Billions (2016) s05e05 Episode Script
Contract
1
[SENIOR.]
Previously on Billions You know why I can see Yonkers' future? [AXE.]
'Cause I can see its past.
Mike Prince is Axe's real enemy.
You know the house he lives in now was my house.
Come on back, and have dinner with us.
I'll make meatloaf.
Can't wait.
Dinner at home in my hometown.
Only I'm not gonna allow you to do any work.
I'm gonna bring my chef.
We should do it turn Mase Cap into an impact fund.
- Together.
Within Axe Cap.
But ours.
- Yes.
[WALKER.]
We were thrilled to hear that you might be interested [WALKER.]
in teaching here at the Law School this semester.
Professor Rhoades.
I'm Oh, I know Catherine Brant.
I heard you were up here.
You know my new artist Tanner I got working on commission.
- [WENDY.]
Yeah.
- [AXE.]
He's not working.
You're on the precipice of the kind of success very few artists ever have.
Look.
There we go.
You'll be the first to see it when it's done.
I better be.
I'm fine with you winning in Yonkers.
[PRINCE.]
Yonkers is you.
[PRINCE.]
You are Yonkers.
You've never really left.
[PRINCE.]
You stink of the place.
[PRINCE.]
And now you're back in it.
I've gotta get the fuck out of this dipshit town.
Baby brother.
But you suddenly showing up here Must mean you want something.
The one thing you do with those hands better than fight.
There's a safe? My father called me.
His alliance with Axe isn't over.
[CHUCK.]
What other venture are they embarking upon? [SACKER.]
They're going into banking.
Then so are we.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Well, I want to be ready I want to be ready - I want to be ready - I want to Walk in Jerusalem just like John Well, I want to be ready - I want to be ready - There you go.
- I want to be ready - I want to walk in To walk in Jerusalem just like John Well, my God told me just what to do Walk in We have to fire him.
"Have to" is a bit strong.
We have to breathe.
Have to find shelter.
Food to eat.
We don't have to fire Winston "Should.
" I can co-sign should.
We should fire him.
- Then we will.
- Will we? We said no exceptions.
The exact words were: "Strive for no exceptions.
" - Meaning - So Winston's the perfect fit.
- You said - No.
Winston's Tony Stewart in 2005.
Cocky 'cause he drives fast, but too brazen, too cutthroat.
He'll punch you on pit row, or run you over.
But like Stewart, he gets results.
Sure.
At Taylor Mason Capital.
But we're building something new.
Tell me he sees the Matrix and we're done here.
I can't tell you he sees the Matrix.
I saw the Matrix before they even made the fucking movie! And I was like five years old then.
Rest my case.
Wait, you really want to fire me? I thought I was gonna get a two percent slice of the new company.
Dave Mustaine thought he would return to Metallica.
I get the new slogan: No more ass-pounding the planet.
Earth-positive approach.
We go to Phish concerts with our investors.
But we still love money too, right? The math works the same no matter the names we own.
And that is where you will always need me.
"Need.
" Again, that overstates it.
Sell us on what you alone add to this particular kind of investing.
Back to you soon.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
[SIGHS.]
What we need are true believers with hard and soft skills.
If they don't work here now, we have to find 'em.
[CALDER.]
I know, honey.
She's just a bad pony But it's better you found out now, rather than later.
Well, she'd better give Grammy's ring back that's meant for a wife not a slut Oh, uh.
Alright.
Listen, I gotta go.
I'll talk to you later.
Yeah.
Love you.
Well, Ms.
Calder.
Ah.
Not every day the top legal officers of the state pop up on my calendar.
Kind of like a digital rectal exam.
- What's on your mind? - Bobby Axelrod.
Specifically, an application he submitted for a bank charter.
- I'm aware of it.
- Well, we would like you to stall the approval.
And then deny it.
And why would I do that? All of the preliminary paperwork seems fine.
We need straight-up banks in this state, and he's like an old Jack Kramer stored without a press: permanently warped.
You can prevent crimes before they happen just by saying no.
This isn't Minority Report.
Now, we follow a process.
A crime happens, you deal with it later.
Certainly an expert in banking like yourself understands the concept of taking out a line of credit.
Well, imagine what I can pay back with interest.
Not every day the top legal officers of the state pop onto your calendar.
- Go on.
- Do this for us, and if you're ever in desperate straits, reach out for us, and just watch what we can do.
Oh.
You mean like prosecuting someone to settle a political grudge.
Oh.
I would never prosecute someone unless they had actually but, uh, yes.
- Sure.
- Yeah, yeah.
You know what? Um, see, I don't walk around with a McCarthy list - like you do, so - [SACKER.]
Mm.
You seemed awfully upset about someone when we arrived.
Yeah, that was about my son's ex-fiancée.
That bitch broke off the engagement, but she won't give the ring back.
- Oh.
- That ring was smuggled out of Germany sewn into the lining of my father's coat [CALDER.]
right at the beginning of World War II.
[CALDER.]
I mean, that that It's a family heirloom Well.
There may be legal remedies.
We could go after her in court and get it back.
That would give you a very special place in my heart.
Drag your feet on the approval to give me a chance.
Alright.
Let's go get this fucking bank.
Give me the sign when you want me to play - bad cop in the meeting.
- No call for that.
They have the documents.
They've signaled to us that this process should go as smooth as a freshly waxed Prom queen? PBA lane.
That's Professional Bowlers Association.
Ah.
Right.
- You sure you don't want a bad cop? - We're sure, Wags.
But I love bad cop.
I've been rehearsing all morning.
Spyros, why the Alfred the Butler getup? Naturally, I assume you'll want your eques of equities, your consul of compliance, to join you in the assault on the ramparts of government regulators.
Bad cop.
Go.
When the meeting calls for an organ grinder's monkey to come shake his cappuccino cup for nickels, we'll let you know.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Sorry.
I-I can't approve this just yet.
There's another bank representing that zone.
There is not.
If you look in the papers right in front of you there, - you'll see - Vark Community Bank.
Vark isn't even FDIC-insured.
- You can't possibly expect us - Vark is a shining jewel in the Banking Development District Program.
They serve many hardworking, undocumented customers.
Now, you run Vark off the ranch, and where else are these people supposed to graze? I dunno.
Immigration Services? If that's humor, it's left me cold.
And if it's your real answer, then it's left you out in the cold.
Now, we are not going to proceed [CALDER.]
with issuing a charter unless you can convince me that there is a greater banking need in this zip code.
Go ahead.
Show me a competitive analysis that says so.
Oh, and also, you're gonna need to propose, um, a suitable candidate for CEO.
[CALDER.]
You better have someone captaining this ship that's legitimate, or the ship doesn't leave the dock.
Turns out we didn't need the good cop.
You're right about that.
It was all naked fucking Harvey Keitel in there.
- It doesn't make any sense.
- It does.
Harvey Keitel was Bad Lieutenant.
- He's saying the banking person - He knows, Wags.
He means the timing is odd.
The sudden turn against us.
- Mike Prince? - Maybe.
Him or Chuck.
Get Hall with the banking team working on Vark Bank.
And get with Lauren and find another CEO.
Someone who is squeaky clean, but ya know Someone who doesn't squeak when they need to get dirty.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
You should've gone to that dinner with the kid.
Yeah? And you should've gone to law school instead of journalism school.
You'd be able to buy yourself a decent jacket.
That's probably true.
Doesn't matter now.
- But the dinner? - Yeah.
Matters.
We made such a public spectacle about you attending, that kid, his mom My chef presented them with a three-star meal - pasta course, meat and fish - Yumilicious.
But it was never about the meal.
And because you left 'em hanging - Ah, fuck, really? - Yeah.
Local reporter in Yonkers is on it.
Looking to do a hit piece.
It's the only way a journalist can get enough clicks to buy himself a decent jacket.
Hmm.
Actually, there is another way.
You make this disappear, Randy, [AXE.]
I'll buy out the fucking Armani store for you.
'Cause if it looks like I used this kid Savion as a prop to get the O.
Z.
deal approved It'll make you look like a plutocrat, parking assets to save on cap gains taxes, while Costing me my fucking bank.
How much time we have? It'll run in the next day or two.
Soon as he gets an interview with Savion or the mother.
Mnh-mnh.
Can't fucking happen.
Get with this reporter, and think about how to move him off.
And you? Heading back to Yonkers - Yo, take the ball.
- Give me that.
Learn how to play some "D.
" Yo.
Yo.
Watch out, dawg.
Watch out.
Alright, homey, you good? Hey, we good.
Um, I'mma catch up with y'all later.
Oh.
There you go.
She dumped me.
What'd she say? Nothing.
Ghosted.
That's a lot of texts.
From you.
Unanswered.
Maybe you should have pumped the brakes after three.
Or four.
Or five.
Now, instead of thinking about yield curves and PE ratios, all I can think about is Em and where it went wrong.
Look, you said, uh, before she complained about My cuddle noises.
Yes.
I'm an affectionate person.
My cuddling takes on a vocal aspect.
- You think that's why - Yeah, well, sounds like it was a little too much too soon.
Maybe pace yourself on the cuddling next time.
And dead the noises until you're sure they're welcome.
I'm sorry, I have a meeting.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
[SIGHS.]
Rian.
You turned me down when I tried to hire you as an analyst at Axe Capital.
I wasn't emotionally prepared for that whole sitch.
Why, specifically, did you reject that offer? Axe Cap is a profit juggernaut.
Cool.
But not for me.
Sorry, not sorry.
