Oh, I bet you that's Judy right now.
Harve, would you get that?
Harve, get that, will ya?
...35, 40, what a block! 45 still going! At the 50!
Okay, buster, no tapioca for you.
Hey everybody.
Hi.
Hiya, Trudy.
I froze my patootie off waiting for someone to open that door.
Oh, you know how those New men get when the Vikings play.
So, Trudy...
...I've got cocoa, tea, or cider. Cider, thank you.
So, what's the latest?
You girls are terrible. You're starting right in on that gossip.
It's not gossip, it's news.
Yes, Blanche, it's news, so spit it out.
Well, the reason I was late is because I just got off the phone with
Munck corporate headquarters in Miami.
What did they want?
To rent a house for the new plant manager they're sending here.
No way.
Yes way.
God knows we all remember what happened to that last plant manager that
Stu and his fellows ran right out of town.
You mean the one that choked on the knockwurst during
the Braunschweiger eating competition?
Or what about the manager Stu hand stand too close to the glockenspiel?
Did you know I heard he still has tinnitus?
What's that?
Well, it's like...
all day long for the rest of your life.
Oh, my God, that's horrible.
And don't forget the Land O' Lakes manager that mysteriously got
locked into the dairy cooler over the weekend.
What that man had to do in that cooler to survive.
It's unmentionable.
God bless our new plant manager whoever the poor guy is.
Amen.
Good morning, Munck Foods
Sorry I'm late.
We haven't gotten far.
We had to wait for you.
We were discussing how getting the New Ulm facility
dumped on our division is going to affect our bottom line.
Well...
...wouldn't it just be better to close the plant?
I mean, it looks like a lost cause to me.
Yes, but marketing wants to cross our branding in the youth demo
with the adult protein craze with "Rocket Bars protein snacks for kids."
Now, we can use the existing facility
but we'll have automate it to produce the new line, downsize production
reduce the workforce by 50%.
The question is, who will oversee it?
Don't all of you volunteer at once.
I can do it.
And, hey, Lucy is single. She could do the conversion on-site.
That's not in the proposal.
But on-site would expedite it. You'll go immediately.
Joan?
Book Lucy to Minnesota this weekend.
This..., Minnesota?
I knew I could count on you.
Give you a hand with that?
Oh, I've got it. Thank you.
All right.
How bad can it be?
Holy, mother...
I'm spending winter in a theme park.
Okay.
Oh, my Lord. I locked the door at out of habit.
Can we help you?
What?
Yeah, I'm looking for Blanche Gunderson.
My assistant Cathy called.
Oh, you must be Ms. Hill.
I'm Blanche Gunderson.
You're my e... executive assistant?
Oh, Heavens no. I'm just a secretary.
Did you need me to find you one of those?
We'll see.
What you need to find is a place to live.
Right, so this is your realtor, Trudy.
Trudy Van Uuden at your service. That's with two "U"s.
A double "U", not a "W".
I'll drive and then what do you say you follow with Ms. Hill?
Oh, good idea.
Oh, your luggage all matches.
That's so nice.
Say cheese.
Are you a scrapper?
Excuse me?
Oh, there's Merle.
Hey, Merle!
That's our mailman... Merle.
That's what we call him "mailman Merle"
'cause he delivers the mail and he's our mailman, so you know.
Oh, yeah, do you keep a scrapbook?
'Cause I do. I'm a scrapper, see.
We even got a club.
I've got a mini in my bag here.
Okay, so this here's our dog Winston Churchill. He's dead.
He was a bit of a drooler, I'm afraid.
And this here is my kitty, Snowflake. She's dead, too.
We had to put her down on account of that kitty leukemia thing.
You should have seen the kinds of things she was barfing up on our couch
Poor thing. Bless her heart.
She's not dead in the picture, though. She's just sleeping.
Could I look at that later, maybe? Okay?
So...
are you married? Do you have children?
No. No, not married.
Well, you're still young you know, relatively.
I mean, you've still got time.
I suppose.
Do you eat meat or are you one of those vegetarian kind of people?
No, I'm not a vegetarian. Why?
'Cause it's your first night in town.
Don't think we're going to let you go hungry.
You're coming to my house for dinner.
Nothing fancy, of course.
Meatloaf.
Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?
Isn't that what you've been doing?
Have you found Jesus?
Well, I didn't know he was missing?
It was just a joke.
Well, normally we don't joke about Jesus around here...
...but I can see how you'd think that was sort of funny.
Imagine, Jesus gone missing. Imagine.
It's clearing. A chill coming on.
It's going to get a heck of a lot colder.
This place is big, but what the hey.
Colder?
It gets colder?
Oh, yeah.
Oh, good, electric is still on.
Heat's LP. Tank's out back. Furnace is a Norge.
Pipes are wrapped, so you shouldn't get freeze-ups.
