Chapter Two: PRE-OCCUPATION
THREE WEEKS LATER
"It's like Quicksand. Quicksand. Pulling me closer. And closer in your arms. Can't resist your loving charms. It's like You're like..." Martha and the Vandellas
"QUICKSAND! It's digging me deeper, Deeper! In love with you!" Murphy stepped off the elevator onto the old FYI floor, her hair pulled back in a small ponytail, something she hadn't been able to do in years. Murphy had her headphones on and was bopping along to Martha and the Vandellas, while screaming out the lyrics to the song in her grating, horrible, singing voice. Murphy bopped along to the music, as she made her way to her office, complete with the over exaggerated arm gestures. It was more like a dance then a stroll, which included spinning and backwards walking.
Murphy threw her bag on the chair next to the door and her lunch from Phil's on her desk. Murphy was on a roll and had decided to work in his office. So much on a roll that she had missed her usual lunchtime at Phil's by hours.
Murphy finally had an executive producer, which meant her show finally had the green light. The delay forced her to lose one of her stories to 60 minutes, but it was ok, because she was on the trail of an even better story. Ok, at first she was upset. Maybe not just upset, but livid, but the three hundred pizzas she sent to Ed Bradley's house seem to sooth some of the discomfort. She turned her Walkman off and tossed her earphones and player onto the chair next to her purse.
Murphy's next stop was the boom box next to her window. Murphy finally had a window and her only view was of Marv's desk in the outer office, well his old desk. What was the point of that window – she wondered. Murphy hit the radio and searched until she found her FM soul channel and left it there. She found the station in the middle of Back in his Arms again by the Supremes. Murphy pulled her glasses out of her pocket and started reading some research that was laid out over the entirety of her desk. Half way through she took a number two pencil and shoved it in her mouth. Three songs later, and after much movement from Murphy, the announcer came on the radio and announced the call letters.
"And here's a strange dedication." The announcer cleared his throat. "It's from Gold to Brown." Murphy's head shot up. "It's says quote, "What the hell are you doing? I'm on in ten minutes. You'd better listen after this song or else? Well, here's that song out from Gold to Brown."
I hear a Symphony by the Supremes came blaring out from the radio. Murphy walked closer to the radio smiling, as she listened. After a moment, Murphy sat on the edge of her desk and picked up her desk phone.
"You've given me a true love and every day I thank you love. For a feeling that's so new. So inviting, so exciting. Whenever you're near I hear a symphony. A tender melody. Pulling me closer. Closer to your arms. Then suddenly, I hear a symphony. Ooh, your lips are touching mine. A feeling so divine 'Till I leave the past behind. I'm lost in a world. Made for you and me..."
I hear a Symphony ~ Supremes
"Hey, Donna. Can I speak with him before he goes live? Thanks." While Murphy waited she picked up a number two pencil and began to flick it back and forth between her fingers. "Hi," Murphy got a girlish tone to her voice, as Jerry came to the phone. "Yes, I heard it! How did you know I'd be listening...? Ok, so, my work habits are predictable...so, what's going on? When should I expect you tonight?" Murphy got a wicked look on her face. "I thought... What?" Murphy looked disappointed. "No, I can't come up. I have too much work to do...no, it's fine, it's just... it's been three weeks since we last saw each other and." Murphy heard a loud thud outside her office and turned her head towards the sound, but continued her conversation. "Yeah, I'm here." The sounds grew louder. It sounded like some sort of construction. "Listen, Jerry…" She shot her eyes towards the sound. "I'm going to have to call you back after the show. ... NO, I will not call you during commercial breaks and talk dirty to you!" Murphy's sourpuss turned into a delighted look. "OK, that I'll do, but only if you're good, and I get the same in return." Murphy got an evil, gleeful smirk on her face, as she listened to Jerry's next comment."... GOOD BYE, JERRY!" Murphy hung up the phone and walked her duck like walk into the bullpen.
"What's going on out here?" Murphy yelled, as two men carried away her secretary's desk. "Hey, that's my secretary's desk!"
"Yeah, like you need it," one of the workmen snarled at her with a laugh.
"Hey!" Murphy followed the men and wagged her finger, as they carried away the desk. Murphy stopped in the center of the bullpen, as she watched workmen take away furniture, set up a scaffold, and lay down tarp.
"What the hell is going on here!?" Murphy threw out her hand. She tried to get the attention of one of the men, but it was like she was invisible. Finally, she managed to get the attention of one of the workmen. "What's going on here?"
"The floors being remodeled."
"There must be some mistake. I work on this floor. There has to be some mistake."
"No mistake, that's the orders."
"Well, I'm saying you've made a mistake. So, pack up your stuff AND GET OUT OF HERE!"
"Listen lady, I got orders from the higher-ups. You want to complain. Complain to them!" The man walked away.
"Some people have no common courtesy!" Murphy walked over to one of the desks that still remained and dialed the phone with a great deal of force. "It's unbelievable!" The person on the other end picked up. "HI! I need to talk to Stan...Well, it's important, when will he be back?" The elevator sounded and Murphy turned her head in response. Todd Hanes, head of the news division, stood in the sliver box looking like he had no idea why the elevator had stopped in the first place. He was a short man in a short black suit, with grey hair and perturbed look on his face.
"Todd, VP of news, just the man I wanted to see!" Murphy said gleefully in her common courtesy, I want something, voice.
"Damn elevator," Todd snarled, as he caught site of Murphy. He tried to find a button to close the door again, but nothing happened. And before it could even have the chance to close, Murphy had already run over to the elevator and blocked all motion with her hand. "Hi, Murphy." He was not happy.
"What's going on here?"
"We're remodeling the floor. Isn't it great?" He tried to pep things up.
"No, it is not great, Todd, it's actually distracting when you're trying to work and Beirut is happening right outside your door!" The elevator door began to close and Murphy pushed the door open again. "Why does the floor need to be remodeled anyway, its fine the way it is?"
"We're making way for the local news. Didn't you get the memo?"
"Todd, haven't you learned by now I don't read memos. They're beyond me. Like traffic tickets and food that doesn't take less than ten minutes to make! And how can the local news move up here? I'm here! Where am I supposed to go? I like my office, Todd! I've finally gotten used to it! I really hate this moving thing! If I have to keep moving this much ever four years I'm going to get whiplash! Now I know what the Bush's must feel like!"
"Don't worry, Murphy, you don't have to move again."
"Thank god, I thought... Ohh. Wait a minute, WAIT A minute! If I'm not moving and they're moving up here? That means we'll be sharing the floor, which can't be what you're saying, could it!? Because I was an only child Todd, I don't share! I've tried, it doesn't work."
"Think of it as a way to grow."
"I don't grow Todd, I gestate - it's part of the mystique that is me!"
"Murphy, I really have to go, can we discuss this later. Like at my funeral." Todd began to hit the elevator button, but Murphy stopped the closure of the door, this time with her body.
"Todd, I want to do it my way and I want to do it now!" Her head shook.
"You must be a joy in bed!" Todd swaggered off the elevator and Murphy followed, until they met in between the two elevators.
"Todd, you can't do this! Local news and National news shouldn't mix. It's like oil and water. They should stay on their side of the fence and us on ours. It's called the national order of things. That's just the way it is. Like why Barry Manilow shouldn't be played on the same station as Sam Cooke! It's just not done!"
"Well, you're gonna get used to it! The news division in Washington is getting smaller and smaller! FYI was the last big thing we had here. Everything's in New York now."
"What about Kay's show and..."
"I'm moving Kay's show to New York."
"New York? Why?"
"Where have you been, Murphy? New York is the new hub for broadcast Journalism. Being in New York is a good jumping off point for a new show. Washington is dead!"
