The Playboy Club (2011) s01e03 Episode Script

Previously on The Playboy Club Do you have any idea who you just killed? He's real name is Bruno Bianchi and he's the head of the mob.
Still haven't found Bruno.
Give me everything you can on that blonde Bunny Nick's playing around with.
Maureen.
I heard you danced with my father.
You have any idea where he might be? The only people that know the truth are you and me, as long as we keep our story straight, no one's ever going to find out.
Maureen needed my help.
The details don't matter.
You matter.
- I can't just get the night off work, Sean.
- And when I'm having dinner alone with my parents who think we're a happily married heterosexuals, what do you suggest I say when they ask where my perfect stay-at-home wife is? - You're so amazing, Janie.
- Max, stop talking.
Baby, will you marry me? I'm married, Max.
To a really crazy guy.
He has no idea where I am.
Politics are changing.
It's not about who you are, it's about what you portray.
Give me a call.
I think you can win.
Remember what I told you-- cover your tracks and watch your back.
You never know when trouble's coming.
I've got you under my skin - Mm.
- Yeah, we should break up more often.
Who says we're back together? I think twice last night and once this morning says it all.
So deep in my heart, you're really a part of me I've got you under my skin I've tried so not to give in I've got Bunny auditions.
Good evening.
I'm your Bunny Gail.
Try it again-- bunnier.
Good evening! I'm your Bunny Gail! Great.
We'll be in touch.
Not exactly a bumper crop.
A seven-letter word for disaster? Unfortunately, we're short on both shifts, and the club's only getting busier.
See, now that girl has potential.
She's sweet, smart, pretty.
She reminds me of you.
Her name is Doris Hall.
College girl.
Spent the past two years abroad.
Yeah, I don't know; she seems kind of full of herself.
Doris Hey.
Look, if I say no, that means Very little.
I'm the Bunny mother.
I'm the manager.
- Hi.
- You did very well, Doris.
Now, you still need training, but we're a little shorthanded, so when can you start? If you were starting.
As soon as possible-- tonight.
Excellent.
We'll get you the manual - and you'll spend the first week in training.
- I can't wait.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
You're welcome.
Bye.
Sean says Nick's the perfect candidate.
He's smart, experienced, attractive.
Yes, Nick Dalton's pretty perfect.
Have you ever had a serious boyfriend, Maureen? Once.
It was a big mistake.
Was Sean your first boyfriend? No.
Well, um, sort of.
I mean, it's complicated.
Come on, Max, I'm not that kind of married, okay? There's only one kind.
I said I was sorry.
Sorry you're married, or sorry you told me? Are you going to try to get past this? You lied to me, Janie.
And right now I feel like I don't even know who you are, and honestly, I don't know if I want to.
This is my life, Max; I can't change it.
So why don't you take some time to figure out whether or not you want to know me.
In the meantime, don't call me.
Whoa, whoa, excuse me, guys.
Carol-Lynne.
Is that Jimmy Wallace? You're the only decent reason to come to the Playboy Club.
You always smell so good.
Oh, I'll be on at 8:00.
Dinner afterwards? Can't.
You still seeing Nick Dalton? That boy doesn't really think he'll beat me for state attorney, does he? He's going to try.
Listen, doll, go with the winner.
Dalton doesn't stand a chance.
And neither do you.
Oh.
It's a nice view, huh? Better than you deserve, counselor.
Checking out the competition? Seems only fair, since he's checking out my girlfriend.
Guy's a jerk.
A well-financed jerk.
So why did the bar association pull out of your campaign? They say I haven't tapped into the business community where the real money is.
And, until I do, I can't win.
Now, if I was running your campaign, those fat cats would be writing checks left and right.
And how exactly would you pull off that little miracle? Two simple words-- Frances Dunhill.
Who? Arthur Dunhill's daughter.
As in Dunhill Industries, as in More money than God, yeah.
You want me to ask her for a donation? No, I want you to date her.
What? Handsome is good.
JFK proved that.
But without the right girlfriend I have a girlfriend.
I love Carol-Lynne, but she works here.
It's 1961, but a lot of voters are still stuck in the '50s.
They want to see you with their idea of the right girl.
And that's the right girl.
I took the liberty of inviting her to join us tonight.
- Of course you did.
