The Wolf Hour (2019) Movie Script
1
[instrumental music]
[instrumental music]
[siren wailing]
[indistinct chatter]
[siren wailing]
[train chugging]
[train brakes squealing]
[indistinct yelling]
[indistinct chatter]
[dramatic music]
[doorbell ringing]
[doorbell ringing]
[groans]
[sighs]
[doorbell rings]
[exhales sharply]
Hello?
[static]
Hello?
[static]
Is anyone there?
[static]
[fan whirring]
[indistinct chatter in distance]
[exhales]
Man on radio:
Record heat continues
for its fifth straight day
throughout the five boroughs.
Several deaths
have already been reported
with no indication
of when relief might come.
The health department recommends
to drink plenty of fluids
and stay inside or under shade
as much as possible.
Returning to our lead story
this morning,
the .44 caliber killer
has struck again,
this time in the Bronx.
The victim,
an unidentified brunette,
has been confirmed
to fit the killer's pattern
of targeting women
with long dark hair,
shot at close range on
the sidewalk or in parked cars.
In a chilling letter released
by police from the killer,
he wrote, "I am still here like
a spirit roaming the night,
thirsty, hungry,
seldom stopping to rest,
and I will see you
at the next job."
"In their blood and from
the gutter." Sam's cre...
[radio turns off]
[indistinct chatter in distance]
[doorbell buzzing]
[doorbell buzzing]
[static]
For fuck's sake.
[indistinct chatter in distance]
- Leave that ball.
- Crazy out here.
Hey there, man! What do you...
[doorbell buzzing]
Okay, I'm coming down there.
[intense music]
[door creaking]
[panting]
[exhales sharply]
[knocking on door]
[keys jingling]
[knocking on door]
[indistinct chatter in distance]
Tenant: Where's my family
supposed to go?
- Landlord: It's not my problem.
- I'll have your money.
- By the end of the week.
- That's too late.
Where you going with my stuff?
Hey, move it!
[man groaning]
[intense music]
Landlord: See you later.
[indistinct chatter in distance]
[sighs]
[sighs]
[line ringing]
Margo on phone: Hello?
- Margo?
- Margo: June?
Margo: Are you okay?
Ye... yeah. I'm... I'm fine.
I, uh...
Margo: You don't sound okay.
It's just...
[sighs] I'm sorry
I've been out of touch.
Margo:
It's great to hear your voice.
Yours, too.
Margo: Where are you?
My grandmother's.
Margo: What?
I thought that was just
supposed to be temporary.
Yeah, well, um, I guess I'm in
a bit of a tight spot right now
and... yeah, I, I was wondering
if, maybe, you could, uh...
if you could... see clear
to lend me a bit more money?
Just, just till
the end of the month.
Margo: Mm...
[sighs] Well, how about
I come on the train tomorrow?
I'll bring what I can.
C... come here? No, no! You...
I... it's not a good time.
I'm, um...
Listen, I, um...
Couldn't you just... You could
mail some, like you did before.
Margo: Don't be ridiculous.
I... I really miss you.
I want to see you.
Yeah, but... but it's not
a good time, Margo.
I, I'm very busy
and I won't be here.
Margo: [chuckles]
Who are you kidding?
I'll catch the 11 o'clock.
- And be there by the afternoon.
- No!
Wait, Margo. I said no!
Margo: It'll be great.
[receiver hangs up]
[flies buzzing]
[indistinct chatter]
[car engine revving]
[grunting]
[panting]
[rope creaking]
[grunting]
Oh, shit! Ah!
[garbage bag crashing]
[indistinct chatter]
[groaning]
Man on radio: ...firing back
today against
suspicious accusations
earlier this month
that the city's
antiquated electrical...
[upbeat music in distance]
[horn blaring]
[doorbell buzzing]
[grunting]
[doorbell buzzing]
[exhales sharply]
Leave me the fuck alone!
[static]
[indistinct chatter on intercom]
[buzzing]
[footsteps approaching]
[knocking on door]
[knocking on door]
Where's the usual kid?
Uh, he... he ain't around
no more. I'm Freddie.
You realize you're more
than four hours late.
I mean, yeah,
I mean, with this heat,
it's been slow-going.
So, you know...
Do you have any idea how
inconsiderate it is to be late?
Late with food?
Make people wait for food?
Freddie:
Hey, look. Look, lady. Lady.
- Don't call me lady.
- Listen.
- We... we just been backed...
- Don't call me lady.
Well, what's your name, then?
June. How much do I owe you?
16.70.
I can bring these in for you.
No, no, no. Just stay there.
Don't come in.
Hey!
- You got anything smaller?
- Don't they give you change?
This neighborhood? Serious?
Just keep the change.
What you want me to do
with the bags?
Here, I'll take them.
Alright, um, thanks for the tip.
Hey!
Have you been ringing my buzzer?
[chuckles] I mean, yeah,
you just buzzed me up here.
No, I mean, from before.
Earlier.
Why would I do that?
Yeah, okay.
Thanks for the tip.
Wait, just a sec.
Can you take these down for me?
- Five bucks.
- What?
[scoffs] I just gave you
a three-dollar tip.
- Yeah, but that garbage stinks.
- I'll give you two.
Three.
And let me use your sink.
- My sink?
- Yeah. It's brutal out there.
Enrique ain't got
so much as a fart
blowing through that bodega,
so, shit...
[water sloshing]
[sighs]
Hey, yo. Thanks.
[sighs] Can't stand
being dirty.
Hey, thanks.
Yeah, you welcome.
[indistinct chatter]
[siren wailing in distance]
[men laughing]
What's up, man.
How you been, yo?
[indistinct chatter]
What the hell?
Oh, goddamn it!
[line ringing]
- Bodega on phone: Hello?
- Yeah, hi, it's June.
- Bodega: Si, senora.
- I just had a delivery today.
Bodega: Okay.
Your new kid just dropped it off
and, uh, my cigarettes
weren't in the bag.
Bodega: Are you sure?
Yeah, I paid for them.
The whole carton.
- Masterson Lights.
- Bodega: Okay, senora.
I... I'm gonna make sure
you get them. Okay?
[speaking in foreign language]
- Soon?
- Bodega: Yeah, pronto, pronto.
- Okay, thank you.
- Thanks.
[siren wailing in distance]
Man 1 on radio: Two men
are under arrest on suspicion
of arson and murder
in the Bronx suburb club firing
that killed 25 persons
in October.
They will appear in criminal
court on Tuesday in Manhattan
where prosecutors are
anticipating a quick hearing
and motion to trial.
Man 2 on radio: I would
just like to say that
the investigation is continuing
in full force in Brooklyn.
Uh, according to witnesses
that we talked to
over the past,
you know, 24 hours,
uh, he's a male,
a white male, 25 to 35.
Approximately 5'7 to 5'10...
Hm...
[doorbell buzzing]
[doorbell buzzing]
Hello? Freddie?
[static]
[doorbell buzzing]
I'm calling the cops,
you motherfuckers!
Operator on phone:
9-1-1. What's your emergency?
Uh, y... yes, hello,
um, you know, it's, um...
Operator:
What's your emergency, ma'am?
Emergency?
- Operator: Ma'am?
- I... I just wanted...
I'd like to report
a disturbance.
What kind of disturbance?
Ma'am?
[instrumental music]
Woman on TV: The most recent
victim was killed
inside a parked car
in the South Bronx,
near an apartment building
where a young man witnessed
the aftermath of the crime
from his fourth-story window.
Bobby on TV: I heard some shots,
when I ran over,
there was blood
all over the pavement.
Woman on TV:
Following the latest shooting,
a new letter was received
by police
further taunting them
over the killings
and promising more bloodshed.
In what has now become
a cryptic calling card,
the killer began his letter
with a greeting.
"Hello from the gutters
of New York."
[intense music]
[static]
[static]
Margo on intercom: What do you
mean you can't let me in?
Are you out of your mind?
I mean, more than usual?
You're being ridiculous.
Look, whatever it is, it's okay.
No judgments.
My God, June.
How long has it been
since you left here?
[aircraft droning]
Why didn't you tell me
things had gotten so bad?
I could have helped.
[sniffles]
[instrumental music]
[operatic singing on stereo]
[June humming]
I keep expecting
to find a dead body.
Oh, yeah...
Well, it wouldn't surprise me.
