S01E05

The One With the East German Laundry Detergent

Ross fakes a rat problem to join Rachel at the laundromat. Joey uses Monica as a pretend girlfriend, while Chandler struggles to end a relationship.

16 Scenes271 Lines
Scene 1

Central Perk, all six are there.

9 lines
monica
Monica
Would you let it go? It's not that big a deal.
ross
Ross
Not that big a deal? It's amazing. Ok, you just reach in there, there's one little maneuver, and bam, a bra right out the sleeve. All right, as far as I'm concerned, there is nothing a guy can do that even comes close. Am I right?
rachel
Rachel
Come on! You guys can pee standing up.
chandler
Chandler
We can? All right, I'm tryin' that.
joey
Joey
Ok, you know what blows my mind? Women can see breasts any time they want. You just look down and there they are. How you get any work done is beyond me.
phoebe
Phoebe
Oh, ok, you know what I don't get? The way guys can do so many mean things, and then not even care.
(Long pause.)
ross
Ross
Multiple orgasms!
OPENING CREDITS
Scene 2

Central Perk, all are there.

55 lines
chandler
Chandler
So, Saturday night, the big night, date night, Saturday night, Sat-ur-day night!
joey
Joey
No plans, huh?
chandler
Chandler
Not a one.
ross
Ross
Not even, say, breaking up with Janice?
chandler
Chandler
Oh, right, right, shut up.
monica
Monica
Chandler, nobody likes breaking up with someone. You just gotta do it.
chandler
Chandler
No, I know, but it's just so hard, you know? I mean, you're sitting there with her, she has no idea what's happening, and then you finally get up the courage to do it, and there's the horrible awkward moment when you've handed her the note.
joey
Joey
Why do you have to break up with her? Be a man, just stop calling.
phoebe
Phoebe
You know, if you want, I'll do it with you.
chandler
Chandler
Oh, thanks, but I think she'd feel like we're gangin' up on her.
phoebe
Phoebe
No, I mean you break up with Janice and I'll break up with Tony.
ross
Ross
Tony?
monica
Monica
Oh, you're breaking up with Tony?
phoebe
Phoebe
Yeah, I know, he's sweet, but it's just not fun anymore, you know? I don't know if it's me, or his hunger strike, or, I don't know.
rachel
Rachel
(waitressing) Does anybody want anything else?
ross
Ross
Oh, yeah, last week you had a wonderful, nutty, chocolatey kind of a cakey pie thing. (Rachel gives him a dirty look) Nothing, just, just, I'm fine.
phoebe
Phoebe
(to Rachel) What's the matter? Why so scrunchy?
rachel
Rachel
It's my father. He wants to give me a Mercedes convertible.
ross
Ross
That guy, he burns me up.
rachel
Rachel
Yeah, well, it's a Mercedes if I move back home. Oh, it was horrible. He called me young lady.
chandler
Chandler
Ooh, I hate when my father calls me that.
monica
Monica
Did he give you that whole "You're-not-up-to-this" thing again?
rachel
Rachel
Oh, yeah, yeah. Actually, I got the extended disco version, with three choruses of "You'll never make it on your own".
phoebe
Phoebe
(rhythmically) Uh-huh, uh-huh.
(Angela, a beautiful woman in a tight dress, enters.)
Angela
Hi, Joey.
joey
Joey
My god, Angela.
(Angela takes a seat at the counter.)
monica
Monica
Wow, being dumped by you obviously agrees with her.
phoebe
Phoebe
Are you gonna go over there?
joey
Joey
No, yeah, no, ok, but not yet. I don't wanna seem too eager. One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi. That seems pretty cool. (he walks over to her) Hey, Angela.
Angela
(casually) Joey.
joey
Joey
You look good.
Angela
That's because I'm wearing a dress that accents my boobs.
joey
Joey
You don't say.
(Cut to Ross and Rachel, talking next to one of the tables.)
ross
Ross
So, uh, Rachel, what are you, uh, what're you doing tonight?
rachel
Rachel
Oh, big glamour night. Me and Monica at Laundorama.
ross
Ross
Oh, you uh, you wanna hear a freaky coincidence? Guess who's doing laundry there too?
rachel
Rachel
Who?
ross
Ross
Me. Was that not clear? Hey, why don't, um, why don't I just join you both, here?
rachel
Rachel
Don't you have a laundry room in your building?
ross
Ross
Yes, I do have a laundry room in my building, um, but there's a.... rat problem. Apparently they're attracted to the dryer sheets, and they're goin' in fine, but they're comin' out all.... fluffy. Anyway, say, sevenish?
rachel
Rachel
Sure.
(Cut back to Joey and Angela at the counter.)
Angela
Forget it Joey. I'm with Bob now.
joey
Joey
Bob? Who the hell's Bob?
Angela
Bob is great. He's smart, he's sophisticated, and he has a real job. You, you go on three auditions a month and you call yourself an actor, but Bob...
joey
Joey
Come on, we were great together. And not just at the fun stuff, but like, talking too.
Angela
Yeah, well, sorry, Joe. You said let's just be friends, so guess what?
joey
Joey
What?
Angela
We're just friends.
joey
Joey
Fine, fine, so, why don't the four of us go out and have dinner together tonight? You know, as friends?
Angela
What four of us?
joey
Joey
You know, you and Bob, and me and my girlfriend, uh, uh, Monica.
Scene 3

