Original subtitles

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ I said hey, everybody ♪

♪ In case you haven't heard ♪

♪ There's something going on in here tonight ♪

♪ Everybody's dancin' and havin' lots of fun ♪

♪ It's like the whole wide world is feelin' right ♪

♪ I said hey, everybody... ♪

Enjoy your breakfast.

Thank you, Suzanne.

So, anyway...

since Andrea's really wigging out

from being on 24-hour bed rest,

I told her we'd have our sorority meeting

over there tomorrow.

Oh, that's a good idea. I hope Brenda can make it.

Yeah, I just hope she doesn't flip out

if she's not cast in the play.

So she really blew her final audition, huh?

Let's just say it wasn't her strongest performance.

So, how many pounds of ground beef do you serve in a day?

Erica...

What's going on, sweetheart? You taking inventory?

It's for school.

We have to do a report on what our parents do for work.

You know, I still think it'd be more educational to see where Kevin works.

It wouldn't be the same.

You know, I'd kind of be interested

in taking a tour of Kevin's laboratory,

see what he's doing to save the bay.

Maybe, if we talk to him,

you and I could go down there together.

Okay.

I bet nobody else in my class

is doing a report on an environmental chemist.

Sounds like a winner to me.

(mouths "Thank you.")

Guys, guess what?

I got the lead of Maggie the Cat!

Well, way to go, sister Brenda.

Good job, Bren.

Thank you. Thank you.

So, does this mean you're a star?

Not yet, but I'm working on it.

Dude, I thought you said she choked.

BRENDA: I got the part.

KELLY: Oh, my God!

Oh, Bren, I'm so happy!

And you thought you'd blown your final audition.

Kelly, I did blow it.

But, afterwards, I went over to Roy Randolph's house

and he gave me a second chance.

Well, when do rehearsals start?

Well, we have our first table reading this afternoon.

Well, can you make a sorority meeting over at Andrea's tomorrow?

Yeah, I have to check and see when my rehearsals are.

Can I let you know? Sure.

Hey, hey, hey!

Nat.

I got the part.

All right!

Ooh! Our own little Hepburn.

My, my!

And you thought she wouldn't get cast.

I still can't believe you weren't cast in that part!

What is Randolph thinking?

Your guess is as good as mine.

You were robbed, Laura, plain and simple.

You were robbed.

News flash: Life is unfair.

I'm gonna find this Randolph

and I'm gonna tell him he's out of his mind.

Please don't, Steve. It's done.

At this point, I just want to be the understudy

and get through this.

Laura, still, you deserve a straight answer.

What makes you think you'll get a straight answer from Randolph?

What do you mean?

Randolph's famous for sleeping with

his leading ladies, isn't he?

Well, that might be his style, but it's really not Brenda's.

(sighs)

Well, you know her better than I do.

Oh, you guys think of everything.

Absolutely.

Oh, oh, don't forget my notes from poli sci.

Great-- I'll see you tomorrow.

Okay, bye.

Do you know what kind of friends I have?

Andrea, do you want to go into premature labor again?

Jesse, look, I just got up to answer the phone.

And what about yesterday?

What about yesterday?

Well, I ran into Mrs. Grayson,

and she told me she saw you out collecting the mail.

Look, she's just a busybody, okay?

She needs to get a life.

Andrea, come on, I'm serious.

You've got to stay off your feet.

Jesse, I am doing the best I can, okay?

Honey, look...

I know how frustrating it's got to be

being stuck in bed all day.

Ugh...

The worst part is this damn medication

they gave me for the contractions.

Jesse, it's just making me speedy and nuts.

But...

But it's for a good cause, right?

Right.

And it'll all be over in a couple of months.

Yeah.

And... I love you.

Yeah.

I gotta get out of here.

I won't be home too late.

Have a good day.

CHANCELLOR: Seems to be everything.

Well, thank you so much for coming in.

Brandon, come in.

Sit down.

There's been a new wrinkle we have to discuss.

Is, uh, everything okay?

Remember that statement you wrote

about the status of public education?

Mm-hmm. It's going to be part

of the keynote speech

when the National Task Force convenes in Washington.

You're kidding? No.

And...

they've requested that you come up to Berkeley next week

to be part of the final strategy session.

Well, count me in. I'm honored.

Well, you should be.

Just don't go too "Berserkly up in Berkeley."