[music continues]
Throw that out.
It's a first edition.
Yeah, well...
Here...
I have more.
Get rid of them.
- All of them.
- What?
These are actually important
to keep.
Why?
You wanna purge me
of my stuff... so do it.
Purge away.
[music continues]
[thunder rumbling]
Let's take a break.
Get some things for dinner.
Come on.
Let's get out of here.
We can go downtown,
catch a show.
You can, June.
This thing...
it's all in your head.
Ridiculous.
Better be up
by the time I get back.
[thunder rumbling]
[door shuts]
[rain pattering]
[intense music]
[whimpering]
[breathing heavily]
[thunder rumbling]
[breathing heavily]
[indistinct chatter]
Margo: No.
I know.
I'm sorry
I didn't tell you this.
Jane, she's sick.
[indistinct chatter]
Margo: Love you, too.
[June sighs]
[cutlery clanking]
[instrumental music]
I tried real hard
To be good to you
[laughing]
I can't even, I can't...
But these...
[laughing]
- Oh, my God.
- Oh, my God.
Do you remember the look
on their faces?
You, you were
a fucking lunatic!
[laughing]
Why didn't you tell me
you were still here...
like this?
[laughing]
Well, I guess,
after everything that happened,
I...
I figured
this was a safe place.
[laughing]
[laughing]
Safe?
Half of the buildings
around here are burned down.
I know your grandmother
made this a sanctuary for you...
but that's changed.
I mean, this place is a...
time bomb.
It's not okay
you continuing like this.
Um, and what do you suggest,
Margo?
Hm?
I mean, what is it?
This magical solution
you seem to have
all figured out for me.
I'm sorry about what happened.
I really am.
But you have to get back up
and fight.
What do you know about that?
You think because I left
the city, I gave up my work?
I... I never tried to play
the game the way you did.
What the hell
is that supposed to mean?
Margo: Are you kidding me?
Do you have any idea
what it was like
watching those obsequious fucks
praising you ad nauseam?
People who probably never even
read a word of your work.
Do you remember
what you said to me
when my first reviews came out?
My proximity to you
negated the chance
of my ever being a success.
June: Don't give me that shit.
I supported you.
I went
to every one of your shows.
I... I... I paid your rent!
I... I even...
[doorbell buzzing]
[intense music]
[doorbell buzzing]
What is it?
Don't answer it.
[doorbell buzzing]
Are you in some sort of trouble?
No. It's... it's been happening
like this...
- Who is it?
- June: I don't know.
Sometimes two, three times
a night.
I go to answer it
and no one's there.
Screw this.
I'm gonna go find out.
No, please, don't.
[doorbell buzzing]
I can't see anyone.
I... can't see anyone.
Didn't you say a delivery kid
got a look at the place?
Yes, but...
it's something
much more sinister than that.
I don't want you to bug,
but I brought you something.
- What the fuck is that?
- It's a .38.
I don't care what number it is.
I got it
when I was being stalked
by that guy in the Village.
And now that I live
in the sticks,
I don't need it anymore.
It's easy to use.
[intense music]
[car engine starts]
[music continues]
[paper rustling]
June, this stuff is...
so f... fucking raw.
I, I can't believe you have it
all just sitting here...
like this,
pages and pages of it.
Uh, you have to finish this.
I... I'll help you
put it together and...
It's, it's absolutely brilliant.
No! June, don't.
Don't do this. Don't.
Why are you doing that?
I know you're taking
some sick satisfaction
in all of this.
- No.
- Coming here...
Seeing me like this.
I don't want your money
and I don't need your pity.
- I want you to go.
- What?
Get out.
[door slams]
[book thuds]
[instrumental music]
Hans on TV: An emphatic
wunderkind, June E. Leigh
has been a staunch voice in
the anti-establishment movement.
Countless articles have profiled
her affluent family,
from "Time" to "Harper's,"
as one of the most influential
in America today.
June E. Leigh.
[audience applauding]
Now, it's widely understood
that even though you presented
your first novel,
simply titled "The Patriarch,"
as a work of fiction,
the main character, uh,
Lawrence Bottinger,
a political manipulator
and, uh, unrepentant
Vietnam War profiteer
and, as you suggest,
a prolific misogynist,
appears, in fact, to be
a thinly-veiled portrait
of your father,
renowned entrepreneur
and philanthropist,
Irving Leigh.
June on TV: Well, it's
just that, Hans, a character.
Hans: Its, uh, publication
and subsequent notoriety
have led
to a criminal investigation
of your father's organizations
and practices.
And it's been said
that your mother and siblings
have disowned you
from the Leigh clan
over this manifesto.
June on TV: Uh, this
gossipmongering is ridiculous.
If you wanna have a real debate
here, Hans, let's have it.
Uh, people are being clubbed,
f... freaked, zapped and bricked
while
the smug male inteligencia
sit around belittling it all.
You call yourself a patriot,
Sparling?
Rome is burning. Wake up!
I acquiesce!
Now, several members of your own
family have condemned you.
Some have even suggested
that your book has been
the chief contributor
to your father's sudden death.
June on TV: What did you say?
Hans on TV: Your father died
of a heart attack yesterday.
Haven't you seen the papers?
[instrumental music]
[siren wailing in distance]
[sighs]
Oh.
Goddamn it, Margo.
Fuck around with my stuff.
[sighs]
[line ringing]
Receptionist on phone:
Barton And Barton.
Uh, Francesca Bartolometi's
office.
- Please.
- Receptionist: Who's calling?
June. June Leigh.
Receptionist: One moment.
Francesca on phone: Juni?
Uh, hello, Francesca.
Francesca: I can't believe
it's you!
I'm wonderful,
of course, sweetie.
- How are you, my dear?
- Uh...
Great. Everything's great.
Francesca: That's fabulous
to hear.
Juni, we've been trying
to get a hold of you for ages.
I'm, I'm so sorry, Francesca.
I was...
[exhales sharply] I guess
it's... it's my health. Its...
It's been
really touch and go lately.
Francesca: I'm sorry
to hear that.
Yeah, in fact, um,
that's why I was calling.
See, um... [chuckles]
I was hoping that maybe...
To see if... i...
[clearing throat]
If you could, uh,
send me the remainder
of my advance.
Francesca: [sighs] June,
in spite of everything
that happened,
you still owe us a book.
I... I know,
i... it's just that I was...
Francesca: You disappeared.
We gave you the largest advance
ever given to a writer.
- It's been four years.
- I know.
Francesca:
You're one of my favorites,
so it makes it really difficult
for me to say this,
but if you don't deliver
some sort of draft soon,
I will have no choice
but to turn the matter
of repaying us to Accounting.
Yeah, listen, Francesca,
the new work, it's...
It's really coming along
beautifully. Really.
Well, then that's fantastic.
I can't wait.
I knew you wouldn't let me down.
When do we see something?
- One month.
- Okay. Ciao!
[flies buzzing]
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[indistinct chatter]
[sighs]
Damn it.
Freddie: [sighing] Yeah.
Enrique said, uh...
Enrique said sorry
about the mix-up from last time.
It was a mistake,
but he ain't charge you for it.
Yeah, well, I paid for them and
I gave you three extra dollars.
That was a tip.
Wha... Are you kidding me?
You want them or not?
- You're ripping me off.
- Freddie: Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Who said
I tried to steal your smokes?
Are you telling me you didn't?
Look, lady, I may be a hustler,
but I ain't no thief.
And I sure as hell
ain't no liar.
[indistinct chatter in distance]
[men laughing]
[indistinct chatter]
- I said back up, bitch!
- Ow!
[clattering]
Fuckin' savage immortal fools.
Why do you go so close to them?
I've seen you.
You always head right for them.
Fuck them. That's why.
Doesn't sound
very preservationist of you.
Yeah, well, those dudes
are all about anarchy.
They want to tear down
everything they see as good
in this world.
[exhales sharply]
Do you mind my asking?
What happened?
What? My arm?
Building fire.
When I was a little kid, my mom
died trying to pull me out.
They say it was the owners
who did it,
but they could never prove it.
I'm... I'm, I'm sorry.
The world only gives you back
what you give it.
Hey, um, you better be careful.
Those dudes find out
you a crib job,
they gonna do a pushing on you.
What does that mean?
I mean,
who you trying to kid, lady?
