Working At It Transcript

[Family Ties Forever!]

Working At It Transcript (Season 2)

Scene I:
Kitchen: Elyse is sitting at the desk by the phone. Mallory enters the kitchen through the swinging door and walks over to Elyse. Jennifer and Steven are standing by the kitchen table.

Mallory: Mom, can I talk to you?

Elyse: In a minute honey. I have to finish my resume and then I'm off to the interview. Why don't you talk to your father?

Mallory: He can't help me. It's about boys.

Steven: Yeah, how would I know about them?

Jennifer: You know my philosophy Mallory. If a boy starts making you ask questions cut him loose.

Alex enters the kitchen through the swinging door.

Alex: Hey, how's the resume coming Mom?

Elyse stands up with resume in hand. She walks over to the table.

Elyse: Finished. I fudged a little bit, but basically it's me.

Elyse hands the resume to Steven who is sitting at the table.

Alex: Did you put in those things I told you?

Elyse: Some, I left out the part about me designing the Eiffel Tower.

Alex: Come on Mom, they never check that stuff.

Steven hands Elyse the resume.

Elyse: Well, I hope not. I did take some of your advice and put all my attributes on page one on the top and the center. I hid the fact that I haven't worked in an office in twelve years on page two under the staple.

Elyse turns the page to page two of the resume.

Elyse: I also changed twelve years to a hundred and forty-four months. I don't know why I'm going on this interview anyway. They probably don't want me. They probably want someone more up to date. Someone younger.

Steven: Elyse, Grandma Moses didn't start painting until she was eighty.

Jennifer walks over to Steven.

Jennifer: Yeah, that still gives you a couple years.

Elyse looks at Jennifer.

Jennifer: Just trying to relax you.

Mallory: Mom, all you've been talking about these past two weeks is how much you want this job.

Elyse sits down at the table.

Jennifer: Yeah, I thought you wanted to expand your horizons.

Mallory: I thought you wanted more challenging work.

Alex: I thought you wanted to make more money.

Elyse: I do want all those things, but I'm scared.

Jennifer: You've got first day jitters Mom. I get the same thing every fall when I go back to school.

Elyse: Really?

Jennifer: I worry about my new teacher, my new classroom, new kids, new everything. But the first day always works out for me and it will for you too.

Elyse: Thank you Jennifer.

Jennifer: Of course sometimes I throw up around lunch time.

Steven: Well, what are you worrying about? You're a terrific catch for any architectural firm. You know what you're doing. Your experienced, your reliable.

Alex walks over to Elyse.

Alex: Yeah, Mom let's go over your assets and liabilities.

Elyse: Can't we just go over my assets?

Alex: May I?

Alex takes the resume and looks at it.

Alex: Ok, (reads) Elyse Keaton.

Elyse: Now, that's a nice name, that should count as an asset.

Alex: It's a fine name Mom. But lets face it, it's not going to get you the job. Your references seem to be in order.

Steven: Alex, enough. You don't have to add up your assets and liabilities. When they meet you and read this resume they're going to be very impressed.

Elyse stands up.

Elyse: Thank you. You all have been very supportive. I don't want to be late. Any last minute advice?

Mallory: Ask about vacation.

Mallory sits down at the table. Alex is sitting at the table.

Jennifer: Find out if there's a gum ball machine.

Steven: Be yourself.

Alex: Don't tell them your a woman.

They all throw their napkins at Alex.

Scene 2:
Interview:
Elyse is present. She is looking at herself in a mirror and touching up her makeup. A man enters the room.

Bill: (singing) Don't change a hair for me.

Elyse turns around.

Elyse: I'm sorry. I'm waiting her for Karen Banks.

Bill: You're looking at her.

Elyse looks at him.

Bill: Just kidding. Actually, I'm Karen Doogen.

Elyse looks at him.

Bill: Kidding again. Bill Channing.

Elyse: Really?

Bill: Would I kid you?

Elyse: Elyse Keaton.

Bill: Oh, you're here for the new job.

Elyse: Yes.

Bill: I'm an architect myself.

Elyse: You are? You are.

Bill sits in a chair.

Karen Banks enters the room.

Karen: Elyse, I'm Karen Banks.

Karen shakes Elyse's hand.

Elyse: Hi.

Bill: No kidding, she is.

Karen: I'm sorry we have to meet here in Bill's office. The conference room is tied up. Bill I'd like to conduct an interview in here.

Bill: Ok, I've got a couple extra minutes. What would you like to know?

