The Village (2019) s01e04 Episode Script
Heart On Fire
1 Previously on "The Village" The cancer's back.
I don't want people to know.
I'm gonna take care of you, Gabe-y.
How about we take care of each other.
[GLASS SHATTERS.]
[BREATHES DEEPLY.]
You're coming home.
Momma.
We need to discuss where Sami goes if you're deported.
- Jagger.
- Yeah, hold on.
I'm pregnant.
You told his mother? I was standing up for you, Katie.
That's what a mother does.
Where do you think I'd be if you'd given me up for adoption? I think you'd be loved somewhere.
You're Cooper's wife.
- Yeah, he's dead.
- Yeah, because of me.
[GRUNTS.]
[EMOTIONAL MUSIC.]
[SOFT BEEPING.]
I like your hat.
I know, it might save my hair.
Makes me feel like a fool.
[MACHINE BEEPING.]
[GRUNTS.]
Then we'll be fools together.
[LAUGHS.]
Here we go.
Yeah.
Here we go.
[PLASTIC BERTRAND'S "CA PLAN POUR MOI".]
[GROANING.]
[GASPS.]
- Hey.
- Nice! [INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[PHONE BLEEPS.]
[BLENDER WHIRRING.]
I'm still your case worker, I just took a little vacation.
Well, I'll call unemployment myself.
Yes.
You too.
What the hell is that? A celebration for finishing your first round of chemo.
The day I include kale in my celebrations, I'm throwing in the towel.
It's a good one.
Mmm, mm-hmm.
Yuck.
Hand it over.
- Oh.
- Oh.
- Damn it.
- I got it, I got it.
My fingers are numb.
I know, look, baby, it it's fine.
Go on and sit down.
I've been sitting for two months, I'm tired of sitting.
The doctor says that you'll start feeling better soon.
Well, soon ain't soon enough.
- Patricia - I'll be back.
[SOLEMN MUSIC.]
Porca Miseria, my Gabe-y's trying to work here.
Pops, you're louder than them.
Who the hell moved in up there, a family of pachyderms? [THUDDING.]
Looks like they set a court date for about a month from now.
I think, and again, I'm not really a lawyer yet, but seems like your best case our best case might be to argue that Sami, who is an American citizen, would suffer undue hardship if you were deported.
That's not the case, that's the truth.
I know that, but if there's family willing to take him, I'm thinking it's harder to make that argument.
That's it, I'm coming up there.
Sami's father has a drinking problem.
He has no custody, just supervised visits once a month.
And your former in-laws? If they are willing to financially provide, that hurts my case? I don't really know how much the court digs in, but, I mean, yeah.
Okay, I will talk to them.
Thanks so much, Gabe.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC.]
Thanks, man.
[THUDDING.]
[MUFFLED INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[SCOFFS.]
Good morning.
How are you feeling? Oh, I'm fine.
Everything good? No complaints.
Yes, well, I don't believe that, but I like this So I'm gonna leave it alone.
Just the man I'm looking for.
Patricia, ask and it's yours.
I understand that you have a side business.
Ron's having trouble with his plumbing? Uh, no, no, no.
Ron's Ron's pipes are fine.
I was thinking about something a little more Herbal.
[CHUCKLES.]
Hmm.
I'm a Reiki masseuse and Ken is a practitioner of plant-based medicine.
We brought you some rooibos leaf.
- You make a tea from it.
- Tones the uterus.
Thank you.
It was our hope that our "gift mother" might be willing to pump.
- What? - Milk.
We'd pay for all the supplies, supplements, placenta pills.
I'm sorry, what was that last one? Placenta? It increases milk production, regulates hormones.
- If you - Eat it.
Okay, um, this was great, but I have to go to school, so, thank you.
Katie.
I'm sorry.
This this is not easy.
Honey, if you've changed your mind about adoption, we shouldn't put people through this.
They weren't right.
Neither were the last four.
Placenta smoothie? It is a thing.
Called cannibalism.
I'm not saying they were the ones.
I'm saying that if you don't really want this, we need to be honest about what that means.
Well, that doesn't sound like fun.
It means you can't go to art school.
Because I'm a mother? - Wow.
- Katie 1950 called, they want their stigma back.
Yeah? Well, 2019 needs to back up the Brinks truck, because we don't have money to throw at this.
You don't even have a job.
If you want this baby, we need a plan.
[SIGHS.]
You can do both, okay? It's just how and how much you can commit.
Nursing school took me seven years at night with Patricia watching you for free.
I've been looking for a job.
Nursing home's hiring Part time.
I just need to know what dream to support, Katie.
I'll keep you posted.
[WATER PLOPPING.]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[GASPING.]
[EXHALES.]
[WATER PLOPPING.]
[OMINOUS MUSIC.]
[WATER PLOPPING CONTINUES.]
[GRUNTS.]
[DOG BARKING.]
Nick! Nick.
[PANTING.]
There was a drip.
Radiator.
- They're old.
- [BARKING.]
Nicky, what's going on? Sarah? He'll be fine, I got it.
I didn't mean to scare you.
- It's okay.
- Usual.
Thanks.
Come on.
Does this happen often? You've been dating a couple of months.
I've caught it a few times, not to this extent.
Have you suggested therapy? They don't really take advice from someone who hasn't been there.
Doesn't mean you don't try, right? War changes these men, Sarah.
I've known Nick for years, and he's a good man.
But the boy that you see when you look at him, he didn't make it out alive.
Nick told you about us? We don't keep secrets.
[SOLEMN MUSIC.]
[CLEARS THROAT.]
It was nothing.
Okay.
You good now? Yeah.
I'd ask how you're doing, but I know from Rosemary there's no good answer.
You say, "good," it's a lie.
You say, "bad," you end up comforting them.
[CHUCKLES.]
Rosemary used to say, "You first.
" Conversation rarely came back around.
I remember.
