[Girl on TV] You need to talk to your dad.
Ow!
Okay. Okay.
He's not an ogre, ass!
[Girl #2 on TV] Gee! All right. I'll talk to him tonight.
Wow.
That's, like, my favorite right shoulder, ever, I think.
Oh, my God! It is.
Are you, like, 13?
That's not gonna work. And besides,
John's gonna be down here any moment.
No. No, he's not. We have at least 20 minutes.
I work with the guy. I've seen it firsthand.
He's one of those clean-freak, bathroom-phobic types who take forever.
And even if he didn't, we're newlyweds, right?
He'll understand.
Still, clean-freak or not, I hardly want to be the topic
of workplace conversation.
Cubicle conversation can only go so far.
[toilet flushes]
I win. [door opens]
John, John, John, did I mention you'll be, um,
paying for dinner?
[keypad beeping]
[alarm beeping]
[Woman] Don't beep at me, you stupid alarm.
The doors are locked.
Well, babe, will you go check all the doors?
Please, please, please, please, please?
[lock clicking]
[chattering] I know where the key is.
[sweater rips] Oh! Oh, shoot!
Marge, you don't happen to have your knitting needles with you, do you?
[indistinct] I gave up making
and started buying for that very reason.
Oh, once one thread rips, the rest will follow.
I just know it.
Why don't you go out and buy a new sweater so that doesn't happen?
Buy one?
We don't get paid till next week,
and my Social Security don't cover more
than the pantyhose on my ass.
Bertha, you said the A-double-S word in the library.
What's the matter, Marge?
I say a lot of things in the library
you don't know about. [laughing]
Next week. I can't believe I forgot that.
Why, honey, you need some money?
No. I just didn't want you to worry.
After these, you can go.
Why are you always so sad?
[Girl] You know, it isn't polite to stare.
Uh, I wasn't staring.
Oh, really?
Then what the fuck was that thing you were just doing with your eyes?
You know, that thing where you wouldn't take them off
those two comatose-looking people over there?
That's right. Staring. And it isn't polite.
Especially when they might be trying to steal something.
[gasps]
[laughing]
[blows raspberry]
[Man] Hungry for a Papa-Go Park Picnic Meal?
How much? Five bucks.
How much for just the hot dog?
Three bucks. Hmm.
What, the library now sends its stupid little shelf-stuffers
to get stolen books back?
No.
What?
[mutters]
I--
I just followed you.
What the fuck? Are you a pervert?
Are you gonna tell my boss?
No. Not if you tell me why you followed me,
Alex.
How do you know my name?
After you buy something--
ugh--
make sure it's securely back in your pocket.
Leave it out like you did, it's easy to steal.
So?
[Alex] Don't you look at her
and want to know why she's like that?
Why she's close to that dog, but...
recoils from people
like they're the ones who are going to bite?
Is he really that cool,
or is it an act?
If it's an act, why?
Or this couple in the library-- the Smiths.
They have this routine.
They come in every month
and check out the same book.
And every time they come in, they're sad.
Why?
You know, when I was a little girl,
I used to have a cat.
What happened to it?
Um...
curiosity ran it over. [chuckles]
Blood and guts were everywhere. It was really disgusting, actually.
I-- I have to go.
Okay. I'll just follow you, then.
[chuckles]
I'm sorry.
Didn't mean to mess up your nice shit.
Well, if you ever need a hot girl for a roommate, just let me know.
I'll move right in.
Where's the fam?
Why'd you steal the book?
You didn't tell me.
[chuckles] Well, that wasn't part of the deal,
but, um, 'cause of my dad.
To win an argument I had with him.
He's one of those doctors who refuses to believe
people are actually how they want to be.
Yeah, shit happens that fucks them up, but... I don't know.
Either they wanna get better or they don't. It's their choice.
But when they get with people like him,
it doesn't happen. Why?
'Cause now they're hooked on stupid gimmicks.
Told to find out what their real problem is when they knew it in the first place.
They just couldn't fucking face it.
Now they're looking for different solutions.
Shit that isn't possible, but, um,
'cause of people like him, they're convinced it is.
That's why you steal books?
I steal whatever.
I figured since I was his daughter
and so clearly fine,
he would have to know there's no bigger issue.
So what happened?
Now I'm addicted to stealing shit.
But whatever. Who cares?
I won...I think.
Well, I wouldn't have known that
if I hadn't followed you.
[Alex] Why are they back the next day?
Oh, my. You really like this one, huh?
I can probably special order it if you like.
No. We like to come and get it.
It gets us out of the house.
[Mr. Smith] Actually, this will be the last time we check it out.
I think we've finally had our fill.
Right, honey?
[footsteps approaching]
[Mr. Smith] Where are you going? Shh.
What's wrong?
Honey? Nothing.
Thank you. [Bertha] You're welcome.
[Mr. Smith] Have a good day. You, too. Bye.
Breathe, Alice, breathe.
It's been a year.
You have to try.
You can't keep doing this.
[sniffles]
[gasps]
[Mr. Smith] What? What's going on?
Honey, what's wrong?
Are you okay?
Honey, what? What happened?
[Mrs. Smith] I thought I saw him.
[Mr. Smith] It will stop, honey. You know it will.
When?
We have taken a big step this week, and the rest will follow.
By packing him away like one of your sports cards?
By erasing any evidence that he was ever here?
That is not a first step. Then what is?
You tell me. What is a first step, Alice?
Because I would really like to know.
Doing nothing? Never changing?
I didn't say that. Well, then, what--
what are you saying?
What are you saying?
It's hard. You don't understand.
I'll tell you what I don't understand, Alice.
I don't understand why you keep going in there.
I don't understand why you keep cleaning his laundry
again and again.
