[Scene opens with Zoe trying to fix a sparking fusebox.]
Wade: Oh hey there, Doc. Notice how whenever I come around there's always sparks?
Zoe: If you like that wait 'til you see my tazer.
Wade: Listen, do you want me to help you fix the fusebox or not?
Zoe: The fuse keeps blowing because of your new amp, so no, I do not want or need your help.
Wade: My guess is you're overloading it with all your girl stuff.
Zoe: Yeah, that's me, with my girly Wi-Fi connection and my silly cell-phone that I only use to look at pictures of ponies. Well, apparently I have alienated most of the people in this town.
Wade: More like all of 'em.
Zoe: ...so the internet and the phone are my only contact with humanity.
Wade: Okay...I'm going to get a bucket of lake water, so when you catch on fire it doesn't spread my way.
[Scene shifts to Rammer Jammer.]
Man: Hey. You're the one that ruined our parade, aren't you?
Zoe: Yeah. That was me. Thanks for remembering.
Shelley: Hi.
Zoe: Oh, good morning Shelley! I'm in the mood for an egg-white greek omelet with fetta cheese and calmont olives.
Shelley: Get over that mood. You fried or scrambled.
Zoe: Scrambled. Be great.
Shelley: Okay, scrambled to go.
Zoe: I didn't say to go.
Shelley: I'm just thinking about your safety.
George: Hello there, Dr. Hart.
Zoe: Are you sure you want to be seen talking to me?
George: Um. Yeah, I'll take my chances.
Zoe: What's with the suit- you have a funeral to get to?
George: Nah, I'm just taking some depositions up in Mobile. But I just wanted to warn you that I think someone as a joke signed you up for our annual cook-off tomorrow.
Zoe: Did it occur to you that I may have signed up myself?
George: No, it did not.
Zoe: Because I did.
George: You did?
Zoe: I love to cook. I cook like crazy. I watch cooking shows on the cooking show channel. Do you?
George: I don't think I get that channel.
Zoe: You should lobby your local cable provider because it is an excellent venue for shows about cooking, which I love to do.
George: Okay then. Well I should probably tell you that Brick Breeland pretty much always wins our cook-off.
Zoe: So I have heard. But I don't care. Face it, I haven't started off well in Bluebell with sabotaging the parade, making an arch-enemy of your fiance...
George: Misdiagnosing the tick bite.
Zoe: I am glad you're keeping track. But you know more than anyone that I need thirty percent of the patients to keep my part of the practice.
George: Yeah, and gumbo's going to do that how?
Zoe: I am a good doctor. But apparently the people of Bluebell are quick to distrust strangers. I need to prove to this town that I belong here. And what better way than participating in the town cook-off? If I beat Brick Breelandwhile I'm at it, well that will just be the cherry on the gumbo.
George: Well okay.
[Scene shifts outside the Rammer Jammer.]
Lemon: Alrighty AnnaBeth, now what was it you wanted to tell us about that Dr. Hart?
AnnaBeth: Well, I heard from my cousin Rhonda's boyfriend, Lane, who's like best friends with this kid Zander, who mows the Mayor's lawns-
Lemon: Oh my goodness, AnnaBeth, I can feel myself aging.
AnnaBeth: Sorry...but the lawn boy says sometimes Zoe Hart has breakfast with the Mayor.
Lemon: In his home? [ AnnaBeth nods] Is your lawn boy suggesting that they're sleeping together?
AnnaBeth: What? Oh, Lord, no. She comes in from the Carriage House to eat. First thing, wakes up and walks right over.
Lemon: Of course she does, silly, that's where the food is. Now, if there not sleeping together what was the point of your epic tale?
AnnaBeth: She parades around in front of the Mayor without a stitch of make-up.
Lemon: Well obviously that girl has- [Notices George and Zoe talking through window.] Continue your reconnaissance AnnaBeth, that girl is a walkin- [ Zoe passes by]. A walking menace.'
[Scene shifts to medical practice.]
Didi: Hi! Name, insurance carrier and Dr. Breeland will be right with you.
Zoe: Actually, I'm a doctor. I work here. Who are you?
Didi: Didi? Your new receptionist?
Zoe: Our new receptionist?
Didi: That's strange, Dr. Breeland never mentioned anything about another doctor.
Zoe: It's not that strange, really.
