Soundtrack (2019) s01e03 Episode Script
Track 3: Sam and Dante
1 [Chet Baker: "Deep In A Dream" playing.]
I dim all the lights And I sink in my chair The smoke from my cigarette Climbs through the air The walls of my room Fade away in the blue And I'm deep in a dream of you The smoke builds a stairway For you to descend You come to my arms May this bliss never end Awake or asleep Every memory I keep When I'm deep in a dream of you Then from the ceiling Soft music comes stealing We glide in a lover's refrain You're so appealing That I'm soon revealing My love for you over again My cigarette burns me I wake with a start My hand isn't hurt But there's pain in my heart But we'll love anew Just as we used to do When I'm deep in a dream Of you [papers rustle.]
[tapping.]
[rustling.]
[tapping.]
[papers rustle.]
[Annette.]
Twenty over or under? [sighs.]
Does it really matter? It does when you keep giving to this charity.
It's what she would've wanted.
[Sam.]
Barry, come on, let's go.
So I have some bad news.
It's not official, but the owners of the restaurant asked me to look into sharing valet services with the bar up the street.
They use a company.
How soon? This weekend.
I'm sorry.
Oh, no, it's fine.
I will figure it out.
You could talk to Margot.
[laughs.]
Yes I could, and that would be the last conversation we ever had.
No, I'll just pick up some rides today on my way with Barry, and, you know, just get some trips tonight at LAX.
I could float you some cash next week.
Dante needed to fix his car, the gasket that blew.
I thought he was using his gate money for that.
It was a bigger fix than he thought.
Yeah.
Or he lied.
Who knows? [Sam.]
And that is the problem.
- Get up! Come on! Up! - [Barry groans.]
[Sam.]
Ah! Okay.
Eat your cereal.
I wondered where the party was.
[Barry laughs.]
- What time is the meeting? - In an hour.
[Sam, sighing.]
Shit.
[Annette.]
It'll be all right.
Have faith.
Hey, you know, you'd think if you woke up on the wrong side of bed every day, you'd get a new bed.
Yeah, well maybe it's not the bed, maybe it's the view.
[sighs.]
You still mad? Hey.
I remember this guy.
Huh? What's your name again? Mira, it's - Benny! - Mm-mm.
- [Dante.]
No, Bubbles! - [Barry.]
No.
- [D.]
Yeah, it's Bubbles.
- [Barry.]
No, it's Barry! - It's Barry - [Sam.]
Finish your breakfast, bud.
Thank you.
You busted a string.
That means you're playing again, right? Do you need something, D? I'm just saying hi, Primo.
And you did.
[sniffs.]
[Dante.]
So it's it's like that? You mean, it's like today I have to take my six-year-old son to the Department of Children and Family Services to meet his case worker's entire team because you screwed up our lives last week? Yeah, D, it's like that.
[Sam.]
Foot.
- Foot.
Tongue.
- That's the wrong foot.
[Sam.]
Other foot.
We are here today to discuss concerns about Barry's safety at home.
Mrs.
Kassem has noted in her assessment that Barry leaving school alone seems, in her words, a random and isolated incident.
And I assure you, Mr.
Hughes, should that prove to be true, this bureau will drop your case.
But we need to complete our investigation first in order to ensure your son's safety and to make sure he belongs in your home.
Mr.
Hughes has proven himself to be a capable provider.
He makes approximately 1,000 a week between Lyft and his valet shifts, his aunt and his niece live next door and can provide extra support as needed.
So why did the assessment recommend an action plan? Mr.
Hughes and his son recently had to move.
Extra support during this transition period is in the best interest of his child.
[man.]
He's already in after-school care.
Ritter doesn't have anything else.
Did you have a program in mind? Moses Martin has an opening.
Does Barry play soccer, Mr.
Hughes? [Joanna.]
Sam.
Sam? - [water trickles.]
- Jesus, stop! Why? Fine.
It's okay, it's a lot.
Oh no, it was a lot an hour ago, now it's just, like, whoosh Ah.
Shit.
I'm not usually a mess like this.
[Joanna.]
If you weren't a mess, something would be wrong.
That's an intense meeting.
[quietly.]
Yeah.
So before you go, I would just like to go over the plan we laid out, okay? Yeah.
I will sign Barry up for Watts Wolves after school and on the weekends.
He'll be picked up by his coach Moses on school days, but you'll have to get him there on Sundays.
- All right.
- And sign right here.
[scribbling.]
Listen, don't worry, okay? Lots of parents have hours like yours.
Lots of parents let strangers raise their kids too, but that's not me.
I have a family.
I moved to Watts for their help, not to end up here.
Well, a few more weeks, maybe a month, and the case will be dropped.
- You'll never have to see me again.
- Oh, great.
Um [Joanna.]
Also, is there any way we could increase your income? - That job you lost, is it - No.
Any increase would show that you're taking this seriously, and I would caution you not let your income fall any further.
One more thing.
- Your cousin, Dante Mendoza.
- Yeah.
He's under post-release supervision.
Until your case is closed, he is prohibited from being alone with Barry.
- Do you understand? - Absolutely.
In fact, I will sign whatever you want for that one.
Yeah.
All right - [Barry.]
Hi, Dad! - [Sam.]
Hey! - [Sam.]
Okay.
- [Joanna laughs.]
So be there tomorrow, 11:00 a.
m.
, Locke High School.
- Do you need the address? - No, I know where it is.
God, thank you so much.
Um Ms Mrs - Ms - Miss? Mrs.
is was, um - You can just call me Joanna.
- Yeah, okay.
Thank you, Joanna.
All right.
- Bye.
- Bye, Joanna.
Bye, Barry.
[cartoon music playing on TV.]
[rip.]
I'm going to get some LAX rides.
I'll be back at midnight.
[phone chimes.]
[Sam.]
What the hell? [phone clatters.]
[sighs.]
[click.]
[Sam.]
What? [Leah.]
What's wrong? [Sam sighs.]
I effed up.
[Sam sighs.]
[cartoon music plays on TV.]
It takes a lot of balls to apply for a job you got fired from a week ago.
Yes, sir, and I But it takes more than that to work IT for years.
Am I right, my brother? [laughs.]
Well, you know, I know that my work ethic wasn't what it could have been, and I just you know, I put too much on my plate, but you have my assurance that everything with my son uh, all those issues have been sorted.
Love that you named your son after Obama.
Greatest president of our time, hands down.
- He's actually named after my wife's - I won't lie, Sammy.
All the candidates that I saw for this position, affirmative action only.
I don't think you're a genius, but you know the job, and I'd rather not waste my time waiting for some moron to learn what you already know.
Oh, well, thank you.
How about we do a probationary period? You come back for two weeks, and then we'll reassess.
- Okay, that sounds great - Can't match your exit salary, though.
- That's fine.
- All right.
- Welcome back.
- Okay.
[Jake laughs.]
[hands slap.]
Man, HR was all over me about losing a diversity hire.
I told 'em there's plenty of you people looking for work.
Ah! All right.
Sam.
Sam.
You can let go of my hand now.
[man.]
I can't believe you did that! That was awesome! Sam, hold on! I just I don't know why I came here.
Well, at least now you know where your line is.
Fuck! [sighs.]
I don't know what to do.
What? What is it? You know those sessions that A&R had last week for new voices? They didn't find anyone and they're doing it again on Wednesday, and you're going in.
Well, not you, exactly.
We had to give you an alias.
Mas? As in "more"? Well, it's "Sam" backwards, but that's way better.
Guys, this is I just This is just wrong.
No, hey, we just added you to someone's calendar.
That's not against the law.
[Patty.]
It's a chance to get what you always wanted.
- Don't you want to take that? - No, guys, listen, okay? This is the last thing that I can do right now.
All right? I'm drowning here.
I just I cannot be this selfish anymore.
Anymore? You never are.
Look, Child and Family Services is investigating me, okay? One more fuck-up and I may never see my son again.
I am 34 years old and I just had to move back home.
I have no money, I haven't slept in months, my wife is dead.