- And when the cash starts pouring down, don't forget who made it rain.
Miss Frances Dunhill.
Meet Nick Dalton, our next state's attorney.
It's a pleasure.
The pleasure's mine.
Let's get a picture.
Love the tie.
Nice and cozy.
You guys look great together.
Would you excuse me for one minute? I hear Nick and Carol-Lynne are back together.
That's the rumor.
Which means you're available, right? Not to Keyholders.
Trust me, no one's gonna say a word to this Keyholder.
Well, then I guess I shouldn't either.
Not so fast.
You're the last person to see my father alive.
One way or another, Maureen, you're going to tell me what you know.
What do you guys think? It's called "Cheery Cherry.
" Looks like you just ate a stick of butter.
I like it.
- Can I try? - Yeah.
What's up with your boyfriend? Max looks like he just lost his puppy.
Max who? - Now stand up straight.
- Mm-hmm.
That's good.
Easy does it.
Thanks, Carol-Lynne.
You've been amazing.
- These heels are - Three inches.
Don't worry, I'm here to help you.
You're gonna do great.
Ladies ladies? This is Bunny Doris.
She starts training tonight, and I expect you all to show her the ropes.
This feels like that dream where I'm naked in front of total strangers.
Well, it's not a dream anymore.
It's your life.
- Hi.
I'm Brenda.
- Hi, Brenda.
- You look so good in blue.
- Oh, thanks! Here, this needs to be - One last push - Okay, oh, wow.
How long have you worked here, Maureen? Not much longer than you.
I still can't believe it, really.
This place is amazing.
Gangsters, politicians, socialites I'll bet some crazy things happen here.
You have no idea.
I'd love to hear about it sometime.
- Bumper pool.
- Is that some kind of code? No, it's your next station with Brenda.
Go.
There you are.
Hey, there.
I wanted to catch you before you went on.
Well, I'm caught.
So, Sean Beasley has been trying to get me to hire him - to manage my campaign.
- Alice's husband? He has an excellent reputation.
Well, he says it's not about who you really are anymore.
It's all about the press.
JFK ruined it for everyone.
Yeah, and so did Jackie.
Every candidate needs one.
I told him I had the perfect woman for the part.
But he said the voters wouldn't understand.
Me, my workplace, my profession.
Who will they understand? Her name's Frances Dunhill.
Daughter of Arthur Dunhill.
He's a very important man to have on your side.
Not if it's going to cause a problem between you and me.
Will it? No.
It's a scam.
It's for the papers.
It's what I need to do to win.
Everything will be the same between us.
I just want to make sure you're okay with it.
If it's what you need to win, I would never stand in your way.
It's all for show.
And the show must go on.
Sorry, boys.
Thank you.
Bunnies aren't allowed to date Keyholders, right? But everywhere I look, Bunnies are flirting like their lives depend on it.
Not their lives, their livelihoods.
You think we get these tips wearing overalls? Men come here with a certain-- expectation.
Oh, so you're saying some of the girls serve more than drinks? Whoa! I never said that.
Sorry.
It's just that's what everyone thinks goes on here.
Well, they're wrong.
But the club does have a reputation.
I heard someone saying this is the last place the head of the Mob was seen alive.
Bruno Bianchi, that's the rumor.
Wow.
That's kind of creepy.
Any idea what happened to him? Do I look like a cop to you? Sorry.
I ask a lot of questions when I'm nervous.
Hey, can you cover me? I promised my mother I'd check in before Ed Sullivan.
Thanks.
Good evening.
- Jacobi.
- Hey, it's Doris.
I'm in.
- Everything okay? - Don't worry, no one suspects a thing.
I'll find out exactly what we want to know.
I'll call you later.
- So you're Chicago's next tough law man.
- We'll see.
I really appreciate your help.
Politics is a man's game.
If a girl wants a seat at the table, it has to be as someone's date.
It doesn't mean you can't enjoy the benefits.
See? We agree already.
Nick Dalton.
He's the next president of the United States.
John Would you excuse us for a minute? Sure.
You don't want to introduce me? Nah, not really.
Ah, I'm deeply hurt.
- You hear from my dad? - No.
You? No, but I haven't spoken to her yet.
She danced with Bruno that night.
She might know something.
She doesn't, so don't scare her.
