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  •  /  Friends  /  S10E15 The One Where Estelle Dies


    • new scene
    • Scene 1

      Flashback scene from last week, Monica and Chandler's kitchen, Rachel, Ross, Monica and Chandler are there.

    • Jennifer
      Previously on Friends...
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      How did the job stuff go?
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      He offered me one.
    • ross
    • Ross
      (gasps) You know what? This calls for a bottle of Israels finest.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      The job is in Paris. (we see Ross stare in disbelief)
    • FADE OUT
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Oh, God! Please, somebody say something.
    • ross
    • Ross
      So if you take this job you'll be moving to Paris?
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Or facing a bitch of a commute.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      I know, it's huge, and it's scary, and it's... really far, far away from you guys, but this is such an incredible opportunity for me. And I've already talked to them about our situation with Emma, and they said they'll do whatever we need to make us feel comfortable.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Okay.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      I mean, I'll fly back and forth, they'll fly you out... Anything we want.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      My boss said I might be getting a new lamp in my cubicle. (Monica looks at him and can't really place what he just said)
    • ross
    • Ross
      All right, we'll work it out.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Thank you! Thank you!
    • ross
    • Ross
      Yeah, yeah! (they hug) You sure this is what you want?
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      I think it is. (Ross looks very sad. Phoebe and Joey enter.)
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Ooh, what's going on?
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      I got a really incredible job offer.
    • joey
    • Joey
      Hey, great! All right!
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Good for you!
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      It's in Paris.
    • joey
    • Joey
      What? No, no, no! No, no... no... no, no... No, too much is changing, okay? First, Phoebe getting married (to Phoebe) Congratulations! (pointing to Monica and Chandler)... and then these two move into a stupid house in the stupid suburbs...
    • monica
    • Monica
      Hey, this afternoon you said you'd be supportive...
    • joey
    • Joey
      Well, it comes and goes. I wouldn't trust it.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Look, you guys... this is really, really important to me. And it means a lot if you could try to get on board.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Of course we can. Congratulations. (they hug, but Joey shakes his head.) Yay! (she gestures Joey to come and join in) Joey...
    • joey
    • Joey
      No, no, no. My hugs are reserved for people STAYING IN AMERICA.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      (walking towards Joey) Joey, it would mean so...
    • joey
    • Joey
      Hey! No! Get your France-going-arms away from me. (He walks out, and Rachel follows him)
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Joey...
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      You okay with this?
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Well, it makes me feel sad, but...
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Talking to Ross.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      I see.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Well, Rachel moving to another country? Not being able to see her every day. How can I be okay with this?
    • monica
    • Monica
      I know, but what are we gonna do? She really needs this job.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Do you think if the Ralph Lauren people offered her her old job back, she would take it?
    • monica
    • Monica
      How is that gonna happen?
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Is this the best way to use one of your three magic wishes?
    • ross
    • Ross
      I don't know. I could talk to her boss. Yeah! I met him at that Christmas party. We really hit it off.
    • monica
    • Monica
      You mean the guy who kept calling you Ron?
    • ross
    • Ross
      I didn't say we were brothers.
    • OPENING CREDITS
    • new scene
    • Scene 2

      Central Perk. Phoebe's reading a newspaper. Chandler and Monica walk in.

    • monica
    • Monica
      Hey Phoebe. Hey, tell me what you think. All right. The house next door to the one that we're buying in Westchester? Just went on the market. I wanna take a look at it, but Chandler doesn't.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      We close escrow tomorrow, so seeing another house can only confuse us, and we're easily confused. We're not very bright.
    • monica
    • Monica
      But what if it is better than ours? Should we at least look?
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      What do you think Pheebs?
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Well, I think that shirt makes you look like you should work at a Baskin Robbins... Anyway... Hey, isn't Joey's agent Estelle Leonard?
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Yeah.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      She died.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      You're kidding!
    • monica
    • Monica
      That's terrible!
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Yeah, last Saturday. Wow! She was the first black man to fly solo across the Atlantic. (Chandler and Monica look puzzled) Oh, wait a minute, I read the wrong one.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Oh yeah?
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Yeah, she was just an agent.
    • monica
    • Monica
      Joey's gonna be *so* upset.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      I know. *He* always wanted to be the first black man to cross the Atlantic.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Well, we cannot tell Joey about this. He's already flipping out about everything that's changing. This will push him over the edge.
    • monica
    • Monica
      Seriously, you don't think we should tell him?
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Well, not for a little while. Let's just give him a few days to get used to everything else.
    • monica
    • Monica
      What if he reads it in the paper?
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Unless Snoopy says it to Charlie Brown, I think we're okay.
    • new scene
    • Scene 3

      Ralph Lauren. Mr Zelner's office. Ross knocks on the door and enters.