Brick: Folks, I'm sorry, you can wait a little bit or you can come back later, but Doris Culp thinks Albert is having a heart attack again. And I think we all know she's just trying to handicap my gumbo making, but little does she know that I put my pot on last night.
Zoe: How could you hire a new receptionist without consulting me? We share this practice, fifty fifty.
Brick: Except all the patients are mine. But you know, if you want to choose the kind of lollipops we hand out, that's all yours.
Didi: I vote for lime or cherry. Not grape. [To Lavon] Hi! I'm so sorry, but Dr. Breeland just stepped out.
Zoe: Wha- excuse me? How do you know he's here to see Brick and not to see me?
Didi: I will ask, but I don't want you to get your hopes up.
Lavon: I was in the neighborhood, thought I'd look in on Dr. Hart. I'm Lavon Hayes, I don't believe we've met.
Didi: Hi! I'm Didi. I've only been living here a short while, I just moved out from Georgia about a month ago.
Lavon: Oh, well please allow the Mayor of our fair town to welcome you.
Didi: The Mayor? Wo- wow! Look at me, getting all flustered around famous people!
Mother: Where's Dr. Breeland?
Zoe: He had to leave, can I help you?
Mother: Are you a doctor?
Didi: I know, right? Weird.
Mother: My son was bitten by a snake.
Zoe: Okay, no problem. Let's check it out.
[Scene shifts to exam room.]
Mother: He had a sleepover at his friends and they went to explore inside the old Hooper house, where I have told him a million times not to play.
Zoe: Right, and there was a snake?
Woman: Well he didn't see it, but he stepped into a hole in the floor and it bit him, which is why we don't play in that house!
Zoe: No ____, minor swelling, and no fever.
Mother: So it wasn't poisonous?
Zoe: Probably.
Mother: Probably it was or probably it wasn't?
Zoe: I'm going to go get him an antihistamine. Excuse me.
[Scene shifts to main office.]
Zoe: Sorry, I need to check something online.
Didi: So...is that Lavon guy single?
Zoe: Huh? Oh, yeah, he is.
Didi: He seems really nice. And cute. But, I mean, he's the Mayor so I'm sure he's got tons and tons of girls swoonin' all ov-
Zoe: To treat a snakebite you need to determine the kind of snake that made the bite. Crap!
Didi: Did you just Ask Jeeves how to cure a snakebite?
[Scene shifts to exam room.]
Zoe: Here you go. So, luckily the reaction is local so the chance of envenomation is small. But I want to make sure we know exactly what kind of snake we're dealing with, so I'm just going to do some quick research. You sit tight. I'll take that.
[Scene shifts to Wade's car pulling into old Hooper House.]
Wade: First the fusebox, then you don't have a car. Admit it, Doc. You need my help.
Zoe: Technically, I did not need your help. I finally get my first patient and it's a freaking snakebite! I simply needed you to take me to the snake. You are my ride, not my help. Very different.
Wade: Okay, well, you got your ride.
Zoe: But...but there's a snake in there.
Wade: Probably a few.
Zoe: Aren't you going to come in, too?
Wade: No, I'm just the driver. [Pause.] Say please, Doc.
Zoe: Please.
Wade: Here snakey, snakey, snakey! Ah, the old Hooper house- used to bring my high school girlfriends here.
Zoe: Please tell me they were still breathing at the time.
Wade: There's no need to look up. The poisonous ones don't climb. Well, cottonmouths sometimes, but not in these parts. Usually.
Zoe: What do you mean usually?
Wade: No, what we're looking for is a rattler, a copperhead- a real pretty tan thing with brown blotches.
Wade: Oh, my God.
Zoe: What?
[ Wade jumps, Zoe screams and falls.]
Zoe: Ow, Wade!
Wade: Oh, it's a rope, okay? You are so city.
Zoe: Copperhead.
Wade: What?
Zoe: Copperhead!
Wade: Wow, well that was quick. Lucky we found it.
Zoe: Not really.
Wade: Whoa.
[Scene shifts to medical practice.]
Zoe: God, this is so stupid, you don't need to carry me.
Wade: First rule of a snakebit, Doc. Can't let the victim exert herself.
Zoe: What's the second rule, apply pressure to side of boob? Put me down!
Wade: Well, glad I could be of help.
Didi: Oh no! Hon, what happened?
Zoe: Found the snake, and vice versa.
Mother: Oh, my Lord, thank God for Dr. Breeland. He knew exactly what kind of snake bit my son- a copperhead- without going anywhere. And he could tell how much venom was in there- without going anywhere.