I drive strangers around for a living, strangers who rate me as a person without even speaking to me, while I pray for their tips so I can buy my kid a fucking juice box.
- I mean, I can't take the risk.
- [Patty.]
It's not a risk.
You're talented.
You feel like this isn't the right time, and I get that, but it never will be.
- Nothing's perfect, Sam.
- No, something was.
Okay? Some things are.
I'm sorry, guys, I have to go.
Sam! [slow music starts.]
[Towkio: "Morning View" playing.]
[kissing.]
[Dee chuckles.]
I got to be at work in an hour.
[Dee murmurs happily.]
I can't be at work all tired.
Good morning Face is out of pillow sheet I watch you dream Only time you seem at peace I've fallen into routine We fight, fuck then Fall asleep And then I wake up I think to myself Oh, what a morning view When I would like To keep it arm's reach I fall in sync with you Am I comfortable? We get the sun As you wash all over your face Still taste you, still faded Might stay Play hooky from work I'd rather lay on you What do you say? Still taste you, still faded Might stay All I see, all I see, all I see you Wake up I think to myself Oh, what a morning view I think to myself Oh, what a morning view Good morning [music fades.]
[thud.]
[peeing.]
Ah! - [door squeaks.]
- Hey! Whoa! Can I get a minute? - Sorry! - [Dante mutters in Spanish.]
Mom took all the locks off the doors before you got home.
[Dante.]
Yeah, except for the front door.
She put more on that one.
[Dante grunts.]
[toilet flushes.]
Safe to enter? Depends how scared you are of an ex-con with a Sonicare.
[door rattles.]
[tap splashes.]
You You want to go see the new Spider-Man movie today? You know, they released, like, a hundred since I was in.
Can't today.
Sorry.
- What, you're too busy to see a movie now? - Busy? I have SAT prep, debate practice, tutoring a kid at 3:00, then I have varsity volleyball tryouts.
You on your CEO shit, sis, I see you.
[laughs.]
I'm on my trying-to-get-into a-good-college shit.
[Dante grunts.]
Why don't you just take De'Andra instead? Whoa, I am not going to take her on our first date to some random Marvel joint.
When I take her out, it's going to be something special.
First date? You guys have known each other your whole damn lives.
She waited for me while I was in.
The least I can do is show her, you know, a little more respect, do something special for her now that I'm out.
So when's this date? [sniffs.]
[sniffs.]
When she's ready.
You know, it's a courtship.
- We're taking it slow.
- Ah.
Make sure she could see the full 360 of the new Dante.
Uh? Clean fresh reboot.
Tabula rasa.
[chuckles.]
[in Spanish.]
I notice some years missing from your employment history.
[in Spanish.]
I believe in honesty.
Straight up, I'm just back from doing a four-year bid.
Nothing serious, though.
Even got out early.
I've known your mother since she was born.
She says you're a real hard worker.
What kind of work you been doing the last few years? Look, man, I know you don't hire felons, but No, man.
Of course we do.
All the time, but we're only hiring instructors right now.
Play any instruments? I could learn.
Sorry, man.
Hey, let me get one of those? [door clicks.]
[children shouting.]
- [cheering.]
- Come on! - He's so good! - Why wouldn't he be? He wasn't.
[coach.]
You didn't have me teaching you.
Your son, he's got a hell of a kick.
He's going to be a real asset.
Joanna says he's a great kid.
Annette.
Moses.
- I didn't know two you knew each other.
- Not as well as I'd like.
[niece.]
Mm.
- Cut it out, you two.
- [Dante laughs.]
I'll be picking up Barry most evenings.
I look forward to that.
[blasts whistle.]
Come on, Bear! All right, let's bring it in.
[Sam sighs.]
Can I talk to you for a second? [Moses.]
Yeah, grab that ball for me.
[sighs.]
[Dante grunts.]
Mira, here, I got Look, you can't be here, okay? Barry's my nephew.
And I want to be here to support him.
His case worker said that until you finish your supervision, you can't be alone with him.
I'm not.
I'm at a soccer game with him with 100 other people.
Cuz, please don't embarrass me like this.
I'm sorry.
I got to protect my son.
- [Sam's receding footsteps.]
- [Moses shouting.]
Fuck you want, man? Nice kicks.
Let's go, Barry! [chuckles.]
[Annette.]
May I? It's your house, warden.
[Dante grunts.]
[Dante grunts.]
Ricky from the kitchen called in sick.
Qué malo.
You want to work the line tonight? I can't promise anything, but if you do well, I can throw you some shifts now and again.
Gracias, Mami.
Be in before 7:00, stay until close, and clean up.
I'll be there.
I'll be there.
[knocking.]
[door clicks.]
Damn! - [chuckles.]
- What? [Dee sighs.]
[click.]
[Dante.]
Mm.
This is the best fucking cake that I've ever had in my life.
I can't believe you made I mean, you never made anything for me before.
- I thought it would be nice.
- And this.
My moms couldn't even make this.
How'd you learn how to do it? I took a cooking class last year.
I took a lot of classes, actually.
But look [clears throat.]
what I want to say That's right.
You want to tell me something.
That's right.
Yes.
But you know you can tell me anything.
And I want to.
- But - You are so beautiful.
You know that? Oh, my God, you are so Why do you always do that, D? What? Do what? Compliment you? No, you go off Go off? Where'd I go.
I'm right here! You don't let anybody speak! You don't let anyone finish a sentence! - You didn't even finish a sentence.
- Because you don't pay attention! I just said you were beautiful.
You'd think I said you're ugly the way you go on.
Okay, what I was going to say it's very important.
It's important.
And then you just had to All right.
I'm listening.
I'm listening.
Tell me.
What I was going to say [sighs.]
What I was going to say can wait.
[chuckles.]
You are impossible.
[chuckles.]
And that's why you love me.
You never loved anything possible your entire life.
Like the job you got? Nobody like you has a job like that, but you did it.
Because it's impossible.
I knew they was wrong.
Who? Guys in the joint try to prepare you for how your first couple weeks are going to be.
You know, 'cause you know, things move on without you.
And how do they prepare you? They tell you it's like stepping onto another planet.
You know, and even though it looks like the one that you remember, it's not.
Somewhere else, like The Matrix or some shit.
You know, everything's six inches to the left from where you remember.
Like, you You can't find your keys, but you just had 'em.
You know? [sighs.]
Nah, the guys, they can't take it.
Nah, they want to go back inside where things are safe.
And where nothing changes.
But no way that's me.
Yeah, some things have changed.
No one trusts me and no one sees me.
But not you.
You didn't change, you didn't move on.
You just You just went on pause for me.
I'm very lucky to have you.
I got you.
You're all that I need.
I'm married.
[music starts.]
[Miguel: "Simple Things" playing.]
She said I don't want a model I don't want a movie star You don't have to win the lotto Oh I want you to win my heart Yeah, she said I just want someone true She said I just want someone To smoke with me, babe And lay with me, babe And laugh with me, babe I just want the simple things So smoke with me, babe And laugh with me, baby And lay with me, babe 'Cause I just want the simple things I just want you Oh, yeah I want you Yeah I just want you Give me all of you All of you, darling Oh, I want you I want you I just want the simple things So? Yeah, it is remote.
Um like slasher-film remote.
I know, right? Honey, this is our first vacation together.
It's going to be great.
We're going to make great art, we're going to have great sex, we're going to eat at this shitty diner, we're going to go on hikes.
[kiss.]
It's going to be perfect.
- Perfect.
- [lock rattles.]
[Nellie gasps.]
[sighs in delight.]
Honey, shoes.
You want me to walk around barefoot in a place I don't even know? [Nellie laughs.]
Yeah, it's hardwood floors and like, shag everywhere.
It's begging us to walk around barefoot.
It's begging us to walk around bare everything.
[whispers.]
I love it so much.
I mean, shag can hide a lot of things.
But can it hide a bad attitude? [whispers.]
I don't think so.
[kiss.]
But I know what can.
Oh.
[kissing.]
Yeah.
[kiss.]
That too.
