Mr Flender, please come in. Your car is ready.
Owen, what do you think?
Wow!
She's a beauty.
A beauty.
Black is definitely the way to go.
Definitely.
Yeah. I think this is the one, Bay.
I don't know, guys. I mean, maybe this is a little too flashy.
A station wagon, on the other hand, would be... Much more practical.
Bailey!
Plain or pepperoni?
Plain. Um, no, pepperoni.
No one put it in the fridge. I hate it when it's not cold.
Throw it in the freezer.
You can stuff pizza down the disposal, right?
Just getting home, Charlie?
I crashed at Doug's last night.
Has anyone seen the detergent? I gotta do a wash.
Seems like the only time we see you around here
is when you run out of underwear.
You didn't by any chance go shopping, did you?
I got diapers. I got wipes.
Unscented, right?
Yes.
So I guess I'm up for babysitting detail tonight.
Hey, what's with the Jeep in the driveway?
"I saw Sarah Good with the devil.
"I saw Goody Osborne with the devil.
I saw Bridget Bishop with the--"
School play. I'm gonna audition.
Pepperoni, please.
What's with the Jeep?
What are you talking about? That's the new car.
That's the car I co-signed a lease for?
I thought you were getting a station wagon.
A station wagon is transportation, but a Jeep--
-Says "Bailey's arrived." -Right.
It's my birthday present, courtesy of you.
Speaking of which...
The Cowboys and the Niners?
Take someone special.
Forget it.
Mrs. Kelleher!
Mrs. Kelleher?
Is something wrong, Mrs. Kelleher?
I'm going to be 65 years old tomorrow.
No kidding? Congratulations.
It's 52 steps up to the front door.
It's two flights up to the bedroom,
and when I take your brother to the park,
I have to push his stroller up a 45-degree incline.
Gee, Mrs. Kelleher, this is San Francisco.
I mean, I really don't know what I can do about the hills.
My knees just can't take any more of this.
Mrs. Kelleher, I've got this really important paper due today and I am incredibly late.
Could you please, please, just hold out until tonight?
Then I promise we'll work everything out.
Owen, what are you--
I just folded this stuff.
What are you doing just sitting there? Could you watch him?
Char, I've been watching him.
Could you watch him while I find someone else to watch him?
What do you need, like, 20 minutes?
No, like, tomorrow.
Don't you think we'll have hired someone by then?
Hey, man, news flash.
This isn't like ordering a pizza. This takes time.
I'll blow off practice if you can't stay past 3:00.
Look, the thing is, is I can't stay at all tomorrow.
Doug and I got a house-painting gig.
It's the first thing I've had since last week, and it's pretty good money.
You'd just better hope there's a Domino's nanny agency out there.
Great.
...been disconnected for nonpayment.
Contact your local...
Why didn't you pay the bill?
Why didn't I pay the bill?
Remember, if you show the process by which you arrive at your results,
even if the answer is wrong, I will be awarding partial credit.
It's funny how you see someone every day.
I mean, you're one stupid row away,
and you never really notice them.
I noticed you.
You did?
Yeah. I, uh...
...copied off you in health class...
Twice.
Great.
No, thanks, I quit.
All that research on secondary smoke, it just seemed wrong.
Not that it isn't a personal choice.
Do you want to go out sometime?
Uh-huh.
Whenever you want.
What if I said I wanted to show you
the middle of the Golden Gate bridge at 3:00 in the morning?
I'll be there.
-Really? -Mmm-hmm.
What about your folks?
Don't they...
Oh, right, I heard.
Car accident. About six months ago.
Yeah. I don't want to talk about it.
My dad split a couple years ago.
It's not the same thing.
Guess not.
Yeah.
So whenever I want, huh?
No one tells me what to do.
-Hey. -Hey.
I've got something for you.
This?
The William T. Foster classical competition?
Yeah. It's an application.
I think we should enter you.
It's in January, though, which means there's not much time.
We could add another day after school. What do you think?
Another day?
Yeah. We'd get the Vivaldi into shape.
I won the Melchior with Vivaldi.
What do you think?
Uh, they're doing The Crucible at school...
For Christmas.
