Lights Out s01e12 Episode Script
Sucker Punch
Previously on "Lights Out" Were you a good dancer, Bampa? Not bad.
Not as good as my wife.
I bet on the fight.
How much? You looked good the other night.
Boxing.
It used to be the sport of kings.
Just needs someone to reclaim the throne.
I'd like to help you get it back.
You got no choice, Lights.
I own your comeback.
Barry's got the rights to your next fight.
And options on your next two.
Brother Patrick, we're partners.
Barry Word is a cancer on this sport.
How hard would it be to promote a fight without him? Who's that man with aunt Margaret? How much does Barry want? More than we can afford.
I'll talk him down and I'll front that.
We're almost family now.
Just get me to the fight.
Time.
Time.
Good.
Got to give Romeo credit.
You look much freer in there.
I feel good.
Two weeks to go.
You're peaking at the right time.
When are we gonna talk strategy? Huh? When are we gonna talk strategy? How many fights have you fought 37 professional, 100 amateur? So what can I tell you that you don't already know? Pops, I box, you think.
That's our deal.
Yeah.
Well, if I hadn't thought so goddamn much, you might have won your last fight against Reynolds.
You didn't cost me my me It's history.
I can't do this with you and me tap-dancing around each other.
Okay.
You want my two cents? No bullshit? He's a much better fighter than he was five years ago.
He's added 20 pounds of muscle, and he's got the confidence of a champion.
Now, you cannot let him dictate the pace of this fight.
You got to tie him up, and you got to pick your spots.
Think Ali-Foreman.
A war of attrition.
You let him punch himself out for seven or eight rounds, and then, when he begins to tire, you make your move and you knock him out.
You'll be the last man standing.
How do you know? Because you always are.
I need to speak with you.
When we're done, Barry.
Now.
In private.
Away from the circus.
What the hell are you up to? Getting ready for the fight.
Do not toy with me.
The odds of your winning this fight are in free fall.
Overnight, they've gone from 2-1 to 5-1.
That does not happen from out of nowhere.
You think I'm taking a dive? Are you crazy? Why would I do that? Because you're dead broke and you know you can't win.
I'm getting my belt back, Barry.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Lights.
You listen to me, now.
Listen to me.
Barry K.
Word does not promote fixed fights.
You can't sell them.
And you tell your new partner, Mr.
Brennan, whatever he's planning is not going to happen.
This is my fight.
This is my division.
This is my game.
Nothing happens behind my back No-thing! [ Chuckles .]
[ Speed bag thudding, weights clanking .]
Mom? Oh! Hello, pumpkin.
Oh! [ Exhales deeply .]
What are you doing here? I'm back.
I could've scrap money together and go somewhere Arizona or Palm Springs, but I hate the heat.
And Arizona, it's like a furnace.
That's what I hear.
This one was near Joliet, and it was an outpatient program you know, 12 steps, one day at a time.
Good for you, mom.
Well, we both know it was time for me to get sober.
I'm happy for you.
You look terrific.
Oh.
Sunglasses are the secret, sweetie.
Sunglasses and a little lipstick will take you to the market.
You been getting the money I sent you? I know it's not much.
Stop.
That money saved my life, honey every month.
All the years you've supported me, I want to do the same for you.
I'm fine, mom.
That's not what I've been reading.
Arrested? Stabbed? If it was Johnny, I'd get it, but you? What is going on with my baby? Just hit a bad run.
It's all behind me.
Good, because not everyone gets a second chance in life.
You still with your drummer friend? Lester passed away in march.
Emphysema.
I'm sorry.
Look, I don't want to be a distraction.
I just wanted to see you.
Where you staying? Oh, don't worry about me.
I'll find something.
Come on.
You haven't seen the house we built.
And I got three girls at home that ask about you all the time.
[ Exhales sharply .]
You know, I held Ava when she was born, but the others Is it too late, do you think, for them to have a grandma? [ Laughter .]
� Da-dun, da-dun, da-dun-dun-dun � You're so pretty.
[ Laughs .]
Where do you girls think you got your cheekbones? [ Laughs .]
Oh.
What have we here? Oh.
Oh.
Ava: Wow.
Thank you.
I'm sorry, honey.
I forgot the Oh, that's okay.
Thank you.
What is it? A nail rescue kit.
You know, it's very important for young ladies to have luxurious nails.
Katie, how do I look? Is this from when you were a dancer? Now, how do you know about that? Grandpa told her.
Oh, did he? Well, I don't like to brag, but I could move.
[ Girls laugh .]
When I was Ava's age, I was a showgirl in Las Vegas.
I even spent one winter in Rio.
Ava: Rio? I'm so dying to go there.
She still looks great, doesn't she? Yeah, of course she does.
When was the last time you two talked? I meanI call and leave messages on her birthday and on mother's day.
You do? Mm-hmm.
You never told me.
I thought you were still furious with her.
I think she's here to make amends.
With your family? Good luck.
I know.
But if not now, when? Just take it one step at a time with her, okay? I'll go make up her room.
[ Girls talking indistinctly .]
Mae: Yeah.
They were big and famous like Michael Jackson.
You see the line? 5-1.
6-1 as of this morning.
I locked my money in.
What the hell is going on? Well, you're 40 years old, you've fought two rounds in five years, and you're coming off a stab wound? You're lucky you're not 10-1.
Right, but how could the line move so fast? Could they have the ref? No, it's too early.
Besides, the ref's not a guarantee.
Neither is a judge.
The only lock Is a fighter.
Did someone come to you? What are you talking about? Barry thinks Brennan's gonna try to fix this fight.
Nobody came to me.
I swear on Dylan's life.
No matter what I've done I don't even have the time to list it right now I would never do that.
Ever.
It's my belt.
No one's gonna stop me from getting it back.
[ Bell chimes .]
There you are.
I've been saving your booth for an hour.
Yeah? Who you saving all these other booths for? Coffee? Stay for a sec? Family meeting? If this is about Hal No.
Nothing like that.
I don't even know how to start this.
You're having another kid? No way.
If it's a girl, you better throw it back.
Enough out of you.
Johnny: What? It's common sense.
[ Laughs .]
Mom's in town.