I don't understand why you keep torturing yourself... No! No!
Yes! Yes! Yes! No, you cannot touch the...
No! You have your stupid office closet.
I have this.
What? You think I don't know what you do in there?
Why you miss your deadlines? Hey, at least I'm still working.
Oh, that's right.
Me going back to the flower shop's gonna solve everything, isn't it?
Not everything. It's just...
[gasps]
I'm sorry.
I--I thought this was my house.
I--I got lost. I'm sorry.
[Alice] Wait!
Eat as much as you want.
There's a week's worth in the fridge.
Why didn't you call the police?
You reminded me of my son.
Oh, yeah?
How old is he? Is he home?
He's dead.
It was a terrible disease.
Your parents are dead, too, aren't they?
I can see it in your eyes.
I have to go.
Thanks for the food and for not calling the cops.
I don't know how this happened.
It looked like my house from outside.
Would you like to see his picture?
This is Timmy before he got sick.
Uh, he was 16 there.
He was actually much bigger than he looks in that photo.
[alarm beeps]
Oh, I'm sorry.
I'm supposed to watch my Dr. Alred videos now.
Is that okay?
Yeah, it's fine.
[TV on]
[Dr. Alred on TV] Hello, and welcome back.
I hope you've seen some progress within yourself
since last we spoke.
If so, you're one step further in this terrible journey
known as the five stages of grief.
And what one are we on?
Depression.
I want you to think about your loved one
and recall one happy memory.
But don't get sad about what isn't.
Instead, celebrate what was and cherish that.
If you can do this, then you are ready.
But if you can't, then you need to restart this disc
and reflect on exactly why you're feeling
the way you are.
Which one, honey? There are so many to choose from.
It's up to you.
Ah. I got it. The perfect one.
This will tell you the kind of crazy imagination Timmy had.
He was, uh-- He was about eight,
and he had just gotten home from a sleepover
where they had stayed up all night watching scary movies, and--
Not this one.
But it's a good one. Please?
Do what you want.
[door closes]
He, um--
He acts like he doesn't like to talk about Timmy, but...
I know what he does in his office.
What was the movie?
Well, it was, uh...
It was one of those monster ones.
You know, where they steal you away, take over your body.
I can't remember. Something like that.
But what I do remember was the look on his face.
He was so scared that his little eyes
trembled as he watched me in the garden.
Finally, he said, "Mommy,
are the monsters gonna come and take me away?"
And I said, "Sweetheart, if they exist, no, they're not gonna do that."
But Timmy, always more concerned with others,
he said, "Well, if they do, don't worry,
"'cause I'll come back just like in the movie.
"But I probably won't remember you,
"because nobody in the movie ever remembered anything.
That's just the way it works."
And I told him that it would be okay if he didn't,
because we would always remember him.
[Dr. Alred on TV] Did you pass?
If so, before you move on to "acceptance,"
you need to select a hobby that will help occupy you
during this phase. [TV off]
Some TV sound good?
I should probably go.
Just for a while?
Okay.
[TV on]
[Man on TV] Oh, come on in.
[birds chirping] [lawnmower whirring]
What am I still doing here?
I should've left last night.
I had to be home by 10:00.
Don't be mad. You fell asleep.
I-I didn't wanna wake you up.
It's not like me.
Well, maybe you weren't in such a hurry
to get home after all.
[knocking]
[clattering]
You look awful.
I was, uh...
I was up all night trying to make my deadline.
It's weird, isn't it?
Weird? He looks just like him.
I'm, uh-- I'm sorry.
I'm just... I'm sorry.
Uh, listen, I really need to finish this up, and, so...
I was almost done when these stupid boxes fell.
They just fell?
Mark, come on out. Please?
He's about to leave, and it'd be nice if you said good-bye.
I brought you some lunch.
You look like you don't eat so much, so I thought it wouldn't hurt.
It's turkey.
Thanks.
Nice meeting you.
You can eat it here.
Do you wanna eat it here?
I have to go to work, or else I would.
You would?
Does that mean that you'll come by again...and help us?
Help you?
Well, not like yard work or anything.
Just come by and say hi, watch TV, anything.
Can I hug you?
You--
You wanna hug me?
Yes.
[Dr. Alred on TV] Hello, I'm Dr. Alred.
This must be a very trying time.
You have to remember that what you're feeling is normal.
Anyone who encounters such tragedy
goes through these very feelings.
It's called the process of grief.
And believe me, it's not pretty,
[muting] and it's not easy, but, thankfully,
[muting continues] you've made the first step by purchasing this program.
In this disc, we're gonna tackle
the fist stage of grief... [continues, indistinct]
[tires screeching, horn honks]
[vehicle departing] [screams]
Hello? Alex?
Open up!
It's Josie!
Remember me, the girl you followed?
I'm really hot. [car approaching]
** [rock on car stereo]
You better be here. I kidnapped your horsey.
He's so lonely. You should see his face.
He needs your love.
Neigh! [sputters]
Neigh! [clicking tongue]
Okay, you fucker.
If you're just gonna ignore me, I'm gonna have to wait out here in the hot, hot sun...
with my shirt off.
[sighs] Oh...
The breeze feels so good on my naked boobs.
[Alice] Hey, sleepyhead.
I was afraid you weren't gonna wake up.
You've been asleep for two days.
You're gonna be a little tender for a while.
The car that hit you got away, but lucky for you, we were right there.
What's wrong with me?
When the car slammed into you,
it hit your legs.
By the time we got to you, your knees were already swollen.
We did the best we could, but we're not gonna know if they're broken
until the swelling goes down.
Am I in the hospital? No.
We're gonna take care of you.
We-We've done it before.
For Timmy.
