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Every morning, millions of New Yorkers
leave their crowded apartments
and head out to the even more
crowded streets, on their way to work.
Today, I was one of them.
Sometimes, a girl just needs a new start.
I had a new do, a new mortgage,
and, therefore, a new job.
I had just submitted
my first freelance article
for one of the most relevant
and provocative magazines
on the newsstands today, at least to me.
Vogue.
Also known as Mecca, where I belonged.
This isn't Vogue.
You didn't like it?
No one is saying that.
I am.
I didn't like it.
There, I said it.
What Enid is trying to say, Carrie,
is that you wrote a wonderful first draft.
That isn't Vogue.
There it was, the article
I'd put my heart and soul into
and it was bleeding.
Your spin on the idea is very clever.
Different types of men
as the new accessories for Fall.
A Prada
"A Prada dress should always be worn
with an investment banker.
"
That's wonderful.
Julian, the assignment
was 500 words on accessories, not men.
And I'm not convinced
she knows anything about purses.
- Or, for that matter, men.
- Enid, for the love of God
Ms.
Bradshaw, what you've handed us here
is essentially
your newspaper column
with the word "style" jammed in
where the word "sex" used to be.
We're not looking for Vogue
according to your agenda.
- No one cares about your agenda.
- That's not true.
Forgive me.
I don't care about your agenda.
I care about designers.
Oscar de la Renta, Chanel, Dior.
I want less Carrie Bradshaw and more
"Carry this bag with these shoes.
"
Do you see what I mean?
You're a writer.
You should be writing this down.
I was trying to find a way
to introduce the bags and the bracelets
with a little humor.
Kind of, "Men are the new black.
"
- It was supposed to be funny.
- It was supposed to be bags.
I didn't really bring a writing implement.
Okay.
Bags.
An hour later,
Enid had to leave for a lunch date
presumably to devour another writer.
Don't let Enid get to you.
She just came back from Paris
and apparently humor and irony
are out this season.
Billie Holiday
the only woman I can think of
in more pain than you right now.
Come on, cookie, chin up.
In publishing, you need two things
a tough hide
and a dry martini.
Martinis in the morning.
Is this allowed?
- Is it Vogue?
- Only in absolute emergencies.
Last time I broke this out was when I heard
that fun-fur was making a comeback.
Look at this mess.
Why was I even hired?
I'm afraid you've got me to blame for that.
My daughter introduced me to your column
about a year ago.
I thought you'd be a natural at Vogue.
- I guess you thought wrong.
- Haven't been wrong yet.
Vogue is all about vision.
And you, cookie, have got vision.
We just have to find a way
to hide your vision from Enid's vision.
A little less you, a little more purse
Come on.
Drink.
Cheers!
One and a half martinis later
And the sad thing is, this is what I do best.
- I mean, look at it.
- Cookie, you're drunk.
Cookie's drunk.
I'm drunk at Vogue.
How can anyone get so drunk
on one and a half martinis?
I didn't eat breakfast and I'm a size two,
which should make me perfect for Vogue
but, nope, I'm drunk
and a failure at Vogue.
I feel awful.
This is my fault.
Julian
I came in here today so cocky
I thought I knew it all.
I had my men jokes
and my purse puns
You heard her.
What do I know about purses? Nothing.
What do I know about men?
Oops!
I spilled.
I spilled at Vogue.
Okay.
Maybe we better just take you home.
I can't go out there.
I'm drunk.
I'm drunk at Vogue.
Left, right.
Now look at me.
Pretend I'm saying something fantastic
about corsets.
Excuse me.
- Please tell me that wasn't Anna Wintour.
- It wasn't.
Now just
- Left, right.
- Right.
So sorry.
That night, at a more appropriate
cocktail hour
Come on, there must be something you want
for your birthday.
What I want for my birthday
is not to celebrate it this year.
What if I want to celebrate it?
That would be celebration enough.
Besides I have everything I need.
It's not about needing something.
It's about wanting something just for fun.
Something decadent, something naughty.
May I tempt you with dessert?
- How was everything this evening?
- Delicious, thank you.