But first Okay.
[shoes clatter.]
[musically.]
Dan daddle-an dan-dan! It's a piano.
I mean maybe.
Ah, it's got a CD player.
No, it doesn't.
Oh, wow, it does.
- [piano notes plink.]
- Whoa.
It is out of tune.
But it's great.
Really.
[kiss.]
Thank you.
I'm gonna go find a place to work before dinner.
- And you can work here.
- Yeah.
- It's fucking beautiful! - It's you know? [Nellie laughs.]
[tuts.]
- [piano note plinks.]
- [whispers.]
Wow.
[piano playing bright, out-of-tune music.]
[slaps knee.]
[book thuds.]
[chair creaks.]
[book thuds.]
[door squeaks.]
[footsteps.]
Hey, there is no food here.
Do you want to go to that shitty diner? There's nothing here? Not unless you're pregnant.
And Jewish.
Okay.
I can find a stopping point.
You know what? I can go to the store by myself.
I can see you're in the zone.
That would be amazing.
Thank you so much.
[door rattles.]
El? [click.]
[Nellie.]
Ow! What are you doing? Well, I was taking a break and I thought this was stuck, so I tried to force it open, but it's locked.
- Okay, so why are you - They don't want us to see what's inside.
- Right.
- Right.
- So what's inside? - Things they don't want us to see.
Exactly.
El, come on.
[Sam's footsteps.]
[rattling.]
- Hey, babe.
- [papers rustle.]
You're on my side.
- I am? - [papers rustle.]
You always sleep on the right.
Well, it's not about sides, baby.
- It isn't? - Mm-mm.
Okay, I have no idea where this is going.
I like to sleep on the side that I'm less likely get murdered in case of an intruder.
Do you think I'm crazy? No, it's just, you don't have any problem with me getting murdered? No! [kiss.]
Not at all.
I just think you could defend yourself a little bit longer, that's all.
While you snuck out? Okay, where would this intruder come from? [lock rattles.]
Locking the door doesn't really do anything 'cause the entire wall is made of glass.
That's really sweet of you.
[sighs.]
Thank you, baby.
[creature howls outside.]
[distant howl.]
Wait, turn off the AC.
Babe, it's like 90 degrees in here, and you won't let me open the serial killer door.
[Nellie.]
I know.
But I get nosebleeds in the AC.
[click.]
[whispers.]
Oh, God.
[door opens.]
Oh, good, you're up.
- [cup clinks.]
- Oh, my I've been thinking all morning about Yves Klein blue, and I just want to figure out the perfect shade of green, because I don't I want the chameleon to have a fantastical element to it, and I want to come up with a new shade of chartreuse.
It's somewhere in between green chartreuse and yellow chartreuse, it's somewhere in, like, the gold family, I think.
Gold family.
That's a good Yes.
I'm beginning to think we have different ideas of the word "vacation.
" [sighs.]
[Nellie.]
How's it going? It's great.
Yeah.
It's [plonks guitar.]
How's it really going? You should go back to work.
Why, do you hate it here? No, I think "hate" is an extreme ly accurate word.
Okay, so the house in the woods is not your thing.
That's okay.
We're just learning about each other.
Yeah, I mean, but, like, things that aren't important to know.
Like how disposable I am, and how you are a human cactus, who's never heard of writer's block, and for whom sleep comes, peaceful and easy, like you were on Ambien and horse tranquilizers and a whole vineyard of Sancerre, while I am desalinating to the point of freshwater Okay, so you're not having fun whatsoever.
Okay, well we can leave, then.
Can we? Please? Wait, really? Okay.
Let's go.
[Nellie's footsteps fade.]
[sighs.]
[sound of engine running.]
So the house What are we thinking? We thinking, like three stars? Two and a half? I just want to know what to tell the Vrbo people.
You rented it, you seemed to enjoy it.
Does it really matter what I think? I mean, it looks like you got some work done, didn't you? I started some things.
You didn't finish anything? They weren't right.
How do you know if you don't finish it? Generally speaking, you can tell if something is not worth wasting your time on.
All right? I can, anyway.
Okay, clearly you're mad at me for some reason.
I'm not mad.
I'm not mad at you, okay? It's just, it's not Things were not what I expected.
Okay, well, just wanted us to have a place to be able to work and have fun together away from the shit of our lives, and I just thought that that's Maybe that's what you wanted too.
Okay, but I need the right conditions to work.
The right conditions don't exist, you have to make them instead of bailing every time you hit a wall or it gets hard.
Okay.
So when exactly have things been hard in your life? [sighs.]
I'm sorry, I didn't mean that.
What exactly is your issue here, Sam? That my mom has money and so therefore my life is easy? That's not what I I went out of my way to find a house with a piano in it because you said you wanted to work and I'm sorry if that wasn't perfect, but now you're mad at me for doing something nice for you? Kinda feels like you're just looking for a way out here.
Of course I'm not.
I'm not.
[slow piano music playing.]
[man.]
Hey, yo, D.
- What's up, man? Where you been? - Yeah.
On my way to a shift.
Hey, D back on his grind.
[Dante laughs.]
Hey, yo, man, come chill for a bit.
We're finna to go play that new NBA 2K.
Oh, for real? I mean, sounds dope, but you know, I'm going to be late for work.
Come on now.
Is that a problem? I mean, with you being a pussy and shit.
We just trying to look out.
That's funny, I don't remember asking anybody to look out for me.
- You forget about what we did for you? - [Dante.]
I didn't ask you to do that.
You see you don't need to.
That's how family works.
- You should be a little more appreciative.
- I appreciate what you want me to be.
[laughs.]
Big D still got that big mouth.
I guess the inside can't change what's inside.
[door rattles.]
- [clang.]
- Hey, yo, D.
You forget who you're talking to? Let me remind you of this.
You might not have asked for it, but we did hook Sam up for you.
Sooner or later, Arthur'll want something in return.
You know I didn't mean no disrespect.
You ain't got to explain it to me, man.
We're family.
So if you need anything, you come to us, okay? And if we need anything, you got us.
Right? No doubt.
- Yeah.
- [rustling.]
I don't mess with this.
Come on, big D.
Everyone deserves a night off.
It's dipped.
[door rattles.]
[clunk.]
[food sizzling.]
[knife scraping.]
[bag rustles.]
Hey.
[Annette.]
Hey.
Ah.
- What's that for? - Tonight's work.
Okay.
I mean, you know, you could just hold onto it.
Put it towards my first paycheck.
You told me I'm coming in as Ricky's fill-in.
Fill-ins get paychecks, right? [Annette.]
They do.
Okay, so, what you want me to do? - Fill in some more paperwork or - Dante.
I told you it wasn't permanent.
I have to interview for this position this week.
Why do you have to interview somebody when you have somebody right here? The management won't let me hire a convicted felon.
It's the owner's policy, not mine.
If it were up to me, the job would be yours.
But the rules are the rules, and I Yeah, rules are rules and you gotta do what you gotta do.
You did a great job tonight.
Hey, yo, when did you know they weren't going to hire me? Before or after you asked me to work? That's what I thought.
[sighs.]
Sammo? What are you doing here? Sam asked me to watch Barry.
I thought he was home.
Dad? Go back to sleep, Bear.
You aren't allowed to be here.
Tell me where he is and I'll leave.
- [Leah.]
He didn't say.
- He went to see Aunt Dee.
You had to do it.
You know, you had to tell him eventually.
[slap.]
Hey! How you doing? Did you order yet? I hear this place is great.
Wanna split some of that? Dante.
- [bang.]
You fucking knew and didn't tell.
- Don't be upset with him.
What happened to, "I'm gonna wait for you"? - "I was gonna be there for you.
" - Let's not do this in here 'Cause this is what I want.
Dreaming about you for years, trying to do everything right so I could see you again, just to find out that you didn't believe in me long enough to wait? I waited! - I did! - Okay, Dante, let's calm down.
How long did you wait? Three months? Four? Was it a year? You're fucking married! You didn't meet this guy yesterday.
I'm sorry! - Look, I should have told you.
