What/If (2019) s01e04 Episode Script

- [THUD.]
- [CAR ALARM BLARING.]
[RATTLING.]
[GASPS.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER CONTINUES.]
It's bad enough that you [WOMAN.]
I'll get rid of it, I swear! Baby, don't leave me, please! No, I can't be alone! [GRUNTS.]
[BREATHING HEAVILY.]
You ruin everything for me.
Wait! [KEYS JINGLE.]
[DOOR LOCK CLICKING.]
[KNOCK AT DOOR.]
Anne? It's Foster.
[KNOCK AT DOOR.]
Anne? I know you're not to be disturbed.
And yet, here you are, disturbing.
Maddie Carter called.
Donovan brought her a check for 50K signed by Avery Watkins.
Retrieve it.
Pay her cash.
[ANNE.]
I know this can't be what you wanted for yourself, Maddie.
I'm prepared to give your life a purpose.
Who are you? Why do you care what happens to me? Let's just say I have a vested interest, Madeline.
Wouldn't you like a fresh start? Beginning with an all-expense-paid trip to a five-star rehab? You also get the chance to even the score with the prom king who left you in the dust.
Sean? [KEYS JINGLING.]
[SOFT THUD.]
[LISA.]
Hi, Castro.
- I have something to show you.
- [ZIPPER ZIPS.]
What's this? Last night at the restaurant, everyone got back the money they loaned my company.
[MADDIE.]
I said cash, and you bring me a check from your wife's company.
You cash this and it's done.
After tonight, my wife and I never see you again.
Should feel like we won the lottery, but instead Yeah.
I know.
Do you remember when we moved in here? The dead mouse I found in the sink? I remember your scream.
I thought we'd get evicted before we'd even unpacked.
Everybody said it would be hard living together, but even that first day it felt like home.
Because I was here with you.
For me too, Lis.
It doesn't feel like home anymore.
It feels broken, like our wedding vase.
It's the same apartment it's always been.
I so want to believe that.
[SNIFFLES.]
I do, but something doesn't unbreak just because you want it to.
It takes work to put it back together.
Where were you all morning? It's opening night.
It's also Saturday.
I was at confession.
Again? What'd you do this time? Slow roll a stop sign? Just been in the mood lately.
Boo.
- Ah! - [GIGGLES.]
- What is all this? - This is theater! For the house staging thing? Yeah.
- Taking it a little overboard? - Don't worry.
After tonight, you won't have to hear about this staging ever again.
Except for when we obsessively rehash my triumph, obviously.
You want us all to wear masks? Not you, the audience.
Imagine, each potential buyer rendered invisible.
The ultimate communion between audience and stage.
You like? Seems like a lot of trouble just to win an office bet.
It's not about a bet, it's about a house.
A house that was once home to the same family for over 60 years and died right alongside its 93-year-old owner.
Tonight isn't just an open house, it's a resurrection.
Oh, Angela and Todd confirmed.
So did Cassidy and her nerd herd.
Nothing from your sister and her husband.
- I'll remind her.
- Good.
Those two give good couple.
The offers will come rolling in.
- [DOOR CLOSES.]
- [FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
[KNOCKS ON WINDOW.]
Hey.
- Hey, Ang.
- Thank you for seeing me.
I was happy you texted.
I've been meaning to call you.
How is everything? Complicated.
I really need your help.
Still in the same boat? Yes, and taking on water.
What is this? DNA samples.
From a pregnant woman and a potential father.
Oh.
- Angela - Please.
I can't run the risk of taking that test anywhere else.
There'd be questions.
Am I allowed to ask if you're okay? I'd go home and my whole marriage feels like this endless game of "Let's pretend we're the same people we were when we met in high school," only I'm not.
I don't expect you to get it.
You and Sean met at the exact right time, and you have this perfect relationship.
People need to stop saying that.
Well, it's true.
Isn't it? Sean had lunch with his ex yesterday and tried to cover it up.
Maddie Carter? Ugh.
