George immediately regrets his engagement and tries to postpone the wedding. Elaine is jealous of her friend’s happiness. Jerry is put off by a rabbi who can’t keep a secret.
Scene
[Jerry: and Elaine: are walking down the street and Kramer is parking his car ]
ElaineHey, good news. My dog problem has been solved.
JerryReally? What happened?
ElaineWell, there's this rabbi in my building. You've met him. Very nice man.
JerryIsn't he the one with the show on cable?
ElaineYea, yeah, yeah,. So I spoke to him about the dog. He went down. Talked to the owner. She agr4eed to keep the dog inside from now on.
JerryThat's great.
ElaineI know.
[Kramer crashing into parking spot]
JerryThat looks pretty good.
ElaineHe's in.
JerryHey, say, you know, we haven't even discussed George's engagement yet.
ElaineWhat's to discuss?
JerryCome on! George: is getting married!
ElaineIs he happy? Scene At the restaurant! George: is coming from the bathroom to sit with his bride-to-be.
GeorgeI will never understand the bathrooms in this country. Why is it that the doors on the stalls do not come all the way down to the floor?
SusanWell, maybe it's so you can see if there's someone in there.
GeorgeIsn't that why we have locks on the doors?
SusanWell, as a backup system, in case the lock is broken, you can see if it's taken.
GeorgeA backup system? We're designing bathroom doors with our legs exposed in anticipation of the locks not working? That's not a system. That's a complete breakdown of the system.
SusanCan we change the subject, please?
GeorgeWhy? What's wrong with the subject? This is a bad subject?
SusanNo, fine. If you wanna keep talking about it, we'll talk about it.
GeorgeIt's not that I want to keep talking about it? just think that the subject should resolve itself based on its own momentum.
SusanWell, I didn't think that it had any momentum.
George(To himself) How am I gonna do this? I'm engaged to this woman? She doesn't even like me. Change the subject? Toilets were the subject. We don't even share the same interests. Scene
[Jerry's]
JerryYeah, he seems pretty happy.
ElaineWell, that's all that counts, I guess.
JerryWhat's the matter?
ElaineOh, nothin'.
JerryWell, you don't seem too enthused about the whole thing.
ElaineWell, what do you want me to do?
JerryWell, at least have some reaction to it.
Elaine…Well, I don't.
JerryMaybe you're a little jealous.
ElaineOh, what? You think I wanna marry George:?
JerryNo! But maybe you wish it was you who was getting married, not him.
ElaineOh, please! That is the last thing that I want.
JerryOh, yeah. Right.
ElaineYeah, right.
JerryLainy!
ElaineJerry:!
JerryYou don't wanna get married?
ElaineYeah, that's right. I don't wanna get married.
JerryOh, come on!
ElaineOh, you come on.
JerryYou're such...
[Kramer enters]
KramerOh, hey!
JerryHey.
KramerElaine:, listen, I was talking to a friend about this dog business. Do you realize this is gonna be on our permanent records? Are you aware of this?
ElaineOh, dear.
KramerIt can never be erased. It'll follow us wherever we go for the rest of our lives. I'll never be able to get a job. I mean, doesn't that concern you? Everything I've worked for...down the drain because of one stupid mistake. I mean, aren't we entitled to make one mistake in our lives, Jerry:?
JerryWe're gonna change the system.
KramerYes!
ElaineWell, I could care less. I hope it is on our record. I'm just sorry they didn't lock me up. Scene
[Outside Elaine:'s place]
ElaineOh, hello, Rabbi: Krischma.
RabbiElaine:! Always a pleasure to see you.
ElaineThanks again for taking care of that dog for us.
RabbiElaine, often times in life there are problems, and just as often there are solutions.
ElaineYeah, I suppose.
RabbiElaine, you don't seem yourself today. You seem, if I may say, troubled.
ElaineNo, Rabbi:, I'm not myself.
