GIRL: # There's a place I long to be #
# A certain town That's dear to me #
# Home to Mohawks And GE #
# It's called Schenectady #
# I was born there and I'll die there #
# My first home I hope to buy there #
# Have a kid or At least try there #
# Sweet Schenectady #
# And when I'm buried And I'm dead #
# Upstate worms Will eat my head #
MAN [OVER RADIO]: --7:45 on this beautiful, almost balmy
22nd of September in Schenectady.
And it's the first day of fall.
So in honor of that fact, we have Elke Putzkammer,
professor of literature at Union College,
to talk about autumn in poetry and literature.
Good morning, professor. ELKE: Hi, Alex.
So, what about it?
Why do so many people write about the fall?
ELKE: Well, I think it's seen as
the beginning of the end, really.
If the year is a life,
then September, the beginning of fall,
is when the bloom is off the rose and things start to die.
It's a melancholy month
and maybe because of that, quite beautiful.
Is there something you might read to us?
Oh, I'd love to.
[RECITING] Whoever has no house now Will never have one.
Whoever is alone will stay alone
Will sit, read,
write long letters Through the evening
And wander the boulevards Up and down, restlessly
While the dry leaves are blowing.
Goodness, that harsh, isn't it?
Well, perhaps. But truthful.
[COUGHING]
GIRL: Mommy, done.
Okay.
Good morning. - Good morning.
I tried not to wake you. - Well, thanks.
You didn't. I just-- You know, I couldn't get up.
[PHONE RINGS]
Caden, can you get that?
CADEN: It's Maria, I don't want to.
Caden-- Oh, that's weird. [PHONE BEEPS]
MARIA: Hey, it's me. How are you?
Mommy, is something wrong with my poop?
No, honey, it's just green. I'll try your cell.
You probably ate something green.
I didn't. What's wrong with me? [CELL PHONE RINGS]
I have to get that, Olive. You're gonna be fine, okay?
But, Mommy--
Yeah, I'll be right back, Olive.
Oh, nothing. Just wiping Olive's ass. You?
MAN [ON TV]: An earthquake in Kashmir--
Oh, you're kidding. Holy fuck.
--has killed an estimated 73,000--
I don't feel well.
Oh, my goodness.
[#]
--march in Washington, D.C., today, October 15th.
CADEN: Harold Pinter died.
WOMAN: Well, he's old, right?
No, wait. He won the Nobel Prize.
OLIVE: Mom. - What, honey?
Do you need to look at my poop?
You sure it's all right? - It's fine, Olive. Just flush.
What if it's alive? What if I kill it?
It's green like plants. It's not alive, honey.
Remember the production of The Dumb Waiter
I did at Albanyfest? [TOILET FLUSHES]
Have your oatmeal, honey.
I want peanut butter and jelly. - You said oatmeal.
This isn't a restaurant.
I don't want oatmeal.
WOMAN: Okay. Fine.
Mommy, I'm sorry. - They found avian flu in Turkey.
In the country Turkey, not turkeys.
Can I watch TV till school? - In some chickens. Yeah.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[BLEATING]
MAN: There is a secret something at play under the surface,
growing like an invisible virus of thought.
But you're being changed by it--
Milk's expired. WOMAN: Okay.
CADEN: Jesus.
WOMAN: You better eat this. - I will.
Yeah.
ELKE [RADIO]: How did I guess you'd ask me that question?
MAN [RADIO]: Happy Halloween, Schenectady.
ELKE: And how long have you been in New York for?
CADEN: The first black graduate of the University of Alabama died.
Vivian Malone Jones.
Stroke, 63.
[#]
[YELLS]
Fuck! [YELLS]
God! Somebody! Adele, help!
Jesus, Caden, what the fuck?
I was shaving and the thing flew off!
Oh, my God! Jesus, look at your head.
Oh, shit.
Oh, God, I can't turn it.
Oh, wait.
Mommy, Daddy has blood. - Yeah.
CADEN: Will there be a scar?
Probably. It looks like a mud flap.
I prefer there not to be a scar. - Yeah.
[GROANS]
That fellow is annoying.
He's in here every week, like clockwork.
There. I think that should-- - Let's see.
What? - Change in bowel movements?
It's a little more yellow than usual. Why?
[#]
Yeah, I'd like you to see an ophthalmologist.
A neurologist? - What? No.
An ophthalmologist. I said, ophthalmologist.
[SNAPPING] Do you hear that?
Yeah.