Half the time I'd be the one going on and on about myself.
She loved you.
I've been thinking a lot about her lately.
I just wish I'd known then how terrified she was.
It wasn't fair.
You know what Rosemary loved? A good fight.
Mmm.
She certainly gave cancer that.
There she is.
Patricia, this is Gladys.
We call her The Cook.
[CHUCKLES.]
It's cash only.
It would be helpful to say that I'm Sami's only possible means of support.
We support him too, we always have.
Of course you do, Shirin joon, but surely you believe it would be best if we're all here for him.
What are you asking? I was thinking that if maybe you could sign some statement that is indicating that you are unable or unwilling to be Sami's sole provider We are his grandparents.
And you always will be, but this is just a piece of paper.
It's our signature and it's a lie.
Not completely, you are older, you have a fixed income.
It wouldn't be easy.
Please.
Who's this man? A boyfriend? Is this his idea? This piece of paper that gives up our rights to our grandson? No.
First you take Sami from his father - I took him from his father? - Abbas, please.
I loved your son and I believe he's a good man.
But make no mistakes, his drinking drove us away.
You blame me and shame me and still, I bring your grandson to you.
I tell him you are a good person.
Don't make me a liar.
Save your grandson the pain of losing his mother.
Your paperwork was full of lies.
And you expect us to do the same? I will be the example for my grandson that you have failed to be With honesty and by obeying the law.
And if you're sent away, we will provide for Sami.
Come, Shirin.
Shirin.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC.]
[BABY CRYING.]
Say hello to your grandmother.
[CRYING.]
Sarah? I'm gonna be the 35-year old grandmother of a 17-year old's screaming newborn.
- Cookie? - [ELEVATOR DINGS.]
[HIP HOP MUSIC.]
Hits from the bong That was a really good cookie.
Mmm, our compliments to The Cook.
I'll pass them along when I land.
Hits from the bong How's our girl doing? Burned down another set of adoptive parents.
Oh, of course she did.
She's looking for parents she'd want.
Apparently she has high standards.
It's because she set the bar at you.
How many hands do you have? Okay, so here's what we're gonna do.
We are gonna go get our drink on tonight.
- Patricia - Uh-uh, I have cancer and I say we are having ladies' night.
Somebody call New York's finest? - Me.
- Narc.
These two are gonna need a ride home.
Yeah.
And I'm guessing, I shouldn't ask too many questions.
I was actually hoping to ask a second favor too.
This one's a little harder.
Gabe, hey.
Um, you need to read this.
Are we talking? - Not by choice.
- What is it? Someone with a false accusation looking to make a buck.
Your dad wants us to politely show them the door.
Should be right in your wheelhouse.
[CARS HONKING.]
Miss Lopez, if the city is permitting these evictions, your issue is with them, not our client.
Right, because a fat cat developer would never pay off the city to grease the wheels.
We respect how hard you've been working for your clients, and we can empathize with them.
Yeah? What neighborhood are you from? I'm from Connecticut, where a lot of people defaulted on their home loans.
No, no, no.
My clients didn't default on McMansions, they're being evicted from rent-controlled apartments.
Mr.
Rubenstein is a respected developer.
"Stine.
" Your client's name is Rubenstine.
You don't have clients.
We're on the team.
You're interns.
Well, they sent the interns.
Please don't go, we've been fully briefed on the case.
We'd love to put your concerns to rest.
Ms.
Lopez.
Ms.
Lopez, please.
When did you get this file, this morning? Do you even know what the hell I'm talking about? I know our firm wouldn't facilitate - what you are suggesting.
- [SCOFFS.]
Either you're lying or you've been kept out of the loop.
Either way, you should probably ask yourself why.
Which one do you think it is? Why are you in law school? Is it the ski trips, the fancy suits? My dad's a lawyer.
Well, that's an excuse, it's not a reason.
Look, people become lawyers to get justice or to get paid.
So, if money doesn't matter to you or if people do, here's my card.
[BELL RINGING.]
Katie? - I've been texting.
- I've been pregnant.
How do you, like, feel? What? I'm trying to be cool.
That ship sailed with the fake name.
My mom's asking what your plan is.
Seduce Ryan Gosling, go live on an island.
You know what I mean, like, the adoption and stuff.
Tell your mom when I figure it out, she'll be my first call.
How much longer are you planning to hid it? Forever.
Turns out people think I'm just a melon on two tendrils.
Sylvia Plath? - No? - Katie I'm not gonna tell people it's yours.
- Okay? - Why? 'Cause being pregnant isn't a great look, but you not giving a damn is worse.
Wait.
I thought you should see this.
Someone set your heart on fire.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
Hey.
Get your fancy leg on, you're getting your ass kicked.
I'm not sure it's the best day.
Mmm, not sure I asked.
I'll spot you five points.
Well, you know you're gonna need 'em.
Five minutes.
[GRUNTS.]
[HIP HOP MUSIC.]
Heard you're remodeling the bathroom.
Yeah? Where'd you hear that? Old building, thin walls.
[GRUNTING.]
You hear anything else? That you might need someone to talk to.
You're holding your cup up for the wrong door.
If people in the building minded their business, I probably wouldn't be here.
Man, whatever you're going through, I'm glad you're okay.
But all due respect, New York is not Afghanistan.
- I lost men.
- I lost a boy.
Mine.
He was almost two.
[SOMBER MUSIC.]
Car seats face backwards until the kid's 30 pounds, but they say you should keep 'em that way till at least two.
I insisted.
He stopped breathing sometime before we got upstate.
Congenital heart defect, they said.
My wife never forgave me, and I get it.
If he had been facing us, might have had a chance to save him.
I'm sorry.
So was I.
Lost my wife, drank myself stupid.
Only went to get help when I almost lost the one thing I had left my badge.
What'd you do? Stopped running away.
Uh this is new for me.
Something about leaving Afghanistan, I guess.
Or getting blown up.