This is different.
It looks the same.
It's at the same address.
There are many of the same faces.
So why would my answer be anything but thanks but nah? This place in here is also for profit, and will soon be a juggernaut too.
But this is an impact fund.
[TAYLOR.]
Not just no harm, [TAYLOR.]
but positive social and environmental impact.
We're looking for responsible gains.
And to expand the adoption of renewable energy.
Swick.
That's a mashup of swag and slick.
It sure is.
So how exactly does your algo work? Um.
Half the human population spends at least three decades on a menstrual cycle.
We're talking four billion people.
A huge chunk of that market sector needs feminine hygiene supplies every 28 days.
And many don't have access yet.
What's your data set? With public health records, cotton and shipping prices around the world, we can triangulate the most effective way to get resources where they're needed most and anticipate demand.
Are you solving one problem by creating another? - How so? - Landfills.
Polluted oceans.
Biodegradables address that.
There are companies out there ready to scale up.
They need capital.
Let us discuss it and get back to you.
It's called the Taco Algo.
[CHUCKLES.]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
- Well? - She's sharp as fuck.
Nice call.
I'll backtest her program, make sure it's not bullshit.
But yeah.
Good.
Recruiters make whole careers delivering talent like that.
Ah.
You want to discuss equity.
Axe is in for half, so it's up to us to allocate the rest.
What do you think? Ten percent was my initial instinct.
Shit.
I was thinking we'd be equal partners.
No you weren't.
But you have to say that in order to negotiate.
- I hate posturing.
- Me too.
So make me your best offer.
Because I'm feeling devalued.
You are an integral part of this endeavor, Wendy.
I do value your contribution.
You may hate posturing, but you're doing it.
Ten percent is a non-starter.
Give me some time to think about what's fair.
This was your idea.
Don't break balls.
Make it worth it for me to keep it going.
Message received.
Nice meeting you.
Yeah.
Have a good one.
See ya.
Seriously, dude.
What the fuck? Don't you see what's happening? We're getting picked off one by one.
Wendy brought her in.
Yeah, Rian told me.
Seems cool.
Really knows her shit.
Her name is Rian? - Are you serious? - With an I.
Badass.
Fuck.
We are so screwed.
We're living Ex Machina.
Chill out, 8Chan.
They just need to bring on some new analysts for the new Meaning less room for Taylor's people and more for Wendy's.
- It's a consp - Conspiracy? Sure.
Start a subreddit, it'll go great with the Stevie-Wonder-can-see truthers.
Hey, they have a point, have you seen him play They do not have a point.
Whatever.
You seem awfully comfortable for a guy who knows firsthand what Wendy Rhoades is capable of doing.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Ex-fiancée lives in a doorman building on the Upper East Side.
Recently called for a locksmith to change her locks and put all Calder family members on the no-visit list.
No indication she has a safe deposit box or has tried to pawn any jewelry.
So she's keeping it.
Likely at home.
We help the kid bring suit.
Law's a little mushy on this.
Ring is a conditional gift.
Condition is marriage.
She owes it back.
She'll claim it's a legal gift.
No condition, nothing owed.
Also depends on who broke it off.
Not in the eyes of the law.
She could also offer to repay the value, keep the ring itself.
Shit.
Like I said: mushy.
Why are you so quiet? Because I have an idea that I really shouldn't say out loud.
I made with the devil for my soul I saw a ring of fire down You familiar with "contract", Savion? Yeah.
Deal you sign.
Mm.
That's a contract, not 'contract.
' Contract is an understanding between men, that they see things the same way, that they'll keep code.
That they'll honor the spirit of their relationship even in unforeseen circumstances.
Like some nomadic dream Like that, uh the arrangement we had when we told the story that should hold even if attempts were made to re-tell that story.
I made a deal with the devil for my soul Understand? Jesus, oh, Jesus Lord, what have I done? I have lived a life of sin Word is bond.
Yeah.
That's a good way to put it.
Maybe someday soon like Judas I'll be hanging from a rope I made a deal with the devil for my soul It's bullshit though.
You got what you needed, and then you flaked on dinner.
Ain't the first time.
That's a pattern, and I recognize it from my own life.
No matter how far you run So that other shit He always knows where you are is null and void.
He's around every corner And you? At the end of every road Well, shit.
I made a deal with the devil You can fuck off.
For my soul Someday soon, I will have to pay I know I made a deal with the devil For my soul Why am I here? Tell him, Karl.
Because skels like you, who show twelve grand a year in legitimate income, don't go window-shopping for Bugattis.
[ALLERD.]
Because we know you're actually casing the place.
And because we know you know the night porter from a stint in Coxsackie Correctional.
Grand theft auto is a heavy charge.
One we're saving you from.
Sit.
Thank you, Karl.
You know who we are? [DOOR CLOSES.]
Not only do I know who you are, Mr.
Connerty, I bet I know the wishes in your heart.
And I'll grant them if you rub the lamp.
I'm not gonna rub anything of yours.
[CHUCKLES.]
You want your brother in a safer facility, with full privileges, closer to home for visits.
Yes? Well, I need a specialist, someone with a particular set of skills to help me recover some stolen property.
Wait.
I-I-I swear I've seen this movie before.
Don't tell me.
There's a safe.
There might be a safe.
- There's definitely a locked door.
- [CHUCK.]
Mm.
I'm guessing there's a reason you didn't call a locksmith.
Best we run silent, run deep on this one.
Protect everyone involved.
Except my ass.
No, especially you.
Imagine how grateful Bryan would be to know you had a hand in his move to Otisville Prison Camp.
Only an hour and a half outside the city.
So much easier for you and your ma to visit more often.
I mean, the place has got a gym, a library, vending machines with candy bars, [CHUCK.]
salt 'n vinegar chips, and soda pop.
There's one with deli sandwiches.
I hear the tuna's actually pretty good.
Still prison.
And you two are the ones who fucking put him there.
Your brother made choices against my advice, might I add that landed him where he is.
That's not on us.
[CHUCK.]
But if you help us, there is no telling what kind of recommendation we could make to the parole board.
[SIGHS.]
[CLEARS THROAT.]
I'll do this.
On one condition though.
- Name it.
- You gotta go pay him a visit.
- For what? - Not you.
Just you, Rhoades.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
He has something he wants to tell you.
In person.
Something private.
Looking a man in the eyes.
The way we used to do back in the old days.
Old school I can do.
Why should we hand our bank over to you? I'm glad you asked.
I've been waiting for that question.
I'm glad you asked.
- I'm talking, people, about the same old game - This is great.
Did you have anything else? Sure.
Why should we hire you and not one of the other candidates? - I'd be glad to answer.
- I'll be glad to answer.
I'll be glad to answer.
The game itself will hold you back Check out your mind and don't be blind To the numbers game Strong set of potential bank CEOs.
Not strong enough.
They had all the qualifications Not strong enough! It has to be someone very special.
Not just a financial wizard, but someone respected outside and in.
They have to vibe with Axe.
And gain his trust.
The search must continue.
[DOLLAR BILL.]
Okay, come on.
Focus.
- [TUK LAL.]
Oh, yes! - That was out.
No, no, no, no! It was right there.
[DOLLAR BILL.]
Come on.
Come on.
Come on, man.
You got this.
You got it.
Yes! - Oh! - Oh, could not be better! - [MAN.]
Oh! - Whoa, whoa, whoa.
What, am I paying you all to sit around and make like George Blanda with your fingers all day? We got something.
It's been a week since the honeymoon.
We couldn't even get married in our countries.
Lucky we met here.
In America.
Land of the free.
We're so in love.
- Mm.
- Can't wait to settle down.
We're hoping you can help us with a home loan.
Mm-mm-mmm.
WTF's with that noise? I can't help it That's great, guys.
Congrats on your nuptials.
We're prepared to offer you 8.
5 percent.
That's way above prime.
Yeah.
You're not great credit risks.
No one else will even give you this.
And, uh, did you say your countries? Does that mean you're not U.
S.
citizens? [DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
They hosed us on the rate.
We also have 'em on tape saying we could fill out our immigration status any way we wanted and they wouldn't verify it.
That's fraud.
Actual And not all rates are, shall we say, equal.
Okay, Mister Martin.
Looks like we can lock you in at 2.
8.
So close to prime we're not even making anything on it.
You're a friend to the working man.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
[DOLLAR BILL.]
White guy gets the good rate.
Xenophobia, homophobia, racism we can serve them up all three or slice it any way you want.
We caught everything on camera.
I was going for a Dog Day Afternoon vibe with the footage, but the lighting in there was not Good work, Victor.
Hey.
Give props where props are due.
This was Eveready's.
I learned a lesson the hard way when I was buying an apartment in the City.
Sometimes it's better to let your white fiancée from Riverdale do all the talking.
So should we deploy the munitions? Nah.
Hold off a beat.
I can use this in trade to help me with my reporter issue.
Excellent work, men.
[CHEERING.]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION.]
How much did she ask for, how much did you offer? Fifty.
Ten.
Like you suggested.
Big gap.
It's a question of value - Excuse me.
- Okay.
and loyalty.
[TANNER.]
You like staring at screens all day, or you wanna see something fucked up and beautiful? Is that you or your paintings you're describing? Mm.
We know it's both.
You looking for a power boost? [TANNER.]
Oh, no.
[TANNER.]
That sounds like celery and wheatgrass in human form.
But I would like to hang.
I'd like to hang.
Yeah.
[WENDY.]
I'll drop by later.
Good.
