OPEN HOUSE "Gucci Sale" by Bev Conover ACT ONE (A) FADE IN: INT. JUAN VERDE OFFICE - DAY LAURA, SCOTTY AND MARGO ARE AT WORK AS LINDA ENTERS AND IN AN UPBEAT MOOD STOPS AT MARGO'S DESK. LINDA What a glorious day. Margo, has anyone ever told you what a good job you're doing? MARGO No. LINDA I'm sure they will. Any messages? MARGO Just one from Mrs. Blaisdale. She was pretty steamed about something. LINDA Just because her house has been on the market for three months and hasn't moved, she's turned ugly. They don't even have a lighted tennis court. What can she expect? Besides, I'm not going to let anyone ruin my day. LINDA CROSSES TO HER DESK LAURA You certainly seem to be in a good mood. Did you and Richard have a little rendezvous last night? LINDA Better than that. Do you know what today is? LAURA Oh, I'm so sorry. Did I forget your birthday? Here you can have my watch. LAURA STARTS TO TAKE OFF HER WATCH. LINDA No, Laura. Today is Friday and that means just a few more hours before the "Invitation Only Sale" at Gucci's tomorrow. LAURA Linda, you're salivating. LINDA DABS AT HER LIPS AS TED ENTERS. LINDA I'm sorry, I just get so excited when this happens every year. TED Did mating season start? LINDA Not even you can ruin today for me Ted. By the way, nice suit. TED LOOKS AT HIS SUIT. TED What's wrong with it? It's the tie isn't it? I knew it wasn't quite right. LINDA No really, the tie looks great. TED Then what's wrong with it? TED CHECKS HIS ZIPPER. LINDA Really Ted, you have to learn how to take a compliment. TED The only person I've ever heard you sincerely compliment was yourself. LINDA That's not true. I once told my hairdresser what a good job he did to make me look gorgeous. SFX - MARGO'S INTERCOM BUZZES MARGO (INTO PHONE) Yes sir, right away sir. (ANNOUNCES) Mr. Mc Swain wants everyone in his office N-O-W, as he put it. THERE IS A MAD DASH FOR MR. MC SWAINS' OFFICE. CUT TO: (B) INT. MC SWAINS' OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER LINDA, TED, LAURA, SCOTTY, MARGO AND VARIOUS OTHER STAFF ARE ASSEMBLED IN FRONT OF MR SWAINS' DESK. MC SWAIN O.K. Ears up everybody. It's time for a little talk. We seem to have a problem that isn't getting any better. Now, can anyone tell me what the two most feared words in a broker's vocabulary are? Phillips? LINDA Split commission? MC SWAIN Wrong. Ted? TED I'd have to say Multiple Listings. MC SWAIN Wrong again. Scotty? SCOTTY Long escrow. MC SWAIN Nope. How about you Laura? LAURA Buyer's market? MC SWAIN Sorry, but nice try. Margo, why don't you change our minds about you and come up with the right answer. MARGO Could you repeat the question? MC SWAIN What are the two most feared words in a broker's vocabulary? MARGO Ringing phones. MC SWAIN Well, you didn't disappoint us Margo. I'm afraid you're all wrong and that may be part of the problem. Whether you know it or not, we're suffering from sagging sales. THEY ALL GASP OUT LOUD. MC SWAIN (CONT'D) That's right, sagging sales. Now what is the cure for sagging sales? TED (TO LINDA) What is this, twenty questions? MC SWAIN I'll tell you what the cure is, Ted. The cure is referrals. We're just not getting referrals. And why aren't we getting referrals? Because we've lost sight of who it is we're working for. And who it that? ALL Ourselves! MC SWAIN Wrong. We are working for the clients. TED I knew that. MC SWAIN Clients - we have to pamper them, cater to them, be sensitive to their needs. TED I beg your pardon, sir, but I would have to say I spoil my clients rotten. MC SWAIN And just how do you do that, Ted? TED Well, I return their phone calls... And I shower them with gifts. LINDA Shower them with gifts? You hand out desk blotters with your picture on it. TED Look who's talking. You have your