Early Edition (1996) s01e20 Episode Script
Phantom at the Opera
CHUCK: We enter this world alone.
We leave it pretty much the same way.
And in between, a dance we call life.
The problem is it takes two to tango.
So we look for signs, something to help us find our perfect partners a smile, a wave.
But we have to be careful, 'cause while some signs can be misinterpreted others can be missed completely.
(horn blaring) And if you think it's any easier for a guy who gets tomorrow's newspaper today, think again.
(theme music playing) (tapping on glass) Hey! Hey! Hey! Look, I'm sorry to bother you, but it's important that I talk to someone.
We're closed.
No, I can tell you're closed, but, listen, I need to talk to somebody.
Tuesday through Sunday, Yeah, that's great.
Listen, I need to talk to Emma Shaw, though.
Tomorrow, 10:00 to 5:00, or by appointment.
Good night now.
Hey, no.
Now, wai-wait a sec, I need Hey, listen, 10:00 to 5:00 is too late.
I need to talk to someone.
Hey, come on, pal! (phone line ringing) Come on.
(opera music blaring, phone ringing) Come on.
(tapping on glass) I thought I told you we're closed.
Yeah, I know you're closed.
Look, I understand you can't let me in, but, listen, I need you to do something for me.
There's a window in the back of the museum that's open.
A window? That's right, a window.
You need to close that window.
And I need you to do something else.
I need you to find Emma Shaw.
And would you tell her to go home.
I got a better idea.
You go home.
Now get out of here! Hey, pa hey, pa Hey, come on, pal.
Hey, come hey, come on! (glass breaking in distance) (guard grunts) You want to know something? When you're finished here, you are definitely going to be the prettiest painting in the whole museum.
I mean that.
Seriously.
People are gonna line up just to take a look at you.
Emma Shaw? Oh, I'm sorry, uh, you just, uh, startled me.
Are you Emma Shaw? The music's too loud, right? I am so sorry.
It's just that I'm new here and I didn't know that anyone else was around and I just got a little carried away, but there is something that's so amazing about Turandot full volume.
Uh, look, you got to get out of here.
Okay, well, I'll just uh, why? Someone's going to break into the museum, and they're gonna try to steal that painting.
If you don't get out of here, you're gonna get hurt that's why Now, please, let's go.
What's your name? Uh, G-Gary Hobson.
Okay, Gary Hobson, don't lie to me.
I'm not lying to you.
You didn't come here to steal the painting? No.
Okay, well, we'll get we'll get out of here, then.
Okay.
The painting.
Gary! Gary! (Emma grunting) Hey! Are you all right? (kisses) Thank you.
(cat meowing) Hey, what you doing? What are you doing? Don't do that.
(machine beeps) EMMA (on machine): Hi, Gary.
This is Emma Shaw from last night.
I'm just calling 'cause things got sort of hectic after the police came, last night, and then you disappeared and I never really got to thank you for everything you did.
And, uh, would you like to have dinner sometime? I know; I'm sorry; You probably think I'm weird tracking you down and everything, but you did save my life and I figure that's got to be worth a nice dinner.
Or, uh, lunch, if that would be better.
Or a snack.
A s-snack is definitely the least I can do.
Uh, okay, I'm rambling again.
Sorry, you're the fourth G.
Hobson in the phone book I've left this message with.
You'd think I'd be better at it by now.
Anyway, if you're the right one, then you know where to find me, and if you're not, I'm sorry, just ignore everything I said.
Except the thank you part.
(chuckles) Bye.
(machine beeps) Lake Shore Drive.
Tha-That's a nice location.
Looks like, uh, you're moving? Yeah out of my car.
Uh, I-I drove here from San Francisco two weeks ago, as soon as I got the job.
They put me right to work and I haven't been able to find anything else.
Well, it looks like you found plenty of possibilities.
True.
The problem is that, uh, everything that looks good gets snapped up before I get a chance to check it out.
I take it you got my message.
Oh, I would be G.
Hobson number four.
(chuckles) (chuckling): I'm sorry.
It was so stupid.
Wasn't it? Oh! I don't know, I guess I shouldn't have called you.
I just what you must think of me.
(chuckling): It wasn't stupid at all.
You were so nice to me for, for no reason at all, and I-I just don't know anyone else here.
I just mean that you're under no obligation.
I mean, you're busy.
You, you have work and friends and other attachments.
Well, as, as, as luck would have it, I, uh I don't have any attachments and, uh, I would very much like to have dinner with you.
Tonight? Tonight's good.
Great.
Eight o'clock? Yeah.
Coranza's? Eight o'clock.
Penny stock sells for ten dollars a share, client makes a bundle, and I get two court-side seats at the Bulls game tonight.
MARISSA: Life's good, huh? It definitely has its moments.
So, Gare, what time should I pick you up? Want milk? Yeah.
I-I don't think I can make it.
I'm, uh, I'm going to have plans.
Plans? What kind of plans could possibly be more important than two court-side seats to the Bulls game, especially with me, your best bud? You know, I got, uh, social plans.
Mm! Where'd you meet her? Well, I helped her out of a jam over at the museum.
It's about time.
About time for what? Gare, ever since that divorce, any time you've ever shown any interest in a woman, that paper has gotten in the way.
Now, save yourself the heartache.
Come to the game.
Ah sorry, I can't do that.
Besides, I already know who wins.
Why don't you take Marissa? Thanks, Jimmy.
Uh-uh.
I have a date, too.
Come on, Spike.
(Gary whistling, cat meows) Don't wait up.
(cat yowls) What? Now, you dropped that paper on the floor.
There's anything in there, you take care of it.
Me, I'm busy.
(cat meows) (meows) (meows) Don't look so smug.
(meows) (meows) GARY: Eve, I really think you ought to come down from there.
Damn fool.
He promised I would die first.
How long were you married? I wore this on my honeymoon.
What do you think? I think you ought to come down.
I had more of a compliment in mind.
Well, I'm sorry.
It looks beautiful.