Windows are two-paned, and there's a double layer of Owens Corning topside.
Hardwood, but you got rag rugs to keep from freezing
the bejesus out of your toes.
Wait, uh, you just lost me.
No problem. What didn't you get?
Well, I understood that the electric is still on?
Does that work?
Oh, sure as shooting.
Okay, then I'll take it.
Do you want me to go over the fireplace?
I'm a city girl but I know how to light a fire.
Where is the, uh, the switch?
She seems nice enough.
I doubt she'll last a week, poor thing.
There you are. Starting to wonder.
Got lost.
You said it was just on the other side of the lake, and...
You headed east probably. Every direction I went
there was the lake. That's not even a lake
that's Luden Pond.
Well, then I turned around and I found another lake.
Oh, I bet... you went to Van Meyer Slough.
And then I went left.
Oh... that's actually a stone quarry but you made it.
Yeah.
Oh, Harve!
Company!
I didn't know whether to get red or white...
but all they had was zinfandel anyway.
So...
Oh, hell, anything you can uncork uncap, or unscrew, I'll drink it.
This is my husband, Harve.
You think he's joking, but he's not.
Take your coat?
Yes, please. That would be great.
Thank you.
You okay like that? You're not too cold?
No, I'm fine.
Oh, okay, 'cause you look a little cold.
I'm fine.
Anyhoo, there's someone that I want you to meet
and I'm hoping that you hit it off...
because if you do it's going to make your stay here in Minnesota
a lot more pleasant.
So, Lucy Hill, this is Ted Mitchell.
Damn.
Oh, so it's a whole dinner party.
Oh, yeah.
How you doing?
You've got beer dripping from your chin.
Awesome.
Can I use your powder room? You betcha.
It's right through the kitchen to the right.
Thanks.
Oh.
Yeah?
Lucy, we thought we'd open that wine with dinner.
Would you like a glass?
Yeah, that would be great.
You know, I actually am feeling a little chilly.
Would you mind bringing my jacket?
Oh, you betcha.
Oh, God.
Blanche, this meatloaf is good.
Thank you, Ted.
So, Ted, you live around here?
Yeah. Yeah, I moved up here a little over 10 years ago.
Why?
I mean, not that it's not nice I'm sure, but why?
Why not, you know?
What's so great about a city?
Well, I mean the cultural advantages alone
museums, opera, ballet, theater not to mention nightlife.
Oh, yeah.
Do you know I was in a restaurant last week, and...
Justin Timberlake walked in.
For real?
Oh, is he one of your MP fellas?
Oh, that's nice.
I thought all they had in Miami was skinny supermodels and
Columbian drug lords.
Ted!
You're terrible!
You know who else was there Bobbie?
Fergie. I bet you like her music, huh?
My dad won't let me like that stuff.
Well, you seem old enough to decide for yourself what you like.
Excuse me?
Women like that just selling themselves as sex objects?
What kind of a role model is that for young girls?
I think that any examples of strong successful young women are vital.
And that's how you measure success?
By how sexy and provocative a woman can be?
We'll pass on that. We'll listen to country, huh, baby?
Oh, the twangy drivel about the losers who drink beer and drive pickup trucks?
Oh, dear.
How about polka?
You know, it's got something for everybody.
Oh... that's it, Harve. You're exactly right. Bingo.
I like beer.
I drive a pickup.
I should have known.
You probably drive a new car for what it says about you
when what it really says about you is how you bow down to the
big corporations that made a gravy train out of this country.
Oh, you... And would anybody like more gravy?
Trudy? Kimberly? Anybody?
Industrial competition in a free market economy is what built this country.
No, robber barons built this country and they did it from the blood
of working folks.
Hell, you steal somebody's car you get thrown in jail.
You steal somebody's life savings you get to be a CEO.
I'm planning on being a CEO.
Well, Blanche you better count the silverware before she leaves then.
Oh... don't bother. I'm leaving now. Not if I leave first. Come on baby.
Now, I've got snickerdoodles with tapioca.
Thanks for dinner.
Whoa.
Totally awesome.
Fuck.
Oh.
Ms. Hill?
Stu Kopenhafer, plant foreman.
I'm supposed to show you around.
Milk processors, cooking facilities curdling vats slot sinks
auxiliary refrigeration more slot sinks...
storage racks over there conveyor belt.
This is your main production floor.
I'd really like to speak with the workers.
Where can I do that?
Bob!
What are you waiting for?
Greetings, New Ulm.
I'm here to usher in a new phase.
This is a great opportunity.
I'm here to reconfigure for the initialization of Rocket Bars.
This will be an exciting utilization of new branding for capitalizing
on a highly profitable demographic.
Why don't you cut to the chase?
We don't give a good goose fart on a muggy day what
you're making us make.