    • Mr Zelner
      May I help you?
    • ross
    • Ross
      Yeah, I'm a friend of Rachel Green's. Uhm, actually we met at the Christmas party about two years ago.
    • Mr Zelner
      Oh right, uhm, Don?
    • ross
    • Ross
      Close. Ron. (shakes hands)
    • Mr Zelner
      Uh... What can I do for you?
    • ross
    • Ross
      Uhm, well... I'm here to see if you'll give Rachel her job back.
    • Mr Zelner
      Ah, did she ask you to come here and do this?
    • ross
    • Ross
      Oh, no. At first I have to get you to agree. Then we'll see if she wants to come back.
    • Mr Zelner
      Wow, that is tempting.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Look, she loved her job here. And let's face it: you're not gonna find anyone who did it as well as she did it. Isn't that true?
    • Mr Zelner
      She is good!
    • ross
    • Ross
      (surprised) Huh, I took a shot there.
    • Mr Zelner
      But I'm sorry. There's nothing I can do... Ah, it's not true, there is... nothing I want to do.
    • ross
    • Ross
      I see... Thanks very much. (he gets up and walks to the door. On his way out he looks at the photographs Mr Zelner has near his door. He picks one up.) Is this your son?
    • Mr Zelner
      Yeah, his name is Ross. (Ross looks very surprised) What?
    • ross
    • Ross
      Oh, nothing, it's just, it's close to Ron. Does he.. Does little Ross like dinosaurs by any chance?
    • Mr Zelner
      Yeah, they're all he talks about, why?
    • ross
    • Ross
      How would he like to come with me to the Museum of Natural History after everyone else has left, just the two of us, and he can touch anything he wants. (Mr. Zellner looks shocked). I just heard it as you must have heard it and that's not good. Let me start again. I'm a paleontologist, you'll be there with us and the touching refers only to bones... fossils!
    • Mr Zelner
      You can really arrange that?
    • ross
    • Ross
      You let Rachel come back, and it's done.
    • Mr Zelner
      Well, I guess having Rachel back wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Yeah! Yes! Thank you! This is great. Thank you so much. And I swear, your kid is going to have the time of his life.
    • Mr Zelner
      That's great. I worry about little Ross. He's always reading, he's collecting rocks and he's obsessed with dinosaurs.
    • ross
    • Ross
      He'll be fine.
    • new scene
    • Scene 4

      Central Perk. Phoebe's reading, Joey has just entered the room

    • joey
    • Joey
      Hey Phoebe.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Hey. Everything ok?
    • joey
    • Joey
      I'm just mad at my agent.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Estelle? Why?
    • joey
    • Joey
      There's a part in a TV movie that I would be perfect for and I didn't even be put up for it! She'd better have a good reason.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      I'm guessing she does.
    • joey
    • Joey
      Well (taking his cell phone out of a pocket) I'm wanna hear it, because she keeps doing this.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Well, no, no, wait, wait, wait. All right, I gotta go. Just listen. Promise me, that you will wait a minute before you call her.
    • joey
    • Joey
      Ok. Why?
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Because a promise between friends means never having to give a reason. (she leaves)
    • joey
    • Joey
      I love that saying!
    • (Phoebe is outside, taking her cell phone out of her bag and making a call. Joey is inside, and his mobile phone starts ringing).
    • joey
    • Joey
      Hello?
    • Phoebe (doing Estelle)
      Joey, it's Estelle.
    • joey
    • Joey
      I was just gonna call you! That's weird.
    • Phoebe-Estelle
      It's a little coincidental, but believable. (Joey nods in agreement). Listen, I'm sure you're wondering why I didn't get you an audition for that TV movie.
    • joey
    • Joey
      Yeah, actually I am!
    • Phoebe-Estelle
      I guess I dropped the ball there. Whoopsie!
    • joey
    • Joey
      That's it? You know, it seems all you do lately is drop the ball.
    • Phoebe-Estelle
      Don't take that tone with me. Who you think you are? Alan Lemond, the first black man to fly solo across the Atlantic?
    • joey
    • Joey
      No, no, look. All I'm saying is that you're my agent, ok? And you're not getting me into any auditions and I'm tired of it.
    • Phoebe-Estelle
      What are you saying?
    • joey
    • Joey
      I'm saying that... (pause). This isn't working for me anymore, ok? Estelle, you're fired. Goodbye. (he hangs up the phone).
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Man, tough week for Estelle!
    • new scene
    • Scene 5

