A Rising Tide (2015) Movie Script
1
- Experts
warn that Sandy could be wider
and stronger than Irene was
last year, which caused more
than fifteen billion
dollars in damage...
Residents have been
cautioned to prepare for
days without electricity.
- A set
of storms is now expected
from Grand Falls to here in
Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Oh, no, no, no
Sometimes you
don't need a reason
A reason will drive you insane
Now that you're
gone all I can do is
Listen to the beat
of the streets of LA
Sometimes you
can't make it happen
Keep wishing you'd
call out my name
Missing you more than ever
- All right.
Listening to the beat
of the streets of LA
Oh, every night, every
day I call you on the phone
Every night, every
day, I can't let you go
- Hey Dad.
- Did you see the news?
- Yeah, I'm looking at it now.
- They ordered the evacuation.
Shut everything down.
Put out the second
layer of sandbags,
board up the rest
of the windows.
Your mom's packing a few things,
we'll stay with Uncle Marvin.
Meet you here in half an hour?
- I'm prepping the fish Josh
caught off Cape
May this weekend.
- Well...
- It's gonna be a special.
- We're not going to be back
for at least a couple of days,
so toss it.
- I'm gonna stay.
- What?
- Josh spent a half an hour
reelin' these things in.
I've been here all
morning preppin'.
I'll stay, watch over the place,
to make sure nothing
happens, you know?
It'll be fun.
- Look, kid, they're
closing the bridges down,
if you don't come now...
- He's not coming?
- They always say it's going
to be the worst one ever.
Irene was supposed to be
the hundred year storm.
That was last year, nothing
happened here at all.
- Your mother looks concerned.
- His mother is concerned.
- Please, don't
worry, either of you.
I'll make sure nothing happens.
Trust me.
- Alright.
You call me if
anything happens, okay?
- Shame you're gonna
miss out on this sucker.
- Be safe.
- Come on, let's get in the car.
Ooh, I toss and
turn all night baby
- Dude.
- Ah, ha, ha.
- Holy shit.
- My recipe, not my dad's.
His menu's been the
same since I was a kid.
His cooking is driving me crazy.
I want to make
food that surprises
people like I did in New York.
I don't care about the money.
- And now, you're back
here with the rest of us.
I'm on the edge
and about to fall
- Hurricane party 2012!
- Whoo!
- Hey, you're in college.
You like doing shots?
- No.
- Come on.
Water rising in the streets
having breached many sea
walls and beach areas.
Governor Christie in his
press conference saying...
- We're right next to the bay.
Maybe we should put
out more sandbags.
- Nothing's gonna happen.
- Oh, so now you're
a climate scientist.
- Hell yes, damn right I am.
I'm good at hurricane sports.
- As well as a food expert.
- Dude, I am whatever
the hell I wanna be.
I got talent.
Atlantic City High!
- Whoo!
- At least you're
getting paid to cook.
- I do not get
paid to cook food.
I cook comfort food.
- Dude, quit bitching.
- You quit bitching.
- Ah.
- Oh, my God.
- Wow.
It's everywhere.
- Dude, grab some more beers.
Come on, ever dance
in a hurricane before?
- Let go!
Go back inside.
Terry, back inside!
- Ah, fuck that,
it's dark in there.
Come on, this is amazing!
And if it does
flood, I don't have
to work in this
shit hole anymore.
To not working in a shit hole.
- To not working in a shit hole!
- You guys are crazy!
What if the water gets
in the restaurant?
- I don't care if
this place floods.
I don't care if this
restaurant floods.
- Sam, oh, my god, stop.
- You know what?
I don't care if this whole
piece of shit town floods!
- Sam!
- Oh shit.
Ummm, dude, Sam.
- Sam, the water is getting in.
- Oh, no.
- Oh, God.
- What are we gonna do?
- Shit, the sandbags.
Come on, man, come on.
Move the bags, we can stop it.
- Okay.
Okay, I'm on it.
- Come on, come on, come on,
Come on, pull it up.
Come on, come on, pull it up.
Pull the...
- I'm trying!
- Come on!
Agh!
- Sam!
- Guys, it's at
my shoe, what do I do?
- It's on the
stairs, it's getting in.
- Shit!
- It's too late.
- Where have you been, we're
getting backed up in there.
- I just needed a minute.
- Another debt notice.
A month past due.
- Sam, how are ya?
- Alright.
- Good to see ya open.
- Thanks.
Been a few months,
actually, tell your friends.
- I sure will.
How high did the water get?
- Down in front it
was over the chairs.
Water line up to here.
- Yeah, our place was flooded.
We lost all kinds of stuff,
old photographs, clothes.
We gotta re-do the
whole basement.
- Man.
- My cousin's place
in Ocean City's just gone.
He's given up.
Movin' in trying to...
- Well, he's been
there for twenty years.
- Yeah, at least, since college.
- Enjoy your meal, Terry.
- Thank you.
You've been busy
I've been healing time
- A little more vinegar.
- You got it.
- Hey!
What is this?
- It's the salmon
and white wine.
- No, I mean the fancy stuff.
I told you.
Simplify the presentation.
- I did.
- You are using an
extra ingredient that
they're never gonna eat,
it's gonna take forever.
- Can't rush perfection.
- You gotta stop it, I mean it.
You're not in New York anymore.
- We're out of clams again, man.
- Alright, I got it.
Dude.
Hey.
We're paying you to
shuck cherry stones.
I catch you on the phone again
you're gone, you hear me?
Sorry about that.
- Do you have a light?
- Yeah.
- Thanks.
- Oh, thank you,
no I don't smoke.
In case the stove doesn't light.
- You a cook?
- Mmm-hmm.
- Well, the food is really
good, compliments to the chef.
- Thank you.
- Who is the chef,
is he well-known?
- Not really.
It's me.
- Oh.
- There you are.
You did, didn't you?
- Oh, no, that's,
that's mine.
- This is the head chef.
I was talking to him
about catering the party.
- Okay, right.
- So like I was saying,
we're throwing a
party on Saturday.
It's kind of last
minute, not much money.
Like, 1,500?
- 1,500?
- I know.
It's short notice.
- I know some guys.
- Perfect.
- You're a lifesaver.
- Ugh.
- You okay?
- Yeah.
- Can I get a whiskey
please, rocks?
- Sure.
Any you'd prefer?
- Yeah, that one right there.
- That one's not for sale.
It was a gift to
my dad from his dad
when he took over the place.
- Alright, I'll have,
uh, one of those.
Yeah.
Is he coming over here?
- Yep.
- Shit.
- Mister Blake.
Hi.
Roger Bell, Leopold Bank.
How are you sir?
- Good to see you, Roger.
- Good to see you, too,
and I wanted to thank
you for reaching out with
the redevelopment deal.
You asked for me
personally, huh?
- I heard good things.
- Okay, well I guess those,
uh, bribes are payin' off.
But we could uh, we
could talk business
on Saturday at the
party, you're coming?
- Charlie put it
in all my gadgets.
- Roger?
- Yeah?
- They're pulling
the car around.
- Oh, Mister Blake, have
you met my wife, Sarah?
- No, I haven't.
- It's a pleasure.
The food here is amazing.
- Yes, it is.
- I hope you enjoy it.
- I've been here before.
It's great, thank you.
- Okay, we'll see you at the
party, have a nice night.
- Hit me again.
- Hey!
You okay?
- Hello there.
- I think you
could use a ride home.
- No.
No, no.
I'm an excellent drunk driver.
Hey.
- Come on.
Let's go.
Switch with me.
- Alright.
- I mean,
on the news, the governors
in Washington saying
they got all this money,
I put in my claim five months
ago, I still got nothing.
I mean I'm staying in
Glasboro with my sister.
The house is a wreck, the first
floor has mud on the floor,
and it has to be gutted.
The whole thing is just,
it just gets to a point
where you just wonder,
is it time to give it up?
Go find work somewhere else.
God, I lived there
my whole life.
- Um, hi, ma'am.
Uh, your husband...
- He's not my husband.
- I'm not, she's not my,
I'm not her husband.
- Oh.
- I run his company.
- Honey, I'm home.
- Is he drunk?
- Of all the things
I own, this spot,
the best thing I
ever spent money on.
- It's a hell of a view.
- Yeah, it took a beating during
the storm, but we rebuilt.
- Here you go.
- Oh, um, thanks.
- Coffee? Come on.
- Thank you for driving him.
- Yeah.
- Ah.
You should really try that.
It's Belvenie, thirty years old.
It's a limited edition.
- Oh.
- Oh?
- Yeah.
This is amazing, right?
- It's good.
- I am so hungry.
- Yeah?
- Are you hungry?
- So, one of my mentors
in culinary school
told me cuisine is the
mark of a healthy society.
Barbarians, Vikings, aren't
known for their food.
If you're focused on survival,
you only have time for,
for what's good enough.
But cuisine isn't about
what's good enough.
It's about how good can it be.
- You went to culinary school?
- New York.
- Oh, mmm, thank you.
Oh, my god.
I have had eggs like
a million times.
They've never been so soft.
- You outta open your own place.
- I did.
- You did, what happened?
- I'm workin' in
my Dad's kitchen,
what do you think happened?
- Well, you've got talent.
- In my experience, talent
and hard work rarely pay off.
Connections, capital
and willingness
to appeal to the lowest
common denominator?
Cha-ching.
Uh, thank you for the drink,
but I should probably go, I
got some friends waiting on me.
- Now, where you headed?
- The Clove.
- Can I come?
Hey!
- This is my friend,
Mister Blake.
- Hi, Tom.
Tom.
Nice to meet you.
How's it goin'?
Next round is on me.
You know you got me
goin' out of my mind
And I would take a
bullet for these fancy lies
You know you got me
goin' out of my mind
- Six shots.
- Yeah.
- I need money.
- How much?
- Uh, like, like, 30?
- No, no, no, hey, hey, hey!
Hey, hey, hey!
I got it!
- Alright.
What, what, hey!
What the hell are you doin'?
- Just zippin' up.
- Just get in the car.
Get in, get in, get in, get in!
- Hey, come back here.
- Bye.
This is a crazy fucking city!
Yeah! Whoo!
- I haven't done
that in a long time.
- Make out with a
girl half your age?
- No, just go out and have
fun just for the hell of it.
People I like.
- I thought maybe that
girl at your house,
maybe you two had a...
- Charlie? No.
- Huh?
- It's all business with her.
She just stays at the
shore house during
the summer 'cause our
office is in Philly.
Most of the people I spend
time with are just business,
they're not my friends,
they're not my kind of people.
- Me and my "fuck-wad"
friends are?
- More than you know.
- You went out
clubbing last night?
- Yeah, I did.
- It's time to leave for
work in a few minutes.
- Relax, Dad.
I'll be ready in a few minutes.
Just blowin' off a little steam.
It's not like I'm not
working hard, Dad.
Just trust me.
- Heard that before.
Now, my Dad was
at that restaurant
seven days a week
building up; me, too.
I thought you said
after the storm,
after what happened,
we were all gonna work together.
- Sarah, it's Mom.
Are you coming by today?
They say tomorrow
may be another scan.
I hope to see you.
I love you.
- The Prescott's.
- David and Barbara.
They have their own firm.
- Okay, good.
The Coleman's.
- Greta and David.
Real estate.
- Good, Pop.
- Teddy.
Widowed.
Former "Goldman-Sachs"
from New York.
- Very good, honey.
Uh, Tom Blake.
- The guy that we
met the other night?
- Uh-huh.
- I don't know.
Zip me up?
- Yeah, okay.
Tom Blake, venture capitalist.