And today is Tuesday. Mommy, is today Tuesday?
No, honey, today is Friday. So, what exactly did he say?
That my pupils weren't properly, uh, opening and closing.
Dilating.
No. - Yeah.
I don't think that's what he said. - Yes.
That's not what he said. - Is it the bump to your head?
He doesn't know. Maybe.
He said he doesn't think so, but maybe. But he doesn't know.
But maybe. Who knows? Okay, Jesus, Caden, I got it.
He doesn't know-- - Sorry. I'm a little anxious.
Did you have to get a shot, Daddy?
No, honey. It's the start of something awful.
OLIVE: Do I have to get a shot?
Course not.
Did you tell him I have green poo?
It's fucked timing. - Call the plumber-- Hey.
Sorry. I have rehearsal. - Fuck.
Hey, come on.
Sorry, sorry, sorry. Everybody, sorry.
How many years until I have to get more shots?
Not for a really long time, babe.
A million years?
Remember what Dr. Woodman said-- - Dad, what's a plumber?
Um, he's a-- He's a man-- - Or a woman, Dad.
Right. He's a man or a woman who fixes sinks and toilets and...
Do you know what pipes are? - No.
Hey, Jim. I had an accident. - Like to smoke out of?
A different kind of pipe, honey. - All right, bye.
Houses have pipes, and they're made of...
Um, they're like tubes, and they're behind the walls,
and they're under the floors and everywhere.
And, um-- - What's the matter?
Every single where? - It's okay, honey.
They just carry water to and from sinks and toilets.
It's like in your body. You have veins.
Capillaries. Capillaries filled with blood.
I have blood? I don't want blood. I don't want blood.
What are you doing? - Trying to explain plumbing.
Well, stop. - I can't do this now.
Don't worry, you don't have blood.
Don't tell her she doesn't have blood.
Caden, stop it. - I don't want blood.
Thanks for getting me in right away.
Was it the bump to the head?
No.
Could be, but I think we need to get you to a neurologist.
Neurologist? - It's a brain expert.
I know what a neurologist is.
I thought from the way you asked--
I just thought you said "urologist."
Why do I need to see a neurologist?
Just for a look-see.
The eyes are part of the brain, after all.
No, that's not true, is it?
Why would I say it if it weren't true?
It doesn't seem right.
Like morally correct, or "right" as in accurate?
I don't know. Accurate, I guess?
Interesting.
MAN: Now, when you kick off, boy, I want a 70-yard boot.
And get right down the field under the ball.
And when you hit, hit low and hit hard,
because it's important, boy.
There's all kinds of important people in the stands.
And the first thing you know--
Ben?
Ben, where do I...?
Ben, how do I...?
Willy, you coming up?
Willy?
Willy, answer me.
[ENGINE STARTS]
Willy! No!
MAN: Oh, Jesus, come on. Oh, crap.
Claire, are you okay? What's happening here?
It's too late in the game to have these problems.
I know, Caden. I'm sorry. We'll get it.
Oh, my God. - You okay?
Yeah, I think the-- The wig--
[LAUGHS]
The wig saved my life.
Yeah. It's okay, honestly.
That was good, Tom.
TOM: Yeah? - Yeah.
I was trying something different.
I was crashing differently.
Ambivalently. - Yeah, I saw that. I liked it.
Um.
Try to keep in mind that a young person playing Willy Loman
thinks he's only pretending to be
at the end of a life full of despair.
But the tragedy is that we know that you, the young actor,
will end up in this very place of desolation.
Okay.
Uh,
that's great.
Let's try it again. How long, David?
DAVID: I-I think 15.
Anything?
Uh. Hm...
So now what?
Hey. - Hey.
In search of the elusive signal.
The signal's good here, oddly.
That-- That is odd.
I know. Cell phones, they're crazy.
See you in a few.
Yep.
[CHUCKLES]
Yeah, Dr. Heshborg said I should see a Dr. Scoriano.
My pupils don't work.
I think I have blood in my stool.
That stool in your office?
ADELE: When I was pregnant with Olive.
What was it like?
I don't know. Hopeful or something.
Like something was gonna change.
Yeah, something did. No? CADEN: Yeah.
Yeah, of course. - I mean, bigtime.
I mean, maybe not as much as I'd hoped.
I'm sorry. That's a terrible thing to say.
There are no terrible things to say in here,
only true and false.
Can I say something awful?
Yes, please do.
I've fantasized about Caden dying.
Being able to start again, guilt-free.