Thank you.
Eve, can I ask you a question? Only if I can answer it from right here.
Yes, ma'am.
Why are you doing this? I spent my entire life with one man.
And now he's gone.
I've forgotten how to be a alone.
Good evening.
Reservation for Shaw? Yes, ma'am.
Right this way.
Here you go.
Enjoy your dinner.
Thank you.
It was fate that brought my husband and I together.
I'm just as sure of it as the two of us are sitting here.
(tires screeching, horn honking) You see, I never really intended to go to that silly dance.
It wasn't until my cousin Rachel, that was her name well, she wanted me to come along with her, poor thing.
She was so shy.
She wanted someone with her to talk to in case no gentleman asked her to dance.
MAN: Oh, very nice.
WOMAN: Thank you.
Enjoy your dinner.
Thank you.
Oh, thank you.
Well, there we were sitting there, drinking our umpteenth cup of punch.
Excuse me, can I interrupt you for just one second? Well, I-I'm just getting to the point where I met my husband.
Yes, I'm sure you were.
But I-I was just wondering and don't take this the wrong way, please but did you always talk like this I mean, this much, when you're husband was alive? (chuckles) Oh, dear, I guess I do like the sound of my own voice, don't I? Oh, I swear, Jake that was my husband he didn't listen to half of the things I said.
Well, why? Well, you and Jake, you're gonna spend eternity together, right? That's why I'm doing this.
(stammers) But maybe Jake would like to spend some time by himself, before you join him.
(gasps) It's a yes, then? Oh! Hi, Gary.
It's me, Emma.
I'm at the restaurant and, uh, I was just hoping that you were okay.
I mean, uh, I'm sure you are.
Probably just told you the wrong restaurant.
Sounds like something I'd do.
Anyway, if you get the message, I'm at Coranza's and it's after 9:00, and, uh Okay.
Bye.
(elevator bell dings) (sighs) I know I'm doing the right thing for Jake, but I just don't know where to begin.
Well, I-I think you already have, Eve.
You're alive and you should, you should meet people and, uh, go places.
And, uh, well, you should collect new stories.
And I think the next time you see Jake, he'll, well, he'll want to hear them.
(laughs) (chuckles) There we go.
Thank you very much.
Gary? Gary? Gary? Hmm? Oh.
Oh, good morning.
Apparently I'm not the only person who needs to find a place to live.
What are you doing here? I was waiting for you and I didn't know what time you came in, so I was, uh You're a little early.
I know.
Listen, about last Listen, uh, I was dressed and I hurried out the door, but then I got a phone call.
It was a friend of mine, he said that he needed some help.
That it was an emergency.
And, uh, well, I told him I didn't want to go.
I mean, really I didn't, 'cause we had the plans and everything, but then when, uh, well, I-I tried to call the restaurant and it was too late.
And then I-I tried to go over to the restaurant, and I did go what I'm trying to say is I-I'm sorry.
(bells tolling) Well, this friend of yours with the emergency, was it an emergency like I had here, the other night? No Well, uh, yeah, I mean, kind of.
But a little different.
And he's okay? Yeah.
He's I mean, I-I think so.
I think everything's all right, yeah.
Well, then, you don't have anything to be sorry for.
(car horn honking) So, uh, so, so you're, you're not mad then? Honestly? Honestly.
No.
I mean, I was.
But, you know, then, uh, I was disappointed because I-I really did want to have dinner with you.
Well, listen, we can still do that.
I think we should wait.
I've got to find an apartment and settle in and and you got to stop feeling guilty.
I mean, I-I don't want us to go out just because you feel like you should.
That's-that's okay.
Okay.
Take care.
Okay.
WOMAN: So, yeah.
.
MAN: Are you having fun? WOMAN: Yeah.
I can hardly wait to cook for you.
MAN: You know, I could really carry this I got it.
GARY: Yeah, hello.
Can I speak to Emma Shaw, please.
Oh, well, uh, may I leave a message? Yeah.
Would you tell her that Gary called and Hobson.
Gary Hobson.
Yeah.
Listen, tell her that I-I found an apartment she might want to check out.
That's right.
And-and-and tell her that I'm not doing this because I have to or I feel guilty.
Yeah.
Tell her I'm doing it because I want to.
Yeah.
All right, now, the address is on Lake Shore Drive.
That's right.
(elevator bell dings) Emma? (sighs) I think you do that on purpose.
What, uh, what are you writing? Um, a note.
For you.
Can I read it? No.
Why not? Because I'm having a hard time trying to make it say what I want it to say.
What-what's it supposed to say? This.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
I love the apartment; It's great.
Oh (laughs) Good.
Good.
Would you like to come in for some coffee? Oh, uh no.
It's really late and, uh, I really just came to tell you how sweet it was for you to and thank you.
So, okay.
Bye.
Gary? Yeah? I was just thinking.
Uh, now that I have a place and I'll finally be settled again, uh, maybe we can try having that dinner.
That would be good.
Great.
Friday? Yes.
Great.
Okay.
You-you pick the restaurant this time.
Okay.
See you then.
ANNOUNCER: It's 6:30.
And here's the news for Friday morning.
The mayor announced last night that he (cat meows) (paper thuds against door) (meows) You are not canceling your date.
Well, I suppose you have a better idea.
A battle plan, that's all you need.
What I need is some sort of a life, because it's obvious the paper doesn't want me to enjoy the one I have.
So you think the paper's making a conscious effort to come between you and Emma? I don't know what to think.
Gare, look, you made a date with Emma, you're gonna keep it, okay? Now, why don't you just tell me what conflicts you have, and maybe I can help you out.
You know the paper doesn't like it when we try to Oh, what, is the paper a person? I'm trying to help Gary get organized here, all right? Fine.
Fine.
Now, Gary, tell me about these conflicts.
What do you got? Come on.
(clears throat) All right, approximately 8:25, alley on the 1600 block of Michigan.
Sixteen hundred.
A Dumpster fire spreads to a neighboring building.
