Heightened (2023) Movie Script
1
- What?
- That's a nice way to answer the phone.
Hello, Mother. What do you want?
You haven't RSVPed
to the Peterson wedding.
- What?
- Alice just called me.
Said she couldn't find
your response anywhere.
It's this weekend, Eleanor.
- Well, obviously, I can't go.
- Why not?
You've known Jill
since you were two.
And I haven't spoken
to her since I was ten.
Well, ignoring
her invitation is rude,
and reflects rather poorly
on your father
and me, don't you think?
Sorry I made you look
bad, but can you think
of any reason other than Jillian
Peterson being a huge bitch,
- that I can't go?
- Eleanor.
Christ, Mom.
I have the Bar Exam.
I hate it
when you talk like that.
We're so happy
you're home, dear.
We were so worried about you,
weren't we?
So worried.
Can I get anyone a drink?
-Eleanor shouldn't be drinking.
-Oh, right.
But I'll have a G&T.
So the wedding was lovely.
The Peterson wedding.
Jillian looked beautiful.
Though, her hair is short now,
and she wore it down,
which I found a little gauche,
and my chicken
was a little tough,
but you can't have it all.
Thank you, dear.
What do you think?
About what?
Is it just my generation
that thinks you should have
your hair done
for your own wedding?
Are you serious?
Uh, your mother is just trying
to have a conversation, Nora.
Yes, but forget about me.
What would you like
to talk about, Eleanor?
She'll be okay.
How am I getting there?
Good morning to you, too.
I don't have a car.
So I suppose
I'll have to drive you.
Hello everyone, my name is Jim.
Let's go around the circle,
and introduce ourselves.
We'll start with you.
My name's Bill,
I'm an alcoholic.
Ah, Bill,
this is "Learning to Connect."
AA is two doors down
on the left.
Anyone else?
Okay.
We'll get there eventually.
You're all here
because you have
something in common.
You have trouble
connecting with others.
This is a safe space.
In here we open up, connect,
and learn to take that
to the outside world.
I don't really need to be here.
My parents made me.
Your parents?
And a judge.
Well, why do you think
your "parents" feel
it's necessary?
They were concerned
about my behavior.
And you're not?
Concerned?
My behavior is fine.
You don't think pulling
that alarm indicated otherwise?
I needed to leave.
So you're just going
to pull an alarm
every time
you feel uncomfortable.
Why not?
Maybe then I'll go to jail,
and I won't have to see
my mother anymore.
You were very lucky
to have escaped
more serious consequences,
Eleanor.
It's Nora.
I don't like
being called Eleanor.
-Noted.
-And no, I'm not lucky.
I have rich parents.
The judge was an old
law school buddy of my dad's.
It's a lot of things,
but it's certainly not luck.
Well, Nora, lucky or not,
I suggest you
take your time here seriously.
So, Eleanor,
are you going to be seeing
any of your old friends
while you're home?
What friends?
You know, your old
high school girlfriends.
Can you name a single one
of my high school girlfriends?
We've found that volunteer work
is the best way
to re-integrate yourselves
as functional members
of society.
So if you have any preferences,
speak right up.
- I'll do animals.
- Animals.
- Pediatric ward.
- Okay.
- Old people.
- Old People.
- Homeless outreach.
- Soup Kitchen.
And that leaves Eleanor.
-Do you have a preference?
-It's Nora.
Nora, do you have a preference?
Oh.
I don't really do...
nature.
Can I help you?
Hi. I'm, um...
Sorry, it's just--
it's embarrassing.
Why I'm here, I mean.
You haven't gotten
to that part yet.
Right, um, so,
I'm in this program.
-Yeah?
-And, um...
I'm just enjoying
watching you squirm.
-You must be Eleanor.
-It's Nora.
Jim called ahead about you.
We've had great success with
some people from the program.
You all make
fantastic little workers.
You'll be shadowing Dustin,
a member of our team.
He'll be responsible
for your day-to-day.
We just ask that you sign in
and out on the forms over there,
so that we can send the hours
off to the cuckoo's nest,
let 'em know
you're behaving yourself.
Okay.
Where do I find this Dustin?
Take a left out that front door,
follow the path
straight down to the beach.
He spends his morning prowling
on the rocks down there.
Okay.
Oh, Eleanor.
I'll be watching you.
Hi.
-Hi.
-Hi.
I'm Nora,
I'm looking for Dustin.
He's supposed to be
my project manager, supervisor--
Call me Dusty.
-You're Dustin?
-Dusty.
Dusty's not a name.
It is. It's my name.
Yeah, um, I think
it's more like an adjective.
-An adjective?
-A descriptor.
Yeah, I know--
I know what an adjective is.
Of course you do.
Right, well, Nora,
you'll be working with me
for the next few weeks.
Mostly trail maintenance
and the like.
Do you have a change of clothes?
We'll see what we can do.
You're getting sunburned.
Let's take a break.
Want some?
No. Thank you.
You don't like 'em?
Not really.
What? Why? They're so cheesy
and perfect and delicious.
Well, I've never
actually had them.
You have to try some right now.
-I can't.
-Why? You on a diet?
Not that you need to be.
Your body is fine.
Not like, "fine." Just fine.
It's better than fine.
It's good.
It's--it's good.
It's great. That was weird.
Yeah, I don't eat orange foods.
Huh? Why?
It's not natural.
The color is
named after a fruit.
I think the fruit was
named after the color, but...
I don't eat fruit either.
It's dirty.
Is that why
you're in that program?
Kind of.
What else is wrong with you?
To land you there?
It's so dirty there.
Did that give you anxiety, Nora?
When anxious,
it can be helpful to name things
that you're experiencing
with your five senses.
For example, could you smell
the salt of the sea?
Yes,
and it smelled like asshole.
Feel the sun on your face?
I forgot to put sunscreen on
the other day,
and I think this freckle
on my nose is new.
How did the waves sound?
I've only had it for a day
and it's already changing shape.
That's melanoma 101.
Your program gave me cancer.
If we're gonna
let you use the clippers,
then we need to go over
some safety protocol.
If you want to use the clippers,
then you need to reach out
your hands like so,
and say in a loud, clear voice,
"Clippers, please."
Nora? Are you watching?
Ah.
Let's, uh--let's take a break.
You don't wanna be a cop,
do you?
What?
No.
Then why are you reading that?
Oh, you, uh--you got
a little something there.
Nora, get off the rock!
What? Why?
I said get off the rock!
-What was that?
-What?
On the rocks? I saw a can.
I was gonna get the can.
I can't jeopardize your safety.
My safety wasn't jeopardized.
It wasn't exactly a cliff.
I'm responsible for you, Nora.
I can't have you falling
into the water--
Hey, Dustin, go long!
- How's it going, Eleanor?
- It's Nora.
Some kid vomited
all over the picnic tables.
You know what to do.
Yeah, I know what to do.
Eleanor!
You are tracking mud
all over the house.
Hello, Mother.
Clean it up.
It's just--
it's everywhere.
You clean off
before you come in.
Oh, darling,
I'm getting my car detailed
in the morning,
and I've got golf.
Can you drop me off
for my tee time?
Of course, dear.
-I need a ride to the Park.
-Oh.
Well, I can bring you
into your program
after I drop your father off
at the club.
Thanks.
But you'll need
to get a ride home.
From who?
I'm sure there's
plenty of nice people
who could take you.
It's true, my little cousin,
he's seven years old
and he writes better than that.
He's got hearts
over the I's, or he wants to.
It's like a--like a girl.
Here he is!
The man of the hour!
You really made
our morning, D-man.
Happy to be of service.
We were just
reading your incident report
of those punks down
by the lighthouse yesterday.
Now, tell me, Dustin.
How do you spell "vandalized"?
Did I do something wrong?
I wrote that.
-What?
-What?
Yeah, uh, Dusty had me
write it up yesterday.
The spelling mistakes
must be mine.
I will redo this
and get it back to you
this afternoon.
Right.
Nora, let's, uh, go make sure
all that spray paint
is cleaned off the lighthouse.
Why did you do that?
Do what?
Cover for me?
It was just a mistake.
Mitch didn't need to be
such a dick about it.
It wasn't a mistake.
I really thought that vandalized
was spelled with an "S."
So you're not a great speller.
I didn't think spelling
was a requirement
to be a good Park Ranger.
Good?
Well,
after a fresh coat of paint,
those vandals, with a "Z,"
will be no match for us!
Well, vandals is, uh--
Never mind.
Shit.
-What can I do for you, Officer?
-Where might you be going?
And why is that
any of your business?
It's my business because you're
endangering yourself and others.
By walking?
By walking with
the flow of traffic
on a road without sidewalks.
Come on, you can't
give me a ticket for walking.
-Afternoon, Officer.
-Afternoon, Dusty.
I was just stopping
to give Nora here a ride.
-You know this young lady?
-I do. We work together.
Well, then, you can let her know
the safe way to walk
here in the country is
against the flow of traffic.
Yes.
I was already planning on it.
Get in.
How do you know her?
Small town. What were you doing?
Walking home.
Why?
Apparently my mom had
something more important to do.
She's right, you know.
About it being dangerous.
You think
everything's dangerous.
That's because most things are.
You hungry?
Do they have anything
other than lobster?
It's the Lobster Shack. So, no.
So, I've never
actually had lobster.
You lived almost
your entire life in Maine
and you never had lobster?
-Is it the orange thing?
-No.
More like the giant bug thing.
You get us a table,
I'll take care of the food.
I don't think I can do this.
Mmm, of course you can.
We'll start with the claw.
It's the best part.
-Uh, no, I really can't--
-I have an idea.
-Close your eyes.
-What?
Open up!
-Eleanor?
-Jillian!
-Hi!
-It's so good to see you!
Yeah. Uh, con--congratulations.
-Sorry I missed your--
-Thanks. It was so perfect.
- Wow.
- Yeah.
-Who's your friend?
-No one.
I mean, of course he's someone.
Um, he's just not my friend.
He's my coworker!
Not that I work at the park.
Um, it's more like
a volunteering thing.
I'm very immersed
in charity these days.
Oh, that's wonderful!
When I lived in India
after college,
teaching yoga to
underprivileged locals,
I really learned
the importance of charity
as part of one's dharma.
You taught yoga
to Indian people?
I continue my service here
teaching yoga on weekends.
Oh, you should come
to class sometime!
Well, I'll leave you two to it.
Say hi to your parents for me!
I can't eat that.
It's more for me.
Wow. You grew up here?
Yeah.
I'm pretty surprised
your parents only have one car.
They don't.
My dad's is in the shop.
Ah.
It's hard relying on them
to get around.
I rank somewhere after golf
and grocery shopping
in importance.
Well, I'd be happy to give you
a ride anywhere you need.
Thanks, but I'll manage.
I can't exactly ask you
to drop me off at therapy
every other day.
Well, you could.
If you needed to.
Um, you should probably
get out of here
before my mother
tries to talk to you.
