Party of Five s01e11 Episode Script
Private Lives
(THUD, CAT SCREAMS) (DOOR RATTLING) (SIREN WAILING) (DOOR RATTLES) Don't move! Aah! Aah! Charlie! What the hell are you doing? What the hell am I doing? What the hell are you doing sneaking around the house? I forgot my keys, okay? Put down the knife, you idiot.
It's three o'clock in the morning.
What the hell's going on? Nothing.
Well, where have you been? Out.
Out where? Come on, Charlie.
For the last, like, two weeks, I've been hearing you come home every night at God knows what hour.
You know, that's funny, because the last time I checked, I didn't have a curfew.
Well, what What are you doing? You hanging out with a group of guys after work? Are you seeing some new girl? You know what? I'm a whole lot older than you are, Bay.
I don't have to answer to you.
You want to check on bedtimes, check on Claudia's.
Now go to bed.
Something going on with you, Charlie? Go to bed.
(THEME SONG PLAYING) Everybody Wants To Live Like They Wanna Live And Everybody Wants To Love Like They Wanna Love Everybody Wants To Be Closer To Everybody Wants To Live Like They Wanna Live Everybody Wants To Love Like They Wanna Love Everybody Wants To Be Closer To Free BAILEY: Claud, get off the phone.
JULIA: You're really screwing me up here.
CLAUDIA: There's a pay phone on the corner.
Hi, Artie.
Guess who this is.
Listen, that new diaper rash ointment you got, it doesn't work great, so just stick with the old stuff.
Okay.
So, uh, how long do you think this is gonna take? Well, they say the chances of actually getting on a jury are really small.
I hear if you don't get picked in the first few days, they just dismiss you.
Look, I'll be in touch.
(CLAUDIA GIGGLING) What's going on? Claudia's in the middle of some fourth grade gang initiation.
Fifth grade.
So, Artie-chokes, three for a dollar Sorry, Donna.
Dana.
Aren't you supposed to be at a lesson right now? Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Homework? Two days off for a teacher conference.
Don't you listen to anything? Claudia will have to call you right back, Marty.
Artie.
Artie.
Come on.
Kate is waiting for my call.
There's a pay phone on the corner.
The guy was there all night.
Left me $2.
You're kidding.
MORGAN: Loren.
Owner alert, nine o'clock.
He got a haircut.
That's a new jacket.
You keeping tabs on him or what? JULIA: No.
Maybe.
Yes.
Julia Forget it.
He doesn't know I'm alive.
I bet he doesn't even know my name.
Hey, Julia, could I get a glass of Perrier, please? Pay up.
On the house.
I don't know if the house can afford it.
Really? We're not exactly packing them in these days, are we? You want my advice? Okay.
Well, the same 15 local bands go from club to club, right? Right.
Well, maybe if you paid travel expenses, rented an apartment for out-of-town acts, you could get a reputation for introducing new groups to the area.
See, the thing is, I need a consistent draw.
I need a reason for people to come here every week, no matter who's playing.
Something in the order of a, I don't know Wet t-shirt contest.
You're kidding, right? No, no, I'm not.
I got every penny I ever made tied up into this place.
I'm up to my eyes in debt.
You gotta to have a cash register for a heart.
Well, in that case, I guess you want me back on the job, right? You know, Loren tells me that you're good.
You've asked? Well, he just says that you may be the best we have.
Wait a second.
How come nobody here has got your phone number? How come you looked? (ROCK MUSIC PLAYING) Yeah, Yeah, Yeah (DOORBELL CHIMING) I Alone Love You I Alone Tempt You (KNOCKING) Pizza? WOMAN: No.
Mrs.
Gideon.
Who? From the Department of Social Services.
I Alone Love You Yeah Yeah (MUSIC STOPS) Uh, I'm coming.
I'll be there in a second.
Miss Gideon.
Hi.
Bailey.
May I come in? Don't think too long.
It's a rhetorical question.
I, uh I forgot we had an appointment.
You know how we work.
No appointments.
I'm sorry for the late hour, though, but I figured with your brother working and you kids in school Well, the evening seemed like the best time to catch you all together.
Oh, well, we're never out of each other's sight Except for tonight.
Any guess? My bet is It ain't a raise.
(LAUGHING) Oh.
Jeez, I Didn't mean to keep everybody in suspense.
I got stuck in the bathroom.
Loren, you want to do something about that door, please? Oh, yeah, I'm working on that, boss.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Uh, listen, uh I know we haven't been exactly packing them in here the past few weeks, so this is what I was thinking.
We'll let the customers know that the music's not the only draw.
You guys are, so, starting tomorrow, there's going to be a new dress code.
What, wet t-shirts? Let's just say that it, uh It's a figure-flattering uniform.
I think we show a little more skin around here, we'll show a little more profit.
LOREN: Uh-huh.
You know, like I say, when in doubt, capitalize on your asses.
Is that what you're doing? Anyway, I've got a whole crate coming in later, so, you know, pick out your sizes, try them on, and, uh, that's it.
End of announcement.
Wasn't so bad, was it? How's Mrs.
Kelleher doing? The, uh The nanny.
She She had to leave.
She left.
Oh, right.
I'm sorry.
I have that noted right here.
You hired Kirsten Bennett is her name? (DOOR OPENS) Julia! You, uh You remember Mrs.
Gideon, what are you doing here? It's all right.
It's our regular visit.
That's great.
Nice to see you.
Same here.
Look, I'd like to I got to go to the bathroom.
Julia! I'm going to explode.
She got her mom's bladder.
You know, why don't I call Charlie at the restaurant and see what time he'll be home from work? Oh, God! Joe.
Hey.
Hey.
Can I, uh Can I talk to Charlie for a second? What? No, no, no.
I thought he said Okay, well, all right.
Well, thanks, Joe.
Just Just, uh, let him know I called.
All right, thanks.
He, uh Just stepped out on a break.
It happens.
It is such a weird night.
Usually, we're all gathered around the living room together, you know, studying and talking.
Why don't I see how Julia's doing? Julia! Just a minute! For God's sakes.
Julia Hi.
Hi, there Again.
Um I was just changing.
We were doing a production of Marat/Sade at the school.
Church.
Church school.
It's a benefit, actually, for hunger Disease.
And diseases.
Hunger and diseases.
It's very optimistic.
Let me get a sweater.
You know what? I bet you'd like to see Claudia.
I would, yes.
You know, she, uh She recently performed with the Bay Area Chamber Ensemble.
It was in the paper.
I saw that.
Yeah, she's a credit to us all and to your department.
(WHISPERING) She, uh She might be sleeping.
You know, all that practicing and studying.
Claudia? Claudia? Claudia? Claudia? It's 10 o'clock at night.
You know what? She's out with Charlie.
I'm sorry.
I completely forgot.
