel a little
out of place.

You are.

You're the best-looking
woman here.

People here are
a little strange.

Talented people
can be strange.

The discretionary
spending power at
this party is enormous.

-Then maybe that's it.
-Come on.

You're not enjoying
yourself? Come on.

I'd rather be home with you.
Is that so terrible?

-[Michael] Lenny!
-Michael.

Have you met Rochelle yet?
She lives with Joel.

I am not
living with Joel.

I'm a stewardess
for a major airline,
mister.

Sometimes I stay
here when I'm in town,

but I do not live here.

Excuse me. My mistake.

[scoffs]
You think I have to depend
on people like Joel?

Listen, pal,
I've been on planes

with people who
took me out to dinner,

then I let them
take me back to their hotels

and the next morning,
they took me to Cartier's

and told me to pick out
anything I wanted.

And I'm gonna live
in LA with Joel Miller,
who thinks he's a rajah

because he's got
a couple of car washes?

Give me a small
fucking break!

[laughing]

I think Lenny and Linda
were on their way home,
Rochelle.

Say good night,
princess.

Good. Go home.

Goodbye.
Good night. Get fucked.

Call me a schmuck,
but I love the little bitch.

It's, uh,
it's the coke talking, guys.

You wouldn't--
You wouldn't know her
when she's straight.

I got to keep her
away from the coke,

got to keep her
away from Michael.

Life,
a continuous struggle, huh?

Good night, Joel.

Take care, kids.

Thank you.

I didn't know she was
whacked out on coke.

They were
all on something.

Thank you.

I didn't see anything,
did you?

You didn't have
to see anything.

Money's the real drug
around here, okay?

Thank you.

Nice house though.

So I thought
the old lady was lost.

I mean, she was wearing
this, like, babushka

and this thing you would
throw over an old sofa.

She wrote
a check for $150,000,
I got the message.

So, I sent over
to Berlitz for some guy
who could speak Farsi.

An hour later,
she's a partner,
all handshakes and smiles.

[both laughing]

I got the printers
working overtime

because of you,
turning out brochures.

Nobody reads them.

They read them.

[knocking at the door]

Come on in.

[Max]
You're late.

Hi, Max.

-Hey!
-Hi, sweetheart.

What's going on?
What are you doing here?

"What's going on?"

That's the problem
with the younger generation.

No sentiment.

One year ago today,
you started here.

[music playing]

To my best salesman
and his beautiful wife.

Oh...

It's been
a wonderful year.

You don't miss
New York?

Sure, Max,
maybe someday we'll
go back for a visit,

if I can ever
find the time.

Find time to play, kids.
Find time to play.

It's funny you
should mention that.

I bought a plane today.

You mean like a
"fly in the sky" plane?

It's a good tax write-off,

Plus we finance it
and I get to write off
the interest as well.

A man needs his toys,
Linda.

It's just a prop job.

[laughing]

Who's gonna
fly this plane?

I'll hire a guy.

[plane engine roaring]

I'm just trying it out
to see if I like having
my own plane,

then I'll go onto a jet.

It's fine, Lenny.
Just fine.

-Okay, Cabo San Lucas.
-Ole.

Some Mexican food,
maybe a little business.

Let's fly.

[Mexican music playing]

[laughing]

Taxi! Taxi!

Por favor!

Bueno!

Okay, I could have
just said, "Cabo."

Cabo, Cabo.

[all laughing]

Cabo San Lucas.

[Joel] All right.
How are you doing, pal?

[Linda laughing]

[speaking Spanish]
The port!

[bike honking]

[car horns honking]

It takes $100,000
to get in on the bidding.

No problem.

I think this place
could be a gold mine.

It's non-refundable,
Lenny, if you back out.

Joel,
I don't back out of things.

I know. I just feel
I got to tell you.

I'm in.

[Lenny]
Gracias!

[driver]
Buenas noches!

[Lenny]
I got a hunch
we can get our money

out of that joint
in the first year.

[Joel]
You never know, Lenny,
there's a risk.

I don't think
either one of us is
looking for a passbook,

savings account
kind of investment.

I'm looking for
a free toaster.

Cabo San Lucas is gonna be
bigger than Puerto Vallarta.

The big bucks will
roll in the winter.

So,
let me ask you this.

Why are we taking in partners?
What's wrong with
just you and me?

Michael's put in $150,000,
there's a few shortstops
who have signed.

I guess you
could buy them out,

But they'll want
a little profit.

So? Fair enough.

Half a million ought
to cure it for you.

Half a million?

No, bad idea, kiddo.
Spread the risk.
That's the smart move.

Joel,
I can swing it, man.

I just got to
rearrange a few things,
you know?

-You're about a mover.
-Yeah.

Okay.

[Lenny singing]

[Linda]
We should've stayed over.

[Lenny]
The whole idea of
going to Cabo San Lucas

for dinner is to come
back the same night.

Any postal worker

can go to Cabo
on a weekend excursion.

Ah!

Caramba! I find it.

Oh, God, I'm so tired.

Hi, Mitzi.

[sighs]

-Lenny?
-Yeah.

Uh,
about that nightclub--

Yeah, how about that?
We can have our own joint.

Everyone in the world
wants to own a nightclub,

but we're
actually gonna do it.
It's so great.

I know,
and I think I know
what it means to you,

but we're behind
on the American
Express bill...

