Tad and Dixie 9/14/93 Like You Didn't Take Mine?

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:08]Not as easy as it used to be.

[00:00:11]>> Where'd you come from?

[00:00:13]>> I gave the chauffeur for the night off, so I'm your designated driver.

[00:00:17]>> My car is right down in a parking lot.

[00:00:19]>> But your mind is in another time zone.

[00:00:22]And after a mere 8 hours in the O, I wonder why.

[00:00:27]>> Okay, I'm not going to argue. retired.

[00:00:30]>> I'm counting on that.

[00:00:31]>> There you are. I've been looking all over for you.

[00:00:33]>> What's wrong?

[00:00:34]>> Oh, no. Nothing's wrong.

[00:00:35]>> Is it something matter with Junior?

[00:00:37]>> No, Junior's fine. He's with Brian, actually.

[00:00:39]>> Well, then what what are you doing here?

[00:00:41]>> I came by to drop off some notes for some patients >> in the middle of the night.

[00:00:46]>> Yes, I'm on my way to California to see Ted.

[00:00:53]>> It's getting hot out.

[00:00:55]Almost too hot for sitting.

[00:01:01]No breeze.

[00:01:04]Storm's coming.

[00:01:07]Rain will cool things off.

[00:01:11]I was thinking about what you said before.

[00:01:14]You had a point about dumb luck. Luck of the draw.

[00:01:21]You had a jerk for a father. I got him.

[00:01:23]>> Yeah. When they handed out parents, you got the best. They were crazy about you.

[00:01:29]>> Love doesn't amount to much when you're locked in the trunk of a car.

[00:01:34]I'm not that little boy anymore. Two headstones aren't going to change me back.

[00:01:38]>> How about trying to remember?

[00:01:40]I know you remember.

[00:01:42]>> Just snap your fingers and turn me into Ted Warsini.

[00:01:46]It's not going to happen like that. I'm not you.

[00:01:50]Well, so what? You treed all the way out here just to tell me that?

[00:01:54]Well, I tell you what, Ted. Why don't you save yourself some time and uh just slide back up north into that hole you crawled out of? Or better yet, why don't you do us all a favor and just go straight to hell?

[00:02:18]This is what you've been waiting for, isn't it? No, actually, I've been waiting for you to start acting like a human being, but I guess I just set my sights too high.

[00:02:27]>> Well, then you're off the hook and tomorrow you can go to the board and tell them you gave it your best shot and that I was too stupid. No, more like you're too mired in your lousy past feeling sorry for yourself. You've already got it written in your head.

[00:02:43]>> Yeah.

[00:02:45]Yeah, I got it down.

[00:02:48]As a matter of fact, I could have uh typed it up and faxed it out months ago.

[00:02:54]Yeah, but then you might have looked bad to who? All the nurses that you screamed and spit at in Pine Valley Hospital? Or my mother who's convinced that you're possessed? Or what about Brooke, my wife who's watched you destroy our furniture faster than it takes most people to crack open a beer? Or hey, I got one, Ted. What about the photographer that managed to catch that lovely candidate of you trying to kill me?

[00:03:15]Are these all the people that I would have offended by not welcoming you without stretched arms? I can think of someone else. No, you can't.

[00:03:36]Yeah, you got a rotten deal, Ted. And I feel sorry for you. I do. But it's not my fault. I didn't do it. All I'm trying to do here is help you. Somebody else grabbed you off that bicycle and pulled you into a moving car. So, all the hate you're carrying around belongs to them, not me.

[00:03:56]It's high time you heaved that chip off your shoulder and chucked all the self-pity. Just get over it, right?

[00:04:02]Yeah.

[00:04:04]Yeah. Something like that.

[00:04:07]At least try.

[00:04:10]In a beautiful house overlooking 800 acres with a gold mine of a business sitting in the palm of your hand.

