This is Us (2016) s02e15 Episode Script
The Car
1 Previously on This Is Us - Dad! - I'm going downstairs for Kevin.
No, no, no, Jack.
Kevin's not here.
He was with Sophie last night.
Take 'em.
- KATE: Louie, come out, boy! - JACK: I think I can get to him.
REBECCA: He went back in for the dog.
You took in a tremendous amount of smoke.
(CLEARING THROAT) Must really love that dog.
Really love the girl that loves the dog.
DOCTOR: Your husband went into cardiac arrest.
Mrs.
Pearson, your husband has died.
KEVIN: I'm at Dad's tree.
Came down to talk with him.
You know, Mom, you were really strong for us when it happened.
Can't even imagine what that must've been like for you.
(TRAFFIC PASSING IN DISTANCE) (HORN HONKS) (SIGHS) (PAPER SHUFFLING) (HORN HONKS) JACK: Hey, guys? - Slow down.
Watch out.
The - I want a pink car! - Sorry.
Sorry about that.
- No, we have to get a Porsche! - It's got to be the same car as - Shh.
[ALL CHATTERING EXCITEDLY.]
- Guys.
- Hey.
Shh.
Come here.
Can I remind you that we are guests in this dealership? Yes.
So we're gonna use our indoor voices.
Okay, look, go sit down over there and enjoy the free A.
C.
- Mom and Dad need to negotiate.
- (SIGHS) - I should've gotten a sitter.
- No.
No, not today.
Look, they are walking embodiments of why we're so strapped for cash, Bec.
Do you mean to tell me you're gonna use our children to guilt them into giving us a good deal? Yeah.
That's exactly what I'm gonna do.
- (LAUGHS) - Mm-hmm.
You are so bad.
- Am I? - (WHISPERS): You're so bad.
MEL: I love it! You two are just the sort of bright and shiny couple I would love to put into this bright and shiny Jeep Wagoneer.
- Hi.
Mel Buchanan.
- JACK: Hey.
Jack Pearson.
This is my wife Rebecca.
- Hi.
- Hi.
No, I think the, uh, Wagoneer's a little too steep for us.
REBECCA: Mm-hmm.
Well, luckily for you, I'm in a good mood.
(LAUGHS) In fact, I'm in a downright stupid mood.
- I'm gonna practically - Mel.
I'm gonna stop you right there.
Do you see those kids over there? - JACK: They're ours.
- REBECCA: All of them.
- They're expensive.
(CHUCKLES) - All of them.
We don't really need anything bright and shiny.
We just want something reliable and affordable.
- Yeah.
- And safe.
Well, uh, we've got some used cars, right this way.
- There we go.
- All right.
I mean, it's not flashy, but, uh, it's got low mileage.
Big trunk.
Um It's gonna have a few good years left in her.
Everything is automatic on the inside (KIDS CHATTERING EXCITEDLY) - Whoo! - Oh, my gosh! - REBECCA: I mean, I think it it warrants a closer look.
What do you think, babe? I think, Mel, you and I should go into your office and have a talk, see if we can't figure something out.
But, Jack, we should at least look at the car, though, first, before you go in there and talk to him.
We haven't even looked at the car yet.
How's your leg feeling? Good as new.
REBECCA: Guys.
Could you hurry up, please? Come on.
- The service doesn't start until 2:00.
- Yeah.
But I want to get there now, so let's go.
How'd it go? - Pretty good.
- Yeah? Yeah.
I got the Wagoneer.
What? Jack.
No, no, no.
- We can't afford that car.
- We can.
He gave us a pretty good deal.
It's just a little bit more than what we wanted to spend, but we're okay.
Well, what did you say to him? Ah (BOTH LAUGH) Tell the kids.
I'm-I'm gonna go finish up with him.
- Okay.
- All right.
Uh, you guys? Your dad bought the Wagoneer.
- (KIDS CHEERING) - (REBECCA LAUGHING) Did we really have to rush out the door like that? You know, I'm not even done getting dressed.
REBECCA: Yes.
We have to be to the cemetery before the urn gets there.
Why do we have to get there before the urn gets there? Because we just do.
I forgot to put Louie in his crate before we left.
He's gonna pee on the carpet.
Okay, then he pees all over the carpet, Kate.
I don't want him anymore, anyway.
I'm gonna ask around and see if anyone wants to take a dog.
Okay.
That's fine.
Go ahead and ask around.
Damn it.
You have to make the fat part longer.
I can help you with it if you want me to.
No, screw it.
I'm not wearing a tie.
You're not gonna wear a tie to Dad's funeral? He wouldn't care.
JACK: Ah, looks like it started snowing.
Watch your step, babe.
It's ahh It could be slippery.
Thank you.
(EXHALES, SHIVERS) - (EXHALES) - Yeah.
Hey.
The doctors, they're-they're just being cautious.
In a few hours, they'll call us with the results of the MRI, and they're gonna tell us that you are fine.
(SIGHS) Babe, I've just been so dizzy all week.
- I've never felt like this before.
- I know.
I know.
And it's probably just an inner ear thing.
All right? They just they just got to be sure that it's not something really serious.
- That's all.
- Yeah.
- Like a brain tumor.
- Right.
All right, let's just let's go back to the house and wait for them to call.
I'm gonna go crazy if we're waiting at the house.
Let's, um You know what, they've got my pager number.
I want to take you someplace special.
(ENGINE STARTS) So, here it is.
My favorite tree.
I had no idea you had a favorite tree.
I'm full of surprises.
(JACK SIGHS) How are you right now? Dizzy? No, I'm okay.
Sort of comes and goes.
Okay.
All right? Sorry.
I'm being such a baby about all of this.
Hey, listen to me.
