With Love and a Major Organ (2023) Movie Script
1
My mother used to tell me
that her heart was a ball of yarn.
That it could get
caught on other people...
and they wouldn't realize her attachment,
and would move further and further away.
The more distance that grew between them,
the more she'd unravel.
Eventually, her feelings
were in knots all over town.
She said it was humiliating.
I thought it sounded kind of pretty.
When I was ten,
I put my head to her chest.
I just heard an echo.
Are you okay?
Fine.
But...
Please direct me to wherever my home is.
Please walk
away from the ocean.
I went to see a therapist.
I asked her to listen
to my heart. She said...
I'm not allowed to touch you.
It crosses the boundaries
of our relationship.
I asked her to define boundaries.
- She asked me about my mother.
- Tell me
- about your mother.
- I said...
I don't think
my heart issue's hereditary.
She said...
Most issues are somewhat hereditary.
...in a profound way,
like someone who has a degree.
Remember, I have a degree.
So I kept talking,
about how I wanted
to connect with someone.
About the man on the cliff
who pulled out his own heart.
I didn't even know you could do that.
He just pulled his heart out.
Mm. Well, people do
extreme things.
Some people have high emotional toxicity.
By "some people," do you mean me?
- I mean, I also have a degree.
- Not everything's personal.
Therapy seems like it is.
Just want you to be equipped, that's all.
Especially, since we only
have one session left.
- What?
- Mm-hmm.
There's no more coverage for therapy.
It's been all over the news.
- I avoid upsetting news...
- Mm.
...which is all the news.
- What if I could find the money?
- No.
You're my last client,
and this is a dying profession.
Besides, I have a new job.
It's great.
- It's just, like, simple.
- Well,
what do I do with my heart?
Most issues are somewhat hereditary.
You need to exorcize your emotions
or violently suppress them, okay?
- Your heart is toxic.
- No, my heart is a lantern.
Time's up.
I have a shift.
After you.
And if you're just
tuning in with us right now,
it's the Drive Time Morning Commute.
I'm your host, Melvin the Mellow.
Today's program
is brought to you by LifeZapp.
That's LifeZapp, the brand-new super app
that will supercharge your life.
Have you ever wanted to love someone
but felt tired by the thought
of remembering birthdays,
anniversaries, allergies, or habits?
Get ready for LifeZapp
to save your relationship,
the app that keeps track of you
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Today's program is also brought to you
by Efficient Nutritient bars,
full in four bites.
Jeez, Anabel!
Hurry up and sit before she sees you.
Am I that late?
Hello, Virtual Insurance,
where the loss may be virtual,
but the feelings are real.
Hello, Virtual Insurance,
where what's virtual holds real value.
Oh, I'm so sorry
you lost your Facebook history
to an unstable cloud.
How many playlists were lost?
Birthday posts? No!
How intense of an emotional loss
would you like to claim, out of five?
Did you try watching
The Chamber Servants' Epic yet?
No, I can't.
It's way too upsetting.
Oh, eight characters just got beheaded,
all in different ways.
It's so creative.
Great. So, I was thinking
for your bachelorette,
- what we could...
- Oh, no need.
LifeZapp is planning it.
Well, don't you want me
to plan some games, or...
LifeZapp knows what I want,
and it'll just set everything up.
Okay, I think I know you
better than an app.
Do you, though? Do you?
Oh, let's go outside
before we're stuck in here for eternity.
It's gross out.
It's gross in, too.
You being knighted?
It's a reminder that I have
an emotional check-in
with Lisa in one minute.
I still can't believe
you don't want to use this app.
It does everything.
It can even help you meet someone.
If and when I meet someone,
I'd like to meet them in the normal way.
This is the normal way.
I'm working on things,
or trying to work on things.
Is there a point
when all this gets easier?
You'll figure it out.
- Yeah, that's...
- Just be patient.
Listen, why don't I come pick you up,
and we can go to the cabin this weekend?
It's not the right season.
That never used to matter.
Come on!
It'll be good for both of us.
It's too cold.
Do you not want to see me?
Of course,
but I want you to focus on your life.
Mom, I...
I think I saw someone
rip their own heart out.
It's late. I should go.
It's 6:30.
It seems later.
- Are you okay?
- I'm fine.
I miss you.
Good night.
Love you too.
Okay, wait!
Hey!
Hey!
I made it. I'm okay.
Hello, Virtual Insurance,
where the loss may be virtual,
but the feelings are real.
Anabel?
My office. Now.
I'm sorry,
- but it just felt...
- What do we sell, Anabel?
- Virtual insurance.
- Exactly!
So, a lot more calls.
Get here on time.
You know, there are some bots
who really want this job,
and you have s... paint on your face.
Other... other side.
Just... Let me.
- Yup.
- Ow.
It's not gonna...
Good! Off you go.
Do we know each other?
- No.
- Oh.
Well, you waved, which normally indicates
some kind of familiarity.
Right.
Okay, well, thank you
for waving for no reason.
I'm Anabel.
Uh, I'm George.
What's the latest news?
Uh, um...
A new shooting, a new war, a new virus...
You know what? Never mind.
You don't have to worry.
This is yesterday's paper.
You're reading yesterday's news?
That way, I know everything
worked out okay.
- For you.
- And for you too. You're here.
I am.
Uh, I've seen you here before,
even when the weather was at its worst.
Yeah, I want to be able
to brave the elements,
so I'm ready for the apocalypse,
which, according to the news,
is any day now.
It wasn't yesterday.
Maybe it will be today.
Then I will read about it tomorrow.
Oh, we'll both be dead by then.
Oh.
Yeah.
I like your jacket.
Thanks.
I do too.
I... I mean,
I like your jacket too.
Oh, yeah, it's just black.
It matches your eyes...
the middle bit.
- My pupils?
- Yeah.
Then I guess it matches your eyes too.
That middle bit.
What... what do you do?
Clicking and scrolling, mostly.
- I should go.
- Yeah.
Can you hold that, just for...
Here, I'll take that.
I took out all the bad news.
Thank you.
Be careful.
Dearest stranger that I know.
When I think of you,
my heart beats in four directions.
Not just in a forward thump,
but a thick rattle,
like a garbage truck
or a dangerous snake.
With only your eyes,
you cause earthquakes inside my chest.
Your eyelashes are like a hurricane
to the dry fields in my gut.
Like a paleontologist
discovering rare bones,
you unearth things in me
I have never known,
big and small.
Your voice twists
my tangled spaghetti guts
around a silver fork,
smooth, shiny, and clean.
It wakes me up, and I absorb it all.
Every note, moment, and breath,
I drown in it.
A lonely meatball in a vat
of rich tomato sauce.
I soak it all in.
If my chest were
a birdcage I could unlock,
or an oven I could open,
I would let you see
what you do to my heart.
I know this is fast, but...
it doesn't feel too soon
to think I could love you.
He kind of has this goofy smile,
and...
...when he breathes,
it's so rhythmic.
I think I'm in love!
And I want you to fall in love
after a normal amount of time.
Right now, just try and keep your job.
Okay.
Hello, Virtual Insurance,
where we insure everything
you can't hold in your arms
unless you hug computers.
Why don't we go for a drink after work?
- I have a quick-freeze session.
- Oh, come on.
It's relaxing.
Everything in you is still
and numb for 20 minutes.
Okay.
Do you ever feel
like a ball in a game
of Hungry Hungry Hippos,
but you're stuck?
I'm stuck.
I'm oddly shaped, so I won't roll,
and there's no hippo to eat me up.
Just plant flowers in my gut.
My heart jangles like a tambourine
which only becomes music
with your heart's solid drumbeat
added behind it.
The hours between when we see each other
pass as slowly as kidney stones...
...and while you work,
tip-tap-typing at whatever you do...
my heart rubs at your ankles
like a stray cat.
These feelings are a lice
for which there is no special shampoo,
and I think they have nested.
My one hope is that you are itchy too.
With love, Anabel.
How is meeting someone in a park
more dangerous
than meeting someone on an app?
Well, he's not verified.
He could be anybody.
Anyone can be anyone.
Plus, who has a tape player?
