The Path (2016) s03e09 Episode Script
The Veil
1 Previously on "The Path" I'm here to talk to you about my son Caleb and your son Hawk.
It's been brought to my attention that their friendship is inappropriate.
If I ever softened the truth, it was only to protect you.
And the scar on my back? The one you burned into me.
Was that to protect me, too? I want to become a Meyerist.
CAL: I just saw JP.
He wants me to help him.
The answer is to find more JPs.
Make them my followers.
I think that this is the cause of a celebration.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
- Is Lilith alive? - She's alive.
But if you contact her, she might tell you things, Sarah, that make it impossible for you to go back.
SARAH: Do you know where she is? KODIAK: She's a veterinarian on Riverside and 72nd Street.
You found me.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
LILITH: The first vision came to me when I was seven.
I was in my room trying to sleep.
My parents were fighting very badly again, so I lay there sad and afraid, when suddenly I I saw light in my window, and it wasn't the moon because there wasn't a moon that night.
And I stood up to see what it was, and as I pulled myself toward it, the light just burst through and wrapped itself around me like a warm blanket.
How did you know what it was? I didn't.
Not at first, but I I felt comforted, understood, like I was no longer alone.
The Light continued to visit me regularly over the next 15 years until the message was revealed.
How was the message revealed? Did The Light speak to you? There was no voice or words.
But sometimes it showed me things.
And every time I felt its presence, I had the need directly after to write.
There was a message I was compelled to put down.
Was the message much different than Meyerism? Different to what Steve I was 13 when my parents brought me to Steve.
I saw the journals at least the ones that you and Steve worked on together.
He kept them? My parents didn't understand my writings and obsessions, writing visions of the end of the world, so they sought out a psychiatrist for me.
I thought he worked for the military? Yes, but he took on private patients that interested him.
Did he steal your visions? He believed in me.
He helped me make sense of the visions, The Ladders, these rungs.
It's like we worked on it together.
[DARK MUSIC.]
What is it? I don't believe in you.
I was hoping that I was gonna come here and you were gonna answer all the questions about the religion I have been devoted to my whole life.
And you were gonna help me believe again.
I wish I could be the answer for you, but I can only tell you about my experiences.
Take this.
It's what The Light revealed to me The Truth.
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
So, after a lot of thought and careful consideration, Sarah and I've decided that, uh she will no longer be a part of The Movement.
Mom wants to leave The Movement? Listen, kid, she has been struggling with her faith for a while.
And we realized that she just doesn't want to be here.
[SIGHS.]
Why didn't she say anything to me? Look, I am sure that she will reach out to you today.
We made the decision late last night.
Look, as you know, Sarah is deeply loved here.
I think we can help the membership see that her departure is a personal choice.
Nothing to do with you or your leadership.
I appreciate that.
I don't want there to be gossip where there doesn't need to be.
Neither does your mother.
[SIGHS.]
Hey, Cal, if you have a second, I'd like to Yeah.
See you, kid.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[SIGHS.]
You know, uh, it seems, with every new member, we have ten new problems.
[CHUCKLES.]
How can I help? Well, city inspector came through, said our nursery is over capacity, said that we need to refile as a school-age child care educational center, but there's a 14-month application backlog.
Right.
I'm guessing we won't be allowed to operate in the meantime.
Only the inspector literally said maybe there's a way to move our application to the top of the pile.
- He wants to [CHUCKLES.]
- Yeah, then there's this idiot.
- Rufus Mott? - Yeah.
Rufus is suing us for $2 million.
He voluntarily ended his 1R training.
Right.
Then the next day he slipped and fell on some wet stairs.
What does Carla say? Thinks that we should settle out of court.
Seems like a dangerous precedent, especially the way we're growing.
Exactly.
I don't know.
I mean this is all bullshit.
He doesn't deserve anything.
It's just Vera always dealt with this.
[SIGHS.]
- How? - [SCOFFS.]
Where is she? State your name, please.
Vera Stephens.
All right, Vera.
The first question we always ask, and I want you to think carefully before you answer Why are you here? To be free, to be in control of my life, for my life to be my own.
Do you currently feel like you're not in control of your own life? Yes.
Yes.
Is there anything else? I want to be good.
Once you start this work, you won't question your goodness.
[KNOCK AT DOOR.]
- Hey, Rita.
- Oh, Cal, Eddie, hi.
We were just having a really great intake session.
Oh, great.
Well, uh, we'll let you get back to it.
We just need to speak with Vera for a minute.
Oh, of course.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
[CAMERA BEEPS.]
Look, I, um [DOOR CLOSES.]
I hate to do this to you, but We need help to pick up where you left off.
You got a knack with these sort of situations.
Um I don't want to be that person anymore.
No, no, no, now.
We're not looking for you to do anything.
Just, uh just help us mimic your unique brand of personal efficiency.
High-powered lawyers, bribes, and blackmail.
[SIGHS.]
Am I just wasting my time here? I mean Can't someone like me become a great Meyerist? Yes.
Of course.
Okay, we've all done things.
Um, I want to take the ODE, you know, the one that that the boy took Logan.
- The one with the swastika.
- Yeah, yeah.
- No, but why? - The ODE is for "Especially damaged Possibles.
" I know.
I remember.
It scores your potential for The Light.
Yeah, I mean, it's supposed to.
- But that test is outdated - I want to take it.
You don't know the things I've done and the people I come from.
[SOFTLY.]
Hey, stop.
Look, I know you.
Okay? You are full of Light.
I don't need the ODE to tell me that.
Well, I do.
[SIGHS.]
[SOLEMN MUSIC.]
[CAR BEEPS.]
What's going on? I could ask the same of you.
Look, I'm sorry about my behavior at Dad's offering night.
You left The Movement.
- So it's out? - You're Sarah Lane, okay? - Of course it's out.
- Look, I'm sorry.
I've been What am I supposed to tell my kids about their aunt? Tell them whatever you need to, Russel.
Okay, look, if you are suffering There's something going on.
We're all here for you.
Thank you.