Just tell us how many you're planning on laying off.
Management at Munck Foods in Miami has sent me here to conduct mechanization
and modernization procedures.
Yeah, you "Munck-ees" all say that crap
but every time one of you comes we end up losing jobs.
Well, I'm more interested in the jobs we'll create.
If you're not, that's fine.
But still I'll expect you to implement the production changes
in a timely manner. Okay?
Oh, yeah. Well, nice try, Trudy.
No, you're not getting that recipe out of me, because I told...
Oops, all right. Listen, got to go.
Okay, yeah.
Yeah, okay, I know. I'll give you a jingle later.
Okay. Bye-bye then. Yeah, bye.
Oh, good morning. Sorry about that. That was Trudy.
She's always trying to get my tapioca recipe out of me.
Yeah, well I doubt that your tapioca recipe is going to affect the plant
so let's just stick to work if we could.
Oh, okay. Oh, and listen, sorry about being late this morning.
Billy had a run-in up at the school.
Had to go talk to the principal don't you know.
Thinks he's a regular little Puff Diddly in case you didn't notice last night.
Is that my office?
Oh, yeah.
I'd like to see you in there, please.
As a female, do you know how I'm on the fast track to VP
in a Fortune 500 company?
No, I don't.
When it's time to work I concentrate on work.
I get you.
And I expect one's personal life to be kept personal.
Okay, that's easy. But not you, apparently.
You're trying to set me up after having just met me?
Well, actually... I don't want excuses.
I am here to do a job.
I will not get personally attached to this town, or anybody in it.
Okay, but listen... No buts.
But for the sake of argument let's say I did want to get set up
trying to hook me up with that Ted... guy?
I may be in the middle of nowhere but I am not so desperate that
I would even consider your sorry-ass truck guy.
Right, sorry-ass truck guy. Good.
Now that that's clear
let's just brush that off... Okay.
So I can spend the rest of the morning kissing the ass of the local union rep.
Who I actually think is here.
Why is he out there?
Funny story.
Yes, it might have been presumptuous of me to try
to set you up, but I thought it might help, purely professionally
if you were to meet the union rep for all of Southeastern Minnesota
casually over a nice home-cooked dinner.
Ted is the local union rep?
Mm-hmm. That's right.
The guy that I yelled at over your meatloaf?
And in the driveway some too.
Mr. Mitchell. Ted, wasn't it?
Yeah, but some people refer to me as sorry-ass truck guy.
I beg your pardon?
You know, the union has been pushing for better soundproofing in this plant
but I think they should probably extend it to the office walls, too.
Shall we?
Well, going over union regulations for two hours is not helping.
What I'm trying to do is make sure that during this simple reconfiguration,
as you call it, that not one union job gets cut.
Well, I'm sure we can come to some kind of an agreement.
I'm going to make sure that you comply with that agreement
every step of the way.
Goodbye.
How's the first day going?
It's been a very productive day.
I've already spoken to the employees and the plant foreman and they are
very engaged in the process.
I have laid out my work strategy with my assistant,
and I have begun dialoguing with the local union rep.
I am sure I'll be able to forge a working relationship there.
All right, but if we're going to downsize by 50 percent,
I need you to prioritize your termination list.
Hiya, there. I just wanted to let you know I rearranged my desk.
It looks so nice and professional now,
so if you need anything a drink or a snack, or you get homesick
you want to talk you just give me a shout.
I'm so sorry.
Oh, I'm already on that.
All I'm asking is that we move these machines to make room for
the new production equipment.
Yeah. No, that's not the way we do things.
Nope, not the way we do things.
Not the way at all.
You're going to have to make some concessions.
Oh, we're making some damn concessions.
Like Gopher Day.
Gopher Day?
Yeah. Local holiday.
First Friday in November. We've always gotten it off before
but we're all working this one.
Okay. If I close the plant for Gopher Day at noon
then come Monday morning you'll start shifting equipment?
Sure.
You betcha. Yeah, okay.
Great.
Happy Gopher Day.
Is there a problem here?
You're damn right there is a problem.
You know, Land O' Lakes was doing just fine before you greedy "Munck-ees"
captured it and started killing off my loyal hardworking customers.
Listen, Flo. I'm here to do a job,
just like I'd like you to do yourjob now by taking my order, okay?
Great. Now that that's clear...
what's the special today?
We got a "go back to Miami where you belong" special.
Oh, and, um...
Happy Gopher Day.
How lame ass do you have to be to fall
for something as butt stupid as thinking there is a Gopher Day?
Shit. Who invited the boss lady?
What do you want?
I thought I might buy you a beer.
It's a free country.
A proactive approach to streamline production creates a win-win situation.
Of course, it requires strategization and advanced specialization.
Yeah.
This is really great, guys.
I'm glad we're finally dialoguing.