You know, besides you?
Yeah, you're probably right about that.
The work here is so bold, isn't it?
Ooh, I like this one.
That's a post.
Wait, actually, I'm not sure.
Well, that's what's so good about it.
Art that's useful.
It's doing a job.
I relate to it.
No, it's definitely a post.
Casey, do you think
it was stupid? The tape?
He makes eye con.
He pays attention, you know?
So, what do you think?
What,
the space? It's amazing.
I would love to show my work here.
We could put the bar over there.
Yeah, I think I like it.
I do like it.
Did you just let LifeZapp tell you that?
I was already pretty sure,
and now I don't have to obsess over it.
Plus, LifeZapp knows what Lisa likes too,
so we're good to go.
Okay, I don't think
you should be marrying Lisa.
What?
I think you should be marrying the app.
Oh. LifeZapp is
the reason I'm getting married.
No, no.
An app cannot create love.
It can help.
It tells us how long we could be
in the same room together
before we become codependent or fight,
vacations we'll enjoy equally,
what jobs we can get
that have complimentary hours.
And we're booked!
I guess I have to take out the art
so we don't damage it, but...
I wonder if they'll let us keep this one
if we're extra careful?
Oh, you know?
I could bring in my stuff!
It would be perfect!
My first solo show,
and it would be for you...
Well, both of you.
That sounds like so much work for you.
No, it would be an honor.
Okay, maybe... maybe.
I... I'll talk to Lisa about it.
Oh, it's going to be beautiful!
Whoops!
So, how was your day?
Fine.
How was your day?
It was fine.
Consistency is exciting.
Consistently.
What'd you do?
Pointing, clicking,
- and scrolling...
- Hmm.
...mostly.
Hmm.
Can I borrow your tape recorder?
These feelings are a lice
for which there is no special shampoo,
and I think they have nested.
My one hope is that you are itchy too.
With love, Anabel.
You don't see him?
Here, try these.
Everything's fine.
Everything's fine.
You are fine.
Everything's...
Well, it drowns you out to yourself, see?
Is that Emma Thompson's voice?
It's robot Emma Thompson.
Now she'll live forever.
- You feel better?
- No.
It helps me with my wedding stress.
He's probably just...
taking the time
to respond in a meaningful way.
Yeah, maybe.
Anabel! Anabel!
I can't.
I'm sorry,
Anabel. That sucks.
Yeah, maybe.
Or maybe he sucks, and it's for the best.
I'm fine. It's fine.
You sure? You told him
that he gave you love lice.
Thank you for the reminder.
Sorry.
Do something nice for yourself tonight.
- Take a bath.
- I can't.
There's another show on at the gallery,
and I gotta show my face.
Be an active member of
the community, and all that.
I can't.
Can't you what?
Anabel?
I think you're gonna have to consider
having your wedding elsewhere.
Why?
Just tell me how to make things easier.
Is this where
you come for your quick freezes?
Yeah.
I come for my quick freeze,
I come to let things out...
Just you wait.
You're gonna totally forget
George even existed.
- Oh, God!
- Yeah.
You just reminded me.
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
Here, let it all out in here.
Okay.
Is that Sandra?
I was hoping she wasn't working, but...
Hi, Sandra!
Oh, Casey!
It's so great to see you.
Anabel, it's been a minute.
Yeah, several million of them.
Mm, when did you get so good at math?
I thought you were an artist?
She is an artist!
- Any shows coming up?
- No.
Oh, actually, Casey's wedding.
Oh, uh...
...we haven't
confirmed anything.
Um, can we get a couple passes?
Yeah.
The elevator is right over there,
unless you've changed your mind
and you want to save
your feelings for your art.
Just kidding!
Thanks!
See ya.
Bye-bye.
Why does she hate me?
I don't know.
You can leave whatever
is bothering you here.
It's total self-care.
So, where should I start?
For you? Anywhere.
Be still with your feelings.
Now, push them out.
Birth your feelings,
and then get up
and leave them here on the floor!
My heart has started beating so loudly
that sometimes I wonder
if other people can hear it.
Dearest stranger, when I think of you,
my heart beats in four directions.
I went to see a therapist...
I asked her to listen to my heart...
She asked me about my mother...
My mother used to tell me...
I can't. I can't.
Small House of Big Feels?
Sounds a bit like a brothel.
The owner called it the Centre
for Emotional Release.
We get way more bachelor parties now.
I think I got hypothermia.
But I bet you're very
clear-headed and rational.
Not really. I'm just cold.
I wish this stuff worked.
Maybe you just need to let it.
I am trying to let it, Sandra.
I'm sick of feeling like this.
It's like...
carrying around sludge in my gut.
Gross.
It's gross. It's gross.
My own mother won't see me.
I fucked things up with
yet another gallery last night,
and I just...
Oh, I just... I want someone
to touch me so badly it hurts.
You know, I think Casey
might be a while, so I'll...
- I'll just tell her that...
- Oh, so good, right?
Bet it's like you never even met George.
I do feel a bit better.
- Oh, good.
- Thanks.
- Okay.
- Uh-huh.
Can't wait to see you tomorrow, Casey!
Yeah, see ya tomorrow!
Sandra's invited to your bachelorette?
Yeah, I'll tell you later.
Thanks for calling.
Now leave a message.
Hi, Mom.
So, I've decided I'm gonna rent a car
and I'm gonna come
pick you up next weekend,
and we're gonna go to the cabin.
I miss it there,
and I know that once you get there,
you'll realize that you do too, okay?
I love you.
Grab some champagne if you want.
- Everything's set up.
- How many people are coming?
Sandra, you, Mayko, Barbara...
Barbara? Wait, who's Mayko?
The app suggested new married friends
so we could do married things.
Oh, and I forgot to mention
that Laverne is coming.
Did you say Laverne?
What is all this stuff?
We're going back, for one last night!
Aw.
Okay.
Uh,
can you get that for me?
- Yeah.
- Okay.
Oh, my God.
Oh...
Sandra! It's really nice
to see you.
Anabel, it's been 3,602 minutes.
Please don't freak out.
I wanna have a fun night.
Anabel? Anabel!
Can you...
can you please change the music?
Your phone won't listen to me,
and there are way too many Cheetos.
Yes.
Oh, thank you.
Thank you, Sandra.
Ah, could you...
Can you get that for me, please?
- Totally!
- Thanks, Sandra.
Okay, what is this music?
It's a playlist I made.
The songs you used to love.
"Used to." Past tense.
Oh, thank God.
And what is this?
I thought I told you not to bring...
Hi!
Mayko! Hi! Hello! Come on in.
It's so great to see
you're more than just a floating head.
- You have great legs.
- Congratulations.
Thank you. Thank you.
It's exactly my aesthetic.
Mm. Hi, I'm Anabel.
- I'm Maid of Honor.
- Hi.
You have, like, Cheeto dust on your face.
Mm.
Would... would you like
a glass of champagne?
Uh, just 3.4 ounces.
Oh, let me do it! You relax.
Would you also like
some cheese with that?
Oh, wait!
Careful, because
it's just for the aesthetic,
because who actually
eats dairy these days? Not me.
Good, cause it's disgusting.
Has everyone been watching
The Chamber Servants' Epic?
Oh, the last rape scene
was a tour de force.
Oh, right?
Oh, and when they killed
the dog to eat it, too?
So dramatic...
Okay, I think we should play a game!
We could guess Casey's
something old, something new,
something borrowed, something blue...
No?
Uh, which LifeZapp extension
are you using to plan it?
Scheduled Love. It was either
that or Bride 2 Be.
- Oh...
- Good ones.
- Thank you.
- I can't wait until the day
I'm choosing an app extension
to plan my wedding.
It'll happen. It will.
Oh! Oh, I have to...
- I have to get on video chat.
- Video chat?
Barbara and Laverne are coming virtually.
- Why would you invite Laverne?
- Hi!
Oh, my God!
You all look like
you're having the best time.
Is that the woman from the Rage Room?
Yeah, that's where we became friends.
You were there, Anabel.
Is it time for speeches?
Because I've got about, uh...
Oh, I've got something.