He, um...
He had osteoporosis. Do you know what that is?
Never mind. Of course you do.
You're a smarty-pants.
It was, um--
It was a rare case.
No one caught it until it was too late.
He, um--
He fell on the field.
His legs buckled back, one under the other.
And afterwards, he couldn't walk, much like you,
but his bones never healed.
They were too ravaged
all through his body.
After he was bedridden,
the rest of his diseased bones just wasted away...
until it became too--
too dangerous to put...
weight on any one bone.
So we learned to take care of him until...
We took care of him...
just like we're gonna take care of you.
You rest, okay?
He can't stay here.
He has no one else, remember?
We can take him to the hospital like I wanted to two days ago.
Mark, he has no money, no health insurance,
and no one to take care of him.
We can. We can help.
No,
we can't.
Yes, we can.
We've been given a second chance.
To do what? To do things right.
To not screw it up like we did before.
We beat ourselves up every day
over what we would've done differently.
Now we don't have to.
I'm sorry you can't see that.
[door opens]
Has the swelling gone down?
Not much. No.
Dad? Mom?
It's okay. We're right here. What do you need, sweetie?
I don't need anything. I'm sorry.
Don't apologize and don't feel bad.
I, um-- I started to bring in
a couple of Timmy's things to make you more comfortable.
Do you like it?
Was that his favorite team?
That's where he wanted to play, wasn't it, Mark?
Yes.
I need to get up.
I don't think that's such a good idea.
All right. Like I said, I don't think that's such a good idea.
[screams] Hey, hey, hey. Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Listen to me. All right? Now, I let you have your tough-guy moment.
That's the last one you get, okay? All right.
We'll get you out of here. Honey, you're gonna take the lower part.
We've done this before, okay? We're gonna do it on three.
Put your arm around my shoulder. Okay.
One, two, three.
[groans, sighs]
When is this gonna stop? I'd imagine soon.
I don't think you have anything left to throw up.
Okay, I'm back. Here we go.
Honey, let me in there.
[toilet flushes]
Okay.
Here we go.
Oh, you got it all over your legs.
Uh, they won't move.
I can't move them.
That's--That's nothing to worry about.
The swelling just has to go down on your knees.
That'll take about a week, and then, eventually,
you'll regain motion, and you'll be able to walk again.
I'll tell you what. Um, what's today?
Sunday.
You get better by next Sunday,
and I'll make you a very special meal.
How's that sound?
[chuckles] But right now, you gotta get cleaned up,
'cause you're starting to smell like Mark
after a long day at the office,
which is not pleasant. [chuckles]
Shouldn't he be done by now?
Calm down.
We gave him clean clothes, put him in the wheelchair.
He said he would call when he was ready.
You know me. If I don't have something to keep myself occupied,
my mind wanders.
[chuckles] Now, that's an understatement.
Oh, really?
Yes. You're like a child.
[chuckles]
Well, would a-- would a child do this?
[chuckles]
[grunts]
[sighing]
[gasps]
I'm sorry. I, uh...
I just need, uh, help putting on my shorts.
[chuckling]
Okay. Oh.
Actually,
Mark, I need some help in the bathroom, too.
Uh, yeah, sure.
[wheel squeaking]
Hmm.
I think that's just 'cause it--
it hasn't been used in a while.
There. That's better.
Speak for yourself. What did you do to his hair?
I didn't... It was me.
I couldn't find a brush.
Out. You've done your part.
So how do you like it? And before you say no, think.
It's not wise to disappoint a mother with a brush.
Especially one who takes hair so seriously.
How it was before.
Well, at least you don't have that West Nile thing
Marge has been going on and on about.
No, it's nothing like that.
I didn't mean to make you worry.
This flu just made me sleep through everything.
I should be better for Monday. No problem.
We brought Marco in from downtown to cover for you.
Okay. Bye.
Thanks for dialing for me. Of course.
If you need anything, we're right on the other side of this wall.
And, well, just to warn you, sweetie,
sometimes...
Well, this is gonna sound silly, but sometimes I can't sleep,
and I--I find myself
sitting outside this door.
It comforts me.
So if you wake up and you hear or see anyone,
it's just me.
You think that's weird?
No.
Um, sometimes I can't sleep because of the quiet.
I have to read myself to sleep.
Do you think that's weird?
No.
That's the first real thing you've shared with me, Alex.
I'm glad we're at that stage now.
Good night.
I think these are worse off than when you gave them to me.
[chuckles] Men.
Let me show you.
Nothing is worse off
after someone has cared for it.
Those were.
Nothing.
Timmy was the same at first.
He sat out here complaining, but he got good,
just like you will.
That's where he would sit and watch you, wasn't it?
Yes.
So what does Mark do?
Um, he writes for a sports Web site.
He used to write for a bigger column,
but he switched to a smaller one
so that he could write from here and take care of me.
He doesn't get a lot of writing done.
Mostly, he just keeps himself
locked up in that damn office closet,
which is off-limits to me.
Mark?
I'm not in there.
Uh, Alice said you were looking for me.
I thought you might be.
All right. Are you right or left-handed?
Right-handed. Okay.
So, that's what your grip looks like.
Bring it up to your ear.
As you throw, it comes off like that.
Did we miss anything?
Beginning credits just ended.
[Woman on TV] I'm Miss Childs,
and I'll be filling in as your substitute.
You pick first, sweetie.
I can choose whatever I want?
Monopoly.
Monopoly?
Monopoly's perfect.
I know.
Oh! No, no, no, no.
Seven, eight, nine! [all laugh]
[Man on TV] See you later.
[Woman] Honey, maybe you can go to New York for graduate school.
[TV continues, indistinct]
[grunting]
Is all that prodding you do to him really necessary?