I should - Yeah.
I should have told you right away, but I just You didn't think I would get out.
Is that it? I knew you would.
But just like you changed you're not the only one.
I knew you didn't want to hear that.
[sniffs.]
Fuck you.
And fuck you.
- [crash.]
- [Dee gasps.]
[Sam.]
Dante! Come on.
[thud.]
[slow piano music playing.]
[click.]
[exhales.]
[knocks on door loudly.]
[music fades.]
[knocks on door.]
Can I help you? - Uh - Everything okay? Oh, shit.
Uh This isn't my house? Uh I hope not.
I live here and I've never seen you before.
I must have put my old address in my Lyft.
That's what I get for going in the club.
You know um but you know, anyways, you're you know, you're super uncomfortable, and I'm embarrassed.
Oh, okay, watch the steps.
No.
Okay Why don't you just come take a seat for a second? You want to sit? Yeah, just There you go.
I'm going to get you some water.
Just wait here, okay? [Dante.]
Yeah.
Thank you.
[keys rattle.]
[lock clicks.]
"Just going to get you some water.
" Tcha.
[approaching footsteps.]
Thank you.
What did you take? I'm straight.
I'm a doctor.
And you can't lie to a doctor.
A doctor? Huh.
I'm just going to take your pulse, okay? And you said you used to live here? Yeah.
I must've had a moment where I wanted to go back home.
And I ended up here.
So.
That ever happen to you before? [sighs.]
Maybe we should get you inside.
[slow piano music playing.]
Is it different? My wife did a lot of redecorating when we moved in.
The walls were an awful yellow.
Huh? She chose this color? Mm.
[glass clunks.]
[Dee.]
The door was open.
[doctor.]
Hey, babe.
[bag thuds.]
Dante.
I used to live here.
Hey, I'm really sorry about about bothering you.
About bothering you both.
[door clicks shut.]
Well, that was weird.
Should I call someone? No.
He won't be coming back.
Okay.
[car approaches.]
Get in this car right now.
No.
Get in.
What are you doing? [Dante.]
This is where I sit in a Lyft.
[engine revs.]
How'd you find me? Oh, I was just walking around the neighborhood and she fucking called me.
How you think I found you? You must really want to go back to prison.
Hey, you know what? Take me there.
At least the people in there, they got a code.
The ones out here who are supposed to be my family don't even tell me the truth.
You know what? She wanted to be the one to tell you, D.
How long did you know about him? How could you not tell me, your own blood? Maybe because I knew the minute I told you, you'd blow it up, because that's what you do.
And you didn't disappoint.
Showing up at their house? How are we supposed to be on your side when you keep pulling stupid shit like that? Who the fuck is on my side? I got a sister who's afraid of me, a mother who sees nothing but a felon, and a cousin who wants nothing to do with me, so who's on my side? You think it happens for no reason? Four years in prison and you are still fucking everything up.
- Yeah, well, you fuck up, too.
- No, we are talking about you.
You had a scholarship to one of the greatest conservatories in the whole country - but no, you're too good for that shit.
- That's not why I left.
[D.]
Sam had to fuck that shit up.
Now what you got? A fucking guitar sitting in the corner doing nothing, 'cause you're too much of a pinche puto to do anything about it.
You know what I would've done to have an ounce of what you have? I can't even get a job making coffee.
I got shit.
That's what I got and that's all I'm ever gonna get.
You got shit because you got caught holding the bag.
Know who doesn't get caught holding the bag? - [Dante.]
There he is, there's my Sam.
- Smart people! Finally want to show up.
Coldblooded, that's right.
Never there when I need him, but always there to kick me down.
Where the fuck are you going? You know what? My family would've told me the truth.
The only family that actually care about me is the one that everybody wants me to stay away from.
You know what? Fine, go.
Go back to your crew, okay? At least I won't have to worry about you messing up my life.
No, you do that all by yourself, Sammy.
Eleanor's the only one that kept you good.
Huh? Yeah, that's why you're mad.
That's why you're mad at me, why you're mad at us all.
'Cause she's gone and she's never coming back.
[Sam.]
Get out my car.
[door shuts.]
[slow piano music playing.]
[doors click shut.]
[click.]
[phone thuds.]
[pages rustle.]
[thud.]
[line rings out.]
It's Nellie.
Leave a message.
[beep.]
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone It's not warm when she's away Ain't no sunshine when she's gone And she's always gone too long Anytime she goes away Wonder this time where she's gone Wonder if she's gone to stay Ain't no sunshine when she's gone And this house just ain't no home - Too young, too dumb to realize - Anytime she goes away That I should have bought you flowers And I know Should have gave you all my hours I know Take you to every party - 'Cause all you wanted to do was dance - I know - I ought to leave young thing alone - Now my baby's dancing - Ain't no sunshine when she's gone - But she's dancing with another man Although it hurts - Ain't no sunshine when she's gone - I'll be the first - Ain't no sunshine when she's gone - To say that I was wrong It's not warm when she's away It's not warm - Oh, I know I'm probably much too late - Ain't no sunshine To try and apologize for my mistakes - But I just want you to know - Ain't no sunshine when she's gone Anytime she goes away I hope he buys you flowers I hope he holds your hand Give you all his hours When he has the chance Take you to every party 'Cause I remember How much you love to dance Do all the things I should've done When I was your man Do all the things I should've done When I was your man [door clicks.]
[slow footsteps.]
[door shuts.]
I'm sorry for the way that I treated you this weekend.
Apology pending acceptance.
So something about me I haven't told you My mom died six months after I left Berklee.
My father to this day still thinks I'm the one responsible.
Which is ridiculous, 'cause she had a stroke.
Didn't have anything to do with me.
But I also know that she wasn't too happy with me when she died.
See, I had run away from the dream that she had for me.
So now every time I go to write a song [takes a breath.]
if it's not perfect all I can think about is how much I'm disappointing her.
Mm.
What about the songs you've been trying to write? They always sound perfect in my head.
Then as soon as I got to lay 'em down they just never I don't know, live up to how I imagined them.
It's an apt metaphor for a lot of things.
[Sam sighs quietly.]
Well, I can tell you that my mother has spent my entire life telling me that I'm not good enough at the thing that I want to do.
So much so that eventually I just stopped making any attempts at it 'cause I just figured I'd fail.
We can't let their expectations get in the way of what we want to do.
What it is that need to do.
What is it that we know we need to do.
Because expectations are not reality.
And you can't walk away from shit because you think it's not going to be perfect.
It's never going to be perfect, ever.
Not me, not my book, not my mom or my dad, not you.
Not your music.
Not your dad.
Us.
And you can't control any of it.
What if I'm not like you? What if I can't change? You've already changed.
Play me everything that you've started.
Okay.
[sighs.]
[strums guitar.]
Time it has a way Of turning seconds into days [strums chords.]
Thank you.
For the new string.
You want a beer? You, uh You sure that's okay? The social worker's not gonna freak out? If it comes up, I'll deal with it.
[door rattles.]
- [door shuts.]
- [strums a chord.]
- [bottles chink.]
- [strums.]
[strums chords.]
[starts playing a tune.]
That's good.
What is it? [stops playing.]
Something I wrote a long time ago.
It's nice to hear.
It's nice to have someone to play it for.
[starts playing.]
You remember my son, Dante? Yeah.
You're mother told me you just got out of prison? It seems to be her favorite thing to tell people about me.
Your mother also told me you're looking for work.
It's not much, but if you want to come help me at practice, make sure the boys stay hydrated, keep the balls, the shoes, the field on point, I could throw you a few bucks at the end of every week.
I I'm not picky, sir.
Thank you.
[laughs.]
Thank you.
Feel like starting now? SÃ.
Time it has a way Of turning seconds into days The world goes spinning in space I'm not gonna play [whispers.]
Oh, yeah.
I'm breathing in As slow as I can breathe [woman.]
Mas? Is that right? Mas, that's me.
With you by my side Eyes open wide I won't sink [door shuts.]
I'm not gonna play Is it just you? Is that okay? I'm not going to blink I'm not gonna Actually it's perfect.