"D" word. Double shot.
Are you guys really interested in discussing mechanization?
Hell, yeah.
I'm really sorry, guys. I meant for that to be a "D" word,
so you could all do a double shot.
Way to ruin it, Maurice.
You know, I am in charge of this plant whether you like it or not.
I thought this would be an opportunity for us to bury the hatchet
but instead you just turn me into some dumbshit drinking game.
Thanks a lot, asshole.
Oh. Hiya, there.
It's official. The lake's froze enough to drive on
so Stu declared it a holiday.
Oh, he did, did he?
And where can I find Stu?
Who invited boss lady this time?
You miserable son of a bitch. Ice Day?
What? Gopher Day wasn't enough?
Well, you've underestimated who you're messing with.
Stu Kopenhafer. You're fired.
Crap?
You can't fire Stu.
I can and I did. Ice Day?
Just how stupid does everyone think I am?
What? On a scale of one to 10?
The first day of ice fishing is a state holiday.
Fine. I fire him for insubordination.
Hang on a second.
Stu, he takes a little while to warm up to folks
but he's a really good man.
Good?
Clearly we define that differently.
Look, I'm just trying to help you out here, okay?
Firing the plant foreman right before Thanksgiving
that's not going to win you any friend.
Well, I'm here to do a job not make friends.
Stu's fired.
Goodnight.
You expect me to believe that...
every machine in the line just broke down at the same time?
Doesn't matter, I'm going to Miami.
That's right.
Come on. Oh, come on.
Oh, this is not good.
Okay.
Hey... hey!
I'm in... I'm in here!
Help! Help!
Help! I'm in here!
Thanks a lot, God.
Come on.
Okay.
I gotcha.
Okay. Hey!
Watch the hands Mr. Touchy-Feely Hands.
Don't flatter yourself.
I was just trying to get you out of the car. Come on.
Hey, for your information I do not need a man to rescue me.
All right. Okay.
Oh, no, not I, I will survive!
Come on.
Let's get you home.
You know, you're not so bad when you're... unconscious.
Come on. Oh, yup.
I got it. I got it.
Got it. Are you okay?
I got it. I got it. I don't need to be carried
through my door by some sexy fireman man.
You already gave me that lecture.
You think I'm sexy, huh?
What? Why would you think that?
Because you just said it?
Out loud?
Here, let me help you. I got it.
Hold on a minute. I got it. Look.
Let me help you. Let me help you.
Don't get any ideas
I'm not. Are you okay?
I'm fine.
You okay?
Yeah. I'm fine.
This will be a good chance for you to get out and about a little more.
Hi, girls.
Hidey-ho.
We sold all your tapioca. Oh, good.
How about that rescue? No wonder she's looking twitterpatted.
Oh, getting saved by a cutie-patootie like that,
no one could blame you for getting a little crush, you know.
Crush? Ted? I don't think so.
Speaking of your rescue, we made this.
You keep that in your truck.
It's got all our names and numbers sewn in
so the next time you have emergency contacts.
Oh, that's-that's beautiful.
You didn't have to do that.
We know, but we did it anyways and that's what matters the most.
Besides, just the thought of you out there in that storm...
You must have been scared out of your mind.
Well, I'm sure I was never in any real danger.
Are you kidding?
Folks around these parts freeze to death all the time.
Especially the stupid ones.
It's nature's way of thinning out the herd, if you ask me.
And that... Ted, he's a handsome devil.
Now he's bending over to lift that hose.
Oh, will you just lookie there?
They cannot handle that! Whoo!
How about that?
Hey. Hi.
Hey, listen, the other night, uh,
I was a little drunk.
I might have said some things.
Hey, you were great out there, huh?
Come here.
I am so proud of you.
You remember, uh, Lucy Hill? This is Bobbie.
Hi.
What's up?
Crosschecked by the goalie.
Nice.
It was great.
Blanche?
Thank you for cashing in my ticket.
Oh, no trouble at all.
Oh, and listen, your car is all fixed up good as new.
Thank you. You're welcome.
I brought somthing for you. Oh!
Oh, it's money.
It's a holiday bonus.
Don't you usually get one?
Normally we exchange gifts but this is nice, too.
Oh, and listen
Here's a little Merry Christmas for you.
Oh, Blanche, you didn't have to get me anything.
Oh, I didn't get it not like store-bought get it.
I made it.
Here, open it.
Thank you. You're welcome.
Just in case you wanted to start scrapping.
To Lucy... from Blanche.
That was your first day here, remember?
When did you take that?
Oh, that was a while ago.
You looked like you had the weight of the world on your shoulders, so alone.
But you know, Lucy you're never really alone.
Jesus understands what you're going through.
He's there for you.
So am I.
Hey, don't go getting all misty on me.
Here, I got something else.
This ought to cheer you right up.