Deep pockets.
- What should I know?
- Uh, nobody knows
how he got his money.
I think his wife
died in an accident.
Heard it's a tragic story,
don't bring up his past.
I want to keep him
talking about business.
I don't want it to
get all serious.
Okay, who's next?
The Rubens.
Babe, come on.
We're getting our
game face on here.
I need your charm.
These guys love talkin' to you.
What is it?
Yeah.
I know.
I thought we were gonna
try moving on from this.
I know.
I miss her, too.
You know what I think?
I think you need
to occupy yourself.
What about that store you're
gonna open for all this?
What would you need
to get started?
- Money.
- Let's see, four months rent,
plus security
deposit, that's 10K.
What do you spend on
materials here a month?
- It depends.
- On average, what do you spend?
- Uh, 1,500?
- Okay, 1,500 times four,
plus you gotta pay yourself.
Early employee advertising.
Let's make it a nice round 30K.
Sound good?
So, I'm gonna transfer an extra
30K into our joint account
right now.
You're all ready to get started.
The money's all yours.
So try it,
because I need you
to get over this.
Sarah, honey, it's been months.
- We good?
- Sam.
- Great, thanks.
Hors d'oeuvres?
- It's a win-win.
You put the shopping center
in the tourism district.
You make money.
The state doesn't have
to front any capital,
and they're very committed
to some deep tax cuts.
So, it's low risk.
It's good for you,
it's good for them,
it's a public/private
partnership.
- Charlie has my full confidence
to handle all the details.
- Great.
And you know what?
It's good for the
economy, it creates jobs.
- Yeah, but could
you imagine working
for minimum wage at
one of those chains?
- Well, a job is
better than no job.
- Yeah, but I mean, if someone's
own business went under
after the storm, and they're
making half of what they
used to at a fast food
place, is that recovery?
I mean, I'm glad
you're doing the deal.
- Right.
- I'm happy for you.
I'm just saying, what is it
really gonna take to recover?
- That's a very
interesting point.
I've been reading about this.
- I'm sorry, I have to
interrupt you there, because
the thing is those jobs just
aren't out there anymore.
I mean my hand to God I wish
they were, but they're not.
So.
But you know what you should do?
You should open a dress shop,
and you should pay
people whatever you want.
- You're opening a dress shop?
- Um, maybe.
- You design dresses,
did you make that?
- I did,
um, I went to school
for clothing design.
I have a little workshop.
- It's very well made, and
I kinda know what
I'm talking about.
- You make dresses?
- No.
No, I used to work
in a textile factory.
- Really?
- Yeah.
- When?
- You know, honey,
I'm sure Mister Blake
doesn't want to talk
about ancient history.
- Anyone care for
some beef tartare?
- Sam, right?
- Yeah.
- You're just the guy
I want to talk to.
Sam, you own a local business,
you own a restaurant.
- Oh, well, my dad owns it.
- Oh, you're dad owns
a restaurant, okay.
But you make more there than you
would at the big
chain restaurants.
- Roger.
- But did you know the
big chain restaurants,
they offer health coverage.
I mean, do you guys
offer that to your staff?
- No.
- No.
- Roger.
- Are you guys hiring right now?
- No, we aren't.
- That's a shame, I guess
I'm gonna have to uh,
table the ol' application.
Sounds to me like the good jobs
out there are
kinda hard to find.
- Yeah, they are.
Better get back to work.
- Sam!
Sam!
I'm so sorry.
- It's fine, don't
worry about it.
- That wasn't about you at all.
That was totally our baggage.
He was a total dick.
- I wouldn't say that.
- You don't have to bullshit me.
Please, if I hear anymore
bullshit I could scream.
Are you taking a break?
- Yeah, I got a little
while before dessert.
I just needed some fresh air.
- Fuck fresh air.
How 'bout a drink?
You brought the tuna,
I brought the bourbon.
- Is that right?
- You're a chef.
Every good meal deserves
a good drink, right?
- That's a good point.
- I take a walk out
here every night.
It's so quiet.
I mean, just look out there.
I don't know.
I love it here.
- I don't know, it's
kind of dark and cold.
Wouldn't you rather be inside?
- No.
When Roger and I
were first together,
he could be very charming.
Cute, even.
Things weren't always like this.
We actually had a couple
of really good years.
But now, at the end of
the day I think, tonight.
Tonight he's gonna come
home and we won't fight.
But we do.
Alright, your turn.
- Thanks, but uh,
I should probably head
back to the kitchen.
- Uh-huh, no, no.
I just told you my life story.
Now it's your turn.
- I have pastries to warm.
- I'm the one who hired you.
The pastries can wait.
Come on.
How was your year?
Don't be a pussy.
- Ow.
- Come on, we said no bullshit.
- Uh, you said no bullshit.
My year, I...
My year was crappy.
- Hmph.
- That was funny?
- Um,
why was it crappy?
- I spent the last six years
working my way up in New York.
It was crappy hours.
I lost touch with most
of my friends, so,
was workin' on
opening my own place.
It was a mess,
and probably the
best time of my life.
Spent every dime I had.
I was behind on rent.
I owed everyone money.
I was just hustling.
Running around town,
catering, making a buck
any way I could just
to keep it going.
But every day I cooked
whatever I wanted.
It was good.
I just knew.
I knew it was the best
stuff I could make.
I loved it.
I took the time.
I did it right.
I made each dish perfect.
I had a soft opening,
a few good reviews.
I was in over my head.
It turns out people
don't let you
stay when you don't pay 'em.
Rent was 10 grand a month.
So, now I'm working
for my dad again,
like when I was a teenager.
Then the storm came.
I watched half the
place get destroyed.
- That's not your fault.
I mean that happened
to everybody.
- My dad would disagree.
I mean we put out some sandbags,
but I could have prepped better.
I was inside drinking
with my friends,
sure nothing would happen.
Anyway.
It's been a crappy year, yes.
Most of this year I
wish I could forget.
- Alright, well,
then let's make your night
something to remember.
- What are you doin'?
- I have recently been reminded
that life is very short,
so, I'm living it.
You?
Are you coming with me, or what?
- I'm thinking it over!
- Come on, it's no big deal!
The water's warm, I
do this all the time!
- You're crazy!
And kinda hot.
- What?
- I said you're crazy!
- You're crazy!
You've lived here
your whole life
and you've never done this?
- No!
Because it's freakin'
dangerous at night.
- Ugh.
- Sarah?
Sarah!
Sarah?
Shit.
- Hey.
You okay?
- I told you it wasn't so bad.
- I think we might
have missed dessert.
- You are soaked.
- Yeah, look who's talkin'.
- Listen, you handle the
negotiations on this deal,
and uh, you can have
direct commission, 15%.
- Hey, I asked you a question!
What are you doing
out here with my wife?
- Roger, stop.
- Hey, hey.
Hold on for a second,
hold on, hold on.
- I get to
ask you that question.
- I don't know what you saw.
- Roger, calm down.
Roger please, just calm down.
- You think it was nothing?!
Roger, take a minute.
- You think it was nothing?!
You want me to calm down?!
- Ah!
- Hey!
- Roger!
- Ugh.
- Roger!
Roger, stop!
Roger, stop!
- Hey, what the
hell are you doing?
- She knows!
He knows, she knows!
You alright man?
- You okay?
- I'm fine.
Oh.
- Wait, I'm coming with you.
- Sarah, Sarah.
You going with him?
- I'm going with them.
- Not after what happened.
- Nothing happened.
- That is not what
it looked like.
- Just calm down, I'll
be back in a few hours.
- Sarah!
You stay here.
You stay home.
- Charlie.
Stay here make sure
everything's cool.
- Drive.
Please.
- Gonna be a few more hours.
- Ugh, God-dammit.
Sorry.
I was here a lot last year.
My mom was sick.
- Let me.
What was she here for?
- Lung cancer.
She left me a message
the day she died.
I didn't even call her back.
- Let's take a walk.
- Sarah, it's Mom.
Are you coming by today?
They say tomorrow
might be another scan.
I couldn't eat breakfast
really, I just feel, it's worse.
Well, I hope to see you.
I love you.
- Huh, sorry, but it's
just, it's hard to hear.
- She was beautiful
when I was a kid.
Every detail was perfect.
The way she wore her clothes,
the smell of her perfume.
I wanted to open a
store for years, but,
even if I did, it's not like
she'd be there to see it.
- What about your dad?
- He died a few years ago.
I heard you were married once?
But she died too?
- Yeah.
- I'm sorry.
- She's not good.
But, you know, it's hard to know
'cause she's such
a hypochondriac.
Oh, my God.
- I'm fine, Mom, don't worry.
- Don't worry,
you look terrible.
- What happened to you?
- Got in a fight.
- A fight?
- So what's this?
- Have you seen a doctor?
- Jesus Christ, are you alright?
- Yeah Mom, that's where
I got the stitches.
- This is you working hard?
- I was working
hard, I had a gig...
- Partying all
hours of the night,
and then a fight?
- Would you stop it!
- Dad!
- What?
- What is this?
- What's what?
- It's a collection notice.
- It's not my fault if
you're out there buying...
- For you.
- What was I supposed to do?
Close up for six months while
I wait for the insurance money?
We would have been finished.
- The insurance
came after a month.
- It came after six.
After the recession hit
we started losing money.
I thought things would turn
around in a year or so, but
they didn't.
And then that damn storm hit.
I had to take out a loan.
Put the business
up for collateral.
I knew you wouldn't let me,
so I told you the money came
from the insurance company.
When the insurance check came,
it covered only half the cost.
I didn't want either of
you to know how bad it was.
It's gonna be okay.
You're gonna have to lay
off some of the part-timers,
the rest get a 10% cut,
and no more overtime.
- 10%?
- If we can re-finance,
make some sacrifices,
we can get through this.
- I'm sorry, but the request
for a loan modification
has been denied.
- What?
- We can make the payments.
- The loan is more
than 90 days past due.
We have the right to
collect immediately.
- What does that mean,
"collect immediately"?
- The business was
put up as collateral,
so we will assume
ownership and liquidate it.
- That's outrageous.
- It was in the
contract you signed.
- You will make less money than
if you just let us
make the payments!
- I'm sorry, that is
the bank's decision.
- Well then I want
to talk to a manager.
- He'll tell you the same
thing, the decision is final.
- You better believe the
Better Business Bureau
is gonna hear about this,
and our congressman.
This is unheard of behavior.
And you should be
ashamed of yourself.
It's no wonder the
small businesses
in this town are
packing up and leaving.
I have shown you the numbers,
we are a viable business!
This is the kind of place
this community needs.
- Dad said he'd
mortgage the house,
Roger doesn't want the money.
I mean this is gonna kill
my dad, maybe literally.
We tried to get into Roger's
office, he wouldn't talk to us.
Will you talk to him?
- And say what exactly?
- I don't know, but
he'll take your call,
'cause he does
business with you.
- Sam, I want to help, but I
don't know what I could say.
- Maybe if you told him that
unless he modifies our loan,
you won't go through
with the deal.
Sam.
We signed a contract.
To be honest this hasn't
been a very good year,
I kind of need to
make this deal.
- What happens if
you don't do it?
You lose business,
you lose your house?
You said you, you
rebuilt after the storm,
and you, you wrote a check.
My family lost
everything we had.
- Yeah, I wrote a check.
And you know how
I could afford to?
By not writing the wrong ones.
I'm not running a charity,
and I got a lot of money tied
up in this deal, and you're
asking me to dump it for what?
To help a restaurant
that's already gone under?
To help a guy who
took a catering job,
and wound up in a
fist-fight with his client?