I'm not going to blink
I dim all the lights And I sink in my chair The smoke from my cigarette Climbs through the air The walls of my room Fade away in the blue And I'm deep in a dream of you The smoke builds a stairway For you to descend You come to my arms May this bliss never end Awake or asleep Every memory I keep When I'm deep in a dream of you Then from the ceiling Soft music comes stealing We glide in a lover's refrain You're so appealing That I'm soon revealing My love for you over again My cigarette burns me I wake with a start My hand isn't hurt But there's pain in my heart But we'll love anew Just as we used to do When I'm deep in a dream Of you [papers rustle.]
[tapping.]
[rustling.]
[tapping.]
[papers rustle.]
[Annette.]
Twenty over or under? [sighs.]
Does it really matter? It does when you keep giving to this charity.
It's what she would've wanted.
[Sam.]
Barry, come on, let's go.
So I have some bad news.
It's not official, but the owners of the restaurant asked me to look into sharing valet services with the bar up the street.
They use a company.
How soon? This weekend.
I'm sorry.
Oh, no, it's fine.
I will figure it out.
You could talk to Margot.
[laughs.]
Yes I could, and that would be the last conversation we ever had.
No, I'll just pick up some rides today on my way with Barry, and, you know, just get some trips tonight at LAX.
I could float you some cash next week.
Dante needed to fix his car, the gasket that blew.
I thought he was using his gate money for that.
It was a bigger fix than he thought.
Yeah.
Or he lied.
Who knows? [Sam.]
And that is the problem.
- Get up! Come on! Up! - [Barry groans.]
[Sam.]
Ah! Okay.
Eat your cereal.
I wondered where the party was.
[Barry laughs.]
- What time is the meeting? - In an hour.
[Sam, sighing.]
Shit.
[Annette.]
It'll be all right.
Have faith.
Hey, you know, you'd think if you woke up on the wrong side of bed every day, you'd get a new bed.
Yeah, well maybe it's not the bed, maybe it's the view.
[sighs.]
You still mad? Hey.
I remember this guy.
Huh? What's your name again? Mira, it's - Benny! - Mm-mm.
- [Dante.]
No, Bubbles! - [Barry.]
No.
- [D.]
Yeah, it's Bubbles.
- [Barry.]
No, it's Barry! - It's Barry - [Sam.]
Finish your breakfast, bud.
Thank you.
You busted a string.
That means you're playing again, right? Do you need something, D? I'm just saying hi, Primo.
And you did.
[sniffs.]
[Dante.]
So it's it's like that? You mean, it's like today I have to take my six-year-old son to the Department of Children and Family Services to meet his case worker's entire team because you screwed up our lives last week? Yeah, D, it's like that.
[Sam.]
Foot.
- Foot.
Tongue.
- That's the wrong foot.
[Sam.]
Other foot.
We are here today to discuss concerns about Barry's safety at home.
Mrs.
Kassem has noted in her assessment that Barry leaving school alone seems, in her words, a random and isolated incident.
And I assure you, Mr.
Hughes, should that prove to be true, this bureau will drop your case.
But we need to complete our investigation first in order to ensure your son's safety and to make sure he belongs in your home.
Mr.
Hughes has proven himself to be a capable provider.
He makes approximately 1,000 a week between Lyft and his valet shifts, his aunt and his niece live next door and can provide extra support as needed.
So why did the assessment recommend an action plan? Mr.
Hughes and his son recently had to move.
Extra support during this transition period is in the best interest of his child.
[man.]
He's already in after-school care.
Ritter doesn't have anything else.
Did you have a program in mind? Moses Martin has an opening.
Does Barry play soccer, Mr.
Hughes? [Joanna.]
Sam.
Sam? - [water trickles.]
- Jesus, stop! Why? Fine.
It's okay, it's a lot.
Oh no, it was a lot an hour ago, now it's just, like, whoosh Ah.
Shit.
I'm not usually a mess like this.
[Joanna.]
If you weren't a mess, something would be wrong.
That's an intense meeting.
[quietly.]
Yeah.
So before you go, I would just like to go over the plan we laid out, okay? Yeah.
I will sign Barry up for Watts Wolves after school and on the weekends.
He'll be picked up by his coach Moses on school days, but you'll have to get him there on Sundays.
- All right.
- And sign right here.
[scribbling.]
Listen, don't worry, okay? Lots of parents have hours like yours.
Lots of parents let strangers raise their kids too, but that's not me.
I have a family.
I moved to Watts for their help, not to end up here.
Well, a few more weeks, maybe a month, and the case will be dropped.
- You'll never have to see me again.
- Oh, great.
Um [Joanna.]
Also, is there any way we could increase your income? - That job you lost, is it - No.
Any increase would show that you're taking this seriously, and I would caution you not let your income fall any further.
One more thing.
- Your cousin, Dante Mendoza.
- Yeah.
He's under post-release supervision.
Until your case is closed, he is prohibited from being alone with Barry.
- Do you understand? - Absolutely.
In fact, I will sign whatever you want for that one.
Yeah.
All right - [Barry.]
Hi, Dad! - [Sam.]
Hey! - [Sam.]
Okay.
- [Joanna laughs.]
So be there tomorrow, 11:00 a.
m.
, Locke High School.
- Do you need the address? - No, I know where it is.
God, thank you so much.
Um Ms Mrs - Ms - Miss? Mrs.
is was, um - You can just call me Joanna.
- Yeah, okay.
Thank you, Joanna.
All right.
- Bye.
- Bye, Joanna.
Bye, Barry.
[cartoon music playing on TV.]
[rip.]
I'm going to get some LAX rides.
I'll be back at midnight.
[phone chimes.]
[Sam.]
What the hell? [phone clatters.]
[sighs.]
[click.]
[Sam.]
What? [Leah.]
What's wrong? [Sam sighs.]
I effed up.
[Sam sighs.]
[cartoon music plays on TV.]
It takes a lot of balls to apply for a job you got fired from a week ago.
Yes, sir, and I But it takes more than that to work IT for years.
Am I right, my brother? [laughs.]
Well, you know, I know that my work ethic wasn't what it could have been, and I just you know, I put too much on my plate, but you have my assurance that everything with my son uh, all those issues have been sorted.
Love that you named your son after Obama.
Greatest president of our time, hands down.
- He's actually named after my wife's - I won't lie, Sammy.
All the candidates that I saw for this position, affirmative action only.
I don't think you're a genius, but you know the job, and I'd rather not waste my time waiting for some moron to learn what you already know.
Oh, well, thank you.
How about we do a probationary period? You come back for two weeks, and then we'll reassess.
- Okay, that sounds great - Can't match your exit salary, though.
- That's fine.
- All right.
- Welcome back.
- Okay.
[Jake laughs.]
[hands slap.]
Man, HR was all over me about losing a diversity hire.
I told 'em there's plenty of you people looking for work.
Ah! All right.
Sam.
Sam.
You can let go of my hand now.
[man.]
I can't believe you did that! That was awesome! Sam, hold on! I just I don't know why I came here.
Well, at least now you know where your line is.
Fuck! [sighs.]
I don't know what to do.
What? What is it? You know those sessions that A&R had last week for new voices? They didn't find anyone and they're doing it again on Wednesday, and you're going in.
Well, not you, exactly.
We had to give you an alias.
Mas? As in "more"? Well, it's "Sam" backwards, but that's way better.
Guys, this is I just This is just wrong.
No, hey, we just added you to someone's calendar.
That's not against the law.
[Patty.]
It's a chance to get what you always wanted.
- Don't you want to take that? - No, guys, listen, okay? This is the last thing that I can do right now.
All right? I'm drowning here.
I just I cannot be this selfish anymore.
Anymore? You never are.
Look, Child and Family Services is investigating me, okay? One more fuck-up and I may never see my son again.
I am 34 years old and I just had to move back home.
I have no money, I haven't slept in months, my wife is dead.
I drive strangers around for a living, strangers who rate me as a person without even speaking to me, while I pray for their tips so I can buy my kid a fucking juice box.