Mostly things just spook me.
Door slams, light bulb pops.
And a couple times I heard a drip, suddenly I'm covered in ash and I can't breathe.
Do you know where you are? Ambush, I assume.
[INHALES SHARPLY.]
Well, just keep talking, it'll come to you.
Then it's just a matter of getting right with it.
You make it sound easy.
[LAUGHS.]
Then I misspoke.
And Ben Who sent you? - Sarah.
- [SIGHS.]
If she asks, I gave you name, rank, and serial number.
Where do you put them all? Sambuca stretches the stomach.
Hell of a combination.
Give me a heads up if you're gonna need last rites.
When your Nonna died, she said, "Don't visit me at the cemetery" "I'll be at Veniero's.
" She was enabling your cannoli addiction.
Always with the phone.
I'm gonna write this legal aid lawyer, see if she'll help with Ava.
What the hell is wrong with you? - What? - A Napolitano needs a favor, they ask eye-to-eye.
Just go find her, like a complete stalker? That's a terrible idea.
At least it would show you're desperate.
Waiter.
[SOLEMN PIANO MUSIC.]
Hey, when did you get home? While you were in the shower.
You look nice.
You too.
Um, I told Patricia I'd go out with her, but if you'd rather Amber, Elliot, and I are going to a gallery, - Fort Greene.
- Text me the address.
Yeah.
Um, I applied online, for the nursing home.
Maybe you can put in a word.
I will.
Katie Have a good night.
You too.
[DOOR CLATTERS OPEN AND CLOSES.]
Is it still a ladies' night if I send a bodyguard? [LAUGHS.]
Wow, baby, you look beautiful.
- Mmm.
- Thank you.
[SUCKS TEETH.]
Hey, I know this great little place, history, charm Smalls? Honey, this is meant to be life-affirming.
[LAUGHS.]
That's funny.
The place is coming back, you'll see.
I got big dreams.
And I love you for them.
And for not spraying me down with Lysol on my way out the door.
Yeah, well, don't think it didn't occur to me.
Hmm.
I'll be back.
[CHUCKLES.]
You two have fun.
I need a hero I'm holding out for a hero Till the end of the night - Live music.
- Live Band Karaoke Night.
Oh, no, no, no, no, no.
Come on, now.
Embrace your inner diva.
Yeah, I don't have one of those.
Seriously, Patricia, I don't sing.
And that's what tequila is for.
Two shots you can't reach without a ladder.
Life-affirming, get on board.
Put them on my tab, sweetheart.
Oh, you don't have to do that.
And you don't have to call her sweetheart either.
I'm taking a mentor out too.
I'm about to be a grandmother.
But you should keep it on his tab anyway.
[LAUGHTER.]
To Patricia Davis.
No, no, no, don't do that.
For teaching my daughter what a fighter looks like.
You keep that up, we're gonna need the bottle.
You want me to put that on his tab? Sister, we are gonna get along.
Mmm.
- Ooh.
- Ah.
Okay.
I need a hero I'm holding out for a hero [TRANQUIL ELECTRONIC MUSIC.]
Intense, isn't it? Liam's a genius.
He set my heart on fire.
Join the club.
No, like, that is literally my art burning on the wall.
Is he here? - Where do you get off? - Excuse me? You stole my heart.
- What is she talking about? - I've never seen her before.
I'm talking about your husband's an art thief.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
I believe you're looking for me.
Liam Kelly, art thief.
[HUMMING.]
[KNOCKING AT DOOR.]
Hamid.
Let me in.
- You've been drinking.
- I want to see my son.
Sami's asleep, you shouldn't be here.
You asked my parents to sign away their rights? Only to say caring for him would be a hardship.
You know how much they love him.
I'm not taking him from them.
This boyfriend, is he inside with my son? That's none of your business.
- Who is he? - The guy behind you.
- Is there a problem? - I will handle this, please.
This is your idea, huh? You take my son away from his grandparents? I think she asked you to leave.
Ben, he's not himself.
[CHUCKLES.]
You're in trouble with the law, so you whored yourself to a cop.
[GRUNTS.]
- All right, all right, all right.
- Get him out of here now.
Come on, let's go.
[INDISTINCT.]
Come on.
Call the police, I'm pressing charges.
Hamid, please.
Don't call the police.
You don't tell me what to do.
He's a good man, he made a mistake.
He's violent and won't have him around our son.
This is how you want to have a say in Sami's life? Coming to my door, making demands, calling me a whore? You're better than this, Hamid.
You want my blessing? No, I want you to act like the man I loved, to pull yourself together for your son, and to put the phone away.
I want to see Sami more than once a month.
[PHONE DIALING.]
Twice.
Unsupervised.
Not until you're six months sober, that's what the court said.
911, what's your emergency? - 911, what's your emergency? - [PHONE CLICKS OFF.]
[EXHALES DEEPLY.]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Thank you.
[BAND PLAYING BLUESY MUSIC.]
Here you go.
On the house.
I think I just flirted with a bartender.
[LAUGHS.]
And you are tired, let's go home.
Mm-mmm.
Look at you, weight of the world.
I'm okay.
Everybody hears "cancer" and they think that it's rude to talk about their own problems.
But the truth of it is, you needing me That's life-affirming.
I'm overwhelmed.
Then maybe it's time to call in the cavalry.
I'm told he lives upstairs.
You know Nick is Katie's father? Ron was prowling around and he heard something.
Girl, I have been waiting for you to cough this up for two months.
It's been eating me alive.
And don't think tonight, was not about getting you drunk enough for the sordid details.
Are you gonna tell her soon? Yeah.
And she's gonna hate me.
For a beat.
And then she won't.
And then there will be the two of you.
I guess I'm scared of that too.
Because? [EXHALES DEEPLY.]
Oh, boy.
We're back.
Next up, Sarah Campbell.
Come on up here, Sarah.
- You didn't.