RabbiCome upstairs. We'll have a talk. Scene At Jerry:'s apartment. George trots in after his lunch with Kiki and Big Jer is kicking back with a paper.
JerryHey!
GeorgeI want your honest opinion about something.
JerryHave I ever been less than forthright?
GeorgeNo, you haven't. Well, maybe you have. What do I know.
JerryYeah, I probably have. Yeah, of course I have. What am I talking about?
GeorgeAll right. Okay, tell me what you think about this idea: Extend the doors on the toilet stalls at Yankee Stadium all the way to the floor.
JerryExtend the doors on the toilet stalls at Yankee Stadium to the floor ...door comes down. Hides your feet. Yes. I like it. I like it a lot.
GeorgeIt's good, right?
JerryI think it's fantastic. I think it's a fantastic idea.
GeorgeYou do?
JerryYes, I do.
GeorgeWell, I told it to Susan: before, and she didn't like it.
JerryHmm.
GeorgeYeah. Not only that, this is what she said to me, "Can we change the subject?"
JerrySee, now that I don't care for.
GeorgeRight. I mean, we're on a subject. Why does it have to be changed?
JerryIt should resolve of its own volition.
GeorgeThat's exactly what I said, except I used the word "momentum".
JerryMomentum - same thing.
GeorgeSame thing. My god, I'm getting married in December, do you know that?
JerryYeah, I know.
GeorgeWell, I don't see how I'm gonna make December. I mean, I need a little more time. I mean, look at me I'm a nervous wreck. My stomach aches. My neck is killing me. I can't turn. Look. Look.
JerryYou're turning.
GeorgeNah, it's not a good turn. December. December. Don't you think we should have a little more time just to get to know each other a little.
JerryIf you need more time, you should have more time.
GeorgeWhat, you think I could postpone it?
JerrySure you can. Why not?
GeorgeThat's allowed? You're allowed to postpone it?
JerryI don't see why not.
GeorgeSo, I could do that?
JerrySure, go ahead.
GeorgeAll right! All right. I'll tell you what. How about this? Got the date; March 21st, the first day of spring.
JerrySpring. Of course.
GeorgeHuh? You know? Spring. Rejuvenation. Rebirth. Everything's blooming. All that crap.
JerryBeautiful.
GeorgeShe's not gonna like it.
JerryNo, she's not.
GeorgeYou know, I think I'm a little bit scared of her. She's five-three, like a hundred pounds. I'm frightened to death of her.
JerryWell, she's a woman. They don't like to be disappointed.
GeorgeEspecially her. She does not like disappointment. Well, I have to do it. I can't make December. There's no way I can make December. Right? I mean, you can see that, right? I mean, look at me. Look. Look. Can I make December? I can't make December. Right? Look. Look.
JerryYeah, you'd better shoot for March.
[Kramer enters]
KramerHey, hey.
GeorgeMarch 21st. Hey! So, you're gonna back me on this, right?
JerryOh, all the way.
GeorgeYou are a good friend. You know what? Even if you killed somebody I wouldn't turn you in.
JerryIs that so?
JerryHey, Kramer if I killed somebody would you turn me in?
KramerDefinitely.
JerryYou're kidding?
KramerNo, no, I would turn you in.
JerryYou would turn me in?
KramerPhwap, I wouldn't even think about it.
JerryI can't believe your a friend of mine.
KramerWhat kind of person are you going around killing people?
JerryWell, I am sure I had a good reason.
KramerWell,, if you'll kill this person, who's to say I wouldn't be next?
JerryBut you know me!
KramerI thought I DID!
[Rabbi's apartment]
ElaineI'm not a very religious person but I do feel as if I'm in need of some guidance here.
RabbiWould you care for a snack of some kind? I have the Snackwells which are very popular but I think that sometimes with the so called fat free cookies people may overindulge forgetting they may be high in calories
ElaineThank you I am not very hungry. Anyway, um, this friend of mine, George, got engaged .
RabbiHow wonderful.