Zoe: Yeah, well I got proof firsthand. Get it? Hand?
Didi: You poor thing. Let's get you in to see the doctor.
Zoe: I am the doctor.
Didi: The other doctor. Come on, come on! Maybe if you wore a stethoscope or something...
[Scene shifts to exam room.]
Brick: Well, you should've just called me. I've seen about a thousand copperhead bites in my career.
Zoe: Well, unfortunately by the time my people settled onto the island of Manhattan the copperhead population had dwindled a bit.
Brick: Yeah, well I think that we can agree that after this, one of us belongs in this town. The other, does not.
[Scene shifts to kitchen at Mayor's Plantation'.]
Zoe: Can you believe he said that? It's going to make it all the more delicious when I destroy him in the gumbo contest.
Lavon: Oh I'm sorry, I'm looking for the wrong thing. You want the magic gumbo pot.
Zoe: Oh! Hey, I forgot to tell you- our new receptionist Didi asked about you.
Lavon: She did?
Zoe: Uh-huh. She thinks you're cute. Ask her out.
Lavon: Yeah, um. Yeah, there's uh, someone, or something I'm still trying to get over. Thanks, though. Aha! There it is. Knew I had one- I banged on it once to scare off a opossum.
Zoe: Perfect.
Lavon: Doesn't come with the gumbo already in it, you know. [Laughs.] The cook-off is tomorrow, and I hope you know gumbo takes a while to prepare.
Zoe: You see, the word prepare could be interpreted many ways. It just so happens that Emeril Lagasse is one of my mother's clients, and he agreed to overnight me a vat of his best gumbo. I am prepared for it to arrive, at which point I will prepare to put it into this pot.
Lavon: I did not hear any of that, you understand? I am the Mayor of this town, sworn to uphold the laws, and the traditions, and the integrity of the gumbo festival.
Zoe: Aw, I just want to beat Brick- just let me win, come on!
Wade: Hey, uh, Doc? I found this package, or what's left of it on your stoop. Ba-blow.
Zoe: [Gasps.] It's my gumbo! Look at this! I'm going to sue that stupid overnight carrier.
Wade: Well, you might have to sue the Mayor's alligator. I saw him slithering away one happy reptile.
Zoe: Burt Reynolds ate my gumbo!
Lavon: We cannot blame the gator. Besides, keeps me from having to disqualify you.
Wade: Hey, listen, my Uncle Mo's got a pretty kickass gumbo recipe if you want my help, I'm-
Zoe: I do not need your help, Wade. Last time I had your help I also got this.
Lavon: Well, what are you gon' do now?
Zoe: I have no choice. I'll have Emeril e-mail me his recipe and I'll make my own gumbo!
Lavon: Do you even know how to cook?
Zoe: Why does everyone keep asking me that?
Wade: Uh, because we don't think you can cook.
Zoe: I'm going to figure it out, okay? Come hell or high water, I'm going to become a respected part of this...extremely charming community.
[Scene shifts to town square.]
Lemon: How was your breakfast this morning at the Rammer Jammer?
George: Same as it is most days. Had the fruit plate.
Lemon: Mmhm. And who all was there?
George: Lemon, if you would like to ask me if I ran into Zoe Hart, well I can't take the suspense. You've got eyes all over this town, you know very well I did.
Lemon: Well why is all I want to know. I mean why would you be treating a woman who's so obviously out to destroy me with such unapologetic kindness?
George: Well, you're supposed to treat everyone kindly, sweetheart. I think it's in the Bible.
Lemon: There's also something in there about being loyal to your fiance against her sworn enemies.
George: That's Deuteronomy, right? That one? What would you have me do, avoid all contact? [SeesLemon's expression.] You can't be serious.
Lemon: Why? Do you want contact with her?
George: No, I have no interest in Zoe Hart, but I also don't-
Lemon: There's no problem then, is there? Yay, so we agree. You don't talk to her and everyone sees that we are on the same team! Have a good day sweetheart.
[ George and Lemon move away to reveal Lavon standing behind them.]
Lavon: Hey.
Didi: Well hey yourself, Mr. Mayor.
Lavon: It's good to see you.
[Scene shifts to The Dixie Stop.]
Zoe: But the recipe says the shrimp can't have veins.