Alexa.
I took the liberty of pre-ordering
our chocolate souffl�
for you and Ms.
Jones,
if you want something sweet.
Always.
Thank you for keeping an eye on us.
I couldn't help it.
You're the most attractive couple
in the restaurant.
I know what I'd like for my birthday.
An all-night, nonstop,
championship *** fest with you
Then consider your candles blown.
and Alexa.
You asked.
Is a three-way with a 21-year-old
a bad idea for Richard's birthday?
What about next year? A four-way?
He won't be monogamous.
He'll cheat with or without me.
- Happy birthday to you.
- He didn't ask me to get him a ***.
- These are the options?
- It's someone we know
and at least this way, I'm part of the fantasy.
The fantasy being that he's attracted to
someone young enough to be his daughter.
He is, Charlotte, that's the problem!
Richard's in his *** prime.
Men look better as they get older
and women get
Three-ways, apparently, or
a Marc Jacobs ultra-mod little notebook.
Evidently, I'm recommending it
to Vogue shoppers.
Just be careful.
When a man has a fantasy and you fulfill it
there's the chance
that the relationship could blow up.
Then you're the idiot who did it
with him on the golf course, or something.
- Was it you and Trey?
- No, it's a "for instance.
"
Sorry I'm late.
I was shopping for a stroller.
I shouldn't be here.
I should be out doing the things
I'm supposed to, before the baby comes,
and I'm unable to leave my apartment.
Like what? Jujitsu and off-track betting?
Like buying a crib.
I'm to go to Crib World,
because it's a whole world of cribs.
I guess Crib City wasn't big enough.
Why isn't there a store
called "This Is The Crib For You"?
They have one great crib.
They deliver it and assemble it,
and help raise the child.
- You don't have a crib yet?
- No, I have a job instead.
I'm sorry, but when am I supposed
to find time to prepare for this baby?
I don't have a vague idea
how I'm going to do any of it.
I don't have a Vogue idea, so hello.
- Why don't you let One-Ball help you?
- I tried that.
He starts acting all father figure,
and I get territorial
the salespeople get confused.
Trust me,
it's too complicated for Crib World.
Let me help you.
You said you didn't want a baby shower,
but you can change your mind.
- I hate baby showers.
- Who doesn't?
The games, the finger sandwiches,
all that enforced oohing and ahing.
I don't know,
and I don't care who's having a baby.
Think of the gifts.
It'd be a great way
to get all the stuff you need.
- Without going to Crib World.
- Who would I invite besides you?
All the *** that made you go to theirs.
It's your shower.
You can invite
or not invite whoever you choose.
You really want to throw me
a baby shower
after all you've been through this year?
Yeah, I think it would be good for me.
Okay, but no cutesy, storky ***.
Just an adult,
dignified lunch with presents
- which I will open after everyone leaves.
- You have to open the presents.
No opening of presents, no games,
no crustless bread.
- And I want fried chicken.
- Fried chicken!
But it's not Super Bowl Sunday.
It's my shower, and I'll fry if I want to.
- What should we do for our gift?
- Let's just stick to the registry three-way.
The next day, Charlotte decided
if she was going to host a baby shower
she should hide the evidence
that she had wanted one of her own.
Later that week, I had a meal
with the perfect dinner accessory, Julian.
My wife is a former dancer.
She was with the Martha Graham Company.
And the first time I saw her on stage,
I fell in love with her.
She pli�d and I plotzed.
It'll be 24 years next September.
So you got married
right out of grade school.
I knew there was something
about you that I liked.
What about your life?
Is there a man in your life?
Is it a great love?
I just broke up with somebody.
And yes
it was a great love.
But he went there.
- I went there.
- And there you have it.
So, the reason
that I asked you to dinner tonight
- Was because you knew I would pay?
- Besides that.
I wanted to tell you that I really appreciate
your interest in my article
but I've decided not to finish it.
So you're just going to quit?
I don't let my kids quit.
Technically, I'm not one of your kids.
I'm just a girl you get drunk sometimes.
All right, forget about me.
What would your father say
about you quitting?