Eleanor! Who's your friend?
He's not my friend.
Dustin McCarthy, ma'am.
Pleased to make
your acquaintance.
-You have a beautiful home.
-Thank you!
Eleanor, why have you
never mentioned him?
He's adorable!
-Thanks for the ride.
-No problem.
Lovely to meet you,
Mrs. St. Clair.
Likewise.
-Handsome man.
-Yeah?
Pity about his situation though.
-What situation?
-Oh, you know.
The dirt,
the truck, and whatnot.
My day was fine, thanks.
I've been home for weeks,
and they haven't even
acknowledged why.
They're acting like I'm on
some sort of extended vacation.
Well, what do they do when you
tell them about your day?
I don't. They don't ask.
I'm sorry.
I'm used to it.
It's just lonely.
I get that.
I mean, the lonely part.
I don't have, like,
that many friends or anything.
Yeah, I don't either.
Not even in Boston.
We could be friends.
If you want.
Well, we already spend, like,
most our time together anyway.
That was stupid, sorry.
People don't just ask
other people to be friends--
That would be nice.
Oh!
Great.
You're getting sunburned again.
I really don't need
to be here anymore.
I think
that's a little premature.
-But I slept last night!
-That's great, Nora.
I am truly happy
about the strides you're making,
but one night of sleep
isn't enough to discharge you.
-Fine.
-So, let's focus
on some more coping mechanisms.
But I'm not even
having anxiety anymore.
Okay, coping mechanisms
for hypothetical future anxiety.
And you say
I have to be less negative.
What is an example
of a situation
that may give you anxiety?
What about your relationship
with your parents?
-Is that improving?
-That's a lost cause.
Nothing is a lost cause.
Okay, if I'm being honest,
my Mom still
makes me feel like shit.
Why would that work?
When your exhalation
is longer than your inhalation,
your brain is signaled
to turn down
the sympathetic nervous system,
aka fight or flight,
and turn up the parasympathetic
nervous system,
aka rest and relaxation.
Try it.
Good!
I'd also recommend
incorporating meditation
and yoga into your routine.
The many different
breathing techniques
coupled with movement
can do wonders for your mood.
Yeah, I don't love to sweat.
But I will try the meditation.
Eleanor! Dinner.
I'm meditating.
What?
I'm meditating!
You're what?
I'm fucking meditating!
What's left?
Should we check the rocks?
I, uh, checked them
before you got here.
-They're clear.
-Oh, thank God.
-What do they call it?
-What?
What you have.
A lot of things.
-Anxiety, misophonia, OCD.
-Miso-what?
Misophonia.
It's when you can't stand
certain noises.
Like you, chewing cheese puffs
extremely loudly
and disgustingly.
What about the thing
where everything
starts closing in,
and then you can't do anything?
-How do you know I have that?
-I've seen it.
When you had
the caterpillar on your arm.
That's just
a panic attack, anxiety.
Is it common?
Yeah, a lot of people have it.
Not just crazy people?
There's that charm of yours.
Am I interrupting?
No.
You know what I was
thinking about the other day?
All of those night swims
we used to take.
Well, don't forget the pier.
Twenty feet high, and you'd
throw yourself right off.
You were so fearless
as a little girl.
I wonder what changed?
Mm.
Ah! Karen.
Hi.
Oh, no, nothing important,
just sitting here with Eleanor.
Didn't I tell you she
was home?
Quick visit from the city,
just to get a little beach time.
God knows
she could use the Vitamin D.
Eleanor was devastated
to miss the Peterson wedding.
Jillian looked truly gorgeous.
Ah, she had
her hair down, so strange.
No, no, no bar results yet,
but I'm sure she passed.
Oh, she's just like her father.
Oh, yes, she'll make
a wonderful little lawyer.
It's in her blood!
What are you
still doing here?
Just finishing things up.
You too good
to join us for a brew?
I didn't think I was invited.
You can't be serious.
You trying for this again?
Why do you still want it so bad,
after failing so many times?
'Cause I don't want
to give up yet.
Not now.
You know, I had a dream, too.
But I was forced to give it up.
Mitch, I'm--
You're not using
state supplied equipment
for your own
personal use, are you?
I thought because it was
related to work,
that it was okay
that I did it here.
You know what, bro,
I don't care what you do.
-Hello?
-Dusty? It's Nora.
Hey, what's up?
I am so sick,
I cannot come to work tomorrow.
What's wrong with you?
Something very contagious,
you do not want me there.
Where are you?
-Puking.
-No you're not, where are you?
What are you doing?
- Can you not?
- What?
Get that out of my eyes!
Oh.
Sorry.
What's going on?
I decided to go to the beach.
You decided to go to the beach?
Yeah. For a nighttime swim.
You know the park
is closed after dark.
I may have heard that
once or twice
from a certain park ranger
who is very obsessed with rules.
-Want some?
-No, I don't--
wait a minute, aren't you
not supposed to be drinking?
I'm not an alcoholic.
I didn't say
that you were, I just--
There's that look, so judgy.
Explain it to me, then.
Well, when it's bad,
it's like there's
a thousand noises,
and they all blend into this one
giant buzzing in my body.
And then on top of that,
there's like, a hundred voices--
You hear voices?
Not like that.
They're all my voice.
Telling me
all the things I'm doing wrong,
all the stuff I've said weird,
all the ways I could die.
You think I'm crazy.
No!
Well, it's really hard
to make the noises stop,
or the voices shut up.
Sometimes booze helps.
Aren't they trying
to teach you other ways
in your program?
I hate the way you say that,
"Your program."
Well, what am I
supposed to call it, then?
Why are you here, anyway?
I don't know.
-Let's go swimming!
-What? Nora!
Nora! Nora! Get off the rock!
-Let's go swimming!
-Nora, no. Hey!
We're gonna go swimming!
It's not safe.
You're more scared than I am.
Let's get you home.
Boo.
Careful on the rocks.
Do you have any food?
I'm starving.
-Just--
-Ooh.
These are good.
What are you doing?
-Um, I was just--
-Are you just signing in?
It's almost noon.
I was feeling really sick,
and I slept in, I'm sorry.
Sick, huh?
Please don't tell my therapist.
You need to be more
careful.
I don't think
Mitch really cares.
Well, he'll look for
any reason to get to you,
if he knows we're close.
"Close"?
I mean, friendly.
Anyway,
I wasn't talking about Mitch.
I don't think you should
be drinking like that.
Drinking never leads
to anything good.
You don't drink?
No.
It causes bad decision-making.
God forbid.
You don't have to
make fun of me.
It's my choice.
You know, maybe that's why
you don't have any friends.
Yeah.
Says the girl who has to
walk home from work.
All right,
I think that's a good place
to take a five.
So, then I'm about to fall
asleep, and my phone goes off.
And it's him,
with a "Hey, you up?" text.
No. Seriously?
After two weeks
of not texting me.
-What an ass.
-I know.
Ugh. Guys, right?
Am I difficult to deal with?
Where is this coming from?
Well, I'm trying to figure out
why I don't have any friends.
I can be really fun,
but you guys frown on fun.
We don't frown on
going out with friends.
We frown on self-medication,
there's a difference.
Okay, so I'm fun,
-I'm really smart--
- Maybe don't say that
when you're trying
to make friends.
-But it's true.
-They'll figure it out
on their own.
-Fun, smart--
-You have many
great qualities, Nora.
But your social anxiety gets
in the way of allowing them
to present themselves naturally.
So I am difficult.
Oh, my God.
What if Jillian Peterson
is actually really nice,
and I'm the bitch?
Okay, let's backtrack
for a minute.
Did you have
any friends at law school?
I mean, not really.
I had a few friends in college,
but like, party friends,
nothing meaningful.
Is there anyone now you feel
a meaningful connection with?
I only see my parents,
and they suck.
What about people
at your volunteer space? Dustin?
He prefers "Dusty."
Hi.
Sorry,
didn't mean to startle you.
Want me to get that?
Ah, no.
We're late
for our beach patrol anyway.
So, I ran into Mitch earlier.
He told me
some interesting stuff.
What did he say?
Why does he
give you so much shit?
He seems
to love everyone else here.
I've seen the little parties
he throws in his back office.
-We grew up together.
-Really?
Yeah, he's my stepbrother.
-Well, was.
-Wow.
Why haven't you
mentioned this before?
I wasn't exactly cool to him
when we were younger.
You? Not cool?
Ha, ha.
Yeah, I got him in a lot of
trouble over the years.
So you've always been this
into-the-rules.
That's how I saw it.
He saw it as tattling.
You said
he was your stepbrother.
Yeah.
My mom married his dad
when I was like, 13.
They divorced a few years later,
but I can't escape him.
What happened?
Well, his dad...
wasn't my mom's type.
What do you mean?
Oh, shit!
Walked up to him,
and I freaking slapped him
across the head,
and I said,
"Hey, dickhead, what's wrong?"
It was great.
Cheers to that.
Oh, kids, kids, kids.
I'm going to
need to see some ID.
Hey. Stop that!
I could arrest you for this.
No you couldn't.
I could have you
arrested for this.
Hey!
What the hell are you doing?
What, is he your little bitch?
Oh, this is mine now,
you little shits.
What?
Come on!
Good work, we'll turn those in.
I was thinking we'd keep them.
Sure, whatever.
I wasn't expecting you
to give up that easily,
what's going on?
Oh, come on, I've told you
all sorts of my shit.
You know, this isn't even real?
I bought it online.
I've failed my law enforcement
test three times.
Three times.
So you do want to be a cop.
No.
You have to pass the exam
in order to become
a real park ranger.
I just want
to take care of the land.
Keep it beautiful.
Make people happy
to be here, the way I am.
So what's stopping you?
I get all freaked out,
and I can't do it.
The first time I took the exam,
I thought I was gonna
have a heart attack.
And now, even if I do pass,
I don't know how anybody is
ever going to take me seriously.
Well, I take you seriously.
No pass means no badge.
No badge means
I'm a trail janitor
who gets to have
some batshit crazy girl
follow him around all day.
So yeah, thanks,
that really means a lot.
-Hey!
-You're done
for the day Nora, go home.
You said you felt like
you were having a heart attack.
What?
When you took your test.
Yeah, I had to go
to the hospital and everything.
Well, was there anything wrong?
No.
That's a panic attack.
-Really?
-Yeah.
That is exactly
what happens to me.
Face it, you're just
as batshit crazy as I am.
I can help you.
Learn to deal with it.
No booze required.
Thanks, but I don't think
fixing the anxiety
is going to solve the problem.
I don't know if you noticed,
but I'm not exactly smart.
Who says?
Mitch. Everybody.
And they're right.
I was never good
at taking exams.
I didn't go to college,
I just stayed here.
I can help you study.
What do you know
about law enforcement?
Nothing, but I'm really sma--
Really good at studying,
and if Mitch
could figure it out,
I promise I can too.
I can't ask you to pick up
trash with me all day,
and then
study with me all night.