I-I appreciate that.
I Yeah.
What's that? What's going on? [DOOR CLOSES.]
Russel? [GASPS.]
There you are.
Hey.
- Mom, what are you doing? - [SIGHS.]
We're gonna get through this.
- [INHALES DEEPLY.]
Mm.
- Are you moving in? I'm just providing support in this time Temporary support.
- That's the last of it.
- Oh, thank you, darling.
Mwah.
Let me know if you need anything.
- Uh, Russel - We're all good.
- We're all good.
- Wait.
- I'll stay in Hawk's room.
- Mom, this is so unnecessary.
Oh, but it is so necessary.
It is absolutely, 100% necessary.
- I know this is difficult.
- No.
I talked to your dad about it, and we're in agreement.
- You talked to Dad? - Every day.
And I promised him.
I will not let you leave The Movement.
We're usually drinking a group of us powerful men.
There's champagne and cigars, oysters.
Girls inevitably join.
They want to be with us.
- Women.
- Huh? They're women, Congressman.
I know.
[CHUCKLES.]
Jesus, I know, but see, the thing is Sexual harassment.
[CHUCKLES.]
What isn't these days? Three women are accusing you of groping them in the ladies' room on three separate occasions.
That's bullshit, okay? These girls drink so much, they can hardly even walk.
I'm helping them get to the toilet.
What is the harm in that? There could be lots of harm, but the harm I care about Jesus.
You sound like the lawyers.
But the harm I care about, the harm I know you care about, is the harm you're doing to yourself.
Plenty of politicians have kept their seats after doing something like this.
[CHUCKLES.]
I don't give a fuck - about you keeping your seat.
- Reassuring.
You pay other people to do that.
I care about you.
I care about you harming yourself psychically, emotionally.
Look at her.
Now, when you see a woman like Mary, what do you need from her? No, look at me, Buck.
Me only.
What do you need from a woman when you sexualize her immediately? [DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
- Uh, I need - [SNAPS FINGERS.]
What do you need from that woman? Tell me right now.
- To tell me something.
- What? That they notice me.
What do you want them to notice about you? That I'm a man.
That's what I thought.
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
[SMACKS LIPS.]
Please stand up, Buck.
Right, stand up, please, now.
What's going on? Unbuckle your pants and pull down your underwear, please.
Fuck you, buddy.
Look, I'm not one of your little followers.
Listen to me.
Stand up, unbuckle your pants, pull down your underwear, now, please.
[SCOFFS.]
What is this? Some kind of joke or something? - You some kind of pervert? - No And it's not.
But you will lose everything if you piss away this opportunity.
I know you're scared and vulnerable.
This is not a joke or a-a humiliation.
Go on.
[ZIPPER OPENS.]
This is insane.
Take a look down.
Go ahead.
What's down there? - [MUTTERS.]
- Never mind.
- You know what it is.
- I do.
It's you.
You are a man.
Right there is all the proof you need.
Say it.
"I am a man.
" I am a man.
Right? [BOTH CHUCKLE.]
Of course you are.
[LAUGHS.]
Now let's start talking about why you're so fucking angry.
You can pull your pants up.
So wait, let me get this straight.
Caleb's father visits your dad, tells him he doesn't want you two together, and that's the last you hear from him? He texted me saying that he needed to take care of some stuff.
[GABY SIGHS.]
I really don't want to talk about this right now.
Oh, that's awful.
Horrible.
I hope he's okay.
Caleb could come live with us.
He could because we are part of a faith that is so loving and compassionate and accepting.
Uh it wasn't always so accepting.
That is debatable.
You're open to the possibility.
That's new.
Look where we are now.
That's what matters.
I'm sorry you're going through this.
It sounds like Caleb has some tough choices to make right now.
Is that what you're doing? - Making choices? - I guess it is.
Um, I don't like The direction The Movement is heading.
- But it's temporary.
- [CHUCKLES.]
So why not fight it? I mean, nothing changes if you if you don't push back.
Or did Dad really bully you into leaving? It was a mutual decision.
Well, I really wish you'd told me you were discussing this.
It's hard being at the mercy of everyone else's choices when it doesn't always feel like I have one of my own.
[BUS ENGINE REVVING.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[DOOR OPENS, BELLS JINGLE.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
- Oh, shit.
- Hey.
Look, it's not like that.
Okay? I just I just want to talk.
Please.
You never finished your 1R training.
It says in your intake folder that you didn't finish college either at three different places.
- Computer school, music school - So what? I mean, you came to us in search of something.
What are you looking for, Rufus? I don't know.
You don't know? Come on, take a guess.
- Look, I'm not supposed to - Take a guess.
Somewhere I belong I guess.
See, I hear that.
What made you feel like you didn't belong with us? - I-I don't know, man.
- Are you sure? All the personal questions.
I was down with it at first, but then it got, like too personal - Huh.
- Like, invasive.
Listen, what if we were able to create a program where you were able to have some more private space? Could we convince you to come back? Drop the lawsuit, give us another try? I knew you were going to try some Jedi mind trick bullshit.
No, hey, I'm just trying to help you out, okay? You're trying to get out of paying me.
You guys have money.
Yeah, money to help people People in need, people with addiction, homeless families, victims of disasters.
Yeah.
I really can't do this.
You got to go.
My manager's gonna flip.
Look, I understand that space is very important to you, that you must had a lot of it growing up as a kid Only child in that big house of your parents on Bay Street.
- Till they split.
- That's none of your business.
Then you two were forced to move around You and your mom a lot less space.
They told me you wouldn't read all that.
But your dad was able to stay put in that big house of his on Bay Street now with his new family even after your mom tried to sue him over and over again, but your dad didn't care.
He would rather spend every dollar he made on a lawyer so he wouldn't have to give your mom the money that she deserved.
Look, you can just keep looking, or you can come back somewhere you belong.
It's your decision.
[DOOR BELLS JINGLE.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[MONITOR BEEPING SOFTLY.]
- Please state your name.
- Vera Asan.
Asan? Answer the questions openly and honestly.