Sal: Ma'am, I don't know what kind of shrimp you got in New York, but in Alabama, shrimp got veins. Now you want 'em de-veined, you're gon' have to do that yourself. You can use our butcher block out back.
Zoe: Wha- I don't know how to de-vein a shrimp.
Sal: You're the new doctor, right? Just pretend like you're doing surgery on a teeny tiny little shrimpy patient.
[Scene shifts to butcher block behind The Dixie Stop.]
Zoe: Shoot! Stupid shrimp!
George: Having problems?
Zoe: I'm so sorry I wasted my time in medical school when all I needed was a simple course in Cajun cooking. And now the cook-off is tomorrow, and of course that stupid alligator. And now I'm cutting the veins out of shrimp with one hand and they're slippery, and they're slimy and hasn't this town ever heard of pre-cooked shrimp?
George: Back up. What I got out of that mish-mash is that you're having trouble with your gumbo.
Zoe: My gumbo? Try everything. Whatever I do down here reflects on the memory of Harley Wilkes, and I have got to make the people believe that I am worthy of following in his footsteps. So it may sound silly, but it seems that the only way to make that happen is by winning this cook-off.
George: Put down the knife. Back away from the shrimp. You're coming with me, okay? I got an idea.
Zoe: Good, because I'm losing my mind.
George: Come on.
[Scene shifts to George's truck pulling into farmstand.]
George: I mean come on- slice of pizza, two in the morning-
Zoe: Stop. You're making me hungry for New York.
George: But you know what I really love? The Buttercup Cod at Bon Street? I used to dream about that.
Zoe: Oh yeah? No no no, my favorite sushi was at _______ on Fifth Street.
George: Never had it.
Zoe: No?
George: No. Alright, favorite dish. Mine is the sweet corn ris-
Zoe: The risotto at Per Se!
George: -at Per Se, yeah.
Zoe: Oh, that was my favorite, too.
George: So good.
Zoe: I used to go on my nights off from the hospital.
George: Wow, yeah. My office was right around the corner, I used to take clients all the time. I wonder if we were ever there at the same time- though I'd probably remember that. Alright, Zoe Hart, well-
Zoe: What?
George: -you may be an expert at New York cuisine, but I know gumbo. And the secret to a good gumbo is the base, you got to use fresh tomatoes like this one. Is this not the most incredible tomato you've ever seen in your life? Worth the drive alone.
Zoe: Oh, yeah, nothing like all other tomatoes. So, how is the wedding planning coming?
George: Well, uh, it's fairly insane. Tastings, florists... Lemon wants it to be the event of the season, and by season she means millennium. Lemon just wants the best for everything.
Zoe: Oh, well then you should definitely get her some of those world famous tomatoes, too.
George: Yeah, I don't think she needs any.
Zoe: Oh, my God!
George: What?
Zoe: That's the reason why we drove out to the middle of nowhere to this farmstand- Lemon doesn't know your with me!
George: Well, you're not exactly one of her favorite people.
Zoe: Yeah...
George: She asked me not to talk to you.
Zoe: Of course she did. I'm the lunatic that ruined her parade. Stay away from crazy Zoe and her witchy blue-state black magic. I didn't think that you'd believe that, too.
[Scene shifts to Rammer Jammer.]
Wade: So you ran into her on the street and you said what?
Lavon: Just hey.
Wade: That was it, just- just hey?
Lavon: Just hey. And I might've said nice to see you.
Wade: Whoa.
Lavon: I know.
Wade: Well I thought you said you laid on the charm when you first saw her.
Lavon: That was before I knew she was into me. I froze! I had no idea how to even start!
Wade: How do you normally start things? Just go back to that.
Lavon: Lavon Hayes was a pro football player. People started things for me.
Wade: Look, just- you're a little out of shape is all, champ. Practice.
Lavon: Practice.
Wade: You can't go into a game all cold. Here, look, pretend I'm her. Act like I'm, wait, what's her name again?
Lavon: Didi.
Wade: Pretend I'm Didi.
Shelley: I wish I had my gun.
Wade: Is it Didi D-i-d-i or D-double e-D-double e? 'Cause I've seen it spelled both ways.
Lavon: Why is that important?
Wade: I'm just trying to understand my character. Alright, go ahead, I'm her.
Lavon: Hey...Didi....
Wade: Well hey there. Don't you just look fine?
Shelley: Oh dear God.
Lavon: Why would you say that?
Wade: I don't know, I mean, you know, 'cause she thinks you're hot or something?
