Once and Again (1999) s02e06 Episode Script
Food for Thought
Mom, they can figure it out for themselves.
l think it's a good idea to plan the groupings.
l'll bowl with anybody.
l don't want the boys to spend the whole time in the arcade.
They have an arcade? We're gonna have bowling until 3:30, then cake.
Oh, Mom, nobody wants cake.
lt's your birthday.
You got to have cake.
- l hope this cake is chocolate.
- Who says you're invited? Oh, please, please, let me come to your party.
l won't strangle you if you let me come.
- Sorry l'm late.
My amp's shorting.
- Sit.
- The tube amp? Shorts are dangerous.
- That's why l'm fixing it.
Have you checked the tube connector or the AC cord? Come on.
- l love planning your birthdays.
- Why? l don't know.
lt's sort of a mom thing.
- Okay.
Here you go.
- No, l'm okay.
You're not You're not hungry, sweetie? l ate.
- Jess - What? Your dad and l made an appointment for you to talk to someone.
What do you mean? Well, it's just someone who might be able to talk to you to figure out some stuff about eating.
- Mom, l'm not anorexic.
- No, no one said you were.
Sweetie, this is This is not a punishment.
Hey.
Sweetie Listen, if you had trouble with your knees or you had trouble with your eyes, we would take you to a doctor.
lt's the same thing.
lf there's a way to help Mom, l'm not gonna see a shrink.
- He's not a shrink.
- Then what is he? There are all kinds of therapists, and this one happens to work with kids, and Leo says he's nice.
- Mom, Leo knows about this? - Leo's a doctor.
He's worked with this man, sweetie.
lt's not gonna be a big deal.
Mom, it's already a big deal.
[David.]
You ever wonder whether the earth's crust is strong enough to hold up all that weight? [Miles.]
Certainly out-of-town visitors will have no trouble finding it.
[Rick.]
l think it'll have its own weather system.
Rain is not allowed.
You've heard, no doubt, there are those who are less than pleased with the prospect of our little ziggurat.
l particularly enjoyed ''Neighborhood Seeks Slingshot ln Fight With Corporate Goliath.
'' Yeah, well, you said to expect it.
l may have underestimated the level of passion.
God forbid people should be concerned about the fate of their own property, huh? God has generally shown a reluctance to intervene in local politics.
Yes, but local activists have shown no such reluctance.
l think l'm needed on one of our several other now minor projects.
l've found in the past that local politics are extremely sensitive to the blandishments of public relations.
Meaning? l think it's time that corporate America showed some compassion for those they displace.
A pre-emptive strike.
We will befuddle the opposition with our concern.
l have no idea what you're talking about.
Ah, but you shall.
We saw you in the paper this morning.
- Oh, yeah.
- Yeah? Are they really building this thing? - They better.
- From Halsted to the river? That's the plan, yeah.
Got to pay the mortgage somehow.
So, Jess, what time is bowling on Saturday? - 2:00 p.
m.
- Yeah? l'm a good bowler, you know.
We know, Dad.
Have you given any more thought to inviting Grace or Zoe? l'm still l don't know.
lt's no big deal.
l told you that.
Then why do you keep mentioning it? You got to give them some warning, that's all.
Honey, your dad isn't trying to pressure you.
He just doesn't want you to be inadvertently rude.
Only Zoe would want to come.
- So only invite Zoe.
- No, you can't do that.
Hi there.
l'm Daniel Rosenfeld.
Hi.
You must be Jessie.
- Yeah.
- Hi.
Hi.
lf you guys don't mind, l thought maybe l might spend a few minutes with Jessie first to get to know each other.
- Oh, fine.
Absolutely.
- Sure.
Maybe next time, we can sit down together.
- Fine.
- Sure.
[Karen.]
Absolutely.
All right, so you don't like to eat.
You hate eating.
lt disgusts you.
You see one more vegetable or piece of red meat, you'll kill yourself.
No.
You love eating.
This is all a conspiracy.
No.
Well, then what are you doing here? They made me.
So this guy is a friend of Leo's? - No, he just worked with him.
- On what? l don't know.
He just said that he was really good.
- Leo is a - An epidemiologist.
Ah.
But he knows about therapists.
Rick, if you wanted a different therapist, you could have found one.
God, you didn't want to see me when l was 1 3.
My parents made me take piano lessons, and l had no discernible talent whatsoever.
l had to go to recitals.
lf you make it to your 1 4th birthday, they should just give you a medal.
- l'm almost there.
- Congratulations.
- So, what do you like? - What do l like? Yeah, to do, to read, to play? - A lot of things.
- Good.
l like sports, martial arts.
No way.
My son's six, thinks he's a black belt.
Well, l am a black belt in tae kwon do.
Very cool.
What are your grades like? A's.
Excuse me.
All A's? Nobody gets all A's.
There's not a little B in there somewhere? l got a B last year in science second quarter, but my mom spoke to the teacher, and it was this big thing, so l got an A for the rest of the year.
lf you got a C you could never show your face again.
- Why would l get a C? - That's a good question.
l have never met anybody who's ever gotten a C.
Well, l guess l'm just lucky, 'cause l always got good grades.
Very lucky.
Very, very lucky.
Okay, for this tae kwon do, how long did it take you to make black belt? About four years.
How long does it take most kids? - l don't know.
- Yeah, you do.
More, probably.
Like six, seven years, and most never do? l guess so.
So you're a very motivated kid.
- Not really.
- And a modest kid.
- lt's okay to say you're modest.
- l'm modest.
And you demand a lot of yourself.
- That's sort of my family.
- What do you mean? [Jessie.]
Everybody is, like, successful or whatever.
[Rosenfeld.]
Successful in what way? ls it okay if the four of us meet next time? Sure, yeah.
[Jessie.]
Well, my dad is an architect, and he's doing this big project downtown that's in the news, [Rosenfeld.]
Mom's, like, the president? - Uh - Uh, how's Friday afternoon? l was hoping for something sooner.
- Oh - Okay, um [Jessie.]
No, she's a public interest lawyer, She's fighting big corporations and stuff, [Rosenfeld.]
Right, That's a successful family, [Rick.]
l can't.
l have a meeting.
- How about brothers and sisters? - l have a brother.
And he's the president.
- No, but he is a great athlete.
- And also gets all A's.
Well, he has, like, this learning disability.
What? - He has trouble reading.
- A learning disability? lt's not like he's not smart.
- That's not very successful.
- What do you mean? You told me everybody in your family was successful.
- So? - l'm confused.
lf everybody's successful, your parents are divorced - and your brother has a disability? - Nobody's perfect.
- Ah.
- What? - Except you.
- l'm not perfect.
- You're not? - No.
l'm, like, l'm a slob and a million things.
l'm not popular.
l'm just, like, this dork.
- [Rosenfeld.]
How do your parents feel? - [Jessie.]
Don't know, - So, Jess, what did you think? - l don't know.
- Did you like him? - He was okay.
- What did you guys talk about? - Just stuff.
[Rosenfeld.]
Why'd they have you come here? They think l'm anorexic.
- Did he talk to you about your eating? - Sort of.
- [Rosenfeld.]
They're upset about that? - Oh, yes.
[Karen.]
There are some things in life that we can't control, so when there's something that we can do something about, we owe it to ourselves to try.
lf your mom went to the teacher if you got a B, l can imagine how upset they'd be if you were anorexic.
- Yeah.
- Kind of like a C or a D.
[Karen.]
l have to go back to the office.
- See you tomorrow.
- Bye, Mom.
So l'm going to want to see you again, Jessie.
Do you understand? Yeah.
Not 'cause your parents want you to.
Only if you want to.
Okay? So, what grade do l get? [man.]