- I... I have a speech.
- Oh?
I... Yeah, I have a speech.
Um, uh... Sorry.
I just get stage fright, you know?
Oh, it's okay.
In the famous words
of Reese Witherspoon...
"You always gain
by giving love."
Oh, wow. That...
that was nice. Thank you.
- Cheers.
- That was beautiful!
I had weaned myself off emotion,
but that touched something in me.
You must be the Maid of Honor.
I have something to say.
Or show, rather.
It's more of a visual speech.
- Oh, we have to see this.
- Visual. Um?
It's you, Casey, as you are
with Lisa, your authentic self.
Together, you're more beautiful.
Uh, all right, that's, uh...
That's... that's time for me!
I don't get the feathers.
Oh, it's because Casey's first crush
was Plumette.
You know, the feather duster
in Beauty and the Beast?
Oh.
Do you lust after
all kinds of inanimate objects,
or just feather dusters?
Oh, I don't understand
why LifeZapp made us friends.
What's for next? A paint orgy?
We'll add it to the list of activities.
Come on, you can't really care
about what those people think?
You don't even know them.
Oh, and now I won't.
Yeah, well, I'm sure LifeZapp
can find you some new fake friends.
My rating is going to plummet.
Okay, Casey, why do you care so much
about what other people think?
You don't care about anybody at all.
Um, that's not true.
I mean, this whole night was about you.
I was trying to do
something special for you.
And all I wanted
was for you to do nothing.
Okay, just wait
until you see this painting
with the rest of the collection...
No! No!
No art at my wedding.
- But we talked about it.
- No, we didn't!
You get so caught up in your own feelings
that you don't listen to anyone else's.
I need a break.
But I...
I'm your Maid of Honor.
Yeah...
- It's kind of awkward.
- Okay!
Mom.
Hello, is this Anabel?
I'm sorry to have to tell you this
in a real-time conversation
because it's awkward for me, but...
Sorry, who is this?
Oh, where are my manners?
Are you the daughter of Kay Cordula?
Yes.
It was a very quiet death.
Your mother's heart caved in.
There was nothing left,
so it must have been painless.
Anyway, there's some paperwork
you have to...
George, George.
I hope my heart tortures you eternally
with emotion.
Please be careful with her.
She's easily broken.
I think I'm fixed.
Mm.
People aren't things you fix.
Then what's the point of therapy?
Well, you've still got
32 minutes left of therapy,
so what would you like to express?
Tell me about your mother?
And if you're just
tuning in with us right now,
it's the Drive Time Morning Commute.
I'm your host, Melvin the Mellow.
Today's news, questions
arose when a bloody flowerpot
washed up on the West Shore last week.
After an examination, it became clear
that this was, in fact, someone's heart.
If you see anyone with
a leaking hole in their chest
or coughing up
an enormous amount of sand,
please have them come
to the police station
to collect their heart
as soon as possible.
And now, for some distracting beats.
Thank you, stranger.
Nice! Isn't that dangerous?
I like your jacket.
Hi!
What's your name?
Okay?
Hey, what do you think?
Right?
Wow.
You are big and wise.
Going to have to have you in some water.
I get thirsty sometimes too.
Lovely. Look at that!
Have a nice day!
What a great day.
Virtual Insurance...
Hey, Anabel.
I overreacted.
I know you were trying to do some...
You asked me to do something specific,
and I didn't do it.
I understand why you got mad.
Wow.
Thank you.
And the whole Maid of Honor thing...
You can't feel confident
that you can trust me
to be your Maid of Honor now.
That's not what I meant.
- It's for the best.
- It is?
Sandra will do everything you want.
Hello, Virtual Insurance.
What do you need?
Sir, I can't make out
what you're saying through the tears.
Absolutely.
Almond?
Back from lunch,
right on time, as always.
Oh, this for me?
Yes, please. No bribery.
Is it keto?
I'm doing keto.
I like this more rugged look on you.
Great shirt.
Think fast.
Gotta work on... on that,
but really,
it's the only thing you need to work on,
my dude, my guy, my bro.
I'm looking forward
to your quarterly feedback.
Uh, I... I feel... I feel...
I feel ready to grow
like a big wise tree.
Hmm, nah, you don't need to.
You're our most reliable point,
click, and scroller here
at Point, Click, and Scroll to Infinity.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
Thanks so much.
Feels so nice to be validated.
Yeah, we want to keep you here.
So what are you interested in
for the long term?
Oh.
Mm...
Well, I'm looking for real connection,
purpose, and fulfillment.
- Okay, anything else?
- Yes!
Uh, excitement, the sea,
uh... I've never tried skiing.
Affection, pizza, pure joy.
I recently learned what a fist bump was.
I want to read fiction, just fiction,
uh, but those are all short-term things.
Hmm.
Thank you all so much
for all the fun times.
Well, actually, just the times.
Bye.
On the season finale
of The Chamber Servants' Epic,
all the nice characters
will be killed slowly,
but how?
What's your claim?
Oh, my whole cloud vanished!
Ooh, that's hard.
I don't know what I'm gonna do...
I'll process it.
Let's go outside for lunch.
I'm basically already done.
- You downloaded it?
- It made sense,
and my full profile just appeared.
Scans your brain in your sleep.
All I'm saying is that if the robots
make everyone so uncomfortable
that they all quit, we won't
have to worry about severance,
will we?
I'll call you back, yeah?
You really took our chat to heart.
Your call log numbers
are as high as a robot's.
So what was it that I said
that made a difference?
I'm just curious.
Oh, I just stopped caring
about other people's problems.
Ah! Yes!
See, you have just articulated the secret
to perfect customer service.
Okay. Oh, my mother died.
Uh...
My condolences?
Do you... do you need...
I just need this Thursday morning off
- for the funeral.
- Take a week.
- Oh, I don't need that.
- Oh, you do.
You do, yeah?
It's, uh, company policy,
and, uh, you need to go here
in order for you
to come back to work next week.
It's... it's to expedite
proper grieving.
The company needs to show that we, um,
supported you emotionally,
just in case anything happens.
Like with Robin and the stapler?
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Just get it signed for HR.
Understood.
Hmm.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I told him, "You keep the pony."
In the words of Oprah Winfrey,
"Get rid of it." Yeah.
Can you sign this?
Are you here
- for the Jealousy Cellar?
- No.
Look, it's not my fault
that I'm the better choice
to bestow honor on Casey...
Oh.
I'm so sorry about your mom.
Happens.
- Do you want to talk about it?
- No.
I'd like you to sign that.
You have to use the facilities
for at least eight minutes
for me to sign this.
It's policy.
Which room is closest?
- Uncontrollable Joy. Just...
- ...right there.
So sorry about your mama.
When's the funeral?
I'm hungry.
You feeling all right?
Mm-hmm.
You ill?
No, I'm just not that hungry.
I got distracted by a pizza
on the way here.
What?
It just smelled so good,
and I wanted to eat it so bad, so I did.
Why don't we ever order pizza?
You want me to invite someone,
a stranger, to my door,
and eat greasy food that they bring,
with no idea where they've been?
Are you getting enough sleep?
- For what?
- Rational thinking.
Eat your fish.
You need your omega threes.
I'm a vegetarian.
No, you're not.
It's too sad to eat animals
when you think about it.
- So then don't think about it.
- I have to.
I got a fish.
Why would you do that?
I don't know.
- What's wrong with me?
- Nothing.
You're fine.
You're lucky.
That's not how I feel.
How do you feel?
I've been looking up feelings
in the dictionary
just to try to understand them better...
No, no, no.
You don't have to do that.
Can I?
Joy.
Feeling or showing
pleasure or contentment.
Pleasure. A feeling of happy
satisfaction or enjoyment.
Enjoyment, the process
of taking pleasure in something.
What do...
what do these words mean?
Why are you doing this?
I just don't think it's possible to...
to discuss emotions adequately
using just words.
Is that why we never did?
What has gotten into you?
Something new.
I... I feel like
I'm living in 5D.
- What does that even mean?
- I have no idea.
Are you experimenting with drugs?
No. I'm far too busy
- experimenting with life.
