Landscape with Invisible Hand (2023) Movie Script
1
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(SPOOKY VOCALIZING)
(SPOOKY MUSIC FADES)
(MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING)
(TOOL SCRAPING)
NATALIE: Are you gonna paint,
or are you just gonna
sit there staring
at the sky all day?
I'm waitin'
on the right conditions.
(SIGHS) Only a depressive
loser like you
would stare at a blue sky
and hope for clouds.
ADAM: It's a study
of the light.
Clouds are more interestin'.
Well, can you come help me
with the garden
while you wait?
ADAM: Yeah,
I'm not eatin' anything
that comes outta there.
Why not?
Just 'cause you read
about plants
on the internet for an hour
does not make you
an actual gardener.
Your basil from last week
tasted like chlorine.
Oh, so you'd rather eat food
that comes out
of a meat printer
in orbit somewhere?
Yeah. Lesser of two evils.
-(SIGHS)
-(TOOL SCRAPING)
Okay, there's somethin'.
Also, Mom looked upset.
Did something happen while
you guys were out job hunting?
(SIGHS) She's just tired.
Did she find anything?
She will.
Now, plant your vegetables.
I'm tryin' to focus.
(SOFT RUMBLING)
(SIGHS)
-(BIRDS SQUAWKING)
-(CAR ALARMS BLARING)
You're kiddin' me.
Thought this one
was headin' east.
NATALIE: Yeah, I think
it's a different one.
ADAM: Hey,
park somewhere else!
People live down here!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS)
(MUSIC STOPS)
(STUDENTS CHATTERING)
(SCHOOL BELL RINGS)
MALE VOICE:
Some of you may not be
old enough to remember it,
but life before First Contact
was extremely difficult.
Nearly every human
had to waste
most of their lives working,
and without our technology,
you could only produce
basic commodities
by slowly destroying
your own habitat.
Now, maybe we should have
intervened earlier,
but our scouting fleet
had been watching you
since the year you call 1953.
And if we'd learned anything
about your species,
it's that you weren't
always so quick
to embrace outsiders.
But when we finally landed
our ships
and introduced ourselves
five years ago today,
well, sure, a few of you
thought we were funny-looking,
and some of your governments
did their best
to keep us out...
(CLAMORING)
...but your most
forward-thinking
business leaders saw
the opportunities we brought
for wealth-creation
and industrial efficiency.
(WHIMSICAL MUSIC PLAYING)
-(CHEERING)
-And humankind
finally joined
the rest of the universe
in a new era of prosperity.
That's it for today's lesson.
Once again, my name is...
(HANDS RUSTLING)
And I look forward to getting
to know all of you better.
You may now remove your nodes.
(BLIPPING)
TEACHER: So, yeah.
There's your new curriculum.
No more English Lit.
(CLEARS THROAT)
From now on,
you'll be learning
Vuvv Culture and History.
And yes, that, um, thing,
it's gonna be
your new teacher now.
-(STUDENTS MUTTER)
-Save it, please.
Apparently,
my microscopic salary
is too much of a burden
on the school.
I have been underbid
by the little boxes
on your foreheads.
So congratulations, folks.
You're finally rid of me.
(SCHOOL BELL RINGS)
WOMAN: (ON PA)
...please come to the office.
(CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYING
FAINTLY ON SPEAKERS)
(ADAM CLEARS THROAT)
(CLEARS THROAT)
You know, you really captured
his essence.
I'm thinkin' maybe...
maybe his face
could use a little
more detail, though.
(CHUCKLES)
See?
The resemblance.
It's like a photograph.
(CHUCKLES) Exactly.
You're new here?
GIRL: Just started today.
Yeah, I noticed.
You're in my home room.
Mr. Stanley's.
The hologram formerly known
as Mr. Stanley.
(CHUCKLES)
I'm Adam.
Chloe.
(BOTH CHUCKLE QUIETLY)
We had a perfectly decent
house in the suburbs,
until the Vuvv built a Gorging
Complex right above it.
-That sucks.
-Yeah.
They bought out
all the lots around us.
My dad was the last holdout.
But the debris got so bad,
that when he finally sold,
it barely paid us enough
for the gas money to get here.
ADAM: Jesus.
Wait, so why here?
You guys got family in town
or somethin'?
CHLOE: Yeah.
We were at my uncle's
for a bit.
Technically, we still are
if anyone asks,
since it's in the district
and that's why I'm allowed
to come here.
ADAM: Wait, why "technically"?
CHLOE: Well, their house
flooded last week,
so we had to move out.
Damn, I'm... I'm sorry.
Where are you now?
You know, we're moving around.
A motel,
when we can afford it.
And when you can't?
-(MR. STANLEY SHOUTS)
-(GUN FIRES)
(STUDENTS SCREAMING)
-(SIREN WAILING)
-(INDISTINCT TALKING)
Was he a good teacher?
Yeah, I guess.
Always seemed like
he hated his job,
but must have meant
a lot to him.
This sort of thing's getting
way too common.
I know.
(POLICE RADIO CHATTER)
Hey.
You guys got a place
to stay tonight?
We'll figure something out.
I got kind of a crazy idea.
(UTENSILS CLACKING)
We really just can't tell you
how grateful we are,
Mrs. Campbell.
Truly.
Well, happy to help.
Adam is a very empathetic kid.
Not a kid, Mom.
CHLOE'S DAD:
And just so you know,
we're not the type of family
that typically lives
out of our car.
Dad.
We actually had a pretty nice
nest egg for a while there.
If I'd just put it all into
Vuvv tech, whoo, (CHUCKLES)
-we'd be great right now.
-(BETH CHUCKLES)
Well, none of us
were prepared.
Now, we just have to adapt.
That's right.
-You hear that, Hunter?
-Yeah, I heard her.
Anyway, um,
it's so nice to finally
be sitting at a real table
and eating some real food.
HUNTER: It's not real food.
-CHLOE: Hunter.
-It's not.
I see how they make it.
They just paste synthetic
cow cells into a mold.
And they print it.
-By the yard.
-CHLOE'S DAD: Hey.
HUNTER: By the mile.
Hey!
However you've prepared it,
it's delicious.
So how long are you staying?
Nat! That's rude.
How is that rude?
I told Chloe her family could
stay as long as they needed.
Oh! Okay.
It's not like we're usin' the
basement for anything else.
CHLOE'S DAD: Mrs. Campbell,
as soon as we can afford it,
we'll start paying rent.
BETH: Mm.
You said they were
only stayin' for one night.
ADAM: Mom,
they were literally sleeping
in a car under an overpass.
There are lots
of people sleepin'
under overpasses, Adam.
They all can't sleep
in our basement.
ADAM: Why not?
Seriously, why not
if we have the space?
You can go down
to the overpass right now
and find 10 families that need
more help than they do.
Okay, sure, but none of them
have a kid in my class.
-(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
-(PLATE RATTLES)
Thank you, Chloe.
Of course. Thank you so much
for dinner. It was delicious.
BETH: You're welcome.
(SIGHS)
That was a weird dinner.
ADAM: Yeah.
Sorry.
It's not your fault.
Hey, what are you doing
this weekend?
Uh, no plans. Why?
You wanna come
scavenging with me?
(SPOOKY MUSIC PLAYING)
The trick is finding
which area they use
as a dumping-ground.
Usually,
it's a field like this.
The shitty part is,
you can only salvage
the stuff that survives,
like, the huge drop.
I mean, that is what
the people up there are like.
They'd rather their shit
be destroyed
than end up
in some pleb's living room.
It sounds like
you've been up there.
Nah. But almost did.
-Once.
-Really?
How?
My dad was
a real estate developer,
and, uh, him and his partner
actually had an offer
to subcontract
for a Vuvv firm...
to, uh, design
the human housing
once they started
lettin' people move up there.
Seriously?
Yeah.
He turned 'em down, though.
Why?
He was a proud guy.
Didn't, uh...
Didn't think the terms
were fair.
I mean, I don't think
he really understood
how quickly the wealth
from down here
would migrate up there,
you know.
Where is he now?
My dad?
Dad is in California.
What are you doing?
I'm just sketching.
Sketching me?
Is that okay?
Yeah, um...
My dad has some thing
for the West Coast.
Once business started
dryin' up around here,
he got convinced
that it was the last place
you could make
a decent livin',
so, thought he'd start fresh,
you know,
start sendin' us back checks.
Did it work?
You'd have to ask him.
(SIGHS) To do that, you'd have
to find him first, so...
I'm so sorry, Adam.
I didn't mean to bring up...
No, no. (CHUCKLES)
Uh, it's okay. Um...
Can you, uh...
Can you do that look
you were just doin'?
What?
You were, like...
You were doin' this look,
like, when you were
lookin' up.
Can... Can you do that again?
-(SPOOKY MUSIC PLAYS)
-(SIGHS)
Like this?
Just like that.
CHLOE: Adam! Adam!
(CHLOE LAUGHING)
Adam!
-(GRUNTING PLAYFULLY)
-(CHLOE LAUGHING)
ADAM: Come on.
(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
ADAM: You ready?
CHLOE: Yes.
ADAM: Sure you're not
gonna make fun of it?
(CHUCKLES) Yes.
ADAM: All right.
(INHALES SHARPLY) Here we go.
(GROANS)
It's too much build-up now.
Oh, my God, Adam!
Uh, can we do this again?
Like, without the towel...
Just show me!
(SIGHS) All right.
Oh, my God!
Is that a good "Oh, my God"
or a bad "Oh, my God"?
Very good.
Very, very good.
It's hilarious but...
And it also really
kinda looks like me.
-(CHUCKLES)
-You like it? Really?
-I really do.
-(CHUCKLES)
Well, I want you to have it.
It's yours.
Seriously?
Yeah. I mean, well,
you need somethin'
to put on these walls
down here.
This might be the nicest thing
anyone's ever done for me.
Shut up.
Maybe the second-nicest.
What's the first?
Well, I don't wanna
make you jealous,
but there's this kid
in my class
who let my entire family
stay at his house.
-Oh, really?
-Mm-hmm.
Sounds like a real try hard,
that guy.
Well, he's actually
extremely kind.
And smart.
Okay, well, now I am jealous.
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)
CHLOE'S DAD: Chloe?
Uh, yeah?
Oh, hey, Adam.
What's up, Mr. Marsh?
CHLOE: Uh, what's up?
Oh, did you, uh,
do something with my Q-tips?
No.
Huh.
I can't find them.
Well, good luck.
An interesting piece.
Thanks.
(SPOOKY MUSIC PLAYING)
(STUDENTS CHATTERING)
So, you guys steal this stuff,
or what?
We found it.
You gonna buy?
I wish I could. Um...
I'm real short on cash.
But if you two could help...
This isn't a charity booth.
Okay?
So, either pay up
or make room
for the other customers.
What other customers?
Sorry.
I guess this was a bust.
It's okay.
No, it's not, though.
I really wanna be able
to pay you guys rent.
Don't worry about it.
Or at least our share
of the heating bills.
Chloe, it's fine, really.
I don't think
we even have our share.
It might be a cold winter.
Well, you're very sweet
to help me with this.
Hey, it's, uh, you know,
somethin' to do.
(CHLOE CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Hey, you know, we could...
we could always consider
doing a Courtship Broadcast.
A what?
You know, where you set
your nodes to broadcast
instead of receive,
and then they watch you
while you go on dates.
They actually, like,
pay to watch
and then they send it
straight to your account.
You've never heard about this?
Okay, well...
You know,
they don't have, like,
"dating" in their culture.
They don't have "love."
They reproduce asexually.
They "bud."
So, they find romantic stuff,
like, super exotic
and interesting.
Well, anyway,
it's just a thought.
You don't think that'd be
kinda awkward, though?
Not really.
I don't find being
with you awkward.
It's kinda the opposite
of awkward.
Yeah, um...
Um, I... (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
I mean, I feel the same way.
That's why we'd probably make
a good Courtship Broadcast,
actually.
Now that we're talking
about it.
Yeah, but...
You don't wanna just
let it develop,
like, naturally?
We can still
develop naturally.
The more natural the better.
They like natural.
(SIGHS)
Okay, how does it work?
MAN: (ON NODE)
You have zero current viewers
and zero dollars total.
CHLOE: (CHUCKLES) Your palms
are a little sweaty.
I know. I'm sorry.
CHLOE: Don't apologize.
You know, it's actually
probably a good thing.
Why?
Because this thing picks up
on, like, everything
you're experiencing.
Sight, sound, touch.
They probably like
to feel the nervousness.
Makes it more immersive.
MAN: (ON NODE)
You have zero current viewers
and $0.13 total.
You have nice eyes.
Did you know that?
-ADAM: Thank you.
-(WATER SPLASHING)
(SIGHS) Shit.
ADAM: What's wrong?
Well, they don't wanna
see that. It's depressing.
Are you sure they wanna see
any of this? At all?
Well, (CHUCKLES) they won't
if you keep editorializing.
Come on, loosen up!
Just be yourself.
(SCOFFS) I hate
when people say that.
What do you mean?
Well, I mean...
I guess I'd just rather be
anyone else.
-(CHUCKLES LIGHTLY)
-You would?
Yeah, wouldn't anyone?
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYS)
Adam, you don't need
to try to be yourself.
It's not a skill.
You just, like, do nothing.
You just exist.
Just breathe.
(CHUCKLES) Come on!
Breathe with me.
(INHALES DEEPLY)
(INHALES DEEPLY)
(BOTH EXHALE DEEPLY)
(GENTLE MUSIC CONTINUES)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Just like that.
MAN: (ON NODE)
You have six current viewers
and $4.76 total.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry that
I treated you mean today.
You shouldn't believe
what I say
when I'm with the rest
of the kids.
Nobody... Nobody acts sincere.
Yeah.
MAN: (ON NODE)
You have 427 current viewers
and $1,239 total.
WOMAN: (ON SCREEN)
Why did you do that?
MAN: (ON SCREEN)
I felt like it.
Your lips are soft.
(HANDS RUSTLING)
(CLASSIC SOUL SONG
PLAYING ON SPEAKERS)
MR. MARSH: Get out of here.
-(LAUGHTER)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
See how they pound it.
They pound it and it was...
it was tender.
(LAUGHTER)
Oh, my God!
I haven't had real meat
in so long.
I know. I'd forgotten
what it tastes like.
(CLEARS THROAT) To our
two little entrepreneurs!
BETH: Mm.
MR. MARSH:
To a very profitable week.
