Thirtysomething (1987) s03e10 Episode Script
Michael's Campaign
1 [theme.]
"President Trips While Draped in Flag.
" "Minister Attacks Madonna" I'm sorry.
"Minister Attacks Madonna Video.
" Any bulletins from the floor? Well, no gold star for you today, young lady.
Are you trying to prove that the universe is completely random? Hmm? What do you want to do about dinner? Oh, I'm going to be late, sweetie.
There's a work council in Minnesota Brands, and then I'm going to stop off for my father.
Take-out? Yeah, is that okay with you? Yeah, Ricky and I are going to meet with the man from the CEA.
From the what? Congress for Environmental Action.
You know, about the incinerator.
Okay, good.
Hi, pumpkin.
[Janey babbles.]
You know, at first this chart of good days and bad days seemed to be without statistical value, and then you realize that the gold stars are falling on the days when I'm with her.
What's that supposed to mean? You have yet to earn a gold star in the potty sweepstakes.
This is not true.
Construction paper doesn't lie.
Hmm.
So? So I see you sitting in there with her, drinking coffee, talking about sports, pretending she isn't sitting on what she's sitting on.
You have to participate.
I participate.
Enthusiastically.
I participate.
Michael, do you want us to come with you? I mean, to the synagogue? Um, no.
It's better this way.
For me.
Okay.
Pleased with yourself? Yeah.
Yeah, I'm very pleased with myself.
Okay, well, here.
- Have a SnapHappy.
- SnapHappys.
Me and Peter Franklin had six of these apiece in a matinee when we were kids.
The Lost World.
I mean, in my head, SnapHappys will always be linked to the sight of Jill St.
John in pink stretch pants.
You must've gone right from kindergarten to puberty.
Hey, how's it feel? It feels okay.
Wish I had a toothache or a paper cut or something.
Really? Why? It wouldn't be so perfect.
You know? There would be this little imperfection so I can stop worrying about how good I feel.
Aren't you guys afraid of appearing over-anxious? Hello, Mr.
Account Executive.
That's Miles' chair.
I thought he wasn't coming to the meeting.
He's not.
Karl Draconis is.
Creative director gets a center chair.
[mutters, laughs.]
Hey, have an Oh-My pie.
I was hoping they'd start us on consumer electronics.
- Yeah, well - Today the snack cakes.
Tomorrow the VCRs.
[Elliot.]
I don't see any reason why we shouldn't stay with the same wrappers on these things, the same look.
If we want to be consistent with what we're doing, I think it's pretty cool.
I think if if you take a look at it, I think you - Hi.
- Morning.
I think this is showing a lot of potential to be a top-ten market breaker.
Paige at my left, please.
Okay, first things first.
Getting a major account and keeping it are two different things.
Now, some of you might think that the jumping of Minnesota Brands is a major coup.
Well, no major client jumps because someone cleverly talks them into it.
They jump because they were ready to jump, so let's not waste any more time congratulating ourselves and get down to the real work, okay? Tyler, I need a breakdown on the existing campaign and media plan.
- Duncan, a sense of market share over the past 20 years.
- Ow.
Break it out against advertising history.
What's his problem, anyway, man? Draconis? I don't think he's got a worry in the world.
Oh, come on.
Would it have killed him to mention that Michael and I were the ones that brought in Minnesota Brands? Would it have made a difference? To me it would've.
Then that's why he didn't say anything.
This isn't Bernstein-Fox or the Michael and Elliot Company.
There you were in the business of advertising.
I'm sorry.
What business are we in now? [chuckles.]
For your own sanity, gentlemen, I suggest you stop reading that Japanese management crap that Miles likes to peddle and get yourself a copy of Richard III.
These efforts go through a lot of evolutionary stages, things we've got to get from tadpole to frog before the opposition knows we're here.
That incinerator is no solution, but they're going to cram it down our throats.
They just don't care what happens to this planet.
Actually they're all concerned citizens working for the public good.
You're the ones that are being selfish.
But the facts, you can't contest the facts.
I know, but one perception can throw a million facts right out the window.
Now, to start with, we're going to need a base of operations, an office, a storefront.
Why can't we keep meeting in our homes? We will, and believe me, when the press comes, they'll always come to somebody's house because this is a community effort, but we still need office support.
We need phone lines, message center.
[Woman.]
Hope.
I guess I could do that, find us a place.
Okay, great, I'll leave that to you, and this Mm-hmm.
Now, let's get through this organizational stuff.
Then the real fun starts.
You sound like you enjoy this.
I do.
Don't tell anybody, though.
[man speaking Hebrew.]
In solemn testimony to that unbroken faith which links the generations one to another, let those who mourn now rise to magnify and sanctify thy holy name.
[reading Hebrew.]
[whack.]
Brad.
Brad.
Is that Uncle Oscar's son? Yes.
1928 to 1945.
He was 17.
The war.
Brad.
Come on, Mike.
Do you think I'll have to fight in the war? [Leo Steadman.]
It's not a real war.
But do you think I'll have to fight? Well, you've got high school and college.
It'll be over by then.
What if it isn't? Then we'll talk about it.
Who would end the war faster, Nixon or Humphrey? Humphrey's better for the Jews.
They were both Vice President.
Bob Stanton wants me to be vice president.
Of what? The student council.
He's running for president, and he asked me if I wanted to run for vice president.
Are you going to? I told him I would.
- Oh.
- What? I was wondering why you decided to run for vice president instead of for president? Well, Bob's very popular, and I get along with Mr.
Trilby and the other teachers.
Getting along with the principal, I think that's an important quality for a president.
Being president, that's a big responsibility, and I've already told Bob.
[car horn honks.]
- Brad.
- [honking.]
Brad, would you look around and see where you are? You think maybe I should run for president? I think you shouldn't be so afraid of running that it stops you.
Why would I be afraid? Because it's a natural way to feel about these things.
Michael, I think you will be a very good president.
Whatever you do, I'll be proud of you.
[Elliot.]
Oh-My pies and cakes have never had a national campaign.
"Market share 1978, 12%.
Market share 1988, 8%.
"Acquired by Minnesota Brands in 1986 "as part of a poison-pill strategy to fight hostile takeover.
" So they deliberately bought Oh-My pies to make themselves look bad.
Look at this.
"Since acquisition by MB, "no capital expenditures, reduction of distribution system, staff cuts.
" Right, it's a test.
You see, they got nothing to lose by tossing Oh-My pies at us.
Okay.
All right, wait okay, so it's a test.
Let's show them what we can do.
You know what I mean? - The proper Viking funeral.
- Yeah.
A what? A proper Viking funeral.
If Oh-My is really going down, then let's go down in flames.
Either MB doesn't trust us with a major account, or or they are giving us a clean slate.
They're giving us a company without an image to see what we can do.
Now, one way it's an insult.
The other way, it's a challenge.
Well, that's a lovely sort of Zen pep talk, Michael, but I don't see your point.
The point is we shouldn't be tricked into depending upon research because it's not going to tell us what we want to know.
Instead of trying to figure out what the client wants, we should develop what we think is best.
Get out ahead of the client.
- Exactly.
- Yeah, exactly.
Yeah.
And lose him in the dust.
- No.
- No.
No, wait a minute.
That's not what I'm saying at all.
Wait a minute Wait.
This agency has a reputation for cutting-edge advertising.