Seven are hospitalized.
Okay.
Got it.
Next.
Okay 8:45, car stalls on train tracks.
Uh, Sixth Street crossing.
Train derails, and three people are killed.
Okay, rail road tracks.
Got it.
What's next? Um, let's see.
A female jogger hospitalized after Doberman got away from its owner and attacks her.
Where? Happens between 9:00 and 9:30 at the, uh, corner of 23rd and Argyle.
Okay.
That's all? You mean three's not enough? All right, look, as long as you take Emma somewhere inside of the Hobson triangle, preferably in this area right here, and then, with a little help from me, everybody gets what they want.
I want to take her somewhere nice.
Fine, you'll take her somewhere nice as long as it's in this area.
(Middle Eastern music playing) (door bells jangle) So, uh, how'd you find this place? This place? Oh, it's a Well, a friend's recommendation.
Thanks, friend.
Um, you know, you're very popular now at the museum.
Oh, how's that? It turns out that the thief you stopped has a whole warehouse full of stolen art.
Really? Yeah, and as soon as they track down the rightful owners, it can all be returned to them.
Oh.
You've done a really great thing, Gary Hobson.
Oh, thank you.
But, you know, I I still feel like I don't really know you.
I-I think it's 'cause I do all the talking.
Okay.
Okay, so now, you're gonna talk.
Where do you work? Where do I work? Oh? Well, I, uh, um I've got a, uh, uh (car horn honks) I've got a You know what? I've got to I got to go.
I I'm sorry, I got to I got to go.
Uh Excuse me.
Excuse me.
So? I don't think she likes Dino's.
What's not to like? You got your waffles, and you got your falafels.
Come on, I'm on a schedule.
(tires squealing) (Middle Eastern music playing) I'm sorry I took so long.
I see they brought our, uh Okra.
Okra.
How is it? It's It's fried.
(clears throat) What What is a, uh a falafel? If I'm not mistaken, I-I think it's, uh, ground chickpeas, uh, fried.
Oh.
Well, at least it's, uh at least it's fried.
(both laugh quietly) So, uh, how did you get interested in art? Well, it's-it's kind of this, uh Well, it's-it's kind of a silly story, actually.
Uh, we lived in a tiny apartment, and my parents had this painting hanging in their bedroom.
I don't know where it came from, but it was of this group of schoolgirls in front of a beautiful garden.
(laughs) I used to stare at that thing for hours.
I would imagine that I was one of the schoolgirls, and the other ones were my friends.
I think that restoring art is my way of still trying to crawl into the paintings and make myself part of their world.
At least that's what Marco always said.
Who's Marco? Old friend.
(car horn beeps) Uh I hate to do this, but I got to make a phone call.
And I promised a friend I'd call him back, and, uh, I'll be back in just one minute.
Sure.
Uh, what-whatever.
Ready, Batman? (tires squealing) (train whistle blows, bell clangs) Lady, where are you going? To call for a tow.
You can't do that.
I can't? No, there's no time.
Lady, get back in the car, put it in neutral and steer! (train whistle blows, bell clangs) Ow.
Ow.
(Middle Eastern music plays) Hey.
Are you okay? Oh, yeah.
I just I've got a, uh an old sports injury.
Uh, your-your food's getting cold.
Oh.
Uh (quiet groan) Hi.
(quietly): Take that back in the kitchen and warm it up for me, would you? (door bells jangling) All right, how about a dessert menu? Okay, I'll take it.
Voila.
(car horn honks) Uh, I got to I have to, uh Are-Are you okay? Yeah, yeah.
It's just, I, uh I have a very nervous stomach.
You see, I, uh And I just, uh Excuse me.
She must think I'm a jerk.
I'm losing her.
Fear not we'll be back in a flash.
Last stop.
Dog eats jogger.
(engine revving, tires squealing) All right.
Sorry about that.
What happened? Uh, I got it caught in a towel rack How's your pie? It's old.
Gary, I I'm-I'm sorry, but could you could you please take me home now? Is something wrong? This is the second date I've been on with you where I wound up eating alone.
Now, I-I wanted to spend time with you, but since that seems impossible, and you're obviously hiding something from me, yeah, I-I yeah, I think we should call it a night.
GARY: I'm really sorry.
I-I know it's been a lousy date, but if you could just take a minute, just one minute to-to look at something with me.
I, uh Please.
It's beautiful.
It's part of an urban art project.
Gives people that, you know, might not step into a museum a chance to see something beautiful.
Um, you said your, uh your work was a way of crawling inside your paintings, and that, that's what made me think of this, so, I, uh Uh Can we? Yes.
Oh.
(laughs) Oh, my God.
It's like we're a part of the painting.
Yeah.
Listen, tonight, I-I It-It wasn't what I expected it to be.
I-I didn't, uh What am I gonna do with you, Gary Hobson? Well? (sighs) Well, what? Hello! What happened? I'm not gonna tell you.
Come on.
Buddies tell each other about their conquests.
It's part of the great male bonding tradition.
There was no conquest; It was a date, and you were there for most of it.
(cat meows, paper thuds against door) Well, what happened after Dino's? (meows) I walked her home.
Yeah? Well, did she at least kiss you good night? Come on, at least let me live vicariously.
Well, I like her, and I think she likes me.
Yeah, tell me something I don't know.
I haven't seen you this happy since the Bears won the Super Bowl.
Paper cooperating? Nothing I can't handle.
That's the Gare I know and love.
When do I get to meet her? When do you get to meet her? Uh, well, you don't.
Thanks a Gary.
Emma.
What are you? I-I need to Uh, Chuck, this is Emma.
Emma, Chuck.
Hi.
Hi.
Call me Charlie.
I've heard a lot about you.
It's funny.
I haven't heard anything about you.
Oh.
Cute.
You have good taste.
Okay.
Oh, well, I'm gonna I got to go to work; I was just on my way out.
Nice to meet you.
Really nice to Yeah.
Bye.
This is a nice surprise.