Lavon: Yeah, but she wouldn't say it first thing.
Wade: Girls do to me.
Lavon: Well, we not pretending like it's you, we pretending like it's me!
Wade: Hey hey, dude- I'm-I'm trying to help you out here.
Lavon: You're really bad at this.
Wade: Okay, fine. You know what? I'm calling an audible. Whole new plan. Ignore her.
Lavon: What?
Wade: Freeze her out. I know for a fact chicks dig that.
Lavon: Really?
Shelley: Okay, I have to put a stop to this. Asking Wade how to woo women is like asking a hunter how to train bears. A woman wants a romantic gesture- do that.
Wade: I don't know. Could be a trick.
[Scene shifts to farmstand.]
Zoe: Oh, I should've asked for another paper bag so I could put it over my head and you could sneak me into your car.
George: You're funny.
Farmhand: Someone call 911!
Zoe: I'm a doctor! What is it?
Farmhand: The farmer's been in an accident!
Zoe: I'm going to go help out. Just go, I'll find a way home.
Farmhand: He was trying to fix it and it just- the thing collapsed on him.
Zoe: Pulse is weak.
George: Okay, let's get it off him. Come on.
Zoe: Wait, stop! This part is gouging into a major artery- it's stopping the blood flow. If you lift it he'd completely bleed out.
George: Well we can't just leave him under there, we gotta get him to the hospital.
Zoe: Yeah, but hospital's thirty minutes away.
George: [To Farmhand.] Alright, go out to the road, wait for the ambulance, direct them here.
Zoe: Give me your tie.
George: Yeah, of course.
Zoe: Even when the ambulance gets here, it's still going to take thirty minutes to get him back to the hospital. He won't make it. Alright, we have to stop the bleeding. Oh, God, I only have one hand, I can't do this by myself. We have no choice- we have to call Brick.
George: I know. I'll call him.
[Scene shifts to medical practice.]
Didi: Okay, I've paged Dr. Breeland. Good luck, Mr. Tucker.
Lemon: My goodness, what lovely flowers. Hello there, you must be Didi.
Didi: That's right.
Lemon: Oh, it's a pretty name. I'm Dr. Breeland's daughter, and when Daddy told me he had hired a new receptionist, I said Lemon, you have just got to bring that girl a covered dish.
Didi: That is so sweet of you! Well, I ought to feel welcome by now- a casserole from you, flowers from the Mayor!
Lemon: Mayor?
Didi: Lavon Hayes?
Lemon: Why yes, I know who our Mayor is, dear. That is just so thoughtful of him. He is quite the public servant, isn't he?
Didi: Oh my gosh, he is so nice. I was just about to call him and thank him.
Lemon: You know what? I would wait. Because men, they enjoy the chase.
Didi: You might be right.
Lemon: Hey, listen, Didi, you know what? There don't seem to be any more patients waiting, why don't you close up early and you and I go out for a drink, get to know each other better?
Didi: Really? Wow. That would be great. I would just love that.
[Scene shifts to barn.]
Brick: Okay, don't worry, I'm here- as are the two of you. Interesting. Oscar, it's Dr. Breeland, can you hear me?
Zoe: You know him?
Brick: 'Course I do. You talk to his wife?
Zoe: There wasn't time. I've been busy putting on his tourniquet and monitoring his pulse. I'm guessing he's lost over 500 CCs of blood. The only reason he hasn't bled to death is because this thing is acting as an arterial clamp.
Brick: And if they lift it he will die.
Zoe: Right. Our only hope is to do an arterial cutdown above the point of impact, but I only have one hand, so-
Brick: An arterial cutdown?
Zoe: Look, I've done a lot of them, Brick, I can talk you through it.
Brick: Oh, you want me to be your puppet?
Zoe: I want us to save his life.
[Scene shifts to a little later in the barn.]
Zoe: Alright, now you need to make the longitudinal incision. Eight centimeters distal to the anti__________ using an eleven-bite scalpel.
Brick: Alright. I made the incision.
Zoe: Now I need you to use your fingers to push until you palpate the radial artery. The radial artery's connected to the thumb.
Brick: I know where the radial artery is, I did go to medical school, too.
Zoe: Just let me know when it's isolated.
Brick: I got it.
Zoe: Now remember, the radial nerve is immediately lateral to the radial artery. You need to manuever around it- if you kink that nerve-
Brick: Paralysis. Again, I know.