You were spooked. [chuckles]
[indistinct chatter]
[siren wailing in distance]
[doorbell buzzing]
[doorbell buzzing]
[static]
Man of radio: The killer's
eighth attack
in just over 12 months
came on this lonely street
in Brooklyn...
[indistinct chatter on radio]
Man on radio: ...gasoline tax
if approved by congress...
Woman on radio: Much
of the nation is sweating
with temperatures hovering in...
[indistinct chatter on radio]
Man on radio: ...addict-free
rehabilitation center
has a 24-hour hotline for...
[indistinct chatter on radio]
[static on radio]
Ghost rider motorcycle hero
[instrumental music]
Baby baby baby baby
he's lookin' so cute
[music continues]
Sneak around-round-round
in a blue jumpsuit
Hey baby baby baby
he's screamin' away
America
America is killin' its youth
America
America is killin' its youth
Ooh
Ghost rider
Ghost rider
Man on radio: And that's it
for the "Wolf Hour."
See you back here tomorrow.
Same time, same place.
[indistinct chatter on radio]
[intense music]
[knocking on door]
[knocking on door]
[breathing heavily]
[knocking on door]
[sighs]
[indistinct chatter on radio]
[knocking on door]
Officer Blake: It's the police,
ma'am.
[indistinct chatter on radio]
Hi. I'm responding
to a harassment complaint.
You call that in?
Yeah. That was over a week ago.
Lady, it's the worst crime
summer on record,
so we're not exactly working
at full capacity here.
I... I... I'm sorry, officer.
I just...
I wasn't sure
if you were coming.
Come in.
You know, somebody got shot
in the face
three blocks from here
the other night.
You know
what they were fighting over?
A goddamn ice-cream cone.
You fucking believe that?
Goddamn people. Animals.
Um...
Can I make you some coffee?
Yeah. That'd be nice. Thanks.
- Is it just you?
- Yeah.
I used to be with
my grandmother, but she passed.
My condolences.
Thanks.
- Mind if I sit down?
- Please.
Now, why don't you tell me
what's been going on here?
Yeah, well, um, it's kind of
hard to explain, but...
That's alright.
You just take it slow.
I'm here to help you.
Okay, so it's...
It's my buzzer.
See, it's been ringing
over and over...
day and night.
Sometimes...
two, three times a night.
- Your buzzer?
- Yeah. But not like that.
It's like someone's genuinely
trying to intimidate me.
Yeah.
Well, that's,
that's a bit weird.
- And what does this person say?
- Well, that's the point.
They don't say anything.
Huh.
Uh...
You go down to check it out,
you know...
see who it is?
Uh, no.
It's hard for me to go down.
Why, you handicapped?
No. Not like that.
- Look, officer...
- Just Blake.
I realize this isn't the crime
of the century here, Blake.
But it's like someone
is genuinely trying to scare me.
Yeah, it's just that
I'm not sure
that ringing somebody's buzzer
is actually a crime.
Right. But harassment is,
isn't it?
Yeah,
if they said something to you,
if they've threatened you.
- Anything like that happen?
- June: No. I told you.
Can't you just have someone
swing by from time to time?
You know, discourage them,
whoever it is.
You ain't got an old man
you can send down?
Look, I just want you
to do something
about whoever is harassing me.
[June sighs]
[sighs]
I knew a bird like you once.
A lovely bird.
Well, me and this gal,
we had ourselves a nice
little arrangement for a while.
She liked to be alone, too.
Just, you know,
not all the time.
So I'd come by, check on her
and she'd tell me about
all the hippy tree-hugger shit
goin' on in her world,
and I'd give her the pleasure
of, uh, you know, my company.
[sighs]
You could have an arrangement
like that, too, you know?
'Cause things ain't like
they used to be. Right?
No white knight
coming to the rescue.
You peaceniks,
you got one thing right.
This place, this country...
it's changing.
And it ain't for the best.
[radio static]
Woman on radio: All units,
fire in progress
in the vicinity
of 400 block of Cortland.
Calling all units.
Arson suspect seen on foot,
heading towards
[indistinct] Avenue.
[indistinct chatter on radio]
Call of the wild.
[indistinct chatter on radio]
[indistinct chatter on radio]
That's a hell of a cup of joe
you make there, June.
[indistinct chatter on radio]
Fuck you.
You know
that little bird of mine...
she thought
her shit didn't stink, too.
[indistinct chatter on radio]
That her fancy ideas
would save her
when the big bad wolf
came calling.
Fuck you!
Have a nice day.
Hey, fuck you,
you piece of shit!
[door slams]
[dramatic music]
[typewriter keys clacking]
[typewriter keys clacking]
[indistinct chatter in distance]
[siren wailing in distance]
June on recorder: I consider
myself a reluctant witness.
We as English-speaking Americans
are signatories to a cultural
genocide of the planet.
It has been estimated
that by the year 2100,
nearly half
of the roughly 7000 languages
spoken on Earth
will likely disappear.
Can you not see
where this is heading?
Are we creating
binary or singular systems?
Then the world becomes
literally whack in light.
[music continues]
[whirring]
June on recorder: I consider
myself a reluctant witness.
We as English-speaking Americans
are signatories to a...
cultural genocide
of the planet...
[typewriter keys clacking]
[indistinct chatter on radio]
[doorbell buzzing]
[typewriter keys clacking]
because no matter
which way you slice it...
If you want to understand
the true nature of man,
to totally grasp
how something that fascist
like the holocaust could happen
in modern times...
Sure people shout out about...
[voice garbles on tape]
[whirring]
Shit!
God...
[sighs]
Damn it.
[sighs]
[instrumental music]
[men laughing in distance]
[indistinct chatter]
[music on stereo]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[dramatic music]
[whimpering]
[music continues]
Man on phone: Hello?
Uh, yeah.
- Hello.
- Man on phone: Go ahead.
U... um...
I'd like to have a date.
- You want a date?
- Yes.
Sex?
What?
Male or female?
[instrumental music]
[gargling]
[water splashing]
[doorbell buzzing]
[switch clicks]
Who is it?
[static]
Man on intercom:
Cleaning service.
Cleaning?
Man on intercom: Look, lady,
you gonna keep me
down here all night?
[static]
Hello?
[door buzzing]
[footsteps approaching]
[door opens]
[sighs]
June: Hey.
Hey.
What's your name?
Billy.
[sighs]
You got a lot of locks, lady.
Nice. It's good.
You gotta watch out these days.
People are getting nuts
out there in that heat.
You want something?
S... something to drink?
Got any soda pop?
[June chuckles]
[music on radio]
You know, I gotta tell you,
I almost squashed this date
after gettin' off the subway.
Why the hell do you live
up in this 'hood?
It's like a war zone.
No soda.
I... could make us
some coffee or...
Um, maybe water.
- Hey!
- Whoa! Hey. Okay.
Hey...
Okay, I'm sorry.
That might've been a little
screwed-up for me to do.
Sometimes it's just, it's good
to, like, break the ice.
Please leave.
Okay.
Wait.
Wait.
- No. That's not necessary.
- No, please.
Lady, just don't worry about it,
alright?
[breathing heavily]
[instrumental music]
[operatic singing on record]
Billy: I've never heard
this kind of music before.
It's my grandmother.
Billy: Really?
She sounds like
the saddest person in the world.
This was her place
after the war.
I used to come up here and visit
when things got tough.
[music continues]
What's it like out there
for you?
Ain't like it was
when I first got here.
Pimps started getting greedy
and messing up dudes
for not meeting their quotas.
It's why I joined up
with the service you called.
I had to get away
from that noise.
You don't live on the streets,
do you?
Sometimes.
It's not so bad in the summer.
Sometimes I crash with friends.
What about your family?
They don't worry about you?
Mind if I ask you something?
No.
Billy: Why this?
- What?
- This.
I mean...
I guess I don't get
why someone like you
is calling up midnight cowboys.
[scoffs] What do you mean?
Billy: Well, don't take this
the wrong way,
but you don't strike me
as the kind of bird
who needs to pay for it.
- I have a condition.
- Like, a disease?
[chuckles] No. Not like that.
It's just...
I don't like to leave here.
At all?
You mean, like, you can't?
Just figure,
if I stay in here,
I won't do anymore damage
out there.
I used to have a fear
kind of like that.
