In loving memory of Louis Phelps Swan, 1926-2002.
His heroism as a soldier was only outdone
by his heroism as a father.
Episode 23: “Confusions of Grandeur”
Previously on “The Salingers”:
Felicia looks to Kirsten, who looks up meekly. Kirsten
shakes her head, and understanding passes between them.
He doesn’t know.
CHARLIE
Can someone please tell me what’s going
on here?
*****
Claudia opens the door to see...
BAILEY
Hey.
CLAUDIA
(smiles)
Oh my God!
*****
CLAUDIA
(to Sarah)
What did you think would happen? My big
brother would swoop in and make
everything okay?
SARAH
We just want to understand why--
CLAUDIA
Forget it.
Claudia pushes back her chair, stands up, and walks off.
*****
JULIA
‘Cause it was just us. You and me. We
didn’t need anything else. You know?
Griffin smiles down at her, and they kiss.
*****
KIRSTEN
I left three messages for him yesterday.
If I swallow any more pride I’ll choke.
DAPHNE
Amazing. I still can’t believe he’s
acting like this. Charlie, of all
people.
*****
KENDALL
I don’t want to have to do this, Charlie.
But we might have to start thinking about
letting a few waiters and some kitchen
staff go.
CHARLIE
It’s come to that?
KENDALL
We have to think about the bottom line
here, Charlie.
*****
KIRSTEN
I’m just saying... I think I understand
more why you did those things in the
past. Like, in a weird way, I’m more
okay with it. Because I sort of...
understand it.
Charlie looks at her. An unreadable expression. He looks
down, shakes his head. Then speaks in a soft tone.
CHARLIE
The thing is, I came to the exact
opposite conclusion, Kirsten.
(looks up)
The day I decided to spend the rest of my
life with you, I realized... it wasn’t
okay.
*****
SARAH
Bailey...
BAILEY
Wait, hear me out. I know all this time
has passed and everything’s different
now, but the one thing I had a hard time
with was...
(beat)
...how we ended. And I don't wanna bring
up any of the bad stuff. We’ve been
through all that already. But I just...
I just want to...
(beat)
...we didn’t ever have a real goodbye,
Sarah. Yeah, we sort of fumbled through
it, really didn't make it a big deal.
But, I sort of -- I don't know -- needed
to. It just would've felt right, ya
know? So, if it's okay with you...I'd
like to make up for that right now.
Sarah moves toward Bailey and falls into his arms.
They hug.
*****
1 INT. FACTORY - CHARLIE’S OFFICE - MORNING
CHARLIE sits at his desk. EMMITT--the long-time Salinger
family lawyer--sits across from him. He’s looking over some
paperwork as he listens to Charlie.
CHARLIE
If we refinance, we can cut almost a
point off the interest. And if Kendall’s
calculations are right, we’d be saving a
few grand a month.
Emmitt looks up.
EMMITT
(shakes his head)
I don’t know, Charlie...
CHARLIE
(smiles)
Emmitt, am I missing something here? If
we can do this without paying any fees,
why not?
EMMITT
Well, it makes sense... if you plan on
keeping it.
CHARLIE
I’m sorry. Keeping it?
Emmitt pauses, closes the ledger.
EMMITT
Charlie, these numbers... they’re down,
yes. But that’s not the whole story.
We’ve had bad months before. Even bad
years.
CHARLIE
Right. And we always pulled through.
EMMITT
But it’s different now, Charlie. There
were years we posted a loss, that’s true.
But there were still good months to
offset that.
From what I’m seeing here, you’re posting
bigger losses with each month. There’s
no sign of progress... of turning things
around. If this keeps up...
It’s finally sinking in.
CHARLIE
So you’re saying I should sell?
EMMITT
I can’t tell you what do to, Charlie.
But you’ve got to think about what’s at
stake here. Your factory was financed
using Salingers’ as collateral. If
either one of the businesses goes under,
it takes the other one with it.
