All language subtitles for Broadcast.News.1987.720p.WEBRip.900MB.x264-GalaxyRG

(train whistle blows)

(bell jingles)

(dogs barking)

I don't know
a recent Saturday
I've sold more.

(engine starts)

Why are you so glum?

Were you bothered
by those waitresses

making a fuss?

No, but honest,
what are you supposed to do

when people keep commenting
on your looks?

I don't even know
what they mean--

"Beat them off
with a stick."

(chuckles)
Well, if that's
your only problem...

It's not.

I got my report card.

Three C's, two D's,

and an incomplete.

I see you studying
so hard, Tom.

What do you think
the problem is?

I just have to
try harder.

And I will.

I will.

I will. I will.

I will, I will, I will!

I will. I will.
I will. I will!

(exhales)

Thanks, Dad.
This talk helped.

Can you, um...

sign it, please?

Do you think it would
help if I got you a tutor?

That'd be great.
It better help though.

I mean, what can you
do with yourself

if all you can do
is look good?

I'm frequently asked

what special difficulties
are involved

in being graduated
from high school

two months shy
of my 15th birthday.

I sometimes think it was
the difficulties themselves

which enabled me to do it.

If I'd been appreciated,
or even tolerated,

I wouldn't have been
in such a hurry to graduate.

And I hope the next
student who comes along
and is able to excel

isn't made to feel
so much an outcast.

But I'm looking forward
to college,

and this is
the happiest day I've had

in a long, long time.

So, I thank you,

and I forgive you.

(boys yelling, taunting)

BOY: Come on! Slug him!

Oh! Yeah!

Go ahead, Steven.
Take your last licks!

But this will heal!

What I'm going to say
can never be erased!

It'll scar you forever!

Ready? Here it is.

You'll never make more
than $19,000 a year!

Ha! Ha! Ha!

BOY: Cream him!

Take him.

BOY: Come on!

(boys taunting)

BOYS: Oh!

(mutters)

OK!
What about this?

You'll never leave
south Boston.

And I'm gonna see
the whole damn world!

You'll never
know the pleasure

of writing
a graceful sentence

or having
an original thought!

Think about it!

$19,000. Not bad!

(bell rings)

Dear Felicio...

it's truly amazing to me...

(typewriter clacking, dinging)

...that we live a world apart,

and yet, have
the same favorite music.

I love the picture
you sent me

and have it up on...
oops,

and have it...

and have it up
on my bulletin board.

-Honey.
-(screams)

Good God, Jane!

Daddy!

Don't ever do that to me!

Look, it's time
for you to go to sleep.

I just have
two more pen pals.

Then I'm all done.

Finish quickly.

I don't want you
getting obsessive

about these things.

Good night.

Good night.

All right.

(whispering)
Obsessive...

Obsessive...

Dad, you want me
to choose my words

so carefully,

then you throw a word
like "obsessive" at me.

Now,
unless I'm wrong,

please correct me
if I am.

But obsession is practically
a psychiatric term

concerning people
who don't have
anything else

but the object of
their own obsession,

who can't stop and
do anything else.

Well, here I am stopping
to tell you this,

OK, so would please try
and be a little bit more precise

instead of calling a person
something like "obsessive"?

Good night.

(car starts)

Hey, it's me.

Um, it's 30 minutes before
you have to meet me

in the lobby.

Nudge your mate.

I don't think
there's time to eat,

but there's probably
a cafeteria at the bus depot

once we get down there.

I love working with you two.

It saves me a call.

Yeah.

(line ringing)

-MAN: Hi.
-Hey.

Gotta turn on
your television right now.

Arnold Schwarzenegger
is on the Today Show,

Good Morning America,
and the morning news.

I think he's live
on two of them.

(chuckles) At six o'clock
on the wake-up news

they used
the wrong missile graphic.

And they called me
this morning
to say they want us to take

even cheaper rooms
on the road now.

(imitating Schwarzenegger)
Now listen, Arnold just said

that he's-- he making
$3 million a movie now,

but he's not ever
gonna change.

He's still the same person

when he was making
$2 million a movie.

He feels no different.

He also bought
a condo with Maria

they're gonna
furnish tastefully.

(chuckles)

Half-hour in the lobby.

OK, I'll see you
in the lobbies.

(distant traffic buzzing,
horns blaring)

(sobbing)

There he is.

Hi. I'd like
to talk to you
for a second.

-Just a few questions.
-No.

I came all the way
from Washington.

Move away from me.

JANE: "There might be
a band in Bunting,

um, at the bus depot
for J.D. Singer's
return from war..."

-Just a few questions.
-No.

"...Last week, he was
decorated by a president

-for heroism--"
-No, no, watch this.

I want you to watch this.
You weren't there for it,
watch.

AARON: How does it feel
being home?

Get the fuck lost.
Fuck. Fuck.

-(laughter)
-Fucking!

Fucking!
You want to use that?

Depends on how big
a news day it is.

-Thanks.
-I can't believe
you said that!

I'm very proud
of that.

He really
opened up to you, man, huh?

AARON (on TV): If this
were a war that was sanctioned
by the United States,

if it were Korea
or World War II or Vietnam...

then obviously coming back...

You know, you really
ought to work
on your speech.

(sighs) It makes me nervous
to think about it.

Let's do this.

MAN: I'm not expecting
any big homecoming.

We are being
increasingly influenced

by the star system.

The network anchormen
are so powerful,

they comprise
our last best hope.

-Our profession
is in danger.
-(clears throat)

WOMAN:
So, where do you
want to go eat?

JANE: The current group
is clearly qualified,

tied still
to our best traditions,

but who follows
these men?

(groans)

MAN: Excuse me.

JANE:
We are being pressured

to take
a loyalty oath...

Wow.

Oh, I've known so many
women like that.

They don't
like their looks,
so they're angry.

-WOMAN: Excuse me.
-MAN: Sure.

(man coughs)

All of you know
what I'm talking about.

We're-- we're all trying
to act tougher than we are,

but we care, so...

We're all secretly terrified
by what's happening,

aren't we?

(man sneezes)

(low giggles)

I'll catch you later.

JANE: I was going to talk
about other trends, but...

Magazine shows,
news as profit,

the historic influence
of Entertainment Tonight,

the danger, the hope,
the dream, the question.

Oh!

I was going to
show you a tape,

a story carried by all networks
on the same night,

the same night,

that not one network noted
a major policy change

in SALT II
nuclear disarmament talks.

Here's what
they ran instead.

(voice cracks)
Go head, please show the tape.

(chanting in foreign language)

(cheering)

(shouting in foreign language)

(crowd in film squealing)

(dominoes rattling)

(laughing)

(man in film chattering
in foreign language)

(cheers and applause)

JANE: I know it's good film.

I know it's fun.

I like fun.

It's just not news.

(loud pop in film)

(man chuckling)

Well, you're lucky
you love it.

You're gonna get
a lot more just like it.

WOMAN: Good.

Thank you.

(door slams)

I don't think
there'll be any Q and A.

(men chatting)

MAN 1: I think it's over.

MAN 2: It's pretty good.
Where are you headed?

I'm going to take off--
go get a bite to eat.

(doors slam)

Hi.

JANE: Hello.

(sighs)

I just wanted
to tell you

how great you were.

My name's
Tom Grunick.

Thank you.

Yeah.

They hated me.

I don't hate them.

Well, they say
if you can reach

even one person,
it means something.

And you did that.

Would you like
to have dinner with me?

(chuckles)

Sure.

JANE: You know what I'm saying.

Another thing
I can't stand--

Is this dull?

No! No, no. No. No.

Another thing
I can't stand

is when White House
reporters bullshit
with each other

after a briefing,
and one of them
has a theory,

and the other quotes it
in his story as,

"White House
sources say..."

That actually goes on?

Yes!

I am not tired.

My room is right down here.

You want to
keep talking?

Yeah, sure.

Aw, come on.

Even I'm not
that hard on myself.

No, really.

I got this job
on a fluke,

and wait
till you hear
how it ends up.

(clears throat)

I was doing sports
at the station.

The newspaper ran
this untrue story

that I was leaving,

and they got these
tons of protest mail.

-(chuckles)
-So...

So they
made me anchor.

So, great. Right?

Except I'm no good

at what I'm being
a success at.

How are you
at back rubs? (low growl)

It's sort of normal,
the way you feel.

In graduate school,
everyone thought

the only mistake
the admissions committee

made was letting them in.

Listen to me,
you keep thinking

I'm somebody who...
who lacks confidence.

That's not it.

I know I can
talk well enough

and I'm not bad at making
contact with people,

but I don't
like the feeling

that I'm pretending
to be a reporter.

And half the time,

I don't get the...

the news that I'm talking about.

It's not that
I'm down on myself.

Trust me.

I stink!

I trust you.

TOM: I didn't even
have a chance

to become really
good at sports.

I wasn't bad.

What about
the obvious remedy--

Reversing things,
maybe getting a job
at a newspaper.

I don't write.
(chuckles)

But that
didn't stop me

from sending
my audition tapes

to the bigger stations

and the networks.

Well, come on.

It is your life.

Nobody is tying you
to the fast track.

Did you go
to college?

So you're not
well-educated,

you have almost
no experience,

and you can't write.

Yeah, and I'm...

and I'm making
a fortune.

It's hard for me
to advise you

since you
personify something

that I truly think
is dangerous.

Uh-huh.

I agree with you,
you're not qualified,
so get qualified.

You could insist on being
better prepared.

You don't have to
just leave it with, "Uh...

I don't write,
I'm not schooled,

I don't understand
the news I'm reading

but at least
I'm upset about it, folks."

Whoa.

Just what do
you want from me, anyway,

permission
to be a fake?

Stop whining.

Do something
about it!

Um...

Well, you don't have
to start right now.

I hated the way you
talked to me just now,

and it wasn't just because
you were right.

(sighs)

Oh, God. (laughs)

Oh, God.

Oh, God.

Oh!

No, no, no.

It wasn't just
the speech.

The same thing
happened with this guy.

I have passed
some line someplace.

I am beginning
to repel people

I'm trying to seduce.

He must've been
great-looking right?

Why do you say that?

Because nobody invites
a bad-looking idiot

to their bedroom.

OK, let's do me.

Sure.

I feel like
I'm slipping,

but do people who are
actually slipping
feel that way,

or is it always the really
good people who are moving up

who invariably think
they're slipping

because their standards
are so high?

This conversation
is not worthy of you.

I'd give anything
if that were true.

