[calm piano music playing]
[gulls calling]
[car door opens]
[door slams]
[Margot] Surplus from work!
How about I cook?
- [kiss] - [Margot laughs]
- [chopping] - How many times did she call?
I can't believe you answered.
[Frank] She'd keep calling if I didn't.
And, of course, she only wanted to offer, yet again, to help us out, if...
she held the "F" like a villain in a spy movie,
we both agreed to move out of Topanga to somewhere respectable,
and I stop working at Zuma,
and you stop working at that ridiculous co-op,
and we both got legitimate jobs.
I wrote down all of her adjectives.
"Legitimate" was my favorite.
I told her not to call again until she understood, finally...
I then held my "F," just to eff with her,
- Frank. - that we don't and will never
need her help, because...
- Frank. - we own our own lives.
Not her, or your father, or mine.
[laughing] Frank!
What? What is it?
♪ People smile and tell me I'm the lucky one ♪
♪ And we've just begun ♪
♪ I think I'm gonna have a son ♪
♪ He will be like him and me ♪
♪ As free as a dove ♪
♪ Conceived in love ♪
♪ The sun is gonna shine above ♪
♪ And even though we ain't got money ♪
♪ I'm so in love with you, honey ♪
♪ Everything will bring a chain of love ♪
♪ And in the morning when I rise ♪
♪ Bring a tear of joy to my eyes ♪
♪ And tell me ♪
♪ Everything's gonna be ♪
[crying]
It's okay, Eleanor. Stand still.
We can go now. Mommy's shift is done.
You've got this.
- [Eleanor cries] - [man] Excuse me, miss?
Yes?
How can I help you?
[man] Do I know you from somewhere?
- Are you an actress? - [Margot] No.
What? I mean, not that I know of, anyway.
You have a great look.
[Eleanor cries]
I do?
I have a client who's looking for someone just like you.
Anyway, sorry to bother. Um...
do you know if there are any blood oranges?
Yeah, actually, right around the corner.
If I'm being honest, I...
I've always wanted to act, I just, I never...
Margot...
Weston.
Look, why don't you...
give me a call Monday,
and come in, meet my client, just for fun.
It's a total shot in the dark, but...
who knows?
Even those hit sometimes, right?
[Eleanor babbles]
Hi there.
[babbles]
Is this your daughter?
- I'm just the nanny. - [both laugh]
[Margot sighs]
I just put her down.
I am so proud of you, honey.
Oh, don't be proud of me, okay? Not yet.
Not till it's over.
I could be fired, I could be replaced, I could be terrible.
[kiss]
- [Eleanor burbles] - Nellie's still awake.
You know how I feel about that nickname.
Then I'll make sure it's the only thing she answers to by the time you get home.
[laughs quietly]
- Break a leg. - [Margot sighs]
[footsteps]
[door creaks]
[Margot sighs]
I'll see you when you wake up, okay?
[Margot] I love you.
Can you say, "I love you"?
Can you say, "I love you, Mommy"?
[Nellie] I love you, Daddy.
[footsteps]
[Nellie] You're leaving again?
[Frank] You didn't even think to ask me, did you?
[M] A lecture about abandoning my daughter?
[F] For five months!
What am I supposed to do for five months?
[Nellie] Que bonito, pero yo no sé.
[Margot] This is big for me! For us!
None of this is for me.
[Nellie] Mom?
What do you think?
I think...
I think that it is good for a woman to know what colors work for her,
and...
blue may not be yours.
Thank you for your honesty.
Thank you for hearing me.
[orchestra music playing]
[door thuds]
[door bangs]
I'm sorry you lost.
There's no such thing.
You look like a princess.
You didn't brush your teeth.
[door bangs]
- [man] Twenty-twp minutes to set. - [car door shuts]
So what do you think?
Well, I think it seems like a really strong program,
but...
if you went to a real school,
you could get a practical education
and practice your art on the side.
- Thank you for your honesty. - Thank you for hearing me.
But Mom, I don't practice art, I make art.
You know?
I do hope that you'll take what I said under extreme consideration.
[car trunk slams]
Are you mad?
Why?
Because you didn't listen to me and go to Columbia, Barnard or Bryn Mawr?
No, not at all.
Maybe you'll end up being right.
Maybe just this once.
[Margot inhales]
[patting]
[Margot] Okay, go. Go.
[footsteps]
[door rumbles]
Hey. Sorry we couldn't get you a car.
[Margot] Oh, a van's just fine, thank you.
- What about the grant? - Mm-mm.
- The job at MOCA? - It went to the CFO's nephew.
How about the scholarship?
The job at school?
Have you ever been an admissions rep?
Graduated but haunting the halls like a ghost? No way.
Well, it's a great place to start till you figure your next step.
[door slams]
You don't usually call this early.
Yeah, I had an early tour.
[Margot] Is it the fellowship in Mexico City?
- Did you get it? - No.
It's better.
I met a guy.
And I want you to meet him.
A guy?
What's his name?
[Nellie] Levi Gordon.
He's so awesome, Mom. He's so great.