They say they don't want a deposition if it doesn't include testimony from the insurance company.
- Long lunch break? - l should be so lucky.
We had an interesting call from a group on the north side.
- A group? - Angry group.
They're looking for an injunction against a big developer.
- Like a shopping center? - No.
More like Disneyland.
- What do you mean? - lt's been in all the papers, that huge Atlantor group by the river, where they're talking about tearing down a whole neighborhood.
What? And this group wants to put in - an injunction to stop it? - They want us to get it for them.
- Not bad if you're in for a good fight.
- Oh, yeah.
You want to take it on? Be right up your alley.
Let me just let me just try and see how this all fits - into everything else l'm - We should have an answer by Friday.
Okay.
lsn't that the? What your husband? Uh-huh.
- Oh, hey, Jessie.
- Hi, Grace.
How's the freshman team? - Pretty bad.
- We haven't won a game yet.
Let's go.
l don't want to run laps because of you.
You couldn't run if they made you.
Grace, um, it's my birthday on Saturday, and my parents are making me have this bowling party.
l was just wondering if you wanted to come, or maybe just bowl for free a little.
Oh, l guess.
l don't really know what's happening Saturday.
l could call you.
- lt sounds really cool, though.
- Okay.
Thanks.
- [phone rings.]
- Oh, damn it! - [ringing.]
- Hello? - [woman.]
Miles Drentell calling, - God.
Okay.
[Miles.]
Good afternoon, Rick, Hi, Miles.
Can l call you back in an hour? l thought you might be interested in a piece of intelligence that's come my way.
Have you heard of a law firm by the name of Harris, Riegert, Sammler? Yeah.
What about it? They appear to have taken up the righteous cause of the aggrieved neighborhood bordering Halsted, Wha? - You're kidding me, - Oh, yes.
l love to kid when millions of dollars are at stake.
l am correct in assuming the Sammler in question is indeed your ex-wife? Uh, yeah, you are correct.
l just wondered if you were as amused as l at the strange and poetic workings of fate.
Might you have a word with her, or would that only make things worse? Look, Miles, l have a meeting.
l've got to call you back.
- Thank you.
- Hi there.
- Sorry l'm late.
- No problem.
We've been worried you weren't gonna make it.
No, l'm here.
- ls there a problem at work? - No problem.
l'll talk to you about it later.
Okay.
So before we get into anything about eating problems, do you mind if l ask you to talk a little bit about your lives together, just the good and the bad? Just so l can fill out the picture of this clearly difficult and unattractive young person here.
Well, there's so little bad to tell - [Rick.]
About Jessie.
- She's a remarkable child.
Excuse me, but it's true.
She's a joy to be around.
She's responsible, she's smart A great athlete, a great student.
She's beautiful.
- How else can we torture you? - Parent propaganda.
Don't believe any of it.
Okay, we agree that Jessie's perfect.
Maybe we could talk more specifically about your lives together? For instance, the basics.
You're divorced.
- Anybody remarried? - No.
Boyfriends, girlfriends, significant whatevers? Well, l have been seeing a woman - for just over a year.
- Do you live together? No, not No.
- Are you thinking of it? - Not really.
l mean, not exactly.
l mean, not actively.
How do you feel about this person who remains nameless? Lily? Yeah, she's okay.
She has two daughters.
Now that's an adjustment.
- Yeah.
They're okay.
- [Lily.]
Zoe.
l'm just getting her the CD.
She has to go do her homework, just as you do, miss.
[Zoe.]
Okay, okay.
How did it go? Oh, uh, fine, if you don't mind dredging up everything you've done wrong in the last 1 4 years.
lt would take a very long session for me.
l want you to know how brave and wonderful l think it is that you're confronting this head-on.
l don't know even if it was my daughter if l would have the courage to sit there with Jake and reveal myself to a therapist.
- [Rick.]
Hey, Grace.
- Hi.
- How's your homework? - Terrible.
Jessie, come on.
l'll be down in a minute.
Bye, Grace.
- Bye.
- Bye, Jessie.
- [Zoe.]
Bye! - [Jessie.]
Bye, Zoe.
- Bye.
Bye, Grace.
- Bye.
Jessie's in therapy? Oh, Grace, honey, please, you didn't hear that.
- ls she anorexic? - Grace! Half the girls in my school are.
What's the big deal? Honey, stop it.
Okay.
l won't talk about it.
[Jessie.]
But the older one does not like me.
- Stop saying that.
- No, l get it.
l have a stepbrother.
l get it.
How about you, Karen? You seeing anyone? Well, l wouldn't l mean, l'm not l'm l'm dating someone.
- Mom, he is your boyfriend.
- Well, sweetie, l Okay, and is it weird for you, seeing your parents with other people? Well, sometimes, but l'm sort of used to it.
Okay, out of my way.
Hot food here.
Oh, God, what is that smell? You can't have any anyway, so it's okay.
- You used this stick of butter? - Wanna be the chef, feel free.
You're gonna see that on my thighs.
That'll be the day.
Let me see those thighs.
- Hey! - What? l just worry about it.
lt's a conflict of interest.
Who cares what people think? lf you feel something's wrong, you have to fight it.
[Karen.]
l think it's wrong.
The real world is more complicated than that.
- Because lawyers make it so.
- Excuse me.
- This neighborhood came to us.
- You talking about Dad's thing? Yes, sweetie, we are.
- Are you mad at him? - Not him.
The project.
But he's on the project.
Oh, no, Mom.
l hate potatoes.
- Well, are you gonna eat salad? - Mom.
- Sweetie.
- l'll have salad, sure.
[Rosenfeld.]
What about custody? Well, uh, they're with me most of the week, and then they're with Rick on the weekends.
- With a lot of exceptions.
- Yeah.
We're very flexible.
- So it varies? - lt doesn't vary that much.
Children need structure.
l know this might be a loaded question, but do you prefer one house over another? No.
No, not really.
No.
Have you sensed resistance in going to one of you? No.
At first, Jess, you did have some fears - about staying at Dad's.
- She got over that quickly.
We helped her get through that.
The only issues now, really, are life issues: Who's gonna handle car pool or soccer practice.
- That's not a problem.
- No.
l get it.
Modern life with kids.
My wife says getting through the day is like surviving the Normandy invasion.
- Yes.
- [Rosenfeld.]
We do too much, work hard.
But if there are issues between you, it's not helping if we don't get into them here.
[sighs.]
Well, uh, Karen has been very, very busy, and l have had to, uh, you know, fill in, sort of, on the spot.
Yeah.
That's that's happened literally twice - in the last six months.
- [Rick.]
l'm not saying We're both busy.
Rick's been working on a huge project.
That hasn't had any effect in terms of the kids.
You're an architect? Yeah, and Karen's a wonderful public-interest lawyer.
l just have to say that l think we both have had problems in this area, but this project has absolutely had an effect on the children.
l don't How so? [sighs.]
How many times has Jessie called me for help on homework when she's at your house? Mom.
And our son has problems at school.
He has a learning disability.
She's a very good reporter.
[Karen.]
Well, Rick and l both believe in sharing the responsibility, to make sure that the work gets done.
But, frankly, this year it's been a problem for Eli when he's at Rick's house.
lt is his senior year.
He's not getting studying done - at your house, either.
- We're gonna have to stop.
l'm gonna suggest something.
Maybe next time you could come in alone, without Jessie here.
l don't understand what l'm not suggesting anything on an ongoing basis.
There are some issues we might more easily discuss if the dynamic were simpler.
- Okay.
- Okay.
[Rick.]
All right, you guys.
- Jess, see you later, sweetie.
- Bye, Dad.
- [Karen.]
Bye.