What, uh? Something's wrong.
Yeah.
GARY: This doesn't make sense.
Why would you want to stop something before it even gets started? EMMA: I'm sorry, Gary.
Oh, look, what about last night when you kissed me last night.
What was that? That meant nothing or that was, uh No.
No, it meant You're special, Gary.
You're really special.
I don't think you even know how special you are.
And I'm not ready for that, okay? I'm not ready for someone that I could fall in love with.
Do you mind my asking why you're not ready? Marco.
Marco? I'm-I'm sorry.
I thought you said that Marco was just a friend.
Yeah, he was just a friend I was hopelessly in love with.
He was killed overseas.
It's been a long time, but you remind me so much of him.
The things you say, the way you make me feel when you look at me.
And I tried, Gary, but I'm sorry, I just I can't do it.
But I hope you understand.
I don't.
I mean, I don't understand.
But I do know I don't want to stop seeing you.
And I think it's as simple as this.
Look, I don't care if it hurts.
I don't care because I think you're worth it and I think that you, Emma Shaw, are worth the risk to me.
And so the question is, am I worth it to you? MAN (on TV): Where'd you learn to dunk, finishing school? WOMAN (on TV): Oh, now don't you start telling me I shouldn't dunk.
Of course, you shouldn't.
You don't know how to do it.
Dunking's an art.
Don't let it soak so long.
Dip and drop in your mouth.
Let it hang there too long, it gets soft and fall off.
It's all a matter of timing.
I ought to write a book about it.
(chuckles): Thanks, Professor.
I think she's great.
I don't know what she sees in you.
I don't know, but I'm not gonna question it.
You're a lucky guy.
I think I'm ready.
Don't push it.
You've only known her a few weeks.
I'm not going to put it off any longer.
You sure? What if she says no? Huh? To your proposal.
I'm not talking about a proposal.
I'm talking about telling her about the paper? Now, why would you want to do a crazy thing like that? Because I have to.
Why? Because I can't keep dodging simple questions like where do I work or why am I living in a hotel.
'Cause she deserves better than that.
Well, there goes that relationship.
What do you mean "there goes that relationship"? This is the most honest, decent girl I've ever met.
She's been completely truthful with me and I'm not going to be any less with her.
Yeah, but the paper's different.
I'm going to tell her.
When? Tomorrow night at the opera.
The opera? Isn't that a little pricey? I didn't know that was in your budget.
We're sitting in the cheap seats up on the second balcony.
Oh, the balcony.
That's where she wants.
Forget the paper, you should marry her.
(meows) (meows) "It took seven years to reach" "the happy ending of this fairy tale" "but last night at the Civic Opera House, "Miss Shaw was reunited with a long lost love, "the man she had given up for dead seven years ago.
"But Marco Sanchez is very much alive "and had tried unsuccessfully "to locate Miss Shaw for some time.
"The reunion was totally by chance.
"Mr.
Sanchez was in town on family business "authenticating stolen art treasures "that had only recently been discovered as the result of a foiled art heist.
" MARISSA: You don't have to do this, you know that, Gary.
We have a date.
Are you ready for it to be your last? No.
Then don't go.
It's not that easy.
It can be.
Usually you get the newspaper, you read the headlines and you do what? I change it.
So change this one.
Take her somewhere where they won't meet.
Maybe that's what the paper wants.
I've thought about this.
I don't know what the paper wants.
I don't think it wants you to be unhappy.
Look, I stopped the guy from stealing the painting.
The guy the paper, it never says anything about any other stolen art or some guy from El Salvador coming back to reclaim it.
What am I supposed to do? You saved her life.
The paper brought you together.
Maybe the paper wants to bring them together.
It's been seven years.
They've both moved on.
If she loves you and you love her, isn't that worth fighting for? (indistinct conversation) EMMA: Isn't this place beautiful? It's like being in some other world.
It's like being swept up into a fairy tale or something.
The way people act and dress.
I-I think that the opera brings out the best in everyone.
Yeah.
And this opera, Turandot, the sets were designed by David Hockney.
He uses the stage as a canvas.
What? Let's not go to the opera tonight.
There's too many people here.
And I'd rather be alone with you and I've got an idea.
Okay.
Let's go on a cruise.
A-A cruise? A dinner cruise on the river, underneath the moonlight.
Just you and me.
That sounds great, Gary.
Yeah.
Sure.
Whatever you want.
So, we'll see, uh, Mr.
Puccini's opera later, 'cause he's gonna be here for another week.
Oh, okay, so we'll go another night.
Yeah.
Look, it's okay if we don't see Turandot.
It's not the end of the world.
I've seen it before.
You've seen it? Yeah.
But, I mean, I wanted to share the experience with you.
But it's fine, if you don't like opera.
No.
No.
I-I like opera.
It's, uh, I like opera, it's just that I didn't, I didn't know you had seen it before.
Well, yeah.
It was not this production.
It was seven years ago, in Paris, with Marco.
But it was an entirely different set of circumstances.
I was treating.
He'd never been to the opera, either.
I couldn't afford the tickets, so I bought them the day of the show, half price.
The seats were so high, we almost had nosebleeds.
But it didn't matter.
There's something about the experience that just transcends everything.
It's like glimpsing Heaven.
And Marco just loved it so.
Can I ask you something? Is the reason that you wanted to sit in the balcony because you sat in the balcony with Marco? Maybe.
But I-I wanted you to feel that; To experience that with me.
I wanted you to buy the tickets in the balcony so that we could be a little closer to Heaven.
Thank you.
You ready? Yeah.
Wait Where are we going? You deserve to be a little bit closer to Heaven.
EMMA: Come on.
We better hurry up.
It already started.
You know what? I got to make a phone call.
You're full of surprises, Gary Hobson.
Hey, uh (performer singing aria in distance) You know what? What? You look very beautiful tonight.
Oh.
Thanks.
Go.
(aria crescendos) CHUCK: Some dances you sit out.
Others, you change partners.
