City on Fire (2023) s01e01 Episode Script

1
[PERSON] Help!
- [PANTING]
- [FIREWORKS EXPLODING]
- Hey, over here!
- [SIRENS WAILING]
- [EXPLOSIONS CONTINUE]
- Over here!
[EXPLOSION]
She's in there.
[PANTING]
[PANTING]
[WHIMPERS, BREATHING SHAKILY]
[THERAPIST] So tell me about the girl.
Well, um,
actually never would have met her
if it weren't for you.
So in a way,
this is kind of all your fault.
Please enlighten me, Charlie.
Uh, if I'm being a
hundred percent totally
honest with you here, Dr. Altschul,
these weekly sessions are
not exactly my [CHUCKLES]
my favorite afternoon activity.
[CHARLIE] But last fall, my mom started
to let me drive into the city myself.
Which meant, when we were done here,
I was free to wander.
We went to high school together.
Well, not together.
She was a year ahead of me,
already graduated and started at NYU.
It's not like we were friends or
anything, but she's just hard to forget.
[SHUTTER CLICKS]
I know you.
Hey. How do I know you?
Uh.
Oh, um. I-I think we both
went to Flower Hill High.
Well, I mean [STAMMERS]
I still do. [CHUCKLES]
Uh, Charles Weisbarger. Char
Charlie's good.
Well, Charles,
what are you doing all the way out here?
I mean I [STAMMERS]
What's anyone doing out here just, uh
Just getting the hell
off Long Island, right?
[CHUCKLES] That is the right answer.
So, what's wrong with you?
Your doctor's appointment?
[CHUCKLES]
Um, it's not that kind of doctor.
Yeah. No shit.
You're coming into the city solo.
It's got to be a shrink.
Are your parents splitting up?
That's when I had my first brush with
a mental health professional.
Oh, um
[STAMMERS] My dad
died last September. So
Yeah.
[SIGHS]
Do you wanna see my zine?
What's a zine?
It's semi-autobiographical.
Me, but not me.
My photography, illustrations,
music reviews.
These guys I know are in this band,
and I'm trying
to document their whole scene,
but they're kind of weird about photos
and privacy, so it's thinly veiled.
Names changed to protect the guilty.
This [CHUCKLING] This is amazing.
I think us Flower Hill kids
need to stick together.
From now on, Charles,
you're gonna be my project.
[CHARLIE] We met up every week after
I left here with you
[SHUTTER CLICKS]
and I guess that's when you could say
my my where my real education began.
["WE'VE BEEN HAD" PLAYING]
[COUGHING]
Come on.
Oh, sorry. [CHUCKLES]
You look good.
[CHUCKLES]
[CHARLIE] It was physically impossible
to be sad when she was around.
[PUNK ROCK SONG PLAYS]
- Really good.
- [SONG FADES]
It's like a lot of other cool things,
but it's kind of like
Okay [SHUSHES] I know.
It's not done yet.
Oh, sorry.
[SONG RESUMES]
[CHUCKLES]
- [SIGHS]
- [SONG ENDS]
Brass Tactics was
the only album Ex Post Facto made
before Billy Three-Sticks
broke up the band,
before they ever had
a chance to get big.
And in a weird way,
the fact that they only made
one album makes it even more special.
- You must own it.
- Oh. No, no, no, I don't
I don't have any money.
I mean, I could probably just
download it off LimeWire, right?
No. [SCOFFS] No, no, no, no. Charles,
that would deprive the band
of their well-earned royalties.
- I'm buying.
- No.
Yes.
[SIGHS]
[DR. ALTSCHUL] That sounds like a
wonderful way to spend
autumn in New York.
[SCOFFS] Yeah. Yeah, it was.
Until it wasn't. Although I guess
there's no one to blame for that but me.
Well, my my mom, obviously.
Didn't you tell me you stayed out all
night and then drove
home in the morning,
shirtless and vomiting from a hangover?
Okay, um. Well
I didn't exactly say it like that,
but yeah, sure.
I mean, New Year's Eve, shit happens.
And do you think your mother's decision
to ground you for six months
was unreasonable?
This isn't about my mom.
This is about Sam and how I love her
and that maybe she loves me.
And like, I don't know. I
But before I could even
figure all that out,
I wasn't allowed to
see her anymore, so
[SIGHS, STAMMERS] My story just stopped.
[DR. ALTSCHUL] It's encouraging,
Charlie, that you can speak so clearly
about your sense of loss.
I just wish you would talk about
the loss of your father
in the same perceptive way.
Do you think it's possible that
focusing on Samantha
is a way of deflecting your feelings
about your dad?