The two of them are spending some time together.
So is there anything else you want to see? I think I've seen enough.
She's got to be with friends.
At 10:30 at night? What are you guys doing? And what are you wearing underneath that sweater, Jule? Claudia's missing.
What? She's gone.
We can't find her.
Where have you been? I was at work.
Oh, really? There must be a note somewhere.
Well, we can't find one and no one has seen her since this afternoon.
Yeah, it was, like, eight hours ago.
Did she tell you she was going out? No.
I don't know.
I don't think so.
Well, she's got to be with friends, right? I mean, she's got to be.
It's the only thing that makes sense.
We have no idea, do we? She comes up to about here.
What's this, like four feet? Her weight? What do 11-year-olds weigh? She's pretty average.
What was she wearing the last time you saw her? A dress.
Jeans.
Overalls.
You're not exactly sure what she was wearing? I guess not.
You wouldn't happen to have a recent picture of her, would you? Um This is from last year Or maybe the year before.
Her bangs are longer.
I'm going to put out a missing juvenile broadcast.
CHARLIE: What should we do? Drive around looking for her? No, really, the best thing for you to do is to rack your brains as to where she might be and wait by the phone.
Just need a signature here.
What's this? Why would you need to know the name of her dentist? It's for purposes of identification.
Hopefully, we'll never have to deal with that.
Anything? Sheet music, art project of sea shells, list of what she wants for her birthday.
Doesn't she have, like, a little phone book or something? Phone number! Phone number.
It's my handwriting.
What did you take $400 out of the bank for? What? It's an ATM slip from From three days ago.
Yeah, great.
I just don't remember it in the checkbook.
For God's sake, Bay, do we have to deal with this right now? I don't know, Bay.
Maybe he's got a girlfriend he doesn't want us to know about.
"Dear Diary.
" Kind of a trust issue here, huh? It could have friends' phone numbers in it.
Use a bobby pin or something.
She'll never know.
The thing is, Jule, he's tired all the time.
His eyes are always red.
What are you saying? Charlie's got a drug problem or something? Give me a break.
JULIA: Got it.
"I kind of like our new nanny.
"Owen almost took a step today without even holding on.
" Wow.
Did you know that? No.
"Julia's weird.
Today I saw her" Never mind.
Um "Bart likes Jamie.
Karen likes Jimmy S.
"Question mark likes Claudia," and that's it.
Great.
We've got nothing.
Maybe one of us needs some rest.
Wait a second.
What about this whole thing with Charlie? Bailey, come on.
No, I'm telling you, it's like he's got this secret life.
Leave it alone, Bay.
What? People are allowed their privacy, you know.
That's a great answer, Jule.
That's great.
You know You know, I think we've gone a little overboard with the privacy thing here.
I mean, one of us is missing, and none of us has any idea what anyone else in this family is doing.
(TELEPHONE RINGING) Claudia.
Claudia.
(JULIA SCREAMS) CHARLIE: What? What? Claudia! (RINGING CONTINUES) Something going on with you guys? Are you okay? Are you all right? I'm fine.
Where have you been all night? I was at a sleep-over at Dana's And I met this boy.
You what? I know.
Isn't it great? You were at a sleep-over and you didn't call? What? Why should I call? Because we all nearly had heart attacks when you didn't come home, that's why.
We were up all night.
We thought you were missing or dead.
We called the police.
Well, that was pretty stupid.
Stupid? Don't you ever do that to us again.
Hey, I told you where I was going.
You told who? I yelled through the bathroom door when you wouldn't open it.
You said okay.
I know you didn't hear me, because you had those stupid headphones on, so I went to you while you were in the living room.
You nodded.
I was asleep.
If you were all so worried about me, why didn't you just look up Dana's parents' number? It's in the phone book Unless it's because you have no idea what Dana's name is, which wouldn't surprise me at all, because none of you care about any of my friends or have the slightest clue what's going on in my life.
You want to blame someone for this? Blame yourselves.
I'm growing up, and I'm becoming a woman, and you're all missing it.
So what do you think? Should we hug her or kill her? Kind of a toss-up.
(APPLAUSE) ANNOUNCER: We'll be back in 20, so stick around.
I feel like a hooker.
I feel like a sausage casing.
It took me 45 minutes to get dressed.
Put that on your time card.
Here we go again.
What are you having? A fantasy.
What can I get you? How about your phone number? What would you like beverage-wise? Why don't you use your imagination? Because mine's working overtime.
This is bull.
All right, Julia.
Go, girl.
Okay, so what have we got here? Four pinched butts Five.
Five.
Sorry, Molly.
Three lewd comments and two sexual propositions? And a partridge in a pear tree.
MORGAN: We didn't get shut down by the fire marshal, did we? What the hell's going on? Look, we're not trying to be difficult, but, uh, these uniforms We kind of don't want to wear them.
No? No.
I know you're trying to find a way to reel in customers, and we all understand that, but I don't think we're comfortable being the bait.
Ah.
So to speak.
So Maybe we can come up with a different solution, because this one isn't gonna work.
I see, and you're all agreed on this? Absolutely.
Yeah.
It's unanimous.
Okay, okay, well, then, uh, you're all fired.
What? Bailey I don't believe you followed me.
What are you doing in Berkeley? You have lost your mind.
Look, I want to know what is going on with you, Charlie.
I want to know where you go at night.
It's none of your damn business.
Yes, it is my business.
It's my business when you lie about being at work and you come home at three o'clock in the morning and you can't explain what you did with 400 bucks.
Now, what is going on with you, Charlie? Are you in some kind of trouble? It's drugs, isn't it? What? I know they sell the stuff around campus.
Yeah, that's it, Bailey.
You caught me.
When I'm not at home changing diapers, I'm out on Telegraph Avenue dealing dope.
All right, well, if it's not that, then what? Get the hell out of here, Bailey! Charlie (TELEPHONE RINGING) BAILEY: Hey, you've reached the Salingers.
We're not around.
You know what to do.
JANE: Yes, this is Jane Gideon.
I've scheduled a follow-up visit with you for tomorrow at five PM.
Unless I hear to the contrary, I'll expect to see all of you there.
All of you.
Thank you.
(ANSWERING MACHINE BEEPS) There was a message on the machine.
She's coming back Mrs.
Gideon And she wants to see us.
All of us.
Probably because she thinks things are falling apart around here, and she's right.
What, now you've got her involved? Look, I didn't want to, but with a social worker breathing down our necks, you're just gonna have to level with us here, Charlie.
I'm going to school, okay? I'm taking an architecture class at Berkeley.
I've been at the library every night.
Right.
Tell me another one.
Architecture 134, Professor Eric Dwight, Seaton hall, room 306.
You're serious.
Yeah.
So the 400 bucks Tuition, course fees, textbooks.