You could, if you needed to.
On your feet, Ranger.
Eleanor!
Set the table,
I'm not asking again.
In a minute!
"The police chased
a suspect vehicle for 30 miles
traveling at a speed
of 80 miles per hour."
-Wait, there's math on this?
-"After apprehending the
defendant..."
-Wait, what?
-"...they made the same trip
back to the police station
-at 40 miles per hour."
-Okay, can you start over?
"What was the average speed
the squad car traveled
for both trips?"
Okay, why is there math on this?
This is dark ops Dusty.
Cover me.
I'm going in.
Freeze, Victor! It's just us.
You're not getting out of it
this time.
No, I'm not gonna
get caught, Dusty!
You're a criminal.
You've been selling
drugs to kids!
Where's the evidence, bitch?
What did you say?
Don't say bitch!
Don't say bitch--
Nora! Hi.
What are you--You're early.
Uh, come in.
I made sandwiches.
I thought you might want dinner.
Thank you.
It's a replica gun.
It's the same weight and feel
as the real deal.
I was just studying it.
For the test.
Sure.
Let's eat.
So what do you do
when it happens?
For the anxiety.
'Cause this is all great...
but even if I remember
the terms,
and I figure out the math...
if I have a panic attack
it kind of all goes out
the window, doesn't it?
Okay.
We'll start
with some breathing exercises.
Inhale for three, hold,
exhale for four.
No, no, no.
Not like that.
From your diaphragm.
Diaphragm?
Isn't that a lady thing?
Not that one.
The body part.
-I have one?
-Everyone does.
It's what you use
to breathe deeply.
Like this.
No, no, no.
Here.
From here.
Hold.
Exhale.
Four, three, two, one.
It feels good.
Um, okay.
True or false,
based on the information
in that paragraph.
Can you fill out
a complete incident report?
False.
It is missing the time
of the incident.
Good!
Hi.
Can you tell me how to get
to the lighthouse from here?
Yes, ma'am.
Do you have a vehicle
with you today
or are you on foot?
I have a car.
Sorry, what?
I said I have a car.
Take a left
out of this parking lot,
and then your first right.
The easiest way is to exit
this part of the park entirely,
join back up with Route One,
and then make a right
about half a mile down
into the lot
that says "Dirigo Head Light."
Okay. Thanks very much.
I have big news.
Yes?
Well, I've been
improving so rapidly,
and I really want to
get out of my parents' house,
so I thought in a couple months
I'd be good enough to try again.
-Try what again?
-The Bar.
I'm signing up
to take the Bar again.
That's great, Nora!
But we want to make sure
this is coming
at an appropriate time,
and won't cause
too much additional stress.
Well, I already know
everything on it,
so I won't have
any studying to do.
I just have to be able
to take the test
and actually finish it,
and then I can get a job
and move out of my parents'
horrible home.
I love the attitude, Nora.
But we need to
balance the optimism
with some pragmatism.
It is pragmatic!
I haven't felt
this good in years.
The other night
I was making sandwiches,
and I had no problem
touching American Cheese.
I mean, I didn't put it
in my sandwich,
it's disgusting,
I don't know how Dusty likes it,
but it still felt good
to just be able to make
a sandwich.
Dusty?
You made a sandwich for Dusty?
I'm helping him
study for a test.
I made sandwiches
for our study session,
and I didn't think once
about the way he was chewing
while we were eating.
Well, do you think
maybe you didn't have a problem
touching the orange cheese
because you were making
the sandwich
for someone you connect with?
Someone you're trying to help?
That's kind of reading into it.
It's just cheese.
A month ago,
"just cheese" sent you here.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to--
Oh, it's okay.
I was almost done.
-May I?
-Yeah. Of course.
So...
-How's it going?
-Good.
No, I'm asking for real.
How's therapy?
Oh! Um...
-it was good--
-What are you two doing?
The Petersons
will be here in half an hour!
You need to get dressed!
No, no,
you can't wear that sweater.
You know I hate
the color orange.
Orange? I think
this is more of a salmon.
No. No!
Let's go change up, darling.
I said, "This is
completely unacceptable."
Hey, you're looking
a little low there.
-Want a refill?
-Sure.
Eleanor!
I'm just going to just see
General.
Yeah.
Well, Eleanor,
you certainly are all grown up.
Younger than your daughter.
What can I get you?
All business, are we?
Single malt on the rocks.
Oops.
This is Nora.
Leave a message.
Eleanor, hors d'oeuvres.
We need more hors d'oeuvres.
Thank you, dear.
So she's beautiful,
and she cooks!
It's just cheese.
And you're just beautiful.
Excuse me. I have to go...
take a shit.
Oh, gotcha.
And I said to Alice,
"My Dear, you may be
the mother of the bride,
but you're just as stunning
as you were on our wedding day."
Oh, my God.
It was such a special day.
Our Jillian was so happy.
Eleanor, I understand
you saw Jill just last month!
Oh, yeah. At the Lobster Shack.
Well, Eleanor,
you didn't even mention that!
She said you were with a man!
A little something
you need to tell us about?
- Just a friend.
- Uh-huh.
So there's no one
special in your life?
No.
I find that
very hard to believe.
- Hmm.
- It's true.
The St. Clair line will probably
die along with all of my eggs.
The, uh, chicken is superb,
Susan.
Hear, hear.
- Yes. Yeah.
- Delicious.
Oh, thank you.
You can do this.
Breathe.
This is Nora,
leave a message.
You don't need her.
Right, Dusty?
You got it, Dusty.
So, then, after Umbria,
where did they go next?
They went to a private
villa on a Tuscan vineyard.
The photos were divine.
How divine of them!
So, Eleanor, how long
will you be vacationing here?
Well, I wouldn't call it
a vacation.
It's not a joke.
Well, being with us old folks
for too long is no joke!
Did my mother not tell you
why I'm here?
That's funny, you're supposed
to be her best friends.
One would think
she would've told you
her precious Eleanor is home
because she went
a teensy bit nuts.
Who needs a top off?
I'll--
I'll have another scotch.
-Me as well, please.
-Eleanor, why don't you be
a dear and--
Fetch the scotch
for my alcoholic father
and his alcoholic friend?
-On it.
-Eleanor!
You know, everybody else
in the world calls me Nora.
But that stick is wedged
just a little too far
up your ass
for nicknames, huh?
Now that's enough.
I'm so sorry, I'm so so sorry.
She's just been so fragile
since the incident.
- It's okay.
- Eleanor, I think
it's time
you went upstairs.
Oh, I am on my way out.
By the way,
your daughter is a bitch,
and your husband's been
hitting on me
since the moment I turned 18.
There you go.
You sleep up there?
That's so weird.
What are you doing here?
I came to help you study.
Where are your shoes?
No idea.
You didn't drive here, did you?
No, walked.
So, what happened here?
I called you.
Like, a bunch of times.
My parents have a no phones
at the dinner table policy.
I'm having problems.
I can see that.
The test is next week.
I have to pass.
I told Mitch
I was going to pass this time.
And I can't face him again
if I fail.
Oh, you're not gonna fail.
It's getting worse.
I--I can barely see.
The breathing
isn't doing anything right now.
It's just...
I know something that works
when the breathing doesn't.
Ugh.
You're a man's man.
Men love scotch.
I just don't know
what to do anymore.
Make it go away.
Oh, God. That's bad.
The more you drink it,
the more you like it.
What is the process
for a national park to become...
national.
Well, uh,
first it has to be nature...
- Yes.
- ...that is conserved...
...by a, uh,
it starts with an S.
-A So...
-A So...
-Sovereign State!
-Yes!
You are so going to crush this.
I am so going to crush this.
Let's go do something.
Uh, like what?
We can't drive anywhere.
I am going to be a federal
law enforcement person,
I can't be drinking and driving.
Let's go swim at the park!
- Mm-hmm.
- Park's closed.
You're about to pass your test
and run the park.
Okay. Let's do it.
No, no, no.
Be cool, be cool, be cool.
You just refuse to learn,
don't you?
She is with me, and I can enter
the park at any time.
Dusty, Where are your shoes?
Not sure, ma'am.
Have you two been drinking?
We're both of legal age, ma'am.
And not operating
any motor vehicles,
as you can see.
You two been
spending a lot of time together.
Nowhere in my Ivy League
law education did I learn
that making
meaningful connections
was a crime, officer.
Meaningful, did she say?
Officer,
despite you being, like,
totally obsessed with us,
we have done nothing wrong.
Are we free to go?
I guess so. Keep being safe.
We absolutely will, ma'am.
And stop calling me ma'am.
Yes, m--
Sorry. Officer.
Weird cop.
My mom used to bring me
on so many night time swims
when I was a kid.
She used to be so fun.
I don't know what happened.
Whatever.
Uh, what are you doing?
We can't swim in our clothes.
Oh, uh.
Well, we should keep
our underwear on at least.
What?
Are you afraid
to go skinny dipping?
Wow.
You really
don't want to see me naked.
The opposite, actually.
What?
I really do
want to see you naked.
But we're friends.
I shouldn't think like that.
What if I wanted to be
more than friends?
But you don't.
Why would you?
A lot of reasons.
Oh.
Yeah.
Okay.
I'm going to do that again now.
Is that okay?
Stop.
Okay. Sorry.
I'm sorry.
Thank you.
It's not personal.
It--it's just--it's just...
wrong.
I'm your supervisor.
You're so obsessed with rules.
"It's wrong, you're wrong,
you can't go on the rocks,
you can't swim at night,
you can't have sex with me
on this beach even though
I so clearly want to."
I'm sorry, but I like my rules.
You want me to change who I am?
Why?
So that we can just
have sex on this beach
and then you go off
to your next crazy thing
and then I have to
go pick up trash again
and that's that?
You think
I wanted to get with you
as some crazy thing that I do?
What, you think
this was my new version
of pulling the fire alarm?
Well, yeah.
You're the crazy one.
Have you ever
even been with anybody?
What?
How could you even say that?
That's what Mitch told me.
He said
your whole family was weird.
-I thought he was lying.
-He was lying.
You know,
I wanted to get with you,
because you're the first person
I've wanted to
be around in years.
I thought we had something,
but clearly, I'm just crazy.
I got one for you right here.
Waited up for you.
I'm sorry
I called you an alcoholic.
It was a bit harsh, tactless.
But I suppose...
there's a little
nugget of truth of it.
You-- You look out. Okay?
You don't want to
end up like me.
Better than ending up like Mom.
- Come on.
- I'm serious.
Why does she hate me so much?
You know,
she doesn't hate you.
Not even close.
She loves you.
She just doesn't always know
how to show it.
She's embarrassed of me.
Oh, I think you remind her
of what she might be like
if she didn't hold
the reins so tight.
No way.
We are nothing alike.
Y--You two are
so much more alike
than you realize.
Your mother
likes her world ordered,
and so do you.
You disrupt her sometimes.