Karen: I'd like to know when you're leaving?

Bill: Out of here.

Bill stands up and pushes the chair in.

Bill: Bye.

Bill leaves.

Karen: He is actually a very fine architect.

Elyse: I could tell.

Karen sits down in a chair.

Karen: May I see your resume please?

Elyse: Yes, I have nothing to hide.

Elyse takes her resume out of her portfolio and hands it to Karen. Karen takes the resume and pulls the two pieces of paper apart.

Karen: (looks at the resume) Well, I see you haven't worked in an office for twelve years.

Elyse: Has it been that long? It didn't seem like more than a hundred and forty-four months. Anything else that needs clarification?

Karen: Everything seems to be in order.

Elyse: I guess no one really checks up on those resumes anyway?

Karen: We do.

Karen sets the resume on the desk.

Karen: Tell me why you would like to take a full time job again?

Elyse: Well, I am an architect and --

Elyse sets her portfolio on the desk and awkwardly sits down.

Elyse: Now that my kids can take care of themselves I thought I'd go back to work for what I'm trained to do. In a more meaningful way.

Karen: I see.

Elyse: But more than anything I'm tired of working out of my kitchen. Do you know how hard it is working when you know you're just inches away from fudge brownies?

Elyse laughs. Karen looks at Elyse.

Karen: Well, you won't have that problem here.

Karen: There's one question I've been asking all the applicants.

Elyse: Yes?

Karen: What do you feel should be the role of the architect in the 1980's?

Elyse: What did they say?

Karen looks at Elyse.

Elyse: I think we should take advantage of the new technology, but to build and not destroy. Take for example the old Morgan house. It was beautiful. Two hundred years old. They tore it down and put up a parking lot. Now that's the kind of thing that makes me crazy.

Karen: That was one of our jobs.

Scene 3:
Kitchen: Jennifer, Mallory and Elyse are present. Mallory is using a tape measure to measure Jennifer's arm. Elyse is sitting at the kitchen table. Alex is standing by the counter in the middle of the kitchen.

Jennifer: Are you sure this dress is going to be ready for Chrissy's party?

Elyse: Positive. It's a very simple pattern.

Mallory: You will see Jennifer. I'm going to pick up this sowing stuff really quickly.

Alex: Remember Mallory, the thread goes through the needle.

Mallory: You'd be surprised Alex. I know how important it is for a woman to learn how to sow.

Jennifer: Mallory, you're a real woman of the eighties.

Mallory: (smiles) Thanks.

Steven enters the kitchen through the back door.

Steven: So, how did the interview go?

Elyse: Hi. Not very well. She didn't like me. She was very, very cold. Now it's not that I expected a big banner saying welcome back to architecture Elyse Keaton.

Steven sits down at the table.

Elyse: But, I thought, you know, at least a cake.

Steven: I'm sure you made a good first impression Elyse. You always do. From the moment I laid eyes on you. I knew you were the only architect for me.

Elyse stands up.

Elyse: Maybe I'm better off if I don't get the job. I mean what do I need a job for? The commuting? Having a boss? I mean I'm doing ok working here at home.

Mallory: I know exactly what you mean Mom. I mean I could take geometry next semester. There's a chance I could handle it, but there's a chance I couldn't handle it. SO why bother right?

Elyse: I don't think it's the same thing honey.

Steven stands up.

Steven: Elyse, it's ok to admit you're scared about a new job.

Elyse: I'm not scared.

The phone rings.

Elyse: Don't answer that. Maybe I'm a little scared.

Mallory: Hello? Yes, she is. One moment please.

Mallory puts her hand over the receiver.

Mallory: Mom.

Elyse doesn't move. Jennifer gets behind her and pushes her over to the phone. Elyse takes the phone.

Elyse: Hello? Hi, yes speaking. Hi Karen. Yeah, yeah. Well, thanks for letting me know.

Elyse hangs the phone up.

Steven: I'm sorry.

Elyse: I got the job!

Elyse hugs Steven.

Elyse: They liked the fact that I was older and I had more experience and they appreciated my honesty at the interview.

Alex: Go figure.

Scene 4:
Elyse's Work:
Elyse, Bill and Karen are present.

Karen: Well Elyse I see you're making yourself at home.

Elyse: Yes.

Bill: Just talking about the machines.

Karen: I assume you're familiar with the Mary Well Computer Aid Design & Drafting System.

Elyse: Well, I've never actually used the Mary Well, but how different can it be from any other appliance?