"What is this, a news division or a Las Vegas lounge act!?" Murphy rolled back her head. "Yeah right, New York is the new hub of journalism. ...They think adding a window on the world to all their shows is some sort a stroke of genius. Yeah! Real stroke of genius! I love to get my news while simultaneously watching Betty the bag lady pee in the street. And what's with people who hold up those signs that's says, Hi Mom? Like he couldn't just pick up the phone and do the same thing! I bet his mom lives with him and he can say "hi" to her anytime he wants to. I'm telling you the American people are morons!"
"And you wonder why the general public feels you lack warmth!"
"Todd, I want my floor back, and I want it now!"
"Well, you're not going to get it, Murphy! This comes from the higher-ups! They're tightening their belts over here. We can't afford to keep an entire floor just for you!"
"Once the show gets under way I'll have a staff, there be more people?"
"It's not enough, Murphy! This floor was fine for a show with four anchors and their staff, but not one. Even one as antagonizing as you!"
"What about Frank's show? We could share the floor together?"
"Frank's projects have been put on hold!"
"Look out!" one of the workmen yelled. Todd pushed Murphy aside, as a large piece of the ceiling careened to the floor, missing Murphy by fragments of an inch.
"Are you ok?" Todd questioned.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Murphy mussed, looking up at the empty hole in the ceiling. "What the hell are you people doing?" She looked over at Todd. "Todd, they're destroying the place! I think you should fire the lot of 'um! Get a new contractor, a really good one, one that has a very LONG waiting list!"
"Murphy, you're going to have to face it that the old Washington is out. What was going on at the height of FYI's fame is gone."
"Don't say that, Todd. FYI may be gone. But I'm still here, and through me the spirit of FYI will live on. You know why? Because it is an invincible spirit, TODD! A spirit that cannot be shaken. No matter what!"
"Hey, be careful!" A man's voice from beyond the hall was heard followed by a huge crash. The floor shook, causing the letters "F" and "Y", from the huge FYI hanging next to the elevator, to crash to the floor.
"Ohhhhh, Jeez." Murphy collapsed the upper part of her body in disbelief, walking away from the elevator.
"Come on, Murphy, it won't be that bad!" Todd walked over to the large "F" and picked it up, the one letter still in one piece. "You can still be the great journalist you've always been. Just in a smaller space." He walked closer to Murphy who was still in shock by the passing of events.
"And where am I supposed to go in the meantime, Todd? It's not exactly safe for me to stay here."
"Can't you work at home? Or we could give you space on the 17th floor, your old office space."
"Isn't that where you moved the secretarial pool?"
"Yeah, why?"
"No, thank you! I think I'd rather take my changes here!"
"Fine, have it your way. Listen, Murphy, I have to go catch a flight." Todd walked towards the left elevator and Murphy followed
"We'll just see about this, Todd! Todd? What kind of a name is that? Take the "T" away and it's just plan odd." Murphy was content with her deduction. "And you know why, Todd, because you're an odd little man! And you always will be. Now when's Stan coming back so I can bring this up with him? You know things were so much better when Mitchell Baldwin was running this place. No. No. Gene Kinsella. Now that was a man who knew what he was doing!"
"That's it! Go over my head to the President, every time something doesn't go your way. Well, you're out of luck, Murphy, because this was all his idea. You can't wavier him. It was the last thing he signed off on before he left for New York. So, there!"
"So, I'll just talk this up with him when he gets back." Murphy smiled slyly. "When will that be?"
"Don't you get it, Murphy, he's not coming back."
"Wait a second, you're not telling me he's moved there too?"
"He lives there Murphy, he was just staying here for a couple a years while he helped start an entertainment division down here."
"He was?"
"Didn't you think it was strange that the head of the network lived in WASHINGTON D.C. when our headquarters are in New York and LA?"
"I always thought he was eccentric."
"Murphy. I really have to go." Todd pushed the elevator button.
"I get it. This is just some conspiracy to get us to bow out gracefully while you bring in younger and "better" versions of us. It's because we're getting older, isn't it Todd? You think we've lost out luster. Well! Let me tell you something buster, the best things get better with age, a fine wine, a great pair of pants, " Murphy got a wicked look on her face. The elevator door opened. "My old English lit professor."
"Good-bye, Murphy!"
Murphy still pressured Todd, "And how could you do this to Frank? I mean that's really low." Murphy put her hand between the elevator doors. "He has put a lot of hard work into this network and you dump him out on to the street, what kind of thank you is that!"
"It was Frank's idea to put the show on hold in the first place!" Todd handed Murphy the "F" in his hand. "Here take your "F" I have to go."
"I'll show you were to stick your "F"… and wait a minute?" Murphy had a surprised look on her face. "Frank decided to put his show on hold? There has to be a mistake that show means too much to Frank." Murphy became concerned.
"Beats me. He called me today and asked if we could delay the start date a couple of months."
"A couple of months?"
"Here, Murphy." Todd handed Murphy the "F" again. "And I think you should pack up your stuff and get out of here as soon as possible. It's really not safe for you to stay. Everything's failing apart around here." Todd looked around.
Murphy took the "F", letting go of the elevator and causing it to close. Todd was gone. Murphy was left confused and perplexed while she cradled the "F" in her palm. Todd was right everything was falling apart.
What happened to… the world we knew. When we were dreaming, scheming. And while the time away Yester me yester you yesterday. Where did it go that yester glow? When we could feel the wheel of life turn our way. Yester me, yester you, yesterday. I had a dream, so did you, life was warm and love was true. Two kids who followed all the rules. Yester fools and now. Now it seems… those yester dreams. Were just a cruel and foolish game we had to play Yester me, yester you, yesterday. When I recall what we had… I feel lost… I feel sad. With nothing but the memory of… yester love and now. Now it seems those yester dreams. Were just a cruel and foolish game we had to play. Yester me yester you. yesterday...
Yester me, Yester you, Yesterday ~ Stevie Wonder
Later that night, Murphy stood in her dimly lit office. A quarter of which was moved into piles and boxes. Murphy threw a couple of things in a box and then collapsed into her chair. She sat in silence, thinking with her arm resting on her other arm, as if they were tied together.
"Murphy! Murph?" Murphy heard Frank's voice coming from the bullpen.
Murphy shot her head towards the door, as Frank ran into the room. "Frank? You're late!"
Frank stopped at the foot of Murphy's desk. "I know, I'm sorry... "A loud bang was heard outside. "What's going on out there?" Frank looked out the door and then back at Murphy. He dropped an overnight bag from his shoulder onto the floor.
"They're making room for that water slide you've always wanted, Frank! Happy Birthday!" Murphy got up from her chair and walked over to the large window, to the right of her desk, and began to organize some papers and magazines. "Where have you been, Frank? I've been waiting for you for four hours. That's four hours of my life gone! Forever!" Murphy carried a bushel of magazines over to her desk and slammed them down. She began sorting the magazines, throwing the ones she wanted into the box on her desk and the discards in the trash. "You know what I could have done in that time Frank! A lot!"
"I'm sorry, Murphy, I was on my way over when I got a phone call..."
"God, how long have these magazines been here?" Murphy looked at the cover of one the magazines. "I think this one says August '84!" Murphy squinted at the cover and brought it closer to her face. "I wasn't even in this office in nineteen-eighty- four!" Murphy threw the magazine in the trash.
"Murph! What's going on here?" Frank looked around the room. "Are you moving?"
"No, Frank I'm donating all my things to the homeless and joining a nunnery! Of course I'm moving!" Murphy walked behind her desk and began to pull off the pictures of girl groups she had tapped to the shelves under her television.
"But why?"
Murphy spun around and accosted Frank again. "What happened, Frank?! You get scared? You didn't think you could cut it on your own?"
"What...are you talking about?" He gestured with his hands.