- I might have.
[CROWD CHEERING.]
Sarah.
Whoo-hoo! [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.]
- Oh, yeah! - Whoo.
Oh, yeah.
[BAND PLAYING JANIS JOPLIN'S "PIECE OF MY HEART".]
Want you to come on come on, come on Come on and take it Take another little piece of my heart now baby Break it Break another little piece of my heart now baby Break it Have another little piece of my heart now baby Well, you know you got it if it makes you feel good Your art is literally about destroying my art.
Yes.
Which you stole and now you're making money off of.
Also, yes.
Hold on, hold on, hold on.
First of all, I just want to point out you're provoked.
Which, artistically speaking, is a point in my favor.
Oh.
I didn't steal it.
It was in the rubbish heap about to be incinerated.
My art was documenting the inevitable demise of your art.
Which I wouldn't have done if your art wasn't good.
Beautiful, in fact.
Here, have a go.
You want me to sign your art? Well, it's not exactly my art or your art anymore, is it? It's our art.
The story, continued.
[ELECTRONIC MUSIC.]
Hope I didn't devalue it.
It's too late, already sold.
You, madam, are $300 richer.
- You're serious? - I am.
On one condition.
Show me what else you've done.
Excuse me, do you mind if I sit? I'm waiting for my ride.
Oh, it'd be my pleasure.
Enzo Napolitano.
A Napolitano? [LAUGHS.]
What do you know? My people are from Naples too.
No.
Well, my grandparents.
I'm from East Harlem.
I'm from East Harlem.
And we've never met.
All these years, crisscrossing the same city Well, maybe we did, some subway car in the 70s, our eyes locked.
And then boom, off we went on our own way.
I doubt it.
Handsome Napolitano like you, I'd remember.
Have you tried the cannoli? [LAUGHS.]
I'm gonna go.
You good? Yeah.
Good.
I'll call you in the morning.
Swoon.
Hmm.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC.]
[WATER PLOPPING.]
[BAND PLAYING PEGGY LEE'S "FEVER".]
Never knew how much I loved you Never knew how much I cared When you put your arms around me I get a feeling that's so hard to bear You give me fever When you kiss me Fever when you hold me tight Fever In the morning Fever all through the night [OUT OF BREATH.]
Sun lights up the daytime Moon lights up the night I light up when you call me [BREATHING HEAVY.]
[GASPING.]
Hey.
Did you sing our song tonight? Hmm? You know I don't sing that song for anyone but you.
[CHUCKLING.]
You remember where we were the first time we heard it? I remember what we were doing.
[LAUGHS.]
Ah, the stars out The wind rustling the trees.
Mmm, all those lit windows, the lives behind them.
I'm gonna stop chemo.
[SOMBER MUSIC.]
Ava.
I love you.
I'm in love with you.
But if you ever do something like that again, it's over.
Understood.
Ava, I'm I'm so sorry.
Sofia.
What the hell are you doing here? I was gonna text But you decided to stalk? How did you find me? You gave me your card.
Which doesn't have my home address.
You know why? Because stalkers.
Are you gonna finish all my sentences? [SIGHS.]
You have ten seconds before I mace you.
- Spill it, Brockovich.
- Spill? That your lame-wad firm is screwing my clients.
Oh, no, I'm here about my case.
- Your case? - Yeah, I took this pro-bono thing.
It's my neighbor, which is complicated, because I'm not technically a lawyer yet.
- But she's Iranian - Oh, please tell me you're not trying to pawn off your brown person case.
- No, no, no - Good-bye, soulless corporate white guy.
Screw me, okay? Fine.
This isn't about me.
It's about a woman who might be deported to Iran.
It's about the little boy she'd have to leave behind.
I'm not asking you to take the case, I'm just asking you to help me.
Please, I can't mess this up.
- It was good.
- Only good? I make 'em better.
Cocoa powder or cinnamon? Both.
Olive oil instead of butter.
Sacrilege.
Well, it certainly tastes like a sin.
[BOTH LAUGHING.]
[CAR HORN HONKING.]
Oh, my goodness.
It's for me.
It's raining out.
I'll get you an umbrella.
[CHUCKLING.]
I don't mind a little rain.
But I don't know what she means Wait, wait, I didn't get your name.
I say love, easy, hey, come to me [PHOSPHORESCENT'S "C'EST LA VIE".]
Library book.
But I don't know what that means I'll find you, mia bella.
Don't get me wrong, I love where I come from, but I had this gut feeling I could do something.
So you just came to New York at 18? And you got your first show at 19? It was a group show, and I got lucky.
I landscape terrace gardens, one of the clients happens to have connections.
Right place, right time.
I've got a knack for that.
C'est la vie she say - but I don't know - So you're a student? - Yeah.
- At? Brooklyn School of Visual Design.
Please tell me it's your first year.
Why? Because then you still have time to leave.
Art school is for anxious parents who can't imagine a degree-less child.
But then how do you learn? Future teachers learn.
Artists struggle and output what that struggle inspires them to.
Hmm.
This is it.
It's lovely.
Can I set it on fire? I'm kidding, I'm kidding.
I think you're lovely too.
C'est la vie they say But I don't know what they mean I say love's easy if you let it be All right, come on, it's my turn.
Go make your wish.
C'est la vie they say But I don't know what that means [CAMERA SNAPPING.]
I say all right, well C'est la vie The story, continued.
I stood out in the night In an empty field And I called your name I don't stand out All night in empty fields And call your name no more I waited for days For your voice to answer to me I don't wait up for days For your voice to answer to me no more C'est la vie they say But I don't know what they mean I say love's easy if you let it be [MUSIC DISTORTS.]
Nick? Nick, Nick.
- [GRUNTS.]
- Look at me, it's me.
[BREATHING HEAVY.]
I was on the fire escape.
You're here now.
It's gonna be okay.
[SOBBING.]
