Courting Alex

Well, I'm late for work. You said he'd be here to fix the cable between 8 and 9.

9:00 p.m.?!

That's not a window-- that's house arrest.

Okay, by 10:00...

a.m. Thank you.

Happy birthday, Alex.

Thanks, Julian.

- But you know how I am about gifts... - It's a two dollar Starbucks muffin.

No fat, no frosting, no candles, no fun.

Just eat the damned muffin.

Fine, but I won't enjoy...

Ooh, zucchini.

Yes, the least festive of all breakfast snacks.

Perfect for the girl who hates her birthday.

I don't hate my birthday.

I just don't like being...

- ...the center of attention. - ...the center of attention.

Yes, I know.

But, please, you've got to let me make a bit of a fuss.

It's not like it's some great achievement.

Yay, I made the trip through the birth canal. Whoo-hoo!

I love celebrating your birthday.

Yeah, which is precisely why your "no gift" policy is so unfair.

Every year you get me a fantastic present.

What about last year?

Admit it-- you didn't like that teapot.

Nonsense. I'm British--

you get me a teapot.

It's quite clever, that.

All right, wise-ass, you want to give me a gift this year?

Yes. Anything, anything at all.

You can wait in my apartment for the cable guy.

Anything but that.

But, but, but, but...

that's what I want.

Well, how about one of those clubs that sends fresh fruit to your doorstep every month?

Perfect for the girl who has everything except monthly fruit.

Come on, he'll be here by 10:00.

And I'll throw in a teapot... hardly used.

Oh, all right, then.

Thank you. You're a lifesaver.

Oh, and I don't want you to miss him, so if you have to go to the bathroom

make sure you leave a note. In fact, you know what, just go now.

What? I can't just go on command.

- Come on, I'm late. - Alex, I don't have to.

English Channel.

North Sea.

River Thames.

Liverpool.

Right, like that's going to make me want to...

Transcript: RaceMan - Synchro: jh26

Morning, Molly.

- Ooh, new sweater. - Yes, it's for your birthday.

Since you don't let me get anything for you, I've decided

to start getting things for me.

That's very thoughtful.

Oh, you're worth it.

There's my girl. Happy birthday,

- sweetheart. - Thanks, Dad.

You know, it seems like just yesterday that Catherine told me she was pregnant.

- Wrong wife. - Hmm?

My mother is Susan.

Ah, whatever.

In the end they were all called "plaintiff."

Happy birthday, Alex.

I know you're not a big fan of being the center of attention, on your birthday,

but I wanted to at least acknowledge it.

You know, without making too big a deal of it.

I hope simply saying the words "happy birthday" isn't construed as making...

- Wrap it up, son. - Happy birthday, Alex.

Thank you, Stephen. That's very nice.

And a much shorter speech than last year.

Now don't let these humiliating little setbacks stop you.

I think you're making great progress with her.

Okay, so just keep doing what I'm doing?

No, no.

No.

Hey, Molly.

- Mr. Rose. - Hey, Scott.

What do you got there?

A present for Alex?

Uh, yep.

Want some advice? You'll thank me for it.

I don't like you.

Thank you.

I like my daughter. I respect her feelings.

Alex does not like to celebrate her birthdays.

So if I were you, I'd just pretend like this is just any ordinary day.

Right, right. You're saying that I should just totally ignore it then?

That's what I'm saying.

Sir, I have to believe you're messing with me.

You know what, you're right.

Make a big deal of it.

Go on in there and do a little dance.

You sing at all?

Okay, Don, I'll have it to you in two days. Yeah.

- Hi. - Hey.

- Happy birthday. - Thanks.

Here's your present-- the best, most romantic kiss you've ever had.

So the best kiss I've ever had-- that's coming later, right?

I'm just getting warmed up. I also...

got you this.

- Scott, I told you not to... - Trust me, it's nothing.

Wow,

it really is nothing.

I'm giving you a birthday adventure.

- An adventure? - Mm-hmm.

Come on, grab your coat.

- Oh, you mean like leave the office? - Yeah.

Oh, Scott, that is so sweet, but I can't. I have so much work to do.

- I have this closing tomorrow... - Relax. It won't take all day.

But still, I have...

I'll have you back in a couple hours, I promise.

Okay. So where are we going?

It's a secret. It's part of the adventure.

Molly, Scott's taking me out for my birthday, so...

He is?

Don't worry. I'll be back in a couple hours.

I don't get it.

Well, it's real simple, see. Her, me... going out...

on her birthday.

So if anything comes up with the Sinclair closing just call me on my cell.

No, no, no.

You haven't wanted to celebrate your birthday since you were a little kid.

Well, it looks like she wants to now. But, hey...

thanks for the advice, Bill.

I think it was the dance that got her.

Did you hear that?

He called me Bill!

I'm not going to let that jackass show me up.

Molly, we're going to throw a party.

Order a cake.

What do you want it to say?

Just "Happy Birthday, Alex."

And "Screw you, Scott."

Oh, I don't think all that's going to fit.

That's a good point. Just make it,

"Screw you, Scott."

Julian... the cable guy still hasn't come?

No.

But not to worry.

Knowing you'll be eventually able to watch reruns of Pimp My Ride,

makes it all worthwhile.

Come on, grab your jeans, Alex. We got to go.

And what jeans might I need for this particular adventure, hmm?

Dressy, casual, stretchy, formal?

The first ones you see. Now go.

- There's a difference... - Just go.

So you're taking that one on an outing?

- If she hurries. - Good luck, mate.

Her idea of a wild adventure is red wine near the couch.

Don't!

Back away from the couch. Put the glass down. Nobody gets hurt.

See, you are dating a control freak.

I am not a control freak. I am a control

enthusiast.

Come on, what are you doing with the bag? Just put your jeans on.

Well, someone won't tell me where we're going, so I packed options.

With shoes to match.

Okay, fine, take the bag. We've got a 1:00.

Ooh, 1:00.

1:00 matinee?

Boat ride? Hair salon?

Yes, hair salon. We're both getting our roots done.

- Come on, let's go. - Okay, hold on, hold on.

You really need all those phones?

Different providers have different dead zones. So it's really very sensible considering...

No phones. Come on, Julian, back me up here.

Sorry, chum, I'm not going to poke that bear.

It's your birthday. You can go without your phones for a couple hours.

I...I...

Can we just talk about this for two seconds,

because I'm pretty sure we can come to a good compromise-- the two of us... Whoa!

Okay, so this is how it's going to be.

Bye, Julian.

Don't worry. How far can he possibly carry you?

The airport?!

It's fun. Airport.

Airport.

I take it you keep repeating that because you're so excited.

- Wow, isn't this great? - We can go anywhere--

- California, Mexico... - Next.

Look, really thanks so much for the birthday kidnapping,

but I have a meeting tomorrow, and I really can't just go off to...

Boston. 1:00 please.

What?

Alex, there's this place in Boston-- the best clam chowder on the coast.

We're going to have lunch.

We'll be back in three hours.

I do love clam chowder.

"Chowdah." They call it "chowdah" up there.

Chowdar.

- Chowdah. - Chowdar.

I'll order.

Boston and back. I can do that.

Of course you can.

It's an adventure.

- Feels kind of good. - You see?

- Really good. - May I have your ID, ma'am?

Oh.