God, Charlie, that's great.
I mean, it's great that you're trying this again.
Well, it's not for a grade or anything.
It's just pass/fail.
So what? It's a start, right? It's great.
So why was this such a big secret? I just didn't want anyone to know.
Why? I just didn't, okay? You don't need to know everything.
Best friend.
Dana Shepherd.
That's E-R-D.
Used to be Jill Thorton until she cheated off me during a spelling test.
Favorite teacher? I can't believe Mrs.
Gideon's gonna want to know this.
It's not just for her.
We want to know.
Favorite teacher? Mrs.
Carver.
Wears Reeboks, cries when she reads us Johnny Tremain, puts on too much blush.
Favorite scotch? Main squeeze? Come on, Claud.
Who's the kid you were on the phone with the other day, acting like a total idiot? Yeah.
Arnie someone.
Artie.
Artie.
Artie.
Spill the beans, Claudia.
We want to know everything.
Everything.
Well, he's He's very tall.
Six feet? Taller than me.
Hobbies? Special skills? He plays the cymbals Cymbals.
Cymbals.
And he can wiggle his ears one at a time.
I don't know anybody else who can do that.
One at a time.
Hmm.
Hmm.
You can see for yourself.
Today.
We have a date.
Date? Okay, so our ever eloquent Mr.
Ponti thinks the architect's use of materials How did you phrase that? "Blows"? Well, is there anything else we can say about this? Huh? Anyone? Yes.
The proportions are totally off.
I mean, the scale totally overpowers the site.
It's like the architect designed a building without giving thought to where the building was going to go.
Can everyone see that? Excellent.
A good architect must live, sleep, eat, breathe his site before he ever puts drafting pencil to paper, which is why we're going to have an all-day site visit this Friday.
Now, I'm gonna be giving instruction there, so attendance is required, and, at the conclusion of our field trip, I'm gonna be assigning you a 48-hour sketch problem, so clear your calendars for the weekend.
You're going to need every single second.
No extensions on that.
I want to see how you folks work with deadlines, okay? So let's move on to the next one.
Think she'll look in the fridge? She might.
Good thinking.
Yuck! Better make a shopping list.
Lots of, uh Fresh fruit.
Maybe a chicken or something, and we've got to lose all the sugar cereals.
Oh, man, Bill, you're back.
Thank God.
We're kind of in social service hell right now.
We're short one nanny.
Boy, we really need your help.
Actually, uh, guys I got picked.
You know, to serve.
You've been drafted? On a jury.
Oh.
You're kidding.
What's the case? Like, burglary or assault or something? Uh, it's, uh, murder One.
So I don't suppose it's very likely that you'll be back in the next day or two, then.
I think when they sequester you, it's a pretty bad sign.
So, you know, the point is, I (BAILEY GROANS) I kind of won't be keeping in touch.
Bill Oh, Bill Kirsten! Bailey? Hey.
Hi.
What are you doing here? I was just, uh, kind of in the neighborhood, so Is everyone okay? Owen? Yeah, he's great.
Owen's great.
He's going to walk any day now.
You should see him.
Yeah, we're all We're all okay.
Charlie too.
That's great.
That's great.
I've got to get to a seminar, or I'm gonna be late.
Wait.
Kirsten.
Hold on a second.
Look Look, I know you don't owe us anything.
I mean, you were great, and Charlie kind of blew it, and I can understand if you just want to forget the whole thing ever happened, just pretend like you never knew our names.
No.
It's not like that at all.
It isn't? Good.
Good Because the thing is, we really, really need your help.
Well, surprise, surprise.
I'm here for my last check.
Right.
Of course.
You know, a bunch of the other girls are coming back to work.
Uniforms and all.
Good for them.
I don't need your money that bad.
Well, can't you give me another chance? To do what? Come up with some other great ideas? Mud wrestling? I don't think so.
Like you said, "cash register for a heart.
" I don't know where you come off being so judgmental.
I mean, you really don't know a damn thing about me.
I know you fired a room full of women who stood up to you.
That's because I had no choice.
Listen, this is a business, okay? I am two weeks away from being on the street with nothing.
No, excuse me, not nothing.
A $10,000 loan and a bankruptcy, so yeah, I may be looking at the bottom line, and I'm sorry if somehow I disappointed you.
Disappointed me? What do I care? Like you said, I don't know you at all, so run your business however you want.
It's got nothing to do with me.
Ah, Jesus.
Okay.
Okay.
You win.
What? No more uniforms, no more mud wrestling, no more Topless Tuesdays.
Was that an option? I guess I'll just have to find another way to keep us in the black.
Why? Because I don't want you to go.
Kirsten? Really? Just like that she said she'd help us out? I mean, did you have to talk her into it, or did she just You know, when you told her about what was going on with us, did she kind of volunteer? What? Why don't you ask what you really want to know? And what's that? Is she still pissed? Well? Is she? I don't know.
It's hard to say.
She played it kind of cool, although she did seem interested when I told her you were going back to school.
Wait a sec.
You told her? Yeah.
What's the big deal? I told you I didn't want anyone to know.
Oh, for God's sake, Charlie, you're not working for the KGB here.
I mean, this is a great thing you're doing.
You should be proud I'm dropping out.
What? Yeah.
You are? Why? Just forget it.
No, I don't want to forget it.
I want you to tell me why.
Because I've got other things I've got to take care of, okay? Because I don't have an entire afternoon to walk around a construction site in Union Square.
Because I don't have to devote to a sketch problem.
Because I've got other responsibilities.
Well, have you talked to Joe about this? Because I'm sure Forget it.
So that's it, huh? It's too much work.
It's too hard I don't need to hear this from you, Bay, okay? See, if you hadn't gone and stuck your nose in my business, if you hadn't opened your big, damn mouth, no one would've known.
I could've just quit without it being one more thing on the list of things that I have never finished.
I could've just bagged it.
I wouldn't have owed anyone any explanation.
(DOORBELL CHIMING) Hi, Artie.
Hey, Claudia.
So you ready to go? Well Nice to meet you, Arthur.
We thought we'd take a few minutes to get introduced before you kids head out.
I'm sorry.
The first 10 minutes of this movie are no big deal.
You didn't miss much.
Whopper? Don't mind if I do.
So you're sure we'll be back in time for Miss Gideon? I checked the schedule.
We just can't stay for the double feature.
Soda? Fun, huh? Excuse me.
Bathroom.
Me too.
Soda? Sorry about this.
It's just kind of annoying.
I mean, why all the questions about my parents? And long-term goals? What does that have to do with anything? And political affiliations? Come on.
Give me a break.
You know what else? The first 10 minutes of this movie is the best part.
Maybe I can convince them to leave.
It's okay.
I kind of think I'm going to go home anyway.
This is no fun.
See you in school.