Rebecca, you are gonna live forever.
- (SCOFFS) Okay, Jack.
- No.
Hey, Bec, listen.
You are.
Look, I know in my bones today is not the day the world gives us bad news.
Okay? Today this beautiful, perfect day is the day that my beautiful, perfect wife finds out she's okay.
How are you always so sure about these things? How is the snow still gonna fall if you're not around to see it? Just wouldn't seem right.
(JACK BREATHES DEEPLY) REBECCA: Why is this your favorite tree? Because this is where you find out you're okay.
(PAGER RINGING) There's a phone.
Let's go.
Okay.
Hi, this is Rebecca Pearson.
Um, somebody just paged my husband.
I think the results of my MRI are in.
(EXHALES) That's great news.
So it is just the ear thing? You're sure? Wow.
Thank you so much.
Yeah.
Okay, thank you.
All right, bye-bye.
(EXHALES) How did you choose that tree? It was closest one to a pay phone.
(DOOR CLOSES) Ohhh.
Hey, Bec.
I meant what I said before.
You're gonna live forever.
(SCOFFS) Okay, Jack.
- That means I'm gonna go first.
- Jack No, look, we don't have to talk about it.
- We don't.
- Just don't put me in the ground.
Okay? Let me be outside.
Okay.
Now can we just stop all that talk now? (SIGHS) Hi.
We're here.
Sir.
Hi.
Sorry.
Um I'm-I'm Rebecca Pearson.
- I'm Jack's wife.
- Oh.
- I'm sorry for your loss.
- Thank you.
Uh, the service doesn't start for another hour.
No, I know, I know.
I just wanted to I wanted to be here when he arrived.
Um, we'll go sit.
(BIRDS CHIRPING) PASTOR: Jack Pearson was a good man.
He was beloved by his community; by his children, Kate, Kevin, Randall; and his wife of 21 years, Rebecca.
When I had to speak at my mom's funeral, I was really worried that I, uh, might get choked up.
And Jack told me that if I were to get emotional, that I should just stop and take a sip of water.
But I'm not sure if there's enough water in this world to get me through today.
RANDALL: I hope that, uh, one day, I can find a love like my father had for my mother and like she had for him.
Mom.
- Mom.
- Hmm? Everybody's leaving for the reception.
- Are you ready to leave? - Yeah.
Excuse me.
Sir.
Uh, what happens now? Oh, I was just gonna transport it for you to the reception.
No, no, no, no.
We'll take it.
- Are you sure? We usually - Yes, I'm sure.
- Thank you.
- Okay.
Guys, let's go.
Okay, Randall, a good driver is flexible.
- Got to be spontaneous.
- Okay.
- Okay, foot on the brake.
- Mm-hmm.
There you go.
And turn the car on.
Don't overcrank it though.
- (ENGINE STARTS) - Go, go, go.
There you go.
Okay.
Now, gear into drive.
There you go.
Foot off the brake.
Put a little pressure on the gas.
Off the brake.
There you go.
Give it a little bit more.
There you go.
Eyes on the road.
Dude, come on.
RANDALL: It's my first time on the road.
Please.
(ENGINE REVVING) Happy now? I mean, I'll probably be 40 by the time we get around the block.
And still living in Mom and Dad's basement.
- Hey, cool it, both of you.
- You know what, it's better than 40 - and never being touched by a woman.
- Go to hell, Kev.
- Hey, hey, watch! Look! Watch, watch! - (TIRES SCREECH) Brake, brake, brake! Put it in park.
Put it in park.
- You guys okay? - Yeah, I'm fine.
-Yeah.
- (JACK EXHALES) - I'm s-sorry, I didn't I didn't see it.
Get out.
You're walking home.
- It's, like, five miles.
- Get out.
(DOOR CLOSES) I'm sorry.
Look, we're sorry, okay? It won't happen again.
I don't understand you two.
My brother and me inseparable when we were your age.
- What? - RANDALL: Nothing.
You just never talk about him or anything when you were a kid.
Yeah, well, what's there to talk about? You know the big stuff.
Our dad was a drunk.
Our mom was depressed.
Nicky Nicky was my best friend.
We went to war, and he died.
Not exactly fun to reminisce.
My brother and I, we had to look out for each other.
No one, no one was gonna do it for us.
Okay? But you two, you're lucky.
Nothing's forced you to have each other's backs.
So, you're either gonna decide to fix the stuff that's broken between you or you're not.
That's up to you.
And I hope you do, because, your mom and I, we're not gonna be around forever.
And when we're gone, the two of you and your sister are the only people on this planet who are gonna be able to look back and remember all the stuff that's happened to you.
I know that may not seem like a big deal now, but trust me when I say it it is.
MAN: I really mean it.
The office just isn't gonna be the same without your dad there.
RANDALL: Thank you so much.
My dad loved working with you.
Appreciate it.
Thank you.
- Hey, hey.
- (RANDALL GRUNTS) What the hell, man? - Where'd you get Dad's watch? - Mom brought it back - from the hospital.
- (SCOFFS) So you just decided - it's yours now? - I asked her.
- She said it was fine.
- Of course she did.
Kevin.
SHELLY: Why don't you just come over tonight? Mom, did you say Randall could have Dad's watch? - Kevin - You did.
- Wow.
- What is the matter with you? You know what, man, I'm tired of the act.
I'm tired of watching you pretend to be - the new man of the house.
- I'm not trying to be the new A real man would've stopped Dad from going back in there.
I would've never let Dad go back in.
But you weren't there, Kev.
- You're never there for anyone.
- KATE: Stop it.
Seriously, what are you doing? Look where we are.
KATE: I'll go to the car.
- I'm gonna go get some air.