-Oh, Linda. Linda, please.
-...and on top of
the airplane...

[sighs]

I mean,
even after all this,
you think I'm a bum?

I'm making money
so fast over at Max's,
they can't keep track of it.

Everybody in town thinks
I'm a firecracker

and my own wife
still thinks I'm a bum.

Lenny...

I think
you're a genius.

I just don't want you
to feel like you're
on a treadmill,

having to make
more and more money

to pay for things we bought
that don't really need.

The way things
are going,

the money going
out won't be missed
if it never comes back.

When you get to where we are,
nothing can touch you.

And you're with me.
We're together.
We're like a team.

You think I would ever

let anything hurt you?

Ever?

Good morning,
Veronica, Pat.

[sighs]

Good morning, Alice.

How are you?

Hi, Max.

[laughs]

Ahem.

Okay, so who died
around here?

So when do you
show up at 10:00
like a banker?

Hey, Max, what happened?
A deal fell through?

We're getting audited?
What?

You don't read
the Journal?

[phone ringing]

You ought to
read the Journal.

Well, so the lawyers
will find a way around it.

It's not even
close to passage.

This may never happen.

-You don't get it.
-What's to get?

To get is, I've been
on the phone for an hour

and no one's
returning my calls.

To get is,
so far this morning,
while you're playing banker,

Shirley has taken 11 calls
from investors who want out.

To get is,
three other lawyers
have called saying

they got to
have their deposits
back by this afternoon

or they're gonna find
any angle to sue on.

We're in deep shit.

It's starting to sink in.

Mr. Michures, [stammering]
we made a deal.

Your client is committed.

Hey, even if they didn't
allow a deduction

for dollar one,
it'd be a great investment.

Believe me, Vic,
you're gonna get
the write-off.

Some asshole
in Washington

is just trying to
start a panic, that's all.

Don't tell me about
your lawyers because...

Vic? Vic? Hey, don't!
Wait, Vic! Vic!

[Lenny]
Sorry to call so late,
but I had a chance--

How's it going,
world-beater?
Any takers?

Hey, can I just put you
on hold for a second, please?
Yeah. Thank you.

Man, people are
spooked, Max.

They don't know
how to handle rumors.

They'll come around, right?
They've got to.

Why is that?

Because everybody wants
California real estate.

Don't they?

Sure, they do.

But they don't
want it from us,

With us taking
20% off the top,

unless it's got
that tax break.

Without that,

why should
they want to buy
a shit house from us?

Oh, don't take it
so hard.

This is the first scare
we've had in this business.

If nothing else happens
in the next couple of months,

maybe six months...

we could be back to speed.

You mean it's going to be
six months before we have
any money coming in here?

Worse.

We'll have to dig
into the piggy bank,

save that option
on the La Cienega property.

[sighs]

Ought to kick in
for the overhead here.

Think of it
as a vacation.

Take a trip.

Spend some
of that heavy money
you've been making.

And me,
I'm gonna go home.

And I'm gonna
have me a drink.

And then I'm gonna
have a hot tub.

All right,
so we got us a rainy day.

Can't go on forever.
Good night, kid.
Don't forget the lights.

Good night, Max.

Hi, Doctor.
I'm sorry I kept you on hold.

Hello?

[sighs]

[phone ringing]

Lenny Brown speaking.

[Linda]
Lenny, have you
forgotten the party?

What party?

Have you had
a bad day?

Joel's party!
Oh, shit!

Hey,
we don't have to go.

We have to go.
I'll be home in half an hour.

[sighing]
Joel's...

Earth calling Lenny.

Linda, don't try to
be cute, not tonight.

You like it
when I'm cute.

Is it business?

Yeah, it's business.

Whatever it is,
we're gonna be all right.

What?

Yeah, it must be nice.

If it's money,
we can cut back.

I can go back to work.
I'd like to, anyway.

It's boring doing
nothing all day.

Boring?

I've been busting
my balls out there so
you can live like a queen,

and now you tell me
it's been boring?

It must be bad.
You hardly ever
start a fight.

It's bad.

We're several hundred
thousand dollars in debt,

and we got no more income.

How?

Let's not go.

Let's go home.
Let's hold each other.

That's what they
expect us to do,

to lie in the shadows
and lick our wounds.

They'll know
I've been beaten.

Hey, even if they
have to take everything,

if we have
to go bankrupt,

we still have each other.

Linda, I'm scared.
I'm scared.

Baby,
we'll make it

as long as
we have each other.

I wanted you
to have everything.

Lenny.

Come on.

[people chattering]

Lenny! Linda!

[laughs]

I'm glad you came.

Uh, hey, buddy,
can you spare a dime?

[Lenny]
Seriously, Joel,

could you lend me
a little something

until my brother
straightens out?

He's a hunchback.

[all laughing]

See?
Didn't I tell you?

You can't keep
a good man down.

This guy doesn't cave in
because of the fucking media.

He's already into
something else, huh?
Incredible.

So, do we party?

Yeah, absolutely.

[people chattering]

[sighs]

Talk to me, Lenny.
I'm your pal.

It's closed down.
Nobody's doing
any business, Joel.

I'm in deep shit.

You don't sell
real estate deals.

You sell Lenny Brown,
right?

That means you can
sell anything, man.

