The Elevator

Oh...

Ah.

Why aren't you ready for track?

I'm not going to tack, it's too hot.

Oh, you're going.

Oh, come on.

Let's go, buddy. Come on.

I got breakfast on the table. Let's go.

Oh, I really wish I didn't have to go to work today.

Please just stay home today. It's Saturday.

Why do you have to go to work?

Last minute client. Needs to be done today.

I hate getting up early for dance.

- What are you drawing there? - It's for Payton.

Why are your candles so crooked?

Because I don't like straight lines.

Okay.

That's a good answer.

Okay. What you drawin' over there?

It's for Payton's birthday party.

Oh, it's so cute.

But where is daddy?

Can we make pancakes?

No, baby, we don't have time.

You got to go to dance.

Good morning.

You look great.

- Dad. - Hm?

I think it's time for you to upgrade

from the Tyrannosaurus text.

Tyrannosaurus text?

Cute. No, I love my phone.

I have no time or interest in those gadgets

you kids play with.

I see how you guys are on your telephones,

walking into parked cars, playing Pokie-man.

Pokie-man? That's cute.

You can't play Pokie-man on a pager.

This is a telephone and I only have to charge

this telephone every few days.

You guys are constantly plugged in.

So why don't you go read a book or somethin'?

All right, well, what if you want to know

where every restaurant in Manhattan is, hm?

What if I want to know where you are all day, every day?

- Uh... - Anyway...

Can you make pancakes?

Pancakes. Coming right up.

- Ah! - Turkey pancakes.

All right, who's gonna eat this thing.

I will!

I love pancake lunches.

Dad, um, you'll be home by three, right?

- Please, daddy. - Okay, I'll be home by three.

- Now get outta here. - Promise?

- Yes, I promise. - Come on girls.

I said let's go, let's gi, let's go.

Let's go. Hut, hut, hut, hut.

Hut, hut, hut.

Michael!

- Yeah? - Let's go!

Would you pick up Payton's birthday cake after track?

I'd appreciate it.

The bakery's just way out of my way.

Well, I can't today.

After track, I have a math tutor.

Math tutor?

Why? You're not doing well in math?

Yeah. Told you that like a month ago.

Remember, you took my phone away?

Yeah.

Said being good at math is in our genes?

Oh, I remember that now.

I remember that now,

Why didn't he ask me for help?

'Cause you're always on that damn phone.

Well, I figured that because you're my father,

maybe would have just helped me

because I'm trying my best and it's-

I will help you next time, I promise.

I'll ask your mom if she has time to get the cake.

So anyway...

How's track going?

- It's fine. - Yeah?

I'm fast, but this one kid's got me beat

and I'm pretty sure it's just because

of his expensive running shoes.

Really?

Expensive running shoes?

- You know what I think? - What?

I think success is earned, it's never given-

- Okay. - And I would bet money

that kid's on track more than you are.

I'm not mad, you're just wrong, okay?

He's never even been at practice.

So you think if I buy you those shoes

that you'll be able to beat him?

Oh, 100%.

I'll tell you what, you score 100 on your next math quiz,

I will buy those shoes and I'll be at your next competition

where you're wearing those shoes.

I mean my next exam is Monday.

Better get started, pal.

Are you serious? Don't play with me, okay?

- I'm gonna need your help. - I'm serious.

Go to track.

All right.

I'll see you when you get home.

Good morning.

Good morning.

You're new, huh?

I am new. I'm James.

How you doing, James?

There you go, buddy.

- Hey, what's this? - That's my kid's lunch.

He left it, you can have it.

- Are you sure? - Positive.

I didn't grab breakfast this morning. Thank you.

Good for me.

I'll be back at 1:30 for the car.

- You got it. - Thanks, buddy.

Thanks again.

Hey, good morning.

Good morning, Yarge.

What are you doing here on Saturday?

Work, work, work. Got to do it.

If you need anything, let me know.

Just give me a call on the cell phone.

Thanks, buddy.

Hm.

- Good morning, Susan. - Morning, Roman.

Have you written up that agreement

for the Brooklyn ad campaign?

Not just yet.

I have a feeling they're going to give this to someone else.

Oh how funny.

Look, you get 'em on the phone,

tell 'em you need to right away,

whether they like it or not.

I've been working on it all night, barely slept.

And we came in on a Saturday so they could have it tomorrow.

Get them on the phone.

They're signing it.

How do you do that?

Sound reason and threats.

This is what I live for.

My specialty is to convince.

I just can't convince my family

how important this work is, especially Mike.

Thank you, dear.

That's how it is in everyone's life.

I really don't have time to do all this paperwork today,

not to mention, I don't want to get upset.

It's Payton's birthday.

I'm supposed to go get the cake and the pizza

and I have to get there early to take her her gift.

What are you guys doing?

Having a party at the house.

Her friends from school and dance class.

A little tutu brigade all day.

She was so excited this morning.

We're going to have a bunch of kids

run in the house all day.

Oh, good.

I'll be at my desk if you need anything.

Thank you, doll.

Lily?

Yes?

That was a really beautiful painting

that you did this morning.

But where was daddy?

Because daddy's always working.

Well, daddy's working so we can have this house

and birthday parties and presents.

Yeah, but daddy doesn't even know my favorite color.

Every time I draw him a picture, he doesn't even look at it.

Honey, he loves your pictures.

He has them hanging in his office.

I don't think so.

Does daddy know your favorite color, mommy?

Yeah, of course he does.

I think so.

It's teal blue.

That's a pretty color.

It is, yeah.

I like this color, or this color.

You know what I think?

I think we should all have some more bonding time.

You know, mommy used to be an artist.

Like me?

Like you, honey.

Where should we hang this?

Up there.

Okay.

- Go grab tape. - Okay.

- You're so funny. - I know.

It's so pretty. Look what we did.

I know.

One second.

But you think it needs a little glitter, mommy?