Parenthood s02e12 Episode Script
Meet the New Boss
I think this one is shaping up to be a real stinker.
Wanna help out? Principal Taylor asked me to come here and spice it up.
He what? You don't like how I'm directing the play, you spice it up however you like.
Alex.
Adam Braverman.
Nice to meet you, Mr.
Braverman.
I was wondering if you'd like to come over some night for dinner.
I'd actually love that.
I'm in AA.
It's best if you don't see Alex anymore.
Gordon, I know that things have been rough and you've been thinking about selling the company It's sold.
Aw, honey.
Hi.
You're amazing.
Thank you.
Sometimes I forget to tell you how amazing you are.
But you are amazing.
Thank you so much.
Thanks.
- Honey, those are for Haddie.
- Those are not for you.
Oh, they're guilt pancakes, aren't they? No, they're not guilt pancakes.
Yeah, you're resorting to bribery.
I am not.
I thought that they were comfort pancakes for me, so I'd feel less anxious on my first day at work with the new boss.
Yes, and you can have some.
Okay, thank you.
From the reject pile.
Yeah, I know.
I know the reject pile.
I didn't sleep last night.
I feel really badly about the way things happened and I hate breaking her heart.
Just I Kristina, listen a minute.
I do, honey.
He is 19.
He has his own apartment.
I know, but He's a recovering alcoholic, okay? I like the kid.
I do.
But we're doing the right thing.
I know we are.
Good morning.
- Hey, sweetie! - Hi.
Hi.
Hi.
I made you some pancakes.
Chocolate chip, your favorite, favorite, favorite.
I didn't ask for any pancakes.
I know, but I wanted to make these for you.
They're chocolate chip.
Well, it's not going to work.
It's not going to fix everything.
I don't care, I She saved you the good ones.
I had the burned ones.
Don't treat me like a baby.
I'm just going to have coffee.
Fine.
I got you some hazelnut creamer that you were going to love.
Well, I just want it black.
Well, it's true.
Okay? There you go.
Okay.
Now, can I have one of those pancakes? Thank you.
Yeah, eat them.
I was hanging around till Hey, Amber, Drew, we got to go! Hey, Sarah, I mean, come on, tell her to change it up, will ya? It's the same thing over and over again.
Same what? What same thing? The music.
The music.
What music? The song she wrote for the thing.
The song she wrote for the thing? - What thing? - Nothing.
Nothing.
What is this? You were just playing a song.
Yes.
I understand it's for a thing.
Fine.
I am playing three songs at an open mic night at a very, very small club.
I don't need any advice.
You can't come.
Thanks for nothing.
See you later.
I'm going.
We're all going.
Yeah.
Hey, Amber.
I know some Byrds tunes.
Wow, look who it is.
I know.
Where have you been? Sorry.
It's okay.
Just grab a box.
I, uh Yeah.
So where you been? Um, just, you know, school stuff.
School stuff? Yeah.
SAT's, and, uh, you know, student council.
It's stupid stuff.
I mean, that's not stupid.
Well, it's stupid that, you know, I haven't been able to be here with you.
Okay, that's pretty stupid.
So, there we go.
We agree.
You know what you need? You need a night off.
Just a break from From? Everything that's going on.
I've been so rude, I haven't even had a chance to take you out on a real date.
I mean, that's true.
So, I'm thinking a night off, no SAT's, no AA, just you and me having some good old-fashioned fun.
Movies, ice cream, food.
What I'm asking you is Will you go out with me? Yes? No? Maybe? I mean, yeah.
Okay.
Can I help you? - Yes, I'm looking for, um - Adam Braverman.
Yeah, that's me.
What do you got for me? Got for you? Yeah, I assume you're not delivering the skateboard, which you can't use here, by the way, not in the parking lot, anywhere.
Which is ironic, since we started off as a surf and skateboard apparel company.
"We started off" You're not a delivery guy, are you? Cory Smith.
My new boss.
Pleased to meet you.
Okay.
Nah, sorry.
No, that's fine.
We can work on it, man.
Okay.
We'll do that.
Yeah.
Listen, are you sure this is gonna be enough food, because I made these reservations at Monticelli's.
Yeah, man, I cannot stand sitting that long.
Right.
But, dude, just wait.
These fish tacos absolutely kill it.
All right.
Yeah.
All right, so what were you saying about college? Stoked? Right, stoked.
So, I was supposed to be studying for this for this econ final, right? But when I finally sat down at my computer, my roommate had left the page open to The Legend of Johnny.
You know, it's like a stupid game.
Dude, the next thing I know, it's 5:00 in the morning and I haven't stopped playing.
Right.
And that was my, like, "a-ha" moment, you know? So, I got thinking Uh-huh.
You know, if a smart dude like me could spend seven hours on a dumb game Rightjust think about what a smart game would do for dumb dudes.
I can't imagine.
Boom.
That's what.
And I have the capital to save your shoe company.
Yeah.
Hey, you know, that's a perfect segue, because I really do want to hear Go on.
I want to hear what your vision is for the company, you know? Okay, the scroll wheel controls your powers.
Okay, uh You know, T and S used to be cool.
Yeah.
I want it to be cool again.
But it's like somewhere along the line, you guys forgot your roots.
Get that power up.
Uh, okay.
You guys got weird in '99.
We got weird? Yeah.
In '99.
Specifically we got weird.
Yeah.
Take that trap door.
All right.
Run! Run, run, run! I'm going! I'm going! Braverman! Okay, guys, you don't need to bang the pan.
You're supposed to be panning for gold.
Guys? Okay, I You're getting ready, right? You're And one, two, three This is A disaster.
All right, I want all the girls to go to the left, and all the boys to go to the right on my count, okay? Mr.
Crosby? Yeah, hold on one second, Danny, okay? Mr.
Crosby? Five, six, seven, eight Mr.
Crosby? Mr.
Crosby! What is it? What is it? I have to go to the bathroom.
Okay.
You can go.
I just did.
Oh, my gosh.
Um Everyone just stay there, I guess.
I don't know, um Great, you guys are here.
Okay, you can stop that.
"Bleaker Beige.
" Hey, honey.
Hi.
How was your day? Haddie! - What? - Please come here.
I don't want to raise my voice, because I'm really excited about this.
Listen, you know how we've talked before about redoing your room.
And, you know, painting over the pink, maybe tearing down posters Mom, why are you talking about this? I don't care about my room right now.
Honey, it's not just about that.
I'm acknowledging What is it about? the fact that you're growing up.
You can't just bribe me and make everything okay by painting my room.
I'm not trying to bribe you, honey.
You can't fix it like this.
I'm not.
I just think this could be really fun.
And it's not a bribe.
I don't bribe.
Maybe it's a little bit of a bribe.
What do you think about Nantucket Green? - Huh? - I am mad at you.
You can be mad at me.
Be so mad at me.
We're going to have fun doing it.
I'll smile and you can be mad.
You can pick out a color.
I've got Bleaker Beige, and these patterns of these Chinese chestnut wall mounts I mean Okay, yeah, fine.
Are really Fine, yeah.
Okay, we'll do it.
I don't Thanks, I guess.
Great.
It's going to be great.
Oh, hey.
Do you have any, um, whites? I'm doing some whites.
Really? Yeah.