Excuse me?

Well, aren't you the same Brandon who kept my Clare out

till the wee hours on her prom night?

Actually, sir, I was hoping that was something we could discuss.

Please. I'm fine with it.

You're a big improvement over most of the lugs

she's gone out with.

I don't know what it is.

All of them seem to wind up in hot water.

That may not be entirely their fault, sir.

Ah, kids.

I've had to raise Clare on my own

ever since her mother died.

I think I've done a pretty good job,

if I do say so myself.

Yes, you have.

Definitely.

(chuckles)

MAN: Cast's all here, Mr. Randolph.

RANDOLPH: Good.

I have just three-and-a-half weeks

to teach you all the art of "dreaming on schedule."

But to achieve this theatrical nirvana

requires discipline, which is why

your schedule starts with Randolph's first law.

Eddie?

Never be late to rehearsal.

Be here and ready to go at the call time.

Do the words "zero tolerance"

grab your attention?

Now, before we begin our first read-through,

I'd like to introduce

our illustrious cast.

The part of Big Daddy will be played by Jackson Halley.

Joan Lebovitz, Big Mama.

The part of Brick will be played by Carl Mars,

and the part of Maggie The Cat,

will be played by Brenda Walsh.

Can we refer to her by her proper name, Margaret?

At least until I get to know her better.

RANDOLPH: Good instinct.

Always give yourself room

to grow into your character.

The part of Brick

will be understudied by Ken Nathan,

and the part of Maggie-- excuse me, Margaret--

will be understudied by Laura Kingman.

Get it!

(laughing)

Oh, David, this is crazy.

Rocky is too young to be catching a Frisbee.

No-- if he starts now, he'll learn early.

Isn't that Steve?

Kelly.

Fancy meeting you here.

Well, I tried your apartment.

I figured you'd be down here.

What's up?

What's up?

Well, not much.

Not much at all, actually.

I'm certifiable. Laura's devastated.

Other than that, not much.

Yeah, I'm sorry.

It must have been a major disappointment for her.

Kelly, tell me the truth.

I mean, maybe I'm not seeing things

because I'm too close, but you were at the final audition.

How could Laura not get cast in the part?

Steve, calm down. Brenda told me what happened.

Well, what happened? What'd she do, put a spell on him?

No, it's very simple.

Last night, she went over to Randolph's

and he gave her a second chance.

DONNA: Yeah, I saw Brenda this morning.

She was really excited.

I'll bet.

All of a sudden it's starting to make sense to me.

Laura gives a performance of a lifetime,

and Brenda goes down in flames.

Then Brenda shows up

on Randolph's doorstep and all of a sudden, she gets the part?

Steve, are you suggesting that Brenda slept with him?

You said it, not me.

That's ridiculous.

Kelly, tell him he's being ridiculous.

Steve, you're being ridiculous.

Kelly...

I'm not saying I think it's true,

but Randolph did kind of come on to me.

I mean, it was nothing specific,

but he made it clear

that if I was into it, he was available.

And you remember how crazed Brenda got

when Kelly was auditioning for the part.

I'm telling you,

Brenda would have done anything for that part.

(Donna groans)

What is wrong with you guys?

Brenda is our friend.

You know, she would never do anything like that.

DYLAN: You can't tell me you believe that crap?

I didn't say I believed it. I was asking for your opinion.

You want my opinion?

All right, I'll give you my opinion.

It never happened.

Well, Steve said...

I don't care what Steve said.

Kelly, he's going out

with Brenda's understudy for God sake.

The man is not thinking with his head,

he's thinking with his zipper.

Oh, and you don't think that Roy Randolph has a zipper?

I thought you just said you didn't believe it.

I don't.

Let's change the subject?

Okay, fine.

(doorbell chimes)

Better get that.

(sighs)

Are we catching you at a bad time?

Oh, no. Actually, it, uh,

couldn't be more perfect.

Could it, Kel? Come on in.

SUZANNE: Hi, Kelly. Hi.

You got pastries from La Pont.

Must be a special occasion, huh?

It is. Well, what's up?

Mom's getting married,

and I get to be the maid of honor.

Wow. Wow, that is wonderful.

Kevin, congratulations, man. I'm very happy.

Thanks, Dylan.

Well, it certainly has been

a whirlwind courtship for you two, hasn't it?