- [SIRENS WAILING]
- [BYSTANDER] from the plane. Really?
[BYSTANDER 2] It's definitely a 737.
[REPORTER STAMMERS] Somebody hit
the World Trade Center. I don't know.
[SIRENS WAILING]
[BYSTANDER 4] What
the hell is happening?
[DR. ALTSCHUL] It's easier
to feel the way you feel
about a vibrant young woman
living a few miles away
than it is to process the deep,
permanent loss of your father.
[BYSTANDER 5] exploded right now.
We got people all over here
down in the middle of the street.
[REPORTER 2] Another hit.
It just hit another building.
[REPORTER 3] Two aircraft crashed into
the World Trade Center
in lower Manhattan.
[REPORTER 4] Wait, wait, wait.
[REPORTER 5] We've got an explosion
[BYSTANDER 7] Oh, my God.
It must be a person.
- [BYSTANDER 8] Where?
- No, please.
- Where?
- Oh, my God.
[REPORTER 5] Good Lord.
There are no words.
[VOICE MAIL BEEPS]
[CHARLIE'S DAD] Hey, Charlie, it's Dad.
Something's happened.
You've probably seen it on the news.
I don't think I'll be coming home.
I just want you to know I love you.
[PEOPLE SCREAMING INDISTINCTLY]
Trust me, doc, there's, uh
There's nothing easy about it.
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]
[CELL PHONE RINGS]
- Hello.
- [SAM] Hey, stranger.
You still grounded?
The answer better be "no"
because Ex Post Facto,
who I hope in my absence
is still your favorite band,
is reuniting for a
concert on the Fourth.
I mean, it's not really a reunion
without Billy Three-Sticks,
and they changed the name,
but they're playing all their songs.
It's going to be legendary.
You'd basically kill yourself
if you missed it.
Hello?
- Hello, Charles? Are you in?
- Uh. Yes. Yes, um, of course.
I Yeah, I wouldn't
miss it. [CHUCKLES]
Okay, but?
But, uh, nothing.
It's just, uh, we haven't
really talked in in so long.
I know. I I tried calling you,
but you never called back.
Yeah, sorry, I just didn't feel like
I had anything to say.
No, I'm sorry for any role that I may
have played in your incarceration.
Oh. No. No, no, no, no. Yeah.
You know what? That was
That was a time of real, um,
real real growth
and introspection, so
I I'm kidding. It sucked.
I-I missed you.
That makes me sad.
But it also makes me very happy
because I've missed
the hell out of you, Charles.
Okay, I got to go, but details about the
Fourth of July
shenanigans are to follow.
- Bye.
- [PERSON 1] Nicky, hurry up!
- Sammy. Let's go.
- [PERSON 2] Go, go, go.
Holy shit!
You guys torched a fucking church?
What'd you think we were doing?
Confessing our sins?
[PERSON 2] Get in the car. Come on!
- Ladies. Come on. What are we doing?
- Why did you do
Why did you target a fucking church?
- Where's Nicky? Where's Nicky?
- I don't know.
- Wait, we can't leave without Nicky.
- [PERSON 1] He's coming.
- [DRIVER] Nicky!
- [SAM] What the fuck did you guys do?
- [PERSON 1] Go. Come on!
- [DRIVER] Come on. Let's move!
- [PERSON 1] We can't leave without you.
- [DRIVER] Hurry it up!
She's a thing of beauty, isn't she?
[DRIVER] Let's go!
We need to get the fuck outta here.
Go! Step on it.
- [PERSON 2] Come on, Sam.
- [SHUTTER CLICKS]
O beautiful for spacious skies ♪
For amber waves of grain ♪
For purple mountain majesties ♪
Above the fruited plain ♪
America ♪
Nishima Guptpa.
Cate Hamilton-Sweeney Lamplighter.
- [APPLAUSE]
- [AUDIENCE MEMBER] Whoo!
- Take care.
- Thank you so much.
Yes. Yep. Bye-bye.
- [SIGHS]
- Um,
Cate Hamilton-Sweeney Lamplighter,
her mother.
- Can you point her out for me?
- Why?
I think I might know her brother.
- You know a Hamilton-Sweeney?
- Yeah.
Hmm. Impressive. Over there.
That'll be great. She'll love that.
But it's your place next time,
like, truly. [CHUCKLES]
- Excuse me. Sorry.
- Hi.
I just wanted to introduce myself.
Mercer Goodman.
Nice to meet you. I'm Are
- Are you one of Cate's teachers?
- No, no.
I'm a friend of
[STAMMERS] I think he
might be your brother. William.
Regan, come on. Kids are waiting.