[BUZZER.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
[BUZZER.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
You can uncuff him.
We're fine.
[HANDCUFFS CLICK.]
I understand you have something to say [SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
[CHUCKLES.]
[BUZZER.]
Fair's fucking fair.
Come on! Come on.
Come on.
Let's go.
Let's go.
Yeah, so, we have at least four, maybe five.
[AXE.]
Mm-hmm.
Alright.
Hold on.
You're back.
Met with the local reporter.
I offered the story on the bank in exchange for killing the one on you.
And? It made him know he had something.
- No trade.
- Oh.
Fuck.
Yeah.
Can I run with the bank story? Will that help? Both of us.
Yeah.
Get with Victor for the footage.
Great.
You? Heading back to fucking Yonkers.
Again.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[DOORBELL RINGS.]
Bobby.
- Hey, Ma.
- Hey.
[SIGHS.]
I don't know.
It just sounds so Come on, Ma.
Everyone in town respects you.
Go to Savion's mother.
Convince her to steer her son to abide by local code Don't talk.
[SIGHS.]
I'll give it what I got.
Hey, whose is that Honda Pilot in the driveway? Oh.
Me.
Mine.
Who else? No, I mean, where's the Lexus I bought you? I sold it.
And downgraded? It just had all these features I didn't need.
So I got something simpler.
I hope you're not offended, honey.
Nothing you do could offend me.
- Mwah.
Thank you.
- Okay.
Alright.
[DOOR OPENS.]
Hall Pull up my mother's auto registration.
Recent transactions.
See anything strange, let me know.
Poor guy lost the girl and the ring.
Well, we're giving him back the one we can.
It'll help a little.
You don't seem like the type who'd need a ring.
Oh, I can be traditional in my needs.
Oh, yeah? Well.
Tell me more about 'em, these needs.
I think not.
Come with me.
To the, um the jewelry heist? Jewelry repo.
And yeah.
Fuck yeah.
No.
Wait for me outside? No.
Meet up after the job? Maybe.
Mm.
That's not a no.
It's also not a yes.
We're in the Age of Consent now.
That doesn't mean that we've stopped enjoying how it feels to break the rules.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
[SCOFFS.]
[CHUCKLES.]
Okay.
Her yoga class is about to start.
I should go get set up.
I'm in the water.
Swimming.
Coming up for a bit of air now.
Is that how you think of your process? Like being submerged? Ah.
To call it "my process" makes me sound like a prick.
Like I'm full of myself.
You give a shit what other people think? No.
To me.
I-I sound like a prick to myself.
I mean, this shit should just flow without any thought.
Definitely no thought of the self.
That's always the goal.
It's the hard part.
Yeah.
See? I-I knew you would know.
You'd understand.
Really? We just met.
Yeah, but you see more than most.
Obviously.
Being around you makes me feel a lot.
It's good.
It's also very exposed.
Hmm.
Prefer to expose yourself in those, right? No.
I prefer to live in them.
Not care about the rest.
You know.
About opinions.
But I want yours.
I have one.
And you'd like it.
But I'm not ready to offer it yet.
And I'm not sure I should.
The artist doesn't need me to tell him what he's saying.
You know, I've thought that if I met Miles Davis or Hank Aaron that, uh, I wouldn't need to use words to tell them why they mattered.
I-I would just meet their eyes.
And they would know.
And then I would know.
I could never be that cool in a situation like that if I met Megan Rapinoe or Murakami.
Yeah, well, I-I said I thought I knew how I would be.
But I actually met Hank Aaron ten years back once.
You know what I did? Tell me.
I asked him to sign my fucking hat.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
I did.
Before I knew it the words just came out.
The only thing he saw in my eyes was a pain-in-the-ass fan.
I want to show you something.
[LAUREN.]
I'm gonna ask you a couple of questions.
Is this like an online quiz or something? No.
And don't try to add 'em up, see what I'm getting at.
Just answer one at a time.
- And then - Ask away.
How smart is Wendy Rhoades? General intelligence: top one percent.
Person to person, with EQ included, top one half of one percent.
How good is Wendy Rhoades at gameplay? In the important games, the ones not played on boards or fields: again, top one half of one percent.
Why do we like Wendy Rhoades? Because we do like her.
Is that real? You asked me not to jump ahead.
But I have to You're really wondering why we're trusting Wendy and you are suggesting that maybe we shouldn't.
I'm not the only one feeling this way It's a coup d'etat.
I didn't think so.
But he convinced me.
We're through the looking glass here, people.
Wendy Rhoades is pushing Taylor Mason loyalists out of power.
Me, I would almost understand after the whole Garbage Person Incident.
Mafee, you have nothing to worry about.
- You sure? - Positive.
- He doesn't but I do?! - Mm.
- I knew it! - Phew.
And Stevie Wonder? - Blind.
- Told you! [LAUREN.]
If we look at it through this lens, it's possible Wendy has taken an interest in me to fuck with you.
And has agreed to work with you to destabilize the entire endeavor.
Yes.
It's possible.
- But not what's going on.
- Push comes to it, she will always stick with Axe over you.
And because we know that all of us know that that danger won't present.
Well, I'm going to put her on notice.
- To protect you.
- No.
I appreciate your loyalty.
But I'm protecting you when I tell you not to.
Do not get in the middle of this.
Fine.
Then at least make sure you retain control.
Cut her in, but limit her.
Yes.
I'm willing to go to 25%.
Cap it at 15%.
Anything more and you're giving away too much ownership.
Giving her too much negative control.
Just so you know, the minute I see a rat, I'm outta here.
Come this way.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[WENDY.]
How did you get access to this place? I know some people.
- Oh, you do, do you? - Mm.
I used to work on a demo crew back in the day.
You studied that the way other painters study landscapes.
It called to me.
Yeah.
How close is this one to coming down? Well, they're just stripping the last bits of value now.
It's the copper piping.
And the fixtures.
That's the way it goes in the end.
Buildings.
Relationships.
Empires.
We're always trying to hold onto what we think matters.
We almost always get it wrong.
And that's your subject, isn't it? What we grab onto while everything comes down around us.
Or I just like watching destruction.
Oh.
You'll be here when it falls.
Well, I'm hoping that we'd be here together.
And this way, when the world is crumbling around us, I know I'm holding onto something good.
How often are you going to show up to our dates with a new bruise? Mm.
- No, this wasn't, uh - I'm kidding, Chuck.
Yes, of course.
But I suppose you have questions Oh.
You need to know I don't judge in that area.
Whatever works for you.
But not everything works for me.
No.
Of course.
Uh.
Does my modality, um No.
I can have fun in that modality.
It just can't be the only modality.
Mm-hmm.
If we say modality again, I'm worried the whole thing's gonna turn into a science project.
So.
Ask me anything.
And be as direct as you possibly can.
Some subs I've known don't like Shit.
Fine.
I'm just gonna ask it: Do you like penetrative sex? Does it work for you? Oh, uh, in the right setting, it really works.
Oh, the father taught me To walk in Jerusalem just like John Oh, tell 'em about the wood, I just can't Walk in Jerusalem just like John There he is.
I'm gonna walk, walk, walk, walk, walk Walk in Jerusalem just like John Mm-mm-mmm! Gonna walk, strut, singing tall Walk in Jerusalem just like John Well, I want to be ready Yeah, I want to be ready - Yeah-ah I want to be ready - Well To walk in Jerusalem just like John Hey, hey, hey - I want to be ready, yeah - I want to be ready - Yeah - I want to be ready To walk in Jerusalem Just like John Dad.
What happened? What's wrong? Nothing to worry about, none of you.
Same reason I-I sent Roxanne and Willow home, goddamnit.
I don't want any any pity.
Wendy.
Chuck.
- Oh.
This is - [WENDY.]
Cat Brant.
I read The O Gap.
I found it very informative.
Helpful even.
Glad to hear it.
This is Tanner.
- Hey.
- Ah.
A painter, huh? Well.
Pleased to meet you.
Although I'm not entirely sure why it's standing room only in here.
It's what happens when you don't answer your phone, Chuck.
They go through the emergency contact list.
I got the call, Wend.
And came running.
I think maybe I'll just Yeah.
I'll just step outside.
What the hell happened here? His kidneys.
Renal failure.
Oh, for Christ's sake.
Dad, were you in pain and not telling us? You get fucking old If I reported on every ache and pain, it'd be a daily bulletin.
One minute I was playing with your little sister.
Next thing I know, I'm on my back staring up at a fucking paramedic.
How serious are we talking here? The doctors are running some tests, but they think he'll need a kidney transplant in order to survive.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
So, did you, uh Good news.
Mm.
Bad news.
You're not finished.
Chuck wants it placed.
We never discussed that.
Mm.
You'll do it as payback for setting him up to get punched.
- Ah.
- Yeah.
You like that your little scheme worked.
Don't you? You got Chuck a busted-up face.
I do at that.
Hmm.
Well.
I guess your brother deserved the chance to crack him one.
You're complicated.
Smart.
You don't know the half of it.
I want to, though.
I want to know the whole thing.
Is it always like this after the heist? The rush.
Why do you think I do it? I dunno.
The girls? I don't like girls.
I go for smart, complicated women.
Mm.
Andiamo.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
These fucking ingrates at this hospital.
I've built a wing.
Raised a fund to build another.
And they have the nerve to tell me that because of my age, liquor and cigar intake, I'm ineligible to be on the fucking transplant list.
Dad, we'll sort it all out.
No doubt.
Let me get on it.