Aw, El, I'm so happy for you.
I'll be back next week. When do we do this?
I don't know.
Sunday?
[fast piano music playing]
[both] To the left.
So?
What do you think?
I think...
- Please don't make me wait for this, Mom. - he's not the guy for you.
Okay. And why not?
That boy is only interested in himself and his career.
When he's not talking over you, which is rare,
he's making you wait for the next thing to come out of his mouth
as if he's going to offer up some kind of profundity or great insight,
neither of which has happened or is ever likely to.
He is fatuous, vainglorious,
and worst of all, insubstantial.
You deserve someone who's going to care what you have to say,
not someone who's going to suck up all the oxygen around you until you suffocate.
Thank you for your honesty.
Thank you for hearing me.
I know you mean well when you say things like this,
but it actually affects me,
and I...
I think you're wrong.
You don't know him.
I wasn't wrong about art school, was I?
I'm not wrong about this.
This can only end in tragedy.
Well if that's how you feel, I don't see the point in staying for dessert.
That is how I feel.
Okay.
[receding footsteps]
[sobbing]
I'm sorry, sweetheart. I am so sorry.
[gasps, sighs]
I did warn you, though.
[gasps, sighs]
Oh!
God!
[line rings]
[voicemail] Hi, it's Nellie. Leave a message.
[line rings]
[voicemail] Hi, it's Nellie. Leave a message.
[line rings]
[voicemail] Hi, it's Nellie. Leave a message.
[phone rings]
[Nellie] Hi, Mom, it's me.
Listen there's someone I want you to meet.
[quietly] And...
I think he could be the one.
But you have to tell me.
And this time I promise I'll listen.
I can't wait.
[music starts]
[Gerry Rafferty: "Baker Street" playing]
♪ Windin' your way down on Baker Street ♪
♪ Light in your head And dead on your feet ♪
♪ Well, another crazy day ♪
♪ You'll drink the night away ♪
♪ And forget about everything ♪
♪ This city desert Makes you feel so cold ♪
♪ It's got so many people But it's got no soul ♪
♪ And it's taken you so long ♪
♪ To find out you were wrong ♪
♪ When you thought it held everything ♪
♪ You used to think that it was so easy ♪
♪ You used to say that it was so easy ♪
♪ But you're tryin' ♪
♪ You're tryin' now ♪
♪ Another year and then you'll be happy ♪
♪ Just one more year And then you'll be happy ♪
♪ But you're cryin' ♪
♪ You're cryin' now ♪
[music fades]
Oh, my God.
[munching]
Forty-one years in LA,
still, what passes for a bagel out here,
it's a crime against humanity.
- Mm-hm. - This is like a...
I know.
[tapping]
Is this one of these "happy cat" videos you like to show me?
- [laughs] - I can't...
[piano music plays]
Just watch.
[Frank] Oh.
- He looks good in a suit. - This is the guy that I'm seeing.
The one that I told you about.
- You're dating a 12-year-old child? - This was ten years ago.
[Frank] You said he was a line cook, not Glenn Gould.
I know. Well, he gave it up. He doesn't do it anymore.
For kitchen work, he gave it up?
For the same reason you did, not wanting to be what your parents wanted you to be.
Well, let's hope he's doing better with that.
Well, he's super talented.
I can see that.
No, I mean, he writes his own music now.
He's a songwriter.
[quietly] Oh.
Where have I heard this before?
I know.
But he's the complete opposite of Levi.
I promise. He's...
Polar opposite.
[laughs]
- You like this guy? - Mm-hm.
This guy's name is Sam and...
I do.
Why?
I don't know, because he's...
[sighs]
well, he's really quiet.
But not because he's introverted or because he's shy,
but because he's actually listening,
which is a really nice change.
And I think he genuinely wants me to be...
whoever I am
at any given moment.
So that's also rare.
And, um...
I don't know, he's...
It's like when he smiles, I...
I feel it...
I like, actually feel it.
It's like a...
like a wave rolling out,
or sounds outside your window when you're on vacation.
It's like...
um...
safe, I guess.
Wow.
[Nellie chuckles]
But anyway, he doesn't know that I found this video, so if you...
or when you meet him, if you meet him, don't tell him I got it.
Oh, I'm going to meet him.
- Really? - Yeah.
- I can't say that I will feel waves... - [Nellie laughs]
and vacation sounds.
[gasps]
Okay, stop talking or it's never going to happen.
No, I'll find the time.
No, no time to find. Let's go. Let's do it now.
[knocking]
[door squeaks]
Hey.
- Hey. - You in some kind of trouble?
[laughing] No.
What? No, this is my dad.
- Hey, I'm Frank. - [D] Oh, shit! This is your dad?
- Yeah! - [Dante speaks Spanish]
Come here!
- Oh! Come in. - [N] Dad, this is Dante, Sam's cousin.
Hi.
Hey, everyone.
- How are you? - I'm good.
- And then, Dad, this is Russ. - Hey, Russ.
And Ernesto. Hey.
- And... I don't think I met you. - Manuel.