Yikes.
Not exactly the comforting response I was fishing for.
Maddie is, was, and will always continue to be one of those girls who's in constant need of saving, and Sean Can't resist a rescue.
- [TV.]
And the two-two pitch.
- [KNOCK AT DOOR.]
- Hey, man.
- Hey.
You're late, probey.
Can I get a "Oh, damn, I'm sorry, Lieutenant.
" Shit.
Cram session.
I forgot.
Hell, yeah, cram session.
Huge exam barreling towards us, entire future hanging in the balance, and you forgot.
Well, my head's not really in the game.
Yeah, no kidding.
So, Maddie? You gonna make me ask? It's handled.
Do I wanna know how? You really don't.
Better we forget the whole thing ever happened.
Line drive to center field.
Already forgotten.
We hitting the books or what? I can't.
I'm working on something important.
[CHUCKLES.]
All right, you do you, Picasso.
I guess I'll surprise Ang, buy some baby books or something.
How's she doing with all that? I don't know.
Something's up, but she won't talk to me.
Got any clue what it's about? Gracie.
Shit, man.
That, uh, makes sense.
Yeah.
Well, good pep talk.
Guess I'll catch you at Lionel's house staging thing tonight.
[SIGHS.]
Fuck.
Hey, at least you're not following it up with an all-night butt-kiss session at Station 51.
[SCOFFS.]
You did volunteer for that.
Yes, I did, because I'm trying to kick ass at this Academy shit.
But you, it's like you're trying to get your ass kicked out.
Do you even want this? I'm all in, Archer.
Trust me, just starting tomorrow.
[MUSIC PLAYING.]
[CASSIDY.]
Should we get down to business? [LISA.]
Yes.
Our first priority is clinical trials.
Where are we on FDA approvals? Ah, technical term, nowhere.
When did curing sick people become a controversial goal? I've actually worked on a lot of these approval applications.
I'd be happy to offer some insight.
On the inner workings of government bureaucracy or your dubious sense of professional loyalty? [PHONE RINGING.]
Hello, Anne.
I am actually.
Yeah, we're both at the office.
Apparently, I'm yachting in Majorca.
I understand.
We'll be right there.
Brace yourself.
We've been summoned.
I got a call from the bank's fraud department this morning.
In the flurry of Emigen checks doled out to your friends and family yesterday, it appears that an unauthorized one for $50,000 was cashed illegally.
By who? Investigators are digging up that information now, but all signs point to an inside job.
Why would they come to you and not me or Cassidy? We're the executors on the account.
Because you are the prime suspect, Mr.
Watkins.
Your signature was on the check.
It's an obvious forgery.
And you must know that or I very much doubt I'd be included in this discussion.
If you're not responsible, it behooves you to determine who is.
I prefer to handle the consequences of this larceny out of public view.
It's my company.
I will handle it.
I should hope so.
Embezzlement says more about a company's leader than it does the thief.
People only take from you as much as you allow.
[IAN.]
You see? It's not so scary up here.
[ANGELA.]
Well, yeah, not if you're sitting down.
[IAN CHUCKLES.]
What? I just can't believe what a perfect match we are.
Has me wondering what kind of superpowers all those rapidly dividing cells might wield one day.
Um, yeah, I should get to rounds.
You just pulled an all-nighter.
You must be dying to go home and go to sleep.
Yeah, that big, empty home and that big, empty bed Ian.
[CHUCKLES.]
Angela, I know you need time and I'm a patient man, but I also know the guy that you're sharing a bed with every night has home court advantage.
Didn't you tell me Todd's got some kind of overnight training shift tonight? Yeah, but Then why don't you come over? See how it feels to really be together for the night.
Yeah, I've got this thing to do tonight with friends.
Come over after.
It's fine, you don't have to spend the whole night.
Unless you want to.
Does that seem like an impossible ask? Maybe, okay? [CHUCKLES.]
I'll take a maybe.
For now.
Okay.