She showed up yesterday.
Did she? Two weeks before a championship fight.
It's not like that.
She seems different.
She wants to see you guys to apologize, I guess.
So I'm having dinner at the house Saturday night, and I'd like you both to come.
I don't have a mother.
She's been dead to me since the day she walked out.
Come on, Margaret.
She can go to hell.
I guess she's not coming to dinner.
Champ, I know mom's got like five mini operas and a tragedy, but you got the biggest fight of your life coming up.
She's the last thing we need right now.
But she's here.
And something about it feels right.
I want you to give her a chance.
I mean, how many have I given you? Now, on "All Access", we put Leary and Reynolds "In the Box!" Your host, Charlie Bey.
All right, gentlemen.
Round 1.
Lights, Vegas has you as a 6-1 underdog.
Is that fair? I've been underestimated my whole life.
It just gives me strength.
Why don't you ask Rich if the odds are helping him sleep better.
Ask him yourself.
The whole world knows who won our last fight, and so do you.
We're gonna settle this.
Trillion-dollar question What does Death Row say next? "We're gonna settle this" "Once and for all"? No.
"On September 6th"? Nope.
"For the last time"? No.
And it doesn't matter, because it's all the same.
It's crap.
Predictable and boring.
What are you talking about? These guys couldn't hate each other more.
That's not a show, it's a loop.
I've got Lights saying, "You ducked me.
" I've got Reynolds threatening to retire him for good.
It's like every fight since the dawn of time.
Morales drank his own urine on my show.
That was entertainment.
I need Lights to amp things up.
He did get stabbed, then indicted.
That's not enough for you? It's before camp.
None of it's on film.
Wow.
You're insatiable.
You want to take me out to dinner? For real? No.
But I can suck it up if you can make things interesting.
I need a story.
Otherwise I'm gonna have to make shit up.
You would do that? That's the great thing about news today.
It's halfway around the world before anyone checks a single fact.
Throw a rock in a pond, watch the ripples.
[ Sighs .]
Robert: That's it.
Mm.
Mm.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! [ Bell rings .]
All right.
You look sharp, kid.
That's everything we talked about.
Now I want you to change your shoes and get ready to run.
You owe me six miles.
Mae: Look at you.
Hm.
Still in the ring with our boy.
Mom.
What are you doing here? I came to watch you spar.
I hope that's okay.
Hello, sailor.
He's got to keep that right up.
Yeah.
I know.
He knows.
Did you see his left cross? Oh.
Thing of beauty.
Mae-Mae.
Um, when did you get here? Day before yesterday.
Ah.
Listen, um, I want to get out of this, uh, wet shirt.
Um, get your mom, uh, something to drink or Or something to eat or All we got are these lousy sports waters.
Mom, you should have called or something, given me a heads-up.
You still worry too much, Patrick.
You can't take care of everyone all the time.
[ Sniffs .]
The place still smells the same.
Just for clarity Um, when you say dinner, are you including breakfast the next morning? What's she doing here? John Fitzgerald Leary.
Just look at you.
You're so handsome! And tall.
Who stretched you? A lot happens when you miss 17 years, mom.
All right.
It's okay.
I deserve it.
How's your son? His name is Dylan.
Oh, good.
You named him after your grandfather.
That's thoughtful.
Is this your lady friend? No.
She's I'm Charlie.
Short for Charlotte.
I'm doing interviews.
I'm Mae.
Short for Mae.
I'm the mom.
I didn't know there was one.
Nice story.
Oh, you're looking for stories, sweets? [ Chuckles .]
Have I got stories.
No.
Unh-unh.
Turn it off.
Turn it off.
Keep rolling.
Charlie, shoot anything you want around here, okay? Go talk to the janitor for all I care.
He's a bigger part of the story than she ever was.
Maybe I should go.
Robert: Go where? I was thinking of going by the old house.
Are you still there? Where else would I be? [ Laughs .]
I hear the neighborhood's really gone uphill.
Is Judickie's bakery still around the corner? Dad? I'll buy you a powdered doughnut.
Big spender! Hang on, pops.
We're in the middle of a workout.
Damn right you are.
Don't you, uh, owe me a run? Huh? [ Chuckles .]
I understand Barry came to the gym.
He did.
He's upset about the line.
Thinks you and me are gonna fix the fight.
What did he say exactly? It doesn't matter.
'Cause if you're planning on asking me to take a dive, get another plan.
Dive? Son, that is the last I've worked too hard to get here.
You'll have to kill me first.
And do me a favor.
Stop calling me "son.
" We're not family.
[ Music continues .]
Grandma! Grandma, look! Oh, sweetie! That's lovely.
Katie, let me see.
Come here.
No! No! What are you doing? No! Just a taste.
No, you can't have that.
Mmm.
Reminds me of St.
Patrick's day.
You remember.
When we were kids, she would never let us taste it.
She made us wait forever.
[ Daniella laughs .]
That's because it's supposed to simmer all day long.
Hey, honey.
Dylan.
Why don't you take a taste of this? You can have a taste of this.
Here.
Tell grandma what you think.
There.
It's rich.
Yes! Rich.
Rich is good.
Rich is good.
Why don't you stir for grandma? Sure.
He's very intuitive, Johnny.
An old soul.
I'll tell you what he is.
He's very sensitive.
So if you're planning on picking up and leaving any time soon, do me a favor Don't even talk to him.
Johnny, help me move some chairs? [ Liquid pouring .]
Take it easy, will you? You wanted me here.
This is how I get through it.
I can't believe you kept in touch with her for all these years.
Whose side are you on? She's our mother.
Then how come she's never done anything in her whole life that wasn't for her? Should we set the table, mom? Oh, yeah.
Thanks, honey.
No, the good China.
Oh.
Okay.
Honey, why don't you help the kids go set the table? Okay? Okay.
[ Sighs .]
You know, Johnny was Dylan's age when Robert made him start boxing.
That's why I left the first time.
Really? Yeah.
The family business.
You know, I couldn't stand it.
You should get down on your knees every day and thank God you've got three daughters.
They're safe.
I was so happy when I learned that you got Patrick to retire.
Yeah.