Airplanes, computers,
this shit.

Go ahead,
help yourself.

No, I never touch
the stuff.

It'll take you
off your ass.

Joel, I don't know
anything about computers
or airplanes, man.

I'd have to start
all over again.

What is
this negative talk?

You're killing
the old fireball.

[sniffing]

You need
a boost, kid.

You need to clear
away the cobwebs.

Joel,
I got enough problems,
all right?

What? Do you think
it'll be habit-forming?

Do you think you'll have
a monkey on your back?

It's a boost.
That's all.

Come on.
It's a tough track
we're on, boychik.

The winners
always have an edge.

It's 90% mental
out there.

You accomplish what
you trick your brain

into believing
you can accomplish.

Faith may move mountains.
This stuff makes them fly.

If you've never tried it,
you're the last one in town.

[people chattering]

What's the problem?
Was there a problem?

See this guy here?
You know that park
in Beverly Hills?

I'm gonna build
a statue in that park
with a plaque that says,

"To my best friend, Joel,
who saved my life."

[laughing]
What are friends for?

Must have been
some pep talk.

Was there a problem?
You know,

you don't have
to know the product,
you have to know the people.

Who knows people
better than Lenny Brown?

I'm going to sell
747s internationally.

Look.

That's wonderful, Lenny.
How do you get started?

Can you imagine
the commission on a 747?

You're gonna wonder
"What was Lenny Brown doing,
pissing away his time

on petty
real estate scams,

wondering what
some bureaucrat

was gonna leak
to the papers
in Washington?"

Cocktails.
Want another drink?
Another-- Yeah, come on.

Dance,
ballerina, dance.

What?

[sighing]

Sweetheart,
I'm exhausted.

Let's go to bed.

One more dance.

The neighbors.
I can't keep my eyes open.

They've discovered
a cure for that.

Lenny,
is that what I
think it is?

Don't turn
little old lady
on me, okay?

It's Joel's.
I needed a boost.

You saw me before the party,
right? I wanted to be dead.

Now I got my old energy
and confidence back.

I got plans to get
us out of this mess.

But cocaine,
we never needed
that before.

Hey, come on.
You know what it's like?

It's like good champagne,
that's all.

What's it do to you?

It bumps up your
natural energy level.

Look.

Look at that, see?

I've watched Rochelle.

All it does for her is
turn her into a real bitch.

That's Rochelle.
She started as
a real bitch. Here.

You sniff this up.
If you don't like it,

throw the rest
in the pool.

[sniffs]

[Linda laughing]

[both chattering]

[Lenny]
Hi, honey.

I got it nailed down.
I've got the greatest idea

for a medical
and dental leaseback plan.
It's fail-safe.

No matter what happens
to the new tax law,
the crisis is over.

Whoo, great!

You want
to sell helicopters?

It's not the money,
Max, you know?

I just got to keep working.
I'll go stale.

What about that
leaseback idea you had?

Nobody liked it.

Okay. We're not
selling buildings now,

but we sold
a lot of buildings.

They all need maintenance,

which happens
to be done by a company

called Century West
Maintenance Company.

-Yours.
-Mine.

[chuckling]

Want to manage that?

Get a small salary,
keep using the car.

Once in a while,
a free lunch on the account.

Things will pick up here.
We'll be back where we were.

You don't want
to sell helicopters.
That's for losers.

[people chattering]

Mr. Brown,
how nice to see you.

Nice to see you.

Right this way,
please.

Thank you.

What can I say?
It was a period
of reorganization.

Now it's time
to come out and play.

Isn't that sweet?

We owe our friends a nice meal
and the pleasure
of our company.

Always a pleasure.
I love you guys.
Good table.

-Thank you, Roland.
-Enjoy your evening.

Could we have
a bottle of Taittinger?
Make it a magnum.

Certainly, sir.

Ooh.

And after dinner,
a little surprise.

I love surprises.
I'm like a child.

He is a child.
We're all children.

We are going to fly
to fabulous Las Vegas

for Steve Martin's
midnight show.

Well, excuse me!

I knew you wouldn't
cool off for long.
What's the deal?

Something new, right?
Something you'll have to
explain to a dummy like me?

Something, maybe, real?

Let's just say--
Thank you very much.

It involves
plays of eurodollars
against oil shipments.

Holy shit,
you've left me behind,
buddy. Eurodollars?

You got to give the impression
you're in motion, right?

Even though
he knows what you're doing,
you must make him think

you're doing something.

Something mysterious,
complex.

-You know?
-Yeah.

Big-bucks something.
Just keep in motion.

One small question:
who's paying for all this?

- I dipped into Max's
maintenance account--
- Lenny!

For about $20,000.
Don't worry. It's nothing.

He's not going to hold it
against his best salesman.

-So I took a little cash
for a few months.
-Are you sure?

I left a personal check
in the safety-deposit box.

Believe me,
this is not a problem.

Yeah.

A worthless,
goddamn check!

What are you getting
hysterical about, Max?
It was a loan.

In all my life,
I never treated anyone
like I treated you!

You were poor,
I made you rich.

You were drowning,
I gave you a yacht!

You stole from me.

I treated you
like a son. $20,000!

You want another check?
I'll write you--

Your check is no damn good.

You want to be a liar
as well as a thief?

Tell me what to do.

[sobbing]

Just tell me, Max.