You know I don't rattle easy, Sonny.
But I really need you to come through for me now.
Cuz I'm scared shitless.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Boom! And there it is.
Boycotts began when video surfaced [KORNBLUTH.]
showing lenders engaging in a systemic practice [KORNBLUTH.]
of discrimination.
[KORNBLUTH.]
This sparked an outpouring [KORNBLUTH.]
of similar stories from the community.
It wasn't long after that that the rush to withdraw began, and deposits on hand weren't sufficient to cover withdrawals.
[KORNBLUTH.]
And now, no one seems to know when, [KORNBLUTH.]
or if, Vark Community Bank will reopen Yeah! That is one dead community bank.
We fucking did it, fellas.
Ben Kim, take our reporter Randy Kornbluth to Armani and get him a new suit.
And Dollar Bill, take these boys out for steaks.
In Paris.
Or Vegas.
Or just buy em each a goddamned steer! Let's go, boys! Thanks.
- That sounds awesome.
- Yeah.
I'll get Bach to get us with the banking lady asap.
Yeah.
You got a CEO for us? Still cogitating on it.
What? Are you Wilford fucking Brimley now? Less coge, more action.
Any word on the other Yonkers story breaking? So far, so quiet, so good.
Good.
Better stay that way.
Or that bank charter may still not land in our laps.
[DOOR OPENS.]
Your, uh Your mother didn't sell her car.
Yeah.
No.
I saw she was lying.
She gave it away.
Out with it.
To your father.
They're in contact? Her phone records show, yes.
Recently.
That fucking grifter is back in town? And preying on her? He was in California for a while.
He made his presence known in the card rooms there, got chased for bad credit, headed for Arizona home repair business fled the state behind that bankruptcy.
Then, yeah, he landed here.
Sought out your mom.
I'll bet he did.
You playing angles or coming legit? No angle.
I've spent my life trying to help other people fulfill their potential.
For a change, I want to help build something that's truly mine.
- And Taylor's.
- Of course.
- It's just you didn't say it.
- Doesn't need saying.
They own most of it.
And while we're talking I'll just say: I've only gotten a taste of this new venture, but I am energized and fucking inspired to be involved.
Is that so? Because I think Lauren, I asked you not to do this.
Yeah, well, I asked you not to trust her blindly.
Looks like we both ignored the requests.
The path of our negotiation leads to 25% of my piece.
Yes.
I think that's fair Which is why I'm giving you 40.
[TAYLOR.]
I need to be senior, but I need you fully invested and without doubt.
And are you? Without doubt? There's uncertainty in almost everything that comes next.
The essence of our job is to overcome that and take calculated risks.
But in this moment, I'm sure there's no way forward without Wendy and I working in concert, as partners.
But Lauren, you are essential to the success of this entire thing.
If you have doubt, or seed doubt Once you two shake on it, that's it.
I'm in.
And I want to be proven wrong.
You will be.
Mm-hmm.
Bobby, you get my message? She said she understood, but she has no idea what the kid's gonna do.
He's a total wild card.
She thinks she's probably gonna listen to her son Mm.
Which is what you should have done.
Listen.
I did what you asked.
I'm sorry I couldn't change her mind for you.
[AXE.]
The car, Ma.
I know what you did that you gave it to Dad.
You have your people snooping on me now? What, he try to con you out of it, blackmail you, what? - No.
- Then why the fuck would you do anything to help him? After everything we've been through.
Okay, look.
I saw him.
He was at a bus stop, Bobby.
We spoke.
[LAUREL.]
He said he was having trouble finding work.
He couldn't get around.
I felt sorry for him, Bobby.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
That's fine, Ma.
You did what you did, [AXE.]
and you know I love you.
But I'm warning you now: If you ever speak to him again, I will know it, and I will cut you off and you will be left with nothing.
Just like him.
Settling in okay, Rian? Already feels like home.
Of course, I left home the second I got the chance.
But yeah.
Settling nice.
Crowding me a bit, if anyone's concerned about that.
Not so much, actually.
Well.
You should be.
Instead of deciding whether to keep me on, you should be trying to convince me to stay on.
Because while you've been plotting how to replace me with Gal Gadot's quirky sister, I've been busy.
I've figured how to offload all the non-green investments from Mason Capital to ease your transition to becoming an impact fund.
Wow.
Good catch.
Can you add as well as you subtract? Are you kidding me with this? Well.
It actually helps that he's outside the camp, don't you think? Studies have proven that a diversity of opinions really strengthens an organization.
Impact funds really benefit from having a capitalist douche on staff as a bellwether.
I mean, if you can sell impact plays to him, you know they'll be viable to anyone.
Well, then we have to keep him.
Welcome back aboard.
I've been aboard, the whole damn time.
Be happy and don't be so fucking needy.
That's what my first girlfriend said.
And my last one.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
So.
Whose name is on the application for the CEO? While all the candidates were deeply flawed, I finally know the right one Moi.
You're going full Dick Cheney? Wags, no one loves you more than me, but the rules say I need someone with prior banking experience.
I did the Chemical Bank summer program back during college.
I was a teller and everything.
You'd have to step down as COO of Axe Cap.
Officially.
You said you wanted someone technically clean but willing to get dirty.
Huh.
Look at you, in all your sartorial splendor.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Did you get a manicure? I did.
Straighten your fucking tie, let's go.
You want a state banking charter because you won't have to divest your non-banking activities.
I don't want to give you a state banking charter for that very reason.
See, the shit you want to do is the shit this office is not comfortable with.
Wait a minute, if there was a conflict all along then why weren't we notified? Consider this notification.
Who got to you? Excuse me? Someone's won you over somehow, got you to see the world the way they see it.
Instead of the way it really is.
Am I right? Because we all know this rap about conflict - is total horseshit.
- Mm.
- Damnit, I was gonna be a CEO - Wags! I'm insulted by your insinuation, Mr.
Axelrod.
[CALDER.]
Now, if you have any evidence of collusion, I invite you to take it up with the oversight committee.
Otherwise, I suggest you leave before I consider an outright ban.
How's your father? Oh.
We're not in the clear yet.
But, uh, he's an ox.
It'll take more than renal failure to kill that man.
Will it? Yes.
No.
It can be fatal, I know.
I'm working on it.
Good.
And thank you for coming along with me.
It's not what you signed up for.
I'm always a fan of family drama.
So what next? Do you have your kids tonight? They happen to be with the nanny at Wendy's.
Our night got interrupted.
Let's get it started again.
[MID-TEMPO MUSIC.]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION.]
Yo, I see you flexing with this move.
And buying this house.
Bought us that other one, too.
So, what, am I gonna have to owe you for the rest of my life now? Nah.
We're square now.
I appreciate you keeping your mouth shut to that reporter.
Yeah.
I don't talk.
I see that.
Before you leave [DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
and from one man of the house to another, I want you to know that your father will sniff you out.
He will find you in the rarified air of Scarsdale.
And the even more rarified air of living debt-free.
He'll want to re-enter your life.
That life.
Try to chip off a piece.
Don't let him.
Yo, my pops is gone.
He ain't coming back.
No.
He will And no good will come of it.
Take a look around this place.
Go on.
Let your eyes drink it all in.
All the people, your friends, the rest.
And then forget about every single last one of 'em and move the fuck on.
Done.
One more thing, we may never see each other again, but if you ever need anything if you're ever stuck, you need a doctor, or a lawyer, or a plane to get you out of somewhere, you know that you can call me and I'm there for you.
Of course.
I mean, we got contract.
[MAN.]
We're good.
Think it's bad luck to be empty-handed for the toast.
Luck? There's probability, plausibility and actuality.
Luck is superstition.
Luck is lazy math.
That's what I always say! Hey.
Maybe we should Don't press.
Right.
[GLASS CLINKS.]
Thank you guys so much for staying late later than you normally work but we have something we want to show you.
I want to officially welcome each of you to Taylor Mason Carbon.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
[CELLPHONE VIBRATES.]
Hey.
We're having a little party.
You should come.
[AXE.]
Nah not now.
Oh.
You need me [SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
[WENDY.]
Your old room.
Never thought I'd find myself back in this place again.
The things it's drawing back up for me.
Fuck.
Tell me one.
I'd sit here, you know, waiting to see how his car would come down the road.
I could tell, just from the way he turned into the driveway, the way his keys jangled in the door, the kind of night it was going to be.
And if it was gonna be a bad one.
I'd try to distract him.
So he wouldn't start in on her.
So he'd leave my mother alone.
Tell him something that happened in my day.
A fight I got into or a kid's ass I kicked or Sometimes it worked for a while.
But never for very long.
Eventually I felt so fucking powerless sitting here.
I didn't know how I was going to do it, but I swore one day I'd put myself in a position where no one and nothing had power over me like that.
That's why you didn't show up here for dinner.
You couldn't.
You cleared it out pretty nicely.
You gonna burn it to the ground? I'd like to.
And the whole town with it, huh? I can't give in to that kind of thinking.
But But I can make sure no one ever lives in this fucking place again.
And that's enough? All you need to make yourself feel better? Almost.
[MAN.]
Hey! [MAN.]
Hey! Old man, look at my life I'm a lot like you were Old man, look at my life I'm a lot like you were Old man, look at my life Twenty four and there's so much more Live alone in a paradise That makes me think of two Love lost, such a cost Give me things that don't get lost Like a coin that won't get tossed Rolling home to you Old man, take a look at my life I'm a lot like you I need someone to love me the whole day through Ah, one look in my eyes And you can tell that's true
Previously on Billions You know why I can see Yonkers' future? [AXE.]