Charlie’s at a loss for words. He slumps back in his chair,
looks around the factory.
His factory.
PO5 Credits
2 INT. SARAH’S APARTMENT - KITCHEN - DAY
CLAUDIA holds the phone to her ear with her shoulder as she
puts away the dishes.
CLAUDIA
(on phone)
I know he was trying, Todd. But
sometimes being a good brother means
knowing when to butt out, and Bailey --
he just doesn’t get that part.
(listens)
Yeah, but it’s like he still sees me as
that little girl in overalls who needs
babying.
TODD
If it’s any consolation, I don’t see a
little girl when I look at you.
Claudia beams at this.
TODD (CONT’D)
And I can prove it to you sooner than you
think.
CLAUDIA
(still smiling)
What are you talking about?
TODD
Get this -- my Dad’s got some business in
New York at the end of the month, so
we’ll be able to see each other. Maybe
even fly back home together.
Claudia can hear his smile.
CLAUDIA
Todd, that’s... that’s great.
TODD
Yeah. And that’s not even the best part.
(beat)
I told them.
CLAUDIA
Them? What are you--?
TODD
My parents. About us...the engagement.
Claudia sits down, still holding a plate.
CLAUDIA
Wow, you...? Well, how did they...? I
mean, what did they--?
TODD
Well, they were a little freaked at
first. Duh--they’re parents. But they
know how I feel about you... how we feel
about each other. Now they couldn’t be
happier.
She doesn’t move for a moment as she takes this in. Then she
smiles.
TODD (CONT’D)
Pretty cool, huh?
CLAUDIA
The coolest.
Now she can’t wipe the smile from her face. She sits there,
still holding the plate.
CLAUDIA (CONT’D)
God, I wish my family were half as
supportive as-- Hey, I’m getting a call.
Hold on, okay?
(clicks over)
Hello?
Her smile fades as she finds out who it is.
CLAUDIA (CONT’D)
Look, Bailey -- I don’t have time for any
of your lectures right now, so--
BAILEY
(on phone)
That’s not why I’m calling, okay?
CLAUDIA
Well, whatever it is, make it quick.
BAILEY
Listen, there’s a group of people that
wants to talk to us -- and Jul, Char and
O.
CLAUDIA
What do you mean, a group?
BAILEY
It’s kind of... well, a study.
(beat)
About orphans.
Claudia’s face softens to an unreadable expression.
BAILEY (CONT’D)
Hello?
No answer. Whatever she was expecting to hear, it wasn’t
this.
BAILEY (CONT’D)
Claud, are you...?
CLAUDIA
Yeah. I’m here.
3 INT. BAILEY’S DORM - DAY
COLE enters the dorm to hear the phone ringing. He tosses
his backpack on his bed, picks up the phone
COLE
Yeah --
(listens)
Uh, let me see if he’s here. Who’s this?
(listens again)
Hold on...
Cole walks over to the bathroom, where he hears the shower
running.
COLE (CONT’D)
(yelling throught the door)
Salinger, you got a call. “Allen’s pain”
or something like that.
BAILEY (O.S.)
Who...? Can you take a message?
COLE
Got it.
Cole walks over and picks up the phone again. He’s about to
speak when...
The bathroom door flies open. Bailey, wrapped in a towel,
rushes over.
BAILEY
Wait! Do you mean “Allen, Paine and
Associates”?
COLE
Whatever.
Bailey shoots him a look, grabs the phone. Cole shrugs and
flops onto his bed.
BAILEY
This is Bailey Salinger.
(listens)
Mr. Hughes, yes. Glad to hear from you.
(listens again)
No, your timing is perfect.
He’s sopping wet, but a smile steals across his face as he
listens.
BAILEY (CONT’D)
Yes, I’m definitely still interested.
He listens again, pumps his fist in excitement.
BAILEY (CONT’D)
That’s fantastic, Mr. Hughes. You don’t
know how much I appreciate this. I--
His face drops a bit.