Some tapioca.
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas, Blanche. Can I have a hug?
Oh.
Coming!
Adore Him, Christ...
Sing choirs of angels
Sing in exaltation
Sing all ye citizens of heaven above
Oh, come, let us adore Him
Hi.
Oh, come let us adore Him
Oh, come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
Thanks. Yea, Lord, we greet Thee
Born this happy morning
Jesus to Thee be glory given
Word of the Father
now in flesh appearing
Oh, come, let us adore Him
Oh come, let us adore Him
Oh, come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
Ted is here for your meeting.
Hi.
Thanks.
Well, isn't this a nice way to start out the New Year
"Auld Lang Syne" resolutions and all that.
If I can get you two anything you two just say the word.
I got comp analysis here.
Okay.
Before we get started
I never had the chance to clear the air after you saved me from the snow bank.
I said a lot of rude things
and I handled it badly.
No, I think you handled it fine.
You didn't try to get out of your car and that's good...
because a lot of people, they they try to walk for help
and they end up dying that way.
You were just trying to keep warm
although technically alcohol isn't recommended.
And the red flag, that was that was brilliant.
No, I don't remember anything rude.
Well, I don't remember saying thank you,
and that's hardly sufficient so thank you.
You're welcome.
So, comp analysis.
Yes, comp analysis.
Uh, okay, should we start with he executive group?
Lucy!
Returning your bowl.
Oh, what a nice surprise. Come on in.
Lucy's here.
Oh!
Hello.
Oh, and just so you know I transferred it to another container.
It's not like I ate it all in one sitting or anything.
We never do.
Oh, stop. Sit down. Listen, it's not fattening.
Ever since Harve's been on his crazy
Atkins kick I had to come up with a couple of new recipes.
Don't even look at me Trudy Van Uuden.
You're not getting my secret out of me
but I will tell you
my tapioca mainly low-fat milk and whey protein.
No way.
Yes, whey.
Just in time, Lucy. We're exchanging Valentine's cards.
We got yours.
Oh, you know...
I was just going to forget that whole thing this year.
You know, greeting card company holiday.
Here's for you.
Harve, would you get that?
Maybe that's Cupid looking for you right now.
Ha.
It's just Ted.
I got a...
I got a... a big problem.
I need a...
I need a woman's help on this one.
It's out... just out here.
Female trouble? Um, sort of.
It's... it's the, uh Valentine's Dance, you know.
I just didn't think it was going to be that big of a deal.
Oh, honey, it's her first date.
Big deal doesn't even start.
Well, it's... it's not like I didn't try.
I bought her a nice dress. Nice?
Pilgrims wore sexier outfits.
She's 13, okay?
Sexy isn't on the menu.
Okay, is this about the dress?
No, it's a little bit worse.
Worse than that outfit?
Bobbie, did you want to come out?
No. I can't be seen in public, ever.
Oh, it's probably not as bad as you think.
I took her to the beauty parlor. They gave her... a perm.
Oh.
Maybe a couple of bows.
Scarves are in these days.
Oh, yeah! Good idea Trudy.
Ted, I can help but Bobbie will have to come with me. Is that okay?
Um, yeah.
Bobbie...
trust me.
Get in the car
and put your little hat back on.
Ladies, can we talk shoes?
They're heels. Little ones.
That's okay, right?
My first heels.
Oh. But they ain't going to wear themselves.
They're perfect.
She like Cinderella and shit.
May I present Ms. Roberta Mitchell?
Oh, wow.
Bobbie, you...
...you lookjust like...
You're so... You're so beautiful.
Good evening, Mr. Mitchell.
Hi, Waylon.
Wow, Bobs. You look hot.
The hell she does. Here.
That's my little girl. There's nothing hot about her.
Gee, thanks, Dad.
You know, I was 14 once, too.
So I know all about what's going through your head right now.
And your pants.
Daddy! Ew!
Come on, your mom's waiting.
Okay. Hey, hey, hey.
You're going to have her home by 10:30, right?
Yeah. Okay.
Hey, hey, listen. I want you to remember something.
Whatever you do to my daughter I do to you.
I think what your father meant to say is "go and have a good time".
That's not what I meant...
...actually.
That's not what I said.
That is so not what I meant at all.
Are you okay?
I'm fine.
I'm fine. I'm just, uh...
I'm old.
My daughter is starting to date you know.
How did that happen? I don't feel so good
I'm going to... I'm going to sit down for a minute.
I can't feel my feet.
Yeah.
I think I'm having a stroke.
You know what? I might be...
I m... I might be having a heart attack too, because my hands are
they... they're numb. Is it your left hand or your...
with a heart attack? I can't remember which hand it is.
So how did you know I wasn't having a heart attack?
Because I've seen this thing before.
My father was very overprotective.