Stretching is essential if he's gonna get any better.
Not if it's gonna hurt him, and that hurts him.
Okay, then, what else do you want me to do? Magically heal him?
I'd like you to be a little more careful.
When have I not been careful?
I'm not gonna argue about this.
Really, when have I not been careful?
They don't look that much different from yesterday.
But they feel it. I mean, I can probably get up and walk right now.
No, sweetie. You're not ready.
Let's wait until tomorrow as planned,
and if they still feel this good, we'll get you up.
But with crutches.
Yeah.
Alex! I'm home!
Did you hear? That was me breaking the fuck in!
You're lucky it wasn't your face for making me come back here for days!
[chuckles] Neigh.
** [rock]
Fine. I'm just gonna wait here
until you decide to man up and come out from wherever you're hiding.
You pussy.
I bet I'm the first girl you ever had in your bed.
Disgusting.
[Alice] You know, you don't have to leave.
Even after you're better, you can stay.
I'll still make you your special meal.
I just wanna finish this.
You've been pushing me away all day. Why?
I have to finish it.
You don't have to do anything.
We would never make you do something you didn't wanna do.
Well, you're not my parents.
Tell me about them.
I don't remember them.
Everybody remembers their parents.
Not me.
Well, don't you think that's a little weird?
Are you sure you're not mad at me about something?
Look, please just leave me alone.
I'm out of here tomorrow, and then you don't have to worry about me.
It's gonna be okay.
No, Mark.
Just let me think.
What's going on?
He doesn't remember them.
[Man] Why don't you sit down at the table
and have some dinner, Alex?
[Alex] I'm not hungry. Fine.
You wanna talk to us about this report card, then?
What is it gonna take for you to get off my back, fucking die?
[Woman] You're horrible, awful.
Only an awful person would say such a thing.
Get back here, Alex. [door opens]
Get back in this house, Alex! [door closes]
Mom? Dad?
Dad? Mom?
It's okay, honey. You're okay. Let it out. [sobbing]
No, not this time.
Let me go. No.
I don't like to let things that are good out of my life. Do you?
Then why should I?
Especially when I have something that's gonna cheer you up.
They look good.
"Good"?
Morning. Ready to do some walking?
They're more than good.
They're-- They're your favorite.
No, bacon and eggs are my favorite.
But these are okay, too.
What's going on, Alice?
Well, I made him his favorite breakfast food,
hoping that it would help him remember, but he...
These-- These are okay.
Really.
It's all right, Alex. I see what's happening.
Do you? Because it's so obvious.
It's-- It's so obvious, yet no one seems to see it.
You're upset because he's leaving today,
so upset that you accidentally
made him Timmy's favorite food, not Alex's.
No. No, that is not it.
I bet if you take one bite, it will help you remember.
That's all it takes. You know, just--
just-- just a familiar thing
to help you remember.
Just like all those obvious signs that you showed me.
Listen. Here. [doorbell rings]
What can we do for you, Father?
Well, me and the other fathers have taken it upon ourselves
to reach out to the member base--
to the ones who haven't been led in prayer recently.
And according to the directory,
it's been over a year since you've been in,
so I wanted to come on down and re-invite you
to services at St. Matthews.
And how is Timmy?
Has the Lord struck the sickness out of him yet?
He's getting better. Yes. It's sweet of you to wonder.
Ah! There he is.
Hello, Timmy. How are you?
[Alice] He's grown shy since the disease.
He doesn't feel comfortable in his own skin.
Uh, Father, we were--
we were sort of in the middle of something.
So if there's nothing else... I'm sorry.
No, no. Uh, thank you.
Excuse me. Have a good day.
What the hell are you doing? Shh!
You don't want the priest to hear you swearing like that.
Why doesn't he know Timmy is dead?
Oh, sweetie, no one knows.
We didn't see the point of telling anyone when we--
we knew you were coming back.
You've escaped from the monsters.
Returned like you said you would.
Alice... Mark.
Alice, stop.
See?
It's my fault.
It's mine.
I should've known sooner.
Maybe if I had, you wouldn't have gotten hurt again.
I shouldn't have stayed. I was selfish.
Oh, Timmy, you had no choice.
You were drawn to it. It's your house.
I'm not Timmy.
Well, of course, you are.
Listen. Look, you, uh--
You knew where you used to sit in the garden,
you knew your favorite game
was Monopoly... Alice!
Enough!
[grunts] Let me help.
You're not ready.
[vase shatters]
You're not ready. [screams]
[sniffling]
We failed, didn't we? We lost him again.
No. Alice, Alex is not dead.
Now, I have bandaged his feet.
The paramedics can do the rest when they get here.
You called an ambulance? I'm calling one, and then I'm calling a doctor for you.
How could you do that after everything that he has told us and shown us?
You used to believe that he would come back.
I was shock-- We were in shock.
Two parents believing in their son is not shock,
it's love.
No.
Read this.
"Dear Mom and Dad, I can't do this to you anymore.
"You both are too good of parents to deserve the pain I've caused you.
"I'll come back when I'm better.
Love, Timmy."
This was in the vase? Yes.
You saw it. He knocked the vase down.
He broke it. Why?
Because he put a note in there a year ago,
knowing it was my favorite vase, but we never found it.
So he showed us.
He's trying to tell us it's him, even if he doesn't know it yet,
and we have to listen.
It's not possible. I want it to be, but it's not--
Just think about what's happened.
That's all I'm asking.
He tries to leave, and he gets hit,
and then we get another chance to realize it's him.
And I do.
So does the priest, a man of God.
But still, we argue, and what happens?
He gets hurt again.
We can't keep denying it.