You know, I disrupted her...
right from the start.
When we were engaged,
she thought she was going
to marry a hotshot lawyer.
And I went and failed the Bar.
You failed?
-Twice.
-Wow.
I am signing up
to take it again.
-Why?
-What do you mean?
I mean, why?
Do you even want to be a lawyer?
Shit. I don't know.
I always just assumed
I'd do what you do.
If you don't know,
then don't do it.
I--I mean, take the time
to figure out what it is
and find what you want to do
and do that.
Something you love.
You're right.
Thanks, Dad.
I know I haven't always
been there for you.
And I--I didn't understand
the extent...
of your issues.
But I want to.
If it's not too late.
It's not.
Come here.
I am so sorry I'm late.
My mom took the car
without telling me
and then
I couldn't get a hold of her,
I don't think she's picked up--
Sit down.
We need to talk.
That is usually
what goes down in therapy.
I've received
some troubling news.
-Oh?
-Your supervisor at the park
has contacted us.
What did he have to say?
I'm going to
give you an opportunity
to come clean to me.
I thought we'd built
a trusting relationship, Nora.
I'll be a lot
less disappointed in you
if I hear this coming
out of your own mouth.
I don't know
what you're talking about.
Okay, then.
I've received
reports of tardiness
and general lack of work ethic.
Oh, yeah, um, I was late one
time
and I don't really like
nature all that much.
-I'm sorry--
-Those are not
the disturbing reports.
He told me
that you had
shown up to work hungover
on multiple occasions.
That you broke into the park
after hours to consume alcohol.
And that you attempted to engage
in an inappropriate relationship
while intoxicated.
Oh.
That stuff.
Yes. That stuff.
I'm sorry.
What exactly are you sorry for?
I'm sorry for drinking
and I'm sorry
for behaving inappropriately.
I thought he liked me back.
I'm not disappointed
that your judgment has lapsed.
That is to be expected.
I'm disappointed
that you did not choose
to seek out my help
when you had an impulse
to do these things.
Or at least tell me afterwards,
so we could work on preventing
them from happening again.
I'm adding another three weeks
on to your volunteering.
Understood?
I don't know what
the hell your problem is,
but don't ever contact me again.
What?
I wanted to ask you something.
Yeah?
Would it be possible for me
to work with someone else
from now on?
Why do you ask?
I don't feel comfortable
working with Dustin anymore.
Did something happen?
I would prefer
not to discuss it.
You can tell me.
-If he did anything
inappropriate, I will--
-No.
I just don't like
being around him.
Join the club.
Between you and I,
the Rangers all think
he might be a bit spectrum-y.
Well, it just so happens
I need a helping hand
every now and again.
-You'll work with me.
-Thank you.
You can start now.
These need to be
scanned into the system
and then faxed over to the EPA.
Off you go.
- Visitor Center, this is Dusty.
Do you copy?
Mitch here.
Has Nora signed in yet today?
Yes, she has.
She hasn't reported to me
yet for work.
- That's because she's working for me now.
- -What?
You heard me. Over and out.
Clippers, please.
What are you doing?
Asking for the clippers.
Why are you doing it so weirdly?
I thought that was protocol.
Never mind.
Can I just have the clippers?
What are you looking at?
Get back to work.
- Excuse me.
- What?
We still haven't talked
about your behavior
the other night
with the Petersons.
Since when do we talk?
You know what I can't stand
about you sometimes?
You think you're the only person
on this earth with problems.
- You are the--
- No, no.
It's me, me, me
all the time with you.
Your anxiety. Your issues.
No one could
possibly understand you.
What do you think
I have Xanax for?
For fun?
The difference between us
is I don't go around
all woe is me,
throwing my life away,
acting rude to anybody
I deem too normal
to understand me.
So, when you are ready
to get off
your obsessively high horse,
let me know.
Hi.
Paper jam?
It does that a lot.
Here.
Is Dustin bothering you?
No.
-Thank you.
-You're welcome.
Carry on.
-Hi.
-Hi.
How are you?
Fine.
-Yeah?
-Yeah.
You know,
I'm teaching a yoga class
at Two Lights this evening.
Cool.
You should really come.
Seems like you might need it.
Parents told you about
the dinner party, huh?
Six o'clock by the pond.
We pretended
that these Japanese maple leaves
were weed.
-Right? Right.
-No way.
We totally convinced him.
Oh, like, we sold out.
We rolled one up for him
and everything.
Like, it was--it was--
he bought it.
-Hey.
-So, we're smoking up,
he's hitting this thing away,
but he's so impressionable.
-Like, he wants to--
-Hey.
Um.
Anyone want to grab
a "brewski" with me tonight?
We're going to start
with our eyes closed.
Focus on your breath.
Note the rise and fall
of your chest
through your heartbeat.
And then keeping
your eyes closed,
start to move your body
in a way that feels good.
Whatever you need
in this moment.
Good, everyone.
Keep listening
to what your body needs
before we start our practice.
My body's calling out
for inversions today.
Hello.
May I please have a scotch?
Make that two, Dave.
You got it.
Are you okay?
Have I ever been?
I didn't know you liked whiskey.
I'm not really sure that I do.
You know,
you're always such a...
timid squeak of a kid.
Grew up,
you got tall and so handsome.
I thought you'd grown out
of the timid part, too.
I never...
stopped to ask myself
if you need...
real help.
Don't blame yourself.
Apparently,
I have Panic Disorder.
No shit.
Don't you go
making me feel dumb now, too.
You're not dumb, Dusty.
You just think differently
than other people.
Take it from me.
Being different
can be a really good thing
once you're no longer afraid
to be yourself.
How did you do it?
I was done hiding.
It was time to be me,
love it or hate it.
Yeah, but I'm not like you.
You had the courage
to come out and be yourself
in this small town.
I can't even stand up to Mitch.
You are special, Dusty.
You have more love
and compassion and decency
than anyone I know.
Stop trying to fit in.
People don't like you,
fuck 'em.
And you have to
get away from Mitch.
I do.
But no other park
needs a trail janitor.
Don't be so hard on yourself.
You're gonna pass,
if not this time,
then the next, or the next.
What you are
not going to do is give up.
So...
tell me about this girl
I keep busting you with.
I don't know.
I thought maybe
she was good for me.
But it turns out
she might just be trouble.
A little trouble
could be just what you need.
Never expected
to hear that from a cop.
Or my mom.
Never thought I'd say it, but...
sometimes we need to...
let go of what we think we know.
Who can tell me
what exposure therapy is?
Exposure therapy
is practicing what you fear.
So, a good form
of exposure therapy
for all of you would have been
to actually raise your hand
and answer that question.
Nora, can you give an example
of something you fear?
Intimacy.
Okay.
We'll call that "connecting."
How might you practice
exposure therapy with that?
I tried and now
everything is ruined.
We're not talking about
physical intimacy.
How might you practice
connecting with another person?
Tell them
personal things about myself?
Okay, good. What else?
Ask them personal questions
about themselves?
Listen.
Be a confidant.
Offer to help them with
their shitty fucking life.
Okay, okay,
that's--that's enough.
We will start with
the written examination.
You'll have 60 minutes
to answer 25 questions.
We'll begin in five minutes.
What do you want?
Dusty told me you guys
are stepbrothers.
Were.
Growing up with him
must have been...
interesting.
That's one way to put it.
He was an annoying
little weirdo.
Always running to his mom
anytime I had any fun.
Sounds like him.
Didn't help that his mom
was a cop, of course.
Turned out to be a dyke too.
Don't be such a snowflake.
You're a small person.
First time I've heard that.
Wait. Dusty's mom is a cop?
You know...
...I was a really good
quarterback in high school.
Made varsity as a freshman.
We won state's all four years.
Got a full ride
to play at U Maine.
Living the dream.
And?
And your boy tattled to Mommy
one too many times.
Got suspended. Lost my ride.
He's not my boy.
Get back to work.
Nora!
If you tell me
to get off this rock,
I swear to God--
No, no, no. Look.
I've been looking at that thing
for months trying to get it.
But I couldn't.
All I could see was the drop
to the water and myself falling.
So you're afraid of heights.
Shocker.
I'm afraid of
a lot of things, Nora.
You got a can. Good job.
Don't you get it?
You believed
I could do it, so I did it.
You sound like a crazy person.
I got your note.
It helped me breathe and focus,
and I know I passed.
Well, I'm really happy
that I could fix your life
just in time for you
to ruin mine
like you ruined Mitch's.
What are you talking about?
Don't play stupid.
I don't play stupid.
I just am stupid.
And I've been so stupid.
-What are you doing?
-I'm fixing things.
I didn't mean to ruin anything.
I just--
I was scared that
you were going to get with me
and then get bored of me.
And I like you too much
for you to run away.
Your rejection
didn't ruin my life, dumbass.
It's what you did after.
You didn't even give me
a chance to talk to you after.
You'd already talked to Dr. Jha.
God forbid you would've
talked to me first.
Who's Dr. Jha?
Who's Dr. Jha? My therapist!
You told her
that I'm late and I'm lazy
and I break into the park
and drink and have inappropriate
relations with co-workers.
I didn't tell her anything.
Why would my own therapist
lie to me?
How would she even know
about any of that?
What the hell is your problem?
Weren't you taking today off?
Let me guess.
Couldn't finish the test?
Oh, I finished.
And I know I passed.
Sure you did.
Why did you do that to Nora?
I was just reporting
on her behavior
like I'm supposed to.
Poor girl could
have hurt herself.
If I remember correctly,
that was your rationale
for telling Mommy
about my drinking.
I'm sorry. Okay?
I'm sorry you lost your chance
to play football in college.
I really am.
But it was over 15 years ago.
Get over it.
Why should I get over it?
You're still the same exact
little shit you always were.
Yeah, well at least
I'm working on changing it.
You know what?
I'm done being bullied
over your petty teenage shit.
I quit.
I quit too.
If my therapist lets me.
-See you tomorrow?
-We're not working tomorrow.
I know.
Look, Nora.
We need to talk.
I'm sorry
about the other night
with the Petersons.
I'm working on it
with my therapist.
It won't happen again.
That's not what this is about.
-It's not?
-It's not.
It's not.
It's about...
how we are as a family.
It's not working anymore.
What's that supposed to mean?
Well, it means we can't keep
pretending that it does.
Nora may have
fucked up once or twice.
Probably more like
a hundred times.
Thank you.
But she's in therapy.
She's actively
dealing with her issues.
Can we say the same?
So what do you say?
You're saying
I should go to therapy?
I'm saying that
we all should go together.
The lighthouse
is right over there.
See?
Yes.
Every night, a man would climb
all the way up there
and light the beacon.
And that way,
all the ships out to sea
could find their way home.
And--and then...
To what do I owe the pleasure,
Miss St. Clair?
-You did it!
-I did.
So what are we going to do
to celebrate?
-Are you sure this is safe?
-I did it a hundred times
as a kid.
What if there are rocks below?
