Panhandle (2022) s01e06 Episode Script

1
Fire crews and emergency personnel
have responded in
the predawn hours this morning
to a devastating fire
at the venerable Perez Sugar Factory.
Authorities are on site,
but the cause of the fire
has not been disclosed.
Generations of Prescotts
walked through those halls.
Yes, I know the fight song, Mother.
I was your father's secretary
when we were married.
- Still going.
- We were so proud to
Know the name of every man and woman
that worked there.
You should not make fun, Bellwether.
You loved inspecting the fields
with your father.
He carried you on his shoulders
so you could see over the cane and
Indigo
thought you were the future.
Note the past tense.
There.
The flames burned hotter
on the top floor,
which means that was
the point of ignition.
The top floor w-was all offices.
It was desks and file storage
and the Girls of Miami-Dade calendar
that no one bothered to take down.
File storage? What files?
Everything schedules,
shipping and receiving,
uh, personnel.
Let's play "Wheel of Arson"
for a minute, Mother.
Say you wanted to destroy a building.
- You mean for the insurance?
- Yes.
You set a fire at the ground level
so that it burns up and out.
But whoever did this,
they didn't want to destroy.
They wanted to target.
Why?
To hide all the names
of the men and women
you were so proud to know
to block us from tracing
how many of them got sick
from the same thing
that ate up Jeremiah Cedar.
How about a comment for "The Post"?
I don't have a comment,
but I do have a question.
Do you still have the key to my house?
No.
I don't know. Maybe.
Do you think that maybe you stopped by
at some point in the last 24 hours?
And don't lie, because I got a Ring.
No, you don't.
And why would I come by
when you're not there?
Why are you looking at me like that?
'Cause I'm trying to decide
if you graduated
from deadbeat dad to criminal.
That's why.
Have a good day.
Sheriff.
Got a minute?
I understand you were let go,
Lorde, which is a damn shame,
but there's nothing I can do about it.
Look, we investigated the Perez family,
and there's a fire.
This this isn't an accident.
I can't even think straight
'cause of this goddamn drone.
I didn't process anything you just said.
We pushed them,
and they burned down a piece
of your county, Sheriff.
They're dangerous.
Look, I know this was arson.
You know it was arson.
But what we don't need
is to put the Perezes on alert
before I have evidence.
Holy shit.
I can't take this anymore.
Now, you pass that message
along to Bell Prescott, too.
Okay.
Look, I'm I'm sorry
your creepy Peeping Tom toy got killed,
but whatever the Perezes are hiding,
there's nothing I can do
because the mayor fired me.
He fired you?
He fired me.
The mayor is an exasperating fribble.
Assuming that's an insult,
the mayor didn't fire me
because he's an idiot
which he is.
He fired me because I didn't do my job.
Because of me?
Yes, because of you.
Look, I-I like you, Bell.
I I have no idea why,
but maybe it's time
for both of us just to move on.
They burned their own factory!
It's a cover-up.
It's practically Nixonian.
This cannot be tolerated.
Okay.
You need to go take all the pills,
and I got to go return my car,
which I'm weirdly gonna miss.
We cannot leave this
up to Sheriff Moonshine
and his Hardy Boys.
I am not a cop anymore, okay?
And I have to go get a job,
or I can't pay rent.
You do have an excellent physique.
You could call Darby and see if there
are any openings at the
Say the words "strip club,"
and I'm gonna kick you in the testicles.
Gentlemen's club?
Has it occurred to you
that if we solve the biggest
unsolved crime in this county,
the mayor will have no choice
but to reinstate you?
Maybe I don't want to get reinstated.
I didn't like that damn job anyway.
You were good at that job
you didn't like.
I see the seeds of greatness
in you, Cammie Lorde.
Oh, you're laying it on way too thick.
I'm not laying it on.
I mean it
With great sincerity.
- We need to go to Tampa.
- Tampa?
- Tampa, Florida?
- No. No, no, no.
You know that's someplace
other than here, right?
The fire burned the hard
copies of the employee files,
but the digital files
of those same copies would be
- At El Calvero in Tampa.
- Exactly.
See? You are good at your job.
Now, with a little training
you would definitely be better.
Okay, w-we're just two people.
What are we supposed to do
with just two people?
She's right. You're both losers.
You're right.