(BABY GURGLING) You look great.
Hi.
He must've gained five pounds.
Oh, yes.
Hi.
I missed you.
I missed you.
It's just a favor, Charlie.
Okay? I am really sorry about the other evening.
Things were a little hectic.
What with my play rehearsal.
CHARLIE: And with me having to leave the restaurant to make this delivery.
And with me forgetting that Claudia was spending time with Charlie as a special treat.
I told him.
Twice.
BAILEY: She did.
She told me.
We're just happy you could come back.
He just wanted to say good night to everybody.
Good night, Owen.
Night, Owen.
Boy, something sure smells good.
Well, then it's not Owen.
I think my muffins are done.
Hold on a second.
Just wait.
I came here to talk about what's going on with this family, and what I'm getting is a very bad piece of theater.
After the fiasco of the other night, I spent some time with your files because I was worried about you, worried particularly about Owen and Claudia.
What I found was a little unsettling.
I don't know what that could be.
Really? Well, first of all, you've had four nannies in the past nine months.
That's not a lot of stability for a baby.
What's more, your latest nanny doesn't seem to be here, but your second one is here.
I can explain.
We can explain.
Julia Your file says that you have a job, that you work at Backstreet Burger two nights a week, but I checked, and you don't.
You never have.
Claudia A police report was filed less than 48 hours ago that listed you as a missing person.
I was at a friend's house.
We kind of overreacted.
No, you didn't.
You thought she was missing.
Look, Mrs.
Gideon, I can explain all of this stuff.
I can explain what's going on with Claudia and the nanny situation.
I promise you that everything is under control around here.
I'm on top of things.
Are you really? Yes, I am.
I'm not so sure about that, Bailey.
Your records show that you're nearly failing out of school.
Two courses.
Math and Chemistry.
You're close to academic probation.
That doesn't sound to me like someone who's on top of things.
I think we need to take a serious look at how well this family works.
Where do you work, huh? Where does your money come from? What is it, that club? Right And you? You think you were gonna fail out of school and no one was gonna notice? You think they weren't gonna come back to me and say, "What the hell's going on in this family?" Things do not work around here! They don't work! No one tells the truth.
No one trusts anybody else.
Like you're one to talk.
I know I'm guilty too.
BAILEY: You're damn right, you are.
Would you all just stop? What does this mean? Does this mean we shouldn't stay together like this? No.
No.
Of course not.
What can they do to us? Watch us all the time.
Watch everything we do.
They can just show up any time they want? They can just knock on the door and say, "That's it, it's over"? No.
I don't know, Claud.
I don't know.
Oh.
Now you show up.
Your shift started at eight o'clock.
Where were you? Morgan, I can't come back to work here.
Come on.
Why not? Because Well, it's complicated.
No, it's not.
What, you, uh You won't forgive me? No, that's not it.
I can't explain, really.
Working here, it just wouldn't be the right thing for me to do right now.
It'd cause problems.
One slightly offensive judgment call And you're gonna write me off? No.
All I'm saying is, uh That I can't be your employee.
Oh.
That's all? I think I can live with that.
Good.
So I didn't blow it? Not entirely.
Not yet.
There you are.
I was looking for you.
Look, I don't need you to give me a hard time, okay? Not after tonight.
Just tell me, Bay.
How bad is this school stuff? I don't know.
Pretty bad, I guess.
Mr.
Coveny keeps letting me do extra credit work, but I'm still hovering around a D.
I have Miss Traugott for science.
Miss Traugott.
Yeah.
She never cuts anyone any slack.
I'm trying.
You know, it's not like I'm just blowing it off.
I'm trying.
Why didn't you say anything before? I mean, why did you keep this a secret? That's kind of a funny question coming from you, don't you think? Where did we get this idea that we've got to fail in private? I mean, where did that come from? I don't know, man.
You know, we could probably spring for a tutor a couple hours a week.
I mean, cut back on the takeout, eat in more.
That's got to save some money, right? You've got to keep up in school.
I know you've got a lot of responsibilities around here.
I mean, I know there's a lot you take care of, but It's just not an excuse.
What? Same goes for you, Charlie.
Same goes for you.
What are you doing here, Claudia? It's eight o'clock in the morning.
Where are your brothers and sisters? Are you thinking of splitting us up? What? No.
Listen, all I'm thinking about is making sure you kids are taken care of.
Maybe by splitting us up? I am not the enemy, Claudia.
Yes, you are.
You may not want to be, but you are.
No, sweetie.
To me you are.
I mean, I don't get it.
You make it sound like you're doing this all for me.
I am.
Then why don't you just ask me what I want? Please, just ask me.
Claudia, I have to make sure that you and your brother are taken care of.
We are taken care of.
Two days ago, your brothers and sister had to go to the police because they had no idea where you were, Claudia.
That worries me.
That's because you only look at the stuff we do wrong.
I don't think so, sweetheart.
What about all the stuff we do right? Come on.
Like Like the fact that Bailey gets up in the middle of the night, every night for Owen.
I mean, he's 16, and on Friday nights, he babysits.
Claudia Julia trims my bangs and she doesn't let me watch movies on cable, and Charlie has this rule about eating vegetables for dinner, and Bailey went with my class to the planetarium with, like, three other mothers, and they make me get my teeth get cleaned twice a year, and And we all take turns reading to Owen, and I'm trying to think of everything else Claudia, you What else do you want from us? Tell me.
What more are we supposed to do? Are we supposed to be perfect? Of course not.
Are there that many families who do that much better? We made it through the last nine months.
I don't think it can get much harder than that.
Do you? The only thing that's going to ruin this for us, and that's going to stop us from being a family, is you.
Okay, Claud.
Breakfast.
What do you think would impress Mrs.
Gideon more Come and get it! Scooping ice cream at the Udder Delight or working at Polk Street library? Do you get to bring home free ice cream? Probably not.
Library.
Library.
I could probably give you a lift in a couple of days a week on my way into Berkeley.
Thanks.
Claudia! Where the hell is she? Claudia! I don't believe this.
Not again.
I'm gonna kill her.
(CLAUDIA CLEARS THROAT) God Claud, what happened to you leaving a note, huh? After what we've been through, can't you show us a little consideration? You want to tell us where you were? I went to see Mrs.
Gideon To talk to her about us.
What did you say? CHARLIE: Wait a second.
JULIA: Claudia BAILEY: What did she say? She said, she expects to see you pulling in at least a C average, and she wants a letter from any future employer of yours, verifying your employment, and she strongly recommends we get a message board to keep by the phone.
And? And she'll see us in six months.
JULIA: You're kidding.
BAILEY: What? Claud, what'd you say to her? How'd you convince her to change her mind? Claudia.
Look.
Oh, my God.
He's standing! He's walking! Oh, look at him! (CHEERING) He's definitely walking! CHARLIE: Strutted right across the room.