Well, and here we are, so Well, you can take the boxer out of the ring, but You left Robert for a musician? Not a musician.
A drummer.
It was a lateral move.
SoDo you think he'll win this fight? Yeah.
Of course.
And then what? [ Door opens .]
Ava: Look who's here.
Looking very handsome.
Mmm.
Mae's Irish stew.
I brought dessert.
Theresa: Oh, thanks, Robert.
And this is for you.
Why, thank you.
You look good in blue.
Mae: Yoo-hoo.
[ Indistinct conversations, glass chiming .]
Oh, everybody.
Shh.
Shh.
Shh.
All right.
I have to say, I-I wasn't expecting to be welcomed at all.
Patrick and Theresa, it means everything to be here tonight.
I've missed so many birthdays and special occasions.
This feels like one to me, at least.
I know I wasn't much of a mother.
I can't make up for lost time.
But with the days I have left, I am going to make every one of them count If you'll let me.
Ah.
I'll drink to that.
I won't.
[ Laughter .]
Cheers.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Cheers.
[ Girls laugh .]
Grandma, we downloaded some music.
We've got the mambo.
We want to see you dance.
Oh, my goodness.
[ Laughter, up-tempo mambo plays .]
Robert? Daniella: Dance.
Come on.
Grandpa.
Ava: Ooh, grandpa! Whoo! [ Laughter .]
Yeah, grandma.
Katie: Grandma, you go.
Yeah, grandpa.
Whoo! [ Music continues .]
Good job, grandpa.
Whoo! [ Laughs .]
Good job, grandma.
Whoo-hoo! Oh, you guys are doing great.
Grandma can still dance.
Wow! [ Laughs .]
[ Slow music playing .]
You still got it, Mae.
[ Laughs .]
You always said that a boxer, the last thing to go was the punch.
Well, the last thing on a dancer is the legs.
Not yours.
[ Both laugh .]
This house It's sure a long way from our pull-out couch.
Yeah, there's a big price on this place.
I'm not just talking about dollars.
Peace.
I'm out of here.
I've seen this dance before.
It doesn't end well.
Thanks for coming.
Yeah.
I meant to ask You heard from Barry? Not a peep.
Talk to Brennan? He knows where I stand.
Good night.
[ Music continues .]
He'll come around.
My mother didn't just leave 20 years ago.
She left every four or five.
She'd go out on a binge, disappear, and then crawl back.
I had to fill in for her Do my dad's laundry, take care of my brothers.
It robbed me of my life.
You know what I believe? I believe the best days of your life are yet to come.
You promise? Yeah.
[ Mid-tempo hip-hop playing .]
Get down! Get down! [ Gasps .]
[ Gunshots .]
[ Tires squeal .]
[ Indistinct conversations, monitor beeping .]
Are you all right? I'm f-fine.
What the hell happened? Nobody got hurt.
[ Chuckles .]
I needed new windows anyway.
Maggie.
You got to be kidding me.
Flowers.
Purple posies, honey.
Your favorite as a girl.
Oh, don't even try.
Dad, get her out of here.
Margaret.
I-I just want be here for you, honey.
It figures you'd show up now.
Always a crisis junkie.
You know, I've been in the hospital before, and it must be nice to have your family around.
I am the one who got shot at! I don't want her here.
Get her out.
Get her out! Okay.
Come on, Mae.
Mae, let's go outside.
Margaret For Christ's sake.
I told you she was dead to me.
I'm sorry.
She just We're all If anything happened to you, I'd never forgive myself.
I told you it was no big deal.
It is a big deal.
Were you alone? So Brennan was with you.
Yeah.
And he saved my life, okay? Great.
Theresa: Patrick? Your mom's a little shaky.
Take her home.
We'll ride home with Johnny.
Home? Are we safe? Are the girls safe? We'll put security on.
We'll be okay.
Are you sure? Yes.
Okay.
Okay.
I'll see you later.
Yeah.
Well, I've seen this before.
I know what's going on.
You remember a middleweight in the '50s, a kid named Colletta? Well, about a week before his fight, Blinky Palermo and his goons put a bullet through his father's grocery.
Kid took a dive in the third round.
They're softening you up, son.
Softening me up? Who? Who knows? It could be anybody.
Could be Barry.
Could be the Russians.
Could even be Brennan taking a shot at himself just to make it look good.
It doesn't matter.
All I know is somebody is coming.
They picked the wrong guy.
My honor's in that ring.
Everything you taught me.
I ain't taking a dive.
That's not what the line is saying.
Then we got to move it back.
How? How are we gonna do that? Throw a rock in the pond and watch the ripples.
[ Chuckles .]
Things are getting a little complicated.
It's going to take time.
[ Knock on door, door opens .]
Oh.
Sorry.
I got to go.
Robert.
He understands me.
Oh.
Well, uh, I made some lunch.
I-I thought you might be hungry.
Oh.
All right.
She thinks I abandoned her.
[ Scoffs .]
Come on.
She must have been 20 the last time I left.
Give me a break.
Now watch.
Just watch.
She's going to make it so toxic around here.
She's going to turn Robert against me.
What are you looking for? A little Long Island for my iced tea.
[ Laughs .]
Bingo! Bingo, bingo, bingo.
Just a drop to steady my nerves.
Don't tell Patrick, please.
You understand, Theresa.
I know you do.
Understand what? Well, how suffocating it is.
And you're in this house.
I was on a fold-out couch in the living room, taking care of all four of them.
I used to go into the city just for the conversation.
I went once and came back a year later.
Look, I'm not judging you, Mae.
It's why I went back to school.
I needed more.
But at the end of the day, I don't want to miss out on this, on my family.
Well, I stayed as long as I could stomach it.
And this is what I get.
[ Siren wailing .]
[ Tires screech .]
I'm standing outside Death Row Reynolds' apartment, where it appears the champ collapsed this morning after his workout.
Initial reports are that he suffered a mild heart attack.
Good lord.
Poor guy.
Is this for real? It's on the news.
It must be true.
E.
M.
S.
workers were called to the apartment but did not take Mr.
Reynolds with them, fueling speculation of a possible domestic altercation in the Reynolds household.
And now back to you, Ben.
What did you do? You said move the line.