I Mm.
I changed it to Stephens when I when I got married and didn't change it back.
- How do you feel? - Awake and scared.
[PEN SCRATCHING ON NOTEPAD.]
[SOLEMN MUSIC.]
- Are you instinctive by nature? - Yes.
- Are you reliable in an emergency? - Yes.
Are, uh, you responsive to other people's emotions? Yes.
- Do you ever feel remorse? - Yes.
Do you ever replay terrible events from your past? No.
Um, do you think your regrets are your own? No.
- Who do you share them with? - My mother.
Have you been reincarnated? We're doomed to one life.
You don't believe in an afterlife? I believe in this life.
Recall and define your first experience of bliss.
- Graduating college.
- Deeper.
Bliss.
Don't think.
There's a tree.
- A tree? - Yes.
And it's so beautiful because it's a lone tree in a field of grass.
Are you the tree? No.
I'm running toward it.
I'm about five or six.
The sun is shining so bright.
It bursts through the leaves, making a kaleidoscope of designs on the ground.
[CHUCKLES.]
I-I'm laughing so hard, my stomach hurts.
But I'm I'm sad, too Because even though I'm so young, I I know this laughing is not something I normally do.
A-and there's a boy.
He's chasing me.
He's so sweet and funny.
Has a and has a head of sandy hair.
And he's laughing, too.
Yeah laughing like like me, like one who never laughs.
And then he takes a knife out and carves a heart into the bark.
And he says, "This is what teenagers do.
" And then my father calls me to come inside, and it's [SOFTLY.]
And it's over.
Is that the last question? Cal? [BREATHES SHAKILY.]
- Cal? - Uh, yes.
Sorry.
Um [BREATHING SHAKILY.]
[GRUNTS SOFTLY.]
You can, uh you can return to your day now.
[EXHALES DEEPLY, BREATHING HEAVILY.]
[COUGHS.]
[BREATHING RAPIDLY.]
[BREATHING DEEPLY.]
[SIGHS.]
[VEHICLE APPROACHING.]
[LIGHT CLATTER.]
We don't expect it to happen overnight.
She didn't get to where she is now all at once, so it will take some time to get back where we need her to be.
I know.
I see it, too.
It still burns in her, as bright as it ever did.
- Mom.
- [GASPS.]
Oh, God.
- [LAUGHING.]
You scared me.
- Who are you talking to? He usually comes home around sunset.
I guess no one told him I was staying with you.
- The bird followed you? - Of course he did.
Marriage doesn't end with death.
Dad? [CHUCKLES.]
We were just talking about you.
[SOFTLY.]
Good night.
I'll see you in the morning, sweetheart.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
- Hi.
- Hi.
I'm sorry, I just, um, wanted to come and pray before I went home.
No, please.
Come join me.
[EXHALES DEEPLY.]
Do you always pray at night? Yeah, you know, there's just not that much time to pray anymore.
Are you okay? Yeah.
There's just a lot going on right now.
There always was.
[CHUCKLES.]
Yeah.
I know this is probably the last thing you need to think of, but did Cal give you my ODE results? Look, sometimes it just takes time to score, but I'll check in with him in the morning.
[CHUCKLES.]
[BREATHES DEEPLY.]
Eddie Lane? Uh, yeah.
You've been served restraining order.
Stay away from Rufus Mott.
Next time you see him is in court.
[PAPER RUSTLES.]
Hey.
Congressman Harbaugh called.
You rocked it.
He wants to work with you again.
Great.
Yeah, that's that's great.
- Tomorrow.
- That's Tomorrow? No, um No, tell him tell him next week.
- Why? - I'm just There's a lot going on here.
We're not trying to stay here, remember? If you don't meet with him, what's he going to tell JP? If JP's not happy, then how are we gonna get more clients, and if we can't get more clients All right, so call him.
Um, set it up.
But you go.
I-I can't run a session like that.
Yes, yes, you can.
I know it.
All right? You've seen me do it long enough.
And, honestly, you can help him more than I can.
He needs to to deal with women like you if he's gonna keep his seat in Congress.
- Cal? - Yeah? Is is it true about Sarah Lane? [DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Look, I want everyone who lives here, 1R and up, just to start keeping an eye on each other.
So you're asking us to spy on each other? No, kid, that is not what I'm saying.
That is exactly what you're saying.
This a good time? [DOOR CLOSES.]
I dealt with the city inspector.
We are now a school-age child care educational center.
[CELL PHONE BUZZES.]
All right, well, I'm not gonna ask you how much that cost, but thank you.
- I have to go.
- No, no.
Okay, I want to talk to you, okay? And actually you, too, about the the protocol of possible defectors.
Defectors? All right, sorry, wrong choice of word.
Defectors like Rufus Mott or defectors like Mom? - Kid - I have to go.
Hey.
Where are you I want to discuss this.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
I guess the lawsuit isn't going too well, huh? [SIGHS.]
Oh, my God.
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
[GRUNTS SOFTLY.]
Hey, um, how did Vera's ODE go? Yeah.
Um B matrix? Yeah, Steve called it, uh, hope and heaven.
Mm.
So she's blocked.
Yeah, yeah, but that's common with atheists.
It's the end, her response to bliss It's heartbreaking.
"A boy and girl who rarely laughed.
" [SIGHS.]
You believe in this test? Um Steve used to say, uh, "Everyone is a prism.
" The test evaluates internal reflections so as to predict external potential.
Well, I thought Logan had potential, but this test said he did not.
Yeah, um some people don't test well.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
[GRUNTS SOFTLY.]
Get rid of it.
[DOOR BEEPS.]
[INDIE ROCK MUSIC PLAYING SOFTLY.]
Hey, uh I'm sorry to make you meet me like this.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
It's just my dad's all over me, and I think he has, like, the whole church looking out for me.
[EXHALES DEEPLY.]
What did he say? Not a damn word.
So then how do you know? [SCOFFS.]
Christian college? It's, um it's conversion therapy.
- I-I thought that was illegal.
- Yeah.
