A Million Little Things (2018) s02e12 Episode Script
Guilty
1 There's something that you need to know about the night Chad died.
Eric has your brother's heart.
MAGGIE: What makes up the sum of a person? Did you lose somebody, too? My fiancée.
We rented a motorcycle.
I was driving.
Is it the experiences that shape us? That script of yours, the suicide thing.
That's a tough sell.
Or how we handle them? Are Are you s-saying I want to adopt a baby.
Even a split-second decision - Hey! - [GROANS.]
I'm worried about you.
I saved your life.
You picked me up from jail.
We're even.
can alter the course of your life.
There is stuff going on with your mom - that you haven't addressed.
- [LINE RINGS.]
And once that ball's in motion I haven't been with anyone since Chloe.
there's no turning back.
I'm gonna tell her.
Now is just not the right time.
Oh, mama, when you give your lovin' When you give your love, you drive me crazy Ah, mama, what you gonna do - Hello.
- With all your love in your heart? May I help you? [CHUCKLING.]
Oh, sorry.
This song's kind of impossible not to sing to, right? You're gonna use the, uh, "rhythm's gonna get you" excuse? [CHUCKLES.]
Maybe I am.
How much? I just got engaged, and my fiancé is going to love and hate these.
For you, $15.
I'll take them.
I-I'll tell you what.
Consider it a wedding gift.
- Are you sure? - Yeah.
Thank you.
[CHUCKLES.]
[MUSIC CONTINUES.]
Good news.
If you like '70s nautical kitsch, you're gonna love these salt and pepper shakers.
Oh, perfect.
Cross that off the registry.
Should I, uh Should I be worried about you two? Hey, we're not married yet.
Oh, okay.
- Ah, thank you.
- Mm-hmm.
[SIGHS.]
[MOTORCYCLE ENGINE STARTS.]
- Wow.
- [ENGINE REVS.]
You know, I didn't think I'd be one of those girls who'd be impressed by outwardly macho displays, but I was wrong.
And you wanted to go blueberry picking.
Hey.
I like anything that's both an activity and a snack.
[CHUCKLES.]
Well, we'll go tomorrow.
- I promise.
- Okay.
- [GRUNTS.]
- Gotta do this.
- Aaah! - Aah! [CELLPHONE VIBRATING.]
[VIBRATING STOPS.]
WOMAN: Define "tomfoolery" It is unbelievable how low-budget this movie is.
The bailiff just played the valet in the last scene.
- Did you catch that? Huh? - [DOOR CLOSES.]
- MAN: Objection! Your Honor - [SIGHS.]
There he is.
Here I am, in my own apartment that I didn't invite you to.
Give me those keys back, unless Katherine kicked you out of the house again.
I guess that was only a matter of time.
Way to roll out the red carpet.
No, actually, Delilah and I, we're gonna do a Charlie hand-off, and since she was in the neighborhood, we figured we could just meet here.
Right, 'cause there's not a Starbucks on every corner.
Dude is this "Quincy's Lie"? Why are you doing this to yourself? Relax.
It was in the bargain bin.
Because it is an objectively awful film filled with '90s tropes and canned clichés.
is clearly trying to prey on the jury's sympathies Cue the sage black judge.
JUDGE: I'll allow it, Counselor, but you better be going somewhere with this.
[CHUCKLES.]
I rest my case.
PROSECUTOR: If I could now turn to page 3 So, Mom, I'm hoping you'll support me when I tell you that Rome and I have decided to adopt.
- Perfect.
- It's really great.
No, it's not! 'Cause then she's gonna say something about the miracle of childbirth.
And she's gonna assume that we're doing it because we have to, not because we want to.
Then she'll offer up the number of a doctor who works miracles with IVF, all under a passive-aggressive cloud of "I told you so.
" You know, I'm actually starting to think that your mom and my mom should meet.
I think they'd really hit it off.
Are you two still not talking? Oh, you mean since she lied to me about my brother's death and then chose his organ recipient over me? - [SCOFFS.]
- So, what's the plan? You're gonna butter up your mom with a light lunch and some wine? That is the plan, but actually, this is for Gary.
We're gonna go over to his place, check in on him.
He's just been holed up there ever since Sophie's softball game, and I think he's embarrassed, and Well, he did not seem embarrassed when I bailed him out of jail.
But hey, things might go better for you guys.
[CELLPHONE RINGS.]
- Eh, it's Eddie.
- [CELLPHONE BEEPS.]
Hey.
Are you there already? Hey, so, uh, what's going on with Eric? Have you guys had a chance to talk yet? No.
I called, and it went to voicemail.
I think the kiss really scared him off.
So, how bad is it? [QUIETLY.]
It's "Quincy's Lie" bad.
[WHISPERING.]
He's watching "Quincy's Lie"? Oh, God.
Are they at the verdict scene yet? [NORMAL VOICE.]
Has the verdict happened yet? - No, they're at the part where - Garbage.
the two lawyers get into the fight near the water fountain.
- You've got 20 minutes.
- 20 minutes.
- Yeah, we gotta go.
- Oh.
Okay.
W-What is happening? And what does it have to do with a '90s courtroom thriller? Uh the jury forewoman? That's Gary's mother.
- Oh.
- He watches it sometimes.
It's like a scab he can't help but pick.
What? Nothing.
No.
It's just, when we were together, I tried to get him to talk about his mom, and it was such a third rail.
They haven't talked since he was a kid.
Yeah, since she left.
No, he he called her four months ago.
R-Really? What happened? Nothing.
He hung up right away.
[INHALES SHARPLY.]
Looks like we've all got mommy issues in common.
- Ooh.
- Some of us worse than others.
Mm.
Well, on behalf of all mothers everywhere, I apologize, ladies.
Now, clean up this stuff.
Let's go.
- Oh, God.
So much like my mom.
- God.
You're so mean.
[CHUCKLES.]
No, that's great.
- We're good to lock.
- Amazing.
I mean, soft lock.
Yeah, Gene hasn't texted me back.
But, uh, he's gonna love it.
I just need to hear him say that, so Oh, congratulations, by the way.
- For what? - What? What do you mean, "For what"? Come on, man.
For selling your movie.
Yeah, it's all over the trades.
A-At least I thought it was your movie.
The log-line sounded like yours, and your producer friend is attached.
Todd Pilsner? Wait.
For real? You know what? Forget I even said anything.
I just kind of skimmed it, and, uh, I'm probably wrong.
I'm I'm frequently wrong.
That's what, uh That's what Gene always says.
Totally forgotten, brah.
[CHUCKLES.]
- Um, this trial illuminates - Look at that.
Juror Number Seven she's knitting, right? She just took the yarn ball out of her purse in the last scene, and look.
It's an entire sweater.
Who's on continuity?! - This trial is different.
- [DOOR OPENS.]
Ah! Look who's here.
- Hi! - Charlie.
- How's my girl? - Did we miss it? Moments away.
The stenographer just winked at the defense counsel.
It really takes you out when you realize that the "expert witness," the lynchpin to the whole case, is the "fence-is-covering half-my-face" guy from "Home Improvement.
" Hey, babe, how'd it go? - Uh - What's wrong? Oh, nothing.
It's It's, um It's probably nothing, and it's not why we're here.
Gary, my man.
How we doing? Look at that.
The gang's all here.
Why is the gang all here? I-I personally was - Shh, shh! - BAILIFF: All rise.
Uh, uh, uh.
Shh, shh, shh, shh.
JUDGE: Has the jury reached a verdict? [GASPS.]
You were just in the deliberation room.
Why do you look surprised? Guilty.
- [SCOFFS.]
- DEFENDANT'S WIFE: No! It's a lie! - [GAVEL BANGS.]
- You can't do this to him! JUDGE: Order! Order in the court! - I said order! - Okay.
Yeah.
I think we're done here.
- Order in the court! - Bye-bye.
- [TV SHUTS OFF.]
- Hey! Hey, D! What are you doing? This is not healthy, Gary.