Look, I'm sorry if
this sounds harsh,
but I'm a business man
and this is business.
- I know, I'm asking a lot,
and I'm sorry, but I have to.
'Cause this is
everything for my family.
Please.
I'm sorry, son.
You're asking for
something I can't do.
- Okay.
- Here.
- This what you
were saving it for?
- I was saving it for my
retirement, so maybe.
I haven't lived a
day without that
building being in our family.
When I was growing up
your granddad fixed
it my head that this was
the land of opportunity.
This city is full of
people who think they're
gonna hit it big one
day, how many of them do?
Those things get
bigger and bigger.
The rest of us?
Here's to the house!
- Hello?
How could you do that?
- It was a business decision.
- That was not a business
decision, and you know it.
You're ruining these
people's lives over a look.
- You haven't looked at me
like that in such a long time.
- Roger, nothing happened.
I didn't do anything.
I don't want to hurt you.
- I'm sorry, I'm confused.
You didn't do anything
'cause you don't want to,
or you didn't do anything
'cause you're not allowed to?
Which is it, Sarah?
- Roger.
- Come on you wanted
it to, just admit it.
- Roger, I want us!
I want us to feel right.
But we don't.
Are you happy,
with me, right now?
- Yeah, yeah, of course I am.
- Truly?
- Yeah.
- Huh.
Because I'm not.
I'm not happy.
And I don't think that
you are either, because
you couldn't be, and do
what you did to that family.
- I made my own decision,
I don't regret it.
And if you can't do that, then
you need to figure
your shit out.
- I think we need to
spend some time apart.
- Sarah?
- I think we should separate.
Officially.
- Just sit.
Hold on, hang on, you
don't want to do this.
- I do.
I'm sorry but I really do.
- What are you doing here?
- Tom told me what happened.
I'm so sorry.
- That is not your fault at all.
Want a drink?
- Understatement.
- I always had a plan.
Everyday I woke thinking
of my restaurant.
Thinking of the next
step to get there.
And now,
nothin'.
I saw that in my dad, too.
Everyday of his life
he had that restaurant.
And today, part of
him was just gone.
And I used to think
more than anything
that I was different than him.
We're the same.
Exactly the same.
Shit, what'd I miss?
- I was thinking,
about you, your dad.
Maybe your old place is gone,
but what if you
opened up a new one?
- It takes a lot.
It takes...
- Money?
- Yeah.
- Can this get you started?
- I can't take that.
- You can.
You can use it to start over.
- Sarah, that's really
generous, but I can't take it.
- You had more than that
taken away from you.
Please take it.
I kind of need you to take it.
- What about Roger?
- It's my money.
But it's from our joint account,
so you might want
to cash it soon.
Like, today.
I feel like a teenager, sneaking
out of your parents' house.
- Sorry.
- Don't be, it's
kind of awesome.
- Hey.
- Hmm?
- Thank you.
Ah!
- Who was that?
- Why is there
always someone there?
- You brought a girl here.
- No, it's not like that.
- Oh, you're lucky your
mom's not here to see that.
- Where'd she go so early?
- Work.
- What?
- She took a job
as a bookkeeper.
- That was fast.
- Came as a surprise, but
she has friends there.
So,
what's it like with this girl?
- I want to talk
to you about that.
Thanks.
- Take all the time you need.
- It's not by the water.
- No, no it's not by the water.
Which means less storm damage.
It's also the reason
Josh is willing
to rent it to us for so little.
- If he couldn't make it here,
what makes you think you can?
- I think he was
going for Asian Fusion
in a neighborhood that's
about seafood, comfort food.
They gave it a year,
it didn't work out.
Happens to the best of us.
- I like the bar.
Would this be your
place or mine?
- It could be ours.
- Yeah, hotel's good?
- It's alright.
I set up a few things.
- It's weird not
having you in the house.
- I know, I'm sorry,
but this is what we
need to do right now.
- How long?
- I don't know,
maybe for a while.
We're not working, Roger.
- How do you know,
you're not even here.
- Listen, please, I just
need some time and space.
Okay, for now, we're separated.
- Yeah, but Sarah,
if we just talk
about it it's gonna be fine.
So I need you to stop this
stupid shit, just come back.
- I don't know if I want to.
- Look, I know you're scared,
but this place is smaller.
Business is picking
back up all over town.
Everything is being
repaired from the storm.
- And what about the next storm?
We don't have enough to retire.
Not with what we've lost.
What if we lose this house?
If you would take a regular
job, just for a few years,
we could save money, we
could plan our retirement.
Why risk everything?
- Because running a
restaurant is what I do.
It's what I've always done.
Without that, what am I?
- You're my husband.
You had that restaurant 30
years, and it was beautiful.
But it's over.
- Not many people call me
before eight a. m. and live.
Everything you needed.
- Can I get in today?
- You're an eager motherfucker.
- Hey.
You need a job?
Yes.
Yes!
I was born in the middle
Maybe too late
Everything good had been made
So I'd just get loaded
And never leave my house
Just takin' way too
long to figure this out
Know my name, know I mean it
It's not as bad as it seems
And we try in our
own way to get better
Even if we're alone
I hate talking about money
I don't want to
talk about love
I hate thinking I'm
not the same as I was
I lose my faith in people
Why even take the time
You've got your
problems, I've got mine
- Thank you.
- Come on in.
- Wow.
- We're pretty much there.
- Sam, it's amazing.
- Thank you.
Have you ever met Josh?
- No.
- He's my best friend.
- Hi, how are you, Sarah.
Just try in our
own way to get better
Even if we're alone, hey
- I got it, I got it.
- Again, for the record
that was amazing.
- I had a great time.
- Maybe you should come up?
I can show you the
clothing designs.
- Yeah, sure.
- Oh, you have,
I think you have got some
spinach stuck in your teeth.
- Oh, my gosh.
I get it?
- No.
- No?
Now?
- Not at all.
- Oh, my god.
- Here.
- Whoa, what, what
are you doing?
- It's okay, I'm a professional.
I've dealt with this before.
Let me just show
you where it is.
- Oh, god.
- Right there.
- Here?
- To the right.
One more.
- Did I get it?
- Good to go.
- Great.
- So, should I come up?
I don't know.
- Why not?
- Because if you come
up, I might kiss you.
- Well, maybe you should
just kiss me here.
Then you don't have to worry.
- You want to kiss me?
After all that?
Really?
- Look I know you got a lot
goin' on in your life right now,
so I understand you need to...
- Okay, now I really
want you to come up.
- I'd love to come up.
- Ugh.
Ah.
- See how you feel next time.
- So now you call me back.
- I just bounced a check,
a very important one.
- Well money can
go very quickly.
You have written any other
large checks recently, have you?
- That money wasn't for me.
- Yeah, I know who it was for.
- It was for his family.
You didn't just hurt him,
you hurt all of them.
You took away their livelihood.
- What are
they gonna do with it?
- I gave them
the chance to start over.
- Okay, I didn't
do anything about the check
for you, but you decided how
you wanted to spend that money.
I took everything out
except for three grand.
- That's not enough for
me to open the shop.
I thought you wanted
me to open the shop.
I thought you'd be okay with it.
- Oh, I did before.
You want time?
I can give you 3,000 a month
to live on, that's fair.
That's fair.
But you and I both know I'm
the one that earns that money.
You don't want to live with me,
you don't get to
spend my money...
- We were married when you
earned that money, Roger.
I planned every party,
shook every hand.
You didn't want
me to have a job.
You can't tell me I
didn't do my part.
- You know how hard I
work for that money.
The checks come in my name, so
that's the way it's gonna be.
Unless.
- Unless?
- Unless you want to stop
this and come back home.
- You know what?
Keep the money.
- Sarah.
- I'll do it on my own.
- How, you hardly have
anything in your account.
- I'll get a job.
- Sarah, come on, you're
gonna work a regular job?
- Take it, it's
everything I have left.
- No.
- Come on, you can't
open the shop without it.
- You can't open the
restaurant without it.
I'm not gonna watch
that place fall apart.
- Sarah,
it's your money.
- It's not anymore.
I don't want to do
this with his money.
I should do it on my own.
But I was close.
I don't know how long it will
take me to get here
again on my own.
- You're not on your own.
You have people
who care about you.
You may not know how you'll
get there, but you will.
- How can you have so
much confidence in me?
You hardly know me.
- I know enough.
I'm covered in plaster,
I should shower.
I'm gross.
- Let me see.
Nope, not gross.
I don't want you to go tonight.
Oh, faith first, healing
We never have to go
out, oh woah, woah, woah
Time spent breaking
it in, oh woah, woah
Okay, um, yeah.
- This way?
- And a little to the right.
- Ah.
- Oh my god.
- Hey?
- Oh, my god!
I got the job at that store!
- So, a job, huh?
- It's been a while.
I was wondering if
you would take a look
at my business plan
for that clothing shop?
- Of course, I'd be happy to.
I'm really happy you called me.
- Me, too.
Looks amazing.
- There you go.
We'll see.
- Okay.
- Taste it.
- Okay, do you want
me to be honest?
- You have to be honest.
- Okay.
- I gotta sell this.
Yeah?
- It's really good.
- Alright.
- That's so good.
- Alright.
- Hey, everybody,
welcome to Light Up New Jersey.
One year ago today,
the lights went out,
but we're still here.
Now shine your
lights in the air,
and show them we
survived Hurricane Sandy.
Three, two, one!
- Thanks everyone
for coming out here.
I know we're anxious
to close the deal,
but I think we're
done for the day.
- Excuse me?
- I want to look over
this in a little more
detail before we
purchase the real estate.
- You signed a contract.
- Roger, we both that
the contract isn't fully
executed until the
money's transferred.
- You already have the money.
- Hey.
Can I get a beer?
Thank you.
- It's five bucks.
- Keep the change.
I had a bad day today.
I had to fire Charlie.
- Shit.
- I'm starting to regret
having made this deal.
I'm not sure what I'm getting
out of this investment.
Anyway,
I came to say I'm sorry.
You came to me as a
friend, I let you down.
I'm not really used
to having friends.
And I was wrong, this place
is comin' along great.
I don't know how
you're doing it.
What, are you
catering again, or?
- Not this time.
I think part of what
went wrong in New York
is I always wanted more.
I wanted everything
to be perfect.
I didn't pick my moment,
and it never happened.
But we have an investor, he
gave us enough to get it open.
This is our moment.
We open in 10 days.
- I wanna help.
- What'd you have in mind?
You know what I
do need help with?
I need to paint this place.
If you want to invest in
this, you could try that.
Yeah, that's clean.
You're jerkin' on my brown.
I mean, now I want
to get it perfect.
Oh, yeah.
Sarah's texting me, she's
texting me, come on.
- Hi.
Yeah, it's a seafood
restaurant, come check it out.
- New seafood restaurant
from the Rama family.
Opening this Saturday.
- Hi, there, new
restaurant, please stop by.
Hey, sir, new restaurant.
- If I told you right now
you'd never have to work
another day in your life, you'd
jump at the chance, right?
- Yeah, of course.
- God damn, right, 'cause
that's the American dream,
and I gave it to her.
My wife?
She doesn't have to worry
about the bills, you know why?
'Cause of me.
Now my wife thinks
"You do what you love,
"you do what you dream".
People gotta make money.
- What's the matter
with that being your dream?
- Time to go home, man.
- I could use another drink.
Ugh.
- What's up?
- Sorry my boss
wouldn't let me leave.
- I'm so sorry, Dad.
I'm sorry I didn't do
more during the storm.
I let your place get destroyed.
- It wasn't your fault, Sam.