maid shop for party favors at Pic 'N' Save. MC SWAIN What I'm talking about is an attitude, a mind set. The customer is King. SCOTTY (DOING ELVIS IMPRESSION) I'm sorry sir, Elvis will always be King. MC SWAIN That's enough Scotty, this is serious. SCOTTY Yes sir, sorry. SFX - PHONE RINGS MC SWAIN Go ahead and answer that, Margo. Nothing is more important than the client. MARGO PICKS UP THE PHONE. MARGO (INTO PHONE) Juan Verde Real Estate. Whatever you want, we'll do. How can I help you? (A BEAT) Just one moment please. MARGO COVERS PHONE WITH HAND. MARGO (CONT'D) Linda it's for you. It's Mrs. Blaisdale and she's screaming incoherently. LINDA (TO HERSELF) Great timing. (TO MARGO) Tell her I'll call her right back. MC SWAIN (INTERRUPTING) No, Phillips, don't keep the client waiting. We'll wait. LINDA Certainly sir. How foolish of me. LINDA PICKS UP PHONE AS THEY ALL STARE AND LISTEN. LINDA (CONT'D) (INTO PHONE) Mrs. Blaisdale? Linda Phillips. (A BEAT) How could you say that? I have been trying to sell your house. (A BEAT) What do you mean you're thinking about a new broker? THE OFFICE STAFF CONVERGES ON HER HOLDING OUT THEIR BUSINESS CARDS. SHE WAVES THEM AWAY. LINDA (CONT'D) (INTO PHONE) Look, Mrs. Blaisdale, you're asking seven figures for a house whose main selling point is indoor plumbing. (A BEAT) Well yes, that is a slight exaggeration, but I have been trying. We just haven't found the right buyer yet. (A BEAT) An open house? You want me to hold an open house on the same day Gucci is having their "One-Day-A-Year Invitation Only Sale"? Are you crazy? The streets will be deserted. SHE REALIZES EVERYONE IS LISTENING INTENTLY. LINDA (CONT'D) Of course I'll do it. I'd be happy to do it, even though it is a tragic mistake. SHE HANGS UP THE PHONE AND PUTS HER HEAD DOWN ON THE DESK. MC SWAIN That's the attitude Phillips. Now I want to see more of that from all of you. TED (TO LINDA) Gee, what a shame you'll miss the Gucci sale. But I'll tell you all about it. DAVE, TED'S CLIENT, COMES RUSHING IN. DAVE Ted, Ted. I had a dream I found the perfect house. We're close now Ted, I can feel it. TED That's great Dave, but we're a little busy right now. I'll call you later, o.k.? MR. MC SWAIN CLEARS HIS THROAT. TED (CONT'D) Or earlier. How about if I take you to lunch, or dinner or the Bahamas? DAVE I just want to find a house Ted. I have to get to work now, but can we go looking tomorrow? I just know the time is right. TED Tomorrow? DAVE Yes, tomorrow. TED You mean the day of the Gucci sale? TED LOOKS TO SEE IF MC SWAIN IS LISTENING AND HE IS. TED (CONT'D) Sure Dave, tomorrow is just great. DAVE Thanks Ted. DAVE EXITS. LINDA (TO TED) What a shame, Ted. No Gucci, Gucci for you. MC SWAIN That's what I want to see more of... personal sacrifice. Good on you Ted. TED IS ALL SMILES MC SWAIN All right now, let's see more of that from the lot of you. That's all for now. EVERYONE FILES OUT. CUT TO: (C) INT. R.E. OFFICE - CONTINUOUS SHOT AS EVERYONE ENTERS, SCOTTY IS THE LAST OUT OF MC SWAIN'S OFFICE AND CLOSES THE DOOR BEHIND HIM. SCOTTY (AS MC SWAIN) That's what I want to see more of, Ted. Personal sacrifice. Good on you mate. LINDA But Mr. Mc Swain, you know we live and breathe for our clients. TED We even sleep with them when necessary. SCOTTY (AS MC SWAIN) Not good enough. The competition today is fierce. LAURA That's right, we have to be cut throat. SCOTTY (AS MC SWAIN, ROUSING PITCH) That's my little koala, ask not what your client can do for you but what you can do for your client. MR. MC SWAIN OPENS HIS OFFICE DOOR. MC SWAIN I'd work on that accent, if I were you mate. You sound like a ruddy New Zealander. SCOTTY (EMBARRASSED) Quite right, sir. MC SWAIN CLOSES HIS OFFICE DOOR. LINDA Just because of that ruddy