It's high tide.
Ready?
- What?
- That's a nice way to answer the phone.
Hello, Mother. What do you want?
You haven't RSVPed
to the Peterson wedding.
- What?
- Alice just called me.
Said she couldn't find
your response anywhere.
It's this weekend, Eleanor.
- Well, obviously, I can't go.
- Why not?
You've known Jill
since you were two.
And I haven't spoken
to her since I was ten.
Well, ignoring
her invitation is rude,
and reflects rather poorly
on your father
and me, don't you think?
Sorry I made you look
bad, but can you think
of any reason other than Jillian
Peterson being a huge bitch,
- that I can't go?
- Eleanor.
Christ, Mom.
I have the Bar Exam.
I hate it
when you talk like that.
We're so happy
you're home, dear.
We were so worried about you,
weren't we?
So worried.
Can I get anyone a drink?
-Eleanor shouldn't be drinking.
-Oh, right.
But I'll have a G&T.
So the wedding was lovely.
The Peterson wedding.
Jillian looked beautiful.
Though, her hair is short now,
and she wore it down,
which I found a little gauche,
and my chicken
was a little tough,
but you can't have it all.
Thank you, dear.
What do you think?
About what?
Is it just my generation
that thinks you should have
your hair done
for your own wedding?
Are you serious?
Uh, your mother is just trying
to have a conversation, Nora.
Yes, but forget about me.
What would you like
to talk about, Eleanor?
She'll be okay.
How am I getting there?
Good morning to you, too.
I don't have a car.
So I suppose
I'll have to drive you.
Hello everyone, my name is Jim.
Let's go around the circle,
and introduce ourselves.
We'll start with you.
My name's Bill,
I'm an alcoholic.
Ah, Bill,
this is "Learning to Connect."
AA is two doors down
on the left.
Anyone else?
Okay.
We'll get there eventually.
You're all here
because you have
something in common.
You have trouble
connecting with others.
This is a safe space.
In here we open up, connect,
and learn to take that
to the outside world.
I don't really need to be here.
My parents made me.
Your parents?
And a judge.
Well, why do you think
your "parents" feel
it's necessary?
They were concerned
about my behavior.
And you're not?
Concerned?
My behavior is fine.
You don't think pulling
that alarm indicated otherwise?
I needed to leave.
So you're just going
to pull an alarm
every time
you feel uncomfortable.
Why not?
Maybe then I'll go to jail,
and I won't have to see
my mother anymore.
You were very lucky
to have escaped
more serious consequences,
Eleanor.
It's Nora.
I don't like
being called Eleanor.
-Noted.
-And no, I'm not lucky.
I have rich parents.
The judge was an old
law school buddy of my dad's.
It's a lot of things,
but it's certainly not luck.
Well, Nora, lucky or not,
I suggest you
take your time here seriously.
So, Eleanor,
are you going to be seeing
any of your old friends
while you're home?
What friends?
You know, your old
high school girlfriends.
Can you name a single one
of my high school girlfriends?
We've found that volunteer work
is the best way
to re-integrate yourselves
as functional members
of society.
So if you have any preferences,
speak right up.
- I'll do animals.
- Animals.
- Pediatric ward.
- Okay.
- Old people.
- Old People.
- Homeless outreach.
- Soup Kitchen.
And that leaves Eleanor.
-Do you have a preference?
-It's Nora.
Nora, do you have a preference?
Oh.
I don't really do...
nature.
Can I help you?
Hi. I'm, um...
Sorry, it's just--
it's embarrassing.
Why I'm here, I mean.
You haven't gotten
to that part yet.
Right, um, so,
I'm in this program.
-Yeah?
-And, um...
I'm just enjoying
watching you squirm.
-You must be Eleanor.
-It's Nora.
Jim called ahead about you.
We've had great success with
some people from the program.
You all make
fantastic little workers.
You'll be shadowing Dustin,
a member of our team.
He'll be responsible
for your day-to-day.
We just ask that you sign in
and out on the forms over there,
so that we can send the hours
off to the cuckoo's nest,
let 'em know
you're behaving yourself.
Okay.
Where do I find this Dustin?
Take a left out that front door,
follow the path
straight down to the beach.
He spends his morning prowling
on the rocks down there.
Okay.
Oh, Eleanor.
I'll be watching you.
Hi.
-Hi.
-Hi.
I'm Nora,
I'm looking for Dustin.
He's supposed to be
my project manager, supervisor--
Call me Dusty.
-You're Dustin?
-Dusty.
Dusty's not a name.
It is. It's my name.
Yeah, um, I think
it's more like an adjective.
-An adjective?
-A descriptor.
Yeah, I know--
I know what an adjective is.
Of course you do.
Right, well, Nora,
you'll be working with me
for the next few weeks.
Mostly trail maintenance
and the like.
Do you have a change of clothes?
We'll see what we can do.
You're getting sunburned.
Let's take a break.
Want some?
No. Thank you.
You don't like 'em?
Not really.
What? Why? They're so cheesy
and perfect and delicious.
Well, I've never
actually had them.
You have to try some right now.
-I can't.
-Why? You on a diet?
Not that you need to be.
Your body is fine.
Not like, "fine." Just fine.
It's better than fine.
It's good.
It's--it's good.
It's great. That was weird.
Yeah, I don't eat orange foods.
Huh? Why?
It's not natural.
The color is
named after a fruit.
I think the fruit was
named after the color, but...
I don't eat fruit either.
It's dirty.
Is that why
you're in that program?
Kind of.
What else is wrong with you?
To land you there?
It's so dirty there.
Did that give you anxiety, Nora?
When anxious,
it can be helpful to name things
that you're experiencing
with your five senses.
For example, could you smell
the salt of the sea?
Yes,
and it smelled like asshole.
Feel the sun on your face?
I forgot to put sunscreen on
the other day,
and I think this freckle
on my nose is new.
How did the waves sound?
I've only had it for a day
and it's already changing shape.
That's melanoma 101.
Your program gave me cancer.
If we're gonna
let you use the clippers,
then we need to go over
some safety protocol.
If you want to use the clippers,
then you need to reach out
your hands like so,
and say in a loud, clear voice,
"Clippers, please."
Nora? Are you watching?
Ah.
Let's, uh--let's take a break.
You don't wanna be a cop,
do you?
What?
No.
Then why are you reading that?
Oh, you, uh--you got
a little something there.
Nora, get off the rock!
What? Why?
I said get off the rock!
-What was that?
-What?
On the rocks? I saw a can.
I was gonna get the can.
I can't jeopardize your safety.
My safety wasn't jeopardized.
It wasn't exactly a cliff.
I'm responsible for you, Nora.
I can't have you falling
into the water--
Hey, Dustin, go long!
- How's it going, Eleanor?
- It's Nora.
Some kid vomited
all over the picnic tables.
You know what to do.
Yeah, I know what to do.
Eleanor!
You are tracking mud
all over the house.
Hello, Mother.
Clean it up.
It's just--
it's everywhere.
You clean off
before you come in.
Oh, darling,
I'm getting my car detailed
in the morning,
and I've got golf.
Can you drop me off
for my tee time?
Of course, dear.
-I need a ride to the Park.
-Oh.
Well, I can bring you
into your program
after I drop your father off
at the club.
Thanks.
But you'll need
to get a ride home.
From who?
I'm sure there's
plenty of nice people
who could take you.
It's true, my little cousin,
he's seven years old
and he writes better than that.
He's got hearts
over the I's, or he wants to.
It's like a--like a girl.
Here he is!
The man of the hour!
You really made
our morning, D-man.
Happy to be of service.
We were just
reading your incident report
of those punks down
by the lighthouse yesterday.
Now, tell me, Dustin.
How do you spell "vandalized"?
Did I do something wrong?
I wrote that.
-What?
-What?
Yeah, uh, Dusty had me
write it up yesterday.
The spelling mistakes
must be mine.
I will redo this
and get it back to you
this afternoon.
Right.
Nora, let's, uh, go make sure
all that spray paint
is cleaned off the lighthouse.
Why did you do that?
Do what?
Cover for me?
It was just a mistake.
Mitch didn't need to be
such a dick about it.
It wasn't a mistake.
I really thought that vandalized
was spelled with an "S."
So you're not a great speller.
I didn't think spelling
was a requirement
to be a good Park Ranger.
Good?
Well,
after a fresh coat of paint,
those vandals, with a "Z,"
will be no match for us!
Well, vandals is, uh--
Never mind.
Shit.
-What can I do for you, Officer?
-Where might you be going?
And why is that
any of your business?
It's my business because you're
endangering yourself and others.
By walking?
By walking with
the flow of traffic
on a road without sidewalks.
Come on, you can't
give me a ticket for walking.
-Afternoon, Officer.
-Afternoon, Dusty.
I was just stopping
to give Nora here a ride.
-You know this young lady?
-I do. We work together.
Well, then, you can let her know
the safe way to walk
here in the country is
against the flow of traffic.
Yes.
I was already planning on it.
Get in.
How do you know her?
Small town. What were you doing?
Walking home.
Why?
Apparently my mom had
something more important to do.
She's right, you know.
About it being dangerous.
You think
everything's dangerous.
That's because most things are.
You hungry?
Do they have anything
other than lobster?
It's the Lobster Shack. So, no.
So, I've never
actually had lobster.
You lived almost
your entire life in Maine
and you never had lobster?
-Is it the orange thing?
-No.
More like the giant bug thing.
You get us a table,
I'll take care of the food.
I don't think I can do this.
Mmm, of course you can.
We'll start with the claw.
It's the best part.
-Uh, no, I really can't--
-I have an idea.
-Close your eyes.
-What?
Open up!
-Eleanor?
-Jillian!
-Hi!
-It's so good to see you!
Yeah. Uh, con--congratulations.
-Sorry I missed your--
-Thanks. It was so perfect.
- Wow.
- Yeah.
-Who's your friend?
-No one.
I mean, of course he's someone.
Um, he's just not my friend.
He's my coworker!
Not that I work at the park.
Um, it's more like
a volunteering thing.
I'm very immersed
in charity these days.
Oh, that's wonderful!
When I lived in India
after college,
teaching yoga to
underprivileged locals,
I really learned
the importance of charity
as part of one's dharma.
You taught yoga
to Indian people?
I continue my service here
teaching yoga on weekends.
Oh, you should come
to class sometime!
Well, I'll leave you two to it.
Say hi to your parents for me!
I can't eat that.
It's more for me.
Wow. You grew up here?
Yeah.
I'm pretty surprised
your parents only have one car.
They don't.
My dad's is in the shop.
Ah.
It's hard relying on them
to get around.
I rank somewhere after golf
and grocery shopping
in importance.
Well, I'd be happy to give you
a ride anywhere you need.
Thanks, but I'll manage.
I can't exactly ask you
to drop me off at therapy
every other day.
Well, you could.
If you needed to.
Um, you should probably
get out of here
before my mother
tries to talk to you.
