Chapter Five: And Then There Was One...
*(note this chapter donates a line written by Diane English for the episode "Bob and Murphy, Ted and Avery" which was cut from broadcast.)
EVEN LATER THAT EVENING
Murphy sat on her couch, leaning her hand against her head, causing her hair to lean onto her arm by the tilt of her head. Her hair was even longer now, all the way past her shoulders and therefore it grazed her right wrist, as she sat deep in thought.
Someone knocked at her office door, but Murphy didn't notice because she was off reliving a moment. She was looking back to two days before when she had dropped Avery off at the airport.
"Murphy?" a voice was heard and Murphy didn't acknowledge the call until the third time. Murphy finally brought herself back to earth and noticed Kay standing at her door. "Oh, hi, Kay?" she said in a groggy voice, fumblingly her way off the couch. She left her leg last in its position, as she dragged her legs off the leather, causing her body be thrown towards her desk. Murphy shook her head and began to organize some papers on her desk.
"Murphy, I just want to say..."
"KAY! If you asked me ONE MORE TIME if I'm alright I swear the next time I put crazy glue on your toilet seat I'll make sure its permanent!" Murphy shook her stapler at Kay. Murphy's body stood in her famous Groucho Marx like position.
"No, Murphy," Kay said in her usual calm voice. "I'm done with that. If you don't want to talk about it. If you say you're fine. Then I respect that."
"Good." Murphy seemed pretty happy with herself. She took a breath, in her egotist state, and set the stapler down on the desk. "I knew you'd come to your senses."
Kay so wanted to answer Murphy with a wise comment, but kept it in. "I saw your light on and I thought I'd see if you wanted to grab a bite with me."
"No, No." Murphy began to look around the floor next to her desk. "I still have a lot of work to get down here." She picked up a box from the floor and threw the stapler in it.
"Murphy, come on? It's late. Besides tomorrow is your last show - what work could you have to do?"
"Kay, I still have a lot of packing to do before tomorrow." She waved the box in her hand and walked over to her desk drawer setting the box on her chair. "Besides, I still have some stories to work on for when I get back to Washington." Murphy, who was having trouble pulling the middle drawer out from the desk, finally got it out and then proceeded to dump the entire contents into the box. Murphy patted the back of the draw to make sure there was nothing left. "Besides, I'm really not hungry." Murphy set the drawer on the desk before starting towards the door.
"At least go home and get some sleep and finish this in the morning. Get some sleep for the show."
"I don't want to go home," she said softly as she set the box next to the door.
"Do you have a lipstick on you?" Rachel entered the office, as she looked through her small purse. She wore knee high black heeled boots and a dark purple low neckline short-sleeved dress. She looked dressed to the nines, complete with the nine west shoes, only with the absence of lipstick. "I can't seem to find mine."
"Yeah, check the box near the door." Murphy pointed to the box she had just set down.
"No," she said as she lifted her head out of her purse. "I was talking to Kay." Murphy made a face as Rachel faced Kay.
"Here." Kay handed Rachel her purse. "I think I have two in the top pocket."
"Fine. You're still mad at me… Well, I really don't care. I don't, you know." Murphy took the last three books off her shelve and slammed them on the floor. She took a small bust next to it and walked towards the door.
"I'm not mad at you, Murphy." Rachel sat herself down on the couch and began to look through Kay's purse. "I just don't need a blonde. I need someone with my colors."
"Oh." Murphy rolled her eyes and set the bust in the box.
"You should really wrap that if you're going to ship that bust." Rachel pointed to the box before going back into the purse. "Where am I looking, Kay? I don't see it."
"The top zipper."
"I'm not shipping it back, those are things I'm getting rid of," Murphy jabbed at Rachel with her voice.
"That's where I am!" Rachel dug her hand in the bag, swimming around the small zippered hole in Kay's enormous purse. "Really?" she responded to Murphy and then became acquainted with her own aggravation. "I don't see it, Kay!" Kay began to walk towards Rachel. "I don't...oh here it is." She took out the lipsticks and handed the bag back to Kay. Rachel took a mirror out of her own bag and began to a play with the red color.
"So, you're getting rid of all of this?" Kay made her way over to the box and knelt down, dipped her hands into the mismatched rubbish.
"Sure, help yourself. It's nothing I want." Murphy made her way over to the couch. She then picked a stake of newspapers off the couch, causing Rachel, who had mistakenly sat on the edge of them, to be flipped onto her side. Rachel gave Murphy a look and Murphy gave her one as well. Murphy scoffed and she walked away.
"Hey, Kay!" Rachel yelled. "Wait for me. Don't take anything." She clipped her mirror shut and threw it in her purse before zipping it closed. She peered her eyes towards Murphy for a moment. "So what do you think?" Rachel now stood over Kay and the box referring to the lipstick.
Kay looked up at her. "I don't know. I think the red doesn't go so well with your outfit…"
"You think? I wasn't sure...I kind of like it..."
"Hey! Hey! Hey!" Murphy waved her arms and walked over to the girls. 'What is this, a beauty parlor? I have work to do. So, either look through the box quietly or get out!"
Rachel looked Murphy in the face and pushed out her lips before setting her hands on her hips.
"Why are you still here anyway?" Murphy said to Rachel.
"I have a date," Rachel clipped the words.
"A date?" Murphy responded
"Yes, a date and I just wanted to make sure I looked alright. I'm a little nervous."
"God, what's with that lipstick?" Murphy stared at her intently. "You look like someone socked you in the mouth with a brick?"
Rachel made a grunting noise.
"As always, Murphy. A big help!" Rachel screeched
"Here, Rachel. This might be better." Kay handed Rachel a black lipstick case.
"Hey, that's mine!" Murphy yelled, as Rachel started back to her purse which she had left on the couch. Murphy grabbed for the lipstick.
"Hey, at least let me look at it." Rachel pulled it away
"It happens to me mine!" Murphy yelled.
"You said we could have anything in the box?" Rachel teased Murphy
"I said KAY could have anything in the box. And besides, I didn't mean to put it in there. Now, gimmie!" She grabbed for it and Rachel took a step away, irritating Murphy.
"It's only a lipstick, Murphy." Kay tried to comfort Murphy.
"That's not the point, Kay. It's the principal. It's the fact that -" She turned her attention towards Rachel who was applying the lipstick in a mirror. "Hey, I thought you said you couldn't wear my colors?"
"Hey." Rachel looked at the bottom of the lipstick. "I was wrong." She showed the bottom to Murphy. "This is my color. I have the same one." She smiled at Murphy. "What are the odds of that?"
"Well, I still want it back." She laid out her hand in front of Rachel who, with a sly grin, set the lipstick in Murphy's hand.
"Thank you, Murphy," Rachel said slyly.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Murphy took a long stride over to her purse which was on the coat rack between the door and Kay. She placed the lipstick in her purse.
"It's funny. This is like my favorite color..." Rachel pondered.
"You're sure you don't want to have dinner, Murphy?" Kay asked again.
