Ally McBeal >

Cage & Fish. ELAINE waits for the elevator. LING gets out. They stare at each other.

LING (after a while): Hello.
ELAINE: Ling ! You're back ?
LING: I'm here to see Nelle.
ELAINE: Certainly. And, who will we be suing today ?
NELLE (arriving behind LING): Ling !
LING (looking at ELAINE): This woman drips with sarcasm at my personal expense.
NELLE: Ling, one of the disadvantages of having magnetism is that you bring people out. People who will otherwise get unnoticed (ELAINE looks hurt). The fact that she could be so annoying is really a tribute to you. Let's go to my office, we'll talk about what's the matter. (LING leaves - To ELAINE) I'm sorry. She's just...
ELAINE: Yes. And thank you for defending me so staunchly Nelle. (NELLE smiles and leaves)
GEORGIA (going out of the elevator): Elaine.
ELAINE: Hi Georgia.
GEORGIA: What's the matter ?
ELAINE: Oh, nothing. It's just that bitchy little thing is back.
GEORGIA: Who is she suing this time ?
ELAINE: Maybe her gynecologist pulled the wrong tooth.
GEORGIA: Elaine ! That was vicious !
Credits.

RICHARD's office. LING, RICHARD and GEORGIA. RICHARD is playing with a tape recorder and especially the mike.

GEORGIA (very upset): You've got to be kidding me !
RICHARD: We've handled cases on cosmetic surgery.
GEORGIA: Why don't you sue the doctor ?
LING: He went bankrupt. I'm told the nurse comes from money.
GEORGIA: Richard, this is ridiculous !
RICHARD (in the mike): Testing...
LING: I don't understand the problem. You should be happy to get my business. I'm a plum !
GEORGIA: You are suing a woman because her breasts are real !
LING: When you say it in a tone like that, of course it's gonna sound silly !
GEORGIA: Noo..
RICHARD (in the mike): Georgia !
GEORGIA: No ! Whenever we get some insane claim you sign me up to lead the charge !
RICHARD: It's 2 depositions tops and then it'll go away !
ELAINE (coming in): Richard, the minister from your church is here. Are you available ?
RICHARD (in the mike): Mark !
MARK NEWMAN (enters and pushes the door into LING who bumps aside): Sorry to barge in !
RICHARD: Hi ! That's alright ! (to GEORGIA, escorting her out) We'll get Billy to second chair, just do the deposition then we'll settle ! (to LING, also escorting her out) I promise satisfaction if you're the least of capable of happiness. Go do your nail while I meet with my clergy. (she does not go, she's standing in front of his door, looking unhappy) Shoot ! (He closes the door).

The unisex. GEORGIA and BILLY enter and look under the stalls while talking.

GEORGIA: I'm telling you, it's because of her !
BILLY: Ling ?
GEORGIA: Not Ling, Nelle ! Ling gets worried because she's Nelle's client, and since Nelle will drop everything...
BILLY: Not fair...
GEORGIA: Not fair ? We're suing a nurse for having natural breasts !
BILLY: If anything it's Richard.
GEORGIA: No, it's Nelle.
BILLY: Georgia you don't like her, OK, but what has she really done to deserve this kind of reaction ?
GEORGIA: What has she done ?!?
BILLY: Yes, what has she done ?
GEORGIA: She... she.. showed up, that's what. OK, I admit it, I have a little "Mirror mirror on the wall" complex.
BILLY: Mirror, mirror on the wall ?
GEORGIA: I know it sounds stupid, but... but all my life I've... I've been the fairest one of them all. Don't laugh !
BILLY: Not laughing.
GEORGIA: And her... I may not be the best lawyer, but I've always felt like the fairest one here (GEORGIA's laughing). I'm not proud of saying that, but... and then she arrives, and... (they hear flushing and they are worried)
ALLY (with a smile, opening the stall and coming out): Hey guys !
GEORGIA: You had your legs up !
ALLY: No I didn't.
GEORGIA: Yes you did ! I checked, you had 'em up !
ALLY: Well, maybe they just flew up ! Your Mirror Mirror dropped me from second to third and my legs reacted.
GEORGIA (feeling embarrassed): Actually, I knew you were there.
ALLY: Did you ? And how did you tell, my asparagus diet ?
BILLY: All right...
BILLY and ALLY together: Quiet !
ALLY: Fairest one of them all ?
GEORGIA: I wasn't including you... (ELAINE enters the unisex, they can't see her)
ALLY: Oh really, and.. and why is that ?
GEORGIA: Because you exist in your own universe, Ally, and I was referring to the one the rest of us live in.
BILLY (upset): Alright !
ELAINE (thrilled): OK ! Tell me what I've missed ! (ALLY laughs)

RICHARD's office. MARK NEWMAN and RICHARD.