- I may have, um, promised them gelato.
- Yeah.
I'm sorry. Um
[STAMMERS] Look, now is not a great
time, uh, but it was really nice
It was really, really great to meet you,
um, Mr. Goodman.
[SIGHS]
She's asleep, finally.
She was so excited.
Well done.
Everything okay with you?
You seem a little distracted.
I'm fine.
It's just, um, I'm worried about Will.
You know,
he's just not himself these days.
He used to love the last day of school,
and I just, I don't get it.
Yeah. He used to love a lot of things.
Baseball cards.
Pokémon.
Pokémon. His parents.
It's just a phase. He's a good kid.
[BREATHES SHAKILY]
Are we gonna talk about how
you've been cheating on me?
What? Cheating?
Keith, the window where you could
bullshit your way
out of this has closed.
She wrote me a note.
[SIGHS]
Not that I didn't
already suspect though.
Since when do you listen to
The Libertines? What is she, 25?
Hold on, hold on. Hold on.
If you want to talk, let's talk. But
don't act like this is all my fault.
Oh, my God. I'm sorry.
I missed the part
where I cheated on you.
I had no idea that I had a boyfriend.
Yeah, well, sometimes it feels like
you don't have a husband either.
Does she find you fascinating?
Is she so free-spirited
and totally fucking alive?
Yeah, kind of.
Does she have a job?
Does she have two kids? A sick father?
God, Keith, I was that girl. I
I was that girl, and I strangled her
so that we could have this.
- Fuck.
- [DOOR SLAMS]
[REGAN] Mr. Goodman.
Hi, I'm glad I caught you.
I was I was just dropping off a gift
to my kid's teacher,
and I thought we could
finish our conversation or start it.
[CHUCKLES]
You know my brother?
Yes, William is, uh, a friend.
A good friend.
Although maybe not that good,
since until the other day,
I didn't know he had a sister.
Well, we haven't seen
each other in years,
so I didn't know if he was living in
the city still or, eh, dead. [CHUCKLES]
So, I'm relieved.
Would you like to go
somewhere we can talk?
I would love that, uh, more than
you know. But I I have to go.
I'm I'm meeting movers at the house.
Moving, that's always the worst.
Yeah, especially when it's unplanned.
Well, everything's okay I hope?
[LAUGHS] Yeah, everything is shit.
But [STAMMERS] thanks for asking.
You're very sweet.
Um, well, listen,
if if you see him, before the Fourth,
uh, would you give him this?
Yeah. Just Just tell him
I miss him and, uh, that
uh, a lot a lot has changed.
Yeah, just just tell him I
I really need him there this year.
Of course.
And I would love for
you to come, Mercer.
- It was a pleasure meeting you.
- Hmm.
I I'm glad William's got someone.
[SINGSONGY]
Happy birthday, happy birthday.
[LAUGHING]
Oh, my gosh. These illustrations.
- Beautiful.
- [MUMBLES]
- And this This is us. [LAUGHS]
- [CHUCKLES]
Well, this is our courtship.
- If you can call it that.
- [LAUGHS]
- The weekend at Bruno's cabin.
- Mm-hmm.
- This is my art show.
- Mm-hmm.
This is just all those nights we
sat up on the roof, just talking, and
Come on. Gotta be some upside to living
with a narcissistic artist, right?
[MERCER] Yeah.
All right. Let's go. Open it. Open it.
There's a real present inside.
William. Oh, my gosh.
Thank you. [LAUGHS]
Truly, you really, really did not have
to get me something so extravagant.
Mmm. Well,
- as an investment
- Mm-hmm.
- in your future
- Mm-hmm.
- it came pretty cheap.
- [CHUCKLES]
I'm going out. [SIGHS]
On my birthday?
I'm just gonna go to the studio
for a little bit. All right?
I will be home before dinner. I promise.
Come on, you can set
up your new computer
and you can start that
new novel of yours.
[GROANS] Don't look at me like that.
I'm not looking at you
in any particular way.
It's just [STAMMERS] it is
my first birthday away from home.
- Right, as you've mentioned
- [CAT PURRS]
a couple times now,
- and
- [MEOWS]
I'm sorry if today is falling short
of whatever you had in your head,
but does it strike you as revealing
that you still refer to Georgia as home?
Home, as in where I came from.
At least I still talk about it.
Right, right, right.
'Cause you are just a man
of transparency and honesty.
How do you describe me to your parents?
[SIGHS] What is it? Your roommate?
Look, you don't understand.
It's not that easy.
For them or for you?
Please just tell me this
has nothing to do with that
fucking envelope
that you keep shoving
All right.
- into my field of vision.
