Hey, I'm going to the gym.
You sure you don't want to come?
Hmm. No, but you're adorable to keep asking.
Oh, shoot. I need a towel.
Aw, come on.
Now, don't do this to me now. Work.
Are you seriously stealing my batteries?
Yeah.
So when I got to the gym,
I'd just find out that my batteries were dead?
Yeah. And I left your walk man on play
so you'd think you did it yourself.
That's just evil.
And you're married to it.
Don't steal my stuff, ok?
By the way, if you could, uh, manage to roll yourself
off the couch, there's a whole drawer
of batteries upstairs in my office.
Hope you can smell smoke, sister.
Bye, hon.
No time for breakfast.
Not that you're making any.
Wait, wait. Don't go yet.
I got something for you. Wait, wait, wait.
Come on.
Kitchen sex?
No. It's not sex.
You know what? I really am late.
No! Come on, Doug. I am trying to do something here.
What? Come on.
Come on, come on.
I don't know what I'm doing?
Come on. Gimme a spin. Gimme something.
What am I doing? Shake it! Shake it!
I don't even know what I'm doing.
There you go.
I'm starting to sweat,
and you're not telling me what's going on.
We are doing this to remind you
of our first date, where we went?
To 2nd base?
Salsa dancing.
This weekend is the anniversary of our first date,
and by the way, you didn't get to 2nd base, ok?
You got under sweater, but over bra.
Well, if you'd have told me the clasp was in the front,
I would've got there.
Come on. I made reservations in the city
at this place called El Caliente.
They serve you a romantic dinner,
they give you salsa lessons,
the band plays all night. It'll be fun.
Salsa dancing?
That's got "split my pants" written all over it.
Doug, that was a very important night
for our relationship,
and I want to do something special to remember it.
But we never celebrated it before.
I know. But I was reading this magazine,
and don't roll your eyes,
but the article said it's important in a relationship
to have tent poles.
Tent poles? Like in the circus?
No, no. They're like the big moments
that the rest of your relationship is draped on.
If you don't have the tent poles,
What?
Will you go salsa dancing with me this weekend?
Ok, all right. God bless. We'll go dancing, huh?
I want you to have tent poles. All right?
Thank you.
Last chance for kitchen sex.
Actually, now I'm late.
Hey, Heffernan.
Hey, boss. H-h-how was your, uh, weekend?
My bird died. I had him for 31 years.
Oh! 31 years. That's... that's a good ride.
For a bird.
Had a 300-word vocabulary.
The only words he couldn't say were "I ate glass."
Yikes.
So you, uh... You gonna get another one?
Oh, sure. Just get another one.
They're all the same. Feathers and a beak.
That's all you people see!
I'm sorry. I put him in the ground this morning.
Just get to work.
Hey. Hey. I've been looking for you, man.
What's up, player?
This weekend, I'm throwing a trip together
to Atlantic city.
Really? Yeah.
I... I can't go. I can't do it.
What are you talking about? I got a ton of guys going.
Nick's going. Rico, you're coming on my trip, right?
Sure, you got it, Jack.
It's a.C., man. It's drinking, it's gambling,
it's cheap-ass buffeting.
You don't have to tell me what Atlantic city is, all right?
I dream about it, for God's sakes. I can't do it.
Carrie's got this whole salsa dancing thing planned.
So you can bring her on the trip.
Kelly's coming. Carrie can yap-yap with her,
get her off my case for 5 minutes.
Uh, it's not gonna work.
She's all psyched about this weekend
because it's the anniversary of our first date.
That's a choke hold right there.
Aw, man. There's no trip without you.
You're the straw that stirs the drink, man.
Just let it go, ok? I can't be the straw.
All right. Let me come at this another way, all right?
Atlantic city.
I'm in.
That's my boy.
I just gotta think of a way to tell Carrie.
Why don't you just do what I did and tell her,
"oh, you're going, woman."
Right. I might have to cute that one up a little.
All right. I'm out of here.
All right.
So...
Atlantic city, huh?
There she is.
Hey, hon.
Hey.
What you got going on there?
Your emergency candy bar melted in my purse again.
I love ya, but I just can't do it anymore.
Come on, just 3 more months.
By the way, I bought some new shoes
for El Caliente on Saturday.
Very spiky, muy slutty.
Cool. You know I was, uh, I was caught in traffic
and I... I know I was mocking you before,
but I was thinking about this whole tent pole thing.
You were?
Yeah. I think about us sometimes.
Does that shock you?
Somewhat.
Anyway, uh, we're building the poles of our relationship,
and I was just wondering is one night at El Caliente,
which, by the way, means the Caliente...
Really enough?
What do you mean?
I just think we should do something really special here.
Maybe like a weekend sort of thing.
Something that we can drive to that's not too far,
like Atlantic city or something?
Are you saying you want to go on the trip with Deacon?
I'm sorry. Who-con?
I'm best friends with his wife, you moron.
