This is Us (2016) s06e02 Episode Script

Previously on This Is Us I got the results of the Pet Scan back.
And the scan is positive for plaques building in my brain.
Girl who got away.
I told you about her, right? You want to go see Sally? Let's go see Sally.
Pack a bag.
We'll leave in the morning.
Jennifer wants to be back in Janelle's life.
I'm really sorry you got upset about my talk with Malik.
Of course I'm upset.
My boyfriend's ex-girlfriend is coming back into his life.
I didn't tell anybody this, but I applied to Harvard.
I got into Harvard.
The beautiful, bountiful branches of my family tree.
Look who's here.
How was the drive up? Not bad.
Always goes by faster than you'd think.
Oh, uh, don't forget to roll out the trash cans.
I won't.
And then ask the gardeners to please roll them back in when we're gone.
I will.
Dej, you out of here? You and Tiffany are staying in studying, right? No egging boys' houses or going out clubbing? You got my number, Commander.
You know I do.
Good luck.
A suitcase, Nicky? We're gonna be gone one night.
I like to have clothing choices.
So, what's her deal? Is she single, married, divorced? You didn't give us any information once you connected with her - last night.
- She's single.
Yeah, but I didn't pry or anything.
Anyway, can we just go? Okay.
Fingers and toes.
I'm heading up to see the grandkids.
What awaits you in Boston? My boyfriend.
He goes to school there.
First time I'm going away to see him.
That's exciting.
Butterflies in the tummy, I I bet.
There's nothing like young love.
It changes you.
You'll see.
Uh, we got to hustle.
Janelle's mom is taking her for the day so we can be together.
You get to meet Jennifer.
Oh.
Come on.
Oh, you talked to the gardeners about the trash cans, right? This is not me forgetting.
This is me just confirming that you didn't forget.
- I sure did.
- Okay.
Nicky, what are you mumbling about back there? Uh, it's, uh, an opening line for-for when I see her.
Let's hear it.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
Okay, fine.
So Sally opens the door, and I see her, and I say, "Hey, Sal.
"It took 50 years, but I finally made it to California.
" Because we were going to, uh, drive to California, but I I I suck.
- This whole thing sucks.
Forget it.
- No.
- Never mind.
Sorry.
Sorry.
Sorry.
- It's perfect.
It's perfect.
Oh, we got to we got to make a stop before we get there.
My mother told me you never go to someone's house empty-handed.
Sure, man.
We can do that.
Is it okay with everyone - if I turn on the radio? - Oh, please.
Oh, goodness.
If Jack could see the three of us now.
Yeah.
His head would go kablooey.
I think he would love it.
I think it would make him very happy.
And who knows? Maybe Maybe Jack had a hand in how all of this played out.
Like he's up on a cloud watching us, pulling the strings? Okay, scoff all you want back there, Nicholas.
I am allowing myself to believe that there are higher powers at play.
Be open to new ideas.
Oh, I love this song.
Oh, let's hear it.
Crank it up, crank it up.
Don't we have to get your boss' car back? Aw, it's fine.
He said, "Have fun.
Don't wreck it.
" So let's not wreck it.
Whoo! - Mommy! - Hi, my cutie.
- Mommy.
- Hi, sweetie.
Really, Malik? Y'all are late, and Janelle's not even dressed - for dinner with my parents.
- I'm sorry.
- Uh, this is Deja.
- Hey, girl.
- Hi.
Nice to - Is her blue dress clean? It's my mom's favorite dress.
She loves that dress.
Malik, come on.
Look, chill.
She has clean clothes.
- Excuse me.
- Sorry.
Go ahead, go play, go play.
Okay.
- Baby, do you want apples? - Yes.
Yes? Okay.
Have a juice box.
- Huh? - Okay, what else? Do you want strawberries? - Yes, strawberries.
- Okay.
This dress is clean.
Wait, are you taking all of her food? Well, I was gonna go grocery shopping before this dinner, but you got here late.
I know, my bad.
I've just been really wrapped up in this paper.
Yeah, okay, sure.
The paper.
Okay.
Come on.
Okay.
Janelle, baby, let's go, we gotta go.
Come on, honey.
We gotta go.
Here.
Okay, yes, put it on.
Gotta go.
Let's go.
Bye, J.
It was really nice meeting you.
You-you, too.
- Bye, Janelle.
- Come on, honey.
Come on.
Let's go.
It said online that you you sell old cameras.
Yes, yes.
This way.
- A lot of stuff.
- Mm.
- How old is it? - About 19 1970.
Perfect! Perfect.
I think you're gonna be very happy with it.
Let me just see how much it is, though.
- There you go.
- Well 90 bucks? 90 bucks?! Does this thing even work? Well, yes.