-Good night.
-Wouldn't this be
a great world

if insecurity and desperation
made us more attractive?

If needy
were a turn-on?

Call if you
get weird.

Hmm?

Take care, doll.

I will.

-(phone rings)
-I was just thinking

it was the shortest phone
conversation we ever had.

TOM:
Um, I never told you

the reason I was
telling you everything for.

Hey...

Those audition tapes
I sent out--

I've been hired
by your network

for the Washington bureau,

so I'll probably
be seeing you at work.

What?

Sorry.

-(car honking)
-They didn't hire Peter Stiller
from The Times,

and he had a great
audition tape.

You wanna start going over
who they've could've gotten?

They can't take on
people like this
for network news.

For God's sake,
what is going on?

(indistinctive chattering)

(phones ringing)

MAN: Newsroom.

Oh, yeah. I wanted
an area map...

OK, what about this?
Here's a tough
ethical one.

Would you tell a source
that you love them

just to get
some information?

-Yes.
-Yes.

-Me, too.
-Sure.

-You bet.
-Jennifer didn't know
there was

-an alternative.
-(laughter)

Here's a good one.

They allow us to have cameras
at an execution in Florida.

Do you broadcast tape
of the guy

in the chair when they
turn on the voltage?

-Sure.
-Why not?

-Absolutely.
-You bet.

Nothing like wrestling
with a moral dilemma,
is there?

(tape rewinding)

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah,
speak to you later.

OK, Bobby, go back to 9:45:46,

the soundbite in
the alley,

it starts, "So why
were you in Angola?"

-We could go all--
-Please, Bobby!
We're pushing.

(tape rewinding)

(tape slows)

(phones ringing)

-AARON: So why
were you in Angola?
-"Why were you in Angola?"

Politics? Money?
What brings you
to these places?

Well, that's where
the job's at, you know.

That's what
I get paid to do.

They said
I should observe.

-I mean, they said
it would be OK--
-We're working here!

You can stand over
in the uh, uh--
Play back the last line.

-Thanks.
-JANE: Bobby!

-Oh, he said
something about...
-JANE: Let me hear it.

...For how long
period of time?

(tape rewinding)

BLAIR: Jane! Jane!

We need it
in 14 minutes.

-We're putting it
directly into the feed.
-(telephone rings)

Jane Craig, just a second.
Let me hear it.

AARON: ...have, uh,
a different meaning.

What did you expect
when you came back this time?

MAN: Well, it's a long time
since I've seen my folks,

but, uh, (laughs) I'm not
expecting any big homecoming.

Stop there.

Doll, I want to shoot
the homecoming

from a Norman Rockwell
book I have
in the office.

You don't have
enough time!

-I'll be right down.
It's real tight.
-Not a chance!

All right, I have
to tell Ernie about this

because there isn't
enough time!

Yes, there is!

(chuckles) I don't think
she's gonna make it.

(laughs)

NEWSCASTER:
It was a surprise...

-You want copy?
-Yes, doll, 15 seconds.
(blows kiss)

-Ooh!
-OK, Bob.

Just a two-second dissolve
to the Rockwell.

Now, should I--

Just a two-second dissolve!

Jesus, we have
three minutes!

Why do you
do this to me?

Is it because
I won an award?

Homecoming--
Norman Rockwell's
enduring portrait.

The return
of a fighting man
has always been

one of the more
moving ceremonies of war.

We have a minute
and a half.

-(coughs)
-It's my responsibility
to tell the control room

and New York
that we won't be ready.

-Uh-uh. We'll be ready.
-In 84 seconds?

JANE: 15 seconds.

-JANE: Oh, God!
-BLAIR: You're saying "Oh, God"?

JANE: Lay it in, Bobby.
Back it up.

BLAIR: They're gonna go up
and the screen will be black

and they're gonna go to black
because we're not there.

What about
careers, huh?

-We're not gonna
make it!
-Whoops.

Whoops?!

Bobby, Bobby,
Bobby, Bobby, Bobby.

Oh, God!

-Bobby, Bobby,
Bobby, Bobby.
-Blair!

-You got it!
-(shrieking, gasping)

We'll make it,
Blair!

Oh! Oh!

-Go!
-Uh! Uh!

Hey, watch it,
there!

Whoa!

-Whoa! Hey.
-Open the damn door!

Thank you!

MAN ON FILM:
The United States government...

Hey!

Ow!

...fighting inside
the perimeter...

MAN: Tell New York
that we'll be ready.

WOMAN: There she is.

WOMAN 2: OK. Stand by.

Here!

-WOMAN: 3, 2, 1.
-MAN: Take it!

...was there.

AARON: In other times,
with other purposes

there might be
a band in Bunting
at the bus depot...

Guys.

AARON: Homecoming--

Norman Rockwell's
enduring portrait.

The return
of a fighting man
has always been

one of the more moving
ceremonies of war.

Tearful women,
proud men,

excited children.

But J.D. Singer
was right.

His homecoming
was no big deal.

Aaron Altman,
Lincoln, Nebraska.

ANCHORMAN: An American
comes home.

That's your news.
I'm Bill Rorish.

Good evening.

Look at that smile.

That was good work.

His, uh...

Hey, Bill smiled.
He liked it.

No, Bill loved it.
That's a big smile.

I haven't seen Bill smile
like that in weeks!

Good piece.

Thanks, Ernie. I got to
see it again. Ernie.

He did smile.

(chuckles)

Don't tell anyone
I did this.

I'm sorry if I got
in the way.

It was totally
impressive!

It was just
a great piece!

You weren't.
Thanks.

How does it feel
being here?

Oh, I can't believe
I'm here.

-Uh, do you know
where Martin went?
-I think he went downstairs.

-OK, thanks.
-I can't believe
I'm really here, you know.

No, I'm wrong.
He went to research.

I can't believe
I'm really here!

No kidding. If you're
through work now--

No. Aaron and I go
to Central America

on Wednesday,
so I am cramming.

I thought you were
incredible in there.

E-- Everybody was.

I know how much
I have to learn.

If I could...
I would really
a lot appreciate it if--

"Really a lot
appreciate it"?

Look--
You make me nervous.

Anyway...

If I can pick
your brain, if...

I-I can't help you.
Sorry.

I'm not here to teach
remedial reporting.

And it has nothing
to do with the fact

that I left your room
instead of staying there?

Oh!

(scoffs)

Please!

You're going to have
to understand something.

This isn't personal.

OK.

Good night.

JANE: Good night.

(speaking Spanish)

(speaking Spanish)

OK, OK.
Esta bien. Esta bien.

(speaking Spanish)

Si.

Gracias.

Oye.

Para un Americano
no habla mal Español.

Really? Well, I'm sure
you speak English

very well, too.
Thank you.

You ready for this?

He says they've been engaging
the Sandinistas regularly.

He thinks there's gonna
be shooting tonight.

Huh.

Look at her.

Hey! If anything
happens to me,

you tell every woman
I've ever gone out with

that I was talking
about her at the end.

That way, they'll have to
re-evaluate me.

(laughs)

(speaking Spanish)

-Put on the boot.
-JANE: No! Manny, no!

No. Stop, stop, stop.

Stop. We are not here
to stage the news.

You wait and you see
what they do.

Sir, you can do
whatever you want.

It's your choice.

OK.

(whispering in Spanish)

(whispering)
He just said he's scared.

(gunfire)

OK, let's get this.

It's too dark.

No, it's not too dark.
Just go! Aaron, go.

(gunfire)

The first shots
were fired not 10 seconds ago

from over there,
towards the east.

The Contras feel

they must
be outnumbered.

This is so small a unit
that's a given.

Still, they've managed
to hold their ground

despite the fact
that their weapons
have been acting up,

either misfiring
or jamming.

No new shipment of arms
is expected until tomorrow.

All they got today
were the shoes.

Great line at the end, man.
It couldn't have been better.

-Did you get
a shot of the boots?
-Yeah, of course.

So then we cut back to that
at the end, right?

It's in the supply boxes.

I can't believe
I've just risked my life

for a network
that tests my face

-with focus groups!
-(laughs)

I don't feel good.

(laughs)

(sobbing)

DIRECTOR: Stand by...

The proposal calls
for electing a president

from among
several candidates.

WOMAN: Graphic on
in two seconds.

Hi.

How's it going?

MAN: C.C., we need
control of five.

...chosen by
the military command.

A firefight
along the Nicaraguan border

when we return.

MAN:
Audio is up full here.

(gunfire on video)

The first shots were fired
not 10 seconds ago

from over there,
towards the east.

MAN: Freeze.
Freeze it back over...

Congratulations, you two.

Finally got a piece in
a few minutes early, huh?

I hear Bill saw it this morning
and he loved it.

No kidding?

MAN: No one's checked
the spelling
on these chyrons.

There's a guy
downstairs.

Clerk brought him in,
vouched for him.

He says has something to say

about gays getting
promotions at State.

Maybe I could buy you
dinner sometime soon?

Uh, I just got back.

I don't know
which end is up.

OK.

BLAIR: Jane!

Bill Rorish wants
to speak to you
at the break. Now!

I've never heard of him
handing out compliments
in the middle of a show.

-BILL (on phone): Jane?
-Yes.

Well, darling, if it gets
any better than that,

I'm going to have to
bring you up here

-to New York.
-Thanks.

I just wish you'd kept
the first 20 seconds.

But thank you.

Well, the, uh, visual

with the shoes at the end
was just perfect.

God, he loved the boots!

Aaron should be
hearing this so I can
have an extra witness.

Well, you always want to give
the credit away, don't you?

No, I don't. He happens
to deserve the credit.

He's right here.

I'll speak to you soon.

He had to read over
some new copy.

(humming)

What?

Is it OK if I watch you

tape that interview
downstairs?

-Yes.
-Thanks.

BILL: The Contras have
only a few months

to convince congress
and the American public...

(whispering)
Laugh so they don't think
I'm dying inside

but have
so much style

that I just said
something funny.

(laughs)

-What did he say?
-(laughs)

Oh, I'll
never tell.

...the Contras, who are
creeping back into action.

A year and a half ago
I made some stupid remark

about his hairline.

He's never gonna forget it!

-It's this way!
-(chuckles)

OK I'll meet
the crew there then.

Right.
Could you give me
that address

Right.

Yeah, it's good

to finally be
getting to work.

17204 Colorado.

Right.
Like the state.

Yeah.

17204.

Got it.

1-7-2-0-4?

Yeah. Bye.

1-7-2...

1-7-2-0-4.