MARK NEWMAN: I've kept myself into a situation, and I don't know how to handle it.
RICHARD: What kind of situation ?
MARK NEWMAN: I've been in a relationship... (the mike starts to give feedback, RICHARD stops it)
RICHARD: Sorry. She's married ?
MARK NEWMAN: No !
RICHARD: Guy ?
MARK NEWMAN: No !
RICHARD: Sheep ?
MARK NEWMAN: Would you just let me talk ?
RICHARD: Yeah. Go ahead.
MARK NEWMAN: She's the music supervisor of our choir. She also sings in the choir. She's the one you prevailed upon to sing that short people song ?
RICHARD: Oh, Lisa...
MARK NEWMAN: Lisa.
RICHARD (naughty): How was she ? I bet she was....
MARK NEWMAN: Richard, please ! Obviously we weren't married, and I'm the minister. The minister and somebody from the church, I mean, it doesn't exactly make me an altar boy, does it ?
RICHARD: If you were an altar boy you'd be with a priest. Kidding. Bygones... What's the big deal ? Consenting adults, even unmarried...
MARK NEWMAN: I'd really appreciate if you let me get through this ?
RICHARD: Of course.
MARK NEWMAN: The relationship ended two months ago, I ended it. And it was very painful for her. And since then, the songs she's been singing for our services, well... I feel they're directed at me !
RICHARD: What kind of songs ?
MARK NEWMAN: Well, first they were obscure little hints about lost loves and broken hearts. Lately she's been doing pop !
RICHARD: How is the congregation reacting ?
MARK NEWMAN: I don't think they know what's going on. She's not that obvious. Plus she's a great performer so she's probably going over a bit over my sermons !
RICHARD: So what's the problem ?
MARK NEWMAN: The problem is, this is a church. I'm afraid to fire her or even demote her. After our relationship it may seem retaliatory. And yet, yet I can't let her keep singing those songs !

Conference room, Cage & Fish, deposition for LING's case.

LING: She's very hard to shop for.
Attorney: Your sister ?
LING: Yes. She has everything. The only thing I knew she wanted was nicer breasts. She didn't like hers, she thought they were small and unshapely.
Attorney: So you umm... decided
LING: To get her implants for Christmas, so I went to Dr. Noful he'd been recommended. We discussed the importance of them feeling natural, this was a priority, my sister is a very natural woman, scars make her vasavagal. So he said "Let me show you a sample of my work!. He brings in his nurse, her, she unveils, she's full, soft, without a hint of a blemish. I almost signed up and my breasts are beyond reproach. (Looks at the clerk who is listening without typing) Shouldn't you be typing ?
Attorney (clearing his throat): And you're.. claiming that you paid for your sister's operation...
LING: Based on her full soft implants ! And what did my sister get ? These hard little petrified lumps. She jumps through and they don't even move. And the scars ? My uncle slit his wrists with more finesse ! And then I find out, she's never minds at all. Hers are real, the total fraud !
Attorney : Now, what haven't you sued the plastic surgeon ?
LING: He's an empty pocket and in another jurisdiction and she's collectable. (Turning suddenly to the clerk who is looking at her, slamming her fist on the table) Type ! (Everybody looks at her, puzzled).
Attorney: Alright then (clears his throat).

Church. MARK NEWMAN is giving a sermon. ALLY, RR and RICHARD in the audience.