ElaineYeah, yeah, well, for some reason, um, I just find myself just overcome with feelings of jealousy and resentment.
RabbiDoesn't it give you any joy to see your friend enter into this holiest of unions?
ElaineNo, no, no it doesn't. No joy no joy whatsoever. Just the whole think makes me . . sick.
RabbiYou know, Elaine, very often we cannot see the forest for the trees.
ElaineYeah, I don't know what that means.
RabbiWell, for example, say there's a forest, . . .
ElaineYou see the thing is we It should have been me. You know, I'm smart. I'm attractive.
RabbiYou know my temple has many single functions.
ElaineNo, no, it's okay.
RabbiMy nephew Alex is someone who is also looking perhaps …
ElaineI don't think so.
RabbiHe owns a flower store. Very successful.
[Outside Coffee shop]
JerrySo you're nothing but a stoolie. Admit it.
KramerHey, don't do the crime if you can't do the time.
JerryAnother Caf Latte?
KramerYou better believe it.
KramerSince when are you so trendy?
JerryHey, baby. I set the trends. Who do you think started this whole Caf Latte?
JerryI don't recall you drinking Caf Latte.
KramerI've been drinking Caf Latte since the fifth grade and I haven't looked back.
JerryHey, Planet 9 From Outer Space is playing tomorrow night. One show only.
KramerI've always wanted to see this.
JerryYou know I was supposed to see this five years ago. I was in a Chinese restaurant with George and Elaine and got all screwed up trying to get a table and I missed it.
KramerWell, yeah, lets do it uh?
JerryLook at this Jerry, dropping paper on the ground. That's littering.
JerryMaybe you better call the cops and turn me in.
KramerMaybe I will.
[George's]
GeorgeHi,
SusanHow was your day?
GeorgeGood, good day. How was your day?
SusanMine was okay. So what's goin' on?
GeorgeOh, nothin' much. I went over to jerry's, uh, talked to Jerry.
SusanOh, the Lowers want to get together with us on Friday night.
GeorgeThe Lowers, really?
SusanYou don't want to go?
GeorgeNo, I want to go.
SusanSo what did Jerry have to say?
GeorgeOh, nothin' much, . . . talkin'. . . . Oh, oh, oh, did I have an unbelievable idea today!
SusanOh, yeah, the toilets. You told me.
GeorgeYeah, ha ha, It's not the toilets, it's not the toilets. It's something else. Are you ready for this?
SusanYeah.
GeorgeOkay, how about this? All right, we get married March 21st, the first day of Spring.
SusanWhat do you mean? You want to postpone the wedding?
GeorgeNo, no no it's not about postponing. I just think the first day of Spring is the perfect day to get married. You know, Spring! Rejuvenation! Rebirth! Everything is blooming all the …
SusanIf you don't want to marry me, George, just say so. [crying] Say so.
GeorgeStill marry , still marry.
SusanYou don't love me.
GeorgeSstill love. Still love.
SusanMy parents told me you were too neurotic and that I was making a mistake.
GeorgeNo no no, no mistake, no mistake. No, no , listen, we're going to get married over Christmas, I …It doesn't make any difference to me. It's fine. Really.
SusanAre you sure?
GeorgeYeah, yeah, sure, Christmas. Snow. Santa. All that stuff.
[Monk's]
JerryLet me take a guess. She cried and you caved.
GeorgeHow did you know that?
JerryI live and breathe my friend. . . . I live and breathe.
GeorgeI got to tell you I felt terrible. I really thought she was going to collapse and kill herself.
Jerrytes, it's very difficult. Few men have the constitution for it. That's why breakups take two or three tries. You gotta build up your immunity.
GeorgeYou see those tears streaming down you don't know what to do. It was like she was on fire and I was trying to put her out.
JerryWell, at least you probably had some, uh, pretty good make-up sex after.
GeorgeI didn't have any sex.