- Well, stop it,
- for goodness sake.
- I don't want to stop it, okay?
- Just eat your fish!
- I don't want to eat this fish!
Thank you for making it.
This isn't you.
Okay, well, then, who is?
Who's George, George?
Nobody understands me.
Okay, so I'm...
I'm leaving, Mom.
I'm... I'm sorry about the mess.
No.
I'm not sorry.
Just leave me alone, Mom.
- Thank you for coming.
- Whose funeral is this?
Kay Cordula. My mother.
The obituary didn't have a name.
Way to detach.
Why are you here, then,
if you didn't know her?
I'm a grief junkie.
It's starting.
We are here to mourn the loss,
but more so to celebrate
the life of Kay Cordula...
...a woman who liked coffee,
but enjoyed tea more
at the time of her death, probably.
She was nice until she wasn't.
She has a lot of shells
if anyone wants any.
She died at a younger age than expected.
Does anyone have any personal memories
or feelings about Kay
that they would like to share?
She was my mother.
This concludes the service.
George?
What?
What?
Mother.
Don't worry, I'm alive,
or I was when I wrote this.
I've been doing a lot of work on myself.
I met a wonderful barista
the other day who told me...
Listen, you need to set yourself free
from the things
that you've been taught, okay?
So follow your heart.
See where you end up.
You owe it to yourself.
Everything she said made sense.
You are a wonderful barista.
So that's what I've decided to do.
I'm going to follow my heart
to find real connection.
Please deliver this package to Anabel.
Do not try to contact me on my quest.
Thank you. From George.
Hey! Get in.
- Yeah?
- Yeah!
Thank you so much for stopping
even though I'm a total stranger.
Everyone else just looked.
- I'm George.
- I'm Jess.
Hi, Jess.
This book must be terrifying...
and still, it speaks to me.
So, are those good sounds?
- Oh, yes!
- Okay.
- Yes!
- Am I hurting you?
- No!
- Oh, okay.
Oh, something's happening.
Yeah? Yes!
Maybe this is fast, but...
these feelings are like...
lice.
- Hello?
- Is this Anabel?
I'm calling about your mother,
Kay Cordula's estate.
Everything has been left to you.
I don't want any of it.
Her home, her cabin, all of her belong...
What the fuck?
Get out!
- Anabel?
- Why didn't you knock?
I thought someone broke in
and was raiding your place.
Are you okay?
I'm fine.
I am so sorry about your mom.
Why?
It's not your fault.
I'll plan the funeral.
Why? It's already done.
Maybe next time.
I... I would have
been there for you. I...
I'm gonna make you some dinner, okay?
That makes no sense.
I'm a better cook than you.
What are you doing?
They're living things that will die.
I'm just being expedient about it.
Thanks, though, for the thought.
Okay, I'm...
That's a photo of us, do...
What?
- Ow! What the...
- Why are you here?
I'm your best friend.
Let me be here for you.
Why?
- I don't understand.
- Why are we friends?
What's the function of it?
The value?
We don't have anything in common.
I think we were friends,
but we forgot to stop being friends.
We should stop.
Don't! You love that!
- Not anymore.
- This is from your mom.
It's another thing I don't need.
You're going to want all of this.
I won't.
I can let things go.
I can let people go too.
Dead and alive.
What's the point of a door?
You! You're going
to show me where he is.
Anabel,
I was going to return your heart
after a day or so,
but now we've gotten used to each other,
and we're running away together.
My own felt like
a placeholder in my chest,
but yours, well...
the world is brighter,
and darker too.
It's not always pleasant,
but what an opportunity.
I mean, how often does someone
really give you their heart?
So I'm following it.
I have to.
I'm sorry I hurt you.
I will be careful with your heart.
I already know it's one
that can crack easily.
Thank you, George.
How did you do it?
You just pulled it out?
Well, now he's following your heart.
So what does your heart want?
You can still remember
what's important to you,
so you just tell me where he is,
and then I'll let you go.
Grunt. Once for right,
twice for left.
When that void in your chest kicks in,
it's going to hurt a lot.
Doctors at
St. Anne's Hospital
performed surgery for ten hours
to save the life of a man
who tore out his own heart.
The man was admitted
to the E.R.
after coughing up large amounts of sand.
He was only hours from death.
The man's new heart...
Stop.
Stop!
You know, this isn't easy for me.
You try having a son and making choices
to protect him, and then he runs away.
You can dedicate
your whole life to something
and still do it wrong, did you know that?
I... I did everything.
I... I gave...
His heart was made of paper.
He wasn't born that way.
That was me.
It was a preventative measure.
It was so he'd be able to survive.
He was conceived by two
broken-hearted people.
We barely spoke.
Mostly whimpered.
I don't even remember his name...
and two broken-hearted people
will make a broken-hearted
child together,
like two redheads
will make another carrot top.
He was predisposed to have
his heart ripped to shreds,
so I did what any good mother would do...
I found a solution.
I found a Doctor of Philosophy,
and he had an idea, a simple idea
no medical doctor had come up with.
Make a lighter model.
People get prosthetic limbs all the time.
So we consulted the Doctor of Fine Arts
who made sculptures with paper,
and an architect made a blueprint,
and an artist made a model,
and a young surgeon
who wanted to be noticed
said "Yes."
And that was that.
My son would be fine forever after...
and he was...
until you.
Well, aren't you gonna say something?
No wonder he's so fucked up.
It was to make things easier for him.
- Or you.
- It wasn't easier for me.
Was it worth it, for him?
Where?
Here.
Up the road.
You need your heart back.
You're leaking.
You need something in there.
The cavity will cave in,
and it'll hurt, a lot.
It was painless
when it happened to my mother.
It wasn't, and it won't be for you.
I don't mind.
She didn't.
She didn't want to see me.
Or she didn't want to hurt you.
How do you know?
I know your mother loved you.
Even if she couldn't show it
in the best way, she loved you.
Effusively.
I hope you felt that.
If you get my heart back...
donate it to science.
George! George!
I think I'm starting to realize
how much you messed me up.
Don't be irrational.
Why not?
What's so wrong with being irrational?
Stealing is wrong.
Eating fish is wrong too.
People do it, okay?
I'm keeping this heart,
and if you can't accept that, then...
No! No! George!
No!
Stop it!
- George!
- No!
I'll let you order pizza!
- George, listen to me!
- No!
George! George, wait!
No, no, if you come any closer,
I'm going to jump off this cliff,
and I'll... I'll swim away!
You're a terrible swimmer.
Yeah, because you never let me
go near the water!
I would really appreciate it
if you gave me back my heart.
- No!
- George, George,
you give this woman
her heart back right now!
Okay, look, I'm an adult, all right?
You can't tell me what to do.
I wanna feel everything!
You wanna feel everything?
Think of the guilt you'll feel
if you keep this woman's heart.
Without her heart,
her insides will dry out.
She will harden into concrete,
until one day, everything just caves in,
and it'll all become sand and dust.
She will die without her heart, George.
I can't... I can't go back
to the way I was, okay?
I threw away my heart.
That wasn't your real heart.
What?
That's not your real heart.
She's right.
That... that wasn't
your real heart.
Your real heart is a hermit crab.
What?!
I'll explain everything, just...
I'll give you your heart, just give...
give that one back.
No, how could I possibly trust you now?
I made a mistake.
I did too.
But I'm still your mother.
Your person in the world.
I named it Janine...
...and I think
I may have cracked her a bit.
Thank you.
- It's okay.
- It's okay.
It's okay.
It's okay.
Welcome home, Janine.
Dear Anabel,
please accept my apologies
for trying to steal your heart.
It was wonderful for a moment,
but probably not for you.
I'm sorry.
You should know that I have
a new heart now,
a hermit crab.
I have named him Winston.
He's very excitable.
I feel good sometimes.
I... I feel.
Maybe one day I can repay you.
With love...
George.
My mother used to tell me
that her heart was a ball of yarn.
That it could get caught on other people.
My father's heart was a seashell.
When you put your head to his chest,
you could hear the ocean.
Waves echoed and crashed inside him,
in and out.