He just started with us this week. We're just having a bite before our shift.
[door rattles]
[Nellie takes a breath]
- [thud] - [Nellie giggles]
[lock clicks]
- I presume that was... - Mm-hm.
[Nellie half laughs]
[Frank] This way, no matter what happens, if it goes below a certain level,
the reserve floods in from this tube, right here.
- And then you're gone. - Man, that's a killer idea.
I can't believe nobody thought of that before.
Let me take a look.
I am currently raising money for a prototype,
so if you guys know any investors...
Aren't you guys going to be late?
Oh, shit, yeah.
I never met an inventor before.
You got any other inventions?
Uh... plenty of ideas.
Investors too at some point,
but I don't know, other people always got there first.
So this is how you make your money?
No, I was in insurance.
I... I work for AAA now.
Hey, it doesn't really matter where you've been
or what you do for a living,
it just matters that you have a dream.
Yeah, look at you. You were in the slammer for a year and a half,
and now what you're doing is great, It's inspiring.
[sighs]
Oh, was that not public information?
It is now, I guess.
I am so sorry. I didn't know. Um...
- You didn't tell me it was a secret. - You a badass, huh?
- I'm not a badass. - You a badass. I knew it.
You know, I knew when I opened the door.
I made some mistakes, that is all. [sniffs]
And, Sam, if you could not mention my incarceration
to Nellie's mother when you meet her...
Absolutely. I will never say another thing about it.
Mira, respect.
I never knew my dads growing up,
but I think it's awesome how close you two are.
Thank you.
[door shuts]
So when are you going to meet Margot?
Well, that's the thing. I wanted him to meet you first because, um,
well, you're easier,
and Mom...
can be...
A piece of work?
I was going to say "tricky."
Well, why don't we all have dinner together?
I haven't seen your mother for...
well, in forever.
[takes a breath]
And it would take the edge off,
have me to focus on, right?
Sam would have to pretend that he never met me before, though.
My mom has this weird thing, she has to be the first for everything
when it comes to me.
- I mean, isn't that lying, though? - [Frank] No, not at all.
It's consideration,
helping her keep her pride.
So how about a little family reunion?
Sancerre. It's all she drinks.
If you bring a bottle, it'll go a long way. You too.
Sancerre's not really my thing.
Well, Margot doesn't care what your thing is.
She cares that you have the forethought to find out what her thing is.
Well, okay. I was not terrified until this very moment.
[claps hands] Call her. Let's go.
- What, now? - Yeah, right now. Give her a call.
All right.
Hi, Ma, it's me.
Yeah.
Listen, there's someone I want you to meet.
[slow piano music playing]
[sighs]
[rattling]
[door squeaks]
[footsteps]
[trash bin rattles]
[man] Ah!
I'm pretty sure you can get a citation for doing something like that around here.
And you're not wearing a helmet, that's cause for one too.
Never seen a movie star take out their own trash before.
Is there such a thing as movie stars these days?
Directors are the new movie stars.
You know who I am.
Well, ever since your dealer came to my house by mistake those four times.
Dix.
Excuse me?
My name, it's Dix.
I thought it was Jonah.
Yeah, well, my friends call me Dix.
Jonah Dixon, Dix.
Why are we having this conversation?
Because the last time we had a conversation
it included you telling me to keep it down in my own backyard.
Well, I'm pretty sure that Stone Canyon was never zoned as a skate park.
I'm pretty sure Stone Canyon wasn't zoned
for lots of things that go on behind its gates.
Again, why are we...
I'm just trying to be neighborly, that's all.
Well, perhaps you could move your ramp to the south side of your house.
Then I wouldn't be able to see in your windows.
You'd have to get pretty high for that.
It gives me something to aim for.
How old are you?
Oh, I can't answer that.
Directors are the new movie stars.
[car brakes squeak]
What are you doing here?
Oh, we're here to gossip and raid your closet.
Mostly closet.
Hello.
[Nellie] See you inside, Mom.
Is that your daughter?
Please excuse me.
Hey. You come back anytime.
I live right there, so...
- [skateboard wheels rumble] - See ya!
Everything's so artfully arranged.
It's like a doll house.
I mean, who cuts deli meats into tiny little squares like this?
Lourdes.
Girls, a phone call before you come over, please.
Where's the fun in that?
I know how much you hate surprises.
- Hi, Mom. - Jean.
Hi.
Why is it when children come home, no matter how old they are,
they turn right back into children?
Now, what are we gossiping about?
Sam coming to dinner.
- Oh, you've met him? - A few times coming out Nellie's...
car.
Well, of course you've met him.
Is he as good as Eleanor implies?
When did I imply anything?
Your last AMEX statement
showed a three-night vacation around Palm Springs, so I thought...
Yes, we took a weekend together, but you're the one who says
you won't know anyone until you travel with them.
Well, that's true.
Also, I'd appreciate you not looking over my statements like I'm still in school.
Yeah, well, you still haven't told me what Sam does.
- Ask him at dinner. - I'd rather ask you.