'Cause I can see its past.
Mike Prince is Axe's real enemy.
You know the house he lives in now was my house.
Come on back, and have dinner with us.
I'll make meatloaf.
Can't wait.
Dinner at home in my hometown.
Only I'm not gonna allow you to do any work.
I'm gonna bring my chef.
We should do it turn Mase Cap into an impact fund.
- Together.
Within Axe Cap.
But ours.
- Yes.
[WALKER.]
We were thrilled to hear that you might be interested [WALKER.]
in teaching here at the Law School this semester.
Professor Rhoades.
I'm Oh, I know Catherine Brant.
I heard you were up here.
You know my new artist Tanner I got working on commission.
- [WENDY.]
Yeah.
- [AXE.]
He's not working.
You're on the precipice of the kind of success very few artists ever have.
Look.
There we go.
You'll be the first to see it when it's done.
I better be.
I'm fine with you winning in Yonkers.
[PRINCE.]
Yonkers is you.
[PRINCE.]
You are Yonkers.
You've never really left.
[PRINCE.]
You stink of the place.
[PRINCE.]
And now you're back in it.
I've gotta get the fuck out of this dipshit town.
Baby brother.
But you suddenly showing up here Must mean you want something.
The one thing you do with those hands better than fight.
There's a safe? My father called me.
His alliance with Axe isn't over.
[CHUCK.]
What other venture are they embarking upon? [SACKER.]
They're going into banking.
Then so are we.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Well, I want to be ready I want to be ready - I want to be ready - I want to Walk in Jerusalem just like John Well, I want to be ready - I want to be ready - There you go.
- I want to be ready - I want to walk in To walk in Jerusalem just like John Well, my God told me just what to do Walk in We have to fire him.
"Have to" is a bit strong.
We have to breathe.
Have to find shelter.
Food to eat.
We don't have to fire Winston "Should.
" I can co-sign should.
We should fire him.
- Then we will.
- Will we? We said no exceptions.
The exact words were: "Strive for no exceptions.
" - Meaning - So Winston's the perfect fit.
- You said - No.
Winston's Tony Stewart in 2005.
Cocky 'cause he drives fast, but too brazen, too cutthroat.
He'll punch you on pit row, or run you over.
But like Stewart, he gets results.
Sure.
At Taylor Mason Capital.
But we're building something new.
Tell me he sees the Matrix and we're done here.
I can't tell you he sees the Matrix.
I saw the Matrix before they even made the fucking movie! And I was like five years old then.
Rest my case.
Wait, you really want to fire me? I thought I was gonna get a two percent slice of the new company.
Dave Mustaine thought he would return to Metallica.
I get the new slogan: No more ass-pounding the planet.
Earth-positive approach.
We go to Phish concerts with our investors.
But we still love money too, right? The math works the same no matter the names we own.
And that is where you will always need me.
"Need.
" Again, that overstates it.
Sell us on what you alone add to this particular kind of investing.
Back to you soon.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
[SIGHS.]
What we need are true believers with hard and soft skills.
If they don't work here now, we have to find 'em.
[CALDER.]
I know, honey.
She's just a bad pony But it's better you found out now, rather than later.
Well, she'd better give Grammy's ring back that's meant for a wife not a slut Oh, uh.
Alright.
Listen, I gotta go.
I'll talk to you later.
Yeah.
Love you.
Well, Ms.
Calder.
Ah.
Not every day the top legal officers of the state pop up on my calendar.
Kind of like a digital rectal exam.
- What's on your mind? - Bobby Axelrod.
Specifically, an application he submitted for a bank charter.
- I'm aware of it.
- Well, we would like you to stall the approval.
And then deny it.
And why would I do that? All of the preliminary paperwork seems fine.
We need straight-up banks in this state, and he's like an old Jack Kramer stored without a press: permanently warped.
You can prevent crimes before they happen just by saying no.
This isn't Minority Report.
Now, we follow a process.
A crime happens, you deal with it later.
Certainly an expert in banking like yourself understands the concept of taking out a line of credit.
Well, imagine what I can pay back with interest.
Not every day the top legal officers of the state pop onto your calendar.
- Go on.
- Do this for us, and if you're ever in desperate straits, reach out for us, and just watch what we can do.
Oh.
You mean like prosecuting someone to settle a political grudge.
Oh.
I would never prosecute someone unless they had actually but, uh, yes.
- Sure.
- Yeah, yeah.
You know what? Um, see, I don't walk around with a McCarthy list - like you do, so - [SACKER.]
Mm.
You seemed awfully upset about someone when we arrived.
Yeah, that was about my son's ex-fiancée.
That bitch broke off the engagement, but she won't give the ring back.
- Oh.
- That ring was smuggled out of Germany sewn into the lining of my father's coat [CALDER.]
right at the beginning of World War II.
[CALDER.]
I mean, that that It's a family heirloom Well.
There may be legal remedies.
We could go after her in court and get it back.
That would give you a very special place in my heart.
Drag your feet on the approval to give me a chance.
Alright.
Let's go get this fucking bank.
Give me the sign when you want me to play - bad cop in the meeting.
- No call for that.
They have the documents.
They've signaled to us that this process should go as smooth as a freshly waxed Prom queen? PBA lane.
That's Professional Bowlers Association.
Ah.
Right.
- You sure you don't want a bad cop? - We're sure, Wags.
But I love bad cop.
I've been rehearsing all morning.
Spyros, why the Alfred the Butler getup? Naturally, I assume you'll want your eques of equities, your consul of compliance, to join you in the assault on the ramparts of government regulators.
Bad cop.
Go.
When the meeting calls for an organ grinder's monkey to come shake his cappuccino cup for nickels, we'll let you know.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Sorry.
I-I can't approve this just yet.
There's another bank representing that zone.
There is not.
If you look in the papers right in front of you there, - you'll see - Vark Community Bank.
Vark isn't even FDIC-insured.
- You can't possibly expect us - Vark is a shining jewel in the Banking Development District Program.
They serve many hardworking, undocumented customers.
Now, you run Vark off the ranch, and where else are these people supposed to graze? I dunno.
Immigration Services? If that's humor, it's left me cold.
And if it's your real answer, then it's left you out in the cold.
Now, we are not going to proceed [CALDER.]
with issuing a charter unless you can convince me that there is a greater banking need in this zip code.
Go ahead.
Show me a competitive analysis that says so.
Oh, and also, you're gonna need to propose, um, a suitable candidate for CEO.
[CALDER.]
You better have someone captaining this ship that's legitimate, or the ship doesn't leave the dock.
Turns out we didn't need the good cop.
You're right about that.
It was all naked fucking Harvey Keitel in there.
- It doesn't make any sense.
- It does.
Harvey Keitel was Bad Lieutenant.
- He's saying the banking person - He knows, Wags.
He means the timing is odd.
The sudden turn against us.
- Mike Prince? - Maybe.
Him or Chuck.
Get Hall with the banking team working on Vark Bank.
And get with Lauren and find another CEO.
Someone who is squeaky clean, but ya know Someone who doesn't squeak when they need to get dirty.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
You should've gone to that dinner with the kid.
Yeah? And you should've gone to law school instead of journalism school.
You'd be able to buy yourself a decent jacket.
That's probably true.
Doesn't matter now.
- But the dinner? - Yeah.
Matters.
We made such a public spectacle about you attending, that kid, his mom My chef presented them with a three-star meal - pasta course, meat and fish - Yumilicious.
But it was never about the meal.
And because you left 'em hanging - Ah, fuck, really? - Yeah.
Local reporter in Yonkers is on it.
Looking to do a hit piece.
It's the only way a journalist can get enough clicks to buy himself a decent jacket.
Hmm.
Actually, there is another way.
You make this disappear, Randy, [AXE.]
I'll buy out the fucking Armani store for you.
'Cause if it looks like I used this kid Savion as a prop to get the O.
Z.
deal approved It'll make you look like a plutocrat, parking assets to save on cap gains taxes, while Costing me my fucking bank.
How much time we have? It'll run in the next day or two.
Soon as he gets an interview with Savion or the mother.
Mnh-mnh.
Can't fucking happen.
Get with this reporter, and think about how to move him off.
And you? Heading back to Yonkers - Yo, take the ball.
- Give me that.
Learn how to play some "D.
" Yo.
Yo.
Watch out, dawg.
Watch out.
Alright, homey, you good? Hey, we good.
Um, I'mma catch up with y'all later.
Oh.
There you go.
She dumped me.
What'd she say? Nothing.
Ghosted.
That's a lot of texts.
From you.
Unanswered.
Maybe you should have pumped the brakes after three.
Or four.
Or five.
Now, instead of thinking about yield curves and PE ratios, all I can think about is Em and where it went wrong.
Look, you said, uh, before she complained about My cuddle noises.
Yes.
I'm an affectionate person.
My cuddling takes on a vocal aspect.
- You think that's why - Yeah, well, sounds like it was a little too much too soon.
Maybe pace yourself on the cuddling next time.
And dead the noises until you're sure they're welcome.
I'm sorry, I have a meeting.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
[SIGHS.]
Rian.
You turned me down when I tried to hire you as an analyst at Axe Capital.
I wasn't emotionally prepared for that whole sitch.
Why, specifically, did you reject that offer? Axe Cap is a profit juggernaut.
Cool.
But not for me.
Sorry, not sorry.
This is different.
It looks the same.