He went in and out too,
until he was gone...
and now she's gone too.
Careful, careful, careful!
This way. This way.
My mother used to tell me
that her heart was a ball of yarn.
That it could get
caught on other people...
and they wouldn't realize her attachment,
and would move further and further away.
The more distance that grew between them,
the more she'd unravel.
Eventually, her feelings
were in knots all over town.
She said it was humiliating.
I thought it sounded kind of pretty.
When I was ten,
I put my head to her chest.
I just heard an echo.
Are you okay?
Fine.
But...
Please direct me to wherever my home is.
Please walk
away from the ocean.
I went to see a therapist.
I asked her to listen
to my heart. She said...
I'm not allowed to touch you.
It crosses the boundaries
of our relationship.
I asked her to define boundaries.
- She asked me about my mother.
- Tell me
- about your mother.
- I said...
I don't think
my heart issue's hereditary.
She said...
Most issues are somewhat hereditary.
...in a profound way,
like someone who has a degree.
Remember, I have a degree.
So I kept talking,
about how I wanted
to connect with someone.
About the man on the cliff
who pulled out his own heart.
I didn't even know you could do that.
He just pulled his heart out.
Mm. Well, people do
extreme things.
Some people have high emotional toxicity.
By "some people," do you mean me?
- I mean, I also have a degree.
- Not everything's personal.
Therapy seems like it is.
Just want you to be equipped, that's all.
Especially, since we only
have one session left.
- What?
- Mm-hmm.
There's no more coverage for therapy.
It's been all over the news.
- I avoid upsetting news...
- Mm.
...which is all the news.
- What if I could find the money?
- No.
You're my last client,
and this is a dying profession.
Besides, I have a new job.
It's great.
- It's just, like, simple.
- Well,
what do I do with my heart?
Most issues are somewhat hereditary.
You need to exorcize your emotions
or violently suppress them, okay?
- Your heart is toxic.
- No, my heart is a lantern.
Time's up.
I have a shift.
After you.
And if you're just
tuning in with us right now,
it's the Drive Time Morning Commute.
I'm your host, Melvin the Mellow.
Today's program
is brought to you by LifeZapp.
That's LifeZapp, the brand-new super app
that will supercharge your life.
Have you ever wanted to love someone
but felt tired by the thought
of remembering birthdays,
anniversaries, allergies, or habits?
Get ready for LifeZapp
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Jeez, Anabel!
Hurry up and sit before she sees you.
Am I that late?
Hello, Virtual Insurance,
where the loss may be virtual,
but the feelings are real.
Hello, Virtual Insurance,
where what's virtual holds real value.
Oh, I'm so sorry
you lost your Facebook history
to an unstable cloud.
How many playlists were lost?
Birthday posts? No!
How intense of an emotional loss
would you like to claim, out of five?
Did you try watching
The Chamber Servants' Epic yet?
No, I can't.
It's way too upsetting.
Oh, eight characters just got beheaded,
all in different ways.
It's so creative.
Great. So, I was thinking
for your bachelorette,
- what we could...
- Oh, no need.
LifeZapp is planning it.
Well, don't you want me
to plan some games, or...
LifeZapp knows what I want,
and it'll just set everything up.
Okay, I think I know you
better than an app.
Do you, though? Do you?
Oh, let's go outside
before we're stuck in here for eternity.
It's gross out.
It's gross in, too.
You being knighted?
It's a reminder that I have
an emotional check-in
with Lisa in one minute.
I still can't believe
you don't want to use this app.
It does everything.
It can even help you meet someone.
If and when I meet someone,
I'd like to meet them in the normal way.
This is the normal way.
I'm working on things,
or trying to work on things.
Is there a point
when all this gets easier?
You'll figure it out.
- Yeah, that's...
- Just be patient.
Listen, why don't I come pick you up,
and we can go to the cabin this weekend?
It's not the right season.
That never used to matter.
Come on!
It'll be good for both of us.
It's too cold.
Do you not want to see me?
Of course,
but I want you to focus on your life.
Mom, I...
I think I saw someone
rip their own heart out.
It's late. I should go.
It's 6:30.
It seems later.
- Are you okay?
- I'm fine.
I miss you.
Good night.
Love you too.
Okay, wait!
Hey!
Hey!
I made it. I'm okay.
Hello, Virtual Insurance,
where the loss may be virtual,
but the feelings are real.
Anabel?
My office. Now.
I'm sorry,
- but it just felt...
- What do we sell, Anabel?
- Virtual insurance.
- Exactly!
So, a lot more calls.
Get here on time.
You know, there are some bots
who really want this job,
and you have s... paint on your face.
Other... other side.
Just... Let me.
- Yup.
- Ow.
It's not gonna...
Good! Off you go.
Do we know each other?
- No.
- Oh.
Well, you waved, which normally indicates
some kind of familiarity.
Right.
Okay, well, thank you
for waving for no reason.
I'm Anabel.
Uh, I'm George.
What's the latest news?
Uh, um...
A new shooting, a new war, a new virus...
You know what? Never mind.
You don't have to worry.
This is yesterday's paper.
You're reading yesterday's news?
That way, I know everything
worked out okay.
- For you.
- And for you too. You're here.
I am.
Uh, I've seen you here before,
even when the weather was at its worst.
Yeah, I want to be able
to brave the elements,
so I'm ready for the apocalypse,
which, according to the news,
is any day now.
It wasn't yesterday.
Maybe it will be today.
Then I will read about it tomorrow.
Oh, we'll both be dead by then.
Oh.
Yeah.
I like your jacket.
Thanks.
I do too.
I... I mean,
I like your jacket too.
Oh, yeah, it's just black.
It matches your eyes...
the middle bit.
- My pupils?
- Yeah.
Then I guess it matches your eyes too.
That middle bit.
What... what do you do?
Clicking and scrolling, mostly.
- I should go.
- Yeah.
Can you hold that, just for...
Here, I'll take that.
I took out all the bad news.
Thank you.
Be careful.
Dearest stranger that I know.
When I think of you,
my heart beats in four directions.
Not just in a forward thump,
but a thick rattle,
like a garbage truck
or a dangerous snake.
With only your eyes,
you cause earthquakes inside my chest.
Your eyelashes are like a hurricane
to the dry fields in my gut.
Like a paleontologist
discovering rare bones,
you unearth things in me
I have never known,
big and small.
Your voice twists
my tangled spaghetti guts
around a silver fork,
smooth, shiny, and clean.
It wakes me up, and I absorb it all.
Every note, moment, and breath,
I drown in it.
A lonely meatball in a vat
of rich tomato sauce.
I soak it all in.
If my chest were
a birdcage I could unlock,
or an oven I could open,
I would let you see
what you do to my heart.
I know this is fast, but...
it doesn't feel too soon
to think I could love you.
He kind of has this goofy smile,
and...
...when he breathes,
it's so rhythmic.
I think I'm in love!
And I want you to fall in love
after a normal amount of time.
Right now, just try and keep your job.
Okay.
Hello, Virtual Insurance,
where we insure everything
you can't hold in your arms
unless you hug computers.
Why don't we go for a drink after work?
- I have a quick-freeze session.
- Oh, come on.
It's relaxing.
Everything in you is still
and numb for 20 minutes.
Okay.
Do you ever feel
like a ball in a game
of Hungry Hungry Hippos,
but you're stuck?
I'm stuck.
I'm oddly shaped, so I won't roll,
and there's no hippo to eat me up.
Just plant flowers in my gut.
My heart jangles like a tambourine
which only becomes music
with your heart's solid drumbeat
added behind it.
The hours between when we see each other
pass as slowly as kidney stones...
...and while you work,
tip-tap-typing at whatever you do...
my heart rubs at your ankles
like a stray cat.
These feelings are a lice
for which there is no special shampoo,
and I think they have nested.
My one hope is that you are itchy too.
With love, Anabel.
How is meeting someone in a park
more dangerous
than meeting someone on an app?
Well, he's not verified.
He could be anybody.
Anyone can be anyone.
Plus, who has a tape player?
You know, besides you?
Yeah, you're probably right about that.
The work here is so bold, isn't it?