We had lunch today.
Didn't think that one through.
Ok, look, I'm sorry, but I...
I honestly think Atlantic city
could be a great tent pole for us, too.
How? You play Blackjack all day,
and then I watch you actually eat all you can eat?
We'll do all the things that you want to do.
We'll have a romantic dinner,
we'll go dancing, we'll walk on the boardwalk,
and you can get a nice massage at the spa
and I can do a little gambling.
I mean, it'll be a great weekend
'cause we'll both be happy.
And isn't that what tent pole really means?
No, not really. But you sold me.
Ok. We can go.
Thank you. Welcome.
All right.
Hello?
The straw is in the drink.
What? Who is this?
It's Doug, you idiot. I'm in. I got her on board.
Cool.
Is that Deacon?
Uh, yeah.
Ask him if Kelly's bringing her workout clothes.
Carrie wants to know if Kelly's bringing her workout stuff.
H-hold on.
Kel, you bringing your workout stuff?
I don't know what I'm doing about anything anymore.
Undecided.
She's not sure.
Ok.
All right. Well, I guess the next time I'll see you,
I'll be in your vodka tonic.
What?
I'm the straw.
I gotta go.
A-all righty.
Gotta tell ya, I am liking this whole Egyptian thing.
How much did you tip the mummy back there?
I gave him a dollar.
Doug.
Well, he did nothing. He opened the car door
and then he checked out my buns.
He should be tipping me.
Have you seen anybody else yet?
No.
Uh, hi. I can help you over here.
Oh. Hi. Hi.
Checking in. Heffernan.
Heffernan...
Doug and Carrie. I have you right here,
and we've got a very nice room on the 14th floor for you.
Oh. Great. Um, by the way,
what's your most romantic restaurant here?
Uh, that would be queen nefertiti's.
Nefertiti's?
Should be, like, the name of a strip club, huh?
Check out her titis.
Here are your hotel keys and, uh...
Oh, we have a message.
Um, "tried to call you at home. Something came up."
"Trip's off, but you two have a kick-ass time.
Deacon."
Huh? Deacon canceled? What's that about?
I don't know. He said something came up.
Actually, this... this could be kind of nice,
just the two of us.
Hey, Heffernan. You made it. Thank God.
I thought it was gonna be just me.
By the way, honey, you look beautiful tonight.
Y-you really do. You look great.
Thank you, Doug.
Yeah, she does. She really does.
Thank you, Mr. O'Boyle.
Hi. I'm Pam. I'll be your waitress.
Could I get you folks started with something from the bar?
Definitely. I'll have a glass of chardonnay, please.
Yeah. I'll take a Heineken.
Nothing for me. I'm a recovering alcoholic.
Ok.
Recovering alcoholic.
I guess we'll just have to have our fun
at the Blackjack tables.
I don't gamble, Doug.
You don't gamble.
Nope. Not unless I want to lose another house and family.
Ah, you know what?
You kids, you don't need the boss here to bring you down.
Maybe I should just shoot a cup of coffee
and drive back to the city.
You want me to go?
No. No. No, no, no.
We want you to stay right here with us?
What, are you kidding me?
Well, ok, then. What the hell? I'll stay.
Super.
Hey, I saw a rack full of brochures in the lobby
with lots of fun things to do without dice or booze
here in Atlantic city. I'll go check 'em out. Don't go anywhere.
Oh, we won't.
He wanted to leave.
No, he did not. He was just saying that.
Ok, little tip, Doug.
When a weird and boring guy offers to leave,
you say, "drive safely."
He's my boss. He can make things very bad for me.
Oh, and I can't?
I can make it bad for you in ways he's never dreamed of.
Why do you gotta go there?
Another thing, Doug. Do you know what?
If we would have done what I wanted to do tonight,
you would be eating a Brazilian steak right now,
getting ready to rub up against me on the dance floor.
Instead, we're eating with a man
who keeps a feather from his dead bird in his wallet.
He's grieving, ok?
And this isn't my fault. It's Deacon.
He's the one who wanted me to come down here.
What the heck is going on with him?
Hi. You've reached Deacon, Kelly, Kirby, and major.
We're not home, so leave a message at the beep.
Hey, Deac, I-it's Doug. Little question for ya, buddy:
Where the hell are you?
You know where I am? I'm in a.C.
Remember you said I'm the straw that stirs the drink?
Well, guess what's getting sucked through me right now?
O'Boyle.
The point is, this was your trip.
N-now, come on. Get in the car and get down here.
I'm dying.
Did I tell you we could have a good time
without gambling or what?
Yeah. How about that,
uh, Ripley's believe it or not museum, huh?
You know what I couldn't believe?
The condition of the women's restroom.
Hey, let me buy the two of you a thank-you drink.
Oh, you know, we're ok.
No, no. You two paid for the rickshaw, right?
I want to do this. Come on.
I promise this is the last thing.