You got to go.
I can't have you
around here anymore.

Hi, Tony.

Mr. Brown.

I'm sorry.
The leasing company
took away your car.

I cleaned out
your personal stuff.
I've got it in the office.

Thank you, Mr. Brown.

Tony...

Thanks.

[crickets chirping]

[phone ringing]

[dog barking]

Mitzi!

You didn't see
a little black
and white dog, did you?

No, ma'am.

You didn't see
a little black and white dog,
did you?

Nuh-uh.

[sighing]

Mitzi!

Mitzi!

[doorbell rings]

Put it anywhere.

[sniffing]

[Linda]
Is it ready yet?

[sighs]

Come and get it.

[gasping]

[panting]

I miss my puppy.
I was thinking
what a great...

Lenny! Lenny!

[car horn blaring]

[woman over PA]
Dr. Murcat.

He's going to be
all right.

Oh.

Your husband's had
a phase 2 reaction to cocaine.

How long has
he been using the drug?

Cocaine?

Do you know
how much he took?

[woman over PA]
Dr. Guettier.

My husband
doesn't use drugs.

He doesn't even drink anything
stronger than wine.

He'd been at a party.

Somebody must've
slipped him something.

Thank you.

Thanks.

Honey.

I was so scared,
but I didn't tell
them anything.

You didn't use any
of that stuff, did you?

-No.
-Did you throw it out?

Of course I did.

I couldn't find Michael.
I had to buy it
off the street.

That's what happens.
And I'm supposed
to be smart.

What about
the hospital bill?

Outright thieves. I put it on
the American Express card.

You got any?

You got any?

Yeah.

Where did you get it?

From Michael.

Good. Great.

Great.

He wanted
to fuck me for it.

Son of a bitch!
I'll kill him, man!

Don't look at me
like that. I'd never do
anything like that.

So how did you pay for it?

I hocked my ring.

[people chattering]

What time is it?

12:30.

He's not here.

He said
he'd be here at 12:00.

I know he said
he'd be here at 12:00.

I was the one
who talked to him,
remember?

I wonder when it was
you started talking
to me that way.

You want to wait?

Do you?

Maybe we should
try someplace else.

Let's go.

[dog barking]

[car engine starting]

[crickets chirping]

Lenny.

[Linda screaming]

Shh shh.

We don't even
know this guy, man.

He's a total stranger
to us, man.

We got to go.
They're going to
call the police!

They say somebody
dumped him on the back porch.

I'm not going
to live like this!

I don't care if Joel
is rich and I'm poor.

It doesn't matter
that everybody else has money.

I'd rather be a field hand
than live in this cesspool.

What's happened to us?

We got to get out
of this goddamn town!

Out of the hustles,
and the deals, the Joels,

and the coke
and the goddamn pain!

This isn't just talk,
is it, Lenny?

You saw that kid back there.
That could have been us
like that.

Then I can tell you.

What?

I'm pregnant.

[horns honking]

[tires screeching]

I thought
I was going to have
to get an abortion,

the way things were going.

But we can have
this baby, can't we?

If we go to a regular town,
clean up and be good parents?

Everything changes.

As of today,
I won't fail you again.

[seagulls squawking]

Morning, Lenny!

Morning, Mary.

Looks like a good one, huh?

Yeah.

We were the first
store in California
to stock that board.

-Really?
-Yeah, 4-ounce glass.

Light as a feather.
Feel it.

That goes through
waves like it's got
a mind of its own.

State-of-the-art, kid.

This is one bad
fucking rail, huh?

The baddest.

-You buying?
-You finance?

"'I made a mistake
when I left my wife,'
he told a pal.

'I wanted the good life.
I thought that meant

wild parties
and fancy living.'"

You mean it doesn't?

Did you ever go
to any movie star parties
when you were in LA?

No, we traveled
in different circles.

Had some wild times, huh?

-Not like here.
-Yeah.

What kind of job
did you have?

Oh, I didn't work.

What did you do?

I...

I took dancing lessons.

Shitfire,
we're gonna be late.

Hurry up, Linda!

-Oh, man.
-It's great, huh?

Yeah, it's great.

You know,
I told Mr. Hendricks
you'd be hard to replace.

Why Australia?

They got really
good beer there.

I ought to keep moving.

I know you
got to work to live,

but if you play it right,
you can work a lot less

and live a lot more.

Besides,
chicks dig my accent.

[laughs]

Ah, how did you get
to be so smart so soon, Tim?

No, thanks.

I'm sorry, I forgot,
you don't ever touch
the stuff.

Never.

Does Linda?
How's she doing?

She's doing great.

It was my problem.
She got into it
because of me.

So I go
to the meetings.

They help me,
I help her.
It all works out.

I got a going-away
present for you.

-Here, buddy.
-You're kidding!

No.
You sell them so well,

I figured
it's time you learned
how to ride one.

[sighs]

What's the problem?

No, with the exception
of my wife,

I don't think anyone
ever gave me anything

without working
an angle for themselves.

Thanks, Tim.
I'm going to treasure this.

Sure.

[car horn honking]

I gotta go.

I'll send you
a postcard from Down Under.

When I'm back this way,
we'll ride some waves
together.

Take it easy, Lenny.

Thanks, Tim.

Hey.

Hey.

Look at this.

You going to surf?