[00:04:18]Most people would want to look forward, not back. And hell, a few of them might even try being a little grateful. To who? You. That's right. Forget it. I'd rather stay a nobody who doesn't know his own name.

[00:04:35]I'm beginning to wish I'd never come back. You know what?

[00:04:40]That makes two of us.

[00:04:47]>> Wait, you can't go to California.

[00:04:50]>> I can't.

[00:04:52]>> No, no, no. It's a terrible idea, >> Joe.

[00:04:56]>> Look, the uh the situation between Todd and Tate is volatile enough without you mixing in it.

[00:05:01]>> Well, it's not as if I'm walking into the situation blind. I mean, I have spent time with them together before.

[00:05:08]>> Yes. Yes, I know you have.

[00:05:10]>> I mean, I I'm used to the tension, you know. I I I think I can handle it.

[00:05:14]>> Why should you handle the tension? Who made that your job?

[00:05:17]>> It's not as if this is my life's project. I mean, this is the last time.

[00:05:20]>> Dixie, let it go. Let it go. You don't know what you're doing.

[00:05:25]>> Joe, just what is it that you think that she doesn't know?

[00:05:30]>> Look, I didn't come here for your advice. I came here to find out whether you would look in on Junior for me, but if you'd rather not.

[00:05:36]>> No, of course we will. We'd love to.

[00:05:39]Wouldn't we, Joe?

[00:05:40]>> Now, does Tad know you're going out there, or is Ted just going to spring it on him?

[00:05:45]>> Well, actually, I kind of made up my mind this morning, so I'm guess I'm going to surprise them both.

[00:05:49]>> Well, I'm sure it will be a surprise.

[00:05:51]But what is the point of the exercise?

[00:05:53]>> Uh, Dixie, listen. You're just going to have to forgive Joe because he's been in surgery all night.

[00:05:56]>> Dixie, it's a very foolish idea. You don't know what you may be walking in the middle of. It's not as if I'm doing this for the first time, Joe.

[00:06:02]>> Don't you think it's about time Ted and Ted were allowed to work things out for themselves? They don't need your help.

[00:06:07]>> Well, maybe your son doesn't need my help, but Ted definitely does. Okay, >> Ted needs help. Ted will give it to him.

[00:06:13]>> No, he needs me. I have to be there.

[00:06:15]>> Ted is a grown man. He can't make it.

[00:06:17]Why can't he make a move without your help?

[00:06:19]>> Because he he has a hard time trusting people. He's He's He has a difficulty time opening up.

[00:06:25]>> You don't go to a board meeting to open up, Dixie. I'm having such a difficult time trying to make people understand this.

[00:06:29]>> It's you who don't understand. There's more going on than you will realize.

[00:06:32]>> Ted can't read. All right.

[00:06:38]He can't read.

[00:06:42]That's why he needs me.

[00:06:47]I knew it all along.

[00:06:50]You never fooled me.

[00:06:52]>> Well, don't break your arm trying to pat yourself on the back.

[00:06:56]I never tried to fool you or anybody else.

[00:06:59]I would have given my eye teeth to be Nola's real son and the rightful heir to all of this. It doesn't take any piercing insight to figure that out.

[00:07:10]That's not all I figured out. Well, then hell, Ted. You're a regular genius.

[00:07:16]Real idiot soant.

[00:07:19]My point is unlike you, I don't act on all my baser instincts.

[00:07:24]No matter what was going on, I I did everything I could to do what was right. You're a real prince.

[00:07:40]No, I'm not a prince, Ted.

[00:07:46]You are.

[00:07:48]I'm just the fool that stood on his head trying to give you back your kingdom.

[00:07:52]And believe me, I didn't do it cuz you're such a fabulous human being.

[00:07:58]I did it because your mother was.

[00:08:02]Right now, I'm sorry about it.

[00:08:08]She's dead.

[00:08:10]She'll never know.

[00:08:13]Why don't you keep what you've got? Stop worrying about me.

