Love & Death (2023) s01e03 Episode Script

Stepping Stone

1
("DON'T LET ME BE MISUNDERSTOOD"
BY NINA SIMONE PLAYING)
Baby, you understand me now ♪
If sometimes you see that I'm mad? ♪
Don't you know no one alive
can always be an angel? ♪
When everything goes
wrong, you see some bad ♪
But, oh, I'm just a soul
whose intentions are good ♪
Oh, Lord, please don't
let me be misunderstood ♪
Doo, doo, doo ♪
Oh, oh-oh-oh baby, I'm just human ♪
Don't you know I have
faults like anyone? ♪
Sometimes, I find myself alone ♪
Regretting some little foolish thing ♪
Some simple thing that I've done ♪
'Cause I'm just a soul ♪
Whose intentions are good ♪
Oh, Lord, please don't
let me be misunderstood ♪
Doo, doo ♪
Don't let me be misunderstood ♪
I try so hard ♪
So please don't let
me be misunderstood ♪
-
- (SONG FADES OUT)
("I'VE GOTTA GET A MESSAGE TO
YOU" BY THE BEE GEES PLAYING)
The preacher talked
to me and he smiled ♪
Said, come and walk with me ♪
Come and walk one more mile ♪
(SONG CONTINUES ON RADIO)
Now, for once in your life ♪
You're alone ♪
But, you ain't got a dime ♪
There's no time for the phone ♪
I've just gotta get a message to you ♪
- Hold on ♪
- (UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING)
- IAN (MUFFLED): Mom?
- Hold on ♪
- (CLEARER): Mom?
- (UNSETTLING MUSIC STOPS)
- (RADIO CONTINUES)
- Present.
What?
Well, like when the teacher calls
roll call, you say "present."
Mom is ready, so reportin' to duty.
How come you only have one sock on?
I couldn't find the other one.
Well, you can't go to school like that.
I told him I'm in no hurry ♪
- (CLICKS RADIO OFF)
- (SIGHS)
Mom, can Alisa come over
Friday for a sleepover again?
Yeah, if it's okay with her mom, sure.
Sweetie, are we not
combing our hair now,
or is this just a new fashion
thing that they got by me?
I combed it.
Oh. Well, maybe we have ourselves
a wind tunnel in the house.
Why don't you go back and
comb it again, please?
What kind of mother
will people think I am
if you are a mop-head and
your brother's half sockless?
Alisa said you worry too much
about what other people think.
Excuse me?
Alisa said that? Now why
would she say that?

ALLAN: She's never said that to me.
CANDY: Well, she must have
got it from somebody,
so that leaves Betty.
ALLAN: I've never heard Betty say that.
CANDY: I know she doesn't like me.
ALLAN: What are you talking about?
CANDY: I get a feelin'.
ALLAN: Betty adores you, Candy.
You think she'd be trusting you
to look after our kids if she
(ALLAN SIGHS)
Th-The feeling you're
getting is just her usual
depression stuff.
CANDY: Yeah, how is that goin'?
ALLAN: Well, much better, actually.
This Marriage Encounter was
was really a miracle.
What exactly do they do there?
Well, mostly get us to talk
about our feelings and
Well, they're big into writing
everything down in a notebook.
Sounds a little silly.
I know. That's, that's what
we thought at first, too,
but it it really works.
For the first time in I
don't know how long
(CANDY SIGHS)
we were unflinchingly
honest with each other.
Exactly how unflinchingly
honest could you be, Allan?
Well, except for that.
And it was an issue for me.
Betty would bring up sex
and my lack of interest.
And I'd go quiet.
I couldn't exactly say
I was less interested in sex
because I was having it
with Candy Montgomery.
We finally opened up to each other.
Well, that's good.
I'm glad.
So where does that leave us?
Well, it doesn't necessarily change
the way I feel about you.
But I do feel strongly
that I should be
giving my full resources to my family.
And my relationship with you
is taking away some of my
emotional availability and
energy and attention that I
could be directing towards
Betty a-and, and the kids.
So you don't wanna see me anymore?
I don't know. Yeah.
They said an awful lot of things
at, at the Encounter, but
they never said you couldn't
see someone else.
Allan, you seem to be
leaving it up to me,
so I'm just deciding.
I'm not gonna call.
I'm not gonna try to see you.
I ju I won't bother you anymore.
Okay.
Ok (LAUGHS) Wow.
Well, you certainly unleashed
your feelings there. (LAUGHS)
Well, I'm not sure how
you want me to respond.
Do you remember what you told me?
That the days you spent
with me at the Como,
that they were the only
hours of your week
where you didn't feel responsible
for other people's emotions.
Meaning Betty.
The burden of making her happy.
The burden of keeping
her from being miserable.
Now, have you ever
felt any responsibility for my emotions?
Do you now?
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(NERVOUS LAUGH, STAMMER)
Candy, uh
Yeah
Ah. (SOFTLY): Okay.
(CANDY SCOFFS)
(CANDY SIGHS)
(ALLAN SIGHS)
- (BIRDS CHIRPING)
- (CANDY SCOFFING)
("BABY I'M BURNIN'" BY DOLLY
PARTON PLAYING ON CAR RADIO)
Baby, I'm burnin' out of control ♪
Baby, I'm burnin' ♪
Body and soul ♪
Hot as a pistol ♪
That's flamin' desire ♪
Baby, I'm burnin',
you got me on fire ♪
(HONKING)
You realize that every
time you feel a hole,
- you paint the kitchen?
- Wha
That's not true.
Okay, fine. Maybe it's a little true,
but also, you know, it is good therapy.
- Well, it looks really good.
- Thank you.
I keep saying that we should
start our own business.
There's a lot of people in Wylie
that are looking to remake their lives,
and some of which would settle
for a spiffier breakfast nook.
CANDY: You know, it's not even
like I'm gonna miss the sex.
It's the friendship.
Allan's been like my best friend.
Um, hello? What about me?
CANDY: I just wish I could
talk like that with Pat.
Okay, I'm serious.
Why don't we start our own business?
At a minimum, it'll get us out
into other people's kitchens.
That's where the real life
happens anyway, right?
- Kitchens?
- God, I'm feelin' angry.
You know, I don't necessarily
want him, but
I don't like feeling rejected.
You're gonna have to put that in
the fridge, honey, for it to keep.
Or the garage.
The garage is nice and cool.
Why does it have to stay cool?
Oh, the weather this warm,
I'm afraid it'll rot,
and we still have two whole
weeks before Halloween.
(BABY COOS)
(WINCES)
Ow