Eleanor! Who's your friend?
He's not my friend.
Dustin McCarthy, ma'am.
Pleased to make
your acquaintance.
-You have a beautiful home.
-Thank you!
Eleanor, why have you
never mentioned him?
He's adorable!
-Thanks for the ride.
-No problem.
Lovely to meet you,
Mrs. St. Clair.
Likewise.
-Handsome man.
-Yeah?
Pity about his situation though.
-What situation?
-Oh, you know.
The dirt,
the truck, and whatnot.
My day was fine, thanks.
I've been home for weeks,
and they haven't even
acknowledged why.
They're acting like I'm on
some sort of extended vacation.
Well, what do they do when you
tell them about your day?
I don't. They don't ask.
I'm sorry.
I'm used to it.
It's just lonely.
I get that.
I mean, the lonely part.
I don't have, like,
that many friends or anything.
Yeah, I don't either.
Not even in Boston.
We could be friends.
If you want.
Well, we already spend, like,
most our time together anyway.
That was stupid, sorry.
People don't just ask
other people to be friends--
That would be nice.
Oh!
Great.
You're getting sunburned again.
I really don't need
to be here anymore.
I think
that's a little premature.
-But I slept last night!
-That's great, Nora.
I am truly happy
about the strides you're making,
but one night of sleep
isn't enough to discharge you.
-Fine.
-So, let's focus
on some more coping mechanisms.
But I'm not even
having anxiety anymore.
Okay, coping mechanisms
for hypothetical future anxiety.
And you say
I have to be less negative.
What is an example
of a situation
that may give you anxiety?
What about your relationship
with your parents?
-Is that improving?
-That's a lost cause.
Nothing is a lost cause.
Okay, if I'm being honest,
my Mom still
makes me feel like shit.
Why would that work?
When your exhalation
is longer than your inhalation,
your brain is signaled
to turn down
the sympathetic nervous system,
aka fight or flight,
and turn up the parasympathetic
nervous system,
aka rest and relaxation.
Try it.
Good!
I'd also recommend
incorporating meditation
and yoga into your routine.
The many different
breathing techniques
coupled with movement
can do wonders for your mood.
Yeah, I don't love to sweat.
But I will try the meditation.
Eleanor! Dinner.
I'm meditating.
What?
I'm meditating!
You're what?
I'm fucking meditating!
What's left?
Should we check the rocks?
I, uh, checked them
before you got here.
-They're clear.
-Oh, thank God.
-What do they call it?
-What?
What you have.
A lot of things.
-Anxiety, misophonia, OCD.
-Miso-what?
Misophonia.
It's when you can't stand
certain noises.
Like you, chewing cheese puffs
extremely loudly
and disgustingly.
What about the thing
where everything
starts closing in,
and then you can't do anything?
-How do you know I have that?
-I've seen it.
When you had
the caterpillar on your arm.
That's just
a panic attack, anxiety.
Is it common?
Yeah, a lot of people have it.
Not just crazy people?
There's that charm of yours.
Am I interrupting?
No.
You know what I was
thinking about the other day?
All of those night swims
we used to take.
Well, don't forget the pier.
Twenty feet high, and you'd
throw yourself right off.
You were so fearless
as a little girl.
I wonder what changed?
Mm.
Ah! Karen.
Hi.
Oh, no, nothing important,
just sitting here with Eleanor.
Didn't I tell you she
was home?
Quick visit from the city,
just to get a little beach time.
God knows
she could use the Vitamin D.
Eleanor was devastated
to miss the Peterson wedding.
Jillian looked truly gorgeous.
Ah, she had
her hair down, so strange.
No, no, no bar results yet,
but I'm sure she passed.
Oh, she's just like her father.
Oh, yes, she'll make
a wonderful little lawyer.
It's in her blood!
What are you
still doing here?
Just finishing things up.
You too good
to join us for a brew?
I didn't think I was invited.
You can't be serious.
You trying for this again?
Why do you still want it so bad,
after failing so many times?
'Cause I don't want
to give up yet.
Not now.
You know, I had a dream, too.
But I was forced to give it up.
Mitch, I'm--
You're not using
state supplied equipment
for your own
personal use, are you?
I thought because it was
related to work,
that it was okay
that I did it here.
You know what, bro,
I don't care what you do.
-Hello?
-Dusty? It's Nora.
Hey, what's up?
I am so sick,
I cannot come to work tomorrow.
What's wrong with you?
Something very contagious,
you do not want me there.
Where are you?
-Puking.
-No you're not, where are you?
What are you doing?
- Can you not?
- What?
Get that out of my eyes!
Oh.
Sorry.
What's going on?
I decided to go to the beach.
You decided to go to the beach?
Yeah. For a nighttime swim.
You know the park
is closed after dark.
I may have heard that
once or twice
from a certain park ranger
who is very obsessed with rules.
-Want some?
-No, I don't--
wait a minute, aren't you
not supposed to be drinking?
I'm not an alcoholic.
I didn't say
that you were, I just--
There's that look, so judgy.
Explain it to me, then.
Well, when it's bad,
it's like there's
a thousand noises,
and they all blend into this one
giant buzzing in my body.
And then on top of that,
there's like, a hundred voices--
You hear voices?
Not like that.
They're all my voice.
Telling me
all the things I'm doing wrong,
all the stuff I've said weird,
all the ways I could die.
You think I'm crazy.
No!
Well, it's really hard
to make the noises stop,
or the voices shut up.
Sometimes booze helps.
Aren't they trying
to teach you other ways
in your program?
I hate the way you say that,
"Your program."
Well, what am I
supposed to call it, then?
Why are you here, anyway?
I don't know.
-Let's go swimming!
-What? Nora!
Nora! Nora! Get off the rock!
-Let's go swimming!
-Nora, no. Hey!
We're gonna go swimming!
It's not safe.
You're more scared than I am.
Let's get you home.
Boo.
Careful on the rocks.
Do you have any food?
I'm starving.
-Just--
-Ooh.
These are good.
What are you doing?
-Um, I was just--
-Are you just signing in?
It's almost noon.
I was feeling really sick,
and I slept in, I'm sorry.
Sick, huh?
Please don't tell my therapist.
You need to be more
careful.
I don't think
Mitch really cares.
Well, he'll look for
any reason to get to you,
if he knows we're close.
"Close"?
I mean, friendly.
Anyway,
I wasn't talking about Mitch.
I don't think you should
be drinking like that.
Drinking never leads
to anything good.
You don't drink?
No.
It causes bad decision-making.
God forbid.
You don't have to
make fun of me.
It's my choice.
You know, maybe that's why
you don't have any friends.
Yeah.
Says the girl who has to
walk home from work.
All right,
I think that's a good place
to take a five.
So, then I'm about to fall
asleep, and my phone goes off.
And it's him,
with a "Hey, you up?" text.
No. Seriously?
After two weeks
of not texting me.
-What an ass.
-I know.
Ugh. Guys, right?
Am I difficult to deal with?
Where is this coming from?
Well, I'm trying to figure out
why I don't have any friends.
I can be really fun,
but you guys frown on fun.
We don't frown on
going out with friends.
We frown on self-medication,
there's a difference.
Okay, so I'm fun,
-I'm really smart--
- Maybe don't say that
when you're trying
to make friends.
-But it's true.
-They'll figure it out
on their own.
-Fun, smart--
-You have many
great qualities, Nora.
But your social anxiety gets
in the way of allowing them
to present themselves naturally.
So I am difficult.
Oh, my God.
What if Jillian Peterson
is actually really nice,
and I'm the bitch?
Okay, let's backtrack
for a minute.
Did you have
any friends at law school?
I mean, not really.
I had a few friends in college,
but like, party friends,
nothing meaningful.
Is there anyone now you feel
a meaningful connection with?
I only see my parents,
and they suck.
What about people
at your volunteer space? Dustin?
He prefers "Dusty."
Hi.
Sorry,
didn't mean to startle you.
Want me to get that?
Ah, no.
We're late
for our beach patrol anyway.
So, I ran into Mitch earlier.
He told me
some interesting stuff.
What did he say?
Why does he
give you so much shit?
He seems
to love everyone else here.
I've seen the little parties
he throws in his back office.
-We grew up together.
-Really?
Yeah, he's my stepbrother.
-Well, was.
-Wow.
Why haven't you
mentioned this before?
I wasn't exactly cool to him
when we were younger.
You? Not cool?
Ha, ha.
Yeah, I got him in a lot of
trouble over the years.
So you've always been this
into-the-rules.
That's how I saw it.
He saw it as tattling.
You said
he was your stepbrother.
Yeah.
My mom married his dad
when I was like, 13.
They divorced a few years later,
but I can't escape him.
What happened?
Well, his dad...
wasn't my mom's type.
What do you mean?
Oh, shit!
Walked up to him,
and I freaking slapped him
across the head,
and I said,
"Hey, dickhead, what's wrong?"
It was great.
Cheers to that.
Oh, kids, kids, kids.
I'm going to
need to see some ID.
Hey. Stop that!
I could arrest you for this.
No you couldn't.
I could have you
arrested for this.
Hey!
What the hell are you doing?
What, is he your little bitch?
Oh, this is mine now,
you little shits.
What?
Come on!
Good work, we'll turn those in.
I was thinking we'd keep them.
Sure, whatever.
I wasn't expecting you
to give up that easily,
what's going on?
Oh, come on, I've told you
all sorts of my shit.
You know, this isn't even real?
I bought it online.
I've failed my law enforcement
test three times.
Three times.
So you do want to be a cop.
No.
You have to pass the exam
in order to become
a real park ranger.
I just want
to take care of the land.
Keep it beautiful.
Make people happy
to be here, the way I am.
So what's stopping you?
I get all freaked out,
and I can't do it.
The first time I took the exam,
I thought I was gonna
have a heart attack.
And now, even if I do pass,
I don't know how anybody is
ever going to take me seriously.
Well, I take you seriously.
No pass means no badge.
No badge means
I'm a trail janitor
who gets to have
some batshit crazy girl
follow him around all day.
So yeah, thanks,
that really means a lot.
-Hey!
-You're done
for the day Nora, go home.
You said you felt like
you were having a heart attack.
What?
When you took your test.
Yeah, I had to go
to the hospital and everything.
Well, was there anything wrong?
No.
That's a panic attack.
-Really?
-Yeah.
That is exactly
what happens to me.
Face it, you're just
as batshit crazy as I am.
I can help you.
Learn to deal with it.
No booze required.
Thanks, but I don't think
fixing the anxiety
is going to solve the problem.
I don't know if you noticed,
but I'm not exactly smart.
Who says?
Mitch. Everybody.
And they're right.
I was never good
at taking exams.
I didn't go to college,
I just stayed here.
I can help you study.
What do you know
about law enforcement?
Nothing, but I'm really sma--
Really good at studying,
and if Mitch
could figure it out,
I promise I can too.
I can't ask you to pick up
trash with me all day,
and then
study with me all night.
