Episode Report Card Niki: D | 1 USERS: B YOU GRADE IT Sneaky Feelings
By Niki | Season 1 | Episode 14 | Aired on 01.30.2000
B/W Eli's scrambling like mad to justify his behavior and ditch those twinges of guilt: "I don't see what's wrong with being nice to people. I mean, if it's someone from school who is nice. Who I like. It's okay to have a conversation. Right?" Sure. Except that there's a line between harmless flirtation, or "conversation," and flirtation with intent to cheat. You, my boy, are clearly guilty of the latter. And he knows it, the ass.
Jessie wants to know "if that's who called last night." Eli says it's none of her business. Jessie's outraged. It is her business, she informs him, because he made her "an accomplice to his crime of lies with Jennifer," who happens to be her "good friend." It's a little melodramatic, but you tell him, sister. Eli grumpily orders her to get in the car.
Karen, meanwhile, is still going in circles with Leo, and she's showing signs of wear. Leo voices his patients' plight and, while Karen understands and wants to help, she reiterates that they cannot build new housing because of the by-laws. She explains that the legislation is not arbitrary, as Leo claims, but is intended to prevent public housing from becoming segregated.
B/W Karen says she'd like to feel that she's doing something worthwhile with her work.
Cue Leo: "Do you hate your job?" Karen chokes on her drink and asks why he'd say that.
B/W Karen admits that, noble intentions aside, there are times when she just tries to make it through the week. I suspect this is one of those times.
"I thought you might be one of those people who just goes through the motions. A lot of people are like that," Leo explains. Karen's offended and springs out of her chair with an indignant cry. She paces the office and angrily tells him that she loves her job. Leo, arms up in a placating gesture, says, "Okay." He then starts hammering out a beat on her desktop with his pencil. "I think I'm fairly tolerant, but..." Karen says. "I'm bothering you," says Leo, with an uncharacteristic flash of insight. Karen confirms that he is and grabs his pencil. Lloyd shows up to take Karen to dinner. He knocks on her office window and waves. Karen steps into the hall to apologize. She says that she's tied up with a guy that's "insufferable," and she's going to be longer than she'd thought. Lloyd sympathizes and starts to tell her about a similar guy at his own office but, as usual, she's not listening to him. She cuts him off to say she's sorry, but she's not going to be able to go out with him. Affable as always, Lloyd suggests they get together the next day. Karen says she has plans with Jessie, but then she suggests that he join them. Lloyd says he shouldn't -- she and Jessie should have their private time together, but Karen insists. She sweetens the prospect by saying, "You can buy us an expensive lunch and we'll totally take advantage of you." They laugh, and Lloyd says, "How can I say no to that?" I don't know, since you haven't so far. They peck each other and Karen moves toward her office. Lloyd looks like he's onto something -- there's a little less sparkle in his eyes, and his shoulders are a little more drooped than usual. He heads to the elevator and jabs the button repeatedly, like he can't wait to get out of there.