DR. LASK: I think it's just
a benign fibrous mass.
You can't possibly know
that. Not for sure.
Betty, this is likely harmless.
How dare you be impatient
with me. It could be cancer.
I don't think it is.
But you can't know that!
I actually can know it.
It's my business to know it.
And the mammogram confirms it.
So it's nothing?
DR. STEIN: It's a mass, yes.
But it's benign.
You should stop taking birth control
and also control your caffeine intake.
It could be from drinking
too much coffee?
DR. STEIN: Betty, you're fine.
Honey, I'm just saying that you
were Luke Skywalker last year,
and there are other
characters in "Star Wars."
JENNY: No, he wears a mask
for the other characters.
- He gets claustrophobia.
- IAN: Nuh-uh!
- JENNY: You puked in your Batman mask!
- CANDY: Hey.
- IAN: No, I didn't!
- CANDY: All right! Okay!
(CHILDREN LAUGHING)
IAN: Jenny! Wait your turn!
JENNY: Okay!
Thank you.
- Thank you.
- IAN: Wait up!
JENNY: Ian, stop following me!
- (SIGHS)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(CHILDREN LAUGH, CHATTER)
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

(SIGHS)
(SHUTS LUNCH BOXES)
(SLAMS THERMOSES)
(PHONE RINGING)
- Hello?
- CANDY (ON PHONE): Hey!
Candy?
Sorry. I know I promised
that, that I wouldn't call,
but this is just for, for some advice.
I'm sorry. Bad manners. (LAUGHS)
Um
How are you?
Uh, I'm, I'm good. Good. How are you?
You don't sound great.
Well, I said good, not
great. (QUIET LAUGH)
What's the matter?
ALLAN (ON PHONE): Betty found
a lump in her right breast.
Oh.
She's fine. At least that's what
the doctors are telling her.
She's already been to two.
I'm sure she's looking for a third.
They think it's benign,
but she's a wreck.
Well, I should go over there.
Is she home now?
She is, but, uh, but you don't have to.
No, I should
I should go check on her.
If it were me, I
ALLAN: You're a good friend, Candy.
(BRAKES CREAK)
CANDY: Betty.
- BETTY: Hi!
- Hi.
I just heard and I know in my heart
- that you're fine.
- Oh.
- Thank you.
- (SOFTY): Oh.
BETTY: Thank you so much.
- You have nothin' to worry about.
- Oh!
- I hope you're right.
- Hey, now, you listen to me.
Doctors are so scared
today about bein' sued
that if you go to them
with a growth of any kind,
the last thing they're gonna do
is say, "Go home, it's nothin',"
unless they are pretty
damn sure it's nothin'.
- I am sure that you're right.
- Hmm.
How did you find out?
Oh, Allan told me.
- Allan did?
- Yeah, he was concerned.
I mean, you know how
worried husbands can get.
Oh, wait. No, I got that wrong.
Husbands never worry enough.
(LAUGHS) Oh, that's it.
(CAR HORN HONKS)
Oh, well, you didn't have to
drive all the way down here.
But I cannot tell you how much
it means to me that you did.
These doctors, they think (CHUCKLES)
I am the biggest hypochondriac!
They tell me it's nothing,
convince me it's all in my head,
then write me prescriptions
for anxiety and depression,
of which I'm on a gazillion.
- Hi, honey!
- ALLAN: Hi.
Can you believe Candy drove
all the way down here?
She is just the sweetest.
- You feeling better?
- Yes.
(BETTY SIGHS)
Yes. She helped lasso my
runaway brain. (CHUCKLES)
(SIGHS) Oh, look at us
making you stand out here.
- Come in, come in.
- Oh, no! No, no, no.
I gotta get back and make dinner.
- It's Meatball Tuesday.
- (ALL LAUGH)
This is just one of those hug-and-runs,
now that I see that you're fine.
- And you are.
- Yes.
Walk Candy to her car,
- would you, sweetheart?
- Sure.
- Thank you again so much.
- Mm.
Oh, and let's get the kids together
for some trick-or-treating.
CANDY: Sure, yeah.
Perfect. I'll call you!
BETTY: Okay.
That is not the same person.
You're saying Marriage
Encounter did that?
I'm telling you, she's
like a flower blossoming.
Yeah, and she was actually warm.
Oh, sorry. I didn't
I didn't mean to
- Yes, you did.
- (LAUGHS)
(LAUGHS) But it's all right.
You're not wrong.
- But now, she's
- Just like a normal person.
Hey, do you think that Pat and I
should get into Marriage Encounter?
'Cause that's actually
why I called earlier.
- Well, I'm not sure. Uh
- Well, I gotta try somethin'.
He doesn't know how to communicate.
The thing is Marriage Encounter
is definitely not for couples
who are having serious problems.
From, from what you told me
about your feelings for Pat
I-I do love him.
- ALLAN: Yeah.
- Yeah.
But it really I-It worked for you.
So far.
So far, it's really worked.
She insists on doing th-the
homework every night.
(MUTED): The dialog sessions,
the, the love letters.
She wants to become a, a
group leader in the area.