The important thing is you never stop dancing.
(aria continues) (aria fades)
We leave it pretty much the same way.
And in between, a dance we call life.
The problem is it takes two to tango.
So we look for signs, something to help us find our perfect partners a smile, a wave.
But we have to be careful, 'cause while some signs can be misinterpreted others can be missed completely.
(horn blaring) And if you think it's any easier for a guy who gets tomorrow's newspaper today, think again.
(theme music playing) (tapping on glass) Hey! Hey! Hey! Look, I'm sorry to bother you, but it's important that I talk to someone.
We're closed.
No, I can tell you're closed, but, listen, I need to talk to somebody.
Tuesday through Sunday, Yeah, that's great.
Listen, I need to talk to Emma Shaw, though.
Tomorrow, 10:00 to 5:00, or by appointment.
Good night now.
Hey, no.
Now, wai-wait a sec, I need Hey, listen, 10:00 to 5:00 is too late.
I need to talk to someone.
Hey, come on, pal! (phone line ringing) Come on.
(opera music blaring, phone ringing) Come on.
(tapping on glass) I thought I told you we're closed.
Yeah, I know you're closed.
Look, I understand you can't let me in, but, listen, I need you to do something for me.
There's a window in the back of the museum that's open.
A window? That's right, a window.
You need to close that window.
And I need you to do something else.
I need you to find Emma Shaw.
And would you tell her to go home.
I got a better idea.
You go home.
Now get out of here! Hey, pa hey, pa Hey, come on, pal.
Hey, come hey, come on! (glass breaking in distance) (guard grunts) You want to know something? When you're finished here, you are definitely going to be the prettiest painting in the whole museum.
I mean that.
Seriously.
People are gonna line up just to take a look at you.
Emma Shaw? Oh, I'm sorry, uh, you just, uh, startled me.
Are you Emma Shaw? The music's too loud, right? I am so sorry.
It's just that I'm new here and I didn't know that anyone else was around and I just got a little carried away, but there is something that's so amazing about Turandot full volume.
Uh, look, you got to get out of here.
Okay, well, I'll just uh, why? Someone's going to break into the museum, and they're gonna try to steal that painting.
If you don't get out of here, you're gonna get hurt that's why Now, please, let's go.
What's your name? Uh, G-Gary Hobson.
Okay, Gary Hobson, don't lie to me.
I'm not lying to you.
You didn't come here to steal the painting? No.
Okay, well, we'll get we'll get out of here, then.
Okay.
The painting.
Gary! Gary! (Emma grunting) Hey! Are you all right? (kisses) Thank you.
(cat meowing) Hey, what you doing? What are you doing? Don't do that.
(machine beeps) EMMA (on machine): Hi, Gary.
This is Emma Shaw from last night.
I'm just calling 'cause things got sort of hectic after the police came, last night, and then you disappeared and I never really got to thank you for everything you did.
And, uh, would you like to have dinner sometime? I know; I'm sorry; You probably think I'm weird tracking you down and everything, but you did save my life and I figure that's got to be worth a nice dinner.
Or, uh, lunch, if that would be better.
Or a snack.
A s-snack is definitely the least I can do.
Uh, okay, I'm rambling again.
Sorry, you're the fourth G.
Hobson in the phone book I've left this message with.
You'd think I'd be better at it by now.
Anyway, if you're the right one, then you know where to find me, and if you're not, I'm sorry, just ignore everything I said.
Except the thank you part.
(chuckles) Bye.
(machine beeps) Lake Shore Drive.
Tha-That's a nice location.
Looks like, uh, you're moving? Yeah out of my car.
Uh, I-I drove here from San Francisco two weeks ago, as soon as I got the job.
They put me right to work and I haven't been able to find anything else.
Well, it looks like you found plenty of possibilities.
True.
The problem is that, uh, everything that looks good gets snapped up before I get a chance to check it out.
I take it you got my message.
Oh, I would be G.
Hobson number four.
(chuckles) (chuckling): I'm sorry.
It was so stupid.
Wasn't it? Oh! I don't know, I guess I shouldn't have called you.
I just what you must think of me.
(chuckling): It wasn't stupid at all.
You were so nice to me for, for no reason at all, and I-I just don't know anyone else here.
I just mean that you're under no obligation.
I mean, you're busy.
You, you have work and friends and other attachments.
Well, as, as, as luck would have it, I, uh I don't have any attachments and, uh, I would very much like to have dinner with you.
Tonight? Tonight's good.
Great.
Eight o'clock? Yeah.
Coranza's? Eight o'clock.
Penny stock sells for ten dollars a share, client makes a bundle, and I get two court-side seats at the Bulls game tonight.
MARISSA: Life's good, huh? It definitely has its moments.
So, Gare, what time should I pick you up? Want milk? Yeah.
I-I don't think I can make it.
I'm, uh, I'm going to have plans.
Plans? What kind of plans could possibly be more important than two court-side seats to the Bulls game, especially with me, your best bud? You know, I got, uh, social plans.
Mm! Where'd you meet her? Well, I helped her out of a jam over at the museum.
It's about time.
About time for what? Gare, ever since that divorce, any time you've ever shown any interest in a woman, that paper has gotten in the way.
Now, save yourself the heartache.
Come to the game.
Ah sorry, I can't do that.
Besides, I already know who wins.
Why don't you take Marissa? Thanks, Jimmy.
Uh-uh.
I have a date, too.
Come on, Spike.
(Gary whistling, cat meows) Don't wait up.
(cat yowls) What? Now, you dropped that paper on the floor.
There's anything in there, you take care of it.
Me, I'm busy.
(cat meows) (meows) (meows) Don't look so smug.
(meows) (meows) GARY: Eve, I really think you ought to come down from there.
Damn fool.
He promised I would die first.
How long were you married? I wore this on my honeymoon.
What do you think? I think you ought to come down.
I had more of a compliment in mind.
Well, I'm sorry.
It looks beautiful.
Thank you.