- I'm sorry, Mom.
I MAN (OVER RADIO): Expect much more of the same over the next couple of days.
Might want to do something with those outdoor activities that you've been saving up for.
Well, it looks like another wet one, folks.
Get your umbrellas out if you're going out.
Possible thundershowers over the next hours.
Cloudy tomorrow with a 50% chance It's gonna be a cold one, folks Excuse me, miss? Hey, Dad, I know this looks bad.
It's 10:00 a.
m.
on a Thursday.
Doesn't look good.
I know, but before I tell you why I'm here, I think you should know that I had no exams today, and that Where you going, Kate? Alanis Morissette is signing copies of Jagged Little Pill at Jerry's Records.
Okay, Dad, come on.
No one good ever comes to Pittsburgh.
And now, by some gift of God, Alanis Morissette, my favorite artist in the history of the world is coming - Get in the car.
- Dad.
Get in the car, Kate.
Are you taking me back to school? No.
I'm taking you to Jerry's Records.
All right, so who's this Atlantis character whose music trumps a good education? (MUTTERS) Dad, "Alanis," not "Atlantis.
" (CHUCKLES): Oh, like that's a more normal name.
- Mm.
- All right, let's hear it.
- Okay.
- (CASSETTE CLICKS) - And it would knock me - (VOLUME INCREASES) To the floor if I wasn't there already If only I could hunt the hunter - And all I really want - I don't get it.
- Yeah.
See, I told you.
- Well, I mean, this-this is, this is like complaining with a guitar, Kate.
This isn't music.
(LAUGHS) Well, Dad, this won five Grammys.
- No.
Really? - Yes.
Yes.
She's only, like, six years older than me.
- So crazy.
- No.
(TURNS MUSIC OFF) That's taken years off of my life, - so, want to - All right.
You want to hear you want to hear something? This really gets underneath your skin.
- Well, I sought gold - Huh? - Ah, Bruce.
- Yeah.
You know, you are so predictable.
- Predictable? - Yeah.
More like appreciating an American hero.
Oh, all right.
Calm down.
(LAUGHS) You know, actually, your guy Bruce and Alanis are not that different.
Oh, yeah.
How is that? I mean, musically, they're nothing alike, but but they do both use songs to tell their stories, so, like, this intimacy comes through.
They make you feel like they're your best friend, but also you at the very same time.
From a house on a hill I'm sorry.
Did my daughter get abducted by a veteran Rolling Stone critic? - Dad.
- (LAUGHS) I walk through these rooms, but none of them are mine I've been writing my own stuff.
- Down empty hallways - Yeah? Yeah.
But honestly, it's just for fun.
I mean, come on.
I'm no Alanis.
Searching for my beautiful reward JACK: Okay, Jerry's Records, here we are.
- (GIGGLES) - That'll be $18.
50.
- Yeah.
- Hey, Kate.
Yeah.
I think you ought to give music some serious thought, you know, as a path.
Dad, I read that 0.
2 percent of people who start music careers actually make it, so that's basically nobody.
Okay, well, I read that 100% of people that get caught up in "how many people make it" statistics - never actually make it.
- Really? - Yeah.
- You read that? - Sure did.
- Yeah.
Hey, look.
You may not be this Alanis - Morissette.
- Morissette character, but you're Kate Pearson, okay? Whatever Kate Pearson has her heart set on, she gets.
Okay? Don't ever forget it.
- Go.
Go.
- Okay.
(LAUGHS) - Have fun.
- (SQUEALS) - Thanks for the ride, Dad.
- Yeah, you got it.
Hey, Bruce album, by the way pretty good, actually.
Yeah? Hey, maybe I'll get us tickets sometime! (WHISPERS): Hey, my Bug.
(SNIFFLES) (SIGHS) How are you? I don't understand how he died.
He went into cardiac arrest because he inhaled too much smoke.
Because he went back inside, right? - I don't know.
- You know.
- No, I don't know, Kate.
- You know.
But the rest of us didn't inhale too much smoke because we got out in time.
But Dad he he would have got out in time, too, but he went back inside, right? - (QUIETLY): I don't know.
- You do know.
Hello, Rebecca.
Hi.
We have to stop meeting under such dramatic circumstances.
- (REBECCA CHUCKLES) Yes.
Yes, we do.
- (LAUGHS) Uh, this is Anne.
This is my wife.
- Oh, hi.
- Hi.
We just wanted to come pay our respects.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Nathan's told me all about your husband.
How he used to come by the hospital for advice every so often those first few years - when your kids were young.
- What? I kept trying to tell him, "I don't know how to raise 'em, I just know how to deliver 'em," but he wouldn't stop coming.
He'd gotten it into his head I was wise.
I think it's your voice.
- Oh.
Oh.
- It's very soothing.
- And your lemon metaphors.
- (CHUCKLES) - The mustache helps, too.
- (LAUGHS) - Adds a certain gravitas.
- Mm, it does.
ANNE: Well, - I'm gonna give you two a moment.
- Thank you, darlin'.
It was so good to meet you, Rebecca.
Nice to meet you.
(SNIFFLES) I hate this thing.
She's the one makes me use it.
Says it's 'cause she loves me.
- (SCOFFS) - Hmm.
I like her.
(SNIFFLING) Yeah, yeah.
Me, too.
Me, too.
Yup.
So, what are you doing out here? (REBECCA SIGHS) (QUIETLY): I wasn't there when he died.
I wasn't there.
I have been following his urn around all day because I wasn't there, and I want to make up for it.
Rebecca I can't do this without him.
(SNIFFLES) I just, I can't.
He knew how to do all of this.
He was fearless.
I'm not fearless.
I'm not.
(QUIETLY): Uh, yeah.