Right? We're creative.
We're out there, right, but we're not out there on every client.
If research and analysis indicate that Oh-My will benefit from a full-tilt approach like that, then fine, that's what they'll get, but it's really a question of client needs and not the needs of individual egos, so Tyler, summarize the agency history.
Okay? This data's way too raw to be of any use.
Well, my research indicates that they started off - [Woman.]
Good night.
- Good night.
[Miles.]
Michael.
What's the occasion? A gift from Werner Breslow.
We steal his account.
He sends us a basket of fruit? It's a tradition, a healthy mixture of good sportsmanship and sarcasm.
He's still one basket up on me.
Take a banana to your lovely wife, perhaps some cheese.
The gouda looks acceptable.
Thank you.
I'd like you to stay close to the surface with Minnesota Brands.
Their choice of Oh-My indicates they're still a little nervous.
Your familiar face and a calm voice.
I'd like you to be accessible to them directly.
Okay.
It's going to get interesting around here.
Up for it? I think so.
Eat your apple, Michael.
I think I'll wait till later.
As you wish.
See you in the morning.
- Totally tubular - [High Voice.]
Yum, yum.
[Deep Voice.]
Tubular.
Totally tubular [deep voice reads.]
[Deep Voice.]
Totally tubular.
We can't possibly be that old, can we? I didn't think so.
[Elliot.]
What kid's going to want to eat a SnapHappy? They don't squeeze out or roll up or do anything cool.
They just lay there, and you eat them.
How boring.
Who's the market for this? Come on, you know.
The same little miniature MTV-ers in the spot.
No, no, no, I don't think so.
That's the market for this goop and pizza-flavored bubblegum, those jellybeans shaped like Debbie Gibson.
This is not who I see eating SnapHappys.
Well, who do you see eating them? I see you and Peter Franklin at the matinee with Jill St.
John.
Yeah, but there aren't kids like us anymore.
Sure there are.
They're just not kids anymore.
[Michael.]
Throwing Oh-My pies into the kids' market - is suicide, okay? - [Elliot.]
It's insane.
[Michael.]
You're putting a Model T against a Porsche.
It's Captain Kangaroo vs.
Pee-wee Herman.
So what we should do is reclaim the old market, people who bought the product as kids but are now adults.
We position Oh-My and SnapHappys as adult products.
Yeah, it's like nostalgic - Guilty pleasure.
- Exactly.
[Elliot.]
You know what we do is we buy TV time.
- [Michael.]
Right.
- But you don't buy it during kids' shows.
You buy a time that gives you [together.]
25 to a 40 demographic.
- Mostly male.
- It's a very guy thing.
We buy sports.
So instead of clawing for nickels and dimes from the kids, we create a new audience.
The campaign would be more visible, the impact on sales more dramatic.
Adults buying multi units instead of kids buying single snacks.
Exactly, exactly.
It's a completely new approach retrosnack.
Hm, hm.
Okay.
Uh, where's your research? Where's your analysis? We uh [Karl.]
Oh, wait a minute, come on.
You guys are proposing a radical approach.
You're going to change markets, right? Why? Because it amuses you? Because it'll give you a cleaner stage? I mean No, no, because it will work.
Oh, becau You don't know that.
Karl, nobody knows anything, and this new approach, uh, retrosnacking, I think it deserves a little more discussion before you put a stake through its heart.
No.
I'm not going to squander the time and resources of this organization on vanity projects.
Fine.
Just what are you willing to squander time and resources on? I'd like to know.
I mean, you're very good at shooting down other people's ideas.
Let's hear one of yours.
You'll hear my ideas when the time is right, and you'll assist in realizing them because that's your job.
You stink, Steadman.
You really stink.
I asked you to be my vice president first, and you said yes.
[Michael.]
I thought it over.
You thought it over, and now you're running against me? You just can't trust anybody these days.
- Bob - No, forget it.
You think you're going to beat me? Go ahead and try.
Bob.
Bob.
[Girl.]
Whoops.
Yeah, well, you stink, too.
"Prudence opened the box "and found a strange something inside.
"Was it a hat? "No, it wasn't a hat.
Was it a milk bowl for the cat?" [Janey.]
No.
"No, it wasn't a milk bowl for the cat.
Was it a flower pot?" - [Janey.]
It's a flower.
- How are we doing? Um, we're having fun.
We're having fun.
Join us.
No, honey, I've got some stuff I have to do.
Well, bring it on in.
I mean, we'll all be together in the bathroom.
Right, Janey? No, I'm already set up downstairs.
Michael Okay.
What? No.
No.
What? Not now.
"It was a potty "for sitting on and making wee-wee and poo-poo into "instead of a diaper.
"How wonderful.
Prudence was very happy.
" [Leo Steadman.]
What are you apologizing for? I'm not apologizing.
Well, it must be me because it sounds like you were.
Apologizing for what? For running against Bob Stanton.
Bob's my friend.
Yes, and Morton Weisman is my friend.
What's Morton Weisman got to do with the student council? He's my friend.
He and his wife come here twice a month to play bridge, but he's also my number 1 competitor.
So? So if Morton Weisman gets a chance to make a deal with a supplier, do you think he stops and wonders, "What's this going to mean to my friend Leo Steadman?" No.
He goes ahead and he makes the best deal that he can because he knows that I would do the same.
Well, I don't think this speech is going to work out anyway.
Bob's funny.
He'll start telling jokes and get everybody laughing, and then the debate You'll do fine.
You'll look him in the eye, and you'll do fine.
Michael, everything worth having, everything worth doing, comes with fear attached to it.
That's how we pay for the good things, by facing the fear.
Now, how about we have some chocolate milk, and then we'll take another crack at that speech.
Okay.
It's going to be a haven.
No one will be allowed to discuss clients, campaigns, none of that.
This is a place to which we will escape.
Yeah, it'll be nice to have a gym in the building.
Mm-hm.
I've wanted to do this since my heart attack.
Your what? June 17th, 1986.
I didn't know What do you mean, a heart attack? I was caught in traffic when the crab started to crush my chest.
Don't let anyone ever tell you car phones are an indulgence.
What progress is there on the Oh-My front? Doesn't Karl brief you? He does.
Now I'm asking you.
Elliot and I knocked some ideas around.
We thought we were onto something.
Mark was interested.
Karl shut us down.
Shut you down? Yeah, he didn't think our idea was viable.
- You disagree.
- Yeah.
I think I don't know what I think.
Yes, you do.
I just don't understand who Karl Draconis is serving.
He's creative director of this agency.
Right, but who is he serving? I've known Karl Draconis for eight years.
He has impeccable taste.
He's a good administrator and a first-rate mind He has a tremendous reputation, but since I've gotten here, that's all I've seen his reputation.
I take him an idea.
He swats it away without even thinking about it.
Maybe he thinks faster than you.
So I'm paranoid.
There is no secret agenda, and you have complete and total confidence in Karl Draconis.
If that were so, why would I bring you up here to have this conversation instead of having it downstairs and in full sight? - [door opens.]
- [Paige.]
Mr.
Drentell.
I was sent to find you.
And you have succeeded.
We'll continue this.
[laughing.]
Little bird.
Good girl.
Come on.
Are you ready? Huh? Are you ready? Yeah? All right, let me see that list.
Oh, let's see.