That makes me nervous, but, yeah, actually I do, if you're going to do some laundry.
I have a big pile of dirty, smelly laundry.
Just go ahead and scoop it up with your hands I don't want to do that.
and then wash it.
I don't really want to do any laundry.
I'm just coming in here so you'll play me a song.
Yeah.
I won't.
Come on.
Why not? Because it's personal and I just don't Well, you're about to make the personal very public, so maybe, you know It's embarrassing and I feel nervous and stuff, so I understand.
Your dad used to play stuff for me, you know, before it was ready and I was pretty helpful.
Well, Dad and you didn't really turn out so well, so maybe Maybe we shouldn't jinx it.
No, you're right.
It didn't turn out so well.
But he's a very good musician and so are you.
Come on.
I'll play some for you.
But you have to just Please No.
Be cool.
No, I know.
Again, I've been in that world.
Do you know? Yes, I know how to be cool.
What? Nothing.
I can't see your face.
I will I'm sorry.
Just start again.
Okay, it's like It goes like What? What's it called? It's called Graveyard Song.
What? Nothing.
I mean, you'll bring the crowd to their feet.
Sorry, I'm not really ready for this.
I'm trying to lighten the mood.
Will you just play it? It's just not done yet.
It's not done.
So, you know, I just need to kind of rest on it.
Yeah, okay, I get it.
No, totally.
Okay.
But, again, I like, you know, listening to someone learn something.
Okay.
You're right.
Um, it sounds great.
It's going to be great.
Thanks.
I'm going to go do that laundry.
I'll leave it for Mom to do.
She likes to do it.
Okay, then.
Bye.
No.
Boring.
No, no, no.
My grandpa wears these for lawn bowling.
What else? Cory, you know what? You know what might be helpful? Now that you see what you don't like Mmm-hmm? You could tell me what kind of shoes you do want to make.
Or better yet, you can tell the design team yourself.
They've been dying to meet you.
Tell them this.
Okay.
We need to get radical.
I get radical.
More vending machines.
Okay.
Anything else? I want pre-'99 stuff.
Before we got weird? Yes.
Ah.
Yes! He made $1,000,000 on this game? No, honey, he made way more than $1,000,000.
Really? Yeah.
You hate Cory.
You know, he should be working in a video store.
You know, he's that guy, the scruffy kid who acts like he's Johnny Zen, but he's really just a slacker in a video store who doesn't have the drive to ring up the sale in a respectful amount of time.
You know what I mean? He's that guy.
Jeez, yeah.
That's terrible.
And now he runs T and S.
What's this ball for? There's a ball.
I don't know I mean, this could be it, Kristina.
This could be the end.
I could be out of a job.
Can you show me how to work this? I just want to try it.
God, it's a stupid videogame, honey.
There's the track ball and the middle controls your powers.
Okay.
Am I the robot or am I the turtle? You're the robot.
Got it.
You know what? I'm not gonna do this.
I'm making myself sick.
I'm not gonna complain like this.
I'm gonna keep it together.
I'm gonna have a positive attitude.
I'm going to give him some space to be able to come up with a good idea.
If necessary, I'm gonna give him some guidance.
Damn you! Turtle.
All right.
Honey? Unbelievable.
All right, good night, Kristina.
I love you.
Be right there.
Honey, I just got in! I got in.
I'm in hell.
I beat a monkey.
I'm in fricking hell.
Oh, dude, there you are.
Hey.
I've been looking for you everywhere.
Oh, look at this.
Uh-huh, good.
Can you help me with something? Yeah, what's up? Um, my parents told me that I can't talk to this guy, and I just want to still be able to text message and stuff like that without worrying that they're like Oh, yeah, that's such an easy fix.
You're going to be shocked.
Let me see your phone.
It's embarrassingly easy.
Watch this.
Oh, my God.
It's going to take me five seconds.
- All you need to do is - Shh! - There are no cell phones in the library.
- Okay? Take it outside.
Sorry.
Let's go.
Okay, so basically all you're gonna want to do is do the old switcheroo, okay? So, what's the guy's name? Uh, it's Alex.
Alex.
Yeah.
Alex is now Chloe.
Oh, Chloe, of course.
Okay? That's amazing.
You're a genius.
Problem solved.
This is I feel like an idiot for not thinking of that.
It's okay.
It takes learning it the hard way and Great.
So wait.
What's going on with this guy, this Alex guy? I I like him.
I mean, are you dating him? I'm listening.
No.
Well, I don't know really.
We're not We're going to go on a real date on Friday.
That's so exciting.
You seem excited and happy.
Why are your parents not excited and happy? Because they're just stressed out because he had a bad childhood, honestly.
His mom died and his dad used to drink and then he drank, too.
But he's fine now and he's in AA and he's so good.
He's in AA? He's been there for six months and he's okay.
Whoa.
Okay.
Yep.
That's intense.
I can handle it.
Thanks a lot.
You're welcome.
I appreciate it.
Okay, explain to me why you're in my office when I'm not the one that can help you with your situation? Because it's humiliating.
I don't want to ask Joel to come back because then I'd be admitting that the play fell apart when he quit.
Cros, the play fell apart when he quit.
Wow.
Okay, so you've already picked a side.
You just betrayed that bond between a brother and a sister.
Nobody's choosing sides.
Okay, well, if you had to pick Joel.
Wow, that was quick.
- Cros, he's just - He's annoyingly good at this kind of thing.
Yeah.
I just kind of thought I was going to be good at it.
You'll get there.
You think I'll get there in the next week? Listen, Cros, you think that the definition of a good parent is one that's successful all the time.
But sometimes the definition of a good parent is just one who knows when it's time to eat crow and admit that you've had your ass handed to you by a class of 6-year-olds.
Mmm-hmm.
Well, I have certainly had my ass handed to me by a class of 6-year-olds, so So, now the only honorable thing left to do is to ask for help.
From Joel? The one and only.
Hi.
Hi.
I picked up a few samples and I thought I'd get started just to show you what I found.
Okay, is this the stuff on the bed from the table? That's That was here.
Okay.
Thank you.
But it's all intact, don't worry.
I'm not worried.
I just need a book.
So what do you think? Do you like this one, the purple? Yeah.
It feels good? Yeah, I like it.
Hey, uh, what about Friday night? What do you say we hang out, paint, maybe order a pizza? I don't know, put on some music.
Um I'm going to the movies with Amber on Friday.
Okay.
That's fine.
Um, we can maybe do it over the weekend.
Maybe Saturday.
I can stay in Friday night and paint a big patch just to see how it looks.
Okay.
Yeah? Yeah.
You don't mind doing it on Saturday? No, I want to do it, I really do.
I look forward to it.
Okay.
Great.
Great.
It's a date.
Yeah.
Just hanging around till 2:00 or 3:00 Treating me well It's so good.
Ooh, I have a question.
It was by The Doors It's good, by the way.
It's so good! It's so good! Stop crying.
No! It's beautiful! I feel embarrassed.
It's beautiful.
Listen, I need help, okay? Okay.
It goes Would you wake me when you leave? But I could also go Would you wake me when you leave? Leave Like, do that.
I love that.
I love that, on the second one.
That's good because the second one is, like, sadder.
It's like I'll be seeing you again Very nice.