Rebecca, um I would never presume to know more about your husband than you, hmm? But, um the man I knew, the one that used to drop by my office unannounced from time to time now he had, uh, he had a whole lot of fears.
- He did? - (LAUGHS): Oh.
A new father is the most fearful creature alive, and he was no exception.
(CHUCKLES) No.
Fears about his wife and about his children.
About being able to keep them happy and healthy safe.
But he did a pretty good job taking care of his family, now, didn't he? - Yeah.
- Yeah.
- And so will you.
- Oh.
I can't, not without him.
- Now, hold on.
Hold on, now.
- (SIGHS) You are the same woman who lost a child and rolled out of my hospital with three babies just the same.
You're as tough as they come, Rebecca Pearson.
- Not without him.
- Bullcrap.
- Not without him! - Bullcrap.
- Rebecca? - (SNIFFLES) - Rebecca.
- I know.
I know.
I know.
(SNIFFLES) Take the sourest lemons and make something resembling lemonade, right? You didn't just make something resembling lemonade, dear.
You made one of the sweetest damn pitchers of lemonade - I ever saw.
- (SOBS) So don't you try and sell me - on what you can't do, - (SNIFFLES) because I'm too old, I'm too smart, and I'm not buying it.
Now, I would like to punctuate my inspiring speech by standing up, winking at you, and then walking away.
But I'm old, and all that would take at least six minutes.
(LAUGHS) (SIGHING) Can I just sit here with you for a little bit? (GROANS SOFTLY) (SNIFFLES, SIGHS) DR.
K: Sitting is what I'm best at these days.
Do you think we bought enough food? Hey, it's the Super Bowl, Kev.
You know we don't skimp on that.
(KEVIN CHUCKLES) Hey, dude, your cast is really digging in my leg.
At least your leg's fully functional.
KATE: Kev, quit whining.
Your cast comes off in two days.
Oh, hey, nobody make any plans for next Saturday.
- All right? - Why? - Because I have a surprise for us.
- Really? - All of you.
- (CHUCKLING) - Don't worry about it.
- Okay.
REBECCA: Hmm.
(JACK SIGHS) JACK: Okay, everyone get a bag.
REBECCA: I'll get your crutches.
- KEVIN: Thanks.
- JACK: Kev, you are off duty because of your injury.
Need a hand? Or a foot? Give me those.
There you go.
You got the bag? Let's make some dinner, okay? Hey.
- Are you ready to go? Okay.
- Yeah.
Hey, Randall, we're leaving.
- Already? - Yeah.
- Shouldn't we say bye? - Now.
Hey, where is your sister? - I think she's outside.
- Okay.
Then let's go.
All right.
Let's go.
(ENGINE STARTS) Do you guys remember the story about the first time your father brought me out here? Yeah.
When you had your cancer scare.
He said it was his favorite tree.
Even though he'd never been.
Okay.
Guess we had told you that one before, huh? Did you know that when your father and I first got married, I wasn't sure that I ever wanted to have kids? I mean I figured I would eventually, but (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) He was the worst at movies.
Wasn't he? He was just the worst.
I mean, as soon as the movie started, he would just figure out who would end up with who or who murdered who.
Somehow he was always, always right.
It's like he could see things before they happened.
You know? I mean, he could see you three before you happened.
Thank God he did.
Hey.
You know neither of you has to be the man of the house now, right? You're two 17-year-olds, okay? Your only job from now on, your only job is to go on dates and hang out with your friends and your sister, and I wouldn't protest if you wanted to do a load of laundry every now and then.
But that's it.
Okay? Mm-hmm.
Okay.
And, Kate, sweetheart, I know no matter what I say, no matter what anybody else says, you're gonna blame yourself for your father going back in the house to get Louie.
- Mom, please don't.
- No, no, no, no.
Listen to me.
Because it was not your fault.
Do you hear me? He was a grown man, Kate, who made a choice.
And if I have to spend the rest of my life making sure that you know that, I will.
Okay? (SNIFFLES) Okay.
- Are you ready? - (QUIET SOBBING) Yeah? Yeah.
It's okay.
(SOBS SOFTLY) - Mom? - What? Mom, is it possible that we don't do all of it? Yes.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- Sure, that's fine.
- Okay.
You guys (SNIFFLES) he got us tickets to go see Bruce Springsteen tonight at the Benedum Center.
I think we should go.
What do you think? Should we go? Yeah.
Yeah, we should go.
- We should go.
- I think so, too.
All right, can you give me just one moment here, and I'll meet you guys back at the car? Yeah.
Okay.
We're gonna be okay, baby.
I promise you, we're gonna be okay.
JACK: Here's the thing, Mel.
I don't want to buy one of those used cars out there.
- No? - That Wagoneer that's my family's car.
I, you know I can see it so clearly.
It's sturdy, tough.
Pearsons, we need tough.
Because I can tell you right now, there's gonna be scrapes.
I did something bad parking.
And dings.
- (BALL THUMPS) - Oops.
Stains.
- (RANDALL GASPS) - It's okay.
- Oh, my God.
- Randall! So many stains.
But that's okay.
Because every battle scar is gonna be another memory.
But eventually, that car out there, that car is gonna tell my family's story just by looking at it.
But here's the thing, Mel.
I can't afford that car.
I can't.
Which is why I need you to help me.
I mean, as parents we talk a lot about what we want for our kids, right? I mean, I know I think about it a lot.
What I want for mine.
And I can come up with a fancy word that's gonna make me sound a whole lot smarter than I actually am, but the one word I keep coming back to is "okay.
" I want my kids to be okay, Mel.
I want my family to be okay.
So, will you help me? Will you help me take care of my family? Because I see it, Mel.