MARK NEWMAN: God sold off the world when...
ALLY: What did you have to bring me ?
RICHARD (whispering): We're in a church !
RR: Why am I here ?
ALLY: You're here because I dragged you (A woman shushes them).
RR (to the woman): Don't shush me. (ALLY shushes her)
MARK NEWMAN: Let's pray (they all bow their heads). Lord, help us find the strength to turn away from evil when he tempts us, to confront it when it threatens us, to see it wherever it's showing. Praise the Lord, Amen.
Audience: Amen !
MARK NEWMAN: Now I know we've all heard the saying that all it takes for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing.
Audience: Yeah !
RICHARD: This could get windy.. (makes a face)
MARK NEWMAN: But before that, we have a hymn...
Audience: Yeah !
(Band starts playing, LISA KNOWLES is standing up in the middle of the choir, she looks at MARK NEWMAN and starts singing)
LISA KNOWLES (singing): I'm so tired of being alone / So tired of being on my own / Won't you help me / Please just as soon as you can / I guess you know...
RICHARD: This couldn't exactly be a hymn ?
ALLY: It's an anthem ! I like it.
RR: She's singing to you.
ALLY: And you !
RR: You got that !
LISA KNOWLES (singing): Love me if you will / Love me if you will / So tired of being alone (everybody is up in the audience, dancing, including RR and ALLY. RICHARD gets up too).
RICHARD: Doesn't relate to me.
LISA KNOWLES (singing): I'm so tired / I'm so tired / I'm so tired of being alone... Yeah !
Audience cheers.

Cage & Fish office. JOHN's office, JOHN, RICHARD and MARK NEWMAN. RICHARD and MARK NEWMAN against some book shelves.

RICHARD: Tough to fire her, people in that church enjoyed it.
MARK NEWMAN: Clearly this is not right !
RICHARD: Even so you slept with her, Mark, she can run that sexual harassment card right up your collar.
MARK NEWMAN: But I haven't done anything !
RICHARD: You're a man, you're breathing... Under title VII you're liable.
MARK NEWMAN: We had a relationship, it ended !
RICHARD (sitting on JOHN's desk, JOHN sitting behind his desk): Thing is, that song last night wasn't overtly directed at you
MARK NEWMAN: So what, you just let her keep doing this ?
JOHN: You need to mediate. We need someone who speaks the language of loneliness.

Ally's office.

ALLY: Why me ?
RICHARD: Because we think you can tackle into her despair.
ALLY: Why ?
RICHARD: That sense of utility that comes with knowing no matter how long you live you'll be going alone, uncoupled, and yet charging for it, just the same, never under the false assumption it'll get any better, you're the who-know she might listen to.
ALLY: Thank you Richard, I live to help others cope.

Conference room. The nurse is depositing.

JODY SILVERMAN: I never actually said my breasts were artificial.
BILLY: Ms. Silverman, you knew Dr. Noful was using you as an example of his work.
JODY SILVERMAN: Well I didn't at first.
BILLY: You didn't ?
JODY SILVERMAN: No. I was told the patients wanted breasts similar to mine and I was a model for... Dr Noful wasn't being completely honest with me either.
BILLY: You didn't know what was going on ?
JODY SILVERMAN: Eventually it did become apparent he was representing me as someone he'd done work on.
BILLY: Did that happen in this case ?
JODY SILVERMAN: I didn't know for sure. But it'd be a lie to say I didn't suspect. (to her attorney) Should I lie ?
Attorney: Probably not.
JODY SILVERMAN: I knew he had passed my breasts off as implants with other patients. I'm not shocked to learn he did so here. (BILLY and GEORGIA look at each other)

In an office, GEORGIA, BILLY and JODY SILVERMAN's attorney

GEORGIA: We actually have a case.
Attorney: Oh, come on !
GEORGIA: It is misrepresentation, sale could basically...
Attorney: The problem is, my client isn't the merchant, so...
GEORGIA: She worked there, she had a part at the firm.
Attorney : Even if you establish a duty, your client's sister got breasts that resemble Ms. Silverman's, so...
BILLY: Have you seen 'em ?
Attorney: I've seen the pictures.
GEORGIA: Pictures ? Pictures don't tell you how they feel, or whether they move naturally !
Attorney: I might be out of line, but is it possible that Ms. Woo could err to the litigious side ? (BILLY and GEORGIA look away). Look, why don't we just take a look for ourselves, I mean that way we'll be at least able to give our clients an informed advice ?
BILLY (standing up and getting close to the attorney): That's a good idea.
GEORGIA (standing up also and getting close to them): Excuse me ?
Attorney: This afternoon would be good for me.
BILLY: We could meet right here.
Attorney: 3 o'clock ?
BILLY: I'll see you then.
Attorney: Great. (He leaves)
BILLY (noticing the way GEORGIA looks at him): What ?
GEORGIA: Let's look ?
BILLY: It was his idea !
GEORGIA: Oh, and didn't you put up a fight, great, 3 o'clock, do it here !
BILLY: Georgia !
GEORGIA: You are bringing in the two women to compare their br...
BILLY: It's evidence !
GEORGIA: Evidence ? Great ! Let's do a taste test while we're at it !
BILLY (sighing): Is this about Nelle too ?
GEORGIA (while NELLE comes up behind her): It has nothing to do with Nelle, although I have no doubt that her breasts are perfect (turning around to leave and almost bumping into NELLE) and of course, you would be standing there for that, because that's the way things work around here. Go pick a stall and hoist your legs, you'll learn all about us. (she leaves)
NELLE: Case's going well ? (BILLY smiles shyly)