- I mean, I can't take the risk.
- [Patty.]
It's not a risk.
You're talented.
You feel like this isn't the right time, and I get that, but it never will be.
- Nothing's perfect, Sam.
- No, something was.
Okay? Some things are.
I'm sorry, guys, I have to go.
Sam! [slow music starts.]
[Towkio: "Morning View" playing.]
[kissing.]
[Dee chuckles.]
I got to be at work in an hour.
[Dee murmurs happily.]
I can't be at work all tired.
Good morning Face is out of pillow sheet I watch you dream Only time you seem at peace I've fallen into routine We fight, fuck then Fall asleep And then I wake up I think to myself Oh, what a morning view When I would like To keep it arm's reach I fall in sync with you Am I comfortable? We get the sun As you wash all over your face Still taste you, still faded Might stay Play hooky from work I'd rather lay on you What do you say? Still taste you, still faded Might stay All I see, all I see, all I see you Wake up I think to myself Oh, what a morning view I think to myself Oh, what a morning view Good morning [music fades.]
[thud.]
[peeing.]
Ah! - [door squeaks.]
- Hey! Whoa! Can I get a minute? - Sorry! - [Dante mutters in Spanish.]
Mom took all the locks off the doors before you got home.
[Dante.]
Yeah, except for the front door.
She put more on that one.
[Dante grunts.]
[toilet flushes.]
Safe to enter? Depends how scared you are of an ex-con with a Sonicare.
[door rattles.]
[tap splashes.]
You You want to go see the new Spider-Man movie today? You know, they released, like, a hundred since I was in.
Can't today.
Sorry.
- What, you're too busy to see a movie now? - Busy? I have SAT prep, debate practice, tutoring a kid at 3:00, then I have varsity volleyball tryouts.
You on your CEO shit, sis, I see you.
[laughs.]
I'm on my trying-to-get-into a-good-college shit.
[Dante grunts.]
Why don't you just take De'Andra instead? Whoa, I am not going to take her on our first date to some random Marvel joint.
When I take her out, it's going to be something special.
First date? You guys have known each other your whole damn lives.
She waited for me while I was in.
The least I can do is show her, you know, a little more respect, do something special for her now that I'm out.
So when's this date? [sniffs.]
[sniffs.]
When she's ready.
You know, it's a courtship.
- We're taking it slow.
- Ah.
Make sure she could see the full 360 of the new Dante.
Uh? Clean fresh reboot.
Tabula rasa.
[chuckles.]
[in Spanish.]
I notice some years missing from your employment history.
[in Spanish.]
I believe in honesty.
Straight up, I'm just back from doing a four-year bid.
Nothing serious, though.
Even got out early.
I've known your mother since she was born.
She says you're a real hard worker.
What kind of work you been doing the last few years? Look, man, I know you don't hire felons, but No, man.
Of course we do.
All the time, but we're only hiring instructors right now.
Play any instruments? I could learn.
Sorry, man.
Hey, let me get one of those? [door clicks.]
[children shouting.]
- [cheering.]
- Come on! - He's so good! - Why wouldn't he be? He wasn't.
[coach.]
You didn't have me teaching you.
Your son, he's got a hell of a kick.
He's going to be a real asset.
Joanna says he's a great kid.
Annette.
Moses.
- I didn't know two you knew each other.
- Not as well as I'd like.
[niece.]
Mm.
- Cut it out, you two.
- [Dante laughs.]
I'll be picking up Barry most evenings.
I look forward to that.
[blasts whistle.]
Come on, Bear! All right, let's bring it in.
[Sam sighs.]
Can I talk to you for a second? [Moses.]
Yeah, grab that ball for me.
[sighs.]
[Dante grunts.]
Mira, here, I got Look, you can't be here, okay? Barry's my nephew.
And I want to be here to support him.
His case worker said that until you finish your supervision, you can't be alone with him.
I'm not.
I'm at a soccer game with him with 100 other people.
Cuz, please don't embarrass me like this.
I'm sorry.
I got to protect my son.
- [Sam's receding footsteps.]
- [Moses shouting.]
Fuck you want, man? Nice kicks.
Let's go, Barry! [chuckles.]
[Annette.]
May I? It's your house, warden.
[Dante grunts.]
[Dante grunts.]
Ricky from the kitchen called in sick.
Qué malo.
You want to work the line tonight? I can't promise anything, but if you do well, I can throw you some shifts now and again.
Gracias, Mami.
Be in before 7:00, stay until close, and clean up.
I'll be there.
I'll be there.
[knocking.]
[door clicks.]
Damn! - [chuckles.]
- What? [Dee sighs.]
[click.]
[Dante.]
Mm.
This is the best fucking cake that I've ever had in my life.
I can't believe you made I mean, you never made anything for me before.
- I thought it would be nice.
- And this.
My moms couldn't even make this.
How'd you learn how to do it? I took a cooking class last year.
I took a lot of classes, actually.
But look [clears throat.]
what I want to say That's right.
You want to tell me something.
That's right.
Yes.
But you know you can tell me anything.
And I want to.
- But - You are so beautiful.
You know that? Oh, my God, you are so Why do you always do that, D? What? Do what? Compliment you? No, you go off Go off? Where'd I go.
I'm right here! You don't let anybody speak! You don't let anyone finish a sentence! - You didn't even finish a sentence.
- Because you don't pay attention! I just said you were beautiful.
You'd think I said you're ugly the way you go on.
Okay, what I was going to say it's very important.
It's important.
And then you just had to All right.
I'm listening.
I'm listening.
Tell me.
What I was going to say [sighs.]
What I was going to say can wait.
[chuckles.]
You are impossible.
[chuckles.]
And that's why you love me.
You never loved anything possible your entire life.
Like the job you got? Nobody like you has a job like that, but you did it.
Because it's impossible.
I knew they was wrong.
Who? Guys in the joint try to prepare you for how your first couple weeks are going to be.
You know, 'cause you know, things move on without you.
And how do they prepare you? They tell you it's like stepping onto another planet.
You know, and even though it looks like the one that you remember, it's not.
Somewhere else, like The Matrix or some shit.
You know, everything's six inches to the left from where you remember.
Like, you You can't find your keys, but you just had 'em.
You know? [sighs.]
Nah, the guys, they can't take it.
Nah, they want to go back inside where things are safe.
And where nothing changes.
But no way that's me.
Yeah, some things have changed.
No one trusts me and no one sees me.
But not you.
You didn't change, you didn't move on.
You just You just went on pause for me.
I'm very lucky to have you.
I got you.
You're all that I need.
I'm married.
[music starts.]
[Miguel: "Simple Things" playing.]
She said I don't want a model I don't want a movie star You don't have to win the lotto Oh I want you to win my heart Yeah, she said I just want someone true She said I just want someone To smoke with me, babe And lay with me, babe And laugh with me, babe I just want the simple things So smoke with me, babe And laugh with me, baby And lay with me, babe 'Cause I just want the simple things I just want you Oh, yeah I want you Yeah I just want you Give me all of you All of you, darling Oh, I want you I want you I just want the simple things So? Yeah, it is remote.
Um like slasher-film remote.
I know, right? Honey, this is our first vacation together.
It's going to be great.
We're going to make great art, we're going to have great sex, we're going to eat at this shitty diner, we're going to go on hikes.
[kiss.]
It's going to be perfect.
- Perfect.
- [lock rattles.]
[Nellie gasps.]
[sighs in delight.]
Honey, shoes.
You want me to walk around barefoot in a place I don't even know? [Nellie laughs.]
Yeah, it's hardwood floors and like, shag everywhere.
It's begging us to walk around barefoot.
It's begging us to walk around bare everything.
[whispers.]
I love it so much.
I mean, shag can hide a lot of things.
But can it hide a bad attitude? [whispers.]
I don't think so.
[kiss.]
But I know what can.
Oh.
[kissing.]
Yeah.
[kiss.]
That too.
But first Okay.
[shoes clatter.]
[musically.]