Jane, I've got a story.

Jane?

(honking)

JANE: Hi. How are you?

Wait.

I need you.

I got a story.

Some public official
skipped a week

on his Christmas club?

The House
Armed Services Committee

has a secret report

which says that
the Allen fighting vehicle

the army poured
a fortune into

plain won't work.

I've got it
cold confirmed.

They have $5 million
in this thing already.

Billion.

Right, billion.
OK of... of course.

They said I could have
any producer I want,

and I want you.

(weapon blasting)

TOM:
One committee source
referred to it

as "A $5 billion
metal sculpture,

too ugly to look at
and too big to bury."

Over time, however,
costs have doubled...

and the system has
had serious problems...

Did you write this?

I write for you
sometimes.

Not because
you have to.

...firepower to defend itself
against enemy tanks.

The suspension system
had to be redesigned
five years ago

because of the vehicle's
extra weight. The addition
of the toe missile

has meant the Allen
can carry only six infantrymen.

-Oh, come on.
-The heavier armor

has caused the vehicle
to sink in shallow water.

General Elton McGuire
is in charge of
the weapons system.

-TOM: Now just a second.
-ELTON: No.

TOM:
Please. Look, General,

General, I don't want
to bother you anymore.

Or your family...

MAN: Tom rates
two cameras, huh?

TOM: Tomorrow there's
gonna be a mob of me out here.

So if you have
anything to say, sir,

why not say it now,
the way you want.

BLAIR: Oh, that's great.

That's great. I think
it's great you left in

what you said.
Just great.

Yes, please,
let's never forget

we're the real story,
not them.

JANE: Yeah, I know.

I went back and forth on it.

BLAIR: I liked it.

-He's not afraid
of being human.
-Shh!

The general will appear
tomorrow before the House
Armed Services Committee.

Tom Grunick,
the Pentagon.

And as if the Pentagon
didn't have enough problems...

Thanks, Jane.

Sure.

Tom? My youngest
wanted to meet you.

This is Elli.

-Hi, Elli.
-Hi.

You should be honored.

She never wanted to
meet anyone here before.

Dad...

But she said that
she just loved you

on television just now.

Hi, Elli.

Remember me?

I-I'm not sure.
I'm sorry.

I've been
to your house.

And Aaron was on
that 14-day raft trip

with us last year.

Oh, yeah.

(chuckles) I had that big
yellow raincoat on.

Oh, yeah.

-It had a hood.
-Yeah! Hi!

It was over
my head.

Yeah.
Your hair's different.

-Yeah.
-Hi!

Hi, Elli. She knows me.

TOM:
Hi, Dad.

Did you see it?

Great.
I'll send you a tape.

I'm sorry
I haven't called.

Things got a...

little bumpy
for a while.

No, it's
not important.

I'm fine.

Hey, Dad.

I think
I just may be able

to do this job.

(laughs)

Well, I'm glad
you were sure!

Ah.

Our host!

Come on in.

Sorry we're late.
It's Jane's fault.

-Watch your attitude.
-All right, smells good.

It is good. Anne's been
workin' all weekend.

I don't know why we have
to feel defensive about it?

Newspapers
are in business
to make money.

Why not us?

I mean, they criticize us
for supposedly pandering

while they run
wingo games.

Exactly right.

Excuse me.
I'm paid to mix.

(chuckles)
Goodbye, Paul.

Take care, Paul.

It takes a certain kind
of courage to talk like that

in front of the president
of the news division.

You think anyone
who's proud of
the work we do

-is an ass kisser.
-No.

I think anyone who
puckers up their lips

and presses it against
their boss' buttocks

and then smooches
is an ass kisser.

My gosh!

For a while there,
I was attracted to you.

Well, wait a minute.
That changes everything.

MARTIN: So, they wouldn't renew
my magazine subscription

because of money.

JANE:
I can't believe it.

(laughs)

Martin, would you
excuse us for a minute?

No.

-Go away.
-(laughs)

Well, you know,

I've been meaning
to ask you...

Ah, forget it.

This is very awkward.

I see Tom
around you a lot.

And it's such a small office

and I'd like to see him
outside of work,

unless there's
some reason
for you to mind.

In which case,
I just won't do anything.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Do I mind?

Why would
I mind? No.

Wait.

I do mind.

I mean I think about him
outside of work sometimes,

but I know
I don't respect him.

So what am I
talking about?

What am I saying to you?

-You're saying,
"Stay away from him."
-I can't be.

We don't have to settle this
definitively right now.

Wait a minute.
Wait a minute.

This is slippery.

I will call you.

I'll go in the other room
right now and call you.

GEORGE: I've made a study
these things.

Tell me one person

who ever left
television news

to work on a newspaper.

You're right.

It sure looks good.

(clunk)

WOMAN: Suddenly,
after all these years,

we have a life.

-See you.
-See you.

WOMAN: I want to show you.

Hey.

Hi, Tom.

-Hi.
-Hi.

It's the first time
I've seen you
dressed like this.

You look so clean
and pretty.

What do you mean?
Clean?

(snickers)
Well, at the office,

you always have
this sort of film over you.

I've got to
find someone.

It's important.

Excuse me.

JANE: Jennifer.

Hey!

Jennifer!

Forget what I said.
You do whatever you
want to with Tom.

There's nothing
I'm gonna do
right this second.

Oh come on,
it's your day off.

You're entitled.

MAN 1: You weren't
really leaving.

-MAN 2: Yes.
-MAN 1: You were?

MAN 2: Yes.

-MAN 1: No!
-Man 2: I did.

-MAN 2: He thought
it was so funny.
-MAN 1: That's great.

TOM: Hi!

(people chatting indistinctly)

(two men speaking in distance)

-This could be very, very--
-That's it!

OK, right away.

Ernie?

Tom? Tom.

-TOM: Yeah.
-BLAIR: What is it?

ERNIE: A Libyan plane
just shot up

one of our bases
in Sicily.

This might be a good time
we tap that source of ours.

He might have an angle
or something.

Jennifer, we need you.

Jane, we want you
to exec produce

a special report.

-What?
-A Libyan plane just shot up

one of our bases
in Sicily.

It's all still happening.

Since Paul is here,

he's made out
the assignments--

Jennifer at
the White House,

George at the Pentagon,
Martin at State.

And we're gonna
need an anchor,

since Rorish is
on his boat.

So we're gonna do
the whole report

this afternoon
from here with Tom.

What?

(laughs)

You're not going
to use him at all?

It's not my choice.

It's 1:35,
and it's Tom.

Um...

You can reach me
at the office.

Paul, forgive me.
I'm really sorry.

Pardon me for
interrupting, but...

Paul, uh, yes, I need
to talk to you outside

for just a minute.

Great.

Tom's not ready for the job
you're about to hand him.

Not near ready,
not by the longest shot.

Now, Aaron spent
six weeks in Tripoli.

He's interviewed Gaddafi.

He reported on
the '81 story.

I think he's essential to do
the job we're capable of.

And I think it's my
responsibility to tell you that.

OK. That's your opinion.
I don't agree.

It's not opinion.

You're just
absolutely right,

and I'm absolutely wrong.

It must be nice

to always believe
you know better,

to always think
you're the smartest
person in the room.

No, it's awful.

You better get going.

(door opens, closes)

Hey!

(people chattering)

(tires screech)

WOMAN: Would you come on?

Nervous?

Excited.

Tell George

and Jennifer

to try and cover
everything

without Tom having to ask
additional questions.

-(phones ringing)
-OK, Bobby says we gotta--

Did you hear
what I just said?

Do you have that?

Take a breath.

(deep breath)
Hmm.

And most important thing,

make sure
his earpiece works.

Have backups ready.

That's never been
more vital.

He must be able to hear
me at every second,
and clearly.

(telephone rings)

MAN: OK, we got good...
(trails off)

MAN: Can someone get a picture
of E-2C Hawkeyes

so I can do it
on the feed prompt?

(telephone rings
in background)

-(trilling lips)
-(kids playing outside)

-WOMAN: We're going
to the White House.
-MAN: Uh-huh.

Tom.

We have 20 minutes.

-WOMAN: Shit!
-MAN: Yeah, OK.

You can wait
in the studio.

MAN 1: I got Tom's copy.
Going down now.

MAN 2: I'll bring
this research. Just go.

(telephones ringing)

(clears throat)

(car horn honks)

(guitar music playing)

(singing in French)

(singing along in French)

(gasping)

(chattering)

MAN 1: Stand by, animation.

Ready,
VTR 1 and 2.

-MAN 2: Ready to announce.
-MAN 3: Back up!

MAN 2: Ready on camera 1
with cue.

MAN 3: The levels
are all over the place.

MAN 3: Stand by.

Good luck, Jane.

-Ready.
-(telephone rings)

-(group chattering)
-MAN 1: All right, I need five.

MAN 2: Six.

MAN 1: All right.
And standby, please.

-MAN 3: 30 seconds to air time.
-MAN 4: Ready.

All the remotes
checked in?

Everyone here
is programmed clearly?

-MAN 1: Got it.
-MAN 2: Yeah, everyone's good.

(whispering)
Executive producer. Wow!

-MAN 1: Standby, BC-5.
-(gagging)

-MAN 2: How many seconds to air?
-MAN 1: 30 seconds.

-MAN: All right. Stand by,
camera 1, please.
-(news theme music playing)

MAN 2: Camera 2,
center it up.

-Just a little bit to the left.
-MAN: 20 seconds to air.

-Tom, can you hear me?
-MAN: One and two.

JANE: Tom, can you hear me?

Tom?

Tom. Tom!

Tom? Tom!

Damn it!
He can't hear me!

I told you if there was
one thing...

I can hear you.
I was just teasing.

(laughs)

-MAN 1: 5, 4, 3...
-MAN 2: And announce.

-MAN 1: ...2, 1.
-MAN 3: From Washington.
-MAN 4: Take one.

And cue him
with effects.

MAN 3: A special report
with Tom Grunick.

Good afternoon.

A Libyan fighter plane

attacked a U.S.
military installation

at Comiso, Sicily,
at 10:07 a.m.,
Eastern time.

The Libyan MIG-21
was itself shot down

-by American F-14 jets.
-Uh...

JANE: The Pentagon
is up first.

TOM: The base is a U.S.
naval air station on the island
of Sicily.

There are some 500 men
and women stationed there.

MAN: Got a live chyron
if you want.

TOM:
The Libyan bombs destroyed

a navy warehouse which,
just 30 minutes earlier,

had been crowded
with servicemen.

