Male Unbonding

Jerry:Men are drawn to watching other men work with tools. They emerge like zombies.

Jerry:Men are like dogs. You know how a dog responds to a whistle? Men respond to the sound of a power drill. A woman could be standing right next to a man, completely naked, and if he hears a power drill in the distance, he's gonna turn his head.

Jerry:Honey, you're not going to believe this. Jim's doing something.

Wife:What? What's he doing?

Jerry:I don't know exactly, but it's something. And let me tell you, it is big.

Jerry:You know what I've noticed? Whenever a guy is doing work, other guys just show up. They don't help - they just want to stand there and be near the work without actually doing any work.

Jerry:Men ask these really dumb questions just to feel involved. Like, you're clearly using a screwdriver. But some guy will go, 'Is that a Phillips head?' No, it's a flathead. I'm just holding it upside down to confuse you.

Jerry:You know what I've noticed? Men love to watch work being done. We'll stop and stare at construction for hours. There's something about watching other people work that just fascinates us. And you know what construction fences are? They're not there to keep people out of the work area. They're there specifically to control male voyeurism. That's why they have those holes in them - so we can look through and watch. They know we're going to look anyway, so they just give us designated holes. It's like they're saying, 'Okay, here's where you can look. You can have this hole.'

Jerry:Men would climb fences to offer construction advice.

Construction Man:You know, you're gonna want a roof on this thing.

George:Oh, thank God. I don't want to hear about your feelings.

Jerry:I think I know exactly when it went wrong. It was that moment when I was flossing my teeth in front of her.

Jerry:Yeah, once a woman sees you flossing, the romance is over. It's like seeing someone on the toilet. That's the end of it.

Jerry:I went to the theater, right? During intermission, I go to the concession stand. A bottle of water is twelve dollars. Twelve dollars! For water! I said to the guy, 'Is this water from a specific place? Does it come from a mountain that only exists on Tuesdays?'

Jerry:And the popcorn—thirty-five dollars for popcorn. Thirty-five! That's more than my car payment. I could've bought an actual ear of corn, grown it myself, and still spent less money.

Jerry:So I asked the guy, 'What's the deal with these prices?' He goes, 'Well, we have to make our money somewhere.' I said, 'How about charging normal prices like everywhere else?' He looks at me like I invented crazy talk.

George:Mint.

Jerry:You see it too?

Date:I see it.

Jerry:Well, this is awkward.

Date:Very awkward.

Jerry:I mean, what do we do now? We both know about the floss. The floss is out there between us.

Date:Maybe we should just... pretend we didn't see it?

Jerry:Pretend? How do you pretend you didn't see floss? It's floss. It's right there.

Jerry:I'm telling you, the floss ruined everything. There I was, vulnerable, and I couldn't even see properly.

George:It's like a living thing. Like it's going to reach up and strangle you. I'm looking at it and I'm thinking, 'This belt is angry. This belt has a vendetta.'

Kramer:Yeah, hello? Yeah, I'm calling about the Kennedy assassination. I've got some information you might be interested in. No, no, I'm not crazy. Listen to me — they're still out there. The whole thing was a setup. A setup, I tell you!

Kramer:Hello? Oh, it's for you.

Jerry:Who is it?

Kramer:I don't know.

Jerry:Well, didn't you ask?

Kramer:No.

Jerry:I hate when people ambush you on the phone. You're just sitting there, minding your own business, and suddenly someone's on the line expecting you to be funny and charming and available.

Jerry:It's like a home invasion, except with conversation.

Jerry:I'm not avoiding calls, I'm just screening them. It's a job now. I'm a professional screener.

Jerry:Horneck and I, we were inseparable. We did everything together. Then one day, he discovered ping-pong. And that was it. He became obsessed with it. Every day, ping-pong. Every conversation, ping-pong. I tried to be supportive, but eventually I realized – this wasn't a hobby anymore. This was a curse. A life-defining curse. And I couldn't save him from it.

Jerry:I would've been friends with Hitler if he was good at ping-pong. I mean, I'm not proud of it, but I would have. 'Hey, Adolf, nice forehand. Wanna grab some coffee?'