I see it so clearly.
I see my family okay in that car.
No, no, no, Jack.
Kevin's not here.
He was with Sophie last night.
Take 'em.
- KATE: Louie, come out, boy! - JACK: I think I can get to him.
REBECCA: He went back in for the dog.
You took in a tremendous amount of smoke.
(CLEARING THROAT) Must really love that dog.
Really love the girl that loves the dog.
DOCTOR: Your husband went into cardiac arrest.
Mrs.
Pearson, your husband has died.
KEVIN: I'm at Dad's tree.
Came down to talk with him.
You know, Mom, you were really strong for us when it happened.
Can't even imagine what that must've been like for you.
(TRAFFIC PASSING IN DISTANCE) (HORN HONKS) (SIGHS) (PAPER SHUFFLING) (HORN HONKS) JACK: Hey, guys? - Slow down.
Watch out.
The - I want a pink car! - Sorry.
Sorry about that.
- No, we have to get a Porsche! - It's got to be the same car as - Shh.
[ALL CHATTERING EXCITEDLY.]
- Guys.
- Hey.
Shh.
Come here.
Can I remind you that we are guests in this dealership? Yes.
So we're gonna use our indoor voices.
Okay, look, go sit down over there and enjoy the free A.
C.
- Mom and Dad need to negotiate.
- (SIGHS) - I should've gotten a sitter.
- No.
No, not today.
Look, they are walking embodiments of why we're so strapped for cash, Bec.
Do you mean to tell me you're gonna use our children to guilt them into giving us a good deal? Yeah.
That's exactly what I'm gonna do.
- (LAUGHS) - Mm-hmm.
You are so bad.
- Am I? - (WHISPERS): You're so bad.
MEL: I love it! You two are just the sort of bright and shiny couple I would love to put into this bright and shiny Jeep Wagoneer.
- Hi.
Mel Buchanan.
- JACK: Hey.
Jack Pearson.
This is my wife Rebecca.
- Hi.
- Hi.
No, I think the, uh, Wagoneer's a little too steep for us.
REBECCA: Mm-hmm.
Well, luckily for you, I'm in a good mood.
(LAUGHS) In fact, I'm in a downright stupid mood.
- I'm gonna practically - Mel.
I'm gonna stop you right there.
Do you see those kids over there? - JACK: They're ours.
- REBECCA: All of them.
- They're expensive.
(CHUCKLES) - All of them.
We don't really need anything bright and shiny.
We just want something reliable and affordable.
- Yeah.
- And safe.
Well, uh, we've got some used cars, right this way.
- There we go.
- All right.
I mean, it's not flashy, but, uh, it's got low mileage.
Big trunk.
Um It's gonna have a few good years left in her.
Everything is automatic on the inside (KIDS CHATTERING EXCITEDLY) - Whoo! - Oh, my gosh! - REBECCA: I mean, I think it it warrants a closer look.
What do you think, babe? I think, Mel, you and I should go into your office and have a talk, see if we can't figure something out.
But, Jack, we should at least look at the car, though, first, before you go in there and talk to him.
We haven't even looked at the car yet.
How's your leg feeling? Good as new.
REBECCA: Guys.
Could you hurry up, please? Come on.
- The service doesn't start until 2:00.
- Yeah.
But I want to get there now, so let's go.
How'd it go? - Pretty good.
- Yeah? Yeah.
I got the Wagoneer.
What? Jack.
No, no, no.
- We can't afford that car.
- We can.
He gave us a pretty good deal.
It's just a little bit more than what we wanted to spend, but we're okay.
Well, what did you say to him? Ah (BOTH LAUGH) Tell the kids.
I'm-I'm gonna go finish up with him.
- Okay.
- All right.
Uh, you guys? Your dad bought the Wagoneer.
- (KIDS CHEERING) - (REBECCA LAUGHING) Did we really have to rush out the door like that? You know, I'm not even done getting dressed.
REBECCA: Yes.
We have to be to the cemetery before the urn gets there.
Why do we have to get there before the urn gets there? Because we just do.
I forgot to put Louie in his crate before we left.
He's gonna pee on the carpet.
Okay, then he pees all over the carpet, Kate.
I don't want him anymore, anyway.
I'm gonna ask around and see if anyone wants to take a dog.
Okay.
That's fine.
Go ahead and ask around.
Damn it.
You have to make the fat part longer.
I can help you with it if you want me to.
No, screw it.
I'm not wearing a tie.
You're not gonna wear a tie to Dad's funeral? He wouldn't care.
JACK: Ah, looks like it started snowing.
Watch your step, babe.
It's ahh It could be slippery.
Thank you.
(EXHALES, SHIVERS) - (EXHALES) - Yeah.
Hey.
The doctors, they're-they're just being cautious.
In a few hours, they'll call us with the results of the MRI, and they're gonna tell us that you are fine.
(SIGHS) Babe, I've just been so dizzy all week.
- I've never felt like this before.
- I know.
I know.
And it's probably just an inner ear thing.
All right? They just they just got to be sure that it's not something really serious.
- That's all.
- Yeah.
- Like a brain tumor.
- Right.
All right, let's just let's go back to the house and wait for them to call.
I'm gonna go crazy if we're waiting at the house.
Let's, um You know what, they've got my pager number.
I want to take you someplace special.
(ENGINE STARTS) So, here it is.
My favorite tree.
I had no idea you had a favorite tree.
I'm full of surprises.
(JACK SIGHS) How are you right now? Dizzy? No, I'm okay.
Sort of comes and goes.
Okay.
All right? Sorry.
I'm being such a baby about all of this.
Hey, listen to me.
Rebecca, you are gonna live forever.