Yeah? Really pretty.
Okay.
Yeah.
Cool.
And then it goes Oh, crap.
But So Honey I always forget this part.
I know, don't do it, don't do it.
You know, you don't need that lick, it's just Keep going, leave it clean.
No, it sounds good.
It really, like, adds some complexity to it.
I just have to Oh, but, honey, you're gonna be so much more nervous than you think when you get up there.
The microphone and the sound and the lights and stuff, you're gonna get very, very nervous, and I just feel like you're kind of choking on that.
Mom I mean, it's Mom.
No, no, 'cause your other songs will be more Please, I can't think about that.
I just I know, I know.
Need to learn it and do it.
I'm just saying, it's quiet and simple already, and so it doesn't need the Simple? Kind of No, it's beautiful.
It's not too simple.
It's beautiful, it just seems to be making you tense to add the extra thing and you don't need it.
Oh, now I'm nervous! Now it doesn't matter if I feel like I get it down, I'm gonna be worried about how I look doing it.
Never mind.
You're right.
I don't wanna make you feel weird.
It was so good, it was so good.
So, what are we wearing to this open mic thing? I haven't been to one of these since Crosby's punk band.
Do you remember that? What was it called? The Burning Sensation.
- God.
- And they were bad.
I don't know, Mom.
You always look pretty cool.
Oh, that's nice.
I'll tell you one thing, I called Adam about carpooling Oh, Dad.
And he doesn't know anything about this.
We're still not sure if everybody's going to get to go.
- Well, we're going to go.
- What are you talking about? It's my granddaughter's If I want to see my granddaughter perform, I can go see her perform.
You know, Dad, let's talk to Amber about it later.
Later? We can talk about it now.
Dad I don't care if you guys go or not.
Yay! Oh! But there's a catch.
I won't be there.
What does that mean? I quit.
I'm not doing it.
No, no, no.
After all that work you did? Yeah, I just didn't feel like it.
Also, I'm going to a movie with Haddie on Friday.
Can I borrow the car? Yes.
Okay.
Wait.
No, what happened? It's not a big deal.
I just didn't feel like doing it, okay? Problem solved.
No, no, no.
Let me take you to school! That's okay.
I'll take the bus.
What's that about? It's about me.
Hey.
So, as it turns out, good intentions and raw talent aren't enough to pull off kindergarten theater.
Well Look, my ego got the better of me, I think.
And I'm sorry about that.
But I don't think the kids should be punished for that, or the parents that have to sit through this terrible play I've created.
What are you saying? Joel, I'm begging you, man.
You got to come back.
If you don't, this play is going to be the biggest disaster in California since the earthquake in 1905.
Man, the play is about the history of California.
I don't even know.
Joel, you got to come back.
I don't know, man.
I just I'm not equipped to do this without you.
Yeah, I got to I got to think about it a little.
Okay.
Yeah.
Crosby? Yeah.
I just I am kidding, man.
What do you mean you're kidding? Your sister told me you'd be coming over.
She told you that I was coming over? I heard your bike from half a mile away.
And you just let me go through that whole speech? And the whole time It was a great speech.
Well, then I take it all back.
You can't take it back.
No, I do.
It's out there.
Get in here and have a beer with me.
I didn't mean any of it.
I want to see you do that whole thing again.
What was the part about you desperately needing me? I don't know what I'm doing anymore.
Nice.
It's like ah! Braverman! Come here a sec, man.
Check out this robot.
Whoo! Cool.
That's radical.
Uh, I didn't think you were coming in today.
Oh, yeah, man, we just got here.
Check it, these are a few of my pals.
What's up? Spyder, C.
J.
, Smokey.
Hey, Braverman.
Hi, Smokey.
Spyder here has some really amazing shoe ideas.
Spyder, tell him.
Okay.
Well, it's more of a drawing than an idea.
Uh-huh.
But you take all the shoe demons out of the T and S thing, pow, kick in a new flavor.
You hear what I'm saying? Put that on the sole? "Pow"? No, the pow is in your brain.
And, see, it's like this skull, Braverman, with the horns, that's actually the shoe is thinking that.
The shoe demons exit it.
It's like it's being exorcised.
- It's a shoe, Braverman.
- It's a shoe.
Right.
Come on, Braverman.
Yeah, well, you've given me a lot to think about.
Cory, can I see you in my office? Yeah, man, as soon as I'm done here, I It can't wait.
Uh-oh, busted, Cory.
Busted.
Thank you.
What's up? Listen, I don't know how you worked your business with the videogames, but this place is a living, breathing company.
We make shoes.
And there are people who work here who need this company to succeed whether you do or not.
Wait a minute.
Okay? No one wants T and S to be great again more than me.
Really? Well, then I'd like to see you act like it.
Starting tomorrow, come in during regular business hours, meet your design team.
These are great people with great ideas.
They're also people with families, who are scared to death that you are going to run this place into the ground.
Is that how you feel? I don't know yet.
But after what I just saw in there, honestly, that doesn't even begin to cover my fears.
I know exactly what I'm doing.
Okay, okay, listen, you don't know what you're doing! You don't have a mission statement.
You don't have a business plan.
I mean, the only thing that you've presented me with is this vague idea that somehow we got weird in the '90s.
So I don't have an answer yet.
You better come up with one soon.
You bought the company, you're the guy who has to have the answer.
I know what the problem is.
Well, what's that? You guys started selling out.
Now, coming up with what we're going to do is a creative problem.
It's exciting.
And I'm working on it.
And I want you to be working on it, too, with me.
That's it? Yeah.
That's how people solve problems.
They think about them.
You can't control creativity, man.
Now, I'm completely comfortable with the fact that I don't have an answer yet.
But you need to be comfortable with that, too.
Because whatever we do, it's going to involve taking risks.
Braverman.
Braverman.
Braver-man! Yes, yes, that's my name.
I like you, okay? You're a cool dude.
You're smart.
And I want you to stick around.
But we're going to be going for an extremely youth-oriented product.
And it is going to get radical.
And I just wanna make sure that you're up for it.
Okay.
Are you sure? I'm sure.
Cool.
What's the deal with the movie? How did it go? Uh, we went to the UA Berkeley Seven on Shattuck.
Yes.
Correct.
And we can't believe that they raised ticket prices again.
Awful.
So rude.
And what did you think about the movie? How did you feel? I mean, it was okay, but Michael Cera was obviously hilarious.
Obviously hilarious and cute.
And adorable.
Yes, correct.
Okay.
Okay, I think you got it.
That's pretty much all the bases covered.
How do I look? You look beautiful.
Doofus.
Okay.
Thank you.
Thank you, seriously, for everything.
I will call you, uh, when it's time to pick me up.
Can I say something, even though you're going to get mad at me? Okay.
Okay.
Drinking.
I know.
But I just need to get it out.
Okay.
You know that my dad drank and it was a big problem? Mmm-hmm.
Okay.
It's just that when somebody you love drinks, it's like they're a different person.
And you don't matter, and it can be really, really scary.
And I understand that this guy is probably the coolest guy in the whole world.
And I'm sure it will never be a problem.
Honestly.
Alex is okay.
I know.
I know.
He's been sober for six months.
I know, but that's not very long.
And my dad would have longer stretches and go back into it.