- [Rick.]
Okay.
- [car alarm deactivates.]
- Karen, can l talk to you about that, uh, that thing? Talk to me about what thing? No, l, uh, l heard something today, and You're not Have you been hired to fight the Atlantor project? Uh, my my firm's been hired.
- And you're not involved? - Well, l-l haven't decided yet.
Oh, l l can't believe what l'm hearing.
At the very least, it's a conflict of interest.
That's for a judge to decide, not you.
- l think it's up for me to decide.
- My work is my business.
l didn't seek this.
This isn't personal.
lt's entirely personal.
No, this is a lawsuit about a neighborhood.
l am the person that people would come to.
What do you want me to do, sacrifice 1 8 years of legal practice - just to spare your feelings? - l can't talk to you.
- What do you want me to say? - Our daughter has a problem.
- Our son has a problem.
- Don't you bring the kids into this! - The kids are in it.
- l wouldn't put their interests first? Us dealing with the kids is putting their interests first.
lf you go to war against me, you don't think that's gonna have some effect on them? Look, l haven't decided this yet.
We're gonna have to talk about it later.
[Lily.]
Rick.
- Rick, it's 7:00.
- No.
''My bed is warm.
My pillow's deep.
Today's the day l'm going to sleep.
'' l love that book.
You still have to get up.
- l am up.
- What are you avoiding, anyway? l have to go to therapy with my wife.
- Your what? - My ex-wife.
- You said wife.
- l said ex-wife.
- No, you said wife.
- Oh, l'm half asleep.
[sing-song.]
You made a slip.
l want you to discuss this with your therapist.
- Oh, you can't in front of Jessie.
- We're going alone.
You're going alone with your ex-wife to a therapist? lt's not how it sounds.
Karen might be representing the opposition to Atlantor.
You're kidding! And you have to go with her to therapy? Now can l go back to sleep? [Rosenfeld.]
Okay, look, the catch-22 is you didn't agree enough to stay married, so l don't expect you to agree on everything in here.
l just need to know your disagreements, and how vehement they are.
So who wants to start? Well, uh, we're involved in a situation right now that is not, uh - typical.
- What do you mean? Well, this project, um l don't think this is what we should talk about.
There's a political situation.
None of it has anything to do with Jessie.
He asked to hear about our conflicts.
- You said it wasn't typical.
- Fine.
Do you think you could give me some hint of what you're talking about? There's a lot of opposition to a development Rick's working on.
l have been asked to represent the opposition.
[whistles.]
This block was built in 1 897.
There were stables around the back.
What's the average value of these houses? Before or after Atlantor made its announcement? What is that? Relocation costs, if desired.
They're looking for a new home.
They looked at Chicago, they liked what they saw.
They felt welcomed by business leaders - Excuse me.
- [Miles.]
Political leaders, and they want to return the favor by offering units that will be built - What's this? - Uh, electronic press kit or - What about you? - Just fact finding.
- Let's cut.
- l can't believe this.
No, l really can't.
Why do l think l know who this is? Miles, this is Karen Sammler.
- How do you do? Miles Drentell.
- Nice to meet you.
l hope so.
lt's a pleasure to meet you.
Believe it or not, l've heard nothing but the nicest things about you.
Thank you.
l hope we get a chance to meet again under more peaceful circumstances.
l hope you're right.
- Mm.
- Excuse me.
She seems somewhat formidable.
Miles, you have no idea.
Besides nuclear war, maybe you can tell me about the kind of struggles you get into.
Well, it's not like we argue all the time.
Argue isn't the same as struggle.
What are your disagreements? Well, we're not necessarily in agreement about how to handle this whole eating thing.
What do you mean? l understand it's potentially very serious, but l tend to think it's not a help to Jessie to make a big deal out of it.
- l'm not making a big deal.
- Sometimes.
How do you know? Are you at my house? l know what Jessie says.
Jessie thinks l make a big deal saying good morning.
Karen, why don't you talk about Jessie and your thoughts about food and eating? Well, l l'm confused.
l mean, anyone would be.
Did l cause this? Will l make it worse? l guess l sort of feel like l have got to keep a sense of reality in the house certain foods are good, certain ones aren't, and it's better to eat more of the food that is.
Well, forgive me for noticing, but you do seem to be in remarkably good shape.
l mean, do you work out a lot? l-l run a lot.
l guess l'm kind of compulsive about it.
Have you ever had an eating disorder? No.
Why? Why would you ask that? But you do think a lot about what you eat.
Every woman worries about what she eats.
Don't you want to save room for the pizza? l hate the pizza here.
Why did you have me order it? We could have ordered something else.
All the other kids would want it.
- What are you gonna eat? - l don't care.
You cannot eat junk food all night.
- Mom, it's okay.
- No, it's not okay.
lt's wonderful to have a party, but you got to also take care of yourself.
[imitating Marlon Brando.]
l'm gonna make you a pizza you can't refuse.
You're going to eat this pizza.
You're gonna love this pizza.
Stop.
Stop it.
Stop it! Hi, sweetheart.
[Rosenfeld.]
Karen, this isn't about establishing blame.
Then what is it about? To find out if this girl is trying to tell us something with her symptoms that she can't any other way.
- She can't talk to us? - l'm trying to find that out.
l need to know the unwritten rules of your family, the unspoken messages.
For instance, your involvements with other people.
What does Jessie take from all that? [Rick.]
You got it! You got it! Aah! Aah! Yeah.
- Aah! [laughs.]
- [Leo.]
Beautiful! [Zoe.]
Okay, whose turn is it? lt says [all.]
Happy birthday to you [Leo.]
Whoo! Yes, Jessie! - Happy birthday.
- l feel like l'm ten.
Birthday parties are designed that way.
- lt's a plot by the parents.
- l know.
l'm actually starting to like birthday parties again now that none of my friends have them.
l want to have pony rides next year.
l have this weird feeling that growing up is overrated.
When l'm grown up, l can decide things for myself.
Yeah? Like what? l don't know.
Not do stupid homework? Yeah, but then you'd have to have a job - or something equally horrifying.
- True.
lt's like your parents want you to be grown up in the really boring ways, like school, and in the cool ways, like being on your own, they try to keep you a kid.
That's totally my mom.
Yeah, l guess all that is hard to figure out.
- What do you mean? - Nothing.
lt's just hard for anybody to talk about that stuff.
- lt would be hard for me.
- Talk about? You know.
Talk about to somebody.
lt's my turn.
l better go.
[Karen.]
Jessie's very sensitive.
She's always been aware of interactions between people.
- That's a good thing, right? - Yes, unless it's carried too far.
[Rosenfeld.]
Who gets to decide? Thank you so much.
You can see this one had a great time.
We had a great time.
Thank you.
Thanks, Jessie.
- Happy birthday.
- [Zoe.]
Happy birthday.
- Bye.
- [Zoe.]
Thank you.
- Bye.
- l'll see you later? Okay.
Yeah.
So, Jess, did you have a great party? - Jess? What? - Who else did you tell? Did you have to tell the world l'm crazy? What are you talking about? How did Grace know l was seeing a shrink? - You told Lily? - Yeah, l told Lily.
l didn't expect she'd tell Grace.
- Then how did Grace know? - Rick.
Oh, sweetie.
Hold on a minute.
This may be embarrassing, but there is nothing to be ashamed of.
- Not for you, there isn't.
- Not for you.
lf Grace knows, she's not going to hurt you.
Sure.
She probably told the whole school.
Sweetie [Karen.]
Look, l think l understand what you're trying to do here and l appreciate it, but l would just really like to understand a few basic things.
How do l know if my daughter is sick, and how do l help her? Anorexia isn't measles where you see spots and know it's there.