- Will, are you ever going to open it?
It is from your family.
What I want to know is how
it got into our apartment.
What I want to know
is why you don't talk to them.
- They're so
- Rich?
[SIGHS]
I was gonna say nice.
At least your sister is.
Okay, um
I'm going out.
We're grown men, Merce. [SIGHS]
Birthdays are a little ridiculous
at our age.
[PUNK ROCK SONG PLAYS]
Hurry up.
You've been in there way too long.
He's been in there way too long.
You worry too much. It's all good.
It's all good.
Wait. You filled up that whole thing?
You said my dad wouldn't notice.
He won't. Plus, you said
he doesn't even work much anymore.
- It's not like he needs it.
- Fuck, Sol.
It's a victimless crime.
I was never here.
We were never here.
Coming with?
Uh, I got some shit to do.
I'll see you tonight.
I hope we didn't just fuck up.
You took a lot.
Her dad's a washed-up drunk.
Yeah, but he and Sam are close. And
she knows how dangerous that shit is.
[CELL PHONE RINGS]
Hey, I was hoping you'd call.
You might be ready to talk.
Why?
Because you have some new and profound
insights you'd like to share
on your behavior?
- [ELEVATOR DINGS]
- More like I missed your voice.
Stop.
It's been a crazy couple of weeks.
I'm just calling to see what time
you're coming to my dad's tonight.
- I didn't think you wanted me to go.
- I don't.
But we go every year
and you were invited.
Oh, shit, Reggie.
You haven't told him yet.
No, because it should be in person.
And Dad's in Minneapolis at the clinic.
I didn't want to bother him.
Or you're still hoping
we can work it out?
You're delusional, like [STAMMERS]
truly delusional.
Maybe I'm an optimist?
Or maybe you're hoping
that I'll forgive you
so that you don't have
to be the bad guy anymore.
I fucked up.
Doesn't mean it has to be forever.
You fucked up? You fucked up?
Fucking up is locking
your keys in the car.
Fucking up is leaving
your theater tickets at home.
It does not begin
to describe what you did.
What you've done to us.
Keith, if you'd ever been to therapy,
or read a self-help book,
or googled,
"Why am I such a fucking asshole,"
then maybe you'd understand
why there's no fixing this.
I did a terrible thing, but I love you.
I love our kids.
If you want me to go to therapy,
I'll go to therapy.
Keith, tonight I'm going to tell my
father that I'm ending my marriage.
You are welcome
to be a part of that conversation.
I'm not trying to bury you.
Reggie, he knows the only reason you'd
end our marriage is if I cheated on you.
You ended our marriage and
And I can't control what he thinks.
This conversation was pointless.
- Are you gonna be there or not?
- Yeah. I'll be there.
I'll see you later.
[ANNOUNCER] Attention, passengers.
[INDISTINCT SPEAKING]
I don't believe it.
Billy fucking Three-Sticks.
Solomon Grungy.
Of all the terminals in the world, huh?
What you got in that bag, huh?
Is there a body in there?
Anyone I know?
It's, uh, hockey practice.
Only free ice is in Queens.
How you doing? [SNIFFS] How's Nicky?
Why is it that every time someone
sees me, they ask how Nicky's doing?
As a pleasantry. That's all.
Half-assed, by the way.
Come on. I just want to know how
y'all are surviving without the band.
[LAUGHS] Nicky hasn't reached out?
No. Why would he?
We booked a gig at Don Hill's tonight.
- Getting the band back together.
- Oh.
Calling it Ex Nihilo.
With a flyer? Wow.
That is a shitty idea,
with an even shittier name.
Put you on the list?
Fourth of July, Sol. I got plans.
- Hi.
- Big plans.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
Cruising the train station?
Show up tonight. You might be surprised.
That was Billy Three-Sticks.
You could've introduced me.
No.
Why not?
[CELL PHONE RINGS]
You agreed you wouldn't call me anymore.
We need to talk.
Don't worry, I'm not
pregnant or anything.
But it's important,
and it has to be in person.
Now's not a good time.
Okay. Well, then, later tonight?
Tonight I have to go to a party
at my father-in-law's,
where he'll undoubtedly discover
that I cheated on his daughter
with a college student.
Okay. Meet me before the party.
Don Hill's at 9:00 p.m.
Spring and Greenwich. It's a club.
No, we have nothing to talk about.
Okay. If you don't come to me,
then I'm gonna have to come to you.
Samantha, don't do that.
You showed me where the building was
that time we went to the Met.
Please don't do that. Please. Please,
stay away from me and my family.
I already told you, I'm not the one
who sent that note to your wife.