It's in pristine condition.
I mean, some things grow in value with age.
That is ridiculous, 'cause if that was true, this guy would be worth a million bucks.
I'll give you 50.
I'm sorry, sir, our prices are nonnegotiable.
- This is ridiculous.
- Well, then, let's just forget it.
You don't need to bring Sally a camera.
No, no, no.
No, the whole thing, the whole idea is so crazy.
What was I thinking? I mean I mean, it's like tracking down some girl from a long time ago, and thinking I'm gonna Let's go home.
- What? - Home? - You've traveled nearly 200 miles.
- No, no.
Okay, uh, we'll give you 70 bucks, and throw in some film.
Uh, okay, okay.
Wait.
Hold on.
What are you doing? You said so yourself.
You don't want to arrive to Sally's emptyhanded.
Sally doesn't even know I'm coming.
I never reached out to her.
- What? - I I don't even know if this is my Sally Brooks.
I mean, she only has pictures of ducks and otters on her Instagram page.
I ju I just know that she likes animals and-and photography, so I I did a Google search, and I found the address.
But I don't know that it's her.
Or if she's married, or alive.
It doesn't matter.
We're not gonna let you wuss out.
We're 20 minutes away, so just get in the car.
You two idiots, you gotta you gotta walk with me to the door.
Okay? 'Cause I don't think I can do this alone.
Great.
Great.
Let's go.
Hurry! - We're the idiots.
- Yeah.
Sags in the middle, but it was cheap.
Besides, I don't sleep much.
Yeah, I could tell.
A lot of coffee cups.
Must get expensive.
What can I say? I love my dark roast.
I never really liked the taste of coffee.
Oh, it's just about the beans.
I'll take you to my spot.
You look exhausted.
No, I'm-I'm fine.
Tell me what's up? This place is no joke, Dej.
I mean, I knew it wouldn't be, it's Harvard, but it's on a whole 'nother level.
You know, if there's not a test one day, there's a paper due the next Monday.
And I got Janelle half the time.
Jennifer doesn't make it easy.
And if I'm not studying, I'm working.
'Cause scholarships, they cover tuition, but not books and food and clothes and How much time do you need to finish your paper? No.
No way.
No, you're only here for a day.
Look, Malik, how much time? Like, an hour.
Take two.
- Are you serious? - I'm serious.
- You sure? - Very sure.
Oh, thank you, thank you, thank Mwah, mwah, mwah.
I'm gonna make it up to you tonight.
After my paper, we goin' out.
Okay Hello, Sally.
Hi, Sally.
It's been 50 - It's been 50 years.
- I hear someone.
Someone's home.
- Really? - Uh-huh.
I don't think so.
Oh, okay.
Here we go.
It's her.
It's her.
It's her.
Hello? Say "Hi, Sally.
" I finally made it to California, and boy are my arms tired.
I'm sorry, do I know you? Okay No, no, no, no, no, no.
Hi, Sally.
This is, uh, Nicky Pearson.
In 1969, his path crossed with yours in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on your way to Woodstock.
And he's been pining for you ever since.
Oh, and he, um, he got you this gift here.
It's an old camera, 'cause I remember you used to take pictures.
Oh, my God.
Hello, Nicky.
Hello, Sally.
- Nice.
- Mm-hmm.
You've got an eye.
Oh, no, that was taken by a friend of mine in Cambria.
A pro.
No, I, uh, got a job at a pharmaceutical company in the late '70s.
Help yourself.
And, uh, well, photography became more of a hobby.
How was Woodstock? Wet.
It rained a lot.
My friends told me I'm in Scorsese's Woodstock documentary.
They say I'm dancing topless.
But I can't bring myself to watch it.
Oh, I could certainly bring myself to watch that.
Yeah.
Oh Oh, what do we have here? Oh, hi, hi.
Um Well, these are old friends of mine from when I lived in Pittsburgh.
This is my husband Eric.
Nicky and Miguel and Rebecca.
Hi.
- Hey.
Nice to meet you.
- Very nice to meet you.
You have a very lovely Yeah, well, uh, we should be going.
So, thanks for letting us use the can there.
Well, stay for dinner.
No, no, no, no.
We wouldn't want to impose.
Oh, come on.
We have plenty of food.
Yeah, yeah, please.
Uh, yeah, please stay.
Uh insist.
- Sure.
- Sure.
Thank you.
- We'll We'll stay.
- That's lovely.
Hey, Dej.
Wow, you, uh Um You, uh Y-You look incandescent.
Okay, Harvard.
Sure this isn't too much? Babe, you sat on a bus that I know smelled rank - for five hours.
- Mm-hmm.
And you had to deal with my messy Jennifer situation, and you still gave me the two hours I desperately needed to finish my Russian Lit paper.