Dan daddle-an dan-dan! It's a piano.
I mean maybe.
Ah, it's got a CD player.
No, it doesn't.
Oh, wow, it does.
- [piano notes plink.]
- Whoa.
It is out of tune.
But it's great.
Really.
[kiss.]
Thank you.
I'm gonna go find a place to work before dinner.
- And you can work here.
- Yeah.
- It's fucking beautiful! - It's you know? [Nellie laughs.]
[tuts.]
- [piano note plinks.]
- [whispers.]
Wow.
[piano playing bright, out-of-tune music.]
[slaps knee.]
[book thuds.]
[chair creaks.]
[book thuds.]
[door squeaks.]
[footsteps.]
Hey, there is no food here.
Do you want to go to that shitty diner? There's nothing here? Not unless you're pregnant.
And Jewish.
Okay.
I can find a stopping point.
You know what? I can go to the store by myself.
I can see you're in the zone.
That would be amazing.
Thank you so much.
[door rattles.]
El? [click.]
[Nellie.]
Ow! What are you doing? Well, I was taking a break and I thought this was stuck, so I tried to force it open, but it's locked.
- Okay, so why are you - They don't want us to see what's inside.
- Right.
- Right.
- So what's inside? - Things they don't want us to see.
Exactly.
El, come on.
[Sam's footsteps.]
[rattling.]
- Hey, babe.
- [papers rustle.]
You're on my side.
- I am? - [papers rustle.]
You always sleep on the right.
Well, it's not about sides, baby.
- It isn't? - Mm-mm.
Okay, I have no idea where this is going.
I like to sleep on the side that I'm less likely get murdered in case of an intruder.
Do you think I'm crazy? No, it's just, you don't have any problem with me getting murdered? No! [kiss.]
Not at all.
I just think you could defend yourself a little bit longer, that's all.
While you snuck out? Okay, where would this intruder come from? [lock rattles.]
Locking the door doesn't really do anything 'cause the entire wall is made of glass.
That's really sweet of you.
[sighs.]
Thank you, baby.
[creature howls outside.]
[distant howl.]
Wait, turn off the AC.
Babe, it's like 90 degrees in here, and you won't let me open the serial killer door.
[Nellie.]
I know.
But I get nosebleeds in the AC.
[click.]
[whispers.]
Oh, God.
[door opens.]
Oh, good, you're up.
- [cup clinks.]
- Oh, my I've been thinking all morning about Yves Klein blue, and I just want to figure out the perfect shade of green, because I don't I want the chameleon to have a fantastical element to it, and I want to come up with a new shade of chartreuse.
It's somewhere in between green chartreuse and yellow chartreuse, it's somewhere in, like, the gold family, I think.
Gold family.
That's a good Yes.
I'm beginning to think we have different ideas of the word "vacation.
" [sighs.]
[Nellie.]
How's it going? It's great.
Yeah.
It's [plonks guitar.]
How's it really going? You should go back to work.
Why, do you hate it here? No, I think "hate" is an extreme ly accurate word.
Okay, so the house in the woods is not your thing.
That's okay.
We're just learning about each other.
Yeah, I mean, but, like, things that aren't important to know.
Like how disposable I am, and how you are a human cactus, who's never heard of writer's block, and for whom sleep comes, peaceful and easy, like you were on Ambien and horse tranquilizers and a whole vineyard of Sancerre, while I am desalinating to the point of freshwater Okay, so you're not having fun whatsoever.
Okay, well we can leave, then.
Can we? Please? Wait, really? Okay.
Let's go.
[Nellie's footsteps fade.]
[sighs.]
[sound of engine running.]
So the house What are we thinking? We thinking, like three stars? Two and a half? I just want to know what to tell the Vrbo people.
You rented it, you seemed to enjoy it.
Does it really matter what I think? I mean, it looks like you got some work done, didn't you? I started some things.
You didn't finish anything? They weren't right.
How do you know if you don't finish it? Generally speaking, you can tell if something is not worth wasting your time on.
All right? I can, anyway.
Okay, clearly you're mad at me for some reason.
I'm not mad.
I'm not mad at you, okay? It's just, it's not Things were not what I expected.
Okay, well, just wanted us to have a place to be able to work and have fun together away from the shit of our lives, and I just thought that that's Maybe that's what you wanted too.
Okay, but I need the right conditions to work.
The right conditions don't exist, you have to make them instead of bailing every time you hit a wall or it gets hard.
Okay.
So when exactly have things been hard in your life? [sighs.]
I'm sorry, I didn't mean that.
What exactly is your issue here, Sam? That my mom has money and so therefore my life is easy? That's not what I I went out of my way to find a house with a piano in it because you said you wanted to work and I'm sorry if that wasn't perfect, but now you're mad at me for doing something nice for you? Kinda feels like you're just looking for a way out here.
Of course I'm not.
I'm not.
[slow piano music playing.]
[man.]
Hey, yo, D.
- What's up, man? Where you been? - Yeah.
On my way to a shift.
Hey, D back on his grind.
[Dante laughs.]
Hey, yo, man, come chill for a bit.
We're finna to go play that new NBA 2K.
Oh, for real? I mean, sounds dope, but you know, I'm going to be late for work.
Come on now.
Is that a problem? I mean, with you being a pussy and shit.
We just trying to look out.
That's funny, I don't remember asking anybody to look out for me.
- You forget about what we did for you? - [Dante.]
I didn't ask you to do that.
You see you don't need to.
That's how family works.
- You should be a little more appreciative.
- I appreciate what you want me to be.
[laughs.]
Big D still got that big mouth.
I guess the inside can't change what's inside.
[door rattles.]
- [clang.]
- Hey, yo, D.
You forget who you're talking to? Let me remind you of this.
You might not have asked for it, but we did hook Sam up for you.
Sooner or later, Arthur'll want something in return.
You know I didn't mean no disrespect.
You ain't got to explain it to me, man.
We're family.
So if you need anything, you come to us, okay? And if we need anything, you got us.
Right? No doubt.
- Yeah.
- [rustling.]
I don't mess with this.
Come on, big D.
Everyone deserves a night off.
It's dipped.
[door rattles.]
[clunk.]
[food sizzling.]
[knife scraping.]
[bag rustles.]
Hey.
[Annette.]
Hey.
Ah.
- What's that for? - Tonight's work.
Okay.
I mean, you know, you could just hold onto it.
Put it towards my first paycheck.
You told me I'm coming in as Ricky's fill-in.
Fill-ins get paychecks, right? [Annette.]
They do.
Okay, so, what you want me to do? - Fill in some more paperwork or - Dante.
I told you it wasn't permanent.
I have to interview for this position this week.
Why do you have to interview somebody when you have somebody right here? The management won't let me hire a convicted felon.
It's the owner's policy, not mine.
If it were up to me, the job would be yours.
But the rules are the rules, and I Yeah, rules are rules and you gotta do what you gotta do.
You did a great job tonight.
Hey, yo, when did you know they weren't going to hire me? Before or after you asked me to work? That's what I thought.
[sighs.]
Sammo? What are you doing here? Sam asked me to watch Barry.
I thought he was home.
Dad? Go back to sleep, Bear.
You aren't allowed to be here.
Tell me where he is and I'll leave.
- [Leah.]
He didn't say.
- He went to see Aunt Dee.
You had to do it.
You know, you had to tell him eventually.
[slap.]
Hey! How you doing? Did you order yet? I hear this place is great.
Wanna split some of that? Dante.
- [bang.]
You fucking knew and didn't tell.
- Don't be upset with him.
What happened to, "I'm gonna wait for you"? - "I was gonna be there for you.
" - Let's not do this in here 'Cause this is what I want.
Dreaming about you for years, trying to do everything right so I could see you again, just to find out that you didn't believe in me long enough to wait? I waited! - I did! - Okay, Dante, let's calm down.
How long did you wait? Three months? Four? Was it a year? You're fucking married! You didn't meet this guy yesterday.
I'm sorry! - Look, I should have told you.
I should - Yeah.
I should have told you right away, but I just You didn't think I would get out.