What am I?
I'm just an agoraphobe
with substance-abuse issues
and depressive episodes,
and what are you, even?
You're just an ex-traffic cop
in a one-stoplight town.
Yeah.
We were never gonna solve this thing.
You know what?
Fuck that.
Fuck that tiny box that keeps
getting smaller and smaller
until you can't breathe.
Fuck that traffic light
and the radar gun
and your your depression
and all the alcohol
and those weird suits
you insist on wearing,
even though they make
you look like Mark Twain.
Well, thank you. He is my fashion icon.
Do you really think he'd reinstate me?
Oh, he'd have no choice but to.
Did I did I just get played?
Yeah.
Wow.
You're good.
See you in two hours.
Marcus will pick you up
at the Prescotts', okay?
Just gone for for one night.
Where are you going?
Out of town with Mr. Prescott.
Not, like, out of town.
You know, it's, um it's a work trip.
- We have work to do.
- Are you gonna have sex?
What?
D-do you even know what that word means?
Miss Millicent told me.
It's how you get blue tomatoes.
Oh, baby, no, no, no, no, no sex.
No tomatoes, okay? It's just business.
Do people have sex
the same way as tomatoes?
Yes.
Yes, they do.
Exactly like that.
God, I'm a terrible mother.
A road trip?
You can't even take a shit
without me by your side,
and you're gonna drive on I-75?
Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.
Oh, bay rum.
Are you delusional?
You think she's gonna sleep with you.
If anything, it'll be a pity fuck.
Go away!
- That was not directed at you.
- I figured.
It's cool, man.
But you're never gonna
fit all that into the Porsche.
I was hoping I could borrow a vehicle.
We've got a family beater, but
I mean, I'd have to make up,
like, a bunch of lies.
Prevaricate as needed.
Dude, seriously?
I need it.
What if the hotel lighting
doesn't have a suitable lumen level?
I will remove the lamp
but I will keep the bulb.
I
do not want to know where you got this.
Nope.
And, um
tell me why we need this.
It's like a emotional-support animal.
You know, about a month ago,
I would have thought
that this was just crazy,
but, um, now it's just Monday.
Does this rolling coffin have a, uh
set of keys?
Oh.
I wouldn't take it over 40.
And if it starts to make
a noise like this
Then I would immediately pull
over to the side of the road,
run at least 20 feet from the vehicle.
Once the largest employer in the county,
the site of the Perez Sugar Factory
is now in near-ruin,
as the damage is assessed by authorities
and the source of the fire
is investigated.
Fire wasn't my first choice,
but it was a necessary one.
Yes, please tell me
about all the necessary choices
you've made.
None of the manufacturing
equipment was damaged,
and our insurance will pay for
the rest, so relax, mi vida.
I promise, I covered all our bases.
What? You're not gonna say anything?
Ay, Alejandro, you stupid, stupid man.
Next time you have
a bright idea, don't do it.
After work, can you check on Mother?
Why? Dude,
it's gonna be, like, one night.
She hasn't been alone in years.
What will she do with herself?
Whatever old ladies do, you know
knit, vote Republican,
or kill their husbands.
He's already dead.
So not that.
Ugh!
Your mother insisted.
She does know
that we're just going to Tampa
for one night, right?
Overpacking's kind of a family theme.
You can't do this without me.
I can do this.
- How you doing, camper?
- I'm doing fine.
I'm doing fine.
You need to distract yourself.
I am distracting myself.
I am debating whether it would be worse
to be a trench soldier in World War I
or a foot soldier during the Civil War.
Scholars argue which was bloodier
the Battle of the Somme
or the Battle of Antietam.
W-we're discussing this?
In fact, the bloodiest
was the Battle of Cannae,
during the Second Punic War,
which had a 53.42% fatality rate.
Okay, so you're not a fan of road trips.
Actually
Vida and I used to drive down
to the Keys every summer.
Yeah?
There's a little place
on the south end of Islamorada.
Is it worth a visit?
It used to be.
Now I can't even get
past the county line.
Oh, actually, we passed the county line
about a few miles back.
Mm-hmm.
I have developed a sudden thirst.
- Your mother packed a gun?
- For the road.
That thing looks older
than the state of Florida.
Well, Florida became a state in 1845,
and this became a gun in 1929,
so you are incorrect.