Just because you're out of kids to mother doesn't mean you get to scratch that itch with me.
EDDIE: Hey.
No, no, no.
Gary, you do not get to say that to her.
I didn't invite you here any of you.
You ambushed me in my own home.
You don't like what I have to say, there's the door.
- No.
I'll go talk to him.
- [DOOR OPENS.]
Hey, what's your plan here? You just gonna keep pushing people away until there's no one left? You know, at a certain point, Gary, the problem isn't everyone else.
The problem is you.
You think I don't know that? Maggie said you called your mother.
Yeah.
And then I hung up because I don't want to talk to her.
Well, you might not want to talk to her, but maybe you need to.
[SIGHS.]
- Unbelievable.
- What's up? I really think Todd stole my movie.
What? No.
You and Todd go way back.
He wouldn't do that.
Okay, well, how do you explain this? "When a serious sports injury leaves one of them paralyzed, four friends get the wake-up call they need to stop waiting for tomorrow and start living for today"? Whoa.
Well, did you ask him about it? What did he say? Nothing.
Dude's been dodging my calls all morning.
[SIGHS.]
I don't even know where the woman is.
I do.
I looked her up on the way over.
She's in Brooklyn, starring in a play called "The Summer Place.
" Well, that's great, but I can't just drop everything and go to New York, D.
You're going to New York? I just said I'm not going to New York.
Todd's in New York.
I'll come with.
Is no one listening to me? Gary, if not now, then when? I'll go on a road trip with you.
I love road trips, and Danny's at a sleepover all weekend, Charlie's with Eddie, and, as you so kindly pointed out, Sophie's I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have said that.
Don't be sorry.
Just come with us.
[SIGHS.]
Alright.
I'll go.
But I'm gonna get out ahead of this No French music.
[CHUCKLES.]
[TAPE RIPS.]
Eric? Eric, come on.
I can hear you.
[LOCK DISENGAGES.]
- Hey.
- Hi.
Sorry to just show up like this, but I felt like we really needed to talk about Hey, what's going on? Are you m-moving? [SIGHS.]
Oh, my God.
This is This is totally my movie.
The story, the characters Well, Todd's version of it.
Wait, that's the script? How did you get that? Assistants talk and they share and They're calling his "Unseen.
" My script is called "Invisible.
" Dude, look at this line from the Gil character.
Look at that.
"It's not that I don't have cancer.
It's that I don't currently have cancer.
" Taking my words and making them worse.
Technically my words.
And "Gil"? Really, man? Is that all you're getting from this? [JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS.]
Hi.
I'm here to meet my mom, but I'm a little late.
Uh which I'm sure will be what she opens with.
[BOTH CHUCKLE.]
Well, you're safe.
Doesn't look like she's arrived yet.
Oh.
Yoo-hoo! Oh, there she is.
I'm so sorry.
I didn't realize she was your - That's okay.
- Sweetie! There you are.
Oh! I was about to send out a search party.
- [BOTH CHUCKLE.]
- Yep, that's my mom.
[SIGHS.]
You okay over there? Honestly, I'm starting to rethink this whole plan.
Okay? There's There's There's nothing she can say to justify what she did.
Well, maybe it's not about what she says to you.
Maybe it's about what you finally get to say to her.
Like, "How the hell could you abandon a 7-year-old?" [SIGHS.]
So, now we're the proud pseudo-parents of a 16-year-old who, apparently, is physically incapable - of doing her own laundry.
- [CHUCKLES.]
But it is wonderful you two stepped in.
Yeah, we've actually been thinking a lot this year about what family means, and, well Rome and I have made kind of a big decision, a decision that may surprise you.
Oh, my God.
It We're adopting.
We're having a baby! - [CHUCKLES.]
- Ooh.
Well Well, we We feel, as a couple, that adoption is - the right choice for us.
- Yes, yes.
I heard you.
Adoption is incredible.
I mean, it's all of the joy and none of the stretch marks.
Now get to the good part boy or girl? Oh, I hope it's a girl.
Oh, a little tomboy, just like you were, just always playing in the dirt.
Or a boy.
I mean, hmm, who am I kidding? Either way, it is a grandbaby.
Oh, Gina.
So were you just gonna leave and not tell me? No.
No.
I, uh [SIGHS.]
I don't know.
I It's just that living in the same apartment I shared with Chloe, running her store It's it's hard to move on when she's everywhere I turn, you know? Yeah.
I do.
Plus, there's this lawsuit.
Chloe's parents blame me for her death.
And they're right.
I mean, she didn't even want to go for a ride that day.
She wanted to go blueberry picking.
You can't do that to yourself.
Believe me, I've been there.
There are so many things I've done that I wish I could take back, and I just want a fresh start.
[INHALES DEEPLY, SIGHS.]
Look, I'm so sorry about the other night, and I didn't call sooner because I think I just needed to process everything.
But this is - Complicated.
- Yeah.
And not just because of everything with Gary or the fact that you're trying to get over Chloe, but I mean, you have my brother's heart.
And at first that's what it was.
But, honestly, I would be lying if I said that there wasn't something here.
Am I wrong? I mean, is it just me? No.
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
No, it's not just you.
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
I don't understand.
Why are you leaving? Don't you think that Chloe would want this for you? Don't you think she would want you to try to move on? It's It's not that simple.
[SIGHS.]
MAGGIE: Wait, what is this? - It's 2017.
- Maggie.
- Wait.
Whoa.
- Maggie, don't.
Don't.
Where is your scar? [BREATHES SHAKILY.]
Grief has a way of making people do [ECHOING.]
crazy things.
GARY: Trust me.
There is something off about that guy.
I don't trust him, and you shouldn't either.
- ERIC: Trust me.
- GARY: I don't trust him.
[EXHALES SHAKILY.]
Oh, my God.
Maggie, just please let me explain.
[EXHALES SHAKILY.]
Maggie, wait.
[DOOR SLAMS.]
He'll be with you in a few.
He's just finishing up on a call.
- Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.
TODD: Avery, make me and Isaac a reservation tonight at Hawthorne Place.
On it! Isaac? Like Isaac Martin? I know.
It's so exciting.
[CHUCKLES.]
Wow.
Dude.
An office pop-in? What are What are What are you doing here? [SIGHS.]
What am I doing here? I came to find out why you stole my movie.
- ALICE: Okay.
- WOMAN: You're amazing.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
Thank you.
You okay? - Hi.
- Hi.
Come on in.
- Such a pleasure.
- Thank you.
Okay, there we go.
- Great.
- Thanks.
Tell your friends.
Come back.
Hi.
Who should I make it out to? - Make it to Gary.
- Okeydoke.
Gary Mendez.
Oh, my God.
Gary.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[SIGHS.]
You don't know how many times I have dreamt about this moment.
Cut the theatrics, Alice.
You're not on stage.
You don't get to pretend to care.
You lost that right when you left.
But you have to understand, Gary I was 18 when I discovered that I was pregnant with you.
I tried to be a good mother.
For seven years I tried.
But the whole time, I was drowning inside.
I know it was selfish.
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY.]
But I thought about you every day.
Yeah, right.
You left, and you never came back.
No, you're wrong.
I did come back.
Stop playing with me.
You know exactly what you did.
What are you talking about? I said, "Let's do a sports movie.
" You said no.
You turned me down.
But I knew my idea was good, so I set it up with a different writer.
It's not your idea.
It's my idea.
You wanted to do some sad movie about suicide.
I am doing an uplifting sports movie.
You were just on the phone with Isaac Martin.
I pitched to Isaac for the lead over lunch.
Oh, come on, Rome.
Isaac is hot right now.
You can't honestly think that was your idea.
Dude, do you do you hear yourself? I came here to understand how you could do what you did, and if you can't even admit it, well, maybe I just need to get my attorneys involved.
You know as well as I do you can't copyright an idea.
But hey, if that's what you need to do, maybe my law firm could finally earn their retainer.
Good line.
You steal that one, too? [SCOFFS.]