But you're saying the problems between us caused this? l'm saying that Jessie's reaction to problems between you may be part of it.
For instance, and l know this isn't easy, but something happened when you walked in here today.
You tried to make it okay, and l just don't think it is okay.
- What do you mean? - Rick knows what we're talking about.
- What about this project? - Yeah.
l may be hired to represent the opposition, - and Rick doesn't want me to.
- No, it's not that simple.
- You're afraid of the way it'll look.
- l don't think it's a good idea for our kids, for Jessie, to go through this public conflict.
Then drop out of the project.
Why should l change just to spare your embarrassment? To spare my embarrassment? Karen, are you suggesting l drop out of this project l've spent eight months of my hard work? - You shouldn't do it to begin with.
- What? You know what? This is not your business.
lt is my business if it affects our children.
Fine.
l'll just drop out and go back to art school.
- You'd be happier.
- l won't worry about who pays for camp, cars, tae kwon do, birthday parties, or the mortgage on the house you live in.
How do you think you're able to do these good works, protect the public trust, uplift the downtrodden? Because l am out there making money, enabling you to do this even though we're no longer married, so don't freaking tell me what l should do with my life! - l'm sorry.
- Yeah.
You know what, guys? You may not want to hear this, and l know you have a piece of paper claiming the opposite, but from where l sit, you're still married.
Who, who gets angry like that? Married people.
People who've started new lives don't have that kind of investment.
What l see is a family that's holding on to the past because the present is so upsetting.
When a girl her age doesn't eat, it's because she's trying to stop the clock in her own body, literally trying to stay a little girl.
You need to help her make that leap, but if you're so busy holding on to the past, - you're not helping her.
- We're her parents.
We've got to stay in some kind of relationship.
[Rosenfeld.]
Yes.
Some kind.
A new kind, one that gets past all the old disappointments and the anger.
lf you want to help her.
You can clean up a room.
That always makes you happy.
l know.
Make lunches.
You love to make lunches.
Oh, Leo, you can't cheer me up, so you can just stop trying.
Even if she does have an eating disorder, clearly it's in its early stages, and it's a very good thing that you were so sensitive to it.
- l can't do this case.
- Oh, that's ridiculous.
lt's just gonna keep me in a relationship with Rick.
l'm going to have to let somebody else worry about it.
No one else is as good as you at worrying.
Leo, please.
Look, you're talking about affecting the lives of thousands of people.
l'm talking about my daughter, and l'm sorry, but l just don't think you have any way of understanding that.
Oh, because l don't have kids? Because l am a kid.
He's right.
l'm still involved with her.
- Duh.
- You knew that? Did l know that? Who do you think you're talking to? l'm the only one who can have an unhealthy attachment to an ex-spouse? Oh, right.
Doesn't that make you mad at me? - Do l have any choice? - Sorry.
Okay.
Okay, so everybody knows.
- How bad is that really? - lt's very bad.
Yeah, particularly if you're 1 4.
Believe me, if you were 35, you'd be worried if you weren't in therapy.
Well, l'm not 35.
Now that's an intelligent insight.
You probably can't face the prospect of all those people lined up to laugh at you.
That's not funny.
No, it's not.
Tell me what it is.
lt's hard enough going to school and facing all those people.
So l'm really sorry about the other day.
Why? Look, l heard your dad talking to my mom.
They didn't even know l was listening.
Doesn't matter.
No, you know what? lt's just Here's the thing, okay? lf l were you, l'd be embarrassed too, if people knew that l was seeing somebody, but there are a lot of times that l think maybe that wouldn't be so terrible.
All the things l go through in my mind, like What l'm trying to say is sometimes l sort of wish that l could see somebody too.
Really? And that's all l really wanted to say the other day.
[Rosenfeld.]
Not to mention your parents are walking like you're one big eggshell.
You have no idea.
What do you think is their worst thought about you? God, that l'm a complete loser.
- Hi, sweetie.
- Oh, hi.
- How's homework? - Boring.
l know.
l always figured it was better just to get through it, since l could never make it fun.
Give any more thought to your thank-you notes? lt's only been two days.
l'm not saying you should be.
l didn't want you to forget.
- l'll do them.
- Jess, l know you'll do them.
Then why do you keep bugging me? Jess, l-l'm not going to treat you like there's something wrong with you.
You have a responsibility.
Don't treat me like something's wrong.
l wish you wouldn't make me feel bad.
l'm not.
lf you keep on bugging me, you must think l'm not going to write them.
- No, l know you'll write them.
- Then let me write them! Please just leave me alone, okay? l don't care.
Jess Okay, l don't think that you want me to be in here right now, so l'm going to go downstairs, okay? [Rosenfeld.]
lf you're such a loser, maybe they'll just have to send you back.
They should.
- Think there's a money-back guarantee? - Ha-ha.
Okay, your parents are very disappointed in you.
What does that look like? Hi, sweetie.
lf you're hungry, - we can grab a burger on the way.
- We ate.
Sweetie, would you give your dad and me a moment? Uh, sure.
l'll be in the car.
Rick l-l've decided to take the case.
l know what Rosenfeld said - about moving past the anger - You do? Yes, and what l need to say is that l would be taking this case if l didn't know you.
lt's not about you.
lt's not about me.
lt's not about you and me.
lt's about this neighborhood that l feel is being unfairly penalized.
Karen, l l literally can't believe you would think Rick, he was right.
ln some part of my being, l still care what you think.
l care much too much.
And it's got to lt's got to stop.
For me and for Jessie because she's my daughter.
She's a girl who has to develop her own sense of herself.
l need to help her do that, and the best way l know how to do that is to have one myself.
So l'm going to do this thing because it's right, and l'm sorry.
She is still so beautiful to me.
How strange is that? l walk into that house sometimes, and it's like Oh, yeah.
That's my wife.
Okay.
Do you understand what l'm saying? How can l not? - Thank you.
- Yeah.
- Uh l should go.
- Okay.
l wanted out.
l'm glad l'm out.
l went on with my life.
Just How is it possible l never realized l would lose her? [Karen.]
When we were first together, l couldn't get over how his arms were so big.
He used to hold me in this way that And l-l-l couldn't admit how safe and protected it made me feel.
That someone can give you that, and then kids and work and houses, all the terrible, wonderful details of life that leave you years later just a different person.
l just know that when he held me in those arms l'd never felt like that before and l never have since.
l just wish l didn't cause them so much trouble.
They'll have to bear up under the burden, won't they? Why are you so mean? lt's important not to take things so seriously.
What if it is serious? - What is? - This! All of this! - Come on! - No.
All of what? Why don't l want to eat? l never want to eat.
l'm disgusted by eating.
l don't want it in my stomach, and l don't know why.
Then we'll both just have to take some time and figure it out.
What if it can't be figured out? l think we have a pretty good chance.
What if? What if there's something really wrong with me? There are lots of things wrong with you.
You're not perfect.
But if you're asking me is there something wrong with you that makes you shameful or that makes you trouble or that makes you worth less than any other 1 4-year-old, l'm sorry.
There just isn't.
Figuring out the world is really hard work, Jessie.
Give yourself till you're 1 5, at least.
You know, kids are still pretty stupid when they're 1 4.
Grownups are pretty stupid at 40.
Look at your parents.
You're just going to have to learn to tolerate stupid people, your parents, me, you, and stupid things like eating just a little.
- Okay? - l don't know.
Just a little.
That's all we ever ask.
Yes! l got my learner's permit.
l can't do this.
Jake, you have to do it.
You're saying l should go out with Spencer Lewicki? A person l have zero interest in, because Pace will notice me? - Grace, was he nice? - Mom! We agreed you'd tell us where you were and who you were with.