- (SCOFFS) Okay, Jack.
- No.
Hey, Bec, listen.
You are.
Look, I know in my bones today is not the day the world gives us bad news.
Okay? Today this beautiful, perfect day is the day that my beautiful, perfect wife finds out she's okay.
How are you always so sure about these things? How is the snow still gonna fall if you're not around to see it? Just wouldn't seem right.
(JACK BREATHES DEEPLY) REBECCA: Why is this your favorite tree? Because this is where you find out you're okay.
(PAGER RINGING) There's a phone.
Let's go.
Okay.
Hi, this is Rebecca Pearson.
Um, somebody just paged my husband.
I think the results of my MRI are in.
(EXHALES) That's great news.
So it is just the ear thing? You're sure? Wow.
Thank you so much.
Yeah.
Okay, thank you.
All right, bye-bye.
(EXHALES) How did you choose that tree? It was closest one to a pay phone.
(DOOR CLOSES) Ohhh.
Hey, Bec.
I meant what I said before.
You're gonna live forever.
(SCOFFS) Okay, Jack.
- That means I'm gonna go first.
- Jack No, look, we don't have to talk about it.
- We don't.
- Just don't put me in the ground.
Okay? Let me be outside.
Okay.
Now can we just stop all that talk now? (SIGHS) Hi.
We're here.
Sir.
Hi.
Sorry.
Um I'm-I'm Rebecca Pearson.
- I'm Jack's wife.
- Oh.
- I'm sorry for your loss.
- Thank you.
Uh, the service doesn't start for another hour.
No, I know, I know.
I just wanted to I wanted to be here when he arrived.
Um, we'll go sit.
(BIRDS CHIRPING) PASTOR: Jack Pearson was a good man.
He was beloved by his community; by his children, Kate, Kevin, Randall; and his wife of 21 years, Rebecca.
When I had to speak at my mom's funeral, I was really worried that I, uh, might get choked up.
And Jack told me that if I were to get emotional, that I should just stop and take a sip of water.
But I'm not sure if there's enough water in this world to get me through today.
RANDALL: I hope that, uh, one day, I can find a love like my father had for my mother and like she had for him.
Mom.
- Mom.
- Hmm? Everybody's leaving for the reception.
- Are you ready to leave? - Yeah.
Excuse me.
Sir.
Uh, what happens now? Oh, I was just gonna transport it for you to the reception.
No, no, no, no.
We'll take it.
- Are you sure? We usually - Yes, I'm sure.
- Thank you.
- Okay.
Guys, let's go.
Okay, Randall, a good driver is flexible.
- Got to be spontaneous.
- Okay.
- Okay, foot on the brake.
- Mm-hmm.
There you go.
And turn the car on.
Don't overcrank it though.
- (ENGINE STARTS) - Go, go, go.
There you go.
Okay.
Now, gear into drive.
There you go.
Foot off the brake.
Put a little pressure on the gas.
Off the brake.
There you go.
Give it a little bit more.
There you go.
Eyes on the road.
Dude, come on.
RANDALL: It's my first time on the road.
Please.
(ENGINE REVVING) Happy now? I mean, I'll probably be 40 by the time we get around the block.
And still living in Mom and Dad's basement.
- Hey, cool it, both of you.
- You know what, it's better than 40 - and never being touched by a woman.
- Go to hell, Kev.
- Hey, hey, watch! Look! Watch, watch! - (TIRES SCREECH) Brake, brake, brake! Put it in park.
Put it in park.
- You guys okay? - Yeah, I'm fine.
-Yeah.
- (JACK EXHALES) - I'm s-sorry, I didn't I didn't see it.
Get out.
You're walking home.
- It's, like, five miles.
- Get out.
(DOOR CLOSES) I'm sorry.
Look, we're sorry, okay? It won't happen again.
I don't understand you two.
My brother and me inseparable when we were your age.
- What? - RANDALL: Nothing.
You just never talk about him or anything when you were a kid.
Yeah, well, what's there to talk about? You know the big stuff.
Our dad was a drunk.
Our mom was depressed.
Nicky Nicky was my best friend.
We went to war, and he died.
Not exactly fun to reminisce.
My brother and I, we had to look out for each other.
No one, no one was gonna do it for us.
Okay? But you two, you're lucky.
Nothing's forced you to have each other's backs.
So, you're either gonna decide to fix the stuff that's broken between you or you're not.
That's up to you.
And I hope you do, because, your mom and I, we're not gonna be around forever.
And when we're gone, the two of you and your sister are the only people on this planet who are gonna be able to look back and remember all the stuff that's happened to you.
I know that may not seem like a big deal now, but trust me when I say it it is.
MAN: I really mean it.
The office just isn't gonna be the same without your dad there.
RANDALL: Thank you so much.
My dad loved working with you.
Appreciate it.
Thank you.
- Hey, hey.
- (RANDALL GRUNTS) What the hell, man? - Where'd you get Dad's watch? - Mom brought it back - from the hospital.
- (SCOFFS) So you just decided - it's yours now? - I asked her.
- She said it was fine.
- Of course she did.
Kevin.
SHELLY: Why don't you just come over tonight? Mom, did you say Randall could have Dad's watch? - Kevin - You did.
- Wow.
- What is the matter with you? You know what, man, I'm tired of the act.
I'm tired of watching you pretend to be - the new man of the house.
- I'm not trying to be the new A real man would've stopped Dad from going back in there.
I would've never let Dad go back in.
But you weren't there, Kev.
- You're never there for anyone.
- KATE: Stop it.
Seriously, what are you doing? Look where we are.
KATE: I'll go to the car.
- I'm gonna go get some air.
- I'm sorry, Mom.