Is that it? I knew you would.
But just like you changed you're not the only one.
I knew you didn't want to hear that.
[sniffs.]
Fuck you.
And fuck you.
- [crash.]
- [Dee gasps.]
[Sam.]
Dante! Come on.
[thud.]
[slow piano music playing.]
[click.]
[exhales.]
[knocks on door loudly.]
[music fades.]
[knocks on door.]
Can I help you? - Uh - Everything okay? Oh, shit.
Uh This isn't my house? Uh I hope not.
I live here and I've never seen you before.
I must have put my old address in my Lyft.
That's what I get for going in the club.
You know um but you know, anyways, you're you know, you're super uncomfortable, and I'm embarrassed.
Oh, okay, watch the steps.
No.
Okay Why don't you just come take a seat for a second? You want to sit? Yeah, just There you go.
I'm going to get you some water.
Just wait here, okay? [Dante.]
Yeah.
Thank you.
[keys rattle.]
[lock clicks.]
"Just going to get you some water.
" Tcha.
[approaching footsteps.]
Thank you.
What did you take? I'm straight.
I'm a doctor.
And you can't lie to a doctor.
A doctor? Huh.
I'm just going to take your pulse, okay? And you said you used to live here? Yeah.
I must've had a moment where I wanted to go back home.
And I ended up here.
So.
That ever happen to you before? [sighs.]
Maybe we should get you inside.
[slow piano music playing.]
Is it different? My wife did a lot of redecorating when we moved in.
The walls were an awful yellow.
Huh? She chose this color? Mm.
[glass clunks.]
[Dee.]
The door was open.
[doctor.]
Hey, babe.
[bag thuds.]
Dante.
I used to live here.
Hey, I'm really sorry about about bothering you.
About bothering you both.
[door clicks shut.]
Well, that was weird.
Should I call someone? No.
He won't be coming back.
Okay.
[car approaches.]
Get in this car right now.
No.
Get in.
What are you doing? [Dante.]
This is where I sit in a Lyft.
[engine revs.]
How'd you find me? Oh, I was just walking around the neighborhood and she fucking called me.
How you think I found you? You must really want to go back to prison.
Hey, you know what? Take me there.
At least the people in there, they got a code.
The ones out here who are supposed to be my family don't even tell me the truth.
You know what? She wanted to be the one to tell you, D.
How long did you know about him? How could you not tell me, your own blood? Maybe because I knew the minute I told you, you'd blow it up, because that's what you do.
And you didn't disappoint.
Showing up at their house? How are we supposed to be on your side when you keep pulling stupid shit like that? Who the fuck is on my side? I got a sister who's afraid of me, a mother who sees nothing but a felon, and a cousin who wants nothing to do with me, so who's on my side? You think it happens for no reason? Four years in prison and you are still fucking everything up.
- Yeah, well, you fuck up, too.
- No, we are talking about you.
You had a scholarship to one of the greatest conservatories in the whole country - but no, you're too good for that shit.
- That's not why I left.
[D.]
Sam had to fuck that shit up.
Now what you got? A fucking guitar sitting in the corner doing nothing, 'cause you're too much of a pinche puto to do anything about it.
You know what I would've done to have an ounce of what you have? I can't even get a job making coffee.
I got shit.
That's what I got and that's all I'm ever gonna get.
You got shit because you got caught holding the bag.
Know who doesn't get caught holding the bag? - [Dante.]
There he is, there's my Sam.
- Smart people! Finally want to show up.
Coldblooded, that's right.
Never there when I need him, but always there to kick me down.
Where the fuck are you going? You know what? My family would've told me the truth.
The only family that actually care about me is the one that everybody wants me to stay away from.
You know what? Fine, go.
Go back to your crew, okay? At least I won't have to worry about you messing up my life.
No, you do that all by yourself, Sammy.
Eleanor's the only one that kept you good.
Huh? Yeah, that's why you're mad.
That's why you're mad at me, why you're mad at us all.
'Cause she's gone and she's never coming back.
[Sam.]
Get out my car.
[door shuts.]
[slow piano music playing.]
[doors click shut.]
[click.]
[phone thuds.]
[pages rustle.]
[thud.]
[line rings out.]
It's Nellie.
Leave a message.
[beep.]
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone It's not warm when she's away Ain't no sunshine when she's gone And she's always gone too long Anytime she goes away Wonder this time where she's gone Wonder if she's gone to stay Ain't no sunshine when she's gone And this house just ain't no home - Too young, too dumb to realize - Anytime she goes away That I should have bought you flowers And I know Should have gave you all my hours I know Take you to every party - 'Cause all you wanted to do was dance - I know - I ought to leave young thing alone - Now my baby's dancing - Ain't no sunshine when she's gone - But she's dancing with another man Although it hurts - Ain't no sunshine when she's gone - I'll be the first - Ain't no sunshine when she's gone - To say that I was wrong It's not warm when she's away It's not warm - Oh, I know I'm probably much too late - Ain't no sunshine To try and apologize for my mistakes - But I just want you to know - Ain't no sunshine when she's gone Anytime she goes away I hope he buys you flowers I hope he holds your hand Give you all his hours When he has the chance Take you to every party 'Cause I remember How much you love to dance Do all the things I should've done When I was your man Do all the things I should've done When I was your man [door clicks.]
[slow footsteps.]
[door shuts.]
I'm sorry for the way that I treated you this weekend.
Apology pending acceptance.
So something about me I haven't told you My mom died six months after I left Berklee.
My father to this day still thinks I'm the one responsible.
Which is ridiculous, 'cause she had a stroke.
Didn't have anything to do with me.
But I also know that she wasn't too happy with me when she died.
See, I had run away from the dream that she had for me.
So now every time I go to write a song [takes a breath.]
if it's not perfect all I can think about is how much I'm disappointing her.
Mm.
What about the songs you've been trying to write? They always sound perfect in my head.
Then as soon as I got to lay 'em down they just never I don't know, live up to how I imagined them.
It's an apt metaphor for a lot of things.
[Sam sighs quietly.]
Well, I can tell you that my mother has spent my entire life telling me that I'm not good enough at the thing that I want to do.
So much so that eventually I just stopped making any attempts at it 'cause I just figured I'd fail.
We can't let their expectations get in the way of what we want to do.
What it is that need to do.
What is it that we know we need to do.
Because expectations are not reality.
And you can't walk away from shit because you think it's not going to be perfect.
It's never going to be perfect, ever.
Not me, not my book, not my mom or my dad, not you.
Not your music.
Not your dad.
Us.
And you can't control any of it.
What if I'm not like you? What if I can't change? You've already changed.
Play me everything that you've started.
Okay.
[sighs.]
[strums guitar.]
Time it has a way Of turning seconds into days [strums chords.]
Thank you.
For the new string.
You want a beer? You, uh You sure that's okay? The social worker's not gonna freak out? If it comes up, I'll deal with it.
[door rattles.]
- [door shuts.]
- [strums a chord.]
- [bottles chink.]
- [strums.]
[strums chords.]
[starts playing a tune.]
That's good.
What is it? [stops playing.]
Something I wrote a long time ago.
It's nice to hear.
It's nice to have someone to play it for.
[starts playing.]
You remember my son, Dante? Yeah.
You're mother told me you just got out of prison? It seems to be her favorite thing to tell people about me.
Your mother also told me you're looking for work.
It's not much, but if you want to come help me at practice, make sure the boys stay hydrated, keep the balls, the shoes, the field on point, I could throw you a few bucks at the end of every week.
I I'm not picky, sir.
Thank you.
[laughs.]
Thank you.
Feel like starting now? SÃ.
Time it has a way Of turning seconds into days The world goes spinning in space I'm not gonna play [whispers.]
Oh, yeah.
I'm breathing in As slow as I can breathe [woman.]
Mas? Is that right? Mas, that's me.
With you by my side Eyes open wide I won't sink [door shuts.]
I'm not gonna play Is it just you? Is that okay? I'm not going to blink I'm not gonna Actually it's perfect.
I'm not going to blink