[PHOSPHORESCENT'S "C'EST LA VIE" CONTINUES.]
I don't want people to know.
I'm gonna take care of you, Gabe-y.
How about we take care of each other.
[GLASS SHATTERS.]
[BREATHES DEEPLY.]
You're coming home.
Momma.
We need to discuss where Sami goes if you're deported.
- Jagger.
- Yeah, hold on.
I'm pregnant.
You told his mother? I was standing up for you, Katie.
That's what a mother does.
Where do you think I'd be if you'd given me up for adoption? I think you'd be loved somewhere.
You're Cooper's wife.
- Yeah, he's dead.
- Yeah, because of me.
[GRUNTS.]
[EMOTIONAL MUSIC.]
[SOFT BEEPING.]
I like your hat.
I know, it might save my hair.
Makes me feel like a fool.
[MACHINE BEEPING.]
[GRUNTS.]
Then we'll be fools together.
[LAUGHS.]
Here we go.
Yeah.
Here we go.
[PLASTIC BERTRAND'S "CA PLAN POUR MOI".]
[GROANING.]
[GASPS.]
- Hey.
- Nice! [INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[PHONE BLEEPS.]
[BLENDER WHIRRING.]
I'm still your case worker, I just took a little vacation.
Well, I'll call unemployment myself.
Yes.
You too.
What the hell is that? A celebration for finishing your first round of chemo.
The day I include kale in my celebrations, I'm throwing in the towel.
It's a good one.
Mmm, mm-hmm.
Yuck.
Hand it over.
- Oh.
- Oh.
- Damn it.
- I got it, I got it.
My fingers are numb.
I know, look, baby, it it's fine.
Go on and sit down.
I've been sitting for two months, I'm tired of sitting.
The doctor says that you'll start feeling better soon.
Well, soon ain't soon enough.
- Patricia - I'll be back.
[SOLEMN MUSIC.]
Porca Miseria, my Gabe-y's trying to work here.
Pops, you're louder than them.
Who the hell moved in up there, a family of pachyderms? [THUDDING.]
Looks like they set a court date for about a month from now.
I think, and again, I'm not really a lawyer yet, but seems like your best case our best case might be to argue that Sami, who is an American citizen, would suffer undue hardship if you were deported.
That's not the case, that's the truth.
I know that, but if there's family willing to take him, I'm thinking it's harder to make that argument.
That's it, I'm coming up there.
Sami's father has a drinking problem.
He has no custody, just supervised visits once a month.
And your former in-laws? If they are willing to financially provide, that hurts my case? I don't really know how much the court digs in, but, I mean, yeah.
Okay, I will talk to them.
Thanks so much, Gabe.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC.]
Thanks, man.
[THUDDING.]
[MUFFLED INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[SCOFFS.]
Good morning.
How are you feeling? Oh, I'm fine.
Everything good? No complaints.
Yes, well, I don't believe that, but I like this So I'm gonna leave it alone.
Just the man I'm looking for.
Patricia, ask and it's yours.
I understand that you have a side business.
Ron's having trouble with his plumbing? Uh, no, no, no.
Ron's Ron's pipes are fine.
I was thinking about something a little more Herbal.
[CHUCKLES.]
Hmm.
I'm a Reiki masseuse and Ken is a practitioner of plant-based medicine.
We brought you some rooibos leaf.
- You make a tea from it.
- Tones the uterus.
Thank you.
It was our hope that our "gift mother" might be willing to pump.
- What? - Milk.
We'd pay for all the supplies, supplements, placenta pills.
I'm sorry, what was that last one? Placenta? It increases milk production, regulates hormones.
- If you - Eat it.
Okay, um, this was great, but I have to go to school, so, thank you.
Katie.
I'm sorry.
This this is not easy.
Honey, if you've changed your mind about adoption, we shouldn't put people through this.
They weren't right.
Neither were the last four.
Placenta smoothie? It is a thing.
Called cannibalism.
I'm not saying they were the ones.
I'm saying that if you don't really want this, we need to be honest about what that means.
Well, that doesn't sound like fun.
It means you can't go to art school.
Because I'm a mother? - Wow.
- Katie 1950 called, they want their stigma back.
Yeah? Well, 2019 needs to back up the Brinks truck, because we don't have money to throw at this.
You don't even have a job.
If you want this baby, we need a plan.
[SIGHS.]
You can do both, okay? It's just how and how much you can commit.
Nursing school took me seven years at night with Patricia watching you for free.
I've been looking for a job.
Nursing home's hiring Part time.
I just need to know what dream to support, Katie.
I'll keep you posted.
[WATER PLOPPING.]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[GASPING.]
[EXHALES.]
[WATER PLOPPING.]
[OMINOUS MUSIC.]
[WATER PLOPPING CONTINUES.]
[GRUNTS.]
[DOG BARKING.]
Nick! Nick.
[PANTING.]
There was a drip.
Radiator.
- They're old.
- [BARKING.]
Nicky, what's going on? Sarah? He'll be fine, I got it.
I didn't mean to scare you.
- It's okay.
- Usual.
Thanks.
Come on.
Does this happen often? You've been dating a couple of months.
I've caught it a few times, not to this extent.
Have you suggested therapy? They don't really take advice from someone who hasn't been there.
Doesn't mean you don't try, right? War changes these men, Sarah.
I've known Nick for years, and he's a good man.
But the boy that you see when you look at him, he didn't make it out alive.
Nick told you about us? We don't keep secrets.
[SOLEMN MUSIC.]
[CLEARS THROAT.]
It was nothing.
Okay.
You good now? Yeah.
I'd ask how you're doing, but I know from Rosemary there's no good answer.
You say, "good," it's a lie.
You say, "bad," you end up comforting them.
[CHUCKLES.]
Rosemary used to say, "You first.
" Conversation rarely came back around.
I remember.
Half the time I'd be the one going on and on about myself.
She loved you.