SUZANNE (chuckles): It is kind of

impetuous.

Yeah, but when something's this right,

there's no reason to mess around with fate, you know?

Absolutely.

So, can we have dessert now?

Yes, but just one piece.

I don't want you bouncing off the walls all night, girl.

Mom...

Go ahead.

Why can't you even be happy for them?

I am. Then what's with

the little wisecrack about the whirlwind romance thing?

I was just being friendly, but the fact is,

they've only known each other for a couple of weeks.

Why are you so negative, Kel?

(knocking on door)

STEVE: Laura.

Steve.

Hi.

Hi.

Come in.

So how was rehearsal?

It was humiliating.

Humiliating?

What happened.

We had to sit around a table and read the play.

Well... they read it, and I listened.

Oh, Laura.

You'll get your turn.

They have to rehearse the understudies.

Roy Randolph will never have time for me.

Not the way Brenda monopolizes him.

Every scene, every line, she has a million questions.

It's like she's the only one in the cast.

I could just strangle her.

Wait till you hear this.

What?

Guess who dropped by Roy Randolph's house

late last night.

Why aren't I surprised?

I still can't believe Brenda would do something that sleazy.

I should have done it, too.

It's not as if I didn't have the opportunity.

Oh, yeah, but you're not that kind of person.

Besides, how would you live with yourself?

I couldn't feel any worse than I do now.

(doorbell ringing)

Coming!

Clare.

Special delivery.

What's this?

Two round-trip airplane tickets

courtesy of University Travel.

Two? I'm going to Berkeley with you.

No.

No. Absolutely not.

You know, this couldn't come at a better time.

It's tough when you're accepted

to every university you apply to.

This way I can check out Berkeley,

and you'll be there to help me.

Does your father know about this?

What do you think?

Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Wash.

Hey, Clare.

What a nice surprise.

Won't you stay and have breakfast with us?

Clare can't, Mom, she was just leaving.

Brandon's right. I really ought to be

getting to school. Next time.

A bientôt.

We'll talk.

Yeah.

So, what's your problem with Clare?

She seems very nice.

Yeah, for your average serial killer.

She's more dangerous than Lucinda, Dad.

Oh, come on. She's so young.

Yeah, well, it's getting real old.

I'm trying to do right by the chancellor

and keep her at an arm's length, but she just won't let up.

Well, the chancellor doesn't seem to mind you going out with her.

That's because he has no idea what she's into.

I've tried to tell him.

He just doesn't want to hear it.

Well, be gentle with him, son.

Just remember,

every father's daughter is a virgin.

Hello.

Yes, hold on. I'll go get her.

Oh, okay, I can do that.

Rehearsal has been changed

from 1:00 to 4:00.

Yes, I'll see Brenda gets the message.

Thank you.

And, uh, have a nice day.

What's in here?

Oh, some raw sewage, some chemical pollutants,

industrial waste,

just your basic toxic smorgasbord.

Yuck. Okay,

now imagine that what you're looking at over there

is not some glorified

toilet bowl, but the Pacific Ocean.

Same difference.

So...

if you would do the honors, young lady.

What's in the beaker?

If I told you, I'd be shot at dawn,

but essentially it's just some microorganisms

I've been playing around with.

ERICA: Nothing's happening.

KEVIN: No, and nothing will happen

till we turn on Mr. Sun Lamp.

And then what?

KEVIN: You can drink it.

You can bathe in it. Anything you want.

That's unbelievable.

Yeah, it's called bioremediation.

Here, why don't you take a look

at what's going on under the microscope.

So, if you put enough

of this microorganism into the bay...

You could go surfing every day

and never have to worry about getting infected.

Wow, that's incredible.

So, when's it going to be on the market?

At this rate, I'd say never.

Why?

Officially,

because it's not "cost-effective,"

but the truth is,

this company doesn't want to commit its time

and resources to any process

that wasn't developed by one of its stars.

Well, then you should blow them off.

Kevin, what we're talking about here is way too important

to get bogged down to any company politics.

I know.

Steve, just the man I was looking for.

I'm meeting D'Shawn over at the gym.

You up for a little two-on-two? No, thanks.

I'm not in the mood. Hey, come on, lose those blues.

It's a beautiful day, bud.

Yeah, for some people, but not me, man.

Is this funk

because your protégé didn't get the part?