Ooh, I like this one.
That's a post.
Wait, actually, I'm not sure.
Well, that's what's so good about it.
Art that's useful.
It's doing a job.
I relate to it.
No, it's definitely a post.
Casey, do you think
it was stupid? The tape?
He makes eye con.
He pays attention, you know?
So, what do you think?
What,
the space? It's amazing.
I would love to show my work here.
We could put the bar over there.
Yeah, I think I like it.
I do like it.
Did you just let LifeZapp tell you that?
I was already pretty sure,
and now I don't have to obsess over it.
Plus, LifeZapp knows what Lisa likes too,
so we're good to go.
Okay, I don't think
you should be marrying Lisa.
What?
I think you should be marrying the app.
Oh. LifeZapp is
the reason I'm getting married.
No, no.
An app cannot create love.
It can help.
It tells us how long we could be
in the same room together
before we become codependent or fight,
vacations we'll enjoy equally,
what jobs we can get
that have complimentary hours.
And we're booked!
I guess I have to take out the art
so we don't damage it, but...
I wonder if they'll let us keep this one
if we're extra careful?
Oh, you know?
I could bring in my stuff!
It would be perfect!
My first solo show,
and it would be for you...
Well, both of you.
That sounds like so much work for you.
No, it would be an honor.
Okay, maybe... maybe.
I... I'll talk to Lisa about it.
Oh, it's going to be beautiful!
Whoops!
So, how was your day?
Fine.
How was your day?
It was fine.
Consistency is exciting.
Consistently.
What'd you do?
Pointing, clicking,
- and scrolling...
- Hmm.
...mostly.
Hmm.
Can I borrow your tape recorder?
These feelings are a lice
for which there is no special shampoo,
and I think they have nested.
My one hope is that you are itchy too.
With love, Anabel.
You don't see him?
Here, try these.
Everything's fine.
Everything's fine.
You are fine.
Everything's...
Well, it drowns you out to yourself, see?
Is that Emma Thompson's voice?
It's robot Emma Thompson.
Now she'll live forever.
- You feel better?
- No.
It helps me with my wedding stress.
He's probably just...
taking the time
to respond in a meaningful way.
Yeah, maybe.
Anabel! Anabel!
I can't.
I'm sorry,
Anabel. That sucks.
Yeah, maybe.
Or maybe he sucks, and it's for the best.
I'm fine. It's fine.
You sure? You told him
that he gave you love lice.
Thank you for the reminder.
Sorry.
Do something nice for yourself tonight.
- Take a bath.
- I can't.
There's another show on at the gallery,
and I gotta show my face.
Be an active member of
the community, and all that.
I can't.
Can't you what?
Anabel?
I think you're gonna have to consider
having your wedding elsewhere.
Why?
Just tell me how to make things easier.
Is this where
you come for your quick freezes?
Yeah.
I come for my quick freeze,
I come to let things out...
Just you wait.
You're gonna totally forget
George even existed.
- Oh, God!
- Yeah.
You just reminded me.
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
Here, let it all out in here.
Okay.
Is that Sandra?
I was hoping she wasn't working, but...
Hi, Sandra!
Oh, Casey!
It's so great to see you.
Anabel, it's been a minute.
Yeah, several million of them.
Mm, when did you get so good at math?
I thought you were an artist?
She is an artist!
- Any shows coming up?
- No.
Oh, actually, Casey's wedding.
Oh, uh...
...we haven't
confirmed anything.
Um, can we get a couple passes?
Yeah.
The elevator is right over there,
unless you've changed your mind
and you want to save
your feelings for your art.
Just kidding!
Thanks!
See ya.
Bye-bye.
Why does she hate me?
I don't know.
You can leave whatever
is bothering you here.
It's total self-care.
So, where should I start?
For you? Anywhere.
Be still with your feelings.
Now, push them out.
Birth your feelings,
and then get up
and leave them here on the floor!
My heart has started beating so loudly
that sometimes I wonder
if other people can hear it.
Dearest stranger, when I think of you,
my heart beats in four directions.
I went to see a therapist...
I asked her to listen to my heart...
She asked me about my mother...
My mother used to tell me...
I can't. I can't.
Small House of Big Feels?
Sounds a bit like a brothel.
The owner called it the Centre
for Emotional Release.
We get way more bachelor parties now.
I think I got hypothermia.
But I bet you're very
clear-headed and rational.
Not really. I'm just cold.
I wish this stuff worked.
Maybe you just need to let it.
I am trying to let it, Sandra.
I'm sick of feeling like this.
It's like...
carrying around sludge in my gut.
Gross.
It's gross. It's gross.
My own mother won't see me.
I fucked things up with
yet another gallery last night,
and I just...
Oh, I just... I want someone
to touch me so badly it hurts.
You know, I think Casey
might be a while, so I'll...
- I'll just tell her that...
- Oh, so good, right?
Bet it's like you never even met George.
I do feel a bit better.
- Oh, good.
- Thanks.
- Okay.
- Uh-huh.
Can't wait to see you tomorrow, Casey!
Yeah, see ya tomorrow!
Sandra's invited to your bachelorette?
Yeah, I'll tell you later.
Thanks for calling.
Now leave a message.
Hi, Mom.
So, I've decided I'm gonna rent a car
and I'm gonna come
pick you up next weekend,
and we're gonna go to the cabin.
I miss it there,
and I know that once you get there,
you'll realize that you do too, okay?
I love you.
Grab some champagne if you want.
- Everything's set up.
- How many people are coming?
Sandra, you, Mayko, Barbara...
Barbara? Wait, who's Mayko?
The app suggested new married friends
so we could do married things.
Oh, and I forgot to mention
that Laverne is coming.
Did you say Laverne?
What is all this stuff?
We're going back, for one last night!
Aw.
Okay.
Uh,
can you get that for me?
- Yeah.
- Okay.
Oh, my God.
Oh...
Sandra! It's really nice
to see you.
Anabel, it's been 3,602 minutes.
Please don't freak out.
I wanna have a fun night.
Anabel? Anabel!
Can you...
can you please change the music?
Your phone won't listen to me,
and there are way too many Cheetos.
Yes.
Oh, thank you.
Thank you, Sandra.
Ah, could you...
Can you get that for me, please?
- Totally!
- Thanks, Sandra.
Okay, what is this music?
It's a playlist I made.
The songs you used to love.
"Used to." Past tense.
Oh, thank God.
And what is this?
I thought I told you not to bring...
Hi!
Mayko! Hi! Hello! Come on in.
It's so great to see
you're more than just a floating head.
- You have great legs.
- Congratulations.
Thank you. Thank you.
It's exactly my aesthetic.
Mm. Hi, I'm Anabel.
- I'm Maid of Honor.
- Hi.
You have, like, Cheeto dust on your face.
Mm.
Would... would you like
a glass of champagne?
Uh, just 3.4 ounces.
Oh, let me do it! You relax.
Would you also like
some cheese with that?
Oh, wait!
Careful, because
it's just for the aesthetic,
because who actually
eats dairy these days? Not me.
Good, cause it's disgusting.
Has everyone been watching
The Chamber Servants' Epic?
Oh, the last rape scene
was a tour de force.
Oh, right?
Oh, and when they killed
the dog to eat it, too?
So dramatic...
Okay, I think we should play a game!
We could guess Casey's
something old, something new,
something borrowed, something blue...
No?
Uh, which LifeZapp extension
are you using to plan it?
Scheduled Love. It was either
that or Bride 2 Be.
- Oh...
- Good ones.
- Thank you.
- I can't wait until the day
I'm choosing an app extension
to plan my wedding.
It'll happen. It will.
Oh! Oh, I have to...
- I have to get on video chat.
- Video chat?
Barbara and Laverne are coming virtually.
- Why would you invite Laverne?
- Hi!
Oh, my God!
You all look like
you're having the best time.
Is that the woman from the Rage Room?
Yeah, that's where we became friends.
You were there, Anabel.
Is it time for speeches?
Because I've got about, uh...
Oh, I've got something.
- I... I have a speech.
- Oh?
I... Yeah, I have a speech.