Tim gave it
to me! Hi!

[laughs]

Delores has
a boyfriend.

What?

His name is Richard.

He has a brother
who lives in Sequoia.

Yeah? Where's that?

Like, every couple of weeks,
he drives a pickup truck

in the window
of his brother's house.

Dolores says it's because
he's always fucked up
on Maui Wowie.

We talk about it
all the time.

Sweetheart, would you
like to go out tonight,
instead?

Yeah.

I'd like to go
to that little Italian place

near 2nd Avenue
on 72nd Street.

God, you're homesick.

I'm not complaining.

I didn't realize.

I thought it was
perfect here.

It is.
It's perfect.

If we go back to New York,
it'll be the rat race
all over again.

I might just
as well go back to LA.

I just miss...

[sighs]

I don't know
what I miss.

Just...

Interesting people.

Dancing.

[sighs]

At least
we had friends.

[Joel] It's all
a smoke screen, right?

Come on,
you're up there building
some huge-ass development

with Aetna
or somebody, right?

Like a new city
or something?

Joel, I manage
a small sporting goods store.

I make $400 a week,
and I work hard for it.

Don't kid me, slick.
I'm going to grab Rochelle

and come up
and check you out.

Any time. I gotta
book you a room
at the Howard Johnson's.

All we got is
a small one-bedroom apartment.

Ha ha ha.
You're an original, kid.
I'll give you that.

Take it easy, Joel.
Give my love to Rochelle.

Hey, give it yourself.
We're on our way.
Adios, amigo.

[sighing]

I didn't know
he'd invite himself up.

[sighs]

Well, you know Joel.

Odds are
he'll never make it.

[sighs]

The way you
make your money is,

you go short
against the soybean

but long
on the soybean oil,

or maybe it's
the other way around.

Anyway,
it's called a "straddle."
Protects the downside.

Uh, hey, listen,
I'll catch you later, Ron.

Wait, wait. Don't lose
the pulse rate, man.

[barking]

[murmuring]

A little TLC,
He'll be as good as new.

Doc, do you know anybody
who might want
a dog like this?

I can't have
a dog in my apartment.

Not offhand.

You could put a note
on my bulletin board.

Maybe just for tonight
or for a few days

You might know somebody
who could just keep him
just a little while,

just so he's nice
and taken care of?

[murmuring]

[horn honking]

Hey, I don't believe it!

You got knocked up!

It agrees with you.
You're more beautiful
than ever.

[Linda]
Lenny's not back yet.

Same old Lenny.
Too busy to stop.

[laughs]

And that's Baxter
and Miss Porter.

And this guy's
Milton McNeil.

Once they've all had
a good sniff of each other,

you'll see they'll
get along famously
with your poor friend.

Yeah. Hello.

[sniffs]

Okay, but only one line,
because of the baby.

This late in pregnancy,
coke doesn't make
any difference.

Who told you that?

A mother of three!

I've been real,
real good in Santa Cruz.

"Here lies Linda Brown.
She was real, real good."

Not even wine or coffee.

Oh, well, you can be
our designated drag.

[sniffing]

There. You happy?
You happy now?

Seems like old times.

Was I out of line?
I apologize.

Shut up! Both of you.

I'm sorry.
I better get going.

Listen, in the next few days,
I'll find somebody

to take care of
this little guy.

Want to talk about it?
I'm a super listener.

Mini crisis.
If we get through tonight,
we'll be okay.

Oh, God, I can't believe
I'm doing this.

I am such a dirty girl.

Such a naughty girl.

Good, clean fun.
Even Rochelle's being nice.

[Linda laughing]

Dolores and her
Maui Wowie boyfriend,
and Helen and her--

Joel, now what about
your cock? Is it big?

[Linda laughing]

Whip it out!

Linda, I'm offended.

I don't like this.
Lenny's going to be
incredibly pissed.

Let's close the store
and get some air.

There's a beach
around here somewhere, right?

[Joel]
This is really great.
This is really living.

[sniffs]

Smell that air.

We can go down
to the beach.

Super!
How do we get down?

From a duck's ass.

That's a joke,
right?

There's a little stairway
that the surfers made.
I'll show you.

Here it is.

This is like an adventure,
like when I was a kid.

Lenny and I...

[screaming]

-Linda!
-Oh, God.

She's okay, right?

She's okay, right?
Talk to me, Rochelle!
Is she okay?

She just tripped,
right? God damn it!
She's okay?

She's okay, right?
She's going to live, right?

[panting]

Is she okay?
God damn it, Rochelle!
Is she all right?

She just tripped!

[grunting]

[Joel]
Hey, pal. Look, Lenny,
I don't care what they say.

It wasn't the coke!
It was only an accident!

-I'll kill you!
-It was only an accident!

Kill you!
Fucking kill you!

[all shouting]

-I'll kill you!
Get off of me!
-Lenny!

I'll kill you,
you motherfucker!

Okay, okay.

[sobbing]
Where is she?

Where is she?

Where is she?

It happened,
but I love you.

I'll always love you.

We'll be together,

and later,
when it's all better,
we'll have an--

[sobs]

Another baby.

We weren't ready.
We were fooling ourselves.

And...

[sobbing]

And I should've
seen it coming.

I mean...

Anything, Linda.

You and me, together.

[both sobbing]

Hey, Mr. Brown.