In a lot of places, but not everywhere.
- Your Dad is - He just - He he loves me.
- This isn't love.
Okay, look, please keep your voice down.
- But it isn't.
- Okay, I know.
I do.
I know.
But look, it's just it's just complicated, Hawk.
It's not complicated.
If your church does not accept you as you are, then to hell with them.
That's not fair to say.
Okay, "fair" is accepting you as you are, okay? That that is fair! [WHISPERING.]
That is fair.
Look, you can you can [EXHALES DEEPLY.]
[NORMAL VOICE.]
You can stay at my mom's house, all right? If you need a place.
- You do not have to do this.
- You don't understand.
I'm going through this, too, okay? No.
No, you're not.
Look Look, it's already difficult being a black man in America.
That's my starting line.
Then a gay one? I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
It is it is different for me.
It just is.
I'm sorry, but this cannot be the only way.
Yeah, uh it might be.
- Don't.
- Look, I just I just wanted to let you know in case you didn't hear from me for a while.
I'm sorry.
[DOOR BEEPS.]
[KNOCK AT DOOR.]
I've been reading your book.
[BREATHING HEAVILY.]
And the message I can feel that your words ring true.
And you received the word from The Light? Yes.
Sarah, what's going on? I need you to explain something to me.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
- My father died recently.
- I'm sorry.
Why don't I feel at peace knowing that he's in The Garden? You didn't finish my book, did you? You'd know I never saw a Garden.
Steve added a Garden.
He knew The Light's message would be less palatable without a happy ending.
That's That's impossible.
Well, what happens to us after we die, then? I don't know what happens after we die.
All I know is the message I received.
I can show you what I saw.
[KNOCK AT DOOR.]
Come in.
- Hey.
- Hey.
Um is this about my ODE? Come here.
You did great.
Well, what was my what was my score? 86? It's good, Vera.
[STAMMERS.]
But 86 is It's great.
Okay? You are full of Light.
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY.]
I am? [CHUCKLES SOFTLY.]
Well, 86 wasn't really good at Oxford.
Well, that's great here.
Okay? Hey.
You are great here.
[SOLEMN MUSIC.]
[VERA GRUNTS SOFTLY.]
[BREATHES DEEPLY.]
[GRUNTS SOFTLY.]
Don't go.
Hi.
Hey, you, uh, think I could see you again tonight? - Hmm.
- Hmm? Maybe.
Yes.
[CHUCKLES.]
Mmm.
Good, because, um, I'm gonna need some cheering up after getting an earful from Carla.
Hmm.
You're using her for counsel.
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
Why? [GROANS.]
[OBJECTS CLATTER, PEN SCRATCHING.]
They can help.
But be careful.
You don't want to ever need them again.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
So, when we left off, you were starting to talk about your anger.
Rocks? I'm not here to drink.
You know, we are here to do the work.
[LIQUOR POURING, GLASS CLATTERS.]
"Here to do the work.
" Except here's the thing If someone schedules an appointment with me and my aide shows up instead, that person knows that they're low priority.
Well, then it's a good thing that I'm not Cal's aide.
No, you're not.
You're his prop.
Cal trusts me.
And he should.
I've been accused of sexual assault.
He put you in a hotel room with me alone.
[SCOFFS.]
What does that tell you about the man's essential character? Hmm? Who was it who drank in your life, Congressman? [CHUCKLES.]
You're going to drinking problems.
You are really clutching at straws.
And you are really clutching at that drink like it's a life preserver.
I mean, you haven't taken a single sip, but you don't dare put it down.
It gives you comfort.
[CHUCKLES.]
It's the smell, isn't it? It was your mother who drank whiskey.
Right? My mother was always off at some party.
I was basically raised by nannies.
But some nights, very late at night, she would stumble into my room.
She would kiss my face.
And she would tell me that she loved me so much.
And that is why you're angry.
Isn't it? I mean, I'd be mad if my mother only told me that she loved me when she had whiskey on her breath.
I suppose if you make yourself so completely unworthy of love Women can't let you down.
It's time to let that go, Congressman.
It's time for the real work to begin.
Okay.
- Hi.
- Hey.
[MOSES SUMNEY'S "DOOMED".]
MAN: Hollow one With inverted tongue From whence does fulfillment come? When I expel From this mortal shell Will I die for living numb? Am I vital? [CHILDREN LAUGHING.]
If my heart is idle Am I doomed? [CHILDREN LAUGHING.]
Am I vital? If my heart is idle Am I doomed? I feel you [LAUGHTER CONTINUES.]
And nobody else Though you're someone I can't see Yet you say nothing Of the stoic suffering That stirs lukewarm in me If lovelessness Is godlessness Will you cast me To the wayside? Well, I feel the peeling Of half-painted ceilings - Reveal the covering - Vera! Of a blank sky Am I vital? If my heart is idle Am I doomed? Cradle me So I can see If I'm doomed Am I vital? If my heart is idle Am I doomed? It will hurt, and it may not help you believe in me or anything, for that matter.
But you will witness some of what I saw.
And it may bring you closer to what you're looking for.
I'm ready.
[FLESH SIZZLES.]
[GROANS SOFTLY.]
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
The ego's husk [ECHOING.]
Will crumble.
[DARK MUSIC.]
The veil will be lifted.
[GROANS.]
[BREATHING HEAVILY.]
[ECHOING.]
The end will be revealed.
[ECHOING.]
The end will be revealed.
The end [GASPING.]
Will be revealed.
[SARAH RETCHING.]
[VOMITS.]
[INTENSE DARK MUSIC.]
[SOBBING.]
[WHIMPERING.]
[SOBBING.]
[OMINOUS CREAKING.]
[GASPING.]
[GRUNTING SOFTLY.]
[LAUGHS.]
[LAUGHING.]
[THUNDER BOOMS.]
[PANTING.]
[FAINT SCREAMING.]
[GASPS.]
[SCREAMING.]
