Savor the Rewrite: chapter 13 Mrs. Al
The following Monday, Tony began working at the YMCA after his classes. He was beyond excited to start working with the teens. It brought him back to his days in Brooklyn, giving him a renewed sense of appreciation for his current life. Angela was working hard on the Molly Moo account and signed on a new contract with a French company called Le Fizz. She made all of her staff try it, plus Jonathan when she got home that night. They all had the same reaction- disgust and revulsion.
By the end of the week, she wasn't any closer to a new campaign but thought she would try it with Tony to see if any ideas could be sparked. She brought him a glass and can of the drink and headed into the living room.
"Okay! I only have the weekend to come up with a campaign for this new product so I really need your help!" she said as she sat down next to him on the sofa.
"No problemo!" he said as he snapped his fingers. Angela poured him a glass of the soft drink.
"It's called Le Fizz. They love it in France! A thirst quencher for athletes so… as an athlete would you taste it and give me your honest reaction?" she asked as she handed him the glass. Tony took the glass and made a muscle pose, taking a gulp of the drink. Before he even had a chance to fully taste the drink, he spit it back out.
"That's funny… that's just what Jonathan said…" she said.
"You gave this to a child?" he shouted.
"Well yes… I'm trying to get a variety of opinions to help me find a slogan" she said.
"How about if swallowed, induce vomiting! Oh Angela please! I gotta tell you… you've got your work cut out for you with this stuff!" he said.
"Well Tony it may take some getting used to but it's really good for you! See it's chocked full of all kinds of things… magnesium, calcium, zinc, potassium and iron!" she said.
"No wonder it tastes like dirt! Please tell me you didn't try any of this! I don't want the baby to think all soft drinks taste like that!" he said.
"No I didn't… it gives a warning right here not to consume while pregnant. That's why I'm trying to get as many opinions as possible!" she said.
"Good! I'm gonna go hose out my mouth!" he said as he headed into the kitchen. He walked past Sam and Al sitting at the kitchen table as he put his head underneath the faucet to rinse out his mouth. Al and Sam filled in Tony about his apartment finding troubles.
"I wish there was something I could do to help…" said Tony.
"Ya know actually there is… I'm putting you down as a reference! When the guy calls, tell him you're my landlord! Ya know! Say I'm a great tenant, I'm responsible, honest and I'm a neurosurgeon!" said Al.
"Why not just put down Secretary of State?" said Tony sarcastically.
"I ain't nobody's secretary!" said Al as he sat back down and looked over his application.
"Al… why don't you just have him call your real landlord?" asked Tony.
"Hey that's a good one! That's like getting your real parents to sign your report card!" laughed Al. Samantha started laughing too until Tony gave her a look. Samantha tried to backtrack and explained why Al and his landlord didn't get along as well as why she thought stretching the truth was okay to get him to have a foot in the door to a nice apartment. Tony, on the other hand, did not agree and made his point clear.
"Don't you understand? You should never lie! Never! Period!" said Tony.
"Yeah well you see it as lying. I see it as helping a friend who is a victim of prejudice…" said Samantha.
"You know, I just wish people could look past the greased hair, the leather jacket and the rebellious demeanor to see the real me!" said Al.
"Give me the guy's name and address and I'll write you a letter of recommendation. It will say all the great things about you and the best part is it will all be true! Short, but true…" said Tony as he took the paper from Al and walked into the living room.
"Sam… let's face it… a letter ain't gonna work! They'd rather rent to some boring stay at home old married guy than a free wheeling single dude like me!" he said.
"Well it's not fair and we're not going to take it!" she said. Just then, Bonnie walked into the kitchen from the back door.
"Hi everyone!" said Bonnie.
"Bonnie! That's it! Al I'm gonna help you get that apartment!" said Samantha.
"Will you say you're my old landlord?" asked Al.
"Better… we will say Bonnie is your wife!" said Samantha as both Bonnie and Al looked at her like she was crazy.
"Then we're gonna need a bigger place…" said Al.
"His wife? What are you talking about? I just came over to see if you wanted to go to the mall…" said Bonnie.