She's an innocent kid.
We'll see.
Cigarettes, Mr.
Dalton? Thank you.
I don't smoke.
Let me know if you decide to start.
Like I said, she's a nice girl.
Yeah.
John Bianchi is a very dangerous guy.
Look who's talking.
He's got too many questions about you.
Stay away from him.
He's not gonna take "No" for an answer.
He's sure I know something, and I'm not gonna sit around and wait for him to figure things out.
I'll talk to him.
I can take care of myself.
Trust me.
This is different.
So, what, you're gonna take care of me? Better check with Carol-Lynne first.
She still thinks something's going on between us.
I already told her there wasn't.
All right, well, while you're busy convincing her of that, I'll be trying to make sure that John Bianchi doesn't kill me.
You have no idea what kind of trouble you're gonna be in.
And you have no idea how persuasive I can be.
So how do you know Sean? I enjoy the political scene, and Sean is a real up-and-comer.
This place is really wild.
Well, we could go somewhere else, if you prefer.
No, this is exciting.
And women disguised as rabbits? Brilliant.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Playboy Club is proud to present Miss Leslie Gore.
It's my party and I'll cry if I want to Cry if I want to, cry if I want to You would cry too, if it happened to you I love this song.
Don't you love this song? Nobody knows where my Johnny has gone Johnny has gone Judy left the same time Do you dance? Why was he holdin' her hand When he's supposed to be mine? Let's make a splash.
Oh, it's my party and I'll cry if I want to Cry if I want to Cry if I want to You would cry, too, if it happened to you Judy and Johnny just walked through the door Like a queen with her king Oh, what a birthday surprise Judy's wearin' his ring Oh, it's my party and I'll cry if I want to Cry if I want to Cry if I want to You would cry, too, if it happened to you Oh It's my party, I'll cry if I want to Cry if I want to Cry if I want to You would cry, too, if it happened to you.
There you are, sir, enjoy your evening.
I don't know how you guys do it.
Don't worry.
You'll get used to it.
Did you see Nick Dalton with Frances Dunhill? I thought he was dating Carol-Lynne.
Well, things aren't always what they appear to be.
What do you mean? - Can you keep a secret? - Tick-a-lock.
My husband's helping with Nick's campaign for state's attorney.
Frances Dunhill? Strictly for publicity.
Nick's still dating the queen of the Playboy Club.
Nick Dalton is pulling some scam.
He's hiding something.
And one of the bunnies, Maureen, she-- No calls during your shift.
Call you later, Mom.
Sorry.
How's she working out for you? - She's outstanding.
- Uh-uh.
You okay? Why wouldn't I be? It's all part of the show.
So, will I see you later, at my place? Should I wear a disguise? That would be nice.
Billy Rosen.
Yeah, how's the game? No, I can't do it tonight.
Be-- I got a ton of work to do.
Big sucker from Akron just raised off a jack high.
You're killing me.
He just went in for another thousand.
All right, I'll be there in 20 minutes.
Well, I think you got the knack, whoa-whoa Now that you can do it, let's make a chain now Come on, baby, do the Loco-Motion A chugga-chugga motion like a railroad train now Come on, baby, do the Loco-Motion Do it nice and easy, now, don't lose control A little bit of rhythm and a lot of soul So come on, come on, do the Loco-Motion with me I'll get it.
- Don't you dare.
- Why not? It's Max.
He's called 27,000 times already.
Well, you don't know it's him.
It could be anyone.
If you pick up that phone, you will not wake up in the morning.
Why did you break it off with Max, anyway? Because he's judgmental and stubborn and he doesn't understand me.
You don't have to marry him.
That's the problem.
He wants to marry me.
What is going on here? We were supposed to meet outside ten minutes ago, to go to the Club.
Little Eva came on.
We love the Loco-Motion.
We did a train and everything.
It's Max.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, move around the floor And a Loco-Motion How's that new girl working out? I caught her on the phone.
She pretended she was talking to her mother.
Probably got a boyfriend going crazy about her working here.
Where's Nick tonight? VIP shindig at the Dunhill estate.
What's this? What, huh? "Carol-Lynne Cunningham, Nick Dalton, Frances Dunhill.
" What's that supposed to mean? I have no idea.
Hm.