It's at 3-1 and falling.
Nobody thinks you're throwing this fight anymore.
[ Cellphone rings .]
Oh, I got to take this.
Mike Fumosa.
Hey, buddy.
Nothing.
I'm watching the same news you're watching.
Not bad.
Got to wonder why a man in his prime is having a heart attack.
[ Cellphone rings .]
Yeah.
It's not a good time.
It's not great here either.
It's your mom.
What's wrong? I don't know.
She's pretty upset.
SheShe had a drink or two at lunch.
She told me not to tell you.
You got to be kidding me.
Let me talk to her.
She just left.
II called a car for her.
To go where? I don't know.
I think to see your dad.
I know she was talking to him earlier.
Hey, pops.
Yeah.
Did you talk to mom today? No.
Is she all right? Which car company was it? [ Engine idling .]
[ Vehicles passing .]
[ Up-tempo jazz playing .]
Tick-tock, baby.
Yeah, yeah.
What's taking you so long? I told you It's more complicated than I thought.
It's not Robert's house, it's your house.
It's in your goddamn name, huh? So just take him down to the bank and let's get the hell out of here.
To hell with his house.
Patrick's about to fight.
He wins, and we really go to the bank.
So just sit down and relax.
Don't you tell me to relax! [ Gasps .]
Hi, mom.
It's not what you think.
No? No.
Unh-unh.
It's just, um You must be Lester.
You look good for a dead man.
You told him I was dead? Shut up.
I don't see why she has to lie to you.
She's your mother.
You should give her what she deserves.
But no.
What do you do, hmm? You send her a couple of hundred bucks every once in a while.
Big shot.
Heavyweight champ.
Mae: That's enough, Lester.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
Shut the hell up.
You don't ever talk [ grunts .]
Watch out! Watch out! No! No! No! What are you doing? No! Be careful [ Screaming .]
Not his hand! [ Cymbals clattering .]
He has to play! [ Groaning .]
Come on.
MaeMae We'll get it fixed.
Don't worry about it.
[ Moaning .]
He broke my hand, baby.
We'll get it fixed.
We'll get it fixed.
He broke my hand.
Don't worry about it.
[ Moans .]
Oh.
He broke my hand.
Was any of it true? He broke my hand.
Mae [ Horn blaring in distance .]
Mae He broke my hand, baby.
It's okay.
We'll get it fixed.
We'll get it fixed.
Do you have your interview? Yeah.
Hey, honey.
You gonna be okay? I guess.
I thought this time was different.
Her coming back.
The whole family together again.
Now Yeah, but we're together, the ones who matter, and we're behind you.
She's my mom.
I know.
I'm sorry.
You did everything you could.
Announcer: Now, on "All Access," we put Leary and Reynolds "In the Box!" Your host, Charlie Bey.
Okay, gentlemen.
Round two.
Perception versus reality.
Death Row, two days ago, you were a 6-1 favorite.
Now you're even money.
The world is wondering if you're okay.
I'm fine, 'cause nothing happened.
In fact, took an EKG this morning.
Take a look at it.
Look at it! Patrick: Yeah, I'm no doctor, but the lead-up to a fight can be very stressful.
If he's having health problems, my heart goes out to him.
Death Row, there are some other rumors swirling around, including one about a domestic incident No, Charlie.
There was no such thing.
Don't you get it? You're smarter than that.
That's what desperation does.
This whole thing is a stunt.
He's the bum.
Lights, what do you say to that? All I know is, a lot goes on in a family before a fight.
I'm blessed to have mine in my corner.
Death Row, will you be seeking a postponement? That's a good question, Charlie.
Because after the fight, I don't want to hear any excuses.
Death Row don't make excuses.
I'll beat your ass right now.
We can do this right here! Right now! [ Men shouting .]
Man: Save it for the fight.
Save it for the fight, guys.
Get off me.
I'm will whup that ass, Leary.
Bullshitting around.
You're lucky, son.
You know that? You're a punk-ass bitch! You all right? You want to play games?! Play the game of whup-ass on your Irish ass.
You and me, Lights, in the box.
You having fun.
You and Johnny celebrating.
The cat that ate the canary! This bullshit with the ambulance went too far.
I didn't have anything to do with that.
But you want to talk about too far? Someone took a shot at my sister.
That wasn't me.
I had nothing to do with that.
Mm-hmm.
Nobody controls me, Barry.
And stay away from my family.
[ Cellphone ringing .]
[ Indistinct conversations .]
[ Birds chirping .]
He said he would leave me if I didn't do it.
Mm-hmm.
It was his idea.
He forced me to do it.
I should have broken both his hands.
I'm so sorry, Patrick.
The last thing I want to do is hurt you.
I know.
I mean, you most of all.
You've been so good to me.
Just help me.
Please help me.
Help me get away from him.
I want to get clean I do, once and for all.
I want to be here with my real family, with my grandchildren.
I know you do.
Here.
20 grand.
Enough for a fresh start.
No, Patrick.
Please.
Go to Port Authority.
Take a bus to anywhere.
Stop it.
Was this Johnny's idea? Or Theresa's? She doesn't want me here.
I can tell.
She's restless, Patrick.
I know it when I see it.
You're going to lose her.
Mom Let's just pretend you never came.
It was better that way.
[ Crying .]
Oh, Patrick.
No.
Patrick.
[ Sobs .]
That's it! That's it! Now finish him! All right! That's it! Well done, son.
The fight should be tonight! [ Laughs .]
Whoo! Great work.
Hey, why don't we all go out and grab some food? Invite Mae, too.
Just like the old days.
Dad? Yeah.
We need to talk.
She's gone.
[ Velcro unfastening .]
Pretty lady.
Can I give you a lift home? No, thanks.
I'll walk.
What the hell do you think you're doing? My sister's fine, Hal.
Thanks for asking.
I'm as upset as you are, and I promise you, I will never let her get in harm's way again.
Ever.
But you got to stop messing with things you don't understand.
That line was moved for a reason.
You win this fight, my house walks away with enough money to buy out your contract from Barry.
One week from tonight, you are heavyweight champion of the world, I am running the game, and Barry Word is gone.
Forever.