Karen: Well, it could be helpful with the Manhattan Corporation Project. We're bidding on a combination of office building and health club. Now Bill is designing the office building part of the project. You'll be working on the health club.

Elyse: Oh, sounds exciting.

Karen: We have tentatively scheduled a presentation with Mr. Halafax. He's head of Manhattan for two weeks from tomorrow.

Elyse: Two weeks?

Karen: Isn't that enough time?

Elyse: It's more than enough.

Karen: Ok, good. Here you go. Site plan, budget, and specifications. Good luck.

Elyse: Thank you. Thanks for everything.

Karen leaves.

Bill pushes a rolling chair over to Elyse. He sits in the chair.

Bill: So, lets get to know each other. Tell me a little about yourself. Family, kids.

Elyse: I--

Bill: I don't have any myself. Though I was married once. Well, twice if you count my cousin. So what kind of stuff have you been working on lately?

Elyse: Well, for the last--

Bill: You know for my senior project I worked on an entire city of the future. Large enough for half a million people. It was quite a challenge. Maximizing, geometric estectics while maintaining a restrained functionalism. What did you say you did last?

Elyse: I just finished a remodel on the Wilson's ranch house. We totally redid the kitchen, which involved putting up a new beam to support the roof.

Bill: Wow. A beam.

Bill stands up.

Bill: Well, I guess you're pretty anxious to get your hands on those little babies.

Elyse: No, I can wait my turn.

Karen walks in.

Karen: Bill, I need to go over these design plans with you. There is nothing here I wanted. It's the opposite of what we discussed.

Karen leaves.

Bill: She wants me.

Bill leaves. Elyse walks over to one of the machines and sits down.

Elyse: Can't be much different from a typewriter.

Elyse starts typing.

Elyse: The quick brown fox.

Elyse makes a noise like a typewriter would when it gets to the end of a line. She presses a button. All kinds of noises go off. One of the machines starts spitting paper out. Elyse tries to stop it.

Elyse: Stop! Stop!

Elyse picks up the paper that continues to come out of the machine. She even tries sitting on it to stop the paper from continuing to come out of the machine.

Scene 5:
Livingroom: Mallory and Jennifer come down the stairs. Jennifer is wearing a dress that is partially sowed. Elyse is sitting at the table by the front door working on her work designs. Steven is sitting next to her. Alex is sitting on the couch.

Jennifer: What do you think?

Alex: It's very flattering.

Alex stands up.

Alex: Have you alerted Women's Wear Daily?

Jennifer: Mom, you've got to show Mallory how to do the other sleeve.

Elyse: Honey, I'm sorry. I forgot we were sowing tonight.

Mallory: I think I did a pretty good job don't you?

Steven: She'll grow into it.

Jennifer: I won't grow into it by Saturday. Mom, I need to wear it for Chrissy's party.

Elyse: Honey, I'm sorry. I can't help you tonight.

Jennifer: That's what you said for the past five nights.

Elyse: Ok, I'll tell you what. After you kids go to bed I'll finish it.

Mallory: But, the whole idea was for me to learn how to do it.

Elyse: Well, honey you can't have everything. I'm doing the best I can.

Steven: Girls, your Mother's really busy. I think we should let her work.

Jennifer: Well, if you're too busy for us.

Jennifer and Mallory go upstairs. Alex walks over to Elyse.

Alex: Mom, I sympathize with what you're going through. I mean, today's woman is in a very difficult position. Tradition and certainly biology have put her in the home. Under these ridiculous new feminist pressures for her to do things outside the home. Like developing a career. Your anxiety is natural Mom. You can't fool with Mother Nature.

Elyse: Say goodnight Alex.

Alex: Goodnight Alex.

Alex goes upstairs. Steven sits down at the table.

Steven: Elyse, I've done a lot of presentations. Sometimes a little joke can help you get off on the right foot. Maybe something like this. A guy and his dog go into a bar.

Elyse: Steven, that's ridiculous.

Steven: I'm just trying to help. Aren't you supposed to come up with just one design. Just one health club.

Elyse: Thank you Steven, I think I know what I'm doing. Look, once I've laid out all the options I'm going to synthesize them into a single coherent proposal.

Steven: Elyse.

Elyse: I can handle it!

Steven: Look Elyse, it's after ten o'clock. You promised to sow Jennifer's dress. You're going to be up all night. You're obviously overworked. Now why don't you talk to Karen about that.

Elyse stands up.

Elyse: I can't. I can't let her know I'm having problems already.

Steven stands up.