You grew up here? Mm.
Be it ever so humble.
Impressive crowd.
They're just people-- people worth millions.
They're still just people.
You just smile and be your charming self.
They'll love you.
Especially this one.
There's my girl.
Hi, Daddy.
Arthur Dunhill.
Nick Dalton.
It's a pleasure to meet you.
We'll see about that.
You clearly have excellent taste in women.
Let's see what else you got.
Got some friends I'd like you to meet.
Nick Dalton warned me about you.
Ah, he's just jealous.
Thinks you're dangerous.
Given the right circumstances, everybody's dangerous.
Not me.
Beautiful women are the most dangerous thing in the world.
Yet you still want to talk to me.
Nothing's wrong with a little danger.
Keeps things interesting.
Okay.
So ask me what you want to ask me.
Not here.
Tomorrow night.
As this guy starts to give a speech, I look over and see Daley's lips moving, swear to God, word for word.
Like Edgar what's-his-name - with the puppet.
- Edgar Bergen.
So, Mr.
Dalton, if a downstate Republican has Daley pulling his strings, how's a young kid like you gonna fare any better? Because the key to Daley's power is patronage.
He buys loyalty by handing out jobs.
And you think you're above that.
Well, I know I am.
The job I really want is a job he can't give me.
- Which is what? - His.
State's attorney is just the beginning.
You support me in November, come '64, you're gonna have a friend in the mayor's office who loves this city and who doesn't have his hand in your pocket.
Enjoy, everyone.
My father adored you.
Well, that's all thanks to you.
If it weren't for you, I would have never been invited to this party.
We do make a pretty good team, don't we? Mm.
Good night.
Good night.
You really look nice in the suit.
You can't keep your ear to the ground in that place, unless they're Bunny ears.
You got two days-- that's it.
Two days? Are you kidding me? I'm working my tail off-- pun intended.
I'm getting some great stuff! - Thank you.
- Thank you.
Okay, you know what? Hey, Max.
Come here.
Do you know the man Bunny Doris is talking to? Yeah, sure, he's been in a couple times.
Stan Jackson? Jacobi? Yeah, Stan Jacobi.
Why? Stan Jacobi is the Metro editor of the Daily News.
Oh, no Isn't rifling through someone's purse a violation of the Bunny Code? If the Daily News wanted to know what happened at the Playboy Club, all they had to do was buy a key.
They didn't have to send an undercover reporter.
If you want the inside story, you've got to be inside.
I invited you into this club.
I put myself on the line for you.
I'll mention that in my story.
I don't know what you think you've seen It's what I've heard, and it's plenty.
You are not gonna get away with this.
I just did.
Where is Maureen? She was already gone when you called the meeting.
- It's her night off.
- We have a problem.
You all know Bunny Doris? Well, it turns out you don't.
Doris is a reporter for the Chicago Daily News.
Now, she came here with the intent to write an exposé, so if any of you said anything to her that you think I should know about, now is the time to come forward.
Anyone? Form a line.
Yes, Hef, I No, I know, we have a reputation.
I But there's, uh no such thing as bad publicity.
Except in this case.
What'd they tell her? Everything.
Details about each other, the club, the Keyholders even Hef.
My mother told me to go to medical school, become a podiatrist.
Everybody's got feet.
Did I listen? No.
Where are you going? My club, my mess.
Oh, damn! - I thought I threw that away! - Doesn't matter.
It's all part of the campaign.
It's just for show.
Doesn't mean you have to buy a ticket.
What's wrong with you playing Jackie Kennedy? Well, Sean says I don't give a damn what Sean says.
You're every bit as upstanding as that fancy little rich bitch.
And Nick ought to know that.
Yeah.
He should.
So, I have a confession to make.
Yeah, so do I.
Let me guess.
You have a girlfriend.
Oh, Sean told you.
He didn't have to.
So, you understand that, you know, I-I can't really Look, when I agreed to start dating you as part of your new campaign strategy, the choice wasn't random.
- Oh, no? - No.
My father read about you in the paper.
The successful law practice, beautiful women on your arm, political aspirations.
You're his idea of the perfect man for his only daughter.
In other words, I'm looking for the same thing you are.
Voter approval? Precisely.
Except in my case, the only vote that counts is my father's.
Here.
$50,000.
