Episode Report Card Niki: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Won't Someone Please Help George Bailey Tonight? (2)
By Niki | Season 2 | Episode 20 | Aired on 04.17.2001
As we fade into the honoree's speech, Dumanjiak is slipping out of the ballroom. He freezes when he sees Karen emerge from a hallway, adjusting her hair, on her way back to the dinner. She stops short.
Cut to Dumanjiak pulling Karen behind some gilded metalwork, joking that this secretive behavior is a throwback to his smoking days. Then he asks if she wants to see his car, the one he spent the summer fixing up with his dad, and maybe they could take a drive out to the Point or something. He tells Karen that she's "evolved," but I think he really means "perfect." He stares at her like she's dreamy, and Karen grows self-conscious. She says she should get back, or "they'll be wondering." And everyone will think she's easy. It could ruin a girl's reputation. He begs her for one minute, but she says, "It's not a good idea. We're not children." Their faces are just inches apart, and as they both agree that it's not a good idea, they lean toward each other and kiss. And I know I shouldn't, but all I can think about is the fact that she just drank coffee, like, ten minutes ago. Eww. Dumanjiak doesn't seem to mind, though. She pulls away after several passionate seconds, and breathlessly tries to voice her protest. Finally she gets out, "I have to go back," and you know it's taking every ounce of restraint, and a few mighty jabs from the ass-pole, to get her moving. Dumanjiak looks crushed.
Rick, meanwhile, is knocking back a few with his newly unemployed -- or soon-to-be anyway -- associates. Everyone but he and Cho say they'd better get going, and Rick gives each of them a parting kiss on the cheek. A saxophone slinks its way onto the soundtrack as Cho says she saw Rick on TV. She says he "looked cute." After a few seconds, she musters the nerve to tell him that she got an offer from another firm. Rick looks genuinely pleased for her. She rolls her eyes and blows it off. Then she folds her arms on the bar and leans in a little, saying, "So, Rick." He doesn't get her cue, and lightly says, "So, Amanda." She asks if he's still getting married, and he says he is. She pulls back a little, rolling her eyes, and adds, "Soon." He agrees. She rolls her eyes again and makes her voice husky as she asks, "So...what are you still doing here?" After a beat, she adds, "With me?" The sax toots suggestively. Rick looks into her eyes, thinking it over. The bartender tells them it's last call, and Cho shakes her head. Rick takes his eyes off her long enough to tell the bartender that he'll have another. She pours the shot, saying, "As long as you're not driving." Rick says, "No, my kid has the car. I'll take a taxi." Cho licks her lips and glances at him. Rick's staring at his glass. He sighs. She asks, "Which way you headed?" hoping he'll say, "Your place." As if. Rick stares at Cho for a long moment and then shakes his head, smiling a little. Cho thinks it's because he's having naughty thoughts, and smiles back. Rick softly says, "Home." Attaboy.