Monica and Rachel's apartment, Joey is there, trying to convince Monica to pose as his girlfriend. His plan is to hook Monica up with Angela's boyfriend Bob and then take Angela back for himself.

9 lines
joey
Joey
Monica, I'm tellin' you, this guy is perfect for you.
monica
Monica
Forget it. Not after your cousin who could belch the alphabet.
joey
Joey
Come on. This guy's great. His name's Bob. He's Angela's... brother. He's smart, he's sophisticated, and he has a real job. Me, I go on three auditions a month and call myself an actor, but Bob is...
monica
Monica
(looking out window) Oh, god help us.
joey
Joey
What?
monica
Monica
Ugly Naked Guy's laying kitchen tile. Eww!
joey
Joey
Eww! Look, I'm asking a favor here. If I do this for her brother, maybe Angela will come back to me.
monica
Monica
What's going on here? You go out with tons of girls.
joey
Joey
(proud) I know, but, I made a huge mistake. I never should have broken up with her. Will you help me? Please?
Scene 4

Ross' apartment, Chandler is over.

12 lines
ross
Ross
(on phone) Ok, bye. (hangs up) Well, Monica's not coming, it's just gonna be me and Rachel.
chandler
Chandler
Oh. Well, hold on camper, are you sure you've thought this thing through?
ross
Ross
It's laundry. The thinking through is minimal.
chandler
Chandler
It's just you and Rachel, just the two of you? This is a date. You're going on a date.
ross
Ross
Nuh-uh.
chandler
Chandler
Yuh-huh.
ross
Ross
So what're you saying here? I should shave again, pick up some wine, what?
chandler
Chandler
Well, you may wanna rethink the dirty underwear. This is basically the first time she's gonna see your underwear-you want it to be dirty?
ross
Ross
(sheepish) No.
chandler
Chandler
Oh, and uh, the fabric softener?
ross
Ross
Ok, ok, now what is wrong with my Snuggles? What, it says I'm a sensitive, warm kinda guy, you know, like a warm, fuzzy bear. Ok, I can pick something else up on the way.
chandler
Chandler
There you go.
Scene 5

A fancy restaurant, Joey and Monica are there, meeting Angela and Bob, who Monica thinks is Angela's brother.

10 lines
monica
Monica
Thank you. So what does this Bob guy look like? Is he tall? Short?
joey
Joey
Yep.
monica
Monica
Which?
joey
Joey
Which what?
monica
Monica
You've never met Bob, have you?
joey
Joey
No, but he's...
monica
Monica
Oh my god, Joey, for all we know this guy could be horribly...
(Angela and Bob walk in. Bob is good-looking.)
Angela
Hey, Joey.
monica
Monica
...horribly attractive. I'll be shutting up now.
Scene 6

Central Perk, Chandler and Phoebe are there, both ready to break up with their significant others.