"C'mon Bonnie! I'll fill you all in…" she said as she explained the whole situation to them. Mona walked in as they were developing their plan.
"It's just a ruse to get Al his apartment! Bonnie is going to play his wife so his landlord thinks he's mature and responsible!" said Samantha as Mona gave her a questioning look.
"Sounds good! Now who's going to play Al?" she asked sarcastically.
"Hey! How about Johnny Depp?" asked Al enthusiastically.
"No Al! You're gonna be yourself… it… it will work perfectly! And since the landlord already saw me, having Bonnie go will be perfect!" said Samantha as Tony walked back in the room with his reference.
"Hey Bonnie! Here you go Al! One glowing testament to your character! It's honest, straightforward, truthful and accurate! And that's the kinda padding that stretched it to a full two pages!" said Tony.
"Thanks a lot Tony!" said Al as Tony continued to lecture them all on the benefits of truthfulness versus deception. He finally headed out the door, as did Mona, leaving the three of them to plot their own plan to get Al the apartment.
The next day, Samantha, Al and Bonnie headed to the new apartment and met with the landlord. Bonnie and Al played up the married couple role very well; even Samantha was impressed at how well they got along and kept the ruse going.
"Well I do like that you are married…" said the landlord.
"Me too… I just hate it when I have to leave him…" said Bonnie as Al wrapped his arm around her.
"Don't worry… I'll water him while you're gone…" said the landlord as they wrapped up the interview. He left to go get the paperwork for the lease as the three of them celebrated the win.
Back at the house, Angela was still trying to get ideas for the new campaign and made Mona her guinea pig.
"Okay, okay! We'll get off the taste for a minute!" said Angela.
"Oh thank you!" said Mona as she gagged on the drink. They continued to free associate, trying to come up with something but nothing sounded good, other than Mona's inappropriate comments. Tony and Jonathan came through the back door after playing a game of basketball.
"You know what? You played great! Good game! I'm wiped out!" said Tony as he handed him the ball.
"Me too! I'm dying of thirst!" said Jonathan as he went to get a drink. Angela tried to hand him a Le Fizz.
"Come to life with Le Fizz!" she said enthusiastically.
"I'll just wring out my sweatshirt and drink that…" he said as he headed into the living room.
"Probably be easier to sell!" laughed Tony.
"This is impossible to sell… but I'm not giving up!" she said as she sat down at the table. Tony just shook his head as he turned around and headed to the counter. He saw that Al had left his recommendation letter.
"Look at this! It's that letter of recommendation that I wrote for Al. Ya know he's got that interview today. He must have left it behind. Ya know… what is he thinking?" asked Tony.
"Al? Well my guess would be… uh breathe in, breathe out…" said Mona.
"Mother!" said Angela.
"What? You've met him!" laughed Mona.
"Anyway… I don't think you should interfere Tony. Maybe he didn't want the recommendation after all. Maybe he wants to try and get it on his own instead…" said Angela.
"Yeah right… this is his only shot! I'm going to bring it down there now and hopefully it's not too late…" he said as he headed into the living room to head out.
"Alright Mother… let's get back to this campaign!" said Angela as Mona rolled her eyes, knowing she had a long rest of the afternoon ahead of them.
Tony arrived at the address Al had written on the piece of paper. The Greenwich Village neighborhood seemed like a good location for Al and he was eager to get him the recommendation so he could secure the apartment. He entered the place and headed up to the apartment. The door was already open so Tony went in. He realized he should have knocked when he saw Al hugging a brunette.
"Hey Al.. oh… you forgot this but I didn't know you had company there Al… sorry!" said Tony as he saw Al pull back from Bonnie.
"Bonnie? Wait a minute! What are you doing? What… what are you doing here?" asked Tony as Samantha was coming out of the bathroom and the landlord was coming back in with the paperwork.
"Okay! I got the lease all filled out! You and the missus are just a signature away from your own place!" he said as Bonnie and Al went to sign the paperwork.
"The missus?" asked Tony as he looked at Bonnie and then Samantha.
"Yes Dad… remember you were at their wedding last year! Sorry he's a little forgetful sometimes!" said Samantha as he gave Tony a look to shut up.