Um, uh... Sorry.
I just get stage fright, you know?
Oh, it's okay.
In the famous words
of Reese Witherspoon...
"You always gain
by giving love."
Oh, wow. That...
that was nice. Thank you.
- Cheers.
- That was beautiful!
I had weaned myself off emotion,
but that touched something in me.
You must be the Maid of Honor.
I have something to say.
Or show, rather.
It's more of a visual speech.
- Oh, we have to see this.
- Visual. Um?
It's you, Casey, as you are
with Lisa, your authentic self.
Together, you're more beautiful.
Uh, all right, that's, uh...
That's... that's time for me!
I don't get the feathers.
Oh, it's because Casey's first crush
was Plumette.
You know, the feather duster
in Beauty and the Beast?
Oh.
Do you lust after
all kinds of inanimate objects,
or just feather dusters?
Oh, I don't understand
why LifeZapp made us friends.
What's for next? A paint orgy?
We'll add it to the list of activities.
Come on, you can't really care
about what those people think?
You don't even know them.
Oh, and now I won't.
Yeah, well, I'm sure LifeZapp
can find you some new fake friends.
My rating is going to plummet.
Okay, Casey, why do you care so much
about what other people think?
You don't care about anybody at all.
Um, that's not true.
I mean, this whole night was about you.
I was trying to do
something special for you.
And all I wanted
was for you to do nothing.
Okay, just wait
until you see this painting
with the rest of the collection...
No! No!
No art at my wedding.
- But we talked about it.
- No, we didn't!
You get so caught up in your own feelings
that you don't listen to anyone else's.
I need a break.
But I...
I'm your Maid of Honor.
Yeah...
- It's kind of awkward.
- Okay!
Mom.
Hello, is this Anabel?
I'm sorry to have to tell you this
in a real-time conversation
because it's awkward for me, but...
Sorry, who is this?
Oh, where are my manners?
Are you the daughter of Kay Cordula?
Yes.
It was a very quiet death.
Your mother's heart caved in.
There was nothing left,
so it must have been painless.
Anyway, there's some paperwork
you have to...
George, George.
I hope my heart tortures you eternally
with emotion.
Please be careful with her.
She's easily broken.
I think I'm fixed.
Mm.
People aren't things you fix.
Then what's the point of therapy?
Well, you've still got
32 minutes left of therapy,
so what would you like to express?
Tell me about your mother?
And if you're just
tuning in with us right now,
it's the Drive Time Morning Commute.
I'm your host, Melvin the Mellow.
Today's news, questions
arose when a bloody flowerpot
washed up on the West Shore last week.
After an examination, it became clear
that this was, in fact, someone's heart.
If you see anyone with
a leaking hole in their chest
or coughing up
an enormous amount of sand,
please have them come
to the police station
to collect their heart
as soon as possible.
And now, for some distracting beats.
Thank you, stranger.
Nice! Isn't that dangerous?
I like your jacket.
Hi!
What's your name?
Okay?
Hey, what do you think?
Right?
Wow.
You are big and wise.
Going to have to have you in some water.
I get thirsty sometimes too.
Lovely. Look at that!
Have a nice day!
What a great day.
Virtual Insurance...
Hey, Anabel.
I overreacted.
I know you were trying to do some...
You asked me to do something specific,
and I didn't do it.
I understand why you got mad.
Wow.
Thank you.
And the whole Maid of Honor thing...
You can't feel confident
that you can trust me
to be your Maid of Honor now.
That's not what I meant.
- It's for the best.
- It is?
Sandra will do everything you want.
Hello, Virtual Insurance.
What do you need?
Sir, I can't make out
what you're saying through the tears.
Absolutely.
Almond?
Back from lunch,
right on time, as always.
Oh, this for me?
Yes, please. No bribery.
Is it keto?
I'm doing keto.
I like this more rugged look on you.
Great shirt.
Think fast.
Gotta work on... on that,
but really,
it's the only thing you need to work on,
my dude, my guy, my bro.
I'm looking forward
to your quarterly feedback.
Uh, I... I feel... I feel...
I feel ready to grow
like a big wise tree.
Hmm, nah, you don't need to.
You're our most reliable point,
click, and scroller here
at Point, Click, and Scroll to Infinity.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
Thanks so much.
Feels so nice to be validated.
Yeah, we want to keep you here.
So what are you interested in
for the long term?
Oh.
Mm...
Well, I'm looking for real connection,
purpose, and fulfillment.
- Okay, anything else?
- Yes!
Uh, excitement, the sea,
uh... I've never tried skiing.
Affection, pizza, pure joy.
I recently learned what a fist bump was.
I want to read fiction, just fiction,
uh, but those are all short-term things.
Hmm.
Thank you all so much
for all the fun times.
Well, actually, just the times.
Bye.
On the season finale
of The Chamber Servants' Epic,
all the nice characters
will be killed slowly,
but how?
What's your claim?
Oh, my whole cloud vanished!
Ooh, that's hard.
I don't know what I'm gonna do...
I'll process it.
Let's go outside for lunch.
I'm basically already done.
- You downloaded it?
- It made sense,
and my full profile just appeared.
Scans your brain in your sleep.
All I'm saying is that if the robots
make everyone so uncomfortable
that they all quit, we won't
have to worry about severance,
will we?
I'll call you back, yeah?
You really took our chat to heart.
Your call log numbers
are as high as a robot's.
So what was it that I said
that made a difference?
I'm just curious.
Oh, I just stopped caring
about other people's problems.
Ah! Yes!
See, you have just articulated the secret
to perfect customer service.
Okay. Oh, my mother died.
Uh...
My condolences?
Do you... do you need...
I just need this Thursday morning off
- for the funeral.
- Take a week.
- Oh, I don't need that.
- Oh, you do.
You do, yeah?
It's, uh, company policy,
and, uh, you need to go here
in order for you
to come back to work next week.
It's... it's to expedite
proper grieving.
The company needs to show that we, um,
supported you emotionally,
just in case anything happens.
Like with Robin and the stapler?
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Just get it signed for HR.
Understood.
Hmm.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I told him, "You keep the pony."
In the words of Oprah Winfrey,
"Get rid of it." Yeah.
Can you sign this?
Are you here
- for the Jealousy Cellar?
- No.
Look, it's not my fault
that I'm the better choice
to bestow honor on Casey...
Oh.
I'm so sorry about your mom.
Happens.
- Do you want to talk about it?
- No.
I'd like you to sign that.
You have to use the facilities
for at least eight minutes
for me to sign this.
It's policy.
Which room is closest?
- Uncontrollable Joy. Just...
- ...right there.
So sorry about your mama.
When's the funeral?
I'm hungry.
You feeling all right?
Mm-hmm.
You ill?
No, I'm just not that hungry.
I got distracted by a pizza
on the way here.
What?
It just smelled so good,
and I wanted to eat it so bad, so I did.
Why don't we ever order pizza?
You want me to invite someone,
a stranger, to my door,
and eat greasy food that they bring,
with no idea where they've been?
Are you getting enough sleep?
- For what?
- Rational thinking.
Eat your fish.
You need your omega threes.
I'm a vegetarian.
No, you're not.
It's too sad to eat animals
when you think about it.
- So then don't think about it.
- I have to.
I got a fish.
Why would you do that?
I don't know.
- What's wrong with me?
- Nothing.
You're fine.
You're lucky.
That's not how I feel.
How do you feel?
I've been looking up feelings
in the dictionary
just to try to understand them better...
No, no, no.
You don't have to do that.
Can I?
Joy.
Feeling or showing
pleasure or contentment.
Pleasure. A feeling of happy
satisfaction or enjoyment.
Enjoyment, the process
of taking pleasure in something.
What do...
what do these words mean?
Why are you doing this?
I just don't think it's possible to...
to discuss emotions adequately
using just words.
Is that why we never did?
What has gotten into you?
Something new.
I... I feel like
I'm living in 5D.
- What does that even mean?
- I have no idea.
Are you experimenting with drugs?
No. I'm far too busy
- experimenting with life.
- Well, stop it,
- for goodness sake.
- I don't want to stop it, okay?