Kramer:Hello? Yeah, he's not here right now. Can I take a message? Uh-huh. Okay, I'll put you down for Tuesday at two. We'll see you then.

Kramer:Jerry, you gotta get a fax machine in here. This place is a dump!

Kramer:Yeah, hello, I'm calling about a business opportunity. It's a restaurant where you make your own pie. You come in, you make your pie, and then we bake it for you. Yeah, that's right. No, no, the customer makes the pie. You know, I'm not crazy. Well, I know how to make a pie.

Kramer:Well, you know, the thing is, you're working. You don't have time to make a pie. That's what the restaurant is for.

Kramer:No, no, I got it all worked out. The name of the restaurant is 'The Pie'. You make your own pie, we bake it. It's a very simple concept.

Jerry:So I'm talking to Horneck, right? And I realize he's not listening. He's got this glazed look in his eye. So I decide to conduct an experiment.

Jerry:I'm mid-sentence, I just stop talking. Complete silence. Just staring at him.

Jerry:Two seconds go by. Nothing. He doesn't even notice I stopped. So I say, 'Hello? Horneck?' And he snaps to attention like I just woke him up from a coma.

Jerry:I said, 'Were you even listening?' He goes, 'Of course I was listening!' I said, 'Then what did I just say?' He can't remember. Because I didn't say anything!

Jerry:You can't just break up with a friend. That's like... there's no precedent for it. If you break up with a girlfriend, everyone understands. But a friend? There's no rules. You can't just say 'I think we should see other people.' He'll be like 'What are you talking about? We're not dating!'

Jerry:You can't break up with a guy friend. That's like, that's not allowed.

George:Why not? Why can't you just say, 'I don't want to see you anymore'?

Jerry:Because it's weird. It's like you're breaking up with them like they're a girlfriend or something.

George:So what do you do?

Jerry:You just... you drift apart. That's what guys do.

George:Well, I don't want to drift. I want a clean break. I'll just tell him the truth.

Jerry:What truth?

George:That I don't like him anymore. That I've found someone else I like better.

Joel:My psychiatrist went to Yale.

Joel:He went to Harvard Medical School.

Joel:He's been analyzed by Lenny Bruce and Geraldo Rivera.

Jerry:So I was thinking we could—

Joel:Wait, wait, wait. How long have I been standing here? Two minutes? This is unacceptable!

Kramer:You gotta make sure it's a real turkey.

Joel:What do you mean 'real turkey'? Of course it's a real turkey.

Kramer:No, no, no. You'd be surprised. A lot of these places, they use a turkey-like substance. It's not even turkey.

Joel:How can they do that? That's false advertising!

Kramer:That's what I'm telling you. You gotta ask. You gotta demand to see the bird before they cook it.

Joel:Is this turkey real?

Waitress:What do you mean, is it real?

Joel:I mean, did it actually come from a turkey? Or is this some kind of turkey-flavored soy product?

Waitress:It's turkey.

Joel:I need you to go back to the farm where they raised this bird, watch them slaughter it, pluck it, and bring it out here so I know for a fact this is authentic poultry.

Jerry:You can't just snap your fingers at a waitress like that. It's disrespectful.

Joel:What? She came over, didn't she?

Jerry:It's not you, it's me. I need to see other people. I think we should just be friends.

Joel:What? We are friends.

Jerry:I know, but I need to focus on myself right now. I hope you can understand.

Jerry:Joel, we need to talk. I think we should see other people.

Jerry:It's not you, it's me. Actually, no — it's you.

Jerry:We've had some great times, but I just don't think this friendship is going anywhere.

Jerry:I need my space. And honestly, I've been seeing Brad on the side.

Joel:You're my best friend.

Jerry:Really? What's my middle name?

Joel:J... something?

Jerry:It's David. We've known each other for years.

Joel:These tickets are for tonight?

Jerry:Yes, they're for tonight. What do you think 'tonight' means? It means this evening. The time between dusk and midnight. The hours when normal people are sleeping but we're going to be sitting in uncomfortable seats watching other people pretend to be characters they're not.

George:We have to talk. Four worst words in the English language.

Jerry:What about 'It's not you, it's me'?