You know ever since film school, you were the guy with the good ideas that only lived in your head.
You always talked about making a movie for years, and yet nothing.
At least now you can take solace in knowing that this will actually get made.
Now, if you'll excuse me, got another meeting.
[GASPS.]
Oh.
Oh, my goodness.
Oh, my goodness.
It's a wittle wabbit.
- [LAUGHS.]
- Oh.
Oh, honey, we are getting this.
Okay.
Well, it's adorable, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.
We don't know if it's gonna be a boy or a girl or a baby or a toddler.
Ooh! I know.
We will start a registry.
Uh, just pick everything you want, and we'll narrow it down later.
Yes? - I'm gonna get the girl.
- Okay.
Um, Mom.
Mom, it's fine.
You don't have to do this.
Of course I do.
Do you know how long I've been waiting to spoil a grandchild? Hello.
We would like to start a registry, and we need everything everything.
And, um, organic only and gender-neutral colors.
- Okay.
- Who's woke? [CHUCKLING.]
Me.
SALESWOMAN: Okay.
Let's do this.
And if you're going for neutral, green is the new yellow.
- I'll pull some pieces.
- Thank you.
I love green.
You know, I thought you might have a problem with us adopting.
You kidding me? Honey, I am thrilled.
I just hope you two don't have to wait too long.
When Becky's daughter adopted, they had to wait two years.
Eh.
Of course, they insisted - the baby look like them.
- [SIGHS.]
Yeah, well, I understand that.
Growing up, I just wanted to fit in.
But it was tough, 'cause I didn't feel black enough, definitely didn't feel white enough.
Rome and I have been talking a lot about that lately, about adopting a baby that looks like us, that's part of our community.
Oh.
I see.
No, Mom, I didn't mean to No, no, no, Gina.
I know exactly what you meant.
[SINGSONG VOICE.]
Who likes chartreuse? What are you talking about? After you left, I never saw you again.
No.
But I saw you.
I came back a year later.
I had to make sure you were okay.
When I pulled up to the house, I saw you at the end of the street.
You were playing hockey with all your friends.
I watched the whole game.
You scored two goals against Alec Denning.
You were there.
Why didn't you, uh When I saw you with all your friends, you seemed so happy.
Somehow, without me, you'd made yourself whole again, and I knew if I got out of that car, I would wreck that.
So I left.
"Made myself whole"? What does that even mean? Like, in all the ways in which I was missing something in my life, I didn't want you to feel like you were missing something, too.
I was missing my mother.
What I was missing was my mother.
I smiled with some friends, and that was enough to convince you that I didn't need you? You want to know what that year was like? I'll tell you.
Every day for weeks, I asked Dad when you were coming back.
He said, "Soon, Gare.
She just needs some time.
" Even after you abandoned us, he was lying to protect you.
Weeks turned into months.
[CHUCKLES.]
Finally, I stopped asking because I realized that it was tearing him apart.
And then one day - I'm watching some movie.
- [CHAIR SLAMS.]
Dad walks in and turns white as a ghost.
I don't understand why, until I see you in that jury box.
And right then, I knew you were never coming back.
You were better off without me.
You saw what you wanted to see.
[KNOCK ON DOOR.]
JOSH: Alice, I'm sorry - Two minutes, Josh.
- Nah, I'm out of here.
- No, no, no, no.
Wait.
W-Wait.
- I-I'll go.
Please, just give us a second.
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
I'm sorry.
[VOICE BREAKING.]
I'm sorry.
Can Can we try again? [INHALES SHAKILY, EXHALES SHARPLY.]
Come back tonight.
I'll take you to dinner after the show.
I know you have a lot of questions, and I want to be able to answer them.
Yeah.
I don't think so.
Please.
- [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
- Oh.
JOSH: Alice, we need you.
[DOOR OPENS.]
[SNIFFLES.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Looks like Grandma cleaned up.
- [CHUCKLES.]
- [CASH REGISTER BEEPS.]
I mean, am I even Grandma? Oh, my God.
I knew you would do this.
I knew you would find a way to make this about you.
How is this not about me? You just said that you want a child that's part of your community, which is telling me that I'm not.
Why don't I just go ahead and wrap these up? Thank you.
Mom, you know how hard it was for me being one of the only black girls where we lived.
Do you remember when you took me to your salon and they tried to relax my hair, and they fried it so badly, they had to chop it all off? You know I felt awful about that.
Your father had just left.
I know, but it was hard enough going to an all-white girls' school, and then after having to explain what happened to my hair - Just Ugh.
- Oh, well, please forgive me for wanting to give my daughter the best opportunities.
Regina, when your father and I got married, it was the late '70s.
We were young and idealistic.
I didn't see color, and I didn't think anyone else should either.
I thought it would be easier for you if I raised you that way.
Except the world isn't like that, Mom.
It just [SLAPS COUNTER.]
isn't.
You may not see color, but I don't have that privilege.
I know you did the best you could.
Well, apparently it wasn't enough.
Was it? - Anything else? - [CASH REGISTER BEEPS.]
I think we're done here.
[NE-HI'S "STAY YOUNG" PLAYS.]
I just keep thinking, what if she didn't leave? What if she saw me playing in the street, got out of her car? [SCOFFS.]
What would you have done? I'd like to think I would have yelled in her face.
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY.]
Told her off for abandoning us.
Really, I think I would've just hugged her.
I've been holding to youth But she didn't even get out of the car.
The one person that's supposed to love me no matter what didn't.
No wonder it was so hard for you to believe anyone else would.
Till Maggie.
[CHUCKLES.]
I finally opened myself up, just to get burned again.
Or maybe when you sensed some uncertainty on her part, you you pushed her away before she could hurt you? Mm.
Mm.
[CHUCKLES.]
I just When I When I see the poster of this movie, - I j I just see your - Todd! [CHUCKLING.]
Oh, snap.
Yo, it's crazy running into you here.
[STAMMERS.]
Yeah.
Yeah.
I-It is crazy.
What up, Black man? Big fan.
Ah, thanks.
Isaac.
- Good to meet you.
- You, too.
Me and this dude go all the way back to film school.
Back when I had hair.
Ain't that right, Todd? [SIGHS.]
Yeah.
That's right.
You have been blowing up.
Heard about the "Unseen" deal.
Congrats.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Seafood tower.
Shoot.
He must really want you for this part.
Look, it's always great seeing you, Rome, but Isaac and I were kind of in the middle of something.
So, I I'll call you, okay? No worries.
No worries.
All good.
All good.
I just need another minute of your time.
Do you know why I didn't take your note to turn the suicide attempt in my script into a sports injury? Come on, Rome.
I am trying to have a meeting here I didn't take your note because those guys didn't come together over a sports injury.
We came together because my best friend jumped from a building just as I was about to overdose on pills.
That's right.
I tried to kill myself.
[SIGHS.]
So, yeah, Todd, suicide is real to me.
Depression is real to me.
[INHALES SHARPLY, SIGHS.]
I was trying to tell a story about how my friend dying saved my life, and he tried to take that from me.
But then I realized you can't steal my story.
Because the real story is mine.
[SIGHS.]
Sorry to interrupt your meeting.
Later.
The shrimp is really delish.
Could use a pop of lemon, but other than that, bangin'.
- [SIGHS.]
- [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
[SNIFFLES.]
[KNOCK ON DOOR.]
[SCOFFS.]
You're kidding me.
Go away! Maggie, please, let me explain.
You lied to me about having my brother's heart! There is nothing you can say that would make this okay! I-I-I know losing Chad destroyed you Don't you dare say his name! Maggie, just listen to me, please.
I know the day you lost him was the worst day of your life.
- Well, the day I lost Chloe - [SNIFFLES.]
was the worst day of mine.
We'd just gotten engaged.
I'd surprised her with this trip to Martha's Vineyard.
In that moment with her, I-I realized how lucky I was.
She and I had something we never thought we'd have.
And that's the moment when I didn't see the bend in the road until it was too late.
MAN: Went ahead and notified General of the transport.