Eve, can I ask you a question? Only if I can answer it from right here.
Yes, ma'am.
Why are you doing this? I spent my entire life with one man.
And now he's gone.
I've forgotten how to be a alone.
Good evening.
Reservation for Shaw? Yes, ma'am.
Right this way.
Here you go.
Enjoy your dinner.
Thank you.
It was fate that brought my husband and I together.
I'm just as sure of it as the two of us are sitting here.
(tires screeching, horn honking) You see, I never really intended to go to that silly dance.
It wasn't until my cousin Rachel, that was her name well, she wanted me to come along with her, poor thing.
She was so shy.
She wanted someone with her to talk to in case no gentleman asked her to dance.
MAN: Oh, very nice.
WOMAN: Thank you.
Enjoy your dinner.
Thank you.
Oh, thank you.
Well, there we were sitting there, drinking our umpteenth cup of punch.
Excuse me, can I interrupt you for just one second? Well, I-I'm just getting to the point where I met my husband.
Yes, I'm sure you were.
But I-I was just wondering and don't take this the wrong way, please but did you always talk like this I mean, this much, when you're husband was alive? (chuckles) Oh, dear, I guess I do like the sound of my own voice, don't I? Oh, I swear, Jake that was my husband he didn't listen to half of the things I said.
Well, why? Well, you and Jake, you're gonna spend eternity together, right? That's why I'm doing this.
(stammers) But maybe Jake would like to spend some time by himself, before you join him.
(gasps) It's a yes, then? Oh! Hi, Gary.
It's me, Emma.
I'm at the restaurant and, uh, I was just hoping that you were okay.
I mean, uh, I'm sure you are.
Probably just told you the wrong restaurant.
Sounds like something I'd do.
Anyway, if you get the message, I'm at Coranza's and it's after 9:00, and, uh Okay.
Bye.
(elevator bell dings) (sighs) I know I'm doing the right thing for Jake, but I just don't know where to begin.
Well, I-I think you already have, Eve.
You're alive and you should, you should meet people and, uh, go places.
And, uh, well, you should collect new stories.
And I think the next time you see Jake, he'll, well, he'll want to hear them.
(laughs) (chuckles) There we go.
Thank you very much.
Gary? Gary? Gary? Hmm? Oh.
Oh, good morning.
Apparently I'm not the only person who needs to find a place to live.
What are you doing here? I was waiting for you and I didn't know what time you came in, so I was, uh You're a little early.
I know.
Listen, about last Listen, uh, I was dressed and I hurried out the door, but then I got a phone call.
It was a friend of mine, he said that he needed some help.
That it was an emergency.
And, uh, well, I told him I didn't want to go.
I mean, really I didn't, 'cause we had the plans and everything, but then when, uh, well, I-I tried to call the restaurant and it was too late.
And then I-I tried to go over to the restaurant, and I did go what I'm trying to say is I-I'm sorry.
(bells tolling) Well, this friend of yours with the emergency, was it an emergency like I had here, the other night? No Well, uh, yeah, I mean, kind of.
But a little different.
And he's okay? Yeah.
He's I mean, I-I think so.
I think everything's all right, yeah.
Well, then, you don't have anything to be sorry for.
(car horn honking) So, uh, so, so you're, you're not mad then? Honestly? Honestly.
No.
I mean, I was.
But, you know, then, uh, I was disappointed because I-I really did want to have dinner with you.
Well, listen, we can still do that.
I think we should wait.
I've got to find an apartment and settle in and and you got to stop feeling guilty.
I mean, I-I don't want us to go out just because you feel like you should.
That's-that's okay.
Okay.
Take care.
Okay.
WOMAN: So, yeah.
.
MAN: Are you having fun? WOMAN: Yeah.
I can hardly wait to cook for you.
MAN: You know, I could really carry this I got it.
GARY: Yeah, hello.
Can I speak to Emma Shaw, please.
Oh, well, uh, may I leave a message? Yeah.
Would you tell her that Gary called and Hobson.
Gary Hobson.
Yeah.
Listen, tell her that I-I found an apartment she might want to check out.
That's right.
And-and-and tell her that I'm not doing this because I have to or I feel guilty.
Yeah.
Tell her I'm doing it because I want to.
Yeah.
All right, now, the address is on Lake Shore Drive.
That's right.
(elevator bell dings) Emma? (sighs) I think you do that on purpose.
What, uh, what are you writing? Um, a note.
For you.
Can I read it? No.
Why not? Because I'm having a hard time trying to make it say what I want it to say.
What-what's it supposed to say? This.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
I love the apartment; It's great.
Oh (laughs) Good.
Good.
Would you like to come in for some coffee? Oh, uh no.
It's really late and, uh, I really just came to tell you how sweet it was for you to and thank you.
So, okay.
Bye.
Gary? Yeah? I was just thinking.
Uh, now that I have a place and I'll finally be settled again, uh, maybe we can try having that dinner.
That would be good.
Great.
Friday? Yes.
Great.
Okay.
You-you pick the restaurant this time.
Okay.
See you then.
ANNOUNCER: It's 6:30.
And here's the news for Friday morning.
The mayor announced last night that he (cat meows) (paper thuds against door) (meows) You are not canceling your date.
Well, I suppose you have a better idea.
A battle plan, that's all you need.
What I need is some sort of a life, because it's obvious the paper doesn't want me to enjoy the one I have.
So you think the paper's making a conscious effort to come between you and Emma? I don't know what to think.
Gare, look, you made a date with Emma, you're gonna keep it, okay? Now, why don't you just tell me what conflicts you have, and maybe I can help you out.
You know the paper doesn't like it when we try to Oh, what, is the paper a person? I'm trying to help Gary get organized here, all right? Fine.
Fine.
Now, Gary, tell me about these conflicts.
What do you got? Come on.
(clears throat) All right, approximately 8:25, alley on the 1600 block of Michigan.
Sixteen hundred.
A Dumpster fire spreads to a neighboring building.
Seven are hospitalized.
Okay.