"No, I don't Kay. I'm busy and I'm not hungry." Murphy walked over to her desk and sat down.
"Rachel?" Kay asked.
"No, I have a date."
"Oh, that's right," Kay answered.
Murphy looked up from her work she had restarted at her desk. Rachel caught the look, as Murphy looked out from under her reading glasses. "When's this date? It's getting kind of late?" Murphy asked. "What is he an undertaker?" Murphy laughed at her own joke; she was the only one.
"Any moment. He'll be here. I told him to meet me in the bullpen." Rachel scooted across the couch and pushed the blinds away from the small window to the bullpen. "Oh god, He's here!" She jumped off the couch. "Close the door!" she whispered to Kay.
"What?" Kay spoke, as did Murphy.
"Close the door!" she whispered, as she quickly and sneakily ran over to the door and shut it. She held her back against the door. "I'm not ready yet." She fixed her dress and looked at Kay. "Do I look alright?"
"You look beautiful, Rachel." Kay answered and then the two looked at Murphy.
"Listen, I have work to do." Murphy took long strides back to the door. "SO, get out!" She reached for the door to open it and Rachel pushed her body against the door and closed it.
"I'm not ready to go out there, yet!"
"Well, I am!" Murphy went for the door again and Rachel pushed her body against the door a second time.
"Will you stop that?" Murphy blurted
"NO!" Rachel screamed and the action proceeded to happen again, and again, two more times.
"Will you to stop that!" Kay questioned. The two women looked at Kay who now stood between them.
"What are you afraid to go out on this date?" Murphy mocked.
"Maybe. No. I'm just not ready yet. Can't a woman make her entrance!"
"To go on a date with Peter?" Murphy said sarcastically. Kay looked at Murphy
"I'm not dating Peter? Who told you that?" Rachel questioned. Kay looked at Rachel.
"I thought you two went out on a date?" Murphy asked. Kay looked at Murphy and then back at Rachel.
"We did! A date. That's it. We decided it just wasn't a good idea. Besides, he was done here yesterday."
"Oh?" Murphy looked at her funny.
Kay looked at Murphy. "Well, I don't know about you," Kay interrupted. "But I'm going to check him out." Kay hiked up her skirt a bit and ran for the small window.
"Kay!" Rachel ran towards her.
Kay pulled the blinds away. "Ohh, very nice." Kay looked towards Rachel and then back out the window. "Ohh, Mama!"
"Let me see." Murphy pushed her way through the women and parted the blinds aside. "What? Him? The one in the baseball hat?"
"Yeah?" Rachel answered. Murphy looked back at Rachel. "You can't date that!"
"You can't even see him, Murphy, he has his back to the window."
"Rachel, any man who wears a baseball hat over the age of 21 is nothing but a slacker." Murphy let go of the slides with a snap. "Either that or a film maker." Murphy walked towards her desk again.
Rachel sat down on the couch. "I'll just sit here for a while. Then I'll go out." Rachel crossed her legs and Murphy huffed. "Well, I'm sorry Murphy, but not all of us have men just failing into their laps. I don't like it, but sometimes women have to play a few games."
"Oh, you're just scared. I know you, Rachel. You don't play games. I know you too well." She paused. "And what do you mean about men falling into my lap? Please. Me finding a man is like..."
"…Gloria Steinem marrying a doctor," Rachel smiled.
"Noooo! You can't take the last few months and chock this up to the norm. Before this my life was pretty man free."
"Well, you've had more men in your life then me," Rachel scoffed.
"You were also born the year Rocky came out - so, I wouldn't use that as an example!"
"But you're always surrounded by attractive men!" Rachel spoke and Kay agreed under her breath.
"What are you talking about?" Murphy got more defensive.
"Miles..."
"Miles! Are you insane?" Murphy yelled. "Jeez, what has that boy done to you?"
"Jim." She began to count on her fingers.
"Jim?"
"Oh, come on, Murphy, you can't say you've never sat across from that anchor desk and wondered if he wore boxers or briefs..."
"No! NO!" Murphy was appalled, but of course was lying – she once confessed to Jim she had.
"Yeah…" Kay grinned. Murphy and Rachel stopped and looked at her.
"You're crazy!" Murphy accused and then paused. "No, I'm sorry. You've both got more hormones then a group of senators at Hooters. Now, go on that date! Kay, got out to dinner. And get out of my hair!" Murphy huffed.
Rachel didn't leave. "Oh, come on, Murphy!" Rachel smirked. "You can't tell me you keep Eldin around only because he's also a good conversationalist?"
"What?" Murphy was insulted by the notion.
"I always did think he's make a cunning linguist." Kay seemed to be going into a fantasy world.
"Oh, god!" Murphy didn't like that comment.
"Own up to it, Murphy! Eldin is hot! I mean the moment I saw him I wanted him to paint more than just my living room!" Rachel smiled.
"I never noticed." Murphy rolled her eyes. "How old are you again? Shouldn't you be in study hall passing notes and hiding your acne?"
"Oh, come one, Murphy, you and Eldin never..." Rachel leaned in.
"No! Eldin and I are just friends! Friends! That's all! He's my Nanny for god's sake."
"Like that's stopped any one before!" Kay laughed and Rachel smirked.
"You see, this is the difference between you and me. I don't get involved with the people I work with or work for me. It's as plain as that." Murphy thought for moment. "Well, of course there was Peter. And ok, once Jerry and I got back together when he was working on the show. But those were isolated instances. I know how to keep my professional distance."
"Yeah, and didn't you use to date the ex-head of news?" Kay chimed in. "Baldwin something..."
"And I heard you once had sex with Jake after an interview on the broadcast desk!" Rachel asked with real intrigued.
"OK! We get the point!" Murphy set them straight. "All I am saying is... I am the type of person who cherishes her platonic relationship with men! Some people should learn from that!" Murphy said her last line to Rachel.
"Oh, like you and Frank?" Rachel folded her arms.
"Yes, like me and Frank," Murphy was proud of her statement.
"Not even once!"
"No!"
"Is he still with his wife...?" Rachel asked.
"Yes!"
"Too bad. I have always found Frank sort of attractive. I mean... have you seen his hands." Rachel set her hands in front of her. "He has the biggest..."
"Ohh, Ohh, stop it it! That's it - get out! Now I really mean it this time!"
"Oh, come on, Murphy..." Rachel and Murphy locked horns.
"Get out! Out! Out!"
"Stop it you two." Kay got in the middle of the two women. Murphy walked back to her corner and Rachel to hers. Rachel stayed near the couch and Murphy went back to her desk. They both still eyed each other as they walked away.
"She started it!" Murphy yelled.
Rachel was set to pounce.
"STOP IT!" Kay put her hands up.
"Sorry, Sorry!" Rachel sat down on the couch and leaned to her right. "I forgot men right now are a touching subject with Murphy."
"It is not!"
"Yeah, Yeah," Rachel said drudgingly.
"You're the one with men on the brain. Now will you please leave?" She looked at Kay. "Make her leave Kay, Make her leave!"