MAN: Give me hope and give me patience Give me faith and give me love Give me all of the above 'Cause I'm getting down In this crazy world If tomorrow never comes I won't forget Every time I fail to some
It's been brought to my attention that their friendship is inappropriate.
If I ever softened the truth, it was only to protect you.
And the scar on my back? The one you burned into me.
Was that to protect me, too? I want to become a Meyerist.
CAL: I just saw JP.
He wants me to help him.
The answer is to find more JPs.
Make them my followers.
I think that this is the cause of a celebration.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
- Is Lilith alive? - She's alive.
But if you contact her, she might tell you things, Sarah, that make it impossible for you to go back.
SARAH: Do you know where she is? KODIAK: She's a veterinarian on Riverside and 72nd Street.
You found me.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
LILITH: The first vision came to me when I was seven.
I was in my room trying to sleep.
My parents were fighting very badly again, so I lay there sad and afraid, when suddenly I I saw light in my window, and it wasn't the moon because there wasn't a moon that night.
And I stood up to see what it was, and as I pulled myself toward it, the light just burst through and wrapped itself around me like a warm blanket.
How did you know what it was? I didn't.
Not at first, but I I felt comforted, understood, like I was no longer alone.
The Light continued to visit me regularly over the next 15 years until the message was revealed.
How was the message revealed? Did The Light speak to you? There was no voice or words.
But sometimes it showed me things.
And every time I felt its presence, I had the need directly after to write.
There was a message I was compelled to put down.
Was the message much different than Meyerism? Different to what Steve I was 13 when my parents brought me to Steve.
I saw the journals at least the ones that you and Steve worked on together.
He kept them? My parents didn't understand my writings and obsessions, writing visions of the end of the world, so they sought out a psychiatrist for me.
I thought he worked for the military? Yes, but he took on private patients that interested him.
Did he steal your visions? He believed in me.
He helped me make sense of the visions, The Ladders, these rungs.
It's like we worked on it together.
[DARK MUSIC.]
What is it? I don't believe in you.
I was hoping that I was gonna come here and you were gonna answer all the questions about the religion I have been devoted to my whole life.
And you were gonna help me believe again.
I wish I could be the answer for you, but I can only tell you about my experiences.
Take this.
It's what The Light revealed to me The Truth.
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
So, after a lot of thought and careful consideration, Sarah and I've decided that, uh she will no longer be a part of The Movement.
Mom wants to leave The Movement? Listen, kid, she has been struggling with her faith for a while.
And we realized that she just doesn't want to be here.
[SIGHS.]
Why didn't she say anything to me? Look, I am sure that she will reach out to you today.
We made the decision late last night.
Look, as you know, Sarah is deeply loved here.
I think we can help the membership see that her departure is a personal choice.
Nothing to do with you or your leadership.
I appreciate that.
I don't want there to be gossip where there doesn't need to be.
Neither does your mother.
[SIGHS.]
Hey, Cal, if you have a second, I'd like to Yeah.
See you, kid.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[SIGHS.]
You know, uh, it seems, with every new member, we have ten new problems.
[CHUCKLES.]
How can I help? Well, city inspector came through, said our nursery is over capacity, said that we need to refile as a school-age child care educational center, but there's a 14-month application backlog.
Right.
I'm guessing we won't be allowed to operate in the meantime.
Only the inspector literally said maybe there's a way to move our application to the top of the pile.
- He wants to [CHUCKLES.]
- Yeah, then there's this idiot.
- Rufus Mott? - Yeah.
Rufus is suing us for $2 million.
He voluntarily ended his 1R training.
Right.
Then the next day he slipped and fell on some wet stairs.
What does Carla say? Thinks that we should settle out of court.
Seems like a dangerous precedent, especially the way we're growing.
Exactly.
I don't know.
I mean this is all bullshit.
He doesn't deserve anything.
It's just Vera always dealt with this.
[SIGHS.]
- How? - [SCOFFS.]
Where is she? State your name, please.
Vera Stephens.
All right, Vera.
The first question we always ask, and I want you to think carefully before you answer Why are you here? To be free, to be in control of my life, for my life to be my own.
Do you currently feel like you're not in control of your own life? Yes.
Yes.
Is there anything else? I want to be good.
Once you start this work, you won't question your goodness.
[KNOCK AT DOOR.]
- Hey, Rita.
- Oh, Cal, Eddie, hi.
We were just having a really great intake session.
Oh, great.
Well, uh, we'll let you get back to it.
We just need to speak with Vera for a minute.
Oh, of course.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
[CAMERA BEEPS.]
Look, I, um [DOOR CLOSES.]
I hate to do this to you, but We need help to pick up where you left off.
You got a knack with these sort of situations.
Um I don't want to be that person anymore.
No, no, no, now.
We're not looking for you to do anything.
Just, uh just help us mimic your unique brand of personal efficiency.
High-powered lawyers, bribes, and blackmail.
[SIGHS.]
Am I just wasting my time here? I mean Can't someone like me become a great Meyerist? Yes.
Of course.
Okay, we've all done things.
Um, I want to take the ODE, you know, the one that that the boy took Logan.
- The one with the swastika.
- Yeah, yeah.
- No, but why? - The ODE is for "Especially damaged Possibles.
" I know.
I remember.
It scores your potential for The Light.
Yeah, I mean, it's supposed to.
- But that test is outdated - I want to take it.
You don't know the things I've done and the people I come from.
[SOFTLY.]
Hey, stop.
Look, I know you.
Okay? You are full of Light.
I don't need the ODE to tell me that.
Well, I do.
[SIGHS.]
[SOLEMN MUSIC.]
[CAR BEEPS.]
What's going on? I could ask the same of you.
Look, I'm sorry about my behavior at Dad's offering night.
You left The Movement.
- So it's out? - You're Sarah Lane, okay? - Of course it's out.
- Look, I'm sorry.
I've been What am I supposed to tell my kids about their aunt? Tell them whatever you need to, Russel.
Okay, look, if you are suffering There's something going on.
We're all here for you.
Thank you.
I-I appreciate that.
I Yeah.
What's that? What's going on? [DOOR CLOSES.]