27 lines
chandler
Chandler
Where are they? Where are they?
phoebe
Phoebe
This is nice. We never do anything just the two of us.
chandler
Chandler
It's great. Maybe tomorrow we can rent a car and run over some puppies.
phoebe
Phoebe
Eww, I don't wanna do that.
(Janice and Phoebe's boyfriend, Tony, walk in.)
chandler
Chandler
Here we go.
phoebe
Phoebe
Ok, have a good break-up.
chandler
Chandler
Hey, Janice.
Janice
Oh, my god, I am so glad you called me. I had the most supremely awful day.
chandler
Chandler
Hey, that's not good. Can I get an espresso and a latte over here, please?
Janice
We got the proofs back from that photo shoot, you know, the one with the little vegetables. Anyway, they pretty much sucked, so, I blew off the rest of the day, and I went shopping...(looks through her bags)... and I got you, I'm looking, I'm looking, I'm looking, I got you...
(Chandler sees Phoebe breaking up with Tony. She talks to him for a few seconds, hugs him, and then he leaves. Chandler is amazed how easy it was for her.)
chandler
Chandler
What?
Janice
What?
chandler
Chandler
(covering) What... did you get me there?
Janice
I got you...these. (pulls out a pair of socks)
chandler
Chandler
Bullwinkle socks. That's so sweet.
Janice
Well, I knew you had the Rockys, and so I figured, you know, you can wear Bullwinkle and Bullwinkle, or you can wear Rocky and Rocky,or, you can mix and match, moose and squirrel. Whatever you want.
chandler
Chandler
That's great.
(The drinks arrive, and Chandler downs his espresso in one gulp.)
chandler
Chandler
Well, I'm gonna get another espresso. Can I get you another latte?
Janice
(holding the full cup) No, no, I'm still working on mine.
(Chandler walks over to the counter where Phoebe is, and is asking her about the break-up.)
chandler
Chandler
That's it?
phoebe
Phoebe
Yeah, it was really hard.
chandler
Chandler
Oh, yeah, that hug looked pretty brutal.
phoebe
Phoebe
Ok, you weren't there.
Scene 7

The Launderama, Rachel is there, waiting for Ross. An old woman takes Rachel's clothes off the machine and begins loading it with her things.

32 lines
Woman
Comin' through. Move, move.
rachel
Rachel
Oh, 'scuse me. I was kinda using that machine.
Woman
Yeah, well, now you're kinda not.
rachel
Rachel
But I saved it. I put my basket on top.
Woman
Oh, I'm sorry, is that your basket? It's really pretty. Unfortunately, I don't see suds.
rachel
Rachel
What?
Woman
No suds, no save. Ok?
(Ross arrives.)
ross
Ross
What's goin' on?
rachel
Rachel
Hi, uh, nothing. That horrible woman just took my machine.
ross
Ross
Was your basket on top?
rachel
Rachel
Yeah, but, there were no suds.
ross
Ross
So?
rachel
Rachel
Well, you know, no suds, no save.
ross
Ross
No suds? Excuse me, hold on a second. (to woman) That's my friend's machine.
Woman
Hey, hey, hey, her stuff wasn't in it.
ross
Ross
Hey, hey, hey, that's not the rule and you know it.
(The woman and Ross stare at each other. Finally she takes her stuff out of the machine and leaves.)
ross
Ross
(to the crowd in the laundromat) All right, show's over. Nothing to see here. (to Rachel) Ok, let's do laundry.
rachel
Rachel
That was amazing. I can't even send back soup.
ross
Ross
Well, that's because you're such a sweet, gentle, uh...Do you, uh, do you...Oh, hey, uh you must need detergent.
(Ross pulls out a huge box of laundry detergent.)
rachel
Rachel
What's that?
ross
Ross
Uberveiss. It's new, it's German, it's extra-tough.
(Rachel starts to load her clothes.)
ross
Ross
Rach, do you uh, are you gonna separate those?
rachel
Rachel
Oh god. Oh, am I being like a total laundry spaz? I mean, am I supposed to use like one machine for shirts and another machine for pants?
ross
Ross
Rach, have you never done this before?
rachel
Rachel
Well, not myself, but I know other people that have. Ok, you caught me. I'm a laundry virgin.
ross
Ross
Uh, well, don't worry, I'll use the gentle cycle. Ok, um, basically you wanna use one machine for all your whites, a whole nother machine for colors, and a third for your uh, your uh, delicates, and that would be your bras and your under-panty things.
rachel
Rachel
(holds a pair of panties in front of Ross) Ok, Well, what about these are white cotton panties. Would they go with whites or delicates?
ross
Ross
(visibly nervous) Uh, that, that, that would be a judgment call.
Scene 8

Fancy restaurant, Monica, Joey, Angela, and Bob are seated at the table.

8 lines
monica
Monica
(to Joey) He is so cute. (to Angela and Bob) So, where did you guys grow up?
Angela
Brooklyn Heights.
Bob
Cleveland.
monica
Monica
How, how did that happen?
joey
Joey
Oh my god.
monica
Monica
What?
joey
Joey
I suddenly had the feeling that I was falling. But I'm not.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
Scene 9

Fancy restaurant, Joey and Bob are talking.