In the lobby of Cage & Fish. NELLE and JOHN bump into one another.

JOHN: Oh (he falls into the mail cart)
NELLE: John !
JOHN : Oh, Nelle, how is your day going ?
NELLE (laughing and whispering): How's my day going ?... (louder) Can I ask you something ?
JOHN: Questions make me frown.
NELLE (pushing aside the mail cart and getting closer to JOHN) : Are we ever getting to go out ? I don't mean downstairs to the dance floor, I mean, out.
JOHN (stuttering) : Pough... Poughkep... Cornwell.
NELLE: I know, we work together, it's probably a terrible idea. You're a partner, I am associate, I have that whole attorneying thank to her. But if you're drawn to me, I do think you're cute (JOHN hears the boom boom boom, boom boom boo doom, NELLE is tapping her fingers to that rhythm, JOHN's tie is pumping at the beat) I don't mean to pressure you. (she leaves)

Church. MARK NEWMAN and ALLY in the lobby.

MARK NEWMAN: You could have come at a better time.
ALLY: Why ?
MARK NEWMAN: Sunday services. My sermon is on God's planet, all nations being one, world peace through his will (he opens the door into the church)
LISA KNOWLES (rehearsing): Asia's crowded, and Europe's too old, Africa's far too hot, and Canada's all so cold, and South America, they stole our name, let's drop the big one, there'll be no one else to blame us,...
MARK NEWMAN (closing the door): She's singing about a nuclear bomb !
ALLY: Well, well, well, she's not saying drop it on you !
MARK NEWMAN: She's a sweet kind loving woman. Ever since we broke up...
ALLY: Well, well, well, like you said the congregation likes it.
MARK NEWMAN: I can't let her do this.
ALLY: I think you're overreacting (he opens the door again)
LISA KNOWLES: Boom South London, boom Paris, more room for you, more room for me...
ALLY: Maybe not.
LISA KNOWLES: The whole world round, would just be another American town, how useful it would be, to set everybody free...

RICHARD's office. RICHARD, GEORGIA and LING.

LING: I don't want to subject my sister to that kind of blatant objectification !
GEORGIA: Ling,...
LING: Don't call me Ling !
GEORGIA: It's your name.
LING: Not with a hard L and a hard G it isn't. It's a soft name. Ling. You say it Ling ! It offends me.
GEORGIA (trying): Ling, when you decided to buy your sister breasts implants, you exposed her to objectification. When you then bring suit under the Uniform Commercial Code, that too tends to reduce her.
LING: I'm deaf to condescension. Right now I could hear a pin drop.
GEORGIA: Richard ? I, I know she's a plum...
LING: People like you don't understand. Beautifully proportioned. The shapely can be so blind to the less fortunate. I tried to give my sister the chance to maybe feel what it's like to be someone like you. To walk down the streets just once, feeling ample. Maybe God didn't give you a heart under your perfect breasts. (GEORGIA is astonished and leaves).


Church. ALLY and LISA KNOWLES walking up stairs with books in their hands.

LISA KNOWLES: Is he suing me ?
ALLY: No, no, not at all, but he gets concerned with your choice of music... (arriving in a room with the choir robes)
LISA KNOWLES: People tell me they love it. (putting down the books on a chair)
ALLY: So you have ? Kind of shifted your tone, since you broke up ?
LISA KNOWLES: It's the only way I've had to deal with the pain. I've always expressed myself through music. I don't think the congregation picks up on it.
ALLY: He does.
LISA KNOWLES: Well he should. (taking off her robe) Do you know what he did ?
ALLY: Well, relationships end for a lot of reasons...
LISA KNOWLES: Do you know what he did ?
ALLY: No.
LISA KNOWLES: He changed his heart.
ALLY: Excuse me ?
LISA KNOWLES: That's the full explanation. We talked of marriage, we were in love, then suddenly, he says "I've had a change of heart". Doesn't wanna see me anymore.
ALLY: Well...
LISA KNOWLES: You don't just leave the scene of an accident. You mow somebody down, you at least stop, check on the victim.
ALLY: Lisa...
LISA KNOWLES: I don't sing these songs to hurt him, I sing them to help me. They're my only release. If he doesn't like listening, he can just leave the room. Don't tell me he doesn't know how to do that ! The man knows how to leave a room, trust me !