Russel? [GASPS.]
There you are.
Hey.
- Mom, what are you doing? - [SIGHS.]
We're gonna get through this.
- [INHALES DEEPLY.]
Mm.
- Are you moving in? I'm just providing support in this time Temporary support.
- That's the last of it.
- Oh, thank you, darling.
Mwah.
Let me know if you need anything.
- Uh, Russel - We're all good.
- We're all good.
- Wait.
- I'll stay in Hawk's room.
- Mom, this is so unnecessary.
Oh, but it is so necessary.
It is absolutely, 100% necessary.
- I know this is difficult.
- No.
I talked to your dad about it, and we're in agreement.
- You talked to Dad? - Every day.
And I promised him.
I will not let you leave The Movement.
We're usually drinking a group of us powerful men.
There's champagne and cigars, oysters.
Girls inevitably join.
They want to be with us.
- Women.
- Huh? They're women, Congressman.
I know.
[CHUCKLES.]
Jesus, I know, but see, the thing is Sexual harassment.
[CHUCKLES.]
What isn't these days? Three women are accusing you of groping them in the ladies' room on three separate occasions.
That's bullshit, okay? These girls drink so much, they can hardly even walk.
I'm helping them get to the toilet.
What is the harm in that? There could be lots of harm, but the harm I care about Jesus.
You sound like the lawyers.
But the harm I care about, the harm I know you care about, is the harm you're doing to yourself.
Plenty of politicians have kept their seats after doing something like this.
[CHUCKLES.]
I don't give a fuck - about you keeping your seat.
- Reassuring.
You pay other people to do that.
I care about you.
I care about you harming yourself psychically, emotionally.
Look at her.
Now, when you see a woman like Mary, what do you need from her? No, look at me, Buck.
Me only.
What do you need from a woman when you sexualize her immediately? [DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
- Uh, I need - [SNAPS FINGERS.]
What do you need from that woman? Tell me right now.
- To tell me something.
- What? That they notice me.
What do you want them to notice about you? That I'm a man.
That's what I thought.
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
[SMACKS LIPS.]
Please stand up, Buck.
Right, stand up, please, now.
What's going on? Unbuckle your pants and pull down your underwear, please.
Fuck you, buddy.
Look, I'm not one of your little followers.
Listen to me.
Stand up, unbuckle your pants, pull down your underwear, now, please.
[SCOFFS.]
What is this? Some kind of joke or something? - You some kind of pervert? - No And it's not.
But you will lose everything if you piss away this opportunity.
I know you're scared and vulnerable.
This is not a joke or a-a humiliation.
Go on.
[ZIPPER OPENS.]
This is insane.
Take a look down.
Go ahead.
What's down there? - [MUTTERS.]
- Never mind.
- You know what it is.
- I do.
It's you.
You are a man.
Right there is all the proof you need.
Say it.
"I am a man.
" I am a man.
Right? [BOTH CHUCKLE.]
Of course you are.
[LAUGHS.]
Now let's start talking about why you're so fucking angry.
You can pull your pants up.
So wait, let me get this straight.
Caleb's father visits your dad, tells him he doesn't want you two together, and that's the last you hear from him? He texted me saying that he needed to take care of some stuff.
[GABY SIGHS.]
I really don't want to talk about this right now.
Oh, that's awful.
Horrible.
I hope he's okay.
Caleb could come live with us.
He could because we are part of a faith that is so loving and compassionate and accepting.
Uh it wasn't always so accepting.
That is debatable.
You're open to the possibility.
That's new.
Look where we are now.
That's what matters.
I'm sorry you're going through this.
It sounds like Caleb has some tough choices to make right now.
Is that what you're doing? - Making choices? - I guess it is.
Um, I don't like The direction The Movement is heading.
- But it's temporary.
- [CHUCKLES.]
So why not fight it? I mean, nothing changes if you if you don't push back.
Or did Dad really bully you into leaving? It was a mutual decision.
Well, I really wish you'd told me you were discussing this.
It's hard being at the mercy of everyone else's choices when it doesn't always feel like I have one of my own.
[BUS ENGINE REVVING.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[DOOR OPENS, BELLS JINGLE.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
- Oh, shit.
- Hey.
Look, it's not like that.
Okay? I just I just want to talk.
Please.
You never finished your 1R training.
It says in your intake folder that you didn't finish college either at three different places.
- Computer school, music school - So what? I mean, you came to us in search of something.
What are you looking for, Rufus? I don't know.
You don't know? Come on, take a guess.
- Look, I'm not supposed to - Take a guess.
Somewhere I belong I guess.
See, I hear that.
What made you feel like you didn't belong with us? - I-I don't know, man.
- Are you sure? All the personal questions.
I was down with it at first, but then it got, like too personal - Huh.
- Like, invasive.
Listen, what if we were able to create a program where you were able to have some more private space? Could we convince you to come back? Drop the lawsuit, give us another try? I knew you were going to try some Jedi mind trick bullshit.
No, hey, I'm just trying to help you out, okay? You're trying to get out of paying me.
You guys have money.
Yeah, money to help people People in need, people with addiction, homeless families, victims of disasters.
Yeah.
I really can't do this.
You got to go.
My manager's gonna flip.
Look, I understand that space is very important to you, that you must had a lot of it growing up as a kid Only child in that big house of your parents on Bay Street.
- Till they split.
- That's none of your business.
Then you two were forced to move around You and your mom a lot less space.
They told me you wouldn't read all that.
But your dad was able to stay put in that big house of his on Bay Street now with his new family even after your mom tried to sue him over and over again, but your dad didn't care.
He would rather spend every dollar he made on a lawyer so he wouldn't have to give your mom the money that she deserved.
Look, you can just keep looking, or you can come back somewhere you belong.
It's your decision.
[DOOR BELLS JINGLE.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[MONITOR BEEPING SOFTLY.]
- Please state your name.
- Vera Asan.
Asan? Answer the questions openly and honestly.
I Mm.
I changed it to Stephens when I when I got married and didn't change it back.