      Joey's apartment. Rachel's there and Ross enters the room with a stuffed dinosaur

    • ross
    • Ross
      Hi.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Hi.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Emma left her stuffed t-rex at my house. You know she can't sleep without it.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Oh, well, she's asleep now. Stop forcing that thing on her.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Ok.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Oh, you're not gonna believe what happened to me today! Ralph Lauren called, and gave me my job back!
    • ross
    • Ross
      Nooo!
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Yee. I mean, it was so weirdest thing. They fired me and then out of nowhere they just hire me back! I mean, that place must have been falling apart without me.
    • ross
    • Ross
      So, you're not going to Paris.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      No, I'm still going.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Wh... wh...what?
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      When the Louis Vuitton people found out that Ralph Lauren wanted me back, the offered me more money! Isn't that great?
    • ross
    • Ross
      Yeeeah! (They high-five)
    • new scene
    • Scene 6

      house next to the one the Bings are moving into. Chandler and Monica knock, a lady opens the door.

    • monica
    • Monica
      Hi. We're buying the house next door, and we were wondering if we could just take a look around.
    • Lady
      Oh, sure. I'm showing it to someone else right now, but please, look around.
    • monica
    • Monica
      Thanks.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      It feels like we're cheating on our house. And if we're gonna cheat, shouldn't it be with like a hot, younger house, that does stuff that our house won't do?
    • monica
    • Monica
      Ours is so much better! This living room is smaller, the dining room looks like a cave! What a hole!
    • Lady
      So? What do you think?
    • monica
    • Monica
      Love it!
    • Lady
      Well, we already have one offer on it, and I think the lady upstairs is goning to make another one.
    • monica
    • Monica
      They could be our neighbors, what are they like?
    • Lady
      Oh, the woman upstairs is very nice. She and her husband have two kids, he's on Wall Street and she...
    • Janice
      Oh my God!
    • (Chandler and Monica are speechless).
    • Chandler (to Monica)
      Sure.
    • new scene
    • Scene 7

      Joey's apartment. He's there and Phoebe comes in.

    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Hey Joey, want come with me to... are you ok?
    • joey
    • Joey
      Yeah, I just... I just feel bad about firing Estelle. This is got to be killing her.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      No, that wouldn't kill her. Ordinary embolism might.
    • joey
    • Joey
      I don't know. She's got to be taking it hard, I was like her only client. Except for this guy who eats paper. And I'm guessing he eats more money than he makes. Look, I know she's not a great agent, but she did stick with me for ten years. I'm gonna call her and hire her again.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      No, no, no! Don't call her! You wait for her to call you (Joey considers it)
    • joey
    • Joey
      Why?
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Because patience is the road to understanding (she thinks) which ... is the key... to a happy heart.
    • joey
    • Joey
      (impressed) You blow me away.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      (picking up her bag) All right, so promise you're gonna wait for her to call you?
    • joey
    • Joey
      I promise. And that means, never having to give a reason. (Phoebe stops herself from laughing and leaves)
    • new scene
    • Scene 8

      The house Monica and Chandler are viewing. Janice comes down the stairs.