"I think I'd remember my daughter's best friend getting married! What's going on here Sam?" asked Tony.
"What is going on here?" asked the landlord.
"Everything is fine! Can you just give us all a minute please?" asked Samantha as she pulled them all over to the other side of the room.
"You got a minute!" said the landlord as he walked away.
"Okay! I want an explanation and I want it now!" said Tony. Samantha took a deep breath and explained the ploy to get Al the apartment. Al and Bonnie both backed her up. He couldn't believe the deceit from all of them, least of all Samantha and made his opinion clear.
"Well two wrongs don't make a right! Don't you know honesty is the best policy and that cheaters never prosper and oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!" he said.
"Wow Mr. Micelli! You're so wise! Like a Brooklyn Yoda!" said Bonnie as they all looked at her and shook their heads. Tony and Samantha continued to argue back and forth.
"Guys please! I got a landlord waiting!" said Al.
"Look Al I can't tell you or any of you what to do but I think you should come clean with this guy ya know what I mean! He will respect your honesty and you'll get the apartment!" said Tony.
"I don't think so…" said Samantha.
"Well I do!" said Tony as they got back into an argument until the landlord came back in. Al decided to take Tony's advice and told him the truth, that he and Bonnie weren't married. Tony backed him up and pointed out just how honest and trustworthy Al was coming clean. However, the landlord didn't see it that way and ripped up the contract.
"Well that's just great! Now I've got no where to go now that I'm outta my old place!" said Al.
"Why don't you stay with Tony and Angela? You can stay there until you find a place!" said Bonnie.
"I think that's a great idea Bonnie! And the best part is Dad gets to explain it to Angela!" said Samantha as she, Bonnie and Al headed out of the apartment. The realization hit Tony as a look of panic formed on his face.
They were able to pick up Al's belongings and packed them into the car. Tony was still in disbelief his plan didn't work and he was stuck with Al. He knew Angela would not be happy- this was confirmed once they all came through the front door with all of Al's belongings.
"So… Al is staying here… how nice…how long?" asked Angela with a forced smile.
"Not as long as it looks" said Tony as they watched Al bring in more of his stuff. Angela turned around and sat back on the sofa to work on her campaign. Tony tried to make Angela feel better but it didn't work.
"Al had no place to go!" said Tony.
"Technically I did have a place…" said Al.
"What happened?" asked Angela.
"Dad showed up! He ruined everything for Al by convincing him to tell the truth. If you had just kept your mouth shut and pretended Bonnie and Al were married, he'd be living in that apartment right now instead of here!" said Samantha.
"It's my fault? I wasn't the one running a scam on that guy!" shouted Tony.
"Oh please! You're making it out like I robbed a bank!" shouted Samantha.
"Ha!" said Tony.
"Look… I just did what I thought was right!" shouted Samantha.
"Oh you thought that was right?" shouted Tony as they continued to argue until Angela broke them up. She was able to calm them all down until Al sat on her layouts, causing Angela to get upset.
"Don't worry Angela! First thing tomorrow morning, Al and I are gonna go apartment hunting" said Samantha.
"I'll come too! Today was surprisingly fun…" said Bonnie as she looked over at Al.
"Whatever you all need to do… I have a lot of work Tony and it's late…" said Angela as she sat back down.
"I'm sorry Angela… look we'll get out of your hair, right Al?" asked Tony.
"Yeah right! Don't worry about me! You won't even know I'm here… do you mind if I take a bath?" asked Al.
"Tony…" started Angela until Sam cut her off.
"I'll take him upstairs to our bathroom and get him set up. He can stay on the sofa tonight. Bonnie, come by tomorrow morning at around nine and we will get started…" said Samantha as she pulled Al upstairs. Bonnie let herself out as Tony came to sit down on the sofa next to Angela.
"Tony I have so much work to do on this campaign! Promise me he's not going to be here any longer than he needs to…" said Angela.
"He won't Angela I promise! Don't stress over it… it's not good for you or the baby…" he said as he placed his hand on her stomach.
"I know Tony… it's just the agency is picking up again and I don't want to lose the momentum. Why don't we turn in early and relax upstairs… I will get up early tomorrow to work on the campaign before heading into work…" she said.