I was an orphan,
you know, adopted.
Got into a lot of trouble
when I was younger.
Sent out to my foster uncle's
farm one summer.
Middle of nowhere.
We had a small utility shed
in the back of our barn.
And one day,
after he was done beating on me,
he dragged me by the hair
and he threw me back there.
It wasn't so bad at first.
But then I felt them.
Dozens of spiders
just crawling out of the hay,
over my skin.
They covered me
from head to toe.
They even crawled in my nose
and my mouth.
I screamed,
but there was no way out.
After that, I'd piss my pants
if those fuckers
even crossed my path.
Ah...
[sighs]
[lighter clicking]
How did you manage
to get over it?
I was in a pet shop one summer
and there it was.
A black spider sitting there,
looking right at me.
Before I could think,
I just snatched the fucker
and I ate him.
[laughs] What?
[laughing] Yeah.
- That's crazy.
- It was crazy.
It was a crazy thing to do.
It was.
[chuckles]
What about your family?
Do you ever see them anymore?
No.
It feels weird
that I'm telling you all this.
I don't really ever tell anyone
nothin' about me.
[operatic singing on record]
[doorbell buzzing]
[doorbell buzzing]
You expecting someone?
[doorbell buzzing]
Lady, you don't got, like,
an old man or anything.
- Do you?
- June: No.
[doorbell buzzing]
Don't go down there.
- Let me check it out for you.
- No. Please don't.
[doorbell buzzing]
[door unlocks]
[footsteps approaching]
Nothing.
[Billy sighing]
I think someone
is trying to drive me insane.
Ah, it's probably just some
'hood rats messing with you.
Oh...
A big fat hello
from the gutters of New York.
Do you ever think, whoever
it is ringing your buzzer,
they aren't doing it
to torment you?
Maybe it's like a calling...
to go outside...
face your fears.
[sighs]
[typewriter clicking]
[instrumental music]
[typewriter keys clacking]
[music continues]
[pounding on door]
Landlord: Come on!
[music continues]
Let's go.
[instrumental music]
[typewriter keys clacking]
[music continues]
[sighs]
[line ringing]
Receptionist on phone:
Barton And Barton.
Uh, hello. This is June Leigh.
Um, can you please connect me
to Francesca Bartolometi's
office?
[indistinct chatter on phone]
Um, Mrs. Bartolometi
is currently unavailable.
[sighs] Well, can I...
If you leave your number,
I'll make sure
someone gets back to you.
Someone?
[water sloshing]
[sighs]
[sniffles]
[sighing]
Hey, what the hell
you been living on up here?
I need your help, Freddie.
Can you deliver something
for me?
- Fifty bucks.
- What?
I... I didn't even tell you
where it's going.
- Twenty.
- Forty.
After the groceries,
I've only got 40 left.
- Not my problem.
- Okay.
So you can use my sink anytime,
even my bath.
- Forty.
- Please.
Look, I see you standing there.
I mean,
I can tell you're in a bad way,
that you need
whatever this thing is
to get where it needs to go
so you can move forward
with your life.
You see me,
and I do this for a living.
And you see me,
and you're gonna stand there
and tell me that this thing
that you need to get done
isn't worth 40 bucks to you,
even if it's the last 40 bucks
you have
for the rest of your life?
Have you not learned anything
from looking out from up here?
[paper rustling]
Here's the address.
Make sure they know...
it's for Francesca Bartolometi.
[sighs]
That's one hell of a name.
Listen, Freddie.
This is the only copy I have.
Well, if it's so important
to you,
why don't you go take it...
Just go straight there.
They'll give you a check.
Bring it back here
as soon as you have it.
Please.
Cool.
Freddie...
Thank you.
Catch you later, crib job.
[door opens]
[door shuts]
[instrumental music]
[whimpering]
[sighs]
[sniffles]
June: Margo?
Please don't hang up.
I wanted to call
to tell you how sorry I am
for how I've behaved, how I...
how I treated you...
how I treated everyone.
Listen, I... I finished
the book.
And it's all in there.
You, me, us...
And I realize this...
it doesn't even begin
to make things right.
But I just didn't know where...
where else to start.
So I was hoping
if you read this...
that you would see it as
some kind of consolation as...
as to how much I love you.
And I'm so sorry.
Kid on phone: My mommy's
not home right now.
- What?
- Kid: Mommy's not here.
Bye.
[dial tone]
June: I... I don't know
his last name.
Woman on phone: Listen,
I don't know no Freddie.
- He delivers for you.
- Senora, I cannot help you.
- What?
- Okay?
Can I speak to Enrique, please?
Listen, Enrique no here. Okay?
Okay, listen, listen,
this is, this is really...
- No, no, no, no.
- So...
[speaking in foreign language]
[line disconnects]
[dramatic music]
[doorbell buzzing]
Freddie?
[static]
Freddie?
[static]
[sighs]
[thunder rumbling]
[music on radio]
[thunder rumbling]
[vehicles honking]
[thunder rumbling]
[lightning crashing]
[sighs]
[June breathing heavily]
[yelling in foreign language]
[thunder rumbling]
[speaking in foreign language]
[speaking in foreign language]
[lighter clicking]
[intense music]
Ah.
[sighs]
[lighter clicks]
[dog barking in distance]
[metal clanking]
[indistinct chatter]
[siren wailing in distance]
[music continues]
[siren wailing]
[man whistles]
[engine sputtering]
[engine revving]
Man 1: Stop!
Man 2: That's good, man.
Man 3: Hurry up, man! Hurry up!
- Go. Go.
- Let's go! Let's go!
[engine revving]
[metal clanking]
[indistinct chatter]
Man 4: Let's go! Let's do this!
[metal clanging]
Woman 1: Hey, don't be stupid!
Man 5: Go, go, go!
- Come on! Come on!
- Hey, hey, hey!
[glass shattering]
Man 6: Y'all wrong!
Motherfuckers, get outta here!
Hey, get out of here!
[indistinct yelling]
Woman 2: No, the one on the top!
Man on radio: Well,
the lights are all out
here at Shea Stadium.
All the lights are out.
Uh, we see matches.
People are starting to fight...
[indistinct chatter on radio]
Man on radio: Traffic lights
are not working,
so it is hazardous.
Some looting has been reported.
Several people report
having been stuck in elevators.
New York City does have
everything under control.
Hospitals and so on
are operating
on their own auxiliary power.
The best advice
is to keep cool, stay calm.
New York City will prevail.
[indistinct yelling]
[glass shattering]
[indistinct chatter]
[siren wailing in distance]
[dramatic music]
Woman 3: I wanna
get out of here. Oh!
[indistinct chatter]
Come on!
[clamoring]
[police siren wailing]
[tires screeching]
Get out, motherfucker!
Eat this, motherfucker!
Fuck you, cops!
[men laughing]
[clamoring]
[gunshots]
[clamoring]
Man on radio: ...due to the fact
that the fire wasn't electrical
in nature
and it caused a break...
[clanging]
[indistinct chatter on radio]
[siren wailing in distance]
[door opens]
[breathing heavily]
[intense music]
[door shuts]
[indistinct chatter]
Man 7: I'm warning you...
Man 8: Yo, what the...
Man 9: Come here! Open up!
Man 10: I don't mess in here.
[indistinct chatter]
Man: Let go!
[indistinct yelling]
[helicopter whirring]
[gunshots]
[woman screams]
What?
Freddie?
- Move it!
- Freddie!
- Ah!
- June: No! No!
Oh, my God! Freddie!
[intense music]
[breathing heavily]
[breathing heavily]
[music continues]
[fire crackling]
[breathing heavily]
[breathing heavily]
Freddie...
Oh, no. Freddie?
No.
Freddie? Freddie?
[groaning]
June: Oh...
[footsteps approaching]
[glass clinking]
[sighs]
[glass shattering in distance]
[music continues]
[exhales sharply]
[sobs]
Hans: Your new book
is a phenomenal feat
of personal reflection
and atonement.
Now, some have speculated
that this book
is a quasi-autobiographical
testament
to your time spent
in a severe isolation period
following the fallout
and controversy
of your previous novel.
You've somehow
managed to obtain...
[indistinct chatter]
...of what has been
one of the darkest periods
in this nation's history,
while at the same time
making it so personal.
So I suppose
this all begs a question, June.
Is this character you?