"Your show Frank! And don't try to deny it I heard it from Todd." Frank ran his hand over his head and turned around. "And with only me left standing the network decided to compact the entire Washington news division. Which from what I hear after your departure fits on the small side of a thin sized pin, Frank!"
"Murph, I was going to tell you about it tonight." Frank began to stammer. Murphy turned around to face him. "Lesley and I... she...Lesley's out in the Hamptons, and so I'm putting off the show until the babies are born."
"Till the babies are born, Frank? Then it will be until they're out of diapers, or not until they go out on their first date, next thing you know they're in college, and your taking about how it used to be when you were a journalist!"
"Murphy, that's not how it's going to be! I didn't want to tell you this, because Lesley doesn't want anyone fawning over her, so she told me not to say anything, but when I say Lesley's in the Hamptons, I mean she's laid up in bed in the Hamptons, she not doing well."
"Frank?" Murphy became worried and Frank tried to calm her.
"The babies are fine, but the doctor said that moving her would be a very bad idea." Frank voice had worry and concern in it. " Something could happen at any moment, in fact, that's why I was late - I got a call that they had to rush her to the hospital, I've been on the phone all day, trying to get a plane out with the fog. "
"Oh, Frank, I'm sorry! What's the prognosis?
"Nothing's confirmed. They need to do more tests to be sure." Frank tried to hide his worry.
"Of course." Murphy rubbed her left hand with her right fingers. "I'm sure everything will be fine, Frank. Remember, I was pregnant once."
"How could I forget…" Frank muttered and Murphy gave him a fast look.
"And these things always end up to be nothing." Frank still looked worried. "Really. And then after that you can get back to work, and we can take our floor back!"
"It's not as simple as that, Murphy. I'm going to stay with Lesley at the summer home for the rest of the pregnancy."
"You're going to be away for six months, Frank?"
"Murphy... When Lesley told me she was pregnant. I made her a promise. She didn't want me to tell anyone, but she got pregnant before we were engaged."
"No, kidding, Frank!"
"Why does everyone say that?!" Frank plopped down in the chair in front of Murphy's desk. "She was scared, I was scared. And she made me promise that I would always be there for her when she needed me. That was my end of the bargain. And she needs me now."
Murphy lowered her head in her embarrassment and became serious. "I shouldn't be surprised. Your always there for me when I need you, I guess it's kind of selfish of me if I don't share such a wonderful commodity." Murphy walked behind her desk and sat on the edge next to Frank. "Why don't we go to Phil's and have that dinner? One last hurrah before you leave." She smiled.
"I can't. The only way I can get out of DC in a hurry is if I take the train. And the last train out of Washington leaves in an hour." Frank got up.
"I thought the fog lifted?"
"It did, only now everyone and their mother is at the airport waiting for stand-by. I'd be there for hours. So. I have to go now." Frank started to go for the door. He stopped and gave Murphy a large hug. Frank could tell how sad Murphy was. "Don't worry, Murph. We'll see each other soon. You can come up and visit and pretty soon the next thing you'll know you'll have two little god-children to play with."
Murphy looked into Frank's eyes and smiled. "Frank, have I told you how happy I am for you?"
"No, you haven't. But I knew." The two of them smiled at each other with big grins and then wrapped their arms around each other again.
"Oh, I miss my pal so much."
After a moment, Frank let go and ran for the door. "I'll call you. OK." Frank picked up his overnight bag and walked over to the door and stopped, giving Murphy one more look.
"Go, Frank you'll miss your train."
Frank smiled and ran out the door. Murphy stood alone, in almost darkness, looking deep in thought. The whole experience felt very familiar lately.
"So far away. Doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore?"-So Far Away-Carol King
GEORGETOWN
Murphy made her way into her brownstone Townhouse.
"Eldin, Avery, I'm home!" Murphy noticed that the green chair was back, and it looked newly upholstered. She threw her bag on it. "You'll never believe the day I've had." Murphy took off her scarf and tossed it on the chair next to her purse. "I think Houdini had a better day when he was punched in the stomach and died! At least he was put out of his misery." Murphy walked past the foyer table to check for the mail and noticed a copy of the New York Times on it.
"The New York Times?" She began to smile. "Jerry…" Murphy whispered out loud to herself. Murphy walked briskly into the living room yelling his name, but there was no Jerry and no response.
"Hey, hey, keep it down out here. Avery and I are making figurines in red Play-Doh for our rendition of aspects of Plato's Republic. They're in a very fragile state. You could crack the varnish." Eldin smiled. "I thought the material was appreciate and a yet ironic at the same time."
"Eldin, is Jerry here?"
"No, he is not here, thank god."
"Oh," Murphy looked disappointed. Eldin watched Murphy walk over to the couch and plop her entire body onto it and lift one of the pillows to her head.
Eldin smiled gleefully and walked closer to the right arm of the couch. "You miss him, don't you?"
Murphy looked up at Eldin. "No, Eldin, I do not miss Jerry. I saw a copy of the New York Times on the table and I just assumed he was here."
"What? You think you people are the only ones who read the newspaper around here?"
"It was a New York paper!" She lifted her head up at him.
"The Arts and Leisure section happens to have an article on a very good friend of mine who draws charcoal stretches in Central Park."
"Sorry, Eldin." Murphy collapsed her head back onto the pillow in a dishevel fashion.
"That's alright. I tend to bounce back very easily." Eldin looked into the kitchen and then back at Murphy again. "You know, it's ok to admit that you miss him?"
Murphy's body shot up to the center of the couch. "I don't miss him, Eldin. Missing someone implies that you need someone. I don't need Jerry. I am fine all by myself."
"Ok…" Eldin walked towards the kitchen. Murphy took a deep breath from exhaustion. Eldin laughed to himself. "You miss him!" He shook his head.
"NO, I DON"T!" Murphy screamed before plopping herself back into her previous position. Murphy laid in silence for a moment pondering something. Then she sat up and looked as if she was thinking even more. Murphy looked towards the door. "Eldin, don't save dinner for me. I'll be back." Murphy grabbed her bag and was out of the townhouse like a flash.
LATER THAT NIGHT
Murphy dashed into Phil's like she was a woman on a mission, and she was. She looked around at the empty bar disappointed not to find what she was looking for. And that was Jim.
"Hey there, Murphy." Phil stood behind the bar drying off glasses with a small towel.
"Hi, Phil," she said with a puzzled look on her face. Murphy let go of the door causing it to slam shut. "Where is everyone?"
"It's two o'clock, Murphy, we're closing up." Phil placed the dry glass in his right hand on the top of the bar and replaced it with a wet one in front of him.
"Is it?" Murphy looked at her watch distressed.
Phil noticed this. "Murphy, are you alright?"
Murphy looked around and ran her fingers through her hair. "I'm looking for Jim? Doris told me he was here?"
"He was. He left about a half hour ago." Phil looked Murphy dead in the eye. "You don't look so good, Kid. What's wrong?"
"I just need to talk to Jim." She averted Phil's eyes.
"I see." Phil nodded his head as if he understood something about Murphy she wouldn't admit. And it was true. Phil made his way behind the bar. "Well, Jim left about a half-hour ago. I think he said he was going home." Phil slid an ashtray off the table closest to the edge of the bar. He then walked over to the side of the bar and dumped it into another ashtray.
"I was just there!" Murphy walked over to him. "I waited in my car for four hours outside his house and he never showed up. Finally, Doris came home and told me he was here. And what was Jim doing here 'till one-thirty in the morning? That's not like him?"
"Yeah." Phil laughed. "Celebrating!" He must have gone in the back and called you about twenty times." Phil walked over to the middle table and did the same thing he had done before.
Murphy followed him whining the entire time. "Celebrating what, Phil?"