I MAN (OVER RADIO): Expect much more of the same over the next couple of days.
Might want to do something with those outdoor activities that you've been saving up for.
Well, it looks like another wet one, folks.
Get your umbrellas out if you're going out.
Possible thundershowers over the next hours.
Cloudy tomorrow with a 50% chance It's gonna be a cold one, folks Excuse me, miss? Hey, Dad, I know this looks bad.
It's 10:00 a.
m.
on a Thursday.
Doesn't look good.
I know, but before I tell you why I'm here, I think you should know that I had no exams today, and that Where you going, Kate? Alanis Morissette is signing copies of Jagged Little Pill at Jerry's Records.
Okay, Dad, come on.
No one good ever comes to Pittsburgh.
And now, by some gift of God, Alanis Morissette, my favorite artist in the history of the world is coming - Get in the car.
- Dad.
Get in the car, Kate.
Are you taking me back to school? No.
I'm taking you to Jerry's Records.
All right, so who's this Atlantis character whose music trumps a good education? (MUTTERS) Dad, "Alanis," not "Atlantis.
" (CHUCKLES): Oh, like that's a more normal name.
- Mm.
- All right, let's hear it.
- Okay.
- (CASSETTE CLICKS) - And it would knock me - (VOLUME INCREASES) To the floor if I wasn't there already If only I could hunt the hunter - And all I really want - I don't get it.
- Yeah.
See, I told you.
- Well, I mean, this-this is, this is like complaining with a guitar, Kate.
This isn't music.
(LAUGHS) Well, Dad, this won five Grammys.
- No.
Really? - Yes.
Yes.
She's only, like, six years older than me.
- So crazy.
- No.
(TURNS MUSIC OFF) That's taken years off of my life, - so, want to - All right.
You want to hear you want to hear something? This really gets underneath your skin.
- Well, I sought gold - Huh? - Ah, Bruce.
- Yeah.
You know, you are so predictable.
- Predictable? - Yeah.
More like appreciating an American hero.
Oh, all right.
Calm down.
(LAUGHS) You know, actually, your guy Bruce and Alanis are not that different.
Oh, yeah.
How is that? I mean, musically, they're nothing alike, but but they do both use songs to tell their stories, so, like, this intimacy comes through.
They make you feel like they're your best friend, but also you at the very same time.
From a house on a hill I'm sorry.
Did my daughter get abducted by a veteran Rolling Stone critic? - Dad.
- (LAUGHS) I walk through these rooms, but none of them are mine I've been writing my own stuff.
- Down empty hallways - Yeah? Yeah.
But honestly, it's just for fun.
I mean, come on.
I'm no Alanis.
Searching for my beautiful reward JACK: Okay, Jerry's Records, here we are.
- (GIGGLES) - That'll be $18.
50.
- Yeah.
- Hey, Kate.
Yeah.
I think you ought to give music some serious thought, you know, as a path.
Dad, I read that 0.
2 percent of people who start music careers actually make it, so that's basically nobody.
Okay, well, I read that 100% of people that get caught up in "how many people make it" statistics - never actually make it.
- Really? - Yeah.
- You read that? - Sure did.
- Yeah.
Hey, look.
You may not be this Alanis - Morissette.
- Morissette character, but you're Kate Pearson, okay? Whatever Kate Pearson has her heart set on, she gets.
Okay? Don't ever forget it.
- Go.
Go.
- Okay.
(LAUGHS) - Have fun.
- (SQUEALS) - Thanks for the ride, Dad.
- Yeah, you got it.
Hey, Bruce album, by the way pretty good, actually.
Yeah? Hey, maybe I'll get us tickets sometime! (WHISPERS): Hey, my Bug.
(SNIFFLES) (SIGHS) How are you? I don't understand how he died.
He went into cardiac arrest because he inhaled too much smoke.
Because he went back inside, right? - I don't know.
- You know.
- No, I don't know, Kate.
- You know.
But the rest of us didn't inhale too much smoke because we got out in time.
But Dad he he would have got out in time, too, but he went back inside, right? - (QUIETLY): I don't know.
- You do know.
Hello, Rebecca.
Hi.
We have to stop meeting under such dramatic circumstances.
- (REBECCA CHUCKLES) Yes.
Yes, we do.
- (LAUGHS) Uh, this is Anne.
This is my wife.
- Oh, hi.
- Hi.
We just wanted to come pay our respects.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Nathan's told me all about your husband.
How he used to come by the hospital for advice every so often those first few years - when your kids were young.
- What? I kept trying to tell him, "I don't know how to raise 'em, I just know how to deliver 'em," but he wouldn't stop coming.
He'd gotten it into his head I was wise.
I think it's your voice.
- Oh.
Oh.
- It's very soothing.
- And your lemon metaphors.
- (CHUCKLES) - The mustache helps, too.
- (LAUGHS) - Adds a certain gravitas.
- Mm, it does.
ANNE: Well, - I'm gonna give you two a moment.
- Thank you, darlin'.
It was so good to meet you, Rebecca.
Nice to meet you.
(SNIFFLES) I hate this thing.
She's the one makes me use it.
Says it's 'cause she loves me.
- (SCOFFS) - Hmm.
I like her.
(SNIFFLING) Yeah, yeah.
Me, too.
Me, too.
Yup.
So, what are you doing out here? (REBECCA SIGHS) (QUIETLY): I wasn't there when he died.
I wasn't there.
I have been following his urn around all day because I wasn't there, and I want to make up for it.
Rebecca I can't do this without him.
(SNIFFLES) I just, I can't.
He knew how to do all of this.
He was fearless.
I'm not fearless.
I'm not.
(QUIETLY): Uh, yeah.