It's at the same address.
There are many of the same faces.
So why would my answer be anything but thanks but nah? This place in here is also for profit, and will soon be a juggernaut too.
But this is an impact fund.
[TAYLOR.]
Not just no harm, [TAYLOR.]
but positive social and environmental impact.
We're looking for responsible gains.
And to expand the adoption of renewable energy.
Swick.
That's a mashup of swag and slick.
It sure is.
So how exactly does your algo work? Um.
Half the human population spends at least three decades on a menstrual cycle.
We're talking four billion people.
A huge chunk of that market sector needs feminine hygiene supplies every 28 days.
And many don't have access yet.
What's your data set? With public health records, cotton and shipping prices around the world, we can triangulate the most effective way to get resources where they're needed most and anticipate demand.
Are you solving one problem by creating another? - How so? - Landfills.
Polluted oceans.
Biodegradables address that.
There are companies out there ready to scale up.
They need capital.
Let us discuss it and get back to you.
It's called the Taco Algo.
[CHUCKLES.]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
- Well? - She's sharp as fuck.
Nice call.
I'll backtest her program, make sure it's not bullshit.
But yeah.
Good.
Recruiters make whole careers delivering talent like that.
Ah.
You want to discuss equity.
Axe is in for half, so it's up to us to allocate the rest.
What do you think? Ten percent was my initial instinct.
Shit.
I was thinking we'd be equal partners.
No you weren't.
But you have to say that in order to negotiate.
- I hate posturing.
- Me too.
So make me your best offer.
Because I'm feeling devalued.
You are an integral part of this endeavor, Wendy.
I do value your contribution.
You may hate posturing, but you're doing it.
Ten percent is a non-starter.
Give me some time to think about what's fair.
This was your idea.
Don't break balls.
Make it worth it for me to keep it going.
Message received.
Nice meeting you.
Yeah.
Have a good one.
See ya.
Seriously, dude.
What the fuck? Don't you see what's happening? We're getting picked off one by one.
Wendy brought her in.
Yeah, Rian told me.
Seems cool.
Really knows her shit.
Her name is Rian? - Are you serious? - With an I.
Badass.
Fuck.
We are so screwed.
We're living Ex Machina.
Chill out, 8Chan.
They just need to bring on some new analysts for the new Meaning less room for Taylor's people and more for Wendy's.
- It's a consp - Conspiracy? Sure.
Start a subreddit, it'll go great with the Stevie-Wonder-can-see truthers.
Hey, they have a point, have you seen him play They do not have a point.
Whatever.
You seem awfully comfortable for a guy who knows firsthand what Wendy Rhoades is capable of doing.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Ex-fiancée lives in a doorman building on the Upper East Side.
Recently called for a locksmith to change her locks and put all Calder family members on the no-visit list.
No indication she has a safe deposit box or has tried to pawn any jewelry.
So she's keeping it.
Likely at home.
We help the kid bring suit.
Law's a little mushy on this.
Ring is a conditional gift.
Condition is marriage.
She owes it back.
She'll claim it's a legal gift.
No condition, nothing owed.
Also depends on who broke it off.
Not in the eyes of the law.
She could also offer to repay the value, keep the ring itself.
Shit.
Like I said: mushy.
Why are you so quiet? Because I have an idea that I really shouldn't say out loud.
I made with the devil for my soul I saw a ring of fire down You familiar with "contract", Savion? Yeah.
Deal you sign.
Mm.
That's a contract, not 'contract.
' Contract is an understanding between men, that they see things the same way, that they'll keep code.
That they'll honor the spirit of their relationship even in unforeseen circumstances.
Like some nomadic dream Like that, uh the arrangement we had when we told the story that should hold even if attempts were made to re-tell that story.
I made a deal with the devil for my soul Understand? Jesus, oh, Jesus Lord, what have I done? I have lived a life of sin Word is bond.
Yeah.
That's a good way to put it.
Maybe someday soon like Judas I'll be hanging from a rope I made a deal with the devil for my soul It's bullshit though.
You got what you needed, and then you flaked on dinner.
Ain't the first time.
That's a pattern, and I recognize it from my own life.
No matter how far you run So that other shit He always knows where you are is null and void.
He's around every corner And you? At the end of every road Well, shit.
I made a deal with the devil You can fuck off.
For my soul Someday soon, I will have to pay I know I made a deal with the devil For my soul Why am I here? Tell him, Karl.
Because skels like you, who show twelve grand a year in legitimate income, don't go window-shopping for Bugattis.
[ALLERD.]
Because we know you're actually casing the place.
And because we know you know the night porter from a stint in Coxsackie Correctional.
Grand theft auto is a heavy charge.
One we're saving you from.
Sit.
Thank you, Karl.
You know who we are? [DOOR CLOSES.]
Not only do I know who you are, Mr.
Connerty, I bet I know the wishes in your heart.
And I'll grant them if you rub the lamp.
I'm not gonna rub anything of yours.
[CHUCKLES.]
You want your brother in a safer facility, with full privileges, closer to home for visits.
Yes? Well, I need a specialist, someone with a particular set of skills to help me recover some stolen property.
Wait.
I-I-I swear I've seen this movie before.
Don't tell me.
There's a safe.
There might be a safe.
- There's definitely a locked door.
- [CHUCK.]
Mm.
I'm guessing there's a reason you didn't call a locksmith.
Best we run silent, run deep on this one.
Protect everyone involved.
Except my ass.
No, especially you.
Imagine how grateful Bryan would be to know you had a hand in his move to Otisville Prison Camp.
Only an hour and a half outside the city.
So much easier for you and your ma to visit more often.
I mean, the place has got a gym, a library, vending machines with candy bars, [CHUCK.]
salt 'n vinegar chips, and soda pop.
There's one with deli sandwiches.
I hear the tuna's actually pretty good.
Still prison.
And you two are the ones who fucking put him there.
Your brother made choices against my advice, might I add that landed him where he is.
That's not on us.
[CHUCK.]
But if you help us, there is no telling what kind of recommendation we could make to the parole board.
[SIGHS.]
[CLEARS THROAT.]
I'll do this.
On one condition though.
- Name it.
- You gotta go pay him a visit.
- For what? - Not you.
Just you, Rhoades.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
He has something he wants to tell you.
In person.
Something private.
Looking a man in the eyes.
The way we used to do back in the old days.
Old school I can do.
Why should we hand our bank over to you? I'm glad you asked.
I've been waiting for that question.
I'm glad you asked.
- I'm talking, people, about the same old game - This is great.
Did you have anything else? Sure.
Why should we hire you and not one of the other candidates? - I'd be glad to answer.
- I'll be glad to answer.
I'll be glad to answer.
The game itself will hold you back Check out your mind and don't be blind To the numbers game Strong set of potential bank CEOs.
Not strong enough.
They had all the qualifications Not strong enough! It has to be someone very special.
Not just a financial wizard, but someone respected outside and in.
They have to vibe with Axe.
And gain his trust.
The search must continue.
[DOLLAR BILL.]
Okay, come on.
Focus.
- [TUK LAL.]
Oh, yes! - That was out.
No, no, no, no! It was right there.
[DOLLAR BILL.]
Come on.
Come on.
Come on, man.
You got this.
You got it.
Yes! - Oh! - Oh, could not be better! - [MAN.]
Oh! - Whoa, whoa, whoa.
What, am I paying you all to sit around and make like George Blanda with your fingers all day? We got something.
It's been a week since the honeymoon.
We couldn't even get married in our countries.
Lucky we met here.
In America.
Land of the free.
We're so in love.
- Mm.
- Can't wait to settle down.
We're hoping you can help us with a home loan.
Mm-mm-mmm.
WTF's with that noise? I can't help it That's great, guys.
Congrats on your nuptials.
We're prepared to offer you 8.
5 percent.
That's way above prime.
Yeah.
You're not great credit risks.
No one else will even give you this.
And, uh, did you say your countries? Does that mean you're not U.
S.
citizens? [DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
They hosed us on the rate.
We also have 'em on tape saying we could fill out our immigration status any way we wanted and they wouldn't verify it.
That's fraud.
Actual And not all rates are, shall we say, equal.
Okay, Mister Martin.
Looks like we can lock you in at 2.
8.
So close to prime we're not even making anything on it.
You're a friend to the working man.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
[DOLLAR BILL.]
White guy gets the good rate.
Xenophobia, homophobia, racism we can serve them up all three or slice it any way you want.
We caught everything on camera.
I was going for a Dog Day Afternoon vibe with the footage, but the lighting in there was not Good work, Victor.
Hey.
Give props where props are due.
This was Eveready's.
I learned a lesson the hard way when I was buying an apartment in the City.
Sometimes it's better to let your white fiancée from Riverdale do all the talking.
So should we deploy the munitions? Nah.
Hold off a beat.
I can use this in trade to help me with my reporter issue.
Excellent work, men.
[CHEERING.]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION.]
How much did she ask for, how much did you offer? Fifty.
Ten.
Like you suggested.
Big gap.
It's a question of value - Excuse me.
- Okay.
and loyalty.
[TANNER.]
You like staring at screens all day, or you wanna see something fucked up and beautiful? Is that you or your paintings you're describing? Mm.
We know it's both.
You looking for a power boost? [TANNER.]
Oh, no.
[TANNER.]
That sounds like celery and wheatgrass in human form.
But I would like to hang.
I'd like to hang.
Yeah.
[WENDY.]
I'll drop by later.
Good.
[BUZZER.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
[BUZZER.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
You can uncuff him.