I could barely move.
MAN: Not getting any vitals.
Ready to move him out.
I had this thing around my neck, so I couldn't see much, but when I saw the red and white lights, I Get plasma, stat! - I knew.
- Chloe! And the worst part is, she shouldn't even have been there with me.
MAN: 25-year-old male, Level 1 trauma activation.
Weak pulse, possible internal bleeding.
Please step out of the way, sir.
I didn't realize it until later, - but your mom was in the hospital.
- PATRICIA: Where's my son? Where's my son? I'm looking for my son.
- DOCTOR: Ma'am, calm down.
- Where is my son? - Are you Ms.
Bloom? - Yeah.
I'm looking for my son, Chad.
I'm sorry.
We did everything we could.
What? But he suffered from severe brain damage.
- No, he's not.
He He can't - I'm sorry.
He's not brain-damaged.
He's gonna be okay.
- No, no, no, no.
It's okay.
- No, he's not! Good news, bad news.
Uh, they were out of root beer, but [GASPS.]
Orange soda! Hey! You spoil me.
Play your cards right, you might get some jello later.
- Ooh.
- [PAGER BEEPS.]
Is that [CHUCKLES.]
Oh, my God.
You're getting a heart, baby.
Really? ERIC: Chloe was the one who got your brother's heart.
- Hey.
Okay.
- Wish me luck.
See you soon, Tin Man.
- I love you.
- I love you, too.
[VOICE BREAKING.]
The best day of my life was the worst day of yours.
[SNIFFLES.]
Because of Chad, Chloe got six more years.
But she should have had more.
She should have had a lifetime, and she would have, if it it wasn't for me.
And then I got your mother's letter.
The donor network sent it.
They didn't know Chloe died.
I opened it, and the [SIGHS.]
the way your mother described her grief and her emptiness after Chad, that darkness, I I felt the same thing.
And then she mentioned you, that you were sick.
[SNIFFLES.]
I I had to respond.
So, you lied to her? I couldn't bring myself to tell her what happened to her son's heart.
I thought I could just write a letter.
I never meant for it to go this far.
I never meant to come between your family, and I am so sorry that I did.
But, Maggie, you have to know, I I wanted to tell you the truth so many times.
And I knew I needed to.
I knew it.
I-I did.
But then the more time I spent with you, I just I wanted more time, and then you kissed me, and I knew I couldn't.
In that moment, I just I just knew I-I never could, and not just because I didn't want to hurt you, but because I love you.
Before I met you, I-I couldn't see anything but my grief.
You changed that.
And I-I know that I lied, but I I just needed you to know that my feelings f-for you, our our connection That that was real.
Goodbye, Maggie.
- [CELLPHONE VIBRATES.]
- Jane Doe.
Hello? Rome.
Hey.
Isaac Martin.
- Oh.
Hey.
- I hope it's cool.
I got your number from Todd's assistant.
[CHUCKLES.]
I gotta say, that was a beast of a move.
That dude I just didn't feel like I had much to lose.
That's actually why I'm calling.
I like "Unseen," but I always felt like something was missing.
And after seeing you bum-rush Todd, I get the feeling that what's missing is your voice.
You open to sending me your script? Wait, for real? D-Dude, say no more.
I got you.
Done.
But hey you should know it's not exactly financed or anything.
Good.
Good.
I'm actually looking for the right thing to produce.
Maybe we could put something together.
That would be [CHUCKLING.]
Hells yeah.
I'll have my assistant reach out.
Guys like Todd have been stealing our stories for years.
Well, let's not let them steal another one.
[KNOCK ON DOOR.]
I saw what happened today, with the hostess.
[SCOFFS.]
Okay.
Do you want to - come in? - And with that saleswoman, too.
How you had to make sure that she knew I was your mother.
I know you thought I didn't notice, but I did.
I notice more than you think.
So, why didn't you say anything? Because I thought it would be better just to pretend like it didn't happen.
But what you said about not having that privilege I get that.
And I get why you wouldn't want that confusion for your child.
T-Thank you for saying that.
I realize I've done that my whole life.
Just Just skating past the bad to get to the good.
Pretending the world is better than it is.
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
Honey, I turned a cheek to so many things because I thought it would be easier for you.
But now I get how wrong that was.
I let you down, Gina.
I know that.
That's why I was so happy today.
Because deep down, I always thought that the reason you didn't want children was because of me.
Because I didn't set a good enough example.
It's But starting now, I just hope I can be half the mother I know you're gonna be.
Thank you, Mom.
[SNIFFLES.]
Yeah.
You're gonna be one hell of a grandma.
[CHUCKLES.]
Oh, sweetie.
[CHUCKLES.]
Oh, honey.
Oh.
I really prefer "Nana.
" [BOTH LAUGH.]
[HUMMING.]
Hey.
You're here.
Yeah.
Um, I'm really glad you changed your mind.
So, uh, do you like pierogies? [CHUCKLES.]
Yeah, I mean, anything fried.
- [CLEARS THROAT.]
- Great.
- Let's do it.
[CHUCKLES.]
- [LAUGHING.]
Okay.
You'll love this place.
Alice.
He picked them up.
Mark Dunnigan picked up the tickets.
Oh! [LAUGHS.]
[BOTH LAUGH.]
Who's Mark Dunnigan? Uh, he's one of the biggest producers in the city.
"Violet Moon," "Inside the Outside," "The Seventh Floor.
" I I mean, this could be like "Hamilton," where they went from doing a workshop to going to the public, and then they went to Broadway.
[LAUGHS.]
We should take him for drinks, pitch him our vision for expanding it.
Absolutely, uh, but I [SIGHS.]
I'm No, you should go.
Are you sure? [CHUCKLES.]
Yeah.
Because that would be great.
Because [SIGHS.]
this could be so big.
But we can still do, uh, a dinner the next time you're in town, okay? My God.
Make sure that you tell, um, Greg about the por Um, the porch porch scene.
But Yeah Yeah, porch Okay.
Break a leg, Mom.
Oh.
Oh.
[CHUCKLES.]
Okay.
I'm so sorry.
I-I shouldn't have pushed you to come here.
No.
Don't be sorry.
[CHUCKLES.]
I've spent so much time blaming myself for her leaving.
I always thought if I had been better, I'd been shinier, if I had just been more I don't know.
Then maybe she would've stuck around.
Gary, what your mom did, it It wasn't about you.
I know.
It was always about her.
Huh.
I see that now.
I'm sorry, man.
Don't be.
You both are my family, and I'm sorry for not treating you like it lately.
- It's all good.
- Yeah.
[SIREN CHIRPS.]
Huh? Gary your ride's here.
[SNORTS.]
[ROME AND DELILAH LAUGH.]
[LAUGHS.]
[YAWNING.]
Alright.
- Alright.
[SIGHS.]
- Sweet dreams.
You know, I always say that you're like a sister to me.
Mm.
But today, you were more of a mother than Alice ever was.
- [CHUCKLES.]
- Hey.
Your children will never live in a world where their mother doesn't get out of the car.
As you may recall, I've made some missteps of my own.
I mean it, D.
You're the best mom I know.
Sophie's gonna come around.
[CELLPHONE VIBRATES.]
- Yeah.
- Look at that.
[BEEP.]
Hey, Maggie, can I call you ba What's wrong? [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
[SIGHS.]
Hey.
Hi.
[SIGHS.]
[SNIFFLES.]
How much did Delilah tell you? Enough.
I'm sorry.
I am such an idiot.
[SNIFFLES.]
The whole time, he was lying, and I believed him.
Hey, you didn't do anything wrong.
You were really sad, and you missed your brother.
And if we're being completely honest here, part of this is on me.
Why? If I hadn't been so insensitive about the psychic, your need for closure I didn't give you what you needed.
So, you had to go get it from Eric.
Gary, this is not on you.
Maybe, but it's not on you, either.
Have you had dinner? I was gonna go get tacos at that place down the street.
No, I can't do that.
I just I just wanted to come here and tell you that I could've handled myself better.