But I think that I might know who did.
There are people who don't want us
to be together and
I didn't tell you before
because I didn't understand.
But now I'm starting to,
and I'm really worried
that something bad is gonna happen.
Yeah, something bad
has already happened.
What can be worse than
blowing up my marriage?
Blowing up something else.
[SIGHS]
- [SIGHS]
- [PHONE RINGS]
[SIGHS]
- [SIGHS] Hello?
- [WILLIAM] Hey, it's me.
So, uh, something has come up.
And [SIGHS] I kind of
need to see this band tonight.
It's my band actually, minus me
and anyone else that fucking matters.
I thought we were going to Battery Park
to watch the fireworks.
Hey, come with me.
Come with me. Come on, please.
Babe? I can't not be there for this.
I have to see this fucking travesty
unfold with my own two eyes.
[INHALES DEEPLY] You
know [CLEARS THROAT]
I'm feeling just a little
under the weather.
Achy, fluey. Have you read about SARS?
- I wouldn't wanna infect anyone.
- Oh, my God.
You do not have SARS, Merce.
Okay, fine. Just stay home,
be good to yourself
and drink lots of fluids.
And I'll see you later. Okay?
- Bye.
- Bye.
[SIGHS]
Sam!
Hi.
[CHUCKLES]
Hi.
Are you ready for tonight?
Yes, yes. I'm I'm ready
for anything. Everything.
Um, so do you have the tickets, or
Tickets for what? For the train?
For Ex Post Facto.
[CHUCKLES] It's not the opera, rookie.
There are no tickets.
Also, it's Ex Nihilo now.
God, what did you do without me?
[CHUCKLES] Um Wait, sorry.
Can you hold on?
- Can you wait? I need to
- Hurry up. Our train's in 20 minutes.
- Our train's in 20 minutes.
- Sorry, I'm coming.
Hey, Will?
Will?
[SIGHS] What?
Mrs. Santos is on her way.
Legally, she's in charge, but can you
just keep an eye on your sister, please?
[CATE] Guys, look at the bird.
[REGAN] Wow, Cate. That is beautiful.
Is Dad gonna be at the party?
Yeah, that's the plan.
Don't get back together with him.
Will, you you know that
your dad loves you so much.
And [STUTTERS]none of this
has anything to to do with you.
No shit. Say hi to Grandpa for me.
N [SIGHS]
Hey, so, um Where's your camera?
I mean, surely you're
gonna wanna document
the band's reunion for your zine, right?
Camera's missing.
Oh, shit. Um, what happened to it?
If I knew that, it wouldn't be missing,
would it?
[CHUCKLES] Right. But, you lost it,
or someone took it, or
Jesus Christ, Charles.
I said I don't know.
[CONDUCTOR SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
The next stop is Canal Street.
[CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY]
Sam? Are you okay?
You know, you're the only one
who ever asks me that.
- Oh, I don't have ID.
- You don't need an ID. You're with me.
Hi.
I knew we'd be seeing
you tonight, Sammy.
- Who's the beanpole?
- Uh, this is Charles, my protégé.
- Hi.
- Don't judge. He's a work in progress.
Your friends are my friends.
I was hoping you'd say that.
Charles, um, do you think you would be
okay on your own for an hour?
- I have to go uptown.
- [SCOFFS, STUTTERS] What the fuck, Sam?
I thought you wanted to
spend tonight with me.
I do. [STAMMERS] I do. I really do.
I just There's a problem that I have
to deal with, and it can't really wait.
If I'm not back in an
hour, come find me.
By the park, 5th and 73rd.
Bye.
[ELEVATOR DINGS]
Thanks.
Regan, you look wonderful.
Fabulous party.
Congratulations, Felicia.
Thank you, thank you.
Where's Daddy? I want to hear
how everything went at the clinic.
Healthwise, the news is good.
He passed all his tests.
So it's not dementia?
He's holding at a level where
nothing needs to change.
He's very pleased
this won't affect work.
- Please be happy for him.
- I will. Where is he?
Unfortunately, there was
a lightning storm in Minneapolis,
and the G4 is grounded, so
Where's your handsome husband?
He's coming. Soon, I think.
[STAMMERS] I should
probably tell you that
we're separating
That we have separated.
Oh. I'm wondering if this is why
your Uncle Amory is looking for you.
Well, I don't know how Amory would know.
We haven't told anyone.
You know, Amory has a way
of finding out everything.
- Fabulous to see you.
- Yeah. [CHUCKLES] Okay.
Do find Uncle Amory. He's adamant
about speaking with you tonight.
Yeah, I will.
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYS]
I think you're standing on
someone's jacket.