Wow.
Fuck, you're like hanging
out with "Jeopardy!".
There's a note.
"I pressed the bullets myself
so they are untraceable.
Love, Mom."
Wow. That's both so sweet and
so messed up.
Oh, afternoon, Miss Millicent.
Uh, Bell asked me to stop by and just
Is that a new hat?
It's just new to this decade.
I haven't worn this old girl in years.
What's the occasion?
I'm going out.
Did you know that I haven't
left this property in five years?
- Where are you going?
- It's where we're going.
Oh, all right.
We're gonna have so much fun.
Oh, I'd like to do my feet,
if there's time.
Don't you just love
a good callous scrub?
Yeah. I actually have some plans
You wouldn't leave me
stranded, would you?
This isn't the way I told you to go.
I gave you specific directions.
Really? I'm supposed to take directions
from a man who hasn't
left his house in five years?
You ignored me,
and now we are going to die!
Hello, where are you go
Really?
Hey, get back in the
Oh, my God, It's like
I'm in freakin' "Rain Man."
What?
Hey, hey, lady, you looking
for the toll fee in there?
Okay, we're moving now.
Can you get back in the car? Okay.
Oh, God!
Coccoloba uvifera.
Sabal palmetto.
Taxodium distichum.
What is it this time?
Species of trees
native to the Florida Panhandle.
Right. Why don't you know normal stuff?
Like what?
I don't know, like the cast
of "Fast & Furious."
Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson,
Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson,
oh, Paul Walker rest in peace.
Okay, fine. I'm gonna go inside
and get us some cold drinks
and cheesesteaks.
Magnolia grandiflora.
To go.
Hi, Mommy!
Hey, baby.
Is something wrong?
No, I'm just calling to make
sure that everything's okay.
It's great. Dad's awesome.
You're having fun, huh?
Do you want to talk to him?
No, no, no, no, no.
That's that's okay.
I'll just, um
talk to you later, all right?
We're gonna play some more.
I gotta go.
- Okay, I love you, bug.
- Love you.
Okay, bye.
Shit!
Here you go your food.
Are you okay, sweetie?
Are you okay?
You look like you saw a ghost.
There's no such thing as ghosts.
You look strange.
Says the man holding hands
with a life-size hump doll.
Hey, I'm not pretending
to be anything but strange.
Cammie.
- Cammie what happened in there?
- Nothing.
Nothing happened.
Just just drop it, all right?
I'm not gonna lie.
This place kind of rocks.
I haven't been here
in such a long time.
Why so long?
Well, I-I was taking care of everyone
my my husband, my son
My alligator.
You didn't make the list?
Well, you can dream for yourself, but
Life is
Other people.
Maybe it's the bubbles getting to me,
but that sounds like a shitty deal.
Are we gonna talk about it?
Talk about what?
What happened at that roadside diner.
No.
No, we're not gonna talk about it.
You're sad.
For some unaccountable reason,
that's making me sad.
Wanna cry? I would cry with you.
No, no, I don't.
I don't want to cry, okay?
What I want to do is just go
inside and get us checked in.
You stay here and try not to act
like this is your first day
on the planet.
You're you're leaving me?
We both know I can't handle
that responsibility!
It's the car
or a crowded lobby
with half an acre of mirrors.
You pick.
Yeah, that's what I thought.
Stay inside.
No! No, no.
Please tell me this isn't happening.
What are you doing in Tampa?
These things don't just come
out of a magic gumball machine,
you know.
I can't get into that right now.
I just need a refill
immediately.
Scale of one to ten,
where's your anxiety currently?
Orbiting Pluto.
Ah, fine.
I will just live here
under this bus bench.
Whoa. What happened in here?
It's like your brain
exploded all over the room.
Oh, no, if it did,
there would be grey matter
everywhere, blood,
some skull, minimally from the pterion.
The pterion is incredibly fragile.
Now, that's why Maori warriors
created a weapon specifically
designed to fracture it.
You brought a light bulb?
Judge not lest ye be judged,
for with what judgment you
judge, you shall be judged.
I am perfectly happy judging
this whole thing right now.
Oh, by the way, um,
front desk delivered this.
Return address is Brumunddal, Norway.
Excellent.
You know you can take those
with water, right?
That's what normal humans do.