"Dry cleaners, laundry, library, pick up L.
K.
" L.
K.
? I wrote L.
K.
, but I don't remember what it is.
Oh, Janey bird, your mommy's mind is going.
- All right.
- [phone rings.]
[Melissa's Voice.]
Hi, we can't come to the phone right now, but if you leave a message, we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- [beep.]
-Uh, hi, it's John Dunaway.
I'm wondering on how you were doing on finding us a headquarters.
They're starting to send material from our office in Washington, so I'm anxious to hear if you've made any progress.
Um, call me as soon as you can, okay? [beeps.]
- [elevator beeps.]
- [Man.]
Hey, Bruce, good meeting today.
- [Bruce.]
Thanks a lot.
- Take it easy.
You working late? I'm just putting some ideas on paper.
I think you and I have crossed a couple of wires.
Oh? Yeah.
Normally the creative director wouldn't be crowding the team on an account this size, but Miles thought that it needed special attention, so he asked me to supervise personally.
Do you have a problem with that? Not in principle.
Not in principle.
I see.
But in practice? You had a small shop, you and Weston, and your business went under, and that's how you ended up here.
Correct me if I'm getting it wrong.
That's about how it went.
You failed.
You misjudged the market and your abilities, and you failed.
Our business failed.
All right, my mistake.
Is there something I can do for you? Yeah.
You can study the organizational chart, and you can get it straight who reports to who.
I don't want you going to Miles and burning his time with bad ideas.
In the first place, I wasn't talking to Miles about the idea, and in the second place, it's not a bad idea.
It's an idea that you don't like.
As far as you're concerned, that's the same thing.
[sighs.]
Are you telling me that I can't talk to Miles? No, no.
I'm telling you to fight your own fights.
If you have a problem with the way I'm running things, you work it out with me and not with Miles.
What do you think I could say to Miles that has got you so buzzed? Hey, you can say anything you like.
It won't make a difference because you're not a player, and you never will be, and if you think I'm giving you a hard time now, it's nothing compared to what will happen if you keep trying to buck me.
[Michael.]
Oh, Janey, in the pot.
You think Daddy likes cleaning up after you? Huh? You think he's always going to do this? No, you see, Daddy has a day job.
Daddy's overqualified for this work.
Did we make a mess, honey? Is that what happened? Huh? You okay? I think we better get you cleaned up.
You're going to get awfully tired of doing that by the time she starts college.
You can't make her feel bad about having a potty.
I just want her to feel bad about taking a dump on the floor.
I don't think that's so terribly unreasonable.
Oh, Daddy's tired, sweetie.
You know how you get when you're tired? Huh? That's how Daddy feels.
Cranky.
You asked me to participate.
I'm participating.
She's a baby.
We're just getting a handle on hot and cold.
We also have to make her know what's expected of her.
We have to make her fit into the world because the world is not mommy and daddy.
It's people with secrets and priorities, people that don't always tell you the truth.
- They're just ready to bang you into the ground.
- Michael.
Michael.
[sigh.]
I thought we were talking about diapers.
Like my worthy opponent, I, too, think you should have a friend as student council president.
I would be a strong and fair advocate with Mr.
Trilby in the administration.
You can depend on me to work diligently and creatively on your behalf.
If you elect me, I pledge to do everything in my power to make you proud of your choice.
Thank you.
And now we'll hear from Bob Stanton.
Tomorrow, when you cast your votes in homeroom, ask yourself a question about the kind of person you're voting for.
Is he someone you can trust? Is he someone you can count on, or is he the type of man who would stab you in the back the first chance he got? My opponent is such a backstabber.
He agreed to be my running mate then backed out [audience murmuring.]
backed out on a friend.
Is that the kind of man you want as your president? [murmuring grows.]
I think not.
You have 30 seconds to reply.
[ticking.]
I, uh uh Well, I actually can explain this because it isn't how it looks.
It's, uh Okay, okay, I change my mind.
That's true.
I admit to that, but it's not like I promised or signed anything.
- I mean - Time.
[murmuring.]
You can leave all this here.
It's all right.
I need it where I can get to it.
Sorry I couldn't call you back yesterday, but it was impossible.
- I understand.
- I really wanted to, but there was just no way, and I know I'm a little late on finding a space, but I I asked Morgan to look.
I explained about yesterday.
- And I accepted your explanation.
- Then what's the trouble? No trouble.
You're either involved or you're not.
This takes commitment.
I am committed.
How am I supposed to measure that commitment if you're not here? I explained to you.
Can't spare the time.
It's your decision.
Mr.
Dunaway, you don't know me.
If you're going to measure my commitment on the basis of one afternoon, you're making a serious mistake.
Really? - Really.
- [pats box.]
Prove it.
Hey, Mike.
- Michael.
- Hi.
Hi, can I see you for a sec? Sure.
What is it? Draconis called us into his office.
He wanted to know if we'd be interested in working on Oh-My pies.
He did.
Said you and Weston were dry and he was looking to take on a new team.
He said we were dry.
Did you believe him? If I did, do you think you and I would be having this conversation? Why does everybody here answer a question with another question? I'm sorry, Michael.
This place just breeds parables.
If it had been anybody else, we probably would've kept our mouth shut.
Mm-hm.
So why are we so special? You're good, for one thing, and you started your own place.
Most people here just wish they had the guts to do something like that.
And we like you.
So what's the story with Draconis anyway? I don't know.
Pick a theory, but he's getting worse.
He used to be very hot.
Now maybe it's not coming so easy, and he's panicking.
But Miles? Is his friend.
We're supposed to act like that doesn't matter, but it does.
Hmm.
Thanks for telling me this.
You know, Michael, sometimes you focus on something, a problem, and you're not aware that there's support for you here people anxious to see you win.
Do you know what I mean? We're nailed.
We're not even going to get a chance to bat, are we? It's not just these stupid cakes, man.
This guy's going to hobble us every chance he gets.
Man, this place looks so good from the outside.
Oh, well, it's not that bad.
All we have to do is service this guy and tow the line, and we'll get along just dandy.
We'll do great.
You want to do that? - No.
- Should we try and talk to Miles? If we can't handle this ourselves, why are we worthy of his intervention? Miles would say that.
He'd say exactly that.
What time is it? Oh, my God, almost 7:30.
No, not here.
In Minnesota.
[dialing.]
[ringing.]
[phone beeps.]
Yeah? Now? Steadman.
Let him in.
All right.
Hi.
I just wanted to make sure that you met somebody.
Um, Larry, this is Miles Drentell.
- Pleasure.
- Miles, this is Larry Rhymen.
- Karl Draconis.
He's our creative director.
- How are you? Larry is in-house communications with Minnesota Brands.
He was in town.
I said he should just come in and check out what he's buying.
Michael and Elliot put out an open invitation to visit, look around.
He knew I was heading east, gave me a call.
Here I am.
Well, Michael can be very compelling, as I'm sure you know.
You're our first visitor from the land of 10,000 lakes.
If we'd had some warning, we could've prepared something.
Well, when the chairman comes out, you can make a fuss.
I just want a chance to see what the place and people are like.
You know, we're all looking forward to working with you guys.
It's going to be interesting.
It's getting more interesting every second.
[Elliot.]
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Hey, ready to go? Yeah, one quick call and we trash your expense account.
Oh, great, just use my phone right there.