"Fine!" Rachel put her hands up.
"Well, I'm going to get some grub." Kay lifted her purse onto her shoulder. "Rachel, you coming?"
"Yeah," Rachel answered.
Kay opened the door. "Good-bye, Murphy." She exited.
"Bye, Kay." Kay followed Rachel out. Rachel stopped and looked at Murphy. "I'm sorry, Murphy."
"About what? I just have work to do.
"Go on your date," she said trying not to show he cared one bit.
Rachel closed the door and walked into the center of Murphy's office. "Murphy?"
"Yes…" Murphy was pretending she was busy.
"Have you made your decision?"
"Decision?"
"Jerry's leaving tomorrow, you know..."
"Yes, I know..." Murphy was annoyed. "Your point?" She flared her hand.
"I just thought after Jake left that meant…"
"What, that I'd just go crawling back to Jerry? I don't work that way..."
"I just though. I mean if you're not with Jake..."
"What is this Match Game? I'm sick and tired of this! Who says I need be with any one of them? Who says I need to be with anyone! You're going to have to face it, Rachel - Jerry and I are over. Not because I'm with anyone else, just because it is. Believe me, I've thought this out, but things with Jerry and I are just non-negotiable. I've accepted it. You'd think all of you could! Because, frankly, it's really none of your business!"
"If that's how you feel?"
"Yes, that's how I feel," Murphy was defiant. Rachel tilted her head and walked out leaving the door open. "Jeez!" Murphy said to herself as she walked over to the desk next to the couch and stacked some more newspapers. "I can't believe her! Who says I need to be with any one of them?" she mumbled. "I don't have to pick one or the other! Why can't I be on my own? Choose? Please. There's no one else to choose."
"Murphy?" Murphy looked up, as she heard a sweet voice, to find Peter standing in her doorway.
"Peter?" Her voice became feminine, as if she had found something. She hugged the newspapers to her body and looked at the beautiful man standing in her doorway. He wore jeans, a blue shirt, and denim jacket. The light of the city came through the large window and hit his face. He smiled and his eyes crinkled.
IN THE LOBBY
Outside Rachel and her date walked out of the elevator and into the lobby. At the same time Miles walked out of the adjoining elevator. It seemed to be a late night for everyone. Rachel caught sight of him out of the corner of her eye. She scurried herself and her date towards the door.
"Rachel!" Miles yelled and ran after her.
Rachel stopped and let out a sigh. She whispered to her date to get them a cab, she wouldn't be a moment. Miles watched the back of the man as he walked through the revolving doors to the street.
"Hello, Miles." She turned to face him.
"Who is that?" He gestured towards the door.
"It's my date, Miles. Now, how can I help you?" she said impatiently.
"Your date?" Miles took another look at the door.
"Yes, my date. Now, we have reservations so... if there is nothing of importance you need to speak with me about..."
"No, no. I do. I've been trying to get in touch with you all day."
"Oh, yeah. Sorry about that. I've been working on something all day. What's up?"
"I just wanted to congratulate you."
"On what, Miles?" She adjusted her purse strap.
Miles got giddy. "On the Boston job!"
"The Boston job?"
"I'm so proud of you. I knew you'd get back on the air in no time..."
"Miles, wait! How do you know about this? I haven't told anyone…"
"Well, you know..."
"It was you - wasn't it?"
"What!" Miles started to look guilty.
"You sent them my tape didn't you?"
"Well..."
"I couldn't figure out how they got my tape. I figured it was from the last time I did the rounds, but it was you..."
"Yes, I sent the tape."
"Why, Miles? Why did you do that!"
"Because, you weren't going to do it yourself."
"Who says that!"
"I could see you getting too comfortable here. I wanted to help."
"Well, I can take care of myself, thank you, Miles. I can't believe you went behind my back like that!" She started for the door.
Miles followed close behind. "Ok, you're right. I'm sorry. It was wrong. But let's just look at the good part. It all worked out. You now have this amazing job in Boston."
"I'm not taking that job, Miles."
"Why? Just because I sent them the tape and not you?"
"I don't want to move to Boston."
"It's a great market. It could lead to great things." He was so excited for her.
"I really don't think so," she grumbled.
"What? Three months ago you would have died to be the lead anchor in Boston. What happen?"
"Nothing. I just don't think it's the kind of job for me. Besides, I have a job. Why would I want to move to Boston off all places?"
"So, you're turning this job down?"
"It's the lowest ranking affiliate they have up there." She was making excuses.
"That shouldn't be the point. It's a job. It's the anchor"
"And I have a job!" She spoke directly to him.
"You told me that if an on camera job came along you'd take it!"
"If it was better than the job I have now. And I don't think so."
"This is better and you know it!"
"I have to go, Miles." She started for the door again.
"Rachel, don't do this to yourself."
"Do what, Miles?"
"You're a great reporter. Don't give this up because of these insecurities you've developed. Believe me, I know how they can eat you up inside." He caught her by the revolving door.
"Just because I don't want to move to Boston does not mean I'm insecure, Miles. Why don't you move to Boston? Maybe you can find yourself a nice co-ed up there. Make maple syrup by pocking a few trees. I'll take whatever damn job I want to take. Thank you." She pushed into the revolving door yelling one more comment. "And stop sending out my tapes, Miles! That's my job!"
Miles watched as Rachel's date opened up the car door for her and they got in. Miles still couldn't see the date's face. Miles, suddenly, seem to have an idea or had finally decided on something he had been thinking over. This sent him back to his office.
BACK IN MURPHY'S OFFICE
"Peter?" Murphy was dazed by the serendipity of it all. "What are you doing here?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing."
"I thought you'd be in half way to Honduras by now?"
"Yeah, well..." Peter looked down and up in his boyish way; he scratched the side of his head. "I couldn't get a flight out until the morning so I thought I'd hang out in my old office instead of sleeping in the terminal. But there seems to be a foosball table in it?" Peter had a confused look on his face.
"The wrath of Miller," Murphy said with disgust in her voice.
"I saw your light and... what are you doing here so late?"
"You know, just packing up, getting some work done."
"Oh, well." He paused as if wanting for something. "Then I won't bother you," he smiled awkwardly. Peter went for the door.
"No, no," Murphy said sweetly. "I'd actually like the company." Peter smiled and walked back into the room. Murphy beamed from ear to ear, as if she has figured something wonderful out. "It's not like I'm really doing anything. Yeah, just gettin' ready to finally get out of this sinkin' town..." Murphy tried to reach her highest shelve; only in flats she couldn't.
"Oh, I don't think this town is that bad..." Peter walked towards Murphy until he was right behind her. "Let me help you with that." Peter leaned his body against Murphy's side. He then reached up talking the last books off of her shelve.
Murphy turned around as Peter handed her the book. Murphy held it to her chest. They looked into each other's eyes.
"Thank you. For the book I mean." There was pause and then Murphy walked out from under Peter to the other side of her desk and the box. "So, you actually like this city?" She plopped the book in the box.