He wouldn't have a lot to say about quitting.
He quit my mother and me when I was little.
- Sorry.
- Thanks.
I mean a long time ago.
- I was 5.
- Why did he leave?
No idea, never said.
And that's the name of that tune.
- What?
- No, it's interesting.
Your father leaves without any answers
and you spend your life
asking questions about men.
It's 20 years of analysis.
Forgive me?
- Yes.
- Okay, Vogue.
What if I could fix it
so that you only deal with me, and
Enid spends less time hating your writing
and more time hating Tom Ford's line?
- Julian
- Come on, cookie, you're no quitter.
And we get to work on this together.
What do you say?
Why are you being so sweet?
Martini guilt.
Later that night,
I got to thinking about fathers
or the lack of them.
Some say a daughter's relationship
with her father is the model
for all her subsequent
relationships with men.
Is that just pop psychology,
or is there some truth to it?
And if you were given
a less-than-perfect model
does it mean a life
of less-than-perfect relationships?
I couldn't help but wonder.
How much does a father figure figure?
Gentlemen, I understand your concern,
but I'm looking at the contract right now.
I'm sorry, could you hold for a moment?
I'm on a conference call here.
Charlotte York says it's an emergency.
- What's wrong, you okay?
- I'm fine.
I'm looking at your registry.
There are some things you forgot.
- Like a Manhattan Whoozit.
- A what?
It's a learning toy.
Active toys make for passive children.
- There's a philosophy on it.
- I don't have the time.
- I'm on a conference call with London.
- What about a Peek-A-Ball?
- Jesus, I have to get back.
- One more quick thing.
You said no storks, but I saw the most
gorgeous centerpiece, in the shape
- I'm at work.
- We have to order it by noon.
Its feathers are white Fiji mum.
- What did I say?
- No storks.
But these people are giving expensive gifts,
and will want to see a little baby.
No storks, no present opening,
no cutesy baby stuff.
We agreed.
What about a marzipan baby carriage?
It has a white chocolate, peanut butter baby
inside, and you can eat the baby.
The next day, Samantha
made a conference call of her own.
Ms.
Jones, welcome.
Will Mr.
Wright be joining you for lunch?
No, actually,
it's Richard's birthday this weekend
and I'm trying to put together
a little celebration for him.
Would you like to reserve
one of our banquet rooms
That won't be necessary.
It's a very small party.
A very small private party of three.
Just Richard, myself, and a third
if you have any openings.
- I'm wide open.
- Lucky me.
And now that Charlotte's house
was ready for the baby shower
she wanted to make sure
Miranda's house was ready for the baby.
The bassinet can go over here by the bed.
So that when you get up for feedings,
he's right there.
Unless you're planning
to have him sleep in bed with you.
- Can't I go to jail for that?
- No.
In fact many cultures believe
it's safer for the baby's breathing.
Except for the risk of rolling over
and smushing him while asleep.
But that almost never happens.
But if you want to err on the side of safety
I'll just put him in the thing.
The bassinet? Great.
And then when he's big enough,
you can put the crib here.
- Is that what you were thinking?
- I hadn't thought about that yet.
You need to start thinking
about these things.
There are a million questions to answer
before the baby gets here.
Do you have a birthing plan?
What kind of mother do you want to be?
I plan to be a good mother.
But a marsupial mom or a stroller mom?
Will you be breastfeeding or bottle-feeding?
And what about babyproofing?
'Cause with all the sharp edges
around here
I mean, this place is a deathtrap!
- Okay, you need to back off.
- I'm just trying to help.
This is your idea of helping?
Pointing out all the things I do badly?
- I'm not pointing out
- You are.
You need to try
to let other people in a little
because once you have that baby,
it's not just you anymore.
You're not gonna be able
to control everything.
Look, I just want to enjoy the fried chicken
and be done with it.
I had to rethink the fried chicken
because only you wanted all that breading.
So instead we're having mesclun greens
and a lovely puttanesca
- with a Fiji mum centerpiece.
- A Fiji mum stork centerpiece?
- One stork.
I think you can deal with one
- Two storks.