Just be patient, son.
And get ready for war.
[ Train horn blows in distance .]
Not as good as my wife.
I bet on the fight.
How much? You looked good the other night.
Boxing.
It used to be the sport of kings.
Just needs someone to reclaim the throne.
I'd like to help you get it back.
You got no choice, Lights.
I own your comeback.
Barry's got the rights to your next fight.
And options on your next two.
Brother Patrick, we're partners.
Barry Word is a cancer on this sport.
How hard would it be to promote a fight without him? Who's that man with aunt Margaret? How much does Barry want? More than we can afford.
I'll talk him down and I'll front that.
We're almost family now.
Just get me to the fight.
Time.
Time.
Good.
Got to give Romeo credit.
You look much freer in there.
I feel good.
Two weeks to go.
You're peaking at the right time.
When are we gonna talk strategy? Huh? When are we gonna talk strategy? How many fights have you fought 37 professional, 100 amateur? So what can I tell you that you don't already know? Pops, I box, you think.
That's our deal.
Yeah.
Well, if I hadn't thought so goddamn much, you might have won your last fight against Reynolds.
You didn't cost me my me It's history.
I can't do this with you and me tap-dancing around each other.
Okay.
You want my two cents? No bullshit? He's a much better fighter than he was five years ago.
He's added 20 pounds of muscle, and he's got the confidence of a champion.
Now, you cannot let him dictate the pace of this fight.
You got to tie him up, and you got to pick your spots.
Think Ali-Foreman.
A war of attrition.
You let him punch himself out for seven or eight rounds, and then, when he begins to tire, you make your move and you knock him out.
You'll be the last man standing.
How do you know? Because you always are.
I need to speak with you.
When we're done, Barry.
Now.
In private.
Away from the circus.
What the hell are you up to? Getting ready for the fight.
Do not toy with me.
The odds of your winning this fight are in free fall.
Overnight, they've gone from 2-1 to 5-1.
That does not happen from out of nowhere.
You think I'm taking a dive? Are you crazy? Why would I do that? Because you're dead broke and you know you can't win.
I'm getting my belt back, Barry.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Lights.
You listen to me, now.
Listen to me.
Barry K.
Word does not promote fixed fights.
You can't sell them.
And you tell your new partner, Mr.
Brennan, whatever he's planning is not going to happen.
This is my fight.
This is my division.
This is my game.
Nothing happens behind my back No-thing! [ Chuckles .]
[ Speed bag thudding, weights clanking .]
Mom? Oh! Hello, pumpkin.
Oh! [ Exhales deeply .]
What are you doing here? I'm back.
I could've scrap money together and go somewhere Arizona or Palm Springs, but I hate the heat.
And Arizona, it's like a furnace.
That's what I hear.
This one was near Joliet, and it was an outpatient program you know, 12 steps, one day at a time.
Good for you, mom.
Well, we both know it was time for me to get sober.
I'm happy for you.
You look terrific.
Oh.
Sunglasses are the secret, sweetie.
Sunglasses and a little lipstick will take you to the market.
You been getting the money I sent you? I know it's not much.
Stop.
That money saved my life, honey every month.
All the years you've supported me, I want to do the same for you.
I'm fine, mom.
That's not what I've been reading.
Arrested? Stabbed? If it was Johnny, I'd get it, but you? What is going on with my baby? Just hit a bad run.
It's all behind me.
Good, because not everyone gets a second chance in life.
You still with your drummer friend? Lester passed away in march.
Emphysema.
I'm sorry.
Look, I don't want to be a distraction.
I just wanted to see you.
Where you staying? Oh, don't worry about me.
I'll find something.
Come on.
You haven't seen the house we built.
And I got three girls at home that ask about you all the time.
[ Exhales sharply .]
You know, I held Ava when she was born, but the others Is it too late, do you think, for them to have a grandma? [ Laughter .]
� Da-dun, da-dun, da-dun-dun-dun � You're so pretty.
[ Laughs .]
Where do you girls think you got your cheekbones? [ Laughs .]
Oh.
What have we here? Oh.
Oh.
Ava: Wow.
Thank you.
I'm sorry, honey.
I forgot the Oh, that's okay.
Thank you.
What is it? A nail rescue kit.
You know, it's very important for young ladies to have luxurious nails.
Katie, how do I look? Is this from when you were a dancer? Now, how do you know about that? Grandpa told her.
Oh, did he? Well, I don't like to brag, but I could move.
[ Girls laugh .]
When I was Ava's age, I was a showgirl in Las Vegas.
I even spent one winter in Rio.
Ava: Rio? I'm so dying to go there.
She still looks great, doesn't she? Yeah, of course she does.
When was the last time you two talked? I meanI call and leave messages on her birthday and on mother's day.
You do? Mm-hmm.
You never told me.
I thought you were still furious with her.
I think she's here to make amends.
With your family? Good luck.
I know.
But if not now, when? Just take it one step at a time with her, okay? I'll go make up her room.
[ Girls talking indistinctly .]
Mae: Yeah.
They were big and famous like Michael Jackson.
You see the line? 5-1.
6-1 as of this morning.
I locked my money in.
What the hell is going on? Well, you're 40 years old, you've fought two rounds in five years, and you're coming off a stab wound? You're lucky you're not 10-1.
Right, but how could the line move so fast? Could they have the ref? No, it's too early.
Besides, the ref's not a guarantee.
Neither is a judge.
The only lock Is a fighter.
Did someone come to you? What are you talking about? Barry thinks Brennan's gonna try to fix this fight.
Nobody came to me.
I swear on Dylan's life.
No matter what I've done I don't even have the time to list it right now I would never do that.
Ever.
It's my belt.
No one's gonna stop me from getting it back.
[ Bell chimes .]
There you are.
I've been saving your booth for an hour.
Yeah? Who you saving all these other booths for? Coffee? Stay for a sec? Family meeting? If this is about Hal No.
Nothing like that.
I don't even know how to start this.
You're having another kid? No way.
If it's a girl, you better throw it back.
Enough out of you.
Johnny: What? It's common sense.
[ Laughs .]
Mom's in town.
She showed up yesterday.
Did she? Two weeks before a championship fight.