"Jim got that editor's job."
"Really! That's great!" Murphy stood still in awe, while Phil took an ashtray off a third table and returned to the bar again.
"Yeah, He was here carousing and drinking with some of the old crew." Phil smiled and looked over at Murphy. "Even Doris was here with him' till about twelve when she left. You should have seen how happy he was. The two of them had this entire bar breaking into song. It sure was a site. You haven't seen happy hour 'till you've seen a bar full of drunks singing Surrey With The Fringe On Top. I even caught Clarence Thomas doin' a jig." Phil shook his head and shot his eyes back to the bar "I can't remember that last time one of you guys closed this place down." Phil began to take off his apron. "Sure gonna miss that guy."
"Why, where's he going?"
Phil walked over to the middle table and placed the empty ashtray back where it had been. "New Hampshire! That's where the newspaper is."
"What! What?!" Murphy turned away from Phil in shock. "What is going on here? Is everybody leaving? I haven't seen so many people jump ship since the Titanic! Although, I'm starting to feel more like the Lusitania. At least The Titanic had a brief moment of seeing the iceberg coming before it hit them head on!"
"Maybe they just want a change of pace, Murphy?"
Murphy's shock became anger and she motioned to Phil. "A change of pace? What's so wrong with Washington D.C., Phil?! It's a great place. Full of history, and... intrigue and scandal, and the best hot dogs this side of the Mason Dixon line. I mean what more could one person want?"
"Murphy, what's wrong?"
"I just don't understand it, Phil? Everyone seems to want to pick up and change their lives. But what I don't understand is what was so wrong with the old one?" Murphy pulled out a seat next to the door and plopped herself down in it.
"Nothing, Murphy." Phil walked over to Murphy. "People change, things change, people move on with their lives, that's the way life is? That's progress." Phil pulled up a chair across from Murphy. "Now. what's wrong kid?
"Nothing…" Murphy looked Phil halfway in the eye. "I miss FYI ...I...I miss my friends." Murphy looked away. "That's all. Everyone's moving on and I can't even get my god dammed show on the air." Murphy played with her hands in her lap.
"Come on, Murphy, it's me. It's Phil, you can tell me."
"It's nothing, Phil. I'll be fine. I always am." This time she didn't look at him.
"You'll be fine? How can you be fine if nothing's not fine to begin with?" Murphy's face was serious and she said nothing. "Wow." Phil leaned back "I never thought there'd come a time when you couldn't tell me something, but there's a first time for everything."
Murphy began to fidget with her hands. Phil began to stand up.
Murphy looked straight out. "Jerry's asked me to move to New York for the summer."
"Oh. There is it," Phil said softly with his rasp. He sat back down and waited for Murphy to speak, or in her case, to ramble.
"I mean it's a ridiculous idea, Phil. I have work here. Of course it is just for the summer. But I'd have to take Avery away from his friends. But then again most of his friends are at camp and he's been begging me to take him to a ballgame. But no!" She looked into Phil's eyes. "I can't just pick up my life here in Washington and move to New York. I mean that would be crazy, I love Washington. Washington is my life..."
"That's true." Phil seemed to be humoring Murphy while he waited for her to come to her logical conclusion.
Murphy looked away from Phil. "But then again what is my life here anymore? My life was FYI. And now that's gone. Frank's gone, Corky's gone, Kay. Miles!" She laughed. "And now Jim. I have no real job anymore, no office." She looked at Phil. "Where's my life, Phil? I want my old life back."
"I'm sorry, Murphy. I wish I could just wave my magic wand and make it all come back. But FYI is over. Everyone's getting on with their lives. Maybe your life is in such a stand still because you're not willing to go on with yours."
"Go on with mine? See, all you men are alike. You think that when a woman hits a crossroads the change she needs is a man. That she needs to be at the beck and call of a man. I don't need a man to have a life, Phil! Well, I don't. I don't have to change if I don't want to!"
"Whoa, Murphy, I never said anything about that. I'm not Jerry's biggest fan and the idea of you too living together doesn't exactly..."
"Here it goes again." Murphy sprung up from her seat. "Another person telling me how wrong I am for Jerry. Well! Let! Me! Tell! You something, Phil! I love him and he loves me! He's good to me and...and... and that's all that matters!"
"Yes, that's all that matter, Murphy." Phil paused while Murphy's face took on a look of satisfaction and she calmed down. "So, when will you be leaving for New York, Murphy?" Phil leaned back in his chair
"I'm not moving to New York, Phil. I haven't made up my mind yet."
"I think you have." Phil paused and looked at her. "In fact, I think you came into this bar tonight with your mind already made up."
"What are you talking about, Phil?"
"Why else would you be looking for Jim to talk to about this? I think with everyone leaving. And your problems at work have made you really consider Jerry's offer, and that scares you. You've already made up your mind, Murphy. You were just looking for someone change it."
"That's not true!"
"Then why didn't you come talk to me about it, Murphy? Jim sure as hell wasn't going to give you his unbiased opinion on the subject of Jerry Gold." Phil took a pause. "But you knew that I would."
"I always talk to Jim about important decisions, Phil. I mean Jim was the first person I called when I decided to check myself into Betty Ford. I trust his opinions. And well, you've been so busy lately with all the news coverage and..."
"When have I ever been too busy for you, Kid?"
Murphy shook her head, showing the amazement of her thoughts. "But this is crazy, Phil! I don't do this. I don't just pick up my life and follow a man around. I have my own life and nothing should have to change that. That's not me. I do things for myself, not others."
"Who says you're doing this for anyone besides yourself, Murphy."
"But pack up my life? My life is here."
"It's only for the summer, Murphy. And if it makes you happy. Will it make you happy, Murphy? Because, if it won't, don't let your loneliness for your friends force you to make this decision. Or are you just afraid that if you move to New York for the summer… you won't come back?"
"Of course not, Phil. Jerry's going to try to get it into his contract that after three months, if the shows a hit, he can move it to Washington."
"He's trying..."
"Yes, Phil, and it won't be a problem. The show is in New York because of money, once the show brings in revenue they won't care where it's filmed. Mark. My. Words." Murphy sounded like she was trying to convince herself as a well as Phil.
"And if it takes more than three months, Murphy? That's saying it is a hit..."
"It will be a hit, Phil! Jerry's back to doing what he does best. And..." Murphy seemed sure of the statement, but not of the sentiment. The idea seemed to scare her.
"And if it's not in three months."
"I came back to Washington."
"I guess you've got it all figured out." Phil paused." Of course there's always if the show's a hit why would they want to move it? And if it's not, does this mean you two go through this again, with the next job, and the next job?"
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Phil. Jerry and I have based our relationship this time around on what's a happening in the present. Worrying about the future only leads to disaster. If you live your entire life in the future-"
"-Or the past-" Murphy shot Phil a look.
"-You burn the candle at both ends...you ruin what you have which ruins the future anyhow. So what's the point!"
"True, Murphy." Phil shook his head. "But when you set on that road sometimes it's nice to know which road on the path has the bridge that leads to the other side, or else you go over into the raven. I'm not saying all the time. I'm just saying some of the time." Murphy looked at Phil knowing he was right. Before she could even think of a response Phil smiled and spoke again. "You still haven't answered my question, Murphy? Will it make you happy, Murphy? Will spending the summer with Jerry make you happy?"
Murphy shook her head and laughed. "How long have I been coming in here, Phil?"
"Too long to mention."
"I don't know why I think each time I come in here with a problem it'll be different. That I'll come in here and you'll
tell me what I want to hear. The only difference between now and twenty years ago is I'd come through that door and order a double scotch, smoke a carton of cigarettes and listen to little Peggy March sing I Will Follow Him. I guess it's because even though I don't want to hear it all the time. I need to hear it." Phil smiled. "But I don't drink or smoke anymore..." She sighed.