- Well? - Well? Come on, don't be coy with me.
I hate it when you're coy.
- Did he say anything? - I don't know.
All I could hear was this rushing noise, like the sound of a kamikaze plane just before it smacks the side of a battleship.
At least we put the fear of God in him.
- Oh, maybe.
- What do we do now? Now? Now we order an obscenely expensive lunch.
Because it could be our last meal.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
That's good.
[Michael.]
You wanted to see me? We'll finish this later.
How was your lunch? Amiable.
You're out of your league, Steadman.
What do you mean, Karl? I mean it was a stupid trick, and it's going to blow up in your face.
Hm, and what trick was that? When Miles finds out that you burned this account with that lame I didn't talk to Larry about the idea, Karl.
I'm a team player.
You know that.
No, not anymore you're not.
You're gone.
You're off the account.
I'm bringing in Wasserman and Amato.
You don't want to do that.
I just did.
Well, I think you should reconsider.
There's nothing to reconsider.
I'm the creative director, and it's my call.
Fine.
You're making a mistake.
No, I think you're the one who's making a mistake.
No, I don't think so.
You don't want me as an enemy, Karl.
I'm much more valuable to you as a friend.
Oh, really? Why are you so bent on squandering me? Look, I'll tell Mark you're off.
Make sure Wasserman and Amato get your research material.
Yeah, I can't believe you're going to let pride get in the way.
Elliot and I can help you through this.
Through what? You don't think that we know how you feel? I've been through this.
The ideas aren't coming in as quickly as they used to.
It's getting too much like work, but you're not burned out.
Burned out? No, you just need a little time to recharge the batteries, and if you would stop looking at me as some kind of a threat - A threat? - you would realize that what I'm offering you is time, time to get the edge back.
Oh, wow, this is really remarkable.
Just who do you think you are? I'm the man that brought this agency a potential $30 million account, I'm the man that Miles picked to liaison with the client, and I'm the man that can do you a lot of good.
I'm not after your job, Karl, but other people are.
Look, I talked to Miles about this.
Oh, you have? And he's got nothing nothing but respect for you.
I'm touched.
But Frankly, he's concerned.
You're trying to gaslight me.
What if I am? Hmm? I mean, what does it cost you to let us run with this idea? Nothing.
You're the creative director.
You're the team leader.
You get the credit.
Pretty soon people are going to forget whose idea this was in the first place, and you and I both know the only thing wrong with my idea is that you didn't have it.
Oh, man, this is really pathetic, Michael.
If you say so.
I'll see you at the meeting, Karl.
[exhales.]
The space is available on a month-to-month basis.
Is this the cheapest you looked at? No, but the tenant before was an insurance broker, so it's already wired for multiple phone lines and office equipment.
- Access? - Three bus lines intersect about a block away.
There's parking in the back.
City Hall's about 15 minutes away if the lights are on your side.
I clocked it.
What about our most important resource? The Dragon Seed five minutes away, delivers until 11:00, I recommend the noodles with peanut sauce if you like it spicy.
It's cool.
Whatever happens, it's cool.
All right, I want to get to the market analysis as quickly as possible and start identifying the vulnerable segments, but before I do, we have another matter to dispense with and that having to do with our creative team.
It is necessary for all the people at this agency and especially the people at this table to work together toward a common goal.
There can be no private agendas.
[mug clunks.]
They simply have to be eliminated, so we are so it is necessary to put aside ego and focus on the job, the job at hand.
Uh I mean, after all, we are all colleagues, right? So [scrapes.]
Okay, that said, before we get into the vulnerable segments, Steadman and Weston have the beginnings of an approach that I think would benefit from the input of the entire group, including some additional insights from Wasserman and Amato.
Uh, it's fairly radical but I think it deserves some attention, so Michael, would you like to sketch that out for the group? Happy to.
Basically the idea is that we reactivate buyers who have aged out of what would normally be considered the target group.
In English, let's sell cookies to the grownups.
[chattering.]
Hey, Mikey-boy.
Hey, we're going great guns in there, doing some really good stuff.
What do you think about Jill St.
John doing a cameo in the commercial, huh? Yeah, that sounds wild and wacky.
- Hey, Mikey.
- Yeah.
- You won, man.
- Yeah.
How does it feel? It feels, uh I don't know.
It was easy.
Easy? Yeah.
I mean, people really like that, like Draconis are they really that easy to manipulate? Everybody's got buttons.
Yeah, I just never had the nerve to push them before.
- Hey, you want in on this? - Yeah, sure.
In a minute.
[foreign accent.]
Come with me, my little chocolate lovelies.
If you knew what I had in store for you, your creamy fillings would be all aquiver.
[Miles.]
You're becoming nocturnal.
I was just trying to imagine what this place is going to look like when it's finished.
Hm, I'd be anxious to hear any ideas you might have.
Nothing at the moment.
Well, there's plenty of time, and if we don't like it, we can change it later.
There's always time to change.
I liked your idea.
I realize it wasn't a formal presentation and I was just eavesdropping, but I liked it.
Thanks.
Do you think the client will like it? - Yes.
- Yes.
You're doing very well, Michael.
This is a business that thrives on insincere praise, but you are doing very well.
Thank you.
You've always been clever in the mechanics of advertising.
I knew that, but now you're starting to understand the real engine people, the motivation and direction of people.
I think you're going to be exceptionally good at it.
Thank you.
I'm going home now.
I'll probably sleep very well.
Do you need me to talk to Karl? No, I can handle him.
[door opens.]
Michael? Dad.
How did it go? I lost.
563 to 24.
That's too bad.
What do I do now? Where is everybody? Mom took Brad to scouts.
Dinner's in the oven.
Dad, I lost.
I understand, and it's all right.
No, it's not all right.
Out of the entire school, 24 kids voted for me.
Bob Stanton's not talking to me.
None of my friends are talking to me.
That says more about them than it does about you.
Well, if I would've kept my mouth shut, at least I would be vice president.
Michael, why stand in someone's shadow unless that's where you want to be? It took courage to do what you did.
You should be proud of yourself.
Dad, I'm sorry I let you down.
You didn't.
But you'd say that anyway if I had or not.
You'd never tell me if you were disappointed.
Michael, you're very young, and I know this means a lot to you, but I have to tell you it is not the end of the world.
You will have other opportunities.
You will succeed in ways that neither of us can imagine.
- When? - When? Tomorrow, next year, ten years from now, but you'll succeed.
I know this.
I look in your eyes, and I know this.
Dad, I want you to be proud of me.
Oh, I am.
I want you to see me win.
You will, and I'll be there when you do.
What if you're not? Where else would I be? [door opens.]
- Hello.
- [Michael.]
Hi.
Sorry we're late.
Let me get her out of her stuff - and then up make dinner - Wait.
What's this? We've been carrying that around all day.
We're very proud.
Show Daddy.
Oh, wow, look at this.
A gold star, sweetie.
That's very good.
- You want some wine? - Yeah, that would be great.
Wait, let me have her.
How was work? Oh, I'll tell you about it later.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Hey, did you eat a lot of snowflakes today? I hope not because I don't want you to spoil your appetite.
Get your little mittens off.
Hi.
Can I have a kiss? Yeah? Yeah.
Let me get this jacket off, sweetie.
Up, up, up, up Closed-Captioned By J.
R.
Media Services, Inc.