Got it.
Next.
Okay 8:45, car stalls on train tracks.
Uh, Sixth Street crossing.
Train derails, and three people are killed.
Okay, rail road tracks.
Got it.
What's next? Um, let's see.
A female jogger hospitalized after Doberman got away from its owner and attacks her.
Where? Happens between 9:00 and 9:30 at the, uh, corner of 23rd and Argyle.
Okay.
That's all? You mean three's not enough? All right, look, as long as you take Emma somewhere inside of the Hobson triangle, preferably in this area right here, and then, with a little help from me, everybody gets what they want.
I want to take her somewhere nice.
Fine, you'll take her somewhere nice as long as it's in this area.
(Middle Eastern music playing) (door bells jangle) So, uh, how'd you find this place? This place? Oh, it's a Well, a friend's recommendation.
Thanks, friend.
Um, you know, you're very popular now at the museum.
Oh, how's that? It turns out that the thief you stopped has a whole warehouse full of stolen art.
Really? Yeah, and as soon as they track down the rightful owners, it can all be returned to them.
Oh.
You've done a really great thing, Gary Hobson.
Oh, thank you.
But, you know, I I still feel like I don't really know you.
I-I think it's 'cause I do all the talking.
Okay.
Okay, so now, you're gonna talk.
Where do you work? Where do I work? Oh? Well, I, uh, um I've got a, uh, uh (car horn honks) I've got a You know what? I've got to I got to go.
I I'm sorry, I got to I got to go.
Uh Excuse me.
Excuse me.
So? I don't think she likes Dino's.
What's not to like? You got your waffles, and you got your falafels.
Come on, I'm on a schedule.
(tires squealing) (Middle Eastern music playing) I'm sorry I took so long.
I see they brought our, uh Okra.
Okra.
How is it? It's It's fried.
(clears throat) What What is a, uh a falafel? If I'm not mistaken, I-I think it's, uh, ground chickpeas, uh, fried.
Oh.
Well, at least it's, uh at least it's fried.
(both laugh quietly) So, uh, how did you get interested in art? Well, it's-it's kind of this, uh Well, it's-it's kind of a silly story, actually.
Uh, we lived in a tiny apartment, and my parents had this painting hanging in their bedroom.
I don't know where it came from, but it was of this group of schoolgirls in front of a beautiful garden.
(laughs) I used to stare at that thing for hours.
I would imagine that I was one of the schoolgirls, and the other ones were my friends.
I think that restoring art is my way of still trying to crawl into the paintings and make myself part of their world.
At least that's what Marco always said.
Who's Marco? Old friend.
(car horn beeps) Uh I hate to do this, but I got to make a phone call.
And I promised a friend I'd call him back, and, uh, I'll be back in just one minute.
Sure.
Uh, what-whatever.
Ready, Batman? (tires squealing) (train whistle blows, bell clangs) Lady, where are you going? To call for a tow.
You can't do that.
I can't? No, there's no time.
Lady, get back in the car, put it in neutral and steer! (train whistle blows, bell clangs) Ow.
Ow.
(Middle Eastern music plays) Hey.
Are you okay? Oh, yeah.
I just I've got a, uh an old sports injury.
Uh, your-your food's getting cold.
Oh.
Uh (quiet groan) Hi.
(quietly): Take that back in the kitchen and warm it up for me, would you? (door bells jangling) All right, how about a dessert menu? Okay, I'll take it.
Voila.
(car horn honks) Uh, I got to I have to, uh Are-Are you okay? Yeah, yeah.
It's just, I, uh I have a very nervous stomach.
You see, I, uh And I just, uh Excuse me.
She must think I'm a jerk.
I'm losing her.
Fear not we'll be back in a flash.
Last stop.
Dog eats jogger.
(engine revving, tires squealing) All right.
Sorry about that.
What happened? Uh, I got it caught in a towel rack How's your pie? It's old.
Gary, I I'm-I'm sorry, but could you could you please take me home now? Is something wrong? This is the second date I've been on with you where I wound up eating alone.
Now, I-I wanted to spend time with you, but since that seems impossible, and you're obviously hiding something from me, yeah, I-I yeah, I think we should call it a night.
GARY: I'm really sorry.
I-I know it's been a lousy date, but if you could just take a minute, just one minute to-to look at something with me.
I, uh Please.
It's beautiful.
It's part of an urban art project.
Gives people that, you know, might not step into a museum a chance to see something beautiful.
Um, you said your, uh your work was a way of crawling inside your paintings, and that, that's what made me think of this, so, I, uh Uh Can we? Yes.
Oh.
(laughs) Oh, my God.
It's like we're a part of the painting.
Yeah.
Listen, tonight, I-I It-It wasn't what I expected it to be.
I-I didn't, uh What am I gonna do with you, Gary Hobson? Well? (sighs) Well, what? Hello! What happened? I'm not gonna tell you.
Come on.
Buddies tell each other about their conquests.
It's part of the great male bonding tradition.
There was no conquest; It was a date, and you were there for most of it.
(cat meows, paper thuds against door) Well, what happened after Dino's? (meows) I walked her home.
Yeah? Well, did she at least kiss you good night? Come on, at least let me live vicariously.
Well, I like her, and I think she likes me.
Yeah, tell me something I don't know.
I haven't seen you this happy since the Bears won the Super Bowl.
Paper cooperating? Nothing I can't handle.
That's the Gare I know and love.
When do I get to meet her? When do you get to meet her? Uh, well, you don't.
Thanks a Gary.
Emma.
What are you? I-I need to Uh, Chuck, this is Emma.
Emma, Chuck.
Hi.
Hi.
Call me Charlie.
I've heard a lot about you.
It's funny.
I haven't heard anything about you.
Oh.
Cute.
You have good taste.
Okay.
Oh, well, I'm gonna I got to go to work; I was just on my way out.
Nice to meet you.
Really nice to Yeah.
Bye.
This is a nice surprise.
What, uh? Something's wrong.
Yeah.