Steven: But you are. You're pretending you know how to use the computer. You're working at a pace that's much faster than you're used to. You're not used to their system there and you're afraid to ask questions.

Elyse: (dramatically): Why don't you just say I'm failing on the job?

Steven: All I'm saying is that maybe you should ask for a little help at work.

Elyse starts picking up in the livingroom.

Elyse: Well, I could use a little help around here too.

Steven: Well, I'd be glad to help.

Elyse: That is exactly what I don't want!

Steven looks at Elyse confused.

Steven: What are you talking about?

Elyse: (raises her voice) You know what I'm talking about. For the past two weeks you've (starts counting on her fingers), done more cooking then usual, spending more time with the kids, you've been sweeter.

Elyse starts yelling even louder: Kinder, more understanding then you have ever been in your life.

Elyse makes a motion with her hand.

Elyse: And I am sick of it!

Steven looks at Elyse.

Scene 6:
Elyse's Work: Elyse, Karen, Bill and Mr. Halafax are present. Bill is giving his presentation.

Bill: In conclusion, Mr. Halafax, my goal here was to design an office that was more impressive than the offices of the heads of General Motors, IBM, and AT&T. Of course in my opinion, you're a more impressive executive then any of those men.

Mr. Halafax: I understand.

Bill: Well, that's the office in a nutshell. It was a pleasure to design and if I may be as bold as to say you were an inspiration.

Bill bows and Elyse looks at him.

Karen: Thank you Bill that was very good. What do you think Mr. Halafax?

Mr. Halafax: It wasn't what I had in mind at all.

Bill: I didn't think so.

Bill takes down his design off the bulletin board and tears it in half.

Bill: And that is why I am going to work on this until I get it exactly right.

Mr. Halafax: It's not what I had in mind, but I thought it was brilliant.

Bill takes the two pieces and tacks them back up on the bulletin board.

Bill: Boy, you have a keen eye. Sure you never studied architecture yourself?

Mr. Halafax: Positive. Never been to college. Self made man.

Bill: I didn't want to go to college either. My parents made me.

Karen: Well, Mr. Halafax, I'm so glad you're pleased with the office building.

Karen stands up.

Karen: Now, Elyse is going to show us what the health club is going to be like.

Bill: I warmed him up for you Elyse, go get him.

Elyse stands up. She has her design in her hands.

Elyse: I'm real excited about this project Mr. Halafax as I'm sure you are too.

Mr. Halafax just looks at Elyse.

Elyse: Before I start the presentation I'm reminded of a little story. This man and his dog go into a bar.

Karen: Elyse.

Bill is sitting at the table. Karen is standing behind him.

Bill: Oh, don't stop her this sounds good. What kind of a dog was it?

Karen: Bill. Elyse please continue.

Elyse: So the bartender says hey--

Karen: Elyse! The presentation.

Elyse lays a few designs on the table.

Elyse: Here is the one story plan. Here is the multi story plan and I have a special one. The underground gymnasium plan. Now within each plan there are several sub plans and we can go over the aspects of each and you can decide which one you like best.

Mr. Halafax: You're being cute right? You really just have one proposal. I mean you did design a health club didn't you?

Elyse: Well, I really didn't get a chance to narrow it down to just one. Believe me I wanted to, but I ran out of time last night.

Elyse picks up her design.

Elyse: I had to make all those lunches before I went to bed and then I lost the sleep on Jennifer's dress.

Mr. Halafax looks at Elyse. Elyse tacks up on the bulletin board her design.

Elyse: Let's start with the underground gymnasium plan. Now that will give you the best of all possible worlds.

Bill: And who deserves that more than you Mr. H.?

Mr. Halafax stands up.

Mr. Halafax: Karen, I'm a busy man. I don't have time to look through all these things. Now I'm paying this architectural firm to design my building. If I wanted to design it myself I would have done so.

Bill stands up.

Bill: And I bet you'd have done a heck of a job Mr. H.

Elyse looks at them.

Karen: I have an idea. Why don't you put some of these plans on the computer and we can see which you like best.

Elyse: Right. Well, I tell you what, why don't I just draw it up with pencil and paper. The computer is so impersonal.

Elyse picks up a piece of paper and a pencil.

Mr. Halafax: That's why I like it. Let's go.

Elyse looks at him.

Elyse: Well, forget it. I can't use the computer.

Mr. Halafax: Why not?

Elyse: I simply don't know how to use the machine. I've been faking it.

Mr. Halafax: Karen, what's going on here?

Elyse: Mr. Halafax, I apologize for wasting your time.