Burbank, CA And dance by the light of the moon
"President Trips While Draped in Flag.
" "Minister Attacks Madonna" I'm sorry.
"Minister Attacks Madonna Video.
" Any bulletins from the floor? Well, no gold star for you today, young lady.
Are you trying to prove that the universe is completely random? Hmm? What do you want to do about dinner? Oh, I'm going to be late, sweetie.
There's a work council in Minnesota Brands, and then I'm going to stop off for my father.
Take-out? Yeah, is that okay with you? Yeah, Ricky and I are going to meet with the man from the CEA.
From the what? Congress for Environmental Action.
You know, about the incinerator.
Okay, good.
Hi, pumpkin.
[Janey babbles.]
You know, at first this chart of good days and bad days seemed to be without statistical value, and then you realize that the gold stars are falling on the days when I'm with her.
What's that supposed to mean? You have yet to earn a gold star in the potty sweepstakes.
This is not true.
Construction paper doesn't lie.
Hmm.
So? So I see you sitting in there with her, drinking coffee, talking about sports, pretending she isn't sitting on what she's sitting on.
You have to participate.
I participate.
Enthusiastically.
I participate.
Michael, do you want us to come with you? I mean, to the synagogue? Um, no.
It's better this way.
For me.
Okay.
Pleased with yourself? Yeah.
Yeah, I'm very pleased with myself.
Okay, well, here.
- Have a SnapHappy.
- SnapHappys.
Me and Peter Franklin had six of these apiece in a matinee when we were kids.
The Lost World.
I mean, in my head, SnapHappys will always be linked to the sight of Jill St.
John in pink stretch pants.
You must've gone right from kindergarten to puberty.
Hey, how's it feel? It feels okay.
Wish I had a toothache or a paper cut or something.
Really? Why? It wouldn't be so perfect.
You know? There would be this little imperfection so I can stop worrying about how good I feel.
Aren't you guys afraid of appearing over-anxious? Hello, Mr.
Account Executive.
That's Miles' chair.
I thought he wasn't coming to the meeting.
He's not.
Karl Draconis is.
Creative director gets a center chair.
[mutters, laughs.]
Hey, have an Oh-My pie.
I was hoping they'd start us on consumer electronics.
- Yeah, well - Today the snack cakes.
Tomorrow the VCRs.
[Elliot.]
I don't see any reason why we shouldn't stay with the same wrappers on these things, the same look.
If we want to be consistent with what we're doing, I think it's pretty cool.
I think if if you take a look at it, I think you - Hi.
- Morning.
I think this is showing a lot of potential to be a top-ten market breaker.
Paige at my left, please.
Okay, first things first.
Getting a major account and keeping it are two different things.
Now, some of you might think that the jumping of Minnesota Brands is a major coup.
Well, no major client jumps because someone cleverly talks them into it.
They jump because they were ready to jump, so let's not waste any more time congratulating ourselves and get down to the real work, okay? Tyler, I need a breakdown on the existing campaign and media plan.
- Duncan, a sense of market share over the past 20 years.
- Ow.
Break it out against advertising history.
What's his problem, anyway, man? Draconis? I don't think he's got a worry in the world.
Oh, come on.
Would it have killed him to mention that Michael and I were the ones that brought in Minnesota Brands? Would it have made a difference? To me it would've.
Then that's why he didn't say anything.
This isn't Bernstein-Fox or the Michael and Elliot Company.
There you were in the business of advertising.
I'm sorry.
What business are we in now? [chuckles.]
For your own sanity, gentlemen, I suggest you stop reading that Japanese management crap that Miles likes to peddle and get yourself a copy of Richard III.
These efforts go through a lot of evolutionary stages, things we've got to get from tadpole to frog before the opposition knows we're here.
That incinerator is no solution, but they're going to cram it down our throats.
They just don't care what happens to this planet.
Actually they're all concerned citizens working for the public good.
You're the ones that are being selfish.
But the facts, you can't contest the facts.
I know, but one perception can throw a million facts right out the window.
Now, to start with, we're going to need a base of operations, an office, a storefront.
Why can't we keep meeting in our homes? We will, and believe me, when the press comes, they'll always come to somebody's house because this is a community effort, but we still need office support.
We need phone lines, message center.
[Woman.]
Hope.
I guess I could do that, find us a place.
Okay, great, I'll leave that to you, and this Mm-hmm.
Now, let's get through this organizational stuff.
Then the real fun starts.
You sound like you enjoy this.
I do.
Don't tell anybody, though.
[man speaking Hebrew.]
In solemn testimony to that unbroken faith which links the generations one to another, let those who mourn now rise to magnify and sanctify thy holy name.
[reading Hebrew.]
[whack.]
Brad.
Brad.
Is that Uncle Oscar's son? Yes.
1928 to 1945.
He was 17.
The war.
Brad.
Come on, Mike.
Do you think I'll have to fight in the war? [Leo Steadman.]
It's not a real war.
But do you think I'll have to fight? Well, you've got high school and college.
It'll be over by then.
What if it isn't? Then we'll talk about it.
Who would end the war faster, Nixon or Humphrey? Humphrey's better for the Jews.
They were both Vice President.
Bob Stanton wants me to be vice president.
Of what? The student council.
He's running for president, and he asked me if I wanted to run for vice president.
Are you going to? I told him I would.
- Oh.
- What? I was wondering why you decided to run for vice president instead of for president? Well, Bob's very popular, and I get along with Mr.
Trilby and the other teachers.
Getting along with the principal, I think that's an important quality for a president.
Being president, that's a big responsibility, and I've already told Bob.
[car horn honks.]
- Brad.
- [honking.]
Brad, would you look around and see where you are? You think maybe I should run for president? I think you shouldn't be so afraid of running that it stops you.
Why would I be afraid? Because it's a natural way to feel about these things.
Michael, I think you will be a very good president.
Whatever you do, I'll be proud of you.
[Elliot.]
Oh-My pies and cakes have never had a national campaign.
"Market share 1978, 12%.
Market share 1988, 8%.
"Acquired by Minnesota Brands in 1986 "as part of a poison-pill strategy to fight hostile takeover.
" So they deliberately bought Oh-My pies to make themselves look bad.
Look at this.
"Since acquisition by MB, "no capital expenditures, reduction of distribution system, staff cuts.
" Right, it's a test.
You see, they got nothing to lose by tossing Oh-My pies at us.
Okay.
All right, wait okay, so it's a test.
Let's show them what we can do.
You know what I mean? - The proper Viking funeral.
- Yeah.
A what? A proper Viking funeral.
If Oh-My is really going down, then let's go down in flames.
Either MB doesn't trust us with a major account, or or they are giving us a clean slate.
They're giving us a company without an image to see what we can do.
Now, one way it's an insult.
The other way, it's a challenge.
Well, that's a lovely sort of Zen pep talk, Michael, but I don't see your point.
The point is we shouldn't be tricked into depending upon research because it's not going to tell us what we want to know.
Instead of trying to figure out what the client wants, we should develop what we think is best.
Get out ahead of the client.
- Exactly.
- Yeah, exactly.
Yeah.
And lose him in the dust.
- No.
- No.
No, wait a minute.
That's not what I'm saying at all.
Wait a minute Wait.
This agency has a reputation for cutting-edge advertising.
Right? We're creative.