If we do,
the next time he leaves, we won't be so lucky.
And neither will he.
[bird chirping]
[Alice] It's singing for us, sweetie.
Singing because it's so happy.
[chuckles]
You need a haircut, Timmy.
It's gotten too long.
We'll, um...
get you all fixed up after you're feeling better.
How's that sound?
I'm, uh... I'm not Timmy.
[Mark] Whoa. Easy there, champ.
You need to stay calm, all right?
This will be worse than a tackle.
And he's taken plenty of those.
Okay? Trust me.
Trust me, buddy. You just...
[panting] You'd much rather get this
than have me stitch you up without it.
[Alice] Shh, shh, shh! I can't move!
[grunts, mutters]
Shhhh!
We can't have you hurting yourself again.
We need to make sure you're safe.
[dial tone]
What's wrong?
That was Alex's mother.
She called me a monster.
She said he was safe at home and never coming back.
Oh!
How is he? Sleeping.
I'm just getting his pain pills together for the week.
Is everything else taken care of?
Yeah.
He, uh, should be safe.
No way a burglar could get in or out.
How about a safecracker?
I don't know what's worse, the knee injury or his feet.
I mean, 50 stitches can't be pleasant.
Honey, he'll play again.
Morning, bright eyes.
You look happy to see me.
Your, uh, father's gonna come on in and check your bandages,
but I wanted to come in first.
You okay? [footsteps approaching]
It's okay. It's the anesthetic.
Dries your mouth out the first day.
My poor baby.
Here. Um...
Why don't you write down, oh, what you're thinking?
There you go.
I'll hold it for you.
Done?
Let's get you back in.
I know. I know.
There we go. All safe and sound.
It's not very nice.
It's not nice at all.
And we raised you better.
[locks clicking]
Going through your shirts!
Ugh.
[gasps] Oh, sparkly.
I'm stealing your jewelry box.
[sighs]
Consider it payment for making me come back here for days
when I could've been stealing other people's shit.
I want to...
move.
What? Move.
Um, okay.
Okay, but you can't tell Alice, okay?
We'll just stay in here.
Deal?
Oh, you see? See how much better your knees are?
You couldn't bend them like that three days ago.
So, uh...
So, uh, I didn't know.
I mean, you hadn't talked about it, but had you--
Had you still wanted to go there?
Because if you did, I'll bet
if you got back in shape in the next six months,
you could still make the fall tryouts.
Please.
Let me leave.
Don't-- Don't put any weight on your feet.
You don't want those stitches popping out.
[door closes]
[lock clicks]
What do you think?
You're not mad that I took everything out of storage, are you?
[sprinkler whirring]
[locks clicking]
Look at what I made for you.
Mark! What is he doing up?
He's not ready!
See? He has hurt himself already.
I thought if he could move around--
You have to let me go.
Please.
People are expecting me.
People I work with.
The monsters? Don't worry, sweetie.
I told them that you were home,
and that you're not coming back.
They can't hurt you anymore.
I'm not home. This isn't my home.
This is how you treat your parents
when they try to help you?
I'm not-- Don't even think about saying
such hurtful things.
Please.
I'm not your son.
Check his feet and get him in bed.
I do not like treating you like you are six again,
but since nasty things have been coming out of your mouth, you leave me no choice.
[coughing] I want you to lay here and think about what you've done.
I will be back at 10:00, and it better be a clean mouth that I return to.
[panting]
[locks clicking]
Hi. Uh, this is Mark Smith for Dr. Nance.
Please, call me Jack.
We have, after all, met many times before.
No, we haven't. I've never met you before.
Why would you say that when, in fact, we have, several times?
Don't you remember I used to come here
for your family's counseling sessions?
I know I've probably put on a few love pounds, as I like to call them,
but surely I don't look that much different from last year.
My name is Alex Wells.
I'm not their son.
I look like him, but it's not me. He's dead.
Do you know why your father called me?
Your family has relapsed, and he asked me to intervene.
Last time, it was for them--
for the difficulty they were having in dealing with your illness.
It was quite simply destroying them.
We're passed that now.
We've accepted it, and we're here only for him.
Absolutely. That's right.
Please.
You don't understand.
Tell me, what am I not understanding?
That I'm not Timmy.
They're trying to make me into him.
I told you, he's dead.
Could it be that maybe that's what you feel deep inside,
that you're dead,
and that's why you've taken on this other persona?
It's not a persona.
They lock me in a room.
They tie me to a bed.
Those are medical restraints. We don't like using them.
We only use them when he's sleeping.
But he's continually trying to hurt himself.
Like his feet. He tried to go out the front door the other day.
I knew he wasn't ready. He lost his balance,
knocked over a vase, and he fell onto the broken glass.
You can't believe this. Don't believe this. Look at his face.
I see concern on his face, Timmy.
Now, I may not condone the methods,
but if you're gonna try to hurt yourself,
what choice do they have?
Put you in a medical facility?
Someone has to take care of you,
and wouldn't you prefer that it be them?
I think the reason that he's retreated into this other persona
is out of fear of what's happening to him.
For him to come out, he needs to feel assured
that it's okay to live as Timmy again.
But how do we do that?
Make things comfortable.
Remind him that it's okay and fun to live as Timmy.
We-- Even with his disability.
We have. I have.
We've, uh--
We've done some of his favorite things
to make him feel at home.
He even chose some, like Monopoly
or his favorite movie.
Yes, yes, but who was he during those times?
Alex. Exactly.
He's living the good things as Alex,
completely forgetting that he used to experience
those exact same things as Timmy.
And they were still good.
So we need to show him that he can have fun
and enjoy things as Timmy.
But you must be firm.
He may not remember that something used to be his favorite thing.