"I think it's alright," he said, staring at her.
"What exactly do you like about it?" Murphy turned her body towards Peter.
"I don't know it's...hard to explain. Why do you hate it so much?"
"Well, it's loud, and you can never get anywhere, the cab drivers are insane," Murphy brought her box into the counter, near the door, with the other boxes. "And did I mention it's loud!"
"I don't know. I think that's its charm." Peter smirked and leaned against the bookcase. Murphy noticed how cute he looked. She sat herself down on the edge of her desk and looked over the room.
Peter sat down beside her. "So, I heard Jake left town…"
"If you're going to say I told you so. Save it."
"No. Of course not. I'm just sorry." Murphy and Peter looked at each other.
"Sorry for me? Is that it? Well, I don't need your pity, Hunt."
"No. No. Murphy... I... I'm just sorry I was right."
"Oh." She was surprised by the comment and still at the same time not. She was remembering what she had loved about him. There was a pause.
"Why don't I go see if I can find us some drinks," Peter spoke up.
"Yeah." Murphy stood up. "Why don't you do that?" Peter left the room and Murphy took a breath.
ACROSS TOWN
Just a couple of blocks over Jerry looked out his office building onto Rockefeller Plaza. He smoked a brand new cigar from his brand new humidor, a gift from the highers up and mucky mucks, as a good-luck present, in anticipation of the Emmys. Jerry was planning on leaving the next morning. Take some time to himself, do a couple of talks shows, and even do a few his own shows for the week. Maybe even more than that. Hell, Merv Griffin had gone to LA for a couple of shows and ended up staying out there for good. Not that Jerry liked being compared to Merv Griffin. Of course, there was one problem, Jerry hated LA. But LA was far away from New York, and Washington and that's all he cared about.
Jerry ashed the cigar into the ashtray on his desk and then sat down behind it. The room was dark and as usual the only light in the office was Jerry's lone desk light. It was late, and Jerry really didn't have anything pressing to do, but he just didn't feel like going back to his empty hotel room. Jerry took another puff. He leaned back in his chair and looked at his phone, thinking for a moment. He then reached out his hand towards the receiver only to pull away. Jerry was of course thinking of calling her. He had heard about Jake leaving. His only thoughts were of his deep hatred for Jake, for one reason and one reason only, again he had hurt her. Jerry went for the phone and this time even dialed, but he slammed the phone back down and swung around in his chair.
"Jerry?" There was a women's voice at the door. Jerry spun around to found his daughter at the door.
"Rachel?" Jerry rose up and circled his desk. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, I was on a date and it ended early. I saw your light on. What the hell are you doing here so late? Don't you have a flight tomorrow?"
"Yeah, in the afternoon. And what is this about a date ending early? What'd he do to you? Because, if he did something to you..."
"No, No. His beeper went off."
"His beeper?" Jerry sat on the front of his desk, gesturing with his hands the cigar. "What are your dating a drug dealer?" He rolled the cigar between his four fingers.
"No! And what? What was that reference from the 1990's? Everyday people these days have beepers. He happens to be a Rabbi."
"And that's supposed to make me feel better! A Rabbi? What? Were you cruising at shul again? "
"Are you done yet?"
"Maybe," Jerry smirked.
"Because I am just not in the mood." Rachel sat on the edge of the desk and rested her head on Jerry's shoulder. Jerry was taken a bit a back. He stared at her and soon his awkwardness subsided. "I'm just not in the mood right now."
"Not in the mood for insults? Something must be wrong," he teased her.
"Yes," she said in baby girl voice.
"Oh..." He took a puff on his cigar.
Rachel lifted her head and looked at him. "I know you're a bit rusty at this father thing, but I think this is the part where you ask me what's wrong?"
"Oh, yeah, yeah..." Rachel set head back on his shoulder. "Ok, shoot." Jerry took another puff and blew it to the side.
"Things at work are just not going well, not well at all. I'm always swamped. Tawny just picked up and left the show. I mean, thank god, but I've had to interview replacements all week. I'm tired and hungry. And then this date got canceled. And then I go home… And..." She began to get teary. "Nellie Blye died," Rachel whimpered. There was a pause.
"Oh, Rachel. Excuse me, for saying, but...didn't Nellie Bly die about a hundred years ago. A little late to be wearing black, don't ya think? "Jerry took another puff.
"No!" Rachel lifted her head. "Nellie Blye was my dog." She hit Jerry's arm and he recoiled in defense. "My dog! My dog was hit by a car!"
"Alright, alright!"
Rachel stopped hitting Jerry. "The dog walker lost hold of her leach and she ran into oncoming traffic. You know, I really became attached to that dog." Jerry nodded, as he took another puff. Rachel put her head back on his shoulder. "It was just the perfect ending to my perfect week. It's just the straw that broke the camel's back. And I was just roaming the streets and I saw your light."
"So, is this bonding or something?"
"I think so." She sucked in some tears.
"Oh." He paused. "It's nice. I like it." He took another puff and blew it out. Jerry looked at Rachel and his face became more serious, as he really absorbed the moment. He cradled her head patting it with his free hand and then kissed her forehead. "Well, I'm glad you came here." There was a pause. Rachel rolled her eyes toward Jerry but then noticed he had a sweet look on his face.
"Did you hear Jake left?"
"Yeah, I heard." He took a puff. Rachel lifted her head.
"You should call her."
"No, no." Jerry walked around his desk and ashed out his cigar for good.
"Why?"
"Why? Well..."
"You don't have a reason!"
"I do. She won't talk to me. I've done everything I can. Now, just leave it alone. Maybe Murphy Brown and I just aren't meant to be together. Maybe we're both just meant to be with other people."
BACK AT BLACK ROCK: CBS HEADQUATERS
Peter walked into Murphy's office.
"All I could find was two cans of ginger ale in the downstairs vending machine."
Murphy put down what she was reading and took off her reading glasses. "Fine with me." Murphy took the can from Peter.
"If I'm interrupting something, Murphy. Really I can..."
"No, No. Peter. It's nothing. I was just looking over something Rachel gave me. It's really nothing..." Murphy had a perplexed look on her face. She looked back at the paper. "It's nothing." And she quickly changed her face to a smile. "No." She lifted her eyes and spread her lips. "What shall we do?"
"Do?" Peter opened his can.
"Yeah, Do. There must be something. Talk about the Middle East - make crank calls to Dan Quayle. You know, something productive." Murphy opened her can and pulled her finger up in pain. "Ahh," she yelled and began to swing in around.
"What happen?" Peter shot towards her.
"Ahh, I cut myself finger on the damn..." She swung her finger in the air.
"Let me see." He went for her hand. "Let me see." Murphy complained and handed Peter her finger. "It doesn't look so bad." He looked up at Murphy, their faces inches away from each other. Their mouths parted. "I'd get something to put on it."
"Yeah." Murphy looked up at him. "Good idea." She ran her teeth over her bottom lip. Suddenly, the phone rang.