And, I made you
feel like it was.
More sand bags?
Wouldn't have stopped
all that water.
This isn't your fault, either.
Somebody did this to you.
Do you have idea who?
- You wrecked my
son's restaurant.
- Good morning.
Sorry, I have no
idea who you are.
- You know my son, Sam.
His restaurant was
vandalized last night.
- Yeah, I'm sorry, I have
no idea how that happened.
- I think you do.
He's dating your
wife, who left you,
you're pissed, so you did this.
- You guys are dating?
- Don't change the subject.
- You know what sir, like
I said, I have no idea what
you're talking about so I think
you should leave my house.
- Oh, we're not goin' anywhere
until you make this right.
- Excuse me?
- You heard what I said.
My son busted his ass
putting that place together.
You have no right to come in
there and destroy our property.
So you're gonna apologize,
and you're gonna
pay for the damages.
Until then, we are not leaving.
- It's your property, huh?
It's your property,
did you pay for it?
- Sam, close the door.
- If you don't get
out of my house
right now, I'm gonna
call the police.
- Call 'em.
Tell them what you did.
The cops in this town
come from my neighborhood,
not yours, son.
I've been there almost 60 years.
Don't think that I don't
know them and their fathers.
Sam, the door.
Now you think you can
get away with this.
We're here to tell
you, you cannot.
- Get out of my house.
- No.
- I said get out of my house.
- That's not gonna happen!
- Dad!
Don't you touch my dad again.
What's it gonna be,
you gonna work with us,
you gonna make some
sort of arrangement?
Or are we gonna call the cops?
- Call whoever you want,
it won't change shit.
You think she's gonna
move in with you,
she can move in
with your parents?
You think that's
gonna make her happy?
You're living in a
dream world, buddy.
She is so out of your league.
'Cause in the real world, in
the real world she chooses me.
You just hope I leave
a big enough tip
so you can pay your rent.
- Ah!
- Sam!
- Ugh!
- Sam, Sam.
- Sarah.
- Oh, my god, Sam,
what was that?
- He trashed my place,
he destroyed it.
- I know!
I came here to...
but what the fuck Sam?
- I know, I'm sorry, I lost it.
I just, I just, I just lost
it, he said you would never...
- That is my fault what
just happened in there.
I am hurting both of you.
- This isn't good for anybody.
I need you to go.
I need to not talk to
either of you for a while.
- How long?
- I don't know.
- Hey.
- Sam, please, please.
- Disaster happens,
you can't stop it.
The damage is done.
So we've got two choices.
So, you tear it down,
or you build it back up.
Now I don't know
about the next time.
Maybe there will be a
time that we give up,
but I don't think it's today.
I think you all want
to open tomorrow.
- Of course we do.
We spent weeks getting
this place ready.
We have 'til tomorrow night.
- Then we postpone.
Give it two weeks.
- We just handed out thousands
of fliers announcing
tomorrow night.
It's been re-tweeted
like, hundreds of times.
- We do all that again.
- I can't afford to do it again.
I'm out of money at
the end of the week.
I definitely don't have
the money to fix all this.
- Then we do it now.
If you're not
gonna get more time
then you're gonna
need more people.
It's not all about money.
Each of you know people
in this business.
Each of you have
favors you can call in.
So you just tell
them what happened.
You ask for their help.
Put yourselves out there.
And just see what comes back.
Yeah.
I told you I can't
come back in today.
Yeah, I understand.
You do what you've gotta do.
- Who was that?
- My boss.
Well, former boss.
I just got fired.
So, I'm in.
You hiring?
We are the kids that
would never shut up
Live in a house but
we sleep in a truck
Living up, livin'
in a whoa, oh, oh.
We are the kids that
will never get old
- Okay, he really
trashed the kitchen, man.
We're gonna need a plumber,
and I think maybe
an electrician.
- A lot to do in 24 hours.
- Alright guys, whatever
you need order it.
If you need more guys
down here let me know.
Let's just get this done,
we've got until tomorrow.
Let's go.
- Who are those people?
- They're my guys.
I pulled them off another job.
I hope that's okay.
Come on, let's get to it.
- Man, I was right there.
I came this close to
having it perfect.
Because even if we
do get this done,
she's not gonna be here.
I don't know why that matters
so much, but, it does.
I think I'm in love with her.
- Let's take a break.
When I was about your age, I was
working in a factory
outside Philly.
I'd been married seven years.
Then I met someone.
Her name was Catherine.
And, it was effortless.
Even though she
was married, too.
I'd never loved
like that before,
or since.
Then out of the blue she broke
it off, and destroyed me.
A few months later there
was an awful storm,
and my wife didn't
come home that night.
The next morning they found her
tire tracks were going
off curve in the road,
front of the car was
wrapped around a tree.
Then a few years later I
got a letter from a lawyer.
My wife's aunt had died,
and she was the next of kin,
her or her spouse.
I worked in that
factory for 10 years,
then suddenly I didn't have
to work for another 10.
A couple of days later,
I just found myself
at Catherine's house, I
got in the car and I just,
but when I pulled up, I saw
this little girl playing
in the front yard, and it just
changed it, I just couldn't.
So I focused on the money,
in five years I doubled it.
In three years, I'd
double it again.
It's a dangerous thing
when someone gets money
who knows what money is worth.
So, that is how
I mask my wealth.
Due mostly to my,
my good fortune.
- I don't know if
I'd call it that.
- All I know is when I got
the check, I didn't know if
it was right or wrong, I just
knew sure as shit I wanted it.
And then a few months
ago, I got another letter
from another lawyer,
settling Catherine's estate.
She had told them to
send it after her death.
And her letter,
she said that she
always loved me,
and that she thought once about
leaving her husband for me,
but when she found out she was
pregnant, she couldn't do it.
It's been so long being
so hungry to make money.
If I could give up that money,
and have Catherine be in
my life, to have a family,
and live the kind of life
that other guy lived,
I would do it in a heartbeat.
All we ever really have is what
we have in any given moment.
So we decide what we do with
it, and who we share it with.
I want to hold on
to what I have now,
who I have, while they're here.
You don't have to know
how you go on without her,
if you go on without
her, you just,
you just will.
This is not a bad view.
- It's not as nice as yours.
- Sometimes it's nice
to see another one.
- Sun's up.
You should go home
and get some rest.
- I'll go when I'm done.
This bar looked great before.
I want to get it
perfect for you.
- It's not gonna be perfect.
But it will be good enough
to serve people food,
and that will be enough.
Go home, rest.
- You rest.
You gotta cook tonight.
- I do,
'cause I'm a chef,
it's what I'm good at.
I'm not good at
inspiring people,
making a staff
feel like a family,
not like you're good at it.
That's why you have to go home,
come back fresh, ready
to lead a staff all day.
That's why I had this drawn up.
Sign it, and half
this place is yours.
It's the way it was
always supposed to be.
- Alek, I couldn't sleep, I
was worried, where were you?
- At Sam's, working.
- You were working all night?
Don't you have to
go to work today?
- Not anymore.
They fired me.
- Where you going?
- Work.
Someone has to.
- I still have these.
- I never asked for them back.
- How are you feeling?
- Awful.
How's your boyfriend?
- He's not my boyfriend.
We're not together.
- It seems like you
two are together.
- Not after this.
- You really don't
want to be with him?
- I don't want to
be with anyone.
I just want to go
away, be alone.
Figure things out.
I'm sorry things
turned out this way.
I meant it then, when
I told you I would
be with you for the
rest of my life.
- What about now?
- Now I'm gonna go.
- Sarah?
I'm sorry.
- Good morning.
- What are you grinning for?
- Let's just hope nobody
leans on the walls.
It looks good.
- They were short
on the skate wing.
I got what they had, but
it's not enough for the main.
- Fuck it, squid ink
risotto, Jersey Shore style.
You can do that, right?
Just add a little more garlic.
Keep it simmering, just a few
minutes, don't over do it.
- 20 minutes.
- What if no one comes?
- We're gonna have
a lot of leftovers.
- I need a drink.
- You need a drink?
- Hey, you guys got any rope?
- Rope?
- Well, poster
tape or something.
- What's the hell's
he talking about?
- Something to control the line.
- Hey, who are all of those
people in the nice clothes?
- Oh, I may have told
everyone in my Rolodex
that this was the
place to be tonight.
- Thank you.
So much, for everything.
- Yeah, mwuah!
It is a beautiful thing,
seeing all of you here tonight,
at the opening of
my son's restaurant.
When my last place went
under, and I said I was
gonna open another, at
this time in this town,
I was told "You're crazy".
At first I listened
to those voices.
I wasn't crazy enough
to take the risk,
and it is risky, doing this.
But if you know my son,
this business is who he is.
And a man who pretends
to be anything
other than what he is
becomes his shadow.
So many of you helped
put this place together.
Tonight only happened
because you let yourselves
believe in the crazy
that was somebody else's.
And when you find those people,
that person, who sees our
crazy and still shows up,
then you agree to
be who you are.
And that's the only way to be.
- Please leave
a message and I'll
call you back.
- Hey. It's me.
I know you said not
to call, but I had to.
Hear that?
Like the sound of
hundred people inside.
I tried to do this once before
in New York, and I couldn't.
I think maybe
it only worked out this
time because I had you.
It feels like you should
be here, you know?
I should feel happy but I can't
be 'cause you're not here.
Feels wrong if you're not here.
Anyway, I know that you
need some time to think, but
if you wanted to come
by, just for tonight to
see this, I'd love that.
And if not, know I'm here,
whenever you're done
thinking, I'll be here.
No bullshit.
This could well become
another super storm,
Hurricane Ingrid.
- Head
north toward the East Coast,
head west to New Mexico,
dissipate at sea.
What we do know is right now...
Hurricane, if it's path
runs up the eastern
seaboard, it could make land
fall at the Jersey Shore
in four to five days.
- Hey.
- Hey, Mister Blake.
- Alek, great to see you.
Uh, saw the sandbags,
you getting nervous?
- We're gonna be as
ready as we can be.
You goin' up tonight?
- Yeah.
Is Sam here?
- He's in the back.
- You didn't tell him
to take the night off?
- I tried, he's a partner now,
I can't tell him shit anymore.
- So, you decide?
- Not yet, apparently.
- You'd be proud of her.
She's worked really hard
to open up this shop.
- Yeah, she sent me this.
- Place is great.
Shop only opens once.
Come see it.
- I don't know if
she wants me to.
We haven't talked much; a
few emails and texts, so.
Look, the place is slammed,
I've got a possible storm
coming in four days.
She said she'd let me know
when she wanted to talk.
Just tryin' to do
what she asked.
- You still think
you're in love with her?
- I know I am.
- You once told me that
making good things happen
was about knowing your
moment, and taking it.
That was good advice.
I'm gonna go grab
a bite at the bar
and hit the road in
about 30 minutes.
- Yeah.
- Excuse me.
You made it.
- Of course.
Oh, I had to come
check on my investment.
- Everything's going so well.
It's a good crowd, I think
it's gonna be a good opening.
- I'm so proud of you.
I'm gonna go get a drink.
- I didn't know if
you were gonna come.
- I didn't know if
you wanted me to come.
- Well, I know you
have the place to run
and the storm is coming.
- None of that matters.
'Cause,
I love you.
There's always gonna be a storm,
there's always gonna
be things to deal with.
And that you've got this
place now, it's amazing.
I'm not asking you
to give any of it up.
I'm two hours away
we can figure it out.
But I'd like to figure
it out with you, 'cause
I wanna be with you.
There is nowhere else I would
rather be tonight than here.
- I'm done.