I was gonna audition.
Oh, yeah? Since when do you want to be an actress, kiddo?
I don't.
It's just that everybody's trying out,
and maybe I could get a small part or something.
I thought it would be, well, you know, fun.
The thing is, Claud,
if you work really hard on this, I know...
I just know you're good enough to win.
Hey, you want to watch the corner?
What's eating you?
What, like you don't know?
All right, he's late. I mean, I know he's late.
Howard's like that.
Oh yeah? Great.
Maybe you should have said something
before we both forked over 12,000 bucks
and trusted him to arrange this thing.
Wanna toss me the tarp?
The bank's gotta be closed by now.
I wanted to have all the papers signed today.
The place should be ours today.
This is a business relationship, Charlie.
I mean, we gotta be flexible with these things, you know?
We'll sign the papers tomorrow.
You know what? I don't want to hear it, okay? He's your friend.
He said he'd be here three hours ago.
I thought you called him.
I did. He said he was coming down here.
That makes me nervous.
Well, Howard's like that.
Would you stop?
Is everything okay? Is there a problem, Charlie?
Everything's fine, Mrs. Elleson. We'll be back tomorrow morning to finish up.
Good. Bye.
I want to have the time to do really good work in that place,
something we can be proud of.
I don't want to lose time while this guy jerks us around.
Will you relax? He'll show up.
Well, your verticals are shot to hell.
I tried to snake 'em, but they're thin as toilet paper.
I'm surprised they haven't burst already.
I'm gonna have to do some major re-piping.
What's with him?
He's a little moody.
Look, is this gonna be expensive?
Conservative estimate? 600 bucks.
I'm gonna need half of that up front to pay for materials.
A check would be just dandy.
Wait a second.
What happened to check 917?
Plus we have a $35 balance.
Excuse me, um...
Is there any way that you could get started now
and then we could get you a check, like, tomorrow?
Sorry, gang. That's not the way I work.
Um, tell you what.
You give me a call when your folks get back into town, okay?
I'll just need 50, for the estimate.
Cash would be dandy.
All I'm saying is,
is there's no way we're going to make the next 15,000 bucks
last four months if all of us are writing checks.
And leasing Jeeps.
I like the Jeep.
My point is, is that I could have swung the jeep
and the phone bill and the plumber and everything
if I'd known what everyone else was spending.
-Hi, guys. -Hi.
That's not the problem, Bailey.
-Yes, it is. -No, it's not.
The problem is we've got 35 bucks left in our account.
Hey, if it isn't the Salinger clan, right on time Where does the week go?
Hey, Joe. Is Julia here?
Haven't seen her. Claudia, leave room for dessert. I got your dad's mud pie.
Great.
Face it, Bay.
It's a mistake to hand you guys the next four-month chunk all at once.
Not when you don't know how to make it last.
Oh, really, Mr. "Can You Spot Me 20 Till I Get A Job"?
Where is she?
Look, I'll go to the bank tomorrow and I'll get 2,500,
but that's gotta last you till the end of the month.
That's the way we're gonna do it from now on, one month at a time.
Wait a second. Since when is that your decision?
As the executor of the estate, Mr. Graham worked it so that I'm the legal guardian.
Yeah, on paper.
You're our legal guardian on paper, Charlie.
And only because someone had to be.
The fact of the matter is,
is you guys have spent practically every cent you've got.
It's true, Bailey. I'm not blaming you.
I mean, what do a bunch of kids know about managing money, huh?
Are we in trouble?
Bailey?
Look, Mr. Graham gives me the check three times a year,
so it's up to me to say how the money's doled out.
I'm, I'm sorry, guys. That's just the way it is.
Where were you?
Union Square. Shopping. What do you think?
Better not have paid for that with check 917.
I paid for it with my own money, thank you very much.
It's for tomorrow night.
I've got a date.
This guy in trig...
P.K.?
You missed dinner, you know.
That's okay I'll grab something.
You know what I mean, Julia.
You missed dinner.
So what? It's not the end of the world.
It's the one thing we agreed to do together.
Why?
So we can hang around Dad's restaurant twice a week
and eat with napkins instead of paper towels?