And where were you and who were you with?
l think it's a good idea to plan the groupings.
l'll bowl with anybody.
l don't want the boys to spend the whole time in the arcade.
They have an arcade? We're gonna have bowling until 3:30, then cake.
Oh, Mom, nobody wants cake.
lt's your birthday.
You got to have cake.
- l hope this cake is chocolate.
- Who says you're invited? Oh, please, please, let me come to your party.
l won't strangle you if you let me come.
- Sorry l'm late.
My amp's shorting.
- Sit.
- The tube amp? Shorts are dangerous.
- That's why l'm fixing it.
Have you checked the tube connector or the AC cord? Come on.
- l love planning your birthdays.
- Why? l don't know.
lt's sort of a mom thing.
- Okay.
Here you go.
- No, l'm okay.
You're not You're not hungry, sweetie? l ate.
- Jess - What? Your dad and l made an appointment for you to talk to someone.
What do you mean? Well, it's just someone who might be able to talk to you to figure out some stuff about eating.
- Mom, l'm not anorexic.
- No, no one said you were.
Sweetie, this is This is not a punishment.
Hey.
Sweetie Listen, if you had trouble with your knees or you had trouble with your eyes, we would take you to a doctor.
lt's the same thing.
lf there's a way to help Mom, l'm not gonna see a shrink.
- He's not a shrink.
- Then what is he? There are all kinds of therapists, and this one happens to work with kids, and Leo says he's nice.
- Mom, Leo knows about this? - Leo's a doctor.
He's worked with this man, sweetie.
lt's not gonna be a big deal.
Mom, it's already a big deal.
[David.]
You ever wonder whether the earth's crust is strong enough to hold up all that weight? [Miles.]
Certainly out-of-town visitors will have no trouble finding it.
[Rick.]
l think it'll have its own weather system.
Rain is not allowed.
You've heard, no doubt, there are those who are less than pleased with the prospect of our little ziggurat.
l particularly enjoyed ''Neighborhood Seeks Slingshot ln Fight With Corporate Goliath.
'' Yeah, well, you said to expect it.
l may have underestimated the level of passion.
God forbid people should be concerned about the fate of their own property, huh? God has generally shown a reluctance to intervene in local politics.
Yes, but local activists have shown no such reluctance.
l think l'm needed on one of our several other now minor projects.
l've found in the past that local politics are extremely sensitive to the blandishments of public relations.
Meaning? l think it's time that corporate America showed some compassion for those they displace.
A pre-emptive strike.
We will befuddle the opposition with our concern.
l have no idea what you're talking about.
Ah, but you shall.
We saw you in the paper this morning.
- Oh, yeah.
- Yeah? Are they really building this thing? - They better.
- From Halsted to the river? That's the plan, yeah.
Got to pay the mortgage somehow.
So, Jess, what time is bowling on Saturday? - 2:00 p.
m.
- Yeah? l'm a good bowler, you know.
We know, Dad.
Have you given any more thought to inviting Grace or Zoe? l'm still l don't know.
lt's no big deal.
l told you that.
Then why do you keep mentioning it? You got to give them some warning, that's all.
Honey, your dad isn't trying to pressure you.
He just doesn't want you to be inadvertently rude.
Only Zoe would want to come.
- So only invite Zoe.
- No, you can't do that.
Hi there.
l'm Daniel Rosenfeld.
Hi.
You must be Jessie.
- Yeah.
- Hi.
Hi.
lf you guys don't mind, l thought maybe l might spend a few minutes with Jessie first to get to know each other.
- Oh, fine.
Absolutely.
- Sure.
Maybe next time, we can sit down together.
- Fine.
- Sure.
[Karen.]
Absolutely.
All right, so you don't like to eat.
You hate eating.
lt disgusts you.
You see one more vegetable or piece of red meat, you'll kill yourself.
No.
You love eating.
This is all a conspiracy.
No.
Well, then what are you doing here? They made me.
So this guy is a friend of Leo's? - No, he just worked with him.
- On what? l don't know.
He just said that he was really good.
- Leo is a - An epidemiologist.
Ah.
But he knows about therapists.
Rick, if you wanted a different therapist, you could have found one.
God, you didn't want to see me when l was 1 3.
My parents made me take piano lessons, and l had no discernible talent whatsoever.
l had to go to recitals.
lf you make it to your 1 4th birthday, they should just give you a medal.
- l'm almost there.
- Congratulations.
- So, what do you like? - What do l like? Yeah, to do, to read, to play? - A lot of things.
- Good.
l like sports, martial arts.
No way.
My son's six, thinks he's a black belt.
Well, l am a black belt in tae kwon do.
Very cool.
What are your grades like? A's.
Excuse me.
All A's? Nobody gets all A's.
There's not a little B in there somewhere? l got a B last year in science second quarter, but my mom spoke to the teacher, and it was this big thing, so l got an A for the rest of the year.
lf you got a C you could never show your face again.
- Why would l get a C? - That's a good question.
l have never met anybody who's ever gotten a C.
Well, l guess l'm just lucky, 'cause l always got good grades.
Very lucky.
Very, very lucky.
Okay, for this tae kwon do, how long did it take you to make black belt? About four years.
How long does it take most kids? - l don't know.
- Yeah, you do.
More, probably.
Like six, seven years, and most never do? l guess so.
So you're a very motivated kid.
- Not really.
- And a modest kid.
- lt's okay to say you're modest.
- l'm modest.
And you demand a lot of yourself.
- That's sort of my family.
- What do you mean? [Jessie.]
Everybody is, like, successful or whatever.
[Rosenfeld.]
Successful in what way? ls it okay if the four of us meet next time? Sure, yeah.
[Jessie.]
Well, my dad is an architect, and he's doing this big project downtown that's in the news, [Rosenfeld.]
Mom's, like, the president? - Uh - Uh, how's Friday afternoon? l was hoping for something sooner.
- Oh - Okay, um [Jessie.]
No, she's a public interest lawyer, She's fighting big corporations and stuff, [Rosenfeld.]
Right, That's a successful family, [Rick.]
l can't.
l have a meeting.
- How about brothers and sisters? - l have a brother.
And he's the president.
- No, but he is a great athlete.
- And also gets all A's.
Well, he has, like, this learning disability.
What? - He has trouble reading.
- A learning disability? lt's not like he's not smart.
- That's not very successful.
- What do you mean? You told me everybody in your family was successful.
- So? - l'm confused.
lf everybody's successful, your parents are divorced - and your brother has a disability? - Nobody's perfect.
- Ah.
- What? - Except you.
- l'm not perfect.
- You're not? - No.
l'm, like, l'm a slob and a million things.
l'm not popular.
l'm just, like, this dork.
- [Rosenfeld.]
How do your parents feel? - [Jessie.]
Don't know, - So, Jess, what did you think? - l don't know.
- Did you like him? - He was okay.
- What did you guys talk about? - Just stuff.
[Rosenfeld.]
Why'd they have you come here? They think l'm anorexic.
- Did he talk to you about your eating? - Sort of.
- [Rosenfeld.]
They're upset about that? - Oh, yes.
[Karen.]
There are some things in life that we can't control, so when there's something that we can do something about, we owe it to ourselves to try.
lf your mom went to the teacher if you got a B, l can imagine how upset they'd be if you were anorexic.
- Yeah.
- Kind of like a C or a D.
[Karen.]
l have to go back to the office.
- See you tomorrow.
- Bye, Mom.
So l'm going to want to see you again, Jessie.
Do you understand? Yeah.
Not 'cause your parents want you to.
Only if you want to.
Okay? So, what grade do l get? [man.]
They say they don't want a deposition if it doesn't include testimony from the insurance company.