I've been thinking a lot about her lately.
I just wish I'd known then how terrified she was.
It wasn't fair.
You know what Rosemary loved? A good fight.
Mmm.
She certainly gave cancer that.
There she is.
Patricia, this is Gladys.
We call her The Cook.
[CHUCKLES.]
It's cash only.
It would be helpful to say that I'm Sami's only possible means of support.
We support him too, we always have.
Of course you do, Shirin joon, but surely you believe it would be best if we're all here for him.
What are you asking? I was thinking that if maybe you could sign some statement that is indicating that you are unable or unwilling to be Sami's sole provider We are his grandparents.
And you always will be, but this is just a piece of paper.
It's our signature and it's a lie.
Not completely, you are older, you have a fixed income.
It wouldn't be easy.
Please.
Who's this man? A boyfriend? Is this his idea? This piece of paper that gives up our rights to our grandson? No.
First you take Sami from his father - I took him from his father? - Abbas, please.
I loved your son and I believe he's a good man.
But make no mistakes, his drinking drove us away.
You blame me and shame me and still, I bring your grandson to you.
I tell him you are a good person.
Don't make me a liar.
Save your grandson the pain of losing his mother.
Your paperwork was full of lies.
And you expect us to do the same? I will be the example for my grandson that you have failed to be With honesty and by obeying the law.
And if you're sent away, we will provide for Sami.
Come, Shirin.
Shirin.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC.]
[BABY CRYING.]
Say hello to your grandmother.
[CRYING.]
Sarah? I'm gonna be the 35-year old grandmother of a 17-year old's screaming newborn.
- Cookie? - [ELEVATOR DINGS.]
[HIP HOP MUSIC.]
Hits from the bong That was a really good cookie.
Mmm, our compliments to The Cook.
I'll pass them along when I land.
Hits from the bong How's our girl doing? Burned down another set of adoptive parents.
Oh, of course she did.
She's looking for parents she'd want.
Apparently she has high standards.
It's because she set the bar at you.
How many hands do you have? Okay, so here's what we're gonna do.
We are gonna go get our drink on tonight.
- Patricia - Uh-uh, I have cancer and I say we are having ladies' night.
Somebody call New York's finest? - Me.
- Narc.
These two are gonna need a ride home.
Yeah.
And I'm guessing, I shouldn't ask too many questions.
I was actually hoping to ask a second favor too.
This one's a little harder.
Gabe, hey.
Um, you need to read this.
Are we talking? - Not by choice.
- What is it? Someone with a false accusation looking to make a buck.
Your dad wants us to politely show them the door.
Should be right in your wheelhouse.
[CARS HONKING.]
Miss Lopez, if the city is permitting these evictions, your issue is with them, not our client.
Right, because a fat cat developer would never pay off the city to grease the wheels.
We respect how hard you've been working for your clients, and we can empathize with them.
Yeah? What neighborhood are you from? I'm from Connecticut, where a lot of people defaulted on their home loans.
No, no, no.
My clients didn't default on McMansions, they're being evicted from rent-controlled apartments.
Mr.
Rubenstein is a respected developer.
"Stine.
" Your client's name is Rubenstine.
You don't have clients.
We're on the team.
You're interns.
Well, they sent the interns.
Please don't go, we've been fully briefed on the case.
We'd love to put your concerns to rest.
Ms.
Lopez.
Ms.
Lopez, please.
When did you get this file, this morning? Do you even know what the hell I'm talking about? I know our firm wouldn't facilitate - what you are suggesting.
- [SCOFFS.]
Either you're lying or you've been kept out of the loop.
Either way, you should probably ask yourself why.
Which one do you think it is? Why are you in law school? Is it the ski trips, the fancy suits? My dad's a lawyer.
Well, that's an excuse, it's not a reason.
Look, people become lawyers to get justice or to get paid.
So, if money doesn't matter to you or if people do, here's my card.
[BELL RINGING.]
Katie? - I've been texting.
- I've been pregnant.
How do you, like, feel? What? I'm trying to be cool.
That ship sailed with the fake name.
My mom's asking what your plan is.
Seduce Ryan Gosling, go live on an island.
You know what I mean, like, the adoption and stuff.
Tell your mom when I figure it out, she'll be my first call.
How much longer are you planning to hid it? Forever.
Turns out people think I'm just a melon on two tendrils.
Sylvia Plath? - No? - Katie I'm not gonna tell people it's yours.
- Okay? - Why? 'Cause being pregnant isn't a great look, but you not giving a damn is worse.
Wait.
I thought you should see this.
Someone set your heart on fire.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
Hey.
Get your fancy leg on, you're getting your ass kicked.
I'm not sure it's the best day.
Mmm, not sure I asked.
I'll spot you five points.
Well, you know you're gonna need 'em.
Five minutes.
[GRUNTS.]
[HIP HOP MUSIC.]
Heard you're remodeling the bathroom.
Yeah? Where'd you hear that? Old building, thin walls.
[GRUNTING.]
You hear anything else? That you might need someone to talk to.
You're holding your cup up for the wrong door.
If people in the building minded their business, I probably wouldn't be here.
Man, whatever you're going through, I'm glad you're okay.
But all due respect, New York is not Afghanistan.
- I lost men.
- I lost a boy.
Mine.
He was almost two.
[SOMBER MUSIC.]
Car seats face backwards until the kid's 30 pounds, but they say you should keep 'em that way till at least two.
I insisted.
He stopped breathing sometime before we got upstate.
Congenital heart defect, they said.
My wife never forgave me, and I get it.
If he had been facing us, might have had a chance to save him.
I'm sorry.
So was I.
Lost my wife, drank myself stupid.
Only went to get help when I almost lost the one thing I had left my badge.
What'd you do? Stopped running away.
Uh this is new for me.
Something about leaving Afghanistan, I guess.
Or getting blown up.
Mostly things just spook me.
Door slams, light bulb pops.