- Just eat your fish!
- I don't want to eat this fish!
Thank you for making it.
This isn't you.
Okay, well, then, who is?
Who's George, George?
Nobody understands me.
Okay, so I'm...
I'm leaving, Mom.
I'm... I'm sorry about the mess.
No.
I'm not sorry.
Just leave me alone, Mom.
- Thank you for coming.
- Whose funeral is this?
Kay Cordula. My mother.
The obituary didn't have a name.
Way to detach.
Why are you here, then,
if you didn't know her?
I'm a grief junkie.
It's starting.
We are here to mourn the loss,
but more so to celebrate
the life of Kay Cordula...
...a woman who liked coffee,
but enjoyed tea more
at the time of her death, probably.
She was nice until she wasn't.
She has a lot of shells
if anyone wants any.
She died at a younger age than expected.
Does anyone have any personal memories
or feelings about Kay
that they would like to share?
She was my mother.
This concludes the service.
George?
What?
What?
Mother.
Don't worry, I'm alive,
or I was when I wrote this.
I've been doing a lot of work on myself.
I met a wonderful barista
the other day who told me...
Listen, you need to set yourself free
from the things
that you've been taught, okay?
So follow your heart.
See where you end up.
You owe it to yourself.
Everything she said made sense.
You are a wonderful barista.
So that's what I've decided to do.
I'm going to follow my heart
to find real connection.
Please deliver this package to Anabel.
Do not try to contact me on my quest.
Thank you. From George.
Hey! Get in.
- Yeah?
- Yeah!
Thank you so much for stopping
even though I'm a total stranger.
Everyone else just looked.
- I'm George.
- I'm Jess.
Hi, Jess.
This book must be terrifying...
and still, it speaks to me.
So, are those good sounds?
- Oh, yes!
- Okay.
- Yes!
- Am I hurting you?
- No!
- Oh, okay.
Oh, something's happening.
Yeah? Yes!
Maybe this is fast, but...
these feelings are like...
lice.
- Hello?
- Is this Anabel?
I'm calling about your mother,
Kay Cordula's estate.
Everything has been left to you.
I don't want any of it.
Her home, her cabin, all of her belong...
What the fuck?
Get out!
- Anabel?
- Why didn't you knock?
I thought someone broke in
and was raiding your place.
Are you okay?
I'm fine.
I am so sorry about your mom.
Why?
It's not your fault.
I'll plan the funeral.
Why? It's already done.
Maybe next time.
I... I would have
been there for you. I...
I'm gonna make you some dinner, okay?
That makes no sense.
I'm a better cook than you.
What are you doing?
They're living things that will die.
I'm just being expedient about it.
Thanks, though, for the thought.
Okay, I'm...
That's a photo of us, do...
What?
- Ow! What the...
- Why are you here?
I'm your best friend.
Let me be here for you.
Why?
- I don't understand.
- Why are we friends?
What's the function of it?
The value?
We don't have anything in common.
I think we were friends,
but we forgot to stop being friends.
We should stop.
Don't! You love that!
- Not anymore.
- This is from your mom.
It's another thing I don't need.
You're going to want all of this.
I won't.
I can let things go.
I can let people go too.
Dead and alive.
What's the point of a door?
You! You're going
to show me where he is.
Anabel,
I was going to return your heart
after a day or so,
but now we've gotten used to each other,
and we're running away together.
My own felt like
a placeholder in my chest,
but yours, well...
the world is brighter,
and darker too.
It's not always pleasant,
but what an opportunity.
I mean, how often does someone
really give you their heart?
So I'm following it.
I have to.
I'm sorry I hurt you.
I will be careful with your heart.
I already know it's one
that can crack easily.
Thank you, George.
How did you do it?
You just pulled it out?
Well, now he's following your heart.
So what does your heart want?
You can still remember
what's important to you,
so you just tell me where he is,
and then I'll let you go.
Grunt. Once for right,
twice for left.
When that void in your chest kicks in,
it's going to hurt a lot.
Doctors at
St. Anne's Hospital
performed surgery for ten hours
to save the life of a man
who tore out his own heart.
The man was admitted
to the E.R.
after coughing up large amounts of sand.
He was only hours from death.
The man's new heart...
Stop.
Stop!
You know, this isn't easy for me.
You try having a son and making choices
to protect him, and then he runs away.
You can dedicate
your whole life to something
and still do it wrong, did you know that?
I... I did everything.
I... I gave...
His heart was made of paper.
He wasn't born that way.
That was me.
It was a preventative measure.
It was so he'd be able to survive.
He was conceived by two
broken-hearted people.
We barely spoke.
Mostly whimpered.
I don't even remember his name...
and two broken-hearted people
will make a broken-hearted
child together,
like two redheads
will make another carrot top.
He was predisposed to have
his heart ripped to shreds,
so I did what any good mother would do...
I found a solution.
I found a Doctor of Philosophy,
and he had an idea, a simple idea
no medical doctor had come up with.
Make a lighter model.
People get prosthetic limbs all the time.
So we consulted the Doctor of Fine Arts
who made sculptures with paper,
and an architect made a blueprint,
and an artist made a model,
and a young surgeon
who wanted to be noticed
said "Yes."
And that was that.
My son would be fine forever after...
and he was...
until you.
Well, aren't you gonna say something?
No wonder he's so fucked up.
It was to make things easier for him.
- Or you.
- It wasn't easier for me.
Was it worth it, for him?
Where?
Here.
Up the road.
You need your heart back.
You're leaking.
You need something in there.
The cavity will cave in,
and it'll hurt, a lot.
It was painless
when it happened to my mother.
It wasn't, and it won't be for you.
I don't mind.
She didn't.
She didn't want to see me.
Or she didn't want to hurt you.
How do you know?
I know your mother loved you.
Even if she couldn't show it
in the best way, she loved you.
Effusively.
I hope you felt that.
If you get my heart back...
donate it to science.
George! George!
I think I'm starting to realize
how much you messed me up.
Don't be irrational.
Why not?
What's so wrong with being irrational?
Stealing is wrong.
Eating fish is wrong too.
People do it, okay?
I'm keeping this heart,
and if you can't accept that, then...
No! No! George!
No!
Stop it!
- George!
- No!
I'll let you order pizza!
- George, listen to me!
- No!
George! George, wait!
No, no, if you come any closer,
I'm going to jump off this cliff,
and I'll... I'll swim away!
You're a terrible swimmer.
Yeah, because you never let me
go near the water!
I would really appreciate it
if you gave me back my heart.
- No!
- George, George,
you give this woman
her heart back right now!
Okay, look, I'm an adult, all right?
You can't tell me what to do.
I wanna feel everything!
You wanna feel everything?
Think of the guilt you'll feel
if you keep this woman's heart.
Without her heart,
her insides will dry out.
She will harden into concrete,
until one day, everything just caves in,
and it'll all become sand and dust.
She will die without her heart, George.
I can't... I can't go back
to the way I was, okay?
I threw away my heart.
That wasn't your real heart.
What?
That's not your real heart.
She's right.
That... that wasn't
your real heart.
Your real heart is a hermit crab.
What?!
I'll explain everything, just...
I'll give you your heart, just give...
give that one back.
No, how could I possibly trust you now?
I made a mistake.
I did too.
But I'm still your mother.
Your person in the world.
I named it Janine...
...and I think
I may have cracked her a bit.
Thank you.
- It's okay.
- It's okay.
It's okay.
It's okay.
Welcome home, Janine.
Dear Anabel,
please accept my apologies
for trying to steal your heart.
It was wonderful for a moment,
but probably not for you.
I'm sorry.
You should know that I have
a new heart now,
a hermit crab.
I have named him Winston.
He's very excitable.
I feel good sometimes.
I... I feel.
Maybe one day I can repay you.
With love...
George.
My mother used to tell me
that her heart was a ball of yarn.
That it could get caught on other people.
My father's heart was a seashell.
When you put your head to his chest,
you could hear the ocean.
Waves echoed and crashed inside him,
in and out.
He went in and out too,
until he was gone...
and now she's gone too.
Careful, careful, careful!
This way. This way.