Zoe: Now with one hand, I need you to push aside the muscle, and with the other I need you to clamp the artery.
[Oscar gasps.]
Brick: He's waking up.
Zoe: No no no, he can't move, he'll rip the artery!
Brick: No no, you can't move now. I'm doing this as quick as I can, Oscar. Look, I know it hurts, I know it, but you got to stay still. Just think of Patty and Tyler, okay? Do this for them, okay? Can you do this for them? That's it, that's it.
George: Good job, Brick.
Zoe: Alright. Apply the clamp.
Brick: Yeah, it's clamped.
Zoe: Good. Now you need to slowly bring the systolic down to test it.
Brick: Okay... oh thank the Lord. He's not bleeding out.
George: Alright. Alright, let's get him out of here.
[Scene shifts to Mayor's Plantation.]
Lavon: I don't get it. Send someone flowers, and they supposed to call and- and say thank you.
Wade: Maybe she's allergic to flowers, you know? Maybe her face is all [makes noise].
Lavon: Zoe said Didi likes me. So why don't she call?
Wade: Hey. Bridget Jones. Why don't you quit wining, beer up, and come over here so I can whoop your ass at this game real fast. Thank you.
Lavon: You right. You right. Screw her. She want to pass up a shot at Lavon Hayes.
Wade: Lavon Hayes!
Lavon: I'm saying! It's her loss.
Wade: Right? That dirt off your shoulder, man.
Lavon: Yeah.
Wade: Let's do this.
Lavon: Hey, can we lower the volume a bit- in case, you know, the phone rings?
[Scene shifts to the Rammer Jammer.]
Lemon: Well, so tell me a little bit about yourself. Do you want to settle down in Bluebell? Permanently?
Didi: I think so. It's a real beautiful town and everyone seems real sweet, starting with the Mayor. He is
Both: so nice.
Lemon: Yes, we covered this already. So tell me, Didi, what do you want to do? I mean, I can't imagine a bright girl like you'd want to be a receptionist forever.
Didi: No, no. Obviously this isn't my dream job, and it doesn't pay very well, but Dr. Breeland said I was definitely going to get a raise.
Lemon: Oh, Daddy! Oh my goodness, you know what honey? Let me tell you something- since we are talking about nice men, my daddy is the nicest man, but if he says he is going to pay you more, he means compliments and that is about it.
Didi: Oh...
Lemon: You know what? I think I know where you can make twice as much money.
Didi: Really?
Lemon: Yes! We are Alabama women, we need to help each other whenever we can.
Didi: Wow.
[Scene shifts to outside barn.]
George: That was amazing. You were- you were so focused, and in control in there. That was- it was, it was impressive.
Zoe: Thank you, but that was surgery. I've trained for it my whole life. I've just never done it via proxy or ankle-deep in manure.
Brick: Let's go and get you to the hospital real quick now. And don't you worry about Patty, I'm going to stop by the house and I'm going to tell her you are going to be fine.
Oscar: Thank you.
EMT: Where's the doctor who saved you?
Oscar: There he is. Dr. Breeland.
EMT: Nice job, sir. You performed a miracle.
Brick: I did what I had to do. And you might want to be getting home now, George. It's getting late.
[Scene shifts to kitchen at Mayor's Plantation.]
Zoe: I did it! I saved that man's arm and his life. I had to stand there and watch while he took all the credit for it.
Lavon: Sucks- oh, that's not salt. That's cleanser. You're not the only one saving lives around here.
Zoe: I've been up all night cooking this stuff. I can't even see straight. What did I do to make Brick hate me so much?
Lavon: It's not you, sweetheart, it's him. He's an arrogant son-of-a-bitch. Always has been.
Wade: One thing I can bet those little shorts of yours on- the entire town's gon' think he's a hero by now.
Zoe: You know what? Screw George.
Wade: George?
Zoe: I'm going to set everyone straight. I'm going to march into that cook-off and I am going to tell everyone what a phony Brick Breeland is.
Lavon: No you're not. Nah, if you want people in this town to think that you're one of them, you're going to go to the cook-off, put your game face on, suck it up, and mix it in with the community. Hmm?
Zoe: Fine. You're right. Maybe I can still win the gumbo contest. Will you try it?
Lavon: Um, a moral victory's good, too.
|Wade laughs.]
Zoe: Oh, man! Do you have a garbage disposal?