Brandon, beat it, okay?

Hey, hey, sorry, didn't mean to hit a nerve, big guy.

But you've been around show business.

What's the big shock? Wouldn't you like to know?

As a matter of fact, I think I would.

Brandon, you know I love you like a brother,

but isn't it possible your sister was switched at birth?

What'd Brenda do now?

Well, there's a rumor going around school

about how she really got the part.

Could you be a little more specific?

If I said, "casting couch",

would you know what I was talking about?

Yeah, and if you mean what I think you mean,

I only have one thing to say.

What's that?

Stop the rumor. All right.

Okay.

But look me right in the eye right now

and tell me Brenda's not capable of doing something like that.

I rest my case.

So where's Brenda?

Well, she wanted to come, but she had rehearsal.

She's really excited about getting the lead.

Yeah, now there's this nasty rumor going around

about her, though.

What kind of rumor?

Well, supposedly she slept with the director

to get the part.

It's obviously not true.

Of course not.

(doorbell rings) I'll get it.

Hey. Hi.

Did I miss anything?

What happened to your rehearsal?

Oh, it was moved to 4:00.

What's wrong?

Why are you guys acting so strange?

We're, uh, we're just surprised to see you.

Look, Brenda,

don't take this the wrong way,

but there's a rumor going around about you

that I think you should know about.

What rumor?

Some people are saying

that you slept with Roy Randolph to get the part.

That's ridiculous.

Who said that?

I don't know, just some people.

Kelly, who said it?

I guess I heard it from Steve.

Yeah, well, that figures.

What else are Steve and Laura saying about me?

It doesn't matter.

None of us believe it.

It's just gossip. It doesn't mean anything.

The hell it doesn't.

Geez, I'm sorry I told you.

You know what, Kelly?

Steve is right.

I did sleep with Roy Randolph.

You want to know why? Because I have no talent.

Brenda, stop it!

Well, that's fine.

Have your little party without me.

Well, how be there, pretty lady?

Is this seat taken?

If I hear one more Southern-Fried accent,

I may just start screaming.

The creative process taking its toll, Bren?

You have no idea.

Ah, just think about opening night.

All those people cheering for you.

Your dressing room filled with flowers.

Have you ever wanted something so bad?

And then you finally get it,

and it turns into a complete nightmare?

Well, you know what they say.

Be careful what you wish for.

Bren,

I know you didn't sleep with Roy Randolph.

Who told you?

It doesn't matter.

I know you.

You know,

you may be the only true friend that I have.

Tom, are we moving to a rehearsal room?

Duh. Rehearsal's over.

Eddie, where's Roy?

I need to talk to him.

Mr. Randolph's in his office,

and you don't want to talk to him.

Not after you flaked on the first day of blocking.

Look, I did not flake.

I got a message from a secretary,

from the drama department saying

that the time had been changed.

Come on, kid.

If there's any changes in the schedule,

I do all the calls.

So no more stories, okay? It'll just

make things worse. There has been a mistake.

Please, just let me explain it to him.

Brenda, I know Roy.

If this were a professional gig and you were a no-show,

you'd be unemployed right about now.

You have to accept

that he might drop you because of this.

You don't understand, this wasn't my fault.

Okay, okay, okay,

let me talk to him.

I'll smooth things over.

Just don't let it happen again.

Hey, how'd it go?

Hi.

Oh, incredible.

I got to do "Maggie" the whole rehearsal.

That's great. Yeah.

Roy loved my ideas.

Really? What happened to Brenda?

Brenda wasn't there.

Somebody called her and told her

that rehearsal was three hours later.

Any idea who that might've been, Laura?

I don't know what you're talking about.

I can understand that you're upset,

but don't take it out on me.

BRENDA: You're right.

I guess, I should start with my friend Steve, here.

Let's go.

BRENDA: What, you got to go and spread more rumors about me?

What's next Steve? That I slept with Eddie, too?

I never said anything that wasn't true.

I always knew that you were weak.

Brenda, let's get one thing straight.

I'm your brother's friend, not yours.

And that's a relief.

Well, now that you have the part,

choke on it, okay?

One more thing, Laura.

I may have missed rehearsal,

but I am still Maggie.

And you still have nothing...

except for Steve.

Which is kind of the same thing, I guess now, isn't it?

Where does Brenda get off

pointing that slimy finger of hers at other people?