George:No, that's the best thing you can hear. That means they don't want to talk to you anymore.

George:I have to break up with her.

Jerry:Why? What happened?

George:It's not working out. I'm not happy.

Jerry:So what are you gonna do?

George:I don't know. I was thinking maybe I could do it over the phone.

Jerry:Over the phone? George, you can't break up with someone over the phone.

George:Why not?

Jerry:Because it's not right. You gotta do it in person.

George:Well, I'll do it in person then.

Jerry:When?

George:Tonight. We're going to dinner.

Jerry:You're breaking up with her at a restaurant? That's harsh.

George:Well, at least I'll get a good meal out of it.

Jerry:There it is. I knew it. Food. It all comes down to food with you.

Jerry:I don't understand how you can eat at a time like this.

George:Why? What's the difference? I'm hungry.

Jerry:Well, your girlfriend just broke up with you!

George:Yeah, but the pastrami is still good.

George:I'm paying for lunch? She's breaking up with me and I'm buying her a sandwich?

George:There should be severance! When you get dumped, you get severance. It's like a layoff!

George:What do you want from me? I'm counting my change! It's what I do! You think I'm gonna throw away two cents? Two cents!

Jerry:So where are you gonna go on vacation with all this money you're saving?

George:I don't know... maybe Atlantic City.

Jerry:Atlantic City? George, you don't have enough money for Atlantic City.

Jerry:I gave away your ticket.

George:You gave away my ticket? MY ticket?

George:How could you do that?

Bank Teller:You could roll your own coins.

George:Roll my own coins? What am I, a coin roller? I'm not a coin roller!

George:Do I look like I roll coins for a living?

Jerry:George, you can't just go to the bank and ask them to 'break' a hundred dollar bill. That's not what they mean.

George:Well, what do they mean?

Jerry:They mean give you smaller bills in exchange. Not actually break it in half with a hammer!

Jerry:Why do banks need all these rope barriers? It's like a maze. There's three people in line and they got the velvet ropes set up like we're at a nightclub trying to get past the bouncer. 'Yeah, yeah, you can come in, but you gotta wait behind this rope.'

George:I'm counting coins here. This is heroic work.

George:I should get cheese and rewards for this.

Kramer:You make your own pie.

Jerry:You don't make your own pie.

Kramer:I want people to make their own pie.

Jerry:How do you know they're going to want to make their own pie?

Kramer:Because they'll make it the way they like it. And then they'll enjoy it more because they made it themselves.

Jerry:Wait, so people are making their own pizzas in your apartment?

Kramer:Yeah, it's a pizza place where you come in, you make your own pie.

Jerry:What if someone gets hurt? What if they burn themselves on the oven?

Kramer:That's their problem.

Jerry:No, it's your problem! You're liable!

Jerry:That's a great idea, Cosmo. Really, it's inspired. I just have one small thing - it's completely idiotic and will never work.

Kramer:You're gonna be back here in two weeks, on your knees, begging me for another slice.

Jerry:I don't think so.

Kramer:Oh, you think you're strong now. But you're gonna crack. They all do.

Jerry:I can't, I have to... I have to go home and... alphabetize my record collection. By genre, then by year, then by the color of the album cover.

George:What are you talking about? A geometric excuse?

Jerry:Yeah, well, you know how it is. I make excuses.

George:Geometric?

Jerry:They build on each other.

Jerry:I need to get organized about this. I'm running out of excuses. I need a system. You know, something like a Rolodex of excuses. I could just flip through them. 'Oh, my grandmother's in town.' 'I have to work late.' 'My car's in the shop.' I could laminate them, maybe color-code them by category - traffic, family emergencies, work conflicts.

Elaine:What is this? 'Universal unavoidable adult obligations'?

Jerry:That's my excuse list. You know, for when I can't do something.

Elaine:You have a list? Of excuses?

Jerry:Well, I can't just make them up on the spot. I need something to fall back on.

Elaine:Oh my God, Jerry, you can't use this one. This is deeply personal and embarrassing.

Elaine:You could say your name is Art Vandelay and you're an architect.

Elaine:You know, you really need to just talk to people directly instead of avoiding them.