Dad, you're not
supposed to talk
about the broadcast
on the broadcast.
It ruins the suspension
of disbelief.
Well, it ruins dinner
when you're wearing them.
So, why don't you
take 'em off?
(CHUCKLES LIGHTLY)
It's so nice to sit down
for a family dinner.
Isn't it, Adam?
(CHUCKLES LIGHTLY) Sure is.
Family dinner is one of our
most cherished human rituals.
It's an important chance
to strengthen the bond
between parents
and their young.
Helps our numbers
when she explains
-things like that for them.
-Mm.
A good meal like this
isn't just about sustenance.
This ritual also expresses
our camaraderie
for each other.
Do you have to do this
right now, Chloe?
Uh, no, I don't have to.
Do you want me to stop?
I really like Hunter's idea
about no nodes
at the dinner table.
How about we go ahead
and implement that rule?
Sure, sorry.
Um, we'll take a quick break,
and we'll be back
after dinner for...
-What were we doing?
-Uh...
Picking out
your homecomin' dress.
For homecoming dress
picking-out.
MAN 1: (ON NODE)
You have 87 viewers and $308.
MAN 2: (ON SCREEN)
Well, my dear lady,
I don't want to alarm you.
WOMAN: (ON SCREEN)
Oh. Well, after tonight,
nothing can alarm me.
MAN 2: I understand.
It must have been terrible.
MAN 1: (ON NODE) You have
62 viewers and 200...
Maybe it's nice if we, uh,
just don't wear them
for a while.
Why?
I don't know.
I feel like we barely spend
any time without 'em.
(CHUCKLES) Well, I know.
I think that's part
of why we do so good.
Don't you?
Yeah.
I don't know,
I guess I just wanna know
that, um, you wanna
spend time with me
when nobody's watchin'.
Adam.
Yeah?
A week ago,
I had nothing good in my life.
Nothing.
I mean, I was starting to
think there was nothing good
left in the world.
Then I found you.
WOMAN: (ON COMPUTER)
On to lesson five.
(MOUSE CLICKS)
"Where is the nearest
restaurant?"
(RUSTLING ON COMPUTER)
(MOUSE CLICKS)
WOMAN: " I apologize.
I mean no disrespect."
(RUSTLING ON COMPUTER)
HUNTER: Dad, I don't even know
how I'm supposed
to make that noise.
No part of my body
can make that noise.
Well, it certainly won't
if you don't try.
So, let's, uh... Yeah,
let's do that one again.
(MOUSE CLICKS)
WOMAN: " I apologize.
I mean no disrespect."
(RUSTLING ON COMPUTER)
Excuse me.
MR. MARSH: Oh. Hey, Beth.
BETH: (CHUCKLES) What, uh...
What is this?
So, we heard about
a last-minute job opening
for a personal
grooming position
up in one of the developments.
But they turned
Hunter away because
they're only considering
humans who speak Vuvv.
And I just found
some language lessons,
so this doesn't happen again.
Ah, I see.
Uh, maybe in the future,
you could just ask me
before using, uh, my computer?
Oh. I'm sorry.
Well, we don't have one, so...
So?
So it's basic human decency
to let us use it.
MR. MARSH: Okay, Hunter...
Hunter, I don't know
how you were raised,
but in this house,
it's basic human decency
to ask before using something
that doesn't belong to you.
WOMAN: You're almost finished
with the lesson.
- Would you like to continue?
-Hey, Beth.
Could you try not to humiliate
me in front of my son?
Excuse me?
We should have asked,
but that doesn't mean
you have to come in
and disrespect me.
How did I disrespect you?
"I don't know
how you were raised"?
Well, Beth, you're looking
at the man who raised him.
I didn't mean it as an insult
to you or anything.
That was not my intention.
I didn't think
I'd be in this situation.
Broke, dragging
my kids around,
relying on my daughter
for income,
living in a basement.
What does that have
to do with...
(LOUDLY) Do not speak over me!
You are not better than me.
-All right?
-(DOOR OPENS)
You're not smarter,
you're not stronger,
you're just luckier.
-Mom, what's going on?
-(DOOR CLOSES)
You got a lotta nerve
speakin' to me like that.
We're doing you all a favor.
Whoa, we're payin' rent now.
All right, you're not
the fucking Red Cross,
-you're a landlord!
-Hey, hey! Calm down!
-Dad.
-Well, if it's so humbling
living here, you know
what you can do?
You are more than welcome
to pack all your shit
and fuck all the way off.
-That's what you can do.
-Hey, okay. That's...
There's zero need
for that kind of language!
HUNTER: I thought
you were a lawyer.
JD/MBA!
Check the plaque out
on the wall!
And these are not your chips,
Hunter!
What do you mean, they're not
"my" chips? I wasn't saying
-it was my chips!
-These chips are not yours
'cause you didn't ask
for them!
MR. MARSH: I'm sorry, but you
cannot talk to us this way!
What's going on?
-MR. MARSH: It's not okay!
-Why are we yelling?
MR. MARSH: And she's not
doing us a favor!
-(ALL YELLING)
-Hunter!
HUNTER: Calm down!
(LOUDLY) You know what? Stop!
Just stop! Stop!
I think we need to come up
with a set of very clear
and very simple house rules.
-Rich old bitch.
-I swear to God, Hunter,
if I hear another word
out of you...
Leave it alone, Chlo.
She's not rich.
No one down here is rich.
Well, she's still got
this big-ass house.
Okay, that up there,
that's how rich people act.
I mean, we're just
street people to her.
Doesn't matter
that Dad's an accountant.
We're a bunch of bums!
And she doesn't want
our dirty hands
all over
her computer keyboard.
I mean,
this shit is degrading!
It's... (SIGHS)
We need to get outta here.
We're not gonna find
a better situation than this.
What?
Kissing that loser for cash?
Maybe it's not just
about money, Hunter.
Maybe I like him,
and I want to kiss him.
-You ever consider that?
-Yeah, I think you do,
and I think it's the worst
part of this whole thing.
What do you mean?
You're playing lovey-dovey
with a kid
who is locking you and your
family up in his basement!
Enough!
Please, can we just eat?
(MR. MARSH SIGHS)
(DREAMY SYNTH-POP SONG
PLAYING)
-What's this?
-It's a bolo, man.
You get it from your little
buddies who have bug friends?
-Get off!
-What are you doing, bro?
BOY: Hey!
MAN: (ON NODE) You have
49 viewers and $207 t otal.
You look nice.
Where'd you get the suit?
It's my dad's.
Well, it looks great on you.
Yeah, it gets the job done.
MAN: (ON NODE) You have
62 viewers and $238 total.
You look beautiful.
Thanks.
Hey, um, so, I've been wantin'
to talk about what's been
goin' on with our parents.
Hey. Hey!
Would you keep that shit
out of my line of sight?
Why don't you keep your shit
out of our line of sight?
Yeah, well, how about you get
your own fucking idea
instead of stealing ours?
You didn't invent
Courtship Broadcasts, bitch!
Sorry.
ADAM: No, it's fine.
What I was tryin'
to say was...
things have kind of been weird
between us
ever since our parents
had that thing...
You know, we can talk about it
another time.
Right.
(DREAMY SYNTH-POP SONG
CONTINUES)
MAN: (ON NODE) You have
87 viewers and $308 total.
Except no 'cause, you're...
you're kinda bein' weird,
and maybe we should
just take these off and talk.
So I'm being weird.
It's my fault.
Don't be like that. I'm trying
to make things work.
You're trying
to make this work?
I'm the one
who's always trying
to explain things for them,
and you make me feel like
a lunatic for doing it.
Like this whole thing
is just so painful for you.
Yeah, well,
maybe it is painful for me.
Why would you say that?
Not the "dating you" part,
the...
the... the "doin' it
in front of aliens" part!
You really think that's fun?
-You know what I think?
-What?
I think we should shut up
about this and slow dance.
Fine.
(SPOOKY MUSIC PLAYING)
MAN: (ON NODE) You have 17
current viewers and $13 total.
School is such
a wonderful place, isn't it?
Sure is.
Great place to learn
and hang out between classes
with your girlfriend.
Adam Campbell? Chloe Marsh?
(SIGHS)
We just got a letter
for the two of you.
What is it?
PRINCIPAL: It just says
"Human Broadcasting
Standards Commission."
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
Okay.
It looks like it says, uh...
I told you
he couldn't translate.
Anybody else here
take a Vuvv language?
No, I know how to read it.
I...
I don't know how
to put this delicately.
-What?
-Just say it.
I think you two
are being sued.
Whoa.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
Will you stop tapping
your foot?
(SIGHS) Okay,
can you just calm down?
We are goin' to be fine.
How's it gonna be fine?
What do you mean,
"How's it gonna be fine?"
It's probably just
a misunderstanding.
People don't just sue
other people
about misunderstandings.
MAN: (ON SPEAKERS) You are
now leaving US jurisdiction
and entering
international air space.
W e are approaching Autonomous
Residential Hub number 113.
(DEVICE BLARES)
There is a driver waiting
for you on the central lawn.
Driver?
(QUIRKY MUSIC PLAYING)
ADAM: So, uh,
how long
have you been with, um...
CHAUFFEUR: How long have
I been with (SPEAKS VUVV)?
Yeah, that name.
Did you say, um, "swoo hee"?
CHAUFFEUR:
It answers to "Shirley,"
for those who can't
handle proper pronunciation.
And I've been working with it
for just over a year.
Did you drive humans
before that?
No, I was a neurosurgeon
before this.
-You're kidding!
-Neurosurgeon.
CHAUFFEUR: I used to be
very prominent in the field.
That's why I qualified
for this position.
It's fashionable to have
a powerful human as a driver.
They don't need drivers.
They don't need cars.
They could be zooming around
on self-piloting hoverspheres
like they do in other systems.
But here,
it's how the locals do it.
It's cool.
ADAM: Wait, so, did you
just run out of business
as a surgeon?
Like, there's not enough
wealthy humans up here
to operate on?
(BRAKES HISS)
I don't appreciate
your assumptions, my friend.
Sorry.
Of course I still had people
to operate on.
But my starting salary with
(SPEAKS VUVV)
is five times what I ever made
in my best years as a surgeon.
And I have kids to look after.
Anyway, we're here.
(QUIRKY MUSIC PLAYS)
Wait, where?
Um...
So, do we just...
CHAUFFEUR: That's right.
ADAM: Here,
let me help you down.
CHLOE: Nah, I'm good.
CHAUFFEUR: Oh.
And avoid direct eye contact.
It tends to spook them.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(OLDIE SONG PLAYING
ON SPEAKERS)
TRANSLATOR: (ON DEVICE)
Leave us.
So, um, we got your letter.
TRANSLATOR:
For a period of time,
your broadcast
was quite enjoyable.
Thank you.
TRANSLATOR: My own offspring,
in fact,
began watching it regularly.
-That's fantastic.
-Wow.
TRANSLATOR: However, it has
recently become obvious,
you are deceiving
your viewers.
-What?
-Deceiving?
-What?
-What do you mean?
Yeah.
TRANSLATOR: The title
of your broadcast
is "Adam and Chloe in Love."
ADAM: That's right.
TRANSLATOR: And yet,
you are not in love.
(CHUCKLES)
I, um... I'm not sure
that's true.
(SHIRLEY SPEAKING VUVV)
TRANSLATOR: It is fully true.
How do you know?
You don't know
what's in our hearts.
TRANSLATOR: Miss Marsh...
I am an expert
not only in human law,
but also in human
mating customs.
I have been studying them
since before you were born.
You may have been in love
at the beginning
of your series,
but you are no longer.
Your biology betrays you.
Your cheeks no longer
fill with blood
in the other's presence.
Your palms no longer
produce fluid.
Your central blood
distribution organ
no longer pumps
at shorter intervals
when holding
one another's hands.
Well, what can we do about it?
I want you to repay all funds
you have received.
Wait.
We can't possibly do that.
We've already spent everything
we've made, just to live.
TRANSLATOR:
Then I will take you to court
and your families
will be in debt
for approximately
six generations.
Okay, we... we can get
that love back.
Just give us some time
to work on our relationship.
Right?
Yeah.
Yeah, what if... (SIGHS)
what if we just started over
and kept doing this?
But we did it
with other people?
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
ADAM: So, you didn't think
to talk to me first?
-Like, one-on-one?
-I'm sorry, it just came out.
So, you didn't mean it?
I don't know.
(SCOFFS) Yeah,
I don't think you meant it.
I think that we both know
that what we have
is the only good thing
in either of our lives,
and it would be a mistake
to let that go.
Something's off, Adam.
I mean, that thing
was right about that.
I know you feel it too.
Okay, fine, yeah,
but that's just the weirdness
with our families.
-I can fix that.
-How?
I... I don't know!
But I can...
Look, everything's
just too complicated now.
Okay? And... (SIGHS)
And I think it would
just make more sense
if we separate the business
side of what we do
from our friendship.
Were we ever really friends?
I think I was just a rung
on a ladder to you,
another head to step on
as you climb to the top.
Have you ever slept
on the street, Adam?
No, but what does
that have to...
Have you ever had to take
turns staying up all night
to make sure a bum doesn't run
off with all your possessions?
-Have you ever had to...
-You don't need to lecture me,
all right? 'Cause I've been
through plenty of shit
you haven't
experienced either.
Okay, yeah! And I get that.
Okay, but look, I'm just like
any other person.
Okay? I wanna grow up
and fall in love
and be swept off my feet.
But that's
a higher-order need.
I'll figure that out
after I manage food
and shelter, okay?
MAN: (ON PA) Passengers
will be subject to search
at docking station two.
C o ntraband will be seized
and incinerated.
Ma'am, would you like my seat?
BETH: "User agrees that, when
device is set to 'Broadcast,'
"all human behavior
displayed by user
"will be authentic
human behavior.
"Failure to comply will result
in immediate prosecution."
Nobody reads this shit though,
right?
I'm sorry, baby.
They got you on this one.
Come on, not with you
defendin' me in court.
I don't think it'd be
a good idea to go to trial.
So... So, what am I supposed
to do?
Convince it to take pity
on you
and drop the charges.
Ma, I already tried that.
I don't think empathy
is a concept for 'em.
But they have hearts.
Deep down in there,
I know they do.
No. No, I'm sayin'
I literally think
they don't have
circulatory systems, period.
(SIGHS) I don't know
what to say then.
So, you're just givin' up?
Do you know what type
of lawyers they hire?
I don't even wanna think about
the kind of people
that would work with them.