That's about being a family?
It's about checking in with each other,
making sure we all still have a pulse.
Yeah. Still beating. Satisfied?
No! No, no, no. I-- no, I totally agree.
The right qualifications are key but immediate availability is also a top priority.
Wha-- I'm sorry. What was that about an agency fee?
N-no. No. No. That seems very... reasonable.
Can I call you back? Okay. Thanks.
-An agency fee? -15% of a full year's salary.
Uh, what choice do we have, though?
I mean, the department of social services says
Owen's gotta have a qualified nanny, so whatever it costs...
How much?
Two seventy five.
That's all? I mean, look at this. It's worth way more than that.
Not to me.
The bow's got real mother of pearl.
And you can have the case.
Six hundred.
I'll go 350. That's it.
Okay.
There you go.
Here's your ticket.
You're not gonna put it in the window, are you?
Could you put it somewhere in the back...
Just so it doesn't sell right away?
Yeah.
Okay. Thanks.
The agency told me about your situation.
I'd love to help.
Uh, don't mind him. He's in a mood.
Hmm.
Look, when can you start?
I have a few questions, first.
I think it's essential that my child-rearing philosophy coincides with the family's.
I believe in allowing a child to progress at his own pace
with an emphasis on building self-esteem.
That would be great. Self-esteem would be great.
What about potty training?
Actually, my sister Claudia handles most of the poop around here,
so, you ought to ask her that question.
Have you read any Piaget?
Piaget...
Tell me how it starts. Maybe I'll remember.
I'm afraid this isn't the ideal situation for me.
Yes, it is. Sure it is.
We're an incredible family, and you get weekends and holidays off...
And I'll go to the library tonight,
and I will read the, um, Pia--
There's an odor... coming from your kitchen.
It's hot in here!
Yeah, I like this song, too!
Want something to drink?
What?
I'm sorry!
Like a beer or something!
Whatever!
Julia!
Charlie, hey!
What are you doing in here? You should--
A date!
I'm on a date! How about you?
How'd you get in here?
The guy I'm with knows the bouncer!
Which one is he?
Uh, dark hair, striped shirt, over by the bar!
This guy drive you?
What are you? My big brother?
We took a bus! Hey, Dougie!
Hey, Jules. Cool coat.
Julia, I really don't think you should be in--
I know, I know, but I love you anyway. Later.
Hey, we gotta talk, man.
You know those two guys?
Maybe I do. Why? You jealous?
The guy in the jean jacket's my brother, and the other guy...
We kind of went out for a while over the summer.
No kidding.
So, is that about you?
I don't know what happened!
Son of a bitch!
I don't know.
Uh... That's just my brother.
Look, you want to get out of here?
These your folks?
Yeah.
She's pretty, your mom.
You want to kiss me?
Sure.
Sure, I want to.
You got any music or anything?
Well, I didn't move my stereo in yet,
but there's a radio.
Don't worry about it. Doesn't matter.
What? What'd I do?
Nothing. You just--
What?
Surprised me, that's all.
Oh.
Julia!
She's kinda busy. I wouldn't interrupt.
Julia, would you get down here?
Julia!
What the hell are you screaming about?
Family conference. Now.
I'm sorry about this.
Golden Gate bridge... Three a.m.?
Not tonight. See you tomorrow?
Sure.
Okay.
This better be so good.
We, uh...
We got a problem we gotta talk about, and, uh...
It'll work out. I'll work it out.
For God's sakes, Charlie. You already screwed up my night.
Are you gonna tell us what's going on,
or are we just gonna stand here?
Me and Doug and a friend of his
were gonna buy this co-op and fix it up and sell it.
The whole thing was gonna take a month, tops,
and we would've doubled our money, no question...
Except for the guy...
...took the money and split.
How much money did you lose, Charlie?
Twelve...
...thousand.
Of your own money, right?
So much for your lectures on responsibility, huh?
Is this why you wanted control of the account?
So you could blow it all yourself?
Hey, I was trying to do something good here.
This investment was for all of us!
Well, save it, Charlie.
So, what are we gonna do for the next four months until we get another check?
How much do we have left?