I'm just saying I know.
I'm I hear you.
I understand.
Just be aware, okay? Okay? Okay.
Yeah.
You don't have to worry.
You're my ride home.
Very comforting.
Okay.
Great.
I'll call you.
Thank you.
I am listening to you.
Don't wait up.
All right.
Okay.
You look great.
Thank you.
He's a lucky man.
Uh-oh.
Should I be worried that you're sitting alone in the dark in the laundry room not doing laundry? I just can't figure out how to get my whites whiter.
What's up? Oh, Mom.
Do you ever worry so much about something bad happening to me, that you stomped out my fire by accident? I don't know.
You know, we all try to protect our kids.
It's what we do, you know? And then they grow up and we can't protect them anymore.
And you'd save yourself a lot of grief if you'd accept that fact.
I mean, we can be there for them, but we can't protect them.
I think it's one of the toughest things about being a parent.
Hey.
What're you reading? It's a book.
All right, well, I just came to say good night, Max.
Did I ever tell you you're a good kid? Mmm-hmm.
Well, you still are.
Why are you still here? Just lost in thought, I guess.
I was You know, my boss thinks I'm too old.
How old are you? Forty-one.
That's pretty old.
Sweet dreams, Son.
Are we not allowed to be out here? If I said we have permission, would it make it any less exciting? No.
Actually, I'm very afraid of breaking rules.
Just come on.
Which is stupid, but Oh, my God.
This is beautiful.
What is this? What are you doing? How did you set all of this up? I pulled some strings, you know, called in a few favors.
This is my favorite movie.
It's your third favorite.
Your first is Love Actually, but you already saw it with that Steve guy, so that was completely out of the question.
Mmm-hmm.
And although I like you, not enough to sit through Twilight.
I mean, I just don't know what to say.
You're a really good listener.
I try.
Come on, we're missing the movie.
Okay.
So cute.
Where did you get this? I, uh, called in some favors, you know? If you haven't noticed, I'm very well connected.
To? The security guard.
He owes me a favor.
Ooh, sparkling water.
So, how about we toast? Okay.
To first dates.
Okay.
Mmm.
This is good.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
How was the movie? Hey.
Uh, it was good.
It was a little long, but Michael Cera was adorable as always.
What? You still play that chord that funny way.
I know.
Dad showed me how to do it and now it's the only way I can play it.
Now I remember.
You were so little when you started playing.
And your little, tiny little hand wouldn't reach and so he showed you the cheat.
Yeah, and now I get made fun of.
Well, it's something useful he taught you, anyway.
Yeah.
I'm sorry you're not doing the open mic night.
I feel bad about that.
You know, when you have kids, if you have kids, there's something you should know, a very confusing thing they don't tell you.
You see so much of yourself in them.
You see your ironic take on the world.
That one was for me.
You see your smile, your walk, your sense of humor, whatever.
And you think they're you.
But they're not you.
And they shouldn't have all of your baggage, your fear and your insecurity and your life experience because that's not fair.
They have their own.
Your song is beautiful.
It's haunting and moving and It's so you.
And that's all I should have said to you the other night.
I'm so proud and I'm so impressed and I'm so in awe of you.
And I want you to just go out there and fly.
You can fly.
- Candy.
- I want some candy.
Hey, guys.
Guys, can I have everyone's attention? I have a huge surprise for you.
What is it? - Okay, hold on.
- Hold on.
Hold on.
Our most talented director is back from vacation.
You may remember him, Sydney's dad.
Joel! Hi, Daddy.
Hey, honey.
Who wants to help us tell a story? Me.
Me.
Sit on your tushies if you can hear me.
Now, we're going to need two super special volunteers to help us pass out a new script, featuring all the music that Crosby taught you, all that great music, with some history of California.
It is gonna be awesome! Whisper scream as loud as you can.
Yeah! We're We're just supposed to wait? Yeah, we'll just wait.
It's fine.
You know, maybe someone should check on her.
Uh, that would be you.
I'm sure she's fine.
I don't want to say the wrong thing.
Hey, Sarah, come on.
This is ri-gosh-damn-diculous.
- Oh, no, no, no, no.
- Dad, no.
Just give her - I got this handled, baby.
- You know what I'm saying? Oh, God.
Oh, my Well.
Hey, Amber, I'm coming in.
Okay, let's go.
I don't think I can do it.
I'm so nervous.
And my voice is sounding really bad and my fingers feel heavy and What are you talking I'm serious.
I'm really nervous.
Now, Amber Now, Amber, stop it.
Stop it.
Stop it.
We are going.
Honey, you are going to be fantastic.
I mean, great.
You're an EVP at a solid company.
I've got people who would kill for that job.
Yeah, uh, look, it's just there's a changeover going on at the company, and I'm not I'm not sure it's going to continue to be a good fit.
So, I just wanted to see, you know, what else is out there.
I mean, you've got a great résumé, but there's There's nothing out there.
I've got people with golden résumés and no job to send them to.
That fact that you have a job, I'd sit tight.
Do you cut your losses when there's nothing to gain? Like Christ on a cross taking all the pain You thought you had forever but it wound up the same Singing nothing ever hurt like love - I'm glad you made it.
- Hey, sweetie.
Yeah, thanks.
Just a little late for something at work.
It's all right? You good? Yeah, I'm good.
Awesome.
Good.
Fortune and fame Left behind some songs Hmm.
Who's Chloe? Uh, just somebody from student council I know, nosy.
I'm not nosy.
I just don't know who Chloe is.
Hurry back, okay? I'll be right back, yeah.
The show's gonna start.
You guys good? Yeah, we're so good.
She's being so sweet to me.
I don't know what happened.
Great.
I mean, I'm sort of, like, loving our new Did I miss Amber? No.
Is she coming on soon? Honey, I don't I didn't book this guy.
I don't know.
lessons pass you by So you found someone who'll make you feel all fancy inside He's, like, funky, like, grooving.
Everybody's grooving.
Should I be funky so that people will groove? No.
Are you sure? You're not funky.
Oh, my God, what's wrong? What's wrong? Nothing.
I fixed it.
You're beautiful.
Okay.
Okay.
Oh, my God.
I think I'm gonna throw up.
I feel like I'm gonna throw up.
I might throw up.
Should I throw up? Maybe it'II No, just breathe.
Take a breath.
Okay, try.
Oh, my God, I'm stuffy.
No, no, just breathe.
Too stuffy.
No, breathe all the way.
Oh, my God.
I'm so stuffy and nervous.
I'm really nervous.
I know.
If I helped you the way I helped your dad, it would involve tequila.
So, we're going to have to think of something new.
Oh, God.
Okay.
Listen, look at me.
You know, if you get nervous, just forget the crowd and find me and just look at me.
Okay.
Okay? It'll give you something to focus on.
Okay.
Okay.
Hey, do you know what? What? You can fly, too.
Thanks.
Hi.
My name's Amber.
This is a song that I'm going to sing that's called Graveyard Song.
Okay.
All right, ready? Smoke make me lose my memories Drink make my body feel You know who she reminds me of? Who? Seth.
Treating me well I've been thinking about getting clean Rising up at a decent hour Would you wake me when you leave? It's been so much better than I can say It will be sad when you go Since there is not an easy way I'll just say hello There's no such thing as the end There are only new beginnings I'll be seeing you again
Wanna help out? Principal Taylor asked me to come here and spice it up.