I just don't think any of these people would steal from us.
Is there any reason why we're ignoring the obvious suspect? He comes in with this bullshit story about enlightenment, and a couple days later, someone cashes a check for $50,000 with his signature.
Not exactly a case for Scotland Yard.
I am not arguing.
What makes you so eager to trust him? [KNOCK AT DOOR.]
Hey, Lisa, sorry, this can't wait.
So speak.
I'd prefer to do this one-on-one.
- Cassidy, could you ? - Just think about it.
We have an account name for the stolen money.
Carolina Torres.
Does that mean anything to you? It does.
Are you gonna tell me who it is? I need to speak with Cassidy first.
- Don't you mean Anne? - No Avery, and if you still want a job here, you'll remember that it's me who you work for, not her.
Repeat that name to anyone and you're fired.
[MUSIC PLAYING.]
My, you seem to be enjoying yourself.
Isn't that what money is for? Hm.
Foster informed me of your intention to shirk your end of our bargain.
I did everything you asked.
It's not my fault Sean changed.
He's no longer the man who abandoned you for a better life? He's no longer a violent prevaricator? Whatever that means.
Look, Sean's story hit a dead end.
Just like mine.
He's found himself a second chance.
I'm not gonna screw that up for him or myself.
What do you propose to do instead? Whatever I want.
I'm rich.
[CHUCKLES.]
You are many things, Madeline.
Rich isn't one of them.
Are you absolutely certain this is the choice you want to make? You know, for a smart lady, you catch on real slow.
Well, then I'd like to return everything you brought to the party before parting ways.
Do you know what a vestigial organ is? Don't know, don't give a shit.
It's a relic of evolution.
Take the appendix.
A useless organ with a nasty habit of killing its host.
Luckily It can be excised without consequence.
When something lacks purpose There's no need to miss it when it's gone.
Tell me, Maddie.
Is there anyone who will miss you when you're gone? Or simply those like Sean who will be relieved to see you go.
Get the hell away from me.
Goodbye, Madeline.
[DOOR LOCK RATTLING.]
Hey.
- Didn't know you'd be home so early.
- Neither did I.
[SIGHS.]
Fifty thousand dollars was stolen from Emigen this morning.
Holy shit.
- By who? - Cassidy's dead aunt.
The check was cashed using her ID and bank account.
You think Cassidy was involved? That's ridiculous.
I know that.
You know that.
I just can't let whoever's trying to frame Cassidy know that.
Who wrote the check? It came from Avery's checkbook, but he didn't write it.
Anne did.
Is this the broken vase? Not anymore.
Now it's a picture frame.
I was trying to show you that nothing's ever really broken.
Here.
Pick one.
Hm.
These are all pictures of who we used to be not who we are.
We should get going.
I told Marcos we'd get there early to help set up.
Lisa, we have to talk about this.
No.
We have to go pretend to be the perfect couple.
Your specialty.
[MUSIC PLAYING.]
Tonight, I don't want you all to think of yourselves as actors, but as exemplars of domestic perfection.
Imagine that this is your house, your best life.
And as you play out your scenes, our audiences will wander freely from room to room, these masks allowing them the illusion of invisibility, the forbidden pleasures of voyeurism.
[LAUGHS.]
They will be your gods, judging your every move, so don't fuck up.
- Questions? - So you're copying Sleep No More.
Mm.
No, honey, Sleep No More copied me.
Any good questions? Yeah.
Why is it Christmas in here? So very glad you asked.
Each of your vignettes will play out against a joyous celebratory setting.
Thanksgiving, wedding anniversary, Fourth of July, new baby.
Tonight, together, we make this house our very own circle of life.
Everyone clear on the mission? Yeah.
Fourth of July pool party, your wardrobe awaits on set.
Multicultural Thanksgiving party, you all look great.
Break legs! Hey, why the face? Did Mr.
Wonderful confess? No.
He didn't.
Ready for our night of holy matrimony, wife? Shades of what might have been, huh? Aw, you know we only went on one date.