We're out there, right, but we're not out there on every client.
If research and analysis indicate that Oh-My will benefit from a full-tilt approach like that, then fine, that's what they'll get, but it's really a question of client needs and not the needs of individual egos, so Tyler, summarize the agency history.
Okay? This data's way too raw to be of any use.
Well, my research indicates that they started off - [Woman.]
Good night.
- Good night.
[Miles.]
Michael.
What's the occasion? A gift from Werner Breslow.
We steal his account.
He sends us a basket of fruit? It's a tradition, a healthy mixture of good sportsmanship and sarcasm.
He's still one basket up on me.
Take a banana to your lovely wife, perhaps some cheese.
The gouda looks acceptable.
Thank you.
I'd like you to stay close to the surface with Minnesota Brands.
Their choice of Oh-My indicates they're still a little nervous.
Your familiar face and a calm voice.
I'd like you to be accessible to them directly.
Okay.
It's going to get interesting around here.
Up for it? I think so.
Eat your apple, Michael.
I think I'll wait till later.
As you wish.
See you in the morning.
- Totally tubular - [High Voice.]
Yum, yum.
[Deep Voice.]
Tubular.
Totally tubular [deep voice reads.]
[Deep Voice.]
Totally tubular.
We can't possibly be that old, can we? I didn't think so.
[Elliot.]
What kid's going to want to eat a SnapHappy? They don't squeeze out or roll up or do anything cool.
They just lay there, and you eat them.
How boring.
Who's the market for this? Come on, you know.
The same little miniature MTV-ers in the spot.
No, no, no, I don't think so.
That's the market for this goop and pizza-flavored bubblegum, those jellybeans shaped like Debbie Gibson.
This is not who I see eating SnapHappys.
Well, who do you see eating them? I see you and Peter Franklin at the matinee with Jill St.
John.
Yeah, but there aren't kids like us anymore.
Sure there are.
They're just not kids anymore.
[Michael.]
Throwing Oh-My pies into the kids' market - is suicide, okay? - [Elliot.]
It's insane.
[Michael.]
You're putting a Model T against a Porsche.
It's Captain Kangaroo vs.
Pee-wee Herman.
So what we should do is reclaim the old market, people who bought the product as kids but are now adults.
We position Oh-My and SnapHappys as adult products.
Yeah, it's like nostalgic - Guilty pleasure.
- Exactly.
[Elliot.]
You know what we do is we buy TV time.
- [Michael.]
Right.
- But you don't buy it during kids' shows.
You buy a time that gives you [together.]
25 to a 40 demographic.
- Mostly male.
- It's a very guy thing.
We buy sports.
So instead of clawing for nickels and dimes from the kids, we create a new audience.
The campaign would be more visible, the impact on sales more dramatic.
Adults buying multi units instead of kids buying single snacks.
Exactly, exactly.
It's a completely new approach retrosnack.
Hm, hm.
Okay.
Uh, where's your research? Where's your analysis? We uh [Karl.]
Oh, wait a minute, come on.
You guys are proposing a radical approach.
You're going to change markets, right? Why? Because it amuses you? Because it'll give you a cleaner stage? I mean No, no, because it will work.
Oh, becau You don't know that.
Karl, nobody knows anything, and this new approach, uh, retrosnacking, I think it deserves a little more discussion before you put a stake through its heart.
No.
I'm not going to squander the time and resources of this organization on vanity projects.
Fine.
Just what are you willing to squander time and resources on? I'd like to know.
I mean, you're very good at shooting down other people's ideas.
Let's hear one of yours.
You'll hear my ideas when the time is right, and you'll assist in realizing them because that's your job.
You stink, Steadman.
You really stink.
I asked you to be my vice president first, and you said yes.
[Michael.]
I thought it over.
You thought it over, and now you're running against me? You just can't trust anybody these days.
- Bob - No, forget it.
You think you're going to beat me? Go ahead and try.
Bob.
Bob.
[Girl.]
Whoops.
Yeah, well, you stink, too.
"Prudence opened the box "and found a strange something inside.
"Was it a hat? "No, it wasn't a hat.
Was it a milk bowl for the cat?" [Janey.]
No.
"No, it wasn't a milk bowl for the cat.
Was it a flower pot?" - [Janey.]
It's a flower.
- How are we doing? Um, we're having fun.
We're having fun.
Join us.
No, honey, I've got some stuff I have to do.
Well, bring it on in.
I mean, we'll all be together in the bathroom.
Right, Janey? No, I'm already set up downstairs.
Michael Okay.
What? No.
No.
What? Not now.
"It was a potty "for sitting on and making wee-wee and poo-poo into "instead of a diaper.
"How wonderful.
Prudence was very happy.
" [Leo Steadman.]
What are you apologizing for? I'm not apologizing.
Well, it must be me because it sounds like you were.
Apologizing for what? For running against Bob Stanton.
Bob's my friend.
Yes, and Morton Weisman is my friend.
What's Morton Weisman got to do with the student council? He's my friend.
He and his wife come here twice a month to play bridge, but he's also my number 1 competitor.
So? So if Morton Weisman gets a chance to make a deal with a supplier, do you think he stops and wonders, "What's this going to mean to my friend Leo Steadman?" No.
He goes ahead and he makes the best deal that he can because he knows that I would do the same.
Well, I don't think this speech is going to work out anyway.
Bob's funny.
He'll start telling jokes and get everybody laughing, and then the debate You'll do fine.
You'll look him in the eye, and you'll do fine.
Michael, everything worth having, everything worth doing, comes with fear attached to it.
That's how we pay for the good things, by facing the fear.
Now, how about we have some chocolate milk, and then we'll take another crack at that speech.
Okay.
It's going to be a haven.
No one will be allowed to discuss clients, campaigns, none of that.
This is a place to which we will escape.
Yeah, it'll be nice to have a gym in the building.
Mm-hm.
I've wanted to do this since my heart attack.
Your what? June 17th, 1986.
I didn't know What do you mean, a heart attack? I was caught in traffic when the crab started to crush my chest.
Don't let anyone ever tell you car phones are an indulgence.
What progress is there on the Oh-My front? Doesn't Karl brief you? He does.
Now I'm asking you.
Elliot and I knocked some ideas around.
We thought we were onto something.
Mark was interested.
Karl shut us down.
Shut you down? Yeah, he didn't think our idea was viable.
- You disagree.
- Yeah.
I think I don't know what I think.
Yes, you do.
I just don't understand who Karl Draconis is serving.
He's creative director of this agency.
Right, but who is he serving? I've known Karl Draconis for eight years.
He has impeccable taste.
He's a good administrator and a first-rate mind He has a tremendous reputation, but since I've gotten here, that's all I've seen his reputation.
I take him an idea.
He swats it away without even thinking about it.
Maybe he thinks faster than you.
So I'm paranoid.
There is no secret agenda, and you have complete and total confidence in Karl Draconis.
If that were so, why would I bring you up here to have this conversation instead of having it downstairs and in full sight? - [door opens.]
- [Paige.]
Mr.
Drentell.
I was sent to find you.
And you have succeeded.
We'll continue this.
[laughing.]
Little bird.
Good girl.
Come on.
Are you ready? Huh? Are you ready? Yeah? All right, let me see that list.
Oh, let's see.
"Dry cleaners, laundry, library, pick up L.
K.
" L.