Well, we got 2,500 yesterday.
That's it.
That's it?
We have to hire a nanny and fix the sink and pay the phone bill.
Plus we've got a mortgage payment due this Friday.
There's no way we're gonna meet that.
Okay. So tomorrow we go to Mr. Graham. We ask him for an advance.
No.
Why not? It's an emergency.
Because we gotta seem in charge.
We've gotta seem like we can handle everything ourselves,
like a normal family, or else they have an excuse to split us up.
Great, Charlie.
Thanks. Thanks a lot.
So I guess...
We give up whatever we have to give up.
We'll let everyone think you're this great guy
who's trying to hold his family together...
You're just like a father to us...
...even if we know it's a lie.
Claudia?
What's the matter, Claud?
I'm scared.
Don't be.
We'll work it out.
This wouldn't have happened if Mom and Dad were here.
Why aren't they here?
Come here.
We're gonna be okay.
I promise you, we're gonna be okay.
What? Another announcement?
What'd you do this time, lose the house in a poker game?
Look, I know I screwed up.
So, uh...
I'm gonna do what I should have been doing all along.
I'm gonna spend a lot more time here,
I'm gonna take more responsibility...
I'm gonna look after you guys.
At least someone's happy about it.
Oh, and, Julia, you gotta clear your stuff out of Mom and Dad's room,
and you'd better put my stuff back where you found it.
What?
If I'm gonna be spending all this time here, I'm not sleeping on the sofa.
What gives you the right?
I'm 24 years old. I'm the only adult here. End of story.
Either you move your stuff out or I throw it out.
Ow! That's my thumb!
Sorry.
No, Claud, Claud, don't let that go!
Don't yell at me. I'm trying.
I know. Okay. Just pull the string back.
Okay. I'm pulling. I'm pulling!
And I'll snap this. There we are.
Pretty neat, huh?
Yeah, not too shabby.
Now all I have to do is move my sleeping bag in,
and one side can be my bedroom,
and the other'll be my living area.
I might even invite you over for dinner one night.
Just a perfect love, yes, you are.
Absolutely. A love.
Is your dog ill?
Uh, moody.
Claudia, Charlie, this is Mrs. Pick.
Hi.
How's it going?
I see your family's going on a camping trip?
Uh, no. We kind of got a space problem,
my sister and me.
This is gonna be her room from now on.
We believe in creative solutions around here.
Right.
We don't use the dining room much anyway, so...
You know what?
I believe I neglected to leave my emergency parking brake on.
It's okay. I can see myself out.
Oh!
Okay.
She's history, right?
Ancient.
Hey, P.K.
-Hey. -Hi.
We're just heading out.
Oh, yeah? Where you going?
Berkeley.
Cool. Can I come?
Actually, we're gonna be camping out
for some Pyro tickets at the Greek, so...
Oh, sure.
Maybe we can get together tomorrow or something.
Uh, tomorrow...
You know, day after today?
We could see a movie, get something to eat.
I can't. I'm busy.
Well, you'll call me later, right?
Look, just so you understand,
we're not going out or anything.
What?
Well, I mean,
the other night was fun and everything, but...
Well, I don't want you hanging around all the time.
You know, like we're together or something.
I just thought that...
Look, I-- I've gotta go.
Yeah.
Okay.
Shh.
Listen, just to keep you up to date,
and don't take this the wrong way,
but I'm going crazy here.
So unless I come up with some kind of nanny soon,
I'm gonna have to sell you off to white slave traders.
Now, I know that's not how you pictured yourself growing up,
but, hey, welcome to the club.
Sleep well.
Okay, I'm supposed to come up with three ways
our lives have been made better by the continuing exploration of space.
Three ways.
How about satellites, you know, like...
TV satellites?
Okay.
You want to pitch in here, Charlie?
Huh? Uh...
I don't know, better planes?
That's only two.
Um...
Tang.
-Yeah! -I love Tang.
It's the best, man.
Where you been?
Out. With that guy, P.K.
That didn't take long. You've only been gone an hour.
What, did he break up with you?
Well, I think you're better off.
Definitely.
You're not surprised, are you?
Well, I just--
Forget it.