Blocked it out so he can experience it new as Alex.
Don't let him.
Be firm, like you would a child.
And hopefully, in time, he'll come out of his shell
and remember, "Hey, it's okay to be Timmy."
Is that okay with you, Timmy?
Participating in sessions with your parents?
If I do, could I try sleeping without restraints
and having my door unlocked?
Well, if you promise not to hurt yourself,
and your parents are comfortable with where you are,
I don't see why not.
Thank you.
For?
For calling Dr. Nance.
Mmm.
I gotta tell you,
I was really starting to lose it.
Just having him in our grasp
and not knowing how to bring him back,
what else to do.
Wanna see the first exercise I have planned?
Then plant this exactly where you used to.
And, Timmy, no funny business.
I'll be watching to make sure you do it right.
[door opens]
Okay.
Where would Timmy plant?
Come on, Timmy. Stop fooling around.
[glass shatters]
[glass crunching]
[glass shatters]
Pick your player.
That's enough, young man.
Pick the piece you always use.
Alice, stop. Your hand... I don't care.
I'm not playing around anymore.
Which you clearly still are.
But that's fine.
I'm gonna be firm. I need to be.
And if I get hurt in the process,
then at least you'll see the pain your little game is causing.
Now, go again.
Very good. [relieved sigh]
Now, you two, let's have some fun.
** [rock]
* Got a jonesin' for the 'Mats *
* For the Pixies, for the Smiths, REM *
* For the Cure They knew how to play *
* Playin' drunk, playin' loud *
* It's the sound of underground Rockin' out with my pals *
* Class of '91
[knock at door]
[Man] Josie?
Volume knobs were invented so that fathers
could get work done in the other room.
[door rattles]
Why is your door locked?
Did you steal something again?
[sighs] Just your heart, Father.
Good. Keep it that way.
* Back in college, rock meant something more than money *
* More than majors, more than fashion *
* More than merch, more than TRL *
** [continues, indistinct]
* They are pushing these lame new bands *
* Whose modern-day noises I can't understand *
Then you're gonna spend the day with your father.
You excited?
You should be.
He's been in his office preparing for your exercise.
And, uh, don't worry.
I figured out a way to make sure you don't get hurt again.
[Alice] He's all yours.
I am going shopping.
Bye, honey.
[Mark] You have a good night's sleep?
[Alex] Yeah.
Best one yet.
Good. Good.
So, um, you--you probably didn't have a chance
to see yesterday's scores yet.
In fact, you-- you probably haven't had a chance to catch up
with the scores from this past year
since things have been so weird for you and all, huh?
No, I haven't, but, uh, I'm dying to know.
Trust me.
Then wait until you see this.
I started it when I had to...
give up on you coming back.
There's a section for
all your favorite baseball, basketball, and football teams,
and every game, every score,
every standing from the past year.
All your favorite athletes, too.
It's all here.
[chuckles] See that one?
I must've read that one 500 times.
Every time I did, I...
I could hear how excited you would've been.
It had to seem like you were still almost here.
You still know.
You know this isn't right, Mark.
You know it's not me.
Listen. Just--Just listen. Listen to me.
They're down by one, and all they need's a field goal.
You know? Just...
And it's raining.
Just let me go before she gets back, please.
Listen to me. Please.
It's great. They're down by one.
You, uh, shampooed your hair yet, sweetie?
I was just about to.
Let me.
Do you know why your father is sitting in his office upset?
Because I do.
I was in there, assuming you were doing good,
continuing to make progress.
And then he told me what you said.
I can explain. It was-- Rinse.
[water sloshing]
[Alex gasping]
To me it sounded like you wanted to leave.
That for every step forward, you were taking a step back.
Did you say it?
You missed a spot, sweetie.
[water sloshing]
[Alex gasping]
Yes or no? [coughing]
Yes!
I, uh, was feeling bad, looking at all that stuff.
[coughing]
Knowing what I missed this past year, you know?
I got scared and relapsed.
That's better.
It won't happen again.
[Woman on TV] I'm Miss Childs, and I'll be filling in...
We're watching this again? I like this movie. It's really funny.
So if you'll take your books out...
What is it?
It's the movie we watched last week
when I pretended to be Alex.
[Girl on TV] Miss Shane had a whole party planned.
And what is your name, young lady?
But that's not the first time I've seen it.
I've seen this movie, uh, a bunch of times.
Well, there's nothing...
This is not just a movie you've seen a bunch of times.
This is your favorite movie.
I know that.
Then why didn't you say that to begin with, young man?
Why do you act as if you saw it
for the first time last week?
[Mark] Come on, champ.
You know this. You remember this.
I relapsed. I didn't meant to, but I--
You swore that that would never happen again.
It won't.
Then what is it called?
[chattering on TV]
You wanna keep testing me?
Then you will stay in here and watch this movie
until Thursday with no food.
But today's Monday.
Don't blame me. This is your own doing.
You blew your chance at easy, fun-time exercises.
Now, I will be in every two hours to reset it,
and each time I catch you sleeping, it will be an extra day.
[Miss Childs on TV] I'm Miss Childs, and I'll be filling in
as your substitute.
[door slams]
[latches unlocking]
[TV: long, sustained beep]
[thunderclap]
[Miss Childs on TV] I'm Miss Childs, and I'll be filling in
as your substitute.
So if you'll take your books out and turn--
[door slams]
[latches unlocking]
[Girl on TV] Um, today's, like, my last day.
Miss Shane had a whole party planned.
And what is your name, young lady?
Heather. I'm the class president.
Well, there's nothing here in my notes about a party.
Why is this your last day?
'Cause my daddy got a big-time job at a new lawyers firm.
We're, like, moving...