I saw the invitation!
That's not a stork! That is a duck.
That duck is smoking an "It's A Boy" cigar.
That's not for children.
That duck is ***!
This whole shower is ***!
You can't have a shower without baby stuff!
You continue,
you'll have a shower without a mommy!
- Fine!
- Fine!
Miranda, you better show up.
I am not getting stuck with some lawyers,
who, if they're like you
won't even appreciate
a beautiful puttanesca!
Watch out for the sharp edges!
Thanks for coming down and talking.
I really didn't have a choice.
You couldn't make it up the stairs.
There, you feel better?
The back, yes.
The other stuff, no.
I'm gonna be a terrible mother.
I am!
I have no maternal instincts, no patience.
The way I yelled at Charlotte
She was just trying to point out
what needed to be childproofed.
- Oh, my God.
- What?
I'm what needs to be childproofed.
You wanna quit?
Come on, I'll quit the magazine.
You quit the baby.
We'll be two quitters.
We'll live happily ever after.
- Can I tell you a secret?
- You're not pregnant? It's water weight?
I dropped my niece on her head.
I was babysitting when I was 13,
and I got bored.
I was doing my homework,
she slid down the couch.
- Two stitches.
- Get off my stoop!
How is this kid ever gonna make it?
A type-A mother, who works
- He has a father figure.
- Steve.
I meant you.
- Really?
- Yeah.
I do like those Yankees!
- Second date, dinner and a movie.
- I hate them.
Do you think it's as simple as,
"My father walked out
"therefore I'll always be
messed up about men?"
My father came home every night
at 7:00 on the dot
- and I have no clue about men, either.
- So it's a crapshoot.
Do I have to go to my own baby shower?
- I R.
S.
V.
P.
'd to a duck with a cigar.
- All right.
- You're going.
- It's late.
I've got to catch a cab.
Wait, let me get you a forklift.
- When you're ready.
- Okay.
Go.
- Thank you.
- You did good.
You, too.
The next day, Miranda decided
not to duck her own shower.
You showed up.
Bring on the ladies in hats,
and let's get this over with.
- Where'd you put all the storks?
- You said you didn't want any storks.
I know, but
- What did you do?
- It's your shower.
Can you get that?
I have to get the sandwiches,
which have all of their crusts.
Nothing cute.
No ridiculous,
over-the-top baby stuff allowed.
- Hey, Momma!
- Why are you opening the door?
Shouldn't you be sitting on a lily pad
being worshipped?
What is that?
It's a four-tiered baby cake
made entirely of diapers.
- I baked it myself.
- We ordered it online.
What am I supposed to do with it?
- How would we know? Didn't you want one?
- No.
We're not taking it back.
We've already
been seen carrying it down Park Avenue.
Definitely not Vogue.
Charlotte said it was the shower gift.
I told you we should've gotten
the massage certificate.
One hour, two platters of chicken,
and 13 lawyers later
all talk had turned to babies.
Almost all.
She may be 21,
but I have 21 years of experience.
- I could *** her under the table.
- Good to know.
Because in a three-way situation,
it could come to that.
- I have tricks she hasn't even seen.
- Those Trix aren't for kids.
And whatever happens,
she's just renting him.
I own.
- Exactly.
- Although, I don't really own.
- So it's more of an illegal-sublet type thing?
- Yeah.
Wow!
It's a breast pump.
I didn't want you coming to my office
to borrow mine.
You know what? I have to pee.
Wait.
Here.
You take Charles.
Have fun, Mom.
All right.
Keep it coming, ladies.
Let's keep the presents
- Miranda!
- Yeah?
Nothing.
Something tells me this one's Tiffany.
That's from me.
- That is elegant.
- Oh, my God.
That's exactly like the rattle Trey gave me
when we first
- You okay?
- I'm fine.
Sorry, everybody.
Excuse me.
What happened?
What did I do?
I just need to be alone right now.
Okay.
Except, you know,
you've got 20 people in the other room.
- I'm sorry I ruined your shower.
- You didn't.
And there wouldn't even be a shower to ruin
if it weren't for you.