I know that's-- That's bad.
Caden, does that feel terrible? - Yeah.
Okay, good.
[DOOR CLOSES]
It's a nightmare in there.
I'm sorry.
So I'm reading The Trial.
Yeah? - Yeah.
You like? - Love.
I'm such an idiot for not knowing about this book.
[CHUCKLES]
It's famous, as it turns out. - Yeah.
You're not an idiot.
Then you say:
"In fact, Hazel, you're very bright, and I love your eyes."
In fact, Hazel, you're very bright.
Oh, am I? [LAUGHS]
And I love your eyes.
Do you? Oh, you're a darling.
Then what do I say?
I can't say what then you say. - Why?
Because it's dirty.
Could you--? Could you step out for a second?
Go ahead. I've seen boy parts.
[WHISPERS]: Can I take a piss in your sink?
Yeah, sure. I guess.
[URINE TRICKLING]
We're sold out.
Great.
[CLEARS THROAT]
CADEN: Gorgeous.
Thanks.
How was rehearsal?
Awful.
We have, uh, 560 lighting cues.
I don't why I make it so complicated.
Because that's what you do.
Yeah.
We got through it though. - That's really pretty.
Caden, I'm sorry, I--
I can't-- I can't come tonight. I'm sorry.
I have two canvasses I have to get ready to ship for tomorrow.
I know it sucks-- - It's opening night.
I know. I wish I could come. I would if I could.
I've gotta get ready. - You know. Tomorrow--
I have to get ready. I don't know what I'm gonna wear.
I have to figure out what I'm gonna wear.
[CROWD CHATTERING]
Hey.
[MUSIC PLAYING OVER PA]
[DOOR CLOSES]
Oh, boy, oh boy.
Willy?
It's all right, I came back.
Oh. I hated myself tonight.
Plus, I'm so-- Excuse me. - Hey, Tom.
I'm so bloated and enormous.
No, you look good. You were great.
I was very pleased. CLAIRE: You okay?
Sorry. A little bit of a headache.
MAN: Willy Loman.
[SIGHS]
Aw.
I just wanted to say thank you for everything.
You've been absolutely brilliant.
It's gonna be miserable going ahead without you.
I'll be around. I'll check in. - I'm such a baby.
Okay. I'm gonna go get drunk, that's what.
Okay. Claire.
Mm. Sweetheart.
Good. Good job.
Oh, don't worry, I'll get better.
Good work. - Don't worry, it'll get better.
Hey. I, uh--
I figured I'd better get in fast.
Hey, you wanna--? You wanna sit?
Yeah, thank you.
Where's el wife-o?
Had to work.
Uh, her show in Berlin is in two weeks.
We're gonna go there for like a month.
Why do I like you so much?
I couldn't begin to guess.
Me neither.
Do you get high, my friend?
You know, sometimes.
Do you want to now? With me, in my car?
I-I get kind of, uh,
something when I'm stoned.
What does "something" mean?
[LAUGHS]
You know,
bothered.
What does "bothered" mean?
You know.
Bothered. Horny.
Oh.
[CLEARS THROAT]
[BOTH LAUGH]
And me with a station wagon and all. Could be dangerous.
Yeah, could be.
You're absolutely zero fun.
When are the reviews gonna get here?
Don't know.
MARIA: His best friends finger two babies--
One this big, one this big. --and two kittens.
Hey.
Hi, Caden. How'd it go?
Hi. - Hi.
It's late.
Maria came over to keep me company because...
And we just lost track. I got everything done.
But I'm sorry I missed-- Missed your play.
I'm sorry. But, uh, how'd it go?
Great. We're a hit.
Reviews are great.
Times said it was brilliant
casting young people as Willy and Linda.
That's great, Caden. Good for you. - Great.
I can't wait to see it tomorrow. - That's-- Tonight.
[LAUGHS]
That's great.
MARIA: Wow, it's really late-- - Early.
Early.
It's late. - Hey, I would love to see it too.
Can we get Maria a ticket?
You're stoned.
I mean, a little. - It's, you know-- I don't know.
But are you happy with it?
Yeah. Yeah, I'd love for you to see--
To know what you think.
It doesn't matter what I think.
MARIA: Absolutely. It's all about
your artistic satisfaction, Caden.
Congratulations.
CADEN: Yeah.
[#]
[DOORBELL BUZZES] [GASPS]
HAZEL: I've always loved this house.
WOMAN: Yes, it's a wonderful place.