He what? You don't like how I'm directing the play, you spice it up however you like.
Alex.
Adam Braverman.
Nice to meet you, Mr.
Braverman.
I was wondering if you'd like to come over some night for dinner.
I'd actually love that.
I'm in AA.
It's best if you don't see Alex anymore.
Gordon, I know that things have been rough and you've been thinking about selling the company It's sold.
Aw, honey.
Hi.
You're amazing.
Thank you.
Sometimes I forget to tell you how amazing you are.
But you are amazing.
Thank you so much.
Thanks.
- Honey, those are for Haddie.
- Those are not for you.
Oh, they're guilt pancakes, aren't they? No, they're not guilt pancakes.
Yeah, you're resorting to bribery.
I am not.
I thought that they were comfort pancakes for me, so I'd feel less anxious on my first day at work with the new boss.
Yes, and you can have some.
Okay, thank you.
From the reject pile.
Yeah, I know.
I know the reject pile.
I didn't sleep last night.
I feel really badly about the way things happened and I hate breaking her heart.
Just I Kristina, listen a minute.
I do, honey.
He is 19.
He has his own apartment.
I know, but He's a recovering alcoholic, okay? I like the kid.
I do.
But we're doing the right thing.
I know we are.
Good morning.
- Hey, sweetie! - Hi.
Hi.
Hi.
I made you some pancakes.
Chocolate chip, your favorite, favorite, favorite.
I didn't ask for any pancakes.
I know, but I wanted to make these for you.
They're chocolate chip.
Well, it's not going to work.
It's not going to fix everything.
I don't care, I She saved you the good ones.
I had the burned ones.
Don't treat me like a baby.
I'm just going to have coffee.
Fine.
I got you some hazelnut creamer that you were going to love.
Well, I just want it black.
Well, it's true.
Okay? There you go.
Okay.
Now, can I have one of those pancakes? Thank you.
Yeah, eat them.
I was hanging around till Hey, Amber, Drew, we got to go! Hey, Sarah, I mean, come on, tell her to change it up, will ya? It's the same thing over and over again.
Same what? What same thing? The music.
The music.
What music? The song she wrote for the thing.
The song she wrote for the thing? - What thing? - Nothing.
Nothing.
What is this? You were just playing a song.
Yes.
I understand it's for a thing.
Fine.
I am playing three songs at an open mic night at a very, very small club.
I don't need any advice.
You can't come.
Thanks for nothing.
See you later.
I'm going.
We're all going.
Yeah.
Hey, Amber.
I know some Byrds tunes.
Wow, look who it is.
I know.
Where have you been? Sorry.
It's okay.
Just grab a box.
I, uh Yeah.
So where you been? Um, just, you know, school stuff.
School stuff? Yeah.
SAT's, and, uh, you know, student council.
It's stupid stuff.
I mean, that's not stupid.
Well, it's stupid that, you know, I haven't been able to be here with you.
Okay, that's pretty stupid.
So, there we go.
We agree.
You know what you need? You need a night off.
Just a break from From? Everything that's going on.
I've been so rude, I haven't even had a chance to take you out on a real date.
I mean, that's true.
So, I'm thinking a night off, no SAT's, no AA, just you and me having some good old-fashioned fun.
Movies, ice cream, food.
What I'm asking you is Will you go out with me? Yes? No? Maybe? I mean, yeah.
Okay.
Can I help you? - Yes, I'm looking for, um - Adam Braverman.
Yeah, that's me.
What do you got for me? Got for you? Yeah, I assume you're not delivering the skateboard, which you can't use here, by the way, not in the parking lot, anywhere.
Which is ironic, since we started off as a surf and skateboard apparel company.
"We started off" You're not a delivery guy, are you? Cory Smith.
My new boss.
Pleased to meet you.
Okay.
Nah, sorry.
No, that's fine.
We can work on it, man.
Okay.
We'll do that.
Yeah.
Listen, are you sure this is gonna be enough food, because I made these reservations at Monticelli's.
Yeah, man, I cannot stand sitting that long.
Right.
But, dude, just wait.
These fish tacos absolutely kill it.
All right.
Yeah.
All right, so what were you saying about college? Stoked? Right, stoked.
So, I was supposed to be studying for this for this econ final, right? But when I finally sat down at my computer, my roommate had left the page open to The Legend of Johnny.
You know, it's like a stupid game.
Dude, the next thing I know, it's 5:00 in the morning and I haven't stopped playing.
Right.
And that was my, like, "a-ha" moment, you know? So, I got thinking Uh-huh.
You know, if a smart dude like me could spend seven hours on a dumb game Rightjust think about what a smart game would do for dumb dudes.
I can't imagine.
Boom.
That's what.
And I have the capital to save your shoe company.
Yeah.
Hey, you know, that's a perfect segue, because I really do want to hear Go on.
I want to hear what your vision is for the company, you know? Okay, the scroll wheel controls your powers.
Okay, uh You know, T and S used to be cool.
Yeah.
I want it to be cool again.
But it's like somewhere along the line, you guys forgot your roots.
Get that power up.
Uh, okay.
You guys got weird in '99.
We got weird? Yeah.
In '99.
Specifically we got weird.
Yeah.
Take that trap door.
All right.
Run! Run, run, run! I'm going! I'm going! Braverman! Okay, guys, you don't need to bang the pan.
You're supposed to be panning for gold.
Guys? Okay, I You're getting ready, right? You're And one, two, three This is A disaster.
All right, I want all the girls to go to the left, and all the boys to go to the right on my count, okay? Mr.
Crosby? Yeah, hold on one second, Danny, okay? Mr.
Crosby? Five, six, seven, eight Mr.
Crosby? Mr.
Crosby! What is it? What is it? I have to go to the bathroom.
Okay.
You can go.
I just did.
Oh, my gosh.
Um Everyone just stay there, I guess.
I don't know, um Great, you guys are here.
Okay, you can stop that.
"Bleaker Beige.
" Hey, honey.
Hi.
How was your day? Haddie! - What? - Please come here.
I don't want to raise my voice, because I'm really excited about this.
Listen, you know how we've talked before about redoing your room.
And, you know, painting over the pink, maybe tearing down posters Mom, why are you talking about this? I don't care about my room right now.
Honey, it's not just about that.
I'm acknowledging What is it about? the fact that you're growing up.
You can't just bribe me and make everything okay by painting my room.
I'm not trying to bribe you, honey.
You can't fix it like this.
I'm not.
I just think this could be really fun.
And it's not a bribe.
I don't bribe.
Maybe it's a little bit of a bribe.
What do you think about Nantucket Green? - Huh? - I am mad at you.
You can be mad at me.
Be so mad at me.
We're going to have fun doing it.
I'll smile and you can be mad.
You can pick out a color.
I've got Bleaker Beige, and these patterns of these Chinese chestnut wall mounts I mean Okay, yeah, fine.
Are really Fine, yeah.
Okay, we'll do it.
I don't Thanks, I guess.
Great.
It's going to be great.
Oh, hey.
Do you have any, um, whites? I'm doing some whites.
Really? Yeah.
That makes me nervous, but, yeah, actually I do, if you're going to do some laundry.