That way I can have an actual conversation with him,
- as opposed to an interrogation. - Okay, fine.
- He's a chef. - Aha.
But he doesn't love to talk about it in lofty terms like that.
it's just something that he does, you know?
Anyway, I'm excited for you to meet him.
It's been long enough that I'm safe you won't scare him off.
- Did you make a dinner reservation? - Can we do it here? On Sunday?
No, Sunday's two days away. I'd have nothing prepared.
- She means Lourdes is off on weekends. - [laughs]
No, I mean that I have scripts to read and I've got meetings.
- It's impossible. - Okay, fine. We can go out.
I just kind of wanted him to, you know, see where I grew up and...
- Fine, we'll do it here. - Okay, perfect.
But nothing too formal.
When you met Levi, it was just so stuffy.
Lourdes served us and she used the good china and the silver.
- I want the opposite of that. - [M] So you want pizza and paper plates?
I just don't understand how anyone can meet anyone
behind such a wall of formality.
Is that what Nana did when she met Dad?
God, it's too bad she didn't scare him off.
- Speaking of Dad... - [Margot] Mm?
I invited him.
Oh.
I want Sam to meet you both
and I don't want to subject him to two different firing squads days apart.
And you haven't seen each other in years
and I feel like it's been long enough for some civility.
The man doesn't speak to her for nearly a decade
- and she still makes him a priority. - These are my terms.
Either you meet Sam with Dad or not at all. Up to you.
I have a feeling this is a very big mistake
and you know I am rarely wrong.
- Wait, did she just say "rarely"? - [N] Oh, yeah.
She did say "never" but we talked about it.
All right, fine. Family dinner it is.
[Nellie] Yes!
[music starts]
[Bonnie Raitt: "Nobody's Girl" playing]
♪ She don't need anybody ♪
♪ To tell her she's pretty ♪
♪ She's heard it every single day Of her life ♪
♪ He's got to wonder What she sees in him ♪
♪ When there's so many others ♪
♪ Standing in line ♪
♪ She gives herself to him ♪
♪ But he's still on the outside ♪
♪ She's alone in this world ♪
♪ She's nobody's girl ♪
♪ She shows up at this doorstep ♪
♪ In the middle of the night ♪
♪ Then she disappears For weeks at a time ♪
♪ Just enough to keep him wanting more ♪
♪ But never is he satisfied ♪
♪ And he's left to pick up the pieces ♪
♪ Wondering what does he do this for ♪
♪ She's off in her own little world ♪
♪ She's nobody's girl ♪
♪ He said, before I met her ♪
♪ I didn't love nothin' ♪
♪ I could take it or leave it ♪
♪ That was okay ♪
♪ But she brings out a want in me ♪
♪ For things I didn't even know that I need ♪
What's her name?
Sheila.
♪ And she's a walking contradiction ♪
♪ But I ache for her inside ♪
♪ She's fragile like a string of pearls ♪
♪ She's nobody's girl ♪
♪ She's fragile like a string of pearls ♪
♪ She's nobody's girl ♪
[door bell chimes]
[door rattles]
- Hey. - Hi.
[kiss]
- [door bangs] - You wore the tie.
- Mm, I had a choice? - Mm.
You look great.
Thank you. My first choice was not approved.
[footsteps] Sam?
[clears throat]
- It's so good to meet you. - So nice to meet you too, Miss Weston.
It's Margot, please.
Well, that's a lovely tie.
Eleanor picked it out for me.
Eleanor? Oh.
[paper bag rustles]
This is for you.
[Margot] How thoughtful. Thank you.
Let's see.
Something new.
How exciting.
It's an orange wine. Biodynamic.
It's dry and minerally like a Sancerre,
but I think it's a bit more unique.
Does it need to be chilled?
A little warmer than white, but not quite room temp.
Okay.
[receding footsteps]
That's not what we discussed.
Right. Maybe because our relationship is not an autocracy.
Okay, I bet she pours it for everyone but herself, if she serves it at all.
- Babe. - What?
- Are you okay? - Yes.
NASA's not launching you into space, right?
It's just meeting your parents.
- Right? - I know you're right. I'm sorry.
I'm just, like, you know, borderline hysterical with fear and dread.
Okay, let's go.
- Wait, I forgot to take my shoes off. - No, you don't have to take them off.
- I thought it was a house rule. - You're cute.
Not in the public areas. It's fine.
I tried to have everything ready by 7:00, Sam,
but I'm not a chef like you,
so it might be a few minutes late.
This is so nice, Mom. I can't remember when you last cooked for me.
Watch out, Sam.
She's mastered the art of the Weston compliment.
It sounds good when you hear it,
but when you replay it back in your head, you know, it's...
Are we eating in here, Mom?
Much more informal.
Just how you like it.
- It's lovely, thank you. - [Margot] Mm-hm.
- May I? - Of course.
[Sam] My mother used to drive me to every garage sale and thrift store
hoping she would find stuff like this.
Rosenthal?
- Ah. - My paternal grandmother's.
And the Talavera?
Maternal.