You're up pretty late.
What can I do for you?

Joe, I hear you deal.

I need some downers.

I got some ludes.

Real ones.
Send you away.

That's where I want to go.

-How much?
-[man] $350 a month,
or $100 a week.

In advance.
Fall three days behind,
you're out.

-What about a dog?
-What about a dog?

We have one.

A dog would be
an improvement over most
of the people here.

We'll take it
by the week.

[door closes]

We're home.

[typewriter clicking]

[woman]
Linda.

I can offer you
a permanent position.

Thank you, but my husband
doesn't want me
working full-time.

Well, if you
change your mind,
just let me know.

Thanks very much.

Bye, now.

Honey.

Uh.

Honey boy?

You think there's
a way left we can,
you know...

still make
a life for ourselves?

Is this what
it's going to be like
from now on?

We gotta get off
these fucking downers, man.

I know.
How about today?

Absolutely.

All I need is a plan.
One decent maneuver.

It'll all come
together again.

That--

I'll be
in the big bucks.

That isn't
what I meant.

It'll be like
this all happened
to somebody else.

[knocking on door]

-Who is that?
-Mark.

Oh, it's Mark.

Mark, come in!

You ought to lock this door.
This isn't exactly
a security building.

Hi, Linda.

Come on in.

Hi, Mark.

I got your ludes.

[sighs]

It's nice having me
live only one floor away, huh?
You get speedy delivery.

They're the real McCoy.

It's $50, Lenny.

Yeah, honey?

The bank?

Hey, why don't you
sub-contract for me?

You could make
a profit for yourself

and, uh, have
a little spending money
on the side.

I don't deal drugs.
I deal real estate.

Hey, hey, I don't
deal drugs either.
I'm a screenwriter,

But until
the ship comes in,

you got to cover
the waterfront,
you know what I mean?

Here, Mark.

Well, I got
to get goin', uh,

get upstairs,

dirty some typing paper.
Ciao.

[door closes]

They're the real thing.

[TV audience clapping]

That was 20--

Jesus,
no, it was 25 years ago.

I was the top call girl
in Vegas.

Back before
I moved to this burg
and started dealing coke.

Had it all
before I got busted.

Lost all my old customers.

The stars, the politicians,
all my connections.

[Alex Trebek on TV]
...are incorporated
in this state.

What is Delaware?

[Trebek]
You're right.

Hey, good one, bud.

Listen to this.
He has $12,000...

I know your hooter is
hollowed through, but...

I still recommend coke

Over all those downers
Mark's been feeding you.
Those things are dangerous.

I'm going
to knock off everything

once I put my plan
into operation.

Stick with coke.
Don't mix your chemicals.

[knocking on door]

Could you get
that for me, honey?

$72,000?
Jesus!

...$72,800.
Join us next time out.
So long, everybody.

[audience clapping]

Hey.

Lenny, I thought
you might be here.

Hey, Linda.

Could I see you two guys, uh,
in private for a minute?

Sure.

Are you ready for this?
I sold my script!

You did?

Oh, Mark,
that's great news!

$50,000!

$50,000?
That's a respectable score.

Yeah, all we got to do is
dot the I's and
cross the T's.

I was wondering,
would you celebrate with me?

We'll go to Musso's,
all on me.

I can't.
I got some important papers.
I got a deal pending.

I don't want
to celebrate alone.
It's my big day.

Lenny, could I go?

Yeah, sure,
if you want to.

I'll only be
a minute.

You sure you can't
make it, Lenny?

I told you, I got business.
I can't just drop everything,
all right?

Yeah, okay.

[scoffs]

You know what I'm gonna
do tomorrow?

Buy a car.
An Alfa Romeo.

Are you serious?

White exterior,
red interior,
AM/FM, cassette.

Oh, that's wonderful.

[sighing]

Oh.

Now, isn't this better?

All right.

There's a good one.

I just need a little boost,
then it's back to work.

Yeah, I hear you,
sweetie.

Hi.

Long dinner, huh?

He's so excited.

I helped him make
his acceptance speech
for the Academy Award.

So he's going
to be rich, huh?

He hopes.

I brought you home
half a steak and fries.
I thought you'd be hungry.

In a doggy bag?

You were invited.
You could have come, too.

You would've loved that,
wouldn't you?

I wanted you to come!

So, did you fuck him?

Lenny, don't!

You fucked him for dinner

and then brought me
the leftovers in a doggy bag?

Stop it!
What are you trying to do,
get even? For what?

[screams]

-Linda! Linda!
-No! No!

I swear, I'm sorry!

Linda, I... I don't know
what happened.

[Linda sobbing]

Fucking coke! I was
freebasing with Barbara.

I had to get back to work.
I was so miserable!

I just wanted
to make it right again,

make it like it
used to be. Linda!

I will never hit you again!
I didn't mean it!

Linda, I love you.

[Linda continues sobbing]

Linda!

I know
you didn't mean it.

I love you more than...
I've ever loved anyone.

I feel the same way.
Don't you know that?

I'd never do anything
to humiliate you.

I'm gonna make it
right again.

Sweetheart,
I really am working
on something this time.

I wasn't gonna surprise you.
I wanted to tell you.

Some big guys,
really big guys,

Guys who think big,
you know, like I do,

big guys from New York,
who want to set up the right
thing in California, right?