Jerry:You're right, you're absolutely right. I should just... have the conversation.

Elaine:So you'll do it?

Jerry:Or I could just never see them again and move to a new apartment.

Jerry:I can't face Joel again. The guy had a complete emotional breakdown.

Elaine:You made a man cry!

Jerry:So? I've been hit harder than that.

Elaine:Kramer, that's a great idea! A pizza place where you make your own pie.

Kramer:Yeah, and you can come in, you can do it all yourself.

Elaine:I would go there. I really would.

Jerry:Would you? Why would you do that? You don't make your own pizza at home.

Elaine:I know, but it would be fun.

Jerry:It's not fun! It's work! That's why you go to a restaurant—they make it, you eat it.

Jerry:I can't make it Thursday. I have to attend a fundraiser for the Angolan Ballet Theatre's interpretive dance about the plight of subsistence farmers.

Elaine:Jerry, that's not real.

Jerry:It's very real. It's important we support emerging African artists and their commentary on global economic disparity.

Jerry:I can't make Thursday.

George:Why not?

Jerry:I have a colonoscopy.

George:You're using a colonoscopy as an excuse?

Jerry:It's not an excuse, I actually have one.

George:Well, you can't break plans for a colonoscopy. That's not a real obligation.

Jerry:What are you talking about? A colonoscopy is a very real obligation. The doctor's waiting for me.

Kramer:I had a colonoscopy once. The preparation is worse than the actual procedure.

Jerry:You know what I hate? When you make a friend and they just won't go away. You're stuck with them. It's like a subscription you never signed up for. And the worst part? There's no customer service number to call. You can't just say 'I'd like to cancel my friendship, please.' No! They just keep showing up. 'Hey buddy, what are you doing?' I'm trying to get away from you, that's what I'm doing! But they don't take the hint. They're like a virus. Except a virus eventually goes away. This guy? He's permanent. He's like Windows. You didn't want it, it came with the computer, and now you're stuck with it forever.

Jerry:You know, when you're stuck talking to a boring person, you gotta treat it like a performance. Use props. Keep your hands busy. Maybe fidget with something, adjust your collar, anything to stay engaged.

Jerry:It's like you're an actor and this conversation is your stage. The more you commit to the bit, the less obvious it is that you have no idea what they're talking about.

Jerry:You know what's missing from conversations? A polite exit strategy. Like on a talk show, the host knows when to wrap it up. 'Well, we're out of time!' But in real life, there's no commercial break. You're just standing there, and the other person keeps talking, and you're thinking, 'How do I leave? Do I back away slowly? Do I pretend my phone rang?' There should be a signal. Like, the other person should say, 'Well, I'm gonna let you go,' which is code for, 'Please stop talking to me now.' But nobody says that. So you're trapped. You're in conversational prison.

Joel · Jerry · Elaine:Joel reveals he thought Jerry was tutoring his nephew, Elaine calls him on it: 'I thought you were tutoring your nephew.' / Jerry: 'Oh, we finished early.'

Jerry · George:Jerry invents a choir practice excuse on the spot to avoid Joel's next game invitation: 'We're doing an evening of Eastern European national anthems. Right. The wall being down and everything.'

Jerry · Elaine · Joel:Joel corners Jerry and Elaine: 'Next week, I'm going to take you. How about next Tuesday? You, too.' Jerry and Elaine improvise: 'Choir practice.' / 'Right, I forgot about choir.' / 'We're doing an evening of Eastern European national anthems. Right. You know, the wall being down and everything.'

Jerry · Joel:Joel proposes Thursday instead. Jerry: 'We've got to get to the hospital to see if we qualify as organ donors.'

Joel · Jerry · Elaine:Joel: 'You know, I should try something like that.' Jerry/Elaine: 'You really should.'

Joel · Jerry · Elaine:Joel produces a printed Knicks schedule and begins reading through ALL 41 home games, trapping Jerry and Elaine.

Jerry:Closing stand-up: 'To get through talking with people you have nothing in common with, pretend you're hosting your own little talk show... The problem is there's no way to say, "It's been great having you on the show. We're out of time."'