Oh.
We have the fake stuff at the restaurant where I...
cook.
May I?
Yes, of course.
- [Sam] Thank you. - Hm.
These were the only things she brought with her
when she came to be with my grandfather in Michigan.
I've had them ever since she died. I've never used them.
I was always afraid they may break.
But tonight's special, don't you think?
[plates clink]
Would you mind setting the table for me?
Of course.
Um...
do you prefer formal or informal?
Formal.
Absolutely.
We'll be eating in the dining room.
His request.
I like this one.
[door bell chimes]
[quietly] God help me, it's your father.
[door rattles]
Hi.
Margot! Nellie!
Polly!
[laughs loudly]
- Mwah. - Dad?
Oh, mwah.
- Oh! - Whoops.
- [Frank] Ow. - [Nellie] Ow.
- Ow! - [necklace rattles]
Happens all the time!
[Polly laughs]
- [door shuts] - Margot.
You look well, Frank.
As do you.
Don't you just love that belt?
I picked it out for him.
- Dad, I don't remember you mentioning... - Running late?
- Just a little bit, though. - [Polly] Oh!
We brought you a little something for inviting us into your home.
Here.
- Sancerre. You remembered. - Ha!
He said Sauvignon Blanc. I'm glad I went with my gut.
Oh!
[laughing] Another surprised face!
It's almost as if Frank didn't tell any of you about me!
Um, I'm...
Sam! The man of the hour.
- Oh. - [Polly, kissing] Mm.
- [Polly laughs] - Oh.
What is happening?
These walls! This ceiling!
My God, it's like a museum!
[squeals]
- Sam, it's good to finally meet you. - [Polly squeals, laughs]
- Should I set another place? - Would you, please?
[Polly] I must have a tour!
[clunk]
She found out just as I was leaving.
I couldn't tell her she'd been excluded. [sighs]
So, Polly, what do you do? 'Cause Dad didn't really mention.
Well, I'm a therapist in Studio City going on...
30 years, with a brief stop when my second was born.
How many children do you have?
- Two boys. - Oh.
Mark works for Microsoft up in Seattle,
and Michael is a teacher in Marin.
Oh, they sound lovely.
Mm.
We're going through a bit of a rough moment these days, actually.
With...
both of them?
Independently, but yes.
You know how it is.
They blame us for doing everything we had to do
to get them where they are today, am I right?
Frank, I can't believe you lived in this house!
Oh, my God! And look in here!
- [Polly laughs] - Yeah, it seems like a dream now.
- [gasps] Oh, look, it's you! - Ah.
- Oh, that's a lovely watch. - Oh!
It was a gift.
Our six-month anniversary.
[kiss]
- [Polly] Did you tell everyone your idea? - [Frank] What?
Yeah, about the tires.
Nellie was... telling me.
[Frank] Yeah, no one wants to hear that.
Why not? It's so good.
You have no idea the amount of calls he gets from people with flats.
Well, he's come up with some technology
that makes the tires self-inflate
whenever the pressure falls below a certain level.
Did I say that right?
That idea doesn't already exist?
Not this time, no.
But...
thanks for asking.
What about the Schiele? Want to show Polly that?
- Is that still here? - I don't think she wants to see that.
Yes, I do.
God, Frank's been talking about it so much.
I minored in in art history at Northwestern.
I'd really love to see it. Can we?
How does one come by their own Egon Schiele?
They got it on a trip to Mexico.
[Margot] Mexico City, actually.
We took a house in Polanco when El was four...
[Nellie] Then the owner of the house...
[Frank] He recognized Margot.
Yeah, and when she expressed interest in buying it, they offered to sell it.
She said she couldn't possibly, but...
I knew you wanted it.
Yes, so he bought it for me.
Is anyone hungry?
I have cheese and charcuterie down to the living room.
El? I'll see you in the kitchen in a minute.
Okay.
I did not know that she was coming. I did not even know that she existed.
It's not your fault. It's him, as usual.
Can't be...
How odd to feel like a fifth wheel in my own home.
[Gigi on phone] Hello?
- Geej? - [Gigi] Nell?
Hey, what are you doing tonight?
- [clink] - Eye contact.
[laughs]
[glasses clink]
Cheers.
Mm.
Not bad.
This is not my Sancerre. Do you mind if I open it?
[hurried footsteps]
Here you go, darling.
- Oh, this is Sam's wine. - Mm.
It's unique.
A Weston compliment?
No, it's an actual one.
It's superb.
What a beautiful kitchen! [laughs]
It's like living in a Williams-Sonoma!
Dinner will be ready in 20 minutes. I hope that you like branzino.
[gasps]
I'm sorry, I don't eat fish.
Frank didn't tell you?
Mom, Gigi's going to join us, is that okay?
Of course, yeah, the more the merrier.
Sam, would you mind?
- Absolutely. - Thank you.
- What? - Nothing.
[musically] Just... watch this.
[clink]
[Frank] Oh, look at that.
[Frank whispers] This used to be real, now it's...
on the, uh...
and there we go.