- Very committed.
- (CANDY LAUGHS)
Well, that's good.
But, uh, thank you for checking on her.
CANDY (MUTED, FADING):
Yeah. It was good to see you.
ALLAN (MUTED, FADING):
Good to see you, too. All right.
(DOGS BARKING)
(INSECTS CHIRPING)
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)

My pleasure.
You're all very special people.
- Thank you. We're coming back.
- Mm-hmm.
Oh, well, in that case,
I'll double our insurance.
- (PAT LAUGHS)
- (SITCOM AUDIENCE LAUGHTER)
- So long.
- So long.
- Bye.
- So long.
- Good bye.
- Bye-bye.
- Bye.
- Thanks for everything.
Yes. Wonderful.
- So long.
- (AUDIENCE LAUGHTER)
Well, what's your prediction?
WOMAN: Oh, definite marriage.
Think they'll have children?
MAN: Whether they want to or not.
- (LAUGHTER)
- (SHUTS OFF TV)
Hey.
I was watching that.
Yes, I can see that
you were watching that.
I bet you'd love to be a
passenger on The Love Boat,
wouldn't you, Pat?
Well, guess what? So would I.
I feel like I'm in trouble.
- I don't know why.
- I wanna go to Marriage Encounter.
What?
Mm-hmm. It's not just the Garlingtons.
Allan and Betty.
Betty, I mean, she's just like
a whole new person. It's
- It's a cult though, Candy.
- (CANDY LAUGHS)
It's not a cult!
- Wh
- And even if it is
Why are we here, Pat?
And I-I don't mean on the sofa.
I mean on Earth.
- Yeah.
- Why are we here?
(PAT STAMMERS)
That's a huge question, Candy.
And I'd like an answer. Your answer.
Well, I mean
- why is a tree here?
- (CLICKS TONGUE)
What?
You know how I hate you answering
my questions with questions.
- Yeah, I have (LAUGHS)
- Why is a tree here?
- Seriously?
- Look, I, I Candy.
I'm not going to have
this cosmic grasp
that you're looking for, I think,
but a tree, it, it grows its roots.
It sprouts fruit.
The fruit spreads its seeds,
and then more trees grow,
and it goes on and on like that.
And I-I don't think we're
much different, you know?
We grow our roots. We raise our kids.
I think that's a-a good
reason to be here.
Or anywhere. I
Well, what's your answer?
What Why are you here? (CHUCKLES)
I don't know.
(SIGHS)
You know
- you always want more.
- Oh. (CHUCKLING)
You do, Candy. Whatever you have,
- you always want more.
- Yes, I do.
I do want more.
And I'm not gonna apologize for it.
I want more from me. From you. From us.
You want to go to Marriage Encounter?
- Mm-hmm.
- (PAT SIGHS)
Okay. Let's go.
(DEEP INHALE)
(EXHALE)
CANDY: So, he has agreed,
and we're gonna just give it a try.
- This is great.
- Well, you know, it's hopeful,
and every day should have a
sprinkle of hope in it, so
You should put that
- in one of your Sunday parables.
- Oh. (CHUCKLES)
SHERRY: "Every day should
have a sprinkle of hope."
- That is lovely.
- And you know what else?
And this could be the best part of all.
Just that Pat is willing to try,
I don't find myself
thinking of Allan as much.
And when I do, the first thing
that comes to my mind
is that his eyes are too close together.
That's what I've been sayin'.
Here's my new mantra.
It's called, "rediscover me."
With my marriage, with our new business.
Oh, and I thought of the
perfect name already.
- (SHERRY GASPS)
- The Covergirls.
- The Covergirls.
- It's what we do, right?
I paint, you wallpaper. The Covergirls.
I love it. "We got you covered."
Yes. (CHUCKLES)
Aw, and thank you,
Sherry girl, for covering me.
- Oh.
- (TAPS ARM)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
So that's, that's that's
10 windows, and price per.
Plus saving time on construction, right?
(CHATTER CONTINUES,
POWER TOOLS WHIRRING)
CANDY: Don Crowder!
Church grounds on a weekday?
My, my, whose wrath
have you doth incurred?
Just my normal pillar and
beacon of the community stuff.
Trying to figure out
some budget challenges.
Yeah, buildings and maintenance.
That's why I'm here.
Let's see.
What's this?
Now, if you're serious
about sprucing up the parsonage,
Sherry Cleckler and I have started
a new little boutique home
improvement business.
It's mostly paint and polish,
but it's good work
at a price you won't beat.
- Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.
I'll, I'll certainly consider it.
CANDY: And references upon request.
Well, how would you have
references if you just started?
(SOFTLY): Why, Ron, I make 'em up.
I'll leave you to your
pillaring and beaconing.
You wanna get in tighter
with the congregation,
straightest line might
be Candy Montgomery.
Folks love her.
Yeah. Meaning they don't love me.
Ron, a little friendly advice.
Here at Lucas, people just
wanna raise their kids,
love their family, love God.
Doesn't call for heavy
lifting on your part.
Just don't be a dick.
- (LOBBY CHATTER)
- (SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
- PAT: Oh.
- CANDY: Oh, wow.
- PAT: Huh
- CANDY: Okay
PAT: Is that a moose?
CANDY: Oh. Yep.
(PHONE RINGING)
- CANDY: Should we go check in?
- PAT: Okay.
When you give yourself,
and I mean give all of yourselves,
I'm gonna make it real simple.
When you give, you beget.
(APPROVING MURMURS)
Let's say it all together, shall we?
ALL: When you give,
you beget.
Well done.
And look inside.
How does that make you feel?
- Pat?
- Oh.
(BOTH LAUGH AWKWARDLY)
Should I read yours first?
Okay. Yeah.
- Okay.
- Yes.
"When I think of you "
Now, I'm I'm a mathematician,
- not a writer. So (LAUGHS)
- (CANDY LAUGHS)
Okay.
(PAT CLEARS THROAT)
"When I think of you,
I feel the Earth move."
That is so sweet.
"I feel it under my feet."
Pat
(SOFT LAUGH)
"I feel the sky tumbling down."
(CLOCK TICKING)
Pat, this is a Carole King song.
Uh, she's one of your favorites.
(SCOFFS)
Honey, I told you I'm not a writer.
- Oh, my God!
- They're good words.
No, but they're not your words!
Words are not my thing! I
I love you more than
I could ever express.
More than I could ever write
down in some stupid notebook,
at some stupid cult workshop. I
(SIGHS)
I, I went with Carole King
because you said she always
wrote close to your heart,
and that's where I wanna be.
Close to your heart.
(SOFTLY): Why couldn't
you have put that down?
That was really beautiful.
It was?
Yes.
(SIGHS)
(BOTH LAUGH)
(SIGHS)
I wanna be close to your heart, too.
Why are we here, Candy?
I don't mean on Earth,
I mean at this place, and
(SIGHS)
I
I don't know what you're looking for.
Do you know what you're looking for?
The song "Tapestry" by Carole King.
(PAT SIGHS)
You know, I've listened
to it a zillion times,
and I still have no
idea what it's about,
but it speaks to me just the same.
"My life has been a tapestry
"of rich and royal hue.
A wondrous woven magic."
Now, I haven't a clue
what she's talkin' about
(PAT CHUCKLES)
but I want it.
Yeah, I want it. I-I want my royal hue.