The bitterness is bracing.
Well, now that you mention it,
I do have that nice bottle of rosé.
- Uh-uh, it's almost 6:00.
- What's at 6:00?
I booked us a tour of El Calvero.
We need to scope out the place.
Also, I don't know if there's a way
for you to be low profile.
Seems unlikely, but, um
I considered that.
Should I brace myself?
Do you want to be Orlando
or Panama City Beach?
I should have gone with Orlando.
Can you can you slow down
on those, please?
You must have half of
Walgreen's in your bloodstream.
- I feel just peaches.
- Oh, yeah.
This room houses
our 15-year-old
premium label special reserve
our most prestigious rum.
And here, you'll find one
of our tasting stations,
where you can sample for yourself.
Ahh. That's not half bad.
I mean, 15-year-old booze
it should be good.
Oh, how'd you know that's what it was?
An enchanted willow tree told me.
The tour guide literally just said it.
Can you just can you focus, please?
I am coping.
What are you doing, besides lying
about what happened
back at that roadside diner.
We are past that.
Mm, no, it's still there.
God.
Yeah, I noted the fresh abrasion
on the side of your hand,
because I was watching you
the entire time,
absent a 40-second window
when you disappeared toward
the rear of the establishment.
Clearly, that abrasion occurred
during that interregnum.
There were three things of note.
One, a drug deal to the east
of the building,
but you were not in proximity.
Two, a tangle between two stray dogs
over a strawberry milkshake.
Ah, not that.
And third, a couple in a camper van
emerged from the rear
of the parking area.
A rear parking lot with a palm tree,
whose thorny flesh would
account for that abrasion.
So perhaps a troubling encounter
led you to vent on a poor
little innocent palm tree.
Ah, ah, ah.
The assassins themselves.
Well, it looks like
we just need a key card
to get into the offices.
We could follow a security guard home,
break into his house, steal his card,
print out a copy with an RFID scanner,
then break back in,
and replace his card.
Oh. Oh, that's all we have to do?
We should just do that.
I sense you're being sarcastic.
I am?
Or we could just have drinks
with Ramon and take his card.
Ramon Perez? Like Vida's brother?
So you can just call him?
Why not?
Once upon a time, we were, uh
what's the word?
Chums.
And if you'll follow me
into the next room,
we'll learn some history.
Think of Vida's family
like a school of hungry piranha,
except Ramon is like
the vegetarian in the pack.
When he came out of the closet,
his parents weren't mad that he was gay.
They were mad that
he was dating a Democrat.
Okay, we get his wallet,
we get the key card,
we get the hell out of here.
I feel bad taking advantage of him.
If Grant's right,
this guy is a dealer, Bell.
Bellwether Prescott, my old chum!
You look good, papi.
What is that uh, Barry's or CrossFit
or just drinking
and not leaving the house?
Ding, ding, ding.
It is door number three.
I love it. I love this guy.
This guy's a crack-up.
- Isn't he a crack-up?
- Yeah, fully cracked up.
It's true.
And a señorita by your side.
Dios mío.
The night gets interesting.
Are you two "fucking"?
Why the air quotes?
How much cocaine are you on?
I'm not gonna lie
a fair amount.
Did you get that here, or did
you, uh, bring it yourself?
Papi, ven acá.
Ooh, I am feeling young.
You want a Jell-O shot?
Jell-O shot? Jell-O shot?
- Uh, no, thank you.
- Uh, I'm good.
12 Jell-O shots,
every colour of the rainbow.
Thanks, baby.
Hey, it's getting hot in here.
You want me to take your jacket
and put it over here by mine?
No, baby, I am good.
Now, a pachanguear. Come on.
She's a business partner.
It's a new alcohol venture.
I love it.
Women should run everything,
don't you think?
I like him.
So what's the alcohol?
Your venture?
Oh, coconut Cognac.
I figured we'd steer clear of rum
you know, respect your lane.
Coconut Cognac.
Who would have thought it?
I literally love that.
- I love her. She's a keeper.
- Oh, it's not a romance.
Right.
I think it's a great idea, papi
you know, something for you
to really pour
your energy into, you know?
Told you.
Oh, God, I love Jell-O shots.
Ramon and Vida and I
we used to get into
all sorts of hijinks.
Hijinks?
