37: Nice Guys Finish Last

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Synopsis
Ed (Tom Cavanagh) wants to help a hapless lawyer (guest star Jason Kravitz) win his first case against a trucking firm that has re-routed giant semi-trailer rigs to rumble through peaceful Stuckeyville -- but the case is so important he wonders if the pushover attorney can actually gear up against the truckers` slick counsel. Elsewhere, Carol (Julie Bowen) makes the mistake of asking Dennis (John Slattery) to read her short story before she submits it to a famous visiting writer (guest star Keir Dullea, "2001: A Space Odyssey"). In addition, Molly (Lesley Boone) refuses to grant her persistent ex-boyfriend (guest star Pat Finn) an audience to explain his current marital status.

Overview
When Stuckeyville is beseiged with scores of tractor trailers, Ed helps local attorney Barry Gleep fight off B&B Trucking. Gleek, hired due to his ties with Mayor Kendricks, seems destined to be a pushover, until Ed teaches him a thing or two about handling the big wigs. Barry manages the task with aplomb and the rigs head out of town. Carol looks to Dennis for a critique of her writing before asking big wig writer Robert Stanley to read it. Dennis hates the idea, but Ed turns down being the go-to guy, so Carol must finally persuade Dennis to take a look. After a blazing critique, Dennis still convinces Carol to give it to Stanley. Jim refuses to listen to Molly`s increasingly aggressive rejections of his offers to talk and tries to corner her at the alumni function, where he admits he wants to spend his life with her. Speechless, she walks off.

Songs "Waiting" - The Feelies While Ed & Barry Gleep wait in Ed`s office for 8 o`clock. Trivia Cast & Crew In-Jokes B&B Trucking is no doubt a nod to Jon Beckerman and Rob Burnett, the show`s creators and writers. Ten Bucks Mike bets Ed ten bucks to order a brandy at the bar by saying the word "brandy" 20 times. Ed is now up $60. Stubbs Schemes Phil attempts to use the trucking crisis to Stuckeybowl`s advantage. He markets beaded seat covers and other niceties to the truckers as they pass. He sets up a chapel in the pro-shop to meet the trucker`s spiritual needs. Despite the fact that he claims he is making a mint off these guys, Ed insists he close up operations, as the trucks are ruining Stuckeyville. Fine Food and Drink Shirley claims to invent a sandwich made with only one piece of bread, which Ed tries to tell her is called an open faced sandwich. She reserves the right to name it herself. Carol gets herself and Dennis Cokes. One of the truckers composes a little poem about Shirley: "Shirley blue eyes queen of coffee, Shirley blue eyes, smooth as toffee." Phil invents edible air fresheners. The lowly rutabega even garners mention.

Quotes "Where there?s chaos, there?s opportunity, baby!? - Phil Stubbs (selling items to the passing truckers from his roadside stand) ?I?m in hell.? - Ed Stevens (seeing the latest chaos to befall his town) ?The students have all had their tongues surgically removed?? - Molly Hudson (trying to guess Dennis`s good news) ?I hate everything.? - Dennis Martino (refusing to read Carol`s work) "Now that?s a 10-4 if I ever tasted one, good buddy." - Phil Stubbs (showing the truckers his edible air fresheners) "Truckers don?t live on gas, grass, and ass alone." - Phil Stubbs (explaining to Ed the need for a chapel) "Get out of this school now or my hand to god, I will kick your ass in front of the A/V squad." - Molly Hudson (jumping ugly with Jim) "You guys are the real thing." - Dennis Martino (re: Ed and Carol`s relationship) "I don?t want 15 seconds. I want the rest of our lives." - Jim Frost (trying to win back Molly`s heart) Pop Culture References Talk Shows Alfred Hitchcock`s "The Birds" Bubbles the Chimp (Michael Jackson) "Mickey Blue Eyes" (Hugh Grant) "Mrs. Doubtfire" Kris Kristopherson The Flintstones Raiders of the Lost Arc Wendy`s Hamburgers Aquaman Superman Saturday Night Live Ace Hardware Parmalat Milk