K.
? I wrote L.
K.
, but I don't remember what it is.
Oh, Janey bird, your mommy's mind is going.
- All right.
- [phone rings.]
[Melissa's Voice.]
Hi, we can't come to the phone right now, but if you leave a message, we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- [beep.]
-Uh, hi, it's John Dunaway.
I'm wondering on how you were doing on finding us a headquarters.
They're starting to send material from our office in Washington, so I'm anxious to hear if you've made any progress.
Um, call me as soon as you can, okay? [beeps.]
- [elevator beeps.]
- [Man.]
Hey, Bruce, good meeting today.
- [Bruce.]
Thanks a lot.
- Take it easy.
You working late? I'm just putting some ideas on paper.
I think you and I have crossed a couple of wires.
Oh? Yeah.
Normally the creative director wouldn't be crowding the team on an account this size, but Miles thought that it needed special attention, so he asked me to supervise personally.
Do you have a problem with that? Not in principle.
Not in principle.
I see.
But in practice? You had a small shop, you and Weston, and your business went under, and that's how you ended up here.
Correct me if I'm getting it wrong.
That's about how it went.
You failed.
You misjudged the market and your abilities, and you failed.
Our business failed.
All right, my mistake.
Is there something I can do for you? Yeah.
You can study the organizational chart, and you can get it straight who reports to who.
I don't want you going to Miles and burning his time with bad ideas.
In the first place, I wasn't talking to Miles about the idea, and in the second place, it's not a bad idea.
It's an idea that you don't like.
As far as you're concerned, that's the same thing.
[sighs.]
Are you telling me that I can't talk to Miles? No, no.
I'm telling you to fight your own fights.
If you have a problem with the way I'm running things, you work it out with me and not with Miles.
What do you think I could say to Miles that has got you so buzzed? Hey, you can say anything you like.
It won't make a difference because you're not a player, and you never will be, and if you think I'm giving you a hard time now, it's nothing compared to what will happen if you keep trying to buck me.
[Michael.]
Oh, Janey, in the pot.
You think Daddy likes cleaning up after you? Huh? You think he's always going to do this? No, you see, Daddy has a day job.
Daddy's overqualified for this work.
Did we make a mess, honey? Is that what happened? Huh? You okay? I think we better get you cleaned up.
You're going to get awfully tired of doing that by the time she starts college.
You can't make her feel bad about having a potty.
I just want her to feel bad about taking a dump on the floor.
I don't think that's so terribly unreasonable.
Oh, Daddy's tired, sweetie.
You know how you get when you're tired? Huh? That's how Daddy feels.
Cranky.
You asked me to participate.
I'm participating.
She's a baby.
We're just getting a handle on hot and cold.
We also have to make her know what's expected of her.
We have to make her fit into the world because the world is not mommy and daddy.
It's people with secrets and priorities, people that don't always tell you the truth.
- They're just ready to bang you into the ground.
- Michael.
Michael.
[sigh.]
I thought we were talking about diapers.
Like my worthy opponent, I, too, think you should have a friend as student council president.
I would be a strong and fair advocate with Mr.
Trilby in the administration.
You can depend on me to work diligently and creatively on your behalf.
If you elect me, I pledge to do everything in my power to make you proud of your choice.
Thank you.
And now we'll hear from Bob Stanton.
Tomorrow, when you cast your votes in homeroom, ask yourself a question about the kind of person you're voting for.
Is he someone you can trust? Is he someone you can count on, or is he the type of man who would stab you in the back the first chance he got? My opponent is such a backstabber.
He agreed to be my running mate then backed out [audience murmuring.]
backed out on a friend.
Is that the kind of man you want as your president? [murmuring grows.]
I think not.
You have 30 seconds to reply.
[ticking.]
I, uh uh Well, I actually can explain this because it isn't how it looks.
It's, uh Okay, okay, I change my mind.
That's true.
I admit to that, but it's not like I promised or signed anything.
- I mean - Time.
[murmuring.]
You can leave all this here.
It's all right.
I need it where I can get to it.
Sorry I couldn't call you back yesterday, but it was impossible.
- I understand.
- I really wanted to, but there was just no way, and I know I'm a little late on finding a space, but I I asked Morgan to look.
I explained about yesterday.
- And I accepted your explanation.
- Then what's the trouble? No trouble.
You're either involved or you're not.
This takes commitment.
I am committed.
How am I supposed to measure that commitment if you're not here? I explained to you.
Can't spare the time.
It's your decision.
Mr.
Dunaway, you don't know me.
If you're going to measure my commitment on the basis of one afternoon, you're making a serious mistake.
Really? - Really.
- [pats box.]
Prove it.
Hey, Mike.
- Michael.
- Hi.
Hi, can I see you for a sec? Sure.
What is it? Draconis called us into his office.
He wanted to know if we'd be interested in working on Oh-My pies.
He did.
Said you and Weston were dry and he was looking to take on a new team.
He said we were dry.
Did you believe him? If I did, do you think you and I would be having this conversation? Why does everybody here answer a question with another question? I'm sorry, Michael.
This place just breeds parables.
If it had been anybody else, we probably would've kept our mouth shut.
Mm-hm.
So why are we so special? You're good, for one thing, and you started your own place.
Most people here just wish they had the guts to do something like that.
And we like you.
So what's the story with Draconis anyway? I don't know.
Pick a theory, but he's getting worse.
He used to be very hot.
Now maybe it's not coming so easy, and he's panicking.
But Miles? Is his friend.
We're supposed to act like that doesn't matter, but it does.
Hmm.
Thanks for telling me this.
You know, Michael, sometimes you focus on something, a problem, and you're not aware that there's support for you here people anxious to see you win.
Do you know what I mean? We're nailed.
We're not even going to get a chance to bat, are we? It's not just these stupid cakes, man.
This guy's going to hobble us every chance he gets.
Man, this place looks so good from the outside.
Oh, well, it's not that bad.
All we have to do is service this guy and tow the line, and we'll get along just dandy.
We'll do great.
You want to do that? - No.
- Should we try and talk to Miles? If we can't handle this ourselves, why are we worthy of his intervention? Miles would say that.
He'd say exactly that.
What time is it? Oh, my God, almost 7:30.
No, not here.
In Minnesota.
[dialing.]
[ringing.]
[phone beeps.]
Yeah? Now? Steadman.
Let him in.
All right.
Hi.
I just wanted to make sure that you met somebody.
Um, Larry, this is Miles Drentell.
- Pleasure.
- Miles, this is Larry Rhymen.
- Karl Draconis.
He's our creative director.
- How are you? Larry is in-house communications with Minnesota Brands.
He was in town.
I said he should just come in and check out what he's buying.
Michael and Elliot put out an open invitation to visit, look around.
He knew I was heading east, gave me a call.
Here I am.
Well, Michael can be very compelling, as I'm sure you know.
You're our first visitor from the land of 10,000 lakes.
If we'd had some warning, we could've prepared something.
Well, when the chairman comes out, you can make a fuss.
I just want a chance to see what the place and people are like.
You know, we're all looking forward to working with you guys.
It's going to be interesting.
It's getting more interesting every second.
[Elliot.]
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Hey, ready to go? Yeah, one quick call and we trash your expense account.
Oh, great, just use my phone right there.
- Well? - Well? Come on, don't be coy with me.