Elyse takes the design off the bulletin board.

Elyse: Karen, I'm sorry. I'm tired of pretending. Pretending I know everything about architecture today. Pretending that having a job and three kids is a piece of cake. The truth of the matter is that it's hard to design a building under this kind of pressure. It's hard using machines you've never even heard of before. It's damn hard coming back to work after all these years.

Elyse runs out of the office.

Scene 7:
Livingroom: Steven is sitting on the couch. Elyse is laying on the couch with her head on Steven's lap.

Elyse: Steven, I made such a fool out of myself. Whatever made me think I could handle a job like that?

Steven: Elyse, just because this one presentation didn't work out doesn't mean you're not qualified for the job.

Elyse sits up.

Steven: How did the joke go over?

Elyse looks at Steven.

Steven: Did you go (barks) like I told you?

Elyse covers her face with her hand. The doorbell rings. Steven gets up and answers it. Elyse comes up behind Steven. At the door is Karen and Bill.

Steven: Yeah?

Elyse: Oh, Steven, it's Karen and Bill from the office.

Steven: Oh, of course. Come on in.

Karen and Bill enter the house.

Bill: Hi Steven.

Steven; Hi.

Bill: Heard a lot about you big guy.

Bill and Steven shake hands.

Bill: I think you'll beat that morale's charge.

Karen is carrying her purse and Bill has a purse tucked under his arm.

Bill: Elyse, k pasa. Oh, you left your purse at the office.

Bill hands Elyse her purse.

Elyse : Thank you.

Bill: You have a lot of interesting things in there.

They all look at Bill.

Steven: I'm sure the three of you have a lot to talk about.

Bill: You're out of here.

Steven: You have a way with words Bill.

Steven goes upstairs.

Elyse: Come, sit down.

Karen: Elyse, why didn't you just tell me you were having problems? We all have problems at work. We all ask each other for help.

Bill and Karen sit on the couch.

Elyse: I guess I wanted you to think I could do the job.

Karen: Well, that's exactly what I do think.

Elyse looks at Karen.

Karen: Elyse, you have years of experience. You're practical and yet one of the most creative people I have ever met.

Elyse: Thank you. I am really embarrassed. I've been trying to do everything and I can't do it. I thought that's what you expected of me. All the anger and frustration built up and well just came out. I'm sorry.

Bill: Actually, it was something to see. You're quite beautiful when you're angry.

Elyse looks at him.

Karen: We sifted through your ideas at the office. You came up with some good things.

Karen stands up and walks over to Elyse.

Karen: What I think we should do is talk about them together.

Elyse: You still want me to work on the project?

Karen: Yes, I do. We'll talk about it in the morning.

Elyse: Oh thank you for the second chance.

Bill walks over to Elyse.

Elyse: I was ready to come by tomorrow and clean out my desk.

Bill: Well, you can clean out mine. I'll give you a blowtorch.

Karen: We have to be going. We're meeting Mr. Halafax for dinner.

Bill: I sure hope it goes better then the last time. He wouldn't let me eat until he was finished.

Elyse: Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow. I really appreciate it.

Bill walks to the doorway. He puts his hand on the doorway.

Bill: Bye. One of your beams?

Bill and Karen leave. Elyse closes the front door.

Elyse: Steven, kids!

Jennifer, Alex and Mallory come into the livingroom from the kitchen. Steven comes downstairs.

Steven: What is it honey?

Elyse: I'm still a working woman.

Steven: Oh! Great!

Jennifer and Mallory sit on the couch. Alex sits on the arm of the couch next to Mallory.

Elyse: I think I owe everyone an apology.

Alex: I think that's a very noble jester. What did you do?

Elyse: Ever since I started working. I've taken all of my irritability, and nervousness out on you. I'm sorry. I was trying to be the perfect working woman, the perfect mother, the perfect wife and that's crazy because I'm not perfect.

Alex: Mom, perfection's overrated. I know, I've been there.

They look at Alex.

Steven: Well, it hasn't been all your fault Elyse. If you're going to work we've got to make some adjustments too.

Jennifer: As a future working woman I'm with you one hundred percent.

Mallory: That goes double for me. Not the bit about working.

Alex: I think what we're trying to say is we're willing to help out more.

Elyse: Thank you.

Alex: So Mom, what's for dinner?

They all look at Alex.

Alex: What I mean is, what would you like us make you for dinner?

Elyse smiles, nods her head and points.

The End

[Family Ties Forever!]

Transcript