Rebecca, um I would never presume to know more about your husband than you, hmm? But, um the man I knew, the one that used to drop by my office unannounced from time to time now he had, uh, he had a whole lot of fears.
- He did? - (LAUGHS): Oh.
A new father is the most fearful creature alive, and he was no exception.
(CHUCKLES) No.
Fears about his wife and about his children.
About being able to keep them happy and healthy safe.
But he did a pretty good job taking care of his family, now, didn't he? - Yeah.
- Yeah.
- And so will you.
- Oh.
I can't, not without him.
- Now, hold on.
Hold on, now.
- (SIGHS) You are the same woman who lost a child and rolled out of my hospital with three babies just the same.
You're as tough as they come, Rebecca Pearson.
- Not without him.
- Bullcrap.
- Not without him! - Bullcrap.
- Rebecca? - (SNIFFLES) - Rebecca.
- I know.
I know.
I know.
(SNIFFLES) Take the sourest lemons and make something resembling lemonade, right? You didn't just make something resembling lemonade, dear.
You made one of the sweetest damn pitchers of lemonade - I ever saw.
- (SOBS) So don't you try and sell me - on what you can't do, - (SNIFFLES) because I'm too old, I'm too smart, and I'm not buying it.
Now, I would like to punctuate my inspiring speech by standing up, winking at you, and then walking away.
But I'm old, and all that would take at least six minutes.
(LAUGHS) (SIGHING) Can I just sit here with you for a little bit? (GROANS SOFTLY) (SNIFFLES, SIGHS) DR.
K: Sitting is what I'm best at these days.
Do you think we bought enough food? Hey, it's the Super Bowl, Kev.
You know we don't skimp on that.
(KEVIN CHUCKLES) Hey, dude, your cast is really digging in my leg.
At least your leg's fully functional.
KATE: Kev, quit whining.
Your cast comes off in two days.
Oh, hey, nobody make any plans for next Saturday.
- All right? - Why? - Because I have a surprise for us.
- Really? - All of you.
- (CHUCKLING) - Don't worry about it.
- Okay.
REBECCA: Hmm.
(JACK SIGHS) JACK: Okay, everyone get a bag.
REBECCA: I'll get your crutches.
- KEVIN: Thanks.
- JACK: Kev, you are off duty because of your injury.
Need a hand? Or a foot? Give me those.
There you go.
You got the bag? Let's make some dinner, okay? Hey.
- Are you ready to go? Okay.
- Yeah.
Hey, Randall, we're leaving.
- Already? - Yeah.
- Shouldn't we say bye? - Now.
Hey, where is your sister? - I think she's outside.
- Okay.
Then let's go.
All right.
Let's go.
(ENGINE STARTS) Do you guys remember the story about the first time your father brought me out here? Yeah.
When you had your cancer scare.
He said it was his favorite tree.
Even though he'd never been.
Okay.
Guess we had told you that one before, huh? Did you know that when your father and I first got married, I wasn't sure that I ever wanted to have kids? I mean I figured I would eventually, but (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) He was the worst at movies.
Wasn't he? He was just the worst.
I mean, as soon as the movie started, he would just figure out who would end up with who or who murdered who.
Somehow he was always, always right.
It's like he could see things before they happened.
You know? I mean, he could see you three before you happened.
Thank God he did.
Hey.
You know neither of you has to be the man of the house now, right? You're two 17-year-olds, okay? Your only job from now on, your only job is to go on dates and hang out with your friends and your sister, and I wouldn't protest if you wanted to do a load of laundry every now and then.
But that's it.
Okay? Mm-hmm.
Okay.
And, Kate, sweetheart, I know no matter what I say, no matter what anybody else says, you're gonna blame yourself for your father going back in the house to get Louie.
- Mom, please don't.
- No, no, no, no.
Listen to me.
Because it was not your fault.
Do you hear me? He was a grown man, Kate, who made a choice.
And if I have to spend the rest of my life making sure that you know that, I will.
Okay? (SNIFFLES) Okay.
- Are you ready? - (QUIET SOBBING) Yeah? Yeah.
It's okay.
(SOBS SOFTLY) - Mom? - What? Mom, is it possible that we don't do all of it? Yes.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- Sure, that's fine.
- Okay.
You guys (SNIFFLES) he got us tickets to go see Bruce Springsteen tonight at the Benedum Center.
I think we should go.
What do you think? Should we go? Yeah.
Yeah, we should go.
- We should go.
- I think so, too.
All right, can you give me just one moment here, and I'll meet you guys back at the car? Yeah.
Okay.
We're gonna be okay, baby.
I promise you, we're gonna be okay.
JACK: Here's the thing, Mel.
I don't want to buy one of those used cars out there.
- No? - That Wagoneer that's my family's car.
I, you know I can see it so clearly.
It's sturdy, tough.
Pearsons, we need tough.
Because I can tell you right now, there's gonna be scrapes.
I did something bad parking.
And dings.
- (BALL THUMPS) - Oops.
Stains.
- (RANDALL GASPS) - It's okay.
- Oh, my God.
- Randall! So many stains.
But that's okay.
Because every battle scar is gonna be another memory.
But eventually, that car out there, that car is gonna tell my family's story just by looking at it.
But here's the thing, Mel.
I can't afford that car.
I can't.
Which is why I need you to help me.
I mean, as parents we talk a lot about what we want for our kids, right? I mean, I know I think about it a lot.
What I want for mine.
And I can come up with a fancy word that's gonna make me sound a whole lot smarter than I actually am, but the one word I keep coming back to is "okay.
" I want my kids to be okay, Mel.
I want my family to be okay.
So, will you help me? Will you help me take care of my family? Because I see it, Mel.
I see it so clearly.
I see my family okay in that car.