In the episode Nice Work if You can Get it, Michael and Elliot fail miserably at devising a campaign for Ellyn at City Hall. The phrase "yo it's your art center" was born. This scene is between Hope and Michael after Michael lost the account and was fired by Ellyn.
Hope is coming down the stairs and sees Michael in front of the television.
H: Honey?
M: Down here. Sleep good?
H: Yes, very good, too good. You all right?
M: Me? Great, I mean Great.
Hope kisses Michael and sits down opposite him.
H: Great?
M: Yeah, I mean I couldn't sleep, so I came down here to do some real thinking about, you know, my life and how I got here. Um, at first I was pretty low.
H: You didn't sleep well.
M: Then I turned the TV on and it was like the clouds parted and this shaft of light came down and everything was okay. I mean I don't want to sound to dramatic.. this program changed my life.
H: What Program?
Hope looks at the Television and sees the Home shopping channel with an advertisement for a doll.
H: Honey this is the home shopping network.
M: Can You believe I've never seen it before.
H: Honey this is a shock, you've suffered a setback, you haven't had enough sleep.
M: First I'm saying "people watch this?" I mean they're selling faux pearls or something, it's like really boring. Suddenly the guy counts down and the faux pearls are gone, they're off the screen you can't buy them anymore. Now I'm in advertising, I know this is a gimmick, they're saying I can't buy them once they're off the screen, but that's just to make me panic. I call them and they're going to say okay in your case we'll make an exception, you can have the pearls, its just a come on. So just to make a point I call them.
H: You ordered the faux pearls?
M: No, they wouldn't sell them to me, I begged and I said my wife needs these, you know she's dying, her last wish is for faux pearls, they still wouldn't sell them to me. I mean once they're off the screen, they're off the screen.. they're gone.
H: Honey you need sleep.
M: No, no, no! Listen to this, I'm arguing with the woman and finally I hang up and turn back to the screen and now they're selling a figurine of two ducks and before I can figure out if they're mallards or hornbills, and zip they're off the screen. I mean right before my eyes. This is my life!
M: You're talking about 2 ducks and some Korean jewelry.
H: Yes, life is divided into two-minute sections each one is precious and we'll never see it again and we miss an opportunity, and its gone. But if you spend the next two minutes regretting the last two minutes, you'll miss the next two mintues, so you can't get stuck in the past. You have to act and move on and that's how to live life. If you miss the faux pearls you order the ducks.
H: How much did you order?
M: Just a few things, they'll be coming in the mail. Honey, don't you see this makes things so much simpler. I feel this huge weight lifted off my chest. I know financially it could be hard
H: What are you talking about?
M: Quitting advertising. I'll talk to Elliot, he could buy me out, he'll understand. The point is if it's right, it's right.
He turns to exit.
M: I'll call you later. (he leaves)
H: Michael, Michael!!!???
Thanks,
MARY WELTY