I found out
from an old contact.

You don't know him,
but I'm telling the truth.

I did some research
on these big guys.

It turns out they're
in bed with the Saudis.

They're buying up
office buildings,
shopping centers.

You know,
I start doing my work,
I start thinking, like,

"What's their
biggest problem?"

Looking for an angle,
then it comes to me.

A way to structure
their deal

so it won't look
like the Arabs are
buying up the country,

which is their biggest problem,
yet making sure they wind up
holding the money bags.

So, here's my idea.
I structure this mess
of little partnerships

in which the average American
or mom and pop are limited
partners with the Saudis,

who put up
huge hunks of money

so that mom and pop are
at minimal risk, and they look
like the good guys,

sharing the opportunities
of this great land with
Mr. and Mrs. America.

It's a great, great idea.

So I got a call
in to this main guy.

This is my big chance.

It's my second chance.

I'm just a little tense.

Sounds like
a good idea, Lenny.

Oh, it's going to
put me on top again.

[sobbing]

Come on, Tucker.

Come on,
just do it, okay?

Good boy, come on.
Do it! Come on.

-Come on!
-[phone ringing]

Linda! The phone!
Come on. Come on!

Can't you hear
the phone? Linda!

Linda! Don't you hear
the phone? The phone!

[barking]

Shh, shh.

Advantage Equities.
Good morning.

Mr. Brown?
Who may I say is calling?

One moment, please.

William McConnell.

This is it.

[sighing]

Morning.
Oh, Mr. McConnell.

I see.
What did you think?

[car horn honking]

Well, when you do
come to town,

my wife and I would
like to take you and
your associate, Mr. Zimmer,

to be our guests
for dinner.

Uh, a week from tomorrow
would be fine, yeah.

Elizabeth,
a week from tomorrow,
for four at Morton's.

It would be fine.
It'll be great.

Well, good,
I'll look forward
to seeing you then.

Thank you,
Mr. McConnell. Billy.

Great, okay, bye-bye.

They went for it! Yeah!

-[Linda laughing]
-They're going to come out.

They'll drill me
for some details,
then it's business! Oh, man!

How can we take people
like that to dinner?

Well, not out in the VW
for take-out chicken.

Don't you sweat it, baby.
That's my department.

All you got to do is
be your beautiful self.

[both shouting]

Roland!

Mr. Brown, how nice
to see you again.

How have you been?
I need something
for tomorrow night.

It's important.
I'd like my old table
if possible.

I think
we could arrange that.

Could you write it down?

I want everything
to be perfect.

8:00?

Right.

Oh, thank you very much.

Thank you.

We'll see you then.

Come on, Linda.
What are you trying
to do, sabotage me?

[Linda]
I want to look pretty.

I'm trying to make
a good impression.

Should you be doing that?

I'm just honing the edge
a little. I'll be fine.

My God, you are
a beautiful woman.

Too good for me.
Always were,
and always will be.

Even if I owned
the world.

I'll tell you
a little secret.

I always needed you
more than you needed me.

Thank you for the lie.

I thought
we were late.

Let's go.
Let's rock 'n' roll.

[Linda laughing]

Hey.

Good luck,
you guys!

I'll take all I can get.

Linda, you look great!

Thanks, Mark.

When I sold my script,

I dropped a couple of ludes
before the meeting just

to show them I didn't rattle.
You got to look cool, man.

You got to give the impression
that nothing can touch you.

Thanks anyway,
but I don't rattle.

All the bad stuff
that happened to us,

it's going to be like it
happened to somebody
else after tonight.

[man]
Yes, sir.

Mrs. Brown,
I heard your husband
was a very smart man,

but until meeting you,
I had no idea how smart.

Why, thank you,
Mr. McConnell.

You're a very
lucky man, Lenny.

What can I say?
I'd rather be lucky
than smart.

Yes, sir.

[chattering]

Good evening.
May I help you?

Yes, please.
Where's Roland?

Roland is out sick tonight.
May I help you?

Yeah, I'm sure
he left instructions.
My name is Lenny Brown.

This way.

Oh, no no.

You made a reservation.
This way, please.

Thank you.

Here we go.

[people chattering]

Sir? Sir?
Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Uh, is this one
of Roland's little jokes?

He promised me
my usual table.

Your usual table?

This is where you
stick the tourists.

Don't take me
for some asshole!

Okay? Come on.

Sir, this is the only
table we have available.

Now, if you'd like to wait,
perhaps an hour?

No, this is fine. Thanks.

Very good.

Well, here we are.

Enjoy your evening.

I was a paralegal in
New York for 11 years.

We've ordered
you a martini.

Fine.

I was telling your lovely wife
that I think your concept
is brilliant.

Although I know your focus
was on Southern California,

I think there's no reason why
something like this couldn't be
implemented nationwide.

Isn't that wonderful,
Lenny?

-Uh-huh.
-Provided we can
minimize the risk

to our Saudi friends,
tax-wise, especially.

If you put
enough lawyers in a room
with enough secretaries,

I'll come up with
whatever you need.

To the project.

Ah.

[sighing]

[sniffing]

[Linda]
We haven't been
back to New York

since we came out here.

Lenny's been so busy.
But we do miss it.

I suspect you'll be getting
back there shortly.

We have to find
a suitable place to celebrate.