I can't believe that Randolph didn't fire her on the spot.

Well, you can thank Eddie for that one.

He's even taking bullets for her now.

Did you notice that she didn't deny it?

I feel like breaking something, I swear.

I wish you felt that way when Brenda was around.

Oh, you're tense; sit down.

I'll give you a backrub.

Wow, if you're this tense now,

imagine how Brenda must feel.

Well, there's some consolation in that.

Ow!

Too hard?

Too perfect.

It's starting to make up

for this abysmal day I'm having.

You know, Randolph said

that my performance was perfect today.

He never said that about Brenda.

Well, maybe that bonehead will finally realize

he made a mistake.

He will, if I could get more time with him.

I wouldn't count on Brenda missing any more rehearsals,

if I were you.

I don't suppose you could kidnap her and lock her in a closet?

That's tempting.

How about some little injury,

like a broken finger, or a toe?

How about a finger and a toe?

And why stop there?

She's got a jaw I'd like to plant one on, too.

Whatever it takes to make her miss a few rehearsals.

Of course, you'll have to make it look like an accident.

Laura?

You aren't serious, are you?

She didn't play fair.

Why should we?

BRANDON: Hey, Bren.

You need a ride?

No. Thanks. Go on without me.

You okay?

Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry about it.

Listen, I, uh... I heard the rumor.

What, was it on the 11 o'clock news?

No, a special bulletin I think.

You know-- "We interrupt this program to bring you

the latest breaking dirt on Brenda."

Brandon, I am not in the mood.

Sorry.

I guess I know how you must be feeling.

You know what really hurts?

Yesterday, Kelly and I got in a big fight,

and Donna was there;

neither one has even bothered to call me.

Well, did you call them?

I'm not the one who needs to apologize.

Look, Brandon, in my entire life,

I've slept with two guys--

Stuart Carson and Dylan McKay.

Why all of a sudden would they believe

that I've become the slut of C.U?

Well, Bren... I'm not saying they're right,

but you got to admit,

it could look a little peculiar to people.

Tell me the truth, Brandon.

Do you think I slept with him?

Listen, Bren, after my affair with Lucinda Nicholson,

I've got no business judging what anyone does

with their personal life.

You're no better than Kelly.

Hey, don't overreact here.

All I'm saying is, it doesn't matter to me

whether you slept with him or not.

You're still my sister.

Yeah, well, thanks for your support.

(phone rings)

Hello.

Hi, Steve. What do you want?

Steve?

Listen, man. Right now isn't a...

Okay, okay, I'll be there.

Thanks for coming, guys.

Steve, I really hope this isn't more grist

for the Brenda rumor mill.

Because if it is, I'm not interested.

Me neither. I feel awful.

She was really hurt by us yesterday.

And by me this morning.

Listen guys, I got to tell you,

if she did the deed with Randolph,

I don't think she'd be acting like this.

Well, you can all relax.

It's not true; I was wrong.

I was way wrong.

Well, what made you change your mind?

Laura showed her true colors.

I mean, this girl is wacko with a capital J.

She wants this part so badly, she crank-called Brenda's house

so she'd miss her first rehearsal.

KELLY: Cute.

STEVE: Oh, it gets worse.

Now she's trying to pull a Tonya Harding.

She wants me to put Brenda out of commission.

She had to have been kidding, Steve.

STEVE: You know, that's what I thought at first, too,

but she's dead serious.

And so am I, so I walked.

But not before I told her I would do it.

What?

Hey, if I didn't,

I mean, who knows what this girl would do to Brenda herself?

We're dealing with someone whose driveway doesn't go

all the way to the street here.

Yeah, I think she needs to get some professional help.

Yeah, she does, but I feel so badly

about the way I treated Brenda.

Yeah, we all do.

Roy?

Hi, um, there was no answer at the door.

I'm sorry if I interrupted you.

Well, you have caught me at rather a peculiar moment.

There is something unnatural

about an Englishman trying to get a tan.

Well, I won't tell anyone.

Good.

Please, sit down.

Can I offer you, uh, some tea, a scone, sunblock?

No, thanks.

I really just came to apologize for missing rehearsal.

Yes, Eddie explained.

I also want you to know how much it means to me

that you cast me in the lead.

Well, my hands were tied.

You happened to be absolutely the best actress for the part.