"Can you get that? Murphy spoke up. "I think there's a first aid kit in the bullpen." Murphy exited the office, with long strides, followed by loud noises, as Murphy looked for the kit. Peter watched her leave with a perplexed look on his face. He wasn't sure if the singles he was getting were true. But having gone through all this before, with Murphy, his mind was leaning more towards the yes, then towards the no.
"Hello," Peter answered the phone. There was no answer. "Hello?" Peter answered again but the person hung up.
Murphy entered the office again. She slammed the box on the small table next to her door."Who was that?" Murphy asked gruffly.
"I don't know. They hung up. Wrong number." Murphy wrapped the band aide on her finger. "Murphy you can't just do that." Peter ran over to her
"Do what!" Murphy looked dumbfounded as she stared up at Peter.
"You have to put something on it..." Peter dug through the box. "Like Neosporin."
"When did you become my mother?"
"You didn't see where I got those cans from." Peter found the tube and went for Murphy's hand. She pulled away. "Don't be a baby. Give me your hand!"
"No," Murphy yelled. Peter grabbed her hand. Murphy wouldn't stand still as Peter put the gel on her cut.
"Oww." Murphy pulled her finger away.
"Oh, come on!"
"It happens to hurt!"
"Well, give me your hand back and I can help that."
"Why should I after what you did to me!"
"Did to you? They use this stuff on two-year-olds!"
"Oh, fine! Here!" Murphy shoved her hand in Peter's direction.
Peter motioned for her to sit down on a chair behind her. "I was going to do what my mother would do when I was a kid."
Murphy looked over to the side and rolled her eyes.
"What's that?" she said, mocking him in a low voice.
Peter knelt down and said nothing. He leaned forward and opened his mouth, blowing lighting on her wound. This caught Murphy's attention. Peter blew cool air on her wound again, seeming to heal her wound for the moment. They looked at each other for another moment.
"Did that work?"
"Yeah...oh yeah. Much better," she said breathlessly.
Peter put a new band-aide on Murphy's finger, as they both still looked at each other. "Murphy?" Peter seemed shocked out of his daze looking into Murphy's eyes. He laughed his usual nervous boyish laugh, as he stood up and walked towards the desk. He turned around. "Is what's going on, what I think is going on here?"
"I don't think I follow you, Peter?" Murphy stood.
"It's just. Well. Ever since I got here. I've felt. Something. Between you and me. I mean that's only natural. We had a relationship. But call me crazy." Peter shook his head and gestured out with his hands. "But in the last hour. I have had the distinct feeling that..."
"What is it, Peter! Spit it out for crying out loud." She approached Peter and Peter approached her.
"That you've been flirting with me."
"Oh." Murphy looked away. There was a pause.
"You're not denying it."
"I guess I'm not." She looked at him.
"So, I'm not crazy."
"You're not crazy."
"Well, then..." Peter smiled and placed his hands on Murphy's shoulders. Suddenly, the phone rang. Peter and Murphy laughed.
"Tell whoever it is I'm not here." Murphy smiled.
"I'll take it off the hock," he said with a smirk. Peter answered the phone and Murphy sat down on the couch.
"Hello?" Peter answered. There was no answer. "Hello?" There was no answer, but Peter could hear breathing on the other end. He hung up the phone.
Murphy looked at him inquisitively. "No answer?"
Suddenly the phone rang again.
Peter picked it up in a huff. "Hello? Hello?" No answer. Peter hung up the phone. He looked at Murphy. "Where were we?" He smiled and sat down next to Murphy on the couch. Suddenly, the phone rang again. "Who is that?" Peter picked up the phone. "Hello? I can hear you? Who is this?"
"I think I know." Murphy took large strides and grabbed the phone from Peter. "Jerry!" Her voice grated on the name like she had a blackboard in her throat and fingernails for vocal cords. "I know it's you, Jerry! I know that heavy breathing anywhere! No. No! Because, I said I didn't want to see you! No. Jerry. I told you to leave me alone! That's final!" Murphy slammed the phone down and leaned her head back.
Peter looked at her with a heavy face. "Whoa," Peter said half way under his breath.
"Yeah." Murphy lifted her head. There was a pause. "He just will not leave me alone!" Murphy seemed to return to herself.
"Murphy." Murphy turned and faced Peter. "What exactly is going on with you and Jerry?"
"Me and Jerry, nothing. We broke up. Or could you not tell."
"Yeah, I could see that. In fact, I also saw how upset it made you afterwards. What's...going on with you?"
"Nothing is going on with me. What are you driving at?"
"You're right, you're right." Peter shook his head. "Where were we?" He took her hands.
"Wait, what are you saying? That I'm not over Jerry? That's why I'm pushing him away?"
"I'm not saying… I just don't want to step on any toes."
"Step on any toes? Peter do you think I'm throwing myself at you! That I still have feelings for Jerry so I'm..."
"I'm not saying anything, Murphy." He cupped Murphy's shoulders with his hands and looked her in the eye. "I just know you've gone through a lot this week. Jerry and Jake..." Murphy huffed and leaned on the edge of the desk. "And you can't tell me that both of them didn't hurt you, Murphy. You can't tell me that." Peter lifted his hands up from Murphy's shoulders and she walked away from him.
"Sure it hurt. It hurt terrible. When Jake walked out - when I walked out on Jerry." She looked at Peter. "But, Jerry, and I just can't live together. Jeez!" She let out a breath of air. "I sound just like my father. That's what he told me when I asked him why he couldn't be with my mother. He said, "We couldn't live together." That they loved each other, but they couldn't live together."
"So you do still love him?"
"Love, Jerry? No, I'll care for Jerry. But I can't love him anymore. You saw me on the phone. We make each other miserable. Everything turns into an argument. Things had been going downhill for weeks now, years really. It always has. We both knew it. It's not a surprise. It's not an anvil from the sky. It was bound to happen. Besides, I think one of us didn't put the same energy into the relationship. I thought we did. But we didn't. And I guess that's what hurts the most." She sat down on the couch and looked out the window. "He didn't even remember what happened the day he told me he loved me for the first time." Murphy said under her breath.
"I'm sorry for that." Peter walked over to the couch. "And Jake?"
"Jake." Murphy laughed. "He doesn't love me. That's that."
"But do you love him?"
"Jake's different."
"How is he different?"
"You can't stop loving your first love. No matter how much I fight it. Jake will always have a hold over me." Peter sat down on the couch. Murphy leaned her head back. Peter leaned his arm towards her and stroked her hand with his fingers. Murphy took a breath at the weariness of her thoughts. Murphy turned her head towards Peter. "Jerry and I are over. I know that. Jerry's the one who needs to deal with the truth, not me." She paused. "So…" Murphy changed attitudes and turned towards Peter. "Where were we?" She set her arm on the back of the couch. Peter smiled at her and lightly caressed her wrist. Murphy smiled. "I am way over Jerry." Peter took her hand and kissed her wrist. "Definitely, over Jerry." she snorted. Peter took her wrist and placed her arm around his shoulder. Peter took hold delicately of her other wrist. Murphy followed each move with her eyes. Peter kissed her second wrist. He leaned in and Murphy leaned in, but just as their lips were about to meet Murphy pulled away. "I can't do this," she whispered. "I'm sorry I just can't..." Her eyes became damp and misty.