- (SIGHS)
- Oh, honey.
Pat
CANDY: I'm not saying that
it wasn't a little goofy
but, you know, we did connect.
- That's fantastic.
- Yeah.
And we've fallen off
with the assignments.
There's the, uh, daily
10-and-10 and so forth.
What's the daily 10-and-10?
Well, you pick a topic, and you
write about it for 10 minutes,
and then you spend another
10 minutes talking about it.
We did do that for about three days.
But, overall, you know, our sex
life has definitely improved.
And I hardly ever think about
you-know-who's perfectly shaped penis.
- Well, this is all very positive.
- Yeah, I think so.
(PHONE RINGING)
Sorry.
- Hello?
- BETTY (ON PHONE): Candy. Betty Gore.
- Betty, hi! How are you?
- (MOUTHING)
I'm fine.
And I'm told that you are.
Marriage Encounter went well?
I think it did, yes.
BETTY: That is so good.
You know I'm the local Flame leader.
CANDY (ON PHONE):
I, I think I heard that.
Yes, that that's, that's fantastic.
BETTY: Yeah. One of my duties
is I host other couples who
have been Encountered,
and, uh, well, I would love
to have you and Pat over
on, uh, Saturday.
(WHISPERING): She wants
me to come to dinner.
(WHISPERING): No.
And you said yes?
CANDY (ON PHONE):
Well, I felt on the spot.
Well, it's, it's this Saturday?
Yep. What are we gonna do?
I, uh, I-I guess it'll be fine.
Will it be a problem for you?
Oh, I don't know.
(CHUCKLES) It might be.
To see you in that context
might be painful, and
I don't know. What if I
start wanting you again?
(DEEP SIGH)
I'm so sorry, Candy. I feel so guilty
for messing up your life like this.
No, no. You didn't. Maybe
Maybe this is just the best
way for us to move on.
Because Betty and I,
we should be friends,
and maybe this will be
kinda like a good closure.
Yeah. Good. Okay, good. Good. Um
It'll be great. I think it'll be fine.
PAT: The best part is the
capsule will be reusable.
So, I mean, you think of
all the wasted technology
- ALLAN: What a waste.
- PAT: Such a, a waste.
- PAT: This looks delicious.
- CANDY: So delicious.
You know, pot roast is my favorite.
Well, I did know.
Allan let the cat out of the bag.
(CANDY AND PAT CHUCKLE)
CANDY: Mm.
It didn't take you two scientists long
to start talking about
rocket ships and so forth.
No, uh, but actually, we were
talking about something new
- called the space shuttle.
- CANDY: Mm.
Which is a capsule which can
be used for repeated travel.
What did you say, Pat?
A, a couple of years?
1981. Yeah.
Pretty soon, it'll be easier
to go to the moon and Mars
than to get in and out of Dallas.
(GROUP CHUCKLING)
So, you two enjoyed, uh,
you enjoyed the Encounter.
- CANDY: Mm-hmm.
- Mm.
Yeah.
You been keeping up with your 10-and-10?
- Well, we're trying.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
- Mm-hmm.
- CANDY: Yeah. Hm.
- Well, that's wonderful.
That isn't, isn't that wonderful?
It's wonderful. Yeah.
Yeah.
BETTY: Mm!
Candy, I heard about, uh,
you and Sherry Cleckler
are talking about a, uh
rediscovering yourself.
A kind of a "rediscover you."
- Wait, did I hear that correctly?
- Yes, you did.
And what does that entail?
Well, Sherry and I are
starting a business together.
Home improvement.
Oh. (GIGGLES)
And then, I'm still taking my
writers' workshop classes.
I'm actually moving on
to an advanced level.
- (GASPS) That's wonderful.
- Mm-hmm.
Some kind of wonderful.
(CANDY GIGGLES)
You know
sometimes, the best way to
rediscover yourself is to
- look inside you.
- CANDY: Hm.
Deep inside.
That makes sense.
We all have stuff
buried deep within.
Things we never knew were there.
Yep.
Wonderful.
(CUTLERY CLINKING)
SHERRY: My God, you must
have been dyin' inside!
CANDY: A little, but mostly,
I was just bored.
SHERRY: Bored?
At a couples dinner with
your lover, his wife,
- and your husband?
- He is not my lover anymore.
And you know what? The best
part is I was bored with him.
Allan.
I thought that it would
be hard to see him
or that old feelings would bubble up,
but nothin'. It's over.
And Betty, love her to death,
but she's a little weird.
(SCOFFS) You're just
now figurin' that out?
But she's also nice.
You know, she's odd because she's odd,
not because she's mean
or unkind or uncaring.
And I'll tell you somethin' else.
I think she's way more
interesting than Allan.
Why does she have to go to
some lake to study the Bible?
- She could just study it here.
- PAT: Yep.
IAN: Yeah, we have a lot of Bibles.
- Maybe she's really going fishing.
- (UNZIPPING BAG)
(LAUGHS)
Nope. No, she's definitely studying.
Your mother is taking some special time
to further her commitment to our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
And I'm very proud of her.
I think you guys should
be proud of her, too.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
Okay.
It's time for us to pray, right?
- Can we talk after?
- Yeah. Yeah, you can talk after.
ALL: Now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
And if I die before I wake,
I pray to God my soul to take.