You could, if you needed to.
On your feet, Ranger.
Eleanor!
Set the table,
I'm not asking again.
In a minute!
"The police chased
a suspect vehicle for 30 miles
traveling at a speed
of 80 miles per hour."
-Wait, there's math on this?
-"After apprehending the
defendant..."
-Wait, what?
-"...they made the same trip
back to the police station
-at 40 miles per hour."
-Okay, can you start over?
"What was the average speed
the squad car traveled
for both trips?"
Okay, why is there math on this?
This is dark ops Dusty.
Cover me.
I'm going in.
Freeze, Victor! It's just us.
You're not getting out of it
this time.
No, I'm not gonna
get caught, Dusty!
You're a criminal.
You've been selling
drugs to kids!
Where's the evidence, bitch?
What did you say?
Don't say bitch!
Don't say bitch--
Nora! Hi.
What are you--You're early.
Uh, come in.
I made sandwiches.
I thought you might want dinner.
Thank you.
It's a replica gun.
It's the same weight and feel
as the real deal.
I was just studying it.
For the test.
Sure.
Let's eat.
So what do you do
when it happens?
For the anxiety.
'Cause this is all great...
but even if I remember
the terms,
and I figure out the math...
if I have a panic attack
it kind of all goes out
the window, doesn't it?
Okay.
We'll start
with some breathing exercises.
Inhale for three, hold,
exhale for four.
No, no, no.
Not like that.
From your diaphragm.
Diaphragm?
Isn't that a lady thing?
Not that one.
The body part.
-I have one?
-Everyone does.
It's what you use
to breathe deeply.
Like this.
No, no, no.
Here.
From here.
Hold.
Exhale.
Four, three, two, one.
It feels good.
Um, okay.
True or false,
based on the information
in that paragraph.
Can you fill out
a complete incident report?
False.
It is missing the time
of the incident.
Good!
Hi.
Can you tell me how to get
to the lighthouse from here?
Yes, ma'am.
Do you have a vehicle
with you today
or are you on foot?
I have a car.
Sorry, what?
I said I have a car.
Take a left
out of this parking lot,
and then your first right.
The easiest way is to exit
this part of the park entirely,
join back up with Route One,
and then make a right
about half a mile down
into the lot
that says "Dirigo Head Light."
Okay. Thanks very much.
I have big news.
Yes?
Well, I've been
improving so rapidly,
and I really want to
get out of my parents' house,
so I thought in a couple months
I'd be good enough to try again.
-Try what again?
-The Bar.
I'm signing up
to take the Bar again.
That's great, Nora!
But we want to make sure
this is coming
at an appropriate time,
and won't cause
too much additional stress.
Well, I already know
everything on it,
so I won't have
any studying to do.
I just have to be able
to take the test
and actually finish it,
and then I can get a job
and move out of my parents'
horrible home.
I love the attitude, Nora.
But we need to
balance the optimism
with some pragmatism.
It is pragmatic!
I haven't felt
this good in years.
The other night
I was making sandwiches,
and I had no problem
touching American Cheese.
I mean, I didn't put it
in my sandwich,
it's disgusting,
I don't know how Dusty likes it,
but it still felt good
to just be able to make
a sandwich.
Dusty?
You made a sandwich for Dusty?
I'm helping him
study for a test.
I made sandwiches
for our study session,
and I didn't think once
about the way he was chewing
while we were eating.
Well, do you think
maybe you didn't have a problem
touching the orange cheese
because you were making
the sandwich
for someone you connect with?
Someone you're trying to help?
That's kind of reading into it.
It's just cheese.
A month ago,
"just cheese" sent you here.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to--
Oh, it's okay.
I was almost done.
-May I?
-Yeah. Of course.
So...
-How's it going?
-Good.
No, I'm asking for real.
How's therapy?
Oh! Um...
-it was good--
-What are you two doing?
The Petersons
will be here in half an hour!
You need to get dressed!
No, no,
you can't wear that sweater.
You know I hate
the color orange.
Orange? I think
this is more of a salmon.
No. No!
Let's go change up, darling.
I said, "This is
completely unacceptable."
Hey, you're looking
a little low there.
-Want a refill?
-Sure.
Eleanor!
I'm just going to just see
General.
Yeah.
Well, Eleanor,
you certainly are all grown up.
Younger than your daughter.
What can I get you?
All business, are we?
Single malt on the rocks.
Oops.
This is Nora.
Leave a message.
Eleanor, hors d'oeuvres.
We need more hors d'oeuvres.
Thank you, dear.
So she's beautiful,
and she cooks!
It's just cheese.
And you're just beautiful.
Excuse me. I have to go...
take a shit.
Oh, gotcha.
And I said to Alice,
"My Dear, you may be
the mother of the bride,
but you're just as stunning
as you were on our wedding day."
Oh, my God.
It was such a special day.
Our Jillian was so happy.
Eleanor, I understand
you saw Jill just last month!
Oh, yeah. At the Lobster Shack.
Well, Eleanor,
you didn't even mention that!
She said you were with a man!
A little something
you need to tell us about?
- Just a friend.
- Uh-huh.
So there's no one
special in your life?
No.
I find that
very hard to believe.
- Hmm.
- It's true.
The St. Clair line will probably
die along with all of my eggs.
The, uh, chicken is superb,
Susan.
Hear, hear.
- Yes. Yeah.
- Delicious.
Oh, thank you.
You can do this.
Breathe.
This is Nora,
leave a message.
You don't need her.
Right, Dusty?
You got it, Dusty.
So, then, after Umbria,
where did they go next?
They went to a private
villa on a Tuscan vineyard.
The photos were divine.
How divine of them!
So, Eleanor, how long
will you be vacationing here?
Well, I wouldn't call it
a vacation.
It's not a joke.
Well, being with us old folks
for too long is no joke!
Did my mother not tell you
why I'm here?
That's funny, you're supposed
to be her best friends.
One would think
she would've told you
her precious Eleanor is home
because she went
a teensy bit nuts.
Who needs a top off?
I'll--
I'll have another scotch.
-Me as well, please.
-Eleanor, why don't you be
a dear and--
Fetch the scotch
for my alcoholic father
and his alcoholic friend?
-On it.
-Eleanor!
You know, everybody else
in the world calls me Nora.
But that stick is wedged
just a little too far
up your ass
for nicknames, huh?
Now that's enough.
I'm so sorry, I'm so so sorry.
She's just been so fragile
since the incident.
- It's okay.
- Eleanor, I think
it's time
you went upstairs.
Oh, I am on my way out.
By the way,
your daughter is a bitch,
and your husband's been
hitting on me
since the moment I turned 18.
There you go.
You sleep up there?
That's so weird.
What are you doing here?
I came to help you study.
Where are your shoes?
No idea.
You didn't drive here, did you?
No, walked.
So, what happened here?
I called you.
Like, a bunch of times.
My parents have a no phones
at the dinner table policy.
I'm having problems.
I can see that.
The test is next week.
I have to pass.
I told Mitch
I was going to pass this time.
And I can't face him again
if I fail.
Oh, you're not gonna fail.
It's getting worse.
I--I can barely see.
The breathing
isn't doing anything right now.
It's just...
I know something that works
when the breathing doesn't.
Ugh.
You're a man's man.
Men love scotch.
I just don't know
what to do anymore.
Make it go away.
Oh, God. That's bad.
The more you drink it,
the more you like it.
What is the process
for a national park to become...
national.
Well, uh,
first it has to be nature...
- Yes.
- ...that is conserved...
...by a, uh,
it starts with an S.
-A So...
-A So...
-Sovereign State!
-Yes!
You are so going to crush this.
I am so going to crush this.
Let's go do something.
Uh, like what?
We can't drive anywhere.
I am going to be a federal
law enforcement person,
I can't be drinking and driving.
Let's go swim at the park!
- Mm-hmm.
- Park's closed.
You're about to pass your test
and run the park.
Okay. Let's do it.
No, no, no.
Be cool, be cool, be cool.
You just refuse to learn,
don't you?
She is with me, and I can enter
the park at any time.
Dusty, Where are your shoes?
Not sure, ma'am.
Have you two been drinking?
We're both of legal age, ma'am.
And not operating
any motor vehicles,
as you can see.
You two been
spending a lot of time together.
Nowhere in my Ivy League
law education did I learn
that making
meaningful connections
was a crime, officer.
Meaningful, did she say?
Officer,
despite you being, like,
totally obsessed with us,
we have done nothing wrong.
Are we free to go?
I guess so. Keep being safe.
We absolutely will, ma'am.
And stop calling me ma'am.
Yes, m--
Sorry. Officer.
Weird cop.
My mom used to bring me
on so many night time swims
when I was a kid.
She used to be so fun.
I don't know what happened.
Whatever.
Uh, what are you doing?
We can't swim in our clothes.
Oh, uh.
Well, we should keep
our underwear on at least.
What?
Are you afraid
to go skinny dipping?
Wow.
You really
don't want to see me naked.
The opposite, actually.
What?
I really do
want to see you naked.
But we're friends.
I shouldn't think like that.
What if I wanted to be
more than friends?
But you don't.
Why would you?
A lot of reasons.
Oh.
Yeah.
Okay.
I'm going to do that again now.
Is that okay?
Stop.
Okay. Sorry.
I'm sorry.
Thank you.
It's not personal.
It--it's just--it's just...
wrong.
I'm your supervisor.
You're so obsessed with rules.
"It's wrong, you're wrong,
you can't go on the rocks,
you can't swim at night,
you can't have sex with me
on this beach even though
I so clearly want to."
I'm sorry, but I like my rules.
You want me to change who I am?
Why?
So that we can just
have sex on this beach
and then you go off
to your next crazy thing
and then I have to
go pick up trash again
and that's that?
You think
I wanted to get with you
as some crazy thing that I do?
What, you think
this was my new version
of pulling the fire alarm?
Well, yeah.
You're the crazy one.
Have you ever
even been with anybody?
What?
How could you even say that?
That's what Mitch told me.
He said
your whole family was weird.
-I thought he was lying.
-He was lying.
You know,
I wanted to get with you,
because you're the first person
I've wanted to
be around in years.
I thought we had something,
but clearly, I'm just crazy.
I got one for you right here.
Waited up for you.
I'm sorry
I called you an alcoholic.
It was a bit harsh, tactless.
But I suppose...
there's a little
nugget of truth of it.
You-- You look out. Okay?
You don't want to
end up like me.
Better than ending up like Mom.
- Come on.
- I'm serious.
Why does she hate me so much?
You know,
she doesn't hate you.
Not even close.
She loves you.
She just doesn't always know
how to show it.
She's embarrassed of me.
Oh, I think you remind her
of what she might be like
if she didn't hold
the reins so tight.
No way.
We are nothing alike.
Y--You two are
so much more alike
than you realize.
Your mother
likes her world ordered,
and so do you.
You disrupt her sometimes.
You know, I disrupted her...
right from the start.