Exactly!
The worst kind.
You irritate them,
they hit you
with heavier charges.
Then we're not even talkin'
about losin' the house
at that point.
Talkin' about debtor's prison,
floatin' over the Antarctic
somewhere.
You take on this fight,
it just gets worse.
You know, when I was young,
somebody told me
that it's always better
to fight.
I thought that somebody
was you.
HUNTER: (MUFFLED)
Stop looking at me like that.
CHLOE: Like what?
MR. MARSH: Guys!
What did I just say?
HUNTER: Yeah, but then
she started staring me down!
CHLOE: Clearly,
you've never been stared down
because this isn't
staring you down.
HUNTER: You know what
I said is true! You know it!
MR. MARSH:
I told you to be quiet!
Are we gonna make it?
What do you mean?
I just mean,
sometimes it feels like
we're not gonna make it.
What, like,
are we gonna survive?
You know, I look
around the world now and...
less and less of it
seems like a place
anyone would wanna be.
BETH: Well, jeez, honey.
Sometimes...
you make it really hard
to keep hope alive.
-ADAM: Hey, Nat.
-Yeah?
We're gonna be fine.
Never heard Mom talk
like that.
Don't worry about Mom.
I got you.
('70S COUNTRY SONG
PLAYING ON SPEAKERS)
Ma'am,
I'm really not sure
when my boss
will next be available.
I've got time.
Is that comfortable
on your skin?
It's not supposed
to be comfortable.
It's chic.
(DOOR BANGS)
Ma'am.
It'll see you now.
(BETH BREATHING HEAVILY)
(BETH EXHALES HEAVILY)
('70S COUNTRY SONG
CONTINUES PLAYING)
Uh...
Hello, uh, sir, ma'am. Uh...
My name is Beth Campbell,
-uh, and...
-(SPEAKING VUVV)
TRANSLATOR: Sit.
(CHUCKLES LIGHTLY) Okay.
(BETH GRUNTS, SIGHS)
TRANSLATOR: You are
the Campbell mother.
I am aware.
My entire brood
and I have watched
the deceitful broadcast
of the Campbell boy
and the Marsh girl.
Well, I'm glad
to hear it. Uh...
And I'm very sorry
you found it deceitful.
TRANSLATOR: Romantic love
is the most unique and poetic
of all human love modes.
It should never be faked.
Hmm. I, um... I agree.
TRANSLATOR:
Then you understand
why your child
must be taken to court.
Well, in theory, yes, but...
TRANSLATOR: In that case,
our business here
is concluded.
('70S COUNTRY SONG
CONTINUES PLAYING)
Could I ask you a question?
TRANSLATOR: Briefly.
Uh...
The little one that left
your office earlier,
was that a member
of your brood?
TRANSLATOR: That is
my latest offspring.
That's a form of love,
isn't it?
Love for one's offspring.
TRANSLATOR:
We don't call this "love."
Love is a human phenomenon,
a bizarre offshoot
of your collaborative
reproductive process.
Well, Shirley...
Can I call you Shirley?
I can assure you
that the reproductive process
isn't always "collaborative."
One sex tends to bear
the burden of the process.
TRANSLATOR: I am well aware
of human mating practices.
Well, then you know what
I'm talkin' about when I say
there's one very unique type
of human love,
even stronger
than romantic love.
TRANSLATOR: Continue.
It's a mother's love
for her children.
I think you know what
I'm talkin' about because...
and I'm goin' out
on a limb here,
but... (SIGHS)
I think you feel it yourself.
I think you have
the same kinda love
for your own offspring.
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
And right now, Shirley...
my children are suffering.
They've lost faith in me...
as their parent
and as their protector.
(SIGHS)
And I'm hopeful the two of us
can find a creative way...
to pay off my son's debt.
Think of it as a study abroad.
A semester, if you will.
Like a homestay.
Shirley just wants this kid
to be immersed
in the human culture.
By being your husband?
My pretend husband.
Like...
Like Chloe
was Adam's pretend girlfriend.
It gets to play-act having
its own earthling family.
Oh, God.
Why would it even want that?
Because it watches
a lot of node-broadcasts
and old TV shows and...
Look, Shirley thinks
it will open up its mind.
So what? Do you have
to have sex with it or...
Yo, what?
No, Nat! That is disgusting.
It doesn't even have
the equipment for that.
Anyway, for now,
I was able to get her
to drop the lawsuit.
So, as long
as its kid stays happy,
we get to keep the house.
(SIGHS)
Thank you, Ma.
NATALIE: Don't thank her.
-I'd rather starve.
-Natalie!
This was the best option
we had. All right?
I'm not happy about it either.
So, I don't wanna hear
any more complaints about it.
Honestly?
In a week,
we probably won't even
notice it around.
(PLAYING WAGNER'S
BRIDAL CHORUS )
Do you want me
to cut that for you?
TRANSLATOR: Yes, wife.
Cut it.
Yeah, I think I'mma, um,
finish this in the other room
if everyone's cool with that.
That's fine with me.
I think I'm gonna
head out too.
TRANSLATOR:
The small one may go.
The large one must stay.
(CHUCKLES QUIETLY)
BETH: Um...
They have names
that we call them by.
Uh, this is Adam
and that is Natalie.
Uh... These are my kids.
TRANSLATOR: Yes.
Is there something
you want us to call you?
TRANSLATOR: "Father" will do.
That is your name
for this position, yes?
Um...
Yeah, that's the...
that's the title.
There's usually a name
attached to it though.
TRANSLATOR: "Father" will do.
(CAPRICIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
VUVV TEACHER: Before
we start today's lesson,
I wanna remind you
that our class is just one
of many modules
you can access at any time
from the comfort
of your own home.
A few highlights from the rest
of our curriculum
include courses
on Advanced Vuvv Language,
Vuvv Engineering,
Vuvv Moral Philosophy,
Human Televisual Culture
Through A Vuvv Lens,
Vuvv Hygiene,
Vuvv Cuisine,
Vuvv Slang,
Vuvv Logistic Theory,
Vuvv Ecology...
Hey.
You don't think it's strange
that we live in the same house
but I have to come find you
at school to talk to you?
It's definitely strange.
CHLOE: Well, I hate it.
I see what's going on
upstairs.
I'm worried about you.
I mean, things aren't great
downstairs either,
but I just feel like
we can't speak now.
I don't... I don't get
what you're trying to say.
Well, I guess I just wanna
know that you're okay.
Are you okay?
With all due respect...
I don't have time for
a conversation about feelings.
I got "higher-order needs"
to worry about.
WOMAN: (ON SCREEN)
That's my boy!
He's half-mine too, you know.
(CANNED LAUGHTER ON TV)
Hey, Pop.
(DOOR OPENS)
Well, I'm gonna go upstairs
and talk to Jenny.
WOMAN: You do that, son.
TRANSLATOR: (ON DEVICE)
Welcome home, son.
(SIGHS)
Adam.
TRANSLATOR: Come give
your father a hug.
Fuck off.
Adam! You can't talk
to it that way.
Adam!
Do you know what happens
if that thing gets sick of us
and decides to leave?
-Don't care.
-The payments dry up,
-the lawsuit's back on...
-(SIGHS)
...and we lose the house.
Close my damn refrigerator!
Runnin' up my bill.
Also, what are you
doin' home so early?
Don't you have school?
That thing is not my dad.
Where do you think
you're goin'?
To the basement.
-With the Marshes?
-Better than up here.
Ordinary Americans
just want to work,
and they feel
increasingly cut off
from the wealth generated
since the landing.
And to those people,
I would say,
"Go get your piece
of the pie!"
The Vuvv want to trade.
They want to work with humans.
And let's not forget,
their technology
didn't win out by force.
We wanted it because
it's better than ours!
I think this is
a uniquely exciting time
for those with
entrepreneurial instincts.
SUSAN: Please, Steve.
It's a terrible time
to be an entrepreneur.
STEVE: Terrible time to be
a bad entrepreneur, sure.
You want a beer, Adam?
-SUSAN: You've seen the data!
-I won't tell your mother.
SUSAN: I've seen the data.
-Sure.
-SUSAN: Human businesses
are shutting down
at an unprecedented cliff.
STEVE: Sure, bad,
inefficient human businesses
are being shut down
- at an unprecedented cliff.
-Thanks.
STEVE: Poor quality products
and over-priced services
are disappearing.
It's called
creative disruption.
-And it benefits the consumer.
-(ADAM SIGHS)
I like to compare it
to pruning the bushes
or setting the dead
prairie grass on fire.
SUSAN: I grew up
on a farm, Steve...
Diggin' the new look, Hunter.
Eat a dick.
MR. MARSH:
He gave you a compliment.
He's taking time to adjust.
But Chloe says
it's the look, up there.
ADAM: She's right.
You hear that, Hunter?
I think it's really gonna
open up his career prospects.
Dad, I'm watching.
SUSAN: ...unheard
and abandoned populace.
STEVE: Who's abandoned them,
-Susan? Who?
-MR. MARSH: You know,
the boneheads
who do stuff like this
only make the rest of us
look uncivilized.
It's not gonna fix
any problems.
It's not supposed
to fix anything.
People are just angry.
Well, if they're angry
with anyone,
they should be angry
at themselves.
For not bein' able to hang
in a more competitive economy.
ADAM: Well, at some point,
it stops being competition.
Starts being domination.
STEVE: . ..nodes, which
I have called, on the record,
-the most significant...
-(HUNTER SCOFFS)
...breakthrough
in my lifetime!
That's awful rich
comin' from you.
Excuse me?
People like your mother
have been dominating
people like us for decades.
-MR. MARSH: Hunter!
-(LAUGHS SARDONICALLY)
Don't be provocative!
He means landlords
and lawyers.
People... People
like my mother
have been dominatin'
people like you?
Yeah. That's what I said,
rich boy.
Mm.
We must've taken a different
version of US History then.
Yeah. I didn't actually
get to finish high school.
Yeah, no, it shows.
MR. MARSH: Guys, please.
Fuck this, I'm done.
-SUSAN: And why is that?
-(SIGHS)
It's because the tax base
has come absolutely...
I'm sorry about him.
(CHUCKLES)
-He's just frustrated.
-(DOOR OPENS, CLOSES)
He's just ignorant.
Okay.
Well...
STEVE: I think it's getting
increasingly difficult
for our viewers to ignore
-your personal attack.
-(MR. MARSH SIGHS)
Now, I'm gonna take
the high road here,
- and remind you that...
-I must say, Adam, it's...
it's just a little galling
to hear you complain
when you guys
are doing so well up there.
What are you talkin' about,
"doing so well"?
I mean, you've got
a house of your own,
an educated parent,
and an actual Vuvv
living with you.
I mean, Jesus, I...
I would give my left leg
to give my family
an opportunity to make
connections like that.
-STEVE: No, we could all...
-(MR. MARSH SIGHS)
...have a life even down here
if we simply worked
hard enough
and embraced the present.
-(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
-(INDISTINCT TV CHATTER)
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(SPOOKY VOCALIZING)
(CLOCK TICKING)
(DOOR OPENS)
(DOOR CLOSES)
(FOOTSTEPS TREADING)
(GASPS)
MAN: Adam.
ADAM: Dad?
(SHUSHING)
Don't wake your mother.
-What are you doing here?
-Calm down.
For just one second,
I just wanna talk to you.
It's 2:00 a.m. You couldn't
have called first?
Are you gonna knock
my head off
or can you put that thing down
for a second
so we can have a conversation?
You're right.
I should have called.
Yeah, or even returned a call.
I was just waiting until I had
some good news to share,
and it's, uh... it's taking
a little longer
than I thought.
Wait, wait, wait,
slow down, slow down.
I thought you were
in California.
I was, I was. Um...
West Coast
-is dried up.
-(SIGHS)
Every time I get a foothold
in a new type of business,
those things would
find a way to take it over
and price me out.
Maybe you should've
worked with 'em
when you had the chance.
Is that what you think?
I don't know what I think.
So... So you'd rather be
livin' up there?
I didn't say that.
No, of course.
No, of course you didn't.
You, uh...
You got too much
of your dad in you
to say somethin' like that.
What's that mean?
It means
that we would rather live
in a cardboard box
than be some gooey
coffee table's bitch.
(LAUGHING)
They do look like that!
Right?
(BOTH LAUGHING)
They're disgustin'.
You know, speakin'
of disgustin', what's this?
What's...
What's goin' on here?
Hmm? Your mom didn't teach you
how to shave?
Come on, man, it's a choice.
Oh, yeah, nah,
it's definitely a choice.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
Yeah, I'm just messin'
with you, man. You look good.
You look real good.
You grew up.
A lot's changed around here.
Yeah, I bet.
So, uh...
how's Nattie?
She's good.
Doesn't really go by Nattie
anymore though.
She's either Natalie or Nat.
-Nat?
-(CHUCKLES) Yeah.
Man, I really miss you guys.
Your, uh...
Your mom find someone else?
Hey, not that I have
any right to object.
Does she hate me?
I'll be right back.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(WATER RUNNING)
(PANTING)
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
(SIGHS) Adam,
what's goin' on in there?
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(BREATHING DEEPLY)
(SIGHS)
(SNORING)
ADAM: Dad?
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(SIGHS)
(SPOOKY VOCALIZING)
(SIGHS)
(STUDENTS CHATTERING)
Nat!
What?
What is going on?
I don't know.
PRINCIPAL: (ON MEGAPHONE)
Attention, everybody.
Attention, we have
some great news to share!
The district has
just implemented
a new, comprehensive
curriculum
on all of your nodes.
So, that means
you no longer have
to come into school.
(STUDENTS MURMURING)
So, you can all go home now.
GIRL 1: What?
GIRL 2: What's going on?
(ALL CLAMORING)
(STUDENTS CHEERING)
BOY: Yeah!
(GIRL LAUGHS)
Well, it's such
a beautiful day,
I hate to get out of bed.
-Any breakfast left?
-(BETH SIGHS)
MOTHER: I think so.
I'll get you coffee.
There's some toast
right there on the...
Well, now, that's funny.
There was a whole plate
of toast there
and a whole dish
of strawberry...
-(CHANNEL SWITCHES)
-MAN: ...for the offenders.
A government bill to crack
down on laboratories...
TRANSLATOR: (ON DEVICE)
Change it back.
MAN: ...is expected
to become law today.
(BETH TUTS)
Animal rights activists
have been...
(CHANNEL SWITCHES)
FATHER: That's okay,
all I want is a cup of coffee.