[TV: long, sustained beep]
I'm Miss Childs, and I'll be filling in
as your substitute.
[Bertha] But I'm hoping against that thing called hope
that once he gets readjusted to being home again,
his mother'll let him come back and work with us.
I don't know. She did call you a monster.
Hello?
Are you two fine-ass bitches high off books?
I just said his mother is dead.
[gasps] Whoever called, it wasn't her.
I know what this is. I saw it on the news.
Unkempt girls like her go around
trying to convince others to give information.
It's called, uh... [stammering]
[mimicking stammering]
Identity theft. That's it.
And she did have his ID.
Bertha, call the police and let them have her. Hello?
[pounding] Why don't you just go and help Marco?
[bell dinging] Go on.
Three weeks ago, she called...
Pooh on you again! [bell dinging]
[Heather on TV] Um, today's, like, my last day. [latches unlocking]
Miss Shane had a whole party planned.
And what is your name, young lady?
Heather. I'm the class president.
Time's up, young man.
You done horsing around, or do we leave you here for another day?
Well, there's nothing here in my notes about a party.
Why is this your last day? Done.
'Cause my daddy got a big-time job at a new lawyers firm.
We're, like, moving into a better home.
He says I'll be--
Thank you...
Mom.
What?
Thank you, Mom.
Wait here.
What--What's going on?
Just be patient, champ. Just be patient.
Ready.
Close your eyes.
Open your eyes.
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday.
I know it's a little late due to bad behavior,
but better late than never, right?
Right.
What are you waiting for? They're not gonna blow themselves out.
[blowing weakly]
Um, sorry.
I must be a little tired.
Honey, they're--
Honey, they're trick candles.
It was your father's idea.
Hey, it might have been my idea, but who bought them?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Here we go. Here we go.
Let's get those out. That's coming out.
Ooh. Whoo.
[blowing]
All right, sweetie. Yeah.
Which piece do you want?
Um...
How about...
[Mark laughing] all of it?
[Alice laughing]
What's wrong, Mom?
I don't know what to say.
I've waited for this for a year--
in the hall, in my room--
wondering when you were gonna come back,
when we were all gonna be sitting here.
I just don't know what to say.
You don't have to.
I've come back.
Can't I sleep without them tonight?
Like we talked about with Dr. Nance?
I'm ready.
I know, but...
Well, I--I think it's fair.
What if he falls out of bed? He could fall out of bed.
I'm not a little boy anymore, Mom.
I'm 19 now. I'm not gonna fall out of bed.
We did make a deal.
Fine. We did.
Okay, but if you need anything, I will be right outside, okay?
Good night.
[floor creaking]
[soft clangs]
[wheel squeaks]
[soft clangs]
[wheels squeaking]
[squeaking continues]
[panting]
Timmy?
I was thirsty. I'm just getting some water.
That's okay, honey. I'll get it for you.
No, I've got it.
You can go back to bed.
Only if I can help you back to yours.
We've come a long way since then, haven't we?
You don't remember that yet, do you?
How you first died.
You thought you were a burden.
You didn't wanna be, and so you tried to sneak out.
You saw us coming, you tried to run,
and your body couldn't take it.
You fell.
We stayed with you for days,
waiting for you to come back.
We didn't know it would take a year.
That is over now.
We are passed it.
Let's get you back to bed.
Oh, give me your water. I'll hold it for you.
Were you trying to sneak out again?
No. I just...
I just forgot my glass in the kitchen.
But I don't understand.
We've been good.
You're not a burden anymore. Why would you...
You're not fully back. You lied.
Let me go. I will not!
We trusted you, and you lied.
You said you were better. We celebrated your birthday.
I'm not your son!
You are horrible, awful!
Only a horrible child would say such a thing!
What's going on? Alice? Mark, he's trying to leave.
Don't turn him against you, all right? No.
Alice-- No. No.
Let's talk about it, all right?
Let's see what the problem is. Sweetie--Sweetie...
Everybody take a deep breath. Listen to me. Listen to me.
Maybe we need to slow down. Let me go!
I'm not Timmy! [body thuds]
He's okay, right, Mark?
Tell me. Tell me he's okay.
Tell me he's okay!
Don't say it.
Alice, please.
It's only been 10 hours.
Ten hours!
Last time, it took a year.
So don't say it.
No.
No!
[Alex] Come back.
Come back!
[sighs] I'm not dead.
I'm still alive.
Please, please come back.
Please come back, Mom and Dad.
I'm still waiting. [sobbing]
I so want you to come back.
I want you to come back.
[footsteps approaching]
What are you doing in here? I told you not to come in here.
And I told you not to steal.
But I need that, Daddy.
I'm sure you've convinced yourself of that.
Fine. I'll just take these.
That's all right. I've got everything backed up on disc.
I don't need those anymore. Holy shit!
Who did you steal this from and why?
I know him! He's your patient?
Josie, you're not gonna get it back.
Stop trying to change the subject from yourself.
That's the reason you're not getting any better.
[gasps] Oh, my God! What?
Spider! Oh, my God! In the shadows! Where?
Kill it, kill it!
That's a nice try.
Give me the file.
Give me the file and the box.
I'm sorry, Dad.
I need to go think about why I do what I do.
You better. All right.
[engine starts]
Alex!
[Alex] Come back!
Alex?
[banging]
Holy shit!
Please.
Please come back.
[thudding]
Mom?
No, Josie.
What the hell happened?
You have to leave. I have to wait for them.
Uh, okay, sure.
No!
No, I have to wait for them.
You don't understand. It's my fault.
What? No, it's not your fault. Come on.
You don't know what I did.
You don't know.
I'm horrible.
It was an accident.
You know that.
They're not coming back.