Australian, I let a Beverly Hills House Frau make me miss the Gucci sale. TED I believe the operative word here is commission. LINDA Money isn't everything, Ted...Oh my God, did I say that? SHE TURNS TO LAURA. LINDA (CONT'D) Laura, dear. Could I get you to do me one small favor? LAURA I can't. My parents are coming into town and I promised to show them the sites. LINDA How about showing them just one site? LAURA Sorry. SCOTTY CROSSES IN FRONT OF LINDA'S DESK. LINDA Scotty, how would you like the opportunity to split a fat commission by sitting an open house for me tomorrow? SCOTTY Sure Linda. Wait a minute. You don't mean the Blaisdale place. They don't even have a lighted tennis court. Sorry, I just remembered a eulogy I promised to give. LINDA TURNS TO TED. TED Gee I'm awfully sorry, you know I would if I could, but I'm committed to "Dave the Homeless". LINDA You have the heart of a slug. TED That may be true, but I have a nice suit. LINDA If you're into K-Mart. MR. MC SWAIN ENTERS. LINDA Mr. Mc Swain, I don't suppose you would....no, never mind. MC SWAIN Is there a problem, Phillips? LINDA No sir, it's not really a problem. Could I have a one day Leave of Absence? MC SWAIN Are you pregnant? LINDA No. MC SWAIN Then you can't. HE EXITS. LINDA GETS UP AND CROSSES TO MARGO'S DESK. LINDA Margo, has anyone told you what a great job you're doing? I'm sure they haven't, but you are. MARGO What is it you want? LINDA I know this isn't your line of expertise, but how would you like to play Broker and earn a big fat commission at the same time? I'm going to give you the opportunity to break into Real Estate and sit an Open House. MARGO Commission? LINDA I'll split it with you. MARGO I'm more into instant gratification. LINDA Fifty dollars. MARGO A Hundred. LINDA You're on. And I'll throw in fifty dollars for wine and hors d'oeuvres. MARGO Oh, I couldn't possibly drink that much wine. LINDA Not for you, Margo, for the clients. MARGO Right, for the clients. What do I have to do? LINDA All you have to do is sit there. You're good at that. And hand out a flyer about the house and one of my business cards when people drop by. MARGO I can do that. How long do I have to stay? LINDA Well let's see...Gucci's opens their doors to the public at three and I want to make sure I'm out of there before the unwashed masses arrive. then it takes me about ten minutes to get to the Blaisdale place, so I would say about 3:09. MARGO O.K. LINDA Now here's the address and you can get the signs and flags from the storeroom. MARGO You didn't say anything about signs and flags. LINDA Margo, the people of Beverly Hills may be a lot of things, but they're not psychic. If you don't have signs and flags, no one will know you're there. MARGO Oh. LINDA Don't worry, I'll write it all down for you. FADE OUT: END OF ACT ONE ACT TWO (D) INT. MANSION - NEXT DAY CAMERA IS FOCUSED ON FRONT DOOR OF A LARGE HOME. WE HEAR KEYS JINGLING AT THE FRONT DOOR, THEN, MARGO (O.S.) Just like Linda to give me the wrong keys, after I busted my butt pounding those stupid signs into the ground. WE HEAR THE DOOR KNOB JIGGLE MARGO (O.S.) Hey, it's open. MARGO ENTERS, CARRYING THE BAG WITH WINE AND HORS D'OEUVRES, AND LOOKS AROUND. CAMERA PULLS BACK TO REVEAL AN OBVIOUSLY LIVED IN HOUSE. MARGO Wow. Linda said they'd moved but they sure left a lot of stuff behind. SHE PEEKS BEHIND A CLOSED DOOR. MARGO (CONT'D) Including a dog. WE HEAR DOG BARKING. MARGO GOES INTO THE LIVINGROOM WHICH HAS A COUCH, TABLES, T.V., POOL TABLE AND SLIDING GLASS DOORS THAT LOOK OUT ONTO THE PATIO AND POOL. MARGO (CONT'D) Might as well make myself at home. SHE UNPACKS THE WINE AND HORS D'OEUVRES, TURNS ON THE T.V. AND SETTLES DOWN ON THE COUCH WITH A BOTTLE OF WINE. SHE STARES INTENTLY AT THE