"I understand." Peter kissed Murphy on the forehead and she leaned into his shoulder. He stroked her hair.
There was a long pause as Peter consoled Murphy with no words, but with his presence.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the open door. Murphy lifted her head slightly. It was Miles. He stuck his head in from behind the door. He stepped back when he saw Peter and Murphy in their position.
"Oh? I'm I interrupting something?"
"No, Miles." Murphy sat up. "What is it?" She didn't sound like she wanted to be interrupted.
"Can we talk?" Miles swung the black videocassette case betwixt his fingers, slapping his thumb along it.
ACROSS TOWN
Jerry set down the phone. He stared at it and tried to keep his emotions at bay.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Rachel appeared at the door with a plastic bag filled with two small ice-cream containers.
"What?" He looked at her. "Nothing," he said brashly and turned around.
"OK?" Rachel looked at him strangely as she handed him a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. "You don't look ok."
"I'm fine. Now give me a spoon!"
Rachel handed Jerry a plastic spoon. Jerry ripped over his container and dug this spoon in. Rachel sat on the corner over the desk and set her container on the desk. Rachel's cell phone rang. Jerry turned towards her as she opened it and looked at. She had a text message.
"I have a message from, Murphy?" Rachel closed her phone and set it in her bag. "I have to go." She walked over to Jerry and kissed him on the check.
"Where are you going?"
"Murphy needs me at the office," She went for the door.
"This late?" He followed her to the door.
"I don't know. It says, "911 Office." If I don't go now she'll just keep calling me. I'll see you in the morning." Rachel stopped at the doorway. "Just give her a call, Jerry. I'm sure it won't hurt." And Rachel was gone.
"Little you know." Jerry spoke after she left. "Little you know."
BLACK ROCK: CBS HEADQUATERS
Rachel made her way through the dark bullpen and into Murphy's office. Murphy was sitting in her chair with her back to Rachel and the door. The TV was on as Rachel entered, but was quickly turned off.
"Hey, Murphy. What's going on?" Rachel was very excited she was called in. The reporter in her was eager for some action.
Murphy spun around in her chair. "Hello, Rachel," she said sternly.
"What's going on? Why the 911?" Rachel asked breathlessly.
Murphy stood up. "I've been watching something very interesting."
"What's that? Oh...please say its corruption? Ohh, I love the smell of corruption in the morning."
"No." Murphy picked up the black cassette tape Miles had brought her. "This?" She circled the desk and stood on front of it. She shook the tape as she walked.
"What's that?" Rachel was very puzzled.
"It's your audition tape." Murphy slapped it down on the desk.
"How the hell did you get that?"
"Miles brought it to me."
"I don't believe him. He'll try anything, won't he? I'm sorry you had to watch it."
"It's good, Rachel."
"You don't have to say that, Murphy." Rachel started towards the tape but stopped when Murphy spoke
"I'm not just saying that, Rachel. In fact, you should know that by now...I don't just say things. It was good, Rachel. In fact, it was real good."
"Miles put you up to this didn't he?"
"You have to take that job you know..."
"I knew it! I knew it! What is he's fascination with getting me out of here? But I can't believe he got you to go along with this."
"He didn't get me to do anything. When I watched that tape I saw a fine good reporter..."
"Is this why you called me down here..."
"No. I called you down here to tell you, you were right."
"I was right?" Rachel was confused.
Murphy took a stake of stapled papers and threw them at Rachel who caught them.
"My research?" Rachel was confused.
"After I saw your tape I decided to take a look at it." Murphy's voice was very serious. Rachel was still in awe, as she read the papers with Murphy's notes. "I should have given it chance, Rachel. I'm...I'm..." Rachel looked up at her. "You got me to admit I was wrong I wouldn't push it." She paused. "You have to take that job."
"What? No, I don't. Why? Because I was right about this story? I just happen to be good at my job."
"Which is reporting."
"Which is producing."
"Oh, come on? You hate producing. And you're always trying to get in on my stories. You're like Lucy Ricardo with big hair."
"I do not try to get in on your stories. You just have to deal with the fact that I'm your producer and not your little assistant errand girl..."
"Oh, I get it..."
"Get what?"
"I didn't get it, but now I do. I thought..."
"What are driving at Murphy?"
"You're scared…"
"What?"
"You're scared. You're hiding the same way your father does..."
"I am nothing like him. You're just confusing the issue here…"
"Something scared you. I don't know what? But it caused you to stop believing in yourself. You can't do that Rachel. I should know..."
"There you go again, Murphy. You always think you have the answers to everything, to everyone. Well you don't..."
"But I have the experience. "
"So, what! I'm not you. Why should what happen to you affect me? All my life I wanted to be you, Murphy. But I'm not. I'm not you. I'll never be you. And maybe I just wasn't cut out to do it."
"But you are, Rachel. I see the fire in your eyes. I saw the talent on that tape. If you don't go for this. If you don't stop doing what's safe, Rachel..."
"I'm not playing it safe. I have a job a care about I... I'm in the news..."
"And you don't miss this?" Murphy turned on the TV to show the local news. "You don't see this and hate every woman, everyman who gets to speak those words, hold that microphone. Every reporter who gets to ask the burning questions. To listen to a dirty congressman sweat in his naugahyde chair." By this time, Murphy had circled around Rachel until she was whispering in her ear and up against her face.
"It makes an erk, erk sound." Rachel was gleeful like a child on Christmas.
"A real reporter always misses it. And you're a real reporter, Rachel. I see that now. "
"Why is you're doing this, Murphy? Why do you care?"
"Because, I care about you. And I hate to see a good reporter throw it away when they have the stuff. You got it, kid. And you have to take that job."
"I'm not taking the job."
"You're scared..."
"I'm not scared, Murphy. I'm just not you. I'm not your stock. I mean even look at our names. It's easy for you be you - your name means sea warrior. What does my name mean? It means lamb. My name means lamb, Murphy. Little lamb! Now, what am I supposed to do with that!"
"If you're not scared, then why won't you take the damn job?"
"Because, I don't want it! Just because I turned down one job doesn't mean I'm scared of reporting. I took this job so I wouldn't have to take just any old job. I have the say so now. I can hold out for the best opportunity and I don't see this as a good opportunity. So I move on - end of story and you can send that message to Miles! You know, I don't feel like taking anymore. You make some notes tonight and I'll do the same. We'll talk about in the car tomorrow." Rachel started to walk out of the office.
"You're taking that job," Murphy said calmly.
"Ugg. Will you stop commanding me! Not everyone does whatever you tell them to do."
"Yes, they do."
"Well, I don't."
"Then you're fired," she said calmly.
"What?"
"You heard me. Get out of my office. You're fired."