"And I no longer have that jukebox."
"What ever happened to that thing?"
"Don't you remember, Murphy? You beat it up the darn thing a month before you checked into Betty Ford. "
"Oh wait, I remember that. It refused to play my song. It just kept playing Mandy, over and over again. It's really your fault for putting that song in there in the first place. So, I wouldn't go blaming me for it."
Before Phil could answer, although he probably knew there was no point in giving Murphy a response, the door blew open and Jim ran in.
He noticed Murphy and Phil right away. "Murphy?" Jim looked flustered and out of breath.
"Jim?" Murphy turned her head to look in Jim's direction.
"Well, here's your chance," Phil whispered. "I'll leave you two alone." Phil leaned in and then stood up. "Jim."
"Phil." Jim nodded his head with a bewildered look on his face. Phil disappeared into the back room.
"Doris told me she found you waiting outside the house in your car? I must have just missed you." Jim sat down next to Murphy." She said you looked distraught. I was worried."
"I'm fine, Jim. I just needed to talk to someone." She looked at Jim calmly.
"Oh, well. I wish you had found me." Jim paused. "You talked to Phil?"
"Yeah, I did." She shook her head.
"Is everything all right now?"
"I think so."
"Because if you need another shoulder I have plenty to share."
"Thank you, Jim. That's what I love about you." Murphy looked into his eyes. "So, I heard you're going to be an editor, congratulations."
"Oh, I feel so exhilarated, Murphy!" Jim pulled up a chair and sat down in an enthusiastic motion.
"Jim, I don't remember you mentioning being offered an editor position before? How did this all come about? It all seems kind of sudden? Don't you think? I mean… is this really something you think you'd want to do?"
"Murphy, when I first entered into this business I wanted to not just inform people, but to enlighten them through knowledge, the knowledge of what is to come, and what is to be, by what is happening around them. So, that we as a people can truly see where we are going and where we have come from." Jim took a breath. "I feel as each day passes that it's getting harder and harder to do that. So, it accorded to me why not start from the ground up. I mean, not only did I became a journalist to inform people, but to get to know them as well, and intern perhaps even get to know myself a little better. As an editor of a small town paper not only can I truly do human-interest stories that touch people, I can get to know the people I am informing and influencing, by either what I do say or what I don't say."
"That's great, Jim, but the little town newspaper doesn't have the same influence it use to in small towns. With the Internet and five hundred cable channels the world is their backyard. Do you really think you can turn that all around, Jim?"
"I think I can, Murphy. And it's not just that. You know there once was a time when I knew everyone by name and they knew me. The druggist was named Al, and I got my haircut from Theodore the barber and my tenderloins from Burt the butcher and so on. I'd walk in and it would be, "Hello, Mr. Dial. How can I help you?" Or " How's the wife, Jim, can I get you your usual bratwurst." But today I'm just a bunch of numbers in a computer, or the next person in line. I long for a simpler time, Murphy."
"I know what you mean, Jim."
"OHH, I feel for the first time in a long time that I'm at a momentous crossroads in my life with so many possibilities." Jim saw a not so happy look on Murphy's face. "Somehow, I feel you're not as happy as I am about all this?"
"No, it's not that, Jim, I'm just a bit distracted, that's all. I've been thinking something over and I think I've really made up my mind. I'm...I've...I've made a decision about Jerry and me."
"Oh, I see." Jim took a sincere approach. "You know it's for the best?"
"What is, Jim?"
"You and Jerry? Any man who goes from one woman to another like that is bound to do it again. I think it's a complete lack of character..."
"Jim, Jerry and I didn't break up!"
"You didn't? But you were upset. You said you made a decision about the two of you? I don't understand?"
"Yes, I had a decision I had to make and it's something I just now came to a resolution about..."
"Oh. I see." Jim lowered his head down and then up again with excitement. "So, you're just decided to leave him then."
"No, Jim, I haven't!" She paused to give Jim the news lightly." I've decided to spend the summer with Jerry in New York."
"You're moving in with him again!" Jim's face was in shock.
"It's just for the summer, Jim!"
"How can you leave Washington for New York, Murphy?! If you want rape, murder, and rudeness why don't you just stay here?" Jim sprung out of his chair and almost threw it into the table.
"Come one, Jim!" Murphy stood up. "You're moving To New Hampshire! Frank and Corky and Kay have all moved away. What's left here for me? I mean it's just a few months."
Jim looked like he had a sudden stroke of brilliance. "I don't have to go to New Hampshire! I could stay here!" Jim made himself gleefully happy.
"Jim?"
"I could start my novel again..."
"Jim, you said you never wanted to go back to that thing again!"
"It could be fun." Jim didn't look very enthusiastic.
"Jim, I can't ask you to compromise your own life for mine, just as much as you can't ask me to do the same for you."
Murphy's words hit Jim and he turned back into more of the gentleman he always was. He looked at Murphy lovingly. "I'm not going to change your mind here am I?" He smoothed his hand over his fist.
"No." Murphy smiled bitter sweetly. "At first I wanted you too. That was why I came to see you. I see that now. Well, first I drive around for two hours, but I know now... I have to go with my gut, and my gut is telling me I have to at least try this. It's telling me to go."
"I don't know why I even try? Like anyone could ever change your mind." Jim looked to the left for a moment.
"You have on a few occasions, Jim. When it counts." Murphy's eyes pierced with intensity. "I would have never picked up that phone to Betty Ford if it wasn't for you, Jim. Or gone to that support group when I had cancer, or a number of things. I trust you, Jim. I love you, Jim. You're my rock. But this time. Just this once. You're going to have to trust me on this one. OK?"
There was a long pause while Jim looked at Murphy and seemed to be pondering his thoughts. "May I make one request?" Jim regained his dignity he felt he had begun to lose.
"Of course."
"That perhaps once every couple of weeks you can put some time aside to have dinner with some old New England newspaper man - who happens to visiting the big old city."
"I think that can be arranged." Murphy smiled and paused before she decided to give Jim a big hug. "It's, ok, Jim. You can hug me back."
"Oh, I..."
"Jim, please..." Jim hugged her back tightly. After a long stay Murphy tried to let go of Jim's embrace, but couldn't. "Jim?" spoke Murphy's stifled voice. "Jim? Jim, you're going to have to let me go now."
"No." Jim held on tighter. There was a short pause.
"Jim! You're suffocating me."
"Oh." Jim let go and apologetically made sure that Murphy was ok.
I see the clock on the wall, but it doesn't bother me at all. These are ever changing times. Every day I keep forgetting what's mine. I got to find me a way that's demanding. And were holding on together. All of our life. And I. I had some big ideas. So much of my life not completed hopes and fears. Watching them change into sometime new. Wondering if I'll find the answer loving you...
~ A. Franklin ~ Every Changing Times
TWO DAYS LATER
Murphy looked around her empty office. The walls were bare, the shelves were bare, even the desk except for a small cardboard box on the table with her Emmy sticking out, were free of any and all objects.
"Well, that looks like everything." Jerry put his hands his pockets and looked around the room. Murphy walked over to the box and cupped it with her fingers.
"Looks like it." Murphy peered around her office in a despondent and nostalgic state. "Oh, wait!" She grunted. "Oh god, how could I forget this." Murphy walked over to her bookcase and knelt down.
"What else could you possibly have in here, Brown? The Clinton's didn't take this much when they left the White House." Murphy removed a cupboard like door to reveal a safe.
"What's in there?" Jerry looked bewildered.
Murphy opened the safe and flung what looked like a large stake of computer printouts on to her desk. It was so heavy it made the table shake.
Jerry jumped. "What is that?"
"It's my book of pranks." Murphy gave him a look and knelt back down in front of the safe.