Oh, no, no, no. That's, uh
That's mine. Uh
Yeah. I've been watching you.
I like how you dance,
like you don't give a shit.
Thank you.
So, are you holding?
'Cause whatever you're on,
I definitely want some.
Uh, sorry. Um, uh Fresh out.
Bummer.
Would have made it worth your while.
Hey, I could probably get you backstage
after the show.
I'm with the band.
- [CROWD CHEERING]
- Yeah?
["BRASS TACTICS" PLAYING]
Come on.
- Yeah!
- [CHEERING CONTINUES]
Brass tactics This shit's never free ♪
Everybody's inside
Taking what they need ♪
Curse Catholics
Now pass me that collection basket ♪
I'd take the cash tip
Any day of the week ♪
[BOTH SCREAMING]
Ooh ♪
Ooh ♪
Brass tactics ♪
Fuck the masses ♪
[SIGHS]
[DRIVER 2] All right, boss. We're here.
Um Yeah, no
Just, uh [STUTTERS]keep going.
Keep going. Just keep going.
All right.
- [SIGHS]
- [SIGHS] Oh.
- Oh, no, I'm not I'm, I wasn't
- Oh, oh Thank you.
Apologies. I thought you were waiting.
I'm waiting, just not for the bus.
Not exactly sure what I'm waiting for.
A sign, maybe?
That's what I'm always waiting for.
How about I be yours?
Uh, you can be mine.
Let's just be reassured that we are
exactly where we are supposed to be.
[CHUCKLES] Okay.
[MERCER CHUCKLES]
I like that.
Then I am going to keep my butt
firmly rooted to this bench. [CHUCKLES]
I will cross the street
into an unknown world.
You only live once, right?
Once is enough, if you do it right.
[CHUCKLES]
[BREATHES DEEPLY]
[TELEVISION PRESENTER] From the
deck of the country's oldest battleship,
Old Ironsides, to the Magic Kingdom,
thousands of immigrants from
more than a hundred nations
became American citizens.
[CROWD CHEERING]
[TELEVISION PRESENTER]
And more celebrations in Dallas,
where Independence Day
brought 100 soldiers home
from Iraq and Afghanistan
for two weeks of R & R.
Mercer.
Wait. [STAMMERS] You got him to come?
Where is he? Where
is Where's William?
I'm sorry to say he did not make it,
um Although his suit did.
[SCOFFS] White linen. You wear it well.
Well, what are you doing in here?
Uh, apparently,
even William's fine tailoring
can't keep the other guests
from mistaking me for a waiter.
Three times.
Why are you hiding in here?
Um, because I'm drunk
and currently drinkless. [MUMBLING]
Oh, Regan No, you should let me,
um, help you there.
No, no, no. It's okay. I got it.
It's fine. Just fine. I'll be a second.
[STAMMERING] Okay. Regan, please
- [YELPS]
- just let me Ah, okay.
- Ooh. [CHUCKLES]
- Okay. Let me help please. Let me
That was so stupid. [CHUCKLING] Oh.
Here we go. Just put that under there.
Former Boy Scout coming out.
Well, Eagle Scout, actually.
- Sorry.
- [GRUNTS] Yes. Okay.
Got you here.
- [REGAN CHUCKLES]
- Doesn't hurt too bad, does it?
No. It's okay.
[STAMMERS]
But I do have something for the pain.
[STAMMERS] In here?
No. No, of course not.
- We got to go outside. [CHUCKLES]
- [SIGHS] Hmm.
I was standing on the corner
With my love ♪
And I ain't got no reason
To hold on in me ♪
Real, real, real casual ♪
Away from here ♪
And I ain't got no reason to get up ♪
And get ♪
[CHEERING CONTINUES]
Get up off my knees ♪
To get up off my knees ♪
This city's on fire
Like someone committing suicide ♪
- [MUSIC FADES]
- [CHEERING CONTINUES]
- Come on.
- [CHARLES] Wait.
Um, I think I'm supposed
to meet someone.
Come on.
He's with me. Cool?
[SECURITY] Yeah, cool. No problem.
Thank you.
- [SQUEALS] Holy shit, Nicky.
- [NICKY] Ah.
That was intense.
[GROANS] You guys were so good.
Billy wishes he was ever that good.
- You never saw Billy live.
- Whatever.
[NICKY] I'll take the praise.
[CHUCKLING]
Are you gonna join us, kid,
or you just gonna watch?
- Stop.
- [STAMMERS] Which do you want me to do?
- I love this dude. [LAUGHS]
- [CHUCKLES]
- Oh, come here. You.
- Come on.
- Yeah.