Doug, I am ready to run out into the sea.
Look, we're at the finish line.
You've been a champ. Just one drink.
So, here we are
7 hours later.
Wow. Look at that.
I used to love to dance.
Did you, now?
Carrie, I'm a little bit Rusty,
but would you do me the pleasure?
You know what? Uh...
That sounds great.
Oh, I'm sorry, Doug.
Do you mind if I dance with your freako boss
on the anniversary of our first date?
If you wanna.
Hey, yo, Doug! There you are!
Hey, buddy, you made it! Hey, Deac's here!
Hey, Deac! Where... where's Kelly?
Huh? Your wife. Kelly.
Oh, she left me.
She took her clothes and the kids
and just, uh, skedaddled.
All right. Point me to the $100 tables,
and let's get this party wagon rolling.
My God.
I can't believe Kelly left him.
I'm still getting over a black guy
using the word "skedaddled."
Doug.
Look, you... you're her best friend.
You just had lunch with her. Didn't she say anything?
No, nothing. Go... go talk to him.
All right. Change me, baby.
Hey, Deac.
I'm gonna make this table beg for mercy.
Come on, yo! 11!
Listen, guy, I... I know you're...
Those chips you're betting are $25 each.
Oh. So, let's double 'em.
Got a new shooter.
You want to jump on board? I'm feelin' lucky tonight.
No. Look, bro. We can go talk and get a beer...
Not until I win a big bag of money. Now come on!
Papa needs a whole new family!
9.9 is the point.
Easy point. 9 will be fine.
I understand what's going on, but you gotta talk to me.
9. Winner. Whoo!
Well, maybe I'll just piggy-back on you here.
You know, Palmer, I know what you're going through.
If you want to talk to somebody, you can come to me.
Uh, sir, are you playing?
Just 100.
All right, we got the boss on board.
Let's win one for the big man. Come on!
Yo! 11!
Yes! That's what I'm talking about.
All right. Keep it moving. Keep it moving.
6. The point is 6.
All right. 6. Pickin' up sticks.
5.5. We're still alive.
What is going on?
We need a 6.
Doug!
7 up.
Nice job, jinxy.
New shooter.
I-I-I-I'm gonna hit the slots.
7. Yeah! Huh!
Who do you have to boff
to get a whiskey sour around here, huh?
Hey, Deac, hold up.
Stop and tell us what's going on.
I already told you. Kelly left me.
She took the kids
and went to her mother's in new brunswick.
Well, did you, like, have any idea
that this was gonna happen?
No. I knew we were having problems,
but I didn't think it was this bad.
I thought you guys were working things out.
I don't know.
We got into this huge fight yesterday,
and she started talking about how she married too young,
how... how our whole relationship just wasn't right,
how we didn't have any tent poles.
I mean, tent pole.
What the hell does that even mean?
What?
You told Kelly to get tent poles?
I mentioned the article to her.
I didn't know she was thinking about leaving Deacon.
Maybe she wasn't till you got a hold of her.
Oh, that's... you heard him.
They were having problems anyway.
Only problem is you going...
Tent pole. Would you stop?
I could tell Deacon right now,
and he wouldn't blame me at all.
Oh, really? No.
Well, then why don't ya?
Ok, fine. I'm going.
Ok.
Oh! Spank me with a shovel.
Hey, Deac.
Hey.
Hey, you know what drives me crazy?
Those old women who play, like, 5 machines at once.
I say, "back it off, granny. Give us kids a chance."
Anyway, you, uh... you said that Kelly mentioned something
about tents or tent poles.
Funny thing.
Um, I had lunch with Kelly last week.
We were just gabbing away about shoes and recipes.
You know, girl stuff.
Anyhow, um, she seemed like she could use some perkin' up,
so I... I may have said just in passing
that it was important to have, um, tent poles.
But then, we... we got back to the shoe thing, you know?
Oh, it turns out we both need clogs.
She got that crap from you?
She may have.
Well, what did you tell her that for?
Hey, come on. It's not her fault.
I know.
It's just...
It's gonna be ok, buddy. We love you.
Yeah. We're gonna get you through this.
We're here for you.
Oh, we have a $1,500 winner!
Congratulations.
Ok. 100,
200, 300...
We're still here for you. Just a second.
400, 500...
Hey, smile for the camera.
700, 800, 900, 1,000,
1,100, 1,200...
Yeah!
1,500.
I gotta be honest.
I think we found a lot of tent poles.
I mean, hey, nefertiti's,
an unbelievable Caesar salad.
I didn't expect that. Did you? I didn't. It was incredible.
I didn't even know what they made their croutons out of,
but they were incredible. Unbelievable.
And not only that, I think next year,
you know what we should do? We should try Vegas.
We'll find so many tent poles.
Wow. I don't think my boss' ass
has ever been quite this close to my face.
You know what that means, my friend?
Another tent pole.
Hey, do I have to tip the mummy again on the way out?