Good night.
[SIGHS.]
Eric has your brother's heart.
MAGGIE: What makes up the sum of a person? Did you lose somebody, too? My fiancée.
We rented a motorcycle.
I was driving.
Is it the experiences that shape us? That script of yours, the suicide thing.
That's a tough sell.
Or how we handle them? Are Are you s-saying I want to adopt a baby.
Even a split-second decision - Hey! - [GROANS.]
I'm worried about you.
I saved your life.
You picked me up from jail.
We're even.
can alter the course of your life.
There is stuff going on with your mom - that you haven't addressed.
- [LINE RINGS.]
And once that ball's in motion I haven't been with anyone since Chloe.
there's no turning back.
I'm gonna tell her.
Now is just not the right time.
Oh, mama, when you give your lovin' When you give your love, you drive me crazy Ah, mama, what you gonna do - Hello.
- With all your love in your heart? May I help you? [CHUCKLING.]
Oh, sorry.
This song's kind of impossible not to sing to, right? You're gonna use the, uh, "rhythm's gonna get you" excuse? [CHUCKLES.]
Maybe I am.
How much? I just got engaged, and my fiancé is going to love and hate these.
For you, $15.
I'll take them.
I-I'll tell you what.
Consider it a wedding gift.
- Are you sure? - Yeah.
Thank you.
[CHUCKLES.]
[MUSIC CONTINUES.]
Good news.
If you like '70s nautical kitsch, you're gonna love these salt and pepper shakers.
Oh, perfect.
Cross that off the registry.
Should I, uh Should I be worried about you two? Hey, we're not married yet.
Oh, okay.
- Ah, thank you.
- Mm-hmm.
[SIGHS.]
[MOTORCYCLE ENGINE STARTS.]
- Wow.
- [ENGINE REVS.]
You know, I didn't think I'd be one of those girls who'd be impressed by outwardly macho displays, but I was wrong.
And you wanted to go blueberry picking.
Hey.
I like anything that's both an activity and a snack.
[CHUCKLES.]
Well, we'll go tomorrow.
- I promise.
- Okay.
- [GRUNTS.]
- Gotta do this.
- Aaah! - Aah! [CELLPHONE VIBRATING.]
[VIBRATING STOPS.]
WOMAN: Define "tomfoolery" It is unbelievable how low-budget this movie is.
The bailiff just played the valet in the last scene.
- Did you catch that? Huh? - [DOOR CLOSES.]
- MAN: Objection! Your Honor - [SIGHS.]
There he is.
Here I am, in my own apartment that I didn't invite you to.
Give me those keys back, unless Katherine kicked you out of the house again.
I guess that was only a matter of time.
Way to roll out the red carpet.
No, actually, Delilah and I, we're gonna do a Charlie hand-off, and since she was in the neighborhood, we figured we could just meet here.
Right, 'cause there's not a Starbucks on every corner.
Dude is this "Quincy's Lie"? Why are you doing this to yourself? Relax.
It was in the bargain bin.
Because it is an objectively awful film filled with '90s tropes and canned clichés.
is clearly trying to prey on the jury's sympathies Cue the sage black judge.
JUDGE: I'll allow it, Counselor, but you better be going somewhere with this.
[CHUCKLES.]
I rest my case.
PROSECUTOR: If I could now turn to page 3 So, Mom, I'm hoping you'll support me when I tell you that Rome and I have decided to adopt.
- Perfect.
- It's really great.
No, it's not! 'Cause then she's gonna say something about the miracle of childbirth.
And she's gonna assume that we're doing it because we have to, not because we want to.
Then she'll offer up the number of a doctor who works miracles with IVF, all under a passive-aggressive cloud of "I told you so.
" You know, I'm actually starting to think that your mom and my mom should meet.
I think they'd really hit it off.
Are you two still not talking? Oh, you mean since she lied to me about my brother's death and then chose his organ recipient over me? - [SCOFFS.]
- So, what's the plan? You're gonna butter up your mom with a light lunch and some wine? That is the plan, but actually, this is for Gary.
We're gonna go over to his place, check in on him.
He's just been holed up there ever since Sophie's softball game, and I think he's embarrassed, and Well, he did not seem embarrassed when I bailed him out of jail.
But hey, things might go better for you guys.
[CELLPHONE RINGS.]
- Eh, it's Eddie.
- [CELLPHONE BEEPS.]
Hey.
Are you there already? Hey, so, uh, what's going on with Eric? Have you guys had a chance to talk yet? No.
I called, and it went to voicemail.
I think the kiss really scared him off.
So, how bad is it? [QUIETLY.]
It's "Quincy's Lie" bad.
[WHISPERING.]
He's watching "Quincy's Lie"? Oh, God.
Are they at the verdict scene yet? [NORMAL VOICE.]
Has the verdict happened yet? - No, they're at the part where - Garbage.
the two lawyers get into the fight near the water fountain.
- You've got 20 minutes.
- 20 minutes.
- Yeah, we gotta go.
- Oh.
Okay.
W-What is happening? And what does it have to do with a '90s courtroom thriller? Uh the jury forewoman? That's Gary's mother.
- Oh.
- He watches it sometimes.
It's like a scab he can't help but pick.
What? Nothing.
No.
It's just, when we were together, I tried to get him to talk about his mom, and it was such a third rail.
They haven't talked since he was a kid.
Yeah, since she left.
No, he he called her four months ago.
R-Really? What happened? Nothing.
He hung up right away.
[INHALES SHARPLY.]
Looks like we've all got mommy issues in common.
- Ooh.
- Some of us worse than others.
Mm.
Well, on behalf of all mothers everywhere, I apologize, ladies.
Now, clean up this stuff.
Let's go.
- Oh, God.
So much like my mom.
- God.
You're so mean.
[CHUCKLES.]
No, that's great.
- We're good to lock.
- Amazing.
I mean, soft lock.
Yeah, Gene hasn't texted me back.
But, uh, he's gonna love it.
I just need to hear him say that, so Oh, congratulations, by the way.
- For what? - What? What do you mean, "For what"? Come on, man.
For selling your movie.
Yeah, it's all over the trades.
A-At least I thought it was your movie.
The log-line sounded like yours, and your producer friend is attached.
Todd Pilsner? Wait.
For real? You know what? Forget I even said anything.
I just kind of skimmed it, and, uh, I'm probably wrong.
I'm I'm frequently wrong.
That's what, uh That's what Gene always says.
Totally forgotten, brah.
[CHUCKLES.]
- Um, this trial illuminates - Look at that.
Juror Number Seven she's knitting, right? She just took the yarn ball out of her purse in the last scene, and look.
It's an entire sweater.
Who's on continuity?! - This trial is different.
- [DOOR OPENS.]
Ah! Look who's here.
- Hi! - Charlie.
- How's my girl? - Did we miss it? Moments away.
The stenographer just winked at the defense counsel.
It really takes you out when you realize that the "expert witness," the lynchpin to the whole case, is the "fence-is-covering half-my-face" guy from "Home Improvement.
" Hey, babe, how'd it go? - Uh - What's wrong? Oh, nothing.
It's It's, um It's probably nothing, and it's not why we're here.
Gary, my man.
How we doing? Look at that.
The gang's all here.
Why is the gang all here? I-I personally was - Shh, shh! - BAILIFF: All rise.
Uh, uh, uh.
Shh, shh, shh, shh.
JUDGE: Has the jury reached a verdict? [GASPS.]
You were just in the deliberation room.
Why do you look surprised? Guilty.
- [SCOFFS.]
- DEFENDANT'S WIFE: No! It's a lie! - [GAVEL BANGS.]
- You can't do this to him! JUDGE: Order! Order in the court! - I said order! - Okay.
Yeah.
I think we're done here.
- Order in the court! - Bye-bye.
- [TV SHUTS OFF.]
- Hey! Hey, D! What are you doing? This is not healthy, Gary.
Just because you're out of kids to mother doesn't mean you get to scratch that itch with me.