I knew you were gay before the appetizers came out.
Why didn't you say something? Mm.
Not my secret to tell.
Shall we? Would you like cornbread? Hey, can you hand me that gravy bowl so I can pour the fake gravy over these delicious fake potatoes? This is my favorite part.
[PHONE CHIMES.]
Uh The DNA sequencer uploaded your results.
Rip it off like a Band-Aid.
There's a 99.
9% likelihood that the sample you gave me came from the father.
Okay, thanks.
Oh, nothing like a dinner with friends to make a house feel like a home.
If Lionel expected me to convincingly shack up with your brother, you'd think he'd have sprung for some real champagne.
Stare bear, you better be checking out these new stainless steel appliances.
Henry, oh, my God.
Jesus.
What is wrong? Come with me.
Mm-hm.
More.
Lisa, I am the Ron to your Harry, the Miranda to your Carrie.
What is it? Maybe we should just table this until we're in the office.
I mean, look around.
We're in an office.
We're always in an office.
Hence our long, fruitful, some might say unhealthily boundary-free partnership.
How bad could it be? You're being framed for stealing that check.
Fuck.
I knew it.
That piece of shit.
I don't think it's Avery.
Who else could it be? Anne.
There has been a target on your back since the day she bought in.
What have I ever done besides idolize that woman? It's not about you, it's about this company.
And there's just so much more to the story that I can't tell you.
Not right now.
[SCOFFS.]
What am I supposed to do? Go to the office and pack up your desk.
What? I need Anne to believe her plan worked long enough for us to figure out exactly what her game is.
I need a job, preferably at the company I just spent the last five years giving my heart and soul to.
We're gonna figure this out together.
But right now, you have to trust me.
Yep, I trust you almost as much as I hate you.
[PHONE LINE RINGING.]
[AVERY.]
Hey, Lisa.
Any news? Avery um I just fired Cassidy.
Damn.
I'm sorry.
What did you offer Miss Carter? A choice.
And? She chose poorly.
That's unfortunate.
But not surprising.
I'm not foolish enough to make my plans reliant on a person of Maddie's predilections.
I meant unfortunate for her.
Sure.
She turned out to be more like my mother than I had presumed.
I pledged loyalty to you, Anne.
But don't ask me to stand around and watch you destroy people's lives.
Is that what you think I'm doing? What would you call it? I won't be held responsible for other people's weakness.
Those who are incapable of evolution are nothing more than slaves to their nature.
I might sometimes wish I were wrong about that, but wishing doesn't make it so.
Even for me.
Can you believe it? A wet bar in the living room and a wine cellar in the basement.
This house is a party waiting to happen.
And the acoustics are so great, we could rage all night and the kids sleep right through it.
Woohoo! You and Angela should buy this place.
Todd.
Have you been telling people? Shit.
Sean's not people.
I told you I didn't want anyone knowing.
I haven't even decided what I want to do yet.
I think you mean what we want to do, right? Why are two people in this marriage, but only one is allowed to make decisions? Because one of us has to be the adult.
The other still acts like they're in high school.
Back when there was no question in our minds that having a baby could only prove what we already know.
That we were meant for the long haul? We are not those kids anymore.
You got that damn straight.
Say what you want, but I'm just saying, no one thinks to wonder whether Leia, AKA, twin sister of the greatest Jedi who ever lived, also has the force.
Sure, nothing sexist about that.
It's not about genetics, it's about midichlorians.
- [LAUGHS.]
You did not just say that.
- If you would listen You, the dude applying sunscreen at night? Excuse me if I appreciate verisimilitude.
Sophie, tell him.
Sophie, what are you doing? Is that ganja? Lionel said to live our best lives.
Yeah.
[MAN.]
Gonna share? Hey.
Tonight is turning into the worst staged disaster since Lincoln got shot.
At least no one's been killed.
[GLASS SHATTERS.]
[CHUCKLES.]
Oh.
Mm.
Give me time.