    • Janice
      What a small world!
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      And yet I never run into Beyonce!
    • Realtor
      You two know each other?
    • Janice
      Oh, we go way back. Before Monica made an honest man out of him, Chandler used to be my little love muffin! (does her irritating laugh). So? Are you guys thinking of getting this house too? Ooh! Are we gonna have a bidding war? I'd better warn you, I'm a toughie (playfully punches Chandler, who tries to get away from her)
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      (at Janice's punching) Don't, don't! (looks disgusted)
    • monica
    • Monica
      No, actually, we're buying the house next door. (Janice gasps)
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      (To Monica and with bulging eyes) Why!?
    • monica
    • Monica
      (looks confused and scared) I don't know why.
    • Janice
      Ooh, that decides it then. I was on the fence. But knowing that you two would be our neighbors? Ah! now we have to get it! (Chandler and Monica are utterly shocked) Ellen, we're going to talk numbers. (Grabs Ellen by her elbow and pulls her outside)
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      This can not be happening!
    • monica
    • Monica
      Okay, the realtor said another couple made an offer. Maybe the Janice's won't get it! Maybe the other couple will.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      The only way that that is going to happen, is if the other couple are the Hitlers.
    • monica
    • Monica
      (Thinks a little more) Okay, Okay, (clapping her hands) All right. What if we got both houses? Huh? We can turn this house into a guest house.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      That is a great idea! And by the way, I don't mean to sound distasteful, but when did you start crapping money!?
    • monica
    • Monica
      Okay, you come up with an idea.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Alright alright, we still have three hours till escrow closes on our house. We can still get out.
    • monica
    • Monica
      But we love our house.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Will we love it so much with her next door? And she's gonna be louder out here too. Just the crickets and (apes Janice's voice) "Oh My God"!
    • monica
    • Monica
      Okay, but if we don't get this house, she's stil gonna show up wherever we go! I mean, at least if she's here, it eliminates the element of suprise. I mean, never again will you have to hear the three words that make your balls jump back up inside your body. (She shows this with her index finger, mimicking it pushing something up)
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      (looks afraid, but at the same time, knows she's right) Well, we have to do something. We can't have her living next door. (Janice's laughs loudly outside) Oh, that does it too. (Motions with his index finger like Monica did)
    • new scene
    • Scene 9

      Mr. Zellner's office. There is a knock on the door.

    • r Zelner
      Who is it?
    • ross
    • Ross
      (enters) It's me. Ron. (Mr. Zellner looks annoyed) Look, I um, I now Rachel turned you down but I think there is a way you might be able to get her to come back.
    • Mr Zelner
      This may surprise you, but re-hiring fired employees, is not my main job.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Just hear me out. How would you feel about offering her a raise? (looks hopeful)
    • Mr Zelner
      (obviously amused) Not good, Ron.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Perhaps I can persuade you. What if you can give your son this (Takes a huge egg out of his back) genuine pterodactyl egg (whispers) replica.
    • Mr Zelner
      (Takes a long look at the egg while he considers it) Wow, that's pretty cool (Takes the egg from Ross)
    • ross
    • Ross
      Huh? So? We have a deal?
    • Mr Zelner
      Okay, you got it.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Yes! yes!
    • Mr Zelner
      This is gonna make me very popular.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Oh, (grins) Believe me, the ladies, they love it!
    • Mr Zelner
      (looks at Ross, for a long moment, confused) I meant with my son.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Good, 'cause the ladies, not so much. (shakes his head, give him a thumbs up and leaves)
    • new scene
    • Scene 10

      Joey's apartment. He walks in reading his mail, and plays back his messages on the answering machine

    • Answering machine
      Joey, this is Al T. Booker, (Looks annoyed that he called him) the guy who eats paper. I'm sure you've heard that Estelle passed away. (Looks shocked) I wanted to let you know there's a memorial for her at the Westside chapel, tomorrow at ten. Hope you can make it.
    • joey
    • Joey
      Oh my God. (Still in shock when his mobile rings, he picks it up) Hello?
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      (on the other side of the line, still pretending to be Estelle) Joey, it's Estelle. (Joey's eyes bulge up, he looks afraid)
    • joey
    • Joey
      Estelle?
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Yeah, I wanted to call and tell you that there's no hard feelings for firing me.
    • joey
    • Joey
      (still scared) Ok-ay. I just, I can't believe you're calling me?
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Well, I didn't think I should just drop by...
    • joey
    • Joey
      No, no, no! (Starts looking around the room, terrified) Don't drop by, don't drop by!
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Anyway, you did what you had to do. I'm okay.
    • joey
    • Joey
      Can I ask you something? Uhm, what's it like there?
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      (Looks around) It's alright. Look kiddo, I gotta go. Good luck with the career. You're gonna be huge.
    • joey
    • Joey
      Thanks for everything Estelle. Bye. (Hangs up and reads the phone display) "out of area". Boy, I'll say.
    • new scene
    • Scene 11

      The house next door to Chandler and Monica's new house. Chandler is pacing worriedly through the living room when Janice enters.