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[instrumental music]
[instrumental music]
[instrumental music]
[siren wailing]
[indistinct chatter]
[siren wailing]
[train chugging]
[train brakes squealing]
[indistinct yelling]
[indistinct chatter]
[dramatic music]
[doorbell ringing]
[doorbell ringing]
[groans]
[sighs]
[doorbell rings]
[exhales sharply]
Hello?
[static]
Hello?
[static]
Is anyone there?
[static]
[fan whirring]
[indistinct chatter in distance]
[exhales]
Man on radio:
Record heat continues
for its fifth straight day
throughout the five boroughs.
Several deaths
have already been reported
with no indication
of when relief might come.
The health department recommends
to drink plenty of fluids
and stay inside or under shade
as much as possible.
Returning to our lead story
this morning,
the .44 caliber killer
has struck again,
this time in the Bronx.
The victim,
an unidentified brunette,
has been confirmed
to fit the killer's pattern
of targeting women
with long dark hair,
shot at close range on
the sidewalk or in parked cars.
In a chilling letter released
by police from the killer,
he wrote, "I am still here like
a spirit roaming the night,
thirsty, hungry,
seldom stopping to rest,
and I will see you
at the next job."
"In their blood and from
the gutter." Sam's cre...
[radio turns off]
[indistinct chatter in distance]
[doorbell buzzing]
[doorbell buzzing]
[static]
For fuck's sake.
[indistinct chatter in distance]
- Leave that ball.
- Crazy out here.
Hey there, man! What do you...
[doorbell buzzing]
Okay, I'm coming down there.
[intense music]
[door creaking]
[panting]
[exhales sharply]
[knocking on door]
[keys jingling]
[knocking on door]
[indistinct chatter in distance]
Tenant: Where's my family
supposed to go?
- Landlord: It's not my problem.
- I'll have your money.
- By the end of the week.
- That's too late.
Where you going with my stuff?
Hey, move it!
[man groaning]
[intense music]
Landlord: See you later.
[indistinct chatter in distance]
[sighs]
[sighs]
[line ringing]
Margo on phone: Hello?
- Margo?
- Margo: June?
Margo: Are you okay?
Ye... yeah. I'm... I'm fine.
I, uh...
Margo: You don't sound okay.
It's just...
[sighs] I'm sorry
I've been out of touch.
Margo:
It's great to hear your voice.
Yours, too.
Margo: Where are you?
My grandmother's.
Margo: What?
I thought that was just
supposed to be temporary.
Yeah, well, um, I guess I'm in
a bit of a tight spot right now
and... yeah, I, I was wondering
if, maybe, you could, uh...
if you could... see clear
to lend me a bit more money?
Just, just till
the end of the month.
Margo: Mm...
[sighs] Well, how about
I come on the train tomorrow?
I'll bring what I can.
C... come here? No, no! You...
I... it's not a good time.
I'm, um...
Listen, I, um...
Couldn't you just... You could
mail some, like you did before.
Margo: Don't be ridiculous.
I... I really miss you.
I want to see you.
Yeah, but... but it's not
a good time, Margo.
I, I'm very busy
and I won't be here.
Margo: [chuckles]
Who are you kidding?
I'll catch the 11 o'clock.
- And be there by the afternoon.
- No!
Wait, Margo. I said no!
Margo: It'll be great.
[receiver hangs up]
[flies buzzing]
[indistinct chatter]
[car engine revving]
[grunting]
[panting]
[rope creaking]
[grunting]
Oh, shit! Ah!
[garbage bag crashing]
[indistinct chatter]
[groaning]
Man on radio: ...firing back
today against
suspicious accusations
earlier this month
that the city's
antiquated electrical...
[upbeat music in distance]
[horn blaring]
[doorbell buzzing]
[grunting]
[doorbell buzzing]
[exhales sharply]
Leave me the fuck alone!
[static]
[indistinct chatter on intercom]
[buzzing]
[footsteps approaching]
[knocking on door]
[knocking on door]
Where's the usual kid?
Uh, he... he ain't around
no more. I'm Freddie.
You realize you're more
than four hours late.
I mean, yeah,
I mean, with this heat,
it's been slow-going.
So, you know...
Do you have any idea how
inconsiderate it is to be late?
Late with food?
Make people wait for food?
Freddie:
Hey, look. Look, lady. Lady.
- Don't call me lady.
- Listen.
- We... we just been backed...
- Don't call me lady.
Well, what's your name, then?
June. How much do I owe you?
16.70.
I can bring these in for you.
No, no, no. Just stay there.
Don't come in.
Hey!
- You got anything smaller?
- Don't they give you change?
This neighborhood? Serious?
Just keep the change.
What you want me to do
with the bags?
Here, I'll take them.
Alright, um, thanks for the tip.
Hey!
Have you been ringing my buzzer?
[chuckles] I mean, yeah,
you just buzzed me up here.
No, I mean, from before.
Earlier.
Why would I do that?
Yeah, okay.
Thanks for the tip.
Wait, just a sec.
Can you take these down for me?
- Five bucks.
- What?
[scoffs] I just gave you
a three-dollar tip.
- Yeah, but that garbage stinks.
- I'll give you two.
Three.
And let me use your sink.
- My sink?
- Yeah. It's brutal out there.
Enrique ain't got
so much as a fart
blowing through that bodega,
so, shit...
[water sloshing]
[sighs]
Hey, yo. Thanks.
[sighs] Can't stand
being dirty.
Hey, thanks.
Yeah, you welcome.
[indistinct chatter]
[siren wailing in distance]
[men laughing]
What's up, man.
How you been, yo?
[indistinct chatter]
What the hell?
Oh, goddamn it!
[line ringing]
- Bodega on phone: Hello?
- Yeah, hi, it's June.
- Bodega: Si, senora.
- I just had a delivery today.
Bodega: Okay.
Your new kid just dropped it off
and, uh, my cigarettes
weren't in the bag.
Bodega: Are you sure?
Yeah, I paid for them.
The whole carton.
- Masterson Lights.
- Bodega: Okay, senora.
I... I'm gonna make sure
you get them. Okay?
[speaking in foreign language]
- Soon?
- Bodega: Yeah, pronto, pronto.
- Okay, thank you.
- Thanks.
[siren wailing in distance]
Man 1 on radio: Two men
are under arrest on suspicion
of arson and murder
in the Bronx suburb club firing
that killed 25 persons
in October.
They will appear in criminal
court on Tuesday in Manhattan
where prosecutors are
anticipating a quick hearing
and motion to trial.
Man 2 on radio: I would
just like to say that
the investigation is continuing
in full force in Brooklyn.
Uh, according to witnesses
that we talked to
over the past,
you know, 24 hours,
uh, he's a male,
a white male, 25 to 35.
Approximately 5'7 to 5'10...
Hm...
[doorbell buzzing]
[doorbell buzzing]
Hello? Freddie?
[static]
[doorbell buzzing]
I'm calling the cops,
you motherfuckers!
Operator on phone:
9-1-1. What's your emergency?
Uh, y... yes, hello,
um, you know, it's, um...
Operator:
What's your emergency, ma'am?
Emergency?
- Operator: Ma'am?
- I... I just wanted...
I'd like to report
a disturbance.
What kind of disturbance?
Ma'am?
[instrumental music]
Woman on TV: The most recent
victim was killed
inside a parked car
in the South Bronx,
near an apartment building
where a young man witnessed
the aftermath of the crime
from his fourth-story window.
Bobby on TV: I heard some shots,
when I ran over,
there was blood
all over the pavement.
Woman on TV:
Following the latest shooting,
a new letter was received
by police
further taunting them
over the killings
and promising more bloodshed.
In what has now become
a cryptic calling card,
the killer began his letter
with a greeting.
"Hello from the gutters
of New York."
[intense music]
[static]
[static]
Margo on intercom: What do you
mean you can't let me in?
Are you out of your mind?
I mean, more than usual?
You're being ridiculous.
Look, whatever it is, it's okay.
No judgments.
My God, June.
How long has it been
since you left here?
[aircraft droning]
Why didn't you tell me
things had gotten so bad?
I could have helped.
[sniffles]
[instrumental music]
[operatic singing on stereo]
[June humming]
I keep expecting
to find a dead body.
Oh, yeah...
Well, it wouldn't surprise me.