So I guess this isn't how you planned on spending your Saturday.
You know, nothing about Minnesota has fallen into what I've planned.
I hear you.
You know, I used to go to the factory a lot,
outside of Miami with my dad.
Uh, he knew everything about it inside and out.
Even the guys in the suits would ask him how to get things done, you know?
I thought he was the boss.
I was really surprised.
He did maintenance at the plant.
You know, he really drilled that into my head that, you know,
get an education
and it's the only thing that people can't take away from you.
Work hard and do what needs to be done
and maybe one day you'll be the boss of a place like this.
It's ironic, isn't it?
And how about you?
How did you end up in New Ulm?
The Mayo Clinic.
The Mayo Clinic?
It's just... it's a few miles from here.
I was... I was born in North Carolina and I went to school in Auburn, and...
I met my wife, Brenda, there.
It's funny. I say "my wife"
and even though it's been what six years
I still feel like she just ran out to the store to get something, you know?
She was diagnosed with a degenerative heart defect
and they had this program at the Clinic and that became our life
really trips to the Clinic.
When the phone rang just hold my breath.
Wow.
Did you ever think about moving back south?
This was really the only home that Bobbie ever knew
and she just lost her momma
and it didn't seem fair for her to lose her home and her friends
and her school and all that, so...
What time is it?
I don't know.
Well, you're finally home,
cause all I've done is sit here and worry.
It's not even 10:30.
Lucy, you're still here?
Well, I had to make sure he didn't get the shotgun out if you were late.
And, uh, now that I've seen to that
did you have a good time? Was it fun?
It was all right.
You know, I am really sorry about getting all weird on you earlier.
It's okay.
I guess Ginny Linstrom's dad gave the same creepy lecture to Cliffie Morgan.
Thank you for everything.
Goodnight.
We're not as far along on the automation and downsizing as we had hoped.
That's because the robotic arms are still in some warehouse in Japan...
and if we start to downsize now we're not going to have
the workforce for installation.
Yeah, well, this is costing us money. I understand.
I will keep you apprised.
We'll talk next week then. All right.
Goodbye.
Lucy Hill.
Hey, Lucy. It's Ted.
Listen, I have this idea for Saturday.
L... I was thinking I could pick you up around 8 in the morning.
Yeah, wear something you can get dirty, okay?
Something dirty?
Hey.
Hi.
You, uh, might want to put these on.
What is it?
Crow hunting.
But I don't want to shoot a crow.
You don't have to shoot a crow.
You can just shoot at them.
It's a chance for you to get out. You know, befriend the locals.
Stu?
What's the chances of me running into you out here?
Holy balls. Why'd you bring her?
She said she wanted to get out here and do a little shooting so.
Shooting?
You even got shells there, girlie?
Yeah. Yeah, I got shells.
Oh, it's a great day.
Almost.
Okay, that's it. I've got to, uh.
What? I need to...
What are you talking about?
I need to... pee.
Oh.
You're kidding me, right?
Oh for crying in a beer-cheese soup.
Are you such a city girl you can't pee outside?
You see, Stu, that's just one of the advantages of being a city girl
you don't have to.
Don't let the badgers bite you in the ass.
Badgers? Really?
Is he serious?
Just in case.
Oh, come on.
Ted!
Oh, right, right, right, right.
Okay, where is it? Where is it?
Where is it? Where is it? Where is it?
Where? Where? Where? Okay.
What?
You can really show a girl a good time, you know?
Well, I'm trying to give you a chance to patch things up
if you would just be a sport about it.
I'm being a sport.
I just... I'm just stuck.
Well, then talk to him about fishing, or something.
He loves fishing. That's like his... No, no, no, I'm not...
...stuck for conversation.
I'm... I'm... I'm stuck in your stupid overalls.
Hold on. Hold on, hold.
Turn around.
Don't move.
Stop moving.
Okay, hold on.
Hold on a second.
Hold on. Hold on. I got it.
Oh, that's not good.
Oh, my...
Turn around.
No, wait. What? No, no. For real, for real, for real.
Bend over.
Well, what are you going to do? Bend over.
Oh, okay. Okay.
Bend over.
Hurry. Just hurry.
Cool.
You could have just cut the zipper.
Are you wearing a thong?
You said something dirty.
I said wear something... Just go!
I said wear something you can get dirty.
Just go.
And don't watch. Go!
God.
Go!
I'll be damned. Sober.
...certain about that but I did hear they knew each other
and they were definitely Sorry there, pal.
I didn't figure her for much of a shot.
Can you give me word about Ted's condition?
Yes, I understand it's a lower body injury
somewhere around the buttocks area.
Some said the shooting might be lover's vendetta,
or that the woman is deranged.
Oh, that's great.
The lead story on the news is my ass.
So you should sign off on a spring mount there.
All right.