You're too good for that guy anyway.
What happened to our rule, no going out on school nights?
Go to hell, Charlie.
Lights-out time, Claudia, come on.
No way. I never go to bed this early. Bailey?
Starting tonight.
Forget it. You can't tell me what to do.
Oh, yes, I can. Read the guardianship agreement.
Would you shut up with that already, Charlie?
A piece of paper does not make you a parent.
Hey, you know what? I am really sick of hearing that from you, Bailey.
If you've got a problem with this agreement, fine! It doesn't have to be this way.
You guys just won't be able to stay together.
No one will be in charge, and they'll come in here and split you guys up.
I'm responsible for this family, and I'm gonna take that responsibility seriously.
Oh, give me a break, Charlie! You're the one who lost the money, not me!
You want to help us?
We don't need your rules, okay? Why don't you go get a job!
I am getting a job!
What?
I got carpentry stuff in the wings.
You know, you've always got something in the wings, Charlie.
I saw the jobs you circled in the paper--
Construction foreman, master carpenter...
You're not looking for a job. You're looking for a career. We need money now.
If you want to help us, go get a job.
It's late, Claud. You should get ready for bed.
Hey, Jule, can I come in for a second?
Are you okay?
Fine, never better.
What does it look like?
Well, what's going on with you?
Is this about that jerk, P.K.?
Is that supposed to make me feel better, calling him a jerk?
No. I didn't mean to...
I'm sorry.
Look, what do you want me to say?
I don't know.
Something.
I want you to say something to make me feel better.
This, this guy made a gun rack in shop class, Jule.
I mean, he's not for you.
That's really the best you can do, isn't it?
I really liked this guy, and he dumped me, Bailey.
And you don't know what to say,
because you don't know how that feels.
And you can't tell me that it's gonna be okay,
because you don't know that it is.
God, there's no one.
You know? There's no one to tell me what to do.
Please, Bailey...
Please just go away, okay?
What do you mean, you pawned it?
I had no choice.
The lessons are real expensive, and we're kind of strapped right now.
Owen has no one to take care of him.
I guess I had to choose between my violin
and a nanny for my baby brother.
I'm sorry, Ross.
I'm sorry.
Well, I tell you what we have to do.
I have to take you on as a scholarship student.
No charge until you get unstuck.
No. You--you can't afford to do that.
Of course I can. I don't want you stopping your lessons.
Not now. You're right on the verge of--
Please, don't make me do this.
Well, I would never do that.
If it's something you really don't want to do, then you should stop.
But, Claudia, listen to me.
You have something so rare.
You have it. Your mom had it.
That makes it even more special.
But it's a big drag sometimes.
I can't be in the play.
I can't do anything every other kid does.
You know what?
Instead of thinking about what you're missing,
try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing.
When you pick up a violin,
you can make something so beautiful whenever you want.
Do you know how lucky you are?
Not really.
Trust me. The luckiest.
Is this the Salinger residence?
I'm here to interview for the nanny position.
Kirsten Bennett.
I'm Bailey. He's Owen.
Uh, won't you come in?
He's adorable.
Uh-huh.
So, is there anything you'd like to ask me?
Did you have any trouble getting here?
Bravo!
Wonderful!
Bravo!
Who's that?
That's Kirsten.
Uh-huh. Kirsten what?
Okay. What are her qualifications?
She's a nanny.
What's her criminal record?
She doesn't have one... I don't think.
Bailey, what's your problem?
How can you turn Owen over to a total stranger?
I mean, I know you're desperate, but--
Hello!
You must be Claudia.
What?
Listen, Owen was a dream, and the Jeep runs great.
You sure you don't mind me driving it to school every night?
It's yours. That's the deal.
Well, somebody needs his diaper changed.
Now I remember.
She's in grad school. Child psychology.
Two years teaching preschool plus three nanny jobs with recommendations.
You gave her the Jeep?
Plus $75 less a week.
Two birds with one stone.
Plus I get driving privileges.
Pretty smart, huh?
Major poop.
You'd better keep that away from Bailey.
He never likes--
Let me help you with that.
- You don't mind? - Of course not.
I, uh...