[Polly giggles]
[clunk]
[exhales]
[Polly indoors] I know! Right!
[line rings]
[Gigi on phone] Hi!
- Jean? It's Margot. - Hi.
Listen, I know you're already on your way,
but it turns out our surprise guest doesn't eat fish.
[Gigi] Of course.
Yes, apparently it's a thing.
Look, would you be a dear and go to Bristol Farms
and pick up a rotisserie chicken for me?
[Gigi] Um, sure, yeah.
Thank you.
- Oh, and one last thing. - Yeah?
You know that restaurant that Sam works at?
He told me the name, but...
[sighs] I couldn't hear him over the din, and...
Oh, yeah, Playa.
- Playa. - [Gigi] Aha.
Oh, and Jean,
when you arrive, go up the back steps, would you?
Of course. I'll see you soon.
Thanks.
[Polly laughing in background]
[Polly chats in background]
[Margot sighs]
[tapping]
[rumble of skateboard wheels]
[skateboard rumbles]
[Polly laughs in background]
[Polly] Oh, Frank! Don't tell him that!
[skateboard rumbles]
[skateboard rumbling gets louder]
[skateboard rumbles loudly]
So, do you keep in touch with Sheila?
Oh. No.
I barely knew her so, no.
'Cause your dad said she was really beautiful.
- Mm. - As beautiful as your mother.
I never even saw a picture of her.
Can you believe it?
I don't know, I'm not sure.
Okay.
I'll stop prying.
Okay.
Your dad must have really hated insurance
to move to AAA, huh?
Excuse me, I'll just go check on my mother and make sure she doesn't need anything.
- Do you need anything? - No, I'm good.
It's going smoothly, huh?
For you and me.
But also Margot makes sure of it, doesn't she?
Unflappable in perpetuity,
like the Mona Lisa.
- Don't you think you should've told... - I want to show you something. Watch this.
[Sam] Mm...
- Okay, come here for a sec. - What... But that's...
And...
oh.
[door bangs]
A dear friend of mine who couldn't make it for dinner now can.
Sam, would you mind?
Thank you.
[clunk]
[door rattles]
- You didn't see me. - Love it.
[door bell chimes]
Jean, what a wonderful addition.
I want you to meet Polly. A word of warning.
- Jean! Polly! - Hi!
- [Polly giggles]
[Polly] I love this necklace.
- Oh, thank you. - Is this glass?
It is.
I love your hair.
Is it real?
- [P] No one's asked me that before! - [door bell chimes]
- [Gigi laughs] - That must be Dix.
[Gigi] Who's Dix?
It's that guy who lives next door. I've never met him before.
- Wine? - Yes.
Everyone, this is Dix. Dix, everyone.
Hey, Dix.
Hey, how are you?
So, why don't we go to the dining room?
Dinner's a few moments late. I had to roast a chicken.
[gasps] I hope you didn't do that on my account.
Oh, no, of course not.
I always keep one around for occasions like these.
Follow me.
- Hey. Sam. - Nice to meet you.
I thought you said you sold the Rosenthal.
Now, why would I say that?
Because I wanted it in the divorce?
So, Frank and Polly.
Eleanor and Sam.
- And Dix, right over here. - Oh.
And...
Oh, of course, darling, you're next to me.
[chairs scrape]
Well, I've never been a seventh wheel before,
so this is fun.
I know I'm not supposed to say anything,
but, Sam, Nellie showed me an amazing video from your past.
Dad.
It's too good not to share.
What were you playing?
Chopin or...
- [Sam] Franz Liszt. - [Nellie] Mm.
I don't understand. Playing?
Sam went to Berklee School of Music.
- College. - [Margot] For what?
Classical piano.
I thought you were a chef.
I cook, yes.
[Frank] And a songwriter.
Another songwriter?
How fortuitous. [chuckles]
Jean, would you help me in the kitchen, please?
- Yes. - No, I can.
- It's okay. - No, it's quite all right. We have it.
[plates rattle]
- Well, this is interesting. - They're her mother's.
I'm sure they are. So, Dix, what is it that you do?
I'm a filmmaker.
- Oh, really? - Yeah.
Have we ever seen something you might have done?
Dad. You don't have to answer that.
It's a natural question.
- Dix has an Oscar, Dad. - [D] Two.
I shared screenplay.
[thumps table] I thought you looked familiar!
Do you know Scarlett Johansson?
Yes.
She came to see me once.
[N] I thought you couldn't divulge
- that kind of information. - Why not? She's not my client.
Hm!
Jean?
Yes, coming.
So are you ever looking for new business ventures, Dix?
Sure.
Because Frank here has an amazing idea that he's working on.
[Dix] Oh, yeah?
Polly, this is a dinner, not a pitch meeting.
It's Los Angeles, it's all pitch meetings.
Go on, Frank, tell him.
- I... - Go on, tell him.
Maybe it's not the right time to...
[shouts] Tell him!
Self-inflating tires.
Instead of run-flat tires
you can only get a little ways on,
these actually re-pump themselves from a hidden chamber inside.