TELEVISION. SFX - DOORBELL RINGS MARGO (CONT'D) Wouldn't you know it. SHE GETS UP, CROSSES TO THE FRONT DOOR AND OPENS IT. THERE IS A YOUNG COUPLE WITH TWO CHILDREN. MAN #1 Hello, we'd like to see the house. MARGO Sure, come on in. THEY ENTER AS SHE STARTS TO GO BACK TO THE TELEVISION. WOMAN #1 Excuse me. Could you tell us a little about the house? MARGO (TO HERSELF) This is a lot harder than I thought it would be. (TO WOMAN) There's a lot of different rooms that are different sizes. MAN #1 I see. How many bedrooms and baths? MARGO Probably a lot. It's a big house. WOMAN #1 Do you mind if we just look around? MARGO Not at all. Go right ahead. By the way, it comes with a dog. MARGO GOES BACK TO THE COUCH AND THE FAMILY EXITS TO ANOTHER ROOM. SHE JUST SETTLES IN TO WATCHING TELEVISION WHEN, SFX - DOORBELL RINGS MARGO (CONT'D) (TO HERSELF) This is worse than being at work. I should have held out for more money. SHE CROSSES TO FRONT DOOR AND OPENS IT. THERE IS A GORGEOUS MAN IN HIS FORTIES STANDING AT THE DOOR. MAN #2 I'd like to see the house. MARGO Are you married? MAN #2 Why no, I'm not. MARGO Then you can come in. I'd be happy to show it to you. We could live here quite comfortably, don't you think? THE MAN WALKS PAST HER AND EXITS TO ANOTHER ROOM. MARGO (CALLING AFTER HIM) I have some wine! SHE STARTS TO GO BACK TO LIVINGROOM WHEN THE FIRST FAMILY ENTERS. MAN #1 Did you know there is an old woman in a wheelchair upstairs asleep? MARGO (LOOKS AT WATCH) It is pretty late to still be sleeping. THE WOMAN GOES OVER TO A COFFEE TABLE. WOMAN #1 How much do they want for this lamp? MARGO Fifty cents? WOMAN #1 Fifty cents? MARGO O.K. a quarter. THE WOMAN DIGS A QUARTER OUT OF HER PURSE, GIVES IT TO MARGO AND TAKES THE LAMP. THE BOY SPOTS A PINBALL MACHINE. BOY Mom, there's a pinball machine. Can we play? WOMAN #1 You'll have to ask the lady. MARGO DOESN'T REACT, THEN, MARGO Oh, you mean me. Sure, you can play with it. (TO PARENTS) There's some hors d'oeurves and wine over there. The kids can check out the fridge for sodas. SFX - DOORBELL RINGS MARGO CROSSES TO FRONT DOOR AND OPENS IT, REVEALING ANOTHER COUPLE. WOMAN #2 What a lovely home. May we come in? MARGO Why not. WOMAN #2 How much are they asking? MARGO What do you think it's worth? WOMAN #2 Well I don't know. We'll have to look around. MARGO Suit yourself, but just keep in mind it comes with a pool, all this furniture, an old woman and a dog. TWO MORE COUPLES ENTER FRONT DOOR. MARGO (CONT'D) Come right in. I have to tell you, if you're going to make an offer, you'd better hurry. This place is hot. DISSOLVE TO: (E) INT. MANSION - A SHORT TIME LATER A FULL BLOWN PARTY IS IN PROGRESS. WE SEE PEOPLE MILLING ABOUT, WATCHING T.V., PLAYING POOL, PINBALL, THE BARBEQUE IS GOING ON THE PATIO. WE HEAR THE SOUND OF PEOPLE SPLASHING IN THE POOL. MARGO IS PLAYING PINBALL WITH THE KIDS WHEN THE PHONE RINGS. SHE CROSSES TO ANSWER IT. MARGO (INTO PHONE) Hello. (A BEAT) Phyllis? Just a minute. (YELLS OUT) Is there a Phyllis here? NO ONE RESPONDS MARGO (CONT'D) (INTO PHONE) No one here by that name. (A BEAT) She lives here? Sorry they moved. (A BEAT) When? How should I know? (A BEAT) No I don't have their new number. Who is this anyway? (A BEAT) Her mother? Well if you hear from her tell her she forgot to take the dog. (A BEAT) O.K., bye. MARGO HANGS UP THE PHONE AND STARTS TO CROSS BACK TO THE PINBALL MACHINE WHEN A MAN STOPS HER. MAN #3 Say, we're just about out of hamburgers. MARGO I think there's some steaks in the fridge. MAN #3 Gee, great. A WOMAN COMES UP TO HER. WOMAN #3 Do you know where the extra swim suits are? We forgot to bring ours. MARGO Check upstairs. WOMAN #3 And the towels? MARGO Upstairs. THE WOMAN EXITS. MARGO (CONT'D) What do I look like, the