The truth is, I never really imagined I could afford it.
Well, the sellers are very motivated now.
[COUGHS]
It's a scary decision.
I-- I never thought I'd buy a house alone.
But, you know, I'm 36,
and I wonder what it is I'm waiting for.
Home buying is always scary.
And with the fire and all especially.
Well, it's a good size though, 2200 square feet,
not including the partially finished basement.
Oh, I don't know.
I'm thinking I should go.
It's a perfect size for someone alone.
I like it, I-I do.
I'm just really concerned about dying in the fire.
It's a big decision how one prefers to die.
Would you like to meet my son? Derek.
Derek's living in the basement since his divorce,
if that's okay.
Hey, Mom.
MAN: Let's go, Ma.
CLAIRE: I want just a minute.
[MUSIC PLAYS OVER PA]
I never...
Forgive me, dear. I can't cry.
I don't know what it is, but I can't cry.
It seems to me that you're just on another trip.
I keep expecting you. Why did you do it?
I search and I search and I can't understand it.
I made the last payment on the house today.
We're free and clear. We're free. We're free.
[APPLAUSE]
MAN: Well done. MARIA: Bravo.
Well done. It was very successful.
I thought it was wonderful.
Why did the older people look so young?
It was a choice, Dad. I'll explain later.
I can't get excited about your restaging
someone else's old play, it just--
There's nothing personal in it.
CADEN: People are coming out of the theater crying.
Great. Be a fucking tool of suburban, blue-haired,
regional-theater subscribers.
You didn't you think it was long? - No.
But what are you leaving behind?
You act as if you have forever to figure it out.
MAN: When you're dead, there's no time. The world is--
ADELE: I don't know. I slept maybe three hours.
So we're both tired.
No, I cuddled with Olive all night. It was great.
Morning. Morning.
Morning, Caden.
I think I might have arthritis.
Friends on fire.
[LAUGHS]
I'm going to.
No, I know exactly. Okay, I will. I'll call you later.
I know. You're right. Bye.
My joints are stiff.
Who was that?
Maria. - Right.
Hm. - Three hours since you spoke.
Caden, I think I wanna go to Berlin with just Olive.
I think it would be good for us.
Oh, Christ.
Morning, kiddos.
Why don't you--? Why don't you want me to go?
You know, I think it would be a good thing
for the two of us to do alone.
How do you think I'm supposed to respond
to something like that?
Want me to zip your coat up? - Yeah.
What's wrong with your face, Daddy?
Uh, it's pustules.
It's called sycosis.
Spelled differently than "psychosis,"
but it sounds the same.
I don't know what that means.
Of course not.
Well, there are two kinds of psychosis.
Ahem. They're spelled differently.
P-S-Y is like if you're crazy, like Mama.
S-Y is like these ugly things on my face.
You could have both, though.
I could, but I don't.
Can I ask you something, Ad?
Have I disappointed you somehow?
I don't know what I'm doing.
We're just spending a little time apart.
We'll talk when I get back, okay?
Everyone is disappointing.
The more you know someone, it just...
This whole romantic-love thing,
it's just a projection anyway, right?
I mean, I don't know.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
[#]
I love you.
[CRYING]
I don't know what I'm doing. I don't know.
We'll talk when I get back.
Okay?
[SNIFFS]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
MAN: Flurostatin TR allows you to live life,
when it's your turn to face the challenges of chemotherapy.
Ask your doctor if Flurostatin TR is right for you.
[#]
[SPITS]
WOMAN [ON TV]: --and I'm on the first train out of Palookaville.
MAN: --the Miracle Brush can scour everything from bottles--
MAN: Rise and shine--
WOMAN: Lift those legs--
WOMAN: # There's no real way Of coping #
# When your parachute Won't open #
# You're falling down You're going down #
# You fell Then you died #
# Maybe someone cried #
# But not your one-time bride #
I'm lonely.
Yes. Anything else?
I'm hurt. - Yes. And?
I think Adele's right. I'm not doing anything real--
What would be real?
[#]
I'm afraid I'm gonna die.
I don't know what's wrong with me.
I wanna do something important while I'm still here.
That would be the time to do it.
I have a book that might help you get better.
Better?
It's called Getting Better.
Who wrote it? - I did. All of these.
Wow, I never knew that.
Yes. Well, wow, indeed.
[LAUGHS]
MADELINE: In conclusion-- Cats eat rats--
Within his own plumbing-- Me who am as a raw nerve--
Synthetic vaginal juices-- Substantial crease--
That's $45.