Mm-hmm.
He likes to see me happy.
Thank you.
Well, look who it is! Well, Nick Dalton.
Well, well, well.
What a surprise.
Jimmy Wallace Carol-Lynne Cunningham this is Frances Dunhill.
- Pleasure to meet you.
- Charmed.
Don't you just love this place? Saw your picture in the Society section today, Dalton.
You're turning into a regular celebrity.
Well, he'll be even more famous once he beats you.
Well! We don't want to disturb you any further.
Frances, so nice to meet you.
My pleasure.
You didn't ask me here on a date.
You're using me to make Dalton jealous.
Actually, I'm using you to show him how good I look on the arm of the state's attorney.
An exposé of the Playboy Club.
Come on, it's not a story.
Actually, it is.
And I'd just be grateful it's not about you.
Why would it be about me? 'Cause you spend every other night losing your hard-earned money at the Bianchis' high-stakes poker games.
All right, who told you that? It doesn't matter.
It's a fact.
Well, I have a right to face my accuser.
Oh, that's the courtroom.
This is a newsroom.
We don't reveal our sources.
Whatever this story is, it's a pile of crap.
And you know it.
Ah! The intrepid reporter herself.
Hey, what's your next story, a searing expose of the, uh, Evanston Chamber of Commerce? Actually, it's about one of your Bunnies killing a man.
And it's coming out tomorrow.
Page one.
What is a Playboy Bunny? Is it a fancy name for a cocktail waitress? Or a euphemism for legal prostitution? The answer is, neither.
The girls come here for many reasons-- money, fame, access.
Today, we begin a two-part series about one of those secrets-- a heinous crime perpetrated by one of the Bunnies-- one which speaks to the ills of our time and the darkest side of our nature.
A crime called murder.
This is so horrible.
I can't believe one of us is a murderer! I don't think it could be true.
How do you know? Look around, Alice.
There may be a few bitches around here, but killers? Right? What about that girl Judy who works lunches? The one with the speech impediment.
That's a speech impediment? I thought she was French.
What's going on? "Bloody Bunny"? They're saying one of us killed someone.
- They say who it was? - No.
They're saving that bombshell for the follow-up tomorrow.
How do they know? I have no idea.
- Did you tell anyone? - No! When we were talking the other night at the club, that girl Doris was right behind us.
I mean, do you think she could have put it together? I hope not.
For our sake and for hers.
The Outfit doesn't like people digging around their dirt.
I talked to John Bianchi.
You what? I know what I'm doing.
I'm gonna talk to him about the article.
No, this one time, let me handle this.
How do you know this article is about Bruno? It could be about anybody in that club.
That's why I need to talk to this reporter.
Ask her a few questions.
You don't need that - to ask questions.
- Let me just take care of this.
What do you care, huh? What, you the loyal son all of a sudden? I'm counsel for the club.
If she's really sitting on Bruno's murderer, she's gonna be surrounded by Feds.
You think they're gonna let John Bianchi walk in that door? Fine.
Do it.
But if I don't have a name by the end of the day You will.
I'll keep you posted.
You do understand I'm under no obligation to speak to you, especially without our legal counsel present.
I understand.
No, thank you.
You ever heard of Icarus, Doris? He flew too close to the sun.
Mm.
And then? He died.
You know, ambition makes us careless.
We say things that aren't true.
We were in people's lives without even trying.
People ruin their own lives; we just report it.
That's only true when the story is true.
Otherwise, we call it libel.
This story is not libel.
Murder is a very specific term.
It's a legal term.
You call somebody a murderer, in the paper, you better be prepared to back it up.
I am.
I've done my research.
Here.
Take a look for yourself.
Oh, God! You scared me.
Where are you going? I don't know yet.
Tell me what's going on.
I haven't been honest with you guys.
I couldn't be.
So be honest now.
I mean, maybe I can help.
Come here.
I did some really bad things before I came here.
Things I really regret.
Like what? I killed a man.
You what? It was a few years ago.
My husband Wade and I, we we robbed a couple stores.
But we were young, and no one got hurt-- until this one night, we were driving really fast away from a job, and it was an accident.
We'd hit an old man.
Did Wade go to jail? Yeah.
I-I told the cops everything.
Everything we'd ever done.