(BETH SIGHS)
And a newspaper
if I can find it.
MOTHER: Oh, it's over there
on the table, hon.
FATHER: Oh.
TRANSLATOR:
Where are you going?
FATHER: For goodness' sake.
Baby, can't you...
To make myself some lunch.
FATHER: ...when
you finish reading
instead of curling it up
like this?
SON: I haven't
even seen it, Pop.
TRANSLATOR: Sit.
-FATHER: Ricky, then.
-(BETH SIGHS)
RICKY: I haven't seen it,
either.
FATHER: Well,
it didn't get messed
this way all by itself.
MOTHER: Oh, well,
as I'm the only one left,
I might as well plead guilty,
I guess.
TRANSLATOR: The family
on the screen-box.
This is a good human family.
A financially
productive father.
A mother who tends the brood
and cleans the nest.
Our home should replicate this
Golden-Age human experience.
-(SIGHS)
-It is why I enjoyed
the broadcast of
your offspring and his mate.
Smiling. Laughter.
Love.
(DOORBELL RINGS)
Very good.
My package has arrived.
You ordered something?
TRANSLATOR: It is for you.
SON: Hi, Mom.
MOTHER: Hi, dear.
Boy, that cake
sure looks good.
(MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING)
-(BOY SCREAMS)
-(LAUGHTER)
(ADAM SIGHS)
NATALIE: Can we go now?
ADAM: What's the rush?
We're gonna be sittin'
in the house for a long time.
(DRILL WHIRRING)
Okay.
(CAPRICIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
BETH: What the hell?
(SIGHS)
(PHONE RINGING)
Yes?
MAN: Hey, I'm looking
for Beth Campbell.
This is her.
This is Heather's
Bucket of Broth.
Uh, you left a resume here
about a month ago.
(MUSIC PLAYING ON TV)
FATHER: (ON TV)
Time to go relax
and read the paper
for a while.
MOTHER: Wait,
I'll get it for you.
TRANSLATOR:
Where are you going?
I'm headed out.
I'll be back in a few hours.
(FATHER VUVV SPEAKING VUVV)
TRANSLATOR: What is "out"?
I just got a job.
(FATHER VUVV SPEAKING VUVV)
TRANSLATOR: Explain this.
Work. A job.
I interviewed for it
a long time ago,
and they just called me
out of nowhere
and, uh, they said
they needed me
to come help out immediately.
I'm really excited about it.
FATHER: What the heck
is going on around here?
MOTHER: Nothing's going on.
FATHER: Gee whiz, what has
happened to our happy home?
TRANSLATOR: My wife
does not need a job.
I provide.
-Except you don't.
-(TENSE MUSIC PLAYS)
Your parent pays me.
And frankly,
they don't pay me nearly
enough to deal with this shit.
And so...
TRANSLATOR:
My wife will not go...
Hey, paddles down, honey.
I'm not done yet.
And so,
I will take this job
because the salary
isn't great,
but it's enough to scrape by.
And I'd much rather scrape by
and have my kids' respect
than be your human prop.
So, if that pisses you off,
you can go ahead and waddle on
up to your mama
and have her sue us.
But just know this, your wife
has a law degree.
Graduated top of her class.
And even though
you might outspend me,
you will never outwork me.
(MUSIC BUILDING UP)
So, I ask you politely now.
(MUSIC HALTS)
Please move.
(TENSE MUSIC RESUMES)
Did you hear me?
Move before I move you.
TRANSLATOR: Sit down, wife.
Okay, then.
(BETH GRUNTS)
Stop it!
(GRUNTS) You slippery...
Hittin' me with your...
Stay!
Stay.
MAN: In fact
he insists upon it.
-(BETH BREATHING HEAVILY)
-Wait a minute!
BETH: Mm!
Now, watch that!
And don't you ever hit me
with your paddles again.
Disrespectin' me.
I'll scoop soup
the rest of my life
before dealin' with
any more of this crap!
(DOOR SHUTS)
(CAR ENGINE STARTS)
(CAR DRIVES AWAY)
(MUSIC PLAYING ON TV)
You know, Harriet, the more
I think about this true...
-...the more I'm definitely...
-Are you all right?
...convinced
that he was wrong.
MOTHER: You know, it's funny
you should say that...
Sir?
MOTHER: ...because,
the more I think about it...
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(GRUNTING SOFTLY)
-(ROLLER CLATTERS)
-(MUSIC STOPS)
(SIGHS)
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC RESUMES)
(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)
ADAM: Mom?
NATALIE: Shh.
(FATHER VUVV SPEAKING VUVV)
TRANSLATOR: Thank you, wife.
My offspring,
how were your days?
Our day was great.
School was cancelled
so me and Zach just...
scavenged for things to sell.
Excuse me, honey.
(WHISPERING) Don't say a word.
Okay.
Look, your mother has
only herself to blame.
It saw that our family
was a better match
for what it was looking for,
and it chose us.
If you want it back,
you can try
to offer it a better service.
But at this point,
we are the superior
value proposition.
Can't argue with that.
HUNTER: What's
your name again?
Good.
-CHLOE: Zach.
-'Cause I feel guilty but...
HUNTER: What do you do, Zach?
...I know you'd do
the same to us.
ZACH: I go to school.
-I take Vuvv language.
-(DOOR OPENS, CLOSES)
And I crossed paths
with your sister.
-(ADAM CHUCKLES)
-(BAG RUSTLING)
-You got the job!
-(NATALIE CHUCKLES)
-Look at this.
-CHLOE: Yeah, Hunter.
HUNTER: I was just clarifying.
ADAM: Do you think
that deal's still on
if it's a different family
but in the same house?
As long as it doesn't
complain to Shirley.
TRANSLATOR: Cut it, wife.
As you did before.
NATALIE: I think
it thinks he's you.
ADAM: All humans look the same
to them, I guess.
BETH: Well, I wouldn't
let 'em know.
I could use
the free babysittin' services.
-(ADAM AND NATALIE LAUGH)
-(BETH SHUSHING)
Y'all want some soup?
ADAM: Yeah.
BETH: Come on.
(THE END OF THE WORLD
BY SKEETER DAVIS PLAYING)
ADAM: No, what are you...
Stop, stop, stop.
Give me this.
Come on. Wrist, wrist.
(THE END OF THE WORLD
CONTINUES PLAYING)
(IMPERCEPTIBLE)
(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
(THE END OF THE WORLD
CONTINUES PLAYING)
(THE END OF THE WORLD
CONTINUES PLAYING)
(ADAM GRUNTING)
(GRUNTS)
(SONG ENDS)
(GROANS)
What are you doin' here?
(SPEAKING VUVV)
Oh.
Here.
TRANSLATOR:
I decided to go out
to explore the rest
of the human world.
The streets do not resemble
those I see on the screen-box.
I became lost.
Are you all right?
TRANSLATOR: Yes.
This is from you?
(SIGHS)
(ADAM SIGHS)
ADAM: Yeah.
TRANSLATOR: What purpose
does it have?
(ADAM CHUCKLES)
ADAM: It'd take
too long to explain.
I'm not even really sure
I know.
Let's go home, yeah?
(WISTFUL MUSIC PLAYS)
(ADAM SIGHS)
(WISTFUL MUSIC CONTINUES)
NATALIE: Adam!
I'm sleeping!
NATALIE: Something's happening
at the school!
Something about your mural?
What are you talkin' about?
Nat, what do you mean?
(CROWD CHATTERING)
-Sorry, excuse me, excuse me.
-NATALIE: Excuse me. Sorry.
Excuse me. Excuse me.
Folks! I'm gonna need you
to give us more space.
This is my last warning.
(SPEAKING VUVV)
CHLOE: Adam.
What is this?
Uh, I... I... I don't know.
NATALIE: The little one saw
your mural yesterday, right?
ADAM: Right.
Then I guess it brought
its... friends.
-Congrats, I guess.
-(ADAM CHUCKLES DRYLY)
TRANSLATOR 1: Campbell child.
You are the creator
of this human art.
Huh...
Yes, I am.
TRANSLATOR 1: This is one of
our most important experts in
and collectors of human art.
Oh.
Hi. I'm Adam.
TRANSLATOR 1:
You will now speak
a few words of explanation
for your human art.
Oh. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, right.
Right. Uh, of course.
Of course. Um...
I, uh...
I... I guess, uh, I just...
I've been through
a lot recently and, um...
Well... (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
I kinda just wanted to let it
all flow out of me, you know.
Let go of the past
and face the world, you know.
Not as I want it to be but...
just as it is.
'Cause, uh... We've, um...
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYS)
We've lost a lot
since you guys came here.
But we've overcome
a lot too, so...
(CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
Um, this is...
I guess that's what this is.
This is my monument to, uh...
to human resilience.
TRANSLATOR 2: Young person,
it is unfortunate
to see an artist of your skill
stuck in this dank backwater.
We would like to hire you
as our official
artist-in-residence
to further develop your work
and to distribute it
across our entire territory.
We will begin
with a one-year contract
at a salary
of 2.7 million dollars.
(CROWD MURMURS)
-Holy fuck, dude.
-Oh, my God.
You're gonna be rich.
Uh...
I... I don't know what to say.
(APPLAUDING)
(CROWD JOINS IN)
(MUFFLED CLASSIC SOUL
SONG PLAYING)
BOY: Thank you all
for having me tonight.
You don't have to talk.
Just eat.
WOMAN: (ON NODE)
You have 16 viewers
-and $13 total.
-ADAM: (MUFFLED) Whoo!
(CHUCKLING) Holy shit!
-Shut up!
-Okay! Okay.
-Okay.
-(MUFFLED LAUGHTER AND CHEER)
They could at least have
the dignity to keep it down.
Dad!
BOY: If it makes you
feel better, Mr. Marsh,
I... I think his mural sucks.
I mean, like,
he can't even draw people.
Like, she's orange.
You know what would
make me feel better?
Is if you and my daughter
had any viewers.
Would you excuse me, please?
I haven't seen
that many zeroes
on a piece of paper
in a long time.
ADAM: This has gotta
be a joke, right?
No, it's not a joke.
It's somebody finally seeing
how good you are
at what you do.
I am so proud of you, Adam.
Come here.
-Thank you.
-I'm so proud of you.
Thank you.
I'm gonna go dig out
that bottle of champagne
and pop it.
-Champagne?
-You and me and you,
-we drinkin' tonight!
-(ADAM LAUGHS)
Whoo!
(CLASSIC SOUL SONG
CONTINUES PLAYING)
What's up?
You don't look too happy.
I am.
I'm really happy for you.
Nat, this not about me.
This is about us.
I know.
Just wish you didn't
have to leave.
It's... It's only
a few months though.
I'll be back
before you know it.
What?
Nothin'.
I just feel like
I've heard that one before.
Somewhere.
(MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING)
BETH: Mm.
(DISTANT BLAST)
(ENGINE WHIRRING)
(ALL SCREAM)
(CAR ALARM BLARING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(DOOR HISSES, WHIRS)
(MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING)
(ADAM SIGHS)
Yeah.
(GRUNTING)
(SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(MUSIC DIES DOWN)
(EERIE ATMOSPHERIC
GROANING AND RUMBLING)
(SPEAKING VUVV)
TRANSLATOR:
Then, you'll be shuttled
to another one of our ships
where you'll begin work
on another piece of human art.
We will send you
to 12 galaxies.
You will complete a new
centerpiece in each.
And then,
we will duplicate your work
and sell it
in each of our systems.
Soon, every species
in our Co-Prosperity Alliance
will be moved by the poetic
and primitive humanness
of your human art.
Sure.
TRANSLATOR: But first,
Campbell youth,
you will make a short speech
in front of your first work.
Back... Back on Earth?
TRANSLATOR:
Not on Earth. Here.
(ADAM GRUNTS)
(ECHOING) You... You guys
recreated the whole mural?
(VUVV SPEAKING VUVV)
TRANSLATOR:
We did not reproduce it.
We transported it here.
And implemented
minor edits for clarity.
Edits?
(BANGING)
(WHIRRING)
(EERIE GROANING AND WARBLING)
(SOUNDS FADE)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(SPEAKING VUVV)
(ALL SPEAKING VUVV)
(RUSTLING FADES)
(SPEAKING VUVV)
TRANSLATOR: Go on.
Tell them about your work.
Tell them how our arrival
has helped you
transcend your barbaric nature
and create beautiful art.
I, uh...
I...
(CLEARS THROAT)
Uh, I... I started, uh...
Uh... (ECHOING)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
I can't do this.
(VUVV CROWD SPEAKING VUVV)
(RUSTLING INTENSIFIES)
(RUSTLING STOPS)
(CLASSIC SOUL SONG
PLAYING ON SPEAKERS)
(BETH SIGHS)
(LIGHT RUMBLING)
(DISTANT ENGINE WHIRRING)
(WHIRRING GROWING CLOSER)
(RUMBLING)
-Damn!
-(CAR ALARMS BLARING)
What the hell
is goin' on out here?
(ADAM GRUNTS)
My baby! My baby...
-The hell...
-(GROANING)
Baby, what's going on?
What happened?
I... I couldn't do it, Ma.
-What do you mean?
-I... I couldn't do it.
I refused the money.
We... We lost it all.
-Oh, my God. Are you okay?
-ADAM: I'm sorry.
-What?
-NATALIE: What's happening?
-Are you okay?
-It's over, Nat.
I'm... I'm sorry,
I messed up, y'all.
MAN: Beth, shut up!
You shut up, Curtis!
Go to bed with your nosy self.
Look. Baby, look at me.
Look at me.
You didn't mess up anything.
Okay?
You're right where
you're supposed to be.
Come on.
(SIGHS)
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)
CHLOE: You're back?
What are you doin' here?
Couldn't sleep.
I thought you were gonna be
up there for months.
Yeah, I was.
Changed my mind, though.
CHLOE: I saw them
rip the wall off
and airlift it away.
It was awful.
Yeah.
It was a beautiful thing
you made.
They shouldn't be able
to do that.
(SIGHS)
Thank you.
-CHLOE: I'm sorry.
-(SCOFFS)
It's not your fault.
No, I mean it,
like, generally.
I'm sorry.
Me too.
(ADAM SIGHS)
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYS)
What are you doing?
I figured they left
some of it standin'.
(ADAM SIGHS)
(GENTLE MUSIC CONTINUES)
You just gonna stand there
all night?
