Episode Report Card Niki: D | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT A Dream Deferred
By Niki | Season 1 | Episode 6 | Aired on 10.25.1999
Cut to Lily and Judy getting a reality check from their bookkeeper, who tells them that they cannot afford to build a coffee bar. Judy says that she could come up with half the money -- about five thousand dollars -- if Lily could. Lily doesn't know how she can.
B/W Lily tells us a pointless little story about how she used to pay her bills the day they arrived. Then she had children. Is this one of those stories that, in order to find it charming, you have to have kids of your own? Because I forget to pay my bills now, but I don't go around telling everyone about it. I know it's just not interesting.
Back in the office, Judy asks Lily if everything is okay, if Jake's keeping up with his end of things. Lily assures her that everything is fine, but she doesn't sound very convincing. Lily asks if she could work full-time. What kind of logic is that? She'll take more money out of the store so that she can put more money into the store? Good thing they have a bookkeeper. The accountant tells her the store can't support two full-time salaries. Judy suggests that they get a bank loan to pay for the coffee bar. It's not an option according to the accountant, who then asks Lily whether she and Jake have a separation agreement. Lily says that she's been reluctant "to go there." "You're worried that once it's about money, all hell breaks loose and there'll never be a civil word between you," says the accountant knowingly. With mock shock, Judy asks, "With Jake?" The accountant tells Lily that the bank will want an agreement before it even considers giving her and Judy a loan.
Cut to Lily and Judy on the sidewalk. Judy asks if Lily's having money trouble, and Lily denies it. Judy asks if she wants to "talk to Dad," to which Lily responds that she just has to deal with money now. She realizes that Jake won't support her forever, and she doesn't make enough working part-time at the store. Judy assures her that everything will work out and then brings up the separation agreement. Lily makes it clear that she can't deal with that and what it would involve. Didn't she just finish playing grown-up and saying that she has to deal with money now? She asks Judy if they can put off building the coffee bar for a while, and Judy answers that they'll do whatever Lily needs. She gives Lily a hug and says that she'll "dance naked in the window to drum up business." Lily says that she has to tell Rick that they're not going to build the bar. Judy suggests that he's got better things to do anyway. Than rescuing Lily? Don't count on it.