Yeah. Yeah, that's a word
that grown-ass people use.
But he is not people.
He is Bell.
And, yeah, girl,
we used to get into all types.
Kerfuffles.
Kerfuffles.
So many "kerfuffly" hijinks.
It was just nice to have
someone in the family
that didn't treat me like a mistake.
Oh, Catholics what are you gonna do?
You remember that time we brought
the drag queen carollers
to Alicia's Christmas party?
- Bellwether, Vida
- Qué verguenza.
I should have stayed
in touch when Vida died.
You know, my crazy-ass parents
made that whole mess
20 times more difficult
than it needed to be.
I should have stayed in touch with you.
You're one of the only people
on the whole Earth
that I actually enjoy.
I heard you moved her grave.
Hey, hey, hey.
Con todo respeto,
she should be where you are.
Yeah, that's what Bell thought, too.
If I'd have known it was gonna piss
my puta bitch mother off that much,
I would have told you
to do it years ago.
Puta bitch!
Oh, you have a little
you got a little
Oh.
Ah, ah, ah, you two.
Careful, careful.
Business and pleasure lead to "fucking."
It's not like that.
- Again with the air quotes.
- Take my grandfather Quique.
He built this huge company in Cuba,
moved here, and did it all over again
and almost blew the whole thing
because he had a wandering pinga.
He was "fucking."
Yes!
She's a smart one.
He was dipping into the accounts
to pay off paternity claims.
It got so bad my mom was like,
"Le hago la cruz."
She was ready to show him "the door."
Mm-hmm, and that's how my parents
took control of the company.
My advice
enjoy it while you can.
Good advice
enjoy it
while you can.
- More Jell-O shots!
- Oh.
I like you, Miss Millicent.
It just feels like you're
kind of wasted, you know,
all locked up in that home.
And you
don't you feel a little wasted?
Oh, you mean the crap with my family?
Oh, it's not crap, Checotah.
They just want the best for you.
I don't want to run for Council.
My aunt even tried to buy me a suit.
I don't look good in suits.
I look like a virgin teenager
at his prom.
Don't you think you say
"no" to a lot of life?
What if instead you just said "yes"!
Well, maybe I'm not the only one
who should be taking
that advice, Miss Millicent.
You know?
I think you can call me Millie.
Oh
it's hard being a mother, Checotah.
Well, maybe it's time
for Millie's second act.
You still got some mileage left
on those wheels, right?
Maybe I do, damn it.
I've had a really nice time tonight.
Me too.
Oh.
Oh, here comes the bad news.
Let's see what we got going here.
I like her.
I'm glad you moved on.
I told you, it's not like that.
Papi, relax.
My sister died, but
your heart didn't.
Come on, party animals!
We still have too much liver left!
Oh!
Excuse me, cutie.
I lost the grip on my pole.
Oh, my God. Is everyone okay?
Oh.
What did you say to that go-go dancer?
Um here's 20.
Fall on that guy.
We make a good team.
Yeah, we do.
We really do.
- That was fun.
- Yeah, that was fun.
I don't remember
the last time I had fun.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I I, uh I should go.
Oh, shit.
We need to be at El Calvero
in a few hours.
Yeah.
Good night, Bell.
Good night, Cammie.
The sex doll peanut gallery
does not get an opinion.
Ah, there is nothing more dangerous
than a poorly trained yet heavily armed
Floridian security guard.
You know, back at the bar with Ramon,
I saw someone I'd never seen before
the old you, and it was good.
It was confident and
friendly and handsome.
- Handsome?
- Well
handsome enough. Don't get distracted.
And courageous and
Look, without you,
I wouldn't be here either.
So what do you say we finish
what we started, hmm?
All right.
Spin me a yarn, master thief.
What is your plan?
Well, it's
it's possible you won't like it.
Ma'am? Ma'am, are you hurt?
Dispatch, we got a situation.
I don't like this.
I don't like this at all.
I love it.
Are you sure we're going the right way?
Yes, I'm sure.
You would be, too,
if you didn't spend the entire tour
getting higher than Keith Richards.
We toured this?
It's a joke.
It's that one.
Yeah, that's their office.
Vida and I had
our engagement party here.
Then we went to the Yacht Club
for champagne and some
depressingly amateur ceviche.
No. Oh, no.