Church, MARK NEWMAN and ALLY walking along the aisles.

MARK NEWMAN: So she's still gonna sing those songs ?
ALLY: Well, if it works out her pain, and the congregation enjoys it !
MARK NEWMAN: This is a house of God !
ALLY: Well, you're the only one that seems to be bothered, Mark. I want to ask you a question. Why have you never really discussed the break-up with her ?
MARK NEWMAN: I discussed it, I just told her...
ALLY: Change of heart, yes. Did you love her ?
MARK NEWMAN: At one point.
ALLY: Why did you stop loving her ?
MARK NEWMAN: I don't know, I just did. (he sits)
ALLY: You just did ? (she sits next to him) Did you ever bother asking yourself why ?
MARK NEWMAN: Listen...
ALLY (starting to get angry): Maybe it had something to do with stuff you were going through, maybe there were outside forces, maybe you have commitment problems. Lord knows you must take that "till death do us part" stuff seriously !
MARK NEWMAN: What are...
ALLY: Did you seek counseling ? Did you do anything to explore what may have caused you to stop loving her or did you just go "Change of heart, see ya" ?
MARK NEWMAN: Whose side are you on here ?
ALLY: Maybe hers.
LISA KNOWLES (from behind them, they turn around): What was the warning, Mark ? How about "I'm feeling different" ? How about "I'm not so sure"? Why is it always great with men right up until they run ?

ALLY walking in the street, with flashbacks of BILLY and her when he told her he was leaving.

ALLY (To BILLY): I choose the law too. But I choose Boston (The song stops like a vinyl scratched and flasback stops too).
ALLY stops walking, suddenly realizing something.
ALLY: It had nothing to do with going to Michigan !

Cage & Fish lobby. RICHARD meets ALLY down the stairs and they walk towards her office.

RICHARD: Mark Newman is very upset.
ALLY (cynically): Oh gee, that troubles me !
RICHARD: You were sent there to mediate, Ally !
ALLY: Mediating is getting both sides to understand each other Richard...
RICHARD: But she has nothing to say !
ALLY (very angry): Richard, I have a plan, now get lost ! (she calms down) I'm sorry. I do have a plan. I'm sorry.

Conference room. Attorney and BILLY looking at the breasts of Ling's sister and the nurse.

LEIGH WOO (SISTER’S LING): Next time, Ling, just give me a book !
LING: It won't take long !
Attorney: They're very nice. All of them. (BILLY gets closer to Ling's sister's breasts).
LEIGH WOO (SISTER’S LING): What are you, near-sighted ?
BILLY (embarrassed): I'm just looking for the scar.
Attorney: And the fact that you can't see one is evidence that... (looking at the nurse's breasts) Really nice.
GEORGIA: Hers aren't an issue, Mister Stone.
Attorney: The comparison is certainly an issue, and.. come on. These are very good work.
LING (walking over in front of both women): They might look the same but they don't (grabs a breast of each woman) feel the same !
Attorney: Well, lets' see...
GEORGIA: No, I'm sorry, you're not gonna touch these women Neither of you are !
LING: Jump, Leigh, show them how they move !
GEORGIA: No, she's not going to jump, this lawsuit is over. Put your clothes on.
LING: You can't just stop...
GEORGIA: This is over, as an officer of the court, I am recommending dismissal. These breasts are fine. Fact that they may not look or feel exactly like her breasts... Don't tell me you didn't assume that risk ?
LEIGH WOO (SISTER’S LING): She's the one suing, not me !
LING: I paid for them !
GEORGIA: It's over, Ling ! (with the hard L and hard G). Hard L, hard G, hard times. If I seem a cold, shapely person, tough ! This case is over ! (she leaves and slams the door).
LING: I thought I hated this firm, and then I didn't, but now I know that I do.