-♪ Ooh! Ooh! ♪
-(stereo playing)

(singing along)
♪ Bought a one-way
ticket back... ♪

-♪ One-way ticket back ♪
-♪ To the life ♪

-♪ I can sing while I read ♪
-♪ He once knew,
oh, yes he did ♪

-♪ I am singing
and reading both ♪
-♪ He said he would, oh-oh ♪

♪ He's leavin' ♪

♪ On that midnight
train to Georgia ♪

-♪ Leavin' on
that midnight train... ♪
-(music clicks off)

MALE TV ANNOUNCER:
The Libyan MIG-21

dropped all four
of its bombs

on the U.S. air station
in Comiso, Sicily.

TOM: The heat-seeking missiles
virtually disintegrated
the plane on contact.

(TV clicks off)

-(music clicks back on)
-♪ I'd rather live
in his world ♪

-♪ Live in his world ♪
-♪ Than live without him... ♪

(newsroom personnel chattering)

-All remotes,
stand by, please.
-(man sneezes)

(sneezing)

(blows nose)

-George, you ready?
-TOM: The president...

Yeah. Should I
cover everything,

or should I save something
for Tom to ask me about?

-Cover everything.
-WOMAN: Stand by, please.

OK, we're going to George.

Say, "The joint chiefs
are meeting.

-We have George Weln
at the Pentagon."
-TOM: The president

and the first lady flew
back to the White House
according to his aid

-to better monitor
the situation.
-JANE: George.

George Weln
is at the Pentagon

and reports
that the attack

presumably by a lone
Libyan pilot

has resulted in
a massive movement

of U.S. military might.

A lot of alliteration
from anxious anchors

-placed in powerful posts!
-GEORGE: ...are still
investigating the attack

on the U.S. base was the work
of of a single Libyan pilot,

or if the pilot was
acting on instructions

-from Libyan leader
Muammar Gaddafi.
-WOMAN: New copy coming in!

-(phone ringing)
-We now have Gaddafi
on the screen.

-We have effects.
-MAN 1: Back up!

-MAN 2: His chyron is ready.
-It's Aaron.

MAN 3: You look
a little soft on 2.

Yes?

Hi, listen,

the pilot that shot down
the Libyan in 1981

is stationed right here.
Maybe you can get him.

Also, Tom say that the F-14
is one of the hardest planes
to fly,

and they're
nicknamed Tomcats.

-Thank you.
-GEORGE: Said Gaddafi,
"This is not war."

-The joint chiefs of staff...
-The F-14 is one of the most
difficult planes to master.

They're called Tomcats.

George, isn't the F-14 Tomcat

one of the most difficult
machines for a pilot to master?

-I think you're right.
-In the seventies,

the first crop
had-- had a number of crashes.

There was trouble with them
in the early days,
back in the seventies.

Thank you, George.
Jennifer Mack is standing by
at the White House...

-I say it here,
it comes out there.
-...now with information

about the administration's
next step. Jennifer?

JENNIFER: The White House
is preparing a list
of contingency...

-Six...
-All right,
and stand by, please.

-(telephone rings)
-Hi.

-Me again,
-Hi.

Listen, Gaddafi doesn't
foam at the mouth or anything.

When you speak to him,
he...

he seems...
not at all nuts.
Uh, he seems like a leader,

very impressive,
self-controlled.
That's what so crazy.

OK Good. And we have the '81
pilot on the way in.

-Nobody else will have him.
-You're welcome.

-The White House has
officially denied...

-So how does it feel

-to be executive producer?
-MAN: Jane! We're due!

-I gotta go.
-Me, too. Gotta go.

Very busy here. Gotta go.
We're very busy.

JENNIFER: By midday tomorrow,
the carriers the America
and the Corral Sea...

-(indistinct newsroom chatter)
-MAN: OK. Stand by, camera 1.
Center up. No key.

-We'll be going to remote 3.
-JENNIFER: ...could be within
striking distance of two key...

It's the Gulf of Sidra.

The name of the U.S. commander
is Nathan Benchley.

In the summer of 1981,
two Libyan jets suddenly
attacked two American F-14s

-flying a routine training
mission over the Gulf of Sidra.
-JANE: The plane they got...

...in '81 was a SU-22.
Today they got a MIG-21,
which is a better plane.

Gaddafi claimed then, as he
does now, that the Gulf is part
of Libya's territorial waters...

-JANE:
You're doing really well.
-...a view not shared...

...by other nations,
including the U.S.

After a brief dogfight,

both Libyan jets
were downed

by the American fighters.
The commander of one
those planes...

JANE: The name is

Nathan Benchley.

...Nathan Benchley,
is at the Pentagon.

-So...
-JANE: That's great.
That's great.

...Commander, it must have been

a bit tougher today
shooting down the MIG-21.

-The one you got was an SU-22?
-JANE: What's it like at
the moment of confrontation?

BENCHLEY: Yes, that's correct.

What's it like
to be in a real dogfight?

-JANE: OK, after this guy,
we'll go for a wrap-up.
-BENCHLEY: At that moment...

JANE: You'll have
about 10 seconds.

Ask him how does he know
when he has a hit.

Do you know you have a hit
from one of those screens
inside your cockpit,

or can you actually see
your missiles strike the other
plane with your eye?

That's good, that's good.
That's good.

BENCHLEY: The equipment
is very sophisticated,

but, uh, from a pilot's
point of view, you like
to see it to confirm it.

TOM: Thank you, commander.

TOM: It has always been
considered an outlaw nation,

but strangely, some of those
who have interviewed Gaddafi

find him, in a phrase
we like to use in this
country, "very presidential."

-Nice, Jane.
-(phone rings)

-New copy. You wanted this.
-Jane, OK, just a minute. Then
we're gonna go to Martin Klein

at State for the message
from Libya, then you're

gonna have the carrier pilot
from the Sidra in time to--

(shrieks) What!

No! You missed him?

We only 10 minutes left!

How can you talk to me
about parking problems?

-Shh!
-No, not "you'll try"!

You'll do it!
Do it, or I'll fry
your fat ass, Estelle!

Goodbye!

I had no idea
she was this good.

Tom.
Tom.

Fill for a second.

Tom?

MAN (whispers): Go.

The latest message
seems to indicate

that the Libyan pilot
was acting on his own

-without authority
from anyone else.
-MAN: Stand by, camera 2.

In other words,
I think we're all OK.

-JANE: OK, Tom, wrap it up.
-Who the hell cares
what you think?

The Libyan government
has disavowed

any prior knowledge
of the attack.

I'm Tom Grunick
reporting from Washington.

Good afternoon.

MAN (snaps fingers): Animation.

Thanks, everybody.

MAN: We are out.

Nice job, Tom.

JANE: Everybody on the floor,
thank you so much.

(group applauding)

Good job, buddy.

-Hey.
-Thanks.

Man! You're great.

Never so proud
of one of my decisions.

Thank you, Ernie.

Jane, great work.

Really. You know? Really.

There were no
major gaffes, anyway.

Oh!

No major gaffes.

Ha ha!
You were brilliant!

-Josh, great stuff.
-Thank you.

Congratulations,
Jane.

You guys were so good.
You guys!

-Thank you, Jane.
-Thank you, Jane.

-Thanks, Ernie.
-Sure.

You know, this was
important for Tom.

There's that bonding thing that
happens between the public...

I've gotta watch Paul
address the troops.

It's not
the conventions anymore.

It's this kind of moment.

-Oh, hi.
-Hi.

Wow!

-Hey, Mr. Ice Man!
-What a great job.

You, too.

-Great job, guys.
-Yeah. You, too.

(all chattering)

MAN: Thanks for the information.
Appreciate that.

Good work, Tom.

Thanks.

What a baptism, Tom!
Congratulations.

Thank you. With all the help
you get it's easier than local.

Where's Jane?
I'm still juiced.

-She's back there.
-Thanks.

Can I help you gentlemen?

We're here to play
the new news theme.

You're an amazing woman!

What a feeling,

having you
inside my head!

Yeah. It was...

an unusual place
to be.

It's, like, indescribable!

You knew just when
to feed me the next line.

You knew the m-- second
before I needed it.

There was a rhythm
we got into.

-It was like great sex!
-(laughs)

-You have to celebrate with me.
-Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Everybody's going
to the bar down the street.

What's it called, Caps?

I'm going over
to Aaron's.

But maybe I'll hook up
with all of you later.

How long do you think
you'll be... there?

(chuckles)

-(sighs)
-(phone rings)

It starts off with this very
high-tech syntho-sequencing
type thing,

like this...

-(music)

-♪ Bom bom ♪

That's the news.

♪ Bom bom bom ♪

Then the strings
take the melody.

♪ Bah dah dah dah dah
dah dah ♪

-♪ A-bom bom bom bom ♪
-♪ Dah dah dah ♪

♪ Dah dah
dah bah ♪

Al does
the countermelody.

-♪ Dah dah dah dah ♪
-♪ Dah dah dah dah ♪

♪ Dah dah dah dah ♪

♪ Dah dah dah dah ♪

♪ Dah ♪

-Big finish!
-Big finish!

♪ Bah bah bah dah! ♪

I got chills.

Wasn't Tom great?

Well, it worked.

It worked.

-Really?
-(imitates crowd cheering)

(laughs)

It was good?

Your calling in
that information--

you are
the classiest guy I know!

Here.
Have a beer.

Celebrate.

God...

It was so strange
watching him.

What's the next step--
lip-synching?

OK, OK, OK.

You know, I've been
doing some of the most
important thinking

of my life today.

I wonder if this
is the right time
to tell you about it.

Whatever you think.

I figured out
why it is I'm so hung up

on getting a chance
at weekend anchor.

It's because if I do it well,
then they'll pay me more

and my life will be great
and they'll treat me better.

That's why.

Sounds like you may be
on to something.

Which means
I'm at their mercy,

and who wants that?

Now, I don't wanna tell you
where this thought has led me.

Why not?

In the middle of this,
I started to think
about the one thing

that makes me
feel really good
and makes immediate sense...

and it's you.

Oh, bubba.

I'm going to
stop right now.

Except I would give anything
if you were two people.

So I could call up
the one who's my friend

and tell her about the one
that I like so much.

All right.
I'm-- I'm--

I'm not gonna
say anymore,

primarily because
I'm about to pass out.

-(chuckles)
-Come on. I'll walk you
to the corner.

You get some sleep.

Right now?

-After I walk you
to the corner.
-Yeah.