"You can't fire me. Kay's my boss not you. Besides, you need me for that interview tomorrow and you know it."
"You're right I do." She paused. "You're fired tomorrow."
"You really do think you're god, don't you? You can't fire me, Murphy. Only Kay can do that."
"Then I'll have Kay fire you then. Either way, if you don't take that job you're out of here."
"Kay won't fire me."
"Not if her star reporter tells her do." Murphy smirked.
"When did you ever make Kay do something she didn't want to? Besides, you're not even going to be here after tomorrow. It's not even your show anymore."
"Who do you think the network is going to side with? A new fledgling producer or their top star."
"You're threatening me!"
"It's what I do best."
"Well, fine then. But I won't give you the satisfaction of firing me, Murphy. I quit! I quit this show. I'm finishing this story with you, but Kay's my friend and I won't leave her with...with you." Rachel ran out. "After the broadcast, I'm outta here."
"Fine! Quit! I don't care! I don't care if you ruin your life!
THE OLD APARTMENT
That night Murphy's head was spinning. It felt like a led weight at the bottom of a deep ocean. She felt too restless to do any more work at the office and after a few hours left for the streets. She took a cab and started to go towards her hotel room, but again just didn't want to go home and found herself at the door to Jerry's apartment. The one they had shared for her summer in New York, up until just less than two weeks before. With her insomnia, cleaning a few things out of Jerry's apartment sounded like a good idea. Especially, since she had heard from Rachel that Jerry was no longer living there; for the time being. Murphy felt save in the apartment, like an old abandon house where she knew no one would look for her. She could really be alone and pack up a few odds and ends she had left there. She made herself a nice hot cup of tea; it was beginning to get cold out.
As she entered the living room she turned on the radio and took a long look out the large windows facing the terrace. The room was dark and the light from the window was the only light hitting the room. She looked out as Carole King sang her own version of Natural Women on the radio. Murphy's thoughts went to her day and of the men in her life, Jake, Peter and Jerry.
She turned off the radio and entered the bedroom for one more look. She checked the closet, and the drawers, but she found nothing that was hers. It was hitting four a.m. and Murphy was finally getting tired. She laid her tired body on the bed for a rest and soon found herself asleep. It was more like a sprawl on the entire bed, but she was asleep nonetheless.
After what seemed to Murphy like a short amount of time, she was awoken by a sound.
"Murphy?" came the voice. "Murphy, wake up!" came the familiar and female voice. The voice, in fact, sounded very familiar and in Murphy's sleepy haze she spoke a name into the darkness.
"Mother?" Murphy opened her eyes and pushed the locks of hair form her face. Murphy, unsure if she had just woken from a dream, turned on the light next to the bed.
"AHHH!" Murphy screamed, as she saw the shadow of what appeared to be her mother.
"Surprise!" spoke Avery in her familiar growl and shine. She clasped her hands together in the joy of it all and smiled at her only daughter.
It was the same smile all right, but Avery Brown looked more like the mother Murphy knew from her youth and not the woman she last saw ten years ago.
"AHHHHHH!" Murphy screamed again. Murphy creeps backwards on the bed, as she rose to her knees.
"So? Are you surprised? Say you are. Because if you're not I will be very disappointed." She frowned
"AHHHHH!" Murphy screamed again.
"I'll take that for a yes." Avery walked around the room inspecting. Murphy began to breathe heavily. Avery picked up a finger bowl. "Please don't tell me this one's not yours..." Avery looked at her daughter disproving, from under her hat. Murphy wanted to scream again, but she couldn't. She stared at Avery in amazement, as Avery made her rounds around the room, seeing if it things were up to her state of par.
"Mother?" Murphy leaned forward and squinted her eyes.
"Yes. It is I," Avery cackled and clasped her hands together again. She glowed, but not literally.
"How?" Murphy was caught on her words. "I mean… You're dead! And I don't mean like Tony Orlando's career. I mean dead… Dead. Gone. Away. How can you be here?"
"You don't have to rub it in," Avery frowned. Murphy was still flabbergasted. "I said I'd come and visit you, didn't I?" She looked at her daughter in all her glory.
"That was ten years ago!"
"So, the paper work took longer than I thought." Avery turned around and looked at herself in the mirror.
Murphy shook her head in amazement of the situation. "What is going on?" she muttered to herself. "This can't be happening?" She said to her mother. "How can you be here, Mother? I mean you are here, right? I'm not dead am I?" Murphy collapsed on the bed. "Oh, my god, I'm dead," she huffed. "And who will end up with my shoes? Strangers!"
"You're not dead, darling." Avery walked over to the bed and sat down next to her daughter.
Murphy looked at her mother with the doe eyes of a child. Her hair a mess, her face in half sleep, her eyes tearing, as her mother gently put her hand on Murphy's face. Murphy touched her mother's hand to make sure it was all real and it was. They looked in to each other's eyes for a moment.
"But, Mother…" Avery took her hand away as Murphy looked her over. "You look so..."
"Young." Avery said with glee.
"Yes? Why? Why do you look like this?"
"What? I have to come back the way I went out. It is called heaven you know." Avery stood up "Don't I look fabulous…" Avery did a twirl in her lovely deep purple dress.
"Yes?" Murphy meant it, but she just couldn't believe the sight in front of her.
"I decided to go with 22, I was happy, I had just met your father, and I had the least amount of cellulite. She leaned back and looked at her backside like a pin up girl. "You want to see?" She turned started to lift her dress.
"No, really, Mother, that's all right." Murphy shook her head. "Wow." Murphy looked her mother over. "My dead mother has come to visit me." Murphy nodded her head. "And they told me if I didn't stop drinking I'd go crazy." Murphy fell backwards on to the bed.
"You know you always were such an overdramatic child. God
knows where you got it from."
Murphy spurted up and gave her mother a sarcastic look. "I wonder…" Murphy changed the subject with a sudden idea. "Mother?" she asked as if she was a small child.
"Yes, my daughter."
"Do you think...I could get a hug?"
"I thought you'd never ask," Avery's voice cracked and soon the two women where embracing. Murphy started to cry and then pulled away to wipe under her eyes. "Wow." She spoke with a breath. "It feels so real."
"What is that... tears?"
"I'm sorry." Murphy held in her emotion, as she lifted the last tear off her cheek. "I'm just so happy. I only wish Avery was here, so you two could meet.
"Don't worry. We've met," she smiled.
"Really?" Murphy started to tear again.
"I am always watching over you my lovely daughter. Always." She held her daughters hands and squeezed them. Murphy hugged her mother again and after a long squeeze Avery spoke.
"Do you feel better?"
"Yeah, I only wish we had done this more when you were alive." Murphy lifted her head. "What do you mean, do I feel better?"
"Well, that is why I'm here, aren't I?"
"But you said you came to visit me. I don't understand."
"I'm here because you needed me, Murphy." Murphy looked at her funny. "You can't lie to me, Murphy. Not only am I your mother, I'm dead so I have special access. I know people." Avery pointed up. Murphy broke away from her mother. "This is a time when a woman needs her mother."