You're not too much.
This dress is not too much.
I love it.
I love you.
I don't know whether to keep you here or show you off.
Show me off.
I seem to remember you having a brother, Nicky.
Yeah, Jack.
He's dead.
He was my husband.
And he was Miguel's best friend, but he didn't, he didn't snake his widow.
I see.
I think.
Nicky, help me.
It's so long ago.
Where did we meet? At the vet's.
Ah, okay.
We worked together one summer at the veterinarian clinic in Pittsburgh.
Yes.
In June of 1969.
And you were wearing a long, red floral dress.
And I sort of asked you out on a date, which we spent in the back of your Volkswagen van you named Pearl.
And you, uh You deflowered me under a moon that men had just walked upon.
Oh, my God.
Yes.
Yes, it's all coming back to me now.
The moon.
Your parents.
Salisbury steak.
Oh, gosh.
For a minute there I thought I had early onset Alzheimer's.
Or not just early.
Plain old Alzheimer's.
Deflowered, huh? Seems my wife defoliated much of the northeast.
You reaped the rewards.
Oh, she could teach a master class.
Ah.
Cheers.
This meal is excellent.
You know, Rebecca has a cold asparagus soup recipe.
Perfect end to a perfect day.
I'm gonna get one of these sometime.
Someday.
I mean, after we buy a sensible family car, of course.
You know, maybe like a midlife crisis purchase.
Just warning you.
I always thought the wind in my hair would be overrated, but it is properly rated.
A car like this can make a person feel immortal.
I don't need a car to feel that.
I got you.
I'm not even a cold soup guy, but hers is just some I do have Alzheimer's.
Yeah, I have, um, plaques forming on my brain, and no amount of medications or word exercises will cure me.
First goes the short-term memory, and then the longer ones, one by one.
Or is it a thousand each day? I don't even know.
Sometimes I think about what my very last memory will be before the candle goes out.
I am so embarrassed.
Rebecca, I'm sorry.
I-I had no idea.
No, no, no, you wouldn't know.
You would think that this diagnosis would help me sweat the small stuff less, but not really.
I just, this morning, rolling out the garbage cans before we left was something that kept nagging at me.
Even during this dinner, this strange dinner, I thought about them.
You'd think that we would stop sweating the small stuff as we got older, when bigger things started happening to us, but nope.
Not the case.
It's so strange, isn't it? The deck.
I-I worry about the deck we-we built out back.
Um it was built without permits, and I'm afraid it's gonna collapse, or the city's gonna find out and, you know, come after me.
It's stupid, I know, but I wonder how many, uh, months I've spent thinking about that day.
I still look at my hairbrush in the morning, looking for fallout.
It's kind of my signature thing, my hair.
You have great hair.
- You, too, Nicky.
- Thank you.
I've only lost, like, seven strands in 30 years.
But still, I worry that I'm gonna lose all my hair.
The years that I have lost worrying about something that never happened.
Hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Oh, God, I wonder how many years I spent thinking about Sally.
I mean oh, like, decades maybe? I don't know.
But, uh, you know, uh, I d I don't regret that.
That, um those lost years.
I think I think it got me through.
It gave me, uh, reason to hope that, you know, one day something good might happen to me.
Maybe it was all leading up to this, the most awkward meal of all time.
But not a waste of time.
No way.
Not for me.
That's lovely, Nicky.
You know, the only true love is unrequited love.
So maybe it's better to love an idealized version of your partner.
I don't know.
I hope everyone saved room for dessert.
I regret buying our satellite dish.
When we got it, our den became Eric's retreat.
Now we watch TV separately, we eat our meals separately.
I cook chickens for the week because I don't know when he is going to want his dinner.
Sal, that wasn't keeping in the spirit of the topic.
We were talking about not sweating the small stuff, not airing your bigger issues with me in front of strangers.
They're not strangers, Eric.
Nicky is an old friend who has pined after me for 50 years while you have treated me like a line cook.
I've known him longer than I have known you.
The only reason I don't bring up the small things is because the big things leave me no room to worry about anything else.
Bourbon, gentlemen? Yes, please.
I'm an alcoholic.
Yeah, he is.
We were inseparable when we were young.
First two years we were married, sex every day.
Twice on Saturday.
My.
He couldn't get enough of me.
- I was something else back then.
- I can see that.
I bet you turned heads, too.
Well I had my days.
My first husband got the showroom model of me.
Miguel got the used classic with a ton of miles.
Well, he seems to worship you.
I struck gold twice.
I stopped taking pictures of myself.
That was my thing: completely open self-portraits.
- Hmm.
- Then it stopped.
When is it that it changes, Rebecca? When is it that we stop wanting to see reflections of ourselves? Mm.