GARY: This doesn't make sense.
Why would you want to stop something before it even gets started? EMMA: I'm sorry, Gary.
Oh, look, what about last night when you kissed me last night.
What was that? That meant nothing or that was, uh No.
No, it meant You're special, Gary.
You're really special.
I don't think you even know how special you are.
And I'm not ready for that, okay? I'm not ready for someone that I could fall in love with.
Do you mind my asking why you're not ready? Marco.
Marco? I'm-I'm sorry.
I thought you said that Marco was just a friend.
Yeah, he was just a friend I was hopelessly in love with.
He was killed overseas.
It's been a long time, but you remind me so much of him.
The things you say, the way you make me feel when you look at me.
And I tried, Gary, but I'm sorry, I just I can't do it.
But I hope you understand.
I don't.
I mean, I don't understand.
But I do know I don't want to stop seeing you.
And I think it's as simple as this.
Look, I don't care if it hurts.
I don't care because I think you're worth it and I think that you, Emma Shaw, are worth the risk to me.
And so the question is, am I worth it to you? MAN (on TV): Where'd you learn to dunk, finishing school? WOMAN (on TV): Oh, now don't you start telling me I shouldn't dunk.
Of course, you shouldn't.
You don't know how to do it.
Dunking's an art.
Don't let it soak so long.
Dip and drop in your mouth.
Let it hang there too long, it gets soft and fall off.
It's all a matter of timing.
I ought to write a book about it.
(chuckles): Thanks, Professor.
I think she's great.
I don't know what she sees in you.
I don't know, but I'm not gonna question it.
You're a lucky guy.
I think I'm ready.
Don't push it.
You've only known her a few weeks.
I'm not going to put it off any longer.
You sure? What if she says no? Huh? To your proposal.
I'm not talking about a proposal.
I'm talking about telling her about the paper? Now, why would you want to do a crazy thing like that? Because I have to.
Why? Because I can't keep dodging simple questions like where do I work or why am I living in a hotel.
'Cause she deserves better than that.
Well, there goes that relationship.
What do you mean "there goes that relationship"? This is the most honest, decent girl I've ever met.
She's been completely truthful with me and I'm not going to be any less with her.
Yeah, but the paper's different.
I'm going to tell her.
When? Tomorrow night at the opera.
The opera? Isn't that a little pricey? I didn't know that was in your budget.
We're sitting in the cheap seats up on the second balcony.
Oh, the balcony.
That's where she wants.
Forget the paper, you should marry her.
(meows) (meows) "It took seven years to reach" "the happy ending of this fairy tale" "but last night at the Civic Opera House, "Miss Shaw was reunited with a long lost love, "the man she had given up for dead seven years ago.
"But Marco Sanchez is very much alive "and had tried unsuccessfully "to locate Miss Shaw for some time.
"The reunion was totally by chance.
"Mr.
Sanchez was in town on family business "authenticating stolen art treasures "that had only recently been discovered as the result of a foiled art heist.
" MARISSA: You don't have to do this, you know that, Gary.
We have a date.
Are you ready for it to be your last? No.
Then don't go.
It's not that easy.
It can be.
Usually you get the newspaper, you read the headlines and you do what? I change it.
So change this one.
Take her somewhere where they won't meet.
Maybe that's what the paper wants.
I've thought about this.
I don't know what the paper wants.
I don't think it wants you to be unhappy.
Look, I stopped the guy from stealing the painting.
The guy the paper, it never says anything about any other stolen art or some guy from El Salvador coming back to reclaim it.
What am I supposed to do? You saved her life.
The paper brought you together.
Maybe the paper wants to bring them together.
It's been seven years.
They've both moved on.
If she loves you and you love her, isn't that worth fighting for? (indistinct conversation) EMMA: Isn't this place beautiful? It's like being in some other world.
It's like being swept up into a fairy tale or something.
The way people act and dress.
I-I think that the opera brings out the best in everyone.
Yeah.
And this opera, Turandot, the sets were designed by David Hockney.
He uses the stage as a canvas.
What? Let's not go to the opera tonight.
There's too many people here.
And I'd rather be alone with you and I've got an idea.
Okay.
Let's go on a cruise.
A-A cruise? A dinner cruise on the river, underneath the moonlight.
Just you and me.
That sounds great, Gary.
Yeah.
Sure.
Whatever you want.
So, we'll see, uh, Mr.
Puccini's opera later, 'cause he's gonna be here for another week.
Oh, okay, so we'll go another night.
Yeah.
Look, it's okay if we don't see Turandot.
It's not the end of the world.
I've seen it before.
You've seen it? Yeah.
But, I mean, I wanted to share the experience with you.
But it's fine, if you don't like opera.
No.
No.
I-I like opera.
It's, uh, I like opera, it's just that I didn't, I didn't know you had seen it before.
Well, yeah.
It was not this production.
It was seven years ago, in Paris, with Marco.
But it was an entirely different set of circumstances.
I was treating.
He'd never been to the opera, either.
I couldn't afford the tickets, so I bought them the day of the show, half price.
The seats were so high, we almost had nosebleeds.
But it didn't matter.
There's something about the experience that just transcends everything.
It's like glimpsing Heaven.
And Marco just loved it so.
Can I ask you something? Is the reason that you wanted to sit in the balcony because you sat in the balcony with Marco? Maybe.
But I-I wanted you to feel that; To experience that with me.
I wanted you to buy the tickets in the balcony so that we could be a little closer to Heaven.
Thank you.
You ready? Yeah.
Wait Where are we going? You deserve to be a little bit closer to Heaven.
EMMA: Come on.
We better hurry up.
It already started.
You know what? I got to make a phone call.
You're full of surprises, Gary Hobson.
Hey, uh (performer singing aria in distance) You know what? What? You look very beautiful tonight.
Oh.
Thanks.
Go.
(aria crescendos) CHUCK: Some dances you sit out.
Others, you change partners.
The important thing is you never stop dancing.
(aria continues) (aria fades)