- Long lunch break? - l should be so lucky.
We had an interesting call from a group on the north side.
- A group? - Angry group.
They're looking for an injunction against a big developer.
- Like a shopping center? - No.
More like Disneyland.
- What do you mean? - lt's been in all the papers, that huge Atlantor group by the river, where they're talking about tearing down a whole neighborhood.
What? And this group wants to put in - an injunction to stop it? - They want us to get it for them.
- Not bad if you're in for a good fight.
- Oh, yeah.
You want to take it on? Be right up your alley.
Let me just let me just try and see how this all fits - into everything else l'm - We should have an answer by Friday.
Okay.
lsn't that the? What your husband? Uh-huh.
- Oh, hey, Jessie.
- Hi, Grace.
How's the freshman team? - Pretty bad.
- We haven't won a game yet.
Let's go.
l don't want to run laps because of you.
You couldn't run if they made you.
Grace, um, it's my birthday on Saturday, and my parents are making me have this bowling party.
l was just wondering if you wanted to come, or maybe just bowl for free a little.
Oh, l guess.
l don't really know what's happening Saturday.
l could call you.
- lt sounds really cool, though.
- Okay.
Thanks.
- [phone rings.]
- Oh, damn it! - [ringing.]
- Hello? - [woman.]
Miles Drentell calling, - God.
Okay.
[Miles.]
Good afternoon, Rick, Hi, Miles.
Can l call you back in an hour? l thought you might be interested in a piece of intelligence that's come my way.
Have you heard of a law firm by the name of Harris, Riegert, Sammler? Yeah.
What about it? They appear to have taken up the righteous cause of the aggrieved neighborhood bordering Halsted, Wha? - You're kidding me, - Oh, yes.
l love to kid when millions of dollars are at stake.
l am correct in assuming the Sammler in question is indeed your ex-wife? Uh, yeah, you are correct.
l just wondered if you were as amused as l at the strange and poetic workings of fate.
Might you have a word with her, or would that only make things worse? Look, Miles, l have a meeting.
l've got to call you back.
- Thank you.
- Hi there.
- Sorry l'm late.
- No problem.
We've been worried you weren't gonna make it.
No, l'm here.
- ls there a problem at work? - No problem.
l'll talk to you about it later.
Okay.
So before we get into anything about eating problems, do you mind if l ask you to talk a little bit about your lives together, just the good and the bad? Just so l can fill out the picture of this clearly difficult and unattractive young person here.
Well, there's so little bad to tell - [Rick.]
About Jessie.
- She's a remarkable child.
Excuse me, but it's true.
She's a joy to be around.
She's responsible, she's smart A great athlete, a great student.
She's beautiful.
- How else can we torture you? - Parent propaganda.
Don't believe any of it.
Okay, we agree that Jessie's perfect.
Maybe we could talk more specifically about your lives together? For instance, the basics.
You're divorced.
- Anybody remarried? - No.
Boyfriends, girlfriends, significant whatevers? Well, l have been seeing a woman - for just over a year.
- Do you live together? No, not No.
- Are you thinking of it? - Not really.
l mean, not exactly.
l mean, not actively.
How do you feel about this person who remains nameless? Lily? Yeah, she's okay.
She has two daughters.
Now that's an adjustment.
- Yeah.
They're okay.
- [Lily.]
Zoe.
l'm just getting her the CD.
She has to go do her homework, just as you do, miss.
[Zoe.]
Okay, okay.
How did it go? Oh, uh, fine, if you don't mind dredging up everything you've done wrong in the last 1 4 years.
lt would take a very long session for me.
l want you to know how brave and wonderful l think it is that you're confronting this head-on.
l don't know even if it was my daughter if l would have the courage to sit there with Jake and reveal myself to a therapist.
- [Rick.]
Hey, Grace.
- Hi.
- How's your homework? - Terrible.
Jessie, come on.
l'll be down in a minute.
Bye, Grace.
- Bye.
- Bye, Jessie.
- [Zoe.]
Bye! - [Jessie.]
Bye, Zoe.
- Bye.
Bye, Grace.
- Bye.
Jessie's in therapy? Oh, Grace, honey, please, you didn't hear that.
- ls she anorexic? - Grace! Half the girls in my school are.
What's the big deal? Honey, stop it.
Okay.
l won't talk about it.
[Jessie.]
But the older one does not like me.
- Stop saying that.
- No, l get it.
l have a stepbrother.
l get it.
How about you, Karen? You seeing anyone? Well, l wouldn't l mean, l'm not l'm l'm dating someone.
- Mom, he is your boyfriend.
- Well, sweetie, l Okay, and is it weird for you, seeing your parents with other people? Well, sometimes, but l'm sort of used to it.
Okay, out of my way.
Hot food here.
Oh, God, what is that smell? You can't have any anyway, so it's okay.
- You used this stick of butter? - Wanna be the chef, feel free.
You're gonna see that on my thighs.
That'll be the day.
Let me see those thighs.
- Hey! - What? l just worry about it.
lt's a conflict of interest.
Who cares what people think? lf you feel something's wrong, you have to fight it.
[Karen.]
l think it's wrong.
The real world is more complicated than that.
- Because lawyers make it so.
- Excuse me.
- This neighborhood came to us.
- You talking about Dad's thing? Yes, sweetie, we are.
- Are you mad at him? - Not him.
The project.
But he's on the project.
Oh, no, Mom.
l hate potatoes.
- Well, are you gonna eat salad? - Mom.
- Sweetie.
- l'll have salad, sure.
[Rosenfeld.]
What about custody? Well, uh, they're with me most of the week, and then they're with Rick on the weekends.
- With a lot of exceptions.
- Yeah.
We're very flexible.
- So it varies? - lt doesn't vary that much.
Children need structure.
l know this might be a loaded question, but do you prefer one house over another? No.
No, not really.
No.
Have you sensed resistance in going to one of you? No.
At first, Jess, you did have some fears - about staying at Dad's.
- She got over that quickly.
We helped her get through that.
The only issues now, really, are life issues: Who's gonna handle car pool or soccer practice.
- That's not a problem.
- No.
l get it.
Modern life with kids.
My wife says getting through the day is like surviving the Normandy invasion.
- Yes.
- [Rosenfeld.]
We do too much, work hard.
But if there are issues between you, it's not helping if we don't get into them here.
[sighs.]
Well, uh, Karen has been very, very busy, and l have had to, uh, you know, fill in, sort of, on the spot.
Yeah.
That's that's happened literally twice - in the last six months.
- [Rick.]
l'm not saying We're both busy.
Rick's been working on a huge project.
That hasn't had any effect in terms of the kids.
You're an architect? Yeah, and Karen's a wonderful public-interest lawyer.
l just have to say that l think we both have had problems in this area, but this project has absolutely had an effect on the children.
l don't How so? [sighs.]
How many times has Jessie called me for help on homework when she's at your house? Mom.
And our son has problems at school.
He has a learning disability.
She's a very good reporter.
[Karen.]
Well, Rick and l both believe in sharing the responsibility, to make sure that the work gets done.
But, frankly, this year it's been a problem for Eli when he's at Rick's house.
lt is his senior year.
He's not getting studying done - at your house, either.
- We're gonna have to stop.
l'm gonna suggest something.
Maybe next time you could come in alone, without Jessie here.
l don't understand what l'm not suggesting anything on an ongoing basis.
There are some issues we might more easily discuss if the dynamic were simpler.
- Okay.
- Okay.
[Rick.]
All right, you guys.
- Jess, see you later, sweetie.
- Bye, Dad.
- [Karen.]
Bye.
- [Rick.]
Okay.
- [car alarm deactivates.]
