American Woman

- Your Rolex President in 18 karat gold.

A very handsome timepiece, Mrs. Nolan.

What's the occasion? - Mr. Nolan's birthday.

I'd like it engraved, please. - Very good.

I'll put the watch on Mr. Nolan's account.

No.

I mean...that won't work.

You see, it's a surprise for Mr. Nolan's birthday,

and he can't know anything about it.

I'll pay in cash when I pick it up.

- But the watch needs to be purchased

in order to engrave it,

which means it must go on Mr. Nolan's account.

And if that's not possible,

I'm afraid I can't help you.

Will there be anything else?

No.

I'm--I'm sorry to have troubled you.

I completely understand your position,

and I know you'll understand when I have my husband

close his account here and take his business,

which has included many substantial purchases,

elsewhere.

- Elsewhere? - Yes.

As in somewhere else.

- I can hold the watch for you until Thursday, Mrs. Nolan.

That's the best I can do.

- Thursday will be fine, Andre.

Am I missing something here?

The caterers want to put the food in a tent.

It's a birthday party,

not a scene from "Lawrence of Arabia."

- This party's gonna cost a fortune.

Every day at work, I keep thinking

you're gonna walk into the bank and ask for a loan.

- You know what I think would be fun?

- Please don't say a costume party.

A costume party,

and don't sit there and act

like you didn't have a good time at mine.

I love a costume party.

- I went as Wonder Woman. I just love Lynda Carter.

- She's dating Paul Michael Glaser.

- Really? - Mm-hmm.

- Greg works in casting at Paramount,

and he gets all the Hollywood gossip.

Kathleen tells me you stayed

to be an actress back in New York.

- True, but then talkies came in,

and I was out on my ass.

- I'm just curious as to why you didn't pursue your career.

- I got pregnant, and that was not

what proper, unmarried girls from nice New York families

did in those days, so-- - Mommy.

Ooh, baby.

Becca, darling, come over here

and give your mother a disinterested hug.

- - Hey.

- These are the stars in this family.

Girls, say hello to your aunt Kathleen's friend Greg.

- Hello. both: Hi.

- Have Julia to get you girls a snack.

Julietta!

- Romantic. - Oh, my God, Diana.

The pool boy keeps looking over here.

I think he sees something he likes.

Mm, yes. Shade.

- Would it be all right if I take a dip?

- Of course. Follow the path.

There's a door that leads to the guest bathroom.

Mmm. Have fun.

- This way? - Yes.

I don't know why you take those diet pills, Kathleen.

You look thin already.

Thank you, but...

all four of my sisters are married.

Even my sister Connie's married,

and she's missing a finger.

Well, now I've got a man,

and I'm doing everything I can not to lose him.

- Why are you worried about losing him?

Well, I'm not worried.

Greg is great.

He's so sweet and attentive.

But there's just no spark.

Sometimes I think I might not be his type.

Well, what is his type?

[Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Bad Moon Rising"]

Honey! I'm home.

Hello, handsome.

- You look fantastic. Is that a new dress?

Got it today.

Mmm.

I like the color.

How was your day?

Good.

The girls came by.

We had a nice afternoon by the pool.

Kathleen has a new boyfriend.

both: Mm-hmm.

- Of course she does. -

- I'm so tired I can barely keep my eyes open.

- If you're too tired, maybe we should cancel.

No, I can't.

Paul and his wife are new in town.

They don't know anyone.

Besides, they kind of remind me

of you and I when we first started out.

...major in physics or become a brain surgeon.

It is the working woman demanding

that she get the same pay

and promotion opportunities as a man...

What, are you watching this?

Not really. I just had it on.

- Wait, do you understand what she's talking about?

'Cause I sure don't. - Well, I think some women

want to work

and have a career.

That's what Diana's doing.

I don't think it's that crazy. - Yeah, I guess,

but it's no picnic out there in the real world.

And I feel like you women have it pretty good.

I mean, why complain?

I-I proposed to her at a drive-in.

During "Ben-Hur." And I had this whole plan.

I was gonna wait till the movie was over,

everyone's gone, get down on my knee,

pull out the ring, pop the question,

the whole romantic thing, okay?

I even had the bottle of champagne set aside

in case she said yes.

But I-I got a little nervous, didn't I?

Did I?

I asked her during the chariot race.

- When did you move to California?

- After our daughter Becca was born.

- California, yeah, it was different back then.

- So what are your thoughts on Jerry Brown, Steve?

- Jerry Brown? Oh, you know,

I'll take a "wait and see" on that.

He's dating Linda Ronstadt.

Do you listen to rock music, Bonnie?

- How old do you think I am, Margo?

Oh, I'm sorry.

I didn't mean it like that.

You just seem sophisticated,

and a lot of what they play is kind of out there.

- Linda Ronstadt has a great ass.

But not as good as yours, honey.

Isn't he the sweetest?

I'm gonna pop into the ladies' room for one moment.

Bonnie? - Just let me grab my walker.

How long have you two been married?

Two years.

And how far along are you?

Oh, my gosh, can you tell?

Lucky guess.

- We don't want anybody to know.

Paul wants me to get rid of it.

Why?

- He says it's not a good time.

And he's right, you know.

He's just starting out in his career

and he doesn't want a family right now.

- Well, what about what you want?

Well, I...

I would like to have a baby.

I've always wanted that.

To be a mom.

Anyway...

It's not about me. It's about Paul.

We have to support our husbands, right?

Isn't that what we do?

Yes, that's what we do.

You don't smell like you.

- Don't I? - No.

Are you wearing a different cologne?

- Oh, yeah, that's-- yeah, I forgot about that.

- You've worn Old Spice since I met you.

- Yeah, I thought I'd try something new.

- Steve... - Hey.

- I need more money for the party.

- Listen, I told you not to go overboard.

Didn't I say that? - I'm not.

I just want it to be special for you.

This party's my gift to you.

- Well, it's not a gift if I pay

for the entire goddamn thing.

Hey. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I know you've been working really hard on the party.

- If I had some of my own money,

I wouldn't have to ask you all the time.