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Tad: Hey there, good-looking. Dixie: Hey. Tad: What's with all the snack-type comestibles? Dixie: My study group. Tad: Oh, that's right. Dixie: We are cramming for a psychology quiz. Tad: Yeah, well, no fair having more fun than me. Dixie: Oh, yeah. Pavlov and his slobbering dogs are a laugh riot. Tad: How goes the paper chase, anyway? Dixie: Well, let's put it this way -- yesterday I quizzed Junior on his fractions, and today I am demystifying the human psyche. I'm using muscles in my brain I never thought existed. Tad: Oh, that's my cue. Allow me. Dixie: Oh. Tad: Kids asleep? Dixie: Oh, yeah, hours ago. How was the banquet? Tad: You were better off with Pavlov's dogs. You know the really amazing thing about it? The entire time I was up on that dais, sweating to death in this monkey suit, I kept thinking to myself, "who the hell is tad martin and why is he droning on about champagne grapes anyway?" Dixie: Honey, you just had a bad night. You know, one night -- that happens. Tad: On the up side, I met this ancient rancher from Sonoma. He said he'd known Nola, you know, for years -- all the way back when she started the Orsini vineyard. It was incredible, you know? One minute he was talking about her, the next thing you know he's got tears in his eyes. Of course, that started me going, and the next thing you know we got these two grown men standing around in penguin suits, crying about what a great woman Nola was. Sure do miss her. Orsini's just not the same without her, you know? Dixie: Well, you know, you've done a lot for the vineyard. Tad: Well -- it was all a lot more fun when Nola was around. Dixie: Come here. You know, if it stops being fun, maybe it's time for you to ask yourself if it's worth it and maybe if you're not losing more than you're getting. Tad: Sweetheart, I owe everything I am to Orsini. Dixie: Almost everything. Tad: Oh, yeah, that's right. I could have been an itinerant farm worker in Salinas or a bum on cannery row. Don't kid yourself. Nola took me off the street and turned my life around. She gave me a purpose, a vision, and somebody I could be proud of when I grew up. Dixie: I'm proud of you. Tad: Well, because of what Nola gave me. In case you haven't forgotten, vintage Thaddeus wasn't noble material. Dixie: Honey, you know, I would be proud of you if you were an itinerant farm worker or a beach bum. The thing is that, you know, we miss you. You know, Junior and Jamie and I are so busy all of the time, you're always gone, and poor Jamie -- he's got to make an appointment with you practically to have some sort of quality time with his dad -- three weeks in advance. Tad: I know. I can't help it. I'm spread thin. There's nothing I can do about it. I mean, after all, Erica's nationwide tour kicks off tomorrow. I've got power suits pressed and ready to go from here to Napa. I just wish Nola was around to see how much Orsini's grown. Dixie: You know what I wish? I wish that she could be here and hold her grandson and to see how great you are with Junior and Jamie. Nola just wanted you to be happy. That was her dream for you. [phone rings] Del: It's del. Dixie: Del. Hi, honey. Where are you? Del: Pine Valley. Our flight just arrived. Dixie: How was Florida? Del: It's been a sad couple of days. Dixie: How's Kendall doing? Del: She's -- she's pretty tore up. Dixie: Well, listen, why don't you just stay put? Tad and I will come and pick you up. Del: You can't leave the kids, Dixie. Dixie: No, it's ok. Petra is here. She's going to spend the night. Del: It's late, though. Dixie: Just stay put. Tad and I will be there soon to pick you up, ok, honey? Ok. Bye. Now, before you start saying anything -- before you start yelling at me -- Del is my brother. He and Kendall have been through a very difficult time, and I don't think people in mourning should have to go to the baggage claim and have to go pick a taxi in the middle of the night. You're not mad at me? Tad: No, I'm not mad at you. How could I possibly be mad? You're just being you -- sweet, wonderful, generous you. Next scene Dixie: What? What are you looking at? Tad: An angel. Dixie: Oh, please stop. Tad: I'm serious. You pulled off a minor miracle just now and handed it to her, gift-wrapped. Dixie: Look I just didn't want her to feel like she's alone. Tad: Well, you did a lot more than that, honey. You made her feel at home, like she belonged here. Dixie: Well -- I did it for Del because he obviously loves her. [Tad enters bedroom wearing just a speedo, Dixie doesn't notice.] Tad: Well, so much for the old ego. Would you give me that? Dixie: Wait, wait -- Tad: Come on, sweetie. You can't memorize the whole damned book. At I used to do -- put it under your pillow, your brain will suck it up overnight. Dixie: No, I am not a sponge. I am a freshman with a bad case of test-itis. You know, I actually dreamt last night that I slept through the exam. Tad: That's a very common dream. Like the one where you're naked in front of the class? Speaking of which, class is in session. Dixie: Oh, honey -- now, look. Come on, come on. Let me just put on my nightgown, ok? Tad: No, no, no. Don't, don't, don't. Please, just leave the T-shirt on. I kind of like this. Dixie: You do? Tad: Oh, yeah, mm-hmm. Dixie: We take you to the student store. Oh, no, no. I'll get you a catalog. How about that? Tad: I don't want a catalog. I've got my very own beautiful coed right here. Which reminds me -- I can't remember the last time I matriculated with a freshman. Dixie: Well, I can't remember the last time I made love to somebody who had a name tag stuck to their left pec. Tad: Thank you. Dixie: Did I hurt you? Oh, you -- I'll make it up to you. Tad: Getting better. Little lower. Bingo. Oh. Come here. Tad: Listen. Put that away, all right? Dixie: No. Tad: Put it away. Come on. Listen, I hope you know that it doesn't matter to me one way or the other. Dixie: What? Tad: Whether or not you're an "a" student. As far as I'm concerned, you're already on the honor roll, which reminds me -- Dixie: Where are you go-- oh, I got you. Tad: You certainly do. I thought I'd stash the porcelain just in case Kendall gets any ideas. Never know -- tomorrow we could wake up and be brother and sister, switched at birth. Dixie: You are so mean. Tad: And you are perfect, and I want you to know I don't give a damn whether or not you graduate with honors. I mean, it's just an honor being married to you. Dixie: Oh. Shut up and kiss me, Hercules.
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