Murphy turned to her mother. "I did. Yes." She held in her emotions, as always. "But I've thought it all out. And I've come to a decision."
"A decision? I see."
"Yes."
"And what is this decision?" she asked calmly.
"You just told me you knew everything mother!"
"I said I had access. There is a difference you know." She paused. Ok, I lied." She adjusted her posture.
"Well, of all my decisions this one I thought you'd get." She paused. "I finally understand, Mother. I understand it all. The fights. The divorce. Why you stayed together so long. You know, I couldn't understand it at the time. I mean, how you could say you loved each other, but couldn't live together. I guess I had to experience it to really understand."
"Then you love him then."
"Who?"
"Who?" Avery laughed. "Who else is there?"
"Oh, Jeez." Murphy held her forehead in her hands. "How did this happen? How did I let this happen? Why do I let this always happen?"
"How does love happen at all. It sneaks up on you like a nasty cold until the next thing you know it's the flu and you're hung over in bed with it." Murphy sat on the bed and set her eyes back on her mother. Avery sat next to her on the bed. "Of course being laid up in bed isn't so bad some times," she joked. Murphy as usual did not like her mother's sexual jokes. Avery paid no attention and raveled in her thought. Murphy rolled her eyes and her head. "What? I may be dead, but...I'm not dead."
"This is the one thing I'd never believe. My mother comes back from the dead to try and convince me to get back together with Jerry Gold. I definitely should have passed on whatever that was Freddy McCormick handed to me in 1968."
"Oh, I kind of like him."
"Whoa, what a mintue. Hold the phone. You like... Jerry?" Murphy was in shock. "In all the times I was growing up I've brought home lawyers, future prize winning economist, athletes. And you hated all of them! And you like Jerry!"
"What is that such a surprise? He reminds me of your father, I think. The fire in his eyes. He grows on you."
"Yeah, like a fungus," Murphy growled.
"Besides." She looked Murphy square in the face. "I like anyone who makes my daughter smile the way he does you."
"Well, that's all in the past."
"Is it?"
"It will be."
"I don't think you want it to."
"It doesn't matter if I want to, Mother. I have to. You should know more than anybody, Mother. Jerry and I just can't live together. We've tried it. Over and over again and the same thing happens. It just leads to the both of us in more and more pain. I can't go through that again. Not again. Just like you and Daddy." Murphy paused and laughed as she finally got something. "I guess they'll right. You do become your parents."
"If anything, Murphy, I did hope you'd learned something from your father and I."
"Yes. That just because you love someone doesn't mean you can be together."
"That's not the whole truth, Murphy..."
"Oh, come on, Mother. You loved daddy for years..."
"'Till the day I died. But that's me." Avery looked away as she said it.
"Yes..." Murphy started to tear up again. "Love doesn't always lead to happiness does it?"
"But you're not me, Murphy. And Jerry's not your father."
"I'm just doomed to repeat your actions. Can't you see that?"
"Murphy, do you love Jerry?"
"Yes!" In the moment Murphy regretted saying the words.
"Then be with him."
"It will just end the same. We'd just be going down the same path again." Murphy couldn't even look her mother in the face. "
"Murphy, you're right. Your father and I loved each other, and yes we couldn't live together, but you're also forgetting one thing. Your father also jumped anything with a female scent and huge breasts. He never got over that. When the cat got pregnant I swear he was giving it the eye."
"Jerry's not a saint himself." Murphy paused and huffed. "Having dinner with Arianna Huffington, Huh!" Murphy stood up. "I bet he was just waiting 'till I was gone to give her a call." She paused and remembered the fatal dinner party. "I should have figured it out when he couldn't remember simple things..." She turned to her mother. "You know, he couldn't even remember our first date or what he said to me when he told me he...when he told me..." Murphy suddenly spoke softly.
"There's more there if you look at it..."
"Mother? When I was ten you tried to run daddy over with the car because he forgot your birthday."
"That damn stick shift. I never for the hang of that..." Murphy gave her mother a cross look. "Murphy, I just wish you'd give yourself more time to think about this. It's all gone so quickly for you. I see how much you love each other."
"I'm not even certain of that, Mother. I mean what does it say about a man who's in a relationship with one woman and doesn't have the courage to sign his divorce papers from another woman?"
"I don't know."
"I don't know why I'm surprised. Jerry and I were always so alike. Why wouldn't we have the same reaction to our ex's. Here I am condemning him for the same crime ...I can't...if we both don't have the same commitment the..." Murphy paused and looked at her mother. "I'm already starting to hate him, Mother. I don't want this. I don't want it to be like that."
"Murphy..." Avery walked over to her daughter. "Yes, I never read you fairy tales. And intentional or not I taught you very young that not everything has a happy ending. In a small way, I'm sorry for that. Any parent doesn't want their children to repeat their mistakes as much as they want them to learn from them. I'm sorry it had to be that way. I suppose I'm to blame for that." Murphy shook her head as if to say no… "I never taught you to think you needed a man to carry you off into the sunset. I wanted you to make your own way in the world. And you have my daughter. You have done the things I only wished I could have. And I'm proud of you. I'm so proud of you." *
"Thank you, Mother." Murphy was about to cry again.
"But if this is what you want, Murphy." She paused. "You've made your own way. Now who says that means you still can't get what you want. I hope if there's anything you've learned from me. Is to live your life. Live your life, Murphy. Live! Before it's too late. Have fun with the life god gave you." She smiled at her daughter and the two looked as if they both were going to cry again.
"Well," Avery stood. "I think it's time for me to go."
"Go! So soon! But you just got here." Murphy ran after her mother, as Avery checked herself in the mirror and fixed her hat.
"I'm afraid it's time." Avery turned to face her daughter. "Now, you take care of my name sake. He's a smart kid." Avery smiled. "I think he gets that from me," she said in her own sarcastic way.
"I love you, Mother."
"And I you."
And Murphy woke up.
EARLY THAT MORNING
Jerry opened the door to his apartment. It was four in the morning and Jerry still hadn't returned to his hotel room at the Plaza. He finally decided to go home, but first he had to stop by the apartment and pick up some things. He closed the door behind him and made his way into the bedroom. Jerry entered the bedroom and stopped, as he noticed Murphy's figure on the bed. The room was dark, with the sharp light from the open closet shinned on the bed, revealing Murphy to Jerry. He took a breath as he looked at her on the bed, dead asleep. She was dead to the world and unknown to Jerry getting the best sleep she had had in weeks.
Jerry walked over to the closet, trying not to notice Murphy, but he couldn't. He took a suit out of the closet and hung it over his arm. He set his hand against the light switch and took a final look at Murphy. She moved in her sleep and made a sound. Jerry took his hand off the light switch and set his suit on the chair next to the closet wall. He walked over to the bed and watched her sleep. He then took the afghan off the edge of the bed and lifted it over Murphy. He paused for a moment, as if he wanted to do something, but didn't. Jerry then took his suit, shut off the light and went back to his hotel.