I hate it when you're coy.
- Did he say anything? - I don't know.
All I could hear was this rushing noise, like the sound of a kamikaze plane just before it smacks the side of a battleship.
At least we put the fear of God in him.
- Oh, maybe.
- What do we do now? Now? Now we order an obscenely expensive lunch.
Because it could be our last meal.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
That's good.
[Michael.]
You wanted to see me? We'll finish this later.
How was your lunch? Amiable.
You're out of your league, Steadman.
What do you mean, Karl? I mean it was a stupid trick, and it's going to blow up in your face.
Hm, and what trick was that? When Miles finds out that you burned this account with that lame I didn't talk to Larry about the idea, Karl.
I'm a team player.
You know that.
No, not anymore you're not.
You're gone.
You're off the account.
I'm bringing in Wasserman and Amato.
You don't want to do that.
I just did.
Well, I think you should reconsider.
There's nothing to reconsider.
I'm the creative director, and it's my call.
Fine.
You're making a mistake.
No, I think you're the one who's making a mistake.
No, I don't think so.
You don't want me as an enemy, Karl.
I'm much more valuable to you as a friend.
Oh, really? Why are you so bent on squandering me? Look, I'll tell Mark you're off.
Make sure Wasserman and Amato get your research material.
Yeah, I can't believe you're going to let pride get in the way.
Elliot and I can help you through this.
Through what? You don't think that we know how you feel? I've been through this.
The ideas aren't coming in as quickly as they used to.
It's getting too much like work, but you're not burned out.
Burned out? No, you just need a little time to recharge the batteries, and if you would stop looking at me as some kind of a threat - A threat? - you would realize that what I'm offering you is time, time to get the edge back.
Oh, wow, this is really remarkable.
Just who do you think you are? I'm the man that brought this agency a potential $30 million account, I'm the man that Miles picked to liaison with the client, and I'm the man that can do you a lot of good.
I'm not after your job, Karl, but other people are.
Look, I talked to Miles about this.
Oh, you have? And he's got nothing nothing but respect for you.
I'm touched.
But Frankly, he's concerned.
You're trying to gaslight me.
What if I am? Hmm? I mean, what does it cost you to let us run with this idea? Nothing.
You're the creative director.
You're the team leader.
You get the credit.
Pretty soon people are going to forget whose idea this was in the first place, and you and I both know the only thing wrong with my idea is that you didn't have it.
Oh, man, this is really pathetic, Michael.
If you say so.
I'll see you at the meeting, Karl.
[exhales.]
The space is available on a month-to-month basis.
Is this the cheapest you looked at? No, but the tenant before was an insurance broker, so it's already wired for multiple phone lines and office equipment.
- Access? - Three bus lines intersect about a block away.
There's parking in the back.
City Hall's about 15 minutes away if the lights are on your side.
I clocked it.
What about our most important resource? The Dragon Seed five minutes away, delivers until 11:00, I recommend the noodles with peanut sauce if you like it spicy.
It's cool.
Whatever happens, it's cool.
All right, I want to get to the market analysis as quickly as possible and start identifying the vulnerable segments, but before I do, we have another matter to dispense with and that having to do with our creative team.
It is necessary for all the people at this agency and especially the people at this table to work together toward a common goal.
There can be no private agendas.
[mug clunks.]
They simply have to be eliminated, so we are so it is necessary to put aside ego and focus on the job, the job at hand.
Uh I mean, after all, we are all colleagues, right? So [scrapes.]
Okay, that said, before we get into the vulnerable segments, Steadman and Weston have the beginnings of an approach that I think would benefit from the input of the entire group, including some additional insights from Wasserman and Amato.
Uh, it's fairly radical but I think it deserves some attention, so Michael, would you like to sketch that out for the group? Happy to.
Basically the idea is that we reactivate buyers who have aged out of what would normally be considered the target group.
In English, let's sell cookies to the grownups.
[chattering.]
Hey, Mikey-boy.
Hey, we're going great guns in there, doing some really good stuff.
What do you think about Jill St.
John doing a cameo in the commercial, huh? Yeah, that sounds wild and wacky.
- Hey, Mikey.
- Yeah.
- You won, man.
- Yeah.
How does it feel? It feels, uh I don't know.
It was easy.
Easy? Yeah.
I mean, people really like that, like Draconis are they really that easy to manipulate? Everybody's got buttons.
Yeah, I just never had the nerve to push them before.
- Hey, you want in on this? - Yeah, sure.
In a minute.
[foreign accent.]
Come with me, my little chocolate lovelies.
If you knew what I had in store for you, your creamy fillings would be all aquiver.
[Miles.]
You're becoming nocturnal.
I was just trying to imagine what this place is going to look like when it's finished.
Hm, I'd be anxious to hear any ideas you might have.
Nothing at the moment.
Well, there's plenty of time, and if we don't like it, we can change it later.
There's always time to change.
I liked your idea.
I realize it wasn't a formal presentation and I was just eavesdropping, but I liked it.
Thanks.
Do you think the client will like it? - Yes.
- Yes.
You're doing very well, Michael.
This is a business that thrives on insincere praise, but you are doing very well.
Thank you.
You've always been clever in the mechanics of advertising.
I knew that, but now you're starting to understand the real engine people, the motivation and direction of people.
I think you're going to be exceptionally good at it.
Thank you.
I'm going home now.
I'll probably sleep very well.
Do you need me to talk to Karl? No, I can handle him.
[door opens.]
Michael? Dad.
How did it go? I lost.
563 to 24.
That's too bad.
What do I do now? Where is everybody? Mom took Brad to scouts.
Dinner's in the oven.
Dad, I lost.
I understand, and it's all right.
No, it's not all right.
Out of the entire school, 24 kids voted for me.
Bob Stanton's not talking to me.
None of my friends are talking to me.
That says more about them than it does about you.
Well, if I would've kept my mouth shut, at least I would be vice president.
Michael, why stand in someone's shadow unless that's where you want to be? It took courage to do what you did.
You should be proud of yourself.
Dad, I'm sorry I let you down.
You didn't.
But you'd say that anyway if I had or not.
You'd never tell me if you were disappointed.
Michael, you're very young, and I know this means a lot to you, but I have to tell you it is not the end of the world.
You will have other opportunities.
You will succeed in ways that neither of us can imagine.
- When? - When? Tomorrow, next year, ten years from now, but you'll succeed.
I know this.
I look in your eyes, and I know this.
Dad, I want you to be proud of me.
Oh, I am.
I want you to see me win.
You will, and I'll be there when you do.
What if you're not? Where else would I be? [door opens.]
- Hello.
- [Michael.]
Hi.
Sorry we're late.
Let me get her out of her stuff - and then up make dinner - Wait.
What's this? We've been carrying that around all day.
We're very proud.
Show Daddy.
Oh, wow, look at this.
A gold star, sweetie.
That's very good.
- You want some wine? - Yeah, that would be great.
Wait, let me have her.
How was work? Oh, I'll tell you about it later.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Hey, did you eat a lot of snowflakes today? I hope not because I don't want you to spoil your appetite.
Get your little mittens off.
Hi.
Can I have a kiss? Yeah? Yeah.
Let me get this jacket off, sweetie.
Up, up, up, up Closed-Captioned By J.
R.
Media Services, Inc.
Burbank, CA And dance by the light of the moon