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
(GENTLE MUSIC CONTINUES)
(GENTLE MUSIC CONTINUES)
(SPOOKY MUSIC PLAYING)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(SPOOKY VOCALIZING)
(SPOOKY MUSIC FADES)
(MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING)
(TOOL SCRAPING)
NATALIE: Are you gonna paint,
or are you just gonna
sit there staring
at the sky all day?
I'm waitin'
on the right conditions.
(SIGHS) Only a depressive
loser like you
would stare at a blue sky
and hope for clouds.
ADAM: It's a study
of the light.
Clouds are more interestin'.
Well, can you come help me
with the garden
while you wait?
ADAM: Yeah,
I'm not eatin' anything
that comes outta there.
Why not?
Just 'cause you read
about plants
on the internet for an hour
does not make you
an actual gardener.
Your basil from last week
tasted like chlorine.
Oh, so you'd rather eat food
that comes out
of a meat printer
in orbit somewhere?
Yeah. Lesser of two evils.
-(SIGHS)
-(TOOL SCRAPING)
Okay, there's somethin'.
Also, Mom looked upset.
Did something happen while
you guys were out job hunting?
(SIGHS) She's just tired.
Did she find anything?
She will.
Now, plant your vegetables.
I'm tryin' to focus.
(SOFT RUMBLING)
(SIGHS)
-(BIRDS SQUAWKING)
-(CAR ALARMS BLARING)
You're kiddin' me.
Thought this one
was headin' east.
NATALIE: Yeah, I think
it's a different one.
ADAM: Hey,
park somewhere else!
People live down here!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS)
(MUSIC STOPS)
(STUDENTS CHATTERING)
(SCHOOL BELL RINGS)
MALE VOICE:
Some of you may not be
old enough to remember it,
but life before First Contact
was extremely difficult.
Nearly every human
had to waste
most of their lives working,
and without our technology,
you could only produce
basic commodities
by slowly destroying
your own habitat.
Now, maybe we should have
intervened earlier,
but our scouting fleet
had been watching you
since the year you call 1953.
And if we'd learned anything
about your species,
it's that you weren't
always so quick
to embrace outsiders.
But when we finally landed
our ships
and introduced ourselves
five years ago today,
well, sure, a few of you
thought we were funny-looking,
and some of your governments
did their best
to keep us out...
(CLAMORING)
...but your most
forward-thinking
business leaders saw
the opportunities we brought
for wealth-creation
and industrial efficiency.
(WHIMSICAL MUSIC PLAYING)
-(CHEERING)
-And humankind
finally joined
the rest of the universe
in a new era of prosperity.
That's it for today's lesson.
Once again, my name is...
(HANDS RUSTLING)
And I look forward to getting
to know all of you better.
You may now remove your nodes.
(BLIPPING)
TEACHER: So, yeah.
There's your new curriculum.
No more English Lit.
(CLEARS THROAT)
From now on,
you'll be learning
Vuvv Culture and History.
And yes, that, um, thing,
it's gonna be
your new teacher now.
-(STUDENTS MUTTER)
-Save it, please.
Apparently,
my microscopic salary
is too much of a burden
on the school.
I have been underbid
by the little boxes
on your foreheads.
So congratulations, folks.
You're finally rid of me.
(SCHOOL BELL RINGS)
WOMAN: (ON PA)
...please come to the office.
(CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYING
FAINTLY ON SPEAKERS)
(ADAM CLEARS THROAT)
(CLEARS THROAT)
You know, you really captured
his essence.
I'm thinkin' maybe...
maybe his face
could use a little
more detail, though.
(CHUCKLES)
See?
The resemblance.
It's like a photograph.
(CHUCKLES) Exactly.
You're new here?
GIRL: Just started today.
Yeah, I noticed.
You're in my home room.
Mr. Stanley's.
The hologram formerly known
as Mr. Stanley.
(CHUCKLES)
I'm Adam.
Chloe.
(BOTH CHUCKLE QUIETLY)
We had a perfectly decent
house in the suburbs,
until the Vuvv built a Gorging
Complex right above it.
-That sucks.
-Yeah.
They bought out
all the lots around us.
My dad was the last holdout.
But the debris got so bad,
that when he finally sold,
it barely paid us enough
for the gas money to get here.
ADAM: Jesus.
Wait, so why here?
You guys got family in town
or somethin'?
CHLOE: Yeah.
We were at my uncle's
for a bit.
Technically, we still are
if anyone asks,
since it's in the district
and that's why I'm allowed
to come here.
ADAM: Wait, why "technically"?
CHLOE: Well, their house
flooded last week,
so we had to move out.
Damn, I'm... I'm sorry.
Where are you now?
You know, we're moving around.
A motel,
when we can afford it.
And when you can't?
-(MR. STANLEY SHOUTS)
-(GUN FIRES)
(STUDENTS SCREAMING)
-(SIREN WAILING)
-(INDISTINCT TALKING)
Was he a good teacher?
Yeah, I guess.
Always seemed like
he hated his job,
but must have meant
a lot to him.
This sort of thing's getting
way too common.
I know.
(POLICE RADIO CHATTER)
Hey.
You guys got a place
to stay tonight?
We'll figure something out.
I got kind of a crazy idea.
(UTENSILS CLACKING)
We really just can't tell you
how grateful we are,
Mrs. Campbell.
Truly.
Well, happy to help.
Adam is a very empathetic kid.
Not a kid, Mom.
CHLOE'S DAD:
And just so you know,
we're not the type of family
that typically lives
out of our car.
Dad.
We actually had a pretty nice
nest egg for a while there.
If I'd just put it all into
Vuvv tech, whoo, (CHUCKLES)
-we'd be great right now.
-(BETH CHUCKLES)
Well, none of us
were prepared.
Now, we just have to adapt.
That's right.
-You hear that, Hunter?
-Yeah, I heard her.
Anyway, um,
it's so nice to finally
be sitting at a real table
and eating some real food.
HUNTER: It's not real food.
-CHLOE: Hunter.
-It's not.
I see how they make it.
They just paste synthetic
cow cells into a mold.
And they print it.
-By the yard.
-CHLOE'S DAD: Hey.
HUNTER: By the mile.
Hey!
However you've prepared it,
it's delicious.
So how long are you staying?
Nat! That's rude.
How is that rude?
I told Chloe her family could
stay as long as they needed.
Oh! Okay.
It's not like we're usin' the
basement for anything else.
CHLOE'S DAD: Mrs. Campbell,
as soon as we can afford it,
we'll start paying rent.
BETH: Mm.
You said they were
only stayin' for one night.
ADAM: Mom,
they were literally sleeping
in a car under an overpass.
There are lots
of people sleepin'
under overpasses, Adam.
They all can't sleep
in our basement.
ADAM: Why not?
Seriously, why not
if we have the space?
You can go down
to the overpass right now
and find 10 families that need
more help than they do.
Okay, sure, but none of them
have a kid in my class.
-(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
-(PLATE RATTLES)
Thank you, Chloe.
Of course. Thank you so much
for dinner. It was delicious.
BETH: You're welcome.
(SIGHS)
That was a weird dinner.
ADAM: Yeah.
Sorry.
It's not your fault.
Hey, what are you doing
this weekend?
Uh, no plans. Why?
You wanna come
scavenging with me?
(SPOOKY MUSIC PLAYING)
The trick is finding
which area they use
as a dumping-ground.
Usually,
it's a field like this.
The shitty part is,
you can only salvage
the stuff that survives,
like, the huge drop.
I mean, that is what
the people up there are like.
They'd rather their shit
be destroyed
than end up
in some pleb's living room.
It sounds like
you've been up there.
Nah. But almost did.
-Once.
-Really?
How?
My dad was
a real estate developer,
and, uh, him and his partner
actually had an offer
to subcontract
for a Vuvv firm...
to, uh, design
the human housing
once they started
lettin' people move up there.
Seriously?
Yeah.
He turned 'em down, though.
Why?
He was a proud guy.
Didn't, uh...
Didn't think the terms
were fair.
I mean, I don't think
he really understood
how quickly the wealth
from down here
would migrate up there,
you know.
Where is he now?
My dad?
Dad is in California.
What are you doing?
I'm just sketching.
Sketching me?
Is that okay?
Yeah, um...
My dad has some thing
for the West Coast.
Once business started
dryin' up around here,
he got convinced
that it was the last place
you could make
a decent livin',
so, thought he'd start fresh,
you know,
start sendin' us back checks.
Did it work?
You'd have to ask him.
(SIGHS) To do that, you'd have
to find him first, so...
I'm so sorry, Adam.
I didn't mean to bring up...
No, no. (CHUCKLES)
Uh, it's okay. Um...
Can you, uh...
Can you do that look
you were just doin'?
What?
You were, like...
You were doin' this look,
like, when you were
lookin' up.
Can... Can you do that again?
-(SPOOKY MUSIC PLAYS)
-(SIGHS)
Like this?
Just like that.
CHLOE: Adam! Adam!
(CHLOE LAUGHING)
Adam!
-(GRUNTING PLAYFULLY)
-(CHLOE LAUGHING)
ADAM: Come on.
(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
ADAM: You ready?
CHLOE: Yes.
ADAM: Sure you're not
gonna make fun of it?
(CHUCKLES) Yes.
ADAM: All right.
(INHALES SHARPLY) Here we go.
(GROANS)
It's too much build-up now.
Oh, my God, Adam!
Uh, can we do this again?
Like, without the towel...
Just show me!
(SIGHS) All right.
Oh, my God!
Is that a good "Oh, my God"
or a bad "Oh, my God"?
Very good.
Very, very good.
It's hilarious but...
And it also really
kinda looks like me.
-(CHUCKLES)
-You like it? Really?
-I really do.
-(CHUCKLES)
Well, I want you to have it.
It's yours.
Seriously?
Yeah. I mean, well,
you need somethin'
to put on these walls
down here.
This might be the nicest thing
anyone's ever done for me.
Shut up.
Maybe the second-nicest.
What's the first?
Well, I don't wanna
make you jealous,
but there's this kid
in my class
who let my entire family
stay at his house.
-Oh, really?
-Mm-hmm.
Sounds like a real try hard,
that guy.
Well, he's actually
extremely kind.
And smart.
Okay, well, now I am jealous.
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)
CHLOE'S DAD: Chloe?
Uh, yeah?
Oh, hey, Adam.
What's up, Mr. Marsh?
CHLOE: Uh, what's up?
Oh, did you, uh,
do something with my Q-tips?
No.
Huh.
I can't find them.
Well, good luck.
An interesting piece.
Thanks.
(SPOOKY MUSIC PLAYING)
(STUDENTS CHATTERING)
So, you guys steal this stuff,
or what?
We found it.
You gonna buy?
I wish I could. Um...
I'm real short on cash.
But if you two could help...
This isn't a charity booth.
Okay?
So, either pay up
or make room
for the other customers.
What other customers?
Sorry.
I guess this was a bust.
It's okay.
No, it's not, though.
I really wanna be able
to pay you guys rent.
Don't worry about it.
Or at least our share
of the heating bills.
Chloe, it's fine, really.
I don't think
we even have our share.
It might be a cold winter.
Well, you're very sweet
to help me with this.
Hey, it's, uh, you know,
somethin' to do.
(CHLOE CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Hey, you know, we could...
we could always consider
doing a Courtship Broadcast.
A what?
You know, where you set
your nodes to broadcast
instead of receive,
and then they watch you
while you go on dates.
They actually, like,
pay to watch
and then they send it
straight to your account.
You've never heard about this?
Okay, well...
You know,
they don't have, like,
"dating" in their culture.
They don't have "love."
They reproduce asexually.
They "bud."
So, they find romantic stuff,
like, super exotic
and interesting.
Well, anyway,
it's just a thought.
You don't think that'd be
kinda awkward, though?
Not really.
I don't find being
with you awkward.
It's kinda the opposite
of awkward.
Yeah, um...
Um, I... (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
I mean, I feel the same way.
That's why we'd probably make
a good Courtship Broadcast,
actually.
Now that we're talking
about it.
Yeah, but...
You don't wanna just
let it develop,
like, naturally?
We can still
develop naturally.
The more natural the better.
They like natural.
(SIGHS)
Okay, how does it work?
MAN: (ON NODE)
You have zero current viewers
and zero dollars total.
CHLOE: (CHUCKLES) Your palms
are a little sweaty.
I know. I'm sorry.
CHLOE: Don't apologize.
You know, it's actually
probably a good thing.
Why?
Because this thing picks up
on, like, everything
you're experiencing.
Sight, sound, touch.
They probably like
to feel the nervousness.
Makes it more immersive.
MAN: (ON NODE)
You have zero current viewers
and $0.13 total.
You have nice eyes.
Did you know that?
-ADAM: Thank you.
-(WATER SPLASHING)
(SIGHS) Shit.
ADAM: What's wrong?
Well, they don't wanna
see that. It's depressing.
Are you sure they wanna see
any of this? At all?
Well, (CHUCKLES) they won't
if you keep editorializing.
Come on, loosen up!
Just be yourself.
(SCOFFS) I hate
when people say that.
What do you mean?
Well, I mean...
I guess I'd just rather be
anyone else.
-(CHUCKLES LIGHTLY)
-You would?
Yeah, wouldn't anyone?
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYS)
Adam, you don't need
to try to be yourself.
It's not a skill.
You just, like, do nothing.
You just exist.
Just breathe.
(CHUCKLES) Come on!
Breathe with me.
(INHALES DEEPLY)
(INHALES DEEPLY)
(BOTH EXHALE DEEPLY)
(GENTLE MUSIC CONTINUES)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Just like that.
MAN: (ON NODE)
You have six current viewers
and $4.76 total.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry that
I treated you mean today.
You shouldn't believe
what I say
when I'm with the rest
of the kids.
Nobody... Nobody acts sincere.
Yeah.
MAN: (ON NODE)
You have 427 current viewers
and $1,239 total.
WOMAN: (ON SCREEN)
Why did you do that?
MAN: (ON SCREEN)
I felt like it.
Your lips are soft.
(HANDS RUSTLING)
(CLASSIC SOUL SONG
PLAYING ON SPEAKERS)
MR. MARSH: Get out of here.
-(LAUGHTER)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
See how they pound it.
They pound it and it was...
it was tender.
(LAUGHTER)
Oh, my God!
I haven't had real meat
in so long.
I know. I'd forgotten
what it tastes like.
(CLEARS THROAT) To our
two little entrepreneurs!
BETH: Mm.
MR. MARSH:
To a very profitable week.
Dad, you're not
supposed to talk
about the broadcast
on the broadcast.