Unisex. JOHN looking in a mirror.

JOHN: She makes eyes at me.
RICHARD (shifting the mirror so they can see each other, he has a napkin around his collar, he's shaving): Nelle ?
JOHN: She's either drawn to me or I puzzle her. Could be both.
RICHARD: John, she wants to go out, she says you're cute. It's not a huge leap to think a date is possible.
JOHN: She frightens me.
RICHARD (putting the mirror back in place, walking around towards JOHN, grabbing paper towels on the way): Of course she frightens you, she'd floss her teeth with the inside of a moth, but it could be a fun moth. The question you have to ask yourself, are you capable of dating her without falling for her, if yes, you're on, if no don't even think about it.
JOHN: And what about you and Ling ? You thing you two could work out ?
RICHARD: Not a chance, but that's a plus for me, I want something that is emotionally inaccessible.
JOHN: Why ?
RICHARD: So when it falls apart, it won't be my failure. That will be a refreshing change. (JOHN shakes his finger disapprovingly) What ?
JOHN: When Ally went on that talk-show, she looked me straight in the eye, and she said "You only die once". Then she marched straight into danger with a smile on her face. I think I will date Nelle (gives a thumb up, RICHARD does the same and they press their thumbs).

ALLY at the bar, looking into nothing, sitting at the bar, alone, GEORGIA comes in.

GEORGIA: Hey !
ALLY (startled): Georgia ! Hey !
GEORGIA (sitting next to her): You're drinking ? (she motions the bartender)
ALLY: No, no that's just... vodka. I'm getting ready to drink it.
GEORGIA: What's the matter ?
ALLY: Oh, nothing.
GEORGIA: Nothing ?
ALLY: Nothing I can talk to you about.
GEORGIA: Ah, Billy !
ALLY: Yep.
Barman (not visible on the screen): Here you go.
GEORGIA: What now ?
ALLY: Lisa Knowles. She was saying how, you know, how when men break up with women, they're running away like they're fleeing the scene and then... It hit me. Billy didn't break up with me because he had to go off to Michigan to make law review, he went to Michigan to get away from me. That was just his way of fleeing the scene. Am I right ? (GEORGIA says nothing) I am right. He didn't have to go that far. Did he formerly have to go all the way to Michigan ? (She realizes) He met somebody who was at Michigan. He met you, while he was still with me.
GEORGIA: I didn't know about you.

RICHARD's office. NELLE, LING and RICHARD.

NELLE: If you don't calm down you'll...
LING: Twice. Your lawyers turned traitors on me twice !
NELLE (sitting down and making LING do the same): Ling, you sue a talk show host for things he says on the radio, you sue a woman because her...
LING (jumping to her feet): If you thought they were bad cases you should have...
NELLE (standing up also): Ling !
LING: Don't Ling me, I'm tired of being Linged around here !
NELLE: Ling, I admire the way you don't let yourself be pushed around, I really do. Too many people, when they think they're being wronged just walk away, I salute that you don't. But... something's going on lately, you think the whole world's against you, you...
RICHARD: It's only just the people who've met you. Kidding. (touching LING's waddle, she looks repulsed) So ?
NELLE: Can I offer a piece of amateur psychology ? As your friend ? You're an unpopular person. You are ! And I think it's easier to deal with if you're fighting with everybody. So you can lay it off on the battle, instead of...
LING (obviously hurt): Thank you Nelle. That helps. (she leaves)
NELLE: She needed to hear it.
RICHARD: One sec'. (He runs after her, catches up with her in the lobby) Ling. I..(he moves a clerk's away from them by pushing her chair) I do the same thing in a way. For whatever reason, people would never trust me so I started being unscrupulous on purpose, in that way I felt in control of people's reactions. Anyway, not everybody dislikes you. I like you. Have dinner with me.
LING: I'd like that. (She leaves)

BILLY's office.