Five. Five.
Five.
Oh. Some fives. That's not good.
Keep with the flossing. We'll see you in three months.
Six. Six. Six.
I'm gonna recommend you see a periodontist.
He'll probably recommend gum surgery.
[PHONE RINGS]
ADELE: Hello?
Hey, I'm so glad I finally got you.
Hello, who is this?
It's Caden.
Ellen?
It's Caden. I can't wait to see you and Olive on the 12th--
No, I have to go. I'm sorry, there's a party. I'm famous.
[LAUGHS]
Have fun--
[GRUNTING]
[DIALING]
DISPATCHER: 911, state your emergency.
I'm sick! I'm sick! - Ma'am?
NURSE: Mr. Cotard?
Mr. Cotard.
You've had a seizure of sorts. - What does that mean?
Seems to be some synaptic degradation, fungal in origin.
Autonomic functions are going haywire.
You'll lose your ability to salivate, cry, et cetera.
Is it serious?
We don't know. But, yes.
We'll get you enrolled in some biofeedback program.
Maybe you can learn some sort of manual override.
[#]
We should get a drink. It would be fun.
It would be weird.
I like weird. I like you. See?
Anyway, I don't wanna make you uncomfortable, I...
Okay, so I do wanna make you uncomfortable.
# I just don't know Why someone #
# One person in a sea #
And what do we do with all this?
[WHISPERING] You wanna come over to my place, Cotard?
I won't let you off the hook this time
by saying, "Never mind."
Adele is only on vacation.
She hasn't called since she left. It's been a year.
It's been a week.
I'm gonna buy you a calendar.
Okay.
Just for one drink.
Come on. Scraps for my scrapbook.
CADEN: I can't, uh-- I really can't
drink very much because of my condition.
Did you put something in it?
If that's what it takes, consider it done.
Poof.
Love potion number 69.
[CHUCKLES]
It's good.
Does it make you wanna kiss me?
Kind of.
Tell me why.
Because I feel-- I feel a lot of longing.
Beg a girl, why don't you?
Please, Hazel. - On your knees.
What?
I want you to beg me on your knees for a kiss.
Just for fun.
[BOTH LAUGH]
Why am I doing this?
For fun, baby.
Will you help me forget my troubles?
Oh, kiddo.
You don't even know.
[GROANS] No, no, no.
What? - I don't know.
What is it? - I don't know, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
What? - I don't know, I'm just, um...
I'm just really confused.
I'm sorry.
I, um... I'm sorry.
I'm really, uh-- I'm really sick.
And I think I'm dying.
I have a kid, and I'm married.
I just thought this might change things, you know?
I had a good time, and I think you're a very nice person.
That is just the wrong thing to say right now, Caden.
You should go.
[PHONE RINGING]
HAZEL [ON RECORDING]: Hazel. Uh. Leave a message or not. It's your dime.
CADEN: Hi. You know, I haven't heard from you in a while
and I just thought I'd call and say hi.
Hi, Hazel.
[LAUGHS]
[COUGHING]
[PHONE BEEPS]
COMPUTER: Now. Now. Be here now.
ADELE: Olive wanted me to ask you not to read her diary.
She left it under her pillow by mistake.
[COMPUTER DICTATES NONSENSICALLY]
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
[DOOR OPENS]
MAN: Dear Mr. Cotard, it is my pleasure to inform you
that you have been named a 2009 MacArthur Fellow.
It is our hope that you will use
your newly found financial freedom
to create something unflinchingly true,
profoundly beautiful and of unremitting value
to your community and to the world at large.
So, I got this MacArthur grant. - Oh, Caden.
Yeah, a lot of money. - You know what you're gonna do?
Theater piece.
Something big and true and tough.
I can finally put my real self into something.
What is your real self, do you think?
I don't know yet.
The MacArthur is called "the genius grant"
and I wanna earn it.
That's wonderful. God bless.
I guess you'll have to discover your real self, right?
Yeah.
I wanted to ask you, how old are kids when they start to write--?
There's an absolutely brilliant novel written by a 4-year-old.
Really? - Little Winky by Horace Azpiazu.
That's cute. - Oh, hardly.
Little Winky is a virulent anti-Semite.
The story follows his initiation into the Klan
his immersion in the pornographic snuff industry
and his ultimate degradation
at the hands of a black ex-convict
named Eric Washington Jackson Jones Johnson
Written by a 4-year-old? - Jefferson.