JerryYou didn't have make-up sex? How could you not have make-up sex? I mean that's the best feature of the heavy relationship.
GeorgeI didn't have make-up sex.
JerryIn your situation the only sex you're going to have better than make-up sex is if you're dent to prison and you have a conjugal visit.
GeorgeYeah, conjugal visit sex. That is happening!
Woman[crying]
ManI can tell you're very upset but I'm sorry I'm not goin'
GeorgeDid you here that? I can't believe this he's eating his sandwich.
ManAre you going to eat thoise fries?
GeorgeThis is amazing. [George gets up to leave and shake's man's hand] Thank you. Thank you very much. . . . I'm going back in! . . . You'll feel better [to woman]
Jerry. . . Poor bastard.
[Outside Elaine's]
JerryGood evening, Rabbi.
RabbiGood evening. And how does this evening find you?
JerryWell, Rabbi, well.
RabbiI trust you are here to see your friend, Elaine.
JerryYeah, that's right.
RabbiI hope she's feeling better.
JerryWhat do you mean?
RabbiShe didn't tell you?
JerryNo.
RabbiWell it seems the engagement of her ffriend George has left her feeling bitter and hostile.
Jerryis that so?
RabbiYes, in fact she told me that she wishes she was the one getting married.
JerryReally?
RabbiShe came off as pretty desperate.
JerryI didn't know any of this.
RabbiApparently she doesn't think much of this George fellow either. I recall the word loser peppered throughout her conversation.
JerryHum, well it all comes as news to me.
[George's apartment]
G[enters] Hi.
SusanHi, how was your day?
GeorgeGood, good day. How was your day?
SusanAh, it was okay. What's going on?
GeorgeOh, nothing much. You know, I went over to Jerry's. Talked to Jerry. Um, could I talk to you for a minute?
SusanYeah, sure.
GeorgeYou see this is the thing. . . . [crying] I just feel . . . mumble, cry, mumble, . . . I'm scared. You and I together, [cry]
SusanGeorge, of course, of course it can wait until march if that is what you want.
GeorgeYeah?
SusanOh, don't worry your head. Of course.
GeorgeAll right. [smiles behind her back]
[Elaine's]
ElaineI've got that magazine article for you.
JerryYou iknow I talked to the rabbi outside.
ElaineAre you
JerryUnderstand you had a little talk with him too.
ElaineYeah, talked earlier.
JerryYes I know, I know. Elaine:. . . What does that mean?
JerryNothing, nothing.
ElaineHe didn't mention . . .
JerryYes he did.
ElaineHe told you about our conversation?
JerryWe had quite a little chat.
ElaineHe told you about . . .
JerryYes, about how you're very jealous of George. How you wished it was you who were getting married instead of him.
ElaineHe told you all that? How could he?
JerryIt didn't take much prodding either, I must say.
ElaineCan he do that?
JerryHe did it.
ElaineBut he's a Rabbi! How can a Rabbi have such a big mouth?
JerryThat's what's so fascinating.
[Movie line]
JerryYou better finish your little caf latte there. They won't let you in with it.
KramerWhy not?
JerryBecause they don't allow outside drinks into the movie.
KramerWell that's stupid
JerryThat's the rule.
KramerWell, we'll just see if we can't get around that.
[Kramer puts coffee cup into his pants]
[Rabbi's apartment]
RabbiOh, Elaine. Come in. Come in. So nice to see you again.
EYeah…
RabbiCan I offere you some Kasha Varnishkas?
ElaineNo, no. Listen, Rabbi, I'd like to ask you a question. Why, why did you tell my friend Jerry what I talked to you about?
RabbiWas that a problem for you?
ElaineOf course it was a problem for me. . . . You didn't, you didn't tell anyone else about this, did you?
RabbiWell, let's see? I seem to recall a conversation with Mrs. Winston in 1F.
ElaineMrs. Winston?
RabbiYes, we were waiting for our mail to arrive and I happened to mention to her how you felt that it was never going "to happen" for you.