BAILEY (CONT’D)
Wait, did you...? Junior consultant? I
was applying for --
(listens)
Oh, I see. More experience, huh? But
Mr. Hughes, I did manage--
(listens again)
No, I understand. I, um... Can I get
back to you? I’d like to--
(listens)
Yes. And... thanks again.
It comes out less than enthusiastic. He hangs up. Sighs.
Still sopping wet.
5 INT. SALINGERS' - NIGHT
The place is empty. JOE is behind the bar and CHARLIE is
leaning up against the front door. He gazes out the window,
glances at his watch, then flips the "Open" sign to "Closed."
He locks the deadbolt and walks back into the restaurant.
JOE
First time I can ever remember closing
early.
CHARLIE
It's just 15 minutes, Joe. We're not
going to get a rush of walk-ins.
The look on Joe's face says it all: that's not the point.
JOE
It's just a principle that me and your
Dad used to--
CHARLIE
Hey, Joe?
JOE
Yeah?
Charlie takes a moment, concentrating on a deeper issue:
CHARLIE
When you two opened this place... how old
was he?
JOE
Ummm... Jeez, I'm trying to do the
math... Thirty-one, no, no, twenty...
twenty...
(smiles)
Younger than you.
CHARLIE
But he knew. He knew exactly what he
wanted and he went out there and did it.
And he worked hard at it because he loved
it. It wasn't just a job to him. It was
about pride, right?
Joe's smile broadens. That's exactly what he needed to hear.
JOE
You remind me of him a lot.
CHARLIE
That's what makes it so hard. Because...
I look at the front door, and I don't see
his name there anymore. I see mine.
JOE
Your Dad always wanted to hear you say
just that very thing.
CHARLIE
Joe, you're not... The love of the job
and the pride and all that? I’ve got it,
I do. I feel it every day, but...
(beat)
...it's not behind that name on the door.
Joe's smile fades, and his face becomes a twisted knot of
confusion.
JOE
Charlie, c'mon. Whaddya talkin' about?
CHARLIE
I have a business, Joe. A business that
makes me feel all those things Dad felt
about this restaurant. And and bad as he
wanted this place and as hard as he
worked... you're right. I am like him
that way. But I want all that stuff for
my factory.
The look on Joe's face softens.
JOE
Charlie, I'll tell ‘ya--
CHARLIE
I have one of those real estate lawyers
coming to look at the restaurant.
Joe takes a look around, lets this sink in.
JOE
(nodding)
What can I say, Charlie?
(beat)
Sell it.
6 INT. APARTMENT BUILDING - LAUNDRY ROOM - NIGHT
GRIFFIN and JULIA are taking their clothes out of large
dryers. Griffin’s tossing his clothes in his basket.
Julia’s neatly folding hers before placing them in her
basket.
GRIFFIN
So who are these people anyway?
JULIA
Bailey said they’re with some psychology
journal. We’ve probably never even heard
of ‘em.
(beat)
It’s gonna be sort of weird -- talking
about the accident with strangers.
Griffin watches her as she speaks, but she doesn’t notice.
Just continues her folding.
JULIA (CONT’D)
I mean, whenever any of us needed to talk
about it, we always kind of turned to
each other, you know?
GRIFFIN
That always worked out okay, right?
JULIA
(continues folding)
I guess. But maybe that was wrong --
keeping it to ourselves. I mean, what if
there were answers out there? Things
that would make us feel -- I don’t know --
more okay about it. But we never knew
about them because we never asked.
GRIFFIN
I don’t know, Jul. You really think
anything couldn’ve made it better?
Julia thinks about this.
JULIA
Maybe not.
GRIFFIN
So then... I don’t understand why you’re
doing this.
(off her look)
Seems like you’re opening yourself up to
all those things that hurt you before.
JULIA
They still hurt, Griffin.
GRIFFIN
(softly)
That’s not what I meant.
JULIA
(manages a small smile)
I know. You’re trying to protect me.
And I love you for it.