It ruins the suspension
of disbelief.
Well, it ruins dinner
when you're wearing them.
So, why don't you
take 'em off?
(CHUCKLES LIGHTLY)
It's so nice to sit down
for a family dinner.
Isn't it, Adam?
(CHUCKLES LIGHTLY) Sure is.
Family dinner is one of our
most cherished human rituals.
It's an important chance
to strengthen the bond
between parents
and their young.
Helps our numbers
when she explains
-things like that for them.
-Mm.
A good meal like this
isn't just about sustenance.
This ritual also expresses
our camaraderie
for each other.
Do you have to do this
right now, Chloe?
Uh, no, I don't have to.
Do you want me to stop?
I really like Hunter's idea
about no nodes
at the dinner table.
How about we go ahead
and implement that rule?
Sure, sorry.
Um, we'll take a quick break,
and we'll be back
after dinner for...
-What were we doing?
-Uh...
Picking out
your homecomin' dress.
For homecoming dress
picking-out.
MAN 1: (ON NODE)
You have 87 viewers and $308.
MAN 2: (ON SCREEN)
Well, my dear lady,
I don't want to alarm you.
WOMAN: (ON SCREEN)
Oh. Well, after tonight,
nothing can alarm me.
MAN 2: I understand.
It must have been terrible.
MAN 1: (ON NODE) You have
62 viewers and 200...
Maybe it's nice if we, uh,
just don't wear them
for a while.
Why?
I don't know.
I feel like we barely spend
any time without 'em.
(CHUCKLES) Well, I know.
I think that's part
of why we do so good.
Don't you?
Yeah.
I don't know,
I guess I just wanna know
that, um, you wanna
spend time with me
when nobody's watchin'.
Adam.
Yeah?
A week ago,
I had nothing good in my life.
Nothing.
I mean, I was starting to
think there was nothing good
left in the world.
Then I found you.
WOMAN: (ON COMPUTER)
On to lesson five.
(MOUSE CLICKS)
"Where is the nearest
restaurant?"
(RUSTLING ON COMPUTER)
(MOUSE CLICKS)
WOMAN: " I apologize.
I mean no disrespect."
(RUSTLING ON COMPUTER)
HUNTER: Dad, I don't even know
how I'm supposed
to make that noise.
No part of my body
can make that noise.
Well, it certainly won't
if you don't try.
So, let's, uh... Yeah,
let's do that one again.
(MOUSE CLICKS)
WOMAN: " I apologize.
I mean no disrespect."
(RUSTLING ON COMPUTER)
Excuse me.
MR. MARSH: Oh. Hey, Beth.
BETH: (CHUCKLES) What, uh...
What is this?
So, we heard about
a last-minute job opening
for a personal
grooming position
up in one of the developments.
But they turned
Hunter away because
they're only considering
humans who speak Vuvv.
And I just found
some language lessons,
so this doesn't happen again.
Ah, I see.
Uh, maybe in the future,
you could just ask me
before using, uh, my computer?
Oh. I'm sorry.
Well, we don't have one, so...
So?
So it's basic human decency
to let us use it.
MR. MARSH: Okay, Hunter...
Hunter, I don't know
how you were raised,
but in this house,
it's basic human decency
to ask before using something
that doesn't belong to you.
WOMAN: You're almost finished
with the lesson.
- Would you like to continue?
-Hey, Beth.
Could you try not to humiliate
me in front of my son?
Excuse me?
We should have asked,
but that doesn't mean
you have to come in
and disrespect me.
How did I disrespect you?
"I don't know
how you were raised"?
Well, Beth, you're looking
at the man who raised him.
I didn't mean it as an insult
to you or anything.
That was not my intention.
I didn't think
I'd be in this situation.
Broke, dragging
my kids around,
relying on my daughter
for income,
living in a basement.
What does that have
to do with...
(LOUDLY) Do not speak over me!
You are not better than me.
-All right?
-(DOOR OPENS)
You're not smarter,
you're not stronger,
you're just luckier.
-Mom, what's going on?
-(DOOR CLOSES)
You got a lotta nerve
speakin' to me like that.
We're doing you all a favor.
Whoa, we're payin' rent now.
All right, you're not
the fucking Red Cross,
-you're a landlord!
-Hey, hey! Calm down!
-Dad.
-Well, if it's so humbling
living here, you know
what you can do?
You are more than welcome
to pack all your shit
and fuck all the way off.
-That's what you can do.
-Hey, okay. That's...
There's zero need
for that kind of language!
HUNTER: I thought
you were a lawyer.
JD/MBA!
Check the plaque out
on the wall!
And these are not your chips,
Hunter!
What do you mean, they're not
"my" chips? I wasn't saying
-it was my chips!
-These chips are not yours
'cause you didn't ask
for them!
MR. MARSH: I'm sorry, but you
cannot talk to us this way!
What's going on?
-MR. MARSH: It's not okay!
-Why are we yelling?
MR. MARSH: And she's not
doing us a favor!
-(ALL YELLING)
-Hunter!
HUNTER: Calm down!
(LOUDLY) You know what? Stop!
Just stop! Stop!
I think we need to come up
with a set of very clear
and very simple house rules.
-Rich old bitch.
-I swear to God, Hunter,
if I hear another word
out of you...
Leave it alone, Chlo.
She's not rich.
No one down here is rich.
Well, she's still got
this big-ass house.
Okay, that up there,
that's how rich people act.
I mean, we're just
street people to her.
Doesn't matter
that Dad's an accountant.
We're a bunch of bums!
And she doesn't want
our dirty hands
all over
her computer keyboard.
I mean,
this shit is degrading!
It's... (SIGHS)
We need to get outta here.
We're not gonna find
a better situation than this.
What?
Kissing that loser for cash?
Maybe it's not just
about money, Hunter.
Maybe I like him,
and I want to kiss him.
-You ever consider that?
-Yeah, I think you do,
and I think it's the worst
part of this whole thing.
What do you mean?
You're playing lovey-dovey
with a kid
who is locking you and your
family up in his basement!
Enough!
Please, can we just eat?
(MR. MARSH SIGHS)
(DREAMY SYNTH-POP SONG
PLAYING)
-What's this?
-It's a bolo, man.
You get it from your little
buddies who have bug friends?
-Get off!
-What are you doing, bro?
BOY: Hey!
MAN: (ON NODE) You have
49 viewers and $207 t otal.
You look nice.
Where'd you get the suit?
It's my dad's.
Well, it looks great on you.
Yeah, it gets the job done.
MAN: (ON NODE) You have
62 viewers and $238 total.
You look beautiful.
Thanks.
Hey, um, so, I've been wantin'
to talk about what's been
goin' on with our parents.
Hey. Hey!
Would you keep that shit
out of my line of sight?
Why don't you keep your shit
out of our line of sight?
Yeah, well, how about you get
your own fucking idea
instead of stealing ours?
You didn't invent
Courtship Broadcasts, bitch!
Sorry.
ADAM: No, it's fine.
What I was tryin'
to say was...
things have kind of been weird
between us
ever since our parents
had that thing...
You know, we can talk about it
another time.
Right.
(DREAMY SYNTH-POP SONG
CONTINUES)
MAN: (ON NODE) You have
87 viewers and $308 total.
Except no 'cause, you're...
you're kinda bein' weird,
and maybe we should
just take these off and talk.
So I'm being weird.
It's my fault.
Don't be like that. I'm trying
to make things work.
You're trying
to make this work?
I'm the one
who's always trying
to explain things for them,
and you make me feel like
a lunatic for doing it.
Like this whole thing
is just so painful for you.
Yeah, well,
maybe it is painful for me.
Why would you say that?
Not the "dating you" part,
the...
the... the "doin' it
in front of aliens" part!
You really think that's fun?
-You know what I think?
-What?
I think we should shut up
about this and slow dance.
Fine.
(SPOOKY MUSIC PLAYING)
MAN: (ON NODE) You have 17
current viewers and $13 total.
School is such
a wonderful place, isn't it?
Sure is.
Great place to learn
and hang out between classes
with your girlfriend.
Adam Campbell? Chloe Marsh?
(SIGHS)
We just got a letter
for the two of you.
What is it?
PRINCIPAL: It just says
"Human Broadcasting
Standards Commission."
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
Okay.
It looks like it says, uh...
I told you
he couldn't translate.
Anybody else here
take a Vuvv language?
No, I know how to read it.
I...
I don't know how
to put this delicately.
-What?
-Just say it.
I think you two
are being sued.
Whoa.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
Will you stop tapping
your foot?
(SIGHS) Okay,
can you just calm down?
We are goin' to be fine.
How's it gonna be fine?
What do you mean,
"How's it gonna be fine?"
It's probably just
a misunderstanding.
People don't just sue
other people
about misunderstandings.
MAN: (ON SPEAKERS) You are
now leaving US jurisdiction
and entering
international air space.
W e are approaching Autonomous
Residential Hub number 113.
(DEVICE BLARES)
There is a driver waiting
for you on the central lawn.
Driver?
(QUIRKY MUSIC PLAYING)
ADAM: So, uh,
how long
have you been with, um...
CHAUFFEUR: How long have
I been with (SPEAKS VUVV)?
Yeah, that name.
Did you say, um, "swoo hee"?
CHAUFFEUR:
It answers to "Shirley,"
for those who can't
handle proper pronunciation.
And I've been working with it
for just over a year.
Did you drive humans
before that?
No, I was a neurosurgeon
before this.
-You're kidding!
-Neurosurgeon.
CHAUFFEUR: I used to be
very prominent in the field.
That's why I qualified
for this position.
It's fashionable to have
a powerful human as a driver.
They don't need drivers.
They don't need cars.
They could be zooming around
on self-piloting hoverspheres
like they do in other systems.
But here,
it's how the locals do it.
It's cool.
ADAM: Wait, so, did you
just run out of business
as a surgeon?
Like, there's not enough
wealthy humans up here
to operate on?
(BRAKES HISS)
I don't appreciate
your assumptions, my friend.
Sorry.
Of course I still had people
to operate on.
But my starting salary with
(SPEAKS VUVV)
is five times what I ever made
in my best years as a surgeon.
And I have kids to look after.
Anyway, we're here.
(QUIRKY MUSIC PLAYS)
Wait, where?
Um...
So, do we just...
CHAUFFEUR: That's right.
ADAM: Here,
let me help you down.
CHLOE: Nah, I'm good.
CHAUFFEUR: Oh.
And avoid direct eye contact.
It tends to spook them.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(OLDIE SONG PLAYING
ON SPEAKERS)
TRANSLATOR: (ON DEVICE)
Leave us.
So, um, we got your letter.
TRANSLATOR:
For a period of time,
your broadcast
was quite enjoyable.
Thank you.
TRANSLATOR: My own offspring,
in fact,
began watching it regularly.
-That's fantastic.
-Wow.
TRANSLATOR: However, it has
recently become obvious,
you are deceiving
your viewers.
-What?
-Deceiving?
-What?
-What do you mean?
Yeah.
TRANSLATOR: The title
of your broadcast
is "Adam and Chloe in Love."
ADAM: That's right.
TRANSLATOR: And yet,
you are not in love.
(CHUCKLES)
I, um... I'm not sure
that's true.
(SHIRLEY SPEAKING VUVV)
TRANSLATOR: It is fully true.
How do you know?
You don't know
what's in our hearts.
TRANSLATOR: Miss Marsh...
I am an expert
not only in human law,
but also in human
mating customs.
I have been studying them
since before you were born.
You may have been in love
at the beginning
of your series,
but you are no longer.
Your biology betrays you.
Your cheeks no longer
fill with blood
in the other's presence.
Your palms no longer
produce fluid.
Your central blood
distribution organ
no longer pumps
at shorter intervals
when holding
one another's hands.
Well, what can we do about it?
I want you to repay all funds
you have received.
Wait.
We can't possibly do that.
We've already spent everything
we've made, just to live.
TRANSLATOR:
Then I will take you to court
and your families
will be in debt
for approximately
six generations.
Okay, we... we can get
that love back.
Just give us some time
to work on our relationship.
Right?
Yeah.
Yeah, what if... (SIGHS)
what if we just started over
and kept doing this?
But we did it
with other people?
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
ADAM: So, you didn't think
to talk to me first?
-Like, one-on-one?
-I'm sorry, it just came out.
So, you didn't mean it?
I don't know.
(SCOFFS) Yeah,
I don't think you meant it.
I think that we both know
that what we have
is the only good thing
in either of our lives,
and it would be a mistake
to let that go.
Something's off, Adam.
I mean, that thing
was right about that.
I know you feel it too.
Okay, fine, yeah,
but that's just the weirdness
with our families.
-I can fix that.
-How?
I... I don't know!
But I can...
Look, everything's
just too complicated now.
Okay? And... (SIGHS)
And I think it would
just make more sense
if we separate the business
side of what we do
from our friendship.
Were we ever really friends?
I think I was just a rung
on a ladder to you,
another head to step on
as you climb to the top.
Have you ever slept
on the street, Adam?
No, but what does
that have to...
Have you ever had to take
turns staying up all night
to make sure a bum doesn't run
off with all your possessions?
-Have you ever had to...
-You don't need to lecture me,
all right? 'Cause I've been
through plenty of shit
you haven't
experienced either.
Okay, yeah! And I get that.
Okay, but look, I'm just like
any other person.
Okay? I wanna grow up
and fall in love
and be swept off my feet.
But that's
a higher-order need.
I'll figure that out
after I manage food
and shelter, okay?
MAN: (ON PA) Passengers
will be subject to search
at docking station two.
C o ntraband will be seized
and incinerated.
Ma'am, would you like my seat?
BETH: "User agrees that, when
device is set to 'Broadcast,'
"all human behavior
displayed by user
"will be authentic
human behavior.
"Failure to comply will result
in immediate prosecution."
Nobody reads this shit though,
right?
I'm sorry, baby.
They got you on this one.
Come on, not with you
defendin' me in court.
I don't think it'd be
a good idea to go to trial.
So... So, what am I supposed
to do?
Convince it to take pity
on you
and drop the charges.
Ma, I already tried that.
I don't think empathy
is a concept for 'em.
But they have hearts.
Deep down in there,
I know they do.
No. No, I'm sayin'
I literally think
they don't have
circulatory systems, period.
(SIGHS) I don't know
what to say then.
So, you're just givin' up?
Do you know what type
of lawyers they hire?
I don't even wanna think about
the kind of people
that would work with them.
Exactly!
The worst kind.