EDDIE: Hey.
No, no, no.
Gary, you do not get to say that to her.
I didn't invite you here any of you.
You ambushed me in my own home.
You don't like what I have to say, there's the door.
- No.
I'll go talk to him.
- [DOOR OPENS.]
Hey, what's your plan here? You just gonna keep pushing people away until there's no one left? You know, at a certain point, Gary, the problem isn't everyone else.
The problem is you.
You think I don't know that? Maggie said you called your mother.
Yeah.
And then I hung up because I don't want to talk to her.
Well, you might not want to talk to her, but maybe you need to.
[SIGHS.]
- Unbelievable.
- What's up? I really think Todd stole my movie.
What? No.
You and Todd go way back.
He wouldn't do that.
Okay, well, how do you explain this? "When a serious sports injury leaves one of them paralyzed, four friends get the wake-up call they need to stop waiting for tomorrow and start living for today"? Whoa.
Well, did you ask him about it? What did he say? Nothing.
Dude's been dodging my calls all morning.
[SIGHS.]
I don't even know where the woman is.
I do.
I looked her up on the way over.
She's in Brooklyn, starring in a play called "The Summer Place.
" Well, that's great, but I can't just drop everything and go to New York, D.
You're going to New York? I just said I'm not going to New York.
Todd's in New York.
I'll come with.
Is no one listening to me? Gary, if not now, then when? I'll go on a road trip with you.
I love road trips, and Danny's at a sleepover all weekend, Charlie's with Eddie, and, as you so kindly pointed out, Sophie's I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have said that.
Don't be sorry.
Just come with us.
[SIGHS.]
Alright.
I'll go.
But I'm gonna get out ahead of this No French music.
[CHUCKLES.]
[TAPE RIPS.]
Eric? Eric, come on.
I can hear you.
[LOCK DISENGAGES.]
- Hey.
- Hi.
Sorry to just show up like this, but I felt like we really needed to talk about Hey, what's going on? Are you m-moving? [SIGHS.]
Oh, my God.
This is This is totally my movie.
The story, the characters Well, Todd's version of it.
Wait, that's the script? How did you get that? Assistants talk and they share and They're calling his "Unseen.
" My script is called "Invisible.
" Dude, look at this line from the Gil character.
Look at that.
"It's not that I don't have cancer.
It's that I don't currently have cancer.
" Taking my words and making them worse.
Technically my words.
And "Gil"? Really, man? Is that all you're getting from this? [JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS.]
Hi.
I'm here to meet my mom, but I'm a little late.
Uh which I'm sure will be what she opens with.
[BOTH CHUCKLE.]
Well, you're safe.
Doesn't look like she's arrived yet.
Oh.
Yoo-hoo! Oh, there she is.
I'm so sorry.
I didn't realize she was your - That's okay.
- Sweetie! There you are.
Oh! I was about to send out a search party.
- [BOTH CHUCKLE.]
- Yep, that's my mom.
[SIGHS.]
You okay over there? Honestly, I'm starting to rethink this whole plan.
Okay? There's There's There's nothing she can say to justify what she did.
Well, maybe it's not about what she says to you.
Maybe it's about what you finally get to say to her.
Like, "How the hell could you abandon a 7-year-old?" [SIGHS.]
So, now we're the proud pseudo-parents of a 16-year-old who, apparently, is physically incapable - of doing her own laundry.
- [CHUCKLES.]
But it is wonderful you two stepped in.
Yeah, we've actually been thinking a lot this year about what family means, and, well Rome and I have made kind of a big decision, a decision that may surprise you.
Oh, my God.
It We're adopting.
We're having a baby! - [CHUCKLES.]
- Ooh.
Well Well, we We feel, as a couple, that adoption is - the right choice for us.
- Yes, yes.
I heard you.
Adoption is incredible.
I mean, it's all of the joy and none of the stretch marks.
Now get to the good part boy or girl? Oh, I hope it's a girl.
Oh, a little tomboy, just like you were, just always playing in the dirt.
Or a boy.
I mean, hmm, who am I kidding? Either way, it is a grandbaby.
Oh, Gina.
So were you just gonna leave and not tell me? No.
No.
I, uh [SIGHS.]
I don't know.
I It's just that living in the same apartment I shared with Chloe, running her store It's it's hard to move on when she's everywhere I turn, you know? Yeah.
I do.
Plus, there's this lawsuit.
Chloe's parents blame me for her death.
And they're right.
I mean, she didn't even want to go for a ride that day.
She wanted to go blueberry picking.
You can't do that to yourself.
Believe me, I've been there.
There are so many things I've done that I wish I could take back, and I just want a fresh start.
[INHALES DEEPLY, SIGHS.]
Look, I'm so sorry about the other night, and I didn't call sooner because I think I just needed to process everything.
But this is - Complicated.
- Yeah.
And not just because of everything with Gary or the fact that you're trying to get over Chloe, but I mean, you have my brother's heart.
And at first that's what it was.
But, honestly, I would be lying if I said that there wasn't something here.
Am I wrong? I mean, is it just me? No.
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
No, it's not just you.
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
I don't understand.
Why are you leaving? Don't you think that Chloe would want this for you? Don't you think she would want you to try to move on? It's It's not that simple.
[SIGHS.]
MAGGIE: Wait, what is this? - It's 2017.
- Maggie.
- Wait.
Whoa.
- Maggie, don't.
Don't.
Where is your scar? [BREATHES SHAKILY.]
Grief has a way of making people do [ECHOING.]
crazy things.
GARY: Trust me.
There is something off about that guy.
I don't trust him, and you shouldn't either.
- ERIC: Trust me.
- GARY: I don't trust him.
[EXHALES SHAKILY.]
Oh, my God.
Maggie, just please let me explain.
[EXHALES SHAKILY.]
Maggie, wait.
[DOOR SLAMS.]
He'll be with you in a few.
He's just finishing up on a call.
- Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.
TODD: Avery, make me and Isaac a reservation tonight at Hawthorne Place.
On it! Isaac? Like Isaac Martin? I know.
It's so exciting.
[CHUCKLES.]
Wow.
Dude.
An office pop-in? What are What are What are you doing here? [SIGHS.]
What am I doing here? I came to find out why you stole my movie.
- ALICE: Okay.
- WOMAN: You're amazing.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
Thank you.
You okay? - Hi.
- Hi.
Come on in.
- Such a pleasure.
- Thank you.
Okay, there we go.
- Great.
- Thanks.
Tell your friends.
Come back.
Hi.
Who should I make it out to? - Make it to Gary.
- Okeydoke.
Gary Mendez.
Oh, my God.
Gary.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[SIGHS.]
You don't know how many times I have dreamt about this moment.
Cut the theatrics, Alice.
You're not on stage.
You don't get to pretend to care.
You lost that right when you left.
But you have to understand, Gary I was 18 when I discovered that I was pregnant with you.
I tried to be a good mother.
For seven years I tried.
But the whole time, I was drowning inside.
I know it was selfish.
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY.]
But I thought about you every day.
Yeah, right.
You left, and you never came back.
No, you're wrong.
I did come back.
Stop playing with me.
You know exactly what you did.
What are you talking about? I said, "Let's do a sports movie.
" You said no.
You turned me down.
But I knew my idea was good, so I set it up with a different writer.
It's not your idea.
It's my idea.
You wanted to do some sad movie about suicide.
I am doing an uplifting sports movie.
You were just on the phone with Isaac Martin.
I pitched to Isaac for the lead over lunch.
Oh, come on, Rome.
Isaac is hot right now.
You can't honestly think that was your idea.
Dude, do you do you hear yourself? I came here to understand how you could do what you did, and if you can't even admit it, well, maybe I just need to get my attorneys involved.
You know as well as I do you can't copyright an idea.
But hey, if that's what you need to do, maybe my law firm could finally earn their retainer.
Good line.
You steal that one, too? [SCOFFS.]
You know ever since film school, you were the guy with the good ideas that only lived in your head.