[music continues]
Throw that out.
It's a first edition.
Yeah, well...
Here...
I have more.
Get rid of them.
- All of them.
- What?
These are actually important
to keep.
Why?
You wanna purge me
of my stuff... so do it.
Purge away.
[music continues]
[thunder rumbling]
Let's take a break.
Get some things for dinner.
Come on.
Let's get out of here.
We can go downtown,
catch a show.
You can, June.
This thing...
it's all in your head.
Ridiculous.
Better be up
by the time I get back.
[thunder rumbling]
[door shuts]
[rain pattering]
[intense music]
[whimpering]
[breathing heavily]
[thunder rumbling]
[breathing heavily]
[indistinct chatter]
Margo: No.
I know.
I'm sorry
I didn't tell you this.
Jane, she's sick.
[indistinct chatter]
Margo: Love you, too.
[June sighs]
[cutlery clanking]
[instrumental music]
I tried real hard
To be good to you
[laughing]
I can't even, I can't...
But these...
[laughing]
- Oh, my God.
- Oh, my God.
Do you remember the look
on their faces?
You, you were
a fucking lunatic!
[laughing]
Why didn't you tell me
you were still here...
like this?
[laughing]
Well, I guess,
after everything that happened,
I...
I figured
this was a safe place.
[laughing]
[laughing]
Safe?
Half of the buildings
around here are burned down.
I know your grandmother
made this a sanctuary for you...
but that's changed.
I mean, this place is a...
time bomb.
It's not okay
you continuing like this.
Um, and what do you suggest,
Margo?
Hm?
I mean, what is it?
This magical solution
you seem to have
all figured out for me.
I'm sorry about what happened.
I really am.
But you have to get back up
and fight.
What do you know about that?
You think because I left
the city, I gave up my work?
I... I never tried to play
the game the way you did.
What the hell
is that supposed to mean?
Margo: Are you kidding me?
Do you have any idea
what it was like
watching those obsequious fucks
praising you ad nauseam?
People who probably never even
read a word of your work.
Do you remember
what you said to me
when my first reviews came out?
My proximity to you
negated the chance
of my ever being a success.
June: Don't give me that shit.
I supported you.
I went
to every one of your shows.
I... I... I paid your rent!
I... I even...
[doorbell buzzing]
[intense music]
[doorbell buzzing]
What is it?
Don't answer it.
[doorbell buzzing]
Are you in some sort of trouble?
No. It's... it's been happening
like this...
- Who is it?
- June: I don't know.
Sometimes two, three times
a night.
I go to answer it
and no one's there.
Screw this.
I'm gonna go find out.
No, please, don't.
[doorbell buzzing]
I can't see anyone.
I... can't see anyone.
Didn't you say a delivery kid
got a look at the place?
Yes, but...
it's something
much more sinister than that.
I don't want you to bug,
but I brought you something.
- What the fuck is that?
- It's a .38.
I don't care what number it is.
I got it
when I was being stalked
by that guy in the Village.
And now that I live
in the sticks,
I don't need it anymore.
It's easy to use.
[intense music]
[car engine starts]
[music continues]
[paper rustling]
June, this stuff is...
so f... fucking raw.
I, I can't believe you have it
all just sitting here...
like this,
pages and pages of it.
Uh, you have to finish this.
I... I'll help you
put it together and...
It's, it's absolutely brilliant.
No! June, don't.
Don't do this. Don't.
Why are you doing that?
I know you're taking
some sick satisfaction
in all of this.
- No.
- Coming here...
Seeing me like this.
I don't want your money
and I don't need your pity.
- I want you to go.
- What?
Get out.
[door slams]
[book thuds]
[instrumental music]
Hans on TV: An emphatic
wunderkind, June E. Leigh
has been a staunch voice in
the anti-establishment movement.
Countless articles have profiled
her affluent family,
from "Time" to "Harper's,"
as one of the most influential
in America today.
June E. Leigh.
[audience applauding]
Now, it's widely understood
that even though you presented
your first novel,
simply titled "The Patriarch,"
as a work of fiction,
the main character, uh,
Lawrence Bottinger,
a political manipulator
and, uh, unrepentant
Vietnam War profiteer
and, as you suggest,
a prolific misogynist,
appears, in fact, to be
a thinly-veiled portrait
of your father,
renowned entrepreneur
and philanthropist,
Irving Leigh.
June on TV: Well, it's
just that, Hans, a character.
Hans: Its, uh, publication
and subsequent notoriety
have led
to a criminal investigation
of your father's organizations
and practices.
And it's been said
that your mother and siblings
have disowned you
from the Leigh clan
over this manifesto.
June on TV: Uh, this
gossipmongering is ridiculous.
If you wanna have a real debate
here, Hans, let's have it.
Uh, people are being clubbed,
f... freaked, zapped and bricked
while
the smug male inteligencia
sit around belittling it all.
You call yourself a patriot,
Sparling?
Rome is burning. Wake up!
I acquiesce!
Now, several members of your own
family have condemned you.
Some have even suggested
that your book has been
the chief contributor
to your father's sudden death.
June on TV: What did you say?
Hans on TV: Your father died
of a heart attack yesterday.
Haven't you seen the papers?
[instrumental music]
[siren wailing in distance]
[sighs]
Oh.
Goddamn it, Margo.
Fuck around with my stuff.
[sighs]
[line ringing]
Receptionist on phone:
Barton And Barton.
Uh, Francesca Bartolometi's
office.
- Please.
- Receptionist: Who's calling?
June. June Leigh.
Receptionist: One moment.
Francesca on phone: Juni?
Uh, hello, Francesca.
Francesca: I can't believe
it's you!
I'm wonderful,
of course, sweetie.
- How are you, my dear?
- Uh...
Great. Everything's great.
Francesca: That's fabulous
to hear.
Juni, we've been trying
to get a hold of you for ages.
I'm, I'm so sorry, Francesca.
I was...
[exhales sharply] I guess
it's... it's my health. Its...
It's been
really touch and go lately.
Francesca: I'm sorry
to hear that.
Yeah, in fact, um,
that's why I was calling.
See, um... [chuckles]
I was hoping that maybe...
To see if... i...
[clearing throat]
If you could, uh,
send me the remainder
of my advance.
Francesca: [sighs] June,
in spite of everything
that happened,
you still owe us a book.
I... I know,
i... it's just that I was...
Francesca: You disappeared.
We gave you the largest advance
ever given to a writer.
- It's been four years.
- I know.
Francesca:
You're one of my favorites,
so it makes it really difficult
for me to say this,
but if you don't deliver
some sort of draft soon,
I will have no choice
but to turn the matter
of repaying us to Accounting.
Yeah, listen, Francesca,
the new work, it's...
It's really coming along
beautifully. Really.
Well, then that's fantastic.
I can't wait.
I knew you wouldn't let me down.
When do we see something?
- One month.
- Okay. Ciao!
[flies buzzing]
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[indistinct chatter]
[sighs]
Damn it.
Freddie: [sighing] Yeah.
Enrique said, uh...
Enrique said sorry
about the mix-up from last time.
It was a mistake,
but he ain't charge you for it.
Yeah, well, I paid for them and
I gave you three extra dollars.
That was a tip.
Wha... Are you kidding me?
You want them or not?
- You're ripping me off.
- Freddie: Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Who said
I tried to steal your smokes?
Are you telling me you didn't?
Look, lady, I may be a hustler,
but I ain't no thief.
And I sure as hell
ain't no liar.
[indistinct chatter in distance]
[men laughing]
[indistinct chatter]
- I said back up, bitch!
- Ow!
[clattering]
Fuckin' savage immortal fools.
Why do you go so close to them?
I've seen you.
You always head right for them.
Fuck them. That's why.
Doesn't sound
very preservationist of you.
Yeah, well, those dudes
are all about anarchy.
They want to tear down
everything they see as good
in this world.
[exhales sharply]
Do you mind my asking?
What happened?
What? My arm?
Building fire.
When I was a little kid, my mom
died trying to pull me out.
They say it was the owners
who did it,
but they could never prove it.
I'm... I'm, I'm sorry.
The world only gives you back
what you give it.
Hey, um, you better be careful.
Those dudes find out
you a crib job,
they gonna do a pushing on you.
What does that mean?
I mean,
who you trying to kid, lady?