"What were all those notebooks I helped you lug out of here yesterday?
"Those?" Murphy, with more resistance because of its girth, dropped another equal sized stake onto the other. "Were my best of volumes. This is more detailed. This is everything. Every prank I ever pulled." She let out a breath and laid her hands over the front page. "Every prank I have ever done are in these pages. Someday I'll donate it the Smithsonian. "Murphy hit the top, smirked, and returned to the safe.
Jerry walked over to the stack and looked it over. "Jeez, Brown, ever hear of the computer?" Just then three diskettes flew in front of Jerry onto the stake of papers. "Watch it, Brown!" Jerry lifted his arms back defensively.
Murphy gave him a look and scooped up the diskettes. "That's right, I forget last time I checked computer disks was listed under deadly weapons right after toy balls, stuffed animals, and those little stress balls filled with sand." Murphy crossed to her purse on her desk chair to find a place for her diskette for safe travel.
Jerry leafed through the first couple of pages. "Why do you have all these copies and the disks? And the safe, Brown? Isn't this a little...I don't know? Overkill? But then again this is you were talking about."
Murphy smiled off center. "You can never be too careful, Jerry." Murphy leaned down and locked the safe.
"Yeah, I'm sure the Russians, or whoever we hate this week, wake up every morning with two things on mind. World domination and how to successfully short-sheet a bed. "
"Short sheet a bed, like I'd be so immature to do something like that. Now glue in the comb that's a classic." Murphy stood up and walked over to her purse, slinging in over her shoulder.
"There's a table of contents?"
"There's also a cross reference by name in the back." Murphy seemed quite proud of herself. "I learned that one the hard way when twice in one year I send an all-night vigil of the gay men's chorus to sing Hello Dolly in front Newt Gingrich's house." Murphy laughed. "Not only is repetition not creative, it gets you caught." Jerry flipped to the back of the large stake of papers he had been looking at and when he didn't find what he had been looking for he did the same with the second "tablet". "What are you doing?" Murphy walked closer to Jerry.
"I'm looking for me!" Jerry looked back down at the papers.
"Yes, the eighties...some of my best work," Murphy pondered.
"I've been dying to know if..." Jerry caught something. "Here we go...I knew it!" Jerry smiled and then looked up at Murphy. "Very good work."
"Well," Murphy fanned modesty.
Jerry flipped threw a few more pages till he found his name again. "Wait!? That was you!" Murphy walked closer to Jerry and peered over his shoulder at the pages.
"Oh, that." She laughed. "I'd forgotten about that one. Stroke of genius I must say. Stroke of Genius!"
It took me three months for all the hair to grow back." Jerry looked at her with his eyes flaming.
"As I said stock of genius. I believe it showed up on my decade in review list. Twice. Come on, Gold,, let's go."
"I don't know if I can forgive this one, Brown." Jerry smirked.
"So I guess this means we won't be having sex anytime soon," Murphy said deadpan.
"Let's jump this Popsicle stand. I'll go get the elevator." Jerry took the cardboard box off Murphy's former desk and went for the door. Murphy smirked at the moment.
"Jerry, what about theses?" Murphy pointed to the "book o' pranks."
"Are you kiddin' me, Brown?" Jerry swung himself around by the doorframe. "Something like that's gonna give me a hernia. We'll send the security guy up to get. Come on, let's go." Jerry whipped around and excited the door.
Murphy took her coat and threw it over her arm. She looked around the room and adjusted her purse strap and walked towards the door. Murphy reached the door and turned around one more time for one last look - a last glance at her office. Even though she had only been there for four years, not nearly as long as she had been on the seventeenth floor, it was still sad.
By leaving the office Murphy was leaving her past at FYI behind and opening a new chapter in her life; a chapter with a new forward, which made her journey a foray into new territory. They say everything comes in threes and Murphy seemed to be entering a third stage of her life. She was realizing her new resurrection. There was post-alcohol, and post-baby, post-Cancer and know post-FYI. Each time a new step, a new challenge.
Now it was time to try love, really try it. Not second hand or half tried. No, not this time. She thought of the good times of the past, but Murphy knew she had to keep them where they were - in the past. Because, as much as she would wish it, they were only memories and she couldn't bring them back. But there was something she could bring back. Something she had resurrected that rainy night last month. And it was time to own up to it. Murphy took her final look at the office and began to close the door. Suddenly, she stopped and pushed the door back open. She walked over to the back of the door and outstretched her arm, grabbed her dartboard off the back of the door, and held it close to her. Now, she had everything. Murphy walked over to the edge of the light switch, put out the light, and closed the door.
Murphy walked outside her office and looked over the shambles of what once was the bullpen. She saw the memories of the last four years in every counter. She saw Frank eating donuts by the coffee island. Corky reprimanding him for eating like a pig. Jim standing above them like the Chrysler building, slowly stirring his coffee, while Kay bounded in with an insult and a smile. And then they were gone.
Murphy turned towards the elevator, and Jerry, just as the doors opened. Jerry walked into the elevator and held his hand in the way of the doors, as he waited for Murphy. She walked a few steps backwards, looked around, took a deep breath, put the dartboard under her arm, and then made her way into the elevator. Murphy looked at Jerry and then stared straight ahead. She took the box from Jerry in her right and looked like she was about to cry, but she didn't. And as the elevator doors closed Jerry took her left hand and kissed it. Murphy turned and smiled at him sweetly. And for a brief moment in a very long time the eighteenth floor was quiet, but not for long.
About two seconds later the left elevator doors opened and out walked, in all his masculine glory, Peter Hunt. He wore a denim jacket and a red shirt button down just enough to be tasteful and still show a little skin. He ran his fingers through his hair and looked around the old FYI stomping grounds, confused by its disarray. Confused, he stumbled through the bullpen looking around for any signs of intelligent life. He looked over his surroundings until he reached Murphy's office. He tentatively looked around and then knocked on the door before entering.
Not but a moment later the door to the elevator opened again and Murphy flew out alone. She held a small screwdriver in her left hand. Murphy looked around for any signs of movement and then ran over to the large "F", "Y" and "I" that sat on the right wall to her office. The FYI that had once stood by the elevator had already taken away by the construction workers or else Murphy would have taken what was left of them. Murphy climbed on top of a desk to reach them and began to try prying them from the wall.
"Thought I forget you didn't you?" Murphy mumbled to herself. She tried to take the "F" off the wall and when she couldn't she tried the "I". Peter walked out of Murphy's office and stopped at the sight of her.
"I guess the expressing "taking everything except what's bolted down" is just a saying to you, isn't it?" Peter Hunt's laughing voice permeated from behind Murphy. Murphy spun around causing the "I" to drop to the ground.
"Peter?" She was more than surprised to see Peter Hunt standing before her.
If you feel like loving me. If you got the notion. I second that emotion
I Second That Emotion ~ Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
"Hey, Murphy." Peter Hunt leaned his hands on the edge of his back pockets and smiling slyly.
"You dropped your "I"." Peter walked over to the desk and handed it to Murphy.
Murphy was agog to see him. "Peter what...?"
"Here let me help you with that." Peter took the screwdriver from Murphy's hand. He jumped onto the desk and began to take the "Y" off the wall.
"What are you doing here, Peter?"
"I'm in town for some meetings." Peter took the "Y" off and handed it to Murphy. "What's going on here? Looks like war torn Bosnia without the charm."
"They're reinventing the floor. I had to move all my stuff out."
"I see that." Peter smiled and took the final "F" off the wall. Murphy was stunned by how great he looked. He always looked great, but he still looked, well great. His eyes twinkled. "You know all you need is an "M" like that." Peter pointed to the letters in Murphy's hands. "And a few hats and you could be just like Mary Tyler Moore."
