- As Don secures an account with Conrad Hilton, Sterling and Cooper try to strong-arm Don into signing a contract. Meanwhile, Betty meets with her acquaintance from the governor's office, and Duck tries to get Peggy to leave Sterling Cooper.
- Don's acquaintance, Connie, better known to the rest of the world as Conrad Hilton, stops by the office on an unexpected visit. As a start, he wants to transfer the advertising business of his New York hotels to Sterling Cooper. Don is reluctant to specify the nature of Connie's visit to the staff, who are all abuzz about Don even knowing the powerful Hilton, let alone the possibility of working on a campaign for Hilton Hotels. On the pretense of the new Hilton account, Bertram, Roger and Lane discuss an administrative issue with Don. Betty gets caught in the middle of the battle between Don and the partners. Don himself gets caught up in two other unusual incidents, the first with Sally's teacher Miss Farrell, and the second with a couple he picks up who are hitchhiking to Niagara Falls. Both incidents make him ponder his future. At the office, Pete has definitely made up his mind not to accept Duck's offer for a position at Gray Advertising, especially with the possibility of the Hilton campaign. Although she also has verbally stated she has made the same decision, Peggy is having second thoughts about going to Gray. Much will depend on what Don will offer her (he not knowing about Gray) and what Duck will. The latter offers her something she probably wasn't expecting. Betty has much on her plate. In addition to redecorating the living room, she is back at work volunteering with the Junior League. They need some political help in advancing their latest cause. Although a few people in the league know him including Betty, she, as the "adorable" one in the group, is tasked with contacting Henry Francis in the Governor's office. Their meeting continues the sexual tension they experienced when they first met.—Huggo
- For Don Draper, the day starts off badly and goes downhill from there. He arrives a bit late for work to find that hotelier Conrad Hilton is in his office waiting for him. Don is uncharacteristically flustered but Hilton tells him that he wants Sterling Cooper, Don to be more precise, to handle the ad accounts for his three New York hotels. Don is pleased, but it later turns out that Hilton's lawyers will require Don to be under contract with Sterling Cooper for the deal to proceed. Don has serious doubts about giving up his freedom. His frustrations leads to an unfortunate encounter with two hitchhikers. Peggy Olson hears about the Hilton account second hand but when she asks Don about it, he tells her to focus on doing a better job. As a result, her planned meeting with Duck Phillips takes an interesting turn. At home, Betty Draper gets involved in politics through the Junior League, who are trying to stop a water diversion project. She contacts Henry Francis from the Governor's office, with whom she met at Roger Sterling's party and they have coffee together.—garykmcd
- "Mad Men" - "Seven Twenty Three" - September 27, 2009
Peggy sleeps next to a man.
Betty lays on a couch.
A room with double beds has disheveled sheets and a man lying on the floor. That man is Don. He wakes and his face is covered with blood. He grabs his neck.
We cut to another neck, getting ready to go. It's Don. He comes down to the living room which Betty has had redecorated. The self-important decorator points out all the fancy changes. He offhandedly says he thinks it's fine. Betty says all day at work he evaluates objects and wants the benefit of his eye. He says to move the end table and lamp to other end of couch. The decorator thinks he's right. Betty wonders what goes where they're standing in front of the fireplace. Nothing, says the decorator, pointing out that the hearth is the heart of the home.
In the elevator at Sterling Cooper Don and Roger exchange greetings. Roger is down in the dumps because Ogilvy wrote a book - "Confessions of an Ad Man"- and wants a quote. Roger says advertising is already reviled and the book won't help. As they walk into the office he says he'll send Don one since he doesn't want him to pay for one.
Pete, Harry, Kinsey, and Sal are waiting at Alison's desk wondering if the meeting is postponed. Turns out that Conrad Hilton is in Don's office. Of course, Hilton is at his desk and makes Don sit on the other side. He's disappointed Don doesn't have a bible or family pictures and that he comes in at 9:30. Don snipes maybe he was late because he was spending time with family reading the Bible. Hilton explains he has this "involvement" but his eye is wandering now even though his needs are being met because he has significant needs. So he wonders what he should do with his wandering eye. Don wonders if Hilton doesn't have a coterie of trusted advisers that might counsel him better. Hilton then drops the bomb that he wants Don to handle the New York HIltons. He says retainers are for lawyers and everything else will be like this, sealed with handshake. He tells Don having him in his life will make it different. Don says he'll look forward to it. Hilton says they all say that. Don walks him to the lobby. Hilton says it's not much to start with but he looks forward to sharing his dreams with Don. They shake hands. Don turns around and everyone at SC claps.
Betty meets a trio of ladies in her new living room including Francine. Apparently she is to become the secretary for the Junior League, replacing Francine as secretary. They're worried about a new 3 million gallon water tank that will wreck the natural beauty of their area and their property values. They decide they need to appeal to the governor. Betty remembers the man she met at the party who touched her belly who works in the governor's office. She's not sure what he does but is going to give him a ring. They look him up, Henry Francis, and determine he's an adviser.