Come on, buddy.

You were
stunning today.

Now, you have someplace
to go now, right?

Yeah, yeah.

-(gate clangs)
-Good night.

Good night.

Well, I felt something.

(giggles)

Hey, um, we're going to Cap's
Bar on 17th and Vermont.

Connecticut's clear on Sunday,
so take that, uh, over to 15th

and then straight down Vermont,

and we should bypass
Thomas Circle that way.

If you don't go over 40,
we should catch mostly
green lights.

We tried--

(chuckles)

I didn't think
you'd make it.

Well, I thought I'd check
and see if-- if all of you
were still here.

But, you know, I'll just
go in and join the gang
and you two go on.

The gang is, like, gone.

We were
the last ones.

There's no more gang.

Oh. Well, I'll, uh...
I'll go in and have a burger.

Jennifer, you want
another burger?

-Yeah.
-Hey, I know how to have
a burger by myself.

I just feel like
a little solitude.

I sure know
that feeling.

Hey, terrific
work today.

-Right back to ya.
-Thanks.

-Good night.
-Good night.

-(both chuckle)
-TOM: I feel great.

Are you sure you
don't want to get a taxi?

What for?

-JENNIFER: Well, I don't know.
-TOM: Why?

You have the greatest car
and the greatest driver

-in all of Washington.
-(Jennifer chuckles)

-You look a little confused.
-I'm not.

-(sighs)
-Whoo.

(Jennifer giggles)

Ohh...

(chuckles)

Give me
some of that.

Where's the bathroom?

Oh, through
the closet.

Wow!

JENNIFER: I'm so tired of being
defensive about my closet.

Look, I always had
a problem with space.

And it was getting so
I couldn't find anything,

and-- and you know how
you always buy new things.

So I converted
a bedroom.

I mean, wait till you've
been doing it for 16 years.

Hey, it think
it's a great solution.

Not only the storage,
but you can see
everything you have.

(laughs)

Do you
do bunny rabbits?

(laughs)

Jennifer!

Isn't this
a great date?

(chuckles)

(crying)

(door closes)

(car horns blaring)

JANE (blubbering): Oh, God.

-MAN: Morning.
-JANE: Good morning.

(door closes)

MAN: Yeah. Yeah, we are.

-God help me.
-(elevator dings)

(TV chattering)

Well, they've been looking
at just about everything--

foreign bureaus,
domestic bureaus,

all kinds of personnel,
even equipment.

Anyway, they seem
to be very, very serious

-about making me cut
24 million from the budget.
-Oh.

Now, this is
going to mean massive firings.

Uh... I'm doing
whatever I can,

but I did want you
to be aware

of this very serious
situation.

Now, we're going
to also be covering

the Alaskan
serial killer trial

on a continuing basis.

I'd like it to be
assigned out of Washington.

Which means we're going
to have to get someone
on a plane to Anchorage.

We can't fool around
anymore. Jane?

Who do you think,
George Weln or Jennifer?

Jennifer!

Jen-- Jennifer.

(chuckles)

Um... Jennifer.

-MAN: Hire the Hoover
group tomorrow.
-WOMAN: Done.

-Goodnight, Emily.
-Goodnight, Jane.

-Hi.
-Come on. I'll buy you a drink.

There's a big thing
going on over at
the Italian Embassy.

WOMAN:
Anyone else want a ride?

Well, I'm not sure

I'd be good company
tonight.

(mimics buzzer noise)
I'll be the judge of that.

-(chuckles)
-I'll get my coat.

Yeah.

(soft music playing)

-Two, please.
-(people speaking Italian)

JANE: Tom? Tom?

(stumbles)

(laughs)

I'm all right.

-Heavy hitters.
-Yeah.

-How are you doing?
-Great.

Network news,
Washington.

(chuckles)
I love it.

What do you do
when your real life
exceeds your dreams?

(whispers)
Keep it to yourself.

You know, yesterday,
I really wanted to know
your reaction

to how we did
with the Libyan report.

(clears throat)
I was going to ask,
but I think I'm...

I'm a little
intimidated with you.

Oh, stop it! You can't talk
about feeling intimidated

when you're
on top of the world
it's unseem--

I'm not buying
into any of that...

I have a load to learn.

-I'm not gonna act as if--
-You have the job you have.

-Shut up for a second.
-OK.

Pretty peppy party,
isn't it, pal?

I made one rule for myself
when this started,

and I realized
I was gonna take a lot
from you people

because of being
from sports.

And that rule was?

Never to pretend to know
more than I did.

Can you name
all the members
of the cabinet?

OK, let's drop it.

-What?
-I mean, I am not gonna
take a test for you.

I mean, if that came up
in conversation--

We're conversing.
Oh, no!

The names of the cabinet
have slipped my mind.

Say, do you know them?

OK, don't name them for me.
Just tell me if you know.

Yes, Aaron, I know
the names of the cabinet.

OK.

All 12?

Yes!

There's only 10.

You're feeling good,
aren't you?

I'm starting to,
yeah.

Hey, we may do
capitals of the states next.

50, right?

JANE:
Hi. There you are.

-Is this it?
-Yes.

(engine idling)

I am so exhausted...

Punchy...

Sick, tired.

I can't think
and I can't move.

I'm just a dead lump
of poured-out flesh.

Would you like
to come up?

Maybe we could just
sit here, talk a little.

OK.

I'm going to have to do
a story from beginning
to end on my own.

Eventually.

I have an idea
for something.

What?

If I tell you,

can you manage
not to put it down

or-or tell me
why it won't work

or is in bad
journalistic taste
or anything like that?

Yes, Tom,
I think I can manage.

OK.

It's a bout women
who are attacked

by someone they know
on a-- on a date.

Ugh. I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
I didn't say anything.

I didn't mean it.
I didn't mean it.
I didn't mean it.

Well, keep it
that way.

Wait a minute!
Wait a minute!

Wait a minute!
I didn't say anything!

-Stand.
-I'm innocent before I'm--

-Ooh!
-Innocent.

You're guilty before
you can be innocent.

Door to door.

(car door closes)

(telephone rings)

(ring)

(kettle whistling)

(whistling stops)

Hello?

Jane?

Jane.

Yes.

Tom?

Tom, is that you?

Yes.

Hey, you called me.

Is it--
Is it your story?

No, um...

(clears throat)

Are you going
to the correspondents' dinner?

Why, you need me
for the story?

-No.
-(chuckles)

Are you going to go?

Uh-huh.

Maybe
I get off work,

I'd like to go.

Good.

(whispers)
We could go together.

So...

so, you like me, huh?

I like you as much
as I can like anyone

who thinks
I'm an asshole.

(TV chattering)

"Street cops say..."
That fits.

Was that last cut
good for you, Bobby?

MAN (on TV):
She says that he raped her.

-Uh, yeah.
-Great.

-MAN (on TV): Then we find
out they've been out together.
-Thank you for asking.

-Thank you.
-How are you gonna
prove a crime?

-(siren blaring)
-TOM (on TV):
According to the FBI,

there were more than 87,000
rapes reported last year.

Most people think of a rapist
as a violent stranger,

but today, an attack may be
what's called "date rape"--

being forced to have sexual
intercourse against your will
with someone you know.

WOMAN (on TV): It's just,
you want to find a nice guy.

Um, so anyway, um,
it was that, you know,

-"give him a chance" thing.
-(door closes)

Hi.

ALL: Shh!

I was lonely.

So... we went to a movie.

And when he
brought me home,

he said, could he come up for
one beer and then he would go.

So how do you
say no to that?

My cousin Donna.

Really?

So first, um...

it was kind of like
this wrestling match,

which was awful enough
because...

it got very violent.

(whispers)
What is this?

WOMAN (on TV): Um.

And... I'm a modest person.

(voice breaking )And he
ripped my clothes off.

And he forced me to...

make love.

And then he stayed
in my apartment

-and he forced me more times.
-My God.

Oh...
(sniffles)

I'm sorry.

I promised myself
I wasn't going to cry.

Um... it's just...

this whole thing
has just messed me up.

-Could I turn on
the news for a second?
-ALL (protesting): Come on!

All right. Sex, tears--
this must be the news.

-I'm sorry.
I'm in a pissy mood.
-What's wrong with it?

Nothing. I think you really
blew the lid off nooky.

-ALL (grumbling): Shut up! Oh!
-Oh.

TOM (on TV): The victims often
remain too terrified to talk,

the police powerless
to perform properly,

and all the social
welfare groups

can finally do
is monitor this epidemic

of crime
without punishment.

Tom Grunick,
Annandale, Virginia.

Malcolm West, on trial
for the murders of 15 men,

has led police
to four more bodies...

Nice work.
I got to get a crew
off the clock.

-What did you think?
-(sighs)

It moved me.

I did relate to it.
I really did.

It was... unusual for you
to cut to yourself

when you teared up.

And that might not
have been... my choice,

but it was real
and it got me.

And... I think
a lot of the time

I'm too conservative
about that kind of stuff.

-OK?
-OK.

JENNIFER (on TV):
The body count, now 19.

Tomorrow the jury returns
to this site...

Hey Tom, gosh, that was
really swell tonight.

Good.

Four more bodies,

now taken
from the frozen earth.

Jennifer Mack,

Wodahamlet, Alaska.

♪ Eastern's got
the right time... ♪

How are you?

(chuckles) Hi. I was--
just was writing you a note.

Uh, what do you say
we take a walk?

Outside?

Yeah.

Come on.

(children laughing)

I'm not suggesting
the worst will happen.

It's just that somebody
with your brilliance

gets nibbles
about other jobs
now and again.

Maybe down the road,
you should look into it.

Oh, damn.

Those fucking jerks.

They want
to fire me.

All I know is
they gotta fire

a large number
of people.

They're not even
going by seniority.

There's a recklessness
in the air.

-Do one thing for me.
-What?

Get me one shot
at anchoring
the weekend news.

They've never seen me do that,
it could turn it around
for me.

I-- I could do that
this Saturday.

Yeah. Everybody wants off
for the correspondents'
dinner.

-Do it, then.
-Yeah, but...

...but please,
prepare carefully.

This couldn't happen
at a better time.

Prepare what? You have
Saturday's news handy?

It's a long while
since you read the news.

I'll have somebody
work with you on it,

just on superficial
performance things.

Ple-please?

OK.

I think I better
be alone for a while.

I understand.
I'll go with you.

Thanks.

AARON: This is very
uncomfortable for me

because, and I don't
mean this as a knock,

but we approach
these things so differently.