Wow.
W-Written by a 4-year-old?
Well, Azpiazu killed himself when he was 5.
Why did he kill himself? - I don't know. Why did you?
What?
I said, why would you?
Oh, I don't know.
Yeah, I wanna bring my production to New York.
Mm-hm.
And to get it seen by people, you know, who matter.
Well-- The sooner the better.
This theater, centrally located.
Heart of the theater district, so, you know, great for plays.
Yeah? - Oh, yeah. Absolutely.
There it is.
What was this used for?
Plays.
[ECHOES]
Like, theater plays?
[ECHOING]: Uh-huh. Shakespeare.
King Lear.
The storm.
You see, the idea is to do a massive theater piece.
You know uncompromising, honest. Uh...
Here's what I think theater is. It's the beginning of thought.
It's, uh, the truth not yet spoken.
It's what a man feels like after he's been clocked in the jaw.
It's love in all its messiness.
You know, and I want all of us, players and patrons alike,
to, uh, soak in the communal bath of it,
the mikvah, as the Jews call it.
Because we're all in the same water, after all.
You know, soaking in our very menstrual blood
and nocturnal emissions.
This is what I wanna try to give people.
WAITRESS: Okay, here you go. Here's your salad.
Here's your soup. - Thanks. Ahem.
Thank you. - Enjoy.
What are you doing?
Salivating.
The biofeedback training.
So I was wondering if you'd help.
In your box office?
No, as, um, my assistant.
I'm not sure I can work with you, Caden.
I'm kind of angry.
I just wanna normalize it.
I think we'd have a lot of fun together.
[CHOKING]: I miss you.
Really disturbing. - I know.
OLIVE: Dear diary, thank you for being my new best friend.
My name is Olive Cotard, and I'm 4 years old.
I like chocolate, and my favorite color is pink.
This is pink.
Yeah, that's good.
CLERK: Next. CUSTOMER: Hi.
CADEN: We'll start by talking honestly
and out of that, a piece of theater will evolve.
I'll begin.
I've been thinking a lot about dying lately.
You're gonna be fine, sweetie.
I appreciate that, Claire--
You are, you poor thing.
Yeah, well, regardless of how this particular thing
works itself out,
I will be dying.
And so will you.
And so will everyone here.
[CLEARS THROAT]
And that's what I wanna explore.
We're all hurtling towards death.
Yet here we are, for the moment, alive,
each of us knowing we're gonna die,
each of us secretly believing we won't.
It's brilliant.
It's everything.
It's Karamazov.
HAZEL: Stop. DEREK: I'm just asking.
You're so obnoxious. - You're so obnoxious.
You do not wanna cross me. - Don't I?
[GIGGLING]
Hi, Claire.
Hi. - Hazel.
Yeah. No, no. - I know, I know. Hazel.
You're the box office.
Yeah, I'm the box office.
How are you?
Wonderful. You?
Yeah, yeah. I'm good. I'm fine. Thank you.
Actually, I'm meeting Caden here.
You know Mr. Cotard, right?
Yes, I recall Mr. Cotard.
Yeah. I'm waiting--
Oh. - Oh.
Hey. Hey. - Hi, Caden.
Hi, Caden.
Hi, Hazel. Hi, Claire.
Hi.
This is Derek.
Hi, Derek. - Hi, Derek.
Hi, Derek.
Hi.
Heh.
Oh, well, we'll leave you be. It's nice to see you again.
Take care.
Why am I bowing? Okay, bye.
That was awkward.
Yeah, I guess so.
Do you like beaver--?
So could you tell me maybe what it is
that you want from me?
Hm?
You know, like, from my character.
Oh. Uh...
Well, we'll build it over time together.
You know, try to find a real person, maybe,
to model it after.
That Hazel girl's kind of interesting maybe.
You know, like, why--? - Although--
Why is she still working at a box office at her age--?
I don't know. Probably not that interesting.
Maybe she wanted to be an actress
but she lacked the confidence.
Yeah, we'll talk about it. - I'm so excited.
Really? Why?
Because I think that it's brave.
And I just feel like I'm gonna be part of a revolution.
I keep thinking about Artaud, Krapp's Last Tape,
you know, and Grotowski, for chrissake.
I don't know what I'm doing.
But that's what so refreshing.
Knowing that you don't know is the first and the most
essential step to knowing, you know?
I don't know.
[CHUCKLES] Well, I'm proud of you.
Thanks.