It's not like that.
She seems different.
She wants to see you guys to apologize, I guess.
So I'm having dinner at the house Saturday night, and I'd like you both to come.
I don't have a mother.
She's been dead to me since the day she walked out.
Come on, Margaret.
She can go to hell.
I guess she's not coming to dinner.
Champ, I know mom's got like five mini operas and a tragedy, but you got the biggest fight of your life coming up.
She's the last thing we need right now.
But she's here.
And something about it feels right.
I want you to give her a chance.
I mean, how many have I given you? Now, on "All Access", we put Leary and Reynolds "In the Box!" Your host, Charlie Bey.
All right, gentlemen.
Round 1.
Lights, Vegas has you as a 6-1 underdog.
Is that fair? I've been underestimated my whole life.
It just gives me strength.
Why don't you ask Rich if the odds are helping him sleep better.
Ask him yourself.
The whole world knows who won our last fight, and so do you.
We're gonna settle this.
Trillion-dollar question What does Death Row say next? "We're gonna settle this" "Once and for all"? No.
"On September 6th"? Nope.
"For the last time"? No.
And it doesn't matter, because it's all the same.
It's crap.
Predictable and boring.
What are you talking about? These guys couldn't hate each other more.
That's not a show, it's a loop.
I've got Lights saying, "You ducked me.
" I've got Reynolds threatening to retire him for good.
It's like every fight since the dawn of time.
Morales drank his own urine on my show.
That was entertainment.
I need Lights to amp things up.
He did get stabbed, then indicted.
That's not enough for you? It's before camp.
None of it's on film.
Wow.
You're insatiable.
You want to take me out to dinner? For real? No.
But I can suck it up if you can make things interesting.
I need a story.
Otherwise I'm gonna have to make shit up.
You would do that? That's the great thing about news today.
It's halfway around the world before anyone checks a single fact.
Throw a rock in a pond, watch the ripples.
[ Sighs .]
Robert: That's it.
Mm.
Mm.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! [ Bell rings .]
All right.
You look sharp, kid.
That's everything we talked about.
Now I want you to change your shoes and get ready to run.
You owe me six miles.
Mae: Look at you.
Hm.
Still in the ring with our boy.
Mom.
What are you doing here? I came to watch you spar.
I hope that's okay.
Hello, sailor.
He's got to keep that right up.
Yeah.
I know.
He knows.
Did you see his left cross? Oh.
Thing of beauty.
Mae-Mae.
Um, when did you get here? Day before yesterday.
Ah.
Listen, um, I want to get out of this, uh, wet shirt.
Um, get your mom, uh, something to drink or Or something to eat or All we got are these lousy sports waters.
Mom, you should have called or something, given me a heads-up.
You still worry too much, Patrick.
You can't take care of everyone all the time.
[ Sniffs .]
The place still smells the same.
Just for clarity Um, when you say dinner, are you including breakfast the next morning? What's she doing here? John Fitzgerald Leary.
Just look at you.
You're so handsome! And tall.
Who stretched you? A lot happens when you miss 17 years, mom.
All right.
It's okay.
I deserve it.
How's your son? His name is Dylan.
Oh, good.
You named him after your grandfather.
That's thoughtful.
Is this your lady friend? No.
She's I'm Charlie.
Short for Charlotte.
I'm doing interviews.
I'm Mae.
Short for Mae.
I'm the mom.
I didn't know there was one.
Nice story.
Oh, you're looking for stories, sweets? [ Chuckles .]
Have I got stories.
No.
Unh-unh.
Turn it off.
Turn it off.
Keep rolling.
Charlie, shoot anything you want around here, okay? Go talk to the janitor for all I care.
He's a bigger part of the story than she ever was.
Maybe I should go.
Robert: Go where? I was thinking of going by the old house.
Are you still there? Where else would I be? [ Laughs .]
I hear the neighborhood's really gone uphill.
Is Judickie's bakery still around the corner? Dad? I'll buy you a powdered doughnut.
Big spender! Hang on, pops.
We're in the middle of a workout.
Damn right you are.
Don't you, uh, owe me a run? Huh? [ Chuckles .]
I understand Barry came to the gym.
He did.
He's upset about the line.
Thinks you and me are gonna fix the fight.
What did he say exactly? It doesn't matter.
'Cause if you're planning on asking me to take a dive, get another plan.
Dive? Son, that is the last I've worked too hard to get here.
You'll have to kill me first.
And do me a favor.
Stop calling me "son.
" We're not family.
[ Music continues .]
Grandma! Grandma, look! Oh, sweetie! That's lovely.
Katie, let me see.
Come here.
No! No! What are you doing? No! Just a taste.
No, you can't have that.
Mmm.
Reminds me of St.
Patrick's day.
You remember.
When we were kids, she would never let us taste it.
She made us wait forever.
[ Daniella laughs .]
That's because it's supposed to simmer all day long.
Hey, honey.
Dylan.
Why don't you take a taste of this? You can have a taste of this.
Here.
Tell grandma what you think.
There.
It's rich.
Yes! Rich.
Rich is good.
Rich is good.
Why don't you stir for grandma? Sure.
He's very intuitive, Johnny.
An old soul.
I'll tell you what he is.
He's very sensitive.
So if you're planning on picking up and leaving any time soon, do me a favor Don't even talk to him.
Johnny, help me move some chairs? [ Liquid pouring .]
Take it easy, will you? You wanted me here.
This is how I get through it.
I can't believe you kept in touch with her for all these years.
Whose side are you on? She's our mother.
Then how come she's never done anything in her whole life that wasn't for her? Should we set the table, mom? Oh, yeah.
Thanks, honey.
No, the good China.
Oh.
Okay.
Honey, why don't you help the kids go set the table? Okay? Okay.
[ Sighs .]
You know, Johnny was Dylan's age when Robert made him start boxing.
That's why I left the first time.
Really? Yeah.
The family business.
You know, I couldn't stand it.
You should get down on your knees every day and thank God you've got three daughters.
They're safe.
I was so happy when I learned that you got Patrick to retire.
Yeah.
Well, and here we are, so Well, you can take the boxer out of the ring, but You left Robert for a musician? Not a musician.