7 lines
joey
Joey
So, you and Angela, huh?
Bob
Yep. Pretty much.
joey
Joey
You're a lucky man. You know what I miss the most about her? That cute nibbly noise when she eats. Like a happy little squirrel, or a weasel.
Bob
Huh, I never really noticed.
joey
Joey
Oh, yeah, yeah, listen for it.
Bob
Monica, Monica is great.
joey
Joey
Yeah, but it's not gonna last. She's too much for me in bed. Sexually.
Scene 10

The ladies' bathroom at the restaurant, Monica and Angela are talking.

6 lines
monica
Monica
I've gotta tell you, Bob is terrific.
Angela
Yeah, isn't he?
monica
Monica
It is so great to meet a guy who is smart and funny, and has an emotional age beyond, like eight.
Angela
You know what else? He's unbelievable in bed.
monica
Monica
Wow. My brother never even told me when he lost his virginity.
Angela
Huh. That's nice.
Scene 11

Central Perk, Phoebe is coaching Chandler on how to break up with Janice.

4 lines
phoebe
Phoebe
Ok, you can do this. It's just like pulling off a Band-aid. Just do it really fast, and then the wound is exposed.
(Chandler walks back to couch, where Janice is.)
chandler
Chandler
Janice. Hi, Janice. Ok, here we go. I don't think we should go out anymore. Janice.
Janice
All right. Well, there you go. (she gets extremely wound up, and begins to try and calm herself down) Stop it, stop it, stop it.
Scene 12

The laundromat.

12 lines
rachel
Rachel
Ok, I know this is gonna sound really stupid, but I feel that if I can do this, you know, if I can actually do my own laundry, there isn't anything I can't do.
ross
Ross
That does not sound stupid to me. You know, it's like the first time I had to make dinner for myself, after Carol left me? (the buzzer on the washer goes off) I'm sorry, that's all the time we have. Next on Ross...(opens up the washer) Uh-oh.
rachel
Rachel
What uh-oh?
ross
Ross
(not wanting to tell her) Uh-oh, uh-oh, the laundry's done. It's, uh, it's a song. The laundry song that we sing. (singing) Uh-oh the laundry's done, uh-oh, uh-oh.
rachel
Rachel
Ross, what's the matter?
ross
Ross
Nothing, nothing. Lee-lo, the laundry's done.
rachel
Rachel
Come on, show me.
ross
Ross
All right, all right, it's just that you left a red sock in with all your whites, and now, everything's kinda pink.
rachel
Rachel
Oh, everything's pink.
ross
Ross
Yeah, uh, except for the red sock, which is still red. I'm sorry, please don't be upset, it could happen to anyone.
rachel
Rachel
Except it didn't. It happened to me. Oh, god, I'm gonna look like a big marshmallow peep. What am I doing? What am I doing? My father's right. I can't live on my own! I can't even do laundry!
(The woman who had tried to steal the washing machine walks by, and laughs.)
Scene 13

The fancy restaurant, Angela has her hand in Bob's shirt, and Monica is very uncomfortable.

22 lines
monica
Monica
Something went wrong with Underdog, and they couldn't get his head to inflate. So anyway, um, his head is like flopping down Broadway, right, and I'm just thinking... how inappropriate this is. Um, I've got something in my eye, uh, Joey, could we check it in the light, please?
(Her and Joey walk away from the table.)
monica
Monica
Oh my god.
joey
Joey
What?
monica
Monica
Hello! Were we at the same table? It's like... cocktails in Appalachia.
joey
Joey
Come on, they're close.
monica
Monica
Close? She's got her tongue in his ear.
joey
Joey
Oh, like you've never gotten a little rambunctious with Ross.
monica
Monica
Joey, this is sick, it's disgusting, it's, it's-not really true, is it?
joey
Joey
Well, who's to say what's true? I mean...
monica
Monica
Oh my god, what were you thinking?
joey
Joey
All right, look, I'm not proud of this, ok? Well, maybe I am a little.
monica
Monica
(hits him lightly) Oh!
joey
Joey
Ow!
monica
Monica
(leaving) I'm outta here.
joey
Joey
Wait, wait, wait. You want him, I want her. He likes you.
monica
Monica
Really?
joey
Joey
Yeah. I'm thinking, if we put our heads together, between the two of us, we can break them up.
[Time lapse, Monica accidentally spilled her drink on Bob's shirt and is wiping it off. Joey is making eyes at Angela.]
monica
Monica
I'm so sorry, I can't believe I did this, but I couldn't stop laughing at your Norman Mailer story.
(Angela is eating chicken wings and making the weasel-like noise Joey had told Bob about.)
joey
Joey
Uh, waiter, one more plate of chicken wings over here.
Scene 14

Central Perk, Chandler is still trying to ease things over with Janice, and there are about a dozen empty Espresso cups in front of him. He is extremely wired.