(beat, smile fading)
But if we can help people by doing this --
people who are going through exactly what
we went through -- how can we say no?
7 INT. FACTORY - DAY
CHARLIE is sitting at his desk, going through some paperwork.
He’s graduated from his usual wardrobe of flannel shirts to a
crisp, tan button-down Polo. It’s topped off with a brown
and tan striped tie -- which is driving him crazy and every
few seconds he tugs it sideways, trying to get comfortable.
No dice.
LUKE enters, carrying a stack of papers.
LUKE
(eyeing Charlie, smiling)
Hey, hey. Check you out. Pretty sharp,
man. What’s the occasion?
CHARLIE
(another tug on the tie)
Meeting.
Quickly back to his paperwork.
LUKE
New client?
CHARLIE
Naw. Just some legal stuff I gotta go
over.
One more tug and the tie is history. Charlie crumples it
into a small pile on the far corner of his desk. Goes back
to shuffling paperwork around. Luke looks slightly amused.
LUKE
Oh. Well, just need your John Hancock on
these when you get a chance.
He waves the stack of papers.
CHARLIE
(looking up, squinting)
Huh?
LUKE
Paychecks.
Luke glances around for a free spot on Charlie’s desk.
LUKE (CONT’D)
Where do you want ‘em?
CHARLIE
(waving his hand)
My inbox.
The paper there could rival the Leaning Tower. On second
thought...
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Never mind. Here.
He puts out a hand and takes the checks. Places them in
front of him and starts signing.
LUKE
Thanks.
The phone rings. Charlie rolls his eyes and picks it up,
holding it with his shoulder.
CHARLIE
This is Charlie--
(listens)
Yeah, what’s up, Jul?
JULIA
Hey, Charlie. Listen, do you have a sec?
I was thinking about--
CHARLIE
Look, Jul -- is it important? ‘Cause I’m
kinda busy right now, and--
JULIA
But it’ll just take a minute, Charlie.
See I was thinking about that study
Bailey talked to us about -- you know,
the orphan thing. And I know how busy
you are, but I--
CHARLIE
Jul, c’mon -- I’ve got like a million
things going on here. We’ll talk about
it later, okay?
JULIA
But Charlie--
CHARLIE
I gotta go.
He hangs up, returns his attention to his paperwork. Doesn’t
give it another thought.
8 INT. FELICIA’S OFFICE - DAY
KIRSTEN is on the couch, intermittently glancing around the
room and at her watch. She’s not aware that she’s tapping
her right foot rapidly, nervously -- but FELICIA is.
FELICIA
Perhaps he got tied up at work... maybe
with a last minute phone call?
Yeah, right. Kirsten glances at her watch.
FELICIA (CONT’D)
And I know traffic’s been really horrible
the last few weeks with that construction
out on Market. He’s probably just stuck
in that.
Kirsten nods, flashes a perfunctory smile. She knows better.
9 INT. SALINGERS’ RESTAURANT - DAY
A sea of empty tables, save for a handful near the bar.
KENDALL stands at the host table, leafing through the
reservation book as the phone rings.
KENDALL
(picking up)
Salingers’. -- Hey, Bailey. How’s it
going? -- The lunch crowd?
(laughs slightly)
There’s an oxymoron. I only wish... --
Charlie? No, he hasn’t been by.
BAILEY
(on phone)
Huh. ‘Cause I called the factory and
couldn’t get him there, either. Any idea
where he could be?
KENDALL
Actually, isn’t he meeting with the real
estate guy today?
BAILEY
The real estate guy.
KENDALL
About the restaurant.
(to himself, thinking)
Or is that tomorrow?
BAILEY
Wait -- what’s going on?
10 INT. CHARLIE'S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM - DAY
JULIA is on the couch reading a book while STEWIE is fast
asleep in a playpen.
The front door opens and KIRSTEN walks in. She plops her
purse down, hangs her head, and lets out a long sigh.