You irritate them,
they hit you
with heavier charges.
Then we're not even talkin'
about losin' the house
at that point.
Talkin' about debtor's prison,
floatin' over the Antarctic
somewhere.
You take on this fight,
it just gets worse.
You know, when I was young,
somebody told me
that it's always better
to fight.
I thought that somebody
was you.
HUNTER: (MUFFLED)
Stop looking at me like that.
CHLOE: Like what?
MR. MARSH: Guys!
What did I just say?
HUNTER: Yeah, but then
she started staring me down!
CHLOE: Clearly,
you've never been stared down
because this isn't
staring you down.
HUNTER: You know what
I said is true! You know it!
MR. MARSH:
I told you to be quiet!
Are we gonna make it?
What do you mean?
I just mean,
sometimes it feels like
we're not gonna make it.
What, like,
are we gonna survive?
You know, I look
around the world now and...
less and less of it
seems like a place
anyone would wanna be.
BETH: Well, jeez, honey.
Sometimes...
you make it really hard
to keep hope alive.
-ADAM: Hey, Nat.
-Yeah?
We're gonna be fine.
Never heard Mom talk
like that.
Don't worry about Mom.
I got you.
('70S COUNTRY SONG
PLAYING ON SPEAKERS)
Ma'am,
I'm really not sure
when my boss
will next be available.
I've got time.
Is that comfortable
on your skin?
It's not supposed
to be comfortable.
It's chic.
(DOOR BANGS)
Ma'am.
It'll see you now.
(BETH BREATHING HEAVILY)
(BETH EXHALES HEAVILY)
('70S COUNTRY SONG
CONTINUES PLAYING)
Uh...
Hello, uh, sir, ma'am. Uh...
My name is Beth Campbell,
-uh, and...
-(SPEAKING VUVV)
TRANSLATOR: Sit.
(CHUCKLES LIGHTLY) Okay.
(BETH GRUNTS, SIGHS)
TRANSLATOR: You are
the Campbell mother.
I am aware.
My entire brood
and I have watched
the deceitful broadcast
of the Campbell boy
and the Marsh girl.
Well, I'm glad
to hear it. Uh...
And I'm very sorry
you found it deceitful.
TRANSLATOR: Romantic love
is the most unique and poetic
of all human love modes.
It should never be faked.
Hmm. I, um... I agree.
TRANSLATOR:
Then you understand
why your child
must be taken to court.
Well, in theory, yes, but...
TRANSLATOR: In that case,
our business here
is concluded.
('70S COUNTRY SONG
CONTINUES PLAYING)
Could I ask you a question?
TRANSLATOR: Briefly.
Uh...
The little one that left
your office earlier,
was that a member
of your brood?
TRANSLATOR: That is
my latest offspring.
That's a form of love,
isn't it?
Love for one's offspring.
TRANSLATOR:
We don't call this "love."
Love is a human phenomenon,
a bizarre offshoot
of your collaborative
reproductive process.
Well, Shirley...
Can I call you Shirley?
I can assure you
that the reproductive process
isn't always "collaborative."
One sex tends to bear
the burden of the process.
TRANSLATOR: I am well aware
of human mating practices.
Well, then you know what
I'm talkin' about when I say
there's one very unique type
of human love,
even stronger
than romantic love.
TRANSLATOR: Continue.
It's a mother's love
for her children.
I think you know what
I'm talkin' about because...
and I'm goin' out
on a limb here,
but... (SIGHS)
I think you feel it yourself.
I think you have
the same kinda love
for your own offspring.
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
And right now, Shirley...
my children are suffering.
They've lost faith in me...
as their parent
and as their protector.
(SIGHS)
And I'm hopeful the two of us
can find a creative way...
to pay off my son's debt.
Think of it as a study abroad.
A semester, if you will.
Like a homestay.
Shirley just wants this kid
to be immersed
in the human culture.
By being your husband?
My pretend husband.
Like...
Like Chloe
was Adam's pretend girlfriend.
It gets to play-act having
its own earthling family.
Oh, God.
Why would it even want that?
Because it watches
a lot of node-broadcasts
and old TV shows and...
Look, Shirley thinks
it will open up its mind.
So what? Do you have
to have sex with it or...
Yo, what?
No, Nat! That is disgusting.
It doesn't even have
the equipment for that.
Anyway, for now,
I was able to get her
to drop the lawsuit.
So, as long
as its kid stays happy,
we get to keep the house.
(SIGHS)
Thank you, Ma.
NATALIE: Don't thank her.
-I'd rather starve.
-Natalie!
This was the best option
we had. All right?
I'm not happy about it either.
So, I don't wanna hear
any more complaints about it.
Honestly?
In a week,
we probably won't even
notice it around.
(PLAYING WAGNER'S
BRIDAL CHORUS )
Do you want me
to cut that for you?
TRANSLATOR: Yes, wife.
Cut it.
Yeah, I think I'mma, um,
finish this in the other room
if everyone's cool with that.
That's fine with me.
I think I'm gonna
head out too.
TRANSLATOR:
The small one may go.
The large one must stay.
(CHUCKLES QUIETLY)
BETH: Um...
They have names
that we call them by.
Uh, this is Adam
and that is Natalie.
Uh... These are my kids.
TRANSLATOR: Yes.
Is there something
you want us to call you?
TRANSLATOR: "Father" will do.
That is your name
for this position, yes?
Um...
Yeah, that's the...
that's the title.
There's usually a name
attached to it though.
TRANSLATOR: "Father" will do.
(CAPRICIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
VUVV TEACHER: Before
we start today's lesson,
I wanna remind you
that our class is just one
of many modules
you can access at any time
from the comfort
of your own home.
A few highlights from the rest
of our curriculum
include courses
on Advanced Vuvv Language,
Vuvv Engineering,
Vuvv Moral Philosophy,
Human Televisual Culture
Through A Vuvv Lens,
Vuvv Hygiene,
Vuvv Cuisine,
Vuvv Slang,
Vuvv Logistic Theory,
Vuvv Ecology...
Hey.
You don't think it's strange
that we live in the same house
but I have to come find you
at school to talk to you?
It's definitely strange.
CHLOE: Well, I hate it.
I see what's going on
upstairs.
I'm worried about you.
I mean, things aren't great
downstairs either,
but I just feel like
we can't speak now.
I don't... I don't get
what you're trying to say.
Well, I guess I just wanna
know that you're okay.
Are you okay?
With all due respect...
I don't have time for
a conversation about feelings.
I got "higher-order needs"
to worry about.
WOMAN: (ON SCREEN)
That's my boy!
He's half-mine too, you know.
(CANNED LAUGHTER ON TV)
Hey, Pop.
(DOOR OPENS)
Well, I'm gonna go upstairs
and talk to Jenny.
WOMAN: You do that, son.
TRANSLATOR: (ON DEVICE)
Welcome home, son.
(SIGHS)
Adam.
TRANSLATOR: Come give
your father a hug.
Fuck off.
Adam! You can't talk
to it that way.
Adam!
Do you know what happens
if that thing gets sick of us
and decides to leave?
-Don't care.
-The payments dry up,
-the lawsuit's back on...
-(SIGHS)
...and we lose the house.
Close my damn refrigerator!
Runnin' up my bill.
Also, what are you
doin' home so early?
Don't you have school?
That thing is not my dad.
Where do you think
you're goin'?
To the basement.
-With the Marshes?
-Better than up here.
Ordinary Americans
just want to work,
and they feel
increasingly cut off
from the wealth generated
since the landing.
And to those people,
I would say,
"Go get your piece
of the pie!"
The Vuvv want to trade.
They want to work with humans.
And let's not forget,
their technology
didn't win out by force.
We wanted it because
it's better than ours!
I think this is
a uniquely exciting time
for those with
entrepreneurial instincts.
SUSAN: Please, Steve.
It's a terrible time
to be an entrepreneur.
STEVE: Terrible time to be
a bad entrepreneur, sure.
You want a beer, Adam?
-SUSAN: You've seen the data!
-I won't tell your mother.
SUSAN: I've seen the data.
-Sure.
-SUSAN: Human businesses
are shutting down
at an unprecedented cliff.
STEVE: Sure, bad,
inefficient human businesses
are being shut down
- at an unprecedented cliff.
-Thanks.
STEVE: Poor quality products
and over-priced services
are disappearing.
It's called
creative disruption.
-And it benefits the consumer.
-(ADAM SIGHS)
I like to compare it
to pruning the bushes
or setting the dead
prairie grass on fire.
SUSAN: I grew up
on a farm, Steve...
Diggin' the new look, Hunter.
Eat a dick.
MR. MARSH:
He gave you a compliment.
He's taking time to adjust.
But Chloe says
it's the look, up there.
ADAM: She's right.
You hear that, Hunter?
I think it's really gonna
open up his career prospects.
Dad, I'm watching.
SUSAN: ...unheard
and abandoned populace.
STEVE: Who's abandoned them,
-Susan? Who?
-MR. MARSH: You know,
the boneheads
who do stuff like this
only make the rest of us
look uncivilized.
It's not gonna fix
any problems.
It's not supposed
to fix anything.
People are just angry.
Well, if they're angry
with anyone,
they should be angry
at themselves.
For not bein' able to hang
in a more competitive economy.
ADAM: Well, at some point,
it stops being competition.
Starts being domination.
STEVE: . ..nodes, which
I have called, on the record,
-the most significant...
-(HUNTER SCOFFS)
...breakthrough
in my lifetime!
That's awful rich
comin' from you.
Excuse me?
People like your mother
have been dominating
people like us for decades.
-MR. MARSH: Hunter!
-(LAUGHS SARDONICALLY)
Don't be provocative!
He means landlords
and lawyers.
People... People
like my mother
have been dominatin'
people like you?
Yeah. That's what I said,
rich boy.
Mm.
We must've taken a different
version of US History then.
Yeah. I didn't actually
get to finish high school.
Yeah, no, it shows.
MR. MARSH: Guys, please.
Fuck this, I'm done.
-SUSAN: And why is that?
-(SIGHS)
It's because the tax base
has come absolutely...
I'm sorry about him.
(CHUCKLES)
-He's just frustrated.
-(DOOR OPENS, CLOSES)
He's just ignorant.
Okay.
Well...
STEVE: I think it's getting
increasingly difficult
for our viewers to ignore
-your personal attack.
-(MR. MARSH SIGHS)
Now, I'm gonna take
the high road here,
- and remind you that...
-I must say, Adam, it's...
it's just a little galling
to hear you complain
when you guys
are doing so well up there.
What are you talkin' about,
"doing so well"?
I mean, you've got
a house of your own,
an educated parent,
and an actual Vuvv
living with you.
I mean, Jesus, I...
I would give my left leg
to give my family
an opportunity to make
connections like that.
-STEVE: No, we could all...
-(MR. MARSH SIGHS)
...have a life even down here
if we simply worked
hard enough
and embraced the present.
-(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
-(INDISTINCT TV CHATTER)
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(SPOOKY VOCALIZING)
(CLOCK TICKING)
(DOOR OPENS)
(DOOR CLOSES)
(FOOTSTEPS TREADING)
(GASPS)
MAN: Adam.
ADAM: Dad?
(SHUSHING)
Don't wake your mother.
-What are you doing here?
-Calm down.
For just one second,
I just wanna talk to you.
It's 2:00 a.m. You couldn't
have called first?
Are you gonna knock
my head off
or can you put that thing down
for a second
so we can have a conversation?
You're right.
I should have called.
Yeah, or even returned a call.
I was just waiting until I had
some good news to share,
and it's, uh... it's taking
a little longer
than I thought.
Wait, wait, wait,
slow down, slow down.
I thought you were
in California.
I was, I was. Um...
West Coast
-is dried up.
-(SIGHS)
Every time I get a foothold
in a new type of business,
those things would
find a way to take it over
and price me out.
Maybe you should've
worked with 'em
when you had the chance.
Is that what you think?
I don't know what I think.
So... So you'd rather be
livin' up there?
I didn't say that.
No, of course.
No, of course you didn't.
You, uh...
You got too much
of your dad in you
to say somethin' like that.
What's that mean?
It means
that we would rather live
in a cardboard box
than be some gooey
coffee table's bitch.
(LAUGHING)
They do look like that!
Right?
(BOTH LAUGHING)
They're disgustin'.
You know, speakin'
of disgustin', what's this?
What's...
What's goin' on here?
Hmm? Your mom didn't teach you
how to shave?
Come on, man, it's a choice.
Oh, yeah, nah,
it's definitely a choice.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
Yeah, I'm just messin'
with you, man. You look good.
You look real good.
You grew up.
A lot's changed around here.
Yeah, I bet.
So, uh...
how's Nattie?
She's good.
Doesn't really go by Nattie
anymore though.
She's either Natalie or Nat.
-Nat?
-(CHUCKLES) Yeah.
Man, I really miss you guys.
Your, uh...
Your mom find someone else?
Hey, not that I have
any right to object.
Does she hate me?
I'll be right back.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(WATER RUNNING)
(PANTING)
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
(SIGHS) Adam,
what's goin' on in there?
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(BREATHING DEEPLY)
(SIGHS)
(SNORING)
ADAM: Dad?
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(SIGHS)
(SPOOKY VOCALIZING)
(SIGHS)
(STUDENTS CHATTERING)
Nat!
What?
What is going on?
I don't know.
PRINCIPAL: (ON MEGAPHONE)
Attention, everybody.
Attention, we have
some great news to share!
The district has
just implemented
a new, comprehensive
curriculum
on all of your nodes.
So, that means
you no longer have
to come into school.
(STUDENTS MURMURING)
So, you can all go home now.
GIRL 1: What?
GIRL 2: What's going on?
(ALL CLAMORING)
(STUDENTS CHEERING)
BOY: Yeah!
(GIRL LAUGHS)
Well, it's such
a beautiful day,
I hate to get out of bed.
-Any breakfast left?
-(BETH SIGHS)
MOTHER: I think so.
I'll get you coffee.
There's some toast
right there on the...
Well, now, that's funny.
There was a whole plate
of toast there
and a whole dish
of strawberry...
-(CHANNEL SWITCHES)
-MAN: ...for the offenders.
A government bill to crack
down on laboratories...
TRANSLATOR: (ON DEVICE)
Change it back.
MAN: ...is expected
to become law today.
(BETH TUTS)
Animal rights activists
have been...
(CHANNEL SWITCHES)
FATHER: That's okay,
all I want is a cup of coffee.
(BETH SIGHS)
And a newspaper
if I can find it.