Don meets with the four boys about Ho-Ho's silly jai alai effort. Pete is curious to know how he knows Hilton. Don says he ran into him at a party. The other three leave and Pete says he knows Roger will be the face on Hilton but wonders if he can be on the account. Don tells him when he gets the North American Aviation account going well then they can talk about Hilton.
Betty calls up Francis, saying it's a civic matter regarding Ossining. He calls her right back. He asks after her baby. She explains about the water tank. It turns out that he grew up there as well and says he'll stop the next day take her out for coffee and hike to the reservoir.
Peggy, in her office, has received an expensive Hermes scarf from a still courting Duck. Pete enters and tells her he doesn't trust Duck. She tells him to stop barging in and infecting her with his anxiety. (He got Cuban cigars). He mentions Hilton, she didn't know. She says she's keeping the scarf, Duck says they're not tied to each other and she won't say anything. Pete says Duck doesn't work there anymore because Don squeezed him out and by stealing the two of them he'd be hitting Don where it hurts. She says she's not going anywhere and won't tell. He says he's not worried about her, he's worried about Duck and to send the scarf back.
Don meets with Roger, Lane, and Bert. Lane says London is thrilled with Hilton's potential for international growth. Roger wonders how he made it happen. Don says they travel in same circles. Bert says they shouldn't celebrate yet since the lawyers called and there's a problem with the contract. Or the fact that Don doesn't have one. To Hilton it's necessary that all the principals are secure. Lane can't blame him. Don says he'll give his word. Hilton will take it but his lawyers won't says Lane. Lane hands him a contract and says to have his attorney look it over. Three years, non compete clause, healthy raise. Don says it's generous and he'll think about it. Lane doesn't understand why Don isn't filled with glee. (Especially given the 5,000 dollar signing bonus). Bert says they want to take care of him. Don says he's gotten to know Hilton and that he thinks he'll enjoy wanting something he can't have. Lane says it matters to Hilton. Don says no one has told Hilton it matters to him. Bert admits it's not just for Hilton, this is the way it has to be for Sterling Cooper also. Bert tells him to take the papers home for the weekend and think about it. Don says he'd be happy to. That done, Bert leans back and hilariously says he's heard Hilton is a bit of an eccentric. Don says he is.
We cut to Don waking up in the room bloodied. And back to Betty on the couch, stroking her flowery dress.
We then cut to Betty meeting Francis at the bakery for coffee on Saturday. They're both alone. He loves coming back to the Ossining area since it's changed a lot. Betty says it's grown on her. He's divorced. She hands him the water tank literature and a copy of petition. He says he looked into it, but it's already underway. He jokes if only she knew someone with clout. She asks what he does for Rockefeller. He says he's ad adviser, fundraiser, campaign manager, strategy man. She asks how did he become that. He explains he was a lawyer. She tells us she was an anthropology major at Bryn Mawr. Francis orders pie. He says he doesn't know what he can do about water tank. She says "oh" and then he tells her not to give up so easy.
Don's with Sally at a class project. They're looking at a solar eclipse with homemade camera obscuras with their teacher Mrs. Scanlan. Francine's husband is grousing a bit about missing golf. Don says Sally has a crush on the teacher. Francine's hubby says he runs into the teacher sometimes on his morning run.
Francis pays for the pie and says he has to go and hang with the governor in Albany, heed "his master's voice," and then explains it's an old ad. She says she knows what it is. They leave the bakery and notice some others looking at paper/pinhole contraption for the eclipse. She stares up at it and he shields her eyes. He asks if she's okay. She says she feels a little dizzy. He tells her to take a deep breath. She calls him out for never really having time to go to the Reservoir anyway. They pass a furniture store and he points out a Victorian fainting couch, saying that's what she needs. She wonders how he knows such a thing. He says he used to move furniture. He offers to walk to her car and she points out it's still a small town. He offers a raincheck for the hike and says he'll contact her as soon as he knows anything about the water tank.
The kids are all looking through their boxes. The teacher wonders why Don isn't watching. He says he's waiting until it's further along. He asks her some innocuous questions about her summer vacation and she thinks he's hitting on her like all the dad's do in this town. He claims he's not and gets annoyed and says she shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. She wonders if he's different. He wonders if that's impossible. She points out that the men are all wearing the same shirt. They both laugh. He asks after how it is elsewhere. She says they don't' have as much so they don't get as bored. He says he's not bored. Sally calls her over to look through her box. Don looks up at the eclipse through his sunglasses.
We see Peggy wake up in the bed from before.
Then we cut to her at her desk. She calls Duck to tell she hasn't changed her mind and to stop sending her things and that she wants to return the scarf. He tells her to meet at the Pierre at 4:30 to give it back to Hermes himself. She tells him not to contact her again.
In Don's office Roger enters and asks what the lawyer thought o the contract. Don says he hasn't gotten back to him. Roger busts him for not having shown it to him. He tells Don to let the Brits relax for three years and then maybe he can get his name out front on the building and that he's their Ogilvy. Roger says all they need is a letter of intent. Don is silent. Roger leaves and wonders aloud if Don simply doesn't want to do it here or just not at all.