(SIGHS)
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(OPENS ENVELOPE)
(FLIPS OVER LETTER)
(SHALLOW BREATHING)
(PANTING)
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING THROUGH SPEAKERS)
- Hey, Pat.
- PAT: Hey.
Uh, can I talk to you for a sec?
It's important.
Sure.
You can just let that dry.
- PAT: Hey. Sorry. Yeah.
- Hi.
Oh, it's okay.
- PAT: Uh
- SHERRY: All right.
Uh
So
- (SHERRY SIGHS)
- I found a love letter
from Allan Gore to Candy.
I was looking for a letter she'd
written me just after we married,
and found a different letter.
Um
I need to know something.
- I know she would tell you.
- (SIGHS)
- Is it over?
- Um
- Pat
- Is it over?
(SIGHS)
It is.
And it won't happen again.
It was just a brief
thing, and, honestly,
it was more friendship than
anything. It was just
It was just a stage that
Candy went through.
We were just over at
their house not long ago.
The Gores, all four of us
She told me, and you know what she said?
She said the best part about that night
was that she felt nothin' for Allan.
That it's over-over.
Pat.
She really loves you.
Candy is a good mother,
and she's a good wife, and
she is a good friend to you.
She just made a mistake.
And it was just a brief thing,
and it, it didn't mean anything.
And it's totally over?
It's been over for a long time.
I wanna talk to Candy
about this in my own way.
I don't want you to tell
her that I talked to you.
- Promise me I can talk to her first.
- I promise.
I promise.
("TURN THE BEAT AROUND" BY
VICKI SUE ROBINSON ON RADIO)
(CANDY SINGING ALONG)
Flute player play your flute ♪
'cause I know that you
want to get your thing off ♪
But you see, I made
up my mind about it ♪
Uh-huh, got to be the
rhythm, no doubt about it ♪
Whoa, whoa! 'Cause
when the guitar player ♪
Starts playing with
the syncopated rhythm ♪
With the scratch, scratch, scratch ♪
Makes me wanna move my body ♪
Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪
And when the drummer
starts beating that beat ♪
He nails that beat with
the syncopated rhythm ♪
With the rat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat ♪
On the drum, hey! ♪
Turn the beat around ♪
- IAN: Mommy!
- PAT: Hey.
- Oh, hey, baby! Hi!
- Hey, Mom!
Hi! Oh, my gosh, you grew!
I thought we had a deal.
No growing when I'm gone.
(LOUD SMOOCHING)
(IAN GIGGLING)
- Hey! Hi!
- JENNY: Hey, Mom.
- Good trip?
- Oh, yeah.
- Yeah, we learned so much.
- (PHONE RINGS)
I-I better not be hearing that
you grew, too, young lady.
Hello?
SHERRY (ON PHONE): It's me.
- Don't change your expression.
- What?
(SIGHS)
Pat found Allan's letter.
What?
SHERRY: He found one
of Allan's love letters,
and he came by the salon this morning
to make sure that the
affair's really over.
And he made me promise not
to tell you that he knows.
So, this is me not telling
you that he knows.