I'm done thinking.
- Experts
warn that Sandy could be wider
and stronger than Irene was
last year, which caused more
than fifteen billion
dollars in damage...
Residents have been
cautioned to prepare for
days without electricity.
- A set
of storms is now expected
from Grand Falls to here in
Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Oh, no, no, no
Sometimes you
don't need a reason
A reason will drive you insane
Now that you're
gone all I can do is
Listen to the beat
of the streets of LA
Sometimes you
can't make it happen
Keep wishing you'd
call out my name
Missing you more than ever
- All right.
Listening to the beat
of the streets of LA
Oh, every night, every
day I call you on the phone
Every night, every
day, I can't let you go
- Hey Dad.
- Did you see the news?
- Yeah, I'm looking at it now.
- They ordered the evacuation.
Shut everything down.
Put out the second
layer of sandbags,
board up the rest
of the windows.
Your mom's packing a few things,
we'll stay with Uncle Marvin.
Meet you here in half an hour?
- I'm prepping the fish Josh
caught off Cape
May this weekend.
- Well...
- It's gonna be a special.
- We're not going to be back
for at least a couple of days,
so toss it.
- I'm gonna stay.
- What?
- Josh spent a half an hour
reelin' these things in.
I've been here all
morning preppin'.
I'll stay, watch over the place,
to make sure nothing
happens, you know?
It'll be fun.
- Look, kid, they're
closing the bridges down,
if you don't come now...
- He's not coming?
- They always say it's going
to be the worst one ever.
Irene was supposed to be
the hundred year storm.
That was last year, nothing
happened here at all.
- Your mother looks concerned.
- His mother is concerned.
- Please, don't
worry, either of you.
I'll make sure nothing happens.
Trust me.
- Alright.
You call me if
anything happens, okay?
- Shame you're gonna
miss out on this sucker.
- Be safe.
- Come on, let's get in the car.
Ooh, I toss and
turn all night baby
- Dude.
- Ah, ha, ha.
- Holy shit.
- My recipe, not my dad's.
His menu's been the
same since I was a kid.
His cooking is driving me crazy.
I want to make
food that surprises
people like I did in New York.
I don't care about the money.
- And now, you're back
here with the rest of us.
I'm on the edge
and about to fall
- Hurricane party 2012!
- Whoo!
- Hey, you're in college.
You like doing shots?
- No.
- Come on.
Water rising in the streets
having breached many sea
walls and beach areas.
Governor Christie in his
press conference saying...
- We're right next to the bay.
Maybe we should put
out more sandbags.
- Nothing's gonna happen.
- Oh, so now you're
a climate scientist.
- Hell yes, damn right I am.
I'm good at hurricane sports.
- As well as a food expert.
- Dude, I am whatever
the hell I wanna be.
I got talent.
Atlantic City High!
- Whoo!
- At least you're
getting paid to cook.
- I do not get
paid to cook food.
I cook comfort food.
- Dude, quit bitching.
- You quit bitching.
- Ah.
- Oh, my God.
- Wow.
It's everywhere.
- Dude, grab some more beers.
Come on, ever dance
in a hurricane before?
- Let go!
Go back inside.
Terry, back inside!
- Ah, fuck that,
it's dark in there.
Come on, this is amazing!
And if it does
flood, I don't have
to work in this
shit hole anymore.
To not working in a shit hole.
- To not working in a shit hole!
- You guys are crazy!
What if the water gets
in the restaurant?
- I don't care if
this place floods.
I don't care if this
restaurant floods.
- Sam, oh, my god, stop.
- You know what?
I don't care if this whole
piece of shit town floods!
- Sam!
- Oh shit.
Ummm, dude, Sam.
- Sam, the water is getting in.
- Oh, no.
- Oh, God.
- What are we gonna do?
- Shit, the sandbags.
Come on, man, come on.
Move the bags, we can stop it.
- Okay.
Okay, I'm on it.
- Come on, come on, come on,
Come on, pull it up.
Come on, come on, pull it up.
Pull the...
- I'm trying!
- Come on!
Agh!
- Sam!
- Guys, it's at
my shoe, what do I do?
- It's on the
stairs, it's getting in.
- Shit!
- It's too late.
- Where have you been, we're
getting backed up in there.
- I just needed a minute.
- Another debt notice.
A month past due.
- Sam, how are ya?
- Alright.
- Good to see ya open.
- Thanks.
Been a few months,
actually, tell your friends.
- I sure will.
How high did the water get?
- Down in front it
was over the chairs.
Water line up to here.
- Yeah, our place was flooded.
We lost all kinds of stuff,
old photographs, clothes.
We gotta re-do the
whole basement.
- Man.
- My cousin's place
in Ocean City's just gone.
He's given up.
Movin' in trying to...
- Well, he's been
there for twenty years.
- Yeah, at least, since college.
- Enjoy your meal, Terry.
- Thank you.
You've been busy
I've been healing time
- A little more vinegar.
- You got it.
- Hey!
What is this?
- It's the salmon
and white wine.
- No, I mean the fancy stuff.
I told you.
Simplify the presentation.
- I did.
- You are using an
extra ingredient that
they're never gonna eat,
it's gonna take forever.
- Can't rush perfection.
- You gotta stop it, I mean it.
You're not in New York anymore.
- We're out of clams again, man.
- Alright, I got it.
Dude.
Hey.
We're paying you to
shuck cherry stones.
I catch you on the phone again
you're gone, you hear me?
Sorry about that.
- Do you have a light?
- Yeah.
- Thanks.
- Oh, thank you,
no I don't smoke.
In case the stove doesn't light.
- You a cook?
- Mmm-hmm.
- Well, the food is really
good, compliments to the chef.
- Thank you.
- Who is the chef,
is he well-known?
- Not really.
It's me.
- Oh.
- There you are.
You did, didn't you?
- Oh, no, that's,
that's mine.
- This is the head chef.
I was talking to him
about catering the party.
- Okay, right.
- So like I was saying,
we're throwing a
party on Saturday.
It's kind of last
minute, not much money.
Like, 1,500?
- 1,500?
- I know.
It's short notice.
- I know some guys.
- Perfect.
- You're a lifesaver.
- Ugh.
- You okay?
- Yeah.
- Can I get a whiskey
please, rocks?
- Sure.
Any you'd prefer?
- Yeah, that one right there.
- That one's not for sale.
It was a gift to
my dad from his dad
when he took over the place.
- Alright, I'll have,
uh, one of those.
Yeah.
Is he coming over here?
- Yep.
- Shit.
- Mister Blake.
Hi.
Roger Bell, Leopold Bank.
How are you sir?
- Good to see you, Roger.
- Good to see you, too,
and I wanted to thank
you for reaching out with
the redevelopment deal.
You asked for me
personally, huh?
- I heard good things.
- Okay, well I guess those,
uh, bribes are payin' off.
But we could uh, we
could talk business
on Saturday at the
party, you're coming?
- Charlie put it
in all my gadgets.
- Roger?
- Yeah?
- They're pulling
the car around.
- Oh, Mister Blake, have
you met my wife, Sarah?
- No, I haven't.
- It's a pleasure.
The food here is amazing.
- Yes, it is.
- I hope you enjoy it.
- I've been here before.
It's great, thank you.
- Okay, we'll see you at the
party, have a nice night.
- Hit me again.
- Hey!
You okay?
- Hello there.
- I think you
could use a ride home.
- No.
No, no.
I'm an excellent drunk driver.
Hey.
- Come on.
Let's go.
Switch with me.
- Alright.
- I mean,
on the news, the governors
in Washington saying
they got all this money,
I put in my claim five months
ago, I still got nothing.
I mean I'm staying in
Glasboro with my sister.
The house is a wreck, the first
floor has mud on the floor,
and it has to be gutted.
The whole thing is just,
it just gets to a point
where you just wonder,
is it time to give it up?
Go find work somewhere else.
God, I lived there
my whole life.
- Um, hi, ma'am.
Uh, your husband...
- He's not my husband.
- I'm not, she's not my,
I'm not her husband.
- Oh.
- I run his company.
- Honey, I'm home.
- Is he drunk?
- Of all the things
I own, this spot,
the best thing I
ever spent money on.
- It's a hell of a view.
- Yeah, it took a beating during
the storm, but we rebuilt.
- Here you go.
- Oh, um, thanks.
- Coffee? Come on.
- Thank you for driving him.
- Yeah.
- Ah.
You should really try that.
It's Belvenie, thirty years old.
It's a limited edition.
- Oh.
- Oh?
- Yeah.
This is amazing, right?
- It's good.
- I am so hungry.
- Yeah?
- Are you hungry?
- So, one of my mentors
in culinary school
told me cuisine is the
mark of a healthy society.
Barbarians, Vikings, aren't
known for their food.
If you're focused on survival,
you only have time for,
for what's good enough.
But cuisine isn't about
what's good enough.
It's about how good can it be.
- You went to culinary school?
- New York.
- Oh, mmm, thank you.
Oh, my god.
I have had eggs like
a million times.
They've never been so soft.
- You outta open your own place.
- I did.
- You did, what happened?
- I'm workin' in
my Dad's kitchen,
what do you think happened?
- Well, you've got talent.
- In my experience, talent
and hard work rarely pay off.
Connections, capital
and willingness
to appeal to the lowest
common denominator?
Cha-ching.
Uh, thank you for the drink,
but I should probably go, I
got some friends waiting on me.
- Now, where you headed?
- The Clove.
- Can I come?
Hey!
- This is my friend,
Mister Blake.
- Hi, Tom.
Tom.
Nice to meet you.
How's it goin'?
Next round is on me.
You know you got me
goin' out of my mind
And I would take a
bullet for these fancy lies
You know you got me
goin' out of my mind
- Six shots.
- Yeah.
- I need money.
- How much?
- Uh, like, like, 30?
- No, no, no, hey, hey, hey!
Hey, hey, hey!
I got it!
- Alright.
What, what, hey!
What the hell are you doin'?
- Just zippin' up.
- Just get in the car.
Get in, get in, get in, get in!
- Hey, come back here.
- Bye.
This is a crazy fucking city!
Yeah! Whoo!
- I haven't done
that in a long time.
- Make out with a
girl half your age?
- No, just go out and have
fun just for the hell of it.
People I like.
- I thought maybe that
girl at your house,
maybe you two had a...
- Charlie? No.
- Huh?
- It's all business with her.
She just stays at the
shore house during
the summer 'cause our
office is in Philly.
Most of the people I spend
time with are just business,
they're not my friends,
they're not my kind of people.
- Me and my "fuck-wad"
friends are?
- More than you know.
- You went out
clubbing last night?
- Yeah, I did.
- It's time to leave for
work in a few minutes.
- Relax, Dad.
I'll be ready in a few minutes.
Just blowin' off a little steam.
It's not like I'm not
working hard, Dad.
Just trust me.
- Heard that before.
Now, my Dad was
at that restaurant
seven days a week
building up; me, too.
I thought you said
after the storm,
after what happened,
we were all gonna work together.
- Sarah, it's Mom.
Are you coming by today?
They say tomorrow
may be another scan.
I hope to see you.
I love you.
- The Prescott's.
- David and Barbara.
They have their own firm.
- Okay, good.
The Coleman's.
- Greta and David.
Real estate.
- Good, Pop.
- Teddy.
Widowed.
Former "Goldman-Sachs"
from New York.
- Very good, honey.
Uh, Tom Blake.
- The guy that we
met the other night?
- Uh-huh.
- I don't know.
Zip me up?
- Yeah, okay.
Tom Blake, venture capitalist.
Deep pockets.