[00:08:19]You know, I used to wish like crazy that your mother had held on just a little while longer.

[00:08:28]Just long enough to see her son come back. The real one. The one she kept all of this going for.

[00:08:35]Well, it took a while, Ted, but you've managed to burn it out of me.

[00:08:39]Cuz I still miss her.

[00:08:42]But now, frankly, I'm glad she's not around to see you spit on everything she stood for. You shut the hell up.

[00:08:51]Just shut up. You come out here like it's some kind of personal shrine. She was my mother. So, you knew her for a couple years. So what? You don't know anything about my family. You don't know a damn thing about me. Oh, I know you, Ted. I know you.

[00:09:05]You're the guy that wanted to auction off his mother's vineyard to the highest bidder.

[00:09:11]Never mind the fact that she she poured her heart and soul into this place. Who cares if they turn it into a mall or a trailer park.

[00:09:21]Don't flatter yourself.

[00:09:24]I know you all too well.

[00:09:27]You're the one that jumped all over me just because I had the nerve to try to offer you the entire world.

[00:09:34]You're the one that rubbed Dixie in my face over and over again just for the joy of sticking it to me. That's not the reason why. Really?

[00:09:46]You mean there's a more complicated reason?

[00:09:50]You don't have a clue?

[00:09:52]>> No, I guess not.

[00:09:54]So, why didn't you explain it to me, Ted? Huh?

[00:09:58]Why was it so vitally important for you to have Dixie glued to your side? Every solitary time I step foot in your office to do business.

[00:10:11]>> He can't read.

[00:10:13]>> He just started learning a few months ago.

[00:10:16]>> But how could that have happened? Didn't I mean, didn't he ever go to any school?

[00:10:20]He was kept at home.

[00:10:22]>> But actually, Ted was eight years old when that thing took place.

[00:10:26]>> He blocked out all memories of his family, his mother and father. I mean, do you think he could he could remember how to read The Cat in the Hat? I mean, he's I mean, he's incredibly he's been incredibly humiliated as an adult man.

[00:10:38]He can't even read the a headline.

[00:10:41]>> And Chad doesn't know, but >> No, he doesn't know. And I don't want him to know. You can't tell him. Not you or any, but yet tell him or anybody else.

[00:10:47]>> And that's why you have to go to uh California.

[00:10:50]>> He's made remarkable progress for a beginner, but he still can't read very fast. And you know, he's still not very confident.

[00:10:59]Who taught him?

[00:11:02]>> Well, I did all by yourself.

[00:11:06]>> Well, that's Honey, that's a lot of lot of work.

[00:11:09]>> No, he did all the work. I just I just put in the time.

[00:11:13]>> Nothing else was involved. When I saw you on Labor Day, I I was wondering if >> No, no, no, no, no. Ted and I are just good friends. That's it. I like him. I want to help him. That's the extent of it.

[00:11:28]>> Well, listen to me. Nobody Nobody has to teach that man how to pick his friends.

[00:11:32]He has impeccable taste.

[00:11:34]>> Thank you.

[00:11:36]>> Look, I just I just want to get him through that board meeting, you know.

[00:11:39]Just help him out. I know as soon as he clears that hurdle, he's going to be fine. I know he will.

[00:11:44]>> I understand.

[00:11:47]>> Thanks.

[00:11:49]Well, um, it's late and I'm I'm going to miss my plane if I will keep an eye on Junior. You just give Tad our love and have a safe trip. Thank you, >> Nixon. You take care of yourself.

[00:12:12]>> Do you remember what Tedarini was like when he was in this hospital? She managed to win his confidence and single-handedly teach him how to read.

[00:12:20]>> Well, it doesn't surprise me. I always thought Dixie was a wonderful girl. This year, you know, she's blossomed out into a strong and confident young woman.

[00:12:30]No wonder, Tad, I knew that you were keeping something from me. It's about Tad and Dixie.