No, no, no, no, no, no.
In case you hadn't noticed,
we are mid-felony right now.
I was wrong. I can't do this.
No, wait Ugh.
Oh, my God.
Bell, get up. Come on.
What about that thing I said
about how I wouldn't be here
without you?
I mean, doesn't that mean anything?
Frankly, no.
Great.
Bell, I need you to get
through this password, okay?
Well, it's not far down to paradise
Are you singing right now?
At least it's not for me
And if the wind is right,
you can sail away
Oh, you're seriously singing.
- Find tranquility.
- Okay.
Oh, the canvas can do miracles
Just you wait and see
Vida loved that song.
Here.
Skramstad sent this.
It's a password breaker.
He calls it the Preacher's Daughter.
Why does he call it
the Preacher's Daughter?
- You get lucky every time.
- Oh.
I know it's misogynistic
but in a humorous way.
There's nowhere to plug this in.
Oh, the canvas can do miracles
Just you wait and see
Believe me
Oh.
It's not far to never-never land
Hi.
Lady Florida cop. Hva skjer?
What's up?
Uh, this box thing that you gave Bell.
Ah, yes, the Preacher's Daughter.
Okay. Well, it
'Cause you get lucky every time.
I know.
It's a good one, yes?
Just say yes.
Yeah.
Yeah, it's fine, but there's no port.
I can't I can't plug it in, so
Where's Bellwether?
Currently writhing on the floor.
Okay.
Yeah.
We'll do this old school.
Are there any photos near the computer?
Okay, show me.
Fantasy
It gets the best of me
Anything?
Wait. Stop. The dog.
What's the dog's name?
Okay, Bell, Bell, what's the dog's name?
- Moose.
- Moose.
- Horrible dog.
- Moose.
Endless slobberer.
Okay, try Moose123.
Try Moose1234.
Okay.
Skramstad, thank you, seriously.
All right, so if the workers
really did get sick,
then we need their files
to prove that we're not crazy.
To prove some of us aren't crazy.
Okay, okay. That that's something.
Okay.
I hope you're the chicken dinner.
Let's check the trash.
Bell? Bell?
It looks like they tested
the soil at the sugar plant.
It looks bad.
Bad how bad?
Like poison bad.
What the hell is mill mud?
Mill mud!
Where is the exit?
What happened?
I paid attention on the tour.
Why didn't you?
Hey, I got us up here, didn't I?
Oh, congratulations on 50%
of an outstanding job!
I'm sorry.
I'm lashing out, due to anxiety.
It's a byproduct of
processing and treating sugar.
- What? What is?
- Mill mud.
Since it's free and nutrient-dense,
people reapply it to the field
as a fertiliser,
but if you use too much,
the soil builds up
toxic traces of heavy metal.
And traces of that shit
can get folks sick?
Oh, traces of that shit can
get folks incredibly sick.
It's cane syrup.
There's nothing to see here.
Let's find another way out.
Why would Yasiel be helping
with a delivery?
I don't know. Learning the trade?
Rich people are weird. Let's go.
Sheriff Grant was right.
We'll call him from the road
to congratulate him.
- We have what we came for.
- No, I need evidence.
This is not our problem.
Hey, look, maybe I'm just a former cop,
and you're just you're just a weirdo,
or maybe tonight,
just maybe we're more than that.
Cammie, I want to go home.
And I want my job back.
I don't even know
why I want it back, but I do.
I'm going in that truck
with or without you.
He handed him something.
This is it.
This is the case. Whatever else we get,
Sheriff Grant has 'em
by the balls with this.
Heroin tastes bitter.
Cocaine will numb your soft tissue.
Yeah.
- It's sugar.
- Sugar?
Why would they be hiding sugar?
Sugaring their rum.
Adding granulated sugar
is a cheat to mimic aged rum.
It's unethical, it's disgusting,
but, legally,
it's barely misdemeanour fraud.
So this was nothing?
Just a couple of douchebags
ruining perfectly good rum?
We have the computer files.
That's your victory. We're done.
I can't believe this.
We will workshop
our feelings in the car.
- Let's go.
- Okay, fine.
Officer Lorde.
There's a vehicle crashed
outside my factory
with what appears to be
a sexual apparatus
at the wheel.
I hope you have a good babysitter
because it's gonna be a long night.