JULIA
(whispering)
Hey, Kirsten. He's been down for about
an hour and-- Are you... are you
alright?
Kirsten spins around, becoming aware of Julia for the first
time.
KIRSTEN
What? Oh, Julia. No I... It's just one
of those days.
There's something about her tone and mannerisms that doesn't
quite convince Julia.
JULIA
Okay, well, Stewie's probably going to
sleep for another hour or so. I can stay
and watch him if you want to take a hot
bath or something.
KIRSTEN
Don't bother. It's okay.
JULIA
Are you sure? 'Cause you seem a
little...
KIRSTEN
Julia, please. I'm fine.
Still not all that convincing.
JULIA
Okay, but if you change your mind--
KIRSTEN
Julia!
That wakes Stewie, and he lets out a cry from the playpen.
Kirsten and Julia share a guilty, awkward glance.
JULIA
Look, I'm sorry. I only wanted to...
I'll just get going.
Kirsten picks Stewie up from the playpen. Cuddles him. His
cries dry up.
KIRSTEN
No, it's my fault. I'm just a little on
edge.
Now this sounds sincere.
JULIA
I didn't mean to push or anything. You
just looked a little... Anyway, I'm glad
you're here ‘cause... do you know where
Charlie is? I really need to talk to him
but he's just been blowing me off. So if
I can find him...
Julia trails off as she notices Kirsten hugging Stewie close,
tears streaming down her cheeks.
11 INT. JULIA’S APARTMENT - EVENING
JULIA is on the couch. She’s reading through a packet of
papers, making pencil marks here and there when the phone
rings.
JULIA
(picking up)
Hello? -- Oh, hey Bay. I-- What’s
that? -- No, I tried talking to him
earlier, but you know how Charlie is...
BAILEY
God, I’ve left like fifty messages. What
-- he’s too busy to pick up a phone for
five seconds?
JULIA
Maybe we should cut him a little slack,
okay? He’s... he’s kind of going through
some stuff right now, and--
BAILEY
Look, Jul -- you don’t have to be so
secretive, okay? I know all about the
“stuff.” Oh, and by the way, thanks for
not telling me yourself.
JULIA
What? I just found out myself, so how
could I--? Wait, Charlie told you?
BAILEY
Of course not. Kendall told me. Helluva
way to find out, huh?
JULIA
But how does Kendall know?
BAILEY
For God’s sake, Jul -- he manages the
place. You don’t think he’d know if it
was up for sale?
JULIA
For sale? You mean, the restaurant?
BAILEY
Isn’t that what we’ve been-- Wait, are
you saying... you didn’t know?
No response from Julia.
BAILEY (CONT’D)
Then what were you talking about?
12 INT. CHARLIE’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
CHARLIE walks in carrying food -- a fast food bag for him and
Meow Mix for the cat. The cat greets him by rubbing up
against his leg.
CHARLIE
(to cat)
It ain’t workin’, Zig. The more hair you
put on my leg, the less food you get in
your bowl.
He sets the bags down, rips open the cat food. Pours it in
Ziggy’s bowl. Pets him. So much for the tough guy act.
The phone rings.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
(on phone)
Hello? -- Hey, Bay. How’s it--?
What’s that? -- Look, would you slow
down?
BAILEY
(on phone)
I should be asking you that.
CHARLIE
What are you talking about?
BAILEY
Look, Charlie, I know the last thing you
need is me getting on your case here,
but... God, couldn’t you have told me how
bad things were?
CHARLIE
What? Look, Bay, no offense -- but it’s
kind of none of your business.
BAILEY
Oh, that’s great, Charlie.
CHARLIE
And even if I told you, there’s nothing
you could’ve done. What’s the point in
worrying you about this when we’re sorta
out of options here?
BAILEY
Come on, Charlie. You can’t be serious.
CHARLIE
Look, you’re not here, okay? You don’t
know how bad things have been lately.
BAILEY
Yeah, but it’s not like you guys haven’t
worked stuff out before, right?