Though I have heard whisperings

of more sordid explanations as to why you were cast.

Yeah, it's pretty upsetting.

It's upsetting for me, too.

When I accepted this job, they practically made me

put it in writing that I keep my hands off the coeds.

Well, I hope you don't get into trouble for nothing.

Believe me, I'll survive.

I'm more concerned about you.

Theater can be a dirty, competitive business.

So few parts, so many actors.

There's bound to be sour grapes.

If you plan on a career,

I suggest you start developing a thick skin now.

I'm trying.

And rest easy--

there'll be no more backstage intrigue on this production.

I'm cleaning house.

CHANCELLOR: Clare is first in her class.

She spends most of her evenings reading Ezra Pound in our study.

I can't picture her provoking fistfights

with strange men in hotel rooms.

I was there, sir, and I can barely picture it.

Did someone give her something to drink at this party?

No, she was just off and running.

And then yesterday, when she showed up at my house,

with two tickets for us to go to Berkeley, I...

Well, she seems to have selected me

to help her with her problems.

Her problems?

Well, she was crying a lot on prom night.

(phone rings)

Uh, yes.

I've got to take this call, Brandon.

I, uh, I'll talk to Clare.

I'm sorry if she's been a nuisance.

Hello, Carl.

Good of you to call.

No, no, you're not interrupting anything.

I was just reading the proposal.

It's right here in front of me.

Hi!

Clare. Thought I might find you here.

Don't you ever go to school?

Spring semester of my senior year?

Not likely. Oh, listen, Clare.

I wouldn't pack your bags for Berkeley just yet.

I had a little talk with your father about prom night.

You are kidding, aren't you?

I felt I had to.

I'm sorry.

(scoffs)

What are you apologizing to me for?

You're the one who just shot yourself in the foot.

What are you talking about?

You'll see.

Good luck, Brandon.

Oh, Brick!

How long does this have to go on?

This punishment?

Haven't I done enough time?

Can't I apply for a pardon?

Okay, Laura, that's quite enough.

LAURA: Uh...

I was just running some lines.

I know what you were doing.

And normally we'd be having this conversation in private.

But since you have

no regard for my privacy or Brenda Walsh's,

I don't see where I owe you that respect.

I don't understand.

I don't know what you're talking about.

ROY: Please.

You are not that good an actress.

I'm sorry, but you're no longer part of this production.

So I'd appreciate it

if you gathered up all your things and left at once.

You bitch.

Get off my stage.

Laura...

Laura!

(door opens)

Laura, wait.

Laura, listen to me.

(sighs)

No, let go of me!

What was she doing at rehearsal?!

Calm down.

They took the part away from me.

Laura, it was never yours.

It would have been if you had helped me.

Why didn't you help me?

Because... Brenda never slept with him.

So now you believe Brenda?

Laura, get a grip on yourself.

You're starting to lose it here.

What?

Oh, now you're saying that I'm crazy?

Laura, I'm worried about you.

I think you need to talk to someone,

someone who can help you through this.

I should have known.

You kids from Beverly Hills...

...you're all the same.

(indistinct conversations)

All right, I'm here.

What is it that's so important?

Are you aware that Laura Kingman

asked Steve to physically harm you

so that she could have the part?

Yeah, Brandon told me.

Like, what am I supposed to do, hire a bodyguard?

Don't worry-- Steve's dealing with her.

Yeah, well, I can really count on Steve, my good buddy.

Hey, he feels just as bad about this as we do.

And make no mistake, we do feel awful.

What exactly is it that you feel awful about?

That you guys talked about me behind my back?

Or that you didn't even bother to ask me

whether any of it was true?

Or yesterday, when I completely lost it

at Andrea's, no one cared enough to see if I was okay?

I guess in some way, all of the above.

DONNA: Look, Bren, I wanted to call you.

I just didn't know what to say.

I mean, I was embarrassed, but I guess at the same time,

I was a little put off because you immediately assumed

we were ganging up on you.

Yeah, when all we were trying to do was just let you know

what was going on.

Look, maybe I did overreact.

But I was just completely blown away by the whole thing.

You know, it was like everyone was turning me

into the cliché of the desperate woman

who, in order to get ahead,

needs to sleep with every guy who can do her some good.

Tell me about it.

I guess the truth of the matter is, I...

didn't exactly give you guys a chance

to explain yourselves.