    • Janice
      Well... I just talked to Sid, we are definitely putting in an offer on the house... a-a-and I'll bet we get it.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      The Hitlers will be so disappointed.
    • Janice
      All right, I got to run. Tell Monica I say goodbye. And... I'll see you later, neighbor. (Janice laugh)
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Wait! I just want you to know that... I'm so happy you're going to be here.
    • Janice
      Oh, me too... (laughs)
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Because... that way... we can pick up where we left off.
    • Janice
      Huh?
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      I never stopped loving you.
    • Janice
      Oh... my...
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Yeah, yeah, yeah! I want you... I need you... I must have you Janice Litman Goralnik Neihosenstein.
    • Janice
      Chandler, what are you talking about?
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Now that you live next door, we can be together every day. Sid and Monica never have to know a thing.
    • Janice
      I don't know what to say... I mean, you know, obviously we have this... heat between us.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      (stunned) Obviously.
    • Janice
      But I love my husband. And I know you love your wife. Now, I don't think we should get this house now.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Don't say that. Don't tangle the dream and take it away.
    • Janice
      Chandler, one of us has got to be strong.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      I understand.
    • Janice
      Although, maybe just... one last moment of weakness... (she kisses Chandler flat on the mouth. Chandler squirms. When she's finished, he looks at her lovingly but uneasily.) Goodbye Chandler Bing. (She leaves)
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      (speaking as in pain) They're never coming down now.
    • new scene
    • Scene 12

      Ross's apartment. Ross is working on his laptop when Rachel enters with Emma.

    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Hi!
    • ross
    • Ross
      Hey!
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      You are never going to believe what happened to me today.
    • ross
    • Ross
      What?
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Ralph Lauren called again and they offered me more money.
    • ross
    • Ross
      They did?
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Yeah. It was the weirdest thing. Zelner called me and he said we'll do everything we can to get you back. And that I should thank some Ron... I don't even know what department that guy's in.
    • ross
    • Ross
      So, what are you gonna do?
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Well, I took it.
    • ross
    • Ross
      That's great! So you're staying in New York!
    • Both
      YAY! WHOO! YAY!
    • ross
    • Ross
      You're excited, right?
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      (hesitant) Ye-ah. Yeah! You know, the money's great. It's certainly the easier choice...
    • ross
    • Ross
      Right!
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Yeah, you know, was I looking forward to going to Paris? Sure. You know, was I excited about working in the fashion capital of the world? Ooh, absolutely... Oh...! Yeah, but you know, this is... it's fine. I'm fine going back to a job where I've pretty much gotten everything out of that I possibly can... (she sits down, and Ross who is stunned to hear all this follows her example)
    • ross
    • Ross
      Uhm, I hadn't no you... I had no idea you were so excited about Paris. Uhm, I mean, you said you were scared.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Well yeah, but I mean, it was good scared though, you know? Like when I-moved-to-New-York scared. Or uhm, when I-found-out-I-was-gonna-have-Emma scared... But this is... fine. This is gonna be good. (they both stare around)
    • ross
    • Ross
      (after a long pause) You should go.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      What?
    • ross
    • Ross
      It's what you want. You should go.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      You really think so?
    • ross
    • Ross
      I really do.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      But I already told Zelner that I would come back...
    • ross
    • Ross
      (picks up a skull of some carnivore from his side table and puts it in the same bag in which he brought the pterodactyl egg to Zelner) I'm sure he'll understand.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      All right. ALL RIGHT! I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna go to Paris.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Yeah...
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Yeah! I'm going to Paris. Thank you, Ross!
    • ross
    • Ross
      Yeah, yeah, oh! (They hug)
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Oh! Oh, I'm so happy.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Then I'm happy too. (They're still hugging - fade out)
    • COMMERCIAL BREAK
    • new scene
    • Scene 13

      Estelle's memorial service. Joey is giving a speech. Next to him is a blown op photograph of Estelle behind her desk and there's a man standing next to him.

    • joey
    • Joey
      Thank you all for coming. We're here today to pay respects to a wonderful agent and a beautiful woman... (Joey looks at the photograph) ..inside. As Estelle's only two clients we would like to say a few words. (Joey looks for his notes. The man next to him is chewing something.) Dude, where's my speech? (the man swallows something and looks at Joey.) That is entertaining. Al Zebooker everybody. (he applauds and Al shows that there's nothing left in his mouth.)
    • END