The people that are coming back, on the other hand, are psychos.
Okay? Which means we need to go.
[car approaching]
[Alex] The front door's over here.
[keys jingling] They're back.
[Mark] All right. It's all set up.
I'll be back to check on you in a few minutes.
We were good, weren't we?
Good to him?
What are we gonna do?
I'm gonna go get some boxes,
and you're gonna watch Dr. Alred.
Honey, can't we check the garden?
Alice... Maybe he just...
Alice...
[door closes]
[TV on]
[Dr. Alred on TV] Hello, I'm Dr. Alred.
This must be a very trying time.
You have to remember
that what you're going through is normal.
Anyone who encounters such tragedy
goes through these very feelings.
Many familiar things will remind you of your loss,
but do not run from these objects.
Embrace them.
They'll serve as a constant reminder
and help keep their spirit alive within your home,
even as maybe you try to forget.
If you run,
you're erasing their memory,
which is the last thing you wanna do.
That's why he forgot.
He didn't have anything to remember us by.
He needs something--
any-anything to help him remember.
Anything before Mark packs him away.
Something that he'll see right when he comes back.
To leave under with him.
There needs to be no doubt.
[chuckles]
The cake.
He would never forget his own nose.
Um...
This is perfect.
What else?
What else, what else what else, what else?
Okay.
Mark, he's back! Get out here!
[door opens] [Mark] What's wrong?
[Alice] Nothing. Everything's right.
Guard the front door. He might be scared.
What are you talking about? He's back! He's come back!
On the same day! He-He came back for the cake!
I was slicing a piece so that he would have something to remember,
which is what we didn't do before.
Alice--Alice, stop. No! N-No!
Go! Go look yourself!
Go on.
[sniffling]
Timmy? Honey?
Come on out. Don't be scared.
We're your parents. That's right.
Your-- Your mom and your dad.
Timmy, honey, where are you?
He was dead. He was dead.
No, not for us.
Well, where is he?
I'm gonna go and check out back,
and you stay by the door.
Timmy?
Timmy? Timmy?
Timmy.
The hall. We can get out a back window.
Timmy.
What's wrong with your feet? Nothing. I'm fine.
[door opens] [Alice] Timmy?
Where? [door closes]
The closet.
She won't look in here?
Mark won't let her. He says that this is his place.
Come on out, honey. It's Mom.
Timmy, sweetie, where are you?
Come on, honey.
Quit playing around. Stop hiding from me.
Timmy, this isn't funny anymore.
We're getting scared.
Maybe we should look down the street. He might've left.
No, he is in this house. I know it.
Timmy, I don't wanna punish you on your first day back,
but if you're not out here by the time I count to five,
then you have only yourself to blame.
One,
two,
three,
four...
Timmy, come out right now!
Oh, my God! He's hurt!
That's why he's not coming out. He's too hurt.
[door opens]
Timmy?
Honey?
Do you remember what this place is?
It's your father's office.
He works from here because we wanted to be home when you came back.
Timmy, open up.
Honey, I know you're hurt.
I just wanna help you. I wanna make you feel better.
I'm your mother. That's what moms do.
We would never have left if we knew you were gonna come back so soon.
I'm sorry, Mom. [whispers] Oh, my God.
Oh, honey.
We're not mad at you.
Just open the door.
Timmy!
Open up now!
[bangs on door]
All right. Then we're gonna do it the hard way.
Mark, give me the keys to your office.
Give them to me. Alice, please.
Timmy!
Timmy, open the door!
Timmy!
Mark, hurry up.
Alice...
Honey,
you don't need to hide anymore.
I'm here, and so is your father.
He hung up all these clippings for you.
That's how much he loves you.
I know you have a lot of questions.
I'm gonna try and answer them better than before.
Timmy...
[screams]
Alice? Alice? [door opens]
Sit me down.
[Alice] He's got someone with him!
She's strong.
Stealing from us.
Timmy, who is this? Do you know her?
Yeah, she's my friend, Josie.
You--You don't know a Josie.
You never knew a Josie. He knows me.
You did this to him. You ruined him.
You were the first person he saw.
Timmy, you don't know her.
You know me and your father.
You're not his parents.
Tell them what happened to your parents, Alex.
Nothing happened. Nothing happened to them.
He just doesn't remember us.
Tell her, Alex. He just doesn't remember us.
Tell her, Alex!
I think it is time for you to leave.
They le--
They left.
They were looking for me.
If I...hadn't left,
they wouldn't have died.
But it wasn't my fault.
It was-- It wasn't...
It wasn't my fault.
[Mark] That's why you told Alice
that you couldn't remember them?
That's not it, Mark. Is that why?
It's because you filled his head with that.
She was there when we-- when we weren't.
We should've been there for him.
We should've been there for...
But we are now, and that is what is important.
Remember who you are, not what she tells you to.
See? His name is Alex.
Tell her, Alex. Tell her why you came here.
You saw her, right? You followed them.
No, no, no. You stole him from me.
I work at the library.
You come in all the time. I saw you there,
and you saw me once, watching you.
I tried telling you. [Alice] No, no, no, no, no.
I did.
No.
Timmy, if you don't remember...
then I have to start all over
and show you things to help you remember,
and I don't wanna do that.
Please don't make me do that.
Please remember.
Don't make me do that, Timmy!
Come on.
[Alice] No!
What are you doing? You're letting him leave!
His keys! What do you take me for?
No! No! No! Let me go!
What are you doing? You're letting him leave!
Timmy! He's leaving!
Let me go! Timmy! Honey!
Stay! It's-- It's okay!
It's okay. Stay.
[Alice sobbing]
[engine starts]
Baby!
[car departing]
Our son is gone.
[sobbing continues]