And a couple times I heard a drip, suddenly I'm covered in ash and I can't breathe.
Do you know where you are? Ambush, I assume.
[INHALES SHARPLY.]
Well, just keep talking, it'll come to you.
Then it's just a matter of getting right with it.
You make it sound easy.
[LAUGHS.]
Then I misspoke.
And Ben Who sent you? - Sarah.
- [SIGHS.]
If she asks, I gave you name, rank, and serial number.
Where do you put them all? Sambuca stretches the stomach.
Hell of a combination.
Give me a heads up if you're gonna need last rites.
When your Nonna died, she said, "Don't visit me at the cemetery" "I'll be at Veniero's.
" She was enabling your cannoli addiction.
Always with the phone.
I'm gonna write this legal aid lawyer, see if she'll help with Ava.
What the hell is wrong with you? - What? - A Napolitano needs a favor, they ask eye-to-eye.
Just go find her, like a complete stalker? That's a terrible idea.
At least it would show you're desperate.
Waiter.
[SOLEMN PIANO MUSIC.]
Hey, when did you get home? While you were in the shower.
You look nice.
You too.
Um, I told Patricia I'd go out with her, but if you'd rather Amber, Elliot, and I are going to a gallery, - Fort Greene.
- Text me the address.
Yeah.
Um, I applied online, for the nursing home.
Maybe you can put in a word.
I will.
Katie Have a good night.
You too.
[DOOR CLATTERS OPEN AND CLOSES.]
Is it still a ladies' night if I send a bodyguard? [LAUGHS.]
Wow, baby, you look beautiful.
- Mmm.
- Thank you.
[SUCKS TEETH.]
Hey, I know this great little place, history, charm Smalls? Honey, this is meant to be life-affirming.
[LAUGHS.]
That's funny.
The place is coming back, you'll see.
I got big dreams.
And I love you for them.
And for not spraying me down with Lysol on my way out the door.
Yeah, well, don't think it didn't occur to me.
Hmm.
I'll be back.
[CHUCKLES.]
You two have fun.
I need a hero I'm holding out for a hero Till the end of the night - Live music.
- Live Band Karaoke Night.
Oh, no, no, no, no, no.
Come on, now.
Embrace your inner diva.
Yeah, I don't have one of those.
Seriously, Patricia, I don't sing.
And that's what tequila is for.
Two shots you can't reach without a ladder.
Life-affirming, get on board.
Put them on my tab, sweetheart.
Oh, you don't have to do that.
And you don't have to call her sweetheart either.
I'm taking a mentor out too.
I'm about to be a grandmother.
But you should keep it on his tab anyway.
[LAUGHTER.]
To Patricia Davis.
No, no, no, don't do that.
For teaching my daughter what a fighter looks like.
You keep that up, we're gonna need the bottle.
You want me to put that on his tab? Sister, we are gonna get along.
Mmm.
- Ooh.
- Ah.
Okay.
I need a hero I'm holding out for a hero [TRANQUIL ELECTRONIC MUSIC.]
Intense, isn't it? Liam's a genius.
He set my heart on fire.
Join the club.
No, like, that is literally my art burning on the wall.
Is he here? - Where do you get off? - Excuse me? You stole my heart.
- What is she talking about? - I've never seen her before.
I'm talking about your husband's an art thief.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
I believe you're looking for me.
Liam Kelly, art thief.
[HUMMING.]
[KNOCKING AT DOOR.]
Hamid.
Let me in.
- You've been drinking.
- I want to see my son.
Sami's asleep, you shouldn't be here.
You asked my parents to sign away their rights? Only to say caring for him would be a hardship.
You know how much they love him.
I'm not taking him from them.
This boyfriend, is he inside with my son? That's none of your business.
- Who is he? - The guy behind you.
- Is there a problem? - I will handle this, please.
This is your idea, huh? You take my son away from his grandparents? I think she asked you to leave.
Ben, he's not himself.
[CHUCKLES.]
You're in trouble with the law, so you whored yourself to a cop.
[GRUNTS.]
- All right, all right, all right.
- Get him out of here now.
Come on, let's go.
[INDISTINCT.]
Come on.
Call the police, I'm pressing charges.
Hamid, please.
Don't call the police.
You don't tell me what to do.
He's a good man, he made a mistake.
He's violent and won't have him around our son.
This is how you want to have a say in Sami's life? Coming to my door, making demands, calling me a whore? You're better than this, Hamid.
You want my blessing? No, I want you to act like the man I loved, to pull yourself together for your son, and to put the phone away.
I want to see Sami more than once a month.
[PHONE DIALING.]
Twice.
Unsupervised.
Not until you're six months sober, that's what the court said.
911, what's your emergency? - 911, what's your emergency? - [PHONE CLICKS OFF.]
[EXHALES DEEPLY.]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Thank you.
[BAND PLAYING BLUESY MUSIC.]
Here you go.
On the house.
I think I just flirted with a bartender.
[LAUGHS.]
And you are tired, let's go home.
Mm-mmm.
Look at you, weight of the world.
I'm okay.
Everybody hears "cancer" and they think that it's rude to talk about their own problems.
But the truth of it is, you needing me That's life-affirming.
I'm overwhelmed.
Then maybe it's time to call in the cavalry.
I'm told he lives upstairs.
You know Nick is Katie's father? Ron was prowling around and he heard something.
Girl, I have been waiting for you to cough this up for two months.
It's been eating me alive.
And don't think tonight, was not about getting you drunk enough for the sordid details.
Are you gonna tell her soon? Yeah.
And she's gonna hate me.
For a beat.
And then she won't.
And then there will be the two of you.
I guess I'm scared of that too.
Because? [EXHALES DEEPLY.]
Oh, boy.
We're back.
Next up, Sarah Campbell.
Come on up here, Sarah.
- You didn't.
- I might have.
[CROWD CHEERING.]