A confused look sweeps across Charlie’s face.
BAILEY (CONT’D)
I mean, I know this isn’t easy, but--
CHARLIE
Wait, what are you...? Are you talking
about--?
BAILEY
You and Kirsten.
CHARLIE
Oh. I thought--
(shakes his head)
Forget it.
BAILEY
Wait -- you thought I was talking about
the restaurant?
CHARLIE
Actually, yeah.
BAILEY
I know about that, too. But c’mon --
family comes first, right?
Charlie hears the concern in his brother’s voice. All at
once realizes this isn’t a lecture. Not even close.
CHARLIE
I guess it does.
BAILEY
Okay. So... talk to me.
Charlie takes a breath and sits down.
13 INT. CHARLIE’S HOUSE - DAY
KIRSTEN sprays furniture polish on the wood table in the
dining room. Carefully wipes the rich oak with a cloth.
Circling slowly, thoughtfully. After a moment she finishes
and continues on to the living room. She’s wiping the dust
from an end table, when she notices:
CHARLIE through the window.
He’s standing at the edge of the garden, looking down at a
small clump of yellow flowers. Completely lost in thought.
He crouches down and picks a single flower. Holds it up,
staring at it.
Kirsten cautiously opens the door and slips outside quietly.
Charlie’s too captivated by his flower to notice. Kirsten
timidly approaches.
KIRSTEN
I love the first blooms of spring.
Charlie’s head snaps in her direction.
CHARLIE
Huh?
KIRSTEN
The flowers.
CHARLIE
Oh.
(looks at the flower in his
hand)
Actually... they’re not flowers.
KIRSTEN
(tilting her head)
What?
CHARLIE
We had these all over the place back at
the old house.
(beat)
One time, when I was a kid, I picked a
bunch of them and tied ‘em together with
a little string.
(smiling wistfully)
I brought them to my Mom, you know, in
this perfect little bouquet. I couldn’t
wait to surprise her.
KIRSTEN
(softly)
That’s really sweet, Charlie. I’m sure
she loved them.
CHARLIE
Yeah, she did. But then later my dad
told me they weren’t flowers at all --
they were weeds. I felt so stupid.
Tosses the flower down, his smile vanishing. Looks directly
at Kirsten.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Funny, huh? That something I thought was
so beautiful, so special... turned out to
be something else entirely.
Kirsten doesn’t respond. He’ll never let go of this, will
he?
Charlie pulls some papers out of his back pocket. Hands them
to her.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Here. Tax papers. If you could just
look these over and sign them, I’ll pick
them up later.
And then he’s gone.
A beat.
Kirsten bends down and scoops up the discarded flower, her
eyes filled with tears.
14 EXT. UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA CAMPUS - DAY
Bailey is walking on one of the paths through the quad. He's
holding a manual that's about the size of a phone book --
flipping pages, making little checks here and there.
Bailey's spending too much attention on the book, and he
walks into the person in front of him. It's Professor
Goodwin.
PROFESSOR GOODWIN
Oh, I'm sor--
BAILEY
Are you oka--
PROFESSOR GOODWIN
Oh, Bailey. How are you?
BAILEY
Fine, fine. You sure you're okay?
PROFESSOR GOODWIN
Of course.
(sees the book)
If only you paid such close attention to
the required reading. What is that?
Bailey flips the books shut. Holds it up with a small grunt.
BAILEY
Job listings. They tell you what
companies hired grads from here in the
past.
Professor Goodwin nods slightly.
PROFESSOR GOODWIN
Well, that's certainly one way to go.
BAILEY
Tell me about it. I'm 0 for 3 so far,
and all these listings...
(beat)
Wait, you don't think looking in here's a
good idea?
PROFESSOR GOODWIN
The job market's changing, Bailey.
Having a degree used to put you at the
top of the list. Now, everybody and
their Uncle has a degree. So, companies
started looking for candidates with
practical experience. That's what they
really want now. And how old is that
book? Chances are, most of those grads
had no experience.