TOM: We sure do.

And I don't mean that
as a knock, either.

OK, go ahead.

(sighs) I'll just tell you
what I think.

You know, you can disregard it
if you want.

AARON: All right. I just
don't know how effective
this is gonna be

because of our
different approaches.

OK.

Reports tonight--

-Wait.
-What?

Your coat jacket
is rising up in back.

OK.

When you sit, sit on your
coat jacket a little.

That will give you
a good line.

-Reports tonight--
-Look at the monitor.

OK.

Reports tonight
from far down
on the Arabian peninsula

-indicate that heavy
fighting continues...
-Your jacket, Aaron.

for a second...
What are you doing?
Don't touch me.

-Sit on it.
-But just don't
handle me.

-Sit on it.
-I'm sitting on it!

-Now look.
-Don't--

Fantastic tip!

That's great.

...continues
for a second day

-between government and rebel
forces in pro-Soviet s--
-No, no.

-No.
-Don't let your eyes move

from the beginning of a sentence
to end of it like that.

You don't want
to look shifty, do you?

No.

And the right side of your face
is the good one.

Go-go ahead.

They're gonna let me
do the news like this?

(chuckles)

Heavy fighting
continues for--

Try to punch between
one word or phrase

in every sentence,
one idea per story.

Punch.

You were smoking there
toward the end.

The pointers were great.
I'll study the tape.

I go this way.

Just remember that you're
not just reading the news,

you're narrating it.
Everybody has
to sell a little.

You're selling them
this idea of you, you know.

You're sort of saying,
"Trust me. I'm, um... credible."

So when you
feel yourself just reading,

stop!

And start
selling a little.

OK. So long.

(doorbell rings)

(rings vigorously)

You look like
this porcelain thing.

You look beautiful.

-You look beautiful.
-Mm.

That's gorgeous!

What are you carrying?

-I spilled rum
on the tan jacket.
-Oh, baby.

-Help me pick something out.
-Um...

-Come on.
-OK.

I'm thinking
the gray suit.

(dials)

Tom, why don't
I meet you there?

I got last minute stuff
I gotta take care of.

Hey, how did you resolve
your little dilemma,

did you rent the tux
or buy it?

I knew it.

How much?

Wow!

OK, I'll see you there.

I didn't know you were
going with him.

You're not gonna
wear that shirt.

No, blue.

-Let me look
at the gray.
-Look.

Not bad, right?

Looks nice.

So help me
pick a tie.

OK. You brought
all of them.

How much was the tux?

$1,140 bucks.

-No.
-Yeah. Try this one.

OK.

Not bad.

I read about it
in a magazine.

That's how you can
make sure you don't
put on too much perfume.

Could you at least
pretend this is an
awkward situation for you,

me showing up while
you're getting ready
for this date?

(scoffs) It's not a date!

It's coworkers going
to a professional conclave.

JANE: I hate missing it.

I wish
I could be there.

Me, too.

If it gets a little dull
before 11:00,

you'll drop by
the studio.

I'm not sure
I'll be able to.

"If." If not,
I'll have the tape.

I'll wait
for you afterwards
at my house, OK?

OK, great.

Good luck.

Thanks. Have
a good time tonight.

You, too.

The Marriott.

What is it?

What's the matter?

What are you doing?

Oh, no.

My little tailor!

You were all wrinkled
and schmutzy.

I've got shoulders.

Good?

Thanks.

Maybe I'll just
stand here

and guard
your corner.

I'll be here
when you get back.
Thanks very much.

JANE: Don't take Connecticut.
Go 19th to Pennsylvania.

-Take the underpass...
-Taxi!

-(typewriter keys clacking)
-MAN: I want you to go...

(phones ringing)

All right. I'm going
to go get a cellular.

(TV chattering)

-Hey, Nick.
-Yeah?

Read this over.
See what you think.

Sure.

Aaron.

-Hey, George.
-What are you doing here?

Anchoring.
Anchoring the weekend news.

I'm going
to anchor it.

Hey!

-Way to go.
-Thanks.

This is terrific, Aaron.

This is a pleasure
to read, really.

There's water on the set
in case I get an attack
of cotton mouth?

Yeah, sure.
You'll be fine.

(all chattering)

Yes, I know
what you mean.

The L.A. Times
is a great outfit,

best severance pay
in the business.

He was lecturing me.
Finally, I just said,

"I'm sorry, I refuse to
look at it as a negative."

I mean, I'm young.
And my news appeals
to people my age.

And it isn't
as if he just didn't

hire a 26-year-old
producer himself.

No kidding?
26?

JANE: Well, hello, Tom.

He moves and smiles

and moves and smiles.

If he doesn't
see me soon,

we're not supposed
to be together.

(giggles)

It's for me?

-Hi, Jane.
-Hey, Arlene.

It's incredible
who's here!

(chuckles) Who?

Me.

That's an outlaw dress.

-Thank you.
-Wow.

-Yes!
-Whoo! Whoa!

OK, 20 seconds to air.

15 seconds.

(music plays)

10 seconds.

Cue graphic.

MALE ANNOUNCER: The weekend
report with Aaron Altman.

-MAN: Go, Aaron.
-Good evening.

In mood and language better
suited to an espionage novel

than the delicate world
of the Western Alliance,

the British
foreign secretary

today pounced
on what he termed

"The nest of professional spies
and amateur traitors

who are turning
NATO headquarters

into an instrument whose
only true function is folly."

We begin our coverage
with Edward Towne in London.

-MAN: Take it.
-The British foreign secretary

-used the annual meeting...
-She's coming in now.
20 seconds.

...for denouncing
breaches of security.

Any breach of security...

Gee whiz!

I think I'm starting
to perspire a little.

-Don't worry.
-...involving NATO military
deployment was passed on...

-...to Eastern block...
-MAN: Are you seeing this?

The information
was apparently delivered
in coded messages

-written on discarded
paper bags...
-MAN: No chyron?

-WOMAN: Got it.
-...from the NATO cafeteria.

At least six cafeteria workers
are under investigation.

Five seconds!

Edward Towne, London.

The sub bases referred to
are located in five countries--

Norway, Belgium,
the Netherlands,

Spain, as well
as Great Britain.

This is more
than Nixon ever sweated.

Our own state department
was rocked,

not only by the revelation,

but from the highly unusual
persistence

of the state press corps.

Nice touch.

Martin Klein reports
on the ruckus at Foggy Bottom.

MARTIN: The State
department's reaction...

Just how noticeable
is this? Huh?

MARTIN: ...was a swift
and unusual public criticism

of the alliance
headquarters.

AARON: Are you hearing me?

-Do you have
a bigger one?
-AARON: Oh good, Susie.

-Hurry!
-MAN: 10 seconds.

MARTIN: ...will severely limit
NATO's ability...

-(hair dryer)
-Five seconds!

Everything's fine,
Aaron.

(crash)

A bomb exploded
on a railroad bridge

outside of Madras, India,
sending a passenger train

-hurtling more than 200 feet...
-MAN: You've got your hand in.

-...down a mountain slope.
-MAN: You've got your hands in!

-Your hand! Get your hand out!
-Railway officials
in New Delhi...

-...said the bomb
had been wired...
-Josh, your hand! Your hand!

...to the suspension bridge...

-...and had been detonated...
-You know, he wrote some
beautiful stuff.

...by a remote-control
device. 120 people were
reported injured,

at least 22 people dead.

-MAN: Commercial.
-I wish I were one of them.

Remember Brinkley's
great line?

"It's as irrevocable
as a haircut."

SECURITY MAN:
Can I check your purse?

TOM: Actually picked up
some decent stuff
at yard sales.

JANE: I like those.

-And I thought--
-PAUL: Can I have your
autograph for my wife?

(chuckles)
How are you doing, Paul?

Tom.

(whispers) You're finally
learning to be flexible.

Glad you've changed
your mind about Tom.

SECURITY MAN: Ma'am,
can I check your purse?

WOMAN: I'd like to know
what the contents
are myself.

MAN 1: Excuse me, sir,
may I see that briefcase?

I'd like to check
the contents, please.

MAN 2: Can I see
your purse, please? Thank you.

-We gotta go.
-Huh?

-I'm sorry.
-What?

I... oh!

TOM: You OK?

JANE: Great.

Hmm.

I'm so sorry
I pulled you away
from that dinner.

Those things
can be a lot of fun.

Everybody
tries to be funny.

All of a sudden,
there's all these people

trying to make
political careers

out of how many laughs
they get.

Uh, one year there was--

Why can't I let go
of this woman?

Well...

(giggles)

At least kiss me
when you do that.

You just can't stop
editing me, huh?

(laughs)
This is hysterical.

I was half hoping

I wouldn't have
a good time tonight.

You know why?

Because you're nuts?

Right. Right.
Isn't she fun to tease?

Ohh.

What?

More and more lately,

when I've been
watching you in action

and seeing you
and all your...

energy,

I've been wondering
what it'd be like

to be inside
all that energy.

Me, too.

I don't remember
ever saying

anything like that
exactly.

I don't know
why I just did.

Oh, let's see.

Wait a minute.

Well, I can think
of two reasons.

-What?
-Three, I just
thought of a third.

If you talk about it,
you don't have to do it.

-That's not it.
-Good. Another is you're trying

to make it all about sex
and heat, and nothing else.

Or... it's
that great feeling

that you don't want
to hold anything back.

You know, intimacy.

Oh, shit.
I'm a creep.

What?

I forgot all about Aaron.

I promised I'd stop by
and see how he did.

Oh, I'd like to know,
I'll go along.

No! I'll-I'll-I'll
be back at your place
as soon as I can.

Jane!

What happened?

Don't run off
like everything's
settled

the minute
you make up
your mind.

He might be weird.

He can talk more freely
if I go alone.

Why is that so hard
to understand?

It's not that it's hard,

it's just that I'd like
you to give me a minute...

so I can catch up.

OK.

Sorry.

Don't yell at me
like that again.

You scared
the life out of me.

(doorbell buzzing)

AARON: It's open!
I was in the shower.

-How'd it go?
-You didn't see it
or talk to anybody?

No.

Then it went very well.

Did it really go well?

Define your terms.

Do you feel
good about it?

No.

Do others feel
that you did well?

No.

Then what was good about it?

I lost six pounds.

Aaron,
will you tell me?

It was great!

There I was, writing
my little first-rate copy,

sitting on my jacket,
punching my one thought.

Except I had
this historic attack
of flop sweat.

They're never gonna let me
anchor again, ever.