- Yeah, oka
[INHALES SHARPLY] Someone get
his skinny ass a beer.
[INHALES DEEPLY] So, how do you know
our young friend here?
- Hmm?
- We just met.
[BAND MEMBER]
Sewer Girl's always making new friends.
Just watch out for her boyfriend.
He's got a mean streak
and a metal plate in his jaw.
- Wha Oh. Thank you.
- [PERSON] Here.
What-What happened to your jaw?
Nicky? [CHUCKLES]
- He's not my boyfriend.
- What?
[SOL] I am.
Who the fuck's the skinny kid
drinking all the beer?
This is
Oh. Uh, Charlie. Hi.
- This is Charlie. Hi. Hmm?
- Charlie. [CHUCKLES]
I've seen you before, Charlie.
New Year's Eve. You're Sam's friend.
Uh, yeah. That
That night was kind of a blur, but yeah.
[STAMMERS] It could be.
- Wait. You didn't say you knew Sam.
- Well, I You didn't ask.
I mean But yeah, we're, like,
basically best friends.
[NICKY] So Sam's not here?
- There's no way she'd miss this.
- [CHARLIE] No, no, no.
[STUTTERS] She didn't want to. I mean,
we we came here together and stuff,
but she said she had to do
something uptown.
Oh, uh, do you guys know the fastest
way to get to, uh uh, 5th and 73rd?
[STAMMERS] I'm
supposed to meet her there.
Steal a car and drive.
Mmm. [INHALES DEEPLY]
Hey, SG, they're playing our song.
- Come on.
- Yeah.
- Bye, Nicky.
- Mm-hmm.
You had a great show tonight.
I don't want to be,
like, weird about it.
[MOCKING CHARLES] I don't
wanna be weird about it. [SCOFFS]
- Yeah, I'll go. I
- You're not going anywhere.
Come on, Charlie Man. Come with me.
- Really?
- Yeah. After you, sir.
- To where?
- Oh
- Just follow me. I got you. Yeah?
- Okay, yeah.
[SNORTS]
[GROANS, SNIFFS]
You ever done coke before, Charlie?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[STAMMERS] Uh, one time. Yeah.
Oh. Have at it. [SNIFFS]
Yeah.
[GROANS, SNIFFS]
[SIGHS] Like this, Scarface.
- Nicholas. Nicholas.
- [NICKY SNIFFS]
Billy Three-Sticks. Holy shit.
I knew you couldn't stay away.
Just had to make sure you weren't
ruining my good name.
- [NICKY] We have our own name.
- [BILLY] Mmm.
Ex Nihilo. Means "out of nothing,"
like the way God fashioned life.
Jesus fucking Christ.
I am so glad that I don't have to listen
to your pretentious
fucking bullshit anymore.
Come here. [MOANS]
[CHUCKLES]
[GROANS] You know,
that wasn't half bad out there.
I actually kinda liked it.
I did. I liked it.
Oh.
[STAMMERS] I'm so sorry.
Um, the two of you guys
meeting up like this
[STAMMERS] I've read Sam's zine
about the history of this band and,
I mean, this just
this is totally epic.
She's going to shit herself
when I tell her.
Oh, God. Uh, I should
go meet up with her.
She's probably, uh
Probably waiting for me. Uh
[SNORTS, COUGHING]
[CLEARS THROAT, SNIFFS]
Who the fuck was that
guy? Huh? [CHUCKLES]
[SNORTS] Mmm.
Thanks for coming down, Billy.
It means a lot.
[REGAN] So, what's the
deal with you and William?
- "Deal"? Oh. [CHUCKLES] Uh
- Oh, come on.
He's my brother.
Do you live together? Is it serious?
It is to me. Is it to William?
That I do not know.
[STAMMERS] He keeps so much to himself.
His past, his family, his feelings.
He's careless with words. [CHUCKLES]
Told me he loved me
on the first night we met,
when he knew it wouldn't mean anything.
- Well, that's classic William.
- Mmm.
[CLICKS TONGUE]
Now you can't say he never said it.
But I can never know
what he means by it.
So why'd you come here tonight?
- Because I knew it would piss him off.
- [CHUCKLES]
Why'd you invite me?
- [SNIFFLES] Same, you know?
- [CHUCKLES]
Here's to us.
- [SNIFFS, GROANS]
- [COUGHING]
[WHISTLES]
[FOOTSTEPS]
[WHISTLES]
Hello?
Hello?
Hello?
Hi.
[MERCER CHUCKLES]
Regan Hamilton-Sweeney Lamplighter,
you are a badass.
[CHUCKLES]
Please drop the "Lamplighter." I have.