You always talked about making a movie for years, and yet nothing.
At least now you can take solace in knowing that this will actually get made.
Now, if you'll excuse me, got another meeting.
[GASPS.]
Oh.
Oh, my goodness.
Oh, my goodness.
It's a wittle wabbit.
- [LAUGHS.]
- Oh.
Oh, honey, we are getting this.
Okay.
Well, it's adorable, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.
We don't know if it's gonna be a boy or a girl or a baby or a toddler.
Ooh! I know.
We will start a registry.
Uh, just pick everything you want, and we'll narrow it down later.
Yes? - I'm gonna get the girl.
- Okay.
Um, Mom.
Mom, it's fine.
You don't have to do this.
Of course I do.
Do you know how long I've been waiting to spoil a grandchild? Hello.
We would like to start a registry, and we need everything everything.
And, um, organic only and gender-neutral colors.
- Okay.
- Who's woke? [CHUCKLING.]
Me.
SALESWOMAN: Okay.
Let's do this.
And if you're going for neutral, green is the new yellow.
- I'll pull some pieces.
- Thank you.
I love green.
You know, I thought you might have a problem with us adopting.
You kidding me? Honey, I am thrilled.
I just hope you two don't have to wait too long.
When Becky's daughter adopted, they had to wait two years.
Eh.
Of course, they insisted - the baby look like them.
- [SIGHS.]
Yeah, well, I understand that.
Growing up, I just wanted to fit in.
But it was tough, 'cause I didn't feel black enough, definitely didn't feel white enough.
Rome and I have been talking a lot about that lately, about adopting a baby that looks like us, that's part of our community.
Oh.
I see.
No, Mom, I didn't mean to No, no, no, Gina.
I know exactly what you meant.
[SINGSONG VOICE.]
Who likes chartreuse? What are you talking about? After you left, I never saw you again.
No.
But I saw you.
I came back a year later.
I had to make sure you were okay.
When I pulled up to the house, I saw you at the end of the street.
You were playing hockey with all your friends.
I watched the whole game.
You scored two goals against Alec Denning.
You were there.
Why didn't you, uh When I saw you with all your friends, you seemed so happy.
Somehow, without me, you'd made yourself whole again, and I knew if I got out of that car, I would wreck that.
So I left.
"Made myself whole"? What does that even mean? Like, in all the ways in which I was missing something in my life, I didn't want you to feel like you were missing something, too.
I was missing my mother.
What I was missing was my mother.
I smiled with some friends, and that was enough to convince you that I didn't need you? You want to know what that year was like? I'll tell you.
Every day for weeks, I asked Dad when you were coming back.
He said, "Soon, Gare.
She just needs some time.
" Even after you abandoned us, he was lying to protect you.
Weeks turned into months.
[CHUCKLES.]
Finally, I stopped asking because I realized that it was tearing him apart.
And then one day - I'm watching some movie.
- [CHAIR SLAMS.]
Dad walks in and turns white as a ghost.
I don't understand why, until I see you in that jury box.
And right then, I knew you were never coming back.
You were better off without me.
You saw what you wanted to see.
[KNOCK ON DOOR.]
JOSH: Alice, I'm sorry - Two minutes, Josh.
- Nah, I'm out of here.
- No, no, no, no.
Wait.
W-Wait.
- I-I'll go.
Please, just give us a second.
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
I'm sorry.
[VOICE BREAKING.]
I'm sorry.
Can Can we try again? [INHALES SHAKILY, EXHALES SHARPLY.]
Come back tonight.
I'll take you to dinner after the show.
I know you have a lot of questions, and I want to be able to answer them.
Yeah.
I don't think so.
Please.
- [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
- Oh.
JOSH: Alice, we need you.
[DOOR OPENS.]
[SNIFFLES.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Looks like Grandma cleaned up.
- [CHUCKLES.]
- [CASH REGISTER BEEPS.]
I mean, am I even Grandma? Oh, my God.
I knew you would do this.
I knew you would find a way to make this about you.
How is this not about me? You just said that you want a child that's part of your community, which is telling me that I'm not.
Why don't I just go ahead and wrap these up? Thank you.
Mom, you know how hard it was for me being one of the only black girls where we lived.
Do you remember when you took me to your salon and they tried to relax my hair, and they fried it so badly, they had to chop it all off? You know I felt awful about that.
Your father had just left.
I know, but it was hard enough going to an all-white girls' school, and then after having to explain what happened to my hair - Just Ugh.
- Oh, well, please forgive me for wanting to give my daughter the best opportunities.
Regina, when your father and I got married, it was the late '70s.
We were young and idealistic.
I didn't see color, and I didn't think anyone else should either.
I thought it would be easier for you if I raised you that way.
Except the world isn't like that, Mom.
It just [SLAPS COUNTER.]
isn't.
You may not see color, but I don't have that privilege.
I know you did the best you could.
Well, apparently it wasn't enough.
Was it? - Anything else? - [CASH REGISTER BEEPS.]
I think we're done here.
[NE-HI'S "STAY YOUNG" PLAYS.]
I just keep thinking, what if she didn't leave? What if she saw me playing in the street, got out of her car? [SCOFFS.]
What would you have done? I'd like to think I would have yelled in her face.
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY.]
Told her off for abandoning us.
Really, I think I would've just hugged her.
I've been holding to youth But she didn't even get out of the car.
The one person that's supposed to love me no matter what didn't.
No wonder it was so hard for you to believe anyone else would.
Till Maggie.
[CHUCKLES.]
I finally opened myself up, just to get burned again.
Or maybe when you sensed some uncertainty on her part, you you pushed her away before she could hurt you? Mm.
Mm.
[CHUCKLES.]
I just When I When I see the poster of this movie, - I j I just see your - Todd! [CHUCKLING.]
Oh, snap.
Yo, it's crazy running into you here.
[STAMMERS.]
Yeah.
Yeah.
I-It is crazy.
What up, Black man? Big fan.
Ah, thanks.
Isaac.
- Good to meet you.
- You, too.
Me and this dude go all the way back to film school.
Back when I had hair.
Ain't that right, Todd? [SIGHS.]
Yeah.
That's right.
You have been blowing up.
Heard about the "Unseen" deal.
Congrats.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Seafood tower.
Shoot.
He must really want you for this part.
Look, it's always great seeing you, Rome, but Isaac and I were kind of in the middle of something.
So, I I'll call you, okay? No worries.
No worries.
All good.
All good.
I just need another minute of your time.
Do you know why I didn't take your note to turn the suicide attempt in my script into a sports injury? Come on, Rome.
I am trying to have a meeting here I didn't take your note because those guys didn't come together over a sports injury.
We came together because my best friend jumped from a building just as I was about to overdose on pills.
That's right.
I tried to kill myself.
[SIGHS.]
So, yeah, Todd, suicide is real to me.
Depression is real to me.
[INHALES SHARPLY, SIGHS.]
I was trying to tell a story about how my friend dying saved my life, and he tried to take that from me.
But then I realized you can't steal my story.
Because the real story is mine.
[SIGHS.]
Sorry to interrupt your meeting.
Later.
The shrimp is really delish.
Could use a pop of lemon, but other than that, bangin'.
- [SIGHS.]
- [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
[SNIFFLES.]
[KNOCK ON DOOR.]
[SCOFFS.]
You're kidding me.
Go away! Maggie, please, let me explain.
You lied to me about having my brother's heart! There is nothing you can say that would make this okay! I-I-I know losing Chad destroyed you Don't you dare say his name! Maggie, just listen to me, please.
I know the day you lost him was the worst day of your life.
- Well, the day I lost Chloe - [SNIFFLES.]
was the worst day of mine.
We'd just gotten engaged.
I'd surprised her with this trip to Martha's Vineyard.
In that moment with her, I-I realized how lucky I was.
She and I had something we never thought we'd have.
And that's the moment when I didn't see the bend in the road until it was too late.
MAN: Went ahead and notified General of the transport.
I could barely move.
MAN: Not getting any vitals.