ElaineWhat about Don Ramsey? You didn't mention anything to him did you?
RabbiDon Ramsey?
ElaineYou know that tall really good looking guy, he lives on the fifth floor.
RabbiOh him! Well this morning I found myself in the elevator with him…
Elainemy god, you didn't.
[Movie theatre]
JerryExcuse me, pardon me, excuse me
KramerOh, yow, oow Ah!
UsherHey, hey, what's going on? What just happened here?
KramerNothing Nothing.
UsherWhatya got? One of those Caf Latte's in your shirt?
KramerI don't have anything. Ask him.
[ Jerry makes a silent drink gesture]
UsherAll right, come on Coffee Boy, bring it out.
KramerWhat?!
UsherHere you go.
KramerOw
[Kramer leaves]
[Jerry's apartment]
Ex; But the whole thing is a mess. He told everyone in the building. I met that cute guy on the fifth floor. I mean he could barely bring himself to nod.
JerryElaine, if I could say a word here about Jewish people. That man in no way represents our ability to take in a nice piece of juicy gossip and keep it to ourselves.
ElaineYou didn't say this to George, did you?
JerryNo, . . . about how you wish it was YOU who was getting married instead of him? Feelings of resentment, hostility?
ElaineYeah that! So, . . .
[George enters]
GeorgeHey oh.
ElaineGEORGIE! CONGRATULATIONS! Oh, my god. I haven't seen you since it happened. I'm so happy for you.
GeorgeAlright, thanks a lot.
ElaineOh, come on. You really, really deserve it.
[Gives George a kiss]
GeorgeOh, deserve! I don't know if I deserve...I mean...
ElaineAre you kidding? I have seen the changes in you the past couple of years. Man, you have grown. You've matured.
GeorgeWell, I guess I'm getting older.
ElaineOh! Well, I just think it's wonderful. Honestly! I've gotta run, but um, please, please give my best to Susan:. George Yeah. Elaine My most, just heartfelt congratulations.
GeorgeYeah. Thanks. Hey, listen, if you ever get a date, maybe the four of us could go out together sometime.
ElaineYes! Yes, yes. Sure.
GeorgeWait, as a matter of fact, wasn't there some guy in your building that you said you liked? He lived up on the fifth floor or something.
ElaineYes. Yes, yes. Yes.
GeorgeYeah! Boy, she is something, isn't she?
JerryYeah, she's something else. Hey, so what happened? Did you hold your ground or...uh…
GeorgeNope. I wept like a baby.
JerryWhat?
GeorgeWell, I started to tell her and then all of the sudden, for some reason, I just burst into tears.
JerryYou cried?
GeorgeI bawled uncontrollably. I just poured my guts out. And I'll tell you, Jerry:, it was incredible. I never realized how powerful these tears are. I could have postponed it another five years if I wanted to. Jx,Gx & Kx Hey!
JerrySorry about that movie-thing. I was joking around.
KramerSorry? Are you kidding? You did me the biggest favor of my life. I spoke to a lawyer, we're suing for millions.
JerrySuing? What for?
KramerThe coffee was too hot.
JerryIt's supposed to be hot.
KramerNot THAT hot. Scene
[At George's home. He and Susan are in bed watching TV]
Rabbi[On TV] The prophet Isaah tells us without friends our lives are empty and meaningless.
GeorgeWait. Whoa! That's the Rabbi: from Elaine's building. I just met this guy the other day.
RabbiA young lady I know, let's call her Elaine:, happened to find herself overwhelmed with feelings of resentment and hostility for her friend, let's call him George:. She felt that George was somewhat of a loser and that she was the one who deserved to be married first. She also happened to mention to me that her friend had wondered if going to a prostitute while you're engaged is considered cheating. His feeling was they're never going to see each other again so what's the difference. But that is a subject for another sermon. Now, I'd like to close with a psalm.
[END SHOW]