- What should I know?
- Uh, nobody knows
how he got his money.
I think his wife
died in an accident.
Heard it's a tragic story,
don't bring up his past.
I want to keep him
talking about business.
I don't want it to
get all serious.
Okay, who's next?
The Rubens.
Babe, come on.
We're getting our
game face on here.
I need your charm.
These guys love talkin' to you.
What is it?
Yeah.
I know.
I thought we were gonna
try moving on from this.
I know.
I miss her, too.
You know what I think?
I think you need
to occupy yourself.
What about that store you're
gonna open for all this?
What would you need
to get started?
- Money.
- Let's see, four months rent,
plus security
deposit, that's 10K.
What do you spend on
materials here a month?
- It depends.
- On average, what do you spend?
- Uh, 1,500?
- Okay, 1,500 times four,
plus you gotta pay yourself.
Early employee advertising.
Let's make it a nice round 30K.
Sound good?
So, I'm gonna transfer an extra
30K into our joint account
right now.
You're all ready to get started.
The money's all yours.
So try it,
because I need you
to get over this.
Sarah, honey, it's been months.
- We good?
- Sam.
- Great, thanks.
Hors d'oeuvres?
- It's a win-win.
You put the shopping center
in the tourism district.
You make money.
The state doesn't have
to front any capital,
and they're very committed
to some deep tax cuts.
So, it's low risk.
It's good for you,
it's good for them,
it's a public/private
partnership.
- Charlie has my full confidence
to handle all the details.
- Great.
And you know what?
It's good for the
economy, it creates jobs.
- Yeah, but could
you imagine working
for minimum wage at
one of those chains?
- Well, a job is
better than no job.
- Yeah, but I mean, if someone's
own business went under
after the storm, and they're
making half of what they
used to at a fast food
place, is that recovery?
I mean, I'm glad
you're doing the deal.
- Right.
- I'm happy for you.
I'm just saying, what is it
really gonna take to recover?
- That's a very
interesting point.
I've been reading about this.
- I'm sorry, I have to
interrupt you there, because
the thing is those jobs just
aren't out there anymore.
I mean my hand to God I wish
they were, but they're not.
So.
But you know what you should do?
You should open a dress shop,
and you should pay
people whatever you want.
- You're opening a dress shop?
- Um, maybe.
- You design dresses,
did you make that?
- I did,
um, I went to school
for clothing design.
I have a little workshop.
- It's very well made, and
I kinda know what
I'm talking about.
- You make dresses?
- No.
No, I used to work
in a textile factory.
- Really?
- Yeah.
- When?
- You know, honey,
I'm sure Mister Blake
doesn't want to talk
about ancient history.
- Anyone care for
some beef tartare?
- Sam, right?
- Yeah.
- You're just the guy
I want to talk to.
Sam, you own a local business,
you own a restaurant.
- Oh, well, my dad owns it.
- Oh, you're dad owns
a restaurant, okay.
But you make more there than you
would at the big
chain restaurants.
- Roger.
- But did you know the
big chain restaurants,
they offer health coverage.
I mean, do you guys
offer that to your staff?
- No.
- No.
- Roger.
- Are you guys hiring right now?
- No, we aren't.
- That's a shame, I guess
I'm gonna have to uh,
table the ol' application.
Sounds to me like the good jobs
out there are
kinda hard to find.
- Yeah, they are.
Better get back to work.
- Sam!
Sam!
I'm so sorry.
- It's fine, don't
worry about it.
- That wasn't about you at all.
That was totally our baggage.
He was a total dick.
- I wouldn't say that.
- You don't have to bullshit me.
Please, if I hear anymore
bullshit I could scream.
Are you taking a break?
- Yeah, I got a little
while before dessert.
I just needed some fresh air.
- Fuck fresh air.
How 'bout a drink?
You brought the tuna,
I brought the bourbon.
- Is that right?
- You're a chef.
Every good meal deserves
a good drink, right?
- That's a good point.
- I take a walk out
here every night.
It's so quiet.
I mean, just look out there.
I don't know.
I love it here.
- I don't know, it's
kind of dark and cold.
Wouldn't you rather be inside?
- No.
When Roger and I
were first together,
he could be very charming.
Cute, even.
Things weren't always like this.
We actually had a couple
of really good years.
But now, at the end of
the day I think, tonight.
Tonight he's gonna come
home and we won't fight.
But we do.
Alright, your turn.
- Thanks, but uh,
I should probably head
back to the kitchen.
- Uh-huh, no, no.
I just told you my life story.
Now it's your turn.
- I have pastries to warm.
- I'm the one who hired you.
The pastries can wait.
Come on.
How was your year?
Don't be a pussy.
- Ow.
- Come on, we said no bullshit.
- Uh, you said no bullshit.
My year, I...
My year was crappy.
- Hmph.
- That was funny?
- Um,
why was it crappy?
- I spent the last six years
working my way up in New York.
It was crappy hours.
I lost touch with most
of my friends, so,
was workin' on
opening my own place.
It was a mess,
and probably the
best time of my life.
Spent every dime I had.
I was behind on rent.
I owed everyone money.
I was just hustling.
Running around town,
catering, making a buck
any way I could just
to keep it going.
But every day I cooked
whatever I wanted.
It was good.
I just knew.
I knew it was the best
stuff I could make.
I loved it.
I took the time.
I did it right.
I made each dish perfect.
I had a soft opening,
a few good reviews.
I was in over my head.
It turns out people
don't let you
stay when you don't pay 'em.
Rent was 10 grand a month.
So, now I'm working
for my dad again,
like when I was a teenager.
Then the storm came.
I watched half the
place get destroyed.
- That's not your fault.
I mean that happened
to everybody.
- My dad would disagree.
I mean we put out some sandbags,
but I could have prepped better.
I was inside drinking
with my friends,
sure nothing would happen.
Anyway.
It's been a crappy year, yes.
Most of this year I
wish I could forget.
- Alright, well,
then let's make your night
something to remember.
- What are you doin'?
- I have recently been reminded
that life is very short,
so, I'm living it.
You?
Are you coming with me, or what?
- I'm thinking it over!
- Come on, it's no big deal!
The water's warm, I
do this all the time!
- You're crazy!
And kinda hot.
- What?
- I said you're crazy!
- You're crazy!
You've lived here
your whole life
and you've never done this?
- No!
Because it's freakin'
dangerous at night.
- Ugh.
- Sarah?
Sarah!
Sarah?
Shit.
- Hey.
You okay?
- I told you it wasn't so bad.
- I think we might
have missed dessert.
- You are soaked.
- Yeah, look who's talkin'.
- Listen, you handle the
negotiations on this deal,
and uh, you can have
direct commission, 15%.
- Hey, I asked you a question!
What are you doing
out here with my wife?
- Roger, stop.
- Hey, hey.
Hold on for a second,
hold on, hold on.
- I get to
ask you that question.
- I don't know what you saw.
- Roger, calm down.
Roger please, just calm down.
- You think it was nothing?!
Roger, take a minute.
- You think it was nothing?!
You want me to calm down?!
- Ah!
- Hey!
- Roger!
- Ugh.
- Roger!
Roger, stop!
Roger, stop!
- Hey, what the
hell are you doing?
- She knows!
He knows, she knows!
You alright man?
- You okay?
- I'm fine.
Oh.
- Wait, I'm coming with you.
- Sarah, Sarah.
You going with him?
- I'm going with them.
- Not after what happened.
- Nothing happened.
- That is not what
it looked like.
- Just calm down, I'll
be back in a few hours.
- Sarah!
You stay here.
You stay home.
- Charlie.
Stay here make sure
everything's cool.
- Drive.
Please.
- Gonna be a few more hours.
- Ugh, God-dammit.
Sorry.
I was here a lot last year.
My mom was sick.
- Let me.
What was she here for?
- Lung cancer.
She left me a message
the day she died.
I didn't even call her back.
- Let's take a walk.
- Sarah, it's Mom.
Are you coming by today?
They say tomorrow
might be another scan.
I couldn't eat breakfast
really, I just feel, it's worse.
Well, I hope to see you.
I love you.
- Huh, sorry, but it's
just, it's hard to hear.
- She was beautiful
when I was a kid.
Every detail was perfect.
The way she wore her clothes,
the smell of her perfume.
I wanted to open a
store for years, but,
even if I did, it's not like
she'd be there to see it.
- What about your dad?
- He died a few years ago.
I heard you were married once?
But she died too?
- Yeah.
- I'm sorry.
- She's not good.
But, you know, it's hard to know
'cause she's such
a hypochondriac.
Oh, my God.
- I'm fine, Mom, don't worry.
- Don't worry,
you look terrible.
- What happened to you?
- Got in a fight.
- A fight?
- So what's this?
- Have you seen a doctor?
- Jesus Christ, are you alright?
- Yeah Mom, that's where
I got the stitches.
- This is you working hard?
- I was working
hard, I had a gig...
- Partying all
hours of the night,
and then a fight?
- Would you stop it!
- Dad!
- What?
- What is this?
- What's what?
- It's a collection notice.
- It's not my fault if
you're out there buying...
- For you.
- What was I supposed to do?
Close up for six months while
I wait for the insurance money?
We would have been finished.
- The insurance
came after a month.
- It came after six.
After the recession hit
we started losing money.
I thought things would turn
around in a year or so, but
they didn't.
And then that damn storm hit.
I had to take out a loan.
Put the business
up for collateral.
I knew you wouldn't let me,
so I told you the money came
from the insurance company.
When the insurance check came,
it covered only half the cost.
I didn't want either of
you to know how bad it was.
It's gonna be okay.
You're gonna have to lay
off some of the part-timers,
the rest get a 10% cut,
and no more overtime.
- 10%?
- If we can re-finance,
make some sacrifices,
we can get through this.
- I'm sorry, but the request
for a loan modification
has been denied.
- What?
- We can make the payments.
- The loan is more
than 90 days past due.
We have the right to
collect immediately.
- What does that mean,
"collect immediately"?
- The business was
put up as collateral,
so we will assume
ownership and liquidate it.
- That's outrageous.
- It was in the
contract you signed.
- You will make less money than
if you just let us
make the payments!
- I'm sorry, that is
the bank's decision.
- Well then I want
to talk to a manager.
- He'll tell you the same
thing, the decision is final.
- You better believe the
Better Business Bureau
is gonna hear about this,
and our congressman.
This is unheard of behavior.
And you should be
ashamed of yourself.
It's no wonder the
small businesses
in this town are
packing up and leaving.
I have shown you the numbers,
we are a viable business!
This is the kind of place
this community needs.
- Dad said he'd
mortgage the house,
Roger doesn't want the money.
I mean this is gonna kill
my dad, maybe literally.
We tried to get into Roger's
office, he wouldn't talk to us.
Will you talk to him?
- And say what exactly?
- I don't know, but
he'll take your call,
'cause he does
business with you.
- Sam, I want to help, but I
don't know what I could say.
- Maybe if you told him that
unless he modifies our loan,
you won't go through
with the deal.
Sam.
We signed a contract.
To be honest this hasn't
been a very good year,
I kind of need to
make this deal.
- What happens if
you don't do it?
You lose business,
you lose your house?
You said you, you
rebuilt after the storm,
and you, you wrote a check.
My family lost
everything we had.
- Yeah, I wrote a check.
And you know how
I could afford to?
By not writing the wrong ones.
I'm not running a charity,
and I got a lot of money tied
up in this deal, and you're
asking me to dump it for what?
To help a restaurant
that's already gone under?
To help a guy who
took a catering job,
and wound up in a
fist-fight with his client?