Well, I'll call you later, okay?
- SHERRY: Okay. I'm so sorry.
- Okay. Bye.
(HANGS UP RECEIVER,
LOUD, DISTORTED ECHOING)
- (MUFFLED KIDS CHATTER)
- (ECHOING INHALES)
(HIGH-PITCHED RINGING)
(INHALES)
PAT (ECHOING): Everything all right?
Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah, it's good.
I think I should start fixin' dinner.
And since I have been
gone, it is kids' choice.
- Chef Boyardee!
- Chef Boyardee!
That is my best work.
Straight out of a can.
(GIGGLES)
Raise your hand if you
love Chef Boyardee's.
I do.
PAT: Chef Boiardi is the French
version of Chef Boyardee.
(HEAVY BREATHING)
Come on!
- Come on!
- Come on!
- (OLD YELLER BARKING)
- (TV CONTINUES, INDISTINCT)
KATIE (ON TV): Now,
Travis, let him tell his story
the way he wants to.
TRAVIS (ON TV): But, Mama, I just seen
that old yeller dog catch this fish!
KATIE: Arliss is just a little
boy with a big imagination.
- Won't hurt him to let him use it.
- (OLD YELLER BARKING)
TRAVIS: We keep that old
yeller dog much longer,
it's gonna make Arliss
the biggest liar in Texas!
- (OLD YELLER BARKING)
- (HORSES TROTTING)
(FAUCET RUNNING)
(SPITS, SNIFFLES)
(INSECTS CHIRPING)
(SNIFFLES)
(PLASTIC CRINKLING)
I know I failed you.
(SIGHS)
I tried to write down
how I feel in a letter.
I'm gonna go downstairs
while you read it.
Come down whenever you feel like it.
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(SMOTHERS BROTHERS SINGING ON TV)
- Take it, Tom!
- No.
(AUDIENCE LAUGHTER)
(INDISTINCT TV CHATTER)
(MUFFLED TV CHATTER)
DICK (ON TV):
it just stands right up.
- It's American
- TOM (ON TV): I agree, agree!
- I agree, it felt
- (AUDIENCE LAUGHTER)
(MUFFLED CHATTER)
(GASPS)
(SOBS)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
DICK: You read the book? Right?
- Did you read the book?
- TOM: Yes, I read the book.
DICK: Okay, then you read
the Folk Singers' Credo.
- (GASPS, SNIFFLES)
- (MUFFLED TV CHATTER)
(SNIFFLES)
(SIGHS)