And get in bed.
Time to sex this bitch up.
I shouldn't have said what I said down there.
It's not the same as saying you didn't mean it.
Gracie would have been ten years old last month.
Fourth grade.
Nah.
Through your genes, she would've been halfway to college by now.
That day we came home from the hospital to that crib we never got to use I may have been less than a year out of high school, but that's the day I grew up.
That's also the day I promised myself to spend the rest of my life trying to take the pain out of your eyes.
Somewhere along the way I lost you.
No.
You didn't lose me, Todd.
I was just blinded by the pain.
I'll find my way back.
How do you know for sure? [SIGHS.]
Because we're going to have a baby together.
I'm gonna call the station, let 'em know I can't do the shift tonight.
No.
You need to go.
From now on when we commit to something we do it.
No matter how big or small.
[PHONE VIBRATING.]
It's the boy.
[INHALES.]
Hello, Sean.
How's your evening? Cassidy doesn't deserve this.
Oh, but Avery Watkins does? Selective conscience is no conscience at all, now, is it? You can put a stop to all of this, Sean.
Not with petty theft or primitive chest-thumping but self-sacrifice.
The question remains are you man enough now to do what you should have done the day you met Lisa? Who was that? Never mind, don't answer.
I guess this is just our life now.
It's hard to believe that barely a week ago, things might not have been easy, but we were happy.
I didn't think I'd ever have to feel this way again.
Like I don't know where home is.
What if I told you I might have a way to fix all this? Sean without a time machine, I would say you're sweet for thinking you could, but I don't know if I believe it.
Come home with me.
- Let's talk.
- We've already [SNIFFLES.]
done so much talking.
[SIGHS.]
What I need to do is some thinking.
I'm not leaving you like this.
I don't need rescuing, Sean.
What I need is some space.
Please.
She has no idea what you're capable of, does she? I'm a different man now.
You'd really do anything for her, huh? Yes.
[MUSIC PLAYING.]
Hi, honey.
I'm home.
[CHUCKLES.]
What are you doing here? It's a truth, universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
- I'm the wife.
- Thanks a lot, Lionel.
I'm gonna ignore that note of disgruntlement in your voice.
Did he also make you wear the mask? He mentioned you'd been craving confession.
I thought we'd play.
Tell you a secret.
It's a good one.
Okay.
Bless me, Father - Whatever.
- How about we leave God out of it? Have it your way.
So I'm 17 alone in the locker room with the backup quarterback, shitty throwing arm.
- Humongous - Is this a confession or a porno? Do I have to pick just one? [LAUGHS.]
In that case, it's your turn.
I don't know.
You're feeling guilty about something.
Why not just say it? Say you're right.
Say I once did something so bad my life's one big guilt trip.
Why would I tell you? Because tonight I'm officially no one.
Hey.
I can't.
I'm sorry.
Don't be sorry.
You're not ready.
[KISSES.]
You wanna give them a real show? [CHUCKLES.]
Come.
I wanted to let you know we've traced the misallocation of corporate funds to its source and taken care of the problem.
Interesting choice of phrasing.
As opposed to? "My best friend is a criminal, and I fired her.
" You'll forgive me if I don't find that cause for celebration.
Oh, pleased as I am to see you exercising leadership, I wouldn't waste a drop off my favorite champagne on a thief.
I'm toasting what I think you'll agree is a significant milestone on Emigen's path towards success: the FDA approved clinical trials.
Phase two can start immediately.
Oh, my God.
Where did you hear that? Information finds me.
You should thank Avery.
You're lucky to have him.
I guess I should thank you first.
Whatever sordid twisted road we took to get here we're here.
That much closer to saving lives.
Exitus actus probat.
Commonly misinterpreted as, "The end justifies the means.
" A more precise translation is, "The result justifies the deeds.
" I'm curious.
Now that you're on the brink of greatness are there still limitations to what you'd be willing to sacrifice for your cause? I can tell you that today's events have definitely clarified my priorities both with Emigen and Sean.