What do you say we just forget this ever happened?

I don't know if I can forget about it.

But at least I know who my friends are.

Okay.

(shop bell jingles)

Oh, hi, there.

Sorry I'm late.

Did you get stuck in traffic?

No, not exactly.

We ordered for you.

KEVIN: Great.

You want to see my report?

You finished it already?

She got inspired.

Your work is really interesting.

I'm glad you got to see the place

(inhales deeply) because it looks like I'm...

not going to be working there anymore.

What happened?

I quit.

Good for you.

You quit... uh, just like that?

It's been building a long time, hon.

I mean, why should I waste the best years of my life

working for guys that aren't serious about bioremediation?

Because they pay you every week?

They're not the only lab in town.

And from what I saw today,

what this guy's doing could revolutionize the world.

Anybody would be crazy not to want to be in business with you.

I should hire you to be my publicist.

Or maybe Dylan should hire you to work here.

Have a little faith in your man, Suzanne.

He's going places.

I have faith in you, Kevin.

(laughs softly) Thanks, sweetie.

Well, I guess that's what I get

for falling in love with a genius.

No...

This is what you get.

Don't worry.

I know what I'm doing.

(phone ringing)

Laura?

Wrong.

That seems to be the pattern for me these days.

Yeah, Brenda told me about the blowout

at rehearsal this afternoon.

Oh. Words can't convey how ugly it got.

Laura's convinced that there's a conspiracy against her

and that I'm leading the charge.

Well, she'll probably cool off in a few days.

I just hope she finds a good shrink.

I don't want anything to do with her anymore.

But after all you've been through,

you can't just leave her hanging.

What are you, my conscience?

Well, it's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it.

Yeah...

Yeah.

Later.

Laura?

Laura, come on.

If you're in there, we need to talk.

Oh... no.

Oh, my God.

(gasps): Steve.

My God, if you were trying to scare me, you succeeded.

I'm sorry.

I'm looking for Laura.

What?

She's in the theater trying to kill herself.

I just found some suicide note

saying something about her final performance.

Come on.

Laura.

Laura.

No one's here.

(paper rustling, thud)

Oh, my God.

What are we going to do?

There's nothing you or anyone else can do.

This is my stage now.

STEVE: Laura!

Don't do anything you're gonna be sorry for.

Come on, please, come down.

No.

You don't care about me.

You never did.

I do care about you.

J... go away.

At least let me do one right thing.

Steve, call security.

LAURA: Go ahead.

Both of you.

Be the time they get here, my performance will be over.

Stay here, B...

I'll be right back. Hurry.

Keep her talking.

You want to watch?

Go ahead.

I'm not afraid of an audience.

Look, Laura, maybe I can talk to Randolph, you know,

con... convince him to take you back.

(laughs)

Why would you want to do that?

I know how much you hate me.

No, I don't hate you.

In fact,

I never really felt right about only one person doing the part.

Look, maybe I can arrange it so you can do a few shows, too.

Thanks.

Then everybody could compare us,

and guess what they would say?

The understudy is never as good as the star.

What about all the other plays, Laura?

I mean, what's to say that you won't be starring

in the next production,

and I'll be your understudy? Please!

I never get what I want.

Somebody else always knows someone,

or-or knows how to talk to someone,

or-or has the right angle.

It's never going to be me.

Never.

BRENDA: Laura, it could be.

But not if you go and hurt yourself.

I won't be the one that's going to be hurt.

When Randolph comes in

and finds me hanging here,

he'll be sorry how he treated me.

Laura, no! No, Steve!

I won't let you do it. No!

I won't let you go. Come on, it's gonna be all right.

No, please.

No! It's all right, it's okay.

(crying) Laura, come on.

It's gonna be all right, it's gonna be all right.

Come on, it's okay.

It's okay. (panting)

It's okay.

Come on.

(sighs)

(sighs)

(indistinct police radio chatter)

Phew!

You know, if we hadn't been here,

they'd probably be taking her away in a body bag right now.

Poor Laura.

You know, all day I was so angry at her,

and now all I feel is pity.

So...

do you think you could stop being angry at me, too?

Steve, just leave me alone, okay?

Come on, Brenda.

It's over.

Yeah, maybe for you.

(sniffles)

(sighs)

(sniffling)

(keys jingling)