BAILEY
But, see, I got that. I have experience.
PROFESSOR GOODWIN
You...? Really?
BAILEY
Yeah.
PROFESSOR GOODWIN
From where? If you don't mind my asking.
BAILEY
I managed my family's business for a
year.
PROFESSOR GOODWIN
That's exactly what will put you back at
the top of the list. What kind of
business is it?
BAILEY
Restaurant. My family's restaurant.
PROFESSOR GOODWIN
Oh...
Bailey doesn't like the sound of this.
BAILEY
What, is that... is that bad or
something?
PROFESSOR GOODWIN
No, no, not if you put the right spin on
it.
BAILEY
Spin? It's not like I was working in the
coal mines.
The professor chuckles.
PROFESSOR GOODWIN
Well, here's the funny thing about a lot
of the CEO's and presidents of consulting
and investment companies: they got their
start from restaurants. Buying them,
owning them, running them. They built up
a fortune and moved on. Only problem is,
when they see someone who also has that
experience, they get scared. Figure
you'll become their rival one day.
Bailey lets this sink in.
BAILEY
So they, I mean, they started all these
companies...
(taps the book)
...off of restaurants?
PROFESSOR GOODWIN
Most of them, yes.
BAILEY
So how'd they... How'd they get that to
work? How'd they do it?
PROFESSOR GOODWIN
You've taken my class, Bailey. You
should be able to figure that out on your
own
15 INT. JULIA’S APARTMENT - EVENING
JULIA is in the kitchen making dinner... so to speak. A
cookbook lies open in front of her. GRIFFIN sits at the
counter, watching.
GRIFFIN
You, uh, need a hand there?
JULIA
No, no. I told you I want to do this.
Something on the counter catches Griffin’s attention -- a
magazine.
JULIA (CONT’D)
You’ve made dinner like every night this
week, so this is the least I can--
(looking at the cookbook)
Oh my God -- I need capers for this.
GRIFFIN
Since when do you read Knitting World?
JULIA
I don’t have capers.
(looks at Griffin)
What did you say?
He holds up the magazine, gives her a puzzled look.
JULIA (CONT’D)
Oh, Mrs. Dufrese. She must’ve forgotten
to give them her forwarding address.
Griffin puts the magazine back next to some letters. Julia
opens the frig and starts rummaging through.
JULIA (CONT’D)
(looking through the frig)
You think we can use green olives
instead?
Griffin picks up the top letter.
GRIFFIN
What’s this?
JULIA
What’s what?
GRIFFIN
This letter... from Stanford.
This gets Julia’s attention. Forget the capers.
JULIA
What?
GRIFFIN
You haven’t opened it yet.
JULIA
My God, that’s probably about my
application.
GRIFFIN
Cool. So open it.
Julia takes the letter, looks at it.
JULIA
You think it’s good news?
(off Griffin’s look)
Okay, okay.
She opens it, retrieves the letter. Griffin watches her eyes
move from the left to the right of the letter, over and over.
GRIFFIN
So...?
JULIA
(deadpan)
I’m in.
GRIFFIN
That’s great!
She stands frozen for a beat, letting it sink in.
GRIFFIN (CONT’D)
(no so sure)
Right?
She starts to smile. Big. Oh yeah.
JULIA
I’m in!
Griffin hugs her, picks her up off the ground and gives her a
twirl.
JULIA (CONT’D)
Griffin, wow! I’m...
(really thinking about it)
I’m...in.
16 EXT. CHARLIE’S APARTMENT. - EVENING
CHARLIE walks up to his apartment building to find JULIA
sitting on the steps, a large pizza on her lap. She stands up
quickly when he arrives, holding the pizza out, smiling.
Charlie just shakes his head.
CHARLIE
(smiling)
Trying to bribe me with pizza, now? Is
that the plan?
JULIA
Whatever works.
CHARLIE
(motioning)
Come on in, Jul.