Very good.
Bobbie?
How you doing?
I'm okay. How are you doing?
Okay.
You, uh... you baked?
Yes. I don't really bake
but it seems to be the thing that people do around here.
I'm sorry, again.
Ooh, cake!
Now you decide to show up?
Hi, Bobbie.
I think that means she forgives you.
Okay.
Why don't you come in?
Mr. Arling on the line.
Oh, good.
Hey. Did you look over the proposal?
I know I can work with the existing equipment.
What do you mean no product line?
You can't just decide like that.
I need to be in that meeting.
I understand.
Okay. I'll see you tomorrow.
Blanche, I need to get on the first flight to Miami.
I'm going to need my alternate production figures.
They'll be in the confidential file in my desk.
The key is in the center drawer.
Okey-dokey artichokey.
Thank you.
The Rocket Bar's test markets are tanking.
We're dumping the product line.
And the plant.
'Cause it's worth more to this company dead than alive.
Well, I disagree.
I think that would be a terrible mistake.
Lucy.
The people of New Ulm are resourceful and hardworking
and they could create an opportunity for this company that we should
take advantage of.
Rocket Bars were the opportunity.
Well then we'll re-formulate and re-name them and we'll
and we'll strategize with marketing until we can find a way to make
The product line is dead and so is the plant.
It doesn't make any sense to me.
We can't just write these people's livelihoods off like that.
Lucy.
That's enough.
We need a timetable for shutdown.
We'll keep a skeleton crew on until we move any remaining
physical assets off-site.
Blanche?
You never said anything about layoffs.
Oh no.
I made that a long time ago.
I made that list before I even knew you.
And that's okay?
It's okay to pull the rug out from under folks as long as
it's nobody that you know?
It's okay because we're just silly podunk Minnesotans, right?
We talk funny, and we ice fish,
and we scrapbook, and we drag Jesus into regular conversion,
and we're not cool like you, right?
So we don't matter?
And it's okay to lie
as long as you're just pretending to be my friend?
I didn't lie. I just didn't tell you.
I... Well, I mean, it is the same thing.
I...
I guess I lied but I wasn't pretending, Blanche.
You are my friend.
Folks need to know, you know.
They need to be able file protest with the union.
Ted.
I had to tell him.
Maybe you can keep that kind of thing secret, but I can't.
Blanche, it gets so much worse.
Oh, yeah? What could be worse?
I just found out in Miami that they want to close the plant.
I know that this is going to sound like a hollow promise to you
but I'm determined to to figure something out.
I really am. I mean there has to be something, right?
I just... You just can't eliminate people's livelihoods, you know.
Sure you can. It happens all the time.
Look, this doesn't mean that we're friends or anything...
but when I get upset I cook and right now me and...
Harve are up to our ears in tapioca so there you go, okay?
Ted.
Is it true?
Then we ain't got nothing to say.
Don't leave.
Please, I need you here.
To type pink slips?
Besides, what's another couple of months going to make a difference?
I hope so.
Hey, let's talk tapioca.
Okay.
Go ahead.
Hiya, there.
We're doing market research today on a new product
called Power Packed Protein.
Pudding with Fortified Zappy-oca
and that's your fourth sample already.
That's enough Zappy-oca for you, mister.
Keep them coming, Lucy.
It's like a stampede. Go ahead.
If you like it, just put in "I like it."
Put a little nutmeg on top if you like
and if you don't like, don't do it.
Every last lassie a champion skier of the first order.
That's called the forward swap.
What the hell are you doing here?
I'm here to see Stu.
What the hell are you doing here Flo?
I live here.
Hey, Stanley!
Annie Oakley's here.
You and Flo.
Yeah. No. Yeah. She's my ex-wife...
...and this is my ex-house
and now I pay rent to live in my ex-basement.
Ain't that a kick in the keister?
So let's get back to that part about you giving me my old job back.
Corporate is shutting down the plant.
Goddamn it!
But... I knew this was going to happen!
I have a plan.
What the hell is going on down there?
None of your damn business you nosey old hoot owl!
We've come up with a new product.
If we can produce it and test market it in four weeks,
well, then we can prove to corporate that this plant is still worthwhile.
A month?
Well, that's impossible.
You're... you're just going to get everybody's hopes up
and... and then they'll all end up out of work anyway.
See, I think... No. I am not taking the fall for that.
You... you're on your own, lady.
So that's the plan, and to make it work
we're going to re-commission the old-fashioned yogurt equipment.
It's going to take a lot of long hours.
How much overtime you authorized for?
None.
And if the "Munck-ees" don't buy it we'll put in a whole lot of work
and end up out on our asses anyway.
Yeah. Yeah, I'm not going to lie to you
the odds are that's what will happen
but if it's any consolation,
I'm going to be out of a job right alongside the rest of you.