Yeah, I'll show you.
[paper rustles]
[Frank] This is old now, but...
uh, it's close.
You have somebody repping you on this?
[Polly laughs]
Sam, how did your parents feel when you left conservatory?
Jean told me the story.
Um, well, they weren't...
exactly happy about it.
Not a lot of kids from Oakland get the opportunity to go.
- Well, I thought you were from Watts. - I moved when I was 12.
What brought you there?
Well, my mother said it was for better opportunities,
but it turns out that my father...
was cheating on her with a woman who was transferred there,
so he made us follow her.
Well, if it's not prying, what happened when she found out?
She didn't.
I never told her.
[Margot] To this day?
Will you pass the fish?
[Margot] Well, I'm sorry that your parents didn't support your switch in focus.
You know, it's important to feel supported.
Without Eleanor's support,
her last boyfriend probably wouldn't be as famous as he is today.
She worked for him tirelessly.
She really believed in him.
One could say to the detriment of her own career.
[crunch]
[Margot] Frank, you haven't touched your food.
Oh, my bad.
He waits for me. I don't know why.
Chivalry, I guess.
Yes.
[Margot] Excuse me, I'm going to check on dessert.
- [Dix] Frank, I have one question. - [Frank] Yeah.
[Dix] Out of curiosity, how does this work in different climates?
Like, desert versus...
- Eleanor, some help, please. - [Dix]...say, Colorado? High mountains?
You know, there's something going on here I can't quite put my finger on.
- Has Sam met your father before? - [wine bubbles]
Mom, don't be paranoid.
I see clearly why your father wanted to come tonight.
He's trying to get me and my friends to invest in his idea.
He didn't know you were going to have friends tonight. I didn't even know.
Isn't Dix your neighbor?
Are you two...
Oh, no, of course not.
I don't understand why you always think the worst of him.
Because I see him more clearly than you do.
For your father, tonight is not a family dinner,
it's a business opportunity.
That's not true.
Well, did you invite him?
Or did he hear you were coming and invite himself?
You see, that's what he does.
You trust him and he breaks your heart over and over again.
He's done it before, he'll do it again.
I am not wrong about this.
[Polly]...and we'd both been going there for months
and never saw each other before that night.
Really?
I was just telling everyone how we met.
Ten months ago.
When you call, ask for Tom Carr. He's point on my team.
- Okay, that's enough of that. - Whoa, what's happening?
Don't be fooled, Dix.
Whatever Frank's selling you is nothing more than his latest hustle.
It's not a hustle, it's very real.
[Margot] Oh, you're right. Because it already exists.
[Margot] "In 2011,
Goodyear began work on self-regulating tires."
Yeah, Goodyear gave up. They couldn't make it work.
"Next year, the company plans on testing its self-inflating technology
on commercial vehicles."
- What? - [M] Now I'm sure,
the AAA gets information on upcoming advances in technology.
He just used it to try to get money from you.
You too, I'm assuming.
[short sigh]
Frank told me about you.
He said you do things like this.
Like what?
[Polly] You know exactly what.
That's why your marriage ended the way it did it.
It's why your career cooled down.
It's why your daughter's so afraid of you that she had to conspire with her father
on how best to present the man she loves to you.
[Frank whispers] Okay.
Oh, you don't know.
Know what?
That Frank was in prison for 16 months for fraud and embezzlement.
- You knew? - [Margot] Of course.
My lawyers did some digging when my checks came back.
[laughs] I'm sorry, what checks?
- Margot, this fish is... - [Gigi] Really lovely...
- What, you send him money? - [Frank] No, she does not.
Of course she doesn't. I help with his rent.
- No, I help with his rent. - [F] Can we just not right now?
I'm the guarantor on his apartment, I lease his car.
- You do what? - He's had no one.
He's had no money, no...
[M] What's he doing with 50% of mine, then?
Excuse me?
My residuals.
- Maybe I should... - No, please stay.
California is a community property state.
Any money I made while we were married automatically goes to him,
including residuals from the films I did
- and the commercials I made. - Dad?
[M] The most lucrative part of my career was when were married.
Hell, the residuals from Northwest Passage alone last year
would have paid for his car.
I cannot believe you taking money from our daughter.
Dad?
Is this true?
[M] Of course you don't believe me. You never believe me.
Even though I'm the only honest one here.
I'm the only one who will always tell you the truth.
You can idealize him all you want,
but the truth is that he left and he did not want you.
Oh, please. Excuse me.
You asked me... She asked me...
to say no.
She told me I couldn't afford to give you the life you wanted,
that your best chance was with her. Please.
[Margot laughs]
Oh, my God.
Who are you going to believe, him or me?
Nell.
I can't believe you took my money.
[chair scrapes]
What are you doing?
Well, if half of everything is mine, I guess I should just take it.
[Steely Dan: "Reelin' In The Years" playing]
[Margot] What are you doing?
- [smashing] - What... Frank, stop!
- [smashing] - Frank!