- How do you feel? - Awake and scared.
[PEN SCRATCHING ON NOTEPAD.]
[SOLEMN MUSIC.]
- Are you instinctive by nature? - Yes.
- Are you reliable in an emergency? - Yes.
Are, uh, you responsive to other people's emotions? Yes.
- Do you ever feel remorse? - Yes.
Do you ever replay terrible events from your past? No.
Um, do you think your regrets are your own? No.
- Who do you share them with? - My mother.
Have you been reincarnated? We're doomed to one life.
You don't believe in an afterlife? I believe in this life.
Recall and define your first experience of bliss.
- Graduating college.
- Deeper.
Bliss.
Don't think.
There's a tree.
- A tree? - Yes.
And it's so beautiful because it's a lone tree in a field of grass.
Are you the tree? No.
I'm running toward it.
I'm about five or six.
The sun is shining so bright.
It bursts through the leaves, making a kaleidoscope of designs on the ground.
[CHUCKLES.]
I-I'm laughing so hard, my stomach hurts.
But I'm I'm sad, too Because even though I'm so young, I I know this laughing is not something I normally do.
A-and there's a boy.
He's chasing me.
He's so sweet and funny.
Has a and has a head of sandy hair.
And he's laughing, too.
Yeah laughing like like me, like one who never laughs.
And then he takes a knife out and carves a heart into the bark.
And he says, "This is what teenagers do.
" And then my father calls me to come inside, and it's [SOFTLY.]
And it's over.
Is that the last question? Cal? [BREATHES SHAKILY.]
- Cal? - Uh, yes.
Sorry.
Um [BREATHING SHAKILY.]
[GRUNTS SOFTLY.]
You can, uh you can return to your day now.
[EXHALES DEEPLY, BREATHING HEAVILY.]
[COUGHS.]
[BREATHING RAPIDLY.]
[BREATHING DEEPLY.]
[SIGHS.]
[VEHICLE APPROACHING.]
[LIGHT CLATTER.]
We don't expect it to happen overnight.
She didn't get to where she is now all at once, so it will take some time to get back where we need her to be.
I know.
I see it, too.
It still burns in her, as bright as it ever did.
- Mom.
- [GASPS.]
Oh, God.
- [LAUGHING.]
You scared me.
- Who are you talking to? He usually comes home around sunset.
I guess no one told him I was staying with you.
- The bird followed you? - Of course he did.
Marriage doesn't end with death.
Dad? [CHUCKLES.]
We were just talking about you.
[SOFTLY.]
Good night.
I'll see you in the morning, sweetheart.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
- Hi.
- Hi.
I'm sorry, I just, um, wanted to come and pray before I went home.
No, please.
Come join me.
[EXHALES DEEPLY.]
Do you always pray at night? Yeah, you know, there's just not that much time to pray anymore.
Are you okay? Yeah.
There's just a lot going on right now.
There always was.
[CHUCKLES.]
Yeah.
I know this is probably the last thing you need to think of, but did Cal give you my ODE results? Look, sometimes it just takes time to score, but I'll check in with him in the morning.
[CHUCKLES.]
[BREATHES DEEPLY.]
Eddie Lane? Uh, yeah.
You've been served restraining order.
Stay away from Rufus Mott.
Next time you see him is in court.
[PAPER RUSTLES.]
Hey.
Congressman Harbaugh called.
You rocked it.
He wants to work with you again.
Great.
Yeah, that's that's great.
- Tomorrow.
- That's Tomorrow? No, um No, tell him tell him next week.
- Why? - I'm just There's a lot going on here.
We're not trying to stay here, remember? If you don't meet with him, what's he going to tell JP? If JP's not happy, then how are we gonna get more clients, and if we can't get more clients All right, so call him.
Um, set it up.
But you go.
I-I can't run a session like that.
Yes, yes, you can.
I know it.
All right? You've seen me do it long enough.
And, honestly, you can help him more than I can.
He needs to to deal with women like you if he's gonna keep his seat in Congress.
- Cal? - Yeah? Is is it true about Sarah Lane? [DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Look, I want everyone who lives here, 1R and up, just to start keeping an eye on each other.
So you're asking us to spy on each other? No, kid, that is not what I'm saying.
That is exactly what you're saying.
This a good time? [DOOR CLOSES.]
I dealt with the city inspector.
We are now a school-age child care educational center.
[CELL PHONE BUZZES.]
All right, well, I'm not gonna ask you how much that cost, but thank you.
- I have to go.
- No, no.
Okay, I want to talk to you, okay? And actually you, too, about the the protocol of possible defectors.
Defectors? All right, sorry, wrong choice of word.
Defectors like Rufus Mott or defectors like Mom? - Kid - I have to go.
Hey.
Where are you I want to discuss this.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
I guess the lawsuit isn't going too well, huh? [SIGHS.]
Oh, my God.
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
[GRUNTS SOFTLY.]
Hey, um, how did Vera's ODE go? Yeah.
Um B matrix? Yeah, Steve called it, uh, hope and heaven.
Mm.
So she's blocked.
Yeah, yeah, but that's common with atheists.
It's the end, her response to bliss It's heartbreaking.
"A boy and girl who rarely laughed.
" [SIGHS.]
You believe in this test? Um Steve used to say, uh, "Everyone is a prism.
" The test evaluates internal reflections so as to predict external potential.
Well, I thought Logan had potential, but this test said he did not.
Yeah, um some people don't test well.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
[GRUNTS SOFTLY.]
Get rid of it.
[DOOR BEEPS.]
[INDIE ROCK MUSIC PLAYING SOFTLY.]
Hey, uh I'm sorry to make you meet me like this.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
It's just my dad's all over me, and I think he has, like, the whole church looking out for me.
[EXHALES DEEPLY.]
What did he say? Not a damn word.
So then how do you know? [SCOFFS.]
Christian college? It's, um it's conversion therapy.
- I-I thought that was illegal.
- Yeah.
In a lot of places, but not everywhere.
- Your Dad is - He just - He he loves me.