Lavon: No, wait wait- hang on. Burt Reynolds! Breakfast time!
[Scene shifts to the Gumbo Cook-Off at the Rammer Jammer.]
Old Lady #1: I heard he did the entire procedure lying on the ground!
Old Lady #2: Delma Warner: On his stomach!
Old Lady #3: And then, he got home in time to make his gumbo even more scrumptious than last year!
Lemon: Daddy, I'm just so proud of you I could burst. How about a good tall glass of lemonade for the town hero?
Brick: Now, no more hero talk from you Lemon meringue, but a nice cold drink sounds good.
Lemon: George?
George: No, I'm okay. Thanks. So, you are really going to let all these people think it was all your doing, huh?
Brick: What, are you going to contradict me? Because see, then you'd have to explain what you were doing outside of town with that woman.
George: Brick, you know damn well nothing was going on.
Brick: Oh, you and I may believe that, but I'm just not so sure that my daughter would.
[Lavon and Zoe enter Rammer Jammer.]
Dash: Mayor, Mr. Mayor! Did you hear the news?
Lavon: Uh, no.
Dash: You know, Brick saved that man's arm- and his life. Our next town hall meeting we got to take a vote on having a Brick Breeland Day!
Lavon: I will consider that, Dash- thank you.
Zoe: Moral victories bite. I'm getting a drink.
Didi: Mr. Mayor? I just want to say thank you so much for the beautiful flowers.
Lavon: Flowers? Oh, yeah, yeah, I did send flowers. I'm glad you like 'em.
Didi: Well, okay. Thanks again. Bye.
Lavon: Didi- um, Didi. Would you like to go out to dinner sometime? With me, I mean?
Didi: Oh, gosh, um... wow, uh, I'm sorry, I'm moving to Montgomery in a couple days.
Lavon: Wait- I'm sorry, you're moving?
Didi: Yeah, I got a job at a law firm up there, and the salary's way more than I'm making now. I still got a lot of school loans to pay. So, um...I'm sorry! I like you, but there's no point getting involved if I'm not staying.
Lavon: Right, no. Yeah, I get it.
Didi: Oh, there's Lemon! I have to go and thank her- she called in a favor and got me the job. How nice is that?
[Scene switches to the bar.]
Wade: Are you not telling the truth to protect George Tucker for some reason? 'Cause if you were, that'd be real stupid.
Zoe: For the four hundredth time, I do not need your advice, your help, or your Alabama lovin'. Just get me another water, okay?
Wade: Yep.
Brick: I'll have another lemonade, son.
Wade: You got it.
Brick: Hope you're not boozin', you've got office hours this afternoon. Of course, seeing how you don't have any patients, what the hell? Drink up.
Zoe: I know my responsibilities. I'm honorable.
Tom: Brick! I just spoke to a guy down at WBMA, he said that the radio station wants to do a story about you for saving Oscar Balderrama.
Brick: Well, that sounds good, Tom.
Zoe: How dare you?
Brick: Excuse me?
Zoe: How can you stand there and take credit for something that I did? If you had been there alone yesterday, that man would be one-armed or worse. You know damn well I was the brains behind that procedure. You were simply my assistant.
Brick: Dr. Brick Breeland is no one's assistant. Most certainly not to some arrogant New York newbie.
Zoe: I may be a newbie, but I am also a surgeon. And like it or not, I was useful yesterday. You know how much it would mean to me to finally prove myself. You know that I need patients to hold on to my father's practice. But you are a prideful Southern man who can't admit that he had to defer to a woman.
Brick: Miss Hart, that is my practice, too. One that I have worked a long time for, one that I deserve to have all to myself. And yes, you may have led the way on that cutdown, but that is not all that happened out there. When Oscar was panicking, and pushing that plow off, and about to bleed out, I am the one that got him calm. And I am the one that went to the hospital and stayed with him. And I am the one who went out to their farm and talked to his wife, and I promised her her husband was going to be alright, that his arm was going to be alright, that their farm was going to be alright. I don't recall seeing you out there. Yes, I admit that I may be a proud man, and maybe I did take credit for a procedure I didn't wholly do, but if you can't admit that I saved Oscar's life just as much as you did, then you are just as prideful as I am.
[Scene shifts to center of Rammer Jammer.]
Dash: May I have your attention, please? Attention, please! It's that time again. And the winner of this year's gumbo cook-off, and still champion- our local hero, Dr. Brick Breeland!
