Mary Richards: [Ted Baxter's been doing his commercials and Mr Grant's depressed about the whole situation. Mary goes into Mr Grant's office, and tries to talk to him] Mr. Grant, what is it?
Lou Grant: [Mr. Grant's standing there - dejected, looking defeated] Hmmm?
Mary Richards: What's wrong?
Lou Grant: Oh.
[sighs]
Lou Grant: I think Baxter's finally got me. I've gone over his contract, a dozen times. There's nothing I can do to stop him. First it was that tomato slicer. Then it was that commercial for that woman's product. I didn't even know what it was. I had to ask my wife what they used it for. She wasn't sure.
[sighs]
Lou Grant: Mary, he's got me.
Mary Richards: [Trying to cheer Mr. Grant up] Mr. Grant, how about if I fix you a nice drink?
[Lou just nods his head, silently, 'no', and looks forlorn]
Mary Richards: You haven't had a nice drink in days.
[Lou lumbers towards his desk's chair]
Mary Richards: Mr Grant, I'm worried about you.
[Mary and Mr Grant both sit down]
Lou Grant: [Mr. Grant sighs] Somehow... booze just doesn't taste good to me, anymore. You know, sometimes, I think I'm losing contact with reality. Like, last night... I was watching a movie on TV, you know - to try... and... forget. And this dog food commercial came on. And I could've sworn, I heard a dog bark, that sounded just like Ted.
Mary Richards: Mr. Grant, isn't there anything I can do?
[Lou mouths 'no]
Mary Richards: The news is on.
[Spoken like talking to a sad child]
Mary Richards: You wanna watch the news?
Lou Grant: I suppose so.
Mary Richards: I turned it on very softly.
[Mary walks towards the door, but, as she grabs the doorknob, she turns, and becomes full of 'vim']
Mary Richards: Mr Grant, doesn't it just make you mad? I mean - wouldn't you like to really chew Ted out?
[She makes a fist, as Lou just sits - lethargic, and silent. Lou says nothing, so Mary leaves the office]