We're fine.
[HANDCUFFS CLICK.]
I understand you have something to say [SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
[CHUCKLES.]
[BUZZER.]
Fair's fucking fair.
Come on! Come on.
Come on.
Let's go.
Let's go.
Yeah, so, we have at least four, maybe five.
[AXE.]
Mm-hmm.
Alright.
Hold on.
You're back.
Met with the local reporter.
I offered the story on the bank in exchange for killing the one on you.
And? It made him know he had something.
- No trade.
- Oh.
Fuck.
Yeah.
Can I run with the bank story? Will that help? Both of us.
Yeah.
Get with Victor for the footage.
Great.
You? Heading back to fucking Yonkers.
Again.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[DOORBELL RINGS.]
Bobby.
- Hey, Ma.
- Hey.
[SIGHS.]
I don't know.
It just sounds so Come on, Ma.
Everyone in town respects you.
Go to Savion's mother.
Convince her to steer her son to abide by local code Don't talk.
[SIGHS.]
I'll give it what I got.
Hey, whose is that Honda Pilot in the driveway? Oh.
Me.
Mine.
Who else? No, I mean, where's the Lexus I bought you? I sold it.
And downgraded? It just had all these features I didn't need.
So I got something simpler.
I hope you're not offended, honey.
Nothing you do could offend me.
- Mwah.
Thank you.
- Okay.
Alright.
[DOOR OPENS.]
Hall Pull up my mother's auto registration.
Recent transactions.
See anything strange, let me know.
Poor guy lost the girl and the ring.
Well, we're giving him back the one we can.
It'll help a little.
You don't seem like the type who'd need a ring.
Oh, I can be traditional in my needs.
Oh, yeah? Well.
Tell me more about 'em, these needs.
I think not.
Come with me.
To the, um the jewelry heist? Jewelry repo.
And yeah.
Fuck yeah.
No.
Wait for me outside? No.
Meet up after the job? Maybe.
Mm.
That's not a no.
It's also not a yes.
We're in the Age of Consent now.
That doesn't mean that we've stopped enjoying how it feels to break the rules.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
[SCOFFS.]
[CHUCKLES.]
Okay.
Her yoga class is about to start.
I should go get set up.
I'm in the water.
Swimming.
Coming up for a bit of air now.
Is that how you think of your process? Like being submerged? Ah.
To call it "my process" makes me sound like a prick.
Like I'm full of myself.
You give a shit what other people think? No.
To me.
I-I sound like a prick to myself.
I mean, this shit should just flow without any thought.
Definitely no thought of the self.
That's always the goal.
It's the hard part.
Yeah.
See? I-I knew you would know.
You'd understand.
Really? We just met.
Yeah, but you see more than most.
Obviously.
Being around you makes me feel a lot.
It's good.
It's also very exposed.
Hmm.
Prefer to expose yourself in those, right? No.
I prefer to live in them.
Not care about the rest.
You know.
About opinions.
But I want yours.
I have one.
And you'd like it.
But I'm not ready to offer it yet.
And I'm not sure I should.
The artist doesn't need me to tell him what he's saying.
You know, I've thought that if I met Miles Davis or Hank Aaron that, uh, I wouldn't need to use words to tell them why they mattered.
I-I would just meet their eyes.
And they would know.
And then I would know.
I could never be that cool in a situation like that if I met Megan Rapinoe or Murakami.
Yeah, well, I-I said I thought I knew how I would be.
But I actually met Hank Aaron ten years back once.
You know what I did? Tell me.
I asked him to sign my fucking hat.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
I did.
Before I knew it the words just came out.
The only thing he saw in my eyes was a pain-in-the-ass fan.
I want to show you something.
[LAUREN.]
I'm gonna ask you a couple of questions.
Is this like an online quiz or something? No.
And don't try to add 'em up, see what I'm getting at.
Just answer one at a time.
- And then - Ask away.
How smart is Wendy Rhoades? General intelligence: top one percent.
Person to person, with EQ included, top one half of one percent.
How good is Wendy Rhoades at gameplay? In the important games, the ones not played on boards or fields: again, top one half of one percent.
Why do we like Wendy Rhoades? Because we do like her.
Is that real? You asked me not to jump ahead.
But I have to You're really wondering why we're trusting Wendy and you are suggesting that maybe we shouldn't.
I'm not the only one feeling this way It's a coup d'etat.
I didn't think so.
But he convinced me.
We're through the looking glass here, people.
Wendy Rhoades is pushing Taylor Mason loyalists out of power.
Me, I would almost understand after the whole Garbage Person Incident.
Mafee, you have nothing to worry about.
- You sure? - Positive.
- He doesn't but I do?! - Mm.
- I knew it! - Phew.
And Stevie Wonder? - Blind.
- Told you! [LAUREN.]
If we look at it through this lens, it's possible Wendy has taken an interest in me to fuck with you.
And has agreed to work with you to destabilize the entire endeavor.
Yes.
It's possible.
- But not what's going on.
- Push comes to it, she will always stick with Axe over you.
And because we know that all of us know that that danger won't present.
Well, I'm going to put her on notice.
- To protect you.
- No.
I appreciate your loyalty.
But I'm protecting you when I tell you not to.
Do not get in the middle of this.
Fine.
Then at least make sure you retain control.
Cut her in, but limit her.
Yes.
I'm willing to go to 25%.
Cap it at 15%.
Anything more and you're giving away too much ownership.
Giving her too much negative control.
Just so you know, the minute I see a rat, I'm outta here.
Come this way.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[WENDY.]
How did you get access to this place? I know some people.
- Oh, you do, do you? - Mm.
I used to work on a demo crew back in the day.
You studied that the way other painters study landscapes.
It called to me.
Yeah.
How close is this one to coming down? Well, they're just stripping the last bits of value now.
It's the copper piping.
And the fixtures.
That's the way it goes in the end.
Buildings.
Relationships.
Empires.
We're always trying to hold onto what we think matters.
We almost always get it wrong.
And that's your subject, isn't it? What we grab onto while everything comes down around us.
Or I just like watching destruction.
Oh.
You'll be here when it falls.
Well, I'm hoping that we'd be here together.
And this way, when the world is crumbling around us, I know I'm holding onto something good.
How often are you going to show up to our dates with a new bruise? Mm.
- No, this wasn't, uh - I'm kidding, Chuck.
Yes, of course.
But I suppose you have questions Oh.
You need to know I don't judge in that area.
Whatever works for you.
But not everything works for me.
No.
Of course.
Uh.
Does my modality, um No.
I can have fun in that modality.
It just can't be the only modality.
Mm-hmm.
If we say modality again, I'm worried the whole thing's gonna turn into a science project.
So.
Ask me anything.
And be as direct as you possibly can.
Some subs I've known don't like Shit.
Fine.
I'm just gonna ask it: Do you like penetrative sex? Does it work for you? Oh, uh, in the right setting, it really works.
Oh, the father taught me To walk in Jerusalem just like John Oh, tell 'em about the wood, I just can't Walk in Jerusalem just like John There he is.
I'm gonna walk, walk, walk, walk, walk Walk in Jerusalem just like John Mm-mm-mmm! Gonna walk, strut, singing tall Walk in Jerusalem just like John Well, I want to be ready Yeah, I want to be ready - Yeah-ah I want to be ready - Well To walk in Jerusalem just like John Hey, hey, hey - I want to be ready, yeah - I want to be ready - Yeah - I want to be ready To walk in Jerusalem Just like John Dad.
What happened? What's wrong? Nothing to worry about, none of you.
Same reason I-I sent Roxanne and Willow home, goddamnit.
I don't want any any pity.
Wendy.
Chuck.
- Oh.
This is - [WENDY.]
Cat Brant.
I read The O Gap.
I found it very informative.
Helpful even.
Glad to hear it.
This is Tanner.
- Hey.
- Ah.
A painter, huh? Well.
Pleased to meet you.
Although I'm not entirely sure why it's standing room only in here.
It's what happens when you don't answer your phone, Chuck.
They go through the emergency contact list.
I got the call, Wend.
And came running.
I think maybe I'll just Yeah.
I'll just step outside.
What the hell happened here? His kidneys.
Renal failure.
Oh, for Christ's sake.
Dad, were you in pain and not telling us? You get fucking old If I reported on every ache and pain, it'd be a daily bulletin.
One minute I was playing with your little sister.
Next thing I know, I'm on my back staring up at a fucking paramedic.
How serious are we talking here? The doctors are running some tests, but they think he'll need a kidney transplant in order to survive.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
So, did you, uh Good news.
Mm.
Bad news.
You're not finished.
Chuck wants it placed.
We never discussed that.
Mm.
You'll do it as payback for setting him up to get punched.
- Ah.
- Yeah.
You like that your little scheme worked.
Don't you? You got Chuck a busted-up face.
I do at that.
Hmm.
Well.
I guess your brother deserved the chance to crack him one.
You're complicated.
Smart.
You don't know the half of it.
I want to, though.
I want to know the whole thing.
Is it always like this after the heist? The rush.
Why do you think I do it? I dunno.
The girls? I don't like girls.
I go for smart, complicated women.
Mm.
Andiamo.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
These fucking ingrates at this hospital.
I've built a wing.
Raised a fund to build another.
And they have the nerve to tell me that because of my age, liquor and cigar intake, I'm ineligible to be on the fucking transplant list.
Dad, we'll sort it all out.
No doubt.
Let me get on it.
You know I don't rattle easy, Sonny.