Oh yeah, I lost one
of your shoulder pads.

I think it drowned.

-(sighs)
-How was your evening anyway?

What do you mean,
"flop sweat"?

You're making too much
out of this.

I bet you were
the only one aware of it.

People phoned in.

Stop kidding with me!

I want to know
what happened.

I'm not kidding!

There were
complaining calls

because you were
sweating?

No. Nice ones, worried
I was having a heart attack.

If all
that happened,

how come
you're so chipper?

I don't know.
I don't know!

At some point,
it was so off-the-chart bad,
it just got funny.

My central nervous system
was telling me something.

Jane, sweat pouring
down my face,

makeup falling
into my eyes,

people turning on
this fusillade
of blow dryers on my head,

all so I could
read introductions

-to other people who were
covering the stories,
-(laughs)

-which is what
I like to do anyway.
-Yes.

And I'm chipper
because you finally
showed up.

I'm going to
cook for us.

Tequila and eggs
sound good?

I have to be someplace.

Now?

I told
what's his name-- Tom--

that I'd meet him.

Well, call him up.
It can wait, right?

I don't know.

Uh...

I may be
in love with him.

I knew it.

Get out of my house now.
I want you out of here.

Get out of here.

I'm not kidding!
Get out of here!

You go to hell!

Come back here.
Come on. Don't go.

This is
important to me!

I think it's important
for you, too.

Come on. Sit down.

Sit down.

What is this?

I'll take it.

What?

Give me one minute, please!
This is tough.

Ah!

Jane.

OK, let's take the part
that has nothing to do with me.

Let me just be
your most trusted friend now,

the one that gets to say
all the awful stuff, OK?

I guess.

Yes.

You can't end up
with Tom

because it totally
goes against

everything that you're about.

Yeah...

being a basket case.

I know
you care about him.

I've never seen you
like this with anybody,

so don't get me wrong
when I tell you that Tom,

while being
a very nice guy...

is the devil.

This isn't friendship.

You're crazy,
you know that?

What do you think
the devil's gonna
look like if he's around?

-God!
-Come on!
No one's gonna be taken in

by a guy with a long,
red pointy tail!

Come on.
What's he gonna sound like?
(growling)

No. I'm semi-serious here.

-You're serious--
-He will be attractive,
he'll be nice and helpful.

He'll get a job where
he influences a great
God-fearing nation.

He'll never do an evil thing,
he'll never deliberately hurt
a living thing.

He'll just
bit by little bit

lower our standards
where they're important.

Just a tiny little bit.

Just coax along,
flash over substance,

just a tiny little bit.

And he'll talk
about all of us
really being salesmen.

And he'll get
all the great women.

Hey, Aaron!

I think
you're the devil!

You know I'm not!

How?

Because I think we have
the kind of friendship

where if I were the devil,

you'd be the only one
I would tell!

Well, you were awfully quick
to run after Tom's help--

All right, fine! Yes!

And if things had
gone well for me tonight,

then I probably
wouldn't be saying any of this.

I grant you everything,
but give me this.

He personifies
everything that you've
been fighting against.

-And I'm in love with you.
-(scoffs)

How do you like that?

I buried the lead.

I've got to not
say that out loud.

It takes too much
out of me.

Stop.

I never fought
for anyone before.

Does anybody win
one of these things?

(sighs)

(phone rings)

-Hello.
-JANE: Hi.

Hi. Where are you?

I... I can't
get away just yet.
I'm at Aaron's.

Oh, well, when?

I'm not sure.

It seems like he had
sort of a mishap
on the news.

(chuckles)
I know. I taped it.

Well, it wasn't as bad
as he thinks, was it?

It wasn't
unprecedented
or anything.

Not if you count
"Singing in the Rain."

(laughs) Do him me a favor,
don't treat it like a tragedy.

-You want me
to talk to him?
-Uh-uh.

He says you could
hardly notice it.

Um... Um...

Let me talk to him.

Don't say anything
about anything.

Let me talk to him.

-Hi.
-Hi.

I'm sorry I'm tying up Jane.
I didn't realize you two
would be going this late.

-Sorry.
-Don't worry about it.

I'll put her back on.

Thanks.

Hi again.

I'm sorry
about this...

Look.

Don't worry.
That sounds more important.

Let's...

let's forget
about tonight.

I don't know...

if that's absolutely
necessary.

I have my father
coming through tomorrow

and I should
get some sleep.

Uh-huh.

I'll see you
at the office.

Good night.

Hello?

Yes?

OK.

Good night.

Good night?

Jane.

I am not some chore
that you have to finish

so you can
stay on schedule.

OK, great, Grunick.

-Easy shots now, huh?
Good night.
-(hangs up phone)

He just canceled.

He had a...
chance to think,

and he canceled.

I can't--
I can't breathe.

(gasping)
Damn it!

Over a guy!

(panting)

(long exhale)

Well, Jane, thanks
for stopping by.

Good night.

(typewriters clacking,
phones ringing)

(people screaming,
loud explosions on video)

(door closes)

MAN: Well, he's
on assignment right now.

(voices chattering)

-Hey.
-I kept trying to call you.

You never called me!

Were you just
diddling me, is that it?

I'm great if I'm helping
your career.

But when I'm a woman
for a second, I get immediately
fucked around by you?

Jane,
this is my dad.

-(clears throat)
-I'm very pleased
to meet you, sir.

Please forgive
what I said.

I'm sorry.

Just light up a room
and leave, huh?

(chuckles)

-(Tom sighs)
-You want my opinion?

The thing that's
easy to miss about Jane--

You want my opinion?
And it's OK if you don't.

Yes, I would.

The way
she just acted

is not the way
an affectionate
person acts.

Yes, it would
be my pleasure.

Rorish.

Just when do you
start telling people?

Almost
immediately, Bill.

-I'd like to take
everybody out after the show.
-Fantastic.

-Hello, Donny.
-Bill, what a surprise.

-Good to see you again.
-Mr. Rorish.

Hi, Mr. Rorish.

Bill, this is hard
on all of us.

It's no time
for compliments,

but I think
it's extraordinary of you

to come down here
for this.

Well, if we're not here
for one another during
the tough times,

we're not
a news organization.

BLAIR: Bill!

Welcome back
to Washington...

Bill.

Well, thank you.
Thank you. Thank you.

-MAN: I'm going to Justice.
I'll call you.
-WOMAN: Why's he here?

I forget.
Is she on the list?

This is a brutal layoff.

And all because
they couldn't program
Wednesday nights.

-MAN: OK, crew's on its way.
-PAUL: You could make
it less brutal

by knocking
a million or so
off your salary.

A bad joke.
I'm sorry.

Awful.
It's a miserable day.

And that was just
some kind of sick joke
defense mechanism.

It just doesn't indicate
any of my feelings,

not one.

It just shows
the kind of stress

this represents
for all of us.

No excuse for it,
though.

Bill.

-(whistles)
-Tom. Well, it's about time.

-TOM: It's good to see you.
-Thank you.

(coughs)

I feel terrible
about what happened.

What'd he say?

He said, um...

that he liked you.

Because you looked like
you had fire and honesty.

No.

-Did he really?
-Yes.

What?

Come here.
Come here.

Uh...

Paul canned me.

Well, my brother
will feel great.

Now he's not
the only screw-up.

-Tom.
-Yeah?

-Paul wants to see you.
-(all whispering, chattering)

Bob, I just
found out.

Sons of bitches!

Ernie, they're
calling from work.

Tell them
I'm on my way in.

It's Paul.

He'll just
be a minute.

I hate this
so much.

You know,
I'm just old enough

to be flattered
by the term
"early retirement."

That's wonderful.
What a lovely line.

Now, if there's
anything I can
do for you...

Well, I certainly
hope you'll die soon.

(chuckles)

Tom.

This is a severe
cutback, Tom.

27 people
in this bureau alone,

including
technical personnel.

We're going to reorganize
at the same time.

We're gonna drop you
out of Washington and
assign you to London.

You knew they were
going to offer me this

before I went in there.

I can't stand this!

-This is--
-We care for each other
too much

to be dishonest.
So let me be tell you
the simple truth,

I'm leaving.

No matter who they
replace me with here,

they were gonna
make me leave anyway.

The fact that it's you
takes some of the sting
out of it.

And I don't think
you're any better
than I am.

God damn!
No, I'm not!

(indistinct chattering)

WOMAN 1: Oh, Martha,
I'm gonna miss you.

WOMAN 2: Are you
out of your mind?

TOM: Have you guys
seen Jane?

She's back there,

getting my job.

The first woman
bureau chief
we've ever had here.

What did they do with you?

They booted me
out of Washington.

Impossible!

There isn't a system
in the world

that wouldn't value
one of us.

Why?
what did they do to you?

It's what he did.
I'm proud of him.

They told me
they'd keep me

because they could plug me
into any story

and my salary was in line.

-A cost efficient reporter.
-So I quit.

Jane, I got to tell
you something.

Yeah?

Except
for socially,

-you're my role model.
-(laughs)

There's just so much
I want to say to you.

Hope I can
get 'em back.

(woman crying)

You packing up
tonight?

Mm-hmm.

I'm sorry they're
sending you down.

But I'm sure
you'll make it back.

Where are they
sending you anyway?

-London.
-London?

Yeah.

That's a promotion.

I don't think so.

Yes! That's where
they sent Rorish,
for god's sake.

Before they
made him anchor.

I can't believe you!

They're grooming you
for it all!

You don't even
know it!

Keep it down,
will you?

Hey, let me
ask you something.

You only had one camera crew
on that daybreak piece, right?

-Yeah.
-Hmm.

You sticking around
for the farewell party?

No, I don't know
how much fun it's gonna be

to watch Martin Klein
and Ernie

turn in their credentials
to the security guard.

Hi, Hank. Can I speak
with my wife?

No message. I'll...
I'll see her at home.

AARON: This is one story
they're not gonna cover.

Of course, if the network
doesn't cover it,

it must not be important,
so why worry about it, right?

I'm going to miss you.

You're a prick
in a great... way.

(laughs)

You know
what I mean.

No. I like the way
it made me sound.

OK. Be good. See ya.

JANE: We'll figure out
who's hiring, OK?

Nobody knows
what they're gonna do now.

It's not fair, Donny.

Thank you,
Jane.

Bye, sweetie.

Good luck.

Oh, sorry.

WOMAN: I keep telling myself
it's just a job, but, oh...

(crying)

You know, what
I always wanted to
tell you is that...