You were spooked. [chuckles]
[indistinct chatter]
[siren wailing in distance]
[doorbell buzzing]
[doorbell buzzing]
[static]
Man of radio: The killer's
eighth attack
in just over 12 months
came on this lonely street
in Brooklyn...
[indistinct chatter on radio]
Man on radio: ...gasoline tax
if approved by congress...
Woman on radio: Much
of the nation is sweating
with temperatures hovering in...
[indistinct chatter on radio]
Man on radio: ...addict-free
rehabilitation center
has a 24-hour hotline for...
[indistinct chatter on radio]
[static on radio]
Ghost rider motorcycle hero
[instrumental music]
Baby baby baby baby
he's lookin' so cute
[music continues]
Sneak around-round-round
in a blue jumpsuit
Hey baby baby baby
he's screamin' away
America
America is killin' its youth
America
America is killin' its youth
Ooh
Ghost rider
Ghost rider
Man on radio: And that's it
for the "Wolf Hour."
See you back here tomorrow.
Same time, same place.
[indistinct chatter on radio]
[intense music]
[knocking on door]
[knocking on door]
[breathing heavily]
[knocking on door]
[sighs]
[indistinct chatter on radio]
[knocking on door]
Officer Blake: It's the police,
ma'am.
[indistinct chatter on radio]
Hi. I'm responding
to a harassment complaint.
You call that in?
Yeah. That was over a week ago.
Lady, it's the worst crime
summer on record,
so we're not exactly working
at full capacity here.
I... I... I'm sorry, officer.
I just...
I wasn't sure
if you were coming.
Come in.
You know, somebody got shot
in the face
three blocks from here
the other night.
You know
what they were fighting over?
A goddamn ice-cream cone.
You fucking believe that?
Goddamn people. Animals.
Um...
Can I make you some coffee?
Yeah. That'd be nice. Thanks.
- Is it just you?
- Yeah.
I used to be with
my grandmother, but she passed.
My condolences.
Thanks.
- Mind if I sit down?
- Please.
Now, why don't you tell me
what's been going on here?
Yeah, well, um, it's kind of
hard to explain, but...
That's alright.
You just take it slow.
I'm here to help you.
Okay, so it's...
It's my buzzer.
See, it's been ringing
over and over...
day and night.
Sometimes...
two, three times a night.
- Your buzzer?
- Yeah. But not like that.
It's like someone's genuinely
trying to intimidate me.
Yeah.
Well, that's,
that's a bit weird.
- And what does this person say?
- Well, that's the point.
They don't say anything.
Huh.
Uh...
You go down to check it out,
you know...
see who it is?
Uh, no.
It's hard for me to go down.
Why, you handicapped?
No. Not like that.
- Look, officer...
- Just Blake.
I realize this isn't the crime
of the century here, Blake.
But it's like someone
is genuinely trying to scare me.
Yeah, it's just that
I'm not sure
that ringing somebody's buzzer
is actually a crime.
Right. But harassment is,
isn't it?
Yeah,
if they said something to you,
if they've threatened you.
- Anything like that happen?
- June: No. I told you.
Can't you just have someone
swing by from time to time?
You know, discourage them,
whoever it is.
You ain't got an old man
you can send down?
Look, I just want you
to do something
about whoever is harassing me.
[June sighs]
[sighs]
I knew a bird like you once.
A lovely bird.
Well, me and this gal,
we had ourselves a nice
little arrangement for a while.
She liked to be alone, too.
Just, you know,
not all the time.
So I'd come by, check on her
and she'd tell me about
all the hippy tree-hugger shit
goin' on in her world,
and I'd give her the pleasure
of, uh, you know, my company.
[sighs]
You could have an arrangement
like that, too, you know?
'Cause things ain't like
they used to be. Right?
No white knight
coming to the rescue.
You peaceniks,
you got one thing right.
This place, this country...
it's changing.
And it ain't for the best.
[radio static]
Woman on radio: All units,
fire in progress
in the vicinity
of 400 block of Cortland.
Calling all units.
Arson suspect seen on foot,
heading towards
[indistinct] Avenue.
[indistinct chatter on radio]
Call of the wild.
[indistinct chatter on radio]
[indistinct chatter on radio]
That's a hell of a cup of joe
you make there, June.
[indistinct chatter on radio]
Fuck you.
You know
that little bird of mine...
she thought
her shit didn't stink, too.
[indistinct chatter on radio]
That her fancy ideas
would save her
when the big bad wolf
came calling.
Fuck you!
Have a nice day.
Hey, fuck you,
you piece of shit!
[door slams]
[dramatic music]
[typewriter keys clacking]
[typewriter keys clacking]
[indistinct chatter in distance]
[siren wailing in distance]
June on recorder: I consider
myself a reluctant witness.
We as English-speaking Americans
are signatories to a cultural
genocide of the planet.
It has been estimated
that by the year 2100,
nearly half
of the roughly 7000 languages
spoken on Earth
will likely disappear.
Can you not see
where this is heading?
Are we creating
binary or singular systems?
Then the world becomes
literally whack in light.
[music continues]
[whirring]
June on recorder: I consider
myself a reluctant witness.
We as English-speaking Americans
are signatories to a...
cultural genocide
of the planet...
[typewriter keys clacking]
[indistinct chatter on radio]
[doorbell buzzing]
[typewriter keys clacking]
because no matter
which way you slice it...
If you want to understand
the true nature of man,
to totally grasp
how something that fascist
like the holocaust could happen
in modern times...
Sure people shout out about...
[voice garbles on tape]
[whirring]
Shit!
God...
[sighs]
Damn it.
[sighs]
[instrumental music]
[men laughing in distance]
[indistinct chatter]
[music on stereo]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[dramatic music]
[whimpering]
[music continues]
Man on phone: Hello?
Uh, yeah.
- Hello.
- Man on phone: Go ahead.
U... um...
I'd like to have a date.
- You want a date?
- Yes.
Sex?
What?
Male or female?
[instrumental music]
[gargling]
[water splashing]
[doorbell buzzing]
[switch clicks]
Who is it?
[static]
Man on intercom:
Cleaning service.
Cleaning?
Man on intercom: Look, lady,
you gonna keep me
down here all night?
[static]
Hello?
[door buzzing]
[footsteps approaching]
[door opens]
[sighs]
June: Hey.
Hey.
What's your name?
Billy.
[sighs]
You got a lot of locks, lady.
Nice. It's good.
You gotta watch out these days.
People are getting nuts
out there in that heat.
You want something?
S... something to drink?
Got any soda pop?
[June chuckles]
[music on radio]
You know, I gotta tell you,
I almost squashed this date
after gettin' off the subway.
Why the hell do you live
up in this 'hood?
It's like a war zone.
No soda.
I... could make us
some coffee or...
Um, maybe water.
- Hey!
- Whoa! Hey. Okay.
Hey...
Okay, I'm sorry.
That might've been a little
screwed-up for me to do.
Sometimes it's just, it's good
to, like, break the ice.
Please leave.
Okay.
Wait.
Wait.
- No. That's not necessary.
- No, please.
Lady, just don't worry about it,
alright?
[breathing heavily]
[instrumental music]
[operatic singing on record]
Billy: I've never heard
this kind of music before.
It's my grandmother.
Billy: Really?
She sounds like
the saddest person in the world.
This was her place
after the war.
I used to come up here and visit
when things got tough.
[music continues]
What's it like out there
for you?
Ain't like it was
when I first got here.
Pimps started getting greedy
and messing up dudes
for not meeting their quotas.
It's why I joined up
with the service you called.
I had to get away
from that noise.
You don't live on the streets,
do you?
Sometimes.
It's not so bad in the summer.
Sometimes I crash with friends.
What about your family?
They don't worry about you?
Mind if I ask you something?
No.
Billy: Why this?
- What?
- This.
I mean...
I guess I don't get
why someone like you
is calling up midnight cowboys.
[scoffs] What do you mean?
Billy: Well, don't take this
the wrong way,
but you don't strike me
as the kind of bird
who needs to pay for it.
- I have a condition.
- Like, a disease?
[chuckles] No. Not like that.
It's just...
I don't like to leave here.
At all?
You mean, like, you can't?
Just figure,
if I stay in here,
I won't do anymore damage
out there.
I used to have a fear
kind of like that.
I was an orphan,
you know, adopted.