CUT TO:
17 INT. CHARLIE’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Julia and Charlie are sitting at the small dining room table,
eating the pizza.
JULIA
Look, I know the last thing you want to
be thinking about right now is talking to
more counselors, but--
CHARLIE
(his mouth full of pizza)
You got that right.
JULIA
But we can help people, Charlie. I
mean... just think about everything we
went through.
How hard it was when we lost Mom and Dad,
and how confusing our lives were.
Honestly... sometimes I don’t know how we
made it this far.
CHARLIE
(sighing)
Sometimes I don’t even know where ‘this
far’ is.
JULIA
Come on, Char. Look how much you’ve
accomplished in just, like, what... not
even ten years? You managed to get me,
Bay and Claud through school. You kept
Salingers’ going, started your own
business, and you have an amazing family.
(off his look)
Okay, so I know things haven’t been the
easiest a lot of the time, but that’s the
point. We had to do it on our own. We
didn’t have anyone to help us. But think
how much easier it would have been if we
did. If we’d talked about it.
CHARLIE
I just don’t see how talking to a bunch
of strangers is going to help, Jul. And
I’m not sure I like the idea of Owen
having to go through this. He’s just a
kid. He doesn’t even remember them.
JULIA
But don’t you see? Talking about all of
it, sharing things with Owen -- it might
be the best thing for him.
CHARLIE
Yeah, well... maybe I don’t see it that
way.
JULIA
How can you say that after what he just
went through? All that stuff about not
feeling like he belongs to anyone?
CHARLIE
That’s exactly my point. C’mon, Jul --
after what the four of us went through,
you really think it’s such a bad thing
that Owen missed out?
(shakes his head)
I thank God every day that he did.
JULIA
But he’s getting older, Charlie. He’s
going to start asking questions. And I
know you’re the only dad he’s even known,
but... don’t you want him to know Mom and
Dad, too?
(beat)
I mean, why do you think it’s so hard for
us to accept? Still -- nine years later?
It’s because we loved them, Charlie. And
we loved them because we knew them.
(beat)
But don’t you see? By protecting Owen,
we’re not letting him know how wonderful
they were. Don’t you think he deserves
to know that?
She looks directly at him, her expression begging him to just
think about it.
18 INT. BAILEY’S DORM ROOM - NIGHT
Darkness, save for the light from the window. BAILEY and
MARIA lie in bed, her head nestled on his chest, his arm
around her.
BAILEY
It’s kinda weird -- you’ll finally be
meeting my family.
MARIA
What’s so weird about it?
BAILEY
Nothin’, it’s just... now you can confirm
all those stories I told you about ‘em.
She smiles briefly, but doesn’t look up.
MARIA
Meeting the boyfriend’s family... it’s
usually a big step.
BAILEY
Yeah.
MARIA
So... is that how you see this? As a
step?
Good question. Bailey considers it...
BAILEY
Not sure.
Not exactly the answer Maria was looking for. Then--
MARIA
I, uh... got an offer.
Bailey looks down at her, and she looks up.
MARIA (CONT’D)
A job offer.
BAILEY
(sits up)
What? When did this...?
MARIA
Yesterday. Penguin Publishing -- the one
I wanted.
BAILEY
That’s...that’s the one in New York?
She nods.
BAILEY (CONT’D)
Why didn’t you tell me?
MARIA
I don’t know. I guess I wasn’t sure if
it was good news yet.
(off his confused look)
I mean, we really haven’t talked about --
you know -- what’s going to happen after
graduation... with us, I mean.
BAILEY
I know.
Maria waits for more. Instead, he lies back, places his arm
around her once again. She says nothing, again nestles her
head on his chest.
Their silence speaking volumes.
Cast your vote about tonight's episode in this week's weekly poll:
http://thesalingerspo5.homestead.com/ep20poll.html
Read and post messages about tonight's episode...
PO5
"7th Season" Yahoo Club
"The
Salingers" Delphi Forum