I mean, I am betting my career on this.
Why? I don't know.
When I came here did I think that any of this was going to matter this much?
No. But does it matter?
Yeah. That's really. It matters a lot.
And you can sure betcha we'll be out on our asses
if we don't try.
You got something better to do there, Lars?
And I've got to say I don't exactly picture prospective
employers lining up to fight over a dumb son of bitch like Bob.
They might padlock this place
let the whole town come to rust but if that's the way it goes
I don't want to be thinking that this gal offered a chance
and I didn't do a damn thing about it.
You can count me in.
They teach you that in your management books?
Is this a surprise compliance visit from the union?
Maybe.
I heard about what you're doing.
Look, I'm not sure why I came here but maybe I can help.
Crank it a little bit more. Yup. Crank it.
Little bit more.
All right, Bob. Turn it on.
Hold it. Turn it off, Bob. Great.
Hang on. Trade me spots here, Ted.
Okay, go on. Get in there.
Okay, let's do this other one.
All right.
Turn it on, please.
Put it off, Bob.
That's funny.
No, no, no. Yeah, that's funny, though.
No. Yeah. That's all right.
Bob, do me a favor, please. Turn it on.
And I swear never to reveal Blanche's secret tapioca recipe to anyone
from a rival company or to Trudy Van Uuden.
I swear.
Good.
What?
Zappy-oca
Mr. Arling from the home office on line one
and if you ask me he doesn't sound any too pleased.
Donald, funny you should call.
Yes. Yes, Donald.
I do realize that I did this with absolutely no authorization.
And don't think I'm not pissed.
You'd be out on your ass if those regional tests weren't off the charts.
Of course, it doesn't hurt that Wallace's grandkids are
big on the butterscotch.
This is Blanche Gunderson.
She's our Head of Product Development.
Oh, Heaven's no. I'm just...
Oh, I'm pleased as punch to meet ya.
Yeah.
Oh, I'm sorry.
It's all right. It's okay. No.
Dear. Yeah. Yeah.
Well... Let's go.
They never would have thought it would be more cost effective to use
the current labor force and the old machine line than robotics,
but we showed 'em.
They want to ramp up production and ship nationally by the end of the month.
How does it feel to be the newest Vice President?
We'll expect you in Miami next week.
Hey.
Hi.
How are you doing?
I'm all right. How are you?
I'm all right.
It's real noisy in there, so
I thought I'd tell you goodbye out here.
You know, you've done some pretty amazing things around here.
Thank you.
Everybody in... in this whole town is really going to miss you a lot.
Especially me.
So there's a lot of people in there waiting to give you a big sendoff.
You don't want to miss that.
You might want to...
Yeah. Um...
So, I'll see you.
Yeah. I'll be in there in a while.
Okay.
It'll be nice getting back to civilization.
How do people live here?
How many Queens did you plant in this deck, Maurice?
Four or five, give or take a couple.
Hey, fellas.
Ted, we got to talk.
Hey, Lena. Give me a Maker's Mark, up.
Well, it looks like we're just too successful for our own damn good.
I just got wind from Fagerbacci in distribution.
The plant's being sold.
Some muckity-muck from HQ is coming to tell us about it.
Sold?
Yeah, it's a heck of a deal.
Sure as shootin' they're going to move our product line out of here faster
than thin shit through a tall Swede.
I'm surprised your little sweetie-pie Vice President didn't send you the memo.
It's so ridiculous.
It's my secret and now it's being shipped off with the plant.
Yeah. Well, I'm not going to accept anything less than two weeks
salary for every year worked.
I understand that you've heard of Munck Foods' planned sale
of this facility.
Yeah.
Well, I've assembled some industrial investors to back us in buying
this plant product line and all.
At a fixed rate you'll buy the new company back
until it is entirely owner-operated.
Well, how do we know we can trust these guys?
Yeah.
You won't have to.
You can trust me.
I want to come back as this company's CEO.
Well, would you look at Miss CEO?
As I recall, first you got us to risk everything
then you left us behind, you know.
And then you got them to buy the company out right from under our feet
and now you have this idea about how we're supposed to buy
our own company back. Well, that changes everything.
Are you prepared to deal with the union on this?
I'm sure we can come to some agreement.
It's going to take a little bit of time, too.
It might take years.
My schedule is open.
Whoa, there, buddy, you're not...
Hey, hey... I just got something in my eye, damn it.
Now, what about Johann Weinkoff?
Why, he'd make you a mighty fine husband.
He's got a lazy eye and I can never tell
if he's looking directly at me or... my breast.
Probably looking at both.
Now that I think about it you're probably right.
Gone.
Oh, so hi there, Peter.
Here you go.
Oh. Hmm.
So. Okay then.
You have a nice day. Okay. Enjoy the weather.
You too. Thank you much.