BILLY (very angry): How could you tell her ?
GEORGIA: I didn't ! Her nickels just kept dropping, she figured it out !
BILLY: How ?
GEORGIA: Sometimes a woman just can, Billy, we see things you don't think we're seeing, but we see them !
BILLY: What's that supposed to mean ?
GEORGIA: It means, I see the sideways glances, I see the admiring gazes !
BILLY: What ? At who ?
GEORGIA: Jackie Silverman, that's who, the woman with the perfect...
BILLY: You got to be kidding !
GEORGIA: Kidding ? You gotta kid me Billy, she didn't you anything for you ?
BILLY: So she's attractive, big deal, why does that threaten you ?
GEORGIA: Why does that threaten me ?
BILLY: Yes, Georgia, you being threatened by me thinking a woman is attractive, that says more about you than it does about me !
GEORGIA: Ex... except that it doesn't, Billy. The crazy thing is that what's bothering Ally right now is the same thing that's bothering me !
BILLY: Which is ?
GEORGIA: Which is, you can be in love with somebody, and yet, if someone else walks into the room, suddenly...
BILLY: Are you being serious ?
GEORGIA: What am I supposed to tell myself, Billy ? That it could never happen with you ? It did. You said yourself that you took one look at me. One look. It happened when you were in love with somebody else. That I was the beneficiary great ! What about the next time ?
BILLY: I'm not even gonna dignified that.
GEORGIA: Great. Don't. But when Ally comes at you, and I'm sure that she will, dignify her complaint. Because it's legitimate. (she leaves)

Church. LISA KNOWLES (sitting at a piano) and ALLY.

LISA KNOWLES: Singing in a bar ?
ALLY: This could be something you would really enjoy. It's a forum. You need a forum. And, if you agree, I've persuaded Mark Newman to sit down and talk to you.
LISA KNOWLES: I don't need to sit down and talk with him !
ALLY: I've... I thought you did. He's willing to address the break-up if you want.
LISA KNOWLES: He is ?
ALLY: Says he is. I'll be there as mediator.
LISA KNOWLES (hopeful): Does he want to mediate ?
ALLY: No, he's not saying that, he's willing to sit down and talk about what happened, at least from his side.
LISA KNOWLES: A lot of people come to this bar ?
ALLY: Great music at this place. But... but it's kind of a more liberal crowd, so the pro-nuclear bomb numbers, you know...
LISA KNOWLES: It is a good idea to sit down with him, right ? It's better to know.
ALLY: Yeah, yeah, yeah, it is better.

RICHARD and JOHN walking in the office.

JOHN: She doesn't want to go downstairs, and I get troubled on unfamiliar turf.
RICHARD: It's just a date, John.
JOHN: I've never been out with this much woman, Richard, I don't want to get hit with regularity. Plus...
RICHARD: What ?
JOHN: I need your candor. If it's wrong, tell me.
RICHARD: OK. (JOHN gets out a shoe with huge soles, like 4 inches platform for men) Ah.
JOHN: I feel short with her.
RICHARD: John, she might like sh.. less tall. Look, why bother trying to make yourself conventional, if she wanted conventional, she wouldn't be dating you in the first place, the very thing that tickles her might be that you're this bizarre little oddity, go with it, be yourself.
JOHN: Than you, Richard, I'm booed (RICHARD sniffs the shoe, almost leaves with it, gives it back to JOHN and leaves).

Elevator.

ALLY alone. Doors open, BILLY gets in, and before he can retreat, doors close again. They look at length at each other, almost speaking but never making it quite. ALLY has tear filling her eyes up, BILLY doesn't know what to say or do. Doors open again. She leaves.

MARK NEWMAN's office. MARK NEWMAN's sitting behind his desk, ALLY and LISA KNOWLES in front on it.

MARK NEWMAN: I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say.
LISA KNOWLES: You've had the whole night to think about it. That's all you could come up with ?
MARK NEWMAN: What do you want me to say ? (LISA KNOWLES gets up and starts to leave)
ALLY: Hold on, Lisa. (to MARK NEWMAN) That's not what this is about, you trying to figure out what she wants you to say, and you're not gonna sail through this like some funeral where the church is double booked ! Now what happened ? Give her that.
LISA KNOWLES: Was there somebody else ?
MARK NEWMAN: No !
LISA KNOWLES: Then what Mark ? What ?
MARK NEWMAN (getting up): It just wasn't you. It was never ever going to be you.
LISA KNOWLES: You said it was. (ALLY walks away from them, to the window)
MARK NEWMAN: Because I wanted to believe it, I was desperate to. Lisa, you're the best woman I've ever known, your values, your kindness, your beauty, I mean you're everything I've ever looked for, when I finally found you, I felt for sure that I'd fall so deeply in love, I kept waiting for it to happen, but... It didn't.
LISA KNOWLES: You never loved me ?
MARK NEWMAN: No I do, I still do. But I've known greater love with women who for other reasons weren't right. Look, I knew that marrying you would be the smart thing to do, I mean, you'd be a good mother, we'd be great companions, the most practical thing I could have ever done would have been to marry you, but part of me would have also died inside because... I have no passion for you. You know I actually used to pray, "God, let me fall in love with her more, please, let me feel it". (LISA KNOWLES looks sad) Should I have told you all that ? Do you feel better knowing ? (LISA KNOWLES puts her her index finger on his mouth).