19 lines
chandler
Chandler
Here's the thing, Janice. You know, I mean, it's like we're different. I'm like the bing, bing, bing. You're like the boom, boom, (Chandler flails his hand out and hits Janice in the eye)... boom.
Janice
Ow!
chandler
Chandler
Oh, my god, I'm so sorry. Are you ok?
Janice
Ow. Um, it's just my lens. It's just my lens. I'll be right back.
(She leaves.)
chandler
Chandler
(to Phoebe) I hit her in the eye! I hit her in the eye! This is the worst break-up in the history of the world.
phoebe
Phoebe
Oh my god. (Chandler downs another espresso.) How many of those have you had?
chandler
Chandler
Oh, I don't know, a million?
phoebe
Phoebe
Chandler, easy, easy. Go to your happy place. La la la la la la la.
chandler
Chandler
I'm fine.
phoebe
Phoebe
All right.
(Janice returns from the bathroom.)
chandler
Chandler
I'm not fine. Here she comes.
phoebe
Phoebe
Wait here. Breathe.
(Phoebe goes over to speak to Janice. She talks to her for a few seconds, and then Janice immediately smiles, hugs her, waves to Chandler, and leaves.)
chandler
Chandler
How do you do that?
phoebe
Phoebe
It's like a gift.
chandler
Chandler
We should always always break up together.
phoebe
Phoebe
Oh, I'd like that.
Scene 15

The Launderama. Rachel is sorting her now-pink clothes.

21 lines
ross
Ross
You got the clothes clean. Now that's the important part.
rachel
Rachel
Oh, I guess. Except everything looks like jammies now.
(The same woman walks over and takes Rachel's laundry cart.)
rachel
Rachel
Whoa, I'm sorry. Excuse me. We had this cart.
Woman
Yeah, well, I had a 24-inch waist. You lose things. Now come on, get outta my way.
(Rachel looks at Ross, who motions to her to get the cart back.)
rachel
Rachel
I'm sorry, you know, maybe I wasn't being clear. Uh, this is our cart.
Woman
Hey, hey, hey there aren't any clothes in it.
rachel
Rachel
Hey, hey, hey, hey, quit making up rules!
Woman
Let go!
(They struggle for the cart. Finally, Rachel climbs inside of it.)
rachel
Rachel
All right, listen, missy. If you want this cart, you're gonna have to take me with it!
(She thinks it over, and then walks away.)
rachel
Rachel
(to Ross) Yes! Did you see that?
ross
Ross
You were incredible! Brand new woman, ladies and gentlemen.
rachel
Rachel
I could not have done this without you.
(Rachel stands up and kisses Ross. He is stunned. A moment of silence follows.)
ross
Ross
Ok, um, uh, more clothes in the dryer? (Ross turns and bangs his head on an open dryer door.) I'm fine, I'm fine.
rachel
Rachel
Are you sure?
ross
Ross
No.
CLOSING CREDITS
Scene 16

Central Perk, Ross, Rachel, and Phoebe are there. Ross has an icepack to his head.

18 lines
rachel
Rachel
Oh, are you sure you're ok?
ross
Ross
Yeah.
rachel
Rachel
Does it still hurt?
ross
Ross
Yeah.
phoebe
Phoebe
(seeing Rachel's clothes) What a neat idea. All your clothes match. I'm gonna do this.
(Monica and Joey enter.)
monica
Monica
Hi.
phoebe
Phoebe
Hey, how'd it go?
joey
Joey
Excellent.
monica
Monica
We ripped that couple apart, and kept the pieces for ourselves.
ross
Ross
What a beautiful story. Hey, I'm fine by the way.
monica
Monica
(notices his head) Oh, I'm sorry.
rachel
Rachel
Where's Chandler?
phoebe
Phoebe
Oh, he needed some time to grieve.
(Chandler runs by the window outside, joyous.)
chandler
Chandler
I'm free! I'm free!
phoebe
Phoebe
That oughta do it.
END