"Marlo Thomas was the one with the hats! Not Mary Tyler Moore!"
"But what about that scene at the beginning of the show where she throws up her hat."
"That was a statement, Peter. It was a symbol. By throwing up her hat she was starting her new liberated life."
"Oh, really? I thought it was just a fashion statement." Peter laughed and got that charming look in his eye.
"I think we should stop this argument now, Peter, because I'm going to win!"
"Who said I was starting an argument..." But Peter calmed himself. "But you know what?" Peter waved his hands about. "Let's not get into this again. How are you, Murphy?"
"Great! Wonderful! Couldn't be better. And you? Last I heard you were...well I can't remember the last time I heard where you were. What have you been doing with yourself? What's it been...six years?"
"You know here and there. I just got back from the Philippines."
"Really?"
"Yeah. It's been a long six years. Especially, the last six months. You know, I was almost kidnaped with those people?"
"Knowing you I'm not surprised? You were always able to get out of harrowing situations unscathed."
"Yeah, I survived you, didn't I?" Peter laughed while Murphy tried to hold in.
"So, why are you here?"
"I've been thinking of taking a break before I head out again."
"Well, it's always good to take a rest before starting out on a more difficult journey. Replenishing your juices before taking that leap again. It worked for you before."
"Yeah, I guess it did?" He smiled "So, do I at least get a hug. I mean isn't that at least the customary thing to do when you run into a man, after six years, who you almost married."
"Oh." Murphy shook herself into reality. "I'm sorry, Peter, I'm just so surprised to see you, that's all." Murphy awkwardly wrapped her arms around Peter and he around her. Surprisingly, they both felt a familiarity still.
As if by some predestined timing at the very moment of their embrace the elevator dinged and Jerry walked off. He stopped for a moment and looked off to the side, as if he was saying, "What the hell is this?" Jerry let out a large cough and the couple broke away. "Hello?" Jerry said in his brashest voice, raising his eyebrows.
"Oh, Jerry." Murphy looked at Jerry and then at Peter. "Jerry this is Peter Hunt, have you two meet?"
The two men looked at each other like two animals looking over their pray.
"Yeah, I know who he is." The two men spoke in unison. It was apparent from prior knowledge the two men did not have an affinity for each other.
Peter jumped down from the desk and the two men hesitantly offered up their hands for a handshake. It was so hesitant it fact one wasn't sure who had the inclination to do so in the first place.
"Yeah, nice to meet ya," Jerry said with all lack of enthusiasm. He turned his attention to Murphy. "Brown, you told me to hold a cab, I'm holding it! We wait any longer I think we'll be paying for Mummhand and all eight of his kids to go to college."
"I'm coming, Jer." Murphy gave him a look. Murphy laughed to himself and shook her head trying to hold in her true feelings about Jerry's comment. Then Murphy looked like she was about to jump down from the desk and Peter offered up his hand.
"That's ok I can help her down!" Jerry pushed Peter aside. Peter did not like this.
"I think I can handle it myself thank you, Gold!" Murphy handed him the letters and jumped down herself.
"Well, let's get out of here." Jerry looked at Peter. "Nice meeting you, Petie!" Jerry smirked and walked quickly over to the elevator button.
Peter turned to Murphy. "I can't believe you ever dated that jerk."
"Well actually, Peter..."
"Listen, I'm going to be in town for a couple of weeks, why don't we get together sometime?" Peter laid his hands on Murphy's arms. "We could have dinner?"
"Well, I can't - I won't..." Murphy's voice had a twang of awkwardness in it.
"Come on, Brown, let's go!" Jerry screeched.
"In a second, Jerry!" she yelled at Jerry and then continued her conversation with Peter. "I won't be in town I'm going to New York."
"Well, how about when you get back? I'll be back in town next week."
The elevator door opened.
"Murphy, the elevator's here!" Jerry snarled.
"IN A SECOND, JERRY!" Murphy screamed towards Jerry and then regained her voice to speak to Peter. She turned to him. "Actually, I'll be in New York then too, but maybe some other time. When I get back." Murphy made her way to the elevator. "Jeez , Gold, I'm coming, I'm coming!"
Peter lowered his head, shook it, and then followed her. Murphy and Peter stopped at the door to the elevator. Jerry rolled his head and eyes impatiently.
"How long are your planning on staying in New York? Maybe when you get back?"
"If you want to reach us we'll be in New York until August!" Jerry obnoxiously butted in. "Come on, Murphy!" He grabbed Murphy's arm.
Murphy hit him. "What are you doing, Gold?"
"Wait, you're going to New York with him?! You're back together with him!" Peter was infuriated.
"That's right, Pretty boy!" Jerry shot him an evil look and then looked back at Murphy. "Come on, Brown, I have to drop you off and what looks like the reminisces of what the Beverly Hillbillies carted off their pick-up and still get to the airport on time!"
"So, you'll take a later flight!" Murphy took her letters from Jerry.
"I have a show in the morning, Brown..."
"You're going to New York with him?" Peter was still astonished.
Jerry turned to him and barked out a comment. "Yes, scud-stud. The ladies with me! So, you can't see her! "Murphy shot him a look. "You can't have dinner with her! Because she's with me!"
"JERRY!" She hit him again.
"What? What did I do?" Jerry truly was perplexed.
"What am I a person or a library book? Couldn't it kill you to be polite! I can't take you anywhere!"
"Polite? Looks who's taking. I mean, who's the one standing outside-"
"You know, Murphy, its ok." Peter stepped back and put up his hands, trying to end the onslaught. "I'll be swinging by New York sometime this month. Maybe we can have dinner then."
"That sounds great." Murphy stepped into the elevator.
"Yeah, when you get to New York you just try and find us!" Jerry let go of the door and as it closed Murphy shot Jerry an evil look.
Peter turned around, rolled his hand over his face, and looked about the room. Everything was a big ball of confusion to him. Then his cell phone began to ring. Peter plopped himself down on the same desk he and Murphy had been standing on, only moments before, and answered the phone.
"Hello, Peter Hunt. Frank! Where were you? I waited for an hour for you at Phil's? I even come up to your office to see... How could you forget? FRANK, you said you had something very important to... oh, Frank, I'm so sorry... Is everything, ok? Good... Yeah, actually I saw Murphy... No, she didn't think you sent me. Why?" He paused. "She was with Jerry Gold." Peter rolled his eyes. "Did you know...? I can't believe she's back together with that loudmouth… I don't know. She seemed glad to see me, why?... What?... Well, I have tentative dinner plans with her...so, is this thing with Gold serious...uh huh...really!?... I don't know? But I think I'll be spending more time in New York then I had thought."
LATER
Jerry and Murphy sat in the cab in silence. They had been that way for the last fifteen minutes. They sat in darkness except for the small hints of light that fell from the street lamps, car lights, and so forth, from the outside world trickling in through the back and side windows. Murphy stared out the right side window with her hands wrapped around the small cardboard box on her lap. Jerry looked straight ahead, slumped down in the seat. He looked over at Murphy who then looked away from the window, but not at Jerry. Jerry sighed and looked ahead again. Since it was so late Jerry decided to go straight to the airport before dropping Murphy off.
"You know, Brown, you've been very quiet since we left the elevator. Is something bothering you?" He waited for an answer and got none. "I thought we always said we wouldn't keep anything from each other?" he said gruffly.
"I think you know what's bothering me, JERRY."
"OK. Let's just say for the sake of argument I don't. Humor me here, Brown!"
"I can't believe you acted that way back there."
"What? Why!? I find you in the arms of a man, another man, a man mind you whom you've had a previous relationship with. And what? I'm supposed to invite him home for milk and cookies."
"It was an innocent hug, Gold. You don't need to be jealous."