[00:12:41]Now, either you let me in on it right now or you are going to walk home.

[00:12:53]Come on. What gets you here?

[00:12:55]>> Joseph Martin, don't even try it.

[00:12:56]There's something very serious brewing with Tad and Dixie. Now, why else would the patron saint of non-intervention tell Dixie how to run her life? I mean, you practically ordered her not to go to California.

[00:13:07]>> You said it yourself. I'm tired. I'm exhausted. I didn't know what I was saying.

[00:13:10]>> Oh, oh, bologoney. Bologoney. We're still the world's worst liar. You have been sitting on something for days now.

[00:13:15]Ever since that that that view from the vineyard. As a matter of fact, I can practically pinpoint exactly when it started. It was right after that little father-son chat you had with Tad in the hotel bar.

[00:13:26]What did he say to you, Cho? Why won't you tell me?

[00:13:34]>> I promised.

[00:13:36]>> Oh, great. I mean, that's just great.

[00:13:38]Another secret. That's just all we need.

[00:13:41]I mean, Tid Orsini is just now learning to read, but that's a secret. Dixie has gone to Napa. That has to be a surprise.

[00:13:48]Ted and Dixie are nothing but good friends, but that has to be kept under wraps until he's finished his reading lessons. And what gives Tad the right to make one parent swear not to tell another?

[00:14:00]>> You got a point.

[00:14:01]>> But you've got a secret, and I demand to know what it is.

[00:14:09]>> In New York, Dad told me he still loved Dixie.

[00:14:18]and he wants her back.

[00:14:24]>> Well, I'm waiting. If you weren't simply trying to tick me off, then why'd you feel compelled to drag a date into work with you every single day? Huh? Come on, Ted. What's going on with you, >> Dixie?

[00:14:34]Dixie, I know how fond you are of Dixie.

[00:14:40]Believe me, I know that doesn't explain anything. I had all of this.

[00:14:45]All of it.

[00:14:48]They took it away from me.

[00:14:51]I had them, too.

[00:14:54]Then I lost my parents.

[00:14:57]I don't care what you think. I'm not going to lose Dixie.

[00:15:01]>> Yeah.

[00:15:03]You've made that abundantly clear.

[00:15:06]I know. Took a while.

[00:15:09]Yeah, I did.

[00:15:11]You ever hear of the word overkill?

[00:15:14]>> You ever hear of staking a claim? Wasn't necessary and backed off you and Dixie a long time ago. Only because she told you to. Who cares why? I do.

[00:15:28]I'll never forget the night you came to my room.

[00:15:33]You offered me a choice, Dixie or the vineyard.

[00:15:40]As if you could scare me off. Well, then I guess you get the last laugh, don't you?

[00:15:48]Sure. You get to ride off into the sunset with both Dixie and the vineyard.

[00:15:52]You satisfied? Hey, all you got to do is show up at one lousy meeting tomorrow.

[00:15:57]That's it. You won, Ted. I admit it.

[00:16:02]So, why are you still whining?

[00:16:05]What the hell is your problem? You are a guy that blows in out of nowhere and takes my life.

[00:16:10]>> Like you didn't take mine. If you hadn't stumbled up to Willow Lake and passed out in her doorway, Dixie and I might together right now.

[00:16:19]Instead, she's stuck with you. Dixie's not stuck.

[00:16:24]We're together cuz she cares about me.

[00:16:26]>> She cares about wounded animals, too.

[00:16:28]That doesn't mean she's going to be happy married to one. Face it, Ted.

[00:16:31]You're nothing but second choice.

[00:16:48]You shut up about me and Dixie.

[00:16:51]>> No.

[00:16:53]No. I'm not going to do this.

[00:16:57]I don't care how much of a yet you are.

[00:16:59]I'm not going to break your jaw over your mother's grave. You don't know a damn thing about me and Dixie.

[00:17:06]>> Fine.