"Sounds like a plan! I'll make us some tea and I'll give you a back rub, really get you nice and relaxed for tomorrow…" he said as he started to rub her shoulders.
"Hmmmm… that sounds perfect…" she said as he helped her up. She headed upstairs while Tony made their tea and set up the sofa for Al. They ended up falling asleep early, which was a good thing because not even two hours after falling asleep, they were awoken by screaming coming from the living room.
"Tony! What was that?" asked Angela as she clung on to Tony.
"I don't know Angela! Stay here… I'm going to get my bat and go see…" he said as he got out of bed and grabbed his bat. Angela was not waiting there alone and followed him down the hall. Jonathan came out of his room and followed them down the stairs. Tony was the first downstairs followed by Angela and Jonathan as she turned on the lights to see a sleeping Al.
"What's going on?" asked Angela as they all looked around the room. Their eyes finally settled on Al asleep on the sofa.
"What's going on with Al?" asked Jonathan.
"I don't know… maybe the spring in the couch gave…" said Tony as he walked over to Al. Tony shook Al, startling him awake.
"What's the idea?" asked Al.
"You were screaming Al!" shouted Tony.
"Sure I was! You scared the heck outta me!" said Al. They were letting him know what was going on when Mona walked through the back door.
"Hey! I heard a man screaming and it didn't come from my place!" said Mona.
"Al was screaming in his sleep…" said Angela as she sat down on the side chair. They all tried to figure out what was going on. When it was decided that Al was just a screamer, Jonathan and Mona opted to go back to bed. Angela pulled Tony aside as Al fell back to sleep, pulling him into the kitchen.
"Look Angela I'm really sorry about bringing him here. I had no idea he was a screamer…" said Tony.
"I didn't need this… I need my sleep Tony because if I don't come up with a campaign by tomorrow I'm going to lose the account! Not to mention this little one is starting to put more pressure on my bladder! I'm already getting up at least once a night to use the bathroom! We went to bed early so I could get up early and work!" she said as she was on the verge of tears.
"I know Angela but what else could I do?" asked Tony as he tried to rub her back.
"Mind your own business! Everything would have been fine if you had just let them get away with their harmless little scam!" said Angela.
"I don't believe this! Am I the last honest man in America?" he asked.
"Yes Tony you are! You do this all the time Tony! You butt in where you don't belong! Did you even think of dropping him off at Mrs. Rossini's or Tiny's or… Bellevue? No you had to bring him here because you couldn't butt out!" said Angela.
"I don't believe this! Am I the last responsible man in America?" he asked again.
"Yes Tony you are and I am the last pregnant ad executive in America to go to bed tonight!" she shouted as she turned around and headed back into the living room.
"Now Angela please… please, please don't be mad! Look, look! You're upset now but once you get a good night's sleep you'll feel better. I'll take you upstairs and we will cuddle again in bed. I'll rub your back again until you fall asleep okay?" he said as he placed his hand on her stomach. She was just starting to relax again when Al screamed in his sleep. Angela gave Tony an angry stare as they headed back upstairs.
The screaming continued all night long. They all barely slept and woke up utterly exhausted. They all practically sleepwalked through their morning routines until they met in the kitchen for breakfast. All three of them were literally half asleep when Al came in all bubbly and cheerful, well rested to start the day. Each of them was frustrated but no one more than Angela as she still hadn't figured out a campaign slogan on top of being hormonal and sleep deprived. Tony tried to keep the peace until Al headed back upstairs to get changed.
"Tony… all night the screaming never stopped…" she said.
"I know… in the middle of the night the airport called to complain about the noise!" said Tony.
"I've gotta stop. I've gotta focus. I've got to forget about last night! I've got to go to work… but I'm so tired!" she said as she burst out crying.
"Oh sweetheart! You need to rest! Go back to sleep for a few more hours and then head into work. Have Mona push back your client meeting until the afternoon. Resting for both of you is more important…" he said as he came over to her and pulled her into his embrace. Just then, Samantha and Bonnie walked through the kitchen door.