[smashing]
♪ Your everlasting summer You can see it fading fast ♪
♪ So you grab a piece of something That you think is gonna last ♪
♪ But you wouldn't even know a diamond If you held it in your hand ♪
♪ The things you think are precious I can't understand ♪
♪ You been tellin' me you're a genius Since you were 17 ♪
♪ In all the time I've known you I still don't know what you mean ♪
♪ The weekend at the college Didn't turn out like you planned ♪
♪ The things that pass for knowledge I can't understand ♪
♪ Are you reelin' in the years? ♪
♪ Stowin' away the time ♪
♪ Are you gatherin' up the tears? ♪
♪ Have you had enough of mine? ♪
♪ Are you reelin' in the years? ♪
♪ Stowin' away the time ♪
♪ Are you gatherin' up the tears? ♪
♪ Have you had enough of mine? ♪
[music fades]
[quick footsteps]
[crash]
[plates clatter]
[rattling]
[crash]
[rip]
Yeah...
this is yours.
[Nellie] Don't.
[slow piano music playing]
[footsteps]
Can I take you home?
I have a ride, thank you.
[sniffs]
Okay. I just thought after everything, maybe...
I came with your father, I'll leave with him too.
But...
I love him.
[approaching footsteps]
Oh, my God.
Yeah.
Jesus, normally you have to pay top dollar for that kind of drama.
Should we leave?
Before no amount of alcohol can erase the memory what just happened?
I'm going to stay at Sam's tonight.
Don't make that face.
- I'm not making a face, no. - I'm going to be home tomorrow.
Um...
Just for a night.
Yeah, cool.
I actually have to erase my OkCupid account forever anyway, so...
[sniffs]
Good night.
[door opens]
Hey.
Um...
I just wanted to thank you for dinner.
And...
to apologize.
- If my presence caused any... - Eleanor's not ready for you, Sam.
She needs to know who she is before she can be with someone else.
I tried to create a space for her so she could figure herself out, but...
she always seems caught between her father and me,
putting what she thinks we need above her own needs,
and...
she'll do the same with you.
Maybe she already has.
Well, uh...
with all due respect...
Ms. Weston...
in our relationship, we ask each other for what we need.
Margot.
I'm sure she tells you that's what she's doing.
You know, my father...
never saw me,
and my mother
only saw herself in me.
Have you ever considered that the Eleanor that you see in your life
might not be the Nellie she is in hers?
Because the woman I know...
she's able to grow and change
in a way I have... never seen before.
What do you think is harder?
For her to do that?
Or for you to let her?
[door opens]
I'll be in the car.
[kiss]
[whispers] Well...
you want to know what I think?
No.
He's not the man for you right now...
because you're not ready.
Here we go.
And you know it.
That's why you lied to me about his job in the restaurant
and introduced him to your father first
because you wanted backup.
You knew what I would think.
And you all try to manage me.
No, I was managing my hope.
Because you have this way of reaching in
and planting just enough doubt
[emotionally] to carry with me until it destroys everything,
until I'm afraid to love anything without your approval.
It's not the right time.
I'm right about this like I was about the last one.
Well, the difference is...
it used to matter to me.
So thank you for your honesty.
But I don't care what you think anymore.
[Nellie's footsteps fade]
Oh, God.
How is this going to work?
The only thing I know
is that she won't have to live somewhere respectable
if she doesn't want to.
[Margot] She can take any ridiculous job she wants, even if it isn't legitimate.
[Frank chuckles]
[Frank] She will own her own life. We'll make sure of it.
Because we're not our parents.
[Nellie cooing]
Right?
Right. [laughs]
[Nellie gurgles]
[music starts]
[playing Judy Collins: "Both Sides Now"]
♪ Bows and flows of angel hair ♪
♪ And ice cream castles in the air ♪
♪ And feathered canyons everywhere ♪
♪ I've looked at clouds that way ♪
♪ But now they only block the sun ♪
♪ They rain and snow on everyone ♪
♪ So many things I would have done ♪
♪ But clouds got in my way ♪
♪ I've looked at clouds From both sides now ♪
♪ From up and down and still somehow ♪
♪ It's clouds' illusions I recall ♪
♪ I really don't know clouds ♪
♪ At all ♪
♪ Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels ♪
♪ The dizzy dancing way you feel ♪
♪ 'Cause every fairy-tale comes real ♪
♪ I've looked at love that way ♪
♪ But now it's just another show ♪
♪ Leave 'em laughing when you go ♪
♪ And if you care don't let 'em know ♪
♪ Don't give yourself away ♪
♪ I've looked at love From both sides now ♪
♪ From give and take and still somehow ♪
♪ It's love's illusions I recall ♪
♪ I really don't know love ♪
♪ At all ♪
♪ I've looked at life From both sides now ♪
♪ From win and lose ♪
♪ And still somehow ♪
♪ It's life's illusions I recall ♪
♪ I really don't know life ♪
♪ At all ♪
♪ It's life's illusions that I recall ♪
♪ I really don't know life ♪
♪ At all ♪
- Grandma! - Oh!
[sighs]
[laughs]