(women crying)

Jane, Martha would
like to see you
if you get a chance.

JANE: OK.

(all chattering)

MAN: This is the third
cutback in four years.

These people.

It's all so awful.

It just hurts,

physically,
doesn't it?

Like something's wrong
with your bones.

Like your...

organs are shifting
inside your body.

-Maybe I haven't
been here long enough.
-Oh, God.

But hey, congratulations
on the promotion.

Congratulations?
How can you say that...

to me?

I'm sorry
I can't stand here
feeling bad

because I don't
feel worse.

This has happened
at every station
I've ever been to.

Do they owe you
any time off?

14 weeks.
(laughing)

I think it's crazy
for you to come in here
tomorrow morning

and start a new job.

I have a week

before I have to get
to my new j--

Let's get the hell away
to some island, fast, and...

and find out
how we are together
away from this.

Well...

(sighs) I just think...

that's an extr--
extraordinary proposal.

That's "yes"?

That's more
than "yes."

That's "you bet."

-(ring)
-Hello.

Bastard! Sneak!
Quitter!

Speaking.

I just found out.

You didn't
say anything to me.

You just resigned.

Will you meet me now?

Oh, no, I can't.
Maybe next week. I got--

No. I'm-I'm going
away tomorrow. Please.

All right. I'll meet you
at the place near the thing
where we went that time.

OK, I'll meet you there.

Anyway, my agent says
he has a very
hot prospect--

the number-two
station in Portland.

The general manager
there says

he wants to be as good
as the networks.

Personally,
I think he should
aim higher.

Tell me the God's
honest truth.

Are you leaving
because of me?

-Because if you are--
-Ernie said

you're lucky
if you can get out

when you can
still cry...

which means I should
have quit this place
three years ago.

You're just trying
to say all great stuff

so I'll feel
even worse that
you're not around.

Let's go.

I just want
to s-sit here.

I mean, the feeling
to stay here...

is powerful.

Why is that?

Maybe the best part
of your life is over,

and you don't want to get up
and start the bad part.

(scoffs)

You are now required
to sit here with me!

Come on!

Be smart
for a second.

What do you...

think will
happen to us?

What will happen?

OK. That's very easy.

Five, six
years from now,

I'll be back in town
to collect an award

representing the surge
in foreign coverage

-by local stations.
-(chuckles)

What will they
call the award?

-The Euchy.
-(laughs)

-Yes.
-Anyway, I'll be walking along

with my wife
and my two lovely children.

And we'll
bump into you.

And my youngest son
will say something,

and I will tell him,
"It's not nice

to make fun
of single fat ladies."

You won't be able to stay
mad at me, right?

I hope so.

No, I'm not
really mad.

I'll miss you, we'll talk,
we'll always be friends,

we'll get hot for each other
for every few years at dinner

and we'll never
act on it. OK?

I gotta go.

Jane?

Do you know how Tom
had tears in his eyes

in that interview
that he did with that girl?

Ask yourself how we were
able to see that

when he only
had one camera,

and it was pointed
at the girl

during
the entire interview.

I'm fairly sure
I was right to tell you.

(fast-forward squealing)

WOMAN 1 (sobbing):
It was just...

this whole thing

has just
messed me up...

maybe more than
it should have.

-(Tom speaking indistinctly)
-I'm sorry...

-TOM (sniffs): Are you OK?
-WOMAN 1: Yes, I'm sorry.

TOM: Don't be silly.
What are you sorry about?

WOMAN 1: The way you were
looking at me,
I just went.

TOM: We just need a--

we just need a minute
more of your time.

Um... So he can shoot
from behind you,

toward me,
and, uh...

that way, we have
some place to go
when we cut.

And... I sit here,
I nod my head,

-and I look nerdy.
-(laughs)

-WOMAN 2: Tom.
-TOM: Yeah?

WOMAN 2: It kills me we
didn't get you on camera.

-WOMAN 2: So powerful--
seeing your reaction.
-TOM: REALLY?

-WOMAN 1: It was.
-WOMAN 2: For a second there...

...I thought you
were gonna cry yourself.

That would have
been something.

Give me a minute.

Fuckin'--

WOMAN 1: Oh, that's amazing.

(rewind humming)

(click)

WOMAN: Pardon me,
please.

Could you tell me where
would we catch a bus
to Washington?

-JANE: Turn right.
-WOMAN: Thank you.

-Thank you very much.
-See? I told you...

WOMAN (on PA): Mr. Robert
P. Summer, please pick up
the white courtesy phone.

Mr. Robert P. Summer,
please pick...

Look who's
the organized one.

-I got everything!
-I'm not going.

(sighs)

Why?

I saw the--
the taped outtakes

of the interview
with the girl.
I know you--

acted your reaction
after the interview.

(people chattering
in background)

It's verboten, huh?

I thought
since I almost

did it the first
time, but...

but I get you.

(sighs) That's not the reason
you're not coming.

Of course it's the reason.
It's terrible what you did.

We disagree on how
God-awful it was.

Why don't you come
with me, we'll disagree

and we'll get a tan
at the same time.

Jesus, if you're going
to be glib about this,

I'm going
to lose it!

Jane, keep it down.
Jane, Jane--

I was-- I was
up all night, and...

Jane.

It made me ill.

That's better.

You could get fired
for things like that.

I got promoted
for things like that.

Working up tears
for a news piece cutaway?

You totally crossed
the line between
what is ethical...

-It's hard not to cross.
-...and what is garbage!

They keep moving
the little sucker,
don't they!

-It-- Mmm.
-(airport announcer's voice
indistinctly echoing over PA)

It just proves that
the differences we--

This is
a one-way argument.

We have six days...

If you go and we fight
and we hate it, we'll come home.

If you don't go,
that's a much bigger deal.

I leave for London
right after that.

S-so it would be a very big
deal if you'd-- stay--

The plane
is boarding.

You're good at deadlines.
Here's your ticket.

It's amazing.

You commit this incredible
breach of ethics,

then you act
as if I'm nit--

I'm giving you a hard
time about nothing!

Try and get this!

When you edited
that piece--

I'm leaving now.

Gate E-2.

-Good morning!
-Good morning.

Dupont Circle,
please.

(gears ratchet)

Don't take
the Beltway,

because at
this time of day

there's going to be a--

Go any way you want.

But New York
Avenue's faster.

When they told me
Bill had decided to retire

and offered me
the evening news,

I thought it was
the same kind of joke

we used to pull
at the station--

turning someone's prompter off
in the middle of a show.

(laughter)

But when they heard
my reaction,

they thought
I was kidding.

I told them
I'd be their anchor,

but I didn't want to be
the managing editor,

that there were people
better qualified

than I
to control the content,

and if there weren't,
we were all in trouble.

(laughter)

Now to something
more important...

I'd like to introduce
my fiancée.

Lila?

(applause)

-Oh, Aaron!
-Congratulations.

Aaron.

L-- Lila. Li--

-Lila, this is
Aaron Altman.
-Hi.

-LILA: Oh, yes.
-This kid... couldn't
possibly belong to anyone else!

What's your name?

-Clifford.
-Clifford.

Hey Cliff, do you know
who this is?

The big joke?

(chuckles)

Ooh.
I don't know.

-You know,
Jane's down here.
-No.

I'm taking Cliff over
to see her.

-Can I come along?
-Yeah.

I'll-I'll meet you back
at the place? Is that OK?

-Yes.
-You'll be OK.

-(chuckles)
-Come on.

-CLIFF: No!
-We'll see Jane now,
we'll call mommy later.

-Your speech was magnificent.
-AARON: And don't whine.

-TOM: Thanks.
-Oh, I forgot to say
something about the speech.

-I appreciate it.
-(laughs)

-Tom, we are
proud of you.
-Thanks.

Hey, guys!

Come over here!

Hey.

Hey.

Hey,
what is this?

My life is rushing
in front of my eyes!

Clifford,
come on over here!

I want to show
you something!

Clifford!
Clifford, come on!

I want to show
you something.

Picnic?

Well I thought
for old Cliff here,

but who knew
about this?

It'll be great,
though.

Yeah.

So what, did you
get in last night?

Yeah. Extreme
culture shock.

You are more adorable
than your pictures.

Look at you!

Look what I got
for you, Cliff.

-Whoa!
-Whoa!

-Ooh-hoo!
-Just right there.

That's terrific!

Let me see it,
Cliff.

-Come here.
-CLIFF: Kiss.

Are you any closer
to a decision?

I think so.

Aaron, they've
been talking to me

about being
managing editor.

Really?

Whoo!

I'm... going

to take it.

-TOM: Oh, that is--
-AARON: Jane, what a job!

A great surprise!

I didn't think
we had a chance.

They told me
you wanted to
stay in Washington.

Well,
there's a guy...

but, um, he says
he'll fly up a lot.

Well,
we should talk.

Do you have time for dinner?
I'd like you
to meet Lila.

I'm sorry, but I was
really looking forward
to that.

(chuckles)
I'm gonna go back
in a few hours.

CLIFF (whispers):
What's this? This--

It's so good to see you.
It's nice to see you.

Hey, congratulations,
on history's longest
winning streak.

Yeah. If you ever get restless
in Portland, let me know.

-Why?
-(laughs)

TOM: OK.

Bye... boss.

Hey, Cliff!

-Where are you going?
-Cliff!

Go back to
your father.

Come on, Cliff!

Come on.

Daddy.

So who's the guy?

Uh, well,
we met about, uh--

(sighs) three months ago.

Uh, he works
at the Surgeon
General's office.

He loves boating.

So, he's been
getting me into
water-skiing.

-(laughs)
-I like him!

So doll, what about
you lately?

Well...

uh, my wife got
this new job.

Great.

(fades into
inaudible dialogue)

(man singing
"L'edition Speciale")

(Aaron singing along)

MAN: It starts off
with this very high-tech
syntho-sequency type thing,

like this...
♪ Bom bom ♪

That's the news.

♪ Bom bom bom ♪

The strings take
the melody.

♪ Bah dah dah dah dah
dah dah ♪

-♪ A-bom bom bom bom ♪
-♪ Dah dah dah ♪

♪ Dah dah
dah bah ♪

Al does
the countermelody.

-♪ Dah dah dah dah ♪
-♪ Dah dah dah dah ♪

-♪ Dah dah dah dah ♪
-♪ Dah dah dah dah ♪

♪ Dah ♪

-Big finish!
-Big finish!

♪ Bah bah bah dah! ♪

Captioned by:
Axium Digital, Inc.