I am so ashamed.
I don't ever wanna hurt you or the kids.
I know.
Maybe we could get, g-get away together.
South Padre Island for a bit.
Just you and me. Could make it like a
second honeymoon. (WEAK LAUGH)
That would be nice.
(HEAVY SIGH)
(HEAVY BREATHING)
("TAPESTRY" BY CAROLE KING PLAYING)
- (SEESAWS SQUEAKING)
- (CHILDREN CHATTERING)
My life has been a tapestry ♪
Of rich and royal hue ♪
An everlasting vision ♪
Of the ever-changing view ♪
A wondrous woven magic ♪
In bits of blue and gold ♪
A tapestry to feel and see ♪
Impossible to hold ♪
Once amid the soft ♪
Silver sadness in the sky ♪
There came a man of fortune ♪
A drifter passing by ♪
He wore a torn and tattered cloth ♪
Around his leathered hide ♪
And a coat of many colors ♪
Yellow, green on either side ♪
RON: I trust you'll agree
that the added expenditure
is well worth it.
CANDY: They really are the most
beautiful rose-colored cushions
I've ever seen, Ron.
CAROL: They really do make
a wonderful statement.
DON: We'll have the best
pews in the county.
Now, if we could just find
some folks to fill 'em.
CAROL: Mm-hmm.
Maybe we should just
invite Jackie Ponder back
to give a guest sermon.
That would fill the seats, wouldn't it?
I think you're being a
little sensitive, Ron.
No! I'm not.
You're
He's, he's feeling sensitive
about the attrition.
- (DOOR SLAMS)
- Maybe, maybe if we can get the Gores back,
and the Garlingtons.
Y'all are friends with the Gores, right?
- Uh
- No, not so much. No.
Just our kids play together.
You and Allan are in
the same line of work.
(SIGHS)
We don't need the Gores.
(INSECTS CHIRPING)
(SOFT, TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(INHALES)
Pryor remained in critical
but stable condition today
at the Sherman Oaks Community
Hospital in California.
- (OVEN DOOR SHUTS)
- Pryor continues his steady improvement.
-
- Surgery to remove scorched dead skin
could begin next Tuesday,
with skin grafting starting
three or four days later.
Honestly, Pat, can we not have that on?
He was doing drugs, they say.
- Cocaine.
- (SCOFFS) Well, even so,
this is a day of celebration.
We shouldn't be hearin'
talk of comedians
lightin' themselves on fire.
(NEWS CHATTER CONTINUES)
- Dad, did you take my elephant puppet?
- (TV TURNS OFF)
- Why would I do that?
- IAN: He's missing,
and Noah's ark has to have an elephant.
CANDY: We'll find him, honey.
Now, can you please
just eat your cereal?
And a cleaner shirt will be nice.
(HIGH-PITCHED): Could
somebody call the girls?
Why are you using that voice?
- IAN: Jenny, Alisa, food's ready!
- What voice?
- Your stressed voice.
- Mommy!
This is my zillion things to do voice.
We have Bible camp graduation,
I have to do my parable,
we have the puppet show,
and then I have five
different errands to run
- in five different towns.
- Mm.
Hey! No, you don't.
- Three Trees?
- What?
Your parable. Are you
going with Three Trees?
Well, yeah. Do you think I shouldn't?
No, well, it's my favorite.
- Kids'll love it.
- (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)
Mom, can Alisa go to the
movies with us tonight?
Oh, I don't know, honey.
Alisa's mom didn't like it
when we took her to see "Grease."
But she loves "Star Wars."
She wouldn't mind.
She would want me to go.
- (LAUGHS)
- Oh, sweetheart.
Now, that was just the
most adorable little fib,
but if it is okay with your mom,
we would love to have you.
Pat, are you sure you can't
make the puppet show?
'Cause I saw the rehearsal,
and it's gonna be great.
- I wish.
- Okay.
- (OPENS OVEN)
- Ah!
Well, doesn't that serve
you perfectly right?
(QUIET CHATTER)
BETTY: You can't come back here first?
My flight's at 4:00, honey.
So, with Friday traffic,
I think I-I probably need
to leave for the airport.
Best to just go straight
from the office.
Just two days, honey.
- Two days.
- Yes.
Two days can go more quickly
for some than for others.
(BETTY SIGHS)
Then, I'm home, and
we're packing for Switzerland,
and we're going to have the best time.
I'm almost two weeks late.
I can't take care of another baby.
I'll break.
(SHUDDERING INHALE, EXHALE)
- I don't wanna be pregnant again.
- Honey, there's no reason
- to start
- No, please don't
Do not handle me. I beg you. Just
be with me.
Honey, I am. I am with you.
If you are
we'll deal with it.
- We can deal with anything.
- (SIGHS)
Right? We can.
- We can.
- (SNIFFLES)
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)
(SIGHS)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(BABY BABBLING)
You wanna say bye?
(PLAYFUL GASP) Bye, Dada.
- Bye, Daddy.
- (SOFT LAUGH)
Bye.
Bye, Dada.

CANDY: "Once upon a time, there
were three trees high up on a hill.
"The biggest tree used
to say to the others,
(IN DEEP VOICE): "'When I grow up,
I want to be made into a big boat.
"The finest ocean liner in the world.'
(NORMAL): "But, one day,
a group of wood cutters
"came to the hill of the three trees.
"And one of them looked at
the biggest tree and said,
"'This tree looks like it would
make a fine fishing boat.'
"And the big tree cried and cried,
"but the wood cutters
cut it down anyway,
"and it became the very boat
that Peter used as his altar
to spread the good news."
Isn't this a wonderful
time we're having?
- KIDS: Yeah!
- (ECHOING): Yes?