Got into a lot of trouble
when I was younger.
Sent out to my foster uncle's
farm one summer.
Middle of nowhere.
We had a small utility shed
in the back of our barn.
And one day,
after he was done beating on me,
he dragged me by the hair
and he threw me back there.
It wasn't so bad at first.
But then I felt them.
Dozens of spiders
just crawling out of the hay,
over my skin.
They covered me
from head to toe.
They even crawled in my nose
and my mouth.
I screamed,
but there was no way out.
After that, I'd piss my pants
if those fuckers
even crossed my path.
Ah...
[sighs]
[lighter clicking]
How did you manage
to get over it?
I was in a pet shop one summer
and there it was.
A black spider sitting there,
looking right at me.
Before I could think,
I just snatched the fucker
and I ate him.
[laughs] What?
[laughing] Yeah.
- That's crazy.
- It was crazy.
It was a crazy thing to do.
It was.
[chuckles]
What about your family?
Do you ever see them anymore?
No.
It feels weird
that I'm telling you all this.
I don't really ever tell anyone
nothin' about me.
[operatic singing on record]
[doorbell buzzing]
[doorbell buzzing]
You expecting someone?
[doorbell buzzing]
Lady, you don't got, like,
an old man or anything.
- Do you?
- June: No.
[doorbell buzzing]
Don't go down there.
- Let me check it out for you.
- No. Please don't.
[doorbell buzzing]
[door unlocks]
[footsteps approaching]
Nothing.
[Billy sighing]
I think someone
is trying to drive me insane.
Ah, it's probably just some
'hood rats messing with you.
Oh...
A big fat hello
from the gutters of New York.
Do you ever think, whoever
it is ringing your buzzer,
they aren't doing it
to torment you?
Maybe it's like a calling...
to go outside...
face your fears.
[sighs]
[typewriter clicking]
[instrumental music]
[typewriter keys clacking]
[music continues]
[pounding on door]
Landlord: Come on!
[music continues]
Let's go.
[instrumental music]
[typewriter keys clacking]
[music continues]
[sighs]
[line ringing]
Receptionist on phone:
Barton And Barton.
Uh, hello. This is June Leigh.
Um, can you please connect me
to Francesca Bartolometi's
office?
[indistinct chatter on phone]
Um, Mrs. Bartolometi
is currently unavailable.
[sighs] Well, can I...
If you leave your number,
I'll make sure
someone gets back to you.
Someone?
[water sloshing]
[sighs]
[sniffles]
[sighing]
Hey, what the hell
you been living on up here?
I need your help, Freddie.
Can you deliver something
for me?
- Fifty bucks.
- What?
I... I didn't even tell you
where it's going.
- Twenty.
- Forty.
After the groceries,
I've only got 40 left.
- Not my problem.
- Okay.
So you can use my sink anytime,
even my bath.
- Forty.
- Please.
Look, I see you standing there.
I mean,
I can tell you're in a bad way,
that you need
whatever this thing is
to get where it needs to go
so you can move forward
with your life.
You see me,
and I do this for a living.
And you see me,
and you're gonna stand there
and tell me that this thing
that you need to get done
isn't worth 40 bucks to you,
even if it's the last 40 bucks
you have
for the rest of your life?
Have you not learned anything
from looking out from up here?
[paper rustling]
Here's the address.
Make sure they know...
it's for Francesca Bartolometi.
[sighs]
That's one hell of a name.
Listen, Freddie.
This is the only copy I have.
Well, if it's so important
to you,
why don't you go take it...
Just go straight there.
They'll give you a check.
Bring it back here
as soon as you have it.
Please.
Cool.
Freddie...
Thank you.
Catch you later, crib job.
[door opens]
[door shuts]
[instrumental music]
[whimpering]
[sighs]
[sniffles]
June: Margo?
Please don't hang up.
I wanted to call
to tell you how sorry I am
for how I've behaved, how I...
how I treated you...
how I treated everyone.
Listen, I... I finished
the book.
And it's all in there.
You, me, us...
And I realize this...
it doesn't even begin
to make things right.
But I just didn't know where...
where else to start.
So I was hoping
if you read this...
that you would see it as
some kind of consolation as...
as to how much I love you.
And I'm so sorry.
Kid on phone: My mommy's
not home right now.
- What?
- Kid: Mommy's not here.
Bye.
[dial tone]
June: I... I don't know
his last name.
Woman on phone: Listen,
I don't know no Freddie.
- He delivers for you.
- Senora, I cannot help you.
- What?
- Okay?
Can I speak to Enrique, please?
Listen, Enrique no here. Okay?
Okay, listen, listen,
this is, this is really...
- No, no, no, no.
- So...
[speaking in foreign language]
[line disconnects]
[dramatic music]
[doorbell buzzing]
Freddie?
[static]
Freddie?
[static]
[sighs]
[thunder rumbling]
[music on radio]
[thunder rumbling]
[vehicles honking]
[thunder rumbling]
[lightning crashing]
[sighs]
[June breathing heavily]
[yelling in foreign language]
[thunder rumbling]
[speaking in foreign language]
[speaking in foreign language]
[lighter clicking]
[intense music]
Ah.
[sighs]
[lighter clicks]
[dog barking in distance]
[metal clanking]
[indistinct chatter]
[siren wailing in distance]
[music continues]
[siren wailing]
[man whistles]
[engine sputtering]
[engine revving]
Man 1: Stop!
Man 2: That's good, man.
Man 3: Hurry up, man! Hurry up!
- Go. Go.
- Let's go! Let's go!
[engine revving]
[metal clanking]
[indistinct chatter]
Man 4: Let's go! Let's do this!
[metal clanging]
Woman 1: Hey, don't be stupid!
Man 5: Go, go, go!
- Come on! Come on!
- Hey, hey, hey!
[glass shattering]
Man 6: Y'all wrong!
Motherfuckers, get outta here!
Hey, get out of here!
[indistinct yelling]
Woman 2: No, the one on the top!
Man on radio: Well,
the lights are all out
here at Shea Stadium.
All the lights are out.
Uh, we see matches.
People are starting to fight...
[indistinct chatter on radio]
Man on radio: Traffic lights
are not working,
so it is hazardous.
Some looting has been reported.
Several people report
having been stuck in elevators.
New York City does have
everything under control.
Hospitals and so on
are operating
on their own auxiliary power.
The best advice
is to keep cool, stay calm.
New York City will prevail.
[indistinct yelling]
[glass shattering]
[indistinct chatter]
[siren wailing in distance]
[dramatic music]
Woman 3: I wanna
get out of here. Oh!
[indistinct chatter]
Come on!
[clamoring]
[police siren wailing]
[tires screeching]
Get out, motherfucker!
Eat this, motherfucker!
Fuck you, cops!
[men laughing]
[clamoring]
[gunshots]
[clamoring]
Man on radio: ...due to the fact
that the fire wasn't electrical
in nature
and it caused a break...
[clanging]
[indistinct chatter on radio]
[siren wailing in distance]
[door opens]
[breathing heavily]
[intense music]
[door shuts]
[indistinct chatter]
Man 7: I'm warning you...
Man 8: Yo, what the...
Man 9: Come here! Open up!
Man 10: I don't mess in here.
[indistinct chatter]
Man: Let go!
[indistinct yelling]
[helicopter whirring]
[gunshots]
[woman screams]
What?
Freddie?
- Move it!
- Freddie!
- Ah!
- June: No! No!
Oh, my God! Freddie!
[intense music]
[breathing heavily]
[breathing heavily]
[music continues]
[fire crackling]
[breathing heavily]
[breathing heavily]
Freddie...
Oh, no. Freddie?
No.
Freddie? Freddie?
[groaning]
June: Oh...
[footsteps approaching]
[glass clinking]
[sighs]
[glass shattering in distance]
[music continues]
[exhales sharply]
[sobs]
Hans: Your new book
is a phenomenal feat
of personal reflection
and atonement.
Now, some have speculated
that this book
is a quasi-autobiographical
testament
to your time spent
in a severe isolation period
following the fallout
and controversy
of your previous novel.
You've somehow
managed to obtain...
[indistinct chatter]
...of what has been
one of the darkest periods
in this nation's history,
while at the same time
making it so personal.
So I suppose
this all begs a question, June.
Is this character you?
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[instrumental music]