Miguel is from Puerto Rico, and for, uh, our wedding we took salsa lessons so we could salsa dance at our reception.
And then, even after we were married, you know, we, um, we'd find a club or some rec center that had salsa nights; I loved it.
And then this one time we were dancing and we were older, you know, in our 60s and there was this young girl in a pink dress I'll never forget her face pointing at me like I was some novelty act.
Like it was so brave of me to be dancing at my age.
I never salsa danced ever again, that was it.
- Aw.
- Mm.
I blamed it on my sciatica.
Now I cover my liver spots on my hands with makeup, and I will not leave the house without a scarf to hide my neck.
- My friend Bernadette, she's our age.
- Mm-hmm.
She quit coloring her hair and went totally gray.
She said it was so liberating, like throwing away the crutches and being able to walk again.
Sure.
Bernadette is full of crap.
Just saying.
Malik, I'm ready.
Ready for what? I want to go back to your place.
Why? We just got here.
- Oh.
- Mm-hmm.
Oh.
Oh, word? Bet, we out.
We out.
- Hey.
- Hey.
My heart.
My heart is beating so fast right now.
You nervous? You're not? No! Pearl was stuck in the mud, and I had all of Creedence Clearwater Miguel says it's time to go.
Oh, well, what about dessert? Sheet cake from Costco.
It's time.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Yep.
Well, this was so much fun.
It was.
Oh Oh, here, take one.
Take a bunch.
- Oh, I love that one.
- Aw.
I have a Haitian painting I wanted to show you.
This was so fun, though.
Thank you for having us.
- Yes.
Oh, yes.
- Lovely to meet you.
Um, we'll, we'll give you two some privacy.
Pleasure meeting you.
- Yeah, drive safely.
- Thank you.
Thank you for coming, Nicky.
I can't tell you how much it meant to me.
Well, I don't know how true that is, but - No, it is.
- It doesn't matter.
I made your wall.
That's me.
That's me sitting in your van, looking at the moon.
I remember my jacket, I-I remember when you took the picture.
Aw.
It's a full moon.
Yeah.
See you in 50 years? I'll save the date.
I want to feel this way forever.
Just like this, with you.
You did not get the best version of me.
What? You have such an ordeal ahead of you, Miguel.
I'm so sorry.
"In sickness and in health.
" I said that, didn't I? I think so.
But in fairness, most of your vows were in Spanish, so I don't know.
I'm pretty sure that I said it.
Here.
Here.
I bought that for you at the, uh, antique store.
What a beautiful brooch.
Yeah, a lot of people don't know that the yellow-naped Amazon parrot is a migratory bird that uses the Crux as a GPS to fly from Central America to the Arctic to mate.
No matter how dark the night, the Southern Cross guides the lovebirds on their journey to one of the most desolate places on Earth.
- That is a sweet story.
- Mm.
You definitely made it up.
Yes, I did.
We have a journey ahead of us.
But I am gonna be up to the task.
And I'm going to be amazing for you.
Every step of the way, I promise.
We'll get through this together.
I want to start salsa dancing again.
Absolutely.
- Oh.
- Locked.
- Dead end.
- Sorry.
Don't mind me.
You're welcome to finish what you started.
No, no, we're okay.
Whew.
You know, uh I think it's about time for me to go back East.
- What? - I mean, they're breaking ground on the new cabin, and your meathead son is probably gonna need an adult there, so Are you sure, Nicky? Yeah.
I'm sure.
Hey, Nicky.
I know that things didn't really work out the way that you wanted, but I really believe the universe will put the right person in your path.
- "Universe," now, huh? - Mm-hmm.
Yeah, first it was my brother, now it's the universe? Oh, boy.
- Ha.
See you later, Nicky.
- Goodbye.
I refuse to believe that the universe or my brother had anything to do with this, but I think he would have really liked that, um, that you two found each other.
Okay, I'm gonna leave before I throw up.
Feeling a little rusty.
- Uh you sure about this? - Mm-hmm.
Okay.
Ready? Excuse me, sir? I'm gonna need you to put the seat up.
Question, Edie.
Is Is the purpose of putting the seat up, is-is that to save me in the case of an emergency water landing? 'Cause I don't think this is gonna do it.
Hey.
Look who's here.
How was the drive up? Not bad.
Always goes by faster than you'd think.
How's your mom doing? They say it won't be long now.
Everyone's just trying to get here in time.
Thanks for coming, Edie.
Deja.
Oh, my God.
Can you get any more beautiful? Oh, look at you.
Are you going to be a problem, sir? Absolutely.
Well, I'm glad that I brought my duct tape.
Seat up.
- Now? - Please.
Sure.
All you had to do was ask.
Oh, I missed you.
I missed you more.