Look, I know this is hard.
And I really appreciate you trying to be okay
with me having this baby
because I need you.
I mean, let's face it.
You're the only person in my life
who knows how important it is to have
a cake made entirely out of diapers.
- There's lotion in there, too.
- Oh, yeah?
And baby bottles
and a receiving blanket.
See?
I would never have known that.
You would've figured it out.
And just like that, Miranda realized
she might be a good mother figure, as well.
Hello.
Somebody better go check on
Mommy in the guest bath
'cause little bits here has wet himself.
And myself, I might add.
- I happen to have four tiers of diapers.
- Good.
Ladies, can we cut the cake
and get out of here?
I have a three-way to go to.
That's my earring.
That night, at the birthday three-way,
Samantha made sure it happened her way.
Just so we're clear
tonight is just about sex, not love.
So there will be no kissing on the mouth.
Richard's lips are off-limits
to anyone but me.
What if he kisses me?
- Who's up for champagne?
- I'm up for anything.
Hey!
Easy, Sam.
There's more than enough of me
to go around.
You tell her, Daddy.
The one thing Richard
didn't want for his birthday
was to feel older.
- Get rid of her.
- I'm on it.
It was time for the fledgling
to leave the love nest.
Anything else you want for your birthday?
No, this is great.
Just you and me.
What about my three-way?
I have a busboy arriving at midnight.
Seriously, let's try this.
Just you and me.
Nobody else.
Okay.
By giving Richard
what he thought he wanted
Samantha finally got what she needed.
Monogamy.
The following night, with a little
after-hours help from my favorite editor
I finished the impossible.
My first Vogue piece.
And now, my favorite part
of the writing process
print.
Congratulations, cookie.
Five hundred beautifully written words
and some of them even include
the Carrie Bradshaw agenda.
- Cleverly hidden, of course.
- It's a literary Where's Waldo?
When I finish a piece, I usually celebrate
by opening a bottle of Ch�teau La Tour.
How do you celebrate?
By buying shoes and purses.
In that case, have you ever heard
of the Vogue accessories closet?
Oh, my God!
It's too good!
I'm sorry, but it's
It's too good!
You're just like a kid
in a couture candy store.
This is too much!
How can this be?
Designers send these things,
and we photograph them.
Oh, my God!
- Do you know what these are?
- We're not even supposed to be in here.
Manolo Blahnik Mary Janes.
I thought these were an urban shoe myth.
Now if you'll excuse me,
I'll be pillaging the men's side.
Okay.
Oh, my God!
These are authentic patent leather.
And if they don't fit,
so help me, I'm gonna wear them anyway.
Crap.
They almost fit.
- Tell me what you think of these Versaces.
- Okay.
All right!
- What do you think?
- Oh, my
- What are you doing?
- I'm just showing you these briefs.
Well, don't.
Julian, pull your pants up.
- Look at you in those Mary Janes!
- Stop.
What happened to your wife, the dancer?
She's having an affair with her friend,
the chiropractor.
- What?
- I find you adorable.
- You're old enough to be my father.
- Hardly.
Would your father wear Versaces?
- Pull your pants up, now.
- All right.
But, cookie
as someone who cares about you, let me
say, I think you have some issues with men.
I do right now.
An older man can help you work through
some of those father issues, cookie.
Okay, don't "cookie" me, Freud.
Pants up!
Show some respect.
This is Vogue!
It turns out Julian had an agenda, as well.
But it was cleverly hidden, of course.
From then on, once a month,
when I went to Vogue
I thought it best
to work exclusively with Enid.
This new piece shows improvement,
but still positively reeks of you.
This magazine doesn't care what
Carrie Bradshaw says about shoes.
What does Carrie Bradshaw
know about shoes?
With all due respect
men, I may not know
but shoes
shoes, I know.
- I'm walking.
- I'm walking, too.
I admit it's tempting
to wish for the perfect boss
or the perfect parent, or the perfect outfit.
But maybe the best any of us can do
is not quit.
Play the hand we've been given,
and accessorize the outfit we've got.
SOFTITLER
part of the [RL] Crew