- Karen, can l talk to you about that, uh, that thing? Talk to me about what thing? No, l, uh, l heard something today, and You're not Have you been hired to fight the Atlantor project? Uh, my my firm's been hired.
- And you're not involved? - Well, l-l haven't decided yet.
Oh, l l can't believe what l'm hearing.
At the very least, it's a conflict of interest.
That's for a judge to decide, not you.
- l think it's up for me to decide.
- My work is my business.
l didn't seek this.
This isn't personal.
lt's entirely personal.
No, this is a lawsuit about a neighborhood.
l am the person that people would come to.
What do you want me to do, sacrifice 1 8 years of legal practice - just to spare your feelings? - l can't talk to you.
- What do you want me to say? - Our daughter has a problem.
- Our son has a problem.
- Don't you bring the kids into this! - The kids are in it.
- l wouldn't put their interests first? Us dealing with the kids is putting their interests first.
lf you go to war against me, you don't think that's gonna have some effect on them? Look, l haven't decided this yet.
We're gonna have to talk about it later.
[Lily.]
Rick.
- Rick, it's 7:00.
- No.
''My bed is warm.
My pillow's deep.
Today's the day l'm going to sleep.
'' l love that book.
You still have to get up.
- l am up.
- What are you avoiding, anyway? l have to go to therapy with my wife.
- Your what? - My ex-wife.
- You said wife.
- l said ex-wife.
- No, you said wife.
- Oh, l'm half asleep.
[sing-song.]
You made a slip.
l want you to discuss this with your therapist.
- Oh, you can't in front of Jessie.
- We're going alone.
You're going alone with your ex-wife to a therapist? lt's not how it sounds.
Karen might be representing the opposition to Atlantor.
You're kidding! And you have to go with her to therapy? Now can l go back to sleep? [Rosenfeld.]
Okay, look, the catch-22 is you didn't agree enough to stay married, so l don't expect you to agree on everything in here.
l just need to know your disagreements, and how vehement they are.
So who wants to start? Well, uh, we're involved in a situation right now that is not, uh - typical.
- What do you mean? Well, this project, um l don't think this is what we should talk about.
There's a political situation.
None of it has anything to do with Jessie.
He asked to hear about our conflicts.
- You said it wasn't typical.
- Fine.
Do you think you could give me some hint of what you're talking about? There's a lot of opposition to a development Rick's working on.
l have been asked to represent the opposition.
[whistles.]
This block was built in 1 897.
There were stables around the back.
What's the average value of these houses? Before or after Atlantor made its announcement? What is that? Relocation costs, if desired.
They're looking for a new home.
They looked at Chicago, they liked what they saw.
They felt welcomed by business leaders - Excuse me.
- [Miles.]
Political leaders, and they want to return the favor by offering units that will be built - What's this? - Uh, electronic press kit or - What about you? - Just fact finding.
- Let's cut.
- l can't believe this.
No, l really can't.
Why do l think l know who this is? Miles, this is Karen Sammler.
- How do you do? Miles Drentell.
- Nice to meet you.
l hope so.
lt's a pleasure to meet you.
Believe it or not, l've heard nothing but the nicest things about you.
Thank you.
l hope we get a chance to meet again under more peaceful circumstances.
l hope you're right.
- Mm.
- Excuse me.
She seems somewhat formidable.
Miles, you have no idea.
Besides nuclear war, maybe you can tell me about the kind of struggles you get into.
Well, it's not like we argue all the time.
Argue isn't the same as struggle.
What are your disagreements? Well, we're not necessarily in agreement about how to handle this whole eating thing.
What do you mean? l understand it's potentially very serious, but l tend to think it's not a help to Jessie to make a big deal out of it.
- l'm not making a big deal.
- Sometimes.
How do you know? Are you at my house? l know what Jessie says.
Jessie thinks l make a big deal saying good morning.
Karen, why don't you talk about Jessie and your thoughts about food and eating? Well, l l'm confused.
l mean, anyone would be.
Did l cause this? Will l make it worse? l guess l sort of feel like l have got to keep a sense of reality in the house certain foods are good, certain ones aren't, and it's better to eat more of the food that is.
Well, forgive me for noticing, but you do seem to be in remarkably good shape.
l mean, do you work out a lot? l-l run a lot.
l guess l'm kind of compulsive about it.
Have you ever had an eating disorder? No.
Why? Why would you ask that? But you do think a lot about what you eat.
Every woman worries about what she eats.
Don't you want to save room for the pizza? l hate the pizza here.
Why did you have me order it? We could have ordered something else.
All the other kids would want it.
- What are you gonna eat? - l don't care.
You cannot eat junk food all night.
- Mom, it's okay.
- No, it's not okay.
lt's wonderful to have a party, but you got to also take care of yourself.
[imitating Marlon Brando.]
l'm gonna make you a pizza you can't refuse.
You're going to eat this pizza.
You're gonna love this pizza.
Stop.
Stop it.
Stop it! Hi, sweetheart.
[Rosenfeld.]
Karen, this isn't about establishing blame.
Then what is it about? To find out if this girl is trying to tell us something with her symptoms that she can't any other way.
- She can't talk to us? - l'm trying to find that out.
l need to know the unwritten rules of your family, the unspoken messages.
For instance, your involvements with other people.
What does Jessie take from all that? [Rick.]
You got it! You got it! Aah! Aah! Yeah.
- Aah! [laughs.]
- [Leo.]
Beautiful! [Zoe.]
Okay, whose turn is it? lt says [all.]
Happy birthday to you [Leo.]
Whoo! Yes, Jessie! - Happy birthday.
- l feel like l'm ten.
Birthday parties are designed that way.
- lt's a plot by the parents.
- l know.
l'm actually starting to like birthday parties again now that none of my friends have them.
l want to have pony rides next year.
l have this weird feeling that growing up is overrated.
When l'm grown up, l can decide things for myself.
Yeah? Like what? l don't know.
Not do stupid homework? Yeah, but then you'd have to have a job - or something equally horrifying.
- True.
lt's like your parents want you to be grown up in the really boring ways, like school, and in the cool ways, like being on your own, they try to keep you a kid.
That's totally my mom.
Yeah, l guess all that is hard to figure out.
- What do you mean? - Nothing.
lt's just hard for anybody to talk about that stuff.
- lt would be hard for me.
- Talk about? You know.
Talk about to somebody.
lt's my turn.
l better go.
[Karen.]
Jessie's very sensitive.
She's always been aware of interactions between people.
- That's a good thing, right? - Yes, unless it's carried too far.
[Rosenfeld.]
Who gets to decide? Thank you so much.
You can see this one had a great time.
We had a great time.
Thank you.
Thanks, Jessie.
- Happy birthday.
- [Zoe.]
Happy birthday.
- Bye.
- [Zoe.]
Thank you.
- Bye.
- l'll see you later? Okay.
Yeah.
So, Jess, did you have a great party? - Jess? What? - Who else did you tell? Did you have to tell the world l'm crazy? What are you talking about? How did Grace know l was seeing a shrink? - You told Lily? - Yeah, l told Lily.
l didn't expect she'd tell Grace.
- Then how did Grace know? - Rick.
Oh, sweetie.
Hold on a minute.
This may be embarrassing, but there is nothing to be ashamed of.
- Not for you, there isn't.
- Not for you.
lf Grace knows, she's not going to hurt you.
Sure.
She probably told the whole school.
Sweetie [Karen.]
Look, l think l understand what you're trying to do here and l appreciate it, but l would just really like to understand a few basic things.
How do l know if my daughter is sick, and how do l help her? Anorexia isn't measles where you see spots and know it's there.