Yay, Owen! You see him walk? Do it again, Owen.
Come on.
Come on.
Try it again.
Come on, Owen.
It's three o'clock in the morning.
What the hell's going on? Nothing.
Well, where have you been? Out.
Out where? Come on, Charlie.
For the last, like, two weeks, I've been hearing you come home every night at God knows what hour.
You know, that's funny, because the last time I checked, I didn't have a curfew.
Well, what What are you doing? You hanging out with a group of guys after work? Are you seeing some new girl? You know what? I'm a whole lot older than you are, Bay.
I don't have to answer to you.
You want to check on bedtimes, check on Claudia's.
Now go to bed.
Something going on with you, Charlie? Go to bed.
(THEME SONG PLAYING) Everybody Wants To Live Like They Wanna Live And Everybody Wants To Love Like They Wanna Love Everybody Wants To Be Closer To Everybody Wants To Live Like They Wanna Live Everybody Wants To Love Like They Wanna Love Everybody Wants To Be Closer To Free BAILEY: Claud, get off the phone.
JULIA: You're really screwing me up here.
CLAUDIA: There's a pay phone on the corner.
Hi, Artie.
Guess who this is.
Listen, that new diaper rash ointment you got, it doesn't work great, so just stick with the old stuff.
Okay.
So, uh, how long do you think this is gonna take? Well, they say the chances of actually getting on a jury are really small.
I hear if you don't get picked in the first few days, they just dismiss you.
Look, I'll be in touch.
(CLAUDIA GIGGLING) What's going on? Claudia's in the middle of some fourth grade gang initiation.
Fifth grade.
So, Artie-chokes, three for a dollar Sorry, Donna.
Dana.
Aren't you supposed to be at a lesson right now? Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Homework? Two days off for a teacher conference.
Don't you listen to anything? Claudia will have to call you right back, Marty.
Artie.
Artie.
Come on.
Kate is waiting for my call.
There's a pay phone on the corner.
The guy was there all night.
Left me $2.
You're kidding.
MORGAN: Loren.
Owner alert, nine o'clock.
He got a haircut.
That's a new jacket.
You keeping tabs on him or what? JULIA: No.
Maybe.
Yes.
Julia Forget it.
He doesn't know I'm alive.
I bet he doesn't even know my name.
Hey, Julia, could I get a glass of Perrier, please? Pay up.
On the house.
I don't know if the house can afford it.
Really? We're not exactly packing them in these days, are we? You want my advice? Okay.
Well, the same 15 local bands go from club to club, right? Right.
Well, maybe if you paid travel expenses, rented an apartment for out-of-town acts, you could get a reputation for introducing new groups to the area.
See, the thing is, I need a consistent draw.
I need a reason for people to come here every week, no matter who's playing.
Something in the order of a, I don't know Wet t-shirt contest.
You're kidding, right? No, no, I'm not.
I got every penny I ever made tied up into this place.
I'm up to my eyes in debt.
You gotta to have a cash register for a heart.
Well, in that case, I guess you want me back on the job, right? You know, Loren tells me that you're good.
You've asked? Well, he just says that you may be the best we have.
Wait a second.
How come nobody here has got your phone number? How come you looked? (ROCK MUSIC PLAYING) Yeah, Yeah, Yeah (DOORBELL CHIMING) I Alone Love You I Alone Tempt You (KNOCKING) Pizza? WOMAN: No.
Mrs.
Gideon.
Who? From the Department of Social Services.
I Alone Love You Yeah Yeah (MUSIC STOPS) Uh, I'm coming.
I'll be there in a second.
Miss Gideon.
Hi.
Bailey.
May I come in? Don't think too long.
It's a rhetorical question.
I, uh I forgot we had an appointment.
You know how we work.
No appointments.
I'm sorry for the late hour, though, but I figured with your brother working and you kids in school Well, the evening seemed like the best time to catch you all together.
Oh, well, we're never out of each other's sight Except for tonight.
Any guess? My bet is It ain't a raise.
(LAUGHING) Oh.
Jeez, I Didn't mean to keep everybody in suspense.
I got stuck in the bathroom.
Loren, you want to do something about that door, please? Oh, yeah, I'm working on that, boss.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Uh, listen, uh I know we haven't been exactly packing them in here the past few weeks, so this is what I was thinking.
We'll let the customers know that the music's not the only draw.
You guys are, so, starting tomorrow, there's going to be a new dress code.
What, wet t-shirts? Let's just say that it, uh It's a figure-flattering uniform.
I think we show a little more skin around here, we'll show a little more profit.
LOREN: Uh-huh.
You know, like I say, when in doubt, capitalize on your asses.
Is that what you're doing? Anyway, I've got a whole crate coming in later, so, you know, pick out your sizes, try them on, and, uh, that's it.
End of announcement.
Wasn't so bad, was it? How's Mrs.
Kelleher doing? The, uh The nanny.
She She had to leave.
She left.
Oh, right.
I'm sorry.
I have that noted right here.
You hired Kirsten Bennett is her name? (DOOR OPENS) Julia! You, uh You remember Mrs.
Gideon, what are you doing here? It's all right.
It's our regular visit.
That's great.
Nice to see you.
Same here.
Look, I'd like to I got to go to the bathroom.
Julia! I'm going to explode.
She got her mom's bladder.
You know, why don't I call Charlie at the restaurant and see what time he'll be home from work? Oh, God! Joe.
Hey.
Hey.
Can I, uh Can I talk to Charlie for a second? What? No, no, no.
I thought he said Okay, well, all right.
Well, thanks, Joe.
Just Just, uh, let him know I called.
All right, thanks.
He, uh Just stepped out on a break.
It happens.
It is such a weird night.
Usually, we're all gathered around the living room together, you know, studying and talking.
Why don't I see how Julia's doing? Julia! Just a minute! For God's sakes.
Julia Hi.
Hi, there Again.
Um I was just changing.
We were doing a production of Marat/Sade at the school.
Church.
Church school.
It's a benefit, actually, for hunger Disease.
And diseases.
Hunger and diseases.
It's very optimistic.
Let me get a sweater.
You know what? I bet you'd like to see Claudia.
I would, yes.
You know, she, uh She recently performed with the Bay Area Chamber Ensemble.
It was in the paper.
I saw that.
Yeah, she's a credit to us all and to your department.
(WHISPERING) She, uh She might be sleeping.
You know, all that practicing and studying.
Claudia? Claudia? Claudia? Claudia? It's 10 o'clock at night.
You know what? She's out with Charlie.
I'm sorry.
I completely forgot.
The two of them are spending some time together.
So is there anything else you want to see? I think I've seen enough.
She's got to be with friends.
At 10:30 at night? What are you guys doing? And what are you wearing underneath that sweater, Jule? Claudia's missing.