HAZEL: Don't say that, not to me. DEREK: Sorry.
My mother died last night.
Oh, my God. I'm so sorry. - What are you doing out?
Well, I-I... This is me.
Well, um...
Well, it was nice meeting you.
Oh, God, did I just say "meeting"?
I'm sorry. I'm so stupid.
Slip of the tongue, is all.
Yeah, it's a Freudian slip, right?
I don't know how it's Freudian.
To meet, you know? Like, to meet.
Oh.
There she met Ralph Keene. They fell in love, married,
and soon their first child, Claire, was born.
I used to be a baby.
PASTOR: Claire Elizabeth Keene was a joyous child...
I'm sorry. - ...the apple of her mother's eye.
She made her parents proud
with her politeness and gymnastic skills.
God, you're beautiful.
When she was 7, little Claire was bitten by the acting bug.
She starred in almost every school musical
playing Ado Annie in Oklahoma
Adelaide in Guys And Dolls,
and Maria in The Sound Of Music.
I have to fuck you. I have to.
There will be no other before you.
I'd like to buy a ticket, please. - Oh.
Okay. Hold it. Ahem. CLERK: That'll be $40.
We're not really-- We need to investigate.
You know, to really discover the essence of each being.
Uh...
You know, I think I need to work with both of you separately.
Davis, I'll start with you.
[WHISPERING]: I liked the beginning. - I don't wanna see a good scene--
CLAIRE: "Davis, I'll start with you"?
There's a difference between favoring me
and pretending we've never met.
We've had Ariel. I think people know that we've fucked.
We'll talk about your character after we put Ariel to bed, okay?
Okay.
[WHISPERING]: I think I made a breakthrough.
This character is so beautiful--
Yeah, I have to go find my daughter.
Your daughter's right here. - My real daughter.
Excuse me?
I mean, my first daughter, Olive.
I have to go find her.
Please don't do this to us!
She's tattooed. She's tattooed.
Oh, everyone is tattooed.
Oh, I've never seen that before.
CLAIRE: You have responsibilities.
CADEN: Yeah, I'll be quick. I'll do it quick.
MADELINE: Redundancy is fluid. Life moves to the south.
There is only the now, and I am always with you.
For example, look to your left.
Hi.
When you canceled, it freed me up, so I'm traveling too. Yipee.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
You know, I'm not sure I'm getting the book.
Oh, but it's getting you.
You're almost non-recognizable now.
Thank you.
I show you my leg. I stand close,
and you inhale my perfume.
I offer my ripe flower to you and you deny it.
This book is over.
[FLIGHT ATTENDANT SPEAKS IN GERMAN]
Hi.
I don't speak German.
Yeah, yeah. I may help you, mister?
I'm looking for Adele Cotard. Adele Lack.
We must not give addresses or other personal informations.
Oh. I'm her husband.
No, you are not her husband,
which is named Gunther und Heinz.
I'm the father of her daughter, Olive.
I'm sorry, I-I cannot help you.
OLIVE [AS CHILD]: Dear diary,
Germany is wonderful.
So many friends here.
My new dads are great and handsome
and brilliant directors of theater.
Hello.
You're here?
Yeah.
I live with Adele and Olive and Gunther and Heinz
and Uschi and Britt.
I'm everyone's nanny.
I wanna see my daughter.
Mmm.
Yeah, they sent me.
They?
Who are they?
Who the--? Who the fuck are Uschi and Britt?
Uh, yeah, they decided it's not time to see you--
They decided? Who decided?
They had her tattooed.
Oh, I did that.
Olive is my project--
She's a four-year-old!
She's a fucking four-year-old!
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
She-- She's almost over 11 now.
She's my muse.
I love her--
[GRUNTING]
CADEN: You don't love her!
Where is she?
What did you do to my daughter?
[SOBBING] Oh, God.
[GASPING]
[INDISTINCT SPEECH OVER PA]
Death comes faster than you think.
Dr. Williams, that was your last patient for the day.
Jennifer, let's stop the charade, uh?
JENNIFER: I don't know what you're talking about.
You're actually having an affair off set.
Palpable, huh? Oh, okay.
Who told you?
I mean, it's not good.
Not good, oh, okay.
You're actors playing actors.
You're in this scene, you're not just filming it.
You're in this scene.
MAN: Just like that--
As you're telling him this,
you realize that you're attracted to him also.
And how are you gonna let him know that?
And the guilt you feel about telling him
about somebody else knowing that.