I have a big pile of dirty, smelly laundry.
Just go ahead and scoop it up with your hands I don't want to do that.
and then wash it.
I don't really want to do any laundry.
I'm just coming in here so you'll play me a song.
Yeah.
I won't.
Come on.
Why not? Because it's personal and I just don't Well, you're about to make the personal very public, so maybe, you know It's embarrassing and I feel nervous and stuff, so I understand.
Your dad used to play stuff for me, you know, before it was ready and I was pretty helpful.
Well, Dad and you didn't really turn out so well, so maybe Maybe we shouldn't jinx it.
No, you're right.
It didn't turn out so well.
But he's a very good musician and so are you.
Come on.
I'll play some for you.
But you have to just Please No.
Be cool.
No, I know.
Again, I've been in that world.
Do you know? Yes, I know how to be cool.
What? Nothing.
I can't see your face.
I will I'm sorry.
Just start again.
Okay, it's like It goes like What? What's it called? It's called Graveyard Song.
What? Nothing.
I mean, you'll bring the crowd to their feet.
Sorry, I'm not really ready for this.
I'm trying to lighten the mood.
Will you just play it? It's just not done yet.
It's not done.
So, you know, I just need to kind of rest on it.
Yeah, okay, I get it.
No, totally.
Okay.
But, again, I like, you know, listening to someone learn something.
Okay.
You're right.
Um, it sounds great.
It's going to be great.
Thanks.
I'm going to go do that laundry.
I'll leave it for Mom to do.
She likes to do it.
Okay, then.
Bye.
No.
Boring.
No, no, no.
My grandpa wears these for lawn bowling.
What else? Cory, you know what? You know what might be helpful? Now that you see what you don't like Mmm-hmm? You could tell me what kind of shoes you do want to make.
Or better yet, you can tell the design team yourself.
They've been dying to meet you.
Tell them this.
Okay.
We need to get radical.
I get radical.
More vending machines.
Okay.
Anything else? I want pre-'99 stuff.
Before we got weird? Yes.
Ah.
Yes! He made $1,000,000 on this game? No, honey, he made way more than $1,000,000.
Really? Yeah.
You hate Cory.
You know, he should be working in a video store.
You know, he's that guy, the scruffy kid who acts like he's Johnny Zen, but he's really just a slacker in a video store who doesn't have the drive to ring up the sale in a respectful amount of time.
You know what I mean? He's that guy.
Jeez, yeah.
That's terrible.
And now he runs T and S.
What's this ball for? There's a ball.
I don't know I mean, this could be it, Kristina.
This could be the end.
I could be out of a job.
Can you show me how to work this? I just want to try it.
God, it's a stupid videogame, honey.
There's the track ball and the middle controls your powers.
Okay.
Am I the robot or am I the turtle? You're the robot.
Got it.
You know what? I'm not gonna do this.
I'm making myself sick.
I'm not gonna complain like this.
I'm gonna keep it together.
I'm gonna have a positive attitude.
I'm going to give him some space to be able to come up with a good idea.
If necessary, I'm gonna give him some guidance.
Damn you! Turtle.
All right.
Honey? Unbelievable.
All right, good night, Kristina.
I love you.
Be right there.
Honey, I just got in! I got in.
I'm in hell.
I beat a monkey.
I'm in fricking hell.
Oh, dude, there you are.
Hey.
I've been looking for you everywhere.
Oh, look at this.
Uh-huh, good.
Can you help me with something? Yeah, what's up? Um, my parents told me that I can't talk to this guy, and I just want to still be able to text message and stuff like that without worrying that they're like Oh, yeah, that's such an easy fix.
You're going to be shocked.
Let me see your phone.
It's embarrassingly easy.
Watch this.
Oh, my God.
It's going to take me five seconds.
- All you need to do is - Shh! - There are no cell phones in the library.
- Okay? Take it outside.
Sorry.
Let's go.
Okay, so basically all you're gonna want to do is do the old switcheroo, okay? So, what's the guy's name? Uh, it's Alex.
Alex.
Yeah.
Alex is now Chloe.
Oh, Chloe, of course.
Okay? That's amazing.
You're a genius.
Problem solved.
This is I feel like an idiot for not thinking of that.
It's okay.
It takes learning it the hard way and Great.
So wait.
What's going on with this guy, this Alex guy? I I like him.
I mean, are you dating him? I'm listening.
No.
Well, I don't know really.
We're not We're going to go on a real date on Friday.
That's so exciting.
You seem excited and happy.
Why are your parents not excited and happy? Because they're just stressed out because he had a bad childhood, honestly.
His mom died and his dad used to drink and then he drank, too.
But he's fine now and he's in AA and he's so good.
He's in AA? He's been there for six months and he's okay.
Whoa.
Okay.
Yep.
That's intense.
I can handle it.
Thanks a lot.
You're welcome.
I appreciate it.
Okay, explain to me why you're in my office when I'm not the one that can help you with your situation? Because it's humiliating.
I don't want to ask Joel to come back because then I'd be admitting that the play fell apart when he quit.
Cros, the play fell apart when he quit.
Wow.
Okay, so you've already picked a side.
You just betrayed that bond between a brother and a sister.
Nobody's choosing sides.
Okay, well, if you had to pick Joel.
Wow, that was quick.
- Cros, he's just - He's annoyingly good at this kind of thing.
Yeah.
I just kind of thought I was going to be good at it.
You'll get there.
You think I'll get there in the next week? Listen, Cros, you think that the definition of a good parent is one that's successful all the time.
But sometimes the definition of a good parent is just one who knows when it's time to eat crow and admit that you've had your ass handed to you by a class of 6-year-olds.
Mmm-hmm.
Well, I have certainly had my ass handed to me by a class of 6-year-olds, so So, now the only honorable thing left to do is to ask for help.
From Joel? The one and only.
Hi.
Hi.
I picked up a few samples and I thought I'd get started just to show you what I found.
Okay, is this the stuff on the bed from the table? That's That was here.
Okay.
Thank you.
But it's all intact, don't worry.
I'm not worried.
I just need a book.
So what do you think? Do you like this one, the purple? Yeah.
It feels good? Yeah, I like it.
Hey, uh, what about Friday night? What do you say we hang out, paint, maybe order a pizza? I don't know, put on some music.
Um I'm going to the movies with Amber on Friday.
Okay.
That's fine.
Um, we can maybe do it over the weekend.
Maybe Saturday.
I can stay in Friday night and paint a big patch just to see how it looks.
Okay.
Yeah? Yeah.
You don't mind doing it on Saturday? No, I want to do it, I really do.
I look forward to it.
Okay.
Great.
Great.
It's a date.
Yeah.
Just hanging around till 2:00 or 3:00 Treating me well It's so good.
Ooh, I have a question.
It was by The Doors It's good, by the way.
It's so good! It's so good! Stop crying.
No! It's beautiful! I feel embarrassed.
It's beautiful.
Listen, I need help, okay? Okay.
It goes Would you wake me when you leave? But I could also go Would you wake me when you leave? Leave Like, do that.
I love that.
I love that, on the second one.
That's good because the second one is, like, sadder.
It's like I'll be seeing you again Very nice.
Yeah? Really pretty.
Okay.
Yeah.