Look, I'm sorry if
this sounds harsh,
but I'm a business man
and this is business.
- I know, I'm asking a lot,
and I'm sorry, but I have to.
'Cause this is
everything for my family.
Please.
I'm sorry, son.
You're asking for
something I can't do.
- Okay.
- Here.
- This what you
were saving it for?
- I was saving it for my
retirement, so maybe.
I haven't lived a
day without that
building being in our family.
When I was growing up
your granddad fixed
it my head that this was
the land of opportunity.
This city is full of
people who think they're
gonna hit it big one
day, how many of them do?
Those things get
bigger and bigger.
The rest of us?
Here's to the house!
- Hello?
How could you do that?
- It was a business decision.
- That was not a business
decision, and you know it.
You're ruining these
people's lives over a look.
- You haven't looked at me
like that in such a long time.
- Roger, nothing happened.
I didn't do anything.
I don't want to hurt you.
- I'm sorry, I'm confused.
You didn't do anything
'cause you don't want to,
or you didn't do anything
'cause you're not allowed to?
Which is it, Sarah?
- Roger.
- Come on you wanted
it to, just admit it.
- Roger, I want us!
I want us to feel right.
But we don't.
Are you happy,
with me, right now?
- Yeah, yeah, of course I am.
- Truly?
- Yeah.
- Huh.
Because I'm not.
I'm not happy.
And I don't think that
you are either, because
you couldn't be, and do
what you did to that family.
- I made my own decision,
I don't regret it.
And if you can't do that, then
you need to figure
your shit out.
- I think we need to
spend some time apart.
- Sarah?
- I think we should separate.
Officially.
- Just sit.
Hold on, hang on, you
don't want to do this.
- I do.
I'm sorry but I really do.
- What are you doing here?
- Tom told me what happened.
I'm so sorry.
- That is not your fault at all.
Want a drink?
- Understatement.
- I always had a plan.
Everyday I woke thinking
of my restaurant.
Thinking of the next
step to get there.
And now,
nothin'.
I saw that in my dad, too.
Everyday of his life
he had that restaurant.
And today, part of
him was just gone.
And I used to think
more than anything
that I was different than him.
We're the same.
Exactly the same.
Shit, what'd I miss?
- I was thinking,
about you, your dad.
Maybe your old place is gone,
but what if you
opened up a new one?
- It takes a lot.
It takes...
- Money?
- Yeah.
- Can this get you started?
- I can't take that.
- You can.
You can use it to start over.
- Sarah, that's really
generous, but I can't take it.
- You had more than that
taken away from you.
Please take it.
I kind of need you to take it.
- What about Roger?
- It's my money.
But it's from our joint account,
so you might want
to cash it soon.
Like, today.
I feel like a teenager, sneaking
out of your parents' house.
- Sorry.
- Don't be, it's
kind of awesome.
- Hey.
- Hmm?
- Thank you.
Ah!
- Who was that?
- Why is there
always someone there?
- You brought a girl here.
- No, it's not like that.
- Oh, you're lucky your
mom's not here to see that.
- Where'd she go so early?
- Work.
- What?
- She took a job
as a bookkeeper.
- That was fast.
- Came as a surprise, but
she has friends there.
So,
what's it like with this girl?
- I want to talk
to you about that.
Thanks.
- Take all the time you need.
- It's not by the water.
- No, no it's not by the water.
Which means less storm damage.
It's also the reason
Josh is willing
to rent it to us for so little.
- If he couldn't make it here,
what makes you think you can?
- I think he was
going for Asian Fusion
in a neighborhood that's
about seafood, comfort food.
They gave it a year,
it didn't work out.
Happens to the best of us.
- I like the bar.
Would this be your
place or mine?
- It could be ours.
- Yeah, hotel's good?
- It's alright.
I set up a few things.
- It's weird not
having you in the house.
- I know, I'm sorry,
but this is what we
need to do right now.
- How long?
- I don't know,
maybe for a while.
We're not working, Roger.
- How do you know,
you're not even here.
- Listen, please, I just
need some time and space.
Okay, for now, we're separated.
- Yeah, but Sarah,
if we just talk
about it it's gonna be fine.
So I need you to stop this
stupid shit, just come back.
- I don't know if I want to.
- Look, I know you're scared,
but this place is smaller.
Business is picking
back up all over town.
Everything is being
repaired from the storm.
- And what about the next storm?
We don't have enough to retire.
Not with what we've lost.
What if we lose this house?
If you would take a regular
job, just for a few years,
we could save money, we
could plan our retirement.
Why risk everything?
- Because running a
restaurant is what I do.
It's what I've always done.
Without that, what am I?
- You're my husband.
You had that restaurant 30
years, and it was beautiful.
But it's over.
- Not many people call me
before eight a. m. and live.
Everything you needed.
- Can I get in today?
- You're an eager motherfucker.
- Hey.
You need a job?
Yes.
Yes!
I was born in the middle
Maybe too late
Everything good had been made
So I'd just get loaded
And never leave my house
Just takin' way too
long to figure this out
Know my name, know I mean it
It's not as bad as it seems
And we try in our
own way to get better
Even if we're alone
I hate talking about money
I don't want to
talk about love
I hate thinking I'm
not the same as I was
I lose my faith in people
Why even take the time
You've got your
problems, I've got mine
- Thank you.
- Come on in.
- Wow.
- We're pretty much there.
- Sam, it's amazing.
- Thank you.
Have you ever met Josh?
- No.
- He's my best friend.
- Hi, how are you, Sarah.
Just try in our
own way to get better
Even if we're alone, hey
- I got it, I got it.
- Again, for the record
that was amazing.
- I had a great time.
- Maybe you should come up?
I can show you the
clothing designs.
- Yeah, sure.
- Oh, you have,
I think you have got some
spinach stuck in your teeth.
- Oh, my gosh.
I get it?
- No.
- No?
Now?
- Not at all.
- Oh, my god.
- Here.
- Whoa, what, what
are you doing?
- It's okay, I'm a professional.
I've dealt with this before.
Let me just show
you where it is.
- Oh, god.
- Right there.
- Here?
- To the right.
One more.
- Did I get it?
- Good to go.
- Great.
- So, should I come up?
I don't know.
- Why not?
- Because if you come
up, I might kiss you.
- Well, maybe you should
just kiss me here.
Then you don't have to worry.
- You want to kiss me?
After all that?
Really?
- Look I know you got a lot
goin' on in your life right now,
so I understand you need to...
- Okay, now I really
want you to come up.
- I'd love to come up.
- Ugh.
Ah.
- See how you feel next time.
- So now you call me back.
- I just bounced a check,
a very important one.
- Well money can
go very quickly.
You have written any other
large checks recently, have you?
- That money wasn't for me.
- Yeah, I know who it was for.
- It was for his family.
You didn't just hurt him,
you hurt all of them.
You took away their livelihood.
- What are
they gonna do with it?
- I gave them
the chance to start over.
- Okay, I didn't
do anything about the check
for you, but you decided how
you wanted to spend that money.
I took everything out
except for three grand.
- That's not enough for
me to open the shop.
I thought you wanted
me to open the shop.
I thought you'd be okay with it.
- Oh, I did before.
You want time?
I can give you 3,000 a month
to live on, that's fair.
That's fair.
But you and I both know I'm
the one that earns that money.
You don't want to live with me,
you don't get to
spend my money...
- We were married when you
earned that money, Roger.
I planned every party,
shook every hand.
You didn't want
me to have a job.
You can't tell me I
didn't do my part.
- You know how hard I
work for that money.
The checks come in my name, so
that's the way it's gonna be.
Unless.
- Unless?
- Unless you want to stop
this and come back home.
- You know what?
Keep the money.
- Sarah.
- I'll do it on my own.
- How, you hardly have
anything in your account.
- I'll get a job.
- Sarah, come on, you're
gonna work a regular job?
- Take it, it's
everything I have left.
- No.
- Come on, you can't
open the shop without it.
- You can't open the
restaurant without it.
I'm not gonna watch
that place fall apart.
- Sarah,
it's your money.
- It's not anymore.
I don't want to do
this with his money.
I should do it on my own.
But I was close.
I don't know how long it will
take me to get here
again on my own.
- You're not on your own.
You have people
who care about you.
You may not know how you'll
get there, but you will.
- How can you have so
much confidence in me?
You hardly know me.
- I know enough.
I'm covered in plaster,
I should shower.
I'm gross.
- Let me see.
Nope, not gross.
I don't want you to go tonight.
Oh, faith first, healing
We never have to go
out, oh woah, woah, woah
Time spent breaking
it in, oh woah, woah
Okay, um, yeah.
- This way?
- And a little to the right.
- Ah.
- Oh my god.
- Hey?
- Oh, my god!
I got the job at that store!
- So, a job, huh?
- It's been a while.
I was wondering if
you would take a look
at my business plan
for that clothing shop?
- Of course, I'd be happy to.
I'm really happy you called me.
- Me, too.
Looks amazing.
- There you go.
We'll see.
- Okay.
- Taste it.
- Okay, do you want
me to be honest?
- You have to be honest.
- Okay.
- I gotta sell this.
Yeah?
- It's really good.
- Alright.
- That's so good.
- Alright.
- Hey, everybody,
welcome to Light Up New Jersey.
One year ago today,
the lights went out,
but we're still here.
Now shine your
lights in the air,
and show them we
survived Hurricane Sandy.
Three, two, one!
- Thanks everyone
for coming out here.
I know we're anxious
to close the deal,
but I think we're
done for the day.
- Excuse me?
- I want to look over
this in a little more
detail before we
purchase the real estate.
- You signed a contract.
- Roger, we both that
the contract isn't fully
executed until the
money's transferred.
- You already have the money.
- Hey.
Can I get a beer?
Thank you.
- It's five bucks.
- Keep the change.
I had a bad day today.
I had to fire Charlie.
- Shit.
- I'm starting to regret
having made this deal.
I'm not sure what I'm getting
out of this investment.
Anyway,
I came to say I'm sorry.
You came to me as a
friend, I let you down.
I'm not really used
to having friends.
And I was wrong, this place
is comin' along great.
I don't know how
you're doing it.
What, are you
catering again, or?
- Not this time.
I think part of what
went wrong in New York
is I always wanted more.
I wanted everything
to be perfect.
I didn't pick my moment,
and it never happened.
But we have an investor, he
gave us enough to get it open.
This is our moment.
We open in 10 days.
- I wanna help.
- What'd you have in mind?
You know what I
do need help with?
I need to paint this place.
If you want to invest in
this, you could try that.
Yeah, that's clean.
You're jerkin' on my brown.
I mean, now I want
to get it perfect.
Oh, yeah.
Sarah's texting me, she's
texting me, come on.
- Hi.
Yeah, it's a seafood
restaurant, come check it out.
- New seafood restaurant
from the Rama family.
Opening this Saturday.
- Hi, there, new
restaurant, please stop by.
Hey, sir, new restaurant.
- If I told you right now
you'd never have to work
another day in your life, you'd
jump at the chance, right?
- Yeah, of course.
- God damn, right, 'cause
that's the American dream,
and I gave it to her.
My wife?
She doesn't have to worry
about the bills, you know why?
'Cause of me.
Now my wife thinks
"You do what you love,
"you do what you dream".
People gotta make money.
- What's the matter
with that being your dream?
- Time to go home, man.
- I could use another drink.
Ugh.
- What's up?
- Sorry my boss
wouldn't let me leave.
- I'm so sorry, Dad.
I'm sorry I didn't do
more during the storm.
I let your place get destroyed.
- It wasn't your fault, Sam.
And, I made you
feel like it was.