maid? No wonder Linda hates to hold Open Houses. DISSOLVE TO: (G) INT. MANSION - LATER MARGO IS LYING ON THE COUCH DRINKING OUT OF A WINE BOTTLE WHILE NUMEROUS PEOPLE MILL ABOUT. SFX - DOORBELL RINGS MARGO (TO HERSELF) This is the last time - I don't care about the hundred dollars. SHE CROSSES TO THE FRONT DOOR AND OPENS IT. LINDA IS STANDING THERE. LINDA Margo, what are you doing here? MARGO What am I doing here? I've slugged my guts out for the past three hours and have only sold a bedroom set, a lamp and a dog. I did have one offer on the house, but they wouldn't take the old lady and I just didn't think that was right. LINDA BRUSHES PAST HER. LINDA What in God's name are you talking about and who are all these people? MARGO I guess these are your typical Lookie-Lus. They sure scarfed up the hors d'oeuvres in a hurry. We're well into the deep freeze I found in the garage. LINDA Margo, I think we have a serious problem here. MARGO Oh there's no problem. I just ordered out for pizza and there should be plenty. But it's not coming out of my hundred dollars. LINDA GRABS HER BY THE ARM. LINDA You don't understand, this is the wrong house. MARGO Oh Linda, you're just like all the rest. Once you see how big it is, you'll fall in love with it. It's great for entertaining and that old woman? I must tell you, that was a stroke of genius. LINDA No, listen to me. We have to get these people out of here. MARGO But they're having fun. LINDA Margo, this is not fun. This is breaking and entering. MARGO No one's broken anything, except maybe a few odds and ends. But what do you expect with a crowd this size? LINDA CROSSES TO THE LIVING ROOM AND STANDS ATOP THE COFFEE TABLE. LINDA (BOOMING VOICE) Listen everybody, I have an announcement to make. THE PLACE QUIETS DOWN. LINDA (CONT'D) This house has been taken off the market and you're all going to have to leave. Thank you very much for coming. THEY ALL STARE AT HER FOR A MOMENT, THEN RESUME WHAT THEY WERE DOING. LINDA (CONT'D) Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. (SCREAMS) Get out!! THIS DOESN'T PHASE THEM. LINDA CLIMBS DOWN FROM THE COFFEE TABLE. MARGO You know, Linda, you have a bad attitude. I think you'd sell a lot more houses if you were a little more gracious. LINDA GRABS MARGO BY THE SHOULDERS. LINDA Listen to me Margo. This is not the house that is for sale. That house is next door. This house belongs to someone totally unknown to me who is liable to arrive home at any minute. MARGO But there's signs and flags out front. LINDA Margo, you put them there. MARGO Right. Is that why the keys didn't fit? LINDA You catch on fast. MARGO Then I think you should get these people out of here. LINDA Just how do you propose I do that? MARGO Call the police. LINDA Brilliant. And who do you think these people will say invited them in there? Not me, Margo. They don't know me from Fred Sands. MARGO Me? LINDA Bingo. MARGO Gosh, this is serious. I hate when this happens. THEY SPREAD OUT AND ATTEMPT TO GET THE PEOPLE TO LEAVE. MARGO WALKS UP TO A COUPLE AND JUST AS THE MAN IS ABOUT TO TAKE A BITE OUT OF A HAMBURGER, SHE TAKES IT OUT OF HIS HAND. MARGO You've had enough. Get out. HE GRABS THE BURGER BACK. MAN #3 Give me that. RESET TO: LINDA WALKS UP TO SEVERAL GUYS PLAYING POOL. SHE PLUCKS THE CUES OUT OF THEIR HANDS AND STARTS TO GATHER UP THE BALLS. LINDA Sorry fellas. Game's over. TWO BIG GUYS LOOK AT EACH OTHER AND CROSS TO LINDA. EACH TAKES AN ARM AND CARRY HER OUT, KICKING AND SCREAMING. LINDA (CONT'D) Don't you know it's a felony to assault a broker? You two are in big trouble. CUT TO: (H) INT. LIVINGROOM - LATER THAT DAY. LINDA AND MARGO ARE TIED UP AND GAGGED WHILE THE PARTY CONTINUES AROUND THEM. HARRY AND PHYLLIS, THE OWNERS, ENTER FRONT DOOR AS MAN #3 