Cool.
And then it goes Oh, crap.
But So Honey I always forget this part.
I know, don't do it, don't do it.
You know, you don't need that lick, it's just Keep going, leave it clean.
No, it sounds good.
It really, like, adds some complexity to it.
I just have to Oh, but, honey, you're gonna be so much more nervous than you think when you get up there.
The microphone and the sound and the lights and stuff, you're gonna get very, very nervous, and I just feel like you're kind of choking on that.
Mom I mean, it's Mom.
No, no, 'cause your other songs will be more Please, I can't think about that.
I just I know, I know.
Need to learn it and do it.
I'm just saying, it's quiet and simple already, and so it doesn't need the Simple? Kind of No, it's beautiful.
It's not too simple.
It's beautiful, it just seems to be making you tense to add the extra thing and you don't need it.
Oh, now I'm nervous! Now it doesn't matter if I feel like I get it down, I'm gonna be worried about how I look doing it.
Never mind.
You're right.
I don't wanna make you feel weird.
It was so good, it was so good.
So, what are we wearing to this open mic thing? I haven't been to one of these since Crosby's punk band.
Do you remember that? What was it called? The Burning Sensation.
- God.
- And they were bad.
I don't know, Mom.
You always look pretty cool.
Oh, that's nice.
I'll tell you one thing, I called Adam about carpooling Oh, Dad.
And he doesn't know anything about this.
We're still not sure if everybody's going to get to go.
- Well, we're going to go.
- What are you talking about? It's my granddaughter's If I want to see my granddaughter perform, I can go see her perform.
You know, Dad, let's talk to Amber about it later.
Later? We can talk about it now.
Dad I don't care if you guys go or not.
Yay! Oh! But there's a catch.
I won't be there.
What does that mean? I quit.
I'm not doing it.
No, no, no.
After all that work you did? Yeah, I just didn't feel like it.
Also, I'm going to a movie with Haddie on Friday.
Can I borrow the car? Yes.
Okay.
Wait.
No, what happened? It's not a big deal.
I just didn't feel like doing it, okay? Problem solved.
No, no, no.
Let me take you to school! That's okay.
I'll take the bus.
What's that about? It's about me.
Hey.
So, as it turns out, good intentions and raw talent aren't enough to pull off kindergarten theater.
Well Look, my ego got the better of me, I think.
And I'm sorry about that.
But I don't think the kids should be punished for that, or the parents that have to sit through this terrible play I've created.
What are you saying? Joel, I'm begging you, man.
You got to come back.
If you don't, this play is going to be the biggest disaster in California since the earthquake in 1905.
Man, the play is about the history of California.
I don't even know.
Joel, you got to come back.
I don't know, man.
I just I'm not equipped to do this without you.
Yeah, I got to I got to think about it a little.
Okay.
Yeah.
Crosby? Yeah.
I just I am kidding, man.
What do you mean you're kidding? Your sister told me you'd be coming over.
She told you that I was coming over? I heard your bike from half a mile away.
And you just let me go through that whole speech? And the whole time It was a great speech.
Well, then I take it all back.
You can't take it back.
No, I do.
It's out there.
Get in here and have a beer with me.
I didn't mean any of it.
I want to see you do that whole thing again.
What was the part about you desperately needing me? I don't know what I'm doing anymore.
Nice.
It's like ah! Braverman! Come here a sec, man.
Check out this robot.
Whoo! Cool.
That's radical.
Uh, I didn't think you were coming in today.
Oh, yeah, man, we just got here.
Check it, these are a few of my pals.
What's up? Spyder, C.
J.
, Smokey.
Hey, Braverman.
Hi, Smokey.
Spyder here has some really amazing shoe ideas.
Spyder, tell him.
Okay.
Well, it's more of a drawing than an idea.
Uh-huh.
But you take all the shoe demons out of the T and S thing, pow, kick in a new flavor.
You hear what I'm saying? Put that on the sole? "Pow"? No, the pow is in your brain.
And, see, it's like this skull, Braverman, with the horns, that's actually the shoe is thinking that.
The shoe demons exit it.
It's like it's being exorcised.
- It's a shoe, Braverman.
- It's a shoe.
Right.
Come on, Braverman.
Yeah, well, you've given me a lot to think about.
Cory, can I see you in my office? Yeah, man, as soon as I'm done here, I It can't wait.
Uh-oh, busted, Cory.
Busted.
Thank you.
What's up? Listen, I don't know how you worked your business with the videogames, but this place is a living, breathing company.
We make shoes.
And there are people who work here who need this company to succeed whether you do or not.
Wait a minute.
Okay? No one wants T and S to be great again more than me.
Really? Well, then I'd like to see you act like it.
Starting tomorrow, come in during regular business hours, meet your design team.
These are great people with great ideas.
They're also people with families, who are scared to death that you are going to run this place into the ground.
Is that how you feel? I don't know yet.
But after what I just saw in there, honestly, that doesn't even begin to cover my fears.
I know exactly what I'm doing.
Okay, okay, listen, you don't know what you're doing! You don't have a mission statement.
You don't have a business plan.
I mean, the only thing that you've presented me with is this vague idea that somehow we got weird in the '90s.
So I don't have an answer yet.
You better come up with one soon.
You bought the company, you're the guy who has to have the answer.
I know what the problem is.
Well, what's that? You guys started selling out.
Now, coming up with what we're going to do is a creative problem.
It's exciting.
And I'm working on it.
And I want you to be working on it, too, with me.
That's it? Yeah.
That's how people solve problems.
They think about them.
You can't control creativity, man.
Now, I'm completely comfortable with the fact that I don't have an answer yet.
But you need to be comfortable with that, too.
Because whatever we do, it's going to involve taking risks.
Braverman.
Braverman.
Braver-man! Yes, yes, that's my name.
I like you, okay? You're a cool dude.
You're smart.
And I want you to stick around.
But we're going to be going for an extremely youth-oriented product.
And it is going to get radical.
And I just wanna make sure that you're up for it.
Okay.
Are you sure? I'm sure.
Cool.
What's the deal with the movie? How did it go? Uh, we went to the UA Berkeley Seven on Shattuck.
Yes.
Correct.
And we can't believe that they raised ticket prices again.
Awful.
So rude.
And what did you think about the movie? How did you feel? I mean, it was okay, but Michael Cera was obviously hilarious.
Obviously hilarious and cute.
And adorable.
Yes, correct.
Okay.
Okay, I think you got it.
That's pretty much all the bases covered.
How do I look? You look beautiful.
Doofus.
Okay.
Thank you.
Thank you, seriously, for everything.
I will call you, uh, when it's time to pick me up.
Can I say something, even though you're going to get mad at me? Okay.
Okay.
Drinking.
I know.
But I just need to get it out.
Okay.
You know that my dad drank and it was a big problem? Mmm-hmm.
Okay.
It's just that when somebody you love drinks, it's like they're a different person.
And you don't matter, and it can be really, really scary.
And I understand that this guy is probably the coolest guy in the whole world.
And I'm sure it will never be a problem.
Honestly.
Alex is okay.
I know.
I know.
He's been sober for six months.
I know, but that's not very long.
And my dad would have longer stretches and go back into it.
I'm just saying I know.
I'm I hear you.
I understand.