Sarah.
Whoo-hoo! [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.]
- Oh, yeah! - Whoo.
Oh, yeah.
[BAND PLAYING JANIS JOPLIN'S "PIECE OF MY HEART".]
Want you to come on come on, come on Come on and take it Take another little piece of my heart now baby Break it Break another little piece of my heart now baby Break it Have another little piece of my heart now baby Well, you know you got it if it makes you feel good Your art is literally about destroying my art.
Yes.
Which you stole and now you're making money off of.
Also, yes.
Hold on, hold on, hold on.
First of all, I just want to point out you're provoked.
Which, artistically speaking, is a point in my favor.
Oh.
I didn't steal it.
It was in the rubbish heap about to be incinerated.
My art was documenting the inevitable demise of your art.
Which I wouldn't have done if your art wasn't good.
Beautiful, in fact.
Here, have a go.
You want me to sign your art? Well, it's not exactly my art or your art anymore, is it? It's our art.
The story, continued.
[ELECTRONIC MUSIC.]
Hope I didn't devalue it.
It's too late, already sold.
You, madam, are $300 richer.
- You're serious? - I am.
On one condition.
Show me what else you've done.
Excuse me, do you mind if I sit? I'm waiting for my ride.
Oh, it'd be my pleasure.
Enzo Napolitano.
A Napolitano? [LAUGHS.]
What do you know? My people are from Naples too.
No.
Well, my grandparents.
I'm from East Harlem.
I'm from East Harlem.
And we've never met.
All these years, crisscrossing the same city Well, maybe we did, some subway car in the 70s, our eyes locked.
And then boom, off we went on our own way.
I doubt it.
Handsome Napolitano like you, I'd remember.
Have you tried the cannoli? [LAUGHS.]
I'm gonna go.
You good? Yeah.
Good.
I'll call you in the morning.
Swoon.
Hmm.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC.]
[WATER PLOPPING.]
[BAND PLAYING PEGGY LEE'S "FEVER".]
Never knew how much I loved you Never knew how much I cared When you put your arms around me I get a feeling that's so hard to bear You give me fever When you kiss me Fever when you hold me tight Fever In the morning Fever all through the night [OUT OF BREATH.]
Sun lights up the daytime Moon lights up the night I light up when you call me [BREATHING HEAVY.]
[GASPING.]
Hey.
Did you sing our song tonight? Hmm? You know I don't sing that song for anyone but you.
[CHUCKLING.]
You remember where we were the first time we heard it? I remember what we were doing.
[LAUGHS.]
Ah, the stars out The wind rustling the trees.
Mmm, all those lit windows, the lives behind them.
I'm gonna stop chemo.
[SOMBER MUSIC.]
Ava.
I love you.
I'm in love with you.
But if you ever do something like that again, it's over.
Understood.
Ava, I'm I'm so sorry.
Sofia.
What the hell are you doing here? I was gonna text But you decided to stalk? How did you find me? You gave me your card.
Which doesn't have my home address.
You know why? Because stalkers.
Are you gonna finish all my sentences? [SIGHS.]
You have ten seconds before I mace you.
- Spill it, Brockovich.
- Spill? That your lame-wad firm is screwing my clients.
Oh, no, I'm here about my case.
- Your case? - Yeah, I took this pro-bono thing.
It's my neighbor, which is complicated, because I'm not technically a lawyer yet.
- But she's Iranian - Oh, please tell me you're not trying to pawn off your brown person case.
- No, no, no - Good-bye, soulless corporate white guy.
Screw me, okay? Fine.
This isn't about me.
It's about a woman who might be deported to Iran.
It's about the little boy she'd have to leave behind.
I'm not asking you to take the case, I'm just asking you to help me.
Please, I can't mess this up.
- It was good.
- Only good? I make 'em better.
Cocoa powder or cinnamon? Both.
Olive oil instead of butter.
Sacrilege.
Well, it certainly tastes like a sin.
[BOTH LAUGHING.]
[CAR HORN HONKING.]
Oh, my goodness.
It's for me.
It's raining out.
I'll get you an umbrella.
[CHUCKLING.]
I don't mind a little rain.
But I don't know what she means Wait, wait, I didn't get your name.
I say love, easy, hey, come to me [PHOSPHORESCENT'S "C'EST LA VIE".]
Library book.
But I don't know what that means I'll find you, mia bella.
Don't get me wrong, I love where I come from, but I had this gut feeling I could do something.
So you just came to New York at 18? And you got your first show at 19? It was a group show, and I got lucky.
I landscape terrace gardens, one of the clients happens to have connections.
Right place, right time.
I've got a knack for that.
C'est la vie she say - but I don't know - So you're a student? - Yeah.
- At? Brooklyn School of Visual Design.
Please tell me it's your first year.
Why? Because then you still have time to leave.
Art school is for anxious parents who can't imagine a degree-less child.
But then how do you learn? Future teachers learn.
Artists struggle and output what that struggle inspires them to.
Hmm.
This is it.
It's lovely.
Can I set it on fire? I'm kidding, I'm kidding.
I think you're lovely too.
C'est la vie they say But I don't know what they mean I say love's easy if you let it be All right, come on, it's my turn.
Go make your wish.
C'est la vie they say But I don't know what that means [CAMERA SNAPPING.]
I say all right, well C'est la vie The story, continued.
I stood out in the night In an empty field And I called your name I don't stand out All night in empty fields And call your name no more I waited for days For your voice to answer to me I don't wait up for days For your voice to answer to me no more C'est la vie they say But I don't know what they mean I say love's easy if you let it be [MUSIC DISTORTS.]
Nick? Nick, Nick.
- [GRUNTS.]
- Look at me, it's me.
[BREATHING HEAVY.]
I was on the fire escape.
You're here now.
It's gonna be okay.
[SOBBING.]
[PHOSPHORESCENT'S "C'EST LA VIE" CONTINUES.]