[Applause.]
Brick: Well, thank you all. Thank y'all so much, I really appreciate it. Um, you know as they say in Hollywood, my gumbo was honored just to be nominated, but I got to tell you...
Dash: [To Zoe] Congratulations! Your gumbo won second prize!
Zoe: What? But I didn't-
Brick: ...because it was so good. And I did take a taste of everybody's gumbo, and I don't know how the judges....
Lemon: Oh my God, I hope that Daddy doesn't make that Dumbo joke again. You okay, honey?
George: Lemon, I'm about to do something that's going to make you really angry.
Lemon: What?
George: Just remember that I love you.
George: [To Zoe.] I'm going up there, and I'm going to tell the truth about what happened yesterday, and I don't care if Lemon finds out because people need to know who really saved that farmer.
Zoe: No. It's not as simple as that. Brick may have done more than I realized.
Brick: ...it just goes to prove what I've always said- any dumbo can make some gumbo! But enough of my yappin', let's eat!
Zoe: Folks! Uh, folks, if I could just add one thing. I just learned that my gumbo took second prize somehow, and as runner-up I would like to offer my personal congratulations to Dr. Breeland. I'm sure your gumbo is excellent, and I look forward to learning the secret of making it, just as I look forward to learning from you in our medical practice. To Brick!
Lavon: [To George.] Hey man, um, I need a favor.
George: Yeah?
Lavon: Is-is Thelma still planning on styaing with her mom up in Tuscaloosa?
George: I think so.
Lemon: George?
George: [To Lavon.] Uh, you know, can I- can I just have a minute?
Lemon: So what on earth am I supposed to be so mad about?
George: Uh, well, I was just going to, I was going to go up there and say that I didn't think it was fair the same person won two years in a row... That's not what I was going to say. I didn't go to a meeting yesterday. I took Zoe Hart to go get ingredients for her gumbo.
Lemon: What? But I specifically asked you not to.
George: I know. But Zoe is new in town, she doesn't have any friends, and- and Lemon, I don't like ultimatums. And I like to be trusted.
Lemon: You're right. And I do trust you, sweetheart. But where Zoe Hart is concerned we're just going to have to agree to disagree.
[Scene shifts.]
Old Lady #2: Delma Warner: He's such a cute Mayor! Mm!
Lavon: Thank you.
Zoe: Hey. I can't believe that you made my gumbo. Thank you. You are a good friend.
Lavon: Uh, what are you talking about?
Wade: Geez, Lavon. Cheating for a girl. Where have your mayoral ethics gone?
Zoe: Wade, can't you ever just let us have a nice moment?
Wade: Sorry, geesh.
[Scene shifts outside.]
Didi: Lemon! Lemon.
Lemon: Hi.
Didi: I was just about to call you. Listen, I so so appreciate you finding me that job, but the thing is, well, I don't want to go to Montgomery.
Lemon: But honey, it's a good job. It's a great salary.
Didi: I know but I got offered another job right here in Bluebell for the same exact money!
Lemon: What?
Didi: I start next week!
Lemon: What job?
Didi: I'm going to be George Tucker's assistant. Which is great, right? 'Cause him being your fiance you and I will get to see each other all the time.
Lemon: George...his assistant. Yay.
Didi: And the whole thing was the Mayor's idea. Oh my God, he is so-
Lemon: Don't say it. He is um, he is just such an angel.
[Scene shifts to kitchen of the Mayor's Plantation.]
Lavon: You know what I don't get is how you did it.
Wade: Did what?
Lavon: Well, you must've been cooking all night. Your Uncle Mo would be proud of you.
Wade: I don't know what you been drinkin' Lavon. You're acting as crazy as all get-out.
Lavon: Uh-huh. I know what I know. You did Zoe a solid. Oh, you a good guy.
Wade: I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Mayor, but uh, Zoe Hart, she doesn't need my help. You can just ask her yourself.
[Scene shifts to medical practice.]
Didi: Okay, well I'll let Dr. Breeland know you're here. I tried to explain that there are two doctors, but she won't-
Zoe: It's okay.
Brick: Now, Harold, why don't you come on in. Right on back in there. Uh, Mrs. Dixon, it's going to be a while- why don't you see Dr. Hart today? She'll take good care of you.
Zoe: [To Didi.] 2:14, October 10th. Write that down somewhere, would you? Mrs. Dixon?