Just be aware, okay? Okay? Okay.
Yeah.
You don't have to worry.
You're my ride home.
Very comforting.
Okay.
Great.
I'll call you.
Thank you.
I am listening to you.
Don't wait up.
All right.
Okay.
You look great.
Thank you.
He's a lucky man.
Uh-oh.
Should I be worried that you're sitting alone in the dark in the laundry room not doing laundry? I just can't figure out how to get my whites whiter.
What's up? Oh, Mom.
Do you ever worry so much about something bad happening to me, that you stomped out my fire by accident? I don't know.
You know, we all try to protect our kids.
It's what we do, you know? And then they grow up and we can't protect them anymore.
And you'd save yourself a lot of grief if you'd accept that fact.
I mean, we can be there for them, but we can't protect them.
I think it's one of the toughest things about being a parent.
Hey.
What're you reading? It's a book.
All right, well, I just came to say good night, Max.
Did I ever tell you you're a good kid? Mmm-hmm.
Well, you still are.
Why are you still here? Just lost in thought, I guess.
I was You know, my boss thinks I'm too old.
How old are you? Forty-one.
That's pretty old.
Sweet dreams, Son.
Are we not allowed to be out here? If I said we have permission, would it make it any less exciting? No.
Actually, I'm very afraid of breaking rules.
Just come on.
Which is stupid, but Oh, my God.
This is beautiful.
What is this? What are you doing? How did you set all of this up? I pulled some strings, you know, called in a few favors.
This is my favorite movie.
It's your third favorite.
Your first is Love Actually, but you already saw it with that Steve guy, so that was completely out of the question.
Mmm-hmm.
And although I like you, not enough to sit through Twilight.
I mean, I just don't know what to say.
You're a really good listener.
I try.
Come on, we're missing the movie.
Okay.
So cute.
Where did you get this? I, uh, called in some favors, you know? If you haven't noticed, I'm very well connected.
To? The security guard.
He owes me a favor.
Ooh, sparkling water.
So, how about we toast? Okay.
To first dates.
Okay.
Mmm.
This is good.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
How was the movie? Hey.
Uh, it was good.
It was a little long, but Michael Cera was adorable as always.
What? You still play that chord that funny way.
I know.
Dad showed me how to do it and now it's the only way I can play it.
Now I remember.
You were so little when you started playing.
And your little, tiny little hand wouldn't reach and so he showed you the cheat.
Yeah, and now I get made fun of.
Well, it's something useful he taught you, anyway.
Yeah.
I'm sorry you're not doing the open mic night.
I feel bad about that.
You know, when you have kids, if you have kids, there's something you should know, a very confusing thing they don't tell you.
You see so much of yourself in them.
You see your ironic take on the world.
That one was for me.
You see your smile, your walk, your sense of humor, whatever.
And you think they're you.
But they're not you.
And they shouldn't have all of your baggage, your fear and your insecurity and your life experience because that's not fair.
They have their own.
Your song is beautiful.
It's haunting and moving and It's so you.
And that's all I should have said to you the other night.
I'm so proud and I'm so impressed and I'm so in awe of you.
And I want you to just go out there and fly.
You can fly.
- Candy.
- I want some candy.
Hey, guys.
Guys, can I have everyone's attention? I have a huge surprise for you.
What is it? - Okay, hold on.
- Hold on.
Hold on.
Our most talented director is back from vacation.
You may remember him, Sydney's dad.
Joel! Hi, Daddy.
Hey, honey.
Who wants to help us tell a story? Me.
Me.
Sit on your tushies if you can hear me.
Now, we're going to need two super special volunteers to help us pass out a new script, featuring all the music that Crosby taught you, all that great music, with some history of California.
It is gonna be awesome! Whisper scream as loud as you can.
Yeah! We're We're just supposed to wait? Yeah, we'll just wait.
It's fine.
You know, maybe someone should check on her.
Uh, that would be you.
I'm sure she's fine.
I don't want to say the wrong thing.
Hey, Sarah, come on.
This is ri-gosh-damn-diculous.
- Oh, no, no, no, no.
- Dad, no.
Just give her - I got this handled, baby.
- You know what I'm saying? Oh, God.
Oh, my Well.
Hey, Amber, I'm coming in.
Okay, let's go.
I don't think I can do it.
I'm so nervous.
And my voice is sounding really bad and my fingers feel heavy and What are you talking I'm serious.
I'm really nervous.
Now, Amber Now, Amber, stop it.
Stop it.
Stop it.
We are going.
Honey, you are going to be fantastic.
I mean, great.
You're an EVP at a solid company.
I've got people who would kill for that job.
Yeah, uh, look, it's just there's a changeover going on at the company, and I'm not I'm not sure it's going to continue to be a good fit.
So, I just wanted to see, you know, what else is out there.
I mean, you've got a great résumé, but there's There's nothing out there.
I've got people with golden résumés and no job to send them to.
That fact that you have a job, I'd sit tight.
Do you cut your losses when there's nothing to gain? Like Christ on a cross taking all the pain You thought you had forever but it wound up the same Singing nothing ever hurt like love - I'm glad you made it.
- Hey, sweetie.
Yeah, thanks.
Just a little late for something at work.
It's all right? You good? Yeah, I'm good.
Awesome.
Good.
Fortune and fame Left behind some songs Hmm.
Who's Chloe? Uh, just somebody from student council I know, nosy.
I'm not nosy.
I just don't know who Chloe is.
Hurry back, okay? I'll be right back, yeah.
The show's gonna start.
You guys good? Yeah, we're so good.
She's being so sweet to me.
I don't know what happened.
Great.
I mean, I'm sort of, like, loving our new Did I miss Amber? No.
Is she coming on soon? Honey, I don't I didn't book this guy.
I don't know.
lessons pass you by So you found someone who'll make you feel all fancy inside He's, like, funky, like, grooving.
Everybody's grooving.
Should I be funky so that people will groove? No.
Are you sure? You're not funky.
Oh, my God, what's wrong? What's wrong? Nothing.
I fixed it.
You're beautiful.
Okay.
Okay.
Oh, my God.
I think I'm gonna throw up.
I feel like I'm gonna throw up.
I might throw up.
Should I throw up? Maybe it'II No, just breathe.
Take a breath.
Okay, try.
Oh, my God, I'm stuffy.
No, no, just breathe.
Too stuffy.
No, breathe all the way.
Oh, my God.
I'm so stuffy and nervous.
I'm really nervous.
I know.
If I helped you the way I helped your dad, it would involve tequila.
So, we're going to have to think of something new.
Oh, God.
Okay.
Listen, look at me.
You know, if you get nervous, just forget the crowd and find me and just look at me.
Okay.
Okay? It'll give you something to focus on.
Okay.
Okay.
Hey, do you know what? What? You can fly, too.
Thanks.
Hi.
My name's Amber.
This is a song that I'm going to sing that's called Graveyard Song.
Okay.
All right, ready? Smoke make me lose my memories Drink make my body feel You know who she reminds me of? Who? Seth.
Treating me well I've been thinking about getting clean Rising up at a decent hour Would you wake me when you leave? It's been so much better than I can say It will be sad when you go Since there is not an easy way I'll just say hello There's no such thing as the end There are only new beginnings I'll be seeing you again