"Hey everybody! Look who's here! Mrs. Al and her matchmaker!" said Tony sarcastically.
"Very funny… where's Al?" asked Samantha.
"He's upstairs getting dressed" said Angela as she wiped away her tears.
"Are you okay Angela?" asked Bonnie.
"Yes… we just didn't sleep well last night…" said Angela.
"Yes no thanks to Al… he screamed all night long!" said Jonathan as he struggled to stay awake and eat his cereal. Tony continued to rag on Samantha, making her upset and angry. The tension continued to build in the room.
"You know what… I think I'll wait for Al in the living room…" said Bonnie as she headed through the swinging door.
"Nice…" said Angela as she gave Tony a disapproving look.
"What? What did I do?" asked Tony.
"Nothing… just teasing them unmercifully for the last two days…" said Angela.
"I'm trying to get through to them any way I can!" he said.
"By picking on them?" she asked.
"Yeah Dad! I don't understand why you're riding us this hard…" said Samantha.
"I'm desperate! I told you how I feel about you doing something and you go out and do the opposite!" he said.
"I've got a mind of my own Dad…" she said.
"I know you're an adult… I just thought that my opinion would count for something with you no matter how old you got!" he said.
"It does Tony… for both of them and soon to be this little one but you have to remember they are going to make decisions you disagree with. You can't run in to try and save everyone and make them follow you… your way or the highway…" said Angela as Tony was finally starting to get it.
"Samantha… you don't understand… I'm feeling… I'm feeling like I've lost you and it scares me…" he said.
"No you still have a big effect on me… I've been miserable these past two days with all the taunting…" said Samantha.
"Sweetheart, I never meant to hurt you…" said Tony.
"Well Dad, you did…" she said.
"It's just that I have very strong feelings about what's right and what's wrong… especially where you are concerned! I didn't move you out here to Connecticut so could pull some two bit scam!" he said.
"Like you did when you were a kid?" she said matter of factly.
"Yes Samantha! I just thought you'd be better than me! I can't stand to see people doing what I used to do, especially you…" he said sadly.
"Well Dad I am better than you!" she said.
"I think what she means is that she's learned from your example Tony. She grew up listening to all the stories from your childhood, the things you wished you'd have done differently and she's made better choices because of you not in spite of…" said Angela.
"What she said! I did what I did Dad because of you! I was just trying to help a friend. I've heard all the stories of you helping out your friends in times of need. I grew up hearing those stories just like the ones of you getting into trouble…" she said.
"You heard the good stories too?" he asked.
"Of course Dad!" said Samantha.
"Well I guess I sorta understand what you were trying to do ya know… I don't necessarily approve but… I understand…" he said.
"Well that's all I wanted to hear…" she said.
"Aww! I'm so happy you two made up! Now if you don't get that screamer off our sofa and into his own apartment by tonight, all of you will find yourselves looking for a place to stay!" she said as she sat back down at the table.
Bonnie was trying to make herself busy as she was waiting for Al. She picked up Angela's layouts and read through the campaign. Finally, Al came downstairs ready to head out.
"Is Sam ready to go?" asked Al.
"I'm not sure… they are all still in the kitchen. It was getting really heated in there so I came in here…" she said.
"Oh man… I hope it's not too bad. To be honest, I'm about ready to just throw in the towel. No one is gonna rent to me… even with an attractive wife…" he said as he made eye contact with Bonnie.
"You know… our tenant recently moved out of our guest house. I'm sure I'm could convince my parents to let you rent there… assuming you'd want to relocate to Fairfield…" she said.
"Are you kidding? I love the country! It's so peaceful! You really think they'd go for it?" he asked excitedly.
"I think so! C'mon let's go and see!" she said as she got up to head for the door. Al grabbed his stuff but stopped short of heading out the door.
"Thanks Bonnie! You're the best!" he said as he learned down and gave her a kiss. They were both momentarily surprised but soon leaned back into one another and entered into a passionate kiss. Finally stopping for air, they both pulled back, the smiles growing bigger on their faces.
"Whoa! That was…" said Al as he was at a loss for words.
"Really, really nice… c'mon let's go!" she said as she dragged him out the door.