OLIVE: Daddy, Daddy is mine.
Daddy can't play now, honey.
Daddy doesn't live with us anymore, baby.
He had to go find himself.
MAN: They still feel a little tight in the toe.
Have an argument.
You're having an argument.
Have it.
I don't buy it.
You, sir, are a horse's ass.
[LAUGHS] Just get the fucking shoe.
Two sizes--
Tom, don't turn into another person
just because I say change your action.
And this started just today?
Mm-hm. - Never happened before.
Mm-mm.
Okay. Good.
You can get dressed.
I mean, you're a doctor, right?
Now, am I dying? Can you tell me that?
No.
No, you--? You can't tell me?
I can't tell you.
No, you can't tell me if you can't tell me?
No.
No, you can't tell me
'cause you're not allowed to?
No.
Caden.
What are you doing here?
Oh, I-I-I was wondering if I was gonna bump into you.
I-- - You look great.
Thanks.
Is that a new haircut?
Yeah, for-- For a while now.
What are you doing in New York?
Um, I'm here with Derek and the boys.
Um, mini vacation.
The boys?
Yeah. I-I thought you knew.
How old?
Five.
Uh, twins.
Robert and Daniel and Alan.
Ah.
Yes.
They're nice names.
Where are they?
Derek took them to the Natural History
so I could shop.
[BLOWS]
Ah.
It's so good to see you, Caden. I--
How are things?
You know, I, uh--
I was with Claire.
And we-- We have a daughter and--
But we're separated.
Um...
How about with you?
Good.
I have a great job at Lens Shapers.
[LAUGHS]: Shapers. Great.
You wear a lab coat.
It's so good to see you.
Oh, good to see you, Hazel.
Hey! Hey!
I got you. Let me go.
OLIVE [AS ADULT]: How I love Maria.
She is so much more of a father
than Caden ever was,
with his drinking
and unfortunate body odor and rotting teeth.
I could only loathe him,
and perhaps pity him.
But Maria.
[KNOCKING]
[DOOR OPENS]
I wanna come back.
I wanna take care of you and Olive.
Ariel. Ariel. Fuck.
[SIGHS]
Ariel.
[PHONE RINGS]
No, no, no, it's so late.
Please.
Hello?
[MAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
Okay.
My father died.
Oh, baby.
CADEN: They said his body
was riddled with cancer
and that he didn't know.
That he went in because his finger hurt.
They said he suffered horribly.
And that he...
That he called out for me before he died.
They said that he--
He said he regretted his life.
And they said he said a lot of things.
Too many to recount.
They said it was the longest...
...and saddest deathbed speech
any of them had ever heard.
There was so little left of him...
they had to fill the coffin
with cotton balls
to keep him from rattling around.
I'm really sorry for your loss.
Thank you.
Can you excuse me a moment?
Of course.
I need to use the bathroom.
All right.
WOMAN: God bless you and your family.
CADEN: God bless you.
Will you excuse me?
[PHONE DIALING]
HAZEL: It's Hazel. Leave a message or not.
It's your dime.
[ANSWERING MACHINE BEEPS]
MAN [OVER RADIO]: It's left five people dead.
CADEN: Sorry.
Caden?
Hi, Derek.
In other news, German pharmaceutical giant
has won its libel suit against patients
claiming chromosomal damage
from use of the arthritis medication...
You, uh...
Just tell me what to do?
MAN [OVER RADIO]: In Pakistan today, the government--
Caden, everyone has to figure out their own life, you know?
I just want you to look at me
the way you used to.
Oh, honey, I can't anymore.
You know I'm sorry.
I-I screwed everything up,
and I-I don't have any courage.
And I-- And I'm sorry.
Caden.
I'm okay.
I don't want you to be okay.
I mean, I do, but I-- It just, uh...
It rips my guts out.
I'll help you through any way I can.
And I'll-- I'll help you through too.
I'm fine.
I have Derek.
Okay, I'm going.
[#]
HAZEL: Honey, I'm coming.
OLIVE [AS ADULT]: Dear diary,
today I felt a wetness between my legs.
Maria explained to me, now I am a woman.
And being a woman is wonderful
with Maria to guide me.
[#]
Olive?
Olive.
Olive, it's Daddy.
Olive, it's Daddy!
Don't fucking stare at me!
Olive!
Get off!
It's my daughter!
That's my daughter!
Get off!
I won't settle for anything less
than the brutal truth.
Brutal.
Each day I'll hand you a scrap of paper.