And don't judge me.
I hardly ever touch this stuff.
[SCOFFS] Of course. [CHUCKLES]
[BANG]
That must be the fireworks,
which means Felicia's show
is starting soon.
[BANG]
No, no, no.
Those Those were definitely gunshots.
No, it's the Upper East Side.
I'm from the South. We know guns.
- The bleeding stopped.
- Hmm.
Now it's time for the
real pain to begin.
My step-uncle, Amory, has summoned me.
Or as William and I
used to call him: the demon brother.
- Whoa. Uh
- Come on.
- You can see why William stays away.
- Do you need help?
- No.
- Okay.
- The invitation said "white."
- [CHUCKLING] White.
But then he's wearing beige,
and that's fully gray
- Oh, Lily, sorry. Sorry, Lily.
- [CHUCKLES]
- No, you're good.
- Oh. Okay.
- Oh, there he is.
- Oh. Hmm?
Excuse me.
Regan, light of my life.
Finally, I'm basking in the glow
of my favorite step-niece.
Amory Gould,
allow me to introduce Mercer Goodman.
Mr. Goodman. I wasn't aware
Regan was bringing a guest.
You bounce back quick.
We know each other from school.
Oh, a student?
Teacher, but I'm also a writer.
Have you written anything
I might have read?
A novel, roman à clef,
perhaps a piece in the New Yorker?
I must admit I don't get to the fiction
in every issue,
but I [SIGHS] do
love the illustrations.
[CHUCKLES] Um, I haven't
written anything you might have read,
or anybody else for that matter.
- Oh.
- But I'm planning to soon.
Regan, he's delightful.
He's so full of optimism.
You know, I too once considered myself
a bit of a writer.
Unfortunately,
what I churned out was mostly excrement
studded with a few indigestible kernels
of what once passed for wit.
But you know, setting
my notebooks aflame
That was the moment
when I realized I was an adult.
Wow. [CLEARS THROAT] Excuse me,
um It's very nice to meet you.
Likewise.
No one knows how to dismantle
a person quite like you do.
Well, coming from you, Regan,
that almost seems like a compliment.
It's not.
Wait, wait, wait. We have to talk.
- About what?
- About your father.
I know. He passed his tests.
Yes, it was a great relief,
but it's not really much of a benefit
when it's time for him to stand trial.
What do you mean, "trial"?
There's no way to sugarcoat this.
Tomorrow, when your father gets off
the plane, he's going to be arrested.
Arrested for what?
Financial crimes. Undervaluing certain
assets for tax purposes.
Overvaluing them to secure loans.
The bank blew the whistle to the feds.
Daddy would never.
It's some kind of a mistake.
- Someone else's wrongdoing.
- His signature is on the checks.
It's his family name on the buildings.
If they take one,
they can take them all.
Now, as his daughter
and the COO of this company,
we need you to set the tone.
All right? I'm gonna gather
a few trusted advisers tomorrow.
We're gonna set up some bullet points.
We need a united front.
[DIALOGUE DISTORTS]
[MUFFLED YELPS]
[PERSON] No! [COUGH]
Just go home. Just go home. Just go
home. Just go home. [BREATHES SHARPLY]
[PERSON SOBS]
[SIGHS]
Hello?
Is there anybody in there?
Hello?
[FIREWORKS EXPLODING]
[GASPS] Oh, my God.
[BREATHING SHAKILY]
Help! Help!
[BREATHING SHAKILY]
Hello? Yes, I I I need help.
[STAMMERS]
There's been a shooting in Central Park.
I'm off of 5th and [STAMMERS]
seventy-something,
on-on the East Side.
Please,
can you just come as soon as you can?
She's She's dying. [BREATHES SHAKILY]
[MERCER] Help! Anyone, please help!
[ZIPPER CLOSES]
Sam.
Sam, wake up. Sam, come on, please. Sam!
[SIRENS WAILING]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[MERCER] She's in there!
[FIREWORKS CONTINUE]
[PARTY GUEST CHEERING]
Yeah!
[PARTY GUESTS CHEERING]
What were you doing in the park?
[STAMMERS] I don't know. I wasn't
I was waiting for the bus,
and I [STAMMERS] I heard a noise.
I just thought it was
an animal at first.
But then when I walked, um,
into the park, uh
Yeah, that's that's when I saw her.
You didn't see anyone else in the area?
No, no.
- It was just really dark
- [DETECTIVE] Detective Parsa?
McFadden, Manhattan North.
Looks like we caught a fresh one.
What do you got there?
This was on the girl.
That's That's mine.
Well then, I suppose, uh,
this is yours too?