- This isn't love.
Okay, look, please keep your voice down.
- But it isn't.
- Okay, I know.
I do.
I know.
But look, it's just it's just complicated, Hawk.
It's not complicated.
If your church does not accept you as you are, then to hell with them.
That's not fair to say.
Okay, "fair" is accepting you as you are, okay? That that is fair! [WHISPERING.]
That is fair.
Look, you can you can [EXHALES DEEPLY.]
[NORMAL VOICE.]
You can stay at my mom's house, all right? If you need a place.
- You do not have to do this.
- You don't understand.
I'm going through this, too, okay? No.
No, you're not.
Look Look, it's already difficult being a black man in America.
That's my starting line.
Then a gay one? I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
It is it is different for me.
It just is.
I'm sorry, but this cannot be the only way.
Yeah, uh it might be.
- Don't.
- Look, I just I just wanted to let you know in case you didn't hear from me for a while.
I'm sorry.
[DOOR BEEPS.]
[KNOCK AT DOOR.]
I've been reading your book.
[BREATHING HEAVILY.]
And the message I can feel that your words ring true.
And you received the word from The Light? Yes.
Sarah, what's going on? I need you to explain something to me.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
- My father died recently.
- I'm sorry.
Why don't I feel at peace knowing that he's in The Garden? You didn't finish my book, did you? You'd know I never saw a Garden.
Steve added a Garden.
He knew The Light's message would be less palatable without a happy ending.
That's That's impossible.
Well, what happens to us after we die, then? I don't know what happens after we die.
All I know is the message I received.
I can show you what I saw.
[KNOCK AT DOOR.]
Come in.
- Hey.
- Hey.
Um is this about my ODE? Come here.
You did great.
Well, what was my what was my score? 86? It's good, Vera.
[STAMMERS.]
But 86 is It's great.
Okay? You are full of Light.
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY.]
I am? [CHUCKLES SOFTLY.]
Well, 86 wasn't really good at Oxford.
Well, that's great here.
Okay? Hey.
You are great here.
[SOLEMN MUSIC.]
[VERA GRUNTS SOFTLY.]
[BREATHES DEEPLY.]
[GRUNTS SOFTLY.]
Don't go.
Hi.
Hey, you, uh, think I could see you again tonight? - Hmm.
- Hmm? Maybe.
Yes.
[CHUCKLES.]
Mmm.
Good, because, um, I'm gonna need some cheering up after getting an earful from Carla.
Hmm.
You're using her for counsel.
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
Why? [GROANS.]
[OBJECTS CLATTER, PEN SCRATCHING.]
They can help.
But be careful.
You don't want to ever need them again.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
So, when we left off, you were starting to talk about your anger.
Rocks? I'm not here to drink.
You know, we are here to do the work.
[LIQUOR POURING, GLASS CLATTERS.]
"Here to do the work.
" Except here's the thing If someone schedules an appointment with me and my aide shows up instead, that person knows that they're low priority.
Well, then it's a good thing that I'm not Cal's aide.
No, you're not.
You're his prop.
Cal trusts me.
And he should.
I've been accused of sexual assault.
He put you in a hotel room with me alone.
[SCOFFS.]
What does that tell you about the man's essential character? Hmm? Who was it who drank in your life, Congressman? [CHUCKLES.]
You're going to drinking problems.
You are really clutching at straws.
And you are really clutching at that drink like it's a life preserver.
I mean, you haven't taken a single sip, but you don't dare put it down.
It gives you comfort.
[CHUCKLES.]
It's the smell, isn't it? It was your mother who drank whiskey.
Right? My mother was always off at some party.
I was basically raised by nannies.
But some nights, very late at night, she would stumble into my room.
She would kiss my face.
And she would tell me that she loved me so much.
And that is why you're angry.
Isn't it? I mean, I'd be mad if my mother only told me that she loved me when she had whiskey on her breath.
I suppose if you make yourself so completely unworthy of love Women can't let you down.
It's time to let that go, Congressman.
It's time for the real work to begin.
Okay.
- Hi.
- Hey.
[MOSES SUMNEY'S "DOOMED".]
MAN: Hollow one With inverted tongue From whence does fulfillment come? When I expel From this mortal shell Will I die for living numb? Am I vital? [CHILDREN LAUGHING.]
If my heart is idle Am I doomed? [CHILDREN LAUGHING.]
Am I vital? If my heart is idle Am I doomed? I feel you [LAUGHTER CONTINUES.]
And nobody else Though you're someone I can't see Yet you say nothing Of the stoic suffering That stirs lukewarm in me If lovelessness Is godlessness Will you cast me To the wayside? Well, I feel the peeling Of half-painted ceilings - Reveal the covering - Vera! Of a blank sky Am I vital? If my heart is idle Am I doomed? Cradle me So I can see If I'm doomed Am I vital? If my heart is idle Am I doomed? It will hurt, and it may not help you believe in me or anything, for that matter.
But you will witness some of what I saw.
And it may bring you closer to what you're looking for.
I'm ready.
[FLESH SIZZLES.]
[GROANS SOFTLY.]
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
The ego's husk [ECHOING.]
Will crumble.
[DARK MUSIC.]
The veil will be lifted.
[GROANS.]
[BREATHING HEAVILY.]
[ECHOING.]
The end will be revealed.
[ECHOING.]
The end will be revealed.
The end [GASPING.]
Will be revealed.
[SARAH RETCHING.]
[VOMITS.]
[INTENSE DARK MUSIC.]
[SOBBING.]
[WHIMPERING.]
[SOBBING.]
[OMINOUS CREAKING.]
[GASPING.]
[GRUNTING SOFTLY.]
[LAUGHS.]
[LAUGHING.]
[THUNDER BOOMS.]
[PANTING.]
[FAINT SCREAMING.]
[GASPS.]
[SCREAMING.]
MAN: Give me hope and give me patience Give me faith and give me love Give me all of the above 'Cause I'm getting down In this crazy world If tomorrow never comes I won't forget Every time I fail to some