Minute 020: I’m Not a Ballgame!

What this episode covers

Guest Host: Royana Black Royana was born and raised in New York and has been acting professionally since she was 10. She now lives in Los Angeles with her husband and pets. She is super excited that Jim included her in this podcast! Royana’s Official Site Royana’s IMDb Page Summary Mel’s phoned home. After talking to his daughters, his wife, Cindy, interrupts. “Say goodnight, girls,” says Cindy. The girls say their goodnights and their screen inserts disappear. Now it’s a split-screen, with Cindy on the left and Mel on the right. “You hung up on me before,” says Cindy. “Don’t ever do that again.” “I’m sorry,” says Mel, “but I was rushing to get out on the field.” Cindy puts on an earring as she talks to Mel. “Alright, we don’t have time to argue about that right now. You have a dinner jacket there — meet me at the hotel.” “I told you I can’t make it,” replies Mel. “We have an emergency. I have to stay here, probably all night.” “You can’t!” says Cindy. “You can’t keep doing this to me!” “Listen to me, Cindy, ” replies Mel, “In the past month you’ve scheduled me for seven of those charity wing-dings, and I’ve made four of them. Now that’s not a bad batting average.”  A flashback of one of those charity wing-dings appears on screen. Cindy approaches a dias to make a speech, while Mel takes a seat next to her. “I’m not a ball game where you keep score!” replies Cindy. “I’m your wife!” “Well, try to remember it,” says Mel. “Think of my position, for a change.” The flashback shifts to another flashback: Mel and Cindy arguing in their bedroom while apparently getting dressed for another charity wing-ding. “Well, that’s a hell of a thing to say,” says Cindy. “I’m only thinking about you. This isn’t just another dinner – – Dad’ll be there, and he wants to talk to you.” “He’s been talking to me for fifteen years, and I’ve said ‘no’ for fifteen years,” says Mel. “And why?” asks Cindy. “It’s a wonderful opportunity.” The scene shifts to another flashback: Mel, talking to Cindy’s dad in what appears to be a stuffy, wood-paneled men’s club. Several old men are seated in wingbacked leather chairs while an extremely old and stooped butler serves drinks fr