Ainsley on the ERA - from 17 People
SAM
You know, we should make a joke about women, 'cause there's no law against that or paying
them less money than men.
AINSLEY
Well, there is a law against that. It’s the Pay Equity Act. It's passed in 1964, when
women were making 59 cents to the dollar.
SAM
What are you making now?
AINSLEY
79 cents.
SAM
So, everything's fine.
AINSLEY
No, there are still some problems. But I’m not worried ‘cause the federal government’s
coming to the rescue.
SAM
Look...
AINSLEY
You think pay disparity is ‘cause some sexist in human resources hired two people for
equal positions and paid the man more?
SAM
Oftentimes...
AINSLEY
And oftentimes women make less money over the course of their lifetimes because they
choose to.
SAM
Oh, goodnight nurse! They don't choose to make less money. They're financially punished
for having kids.
AINSLEY
They made a choice to have kids.
SAM
Well, not necessarily if you guys have your way, but that's a different can of tuna.
[beat] I flat-out guarantee you that if men were biologically responsible for
procreation, there'd be paid family leave in every Fortune 500.
AINSLEY
Sam, if men were biologically responsible for procreation, they'd fall down and die at
the first sonogram.
Sam and Ainsley walk into THE MESS. Sam checks out the coffee maker while Ainsley gathers
up cups and saucers.
SAM
If the Amendment’s redundant, then what's your problem if it’s passed or not?
AINSLEY
Because I’m a Republican! Have we met? I believe that every time the federal government
hands down a new law, it leaves for the rest of us a little less freedom. So I say,
let’s just stick to the ones we absolutely need in order to have water come out of the
faucet and our cars not stolen. That is my problem with passing a redundant law.
[stands next to Sam with a full tray] Sam?
SAM
Yeah?
AINSLEY
The all-night pastry chef? You were just kidding about that, right?
SAM
Yeah.
You know, we should make a joke about women, 'cause there's no law against that or paying
them less money than men.
AINSLEY
Well, there is a law against that. It’s the Pay Equity Act. It's passed in 1964, when
women were making 59 cents to the dollar.
SAM
What are you making now?
AINSLEY
79 cents.
SAM
So, everything's fine.
AINSLEY
No, there are still some problems. But I’m not worried ‘cause the federal government’s
coming to the rescue.
SAM
Look...
AINSLEY
You think pay disparity is ‘cause some sexist in human resources hired two people for
equal positions and paid the man more?
SAM
Oftentimes...
AINSLEY
And oftentimes women make less money over the course of their lifetimes because they
choose to.
SAM
Oh, goodnight nurse! They don't choose to make less money. They're financially punished
for having kids.
AINSLEY
They made a choice to have kids.
SAM
Well, not necessarily if you guys have your way, but that's a different can of tuna.
[beat] I flat-out guarantee you that if men were biologically responsible for
procreation, there'd be paid family leave in every Fortune 500.
AINSLEY
Sam, if men were biologically responsible for procreation, they'd fall down and die at
the first sonogram.
Sam and Ainsley walk into THE MESS. Sam checks out the coffee maker while Ainsley gathers
up cups and saucers.
SAM
If the Amendment’s redundant, then what's your problem if it’s passed or not?
AINSLEY
Because I’m a Republican! Have we met? I believe that every time the federal government
hands down a new law, it leaves for the rest of us a little less freedom. So I say,
let’s just stick to the ones we absolutely need in order to have water come out of the
faucet and our cars not stolen. That is my problem with passing a redundant law.
[stands next to Sam with a full tray] Sam?
SAM
Yeah?
AINSLEY
The all-night pastry chef? You were just kidding about that, right?
SAM
Yeah.