Ready to move him out.
I had this thing around my neck, so I couldn't see much, but when I saw the red and white lights, I Get plasma, stat! - I knew.
- Chloe! And the worst part is, she shouldn't even have been there with me.
MAN: 25-year-old male, Level 1 trauma activation.
Weak pulse, possible internal bleeding.
Please step out of the way, sir.
I didn't realize it until later, - but your mom was in the hospital.
- PATRICIA: Where's my son? Where's my son? I'm looking for my son.
- DOCTOR: Ma'am, calm down.
- Where is my son? - Are you Ms.
Bloom? - Yeah.
I'm looking for my son, Chad.
I'm sorry.
We did everything we could.
What? But he suffered from severe brain damage.
- No, he's not.
He He can't - I'm sorry.
He's not brain-damaged.
He's gonna be okay.
- No, no, no, no.
It's okay.
- No, he's not! Good news, bad news.
Uh, they were out of root beer, but [GASPS.]
Orange soda! Hey! You spoil me.
Play your cards right, you might get some jello later.
- Ooh.
- [PAGER BEEPS.]
Is that [CHUCKLES.]
Oh, my God.
You're getting a heart, baby.
Really? ERIC: Chloe was the one who got your brother's heart.
- Hey.
Okay.
- Wish me luck.
See you soon, Tin Man.
- I love you.
- I love you, too.
[VOICE BREAKING.]
The best day of my life was the worst day of yours.
[SNIFFLES.]
Because of Chad, Chloe got six more years.
But she should have had more.
She should have had a lifetime, and she would have, if it it wasn't for me.
And then I got your mother's letter.
The donor network sent it.
They didn't know Chloe died.
I opened it, and the [SIGHS.]
the way your mother described her grief and her emptiness after Chad, that darkness, I I felt the same thing.
And then she mentioned you, that you were sick.
[SNIFFLES.]
I I had to respond.
So, you lied to her? I couldn't bring myself to tell her what happened to her son's heart.
I thought I could just write a letter.
I never meant for it to go this far.
I never meant to come between your family, and I am so sorry that I did.
But, Maggie, you have to know, I I wanted to tell you the truth so many times.
And I knew I needed to.
I knew it.
I-I did.
But then the more time I spent with you, I just I wanted more time, and then you kissed me, and I knew I couldn't.
In that moment, I just I just knew I-I never could, and not just because I didn't want to hurt you, but because I love you.
Before I met you, I-I couldn't see anything but my grief.
You changed that.
And I-I know that I lied, but I I just needed you to know that my feelings f-for you, our our connection That that was real.
Goodbye, Maggie.
- [CELLPHONE VIBRATES.]
- Jane Doe.
Hello? Rome.
Hey.
Isaac Martin.
- Oh.
Hey.
- I hope it's cool.
I got your number from Todd's assistant.
[CHUCKLES.]
I gotta say, that was a beast of a move.
That dude I just didn't feel like I had much to lose.
That's actually why I'm calling.
I like "Unseen," but I always felt like something was missing.
And after seeing you bum-rush Todd, I get the feeling that what's missing is your voice.
You open to sending me your script? Wait, for real? D-Dude, say no more.
I got you.
Done.
But hey you should know it's not exactly financed or anything.
Good.
Good.
I'm actually looking for the right thing to produce.
Maybe we could put something together.
That would be [CHUCKLING.]
Hells yeah.
I'll have my assistant reach out.
Guys like Todd have been stealing our stories for years.
Well, let's not let them steal another one.
[KNOCK ON DOOR.]
I saw what happened today, with the hostess.
[SCOFFS.]
Okay.
Do you want to - come in? - And with that saleswoman, too.
How you had to make sure that she knew I was your mother.
I know you thought I didn't notice, but I did.
I notice more than you think.
So, why didn't you say anything? Because I thought it would be better just to pretend like it didn't happen.
But what you said about not having that privilege I get that.
And I get why you wouldn't want that confusion for your child.
T-Thank you for saying that.
I realize I've done that my whole life.
Just Just skating past the bad to get to the good.
Pretending the world is better than it is.
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
Honey, I turned a cheek to so many things because I thought it would be easier for you.
But now I get how wrong that was.
I let you down, Gina.
I know that.
That's why I was so happy today.
Because deep down, I always thought that the reason you didn't want children was because of me.
Because I didn't set a good enough example.
It's But starting now, I just hope I can be half the mother I know you're gonna be.
Thank you, Mom.
[SNIFFLES.]
Yeah.
You're gonna be one hell of a grandma.
[CHUCKLES.]
Oh, sweetie.
[CHUCKLES.]
Oh, honey.
Oh.
I really prefer "Nana.
" [BOTH LAUGH.]
[HUMMING.]
Hey.
You're here.
Yeah.
Um, I'm really glad you changed your mind.
So, uh, do you like pierogies? [CHUCKLES.]
Yeah, I mean, anything fried.
- [CLEARS THROAT.]
- Great.
- Let's do it.
[CHUCKLES.]
- [LAUGHING.]
Okay.
You'll love this place.
Alice.
He picked them up.
Mark Dunnigan picked up the tickets.
Oh! [LAUGHS.]
[BOTH LAUGH.]
Who's Mark Dunnigan? Uh, he's one of the biggest producers in the city.
"Violet Moon," "Inside the Outside," "The Seventh Floor.
" I I mean, this could be like "Hamilton," where they went from doing a workshop to going to the public, and then they went to Broadway.
[LAUGHS.]
We should take him for drinks, pitch him our vision for expanding it.
Absolutely, uh, but I [SIGHS.]
I'm No, you should go.
Are you sure? [CHUCKLES.]
Yeah.
Because that would be great.
Because [SIGHS.]
this could be so big.
But we can still do, uh, a dinner the next time you're in town, okay? My God.
Make sure that you tell, um, Greg about the por Um, the porch porch scene.
But Yeah Yeah, porch Okay.
Break a leg, Mom.
Oh.
Oh.
[CHUCKLES.]
Okay.
I'm so sorry.
I-I shouldn't have pushed you to come here.
No.
Don't be sorry.
[CHUCKLES.]
I've spent so much time blaming myself for her leaving.
I always thought if I had been better, I'd been shinier, if I had just been more I don't know.
Then maybe she would've stuck around.
Gary, what your mom did, it It wasn't about you.
I know.
It was always about her.
Huh.
I see that now.
I'm sorry, man.
Don't be.
You both are my family, and I'm sorry for not treating you like it lately.
- It's all good.
- Yeah.
[SIREN CHIRPS.]
Huh? Gary your ride's here.
[SNORTS.]
[ROME AND DELILAH LAUGH.]
[LAUGHS.]
[YAWNING.]
Alright.
- Alright.
[SIGHS.]
- Sweet dreams.
You know, I always say that you're like a sister to me.
Mm.
But today, you were more of a mother than Alice ever was.
- [CHUCKLES.]
- Hey.
Your children will never live in a world where their mother doesn't get out of the car.
As you may recall, I've made some missteps of my own.
I mean it, D.
You're the best mom I know.
Sophie's gonna come around.
[CELLPHONE VIBRATES.]
- Yeah.
- Look at that.
[BEEP.]
Hey, Maggie, can I call you ba What's wrong? [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
[SIGHS.]
Hey.
Hi.
[SIGHS.]
[SNIFFLES.]
How much did Delilah tell you? Enough.
I'm sorry.
I am such an idiot.
[SNIFFLES.]
The whole time, he was lying, and I believed him.
Hey, you didn't do anything wrong.
You were really sad, and you missed your brother.
And if we're being completely honest here, part of this is on me.
Why? If I hadn't been so insensitive about the psychic, your need for closure I didn't give you what you needed.
So, you had to go get it from Eric.
Gary, this is not on you.
Maybe, but it's not on you, either.
Have you had dinner? I was gonna go get tacos at that place down the street.
No, I can't do that.
I just I just wanted to come here and tell you that I could've handled myself better.
Good night.
[SIGHS.]