But you're saying the problems between us caused this? l'm saying that Jessie's reaction to problems between you may be part of it.
For instance, and l know this isn't easy, but something happened when you walked in here today.
You tried to make it okay, and l just don't think it is okay.
- What do you mean? - Rick knows what we're talking about.
- What about this project? - Yeah.
l may be hired to represent the opposition, - and Rick doesn't want me to.
- No, it's not that simple.
- You're afraid of the way it'll look.
- l don't think it's a good idea for our kids, for Jessie, to go through this public conflict.
Then drop out of the project.
Why should l change just to spare your embarrassment? To spare my embarrassment? Karen, are you suggesting l drop out of this project l've spent eight months of my hard work? - You shouldn't do it to begin with.
- What? You know what? This is not your business.
lt is my business if it affects our children.
Fine.
l'll just drop out and go back to art school.
- You'd be happier.
- l won't worry about who pays for camp, cars, tae kwon do, birthday parties, or the mortgage on the house you live in.
How do you think you're able to do these good works, protect the public trust, uplift the downtrodden? Because l am out there making money, enabling you to do this even though we're no longer married, so don't freaking tell me what l should do with my life! - l'm sorry.
- Yeah.
You know what, guys? You may not want to hear this, and l know you have a piece of paper claiming the opposite, but from where l sit, you're still married.
Who, who gets angry like that? Married people.
People who've started new lives don't have that kind of investment.
What l see is a family that's holding on to the past because the present is so upsetting.
When a girl her age doesn't eat, it's because she's trying to stop the clock in her own body, literally trying to stay a little girl.
You need to help her make that leap, but if you're so busy holding on to the past, - you're not helping her.
- We're her parents.
We've got to stay in some kind of relationship.
[Rosenfeld.]
Yes.
Some kind.
A new kind, one that gets past all the old disappointments and the anger.
lf you want to help her.
You can clean up a room.
That always makes you happy.
l know.
Make lunches.
You love to make lunches.
Oh, Leo, you can't cheer me up, so you can just stop trying.
Even if she does have an eating disorder, clearly it's in its early stages, and it's a very good thing that you were so sensitive to it.
- l can't do this case.
- Oh, that's ridiculous.
lt's just gonna keep me in a relationship with Rick.
l'm going to have to let somebody else worry about it.
No one else is as good as you at worrying.
Leo, please.
Look, you're talking about affecting the lives of thousands of people.
l'm talking about my daughter, and l'm sorry, but l just don't think you have any way of understanding that.
Oh, because l don't have kids? Because l am a kid.
He's right.
l'm still involved with her.
- Duh.
- You knew that? Did l know that? Who do you think you're talking to? l'm the only one who can have an unhealthy attachment to an ex-spouse? Oh, right.
Doesn't that make you mad at me? - Do l have any choice? - Sorry.
Okay.
Okay, so everybody knows.
- How bad is that really? - lt's very bad.
Yeah, particularly if you're 1 4.
Believe me, if you were 35, you'd be worried if you weren't in therapy.
Well, l'm not 35.
Now that's an intelligent insight.
You probably can't face the prospect of all those people lined up to laugh at you.
That's not funny.
No, it's not.
Tell me what it is.
lt's hard enough going to school and facing all those people.
So l'm really sorry about the other day.
Why? Look, l heard your dad talking to my mom.
They didn't even know l was listening.
Doesn't matter.
No, you know what? lt's just Here's the thing, okay? lf l were you, l'd be embarrassed too, if people knew that l was seeing somebody, but there are a lot of times that l think maybe that wouldn't be so terrible.
All the things l go through in my mind, like What l'm trying to say is sometimes l sort of wish that l could see somebody too.
Really? And that's all l really wanted to say the other day.
[Rosenfeld.]
Not to mention your parents are walking like you're one big eggshell.
You have no idea.
What do you think is their worst thought about you? God, that l'm a complete loser.
- Hi, sweetie.
- Oh, hi.
- How's homework? - Boring.
l know.
l always figured it was better just to get through it, since l could never make it fun.
Give any more thought to your thank-you notes? lt's only been two days.
l'm not saying you should be.
l didn't want you to forget.
- l'll do them.
- Jess, l know you'll do them.
Then why do you keep bugging me? Jess, l-l'm not going to treat you like there's something wrong with you.
You have a responsibility.
Don't treat me like something's wrong.
l wish you wouldn't make me feel bad.
l'm not.
lf you keep on bugging me, you must think l'm not going to write them.
- No, l know you'll write them.
- Then let me write them! Please just leave me alone, okay? l don't care.
Jess Okay, l don't think that you want me to be in here right now, so l'm going to go downstairs, okay? [Rosenfeld.]
lf you're such a loser, maybe they'll just have to send you back.
They should.
- Think there's a money-back guarantee? - Ha-ha.
Okay, your parents are very disappointed in you.
What does that look like? Hi, sweetie.
lf you're hungry, - we can grab a burger on the way.
- We ate.
Sweetie, would you give your dad and me a moment? Uh, sure.
l'll be in the car.
Rick l-l've decided to take the case.
l know what Rosenfeld said - about moving past the anger - You do? Yes, and what l need to say is that l would be taking this case if l didn't know you.
lt's not about you.
lt's not about me.
lt's not about you and me.
lt's about this neighborhood that l feel is being unfairly penalized.
Karen, l l literally can't believe you would think Rick, he was right.
ln some part of my being, l still care what you think.
l care much too much.
And it's got to lt's got to stop.
For me and for Jessie because she's my daughter.
She's a girl who has to develop her own sense of herself.
l need to help her do that, and the best way l know how to do that is to have one myself.
So l'm going to do this thing because it's right, and l'm sorry.
She is still so beautiful to me.
How strange is that? l walk into that house sometimes, and it's like Oh, yeah.
That's my wife.
Okay.
Do you understand what l'm saying? How can l not? - Thank you.
- Yeah.
- Uh l should go.
- Okay.
l wanted out.
l'm glad l'm out.
l went on with my life.
Just How is it possible l never realized l would lose her? [Karen.]
When we were first together, l couldn't get over how his arms were so big.
He used to hold me in this way that And l-l-l couldn't admit how safe and protected it made me feel.
That someone can give you that, and then kids and work and houses, all the terrible, wonderful details of life that leave you years later just a different person.
l just know that when he held me in those arms l'd never felt like that before and l never have since.
l just wish l didn't cause them so much trouble.
They'll have to bear up under the burden, won't they? Why are you so mean? lt's important not to take things so seriously.
What if it is serious? - What is? - This! All of this! - Come on! - No.
All of what? Why don't l want to eat? l never want to eat.
l'm disgusted by eating.
l don't want it in my stomach, and l don't know why.
Then we'll both just have to take some time and figure it out.
What if it can't be figured out? l think we have a pretty good chance.
What if? What if there's something really wrong with me? There are lots of things wrong with you.
You're not perfect.
But if you're asking me is there something wrong with you that makes you shameful or that makes you trouble or that makes you worth less than any other 1 4-year-old, l'm sorry.
There just isn't.
Figuring out the world is really hard work, Jessie.
Give yourself till you're 1 5, at least.
You know, kids are still pretty stupid when they're 1 4.
Grownups are pretty stupid at 40.
Look at your parents.
You're just going to have to learn to tolerate stupid people, your parents, me, you, and stupid things like eating just a little.
- Okay? - l don't know.
Just a little.
That's all we ever ask.
Yes! l got my learner's permit.
l can't do this.
Jake, you have to do it.
You're saying l should go out with Spencer Lewicki? A person l have zero interest in, because Pace will notice me? - Grace, was he nice? - Mom! We agreed you'd tell us where you were and who you were with.
And where were you and who were you with?