What? She's gone.
We can't find her.
Where have you been? I was at work.
Oh, really? There must be a note somewhere.
Well, we can't find one and no one has seen her since this afternoon.
Yeah, it was, like, eight hours ago.
Did she tell you she was going out? No.
I don't know.
I don't think so.
Well, she's got to be with friends, right? I mean, she's got to be.
It's the only thing that makes sense.
We have no idea, do we? She comes up to about here.
What's this, like four feet? Her weight? What do 11-year-olds weigh? She's pretty average.
What was she wearing the last time you saw her? A dress.
Jeans.
Overalls.
You're not exactly sure what she was wearing? I guess not.
You wouldn't happen to have a recent picture of her, would you? Um This is from last year Or maybe the year before.
Her bangs are longer.
I'm going to put out a missing juvenile broadcast.
CHARLIE: What should we do? Drive around looking for her? No, really, the best thing for you to do is to rack your brains as to where she might be and wait by the phone.
Just need a signature here.
What's this? Why would you need to know the name of her dentist? It's for purposes of identification.
Hopefully, we'll never have to deal with that.
Anything? Sheet music, art project of sea shells, list of what she wants for her birthday.
Doesn't she have, like, a little phone book or something? Phone number! Phone number.
It's my handwriting.
What did you take $400 out of the bank for? What? It's an ATM slip from From three days ago.
Yeah, great.
I just don't remember it in the checkbook.
For God's sake, Bay, do we have to deal with this right now? I don't know, Bay.
Maybe he's got a girlfriend he doesn't want us to know about.
"Dear Diary.
" Kind of a trust issue here, huh? It could have friends' phone numbers in it.
Use a bobby pin or something.
She'll never know.
The thing is, Jule, he's tired all the time.
His eyes are always red.
What are you saying? Charlie's got a drug problem or something? Give me a break.
JULIA: Got it.
"I kind of like our new nanny.
"Owen almost took a step today without even holding on.
" Wow.
Did you know that? No.
"Julia's weird.
Today I saw her" Never mind.
Um "Bart likes Jamie.
Karen likes Jimmy S.
"Question mark likes Claudia," and that's it.
Great.
We've got nothing.
Maybe one of us needs some rest.
Wait a second.
What about this whole thing with Charlie? Bailey, come on.
No, I'm telling you, it's like he's got this secret life.
Leave it alone, Bay.
What? People are allowed their privacy, you know.
That's a great answer, Jule.
That's great.
You know You know, I think we've gone a little overboard with the privacy thing here.
I mean, one of us is missing, and none of us has any idea what anyone else in this family is doing.
(TELEPHONE RINGING) Claudia.
Claudia.
(JULIA SCREAMS) CHARLIE: What? What? Claudia! (RINGING CONTINUES) Something going on with you guys? Are you okay? Are you all right? I'm fine.
Where have you been all night? I was at a sleep-over at Dana's And I met this boy.
You what? I know.
Isn't it great? You were at a sleep-over and you didn't call? What? Why should I call? Because we all nearly had heart attacks when you didn't come home, that's why.
We were up all night.
We thought you were missing or dead.
We called the police.
Well, that was pretty stupid.
Stupid? Don't you ever do that to us again.
Hey, I told you where I was going.
You told who? I yelled through the bathroom door when you wouldn't open it.
You said okay.
I know you didn't hear me, because you had those stupid headphones on, so I went to you while you were in the living room.
You nodded.
I was asleep.
If you were all so worried about me, why didn't you just look up Dana's parents' number? It's in the phone book Unless it's because you have no idea what Dana's name is, which wouldn't surprise me at all, because none of you care about any of my friends or have the slightest clue what's going on in my life.
You want to blame someone for this? Blame yourselves.
I'm growing up, and I'm becoming a woman, and you're all missing it.
So what do you think? Should we hug her or kill her? Kind of a toss-up.
(APPLAUSE) ANNOUNCER: We'll be back in 20, so stick around.
I feel like a hooker.
I feel like a sausage casing.
It took me 45 minutes to get dressed.
Put that on your time card.
Here we go again.
What are you having? A fantasy.
What can I get you? How about your phone number? What would you like beverage-wise? Why don't you use your imagination? Because mine's working overtime.
This is bull.
All right, Julia.
Go, girl.
Okay, so what have we got here? Four pinched butts Five.
Five.
Sorry, Molly.
Three lewd comments and two sexual propositions? And a partridge in a pear tree.
MORGAN: We didn't get shut down by the fire marshal, did we? What the hell's going on? Look, we're not trying to be difficult, but, uh, these uniforms We kind of don't want to wear them.
No? No.
I know you're trying to find a way to reel in customers, and we all understand that, but I don't think we're comfortable being the bait.
Ah.
So to speak.
So Maybe we can come up with a different solution, because this one isn't gonna work.
I see, and you're all agreed on this? Absolutely.
Yeah.
It's unanimous.
Okay, okay, well, then, uh, you're all fired.
What? Bailey I don't believe you followed me.
What are you doing in Berkeley? You have lost your mind.
Look, I want to know what is going on with you, Charlie.
I want to know where you go at night.
It's none of your damn business.
Yes, it is my business.
It's my business when you lie about being at work and you come home at three o'clock in the morning and you can't explain what you did with 400 bucks.
Now, what is going on with you, Charlie? Are you in some kind of trouble? It's drugs, isn't it? What? I know they sell the stuff around campus.
Yeah, that's it, Bailey.
You caught me.
When I'm not at home changing diapers, I'm out on Telegraph Avenue dealing dope.
All right, well, if it's not that, then what? Get the hell out of here, Bailey! Charlie (TELEPHONE RINGING) BAILEY: Hey, you've reached the Salingers.
We're not around.
You know what to do.
JANE: Yes, this is Jane Gideon.
I've scheduled a follow-up visit with you for tomorrow at five PM.
Unless I hear to the contrary, I'll expect to see all of you there.
All of you.
Thank you.
(ANSWERING MACHINE BEEPS) There was a message on the machine.
She's coming back Mrs.
Gideon And she wants to see us.
All of us.
Probably because she thinks things are falling apart around here, and she's right.
What, now you've got her involved? Look, I didn't want to, but with a social worker breathing down our necks, you're just gonna have to level with us here, Charlie.
I'm going to school, okay? I'm taking an architecture class at Berkeley.
I've been at the library every night.
Right.
Tell me another one.
Architecture 134, Professor Eric Dwight, Seaton hall, room 306.
You're serious.
Yeah.
So the 400 bucks Tuition, course fees, textbooks.
God, Charlie, that's great.
I mean, it's great that you're trying this again.
Well, it's not for a grade or anything.
It's just pass/fail.
So what? It's a start, right? It's great.