A drummer.
It was a lateral move.
SoDo you think he'll win this fight? Yeah.
Of course.
And then what? [ Door opens .]
Ava: Look who's here.
Looking very handsome.
Mmm.
Mae's Irish stew.
I brought dessert.
Theresa: Oh, thanks, Robert.
And this is for you.
Why, thank you.
You look good in blue.
Mae: Yoo-hoo.
[ Indistinct conversations, glass chiming .]
Oh, everybody.
Shh.
Shh.
Shh.
All right.
I have to say, I-I wasn't expecting to be welcomed at all.
Patrick and Theresa, it means everything to be here tonight.
I've missed so many birthdays and special occasions.
This feels like one to me, at least.
I know I wasn't much of a mother.
I can't make up for lost time.
But with the days I have left, I am going to make every one of them count If you'll let me.
Ah.
I'll drink to that.
I won't.
[ Laughter .]
Cheers.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Cheers.
[ Girls laugh .]
Grandma, we downloaded some music.
We've got the mambo.
We want to see you dance.
Oh, my goodness.
[ Laughter, up-tempo mambo plays .]
Robert? Daniella: Dance.
Come on.
Grandpa.
Ava: Ooh, grandpa! Whoo! [ Laughter .]
Yeah, grandma.
Katie: Grandma, you go.
Yeah, grandpa.
Whoo! [ Music continues .]
Good job, grandpa.
Whoo! [ Laughs .]
Good job, grandma.
Whoo-hoo! Oh, you guys are doing great.
Grandma can still dance.
Wow! [ Laughs .]
[ Slow music playing .]
You still got it, Mae.
[ Laughs .]
You always said that a boxer, the last thing to go was the punch.
Well, the last thing on a dancer is the legs.
Not yours.
[ Both laugh .]
This house It's sure a long way from our pull-out couch.
Yeah, there's a big price on this place.
I'm not just talking about dollars.
Peace.
I'm out of here.
I've seen this dance before.
It doesn't end well.
Thanks for coming.
Yeah.
I meant to ask You heard from Barry? Not a peep.
Talk to Brennan? He knows where I stand.
Good night.
[ Music continues .]
He'll come around.
My mother didn't just leave 20 years ago.
She left every four or five.
She'd go out on a binge, disappear, and then crawl back.
I had to fill in for her Do my dad's laundry, take care of my brothers.
It robbed me of my life.
You know what I believe? I believe the best days of your life are yet to come.
You promise? Yeah.
[ Mid-tempo hip-hop playing .]
Get down! Get down! [ Gasps .]
[ Gunshots .]
[ Tires squeal .]
[ Indistinct conversations, monitor beeping .]
Are you all right? I'm f-fine.
What the hell happened? Nobody got hurt.
[ Chuckles .]
I needed new windows anyway.
Maggie.
You got to be kidding me.
Flowers.
Purple posies, honey.
Your favorite as a girl.
Oh, don't even try.
Dad, get her out of here.
Margaret.
I-I just want be here for you, honey.
It figures you'd show up now.
Always a crisis junkie.
You know, I've been in the hospital before, and it must be nice to have your family around.
I am the one who got shot at! I don't want her here.
Get her out.
Get her out! Okay.
Come on, Mae.
Mae, let's go outside.
Margaret For Christ's sake.
I told you she was dead to me.
I'm sorry.
She just We're all If anything happened to you, I'd never forgive myself.
I told you it was no big deal.
It is a big deal.
Were you alone? So Brennan was with you.
Yeah.
And he saved my life, okay? Great.
Theresa: Patrick? Your mom's a little shaky.
Take her home.
We'll ride home with Johnny.
Home? Are we safe? Are the girls safe? We'll put security on.
We'll be okay.
Are you sure? Yes.
Okay.
Okay.
I'll see you later.
Yeah.
Well, I've seen this before.
I know what's going on.
You remember a middleweight in the '50s, a kid named Colletta? Well, about a week before his fight, Blinky Palermo and his goons put a bullet through his father's grocery.
Kid took a dive in the third round.
They're softening you up, son.
Softening me up? Who? Who knows? It could be anybody.
Could be Barry.
Could be the Russians.
Could even be Brennan taking a shot at himself just to make it look good.
It doesn't matter.
All I know is somebody is coming.
They picked the wrong guy.
My honor's in that ring.
Everything you taught me.
I ain't taking a dive.
That's not what the line is saying.
Then we got to move it back.
How? How are we gonna do that? Throw a rock in the pond and watch the ripples.
[ Chuckles .]
Things are getting a little complicated.
It's going to take time.
[ Knock on door, door opens .]
Oh.
Sorry.
I got to go.
Robert.
He understands me.
Oh.
Well, uh, I made some lunch.
I-I thought you might be hungry.
Oh.
All right.
She thinks I abandoned her.
[ Scoffs .]
Come on.
She must have been 20 the last time I left.
Give me a break.
Now watch.
Just watch.
She's going to make it so toxic around here.
She's going to turn Robert against me.
What are you looking for? A little Long Island for my iced tea.
[ Laughs .]
Bingo! Bingo, bingo, bingo.
Just a drop to steady my nerves.
Don't tell Patrick, please.
You understand, Theresa.
I know you do.
Understand what? Well, how suffocating it is.
And you're in this house.
I was on a fold-out couch in the living room, taking care of all four of them.
I used to go into the city just for the conversation.
I went once and came back a year later.
Look, I'm not judging you, Mae.
It's why I went back to school.
I needed more.
But at the end of the day, I don't want to miss out on this, on my family.
Well, I stayed as long as I could stomach it.
And this is what I get.
[ Siren wailing .]
[ Tires screech .]
I'm standing outside Death Row Reynolds' apartment, where it appears the champ collapsed this morning after his workout.
Initial reports are that he suffered a mild heart attack.
Good lord.
Poor guy.
Is this for real? It's on the news.
It must be true.
E.
M.
S.
workers were called to the apartment but did not take Mr.
Reynolds with them, fueling speculation of a possible domestic altercation in the Reynolds household.
And now back to you, Ben.
What did you do? You said move the line.
It's at 3-1 and falling.
Nobody thinks you're throwing this fight anymore.