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hey, Barbara. Let me help you.
- I can get the Kool-Aid.
- Oh. Ooh.
It is gonna be a scorcher today, huh?
Oh, my God, I just wanna drop
- and put my feet up.
- (LAUGHS)
- Do you ever do that, Candy?
- Well, it won't be today.
The kids all wanna see
the new "Star Wars."
- Mm-hmm.
- And Jenny wants Alisa
to stay over another
night, which is fine,
but Alisa has her swim lesson today,
so that means I have to
drive all the way to Wylie
to pick up her swimsuit.
I suppose if I do leave soon enough,
then I can swing by the Target
to get a Father's Day card
- for Pat.
- Oh, my Go.
- Wha (SIGHS)
- Go.
I can do this. And you
better get a move on
if you're gonna make it back
in time for the puppet show.
And I can't miss that.
- Ian made the elephant.
- (LAUGHS) Bail.
Hey. Listen to Miss Barbara, okay?
IAN: Okay. Bye, Mom.
("FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS"
BY NEIL DIAMOND PLAYING)
CANDY: Oh, hi!
(GIGGLES) Hi.
Uh, Candy! Hey, I finished
with your cassette recorder.
Okay, well, I'll be right back.
I just need to run over to Betty
Gore's and then to Target.
Gotcha. Bye.
Yeah. See you.
Money talks ♪
But it don't sing and
dance, and it don't walk ♪
(SONG CONTINUES PLAYING ON RADIO)
And long as I can
have you here with me ♪
I'd much rather be
forever in blue jeans ♪
(SIGHS)
(SONG FADING)

(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(BRAKES SQUEAK)
(CUTS ENGINE)
- (KEYS JINGLE)
- (SIGHS)
(SIGHS)
- (SIGHS)
- (CHILDREN CHATTERING)
(DOORBELL DINGS)
- Candy.
- Sorry.
Why call when you can
barge right in, right?
- (AWKWARD LAUGH)
- I hope I didn't disturb.
No. No, no, no. No, I just
put the put the baby down
and then poured myself a cup of coffee,
getting ready to watch
a little "Phil Donahue."
- Sounds like heaven. Mm.
- (BETTY GIGGLES)
- Come in. Uh, join me.
- Okay.
CANDY: Well, I can't stay long.
Noah's ark is leaving
port within the hour.
But the reason I came is we're
seeing "Star Wars" tonight,
and Alisa wants to come,
and Jenny's just, uh,
desperate for her to join.
And I said it was okay with
me if it was okay with you.
Which is to mean her
spending another night.
Oh.
And I'm happy to take her to her
swim lesson to save you the trip.
No, sure, that's
That's fine with me.
Well, I thought it would be,
so I just came from Bible
school to pick up her suit.
You sure you can't stay for coffee?
No, no. Thank you.
Oh, uh, remember, she doesn't like
to put her face underwater. Alisa.
So, if she does put her face underwater,
be sure to give her
peppermints afterwards.
- That's the reward that we have.
- Okay!
- (CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
- Okay.
(BOTH LAUGH)
I'm just so busy getting
ready for our trip.
Oh, Switzerland! I heard!
Kansas first. We're gonna drop the kids
and the dogs off at my parents.
- Dogs?
- Yes.
We got another one.
A puppy, six months old.
Oh, he's, he's right out there.
- Oh, my God!
- (LAUGHS) I know.
What is his name?
(DOGS BARK)
- Cheeto. (LAUGHS)
- Cheeto!
Oh, my gosh. Your name is Cheeto.
- Hi.
- Alisa can't bear to leave him alone.
- Well, I can see why.
- (PANTING)
- You're just the sweetest little boy!
- (BETTY LAUGHS)
(GASPS) You're a good boy! Yes, you are!
Oh, come, come. Just sit for a second.
- Oh. Okay.
- (DOGS PANTING)
- Okay, outside. Outside. Good job.
- Oh, my goodness.
(LAUGHS)
- (BARKING)
- (CANDY SIGHS)
(SIGHS)
- Nothing?
- No. Thanks.
(BETTY SIGHS)
Well.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
(CLOCK TICKING)
(SUDDEN INHALE)
Gonna be a scorcher today.
Scorcher.
(LAUGHS)
Oh! I almost forgot.
Sherry and I actually incorporated.
We're lining jobs up for the fall,
so if you need any papering
or painting done,
here is our card.
The Covergirls.
- It's cute.
- Oh, it's so exciting.
Well, I should probably get goin'.
I'm hopin' to, to swing by Target
and get a Father's Day card for Pat,
so should I just go
grab Alisa's suit or
Candy.
(TICKING CLOCK CONTINUES)
Are you having an affair with Allan?
No.
No, of course not.
But you did.
Didn't you?
Didn't you?
(SHALLOW BREATHING)
(SOFTLY): Yes.
But it was a long time ago.
Did Allan tell you?
(CLOCK TICKING)
Can you wait a minute?
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(INHALES)
(EXHALES)
(SIGHS)
(RAGGED BREATHING)
(DOOR CREAKING, SLAMS SHUT)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)
(SOFTLY): Betty?
(EXHALES HEAVILY)
Betty.
(NERVOUS SIGH)
(CLOCK TICKING)

("I'M NOT YOUR STEPPING STONE" BY
PAUL REVERE & THE RAIDERS PLAYING)
Oh! ♪
I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone ♪
No! ♪
I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone ♪
Girl, you're tryin' to
make your mark on society ♪
Usin' all the tricks
that you used on me ♪
You're readin' all them
high fashion magazines ♪
The clothes you're wearin' lately ♪
Causin' public scenes, I said ♪
I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone ♪
Not me, no! I said ♪
I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone ♪
No! ♪
Not your steppin' stone ♪
Your steppin' stone ♪
Your steppin' stone ♪
Not your steppin' stone ♪
No ♪
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