|
|||
Jack and Riley walk into Triple L. Riley can't believe that they actually serve tea and cakes at LLL. Jack says that they used to do it every day, but now it's only every other Thursday. Didn't Riley ever work at Triple L proper? I assumed he was like Jack, and started out working at Triple L but then moved over to the clinic. Riley says he's got to go, because the whole thing is freaking him out. Jack calls him "Riles" -- which is awkward to say in the best of circumstances and I don't think Rob Lowe pulled it off there -- and insists that he's the same guy he's always been. Jack's assistant, Daphne -- who I fired twice last week -- is still there. She tells Jack that Christianson wants to see him. Jack says that Riley and Daphne know each other. Riley says they do. Daphne says they don't, and walks back to her desk. Fired! Again! Do the assistants have a union there or something? Riley looks uncomfortable again and takes off.
Christianson hands Jack some documents and tells him to take a look. And then, in case Jack is unable to read, Christianson explains that someone at the EEOC gave them a heads-up that a suit is going to be filed next week against Rebecca McCandless, a clothing designer. Jack flips through the papers, does a double take, and says he can understand why they wouldn't want the information therein to go public, but that "it's not [his] wheelhouse." Who says "wheelhouse"? Why wouldn't he just say "area of expertise" or whatever? Do they want us to hate Jack? Christianson says that Rebecca specifically asked for Jack. Jack is surprised. Christianson says that the suit can't drag on, so Jack asks if that means he's supposed to settle it. Christianson doesn't answer, and instead repeats that it can't drag on, and promises to assign some help. If I were writing the show, Jack would ask again if he's supposed to settle and Christianson would repeat that it can't drag on and they would get stuck in an infinite loop until Brit waltzed in and slapped one of them. Jack nods and then says he knows who he wants to help him.
Cut to Ariel and Grant in a crowded elevator. Grant says he needs to see Ariel in his office right away, and we see that he's also rubbing her back. Ariel says that she needs to be at the clinic, but Grant says she doesn't, as he caresses her thigh, revealing the tops of her thigh-high stockings. Ariel tells him he's the boss. I know we are supposed to think Ariel is being harassed here -- and believe me, I am the last person to use the "she was asking for it" excuse -- but Ariel really didn't seem all that upset that Grant was fondling her in a crowded elevator in the workplace. The elevator doors open, and Jack is there. Grant softly says, "Buzzkill." Jack says he needs Ariel to help him out. Grant says he needs her more. Jack says he doesn't want to pull rank, and you can tell he totally enjoys pulling rank. You can also tell that Ariel totally enjoys having the two men fighting over her. Grant asks what case Jack could possibly have that would trump a $2 billion oil lease. Jack says that Rebecca McCandless is being sued for sexual harassment. Grant is silent for a moment and says that Ariel is all Jack's now. Does Ariel have any say in this? Does it bother anyone that she's being passed around like a prize heifer? Also, what in the hell is Ariel wearing? It's one of those crewneck sweaters with large pointy collared shirts underneath, giving a Pilgrim look, but I know those are hot right now, so that's not the problem. She's paired that top with a skirt that is incredibly high-waisted, like right under her boobs, and it just makes her boobs look saggy. It's just bad. Anyway, Jack says that they leave for New York tomorrow. Ariel asks about the plaintiff: "Is he an intern, secretary, middle management?" Jack says, "He's a she." Ooh, lesbianism. That's hot.