EXITS. MAN #3 Better hurry, not much food left. HARRY (TO PHYLLIS) What the hell is going on here? Phyllis, call the police. AT THE WORD "POLICE" ALL ACTION STOPS. MAN #4 Police? I'm outta here. THERE'S A STAMPEDE FOR THE FRONT DOOR AS EVERYONE EXITS, LEAVING LINDA AND MARGO TIED UP. HARRY AND PHYLLIS CROSS TO THEM AND TAKE THEIR GAGS OFF. HARRY Can you tell me what this is all about? LINDA Now calm down or you'll rupture something. I can explain everything. HARRY I'm waiting. LINDA Well you see, we have a catering service and we were hired by your children to throw a party for your anniversary - but now you've gone and ruined it. PHYLLIS But those weren't our friends. LINDA Your kids said you didn't have any friends, so we hired some. HARRY We don't have any kids. LINDA Oh. PHYLLIS What's that open house sign doing in our front yard? LINDA O.K. I might as well tell you the truth. I'm Linda Phillips and I work at Juan Verde Real Estate. Margo here was supposed to be holding an open house next door at the Blaisdale's, but she went to the wrong house. It was just a simple mistake. PHYLLIS Simple mistake? They don't even have a lighted tennis court. LINDA I'll make it up to you, I promise. I'll do anything. MARGO Linda, I've never seen you grovel this much. LINDA There comes a time to grovel and this is it. HARRY This is a lot more than a simple mistake. This is trespassing, breaking and entering, burglary and I think we could go as far as mayhem. MARGO Oh no, not mayhem. HARRY Phyllis, call the police. LINDA Please don't call the police. Margo is on medication and calling the police will send her into seizures. MARGO LOOKS AT LINDA LIKE SHE'S CRAZY. LINDA (CONT'D) Look, you seem like reasonable people. How about if we have this place cleaned up, replenish all the food and replace anything that was broken? MARGO I don't suppose this would be a good time to bring up the dog. LINDA TRIES TO KICK HER. LINDA What Margo means is that we'll even throw in an extra dog as a playmate for yours. HARRY I've had enough of this HE STARTS TO UNTIE THEM. HARRY (CONT'D) I just want you two out of here. MARGO We can do that. THEY ARE BOTH UNTIED AND STAND UP. LINDA I'm awfully sorry about all this. THEY HEAD FOR THE DOOR. LINDA (CONT'D) You wouldn't consider selling this place, would you? It's really a lovely house and I'd give you a break on the commission. MARGO I only charge a hundred dollars. HARRY I've always said, you get what you pay for. Get out. CUT TO: (J) INT. JUAN VERDE OFC. - DAY LINDA AND MARGO ARE RELATING THE WEEKEND'S EVENTS TO TED, LAURA AND SCOTTY. LINDA You should have seen Margo's face when they said they were going to call the police. She looked like Joan of Arc and they had just struck the match. TED I wish I could have been there. LINDA Of course you do. LAURA But what about their dog that Margo sold? LINDA Fortunately, they paid by check. It cost me another hundred dollars, but I got the mutt back. MR. MC SWAIN ENTERS. MC SWAIN Have a good weekend, Phillips? LINDA Just great, sir. MC SWAIN You did have the Open House, didn't you? LINDA Oh, of course, sir. MC SWAIN Well? LINDA Well, I can honestly say a lot of people showed up, a lot of hungry people and they seemed very comfortable in the house, but no serious offers. MC SWAIN Pity that. LINDA Quite right, sir. (TO TED) My god, I'm starting to sound like Scotty. MC SWAIN EXITS. SFX - PHONE RINGS AND MARGO ANSWERS IT. MARGO (INTO PHONE) Juan Verde Real Estate. (A BEAT) It's Mrs. Blaisdale and she's pretty upset. She wants to know why you didn't show up for the open house. LINDA I can't deal with her right now. Laura, what should I tell her? LAURA Just tell her the truth. LINDA You know, you're right. Margo, just tell her I got tied up. FADE OUT