But I really need you to come through for me now.
Cuz I'm scared shitless.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Boom! And there it is.
Boycotts began when video surfaced [KORNBLUTH.]
showing lenders engaging in a systemic practice [KORNBLUTH.]
of discrimination.
[KORNBLUTH.]
This sparked an outpouring [KORNBLUTH.]
of similar stories from the community.
It wasn't long after that that the rush to withdraw began, and deposits on hand weren't sufficient to cover withdrawals.
[KORNBLUTH.]
And now, no one seems to know when, [KORNBLUTH.]
or if, Vark Community Bank will reopen Yeah! That is one dead community bank.
We fucking did it, fellas.
Ben Kim, take our reporter Randy Kornbluth to Armani and get him a new suit.
And Dollar Bill, take these boys out for steaks.
In Paris.
Or Vegas.
Or just buy em each a goddamned steer! Let's go, boys! Thanks.
- That sounds awesome.
- Yeah.
I'll get Bach to get us with the banking lady asap.
Yeah.
You got a CEO for us? Still cogitating on it.
What? Are you Wilford fucking Brimley now? Less coge, more action.
Any word on the other Yonkers story breaking? So far, so quiet, so good.
Good.
Better stay that way.
Or that bank charter may still not land in our laps.
[DOOR OPENS.]
Your, uh Your mother didn't sell her car.
Yeah.
No.
I saw she was lying.
She gave it away.
Out with it.
To your father.
They're in contact? Her phone records show, yes.
Recently.
That fucking grifter is back in town? And preying on her? He was in California for a while.
He made his presence known in the card rooms there, got chased for bad credit, headed for Arizona home repair business fled the state behind that bankruptcy.
Then, yeah, he landed here.
Sought out your mom.
I'll bet he did.
You playing angles or coming legit? No angle.
I've spent my life trying to help other people fulfill their potential.
For a change, I want to help build something that's truly mine.
- And Taylor's.
- Of course.
- It's just you didn't say it.
- Doesn't need saying.
They own most of it.
And while we're talking I'll just say: I've only gotten a taste of this new venture, but I am energized and fucking inspired to be involved.
Is that so? Because I think Lauren, I asked you not to do this.
Yeah, well, I asked you not to trust her blindly.
Looks like we both ignored the requests.
The path of our negotiation leads to 25% of my piece.
Yes.
I think that's fair Which is why I'm giving you 40.
[TAYLOR.]
I need to be senior, but I need you fully invested and without doubt.
And are you? Without doubt? There's uncertainty in almost everything that comes next.
The essence of our job is to overcome that and take calculated risks.
But in this moment, I'm sure there's no way forward without Wendy and I working in concert, as partners.
But Lauren, you are essential to the success of this entire thing.
If you have doubt, or seed doubt Once you two shake on it, that's it.
I'm in.
And I want to be proven wrong.
You will be.
Mm-hmm.
Bobby, you get my message? She said she understood, but she has no idea what the kid's gonna do.
He's a total wild card.
She thinks she's probably gonna listen to her son Mm.
Which is what you should have done.
Listen.
I did what you asked.
I'm sorry I couldn't change her mind for you.
[AXE.]
The car, Ma.
I know what you did that you gave it to Dad.
You have your people snooping on me now? What, he try to con you out of it, blackmail you, what? - No.
- Then why the fuck would you do anything to help him? After everything we've been through.
Okay, look.
I saw him.
He was at a bus stop, Bobby.
We spoke.
[LAUREL.]
He said he was having trouble finding work.
He couldn't get around.
I felt sorry for him, Bobby.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
That's fine, Ma.
You did what you did, [AXE.]
and you know I love you.
But I'm warning you now: If you ever speak to him again, I will know it, and I will cut you off and you will be left with nothing.
Just like him.
Settling in okay, Rian? Already feels like home.
Of course, I left home the second I got the chance.
But yeah.
Settling nice.
Crowding me a bit, if anyone's concerned about that.
Not so much, actually.
Well.
You should be.
Instead of deciding whether to keep me on, you should be trying to convince me to stay on.
Because while you've been plotting how to replace me with Gal Gadot's quirky sister, I've been busy.
I've figured how to offload all the non-green investments from Mason Capital to ease your transition to becoming an impact fund.
Wow.
Good catch.
Can you add as well as you subtract? Are you kidding me with this? Well.
It actually helps that he's outside the camp, don't you think? Studies have proven that a diversity of opinions really strengthens an organization.
Impact funds really benefit from having a capitalist douche on staff as a bellwether.
I mean, if you can sell impact plays to him, you know they'll be viable to anyone.
Well, then we have to keep him.
Welcome back aboard.
I've been aboard, the whole damn time.
Be happy and don't be so fucking needy.
That's what my first girlfriend said.
And my last one.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
So.
Whose name is on the application for the CEO? While all the candidates were deeply flawed, I finally know the right one Moi.
You're going full Dick Cheney? Wags, no one loves you more than me, but the rules say I need someone with prior banking experience.
I did the Chemical Bank summer program back during college.
I was a teller and everything.
You'd have to step down as COO of Axe Cap.
Officially.
You said you wanted someone technically clean but willing to get dirty.
Huh.
Look at you, in all your sartorial splendor.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Did you get a manicure? I did.
Straighten your fucking tie, let's go.
You want a state banking charter because you won't have to divest your non-banking activities.
I don't want to give you a state banking charter for that very reason.
See, the shit you want to do is the shit this office is not comfortable with.
Wait a minute, if there was a conflict all along then why weren't we notified? Consider this notification.
Who got to you? Excuse me? Someone's won you over somehow, got you to see the world the way they see it.
Instead of the way it really is.
Am I right? Because we all know this rap about conflict - is total horseshit.
- Mm.
- Damnit, I was gonna be a CEO - Wags! I'm insulted by your insinuation, Mr.
Axelrod.
[CALDER.]
Now, if you have any evidence of collusion, I invite you to take it up with the oversight committee.
Otherwise, I suggest you leave before I consider an outright ban.
How's your father? Oh.
We're not in the clear yet.
But, uh, he's an ox.
It'll take more than renal failure to kill that man.
Will it? Yes.
No.
It can be fatal, I know.
I'm working on it.
Good.
And thank you for coming along with me.
It's not what you signed up for.
I'm always a fan of family drama.
So what next? Do you have your kids tonight? They happen to be with the nanny at Wendy's.
Our night got interrupted.
Let's get it started again.
[MID-TEMPO MUSIC.]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION.]
Yo, I see you flexing with this move.
And buying this house.
Bought us that other one, too.
So, what, am I gonna have to owe you for the rest of my life now? Nah.
We're square now.
I appreciate you keeping your mouth shut to that reporter.
Yeah.
I don't talk.
I see that.
Before you leave [DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
and from one man of the house to another, I want you to know that your father will sniff you out.
He will find you in the rarified air of Scarsdale.
And the even more rarified air of living debt-free.
He'll want to re-enter your life.
That life.
Try to chip off a piece.
Don't let him.
Yo, my pops is gone.
He ain't coming back.
No.
He will And no good will come of it.
Take a look around this place.
Go on.
Let your eyes drink it all in.
All the people, your friends, the rest.
And then forget about every single last one of 'em and move the fuck on.
Done.
One more thing, we may never see each other again, but if you ever need anything if you're ever stuck, you need a doctor, or a lawyer, or a plane to get you out of somewhere, you know that you can call me and I'm there for you.
Of course.
I mean, we got contract.
[MAN.]
We're good.
Think it's bad luck to be empty-handed for the toast.
Luck? There's probability, plausibility and actuality.
Luck is superstition.
Luck is lazy math.
That's what I always say! Hey.
Maybe we should Don't press.
Right.
[GLASS CLINKS.]
Thank you guys so much for staying late later than you normally work but we have something we want to show you.
I want to officially welcome each of you to Taylor Mason Carbon.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
[CELLPHONE VIBRATES.]
Hey.
We're having a little party.
You should come.
[AXE.]
Nah not now.
Oh.
You need me [SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
[WENDY.]
Your old room.
Never thought I'd find myself back in this place again.
The things it's drawing back up for me.
Fuck.
Tell me one.
I'd sit here, you know, waiting to see how his car would come down the road.
I could tell, just from the way he turned into the driveway, the way his keys jangled in the door, the kind of night it was going to be.
And if it was gonna be a bad one.
I'd try to distract him.
So he wouldn't start in on her.
So he'd leave my mother alone.
Tell him something that happened in my day.
A fight I got into or a kid's ass I kicked or Sometimes it worked for a while.
But never for very long.
Eventually I felt so fucking powerless sitting here.
I didn't know how I was going to do it, but I swore one day I'd put myself in a position where no one and nothing had power over me like that.
That's why you didn't show up here for dinner.
You couldn't.
You cleared it out pretty nicely.
You gonna burn it to the ground? I'd like to.
And the whole town with it, huh? I can't give in to that kind of thinking.
But But I can make sure no one ever lives in this fucking place again.
And that's enough? All you need to make yourself feel better? Almost.
[MAN.]
Hey! [MAN.]
Hey! Old man, look at my life I'm a lot like you were Old man, look at my life I'm a lot like you were Old man, look at my life Twenty four and there's so much more Live alone in a paradise That makes me think of two Love lost, such a cost Give me things that don't get lost Like a coin that won't get tossed Rolling home to you Old man, take a look at my life I'm a lot like you I need someone to love me the whole day through Ah, one look in my eyes And you can tell that's true