I need to ask a favor, Joe.
How much we talking about?
A couple thou.
Actually, 3,000 would help a lot.
I wouldn't ask if we weren't in kind of a tight spot right now,
and I'll pay you back, Joe, I swear.
I'm waiting for a job to come through right now,
and as soon as it does...
Or you could have it in trade.
You've been talking about having this bar refinished.
I could do that for you.
Actually, I kind of like it the way it is.
It's got character.
Three thou, huh?
Okay. You got it.
Really?
God, thanks, man. That's great.
I really appreciate it.
And I'll just take a little chunk out of your paycheck every week.
Yeah. Once I get a paycheck, right?
You got one.
Quick, how do you make a Singapore Sling?
You want me to bartend here?
Come on, Joe. I said I'd find a way to pay you back, and I meant it.
What?
It's like deja vu.
You know how many times back when your dad owned this place
I saw you stand in that spot and say exactly that?
What, you're gonna call me a flake too?
He and I never had a fight where he didn't call me that.
Listen, Charlie,
if you need the money, it's yours,
but you're gonna have to work for it.
I'm willing to give you a job, but not a handout.
It's O.J., shot of gin,
splash of sweet and sour, and a cherry brandy float.
I had a thing for Gina Lewin last year.
I didn't really talk about it much, but...
I was nuts about her.
So I kept asking her out,
until finally she just told me to buzz off.
She wasn't really mean about it or anything, but still, you know...
I was in pretty bad shape.
What did you do?
Actually, I think I went to Dad.
Yeah. I did.
And he told me--
What?
I don't remember.
It was something-- It was something great,
something that made it hurt less.
I don't remember. I'm sorry.
Yeah. Well...
Hey, I'm trying.
You know, I don't have anybody to tell me what to do either.
I'm just feeling my way through, the same as you.
Do you ever think about them, Bailey?
Yeah. Of course I do.
Well, why don't we ever talk about them?
I mean, why don't we ever talk about it?
I don't know.
Maybe we feel like we have to...
...put on this brave face for Claud and Owen, but maybe that's stupid.
Maybe we should talk about them. Maybe it would help.
Sometimes I wonder if this feeling's ever gonna go away.
I don't know.
I hope so, but I don't know.
Julia, I figure there is so much that I don't know,
that all I can do...
...is grab onto the stuff that I'm sure of,
you know, like the five of us.
The five of us have to stay together as long as we can. It just feels right, doesn't it?
It's the same thing with this dinner thing.
It's just...I know we have to keep that going.
Why?
Because it matters.
It matters to me. It matters to the others.
And I know it would have mattered to Mom and Dad.
God, look at him. He looks more and more like your dad every day.
He's so cute. Let me show him off, please?
Okay. Bring him back, though, Janet. We're kind of attached to him.
Hey, you guys.
Hey, Charlie.
What's with the, uh...
Are you planning on ordering lobster?
It's a bib, Claudia, not an apron.
No, I'm, uh, I'm working here. Joe gave me a job tending bar.
No kidding?
No kidding.
Hey, Charlie, you slacking off already?
I'm taking ten, Joe.
How about showing your best customers to their booth?
Salinger, party of five.
Julia flake again?
It's a tough time. Give her a while.
She ought to be here.
If you guys ever need a babysitter...
So, what can I get you to drink?
-The usual. -The usual.
So, what about building houses, Charlie?
Just figure me for $550 a week with tips.
Twenty five from dog walking.
I should make 50 at the shoe store.
Joe spotted me a couple thou. I, uh...
I sent the mortgage payment off this afternoon.
How about that? We just might manage.
So, what's everyone having?
Shove over, Char.
Glad you made it.
Too bad Kirsten couldn't come tonight, huh, Bay?
Kirsten? Who's Kirsten?
-She's our new nanny. -Oh, yeah?
-Where's the sourdough? -He's got it.
So you finally hired someone?
Yeah. We have a new nanny.
I want the sourdough. You always get it.
Fine. It's yours.
Ew, gross. You took a bite out of it.
So, what's this Kirsten like?
She's--she's very professional.
Very highly qualified.
And a real looker, huh?