They let me off easy, but they threw the book at Wade.
And that's what's going to be printed in the paper.
I just I can't be here tomorrow when the story comes out.
Ever since I had to tell Max about being married, all of these memories, they just keep flooding back to me.
I feel so guilty.
About the old man, about Wade.
I just wanted to come here and forget about all this.
But, obviously, it's never gonna go away.
No.
Come here.
It's gonna be all right.
It's gonna be all right.
It's not even in the late edition.
I want to know who the killer is.
Just keep looking.
I'm scared, you guys.
All right, listen up.
Mr.
Dalton has something he'd like to say that concerns everyone in this room.
As club counsel, I talked to the Daily News about their allegations.
Did they tell you who the murderer is? Well, that's the thing.
The murder they reported yesterday was actually just a sensationalized accident.
- An accident? - That's right.
So tomorrow they're going to print a retraction and an apology.
In other words, case closed.
All right, ladies, we're open in an hour.
Mach schnell.
I get too hungry for dinner at 8:00 I like the theater but never come late I'd never bother with people I hate That's why the lady is a tramp I like the free, fresh wind in my hair I heard you got a check with a lot of zeroes.
It's definitely raining money around here.
I hate California, it's cold and it's damp Okay, fine.
That's why the lady is a tramp You're hired.
Just do me a favor.
While you're getting me elected, please, try not to ruin my life.
Girls get massages, they cry and they moan Tell Lizzie Arden to leave me alone I'm not so hot But my shape is my own That's why the lady is a tramp The food at Sardi's is perfect, no doubt I wouldn't know what the Ritz is about I drop a nickel and coffee comes out That's why the lady is a tramp I like the sweet, fresh rain in my face Diamonds and lace-- No got, so what? For Robert Taylor I whistle and stamp That's why the lady is That's why the lady is That's why the lady Is a tramp! Tremendous.
So who's the tramp? I can think of at least three.
You haven't returned my phone calls.
Playing hard to get? I am hard to get.
How's Francesca? - Her name's Frances.
- Mm.
Mm-hmm.
I'd take her over Jimmy Wallace any day.
I think he's charming.
You can't possibly mean that.
Come on.
I do, in a grown-up sort of way.
But don't worry, he means nothing to me.
Just like Maureen means nothing to you, no matter how many intimate conversations you two share.
I came to return this.
I wanted to tell you that, regardless of what you think, it wasn't personal.
The damage you did to the people here-- that was very personal.
These are wonderful girls.
They reached out, they tried to help you.
I know.
It was personal for me, too.
These girls come from all walks of life, and they're just trying to go somewhere better.
Now, this place isn't perfect, but it's a long way from what you described in that article.
We give these girls a chance.
I don't understand why you'd wanted to destroy that.
I came here to find a big story.
I thought this was the kind of place where terrible, illicit things happen.
And instead you found a group of hardworking girls just trying to make a life for themselves.
Why don't you write about that? Because that kind of story doesn't sell papers.
Maybe not.
But at least it's the truth.
I knew there was something wrong with that girl.
You did not know something was wrong.
I did, too.
I could smell trouble the minute she walked into the dressing room.
It was her perfume.
No.
Trust me, I have a nose for these things.
Well, why didn't you say anything? 'Cause everybody comes here with some sort of baggage.
I figured it wasn't any of my business.
What do you mean "baggage"? Well, it's not any girl who just applies to be a Playboy Bunny, right? Most girls don't want to walk around in three-inch heels for eight hours saying, "I'm your Bunny Janie," if they didn't need the money.
Well, why don't you just go marry Max, then? He makes enough to support you just fine.
Because we don't want to be most girls.
You need to start changing at the club.
Thanks to you all, we have successfully raised funds and elected the Mattachine Society Treasurer, Grant.
So we'll see you next week.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
I'll be embezzling in no time.
Grant, this is Frances.
- She's been helping me with Nick Dalton's campaign.
- Hi.
And Nick has been helping me with my father.
Though he doesn't quite know how.
Finally earned Daddy's approval? Yes.
I am finally the heterosexual daughter he always wanted.
Frances, have you met Alice? Hi.
Hi.
Alice, this is Frances Dunhill.
I've seen you at the club.
You're the prettiest Bunny there.
You need a ride, beautiful?