Lenny, have you determined
whether this is

a Section 355
transaction

under the new code?

What, they don't
have any lawyers
left in New York?

Yes, indeed.
I happen to be one myself.

Mr. Zimmer,
you're asking
Lenny about things

that should
properly be a part
of the fine tuning. Why?

We know
you're a smart guy.

We're talking about
staking a lot of money

and our reputations
on your husband's plan.

And everybody knows
Lenny's a smart guy, too,

-But he's had
some problems.
-Mike.

I'm sorry, Lenny,
Linda, Mike's timing's
a little off.

You want to blame me for an IRS
upheaval that decimated
the tax-shelter business
across the country? Fine.

Hey, I can take
this plan to Genstar.

Lenny, we love the idea
in its broad strokes,

but naturally, we did
a quick background check,
and there were some rumors.

Now, when we all get
around the big table

and somebody waltzes in,
starts telling stories
about you,

we'd like to be
able to tell him
he's full of shit.

- Excuse me for...
- Let's not go back to your Arab
friends who wipe their asses
with their bare hands

and have them get
the wrong idea!

You sit there on your
fat MBA, figuring out
how to try to steal my idea

because maybe I won't fit
in your club of Arab fucks.

This isn't my goddamn table.
This is his first night.
He'll be fired for this!

Lenny, what are you
talking about?
The table's fine.

We're just here
to try to do some business.

You've been
spending half the night
creaming over my wife

while this
schmuck humiliates me!
I don't need you assholes!

I can get plenty of action
on this idea!

Check!
Get me out of this dump!

-Lenny isn't feeling well.
-They think I'm a junkie?

I'll act like
a junkie for them!

Lenny, we may want to come
back here! Why don't you
go home? We'll take a cab!

I'll drive you!
I'm your servant!

I'm supposed to be nice
to people like you!

His idea is good.
Don't hold this against--

God damn it,
Linda, don't grovel!

My idea's going
to be on the cover
of Fortune!

You know what these
guys will be doing?

Carrying around
some Arab's dick!

[cutlery clattering]

Linda! Linda!

Lackeys. Lackeys.

You had a deal made!

You could've been
on your way.

You could have been
on your way to New York
and something real

but you threw it
down a rat hole

because you can't think
anymore! You can't feel!

My God, Lenny,
you're so fucked up,

you don't even know
the disaster you've caused!

I am sorry
I lost the baby,

but you can't
punish me any more than
I've already punished myself!

-Oh, yeah? Shut up.
-For God's sakes!
Let's call it even!

I can't live
like this anymore!

I'm going back
to work full-time

and you are going back
into a rehab program!

I am not going to
watch you kill yourself

one minute longer!

Do you even hear me?

Goddamn cunt!

[Linda screaming]

I'll kill you!

[dog barking]

[siren blaring]

Listen, uh,

I'd like to put
a guard on your door.

No extra charge.

Okay?

Oh, God.
[sobbing]

I promised him!

I promised him
I'd be there!

Linda, I'm sure he made
a few promises to you, too.

But you don't want
him around right now.
It's dangerous for you.

Are you listening to me?
It's dangerous.

It's not good
for Lenny either.

If only we could talk,
like we used to.

[sobbing]

I love him so much!

I know.

God, Lenny...

[panting]

Who are you?

-Lenny Brown! My wife's--
-Your lady's--

I want to see her.

Please, Linda. Linda!

[Lenny shouting]

I'm so sorry!

Linda, I'm so sorry!

Linda! Linda!
Oh, please!

Who's the guy?

Svengali, yeah.

Svengali.

From day one,
this airy-fairy doctor

had this Svengali
control over her.

Kept me away,
got her to move
in with him.

But you know what?

She still loves me.

She calls me up on the phone,
asks me how I am,

says to me, "Lenny,"

in that way she used to.

I beg her to come back,
but she says she can't.

It's the doctor.

He's got this hold
on her, like Svengali.

But Lenny Brown
does not give up.

One good maneuver,
and Lenny Brown is
back in business.

Clean up,

buy a house
on the hill with cash,

get some decent wheels
and get my girl back.

It'll be like...

it all happened
to somebody else.

I don't know.

A couple of years ago,
I never even

thought about
tables at Morton's.

And then
I lose my prospects,

My girl-- My wife,

and God knows what

all because I went crazy

because I didn't
get the right table.

Now what the hell
does it mean

when you lose
everything over nothing?

I don't know, Lenny.

I got to get some
capital together.

It takes money
to make money.

Which is why I'm gonna have
to ask you to leave now, Ned.
I got a customer coming.

Is there anything
I can do for you?

Can you bring Linda back?

Just kidding.

Oh, Jesus.

It's so nice to see a face
from the old days, Ned.

I won't lie to you.
It's been kinda hard
to concentrate

because I kind of
miss having her around.

I keep turning to her,
you know, to say things...

and she's not there.

I'm sorry.

Yeah, well...

I knew from the first time
I saw her...

that if I could ever have her,
I could never keep her.

I always knew...

that I would lose her.

And I was right,
wasn't I?

-Goodbye, Lenny.
-Hey, Ned.

Why the long face?

Now that you're
writing for the Times,
we'll run into each other.

LA is a small town.

[Lenny's voice]
Stick with me,

please.

[Linda's voice]
Till I fall off the Earth.