More sand bags?
Wouldn't have stopped
all that water.
This isn't your fault, either.
Somebody did this to you.
Do you have idea who?
- You wrecked my
son's restaurant.
- Good morning.
Sorry, I have no
idea who you are.
- You know my son, Sam.
His restaurant was
vandalized last night.
- Yeah, I'm sorry, I have
no idea how that happened.
- I think you do.
He's dating your
wife, who left you,
you're pissed, so you did this.
- You guys are dating?
- Don't change the subject.
- You know what sir, like
I said, I have no idea what
you're talking about so I think
you should leave my house.
- Oh, we're not goin' anywhere
until you make this right.
- Excuse me?
- You heard what I said.
My son busted his ass
putting that place together.
You have no right to come in
there and destroy our property.
So you're gonna apologize,
and you're gonna
pay for the damages.
Until then, we are not leaving.
- It's your property, huh?
It's your property,
did you pay for it?
- Sam, close the door.
- If you don't get
out of my house
right now, I'm gonna
call the police.
- Call 'em.
Tell them what you did.
The cops in this town
come from my neighborhood,
not yours, son.
I've been there almost 60 years.
Don't think that I don't
know them and their fathers.
Sam, the door.
Now you think you can
get away with this.
We're here to tell
you, you cannot.
- Get out of my house.
- No.
- I said get out of my house.
- That's not gonna happen!
- Dad!
Don't you touch my dad again.
What's it gonna be,
you gonna work with us,
you gonna make some
sort of arrangement?
Or are we gonna call the cops?
- Call whoever you want,
it won't change shit.
You think she's gonna
move in with you,
she can move in
with your parents?
You think that's
gonna make her happy?
You're living in a
dream world, buddy.
She is so out of your league.
'Cause in the real world, in
the real world she chooses me.
You just hope I leave
a big enough tip
so you can pay your rent.
- Ah!
- Sam!
- Ugh!
- Sam, Sam.
- Sarah.
- Oh, my god, Sam,
what was that?
- He trashed my place,
he destroyed it.
- I know!
I came here to...
but what the fuck Sam?
- I know, I'm sorry, I lost it.
I just, I just, I just lost
it, he said you would never...
- That is my fault what
just happened in there.
I am hurting both of you.
- This isn't good for anybody.
I need you to go.
I need to not talk to
either of you for a while.
- How long?
- I don't know.
- Hey.
- Sam, please, please.
- Disaster happens,
you can't stop it.
The damage is done.
So we've got two choices.
So, you tear it down,
or you build it back up.
Now I don't know
about the next time.
Maybe there will be a
time that we give up,
but I don't think it's today.
I think you all want
to open tomorrow.
- Of course we do.
We spent weeks getting
this place ready.
We have 'til tomorrow night.
- Then we postpone.
Give it two weeks.
- We just handed out thousands
of fliers announcing
tomorrow night.
It's been re-tweeted
like, hundreds of times.
- We do all that again.
- I can't afford to do it again.
I'm out of money at
the end of the week.
I definitely don't have
the money to fix all this.
- Then we do it now.
If you're not
gonna get more time
then you're gonna
need more people.
It's not all about money.
Each of you know people
in this business.
Each of you have
favors you can call in.
So you just tell
them what happened.
You ask for their help.
Put yourselves out there.
And just see what comes back.
Yeah.
I told you I can't
come back in today.
Yeah, I understand.
You do what you've gotta do.
- Who was that?
- My boss.
Well, former boss.
I just got fired.
So, I'm in.
You hiring?
We are the kids that
would never shut up
Live in a house but
we sleep in a truck
Living up, livin'
in a whoa, oh, oh.
We are the kids that
will never get old
- Okay, he really
trashed the kitchen, man.
We're gonna need a plumber,
and I think maybe
an electrician.
- A lot to do in 24 hours.
- Alright guys, whatever
you need order it.
If you need more guys
down here let me know.
Let's just get this done,
we've got until tomorrow.
Let's go.
- Who are those people?
- They're my guys.
I pulled them off another job.
I hope that's okay.
Come on, let's get to it.
- Man, I was right there.
I came this close to
having it perfect.
Because even if we
do get this done,
she's not gonna be here.
I don't know why that matters
so much, but, it does.
I think I'm in love with her.
- Let's take a break.
When I was about your age, I was
working in a factory
outside Philly.
I'd been married seven years.
Then I met someone.
Her name was Catherine.
And, it was effortless.
Even though she
was married, too.
I'd never loved
like that before,
or since.
Then out of the blue she broke
it off, and destroyed me.
A few months later there
was an awful storm,
and my wife didn't
come home that night.
The next morning they found her
tire tracks were going
off curve in the road,
front of the car was
wrapped around a tree.
Then a few years later I
got a letter from a lawyer.
My wife's aunt had died,
and she was the next of kin,
her or her spouse.
I worked in that
factory for 10 years,
then suddenly I didn't have
to work for another 10.
A couple of days later,
I just found myself
at Catherine's house, I
got in the car and I just,
but when I pulled up, I saw
this little girl playing
in the front yard, and it just
changed it, I just couldn't.
So I focused on the money,
in five years I doubled it.
In three years, I'd
double it again.
It's a dangerous thing
when someone gets money
who knows what money is worth.
So, that is how
I mask my wealth.
Due mostly to my,
my good fortune.
- I don't know if
I'd call it that.
- All I know is when I got
the check, I didn't know if
it was right or wrong, I just
knew sure as shit I wanted it.
And then a few months
ago, I got another letter
from another lawyer,
settling Catherine's estate.
She had told them to
send it after her death.
And her letter,
she said that she
always loved me,
and that she thought once about
leaving her husband for me,
but when she found out she was
pregnant, she couldn't do it.
It's been so long being
so hungry to make money.
If I could give up that money,
and have Catherine be in
my life, to have a family,
and live the kind of life
that other guy lived,
I would do it in a heartbeat.
All we ever really have is what
we have in any given moment.
So we decide what we do with
it, and who we share it with.
I want to hold on
to what I have now,
who I have, while they're here.
You don't have to know
how you go on without her,
if you go on without
her, you just,
you just will.
This is not a bad view.
- It's not as nice as yours.
- Sometimes it's nice
to see another one.
- Sun's up.
You should go home
and get some rest.
- I'll go when I'm done.
This bar looked great before.
I want to get it
perfect for you.
- It's not gonna be perfect.
But it will be good enough
to serve people food,
and that will be enough.
Go home, rest.
- You rest.
You gotta cook tonight.
- I do,
'cause I'm a chef,
it's what I'm good at.
I'm not good at
inspiring people,
making a staff
feel like a family,
not like you're good at it.
That's why you have to go home,
come back fresh, ready
to lead a staff all day.
That's why I had this drawn up.
Sign it, and half
this place is yours.
It's the way it was
always supposed to be.
- Alek, I couldn't sleep, I
was worried, where were you?
- At Sam's, working.
- You were working all night?
Don't you have to
go to work today?
- Not anymore.
They fired me.
- Where you going?
- Work.
Someone has to.
- I still have these.
- I never asked for them back.
- How are you feeling?
- Awful.
How's your boyfriend?
- He's not my boyfriend.
We're not together.
- It seems like you
two are together.
- Not after this.
- You really don't
want to be with him?
- I don't want to
be with anyone.
I just want to go
away, be alone.
Figure things out.
I'm sorry things
turned out this way.
I meant it then, when
I told you I would
be with you for the
rest of my life.
- What about now?
- Now I'm gonna go.
- Sarah?
I'm sorry.
- Good morning.
- What are you grinning for?
- Let's just hope nobody
leans on the walls.
It looks good.
- They were short
on the skate wing.
I got what they had, but
it's not enough for the main.
- Fuck it, squid ink
risotto, Jersey Shore style.
You can do that, right?
Just add a little more garlic.
Keep it simmering, just a few
minutes, don't over do it.
- 20 minutes.
- What if no one comes?
- We're gonna have
a lot of leftovers.
- I need a drink.
- You need a drink?
- Hey, you guys got any rope?
- Rope?
- Well, poster
tape or something.
- What's the hell's
he talking about?
- Something to control the line.
- Hey, who are all of those
people in the nice clothes?
- Oh, I may have told
everyone in my Rolodex
that this was the
place to be tonight.
- Thank you.
So much, for everything.
- Yeah, mwuah!
It is a beautiful thing,
seeing all of you here tonight,
at the opening of
my son's restaurant.
When my last place went
under, and I said I was
gonna open another, at
this time in this town,
I was told "You're crazy".
At first I listened
to those voices.
I wasn't crazy enough
to take the risk,
and it is risky, doing this.
But if you know my son,
this business is who he is.
And a man who pretends
to be anything
other than what he is
becomes his shadow.
So many of you helped
put this place together.
Tonight only happened
because you let yourselves
believe in the crazy
that was somebody else's.
And when you find those people,
that person, who sees our
crazy and still shows up,
then you agree to
be who you are.
And that's the only way to be.
- Please leave
a message and I'll
call you back.
- Hey. It's me.
I know you said not
to call, but I had to.
Hear that?
Like the sound of
hundred people inside.
I tried to do this once before
in New York, and I couldn't.
I think maybe
it only worked out this
time because I had you.
It feels like you should
be here, you know?
I should feel happy but I can't
be 'cause you're not here.
Feels wrong if you're not here.
Anyway, I know that you
need some time to think, but
if you wanted to come
by, just for tonight to
see this, I'd love that.
And if not, know I'm here,
whenever you're done
thinking, I'll be here.
No bullshit.
This could well become
another super storm,
Hurricane Ingrid.
- Head
north toward the East Coast,
head west to New Mexico,
dissipate at sea.
What we do know is right now...
Hurricane, if it's path
runs up the eastern
seaboard, it could make land
fall at the Jersey Shore
in four to five days.
- Hey.
- Hey, Mister Blake.
- Alek, great to see you.
Uh, saw the sandbags,
you getting nervous?
- We're gonna be as
ready as we can be.
You goin' up tonight?
- Yeah.
Is Sam here?
- He's in the back.
- You didn't tell him
to take the night off?
- I tried, he's a partner now,
I can't tell him shit anymore.
- So, you decide?
- Not yet, apparently.
- You'd be proud of her.
She's worked really hard
to open up this shop.
- Yeah, she sent me this.
- Place is great.
Shop only opens once.
Come see it.
- I don't know if
she wants me to.
We haven't talked much; a
few emails and texts, so.
Look, the place is slammed,
I've got a possible storm
coming in four days.
She said she'd let me know
when she wanted to talk.
Just tryin' to do
what she asked.
- You still think
you're in love with her?
- I know I am.
- You once told me that
making good things happen
was about knowing your
moment, and taking it.
That was good advice.
I'm gonna go grab
a bite at the bar
and hit the road in
about 30 minutes.
- Yeah.
- Excuse me.
You made it.
- Of course.
Oh, I had to come
check on my investment.
- Everything's going so well.
It's a good crowd, I think
it's gonna be a good opening.
- I'm so proud of you.
I'm gonna go get a drink.
- I didn't know if
you were gonna come.
- I didn't know if
you wanted me to come.
- Well, I know you
have the place to run
and the storm is coming.
- None of that matters.
'Cause,
I love you.
There's always gonna be a storm,
there's always gonna
be things to deal with.
And that you've got this
place now, it's amazing.
I'm not asking you
to give any of it up.
I'm two hours away
we can figure it out.
But I'd like to figure
it out with you, 'cause
I wanna be with you.
There is nowhere else I would
rather be tonight than here.
- I'm done.
I'm done thinking.