[ Cellphone rings .]
Oh, I got to take this.
Mike Fumosa.
Hey, buddy.
Nothing.
I'm watching the same news you're watching.
Not bad.
Got to wonder why a man in his prime is having a heart attack.
[ Cellphone rings .]
Yeah.
It's not a good time.
It's not great here either.
It's your mom.
What's wrong? I don't know.
She's pretty upset.
SheShe had a drink or two at lunch.
She told me not to tell you.
You got to be kidding me.
Let me talk to her.
She just left.
II called a car for her.
To go where? I don't know.
I think to see your dad.
I know she was talking to him earlier.
Hey, pops.
Yeah.
Did you talk to mom today? No.
Is she all right? Which car company was it? [ Engine idling .]
[ Vehicles passing .]
[ Up-tempo jazz playing .]
Tick-tock, baby.
Yeah, yeah.
What's taking you so long? I told you It's more complicated than I thought.
It's not Robert's house, it's your house.
It's in your goddamn name, huh? So just take him down to the bank and let's get the hell out of here.
To hell with his house.
Patrick's about to fight.
He wins, and we really go to the bank.
So just sit down and relax.
Don't you tell me to relax! [ Gasps .]
Hi, mom.
It's not what you think.
No? No.
Unh-unh.
It's just, um You must be Lester.
You look good for a dead man.
You told him I was dead? Shut up.
I don't see why she has to lie to you.
She's your mother.
You should give her what she deserves.
But no.
What do you do, hmm? You send her a couple of hundred bucks every once in a while.
Big shot.
Heavyweight champ.
Mae: That's enough, Lester.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
Shut the hell up.
You don't ever talk [ grunts .]
Watch out! Watch out! No! No! No! What are you doing? No! Be careful [ Screaming .]
Not his hand! [ Cymbals clattering .]
He has to play! [ Groaning .]
Come on.
MaeMae We'll get it fixed.
Don't worry about it.
[ Moaning .]
He broke my hand, baby.
We'll get it fixed.
We'll get it fixed.
He broke my hand.
Don't worry about it.
[ Moans .]
Oh.
He broke my hand.
Was any of it true? He broke my hand.
Mae [ Horn blaring in distance .]
Mae He broke my hand, baby.
It's okay.
We'll get it fixed.
We'll get it fixed.
Do you have your interview? Yeah.
Hey, honey.
You gonna be okay? I guess.
I thought this time was different.
Her coming back.
The whole family together again.
Now Yeah, but we're together, the ones who matter, and we're behind you.
She's my mom.
I know.
I'm sorry.
You did everything you could.
Announcer: Now, on "All Access," we put Leary and Reynolds "In the Box!" Your host, Charlie Bey.
Okay, gentlemen.
Round two.
Perception versus reality.
Death Row, two days ago, you were a 6-1 favorite.
Now you're even money.
The world is wondering if you're okay.
I'm fine, 'cause nothing happened.
In fact, took an EKG this morning.
Take a look at it.
Look at it! Patrick: Yeah, I'm no doctor, but the lead-up to a fight can be very stressful.
If he's having health problems, my heart goes out to him.
Death Row, there are some other rumors swirling around, including one about a domestic incident No, Charlie.
There was no such thing.
Don't you get it? You're smarter than that.
That's what desperation does.
This whole thing is a stunt.
He's the bum.
Lights, what do you say to that? All I know is, a lot goes on in a family before a fight.
I'm blessed to have mine in my corner.
Death Row, will you be seeking a postponement? That's a good question, Charlie.
Because after the fight, I don't want to hear any excuses.
Death Row don't make excuses.
I'll beat your ass right now.
We can do this right here! Right now! [ Men shouting .]
Man: Save it for the fight.
Save it for the fight, guys.
Get off me.
I'm will whup that ass, Leary.
Bullshitting around.
You're lucky, son.
You know that? You're a punk-ass bitch! You all right? You want to play games?! Play the game of whup-ass on your Irish ass.
You and me, Lights, in the box.
You having fun.
You and Johnny celebrating.
The cat that ate the canary! This bullshit with the ambulance went too far.
I didn't have anything to do with that.
But you want to talk about too far? Someone took a shot at my sister.
That wasn't me.
I had nothing to do with that.
Mm-hmm.
Nobody controls me, Barry.
And stay away from my family.
[ Cellphone ringing .]
[ Indistinct conversations .]
[ Birds chirping .]
He said he would leave me if I didn't do it.
Mm-hmm.
It was his idea.
He forced me to do it.
I should have broken both his hands.
I'm so sorry, Patrick.
The last thing I want to do is hurt you.
I know.
I mean, you most of all.
You've been so good to me.
Just help me.
Please help me.
Help me get away from him.
I want to get clean I do, once and for all.
I want to be here with my real family, with my grandchildren.
I know you do.
Here.
20 grand.
Enough for a fresh start.
No, Patrick.
Please.
Go to Port Authority.
Take a bus to anywhere.
Stop it.
Was this Johnny's idea? Or Theresa's? She doesn't want me here.
I can tell.
She's restless, Patrick.
I know it when I see it.
You're going to lose her.
Mom Let's just pretend you never came.
It was better that way.
[ Crying .]
Oh, Patrick.
No.
Patrick.
[ Sobs .]
That's it! That's it! Now finish him! All right! That's it! Well done, son.
The fight should be tonight! [ Laughs .]
Whoo! Great work.
Hey, why don't we all go out and grab some food? Invite Mae, too.
Just like the old days.
Dad? Yeah.
We need to talk.
She's gone.
[ Velcro unfastening .]
Pretty lady.
Can I give you a lift home? No, thanks.
I'll walk.
What the hell do you think you're doing? My sister's fine, Hal.
Thanks for asking.
I'm as upset as you are, and I promise you, I will never let her get in harm's way again.
Ever.
But you got to stop messing with things you don't understand.
That line was moved for a reason.
You win this fight, my house walks away with enough money to buy out your contract from Barry.
One week from tonight, you are heavyweight champion of the world, I am running the game, and Barry Word is gone.
Forever.
Just be patient, son.
And get ready for war.
[ Train horn blows in distance .]