The Butcher's Wife Page #5

She must be well-read.

Blind since birth.

I've never met anyone

quite like you, Mrs. Lemke.

You ought to get out more.

And you can call me Marina.

Marina... It's pretty.

It's pretty.

Look, Marina.

Fooling yourself into believing

you married Leo...

because your grammy

screwed up Plato, that's...

that's dangerous territory.

Well, I appreciate

your concern, Doctor...

but I wouldn't expect a man

like you to understand.

Oh, no, I do understand.

And I want you to understand,

because your impulsive behavior...

is jeopardizing your marriage.

- Perhaps Leo just showed up...

- He didn't just show up.

How the hell you think he got

to Ocracoke in the first place?

- I suggested he take a vacation.

- It was his destiny.

Mrs. Lemke, these delusions

are not healthy.

- I can help...

- You know what? You don't know zip...

about love or life, Doctor...

and I don't need you strewing

your learning all over me.

Do not walk away from this!

These fantasies...

Your fantasies of being all-seeing

and all-powerful are dangerous...

and they're...

It's just a hell of a way

to run your life!

My God, you didn't dream

Leo into your life...

Of course I did.

I just made a mistake.

It's all right.

It's okay. That's...

Awareness is the first

and most difficult step.

Honestly, I...

I understand what it's like

to think you know everything.

It's really terrible.

I've made a wreck...

of Leo's life and my life

and two innocent strangers.

I've really got to go

figure this out...

and...

fix it.

You ended up skating

in the park with a patient.

It's classic countertransference.

You allowed her to manipulate you

into a vulnerable...

never mind unprofessional... situation...

where she controlled you.

This is freshman psychology, Alex.

Oh, good. Oh, good. Good.

Dr. Tremor...

don't blow a great career

on a cute piece of ass.

You keep your dick

in your pants...

your id in check...

and you remember

that we have a mission...

in this world.

Did you sleep well?

I didn't hear you

come in last night.

I didn't want to wake you.

Lend me a hand with this?

It's stuck.

Are you trying to tell me something?

No.

You trying to tell me something?

No.

Say it with flowers?

For the first time...

I can almost imagine

a world without therapy.

Amen.

Well, I'm glad our time together

is having such a positive effect.

It's been good,

but I owe this one to that psychic.

I thought we dealt with that.

Don't worry. It's not like

I'm cured or anything.

Good.

Well, not good...

Forgive me, Doctor,

for I have sinned.

But he is such a good man,

and I think he really likes me.

Is he married?

Well, yes. But...

his wife's not well...

which, of course,

fills me with guilt.

But she's making him miserable,

so I rationalize...

by figuring that...

I'm bringing some

well-earned joy to his life.

You're disappointed, aren't you?

I'm curious.

Oh, no. You wouldn't be

if you knew him.

I mean, this is it.

You always know when the right person

walks into your life.

I always know when

the wrong person walks in...

and it doesn't feel

that way at all, so...

I'm sure Leo's the one.

Leo?

That's his name... Leo.

I really think you'd like him.

- Here's your hot dogs.

- No, no, sweetheart. Chops.

- Chops.

- Chops.

Great sign.

Really makes you want to come in here.

- Oh. It's you.

- Hi.

I didn't know you worked here.

- How'd that dress work out?

- Great.

Everything's working out great.

Thanks to you, I'm singing

at this cabaret. Dellago's?

Oh, I know that place.

My husband likes it.

Okay, it's a bar.

But I met this

really wonderful man.

Hey, maybe you can

tell me if we're going to...

Oh, no. Never mind.

I don't want to know.

Just pray for me.

Pray for all of us, darling.

Would it be all right

if I put up a flyer?

Well, sure. I'd be proud.

I've got to tell Leo

to get up there to see you.

He just loves that old stuff.

Leo?

My husband.

That'll be 10.

Well, see ya.

Uh, 10.

I've got to find a wife

for my husband.

Why not?

Thanks.

Out of my way, a**hole.

Guess.

Would you fancy meeting

a cuddly middle-aged man?

Sorry. I like them

young and talented.

I never go on dates

arranged by my butcher...

but I'd be interested in meeting

the artist who did your window.

Is he young?

Take my card.

Your change.

What I wouldn't give

for just a little breeze.

Not till September

at the earliest.

So now you're doing the weather?

The face of God

is a one-way mirror.

You're not listening to me!

I knew it!

You're absolutely correct,

and I apologize.

Excuse me.

You're still not listening to me.

- Leo.

- You're in. Good.

What the hell did you do to my wife?

- I am with a patient.

- Your fruitcake can wait. Mine can't.

You got her trying to fix me up

with strange women.

I don't know what kind of advice

you're giving out...

but a few more visits with you,

we can book her a room in Bellevue!

Wait a second!

I am not...

Just stay the hell

away from her, okay?

You're a dangerous man.

- Your clock's stuck.

- I don't want to talk about it!

Where's Alex?

He's seeing some lunatic.

Doctor's wife is not one

of my featured roles.

God, Grace, what am I going to do?

- What?

- I proposed to him the other night.

- No.

- Yes.

I can't believe it either,

but I met the most incredible woman.

She just opened my eyes.

Me too.

Oh, yeah?

You're seeing someone new?

No. This new girl that works

at the butcher shop.

My God. Marina.

She's incredible.

- Is she for real?

- Absolutely.

- What did she tell you?

- To stick close to my front porch.

That's why I canceled

my weekend with you guys...

to wait for my mystery date.

Hey.

You think I'm nuts?

Grace, that's fabulous.

Alex thinks I'm insane.

It's his favorite diagnosis.

Why do we waste

our time with men?

Not all of us do.

Oh, Chauncey,

don't touch me there.

Mrs. Lemke.

- What's the matter?

- Nothing.

I need to see you.

- Oh, well...

- Now.

Why don't we just

go to my office?

Okay.

I was going to talk to you

in the morning.

We need to...

We need to be clear

about last night.

I acted inappropriately.

I never should have seen you

under duress.

That was unprofessional.

I never should have allowed

the session to leave the office.

- That was inexcusable.

- Doctor...

Worst of all, I had no business

offering you...

a quick-fix analysis of your marriage.

Dr. Tremor,

I saw you in my dreams tonight.

Oh, sure.

That's not uncommon.

Dreams are important.

And you know...

you can keep a little

notebook by the bed...

and just write them down

if you're afraid of...

What was I doing?

Smiling.

Look, Mrs. Lemke...

Marina.

All right, listen.

I can't deny that I feel

an attraction for you.

But don't worry.

I know what it is...

and how to remedy the situation.

There's no cure. Last night,

just for a moment, you knew it.

Love is the leap

that won't be denied.

No, no.

This isn't love.

This is what

we doctors like to call...

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