"I'm not jealous!" Jerry threw it off, but it was true.
"I mean, just because I use to be engaged to the guy."
"Wait a minute, you were engaged to that clown?"
"Yeah, where have you been!"?
"In Germany, Brown, remember! Another country!"
"How could I forget!"
"When was this!?"
"About six years ago."
"Six years!?" Jerry was taken aback." Who was it that three years ago said they didn't want a long-term relationship type thing because that wasn't "the type of gal they were"?"
"What is this, Gold? Did you think that this was the first time I decided to be in a committed relationship!?"
"Well, yeah! You never seemed to want to be in one with me before!"
"I was married once you know."
"Yeah." Jerry rolled his eyes. "Nice marriage, I've had longer commitments with Kleenex."
"Give me a break, Gold, we've both had our share of commitment phobias. And you have to remember one thing, Jerry. I didn't marry him."
"I just thought...!"
"What!? That once you commit to someone then it opens some sort of floodgates of commitment? It doesn't happen that way, Jerry."
"It did for me!"
"And who did that for you?"
"You did!" The car stopped short causing Murphy and Jerry to slide towards the front of their seats and then the back. Jerry, in a reflex action, took hold of Murphy with his arm for protection.
"AIRPORT!" yelled the taxi driver.
Murphy looked surprised and Jerry looked embarrassed as he took his arm away and leaned against his car side window. He looked away and then back at Murphy eyes, leaving the two in a brief silence.
"You alright?"
"Yeah." Murphy looked down.
"I have to go. Can we not fight for one time in our lives?" Jerry took his briefcase off the car floor. "I want to get on that plane and not have us be fighting, at least not this way."
"Ok," Murphy whispered.
"Give us a kiss." Jerry gently laid his hand on Murphy's face and kissed her. "I'll see you in New York on Monday."
"See you on, Monday." Murphy looked pensively at Jerry and he smiled bitter sweetly at her, as if he wasn't sure he believed her, before disappearing out the door.
Murphy could hear Jerry take his bag out of the trunk and then the car drove off. Murphy slumped into her seat looking confused.
LATER THAT NIGHT
Murphy sat at her stool in her kitchen looking exhausted and frustrated, listening to the music she knew would relax her; Little Peggy March singing I Will Follow Him, the irony of which was not lost on her. She leaned into the center counter and looked over the steaming George Forman grill in front of her. Set about the area were three plates full of chicken and hamburgers all in different stages of cooked and uncooked. It was two in the morning and Murphy had been up for hours trying to figure out the device that Jerry had given her.
"Whoa, it smells like a rotisserie in here." Eldin clamored into the kitchen with two paint cans.
"Eldin!?" Murphy spun her head around. "I've been trying to get in touch with you for the last three days! "Where have you been?"
Eldin rested his paint cans next to the closet door. "Yeah, I know. There must be a hundred messages on my machine. You know, if you're going to call so many times at least have the courtesy to leave a message. Because once the message goes on it just records those little beats and after about the tenth in a row it starts to get annoying."
"This from a man who has five minutes of Margaritaville as his outgoing message for the last thirteen years."
"What's with all the boxes and suitcases in the hall?"
"That's why I've been trying to get in touch with you! Avery and I have decided to spend the summer in New York... With Jerry."
"Oh."
"Where have you been?"
"Locked in the stock room over at Ed's paints!" Eldin got all rattled up and gestured with his hands.
"What? How did that happen?"
"It's all Ed's fault! He told me I could catch up on some sleep in his stock room. But then he forgot and locked me in there for the last three days. That man has hated me for years. I think it has to do with the fact that I called his Taupe Royal - Beige. But he won't admit it."
"Are you alright!"
"Yeah. Are you?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"I don't know? You're attempting to cook?" Eldin looked over the display. "We're not having guests, are we?" He looked over the surroundings. "Because I'm not really in the mood to entertain tonight."
"I can't seem to get this to work right!"
Eldin walked over to the empty grill box next to one of the plates of chicken and looked it over. Murphy opened the grill and looked into it with a confused look on her face.
Eldin picked up the box. "It says here on the box you're supposed to marinate the chicken...he, he, that's funny, its talking as if you know what that means." Murphy shot Eldin a look as Eldin began to read from the box out loud. "Cook the chicken for three minutes."
Murphy closed the grill cover back onto the chicken. "I did that Eldin and it didn't come out right! It was all pink and raw. That's bad, right?"
"Maybe you should put it in longer?"
"I did that! I kept it in longer and then I kept it in shorter. Every time I try it never come out perfect like on the box! I tell you, Eldin, this George Forman is a scam artist! And we need to bring him down now and we have to bring him down fast!"
"I see my absence has only made you more neurotic." Eldin dropped the box back next to Murphy.
Murphy ran her fingers through her hair and lowered her head with a grunt. She supported herself by her elbows. "Oh, Eldin, I don't know if I should be doing this?"
"I think you should have realized that when you first entered the kitchen in the first place. I don't see why you don't just turn it into a hobby room slash rumpus room? God knows you'd get more use out of it." Eldin took a cookie from the cookie jar next to the sink.
"No, leave Washington for the summer…" Murphy lifted her head up.
"Whatever you want to do." Eldin closed the cookie jaw and started to walk away when he stopped. "I will miss having someone around this house. Not you. You, I could live without. But I'd miss Avery." Eldin leaned on the edge of the counter. "But if you love this guy you should go." Eldin took a bite of her cookie and seemed to enjoy it. "New York is so beautiful in the summer. The lush colors...I wish I were going."
"Why don't you?" Murphy loved her own idea.
"What?"
"Come to New York with us, Eldin?"
"Nooo."
"Jerry and I will be busy a lot of the time with work and Avery will need someone to take care of him, not to mention keep him company. And you know how he adores you. It would give you a change to catch up on your sleep and you've be saying how you've been looking for some new inspiration? Why not a change in environment for a few months?"
"Oh, I don't know…" He averted his eyes from Murphy for a moment.
"Come on, Eldin. Come with us? You could get away from your neighbor for a while. Go to the museums, sit in the park and paint...or do you want to spend the summer perhaps re-enacting scenes from Harold and Maude?"
"I wouldn't have to stay with you two would I?"
"No, Eldin, I could put you up in a hotel if you like."
"No, no. Eldin Bernecky will not be a kept man! Oh! That soundedreally bad." Eldin paced a bit and lowered his head.
"Come on, Eldin, what do you say?"
"I guess I could stay with my pal Steve, and Ma's been bugging me to come and visit."
"There ya go."
"And I would love to show Avery the Guggenheim."
"So, were going to New York then?"
Eldin looked like he was stuck between thoughts and then he answered. "I don't know if unleashing you on New York City is such a good idea? I mean you've alienated enough people in one town, why destroy the life force of a whole new city, not that you haven't done that before, but this is longer than a couple of days. It leaves no time for them to recoup. Of course, it is New York City. This might be a town that could reach havoc on you instead of the other way around. What am I saying?" Eldin began to laugh. "It's you!" Eldin pondered for another moment. "I suppose I could come, but not for long, maybe only a month!"
"Great! We leave tomorrow!"
"Tomorrow! I better go pack." Eldin went for the door. "I'll have to bring my sable brushes and..."
"Eldin, you don't have to bring your equipment. You won't have to paint anything. I want you to come as my guest...as my friend."
"Ah." Eldin looked at Murphy, his eyes blazing. "There is always something to paint!" And he disappeared.
Murphy smiled at Eldin's words. She looked over her display of culinary skills and whispered to herself, "We're going to New York."
"Some folks like to get away, take a holiday from the neighborhood Hop a flight to Miami Beach or Hollywood. I'm taking a Greyhound on the Hudson River line I'm in a New York state of mind..."
~ Billy Joel