So why was this such a big secret? I just didn't want anyone to know.
Why? I just didn't, okay? You don't need to know everything.
Best friend.
Dana Shepherd.
That's E-R-D.
Used to be Jill Thorton until she cheated off me during a spelling test.
Favorite teacher? I can't believe Mrs.
Gideon's gonna want to know this.
It's not just for her.
We want to know.
Favorite teacher? Mrs.
Carver.
Wears Reeboks, cries when she reads us Johnny Tremain, puts on too much blush.
Favorite scotch? Main squeeze? Come on, Claud.
Who's the kid you were on the phone with the other day, acting like a total idiot? Yeah.
Arnie someone.
Artie.
Artie.
Artie.
Spill the beans, Claudia.
We want to know everything.
Everything.
Well, he's He's very tall.
Six feet? Taller than me.
Hobbies? Special skills? He plays the cymbals Cymbals.
Cymbals.
And he can wiggle his ears one at a time.
I don't know anybody else who can do that.
One at a time.
Hmm.
Hmm.
You can see for yourself.
Today.
We have a date.
Date? Okay, so our ever eloquent Mr.
Ponti thinks the architect's use of materials How did you phrase that? "Blows"? Well, is there anything else we can say about this? Huh? Anyone? Yes.
The proportions are totally off.
I mean, the scale totally overpowers the site.
It's like the architect designed a building without giving thought to where the building was going to go.
Can everyone see that? Excellent.
A good architect must live, sleep, eat, breathe his site before he ever puts drafting pencil to paper, which is why we're going to have an all-day site visit this Friday.
Now, I'm gonna be giving instruction there, so attendance is required, and, at the conclusion of our field trip, I'm gonna be assigning you a 48-hour sketch problem, so clear your calendars for the weekend.
You're going to need every single second.
No extensions on that.
I want to see how you folks work with deadlines, okay? So let's move on to the next one.
Think she'll look in the fridge? She might.
Good thinking.
Yuck! Better make a shopping list.
Lots of, uh Fresh fruit.
Maybe a chicken or something, and we've got to lose all the sugar cereals.
Oh, man, Bill, you're back.
Thank God.
We're kind of in social service hell right now.
We're short one nanny.
Boy, we really need your help.
Actually, uh, guys I got picked.
You know, to serve.
You've been drafted? On a jury.
Oh.
You're kidding.
What's the case? Like, burglary or assault or something? Uh, it's, uh, murder One.
So I don't suppose it's very likely that you'll be back in the next day or two, then.
I think when they sequester you, it's a pretty bad sign.
So, you know, the point is, I (BAILEY GROANS) I kind of won't be keeping in touch.
Bill Oh, Bill Kirsten! Bailey? Hey.
Hi.
What are you doing here? I was just, uh, kind of in the neighborhood, so Is everyone okay? Owen? Yeah, he's great.
Owen's great.
He's going to walk any day now.
You should see him.
Yeah, we're all We're all okay.
Charlie too.
That's great.
That's great.
I've got to get to a seminar, or I'm gonna be late.
Wait.
Kirsten.
Hold on a second.
Look Look, I know you don't owe us anything.
I mean, you were great, and Charlie kind of blew it, and I can understand if you just want to forget the whole thing ever happened, just pretend like you never knew our names.
No.
It's not like that at all.
It isn't? Good.
Good Because the thing is, we really, really need your help.
Well, surprise, surprise.
I'm here for my last check.
Right.
Of course.
You know, a bunch of the other girls are coming back to work.
Uniforms and all.
Good for them.
I don't need your money that bad.
Well, can't you give me another chance? To do what? Come up with some other great ideas? Mud wrestling? I don't think so.
Like you said, "cash register for a heart.
" I don't know where you come off being so judgmental.
I mean, you really don't know a damn thing about me.
I know you fired a room full of women who stood up to you.
That's because I had no choice.
Listen, this is a business, okay? I am two weeks away from being on the street with nothing.
No, excuse me, not nothing.
A $10,000 loan and a bankruptcy, so yeah, I may be looking at the bottom line, and I'm sorry if somehow I disappointed you.
Disappointed me? What do I care? Like you said, I don't know you at all, so run your business however you want.
It's got nothing to do with me.
Ah, Jesus.
Okay.
Okay.
You win.
What? No more uniforms, no more mud wrestling, no more Topless Tuesdays.
Was that an option? I guess I'll just have to find another way to keep us in the black.
Why? Because I don't want you to go.
Kirsten? Really? Just like that she said she'd help us out? I mean, did you have to talk her into it, or did she just You know, when you told her about what was going on with us, did she kind of volunteer? What? Why don't you ask what you really want to know? And what's that? Is she still pissed? Well? Is she? I don't know.
It's hard to say.
She played it kind of cool, although she did seem interested when I told her you were going back to school.
Wait a sec.
You told her? Yeah.
What's the big deal? I told you I didn't want anyone to know.
Oh, for God's sake, Charlie, you're not working for the KGB here.
I mean, this is a great thing you're doing.
You should be proud I'm dropping out.
What? Yeah.
You are? Why? Just forget it.
No, I don't want to forget it.
I want you to tell me why.
Because I've got other things I've got to take care of, okay? Because I don't have an entire afternoon to walk around a construction site in Union Square.
Because I don't have to devote to a sketch problem.
Because I've got other responsibilities.
Well, have you talked to Joe about this? Because I'm sure Forget it.
So that's it, huh? It's too much work.
It's too hard I don't need to hear this from you, Bay, okay? See, if you hadn't gone and stuck your nose in my business, if you hadn't opened your big, damn mouth, no one would've known.
I could've just quit without it being one more thing on the list of things that I have never finished.
I could've just bagged it.
I wouldn't have owed anyone any explanation.
(DOORBELL CHIMING) Hi, Artie.
Hey, Claudia.
So you ready to go? Well Nice to meet you, Arthur.
We thought we'd take a few minutes to get introduced before you kids head out.
I'm sorry.
The first 10 minutes of this movie are no big deal.
You didn't miss much.
Whopper? Don't mind if I do.
So you're sure we'll be back in time for Miss Gideon? I checked the schedule.
We just can't stay for the double feature.
Soda? Fun, huh? Excuse me.
Bathroom.
Me too.
Soda? Sorry about this.
It's just kind of annoying.
I mean, why all the questions about my parents? And long-term goals? What does that have to do with anything? And political affiliations? Come on.
Give me a break.
You know what else? The first 10 minutes of this movie is the best part.
Maybe I can convince them to leave.
It's okay.
I kind of think I'm going to go home anyway.
This is no fun.
See you in school.
(BABY GURGLING) You look great.
Hi.
He must've gained five pounds.
Oh, yes.
Hi.
I missed you.
I missed you.
It's just a favor, Charlie.