Good.
It's unhealthy to dwell on deeds done.
Women like us succeed because we focus on results.
Excellent advice, Anne.
To women like us.
You said that day we met on the park bench, you saw the man I wanted to be.
And I wanted to be him so badly I let you believe it.
But being that man the man that deserves a life with you means telling you the truth.
Even if I'm not sure you'll still love me once you hear it.
- [CHATTER.]
- [MUSIC PLAYING.]
[SNORTS.]
You see where Maddie went? Maddie? [GROANS.]
[MADDIE.]
No.
- Get off me.
- Shut your eyes and enjoy it.
- Get off me.
- Get off her! - You all right? - Yeah.
[GRUNTS.]
[GRUNTING.]
Sean.
Sean! [GRUNTS.]
You touch her again, and I'll kill you! Come on.
Come on, Maddie.
- You okay? Huh? - I'm fine.
You all right? You coming back tomorrow night, man? And the next? Because that drunk slut will.
And I'll be waiting.
- [SCREAM.]
- [THUD.]
Get out of here, Maddie! Go! So did she throw up on your shoes, or ? Holy shit.
Oh, shit.
I thought I could live with it, but everything just fell apart after that night until I couldn't take it anymore.
And I was gonna turn myself in, Lisa, I swear, but, um that was the day I met you.
And I guess I thought I might somehow erase what I did if I could just love you enough.
But now everything's a mess again.
And I'm doing things I never thought I would do to keep this secret from you.
Lisa, that Emigen check, I [PHONE RINGING.]
[SIGHS.]
Lisa, where are you? At the office.
We need to finish this thing with Cassidy.
I forgot my keys at the open house.
Could you go grab them for me? Yeah.
When will I see you? Soon.
I'm ready to talk, Sean.
I've made an important decision about our future.
You afraid I'm gonna steal some furniture? Are you enjoying this delightful Julius Caesar reboot? Et tu, Brute? Julius Caesar was stabbed in the back by his best friend.
I think that makes you Brutus.
I think that makes you a pretentious fuck.
You could try being a little more grateful, given that Anne's agreed not to prosecute.
And you can try not being a sniveling, two-faced weasel, happy to do Anne Montgomery's dirty work.
But we both know the truth.
You know, a little piece of advice, weasel don't fuck with my best friend.
You and I must have different definitions of best friend.
I try not to steal from mine.
You're not gonna make an excuse? Try to justify what you've done? I have to admit, I misjudged you.
I had you pegged as a loyalist.
Well, you can add character judgment to your resume under "things I suck at.
" Not that you'll need to update your resume.
Your place here seems secure.
[DOORBELL.]
Well, you packed light.
Ian, I'm sorry.
I'm not staying.
And I'm not coming back.
Come inside, Angela.
Just give me a chance to talk some sense into you.
- Talk some sense into me? - What about our baby? It's not our baby, Ian.
I'm sorry.
Lionel? Hello? [MUSIC PLAYING.]
Surprised? What's going on? Does Lionel know we're here? I didn't think we needed the broker's permission to christen our new house, but if you want to clear it with him I can get dressed.
You you bought the house? I got some good advice tonight.
Lisa, wait.
Um You asked after that night at the winery if there's anything I wasn't telling you.
There is something.
- Sean - I didn't know if I'd had the nerve to say everything I needed to say to your face.
This way I knew there wouldn't be any question.
Press play.
Before I listen to this, I have one question.
- Do you love me? - More than I ever knew was possible.
Then I already know everything I need to know.
It's not healthy to dwell on deeds done.
We need to stop trying to go back to the people we were and start moving forward.
Forget the past.
Forget [PHONE VIBRATING.]
anyone that tries to divide us.
I've got the cleat.
You and me we're gonna crush it.
["TELL YOU GIRLS" BY ROMA DI LUNA PLAYS.]
[MUSIC ENDS.]
[MUSIC PLAYING.]
[MUSIC FADES OUT.]