When we were engaged,
she thought she was going
to marry a hotshot lawyer.
And I went and failed the Bar.
You failed?
-Twice.
-Wow.
I am signing up
to take it again.
-Why?
-What do you mean?
I mean, why?
Do you even want to be a lawyer?
Shit. I don't know.
I always just assumed
I'd do what you do.
If you don't know,
then don't do it.
I--I mean, take the time
to figure out what it is
and find what you want to do
and do that.
Something you love.
You're right.
Thanks, Dad.
I know I haven't always
been there for you.
And I--I didn't understand
the extent...
of your issues.
But I want to.
If it's not too late.
It's not.
Come here.
I am so sorry I'm late.
My mom took the car
without telling me
and then
I couldn't get a hold of her,
I don't think she's picked up--
Sit down.
We need to talk.
That is usually
what goes down in therapy.
I've received
some troubling news.
-Oh?
-Your supervisor at the park
has contacted us.
What did he have to say?
I'm going to
give you an opportunity
to come clean to me.
I thought we'd built
a trusting relationship, Nora.
I'll be a lot
less disappointed in you
if I hear this coming
out of your own mouth.
I don't know
what you're talking about.
Okay, then.
I've received
reports of tardiness
and general lack of work ethic.
Oh, yeah, um, I was late one
time
and I don't really like
nature all that much.
-I'm sorry--
-Those are not
the disturbing reports.
He told me
that you had
shown up to work hungover
on multiple occasions.
That you broke into the park
after hours to consume alcohol.
And that you attempted to engage
in an inappropriate relationship
while intoxicated.
Oh.
That stuff.
Yes. That stuff.
I'm sorry.
What exactly are you sorry for?
I'm sorry for drinking
and I'm sorry
for behaving inappropriately.
I thought he liked me back.
I'm not disappointed
that your judgment has lapsed.
That is to be expected.
I'm disappointed
that you did not choose
to seek out my help
when you had an impulse
to do these things.
Or at least tell me afterwards,
so we could work on preventing
them from happening again.
I'm adding another three weeks
on to your volunteering.
Understood?
I don't know what
the hell your problem is,
but don't ever contact me again.
What?
I wanted to ask you something.
Yeah?
Would it be possible for me
to work with someone else
from now on?
Why do you ask?
I don't feel comfortable
working with Dustin anymore.
Did something happen?
I would prefer
not to discuss it.
You can tell me.
-If he did anything
inappropriate, I will--
-No.
I just don't like
being around him.
Join the club.
Between you and I,
the Rangers all think
he might be a bit spectrum-y.
Well, it just so happens
I need a helping hand
every now and again.
-You'll work with me.
-Thank you.
You can start now.
These need to be
scanned into the system
and then faxed over to the EPA.
Off you go.
- Visitor Center, this is Dusty.
Do you copy?
Mitch here.
Has Nora signed in yet today?
Yes, she has.
She hasn't reported to me
yet for work.
- That's because she's working for me now.
- -What?
You heard me. Over and out.
Clippers, please.
What are you doing?
Asking for the clippers.
Why are you doing it so weirdly?
I thought that was protocol.
Never mind.
Can I just have the clippers?
What are you looking at?
Get back to work.
- Excuse me.
- What?
We still haven't talked
about your behavior
the other night
with the Petersons.
Since when do we talk?
You know what I can't stand
about you sometimes?
You think you're the only person
on this earth with problems.
- You are the--
- No, no.
It's me, me, me
all the time with you.
Your anxiety. Your issues.
No one could
possibly understand you.
What do you think
I have Xanax for?
For fun?
The difference between us
is I don't go around
all woe is me,
throwing my life away,
acting rude to anybody
I deem too normal
to understand me.
So, when you are ready
to get off
your obsessively high horse,
let me know.
Hi.
Paper jam?
It does that a lot.
Here.
Is Dustin bothering you?
No.
-Thank you.
-You're welcome.
Carry on.
-Hi.
-Hi.
How are you?
Fine.
-Yeah?
-Yeah.
You know,
I'm teaching a yoga class
at Two Lights this evening.
Cool.
You should really come.
Seems like you might need it.
Parents told you about
the dinner party, huh?
Six o'clock by the pond.
We pretended
that these Japanese maple leaves
were weed.
-Right? Right.
-No way.
We totally convinced him.
Oh, like, we sold out.
We rolled one up for him
and everything.
Like, it was--it was--
he bought it.
-Hey.
-So, we're smoking up,
he's hitting this thing away,
but he's so impressionable.
-Like, he wants to--
-Hey.
Um.
Anyone want to grab
a "brewski" with me tonight?
We're going to start
with our eyes closed.
Focus on your breath.
Note the rise and fall
of your chest
through your heartbeat.
And then keeping
your eyes closed,
start to move your body
in a way that feels good.
Whatever you need
in this moment.
Good, everyone.
Keep listening
to what your body needs
before we start our practice.
My body's calling out
for inversions today.
Hello.
May I please have a scotch?
Make that two, Dave.
You got it.
Are you okay?
Have I ever been?
I didn't know you liked whiskey.
I'm not really sure that I do.
You know,
you're always such a...
timid squeak of a kid.
Grew up,
you got tall and so handsome.
I thought you'd grown out
of the timid part, too.
I never...
stopped to ask myself
if you need...
real help.
Don't blame yourself.
Apparently,
I have Panic Disorder.
No shit.
Don't you go
making me feel dumb now, too.
You're not dumb, Dusty.
You just think differently
than other people.
Take it from me.
Being different
can be a really good thing
once you're no longer afraid
to be yourself.
How did you do it?
I was done hiding.
It was time to be me,
love it or hate it.
Yeah, but I'm not like you.
You had the courage
to come out and be yourself
in this small town.
I can't even stand up to Mitch.
You are special, Dusty.
You have more love
and compassion and decency
than anyone I know.
Stop trying to fit in.
People don't like you,
fuck 'em.
And you have to
get away from Mitch.
I do.
But no other park
needs a trail janitor.
Don't be so hard on yourself.
You're gonna pass,
if not this time,
then the next, or the next.
What you are
not going to do is give up.
So...
tell me about this girl
I keep busting you with.
I don't know.
I thought maybe
she was good for me.
But it turns out
she might just be trouble.
A little trouble
could be just what you need.
Never expected
to hear that from a cop.
Or my mom.
Never thought I'd say it, but...
sometimes we need to...
let go of what we think we know.
Who can tell me
what exposure therapy is?
Exposure therapy
is practicing what you fear.
So, a good form
of exposure therapy
for all of you would have been
to actually raise your hand
and answer that question.
Nora, can you give an example
of something you fear?
Intimacy.
Okay.
We'll call that "connecting."
How might you practice
exposure therapy with that?
I tried and now
everything is ruined.
We're not talking about
physical intimacy.
How might you practice
connecting with another person?
Tell them
personal things about myself?
Okay, good. What else?
Ask them personal questions
about themselves?
Listen.
Be a confidant.
Offer to help them with
their shitty fucking life.
Okay, okay,
that's--that's enough.
We will start with
the written examination.
You'll have 60 minutes
to answer 25 questions.
We'll begin in five minutes.
What do you want?
Dusty told me you guys
are stepbrothers.
Were.
Growing up with him
must have been...
interesting.
That's one way to put it.
He was an annoying
little weirdo.
Always running to his mom
anytime I had any fun.
Sounds like him.
Didn't help that his mom
was a cop, of course.
Turned out to be a dyke too.
Don't be such a snowflake.
You're a small person.
First time I've heard that.
Wait. Dusty's mom is a cop?
You know...
...I was a really good
quarterback in high school.
Made varsity as a freshman.
We won state's all four years.
Got a full ride
to play at U Maine.
Living the dream.
And?
And your boy tattled to Mommy
one too many times.
Got suspended. Lost my ride.
He's not my boy.
Get back to work.
Nora!
If you tell me
to get off this rock,
I swear to God--
No, no, no. Look.
I've been looking at that thing
for months trying to get it.
But I couldn't.
All I could see was the drop
to the water and myself falling.
So you're afraid of heights.
Shocker.
I'm afraid of
a lot of things, Nora.
You got a can. Good job.
Don't you get it?
You believed
I could do it, so I did it.
You sound like a crazy person.
I got your note.
It helped me breathe and focus,
and I know I passed.
Well, I'm really happy
that I could fix your life
just in time for you
to ruin mine
like you ruined Mitch's.
What are you talking about?
Don't play stupid.
I don't play stupid.
I just am stupid.
And I've been so stupid.
-What are you doing?
-I'm fixing things.
I didn't mean to ruin anything.
I just--
I was scared that
you were going to get with me
and then get bored of me.
And I like you too much
for you to run away.
Your rejection
didn't ruin my life, dumbass.
It's what you did after.
You didn't even give me
a chance to talk to you after.
You'd already talked to Dr. Jha.
God forbid you would've
talked to me first.
Who's Dr. Jha?
Who's Dr. Jha? My therapist!
You told her
that I'm late and I'm lazy
and I break into the park
and drink and have inappropriate
relations with co-workers.
I didn't tell her anything.
Why would my own therapist
lie to me?
How would she even know
about any of that?
What the hell is your problem?
Weren't you taking today off?
Let me guess.
Couldn't finish the test?
Oh, I finished.
And I know I passed.
Sure you did.
Why did you do that to Nora?
I was just reporting
on her behavior
like I'm supposed to.
Poor girl could
have hurt herself.
If I remember correctly,
that was your rationale
for telling Mommy
about my drinking.
I'm sorry. Okay?
I'm sorry you lost your chance
to play football in college.
I really am.
But it was over 15 years ago.
Get over it.
Why should I get over it?
You're still the same exact
little shit you always were.
Yeah, well at least
I'm working on changing it.
You know what?
I'm done being bullied
over your petty teenage shit.
I quit.
I quit too.
If my therapist lets me.
-See you tomorrow?
-We're not working tomorrow.
I know.
Look, Nora.
We need to talk.
I'm sorry
about the other night
with the Petersons.
I'm working on it
with my therapist.
It won't happen again.
That's not what this is about.
-It's not?
-It's not.
It's not.
It's about...
how we are as a family.
It's not working anymore.
What's that supposed to mean?
Well, it means we can't keep
pretending that it does.
Nora may have
fucked up once or twice.
Probably more like
a hundred times.
Thank you.
But she's in therapy.
She's actively
dealing with her issues.
Can we say the same?
So what do you say?
You're saying
I should go to therapy?
I'm saying that
we all should go together.
The lighthouse
is right over there.
See?
Yes.
Every night, a man would climb
all the way up there
and light the beacon.
And that way,
all the ships out to sea
could find their way home.
And--and then...
To what do I owe the pleasure,
Miss St. Clair?
-You did it!
-I did.
So what are we going to do
to celebrate?
-Are you sure this is safe?
-I did it a hundred times
as a kid.
What if there are rocks below?
It's high tide.
Ready?