The unisex.

Barry White's song (My first, my last, my everything). JOHN in the unisex, looking at himself in the mirror, dancing to the music, mouthing the words. ELAINE gets in, sees him, joins him. He doesn't notice at first. Then he does and stops.
JOHN: I won't stand to be disparaged.
ELAINE: I wasn't disparaging you. I was dancing. Barry White ? (JOHN nods) You are hot !
ELAINE gets in a stall.

Elevator in the lobby. ALLY and LISA KNOWLES get out, LISA KNOWLES carrying an outfit in a cry cleaner's plastic bag.

ALLY: You don't have to rehearse first, Vonda just thought...
LISA KNOWLES: No, I definitely want to. I don't need to be humiliated twice in one day, thank you !
ALLY: You know you don't even have to do it tonight, the invitation's open.
LISA KNOWLES: Trust me, I need to sing tonight. After that.
ALLY: Are you OK ?
LISA KNOWLES: I think so. At least I understand it, Ally.
ALLY: Yeah. Knowing is good.
LISA KNOWLES: Actually, you know what the worst thing is ? Suppose he hadn't broken it off. I'd be married to a man who wasn't in love with me.
ALLY: That would be worse.
LISA KNOWLES: Oh God, can you imagine ? Well, I'm gonna go rehearse. I'l see you down here later ?
ALLY: Are you kidding ? I will be there.
LISA KNOWLES: OK !
ALLY: Break a heart ! (LISA KNOWLES looks at her, hurt) Leg ! (LISA KNOWLES smiles and leaves)
BILLY (enters and closes the door - pause for 20 seconds, they look at each other): When I considered transferring to Michigan, I went to visit. I met Georgia. Inside of ten minutes, I knew she was the woman I'd marry. (ALLY walks away to look through the window) Nothing happened with her until after you and I...
ALLY: You lied to me.
BILLY: I did go in part to make Law Review.
ALLY: Well, then you're covered.
BILLY: You yourself, said to me, "If the truth serves no other purpose than to cause pain...
ALLY: You don't know how much pain the truth would have spared me here, Billy !
BILLY: I don't understand. It's not like you suddenly lost something today that you had yesterday !
ALLY turns around and looks at BILLY: Yesterday, I believed in something. I'm not ashamed of wanting somebody to love, I've never have been. Because I had it once. And it was everything. But maybe I never really had it.
BILLY: Yeah. You did.
ALLY (starting to cry): Well, it's like you say, it was years ago, it doesn't really matter.
BILLY: I wish I had done things differently.
ALLY (still crying, motions for him to stop talking): Billy, I'm fine.

The bar downstairs, LISA KNOWLES singing "Fools rush in".

LISA KNOWLES (singing): Fools fall in love in a hurry / Fools give their hearts much too soon / Just play them tunes of stardust
Camera pans RR, ELAINE, ALLY in the bar
LISA KNOWLES (singing): Just hang out one silly moon
While LISA KNOWLES sings, shots of RICHARD and LING in a restaurant having fun, of GEORGIA in bed doing cross-stitching, of BILLY alone in his office, of JOHN buying a rose in the street for NELLE, of the bar and MARK NEWMAN entering, of RR and ELAINE slow dancing with the twins, of ALLY smiling at LISA KNOWLES, of ALLY walking alone in Boston, of BILLY in the office, of images of the discussion between LISA KNOWLES and MARK NEWMAN.
LISA KNOWLES (singing): And they've got their love touch hands firmly / When they should be playing it cool / Oh I I used to laugh but now all I understand shake the hand of a brand new fool / Fools fall in love just like school girls / Blinded by rose colour dreams / They build their castles / They build their castles of wishes / With only / With only bright balls for ??? / I lose enough / But now I understand / Shake the hand of a brand new fool / That's what I am / That's what I am / That's what I am / Shake the hand of a brand new fool.

End