MOTHER: Oh, it's over there
on the table, hon.
FATHER: Oh.
TRANSLATOR:
Where are you going?
FATHER: For goodness' sake.
Baby, can't you...
To make myself some lunch.
FATHER: ...when
you finish reading
instead of curling it up
like this?
SON: I haven't
even seen it, Pop.
TRANSLATOR: Sit.
-FATHER: Ricky, then.
-(BETH SIGHS)
RICKY: I haven't seen it,
either.
FATHER: Well,
it didn't get messed
this way all by itself.
MOTHER: Oh, well,
as I'm the only one left,
I might as well plead guilty,
I guess.
TRANSLATOR: The family
on the screen-box.
This is a good human family.
A financially
productive father.
A mother who tends the brood
and cleans the nest.
Our home should replicate this
Golden-Age human experience.
-(SIGHS)
-It is why I enjoyed
the broadcast of
your offspring and his mate.
Smiling. Laughter.
Love.
(DOORBELL RINGS)
Very good.
My package has arrived.
You ordered something?
TRANSLATOR: It is for you.
SON: Hi, Mom.
MOTHER: Hi, dear.
Boy, that cake
sure looks good.
(MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING)
-(BOY SCREAMS)
-(LAUGHTER)
(ADAM SIGHS)
NATALIE: Can we go now?
ADAM: What's the rush?
We're gonna be sittin'
in the house for a long time.
(DRILL WHIRRING)
Okay.
(CAPRICIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
BETH: What the hell?
(SIGHS)
(PHONE RINGING)
Yes?
MAN: Hey, I'm looking
for Beth Campbell.
This is her.
This is Heather's
Bucket of Broth.
Uh, you left a resume here
about a month ago.
(MUSIC PLAYING ON TV)
FATHER: (ON TV)
Time to go relax
and read the paper
for a while.
MOTHER: Wait,
I'll get it for you.
TRANSLATOR:
Where are you going?
I'm headed out.
I'll be back in a few hours.
(FATHER VUVV SPEAKING VUVV)
TRANSLATOR: What is "out"?
I just got a job.
(FATHER VUVV SPEAKING VUVV)
TRANSLATOR: Explain this.
Work. A job.
I interviewed for it
a long time ago,
and they just called me
out of nowhere
and, uh, they said
they needed me
to come help out immediately.
I'm really excited about it.
FATHER: What the heck
is going on around here?
MOTHER: Nothing's going on.
FATHER: Gee whiz, what has
happened to our happy home?
TRANSLATOR: My wife
does not need a job.
I provide.
-Except you don't.
-(TENSE MUSIC PLAYS)
Your parent pays me.
And frankly,
they don't pay me nearly
enough to deal with this shit.
And so...
TRANSLATOR:
My wife will not go...
Hey, paddles down, honey.
I'm not done yet.
And so,
I will take this job
because the salary
isn't great,
but it's enough to scrape by.
And I'd much rather scrape by
and have my kids' respect
than be your human prop.
So, if that pisses you off,
you can go ahead and waddle on
up to your mama
and have her sue us.
But just know this, your wife
has a law degree.
Graduated top of her class.
And even though
you might outspend me,
you will never outwork me.
(MUSIC BUILDING UP)
So, I ask you politely now.
(MUSIC HALTS)
Please move.
(TENSE MUSIC RESUMES)
Did you hear me?
Move before I move you.
TRANSLATOR: Sit down, wife.
Okay, then.
(BETH GRUNTS)
Stop it!
(GRUNTS) You slippery...
Hittin' me with your...
Stay!
Stay.
MAN: In fact
he insists upon it.
-(BETH BREATHING HEAVILY)
-Wait a minute!
BETH: Mm!
Now, watch that!
And don't you ever hit me
with your paddles again.
Disrespectin' me.
I'll scoop soup
the rest of my life
before dealin' with
any more of this crap!
(DOOR SHUTS)
(CAR ENGINE STARTS)
(CAR DRIVES AWAY)
(MUSIC PLAYING ON TV)
You know, Harriet, the more
I think about this true...
-...the more I'm definitely...
-Are you all right?
...convinced
that he was wrong.
MOTHER: You know, it's funny
you should say that...
Sir?
MOTHER: ...because,
the more I think about it...
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(GRUNTING SOFTLY)
-(ROLLER CLATTERS)
-(MUSIC STOPS)
(SIGHS)
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC RESUMES)
(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)
ADAM: Mom?
NATALIE: Shh.
(FATHER VUVV SPEAKING VUVV)
TRANSLATOR: Thank you, wife.
My offspring,
how were your days?
Our day was great.
School was cancelled
so me and Zach just...
scavenged for things to sell.
Excuse me, honey.
(WHISPERING) Don't say a word.
Okay.
Look, your mother has
only herself to blame.
It saw that our family
was a better match
for what it was looking for,
and it chose us.
If you want it back,
you can try
to offer it a better service.
But at this point,
we are the superior
value proposition.
Can't argue with that.
HUNTER: What's
your name again?
Good.
-CHLOE: Zach.
-'Cause I feel guilty but...
HUNTER: What do you do, Zach?
...I know you'd do
the same to us.
ZACH: I go to school.
-I take Vuvv language.
-(DOOR OPENS, CLOSES)
And I crossed paths
with your sister.
-(ADAM CHUCKLES)
-(BAG RUSTLING)
-You got the job!
-(NATALIE CHUCKLES)
-Look at this.
-CHLOE: Yeah, Hunter.
HUNTER: I was just clarifying.
ADAM: Do you think
that deal's still on
if it's a different family
but in the same house?
As long as it doesn't
complain to Shirley.
TRANSLATOR: Cut it, wife.
As you did before.
NATALIE: I think
it thinks he's you.
ADAM: All humans look the same
to them, I guess.
BETH: Well, I wouldn't
let 'em know.
I could use
the free babysittin' services.
-(ADAM AND NATALIE LAUGH)
-(BETH SHUSHING)
Y'all want some soup?
ADAM: Yeah.
BETH: Come on.
(THE END OF THE WORLD
BY SKEETER DAVIS PLAYING)
ADAM: No, what are you...
Stop, stop, stop.
Give me this.
Come on. Wrist, wrist.
(THE END OF THE WORLD
CONTINUES PLAYING)
(IMPERCEPTIBLE)
(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
(THE END OF THE WORLD
CONTINUES PLAYING)
(THE END OF THE WORLD
CONTINUES PLAYING)
(ADAM GRUNTING)
(GRUNTS)
(SONG ENDS)
(GROANS)
What are you doin' here?
(SPEAKING VUVV)
Oh.
Here.
TRANSLATOR:
I decided to go out
to explore the rest
of the human world.
The streets do not resemble
those I see on the screen-box.
I became lost.
Are you all right?
TRANSLATOR: Yes.
This is from you?
(SIGHS)
(ADAM SIGHS)
ADAM: Yeah.
TRANSLATOR: What purpose
does it have?
(ADAM CHUCKLES)
ADAM: It'd take
too long to explain.
I'm not even really sure
I know.
Let's go home, yeah?
(WISTFUL MUSIC PLAYS)
(ADAM SIGHS)
(WISTFUL MUSIC CONTINUES)
NATALIE: Adam!
I'm sleeping!
NATALIE: Something's happening
at the school!
Something about your mural?
What are you talkin' about?
Nat, what do you mean?
(CROWD CHATTERING)
-Sorry, excuse me, excuse me.
-NATALIE: Excuse me. Sorry.
Excuse me. Excuse me.
Folks! I'm gonna need you
to give us more space.
This is my last warning.
(SPEAKING VUVV)
CHLOE: Adam.
What is this?
Uh, I... I... I don't know.
NATALIE: The little one saw
your mural yesterday, right?
ADAM: Right.
Then I guess it brought
its... friends.
-Congrats, I guess.
-(ADAM CHUCKLES DRYLY)
TRANSLATOR 1: Campbell child.
You are the creator
of this human art.
Huh...
Yes, I am.
TRANSLATOR 1: This is one of
our most important experts in
and collectors of human art.
Oh.
Hi. I'm Adam.
TRANSLATOR 1:
You will now speak
a few words of explanation
for your human art.
Oh. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, right.
Right. Uh, of course.
Of course. Um...
I, uh...
I... I guess, uh, I just...
I've been through
a lot recently and, um...
Well... (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
I kinda just wanted to let it
all flow out of me, you know.
Let go of the past
and face the world, you know.
Not as I want it to be but...
just as it is.
'Cause, uh... We've, um...
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYS)
We've lost a lot
since you guys came here.
But we've overcome
a lot too, so...
(CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
Um, this is...
I guess that's what this is.
This is my monument to, uh...
to human resilience.
TRANSLATOR 2: Young person,
it is unfortunate
to see an artist of your skill
stuck in this dank backwater.
We would like to hire you
as our official
artist-in-residence
to further develop your work
and to distribute it
across our entire territory.
We will begin
with a one-year contract
at a salary
of 2.7 million dollars.
(CROWD MURMURS)
-Holy fuck, dude.
-Oh, my God.
You're gonna be rich.
Uh...
I... I don't know what to say.
(APPLAUDING)
(CROWD JOINS IN)
(MUFFLED CLASSIC SOUL
SONG PLAYING)
BOY: Thank you all
for having me tonight.
You don't have to talk.
Just eat.
WOMAN: (ON NODE)
You have 16 viewers
-and $13 total.
-ADAM: (MUFFLED) Whoo!
(CHUCKLING) Holy shit!
-Shut up!
-Okay! Okay.
-Okay.
-(MUFFLED LAUGHTER AND CHEER)
They could at least have
the dignity to keep it down.
Dad!
BOY: If it makes you
feel better, Mr. Marsh,
I... I think his mural sucks.
I mean, like,
he can't even draw people.
Like, she's orange.
You know what would
make me feel better?
Is if you and my daughter
had any viewers.
Would you excuse me, please?
I haven't seen
that many zeroes
on a piece of paper
in a long time.
ADAM: This has gotta
be a joke, right?
No, it's not a joke.
It's somebody finally seeing
how good you are
at what you do.
I am so proud of you, Adam.
Come here.
-Thank you.
-I'm so proud of you.
Thank you.
I'm gonna go dig out
that bottle of champagne
and pop it.
-Champagne?
-You and me and you,
-we drinkin' tonight!
-(ADAM LAUGHS)
Whoo!
(CLASSIC SOUL SONG
CONTINUES PLAYING)
What's up?
You don't look too happy.
I am.
I'm really happy for you.
Nat, this not about me.
This is about us.
I know.
Just wish you didn't
have to leave.
It's... It's only
a few months though.
I'll be back
before you know it.
What?
Nothin'.
I just feel like
I've heard that one before.
Somewhere.
(MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING)
BETH: Mm.
(DISTANT BLAST)
(ENGINE WHIRRING)
(ALL SCREAM)
(CAR ALARM BLARING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(DOOR HISSES, WHIRS)
(MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING)
(ADAM SIGHS)
Yeah.
(GRUNTING)
(SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(MUSIC DIES DOWN)
(EERIE ATMOSPHERIC
GROANING AND RUMBLING)
(SPEAKING VUVV)
TRANSLATOR:
Then, you'll be shuttled
to another one of our ships
where you'll begin work
on another piece of human art.
We will send you
to 12 galaxies.
You will complete a new
centerpiece in each.
And then,
we will duplicate your work
and sell it
in each of our systems.
Soon, every species
in our Co-Prosperity Alliance
will be moved by the poetic
and primitive humanness
of your human art.
Sure.
TRANSLATOR: But first,
Campbell youth,
you will make a short speech
in front of your first work.
Back... Back on Earth?
TRANSLATOR:
Not on Earth. Here.
(ADAM GRUNTS)
(ECHOING) You... You guys
recreated the whole mural?
(VUVV SPEAKING VUVV)
TRANSLATOR:
We did not reproduce it.
We transported it here.
And implemented
minor edits for clarity.
Edits?
(BANGING)
(WHIRRING)
(EERIE GROANING AND WARBLING)
(SOUNDS FADE)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(SPEAKING VUVV)
(ALL SPEAKING VUVV)
(RUSTLING FADES)
(SPEAKING VUVV)
TRANSLATOR: Go on.
Tell them about your work.
Tell them how our arrival
has helped you
transcend your barbaric nature
and create beautiful art.
I, uh...
I...
(CLEARS THROAT)
Uh, I... I started, uh...
Uh... (ECHOING)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
I can't do this.
(VUVV CROWD SPEAKING VUVV)
(RUSTLING INTENSIFIES)
(RUSTLING STOPS)
(CLASSIC SOUL SONG
PLAYING ON SPEAKERS)
(BETH SIGHS)
(LIGHT RUMBLING)
(DISTANT ENGINE WHIRRING)
(WHIRRING GROWING CLOSER)
(RUMBLING)
-Damn!
-(CAR ALARMS BLARING)
What the hell
is goin' on out here?
(ADAM GRUNTS)
My baby! My baby...
-The hell...
-(GROANING)
Baby, what's going on?
What happened?
I... I couldn't do it, Ma.
-What do you mean?
-I... I couldn't do it.
I refused the money.
We... We lost it all.
-Oh, my God. Are you okay?
-ADAM: I'm sorry.
-What?
-NATALIE: What's happening?
-Are you okay?
-It's over, Nat.
I'm... I'm sorry,
I messed up, y'all.
MAN: Beth, shut up!
You shut up, Curtis!
Go to bed with your nosy self.
Look. Baby, look at me.
Look at me.
You didn't mess up anything.
Okay?
You're right where
you're supposed to be.
Come on.
(SIGHS)
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)
CHLOE: You're back?
What are you doin' here?
Couldn't sleep.
I thought you were gonna be
up there for months.
Yeah, I was.
Changed my mind, though.
CHLOE: I saw them
rip the wall off
and airlift it away.
It was awful.
Yeah.
It was a beautiful thing
you made.
They shouldn't be able
to do that.
(SIGHS)
Thank you.
-CHLOE: I'm sorry.
-(SCOFFS)
It's not your fault.
No, I mean it,
like, generally.
I'm sorry.
Me too.
(ADAM SIGHS)
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYS)
What are you doing?
I figured they left
some of it standin'.
(ADAM SIGHS)
(GENTLE MUSIC CONTINUES)
You just gonna stand there
all night?
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
(GENTLE MUSIC CONTINUES)
(GENTLE MUSIC CONTINUES)
(SPOOKY MUSIC PLAYING)