Okay? I am really sorry about the other evening.
Things were a little hectic.
What with my play rehearsal.
CHARLIE: And with me having to leave the restaurant to make this delivery.
And with me forgetting that Claudia was spending time with Charlie as a special treat.
I told him.
Twice.
BAILEY: She did.
She told me.
We're just happy you could come back.
He just wanted to say good night to everybody.
Good night, Owen.
Night, Owen.
Boy, something sure smells good.
Well, then it's not Owen.
I think my muffins are done.
Hold on a second.
Just wait.
I came here to talk about what's going on with this family, and what I'm getting is a very bad piece of theater.
After the fiasco of the other night, I spent some time with your files because I was worried about you, worried particularly about Owen and Claudia.
What I found was a little unsettling.
I don't know what that could be.
Really? Well, first of all, you've had four nannies in the past nine months.
That's not a lot of stability for a baby.
What's more, your latest nanny doesn't seem to be here, but your second one is here.
I can explain.
We can explain.
Julia Your file says that you have a job, that you work at Backstreet Burger two nights a week, but I checked, and you don't.
You never have.
Claudia A police report was filed less than 48 hours ago that listed you as a missing person.
I was at a friend's house.
We kind of overreacted.
No, you didn't.
You thought she was missing.
Look, Mrs.
Gideon, I can explain all of this stuff.
I can explain what's going on with Claudia and the nanny situation.
I promise you that everything is under control around here.
I'm on top of things.
Are you really? Yes, I am.
I'm not so sure about that, Bailey.
Your records show that you're nearly failing out of school.
Two courses.
Math and Chemistry.
You're close to academic probation.
That doesn't sound to me like someone who's on top of things.
I think we need to take a serious look at how well this family works.
Where do you work, huh? Where does your money come from? What is it, that club? Right And you? You think you were gonna fail out of school and no one was gonna notice? You think they weren't gonna come back to me and say, "What the hell's going on in this family?" Things do not work around here! They don't work! No one tells the truth.
No one trusts anybody else.
Like you're one to talk.
I know I'm guilty too.
BAILEY: You're damn right, you are.
Would you all just stop? What does this mean? Does this mean we shouldn't stay together like this? No.
No.
Of course not.
What can they do to us? Watch us all the time.
Watch everything we do.
They can just show up any time they want? They can just knock on the door and say, "That's it, it's over"? No.
I don't know, Claud.
I don't know.
Oh.
Now you show up.
Your shift started at eight o'clock.
Where were you? Morgan, I can't come back to work here.
Come on.
Why not? Because Well, it's complicated.
No, it's not.
What, you, uh You won't forgive me? No, that's not it.
I can't explain, really.
Working here, it just wouldn't be the right thing for me to do right now.
It'd cause problems.
One slightly offensive judgment call And you're gonna write me off? No.
All I'm saying is, uh That I can't be your employee.
Oh.
That's all? I think I can live with that.
Good.
So I didn't blow it? Not entirely.
Not yet.
There you are.
I was looking for you.
Look, I don't need you to give me a hard time, okay? Not after tonight.
Just tell me, Bay.
How bad is this school stuff? I don't know.
Pretty bad, I guess.
Mr.
Coveny keeps letting me do extra credit work, but I'm still hovering around a D.
I have Miss Traugott for science.
Miss Traugott.
Yeah.
She never cuts anyone any slack.
I'm trying.
You know, it's not like I'm just blowing it off.
I'm trying.
Why didn't you say anything before? I mean, why did you keep this a secret? That's kind of a funny question coming from you, don't you think? Where did we get this idea that we've got to fail in private? I mean, where did that come from? I don't know, man.
You know, we could probably spring for a tutor a couple hours a week.
I mean, cut back on the takeout, eat in more.
That's got to save some money, right? You've got to keep up in school.
I know you've got a lot of responsibilities around here.
I mean, I know there's a lot you take care of, but It's just not an excuse.
What? Same goes for you, Charlie.
Same goes for you.
What are you doing here, Claudia? It's eight o'clock in the morning.
Where are your brothers and sisters? Are you thinking of splitting us up? What? No.
Listen, all I'm thinking about is making sure you kids are taken care of.
Maybe by splitting us up? I am not the enemy, Claudia.
Yes, you are.
You may not want to be, but you are.
No, sweetie.
To me you are.
I mean, I don't get it.
You make it sound like you're doing this all for me.
I am.
Then why don't you just ask me what I want? Please, just ask me.
Claudia, I have to make sure that you and your brother are taken care of.
We are taken care of.
Two days ago, your brothers and sister had to go to the police because they had no idea where you were, Claudia.
That worries me.
That's because you only look at the stuff we do wrong.
I don't think so, sweetheart.
What about all the stuff we do right? Come on.
Like Like the fact that Bailey gets up in the middle of the night, every night for Owen.
I mean, he's 16, and on Friday nights, he babysits.
Claudia Julia trims my bangs and she doesn't let me watch movies on cable, and Charlie has this rule about eating vegetables for dinner, and Bailey went with my class to the planetarium with, like, three other mothers, and they make me get my teeth get cleaned twice a year, and And we all take turns reading to Owen, and I'm trying to think of everything else Claudia, you What else do you want from us? Tell me.
What more are we supposed to do? Are we supposed to be perfect? Of course not.
Are there that many families who do that much better? We made it through the last nine months.
I don't think it can get much harder than that.
Do you? The only thing that's going to ruin this for us, and that's going to stop us from being a family, is you.
Okay, Claud.
Breakfast.
What do you think would impress Mrs.
Gideon more Come and get it! Scooping ice cream at the Udder Delight or working at Polk Street library? Do you get to bring home free ice cream? Probably not.
Library.
Library.
I could probably give you a lift in a couple of days a week on my way into Berkeley.
Thanks.
Claudia! Where the hell is she? Claudia! I don't believe this.
Not again.
I'm gonna kill her.
(CLAUDIA CLEARS THROAT) God Claud, what happened to you leaving a note, huh? After what we've been through, can't you show us a little consideration? You want to tell us where you were? I went to see Mrs.
Gideon To talk to her about us.
What did you say? CHARLIE: Wait a second.
JULIA: Claudia BAILEY: What did she say? She said, she expects to see you pulling in at least a C average, and she wants a letter from any future employer of yours, verifying your employment, and she strongly recommends we get a message board to keep by the phone.
And? And she'll see us in six months.
JULIA: You're kidding.
BAILEY: What? Claud, what'd you say to her? How'd you convince her to change her mind? Claudia.
Look.
Oh, my God.
He's standing! He's walking! Oh, look at him! (CHEERING) He's definitely walking! CHARLIE: Strutted right across the room.
Yay, Owen! You see him walk? Do it again, Owen.
Come on.
Come on.
Try it again.
Come on, Owen.