[00:17:08]Great.

[00:17:09]You and Dixie belong together. You were made for each other. Two hearts beating as one. Is that any better, Ted? You made your choice. You go to hell.

[00:17:21]Why don't you ask yourself why Dixie was alone in that cabin?

[00:17:25]Or why you didn't have the guts to turn your life around?

[00:17:30]while you waited for somebody else to do it for you.

[00:17:35]You really think you would have left Brooke at the alter for Dixie?

[00:17:40]I don't know. Still hedging your bets, huh?

[00:17:44]>> No, I just like to think twice before I do any damage.

[00:17:50]It's too bad I don't have your talent.

[00:17:52]Yeah, when you run over people's lives, you don't even bother to look back, do you?

[00:17:58]>> Sorry to be such a problem. There's no problem, Ted.

[00:18:02]Not anymore.

[00:18:05]There's a deal on the table. Next move's yours.

[00:18:08]You either show up tomorrow or you don't.

[00:18:13]Either way, I don't give a damn. I just want it over with.

[00:18:42]I don't know whether to fall on my knees and offer a prayer of thanks or go home and weep for a month.

[00:18:49]>> Ted's in a terrible spot. Really? He loves Dixie. He loves Brooke as well.

[00:18:55]Oh, but not not like Dixie. I mean, it doesn't even compare.

[00:18:58]>> Well, but he made a commitment to Brooke and to his son.

[00:19:02]>> Yeah, Jamie, the little boy that nobody ever told him about. I mean, instant fatherhood would have been overwhelming for anybody. If if only Brooke hadn't waited so long to tell him about.

[00:19:14]>> What's done is done.

[00:19:17]>> It's all such a mess.

[00:19:22]At least I understand why you tried to stop Dixie from making the trip.

[00:19:25]>> Well, came so close to telling her the truth. Dad made me promise not to bring the word of it. So, I had to let her fly off to a situation that may blow up.

[00:19:39]>> You know, we we read all the parents manuals.

[00:19:44]Nobody ever told us to expect problems like this.

[00:19:49]If they had, would you have believed them?

[00:19:56]>> Not for one minute.

[00:20:20]Thunder.

[00:20:24]He was right.

[00:20:27]Hear that?

[00:20:35]I blew it, Nola.

[00:20:38]Not only that, I lied to him.

[00:20:41]Truth is, I want you back for all kinds of reasons.

[00:20:45]The least of which is him.

[00:20:50]For starters, if you were here right now, square things between him and me like that.

[00:20:58]Yeah. You always had that charm, that glow.

[00:21:06]So, what's your recipe for straightening out this mess? Huh? Not going to give you your son back when I can't when he doesn't want to give me the time of day.

[00:21:18]We don't see eye to eye on anything except women.

[00:21:24]That's a whole other problem.

[00:21:35]How could such a special person, such a magical beings, you mother two, such complete fools?

[00:21:48]I guess neither one of us had you around long enough for the magic to sink in.

[00:21:54]Still, I wish you were here to Oh, hell no. I just wish you were here.

[00:22:09]>> Mean Mr. Orsini is gone. Gone where?

[00:22:11]Where'd he go?

[00:22:12]>> I don't know. He didn't say.

[00:22:13]>> Did he say when he'd be back?

[00:22:15]>> No. He packed all his things. I've been looking all over to tell you. I >> can't believe that the jackass actually left.

[00:22:23]>> The trip is off. I'm going to call my sister.

[00:22:25]>> No, no, no, no, no, no. Don't you dare.

[00:22:26]Listen, listen, Rosalie. There's nothing you can do right now. Okay, listen. You just promise he'll enjoy your vacation.

[00:22:32]Say hello to your sister and I'll take care of this somehow.

[00:22:36]There. You see that's that's probably him right now. You You go ahead. Thanks.

[00:22:43]I had to dead bolt this sucker. Keep it simple. Thank you. Beg until I open.