Peggy is at the door as Roger leaves with artwork for Don to sign off on. She asks after Hilton account. He reams her out, saying she's always in his pocket, resents her pretending to have something for him to sign off on something when she just wants something: a raise, an office, whatever. He tells her there is not one thing that she's done there that he couldn't live without. He says she's good but she needs to focus on getting better and stop asking for things. She apologizes and leaves.
Roger calls Betty and spills on the contract news. He tells her it's a lot of money and that three years isn't that long. She of course doesn't know what he's talking about and asks what he wants. He says he wants her to get Don to sign it. She says Don is going to do what he wants and she finds it disrespectful Roger is going behind his back. Roger freaks and tries to backpedal but Betty hangs up.
Peggy meets Duck at the suite. She's late though. She brought the scarf but missed Hermes. Duck invites her in for a drink. He asks what she's having. What he's having she says forgetting he's an alcoholic and he's not having anything. She says whiskey. He says she really is Don's girl. She protests she was raised on Whiskey. He gives her a sell on the female centric clients at Gray like Revlon, Macy's, and Hermes. She surmises they need someone in a skirt. She asks if she might be Copy chief. He says maybe once they get used to her. But she would definitely make more money. She wonders if she could go to Paris for Hermes. He says they come to New York but she's not going anywhere, where she is. She says she can't. He says just so she knows, this is what opportunity looks like. They shake hands and keeps a hold of hers saying he's sorry he won't be seeing her everyday. She's all what? He says he thinks of all the times he walked by her and didn't even notice. He wonders how that's possible. He kisses her. She wonders what he wants from her. He says he wants to take her in the bedroom, take her clothes off with his teeth, and give her a go-round like she's never had. They kiss again.
Don comes home. Betty sends the kids upstairs. She tattles on Roger. She says it was very uncomfortable. He goes to call Roger. He tells her not to worry about his job. She's mad she's hearing about this from Roger. He says it doesn't concern her, and that she's taken care of. She fumes wondering sarcastically why it would. He says he needs to explain something about business since as usual she's making it about herself. No contract means he has all the power. They want him but can't have him. She says he's right, why would she think it has anything to do with her. She says, angrily, it's three years and wonders what the matter is, he doesn't know where he'll be in three years? He stalks out, slamming the door, waking the baby, and taking his drink.
Duck and Peggy go at it. He likes the taste of liquor on her breath.
Don drives. He stops for a couple of colleg kid hitchhikers. They say they'll settle for the nearest motel. They're running off to Niagara Falls to get married to keep him from getting drafted even though they don''t know each other well. He's 1A, 22, and can't get into school. Don confirms he's heard that they will sending people to Vietnam soon. They ask if he's a spook. He says he's in advertising. They laugh saying he still seems okay to them. The girl says it's a beautiful night but everything smells good when you're high. Don agrees. Since they don't have gas money, they offer him reds, pheno-barbitol. He takes two and downs them with his drink and throws his glass out the window.
They get to the motel. He's wasted. He dances with the girl. Her boy has a drink. She asks how old she is. 19. Boy asks how old he is and. he cuts in. He asks why the boy can't go to school. The boy says it's a waste of time, he asks if Don like to watch them dance. Don, getting higher by the minute, sees a vision of his dad telling a hillbilly joke. Don giggles. The boy wonders what he's laughing at. They start to get it on beside 'em. His dad vision says he's up to his old tricks and calls him a bum. Don says he's not. Dad vision says Conrad Hilton? You wouldn't expect him to be taken so easily. He criticizes Don's hands for being as soft as a woman's. He wonders what Don does, what he makes? He says he grows bullshit. Don looks again and dad vision is gone. He's getting woozy. The kids look at him oddly and she says she gave him two. The guy wonders why he's still awake. He punches him in the back of the head and he falls to the floor.
He awakes bloodied, the image we first saw, to find a note thanking him for his help and saying they left him his car, signed "your welcome." They also left him one dollar. He goes to take a shower.
Peggy wakes up. Duck asks if she's okay. She's worried housekeeping is going to come in. He pshaws that and reaches for her saying he loves the morning. They kiss again.
Betty brought home the fainting couch and put it in front of hearth. The decorator is aghast. (It does look terrible, it's huge and covers up the fireplace.) The decorator tells her to not tell anyone she did this.
Don enters just after Peggy, who is still wearing the same clothes. She notices his banged up face. "Fender bender," he says. Don enters his office. Bert is in his chair. Once again he sits on the other side of his own desk. What do you want, Don asks? Bert tells a story: Sacagawea carried a baby all the way to the Pacific ocean and it thought it discovered America. He tells Don he's been standing on someone's shoulders. They brought him in, nurtured him like family, and now is the time to pay them back. He can't go any further on his own. Bert pulls out the contract and asks "would you say I know something about you?" Don, realizing what he means - ahem Dick Whitman-says he would. Bert uncaps the pen and says "then sign." He waits and then says with a slight smile "after all when it comes down to it, who's really signing this contract anyway?" Don signs. He tells him he doesn't want anymore contact with Roger Sterling. (The date is 7/23/63.)
Don comes home and says he signed it. Betty lies on couch.
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